Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
In partnership with the Sally Foundation and the ABC, FRRR has awarded $33,350 in grants to eight youth-led community projects in remote, rural and regional Australia as part of the Trailblazers program. The young people have partnered with local community organisations to receive the grants.

Through a Giving Sub-Fund, the Sally Foundation partners with FRRR to ensure that funding reaches groups and young people in all corners of the country. The priority of this fund is to invest in young regional leaders to build their leadership skills, and their capacity to make a difference in their communities. To achieve this, FRRR leverages our networks across rural and regional communities, draws on our expertise and systems to administer grant rounds, and provides skill development through workshops and direct one-on-one support around project development, grant writing, and understanding eligibility criteria.
Geraldine Roche of the Sally Foundation said, “The overall aim is to boost the skills of these emerging leaders to take on future funding opportunities with confidence and experience behind them.”
This year, Trailblazers attended the annual ABC Heywire Regional Youth Summit, where they received leadership and communications training and presented their projects on ABC radio and at Parliament House. Trailblazers from the 2022 and 2023 cohorts were then invited to apply for grants, funded through the Sally Foundation’s Trailblazers Development Fund, to help them bring their project ideas to life, or to help take their existing projects to the next level.
Joanna Kemp, FRRR’s Philanthropic Services Manager, said that young people are an integral part of of the process.
“There were three Trailblazer alumni on the Advisory Panel for this round of funding, and two of them had previously received grants through this fund, so their input is invaluable. They were able to draw on their Trailblazer experience and bring a youth-focused perspective to the process. Not only that, but they can speak from the perspective of being young people who live in regional areas.
“I’m always inspired by their curiosity and thoughtfulness about each application. They include constructive feedback for the applicants to help them continue building their grant writing skills for future funding opportunities. Equally, their experience on the panel is a great opportunity for them to learn about the grant process from a funding perspective, which broadens their view of the whole cycle,” Ms Kemp said
In this round, we saw some recurring themes. It’s clear that young people are eager to grow awareness around disability, environment and social inclusion. They are also wanting more access STEM activities that are delivered in a fun and engaging way. Two of the grantees this year were also successful in the 2022 round and their new projects continue to build on their activities, this time in a collaboration that will see them visiting schools in remote and rural Queensland towns and bringing their hands on programs to raise awareness and exposure to STEM learning and aviation pathways.
Receiving a grant through the program can help to build confidence for these young people to continue their leadership journey and be a springboard to further funding opportunities. You can see the full list of grant recipients below.
Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QUEENSLAND | ||||||
Now I Can Run Inc | Racerunner's Take Over Aus Grow awareness and participation of people living with disabilities to participate in physical activity through a coaching course and training activities. | Various locations | $4,950 | |||
RoboCoast Sunshine Coast Robotics Association | Red Dirt Robotics Increase access to STEM learning and activities for children in remote and regional Queensland through transport costs and repairs for touring education program. | Various locations | $4,237 | |||
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Queensland Section) Limited | Trailblazer Tour - Aviatrix Australia x Red Dirt Robotics 3 month QLD Tour Improve awareness and exposure to STEM learning and aviation pathways for children in remote and regional Queensland communities through an outback educational tour of schools. | Various locations | $6,907 | |||
TASMANIA | ||||||
Now I Can Run Inc | Fighting Island State Tasmania (FIST) Improve social connections, reduce isolation and grow a connected community for people interested in Esports through the first Tasmanian Esports major competition. | Launceston | $2,000 | |||
Self Help Workshop Inc | Project Vulcan - A Play by Disabled Artists about Climate Action and Disability Rights! Raise awareness about climate change, disability and inclusiveness through a touring theatre production across Tasmania and Victoria featuring actors with disabilities. | Launceston | $6,660 | |||
VICTORIA | ||||||
Gnarly Neighbours | Gnarly STEM Increase access to STEM based activities for youth in Seymour, Victoria, through purchase of IT equipment to expand activities at local youth centre. | Seymour | $5,096 | |||
Lake Boga Waterski Club | Lake Boga Bank 2 Bank Improve social connections, health and wellbeing of young people and the wider community in the Swan Hill area through an annual community event at Lake Boga, Victoria. | Lake Boga | $2,000 | |||
WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
Forrest Personnel Ltd | Wings Without Barriers Raise awareness and acceptance of autism across remote, rural and regional communities through a solo light plane tour around Australia by Hayden McDonald visiting communities to share information about living and thriving with autism. | Various locations | $1,500 |
In partnership with the Sally Foundation and ABC, FRRR is awarding grants to support six young leaders who are working on projects that respond to challenges, issues and opportunities in remote, rural and regional Australia. The young people have partnered with local community organisations to receive the grants.
Through a Giving Sub Fund, the Sally Foundation partners with FRRR to ensure that funding reaches groups that they could not normally fund, usually due to their tax or organisational status.

This is the third round of this program, which builds on ABC’s Trailblazer program, which in turn builds on the Heywire program. This round was designed to help Trailblazers from 2021 or 2022 develop their leadership skills and their capacity to make a difference in their communities.
Co-founder of The Sally Foundation, Geraldine Roche, said “In establishing the Trailblazer Development Fund, Mike and I have sought to provide assistance at a key point in these community leaders journey to further their projects.”
FRRR’s Philanthropic Services Manager, Jo Kemp, said that the partnership between Sally Foundation, ABC and FRRR to offer this program is an exciting way to build the skills of young people.
“These six grants will help these Trailblazers grow momentum for their ideas, get runs on the board and then be in a position to leverage their experience for future funding opportunities.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the young people who have developed their projects through the ABC Heywire program to shape them into a ‘funding-ready’ application. A huge asset to the program is having Trailblazer alumni participate on the grant Advisory Panel, providing unique insights, curiosity and constructive feedback to the applicants.
“This year’s successful applicants tackled a range of issues, including access to STEM learning for children in remote communities, increasing wildlife rescue volunteers on the Limestone coast and raising awareness of children living with chronic illnesses in rural and regional NSW. The diversity of projects and people supported is a wonderful example of the range of issues that are driving young leaders in rural and regional communities across Australia,” Ms Kemp said.
Read the full list of projects supported below.
Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
Hunter Business Centre | Jack’s Digital Outreach: The Giggle and Learn Program Grow community awareness and involvement of children living with chronic illness in regional areas through the creation of fun and engaging media content and educational resources. | Newcastle | $6,330 | |||
NORTHERN TERRITORY | ||||||
Melaleuca Refugee Centre Torture & Trauma Survivor's Service of the Northern Territory Inc | Cornucopia Build the capacity of Trailblazer participant to deliver an art and storytelling project profiling rural and regional migrants and refugees in the Northern Territory through the purchase of software, office supplies, and furniture. | Darwin | $5,330 | |||
QUEENSLAND | ||||||
RoboCoast Sunshine Coast Robotics Association | Red Dirt Robotics Increase access to STEM learning, including robotics and coding, for regional and remote children by building the operational capacity of Red Dirt Robotics. | Sunshine Coast | $4,335 | |||
Rotary Club of Sunnybank Hills Inc | Skating Towards Inclusion Boost community awareness and accessibility for people with disabilities to participate in a wider range of activities through Wheel Chair Moto Cross skate park demonstrations events and workshops in regional towns and cities. | Sunnybank Hills | $4,340 | |||
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Queensland Section) Limited | Aviatrix Australia Increase awareness of aviation career pathways for students in rural communities, particularly girls, through an educational podcast series and school visitation program. | Townsville | $4,335 | |||
SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
South East Animal Welfare League of South Australia Inc | Rescuing the Rescuers Increase availability of wildlife rescue services across the Limestone Coast in SA through delivery of training, supplies and equipment, and essential health vaccines for volunteers. | Mount Gambier | $5,330 |

The Sally Foundation Trailblazers Development Fund has awarded grants totalling $26,650 to support six youth-led initiatives that address the needs of remote, rural and regional communities in Australia.
Trailblazers are invited to apply for funds to help them to take their project ideas to the next level, or for personal development opportunities to build their skills and networks and boost their capacity to strengthen their community.
Joanna Kemp, FRRR’s Philanthropic Services Manager, said:
“The Trailblazers program builds the capacity of young people that have come through the ABC Heywire program by activating their ideas and vision for a vital and vibrant remote, rural and regional Australia.
“As an initiative of the Sally Foundation, and supported by the ABC, the Trailblazers program has shown to be an important stepping stone for the young people involved to achieve and exceed their goals within their communities, it’s a great opportunity for them to gain confidence in applying for and delivering a grant,” Ms Kemp said.
Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation | Saltwater Sistas Levelling Up Build capacity of Trailblazer participant to promote marine conservation among Indigenous girls and women through support to develop skills in ocean photography to share via social media channels. | Coffs Harbour / Lady Elliot Island | $5,000 | |||
QUEENSLAND | ||||||
Cunnamulla & District Show Society Incorporated | Focus on Female Ruralpreneurs Build the capacity of Trailblazer participant to support rural and regional women in business by attending a certificate course in Training & Assessment and delivering a podcast and webinar program. | Cunnamulla | $4,535 | |||
Rotary Club of Sunnybank Hills Inc | WCMX & Adaptive Skate Increase community awareness and accessibility for people with disabilities across Australia to participate in wheelchair motocross and build mobility skills through development of demonstration wheelchairs for adults and children. | Holmview | $5,000 | |||
SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
The South East Junction, Mental Health Activity and Resource Centre | Everyone has a Role to Play Grow awareness and education of mental health issues in the Limestone Coast region through the delivery of two community Mental Health First Aid programs. | Mount Gambier | $4,400 | |||
VICTORIA | ||||||
Mindfull Aus Ltd | Changing the Narrative - In Motion Boost education and awareness of mental and wellness in rural and regional communities through a series of video interviews featuring Gippsland residents. | Warragul | $4,115 | |||
Right Mate Incorporated | Sober Mates is Changing the Way Australians Socialise! Grow community awareness about how alcohol use can affect mental health and wellbeing in rural and regional communities and create opportunities for young people to socialise at alcohol free events. | Geelong | $3,600 |
Outstanding young leaders who are creating positive change in regional Australia are chosen annually to attend the Heywire Summit. These ‘Trailblazers’ are a new generation of change-makers busy making regional Australia a better place, tackling issues from climate change to period inequality. The Sally Foundation and ABC recently partnered with FRRR to support these emerging leaders to build their leadership skills, and their capacity to make a difference in their communities.
The Sally Foundation Trailblazers Development Fund awarded seven grants totalling $20,000. One of the recipients was E-raced Inc in Mt Gambier, who is using their $2,000 grant to deliver cultural awareness programs in rural SA and Victorian schools.
E-raced fights racism through storytelling. The organisation has a team of storytellers who share their experiences as refugees or migrants with students at schools, breaking the stigma around refugees and migrants.
The Trailblazers Development Fund grant allowed E-raced to purchase the equipment they needed for their organisation to grow, including a printer, camera and children screenings and police checks for each E-raced Mount Gambier team member.
“This grant is very appreciated and lifts the weight off our team”, E-raced branch manager Chanceline Kakule said.
Partner Organisation |
Project Name |
Location |
Awarded |
---|---|---|---|
Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation |
Deadly Science Improve educational outcomes and nutrition among young people, and increase food security in three remote Indigenous communities through the installation of greenhouses. |
Robinson River NT |
$4,000 |
Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation |
Autism Our Way – No Shame in Sharing PODCAST Build awareness of autism and support for Indigenous communities in managing autism through a podcast on Autism and Cultural Safety. |
Cardiff NSW |
$2,000 |
Mindfull Aus Ltd. |
Digitally Mindful Improve education and awareness of mental health and wellness in rural and regional communities through a series of online interviews. |
Gippsland VIC |
$2,131 |
North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources Incorporated |
Pallinup River Monitoring – Connecting our Community and Culture to Science Improve water quality in the Pallinup River through a river monitoring and community education program. |
Gnowangerup WA |
$2,180 |
E-Raced Incorporated |
Erasing racism one story at a time Build capacity of E-Raced to deliver cultural awareness programs in rural SA and Victorian schools through the purchase of technology equipment and contribution to travel expenses. |
Mount Gambier SA |
$2,000 |
Woomelang & District Development Association |
Look at these Endangered Species of Mallee Improve town amenity and build community pride in Woomelang, Victoria, through installation of lighting and signage for a local mural art project depicting endangered animal species. |
Woomelang VIC |
$3,689 |
Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation |
Systems Check Improve organisational capacity of Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good to provide support to Indigenous young people through finalisation of their Human Service Quality Framework. |
Cairns QLD |
$4,000 |