Media releases: 2 April 2025
Some of Australia’s leading philanthropists and representatives from corporate Australia came together on 19 March to mark 25 years since the formation of FRRR. The event was hosted by the Myer family at their family home, Cranlana, in Melbourne.
Established in 2000 to support remote, rural and regional communities, FRRR brings together funding from philanthropy, business and government and directs it towards charitable, community-led projects that create more vibrant, resilient, sustainable and empowered communities. Since its inception, FRRR has awarded more than $200 million via more than 15,000 grants to grassroots not-for-profit organisations in around 1,700 places across the country.
The creation of FRRR came from the recognition that, in the late 90s, rural and regional Australia was in decline. After years of intense drought, small towns were shrinking, as shops, bank branches and schools closed, forcing families to move to larger centres.
At this time, the Sidney Myer Fund was looking to make a number of large grants to mark the 100th anniversary of Sidney Myer’s arrival in Australia. Sidney’s son, the late Bailleu Myer AC, a primary producer himself, supported by the Executive Officer of the Sidney Myer Fund, Helen Morris AM, had been researching how philanthropy supported rural communities in other countries. At the same time, the Australian Government was convening the Regional Australia Summit, seeking to identify ways in which it could respond to the rural decline by adjusting policy settings.
Following discussions with the Hon. John Anderson AC, then Deputy Prime Minister, one of the ideas discussed at the Summit was the creation of some kind of philanthropic entity that could support the renewal of rural and regional communities – and thus FRRR was born. The Australian Government committed $10M in seed funding, which was augmented by contributions from the Sidney Myer Fund, Pratt Foundation and ANZ.
In welcoming guests to Cranlana, Will Myer, the current representative of the Myer family to sit on the FRRR board, said that for his family, FRRR has always been more than just an organisation.
“It has been a mission, a commitment, and a source of great pride. From the very beginning, we have believed in the power of this foundation to strengthen rural and regional communities and seeing what has been achieved over these 25 years has been nothing short of extraordinary.
“The past 25 years have proven that when we invest in rural and regional Australia, we invest in the heart of this country. A thriving rural and regional Australiais a thriving Australia. I have no doubt that FRRR will continue to play a vital role in ensuring that these communities thrive,” Mr Myer said.
FRRR Chairman, Tim Fairfax AC, said that it is vital to the future prosperity of Australia that FRRR continues to receive the support of philanthropy, government, business and individuals.
“For 25 years, FRRR has played a critical role in backing remote, rural and regional communities to create and sustain vibrant places to live, work and invest. We are proud that we have become a trusted partner enabling local solutions with lasting impact. But there’s more to be done to sustain and grow the heart of the nation so communities can be on the front foot of disruption, navigate transition and seek sustainable futures for themselves and Australia. We invite those who are passionate about empowering vibrant, resilient and sustainable communities to join us.”
