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

“Well done for being so helpful even for the most wackiest of ideas that looked crazy on paper and took six years to come to fruition. Thank you for believing in us.”

Rachel Walmsley, Landcare Coordinator

FRRR funding supported us to help build a 10.75m high sculpture of two Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos in Moora. Now six years in the planning, it is finally being built and will be unveiled in the winter of 2025.

The aim of the sculpture in Moora is to attract more tourists, which will stimulate economic growth both locally and in the regional community. This project is a partnership project between the Kerkhoff Carnaby Group Inc (KCG), Moore Catchment Council and Shire of Moora.

Building the BIG Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo sculpture will:

• Increase the overall number of tourists visiting and extending the tourism season to 12 months rather than the traditional winter / early spring tourist season;
• Put Moora on the ‘Australian Big Things’ map as a ‘must see’ destination for all tourists (both Australian and international);
• Make Moora an eco-tourism destination with tourists being immersed in the ‘Natural Wheatbelt Experience’, including learning about and exploring Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos and WA’s best natural assets i.e. natural bushland walk trails and wildflowers; and
• Highlight Moora as an important place for Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo ecological conservation in WA.

This $60,000 grant was the trigger that helped start the donations rolling in right at the beginning when nobody believed in the project. We have since raised nearly $500,000 towards building the sculpture (which includes 76% private community funds).

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.”

Located in the Indian Ocean, far off the WA coast, Christmas Island is known for its diversity of wildlife, coral reefs and cultures. With an ageing population, predominantly made up of Australians with Chinese or Malay heritage, many elderly residents live alone or with primary carers who work away from home. Limited access to public transport means that this demographic has become isolated and lonely – a feeling compounded in the last few years by the confusing and upsetting COVID restrictions.

The Shire of Christmas Island, in collaboration with Indian Ocean Territories Health Services, is the only organisation offering valuable programs to support the wellbeing of the island’s senior community.

These programs include the Stay on Your Feet program on Friday night’s, an initiative by the Australian Health Department designed to help seniors maintain balance and confidence through activities like Tai Chi, dance and aerobic exercises.

A respite program at the Senior Citizens Centre is another avenue for providing engagement activities such as games, arts, crafts and music to foster social interaction and mental stimulation.

In 2022, The Shire received an $8,979 Strengthening Rural Communities grant through the Rebuilding Regional Communities stream, which funded by the Australian Government to support COVID recovery, to enhance and expand their programs and activities on offer to the community.

The respite sessions at the Senior Citizens Centre are now more vibrant than ever, with new arts and craft materials bringing creative activities like clay moulding, painting and crafting to life. A newly installed arcade table featuring 60 classic games adds a fun, social element while also helping to sharpen cognitive skills.

Meanwhile, the Stay on Your Feet program has been revitalised with fresh exercise equipment, including exerciser steps and pool noodles, which replace the worn-out gear and add variety to workout options. Grant funds also went towards the development of bright new program t-shirts, giving participants a sense of belonging and appreciation for their group and wider community.

Challenges are always involved when delivering an initiative in a very remote location such as Christmas Island, particularly when it comes to the cost of freight and couriers to deliver new products. The Shire reported that every purchase was made with careful deliberation, ensuring the most value was attained from the grant.

It is clear that the senior community on Christmas Island looks forward to the Shire’s activities every single week. With their new and exciting additions, The Shire continues to create enriching and inclusive programs that support seniors in staying active, connected and inspired.

Disaster Resilience & Recovery Fund | $22,500

Kalbarri in WA was severely impacted by Cyclone Seroja in April 2021, including losing the Kalbarri Community Centre, an important gathering place, especially for young people. With locals still focussed on their recovery, there had not been the opportunity – nor the funds – to rebuild it. Without a venue, the town also hadn’t come together to celebrate the efforts of those who had been working hard to support the community’s recovery.

The Association decided to rectify that and also start fundraising to rebuild their meeting place by hosting a ‘classy, fun’ inaugural annual Community Gala. Using funds from DRRF, Kalbarri Development Association Inc. secured a marquee, erected and cleaned it with the help of many volunteers and staged a sold-out event. The Gala strengthened connections, thanked volunteers who helped rebuild and celebrated the community’s resilience. They also raised more than $20,000 to go toward a new community meeting place.

In this context, community events following the Cyclone in Kalbarri go well beyond a simple social occasion. Instead they help to build vibrant and healthy community life through times of adversity, which pays dividends in deepened social connection and inclusion, both before and long after the event occurs.

“Our inaugural Community Gala was the talk of the town. Not just for the weeks after, but also in anticipation of it. Planning what to wear, makeup, hair dos and the like, created a sense of joy and anticipation. Businesses benefitted with the sale of clothes and accessories, hair dressing and make up appointments. … people who went said “this is just what we all needed!”
Lauren Sweetman

The Broome Community Resource Centre (CRC) has been supporting the local community since 1991. As part of their mission, they aim to provide high quality, modern and up-to-date technology for use by all members of the community, with friendly staff on hand to help with anything people are unsure of how to do themselves.

However, the CRC’s technology and equipment was becoming dated and obsolete, and would soon be no longer fit-for-purpose. The CRC set in place an asset replacement plan to phase out the old computers and replace them with new technology to meet the community’s needs and expectations.

They received a $10,000 Telstra Connected Communities grant from FRRR that went towards purchasing ten new PCs. Funding from other sources enabled the CRC to also upgrade their video-conferencing equipment and peripherals for use with the new Windows 11 machines.

Franky O’Connor, who coordinated the grant on behalf of the Broome CRC said that it seemed like the replacement of the old PCs was just in time!

“In the lead up to the project, we were starting to find them lacking in speed and performance and even receive negative comments about them. The new PCs are much more fit for purpose and will serve our needs for several years to come. We have had a very positive response from our customers, and the new equipment makes our work much easier.

“We were thrilled to receive this grant from FRRR with Telstra’s Connected Communities. Our project was essential to our ongoing services, and with the grant funding from FRRR, as well as the other programs involved, we were able to complete the full project and upgrade our Centre without compromising on equipment specifications in any way. That is so gratifying and ensures our technology platform will serve us and the community well for quite some years.”

Locals can now access the new technology for social, educational and economic purposes, and the computer training courses and workshops that the CRC runs for community members are now using the latest and current operating systems and software.

In 2013, a group of like-minded and passionate home economics teachers in Western Australia got together to create an organisation focused on training and assisting young people to develop career pathways in the education, food and hospitality industries.

The group, called Live To Tell Your Story Inc (LTTYS), runs an annual program called Prepare Produce Provide Djinda Ngardak. This culinary program first launched in 2017 and offers First Nations youth (aged 15-17 years) the opportunity to attend a life-changing, week-long camp that shines a light on First Nations culture and connection to land and food. Attendees from across WA are trained and mentored by some of WA’s top chefs. The program celebrates culture, food and storytelling, as well as developing skills primarily linked to employment pathways.

LTTYS received a $10,000 Strengthening Rural Communities Grant to assist in delivering a revised version of Djinda Ngardak alongside the 2023 Desert Dust Up. This annual event brings together eight schools from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia for three days of activities.

The theme for the program was “Let’s Power-up for Dust Up”. In adapting to the requirements of Desert Dust Up, LTTYS worked closely with the Ngaanyatjarra Lands Schools leadership team, staff and cultural leaders to prepare nutritional meals, access local food sources and create a culturally responsive ‘food skills’ development program to complement both the social and educative aims of Desert Dust Up. The model combines traditional cooking practices with contemporary recipes and styles.

Over 17 days, the Prepare Produce Provide Djinda Ngardak team delivered workshops at seven campuses across Ngganyatjarra lands. Students and staff were active participants and there was a noticeable increase in school attendance as their trip progressed. The workshops were guided by Indigenous Elders and chefs using gathered bush ingredients and provided an insight into ancestral culinary heritage. Evening sessions were also held to support and educate teachers in the delivery of food-related workshops that they could incorporate in their classroom teaching. Additional community members, including police, nurses, Elders and rangers, also participated in the delivery of the workshops.

In addition to teaching the basics of food hygiene and nutrition, and being mentored by industry professionals, the culinary workshops delivered a range of other soft, transferrable skills, as well as sharing and exchanging cultural knowledge, skills and traditional practices, storytelling and enhancing culinary skills.

The program culminated in the delivery of healthy lunchboxes for participants at the 2023 Dust Up. Across the three days of events, more than 4,000 pieces of food were cooked and served to over 350 guests in the local and wider communities. The meals reflected learnings and the work achieved from the workshops on the Lands.

While the 2023 Djinda Ngardak Dust Up program was deemed an outstanding success, it certainly wasn’t without its challenges such as shifting timelines, changing numbers for catering and food supplies either missing or simply not available.

Catherine MacDougall, founder of LTTYS, said that the support from FRRR has provided an opportunity to build networks with additional community members that will be called upon for 2024 Dust Up.

“Relationships are key to the sustainability and growth of the program. FRRR has provided support funds to enhance the Dust Up program, originally developed to address the large issue of food insecurity in remote regions of Western Australia. Dust Up is now a significant program for the LTTYS organisation. It reflects the passion and dedication of our team.”

Morawa, a small town in Western Australia’s wheatbelt, lacks recreational and social opportunities for families with young children. With no cafes, the Morawa Playgroup, run for the last 40+ years, by mums (and the odd dad) serves as the primary gathering space for parents and caregivers seeking connection and support. However, Morawa Playgroup’s outdoor area was uninspiring, with a dying lawn and hard claypan soil.

Recognising the need for a vibrant outdoor space, the mums of Morawa Playgroup embarked on a project to transform their drab outdoor area into a nature playground. Collaborating with a local landscape designer, they developed a comprehensive plan to:

• Remove the old, inefficient irrigation system and replace it with a waterwise garden;
• Create a nature play space featuring sensory boxes, timber bridges, and a creek bed;
• Install shade sails to provide relief from the scorching sun and enhance the usability of the outdoor area;
• Establish seating areas for parents to connect and support each other while their children play.

The project unfolded over three years and received a boost from an FRRR grant of $9737, funded by Raine & Horne Foundation.

The completion of the project in September 2023 marked a significant milestone for Morawa Playgroup and the broader community. It’s now the only nature play space in the Shire, which spans 190km2, offering children and parents a welcoming and engaging environment. The shaded, waterwise garden has transformed the outdoor area, allowing children to play outdoors year-round and fostering a sense of connection among families.

Beyond the immediate benefits to the playgroup, the project’s impact extended to Morawa District High School, where reduced water bills freed up funds for educational resources. The positive effects of green spaces on mental wellbeing were evident at the opening of the new play space, signalling a brighter future for the community.

Despite the challenges of being a small, low socio-economic town, the project demonstrates the power of grassroots initiatives to improve quality of life. Morawa Playgroup’s success serves as a testament to the community’s resilience and determination to create a better future for its children and families.

Thanks to a $8,904 SRC grant supported by the Sidney Myer Fund, Telethon Speech & Hearing Inc was able purchase cutting edge screening technology to streamline its early detection and surveillance of hearing loss at early childhood centres and primary schools across the Pilbara, Kimberley and Wheatbelt regions of WA. Many children in these regions are at risk of developing chronic ear health conditions, which impact all facets of their life including social, behavioural and academic performance, if not addressed early.

The HearX apps and four digital devices have enabled screening and clinical hearing tests to be undertaken in a faster, more reliable way. The software supersedes traditional devices, so that ear screenings can be conducted with a tablet. This was particularly important for Telethon when its regular ear health clinics had to be cancelled due to COVID and a major flood in Onslow. Fortunately, Telethon’s locally based team was able to upskill early years educators, teachers and nurses to undertake the screenings and Telethon’s audiologists could then analyse data and generate reports remotely.

“We have since integrated a tele-health component into our audiology service offerings, allowing our locally based teams to screen children and liaise with our Perth audiology team in real time. This has allowed us to diversify our service delivery modalities, ensuring more frequent hearing supports than would otherwise be on offer pre-COVID.”

The Fremantle Foundation was established in 2010, and seeks to create a thriving community through local giving and to address critical community needs by providing inspiring ways for people to give. They partnered with FRRR in 2020 through a Community Foundation Account, allowing them to support a wider range of community organisations conducting charitable activities in rural and regional WA, particularly those without their own DGR status – which is the majority of community organisations in regional and remote areas.

In FY23, for the second year in a row, the Foundation distributed grants exceeding $1 million across 62 grants, creating impact in the local Fremantle community, the broader metropolitan area, regional and remote WA, as well as in other parts of Australia.

While most of their donors focus on metropolitan areas, the FRRR Community Foundation Account specifically allows the Fremantle Foundation to support more projects in regional communities.

For example, the Northhampton community, located around five hours north of Fremantle, was badly affected by Cyclone Seroja in April 2021. A group of ex and current AFL footballers, all from around Northampton, set up a fund with Fremantle Foundation to support rebuilding in the township and the surrounding region.

Two projects that have been completed to date include the refurbishment of the Olgilvie Hall and construction of a remembrance garden at St Mary’s School. The garden includes new paving, bench seating and a selection of plants, including the much-loved rose garden. In addition, signage has been installed for visitors to gather and learn about the parish and impact of Cyclone Seroja.

The Fremantle Foundation is also using their FRRR Community Foundation Account to ensure donated funds support the launch of the Peel Community Fund.The Fund was established in 2019 by members of the Peel community, with the aim of creating their own Community Foundation in the region. Thanks to their FRRR Account, Fremantle Foundation was able to award them a grant to support the development of critical infrastructure, including a website, communication and marketing plan, marketing materials, operational structure, committee governance and membership / giving structures.

In another example of their ability to inspire local giving, The Esperance Ag Fund was established in 2021 by the local agricultural sector in partnership with Fremantle Foundation, with the sole purpose of making a difference within the Esperance community. Collectively, the farming community, which is about 700 km from Fremantle, provides support to the wider Esperance region by funding projects that make a positive impact. They’ve recently awarded a grant to the Recherche Aged Welfare Committee for the installation of a reticulation system at the Alchera Aged Care Housing property.

Pauline Eves from Fremantle Foundation said they are most grateful for the assistance provided by FRRR to enable grants like these to happen.

The Tom Price Community Garden is, by their own definition, a place to nurture community spirit, build friendships and access fresh nutritious foods that are difficult to source in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia. They do this by hosting working bees, workshops and events, which involve locals and ‘out-of-towners’ sharing the joy of gardening and its indirect benefit on individuals’ mental and physical health.

Thanks to a Nutrien Ag Solutions $5,000 grant, awarded in 2022 this grassroots community organisation improved their ability to provide fresh food, in particular native foods, to the community and strengthened local connections by constructing a ‘Bush Tucker’ garden.

The grant was used to purchase materials for garden beds and irrigation, as well as indigenous plants. With the help of many people from different backgrounds and ages, the organisation transformed a bare, neglected piece of land into a new, relaxing tranquil garden space. Their focus on creating a ‘Bush Tucker’ space has allowed collaboration with local indigenous groups to select native food plants that thrive in the area. This collaboration not only helped volunteers connect with local First Nations people but also increased their knowledge about identifying and using indigenous foods for both nutrition and medicinal purposes. 

Tania, the President of the Tom Price Community Garden Inc, wrote in their final report that it’s only when this knowledge is shared, the benefits of bush foods are passed to new generations.  

“In the short term, we have used this project to educate and teach participants concepts such as regenerating soil from composting and utilising plants local to the area, however the opportunities are endless.”

Another advantage of the ‘Bush Tucker’ garden is that it has provided a space for the Rangers 4 Life group, a group of young indigenous children, to utilise the garden for learning and engaging in activities in nature. There are also plans in place for the Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation to be permanent users of the space as a skill building and social program for their members.

As the garden blossoms and start producing, the community connection is also growing as this community organisation hoped. At the Grand Opening of the site, members had a chance to reflect on the involvement of so many people along the way, including children who were wanting to know more about the different plants.