Media releases: 9 December 2022
27 community groups in disaster impacted areas of rural NSW and QLD to receive funding
FRRR, in partnership with Suncorp and GIO, has awarded $500,000 to 27 community groups and local not-for-profits (NFPs) to support recovery initiatives in rural communities impacted by the East Coast Australia floods in February and March 2022.
The grants, which are through the Rebuilding Futures program, range from $4,129 to $25,000.
They will be used to fund a range of projects, including equipping community facilities to be prepared for disasters, mental health training, community resilience and healing events, food security initiatives, environmental restoration, buying emergency equipment, restoring flood damaged infrastructure, developing preparedness plans and mentoring initiatives.
This is the second round of grants to come from the $1 million pledge the Suncorp Group made to FRRR to support recovery and preparedness activities in remote, rural and regional communities impacted by natural disasters.
Suncorp Group Head of Disaster Response & Customer Experience, Cath Stewart, said the diversity of applications shows the importance of responsive and flexible funding.
“The grant applications we received in this round are all the proof needed to reaffirm community leaders are best placed to understand exactly what the people in their areas need at this moment in time.
“These communities were all impacted by the same natural disaster, yet it’s very clear that they have diverse needs based on the point that they’re at on their road to recovery. We are pleased to be able to support a range of initiatives from building organisational capacity and giving locals the opportunity to develop their skills, to investing in life saving equipment and improving access to services,” said Ms Stewart.
Nina O’Brien, Disaster Resilience and Climate Solutions Lead at FRRR, said the grant recipients have shown commitment to the long-term recovery and resilience of their communities.
“People have had their lives turned upside down, yet they’re determined to work together to make sure their communities bounce back stronger than ever from the floods. Thanks to the generous support of GIO and Suncorp, we are able to offer the funding that will allow them to address their unique community recovery needs for rebuilding their future, and that’s exactly what each of the NFPs and community groups receiving funding are on a mission to do.
“Each of these initiatives, whether it be an upgrade to existing community facilities, the renewal of shared social spaces, improved community facilities, the purchase of emergency equipment or mental health support, is a practical response that will support long term recovery, which is exactly what is needed in the areas affected by floods and storms in early 2022.
“Recovery will take many years and every community has different needs and different capacity levels when it comes to tackling the recovery process. That’s why it’s so crucial that we provide these local groups with the support they need to build back better and design their own path to recovery, when they are ready,” said Ms O’Brien.
Among the 27 projects funded this round are:
- Surf Life Saving Far North Coast Branch Inc, Byron Bay, NSW – Mental Health Training and Support – $9,650 – Build community resilience through delivering a Mental Health Training and Support program to life savers, equipping them with skills to support themselves and their community.
- Resilient Lismore Incorporated, Lismore, NSW – Resilient Lismore – community recovery and connection events – $25,000 – Bolstering resilience to disaster by strengthening community connections and increasing mental health and wellbeing via a series of community events to be held around the anniversary of the February 2022 flood event in Lismore.
- Wilsons Creek Community Hall Inc, Wilsons Creek, NSW – Wilsons Creek Community Hall Solar Storage Battery – $12,240 – Build capacity of Wilsons Creek Community Hall to stay in contact by purchasing a solar battery to ensure power supply during extreme weather events.
- The Trustee for Top Blokes Foundation, Beaudesert, QLD – Building the resilience of vulnerable young men in the Scenic Rim – $25,000 – Improve the mental health and community engagement skills of at risk and disadvantaged young boys to bolster recovery in flood impacted communities.
- Glastonbury Hall & Recreation Association Inc, Glastonbury, QLD – Rebuilding for the Future – Glastonbury Disaster Centre Hub – $25,000 – Build capacity at Glastonbury Hall to support community with adequate kitchen facilities during refuge from disasters and to support community connection activities.
- Tansey Show Society Incorporated, Tansey, QLD – Upgrade facilities at Tansey Showgrounds – $15,000 – Boost organisational resilience and community wellbeing by repairing the flood damaged shower blocks at Tansey Showgrounds.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects is below.
More information on the Rebuilding Futures grant program is available on FRRR’s website.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| Agape Outreach Inc | After the Floods - Food Insecurity & Poverty Support - Caring for the Community Support community members impacted by floods to access food relief in an environment of insecurity and homelessness risk. | Tweed | $15,000 | |||
| Byron Region Community College | Demonstration Garden for Sustainability and Resilience Strengthen the social fabric of Byron with a sustainable and resilient garden at the adult learning centre designed to inspire and educate community with an interactive space also supporting mental health and wellbeing. | Mullumbimby | $24,630 | |||
| Casino Indoor Stadium Association Inc | Blue Light Nights Build community capacity of children and young people in Casino with equipment for Blue Light Night events such as discos that will develop relationships with local police and support learning event management skills. | Casino | $10,572 | |||
| Friends Lismore Regional Gallery Inc | Beyond Bricks and Mortar: The Art of Renewal in Lismore Renew and activate the arts community in Lismore through tours of neighboring galleries, open art studios and panels to bolster regeneration of artist practice and broad community engagement. | Lismore | $12,295 | |||
| Human Nature Adventure Therapy Ltd | Thrive Outside: A Recovery and Resilience Project Support young people who experienced trauma through the flood events to build resilience through therapeutic outdoor group activities. | Ballina | $19,920 | |||
| Holding Hands Undergound | The Grief and Gratitude Project: A Process for Collective Care and Connection in a Time of Major Crisis Supporting community connection with an arts based event to enable collective recovery activity with themes of grief and gratitude. | Mullumbimby | $25,000 | |||
| Hunter Prelude Limited | Hunter Prelude Supported Playgroups Increase support to playgroups with additional allied health or teaching staff that enhance the engagement of parents and address issues of isolation and trauma within the families. | Kurri/Cessnock | $19,400 | |||
| Nambucca Valley Phoenix Limited | Roof Replacement Ceramics Yurt & Kitchen Replace damaged roofing at the ceramics yurt and kitchen annex to increase resilience of the facility's infrastructure to weather and support ongoing community activities. | Bowraville | $25,000 | |||
| Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub - Rekindling the Spirit Limited | Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub in Action Build capacity for piloting a transition to paid / volunteer model of community healing practices that will support holistic recovery now and ongoing with strong health partnerships. | Lismore | $24,750 | |||
| Resilient Lismore Incorporated | Resilient Lismore - Community Recovery and Connection Event Bolstering resilience to disaster by strengthening community connections and increasing mental health and wellbeing via a series of community events to be held around the anniversary of the February 2022 flood event in Lismore. | Lismore | $25,000 | |||
| Surf Life Saving Far North Coast Branch Inc | Mental Health Training and Support Build community resilience through delivering a Mental Health Training and Support program to life savers equipping them with skills to support themselves and their community. | Byron Bay | $9,650 | |||
| The Big Scrub Orchestra | Modern Band Healing Through Songwriting and Music to Improve Resilience and Wellbeing for Young People Impacted by Floods Build the resilience of school children impacted and displaced by flooding in Grafton, Lismore and Casino through musical workshops that will culminate in a performance at the local Jacaranda Festival. | Grafton | $25,000 | |||
| The Colony Bees Association Inc | Pollinate Country Rebuilding pollinator health and habitat in the Northern Rivers, by establishing new beehives, pollinator sanctuaries and native habitats. | Ballina | $18,202 | |||
| Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW | Capacity Building for the Improved Response to Emergencies with Our Region Build capacity of Volunteer Marine Rescue to support flood impacted communities in the future and enhance their everyday emergency operations with a trailer to transport a rescue boat. | Brunswick Heads | $15,000 | |||
| Wesley Community Services Limited, trading as Wesley Mission | Wesley LifeForce Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Resilience Project Support mental health and reduce stigma associated with suicide through training to develop skills and understanding in the Coffs Harbour community. | Coffs Harbour | $22,000 | |||
| Wilsons Creek Community Hall Inc | Wilsons Creek Community Hall Solar Storage Battery Build capacity of Wilsons Creek Community Hall to stay in contact by purchasing a solar battery to ensure power supply during extreme weather events. | Wilsons Creek | $12,240 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Glastonbury Hall & Recreation Association Inc | Rebuilding for the Future - Glastonbury Disaster Centre Hub Build capacity at Glastonbury Hall to support community with adequate kitchen facilities during refuge from disasters and to support community connection activities. | Glastonbury | $25,000 | |||
| Highfields Pioneer Village Museum and Park Inc | Ramp It Up Repair pathways and ramps impacted by flood waters to provide access for disabled and elderly visitors. | Highfields | $4,129 | |||
| Kerry Memorial Hall | Kerry Valley: Diversity, Resilience & Strength (DRS) Upgrade historical community facilities with infrastructure materials and equipment to enable compliance for evacuation centre and to strengthen community wellbeing. | Kerry | $7,293 | |||
| Kin Kin Community Group Inc | Volunteer and Emergency Response Community Hub Build capacity through setting up local facility to support community during disasters. | Kin Kin & Como | $25,000 | |||
| Lowood Group State Emergency Service Financial Support Unit Inc | Lowood Emergency Back Up Generator Build the capacity of Lowood SES through the purchase of a generator to ensure shed operations during power outages to support crew and community needs. | Lowood | $23,485 | |||
| Mooloolah Valley Community Association Inc | Emergency Power for the Community Centre Build the organisational capacity of the Mooloolah Valley Community Centre with the purchase of a solar battery for power supply in extreme weather events. | Mooloolah Valley | $25,000 | |||
| Rathdowney and District Memorial Grounds Association Incorporated | Caravan Park Hot Water & Dryer Build community resilience and organisational capacity with the purchase of a washing machine and clothes dryer to support tenants, visitors, and the community at the volunteer run caravan park in Rathdowney. | Rathdowney | $7,784 | |||
| Tansey Show Society Incorporated | Upgrade Facilities at Tansey Showgrounds Boost organisational resilience and community wellbeing by repairing the flood damaged shower blocks at Tansey Showgrounds. | Tansey | $15,000 | |||
| The Trustee for Raise Foundation | Raise Mentor Program - Pittsworth State High School Build resilience in young people affected by floods with supported mentoring at Pittsworth State High School. | Pittsworth | $25,000 | |||
| The Trustee for Top Blokes Foundation | Building the Resilience of Vulnerable Young Men in the Scenic Rim Improve the mental health and community engagement skills of at risk and disadvantaged young boys to bolster recovery in flood impacted communities. | Beaudesert | $25,000 | |||
| Toowoomba Hospital Foundation | Saving and Preserving the Darling Downs Health Museum Weather Affected Collection and Displays Support restoration and disaster preparedness planning to save the flood impacted collection of Toowoomba Hospital Health Museum and train volunteers to respond effectively in future emergency situations. | Toowoomba | $16,560 | |||
