Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

Rural community groups can apply for grants up to $10,000

Remote, rural and regional communities are being encouraged to embrace new technologies and digital solutions with grants up to $10,000 available thanks to FRRR and Telstra.

Previous grant program recipient, King Island Regional Development Organisation

The Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program invites local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) to apply for their share in $200,000 for projects that empower their community to embrace new technologies, improve digital literacy and enhance digital capabilities.

The program aims to foster the liveability, sustainability and resilience of rural Australia by funding projects that enhance social connection, support equitable access to technology, increase cyber security, enable sustainable environmental practices or support disaster preparedness.

Loretta Willaton, Regional Australia Executive at Telstra, said that now in its third year, the Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program has supported almost 60 projects aimed at building digital capability in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia.

“Thanks to our partnership with FRRR, we have witnessed the critical role that technology plays across the spectrum of community life.

“The program has supported a range of projects, from digital literacy workshops that help people to understand their device so that they can feel safe to use the technology, to improving not-for-profit operations and service delivery so that they can better support the most vulnerable. We have also been inspired by the innovations in information sharing and the positive impact that these new systems have had on the environmental, social and economic outcomes of communities.

“In 2025, the program will continue to support projects that embrace new technology and build digital capability to support liveable, resilient and sustainable remote, rural, regional communities across Australia,” said Ms Willaton.

Natalie Egleton, CEO at FRRR, said the Foundation is dedicated to narrowing the digital divide.

“Rural communities are great places to live. Unfortunately, the reality is that there is generally limited access to technology, education and job opportunities, meaning people find they have no choice but to move to the city, just to be able to work or go to school.

“That’s why equitable access to services, like technology and digital solutions, is so important. For older people it supports connection and opportunities to keep learning and be confident with digital devices. For younger people it supports them to live, learn and work outside of the metro regions and make these vibrant smaller towns their home.

“Adopting new technologies is not as simple as ‘plugging it in’, and the great thing about these grants is that they are designed to support communities as they transition to new technologies.

“Working with Telstra, we’re able to fund initiatives that bring communities up to speed by improving access to information, technology, education and the facilities that they need to strengthen social capital, digital literacy and digital capabilities.

“I look forward to reading this year’s funding requests and how NFPs are narrowing the digital divide,” Ms Egleton said.

Applications close at 5pm AEDT on Thursday, 20 March. Successful grants will be announced in June 2025 and applicants will have 12 months to complete the funded projects.

GRANTSEEKER WEBINAR DETAILS

FRRR will present a Webinar for the Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program – Tuesday 25 February 12.30pm -1.30pm AEDT. Register via FRRR’s website or at https://events.humanitix.com/frrr-and-telstra-s-connected-communities-grant-information-session.

Learn more about eligibility criteria and what’s required in the application via the Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program webpage

Applications for Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program are now open, with eligible not-for-profit organisations invited to apply for a grant of up to $5,000 to support community projects in regional Australia.

Banana Shire Community Arts Association, in Biloela, QLD, was awarded a Nutrien Ag Solutions grant to enable efficient water use at the Biloela Community Garden.

“Through our partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, the Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program has been instrumental in providing more than $750,000 in funding over the last three years to local not-for-profit organisations,” said Mady Muirhead, Corporate Affairs Advisor at Nutrien Ag Solutions.

“In 2023 alone, we granted more than $252,000 to 57 community-led projects across remote, rural and regional Australia. These projects are designed to strengthen and invigorate our communities, making them even more vibrant and prosperous.”

“We’re a local employer across hundreds of communities, so we know what a privilege it is to live and work in regional Australia. Our community investments are underpinned by one aim – contributing to a successful, sustainable and safe future for agricultural communities,” said Ms Muirhead.

The Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program has supported more than 160 local projects since its launch in 2021, including the redevelopment of fire shed facilities at Carabost, New South Wales; the restoration of the historic Buangor Cobb and Co at Buangor, Victoria; and the construction of a stage shelter at the agricultural showgrounds in Millicent, South Australia.

“We work in partnership with our communities to support them at a grassroots level, in ways that best suit the specific needs of that community,” said Ms Muirhead.

The Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program is run in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).

FRRR Place Program Lead, Jill Karena, says that it’s wonderful to partner with Nutrien Ag Solutions to support local not-for-profits that know just what’s needed to make their communities more livable, vibrant and sustainable.

“Whether it’s an initiative to engage local young people, enhancements to community facilities to bring people together and facilitate connection, or providing access to services many of us in urban areas take for granted, the Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program has the flexibility to respond to local priorities identified by local people. We look forward to seeing what those needs are this year and to help bring those great ideas to fruition,” said Ms Karena.

Applications for the 2024 Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program are open now and close on 8 August 2024, with successful applicants announced in October this year.

An online webinar will be held to support grant seekers from 12.30 – 1.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday 16 July. Sign up here: https://events.humanitix.com/nutrien-ag-solutions-grantseeker-workshop.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://frrr.org.au/funding/place/nutrien/.

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.

Twenty-seven community-led groups in remote, rural and regional NSW will share in $912,505 awarded through the Resilience NSW COVID Regional Community Support (CRCS) program.

Funded by the NSW Government and administered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), the grants were allocated to grassroots community groups and not-for-profit organisations that helped their communities navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NSW Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the funding stream would help these groups build resilience and better mitigate the impact of pandemics and other disasters across their communities.

“We awarded between $3,363 and $50,000 to organisations, to support a wide range of regional capacity building initiatives to help enhance community wellbeing, create stronger local economies, and enable a greater ability to respond to future challenges,” Ms Cooke said.

“The pandemic has posed plenty of difficulties for people and families in remote and regional areas over the past two years, and community-led organisations played an important role in navigating those challenges.”

Ms Cooke said some of the common requests from community groups involved facility improvements, food security and assisting with the increased demand on local services in flood-devastated areas such as the Northern Rivers.

“We’ve been able to address some of these needs through this funding stream, to ensure these groups and the communities they work with are in better stead for the future.”

Some of the 27 funded projects include:

  • Agape Outreach Inc in Tweed Heads to improve staff and volunteer resilience and increase capacity to support the community through mental health and wellbeing training – $36,600.
  • Forster Neighbourhood Centre Inc in Forster to promote organisational capacity and support local access to essential services by contributing to the fit-out of the new Forster Neighbourhood Centre – $50,000.
  • Gunnedah Meals on Wheels Association in Gunnedah to improve the capacity of Gunnedah Meals on Wheels to support vulnerable community members through a hamper program and the purchase of a large deep freezer – $8,150.
  • LeaderLife Ltd in Dubbo to grow organisational resilience and support skills development in local youth through a new syntropic farming system – $50,000.
  • Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening Eurobodalla in Moruya to increase organisational capacity and promote food security in the Eurobodalla Shire through the hiring of a Business Manager – $50,000.

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said the grants acknowledge and will strengthen the capacity of regional organisations in NSW who played such a critical role in supporting communities throughout COVID-19 challenges. 

“The impact of the pandemic has been significant and is still being felt,” Ms Egleton said. “The flexibility of this program recognised that every community is different and requires tailored support and funding to ensure that they can continue to provide vital services, bring people and community organisations together and enable locally-led responses as and when required.

“Being able to support the many community organisations and not-for-profits who have gone above and beyond for their communities during such difficult times and enable them to be better prepared in the future is important to the ongoing sustainability and vibrancy of these communities.”

A complete list of the projects supported is below.

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
Agape Outreach Inc

Upskill Disaster Support & Resilience Project
Improve staff and volunteer resilience and increase capacity to support community through mental health and wellbeing training.

Tweed Heads $36,600
Albury Wodonga Regional Foodshare

Community Pantry
Increase organisational capacity and service reach through the employment of a project coordinator. 

Albury $25,000
Armidale Care for Seniors Inc

Installation of Solar Panels and Implement a Senior's Wellness Activity
Improve capacity of Armidale Care for Seniors to support seniors by running a wellness program. 

Armidale $35,280
Bega Valley Shire Business Forum

Growing Volunteer Participation in Local Business Chambers
Support economic recovery by strengthening the volunteer base and upskilling committee members across the Forum’s seven member organisations. 

Bega $50,000
Boys To The Bush Ltd

Boys to the Bush (BttB) Young Up and Coming
Support Boys to the Bush to establish a presence in Young NSW through the delivery of camps for disadvantaged young males and associated community engagement.

Young $49,970
Carevan Wagga Incorporated

Carevan Continues to Care
Support Carevan Wagga to provide meals to people experiencing food insecurity through the purchase of take-away food containers and gloves.

Wagga Wagga $3,363
Carries Place Domestic Violence and Homelessness Services Inc

Establishing Client Centric Spaces within a Community Hub to Support the Provision of Domestic Violence and Homelessness Services in the Hunter Community
Grow the capacity of Carrie’s Place to support domestic and family violence victims in the Hunter through a trauma-informed fit-out of a new hub.

Maitland $23,188
Community College-Northern Inland Inc

Human Resources Project
Improve the capacity of CCNI to provide targeted and relevant education to rural and regional communities through improved HR processes and policies.

Barraba $30,000
Coonamble Cancer Survival Fund Inc

Governance Training
Strengthen and support community groups by providing current and future volunteer committee members with governance training. 

Coonamble $4,095
Emmanuel Care Centre Inc

Business Continuation
Improve organisational sustainability through hiring of new staff member. 

Dubbo $26,508
Forster Neighbourhood Centre Inc

Futureproofing Forster/Tuncurry
Promote organisational capacity and support local access to essential services by contributing to the fit out of the new Forster Neighbourhood Centre. 

Forster-Tuncurry $50,000
Gundagai Neighbourhood Centre Inc

Fridays for Friendship
Support organisation to empower local recovery and resilience building through weekly wellbeing sessions.

Gundagai $42,766
Gunnedah Meals on Wheels Association

Our Elderly are Resilient and Deserved to be Looked After
Improve capacity of Gunnedah Meals on Wheels to support vulnerable community members through a hamper program and the purchase of a large deep freeze.

Gunnedah $8,150
Home-Start National Inc

Newcastle/Lake Macquarie Volunteer Resilience Project
Build the capacity of Home Start in the West Lake Macquarie region through bridging funding for a part-time project coordinator.

Lake Macquarie $20,546
Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre Inc

Connecting Community
Increase KNCs capacity to support vulnerable community members through the employment of a community engagement worker.

Kempsey $43,546
LeaderLife Ltd

LeaderLife with Syntropics: Let's Grow
Grow organisational resilience and support skills development in local youth through the implantation of a syntropic farming system.

Dubbo $50,000
Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services Inc

Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Wellbeing Space
Improve capability of Liberty to support domestic and family violence victims through the fit out of a new wellness space and the hiring of an onsite co-ordinator.

Port Macquarie $50,000
Louisa Johnston Centre Inc

Bonalbo Stay Connected with a New Computer Hub
Enhance organisational capacity to support Bonalbo’s residents to rebuild through the establishment of a community computer hub.

Bonalbo $40,648
Manning Support Services Inc

Keeping Families Connected
Improve service provision and client engagement while increasing organisational resilience to future pandemics.

Taree $12,581
Queer Family Inc

Queer Family Recovery Officer
Hire a Recovery Officer to support recovery and resilience building for an organisation focused on LGBTQIA+ communities in Northern NSW.

Mullumbimby $49,700
Rural Financial Counselling Service, NSW - Southern Region Ltd

Building Counsellor & Business Coach Capacity
Improve organisational capacity through targeted training in coaching and mentoring services for rural and regional businesses in financial difficulty. 

Wagga Wagga $50,000
Singleton Family Support Scheme

Singleton Family Support Scheme Incorporated
Build capacity of Singleton Family Support Scheme to assist families in crisis by increasing staff hours.

Singleton $49,500
Support for New Mums

Attracting, Training and Retaining Volunteers
Increase the capacity of support for  new mums to care for mums and babies in Tweed and Byron shires through the training of new volunteers.

Murwillumbah $10,204
Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening Eurobodalla

SAGE NSW Inc - Building Capacity and Resilience Project
Increase organisational capacity to promote food security in the Shire through the hiring of a Business Manager.

Moruya $50,000
Third Sector Australia Ltd

The Meeting Place
Enhance the capacity of Momentum to support a low socioeconomic community through the fit-out of a community space. 

Casino$1,5950
We Help Ourselves

WHOS Hunter - Day Program Fitout
Improve capacity of WHOS Hunter Valley to support patients requiring rehabilitation who are not under residential treatment, through the fit out of new premises. 

Newcastle$35,670
Wyee Community Hub Inc

Building Resilience after COVID at Wyee
Improve the capacity of WCHIA to support a more resilient Wyee through volunteer training.

Wyee$49,240

Grant funding is now available to support communities in remote, rural and regional Queensland and New South Wales who have been impacted by this year’s flooding events.

Suncorp and GIO have partnered with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), through the Rebuilding Futures program, to offer $500,000 in grants of up to $25,000 to help not-for-profit groups and local community organisations to rebuild and recover from this year’s flood events.

Suncorp’s Head of Flood Response and Recovery, Cath Stewart, said that this funding recognises that while the initial clean up may have concluded, many community groups still have a lot of work to do to support their community’s ongoing recovery.

“The floods were devastating and, sadly, some places were affected more than once. On top of weather events and the impacts of COVID, not to mention the increased costs of living that are putting pressure on local businesses and community members, many groups are finding it really hard to access resources they need to support their community.

“These grants, which can be used to support locally-identified recovery and rebuilding priorities, will hopefully relieve some of those pressures and allow the communities to start moving forward,” said Ms Stewart.

FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, said that Suncorp and GIO’s support means that there is flexible funding available to help communities rebuild and be better prepared for future disaster events.

“We know that local community leaders are the ones who are best placed to know what their community needs. That’s why we made sure these grants can fund a wide range of activities, events, initiatives and small-scale infrastructure or equipment projects. The aim is to ensure that the community can build resilience by improving facilities for mitigation and preparedness and creating opportunities to reconnect, share experiences or support overall wellbeing and improved mental health, in whatever way makes most sense to that community.

“We look forward to engaging with these groups and are hoping that for some the grant opportunity can be a catalyst for projects that reduce the impact of future disasters on community wellbeing and physical infrastructure,” Ms Egleton explained.

For more information about who is eligible and what can be funded, visit www.frrr.org.au/Rebuilding-Futures.

A Grant Seeking Workshop including a Q&A on the Rebuilding Future’s grant program will be held online from 1 – 2pm AEST Tuesday 23 August 2022.

Applications close 28 September 2022.

After supporting more than 50 local projects in 2021, the Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program is back for a second year, offering grants of up to $5,000 for projects across rural and regional Australia.

Penneshaw Medical Clinic

Nutrien Ag Solutions Director of Corporate Affairs Carissa Buckland says the program supports projects that strengthen, connect and enhance rural and regional communities.

“We have thousands of employees living and working in rural and regional towns right across Australia. So, we have a deep understanding of what makes a community thrive – and it’s all about the people” says Ms Buckland. 

“Covid placed significant unanticipated stress on grassroots organisations and groups that work tirelessly to support their local communities. With face-to-face events restricted over the past two years it’s been challenging for these groups to rely on their regular fundraising efforts.  Nutrien Ag Solutions is so proud to provide a much-needed boost to the rural and regional communities we are a part of,” says Ms Buckland.

Ms Buckland says grants are available for a wide range of meaningful community-led projects.

“Last year we supported 57 projects across the country including the installation of monkey bars at Coonamble Pre-School for their occupational therapy program and weatherproof speakers for the Mansfield Armchair Cinema. We also supported the upgrade of a space for regional artists to exhibit their work in Moora, an excursion to visit local farmers for students at Belltrees Public School, and a fence to improve the safety of the public playground at Deniliquin,” says Ms Buckland.

“We were also proud to support the return of medical services at the Penneshaw Community Health Rooms on Kangaroo Island, with funding used to provide air-conditioning for the consulting room and disability access to the bathroom, including a mobility toilet and grab rails.”

The Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program is run in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).

FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, says that access to flexible funding through programs like Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program is really important for local not-for-profits and community groups to sustain their communities.

“The cumulative impacts of fires, floods, drought and COVID has put significant pressure on many remote, rural and regional community groups – yet as our Heartbeat of Rural Australia study showed last year, their work is more important than ever.  Flexible grant programs like this one, which can support a wide range of community needs, are more important than ever. We are delighted to once again be partnering with Nutrien Ag Solutions to enable this funding to get to the community groups that need it most, so they can help build stronger rural communities.”

Applications for the 2022 Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program are open now and close 5pm AEST 12 August 2022, with successful applicants announced in October this year. For more information and to apply visit: www.nutrienagsolutions.com.au/nutrien-ag-solutions-community-grants-program.

Spirit of charity shines bright in a tough year to help rural communities adapt and evolve

A unique Australian charity significantly increased its year-on-year grantmaking, giving remote, rural and regional communities across the country a much-needed funding boost as they adapted to the impacts of natural disasters and COVID-19.

FRRR significantly increases funding in FY20-21 to help rural communities adapt and evolve

FRRR (the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) supports small not-for-profit organisations across rural Australia through a mix of grant funding and capacity building activities. Their aim is to ensure local grassroots groups have the tools and support they need to implement projects that strengthen and sustain the vitality of their communities, and their organisations.

Last financial year, FRRR awarded nearly $20 million through 917 grants, an increase of around a third on the prior year. A significant portion ($4.1 million) went toward 203 recovery projects in communities impacted by the Black Summer bushfires, who were also grappling with economic and social fallout of COVID-19.

For the last 20 years, FRRR has created collaborative partnerships with Government, philanthropy, business and private funders to provide support to local organisations to fill the gaps, and address inequities in services in these areas and, critically, to strengthen community resilience.

Despite it being a tough year, everyday Australians and the philanthropic sector in particular continued to give, enabling FRRR to reach some of the smallest and most remote communities.

FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton said that while many grants to community groups are project-based, last year, in response to community needs, the organisation adapted its approach to also support more operational costs.

“The places we support are really small communities – sometimes just tens or hundreds of people – and so very few volunteers carry a lot of the load. Between the impacts of bushfires, drought, floods and COVID-19 restrictions, traditional fundraising was simply not possible. We were able to step in and support projects in more than 540 different postcodes across the country.

“With these communities being so resourceful, most projects don’t actually need all that much funding. In fact, our median grant was only around $13,000. While that figure has increased over time, we still award many grants that are just a few thousand dollars.

“It’s surprising just how big an impact can be created with relatively little, especially when people come together and given collaboratively, as they have this year,” Ms Egleton said.

“While it’s been a tough 12 months, thanks to the support of our corporate and philanthropic partners, and hundreds of individual donors, we are proud to have been able to sustain and indeed strengthen many rural communitites,” Ms Egleton concluded.

FRRR’s FY2020/21 Annual Review is available at www.frrr.org.au/AR21.

More than 50 communities to benefit from Nutrien Community Grants

Community organisations across rural and regional Australia will share in more than $250,000 as Nutrien Ag Solutions, in partnership with FRRR, announced the recipients from the first round of the Community Grants Program.

Funding boosts vibrancy and wellbeing of rural communities across Australia

This year the program will deliver 57 small grants for projects, leaving a big impact in their local communities.

The funding is directed towards projects that will create long-term positive outcomes that benefit and strengthen local communities.

The projects that have been funded reflect the diversity of communities in which Nutrien Ag Solutions operates and the different needs found in each place. Some of the 57 projects awarded include:

  • Hay Inc, NSW – Hay Inc Rural Education Program: Increase access to agricultural training and mentoring through their Rural Education Program – $5,000
  • The Historical Society of Katherine, NT – Refurbish Outdoor Function Equipment: Refurbish outdoor function equipment to enhance the facilities and attract Museum visitors – $5,000
  • Central Highlands Science Centre Inc, Emerald QLD – Curiosity Club – Exploring STEAM through Engineering, Technology and Robotics: Support and foster inquisitive minds to explore STEAM through engineering, technology and robotics resources – $5,000
  • Coomandook Amalgamated Pastime Club, SA – Coomandook Community Postal Agency – Reverse cycle air conditioning unit: Boost volunteer vitality by installing reverse cycle air conditioning at the community-operated Coomandook Postal Agency – $2,685
  • Northern Midlands Radio Initiative Inc, Longford TAS – Northern Midlands Radio Initiative Inc Community Radio Development: Build organisational capacity by equipping two new community radio stations – $5,000
  • The Trustee for The MAC Trust, Mansfield VIC – No More Silent Movies: Boost access to community activities with the provision of speakers for the Mansfield Outdoor Cinema – $4,335
  • Katanning Regional Business Association Inc., WA – Summer Ready: Get summer-ready and build community resilience through disaster preparedness workshops – $2,560

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that this was one of the most popular programs that FRRR has run in recent years, thanks to both its flexibility and the strong connections that local Nutrien staff have in their communities.

“Like FRRR, Nutrien recognises the critical role that community-led groups play in ensuring access to vital services and creating dynamic and vibrant places to live and work. Most of the requests were for infrastructure and equipment, such as mowers and generators, or to upgrade community spaces, and to improve access to services and activities. These things can often be hard to fund, especially in really small communities.

“Thanks to Nutrien’s support, we’ve been able to give some really important community projects the boost they need to address local needs and take advantage of opportunities that will encourage engagement and foster community wellbeing,” Ms Egleton explained.

Carissa Buckland, Nutrien Ag Solutions Director of Corporate Affairs, said that Nutrien is proud to support the rural and regional communities that play such a central role in achievements of the agriculture industry. 

“With the ongoing impacts of disasters, including fires, floods and drought, and of course the restrictions of COVID, local fundraising has been a challenge, so we are delighted to be able to fund these important community projects, and help relieve the pressure that many groups are under,” Ms Buckland said.

“We know this seed funding will also allow community groups to leverage the grant and attract the additional funding or in-kind contributions they may need,” Ms Buckland said.

Most of the applications came from outer-regional, remote or very remote areas (75%), again reflecting the challenges in securing funding in those areas. Around a third of the communities that applied have fewer than 500 people. The average funding requested was just under $4,700 and the smallest request was for just under a thousand.

Community groups looking for similar flexible funding are encouraged to visit www.frrr.org.au/funding to explore what other grant programs are available.

If you would like to support grants like this through FRRR, make a tax-deductible donation at https://frrr.org.au/giving/.

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

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
NEW SOUTH WALES #colspan##colspan##colspan#
Ardlethan Ariah Park Mirrool Football ClubThe Long Lunch - An Event by Northern Jets
Boost community connection and general wellbeing with a Long Lunch event for the Ardlethan, Ariah Park and Mirrool communities.
Ariah Park$5,000
Barellan Working Clydesdales

Ride-on Lawnmower
Support volunteer vitality to maintain the Barellan Showgrounds by purchasing a ride-on mower ensuring an attractive, well-manicured facility for the community and travellers to utilise.

Barellan$5,000
Belltrees Public SchoolRegenerative Agriculture - Immersion Excursion
Increase access to educational experiences for the children and community of Belltrees and surrounds through the delivery of the Regenerative Agriculture - Immersion Excursion to the Armidale region.
Belltrees$5,000
Binnaway P A H and I Assoc IncorpSupporting Volunteers and the Upkeep of Community Infrastructure through the Purchase of a New Mower for the Binnaway Showground
Boost volunteer vitality through the provision of a ride-on mower for the Binnaway PAH and I Association to support maintenance of the community showgrounds.
Binnaway$5,000
Coolabah United Citizens IncorporatedCoolabah Bushfire Hazard Reduction & Beautification
Boost volunteer vitality and community spirits with the provision of a ride-on mower enabling locals to maintain community assets.
Coolabah$5,000
Coonamble Pre School Association IncCoonamble Preschool Physical Education Addition
Support school readiness and fine motor development of children with the installation of monkey bars at the Coonamble Pre School.
Coonamble$4,030
Deniliquin District Cricket AssociationFence Off Public Playground
Enhance community safety with the construction of a perimeter fence around the newly installed playground at the Deniliquin Memorial Park.
Deniliquin$5,000
Do It For Batlow IncorporatedOrigin Pathway
Enhance local identity with the installation of the Origin Pathway, celebrating the birth of locals at the Old Batlow Hospital, which was tragically lost in the Black Summer fires.
Batlow$4,512
North Star Memorial Hall & Park Committee Gwydir Shire CouncilSupply and Installation of Eight Ceiling Fans
Improve usability at the local hall through the installation of ceiling fans at the North Star Memorial Hall.
North Star$4,500
Hay IncHay Inc Rural Education Program
Increase access to Agricultural training and mentoring with the provision of training resources and equipment and catering of a mentoring dinner for participants.
Hay$5,000
Inverell Show SocietyInverell Show Society Upgrade to the Public Address System at the Inverell Showground
Boost organisational capacity with the installation of an upgraded public announcement system at the Inverell Show Grounds.
Inverell$5,000
Muswellbrook South Public School P & C AssociationSupporting Sustainability Project
Purchase equipment for school recycling and sustainability programs to provide students with hands-on sensory experiences along with many learning opportunities that are inclusive of students with varying needs such as emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioural.
Muswellbrook$4,732
Peak Hill Pony Club IncMulti-use Grandstand for Community Events
Grow community participation with the provision of a transportable grandstand for the Peak Hill Community at the Peak Hill Showgrounds.
Peak Hill$3,924
Rankins Springs Golf Club IncorporatedKitchen Delivery Entrance and Disabled Entrance
Build community resilience through upgrading kitchen and disability access.
Rankins Springs$4,321
Tenterfield Show Society IncorporatedTenterfield Showgrounds BBQ Shed Refurbishment
Upgrade community infrastructure for Tenterfield by contributing to the BBQ shed refurbishment.
Tenterfield$5,000
West Wyalong Branch The United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW IncWest Wyalong Hospital Auxiliary Provision of Additional Medical Equipment (Medical Patient Wight Scale) for the Local West Wyalong Hospital
Increase capacity of medical facility to accurately measure and weigh patients improving medical outcomes and staff conditions.
West Wyalong$2,918
Woodstock and District Progress AssociationRestoring Ghost Signs in the Woodstock Village Precinct
Build community resilience through restoration of signage that has historical significance to the Woodstock district on buildings within the main precinct of the Woodstock village.
Woodstock$5,000
NORTHERN TERRITORY#colspan##colspan##colspan#
The Historical Society of Katherine NTRefurbish Outdoor Function Equipment - The Katherine Museum
Enhance tourism destinations by supplying new outdoor tables and chairs at the Katherine Museum.
Katherine$5,000
QUEENSLAND#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Burdekin Potters IncPurchase of Three Electric Pottery Wheels
Increase organisational capacity with the purchase of three pottery wheels for the Burdekin Potters, enabling access to opportunities for self-expression through the arts for the community.
Ayr$4,475
Bymount East Primary P&C AssnBymount East School 75 Year Reunion
Boost community spirits and sense of belonging by providing support for the 75th Anniversary Celebrations for the Bymount East Primary School.
Bymount$2,000
Central Highlands Science Centre IncCuriosity Club - Exploring STEAM through Engineering, Technology and Robotics
Support and foster inquisitive minds across the Central Highlands through the provision of STEAM resources at the Centre Highlands Science Centre.
Emerald$5,000
Murgon P A & H Society IncBuilding Connections from the Ground Up
Build community resilience through upgrading facilities at the Murgon showgrounds to improve access and capacity for revenue raising.
Murgon$5,000
Pikedale Community Inc"Sip and Socialise" By the Screen
Build community resilience through funding home theatre equipment for community screenings and get togethers in Pikedale.
Pikes Creek$4,988
Taroom Shire Cancer & Palliative Care Group IncNew Lift Chairs & Knee Walker
Support palliative care patients living in their homes in Taroom and surrounds by providing access to lift chairs and an additional knee walker, increasing patient comfort and reducing stress for carers.
Taroom$4,095
SOUTH AUSTRALIA#colspan##colspan##colspan#
South East Youth Development Project T/as Noorla Yo-Long Blue Light SA Inc

Noorla Yo-Long Blue Light Adventure - Replacement Climbing Equipment
Increase access to activities for Rendlesham and surrounds with the replacement of climbing safety equipment for Noorla Yo-Long Blue Light Adventure.

Rendelsham$4,337
Coomandook Amalgamated Pastime ClubCoomandook Community Postal Agency - Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Unit
Boost volunteer vitality by installing reverse cycle air conditioning at the community operated Coomandook Postal Agency.
Coomandook$2,685
Jervois Football Club IncInstallation of Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning to the Jervois Combined Sports Club Venue
Improve community facility with reverse cycle air conditioning installation at local sports club.
Jervois$3,490
Keith and Tintanara District Show Society IncKeith Showgrounds Paved Access Area
Improve facilities for safety and access at the Community Hub Building at the showgrounds.
Keith$4,991
Kyancutta Ramblers Golf Club IncorporatedEquipment Upgrade (Mower)
Boost volunteer and community vitality with the provision of a ride-on mower to support volunteers in maintaining community assets in Kyancutta and surrounds.
Kyancutta$5,000
Lameroo Forward IncorporatedLameroo Country Arts Events 2022
Enable access to develop a culturally vibrant community through funding for culture program including a disability choir.
Lameroo$5,000
Lions Club of TintinaraReliable Power for the Tintinara Lions Club Catering Caravan, Community Events and Emergency Use
Purchase a trailer mounted generator which will give the Club the ability to take our catering caravan to any event regardless of the availability of power & also to give us a reliable power supply at community events and for local emergency and natural disaster management.
Tintinara$5,000
Penneshaw CWA Penneshaw Progress Association IncorporatedReinstate Penneshaw Community Health Centre Facilities
Improve access to health services by upgrading disabled toilet facilities and installing a split system air conditioner at the Community Health Centre to support the reinstatement of Penneshaw Community Health Services.
Penneshaw$5,000
TASMANIA#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Flinders Island Show Society IncThe Flinders Island Show
Increase organisational capacity to support community events with the purchase of marquees for the Flinders Island Show Society.
Whitemark$4,804
Huon Valley Police & Community Youth Club IncHealthy Cafe and Cooking for Seniors
Enhance community facilities for older people through a youth training healthy cafe enterprise.
Huonville$5,000
Lower Barrington Community Hall IncLower Barrington Hall Disability Friendly Bathroom Project Stage 1
Improve community access to facilities via the upgrade of bathroom facilities and infrastructure.
Lower Barrington$5,000
Meander Liffey Resource Management Group IncMeander Forest Picnic Ground
Enhance community facilities by providing four shaded picnic tables at the Meander Forest Picnic Grounds.
Meander$5,000
Northern Midlands Radio Initiative (NMRI) IncNorthern Midlands Radio Initiative Inc (NMRI Inc) Community Radio Development
Build organisational capacity by equipping two new community radio stations in the Northern Midlands.
Longford$5,000
VICTORIA#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Bahgallah Memorial Hall IncorporatedBahgallah Memorial Hall External Upgrade
Support volunteer vitality while ensuring the longevity of the Bahgallah Memorial Hall by restoring and painting the external of the building.
Bahgallah$4,416
Boort Resource and Information CentreUpgrade Three Computer Hard Drives in the Front Office at the Boort Resource and Information Centre
Boost volunteer vitality with the replacement of outdated technology at the Boort Resource and Information Centre.
Boort$5,000
Cavendish Recreation ReserveMulti-Purpose Community Events Space and Storage Facility
Multi-Purpose Community Events Space and Storage Facility - development of new community facility.
Cavendish$5,000
Birch Group of Fire Brigades Country Fire Authority - Head OfficeFCV Response Equipment Fundraising
Boost community and volunteer safety through the purchase of a chainsaw, power supply and lighting for the area command vehicle of the Birch group of CFA Brigades.
Creswick$2,515
Hopetoun & District Neighbourhood House IncHopetoun Community Gym - A Comfortable Climate for the Whole Community
Installation of air conditioners to support community gym use.
Hopetoun$5,000
Mitchell Community Radio IncorporatedBroadford Monthly
OKR FM conducts a live broadcast from the Broadford Living and Learning Centre on the third Thursday of each month from 1pm to 3pm. It costs $160 per month for room hire, 4G device recharge and Audio Technician. OKR provides all the necessary equipment. The grant would allow 10 months.
Broadford$1,600
St Arnaud Neighbourhood House IncSt Arnaud House and Shed Garden
Build community resilience through the construction of a vegetable garden at the St Arnaud Neighbourhood Centre.
St Arnaud$1,703
The Leongatha Men's ShedAblutions Infrastructure - Leongatha Men’s Shed
Contribute to the development of a new facility with purpose built ablutions infrastructure.
Leongatha$5,000
The Trustee for The MAC TrustNo More Silent Movies
Boost access to community activities with the provision of speakers for the Mansfield Outdoor Cinema.
Mansfield$4,335
Walpeup Memorial HallWalpeup Memorial Hall Renovations: Stage 3
Build community resilience through extensive maintenance work at the Walpeup Memorial Hall, supporting community activity and memorabilia display.
Walpeup$5,000
Woodleigh Hall Committee IncWoodleigh Hall Toilet Extension
Build organisation capacity through installing disability access toilets and complete an upgrade of the hall facility.
Woodleigh$5,000
WESTERN AUSTRALIA #colspan##colspan##colspan#
Wally Foreman Sports Museum Committee Bruce Rock Community Resource Centre IncWally Foreman Sports Museum
Preserve and promote community sporting heritage by employing a curation contractor to identify and develop a curation plan and train committee members at the Wally Foreman Sports Museum.
Bruce Rock$5,000
Dardanup Bull and Barrel Festival IncA Storage Shed Will Save Our Backs and Time
Increase storage capacity for the Dardanup Bull and Barrel Festival Inc. by building a shed to store community equipment.
Dardanup$5,000
Gardiner Street Arts CollectiveHarmony Room Refurbishment
Increase access to community facilities that foster creativity and connection by repainting and refurnishing the Harmony Room at the Gardiner Street Arts Collective.
Moora$5,000
Katanning Regional Business Association IncSummer Ready
Build community resilience through disaster preparedness workshops for the women of Katanning
Katanning$2,500
Napier Progress Association IncReplace Napier Hall Eaves
Improve community facility with the replacement of eaves, enhancing patron comfort and utility.
Napier$5,000
Ongerup Sporting ComplexInstalling Café Blinds on the Veranda At the Ongerup Sporting Complex
Increase usability of community infrastructure with the installation of Café blinds at the Ongerup Sporting Complex.
Ongerup$5,000
Ravensthorpe Community Resource Centre IncHR Help for Our Local Heroes
Grow community volunteerism with human resources support for local not-for-profit organisations throughout Ravensthorpe region.
Ravensthorpe$5,000
Shire of CunderdinYouth Wellness Project
Build community resilience through wellness program targeted for youth mental health including parents' education.
Cunderdin$5,000
W.A. Bush Fire Museum and Heritage Group IncPurchase of Laptop Computer for W.A. Bush Fire Museum and Heritage Group
Purchase of laptop computer with software for the recording of documents, photos and artefacts for W.A. Bush Fire Museum and Heritage Group.
Bridgetown$998

Support needed now more than ever for communities hit by multiple disasters

Port Macquarie, on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, is just one of many towns reeling from the effects of cumulative disasters. In their case, it began in July 2019 with devastating bushfires that affected many communities across the region. The fires burned until January 2020. Homes, livelihoods and, sadly, lives were lost.

Then in March 2020, COVID-19 hit, decimating visitor numbers and the vital income they bring with them, and restrictions hampered bushfire recovery activities. These cumulative impacts meant many retailers, cafes, pubs, restaurants, tourism and accommodation providers were forced to let staff go or, for some, to close.

In March 2021 – with COVID-19 and bushfire recovery still ongoing – the region was inundated by a one in 100 year flood. Thousands of people were evacuated, and five months later, many have still not been able to return to their homes. Today, pockets of the community are still without electricity.

Port Macquarie
Flooding in Port Macquarie

Fewer resources, but more to do

The struggle for small organisations trying to support their community is very real, even in normal times. So, when events like the bushfires, floods and COVID-19 place greater demands on their services, their capacity is challenged. But they fight on!

Make a Difference Port Macquarie (MAD PMQ) is a local support agency helping their community to respond to these events. Over the last year, they’ve had to work through how to do more, with fewer people. When COVID-19 hit, MAD lost their volunteer base almost overnight because most of their volunteers are elderly or retired and are very vulnerable. The pandemic also had a huge impact on the organisation’s fundraising. Like many small community organisations, MAD PMQ relies heavily on events to raise the funds required to deliver their services.

Volunteer Erin Denham said they generally run four or five fundraising events a year but were only able to run one in the last year, and that’s had a massive impact on revenue. MAD PMQ was supported by an FRRR grant that funded the stage for that event and the fit out of their mobile coffee van. 

“When we got the FRRR grant, it took so much pressure off us as a charity – we hadn’t been able to run a fundraising event in nine months, and we couldn’t see a way out of COVID-19. The grant allowed us to continue our plan for our projects and support our community.”

As successive disasters have hit the community, MAD PMQ has adapted and expanded its role.

“Our focus has shifted dramatically since our inception,” Erin said. “It was originally homelessness. Now we’ve moved to supporting a wider range of disadvantaged people, so our work shifts and adapts based on the needs of the community and what’s happening around us, like fires or floods. The homeless population is transient, but there are just as many people in the community who need our help that go beyond that demographic.”

When the floods hit in March, their greatest priority was helping to address the immediate needs of those affected by the floods, particularly getting people back in their own homes by supplying white goods such as fridges, washing machines and ovens.

“It’s been a massive effort,” Erin explained. “We’ve raised approximately $50,000 so far, which we’ve since redistributed in white goods and other requests. But it feels like the funding is starting to dry up, and the demand is greater now than it was immediately after the floods.”

Post flood clean up in Port Macquarie
Post flood clean up in Port Macquarie

Emerging impacts

In fact, demand for MAD’s services is the highest they’ve ever seen, and Erin says she thinks it will continue to increase as the full impact of the “triple-whammy” of disasters takes effect.

Erin said that while there was lots of help immediately following the fires and floods from external organisations and agencies, the responsibility is now falling on the small organisations within the community to pick up the load and continue to meet the ongoing needs of a community impacted by natural disasters.

“Most of the people provided with emergency accommodation until the end of June or early July are starting to have to move on, and demand for assistance to MAD PMQ is increasing.

“Everyone’s gone back to business as usual, you can’t tell by driving through town that anything happened,” Erin said.

“Just last week we came across a gentleman who is still living in his flood-affected caravan, with no power or running water. His caravan was written off, but he’s got nowhere else to go. We provided him with a generator, so he at least has some power.

“And I’m aware of a 65 year old man who was living in a tent in his back yard, while his wife was in emergency accommodation. They were separated for months after the floods happened. The housing crisis and gentrification are big problems, with people relocating from Sydney, and many people being pushed out of the rental market. And while they might be eligible for grants, often they can’t meet all of the requirements that’s needed and therefore they miss out on funding.”

Erin said that support through FRRR, such as the new Suncorp Rebuilding Futures program, allows community organisations to be responsive in the aftermath of the situation. By offering funding support for charities like MAD, the program will allow them to help residents get back into their homes faster.

MAD PMQ
MAD PMQ volunteers

Images: Alex McNaught

Warddeken, an Aboriginal owned not-for-profit company, combines traditional ecological knowledge with Western science to manage and protect one of Australia’s most unique environments.

Warddeken daluk (women) rangers Theona Namarnyilk and Suzannah Nabulwad setting monitoring cameras.


Arnhem Land covers 97,000 sq km of the top end of the Northern Territory.

During the second half of the twentieth century, many Traditional Owners were encouraged to move away from either remote parts of Arnhem Land and join missions, or larger communities to search for more ‘traditional’ work opportunities.

As a result, many parts of the area were left without people and ‘Country was orphaned’ – the term used for land without its people.

Over a number of decades fine-scale fire management was replaced by raging yearly wildfires, feral animals and invasive plants severely impacting the native species.

The plants and animals that make up the local ecosystems had previously evolved to rely on Bininj (the Aboriginal people of Western Arnhem Land), however the disruption in traditional Indigenous land management diminished the ecosystem and led to plummeting numbers of small to medium–weight mammals. This included culturally important species like djabbo / northern quoll and bakkadji / black-footed tree-rat. Refugia, including rainforest patches shrunk and fresh-water places were destroyed.

Getting things back on track

Warddeken is an Aboriginal-owned, not-for-profit company that combines traditional ecological knowledge with Western science to manage and protect one of Australia’s most unique environments.

Warddeken operates out of the remote homeland communities of Kabulwarnamyo, Manmoyi and Mamadawerre in west Arnhem Land. Each year up to 180 Indigenous rangers work on a variety of projects including fire management and carbon abatement, invasive weed and feral animal control, rock art conservation, education and cultural heritage management. 

In 2010 Aboriginal Elders from the Warddeken and Djelk IPAs established the Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust to seek philanthropic sources of funding for land management and cultural projects.

Last year, they received a $15,000 Seeds of Renewal grant from ANZ and FRRR to help fund a network of cameras that look into the prevalence of djabbo (northern quoll) on the land to understand the impact of its own land management practices and programs on this priority mammal species.

Students in a classroom with their teacher learning about science.
Djabbo (Northern Quoll), an endangered species caught on camera in the Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area.

Curbing the decline

Djabbo populations identified by the monitoring project are actively considered in annual early burning and wildfire suppression activities, and are targeted for further investigation for the purposes of building population resilience.

With meaningful involvement and employment of landowners and rangers, Warddeken will seek to define quoll and major predator feral cat population density and distribution to inform the design of predator suppression strategies if required.

Indigenous rangers, living and working on Country, are best placed to curb the decline in native biodiversity loss and improve habitat for future generations.

Rangers in West and Central Arnhem Land tirelessly blend Indigenous ecological knowledge and western science to control threats and help native species begin to thrive in their natural environment.

CEO of Karrkad Kanjdji Trust, Stacey Irving says “Warddeken’s vision is to have healthy people living and working on healthy country. The generous support of the ANZ Seeds of Renewal program is helping rangers care for species like the Djabbo.’’

Terrah Guymala, Senior Warddeken Ranger adds, “When we, Bininj people, see animals, we get excited because they play a big role in our life through our ceremonies.

“This year we have seen lots of animals that we love, but we hope this number increases so we can physically show our children rather than relying on rock art to tell the stories,” Terrah says.

ANZ General Manager Business Banking Jenefer Stewart says the ANZ Seeds of Renewal program has been providing grants for important initiatives in regional and rural Australia for nearly 20 years.

“Each year I look forward to seeing the difference the grants are able to make in these communities, many of which find it difficult to access the resources they need to grow, develop and prosper,” she says.

Written by Karly Dwyer, ANZ