Media releases: 16 March 2021
Includes more than $640,000 to support 2019-20 bushfire recovery
FRRR has awarded $1,062,484 in grants for 85 projects that will help boost remote, rural and regional communities across Australia, through its Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.
The grants awarded will go toward a broad array of inspiring initiatives that will strengthen and build the long-term viability and vitality of smaller remote, rural, and regional communities across Australia, including projects to support community healing and renewal following the 2019/2020 bushfires.
Grants range from $2,700 to help the South Australian Beachport community access lifesaving equipment, through to a $25,000 grant to improve the security and amenities at the Corryong Community Hall in Victoria.
The SRC program is collaboratively-funded and offers two streams of funding. Small & Vital awards grants up to $10,000 for locally-led initiatives that build resilience and enhance the vibrancy of rural Australia by addressing the needs identified by the community. This round of SRC has seen 49 projects sharing in a total of $420,003 in Small & Vital grants.
The second stream provides grants up to $25,000 for projects designed to help seed and strengthen the recovery of regions impacted by the Black Summer bushfires. Thirty-six bushfire recovery initiatives have been awarded a total of $642,481 in this round of SRC grants.
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that over the past year rural people have demonstrated the true meaning of resilience and determination and continued to find ways of addressing the needs of their communities.
“The pandemic has highlighted that community groups need to be agile and able to adapt and respond to changing circumstances. To do this successfully, they need to be well resourced, with facilities, equipment and the right knowledge, skills and capabilities. The pandemic has also reinforced the importance of community-led initiatives that promote individual and community health and social wellbeing.”
“Several grassroots solutions designed to support these key initiatives and develop these vital skills have been awarded grants in this round of SRC, including the Oura Oura House – Interpretation Room project in Cygnet, Tasmania, which will strengthen connection to local Aboriginal culture, and in Biggenden, Queensland, the primary school is supporting student health and wellbeing through an amenities upgrade.
“Recovery in bushfire-affected regions has been hampered by COVID-19 restrictions, but local organisations are still seeking to do what they can to meet the local priorities in their community. This round we saw an increase in requests to fund projects that will provide access to services and activities as impacted communities begin to resume normal activities and reconnect one year on from the fires. This includes Tenterfield in NSW, where a series of creative workshops will support the social and mental health of locals.
“Improving and repairing infrastructure is also an important part of the recovery process for many of these communities. These meeting places, like Katanning’s central shopping precinct in Western Australia and the local Hall in Charleston, South Australia, played a vital role during the bushfires, providing the community with a safe place to gather during the fires, or as a space to gather in order to reconnect and seek support after the disaster,” Ms Egleton explained.
Some of the 85 projects awarded include:
- Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Ltd, NSW – 35th Anniversary Celebration – $9,443 – Celebrate WAMS’ 35 years of service in the community by holding a series of events throughout 2021.
- Careflight Limited, NT – Obstetrics Training for CareFlight Flight Nurses – $8,800 – Improve safety and health outcomes for babies and mothers from remote communities with Midwifery Training for Careflight nurses.
- Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Community Radio Association Inc, QLD – Stanthorpe Community Radio Transmission Equipment – $9,773 – Increase communication of local news, events and emergency information, by supporting the establishment of a community radio station.
- Nipapanha Community Aboriginal Corporation, SA – Irish Well Hut Cultural Heritage Museum Development – $9,300 – Help people gain an awareness of local culture through the provision of display material for a museum.
- East Coast Regional Development Organisation Inc, TAS – Raising the Roof on the Bread Oven – $5,332 – Encourage people to come together by redeveloping a community gathering space.
- Corryong Neighbourhood House Inc, VIC – Giving Youth a Voice – $25,000 – Increase youth representation in community recovery and development, through employment of youth workers to support youth leadership in the Upper Murray.
- Fitzgerald Biosphere Group Inc, WA – Dancing in the Dirt Gala Ball – A Community Event – $5,000 – Build community wellbeing and strengthen mental health by supporting ‘Dancing in the Dirt’ Gala for small, drought stricken community.
The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors, which are listed here – https://frrr.org.au/funding/place/strengthening-rural-communities/.
The next round of SRC applications is currently being assessed and will be announced by June 2021. The current round is accepting applications until 25 May 2021, with funds to be awarded in September.
Visit here for more information on FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program and other grant programs to strengthen local non-profits, community groups, volunteers, and to provide opportunities for skills, networks and leadership development.
To support grants like this through FRRR, make a tax-deductible donation at frrr.org.au/giving/.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to: NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| Bushfire Recovery Projects | ||||||
| Bega Valley Meals on Wheels Co-operative Ltd | Bega Valley Mobile Community Freezer Increase food security, including for future disasters, through the purchase of a mobile freezer. | Bega | $16,000 | |||
| Bermagui Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Inc | Keeping Bermagui Connected & Safe Boost communication capacity during and before natural disasters through the purchase of wireless computer and printer equipment, and re-establishing signage for the 17 km Heritage Trail. | Bermagui | $15,373 | |||
| Bermagui Pre School Co-operative Society Limited | The Cobargo / Bermagui Growing-Growers Project 2021 with Costa Georgiadis & Paul West Increase social connectedness and local food security in fire-affected community, through delivery of collaborative preschool garden activities and Costa Georgiadis events. | Bermagui | $25,000 | |||
| Burragate Rural Fire Service | Office Equipment for the Burragate Fire Shed Boost the community's ability to prepare for future disasters by purchasing computer and office supplies to support Burragate Rural Fire Service. | Burragate | $2,953 | |||
| Delegate Progress Association Inc | Recovery BBQ Support community connection and recovery by installing an electric barbeque at Memorial Park to host community barbeques and debrief events for the bushfire-affected community. | Delegate | $15,000 | |||
| Eden Mountain Bike Club Inc - Eden Community Access Centre Incorporated | Eden Mountain Bike Trails Design a community-driven mountain bike trail in the Eden region to support economic recovery, through development of Environmental Impact Study and Concept Plans. | Eden | $25,000 | |||
| Eungai Hall Section 355 Committee of ManagemenNambucca Valley Council | Kitchen Upgrade for Community Use and Resilience Expand the use of the Community Hall by upgrading the kitchen facilities to allow for more community events and activities to occur. | Eungai Creek | $12,441 | |||
| Ewingar Theatricks - Clarence Valley Council | Theatrical Production Support the community's recovery by bringing people together to deliver a locally-set play. | Ewingar | $14,460 | |||
| Glen Innes Severn Council | Wytaliba Rises - Sustainable Community Music Events Encourage people to come together and support recovery by providing equipment for music events. | Diehard, Wytaliba | $9,267 | |||
| Glenrac Incorporated | Providing Homes for our Hollow Nesting Species Encourage local species back to their habitat following the bushfires, through the creation of nesting boxes at facilitated workshops. | Glen Innes | $19,756 | |||
| Granite Borders Landcare Committee Incorporated | Reconnecting Communities - Workshops Focusing on Health and Wellbeing for Fire-Affected Villages in the Tenterfield LGA Reduce social isolation and support community recovery, through the delivery of workshops in remote towns across the Tenterfield Shire. | Tenterfield | $25,000 | |||
| Lawrence Historical Society Incorporated | Workshop for Sharing, Supporting and Skills Support community recovery and increase volunteer engagement at Lawrence Historical Society by building a new workshop shed. | Lawrence | $15,820 | |||
| Make a Difference PMQ Incorporated | M.A.D. Mobile Food Van Increase capacity to support outreach to homeless and vulnerable populations in fire-affected communities, through fit-out of a mobile food van and construction of an event stage. | Port Macquarie | $25,000 | |||
| Make It Tenterfield Incorporated | Creativity Abound Workshops Support social and mental health recovery through the delivery of creative and supportive community-based workshops. | Tenterfield | $24,000 | |||
| Marlee Rural Fire Brigade | Marlee Safer Place Upgrade Increase preparedness for future disasters, through upgrade to central meeting space to create a Neighbourhood Safer Place for the community. | Marlee | $15,205 | |||
| Mingoola Hall Management Committee | Bringing Mingoola Community Together to Celebrate our Uniquely Beautiful Environment Strengthen community connection and recovery in Mingoola via the delivery of the inaugural Mingoola Big River Picnic event. | Mingoola | $10,000 | |||
| Monaro Early Intervention Service Incorporated | Wheelchair Access to Sensory Garden Improved access to sensory garden to support wellbeing of children affected by fires, through construction of a ramp at early intervention service. | Cooma | $19,000 | |||
| Nowendoc Ladies Auxilery | Keep Us Fit and Healthy Increase health, wellbeing and individual recovery, through delivery of weekly exercise sessions for ageing community members in Nowendoc. | Nowendoc | $12,000 | |||
| Nowendoc Memorial Hall Land Manager | Save Us From Frosty Toes and Nose! Increase comfort and amenity at the Nowendoc Memorial Hall to support community recovery, through the installation of air conditioning. | Nowendoc | $25,000 | |||
| Nymboida P&C Association | Establish a Nymboida Community Kitchen by Upgrading the Nymboida P&C Kitchen Facilities to Complement the Nymboida PS Community Vegetable Garden Increase capacity to cater for school and community recovery and preparedness activities, through the upgrade of the school kitchen / canteen area at Nymboida School. | Nymboida | $25,000 | |||
| Rotary Club of Guyra - Guyra Garden Club | The Guyra Spring Flower Festival 2021 incorporating a Memorial Avenue and a Mandala Garden Deliver the inaugural annual 'Guyra Spring Flower Festival' in 2021 and plant a Memorial Avenue and Mandala Garden to honour service people. | Guyra | $10,000 | |||
| Wilsons Creek Community Hall Inc | Prepare, Respond and Recover - Wilsons Creek, Huonbrook, & Wanganui Increase preparedness for future disasters through resourcing and upgrading the local hall as a local evacuation centre. | Wilsons Creek | $23,078 | |||
| Wingham Showground Land Manager | Acknowledging Our Heritage, Respecting our Future Strengthen sense of place and connectedness during recovery by erecting four Billboards displaying historically significant photographs of the Showgrounds. | Wingham | $5,920 | |||
| Small & Vital Projects | ||||||
| Burringbar Community Association Incorporated | Burringbar Village Community Plan - Priority Projects Build community capacity through the collective development of a Community Plan. | Burringbar | $8,934 | |||
| Jiggi School of Arts Incorporated | Strengthen and Increase Community Participation by Upgrading Community Facilities Increase community participation via a kitchen upgrade to the Jiggi Hall. | Jiggi, Georgica, Mountain Top | $9,012 | |||
| Carinda Hall Committee - Let's Dance Carinda Tribute Committee Incorporated | Cooling our Hall Increase the comfort and use of the Carinda Diggers Hall by installing six new fans. | Carinda | $10,000 | |||
| Central West Leadership Academy Limited | Project Perseverance Enhance knowledge and capacity in STEM learning through free Space Science workshops to primary school students. | Dubbo | $7,650 | |||
| Goolgowie CWACountry Womens Association of NSW | CWA Room Improvement Build community capacity through the refurbishment of the Goolgowi CWA hall. | Goolgowi | $9,033 | |||
| Henty Public School Parents & Citizens Association | Henty Community Garden Empower the local school community through the development of a Community Garden. | Henty | $8,100 | |||
| Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Ltd | 35th Anniversary Celebration Celebrate WAMS' 35 years of services in the community by holding a series of events throughout 2021. | Walgett | $9,443 | |||
| NORTHERN TERRITORY | ||||||
| Small & Vital Projects | ||||||
| NTSV - Careflight Limited | Obstetrics Training for CareFlight Flight Nurses Improve safety and health outcomes for babies and mothers from remote communities with Midwifery Training for Careflight nurses. | Darwin | $8,800 | |||
| Hermannsburg Potters Aboriginal Corporation | Hermannsburg Potters Men's Development Project Develop income earning and self-employment opportunities in very remote community through provision of Men's Group Ceramics Workshops. | Hermannsburg | $9,850 | |||
| Nhulunbuy Corporation Limited | Inspire Week: Health Services Career Pathways Festival for Young People in Nhulunbuy Upskill young people with first aid training and encourage youth to pursue employment opportunities in the medical sector with a Health Careers Expo for High School students. | Nhulunbuy | $10,000 | |||
| The Castle Incorporated | Drovers Memorial Park Restoration Provide opportunities for remote community to gather through watering system for Drovers Memorial Park. | Newcastle Waters | $10,000 | |||
| Wagait Arts Group Inc | May Art Month (Part of Wagait Arts Festival) Provide opportunity to participate in the arts through nine community arts workshops in the lead up to the Wagait Arts Festival. | Wagait Beach | $4,500 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Bushfire Recovery Projects | ||||||
| Atherton Men's Shed Incorporated | Enlarging Atherton Men's Shed Space Support local men, and projects benefiting the wider community, through expansion of Atherton Men's Shed workspace. | Atherton | $9,000 | |||
| Charters Towers Rural Fire Brigade | Interactive Screen for Training Increased rural fire brigade's ability to deliver training and presentations, through the purchase of an interactive screen. | Charters Towers | $6,435 | |||
| Creative Recovery Network | Disaster Ready Regions - CQRASN 'Shine Bright' Creative Recovery Training Boost community's ability to recover from disasters through creative recovery training for practitioners and community leaders. | Bundaberg | $20,000 | |||
| Friends of Amamoor Inc | Amamoor Rest Room Upgrade Increase capacity to deliver community events and support local recovery via tourism, through upgrade of public toilets. | Amamoor | $10,000 | |||
| Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Community Radio Association Inc | Stanthorpe Community Radio Transmission Equipment Increase communication of local news, events and emergency information, by supporting the establishment of a community radio station. | Stanthorpe | $9,773 | |||
| Small & Vital Projects | ||||||
| Act for Kids Limited | Specialist Abecedarian Playgroups Foster love of learning and prepare young children for school and beyond with specialist playgroups and parent support in Roma region. | Roma | $10,000 | |||
| Augathella and District Progress Association Incorporated | Stories From the Grave: Reconnecting With Our Heritage to Develop a Sense of Place In Our Communities Increase community pride and resilience through local history project, mapping graves in the Augathella area. | Augathella | $6,359 | |||
| Biggenden Primary P&C Association | Student Retreat for Everyday Living, Social and Emotional Support Support student health and wellbeing with refurbished school bathroom and upgraded kitchen appliances for school breakfast program. | Biggenden | $9,705 | |||
| Central & Upper Burnett District Home for the Aged | Gunther Village Curtain Project Enhance environment and improve comfort in Gunther Aged Care Home with installation of new curtains. | Gayndah | $10,000 | |||
| Central Highlands Science Centre Incorporated | Filling the Discovery Space Void Inspire students to engage with science and become the budding scientists and inventors of the future with new, educational science exhibit. | Emerald | $10,000 | |||
| Chrrup Limited | Podcast Series: Community Driven Promote volunteering and community leadership through podcast series with local community champions. | Emerald | $5,000 | |||
| Gympie Medical Transport Inc | Volunteer Services & Training Desk and Fleet Management Desk Support volunteers to provide seniors transport to medical services. | Gympie | $6,500 | |||
| Longreach Regional Enterprise Incorporated | Longreach, 4730: Live, Work and Play Promote liveability and lifestyle opportunities in Longreach to attract new residents, via three promotional videos. | Longreach | $10,000 | |||
| Mundubbera Baptist Church | Upgrade to Toilets Increase attendance at monthly market and other community events with upgrade of bathroom facilities to all abilities access. | Mundubbera | $10,000 | |||
| National Trust of Australia (Queensland) Limited | James Cook Museum - Bama Dreaming Support a unique cultural and historical tourism experience, The Gaamay Dreaming Track, through interpretative signage at James Cook Museum. | Cooktown | $9,000 | |||
| Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association | Healthy Body, Mind and Life - Small Schools Provide educational opportunities to rural youth and support a smoother transition to High School for remote students with Life Skills program. | Mount Murchison | $10,000 | |||
| Rattler Railway Company Ltd | Sustainable Stations Project Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operational overheads of not-for-profit tourism venture, the Red Rattler Railway, providing social and economic benefits for the region. | Amamoor | $10,000 | |||
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Bushfire Recovery Projects | ||||||
| Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation - Flinders Foundation | Mental Health First Aid Training - Kangaroo Island & Adelaide Hills Increase access to support for community members through the delivery of Mental Health First Aid Training to five bushfire-impacted communities. | Lobethal | $25,000 | |||
| Charleston Community Centre Inc | Establishing a Charleston Community Hub Increase use and amenity at the Charleston Hall to support recovery, through installation of air conditioning and upgrade to power supply. | Charleston | $25,000 | |||
| Penneshaw Progress Association Inc | Penneshaw Town Hall Evacuation Centre Catering Facilities Increase preparedness for future disaster events by upgrading the kitchen at the Penneshaw Town Hall. | Penneshaw | $25,000 | |||
| Rotary Club of Onkaparinga Inc | Onkaparinga Rotary Fencing Project Enable volunteers to support community recovery through the purchase of tools, materials, and equipment. | Lobethal | $25,000 | |||
| Small & Vital Projects | ||||||
| Arno Bay District Bowling Club Inc | Barbeque Roof Expand the use of a community facility by installing a covered area in an outdoor space to make it more comfortable and welcoming. | Arno Bay | $9,526 | |||
| Beachport Surf Life Saving Club Inc | Defibrillator at Council Toilet Block Help the community access lifesaving equipment through the purchase of a defibrillator. | Beachport | $2,700 | |||
| Morgan Volunteer Support Group Inc | Meals on Wheels Support Vehicle Improve community health by supporting a volunteer meal service, through the purchase of a new vehicle. | Morgan | $10,000 | |||
| Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association Inc | Keeping it Safe in the Kitchen Improve the Association's ability to support and service the community, through a kitchen upgrade. | Moonta | $9,858 | |||
| Nipapanha Community Aboriginal Corporation | Irish Well Hut Cultural Heritage Museum Development Help people gain an awareness of local culture through the provision of display material for a museum. | Nepabunna | $9,300 | |||
| TASMANIA | ||||||
| Small & Vital Projects | ||||||
| Derwent Valley Arts Inc | Travelling Arts in the Derwent Valley Encourage people in the community to access arts events by purchasing a portable all-abilities toilet. | New Norfolk | $10,000 | |||
| East Coast Regional Development Organisation Inc | Raising the Roof on the Bread Oven Encourage people to come together by redeveloping a community gathering space. | Triabunna | $5,332 | |||
| South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corp | Oura Oura House - Interpretation Room Strengthen connection to local culture through the development of an Aboriginal history and philosophy program. | Cygnet | $7,824 | |||
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| Bushfire Recovery Projects | ||||||
| Corryong and District Community Youthclub Inc | Refurbishment of the Corryong Youth Hall to Better Support the Community Increase amenity and security at Corryong community hall to support community recovery activities, through upgrade to meeting area and storage space. | Corryong - Upper Murray | $25,000 | |||
| Corryong Neighbourhood House Inc | Giving Youth a Voice Increase youth representation in community recovery and development, through employment of youth workers to support youth leadership in the Upper Murray. | Corryong | $25,000 | |||
| Upper Murray Innovation Foundation | Power to the People Boost and strengthen economic recovery and promote climate friendly travel, through installation of Electric Vehicle charger at Walwa. | Walwa | $25,000 | |||
| Small & Vital Projects | ||||||
| Glenelg & Southern Grampians Local Learning & Employment Network | Support, Encourage and Inspire (Standing Tall, Future Leaders, Young Leaders) Grow ways to support the educational outcomes of disadvantaged and disengaged students by providing train-the-trainer workshops to teachers and mentors in the community. | Heywood | $9,960 | |||
| Anam Cara House Colac Inc | Palliative Volunteer Support and Co-ordination Support volunteer engagement and skill through conducting online palliative care training via a community hospice. | Colac | $7,777 | |||
| Derrinallum Park Inc | Picnic Tables Boost the use of a community reserve through the upgrade of worn-out seating, making the space comfortable and welcoming. | Derrinallum | $6,380 | |||
| Drop In Centre - Wycheproof | Buloke Bright Sparks Help children have better access to social and educational opportunities by providing equipment for use in a program designed specifically to support them. | Wycheproof | $5,108 | |||
| Indigo Valley Landcare Group Inc | Nature in the Neighbourhood Workshop Series Encourage community to be active and involved in local conservation through the delivery of a series of Landcare workshops. | Indigo Valley | $3,950 | |||
| Inglewood & Districts Health Service | Enhancing the IDHS Residential Aged Care Outdoor Environment Improve health and wellbeing for residents of the local aged care hostel by providing an outdoor area that caters for people with specialised needs. | Inglewood | $10,000 | |||
| Murray Human Services Inc | Kyabram Supported Employment Program Improve employment prospects for people living with a disability in Kyabram, by delivering a program that engages local representatives. | Kyabram | $8,951 | |||
| Nagambie Healthcare Inc | Creating Moments that Matter - Connectedness in Regional Aged Care Improve the health and wellbeing of people in residential care through the development of an outdoor gathering space. | Nagambie | $10,000 | |||
| Rushworth Community House Inc | Upgrade of Rushworth Community Garden Expand the use of a community garden by re-landscaping the area to allow people with mobility issues to gain access to plots. | Rushworth | $6,500 | |||
| St Kilda Mums | Eureka Mums - Time to Grow Project Improve the organisation's ability to support and service the community through equipping a warehouse space that is used for material aid support. | Central Highlands Region (incl Ballarat) | $9,951 | |||
| Stanhope Recreation Reserve Committee of Management | Stanhope Community Recreation Precinct Project Strengthen connectivity and engagement through the development of a recreation reserve, a well-utilised gathering space in the town's precinct. | Stanhope | $10,000 | |||
| Taggerty Community Progress Group Inc | Easy Access for All Improve Taggerty Hub's ability to support and service the community through the installation of an all-abilities entrance. | Taggerty | $10,000 | |||
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Bushfire Recovery Projects | ||||||
| Shire of Katanning | Vibrant Katanning Support economic and social recovery through upgrading Katanning's central shopping precinct. | Katanning | $22,000 | |||
| Small & Vital Projects | ||||||
| Bulyee Hall Committee | Staying Together Going Forward Improve amenities and strengthen social connection with kitchen refurbishment at Bulyee Hall. | Bulyee | $10,000 | |||
| Director of National Parks - The Trustee for National Parks Conservation Trust | Christmas Island District School - Crab Cadets and Student Rangers Program Grow appreciation and interest in the local environment among young Christmas lslanders through innovative citizen science education program. | Christmas Island | $10,000 | |||
| Fitzgerald Biosphere Group Inc | Dancing in the Dirt Gala Ball - A Community Event Build community wellbeing and strengthen mental health by supporting 'Dancing in the Dirt' Gala for small, drought-stricken community. | Jerramungup | $5,000 | |||
| North Midlands Project Incorporated | Cooling The Exchange! Increase use of 'The Exchange' community hub through installation of air conditioners to combat extreme heat conditions. | Carnamah | $10,000 | |||
| Yungngora Association Inc | Refurbishment of Yungngora Community Tele-Centre Enable access to the internet for education, online banking and emailing and through provision of computers for very remote community. | Yungngora Indigenous Community | $10,000 | |||
