Growers encouraged to nominate local community groups 

The program, presented by the Monsanto Fund in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), gives eligible cotton farmers from 14 cotton growing areas across New South Wales and Queensland the chance to nominate local community organisations to receive one of the 30 grants on offer.30 June 2016: Cotton farmers once again have the chance to give back to their communities by nominating local not-for-profit or community organisations to receive a $5,000 grant when Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities opens for nominations on June 30.

Since the program was launched in 2014, cotton growers have played a key role in enabling the program to distribute $300,000 to 60 community organisations. Grants have funded a variety of projects such as primary school reading programs, community kitchen gardens and badly needed upgrades to multipurpose community buildings.

FRRR Chief Executive, Natalie Egleton, said that after two successful years, the impact of these grants is clear and noted $5,000 can go a very long way in rural and regional Australia.

“Since the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program commenced, we have been consistently delighted by the quality of projects. It’s amazing what groups can do with $5,000 and this resourcefulness typifies rural and regional communities who manage to get things done despite some pretty challenging conditions, many of which people in our cities don’t have to consider,” she said.  

While only growers who are actively involved in cotton farming can submit nominations, Ms Egleton says that local residents can also get involved.  

“If you work for a not-for-profit or charity group, or know of one doing great work, you can put forward an idea for a farmer to nominate. This is a great way for communities to get involved and makes it even easier for farmers to decide where their nomination goes,” Ms Egleton says.

“We’re pleased to be partnering with the Monsanto Fund again and helping make life a little easier for cotton communities across NSW and QLD. We look forward to seeing what cotton communities will achieve this year,” Ms Egleton said.

Cotton Australia Chief Executive, Adam Kay, credits strong communities as a driving force behind the continued success of the Australian cotton industry.

“Building thriving rural and regional communities is a priority for the cotton industry and we know how challenging it can be. The services and support provided by local community groups help to fill some of the gaps and play a vital role in the industry’s success. 

“Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities supports this objective and importantly, gives cotton growers the chance to play their part. When communities benefit, the industry benefits”, Mr Kay said.

Monsanto Fund representative in Australia, Helen Maccan, said the Monsanto Fund is pleased to be partnering with FRRR to offer Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities for a third consecutive year.

“Cotton farmers have really gotten behind this program and taken it on as their own since it was first launched two years ago. Many of the projects funded benefit their communities for years into the future. That legacy is all down to the cotton growers who took the time to submit nominations,” she said. 

This year’s program coincides with the Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast from August 2-4, offering growers another way to submit their nomination. 

“The Cotton Conference brings everyone with an interest in the cotton industry – from farmers, to suppliers and industry partners – together in one place. What better time to share ideas or nominate, than in person at the Conference,”[1] Ms Maccan said.

Nominations are open from 9am, 30 June 2016 to 5pm on 31 August 2016. For more information, to suggest an idea or submit a nomination visit www.aussiecottonfarmers.com.au. Successful recipients will be notified in November 2016.

Bendigo, 17 November 2015: The Monsanto Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, are delighted to announce the recipients of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program.

The program gives cotton growers the chance to direct thirty $5,000 grants to worthy community groups across 14 cotton growing areas in New South Wales and Queensland.  The announcement of the 2015 recipients means $300,000 of funding will have been directed to cotton growing communities in two years.

FRRR Acting Chief Executive Officer, Natalie Egleton, said cotton farmers living and working in rural and regional communities are best-placed to determine the groups and projects that can benefit from support like this the most.

“Cotton farmers have the best insight into who in their community could benefit from a grant and they are able to show their support for those groups and their work by nominating them.   

“We were delighted to see cotton growers enthusiastically support the program again this year and nominate some fantastic projects that may never have gone ahead if not for this program.  We saw last year that when projects funded by Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities are completed, local organisations are better able to do what they do best – focus on providing and supporting the wider community with their vital services,” Ms Egleton said.

Cotton Australia Chief Executive Adam Kay said Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities has the support of the cotton industry and the additional $150,000 in funding will go a long way in improving lives in cotton communities.

“These grants allow cotton farmers to give back to their communities and leave a lasting impact. 

“Strong, vibrant cotton communities play a critical role in how successful our farmers are. This program is a great way for growers to say thanks to those groups or charities that are important to the community and be recognised for their hard work in a meaningful way,” Mr Kay said.

Monsanto Fund representative in Australia, Adam Blight, said that the Monsanto Fund is pleased to be able to support growers to give back to their communities for a second year.

“This year, the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program will be able to help build 11 infrastructure projects, fund five community education projects and support 11 disability, youth, health, social welfare, community broadcasting, environment and cultural projects across Queensland and New South Wales,” Mr Blight said.

Overall, infrastructure-related projects received the most funding this year with $55,000 to be distributed throughout cotton growing areas including the Central Highlands, Darling Downs, Macquarie and the Southern Valleys. Education projects received the second most funding with $40,000 aimed at improving local resources and equipment for children and local schools.

The projects funded are detailed below:

Organisation	Project	Cotton Growing Region
Queensland
Central Highlands Science Centre Inc	Upgrading the interactive science displays used by the after school science club to extend learning opportunities for primary students.	Central Highlands
Comet Sporting & Agricultural Show Society	Building new stairs with handrails at the Showgrounds to provide safe access to the pavilion where community events are held.	Central Highlands
C&K – Oakey Community Kindergarten	Creating a productive vegetable garden to extend the teaching of sustainability, environment and nutrition in the early years.	Darling Downs
Felton Food Festival	A one day event celebrating local farm production to support farming enterprises and emerging food producers and provide a tourism boost to the economy.	Darling Downs
Jandowae P-10 State School P&C Assoc	An electronic whiteboard for the library to enable internet access for whole-class learning and a wireless loudspeaker for school and community events.	Darling Downs
CWA QLD – Macalister Branch	Improving the small town’s CWA Hall kitchen to enable catering for community events and improve food preparation and OH&S standards for volunteers.	Darling Downs
Theodore Council on the Ageing Inc	Industrial carpet cleaner to improve cleanliness and reduce overhead hire costs for community operated care facilities and services that benefit the elderly.	Dawson Valley
Dirranbandi Pastoral & Agricultural Assoc Inc	Support for ten youth to learn show management skills at a state forum, to support Dirranbandi Show’s long term sustainability. Additional upgrades to computer software will make volunteer’s work easier.	Dirranbandi
Kaloma Home for the Aged Ltd	Contribution towards a fire retardant sprinkler system which is urgently needed to ensure the aged care facilities meet OH&S standards to continue operations.	MacIntyre Valley
MacIntyre Animal & Pet Rescue	Reduction in feral cats through the promotion of responsible pet ownership and a de-sexing program, as well as refurbishment of facilities to improve OH&S.	MacIntyre Valley
Texas & District Kindergarten Assoc Inc	Repairs to plumbing and outdoor areas to improve OH&S at the small communities’ only kindergarten, enabling the paved area to be used for outside play and learning.	MacIntyre Valley
Balonne Kindergarten Assoc Inc	Additional kindergarten class to enable 10 more local children (who would otherwise miss out) to access early childhood education.	St George
Thallon Progress Assoc Inc	Kitchen facilities to increase functionality of the multipurpose community building and enable the establishment of a museum in the building.	St George
New South Wales
Bourke & District Junior Cricket Assoc	A mobile pavilion for the community use at Anzac, music, cultural and sporting events to encourage participation and improve OH&S.	Darling River Food and Fibre
Fairview Care Ltd	A patient lift to enable frail and elderly resident’s dignified movement around the facilities and improve OH&S for staff and residents alike.	Gwydir Valley
Moree Cultural Art Foundation Ltd	Art supplies for classes which link disadvantaged people in the community with government support programs and benefit over 250 people per week.	Gwydir Valley
North Star Public School	iPads and learning apps to enable students to master digital technology and expand learning opportunities. The resources will also be used in community workshops to upskill the broader population.	Gwydir Valley
Bellata War Memorial Hall Committee Inc	A screen and projector to enable monthly movie nights in the community-owned hall which will increase social connectivity and community spirit.	Lower Namoi
Burren Junction P&C Assoc	A specialist music, song, drama and dance teacher for one year to extend learning opportunities. Students will write and perform their own musical for the whole community.	Lower Namoi
Spring Ridge Preschool	New fencing around the preschool to create a safe, secure environment and enable outdoor play and learning for the children.	Lower Namoi
CWA NSW – Collie Branch	New doors on the only community building in Collie to improve access and OH&S for the many user groups, including CWA, playgroup, RFS, garden club and others.	Macquarie
CWA NSW – Narromine Branch	Improvements to the CWA Hall’s kitchen so it meets food handling and OH&S standards. This will benefit the CWA volunteers and other hall users, including Break Thru Disability, an organisation which teaches people with disabilities how to cook and care for themselves.	Macquarie
Mungery Hall	A large volume rainwater tank to supply the hall’s new bathroom facilities (the previous long drop system wasn’t plumbed). This upgrade will enable more events to be held at the hall and also improve drinking water supply.	Macquarie
Mungindi Hospital Auxiliary Inc	A sofa bed in the Palliative Care Unit to enable visitors to stay overnight and patients to have their loved ones by their side during their final hours.	Mungindi Water Users
Coleambally Community Club Ltd	Roof repairs on the small community’s only meeting rooms, preventing further internal damage and allowing the ongoing use of the hall for the whole community.	Southern Valleys
Cypress View Lodge Ltd	Upgrades and refurbishment of the activities room and new seating in the television area to improve the everyday comfort, enjoyment and quality of life for residents in the small town’s not-for-profit nursing home.	Southern Valleys
Griffith Community FM Assoc Inc	New facilities to provide access to drinking water, a kitchenette and secure office storage, to support volunteers in a safe working environment and keep local voices on air.	Southern Valleys
Farming for Kids Inc	Support for a small grass roots farmer initiative to enable them to expand operations and continue to support local schools and children in need of financial assistance.	Upper Namoi
Rowena Public School	Establish a school community garden to improve student’s understanding of food production and healthy eating. The project will also engage the small community and surrounding farmers in school volunteer roles, providing them with regular off-farm social interaction.	Upper Namoi
Walgett Show Society Inc	Improvements to the pavilion and the amenities block to meet OH&S standards so the facilities can continue to be used for community events and are accessible for everyone.	Walgett