This story was submitted as part of FRRR’s 25th birthday celebrations.
“As FRRR celebrates its first 25 years, we reflect with deep gratitude on the impact it has had in small, regional communities like ours. FRRR doesn’t just provide funding – it provides sustainability, encouragement and opportunity. In a town like Bellingen, where resources can be limited, FRRR’s support has enabled projects that bring people together, build resilience and inspire the next generation. It has helped our youth orchestra grow not just in numbers, but in confidence, connection and capability. We commend FRRR’s commitment to equity, creativity and long-term regional strength. Here’s to the next 25 years of empowering communities to dream big and achieve even more.”
Rainee Herron, Operations Manager
“We used FRRR funding to:
- Run a successful residential music camp for Bellingen Youth Orchestra players, which brought together young musicians from across the Bellingen Shire and beyond to build ensemble skills, confidence and friendships. A highlight of the camp was working with a visiting conductor from Sydney, who led intensive workshops and helped lift the standard of performance across all ensembles.
- Support the establishment and growth of our Wind School post-COVID, filling a critical gap in regional music education and creating new pathways for wind and brass players to join the orchestra.
- Deliver collaborative workshops between our String School and newly established Wind School, fostering ensemble integration, teamwork and a sense of musical community for young players of all levels.
- Implement a structured volunteer coordinator strategy, which has enabled the development of an extensive and committed volunteer base. This network now supports all aspects of the orchestra’s operation – from preparing afternoon teas and assisting with staging, to managing front-of-house at performances and contributing to writing policies and operational processes.
“Without FRRR funding, none of the above initiatives would have been possible. The Bellingen Youth Orchestra would have missed a vital opportunity to reconnect and rebuild after the disruption of COVID. We would not have been able to run the residential camp – an experience that was transformational for our young musicians, both socially and musically. The chance to work with a visiting conductor from Sydney significantly lifted the players’ confidence and performance skills.
“Our Wind School would likely not exist, and the meaningful collaborations between our Wind and String Schools would never have taken place, limiting pathways for new musicians and weakening the sense of ensemble connection. Importantly, without funding to support the development of our volunteer coordinator strategy, we would not have the broad and committed volunteer base we now rely on. This would have significantly impacted our ability to deliver concerts, manage logistics, and build a sustainable future for the orchestra. In short, the orchestra would be smaller, less cohesive and far less resilient without this support.”
Bellingen Youth Orchestra’s vision for the future
“Our vision for our community in 2050 is one where regional young people have equal access to high-quality music education, where creativity is valued as essential to wellbeing, and where community arts are deeply woven into daily life. I hope to see a thriving, inclusive Bellingen Youth Orchestra that continues to evolve with the next generation, nurtured by strong partnerships, supported by sustainable funding and powered by passionate volunteers. In 2050, I imagine a community where arts, education and collaboration connect people across ages, backgrounds, and regions, creating a resilient, culturally rich and inspiring place to live.”
