Media releases: 20 November 2019
Bendigo, 21 November 2019: Schools, show societies, and a family support service are among the 30 not-for-profit organisations in New South Wales and Queensland cotton-growing communities to receive a $5,000 boost from the Bayer Fund this year as part of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program.
Today’s announcement coincides with National Agriculture Day. This year marks the sixth round of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program, which is delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and takes the total investment into cotton communities to $900,000.
A local cotton grower nominated each of the not-for-profits that are receiving funds, which will help strengthen community resilience and positively impact on the wellbeing of cotton-growing communities. The majority of grant funding will be used to invest in infrastructure and equipment, and 23 percent of funds are being used to provide activities and services.
“There are many challenges associated with the drought for people living in rural Australia at the moment, and so there was a strong focus on developing organisational resilience, as was supporting lifelong learning, education and training,” said FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton.
“FRRR ran a series of grantseeker workshops in these cotton-growing areas, and the increased demand on not-for-profits for both short and long-term support was a talking point. Additionally, organisations providing direct support to farmers and their families discussed the heavy reliance on volunteers and the impact on those individuals who were giving support to others, while experiencing the effects of the drought first-hand.
“These grants will not only boost morale in the short-term but also create a lasting impact, as FRRR’s research shows that communities typically leverage a grant three times over.”
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said the grants will provide a much-needed boost to cotton communities.
“We are proud of the contribution our industry makes to the communities in which we operate. It is during times like these, where drought is biting, that the strength of our industry in supporting these communities comes to the fore. I congratulate the recipients of this year’s grants and look forward to seeing what is accomplished.”
Bayer Fund representative in Australia, Carissa Buckland, said that this year’s nominations illustrated that there is strong community spirit within the cotton areas.
“Many of the projects being funded are all about bringing people together – for artistic workshops, picnic areas, school gardens and community shows. It’s great to see cotton growers giving back and doing their bit to strengthen their local community.”
The full list of recipients can be found below.
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Darling River Food & Fibre (Bourke), NSW | |||
|
Bourke Arts Community Inc |
Develop organisational resilience and capacity through the purchase of studio equipment and materials to make glazes. |
Bourke |
$5,000 |
|
Gwydir Valley, NSW | |||
|
St Philomenas Catholic School Moree P & F |
Provide access to quality learning environments and experiences through the construction of an all-weather shade area. |
Moree
|
$5,000 |
|
Moree Water Ski Club Inc |
Build community resilience and maintain recreational assets through the construction of a shade shelter. |
Bellata |
$5,000 |
|
Moree Show Society Inc |
Strengthen community wellbeing and identity through the delivery of the Moree Show. |
Moree |
$5,000 |
|
Lower Namoi, NSW | |||
|
Wee Waa Sports Inc |
Enhance community identity through an upgrade of galleries and blades over windows. |
Wee Waa |
$5,000 |
|
Wee Waa Fishing Club |
Supporting community engagement through the upgrade of a well-used picnic area |
Wee Waa |
$5,000 |
|
St Joseph’s Catholic School Wee Waa Parents & Friends Association |
Improve education outcomes through the establishment of a garden area for students. |
Wee Waa |
$5,000 |
|
Macquarie, NSW | |||
|
Marra Creek Public School Parents and Citizens Association |
Increase engagement in learning through the purchase of media infrastructure and a pizza oven. |
Nyngan |
$5,000 |
|
Narromine Agricultural Show Inc |
Develop community engagement through the purchase of portable sound equipment and two shade marquees. |
Narromine |
$5,000 |
|
Southern Valleys, NSW | |||
|
Wirrinya Aquatic Club Inc |
Enhance community sense of place through the upgrade of an outdoor area. |
Wirrinya |
$5,000 |
|
St Marys Catholic Primary Hay Parents and Friends Association |
Foster school engagement and improve education outcomes by developing an outdoor learning space. |
Hay |
$5,000 |
|
Lake Cargelligo Central School |
Provide access to quality learning environments through the purchase of portable agricultural equipment. |
Lake Cargelligo |
$5,000 |
|
Goolgowi Parents and Citizens Association |
Increase engagement in education experiences through the establishment of a garden as part of an environmental education program. |
Goolgowi |
$5,000 |
|
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Hillston Parents & Friends Association |
Develop community resilience through the upgrade of a canteen area. |
Hillston |
$5,000 |
|
Upper Namoi, NSW | |||
|
Gunnedah South School P&C Association |
Strengthen community participation through the upgrade of an outdoor area. |
Gunnedah |
$5,000 |
|
Gunnedah Family Support |
Develop individual and community capacity and social wellbeing through the delivery of a men’s support program. |
Gunnedah |
$5,000 |
|
Gunnedah Family and Children’s Services Inc |
Provide a safe and secure start in life for children through the replacement of a soft-fall area around play equipment. |
Gunnedah |
$5,000 |
|
The Boggabri Tractor Shed Inc |
Enhance organisational resilience and capacity through the uprade of a kitchen. |
Boggabri |
$5,000 |
|
Walgett, NSW | |||
|
Walgett Little Athletics Centre |
Develop a more engaged, participative community through the upgrade of kitchen equipment. |
Walgett |
$5,000 |
|
Central Highlands, QLD | |||
|
Rotary Club of Emerald Inc |
Provide access to quality learning environments through the development of an all-abilities playground. |
Emerald |
$5,000 |
|
Emerald Branch Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association |
Build stronger individual and/or community resilience through furnishing a youth space within a welfare centre. |
Emerald |
$5,000 |
|
Darling Downs, QLD | |||
|
Toowoomba and District Down Syndrome Support Group Inc |
Promote inclusive community engagement through the provision of an annual family workshop and camp. |
Toowoomba |
$5,000 |
|
Pittsworth and District Men’s Shed Inc |
Develop a more engaged, participative community through the purchase of information technology. |
Pittsworth |
$5,000 |
|
Meandarra Primary P&C Association |
Strengthen community participation through the installation of a concrete path and seating. |
Meandarra |
$5,000 |
|
Jandowae Kindergarten Assoc Inc |
Provide access to inclusive learning environments through the upgrade of a playground cubby. |
Jandowae |
$5,000 |
|
Brookstead Community Hall Association Inc |
Providing access to community activities through the installation of a solar powered system. |
Brookstead |
$5,000 |
|
Dawson Valley, QLD | |||
|
Theodore Early Childhood Centre Association Inc |
Support early childhood development through the provision of a shade area and the purchase of an outdoor play set. |
Theodore |
$5,000 |
|
Dirranbandi, QLD | |||
|
Dirranbandi Swim Club Dirranbandi Courts Sports Association Inc |
Strengthen community participation and water safety through the purchase of swimming and pool equipment and barbeque to host a community event. |
Dirranbandi |
$5,000 |
|
Macintyre Valley, QLD | |||
|
Talwood State School P&C |
Increase engagement in learning and improve education outcomes through the purchase of an irrigation system to compliment an orchard project. |
Talwood |
$5,000 |
|
North Star Sporting Club Ltd |
Promote community safety and resilience through the purchase of a defibrillator and three comprehensive First Aid kits. |
North Star |
$5,000 |
