More than $580,000 in grants to strengthen bushfire recovery

Black Summer Bushfire Recovery: 19 January 2021

34 recovery projects funded across Australia

Thirty-four projects set to seed and strengthen the recovery of communities affected by the 2019-20 bushfires are sharing in $589,945 in grants, thanks to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.

The 34 grants are supported through a special stream of bushfire recovery funding via the SRC program. In total, more than 100 projects in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia were awarded $1,112,492 in grants through this round of the program. A full list of all SRC grants can be found here.

The bushfire recovery projects will support impacted communities across Australia from Stanthorpe in Queensland, to Eden in New South Wales, Bairnsdale in Victoria, Cudlee Creek in South Australia, and Ngadju country in Western Australia.

The grants of up to $25,000 will be used for a broad range of inspiring recovery projects, led by local people, such as supporting Shoalhaven’s vulnerable community members by running support groups facilitated by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, or preparing the community of South Arm for future disaster events by purchasing amenities and safety equipment for the local hall.

Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s Acting CEO, said that communities have found diverse ways to build up their resilience and support one another.

“This round we have seen communities drawing on their strong community partnerships to find ways of helping to make their community a more resilient and connected place,” Ms Matthee said.

“Communities have also shown us how much they value the vital contributions made by volunteers. We have funded several projects that support and recognise these people, and help tackle the fatigue they feel, especially in light of this year’s challenges.

“For bushfire-affected communities, COVID-19 has not lessened their determination to keep on recovering, despite the pandemic resulting in gatherings and events, which would have helped people connect and rebuild, being postponed or cancelled. Local leaders have put forward great ideas that are sure to help lift community spirits.

“Regardless of where these communities are at, the SRC program is flexible enough to fund projects that will help communities to seed and strengthen, adapt and evolve, and innovate and renew,” Ms Matthee explained.

Some of the 34 projects awarded via the bushfire recovery stream include:

  • Pambula Business Chamber Incorporated, NSW – Pambula Art Project – $25,000 – Increase visitation to the region and highlight local history and culture, through development and installation of a series of artworks across the Pambula township.
  • Pomona & District Community House Inc, QLD – Pomona Youth Resilience and Well-being Project – $18,891 – Increase access, support and resources for local youth in Pomona by delivering a facilitated, structured community-based youth program.
  • Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market Inc, SA – Kingscote Farmers and Artisans Market – The Backyard – $24,640 – Increase access to local produce and the social and economic recovery of Kangaroo Island by employing a part-time project manager to help reopen the Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market and develop a pop-up activity space.
  • Koala Island Foundation Inc, VIC – A Sustainable Future Together – $3,400 – Conserve native habitat and increase volunteer support, through the development of a tourist attraction.
  • Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation, WA – Rebuilding Community Through Clearing Tracks for Management of Fire (Kala) in Ngadju Country $25,000 – Increase fire preparedness in the Great Western Woodlands and maintain cultural sites of significance by clearing tracks to make access easier for cultural mosaic burns.

The SRC program is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors, which are listed on the Strengthening Rural Communities program page.

The next round of SRC grants will be announced March 2021. The current round is accepting applications until 23 February 2021.

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

Jump to: NSW | QLD | SA | VIC | WA

Organisation Project Location Grant
BUSHFIRE RECOVERY PROJECTS
NEW SOUTH WALES
Utungun Community Hall Section 355 Committee of Management
Nambucca Valley Council
Utungun Hall – Sitting Pretty and Moving Safely
Support Volunteer capacity through the purchase of chairs and equipment for Utungun Community Hall.
Utungun $4,020
Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network
Hawkesbury River County Council
Regenerating our Bushland after Fire, Hawkesbury
Increase local capacity to manage environmental recovery, through delivery of a series of workshops and events on topics such as weed management and erosion.
Bilpin $16,000
Community Foundation for Albury Wodonga Region Ltd Digital Storytelling
Celebrate and encourage local giving post-bushfire via a digital storytelling project.
Albury $10,000
Glenrac Incorporated Emergency Preparedness for Future Challenges – Glen Innes NSW
Increase support for recovering community, through delivery of wellbeing events and mental health first aid training.
Glen Innes $17,150
Marine Rescue Kioloa
Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW
Marine Rescue Base Facilities Upgrade
Increase local capacity to maintain volunteer marine rescue service base facility, though replacement of carpet.
Kioloa – Bawley Point $5,000
Eden Tourism Inc Relocation of Eden Visitor Information Centre
Increase amenity and function of new Eden Visitor Information Centre, through professional design and development of internal areas.
Eden $20,000
Hartley Vale Mount Blaxland Reserve Land Manager Ground Penetrating Radar Survey
Heal the community through the establishment of all burial sites located at the Hartley Vale Cemetery.
Hartley $16,016
Merimbula Big Game and Lakes Angling Club Inc. Replacement of Community Infrastructure – The Boating and Fishing Jetty at Spencer Park Merimbula Lake
Increase capacity to fundraise for replacement of local jetty, though support to complete development application and design planning.
Merimbula $14,850
South Arm Hall Committee of Management
Nambucca Valley Council
Making South Arm Hall Resilient, Welcoming and Aiding Recovery
Strengthen South Arm Hall’s resilience and preparedness for future disaster events through the purchase of safety and amenity items.
South Arm $25,000
Nimbin Community Centre Incorporated Walkways Together – from Jarjums to Elders
Support community resilience through replacement of covered walkways at Nimbin Community Centre
Nimbin $9,700
The Southern Highlands Foundation FireAid Bushfire Appeal/Covid-19 Appeal
Strengthen capacity of the Foundation to support their community post bushfire through the employment of an Executive Officer.
Balmoral $25,000
Bombala Pre School Inc Urban & Indigenous Agriculture Project
Increase local resilience and intergenerational connections, through construction of codesigned community space and permaculture skills.
Bombala $15,000
Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre Inc Play in Nature
Support early childhood development through the construction of a Natural Playground at Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre.
Evans Head $9,575
Salt Care Limited Salt Life
Support vulnerable cohorts across Shoalhaven via support groups facilitated by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.
Nowra/ Bomaderry $15,000
The Elands Community Health & First Aid Centre Incorporated Refurbishments for Community Centre
Increase comfort and capacity of Elands local meeting space, through installation of air conditioning and solar system with battery.
Elands $24,102
Ettrick Hall Committee Inc Ettrick Hall Bathroom Upgrade
Increase local capacity and disaster preparedness, through upgrading bathroom facilities at local hall to include a shower for emergency personal and displaced residents.
Ettrick $10,000
Do It For Batlow Weemala Hill Walking and Riding Trails – Batlow Lookout
Renew access to local walking trails that support health and wellbeing through employment of contractors to clear burnt trees and reinvigorate the area.
Batlow $25,000
Macdonald Valley Association Macdonald Valley Community – Book of Fires
Advance the recovery of the Macdonald Valley through the creation of a book which documents and celebrates community resilience.
St Albans $22,870
Pambula Business Chamber Incorporated Pambula Art Project
Increase visitation to the region and highlight local history and culture, through development and installation of a series of artworks across the Pambula township.
Pambula $25,000
QUEENSLAND
Artworks Granite Belt Inc. ArtWorks Station Cafe Upgrade
Increase capacity and enhance facilities at volunteer run Artworks Station Cafe, through upgrade of kitchen and outdoor eating area.
Stanthorpe $9,066
Pomona & District Community House Inc Pomona Youth Resilience and Well-being Project
Increase access to support and resources for local youth in Pomona, through delivery of a facilitated, structured community based youth program.
Pomona $18,891
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Parndana Progress Association – Walking Trail Sub-Committee
Parndana Progress Association
Parndana Fitness Trail – Outdoor Gym Station
Increase access to equipment that supports health and wellbeing, through installation of outdoor fitness equipment at Kangaroo Island West Lions Park.
Parndana $16,838
Kangaroo Island Yacht Club Inc Community Hub Upgrade to Support Community Resilience
Enhance community activities that support connectedness at the Kangaroo Island Yacht Club, through upgrade of aged kitchen facilities.
Kingscote $25,000
Kingscote Farmers & Artisan Market Inc Kingscote Farmers and Artisans Market – The Backyard
Increase support for reopening of community market and development of pop up activity space in Kingscote, through employment of a part time project manager.
Kingscote $24,640
The Cudlee Creek Tennis & Basket Ball Club Inc A Community Led Project: Our Community Hub and Tennis Courts
Increase preparedness for disaster and enhanced community facilities for a community recovering from bushfire, through upgrade of fencing, drainage, water storage and landscaping at local hub.
Cudlee Creek $25,000
VICTORIA
Omeo Shire Community Access Radio Inc Replacing the Computer
Increase capacity of community radio station to communicate local news and information, though purchase of computer, software and printer.
Omeo $1,932
Sarsfield Recreation reserve Committee of Management Inc Purchase of Lawn Mower
Increase capacity for volunteers that manage local community reserve and meeting area, through purchase of ride on mower.
Sarsfield $22,000
Everton Hall and Sports Complex Committee
Wangaratta Rural City Council
Everton Community Hub Precinct Revitalisation – BBQ Shelter Stage 2
Enhance local meeting space and recovery activities, through construction of BBQ area and pathways at Everton reserve.
Everton $11,276
Bruthen Mechanics Institute Bruthen Hall Ready for Community Disaster Response
Increase local resilience to support recovery efforts, and support social gatherings, through upgrade to Bruthen Mechanics Institute kitchen.
Bruthen $24,299
Ensay Mechanics Institute Reserve Inc Ensay Memorial Hall – Exterior Painting
Increase support for rural community to maintain local meeting area as a disaster assembly point, through painting the Ensay Hall.
Ensay $23,320
Mallacoota Inlet Bowling Club Inc Mallacoota Bowls Club as a Hub for Community Support
Resume community activities that support social connectedness, through repair and upgrade to the fire effected Mallacoota Inlet Bowling Club.
Mallacoota $25,000
Koala Island Foundation Inc A Sustainable Future Together
Conserve native habitat and increase volunteer support, through the development of a tourist attraction.
Raymond Island $3,400
East Gippsland Winter Festival Working Group
East Gippsland Marketing Inc
East Gippsland Winter Festival
Increase visitation and economy through employment of a Community Engagement Manager to support delivery of the East Gippsland Winter Festival.
Bairnsdale $25,000
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation Rebuilding Community Through Clearing Tracks for Management of Fire (Kala) in Ngadju Country
Increase fire preparedness in the Great Western Woodlands and maintain cultural sites of significance, by clearing tracks that enable access for cultural mosaic burns.
Norseman Indigenous Location $25,000