2019/2020 Annual Review – Grounded and Connected

An important part of FRRR’s remit is to connect with remote, rural and regional communities. This allows us to see first-hand the impact of their projects, to support them and increase their capacity and, most importantly, to understand their ongoing needs and opportunities.

In addition to sharing our expertise, we learn from innovative, community-led projects and share this information with other community leaders, policy makers, funders and industry bodies. We take pride in being able to support and amplify the effort, opportunity and innovation in communities.

During the year, we also met with policy makers, politicians and donor partners. At every opportunity, we shared insights from the bush, and discussed the challenges and opportunities facing rural Australia.

This year, as the bushfires worsened, FRRR convened two roundtables as part of the Private Public Partnership Network, now part of Bushfire Recovery Victoria. We also participated in the National Charities Bushfire Recovery Coordination Forum. This was a great expression of the trust in FRRR from the philanthropic community.

As the recovery process began, we were invited to share insights on how the bushfires were affecting communities with the Prime Minister and other MPs, along with the newly-established National Bushfire Recovery Agency.

We also made a submission to the inquiry into lessons to be learned in relation to the preparation and planning for, response to and recovery efforts following the 2019-20 bushfire season.

Once COVID hit, our face to face engagement came to a halt. However, we still managed to remain connected, and to continue to share our insights and perspectives with a wide range of audiences.

Snapshot of Engagements

Regional Australia Institute, Regions Rising Victoria Summit	Philanthropy Benchmarking Forum
Victorian Men’s Shed Association Network Meeting	Philanthropy Meets Parliament
Community Foundations Forum	Rural Funder Group meetings
GIVE Wangaratta	Lighting of the Australian Parliament Giving Tree (FRRR was a beneficiary)
Mobilising Communities to Eliminate Poverty – Panel – PA event	Roundtable on the Govt’s role in Social Impact Investment
Australian Dairy Leaders’ Luncheon	Panellist, Xfactor Collective RESET 2020 workshops
Collaboration for Impact Webinar – Collaborating in Changing Times	PA Webinar – Disaster Resilience & Recovery
Rural Aid Community Builder Grantseeking Webinar	Women in Philanthropy re Disaster Recovery
IRCF Community Roadmap workshops	Private Public Partnership Network Bushfire Recovery Roundtables

FRRR’s expertise is around how to build community. They are the undisputed experts in Australia around natural disaster thinking, change, preparation, planning for resilience, recovery and rebuilding. They have led this work in Australia for all of philanthropy and the not-for-profit sector for many years, so it is fabulous to tap into that expertise.
Sarah Davies, CEO, Philanthropy Australia