News

Thanks for popping by. In this area of the site, we share news of the grants we have awarded, our new partnerships and share stories about our organisation. From time to time, you’ll also find articles and our thoughts on key issues facing remote, rural and regional communities.

You can use the categories to the right to explore particular topics, including how FRRR is supporting communities affected by the 2019/2020 bushfires.

You’ll also find inspiring stories about some of the wonderful things community groups do with that funding. We also share a selection of media stories, where FRRR or a member of our staff has been featured. 

For any media enquiries, email Julie Weldon or call 0423 110 802.

Finally, if you’d like to stay across our news, follow us on our social channels:

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Donor partner profile: Wilson Asset Management

Partner Update: 7 April 2020

Wilson Asset Management (WAM) partnered with FRRR for the first time in September 2019, after seeing the extent of the impact of the prolonged drought and bushfires on rural, regional and remote communities. WAM agreed to match donations from their network, up to $500,000 - resulting in more than $1M being donated to FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Fund.  CEO Kate Thorley shared what motivated the business to donate, and how the partnership evolved.

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Visy Tumut Region Recovery Fund grants awarded

Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Media releases: 3 April 2020

Working in partnership with the Pratt Foundation, we have granted 19 community projects in the NSW-region of Tumut $649,150 in funding to support the region’s recovery from the recent bushfires. Projects will help address a diverse range of needs, including improving social connectedness, enhancing community spirit and providing mental health support through workshops, activities and infrastructure.

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Tackling tough times in the Tablelands

Community stories: 31 March 2020

The Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) and Northern Gulf Resource Management Group (NGRMG) have worked together to deliver a range of drought relief projects that contributed to connectedness, social wellbeing and increased access and awareness to support services. A $15,000 Tackling Tough Times Together grant, funded by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, enabled TRC to consult and engage gardening experts to design and deliver the workshops. The funding also covered ancillary costs such as the promotion of the events, catering and workshop materials.

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Making MediFriends in Whyalla

Community stories: 28 March 2020

Country & Outback Health is a not for profit organisation that provides a range of mental health and general health support services to South Australians living in rural and regional areas. They auspiced an application from headspace Whyalla for funding to support an FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants initiative called MediFriends.

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News Corp Australia’s $1million bushfire recovery fund

Media releases: 27 March 2020

News Corp Australia has partnered with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal to launch a $1M fund to provide grants to support the recovery of the people and communities impacted by the Summer bushfires. The News Corp Bushfire Fund will offer grants of up to $25,000 aid the immediate, medium and long-term recovery of these affected communities.

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Small grants contribute to vibrant communities

Media releases: 13 March 2020

Fifty-two community projects from around Australia will share in $394,127 in grants through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s Strengthening Rural Communities program. Several successful projects will benefit communities impacted by the recent bushfires, with the projects' importance further elevated as locals begin the road to recovery.

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Back to School vouchers available to help families in fire-affected communities

Media releases: 6 March 2020

The breadth and impact of the bushfires experienced across Australia over spring and summer mean that many children living in rural, regional and remote communities will not have what they need to start second term. Since 2005, the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal's (FRRR) Back to School program has helped more than 165,000 disadvantaged students by giving them a $50 gift voucher that can be redeemed for school necessities, such as uniforms, shoes, school bags and stationery. Thanks to the generosity of our donor partners, in the wake of the bushfire crisis, many more students will get the helping hand they need.

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Upskilling early childhood educators

Community stories: 28 February 2020

Eidsvold Kindergarten hosted a professional development day for early childhood educators from the North Burnett and beyond to improve their professional knowledge and skills, ultimately benefiting children across the region.

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Mullum Library provides tools for recovery

Community stories: 28 February 2020

With the help of a $12,000 Repair Restore Renew grant, the Mullum Library of Stuff was able to provide affordable access to quality tools and equipment for the Byron Shire community including individuals, families, schools, businesses and not-for-profit organisations.

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Camperdown community garden flourishes

Community stories: 28 February 2020

A refreshed community garden meant that the Camperdown community could enjoy a more inclusive space at a time when they needed it most.

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