Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
30 communities share in small grants
Schools, sports clubs and a rural fire brigade are among the 30 not-for-profit organisations in rural and regional cotton-growing communities to receive a $5,000 boost from the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program.
This year marks the seventh round of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program, which the Crop Science division of Bayer delivers in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). This year’s program takes the total investment into cotton communities to more than one million dollars.
Local cotton growers nominated each of the not-for-profits that are receiving funds, which will help strengthen community resilience and positively impact the wellbeing of cotton-growing communities.
FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton said a consistent theme across nominations this year was a strong desire to boost morale and maintain community spirit in the face of drought.
“Local cotton-growing communities, already dealing with the stresses of sustained drought, have told us of the additional strain caused by COVID-19 restrictions. For these groups, normal fundraising activities have been turned on their head with local businesses, already struggling to survive, unable to lend their support to these community organisations,” Ms Egleton said.
“It’s wonderful to have partners like Bayer to be able to help to alleviate some of their fundraising challenges as they work hard to keep their communities connected and address critical community needs.
“There are so many not-for-profit groups and local charities doing wonderful things to make cotton-growing communities great places to live and work. This year we’ve seen many groups seeking support to develop and build organisational and community resilience. Their determination to see their communities thrive, despite the challenges they face, is inspiring,” Ms Egleton said.
Bayer Crop Science Head of Customer Marketing for Australia and New Zealand Tony May congratulated the winners and said the funding will assist in bringing people together again after being disconnected by COVID-19 restrictions.
“Many of the projects being funded will ensure cotton-growing communities can interact and connect with one another safely during the pandemic,” Mr May said.
“The grants will help build community gardens, upgrade facilities for digital learning and enhance outdoor areas to foster connections.”
Gogeldrie Rural Fire Brigade in central north Riverina NSW, was a recipient of one of the 30 Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities grants. The brigade plan to use the grant to invest in suitable gym equipment to ensure the safety of its users. Currently gym users are improvising, including dragging around spare tyres tied on with rope.
On hearing they had been successful, Gogeldrie Fire Brigade Captain David Pike said it was fantastic news and would make a big difference to their small community.
“Providing appropriate gym equipment will be a nice reward for our volunteer fire fighters and motivate our farmers to come together and put their health and wellbeing first, more often,” Captain Pike said.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to : NSW Communities | QLD Communities
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | |||
| Darling River Food & Fibre (Bourke) | |||
| Bourke & District Children’s Services | Enhance community identity and connection through the installation of a culturally relevant outdoor space. | Bourke | $5,000 |
| Gwydir Valley | |||
| Moree & District Historical Society | Develop organisational resilience and capacity through the installation of solar panels. | Moree | $5,000 |
| St Philomenas Catholic School Moree P & F | Support school engagement and enhance learning outcomes through the construction of an outdoor classroom. | Moree | $5,000 |
| Lower Namoi | |||
| Wee Waa Branch Country Women’s Association of NSW | Increase community inclusion through construction of a safety ramp to support access to the CWA hall. | Wee Waa | $5,000 |
| Wee Waa Rotary Club Inc | Support organisational capacity through the purchase of a portable coolroom. | Wee Waa | $5,000 |
| Macquarie | |||
| Trangie Country Women’s Association – Country Women’s Association of NSW | Increase community inclusion through the installation of safety railing to a newly installed ramp at the CWA hall. | Trangie | $5,000 |
| Warren Central School | Support life long learning through the establishment of a kitchen garden program. | Warren | $5,000 |
| Warren Youth Support Group Incorporated | Facilitate positive engagement and support of young people through the installation of a permanent gazebo and outdoor furniture. | Warren | $5,000 |
| Mungindi Water Users | |||
| Mungindi Junior Rugby League Club Inc | Foster social wellbeing and connectivity through a kitchen upgrade. | Mungindi | $5,000 |
| Southern Valleys | |||
| Coleambally Central School P&C Association | Enhance educational opportunities through the construction of a covered area linking classrooms and providing a safe all-weather play area. | Coleambally | $5,000 |
| Gogeldrie Rural Fire Brigade | Support individual and community health and wellbeing through the purchase of gym equipment. | Gogeldrie | $5,000 |
| Griffith Public School Parents and Citizens Association | Increase educational opportunities through the purchase of readers for junior classrooms. | Griffith | $5,000 |
| Hillston Billylids Inc | Enhance educational opportunities and social skill development through the purchase of digital learning resources and upgrade to play area. | Hillston | $5,000 |
| Country Education Foundation of Coleambally-Darlington Point Incorporated (CEFCPD) | Support lifelong learning, education and training through the support of a grants program that enables young people to complete post secondary education. | Coleambally | $5,000 |
| Murrumbidgee Shire Council | Foster community health and wellbeing through fencing of a community garden. | Coleambally | $5,000 |
| Upper Namoi | |||
| Carroll Community Bus Incorporated | Foster community connectivity and resilience through repairs to the community bus. | Carroll | $5,000 |
| Ooranga Family Mobile Resource Unit Assoc Inc | Provide access to diverse learning environments through the replacement of the existing kitchen. | Gunnedah | $5,000 |
| Spring Ridge Public School Parents and Citizens Association | Enable participation in educational opportunities through support of an annual student trip to Canberra. | Spring Ridge | $5,000 |
| QUEENSLAND | |||
| Central Highlands | |||
| Rolleston Cricket Club Inc | Build community resilience through the purchase of a defibrillator and ice making machine. | Rolleston | $5,000 |
| Darling Downs | |||
| 11th Light Horse Darling Downs Troop Inc. | Support the preservation of local history by upgrading facilities that house historical memorabilia. | Highfields | $5,000 |
| Cecil Plains History Group | Support organisational resilience and the promotion of local history through the installation of a rainwater tank and purchase of display stands. | Cecil Plains | $5,000 |
| Friends of Jondaryan Woolshed Inc | Enhance the preservation and promotion of local history through exhibit fencing to protect historical artifacts. | Jondaryan | $5,000 |
| Rotary Club of Dalby Inc | Increase organisational capacity through upgrade of existing catering trailer. | Dalby | $5,000 |
| Wheatlands Primary P&C Assoc | Enhance student learning opportunities and support community connection, through the provision of a protected outdoor space. | Wheatlands | $5,000 |
| Dawson Valley | |||
| Theodore Bowls Club Incorporated | Develop organisational resilience and capacity through the provision of a ride on mower and outdoor vac. | Theodore | $5,000 |
| Dirranbandi | |||
| Dirranbandi Arts Council Incorporated | Increase volunteer comfort and safety through the installation of meeting room air conditioning and security cameras to community spaces. | Dirranbandi | $5,000 |
| Macintyre Valley | |||
| Lundavra Primary P&C Association | Support student wellbeing and community resilience, through the purchase of a water tank to maintain school grounds. | Lundavra | $5,000 |
| Macintyre Ag Alliance Inc. | Support environmental outcomes through the purchasing of weed spraying equipment. | Goondiwindi | $5,000 |
| St George | |||
| St George Tourism and Museum Association Inc. | Support community resillience and raise community morale through restoration of a historical building. | St George | $5,000 |
| Northern Australia (North of Latitude 21.15 degrees South) | |||
| Cowboys Charity Limited | Support learning opportunities for Indigenous students through fit out of boarding room accomodation. | Townsville | $5,000 |
Bendigo, 21 November 2019: Schools, show societies, and a family support service are among the 30 not-for-profit organisations in New South Wales and Queensland cotton-growing communities to receive a $5,000 boost from the Bayer Fund this year as part of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program.
Today’s announcement coincides with National Agriculture Day. This year marks the sixth round of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program, which is delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and takes the total investment into cotton communities to $900,000.
A local cotton grower nominated each of the not-for-profits that are receiving funds, which will help strengthen community resilience and positively impact on the wellbeing of cotton-growing communities. The majority of grant funding will be used to invest in infrastructure and equipment, and 23 percent of funds are being used to provide activities and services.
“There are many challenges associated with the drought for people living in rural Australia at the moment, and so there was a strong focus on developing organisational resilience, as was supporting lifelong learning, education and training,” said FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton.
“FRRR ran a series of grantseeker workshops in these cotton-growing areas, and the increased demand on not-for-profits for both short and long-term support was a talking point. Additionally, organisations providing direct support to farmers and their families discussed the heavy reliance on volunteers and the impact on those individuals who were giving support to others, while experiencing the effects of the drought first-hand.
“These grants will not only boost morale in the short-term but also create a lasting impact, as FRRR’s research shows that communities typically leverage a grant three times over.”
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said the grants will provide a much-needed boost to cotton communities.
“We are proud of the contribution our industry makes to the communities in which we operate. It is during times like these, where drought is biting, that the strength of our industry in supporting these communities comes to the fore. I congratulate the recipients of this year’s grants and look forward to seeing what is accomplished.”
Bayer Fund representative in Australia, Carissa Buckland, said that this year’s nominations illustrated that there is strong community spirit within the cotton areas.
“Many of the projects being funded are all about bringing people together – for artistic workshops, picnic areas, school gardens and community shows. It’s great to see cotton growers giving back and doing their bit to strengthen their local community.”
The full list of recipients can be found below.
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Darling River Food & Fibre (Bourke), NSW | |||
|
Bourke Arts Community Inc |
Develop organisational resilience and capacity through the purchase of studio equipment and materials to make glazes. |
Bourke |
$5,000 |
|
Gwydir Valley, NSW | |||
|
St Philomenas Catholic School Moree P & F |
Provide access to quality learning environments and experiences through the construction of an all-weather shade area. |
Moree
|
$5,000 |
|
Moree Water Ski Club Inc |
Build community resilience and maintain recreational assets through the construction of a shade shelter. |
Bellata |
$5,000 |
|
Moree Show Society Inc |
Strengthen community wellbeing and identity through the delivery of the Moree Show. |
Moree |
$5,000 |
|
Lower Namoi, NSW | |||
|
Wee Waa Sports Inc |
Enhance community identity through an upgrade of galleries and blades over windows. |
Wee Waa |
$5,000 |
|
Wee Waa Fishing Club |
Supporting community engagement through the upgrade of a well-used picnic area |
Wee Waa |
$5,000 |
|
St Joseph’s Catholic School Wee Waa Parents & Friends Association |
Improve education outcomes through the establishment of a garden area for students. |
Wee Waa |
$5,000 |
|
Macquarie, NSW | |||
|
Marra Creek Public School Parents and Citizens Association |
Increase engagement in learning through the purchase of media infrastructure and a pizza oven. |
Nyngan |
$5,000 |
|
Narromine Agricultural Show Inc |
Develop community engagement through the purchase of portable sound equipment and two shade marquees. |
Narromine |
$5,000 |
|
Southern Valleys, NSW | |||
|
Wirrinya Aquatic Club Inc |
Enhance community sense of place through the upgrade of an outdoor area. |
Wirrinya |
$5,000 |
|
St Marys Catholic Primary Hay Parents and Friends Association |
Foster school engagement and improve education outcomes by developing an outdoor learning space. |
Hay |
$5,000 |
|
Lake Cargelligo Central School |
Provide access to quality learning environments through the purchase of portable agricultural equipment. |
Lake Cargelligo |
$5,000 |
|
Goolgowi Parents and Citizens Association |
Increase engagement in education experiences through the establishment of a garden as part of an environmental education program. |
Goolgowi |
$5,000 |
|
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Hillston Parents & Friends Association |
Develop community resilience through the upgrade of a canteen area. |
Hillston |
$5,000 |
|
Upper Namoi, NSW | |||
|
Gunnedah South School P&C Association |
Strengthen community participation through the upgrade of an outdoor area. |
Gunnedah |
$5,000 |
|
Gunnedah Family Support |
Develop individual and community capacity and social wellbeing through the delivery of a men’s support program. |
Gunnedah |
$5,000 |
|
Gunnedah Family and Children’s Services Inc |
Provide a safe and secure start in life for children through the replacement of a soft-fall area around play equipment. |
Gunnedah |
$5,000 |
|
The Boggabri Tractor Shed Inc |
Enhance organisational resilience and capacity through the uprade of a kitchen. |
Boggabri |
$5,000 |
|
Walgett, NSW | |||
|
Walgett Little Athletics Centre |
Develop a more engaged, participative community through the upgrade of kitchen equipment. |
Walgett |
$5,000 |
|
Central Highlands, QLD | |||
|
Rotary Club of Emerald Inc |
Provide access to quality learning environments through the development of an all-abilities playground. |
Emerald |
$5,000 |
|
Emerald Branch Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association |
Build stronger individual and/or community resilience through furnishing a youth space within a welfare centre. |
Emerald |
$5,000 |
|
Darling Downs, QLD | |||
|
Toowoomba and District Down Syndrome Support Group Inc |
Promote inclusive community engagement through the provision of an annual family workshop and camp. |
Toowoomba |
$5,000 |
|
Pittsworth and District Men’s Shed Inc |
Develop a more engaged, participative community through the purchase of information technology. |
Pittsworth |
$5,000 |
|
Meandarra Primary P&C Association |
Strengthen community participation through the installation of a concrete path and seating. |
Meandarra |
$5,000 |
|
Jandowae Kindergarten Assoc Inc |
Provide access to inclusive learning environments through the upgrade of a playground cubby. |
Jandowae |
$5,000 |
|
Brookstead Community Hall Association Inc |
Providing access to community activities through the installation of a solar powered system. |
Brookstead |
$5,000 |
|
Dawson Valley, QLD | |||
|
Theodore Early Childhood Centre Association Inc |
Support early childhood development through the provision of a shade area and the purchase of an outdoor play set. |
Theodore |
$5,000 |
|
Dirranbandi, QLD | |||
|
Dirranbandi Swim Club Dirranbandi Courts Sports Association Inc |
Strengthen community participation and water safety through the purchase of swimming and pool equipment and barbeque to host a community event. |
Dirranbandi |
$5,000 |
|
Macintyre Valley, QLD | |||
|
Talwood State School P&C |
Increase engagement in learning and improve education outcomes through the purchase of an irrigation system to compliment an orchard project. |
Talwood |
$5,000 |
|
North Star Sporting Club Ltd |
Promote community safety and resilience through the purchase of a defibrillator and three comprehensive First Aid kits. |
North Star |
$5,000 |
