Queensland

Queensland received 16% of all FRRR grants this financial year, with nearly half of the funding supporting projects in remote or very remote communities. Of this, 67% (59 grants, $1,657,380) were through the Tackling Tough Times Together program, reflecting the extensive impact of the drought. Recognising distances and the challenges of local fundraising, the average grant awarded via the TTTT program in Queensland was $28,091.

The next most popular granting program was Strengthening Rural Communities, but funds were awarded through 12 programs, including fundraising accounts. Most funded went toward building community and organisational resilience.

Awarded
$2,457,496
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Grants
145
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Dress the Central West

Red Ridge (Interior Queensland), a creative community organisation that provides opportunities for learning, connection and community in Queensland’s Central West, knows how hard it can be to tackle tough times. After being drought declared for six years, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine and Blackall really needed a boost.

The Dress the Central West project received a $60,000 Tackling Tough Times Together grant, funded by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation. Their idea was to find beauty in the drought by creating wearable art at 46 creative workshops, which was then presented at three major community events. It was about having fun, while also enhancing mental health and offering general wellbeing support. This combination of creative skills development, physical health and emotional wellbeing was important. The events were incredibly well received by the community and garnering extensive media coverage. The costume collection has gained ongoing and widespread interest, with a number of groups and gallery spaces enquiring about exhibiting them, and even participating in Melbourne Fashion Week.
All photos courtesy of Skinn Deep Photography.

“While there are multiple benefits to our rural community as part of this funding, the most successful to us was that eight migrant ladies and two young people with a disability have gained employment as a result of taking part in the program.”

Robbie Millar, Project Coordinator

Don’t burn the BUTT


Taromeo Rural Fire Brigade (TRFB) is an important emergency responder, with their remit extending well beyond fire preparedness and response. Because of their wide range of responsibilities, they needed more volunteers to support their work, and to engage with more residents.

Thanks to a $4,170 grant from FRRR’s Small Grants program funded by the David Mactaggart Foundation, they created the ‘Don’t Burn The Butt’ campaign. They door knocked every home in their community to discuss bushfire preparedness and the benefits of volunteering. They also ran workshops for the community and purchased some much needed equipment to ensure they can respond effectively to any emergencies.