The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has awarded $1,454,165 in grants for 41 community-led projects that will help tackle the challenges that drought-affected communities across Australia continue to face through its award-winning grants program, Tackling Tough Times Together (TTTT). [1]
The grants will support a wide range of initiatives that are designed to meet the needs of people in each drought-affected place, from Lake Cargelligo in NSW, Atitjere in the NT, Hughenden in QLD, Truro in SA, Murrayville in VIC, to Brookton in WA. These projects will help to create community cohesion and resilience by creating supportive environments, reducing social isolation and increasing community engagement in remote, rural, and regional communities across drought-affected Australia.
Although parts of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia having received substantial rainfall this year, these regions, as well as many other parts of the country, continue to be affected by the long-term impacts of persistent rainfall deficits[2].
Nina O’Brien, Disaster Resilience & Recovery Lead for FRRR, said that while it’s no longer on the front pages, the impact of the ongoing drought continues to be top-of-mind for FRRR.
“Despite recent rain in some places, we know the effects of long-term rainfall deficits don’t just disappear. It takes 18 to 24 months of sustained average rainfalls for communities to finally be able to move beyond the immediate impacts of drought. Most communities have had nowhere near this amount of rain – and many have had none at all, which is why communities still need support. This has been made evident by the record value of funding requests we received for this round of TTTT,” Ms O’Brien said.
“The pandemic has added extra financial strain to communities already dealing with drought, adding to the pressure felt by many local groups, including very fatigued volunteers. Community cohesion plays such an important role in drought recovery and COVID-19 restrictions have only exacerbated the social isolation and disengagement that many of these communities have been working hard to tackle.
“In spite of the difficulties, we are inspired by the many local organisations that persistently work to develop the places where they live. These groups are so resilient and continue to find ways to seed and strengthen, adapt and evolve, and innovate and renew their community. They are finding ways to bring their community together and build that social cohesion, whether it be through community events and festivals, making things more accessible for people living with disability, or by repairing and upgrading facilities to create a safe place for locals to gather.
“Thanks to the support of our donor partners, we can take a little pressure off them and help their great ideas come to fruition,” Ms O’Brien said.
Some of the 41 projects awarded this round include:
- Aldersyde Agricultural Hall Inc, WA – Aldersyde Agricultural Hall – $110,000 – Increased accessibility and reduced volunteer fatigue through upgrades to the Aldersyde Agricultural Hall kitchen, toilet facilities, water storage, verandah and parking area.
- Upper Lachlan Shire Council, NSW – 2021 Gunning Arts Festival – $6,925 – Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability and sustainability of the 2021 Gunning Arts Festival to provide opportunities for economic growth and community connection whilst supporting the arts in regional Australia.
- The Rex Monto Limited, QLD – The Rex: Theatre, Gallery and Community Hub – $ 58,500 – Enhance community identity with the restoration and development of a theatre, gallery, and community Hub at The Rex.
- Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (Port Augusta Branch), SA – ‘Bush Kids Honey’ – $19,186 – Support opportunities for social and educational participation and address disadvantage caused by the drought, for children and young people through the provision of bee hives for Students of the Air – Port Augusta region.
- Outback Highway Development Council – Harts Range/ Atitjere, NT – Outback Way Outdoor Gallery – Installation – $60,000 – Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity, capability and sustainability to support the community through the installation of billboards of local artwork along highway.
- Murrayville and District Liaison Committee, VIC – Pioneer Park Playground Shade Structure – $17,303 – Reduce social isolation by facilitating social connection through the installation of shade over the Pioneer Park Playground, Murrayville.
Tackling Tough Times Together is possible thanks to the collaborative support of several donors, including the Australian Government which committed $15M to be distributed over three years. Generous contributions have also been made by Pratt Foundation, Stockland CARE Foundation, Paul Ramsay Foundation, The Snow Foundation, Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Henroth Group and private donors from across the nation.
Applications for the TTTT program are always open and groups in areas currently drought-affected, or that have been affected in the last 18 months, are encouraged to apply for funding support.
The cut-off dates for future rounds are:
- 25 February 2021. Outcomes will be advised late May 2021.
- 24 May 2021. (Note, full applications for the $150,000 grant tier must be received by 13 April 2021.) Outcomes will be advised late August 2021.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
Jump to : WA | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | VIC
|
Organisation |
Project |
Location |
Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
|
WESTERN AUSTRALIA |
|||
|
Up to $150,000 |
|||
| Aldersyde Agricultural Hall Incorporated | Aldersyde Hall Facility Upgrade Increased accessibility and reduced volunteer fatigue through upgrades to the Aldersyde Agricultural Hall kitchen, toilet facilities, water storage, verandah, and parking area. |
Aldersyde | $110,000 |
|
NEW SOUTH WALES |
|||
|
Up to $60,000 |
|||
| Blayney Town Association | 52 Weeks of Creativity Reduce social isolation and enhance local tourism through the provision of Blayney’s 52 Weeks of creativity including workshops, community gatherings, school holiday activities, markets, and live music events at the recently restored Blayney Railway Station “Platform” facility. |
Blayney | $47,820 |
| Bourke & District Children’s Services | Co-location of Early Childhood and Integrated Health Services Enhance social and educational participation for children disadvantaged by drought through the development of a feasibility plan for the Bourke district. |
Bourke | $57,000 |
| Lakes Alive Progress Association Incorporated | Water Tower Mural Lake Cargelligo Enhance local economic recovery and renewal through the development of the Lake Cargelligo Water Tower Mural. |
Lake Cargelligo | $59,960 |
| Nymboida Canoeing Limited | Nymboida Volunteer Hub Reduce social isolation and increase organisational capacity and capability through the expansion of the Nymboida Volunteer Hub. |
Nymboida | $60,000 |
| Sunnyside Hall Management Committee Incorporated | Re-Roofing Sunnyside Hall Upgrade meeting space that supports connectedness for drought affected residents, through replacement of roof and guttering at Sunnyside Hall. |
Tenterfield | $36,500 |
|
Up to $20,000 |
|||
| Friends of the Gwydir Fitness Centre Gwydir Shire Council |
Gwydir Fitness Centre equipment program Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of Friends of the Gwydir Fitness Centre through the provision of exercise equipment at the Warialda and Bingara Community Gyms. |
Bingara | $17,973 |
| Moree Mainly Music Group Mainly Music (Australia) Limited |
Moree Mainly Music Group Support opportunities for social and educational participation and address disadvantage caused by the drought, for children through the provision of music session structures and materials for Moree Mainly Music Group. |
Moree | $867 |
| Murrurundi Community Men’s Shed Incorporated | Murrurundi Men’s Shed Extension Reduce social isolation by facilitating strong social cohesion and connection through the expansion of the Murrurundi Community Men’s Shed facility. |
Murrurundi | $17,320 |
| Pilliga Community Centre Incorporated | New Windows Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of the Pilliga Community Centre through the installation of new windows. |
Pilliga | $6,657 |
| Gunning Arts Festival Section 355 Committee Upper Lachlan Shire Council |
2021 Gunning Arts Festival Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability and sustainability of the 2021 Gunning Arts Festival to provide opportunities for economic growth, community connection whilst supporting the arts in regional Australia. |
Gunning | $6,925 |
| Warren Chamber Music Festival Incorporated | Warren Chamber Music Festival Reduce social isolation, enhance educational participation for young people, and stimulate local economy through the delivery of the Warren Chamber Music Festival. |
Nevertire | $20,000 |
|
NORTHERN TERRITORY |
|||
|
Up to $60,000 |
|||
| Outback Highway Development Council Incorporated | Outback Way Outdoor Gallery – Installation Support economic recovery and renewal through the installation of 14 outdoor billboards of local artwork along the Plenty Highway in the NT. |
Harts Range/ Atitjere | $60,000 |
|
QUEENSLAND |
|||
|
Up to $60,000 |
|||
| Back Plains Primary Parents and Citizens Association | Enclosing our Covered Outside Learning Area Enhance social and educational participation for children disadvantaged by drought through enhancements to the covered outdoor learning space at the Back Plains State School. |
Back Plains | $25,410 |
| Bidjara Media and Broadcasting Company Limited | Expansion of Broadcasting & News Services Reduce social isolation through the expansion of Bidjara Media and Broadcasting community radio into Thargomindah, Quilpie, St George, and Roma. |
Thargomindah | $60,000 |
| Bollon and District Community Group Incorporated | Click goes the Shears in Bollon Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of a local not-for-profit organisation to provide support to their community through the enhancement of the Bollon Heritage Centre enabling under cover space to restore, showcase and preserve local historical artefacts. |
Bollon | $60,000 |
| Bungunya State School Parents and Citizens Committee | Operation Outdoors Enhance social and educational participation for children disadvantaged by drought through the installation of an undercover learning space and an irrigation system at Bungunya State School. |
Bungunya | $59,245 |
| Charleville Community Men’s Shed Incorporated | Charleville Community Men’s Shed Incorporated Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of a local not-for-profit organisation to provide support to their community, through enhancements at the Charleville Community Men’s Shed. |
Charleville | $60,000 |
| Chinchilla Historical Society Incorporated | The Fire Towers Interpretive Centre Enhance local economic recovery and renewal through the development of the Chinchilla Historical Society’s Fire Towers Interpretive Centre adding to local tourism offerings. |
Chinchilla | $45,748 |
| Proston Men’s Shed Incorporated | Proston Men’s Shed Incorporated Increased capacity to deliver community activities and reduce social isolation, through fit out of newly constructed Men’s Shed in Proston. |
Proston | $59,972 |
| Hughenden State Emergency Service (SES) Group Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
Training and Storage rooms Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity, capability, and sustainability through enhancements at the Hughenden SES Shed. |
Hughenden | $44,228 |
| Jericho State Emergency Service (SES) Queensland Fire and Emergency Services |
SES Jericho Facility Fit out Reduce volunteer fatigue and build organisational capacity, capability, and sustainability of the local not for profit organisation to support the community, particularly during time of drought through the completion of a fit out at the Jericho SES Shed. |
Jericho | $29,120 |
| Queensland Rural Regional and Remote Women’s Network Incorporated | Toward 2030 – The Future of RRR Women (Established Wisdom Underpinning Innovative Futures) Reduce volunteer fatigue and build organisation capacity, capability, and sustainability through the development of a strategic plan including organisational collaboration, development, and action planning to secure the future of QRRRWN. |
Goondiwindi | $27,640 |
| St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Barcaldine | The Next Chapter Enhance participation in education, through purchase of new technology and books for St Joseph’s Primary School, Barcaldine. |
Barcaldine | $31,000 |
| The Rex Monto Limited | The Rex: Theatre, Gallery and Community Hub Enhance community identity with the restoration and development of a theatre, gallery, and community Hub at The Rex. |
Monto | $58,500 |
| Windorah Development Board | Pioneers Park Strengthen economic recovery and renewal through the development of Pioneer Park in Windorah to enhance the tourist experience and showcase local history. |
Windorah | $55,000 |
|
Up to $20,000 |
|||
| Alpha District Tourism & Development Association Incorporated | Additional Resources for our Tivoli Theatre Museum Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the provision of additional resources including technological equipment, a ladder, display cabinetry and signage for the Alpha ‘Tivoli Theatre’ Museum. |
Alpha | $18,651 |
| Eumamurrin Recreation Association Incorporated | Eumamurrin Water Infrastructure Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of local not-for-profit organisations to provide support to their communities, through the provision of water infrastructure at the Eumamurrin Recreation Reserve and hall. |
Eumamurrin | $17,329 |
| St Therese’s Catholic Primary School Parents & Friends Association | Light Tower and Electrical Points for our School Oval Build economic strength and sustainability, contributing to a stronger social fabric and increased resilience and connection to community through purchasing lighting and electrical infrastructure for annual community event. |
Monto | $12,896 |
| Wandoan Arts Council Incorporated | Wandoan Arts Council Creative Arts Escape Reduce social isolation by facilitating social cohesion and connection opportunities through the delivery of Wondoan Arts Council Creative Arts Escape in 2021. |
Wandoan | $20,000 |
|
SOUTH AUSTRALIA |
|||
|
Up to $60,000 |
|||
| Cleve District Hospital Auxiliary | Cleve Community Aged Care Bus Reduce social isolation and volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the provision of a wheelchair friendly bus for Cleve District Hospital services. |
Cleve | $40,000 |
| Copley Progress Association Incorporated | Copley Green Learning Centre Reduce social isolation through the development of the Copley Green Learning Centre, a Community Kitchen Garden project. |
Copley | $40,000 |
| Koolunga Primary School | Outdoor Learning Space Enhance social and educational participation for children disadvantaged by drought through the construction of an outdoor, undercover learning space for the children of Koolunga Primary School. |
Koolunga | $30,000 |
| Truro and District Community Association Incorporated | Town Entry Statements Enhance economic recovery and renewal through the installation of town entrance statement signage for the Truro township on the Sturt Highway. |
Truro | $49,500 |
|
Up to $20,000 |
|||
| Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (Port Augusta Branch) | Bush Kids Honey Support opportunities for social and educational participation and address disadvantage caused by the drought, for children and young people through the provision of beehives for Students of the Air – Port Augusta region. |
Port Augusta Region | $19,186 |
| Rotary Club of Peterborough Incorporated | Community Shower & Bathroom Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability and sustainability of the Salvation Army to provide support to their community, particularly where they are playing an increased role during the drought through the installation of showering facilities, in Peterborough. |
Peterborough | $12,000 |
| The Beltana Progress Association Incorporated | Creating a Permanent Exhibition of Flinders Ranges Art in the Beltana Hall as a Tourist Attraction Enhance economic recovery and renewal through the creation of a permanent art exhibition at the historic Beltana Hall. |
Beltana | $12,995 |
|
VICTORIA |
|||
|
Up to $20,000 |
|||
| Heyfield RSL | External Cladding Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of a local not-for-profit organisations through enhancements at the Heyfield RSL. |
Heyfield | $10,000 |
| Lake Boga Waterski Club Incorporated | Lake Boga Waterski Club Kitchen Facility Upgrade Reduce social isolation, stimulate the local economy and increase the capacity, capability and sustainability of Lake Boga Water ski Club as they play an increased role during the drought by enhancements to clubhouse facilities. |
Lake Boga | $20,000 |
| Meerlieu Public Hall | Planning for the Future – Meerlieu Public Hall Reduce volunteer fatigue and build the capacity, capability, and sustainability of Meerlieu Public Hall Committee of Management through the development of designs and documentation for future usage planning and facility enhancements. |
Meerlieu | $17,420 |
| Murrayville and District Liaison Committee Incorporated | Pioneer Park Playground Shade Structure Reduce social isolation by facilitating social connection through the installation of shade over the Pioneer Park Playground, Murrayville. |
Murrayville | $17,303 |
[1] 2020 Australian Philanthropy Awards – Best Grant Program
[2] Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. Drought Rainfall deficiencies and water availability. 7 October 2020. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2I1PSqA.
