Earlier this month, FRRR’s CEO Natalie Egleton, joined Sally Sara on ABC Radio National’s Changing Australia. She explained that FRRR believes that recovery goes beyond the immediate response, which is why FRRR’s work is focussed on medium to long-term, community-led solutions that build strength from within. Some of the other key points she made are summarised below, but we encourage you to listen to the full interview.
Australia is facing an increase in both the frequency and severity of disaster events[1] like bushfires, floods, droughts and cyclones, so it’s fair to say that we can no longer refer to, or prepare for, a distinct “disaster season”. Most often, it’s remote, rural and regional communities who bear the brunt of these events. FRRR walks alongside these communities for the long haul, helping them prepare, adapt and thrive in the face of ongoing disruption.
Preparedness and recovery are ongoing journeys
Disasters don’t follow a neat timeline—and neither should recovery. FRRR supports communities before, during and long after disasters strike.
“The reality is that it’s not like recovery ends,” Natalie explained. “A new normal emerges and an adaptation happens. We’re actually preparing all the time now.”
By investing in preparedness and medium to long-term recovery, communities have the support to not just bounce back but move forward by building back better – stronger and more connected than before.
Local knowledge leads the way
With our team based in rural and regional Australia, we know that every community is unique, with its own strengths, challenges and ways of doing things. That’s why FRRR so strongly advocates responses being grounded in local knowledge.
“The best principle is to make sure that (local) people are driving the solutions because ultimately, when the outside support goes, it’s the community that’s left driving the long-term work,” she said. “So, they need to have ownership of it, and it needs to be designed to work for them.”
For FRRR, first and foremost, this means engaging when the time is right for the community, then listening to ensure that solutions are community-driven and sustainable. “Our approach is to work at the pace of communities.”
Social infrastructure is just as vital as physical rebuilding
While roads and buildings are important, it’s the people and relationships that truly hold communities together. FRRR champions investment in social infrastructure—mental health, wellbeing and community connection.
Natalie shared the story of a fitness program in Toolangi, supported by FRRR after the 2009 Black Saturday fires. “It was partly about physical fitness, but it was really about that social connectedness and supporting people’s feeling of being less alone, less isolated.”
These kinds of projects help communities to build strength and resilience, so they have the capacity to address infrastructure and economic impacts.
Flexibility and simplicity empower grassroots action
In times of crisis, local groups are often stretched thin. Most of the organisations that FRRR supports are largely run by volunteers, who simply don’t have the time or capacity for complex grant applications.
FRRR works hard to make it easier for them to access support by keeping grant processes simple and flexible. Our aim is to make the administration side of things as simple as possible so that they have the capacity to do what they do best – support their community.
“We try to be an extra pair of arms and legs and help them through the process as well,” Natalie said.
Partnerships make it possible
FRRR is a conduit organisation that acts as a bridge between donors and communities, ensuring that funds reach where they’re needed most.
“We partner with philanthropic trusts, businesses, governments and everyday people who want to give,” Natalie explained. “Essentially, they donate into FRRR and then we re-grant those funds through different grant programs.”
Having supported remote, rural and regional Australia for 25 years, our donors trust that that their donations will go to where it’s needed most. This collaborative model means that FRRR can respond quickly and stay engaged for the long-term.
FRRR is proud to walk alongside remote, rural and regional Australia—not just in the tough times, but also in times of healing and celebration. We are committed to empowering communities to build a future that’s vibrant, connected and resilient.
Join us in making a difference. Your support can help remote, rural and regional communities to prepare, adapt and thrive. Visit FRRR Giving to find out more or to donate.
[1] http://www.bom.gov.au/state-of-the-climate/2024/documents/2024-state-of-the-climate.pdf