Over $300,000 in recovery grants awarded in flood-impacted areas of Victoria

Media Releases, 1 November 2023

18 community groups to receive funding

In partnership with Suncorp and AAMI, FRRR has awarded $300,781 to 18 remote, rural and regional not-for-profits (NFPs) in Victorian communities impacted by the flooding events that took place between October 2022 and January 2023.

The Myrtleford Recreation Reserve
The Myrtleford Recreation Reserve Committee has been awarded $20,000 for design of a stormwater management system to mitigate future flood risk, supporting community facility use for local events and activities.

Suncorp Group pledged $1 million to FRRR in 2021 for a dedicated Rebuilding Futures program – to support Australian communities impacted by significant natural disasters. 

This is the third round of the Program and with these grants will have distributed over $1 million.

The grants awarded range from $4,040 to $20,000 and will be used for a range of projects from building community infrastructure and improving emergency facilities, to youth activity programs and community workshops – all high-priority projects for their local community.

Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston said the grants would help support community-led recovery in the impacted areas.

“Australia is no stranger to natural disasters and unfortunately I’ve seen all too often the devastation and emotional toll they have on our communities,” Mr Johnston said.

“That’s why we are supporting affected Victorian communities through the Rebuilding Futures program – to not just build back but to build back better than before, making them even more resilient,” he said.

“These communities have been through a lot, and we know that recovery from severe weather events can sometimes take years. We also know that each community’s priorities during that recovery is different.

“We’re pleased to provide support to a range of different community groups and local not-for-profits that are run by people who know and understand what it is their community needs in order to rebuild.”

Nina O’Brien, Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead at FRRR, said this round of grants is further confirmation of the long-term impacts of natural disasters.

“In this round of grants, we’re seeing projects that are about building community amenities and improving infrastructure but there’s also an emphasis on initiatives that are about building community resilience and promoting social wellbeing. It’s nearly a year since the floods first started and so this just goes to show that the impacts of floods are long-lasting and go far beyond the physical damage that’s caused.

“The floods have had a huge emotional toll on the people in these communities, yet they’re still determined to build back and become even more resilient than before, which really is inspiring to see. Thanks to the generous support of Suncorp and AAMI, we can help them to do just that,” said Ms O’Brien.

Among the 18 projects funded this round are:

  • Alpine Multi Skill Group in Bright – Construction of a dedicated cabin workspace for volunteers, members, and the local community, which will support Alpine Multi Skill’s community development work and collaboration with the Men’s Shed – $19,750
  • Echuca Moama Broadcast Service Inc in Echuca – Upskill the community radio volunteers, enhancing their ability to broadcast during and outside times of emergency disasters to support community safety and wellbeing – $4,040
  • Kerang and District Community Centre Inc in Kerang – Build resilience in Kerang through an inclusive arts program aimed at connecting people through positive creative activities – $10,000

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

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
VICTORIA
Alpine Multi Skill GroupConstruction of a Dedicated Cabin Workspace for Volunteers, Members and the Local Community
Expand the opportunities for community skills and preparedness activities through constructing a cabin to support Alpine Multi Skill's community development work collaborating with the Men's Shed.		Bright$19,750
Boys to the Bush LtdBoys to the Bush Building up Rochester Boys
Support youth recovery and resilience through extra curricular programs developing life skills, experience of rural employment opportunities, community engagement and mentoring.		Rochester$20,000
Campaspe Park Raceway Committee of Management IncorporationDisabled Access from Car Park to Clubhouse
Improve access and community facility infrastructure with a concrete path from the carpark to clubhouse of the Campaspe Park and Raceway Recreation Reserve.		Echuca$7,600
East Loddon Food Share Program IncorporatedRelief Food and Fridge / Freezer Storage
Build capacity of local food relief organisation with whitegoods, a generator and food supplies to support a 12 month program of food security.		Dingee$15,699
Echuca Moama Broadcast Service IncUpskill Broadcasting Team
Build skills and capability for community radio volunteers to broadcast during and outside times of emergency disasters to support community safety and wellbeing.		Echuca$4,040
Eildon Events IncConstruction of a Permanent Waterproof Cantilever Shade Structure
Build capacity of the Eildon community with a cantilevered shade cover for a stage to increase usage and expand local activity.		Eildon$20,000
Greater Shepparton Foundation LimitedGiving Power Greater Shepparton
Support community adaptation for long-term social and economic recovery through a collaborative scoping project to develop an accessible solar program for flood-impacted households in Greater Shepparton.		Shepparton$20,000
Kerang and District Community Centre IncLet's Connect via Art
Build resilience in Kerang through an inclusive arts program aimed at connecting people in positive creative activities.		Kerang$10,000
Mount Alexander Shire CouncilCreative Resilience Lab
Build community resilience and preparedness through a future thinking workshop with a broad range of Mount Alexander community stakeholders.		Castlemaine$20,000
Myrtleford Recreation Reserve Committee of ManagementMyrtleford Recreation Reserve Stormwater Management and Drainage Design
Improve local recreation reserve through design of a stormwater management system to mitigate future flood risk, supporting community facility use for local events and organisations' activity.		Myrtleford$20,000
Navarre Public HallRevitalising the Navarre Public Hall
Rebuild community infrastructure with contributions for rewiring and improved vent systems in the Navarre Hall restoration following significant flood disruption to the community.		Navarre$20,000
Open Door Neighbourhood House IncConnecting Community - Social Prescribing
Build community resilience through implementing a 'social prescribing' program of connection for vulnerable members of the flood-impacted community of Wangaratta.		Wangaratta$20,000
Parklands Albury Wodonga LimitedCreating Nature Play Trails to Grow Resilience
Build community resilience with enhanced community nature space and programs for intergenerational connection.		Wodonga$20,000
Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House IncCommunications Kit
Build community resilience and capability through upgrading online and offline media communications to support the Pyramid Hill community during and outside of disasters.		Pyramid Hill$13,900
Rochester Community House IncBringing the Roar to Rochy (Shire Hall)
Upgrade community facilities with a new sound system at the Rochester Community Hall.		Rochester$19,949
Variety - The Children's Charity of VictoriaReplacement and Upgrade of Safe / Secure and Inclusive Play Environment for Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School
Upgrade the playground of the Echuca Specialist School to ensure a safe and flood proof surface for all abilities children from surrounding impacted flood communities.		Echuca$18,668
Yarrawonga Neighbourhood House IncYMCLC Community Connection and Resilience Program
Boost community resilience with a Social Prescribing program for engaging and supporting vulnerable people in local activities and information to address mental and physical health issues.		Yarrawonga$20,000
Yea Community Service Group IncHands on Skills for Community
Build community resilience with a program of workshops teaching 'sufficiency' skills, including preserving foods, composting and dehydrating, with community connection a key outcome.		Yea$11,175
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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.

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