Media releases: 26 February 2020
Bendigo, 26 February 2020: Sixty-two drought-affected projects across Australia are sharing in $1,622,809 in grant funding as part of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) program.
While the bushfire crisis has dominated the headlines over summer, Australia’s drought has persisted with the Murray-Darling Basin experiencing the driest 36-month period on record, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Other areas affected by longer-term rainfall deficiencies include eastern Victoria, eastern and northern Tasmania, eastern South Australia and some parts of southwest Western Australia. While welcome, recent rainfall has not been enough to ease drought conditions with the deluges experienced in some areas, missed where it’s needed most.
Given the length of the drought, it’s unsurprising that the majority of applications for grants this round are seeking to reduce volunteer fatigue and bolster the efforts of local not-for-profit organisations that are the backbone of rural, regional and remote communities.
“Many not-for-profit organisations are at the core of the support system in small communities, providing essential services across childcare, health, finance, employment, food and emergency relief, leisure and aged care. So, when times are tough, there is an increased reliance on them, at the same time as they find it harder and harder to find funding to sustain their operations. That’s why these grants are so important,” says Emma Thomas, FRRR Program Manager, Recovery & Resilience.
Some of the 62 projects awarded this round include:
- Hay Pre School Kindergarten Inc – Uniting Volunteers to Defeat Droughts and Flooding Rains, NSW – $67,680 – Support organisational capacity and volunteer fatigue by assisting the amalgamation of three early childhood education services in Hay.
- Longreach High School P&C Association, Qld – Destination: Knowledge! Food, fun and feasting – with a dollop of learning! – $43,350 – Support opportunities for educational participation and address disadvantage caused by the drought through exposure to metropolitan hospitality and tourism entities for trade students from Longreach, Barcaldine, Winton, Blackall and Aramac State High Schools.
- 2357 Partnerships – A Star Wars-themed weekend, NSW – $27,500 – Support local economic renewal in Coonabarabran through establishment of an annual Star Wars Festival with the aim of becoming a permanent fixture on the Coonabarabran calendar.
- Buloke Women’s Network Inc, Vic – Celebrating the Women of the Buloke Shire – $14,700 – Build leadership and capacity for women living and working in the Buloke Shire share their stories, network and learn new skills they can utilise in their professional and personal lives.
- Alpha Jockey Club Inc, Qld – Storage, furniture and equipment upgrade – $18,079 – Reduce volunteer fatigue and hiring costs for the organisation and provide the community with a better equipped and aesthetically pleasing facility for community connection.
Tackling Tough Times Together is possible thanks to the collaborative support of more than 15 donors, including the Australian Government which committed $15M to be distributed over three years. Generous contributions have also been made by Australia Post, NRMA, Pratt Foundation, Rex Airlines, Santos, Stockland CARE Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, The Snow Foundation, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Westpac Group, Henroth Group and private donors from across the nation.
Applications for this program are always open and groups in drought-affected areas are encouraged to apply for funding to help their community come together to tackle the drought.
The next cut-off dates for applications are:
- 28 May 2020. EOIs for the $150,000 tier must be received by 16 April, 2020. Outcomes will be advised late August, 2020.
More information on the Tackling Tough Times Together grant program is available on FRRR’s website.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to : NSW | SA | QLD | VIC | NT
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Grant |
---|---|---|---|
Up To $150,000 |
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Hay Pre School Kindergarten Incorporated | Uniting Volunteers to Defeat Droughts and Flooding Rains Support organisational capacity and volunteer fatigue through the amalgamation of three early childhood education services in Hay. |
Hay |
$67,680 |
Up To $60,000 |
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Coonabarabran High School P&C Association | Limitless Learning – Unlocking Potential Support opportunities for educational participation and address disadvantage caused by the drought for students of Coonabarabran High School through funds for travel associated costs for students to participate in out of region STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program activities and presenter costs for school hosted Feast of Pi event. |
Coonabarabran |
$42,500 |
CWA of NSW Menindee Branch Country Women’s Association of NSW |
Menindees Future – M = Menindees; E = Environmental; N = Neighbourhood; I = Indigenous; N = Nations; D = Darling River; E = Educational; E = Economic; S = Secure Enhance community wellbeing and invest in community infrastructure through the delivery of educational art opportunities and streetscape with mosaic workshops; painting of murals; development of a mosaic walkway and the provision of seating in the totem area at the CWA owned Hall in central Menindee. |
Menindee |
$43,800 |
Graman War Memorial Hall Society Incorporated | Getting Graman Hall Ready for Rain Support community connectivity and capacity with the investment in infrastructure through the upgrade of entrance points and ramps to accommodate wheelchair friendly access, install new flashing and guttering to the roof and fitting a solar panel system. |
Graman |
$55,092 |
Hanwood Public School P&C Association Inc
|
Yarning Circle Increase children’s educational and developmental opportunities through installing an inclusive multipurpose space to learn, play and share. |
Hanwood |
$25,630 |
Inverell Community Youth Centre | ICYOUth Development Project Reduce social isolation and build organisational capacity through repairs to the concrete floor and toilet facilities of the Inverell Community Youth Centre. |
Inverell |
$60,000 |
Lake Cargelligo District Community Children’s Association Incorporated | Solar Panel, Battery and Lighting upgrade Increase organisational capacity for Lake Cargelligo District Community Children’s Association through the upgrade of lights, and supply and installation of solar panels and battery. |
Lake Cargelligo |
$30,847 |
Rebellion 2357 Partnerships |
A Star Wars Themed Weekend Support local economic renewal in Coonabarabran through establishment of an annual Star Wars Festival. |
Coonabarabran |
$27,500 |
Rotary Club of Wellington Incorporated | Egg & Bacon or Sausage? Rotary Club of Wellington doing a better Barbeque. Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the provision of a dual axle BBQ trailer for the Rotary Club of Wellington. |
Wellington |
$28,000 |
Warialda Pastoral and Agricultural Association Incorporated | Warialda Show 2020 Reduce social isolation and boost community spirit through the provision of entertainment funds for the Warialda Agricultural Show 2020. |
Warialda |
$35,000 |
Up to $20,000 |
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Adavale Lane Community Centre Incorporated | Rebuilding the Walls and Ceiling, for a kitchen and toilet area, at Adavale Lane Community Centre Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity of the organisation by the replacement of the kitchen and bathroom area walls and ceilings along with the creation of a mezzanine storage space at the Adavale Community Hall. |
Goonumbla |
$19,916 |
Grawin Glengary Sheepyard Opal Field Men’s Shed | Power to the Grawin Shed Strengthen operating viability and capacity through the purchase and installation of a solar system on the Grawin Glengary Sheepyard Opal Field Men’s Shed. |
Grawin Opal Fields, Grawin |
$13,055 |
Gunning Arts Festival Section 355 Committee Upper Lachlan Shire Council |
Gunning Arts Festival Reduce social isolation through the delivery of the inaugural Gunning Arts Festival 17th – 18th April 2020. |
Gunning |
$7,947 |
Marthaguy Picnic Race Club | Sunsafe Family Fun @ Marthaguy Picnic Races Enhance delivery of a local event in drought affected Quambone through hire of marquee and children’s jumping castle. |
Quambone |
$5,623 |
Rotary Club of Narrabri Inc. | Drought Relief Program BBQ Trailer Increase capacity to support and enhance community events and activities through the upgrade of BBQ trailer for Rotary Club of Narraibri. |
Narrabri |
$9,792 |
Stuart Town Advancement Association Incorporated | School of Arts Hall Supper Room update & Installation of a larger Water Tank Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the replacement of the floor, framing of historical photographs and installation of a 22,500L tank at the Stuart Town School of the Arts Supper room. |
Stuart Town |
$16,985 |
The Big Scrub Orchestra | Bringing the “School of Rock” to Boost the Struggling Community of Empire Vale Enhance opportunities for social and educational participation and address disadvantage caused by the drought for children through the delivery of the School of Rock project to Empire Vale School students. |
Empire Vale |
$20,000 |
Upper Hunter Mummers Incorporated | Storage Shed for Charity Theatre Group and Hall in Moonan Flat Reduce volunteer fatigue through the construction of a lockable steel double storage shed at the Moonan Flat Soldiers Memorial Hall. |
Moonan Flat |
$17,018 |
Wentworth District Pre School Playcentre Inc | Save Every Drop Reduce volunteer fatigue, increase organisational capacity, support opportunities for educational participation and address disadvantage caused by the drought for children of the Wentworth District Preschool Playcentre through the installation of a water tank and pump. |
Wentworth |
$4,585 |
Yenda Public School P&C Association | Upgrading Yenda Public School’s Playground Equipment Reduce volunteer fatigue and social isolation by provide access to activities through the upgrade of playground equipment at the Yenda Public School. |
Yenda |
$20,000 |
Up To $60,000 |
|||
Cleve and Districts Men’s Shed Incorporated | Cleve and Districts Men’s Shed Incorporated Reduce social isolation and enhance general well-being through funds to support suitable facilities for The Cleve and Districts Men’s Shed. |
Cleve |
$60,000 |
Mallee Mums & Bubs Lameroo Sports Club Incorporated |
Mallee Mums & Bubs Community Playground Enhance community cohesion and inclusion through the installation of a playground at the Lameroo Sports Club. |
Lameroo |
$23,229 |
Manoora Centenary Park Incorporated | BBQ Cooking and Serving Space with Cool-room Storage Area Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase community capacity through the upgrade of BBQ facilities at Manoora Centenary Park. |
Manoora |
$59,052 |
Morchard Sporting and Community Association Incorporated | Hall Acoustics, Air-conditioning and Phone Service Booster Aerial Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase comfort and functionality of local meeting area through installation of air-conditioning, acoustic ceiling tiles and phone reception booster aerial. |
Morchard District |
$24,986 |
Sandalwood Recreation Association Incorporated | Small Communities Alliance Project Reduce volunteer fatigue, enhance community sense of place and facilitate community collaboration to deliver community infrastructure upgrades in Sandalwood and surrounding communities. |
Sandalwood |
$40,175 |
Warramboo Community Club Incorporated | Air Conditioner Upgrade Enhance opportunities for social connection at the Waramboo Community Club by the installation of new air-conditioning systems to enable comfortable year-round use. |
Warramboo |
$20,490 |
Up To $20,000 |
|||
Angas Valley Recreation Hall and Tennis Club Incorporated | Upgrade Kitchen Appliances and Equipment for Community Events and Activities Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the purchase of a BBQ, toaster, urn, coffee machine and fire extinguisher at the Angus Valley Recreation Reserve and Tennis Club facility. |
Angas Valley |
$1,030 |
Jabuk Community Hall Incorporated | Revive the Hive Enhance amenities for individuals and community groups that use the Jabuk Community Hall by the upgrade of the existing toilet block. |
Jabuk |
$7,054 |
UP To $60,000 |
|||
Freestone Memorial Hall Association Inc. | Improvements to storage of water and equipment. Improve energy efficiency Reduce volunteer fatigue, increase organisational capacity and reduce social isolation through the upgrade of the Freestone Memorial Hall. |
Freestone and surrounds |
$42,862 |
Grow Glenmorgan Incorporated | Acquire and re-open The Glenmorgan Store Enhance economic renewal and recovery and increase liveability for the community by re-opening the Glenmorgan General Store. |
Glenmorgan |
$60,000 |
Hughenden Kindergarten Association Incorporated | Hughenden Kindergarten Cooler Summers and Sustainability Project Increase organisational capacity through the replacement of air-conditioning units and installation of a solar system. |
Hughenden |
$37,831 |
Inglewood Kindergarten Association Incorporated | Replace Inglewood Kindergarten and Childcare Centre Flooring Reduce volunteer fatigue and improve safety and hygiene through replacement of aging flooring at Inglewood Childcare and Kindergarten. |
Inglewood |
$36,410 |
Longreach High School P&C Association | Destination: Knowledge!! Food, Fun and Feasting – with a dollop of learning! Support opportunities for educational participation and address disadvantage caused by the drought through exposure to metropolitan hospitality and tourism entities for trade students from Longreach, Barcaldine, Winton, Blackall and Aramac State High Schools. |
Barcaldine / Aramac |
$43,350 |
Murweh Shire State Emergency Service Unit – Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
Commemorative Week Historic Display Enhance community cohesion and economic renewal through the development of commemoration display to community resilience and solidarity during disastrous times. |
Charleville |
$59,820 |
Outback Watersport’s Club Incorporated | Outback Paddle Regatta Festival 2020 Reduce social isolation and create opportunities for economic development by hosting the Outback Paddle Regatta Festival in Longreach. |
Longreach |
$50,000 |
Up To $20,000 |
|||
Alpha Jockey Club Incorporated | Alpha Jockey Club – Storage, Furniture and Equipment Upgrade Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the purchase of event furniture, equipment and storage facilities. |
Alpha & Surrounds |
$18,079 |
Chinchilla Family Support Centre Incorporated | Water for Wellbeing Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the installation of three 9,000 litre tanks at the Chinchilla Family Support Centre. |
Chinchilla |
$9,920 |
Clermont Men’s Shed Incorporated | Resurface existing concrete floor and additional workstations Increase safety and function of local men’s shed facility, that supports the mental health of local men, through levelling uneven floor. |
Clermont |
$20,000 |
Friends of the Gallery Booringa Action Group Incorporated |
Mitchell on Maranoa Gallery – Lighting Upgrade Increase local economic renewal and recovery through the installation of LED lighting and tracking at the Mitchell on Maranoa Gallery exhibition room. |
Mitchell |
$10,113 |
Glenmorgan Art Group Tara & District Family Support Committee Incorporated |
Glenmorgan Art Group – 50 Years Celebration Weekend Foster local arts and contribute to a culturally vibrant community by support of the Glenmorgan Art Group fifty-year celebration weekend event. |
Miles |
$3,045 |
Longreach Show Society Incorporated | Longreach Show Looking Long Term! Reduce the cost of community event delivery in Longreach, through the purchase of equipment including a portable stage, PA systems and marquees. |
Longreach
|
$17,000 |
Pittsworth Show Society Incorporated | 2020 Pittsworth Show – AgVenture Remove barriers to attend the Pittsworth Agricultural Show 2020 for local families through free entry and activities to local children and youth. |
Pittsworth |
$8,103 |
QCWA Branch Blackall | Turning the heat down in an Outback town Increase comfort for community groups that use Blackall QCWA Hall in the summer months, through installation of an air conditioner. |
Blackall |
$12,000 |
Stay in Childers Incorporated | Childers Digital Marketing Strategy Promote tourism and economic capacity through an ongoing social media/digital marketing campaign. |
Childers |
$7,388 |
Wandoan Show Society Incorporated | 2020 Wandoan Show Cut the Cost Project Promote individual and community health and social wellbeing with the reduction or elimination of entry costs for families and individuals to the 2020 Wandoan Show. |
Wandoan |
$9,000 |
Up To $60,000 |
|||
Cobram District Children’s Services Inc | Punt Road Kinder – Outdoor Environment Enhancement Increase children’s development opportunities through an upgrade to the outdoor area at Punt Road Kindergarten. |
Cobram |
$30,663 |
Corack Public Hall Inc | Corack Hall Restroom Refurbishment Enhance accessibility to the community hall by the installation of an accessible toilet block. |
Corack |
$35,000 |
Lake Boga Progress Association | Activate Township Precinct Through Visual Public Art Increase local tourism and support local progress through creation of silo art at Lake Boga. |
Lake Boga |
$50,000 |
Litchfield Public Hall | Litchfield Hall – Kitchen Upgrade Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity of the Litchfield community by the upgrade of facilities for the Community Hall. |
Litchfield |
$24,863 |
The Warracknabeal Golf Club | The Green Roof Revolution Project Create opportunities for social connection in the community by the upgrade of the roof at the Warracknabeal Golf Club. |
Warracknabeal |
$46,125 |
Up To $20,000 |
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Buloke Women’s Network Incorporated | Celebrating the Women of the Buloke Shire Promote individual and community health and social wellbeing through community events that acknowledge and celebrate the economic and social contribution of women in the Buloke region. |
Birchip |
$14,700 |
Churchill Community Hub – ‘Growing our Community Project’ Churchill Neighbourhood Centre Incorporated |
Growing Our Community Provide a safe space for young children to access community gardening activities through the construction of fencing around the Churchill Community Garden. |
Churchill |
$10,000 |
Echuca-Moama Broadcast Service Incorporated – 3GRR | Update Outside Broadcast Equipment Support volunteer fatigue and improve social connection and community information sharing by the purchase of outside broadcast equipment for the EMFM 104.7 radio station based in Echuca. |
Echuca |
$14,196 |
Marnoo Soldiers Memorial Park Reserve Committee | Marnoo Events Centre & Sporting Facility – Furnishing & Equipment Support community connectedness in Marnoo with access to a fully functioning events space. |
Marnoo |
$20,000 |
The Mirboo North ArtSpace | Mir Gloom to Mir Bloom Increase community spirit and encourage volunteerism through development of a film that acknowledges and celebrates local initiatives. |
Mirboo North |
$8,000 |
Traralgon South and District Card making and Scrapbooking Balook and District Residents Association (BADRA) Incorporated |
Traralgon South and District Cardmaking and Scrapbooking Remove barriers to participation and improve mental health for members of a scrapbooking and cardmaking group through funds for supplies and equipment for one year. |
Traralgon South |
$3,900 |
Watchem Development Association Incorporated | Sound and Light for the Watchem Church Create economic development opportunities and a community event space in Watchem by the installation of professional sound and lighting in the Old Watchem Church. |
Watchem |
$20,000 |
Wedderburn Men’s Shed Incorporated | “Floorage for Storage” Reduce social isolation, support community engagement and mental health by the improvement of infrastructure at the Wedderburn Men’s Shed. |
Wedderburn |
$6,365 |
Wycheproof Swimming Group Wycheproof Community Resource Centre Incorporated |
Wycheproof Swimming Pool Lighting Upgrade Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase the capacity of the organisation through the upgrade of lighting at the Wycheproof Pool. |
Wycheproof |
$18,170 |
Yarram & District Traders & Tourism Incorporated | Promotional Video for the Guts of Gippsland Increase tourism and community engagement through the celebration of local attractions and enabling the production of a short film to promote the Yarram region. |
Yarram |
$15,920 |
Yinnar & District Community Association Incorporated | Boolarra – Yinnar Rail Trail – Stage 3 – Master Plan/Business Case Development Increase support for local rail trail pathway project from Yinnar to Boolarra through development of business case and master plan. |
Yinnar |
$13,000 |
Up To $60,000 |
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Paterson Street Hub First Peoples Disability Network Australia |
Spirit of Place Enhance community cohesion and connection for the Tennant Creek Community through the delivery of monthly Spirit of Place activities at the Mary Ann Dam. |
Tennant Creek |
$60,000 |