Education the big winner in cotton community grants

Media Releases, 20 November 2018

Bendigo, 21 November 2018: As part of the National Agriculture Day celebrations, Bayer today celebrated the hardworking Australian cotton growers who have secured $750,000 for their local communities over the past five years through the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities (ACFGC) grants program sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer.

The ACFGC program was initiated in 2013 by the Monsanto Fund in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) to support local communities in Australian cotton-growing areas with 30 $5000 grants each year.

Rural education is a strong feature of this year’s 30 grant recipients with around half of the approved ACFGC projects going towards much-needed facilities in rural schools, preschools and daycare centres. The remainder of the $5000 grants will be for a diverse mixture of worthy community projects, including enhancing children’s health and infrastructure funding for show societies and community halls.

“Now in its fifth year, the lasting positive impact of these grants is clearer than ever,” said Natalie Egleton, Chief Executive of FRRR.

“This year, especially with the drought continuing to put a strain on rural communities, the groups that are receiving grants will be able to address a lack of services, undertake projects to strengthen community resilience, support volunteers or improve fatigued and run-down facilities and services.

“Often what might appear to be a small thing, such as supporting a local town show or upgrading a community hall, has a significant flow-on effect on the community’s wellbeing. So we are delighted to again partner with the Monsanto Fund to ensure this funding reaches these local initiatives and helps to create vibrant communities.”

Cotton Australia CEO, Adam Kay, said the grants program strengthens cotton growing communities.

“In recent years, the Australian Cotton Farmers Grow Communities grants program has seen positive and meaningful outcomes achieved in our cotton communities,” Adam said.

“This program has been instrumental in helping our cotton towns thrive, which is something everyone in the community benefits from.

“This latest round of 30 grants will undoubtedly build on the success we’ve already seen, and we congratulate the recipients.”

Monsanto Fund Representative in Australia and Bayer’s Corporate Engagement Lead, Carissa Buckland, said that the ACFGC grant program works by acknowledging that people living and working in rural and regional communities are best-placed to determine the groups and projects that most need support.

“For this reason, the program gives cotton farmers the opportunity to nominate a deserving not-for-profit group to receive one of the grants,” Carissa said.

“As such, we would like to thank all the cotton growers who nominated community projects — their support for the program ensures its success.“

Carissa said that because the funded programs are awarded based on their long-term benefits, the grants lead to ongoing positive impact for rural communities.

“The funding provided by the ACFGC program is often a catalyst for further financial or in-kind support and as such, the grants over the past five years have led to an estimated $1.8 million worth of community building activity for more than 100 regional organisations.

“Congratulations to this year’s recipients. Once again, we’ve been hugely impressed and inspired by their dedication to providing quality and much-needed community services.”

Organisation & Project Summary

Town

Amount Awarded

New South Wales

Boomi Amateur Thespian Society

Increase fundraising capacity and enhance production quality at the Boomi Amateur Thespian Society via the purchase of new sound equipment.

Boomi

$5,000

Croppa Creek Bowling Club Ltd

Improve conditions and longevity of a much needed community asset by repairing the roof.

Croppa Creek

$5,000

Moree Secondary College P&C

Enhance cross community engagement through the delivery of a celebratory campaign.

Moree

$5,000

Narrabri Preschool Association Inc.

Enhance the preschool’s educational and collaboration opportunities through the installation of an automatic sprinkler system. 

Narrabri

$5,000

Wee Waa & District Preschool Assoc. Inc.

Enable the delivery of a healthy, varied menu at the Wee Waa & District Preschool through the modernisation of its kitchen facilities.

Wee Waa

$5,000

Wee Waa High School P&C Committee

Improve the educational opportunities of students at the Wee Waa High School through the upgrade of its agricultural teaching facilities.

Wee Waa

$5,000

Lions Club Trangie

Increase the usability of the Trangie Pavilion by installing newly donated air conditioning units.

Trangie

$5,000

Nevertire Hall Trust

Increase community pride and attractiveness of the main community facility by painting the exterior and interior of the Nevertire Hall.

Nevertire

$5,000

The Trustee for the Warren Youth Foundation

Enhance employment skills of youth through the purchase of a tractor to complement the agricultural training program.

Warren

$5,000

Mungindi Community Preschool Inc.

Enhance the educational facilities of the Mungindi Community Preschool by purchasing and installing an air conditioner in the main teaching room.

Mungindi

$5,000

Binya Hall Trust Inc

Increase visitation to Binya and a sense of community pride by painting the Graincorp Silo.

Binya

$5,000

Coleambally Playgroup

Improve the capacity of the Coleambally Playgroup to provide quality early childhood education services by purchasing play equipment and establishing a new pop up playgroup in Darlington Point.

Coleambally

$5,000

Leeton Community Op Shop

Provide nutritious food to those in need and work experience to youth through the extension of the Teahouse at the Leeton Community Op Shop.

Leeton

$5,000

Yenda Preschool Kindergarten Inc.

Enhance the play area of the Yenda Preschool Kindergarten by including a bike track and vegetable garden with edible plants.

Yenda

$5,000

Curlewis Public School P&C Assoc.

Provide a sun-safe area to the children of Curlewis Public School by constructing a shade sail over the play area.

Curlewis

$5,000

Emerald Hill Hall Committee (Emerald Hill Progress Association Inc.)

Increase the usability of the Emerald Hill Hall by purchasing a 25 KVA transformer.     

Emerald Hill

$5,000

Gunnedah Preschool Kindergarten Association Inc.

Enhance access to preschool for children through the purchase of a 12-seater bus.

Gunnedah

$5,000

Walgett Preschool and Long Day Care Centre Incorporated (t/as Coolibah Kids)

Enhance the educational abilities of the Walgett Preschool and Long Day Care Centre through the purchase of materials to install sustainable, drought proof garden beds, a worm farm, compost system and a bike track.

Walgett

$5,000

Queensland

Bushkids (Royal Queensland Bush Children’s Health Scheme)

Increase access of remote children to allied health services through the purchase of equipment to establish tele-health hubs at Dingo, Springsure, Dysart, Clermont and Gemfield.

Emerald

$5,000

Emerald State High School P&C Assn

Enhance the educational capabilities of the Emerald State High School by installing a garden, and establishing an environmental and landscaping group within the school.

Emerald

$5,000

Back Plains State School P&C

Increase the fundraising capacity of the Back Plains State School P&C through the purchase of catering equipment.

Back Plains

$5,000

Broxburn Music Club of Pittsworth Incorporated

Increase the usability of the Broxburn Music Club of Pittsworth’s catering shed through its re-plumbing and the purchase of a rainwater storage tank.

Pittsworth

$5,000

Pittsworth Kindergarten Association Inc

Increase educational and social experiences of children at the Pittsworth Kindergarten through the upgrade of its playground.

Pittsworth

$5,000

Zonta Club of Dalby

Enhance the comfort of friends and family who are visiting loved ones undergoing medical care at the hospital by purchasing two sofa chairs for the palliative care rooms.

Dalby

$5,000

Moura Fish Stocking Group Inc

Enhance the River Park, a much used local facility, through the purchase of solar lighting, upgrades to the water system and the erection of a small shelter for a picnic table.

Moura

$5,000

The Dirranbandi Daycare Steering Committee (Dirranbandi Progress Association)

Increase economic prospects of families by creating architectural plans to support a feasibility study for the establishment of a childcare facility in Dirranbandi.

Dirranbandi

$5,000

Goondiwindi Pastoral & Agricultural Society

Increase the capacity of the Aspects Art Show through the provision of new plinths for the display of 3D art works.

Goondiwindi

$5,000

Texas Show Society

Improve health and wellbeing at the Texas Show Grounds through the purchase and installation of a shade structure.

Texas

$5,000

Queensland Country Women’s Association – St George Branch

Provide support for residents experiencing domestic violence or parents of children in the local hospital by beginning the refurbishment of refuge accommodation.

St George

$5,000

Thallon Progress Association Inc.

Increase the safety of those visiting the Thallon War Memorial by paving the surrounding area.

Thallon

$5,000

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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.