Strengthening Rural Communities program delivers more than $640,000 in grants

Media releases: 16 December 2019

Bendigo, 16 December 2019: The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is providing $643,401 in grants to communities across Australia through the third round of its Strengthening Rural Communities program. 

Grants range from $2,134, for a new hot water service at the Monteagle Hall in the New South Wales South West Slopes, to $25,000 for a range of workshops and community infrastructure projects that enhance community or organisational capacity, particularly in remote communities where the costs are greater.

Most of the grants awarded will go towards developing organisational resilience and capacity, building community resilience or promoting individual and community health and social wellbeing.

Grant recipients are spread from Tibooburra in far northwest NSW, Kowanyama on the western Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, Mingenew in the northern Wheatbelt of Western Australia, Coffin Bay on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, Queenstown in Tasmania’s west coast regions and to Tempy in Victoria’s Mallee.

FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton, says that the significant hardship being experienced across NSW and QLD, as a result of prolonged drought, floods and recent bushfires was evident throughout the applications.

“Dedicated community groups are fighting hard to maintain community spirit through difficult times and projects to revitalise community halls, streetscapes and schools are seen as important initiatives to support this.

“In Queensland, some of the grants will go towards infrastructure projects in towns with fewer than 1,000 people to strengthen community and organisational resilience,” Ms Egleton explained. “These relatively simple things, such as shelter, seating and safe play equipment, will make enormous differences to their respective communities. Several projects will seed new initiatives to promote individual wellbeing and enhance community identity.”

The importance of cultural events and festivals to build community engagement and resilience, particularly in smaller communities, was a strong theme, particularly in applications from South Australia.

“These events allow communities to celebrate their local culture and identity and are typically projects that involve many volunteers. These grants will help keep operational costs down, which means community groups can instead focus on ways to improve their offering for visitors,” says Egleton. 

Successful projects include:

• Bermagui Preschool Cooperative Society Limited – $10,000, NSW: Acting on environmental challenges by supporting the expansion of Moodji Farm, a community education site inspired by Indigenous writer and anthologist, Bruce Pascoe and his critical work Dark Emu, that incorporates ancient Aboriginal agricultural practices and permaculture to regenerate the land and grow Indigenous cultural awareness.
• The Corner Shop Museum Inc. – $2,250, WA: Contributing to a culturally vibrant community by supporting the full digitisation of the historical records and rich cultural history of the region, including oral accounts. 
• Puuya Foundation – $25,000, QLD: Building community resilience by developing a new program for parents and carers (Everyday Leaders Development) to support this highly disadvantaged, remote community in Lockhart River. 
• West Coast Connect Inc – $9,200, TAS: Building economic strength and sustainability by supporting the development of a horticultural training facility on the grounds of the Old Queenstown Hospital. 
• Coffin Bay Progress Association – $5,914, SA: Building community resilience by upgrading the kitchen facilities and installing eight ceiling fans in the Coffin Bay Hall, encouraging broader use in this remote community.
• Northern District Community Health (NDCH) – $10,000, VIC: Promoting individual and community health and social wellbeing is vital by purchasing equipment that NDCH requires to deliver the AgriSafe program which aims to improve access to medical treatment for farmers. 

A full list of grant recipients is available below.

Strengthening Rural Communities is collaboratively supported by a number of generous donors including: Australia Post, Aussie Farmers Foundation, The Bertalli Family Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts, Sidney Myer Fund, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Vertel, The Yulgilbar Foundation, Scenic World Shared, Westpac Group, The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation, Baxter Charitable Foundation, The William Buckland Foundation (managed by Equity Trustees), Perpetual Foundation: Julian Flett Endowment, Perpetual Foundation – various donors, Doc Ross Family Foundation, Portland House Foundation, Kapikarnpi Community Fund, Good Thnx, and Private Donors.

This program is always accepting applications, but the next cut-off date for applications to be assessed is 19 December. Expressions of interest (EOI) for the next round of Larger Leverage grants must be received by 4 February 2020, with successful EOI applicants being invited to submit a formal application. All applications for the next round must be received by 24 March 2020 for funds awarded in mid-June 2020. 

Small & Vital
Organisation	Project	Location	Awarded
New South Wales
Embassy Arts Incorporated	Skills for Life – Sewing 101 Develop textile working skills and micro business capability through five workshops held in Baradine for youth aged 10 to 25.	Baradine	$4,848
Bermagui Preschool Cooperative Society Limited	Moodji Farm Urban & Indigenous Agriculture Project Raise environmental and Indigenous awareness and knowledge with practical hands on learning at community permaculture project.	Bermagui	$10,000
Eden Service and Social Club Inc	Marine History of Twofold Bay Build a stronger local economy and celebrate a historically rich culture through informative educational boards on popular tourist walkway.	Eden	$3,830
The Trustee for Elong Elong Public Hall Land Manager	Getting Elong Elong women moving Improve coping skills, mental and physical health and wellbeing with yoga and mindfulness classes for drought-impacted community.	Elong Elong	$2,700
The Eleanor Dark Foundation	Wheelchair-accessible Writers’ Studio Promote inclusivity and access to the arts through building an ‘all abilities accessible’ writer’s residency studio.	Katoomba	$10,000
Monteagle Hall Committee Hilltops Council	Monteagle Hall- Hot Water Unit Create community hub and build social connectivity with installation of a new hot water service and revitalisation of Community Hall.	Monteagle	$2,134
Pius X Aboriginal Corporation	Mungindi Outreach Health Week Improve community health and wellbeing with informal outdoor meeting area at Indigenous owned Community Health Centre.	Mungindi	$10,000
Poets Out Loud RealArtworks Inc	Poets Out Loud – Organisational Expansion Phase Support artistic endeavour and cultural engagement with purchase of PA system and promotional material for spoken word artists.	Murwillumbah	$3,095
North Star Parents & Citizens Association	Providing an awesome, outdoor eating / learning area for a small, remote and drought affected school community Improve amenity and environment of school lunch area through concreting outdoor eating area, providing shade and upgrading outdoor tables.	North Star	$7,284
Quirindi Village Miniature Railway	Upgrade of Function Area Improve amenity and increase capacity to self-fund through improved picnic facilities for self-catered events at Miniature Railway.	Quirindi	$5,000
Tenterfield and District Community FM Radio Association Inc.	Installation of Essential Radio Transmitting Equipment to Service Rural Communities Improve access to and coverage of local news, community events and emergency warnings with better reception for local radio station.	Tenterfield	$7,030
Tibooburra & District Progress Association	Saving our Rainwater! Support essential infrastructure development with purchase of 9,000 litre tank for community hall.	Tibooburra	$5,269
Warren Community Homes Association Inc	Retirement with Dignity Unit 3 renovations Enable elderly and frail community members to remain independent through renovations in aged care accommodation unit.	Warren	$10,000
Warren Shire Council	Keeping Warren Seniors Active Support improved health and fitness outcomes for aged care and hospital patients, with purchase of two arm-leg exercise machines and two stationary exercise bikes.	Warren	$6,730
Wingham Chamber of Commerce	Colour for Isabella Street Boost town’s economy through revitalising shopping precinct with fresh plantings of bright petunias and violas.	Wingham	$8,304
Young and District Family History Group Incorporated	Updated Computer for Young and District Family History Group Research Support historical research and sharing of information with new computer for active genealogical group.	Young	$2,364
Northern Territory
Guts Dance Central Australia Incorporated	Community Day at Dance Fest Support artistic development and social connectedness in Alice Springs through participation in free community dance workshops and performances as part of a cultural dance festival.	Alice Springs	$9,800
Queensland
Whitsundays Arts Festival Inc	Whitsundays Arts Festival 10th – 11th and 12th July 2020 Enable cultural and artistic expression of community members through establishment of new Arts Festival, that will draw tourists back to disaster impacted community and revitalise economy.	Airlie Beach	$9,000
Bororen State School Parents and Citizens Association	Bororen Brain Boosters Improve cognitive and language skills to better develop preschool learning via rubber softfall for yarning circle.	Bororen	$10,000
Friends of RM Inc.	Friends of RM Sing! Create social connections and enhance community wellbeing through starting a Community Choir.	Eidsvold	$2,262
Hannaford Club Inc	Catering Clubs are Profitable Clubs Improve capacity of local community to host events by upgrade of BBQ and catering facilities.	Hannaford	$3,694
Hughenden State Emergency Service (SES) Group Queensland Fire and Emergency Services	Kitchen for SES facility Support emergency services capacity with an upgrade of the kitchen at the Hughenden Unit.	Hughenden	$5,896
Out There Kowanyama	Building Community Connectedness through Meeting Places. Create social connectivity and cohesion through picnic table and fire pit in public park.	Kowanyama	$10,000
FNQ Aviation Museum Ltd	Preservation & Rebuilding of Heritage Assessed Building Preserve and celebrate Australia’s aviation history through relocation a hangar to Mareeba’s Aircraft Museum.	Mareeba	$10,000
Mareeba State Emergency Service Queensland Fire and Emergency Services	Training & Operational Room Equipment Support training needs and operational readiness with smart TV and chairs for training room at Mareeba SES.	Mareeba	$3,368
Johnstone Ecological Society Inc	Bulguru Wetlands Wildlife Monitoring and Continuing Revegetation Protection of endangered species through monitoring wildlife movements and planning lay out of pathways and viewing platforms in environmentally sensitive Wetlands.	Mourilyan	$3,187
South Australia
Angas Valley Recreation Hall and Tennis Club Incorporated	Upgrade Kitchen Appliances and Equipment for Community Events and Activities Support participation in community events with purchase of kitchen appliances for community hall.	Angas Valley	$1,030
Coffin Bay Progress Association Inc	Hall to HUB Support social activities and reduce isolation through renovations to community hall.	Coffin Bay	$5,914
Barossa Region Community Foundation Incorporated	Foundation Barossa Awareness & Fundraising Video Build capacity to support and drive local community driven projects via storytelling videos promoting the aspirations and achievements of local philanthropy.	Nuriootpa	$2,420
Peterborough Festival Incorporated	Revitalisation of the 2020 Peterborough Art & Cultural Festival Support local arts and cultural engagement with Opening Smoking Ceremony and three musical events at Community Festival.	Peterborough	$5,000
Seafood on Spencer Inc	Seafood on Spencer Promote tourism through the creation of an annual local seafood festival, which will educate visitors on the sustainability of the seafood industry whilst providing an enjoyable event.	Port Broughton	$5,150
Yorketown Community Childcare Centre	Safe Storage & Undercover Learning Environment Foster early childhood learning and creative play through provision of an undercover outdoor play area and larger secure storage area.	Yorketown	$10,000
Tasmania
Okines Community House Inc	Food Co-op Building Extension Strengthen community connectivity and engagement through a building extension at a local community house.	Dodges Ferry	$10,000
Huon Valley Council	Huon Beings Strengthen community engagement and cultural connectivity through delivery of a storytelling program.	Geeveston	$2,067
West Coast Connect Inc	Establishment of a Horticultural Education and Training Facility Strengthen opportunities for employment, education and cultural engagement through the construction of a horticultural training centre.	Queenstown	$9,200
Glenhaven Family Care Inc	Meals 4 Home Promote health and social wellbeing and support community capability through the delivery of a healthy food program.	Sheffield	$10,000
Victoria
Ladybird Education Beechworth Kindergarten Inc	Ladybird Music Incursion Program at Beechworth Kindergarten. Support early childhood pre-literacy development with musical program for four-year-old kindergarten program.	Beechworth	$5,000
Donald Primary School	Donald Primary School Outdoor Sensory Classroom Improve learning outcomes in Donald by building a sensory space and outdoor classroom.	Donald	$10,000
Northern District Community Health	AgriSafe for Farmers – Getting Health Right Improving farmer health in Gannawarra and Loddon by purchasing medical testing equipment.	Kerang	$10,000
H11 H12 Community Action Group	Beyond Bolac Wildlife Monitoring Program 4Building community capacity and local knowledge through the purchase of wildlife monitoring equipment in the Lake Bolac catchment Improving environmental outcomes in the Lake Bolac Catchment by purchasing wildlife monitoring equipment.	Lake Bolac	$3,500
The National Vietnam Veterans Museum Ltd	Triple A: Antics, Artefacts, and Antiques – Supporting the Local Community Building social cohesion in Newhaven, by supporting local cultural activities.	Newhaven	$9,448
Peechelba Public Purposes Reserve	Peechelba Medical Emergency Support Project Support community safety and health outcomes via purchase of defibrillator for community sports area.	Peechelba	$2,400
Pyramid Hill Progress Association Inc.	Come Rain Come Shine – Weatherproofing the Pyramid Hill Fiesta Increase social cohesion and participation through purchase of marquees for local events in Pyramid Hill.	Pyramid Hill	$9,975
Rupanyup Public Hall Committee	Rupanyup Hall Theatre System Support social inclusion and cultural engagement with audio visual system for community hall.	Rupanyup	$9,859
St Arnaud Community Resource Centre Inc.	St Arnaud Community Resource Centre – Equipment and Volunteer Development Provide access to office services with purchase of binding and folding equipment and upskill three volunteers with first aid training.	St Arnaud	$2,693
Tempy Primary School Council	Supporting Students- Skill Development and Participation Nurture gross and fine motor skill coordination and development through occupational therapy training for educators, parents and carers.	Tempy	$10,000
Western Australia
Augusta River Festival Inc	The Augusta River Festival Second Stage Build capacity of the Augusta Margaret River Festival and extend artistic and cultural engagement of young people in festival activities through the purchase of a mobile event stage.	Augusta	$7,000
Hummingbird Promotions Inc.	Capel Makers Trail 2020 Build local economy and support business expansion through business commercialisation workshops across an Arts Trail Weekend.	Capel	$3,000
Gondwana Link Ltd	Healing the Land, Healing the People at Nowanup Build community resilience and capacity of a Noongar Traditional Owner ranger group to manage environmental and cultural activities through the purchase of a tractor.	Jerramungup	$10,000
Margaret River Mens Shed Inc	Project Wood Lathe Increase community engagement, social wellbeing and connectedness of men in the Margaret River region through the purchase of a lathe for the recently-formed Margaret River Men’s Shed.	Margaret River	$3,000
Mingenew Community Telecentre	CheckMate Men’s Mental Health Initiative Improve community health and wellbeing and build resilience through mental health workshops for men in the Mid West region of WA.	Mingenew	$10,000
Pemberton Mill Restoration Committee	Floor for Functions Improve the usability, safety and longevity of the heritage-listed Pemberton Mill Community Hall in South West WA by replacing the deteriorated aged floor.	Pemberton	$10,000
The Corner Shop Museum Inc.	The Corner Shop Museum Digitisation of Collection & Oral History Project Preserve and improve access to historical records of the Tambellup region of WA through purchase of equipment to enable the local museum to digitise their collection.	Tambellup	$2,250
Wongan Hills Anglican Church The Perth Diocesan Trustees	Meals on a Shoestring Increase the health, wellbeing and social connectedness of Wongan Hills community members through the delivery of weekly cooking and life skills workshops.	Wongan Hills	$8,450
Wyalkatchem Community Resource Centre Inc.	Reception Realignment to Allow Persons with Disabilities Access Improve access at a community facility in Wyalkatchem WA for people with a disability and the elderly through alterations to the reception area.	Wyalkatchem	$1,550