In the East MacDonnell ranges of the Northern Territory, The Harts Range Amateur Race Club (HRARC) hosts a 73-year tradition – an annual bush sports weekend that attracts more than 2,500 visitors to this very remote community. It is one of few events that brings this extremely disadvantaged community together, to connect socially and facilitate community wellbeing.

The Club’s facilities are also used for Central Land Council meetings, consultations, and community events. But the canteen, which is run by Isolated Children’s and Parents Association, was in much need of repair. The Club received $10,000 through the Strengthening Rural Communities program, thanks to the support of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation. They used the funding to purchase two domestic rangehood exhaust fans plus fittings, and for a roof spinning ventilator for over the BBQ area. In addition, they were able to attract in-kind support from other organisations, members and volunteers in the community, enabling a full upgrade to the canteen. Mark Coffey, the Club’s Public Officer, reported that the project brought together volunteers, most of whom live more than two hours away, local businesses and the Atitjere community for a project that will provide an improved working environment for the community for many years to come.

“For everyone, COVID-19 has made this year a challenge, so it was great to be able to form such a good partnership between HRARC, Scope and FRRR, which made this project so much easier to deliver especially for our volunteers. “We are proud that this kitchen upgrade will ensure a modern and more functional kitchen for years to come.”

Mark Coffey, HRARC Public Officer

Funding awarded for 33 recovery-focused projects

Through its Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program, FRRR has awarded $637,908 in grants for 33 initiatives prioritised by local communities to support their recovery from the 2019/2020 summer bushfires.

The SRC program’s Bushfire Recovery stream is collaboratively funded and supports projects that are led by local people and address local recovery needs. The grants awarded will help promote the healing and renewal of these impacted places.

In this round of Bushfire Recovery funding, grants range from $2,500 to encourage locals to participate in recovery activities at the Maclean Spring Festival in NSW, through to $25,000 for the installation of local fauna sculptures that will increase connection to place and enhance public spaces in Marlow, Victoria.

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that the Foundation continues to support communities recovering from disaster, because it knows recovery is a long-term process that is unique for each affected place.

“Many impacted communities have faced multiple disasters beyond the bushfires, including COVID-19 and floods. The pandemic has made recovery all the more challenging for these regions. For community organisations, it’s hampered their capacity to deliver services that they would otherwise be providing to help their communities heal.

“Many groups have worked hard to support locals in safe and responsive ways but understandably, local volunteers are pretty worn out. In response, we have awarded a number of grants for projects that will relieve volunteer-fatigue and alleviate the pressures that many volunteer-led groups are dealing with.

“Recovery is a complex process that really hinges on local people coming together to support one another, to share and heal. We continue to see strong demand for projects that provide a safe space for communities to gather and connect by investing in local community assets and infrastructure.

“We are also seeing attention focused on more vulnerable members of the community, with local organisations using grants for projects that address the recovery needs of age-based groups, gendered groups and Indigenous groups,” Ms Egleton said.

Some of the 33 Bushfire Recovery projects awarded include:

• Australian Outward Bound Development Fund Pty Limited, Tharwa ACT – Rebuilding from the Heat – $22,367 – Improve preparedness for future disasters at Australian Outward Bound’s Tharwa site through the renewal of aged firefighting and maintenance equipment.
• Lansdowne Hall Reserve Trust, Lansdowne NSW – Ride on Mower for Lansdowne Community Hall – $5,107 – Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase preparedness for future fires through the purchase of a ride on mower for the Lansdowne Hall.
• Rathdowney and District Memorial Grounds Association Incorporated, QLD – Natural Disaster Preparedness – Electrical masterplan for emergency response facilities – $13,420 – Enhance community activities and support community preparedness for future emergency evacuations by developing an electricity supply masterplan for the Memorial Grounds.
• Kingscote Mens Shed Inc, Kingscote SA – Connection Through Activity for Men Living on Kangaroo Island – $3,683 – Increase opportunities to support local connectedness and social recovery, through restoration of a local historic Wharf Trolley.
• Bemm River Progress and Improvement Association Inc, VIC – Bemm River Men’s Shed Upgrade – Toilet and Kitchen – $16,422 – Boost community recovery and connection through upgrades to the Men’s Shed toilet and kitchen facilities.

In total, this round of SRC awarded $1,589,612 in grants across three streams – Small & Vital, Larger Leverage and Bushfire Recovery. The 112 projects funded will help build the resilience and long-term vitality of smaller remote, rural and regional communities across Australia.

A full list of SRC grant recipients across all three streams of funding is available here.

The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors, which are also listed here.

The current round is accepting applications until 24 August 2021, with funds to be awarded in December 2021.

Funding awarded for 112 locally-led projects

FRRR has awarded $1,589,612 in grants for 112 projects that will help build the resilience and long-term vitality of smaller remote, rural and regional communities across Australia, through its Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.

The SRC program is collaboratively funded, and its broad scope enables smaller remote, rural, and regional communities to receive funding for a wide range of initiatives that are led by local people and address local needs. The awarded grants will give these rural places a boost to achieve long-term viability and vitality.

This round of SRC includes funding across three streams – Small & Vital, Larger Leverage and Bushfire Recovery grants. Grants range from $323 for first aid and snake bite kits for the Harts Range Amateur Race Club in remote Northern Territory, through to a $25,000 grant to support healing and the preservation of culture by providing the opportunity for Kullilli people to travel to Thargomindah in Queensland and be on Kullilli country to celebrate NAIDOC Week.

For regions continuing to recover and renew following the 2019/2020 bushfires, grants range from $2,500 to encourage locals to participate in recovery activities at the Maclean Spring Festival in New South Wales, through to $25,000 for the installation of local fauna sculptures that will increase connection to place and enhance public spaces in Marlow, Victoria.

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said this round of SRC has seen rural communities across Australia seek funding for inspiring initiatives that build community resilience and support individual and community health and wellbeing at a local level.

“Many communities have been impacted by multiple disasters, including the recent flooding in NSW and parts of QLD. For these regions, economic recovery from the disasters has been severely challenged by COVID-19. For community organisations, the pandemic has hampered fundraising efforts and their capacity to provide services. Understandably, local volunteers are pretty worn out. In response, we have awarded a number of grants for projects that will relieve volunteer-fatigue and alleviate the pressures that many volunteer-led groups are dealing with.

“Rural communities gain strength and vitality when locals have places to gather and connect, so it’s not surprising that we continue to see strong demand for projects that build community resilience by investing in local community assets and infrastructure, particularly the maintenance of community halls. And, as gathering restrictions ease, we are seeing more requests for work on outdoor spaces and for community events, as people come together to strengthen community engagement and participation,” Ms Egleton said.

The Small & Vital grants stream provides funding of up to $10,000 for local initiatives that enhance the wellbeing, strength and resilience of rural communities. This round of SRC has seen 52 projects in places across all States and Territories sharing in a total of $356,342 in Small & Vital grants.

Larger Leverage grants provide funding of up to $25,000, generally for remote or very remote parts of Australia. The larger grants are intended to help overcome logistical barriers that can limit the opportunity for multifaceted projects in these regions. A total of $595,362 has been awarded to 27 projects through the Larger Leverage stream.

This round the Bushfire Recovery stream awarded a total of $637,908 in grants to 33 initiatives designed to help seed and strengthen the recovery of communities impacted by the 2019/2020 summer bushfires. Further information on these Bushfire Recovery projects is available here.

Some of the 79 Small & Vital and Larger Leverage projects awarded include:

• Cootamundra Development Corporation Limited, Cootamundra NSW – Capable Coota! – $3000 – Help volunteer organisations in Cootamundra to attract high quality executive members by providing Governance training.
• Circulanation Ltd, Borroloola NT – Indigenous Entrepreneurship Facilitators Training Manual – Language Translation – $10,000 – Support Indigenous women to develop entrepreneurship and employability through translation of facilitator’s training manual into Kriol language to enable locally-led delivery of the training program.
• MultiSkill Centre Ltd, Cloncurry QLD – Work-it-out Room – $9,910 – Improve access to social and physical wellbeing opportunities for disadvantaged youth in remote township by provision of an exercise room.
• Wudinna RSL Memorial Kindergarten, Wudinna SA – Wudinna RSL Memorial Kindergarten – $25,000 – Provide pre-school children access to safe, sun-smart outdoor educational play areas by building a permanent roof structure.
• Derwent Valley Community House Inc, New Norfolk TAS – Blair Street Community Facilities – $10,000 – Boost the use of a Community House through an upgrade of facilities.
• Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, Wail VIC – Educate, Regenerate and Inspire – Dalki Garringa Arboretum Biodiversity Program – $25,000 – Strengthen connection to local culture through the development of a First Nations educational project.
• Environs Kimberley, Broome WA – Strengthening the Kimberley Community Seedbank: a sustainable social enterprise – $24,995 – Build Indigenous business skills and support a sustainable bushfoods industry through establishment of two seed collecting enterprises.

The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors, which are listed here.

The current round is accepting applications until 24 August 2021, with funds to be awarded in December 2021.

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

Jump to : ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS| VIC | WA

FRRR has awarded $642,481 in grants for 36 projects that will help seed and strengthen the recovery of regions impacted by the Black Summer bushfires, through its Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.

The bushfire recovery stream provides grants up to $25,000 for projects that promote community healing and the renewal of remote, rural, and regional communities following the 2019/2020 bushfires.

Grants range from $2,953 to help the New South Wales’ Burragate community prepare for future disasters, through to a $25,000 grant to increase access to mental health support for community members across five bushfire impacted communities in South Australia.

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that over the past year rural people have demonstrated the true meaning of resilience and determination and continued to find ways of addressing the needs of their communities.

“Recovery in bushfire-affected regions has been hampered by COVID-19 restrictions, but local organisations are still seeking to do what they can to meet the local priorities in their community.

“This round we saw an increase in requests to fund projects that will provide access to services and activities as impacted communities begin to resume normal activities and reconnect one year on from the fires. This includes Tenterfield in NSW, where a series of creative workshops will support the social and mental health of locals.

“Improving and repairing infrastructure is also an important part of the recovery process for many of these communities. These meeting places, like Katanning’s central shopping precinct in Western Australia and the local Hall in Charleston, South Australia, played a vital role during the bushfires, providing the community with a safe place to gather during the fires, or as a space to gather in order to reconnect and seek support after the disaster,” Ms Egleton explained.

Some of the 36 projects awarded include:

• Bermagui Preschool Co-operative Society Limited, NSW – The Cobargo/Bermagui Growing-Growers Project 2021 with Cost Georgiadis & Paul West – $25,000 – Increase social connectedness and local food security, through delivery of collaborative preschool garden activities and Costa Georgiadis events.
• Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Community Radio Association Inc, QLD – Stanthorpe Community Radio Transmission Equipment – $9,773 – Increase communication of local news, events and emergency information, by supporting the establishment of a community radio station.
• Penneshaw Progress Association Inc, SA – Penneshaw Town Hall Evacuation Centre – Catering Facilities – $25,000 – Increase preparedness for future disaster events by upgrading the kitchen at the Penneshaw Town Hall.
• Corryong Neighbourhood House Inc, VIC – Giving Youth a Voice – $25,000 – Increase youth representation in community recovery and development, through employment of youth workers to support youth leadership in the Upper Murray.
• Shire of Katanning, WA – Vibrant Katanning – $22,000 – Support economic and social recovery, through upgrading Katanning’s central shopping precinct.

The SRC program is collaboratively-funded and offers two streams of funding. In addition to the $642,481 in bushfire recovery funding, $420,003 in grants has been awarded via the program’s Small & Vital grants stream.

The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors, which are listed on FRRR’s website – https://frrr.org.au/funding/place/strengthening-rural-communities/.

The next round of SRC applications is currently being assessed and will be announced June 2021. The current round is accepting applications until 25 May 2021, with funds to be awarded in December

Visit here for more information on FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program and other grant programs to support communities before, during, and after a natural disaster or drought, and build communities’ climate resilience.

To support grants like this through FRRR, make a tax-deductible donation at frrr.org.au/giving/.

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

Jump to: NSW | QLD | SA | VIC | WA

Includes more than $640,000 to support 2019-20 bushfire recovery

FRRR has awarded $1,062,484 in grants for 85 projects that will help boost remote, rural and regional communities across Australia, through its Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.

The grants awarded will go toward a broad array of inspiring initiatives that will strengthen and build the long-term viability and vitality of smaller remote, rural, and regional communities across Australia, including projects to support community healing and renewal following the 2019/2020 bushfires.

Grants range from $2,700 to help the South Australian Beachport community access lifesaving equipment, through to a $25,000 grant to improve the security and amenities at the Corryong Community Hall in Victoria.

The SRC program is collaboratively-funded and offers two streams of funding. Small & Vital awards grants up to $10,000 for locally-led initiatives that build resilience and enhance the vibrancy of rural Australia by addressing the needs identified by the community. This round of SRC has seen 49 projects sharing in a total of $420,003 in Small & Vital grants.

The second stream provides grants up to $25,000 for projects designed to help seed and strengthen the recovery of regions impacted by the Black Summer bushfires. Thirty-six bushfire recovery initiatives have been awarded a total of $642,481 in this round of SRC grants.

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that over the past year rural people have demonstrated the true meaning of resilience and determination and continued to find ways of addressing the needs of their communities.

“The pandemic has highlighted that community groups need to be agile and able to adapt and respond to changing circumstances. To do this successfully, they need to be well resourced, with facilities, equipment and the right knowledge, skills and capabilities. The pandemic has also reinforced the importance of community-led initiatives that promote individual and community health and social wellbeing.”

“Several grassroots solutions designed to support these key initiatives and develop these vital skills have been awarded grants in this round of SRC, including the Oura Oura House – Interpretation Room project in Cygnet, Tasmania, which will strengthen connection to local Aboriginal culture, and in Biggenden, Queensland, the primary school is supporting student health and wellbeing through an amenities upgrade.

“Recovery in bushfire-affected regions has been hampered by COVID-19 restrictions, but local organisations are still seeking to do what they can to meet the local priorities in their community. This round we saw an increase in requests to fund projects that will provide access to services and activities as impacted communities begin to resume normal activities and reconnect one year on from the fires. This includes Tenterfield in NSW, where a series of creative workshops will support the social and mental health of locals.

“Improving and repairing infrastructure is also an important part of the recovery process for many of these communities. These meeting places, like Katanning’s central shopping precinct in Western Australia and the local Hall in Charleston, South Australia, played a vital role during the bushfires, providing the community with a safe place to gather during the fires, or as a space to gather in order to reconnect and seek support after the disaster,” Ms Egleton explained.

Some of the 85 projects awarded include:

• Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Ltd, NSW – 35^th Anniversary Celebration – $9,443 – Celebrate WAMS’ 35 years of service in the community by holding a series of events throughout 2021.
• Careflight Limited, NT – Obstetrics Training for CareFlight Flight Nurses – $8,800 – Improve safety and health outcomes for babies and mothers from remote communities with Midwifery Training for Careflight nurses.
• Stanthorpe and Granite Belt Community Radio Association Inc, QLD – Stanthorpe Community Radio Transmission Equipment – $9,773 – Increase communication of local news, events and emergency information, by supporting the establishment of a community radio station.
• Nipapanha Community Aboriginal Corporation, SA – Irish Well Hut Cultural Heritage Museum Development – $9,300 – Help people gain an awareness of local culture through the provision of display material for a museum.
• East Coast Regional Development Organisation Inc, TAS – Raising the Roof on the Bread Oven – $5,332 – Encourage people to come together by redeveloping a community gathering space.
• Corryong Neighbourhood House Inc, VIC – Giving Youth a Voice – $25,000 – Increase youth representation in community recovery and development, through employment of youth workers to support youth leadership in the Upper Murray.
• Fitzgerald Biosphere Group Inc, WA – Dancing in the Dirt Gala Ball – A Community Event – $5,000 – Build community wellbeing and strengthen mental health by supporting ‘Dancing in the Dirt’ Gala for small, drought stricken community.  

The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors, which are listed here – https://frrr.org.au/funding/place/strengthening-rural-communities/.

The next round of SRC applications is currently being assessed and will be announced by June 2021. The current round is accepting applications until 25 May 2021, with funds to be awarded in September.

Visit here for more information on FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program and other grant programs to strengthen local non-profits, community groups, volunteers, and to provide opportunities for skills, networks and leadership development.

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.

Jump to: NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has entered a new three-year partnership with the Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation (KACF).

Creating better days for Australians, Kellogg Australia is committed to tackling hunger and helping to create a more sustainable future for generations to come. Now, with the new partnership between KACF and FRRR, their combined efforts can help tackle hunger and build resilience in vulnerable rural and regional communities throughout the country.

Over the course of the partnership, KACF will donate $300,000 to support grants going towards low socio-economic regions in need, and disadvantaged communities facing high levels of food insecurity.

The funds will be part of FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program, which aims to give small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia an opportunity to access funding to strengthen their vitality and resilience. Grants are flexible and respond to community-identified priorities, such as food security. 

In addition to the KACF funding, Kellogg Australia has also put forward in-kind support in the form of food donations, as well as skilled and unskilled volunteering from its employees.

Esme Borgelt, Managing Director Kellogg Australia, said, “The last couple of years have seen so many of our communities facing increasingly difficult times. From droughts to bushfires to a global health pandemic, the impact on everyone has been significant, and those hardest hit have been our remote, rural and regional communities.

“Almost a quarter of Australians experiencing food insecurity live in regional or remote areas and the aim of the KACF partnership with FRRR is to provide support at a grassroots level to help these communities implement innovative, locally led solutions.” 

With FRRR being the only national foundation centred on social and economic strength in remote, rural and regional Australia, the partnership will help to tackle food insecurity with the knowledge and experience of the local needs by local leaders on the ground.

Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, said, “It’s fantastic to see a leading global food manufacturer like Kellogg’s make it their overarching mission to leave a mark of meaningful difference. We are delighted to be partnering with them to ensure that support reaches vulnerable communities beyond metropolitan boundaries.

“While the grants will be awarded based on locally identified community priorities, there will be a focus on supporting food security initiatives and enterprises, food affordability and food access programs, as well as projects such as community gardens and school and educational food programs,” Ms Egleton explained.

Unlike most other youth music programs, CRASHENDO! Bairnsdale is not only about the tunes. Modelled after Venezuela’s National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs El Sistema Global, CRASHENDO! uses music education as a vehicle to help children develop their self-esteem, resilience, and social skills.

To support the purchase of new instruments and to help cover tuition fees, the CRASHENDO! team successfully applied to FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program, receiving a $10,000 grant funded by The William Buckland Foundation (managed by Equity Trustees).

They sent us a detailed plan outlining how they planned to use the funds over the course of two years, and how excited they were to get on with their music classes, events, and other activities.

What they couldn’t have known, however, was that the years that followed – 2019-2020 – would be some of the most challenging years their community had ever experienced.

The CRASHENDO! program, which supports around 120 children in Bairnsdale and surrounds, had a great start to the year in 2019, with in-schools tuition, pre-orchestral, orchestra and early years programs in full swing. They also hosted several special events such as the Latrobe Orchestra Workshop and the Christmas Street Parade, both of which brought much joy to the community. 

But as Christmas drew closer, so did the devastating bushfires that were already tearing through parts of NSW and VIC. And when the semester was set to begin again in the new year, the CRASHENDO! students had no school to return to.

The facilities, including all their instruments, were destroyed in the fires. Several families in the community had also lost their homes.

But despite these unimaginable challenges, children and tutors alike demonstrated once again the resilience and fighting community spirit we so often see in rural and regional Australia. The classes were moved to another school, and the children found some relief in returning to something familiar and normal – their music practice.

With support from their wonderful and engaging tutors, and by working together in groups, the children continued to develop both their musical skills and interpersonal skills.

But as we all know too well, 2020 brought with it its own set of challenges.

Soon after the COVID-19 virus reached Australian shores, life for the Bairnsdale community was once again turned upside-down. The community went through two remote learning periods (April – June and July – September), which meant all programs had to be moved online.

During this those unusual times, CRASHENDO! Bairnsdale Youth(ful) Orchestra (CBYO) reduced their sessions, halted expansion plans, and cancelled concerts and community performances.

The future was looking uncertain and bleak. But the CRASHENDO! team – both children and staff – were not about to give up that easily. They already knew the strength they had within them, especially when working together, so they kept their heads high, their Zoom cameras on and their smiles BIG – as they found new and engaging ways of delivering their programs.

Instead of having concerts, they produced videos. Instead of cancelling all Special Events, they scaled down the delivery time and incorporated video compilations. The creativity was flowing and proved to be a great learning experience across the board.

Watch a clip from the adorable video performance here.

“Although extremely challenging we have been extremely excited about the opportunity to learn new ways of delivering programs, administration and promotion,” Hilary Rigg, Crashendo! Bairnsdale Coordinator said.

She explained that while the number of participants decreased during online delivery, it also allowed them to widen the scope of musical styles and instruments on offer in the program, as well as the geographic area in which participants lived (across wider Gippsland and Melbourne). As tutors could dial in from anywhere, CRASHENDO! also grew their pool of highly skilled tutors, from areas including Melbourne, Geelong and even interstate.

“We have widened networks, forged new or deeper collaborations with other local musical groups and personnel, and kept musicians connected and playing. Hence, most importantly contributing to the well-being of our community!”

Hilary Rigg, Crashendo! Bairnsdale Coordinator

The need for the diversification of industry has been well known to the Northampton community for many years, given the heavy reliance on agriculture. Drought and unpredictable seasons have seen the withdrawal of many farming families, leaving an ageing population. Northampton has a median age of residents that is significantly older than the national average. 

To address this issue, several community groups worked toward a common goal – to leverage the significant tourism potential of the town and bring in more visitors and diversify income. Northampton has a rich heritage, being one of only three towns in Western Australia to have attained the ‘Historic Town’ status. The development of an arts trail is a key feature of the plan, and the Northampton Friends of the Railway sought to add to it with the development and installation of a large 5m x 10m public sculpture. 

They worked with local artists and steel masons to design and construct the steal art sculpture with the $3,500 Strengthening Rural Communities grant, thanks to funding from the Bertalli Family Foundation, which was specifically used for its final design and painting. The piece depicts the historic Gwalla railway precinct with all of the original buildings of the railway station, some of which no longer exist, and is located exactly on a section of the first Government Railway in Western Australia. It’s an important interpretive piece to showcase the former area, given the significant role that the railway played in the township’s mining and agricultural history. 

This project brought together economic, heritage and artistic outcomes, celebrating and promoting a unique local history.

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