A small investment in tools or equipment often doesn’t just generate practical outcomes for communities but also provides a foundation for community groups to build their confidence. 

In the case of the Dunn Lewis Youth Foundation in NSW’s Shoalhaven region, the Youth Local Podcast Program has provided young people with more than just a microphone. It’s given them an opportunity to find their voice and feel more empowered, while also exploring, learning and connecting with their community.

Even for those initially hesitant, the experience has been transformative. Mia told us, “If I’m going to be honest, I was not keen for this, but now it’s the highlight of my week. It’s really fun, and the whole process of having ‘Living Skillfully’ as a segment within Youth Local has been really good.”

For Darcy, another one of the participants, podcasting has opened doors to new experiences and skills. “I’ve loved podcasting; it’s been an amazing opportunity. Not only do I get to meet awesome people, but I also get to try out new things every week and explore topics that I’m really passionate about.”

Darcy’s enthusiasm for the creative freedom that podcasting offers is infectious, and it’s clear that this program is more than just a hobby – it’s a pathway to a potential future career. “It’s got me inspired to actually explore this as a career path,” Darcy added, reflecting the broader impact of the initiative.

Claire, another dedicated podcaster, shared how the program has helped her grow in ways she didn’t expect. “Podcasting has been an amazing experience because I’ve gotten to meet new people and learn more about our local area and some strange facts that I did not know before.”

The group of podcasters shared the skills they were learning along the way including: planning, communication with peers and others outside the community, patience and listening skills, as well as technical skills like editing and using the deck.

These quotes aren’t just words; they are a testament to the value of giving youth a voice. As Jasper aptly put it, “I’ve learned that everyone is a little bit goofy in their own way doing this podcast,” and, “It allows you to be who you want to be.”

This program isn’t just about teaching technical skills – it’s about creating a safe space for self-expression, community engagement and personal growth. In a world where youth voices are often underrepresented, this podcast has become a powerful tool for empowerment. It serves as a reminder that when young people are given the tools and the platform, their voices can be both insightful and impactful. It leaves us with a thought-provoking question: what other untapped potential lies within our youth, just waiting for the right opportunity to be unleashed?

Local leaders play a critical role in the community. They are the driving force behind the growth and long-term sustainability of remote, rural and regional communities. But they also need to build their capacity.

FRRR was pleased to be able to support IRCF participants to attend the Social Impact in the Regions (SIITR) Conference held on Dungutti Country in the community of Kempsey, NSW. It’s focus was on investing in regional impact, empowering regional voices and understanding regional challenges.

This year’s delegation of 12 local leaders travelled from the Yuin Country communities of Nowra, Bay & Basin and Bega Valley and Nambucca Valley on Gumbaynggirr Country. Not only did they learn heaps but it was also a great way to build connections across communities and to meet more of the FRRR team.

Drawing on our participatory practice training, we started on the first day with a connection opportunity and check in overlooking the Macleay River, to share our intention for the next few days. This was then followed by a warm welcome to Country by Uncle Fred Kelly. Our People Portfolio Lead, Deb Samuels, co-hosted a master class on place-based design with Jesse Taylor, Jo-Anne Kelly and Chad Renando, sharing their place based experiences, and on the final day our CEO, Natalie Egleton, presented a keynote on Regional Challenges and Strengths. She highlighted how some of our community partners have flipped the narrative around how hard things are in remote, rural and regional communities to create strong, vibrant communities.

There were a lot of learnings throughout the three days. The standouts included the innovative adaptation of an event space – activating the main street of Kempsey utilising disused shopfronts – really emphasising the conference being IN community as apposed to AT a community – a huge and noticeable change from the inaugural conference, which was held at a conference centre. There were a lot of ideas that could be replicated in other communities. Youth participation and the inclusion of students from two Kempsey high schools was also great to see. These young people shared their aspirations and explored how enterprise models can support their endeavours. Another learning was how local voices can be amplified through the Ready Communities model.

On returning home, the local leaders who attended shared their gratitude for being supported to attend.

“Julie, our emerging leader, and I both enjoyed the conference immensely, especially the connection with new people and the wonderful opportunities we heard about. The conference dinner was fun, surprising and an unexpected treat from the usual conference dinners. We certainly have lots to think about and are now back at work and looking at what I can start putting in to practice.”

Nicki, Noah’s Inclusion Services, Nowra

Karen from the Bay and Basin Community Resources shared, “It was really great to get out and discuss new ideas, explore different models and network. It has been invaluable and very inspiring. We are already starting to put into practice some of our takeaways.”

Investing in people is a key pillar in the Investing in Rural Community Futures program and we recommend that you keep a close eye on any regional development or leadership opportunities and put your hand up for anything that comes your way. The ripple effects of these types of opportunities can last for years and reach many.

To build long-term capacity, community organisations must have systems in place that allow them to deliver their services efficiently and effectively.

We saw this in action at Cooinda Court Aged Care, when the organisation undertook significant upgrades to their systems after receiving nearly $70,000 in Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) grants.

They used the funds to modernise Cooinda Court’s systems, installing new technology to improve management of medication systems, clinical care records and communication.  All of this was critical to them being able to continue to operate.

Understandably, there are strict accountability requirements in the Aged Care Standards, which require high levels of corporate governance and due diligence, especially around decision making and financial management.  

This investment in the IT and Care Management Program was central to Cooinda being able to meet the increased regulation of the aged care sector, as well being able to attract and retain appropriately skilled Board members and executive staff. The new IT infrastructure also increased data security.

Organisational outcomes 

Staff report that the new care management system has led to streamlining information collection and management and the upskilling has positively impacted on their confidence and increased literacy. The Board can access documents across the whole organisation, which is a requirement of the Aged Care Standards.

With the installation of MANAD (the electronic care system) and training for staff on this new system, Cooinda also reported better connections with the hospital and doctors. One staff member said, “The new software enables the doctor to be more involved… it’s a spin off”.

At their most recent accreditation visit as of November 2023, Cooinda achieved 100% compliance with the Aged Care Standards. This is a significant achievement largely supported by the IRCF funded IT upgrades. 

With the focus of Cooinda Court being to care for frail and elderly people, the continuation of this facility in Junee is critical to maintaining quality local aged care. 

A staff member says, “It allows our elderly to be with their family, but also in familiar environments. They used to be sent away, and that could have been up to two hours a trip for family. And if they have a spouse, then that spouse very seldom could make that journey. And these people never survived long. 

“So, it is very important for us to keep our community members here because they’ve been a part of our community, when we were young and defenceless, they nurtured us. And that’s what we do now. We look after our residents in an environment that’s solely theirs, where they are protected, and we advocate for them.” 

FRRR has today announced that 19 community organisations across Australia will share more than $157,766 from the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program grants to implement projects based on the ideas generated at this year’s ABC Heywire Summit in Canberra.

This year’s grants will help activate projects based on four of the ideas developed at the annual youth summit, all of which respond to issues that concern young people in remote, rural and regional Australia.

The original ideas were:

As part of FRRR’s commitment to supporting the transition of leadership to the next generation, the successful grants were reviewed and recommended by a Youth Assessment Committee, under the guidance of FRRR Directors and staff. FRRR also employed two interns, both former Heywire winners, over the last few months, who assisted with the program administration and assessment.

Mahsa Nabizada, Youth Assessment Committee Chair, said, “The Heywire Grants offer an incredible opportunity for young people from all corners of Australia to bring their ideas to life and actively shape their communities. It’s empowering to see these young leaders take ownership of the challenges they face and turn them into meaningful change. These grants show that when we invest in young people, we’re investing in the future of our communities.”

Deb Samuels, FRRR’s People Portfolio Lead said that pleasingly, many of these projects funded will be led by the young people that they are designed to benefit.

“Representation matters and valuing the lived experience and unique perspectives of young people is vital, so we’ve actively sought ways to involve more young people this year, plus we actively invited young people to apply for the grants. And it worked, as we saw a significant uptick in the number of applications for projects led by young people. After all, who better to know what’s going to work for other young people than their peers.

“For example, Riverland Youth Theatre has received a grant to implement The Bigger Picture idea. Led by a Heywire winner, the funds will support nine months of activities, including monthly events tailored to the interests of young people in that part of the Mallee, with a focus on queer and socially isolated youth. This kind of project is exactly why we love this program so much. It will not only deliver on the issues that the Heywirers raised at the national Summit, but in doing so, it will also build leadership skills and create employment opportunities for young people.

“This round we also saw the largest number of projects we’ve funded in Queensland, thanks to The John Villiers Trust and The Clem Jones Group. Their support has meant that we can fund seven wonderful initiatives in six communities. I really can’t wait to see what impact each of these projects has in their community over the coming year,” Ms Samuels said.

Justin Stevens, ABC Director News, said that the ABC Heywire Summit brings forth ideas created by young individuals from regional communities, aimed at benefiting their peers. “These grants provide remote, rural, and regional areas with a practical way to inspire the next generation of leaders to voice their concerns and take action on issues that matter to them and their communities.”

These grants are generously co-funded by contributions from The Sally Foundation, The John Villiers Trust, The Clem Jones Group, David Mactaggart Foundation, and several private donors. This funding announcement brings the grants total to more than $1.7 million over the last 13 years.

The full list of recipients and a snapshot of their projects are below.

Nambucca Valley Phoenix (NVP) received two IRCF Partnership Grants in addition to support through Toolbox funds to contribute to a group of local NFP’s undertaking a feasibility study into collective fundraising for the Nambucca Valley.

NVP’s initial project focused on the development a five-year strategic plan, with a particular focus on creative economy options and pathways to rebuild after a failed merger.

In 2021, they moved onto developing strategies and tools to attract funding. This was activated through communications upgrades, including a website and sponsorship packages. The Coordinator’s wage was also subsidised bring in other support and allow them time to implement a business plan, research and develop strategic fundraising pathways and connections and to share their learnings with other NFPs.

Making solid inroads

Having the five-year strategic business plan has been greatly beneficial in assisting NVP to gain funding and build reputation. The plan has demonstrated their professionalism to stakeholders and provided NVP with a roadmap for redefining and rebuilding.

As a result of FRRR support, NVP also leveraged the Social Sector Transformation Fund, a NSW Government initiative to help small to medium sized charities and NFPs. Through this they developed a Theory of Change, Impact Measurement and Pathways to Sustainability report by Social Enterprise Finance Australia. These documents were developed to further assist NVP to secure financial assistance required as it rebuilt its services through illustrating the organisations social impact. The work done as part of this project will continue to support NVP well into the future, as they say, teach a fisherman to fish…

Since starting this project NVP has leveraged more than a million dollars’ worth of project funding. These projects include much needed capital funding to replace redundant and defective infrastructure and equipment and the development of an accessible carpark, multi-year youth program funding, funding to develop arts and exhibition programs and to support our social enterprises. They have also hosted the Disability Arts Award and the inaugural Winter Ball, bringing community and the disabaility sector together in a joyful celebration of inclusion.

“We created a five-year strategic plan to assist us to build a sustainable social enterprise that creates an inclusive place for people to come together to learn, earn and enjoy the benefits of art, food and community, while still supporting people with disability to engage in meaningful employment and learning programs such as arts.”

In 2020, Junee Community Power (JCP) introduced a circular funding model to allow local community groups and NFPs to install solar power on their premises to help reduce their operating costs. They also gained access to equipment to complete energy assessments on buildings, which they now offer as part of their service model.

The organisation is fully led by volunteers and, in the later stages of the IRCF program, has accessed some administration and feasibility support from FRRR. Over the course of the IRCF program, the organisation has been able to refine its processes by:

Lasting community impacts

They have successfully supported two community organisations to apply for funding to install solar power and improve energy efficiency – Junee Community Centre and the Senior Citizens Centre.

One of the board members said the system is already even more than they had hoped. “Junee Community Centre has paid back to the circular fund years before we expected. This has enabled more upcoming projects – big and small. We can also go back to the Community Centre to look at what else they need.”

JCP also assisted the Senior Citizens Centre to apply for funding for re-wiring, and a new fridge and stove, which were funded by IRCF. Community members are now using the Centre more often and for longer periods of time.

Shovel-ready to support community through the renewable energy transition

JCP remains incredibly active at the culmination of the IRCF program in their area. The group is working on disaster preparedness, with Junee and Illabo Showgrounds both being considered as places of last resort during natural disasters etc. JCP is also working closely with the regional Organisation of Regional Councils Riverina Eastern (REROC) as a potential regional partner and received funding through IRCF to undertake a feasibility study to support this work.

“When government funding becomes available for community batteries later in the year, we’re in a shovel-ready position now to make an application, we’ve got the costing and we’ve got the feasibility already done.”

The below was written by Kate McBride, Community Facilitator in Bay and Basin

At a recent Changemakers workshop in the Shoalhaven, we heard the analogy that being a changemaker is like being in a relay race. We sprint with the baton, pushing for change and progress, but in reality, it’s not solely on our shoulders to cross the finish line. We pass the baton on and share the collective responsibility of creating change. Each person’s contribution in creating change is crucial, and together we cover the distance needed to create lasting impact in our communities.

In the heart of every thriving community lies the united effort of its members, working together to foster growth, resilience and progress. Here, on the South Coast, we are not short of these amazing community members. Fatigue though, had set in and our community was – and still is – weary after living through the 2019 Currowan Bushfires, multiple floods and COVID.

As part of the Investing In Rural Community Futures program in the Shoalhaven, we partnered with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation to offer an eight day intensive leadership program for 22 participants in the Shoalhaven.

As a Community Facilitator, I feel very fortunate to have been one of the participants. Attending this program has had a transformative impact on myself and the other 21 participants – equipping us with the skills, insights, energy and networks to drive positive change in our communities.

The program fostered personal growth and enhanced our leadership capabilities through immersive experiences and diverse learning opportunities. We emerged from the program with a deeper understanding of rural challenges and the growing confidence to tackle them.

The most significant impact for me though, was the development of a strong, supportive network for us all that has extended beyond the duration of the course. We have celebrated triumphs, troubleshooted issues and delighted in the opportunity to cross paths again. And, most importantly, we have a revitalised relay team, ready to carry that baton of change a bit further in our communities.

Seventy-nine community groups across remote, rural and regional Australia are sharing more than $730,000 in grants, thanks to FRRR’s flagship Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.

The grants are awarded through two streams of funding – one that focuses on ‘small and vital projects’ that enhance the vitality and liveability of these country communities, and another that focuses on disaster recovery and preparedness.

FRRR Place Portfolio Lead, Jill Karena, says that as in recent rounds, most projects are seeking to innovate or respond to local opportunities, or enhance community identity, wellbeing and a sense of place – but there are different priorities across the country.

“That’s the beauty of this program. It’s flexible, so it can respond to the priorities of each individual place. But there are some common themes, including building community resilience and local disaster preparedness, especially when it comes to having a self-sufficient centre that can support the community during or after a disaster; responding to increasing food insecurity as costs of living rises; filling gaps caused by more people moving into more rural and remote areas, which in turns drives up demand for community support services – especially specialist services like disability support, First Nations literacy or responding to neurodiversity.

“The focus we saw last round on support for small-scale infrastructure or equipment continued, as more local NFPs take on the management and maintenance of community facilities to ensure they aren’t lost. These kinds of facilities are critical to maintaining social connection, as well as being critical hubs from which visiting services such as mobile playgroups and regular exercise classes operate, or as a place to host critical meetings, so ensuring they are fit for-purpose is vital,” Ms Karena explained.

Some of the projects funded include:

The SRC program is collaboratively supported by donors, ranging from private individuals to larger foundations, who are acknowledged on the FRRR website. However, demand for funding continues to outstrip what FRRR has available, with this round seeing more than 60 ‘funding-ready’ and worthy small and vital projects seeking $680,000 in support missing out. 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.

Grants awarded to 18 communities, including funding for farmers

FRRR’s In a Good Place (IAGP) program has awarded $286,992 to 18 not-for-profit organisations in remote, rural and regional communities for community-driven projects, services, activities or initiatives that help people at risk of, or currently experiencing, mental health challenges.

The grants, of up to $20,000, have been awarded by FRRR thanks to support from long-term partner CCI Giving, as well as Macdoch Foundation, Jibb Foundation, Morris Family Foundation, Norman Family Foundation and Rebecca Gorman & John Sevior, all of whom have come on board this year to support an expanded program.

For the last seven years, the focus has been on supporting mental wellbeing in rural communities. However, following the release of the NFF’s National Farmer Wellbeing Report, the six new partners have joined with FRRR to support a second stream of funding focusing specifically on mental health of farmers and farming communities.

Jeremy Yipp, Chair of CCI Giving, said social isolation is a big challenge in remote, rural and regional communities.

“Most applications this round focused on addressing current and emerging mental health issues that are a result of social isolation – an impact of the pandemic that’s still being felt in rural communities. Programs like IAGP mean that small grassroots organisations, community health providers and even local councils can access funding to create opportunities for social connection to support both personal and community resilience,” Mr Yipp said.

Michelle Gortan, CEO of Macdoch Foundation, one of the new IAGP partners, said that applications for the new stream of funding confirmed the importance of community-led initiatives to support mental health.

“The applications for the farmers and farming communities stream confirm that grassroots, non-clinical initiatives play an essential role in filling growing gaps in the system. We’ve been impressed by FRRR’s wide and deep reach into rural and regional communities, which has highlighted the need for investment in projects that promote preventative and responsive mental health approaches in farming and agriculture-dependent communities, all over Australia.”

Jill Karena, FRRR’s People Programs Portfolio Lead, said there are a range of factors in agriculture-dependent communities that affect wellbeing.

“The new farmers and farming communities stream of the IAGP program has given us the chance to offer more funding and support to projects that are filling the gaps in mental health services in farming communities. These places are often under a lot of pressure due to natural disasters, inflation and financial stress – all of which can lead to high levels of mental health struggles. We’re thrilled to have our new partners on board the IAGP program to help promote positive mental health outcomes in these communities,” Ms Karena said.

Ms Karena went on to highlight the importance of supporting initiatives in First Nations communities where mental health projects go hand in hand with culture.

“During this round, we also saw an increase in applications from First Nations organisations, many of which highlighted the vital nature of connection to culture and Country for social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations peoples. It means a lot for us be able to support these initiatives, as we strive to play our part to help close the gap in access for these communities,” Ms Karena said.

A list of the grant recipients and their projects, which include some innovative ways to promote current mental health services to vulnerable cohorts that wouldn’t normally seek assistance – such as working dog training, art, or environmental projects – is available below.

To support more projects like this through FRRR, make a tax-deductible donation at https://frrr.org.au/giving/.

As the Ulladulla Community Facilitator, I’ve had the privilege of participating in numerous Welcome to Country ceremonies, each one deepening my appreciation for our connection to this beautiful land and its traditional custodians. I have also enjoyed hearing many community members personalising their Acknowledgements of Country and learning about their connection to this beautiful Yuin nation.

Some of my memorable experiences with community members include:

• Participating in my first smoking ceremony to officially open the High School Sanctuary;

• Witnessing artist Nicole Smede sing in the Dhurga language where her beautiful voice resonated with the spirit of our culture, reminding us of the importance of preserving endangered languages as well as endangered species;

• Didgeridoo meditation with Matt King;

• Standing barefoot, with my hand being painted in ochre;

• Listening to Elders speak about the endangered Black Cockatoo;

• The moving sounds of clapsticks; and

• The graceful dances and storytelling that provided deep insights into Indigenous traditions.

I have also enjoyed sitting in circle with the Ulladulla Yarning Mob to explore how we can help them connect to cultural practices, as well as discussing with local groups how they can learn more about culture and support our local Indigenous service providers.

Throughout our road mapping, workshops, and discussions, we embraced the ancient practice of ‘Sitting in Circle.’ This method, rooted in Indigenous cultural ways, ensures everyone has an equal seat at the table, fostering safe spaces for discussion and allowing for the sharing of passions and perspectives. One local resident, Webby from Lake Conjola, commented that this inclusive hosting method made him feel ‘safe and heard’ and encouraged him to explore various community activities.

Sitting in Circle has also empowered our community to bravely tackle important and difficult conversations. We’ve explored collective needs over individual priorities. Exploring ways to support local Indigenous and other minority groups through our community vision and principles, conversations, offers of support and actions.

I am grateful for the opportunities the IRCF program has provided, allowing myself and many community members to continue our lifelong journey of learning about Indigenous culture. My heartfelt thanks go to the local Indigenous community members who have generously answered our questions, supported and inspired our learning.