Delivering essential healthcare services across remote communities in Queensland can be challenging. With long distances between patients and providers, limited infrastructure, and the inconvenience of regular in-person visits, accessing timely care and ensuring continuity of service can be tough.

Goondir Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for Health Services (Goondir) know these challenges intimately. Goondir, which means Medicine Man in the local Aboriginal language, offers culturally appropriate, community-controlled healthcare to more than 4,000 Indigenous people spread across over 72,000 km² — an area covering 4% of the state. With clinics in Oakey, Dalby, Chinchilla and St George, the organisation needed a way to maintain strong connections with clients who live far from their centres, so they turned to technology to help bridge the communication gap.

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from FRRR’s Telstra Connected Communities program, Goondir invested in a state-of-the-art video conferencing system to enhance service delivery. The funds were used to install a Tap Touch Screen, Scribe Whiteboard Camera and a Tap Room Scheduling Panel in the board room of Goondir’s Dalby clinic. The digital tools provided reliable, high-definition video and audio communication over a secure network.

The new system reduced the need for long-distance travel and enabled clients to engage in consultations from the comfort of their own communities, where they felt more at ease. It also allowed clinicians to pick up on non-verbal cues, carry out more frequent check-ins and offer better intervention and education programs.

Staff reported that the technology was a ‘game-changer’, streamlining communication, collaboration and overall service delivery, while helping them form stronger relationships with clients.

Beyond client consultations, the video conferencing system also enhanced internal operations. It enabled live training sessions for staff across Goondir’s four permanent clinics, allowing for professional development. Recorded discussions and training materials can now be shared across teams, strengthening the organisation’s overall capacity.

Although initial setup and staff training presented some challenges, any teething problems were quickly addressed with IT support during the transition phase.

Today, the system stands as a powerful tool for connection, improving healthcare access and enhancing liveability for Indigenous communities across the Western Downs region. By embracing digital solutions, Goondir has ensured that even the most remote clients can stay connected to essential healthcare services — wherever they call home.

Rural community groups can apply for grants up to $10,000

Remote, rural and regional communities are being encouraged to embrace new technologies and digital solutions with grants up to $10,000 available thanks to FRRR and Telstra.

The Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program invites local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) to apply for their share in $200,000 for projects that empower their community to embrace new technologies, improve digital literacy and enhance digital capabilities.

The program aims to foster the liveability, sustainability and resilience of rural Australia by funding projects that enhance social connection, support equitable access to technology, increase cyber security, enable sustainable environmental practices or support disaster preparedness.

Loretta Willaton, Regional Australia Executive at Telstra, said that now in its third year, the Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program has supported almost 60 projects aimed at building digital capability in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia.

“Thanks to our partnership with FRRR, we have witnessed the critical role that technology plays across the spectrum of community life.

“The program has supported a range of projects, from digital literacy workshops that help people to understand their device so that they can feel safe to use the technology, to improving not-for-profit operations and service delivery so that they can better support the most vulnerable. We have also been inspired by the innovations in information sharing and the positive impact that these new systems have had on the environmental, social and economic outcomes of communities.

“In 2025, the program will continue to support projects that embrace new technology and build digital capability to support liveable, resilient and sustainable remote, rural, regional communities across Australia,” said Ms Willaton.

Natalie Egleton, CEO at FRRR, said the Foundation is dedicated to narrowing the digital divide.

“Rural communities are great places to live. Unfortunately, the reality is that there is generally limited access to technology, education and job opportunities, meaning people find they have no choice but to move to the city, just to be able to work or go to school.

“That’s why equitable access to services, like technology and digital solutions, is so important. For older people it supports connection and opportunities to keep learning and be confident with digital devices. For younger people it supports them to live, learn and work outside of the metro regions and make these vibrant smaller towns their home.

“Adopting new technologies is not as simple as ‘plugging it in’, and the great thing about these grants is that they are designed to support communities as they transition to new technologies.

“Working with Telstra, we’re able to fund initiatives that bring communities up to speed by improving access to information, technology, education and the facilities that they need to strengthen social capital, digital literacy and digital capabilities.

“I look forward to reading this year’s funding requests and how NFPs are narrowing the digital divide,” Ms Egleton said.

Applications close at 5pm AEDT on Thursday, 20 March. Successful grants will be announced in June 2025 and applicants will have 12 months to complete the funded projects.

GRANTSEEKER WEBINAR DETAILS

FRRR will present a Webinar for the Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program – Tuesday 25 February 12.30pm -1.30pm AEDT. Register via FRRR’s website or at https://events.humanitix.com/frrr-and-telstra-s-connected-communities-grant-information-session.

Learn more about eligibility criteria and what’s required in the application via the Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program webpage. 

The work of the Wardell Community Organised Resilience Effort (CORE) is an example of how a small town can rally in the face of a natural disaster and be ready for disasters to come. Most days, Wardell is an idyllic spot to live. Lush, green and quiet on the banks of the Richmond River in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. But in 2022, floods devastated the town and others nearby. Wardell had never flooded before, and no one was prepared.

Wardell CORE was set up as a resource centre for emergency donations. Bedding, blankets, clothes, food, medical supplies, water, torches, batteries and tents were all gratefully received. The need was immense. Two years on, Wardell CORE’s primary purpose is still helping affected people. Some are still homeless and many struggle with mental health issues, including PTSD. Their other main aim is to make sure the community is never impacted in the same way again.

Planning for the way forward

During the 2022 floods, mobile and internet telecommunications were impacted, meaning Wardell and the surrounding communities had limited or no communication in many areas until power could be restored or services fixed. Having no communications during a disaster created all kinds of problems – the emergency services people couldn’t share vital information, residents were cut off from family and friends, and there were any number of complexities around ongoing recovery.

After the flood receded, Wardell CORE immediately started planning for the next one, and detailed planning identified a need for a way for the community to stay informed, given the power outage lasted for two weeks or more. CB radio was the solution. They received a $10,000 grant from FRRR through Telstra’s Connected Communities program that funded the purchase of 10 hand-held devices and two base stations, as well as funds left over to support the community with the appropriate training. Through additional fundraising, they were able to install a relay station that helps to extend the signal as far as possible to provide radio reception throughout town and with the nearby communities of Woodburn and Coraki up-river, and Ballina down-river.

Where to next?

The organisation plans to distribute more radios throughout the region to anticipate flood events as widely and comprehensively as possible. Another resilience move they made was installing a Starlink service that uses a network of satellites to provide internet coverage, and installing onsite battery storage so that they will have internet in the event of future power outages.

The team behind Wardell CORE recognises that locals in the region experience high levels of anxiety about weather events, but the low level of digital literacy in the community is a real barrier to disaster preparedness. To resolve this, they’re looking at establishing a program that teaches people how to access and interpret weather apps and other related platforms.

A spokesperson for Wardell CORE explained the impact of the grant they received.

“Without the FRRR grant from Telstra’s Connected Communities program, we would never have been able to put our disaster preparation plans into action. The lessons learned from the 2022 floods meant we knew what technology we needed and where it should be located. But our reliance on small donations meant we could never have afforded it. Now we have the communications we need to feel confident about our ability to protect our people, physically and mentally, from any flood events in the future.”

NFPs and local organisations can apply for up to $10,000

FRRR and Telstra are inviting applications for funding through Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program to provide access to information, technology, education and facilities to strengthen social capital and digital capability.

The program aims to boost support for communities across remote, rural and regional Australia to build resilience, improve environmental sustainability and enhance liveability through the power of connection.

In the second round of this program, there is $200,000 available through grants of up to $10,000 to community-led organisations.

The program aims to foster:

1. Liveable communities that have digital capability and help to equip individuals with the skills to live, learn and work in a digital society;
2. Sustainable communities that are diverse and inclusive, planning for the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of their people and the planet; and
3. Resilient communities that are well prepared and socially connected when disaster strikes, with the ability to renew and recover together.

Loretta Willaton, Regional Australia Executive and Regional Customer Advocate at Telstra said that last year’s projects are connecting communities and helping them thrive in a range of ways, both online and offline.

“We’re proud to have been able to enhance community connectedness through last year’s grants, with projects as diverse as upgrading Wi-Fi connectivity, new digital equipment, upskilling volunteers and community members in cyber security, social media and using new systems to support their organisations.

“This year, we look forward to supporting more grassroots groups as they do their important work and keep their communities connected,” Ms Willaton said.

Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, said that programs like this one help to create more equitable access to the services and support many in urban areas take for granted.

“While there have been improvements, there is still a significant digital divide for remote, rural and regional not-for-profit organisations, particularly when it comes to accessing digital resources and the opportunity to improve knowledge and skills to harness technology to maintain and create connections.

“This partnership with Telstra means that more community groups can find local solutions to these complex problems, thereby creating more sustainable places to live, work and play.

“I look forward to reading this year’s funding requests,” Ms Egleton said.

Applications close at 5pm AEDT on Wednesday, 27 March. Successful grants will be announced in June 2024 and applicants will have 12 months to complete the funded projects.

Potential applicants are encouraged to register for an online Grantseeker Webinar at 12pm AEDT, Tuesday 5 March to learn more about the program and useful tips for applying.

FRRR has awarded $213,343 via Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program to 30 local groups and not-for-profits (NFPs) across remote, rural and regional Australia for projects embracing technology to foster the resilience, environmental sustainability and liveability of their communities.

This is the first round of Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program, which is the core of its new partnership with FRRR (announced February 2023).  The focus of the program is on fostering a resilient community, a more sustainable community or a more liveable community.

Awarded grants range from $1,849, which will be used to provide the Victorian community of Strathbogie with access to free Wi-Fi at the local hall, through to $10,000, for projects such as Collinsville Connect Telecentre Group’s cyber security workshop for older members of their Queensland community.

Loretta Willaton, Regional Australia Executive and Regional Customer Advocate at Telstra, said the program’s impacts go beyond simply supplying internet or technology.

“We’re really excited to see this program beginning to come to fruition and to see funding going to rural communities that have been doing it really tough the last few years.

“This round of grants has highlighted the ways in which digital connectivity goes hand-in-hand with social and cultural connectivity. How these factors complement one another has a strong impact on the liveability of a community, so it makes sense that a majority of funded projects are designed to equip locals with the skills to live, learn and work in a digital society.

“That’s what this program is all about – keeping people connected in the most important sense of the word,” Ms Willaton said.

This round saw most projects fall into the liveability category, with a range of initiatives being funded like the provision of Wi-Fi connectivity, new digital equipment, the training of volunteers and community members to build their digital knowledge, be it for cyber security, social media or simply navigating new computing hardware and software that would contribute to better operations of community events and organisations.

Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, said that there was a lot of interest in the program, with the Foundation receiving many applications for high quality projects.

“Keeping rural communities connected has never been more important, which was reflected by the strong response we received from communities all over remote, rural and regional Australia.

“Community organisations and local not-for-profits (NFPs) in rural communities are clearly keen to make sure locals have the equipment and the knowledge they need to engage in activities that are often taken for granted in metro areas. That might be spreading important information quickly, increasing opportunities for education or providing access to the electronic resources that become vital in emergency situations.

“With so many impressive initiatives on the table, we are grateful that Telstra increased its commitment this year to more than $213,000. There are so many different ways to keep a community connected, and more importantly, a lot of positive outcomes that can be achieved and we look forward to seeing these ideas come to life,” Ms Egleton said.

Some other examples of the projects being funded are below:

A full list of grant recipients is detailed below.

Community groups and NFPs can apply for up to $10,000

FRRR has announced the opening of the first round of Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program.

The aim of the program is to boost remote, rural and regional communities resilience, environmental sustainability and liveability.

Telstra has committed to funding this grant program until 2025. The annual commitment of $200,000 will make grants up to $10,000 available for not-for-profit community organisations that provide access to information, technology, education and facilities for the purpose of building both social capital and digital capability.

The new program has three goals. To foster:

• Resilient communities that are well prepared and socially connected when disaster strikes with the ability to renew and recover together;
• Sustainable communities that are diverse and inclusive, planning for the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of their people and the planet; and
• Liveable communities that have digital capability and help to equip individuals with the skills to live, learn and work in a digital society.

Loretta Willaton, Regional Australia Executive and Regional Customer Advocate at Telstra said the program is all about keeping people connected in a range of ways, both online and offline.

“At Telstra, we know how important it is to keep people connected. The last few years in particular have shown everyone the importance of connectedness within our communities. Rural and regional Australia has been doing it particularly tough in recent years and so we wanted to do our part in helping the country to rebuild.

“Obviously one of the best ways to keep people connected is through technology and digital equipment but we know access, understanding and management of these tools can be a barrier. We’ve designed this program to create opportunities for a wide range of projects to address these barriers such as a local event, an educational workshop or not for profit organisations embracing new technology or managing cyber security. We are open to support any kind of initiative that gives people better access to information that will enable a stronger social network, safer online interactions, or access to information for disaster preparedness or environmental sustainability,” Ms Willaton said.

FRRR’s Acting CEO, Sarah Matthee, said that programs like these, help people to maintain their connection to their community and play a key role in many different aspects of life in remote, rural and regional Australia.

“We’re excited to launch the first round of this new program in partnership with Telstra. Our Heartbeat study highlighted a significant digital divide for remote, rural and regional not-for-profit organisations, particularly when it comes to accessing digital resources and the opportunity to improve knowledge and skills to harness technology to maintain and create connections. We know that these connections are so important in strengthening each community’s ability to withstand future disruptions and maximise sustainability and liveability.

“We’re looking forward to applications from community groups that are facilitating local events and community programs that support local communities learning and adapting to change – be it accessing information for disaster preparedness or better environmental practices, implementing better e-waste solutions, boosting cyber-security, and much more” Ms Matthee said.

Applications close Thursday, 30 March 2023 at 5pm AEDT. For more information and the guidelines, visit https://frrr.org.au/telstra-connected-communities-program/.

Potential applicants are encouraged to sign up for an online Grantseeker Webinar for more information about the program and useful tips for applying at 12pm AEDT, Monday 6 March.

FRRR today welcomed a new $600,000 partnership with Telstra, which will see a new grant program launch in March 2023.

Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program will boost support for NFPs and communities across remote, rural and regional Australia to improve resilience, environmental sustainability and liveability through the power of connection.

The program will offer grants up to $10,000 for not-for-profit community organisations that are providing access to information, technology, education and facilities to support their communities to embrace new technologies and ways of working to build social capital and digital capability.

FRRR’s Acting CEO, Sarah Matthee, said that this is a wonderful new partnership that will help address one of the biggest gaps identified in FRRR’s Heartbeat of Rural Australia study in 2021.

“The Heartbeat study really highlighted a significant digital divide for remote, rural and regional not-for-profit organisations, particularly when it comes to capacity to access digital resources and the opportunity to improve knowledge and skills to harness technology to maintain and create connections. But we also know that connections are so important in building resilient communities, as well as sustainable communities. So this contribution from Telstra is very welcome, as it will help to address some of those challenges and harness many of the opportunities in country Australia. We very much look forward to launching the program next month,” Ms Matthee said.

Read Telstra’s full announcement or learn more on Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program page.