Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

The Arid Lands region in Central Australia is vast, with a small, dispersed population. Its climate is characterised by extreme temperatures. Huge geographical distances pose major challenges in accessing essential services and infrastructure, as well as establishing and maintaining a social support network.

Add the pressures of everyday life and the impacts of increasingly frequent droughts, floods and bushfires, and it is often difficult for community members and agricultural workers in the region to find ways to connect.

The Red Centre Rural Ladies Day, held in Alice Springs on International Rural Women’s Day (October 2024), was a wonderful opportunity to highlight and celebrate the contribution that rural women make to life on the land. It also meant more than 80 women (and men) had the opportunity to network and strengthen relationships.

The celebration was the first in a series of community events under The Arid Lands Agricultural Community Connections Project, which is funded by a $50,000 grant via the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund through the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative Small Network Grants.

Delivered collaboratively by Landcare NT and the Centralian Land Management Association (CLMA), the overarching project is designed to initiate and encourage social and community connection between agricultural workers in the region, helping them to be more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought.

The events are all about celebrating the people that call the Arid Lands home and that’s exactly what last years Red Centre Rural Ladies Day achieved. A variety of musical performances and a special show from cabaret dance masters Desert Diamonds had everyone up on their feet, dancing the night away. A series of exercises and games gave complete strangers the chance to bond and create memories, while guest speakers inspired the audience and opened discussions between attendees. Finally, the night closed with the celebration of three local rural women’s contributions to their communities during the awards ceremony.  

Events Manager for Red Centre Rural Ladies Day, Danyelle Haigh said, “I am extremely proud of the entire event. It was fantastic to see so many friendships made throughout the night from the interactive games and activities that they participated in.”

Rural Ladies Day is an annual event and its continued success shows how important community-driven initiatives are for strengthening the resilience, networks and wellbeing of those living and working in the Arid Lands region.

The Pinnaroo Project is a creative, community-wide, health improvement project that has been established by Mallee Arts and the community to address the lack of locally available health services in regional communities in that region of SA and measure the impact of the interventions. The Project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of residents through community engagement and participation in various art and cultural activities over a two-to-three-year period.

A research team from Flinders University is managing the research component of the project. Health data is being collected from the Pinnaroo residents at the beginning, during and at the end of the project.

A man and a young boy are collecting food from a buffet-style set-up.

Like many regional towns, Pinnaroo has limited access to health services, with only one local nurse practitioner and visiting doctors, meaning residents seeking additional services must drive more than 120 km to the likes of Berri in the Riverland or Murray Bridge. Appointments with medical specialists often require trips to Adelaide, three hours away.

Their Pinnaroo Connections project received a $20,000 In a Good Place grant from FRRR, co-funded by the Macdoch Foundation and the Morris Family Foundation, to address the issues of isolation and depression. A series of three events (one for men; another for women; and one for the whole community) aimed to normalise conversations around mental health and strengthen social and emotional health and wellbeing. A focus was both to increase social connections and to educate people around prevention and support strategies and ultimately to create new dialogues around health discussion and self-help.

So far, two events have been held – the women’s Sunday Funday and the very successful men’s burger night, which attracted 90 men, aged between 18 and 85, who gathered at the Pinnaroo Cricket shed for an informal men’s get together. A panel of local farmers, a medical health professional and people with lived mental health experience shared stories of resilience and getting help for mental health issues.

The organisers were thrilled with the turnout, saying that it was a fabulous event.

“The vibe was great and just what they needed, given the tough drought conditions our district is facing. While the speakers were doing their thing you could have heard a pin drop!”

The whole of community event is scheduled for March 2025.

In 2021, 18-year-old school captain Mason Black stood in front of his all-boys school assembly and called for ‘the boys’ to put an end to the sexual assault and harassment of women. What started as a powerful speech encouraging his peers to stand up, be better men and advocate for equality became transformative – empowering young men with the tools, knowledge, guidance and support to become “BetterMen”.

Mason realised that while his speech resonated nationwide, words alone were not enough. He wanted to make sure that his message truly reached and impacted young men. With VFFF’s support and a $50,000 Backing the Future grant, Mason launched his mission to inspire and mentor boys to rise above accepted societal norms and cultural misogyny. “This isn’t about condemning young men but helping them understand what it means to be a better man,” Mason explained.

The Betterment Project logo - with the project title and 5 men's heads and torso's lined up at the bottom of the screen.

The Betterment Project aims to reshape unacceptable behaviours in young men. “Our mission is to inspire and mentor boys to raise their standards and unlearn the harmful ideas of the past. Ultimately, we want to create a new generation of gentlemen.”

By addressing disrespect in youth, the project aims to prevent the development of dangerous behaviours such as sexual violence, coercive control, and domestic violence. “Rather than focusing on specific issues, I want to guide young people onto a positive path simply by answering the question: How can we become better men?”

In July 2024, The Betterment Project embarked on a 20-day tour across regional Queensland, engaging more than 1,450 students from the Sunshine Coast to Rockhampton. The tour aimed to cultivate a culture of respect among rural and regional youth through interactive workshops on consent, domestic & family violence and mental health. The “Respect Workshop” sessions, tailored for co-ed or all-male audiences, received enthusiastic, positive feedback from students and school staff, demonstrating their impact on shifting perspectives and fostering early positive behaviours.

The tour also launched the “My Story” campaign, which featured local community champions whose stories inspire resilience and positive change. The team interviewed three influential role models: Leon Stensholme, founder of Lockout07 for at-risk youth; Ashton Wood, founder of DV Safe Phones; and Wil McIntyre, who runs a mental health initiative for young men. “We wanted to show these students that role models don’t have to be celebrities or public figures – they can be the people in our towns making real differences every day,” Mason says. Their stories are now shared widely to motivate and support young people across Queensland. WATCH these powerful stories on their YouTube channel.

Based on the tour’s success, they plan to expand their reach, with another regional tour scheduled in May 2025 in partnership with Rotary, as well as additional programs in Brisbane schools. They also plan to establish an advisory group to guide ongoing development and education initiatives, aiming to create a statewide campaign for respectful relationships, early intervention and a safer future for Queensland youth.

Reflecting on the tour, Mason noted that the biggest conversations with boys revolved around the importance of strong male role models. “For many young men, they had no positive male role models in their lives,” he says. “Through these workshops, we’re not only strengthening the character of these boys, but we’re setting them up to be a network of strong male role models for the next generation growing up in the community.”

For Mason, the VFFF grant was an invaluable opportunity to test and refine his vision. “I didn’t realise how unique this grant was, supporting individuals and ideas at their infancy without the red tape of forming an organisation,” he shared. “I wish there were more opportunities like Backing the Future.”

While initially set up as a sole trader, Mason soon recognised the need to formalise the project’s structure. To open it to future philanthropic donations, he restructured the organisation and applied for charitable status from the ACNC. “The VFFF grant was key in helping me turn my idea into a transformative initiative,” he reflects.

Mason and the team at The Betterment Project are now planning to host their first event next year, aimed at engaging young student leaders in the conversation to end gender-based violence. It will be the first event of its kind, marking the first time the project directly engages other young people in this important discussion.

Mason expresses his gratitude to VFFF for turning his words at that school podium into a life-changing experience for thousands of students across regional Queensland. He encourages others with ideas for supporting young people to explore this funding opportunity. “The Betterment Project is a testament to the power of belief in a mission and the resources to make that vision a reality,” he says. “We’re creating real, systemic change that builds stronger young people and enriches our communities far into the future.”

In the Riverina Area of NSW, local communities are often affected by a range of challenges, particularly the impacts of drought. In these situations, significant burden typically sits with women, as they are the foundational linkages in family and community life; in the local not-for-profit organisations that rely on volunteers; and their businesses; and often generating supplementary off-farm income.  

Recognising these impacts, Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council (YACTAC) proposed to design and host ‘Chicks in the Sticks’ events in Jerilderie and Moulamein to bring together local women to increase their skills, knowledge and understanding of the risks posed by drought and climate change. Through field days and luncheons, the goal was to enable women across this vast region to deepen social connections, network and create a shared sense of purpose and longer-term sense of belonging. 

The events were funded through a $40,176 Community Impact Program grant, as part of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative, supported by the Australian Government through the Future Drought Fund. 

Presenters and activities focussed on health and wellbeing and agriculture, in the context of drought. The Jerilderie event featured well-known speakers, including Shanna Whan, Founder of Sober in the Country and Kimberley Furness, Founder and Publisher of OAK Magazine & A Friend of Mine Podcast, and Lou Bull, a local conservationist, radio presenter, author of Aquila Garden Guide and a local yoga teacher. There was also a panel discussion hosted by Kimberley Furness that involved Shanna Whan, Lou Bull, and local Indigenous artist Ros Lockhart, which explored themes of resilience and inclusivity.  

Event Coordinator Bronwyn Thomas said the Chicks in the Sticks luncheon in Jerilderie attracted nearly 80 participants. 

“It was a remarkable success in community engagement and empowerment for rural women in the Riverina region. We showcased community engagement and empowerment and provided a platform for rural women to connect, share experiences and gain insights from inspirational speakers.  

“By fostering community connections and empowering women, YACTAC continues to support the wellbeing and resilience of regional communities. It exemplified how strategic funding and community collaboration can create transformative experiences that uplift and connect rural communities, setting a strong precedent for future endeavours.” 

The event had a number of unexpected flow-on effects through increased connection and relationships, including:  

  • It was the first time that YACTAC had a Welcome to Country ceremony as part of their events. This helped establish trust and integrity that later enabled YACTAC to organise an Indigenous Women’s Yarning Circle on Billabong. An Indigenous artist was commissioned to design thank-you cards for the event, which also led to them designing a flyer for the yarning circle, both of which were well received; 
  • Organising Chicks in the Sticks strengthened connections between different groups, such as the Holbrook Landcare Group and YACTAC; and   
  • Other organisations expressed interest in coming onboard for the next event. 

Co-organiser Andrea Mitchell said that the event was “where warmth met empowerment.”  

“Amongst women attendees, it nurtured safety, sparked social discourse, and championed community involvement. It was a haven to amplify local voices, inspire action and foster connections. And it was so much fun!” she said.

The Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative (HRCPDI) was included in a report commissioned by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which was released on International Day of Rural Women in 2024. The focus of the report is Women-Led Solutions for Drought Resilience and Adaptation. READ THE REPORT. The HRCPDI case study is on page 118.

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) have today announced the appointment of Nous Group to assess the impact of the Future Drought Fund’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative, which is funded by the Australian Government.

Wheatbelt South WA community members take part in Community Impact Program’s co-design process.

The Future Drought Fund’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative aims to build enduring resilience to the impacts of climate change and drought and to enhance the public good in agriculture-dependent communities. It focuses on building community capacity by strengthening social and community networking, support, engagement and wellbeing.

There are five parts to the Initiative, including the Community Impact Program, Small Grants, a Learning Network, Mentoring Program and Expertise Pool to support local groups implementing their projects, all of which will be evaluated.

While the evaluation will explore the outcomes of the Initiative, it will also provide valuable feedback on the various funding mechanisms employed and the impact of leadership development initiatives delivered. This will also reveal insights into the different ways that the Australian Government can invest in remote, rural and regional communities to address locally prioritised challenges. In total, $1.3 million will be invested in the process, reflecting the value that FRRR, ARLF and the Australian Government place on evaluation, something that is often not prioritised or funded.

Multi-year evaluation

The evaluation will take place over two and a half years and see Nous Group consult with the delivery partners, as well as other stakeholders, to develop the evaluation plan and then work closely with local leaders and with the delivery partners on the evaluation itself.

Phase 1 data collection and analysis is already underway, as the first tranche of funding has been awarded. An interim report will be prepared mid-2024, followed by workshops for community groups and stakeholders to unpack the learnings to date. Phase 2 of data collection will then get underway in August 2024, with the final report due September 2025.

FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, Nina O’Brien, says that there are great efficiency gains in having Nous Group undertake this work, as they are familiar with both the Future Drought Fund and with the delivery partners. “Nous Group supported the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to design the Measuring, Learning and Evaluation (MEL) framework for the overall Future Drought Fund, so they are intimately familiar with the overall aims of the various streams of work the Fund supports. They bring a depth of understanding and rigour to the process, while still being able to work closely with and relate to the groups delivering projects on the ground.

“What we are most excited about however, is that this process will help build the capacity of communities and stakeholders to engage with and ultimately undertake more formal evaluations of the projects and initiatives that they run. They can learn by doing. These skills will help local communities then better direct their limited resources, as well as be able to provide greater evidence to support funding applications for their initiatives.

“We look forward to working with Nous Group to co-design the evaluation approach and collect insights for the evaluation. We will also be connecting them directly with the local lead partner and other groups delivering projects in the community to understand the impact of the various elements of the Initiative, as well as bring together community groups and stakeholders to explore and interpret their findings,” Ms O’Brien said.

Matt Linnegar, CEO of the ARLF, says understanding the impact is becoming more important for people participating in initiatives, as well as those providing the support for it to happen.

“It’s increasingly important to understand the impact of initiatives like the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative at depth and from multiple perspectives.

“This is because when we’re talking about leadership across regions and communities, we’re talking about people, relationships, networks and structures. Here, understanding the quantitative impact or intervention on the participant alone isn’t enough.

“It’s important to understand the individual and collective impact those people have on their regions and communities.

“As the ARLF continues to grow its work in the impact evaluation space, we highly value the collaboration with FRRR and work with Nous as an evaluation partner for this Initiative.”

Carlos Blanco, Nous Group Director, says Nous is excited to partner with the FRRR, ARLF and DAFF to collaborate with delivery partners, initiative participants and communities to help build even greater resilience within drought-prone communities.

“Nous has a long history of working with regional communities across Australia. We’re looking forward to co-designing and delivering an evaluation that strengthens the evidence base on how to empower remote, rural, and regional Australia to become more prepared for and resilient to the impacts of drought,” Mr Blanco said.

If community groups have any questions about the evaluation process, they can contact FRRR via futuredrought@frrr.org.au.

In partnership with The Yulgilbar Foundation, FRRR has awarded $785,794 in grants to 23 local groups for community projects designed to strengthen community capacity and resilience in the Clarence Valley and surrounding region.

These grants, which are funded through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund program, are the final tranche of a $2 million commitment awarded over the last three years.

In the wake of the 2019/20 bushfires and subsequent disasters including floods and COVID, these grants will support local groups to foster community connection, education and wellbeing across the region.

Ten of the 23 grants will support local events and festivals. This includes the Grafton Jacaranda Festival for a concert for 5,000 people Featuring Troy Cassar-Daley and Don Walker.

Also set to perform on stage at the Grafton Jacaranda Festival is the Big Scrub Orchestra, which has also been awarded funds. The Orchestra’s grant will support music workshops to boost resilience, health and wellbeing of local children in five small rural public schools and support their performance in the Jacaranda Festival.

Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s General Manager of Partnerships and Services, said that the projects funded demonstrate the important role that social connectedness plays in disaster recovery.

“While each place has its own unique set of recovery needs, in this round of grants we saw many community groups seeking funding for projects designed to bring people together to strengthen social connections, which is such an important part of the recovery process. This also gives us valuable insight into where communities are in their recovery journey.”

Madeleine Noble, Executive Officer of The Yulgilbar Foundation said the Foundation is proud to support a variety of projects across the region, many of which will boost the capacity of local groups to contribute to recovery activities.

“For example, funding for Container of Dreams based near Tabulam will help women develop micro-enterprise skills, Woombah Residents Association will expand activities at the community garden focusing on disaster preparedness, and Lawrence Community Fundraising will run a series of creative workshops and events celebrating local residents and their skills”.

More information is available on FRRR’s website – https://frrr.org.au/funding/the-yulgilbar-foundation-fund/.

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

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
ARMIDALE
Backtrack Youth Works LtdBackTrack 'Paws Up' School Outreach Program
Grow literacy skills, confidence, and resilience of primary school children in bushfire-affected communities in the NSW New England region through animal-assisted activities linked to school curriculum.
Ben Lomond$30,000
CLARENCE VALLEY
2TLC FM Lower Clarence Community Radio Incorporated AssociationStorage Unit Project
Improve facilities and space at local community radio station in Yamba, northern rivers region, by adding a storage unit for key equipment.
Yamba$12,500
Clarence Valley Conservatorium IncA Smart Conservatorium
Enhance the learning and performing experience of music students through installation of smartboards and computers in teaching studios of the Clarence Valley Conservatorium and purchase of portal stage units.
Grafton$27,480
Genhealth Incorporatedheadspace Grafton - Creative Groups
Boost health, wellbeing and connectedness of young people in Grafton through a series of afterschool and school holiday youth-informed creative arts activities.
Grafton$34,263
Grafton Jacaranda Festival IncTroy Cassar-Daly + Don Walker
Celebrate Indigenous culture, boost community spirit and wellbeing and stimulate the local economy in Grafton through a free concert for 5,000 people featuring Troy Cassar-Daley and Don Walker as part of the famous Jacaranda Festival.
Grafton$30,000
Iluka Community Organisation Planning for Emergencies (ICOPE) IncField of Friends Iluka Village Community Parties Project
Foster community connection and resilience following multiple local disaster events through three free community events across 12 months which will also engage local emergency services organisations to provide education and awareness.
Iluka$17,548
Lawrence Community Fundraising IncLawrence Loves...
Grow community engagement and sense of belonging in the small village of Lawrence in the Northern Rivers following local disaster events and COVID-19 through a series of creative workshops, performances, and a whole community event.
Lawrence$40,000
Mudyala Aboriginal CorporationRising Warriors After School Engagement Program
Boost social connections and activities for Aboriginal youth in the Clarence Valley through youth worker led programs and school holiday activities.
Maclean$45,000
Ozfish Unlimited LimitedNymboida River Riparian, Restoring Habitat for the Endangered Eastern Fresh Water Cod
Improve water quality and fish habitat in the Nymboida River post bushfire events and increase local awareness of natural resource management techniques through planting, restoration activities and educational citizen science program.
Nymboida$40,000
The Big Scrub OrchestraBringing Music Healing to Young People in the Clarence Valley
Boost resilience, health, and wellbeing for children in five small rural public schools following multiple local disasters through 175 Modern Band workshops introducing children to various instruments and song writing as well as performance at the Grafton Jacaranda Festival with local Indigenous music icon Troy Cassar-Daly.
Grafton$49,000
The Long Way Home Byron Writers FestivalStories From The Clarence Valley 2023 - Grow
Share and celebrate stories from residents of the Clarence Valley by publishing a book showcasing local writers collated through The Long Way Home writing competition.
Grafton$2,233
Woombah Residents Association IncorporatedMeet you at the Garden - Building Community Resilience in Woombah
Improve social connections, engagement with local services and awareness of disaster preparedness in Woombah through a series of environmentally themed workshops and community events, equipment and light infrastructure.
Woombah$30,000
COFFS HARBOUR
Glenreagh HeartstartOrara Valley Resilience Hub - Community Consultation
Improve local connections and disaster resilience for residents in the towns and villages of the Orara Valley through community-led consultation to establish a Resilience Hub in Glenreagh.
Upper Orara$26,000
KYOGLE
Friends of the Labyrinth
Kyogle Community Economic Development Committee
A Place for Quiet Contemplation and Inner Peace
Boost health and wellbeing in Kyogle in the northern rivers through the promotion of the local community labyrinth to foster greater awareness and use.
Kyogle$4,682
LISMORE
Arts Northern Rivers IncorporatedNorthern Rivers Creative Industries Recovery Forum 2022
A two-day regional forum for bringing together the creative industry sector to develop a future road map for longer term recovery post 2022 Big Floods in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.
Lismore$15,000
RICHMOND VALLEY
Broadwater Rileys Hill Community CentreRekindling Community Connections in Broadwater
Lift community spirit and connectedness in Broadwater following the devastating floods in the region through monthly community dinners and activities.
Broadwater$10,283
Casinos Own Wireless Association IncCasino Cow Country Music Muster (CCCMM)
Boost community spirit and the local economy following devasting disasters, including recent flooding events, through a five-day country music festival in Casino.
Casino$22,267
Clovass-Mskees Hill Soldiers Memorial and Community Hall IncorporatedPower Us Up
Improve power supply and availability during local outages and in times of disaster at Clovass McKees Hill Soldiers Memorial and Community Hall, Richmond Valley, through installation of a battery to store power generated by the existing solar system.
McKees Hill$18,900
The Evans Head Living Museum IncPurchase a Large Format Printer and Desk Top Tower computer
Increase capacity of the Evans Head Museum to prepare and present displays and support local community groups through new technology by purchasing a desktop computer and large format printer.
Evans Head$10,698
TENTERFIELD
Container of Dreams LtdContainer of Dreams Community Market Cart - Micro-Enterprise Workshops
Empower ten women in Drake to develop micro-enterprise skills to support financial independence, improve wellbeing and resilience, and contribute to the local economy through their own market stalls.
Drake$46,940
ADDITIONAL GRANTS
Arts Northern Rivers IncorporatedScreening Tour to Recovering Bushfire-Affected Communities
Boost social connections and provide an opportunity to reflect and recover for various bushfire-affected communities in rural and regional NSW, including the Clarence Valley, through a live music and documentary screening tour.
Various NSW Locations$127,000
Department of Education
Baryulgil Public School
Strengthening Educational Aspiration and Wellbeing Opportunities in Baryulgil
Foster wellbeing, cultural connections, and educational pathways for students at Baryulgil Public School through an on-site wellbeing hub and minibus providing flexible transport options for the remote school.
Baryulgil$146,000

More than $1.7M awarded thanks to Future Drought Fund

FRRR and ARLF are pleased to announce the first organisations to receive funding through the Future Drought Fund’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.

The Initiative, which is being delivered by FRRR in partnership with ARLF, seeks to help agriculture-dependent communities in regions across remote, rural, and regional Australia that are vulnerable to the impacts of drought become more prepared for and resilient to these impacts.

Over the last three months, FRRR and ARLF have worked closely with a local community partner lead organisation in five areas to identify projects that local groups across each region can implement to enhance preparedness for drought.

This first tranche of funding through the Community Impact Program sees five regions awarded $1.7M, which is being shared across 15 organisations.

In the coming months, the local community partner lead organisation will collaborate with other grantee organisations in the region to deliver projects that include events, training and workshops that will create opportunities for communities to identify and adopt innovative and transformative ways to build drought resilience, develop a change in awareness of and attitudes to drought preparedness at the community level, learn and share innovative ways to build drought resilience.

FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead, Nina O’Brien, says that this is a really exciting milestone and a wonderful opportunity for these communities to drive local action that helps prepare for drought.

“People are more resilient when they’re part of a strong community. Through this place-based program, with the Australian Government’s support, we’re investing in the future, enabling agriculture dependent communities to identify and act on their drought preparedness priorities at a grassroots level.

“The overall aim of this program is to facilitate increased social connection, strengthen network opportunities, build leadership skills, and link capacity building opportunities to ensure widespread local benefit, so that communities are better prepared for the future.

“The program was deliberately designed to be flexible, allowing a bespoke approach in each region that reflects the unique conditions in each area. The projects that we’re funding have broad community support. As part of their development, we paid for a facilitator to support the local lead organisation to help bring key stakeholders into the conversation and to make sure that the projects align with local priorities and connect with investments already happening at the community level.

“We look forward to continuing to walk alongside these local groups as they implement their projects over the next two years,” Ms O’Brien said.

Each of the regions being funded will also receive access to tailored ARLF leadership development activities. Lead organisations can choose between one of five leadership development activities, depending on their projects and local priorities. In the first five regions, four different activities have been taken up.

ARLF CEO, Matt Linnegar, says leadership development supports the short-term delivery of projects and yields long-term benefits for the regions.

“In addition to the project funding, these leadership development activities are a crucial investment in building the social capital required to support the project and each region. Connecting local networks, creating a deeper sense of shared purpose and developing capability all contributes to people in each region taking action to address challenges and take advantage of opportunities.

“Participants will also gain access to the wider alumni network of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. It’s these connections that prove invaluable to people. When they’re stuck, there’s someone to ask for advice.”

In total, 35 regions will be supported through this program. The remaining regions are due to be announced throughout the rest of 2023.

Other elements of the Future Drought Fund’s Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative are also underway, including the Mentoring program, being led by ARLF, which is still accepting applications. Work is also underway on the design of the network to connect leaders working on these projects across the country and FRRR is finalising the appointment of an expertise panel, which the groups awarded funding can draw on, if they don’t have locally qualified people with the skills they need.

In addition, the first of two rounds of Small Grants for areas that aren’t covered by these Community Impact Program grants is expected to open in later this year.

Learn more about the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative at www.frrr.org.au/drought-preparedness.

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

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
Queensland: Region 08 Darling Downs & South Burnett
Red Earth Community FoundationCommunity Partner Lead Organisation Region 8
Strengthen drought preparedness and drive local action in the Darling Downs and South Burnett region through the coordination of Community Impact Program activities and evaluation administration.
Darling Downs & South Burnett Region$38,746
Momentum HealthBuilding Healthier Communities
Enhance capability, coordination and collaboration between community networks and organisations that can be drawn upon in times of drought by training local leaders, creating resources and delivering workshops focussed on wellbeing.
South Burnett, Western Downs & Goondiwindi$92,499
Red Earth Community FoundationCherbourg Community Leadership Program
Strengthen community capacity and leadership through the design and delivery of the Cherbourg Community Leadership Program, to build knowledge and skills to address local challenges caused by drought.
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council$51,388
Burnett Catchment Care AssociationSharing Models of Successful Groups
Deliver community led drought preparedness through networking events that build social connections, share innovative approaches to drought resilience and drive local action through peer-to-peer support and a communities of practice approach.
Burnett Region with possibility of working with Toowoomba & Western Downs Groups$62,401
Queensland Murray Darling Catchment LtdWater and Climate Drought Education
Deliver workshops to school aged children to build knowledge and understanding of the risks posed by drought and climate change and develop skills to positively adapt.
Schools in Darling Downs & Burnett$73,412
Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO)Ag Tech in Action in the Burnett
Strengthen community and social connections through events and provide opportunities for young people to build knowledge in innovative approaches to drought preparedness, connect with current networks and develop youth specific networks.
North Burnett, South Burnett, Cherbourg & Bundaberg LGAs$69,007
Queensland: Region 09 Fitzroy Capricornia
Dawson Catchment Coordinating AssociationCommunity Partner Lead Organisation Region 9
Strengthen drought preparedness and drive local action in the Fitzroy Capricornia region through the coordination of Community Impact Program activities and evaluation administration.
Fitzroy Capricornia Region$140,000
Central Queensland Landscape AllianceRemote Community Capacity Building
Create leadership and capacity building opportunities, particularly for local young people, through training and awareness-building activities to develop skills and knowledge to face the unique challenges caused by drought.
Focus on Capricornia Catchments work arena$40,000
Not for Profit HQ LimitedNFP Report Card Assessments –Upskilling
Build the capability of local not-for-profit organisations to better serve their communities in times of drought and in drought preparedness by delivering a practical skills audit and using the results to develop business and operational plans.
Fitzroy Capricornia Region$50,000
Dawson Catchment Coordinating AssociationImproved Community Access –Dawson Catchment
Establish a local community network to improve access to, encourage greater utilisation of or create new community infrastructure by collaboratively reviewing available places, spaces and facilities where community groups can gather, function and support their local community in times of drought.
Fitzroy Capricornia Region$35,547
Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire CouncilWoorabinda Rangers and Youth Development Program
Deliver capacity building activities and field training to increase knowledge of local landscapes and share innovative approaches to drought preparedness, which will strengthen community resilience.
Fitzroy Capricornia Region$42,000
Queensland: Region 11 Hinterland to Gulf
Northern Gulf Resource Management Group LtdCommunity Partner Lead Organisation Region 11
Strengthen drought preparedness and drive local action in the Hinterland to Gulf region through the coordination of Community Impact Program activities and evaluation administration.
Hinterland to Gulf Region$31,359
Northern Gulf Resource Management Group LtdLocal Capacity for Regional Resilience Project
Strengthen organisational capacity and governance of not-for-profit organisations, including those that are First Nations led, by delivering training, workshops, networking events and leadership development activities, so organisations can better support community interests ahead of and in times of drought.
Croydon Shire, Etheridge Shire & Mareeba Shire$181,250
Northern Gulf Resource Management Group LtdDigital Capacity and Last Mile Connectivity Project
Strengthen the ability of communities to adapt and prepare for drought by delivering workshops that improve access to and greater utilisation of digital infrastructure, thereby strengthening social networks and enabling people to better connect to essential services and support in times of drought.
Croydon Shire, Etheridge Shire & Mareeba Shire$123,700
Queensland: Region 13 Cape York – Torres Strait
Cape York NRMCommunity Partner Lead Organisation Region 13
Strengthen drought preparedness and drive local action through the coordination of Community Impact Program activities and evaluation administration.
Cape York – Torres Strait Region$42,166
Torres Cape Indigenous Councils AllianceCape York Torres Water Project
Increase skills, knowledge and understanding of the risks posed by drought through the delivery of a water education program and activating a co-designed, community led strategic water security plan.
Aurukun Shire, Cook Shire, Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire, Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire, Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire, Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire, Mapoon Aboriginal Shire, Mornington Shire, Napranum Aboriginal Shire, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire, Torres Strait Islands, Torres Shire, Weipa Town & Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire$193,798
Cape York NRMCape York Torres Fire Project
Improve capability, coordination, and collaboration between professional, social and community networks, which can be drawn upon in future drought, through the delivery of a series of fire prevention training activities, events and forums.
Aurukun Shire, Cook Shire, Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire, Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire, Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire, Mapoon Aboriginal Shire, Napranum Aboriginal Shire, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire, Torres Strait Islands, Torres Shire, Weipa Town & Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire$151,012
South Australia: Region 22 Arid Lands
SA Arid Lands Landscape BoardCommunity Partner Lead Organisation Region 22
Strengthen drought preparedness and drive local action through the coordination of Community Impact Program activities and evaluation administration.
Arid Lands Region$32,000
SA Arid Lands Landscape BoardWomen’s Gathering
Support communities to learn and share innovative ways to build drought resilience; increase the reach and activities of community leaders, mentors, networks and organisations driving action on drought resilience by facilitating an event for women from across this geographically vast region.
Hawker$73,750
SA Arid Lands Landscape BoardPastoral Field Day
Support communities to identify and adopt innovative and transformative ways to build drought resilience by delivering a field day, which will enable knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.
Port Augusta City Council$67,750
SA Arid Lands Landscape BoardOutback Kids & Family Days
Encourage social connection, networking and knowledge sharing to facilitate drought preparedness and resilience building by delivering five family day events to connect communities across a geographically vast region.
Five locations across Port Augusta Region$50,350
Nature Foundation LimitedFamily on Country
Provide mentorship and leadership development opportunities and strengthen networks and connections by delivering two on-Country, multi-day events that provide opportunities for Elders and Community Leaders to share cultural knowledge on the local landscape and drought.
Hiltaba Station (Unincorporated Area)$46,000
Isolated Children's Parents Association Marla-OodnadattaICPA Conference
Encourage drought preparedness conversations at the community level and drive local action for children, families and educational outcomes through a regional conference.
SA Arid Lands$5,000
Quorn Community Landcare Group Incorporated auspiced by SA Arid Lands Landscape BoardQuandong Festival
Strengthen local drought resilience by delivering two educational and awareness-raising events that showcase innovative and transformative ways to adapt in times of drought.
Quorn$35,000

Grants of up to $10,000 available nationwide

Grants of up to $10,000 are now available to fund community-led projects, developed by young people, to respond to the six issues identified at this year’s ABC Heywire Youth Summit, including mental health, accessibility, youth voices, addressing costs of living and creating safe spaces – all issues that concern youth.

IMAGE: ABC Heywire presentation event in the theatre at the Australian Parliament House, Canberra. HEADING: Empowering and addressing issues that matter to rural youth

The FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program has supported remote, rural, and regional youth since 2013, providing them with the opportunity to not only identify the issues that matter most to them but also take action to combat them.

This year, there is $115,000 in grants available nationally and an additional $35,000 specifically to fund projects in Queensland, thanks to a new partnership with The John Villiers Trust.

The six ideas respond to common issues of concern identified by the 39 regional youth who attended the ABC Heywire Youth Summit, a youth leadership and skills development event held last month in Canberra.

FRRR and its partners will fund grants that enable activation of these ideas across rural Australia, enabling community organisations and not-for-profits that work with young people to either implement these ideas or to develop their own projects to address the issues raised, which include:

  • Boredom Relief: How might we create safe spaces for youth?
  • Easy Access: How might we empower regional youth to take charge of their mental health and support their mates?
  • Homegrown Hub: How might we create cost of food relief in communities across Australia?
  • Idea 4 Change: How might we provide resources to ensure young people are supported and engaged in their education, with their diverse learning needs catered for?
  • Hear Our Voices: How might we ensure that all youth voices are heard and represented on issues that matter to them?
  • We are not Alone: How might we create a better future for all young people living with a disability to feel understood and supported in regional Australia?

More details about each of these ideas can be found on the ABC Heywire website.

Kadee from Barcaldine, Queensland, Iningai Country, is a 2023 Heywire Winner and was part of the group that developed the Idea 4 Change project. Kadee said it was inspiring knowing their idea would become a reality in rural Australia.

“I’ve already had educators of my school asking heaps of questions and having me go into depth about our idea. I’m feeling intrigued to see how everyone’s ideas evolve over time and how they impact our country.”

Deb Samuels, FRRR’s People Portfolio Lead, said that to truly create impact for young people, they need to be at the table in making decisions and the Youth Innovation Grants program facilitates this.

“From idea development, through to assessing grant applications that are recommended to the FRRR Board for funding, the Youth Innovation Grants program is led by rural youth, at all stages of the program. This process ensures that funding is allocated to create impact where it matters most for young people in remote, rural and regional Australia.

“Our long-term partnership with ABC has been instrumental to the success of this program. The ABC Heywire Summit is such a powerful platform for young Australians to share their voices and ideas to policy makers, and across the nation. To be able to invest in these ideas with funding that allows communities to act on these ideas is such a phenomenal opportunity.

“We encourage rural community groups to connect with local young people, consider the six issues and work together to develop a project and application that addresses one of the issues, in a local context. Our Youth Assessment Panel and I look forward to exploring all the innovative ideas developed,” said Ms Samuels.

This is the 11th year of the partnership between FRRR and the ABC to run the Heywire Youth Innovation Grants.

“We’re proud to once again partner with FRRR to invest in youth ideas across remote, rural and regional Australia,” said Warwick Tiernan, ABC Director, Regional and Local.

“We know that young people are keenly aware of the issues that affect them and given the chance, they have the skills to develop solutions to them. Being able to back these ideas with grants to make them come to reality shows young people we are doing more than just listening, we are acting on them.

“We’re excited to see what pioneering projects come to life this year and share these stories through the ABC network.”

To date, more than $1.4 million in community and philanthropic investment has helped to fund more than 174 projects in more than 130 communities. This round of FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program is possible thanks to the generous support of FRRR’s donor partners, including The Sally Foundation, AMP Foundation, The John Villiers Trust, David Mactaggart Foundation and private donors.

Applications close Wednesday 7 June, and recipients will be announced in September. More information is available on the Youth Innovation Grants page.

Image is of ABC Heywire presentation event in the theatre at the Australian Parliament House, Canberra, by Bradley Cummings.

Grants up to $20,000 on offer

Remote, rural and regional communities across Australia can apply now for grants up to $20,000 for community-driven mental health and wellbeing projects, through FRRR’s In a Good Place (IAGP) program.

Youth Affairs Council Victoria Inc received an IAGP grant in 2019 for their Deadly Yarning & Learning: Our Mental Health project.

Community groups are invited to apply for up to $20,000 to support activities that empower locals to talk, connect, learn, participate and foster help-seeking behaviours.

FRRR and CCI Giving are offering $250,000 in IAGP grants, a boost of $50,000 on prior grant rounds, thanks to a new five-year partnership.

Jeremy Yipp, CCI General Manager, General Insurance Claims and Chair of CCI Giving, said that since partnering with FRRR in 2018, CCI Giving has seen the direct impact made to 53 mental health-focused projects funded across remote, rural and regional Australia. 

“Seed funding is critical for the smaller community projects so that they can develop a proof of concept for their activity model and see what works and what doesn’t, and why. Without assistance from grant programs, such as In a Good Place, these projects may never have the opportunity to really get off the ground and reach their full potential,” Mr Yipp explained.

Jill Karena, FRRR’s People Programs Portfolio Lead, said that, now in its sixth year, the In A Good Place program continues to provide vital funding to support the mental health and wellbeing of communities across remote, rural and regional Australia.

“Projects funded through the In a Good Place program typically bring people together, sometimes to heal, always to learn.

“The program has a definite and important role to play in supporting rural communities in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and help-seeking behaviours. It helps to bring mental health and wellbeing out in the open – making it OK to talk about and OK to reach out and ask for help,” Ms Karena said.

Applications opened on 12 April 2023. There is a two-stage application process. To get started, a brief Expression of Interest must be submitted no later than 5pm AEST, Wednesday 17 May 2023. Full details are available on FRRR’s website – https://frrr.org.au/in-a-good-place/. Applicants can also call 1800 170 020.

FRRR today welcomed a new $600,000 partnership with Telstra, which will see a new grant program launch in March 2023.

Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program will boost support for NFPs and communities across remote, rural and regional Australia to improve resilience, environmental sustainability and liveability through the power of connection.

The program will offer grants up to $10,000 for not-for-profit community organisations that are providing access to information, technology, education and facilities to support their communities to embrace new technologies and ways of working to build social capital and digital capability.

FRRR’s Acting CEO, Sarah Matthee, said that this is a wonderful new partnership that will help address one of the biggest gaps identified in FRRR’s Heartbeat of Rural Australia study in 2021.

“The Heartbeat study really highlighted a significant digital divide for remote, rural and regional not-for-profit organisations, particularly when it comes to capacity to access digital resources and the opportunity to improve knowledge and skills to harness technology to maintain and create connections. But we also know that connections are so important in building resilient communities, as well as sustainable communities. So this contribution from Telstra is very welcome, as it will help to address some of those challenges and harness many of the opportunities in country Australia. We very much look forward to launching the program next month,” Ms Matthee said.

Read Telstra’s full announcement or learn more on Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program page.