Cotton communities receive pre-Christmas boost

Media Releases, 19 November 2019

Bendigo, 21 November 2019: Schools, show societies, and a family support service are among the 30 not-for-profit organisations in New South Wales and Queensland cotton-growing communities to receive a $5,000 boost from the Bayer Fund this year as part of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program.

Today’s announcement coincides with National Agriculture Day. This year marks the sixth round of the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program, which is delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and takes the total investment into cotton communities to $900,000.

A local cotton grower nominated each of the not-for-profits that are receiving funds, which will help strengthen community resilience and positively impact on the wellbeing of cotton-growing communities. The majority of grant funding will be used to invest in infrastructure and equipment, and 23 percent of funds are being used to provide activities and services.

“There are many challenges associated with the drought for people living in rural Australia at the moment, and so there was a strong focus on developing organisational resilience, as was supporting lifelong learning, education and training,” said FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton.

“FRRR ran a series of grantseeker workshops in these cotton-growing areas, and the increased demand on not-for-profits for both short and long-term support was a talking point. Additionally, organisations providing direct support to farmers and their families discussed the heavy reliance on volunteers and the impact on those individuals who were giving support to others, while experiencing the effects of the drought first-hand.

“These grants will not only boost morale in the short-term but also create a lasting impact, as FRRR’s research shows that communities typically leverage a grant three times over.”

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said the grants will provide a much-needed boost to cotton communities.

“We are proud of the contribution our industry makes to the communities in which we operate. It is during times like these, where drought is biting, that the strength of our industry in supporting these communities comes to the fore. I congratulate the recipients of this year’s grants and look forward to seeing what is accomplished.”

Bayer Fund representative in Australia, Carissa Buckland, said that this year’s nominations illustrated that there is strong community spirit within the cotton areas.

“Many of the projects being funded are all about bringing people together – for artistic workshops, picnic areas, school gardens and community shows. It’s great to see cotton growers giving back and doing their bit to strengthen their local community.”

The full list of recipients can be found below.

Organisation

Project

Location

Grant

Darling River Food & Fibre (Bourke), NSW

Bourke Arts Community Inc

Develop organisational resilience and capacity through the purchase of studio equipment and materials to make glazes.

Bourke

$5,000

Gwydir Valley, NSW

St Philomenas Catholic School Moree P & F

Provide access to quality learning environments and experiences through the construction of an all-weather shade area.

Moree

 

$5,000

Moree Water Ski Club Inc

Build community resilience and maintain recreational assets through the construction of a shade shelter.

Bellata

$5,000

Moree Show Society Inc

Strengthen community wellbeing and identity through the delivery of the Moree Show.

Moree

$5,000

Lower Namoi, NSW

Wee Waa Sports Inc

Enhance community identity through an upgrade of galleries and blades over windows.

Wee Waa

$5,000

Wee Waa Fishing Club

Supporting community engagement through the upgrade of a well-used picnic area

Wee Waa

$5,000

St Joseph’s Catholic School Wee Waa Parents & Friends Association

Improve education outcomes through the establishment of a garden area for students.

Wee Waa

$5,000

Macquarie, NSW

Marra Creek Public School Parents and Citizens Association

Increase engagement in learning through the purchase of media infrastructure and a pizza oven.

Nyngan

$5,000

Narromine Agricultural Show Inc

Develop community engagement through the purchase of portable sound equipment and two shade marquees.

Narromine

$5,000

Southern Valleys, NSW

Wirrinya Aquatic Club Inc

Enhance community sense of place through the upgrade of an outdoor area.

Wirrinya

$5,000

St Marys Catholic Primary Hay Parents and Friends Association

Foster school engagement and improve education outcomes by developing an outdoor learning space.

Hay

$5,000

Lake Cargelligo Central School

Provide access to quality learning environments through the purchase of portable agricultural equipment.

Lake Cargelligo

$5,000

Goolgowi Parents and Citizens Association

Increase engagement in education experiences through the establishment of a garden as part of an environmental education program.

Goolgowi

$5,000

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Hillston Parents & Friends Association

Develop community resilience through the upgrade of a canteen area.

Hillston

$5,000

Upper Namoi, NSW

Gunnedah South School P&C Association

Strengthen community participation through the upgrade of an outdoor area.

Gunnedah

$5,000

Gunnedah Family Support

Develop individual and community capacity and social wellbeing through the delivery of a men’s support program.

Gunnedah

$5,000

Gunnedah Family and Children’s Services Inc

Provide a safe and secure start in life for children through the replacement of a soft-fall area around play equipment.

Gunnedah

$5,000

The Boggabri Tractor Shed Inc

Enhance organisational resilience and capacity through the uprade of a kitchen.

Boggabri

$5,000

Walgett, NSW

Walgett Little Athletics Centre

Develop a more engaged, participative community through the upgrade of kitchen equipment.

Walgett

$5,000

Central Highlands, QLD

Rotary Club of Emerald Inc

Provide access to quality learning environments through the development of an all-abilities playground.

Emerald

$5,000

Emerald Branch Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association

Build stronger individual and/or community resilience through furnishing a youth space within a welfare centre.

Emerald

$5,000

Darling Downs, QLD

Toowoomba and District Down Syndrome Support Group Inc

Promote inclusive community engagement through the provision of an annual family workshop and camp.

Toowoomba

$5,000

Pittsworth and District Men’s Shed Inc

Develop a more engaged, participative community through the purchase of information technology.

Pittsworth

$5,000

Meandarra Primary P&C Association

Strengthen community participation through the installation of a concrete path and seating.

Meandarra

$5,000

Jandowae Kindergarten Assoc Inc

Provide access to inclusive learning environments through the upgrade of a playground cubby.

Jandowae

$5,000

Brookstead Community Hall Association Inc

Providing access to community activities through the installation of a solar powered system.

Brookstead

$5,000

Dawson Valley, QLD

Theodore Early Childhood Centre Association Inc

Support early childhood development through the provision of a shade area and the purchase of an outdoor play set.

Theodore

$5,000

Dirranbandi, QLD

Dirranbandi Swim Club Dirranbandi Courts Sports Association Inc

Strengthen community participation and water safety through the purchase of swimming and pool equipment and barbeque to host a community event.

Dirranbandi

$5,000

Macintyre Valley, QLD

Talwood State School P&C

Increase engagement in learning and improve education outcomes through the purchase of an irrigation system to compliment an orchard project.

Talwood

$5,000

North Star Sporting Club Ltd

Promote community safety and resilience through the purchase of a defibrillator and three comprehensive First Aid kits.

North Star

$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.