Local groups secure more than $1.2M in funding to strengthen their communities

Media Releases, 30 June 2021

Grants part of $2M funding commitment for region

Thanks to a new partnership between the FRRR and The Yulgilbar Foundation, 22 projects in the Clarence Valley and surrounding region have received a much-needed boost this year, with community groups sharing in $1,214,206 in grants.

Local groups secure more than $1.2M in funding

Funded through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund program, these grants are part of $2 million investment across the region over a three-year period. Funded initiatives include 19 one-off grants and two multi-year grants that will strengthen community capacity and resilience in the wake of the 2019/20 bushfires, drought and continued challenges across the region.

A broad cross section of groups has received support for a wide range of initiatives, with grants ranging from $1,600 for a creative writing workshop to $571,000, distributed over three years, for the Changing Lanes Community Youth Garage program run by The New School of Arts. Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation has also been awarded multi-year funding, totaling $148,413, for a project focused on resilience and wellbeing of Indigenous boys and men from Clarence Valley and surrounds.

Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, said that the breadth of the projects funded reflects the diverse needs of communities in the Clarence Valley and surrounding areas.

“Great ideas and initiatives to create strong, vibrant communities are prevalent across the Clarence Valley and neighbouring regions. However, the last 12 to 18 months have made it pretty challenging to find the funding and resources to bring them to fruition.

“These grants, which are generously funded by The Yulgilbar Foundation, mean that these 22 ideas will become reality and have a positive impact on the capacity and resilience of their communities. It is fantastic to have dedicated funding available to support this region,” Ms Egleton said.

The projects supported range from creative arts, heritage and culture projects, events and festivals, gardening, street-scaping, creating employment-pathways, IT equipment and business, leadership and mental health workshops.

Further opportunities for grants will be available through The Yulgilbar Foundation Fund in the coming year. More information is available here.

The full list of grant recipients and their projects are listed below by LGA:

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
Clarence Valley

North West Film Festival Inc.

Arts North West Incorporated

Drought Recovery Outreach Program - Sara Storer Tour

Encourage people to come together and improve community spirit in 12 drought affected northern NSW townships by bringing live music events featuring Australian singer/songwriter Sara Storer.

Clarence Valley Shire, Tenterfield Shire, & Kyogle Council$70,000
Richmond Valley Business & Rural Financial Counselling Services Incorporated

Family Farm Succession Planning

Support and strengthen the local economy by running six community information workshops to help farming families in drought and bushfire affected communities plan for the future.

Clarence Valley Shire, Tenterfield Shire, Inverell Shire, Gunnedah Shire$24,000

North West Film Festival Inc.

Arts North West Incorporated

Choir of Fire

Encourage bushfire affected communities in regional NSW to come together and unwind by running a touring music concert event in 12 towns.

Clarence Valley, Tenterfield, & Inverell Shires$30,000
Copmanhurst Pre-School Inc

Healing circle surrounded by native garden

Enhance areas that support local recovery at Copmanhurst Preschool, through establishment of a healing circle and native garden.

Copmanhurst$8,650
Blicks Community Incorporated

LET’S CONNECT- The Blicks Community Communication Strategy

Grow community resilience, connectedness, and emergency preparedness in the Dundurrabin area through the development and implementation of a Community Communication Strategy.

Dundurrabin$25,000

Ewingar South Tabulam Community Sports Center

Clarence Valley Council

Ewingar Rising

Enhance local recovery and increase wellbeing, through delivery of community music festival on anniversary of disaster event.

Ewingar$19,860
Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation

Rising Warriors Program - Healing Our Way

Boost resilience and wellbeing of Indigenous boys and men in the Clarence Valley and surrounds through culturally relevant activities and events.

Grafton$148,413 *
OZ Green-Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (Australia) Incorporated

Resilient Communities - Clarence Valley Shire

Build community awareness and skills in disaster preparedness with the delivery of Resilient Communities program in the Clarence Valley.

Grafton$85,815

The Long Way Home

Byron Writers Festival

Creative writing workshops with Cate Kennedy

Encourage the development of creative writing skills through accessible workshops for Clarence Valley residents.

Grafton$1,600
The New School of Arts Neighbourhood House Incorporated

Changing Lanes

Improve social connection, leadership skills, and employment pathways for young people in the Clarence Valley through the Changing Lanes Community Youth Garage program.

Grafton$571,000 *
The Susan and Elizabeth Islands Recreation Land Manager

Ceremonial Stone placement and seating on Susan Island

Celebrate local Indigenous culture and heritage by placing a Ceremonial Stone, seating and signage at a gathering place on Susan Island, Grafton.

Grafton$4,700
Lawrence Historical Society Incorporated

Technology to Preserve Local Cultural History and Easy Public Access

Build organisational capacity to maintain and share information about the local area through new technology and website for local museum in Lawrence.

Lawrence$19,220
The Mend & Make Do Crew Incorporated

She He Shed

Increase social connectedness and improve facilities delivering arts and craft-based activities in Grafton through fit-out costs and equipment at the She Shed He Shed maker’s space.

South Grafton$30,000
Woombah Residents Association Incorporated

Woombah Wellness Community Garden Raising Videos & Media Makers Mentoring Program

Build organisational capacity to promote local environmental sustainability through development of virtual resources for Woombah Community Garden.

Woombah$12,100
Port of Yamba Historical Society Incorporated

Expanding stories of Yaegl people and their culture at Yamba Museum

Build organisational capacity of Historical Society in Yamba to celebrate local Indigenous culture through the installation of artwork and enhancements at local museum.

Yamba$20,000
Coffs Harbour
Glenreagh School of the Arts Incorporated

Cedar and Steam Art and Photo Exhibition 2021

Boost capacity of Glenreagh School of the Arts to support local artists and community access to artworks by upgrading display systems.

Glenreagh$4,000
Goondiwindi
Lanescape Goondiwindi Incorporated

Masterplan Art Trail

Enhance the amenity and vibrancy of Goondiwindi through a public art project engaging the local community.

Goondiwindi$25,000
Kyogle
Proprietor Bundgeam Preschool Incorporated

Community Bike Track & Solar Installation

Boost community preparedness, resilience and wellbeing in Terrace Creek, NSW, through the development of a community bike track and solar installation at local preschool site.

Terrace Creek$42,000
Border Ranges Riding Club Incorporated

Supporting the activities of Border Ranges Riding Club 2021-2022

Boost access to inclusive community activities in Woodenbong through local riding club fostering skill development, social connection, and resilience.

Woodenbong$6,975
Woodenbong Progress Association

Upgrade of the median strip in MacPherson Street, Woodenbong

Enhance the streetscape and boost community spirit in Woodenbong through the beautification of the main street.

Woodenbong$5,600
Tenterfield
Tenterfield Show Society Incorporated

Connecting 1876-2021

Build capacity of Tenterfield Show Society to preserve local history and culture through restoring and digitalizing the photographic collection of the region dating 1876 to 2021.

Tenterfield$4,906
Arts North West Incorporated

CreativiTEA - Seasonal Stories of the New England North West

Boost community resilience and connections in four townships in Inverell and Tenterfield Shires through a series of creative workshops over two years.

Tenterfield & Inverell Shires (Drake, Ashford, Tingha, Torrington)$55,367
* Funding to be distributed over multi-year projects
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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.