The Victorian Country Education Project (CEP), a pilot project searching for new ways of bringing beneficial educational experiences to disadvantaged rural areas, successfully achieved its aims of establishing community-based programs involving varied groups and people in developing solutions to local educational problems. A central Planning Committee established proposal and evaluation guidelines and a functional structure for the project. Five rural areas selected for the project (Far East Gippsland, King and Ovens Valleys, North Central, Mallee Track, and Western Wimmera) served 15,087 students in 133 schools. Poor introduction of the program into the communities resulted in some animosity and frustration, but local Project Committees made successful needs and resources surveys which increased community awareness and involvement in local educational problem solving. The Project Committees also successfully proposed many programs to the Planning Committee. Among those funded were programs dealing with community surveys, drama, basic literacy/numeracy, sports, special education, music, arts and crafts, transportation, and excursions and field days. General reaction to the project was very positive. Many programs were extended to 1978. Despite early difficulties, CEP took root in the areas, community involvement in education was accepted, and local problem-solving networks were strengthened. (SB)