Nearly $2M granted to drought-affected communities

Media releases: 19 May 2020

Bendigo, 19 May 2020: Fifty-eight community-led projects that help drought-affected rural, regional and remote Australian communities are sharing in nearly $2 million in grants, through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) program.

While COVID-19 and the bushfires have taken centre stage over the past six months, the drought and long-term rainfall deficiencies remain severe across much of the country. Despite the good rainfall earlier in the year, the drought is far from over. Many communities, like those throughout New South Wales and across the Murray-Darling Basin (which runs through Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia), who are experiencing the driest 36-month period on record. In Queensland, 67.4 percent of the state is drought-declared. Other areas affected by extended periods of rainfall shortages include eastern Victoria, eastern and northern Tasmania, eastern South Australia and parts of southwest Western Australia.

FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton says these communities haven’t been forgotten and FRRR is here to help them get through these dry times.

“We know that large parts of the country are still in drought, and coupled with the impacts of COVID-19, and for many the bushfires too, this is a particularly challenging time. Keeping money flowing into rural areas is a priority for FRRR, so that these communities can continue to work at building capacity and long-term resilience,” said Ms Egleton.

TTTT Program Coordinator, Deanne Cavalier, says that Tackling Tough Times Together grants support projects that aim to reduce social isolation, develop leadership and skills training, social and educational participation, stimulate economic activity and build the capacity of local not-for-profit organisations.

“This round of TTTT saw the most applications since the program’s 2018 national expansion. It’s clear that these communities still need help to access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought.

“It’s vital to be flexible and support local recovery efforts in a way that meets the needs of each community now, and into the medium to long-term. That’s why we are open to project variations and supporting organisations pivoting and thinking laterally when it comes to their projects and how grant funds are used during COVID-19 restrictions,” said Ms Cavalier.

Some of the 58 projects awarded this round include:

Quilpie Cultural Society Incorporated, QLD – Defying the Drought through Creativity – $31,466 – Relieve current stressors of drought and improve community health and social wellbeing through the installation of new resources at the Cultural Society, and the delivery of a variety of art and craft workshops.
Kingaroy BaconFest Inc, QLD – Kingaroy BaconFest 2021 – $58,300 – Support fatigued volunteers and reduce social and economic issues by showcasing local industry and produce and highlighting the importance of buying 100 percent Australian pork product.
Lions Club of Ulladulla Milton Incorporated, NSW – Farmers at Burrill (FAB) – $17,138 – Support local industries, economy and tourism, and reduce social isolation through the delivery of a local Farmers’ Market that will showcase local producers and encourage tourists to the region.
Colbinabbin & District Historical Society, VIC – The Development of Colbinabbin Silo Art Viewing Area – $59,800 – Reinvigorate local community spirit and the economy by developing land adjacent to the Colbinabbin silo art project into parklands featuring a native garden, walking tracks, and a silo viewing platform.
Arno Bay Progress Association Incorporated, SA – Tasting Arno – $3,606 – Reduce social isolation and stimulate the local economy by encouraging the broader community to participate in an accessible, low cost, local event.

Tackling Tough Times Together is possible thanks to the collaborative support of a number of donors, including the Australian Government which committed $15M to be distributed over three years. Generous contributions have also been made by NRMA, Pratt Foundation, Stockland CARE Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, The Snow Foundation, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Henroth Group and private donors from across the nation.

Applications for the TTTT 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 to be considered are:

28 May 2020. Outcomes will be advised late August 2020.
27 August 2020. (Note, expressions of interest for the $150,000 tier must be received by 16 July 2020.) Outcomes will be advised late November 2020.

The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.

Jump to : NSW | QLD | SA | VIC

Organisation	Project	Location	Grant
NEW SOUTH WALES
Up to $60,000
Billimari Public Hall & Recreation Reserve Land Manager	Kitchen in Billimari Hall Upgrade Billimari Hall kitchen to increase safety and amenity for local community cultural events and meetings.	Billimari	$58,677
Boggabri and Districts Historical Society	Installation of Vinyl Cladding Increase comfort and reduce ongoing maintenance of Boggabri Men’s Shed and Museum buildings through recladding.	Boggabri	$35,120
Clare Public School Parents and Citizens Association	Sustainable Community Kitchen at Clare Public School Enhance catering and cooking activities for the community and school students through the construction of a kitchen at Clare Public School.	Clare	$59,730
Community College-Northern Inland Incorporated	Capacity Building for Community Education Futures in the Northern Inland Increase the capacity and viability of education provider in drought affected areas that provides job ready skills and training.	Barraba	$37,500
Condobolin and District Landcare Management Committee	Recovery Festival Strengthening local communities by providing a platform to drive economic growth, social cohesion and cultural identity through delivery of a free Festival at Condobolin.	Condobolin	$60,000
Cypress View Lodge Limited	Cypress View Lodge (CVL) Solar Upgrade Increase viability of Cypress View Lodge through installation of solar system, supporting locals to stay within their community as they age and need more assistance with daily living and health needs.	Coleambally	$59,696
Dunedoo Bowling Club Limited	Air Conditioning Replacement Increase comfort and amenity of meeting area in drought affected community through air conditioning upgrade at Dunedoo Bowling Club.	Dunedoo	$34,100
Growmolong Incorporated	“The Molong Story” Mural Artworks Increase economic growth through attracting tourists to view silo and tank art at Molong.	Molong	$60,000
Guyra Adult Learning Association Incorporated	The Guyra Gazette Lifeline Increased capacity to produce local newspaper to support the community to; maintain strong connections; raise awareness of local events and activities; encourage social interaction; and inform community of local issues during a period of drought.	Guyra	$40,422
Gwymac Incorporated	Community Planting Bees – For a healthy and Connected Inverell Region Reduce social isolation and increase community connectedness through redevelopment of local community hub, Inverell Community Garden.	Inverell	$56,177
Hartbeat of the Bush Incorporated	Beat of The Bush Festival 2020 Reduce social isolation and support opportunities for educational participation for children and young people through the delivery of the Beat of The Bush Festival in Tenterfield.	Tenterfield	$55,000
Manilla Community Renewable Energy Incorporated	Renewable Manilla Increase social connections and provide activities that support learning at the Renewable Manilla Festival.	Manilla	$27,500
Mungindi Community Preschool Incorporated	Optimal Start for Parched Children Continued delivery of early childhood education regardless of low enrolments in Mungindi through support for program costs.	Mungindi	$60,000
South West Arts Incorporated	Youth Community Radio Station Enhance leadership development and skills training opportunities for young people of Deniliquin and surrounds through the creation of the Youth Community Radio Station.	Deniliquin	$28,000
UCA – Greenthorpe	Going To Print Increase opportunities for the community to connect, support each other and express themselves through the arts.	Greenethorpe	$57,950
Up to $20,000
Age of Fishes Museum Incorporated	Three Fossil Stands for the Age of Fishes Museum Encourage local tourism and enhance educational opportunity through the provision of three fossil display stands at the Age of Fishes Museum, Canowindra.	Canowindra	$7,217
Borah Creek Public Hall Land Manager	Solar Panels to the Borah Creek Hall Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the installation of solar power to the Borah Creek Hall.	Rocky Glen	$7,954
Delungra Public School	Exploring the Ocean Landscape Enhance social and educational participation for children disadvantaged through drought by the delivery of a weeklong excursion for students of Delungra and Gilgai Public Schools to Lake Ainsworth.	Delungra	$20,000
Hope Bathurst Incorporated	Upgrade of Hopecare Café Kitchen Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the upgrade to the Hopecare Café Kitchen.	Bathurst	$16,900
Lions Club of Ulladulla Milton Incorporated	Farmers At Burrill (FAB) Enhance economic recovery and renewal through the development and delivery of the Farmers at Burrill (FAB) Farmers Market as a pilot market over the 2020/2021 Summer.	Burrill Lake	$10,210
Mungery Recreation Reserve Land Manager	Mungery Skillion Enhance and repair local meeting place that supports the delivery of community events and activities that increase local connectedness and reduce isolation.	Mungery	$20,000
Narrabri Shire Community Radio Incorporated	Fit Out of a New Studio Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the fit out of a second radio studio at Narrabri Shire Community Radio.	Narrabri	$11,000
Scout Association of Australia First Dubbo Scout Group	Water Tanks for Hall Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the installation of water tanks at the First Dubbo Scout Group Hall.	Dubbo	$4,619
Tibooburra & District Progress Association	Outback Lock-Up Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the provision of two shipping containers at the community Albert Hall and Cemetery.	Tibooburra	$10,500
QUEENSLAND
Up to $60,000
Balonne Shire Council	Bollon Park and Riverland Revitalisation Upgrade local parklands through installation of new seating, lighting and irrigation, to encourage social connection and enhance local events and activities.	Bollon	$60,000
Boulia Golf Club Incorporated	Rejuventation of Boulia Golf Club – The Hub of the Shire Improve and repair Boulia Golf Club to encourage community connectedness and reduce social isolation during period of drought.	Boulia	$60,000
Centre For Rural and Regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Limited	Tucka-Time Program – Fruit and Vegetable Box Addition Increase access to fresh fruit and improve nutrition for aboriginal primary students in the Gladstone Region.	Gladstone	$37,500
Goondiwindi Pastoral and Agricultural Society	“Putting Rubbish in its Place, With a Hop, Skip and Dump” Increase the capacity of volunteers to deliver events and activities that support economic and social benefits for the drought affected community of Goondiwindi.	Goondiwindi	$47,024
Junction View Hall Association Incorporated	Junction View Hall Upgrade Continued access to Junction View Hall through roof repair and external painting, allowing locals to connect and support each other at locally driven activities.	Junction View	$52,146
Kingaroy BaconFest Incorporated	Kingaroy BaconFest 2020 Increase capacity of Festival Committee through support and infrastructure for Kingaroy BaconFest event delivery.	Kingaroy	$58,300
Lockyer Multicultural Association Incorporated	Connecting and Empowering the Lockyer Valley Community Through Local Produce Improved use of local produce through training opportunities for businesses and the wider community in the Lockyer Valley.	Gatton	$59,200
Monto Magic Tourism Action Group Incorporated	Silo Mural – Revitalisation of Monto Support local economic recovery and renewal through increased tourism through the painting of four grain silos at Monto.	Monto	$60,000
Quilpie Cultural Society Incorporated	Defying the Drought Through Creativity Enhance opportunities to participate in creative activities for the Quilpie community through the purchase of resources and the delivery of art workshops.	Quilpie	$31,466
Red Ridge (Interior Queensland) Limited Channel Country Ladies Day Committee	Building Resilience in Isolated Outback Women Through the Channel Country Ladies Day Reduce social isolation and enhance coping skills for women in Western Queensland through delivery of the Channel Country Ladies Day 2020.	Quilpie	$55,000
South Burnett Woodcrafters Incorporated	SBW Workshop Development Increased space for members of the community to interact with others in a supportive and activity driven environment, through fit out of the new South Burnett Woodcrafters building.	Kingaroy	$59,757
UCA – Longreach Congregation	Kitchen Renovation in Edgely Hall Increase function and expand capacity of local meeting space through kitchen upgrade at Longreach UCA Hall.	Longreach	$57,392
Yelarbon Primary P&C Association	Greener Fields Reduce the dust and dirt through upgrade of place space at Yelarbon Primary School supporting social and educational participation and address disadvantage for children and young people.	Yelarbon	$45,000
Up to $20,000
Allora Community Circle	Keeping Allora’s Spirit Alive Enhance community cohesion and reduce social isolation through the delivery of two community events in Allora.	Southern Downs Region	$19,987
Alpha Amateur Swimming Club	Outback Drowning Prevention Program Enhance opportunity for social and educational participation and address disadvantage for young people caused by drought through the delivery of an 8 week swimming safety program in Alpha.	Alpha	$20,000
Ballyneety Rodeo Club Incorporated	Ballyneety Rodeo Campdraft & Gymkhana Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the purchase of 20 tables and 50 chairs for the Aramac community.	Aramac	$2,430
Thallon Progress Association Incorporated	Protecting our Future Reduce social isolation through the installation of a permanent shade structure over the iconic “William the Wombat” playground sculpture in Thallon.	Thallon	$16,000
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Up to $60,000
Greenock Institute Management Committee Incorporated	Greenock Institute Kitchen Renewal Upgrade to the kitchen at Greenock Institute to enhance community events and functions with catering.	Greenock	$26,390
Lucky Bay Shackowners Association	Laughter at Lucky Bay Support a stronger social fabric and enhanced wellbeing through the installation of a playground at Lucky Bay foreshore.	Lucky Bay	$51,597
Parachilna Community Association Incorporated	Parachilna Community Association Airstrip Increase visitation and economic benefits, and access to services such as the Flying Doctor through construction of an airstrip at remote Parachilna.	Parachilna	$60,000
Port Vincent Progress Association Incorporated	Port Vincent Water Tower Mural Project Increase tourism and economic benefits for the Port Vincent community through creation of an art installation on 20 metre water tank.	Port Vincent	$54,500
Up to $20,000
Arno Bay Progress Association Incorporated	Tasting Arno Reduce social isolation through the delivery of the Tasting Arno event.

Nearly $2M granted to drought-affected communities

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