The Boulia Shire, located in Central West Queensland, has been in drought since April 2013. With a total population of 426, Boulia residents are turning to community groups to stay active and connected.

These not-for-profit groups are relying on events – such as BBQ fundraisers – to sustain their activities. But it’s not easy. Without access to commercial BBQ equipment, fundraising opportunities are limited. Some groups choose to use privately owned BBQ’s, but these are clunky to move, and raise concerns about volunteer safety.

The Boulia Shire Council is the main employer in the area and supports 12 local community groups. To provide better fundraising opportunities across all groups, the Council set a new objective in 2018 – to source a multi-purpose BBQ unit.

The Council receieved a $26,000 grant from the Tackling Tough Times Together program, funded by Tim and Gina Fairfax, to purchase their new Chill’n’Grill BBQ trailer. The trailer included a fridge and safety equipment, which would allow community groups to transport and operate it safely.

Since its arrival in January 2019, the BBQ trailer has been widely used in the Boulia community. It was first fired up for Australia Day celebrations, which was a big hit on all accounts. Later in the year, the Central West Hospital and Health Services used it for its ‘Health & Wellbeing’ visits and for the ‘Man with a Pram’ Father’s Day function. The BBQ trailer quickly became a popular meeting spot at these events, as attendees could gather around it to share a snack, socialise and show support for neighbours experiencing hardship.

“The trailer has made our working times so much more enjoyable,” said one group organiser. “Great resource. Easy to use, very clean and also easy to clean.”

The Boulia Shire Council is proud of its new fundraising equipment. They are committed to covering ongoing costs for the trailer and are confident their local groups will continue to use it. “This is the start of a domino effect,” a Council representative said. “Better experiences for organisers mean a better chance of more activities, events and functions for the community.”

Bendigo, 19 May 2020: Fifty-eight community-led projects that help drought-affected rural, regional and remote Australian communities are sharing in nearly $2 million in grants, through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) program. 

While COVID-19 and the bushfires have taken centre stage over the past six months, the drought and long-term rainfall deficiencies remain severe across much of the country. Despite the good rainfall earlier in the year, the drought is far from over. Many communities, like those throughout New South Wales and across the Murray-Darling Basin (which runs through Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia), who are experiencing the driest 36-month period on record. In Queensland, 67.4 percent of the state is drought-declared. Other areas affected by extended periods of rainfall shortages include eastern Victoria, eastern and northern Tasmania, eastern South Australia and parts of southwest Western Australia.

FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton says these communities haven’t been forgotten and FRRR is here to help them get through these dry times.

“We know that large parts of the country are still in drought, and coupled with the impacts of COVID-19, and for many the bushfires too, this is a particularly challenging time. Keeping money flowing into rural areas is a priority for FRRR, so that these communities can continue to work at building capacity and long-term resilience,” said Ms Egleton.

TTTT Program Coordinator, Deanne Cavalier, says that Tackling Tough Times Together grants support projects that aim to reduce social isolation, develop leadership and skills training, social and educational participation, stimulate economic activity and build the capacity of local not-for-profit organisations.

“This round of TTTT saw the most applications since the program’s 2018 national expansion. It’s clear that these communities still need help to access the resources they need to support one another through the ongoing effects of the drought. 

“It’s vital to be flexible and support local recovery efforts in a way that meets the needs of each community now, and into the medium to long-term. That’s why we are open to project variations and supporting organisations pivoting and thinking laterally when it comes to their projects and how grant funds are used during COVID-19 restrictions,” said Ms Cavalier.

Some of the 58 projects awarded this round include:

• Quilpie Cultural Society Incorporated, QLD – Defying the Drought through Creativity – $31,466 – Relieve current stressors of drought and improve community health and social wellbeing through the installation of new resources at the Cultural Society, and the delivery of a variety of art and craft workshops.
• Kingaroy BaconFest Inc, QLD – Kingaroy BaconFest 2021 – $58,300 – Support fatigued volunteers and reduce social and economic issues by showcasing local industry and produce and highlighting the importance of buying 100 percent Australian pork product.
• Lions Club of Ulladulla Milton Incorporated, NSW – Farmers at Burrill (FAB) – $17,138 – Support local industries, economy and tourism, and reduce social isolation through the delivery of a local Farmers’ Market that will showcase local producers and encourage tourists to the region.
• Colbinabbin & District Historical Society, VIC – The Development of Colbinabbin Silo Art Viewing Area – $59,800 – Reinvigorate local community spirit and the economy by developing land adjacent to the Colbinabbin silo art project into parklands featuring a native garden, walking tracks, and a silo viewing platform.
• Arno Bay Progress Association Incorporated, SA – Tasting Arno – $3,606 – Reduce social isolation and stimulate the local economy by encouraging the broader community to participate in an accessible, low cost, local event.

Tackling Tough Times Together is possible thanks to the collaborative support of a number of donors, including the Australian Government which committed $15M to be distributed over three years. Generous contributions have also been made by NRMA, Pratt Foundation, Stockland CARE Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, The Snow Foundation, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Henroth Group and private donors from across the nation.

Applications for the TTTT program are always open and groups in drought-affected areas are encouraged to apply for funding to help their community come together to tackle the drought.

The next cut-off dates for applications to be considered are:

• 28 May 2020. Outcomes will be advised late August 2020.
• 27 August 2020. (Note, expressions of interest for the $150,000 tier must be received by 16 July 2020.) Outcomes will be advised late November 2020.

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

Jump to : NSW | QLD | SA | VIC

Organisation	Project	Location	Grant
NEW SOUTH WALES
Up to $60,000
Billimari Public Hall & Recreation Reserve Land Manager	Kitchen in Billimari Hall Upgrade Billimari Hall kitchen to increase safety and amenity for local community cultural events and meetings.	Billimari	$58,677
Boggabri and Districts Historical Society	Installation of Vinyl Cladding Increase comfort and reduce ongoing maintenance of Boggabri Men’s Shed and Museum buildings through recladding.	Boggabri	$35,120
Clare Public School Parents and Citizens Association	Sustainable Community Kitchen at Clare Public School Enhance catering and cooking activities for the community and school students through the construction of a kitchen at Clare Public School.	Clare	$59,730
Community College-Northern Inland Incorporated	Capacity Building for Community Education Futures in the Northern Inland Increase the capacity and viability of education provider in drought affected areas that provides job ready skills and training.	Barraba	$37,500
Condobolin and District Landcare Management Committee	Recovery Festival Strengthening local communities by providing a platform to drive economic growth, social cohesion and cultural identity through delivery of a free Festival at Condobolin.	Condobolin	$60,000
Cypress View Lodge Limited	Cypress View Lodge (CVL) Solar Upgrade Increase viability of Cypress View Lodge through installation of solar system, supporting locals to stay within their community as they age and need more assistance with daily living and health needs.	Coleambally	$59,696
Dunedoo Bowling Club Limited	Air Conditioning Replacement Increase comfort and amenity of meeting area in drought affected community through air conditioning upgrade at Dunedoo Bowling Club.	Dunedoo	$34,100
Growmolong Incorporated	“The Molong Story” Mural Artworks Increase economic growth through attracting tourists to view silo and tank art at Molong.	Molong	$60,000
Guyra Adult Learning Association Incorporated	The Guyra Gazette Lifeline Increased capacity to produce local newspaper to support the community to; maintain strong connections; raise awareness of local events and activities; encourage social interaction; and inform community of local issues during a period of drought.	Guyra	$40,422
Gwymac Incorporated	Community Planting Bees – For a healthy and Connected Inverell Region Reduce social isolation and increase community connectedness through redevelopment of local community hub, Inverell Community Garden.	Inverell	$56,177
Hartbeat of the Bush Incorporated	Beat of The Bush Festival 2020 Reduce social isolation and support opportunities for educational participation for children and young people through the delivery of the Beat of The Bush Festival in Tenterfield.	Tenterfield	$55,000
Manilla Community Renewable Energy Incorporated	Renewable Manilla Increase social connections and provide activities that support learning at the Renewable Manilla Festival.	Manilla	$27,500
Mungindi Community Preschool Incorporated	Optimal Start for Parched Children Continued delivery of early childhood education regardless of low enrolments in Mungindi through support for program costs.	Mungindi	$60,000
South West Arts Incorporated	Youth Community Radio Station Enhance leadership development and skills training opportunities for young people of Deniliquin and surrounds through the creation of the Youth Community Radio Station.	Deniliquin	$28,000
UCA – Greenthorpe	Going To Print Increase opportunities for the community to connect, support each other and express themselves through the arts.	Greenethorpe	$57,950
Up to $20,000
Age of Fishes Museum Incorporated	Three Fossil Stands for the Age of Fishes Museum Encourage local tourism and enhance educational opportunity through the provision of three fossil display stands at the Age of Fishes Museum, Canowindra.	Canowindra	$7,217
Borah Creek Public Hall Land Manager	Solar Panels to the Borah Creek Hall Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the installation of solar power to the Borah Creek Hall.	Rocky Glen	$7,954
Delungra Public School	Exploring the Ocean Landscape Enhance social and educational participation for children disadvantaged through drought by the delivery of a weeklong excursion for students of Delungra and Gilgai Public Schools to Lake Ainsworth.	Delungra	$20,000
Hope Bathurst Incorporated	Upgrade of Hopecare Café Kitchen Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the upgrade to the Hopecare Café Kitchen.	Bathurst	$16,900
Lions Club of Ulladulla Milton Incorporated	Farmers At Burrill (FAB) Enhance economic recovery and renewal through the development and delivery of the Farmers at Burrill (FAB) Farmers Market as a pilot market over the 2020/2021 Summer.	Burrill Lake	$10,210
Mungery Recreation Reserve Land Manager	Mungery Skillion Enhance and repair local meeting place that supports the delivery of community events and activities that increase local connectedness and reduce isolation.	Mungery	$20,000
Narrabri Shire Community Radio Incorporated	Fit Out of a New Studio Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the fit out of a second radio studio at Narrabri Shire Community Radio.	Narrabri	$11,000
Scout Association of Australia First Dubbo Scout Group	Water Tanks for Hall Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the installation of water tanks at the First Dubbo Scout Group Hall.	Dubbo	$4,619
Tibooburra & District Progress Association	Outback Lock-Up Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the provision of two shipping containers at the community Albert Hall and Cemetery.	Tibooburra	$10,500
QUEENSLAND
Up to $60,000
Balonne Shire Council	Bollon Park and Riverland Revitalisation Upgrade local parklands through installation of new seating, lighting and irrigation, to encourage social connection and enhance local events and activities.	Bollon	$60,000
Boulia Golf Club Incorporated	Rejuventation of Boulia Golf Club – The Hub of the Shire Improve and repair Boulia Golf Club to encourage community connectedness and reduce social isolation during period of drought.	Boulia	$60,000
Centre For Rural and Regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Limited	Tucka-Time Program – Fruit and Vegetable Box Addition Increase access to fresh fruit and improve nutrition for aboriginal primary students in the Gladstone Region.	Gladstone	$37,500
Goondiwindi Pastoral and Agricultural Society	“Putting Rubbish in its Place, With a Hop, Skip and Dump” Increase the capacity of volunteers to deliver events and activities that support economic and social benefits for the drought affected community of Goondiwindi.	Goondiwindi	$47,024
Junction View Hall Association Incorporated	Junction View Hall Upgrade Continued access to Junction View Hall through roof repair and external painting, allowing locals to connect and support each other at locally driven activities.	Junction View	$52,146
Kingaroy BaconFest Incorporated	Kingaroy BaconFest 2020 Increase capacity of Festival Committee through support and infrastructure for Kingaroy BaconFest event delivery.	Kingaroy	$58,300
Lockyer Multicultural Association Incorporated	Connecting and Empowering the Lockyer Valley Community Through Local Produce Improved use of local produce through training opportunities for businesses and the wider community in the Lockyer Valley.	Gatton	$59,200
Monto Magic Tourism Action Group Incorporated	Silo Mural – Revitalisation of Monto Support local economic recovery and renewal through increased tourism through the painting of four grain silos at Monto.	Monto	$60,000
Quilpie Cultural Society Incorporated	Defying the Drought Through Creativity Enhance opportunities to participate in creative activities for the Quilpie community through the purchase of resources and the delivery of art workshops.	Quilpie	$31,466
Red Ridge (Interior Queensland) Limited Channel Country Ladies Day Committee	Building Resilience in Isolated Outback Women Through the Channel Country Ladies Day Reduce social isolation and enhance coping skills for women in Western Queensland through delivery of the Channel Country Ladies Day 2020.	Quilpie	$55,000
South Burnett Woodcrafters Incorporated	SBW Workshop Development Increased space for members of the community to interact with others in a supportive and activity driven environment, through fit out of the new South Burnett Woodcrafters building.	Kingaroy	$59,757
UCA – Longreach Congregation	Kitchen Renovation in Edgely Hall Increase function and expand capacity of local meeting space through kitchen upgrade at Longreach UCA Hall.	Longreach	$57,392
Yelarbon Primary P&C Association	Greener Fields Reduce the dust and dirt through upgrade of place space at Yelarbon Primary School supporting social and educational participation and address disadvantage for children and young people.	Yelarbon	$45,000
Up to $20,000
Allora Community Circle	Keeping Allora’s Spirit Alive Enhance community cohesion and reduce social isolation through the delivery of two community events in Allora.	Southern Downs Region	$19,987
Alpha Amateur Swimming Club	Outback Drowning Prevention Program Enhance opportunity for social and educational participation and address disadvantage for young people caused by drought through the delivery of an 8 week swimming safety program in Alpha.	Alpha	$20,000
Ballyneety Rodeo Club Incorporated	Ballyneety Rodeo Campdraft & Gymkhana Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the purchase of 20 tables and 50 chairs for the Aramac community.	Aramac	$2,430
Thallon Progress Association Incorporated	Protecting our Future Reduce social isolation through the installation of a permanent shade structure over the iconic “William the Wombat” playground sculpture in Thallon.	Thallon	$16,000
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Up to $60,000
Greenock Institute Management Committee Incorporated	Greenock Institute Kitchen Renewal Upgrade to the kitchen at Greenock Institute to enhance community events and functions with catering.	Greenock	$26,390
Lucky Bay Shackowners Association	Laughter at Lucky Bay Support a stronger social fabric and enhanced wellbeing through the installation of a playground at Lucky Bay foreshore.	Lucky Bay	$51,597
Parachilna Community Association Incorporated	Parachilna Community Association Airstrip Increase visitation and economic benefits, and access to services such as the Flying Doctor through construction of an airstrip at remote Parachilna.	Parachilna	$60,000
Port Vincent Progress Association Incorporated	Port Vincent Water Tower Mural Project Increase tourism and economic benefits for the Port Vincent community through creation of an art installation on 20 metre water tank.	Port Vincent	$54,500
Up to $20,000
Arno Bay Progress Association Incorporated	Tasting Arno Reduce social isolation through the delivery of the Tasting Arno event.

This year, the Franklin Harbour district in South Australia has seen the lowest rainfall recorded on history. The District Council of Franklin Harbour have estimated around 99 farming families have sought off-farm employment due to significantly depleted farm income. With less income in the farming community, the flow on effect is being felt across local businesses and services. The Franklin Harbour Community Development Group recognised the need to diversify their economy in the district, to build community resilience, and local tourism is a market they sought to expand.

They took inspiration from neighbouring communities, Kimba and Tumby Bay, who commissioned murals on their local silos and saw significant economic benefit. The Paint Cowell’s Silo project was created with the aim to attract more tourists, both day trippers and overnight visitors – increasing spend across the town and enabling the businesses to survive and retain staff.

The $14,237 in grant funds went towards commissioning the Australian artist – NITSUA, to create the mural including the costs of the paint and hire of a boom. NITSUA, Austin Moncrieff, visited the community in 2017 to consult with the community and gather themes and ideas for the design which he combined with his own inspiration from some of the town’s iconic characters.

The outcomes this project has achieved is far beyond what the group could have ever imagined, including receiving the People’s Choice Award in the Regional Category of the Australian Civic Trust Awards.

The number of visitors drawn to the town was more than anticipated – during the painting period, which was the month of August 2019, there was an increase of 4.43 percent visitor spend compared to the same period in the previous year. The artwork is part of the Australian Silo Art Trail which has a large social media following with many postings of the Cowell silo artwork to this group. The Cowell silo project has also featured in both local, State and on national media including the TV news program The Project. 

The Franklin Harbour Community Development Group has now left a legacy to Cowell which will see economic and social benefits for years to come.

Dee Cook President of FHCDG explained that the project would have still gone ahead without the grant however we would still be fundraising – maybe for another 5 years!

“Receiving grants like this takes the pressure off the local businesses and community by not asking them to put their hand in their pocket time and time again – especially in a drought.”

Glen Innes is a small town in the Northern Tablelands of NSW, similar to many other rural farming communities enduring the unrelenting drought. GLENRAC, a local not for profit Landcare network, understands that the farming lifestyle often means that farming families do not have the time to engage in social activities as much as people who live and work in town. On top this, the impact of the drought means that this lack of time is exacerbated hugely, with farmers busy feeding their stock most days, and trying to maintain the rest of their farm in the remaining time.

The flow on effect of this is that often farmers in these communities neglect their own physical and mental wellbeing.

“We know that regardless of how well you run your stock, operate your property and manage your business, if your health is compromised, you aren’t able to work to your full ability,” GLENRAC Project Manager Pamela Benton, told the Glen Innes Examiner.

With support from the Tackling Tough Time Together (TTTT) program, GLENRAC partnered with Rural Fit to deliver the Friends with Health Benefits program to Glen Innes farmers, helping to improve their fitness and overall health. The $9,826 grant meant that GLENRAC were able to offer free access to an online group fitness forum and phone calls to Rural Fit for 15 participants over four months.

The program focused on providing:

• Weight loss support;
• Strength training;
• Improving cardiovascular fitness;
• Management and prevention of metabolic conditions – diabetes, cholesterol, and hypertension;
• Management of mental health conditions;
• Stress management;
• Flexibility or joint stability;
• How to reduce injury risk;
• Improving sleep and reducing fatigue;
• Pain / injury management.

The program was officially launched at GLENRAC’s Fit Farmers event in September 2016, which was also R U OK Day. An evaluation at the completion of the program saw that the participating farmers felt better about themselves, were keen to continue to improve their physical fitness, and had developed a new interest in nutrition and made new friends.

Despite the recent rain along much of the Eastern Seaboard, just a couple of hours inland our farmers and regional communities are still in the midst of a crippling drought. FRRR’s Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT) program was launched last year to help communities across most of Queensland and the New South Wales Northern Tablelands to access the resources they need to support community based activities that both help to relieve current stressors and symptoms, but most importantly, build capacity and resilience for the future.

Festival demonstrates community resilience

The Wallangra Recreation Reserve Trust secured a $50,000 TTTT grant funded by the Yulgilbar Foundation to run the ‘Not Quite Baroque (Broke!) festival in Wallangra, 650 km north of Sydney in northern New South Wales. The two-day event celebrated the resilience of several small bush communities, involving a series of creative art and music workshops for local school children, workshops for adults and a music concert for the whole community.

The Inverell Times reported that the money was used to transform the Wallangra Hall into a fresh performance venue, triggering a series of art and music workshops, host a TED talk series and put on a concert of immense local talent.

A positive outlook for the future

The festival has now been declared inaugural, with all organisers and participants firmly committed to making this happen next year.

Event co-founder Helen McCosker felt the community had been energised and encouraged pursuit of events to re-invigorate people. 

“They just need to come together and really work out a real plan, and real way of pushing their community to a point that there needs to be changed, and it needs to happen,” she said.

“And it can be done; it’s all possible. And we did it. It’s amazing. And we’ll keep doing it.”