Aussie Cotton grants boost community programs

Media Releases, 4 December 2017

$600,000 distributed to more than 100 community groups over four years


30 not-for-profit and community organisations across cotton growing regions will benefit from a $5,000 grant just before the festive season, awarded under the 2017 Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities grants program. The program is delivered in partnership by the Monsanto Fund and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and has now distributed $600,000 to New South Wales and Queensland cotton communities in the past four years. Bendigo, 5 December 2017: Rural schools, men’s sheds, Country Women’s Associations and community halls are among the 30 not-for-profit organisations in cotton growing communities to receive a $5000 boost from the Monsanto Fund this year.

“After four years, the positive effect that these grants have on recipient communities is becoming even more apparent,” said Natalie Egleton, Chief Executive of FRRR.

“With these grants, local community groups are able to address ongoing challenges and deliver lasting benefits in their communities. Often the funding is a catalyst for further investment, with grants typically leveraged at least three times over with additional financial or in-kind support.

“Sometimes they may seem like simple things, but new transport equipment for the Meals on Wheels Service or upgrading disabled access to a community hall has far-reaching impacts. With increasing pressures on rural communities making it harder to raise funds locally, we are delighted to be able to provide support for the wonderful work that many local leaders do, to build strong, vibrant and sustainable communities.”

Cotton Australia Chief Executive, Adam Kay, said the organisation was encouraged to see another 30 diverse projects awarded grants for the betterment of cotton-growing communities.

“In recent years these grants have played an important role, either as seed funding to enable organisations to get projects off the ground, or as the deciding factor in an existing project’s successful completion.

“We congratulate all of this years’ recipients and look forward to seeing what is accomplished in the coming year,” Adam said.

Monsanto Fund Representative in Australia, Jessica Douglas said that it was clear from the nominations received that there are many dedicated people within cotton areas committed to providing quality and much needed community services.

“Monsanto is proud of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program and the ongoing, positive impact of the grants over the past four years is noteworthy. This year we saw many community support programs being nominated, providing the opportunity to fund a range of projects that focus on mental health, disability care and education. It is important that the projects articulate long term benefits, in this way we can ensure that each individual grant has an enduring impact.”

“Monsanto would like to thank all the cotton growers who nominated community projects – your support for the program ensures its success. The stories that have emerged over the past four years are astonishing. With such a wide mandate the grant program is able to offer support to many people. Congratulations to this year’s recipients,” Jessica said.

Here is the full list of grant recipients:

Organisation & Project Summary

Town

Grant

QUEENSLAND

1

Clermont Kindergarten and Day Care Centre

Enhance the quality of the educational environment through the purchase of learning and technology resources.

Clermont

$5,000

2

Emerald North Primary P&C Assoc

Improve the capacity for early intervention for children with disabilities through the purchase of specialised classroom furniture and sensory equipment.

Emerald

$5,000

3

Brookstead State School P&C Assoc

Improve food safety through a safe, clean, vermin-proof food preparation area via the installation of splashback, security doors and storage cupboards.

Brookstead

$5,000

4

Dalby Crisis Support Assoc Inc

Increase support to homeless people and vulnerable families by purchasing furniture and household items, food, personal items and children’s play equipment and toys for crisis accommodation facility.

Dalby

$5,000

5

Dalby Men’s Shed Inc

Expand the Shed’s capacity to undertake community projects and run workshops through the addition of a drum sander, welder, thicknesser and cordless power tools.

Dalby

$5,000

6

Dalby Primary P&C Assoc

Provide an area for school students to eat, socialise and undertake outdoor activities by replacing outdoor seats.

Dalby

$5,000

7

Callide Valley Men’s Shed

Enable people with disability or mobility issues to partake in activities at the Men’s Shed via the installation of a disability-friendly shower and toilet.

Biloela

$5,000

8

Dirranbandi Pastoral & Agricultural Assoc Inc

Increase leadership and skills development for young people by providing support to attend the Queensland Agricultural Show Next Generation Conference.

Dirranbandi

$5,000

9

Bonshaw P&C Assoc

Enable families to learn healthy food choices and provide activities for youth through the purchase of a new cooking facility and upgrading the school’s outdoor facilities.

Bonshaw

$5,000

10

Bungunya State School

Facilitate literacy development through the purchase of new books and the installation of a digital scanning system.

Bungunya

$5,000

11

St George Meals on Wheels

Improve the sustainability and delivery of Meals on Wheels by purchasing new Eskys, a car fridge and kitchen items.

St George

$5,000

12

St George Swimming Club Inc

Reduce risk of rural drownings through the purchase of flippers and kick boards for a swim education program.

St George

$5,000

NEW SOUTH WALES

13

Country Women’s Assoc of NSW – Bourke Branch

Increase the CWA’s capacity to support local events with catering, and ensuring their kitchen meets current health standards, by purchasing kitchen items.

Bourke

$5,000

14

Mallawa Amateur Picnic Race Club Inc

Enhance all-weather capacity for a range of community engagement opportunities through the building of a veranda around the shed.

Mallawa

 

$5,000

15

Bellata Tennis Club for the Bellata Mobile Preschool

Provide safe food storage and enable minor food preparation for the Preschool via upgrades in the Tennis Club’s kitchen.

Bellata

$5,000

16

Narrabri Arts Eisteddfod Inc

Provide strengthened culture and art engagement through choral, piano, brass and woodwind workshops and group music tuition for the whole community.

Narrabri

$5,000

17

Nurruby Wee Waa OOSH (Nurruby Children’s Services Inc)

Enhance children’s activities, comfort and development via the purchase of furniture, art supplies, play equipment and a lockable shed.

Wee Waa

$5,000

18

Wee Waa & District Historical Assoc Inc

Strengthen cultural pride and knowledge and increase economic activity via the creation of a life-sized Aboriginal campsite diorama for display at the historical museum.

Wee Waa

$5,000

19

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Warren Parents & Friends Assoc

Reduce sun exposure and enhance students’ outdoor experiences through the installation of a steel shade structure over the new school playground.

Warren

$5,000

20

Trangie Action Group Inc

Increase economic growth and promote town pride by erecting signs at the four entrances of Trangie.

Trangie

$5,000

21

Warren Rotary Club

Enhance residents’ health and wellbeing via the extension of a sun room at the local aged care room in the hospital.

Warren

$5,000

22

Mungindi Junior Rugby League Club Inc

Increase community group capacity to operate community and fundraising events via the purchase of shade tents, tables and chairs and a PA speaker.

Mungindi

$5,000

23

Coleambally Preschool Assoc Inc

Provide enhanced support to children with developmental challenges through the purchase of specialised play and learning equipment.

Coleambally

$5,000

24

Griffith-Leeton Centre Riding for the Disabled

Improve inclusion, participation and skill development of children with disabilities through the purchase of a special saddle designed for wheelchair-bound riders and ball reins.

Yenda

$5,000

25

Hillston Creative Arts Council Inc

Ensure safety and enhance the gallery and tourist information facility through repairs to the flooring, toilets and gutters and repainting.

Hillston

$5,000

26

Leeton Community Care Development Inc

Increase training opportunities for the unemployed via the purchase of a stainless steel benchtop and commercial coffee machine.

Leeton

$5,000

27

Quirindi Chamber of Commerce Industry & Tourism Inc

Facilitate community cohesion and stimulate the local economy by supporting the staging of the Quirindi Christmas Street Carnival.

Quirindi

$5,000

28

Quirindi Preschool Kindergarten Inc

Provide a tangible example of recycling and enhance children’s outdoor activities through the purchase of durable outdoor seating made from plastic bags.

Quirindi

$5,000

29

Burren Junction Parents & Citizens Assoc Inc

Foster education engagement and support different student needs and learning styles through the provision of Individual Study Zones within classrooms.

Burren Junction

$5,000

30

Burren Junction Memorial School of Arts Hall Committee

Strengthen cultural vibrancy and access quality performance space via the installation of stage lighting at the hall.

Burren Junction

$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.