Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
In partnership with The Yulgilbar Foundation, FRRR has awarded $785,794 in grants to 23 local groups for community projects designed to strengthen community capacity and resilience in the Clarence Valley and surrounding region.
These grants, which are funded through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund program, are the final tranche of a $2 million commitment awarded over the last three years.
In the wake of the 2019/20 bushfires and subsequent disasters including floods and COVID, these grants will support local groups to foster community connection, education and wellbeing across the region.
Ten of the 23 grants will support local events and festivals. This includes the Grafton Jacaranda Festival for a concert for 5,000 people Featuring Troy Cassar-Daley and Don Walker.
Also set to perform on stage at the Grafton Jacaranda Festival is the Big Scrub Orchestra, which has also been awarded funds. The Orchestra’s grant will support music workshops to boost resilience, health and wellbeing of local children in five small rural public schools and support their performance in the Jacaranda Festival.
Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s General Manager of Partnerships and Services, said that the projects funded demonstrate the important role that social connectedness plays in disaster recovery.
“While each place has its own unique set of recovery needs, in this round of grants we saw many community groups seeking funding for projects designed to bring people together to strengthen social connections, which is such an important part of the recovery process. This also gives us valuable insight into where communities are in their recovery journey.”
Madeleine Noble, Executive Officer of The Yulgilbar Foundation said the Foundation is proud to support a variety of projects across the region, many of which will boost the capacity of local groups to contribute to recovery activities.
“For example, funding for Container of Dreams based near Tabulam will help women develop micro-enterprise skills, Woombah Residents Association will expand activities at the community garden focusing on disaster preparedness, and Lawrence Community Fundraising will run a series of creative workshops and events celebrating local residents and their skills”.
More information is available on FRRR’s website – https://frrr.org.au/funding/the-yulgilbar-foundation-fund/.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARMIDALE | ||||||
| Backtrack Youth Works Ltd | BackTrack 'Paws Up' School Outreach Program Grow literacy skills, confidence, and resilience of primary school children in bushfire-affected communities in the NSW New England region through animal-assisted activities linked to school curriculum. | Ben Lomond | $30,000 | |||
| CLARENCE VALLEY | ||||||
| 2TLC FM Lower Clarence Community Radio Incorporated Association | Storage Unit Project Improve facilities and space at local community radio station in Yamba, northern rivers region, by adding a storage unit for key equipment. | Yamba | $12,500 | |||
| Clarence Valley Conservatorium Inc | A Smart Conservatorium Enhance the learning and performing experience of music students through installation of smartboards and computers in teaching studios of the Clarence Valley Conservatorium and purchase of portal stage units. | Grafton | $27,480 | |||
| Genhealth Incorporated | headspace Grafton - Creative Groups Boost health, wellbeing and connectedness of young people in Grafton through a series of afterschool and school holiday youth-informed creative arts activities. | Grafton | $34,263 | |||
| Grafton Jacaranda Festival Inc | Troy Cassar-Daly + Don Walker Celebrate Indigenous culture, boost community spirit and wellbeing and stimulate the local economy in Grafton through a free concert for 5,000 people featuring Troy Cassar-Daley and Don Walker as part of the famous Jacaranda Festival. | Grafton | $30,000 | |||
| Iluka Community Organisation Planning for Emergencies (ICOPE) Inc | Field of Friends Iluka Village Community Parties Project Foster community connection and resilience following multiple local disaster events through three free community events across 12 months which will also engage local emergency services organisations to provide education and awareness. | Iluka | $17,548 | |||
| Lawrence Community Fundraising Inc | Lawrence Loves... Grow community engagement and sense of belonging in the small village of Lawrence in the Northern Rivers following local disaster events and COVID-19 through a series of creative workshops, performances, and a whole community event. | Lawrence | $40,000 | |||
| Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation | Rising Warriors After School Engagement Program Boost social connections and activities for Aboriginal youth in the Clarence Valley through youth worker led programs and school holiday activities. | Maclean | $45,000 | |||
| Ozfish Unlimited Limited | Nymboida River Riparian, Restoring Habitat for the Endangered Eastern Fresh Water Cod Improve water quality and fish habitat in the Nymboida River post bushfire events and increase local awareness of natural resource management techniques through planting, restoration activities and educational citizen science program. | Nymboida | $40,000 | |||
| The Big Scrub Orchestra | Bringing Music Healing to Young People in the Clarence Valley Boost resilience, health, and wellbeing for children in five small rural public schools following multiple local disasters through 175 Modern Band workshops introducing children to various instruments and song writing as well as performance at the Grafton Jacaranda Festival with local Indigenous music icon Troy Cassar-Daly. | Grafton | $49,000 | |||
| The Long Way Home Byron Writers Festival | Stories From The Clarence Valley 2023 - Grow Share and celebrate stories from residents of the Clarence Valley by publishing a book showcasing local writers collated through The Long Way Home writing competition. | Grafton | $2,233 | |||
| Woombah Residents Association Incorporated | Meet you at the Garden - Building Community Resilience in Woombah Improve social connections, engagement with local services and awareness of disaster preparedness in Woombah through a series of environmentally themed workshops and community events, equipment and light infrastructure. | Woombah | $30,000 | |||
| COFFS HARBOUR | ||||||
| Glenreagh Heartstart | Orara Valley Resilience Hub - Community Consultation Improve local connections and disaster resilience for residents in the towns and villages of the Orara Valley through community-led consultation to establish a Resilience Hub in Glenreagh. | Upper Orara | $26,000 | |||
| KYOGLE | ||||||
| Friends of the Labyrinth Kyogle Community Economic Development Committee | A Place for Quiet Contemplation and Inner Peace Boost health and wellbeing in Kyogle in the northern rivers through the promotion of the local community labyrinth to foster greater awareness and use. | Kyogle | $4,682 | |||
| LISMORE | ||||||
| Arts Northern Rivers Incorporated | Northern Rivers Creative Industries Recovery Forum 2022 A two-day regional forum for bringing together the creative industry sector to develop a future road map for longer term recovery post 2022 Big Floods in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. | Lismore | $15,000 | |||
| RICHMOND VALLEY | ||||||
| Broadwater Rileys Hill Community Centre | Rekindling Community Connections in Broadwater Lift community spirit and connectedness in Broadwater following the devastating floods in the region through monthly community dinners and activities. | Broadwater | $10,283 | |||
| Casinos Own Wireless Association Inc | Casino Cow Country Music Muster (CCCMM) Boost community spirit and the local economy following devasting disasters, including recent flooding events, through a five-day country music festival in Casino. | Casino | $22,267 | |||
| Clovass-Mskees Hill Soldiers Memorial and Community Hall Incorporated | Power Us Up Improve power supply and availability during local outages and in times of disaster at Clovass McKees Hill Soldiers Memorial and Community Hall, Richmond Valley, through installation of a battery to store power generated by the existing solar system. | McKees Hill | $18,900 | |||
| The Evans Head Living Museum Inc | Purchase a Large Format Printer and Desk Top Tower computer Increase capacity of the Evans Head Museum to prepare and present displays and support local community groups through new technology by purchasing a desktop computer and large format printer. | Evans Head | $10,698 | |||
| TENTERFIELD | ||||||
| Container of Dreams Ltd | Container of Dreams Community Market Cart - Micro-Enterprise Workshops Empower ten women in Drake to develop micro-enterprise skills to support financial independence, improve wellbeing and resilience, and contribute to the local economy through their own market stalls. | Drake | $46,940 | |||
| ADDITIONAL GRANTS | ||||||
| Arts Northern Rivers Incorporated | Screening Tour to Recovering Bushfire-Affected Communities Boost social connections and provide an opportunity to reflect and recover for various bushfire-affected communities in rural and regional NSW, including the Clarence Valley, through a live music and documentary screening tour. | Various NSW Locations | $127,000 | |||
| Department of Education Baryulgil Public School | Strengthening Educational Aspiration and Wellbeing Opportunities in Baryulgil Foster wellbeing, cultural connections, and educational pathways for students at Baryulgil Public School through an on-site wellbeing hub and minibus providing flexible transport options for the remote school. | Baryulgil | $146,000 | |||
Woombah is located in the Clarence Valley, on Yaegl Country, and has a growing population including long-time residents, older residents and young families. Without a community hall or cafe, the community has long needed a place to gather, connect, share ideas and resources.
The Woombah Residents Association (WRA) created the Woombah Wellness Community Garden to provide a sustainable gathering space for locals to come together and share gardening tips, knowledge, stories and create community connections.
They received a grant last year from The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund grants program, which FRRR manages. It supports communities in the Clarence Valley and surrounding regions who have a desire and need to strengthen their capacity and resilience in response to the 2019/20 bushfires, flooding and continued challenges across the region.
WRA used the $12,100 grant to create a series of promotional and educational videos to celebrate the recently established community garden and share the 2021 program of workshops and events with members, residents, community groups and wider social networks.
Six videos were developed to create a stronger online presence, encourage greater onsite participation, educate residents about the benefits of gardening, and engage their volunteers and members:
- Native Bee Hotel Workshop Promo
- How to Make a Native Bee Hotel
- Saturday, It’s Garden Day Promo
- Tunes in the Trees Highlights
- Gardener Profile Vicki
- Gardener Profile Cara
- Vicki’s Garden Map Promo
From developing creative video content with different members and groups in the community, to screenings virtually and at Woombah Residents’ Association meetings, the production of these resources helped deepen WRA’s engagement with the wider community. It also provided opportunities to build stronger relationships within the community garden team, by working together on this series of creative video projects.
“We are grateful for the support from FRRR and The Yulgilbar Foundation, and proud of the workshop activities and virtual resources that have built organisational capacity in the WRA’s Wellness Community Garden and increased awareness and engagement in environmental sustainability initiatives in our community.”
Berri Brown, President
Final round of funding announced
Applications are now open for The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund grant program, which is run by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). Community groups and local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in and around Clarence Valley can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to fund projects that strengthen their capacity and resilience in response to the 2019/20 bushfires, flooding and continued challenges across the region.
This is the final round of funding from this program, offering $2 million across the region through a mix of multi-year and one-off grants depending on the needs of local groups.
The Fund focuses on supporting projects that leverage artistic endeavours, boost educational participation, support locally-led environmental sustainability initiatives or build capacity for communities to respond to bushfires, drought, floods or other events like COVID.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, said that The Yulgilbar Foundation shares FRRR’s passion for community-led recovery and resilience.
“The people in this region have dealt with a lot the last few years between drought, then the 2019-20 bushfires, COVID restrictions and most recently, flooding. At FRRR, we know that local organisations are led by community members who are best placed to know and really understand what the community needs to recover and also to thrive into the future.
“The Yulgilbar Foundation takes the same approach, which is why this grant program was created in the first place. We have a strong history of partnering and it’s been great to work alongside them on this program strengthening the communities of the Clarence Valley and surrounding regions,” said Ms Egleton.
Community groups and NFPs can apply for the grants before 5pm AEDT, 21 February 2023.
More details, including the program guidelines and EOI form, are available on FRRR’s website – https://frrr.org.au/funding/the-yulgilbar-foundation-fund/.
Grants part of $2M funding commitment for region
Thanks to a new partnership between the FRRR and The Yulgilbar Foundation, 22 projects in the Clarence Valley and surrounding region have received a much-needed boost this year, with community groups sharing in $1,214,206 in grants.
Funded through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund program, these grants are part of $2 million investment across the region over a three-year period. Funded initiatives include 19 one-off grants and two multi-year grants that will strengthen community capacity and resilience in the wake of the 2019/20 bushfires, drought and continued challenges across the region.
A broad cross section of groups has received support for a wide range of initiatives, with grants ranging from $1,600 for a creative writing workshop to $571,000, distributed over three years, for the Changing Lanes Community Youth Garage program run by The New School of Arts. Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation has also been awarded multi-year funding, totaling $148,413, for a project focused on resilience and wellbeing of Indigenous boys and men from Clarence Valley and surrounds.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, said that the breadth of the projects funded reflects the diverse needs of communities in the Clarence Valley and surrounding areas.
“Great ideas and initiatives to create strong, vibrant communities are prevalent across the Clarence Valley and neighbouring regions. However, the last 12 to 18 months have made it pretty challenging to find the funding and resources to bring them to fruition.
“These grants, which are generously funded by The Yulgilbar Foundation, mean that these 22 ideas will become reality and have a positive impact on the capacity and resilience of their communities. It is fantastic to have dedicated funding available to support this region,” Ms Egleton said.
The projects supported range from creative arts, heritage and culture projects, events and festivals, gardening, street-scaping, creating employment-pathways, IT equipment and business, leadership and mental health workshops.
Further opportunities for grants will be available through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund in the coming year. More information is available here.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are listed below by LGA:
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarence Valley | ||||||
North West Film Festival Inc. Arts North West Incorporated | Drought Recovery Outreach Program - Sara Storer Tour Encourage people to come together and improve community spirit in 12 drought affected northern NSW townships by bringing live music events featuring Australian singer/songwriter Sara Storer. | Clarence Valley Shire, Tenterfield Shire, & Kyogle Council | $70,000 | |||
| Richmond Valley Business & Rural Financial Counselling Services Incorporated | Family Farm Succession Planning Support and strengthen the local economy by running six community information workshops to help farming families in drought and bushfire affected communities plan for the future. | Clarence Valley Shire, Tenterfield Shire, Inverell Shire, Gunnedah Shire | $24,000 | |||
North West Film Festival Inc. Arts North West Incorporated | Choir of Fire Encourage bushfire affected communities in regional NSW to come together and unwind by running a touring music concert event in 12 towns. | Clarence Valley, Tenterfield, & Inverell Shires | $30,000 | |||
| Copmanhurst Pre-School Inc | Healing circle surrounded by native garden Enhance areas that support local recovery at Copmanhurst Preschool, through establishment of a healing circle and native garden. | Copmanhurst | $8,650 | |||
| Blicks Community Incorporated | LET’S CONNECT- The Blicks Community Communication Strategy Grow community resilience, connectedness, and emergency preparedness in the Dundurrabin area through the development and implementation of a Community Communication Strategy. | Dundurrabin | $25,000 | |||
Ewingar South Tabulam Community Sports Center Clarence Valley Council | Ewingar Rising Enhance local recovery and increase wellbeing, through delivery of community music festival on anniversary of disaster event. | Ewingar | $19,860 | |||
| Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation | Rising Warriors Program - Healing Our Way Boost resilience and wellbeing of Indigenous boys and men in the Clarence Valley and surrounds through culturally relevant activities and events. | Grafton | $148,413 * | |||
| OZ Green-Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (Australia) Incorporated | Resilient Communities - Clarence Valley Shire Build community awareness and skills in disaster preparedness with the delivery of Resilient Communities program in the Clarence Valley. | Grafton | $85,815 | |||
The Long Way Home Byron Writers Festival | Creative writing workshops with Cate Kennedy Encourage the development of creative writing skills through accessible workshops for Clarence Valley residents. | Grafton | $1,600 | |||
| The New School of Arts Neighbourhood House Incorporated | Changing Lanes Improve social connection, leadership skills, and employment pathways for young people in the Clarence Valley through the Changing Lanes Community Youth Garage program. | Grafton | $571,000 * | |||
| The Susan and Elizabeth Islands Recreation Land Manager | Ceremonial Stone placement and seating on Susan Island Celebrate local Indigenous culture and heritage by placing a Ceremonial Stone, seating and signage at a gathering place on Susan Island, Grafton. | Grafton | $4,700 | |||
| Lawrence Historical Society Incorporated | Technology to Preserve Local Cultural History and Easy Public Access Build organisational capacity to maintain and share information about the local area through new technology and website for local museum in Lawrence. | Lawrence | $19,220 | |||
| The Mend & Make Do Crew Incorporated | She He Shed Increase social connectedness and improve facilities delivering arts and craft-based activities in Grafton through fit-out costs and equipment at the She Shed He Shed maker’s space. | South Grafton | $30,000 | |||
| Woombah Residents Association Incorporated | Woombah Wellness Community Garden Raising Videos & Media Makers Mentoring Program Build organisational capacity to promote local environmental sustainability through development of virtual resources for Woombah Community Garden. | Woombah | $12,100 | |||
| Port of Yamba Historical Society Incorporated | Expanding stories of Yaegl people and their culture at Yamba Museum Build organisational capacity of Historical Society in Yamba to celebrate local Indigenous culture through the installation of artwork and enhancements at local museum. | Yamba | $20,000 | |||
| Coffs Harbour | ||||||
| Glenreagh School of the Arts Incorporated | Cedar and Steam Art and Photo Exhibition 2021 Boost capacity of Glenreagh School of the Arts to support local artists and community access to artworks by upgrading display systems. | Glenreagh | $4,000 | |||
| Goondiwindi | ||||||
| Lanescape Goondiwindi Incorporated | Masterplan Art Trail Enhance the amenity and vibrancy of Goondiwindi through a public art project engaging the local community. | Goondiwindi | $25,000 | |||
| Kyogle | ||||||
| Proprietor Bundgeam Preschool Incorporated | Community Bike Track & Solar Installation Boost community preparedness, resilience and wellbeing in Terrace Creek, NSW, through the development of a community bike track and solar installation at local preschool site. | Terrace Creek | $42,000 | |||
| Border Ranges Riding Club Incorporated | Supporting the activities of Border Ranges Riding Club 2021-2022 Boost access to inclusive community activities in Woodenbong through local riding club fostering skill development, social connection, and resilience. | Woodenbong | $6,975 | |||
| Woodenbong Progress Association | Upgrade of the median strip in MacPherson Street, Woodenbong Enhance the streetscape and boost community spirit in Woodenbong through the beautification of the main street. | Woodenbong | $5,600 | |||
| Tenterfield | ||||||
| Tenterfield Show Society Incorporated | Connecting 1876-2021 Build capacity of Tenterfield Show Society to preserve local history and culture through restoring and digitalizing the photographic collection of the region dating 1876 to 2021. | Tenterfield | $4,906 | |||
| Arts North West Incorporated | CreativiTEA - Seasonal Stories of the New England North West Boost community resilience and connections in four townships in Inverell and Tenterfield Shires through a series of creative workshops over two years. | Tenterfield & Inverell Shires (Drake, Ashford, Tingha, Torrington) | $55,367 | |||
| * Funding to be distributed over multi-year projects | ||||||
$2 million Fund to respond to the needs of the Clarence Valley and surrounding regions
A new partnership between the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and The Yulgilbar Foundation will give rural and regional communities in the Clarence Valley and surrounding regions in Northern New South Wales a much-needed boost.
A total of $2 million will be invested across the region over a three-year period, through multi-year and one-off grants. Priority will be given to projects that are optimistic and forward-looking, led by locally-based community groups and not-for-profit organisations (NFPs).
The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund will assist community organisations to implement a wide range of initiatives. The Fund will focus on supporting projects that foster artistic collaborations, encourage educational participation, support environmental sustainability, and build capacity for communities to respond to recent bushfires and persistent drought.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, said that The Yulgilbar Foundation shares FRRR’s belief that local people are best placed to know what is needed to strengthen and support their community.
“Like much of rural New South Wales, the Clarence Valley has worked really hard to overcome a long run of persistent challenges, including the 2019-20 bushfires, ongoing drought, and the complexities of COVID-19. This Fund means communities can address the needs that these challenges have created, in ways that make a real difference.
“We have a long history with The Yulgilbar Foundation and look forward to seeing this Fund further strengthen communities in the Clarence Valley and beyond,” Ms Egleton said.
Community groups and NFPs can apply for the grants through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. with Round 1 opening on Thursday 18 February.
More details, including the program guidelines and EOI form, are available here.
Clarence Landcare is located in regional NSW. Their mission is to promote sustainable land, agriculture, water, vegetation and biodiversity management practices and principles to their local community.
The largely volunteer-run organisation has been taking care of the land in the region for more than two decades. They regularly running community projects and initiatives focused on sustainable land care. The team also hosts workshops at their head office to educate and engage the wider community.
Located in the main street of Grafton, the Clarence Landcare office is in the 100-year-old Dougherty House. After the building was recently repainted giving the exterior of the building new life, it became clear that the interior was in desperate need of an upgrade.
Not only had the furniture been in use for more than 20 years, the team was also lacking basic essentials to help their meetings and workshops run smoothly. There was mismatching furniture and outdated technology made it very difficult for members to join meetings remotely.
The team applied to the FRRR Small Grants for Rural Communities program, and received a $5,000 grant to help them upgrade their workspace. The funding, made possible thanks to The Yulgilbar Foundation, provided improvements such as new blinds, couches, coffee tables, rugs and faux plants, giving new life to the old office.
In addition to the furniture, the funding was also used to purchase some much-needed technology, including a new iPad, Smart TV with a TV stand on wheels, web cam and microphone. This technology has enabled the team to dial into meetings remotely, making it easier for Clarence Landcare staff to stay connected digitally.
“I feel we are heading in a great direction now thanks to this FRRR grant, we don’t need to look like a poverty stricken not-for-profit organisation anymore. We now have the vision and committee support to keep improving our public face of Clarence Landcare. This will really help us gain confidence and attract clientele for future projects. The function of every new piece of equipment has far outweighed the predicted benefits,” said Landcare Officer Debbie Repschlager.
