Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
More than 100 projects funded across Australia
More than 100 projects set to strengthen remote, rural and regional Australia have been given an encouraging boost, with 96 communities sharing in $1,112,492 in grants, thanks to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.
The successful communities, which range across Australia from remote Kintore in the Northern Territory, to Jundah in Queensland and Leonora in Western Australia, will use the grants of up to $25,000 for a broad range of inspiring projects.
Led by local people, these initiatives vary from encouraging young people from Arnhem Land communities to connect with culture and make healthy lifestyle choices by getting them involved in creating edible garden plots, to helping the community of South Arm continue its recovery following the Black Summer bushfires by purchasing amenities and safety equipment to prepare the local hall for future disaster events.
It’s just one of 34 grants going to communities with the unique challenge of overcoming the impacts of the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires. Supported through a special stream of funding, these regions will share in $589,945 in grants for projects designed to help seed and strengthen their recovery.
Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s Acting CEO, said that communities have found diverse ways to build up their resilience and support one another.
“This round we have seen communities drawing on their strong community partnerships to find ways of helping to make their community a more resilient and connected place,” Ms Matthee said.
“Communities have also shown us how much they value the vital contributions made by volunteers. We have funded several projects that support and recognise these people, and help tackle the fatigue they feel, especially in light of this year’s challenges.
“For bushfire-affected communities, COVID-19 has not lessened their determination to keep on recovering, despite the pandemic resulting in gatherings and events, which would have helped people connect and rebuild, being postponed or cancelled. Local leaders have put forward great ideas that are sure to help lift community spirits.
“Regardless of where these communities are at, the SRC program is flexible enough to fund projects that will help communities to seed strengthen, adapt and evolve, and innovate and renew,” Ms Matthee explained.
Some of the 101 projects awarded include:
- Dalaigur Pre-school and Children’s Services Aboriginal Corporation, NSW – Transportation 2021 – $10,000 – Increase Kempsey children’s access to educational, social and health opportunities by providing a bus service for Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Services students.
- West Daly Regional Council, NT – West Daly Regional Council’s Community BBQ Trailer – $9,068 – Create a more engaged community and enhance locals’ sense of place by purchasing a BBQ trailer that will be used during emergency and disaster relief efforts and for community events.
- Pomona & District Community House Inc, QLD – Pomona Youth Resilience and Well-being Project – $18,891 – Increase access, support and resources for local youth in Pomona by delivering a facilitated, structured community-based youth program.
- Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market Inc, SA – Kingscote Farmers and Artisans Market – The Backyard – $24,640 – Increase access to local produce and the social and economic recovery of Kangaroo Island by employing a part-time project manager to help reopen the Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market and develop a pop-up activity space.
- Live Well Tasmania, TAS – Renovating our Community Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing – $9,980 – Create a safe space for youth by renovating the local Community Centre.
- Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, VIC – Tour de Trail – $3,700 – Promote health and wellbeing by encouraging people to participate in a bike-ride/fun day event in Mansfield in March 2021.
- Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation, WA – Rebuilding Community Through Clearing Tracks for Management of Fire (Kala) in Ngadju Country $25,000 – Increase fire preparedness in the Great Western Woodlands and maintain cultural sites of significance by clearing tracks to make access easier for cultural mosaic burns.
The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors, which are listed on the Strengthening Rural Communities program page.
The next round of SRC grants will be announced March 2021. The current round is accepting applications until 23 February 2021.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to: NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
|
NEW SOUTH WALES |
|||
| Hillston and District Aquatic Club Inc | Upgrade Lake Woorabinda Access to Water Build community resilience and engagement in water activities through the upgrade and drought proofing of Lake Woorabinda. |
Hillston | $10,000 |
| Mendooran & District Development Group | Main Street Seating in Mendooran Strengthen community connection through the provision of safe seating and exterior upgrade Masonic Lodge. |
Mendooran | $841 |
| Collins Creek Public Hall Land Manager | Improvements to Acoustic Properties of the Collins Creek Community Hall Enhance community identity through improving the acoustic quality of the Community Hall. |
Collins Creek | $10,000 |
| Gilgandra Council | Capturing the Memories and Local Characters Promote social inclusion and wellbeing by documenting stories from residents of Cooee Lodge and Jack Towney Hostel. |
Gilgandra | $10,000 |
| Lightning Ridge Opal and Fossil Centre Inc | Australian Opal Centre (AOC) 2021-2023 Strategic Plan Development Project Build organisational resilience through the development of a 3 year strategic plan for the Lightening Ridge Fossil and Opal Centre. |
Lightning Ridge | $10,000 |
| Tenterfield Show Society Inc | Connecting 1876 and 2020 Contribute to a culturally vibrant community through preservation and display of locally significant artifacts and memorabilia. |
Tenterfield | $10,000 |
| Circartus Inc | Circartus Train the Trainer Strengthen Circartus organisational capacity by delivering a train the trainer program. |
Wingham | $9,970 |
| Kootingal and District Pre-School Inc | Aboriginal Program and Clay Program Strengthen engagement with Aboriginal culture through the delivery of a program of structured play activities for preschool children at Kootingal & District Preschool. |
Kootingal | $8,000 |
| Burringbar School of Arts | Purchase and Installation of Commercial Dishwasher Increase volunteer capacity through the purchase of a commercial dishwasher for Burringbar School of Arts. |
Burringbar | $4,698 |
| Dalaigur Pre-school and Children’s Services Aboriginal Corporation | Transportation 2021 Enable access to quality learning environments through the provision of transport services for young children to attend Dalaigur Pre-school. |
Kempsey | $10,000 |
| Howlong Toy Library | The Power of ‘Picnics and Play’ Enrich local community interaction through the purchase of resources for a series of mindful play and dinner events for families and children in Howlong. |
Howlong | $5,541 |
| Kendall Mens Shed | Routing Increase organisational capacity through the purchase of a router to support fundraising capacity for Kendall Men’s Shed members. |
Kendall | $2,463 |
| Utungun Community Hall Section 355 Committee of Management Nambucca Valley Council |
Utungun Hall – Sitting Pretty and Moving Safely Support Volunteer capacity through the purchase of chairs and equipment for Utungun Community Hall. |
Utungun | $4,020 |
| Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network Hawkesbury River County Council |
Regenerating our Bushland after Fire, Hawkesbury Increase local capacity to manage environmental recovery, through delivery of a series of workshops and events on topics such as weed management and erosion. |
Bilpin | $16,000 |
| Community Foundation for Albury Wodonga Region Ltd | Digital Storytelling Celebrate and encourage local giving post-bushfire via a digital storytelling project. |
Albury | $10,000 |
| Glenrac Incorporated | Emergency Preparedness for Future Challenges – Glen Innes NSW Increase support for recovering community, through delivery of wellbeing events and mental health first aid training. |
Glen Innes | $17,150 |
| Marine Rescue Kioloa Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW |
Marine Rescue Base Facilities Upgrade Increase local capacity to maintain volunteer marine rescue service base facility, though replacement of carpet. |
Kioloa – Bawley Point | $5,000 |
| Eden Tourism Inc | Relocation of Eden Visitor Information Centre Increase amenity and function of new Eden Visitor Information Centre, through professional design and development of internal areas. |
Eden | $20,000 |
| Hartley Vale Mount Blaxland Reserve Land Manager | Ground Penetrating Radar Survey Heal the community through the establishment of all burial sites located at the Hartley Vale Cemetery. |
Hartley | $16,016 |
| Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club Inc. | Replacement of Community Infrastructure – The Boating and Fishing Jetty at Spencer Park Merimbula Lake Increase capacity to fundraise for replacement of local jetty, though support to complete development application and design planning. |
Merimbula | $14,850 |
| South Arm Hall Committee of Management Nambucca Valley Council |
Making South Arm Hall Resilient, Welcoming and Aiding Recovery Strengthen South Arm Hall’s resilience and preparedness for future disaster events through the purchase of safety and amenity items. |
South Arm | $25,000 |
| Nimbin Community Centre Incorporated | Walkways Together – from Jarjums to Elders Support community resilience through replacement of covered walkways at Nimbin Community Centre. |
Nimbin | $9,700 |
| The Southern Highlands Foundation | FireAid Bushfire Appeal/Covid-19 Appeal Strengthen capacity of the Foundation to support their community post bushfire through the employment of an Executive Officer. |
Balmoral | $25,000 |
| Bombala Pre School Inc | Urban & Indigenous Agriculture Project Increase local resilience and intergenerational connections, through construction of codesigned community space and permaculture skills. |
Bombala | $15,000 |
| Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre Inc | Play in Nature Support early childhood development through the construction of a Natural Playground at Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre. |
Evans Head | $9,575 |
| Salt Care Limited | Salt Life Support vulnerable cohorts across Shoalhaven via support groups facilitated by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program. |
Nowra/ Bomaderry | $15,000 |
| The Elands Community Health & First Aid Centre Incorporated | Refurbishments for Community Centre Increase comfort and capacity of Elands local meeting space, through installation of air conditioning and solar system with battery. |
Elands | $24,102 |
| Ettrick Hall Committee Inc | Ettrick Hall Bathroom Upgrade Increase local capacity and disaster preparedness, through upgrading bathroom facilities at local hall to include a shower for emergency personal and displaced residents. |
Ettrick | $10,000 |
| Do It For Batlow | Weemala Hill Walking and Riding Trails – Batlow Lookout Renew access to local walking trails that support health and wellbeing through employment of contractors to clear burnt trees and reinvigorate the area. |
Batlow | $25,000 |
| Macdonald Valley Association | Macdonald Valley Community – Book of Fires Advance the recovery of the Macdonald Valley through the creation of a book which documents and celebrates community resilience. |
St Albans | $22,870 |
| Pambula Business Chamber Incorporated | Pambula Art Project Increase visitation to the region and highlight local history and culture, through development and installation of a series of artworks across the Pambula township. |
Pambula | $25,000 |
|
NORTHERN TERRITORY |
|||
| Central Australian Aboriginal Media Assoc (Aboriginal Corporation) | 40 Years of CAAMA – Compilation Album Set Celebrate and promote Indigenous culture and musicianship through creation of four CD set of Central Australian Indigenous music. |
Alice Springs | $10,000 |
| One Tree Community Services Inc | Green Book Increase accessibility and feelings of security and inclusion with the creation of restful outdoor space at Wadeye Women’s Refuge. |
Wadeye | $8,000 |
| MJD Foundation Ltd | MJD International Centre of Excellence – Umbakumba Enable provision of allied health services and research for sufferers of Machado Joseph Disease on Groote Eylandt through fit out of accommodation for researchers and allied health workers. |
Umbakumba | $10,000 |
| East Arnhem Regional Council | Healthier Eating through Edible Gardens in East Arnhem Indigenous Communities Support community engagement and active lifestyles, leading to healthier outcomes for community members, with the establishment of edible gardens. |
Milingimbi | $10,000 |
| Katherine Isolated Children’s Service Incorporated | Remote Mobile Playgroup Create equal opportunities for early childhood development through access to mobile playgroups in very remote locations across Central Australia. |
Katherine | $10,000 |
| West Daly Regional Council | West Daly Regional Council’s Community BBQ Trailer Build community connectedness and support social connection through provision of a BBQ trailer for Council and community run events. |
Wadeye | $9,068 |
|
QUEENSLAND |
|||
| The Creche and Kindergarten Association Limited | C&K Hoey Street’s Sustainable Food Forest Foster healthy eating habits and connection to the environment, through the establishment of a sustainable food garden at the local kindergarten. |
Sarina | $1,252 |
| Cloncurry Kindergarten Association Inc | Screens for outside buildings Increase educational opportunities at Cloncurry Kindergarten through the provision of retractable screens for outdoor buildings. |
Cloncurry | $10,000 |
| Abergowrie Primary P&C Association | The Voices of our Yarning Circle Support cultural literacy and community engagement in education through the building of a landscaped Yarning Circle. |
Ingham | $10,000 |
| Bana Mindilji Aboriginal Corporation | Installation of Composting Toilets on Country Promote environmental sustainability and organisational capacity through the installation of composting toilets at remote station. |
Wujal Wujal | $10,000 |
| Burdekin Woodcrafts Association Incorporated | Kitchen Replacement Strengthen community engagement through upgrade of kitchen facilities at the Burdekin Woodcrafts Association. |
Ayr | $9,765 |
| Focus on Food and Fibre Conference Nindigully Landcare Group Incorporated |
Focus on Food and Fibre Conference Build community and agricultural resilience through support for food and fibre conference. |
St George | $10,000 |
| Jundah Local Ambulance Committee | Emergency Response Training Improve emergency response capacity by enabling volunteers to participate in training. |
Jundah | $3,250 |
| Kilkivan Show & Campdraft Association Inc | Defibtech Lifeline Package & Community COVID-19 Pack Support community safety and health outcomes, through the purchase of a defibrillator machine and community COVID-19 pack. |
Kilkivan | $5,228 |
| QCWA St George Branch The Queensland Country Women’s Association |
QCWA St George – Empowerment Through Technology! Help people stay connected by purchase of IT equipment to increase the digital capacity of local CWA. |
St George | $1,969 |
| Queensland Rural Regional and Remote Women’s Network Incorporated | Advancing towards 2030. Increase digital capability and capacity through the purchase of integrated membership and fundraising IT platform. |
Goondiwindi | $10,000 |
| Roughlie Community Centre Incorporated | Purchase of 2 Refrigerators for Cold Storage Develop organisational resilience and capacity through the purchase of refrigerator for community centre. |
Roma | $4,798 |
| Texas & District Kindergarten Association Inc | Replace Two Non-compliant Fences at Texas Kindergarten. Support a safe outdoor early learning environment through upgrade of fencing at local kindergarten. |
Texas | $6,974 |
| Artworks Granite Belt Inc. | ArtWorks Station Cafe upgrade Increase capacity and enhance facilities at volunteer run Artworks Station Cafe, through upgrade of kitchen and outdoor eating area. |
Stanthorpe | $9,066 |
| Pomona & District Community House Inc | Pomona Youth Resilience and Well-being Project Increase access to support and resources for local youth in Pomona, through delivery of a facilitated, structured community based youth program. |
Pomona | $18,891 |
|
SOUTH AUSTRALIA |
|||
| Scouts SA – Roonka Water Activity Centre Scout Association of Aust SA Branch |
Tree Planting and Installation of Solar Powered Watering System Restore and conserve local habitat and generate community engagement through the creation of a native garden. |
Blanchetown | $4,139 |
| Port Neill War Memorial Hall | Inclusion and Access for All at our Hall Enhance community well-being and connectedness and improve the amenity of a community hall through the installation of an all ability toilet. |
Port Neill | $8,034 |
| Mannum Men’s Shed Inc | Continue to Work by Purchasing a Thicknesser Increase social engagement by purchasing new equipment and strengthen the Men’s Shed capacity to support participants and deliver community projects. |
Mannum | $1,299 |
| Parndana Progress Association – Walking Trail Sub-Committee Parndana Progress Association |
Parndana Fitness Trail – Outdoor Gym Station Increase access to equipment that supports health and wellbeing, through installation of outdoor fitness equipment at Kangaroo Island West Lions Park. |
Parndana | $16,838 |
| Kangaroo Island Yacht Club Inc | Community Hub Upgrade to Support Community Resilience Enhance community activities that support connectedness at the Kangaroo Island Yacht Club, through upgrade of aged kitchen facilities. |
Kingscote | $25,000 |
| Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market Inc | Kingscote Farmers and Artisans Market – The Backyard Increase support for reopening of community market and development of pop up activity space in Kingscote, through employment of a part time project manager. |
Kingscote | $24,640 |
| The Cudlee Creek Tennis & Basket Ball Club Inc | A Community Led Project: Our Community Hub and Tennis Courts Increase preparedness for disaster and enhanced community facilities for a community recovering from bushfire, through upgrade of fencing, drainage, water storage and landscaping at local hub. |
Cudlee Creek | $25,000 |
|
TASMANIA |
|||
| Lorinna Residents & Ratepayers Association Inc | Lorinna Hall Improved Access Project Enhance community well-being and connectedness and improve the amenity of a community hall through the installation of an all ability access ramp. |
Lorinna | $2,000 |
| Live Well Tasmania | Renovating Our Community Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing Create a secure hospitable meeting space and support youth engagement through conducting roof maintenance at a community centre. |
Wynyard | $9,980 |
| Dorset Community Association Inc | Outreach and Support Equipment Upgrades Build organisational capacity and increase community engagement through the purchase of equipment for a Neighbourhood House. |
Scottsdale | $9,790 |
| Lilydale Volunteer Fire Brigade State Fire Commission (Tas) |
Lilydale Community Smoke Alarm Project Increase safety and build community awareness through the operation of a fire safety project. |
Lilydale |
$7,000 |
|
VICTORIA |
|||
| Friends of Grampians Rail Trail Inc | Grampians Rail Trail Emergency Marker Posts Provide a safe community resource and strengthen opportunities for social engagement through the development of a recreation trail. |
Stawell | $9,111 |
| Castlemaine Community House Inc | Food Links – Strengthening Local Food Security Improve community health, wellbeing, and educational development through the establishment of a food security program. |
Castlemaine | $10,000 |
| Colac Area Health Foundation | Saving Lives in the Colac Community Improve community health and well-being outcomes through the purchase of healthcare equipment for use in a local Hospital. |
Colac | $10,000 |
| Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail | Tour de Trail Enhance well-being outcomes and strengthen community connection through the initiation of a community event. |
Mansfield | $3,700 |
| Penshurst Progress Association Inc | Aiding our Community Communication and Cooperation Increase community engagement, volunteer support and social opportunities, through the purchase of a new printer. |
Penshurst | $8,000 |
| Central Highlands Rural Health | Transforming Aged Care Residents’ Quality of Life Improve the health and social wellbeing of people living with dementia by providing a interactive games program for residents. |
Daylesford | $10,000 |
| Cobden District Health Services Inc | Cobden Health Boiler Room Upgrade Strengthen organisational capacity and support the needs of residents through the upgrade of a boiler-room system. |
Cobden | $10,000 |
| Cycling Without Age Portland Inc Rotary Club of Portland Inc |
Cycling Without Age on the Move Strengthen community connections for older people and support volunteer participation though the commencement of a cycling project. |
Portland | $9,000 |
| Paynesville Men’s Shed Inc | Let there be Lunch! Improve mental health and social outcomes for older men in the community by upgrading a kitchen and delivering a healthy eating program. |
Paynesville | $4,123 |
| St Arnaud Neighbourhood House Inc | The Life Story Projects Improve social participation and the health and wellbeing of aged care residents, through the enhancement of a life story project. |
Donald | $6,810 |
| West Wimmera Health Service | Friends Across the Ages Gone Digital Improve the health and social wellbeing of older people by initiating a community connections program. |
Nhill | $10,000 |
| Boort Resource and Information Centre | Boort Business and Services Resource Hub Improve community participation and access to services and education through the development of a fit for purpose community hub. |
Boort | $10,000 |
| Community Recovery Committee Bunyip Complex Fires Association Inc | Tonimbuk Hall Upgrade Increase community participation and engagement through installation of a climate control system and the upgrade of a Community Hall. |
Tonimbuk | $9,990 |
| Cowangie Soldiers Memorial Hall | New Blockout Blinds Strengthen community engagement and participation by replacing coverings which are no longer fit for purpose and creating a space that meets community needs. |
Cowangie | $4,000 |
| Kilmore District Men’s Shed Inc | Equipment Promote learning and development and build organisational capacity through the purchase of new technology. |
Kilmore | $2,933 |
| Paynesville RSL Sub-Branch | A Warm Glow for Better Health Increase community participation and engagement through installation of a climate control system, creating a comfortable gathering space. |
Paynesville | $10,000 |
| Southern Otway Landcare Network Inc | SOLN Support Centre’s Community Shed Increase environmental education and community participation through the creation of a secure, hospitable space. |
Apollo Bay | $10,000 |
| Swan Hill Specialist School | SHSS Community Garden Strengthen student engagement and skill development while establishing a connections to the wider community through the expansion of a community garden. |
Swan Hill | $5,346 |
| Clunes Neighbourhood House Inc | Weight off your Shoulders: 6 Week Weight Loss and Wellbeing Program Improve the health and well-being of community members through initiating a health focused support program. |
Clunes | $10,000 |
| Robinvale Network House Inc | Covid Community Connection Capabilities Increase communication of community education programs and activities through development of a website and communication system. |
Robinvale | $8,862 |
| Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network Inc | Ararat Schools Resilient Art Project Increase the resilience and well-being of young people in the community through the delivery of a mindfulness program. |
Ararat | $10,000 |
|
WESTERN AUSTRALIA |
|||
| Empowering Plantagenet Seniors Inc | Empowering Plantagenet Seniors Hub Fit Out Support community engagement and participation through establishment of a Senior’s Hub. |
Mount Baker | $10,000 |
| Narembeen Community Resource Centre (CRC) Shire of Narembeen |
Ladies Long Lunch Increase social connectedness, business skills and mental health wellbeing through the Narembeen Ladies Long Lunch event. |
Narembeen | $6,750 |
| Esperance Farmers Fund South East Premium Wheat Grower Association |
Set up Foundation – Esperance Farmers Fund Build capacity of Esperance to deliver locally driven community projects that support the wellbeing and growth of the community through establishment of a local community foundation. |
Esperance | $10,000 |
| Katampul Aboriginal Corporation | Development Katampul Health and Wellbeing Plan: Working Group Build community capacity through creation of an interagency working group and development of household health and wellbeing plans. |
Leonora | $9,100 |
| Tjupan Ngalia Tribal Land Council Aboriginal Corporation | Walkatjurra Kindilink Mural Project Build student and community engagement with education and incorporate cultural learning via a transformative mural design process at Lenora District High School. |
Leonora | $10,000 |
| Littlewell Mingenew Aboriginal Reserve Group Shire of Mingenew |
Littlewell Aboriginal Reserve Seating Enhance the amenity of the Littlewell Reserve through provision of seating. |
Mingenew | $10,000 |
| Be Living Smart Inc Collie Family Centre Incorporated |
The 10-topic Living Smart Community Course Support community to achieve environmental sustainability goals through seven week Living Smart course. |
Collie | $9,013 |
| Lake Grace Community Men’s Shed Inc. | Operation Bandsaw Increase community engagement, social wellbeing and connectedness for men in the Lake Grace region through the replacement of a bandsaw at Men’s Shed. |
Lake Grace | $2,750 |
| Northampton Parents and Friends Association | Playground for St Mary’s Primary School Northampton Increase gross and fine motor skill development and children’s physical health and mental wellbeing with purchase of playground equipment for St Mary’s School, Northampton. |
Northampton | $9,000 |
| Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation | Rebuilding Community Through Clearing Tracks for Management of Fire (kala) in Ngadju Country Increase fire preparedness in the Great Western Woodlands and maintain cultural sites of significance, by clearing tracks that enable access for cultural mosaic burns. |
Norseman Indigenous Location | $25,000 |
34 recovery projects funded across Australia
Thirty-four projects set to seed and strengthen the recovery of communities affected by the 2019-20 bushfires are sharing in $589,945 in grants, thanks to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.
The 34 grants are supported through a special stream of bushfire recovery funding via the SRC program. In total, more than 100 projects in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia were awarded $1,112,492 in grants through this round of the program. A full list of all SRC grants can be found here.
The bushfire recovery projects will support impacted communities across Australia from Stanthorpe in Queensland, to Eden in New South Wales, Bairnsdale in Victoria, Cudlee Creek in South Australia, and Ngadju country in Western Australia.
The grants of up to $25,000 will be used for a broad range of inspiring recovery projects, led by local people, such as supporting Shoalhaven’s vulnerable community members by running support groups facilitated by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, or preparing the community of South Arm for future disaster events by purchasing amenities and safety equipment for the local hall.
Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s Acting CEO, said that communities have found diverse ways to build up their resilience and support one another.
“This round we have seen communities drawing on their strong community partnerships to find ways of helping to make their community a more resilient and connected place,” Ms Matthee said.
“Communities have also shown us how much they value the vital contributions made by volunteers. We have funded several projects that support and recognise these people, and help tackle the fatigue they feel, especially in light of this year’s challenges.
“For bushfire-affected communities, COVID-19 has not lessened their determination to keep on recovering, despite the pandemic resulting in gatherings and events, which would have helped people connect and rebuild, being postponed or cancelled. Local leaders have put forward great ideas that are sure to help lift community spirits.
“Regardless of where these communities are at, the SRC program is flexible enough to fund projects that will help communities to seed and strengthen, adapt and evolve, and innovate and renew,” Ms Matthee explained.
Some of the 34 projects awarded via the bushfire recovery stream include:
- Pambula Business Chamber Incorporated, NSW – Pambula Art Project – $25,000 – Increase visitation to the region and highlight local history and culture, through development and installation of a series of artworks across the Pambula township.
- Pomona & District Community House Inc, QLD – Pomona Youth Resilience and Well-being Project – $18,891 – Increase access, support and resources for local youth in Pomona by delivering a facilitated, structured community-based youth program.
- Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market Inc, SA – Kingscote Farmers and Artisans Market – The Backyard – $24,640 – Increase access to local produce and the social and economic recovery of Kangaroo Island by employing a part-time project manager to help reopen the Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market and develop a pop-up activity space.
- Koala Island Foundation Inc, VIC – A Sustainable Future Together – $3,400 – Conserve native habitat and increase volunteer support, through the development of a tourist attraction.
- Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation, WA – Rebuilding Community Through Clearing Tracks for Management of Fire (Kala) in Ngadju Country $25,000 – Increase fire preparedness in the Great Western Woodlands and maintain cultural sites of significance by clearing tracks to make access easier for cultural mosaic burns.
The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors, which are listed on the Strengthening Rural Communities program page.
The next round of SRC grants will be announced March 2021. The current round is accepting applications until 23 February 2021.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to: NSW | QLD | SA | VIC | WA
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant |
| BUSHFIRE RECOVERY PROJECTS | |||
| NEW SOUTH WALES | |||
| Utungun Community Hall Section 355 Committee of Management Nambucca Valley Council |
Utungun Hall – Sitting Pretty and Moving Safely Support Volunteer capacity through the purchase of chairs and equipment for Utungun Community Hall. |
Utungun | $4,020 |
| Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network Hawkesbury River County Council |
Regenerating our Bushland after Fire, Hawkesbury Increase local capacity to manage environmental recovery, through delivery of a series of workshops and events on topics such as weed management and erosion. |
Bilpin | $16,000 |
| Community Foundation for Albury Wodonga Region Ltd | Digital Storytelling Celebrate and encourage local giving post-bushfire via a digital storytelling project. |
Albury | $10,000 |
| Glenrac Incorporated | Emergency Preparedness for Future Challenges – Glen Innes NSW Increase support for recovering community, through delivery of wellbeing events and mental health first aid training. |
Glen Innes | $17,150 |
| Marine Rescue Kioloa Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW |
Marine Rescue Base Facilities Upgrade Increase local capacity to maintain volunteer marine rescue service base facility, though replacement of carpet. |
Kioloa – Bawley Point | $5,000 |
| Eden Tourism Inc | Relocation of Eden Visitor Information Centre Increase amenity and function of new Eden Visitor Information Centre, through professional design and development of internal areas. |
Eden | $20,000 |
| Hartley Vale Mount Blaxland Reserve Land Manager | Ground Penetrating Radar Survey Heal the community through the establishment of all burial sites located at the Hartley Vale Cemetery. |
Hartley | $16,016 |
| Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club Inc. | Replacement of Community Infrastructure – The Boating and Fishing Jetty at Spencer Park Merimbula Lake Increase capacity to fundraise for replacement of local jetty, though support to complete development application and design planning. |
Merimbula | $14,850 |
| South Arm Hall Committee of Management Nambucca Valley Council |
Making South Arm Hall Resilient, Welcoming and Aiding Recovery Strengthen South Arm Hall’s resilience and preparedness for future disaster events through the purchase of safety and amenity items. |
South Arm | $25,000 |
| Nimbin Community Centre Incorporated | Walkways Together – from Jarjums to Elders Support community resilience through replacement of covered walkways at Nimbin Community Centre |
Nimbin | $9,700 |
| The Southern Highlands Foundation | FireAid Bushfire Appeal/Covid-19 Appeal Strengthen capacity of the Foundation to support their community post bushfire through the employment of an Executive Officer. |
Balmoral | $25,000 |
| Bombala Pre School Inc | Urban & Indigenous Agriculture Project Increase local resilience and intergenerational connections, through construction of codesigned community space and permaculture skills. |
Bombala | $15,000 |
| Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre Inc | Play in Nature Support early childhood development through the construction of a Natural Playground at Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre. |
Evans Head | $9,575 |
| Salt Care Limited | Salt Life Support vulnerable cohorts across Shoalhaven via support groups facilitated by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program. |
Nowra/ Bomaderry | $15,000 |
| The Elands Community Health & First Aid Centre Incorporated | Refurbishments for Community Centre Increase comfort and capacity of Elands local meeting space, through installation of air conditioning and solar system with battery. |
Elands | $24,102 |
| Ettrick Hall Committee Inc | Ettrick Hall Bathroom Upgrade Increase local capacity and disaster preparedness, through upgrading bathroom facilities at local hall to include a shower for emergency personal and displaced residents. |
Ettrick | $10,000 |
| Do It For Batlow | Weemala Hill Walking and Riding Trails – Batlow Lookout Renew access to local walking trails that support health and wellbeing through employment of contractors to clear burnt trees and reinvigorate the area. |
Batlow | $25,000 |
| Macdonald Valley Association | Macdonald Valley Community – Book of Fires Advance the recovery of the Macdonald Valley through the creation of a book which documents and celebrates community resilience. |
St Albans | $22,870 |
| Pambula Business Chamber Incorporated | Pambula Art Project Increase visitation to the region and highlight local history and culture, through development and installation of a series of artworks across the Pambula township. |
Pambula | $25,000 |
| QUEENSLAND | |||
| Artworks Granite Belt Inc. | ArtWorks Station Cafe Upgrade Increase capacity and enhance facilities at volunteer run Artworks Station Cafe, through upgrade of kitchen and outdoor eating area. |
Stanthorpe | $9,066 |
| Pomona & District Community House Inc | Pomona Youth Resilience and Well-being Project Increase access to support and resources for local youth in Pomona, through delivery of a facilitated, structured community based youth program. |
Pomona | $18,891 |
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | |||
| Parndana Progress Association – Walking Trail Sub-Committee Parndana Progress Association |
Parndana Fitness Trail – Outdoor Gym Station Increase access to equipment that supports health and wellbeing, through installation of outdoor fitness equipment at Kangaroo Island West Lions Park. |
Parndana | $16,838 |
| Kangaroo Island Yacht Club Inc | Community Hub Upgrade to Support Community Resilience Enhance community activities that support connectedness at the Kangaroo Island Yacht Club, through upgrade of aged kitchen facilities. |
Kingscote | $25,000 |
| Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market Inc | Kingscote Farmers and Artisans Market – The Backyard Increase support for reopening of community market and development of pop up activity space in Kingscote, through employment of a part time project manager. |
Kingscote | $24,640 |
| The Cudlee Creek Tennis & Basket Ball Club Inc | A Community Led Project: Our Community Hub and Tennis Courts Increase preparedness for disaster and enhanced community facilities for a community recovering from bushfire, through upgrade of fencing, drainage, water storage and landscaping at local hub. |
Cudlee Creek | $25,000 |
| VICTORIA | |||
| Omeo Shire Community Access Radio Inc | Replacing the Computer Increase capacity of community radio station to communicate local news and information, though purchase of computer, software and printer. |
Omeo | $1,932 |
| Sarsfield Recreation reserve Committee of Management Inc | Purchase of Lawn Mower Increase capacity for volunteers that manage local community reserve and meeting area, through purchase of ride on mower. |
Sarsfield | $22,000 |
| Everton Hall and Sports Complex Committee Wangaratta Rural City Council |
Everton Community Hub Precinct Revitalisation – BBQ Shelter Stage 2 Enhance local meeting space and recovery activities, through construction of BBQ area and pathways at Everton reserve. |
Everton | $11,276 |
| Bruthen Mechanics Institute | Bruthen Hall Ready for Community Disaster Response Increase local resilience to support recovery efforts, and support social gatherings, through upgrade to Bruthen Mechanics Institute kitchen. |
Bruthen | $24,299 |
| Ensay Mechanics Institute Reserve Inc | Ensay Memorial Hall – Exterior Painting Increase support for rural community to maintain local meeting area as a disaster assembly point, through painting the Ensay Hall. |
Ensay | $23,320 |
| Mallacoota Inlet Bowling Club Inc | Mallacoota Bowls Club as a Hub for Community Support Resume community activities that support social connectedness, through repair and upgrade to the fire effected Mallacoota Inlet Bowling Club. |
Mallacoota | $25,000 |
| Koala Island Foundation Inc | A Sustainable Future Together Conserve native habitat and increase volunteer support, through the development of a tourist attraction. |
Raymond Island | $3,400 |
| East Gippsland Winter Festival Working Group East Gippsland Marketing Inc |
East Gippsland Winter Festival Increase visitation and economy through employment of a Community Engagement Manager to support delivery of the East Gippsland Winter Festival. |
Bairnsdale | $25,000 |
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | |||
| Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation | Rebuilding Community Through Clearing Tracks for Management of Fire (Kala) in Ngadju Country Increase fire preparedness in the Great Western Woodlands and maintain cultural sites of significance, by clearing tracks that enable access for cultural mosaic burns. |
Norseman Indigenous Location | $25,000 |
It’s hard not to smile when entering George Town Neighbourhood House. The community centre is a vibrant place, buzzing with people working to fight structural disadvantages in the area. With a couple of full-time staff and around a dozen loyal volunteers, this Neighbourhood House exists to create a safer and more inclusive and resilient community by supporting disadvantaged people and families.
But maintaining their high level of engagement and attracting new visitors was a challenge for their small team. They needed an extra pair of hands, someone who could help them reach the right people and promote the programs throughout the community. They submitted a brilliant application to the Strengthening Rural Communities program and, thanks to the Sidney Myer Fund, received $10,000 in grants to help cover the wages for their new communications officer.
But then came the next challenge – COVID-19. Suddenly, many of the community-engagement activities they had planned for the new staff member were impossible, or even illegal, to execute. This could have thrown a real spanner in the works for George Town Neighbourhood House… but nay! Instead of crumbling under the new restrictions, they found ways to adapt – and even thrive – in spite of them.
“We had to change how we interacted with the community from the end of March this year … We had to cease all face-to-face contact,” a staff member said. And it worked! They connected with residents online, engaged in collaborations with other organisations and even scored some airtime on the local radio station.
The highlight, the team agreed, was their Online Family Baking project. With Port Dalrymple School donating a big batch of ingredients, the Neighbourhood House could provide a baking-kit for 20 families in the community, complete with video instructions on how to bake delicious chocolate crackles. “We had a very good response and,” they told us. Following the success of this first bake-off, the Neighbourhood House were able to offer a second round of baking for the families who missed out – this time for Anzac biscuits.
In the end, this little community centre managed to positively benefit some 1,500 people with their grant, including the 40 families who participated in the baking project.
“We are very proud with how we were able to adapt, and still engage and extend to our community, in-spite of all the current COVID-19 issues,” a support worker said.
If you head north along the stunning beaches of the Kingsborough coast in southern Tasmania, you are bound to hit the town of Kingston. It’s one of the more central points on this 300km long beach, and the home to about 1,990 people.
Though small in size, Kingston plays a big role in coast-safety for a good chunk of southern Tassie. The Kingston Beach Surf Life Saving Club (KBSLSC) is the most accessible lifesaving club in the south, and therefore part of the Surf Life Saving Tasmania’s emergency response services. The Club provides equipment and volunteer personnel that are on-call 24/7, ready to respond to emergency situations as tasked by TasPol.
The KBSLSC is community-run and supported by a group of volunteers – passionate locals between the ages of 15 to 70 – who all take their job of beach-safety very seriously. Last year, the Club wanted to increase their preparedness for, and ability to respond to and recover from, emergency flood and bushfire events. Having heard of the FRRR Strengthening Rural Communities grant program, they decided to give it a go, and wrote a great application explaining why they needed new equipment, and how it would benefit their community. We were impressed by their commitment to increasing disaster preparedness and resilience and, needless to say, the application was approved!
The $3,382 grant, generously funded by Australia Post, allowed them to purchase an inflatable rescue boat training dummy, Bluetooth ICOM waterproof radios and stereo headsets – exactly what they needed to conduct their new water rescue and evacuation training.
With this new equipment on hand, the members were excited about their new state-of-the-art gear and the ability to train for real life rescue scenarios. “We are proud of our members using the equipment often and when needed,” the Club said in their assessment. They also told us the ‘dummy’, in particular, was an instrumental piece of equipment for the patrolling members, as it made the training more realistic and effective.
They were all very pleased to have made the community an even safer place in the event of natural disasters. “We just wish we had more surf at our beach!” an SLSC staff member said.
A Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) grant from FRRR, funded with the support of the John T Reid Charitable Trusts, helped enhance the availability of fresh fruit, as well as create more inviting, welcoming and cool streets in the remote Indigenous communities of Peppimenarti and Nganmarriyanga in the Northern Territory.
Home to the Rakpeppimenarti people, the region is inaccessible for five months every year due to annual flooding, and faces extremely high infrastructure costs due to geographic scale and terrain. It was independently measured to be the most disadvantaged in the Northern Territory, and the second most disadvantaged in Australia.
The West Daly Regional Council provides basic housing maintenance and essential municipal services to 13 homelands across 14,070 km2. While they work hard to provide high quality services to support the community, operating in a remote service delivery environment with limited financial resources is a challenge. However, they’ve identified that working with partners to improve service delivery and the quality of life for people in the West Daly region presents great opportunities.
In such extremely remote communities, food security is paramount – many of the homeland communities do not even have a shop and must travel vast distances for basic supplies. Fruit trees are a great resource in any community, as they contribute to support lifelong learning and education from Elders to young children, and promote individual and community health benefits in the form of delicious natural fruits straight from the tree, while enhancing and expanding the communities’ natural food resources.
They developed a project designed to engage community members in growing food and also create shady areas on the two homelands. In total, around 160 fruit trees and 45 shade trees were planted in designated public spaces near parks, ovals, and the local schools. The fruit trees selected included: lilly pillies, medlars, mulberries, custard apples, jaboticas, guavas, mangos and soursops. Shade trees included: native hibiscus, red coondoo, bloodwood and gum trees.
The Council used their $4,946 SRC grant to cover the costs of fruit trees and propagation powder, as well as contribute to freight – which accounted for more than 40% of the total cost of the project.
In Peppimenarti, the tree planting was done in collaboration with Peppimenarti School. About 50 trees were planted around the community with the assistance of Council Staff, CDP, Rangers, community students and teachers, totalling approximately 50 participants. A community barbeque was held after the tree planting to thank the participants for their support on this meaningful community project.
The Nganmarriyanga tree planting day was held in late December and was also a great success, with approximately 50 local men, women and children attending the activity. Trees were also provided to the residents of surrounding homelands such as Merrepen, Nemarluk, Nama and Wudapuli.
The Council provided significant in-kind support via staff labour and travel costs, and also purchased hormone rooting powder, so that cuttings can be taken which will allow further plantings. They have also assumed responsibility for ongoing plant maintenance to ensure the sustainability of the project.
Through this project, community members will gain access to healthy food grown locally, experience increased food security, and improved local plant knowledge. Further, the engagement will bring a positive impact to community spirit and local shade amenity.
“West Daly Regional Council would like to acknowledge the significant contribution of Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and its Donor Partner – John T Reid Charitable Trusts for the grant funding for our tree planting in Nganmarriyanga and Peppimenarti; a meaningful project that highly benefits our Indigenous Australians in our remote communities.”
Kristine Matienzo, Grants Manager, West Daly Regional Council
Includes bushfire recovery funding
15 July 2020: The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) flagship grants program, Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC), is now inviting applications for grants of up to $10,000 through the Small & Vital stream, and up to $25,000 through the program’s new Bushfire Recovery stream.
 |
Thanks to the generous support of FRRR’s donor partners, the Small & Vital stream has $615,000 available this round to fund projects that support a broad range of initiatives that directly benefit rural, regional and remote communities across Australia.
A further $650,000 is available this round through the Bushfire Recovery stream to support the recovery of communities affected by last summer’s bushfires.
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that rural, regional and remote communities play a vital role in Australia’s prosperity, and with the impacts and ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to keep funds flowing into regional areas.
“Strengthening Rural Communities Small & Vital grants offer flexible funding to any rural, regional or remote community across Australia to help them address local priorities. With COVID-19 affecting local businesses and local community fundraising, these grants are more important than ever to help communities seed and strengthen, adapt and evolve or innovate and renew.
“Having places and events where people can come together to improve community health and social wellbeing, or undertake activities that build community resilience and enhance the skills and capacity of the community, all helps to strengthen these communities – socially, mentally and economically,” Ms Egleton explained.
Funding to support medium to long-term bushfire recovery
The SRC program has been expanded to include a dedicated stream of funding to support medium to long-term recovery of bushfire-affected communities.
“We know from our experience supporting communities over the last 20 years that those affected by the bushfires have a long road ahead of them, and what is needed for their recovery will be different in every place. That’s why we have created the Bushfire Recovery stream within the SRC program,” said Ms Egleton.
“Local community groups in bushfire-affected areas can apply for the funding they need, whatever their priorities. It could be to help bring people together, even if that’s virtually in some cases, to share their experiences, reduce social isolation and increase community connectedness. Or the priority might be to boost the local economy through activities that increase cashflow in affected towns. In other places, the focus might be on repairing community infrastructure or ensuring communications equipment can cope if there’s a similar event in the future, so people feel safe and connected.”
Community not-for-profit groups and organisations that do not have deductible gift recipient (DGR) status are encouraged to apply for funding to help secure the future success of their community.
FRRR accepts SRC applications year-round, which are then reviewed at least three times per year. The next cut-off date for applications to be considered is 25 August 2020. Outcomes will be announced by late December 2020. Projects funded in this round must be undertaken between January 2021 and January 2022.
The SRC program and its Bushfire Recovery stream is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors. Please visit the SRC webpage to see the full list of donors.
Twelve projects funded for bushfire recovery
25 June 2020: The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has awarded $138,815 in grants for 12 community-led projects in rural, regional and remote communities impacted by the Summer bushfires, through its Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.
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SRC is a grant program that aims to help rural communities across Australia by providing flexible funding for projects that support broad community needs. In total, this round of SRC saw 89 community projects across Australia share in $912,986 in grants.
While FRRR is not yet formally running the bushfire stream of SRC, the organisation made the call to fund a number of applications that were for bushfire recovery projects using donations received from a variety of donors over the summer. Through this funding, nine bushfire recovery projects in NSW shared in $97,910 in grants and three projects in Victoria shared in $40,905 in grants.
FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, says that despite ongoing uncertainty as a result of COVID-19, it’s vital to keep funds flowing into regional areas.
“Many rural and remote communities have been hit hard by droughts, floods and bushfires and are stretched to the limit when it comes to coping with the economic impacts and additional pressures caused by COVID-19. We recognise that some of the projects may need to be changed to respond to COVID-19, but we wanted to get funding out to communities so that they can adapt and adjust as needed, especially as recovery starts.
“This is particularly relevant for bushfire-affected communities who have experienced the ‘double whammy’ with COVID-19. For this reason, FRRR made the call to fund a number of applications that were for bushfire recovery projects using donations received from a variety of donors over the summer. While FRRR is not yet formally running the bushfire stream of SRC, 12 bushfire recovery grants totalling $138,815, have been awarded as part of this round,” said Ms Egleton.
These grants will go towards helping bushfire affected communities to reduce social isolation, improve community connectedness and boost the local economy through workshops and festivals to help rebuild the economy. Several grants also went toward supporting community resilience and disaster preparedness through resourcing and education, and improving community infrastructure.
Some of the 12 bushfire recovery projects awarded this round include:
- Bruthen and District Neighbourhood House, Bruthen and District Citizens Association Inc, Bruthen, NSW – Holistic Community Well-being and Resilience – $25,000 – Support volunteer capacity and bushfire recovery by increasing community engagement through the employment of a community worker.
- Lifeline Central West Incorporated, Dubbo, NSW – Rapid Community Support Program – $9,000 – Support individual and community resilience in Central West communities by providing funding for Lifeline crisis response workshops.
- Bobin School of Arts Incorporated, Bobin, VIC – The Bobin COMA – $24,983 – Strengthen the resilience of the Bobin community by providing an outdoor shaded area at the Bobin School of Arts Hall, which will also enhance its amenity as a bushfire-evacuation centre.
The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors including: Australia Post, Bertalli Family Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts, Sidney Myer Fund, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, The Yulgilbar Foundation, Westpac Group, The Sylvia & Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation, Baxter Charitable Foundation, The William Buckland Foundation Portland House Foundation, The Ross Trust, R.M.Williams, Estate Late Gordon Harold Jones, FRRR and Private Donors.
The bushfire recovery grants are funded thanks to donations from Australian Community Media’s South Coast is Calling initiative, Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation, Charter Hall, Fire Fight Australia Fund, Pepper Money, Vicinity Centres and Westpac Group.
The next round of SRC grants will open in late July and will include a dedicated stream of funding for communities in bushfire-affected local government areas.
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
|
New South Wales |
|||
|
Bermagui Seasiders Inc. |
Seaside Sounds |
Bermagui |
$10,000 |
|
Evans Head Business & Community Chamber |
‘Hooked on Evans’ Community Festival |
Evans Head |
$10,000 |
|
Lifeline Central West Incorporated |
Rapid Community Support Program |
Dubbo |
$9,000 |
|
Mackville Community Health |
Sisters Retreat |
Grassy Head |
$10,000 |
|
Milton Ulladulla Men’s Shed Incorporated |
Maintain and Mitigate: Essential Ground Maintenance to Reduce Bush Fire Risk |
Ulladulla |
$850 |
|
Nymboida Canoeing Limited |
Goolang Creek Regeneration – Nymboida. Tennis Court Rapids to K&L Wave |
Nymboida |
$10,000 |
|
Nymboida Community Groups Inc. |
Firesticks Cultural Burn Program – Nymboida Community Workshop |
Nymboida |
$8,077 |
|
Bobin School of Arts Incorporated |
Community Outdoor Meeting Place (The Bobin COMA) |
Bobin |
$24,983 |
|
StoryFest Incorporated |
StoryFest – Fire Relief Funding |
Milton |
$15,000 |
|
Victoria |
|||
|
Gippsland East Local Learning & Employment Network |
Innovation and Sustainable Redevelopment of Bushfire Impacted Communities |
Bairnsdale |
$9,997 |
|
Great Alpine Gallery Inc. |
Video Stories for Art and Recovery |
Swifts Creek |
$5,908 |
|
Bruthen and District Neighbourhood House |
Holistic Community Well-being and Resilience |
Bruthen |
$25,000 |
Eighty-nine community-led projects receive funding
Bendigo, 25 June 2020: The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has awarded $912,986 in grants of up to $25,000 to rural, regional and remote communities across Australia through its Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.
The SRC program is a grant program that aims to help rural communities across Australia by providing flexible funding for projects that support broad community needs.
This round saw 89 community projects awarded funding as far north as Gunbalanya, NT, south to Huonville, TAS, east to Eumundi, QLD and as far west as Exmouth, WA. The grants will go towards building community resilience, developing organisational resilience and capacity, promoting individual and community health and social wellbeing, and meeting equipment and infrastructure needs.
These grants range from $850 to help fund landscape maintenance equipment for Ulladulla’s Men’s Shed in NSW, to $25,000 for a range of community infrastructure projects that promote community engagement and improve access to health facilities and enhance working conditions for volunteers.
FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, says that despite ongoing uncertainty as a result of COVID-19, it’s vital to keep funds flowing into regional areas.
“Many rural and remote communities have been hit hard by droughts, floods and bushfires and are stretched to the limit when it comes to coping with the economic impacts and additional pressures caused by COVID-19. We recognise that some of the projects may need to be changed to respond to COVID-19, but we wanted to get funding out to communities so that they can adapt and adjust as needed, especially as recovery starts.
“This is particularly relevant for bushfire-affected communities who have experienced the ‘double whammy’ with COVID-19. For this reason, FRRR made the call to fund a number of applications that were for bushfire recovery projects using donations received from a variety of donors over the summer. While FRRR is not yet formally running the bushfire stream of SRC, 12 bushfire recovery grants totalling $138,815, have been awarded as part of this round,” said Ms Egleton.
These grants will go towards helping bushfire affected communities to reduce social isolation, improve community connectedness and boost the local economy through workshops and festivals to help rebuild the economy. Several grants also went toward supporting community resilience and disaster preparedness through resourcing and education, and improving community infrastructure.
Some of the 89 projects awarded this round include:
- Bobin School of Arts Incorporated, NSW – The Bobin COMA – $24,983 – Strengthen the resilience of the Bobin community and support community recovery by providing an outdoor shaded area at the Bobin School of Arts Hall, which will also enhance its amenity as a bushfire-evacuation centre.
- Njanjma Aboriginal Corporation, NT – Rock Art – Protect and Promote – $10,000 – Preserve and showcase culturally significant rock art at Gunbalanya through installation of barriers and signage and removal of fire-prone hazardous weeds along track.
- Mission Beach Community Support Inc, QLD – Mental Health First Aid Course – $3,718 – Enable better mental health care in Mission Beach by funding an accredited Mental Health First Aid course for local community members.
- Otitis Media Group (Inc), WA – Ultrasound Otoscope for East Pilbara Outreach Program – $10,000 – Reduce the impact of hearing loss through improved detection of middle ear disease with purchase of an ultrasound assisted otoscope.
- Bruthen and District Neighbourhood House, Bruthen and District Citizens Association Inc, VIC – Holistic Community Well-being and Resilience – $25,000 – Support volunteer capacity and increase community engagement through the employment of a community worker.
- Peterborough History Group SA Inc, SA – Conserving Parnaroo Hall – $3,528 – Increase community engagement and interest in local history by conducting maintenance at Parnaroo Public Hall.
- Burnie Community House Inc, TAS – Here We Grow Again – Building Resilient Food Systems – $24,814 – Improve health and well-being outcomes for the Shorewell Park community through food security by the expansion of a gardening program.
The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors including: Australia Post, Bertalli Family Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts, Sidney Myer Fund, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, The Yulgilbar Foundation, Westpac Group, The Sylvia & Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation, Baxter Charitable Foundation, The William Buckland Foundation, Portland House Foundation, The Ross Trust, R.M.Williams, Estate Late Gordon Harold Jones, FRRR and Private Donors.
The bushfire recovery grants are funded thanks to donations from Australian Community Media’s South Coast is Calling initiative, Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation, Charter Hall, Fire Fight Australia Fund, Pepper Money, Vicinity Centres and Westpac Group.
The next round of SRC grants will open in late July and will include a dedicated stream of funding for recovery projects in bushfire-affected communities.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to : NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS| VIC | WA
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
|
NEW SOUTH WALES |
|||
| Bermagui Seasiders Inc | Seaside Sounds Support community recovery and boost local economy through the establishment of a contemporary music festival in Bermagui. |
Bermagui | $10,000 |
| Borenore Branch Country Women’s Association of NSW |
All Abilities Access to Memorial Hall Support essential infrastructure development with installation of accessibility ramps and a water tank at the Borenore CWA Memorial Hall. |
Borenore | $7,652 |
| Collombatti Public Hall Land Manager | (Roll on up) and SIT RIGHT DOWN Increase amenity and capacity at the Collombatti Hall through the purchase of stackable chairs. |
Collombatti | $1,669 |
| Dalgety P&C Association | Operation Equipment Housing Project Increase storage capacity at the Dalgety Public School through the purchase and fit out of a shipping container. |
Dalgety | $5,000 |
| Evans Head Business & Community Chamber | ‘Hooked on Evans’ Community Festival Stimulate the local economy in Evans Head and support community recovery through supporting the delivery of the ‘Hooked on Evans’ festival. |
Evans Head | $10,000 |
| Lifeline Central West Incorporated | Rapid Community Support Program Support individual and community resilience in Central West communities impacted by bushfires by providing funding for Lifeline crisis response workshops. |
Dubbo | $9,000 |
| Mackville Community Health Mid North Coast Local Health District |
Sisters Retreat Reduce social isolation and improve mental health for cancer survivors in the Nambucca Valley who have also been impacted by bushfires, by supporting a wellness retreat. |
Grassy Head | $10,000 |
| Milton Ulladulla Men’s Shed Incorporated | Maintain and Mitigate: Essential Ground Maintenance to Reduce Bush Fire Risk Reduce fire risk at the Milton Ulladulla Men’s Shed through the purchase of landscape maintenance equipment. |
Ulladulla | $850 |
| Narrandera Arts & Creative Network | The Narrandera Creates Project Increase community access and engagement with the arts, reduce social isolation and encourage community connection through the delivery of nine workshops and three exhibitions in the Narrandera region. |
Narrandera | $10,000 |
| Nymboida Canoeing Limited | Goolang Creek Regeneration – Nymboida. Tennis Court Rapids to K&L Wave Support nature and community bushfire recovery through revegetation and installation of picnic tables at Goolang Creek. |
Nymboida | $10,000 |
| Nymboida Community Groups Inc | Firesticks Cultural Burn Program – Nymboida Community Workshop Support community recovery and preparedness in Nymboida through the delivery of a Cultural Burning workshop. |
Nymboida | $8,077 |
| PLAYING HISTORY Bungonia and District Historical Society Inc. |
Playing History: Acting Out Recovery Enable cultural and artistic expression and access to the arts by supporting the development and tour of a new play in the Bungonia district. |
Bungonia | $10,000 |
| Robertson Men’s Shed Inc | Energy Efficiency Strengthen operating viability and capacity through the purchase and installation of a solar system on the Robertson Men’s Shed. |
Robertson | $7,320 |
| Rosellas Community Preschool Incorporated | Sun Safe Play Area Improve the educational and social outcomes of children attending the Rosellas Community Preschool through the addition of a shade sail over their outdoor play and learning area. |
Murwillumbah | $4,000 |
| Southern Tableland Arts (STARTS) Incorporated | Dare to Deliver Build community organisation capacity in Braidwood and Yass by providing eleven governance related workshops. |
Braidwood | $10,000 |
| Warren Community Homes Association Incorporated | Retirement with Dignity Security & Beautification Improve security and aesthetic value at Warren Community Homes by supporting the installation of fencing and carparking at the front of the property. |
Warren | $10,000 |
| Warren Shire Council | Making the Warren War Memorial Swimming Pool More Accessible Improve accessibility at the Warren War Memorial Swimming Pool through the installation of a pool lift. |
Warren | $10,000 |
| Woolgoolga Chamber of Commerce Industry & Tourism Inc | Celebrating a Unique Cultural Heritage Reduce social isolation and promote community connection through supporting an expansion of Woolgoolga’s CurryFest. |
Woolgoolga | $6,250 |
| Bobin School of Arts Incorporated | Community Outdoor Meeting Place (The Bobin COMA) Strengthen the resilience of the Bobin community and support community recovery by providing an outdoor shaded area at the Bobin School of Arts Hall. |
Bobin | $24,983 |
| Condobolin and District Landcare Management Committee | Water and Birds Arts Exhibition Project Increase access to the arts, environmental awareness and community connection by supporting a Birds and Water art exhibition and bird watching activities in Condobolin. |
Condobolin | $24,755 |
| StoryFest Incorporated | StoryFest – Fire Relief funding Build economic activity during tourism off-season supporting bushfire recovery and cultural engagement through ‘Storyteller’ Festival. |
Milton | $15,000 |
|
NORTHERN TERRITORY |
|||
| Central Land Council | Native Title Story in Language Educate community members on complex native title legislation, and rights and responsibilities of Indigenous bodies who manage landholdings with native title tenure, through translation of informative booklet into six Indigenous languages. |
Alice Springs | $9,100 |
| Darwin Community Arts Inc | CARTwheels- Mobile Art Studio Build capacity to deliver mobile outreach program with fit out of custom caravan for arts workshops. |
Humpty Doo | $9,950 |
| Durrmu Arts Aboriginal Corporation | Fostering Cultural Vibrancy Preserve and share cultural knowledge through creation of film featuring traditional dance Partial funding of the project will support local cultural advisors’ participation, technical equipment and a partial contribution towards the University of New South Wales researchers’ contribution. |
Peppimenarti | $5,000 |
| Harts Range Amateur Race Club Inc | Canteen Upgrade Increase amenity and functionality of the Harts Range Amateur Race Club through an upgrade of kitchen. |
Harts Range | $10,000 |
| Injalak Arts & Crafts Association Inc | Mankarre Project Share and transfer of intergenerational cultural knowledge and lore through four On Country excursions, leading to traditional performances of Indigenous music and language songs at Stone Country Festival. |
Gunbalanya | $10,000 |
| Isolated Children’s Parents Association of Australia Incorporated | ICPA (Aust) Website Development Project Strengthen organisational capacity with integrated website for Local, State and Federal branches of the Isolated Children’s Parents Association of Australia Inc. |
National | $10,000 |
| Katherine Regional Arts Incorporated | The KRA Solar Powered Cinema’s Final Stage Optimization Project Enhance audience satisfaction with upgrade to remote power supply and improve OH&S for volunteers, with lifting equipment for remote mobile cinema. |
Katherine | $9,779 |
| Njanjma Aboriginal Corporation | Rock Art – Protect and Promote Preserve and showcase culturally significant rock art by installation of barriers and signage and removal of fire prone hazardous weeds along track. |
Gunbalanya | $10,000 |
| Northern Australian Aboriginal Charitable Trust | The Remote Laundries Project (RLP) Stage Two Build sustainable social enterprise, with creation of laundry facilities for very remote community. |
Borroloola | $10,000 |
| Skinnyfish Music Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation |
Bunggul as Part of the Barunga Festival Culture Program Maintain access to cultural practices and support reconciliation through celebration of Indigenous dance forms at Barunga Festival. |
Barunga | $22,000 |
|
QUEENSLAND |
|||
| BTStraps Inc | Equipment Upgrade Purchase Project Increase inclusivity of BTStraps programs by purchasing accessible equipment for use in leatherwork training and workshops for veterans. | Gatton | $5,407 |
| Chinchilla Creative Centre Management Committee Inc | Outdoor Undercover Creative Space Foster local creative pursuits by supporting the development of an Outdoor Undercover Creative Space at the Chinchilla Creative Centre. |
Chinchilla | $2,500 |
| Johnstone River Community Gardens Inc | Community Pavilion Project Enhance the capacity of Johnstone River Community Gardens to run activities through the purchase and installation of a semi-permanent shade structure. |
Innisfail | $10,000 |
| Kawana State Emergency Service Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
Kawana SES Airconditioning Upgrade Improve comfort for volunteers at the Kawana State Emergency Service by providing air conditioning units for training room and office areas. |
Kawana | $9,808 |
| Maraboon Power Boat and Ski Club Inc | Purchase of Firefighting Water Cart Trailer for Bushfire Management Boost fire preparedness of the Maraboon Power Boat and Ski Club through the purchase of a 1000L water cart fire trailer. |
Emerald | $8,976 |
| Maryvale Community Hall Incorporated | Update Our Community Hub Increase comfort, amenity and a range of activities at the Maryvale Community Hall through purchase and installation of a dishwasher, Projector and Screen. |
Maryvale | $8,957 |
| Millaa Millaa Progress Association | Governance and Planning – To Support Larger Funding Applications Grow capacity of the Millaa Millaa Progress Association by supporting a consultative strategic planning process and governance framework development. |
Millaa Millaa | $10,000 |
| Mission Beach Community Support Inc | Provide an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Course Enable better mental health care in Mission Beach by funding a Mental Health First Aid course for local community members. |
Mission Beach | $3,718 |
| Mornington Island SES Group Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
Furnish Mornington Island SES Headquarters Build capacity in the Mornington Island SES Group through the purchase of furniture and IT equipment for their training facility. |
Mornington Island | $5,048 |
| Murgon Local Ambulance Committee | Acquisition of HoverMatt System Improve emergency response in the South Burnett region through the purchase of a Hovermatt system for the Murgon Local Ambulance Committee. |
Murgon | $10,000 |
| PCYC Palm Island Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association |
Palm Island Community 3×3 Basketball Street Hustle Improve social cohesion on Palm Island, through a basketball tournament for indigenous youth and clinics at local schools. |
Palm Island | $10,000 |
| Rangewood Rural Fire Brigade | Tandem-use Trailer Boost the capacity of the Rangewood RFS to respond to longer term situations by purchasing a trailer to house a generator and portable tank. |
Rangewood | $10,000 |
| SevGen Indigenous Corporation | Maker, Market, Makers Market: Building Economic Strength in Tough Times Empowering and educating creative and cultural entrepreneurs to develop sustainable enterprises. |
Eumundi | $10,000 |
| Somerset SES Unit Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
Kilcoy SES HQ Improvements Enhance volunteer comfort at the Somerset State Emergency Service Unit by purchasing an air conditioning unit for their Kilroy Headquarters. |
Kilcoy | $10,000 |
| Tourism Bowen Inc | Smoothies & Coffee at the Big Mango Enhance visitor experience at the Bowen Information Centre through the purchase of a coffee machine and smoothie maker. |
Bowen | $5,645 |
| Tourism Whitsundays Limited | Destination Website Design and Development Support rebound from tourism downturn in the Whitsundays through the redevelopment of the Tourism Whitsundays destination website. |
Cannonvale | $10,000 |
| Royal Life Saving Society – Queensland | Rural Queensland Rural Drowning Prevention Outreach Program Build vital skills in the Barcaldine region by funding a tailored water safety program provided by The Royal Life Saving Society Queensland. |
Alpha | $25,000 |
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA |
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| Blinman Progress Association Inc | Cochineal Nursery: To Maintain and Increase the Locally Adapted Cochineal Strain for Opuntia Cactus Control Build organisational capacity and volunteer engagement for the Blinman Progress Association through the installation of a shed to be used as a nursery. |
Blinman | $9,208 |
| Mt Hope Soldiers Memorial Hall Inc | Mt Hope Soldiers Memorial Hall – Keeping the Facility Fresh for a Strong Community Improve community infrastructure that will support a resilient and connected community by upgrading the interior of the Mt Hope Soldiers Memorial Hall. |
Mt Hope | $5,500 |
| Peterborough History Group SA Inc | Conserving Parnaroo Hall Increase community engagement and interest in local history by conducting maintenance at Parnaroo Public Hall. |
Peterborough (Parnaroo) | $3,528 |
| The Swan Reach Golf Club Inc | Golf Club Defib Strengthen community resilience and capacity to respond to health emergencies by purchasing an AED unit for installation in a public place. |
Swan Reach | $3,000 |
| Wirrabara Institute Wirrabara Craft House |
Quick Wash Improve the amenity and the long-term sustainability of the Wirrabara Institute by purchasing and installing a commercial dishwasher. |
Wirrabara | $5,544 |
| Youth Opportunities Association (SA) | Wellbeing, Resilience and Leadership Interventions for Young People in Rural SA Enhance the well-being, resilience and leadership capacity of young people at risk by delivering a personal leadership and development program. |
Allendale East | $10,000 |
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TASMANIA |
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| Avoca Museum and Information Centre | Upgrading Archiving Resources Strengthen the cultural vibrancy of the region through the upgrade of a historic archives system. |
Avoca | $3,532 |
| University of Tasmania | Fostering Trauma-Informed Communities of Practice Improve support for people experiencing trauma caused by family violence through delivery of multi staged pilot project and workshops. |
Huonville | $9,844 |
| Burnie Community House Inc | Here We Grow Again – Building Resilient Food Systems Improve health and well-being outcomes for the community through food security by the expansion of a gardening program. |
Shorewell Park | $24,814 |
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VICTORIA |
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Balook and District Residents Association |
Community Woodchipper Increase community resilience and sense of safety through the purchase of wood chipping machinery. |
Balook | $4,500 |
| Albury Wodonga Regional Foodshare | Nourishing Foodshare Improve food security, supporting volunteers and organisation capacity through hiring an administrative coordinator. |
Wodonga | $10,000 |
| Beulah Community Garden Beulah Historic Learning and Progress Association Inc |
Beulah Community Garden Strengthen community connection and contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Beulah through the upgrade of a community garden. |
Beulah | $3,875 |
| C-Doc Ltd | Castlemaine Documentary Film Festival Encourage community engagement and broaden cultural experience through the delivery a local run film festival. |
Castlemaine | $10,000 |
| Centre for Participation Inc | Crisis Response – COVID-19 Frail and Aged Self Isolation – Nutritious Meals Support the health and well-being of vulnerable people and assist volunteer capability through the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment. |
Horsham | $10,000 |
| Food for All – Swan Hill Region Swan Hill District Health |
Food for All Edible Garden Expo 2020 Improved health and well-being outcomes and increased food security in Swan Hill by supporting a free Edible Gardens Expo. |
Swan Hill | $7,149 |
| Gippsland Community Radio Society Co-Operative Ltd | Able Radio Build a more resilient community that is engaged and address local disadvantage through the provision of a training program for people living with a disability. |
Morwell | $10,000 |
| Gippsland East Local Learning & Employment Network | Innovation and Sustainable Redevelopment of Bushfire Impacted Communities Increase community resilience and support recovery from bushfires through the development of online resources. |
Bairnsdale | $9,997 |
| Great Alpine Gallery Inc | Video Stories for Art and Recovery Support community recovery from drought and recent bushfires and build resilience through the delivery of a story telling program. |
Swifts Creek | $5,908 |
| Lake Tyers Beach Road Hall Committee Inc | Kitchen Renovation – Stage 2 Increase community engagement and financial sustainability through an upgrade of a public hall. |
Lake Tyers Beach | $10,000 |
| Leitchville Primary School | Child and Adult Art Response Project Encourage participation in life-long learning and education by engaging young adults in a cultural experience. |
Leitchville | $2,161 |
| Ned Kelly Centre Ltd | Collections Project – Strengthening Glenrowan’s Cultural Heritage Strengthen community engagement and understanding of local history through the development of an archives system. |
Glenrowan | $9,981 |
| Rural Northwest Health | Sharing Moments that Matter: Social Connectedness in Residential Aged Care Reducing isolation in Wimmera Mallee Region by purchasing software that helps aged care residents connect with their families. |
Warracknabeal | $10,000 |
| State Coal Mine – Rescue Station Arts Inc | Opening Access: Creating an Accessible Arts Program Build equity, community resilience and organisational capacity through delivery of an inclusive arts program. |
Wonthaggi | $9,000 |
| Tallangatta Neighbourhood House Shire of Towong |
Tech in Tallangatta Increase community engagement in the local economy and life-long learning through the provision of an employment related course. |
Tallangatta | $7,800 |
| The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation Inc | Beaufort & Ararat Indigenous After School Tutorial Program Improving educational outcomes in the Ararat region by providing a tutoring program for Indigenous youth. |
Beaufort | $10,000 |
| Warrnambool & District Community Hospice Inc | Vital Online Training for Hospice in Home Volunteers in Camperdown during the COVID-19 Pandemic Building capacity at the Warrnambool & District Community Hospice Inc. by purchasing IT equipment and support to allow virtual training for volunteers. |
Camperdown | $9,215 |
| Wilby Rural Fire Brigade Country Fire Authority |
Arrive Back Dirty Return Home Clean 44Build organisational capacity and support the health and well-being of volunteers through the installation of a laundry. |
Wilby | $6,066 |
| Yallourn North Action Group Inc | New Curtain for the Monash Hall Stage Enhance experiences for users of the Monash Hall in Yallourn North by supporting the purchase and installation of a stage curtain. |
Yallourn North | $6,000 |
| Bruthen and District Neighbourhood House Bruthen and District Citizens Association Inc |
Holistic Community Well-being and Resilience Support volunteer capacity and bushfire recovery by increasing community engagement through the employment of a community worker. |
Bruthen | $25,000 |
| Grand Strzelecki Track Incorporated | All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Equipment Trailer for Track Maintenance Improve volunteer working conditions with purchase of ride on All Terrain Vehicle to support conservation efforts and track maintenance along the Strzelecki Trail. |
Balook | $25,000 |
| Kyabram Community & Learning Centre Inc | Road School and Community Garden Support educational initiatives through road safety with creation of a bike path for bike education and recreational activities at the Kyabram Community Garden. |
Kyabram | $20,000 |
| Lions V Districts Cancer Foundation Inc | Mobile Skin Cancer Screening Unit Improved health outcomes through increased accessibility to skin cancer screening tests for rural communities across Victoria and Southern NSW. |
Rural Victoria | $25,000 |
| Thowgla Recreation Reserve Committee of Management | Thowgla Hall Renovation Project Promote community cohesion and engagement through refurbishment and insulation of the Thowgla Hall. |
Thowgla Valley | $25,000 |
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA |
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| Boyup Brook Tourism Association Inc | Railway Goods Shed Mural Increase town vibrancy and community spirit via the creation of mural on the Boyup Brook Railway Goods Shed Building and refurbishment of surrounding pathways. |
Boyup Brook | $10,000 |
| Brookton Country Womens Association | Disability Inclusion Increase functionality of hall and enable disability access through conversion of bathroom to support wheelchair accessibility. |
Brookton | $10,000 |
| Exmouth Titans Boxing Indigenous Corporation | Exmouth Titans Boxing Address stigmatisation and disadvantage by supporting strong mental and physical health outcomes, with establishment of Indigenous youth boxing club. |
Exmouth | $10,000 |
| North Dandalup Community Group Inc | Beautifying the Town Improve community engagement and promote local events and activities with installation of public noticeboard. Partial funding of the project will support provision of a community noticeboard. |
North Dandalup | $920 |
| Otitis Media Group Inc | Ultrasound Otoscope for East Pilbara Outreach Program Reduce the impact of hearing loss through improved detection of middle ear disease with purchase of advanced medical equipment – the ultrasound assisted otoscope. |
South Hedland | $10,000 |
| Wickepin Primary School Parents & Citizens Association Inc | Playground Shade Sails Promote sun safe behaviour and improve amenity of Wickepin Primary School with installation of shade sail across play area. |
Wickepin | $10,000 |
| Saltwater Country Inc | Saltwater Academy Build organisational capacity through development of a strategic fundraising plan and comprehensive business plan that will lead to local Indigenous employment. |
Broome | $25,000 |
| Yiyili Community Indigenous Corporation | The Yiyili Community Social Enterprise and BMX Track Project Drive employability skills & capacity building through bicycle repair social enterprise and BMX track design and infrastructure building project. |
Yiyili | $25,000 |
