Safe Space supports community connection in Castlemaine

Community Stories, 21 October 2024

Through two In a Good Place (IAGP) grants, FRRR has helped support the establishment of the Castlemaine Safe Space – a peer-supported community drop-in space where locals can access mental health support and connect with others.

The first IAGP grant for $20,000 was awarded in 2021 to Castlemaine Community House to develop a pilot program, accessible to anyone with a desire to talk about mental health issues with a trained peer worker who has experienced mental health issues themselves. The funding supported the establishment and running of the space for a couple of sessions a week.

Newly refurbished room with calming and comforting decor.
Five people are hovering around a pop-up table, painting on a sheet.
Group of people seated, smiling for the camera in front of a sign.

Despite several changes of venue, the pilot was very successful and proved the level of need in the community. The organisation – Castlemaine Safe Space – became an incorporated entity registered with the ACNC, and gained DGR1 status. It is now enjoying strong relationships with local health services.

Castlemaine Safe Space received a second IAGP grant of $13,000 in 2023 to help them strengthen and grow the service. The funding enabled them to employ a part-time project worker responsible for coordinating training for new volunteers, preparing shift rosters, arranging outreach and resourcing efforts, and developing new evaluation tools for the Safe Space. The grant was also used to purchase sensory equipment to support people experiencing heightened anxiety, and develop a communications plan to take advantage of local promotional opportunities so more locals knew about their service.

Castlemaine Safe Space proudly celebrated its second birthday in July 2024, and since becoming established, they’ve welcomed over 560 guests, trained nearly 40 peer volunteers and received more than 4,000 generous volunteer hours from community members.

They wrote that their experience with FRRR was excellent.

“We have found FRRR to be our most loyal supporter, with our initial grant allowing us to open our Safe Space two years ago, and this second grant allowing us to remain sustainable, provide training to our working group and peer volunteers, food and therapeutic resources for our guests and employ our Peer Volunteer Coordinator.

“We have found FRRR to be very easy to work with and undemanding in terms of restrictions and obligations to be met with our grants. We will always acknowledge FRRR as the organisation that helped us get up and running and provide ongoing support for our initiatives.

“FRRR has helped us provide a safe, calm and welcoming environment for local residents, reducing loneliness and isolation, providing a free, stigma-free place for those in emotional distress to go to, and subsequently reducing the factors that lead to suicidal thoughts and acts.

“Thank you FRRR for supporting us in our journey from the beginning up to now, when we have just secured a semi-permanent rental property allowing us to reduce the demands on our peer volunteers and feel more secure in the near future.”

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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.