Visy Tumut Region Recovery Fund grants awarded

Media Releases, Recovery & Resilience Stories, 2 April 2020

Bendigo, 3 April, 2020: The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), in partnership with the Pratt Foundation, has granted $649,150 to support 19 projects that will help Tumut region communities to recover from the recent bushfires.

The funding is through the Visy Tumut Region Recovery Fund. The grants will help address a diverse range of needs, including improving social connectedness, enhancing community spirit and providing mental health support through workshops, activities and infrastructure.

FRRR’s CEO Natalie Egleton says that from FRRR’s 18 years’ experience in supporting disaster-affected communities, they know that every community is different, so access to flexible funding that can help address different priorities is crucial – now, and into the medium to long-term.

“While COVID-19 has made things much more complex, we know that bushfire affected communities still need support on their recovery journey. It’s wonderful to be able to partner with the Pratt Foundation to get this funding on the ground to assist local community groups to lead local recovery efforts in a way that meets the needs of that community.

“An important part of disaster recovery is strengthening social connectedness and stimulating economic recovery, especially in areas reliant on tourism and agriculture. The current restrictions on gatherings will make this more difficult, however, grants have still been provided for events like the Snowy Valleys Council’s Rock the Turf music festival and the Tumut Art Society Inc’s RegenerART project. We understand that there may be changes to projects in response to Covid-19, but keeping funding flowing into the community to support recovery is critical. These projects offer the community opportunities that will have many and long-lasting benefits.”

Visy Executive Chairman, Anthony Pratt said, “The Tumut region was heavily impacted by the tragic bushfires earlier this year and because Visy is part of the local community, we were keen to be actively involved in the recovery effort. I’m so thankful the applications to Round 1 of the Visy Tumut Region Recovery Fund have resulted in immediate assistance for a wide range of projects all of which will benefit the community.”

Other strong themes in the grants awarded were addressing mental health, supporting the rebuild of community infrastructure and replacing equipment and facilities that were lost, and helping fund resources to coordinate recovery activities. Some examples of these grants include:

  • Regional Development Australia – Riverina’s Landholder Welfare & Resilience Workshops – directly helping landholders affected by bushfire through a series of accessible and practical workshops that will build resilience and wellbeing across multiple communities; and
  • Montreal Community Theatre Inc – improving the reliability of local radio communications, particularly during times of emergency through purchase of battery, transmission and broadcasting equipment.

More grants are expected to be announced at the end of April.

Organisation

Project

Location

Grant

Adelong Junior Sports Foundation IncorporatedInstallation of outdoor community fitness equipment

 Increase the mental health and wellbeing of residents in Adelong through the installation of exercise equipment in public spaces.

Adelong

 $45,000

Adelong Pre School IncWellness Program for Preschool Children

 Improve mental health of pre-school children and their families in Adelong through yoga and music therapy sessions for the children.

Adelong

$5,000

Adelong Progress AssociationBack to Adelong

 Improve vibrancy, visitation and build community connectedness through a weekend festival in Adelong incorporating markets, tours, exhibitions and dinner dance.

Adelong

$70,000

Adelong Showground Management CommitteeUpgrading Dining/Kitchen Area at the Adelong Showground

Improve community infrastruture and meeting spaces at the Adelong Showground by upgrading the kitchen/dining facilities.

Adelong

 $45,000

Festival of the Falling LeafSnow Valleys Festival Pack

Increase community capacity to deliver locally led festivals and events through the purchase of equipment including chairs, tables, marquees and generator.

Tumut, Tumbarumba, Batlow, Adelong

 $45,000

Gilmore Progress Association IncorporatedGilmore Hall Renovation and Upgrade

 Improve community meeting facility at the Gilmore Hall through upgrades to the kitchen area.

Gilmore

$49,900

Ideas Information on Disability Education Awareness Services IncorporatedHang out, without hanging on! – EZYDUN in the Snowy Valleys

 Improve accessible public amenities at local festivals and events through provision of a portable all-abilities bathroom facility.

Tumut, Batlow, Tumbarumba, Talbingo

$60,000

Local Leading Ladies IncorporatedCapacity Building for Snowy Valleys

 Build capacity of individuals and businesses to operate remotely through in person workshops and online training opportunities which will support local economic recovery and reduce financial hardship caused by the fires.

Tumut, Batlow, Tumbarumba, Talbingo, Adelong

$50,000

Montreal Community Theatre IncEmergency Broadcast, Backup Power and Local Community Radio Communications Sustainability Project

 Improve reliability of local radio communications, particularly during times of emergency, in the Snowy Valley region through purchase of battery, transmission and broadcasting equipment.

Tumut, Batlow, Tumbarumba, Talbingo, Adelong, Rosewood, Tooma

$100,000

Regional Development Australia – RiverinaLandholder Welfare & Resilience Workshops

 Build resilience and wellbeing of landholders affected by bushfire through a series of accessible and practical workshops across multiple communties in Snowy Valleys Council region.

Batlow, Tumbarumba, Talbingo, Adelong, Oberne, Yaven Creek, Westbrook, Gilmore Valley

$20,000

Snowy Valleys Council
Rock the Turf		Rock The Turf

 Increase community spirit, social connectedness and wellbeing in the Snowy Valleys region through the delivery of Rock the Turf public music event.

Tumut

 $25,000

Talbingo MTB Club IncTalbingo Township Mountain Bike Trailhead, Skills Park and Foreshore Trail

 Increase tourism and available community activities through the development of a mountain bike trailhead at Talbingo.

Talbingo

 $40,800

Tumbarumba Artists on Parade Co-Operative LimitedConnecting the Community through hands on workshops

 Increase resilience, wellbeing and social connectedness of the Tumbarumba community through a variety of interactive hands on workshops.

Tumbarumba

$7,000

Tumbarumba Rotary Club
Write Your Life Group		The 2020 Tumbarumba and Region Fires

 Contribute to community resilience, connectedness and preservation of local history through creation of a book documenting the bushfire experience of the Tumbarumba community.

Tumbarumba and surrounds

$7,500

Tumut Art Society IncRegenerART: Re-creating a positive future

 Foster community resilience and connectedness across four fire affected communities through series of free art workshops

Batlow, Tumbarumba, Talbingo, Adelong

 $23,950

Tumut Pony Club IncMini Camp for Zone 20 Pony Club

Enhance community wellbeing and connectedness through support of local pony club weekend event.

Tumut

$5,000

Tumut Region Producers and Makers Co-operative LimitedLocal at Learmont’s

Support economic recovery of local food producers following bushfire event in Snowy Valleys through rental assistance at growers market.

Tumut

 $20,000

Tumut Swimming Club IncBBQ and Shelter at the Tumut War Memorial Swimming Pool

Improve social wellbeing and opportunity for engagement in Tumut region through BBQ facilities and infrastructure at local pool.

Tumut

 $25,000

Zone 20 PCA of NSW IncorporationZone 20 Camp 2021

 Build community resilience and engagement through support for annual pony club camp weekend.

Tumbarumba

$5,000

Share
Back to News
Follow Us
Support the future of remote, rural and regional communities
Giving
Grantseeker resources: I am looking for information about…
Explore
X

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.

X

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).

X

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.

X

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.

X

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.

X

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.