This story was submitted as part of FRRR’s 25th birthday celebrations.
“FRRR funds that are small and vital play a huge part of allowing community groups to undertake works and programs that otherwise wouldn’t happen. While the big grants are rare and wonderful, it’s the smaller grants that allow activities and purchases to occur. Without philanthropy many small volunteer groups would not function or survive.”
Ronda Manhire, Operational Manager and all-rounder Volunteer
“The Omeo Community Hub was established in Omeo in 2023. FRRR grants have allowed us to purchase furniture and infrastructure, enabling us to support a variety of services to community members, including a co-working space, community connectedness activities, online VCE and tertiary education.
“We are not entitled to State or Federal funding as a community centre, so philanthropic funding is one of the most important means we have of enabling our community to expand and grow.
“Our recent successful grant, combined with additional funding from East Gippsland Shire Community, allowed us to upgrade our digital systems at the hub, facilitating online wellness activities for community members of all ages. It’s a whole new world of opportunity for our remote Victorian town.”
Omeo’s vision for the future
“Moving towards 2050, we’ll be aligning with our Shire’s current investigation into the future and how we’ll use technology to offset the tyranny of distance in rural and remote Victoria. Recent FRRR funding towards our large digital screen will enable this to occur, which will be wonderful.”
