By Natalie Egleton, Chief Executive Officer

According to early reports¹, many people across south-east Queensland and northern NSW believe that the work their communities have done to prepare for future flooding since 2022, made a major, positive difference to how they approached the threat of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Having these systems and processes in place meant many were better equipped and more confident to minimise, mitigate and respond to the extreme weather event. While early recovery has just begun, previous investment in preparedness and resilience-building activities means these communities will also be better able to address the longer-term social, emotional, environmental and economic impacts of the disaster. But addressing these impacts requires more than just money.

Too often, traditional models of recovery fall short in addressing the complex and evolving needs of affected communities. Current disaster funding models are heavily skewed towards built and economic outcomes, with only 12% of Commonwealth disaster funding allocated to social and natural domains since 2018-19². This imbalance must be addressed to achieve sustainable recovery.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, rural areas often experience longer emergency response times³ and have higher proportions of vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with disabilities. Further, the economic impact of disasters on rural communities can be severe, with many of these regions relying on agriculture, tourism and small business. In terms of disaster, more than 80 percent of these regions have experienced bushfires alone.⁴ Given the number of industries and supply chains that are reliant on these communities, they are clearly the backbone of our nation. Ensuring these communities can thrive beyond recovery is not just a matter of compassion, it is a national imperative.

The current top-down approach to disaster recovery is rigid, making it difficult for local groups to access the necessary resources. FRRR’s recent Black Summer Bushfires, Five Years On report, confirms that a more flexible and community-driven approach yields better results. By allowing communities to define their own needs and priorities, we can ensure that recovery efforts are more effective and sustainable.

Community groups need to be at the centre of the design and development of place-based recovery processes – ones that support collaborative planning and decision-making. The Disaster Resilient: Future Ready program, the latest iteration of which is currently underway in the Burnett Inland in Queensland, is a prime example of how this can work in practice. This program supports local not-for-profits in building capacity and achieving significant social resilience outcomes through flexible, long-term funding, where all those involved come to the table before a disaster.

Recovery support, including funding, needs to be more robust, integrated and adaptive. This requires adopting a holistic perspective that integrates mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery⁵. Immediate relief is crucial, but as recovery takes time, communities need ongoing assistance to rebuild infrastructure, restore services and strengthen social ties. This is where flexible funding becomes essential. It allows for adaptive responses to changing circumstances and ensures that resources are available when communities are ready to use them.

Investing in social capital, enhancing community infrastructure and building local capacity to manage future crises – especially in remote, rural and regional communities – is critical. Research commissioned by the Australian Red Cross and supported by FRRR found that higher social capital in remote areas is equivalent to receiving $3,808 in windfall income annually per person. For a remote community of around 6,770 people, this equates to approximately $25 million.⁶

Pleasingly, the Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding, also known as the Colvin Review, recently made some practical recommendations to improve disaster funding strategies and the overall recovery framework.⁷

The establishment of a Disaster Management Advisory Council, as recommended by the Colvin Review, would enhance the involvement of the non-government sector in disaster management. This Council should have an action-oriented focus, bridging coordination between philanthropy, government and the corporate sector to leverage different forms of funding and resources. It’s critical however, that in implementing the Colvin Report recommendations, we need streamlined, adaptable and responsive funding processes that can respond to the distinctive needs of disaster-affected communities.

The evolving nature of disasters in Australia demands a corresponding evolution in our approach to recovery. By prioritising social capital, adopting flexible and accessible funding models, and fostering collaboration across sectors, we can build resilient communities that are better prepared for future challenges. Lessons from the Black Summer bushfires and the recommendations of the Colvin Review provide a clear roadmap for this transformation. It is time to act on these insights and ensure that Australia’s disaster response is as robust and resilient as the communities we strive to support.

No single sector of society can solve these complex challenges alone. Cooperation is required between funders, governments and community organisations. By working together, we can reduce funding inequities and streamline support processes. A collaborative approach maximises the impact of available resources and empowers communities to take charge of their own recovery.

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1. The Conversation, ‘No-one wants to go through this again’: how disaster-stricken residents in northern NSW are preparing for Cyclone Alfred. ↩︎
2. Australian Government National Emergency Management Agency, Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding ↩︎
3. Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Rural and remote health ↩︎
4. Red Cross, 2024 Social Capital Report ↩︎
5. Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, Australian Emergency Management Handbook ↩︎
6. Red Cross, 2024 Social Capital Report ↩︎
7. Australian Government National Emergency Management Agency, Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding ↩︎

FRRR has announced the latest funding from the returns on its Disaster Resilience & Recovery Fund.

A grant of $50,000 has been awarded to the recently established Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance (the Alliance). The funds will be auspiced through Resilient Lismore Inc.

The Alliance was established in March 2024 in response to an increasing recognition of the need for regional grassroots collaboration. Following the catastrophic floods and landslides in 2022, local community organisers have played a crucial role in disaster response, recovery, and adaptation. They have dedicated thousands of volunteer hours to developing sophisticated community-based systems, enhancing skills, building knowledge bases, and increasing organisational capacity at the local level. Despite minimal formal support, these organisers have amassed significant expertise in community-led disaster recovery and expressed a growing need for a peer support network, which the Alliance aims to provide.

The Alliance currently comprises of 60 full members who are predominately grassroots community-led resilience groups The Alliance actively connects and engages with a network of more than 150 associates, supporters and stakeholders across the Northern Rivers.

FRRR is among the first funders of this new regional Alliance. The grant funding will support the appointment of an Alliance Project Coordinator and cover essential operational expenses, including travel and coordination activities.

FRRR’s Disaster Resilience & Recovery Lead, Nina O’Brien, said FRRR recognises the value of community-led initiatives that enhance disaster resilience at a regional scale and is pleased to support NRCRA as it establishes its critical role.

“We know the strongest outcomes in disaster resilience happen when local community groups and organisations collaborate proactively, not only during and after disasters but importantly beforehand.

“The formation of the Alliance represents a significant advancement in disaster preparedness and resilience across the Northern Rivers region. Recent events such as Tropical Cyclone Alfred highlight the importance and urgency of coordinated, community-driven disaster preparedness initiatives,” Ms O’Brien said.

Donations to FRRR’s Disaster Resilience & Recovery Fund are tax deductible and those wishing to contribute can do so safely online.

FRRR awards grants to more than 80 community groups and NFPs

More than 80 community groups across remote, rural and regional Australia are sharing $827,253 in grants thanks to FRRR’s flagship grants program, Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC).

The funding will be used by grassroots not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) for a wide range of initiatives that celebrate, strengthen and support their rural communities to be more vibrant, resilient, sustainable places to live.

Nearly $560,000 has been awarded through SRC’s Small & Vital (S&V) stream and will support 67 projects that create inclusive and accessible community spaces, provide mentoring and training and learning opportunities, improve employment prospects, or offer people the chance to connect and engage with others and their wider community.

The Prepare & Recover (P&R) stream of the program has awarded nearly $270,000 to 17 initiatives that build community resilience, preparedness and capacity to mitigate the impact of future extreme weather events, as well as support medium to long-term recovery in regions impacted by previous disasters, such as the 2022 floods and the Black Summer bushfires.

Jill Karena, Head of Granting at FRRR, said the SRC team is continually inspired by the strength and resilience of the NFPs dedicated to helping remote, rural and regional communities thrive.

“What makes rural communities amazing are the people that live there. These places are filled with locals working hard to keep community spirit alive and willing to step up to see their region navigate the highs and lows that come with living in the country. We see our role as walking beside them and empowering local groups to lead the projects they know will have a real impact.

“Small grants really do make a big difference and FRRR’s SRC program is so popular because it offers flexible small grants year-round to remote, rural and regional communities in all states and territories.

“Take for example the Forest Heritage Centre in Dwellingup, WA. With a Small & Vital grant of less than $1,500, the Centre will modernise the local gallery and gift shop’s point of sale system. This isn’t much funding but by updating their system, the Centre can look after the volunteers that help to keep the doors open, as well as encourage people to visit and spend money in the region.

“We’re also funding activities that bring people and resources back into country towns, helping these communities stay vibrant and sustainable. Places like Goulburn, NSW, where a $4,000 Small & Vital grant will help to upgrade infrastructure and host community workshops on environmental sustainability at the Goulburn Farmers Market.

“After supporting communities impacted by disasters for the past 25 years, we also know just how important flexible recovery and preparedness funding is, because communities’ needs change over time. By using a medium to long-term recovery lens, we’re able to support projects that strengthen the social fabric of a community through preparedness, capacity and resilience-building activities.

“Although it’s been five years since the 2019/2020 bushfires, the Eurobodalla community in NSW is still healing. Our Prepare & Recover grants allow us to continue supporting places like Eurobodalla, when other funders have moved on. This round, we’ve granted $10,000 to help the Shire Council run a 10-week cultural and personal development program to help connect socially isolated First Nations young people within the region.

“Our grants are often just one part of the bigger picture in terms of getting projects off the ground. But we know that this funding is often a crucial catalyst, encouraging further investment in local solutions. For example, the 84 projects we’ve supported in this round of SRC, are worth over $2.67 million.

“Demand for funding continues to grow, as the cost of living and operational expenses rise, government priorities shift, and the impacts of climate change and disasters evolve.

“To meet this demand, FRRR needs the support of the philanthropic and corporate sectors. A collaborative effort is needed to empower rural communities to lead a vibrant and sustainable future,” Ms Karena said.

The SRC program is collaboratively supported by donors, ranging from private individuals to larger foundations, who are acknowledged on the FRRR website.

If you would like to help, you can donate at www.frrr.org.au/donate.

FRRR always accepts applications to this program, which awards funds around four times a year. Local not-for-profit organisations and community groups are encouraged to review the program guidelines and apply. More information about the SRC program is available at www.frrr.org.au/src.

The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.

Disaster Resilience & Recovery Fund | $22,500

Kalbarri in WA was severely impacted by Cyclone Seroja in April 2021, including losing the Kalbarri Community Centre, an important gathering place, especially for young people. With locals still focussed on their recovery, there had not been the opportunity – nor the funds – to rebuild it. Without a venue, the town also hadn’t come together to celebrate the efforts of those who had been working hard to support the community’s recovery.

The Association decided to rectify that and also start fundraising to rebuild their meeting place by hosting a ‘classy, fun’ inaugural annual Community Gala. Using funds from DRRF, Kalbarri Development Association Inc. secured a marquee, erected and cleaned it with the help of many volunteers and staged a sold-out event. The Gala strengthened connections, thanked volunteers who helped rebuild and celebrated the community’s resilience. They also raised more than $20,000 to go toward a new community meeting place.

In this context, community events following the Cyclone in Kalbarri go well beyond a simple social occasion. Instead they help to build vibrant and healthy community life through times of adversity, which pays dividends in deepened social connection and inclusion, both before and long after the event occurs.

“Our inaugural Community Gala was the talk of the town. Not just for the weeks after, but also in anticipation of it. Planning what to wear, makeup, hair dos and the like, created a sense of joy and anticipation. Businesses benefitted with the sale of clothes and accessories, hair dressing and make up appointments. … people who went said “this is just what we all needed!”
Lauren Sweetman

$400,000 available for resilience and preparedness in disaster impacted communities

FRRR and insurer Suncorp, today launched the latest round of grants aimed at supporting community groups in remote, rural and regional Australia to build back better after extreme weather events.

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in regions affected by declared disasters or extreme weather events between 2019 and 2024 are invited to apply for funding to reduce the impact of disasters and prepare for future weather events.

As extreme weather events increase in frequency and severity, the Rebuilding Futures program has strengthened its focus on supporting communities to be prepared and resilient.

This latest round of funding will provide grants across two funding streams for projects that can mitigate risks by adapting physical infrastructure, enhancing social connectedness or building the capacity of NFPs.

The two funding streams include:

A small number of grants are available for local community places, such as community halls or meeting places, that play a critical role in disaster response and recovery. These grants will be focused on strengthening the ability of the wider community to be resilient to future declared disasters and extreme weather events.

Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, said the Foundation knows that many small, grassroots community groups struggle to access funding and expertise for projects that they know will help their community to prepare or recover, beyond the bricks and mortar.

“People often only see the physical damage from disaster events but it’s important to take a holistic approach to supporting community recovery through a balanced focus on strengthening  both built  and social infrastructure, which is critical to longer-term community wellbeing.

“These events take a huge emotional toll on the community. It can really knock people about. Resilient, functional and well-resourced community meeting places are a critical component of the complex community recovery process, and we are incredibly pleased to be working alongside Suncorp to help local community organisations be better prepared for the future.” Ms O’Brien said.

Suncorp Chief Executive Consumer Insurance, Lisa Harrison, said helping communities to build back better after disasters was crucial.

“We are proud to partner with FRRR to provide increased support to communities affected by disasters to recover faster and be better prepared for future extreme weather events,” Ms Harrison said.

“This funding is aimed at rebuilding essential community infrastructure, such as local meeting places, which are vital for fostering connection and growth within communities.

“This critical community infrastructure needs to be built to last, and it’s exciting to see significant advancements in technology and materials for mitigation infrastructure, which will greatly enhance our communities’ resilience to extreme weather.

“We look forward to reviewing the applications submitted during the second stream of the ‘expressions of interest’ process, aimed at building back better.”

Applications are now open for the Rebuilding Futures program. Expressions of interest (EOIs) for the Stream 2 grants (up to $50,000) must be lodged by 25 February 2025. Full applications for both streams close 5pm AEDT, 3 April 2025. Funding will be awarded in June 2025.

GRANTSEEKER WEBINAR DETAILS

FRRR’s ‘Rebuilding Futures’ Grantseeker Webinar – Tuesday 11 February 12.30pm -1.30pm AEDT. Click here to register.

Learn more about eligibility criteria and what’s required in the application on the Rebuilding Futures program page.

Not For Profit HQ Limited received a $50,000 grant via FRRR through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative – Community Impact Program.

The aim of the project was to strengthen the capacity of community organisations in the Fitzroy Capricornia region, which comprises six local government areas. In collaboration with the Dawson Catchment Coordinating Association, the project conducted assessments for local not-for-profits (NFPs), delivering each organisation a tailored report with recommendations to increase their capacity.

Driving local action to help communities adapt and prepare for drought was a core aim of the initiative. The project sought to enhance resilience through upskilling NFPs in targeted areas like Clarks Creek, Banana Shire and the Central Highlands.

Organisational assessments, referred to as health checks, were conducted for local NFPs. A transparent report card was then provided to organisations, based on 32 benchmarks used in the assessment. These reports enabled organisations to accurately evaluate their strengths, in addition to identifying areas requiring improvement. Each group included in the process received an improvement plan tailored to the specific needs of the organisation. These plans provide a pathway to leadership training, enhanced operational plans and skills development.

Additionally, the project helps map out regional community organisations, providing a foundation for identifying areas lacking the presence of essential community groups. The initiative has seen new relationships fostered with local governments, contributing to a greater likelihood of ongoing communication and support, with a focus on long-term drought resilience strategies.

Leadership and mentor training will be offered in partnership with ARLF as well as existing mentoring systems, reinforcing local networks and organisational capacities. With stronger leadership capabilities in NFPs, community members doing crucial work will be able to expand their network reach and develop targeted training programs.

A better understanding of existing skillsets, combined with opportunities to engage in professional development, will enable crucial community groups to operate more effectively. This initiative will significantly enhance drought preparedness at a grassroots level, building stronger, more vital community networks, during and after times of drought.

Report reaffirms need for disaster recovery funding for the medium to long-term

Five years on from the Black Summer Bushfires, FRRR has just released a report setting out how the $26 million donated to FRRR in the wake of the bushfires has been used so far to support the recovery and capacity-building of impacted communities. The report also shares some of the lessons learned during this process and makes recommendations for post-disaster funding.

Black Summer Bushfires, Five Years On (FRRR’s Five Years On Report) explains how, as at 30 June 2024, FRRR had distributed $19.3 million of the funds so generously donated to FRRR by business, philanthropy, governments and individuals to support 928 projects and activities in 240 impacted communities.

FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, said that while recovery is still ongoing in so many of the hundreds of fire-affected communities, the report confirms that the projects and activities the Foundation has funded have had positive impacts – people feel safer, better prepared, more connected and able to support one another.

“FRRR’s Five Years On Report reaffirms that local communities are best placed to determine their needs and define what will have the greatest effect towards recovery and building resilience against future disasters.

“It’s different in every place – from strengthening protective factors, such as a safe community meeting place or having a plan in case of a future disaster; to supporting children and families getting back to school and ready to learn; to building organisational capacity by enhancing systems and efficiencies; to upgrading halls and facilities so places are more self-sufficient; or providing dedicated resources, such as specialists in supporting people with disabilities to be prepared for future disaster events or paid staff to relieve volunteer fatigue.

“These are just some examples of the wide range of recovery projects and capacity-building activities that FRRR has funded. What it also highlights, is the need for flexible funding to meet the diverse and evolving needs of communities, especially when they are faced with multiple, consecutive disasters such as bushfires, followed by the pandemic, followed by flooding,” Ms Egleton explained.

The Black Summer Bushfires, Five Years On report also explains how $4.7 million of the donations have been invested in a perpetual fund, which is helping to ensure funding is available to support ongoing recovery efforts. The return from the fund has already seen a further $440,000 invested or set aside for recovery and preparedness projects, and will distribute grants annually in perpetuity. The remaining funds donated will be awarded in coming years to support ongoing recovery and preparedness efforts in the affected communities.

Ms Egleton said that this kind of sustainable investment to enable long-term recovery is one of the recommendations made in FRRR’s Five Years On Report.

“Having supported communities through disasters for more than 20 years, we know that recovery take time – in many cases, decades. While many provided immediate, critical support in response to the fires, FRRR knows that these fire-affected regions will need funding and support for the medium to long-term.

“For us, this means actively leaning in and being there, long after other services and funding sources have gone,” Ms Egleton said.

Read the report online, or download the PDF here. In addition to the report, you can also watch firsthand accounts from some of the communities that were impacted by the Black Summer Bushfires. The videos include interviews with local organisations explaining how funding from FRRR has played a part in their community’s recovery journey.

FRRR’s CEO, Natalie Egleton, recently spoke at the Social Impact in the Regions Conference. Before participating in a panel discussion that was focussed on addressing challenges in remote, rural and regional Australia, Natalie delivered a brief presentation. The following are her speech notes.

All too often, regional communities are only visible to the rest of the country and to policymakers through a lens of crisis, disadvantage, or as somewhere from which resources needed by others can be extracted.

From the hundreds of community grants and conversations we have at FRRR, we know that is not the narrative regional communities want to focus on. The challenges are definitely there; regional communities live them every day. But what would happen if we flipped the narrative to one where regions are understood, invested in and valued for their intrinsic value – their innovation, intelligence, creativity and contribution to their own and the nation’s wellbeing and economies?

The possibilities are remarkable when we do this. I’m going to share three case studies of communities and organisations that FRRR has partnered with over multiple years as they navigated these very questions. I’m not telling their story on their behalf but sharing what we noticed throughout our funding partnerships with them. They stand out but are by no means the only such organisations and communities. And a hint – there are some common themes about the different types and roles of backbone organisations; the capacity for challenges to catalyse innovation; and why place-based change takes time – sometimes generations.

Red Ridge Interior Queensland

Red Ridge Interior is in Blackall – almost the centre of Queensland. They are an arts organisation at their heart and evolved into so much more during the drought that crippled much of western Queensland in the mid 2000’s until very recently. Their model is one of collaboration that supports outcomes like intergenerational connection, First Nations economic self-determination, women’s health and wellbeing, and leadership development.

The first grant we awarded was just $2,500 to help them build a better business model. We have since supported many of their initiatives. Over the years, as they’ve grown in confidence – and people have built confidence in them –they’ve blown it out of the park.

Red Ridge described themselves as an auspice for local projects – but I would argue that they have played a backbone role for western Queensland.

In remote communities like Blackall, there are fewer services, small, dispersed populations, and narrow economies. They need organisations that can play integrated and multifaceted roles across population groups, industries and join dots in policy and funding systems to make them work for their local context.

One of their activities is the now annual Channel Country Ladies Day – an event with the tagline ‘inspiration in isolation’. It brings together women from across the channel country, right down into Birdsville and further north to Longreach and surrounds.

It was an idea born during the drought, when the load that women were carrying – caring for family, finding ways to generate off-farm income, managing the farm business – was noticed, alongside the fact that they weren’t caring for themselves. This is not any ordinary event; it brings together hundreds of women for reprieve, wellbeing support, fun and skill development. It also builds economic opportunity by creating space for micro-enterprises, and enterprise development. It’s a space for hard conversations and care for people doing hard work.

As the drought’s impacts deepened, Red Ridge saw an opportunity to play a role in ‘finding beauty in the drought’ and created the Dress the Central West event. They partnered with Central West Hospital and Health Service (CWHHS) and Central West Aboriginal Corporation (CWAC) to create the fashion parade of the year, Dress the Central West. Teaming with Fashion designer Claudia Williams from Llani Creative, each outfit represented the history and traditions of the four communities involved in the project – Winton, Blackall, Longreach and Barcaldine.

The event tapped into layers of talent in the community and gave people who were often excluded from opportunities a platform to shine. With support from a fashion designer, communities designed several outfits that best represented their towns, stories and culture in the adversity of drought, using recycled or found material.

The work that Red Ridge and the communities of the Central West faced – and still face – include big challenges, but they have found ways to create energy from within communities to co-create new stories and futures.

Red Earth Community Foundation

Red Earth Community Foundation is one of about 40 place-based philanthropic foundations in Australia – a network that is growing and evolving dynamic community-owned models of generating and redistributing capital in their local communities. Red Earth covers the North and South Burnett and Cherbourg communities in Queensland.

FRRR has partnered with Red Earth since it was a seed of an idea, through many grants and strategic partnerships. It’s a leading model of community mobilisation and transformation from the ground up.

Like many innovations, a crisis was the catalyst for the formation of Red Earth Community Foundation, following a major flood event in 2014. Conversations among a few key people were about what the Burnett needed in 100 years’ time – it was a different vision and one that held a new narrative about its challenges. This was in a context of the Burnett describing the region as the hole in the doughnut – the region that had high needs and one of the highest rates of socio-economic disadvantage in the country. They saw investment flowing everywhere but the Burnett Inland.

Funding to support flood recovery occurred around the same time as funding to support setting up good governance for the emerging Foundation. The latter involved much consultation and education about what a community foundation structure might bring to the Burnett.

There was a space to shift – they could continue blaming and being victims of poor systems, or they could mobilise and create something else. So, they set out on a different path to most community foundations – instead of starting with money, they started with people and developed a community leadership program. More than 200 people have now graduated from the program and are activating opportunities across the region.

In just a decade, Red Earth has become a vital backbone for the region – they are a trusted convenor of community voice and action. Beyond the leadership program, they are facilitating major drought resilience and disaster preparedness initiatives, and brokering opportunities for community benefit from renewable energy projects.

FRRR and Red Earth are currently partnering on the Disaster Resilient: Future Ready program, which is supporting community co-design of disaster resilience across the small towns in the Burnett Inland region. The teams were together at the recent AIDR conference to showcase the work and learnings.

Red Earth’s is a story of people power and a collective decision to adopt an opportunity mindset.

Toolangi

The final example is not of a single organisation but rather a small community – population just 335 – in an area affected by Black Saturday bushfires in 2009; it’s about an hour and a half north east of Melbourne.

In this tiny village, the Community House is the hub and provides a central point of connection and information. It is mostly volunteer run, with a tiny amount of funding for operations and programming. When the fires impacted the town, the Community House was the central organisation for recovery efforts. They had to step up and play a far more complex role in rebuilding the town and people’s lives.

The Community House brought together the ideas and needs of the town and went about gradually planning and actioning – with small amounts of funding as they went. Of course they couldn’t do it all at once. And as such a small town and organisation, nor could they accept too much support all at once. So, FRRR worked alongside them, supporting the community when they were ready and as needs evolved and people were able to do some of the actual implementation.

The focus was on long-term recovery, regeneration, over weeks and months. Support was given in different places, at different times. The support via the Community House similarly took different forms, and as needs evolved, investment went with them. Some of the projects supported by FRRR included strategic thinking about how to approach recovery; a focus on wellbeing; the need to create a place where health and fitness – physical and emotional wellbeing – could support social wellbeing across different groups – students; women; men etc.

The weekly community fitness program had a huge impact on the community as they recovered and found a ‘new normal’ after the fires. People were at risk of becoming isolated and mental health was a growing issue. In a largely ageing community, physical wellbeing was the way in to addressing mental wellbeing. An evaluation of this program found significant reduction in risk factors and increases in wellbeing at a population level. In fact, the program is still running.

They also hosted others including the men’s shed and the community garden – and reactivated spaces in town that could support connection, healing and regeneration. While there were many people involved, one person in particular was, and still is, the glue for this town – she carefully, kindly, and strategically worked with the community to reimagine spaces and opportunities. She did it knowing that they would never attract the big money or media headlines and so worked smartly too – with locally led sustainability as the goal.

That’s often the reality for those working in remote, rural and regional communities – the challenges are there and it’s up to those of us living and working there to find our unique assets and strengths.

These three examples showcase what’s possible if we flip the narrative and invest in communities, especially in backbone organisations that can take carriage of maintaining focus for the long game. They come in different shapes and sizes and, when built from and by community, are vital parts of community infrastructure. The other lesson I’d share, both from my work at FRRR but also as the resident of a small rural community, is to work on the assumption that the money may never come – hard as that is, it can liberate new thinking and opportunity. I hope that these anecdotes encourage you to reconsider your view of remote, rural and regional Australia. It’s not all doom and gloom – even when times are tough. Imagine what might be possible if regions are truly understood, invested in and valued for their innovation, intelligence, creativity and the contribution they make to our nation’s wellbeing and prosperity.

FRRR has awarded a $25,000 grant to enhance Rochester’s disaster preparedness and support the ongoing recovery of the Victorian community, which was devastated by flooding in 2022.

The grant will be used to support the recovery efforts of Rochester Senior Citizens Club Inc’s Op shop, which has sustained irreparable damage after several severe flood events, most recently in 2022. Based on current flood modelling, it is also highly likely it will be impacted by floods into the future.

The Senior Citizens Club Inc was founded in 1966 and supports older members of the community through activities, social connectedness and programs to ensure their health and wellbeing. With no paid staff, the 15 volunteers run the highly successful and active Op shop.

Funded through FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Fund, this grant will enable the Senior Citizens Club to incorporate mitigation and hazard assessment principles in the planning and design phase of the Op shop rebuild.

Nina O’Brien, Disaster Resilience & Recovery Lead, said FRRR hopes that Rochester Senior Citizens Club Inc’s project will be a valuable example to showcase how other similar community groups can approach recovery and preparedness activities.

“The Senior Citizens Club’s Op shop is much more than just a local second-hand shop. It acts as a social hub and, importantly, generates approximately $50,000 annually that is distributed for the benefit of the entire town.

“By planning for future flooding events, the community will to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of disasters, weather events or climate impacts.

“This project is a great example of how disaster-affected communities can plan and design and ‘build back better’ infrastructure to mitigate known and increasing disaster risks,” Ms O’Brien explained.

The group is also partnering with The Resilient Building Council to develop new skills that will enable them to understand and assess flood risk for the new building. Members of the broader Rochester community will also be able to build their knowledge and understanding of these mitigation practices, be upskilled to assess multi-hazards using the rating tool, and, in the long term, develop the confidence to lead and contribute to the prosperity and renewal of their community. FRRR is grateful to the donors to our Disaster Resilience and Recovery Fund, which is invested in perpetuity. Each year, a portion of earnings is directed toward projects that prevent disaster impacts, prepare communities to better withstand them and/or enhance community resilience and not-for-profit groups’ capabilities.

Following the February 2022 floods and the devastation experienced by community members within and surrounding Kin Kin, in southern Queensland, the Kin Kin Community Group (KKCG) shifted its focus towards future planning and the inevitable impacts of another natural disaster on their community. They aim to be better prepared with improved emergency systems to enable their people to operate more efficiently and effectively.

Kin Kin is a secluded southern Queensland hinterland community situated in the Noosa Council area, near its boundary with the Gympie Council. The town has very limited essential services, with only a single general store and café. The February 2022 floods took the town by surprise and left the community fending for themselves. There was no community-friendly meeting place or emergency response centre and the community was cut off by floodwaters for days. No one could enter or leave except by a helicopter from the oval. Food supplies depleted rapidly and communication was hampered, leaving the community in the dark about the ongoing situation. For four days there was limited telecommunication, making the community members feel even more isolated.

KKCG is dedicated to representing and promoting the Kin Kin community, and it was to this organisation that the community turned during their time of distress. The Group operates on behalf of the community, seeking opportunities, positive change and growth for its people. The volunteers are doing all that they can to ensure the community is prepared and supported for the future.

The effects of the 2022 flood events underscored the need for an Emergency Response hub, a place where volunteers and community can gather, to connect, communicate and plan together. The situation also highlighted the scarcity of resources available to support volunteers, including drinking water and first aid equipment. It emphasised the community’s risk areas and disadvantages, illustrating the need for better preparedness in the future.

Fortunately, the KKCG received a grant of $25,000 from the Rebuilding Futures program, funded by the Suncorp Group. This enabled the KKCG to purchase equipment and carry out activities to enhance the community’s safety, connection, resilience and wellbeing. This includes establishing a community hub that is publicly accessible at all times, including during natural disasters, and serves to provide comfort, connection, safety and distribution of essential resources within the community.

Specifically, the funds went toward essential office equipment such as computers, phones, an air conditioner, a printer, WiFi, first aid kit, a defibrillator, an emergency water supply and a community noticeboard. These resources aid in improving communication and growth within the community. The notice board displays disaster information and preparedness material from the Council and the Queensland Government, designed to better inform the community about disaster preparedness strategies. Furniture was also purchased, to make the space usable for community workshops and events that foster wellbeing and community connection. A recent example of such an event was a free first aid training day hosted by the KKCG. This workshop equipped volunteers with the skills to use the new first aid equipment and defibrillator in case of an emergency.

To combat volunteer fatigue and acknowledge the efforts of the Kin Kin volunteers, a ‘Volunteer Care Program’ was established. This program involves a monthly wellbeing initiative, allowing volunteers and community members to come together and connect. It bolsters the resilience and spirit of the community, fostering a sense of belonging and readiness to support others in times of need. The Community Hub is now equipped to meet the needs of the community in times of distress, with essential community resources and communication strategies focussed on supporting the overall health and wellbeing of the community. The hub, and volunteers who dedicate their time there, ensure that the local people, environment, culture and celebrations are embraced, fostering goodwill and prosperity. Indeed, it is the people and volunteers who have made Kin Kin an even more appealing and positive place to live.