Much of community life centres on the Seddon Uniting Church, which has a hall used for community group meetings, performances, yoga classes, polling booths, playgroups and the occasional 100th birthday party.

Maribyrnong Makers Group president Stephen Smith said that after the craft market started using the church grounds and hall the group noticed the fence was in need of repair.

It approached the church with the idea of paying for a $10,000-plus replacement fence, contributing the man-hours necessary to make it happen, then seeking sponsorship from local businesses to help pay for it.

"It was the community's way of saying thanks to the church for opening up to us," Mr Smith said.

Church member Peter Redding said the offer was heaven-sent.

"We found a community group actually coming to us saying we'd like to raise some cash and spend it on the church.

"The really pleasing aspect was having people come to the church, saying, 'You deserve better'."

Remarkably, the entire project was finished in three weeks.

Alison Herbst, a member of the group and owner of Gourmet on Gamon cafe, was instrumental in gathering support from the business community after the fence was built.

"The thing about this area is we're very community-oriented," Ms Herbst said.

"Getting involved in a long-term project like this is going to be a better investment of your $500 than, say, putting it into a trivia night where you get one mention."

Ms Herbst said the response of people to the events of Black Saturday had had a major impact. "It just made people more aware of the community and more willing to give back. The response from the Uniting Church people has just been overwhelming. They are so happy."

Sponsorship is still trickling in, but so far Mona Castle Hotel, Toll Logistics, Gourmet on Gamon and Seddon Therapies have chipped in.

Ms Herbst said the group had no plans to sit on the fence now and had already discussed fixing the church hall and concrete paths, a project they will tackle next year.