Investing in Rural Community Futures Start-Up Grants now available

Media Releases, 18 May 2020

Three Shoalhaven communities to each receive up to $175,000 in Start-Up Grants

Following a series of successful virtual workshops and interviews with key community stakeholders, the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is inviting not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in the Shoalhaven communities of Ulladulla, Batemans Bay and Nowra to apply for Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) Start-Up Grants to help these local groups address the needs and priorities of the community.

As part of the IRCF program, FRRR and The Snow Foundation have partnered to work with community groups and local leaders to help boost the confidence, ability and skills of NFPs in the Shoalhaven Region.

To kick-start the program, each of the three communities will receive up to $175,000 in Start-Up Grants for local NFPs. These Start-Up Grants are flexible and designed to support organisations improve their capacity to deliver services. This support could include initiatives like investing in community leadership, skills and training, strengthening communications and networks, human resources, mentoring or even wages for operational planning.

FRRR’s IRCF Program Manager, Alli Mudford, says that it’s fantastic to be able to bring the IRCF program to the Shoalhaven Region and to have the opportunity to work with local groups to support them to become stronger, more resilient and ultimately thrive.

“We had a really great turnout at the online sessions we ran, and it was wonderful to see so many local leaders eager to get involved in finding ways to work together, to become stronger and much more effective, and ultimately to help create a stronger community,” said Ms Mudford.

“We know from our experience with program partner communities in other parts of NSW that communities have ideas – they just need the time, space and resources to come together and share ideas and collectively build solutions to problems.

“We’re looking forward to now working with Shoalhaven not-for-profits to expand on their ideas, scope projects and determine how Start-Up Grant funding can be best utilised, so it makes the greatest impact now, and into the medium to long-term.”

Individual organisations and collectives are invited to apply for a Start-Up Grant. Community groups are encouraged to collaborate and identify ways to work together to maximise the use of these funds.

Applications for Start-Up Grants close Friday, 29 May 2020. Grants will be awarded in August 2020.

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Amy Crawford

Amy Crawford has an extensive career in complex public policy and its intersection across government and communities.

Amy is the Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), representing 537 councils across the nation. Amy holds over 20 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service. She has a deep understanding of federal government policies and structures, with over 10 years’ service in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and has worked for the federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. Amy has shaped a wide range of policies and programs including regional development, telecommunications, immigration, emergency management, social policy and pandemic preparation.

Amy is a Board Director of Austroads and represents ALGA on the Public Skills Australia Industry Advisory Group, and the Australia-New Zealand Emergency Management Committee. She is also a Board Director for the Canberra Youth Theatre which provides voice for Canberra’s youth through intelligent and challenging theatre.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Laws (honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) from the University of Queensland, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an alumnus of the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership. Amy was appointed to the FRRR Board in January 2025.

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Kylie Hansen

Kylie brings leadership and management experience from across academic, corporate, not-for-profit, social enterprise and impact investment sectors, having deep dived into a myriad of specialisations and systems. Her six tertiary qualifications are equally as diverse and complimentary, covering commerce, politics, international development, community development, project management and law. Her breadth and depth of experience enables her to draw on a number of disciplines and innovative ways of working and thinking, and she is well recognised as consistently delivering work and services of a high quality.

Kylie uses her strong background in sustainability, governance and impact measurement to support collaborative initiatives across sectors oriented at improving social outcomes, and to support socially conscientious businesses to articulate their social impact. As founder and director at Impact Seed she has been instrumental in developing the impact measurement, evaluation, learning and ESG practice which advises numerous corporates, and is passionate about supporting First Nations empowerment particularly in the context of regional economic development.

Kylie is also a Director of the WA Social Enterprise Council, a member of the B Council (B Lab Australia and New Zealand), and a Governor of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

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Hon. John Anderson AC

The Hon. John Anderson AC is a sixth-generation farmer and grazier from NSW, who served in the Australian Parliament from 1989 to 2008.

He was a senior Cabinet minister in the government led by John Howard (1996 to 2005), including six years as Leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister.

In the latter role, Mr Anderson played in important role in FRRR’s history, working closely with Baillieu Myer AC and others on a proposal to establish a philanthropic organisation to benefit rural Australia. The concept was discussed at the National Regional Summit in 1999 and FRRR was established shortly thereafter.

Mr Anderson currently hosts a regular podcast, where he is in conversation with thought-leaders from around the world, and is a regular media commentator.

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Regina Cruickshank

Partnerships Specialist (WA)

Regina supports FRRR as the WA Partnerships Specialist. With over two decades of experience in partnerships and marketing, she has a deep understanding of Western Australia’s social impact landscape. She brings a strong passion for leveraging purpose-built networks to create positive change.

Regina previously worked with Playgroup WA and founded a Health Promotion Charity dedicated to supporting Social Emotional wellbeing for underserved communities. She’s excited about the opportunity to connect with partners and explore ways to make a meaningful difference in WA.

She lives in Perth with her family and enjoys mindful moments of connection to Country, whether on horseback, on foot or underwater.

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Anna Palmer

People and Culture Manager

Based in Central Victoria, Anna is a senior Human Resources, Organisation Development and Industrial Relations professional, with significant private and public sector experience across every facet of people and culture leadership.

Her most recent roles have been with Don KR in Castlemaine and Mount Alexander Shire Council. She has also held senior HR roles with Victoria Legal Aid and the TAC among many others.

From Mildura originally, Anna has postgraduate qualifications in Change Management and a Masters in Organisation Dynamics.

Anna is currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts to balance her creative pursuits and work as an HR professional.

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Philippa Twaddle

Management Accountant

Carolyn joined the FRRR team in March 2017, and is responsible for providing executive support to the CEO, effective coordination of the FRRR office and general administrative support to the management team. A key responsibility is supporting the administration of FRRR’s Donation Account Services.

She has over fifteen years’ experience working in local government in the Tourism and Arts Sector, Civic and Event Management and Community engagement.

Carolyn has a Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship, majoring in psychology, and grew up on farming communities in Cohuna and Echuca and currently lives in Bendigo.