Black Summer Bushfire Recovery: 19 January 2021
34 recovery projects funded across Australia
Thirty-four projects set to seed and strengthen the recovery of communities affected by the 2019-20 bushfires are sharing in $589,945 in grants, thanks to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.
The 34 grants are supported through a special stream of bushfire recovery funding via the SRC program. In total, more than 100 projects in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia were awarded $1,112,492 in grants through this round of the program. A full list of all SRC grants can be found here.
The bushfire recovery projects will support impacted communities across Australia from Stanthorpe in Queensland, to Eden in New South Wales, Bairnsdale in Victoria, Cudlee Creek in South Australia, and Ngadju country in Western Australia.
The grants of up to $25,000 will be used for a broad range of inspiring recovery projects, led by local people, such as supporting Shoalhaven’s vulnerable community members by running support groups facilitated by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, or preparing the community of South Arm for future disaster events by purchasing amenities and safety equipment for the local hall.
Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s Acting CEO, said that communities have found diverse ways to build up their resilience and support one another.
“This round we have seen communities drawing on their strong community partnerships to find ways of helping to make their community a more resilient and connected place,” Ms Matthee said.
“Communities have also shown us how much they value the vital contributions made by volunteers. We have funded several projects that support and recognise these people, and help tackle the fatigue they feel, especially in light of this year’s challenges.
“For bushfire-affected communities, COVID-19 has not lessened their determination to keep on recovering, despite the pandemic resulting in gatherings and events, which would have helped people connect and rebuild, being postponed or cancelled. Local leaders have put forward great ideas that are sure to help lift community spirits.
“Regardless of where these communities are at, the SRC program is flexible enough to fund projects that will help communities to seed and strengthen, adapt and evolve, and innovate and renew,” Ms Matthee explained.
Some of the 34 projects awarded via the bushfire recovery stream include:
- Pambula Business Chamber Incorporated, NSW – Pambula Art Project – $25,000 – Increase visitation to the region and highlight local history and culture, through development and installation of a series of artworks across the Pambula township.
- Pomona & District Community House Inc, QLD – Pomona Youth Resilience and Well-being Project – $18,891 – Increase access, support and resources for local youth in Pomona by delivering a facilitated, structured community-based youth program.
- Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market Inc, SA – Kingscote Farmers and Artisans Market – The Backyard – $24,640 – Increase access to local produce and the social and economic recovery of Kangaroo Island by employing a part-time project manager to help reopen the Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market and develop a pop-up activity space.
- Koala Island Foundation Inc, VIC – A Sustainable Future Together – $3,400 – Conserve native habitat and increase volunteer support, through the development of a tourist attraction.
- Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation, WA – Rebuilding Community Through Clearing Tracks for Management of Fire (Kala) in Ngadju Country $25,000 – Increase fire preparedness in the Great Western Woodlands and maintain cultural sites of significance by clearing tracks to make access easier for cultural mosaic burns.
The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors, which are listed on the Strengthening Rural Communities program page.
The next round of SRC grants will be announced March 2021. The current round is accepting applications until 23 February 2021.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to: NSW | QLD | SA | VIC | WA
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant |
| BUSHFIRE RECOVERY PROJECTS | |||
| NEW SOUTH WALES | |||
| Utungun Community Hall Section 355 Committee of Management Nambucca Valley Council |
Utungun Hall – Sitting Pretty and Moving Safely Support Volunteer capacity through the purchase of chairs and equipment for Utungun Community Hall. |
Utungun | $4,020 |
| Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network Hawkesbury River County Council |
Regenerating our Bushland after Fire, Hawkesbury Increase local capacity to manage environmental recovery, through delivery of a series of workshops and events on topics such as weed management and erosion. |
Bilpin | $16,000 |
| Community Foundation for Albury Wodonga Region Ltd | Digital Storytelling Celebrate and encourage local giving post-bushfire via a digital storytelling project. |
Albury | $10,000 |
| Glenrac Incorporated | Emergency Preparedness for Future Challenges – Glen Innes NSW Increase support for recovering community, through delivery of wellbeing events and mental health first aid training. |
Glen Innes | $17,150 |
| Marine Rescue Kioloa Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW |
Marine Rescue Base Facilities Upgrade Increase local capacity to maintain volunteer marine rescue service base facility, though replacement of carpet. |
Kioloa – Bawley Point | $5,000 |
| Eden Tourism Inc | Relocation of Eden Visitor Information Centre Increase amenity and function of new Eden Visitor Information Centre, through professional design and development of internal areas. |
Eden | $20,000 |
| Hartley Vale Mount Blaxland Reserve Land Manager | Ground Penetrating Radar Survey Heal the community through the establishment of all burial sites located at the Hartley Vale Cemetery. |
Hartley | $16,016 |
| Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club Inc. | Replacement of Community Infrastructure – The Boating and Fishing Jetty at Spencer Park Merimbula Lake Increase capacity to fundraise for replacement of local jetty, though support to complete development application and design planning. |
Merimbula | $14,850 |
| South Arm Hall Committee of Management Nambucca Valley Council |
Making South Arm Hall Resilient, Welcoming and Aiding Recovery Strengthen South Arm Hall’s resilience and preparedness for future disaster events through the purchase of safety and amenity items. |
South Arm | $25,000 |
| Nimbin Community Centre Incorporated | Walkways Together – from Jarjums to Elders Support community resilience through replacement of covered walkways at Nimbin Community Centre |
Nimbin | $9,700 |
| The Southern Highlands Foundation | FireAid Bushfire Appeal/Covid-19 Appeal Strengthen capacity of the Foundation to support their community post bushfire through the employment of an Executive Officer. |
Balmoral | $25,000 |
| Bombala Pre School Inc | Urban & Indigenous Agriculture Project Increase local resilience and intergenerational connections, through construction of codesigned community space and permaculture skills. |
Bombala | $15,000 |
| Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre Inc | Play in Nature Support early childhood development through the construction of a Natural Playground at Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre. |
Evans Head | $9,575 |
| Salt Care Limited | Salt Life Support vulnerable cohorts across Shoalhaven via support groups facilitated by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program. |
Nowra/ Bomaderry | $15,000 |
| The Elands Community Health & First Aid Centre Incorporated | Refurbishments for Community Centre Increase comfort and capacity of Elands local meeting space, through installation of air conditioning and solar system with battery. |
Elands | $24,102 |
| Ettrick Hall Committee Inc | Ettrick Hall Bathroom Upgrade Increase local capacity and disaster preparedness, through upgrading bathroom facilities at local hall to include a shower for emergency personal and displaced residents. |
Ettrick | $10,000 |
| Do It For Batlow | Weemala Hill Walking and Riding Trails – Batlow Lookout Renew access to local walking trails that support health and wellbeing through employment of contractors to clear burnt trees and reinvigorate the area. |
Batlow | $25,000 |
| Macdonald Valley Association | Macdonald Valley Community – Book of Fires Advance the recovery of the Macdonald Valley through the creation of a book which documents and celebrates community resilience. |
St Albans | $22,870 |
| Pambula Business Chamber Incorporated | Pambula Art Project Increase visitation to the region and highlight local history and culture, through development and installation of a series of artworks across the Pambula township. |
Pambula | $25,000 |
| QUEENSLAND | |||
| Artworks Granite Belt Inc. | ArtWorks Station Cafe Upgrade Increase capacity and enhance facilities at volunteer run Artworks Station Cafe, through upgrade of kitchen and outdoor eating area. |
Stanthorpe | $9,066 |
| Pomona & District Community House Inc | Pomona Youth Resilience and Well-being Project Increase access to support and resources for local youth in Pomona, through delivery of a facilitated, structured community based youth program. |
Pomona | $18,891 |
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | |||
| Parndana Progress Association – Walking Trail Sub-Committee Parndana Progress Association |
Parndana Fitness Trail – Outdoor Gym Station Increase access to equipment that supports health and wellbeing, through installation of outdoor fitness equipment at Kangaroo Island West Lions Park. |
Parndana | $16,838 |
| Kangaroo Island Yacht Club Inc | Community Hub Upgrade to Support Community Resilience Enhance community activities that support connectedness at the Kangaroo Island Yacht Club, through upgrade of aged kitchen facilities. |
Kingscote | $25,000 |
| Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market Inc | Kingscote Farmers and Artisans Market – The Backyard Increase support for reopening of community market and development of pop up activity space in Kingscote, through employment of a part time project manager. |
Kingscote | $24,640 |
| The Cudlee Creek Tennis & Basket Ball Club Inc | A Community Led Project: Our Community Hub and Tennis Courts Increase preparedness for disaster and enhanced community facilities for a community recovering from bushfire, through upgrade of fencing, drainage, water storage and landscaping at local hub. |
Cudlee Creek | $25,000 |
| VICTORIA | |||
| Omeo Shire Community Access Radio Inc | Replacing the Computer Increase capacity of community radio station to communicate local news and information, though purchase of computer, software and printer. |
Omeo | $1,932 |
| Sarsfield Recreation reserve Committee of Management Inc | Purchase of Lawn Mower Increase capacity for volunteers that manage local community reserve and meeting area, through purchase of ride on mower. |
Sarsfield | $22,000 |
| Everton Hall and Sports Complex Committee Wangaratta Rural City Council |
Everton Community Hub Precinct Revitalisation – BBQ Shelter Stage 2 Enhance local meeting space and recovery activities, through construction of BBQ area and pathways at Everton reserve. |
Everton | $11,276 |
| Bruthen Mechanics Institute | Bruthen Hall Ready for Community Disaster Response Increase local resilience to support recovery efforts, and support social gatherings, through upgrade to Bruthen Mechanics Institute kitchen. |
Bruthen | $24,299 |
| Ensay Mechanics Institute Reserve Inc | Ensay Memorial Hall – Exterior Painting Increase support for rural community to maintain local meeting area as a disaster assembly point, through painting the Ensay Hall. |
Ensay | $23,320 |
| Mallacoota Inlet Bowling Club Inc | Mallacoota Bowls Club as a Hub for Community Support Resume community activities that support social connectedness, through repair and upgrade to the fire effected Mallacoota Inlet Bowling Club. |
Mallacoota | $25,000 |
| Koala Island Foundation Inc | A Sustainable Future Together Conserve native habitat and increase volunteer support, through the development of a tourist attraction. |
Raymond Island | $3,400 |
| East Gippsland Winter Festival Working Group East Gippsland Marketing Inc |
East Gippsland Winter Festival Increase visitation and economy through employment of a Community Engagement Manager to support delivery of the East Gippsland Winter Festival. |
Bairnsdale | $25,000 |
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | |||
| Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation | Rebuilding Community Through Clearing Tracks for Management of Fire (Kala) in Ngadju Country Increase fire preparedness in the Great Western Woodlands and maintain cultural sites of significance, by clearing tracks that enable access for cultural mosaic burns. |
Norseman Indigenous Location | $25,000 |
