Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
18 community groups to receive funding
In partnership with Suncorp and AAMI, FRRR has awarded $300,781 to 18 remote, rural and regional not-for-profits (NFPs) in Victorian communities impacted by the flooding events that took place between October 2022 and January 2023.
Suncorp Group pledged $1 million to FRRR in 2021 for a dedicated Rebuilding Futures program – to support Australian communities impacted by significant natural disasters.
This is the third round of the Program and with these grants will have distributed over $1 million.
The grants awarded range from $4,040 to $20,000 and will be used for a range of projects from building community infrastructure and improving emergency facilities, to youth activity programs and community workshops – all high-priority projects for their local community.
Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston said the grants would help support community-led recovery in the impacted areas.
“Australia is no stranger to natural disasters and unfortunately I’ve seen all too often the devastation and emotional toll they have on our communities,” Mr Johnston said.
“That’s why we are supporting affected Victorian communities through the Rebuilding Futures program – to not just build back but to build back better than before, making them even more resilient,” he said.
“These communities have been through a lot, and we know that recovery from severe weather events can sometimes take years. We also know that each community’s priorities during that recovery is different.
“We’re pleased to provide support to a range of different community groups and local not-for-profits that are run by people who know and understand what it is their community needs in order to rebuild.”
Nina O’Brien, Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead at FRRR, said this round of grants is further confirmation of the long-term impacts of natural disasters.
“In this round of grants, we’re seeing projects that are about building community amenities and improving infrastructure but there’s also an emphasis on initiatives that are about building community resilience and promoting social wellbeing. It’s nearly a year since the floods first started and so this just goes to show that the impacts of floods are long-lasting and go far beyond the physical damage that’s caused.
“The floods have had a huge emotional toll on the people in these communities, yet they’re still determined to build back and become even more resilient than before, which really is inspiring to see. Thanks to the generous support of Suncorp and AAMI, we can help them to do just that,” said Ms O’Brien.
Among the 18 projects funded this round are:
- Alpine Multi Skill Group in Bright – Construction of a dedicated cabin workspace for volunteers, members, and the local community, which will support Alpine Multi Skill’s community development work and collaboration with the Men’s Shed – $19,750
- Echuca Moama Broadcast Service Inc in Echuca – Upskill the community radio volunteers, enhancing their ability to broadcast during and outside times of emergency disasters to support community safety and wellbeing – $4,040
- Kerang and District Community Centre Inc in Kerang – Build resilience in Kerang through an inclusive arts program aimed at connecting people through positive creative activities – $10,000
The full list of grant recipients and their projects is below.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| Alpine Multi Skill Group | Construction of a Dedicated Cabin Workspace for Volunteers, Members and the Local Community Expand the opportunities for community skills and preparedness activities through constructing a cabin to support Alpine Multi Skill's community development work collaborating with the Men's Shed. | Bright | $19,750 | |||
| Boys to the Bush Ltd | Boys to the Bush Building up Rochester Boys Support youth recovery and resilience through extra curricular programs developing life skills, experience of rural employment opportunities, community engagement and mentoring. | Rochester | $20,000 | |||
| Campaspe Park Raceway Committee of Management Incorporation | Disabled Access from Car Park to Clubhouse Improve access and community facility infrastructure with a concrete path from the carpark to clubhouse of the Campaspe Park and Raceway Recreation Reserve. | Echuca | $7,600 | |||
| East Loddon Food Share Program Incorporated | Relief Food and Fridge / Freezer Storage Build capacity of local food relief organisation with whitegoods, a generator and food supplies to support a 12 month program of food security. | Dingee | $15,699 | |||
| Echuca Moama Broadcast Service Inc | Upskill Broadcasting Team Build skills and capability for community radio volunteers to broadcast during and outside times of emergency disasters to support community safety and wellbeing. | Echuca | $4,040 | |||
| Eildon Events Inc | Construction of a Permanent Waterproof Cantilever Shade Structure Build capacity of the Eildon community with a cantilevered shade cover for a stage to increase usage and expand local activity. | Eildon | $20,000 | |||
| Greater Shepparton Foundation Limited | Giving Power Greater Shepparton Support community adaptation for long-term social and economic recovery through a collaborative scoping project to develop an accessible solar program for flood-impacted households in Greater Shepparton. | Shepparton | $20,000 | |||
| Kerang and District Community Centre Inc | Let's Connect via Art Build resilience in Kerang through an inclusive arts program aimed at connecting people in positive creative activities. | Kerang | $10,000 | |||
| Mount Alexander Shire Council | Creative Resilience Lab Build community resilience and preparedness through a future thinking workshop with a broad range of Mount Alexander community stakeholders. | Castlemaine | $20,000 | |||
| Myrtleford Recreation Reserve Committee of Management | Myrtleford Recreation Reserve Stormwater Management and Drainage Design Improve local recreation reserve through design of a stormwater management system to mitigate future flood risk, supporting community facility use for local events and organisations' activity. | Myrtleford | $20,000 | |||
| Navarre Public Hall | Revitalising the Navarre Public Hall Rebuild community infrastructure with contributions for rewiring and improved vent systems in the Navarre Hall restoration following significant flood disruption to the community. | Navarre | $20,000 | |||
| Open Door Neighbourhood House Inc | Connecting Community - Social Prescribing Build community resilience through implementing a 'social prescribing' program of connection for vulnerable members of the flood-impacted community of Wangaratta. | Wangaratta | $20,000 | |||
| Parklands Albury Wodonga Limited | Creating Nature Play Trails to Grow Resilience Build community resilience with enhanced community nature space and programs for intergenerational connection. | Wodonga | $20,000 | |||
| Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House Inc | Communications Kit Build community resilience and capability through upgrading online and offline media communications to support the Pyramid Hill community during and outside of disasters. | Pyramid Hill | $13,900 | |||
| Rochester Community House Inc | Bringing the Roar to Rochy (Shire Hall) Upgrade community facilities with a new sound system at the Rochester Community Hall. | Rochester | $19,949 | |||
| Variety - The Children's Charity of Victoria | Replacement and Upgrade of Safe / Secure and Inclusive Play Environment for Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School Upgrade the playground of the Echuca Specialist School to ensure a safe and flood proof surface for all abilities children from surrounding impacted flood communities. | Echuca | $18,668 | |||
| Yarrawonga Neighbourhood House Inc | YMCLC Community Connection and Resilience Program Boost community resilience with a Social Prescribing program for engaging and supporting vulnerable people in local activities and information to address mental and physical health issues. | Yarrawonga | $20,000 | |||
| Yea Community Service Group Inc | Hands on Skills for Community Build community resilience with a program of workshops teaching 'sufficiency' skills, including preserving foods, composting and dehydrating, with community connection a key outcome. | Yea | $11,175 | |||
Grants up to $20,000 available for recovery projects
Local community groups and not-for-profits in rural Victorian communities impacted by 2022-23 floods are encouraged to apply for grants up to $20,000 for projects that will support their community’s recovery.
In partnership with Suncorp and AAMI, FRRR is offering $300,000 for initiatives that build resilience and support medium to long-term recovery of communities affected by the flooding and storms that occurred in specified LGA’s between 6 October 2022 and 13 January 2023.
Funded through the Rebuilding Futures program, these responsive grants are available for proactive initiatives that are community-led.
Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience & Recovery Lead, said that extreme weather events, like the flooding and storms experienced by rural Victorian regions late last year, affect every community member, especially those who are most vulnerable and rely on community organisations for support.
“Different groups within the community, such as those living with disability, homelessness or who speak English as a second language, will be impacted differently, and as such, will have their own needs in terms of building resilience and how they can prepare for future disaster events.
“We encourage community groups to be inclusive with their initiative ideas and consider how their project can support community members from all nationalities, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
“We also encourage community groups to think outside the box when it comes to infrastructure and equipment projects by considering resilient materials and harnessing clever use of design to decrease future impacts of natural disasters,” Ms O’Brien said.
Suncorp’s Group Executive People, Culture & Advocacy, Fiona Thompson, said that natural disasters, such as the Victorian floods, have devastating impacts that are complex, context-driven and long-lasting.
“This is the third disaster-affected region that we’ve supported through this program over the last couple of years, so we know the impacts in each place are different. One thing is always the same though; local people are best placed to know what the needs and priorities of their community, especially following a natural disaster event.
“Thanks to our partnership with FRRR, we’re pleased to be able to provide flexible funding that means communities can determine how best to address the medium to long-term recovery, resilience and preparedness needs and priorities for their region,” Ms Thompson said.
A Grantseeker Workshop, including a Q&A, on the Rebuilding Future’s grant program will be held online from 12 – 1pm AEST, Wednesday 7 June 2023. Register for the Grantseeker Workshop here.
Applications close 6 July 2023.
Previous projects funded through the Rebuilding Futures program include:
- During the floods in February 2022, Mooloolah Valley, QLD, experienced intermittent loss of power that impacted the community’s access to lighting, hot water and technology. To help the community prepare for future disaster events, the Mooloolah Valley Community Association Inc used a $25,000 grant to purchase and install three batteries that can be used to supply power to the region. The batteries are able to store energy from the Centre’s existing solar panels. The grant also funded fencing to ensure the new batteries are stored safely and securely. Thanks to the community’s resilience and preparedness, the batteries were able to keep the community’s power running during the two electricity outages that Mooloolah Valley has experienced since the batteries were installed.
- Following the NSW and QLD floods in 2021, Mission Australia and Mid Coast 4 Kids partnered to respond to child and youth wellbeing across the Mid Coast region. The partners used a $10,811 grant to deliver training to local community service, health and education professionals, volunteers and parents. Their aim was to ensure they were equipped with the skills to have quality conversations and build resilience to respond to the wellbeing needs of children, young people and their families.
For more information about which regions are eligible, the type of projects that can be funded, and to register for the Grantseeker Workshop, visit our Rebuilding Futures webpage.
