FRRR, in partnership with Telstra, has awarded $200,000 via 26 grants to not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in remote, rural and regional Australia. Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program supports projects led by grassroots NFPs that empower their communities to embrace new technologies, improve digital literacy and enhance digital capabilities.
The annual program received 196 applications, each seeking up to $10,000 to support community-led initiatives that build connected communities that are resilient, sustainable and liveable.
Spread widely across the country, the grants awarded will assist in providing more equitable access to digital solutions, training and new technologies, equipping communities to become better connected, confident and prepared for the future.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO said that this program has a far-reaching and critical impact on non-urban communities and greatly enhances their liveability.
“These grants go far beyond simply getting people connected to the internet. They’re about ensuring that people in remote and regional Australia have access to essential services and opportunities. Reliable digital infrastructure and skills are fundamental to improving quality of life and these communities are demonstrating real drive to respond to local issues innovatively, with our support.
“The ripple effects of these community-led projects are significant and contribute to stronger local economies, more connected communities and greater resilience overall. That’s why continued investment in digital inclusion is so important for the sustainability of rural and remote Australia,” Ms Egleton said.
Loretta Willaton, Regional Australia Executive at Telstra, said the number of applications received demonstrated a clear desire for Australians living outside metro areas to access improved digital connectivity and new technologies, and their willingness to lead initiatives to achieve this.
“Organisations all over the country have stepped forward with a solutions-focussed approach to improving their digital capabilities and improving social and environmental outcomes for their communities. The support we provide through this partnership is incredibly meaningful and Telstra is proud to be involved.
“Access to technology is especially crucial in times of crisis. We appreciate that the preparedness of communities ahead of disasters, as well as in response to or recovering from them, is made so much more robust with greater access to digital tools and knowledge,” Ms Willaton said.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| Cobar Weekly Association Incorporated | Upgrade and Enhance our Computer System and Digital Capabilities to Strengthen our Connection with the Community Strengthen an organisation’s digital capacity to deliver vital information and services to the community more effectively. | Cobar | $10,000 | |||
| Country Womens Association of NSW on behalf of CWA Armatree | Armatree Digital Common Enhance local hall functionality with technology to improve the telecommunications service and an interactive whiteboard to support local meetings and events. | Armatree | $9,981 | |||
| Gol Gol Preschool Association Incorporated | Kindergarten Weather Station Foster early childhood scientific exploration and improved digital literacy by providing digital weather monitoring tools for use in the classroom. | Gol Gol | $536 | |||
| Gunnedah Shire Council | Emerald Hill and Mullaley - Embracing New Technology and Improving Digital Capabilities in our Villages Improve functionality at two village community halls with digital projectors and screens to enhance digital capability for professional and social presentations. | Emerald Hill | $5,853 | |||
| Meals on Wheels Broken Hill Incorporated | Building Community Organisations' Operational Capacity with New Technology and Digital Solutions Build volunteer run organisation capacity with two new laptops and wireless internet to streamline processes from paper-based to a digital workflow. | Broken Hill | $4,198 | |||
| Nowra Youth Services Incorporated | Digital Access for Youth Empowerment Project Provide technology access and digital skills training to help young people overcome barriers to education, employment, and social participation with volunteer support. | Nowra | $10,000 | |||
| ShoreTrack Limited | ShoreTech Support disadvantaged students to improve educational outcomes and employability with access to computers for study and training requirements. | Macksville | $9,878 | |||
| NORTHERN TERRITORY | ||||||
| Yandamah Indigenous Corporation | Crown and Country: Warlpiri Digital Culture Archives from the Remote Desert Community of Lajamanu Build an online interactive culture archive to develop digital skills and help preserve cultural knowledge. | Lajamanu | $10,000 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Charleville School of Distance Education P & C Association | Video Equipment for Charleville School of Distance Education to Facilitate Digital Connection and Education for Remote Students Improve inclusion and increase participation with digital equipment to enable livestreaming of school events and enhanced teaching online. | Charleville | $7,248 | |||
| Whitsunday Conservation Council Incorporated | Whitsunday Discovery Trail Create a web platform that shares location-specific multimedia content to educate users about the environment, culture, and community stories of the place where they stand. | Cannonvale | $10,000 | |||
| Wylahra Grove Progress Association Incorporated | Technology Connections for Community of South West Millmerran Strengthen learning and employment outcomes for community members by improving access to digital technology. | Millmerran Downs | $8,536 | |||
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Andamooka Progress & Opalminers Association Incorporated | Andamooka Media Room IT, Training and Meetings Equipment Fit Out Bolster the digital capacity of a community organisation by providing digital equipment that enhances education, skill development and connection for a remote community. | Andamooka | $9,186 | |||
| Streaky Bay Tourism & Business Association Incorporated | Streaky Bay - Clicking Onto the Rest of the World - A Destination Website by Design Not Chance Upgrade the community website to help volunteers work more efficiently, attract more visitors to the area, and create local employment opportunities. | Streaky Bay | $10,000 | |||
| TASMANIA | ||||||
| The Historical Society of the Municipality of Sorell | Sorell Community History Hub - Unlocking our Rich Past in a Digital Future Create a more accessible digital collection and website interface, online and in person at the new Sorell History Room for greater local and visitor engagement. | Sorell | $10,000 | |||
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| Alexandra Football and Netball Club Incorporated | Building Community Club's Operational Capacity with New Technology and Digital Solutions Support a digital upgrade at the local clubrooms to boost regional liveability and resilience through better community access to events and services. | Alexandra | $2,000 | |||
| Charlton Neighbourhood House Incorporated | Digital Inclusion for Seniors: Empowering Connections and Confidence Improve digital access and skills development with computer equipment for loan and practical training in digital literacy and capability for older people. | Charlton | $9,500 | |||
| Community Learning Euroa Incorporated | Community Learning Euroa Presenting for Radio and Podcasts Course Facilitate training in radio presenting and podcast presentations to help with broader information dissemination and stronger social connections. | Euroa | $6,869 | |||
| East Gippsland Family History Group Incorporated | From Unused to Perused: Digitising Valuable Records to a User Friendly Format on Computers Increase useability and access to local history documents via technology to digitise the collections for historical societies across East Gippsland. | Bairnsdale | $10,000 | |||
| Heyfield Community Resource Centre Incorporated | Click and Connect - Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Communities Implement a series of digital literacy workshops at Neighbourhood Houses in remote and rural communities within the Wellington and East Gippsland Shires to build local digital capability and confidence. | Dargo | $8,988 | |||
| Kyabram Community & Learning Centre Incorporated | 8 Minutes @ KCLC – Empowering Learning and Employment in Kyabram Increase access to computers and equipment for a 24 hour learning area to support job seekers, students and lifelong learners with technology resources. | Kyabram | $6,229 | |||
| Ultima Progress Association | RTC Cafe Communications and Security Project Enable a volunteer run café to operate a shared internet with enhanced communications security to support operations and local access. | Ultima | $1,527 | |||
| Welcome Record Incorporated | The Welcome Record (TWR) IT Upgrade and Community Digital Literacy Build capacity of the local volunteer newspaper operations with new laptops to support volunteer staff and assist local community groups' digital literacy and capability. | Dunolly | $4,588 | |||
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Beacon Central Community Resource Centre Incorporated | Creating Connections Overcome barriers to essential services and connection with technology solutions to support telehealth and virtual meetings accessible by all the community. | Beacon | $7,038 | |||
| Environs Kimberley Incorporated | Environs Kimberley – Rewiring for a Connected Future Build organisational capacity with audio and visual digital equipment to improve information sharing, respond to emerging environmental challenges and enable seamless collaboration with Traditional Owner groups and other stakeholders. | Broome | $9,970 | |||
| Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber Incorporated | Empowering Goldfields Aboriginal Business Communities: Smartboard Technology for Digital Literacy and Connectivity Build digital capability and literacy with interactive workshops, training sessions, and digital skill-building activities facilitated by new Smartboard technology to support development of critical digital skills for Indigenous employment and enterprise. | Kalgoorlie | $10,000 | |||
| Shark Bay Speedway Club | Additional Volunteer's Training Facility Upgrade training facilities for community including emergency services with a soundbar, smart TV and NBN subscription to support skill development and disaster resilience. | Denham | $7,875 | |||