Media releases: 25 June 2020
Eighty-nine community-led projects receive funding
Bendigo, 25 June 2020: The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has awarded $912,986 in grants of up to $25,000 to rural, regional and remote communities across Australia through its Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.
The SRC program is a grant program that aims to help rural communities across Australia by providing flexible funding for projects that support broad community needs.
This round saw 89 community projects awarded funding as far north as Gunbalanya, NT, south to Huonville, TAS, east to Eumundi, QLD and as far west as Exmouth, WA. The grants will go towards building community resilience, developing organisational resilience and capacity, promoting individual and community health and social wellbeing, and meeting equipment and infrastructure needs.
These grants range from $850 to help fund landscape maintenance equipment for Ulladulla’s Men’s Shed in NSW, to $25,000 for a range of community infrastructure projects that promote community engagement and improve access to health facilities and enhance working conditions for volunteers.
FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, says that despite ongoing uncertainty as a result of COVID-19, it’s vital to keep funds flowing into regional areas.
“Many rural and remote communities have been hit hard by droughts, floods and bushfires and are stretched to the limit when it comes to coping with the economic impacts and additional pressures caused by COVID-19. We recognise that some of the projects may need to be changed to respond to COVID-19, but we wanted to get funding out to communities so that they can adapt and adjust as needed, especially as recovery starts.
“This is particularly relevant for bushfire-affected communities who have experienced the ‘double whammy’ with COVID-19. For this reason, FRRR made the call to fund a number of applications that were for bushfire recovery projects using donations received from a variety of donors over the summer. While FRRR is not yet formally running the bushfire stream of SRC, 12 bushfire recovery grants totalling $138,815, have been awarded as part of this round,” said Ms Egleton.
These grants will go towards helping bushfire affected communities to reduce social isolation, improve community connectedness and boost the local economy through workshops and festivals to help rebuild the economy. Several grants also went toward supporting community resilience and disaster preparedness through resourcing and education, and improving community infrastructure.
Some of the 89 projects awarded this round include:
- Bobin School of Arts Incorporated, NSW – The Bobin COMA – $24,983 – Strengthen the resilience of the Bobin community and support community recovery by providing an outdoor shaded area at the Bobin School of Arts Hall, which will also enhance its amenity as a bushfire-evacuation centre.
- Njanjma Aboriginal Corporation, NT – Rock Art – Protect and Promote – $10,000 – Preserve and showcase culturally significant rock art at Gunbalanya through installation of barriers and signage and removal of fire-prone hazardous weeds along track.
- Mission Beach Community Support Inc, QLD – Mental Health First Aid Course – $3,718 – Enable better mental health care in Mission Beach by funding an accredited Mental Health First Aid course for local community members.
- Otitis Media Group (Inc), WA – Ultrasound Otoscope for East Pilbara Outreach Program – $10,000 – Reduce the impact of hearing loss through improved detection of middle ear disease with purchase of an ultrasound assisted otoscope.
- Bruthen and District Neighbourhood House, Bruthen and District Citizens Association Inc, VIC – Holistic Community Well-being and Resilience – $25,000 – Support volunteer capacity and increase community engagement through the employment of a community worker.
- Peterborough History Group SA Inc, SA – Conserving Parnaroo Hall – $3,528 – Increase community engagement and interest in local history by conducting maintenance at Parnaroo Public Hall.
- Burnie Community House Inc, TAS – Here We Grow Again – Building Resilient Food Systems – $24,814 – Improve health and well-being outcomes for the Shorewell Park community through food security by the expansion of a gardening program.
The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors including: Australia Post, Bertalli Family Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts, Sidney Myer Fund, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, The Yulgilbar Foundation, Westpac Group, The Sylvia & Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation, Baxter Charitable Foundation, The William Buckland Foundation, Portland House Foundation, The Ross Trust, R.M.Williams, Estate Late Gordon Harold Jones, FRRR and Private Donors.
The bushfire recovery grants are funded thanks to donations from Australian Community Media’s South Coast is Calling initiative, Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation, Charter Hall, Fire Fight Australia Fund, Pepper Money, Vicinity Centres and Westpac Group.
The next round of SRC grants will open in late July and will include a dedicated stream of funding for recovery projects in bushfire-affected communities.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to : NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS| VIC | WA
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
|
NEW SOUTH WALES |
|||
| Bermagui Seasiders Inc | Seaside Sounds Support community recovery and boost local economy through the establishment of a contemporary music festival in Bermagui. |
Bermagui | $10,000 |
| Borenore Branch Country Women’s Association of NSW |
All Abilities Access to Memorial Hall Support essential infrastructure development with installation of accessibility ramps and a water tank at the Borenore CWA Memorial Hall. |
Borenore | $7,652 |
| Collombatti Public Hall Land Manager | (Roll on up) and SIT RIGHT DOWN Increase amenity and capacity at the Collombatti Hall through the purchase of stackable chairs. |
Collombatti | $1,669 |
| Dalgety P&C Association | Operation Equipment Housing Project Increase storage capacity at the Dalgety Public School through the purchase and fit out of a shipping container. |
Dalgety | $5,000 |
| Evans Head Business & Community Chamber | ‘Hooked on Evans’ Community Festival Stimulate the local economy in Evans Head and support community recovery through supporting the delivery of the ‘Hooked on Evans’ festival. |
Evans Head | $10,000 |
| Lifeline Central West Incorporated | Rapid Community Support Program Support individual and community resilience in Central West communities impacted by bushfires by providing funding for Lifeline crisis response workshops. |
Dubbo | $9,000 |
| Mackville Community Health Mid North Coast Local Health District |
Sisters Retreat Reduce social isolation and improve mental health for cancer survivors in the Nambucca Valley who have also been impacted by bushfires, by supporting a wellness retreat. |
Grassy Head | $10,000 |
| Milton Ulladulla Men’s Shed Incorporated | Maintain and Mitigate: Essential Ground Maintenance to Reduce Bush Fire Risk Reduce fire risk at the Milton Ulladulla Men’s Shed through the purchase of landscape maintenance equipment. |
Ulladulla | $850 |
| Narrandera Arts & Creative Network | The Narrandera Creates Project Increase community access and engagement with the arts, reduce social isolation and encourage community connection through the delivery of nine workshops and three exhibitions in the Narrandera region. |
Narrandera | $10,000 |
| Nymboida Canoeing Limited | Goolang Creek Regeneration – Nymboida. Tennis Court Rapids to K&L Wave Support nature and community bushfire recovery through revegetation and installation of picnic tables at Goolang Creek. |
Nymboida | $10,000 |
| Nymboida Community Groups Inc | Firesticks Cultural Burn Program – Nymboida Community Workshop Support community recovery and preparedness in Nymboida through the delivery of a Cultural Burning workshop. |
Nymboida | $8,077 |
| PLAYING HISTORY Bungonia and District Historical Society Inc. |
Playing History: Acting Out Recovery Enable cultural and artistic expression and access to the arts by supporting the development and tour of a new play in the Bungonia district. |
Bungonia | $10,000 |
| Robertson Men’s Shed Inc | Energy Efficiency Strengthen operating viability and capacity through the purchase and installation of a solar system on the Robertson Men’s Shed. |
Robertson | $7,320 |
| Rosellas Community Preschool Incorporated | Sun Safe Play Area Improve the educational and social outcomes of children attending the Rosellas Community Preschool through the addition of a shade sail over their outdoor play and learning area. |
Murwillumbah | $4,000 |
| Southern Tableland Arts (STARTS) Incorporated | Dare to Deliver Build community organisation capacity in Braidwood and Yass by providing eleven governance related workshops. |
Braidwood | $10,000 |
| Warren Community Homes Association Incorporated | Retirement with Dignity Security & Beautification Improve security and aesthetic value at Warren Community Homes by supporting the installation of fencing and carparking at the front of the property. |
Warren | $10,000 |
| Warren Shire Council | Making the Warren War Memorial Swimming Pool More Accessible Improve accessibility at the Warren War Memorial Swimming Pool through the installation of a pool lift. |
Warren | $10,000 |
| Woolgoolga Chamber of Commerce Industry & Tourism Inc | Celebrating a Unique Cultural Heritage Reduce social isolation and promote community connection through supporting an expansion of Woolgoolga’s CurryFest. |
Woolgoolga | $6,250 |
| Bobin School of Arts Incorporated | Community Outdoor Meeting Place (The Bobin COMA) Strengthen the resilience of the Bobin community and support community recovery by providing an outdoor shaded area at the Bobin School of Arts Hall. |
Bobin | $24,983 |
| Condobolin and District Landcare Management Committee | Water and Birds Arts Exhibition Project Increase access to the arts, environmental awareness and community connection by supporting a Birds and Water art exhibition and bird watching activities in Condobolin. |
Condobolin | $24,755 |
| StoryFest Incorporated | StoryFest – Fire Relief funding Build economic activity during tourism off-season supporting bushfire recovery and cultural engagement through ‘Storyteller’ Festival. |
Milton | $15,000 |
|
NORTHERN TERRITORY |
|||
| Central Land Council | Native Title Story in Language Educate community members on complex native title legislation, and rights and responsibilities of Indigenous bodies who manage landholdings with native title tenure, through translation of informative booklet into six Indigenous languages. |
Alice Springs | $9,100 |
| Darwin Community Arts Inc | CARTwheels- Mobile Art Studio Build capacity to deliver mobile outreach program with fit out of custom caravan for arts workshops. |
Humpty Doo | $9,950 |
| Durrmu Arts Aboriginal Corporation | Fostering Cultural Vibrancy Preserve and share cultural knowledge through creation of film featuring traditional dance Partial funding of the project will support local cultural advisors’ participation, technical equipment and a partial contribution towards the University of New South Wales researchers’ contribution. |
Peppimenarti | $5,000 |
| Harts Range Amateur Race Club Inc | Canteen Upgrade Increase amenity and functionality of the Harts Range Amateur Race Club through an upgrade of kitchen. |
Harts Range | $10,000 |
| Injalak Arts & Crafts Association Inc | Mankarre Project Share and transfer of intergenerational cultural knowledge and lore through four On Country excursions, leading to traditional performances of Indigenous music and language songs at Stone Country Festival. |
Gunbalanya | $10,000 |
| Isolated Children’s Parents Association of Australia Incorporated | ICPA (Aust) Website Development Project Strengthen organisational capacity with integrated website for Local, State and Federal branches of the Isolated Children’s Parents Association of Australia Inc. |
National | $10,000 |
| Katherine Regional Arts Incorporated | The KRA Solar Powered Cinema’s Final Stage Optimization Project Enhance audience satisfaction with upgrade to remote power supply and improve OH&S for volunteers, with lifting equipment for remote mobile cinema. |
Katherine | $9,779 |
| Njanjma Aboriginal Corporation | Rock Art – Protect and Promote Preserve and showcase culturally significant rock art by installation of barriers and signage and removal of fire prone hazardous weeds along track. |
Gunbalanya | $10,000 |
| Northern Australian Aboriginal Charitable Trust | The Remote Laundries Project (RLP) Stage Two Build sustainable social enterprise, with creation of laundry facilities for very remote community. |
Borroloola | $10,000 |
| Skinnyfish Music Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation |
Bunggul as Part of the Barunga Festival Culture Program Maintain access to cultural practices and support reconciliation through celebration of Indigenous dance forms at Barunga Festival. |
Barunga | $22,000 |
|
QUEENSLAND |
|||
| BTStraps Inc | Equipment Upgrade Purchase Project Increase inclusivity of BTStraps programs by purchasing accessible equipment for use in leatherwork training and workshops for veterans. | Gatton | $5,407 |
| Chinchilla Creative Centre Management Committee Inc | Outdoor Undercover Creative Space Foster local creative pursuits by supporting the development of an Outdoor Undercover Creative Space at the Chinchilla Creative Centre. |
Chinchilla | $2,500 |
| Johnstone River Community Gardens Inc | Community Pavilion Project Enhance the capacity of Johnstone River Community Gardens to run activities through the purchase and installation of a semi-permanent shade structure. |
Innisfail | $10,000 |
| Kawana State Emergency Service Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
Kawana SES Airconditioning Upgrade Improve comfort for volunteers at the Kawana State Emergency Service by providing air conditioning units for training room and office areas. |
Kawana | $9,808 |
| Maraboon Power Boat and Ski Club Inc | Purchase of Firefighting Water Cart Trailer for Bushfire Management Boost fire preparedness of the Maraboon Power Boat and Ski Club through the purchase of a 1000L water cart fire trailer. |
Emerald | $8,976 |
| Maryvale Community Hall Incorporated | Update Our Community Hub Increase comfort, amenity and a range of activities at the Maryvale Community Hall through purchase and installation of a dishwasher, Projector and Screen. |
Maryvale | $8,957 |
| Millaa Millaa Progress Association | Governance and Planning – To Support Larger Funding Applications Grow capacity of the Millaa Millaa Progress Association by supporting a consultative strategic planning process and governance framework development. |
Millaa Millaa | $10,000 |
| Mission Beach Community Support Inc | Provide an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Course Enable better mental health care in Mission Beach by funding a Mental Health First Aid course for local community members. |
Mission Beach | $3,718 |
| Mornington Island SES Group Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
Furnish Mornington Island SES Headquarters Build capacity in the Mornington Island SES Group through the purchase of furniture and IT equipment for their training facility. |
Mornington Island | $5,048 |
| Murgon Local Ambulance Committee | Acquisition of HoverMatt System Improve emergency response in the South Burnett region through the purchase of a Hovermatt system for the Murgon Local Ambulance Committee. |
Murgon | $10,000 |
| PCYC Palm Island Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association |
Palm Island Community 3×3 Basketball Street Hustle Improve social cohesion on Palm Island, through a basketball tournament for indigenous youth and clinics at local schools. |
Palm Island | $10,000 |
| Rangewood Rural Fire Brigade | Tandem-use Trailer Boost the capacity of the Rangewood RFS to respond to longer term situations by purchasing a trailer to house a generator and portable tank. |
Rangewood | $10,000 |
| SevGen Indigenous Corporation | Maker, Market, Makers Market: Building Economic Strength in Tough Times Empowering and educating creative and cultural entrepreneurs to develop sustainable enterprises. |
Eumundi | $10,000 |
| Somerset SES Unit Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
Kilcoy SES HQ Improvements Enhance volunteer comfort at the Somerset State Emergency Service Unit by purchasing an air conditioning unit for their Kilroy Headquarters. |
Kilcoy | $10,000 |
| Tourism Bowen Inc | Smoothies & Coffee at the Big Mango Enhance visitor experience at the Bowen Information Centre through the purchase of a coffee machine and smoothie maker. |
Bowen | $5,645 |
| Tourism Whitsundays Limited | Destination Website Design and Development Support rebound from tourism downturn in the Whitsundays through the redevelopment of the Tourism Whitsundays destination website. |
Cannonvale | $10,000 |
| Royal Life Saving Society – Queensland | Rural Queensland Rural Drowning Prevention Outreach Program Build vital skills in the Barcaldine region by funding a tailored water safety program provided by The Royal Life Saving Society Queensland. |
Alpha | $25,000 |
|
SOUTH AUSTRALIA |
|||
| Blinman Progress Association Inc | Cochineal Nursery: To Maintain and Increase the Locally Adapted Cochineal Strain for Opuntia Cactus Control Build organisational capacity and volunteer engagement for the Blinman Progress Association through the installation of a shed to be used as a nursery. |
Blinman | $9,208 |
| Mt Hope Soldiers Memorial Hall Inc | Mt Hope Soldiers Memorial Hall – Keeping the Facility Fresh for a Strong Community Improve community infrastructure that will support a resilient and connected community by upgrading the interior of the Mt Hope Soldiers Memorial Hall. |
Mt Hope | $5,500 |
| Peterborough History Group SA Inc | Conserving Parnaroo Hall Increase community engagement and interest in local history by conducting maintenance at Parnaroo Public Hall. |
Peterborough (Parnaroo) | $3,528 |
| The Swan Reach Golf Club Inc | Golf Club Defib Strengthen community resilience and capacity to respond to health emergencies by purchasing an AED unit for installation in a public place. |
Swan Reach | $3,000 |
| Wirrabara Institute Wirrabara Craft House |
Quick Wash Improve the amenity and the long-term sustainability of the Wirrabara Institute by purchasing and installing a commercial dishwasher. |
Wirrabara | $5,544 |
| Youth Opportunities Association (SA) | Wellbeing, Resilience and Leadership Interventions for Young People in Rural SA Enhance the well-being, resilience and leadership capacity of young people at risk by delivering a personal leadership and development program. |
Allendale East | $10,000 |
|
TASMANIA |
|||
| Avoca Museum and Information Centre | Upgrading Archiving Resources Strengthen the cultural vibrancy of the region through the upgrade of a historic archives system. |
Avoca | $3,532 |
| University of Tasmania | Fostering Trauma-Informed Communities of Practice Improve support for people experiencing trauma caused by family violence through delivery of multi staged pilot project and workshops. |
Huonville | $9,844 |
| Burnie Community House Inc | Here We Grow Again – Building Resilient Food Systems Improve health and well-being outcomes for the community through food security by the expansion of a gardening program. |
Shorewell Park | $24,814 |
|
VICTORIA |
|||
Balook and District Residents Association |
Community Woodchipper Increase community resilience and sense of safety through the purchase of wood chipping machinery. |
Balook | $4,500 |
| Albury Wodonga Regional Foodshare | Nourishing Foodshare Improve food security, supporting volunteers and organisation capacity through hiring an administrative coordinator. |
Wodonga | $10,000 |
| Beulah Community Garden Beulah Historic Learning and Progress Association Inc |
Beulah Community Garden Strengthen community connection and contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Beulah through the upgrade of a community garden. |
Beulah | $3,875 |
| C-Doc Ltd | Castlemaine Documentary Film Festival Encourage community engagement and broaden cultural experience through the delivery a local run film festival. |
Castlemaine | $10,000 |
| Centre for Participation Inc | Crisis Response – COVID-19 Frail and Aged Self Isolation – Nutritious Meals Support the health and well-being of vulnerable people and assist volunteer capability through the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment. |
Horsham | $10,000 |
| Food for All – Swan Hill Region Swan Hill District Health |
Food for All Edible Garden Expo 2020 Improved health and well-being outcomes and increased food security in Swan Hill by supporting a free Edible Gardens Expo. |
Swan Hill | $7,149 |
| Gippsland Community Radio Society Co-Operative Ltd | Able Radio Build a more resilient community that is engaged and address local disadvantage through the provision of a training program for people living with a disability. |
Morwell | $10,000 |
| Gippsland East Local Learning & Employment Network | Innovation and Sustainable Redevelopment of Bushfire Impacted Communities Increase community resilience and support recovery from bushfires through the development of online resources. |
Bairnsdale | $9,997 |
| Great Alpine Gallery Inc | Video Stories for Art and Recovery Support community recovery from drought and recent bushfires and build resilience through the delivery of a story telling program. |
Swifts Creek | $5,908 |
| Lake Tyers Beach Road Hall Committee Inc | Kitchen Renovation – Stage 2 Increase community engagement and financial sustainability through an upgrade of a public hall. |
Lake Tyers Beach | $10,000 |
| Leitchville Primary School | Child and Adult Art Response Project Encourage participation in life-long learning and education by engaging young adults in a cultural experience. |
Leitchville | $2,161 |
| Ned Kelly Centre Ltd | Collections Project – Strengthening Glenrowan’s Cultural Heritage Strengthen community engagement and understanding of local history through the development of an archives system. |
Glenrowan | $9,981 |
| Rural Northwest Health | Sharing Moments that Matter: Social Connectedness in Residential Aged Care Reducing isolation in Wimmera Mallee Region by purchasing software that helps aged care residents connect with their families. |
Warracknabeal | $10,000 |
| State Coal Mine – Rescue Station Arts Inc | Opening Access: Creating an Accessible Arts Program Build equity, community resilience and organisational capacity through delivery of an inclusive arts program. |
Wonthaggi | $9,000 |
| Tallangatta Neighbourhood House Shire of Towong |
Tech in Tallangatta Increase community engagement in the local economy and life-long learning through the provision of an employment related course. |
Tallangatta | $7,800 |
| The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation Inc | Beaufort & Ararat Indigenous After School Tutorial Program Improving educational outcomes in the Ararat region by providing a tutoring program for Indigenous youth. |
Beaufort | $10,000 |
| Warrnambool & District Community Hospice Inc | Vital Online Training for Hospice in Home Volunteers in Camperdown during the COVID-19 Pandemic Building capacity at the Warrnambool & District Community Hospice Inc. by purchasing IT equipment and support to allow virtual training for volunteers. |
Camperdown | $9,215 |
| Wilby Rural Fire Brigade Country Fire Authority |
Arrive Back Dirty Return Home Clean 44Build organisational capacity and support the health and well-being of volunteers through the installation of a laundry. |
Wilby | $6,066 |
| Yallourn North Action Group Inc | New Curtain for the Monash Hall Stage Enhance experiences for users of the Monash Hall in Yallourn North by supporting the purchase and installation of a stage curtain. |
Yallourn North | $6,000 |
| Bruthen and District Neighbourhood House Bruthen and District Citizens Association Inc |
Holistic Community Well-being and Resilience Support volunteer capacity and bushfire recovery by increasing community engagement through the employment of a community worker. |
Bruthen | $25,000 |
| Grand Strzelecki Track Incorporated | All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Equipment Trailer for Track Maintenance Improve volunteer working conditions with purchase of ride on All Terrain Vehicle to support conservation efforts and track maintenance along the Strzelecki Trail. |
Balook | $25,000 |
| Kyabram Community & Learning Centre Inc | Road School and Community Garden Support educational initiatives through road safety with creation of a bike path for bike education and recreational activities at the Kyabram Community Garden. |
Kyabram | $20,000 |
| Lions V Districts Cancer Foundation Inc | Mobile Skin Cancer Screening Unit Improved health outcomes through increased accessibility to skin cancer screening tests for rural communities across Victoria and Southern NSW. |
Rural Victoria | $25,000 |
| Thowgla Recreation Reserve Committee of Management | Thowgla Hall Renovation Project Promote community cohesion and engagement through refurbishment and insulation of the Thowgla Hall. |
Thowgla Valley | $25,000 |
|
WESTERN AUSTRALIA |
|||
| Boyup Brook Tourism Association Inc | Railway Goods Shed Mural Increase town vibrancy and community spirit via the creation of mural on the Boyup Brook Railway Goods Shed Building and refurbishment of surrounding pathways. |
Boyup Brook | $10,000 |
| Brookton Country Womens Association | Disability Inclusion Increase functionality of hall and enable disability access through conversion of bathroom to support wheelchair accessibility. |
Brookton | $10,000 |
| Exmouth Titans Boxing Indigenous Corporation | Exmouth Titans Boxing Address stigmatisation and disadvantage by supporting strong mental and physical health outcomes, with establishment of Indigenous youth boxing club. |
Exmouth | $10,000 |
| North Dandalup Community Group Inc | Beautifying the Town Improve community engagement and promote local events and activities with installation of public noticeboard. Partial funding of the project will support provision of a community noticeboard. |
North Dandalup | $920 |
| Otitis Media Group Inc | Ultrasound Otoscope for East Pilbara Outreach Program Reduce the impact of hearing loss through improved detection of middle ear disease with purchase of advanced medical equipment – the ultrasound assisted otoscope. |
South Hedland | $10,000 |
| Wickepin Primary School Parents & Citizens Association Inc | Playground Shade Sails Promote sun safe behaviour and improve amenity of Wickepin Primary School with installation of shade sail across play area. |
Wickepin | $10,000 |
| Saltwater Country Inc | Saltwater Academy Build organisational capacity through development of a strategic fundraising plan and comprehensive business plan that will lead to local Indigenous employment. |
Broome | $25,000 |
| Yiyili Community Indigenous Corporation | The Yiyili Community Social Enterprise and BMX Track Project Drive employability skills & capacity building through bicycle repair social enterprise and BMX track design and infrastructure building project. |
Yiyili | $25,000 |
