Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal
More than $580,000 in grants awarded
22 July 2020: The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has awarded $584,971 in grants to support twenty-eight projects that will assist the continued recovery of communities impacted by the Black Saturday Bushfires in February 2009.
The funds come from its Grants for Resilience & Wellness (GR&W), GR&W Kinglake Ranges and Community Group Futures (CGF) programs, thanks to the support of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF), which the general public generously contributed to in the immediate aftermath of the Black Saturday fires. More than a decade on from the tragedy, nearly $4 million in grants has been provided to community groups through these programs.
The GR&W program focuses on community-strengthening and resilience-building projects for communities. This is the 16th round of the program, confirming that recovery does take time. This round sees 13 projects share in $195,234 in grants. Projects funded this round will help to strengthen community connectedness, create a sense of place and enhance community identity.
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that creating spaces for the community to meet and feel safe continues to be a priority for the ongoing recovery of many communities impacted by the Black Saturday bushfires.
“When communities have lost so much, having a safe, comfortable space to come together is so important. It facilitates opportunities for people to reconnect, maintain good mental health and prevent isolation. It’s therefore important that these spaces are in good condition, are comfortable and have the appropriate amenities and levels of accessibility.
“Communities continue to look for ways to build resilience, particularly when it comes to their young people. Activities such as workshops and training provide these young people with the chance to come together and share their experiences while building their skills and resilience,” continued Ms Egleton.
“Other communities are finding ways to continue their recovery through the arts, such as Marysville’s Singing Saturday Choir or Bruarong‘s place-based oral and visual history gathering project.
“The diversity of these needs, more than 10 years on from the initial bushfire events, highlights the importance of having flexible funding available in the medium to long-term.”
Some of the projects funded in this round of the GR&W program include:
- Flowerdale Hall Reserve Committee of Management received a $20,000 grant to increase community pride and continued access to local meeting space due to an upgrade to the exterior of Flowerdale Community Hall.
- Myrtleford Chamber of Commerce & Industry received a $5,380 grant to increase youth involvement in volunteering and provide training and support through delivery of La Fiera Festival Young Ambassador Scheme.
In addition, a further $289,252 has been awarded through the GR&W Kinglake Ranges program. In this second round of funding, eight projects have been awarded grants, with several also pointing to the importance of increasing connection with others and the region’s environment.
Among the GR&W Kinglake Ranges awarded grants are:
- Toolangi District Community House received a $59,649 grant to increase social connection and community participation in Toolangi Castella, through the purchase of resources and delivery of a 24-month program of engaging activities.
- Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House received a $4,917 grant to increase the collaboration of the arts community in Kinglake Ranges through community consultation and development of a project plan for a local Art Trail.
Another stream of VBAF funding, known as Community Group Futures (CGF), is designed to strengthen the capability of local community groups and not-for-profit organisations to ensure they remain viable and sustainable. This is the ninth round of CGF, with seven projects sharing in $100,485 in grants. These projects will provide support and funding for skilled support to develop marketing materials and tools to increase community engagement, as well as support to undertake and implement plans into the future.
Ms Egleton said that it’s been a long road for many local not-for-profits supporting the recovery of their communities, and it’s important that these organisations can access support to explore their longer-term role within the community, as needs continue to evolve.
“That’s why the Community Group Futures program is so important. It helps not-for-profit organisations to think beyond day-to-day operations and short-term needs and look ahead to what is required to be sustainable and viable to meet the needs of the community in the years to come.”
Some of the projects funded through the CGF program include:
- St Andrews Community Centre received a $20,000 grant to increase St Andrews Community Centre’s capacity to implement a Growth and Stainability Plan through increasing staff hours.
- Whittlesea Men’s Shed received a $14,000 grant to increase direction and purpose for Whittlesea Men’s Shed members through the development and implementation of a Strategic Plan and an annual Action Plan.
The next round of GR&W, GR&W Kinglake Ranges, and CGF opens on 26 August and closes 23 September 2020. Applications for the GR&W Kinglake Ranges program are now invited from all community groups in the wider Kinglake Ranges, not just those that participated in the initial consultation process in 2017.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to : GR&W | GR&W Kinglakes Ranges | CGF
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Alexandra Community Shed / Eildon and District Woodworkers Guild Inc. |
Sherry’s First Wish |
Alexandra |
$19,894 |
|
Bruarong Community Centre |
‘Capturing History – Bruarong Stories Remembered’ |
Bruarong |
$9,420 |
|
Coleraine & District Development Association Inc. |
Grasslands Walk |
Coleraine |
$20,000 |
|
Embassy of Ideas Inc. |
Community Feeding it Forward Food Garden |
Alexandra |
$20,000 |
|
Flowerdale Hall Reserve Committee of Management |
Facelift for the Flowerdale Community Hall |
Flowerdale |
$20,000 |
|
Marysville & Triangle Business and Tourism Inc. |
Mira Shared Community Shed |
Marysville |
$16,250 |
|
Middle Kinglake Primary School |
The Challenge for the Future- Resilience and Wellbeing – Youth Out Loud |
Kinglake Central |
$3,000 |
|
Mitchell Community Resources and Advocacy Group |
Kids2School Program (k2sP) |
Mitchell Shire |
$18,690 |
|
Myrtleford Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc.
|
La Fiera Italian Festival Myrtleford -Young Ambassador Scheme |
Myrtleford |
$5,380 |
|
Nillumbik Shire Council
|
Nillumbik Youth Connect |
Hurstbridge |
$17,340 |
|
Singing Saturday |
Singing Saturday Choir |
Marysville |
$8,590 |
|
St Andrews Primary School
|
Library ‘Broadening’ and Upgrade |
St Andrews |
$19,250 |
|
St Andrews Primary School |
St Andrews Mental Health Training and Support |
St Andrews |
$17,420 |
|
Kinglake Friends of the Forests Inc |
KFF Forest Surveys Project |
Kinglake |
$2,200 |
|
Kinglake Landcare Group |
Community and the Local Environment |
Kinglake |
$28,736 |
|
Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House Inc |
Digital Archive for Arts Recovery Project |
Kinglake Ranges and Online |
$19,855 |
|
Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House Inc |
Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House |
Kinglake, Kinglake West, Pheasant Creek |
$65,335 |
|
Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House Inc |
Be Well in the Ranges Extension |
Kinglake, Kinglake West, Pheasant Creek |
$87,000 |
|
Toolangi District Community House Inc |
Strengthening Our Community |
Toolangi |
$59,649 |
|
Kinglake Ranges Arts |
Kinglake Art Trail Planning Project |
Kinglake |
$4,917 |
|
Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges |
A Home for Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges and A Walking Track below the Ranges |
Kinglake |
$21,560 |
|
Embassy of Ideas Inc. |
Social Enterprise Project Officer |
Alexandra |
$20,000 |
|
Mitchell Community Resources and Advocacy Group |
Kids2school Program (k2sP) |
Broadford |
$17,250 |
|
Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges |
Onwards and Upwards for the Kinglake Produce & Artisan Markets |
Kinglake |
$11,500 |
|
St Andrews Community Centre Inc |
Wadambuk Future Viability Project |
St Andrews |
$20,000 |
|
The Anglican Parish of Eaglehawk – Saltworks |
Saltworks Community Engagement |
Bendigo |
$15,000 |
|
Toolangi District Community House Inc |
Community House Audit and Action Plan |
Toolangi |
$2,735 |
|
Whittlesea Men’s Shed Incorporated |
Strategic Planning and Implementation Support |
Whittlesea |
$14,000 |
Young people affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires emerged as some of the most vulnerable and at-risk in affected communities. In 2014, the Victorian Department of Human Services partnered with FRRR to develop a program to address some of the key challenges affecting young these young people.
Known as School and Beyond, the program was delivered from 2015 to 2020 across 11 LGA’s in 2009 bushfire-affected regions.
The aims included removing financial and psychological barriers to participation and completion of study, supporting pathways to vocational training and employment; and to support the cost of education and training costs.
In total, 43 grants saw $496,250 in funding go toward supporting education and/or mental health initiatives that benefited 2,589 youth in 2009 bushfire-affected areas.
Details of the funded projects are summarised below:
|
School and Beyond Project Summary |
Amount Awarded |
|---|---|
|
Bright & Myrtleford – North East Support and Action for Youth Inc | |
| F17 Hairdressing Enable further employment opportunities, through engagement in Certificate 3 in Hairdressing as a pathway to Hairdressing Apprenticeship training at local TAFE. | $1,406 |
| Laptop Purchase Increase school engagement through provision of laptop to support disadvantaged 14-year-old student. | $1,544 |
| SOAR Group Program Increase support for disengaged students, through delivery of an adventure-based program that aims to build leadership and resilience. | $10,630 |
| School Based Counselling Program Increase support for mental health issues through access to secondary school –based, generalist Youth Counselling Program for Bright P-12 and Marion College, Myrtleford. | $48,276 |
| School Based Counselling Program Increase access to mental health support through delivery of secondary school–based, generalist Youth Counselling Program for Bright P-12 and Marion College, Myrtleford. | $50,302 |
|
Drouin – Drouin Secondary College | |
| Work Ready Program Increase skills and confidence for students to remain engaged with secondary education, work towards a career and achieve employment on leaving Drouin Secondary College. | $23,340 |
|
Eaglehawk – Eaglehawk Secondary College | |
| Connected Circus Increase social and emotional competence through the delivery of the Connected Circus program to 30 male students attending Eaglehawk secondary College. | $9,000 |
| Tutoring and Technology Increase technology resources and tutoring support to expand supported and alternative learning programs for ‘at risk’ and disengaged youth. | $32,290 |
|
Kinglake Ranges – Ellimatta Inc | |
| WWC & CPR Individual Brokerage Increase support to gain employment for local youth, through upskilling through short courses in CPR and Working with Children. | $191 |
| Textbooks Increase access to educational resources for disadvantaged student studying bachelor’s degree of Dermal Sciences through purchase of textbooks. | $725 |
| Software & Laptop Increase independence, confidence and, engagement with education, through text to speech software and laptop for a VCE student with a learning disorder. | $1,497 |
| Tutoring 1 to 1 Increase in confidence and learning capacity, through private tutoring for a student with developmental delay. | $1,500 |
| Maths Tutoring with Drums Increase in self-esteem, school attendance and learning outcomes, through access to maths tutoring utilising drums for a student with ADHD. | $1,500 |
| VCE English Tutoring Increase student school attendance, self-reported self-esteem, and confidence, through access to qualified tutor to aid a Year 12 student in VCE English. | $1,500 |
| Bach Early Learning – Laptop Camera and Textbooks Increase access to technology and educational resources for disadvantaged student studying Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, through provision of a laptop, camera, and textbooks. | $1,500 |
| Tutoring and OT Sessions Improve short term emotional, social, and learning functioning through access to tutoring and occupational therapy to assist student management of PTSD, APD and anxiety. | $4,120 |
|
Morwell & Churchill – Kurnai College | |
| Textbooks for Senior Students Relieve financial barriers to participation through provision of Year 11 & 12 Textbooks for loan to VCE students. | $1,511 |
| Mental Health First Aid Training Increase awareness and support for mental health through delivery of Teen Mental Health First Aid training program to 180 Year 10 students and teachers. | $2,800 |
| We’re Learning Increase access to learning resources through access for VCE Students to participate in University delivered revision lectures in the various VCE subject areas during the September 2016 school holidays. | $5,320 |
| See the Future Build belief and aspiration levels among students through ‘aspirational’ posters influenced by past successful Kurnai College students. | $5,410 |
| Literacy, Numeracy, Life Skills Increase engagement with education through delivery of specialised literacy and numeracy support program for struggling students in years 7-10. | $6,000 |
| Bike Fleet Increase alternative avenues for students to engage and remain in education, through bicycles to resource flexible learning program. | $6,912 |
| Aspire Higher Improve aspiration and academic outcomes, through delivery of after school tutoring and mentoring project by university students from the Gippsland Campus of Federation University. | $8,125 |
| Aspire Even Higher Increase tertiary study aspirations and academic skills of year 11 and 12 VCE students attending Kurnai College, through the delivery of tutoring and mentoring sessions. | $8,125 |
| Boys to the Bush Build relationships and re-engage students in education through delivery of one-week, hands-on skills and team building activities at farming camp in rural NSW. | $9,600 |
| Hands on Learning Machinery Shop Increase subject choice for students attending the Flexible Learning Options program through building a shed to support the delivery of woodwork and construction activities. | $29,750 |
|
Traralgon – Traralgon College | |
| Traralgon College Relationships, Engagement and Resilience Project Increase resilience, school engagement and connections through funding participation at school camp for year eight students. | $22,074 |
|
Whittlesea – Whittlesea Secondary College | |
| Transport to Careers Expo 2018 Increase understanding of future learning opportunities, job seeking and work experience through transport for 60 VCAL students to attend Youth Employment Opportunities Fair and Expo 2018. | $308 |
| Year 7 & 8 Textbooks Increase school attendance, through provision of essential textbooks for students in year 7 and 8. | $500 |
| Transport to Year 9 Careers Expo 2018 Create stronger understanding of career pathways, jobs, apprenticeships, and traineeships through transport for 108 Year 9 students to Careers Expo at Assumption College | $616 |
| VET Engineering Students Excursion Create stronger understanding of career pathways in the engineering industry, through transport for 21 students studying Certificate II Pre-apprenticeship Engineering Studies, to attend a tour of two major engineering industries. | $713 |
| VET Hospitality Students Excursion Create stronger understanding of career pathways within the hospitality industry, through transport for 24 Whittlesea Secondary College students in Years 10 – 12 who are completing Certificate 11 in Kitchen Operations, to attend a behind the scenes tour of the Langham Hotel. | $888 |
| Transport to VCE Expo 2017 Increase understanding of future learning opportunities, job seeking and work experience for 160 Year 10 students and 9 staff from Whittlesea Secondary College through travel to state-wide VCE and Careers Expo. | $1,353 |
| Whittlesea Township Young People Engagement Increase student engagement through program designed to inform local youth services about the needs, issues, priorities, and ideas, of students in years 9 and 10. | $28,250 |
| Phoenix in Flight Increase student engagement and mental health support through delivery of therapeutic interventions and hands on learning program to at risk students at Whittlesea Secondary College. | $35,863 |
|
Yarra Valley – Cire Services Inc | |
| Youth Program Officer – ECOSS Yarra Valley Increase engagement with education through employment of a part-time Youth Program Officer to deliver skill building activities including the construction of a small sustainable building. | $19,500 |
| Horticulture Pathway Program Build resilience and vocational pathways for Year-10 students from Yarra Ranges Shire secondary schools through delivery of Certificate II in Horticulture. | $20,978 |
|
Yarram – Yarram Secondary College | |
| Excursion Transport – Careers Expo Increase awareness and provide more options for work experience through educational/ careers-based excursions for 65 students from years 8-10 to the Melbourne Zoo, Science Works, and the Harbour Town precinct. | $1,500 |
| Learn About Work: Yarram! Increase students’ career aspirations and connections to local employers through delivery of ‘industry taster’ event for 60 senior secondary students from Yarram Secondary School. This event will be run by Gippsland East Local Learning and Education Network and encompass visits to major industry employers, employment skill development and facilitation of networking with local businesses. | $4,000 |
| Yarram Ag Program Improve employment pathways for local youth and provide alternative opportunities to engage in education through expansion of agricultural studies area at Yarram Secondary College through the purchase of a cattle ramp, cattle crush, and vermin proof feed bin. | $7,378 |
| Yarram’s Yummy Yard Increase delivery of hands on activities that build wellbeing and resilience in the student and school community through the construction of a food garden at Yarram Secondary College. | $18,131 |
| Short Course Program Week Increase problem solving capacity and resilience through delivery of Short Courses Program. | $39,320 |
|
Yea – Yea High School | |
| Psychological support for improved student outcomes Increase support for senior students impacted by the 2009 bushfires through provision of face to face Psychologist sessions at Yea High School. | $22,000 |
| Total: | $496,246 |
More than $1.5M earmarked to support ongoing recovery across the Kinglake Ranges following the 2009 bushfires has begun to roll-out through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s Grants for Resilience & Wellness (GR&W) – Kinglake Ranges program. Two projects have received funding, both of which will be important pathways to further local investment.
Following a consultation process as part of the Kinglake Ranges Community Planning Project, a suite of 27 priority projects and initiatives were identified that the community would like to pursue. This planning was developed by Regional Development Victoria (RDV) in consultation with the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) Panel, Murrindindi Shire Council and community representatives from Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Pheasant Creek, Toolangi and Flowerdale.
To help fast-track the development of the priority projects, Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House (KRNH) will host a part-time Community Development Officer for a year. This person, who has recently started in the role, will support local groups across the Kinglake Ranges to refine the project ideas identified through the community consultations. A Steering Group will provide strategic support, and FRRR will also provide a high level of support and advice to the Officer regarding the grant application process and eligibility.
“The 27 priority projects are now at the point where they need more detail, their feasibility needs to be tested and resourcing requirements determined. So FRRR will work closely with the Community Development Officer to support local groups involved in the consultation process to develop and progress these projects to application and delivery stage,” says Program Manager Recovery & Resilience, Emma Thomas.
“Eligible organisations will be invited to apply to the Grants for Resilience & Wellness (GR&W) – Kinglake Ranges Program in March 2020.”
An additional project funded by FRRR in support of the community planning will see Kinglake Ranges Business Network Inc (KRBN) engage a contractor to lead the development of the Kinglake Ranges Economic Development Program. Stage 1 of the development program will involve surveying the local business community to identify their training needs, and the results from the survey will be presented and discussed at an Economic Strategic Session with the local businesses. This will then inform a calendar of industry-focused development activities for 2020.
Ms Thomas says that the 2009 disaster negatively impacted the local economy and the mental health of business owners, so additional support is important.
“The fire affected local tourism, the local environment and changed consumer patterns. Local businesses have struggled to create a new normal and overcome loss of income and level of change, while dealing with their own personal recovery. Local business owners, therefore, need support, and FRRR looks forward to supporting this development as it progresses.”
Further details about the projects funded are below.
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Awarded |
|
Kinglake Ranges Business Network Inc. |
Kinglake Ranges Economic Development Program – Stage 1 Strengthen the local economy in the Kinglake Ranges through scoping the training needs of local business and creating a calendar of industry focused development activities for 2020. |
Kinglake Ranges |
$17,637 |
|
Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House Inc. |
Kinglake Ranges Development Fund – Community Grant Development Officer Increase support for community organisations in the Kinglake Ranges to develop project ideas to grant application stage in order to access the Kinglake Ranges Development Fund. |
Kinglake Ranges |
$74,031 |
Bendigo, 8 January 2019: Thirty-six community projects that will assist the continued recovery of communities impacted by the Black Saturday Bushfires will receive funding totalling $555,963. The groups are the latest recipients of the Grants for Resilience and Wellness (GR&W) and Community Group Futures (CGF) programs.
Funding is made possible by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) which the general public generously contributed to in the immediate aftermath of the fires.
Grants for Resilience and Wellness (GR&W) will support 27 community groups, who will share $425,082, to implement their local projects. To date, the GR&W program has funded 200 projects to a total value of $2,603,788.80.
The GR&W program assists community strengthening and resilience building projects. Some communities will use their GR&W funding to support their Black Saturday 10th Anniversary commemorative activities in February 2019 with concerts planned for Arthurs Creek and Balook, commemorative service and community dinners in Boolarra and Traralgon South, Jeeralang North will also hold an event, while a community arts project and exhibition will take place in the Kinglake Ranges.
The Community Group Futures (CGF) program will fund $130,881 across nine community groups. To date, CGF has funded 43 projects, valued at $513,656.
The CGF program supports not-for-profit organisations think beyond day-to-day operations and look ahead to ensure they can meet on-going community needs. Solar energy projects again proved a powerful drawcard as community groups look to self-sufficiency and reduce overhead costs. The Royal Historical Society of Victoria meanwhile is looking to digitise their records given the bushfire-prone environment.
“As we approach 2019 and the ten-year anniversary of Black Saturday, it’s heartening to see these communities continuing to work together to recover. Community needs continue to evolve and local leaders – many of whom have been involved since 2009 – continue to find ways to support the community and bolster their resilience in the years to come,” said FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton.
“While it’s nearly a decade since this horrific event, it’s important that these communities take the time to reflect on the impact the fires had and, in many cases, continues to have,” Ms Egleton continued.
“As in the aftermath of the fires, it’s the communities themselves who know how to serve their people best, and we are pleased to be able to support them in achieving this.”
| GR&W – Round 14 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant |
| Alexandra Secondary College | MY ( Murrindindi Youth ) Reflective Garden Increase connection to place and space for reflection at Alexandra Secondary College through establishment of a reflective garden. | Alexandra | $16,014 |
| Arthurs Creek/ Strathewen Brigade Country Fire Authority | Fire Safety Community Messages for 2019 Creation of two animated fire safety adverts to consolidate the learnings from Fire Education Sessions delivered at Strathewen Primary School. | Strathewen | $20,000 |
| Arthurs Creek/ Strathewen Brigade
Country Fire Authority 10th Anniversary Commemorative Event | Black Saturday 10-year memorial Eric Bogle Concert. Increase opportunity for the Strathewen community to connect and support each other while acknowledging the 10th anniversary of the bushfire disaster through delivery of a community concert. | Arthurs Creek | $3,455 |
| Balook and District Residents Association (BADRA) Inc
10th Anniversary Commemorative Event | Rainforest Rhythms Increase community connections and stimulation for local tourism through delivery of a live memorial concert, Rainforest Rhythms, held in the Tarra Bulga National Park. | Balook | $2,500 |
| Boolarra Folk Festival Committee
10th Anniversary Commemorative Event | Boolarra and District Community 2019 Commemorative Bushfire Event Opportunity to reflect on the 2009 bushfire disaster for the 10-year anniversary, via delivery of a commemorative service and community dinner for Boolarra and the surrounding region. | Boolarra | $19,000 |
| Cire Services Inc. | Supported playgroup for Healesville area based at Badger Creek Increase support and reduced isolation for local parents, through delivery of supported playgroup program at Badger Creek Primary School. | Badger Creek | $11,021 |
| Hazelwood – Jeeralang Community Association Inc.
10th Anniversary Commemorative Event | Hazelwood Jeeralang 2009 bushfire commemoration activities Increase community connectedness and opportunities to support each other, through delivery of a Black Saturday 10th Anniversary event at Hazelwood Jeeralang. | Jeeralang North | $9,193 |
| Kinglake Historical Society
Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House Inc. | Kinglake Heritage Centre Increase access to local historical information, through upgrade of an unused community space to accommodate the Kinglake Historical Society.
This organisation will also benefit from the project submitted to CGF Rd 7 by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria Inc. The project will support Kinglake HS to digitize and preserve historic material. | Kinglake West /
Pheasant Creek | $20,000 |
| Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House Inc.
10th Anniversary Commemorative Event | Respect and Remember – “The Kinglake Ranges Journey” Opportunity for the community to reflect on the 2009 disaster event and 10 years of local recovery, via a six-week interactive community art exhibition displayed in Kinglake. | Kinglake Kinglake West Flowerdale Toolangi | $28,176 |
| Lions Club of Kinglake Inc. | Avenue of Honour Recognition and commemoration of soldiers who fought for Australia with the creation of an Avenue of Honour leading up to and surrounding Kinglake’s war memorial. | Kinglake | $2,000 |
| Maiden Gully Hall Committee Inc. | New Chairs for the Maiden Gully Hall Increase comfort and safety for community groups that meet at the Maiden Gully Hall through the purchase of new chairs. | Maiden Gully | $8,316 |
| Men’s Shed at St Andrews | Shed extension and machinery upgrade to enhance member and local community health and safety Increase storage area and upgraded machinery, increasing space and improving working conditions at the Men’s Shed at St Andrews. | St Andrews | $19,776 |
| Mitchell Community Radio Inc. | Broadford Monthly Increase awareness of local initiatives and community activity, via outside community radio broadcast delivered from Broadford Living and Learning Centre. | Broadford | $1,880 |
| Firefoxes Australia Women Rising Together From Black Saturday | 90 Up: Stars burning brightly Increase awareness of how to overcome adversity and build resilience, through capturing and sharing the stories of Murrindindi Shire residents who are over 90-years-old. | Alexandra Yea Eildon Buxton | $20,000 |
| Mudgegonga Hall Reserve Committee Inc. | Mudgegonga Hall Child Safety Fence Increase safety for families with children when attending community events and activities, due to upgrade of fencing around Mudgegonga Hall. | Mudgegonga District | $10,863 |
| Nillumbik Shire Council | Tech, Tea and Tales Increase skills in technology and communication for local seniors via delivery of the youth led Tech, Tea and Tales program in collaboration with the St Andrews Community Centre. | St Andrews | $20,000 |
| Reedy Creek Progress Association Reedy Creek Progress Association Inc. | Reedy Creek Community Gatherings Opportunities to connect and build community resilience, through the delivery of seven community gatherings at the Reedy Creek Hall over 2019. | Reedy Creek | $2,500 |
| Resilience Planning Community of Practice Inc. | Beechworth Festival of Change Increase inspiration and motivation to implement solutions to community issues, through delivery of skill development and resources at the Beechworth Festival of Change. | Beechworth | $20,000 |
| Rotary Club of Alexandra | Go Green Increase support for residents to clean up their properties in preparation for the bushfire season, through purchase of tipping trailer for volunteer run green waste program. | Alexandra Taggerty Thornton Eildon | $5,500 |
| Toolangi District Community House Inc. | Staging for the C J Dennis Hall Support cultural development and improve audience experience with the purchase of a portable stage for community hall in Toolangi. | Toolangi | $5,457 |
| Traralgon South and District Association
10th Anniversary Commemorative Event | 10-Year Black Saturday event Opportunity to reflect on the 2009 bushfire disaster for the 10-year anniversary, via delivery of a commemorative service and community dinner for Traralgon South and the surrounding region. | Traralgon South Callignee | $12,395 |
| UCA – Kinglake West Uniting Church | Feeding the Many Needs Increase social and physical wellbeing and strengthened community networks through delivery of fortnightly community meal program. | Kinglake West /
Pheasant Creek | $4,400 |
| Whittlesea Community House | A mosaic of community connections and resilience Strengthen community connectedness achieved through the delivery of inclusive creative art workshops that will produce four mosaic installations for the Whittlesea community. | Whittlesea | $15,130 |
| Women on Farms – West Gippsland Inc | Sponsorship for women to attend the Women on Farms Gathering
Opportunity for farming women from bushfire affected areas to increase wellbeing and resilience, through support to attend the Women on Farms Gathering 2019 in Warragul. | Warragul | $9,800 |
| Yinnar and District Memorial Hall | NO LIMITS Removing barriers to participation in facilitated health and wellbeing activities, through delivery of a weekly Exercise program for Seniors 60yrs+ in Yinnar. | Yinnar | $18,500 |
| Ellimatta Inc. | A Bright & Positive Future for Youth – 2
Continue access to support services and programs for youth through supporting the employment of staff at Ellimatta Youth Service in Kinglake. | Kinglake | $30,000 |
| Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House Inc. | Be Well in the Ranges
Removing barriers to mental health support for the Kinglake community during the 10th Anniversary of Black Saturday by providing ease of access to locally based mental health professionals. Removing barriers to mental health support for the Kinglake community during the 10th Anniversary of Black Saturday by providing ease of access to locally based mental health professionals. | Kinglake | $89,206 |
| Community Group Futures – Round 7 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant |
| Art Resource Collective Incorporated | Solar PV Project Installation of solar panels for the Art Resource Collective Inc, Yinnar, reducing energy costs and increasing the viability of an entity that supports community access to cultural and artistic opportunities. | Yinnar | $10,000 |
| Ellimatta Inc. | Ellimatta Sunshine for Power Increase viability and sustainability for Ellimatta Youth Centre, through installation of a solar power system. | Kinglake | $7,781 |
| Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House Inc. | Sustainability in the Ranges – Solar Build community resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through installation of 6.4 kW solar system. | Kinglake | $10,000 |
| Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House Inc. | Kinglake Ranges Arts Recovery Officer Increase collaboration and support for arts organisations and initiatives through employment of an Arts Recovery Officer for the Kinglake region. | Kinglake Kinglake West Pheasant Creek Kinglake Central | $20,000 |
| Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre Inc. | Volunteering for Success Increase volunteerism for community organisations in Mount Beauty, through employment of a Volunteer Coordinator to increase awareness of, resources and support for, volunteer roles. | Mt Beauty Bright Tawonga Myrtleford | $20,000 |
| Murrindindi Little Athletics Centre | Good Governance in Murrindindi Increase support for community-based Committees of Management, through delivery of Governance training to 10 groups in Murrindindi Shire. | Alexandra Kinglake Yarck Taggerty | $14,300 |
| Royal Historical Society of Victoria Inc. | Digitise or lose it! Preservation of local history through the purchase of equipment and the delivery of training to digitise historic documents and photos at four historical Societies in bushfire prone areas. | Marysville Kinglake Alexandra & Fawcett | $20,000 |
| Toolangi District Community House Inc. | Solar Panels for the Community House Reduce running costs and increased investment in community through installation of solar power system for Toolangi District Community House. | Toolangi | $8,800 |
| Yarra Valley ECOSS Inc. | Project Development Officer at ECOSS Enhance program outcomes and organisational viability, through employment of skilled support to develop policies, procedures and workplans that underpin program delivery. | Wesburn | $20,000 |
Bendigo, 12 July 2018: Thirty community groups impacted by the 2009 Victorian bushfires have received grants to support the ongoing local needs that continue to emerge.
Thanks to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF), these community groups will share in $341,438 across two grant programs to implement their locally-led projects.
Grants for Resilience and Wellness (GR&W) will fund 19 community groups, distributing $244,667 for 21 local projects. To date, the GR&W program has now funded 173 projects and distributed over $2 million.
Community Group Futures (CGF) will distribute $96,771 across 10 community groups. To date, CGF has now funded 34 projects, valued at $382,775.
It’s been nine years since Australia saw the highest-ever loss from a bushfire. More than one million acres of land were decimated: lives changed forever, and the aftermath continues to be felt in families and communities affected by the fires.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, explains that despite the time that’s passed, the recovery is ongoing.
“Grants from the VBAF were first distributed in 2010. Rebuilding a community does not happen overnight, it takes time. This is why we continue to provide support to the communities impacted by fires, nearly a decade on. Both these programs are flexible and designed to meet the evolving needs of the fire-affected communities.”
In the latest round of the GR&W program, the majority of applications FRRR received were for projects focused on strengthening community connectedness and enhancing local community identity and sense of place.
For example, Firefoxes Australia have received $15,620 for their Murrindindi Women’s Forum and Women’s Health and Wellbeing Expo to employ an events co-ordinator. This will help relieve fatigued volunteers, as well as support catering, venue hire and transport. These events have proven important in connecting women from across the Shire and tackling the challenges of isolation, thereby helping to deal with the mental health issues that have arisen due to the devastation of 2009.
Earlier this year Community Group Futures was awarded an additional $338,237 from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Panel, bringing the total funds for this program to $898,237. Its aim is to ensure there are strong, sustainable and focused local community organisations and leaders that can support their communities and the activities they wish to engage in.
Projects such as the Toolangi Castella District Community House – C J Dennis Hall project – will use a $2,240 grant to support the creation of processes and procedures and to increase their capacity and readiness to assume the management of the local community hall. The C J Dennis Hall continues to be an asset to the Toolangi community, serving as a meeting place that encourages community connectedness, and in the event of future disaster events, as a place of refuge.
Ms Egleton noted that there is still funding available for communities affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires with the next GR&W and CGF grant rounds opening on 6 August 2018.
“As the 10-year anniversary of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires occurs in February 2019, any community organisations in the impacted areas that wish to hold commemorative activities should apply in the next round of GR&W, which will open on 6 August.”
The projects funded in this round are listed below. GR&W Program | Community Group Futures Program
Grants for Resilience & Wellness (GR&W) Round 13 recipients
|
Organisation |
Project
|
Amount |
|---|---|---|
|
Alexandra Indoor Heated Pool Inc. |
Alexandra Indoor Heated Pool |
$20,000 |
|
More Murals |
Alexandra’s Beasties |
$18,850 |
|
Boolarra South Landcare Group |
Mechanical Weed Control for Environmentally Sensitive Areas |
$5,000 |
|
Chapter Seven Ltd. |
Fun Mudder Project Planning and Delivery |
$18,000 |
|
Clonbinane Community Action Group |
Paving the Road to Resilience |
$16,912 |
|
Coleraine & District Development Association Inc. |
Toolang Walk |
$16,941 |
|
Ellimatta |
Stem Makerspace |
$14,567 |
|
Firefoxes Australia |
Women of Murrindindi |
$15,620 |
|
Flowerdale Community House |
And So, We Sew! |
$2,895 |
|
Foggy Mountain Inc. |
Foggy Mountain Music Project |
$8,000 |
|
Freedom Care Inc. |
Project Squirrel II |
$4,212 |
|
Healesville Interchurch Community Care Incorporated |
A bus of new beginnings – HICCI Community Bus Project |
$11,990 |
|
Kilmore District Men’s Shed |
General And Disabled Toilet Facilities |
$20,000 |
|
Men’s Shed at St Andrews Inc. |
Safeguarding the health of members Protect the health and safety of all users and remove barriers to participation for members of the community with health concerns with the installation of dust and fume extraction systems at the Men’s Shed at St Andrews. |
$13,400 |
|
Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre Inc. |
Kitchen Upgrade |
$5,100 |
| Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges |
Kinglake Ranges Community Stadium Project | $19,419 |
|
St Matthew’s Church |
The People’s Pantry Long Gully |
$6,000 |
|
St Andrews Community Centre Inc. |
St Andrews Recovery and Community Building |
$12,747 |
|
Toolangi Castella District Community House Inc. |
Upgrade of Maternal Health rooms |
$9,900 |
|
Traralgon South and District Association |
Community access to defibrillators |
$2,949 |
|
Traralgon South and District Association |
Traralgon South and Callignee Youth Group – “Place to be Me” |
$2,165 |
Community Group Futures (CGF) Round 6 recipients
|
Organisation |
Project
|
Amount |
|---|---|---|
|
Bushfire Education Foundation Inc. |
Bushfire Education Centre and Museum Project Officer |
$20,000 |
|
Firefoxes Australia |
Firefoxes Future Focused (FFF) |
$20,000 |
|
Healesville Community Renewable Energy Inc. |
Strategic Planning and Implementation Support for Healesville CoRE |
$7,208 |
|
Healesville Toastmasters Club Inc. |
Good Governance in Healesville |
$12,200 |
|
Mitchell Shire Concert Band |
Solar4MSCB |
$6,493 |
|
Myrtleford Neighbourhood Centre |
Myrtleford – Building Sustainable Community Futures |
$10,000 |
|
Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges |
Communications and Innovation |
$4,600 |
|
Taggerty Community Progress Group Inc. |
Setting up training on a Financial System for CH@T |
$6,396 |
|
Toolangi Castella District Community House Inc. |
C J Dennis Hall |
$2,240 |
|
Whittlesea Showgrounds & Recreation Reserves Committee of Management |
Strategic Plan Development and Implementation |
$7,634 |
Bendigo, 23 February 2017: Today 24 community groups impacted by the 2009 Victorian bushfires received funding to support the community needs that continue to emerge post the devastating disaster.
Thanks to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, these community groups will share in $344,856 across two grant programs to implement their locally led projects.
- Grants for Resilience and Wellness (GR&W) will fund 15 community groups, sharing in $254,634, to implement their local projects. To date, the GR&W program has funded 111 projects to a total value of $1,413,705.16
- Community Group Futures (CGF) program will fund $90,222 across nine community groups. To date, CGF has funded 24 projects, valued at $286,004.
Rebuilding a community after a natural disaster takes many years. This month marks the eighth anniversary of the Black Saturday fires and the impacts are still being felt.
FRRR’s CEO, Natalie Egleton, said that the projects being supported via the GR&W and CGF programs reflect the need to facilitate long term recovery and to continue to build resilience through community identified solutions to support all parts of the community.
“Recovery takes time and while immediate support is vital, the ongoing demand for this support reinforces the need for people wanting to help in situations like the recent NSW fires to consider putting some funds toward long-term support programs.
“From our work with communities affected by the 2009 fires, we know that it’s been a tough journey and there are still challenges. Together with our donors, FRRR continues to support the impacted communities through the rebuilding and recovery process,” Ms Egleton said.
The Grants for Resilience & Wellness (GR&W) program recognises that an important part of community recovery is having opportunities to connect, share experiences, enhance individual and community wellbeing and resilience. This round, there was a common theme of strengthening community connectedness through local events, and a strong focus on supporting students of all ages through skills development, raising self-esteem and school preparation.
The Community Group Futures (CGF) program is designed to help community groups experiencing operational and service delivery challenges post the bushfires, helping them look forward and build their sustainability, viability, capability and capacity. The most common projects funded this round were solar panel installation to reduce energy costs, paid positions to increase community engagement and participation, and developing strategies for long-term viability in the community.
Ms Egleton noted that there is still funding available for communities affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires.
The projects funded in this round are detailed below:
Grants for Resilience & Wellness (GR&W) – Round 10 recipients
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Amount |
|
Bendigo Baptist Community Care Inc. |
MADCOW (Make A Difference Change Our World) Community Garden – Bike Butcher Support and empower disadvantaged and disengaged young people via the MADCOW Community Garden Bike Butcher project, an educational bike, scooter and skateboard workshop program. The GR&W grant will fit out a 40ft shipping container for the project to operate. |
Eaglehawk |
$19,466 |
|
CFA – Arthurs Creek / Strathewen |
Strathewen Fire Education Partnership Engaging Strathewen Primary School students in Grade 5 & 6 in a fire and country education program, culminating in the creation of a story book to present to the local community, and a DVD documenting the process for wider distribution. |
Strathewen |
$15,730 |
|
CIRE Services Inc. |
Bringing Up Great Kids Supporting respectful, caring and nurturing relationships for parents and carers of 0-6 year old children, through a suite of free parenting programs. |
Yarra Junction |
$3,900 |
|
Clonbinane Community Action Group |
A More Resilient Clonbinane Addressing a priority item from the newly developed Clonbinane Neighbourhood Emergency Plan, by purchasing and installing a 55Kva Diesel Generator at the Community Hall. |
Clonbinane |
$10,000 |
|
Continuing Education & Arts Centre Alexandra Inc |
90 Up: Living Links to Alexandra and District’s Past Celebrating the stories of resilience shaped by disaster and adversity of Alexandra and District residents who are 90+ years of age, via an oral history project will capture, record. |
Alexandra |
$19,000 |
|
Dixons Creek Landcare Group |
Dixons Creek School Walking Track Improving community connectedness to the Community Safe Area by construction a 1.5km walking track between the Dixon’s Creek Primary School and Dixon’s Creek Reserve. |
Dixons Creek |
$20,000 |
|
Ellimatta Inc. |
A Bright and Positive Future for Youth Ensuring high quality youth services continue to be offered to the Kinglake Ranges through a multi-year grant to fund the Youth Development Officer and Executive Officer wages for three more years. FRRR funding is matched by Kinglake Ranges Foundation (VBAF) and project costs by Kinglake Rotary. Funding will be staged over three years to facilitate building sustainable business and funding strategies. |
Kinglake |
$80,000 |
|
Glenburn Hall and Progress Assoc. Inc. |
Glenburn Growth – Fly Screens and Refrigeration Support volunteers and enhance community cohesion, by installing new refrigeration to store food and screen doors and windows for better ventilation to make community meetings more comfortable. |
Glenburn |
$6,941 |
|
Healesville Living & Learning Centre Inc. |
Bush Works Supporting local bush knowledge and bushfire preparedness through a practical, all ages program of up-cycling bush materials into furniture and creation of ‘found object’ art. |
Healesville |
$8,964 |
|
Marysville Motoring Expo Inc |
Marysville Motoring Expo Encouraging social and economic recovery post the Black Saturday Bushfires by supporting the three-day Motoring Expo community event. |
Marysville |
$7,065 |
|
Mirboo North Primary School |
Provision of a Disabled/Universal Toilet Facility for Community Use Supporting community cohesion and community resilience by upgrading the Primary School toilet facility to universal/ disabled functionality for the numerous local groups that access the school facilities. |
Mirboo North |
$19,000 |
|
Rotary Club of Alexandra |
Sesqui Alexandra Building a strong sense of place and contributing to economic recovery by engaging the community to co-create a one-day event to celebrate the sesquicentenary of Alexandra. |
Alexandra |
$5,012 |
|
Toolangi District Community House Inc. |
KEYS – Kinglake Early Years Support for local families to get children school-ready by researching and documenting family engagement in early childhood services in the Kinglake Ranges district. |
Toolangi |
$16,995 |
|
Yarra Glen Living & Learning Centre |
Centre Community Edible Food Garden To aid ongoing recovery from the bushfires, a self-managed edible garden will be established. |
Yarra Glen |
$15,381 |
|
Yarram Community Emergency Planning Committee (Yarram & District Traders & Tourism Inc.) |
Yarram & District Emergency Registration Point Educating district communities on the Emergency Registration Point in Yarram, by developing and disseminating an information brochure to communicate actions to take in an emergency. |
Yarram |
$7,180 |
Community Group Futures (CGF) – Round 3 recipients:
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Amount |
|
Boolarra Men’s Shed Inc. |
Purchases of Computer Improve communication and connectedness of the Men’s Shed members by purchasing a desktop computer and lessons in IT. |
Boolarra |
$3,170 |
|
Broadford Living and Learning Centre (Mitchell Shire Council) |
Community Engagement Officer Broadford Living and Learning Centre Build capacity and increase community ownership and participation through a community engagement strategy for the new Community Centre for Broadford. |
Broadford |
$14,976 |
|
Churchill and District Community Assoc. |
Burned Out and Burnt Out Minimise volunteer fatigue and recruit new members to the Churchill District Community Association (CDCA) with the assistance of a consultant to engage with local community groups and individuals to build wider ownership. |
Churchill |
$9,000 |
|
Flowerdale Community House Inc. |
Improving Flowerdale’s Operational Capability Improve and build operational capability, with the support of a paid employee to develop financial management, reporting and compliance policies and procedures for Flowerdale Community House, Flowerdale Landcare, and Flowerdale Men’s Shed. |
Hazeldene |
$17,062 |
|
Glenburn Hall and Progress Assoc. Inc. |
Glenburn Growth Project Lower the energy costs to improve operational capital by purchasing and installing 4.5kw solar panel on the roof of the Glenburn Hall. |
Glenburn |
$7,350 |
|
Happy Valley Hall |
Shining the Light on Sustainability Reduce ongoing energy costs for funds to be redirected to other community activities by purchasing and installing a 3.9kw solar panel. |
Rosewhite |
$9,848 |
|
Quercus Beechworth |
Connecting Beechworth Increase the connectivity, cohesion and resilience of the community through a collaborative project to analyse, develop and implement a town-wide communication strategy. |
Beechworth |
$13,400 |
|
Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges |
Governance Training Supporting existing members of the Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges to effectively fulfil their responsibilities by running Governance training. |
Kinglake |
$1,100 |
|
Women’s Health Goulburn North East |
Learning From Lessons in Disaster Engage with partner groups to be disaster prepared and resilient by co-design a ‘train the trainer’ program to deliver Gender in Disaster education. |
Wangaratta |
$14,316 |
