Vital funding already supporting flood-affected Victorian communities

Media Releases, 27 March 2023

Earlier this year, one of FRRR’s long-term supporters, the Pratt Foundation, made a generous $250,000 donation to FRRR’s Flood Recovery Appeal to support Victorian areas affected by the flood.

IMAGE: Community Hall with boxes of food lining the space. HEADING: Vital funding already supporting flood-affected Victorian communities
Rochester Community Hall

Over the last two months, FRRR has leveraged its networks to make ‘quick response’ grants to 23 community groups and not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in flood-affected areas of Victoria. The grants are helping to meet short-term recovery needs and help communities as they begin to get up and running again following the flooding events of this past summer.

Anthony Pratt, Chairman of the Pratt Foundation, said the work of the flood-affected not-for-profit groups is admirable and critical to recovery.

“The organisations that have benefitted from these grants are key to the recovery of these communities following the floods. We are very happy to be able to assist their efforts to provide support to the most vulnerable in the community, by providing the resources they need to start building back,” Mr Pratt said.

Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s Acting CEO, said the projects receiving funding will be crucial to the recovery process in the coming months.

“The Pratt Foundation’s generous support has enabled FRRR to work closely with communities across flood-impacted areas of Victoria to identify organisations who are playing key roles in recovery, by responding to local priorities.

“These grants are supporting a range of projects, including many neighbourhood and community houses, who are acting as key hubs to support community members, particularly vulnerable people. The funding will also help communities to build capacity, through activities such as mental health first aid training, so that they are better able to navigate disaster response and recovery challenges that they are likely to face in the coming months. Other grants focus on the repair of critical infrastructure, such as local community radio facilities, and providing immediate aid, such as distributing insect repellent to reduce the risks of mosquito borne diseases.

“This funding will not only help to address short-term challenges these flood-impacted communities are facing, but will also contribute to the long-term social and economic recovery of these areas,” Ms Matthee said.

Three of the 23 projects funded are listed below:

  • Rochester Community House Inc – Rochester, VIC – Rochester Community Flood Recovery – Boost ability of a community house to provide emergency assistance through additional staffing hours. $10,000.
  • International Association for Psychiatric Nurses – Shepparton, VIC – Mental Health First Aid Training – Support community recovery from flood events with mental health first aid training to build awareness, healing and recovery skills. $10,000.
  • Gnarly Neighbours – Seymour, VIC – Supporting Youth Programs – Boost organisational capacity and support young people impacted by flood events to access youth programs. $10,000.

The full list of projects funded can be accessed on the FRRR website.

The Prepare & Recover stream of the SRC program is accepting applications to support disaster-impacted communities. More information is available at https://frrr.org.au/src-prepare-recover/.

The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
VICTORIA
Bonnie Doon Football Club Inc

Drainage at the Reserve
Support emergency service response teams and strengthen community safety outcomes after a flood event, by building a drainage outlet.

Bonnie Doon$8,072
Bridgewater Recreation and Public Reserve Committee IncorporatedCleaning after Blaze Aid
Boost volunteer capacity and community recovery through purchasing new equipment and cleaning a BlazeAid staging ground.		Bridgewater$2,157
Cohuna Neighbourhood House IncorporatedFuture Printing Project
Enhance Cohuna Neighbourhood House’s provision of information and support to flood-impacted community members by purchasing a multi-functional printer / photocopier.		Cohuna$10,000
Echuca Historical Society IncorporatedTwo Men in a Boat Exhibition and Riverlife & Romance: a Tribute to "All The Rivers Run" Film
Foster social reconnection and recovery in a flood-impacted region through free community events at the Echuca Museum.		Echuca$2,250
Echuca Neighbourhood House IncENH Flood Recovery Program
Strengthen a Neighbourhood House's capacity to deliver emergency response and support community recovery from floods through the provision of material aid.		Echuca$10,000
Gnarly NeighboursA Roof for Gnarly Neighbours
Boost organisational capacity and support young people impacted by flood events to access youth programs by covering rental costs to temporarily house equipment and provide a space resume regular programs and workshops.		Seymour$10,000
Greater Shepparton Foundation LimitedMosquito Borne Disease Education and Intervention Project
Supporting flood recovery and health promotion in multicultural communities through developing educational material and distributing insect repellent to reduce the risks of mosquito borne diseases.		Shepparton$10,000
Heathcote Community House IncorporatedHeathcote Community Flood Recovery & Support
Boost Heathcote Community House’s capacity to deliver targeted support and programs for flood-impacted community members by funding community mental health programs (particularly for vulnerable and elderly residents) and extended hours to meet community need.		Heathcote$10,000
Indigo Shire CouncilFLOOD RECOVERY EXPO "Are You Bogged Mate!"
Strengthen recovery and wellbeing by holding an information and mental health expo for the agricultural sector in the Indigo Shire.		Rutherglen$7,560
International Association for Psychiatric NursesMental Health First Aid Training
Support community recovery from flood events with mental health first aid training to build awareness, healing and recovery skills.		Shepparton$10,000
Lockington Recreation Reserve IncorporatedLockington and Surrounding Districts: Flood Recovery Assistance
Sustain volunteer capacity and support community recovery through cleaning and covering utility costs at a BlazeAid staging ground.		Rochester$3,000
Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre IncStrengthening Mooroopna Education and Activity (MEAC)
Strengthen community resilience and recovery by extending the delivery of community hub activities and programs for flood-impacted community members.		Mooroopna$10,000
Nathalia & District Community Assoc IncSafe Streetscape
Strengthen Nathalia Community House’s support for flood-impacted community members through upgrades to food relief storage, paths and seating areas.		Nathalia$7,377
Neighbourhood House Murchison (VIC) IncMurchison Flood Recovery Programs and Activities
Foster community connectedness and recovery in flood-impacted Murchison through supporting Murchison Neighbourhood House activities and programs.		Murchison$10,000
Nexus Primary HealthSeymour Food Relief Collaborative
Improve health and wellbeing outcomes for flood-impacted community members by supporting local food relief.		Seymour$10,000
Raywood Recreation Reserve Committee of ManagementReplacement Mower for our Six Acre Recreation Reserve
Increase the capacity and capability of volunteers to support preparedness and recovery from natural disasters through replacing a flood damaged mower.		Raywood$10,000
RDA Seymour Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria IncFeed the RDA Horses
Boost the capacity of a disability organisation impacted by severe flooding by subsidising operational costs for the upkeep of horses for a riding for the disabled program.		Seymour$10,000
Rochester Agricultural and Pastoral Association Inc2023 Rochester Show
Enhance regional recovery and promote community resilience by providing entertainment at the annual agricultural show to bring people together post-disaster.		Rochester$10,000
Rochester Community House IncRochester Community Flood Recovery
Boost ability of a community house to provide emergency assistance through additional staffing hours to support flood recovery.		Rochester$10,000
Rochester Secondary CollegeAnglesea or Bust!
Foster social connection and enhance young people's recovery from flooding events by subsidising a school camp.		Rochester$10,000
Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society IncorporatedFlood Recovery
Strengthen volunteer capacity to run upcoming annual events and support community recovery from a natural disaster by purchasing furniture and equipment.		Seymour$9,584
Seymour Performers' Workshop IncSeymour Performers Workshop Flood Recovery
Supporting local arts events and community recovery through repairing and replacing flood-damaged sets and equipment at a local performance group.		Seymour$10,000
Seymour Puckapunyal Community Radio IncorporatedFlood Rebuild
Strengthening volunteer capacity and community connection and information sharing through replacing flood-damaged community radio broadcasting equipment.		Seymour$10,000
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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

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Hon. John Anderson AC

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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.

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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

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Anna Palmer

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Philippa Twaddle

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