Media releases: 13 September 2019
Over $320,000 in funding awarded
Bendigo, 16 September 2019: The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), in collaboration with its donor partners, is supporting 50 community projects from around Australia with a share of $328,121 through the Strengthening Rural Communities – Small & Vital grants program.
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An evolution of FRRR’s popular Small Grants for Rural Communities program, Strengthening Rural Communities – Small & Vital awards grants up to $10,000 to help local leaders respond to a broad range of needs across rural, regional and remote communities.
This second round of Strengthening Rural Communities – Small & Vital provides funding to a wide range of projects that enhance community life. This includes healthy food programs; a course in Early Childcare; first aid mannequins; GPS units for community transport; podcast production; a shade sail; IT, marketing and social media training; and a patchwork quilt festival.
“Infrastructure and equipment can be a powerful change mechanism for community groups, and this was the focus of the majority of applications in this round of Strengthening Rural Communities – Small & Vital,” says FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton.
“There are a lot of small towns doing it tough around the country at the moment and if they can secure funding to make it that little bit easier or more comfortable for their volunteers, then community members are more likely to offer their services. It’s these activities that bring communities together and that are a vital component of prosperity.
“Health and social wellbeing was also a key focus area for many grantseekers. We received several applications for projects to create stronger communities where people care about each other, are engaged with local issues and feel a sense of belonging.”
Successful applicants are spread from Onslow in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and Wadeye in the Northern Territory, across to Ingham in north-eastern Queensland, Sunset Strip in far west New South Wales, Lakes Entrance in eastern Victoria and Bruny Island off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania. Full details of the projects funded can be found below, but some examples include:
- Nepean and Blue Mountains Parkinson’s Support Group – $1,859, NSW – Enhance the health and social outcomes of people with Parkinson’s Disease through the delivery of eight creative dance classes.
- Stick Mob Studio Red Hot Arts Central Australia – $9,800, NT – Develop Indigenous youth business skills, via an intensive mentoring program, culminating in the creation of graphic design novels and marketing plans.
- Tin Can Bay Community and Men’s Shed Inc – $5,000, QLD – Increase community engagement and social opportunities through completing construction of a local Men’s Shed, providing disabled parking spaces.
- Lameroo Sports Club Incorporated – $10,000, SA – Enhance community connectivity and well-being by upgrading the kitchen facilities at a well-used local meeting space.
- Rural Health Tasmania Inc – $6,412, TAS – Strengthen the health and resilience of the Circular Head community through a day of events aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues and connecting people to each other and appropriate support services.
- Bass Valley Community Group Inc – $10,000, VIC – Improve the health and well-being of older, vulnerable members of the Bass community through the installation of an outdoor circuit of exercise equipment.
- Wyndham Historical Society Inc – $5,000, WA – Preserve and improve access to local historical displays through enclosing the back verandah of Wyndham’s museum and refurbishment of display area.
This round of Strengthening Rural Communities – Small & Vital was collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors including: Australia Post, Third Link Investment Managers, The Bertalli Family Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts, Sidney Myer Fund, Vertel, The Yulgilbar Foundation, Scenic World Shared, The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation, The William Buckland Foundation (managed by Equity Trustees), Portland House Foundation, REIV Charitable Foundation, Kapikarnpi Community Fund and Private Donors.
In this second round of the Strengthening Rural Communities – Small & Vital program, there was over $2 million in funding requested. FRRR welcomes additional donor partners for this grants program, which is always open to communities. The next round of applications closes 24 September.
The full list of recipients is below. Jump to your state: NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA
| Applicant | Project Title & Description | Location | Awarded $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Head Surf Life Saving Club Inc | Telecommunication for Black Head Surfclub Strengthen long-term capability of the Black Head Surf Life Saving Club and support volunteer participation through the installation of a reliable telecommunication service. |
Black Head |
$7,900 |
| Careflight Limited | CareFlight MediSim Trauma Care Workshop – Cootamundra Support skill development and confidence of volunteer first responders in Cootamundra by facilitating an eight-hour Trauma Care Workshop run by highly skilled medical professionals. |
Cootamundra |
$6,576 |
| Clarence Valley Conservatorium Inc | Updating the Performance Space through the addition of a Data Projector Strengthen community connectivity and engagement through the purchase and installation of a data projector. |
Grafton |
$10,000 |
| Inverell Community Youth Centre | Eat Smart at ICYOUth Build youth engagement through the development of a safe space and access to a healthy food program for young people. |
Inverell |
$10,000 |
| Kendall Men’s Shed | Targeting Safety and Health Build organisational capacity and maintain volunteer engagement through the purchase of health and safety equipment. |
Kendall |
$2,634 |
| Nepean and Blue Mountains Parkinson’s Support Group / The Australian Dance Council Ausdance NSW Inc |
Creative Dancing with Parkinson’s Enhance the health and social outcomes of people with Parkinson’s Disease through the delivery of eight creative dance classes. |
Wentworth Falls |
$1,859 |
| Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance Inc | Free Food for All Increase opportunities for sustainable living and access to healthy food through the development of a food producing garden. |
Moruya |
$6,899 |
| Sunset Strip Progress Association Inc | Digging the Village Future – An investment in a social business to deliver a diversified income stream Enhance liveability and support economic strength by providing equipment to re-establish Sunset Strip Village. |
Sunset Strip |
$6,415 |
| The Big Fix Inc | Youth Permaculture and Social Enterprise Design Program for the Blue Mountains Pluriversity Improve employment outcomes for young people in the Blue Mountains District by delivering a mentoring program. |
Blackheath |
$10,000 |
| Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation | Yaama Ngunna Baaka Corroborees Festival Support community capability and promote health and social wellbeing through the delivery of a healthy food program as part of the five-day community festival. |
Walgett |
$10,000 |
| Woombah Residents Association Inc | Seating for Community Activities Increase community engagement and social opportunities through the purchase of furniture for the community’s meeting space. |
Woombah |
$1,232 |
| Gap Youth and Community Centre Aboriginal Organisation | B.A.G – Bubs at Gap Support early childhood development and foster parenting skills with the establishment of a community-led, volunteer-run playgroup and delivery of a certificate course in Early Childcare. |
Alice Springs |
$5,000 |
| Stick Mob Studio Red Hot Arts Central Australia |
Stick Mob Studio – Mentoring Develop Indigenous youth business skills, via intensive mentoring program, culminating in creation of graphic design novels and marketing plans. |
Alice Springs |
$9,800 |
| West Daly Regional Council | Community Tree Planting in Wadeye, Peppimenarti and Nganmarriyanga Improved health and well-being outcomes and increased food security, through establishment of fruit trees in three remote communities. |
Wadeye |
$4,946 |
| Burdekin Men’s Shed Association Inc | Keeping the Members Cool Build organisational capacity and increase community engagement by providing a shaded and fit-for-purpose outdoor space. |
Ayr |
$8,514 |
| Childers State School | Childers State School Breakfast Club Improve food security and the health and wellbeing of children through the purchase of appliances and equipment that will support the delivery of a Breakfast Club. |
Childers |
$10,000 |
| Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre Inc | Work for Life Strengthen opportunities of employment for disadvantaged youth through the participation in a skill development workshop. |
Ingham |
$3,250 |
| Kuranda Information and Support Centre Inc | Kuranda Street Pantry Enhance community well-being through the provision of healthy food by establishing an easy accessible Street Pantry. |
Kuranda |
$6,200 |
| Lions Club of Cecil Plains Inc | Cecil Plains Lions Club Christmas Carnival Increase community participation and engagement by hosting a whole community event. |
Cecil Plains |
$2,000 |
| Nanango State Emergency Service – Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
CPR Mannequins Improve emergency response First Aid capability and strengthen community health and safety outcomes via the purchase of First Aid Mannequins for Nanango. |
Nanango |
$3,058 |
| The Creche and Kindergarten Association Limited | C&K Jelly Beans Community Kindergarten: The purchasing of a new fridge, 2 iPads and educational resources Strengthen early childhood education outcomes and provide a fit-for-purpose learning environment for children through the purchase of an appliance and learning equipment. |
Alpha |
$4,072 |
| Tin Can Bay Community and Men’s Shed Inc | Disabled Parking Facilities Increase community engagement and social opportunities through the completion of construction of a local Men’s Shed. |
Tin Can Bay |
$5,000 |
| Lameroo Sports Club Incorporated | Kitchen Upgrade Enhance community connectivity and well-being by upgrading the kitchen facilities at a well-used local meeting space. |
Lameroo |
$10,000 |
| Walker Flat and District Progress Association Incorporated | Purchase and installation of shipping container to store equipment for Marne Mouth revegetation. Improve the health of the local environment through the purchase of a storage unit for tools and equipment used by volunteers participating in a revegetation project. |
Wongulla |
$3,200 |
| Yorke Peninsula Community Transport Incorporated | Telling Our Volunteers Where To Go! Improve the capacity of communities on the Yorke Peninsula to support elderly and vulnerable residents to access medical treatment through the purchase of new GPS units for vehicles used for community transport. |
Kadina |
$3,874 |
| Big hART Inc | Radio Diaries Contribute to developing a culturally vibrant community whilst engaging an ‘at risk’ cohort of young women through the creation of a series of podcasts. |
Wynyard |
$10,000 |
| Bruny Island District School Parents and Friends | Kindy/Prep/Year 1 Classroom Extension Shade Sail Improve the educational and social outcomes of children attending the Bruny Island District School through the addition of a shade sail and the creation of a new outdoor area for play and learning activities. |
Bruny Island |
$10,000 |
| Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club Incorporated | Build capacity of Kingston Beach SLSC’s Ready Rescue Response Team Strengthen local capacity and resilience through the acquisition of equipment and training of volunteers required in response to natural disasters and emergencies. |
Kingston Beach |
$3,382 |
| Rural Health Tasmania Inc | Where’s Your Head @? 2019 Strengthen the health and resilience of the Circular Head community through delivery of a day of events aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues and connecting people to each other and appropriate support services. |
Smithton |
$6,412 |
| Australian Marine Mammal Conservation Foundation Ltd | Supporting skill development of Gippsland Lakes citizen science volunteers Enhance community capacity to undertake and promote environmental citizen science action around the Gippsland Lakes through the delivery of a series of volunteer training sessions. |
Lakes Entrance |
$9,500 |
| Bass Valley Community Group Inc | Seniors’ Outdoor Gym Improve the health and well-being of older, vulnerable members of the Bass community through the installation of an outdoor circuit of exercise equipment. |
Bass |
$10,000 |
| Bengworden Hall and Recreation Reserve Incorporated | The Restoration of the Bengworden Hall – Replacing the Roof and Installing Interior Heating and Cooling Strengthen community resilience and connectedness through an upgrade of the local community hall, including a new roof and heating / cooling systems. |
Bengworden |
$7,000 |
| Cobden Technical School | Teen Youth Mental Health First Aid Improve mental health and wellbeing of young people through delivery of mental health first aid training to students at Cobden Technical School. |
Cobden |
$1,332 |
| Crashendo! Bairnsdale | CRASHENDO! Bairnsdale – Music Makes a Difference Enhance the education and social outcomes of children and young people through delivery of a music program for children from Bairnsdale and surrounding districts. |
Bairnsdale |
$10,000 |
| Crossenvale Community Group Incorporated | Healthy Communities Project Improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged community members through the purchase of a catering trailer which will enable distribution of food and hygiene packages, as well as delivery of a range of community engagement events. |
Echuca |
$10,000 |
| Deans Marsh Community Cottage Inc | Bringing Technology to our Rural Community for Micro Business Strengthen the local economy through the provision of IT marketing / social media training for microbusinesses operating in the Deans Marsh area. |
Deans Marsh |
$10,000 |
| Friends of the Mitta Incorporated | Drone Broom mapping of Mitta Mitta gorge corridor Improve the understanding and capacity of volunteer groups and natural resource management authorities to manage invasive weeds in the Mitta Mitta River corridor through mapping a broom infestation. |
Anglers Rest |
$5,000 |
| Gippsland Lakes Community Health | Walk to Change the Story Build a better connected, healthier and more inclusive community through the delivery of a public event focused on violence against women and children. |
Bairnsdale |
$9,942 |
| Glenrowan Primary School | Mural artwork in the school grounds Contribute to the cultural vibrancy of the local school and community through the design and creation of three murals in the grounds of the primary school. |
Glenrowan |
$3,000 |
| Indigo North Health Inc | Digital equipment for the Chiltern Neighbourhood House Increase learning opportunities for the local community through the acquisition of IT equipment for the new neighbourhood house, which will enable delivery of a range of workshops, presentations and meetings. |
Chiltern |
$2,000 |
| Mercy Regional College | Teen Mental Health First Aid Improve the mental health and well-being of students through delivery of a mental health first aid course developed specifically for teens. |
Camperdown |
$2,008 |
| Red Gum Festival Development Group Incorporated | Cavendish Red Gum Festival Build a vibrant culture and increased awareness of environmental challenges through delivery of a festival rooted in the local landscape. |
Cavendish |
$7,993 |
| Try Australia Children’s Services | Timboon Children’s Centre Environmental Upgrade Improve the educational and development outcomes of children attending the Timboon Children’s Centre through an upgrade of the outdoor play area. |
Timboon |
$10,000 |
| Violet Town Gallery Museum Inc | Museum Training Project Strengthen community leadership and capacity through the delivery of training to volunteers who run the local museum and gallery. |
Violet Town |
$7,300 |
| Woods Farming & Heritage Museum Inc. | Woods Museum Rupanyup School, Education and Learning Packs Enhance educational outcomes particularly relating to local history through the development and provision of learning packages for students visiting the Woods’ Farming and Heritage Museum in Rupanyup. |
Rupanyup |
$1,670 |
| WA | |||
| Dongara Patchwork Club Inc | The Dongara Patchwork Club, Hanging of the Quilts Increase social engagement, community connectedness and boost local economy through Hanging of the Quilts Festival showcasing local talent. |
Port Denison |
$4,403 |
| Murlpirrmarra Connection Limited | Indigenous Engagement for Youth in Wiluna, Leonora and surrounding remote areas Increase the health, wellbeing, confidence and skills of children living in remote Western Australian communities through delivery of a school holiday program in Wiluna. |
Wiluna |
$10,000 |
| Swan Districts Football Club Inc | Indigenous Hip-Hop Project – Onslow Increase youth engagement and connection to community through a week-long Hip-Hop Project for 50 Onslow youth. |
Onslow |
$10,000 |
| The Cannery Arts Centre Inc | The Cannery Arts Centre Strategic Plan Build organisational capacity through creation of a three year strategic business plan and review that will be the blueprint for future growth for The Cannery Arts Centre. |
Esperance |
$9,750 |
| Wyndham Historical Society Inc | Wyndham Museum Exhibition Space Upgrade Preserve and improve access to local historical displays through enclosing the back verandah of Wyndham’s museum and refurbishment of display area. |
Wyndham |
$5,000 |
