Media releases: 17 August 2021
35 projects funded in drought-affected communities
FRRR’s long-running Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) program, has awarded grants totalling $1,086,794 to 35 not-for-profit organisations to support drought recovery projects in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia.
Now in its eighth year, the award-winning[1] and collaboratively-funded TTTT program supports drought-affected communities to undertake a broad range of grassroots initiatives that help locals access the resources needed to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought. To date, thanks to the support of FRRR’s donor partners, the program has granted out more than $17.3 million.
Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, said that for many communities, drought is still a very real and significant issue, and communities are dealing with a variety of factors as they continue to stand strong and keep their community connected and supported.
“Capacity within rural communities has been significantly hampered by both the long-running drought, and more recently, the uncertainty of COVID-19. Fundraising is a real challenge, and volunteers are really fatigued. However, they remain committed to bringing people together to support one another at a time when doing so is perhaps more important than ever.
“So, programs like Tackling Tough Times Together are an important source of funding, as it means community groups can continue to run programs and events that help to reduce feelings of social isolation. The grants also help alleviate volunteer fatigue, as community-minded people are so often very stretched and stressed by not being able to offer the services they know are so valuable to their community,” Ms O’Brien said.
Successful projects include the Warramboo Community Club’s playground replacement on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Like many remote areas, the Community Club is a focal point of the district for events, sports, celebrations, training and information days. They are receiving a $25,000 grant to encourage children’s learning and development by replacing the deteriorated playground on the grounds. This creates a key meeting point for the important social contact that binds isolated farming families together.
On the other side of the country, in the Central region of Queensland, the Flinders Shire Council has devised a plan to boost local tourism and support the economy by fitting out the Agricultural Zone at the Flinders Discovery Centre redevelopment in Hughenden. With their $150,000 grant, they aim to increase tourist activity and enhance economic recovery and renewal by completing the revitalised regional Centre’s new agricultural zone with fit out displays including an interactive sheep shearing display, touchscreens showing agriculture practices and paddock to plate processes.
Some of the other projects awarded this round include:
- Wandoan Community Commerce and Industry Group, QLD – Illuminating Wandoan – $46,073 – Boost local tourism and support the local economy through establishing an outdoor illuminated mural on silos in Wandoan.
- Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway Incorporated, VIC – Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway Infrastructure Strategy project, Stage One – $18,000 – Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of an important historical asset through the development of Infrastructure Strategy – Stage One for future usage planning and facility enhancements.
- Karridale Primary School, WA – Growing our Sense of Place – $6,000 – Support opportunities for connection through a bushland art project.
- Shire of Mingenew, WA – Town Beautification with Children’s Art Workshop – $5,240 –Encourage children’s learning and development with art workshops and mural paintings for town beautification.
The Tackling Tough Times Together program is possible thanks to the collaborative support of several donors, including the Australian Government which committed $15M to be distributed from 2019-2021. Generous contributions have also been made by The Pratt Foundation, Stockland CARE Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, The Snow Foundation, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Henroth Group and private donors from across the nation. To join these donors, and support grants like this through FRRR, you can make a tax-deductible donation here.
Applications are currently open for Round 22 of TTTT and groups in areas experiencing prolonged dry conditions are encouraged to apply for funding to help their community support one another. Applications close 5pm AEST, 24 August 2021.
More information on the Tackling Tough Times Together grant program is available here.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to: NSW | QLD | SA | VIC | WA
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| Up to $20,000 | ||||||
| Northern Slopes Landcare Association Incorporated | Rural Women's Catch-up Encourage more local involvement in the community by delivering a series of workshops in Gwydir and Moree Plains area. | Upper Horton | $16,975 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Up to $150,000 | ||||||
| Flinders Shire Council | Flinders Discovery Centre Agricultural Zone Enhance economic recovery and renewal through the interior fit out of the Agricultural Zone at the Flinders Discovery Centre redevelopment in Hughenden, QLD. | Hughenden | $150,000 | |||
| Up to $60,000 | ||||||
| St. Patrick's School Parents & Friends Association | St Patrick's Primary School Playground Upgrade Reduce social isolation by facilitating social connection through the installation of a playground at St Patrick’s school. | Mitchell | $50,000 | |||
| Wandoan Community Commerce and Industry Inc | Illuminating Wandoan Boost local tourism and support the local economy through establishing an outdoor illuminated mural on silos in Wandoan. | Wandoan | $46,073 | |||
| Emerald & District Historical Association. Capella Pioneer Village Inc | Our Collections Matter Support opportunities for volunteer learning and capacity building with site-based museum training. | Emerald | $42,303 | |||
| Charleville & District Community Support Association Incorporated | Three Communities - Three Christmas Trees Boost and strengthen the local economy and reduce social isolation with town beautification in Charleville, Augathella and Morven each Christmas. | Charleville | $36,685 | |||
| Maryvale Community Hall Incorporated | Freshening Up our Community Hub Rejuvenate a meeting space that supports community connectedness for drought affected residents. | Maryvale | $29,580 | |||
| Begonia Golf & Sports Club Inc | Community Hall Air Conditioner Supply and Installation Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase the capacity of the organisation through the replacement of air conditioning at the Begonia Hall. | Begonia | $25,960 | |||
| Up to $20,000 | ||||||
| The Creche and Kindergarten Association Limited | C&K Millmerran’s Dry Creek Bed Encourage opportunities for quality outdoor learning with the installation of a Dry Creek Bed at the Creche and Kindergarten Association, Millmerran branch. | Millmerran | $20,000 | |||
| North Burnett Community Service Inc | Connecting Community Improve the North Burnett Community Service ability to support and service the community through purchase of IT equipment. | Mundubbera | $20,000 | |||
| Topology Inc | Bigger than Texas - Growing Creative Communities of Texas, Inglewood, Yelarbon, Kindon Support opportunities to grow creative communities in Texas, Inglewood, Yelarbon and Kindon. | Texas | $20,000 | |||
| South Downs Steam Railway Assoc Inc | Rain water storage within the SDSR precinct Support volunteers and organisational capacity at the South Downs Steam Railway by installing rainwater storage within the precinct. | Warwick | $18,658 | |||
| Dirranbandi Arts Council Inc | Creative Art Workshops for the Community Enhance opportunities to participate in creative activities for the Dirranbandi community through the delivery of art workshops. | Dirranbandi | $11,316 | |||
| QCWA Branch Dirranbandi | Facilities Upgrade Grow climate resilience and secure the future of the Dirranbandi QCWA rooms for future generations with infrastructure works. | Dirranbandi | $8,580 | |||
| Wandoan and District Kindergartenassoc Inc | Wandoan Camel Races - Children's Entertainment Reduce social isolation and boost community spirit through the provision of children’s entertainment at the Wandoan Camel Races. | Wandoan | $7,500 | |||
| The Cecil Plains Crier Association Incorporated | Purchase a New Printer Help locals stay informed and connected by purchasing a printer to continue to produce a community newsletter. | Cecil Plains | $5,800 | |||
| Richmond Primary P and C Association | Slime Spectacular Fun Run Encourage more local involvement in the community by hosting a Slime Spectacular Fun Run. | Richmond | $4,565 | |||
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Up to $150,000 | ||||||
| Brinkworth Management Committee Incorporated | Brinkworth Community Bus Reduce social isolation by purchasing a community bus to facilitate strong social cohesion and connection. | Brinkworth | $87,600 | |||
| Up to $60,000 | ||||||
| Pinnaroo Community Incorporated | The Pinnaroo Project Boost and strengthen health and wellbeing with an arts initiative in the Pinnaroo community. | Pinnaroo | $59,880 | |||
| The Flinders Ranges Council | Fringe in the Flinders Support economic growth and community connection through the Fringe in the Flinders event in Quorn, SA. | Quorn | $42,000 | |||
| Peterborough Art Prize Committee Incorporated | Peterborough Art Centre - Garden Redevelopment Strengthen economic recovery and renewal through improvements to the Peterborough Art Centre - Garden Redevelopment. | Peterborough | $33,336 | |||
| Warramboo Community Club Incorporated | Playground Replacement Encourage children’s learning and development though play by installing playground equipment at the Warramboo Community Club. | Warramboo | $25,000 | |||
| Up to $20,000 | ||||||
| Minnipa and Districts Swimming Pool Incorporated | Community Pool Concourse Replacement Support the longevity of the Minnipa community pool with infrastructure works. | Minnipa | $10,000 | |||
| Wudinna Play Gym | Equipment and Family Day Support opportunities for development and learning with a play gym in Wudinna. | Wudinna | $5,500 | |||
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| Up to $60,000 | ||||||
| SEED Lakeside Community Garden Incorporated | Activation and Pathways Improve social and emotional health and build resilience in the Sale community with an Activation and Pathways project. | Sale | $59,500 | |||
| Up to $20,000 | ||||||
| Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway Incorporated | Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway Infrastructure Strategy - Stage One Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of the Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway Inc through the development of Infrastructure Strategy - Stage One for future usage planning and facility enhancements. | Red Cliffs | $18,000 | |||
| Red Cliffs Centenary Committee Inc | Red Cliffs Centenary Celebrations 2021 Encourage people to come together and celebrate at a Red Cliffs Centenary Celebrations 2021 community event. | Red Cliffs | $10,000 | |||
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Up to $60,000 | ||||||
| The Ravensthorpe Community Centre Incorporated | Opening Spaces Stage 1 - Restoring the Ravensthorpe Community Centre Veranda and Blue Room Improve volunteer vitality and support strong social connection by restoring the Ravensthorpe Community Centre’s veranda and adjoining Blue Room. | Ravensthorpe | $60,000 | |||
| Noongar Land Enterprise Group Incorporated | Wattle Seed Harvesting Training for Drought Resilience on Noongar Country (SW WA) Support and engage the community in leadership development and skills training in harvesting wattle seed from a land rehabilitation project. | Beverley | $59,723 | |||
| Country Music Club of Boyup Brook WA Inc | Boyup Brook Country Music Festival - Engaging Regional Business Strengthen economic diversity and support cultural engagement by hiring equipment to support the 2022 Boyup Brook Country Music Festival. | Boyup Brook | $56,020 | |||
| Up to $20,000 | ||||||
| Brookton Old Time Motor Show | Brookton Old Time Motor Show 2022 Boost the local economy by providing support for the Brookton Old Time Motor Show 2022. | Brookton | $15,000 | |||
| Leeman Green Head Community Resource Centre Incorporated | Increasing the Capacity of the Leeman Green Head Community Resource Centre Build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of Leeman Green Head Community Resource Centre through building upgrades | Leeman | $10,000 | |||
| Pemberton Mill Hall Restoration Committee | Kitchen For Catering Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity of the Pemberton Mill Hall through kitchen upgrades. | Pemberton | $10,000 | |||
| Karridale Primary School | Growing Our Sense of Place Support opportunities for connection through a bushland art project; Growing Our Sense of Place. | Karridale | $6,000 | |||
| Shire of Mingenew | Town Beautification with Children's Art Workshop Encourage children’s learning and development with art workshops and mural paintings for town beautification. | Mingenew | $5,240 | |||
[1] 2020 Australian Philanthropy Awards – Best Grant Program
