This story was submitted as part of FRRR’s 25th birthday celebrations.

“FRRR is a worthy organisation that deserves all of its accolades.”

Rachel Walmsley, Landcare Coordinator

“Moore Catchment Council (MCC) used FRRR funding to purchase two new laptops, a licence for ArcGIS mapping software, and cyber & email security measures. The funding was also used to purchase a 4K video camera and memory card, as well as stabilising gimbals for the video camera and smart phone. This project has improved the capacity of the Moore Catchment Council to deliver natural resource management projects to the catchment inhabitants and wider community, including farmers, schools, Yued Aboriginal community, local government and community groups.

“Without this funding, I’m not sure we could carry on existing!! These laptops are central to our day-to-day planning, coordination and capacity in successfully delivering our landcare and coastcare projects. All our work relies on using a computer – emails, networking, grant applications, powerpoint presentations, research on local flora and fauna, creating new educational resources and videos, mapping projects through ArcGIS, creating documents and maintaining our website and social media pages. Without adequate laptops, our work cannot be carried out. Documenting projects and conducting professional looking interviews with the landholders and community is a crucial part of our operations. Videos produced have been shared to the wider public via social media and our website, and act as education and inspiration to the public to carry our landcare and coastcare projects or become involved in environmental activities.”

MCC’s vision for the future

“I hope landcare is still an important focus in 2050 and that MCC and coordinators are supported by people like FRRR. I hope everything we are doing today (planning and delivering landcare projects such as native revegetation, Yued working on country opportunities, coastcare, and Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo conservation) has made a positive change in 2050.”

The Yorke Peninsula region experiences some of the lowest digital inclusion levels in South Australia. Many residents struggle with limited access to technology and a lack of digital literacy, making even basic online activities like shopping or accessing telehealth services challenging. The Southern Yorke Peninsula Community Hub (SYP Hub) sought a way to empower their community members with the skills and confidence to navigate the online world. 

For more than two decades, the SYP Hub has been considered the heart of this vast and remote region. It provides essential services such as Service SA and Centrelink and operates a tourist centre, art gallery and meeting space, making it a critical resource for the 300 people who use it every month. 

Following conversations with the community, staff identified a lack of understanding and confidence for digital communication platforms, particularly social media. Using a $9,766 Telstra’s Connected Communities grant, the SYP Hub launched a series of tailored workshops designed to enhance participants’ social media skills. Partnering with Ninki Content Marketing, the ‘Let’s Get Social!’ workshops were created to provide practical and time-efficient strategies to help community groups, volunteers and small business owners maximise the power of social media. 

The workshops covered a range of topics, from social media basics to more advanced content creation and the response was extraordinary. Each session attracted eager participants, with many workshops selling out and generating requests for additional training. Attendees, particularly older residents, told of significant improvements in their digital confidence. Many local organisations now feel better equipped to effectively manage their social media platforms. 

Hub volunteers noted that the sessions “were incredibly well received,” with one participant sharing, “I went home and designed exactly what I needed without checking my notes even one time! Amazingly helpful learning session.”  

With accessibility in mind, five new tablets were also purchased to support project delivery, meaning all attendees could fully engage in the learning experience. Beyond the social media workshops, the new tablets have had long-term benefits and are now used by community members and staff for weekly computer classes, events, virtual meetings and community support programs.  

The new resources have also increased demand for and access to telehealth services, connecting residents with specialists in speech therapy, occupational therapy and psychology—a huge breakthrough for those in remote areas with limited healthcare options. 

Looking ahead, the SYP Hub plans to build on this momentum and deliver future telehealth-related workshops, particularly for older residents. The impact of this project extends far beyond its initial purpose, strengthening the entire community’s ability to thrive in an increasingly digital world.