FRRR is pleased to announce the formation of its Outback Advisory Board, with the appointment of eight community representatives with deep expertise in remote and very remote Australia.
The outback makes up more than 70 percent of the Australian continent, however less than four percent of the population lives there. Despite its sparse population, the outback is the source of nearly half of Australia’s export revenue and supports more than 40,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. Yet there is often little consideration given to the unique needs of this region and its people.
The establishment of this new advisory body builds on the long-standing work of the Outback Alliance, which recently disbanded. The Alliance was made up of a group of seven organisations, who came together regularly for more than four years, acting as a voice for people who live in outback areas.
FRRR’s Outback Advisory Board will provide a forum where the unique challenges that face outback Australia can be identified and where solutions can be discussed. By sharing their insights and perspectives, the Advisory Board members will help shape FRRR’s strategy and influence systemic change to make life better for those who live in those regions. Their work will inform FRRR’s granting programs, as well as its advocacy activities, such as submissions to Senate inquiries and the development of policy and issues papers.
Donna Digby, an FRRR Board member who will Chair the Outback Advisory Board, said the Advisory Board will enable FRRR to work more deeply and with greater insight into outback contexts.
“I’ve lived and worked in outback areas for nearly two decades and I know that it comes with unique challenges and opportunities. Locals are really resourceful but there are deep, systemic issues that require a different approach compared to inner rural and urban areas. And with fewer people and resources in these areas, those issues aren’t often heard loudly,” Ms Digby explained.
“By listening, understanding and leveraging the local insights of the Advisory Board members, FRRR will be better equipped to engage philanthropy, corporate and government stakeholders in tailored support for these very remote communities.
“With its work grounded in local knowledge and relationships, FRRR is well-placed to surface these issues and work with communities to shape them into considered, practical input for policy considerations.
“I’m so pleased to have a group of such high calibre leaders with deep experience joining the inaugural Outback Advisory Board and, as Chair, I’m honoured to be working alongside the members to amplify the voices of these very remote communities.
“Each of the people appointed is an active community leader who shares FRRR’s vision of empowering local communities to ensure a vibrant future for remote Australia. I know that they will bring broad, yet deeper, understanding of what outback communities need to thrive, in a way that’s empowering and sustainable.
“On behalf of FRRR’s Board, I’d like to thank the representatives for stepping up, and I look forward to working with them to champion the needs of outback communities,” said Ms Digby.
Andrew Drysdale, the former chair of the Outback Alliance said that he’s very pleased to see FRRR step into this space, so that there will continue to be a forum for these critical conversations.
“The outback is an extraordinary place, and it’s critical to the prosperity of Australia, as a nation and to our national identity. It’s vital that we understand the perspective of the people who live there, as the outback is a region made up of complex connections, networks, layers of history and places of deep cultural meaning,” said Mr Drysdale.
Outback Advisory Board Members
- Donna Digby (Alice Springs, NT) – Chair and FRRR Director -More than two decades’ experience supporting community leaders to reach their leadership potential by drawing on their lived experience, creating pathways for leadership development, building networks, mentoring and attracting investment to facilitate this. Donna is the current NT Chair – Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award Alumni; Board Director of Red Earth Community Foundation; Graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD); and has completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honors.
- Declan Kelly (Greater Melbourne, VIC) – Declan is EO of the Connellan Airway Trust, a national charity focused on a thriving outback Australia. He also has more than a decade of experience in community broadcasting supporting more than 500 community radio stations and 22,000 volunteers, primarily in regional, rural and remote areas. Board Member at Student Youth Network Media.
- Erlina St Vincent (Tilpa, NSW) – A rural sociology researcher with 15 years of experience in the Western NSW rangelands. As General Manager for Western Local Land Services, she has established networks and relationships with key stakeholders including pastoralists, Aboriginal Land Councils, government, research and development s and regional Landcare organisations Erlina holds a PhD in community development and is pursuing a Masters in Economic and Regional Development.
- Jema Brown (Canberra, ACT) – Extensive experience in remote and rural communities in the Northern Territory and developed the East Arnhem Land Youth Model. She currently works as Partnership Lead for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Digital Health at the Australian Digital Health Agency. Jema was awarded West Arnhem Regional Council’s 2023 Young Citizen of the Year.
- Jon Hodgetts (Alice Springs, NT) – Transitioned from IT to Indigenous Land Management after moving from the UK to Australia in 2006. He has worked with Indigenous desert ranger teams for six years and is the Coordinator for the Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA). The IDA Network is represented by 27 member organisations, 65 ranger teams managing 27 Indigenous Protected Areas totalling 2,730,000 sq kms of the outback in WA, NT and SA. Jon’s work includes grant seeking, community empowerment and environmental advocacy.
- Louise Martin (Tambo, QLD) – Operates a sheep and cattle business and has more than three decades of experience in regional development, education advocacy and community service. She has held various community roles and is currently President of the Isolated Children Parents Association (ICPA) Australia, representing more than 2,500 remote families and rural members in WA, NT, SA, QLD, NSW and TAS. Louise is an Independent Director on the Agforce Queensland Farmers Board.
- Rashida Khan (Eva Valley, NT) – A Ngarigman / Mudbra woman with strong connections in agriculture, Indigenous education, mental health and business across Northern Australia. She co-owns and manages four properties and various enterprises. Rashida was an NT finalist in the 2024 Agrifutures Rural Women Award for her digital mental health program.
- Tanya Egerton (Yarrawonga, NT) – Spent the last decade fostering sustainable economic and community development working with remote Aboriginal communities and key stakeholders in Northern Australia. As CEO of Circulanation, she led the development of the Remote Opshop Project, which now operates in more than 40 remote Aboriginal communities. Tanya is an AMP Foundation Tomorrow Maker and 2024 NT and National Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award winner for her advocacy.
- Warren Miller (Ceduna, SA) – A Wirangu and Kokatha man, and CEO of the Spinifex Foundation South Australia. He focuses on preventative health, wellbeing, and social justice initiatives within the First Nations community. Warren collaborates with community-based and government agencies to develop comprehensive funding models.