Media releases: 22 November 2021
38 projects will help communities cope with drought
Thanks to FRRR’s Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) program, 38 community initiatives in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia will share in $1,316,217. These projects will help local communities tackle the ongoing impacts of drought.
The TTTT program supports drought-affected regions of Australia by giving community groups and local not-for-profit organisations access to the resources they need to respond to, and recover from, long-term rainfall deficiencies. This program has granted over $18 million (through rounds 1-22) to initiatives that are helping communities to tackle the tough times that come with drought.
The program is possible thanks to the support of several donors, including the Australian Government, which committed $15M to be distributed from 2019-2021.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s Chief Executive Officer, said these grants will utilise the last tranche of Australian government funding.
“FRRR was grateful to have the support of the Government alongside 15 other donors, as that enabled this program to expand nationally, just at a time when the drought was spreading across the entire country.
“While there have been good rains in places, there are many places that continue to experience severe drought, or are just coming out of drought. Enduring such prolonged dryness is really tough on these communities and their local industries. The pandemic has also meant that many of the fundraising initiatives and events that would normally have brought the community together and injected vital funds into the local economy haven’t happened now for 18 months. As a result, some people are more socially-isolated than ever.
“That’s why we’re so pleased to be able to support these projects at a time when they need it the most. Each of these remote, regional and rural communities has their own complex and individual needs, which is why it’s crucial that their support and recovery efforts are community-led.
“The projects being funded in this round range from investing in infrastructure and building organisational capacity, to providing services and developing skills, which really highlights the diverse range of needs in these communities,” Ms Egleton said.
Among the groups being funded is Parachilna Community Association who are refurbishing a school building, so that it can be used as caretaker residence at the community caravan park. This upgrade to local facilities will help Parachilna to attract tourists, which in turn will help to financially support the community. The $44,643 grant means they can install and renovate a bathroom, kitchen and living room.
Another organisation receiving funding is Pikedale Community Inc for their Drawing Through Drought initiative. This will fund a series of art classes in the rural, grazing community of Pikedale, west of Stanthorpe, which will allow the local community to meet, connect, refresh and ease the stress and mental fatigue caused by the hardship of prolonged drought.
Among the other projects funded this round include:
- Country Women’s Association of NSW, Walgett NSW – Tranquillity – $13,860 – To provide a green space of tranquillity that is accessible by wheelchair. Funds will be used for concreting the disability access and installing a rainwater tank and irrigation system for the garden.
- Cunnamulla & District Show Society Incorporated, QLD – Cunnamulla Show Society Multi-Purpose Function Centre, Stage 2 – $145,000 – The grant will be used to undertake stage 2 of the construction of the new, large multi-purpose function centre at the Showgrounds.
- Friends of Yantanabie Incorporated, SA – Yantanabie Hall Roof Restoration – $17,050 – The project aims to restore the roof of the Yantanabie Hall. A master builder has assessed that these repairs will ensure the structure remains safe for future generations and community use.
- Rupanyup & District Consultative Committee, VIC – Landscaping Rupanyup Community Space – $60,000 – To create a new community space in Rupanyup where community members can gather and relax. Funding will be used to clear the site, prepare garden beds, install access and paths, plant trees and shrubs, install an irrigation system, build seating and pergolas.
- Lake Grace Community Men’s Shed, WA – We Need a Bigger Shed – $60,000 – This will double the members’ workspace by adding another shed to the current one. The increased space will give them separate working areas and the option of including a mezzanine floor and a hoist in the future.
In addition to the Australian government, 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 at frrr.org.au/giving/.
With recent rains in many areas, FRRR will take the opportunity to review the shape of the Tackling Tough Times Together program in the coming weeks, meaning the next round is likely to open early in the new year.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| Up to $60,000 | ||||||
| Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (South Eastern Section) Contact Inc | RuralCONNECT: Activity Days for Isolated Children and Families in Drought-Affected Areas Support families with young children living in remote north-western NSW by providing opportunities for social and educational participation in creative programs. | Louth | $59,924 | |||
| Up to $20,000 | ||||||
| Country Women's Association of NSW | Tranquility Enhance community well-being and local amenity by providing a green space of tranquility for community use. | Walgett | $13,860 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Up to $150,000 | ||||||
| Cunnamulla & District Show Society Incorporated | Cunnamulla Show Society Multi-Purpose Function Centre - Stage 2 Support the Cunnamulla and District Show Society Inc's resilience and capacity to contribute to a stronger local economy and an engaged, participative community, through the completion of their multi-purpose centre. | Cunnamulla | $145,000 | |||
| Up to $60,000 | ||||||
| Kingaroy State School Parents and Citizens Association | Inclusive Play and Learning Facilities for Children in Kingaroy Install new play and seating areas at Kingaroy State School, to meet the needs of the diverse children and families in this drought-affected community. | Kingaroy | $60,000 | |||
| Creative Country Association Inc | Murgon's Best Kept Secret Fit out of the Fossil Museum at the Murgon Cultural Centre, to attract tourists and stimulate economic activity in the town of Murgon. | Murgon | $60,000 | |||
| Goombungee Public Hall Inc | Goombungee Public Hall Upgrade Encourage better use of the community hall by repairing the facility to make the community space safer and more user-friendly, thereby securing its use for future generations. | Goombungee | $60,000 | |||
| Mount Morgan Central Primary P&C Association | MMCSS Youth Warriors Course Inspire leadership, confidence and self-discipline in senior students, by installing an Adventure Obstacle Course. | Mount Morgan | $50,732 | |||
| Goondiwindi Pastoral and Agricultural Society | From Storing Outdoor to Making it Secure: Showground Community Storage Shed Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity of Goondiwindi Pastoral and Agricultural Society through the purchase of a storage shed to support community events. | Goondiwindi | $49,033 | |||
| Somerset Regional Council | An Annual Program of Art Making Activities for Children and Young People That Addresses the Impact of Drought, Assists with Recovery and Builds Resilience Through Creative Opportunity and Expression Encourage children’s learning and development with art workshops/creative activities at the Somerset Regional Art Gallery. | Toogoolawah | $47,536 | |||
| Tamrookum Memorial Hall Incorporated | To support the Capacity and Sustainability of Tamrookum Hall with Upgraded and Refurbished Amenities Enhance economic stimulus of Tamrookum and surrounding areas by providing accessible amenities for locals, volunteers, visitors and user groups to use. | Tamrookum | $41,816 | |||
| Toogoolawah & District Progress Assoc Inc | New Canteen with Connection to Water, Electricity and with Shade Protection Increase volunteer safety and comfort at the canteen building which is used by the Toogoolawah Progress Association and other community groups. | Toogoolawah | $36,386 | |||
| Gatton Show Society Incorporated | Gatton Show – Poultry Section WHS Upgrade Reduce volunteer fatigue and support local economic recovery by repairing the Poultry Pavilion, a major attraction at the Gatton Show. | Gatton | $35,478 | |||
| Blackall - Tambo Regional Council | Tambo Dam Lights - Stage 2 - Installation Contribute to local economic recovery by funding the transportation of an art installation on the Blackall Tambo dam. | Tambo | $30,624 | |||
| Balonne Shire Council | Mural of Historic Significance - Balonne Community Hub Contribute to a culturally vibrant community while also supporting local economic recovery during current times of drought and COVID-19. | St George | $30,000 | |||
| Up to $20,000 | ||||||
| Stanthorpe Festival Association Inc | Food & Wine Fiesta Strengthen economic diversity and support cultural engagement by hiring artists to provide entertainment to support the 2022 Stanthorpe Food & Wine Fiesta. | Stanthorpe | $20,000 | |||
| The Texas Historical Society Inc | Texas Technology Museum Build capacity and boost local economy by constructing an exhibition pavilion at the existing Texas Historical Museum with a technology focus, that aims to attract a broader (younger) demographic. | Texas | $20,000 | |||
| Jandowae Timbertown Festival Inc | Jandowae Timbertown Festival Tours, Fireworks and Creative Chainsaw Demonstrations Reduce social isolation and support local economic recovery by adding extra tours/quality demonstrations to the 2022 Jandowae Timbertown festival program and provide night-time entertainment that will attract people to attend the festival and stay longer. | Jandowae | $10,712 | |||
| QCWA Branch Jackson | Making it Easier Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity of the QCWA Jackson Branch Hall through kitchen upgrades. | Jackson | $5,022 | |||
| Pikedale Community Inc | Drawing through Drought Enhance opportunities to participate in creative activities for the Pikedale community through the delivery of four art workshops over a series of weeks. | Pikedale | $4,928 | |||
| Lions Club of Cecil Plains Inc | Shade and Shelter Build capacity by providing shade and shelter for volunteers and the community that attend their events. | Cecil Plains | $3,160 | |||
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Up to $60,000 | ||||||
| Lochiel Progress Association Incorporated | Coming Together at the Lochiel Community Centre Re-invigorate the Lochiel Community Centre (LPC) by upgrading the facility, thereby enabling the Centre to host important community get-togethers to increase social inclusion, well-being and resilience. | Lochiel | $59,429 | |||
| District Council of Loxton Waikerie Little Town Productions | SHINE: Riverland Community Light Project Create a community arts event featuring a unique animated projection mapped to the façade of the historic St Peter’s church, and create sustainable creative skills for young people and lift the spirits of the whole community. | Loxton | $55,859 | |||
| Carrieton Progress Association Inc | Carrieton Community Halls Project -'Preserving and Restoring the Town Facilities' Improve the tired infrastructure and reduce community fatigue. | Carrieton | $54,443 | |||
| Parachilna Community Association | Refurbish a School Building at the Community Caravan Park as a Caretaker Residence Build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of the Parachilna Community Association’s caravan park through refurbishing a school building so that it can be utilised as a caretaker residence. | Parachilna | $44,643 | |||
| Foodbank of South Australia Incorporated | Foodbank Ceduna Food Hub - Cool Room Project Increase capacity and capability of Foodbank of South Australia to provide food relief for regional and rural communities impacted by drought. | Ceduna | $25,700 | |||
| Up to $20,000 | ||||||
| District Council of Orroroo Carrieton | 54 31 Collective Boost and strengthen the local economy by providing rural creators a platform to grow and showcase their locally made or sourced products, which will attract visitors/tourists to the region thereby benefiting the wider community. | Orroroo | $20,000 | |||
| Friends of Yantanabie Incorporated | Yantanabie Hall Roof Restoration Improve volunteer vitality and support strong social connection by restoring the roof of the Friends of Yatanabie’s Community Hall. | Yatanabie | $17,050 | |||
| Moorook Hall Incorporated | Safety and Secure Storage - Moorook Community Hall Improve volunteer vitality and support strong social connection by restoring the Moorook Hall. | Moorook | $13,208 | |||
| Rotary Club of Peterborough Incorporate | The North East Drought Event and Inaugural Wool Show Reduce social isolation by facilitating social connection through supporting a Wool Show hosted by the Rotary Club of Peterborough Incorporate. | Yunta | $11,000 | |||
| Balaklava Community Arts Incorporated | Balaklava Community Arts Inc 2022 Production of "Shrek" To foster and encourage the Arts in the local region by staging a performance that will involve locals in many roles as participants but also in attendance at the event. | Balaklava | $5,300 | |||
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| Up to $60,000 | ||||||
| Rupanyup and District Consultative Committee Enterprise Rupanyup | Landscaping Rupanyup Community Space Improve social and emotional health and build resilience in the Rupanyup community by landscaping a community space. | Rupanyup | $60,000 | |||
| Up to $20,000 | ||||||
| Corack Public Hall Inc | Corack Hall Kitchen Makeover Build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of the Corack Public Hall through refurbishment of the Hall’s kitchen. | Corack | $16,500 | |||
| Buloke Women’s Network Inc | Celebrating Buloke Women in 2022 Promote individual and community health and social wellbeing through community events that acknowledge and celebrate the economic and social contribution of women in the Buloke region. | Watchem | $15,900 | |||
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Up to $60,000 | ||||||
| Lake Grace Community Men's Shed | We Need a Bigger Shed Improve the Lake Grace Men’s Shed to attract more members, reduce social isolation and improve mental and physical health. | Lake Grace | $60,000 | |||
| Lake Grace Community Resource Centre Inc | Fit For Purpose Support tourism opportunities that will strengthen the local economy through installation of outdoor fitness equipment to encourage motorists to stop and revive. | Lake Grace | $26,683 | |||
| Up to $20,000 | ||||||
| Lake Grace Artists' Group | Comfy Safe Space for Our Community Improve volunteer vitality and organisational resilience to encourage more use of the community Art Space for social and educational participation by providing new chairs, stools and tables. | Lake Grace | $18,788 | |||
| Leeman Green Head Community Resource Centre Incorporated | The Leeman Green Head Community Resource Centre IT Upgrade Improve the Leeman Green Head Community Resource Centre’s (LGHCRC) ability to support and service the community through purchase of IT equipment for the delivery of training and provision of online services. | Leeman | $18,503 | |||
| Katanning Land Conservation District Committee | Katanning - Making the Swap to Green Caffeen Stimulate the local economy through an innovative project that tackles the environmental issue of waste production by removing disposable coffee cups from Katanning cafes through the Green Caffeen system. | Katanning | $9,000 | |||
