Funding available for Minyip community groups

Media releases (soft launch), 11 January 2024

FRRR is once again inviting community groups in and around Minyip to apply for funding for community projects that will benefit the township, district and its people.

Minyip town sign

Thanks to the support of the WC and EV Kelm Trust and the PF Pipkorn Trust (managed by Perpetual), FRRR is again offering grants up to $10,000 for projects that address the Minyip community prioritises and that directly and clearly benefit the local region.

Jill Karena, FRRR’s Place Portfolio Lead, said the Foundation is looking forward to hearing from local not-for-profit community groups about what they’d like to do with the funding this year.

“Last year the Minyip Progress Association Inc received funding to repair the west wall of the iconic community-owned Emma’s Building, which had salt damage, putting it at risk of subsiding. The wall forms part of Guy’s Coffee Café, where local residents, tourists and workers meet for a coffee or to buy food. The library is also housed in this building, so both provide essential services to the residents of Minyip and district.

“Halls and facilities in small townships and rural areas are an important meeting place for local people. Ensuring these places are comfortable and accessible for locals to gather, in good times and in difficult times, such as when they may be needed as a heat or bushfire refuge, is just one example of how FRRR can help rural communities, like Minyip, to stay connected and vibrant.”

“We look forward to seeing what project ideas the community puts forward to make Minyip a stronger and more sustainable place to live, work and play,” said Ms Karena.

Since 2021, this funding has been offered through FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities grants program (SRC), which in 2023, delivered more than $7 million for 570 projects across remote, rural and regional Australia. In addition to these grants for Minyip, the collaboratively funded SRC program delivers grants to not-for-profit organisations and community groups in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia to address a range of diverse needs, including fostering community connectedness and wellbeing, as well as supporting ongoing disaster recovery and preparedness.

Applicants should visit www.frrr.org.au/src-small-vital for more information and to access the application form. The current round of the SRC program closes on 26 February 2024 at 5pm AEDT. Anyone wanting to know more about the funding should explore the website or give FRRR a call on 1800 170 020.

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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.