Local NFP leaders invited to join online sessions

FRRR, is currently seeking three Victorian communities to partner with in a five-year, place-based program that will strengthen the capacity of local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) and community groups to undertake vital work in their communities.

Called Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF), the program offers flexible and tailored support to strengthen local organisations to more effectively advocate on shared issues, contribute to a thriving community, and achieve long-term impact across key priority areas.

As part of the exploration and selection process, information sessions are being held in five rural VIC communities – Hamilton, Portland, Colac, Swan Hill and Maryborough – to explain the program, what’s involved in partnering with FRRR as a community and how the process will work. Details will be provided about the next steps for communities keen to express their interest in being involved over the coming years. After an EOI process and in-community workshops in the New Year, three communities will be chosen.

The program includes the combination of a locally-based Community Facilitator, community-led and informed grants, participatory planning processes, skill-building workshops to support individual and community capacity, local networking across the sector and encourages collaboration on shared objectives.

Access to this support will be free, thanks to FRRR’s partnership with four philanthropic organisations – Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Jack Brockhoff Foundation, The Ross Trust, and William Buckland Foundation. Each community will receive a total investment of around $600,000 in grants, as well as capacity building workshops and support.

Jo Kemp, IRCF VIC Program Manager, said that IRCF recognises the crucial work of local NFPs and community groups.

“The program and activities we undertake are based on the principle that if individual organisations can strengthen their own capacity and sustainability, then collectively the NFP sector will be more effective in contributing to a thriving community.

“’I’ve been fortunate to meet with NFPs recently in towns across Victoria. I’m always inspired by their passion to make a difference in their community and their willingness to share local insights and aspirations. Their resilience and positivity truly shines through.

“But I’ve also heard about ongoing challenges their communities face and I know NFPs are often under-resourced to tackle these. Further, volunteers are integral to their work, and many are experiencing fatigue. This is where the IRCF program can provide tangible help through resources and capacity support when the time is right.

“Ultimately, we are looking to partner with communities who are ready to embrace this kind of approach with FRRR. We look forward to sharing with NFPs in each community details about how the program could add value to their work.”

FRRR has successfully delivered the IRCF program alongside eight NSW communities, starting with Junee, Leeton, and Nambucca Valley, and then on the South Coast region including Nowra, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Bay and Basin, and Bega Valley. Learn more about the outcomes as these communities conclude their five-year partnerships.

For more information about the IRCF program visit, www.frrr.org.au/IRCF-Victoria.

On Gunditjmara Country

On the southwest coast of Victoria, the city of Portland and surrounding areas now have access to a fantastic service called Cycling Without Age.

Cycling Without Age (CWA) is a volunteer organisation that involves taking elderly and less-abled citizens out for free bike rides on a specialised bicycle called a trishaw. The project originally started in Denmark and after major success there are now 1600 chapters across the globe, including Portland.

CWA Portland has only been in the community since 2020, but in their short time they have secured funding to purchase bikes and also partnered with the local Rotary Club. Portland’s local Rotary Club has been in the community for 70 years and know the residents well. This partnership was a perfect way to get the project off the ground.

With support from the Rotary Club, CWA Portland applied for a Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) grant to purchase a custom-built trailer that will allow them to transport two bikes to other communities across the Glenelg Shire.

After being awarded a $9,000 grant, supported by the Ian Rollo Currie Estate Foundation, CWA Portland was able to purchase the trailer and has been able to regularly pick up passengers from Harbourside Lodge Aged Care facility. They have plans to engage with the Casterton and Nelson communities.

The interaction that CWA Portland has had with Harbourside completely exceeded their expectations, with the facility embracing weekly rides that see new passengers joining in each time.

This program has been extremely beneficial for passengers. For elderly people and those living with a disability, loneliness and social isolation can be a big issue, particularly in remote, rural or regional communities. The CWA bikes give these people the opportunity to ‘feel the wind in their hair’ and a chance to visit some of their favourite places in their community. CWA provides a safe and enjoyable way for community members to socialise, tell their stories and be a part of the community once again.

For example, regular rider Brian, who suffers from memory loss, enjoys seeing all the local dogs when he’s out with CWA. Brian used to be a part of the local Vintage Car Club, and he sometimes gets to visit their museum. One day he saw an orange Charger in the museum that used to belong to his son, which made him very excited when he was able to remember it.

For more inspiring stories like this, head to our FY 2021/22 Annual Review.