Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
The Shire of Cunderdin serves the small towns of Cunderdin and Meckering in the Wheatbelt region of WA. In addition to the usual Council services, the Shire also supports local community groups to help build a place where residents are happy and proud to live by providing excellent community facilities, services and community resilience.
The Council works closely with the Cunderdin Youth Council. This group of extraordinary young people identified that youth in the region have almost no support when it comes to mental health. This is backed up with research by the Commissioner of Children and Young Western Australia, which identified that many regional and remote communities have inadequate age-appropriate services and limited infrastructure such as transport and recreational facilities. Young people in the Wheatbelt raised concerns about confidentiality, lack of anonymity and stigma as impediments to seeking help for mental health issues. The Youth Councillors identified the desire to increase their knowledge of mental health, how they can access support and also how they can support their friends with mental health issues. This need led to the Youth Wellness Project being created.
The Shire of Cunderdin received a $5,000 grant from FRRR via the Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants program. It went toward helping increase the knowledge and skills of parents and carers of young people, as well as that of young people in Cunderdin and Meckering, with a focus on mental health support strategies and how to access external mental health support.
As part of the Youth Wellness Project, the Shire hosted the first Mental Health Parent Information Night. The session aimed to reduce stigma associated with mental health among the community and youth, with a guest speaker from Armed for Life Foundation, which focuses on how to support parents, carers and students with mental health related issues.
Research also identified an acute shortage of services and programs for young people who require early intervention and/or treatment services because they have a mental health issue. Crime statistics for the Wheatbelt show that most issues appear to be more of an anti-social manner, including online / cyber bullying, which at times progresses to physical assaults. Other issues include mindless damage, which largely is attributed to boredom.
The project that the Youth Council put forward to the Shire of Cunderdin also sought to address these critical issues that young people from the Wheatbelt face every day. The second element of the Youth Wellness project included a full day session, designed to be interactive and free flowing, sharing experiences and building the young people’s confidence in identifying mental health knowledge, and when and how to access support.
Nearly 60 students from Cunderdin District High School, along with five teachers, attended the Youth Wellness Day, which was again run by the team from Armed for Life Foundation. While plans fell through for representatives from various allied and mental health agencies to attend the day, handouts provided information on the services that are available to the community.
Liezl De Beer from the Shire of Cunderdin said that while they would have liked a few more attendees at the information night, they were proud that 15 parents chose to attend. She also said that COVID was a big disruptor, causing them to postpone the event at very short notice.
The Shire of Cunderdin and its Youth Council will continue working together with support such as the Cunderdin Community Resource Centre, Cunderdin Police Officers and local schools to continue building and strengthening their relationships to bring about improved support for local youth.
Travellers now have a vibrant new site to visit on the NSW Silo Art Trail, with a mural adorning the Quandialla Soldiers Memorial Hall drawing tourists to the town.
Like so many small townships in agricultural areas striving to support their community and keep services sustainable, Quandialla needed to find a way to attract visitors off the main roads and to spend time in the town. With a focus on building tourism opportunities, there was strong community support for a project that would encourage sightseers to come and support existing businesses, contributing to the economic prosperity of this small town.
Seeing an opportunity to build on the momentum created by the Silo Art Trail, the Quandialla Soldiers Memorial Hall Association (QSMHA) recognised the hall served as the perfect blank canvas to develop a large mural depicting the area’s history, development and to commemorate those who served in times of war.
Successfully securing funds through the Strengthening Rural Communities grant program, QSMHA commissioned Melbourne artist Simon White to design and paint a mural and paid for the hire of a cherry picker so higher areas of the building could be reached safely. The mural was completed in eight days and before the paint was dry created a buzz in the streets and on social media. QSMHA shared with FRRR that they are very grateful for the support and said, “Small grants are the only way groups can make projects like this a reality.”
The hall is now a landmark for the town’s main street and the grant has improved a key community venue for major events for the local community and surrounds. Along with drawing visitors to the town, the mural has also succeeded in capturing Quandilla’s history and local achievements, encouraging conversations, building awareness and strengthening community pride.
FRRR has awarded $1,340,387 in grants to 131 local groups across remote, rural and regional Australia for projects that support small yet vital community needs, disaster resilience and recovery and COVID-19 recovery initiatives.
The grants are awarded through FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program, via one of three streams of funding: Small & Vital (S&V), Prepare & Recover (P&R), or the Rebuilding Regional Communities (RRC).
Collaboratively funded by donors ranging from private individuals to larger foundations, the SRC program supports a diverse range of initiatives across remote, rural and regional Australia. While each of the 131 awarded projects meets a unique local need, all funded initiatives have one thing in common – they each have a clear and direct benefit to the community and to those living locally.
Jill Karena, Place Portfolio Lead at FRRR, said it is truly inspiring to see the determination and resilience of community groups and local leaders, who continue to front up and strive for a stronger, and sustainable, rural Australia.
“In this round of SRC grants, we’ve seen a shift in project focus, with a significant increase in initiatives that address the wellbeing and sustainability of community organisations. The majority of these grants are for practical, infrastructure-related projects that will enable local groups in rural places to continue to provide vital services, and ensure community spaces are safe, secure and welcoming.
“Our RRC team continues to coordinate the new webinar series to support applicants called, ‘The Know and The How’. Clearly there’s a strong community appetite for topics that address fundamental issues for the not-for-profit sector, as the third session, focusing on strategic planning for community organisations, has already been booked out twice!” Ms Karena said.
“This is why we continue to see new, and returning, not-for-profits and community groups from remote, rural and regional communities across Australia applying for these grants. In fact, for nearly one third of recipients, in just this round of funding alone, this is the first time that they’ve applied for an FRRR grant.
“For those organisations that are previous grant recipients, the SRC program’s straight-forward application process, and the flexibility of the grants to fund local needs, are just some of the reasons they continue to apply for SRC grants.
“These grants may be relatively small, but they can make a mighty difference to a rural community! That’s why the focus of our end of year fundraising campaign is on small grants. All donations are gratefully received, no matter how small, as this program is needed more than ever,” Ms Karena explained.
Small & Vital
The S&V stream offers grants up to $10,000 for projects that strengthen community connections and meet local priorities.
In total, this round sees $380,177 in grants awarded to 48 local groups and NFPs through the S&V stream.
Three of the 48 projects funded through the S&V stream include:
- St John Ambulance Australia NT Inc – Wurrumiyanga, NT – Increase access to life-saving equipment by providing defibrillators in three remote communities across the Tiwi Islands. $9,518
- Nuriootpa War Memorial Swimming Pool Working Group (auspiced by Nuriootpa Futures Association) – Nuriootpa, SA – Expand opportunities for social connection and access for all-abilities through the installation of accessibility steps at a community pool. $10,000
- Kilcunda Community Development Association Incorporated – Kilcunda, VIC – Improve access at a community gathering space and provide a safe, inclusive venue for older citizens by upgrading the entrance and deck at the Kilcunda Hall. $10,000
Prepare & Recover
In this round, 40 community organisations are sharing $627,307 in grants through the P&R stream. These funds will support rural communities impacted by climate-related disasters including the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and the 2021-22 East Coast Australia flooding, plus other storm events.
The P&R stream awards grants up to $25,000 for local preparedness, recovery and resilience-building initiatives.
Three of the 40 projects funded through the P&R stream include:
- St Helens Neighbourhood House Association Inc – St Helens, TAS – Improve the mental, physical and social health of a community recovering from bushfire and flood disasters through community garden activities and workshops. $25,000
- Positive Change for Marine Life Limited – Brunswick Heads, NSW – Prepare for future climate-related impacts by delivering a community-led riparian restoration program in the flood-impacted Brunswick River to stabilise riverbanks and restore wetland vegetation. $24,941
- Kalbarri Development Association Incorporated – Kalbarri, WA – Strengthen peoples’ connections and support SES volunteers to recover from the impacts of Cyclone Seroja by holding an event celebrating the community’s resilience. $22,500
Rebuilding Regional Communities – supporting COVID-19 recovery
Funded by the Australian Government, the RRC stream supports remote, rural and regional communities as they continue their COVID-19 recovery journey. This round, grants up to $10,000 were on offer, with $332,903 awarded to 43 local organisations, including:
- MultiSkill Centre Ltd – Cloncurry, QLD – Provide mental health training to staff to enable them to better support disengaged young people accessing services after COVID-19. $9,316
- Bellingen Youth Orchestra Incorporated – Bellingen, NSW – Rebuild connections, reduce social isolation and foster a stronger, more resilient community after COVID-19 by purchasing musical instruments and making them available to disadvantaged young people. $10,000
- Warrnambool & District Community Hospice Inc – Warrnambool, VIC – Sustain the work of volunteers after COVID-19 through the development of a volunteer education and engagement program. $5,000
The SRC program is collaboratively supported by many generous donors, who are acknowledged on the FRRR website.
FRRR always accepts applications to this program, which awards funds roughly four times a year. Local NFPs and community groups are encouraged to review the program guidelines and apply. More information about the SRC program is available at www.frrr.org.au/src. To support grants like this through FRRR, make a tax-deductible donation at frrr.org.au/giving/.
A full list of grant recipients is detailed below.
Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SRC Round 16 - June 2023 | ||||||
NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Clifton Community Food Garden Incorporated | Healthy Cooking for One Provide a series of weekly, simple, healthy and affordable cooking workshops to build social connections and cooking skills to support people struggling with the increasing cost of living. | Sanctuary Point | $4,570 | |||
CWA of NSW Collie Day Evening Branches Country Women's Association of NSW | Collie CWA Cultivating Community Connections Create a functional and welcoming space for the community by installing a shade structure and plumbing to supply rainwater at the Collie CWA Hall. | Collie | $10,000 | |||
Dunedoo Historical Museum Inc | Digitising of Museum Catalogue Digitise all items in the Dunedoo Museum to provide an accurate, easily shared catalogue, expanding its use and value to the community. | Dunedoo | $3,758 | |||
Murrin Bridge Preschool Association | Keeping Our Kids Safe Contribute to the renovation of the Murrin Bridge preschool by installing a fence around the new playground, keeping the children safe and creating an inclusive community space. | Murrin Bridge | $10,000 | |||
Nambucca Valley Phoenix Limited | Phoenix Work Crew Purchase equipment for the Phoenix Work Crew to support the employment of people with disabilities. | Bowraville | $10,000 | |||
The Colony Bees Association Inc | Pollinate Country Collaborate with community members, schools, local and Indigenous councils to establish a natural beekeeper education program to improve the local environment's resilience. | Lennox Head | $10,000 | |||
Western Landcare NSW Incorporated | 2023 Western Warriors Engage primary school children from Far West NSW in environmental conservation activities building their awareness and skills. | Broken Hill | $10,000 | |||
Prepare and Recover - 2019/2020 Bushfire Recovery | ||||||
Bermagui Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Inc | ReBoot ReStart Increase tourism and social wellbeing to support bushfire recovery in Bermagui by supporting a ReBoot fun run. | Bermagui | $4,400 | |||
Inverell Community Youth Centre | Floods and Fire Youth Resilience Program Enhance the ability of the Inverell Community Youth Centre to support bushfire recovery by employing a therapeutic youth worker to run a youth resilience program and mentor volunteers. | Inverell | $25,000 | |||
Milton-Ulladulla Youth Driver Education Program Rotary Club of Milton Ulladulla Incorporated | Milton Ulladulla Youth Driver Education Program Reduce vehicle-related fatality and injury rates of bushfire impacted young people through a Driver Education Program. | Marulan | $10,000 | |||
Mission Australia Housing | Resilient Communities Project - MNC Empower social housing tenants in the Mid North Coast to co-lead community planning for disaster preparation, response and recovery in partnership with key non-government partners. | Taree | $24,960 | |||
Murramarang Community Garden Inc | Mowbility Support bushfire preparedness by purchasing an electric ride-on mower to increase volunteer participation in garden maintenance, regardless of physical abilities. | Bawley Point | $10,000 | |||
Stokers Siding Dunbible Memorial Hall Inc | Community Hall Kitchen Upgrade Upgrade the kitchen appliances in the Community Hall to meet Council regulations, cater to more community events and ensure organisational sustainability. | Stokers Siding | $10,000 | |||
Surf Life Saving Far North Coast Branch Inc | Develop Disaster Emergency Response Capability Build capability and preparedness of emergency response groups by providing them with the necessary equipment to be able to respond to bushfires and other disasters. | Ballina | $19,601 | |||
TenterLIFE Suicide Prevention Network Inc | TenterLIFE Suicide Prevention Network Inc Boost community knowledge of suicide prevention through a series of Mental Health awareness events supporting ongoing bushfire recovery. | Tenterfield | $6,070 | |||
Tweed Coast Youth Service Incorporated | Momentum Youth Festival 2023 Celebrate local youth for their resilience after bushfire and their achievements and passions by hosting the Momentum Youth Festival to encourage self-expression and socialisation. | Bogangar | $10,000 | |||
WhereFishSing OZ Green-Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (Australia) Incorporated | Creating Resources to Build Future Food Resilience in and around Bellingen Shire Prepare for future disasters after the 2019/20 bushfires by creating a climate specific food gardening resource to build food resilience in the Bellingen Shire. | Bellingen | $9,766 | |||
Prepare and Recover - 2022 Floods | ||||||
Eugowra Promotion and Progress Association Incorporated | Purchase Necessary Equipment to Renew and Re-establish the Eugowra Historical Museum Contribute to disaster recovery by replacing office equipment and supplies at the Eugowra Historical Museum and Bushranger Centre that were destroyed in the 2022 floods to continue to share the rich stories of Eugowra and district. | Eugowra | $16,320 | |||
Human Nature Adventure Therapy Ltd | Connected communities: Resilience Activities for Regional Young People Support disadvantaged young people to contribute to their flood-affected communities by connecting them to volunteering in disaster response / resilience initiatives such as SES and the local Men’s Shed. | Ballina | $20,000 | |||
Iluka Community Organisation Planning for Emergencies (ICOPE) Inc | Hub ICOPE: Iluka Village Community Hub and Community Managed Evacuation Centre (CMEC) Equipment and Education Project Improve emergency response and preparedness for natural disasters by equipping the Iluka Village Hub with resources and educational material to create an evacuation and information centre. | Iluka | $14,495 | |||
Lithgow Environment Group Incorporated | Community Engagement for Pest Species (Indian Myna) Invasion Control and for Habitat Restoration for Native Fauna, with Social Impacts Develop a community-led Indian Myna bird reduction program across Lithgow to help native flora and fauna recover after the floods and prevent future impacts. | Lithgow | $20,040 | |||
Lower Lachlan Community Services Inc | Festival of the Lakes 2023 Boost social cohesion and connectedness in Lake Cargelligo to support flood recovery by hosting the Festival of the Lakes. | Lake Cargelligo | $10,000 | |||
Positive Change for Marine Life Limited | River Warriors - A Community Driven Approach to Capacity and Resilience Building of the Brunswick River Catchment Prepare for future climate-related impacts by delivering a community-led riparian restoration program in the flood-impacted Brunswick River to stabilise riverbanks and restore wetland vegetation. | Brunswick Heads | $24,941 | |||
Rural Financial Counselling Service, NSW - Southern Region Limited | Recovery & Resilience Forums Support recovery in the significantly flood-affected Central West and Riverina NSW by holding three workshops that provide financial advice and mental health information. | Parkes | $11,094 | |||
Welfare Rights Centre Ltd | Northern Rivers Communities: Ensuring Economic Safety for those in Crisis Provide legal support to people in flood-affected Northern Rivers communities who are struggling to access Centrelink payments and dealing with unjust debts. | Lismore | $25,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities - Micro | ||||||
Bellingen Youth Orchestra Incorporated | Bellingen Youth Orchestra Post-COVID Junior Woodwind and Brass Ensemble Initiative Rebuild connections, reduce social isolation and foster a stronger, more resilient community after COVID-19 by purchasing musical instruments and making them available to disadvantaged young people. | Bellingen | $10,000 | |||
Coolah Historical and Tourism Society Coolah District Development Group Incorporated | Cunningham 200 Year Celebration Reconnect residents, reduce social isolation and foster a stronger, more resilient Coolah community after COVID-19 by hosting an historical festival on the 200th anniversary of Cunningham exploring the Liverpool Plains. | Coolah | $10,000 | |||
Hill End Arts Council Inc | Hill End Analogue Establish a unique biennial festival reflecting Hill End's contribution to the history of Australian photography to reduce social isolation and foster a stronger, more resilient community and enhance destination and cultural tourism after COVID-19. | Hill End | $5,000 | |||
Kangaroo Valley Historical Society Incorporated | Kangaroo Valley Historical Society Celebrates 70+ Years Attract new volunteers, promote cultural heritage and engage with the community to enhance recovery from the pandemic through a presentation day celebrating 70+ years of the Kangaroo Valley Historical Society. | Kangaroo Valley | $1,600 | |||
Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services Inc | Volunteering for Change Increase interest in volunteering to sustain community organisations and their work after COVID-19 through an open day with entertainment and markets. | Wingham | $8,300 | |||
Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire Inc | SMART Recovery Meetings - Life Beyond Addiction Enhance the process of recovery from addiction that was exacerbated by COVID-19 through SMART Recovery meetings in Bellingen neighbourhood centres. | Bellingen | $3,768 | |||
New England Garden Festival Incorporated | New England Garden Festival Enhance the process of social and economic recovery of Armidale and the New England region from the COVID-19 pandemic through the inaugural New England Garden Festival. | Armidale | $6,000 | |||
Nowra Youth Services Incorporated | NYC Frequency Program Create opportunities for COVID-19-impacted young people to gain new vocational skills and the ability to produce music in a recording studio through training a facilitator in sound production. | Nowra | $7,150 | |||
Oriscon Incorporated | Festival of Colors 2024 Reunite residents, reduce social isolation and foster a stronger, more resilient community after COVID-19 through a free secular Festival of Colours, including a bonfire, performances and the sharing of international food. | Dubbo | $5,000 | |||
Roseberry Creek Landcare Inc | Valley Voices One Reduce social isolation and foster a stronger, more resilient community after COVID-19 through a skill building and entertaining singing workshop. | The Risk | $1,120 | |||
Tactile Arts Group at Kendall Incorporated | Acquisition of New Electric Ceramic / Pottery Kiln Sustain the work of the TAG group and enhance their capacity for creative community engagement post COVID-19 by purchasing a larger, fit-for-purpose ceramics kiln. | Kendall | $10,000 | |||
Tender Funerals Mid North Coast Limited | Increase the Social and Economic Strength of the Kempsey Shire by Providing Affordable Funeral Services and After Death Care Enhance the process of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for disadvantaged residents of the Kempsey Shire through offering affordable and culturally sensitive funeral services and after death care. | Kempsey | $10,000 | |||
NORTHERN TERRITORY | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Careflight Limited | Building Resilience in the Community of Borroloola Strengthen life-saving skills and abilities of first responders to assist critically ill or injured individuals in a very remote community by providing trauma first aid training. | Borroloola | $8,560 | |||
St John Ambulance Australia NT Inc | Tiwi Islands AED Project Increase access to life-saving equipment by providing defibrillators in three remote communities across the Tiwi Islands. | Wurrumiyanga | $9,518 | |||
QUEENSLAND | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Alpha District Tourism & Development Assoc Inc | Defibrillators for Alpha Strengthen the lifesaving capacity of the community by purchasing and installing three defibrillators in publicly accessible locations. | Alpha | $8,154 | |||
Back to the Bush Festival Inc | Regional Men's Health Initiative Support men's mental and physical wellbeing by providing access to innovative and engaging health checks and educational sessions at the festival and associated car show. | Miles | $6,974 | |||
CPL-Choice, Passion, Life | Wheelchair Scales and Cordless Power Tools for People with Disability Help people in wheelchairs to have better access to accurate medical advice with the purchase of OH&S-appropriate weighing equipment. | Toowoomba | $4,413 | |||
Happy Valley Community Association Inc | Happy Valley Wildfire Preparedness Project Improve the community’s capacity to respond to bushfires by purchasing two portable water tanks, suitable for use by waterbombing helicopters. | Fraser Island | $10,000 | |||
LifeFlight Foundation Ltd | 'First Minute Matters' - Community Trauma Training Workshops Strengthen local community’s ability to respond to medical emergencies by providing trauma first aid training to residences in Surat, St George and Condamine. | Surat | $3,680 | |||
Malanda Community Kindergarten Assoc Inc | Malanda Community Kindergarten Major Playground Upgrade Encourage children’s learning and development through play by installing a new all-abilities swing. | Malanda | $10,000 | |||
Myall Park Botanic Garden Limited | Upgrading and Improving Social Media Platforms Develop volunteers’ skills to digitally connect with their community and other special interest groups by purchasing and recording a series of virtual coaching sessions. | Glenmorgan | $3,999 | |||
Ravenshoe Men's Shed Inc | New Machinery to Provide Further Services to the Community Improve the men’s shed’s ability to support and service the community through the purchase of new machining tools. | Ravenshoe | $10,000 | |||
Riding for Disabled Association Maryborough Inc | Purchase of New / Replacement Horses for Maryborough RDA Herd Improve the association’s ability to support and service the community thought the purchase of replacement horses. | Maryborough | $10,000 | |||
Prepare and Recover - 2019/2020 Bushfire Recovery | ||||||
Amiens History Association Inc | Amiens History Association Shop Fit-out Increase tourism, commemorate history and build the sustainability of the association post-Black Summer fires by outfitting a new retail space. | Amiens | $9,557 | |||
Curra Country Club | Disaster Ready Increase community preparedness for future disaster events post Black Summer fires and flood with the acquisition of a defibrillator and shed to storage emergency accommodation supplies. | Curra | $16,552 | |||
Widgee District Hall & Recreation Association Inc | Painting of Widgee Memorial Hall Restore a key community engagement and social connection space, also used as the Black Summer fires staging area by the Rural Fire Service, by repainting the 100-year-old Widgee Hall. | Widgee | $10,000 | |||
Wild Horse FM Inc | Wild Horse Wellness Project Improve mental and physical health of community members recovering from Black Summer fires by integrating wellness practices into all station activities including radio broadcasts. | Yarraman | $20,000 | |||
Prepare and Recover - 2022 Floods | ||||||
Opera in the Gardens Inc | Opera in the Gardens Goondiwindi Stimulate recovery and wellbeing for the flood-effected community by delivering art and cultural performances along with a skills development workshop for young people. | Goondiwindi | $25,000 | |||
Peachester State School P&C Association | Stuck in the Mud - Oval Remediation Works Boost the community’s ability to access emergency services during floods and other natural disasters by installing drainage on the oval and providing a safe landing area for rescue helicopters. | Peachester | $24,799 | |||
Texas Arts Council Incorporated | Texas Has Talent - Community Showcase Support the community to recover from flood impacts through the creation of a locally produced theatrical performance and people’s participation in the associated arts and wellbeing activities. | Texas | $10,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities - Micro | ||||||
Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation Inc | Community Shared Working Space Improvement Development Enhance the process of recovery from COVID-19 by expanding ‘The Platform’ as a place for remote workers to connect with the purchase of a new printer and keypad access locks. | North Burnett | $9,362 | |||
Kilkivan Veteran's and Community Men's Shed Association Inc | Community Engagement & Rural Assistance Build the capacity of the Men's Shed to provide services to disadvantaged residents after COVID-19 through the purchase of mowing equipment. | Kilkivan | $7,267 | |||
MultiSkill Centre Ltd | Healthy Minds Provide mental health training to staff to enable them to better support disengaged young people accessing services after COVID-19. | Cloncurry | $9,316 | |||
Wondai Agricultural Pastoral and Industrial Society Inc | Enhancing Our Local Show & Christmas Eve Carnival Enhance the process of social and economic recovery from COVID-19 through purchasing event equipment to enable the running of community festivals. | Wondai | $4,699 | |||
SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Australian Dental Foundation Incorporated | Healthy Smiles for Life Project Enhance access for disadvantaged communities to vital health services by investing in equipment for a mobile dental clinic. | Peterborough | $9,826 | |||
Foodbank of South Australia Incorporated | Building a Bridge of Hope: Upgrading the Food Hub in Murray Bridge Boost organisational capacity to support disadvantaged community members through food relief service infrastructure upgrades to create a comfortable and dignified shopping space. | Murray Bridge | $5,060 | |||
Kalangadoo & District Lions Club | Defibrillator for Kalangadoo Institute Memorial Hall Support local capacity to provide emergency first aid and improve health outcomes by installing a defibrillator in a central location. | Kalangadoo | $2,700 | |||
Nuriootpa War Memorial Swimming Pool Working Group Nuriootpa Futures Association | Installation of Accessibility Stairs at Nuriootpa War Memorial Swimming Pool Expand opportunities for social connection and access for all-abilities through the installation of accessibility steps at a community pool. | Nuriootpa | $10,000 | |||
Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society Inc | Purchase of New Defibrillator Strengthen volunteer capacity to deliver effective emergency first aid for people travelling through an isolated region by installing a defibrillator. | Quorn | $2,700 | |||
Tintinara Playgroup Lion Club of Tintinara | Tintinara Early Childhood Learning Program Support childhood learning and social wellbeing by engaging a coordinator to deliver an early-years program in a disadvantaged region. | Tintinara | $8,000 | |||
University of South Australia | Radical Rest: How do we Sustain Energy and Resilience in a Turbulent World? Build young people’s resilience and wellbeing in a disadvantaged region through an immersive arts and science program. | Mt Gambier | $10,000 | |||
Prepare and Recover - 2019/2020 Bushfire Recovery | ||||||
Coffin Bay Progress Association Inc | CBPA Community Hall Roof Restoration and Insulation Project Support community bushfire preparedness by ensuring a pivotal hub is fit-for-purpose and energy efficient through insulating and reroofing the Coffin Bay Hall. | Coffin Bay | $10,000 | |||
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network Incorporated | Kangaroo Island Wildlife Carnival "Australian Sea Lions" 2023 Support economic recovery after bushfires and strengthen community connection to the natural environment through holding a festival showcasing a local wildlife species. | Cygnet River | $10,000 | |||
Prepare and Recover - 2022 Floods | ||||||
Sammy D Foundation Incorporated | Expansion of Community Youth Mentoring to Murray Bridge Boost organisational capacity to support mental health and wellbeing of young people impacted by flood events through access to a youth employment and mentoring program. | Murray Bridge | $22,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities - Micro | ||||||
Advancing Whyalla Inc | Garden Art and Colour Reduce social isolation and foster a more resilient community after the impacts of COVID-19 through the delivery of outdoor art classes facilitated by a First Nations artist. | Whyalla | $2,815 | |||
SA RWG - Clare Branch SA Rural Women's Gathering Association Inc | SA Rural Women's Gathering Clare 2023 Enhance opportunities for community connection and skill-building after COVID-19 through the delivery of a rural women's weekend event in Clare. | Clare | $10,000 | |||
The Culburra and District Soldiers' War Memorial Hall Incorporated | Culburra Hall Toilet Facilities Upgrade Sustain the Culburra Hall and the work of its volunteers after the pandemic by upgrading the toilet amenities to increase safety and hygiene for locals and visitors. | Culburra | $9,114 | |||
TASMANIA | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Karinya Young Women's Service Inc | KYWS Workforce Engagement Project Boost organisational practice and capability to meet the needs of young people at risk through staff attending two national conferences to build knowledge and networks. | Launceston | $10,000 | |||
Lilydale Online Incorporated | Lilydale Online Access Centre Technology Update Strengthen the delivery of numeracy and literacy programs to improve employment opportunities through the purchase of IT equipment. | Lilydale | $6,260 | |||
Nubeena Bee Festival Committee Rotary Club of Tasman Peninsula Inc | Nubeena Bee Festival Generate visitation and economic growth in Nubeena by delivering an educational festival celebrating the importance of bees and the environment. | Nubeena | $6,820 | |||
Rocky Cape Public Hall Incorporation | Rocky Cape Community Hall Solar PV System Install Enhance social wellbeing and improve environmental sustainability by installing a solar PV system at a community hall. | Rocky Cape | $10,000 | |||
Prepare and Recover - 2019/2020 Bushfire Recovery | ||||||
St Helens Neighbourhood House Association Inc | Locals Growing Locally Improve the mental, physical and social health of a community recovering from bushfire and flood disasters through community garden activities and workshops. | St Helens | $25,000 | |||
VICTORIA | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Avoca Friends of the Pool Inc | Pool Lift Enhance older people’s physical health and social wellbeing by installing an assistance lift to improve accessibility at the Avoca Pool. | Avoca | $4,650 | |||
Casterton Memorial Hospital | Pathways to a Healthy Mind Workshop Strengthen social inclusion and community wellbeing for disadvantaged people through the delivery of a facilitated mental health support program. | Casterton | $5,240 | |||
Euroa Arboretum Committee of Management Incorporated | Improving Access to Horticultural Therapy in the Plant Nursery Enhance volunteer capacity and retain ageing volunteers by providing mobile benches, stools and anti-fatigue mats to create a safe and inclusive workplace. | Euroa | $10,000 | |||
Girgarre Community Group Inc | Girgarre Community Garden Promote social connection and enhance food security by repurposing a neighbourhood house's ornamental front-yard into an edible community garden. | Girgarre | $9,217 | |||
Goldfields Employment and Learning Centre Inc | Friday Feast @ Mill House Boost social networks and improve nutritional health outcomes for vulnerable people, by holding free community lunches at a neighbourhood house. | Maryborough | $10,000 | |||
Great Ocean Road Health | Apollo Bay Youth Art Group Support mental health and wellbeing of young people living in an isolated region by engaging a facilitator to deliver an arts therapy program. | Apollo Bay | $10,000 | |||
Heyfield Community Resource Centre Inc | Supporting Seniors - Getting Out and About in Heyfield Enhance social connections and wellbeing for senior citizens by delivering facilitated social activities and educational programs. | Heyfield | $5,175 | |||
Kerang and District Community Centre Inc | Emergency / Food Assistance Program Development Enhance health and wellbeing outcomes and empower community members to access nutritious food by expanding an emergency food relief program. | Kerang | $7,100 | |||
Kilcunda Community Development Association Incorporated | Replace External Decking & Improve Disabled Access Improve access at a community gathering space and provide a safe, inclusive venue for older citizens by upgrading the entrance and deck at the Kilcunda Hall. | Kilcunda | $10,000 | |||
North East Support and Action for Youth Incorporated | Wicking Garden Beds Support disadvantaged young people experiencing hardship by developing a garden project to build social skills and improve health outcomes. | Wangaratta | $9,418 | |||
Tatura Community House Inc | Food Relief Revitalise volunteer engagement and boost a food relief program for disadvantaged residents by refurbishing a kitchen workspace. | Tatura | $10,000 | |||
Venus Bay Tarwin Lower and District Men's Shed Incorporated | Shed Educational and Modernisation Scheme Contribute to life-long learning and provide a safe environment for older people participating in Men's Shed activities by upgrading tools and equipment. | Venus Bay | $10,000 | |||
Whittlesea Men's Shed Incorporated | Women’s Basic Woodwork Course Increase volunteer membership and create opportunities for skills development and connection for older women by conducting a woodwork program. | Whittlesea | $1,720 | |||
Prepare and Recover - 2019/2020 Bushfire Recovery | ||||||
Regional Arts Victoria | BAD KIDS Support bushfire recovery of young people in East Gippsland and foster connections across generations, through the delivery of a school-centred creative arts program at the invitation of the local community. | Mallacoota | $25,000 | |||
Adventist Development and Relief Agency Australia Ltd | Establishing Permanent Capacity for Food Relief and Disaster Preparedness in East Gippsland Improve health and wellbeing outcomes for vulnerable community members impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires through the construction of a food relief distribution facility. | Bairnsdale | $25,000 | |||
Avenel Fire Brigade Country Fire Authority | Informing and Strengthening the Avenel Community Enhance bushfire preparedness through the display of emergency and safety information by installing an LED sign at the Avenel Fire Station. | Avenel | $16,192 | |||
Bonnie Doon Community Group Inc | Billy's House: A Home for Bonnie Doon's History Support connection to place and community recovery from the impacts of the 2019/20 bushfires and boost visitation by relocating an historic house to a prominent community precinct to become a local museum. | Bonnie Doon | $20,000 | |||
Gippsland Lakes Complete Health Limited | "The Rainbow Ball” Foster mental health and provide opportunities for marginalised young people to connect and recover from the 2019/20 bushfires through the delivery of a community ball. | Buchan | $10,000 | |||
Mansfield Autism Statewide Services | Transport Connections Supporting Operation Gamechanger Provide therapeutic care and emergency evacuation support for autistic children and young people living in a region impacted by bushfires, through the purchase of a 12-seater bus. | Mansfield | $25,000 | |||
Tallangatta Agricultural and Pastoral Society Incorporated | Connection of Power & Water to our Recently Acquired Buildings Support community preparedness for future emergency bushfire events by upgrading buildings at the Tallangatta showgrounds. | Tallangatta | $10,000 | |||
Prepare and Recover - 2022 Floods | ||||||
Goorambat-Stewarton Fire Brigade Country Fire Authority | Chainsaw Electrification Project Enhance organisational capacity and support flood recovery and preparedness volunteers by purchasing battery-operated chainsaw equipment. | Goorambat | $4,335 | |||
Seymour District Arts Society Incorporated | "Building Creative Communities" Support community recovery and connection after devastating floods by providing shared lighting and other equipment for creative arts events. | Seymour | $9,900 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities - Micro | ||||||
Threatened Species Conservancy Inc | Bringing Bird-Lovers Together: Building Post COVID Community Connections through Birds Reduce social isolation and foster a stronger community after COVID-19 through the establishment of a facilitated birdwatching group and citizen science activities. | Apollo Bay | $10,000 | |||
Apex Club of Traralgon Inc | Apex Park Traralgon Reduce social isolation and enhance wellbeing after COVID-19 by installing fencing at a public play space to improve safety. | Traralgon | $9,500 | |||
C-Doc Ltd | Club CDoc Creative Community Collaborations Sustain and enhance organisational capacity post-COVID-19 via project management support to improve the delivery of community events and workshops. | Castlemaine | $10,000 | |||
Colour Terang Festival Terang & District Progress Association | Music and Dance Stage at Colour Terang Festival Celebrate local identity and reduce social isolation after COVID-19 by enhancing the staging of music and dance performances at a community festival. | Terang | $7,706 | |||
Committee 4 Warrenheip Inc | Warrenheip Reflection Trail Encourage access to nature activities to reduce social isolation and boost mental health post-pandemic by revegetating habitat surrounding new walking tracks. | Warrenheip | $10,000 | |||
Cornishtown Hall Reserve Committee of Management | Cornishtown Hall Restoration Project Increase community use of the local hall and boost social connection to enhance recovery from the pandemic through vital upgrades and repairs to the hall. | Cornishtown | $10,000 | |||
Dunolly and District Inc | Dunolly Gold Rush Festival Strengthen and enhance economic and cultural recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by staging a community festival. | Dunolly | $5,000 | |||
Everton Tennis Club Inc | Sustainable Water Solutions at Everton Sports Complex Foster a more resilient, socially connected community following the pandemic by upgrading facilities at an outdoor community gathering space. | Everton | $8,275 | |||
Food for All - Swan Hill Region Swan Hill District Health | Food for All Edible Garden Expo 2023 Enhance the process of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through hosting an Edible Garden Expo to increase knowledge and skills. | Swan Hill | $6,188 | |||
Horsham Arts Council Inc | Replace the Horsham Arts Council Building Roof Sustain the work of volunteers and enhance access to social and creative activities post-pandemic through repairing the roof at a community arts building. | Horsham | $10,000 | |||
Inverleigh Playgroup Inc | Enhancing Early Years Learning Experiences Through Playground Upgrade and Improvement Reduce social isolation of young children and their families after COVID-19 by purchasing play equipment for a community playgroup. | Inverleigh | $8,400 | |||
Jindivick Mechanics Institute Incorporated | Switch on Cinema for Jindivick Community Hall Foster vibrant community connections post-COVID-19 by installing AV equipment to enhance social and community activities at a local hall. | Jindivick | $10,000 | |||
Living Well Yallourn North Inc | Mental Health First Aid Training - Empowering Our Community Reduce social isolation and foster recovery post-pandemic by providing mental health first aid training for volunteers to support the broader community. | Yallourn North | $8,460 | |||
Mace Incorporated | Community Shed Climate Control Increase the safety and amenity of a community shed and the work of volunteers after COVID-19 through installing a drop ceiling and split systems. | Mansfield | $10,000 | |||
Mansfield Let's Talk Inc | Mansfield Let's Talk Mental Health Training Enhance mental wellbeing and foster a more resilient community after COVID-19 impacts by equipping 20 community members with mental health first aid training. | Mansfield | $2,500 | |||
Mitchell Shire Concert Band | Bringing Music into the Community Strengthen community connection and access to the arts post-pandemic by increasing the capacity of a concert band to perform at outdoor venues. | Seymour | $5,145 | |||
Murrayville VFF / Landcare Group Landcare Victoria Inc | Murrayville Wetlands - Creating a Space to Invigorate and Invest in our Community! Enhance access to nature and improve wellbeing after COVID-19 by installing recycled outdoor seating and tables at a nature reserve. | Murrayville | $10,000 | |||
Ouyen Roxy Theatre Incorporated | Developing a Community Garden and Outdoor Space Enhance community connection and reduce social isolation after COVID-19 by creating a community garden and outdoor space for gatherings. | Ouyen | $10,000 | |||
Port Albert Water Sports and Safety Centre Inc A0013133G | Safe, Clean and Thermally Effective Flooring Increase opportunities for community connection post-pandemic by upgrading the safety of floor coverings at a key community hub. | Port Albert | $10,000 | |||
Seed Lakeside Community Garden Incorporated | Expanding Boundaries - Seed Garden Create opportunities for social connection and skill development to support recovery from the pandemic through installing fences to expand the use of a community garden. | Sale | $10,000 | |||
The Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club Incorporated | Upgrade of PCSLSC Function Centre AV System Encourage social connection and foster a stronger, more resilient community after the impacts of COVID-19 by upgrading AV equipment at a community hub. | Port Campbell | $10,000 | |||
Warrnambool & District Community Hospice Inc | Volunteer Education & Engagement Program Sustain the work volunteers after COVID-19 through the development of a volunteer education and engagement program. | Warrnambool | $5,000 | |||
WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Aldersyde Agricultural Hall Incorporated | Outside / Roadside Toilets Improve visitation at the community precinct and enhance services by building an ablutions block for use by locals and tourists. | Aldersyde | $10,000 | |||
Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre Aboriginal Corporation | Warburton Women's Rockholes Project Support the continuation of First Nations culture by recording important stories and knowledge of birthing traditions practiced by central desert communities. | Warburton | $10,000 | |||
Quairading Community Resource Centre Inc | Creating Connections Strengthen social connections and wellbeing by holding community market days, and yoga, craft and First Nations language classes. | Quairading | $10,000 | |||
Shire of Leonora | Leonora Arts Program Encourage more local involvement in the creative community by holding monthly arts and cultural activities. | Leonora | $10,000 | |||
Warlayirti Artists Aboriginal Corporation Inc | Strong Law, Two-Way for Kutjungka Artists and Art Centres Boost an art centre’s ability to support First Nations artists’ legal rights and responsibilities with access to legal advice on copyright, intellectual property and inheritance issues. | Tanami | $10,000 | |||
Welbungin Sports and Progress Association Inc | Welbungin Centenary Celebration Encourage people to come together to enhance a sense of community by holding dance and exhibition celebrating 100 years of settlement. | Welbungin | $2,665 | |||
Prepare and Recover - Tropical Cyclone Seroja 2021 | ||||||
Kalbarri Development Association Incorporated | Rebuild Kalbarri Community Hall - Celebrate the Volunteers who Returned Kalbarri to Normal after Cyclone Seroja Strengthen peoples’ connections and support SES volunteers to recover from the impacts of Cyclone Seroja by holding an event celebrating the community's resilience. | Kalbarri | $22,500 | |||
Mullewa Sports Club Incorporated | Shade Sail Replacement Provide protection from the elements with replacement of the playground shade sails damaged during Cyclone Seroja. | Mullewa | $4,785 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities - Micro | ||||||
Pinjarra Bowling and Recreation Club Incorporated | Cooking for the Community Sustain the community work of the club after COVID-19 by purchasing a commercial oven to increase their capability to host community events. | Pinjarra | $9,910 | |||
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Harvey Inc | To Update and Obtain Correct Equipment to Support Volunteers’ Wellbeing Sustain the work of the Association and support RDA volunteers post-COVID-19 through the purchase of appropriate office and safety equipment to increase the ease of tasks. | Harvey | $6,308 |
Our thanks to United Care Glenelg for sharing this impactful story with us, made possible in part by a $5,000 Strengthening Rural Communities grant awarded in 2022, funded by the Ian Rollo Currie Estate Foundation.
With the cold weather well and truly settling in, the cost of living and energy costs skyrocket; many older residents are left to choose between eating or heating. For some, it can also be the loneliest and most isolating time of the year.
As a response, United Way Glenelg delivered much-needed Winter Care Packages to make residents feel valued as community members.
An essential part of ageing successfully is having enough energy for cooking, heating, cooling, cleaning, and leisure activities.
Nicole Carr, Executive Officer United Way Glenelg said agencies, when conducting home visits, often find residents rarely putting the heating on, choosing instead to sit in a cold room due to increasing costs, said Ms Carr.
Recent research said many older people will avoid using heating – risking their health and well-being to reduce costs.
“We are working very closely with local agencies to ensure we are identifying and reaching those most vulnerable and in need.”
“Being able to meet living costs helps prevent ill health or premature death, manage illness and chronic disease, sustain social relationships, and support positive mental health,” Ms Carr explained.
Delivery of the Care Packages helps in some small way to improve morale and alleviate some of the stresses associated with winter.
Assembled by the Standing Tall group at Heywood & District Secondary College, the students and their mentors, packed 200 boxes with an assortment of non-perishable food and personal care items, a food voucher for purchasing perishable items such as meat, fruit and vegetables, an activity, reading material, a special treat and a personal note from Merino Consolidated Primary School.
“We’re thrilled to include for the first time, a meal voucher. Valued at $20, the voucher enables the resident to go to one of five Hotels in the Glenelg Shire and share a meal with a family member or friend.”
“We approached All Saints Outreach with the proposal to sponsor the meal vouchers and they jumped at the opportunity to help!”
Another special item was the inclusion of homemade knitted blankets, hats and scarves with Julia Street Creative Space and generous local knitters jumping at the opportunity to contribute.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity. So much so we’ve started collecting for next year’s packages.”
The campaign for funding the Winter Care packages began early in March when people were encouraged to “turn off the heat,” creating a lived experience albeit for a short period and generating an understanding of the struggles facing many living in the Glenelg Shire.
Ms Carr said it takes a collaborative approach to support a community.
United Way Glenelg tipped in $10,000 from its Lewis Court Fund to match donations made by individuals.
“We also sought out grants from philanthropic organisations and were pleased to receive generous contributions from FRRR, The Ian Rollo Currie Estate Foundation, All Saints Outreach and Wannon Water.”
From anecdotal evidence, by the way of the messages of gratitude from the many letters, phone calls and cards received, we know the packages are greatly appreciated in supporting older people with basic needs, preventing them from disconnecting from the community and making them feel valued.
Sandra, an 84-year-old widow said the package was a lovely surprise:
“It was very much appreciated. All useful and thoughtful goodies. And the blanket is a huge plus. I am having an operation on my hand tomorrow so the Readers Digest books will be easy to hold. The vouchers will be used. Thanks to each member.”
And Joan from Casterton said, “it’s lovely to know we are still thought of as we get older.”
“This is our small part, but we are relying on the entire community to look out for one another. Look out for your neighbours, your relatives and friends, anyone that needs a helping hand,” Ms Carr explained.
“These packages will make Winter a little more bearable.”
Recipients were identified through United Way Glenelg Agency partners including Glenelg Shire Council Aged and Disability unit, Portland District Health Palliative Care and District Nursing units, Portland District Health Telecare, Dhauwurd Wurrung Elderly & Community Health Service Inc, Winda Mara, Dartmoor Bush Nursing Centre, Merino Bush Nursing Centre, Casterton Memorial Hospital and St Vincent de Pauls.
Augusta is a town in south-west WA, 40km from the nearest town of Margaret River, which is a larger service centre. Whilst traditionally a town with a reputation for having a high proportion of retirees, numerous young families have returned to Augusta where they grew up, or have taken a sea-change post-COVID.
When the only childcare centre closed in Augusta, families were faced with lengthy travel times to Margaret River, and this has had a flow-on impact on employment, limiting opportunities to access work, and for employers’ to fill staff vacancies.
A group of committed parents, local business owners and early childhood educators got together to set up an incorporated association to open a community-run, not-for-profit centre with 24 places to meet the urgent need for childcare. They successfully navigated the requirements and approvals of the Education Care Regulatory Unit and the Federal Government Childcare Subsidy program however, increased building costs compounded by development approval delays means the new centre is yet to open.
The best laid plans of mice and men…
Initially the project intended to purchase resources to outfit the new centre. Instead FRRR was able to work with the group to progress a variation to the original project, to help them adapt to their changing circumstances.
The group instead launched a vacation care service for children, kindy to 12-year-olds, filling a gap in the community’s childcare needs. They used a $10,000 Strengthening Rural Communities grant, funded by FRRR, to purchase educational resources that are of a higher quality and more durable than the donated and second-hand older toys and cheaper equipment that had previously been used.
These resources will last longer and extend the children’s imagination, and have added real value to the program and been much loved by the children. They will also be able to used by the new childcare centre when it eventually does open.
Kylie Lucas, Treasurer of the Augusta & Districts Childcare Centre, noted in their acquittal: “We are very grateful for the donors and team at FRRR for enabling our project to be delivered with better resources, and it has made a real difference to the kids, working families and community members in our little town. The committee appreciated FRRR’s flexible and supportive approach.”
On Djiru Country
In far north Queensland, 150 km south of Cairns, the Mission Beach Historical Society (MBHS) is a fledgling association – two years young and dreaming big.
Last month our QLD programs manager visited the MBHS and invited them to write a story to let everyone know about their great work to curate a historical photographic exhibition.
Before the advent of the MBHS in late 2020, Mission Beach had no effective means of making histories and images easily accessible to residents and visitors of this region.
For the two last years, MBHS members have captured and documented some of the Mission Beach histories, having made a bright start with that endeavour. The society’s growing challenge was to find effective ways to share and exhibit MBHS collections. Being without a museum or a building, MBHS relies heavily on online presence and displays. Despite such hurdles, a range of interesting and innovative projects have been undertaken. One of these projects was to present a photographic exhibition.
In 2022, MBHS partnered with Community for Coastal & Cassowary Conservation Inc to receive an $8,925 Strengthening Rural Communities grant, funded by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, to develop a photographic exhibition ‘Echo of the Past – Historical photographs from Mission Beach, 1890s – 1950s’ and present a series of historical photographs and Djiru cultural objects – coinciding with the anniversary of the 1918 cyclone which devastated the area.
The exhibition project aimed to facilitate cultural connection and transmission of culture of and with Traditional Owners through community engagement, cultural expression and on Country experiences.
The exhibition project was led by MBHS president, Dr Valerie Boll, anthropologist and curator, who worked with Djiru Traditional Owner, Elder and artist Leonard Andy and the Warrangburra Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC – PBC, to source and document Djiru history and photographs. Mission Beach residents were also able to bring in old photographs to be scanned and used to illustrate stories that had been researched by MBHS members. The provided material was then collated.
Like many plans during the last few years, the start of the project was delayed due to COVID. Sadly, the project was also put on pause in the first half of 2022 because of ‘Sorry Business’. Another hurdle for the MBHS volunteers to overcome was the lack of adequate IT equipment. Regardless of this impediment, the efforts of the team came together, and the opening day approached fast.
An enthusiastic crowd (over 100 people) gathered on the 10March for the opening of the exhibition ‘Echo of the Past’, at the Art Print Frame Gallery and was enjoyed by the wider community until the exhibition close earlier this month.
A smaller version of the show is now on display at the Mission Beach library and there are plans for the exhibition to travel around the region for the rest of the year.
Grants awarded to 176 community groups for COVID recovery, climate-related impacts and Small & Vital projects
FRRR has awarded $2,309,331 in grants to 176 community projects across remote, rural and regional Australia as part of the Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.
This is the largest SRC round on record in terms of both funding awarded and the number of projects being funded.
Collaboratively funded by a number of donors, this program gives small communities across rural Australia access to funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit the local area and people. The program is split into three streams: Small & Vital (S&V), Prepare & Recover (P&R) and Rebuilding Regional Communities (RRC), which supports recovery from COVID-19.
Small & Vital stream
In total, $527,636 in grants have been awarded to 61 grassroots organisations and NFPs through the S&V stream. Grants of up to $10,000 will support initiatives that local leaders and community members feel are a priority when it comes to strengthening the community.
An example of an organisation being funded in this stream is the Cervantes Community Men’s Shed in WA. They will use their $10,000 grant to develop the group’s new shed site, which will support and service the community.
Prepare & Recover grants
The SRC program has long supported disaster recovery, most recently through the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfire Recovery stream. However, with disasters affecting more of the country, the program has been renamed the Prepare & Recover stream. It offers grants of up to $25,000 to support projects that prevent and prepare for future climate related impacts, or recover from existing disasters in the medium to long-term. In addition to ongoing recovery from Black Summer fires, this round supports recovery from flooding in 2021/22, as well as some other storms and flood events across the country.
A total of $883,940 will be shared among 62 initiatives through this stream. An example is the Victoria based Boort Resource & Information Centre’s initiative to support flood recovery and boost local connections by bringing the people together to share a free community meal.
Rebuilding Regional Communities – supporting COVID-19 recovery
Funded by the Australian Government, the RRC grants are divided into micro grants, which are up to $10,000 and larger grants, which are up to $50,000. In this round, 53 organisations have received $897,755 funding that will help remote, rural and regional communities recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
Among the recipients in this stream is the Regional Food Security Alliance, who will use a grant of $47,050 to develop resources that will support volunteer recruitment and retention at food relief agencies across regional Victoria, after demand for their services has been exacerbated by COVID-19.
Jill Karena, Place Portfolio Lead at FRRR, said that this record-breaking SRC round is a clear indication of the level of support that remote, rural and regional Australia needs.
“In the history of the SRC program and its predecessors dating back to 2000, we’ve never awarded this amount of money or this many small grants. That in itself speaks volumes about the need for resources and support in rural communities around the country.
“What we saw in the applications in this round, across each of the streams, was a strong emphasis on individual and community health and social wellbeing. This is a reflection of how the last few years have impacted remote, rural and regional areas. Back-to-back natural disasters, the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis have left people with limited resources when it comes to prioritising their wellbeing.
“We also saw a high number of applications for creative and wellbeing activities, like festivals and community events. These initiatives are wonderful to see because not only are they helping to bring people together and giving them a creative outlet, but they also often provide a boost to the local economy.
“Similarly, we continue to see a demand for support in maintaining or upgrading community spaces, halls and hubs. This kind of infrastructure is so important when it comes to keeping small communities connected, particularly during the ongoing recovery and resilience-building process that rural Australia is currently facing,” Ms Karena said.
Some more of the 176 projects funded include:
- Gainmara Birrilee Preschool Association Inc – NSW – Enhance the COVID-19 recovery of 117 Brewarrina Aboriginal families by providing practical assistance, building social connections and cultural identity, wellness activities and a community garden. $46,092 (Rebuilding Regional Communities stream)
- MacDonnell Regional Council – NT – Prepare youth for leadership roles through the expansion of the council’s youth app to include governance and project management information and functions. $9,702 (Small & Vital stream)
- FNQ Aviation Museum Ltd – QLD – Build young people’s job readiness for careers in engineering industries by constructing a new hanger at the aeronautical museum to run a program with students restoring vintage airplanes. $10,000 (Small & Vital stream)
- Bridge to Nowhere Arts Association Incorporated – SA – Enhance the process of recovery from the pandemic and encourage greater participation of seniors in activities by providing a comfortable environment at a local community arts facility through heating and cooling upgrades. $7,405 (Rebuilding Regional Communities stream)
- Surf Life Saving Tasmania – Central Coast Marine Rescue – TAS – Enhance community safety and boost volunteer capacity through expansion of training and lifesaving equipment. $9,383 (Small & Vital stream)
- Upper Murray Performing Arts Inc – VIC – Encourage community connection and generate economic growth by delivering a creative dance festival that will increase tourism in a township recovering from bushfires. $10,000 (Prepare & Recover stream)
- Shire of Carnamah – WA – Improve the community’s resilience for future emergency responses during cyclones by upgrading the medical centre’s electrical switchboard, enabling connection to back up generators during power outages. $10,000 (Prepare & Recover stream)
The SRC program is collaboratively supported by many generous donors, who are acknowledged on the FRRR website under each of the SRC grant streams:
- Small & Vital donors
- Prepare & Recover donors
- Rebuilding Regional Communities is supported by the Australian Government
This program always accepts applications. Local NFPs and community groups are encouraged to review the program guidelines and apply. More information about the SRC program is available at www.frrr.org.au/src.
To support grants like this through FRRR, make a tax-deductible donation at frrr.org.au/giving/.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society - Narrabri North West District Inc | Lecturer Fee Contributions Sustain the capacity of the organisation to deliver accessible arts activities for the whole community by contributing to lecturer fees. | Narrabri | $5,000 | |||
Carcoar Community Association | River Yarn Fibre Festival Provide opportunities for social connection and cultural enrichment by supporting the inaugural River Yarn Fibre Festival. | Carcoar | $3,466 | |||
GRASP - Goulburn Regional Association of Sustainable Producers | Growing the GRASP Hub on the Open Food Network Support a community-owned online produce shop to provide access to healthy local produce and promote sustainable agricultural practices through purchasing equipment, recruiting / training volunteers and holding events. | Goulburn | $9,919 | |||
Henty Public School Parents and Citizens Association | Bush Tucker Precinct Enhance the thriving community garden by linking it to the Wiradjuri Bush Tucker and Yarning Circle cultural area to increase community knowledge of local Aboriginal traditions. | Henty | $10,000 | |||
Inverell Art Society Incorporated | Inverell Art Gallery - Supporting, Engaging and Developing Local Ceramic Artists Foster skill development for local and emerging ceramic artists in Inverell by purchasing a new kiln and reference books. | Inverell | $10,000 | |||
Lansdowne Public Hall Reserve Land Manager | Installation of Security Cameras and Solar Security Lights to the Outside of the Lansdowne Community Hall Enhance security for valuable historical works and items displayed at the Lansdowne Community Hall by installing solar powered external lighting and cameras. | Lansdowne | $8,950 | |||
Parkes Bowling and Sports Club Limited | Parkes Bowling and Sports Club Kitchen Oven Upgrade Enhance the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club kitchen by removing the current industrial gas oven and installing a new one to increase the safety and capacity for use by the many non-sporting community groups that use the facilities. | Parkes | $7,346 | |||
Peak Hill Preschool Kindergarten Inc | Peak Hill Preschool Expansion Improve day care access for disadvantaged families by contributing to the development of a community-run long day care facility and community room in Peak Hill. | Peak Hill | $10,000 | |||
Riding for the Disabled Assoc (NSW) - The Coonabarabran Centre | Facilities Maintenance Program - Stage One Enable programs to continue running by addressing safety issues at riding centre through repairs to the training hall. | Coonabarabran | $10,000 | |||
Warren Chamber Music Festival Incorporated | Better with Age! Provide opportunities for social connection and cultural enrichment by holding a "Better with Age" event for the elderly, featuring a shared meal, live musical performances and poetry readings. | Gilgandra | $8,079 | |||
Prepare & Recover | ||||||
Adavale Lane Community Centre Incorporated | Build Up the Grounds Around our Community Hall to Stop Flooding Contribute to recovery and disaster preparedness by raising the ground level around Adavale Lane Community Centre to stop the hall flooding, ensuring community events can continue and enhancing community connectedness. | Goonumbla | $24,250 | |||
Arts North West Inc | New England North West Creative Flood Response Project - 'A Letter to My Returning...' Engage artists from flood-affected communities to create artwork that responds to their flood experiences and interpretations for a public exhibition that will support community recovery. | Wee Waa | $24,752 | |||
Bay FM Community Radio Inc | Broadcast Equipment Replacement to Build Organisational and Community Resilience Build organisational capacity and bushfire resilience by upgrading the ageing broadcasting equipment, ensuring a reliable broadcast transmission service, particularly in the event of an emergency. | Byron Shire | $24,920 | |||
Bombala Preschool Inc | Bombala's Ngulla Garden Project Support recovery from the impacts of the Black Summer bushfires and unprecedented rain by establishing a food forest garden, restoring the community and Indigenous gardens, and engaging experts to educate preschool families and community about food sustainability. | Bombala | $25,000 | |||
Bowraville Arts Council Inc | Bowraville Theatre Equipment and Technology Upgrade Enhance Bowraville Theatre and contribute to bushfire recovery by investing in up-to-date equipment and technology, allowing a broader scope of events for the community, and encouraging new arts, performances and productions. | Bowraville | $10,000 | |||
Broke Residents Community Association Incorporated | Broke Wellbeing Program 2023 Support the recovery of Broke residents after flooding through an ongoing well-being program to improve the mental health and resilience of community members. | Broke | $24,800 | |||
Burringbar School of Arts | Replacement Roof for Burringbar Hall Disaster Distribution Centre Enhance the Burringbar School of Arts Heritage Hall by replacing the rusted roof, ensuring the hall can continue to be used by the community for events and as a distribution centre for those in need during natural disasters such as bushfires. | Burringbar | $25,000 | |||
Circartus Incorporated | Reaching for Solid Ground Increase organisational capacity by establishing a new position to support organisation sustainability and provide inclusive, healing, creative and fun circus skills opportunities for young people in the Manning Valley who are recovering from the impact of bushfires. | Wingham | $24,050 | |||
Connecting Communities Australia Ltd | Mogo - Aboriginal Lands Council Storage Shed Contribute to the recovery of Mogo after losing several buildings in the devastating Black Summer bushfires by constructing a storage shed for the Aboriginal Lands Council to store essential documents. | Mogo | $24,895 | |||
Deniliquin Business Chamber Incorporated | Do it in Deni Street Bazaar Strengthen community connections and boost tourism after the flood with 'The Deni Street Bazaar' a family-friendly event, celebrating the rural culture and lifestyle. | Deniliquin | $10,000 | |||
Drake Village Women's Shed Incorporated | Trailer Increase disaster resilience in the Drake community that was impacted and often isolated after the 2019/20 bushfires through purchasing and fitting out a trailer to provide residents and their livestock access to food and water in emergencies. | Drake | $15,825 | |||
Early Links Inclusion Support Service Incorporated | Physiotherapy Equipment Address increased demand for therapeutic support since the 2019/20 bushfires and increase social inclusion and support for people with disabilities and developmental delays through additional physiotherapy treatment and equipment. | Kurri Kurri | $10,000 | |||
Eden Community Access Centre Inc | Enabling Conversations That Matter: A Prepared Community Provide an online resource to enable ongoing community conversations that support disaster resilience in Eden and surrounding villages after the 2020 bushfires. | Eden | $5,400 | |||
Emerald Beach Fair Inc | Emerald Beach Fair Strengthen community connectedness and recovery from the bushfires, floods and COVID through restarting the Emerald Beach Fair. | Emerald Beach | $10,000 | |||
Granite Borders Landcare Committee Incorporated | Strengthening Rural Communities - Diverse Workshops that Educate, Engage and Improve Social Connectedness Build community resilience, social connectivity, and environmental improvements through a series of free, landscape regenerative workshops for bushfire-affected residents in remote communities around Tenterfield. | Tenterfield | $24,000 | |||
Kangaroo Valley Historical Society Incorporated | Preservation of Kangaroo Valley's History and Heritage through Quality Photographs Support community resilience by purchasing a camera and macro lens used to capture Kangaroo Valley's bushfire recovery for local historical records. | Kangaroo Valley | $1,650 | |||
Kempsey Showground Association Incorporated | Lighting Upgrade Upgrade to LED lighting in the hall to reduce operating costs and foster opportunities for people in West Kempsey to come together and support their bushfire recovery. | West Kempsey | $6,836 | |||
Marine Rescue NSW - Kioloa Unit Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW | Air Conditioner for Kioloa Unit Support bushfire recovery and build organisational capacity by replacing or adding air conditioners to ensure the comfort of volunteers all year round. | Kioloa | $6,150 | |||
Narooma Men's Shed | Metalworking Safety Initiative and Activity Enhancement Purchase appropriate lifting equipment and tools for the Narooma Men's Shed to reduce the risk of injury for members and enhance organisational capacity to support bushfire recovery projects for the community. | Narooma | $7,137 | |||
Narooma Surf Life Saving Club Inc | Provision of Storage for Emergency Search, Rescue and Disaster Response Equipment at Narooma Surf Life Saving Club Building preparedness in the event of a bushfire through the installation of mobile, modular storage cabinets enabling safe and organised storage of the club's 24/7 emergency response equipment, ensuring the club is rescue ready. | Narooma | $1,799 | |||
Northern Rivers Food Incorporated | 2023 Harvest Food Trail Enhance recovery of the flood-impacted Northern Rivers by supporting the Harvest Food Trail event, which brings the community together to socialise and enjoy local produce whilst supporting local businesses. | Tweed Heads | $10,000 | |||
Resilient Lismore Incorporated | Resilient Lismore Impact Measurement and Organisational Sustainability Enhance the recovery process in flood-impacted Lismore by periodically collecting community recovery data through surveys to measure the impact of Resilient Lismore's work and inform new projects and sustainability planning. | Lismore | $25,000 | |||
Resilient Murwillumbah | Murwillumbah Get Ready Support the flood-impacted Murwillumbah community to be more disaster ready by establishing a tools and equipment library for community-led disaster clean up and recovery. | Murwillumbah | $25,000 | |||
River of Art Incorporated | Munggara-dha / My Home Support community recovery and foster leadership and social connection after the devastating Black Summer bushfires by combining Aboriginal dance storytelling with contemporary art forms in a community driven process that will culminate in a live performance. | Mogo Village | $23,100 | |||
Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance | Brightening Batemans Bay Heritage Museum's Future Stage One Support bushfire preparedness and enhance the viability of the Heritage Museum by installing solar panels that will provide energy to stabilise environmental conditions for the preservation of museum collections, reduce operating costs and enable the museum's continued operation in a power outage. | Batemans Bay | $22,578 | |||
Twofold Aboriginal Corp | The Twofold / Jigamy Cultural Gardens & Syntropic Food Forestry Project (Stage Two & Three) Develop a series of intergenerational and cross-cultural initiatives through creation of climate-resilient cultural food gardens to foster collaboration in mitigating the impacts of the Black Summer bushfires and future climate changes. | Eden | $25,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Large | ||||||
Contact Inc Gainmara Birrilee Preschool Association Inc | Murra in Murra (Hand in Hand) Brewarrina - Planning for a Stronger Future Enhance the COVID-19 recovery of 117 Brewarrina Aboriginal families by providing practical assistance, building social connections and cultural identity, wellness activities and a community garden. | Brewarrina | $46,092 | |||
Contact Incorporated | Building Foundations for a Stronger Future Build organisational sustainability through a series of professional development workshops facilitated by a skilled expert to support Contact's work to reduce negative impacts of isolation during COVID-19 for children and families. | Cootamundra | $35,871 | |||
Gilgandra Community Garden Network Gilgandra Council | Gilgandra Cultural Precinct > Community Garden Support COVID-19 recovery by establishing a community garden to reduce social isolation, providing an inclusive, tranquil setting that supports active and passive recreation for local children, youth, seniors, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people culturally and linguistically diverse, those living with disability, and LGBTQIA+ community members. | Gilgandra | $33,684 | |||
Turbans 4 Australia | Lismore Resilience Project Enhance the process of COVID-19 recovery of disadvantaged members of the Lismore regional community through delivering food and personal care hampers with a new mobile food trailer and pantry, which will support and expand the organisation's outreach services. | Lismore | $27,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Micro | ||||||
Blue Mountains Artists Company | Lithgow Lowdown - Reimagining and Reinvigorating Community Reduce social isolation and foster a stronger, more resilient community after COVID-19 by staging a live music and poetry slam / dance competition to bring together and reinvigorate youth and families through the arts. | Lithgow | $10,000 | |||
Carries Place Domestic Violence and Homelessness Services Incorporated | Strengthening Service Delivery through Secure and Innovative IT Solutions Sustain and enhance Carries Place's work with increased IT support over six months to improve internal capability and enable provision of reliable and secure remote services to vulnerable clients hesitant to engage face-to-face due to COVID-19 impacts. | Dungog | $4,620 | |||
Creative Gunning Inc | Crafting Connections Support Gunning's community and economic recovery from COVID-19 by delivering a series of art workshops and exhibitions to increase community connections, build volunteer skills, and increase visitation. | Gunning | $9,901 | |||
Kempsey Flying Club Ltd | Rural Community's Amenities Upgrade Support COVID-19 recovery and sustain the activities of a range of community groups that use the Kempsey Flying Club facility by upgrading the space and purchasing a fridge, commercial vacuum, BBQ and projector equipment. | Kempsey | $9,750 | |||
Manning & Great Lakes Early Intervention Inc | Early Connections Playgroup Re-establish a playgroup closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance the process of recovery for young children. | Taree | $9,087 | |||
Nimmitabel Show Society Inc | Urgently Needed Equipment Support community connection after COVID-19 by replacing damaged and ageing seating and purchase new equipment to sustain the work of the Show Society and enable the smooth running of the Nimmitabel Show and other community events into the future. | Nimmitabel | $9,929 | |||
Sanctuary Point Public School | Sing and Grow Singing Therapy Group Enhance social and developmental recovery from COVID-19 for Sanctuary Point children and their families through establishing a singing therapy group. | Sanctuary Point | $9,020 | |||
The Showground Workshop Incorporated | Taree Showground Mens' Shed COVID-19 Recovery Boost the Men's Shed membership after COVID-19 by developing a new website. | Taree | $2,000 | |||
Wentworth Area Landcare Incorporated | Trees for Pomona Enhance COVID-19 recovery of the Pomona community by bringing residents together for a native tree-planting event to increase their feeling of belonging and community pride. | Pomona | $10,000 | |||
NORTHERN TERRITORY | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
MacDonnell Regional Council | Empowering Indigenous Youth Leaders to be Tomorrow's Community Leaders Prepare youth for leadership roles through the expansion of the council's youth App to include governance and project management information and functions. | MacDonnell Regional Council's 12 communities | $9,702 | |||
NT Writers' Centre Inc | Remote Writers' Development Workshops Support new and established writers living in remote parts of the state by running satellite events and online workshops as part of the 2023 Northern Territory Writers' Festival. | Katherine | $9,456 | |||
Victoria Daly Regional Council | Noise Reduction at the Pine Creek Multi Resource Community Centre Enhance public participation at meetings in a remote and under-resourced community by improving the acoustics at the community centre with the installation of heavy echo-reducing curtains. | Pine Creek | $9,973 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Large | ||||||
Brown's Mart Arts Limited | Connecting Communities at Brown's Mart Sustain Brown's Mart and their work through improved connections with the COVID-19 impacted community by upgrading communication technologies and increasing First Nation peoples' engagement and participation in the performing arts. | Darwin | $38,652 | |||
The YMCA of the Northern Territory Youth & Community Services Ltd | Community Hub Project Create a safe, welcoming community space at the Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) swimming pool for children, young people and families to re-connect after social isolation experienced during COVID-19, improving the community's physical and social health and fostering a stronger and more resilient community. | Santa Teresa | $20,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Micro | ||||||
Gupulul Marayuwu Aboriginal Corporation | Gupulul Community Homeland - Food Storage, Access and Security Project Address food security challenges exacerbated by COVID-19 and sustain the work of the corporation through the installation of a commercial cool room storage unit on the community homeland. | Gupulul Homeland | $10,000 | |||
QUEENSLAND | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Blackall Cultural Association Incorporated | Bushman's Gallery Electrical Upgrade Boost and strengthen the local economy by upgrading electrical wiring for better lighting at the Bushman's Art Gallery to increase engagement with, and acquisition of, local art. | Blackall | $10,000 | |||
Border District Eisteddfod | Border District Eisteddfod 2023 Cultivate young people's confidence, artistic endeavours and public performing capabilities by providing a local Eisteddfod. | Stanthorpe | $9,605 | |||
FNQ Aviation Museum Ltd | Multipurpose Aviation Museum Hangar - Celebrating 80 Years of Mareeba Airport Build young people's job readiness for careers in engineering industries by constructing a new hangar at the aeronautical museum to run a program with students restoring vintage airplanes. | Mareeba | $10,000 | |||
Gold City Country Music Club Inc | Bose Amplifier Tower Improve the club's ability to provide free community entertainment by upgrading sound equipment. | Charters Towers | $4,160 | |||
Gordonbrook Rural Fire Brigade | Gordonbrook Rural Fire Brigade Station (Stage Two) Improve comfort and amenity of the facility for emergency volunteers and community gatherings by installing floor coverings and painting internal walls. | Gordonbrook | $9,332 | |||
Hillview Memorial Hall and Recreation Grounds Inc | Lawn Mower Purchase Support volunteer ability to maintain a welcoming community space by purchasing a ride-on mower to care for the grounds. | Hillview | $7,730 | |||
Ingham Coast Guard - The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Incorporated | Improving Access Improve the Coast Guard's ability to support and service the community by building an accessible ramp and handrails. | Lucinda | $10,000 | |||
Julatten State School Parents and Citizens Association | Celebrating 100 Years Julatten / Bushy Creek / Euluma Creek State Schools Centenary 1923-2023 Encourage new community members and past students to come together to foster a sense of identity and community connection by jointly celebrating the schools' centenary anniversaries. | Julatten | $5,650 | |||
Low Isles Preservation Society Incorporated | Supporting Local Student Visitation to the Low Isles Education Centre Support students from disadvantaged outer regional schools to take part in a citizen science project and experience the Great Barrier Reef firsthand, integrating environmental awareness and STEM learning into the curriculum. | Port Douglas | $10,000 | |||
Mount Morgan Citizens Club Inc | Kitchen Compliance Improve functionality of club's workspace for social connection and community gatherings by modernising the kitchen by adding stainless-steel bench tops and energy efficient appliances. | Mount Morgan | $10,000 | |||
QCWA Branch Clifton | Installation of Air Conditioning to CWA Clifton Hall Expand the use of the CWA hall by installing a heating and cooling system to make the community meeting space more comfortable and welcoming. | Clifton | $3,990 | |||
Retreat Creek Campdraft Association Inc | Connecting Power to the Community Shed at Roy Day Park, Sapphire Help locals come together and connect by installing electricity at the park's community shed to provide the first 'powered' public meeting space in Sapphire. | Sapphire | $10,000 | |||
Returned & Services League of Australia (Queensland Branch) Emu Park Sub-Branch Inc | Emu Park RSL Mural Creating a commemorative mural to help residents and visitors better understand the impacts of past conflicts on returned service people. | Emu Park | $4,500 | |||
Roma Historical Precincts Inc | Roma Butter Factory - Workshop Building Upgrade Improve volunteer experience and safety by installing accessible roller doors that enable local artisans to demonstrate old time trades and skills more easily for an interactive visitor experience. | Roma | $10,000 | |||
U3A Cairns Incorporated | Health, Wellbeing and Social Interaction through Low Impact Sports Enhance older people's wellbeing through supporting physical activity and social connection by purchasing low impact activity equipment. | Mossman | $5,205 | |||
University of Southern Queensland | Allora and the Australian Silo Art Trail: Enhancing Community Wellbeing Boost tourism, amenity and community engagement in Allora through the co-design and installation of a mural representing important stories of the town. | Allora | $10,000 | |||
Prepare & Recover | ||||||
Mulgowie Public Hall Association Incorporated | Lets Get it Happening at Mulgowie! Strengthen the lifesaving capacity of a bushfire-impacted community by purchasing a defibrillator to enhance preparedness. | Mulgowie | $2,950 | |||
Withcott & District Progress Association Inc | Kitchen Renovation & Storage for the Community Hall Improve functionality of volunteers' catering and working spaces, and comfort of users with renovations to an 88-year-old hall in a community impacted by bushfires and floods. | Postmans Ridge | $21,150 | |||
Community Information and Resource Service Association Incorporated | CoolaFlix Build community resilience and foster social connectedness after flooding in Rainbow Beach through the purchase of cinema equipment and film licensing fees to facilitate a series of community fundraising movie nights. | Rainbow Beach | $17,510 | |||
Goomeri Pumpkin Festival Inc | Pumpkin to Power Economic Recovery in Gympie Region! Stimulate the community and economy post-flooding by hiring equipment to re-start the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival. | Goomeri | $15,000 | |||
Murgon Primary P&C Association | Murgon Community Fair Encourage people to come together and celebrate for mental wellbeing after the floods by establishing the Murgon Community Fair. | Murgon | $10,792 | |||
North East Downs Landcare Group Inc | Rehydrating to Regenerate the Landscape Build environmental resilience to flood through encouraging the restoration of landscape hydrology cycles by providing 'natural sequence' education workshops in the communities of Peranga, Brymaroo and Maclagan. | Peranga | $9,855 | |||
Tamrookum Memorial Hall Incorporated | Roof Repairs Enhance the recovery of the Tamrookum community by providing a safe and dry community space through repairing the hall's roof damaged during a flooding event. | Tamrookum | $24,420 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Large | ||||||
Boulia Camel Races Incorporated | Legacy - Boulia Enhance the process of COVID-19 recovery, reconnect residents, reignite tourism and stimulate the economy in Boulia through the establishment of a community cooperative. | Boulia | $50,000 | |||
Bundaberg Regional Council | Integrated Pathways at Kepnock (IP@K) Enhance the process of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for disengaged youth in the Bundaberg area by facilitating work placement with the local agricultural industry and facilitating reengagement with educational activities and the broader community. | Bundaberg | $50,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Micro | ||||||
Cape York Institute | Mayi Market COVID-19 Resilience Project Sustain the work of the Mayi (food) Market by purchasing and installing freezers in four remote Cape York communities to boost food security in the event of future isolation such as that experienced during the pandemic. | Coen | $9,592 | |||
Innisfail Community Band Incorporated | Enhancing Performance Capability at Outdoor and Large Open Space Community Cultural Events Improve the band's capability to perform in a COVID-safe outdoor environment and sustain their work through the purchase of foldback speakers and the provision of appropriate sheet music. | Innisfail | $3,000 | |||
Mossman State School P&C Association | Community Navigator - Douglas Community Early Childhood Hub Reduce social isolation and foster a stronger, more resilient Mossman community after COVID-19 by engaging a 'Community Navigator' to support families to learn about and access early years services and learning pathways. | Mossman | $10,000 | |||
Rockhampton Women's Shed Inc | Tool Kits Reduce social isolation following COVID-19 and foster a stronger, more resilient community by providing basic start-up tool kits to establish the women's shed as a place of connection, and for developing skills and capabilities. | Rockhampton | $9,979 | |||
Tully Nursing Home Inc | Outdoor Area Improvements Encourage the COVID-safe reconnection of nursing home residents with family and friends through the purchase of outdoor furniture for visitation, reducing social isolation and fostering a stronger, more resilient community. | Tully | $4,960 | |||
SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Orroroo Regional Tourism Group - District Council of Orroroo Carrieton | Chats Over Charcoal Enhance a men's support program and strengthen community wellbeing by providing a facilitated mental health and wellbeing workshop. | Orroroo | $5,585 | |||
The Beltana Progress Association Incorporated | Beltana 150 Years On - A Celebration of Our Township Boost local economy by increasing visitation to a remote location and support local cultural connections by engaging a bush band to perform at the Beltana 150-year milestone event. | Beltana | $6,725 | |||
Yorke and Northern Local Health Network Incorporated | Aboriginal 715 Health Check Incentive Shirts Improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal people living in rural and remote regions by providing Aboriginal designed polo shirts to connect community members to a vital health check program. | Maitland | $10,000 | |||
Prepare & Recover | ||||||
American River Buick Orchard Reserve (ARBOR) - American River Progress Association Inc | American River Community Garden Support bushfire recovery on Kangaroo Island by enhancing a culturally significant orchard garden for broader community access. | American River | $10,000 | |||
Berri Barmera Landcare | The Environmental Connection Strengthen community connections and engagement to the local environment in a region severely impacted by recent floods, by holding six biodiversity education workshops. | Berri | $10,000 | |||
Friends of Port Moorowie Inc | Purchase of a Ride-on Mower Increase the capacity of volunteers to support bushfire preparedness and safeguard Port Moorowie by purchasing a ride-on mower. | Port Moorowie | $5,000 | |||
Hardwicke Bay & District Progress Association | Providing Cooking Facilities at Our Planned Beach Shelter / Lookout Support community to live well in a remote place and strengthen recovery post-bushfires by installing a barbeque at an outdoor recreation shelter. | Hardwicke Bay | $5,000 | |||
Marble Range Community & Sports Centre Inc | Marble Range Community and Sports Centre - Playground Develop a safe space for children's play and provide a health and wellbeing activity to enhance community recovery from bushfires, through the development of a playground. | Wangary | $10,000 | |||
Rotary Club of Onkaparinga Inc | Onkaparinga Rotary Fencing Project Boost volunteer capacity to support community recovery post-bushfires through purchasing equipment to rebuild damaged fencing. | Lobethal | $24,317 | |||
The Pine Village Land & Services Management Association Incorporated | Improve Access to Life Saving Equipment: Installation of a Defibrillator at Pine Village Provide emergency first aid equipment to strengthen community recovery and support health outcomes for the Murray River flood-affected region by installing an external automatic defibrillator system. | Murbko | $3,704 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Large | ||||||
District Council of Tumby Bay | Youth Empowerment and Skate Activation Program (YESAP) Reduce social isolation and build young people's resilience in a remote community impacted by COVID-19 by establishing a sustainable skate program designed to empower and connect young people. | Tumby Bay | $39,820 | |||
Pine Point Progress Association Incorporated | Construction and Establishment of a Community Shed to be Primarily Used for Storing Equipment and Undertaking the Sorting of Recyclable Deposit Containers and Modifying an Existing Shed for Cooking of BBQ's Reduce social isolation and foster a more resilient regional community post-pandemic through establishing a community shed for community gatherings and storage of community assets. | Pine Point | $17,321 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Micro | ||||||
BMW Football Club Inc | Building Successful and Resilient Leaders in the Upper North Community through a Champions Academy Sustain the work of community organisations across the region and reinvigorate volunteering after COVID-19 through community-wide volunteer engagement and skill-building workshops. | Melrose | $7,000 | |||
Bridge to Nowhere Arts Association Incorporation | BTNArts Community Infrastructure Project: Enhancing Creative Space Usability Year Round Enhance the process of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by providing a comfortable environment for seniors and encourage greater participation in activities at a local community arts facility through heating and cooling upgrades. | Warnertown | $7,405 | |||
Community Care and Transport Incorporated | Melrose Office Upgrade Sustain the work of the organisation post COVID-19 and improve amenity and comfort for volunteers through the purchase of new fit-for-purpose office furniture. | Blinman | $2,670 | |||
Orroroo Recreation Group - Orroroo Football Club Incorporated | Roasting in the Roo - Camp Oven Cook Off 2023 Enhance the social and economic recovery of the Orroroo community from the COVID-19 pandemic by staging a two-day family-friendly festival. | Orroroo | $10,000 | |||
Southern Yorke Peninsula Agricultural Society Incorporated | SYP Show Pavilion Salt Damp Project Sustain the organisation and its work following the pandemic through building repairs to a local heritage building to provide a safe, fit-for-use community meeting place. | Minlaton | $10,000 | |||
The Booleroo and Districts Men's Shed Incorporated | Installation of Reverse Cycle Air-Conditioning to Meeting Area of Facility Sustain the Men's Shed and its work after COVID-19 by improving conditions in the facility through the purchase and installation of air conditioners. | Booleroo Centre | $10,000 | |||
TASMANIA | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Central Coast Marine Rescue and Training - Surf Life Saving in Tasmania Inc | Aquatic Emergency Preparedness for Volunteers at Central Coast Volunteer Marine Rescue Enhance community safety and boost volunteer capacity through expansion of training and lifesaving equipment. | Ulverstone | $9,383 | |||
St Helens Online Inc | Safety and Training for Volunteers at St Helens Online Access Centre Support and boost volunteer participation through the delivery of appropriate IT training and security upgrades to provide a safe work environment. | St Helens | $1,459 | |||
Turrakana Tasman Arts Inc | Lightwave Festival 2023 Boost community social wellbeing and foster increased visitation to Nubeena by supporting community workshops and musical performances at a mid-winter creative arts festival. | Nubeena | $10,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Large | ||||||
Launceston City Mission Inc | The Ark - Youth and Community Hub Outdoor Area Reduce isolation and foster a more resilient community post-pandemic through developing of a community youth hub for disadvantaged young people. | St Leonards | $45,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Micro | ||||||
Motherland Ltd | Motherland Village - Reducing Crippling Social Isolation & Connecting Rural Mums Reduce social isolation after the pandemic for new mothers and foster stronger, more resilient regional communities through the creation of an innovative online rural mother's group. | Dunorlan | $10,000 | |||
Mount Roland Land Care Inc | Reconnecting with Community and the Mount Roland Environment - Part Two Reduce social isolation in Mount Roland by facilitating a public tree planting festival, creating new connections to foster a stronger, more resilient community after COVID-19. | Sheffield | $3,489 | |||
VICTORIA | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Bendigo Science and Technology Museum Inc | The New Bendigo Planetarium Enable rural and regional school students to access a science education program that will feature Djaara First Nations astronomy knowledge, through the development of a new planetarium. | Bendigo | $10,000 | |||
Cowwarr Recreation Reserve Committee of Management Incorporated | Cowwarr People's Shed Boost social engagement activities and support capacity of volunteers to maintain a community space through the purchase of a storage shed. | Cowwarr | $9,624 | |||
Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre Inc | Community Co-Working Spaces Expand organisational capacity of a Neighbourhood House to support community members working remotely, through the establishment of a co-working office space. | Daylesford | $10,000 | |||
Donald 2000 Inc | Donald Social Housing Strategic Plan Engage with community and stakeholders to develop a social housing strategic plan for social and affordable housing solutions for disadvantaged people in the community of Donald. | Donald | $10,000 | |||
Fairfax Youth Initiative Swan Hill Rural City Council | The Marruk Project Support youth and First Nations people's engagement in the creative arts and promote wider community connection to local culture through the development of a theatre program. | Swan Hill | $10,000 | |||
Fishy Stories Fabelo Incorporated | Fishy Stories: The Fish Creek Children's Festival of Stories Engage young people in a creative writing and skill development program and improve literacy outcomes through the delivery of a children's storytelling festival. | Fish Creek | $10,000 | |||
Golden and Paradise Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association Incorporated | Golden Paradise Beach Community Tourist Park (Facilities Toilet Block) Increase visitation to a community precinct and improve access and inclusion for all-abilities through an upgrade of toilets to meet disability standards. | Golden Beach | $8,336 | |||
Grampians Health | Essential Aids and Equipment Loan Service Empower older people in the West Wimmera district to live safely and independently at home through access to a disability equipment loan program. | Edenhope | $9,975 | |||
Loch & District Bowling Club Inc | All Welcome @ Loch Improve access to social activities for all abilities by upgrading a bathroom to current disability standards at a key community venue. | Loch | $9,683 | |||
Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre Inc | Community Social Space Provide a comfortable environment for older people participating in wellbeing activities by providing accessible furniture and a smart TV to engage in online group sessions. | Gisborne | $8,759 | |||
Minyip Progress Association Inc | West Wall Repairs to Emma's Building Foster connection to place and opportunities for social engagement by repairing a salt-damaged wall in an iconic community-owned building. | Minyip | $10,000 | |||
Morwell Historical Society Inc | Improvements to Upgrade a 70-year-old Kitchen - Stage Two Provide a fit-for-purpose venue for older participants and volunteers by upgrading the 70-year-old kitchen. | Morwell | $10,000 | |||
Next Gen Theatrical Inc | Next Gen Presents... Provide a social wellbeing program to support marginalised communities in Gippsland and enhance the creativity of a theatre company through the provision of performance venue hire. | Traralgon | $10,000 | |||
Numurkah Toy Library | Numurkah Toy Library Building Capacity Project Support children's early education and development by providing a safe and efficient storage area for toys and equipment. | Numurkah | $9,612 | |||
Pomonal Men's Shed Incorporated | Better Access and Storage Support men's health and wellbeing activities by constructing a slip-resistant pathway and storage area to enhance the maintenance workshop. | Pomonal | $8,659 | |||
Pomonal Progress Association Incorporated | Communicating, Our way Forward Strengthen capacity of the Pomonal community to collectively support each other, particularly during community emergencies, by engaging a consultant to facilitate a community resilience workshop. | Pomonal | $1,290 | |||
Stanhope & District Development Committee Inc | RSL Seating and Montevideo Mural All Weather Shelters Encourage visitation and community engagement by installing shelters at two outdoor gathering spaces in Stanhope. | Stanhope | $10,000 | |||
Tarrangower Village Inc | Village Living Improve access to affordable housing for older people by engaging a consultant to develop a financially sustainable masterplan for a community-owned and managed retirement village. | Maldon | $10,000 | |||
The Patch Community Garden The Trustee for The Salvation Army (Victoria) Property Trust | Enhancing our Community Space Encourage participant engagement and promote greater nutritional health outcomes for disadvantaged community members, by providing a rotunda to shelter volunteers from weather extremes at a community garden. | Horsham | $10,000 | |||
Wodonga Senior Secondary College | Community Pathways Connections Foster lifelong learning and promote community connections through the establishment of an arts and vocational skills project to support disengaged school students. | Tatura | $10,000 | |||
Yea Community Service Group Inc | The Community Sufficiency Project Educate community members in self-sufficiency skills and build resilience to climate challenges through the facilitation of 12 workshops. | Yea | $7,183 | |||
Prepare & Recover | ||||||
Alpine Multi Skill Group | Upskill Community Workshops Support recovery from bushfires and develop networks between community groups through the provision of craft and skills workshops. | Bright | $8,430 | |||
Ardoch Limited | Supporting the Wellbeing of Children in Regional Victoria through the Arts Support the mental health and wellbeing of children impacted by bushfires through the development of a creative arts program. | Wangaratta | $10,000 | |||
Arts Council of Mansfield | Mansfield Arts Collective Studios (MACS) Future Proofing Upgrade Support recovery from the impacts of the 2019/20 bushfires through upgrades to a community facility to provide a fit-for-purpose and comfortable arts activity centre. | Mansfield | $9,859 | |||
Boort Resource and Information Centre | Boort Meet and Eat Support flood recovery and boost local connections by bringing the people of Boort together at a free shared community meal event. | Boort | $9,090 | |||
Committee for Echuca Moama Incorporated | Let's Get Connected Build group connections and support social and economic recovery of flood-impacted communities by providing a business networking event for women. | Echuca | $10,000 | |||
Coonooer Bridge Fire Brigade Country Fire Authority | Coonooer Bridge Fire Brigade Wildfire Thermal Imaging Camera Project Enhance volunteer capacity and community safety by providing volunteer fire fighters with vital safety equipment to detect fire hotspots. | Coonooer Bridge | $3,614 | |||
East Gippsland Festivals Ltd | On Foot in the High Country Support the social and economic recovery of bushfire-impacted communities by providing three curated walks in the Omeo region, as part of the East Gippsland Winter Festival. | Swifts Creek | $7,100 | |||
Goulburn Valley Sports Assembly Inc | On the Front Foot Enhance the recovery of flood-impacted communities and improve wellbeing outcomes by providing a mental health referral and support program. | Seymour | $10,000 | |||
Indigo Valley Landcare Group Inc | Connecting on Country: Building a Relationship Between Landcare and Traditional Custodians through Exploration of the Cultural Landscape Build First Nations recognition and boost bushfire recovery by filming Duduroa Dhargal workshops to share cultural geography knowledge with Landcare groups and the wider community. | Yackandandah | $9,970 | |||
Koondrook Development Committee Incorporated | Celebrating the Paddleboat Heritage of Koondrook Enhance regional recovery and promote community resilience by supporting a paddleboat centenary-heritage project and community festival to bring people together. | Koondrook | $24,500 | |||
Life! Central Services Incoporated | Rural and Remote Digital Suicide Safety Initiative Enable a suicide safety organisation to expand their reach and support communities recovering from bushfires by providing workshops and an online interactive program. | Corryong | $25,000 | |||
Mansfield Historical Society Inc | Mansfield Heritage Museum - Mansfield Historical Society - Mansfield Courier Restoration Project Enhance community connection and celebrate local identity in a bushfire-impacted region by restoring and safeguarding local historical artefacts. | Mansfield | $10,000 | |||
Meredith Community Centre Inc | Intergenerational Community Lunch Provide activities that support bushfire recovery and encourage community engagement by running a series of community lunches to bring different age groups together. | Meredith | $6,000 | |||
Myrtleford Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc | Alpine Outreach Mobile Facility Provide a mobile health and wellbeing service to support community recovery from bushfires in Victoria's Alpine region through the purchase of a vehicle. | Myrtleford | $25,000 | |||
Raymond Island Community Association Inc - East Gippsland Shire Council | Disabled Amenity Upgrade as Part of Raymond Island Hall Extension and Renewal Provide an inclusive venue for all abilities and enhance bushfire preparedness by improving disability access at a community gathering space. | Raymond Island | $25,000 | |||
Rochester & District Horse and Pony Club Inc | Rebuilding our Community Kitchen Boost community wellbeing outcomes and enhance the process of recovery from a flood event by replacing water-damaged kitchen equipment and walls in a key community facility used by a number of organisations. | Rochester | $9,037 | |||
South West Alternative Medium Project Inc | Two Rivers Gallery and Artspace Upgrade Project Strengthen First Nations Gunditjmara culture and expand opportunities for bushfire-affected community members to participate in art and craft activities to assist their recovery through the repair of a gallery roof. | Tyrendarra | $10,000 | |||
Startup Shakeup Ltd | Town Teams for Innovation Support recovery from the impacts of the 2019/20 bushfires and strengthen community connections by providing an IT training initiative. | Bright | $25,000 | |||
Up2Us Landcare Alliance | New Volunteering Models to Help Transform Volunteering in Mansfield Boost Landcare memberships and provide younger participants with training and leadership skills to support bushfire recovery by delivering a two-day leadership and mentoring workshop. | Mansfield | $9,500 | |||
Upper Murray Performing Arts Inc | Snowy Mountain Tango Festival 2023 Encourage community connection and generate economic growth by delivering a creative dance festival that will increase tourism in a township recovering from bushfires. | Corryong | $10,000 | |||
Warracknabeal Action Group | Easter In the Beal Encourage visitation and support community recovery after devastating floods by expanding the Easter festival to provide additional entertainment and activities. | Warracknabeal | $10,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Large | ||||||
Regional Community Vet Clinic | Build Our Not-for-Profit Community Vet Clinic Reduce social isolation, provide volunteer opportunities, and foster resilience post-pandemic through supporting the establishment of a low-cost vet clinic for the companion animals of disadvantaged community members. | Castlemaine | $50,000 | |||
Regional Food Security Alliance Inc | Growing and Strengthening Volunteerism in the Food Relief Sector in Country Victoria Sustain the work of the Regional Food Security Alliance (RFSA) by developing resources to support volunteer recruitment and retention at food relief agencies across regional Victoria, with demand for services exacerbated by COVID-19. | Mildura | $47,050 | |||
Tonimbuk East Hall | Reconnecting, Rebuilding and Reimagining our Community Enhance the process of community recovery from the pandemic by upgrading the outdoor space of a local hall to encourage community re-engagement. | Tonimbuk | $50,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Micro | ||||||
Budgeree Hall Reserve Committee Inc- Budgeree Hall Reserve | Budgeree Hall Shed Encourage greater usage of a community hall to reduce social isolation after COVID-19 through the purchase of a shipping container for the safe storage of equipment. | Budgeree | $4,500 | |||
Destination Phillip Island Inc | Hire an Operations Coordinator to Grow the Island Whale Festival Revitalise tourism after COVID-19 and inform visitors about sustainable conservation by hiring a coordinator to run a three-day festival during Phillip Island's winter whale migration. | Cowes | $10,000 | |||
Destination Rupanyup Incorporated | S.A.T Fest Rupanyup (Silo Art Trail Festival) Collaborate and connect people, community and business to enhance the process of COVID-19 recovery by staging a community festival. | Rupanyup | $10,000 | |||
Dimboola Town Committee - Hindmarsh Shire Council | Wimmera Steampunk Festival 2023 Strengthen and enhance the economic and cultural recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by staging a community festival. | Dimboola | $10,000 | |||
Jumbunna Public Hall Incorporated | Fix Jumbunna Hall Structural Problems Ensure the continued use of the community hall following the pandemic through essential structural subfloor repairs. | Jumbunna | $10,000 | |||
Laharum Public Hall | Small Halls Festival Celebrate community, reduce social isolation and foster a stronger, more resilient Laharum after COVID-19 through hosting a Festival of Small Halls event. | Laharum | $3,500 | |||
Merton Recreation and Memorial Hall Reserves Incorporated | Refurbishment, Repair and Renewal of Merton Recreation Reserve Pavilion Encourage increased community use of the Reserve building through vital upgrades and repairs, to enhance the process of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. | Merton | $10,000 | |||
Ouyen Festivals Committee Incorporated | Mallee Root Festival Enhance the process of recovery of regional communities from the COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging reconnection through staging a community festival. | Ouyen | $10,000 | |||
Poowong Public Hall Inc | Replace and Purchase New Chairs for Seating at the Poowong Hall Enhance the process of recovery of the community from the pandemic by increasing the amenity and capacity of the hall through the purchase of new seating. | Poowong | $3,875 | |||
Stanley Athenaeum & Public Room Indigo Shire Council | Revitalise and Reinvigorate Increase capacity and amenity to sustain the work of the Stanley Athenaeum volunteers after COVID-19 through the construction and installation of new work benches and storage. | Stanley | $4,862 | |||
WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
Small & Vital | ||||||
Cervantes Community Men's Shed Inc | Clearing and Fencing, Step One in Building Our Men's Shed Improve the Men's Shed's ability to support and service the community through the development of the group's new shed site. | Cervantes | $10,000 | |||
Great Southern Employment Development Committee | Wheels for Work Great Southern Strengthen employability of disadvantaged job seekers with expansion of a successful driver licensing program into additional outer regional communities and the translations of resources into different languages. | Albany | $10,000 | |||
Kununurra Agricultural Society | Clowning Around with Science Cultivate young people's wellbeing and education through play by running a series of free science and circus skills workshops at the 2023 Kununurra Agricultural Show. | Kununurra | $10,000 | |||
Moore Clothes Inc | Verandah Curtains / Blinds Encourage people to come together and connect by creating a space for community gatherings and volunteer events with the addition of outdoor blinds to enclose a verandah. | Gabbadah | $9,300 | |||
Shire of Mt Marshall | Mt Marshall Community Gardens Encourage a healthy lifestyle and promote inclusion for a small remote community struggling with mental health issues through the development of two community gardens. | Bencubbin | $10,000 | |||
Prepare & Recover | ||||||
Shire of Carnamah | Continued Connectivity Improve the community's resilience for future emergency responses during cyclones by upgrading the medical centre's electrical switchboard, enabling connection to back up generators during power outages. | Carnamah | $10,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Large | ||||||
Autism Camp Australia | Helping Hand WA Strengthen the skills and abilities of financially disadvantaged and remotely located autistic children and their families, as a vulnerable cohort impacted by COVID-19, to reduce social isolation and foster resilience by attending a strength-based capacity building camp. | Bicton | $50,000 | |||
Rebuilding Regional Communities Micro | ||||||
Harvey Community Resource Centre Inc | Harvey CRC Outdoor Cooking Adventure Encourage community groups to have safe outdoor gatherings and enable fundraising activities to sustain the organisation's work following the pandemic through the purchase of an outdoor kitchen that will be available for hire. | Harvey | $7,272 | |||
Newman Neighbourhood Centre Inc | 2023 Newman Pride Festival Reduce social isolation experienced by LGBTQIA+ people following COVID-19 and foster a stronger more resilient and inclusive community through holding a Pride Festival. | Newman | $9,350 | |||
Teach Learn Grow Inc | Rural Program Enhance the process of recovery for remote primary students experiencing educational disadvantage exacerbated by the pandemic through providing free one-on-one tutoring and mentoring support. | Kondinin | $10,000 | |||
Wyalkatchem Community Resource Centre Inc | 2023 Wylie Arts Expo Reconnect residents after the pandemic through an inclusive arts expo with a focus on First Nations culture, reducing social isolation and fostering a stronger, more resilient community. | Wyalkatchem | $7,004 | |||
Yongernow - Ongerup Community Resource Centre Inc | Don't Lose your Head Reduce social isolation and foster community resilience after COVID-19 by providing a free program of mental health and wellbeing activities for adults, children and youth. | Ongerup | $4,500 |
According to Beyond Blue, one in seven Australians will experience depression in their lifetime. For people living in remote, rural and regional areas, access to adequate physical and mental health care can be tricky. In fact, getting people to talk about mental health issues can be just as hard as finding the appropriate support.
Organisations like Active Farmers are working hard to breakdown the stigma surrounding mental health and raise awareness and understanding of the benefits of regular exercise and healthy eating. One way they do this is by hosting events like the Active Farmers Games.
In 2019, the inaugural Active Farmers event was held in NSW, and again the following year. Both events were a total success with people travelling from all over the country to attend. Post-event feedback strongly endorsed running it again, but suggested it should head to Western Australia.
The small town of Torbay, located in the Great Southern region, was selected to host the Games. The region is dominated by farmland, which produces livestock, dairy, wool and grows crops. Known as one of the most productive cereal grain and pastoral areas of the state, they have also been severely impacted by drought, bushfires and of course COVID-19. On top of this, the population of the Great Southern area of WA is predominantly aged over 50 years, with the proportion of adults aged over 65 years projected to increase by 54% over the next five years. For people in this age group, physical health concerns can often be managed by regular physical activity and exercise. This demographic also has a large population that lives in regional Australia, where they may lack access to health and wellness services due to remoteness.
The one-day event involved traversing a 3.5km farm-inspired obstacle course (think hay bales, tyre stacking and fence climbing!). The aim was to raise awareness of the importance of physical and mental health and to promote connectedness in the bush. The course was designed to symbolise real life obstacles and how we are able to better overcome these obstacles if we have a team of people around us.
In total, there were 30 obstacles that 150 participants had a go at. There were three teams that consisted of men, women and children. The course was designed to accommodate everyone with the youngest participant being six years old and the oldest participant in their 70s. The event was also a tremendous show of community participation with 40 volunteers to help things run smoothly and another 90 spectators who came to cheer the participants along.
Using a $6,340 Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) grant, funded by FRRR, Active Farmers were able to host a successful event that fostered a strong sense of connection and joy within the community and surrounding areas.
They were also able to raise much needed funds to establish the Active Farmers group fitness classes in up to six additional locations in WA. Check out this fantastic video that showcases the day’s activities.
Earlier this year, one of FRRR’s long-term supporters, the Pratt Foundation, made a generous $250,000 donation to FRRR’s Flood Recovery Appeal to support Victorian areas affected by the flood.
Over the last two months, FRRR has leveraged its networks to make ‘quick response’ grants to 23 community groups and not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in flood-affected areas of Victoria. The grants are helping to meet short-term recovery needs and help communities as they begin to get up and running again following the flooding events of this past summer.
Anthony Pratt, Chairman of the Pratt Foundation, said the work of the flood-affected not-for-profit groups is admirable and critical to recovery.
“The organisations that have benefitted from these grants are key to the recovery of these communities following the floods. We are very happy to be able to assist their efforts to provide support to the most vulnerable in the community, by providing the resources they need to start building back,” Mr Pratt said.
Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s Acting CEO, said the projects receiving funding will be crucial to the recovery process in the coming months.
“The Pratt Foundation’s generous support has enabled FRRR to work closely with communities across flood-impacted areas of Victoria to identify organisations who are playing key roles in recovery, by responding to local priorities.
“These grants are supporting a range of projects, including many neighbourhood and community houses, who are acting as key hubs to support community members, particularly vulnerable people. The funding will also help communities to build capacity, through activities such as mental health first aid training, so that they are better able to navigate disaster response and recovery challenges that they are likely to face in the coming months. Other grants focus on the repair of critical infrastructure, such as local community radio facilities, and providing immediate aid, such as distributing insect repellent to reduce the risks of mosquito borne diseases.
“This funding will not only help to address short-term challenges these flood-impacted communities are facing, but will also contribute to the long-term social and economic recovery of these areas,” Ms Matthee said.
Three of the 23 projects funded are listed below:
- Rochester Community House Inc – Rochester, VIC – Rochester Community Flood Recovery – Boost ability of a community house to provide emergency assistance through additional staffing hours. $10,000.
- International Association for Psychiatric Nurses – Shepparton, VIC – Mental Health First Aid Training – Support community recovery from flood events with mental health first aid training to build awareness, healing and recovery skills. $10,000.
- Gnarly Neighbours – Seymour, VIC – Supporting Youth Programs – Boost organisational capacity and support young people impacted by flood events to access youth programs. $10,000.
The full list of projects funded can be accessed on the FRRR website.
The Prepare & Recover stream of the SRC program is accepting applications to support disaster-impacted communities. More information is available at https://frrr.org.au/src-prepare-recover/.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VICTORIA | ||||||
Bonnie Doon Football Club Inc | Drainage at the Reserve | Bonnie Doon | $8,072 | |||
Bridgewater Recreation and Public Reserve Committee Incorporated | Cleaning after Blaze Aid Boost volunteer capacity and community recovery through purchasing new equipment and cleaning a BlazeAid staging ground. | Bridgewater | $2,157 | |||
Cohuna Neighbourhood House Incorporated | Future Printing Project Enhance Cohuna Neighbourhood House’s provision of information and support to flood-impacted community members by purchasing a multi-functional printer / photocopier. | Cohuna | $10,000 | |||
Echuca Historical Society Incorporated | Two Men in a Boat Exhibition and Riverlife & Romance: a Tribute to "All The Rivers Run" Film Foster social reconnection and recovery in a flood-impacted region through free community events at the Echuca Museum. | Echuca | $2,250 | |||
Echuca Neighbourhood House Inc | ENH Flood Recovery Program Strengthen a Neighbourhood House's capacity to deliver emergency response and support community recovery from floods through the provision of material aid. | Echuca | $10,000 | |||
Gnarly Neighbours | A Roof for Gnarly Neighbours Boost organisational capacity and support young people impacted by flood events to access youth programs by covering rental costs to temporarily house equipment and provide a space resume regular programs and workshops. | Seymour | $10,000 | |||
Greater Shepparton Foundation Limited | Mosquito Borne Disease Education and Intervention Project Supporting flood recovery and health promotion in multicultural communities through developing educational material and distributing insect repellent to reduce the risks of mosquito borne diseases. | Shepparton | $10,000 | |||
Heathcote Community House Incorporated | Heathcote Community Flood Recovery & Support Boost Heathcote Community House’s capacity to deliver targeted support and programs for flood-impacted community members by funding community mental health programs (particularly for vulnerable and elderly residents) and extended hours to meet community need. | Heathcote | $10,000 | |||
Indigo Shire Council | FLOOD RECOVERY EXPO "Are You Bogged Mate!" Strengthen recovery and wellbeing by holding an information and mental health expo for the agricultural sector in the Indigo Shire. | Rutherglen | $7,560 | |||
International Association for Psychiatric Nurses | Mental Health First Aid Training Support community recovery from flood events with mental health first aid training to build awareness, healing and recovery skills. | Shepparton | $10,000 | |||
Lockington Recreation Reserve Incorporated | Lockington and Surrounding Districts: Flood Recovery Assistance Sustain volunteer capacity and support community recovery through cleaning and covering utility costs at a BlazeAid staging ground. | Rochester | $3,000 | |||
Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre Inc | Strengthening Mooroopna Education and Activity (MEAC) Strengthen community resilience and recovery by extending the delivery of community hub activities and programs for flood-impacted community members. | Mooroopna | $10,000 | |||
Nathalia & District Community Assoc Inc | Safe Streetscape Strengthen Nathalia Community House’s support for flood-impacted community members through upgrades to food relief storage, paths and seating areas. | Nathalia | $7,377 | |||
Neighbourhood House Murchison (VIC) Inc | Murchison Flood Recovery Programs and Activities Foster community connectedness and recovery in flood-impacted Murchison through supporting Murchison Neighbourhood House activities and programs. | Murchison | $10,000 | |||
Nexus Primary Health | Seymour Food Relief Collaborative Improve health and wellbeing outcomes for flood-impacted community members by supporting local food relief. | Seymour | $10,000 | |||
Raywood Recreation Reserve Committee of Management | Replacement Mower for our Six Acre Recreation Reserve Increase the capacity and capability of volunteers to support preparedness and recovery from natural disasters through replacing a flood damaged mower. | Raywood | $10,000 | |||
RDA Seymour Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria Inc | Feed the RDA Horses Boost the capacity of a disability organisation impacted by severe flooding by subsidising operational costs for the upkeep of horses for a riding for the disabled program. | Seymour | $10,000 | |||
Rochester Agricultural and Pastoral Association Inc | 2023 Rochester Show Enhance regional recovery and promote community resilience by providing entertainment at the annual agricultural show to bring people together post-disaster. | Rochester | $10,000 | |||
Rochester Community House Inc | Rochester Community Flood Recovery Boost ability of a community house to provide emergency assistance through additional staffing hours to support flood recovery. | Rochester | $10,000 | |||
Rochester Secondary College | Anglesea or Bust! Foster social connection and enhance young people's recovery from flooding events by subsidising a school camp. | Rochester | $10,000 | |||
Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society Incorporated | Flood Recovery Strengthen volunteer capacity to run upcoming annual events and support community recovery from a natural disaster by purchasing furniture and equipment. | Seymour | $9,584 | |||
Seymour Performers' Workshop Inc | Seymour Performers Workshop Flood Recovery Supporting local arts events and community recovery through repairing and replacing flood-damaged sets and equipment at a local performance group. | Seymour | $10,000 | |||
Seymour Puckapunyal Community Radio Incorporated | Flood Rebuild Strengthening volunteer capacity and community connection and information sharing through replacing flood-damaged community radio broadcasting equipment. | Seymour | $10,000 |
Around three hours drive from Adelaide, along the beautiful coast, the Southern Yorke Peninsula Community Hub (SYP) is a central organisation that offers a range of services to its community.
From faxing, to printing, to car and boat licenses, the Hub provides tourist information and is home to the local Salt Lakes Gallery. With a role as big as this in the community, it makes sense that the Hub would be crucial during emergencies.
In November 2019, bushfires occurred in isolated rural areas along the Peninsula, putting many towns at risk. The community of Yorketown was in the fire path until a wind change moved it along to then endanger the township of Edithburgh. The fires impacted power supplies, road closures and communications for prolonged periods. The SYP Community Hub supported the community as a response centre throughout this event.
Since the 2019 bushfires, SYP Community Hub has been heavily involved in coordinating disaster recovery services. This included purchasing a custom-built trailer, the first in the Yorke Peninsula Council area. Using a $24,950 Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) grant, funded by a private donor, the trailer has become a multipurpose community resource.
During emergencies, the trailer will enable deployment of supplies such as food, water and basic first aid. It will also assist in distributing supplies to volunteers and act as a rest station during incident response. The versatility of the trailer also means that it can be used during community-led events.
The impact the trailer has had on the community has been exceptional. “The response from residents is one of pride in its completion and the feeling of readiness should they once again be faced with an crisis like the 2019 bushfires. The community is better prepared, trained appropriately and with a strong band of volunteers.”
Like many plans during the last few years, the start of the project was delayed due to COVID. Materials were in short supply and the engineering firm responsible for building the trailer was hit by COVID and forced to close for a period of time. But once they were able to safely get back to work, the trailer came together nicely.