Media releases: 11 July 2024
46 projects set to strengthen networks and capabilities
Thanks to funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund through the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative’s Small Network Grants, FRRR has awarded $1,285,219 to 46 not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) for projects that will strengthen community preparedness and resilience to manage the impacts of future droughts.
Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, said that these grants will make a practical difference in some of the areas most sensitive to drought and help communities prepare for the inevitable dry times ahead and challenges that, in some cases, are already evident.
“The diversity of organisations that have applied, coupled with our discussions with local leaders, provide invaluable insights into the wide range of persistent and emerging needs that remote, rural and regional Australia is facing in relation to drought. Mental wellness and personal resilience continues to be a strong theme. We are confident these projects, many of which focus on strengthening personal skills and social connection at a grassroots community level, will really pay positive dividends in the next drought.
“Proactive initiatives include Holbrook Landcare’s series of events in south western NSW featuring The Resilience Guys, who will focus on positive mental health and informal support mechanisms. This is a great example of a project that makes a difference on the ground, particularly for people who may not access traditional mental health services. Other projects include Katherine Town Council (NT), who are organising facilitated workshops for women focussing on social resilience and online support sessions, as well GroWQ who are set to deliver mental and physical first aid training across Far West QLD. Both these projects respond to the challenges of remoteness in drought sensitive regions.
“Community groups are also finding alternative ways to support information sharing and connection to counter the closure of media outlets in some regional areas, which is leaving people feeling disconnected and unheard. The emerging importance of locally-based, community radio projects such as 2Dry FM in Broken Hill in New South Wales, are an example of how communities are adapting to local need, changing ways to stay informed about future climate, and to stay connected.
“These Small Network Grants are flexible and help extend the geographic reach of the overall program, which means they will help address a wide range of needs that local community organisations have identified in diverse locations.
“We look forward to seeing how these grants help communities be better connected, informed and resourced in the next drought,” Ms O’Brien said.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Networks Grants Round 2 - June 2024 | ||||||
| Stream 1 | ||||||
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| Australian Inland Botanic Gardens Inc | Community Drinking Water Project Support community members from across the Wentworth Shire to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the installation of drinking fountains at the local botanic gardens, facilitating small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing and facilities. | Mourquong | $20,000 | |||
| Country Womens Association of NSW - Trangie Branch | Confidence in Capabilities for Trangie & Surrounds Support the Trangie community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through upgrading part of the Trangie CWA Rooms, enabling community members to access support services in a private and comfortable space and engage in activities, which will facilitate small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing and facilities. | Trangie | $19,343 | |||
| Foundation Broken Hill Ltd | Community Director – Engaging and Building our Local Community Support Broken Hill and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of a series of volunteer skills development workshops, to improve skills and capacity in community risk management, planning and project delivery. | Broken Hill | $20,000 | |||
| Holbrook Landcare Group | The Resilience Guys - Blind and Legless Support Holbrook and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of The Resilience Project, facilitating field days, conferences, forums, summits and seminars that enhance professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Holbrook | $19,980 | |||
| Inverell Community Radio Inc | Keep the News Local and Keep it Coming Support Inverell and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through supporting the establishment of a local news journalist broadcasting service across the region that will facilitate initiatives to strengthen the capacity, capability and coordination of professional, social or community networks. | Inverell | $20,000 | |||
| K2W Link Inc | Thrive Through Drought - Environmental Education Through Theatre and First Nations Knowledge Support the Crookwell and Boorowa communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of Environmental Theatre performances, information sessions and creative workshops with Wiradjuri artist Jodie Monday across three days to facilitate professional, social and community connection to build an understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Crookwell and Boorawa | $15,864 | |||
| Narromine Business Collective | Rural Women in Business Luncheon Support the Narromine community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of a luncheon for local women with an interest in business that will facilitate initiatives to strengthen the capacity, capability and coordination of professional, social or community networks. | Narromine | $19,500 | |||
| Watershed Landcare Group Inc | Conversations for Change – Creating Opportunities to Build Drought Resilience Through Regenerative Farming Practice Support Gulgong and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of a series of community discussions around the changing climate and innovations in regenerative farming, facilitating field days, conferences, forums, summits and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Gulgong | $18,500 | |||
| West Hume Landcare Inc | Bush Bound: Walk, Ride and Move Through Burrumbuttock's Back Roads Support the Burrumbuttock community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of a field day event, sharing locally relevant drought impacts and preparedness information, promote local services and provide opportunity to connect with Country, facilitating the delivery of field days, conferences, forums, summits and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Burrumbuttock | $20,000 | |||
| Western Murray Land Improvement Group Inc | Murray Connect Hub Support Barham and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of Murray Connect Hub, a community information and drought preparedness and services website, which will facilitate small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing and facilities. | Barham | $19,660 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Dawson Catchment Coordinating Association Inc | Community Wellness: Strengthening Resilience Together Support the Injune and surrounding community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of a community wellness project, by facilitating field days, conferences, forums, summits and seminars that enhance professional, social and community connection to build an understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Injune | $20,000 | |||
| GroWQ Association Inc | Rural First Aid Training Support Western QLD communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of remote first aid training throughout western QLD, facilitating initiatives to improve skills and capacity in community risk management, planning and project delivery. | Muttaburra, Barcaldine Longreach, Isisford, Jundah, Winton, Boulia, and Birdsville | $20,000 | |||
| Lowood & District Memorial Bowls Club Inc | Audio Visual Upgrade Support the Lowood community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery and installation of updated audio-visual equipment at the Lowood Bowls Club, facilitating small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing and facilities. | Lowood | $19,999 | |||
| Macintyre Ag Alliance Inc | Drought Ready, Together: Connection at the 2025 Agribusiness Summit Support Goondiwindi and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of the 2025 Agribusiness Summit, which will deliver field days, conferences, forums, summits and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Goondiwindi | $11,946 | |||
| South Myall Catchment Landcare Group Inc | Developing Grazing Management Systems to Prepare for Drought Support the Toowoomba and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of two workshops and two field days to promote grazing systems, facilitating field days, conferences, forums, summits, and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Peranga | $10,170 | |||
| Stanthorpe Agricultural Society | Stanthorpe Showgrounds Livestock Yard Water Infrastructure Improvement Project Support the Stanthorpe and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of upgrades to the livestock water infrastructure at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds, facilitating small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing and facilities. | Stanthorpe | $20,000 | |||
| Tara & District Family Support Committee Inc | Preparing SWAN Network for Future Drought Support the communities of Southwest QLD to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through an updated Regional Drought Network Plan for all Neighbourhood Houses across the region, facilitating initiatives to strengthen the capacity, capability and coordination of professional, social or community networks. | Chinchilla, | $12,279 | |||
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Coomandook Area School | Roots & Rise: Cultivating Resilience Support regional South Australian school children from the Murraylands and Riverland, and Eyre Peninsula regions to share their common experiences of drought through the delivery of the three-day Cleve Area Schools Inquiry Convention, facilitating initiatives to strengthen the capacity, capability and coordination of professional, social or community networks. | Cleve | $15,024 | |||
| WoTL Ltd | Building the Capacity of Women to Thrive and Nurture Themselves, Family and Community During Times of Drought Support the Murray Mallee community of SA to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the support of women to participate in personal development focussing on skills, strengths and personal resilience, facilitating professional, personal and leadership-related development and learning to support drought preparation. | Jabuk | $17,350 | |||
| Yaninee Public Hall Inc | Toward the Ton Support the Yaninee community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of a weekend community event celebrating 100 years of the Yaninee Hall, engaging participants in a range of activities that build cohesion, by facilitating small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing and facilities. | Yaninee | $13,105 | |||
| TASMANIA | ||||||
| The Derwent Catchment Project Inc | Resilient Pastures, People and Networks Support the Upper Derwent Catchment community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of three field tours focussed on mitigating drought impact and increasing climate resilience and a social networking event that will facilitate field days, conferences, forums, summits and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Hamilton | $18,300 | |||
| Big Hart Inc | Watershed ‘Just Feasts’ Program Support the Wynyard community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of six workshops and community feast events that develop knowledge of drought resilience food systems and food topics, facilitating field days, conferences, forums, summits, and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Wynyard | $20,000 | |||
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| Maffra Men's Shed Inc | Amenities Block Refurbishment Support the Maffra community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of upgrades of the toilet block at the Maffra Men's and Women's Shed, facilitating small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing and facilities. | Maffra | $20,000 | |||
| Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network Inc | Building Climate Resilience and Increasing Productivity and Biodiversity on Farms in Southwest Victoria Support the Warrnambool and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of two workshops and two field days targeting multispecies pastures, revegetation and water management topics and will facilitate field days, conferences, forums, summits, and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build an understanding of drought and climate change associated risks | Warrnambool | $20,000 | |||
| Yea Community Service Group Inc | Drought Resilient Gardening Project Support the Yea community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of enhancements to the Yea Community Centre Community Garden and deliver community workshops targeting gardening in a changing climate, facilitating small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing and facilities. | Yea | $18,227 | |||
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Goldfields Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association | A Pastoral Business Toolbox for the Southern Rangelands Pastoral Industry Support the Goldfields Nullarbor community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of two workshops focussing on pastoral drought resilience that will facilitate field days, conferences, forums, summits, and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build an understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Kookynie | $20,000 | |||
| Shire of Bruce Rock | Cultivating Resilience: Establishing a Community Drought-Resistant Garden Support the Bruce Rock community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, drought impacts through the creation of a drought-resilient community garden and a community planting day that will facilitate small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing, and facilities. | Bruce Rock | $20,000 | |||
| Shire of Westonia | Westonian's Working Together Towards Community Resilience Support the Westonia community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of two community events that will facilitate initiatives to strengthen the capacity, capability and coordination of professional, social or community networks. | Westonia | $20,000 | |||
| The Country Womens Association of Western Australia Inc - Darkan Branch | Wellbeing for Women Support Darkan and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought by delivering a one-day workshop that will provide physical and mental education, support and resources for women in the district, facilitating field days, conferences, forums, summits, and seminars that will facilitate professional, social and community connection to build an understanding of drought and climate change. | Darkan | $20,000 | |||
| Stream 2 | ||||||
| NSW Far West | ||||||
| Baaka Cultural Centre Wilcannia Aboriginal Corporation | Artist in-Residence Drop-in Studio Support Wilcannia and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of and the fit-out of an Artist-in-Residence studio for broad community use to facilitate small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing and facilities. | Wilcannia | $50,000 | |||
| Broken Hill Community F M Association Inc | Drought Resilient Community Radio Transmission: Far West NSW Support Broken Hill, Menindee and surrounding communities to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of broadcasting infrastructure upgrades and dust proof cabinetry at 2Dry FM’s community radio stations that will facilitate small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing and facilities. | Broken Hill, Menindee | $42,893 | |||
| Contact Inc | Empowering Remote Far-Western NSW: Uniting Communities for Drought Resilience Through Strengthened Connections and Networks Support communities across Far West NSW to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of eight community connection events focussed on connecting communities to services across the region and facilitating initiatives to strengthen the capacity, capability and coordination of professional, social or community networks. | Ivanhoe, Louth, Pooncarie, and Tibooburra | $49,969 | |||
| Isolated Children's Parents Association of NSW Inc | Kick Start Decisions and Reboot Connections: Learn to Dance in the Dust Support the Far West NSW region to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought by delivering eight facilitated workshops focused on increasing social wellbeing and drought preparedness initiatives across the region that will facilitate initiatives to improve skills and capacity in community risk management, planning and project delivery. | Hatfield, Lightning Ridge, Pooncarie, and Tibooburra | $49,000 | |||
| Milparinka Sporting Club Inc | New Amenities Support the Milparinka and unincorporated area of the Far West NSW community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of a new amenities facility at the Milparinka Sporting Ground that will facilitate increased community connection and networking in the area by increasing the usage of the grounds. | Milparinka | $50,000 | |||
| NT Arid Lands | ||||||
| Centralian Land Management Assn Inc | Stories of Resilience - Preparing for the Future by Learning from the Past Support communities in Central Australia to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the development of a series of podcasts and videos that build awareness of drought resilience through producer stories, to facilitate professional, social and community connections to build an understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Alice Springs, Central Desert Regional Council area, MacDonnell Regional Council Area | $50,000 | |||
| Landcare NT Inc | Building Governance, Resilience and Operational Sustainability of Community Landcare across the NT Support 22 Landcare-based organisations in the Northern Territory to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought by strengthening and streamlining their administrative efficiency through the creation of a fixed-term coordinator role supporting the development of a shared ‘corporate administration’ model, and facilitate initiatives that strengthen the capacity, capability and coordination of professional, social or community networks. | Palmerston | $50,000 | |||
| NT Tablelands | ||||||
| Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation | The Gawk Gawk (Clean Water) for Wellbeing Project Support the Barunga community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through a range of community activities that improve connectedness, wellbeing and access to shared knowledge of water awareness using culturally led approaches to facilitate development and learning initiatives to facilitate professional, personal and leadership-related development and learning to support drought preparation. | Barunga | $50,000 | |||
| Katherine Town Council | Resilience and Wellbeing in Tough Times Support the Katherine community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of three facilitated workshops for women focussing on social resilience topics, resources and three months of extended online support sessions that facilitate field days, conferences, forums, summits and seminars that to facilitate professional, social and community connection to build an understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Katherine | $32,258 | |||
| Northern Territory Farmers Association Inc | Mental Health First Aid / Accidental Counsellor Training Support communities in Northern Australia (NT and WA) to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through blended mental health first aid and accidental counsellor training for staff of four agricultural membership organisations, with face-to-face components delivered in Darwin, Broome and Kununurra, to support initiatives to improve skills and capacity in community risk management, planning and project delivery. | Katherine | $49,665 | |||
| Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation | Strong Women for Healthy Country Forum 2024 Support the Northern Territory community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through enabling 50 Indigenous women in land management to attend the 2024 Strong Women for Healthy Country Forum and will facilitate including field days, conferences, forums, summits, and seminars that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate change associated risks | Crab Claw Island | $50,000 | |||
| WA Great Southern | ||||||
| Borden Pavilion Committee Inc | Through the Lens: Our Fragile Environment and Economy Through the Eyes of our Local Community Support the Borden community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through repairs and upgrades of flooring at the Borden Pavilion and the delivery of a photography workshop, enabling community members and students access to creative outlets to build drought awareness and facilitates professional, social and community connection to build an understanding of drought and climate change-associated risks. | Borden | $30,290 | |||
| Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation | Carrying Insights of Cool Burning: Noongar Techniques and Fire Mitigation Strategies in a Drying Climate Support the Gnowangerup community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the provision of firefighting equipment and specialised training to enable sharing of local Noongar fire mitigation and cool burn techniques, and strengthen the capacity, capability and coordination of professional, social or community networks. | Gnowangerup | $49,350 | |||
| Katanning's Piesse Park Community Inc | Shady Places & Food Security Support the Katanning community be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through creating shaded areas and installing a water-efficient community garden in Katanning’s Piesse Park, enabling the sharing of relevant knowledge in readiness for drought to facilitate professional, personal and leadership-related development and learning to support drought preparation. | Katanning | $13,829 | |||
| Katanning Land Conservation District Committee | Bringing EcoWeek Back to Reconnect and Strengthen the Katanning Community Support the Katanning community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of an EcoWeek program with the theme ‘Stronger for the Dry’, that includes a range of events and workshops related to building drought awareness and resilience that facilitate professional, social and community connection to build understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Katanning | $39,510 | |||
| Porongurup Community Association Inc | Porongurup Hall Kitchen Renovation Project Support the Porongurup community to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the renovation of the Porongurup Hall kitchen to support capacity to host activities and facilitate the use of small-scale community infrastructure projects to improve connectedness, wellbeing, and facilities. | Porongurup | $50,000 | |||
| Southern Dirt Inc | Cultivating Sustainable Futures: Building Long-term Drought Resilience Through Grower Group-led Educational Initiatives Support Kojonup and surrounds to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought through the delivery of soil health education sessions for local school children focussed on building long-term drought resilience and to build an understanding of drought and climate change associated risks. | Kojonup | $49,208 | |||
