Gardiner Foundation grants a boost for dairy communities

Media Releases, 6 July 2022

Twenty-one projects in Victoria’s main dairy regions – Gippsland, Northern Victoria, and South-West Victoria – have been awarded $91,833 in grants, which will help to build the capacity of local community organisations and improve digital connectivity.

The grants are through the Gardiner Dairy Foundation Community Grants Program, which is delivered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). This marks the 20th year of the program, which has seen more than 500 grants awarded, valued at more than $2 million during that time.

The latest round of grants of up to $5,000 will go to grassroots organisations and not-for-profits that are critical to the sustainability of dairy farming in Victoria.

Gardiner Dairy Foundation Chief Executive, Allan Cameron, said he is delighted to continue supporting dairying communities.

“After 20 years, the Community Grants Program continues to support Victorian regions that are reliant on the dairy industry. Local groups play an important role in enhancing the vitality of these communities.

“These grants will help local organisations in many small towns to thrive with initiatives that range from COVID recovery and disaster preparedness, to improved digital capabilities and facility upgrades. The grants help to ensure the viability of these organisations,” Mr Cameron said.

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said there was strong demand for this kind of support.

“Half of the projects receiving funding are geared towards building organisational capacity or improving access to the internet or digital technologies. This is a reflection of how the last couple of years have impacted remote, rural, and regional community groups and a great reminder of why it’s important to engage in conversations with the locals on the ground and find out how we can adapt our approach to better serve the needs of their communities.

“We are delighted to have maintained such a strong partnership with Gardiner Dairy Foundation for the last two decades,” Ms Egleton said.

Community groups were presented with their funds at a series of ceremonies held in the regions during June and July. A complete list of the projects supported is available below. They include:

  • Gippsland Dairy Region – The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation Inc received $5,000 to enhance literacy outcomes for Indigenous primary school children with a dedicated tutoring program.
  • Northern Dairy Region – Corryong Neighbourhood House Inc received $5,000 to grow the organisation’s capacity to support the community with the provision of computer equipment and software.
  • South-Western Dairy Region – Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum Trust Inc. received $4,752 to build organisational capacity through developing digital capability that will promote and enable wide engagement with Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum.

The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant

GIPPSLAND
The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation Inc

Post COVID Literacy Support for Aboriginal Students in the Gippsland region
Enhance literacy outcomes for Indigenous primary school children with a dedicated tutoring program. 

Bairnsdale $5,000
Camp Cooinda Incorporated

Training Safety Boat Operators for Camp Cooinda
Build organisational capacity by training and upskilling volunteers to run camp activities. 

Banksia Peninsula $3,000
Manna Gum Community House Incorporated

Manna Gum Gathering Place - Stage 3
Improve the facilities of Manna Gum house with an electric BBQ for community gatherings.

Foster $5,000
Neerim District Soldiers Memorial Hospital

Communication Integrity - Satellite Phone
Improve the disaster preparedness of Neerim Soldiers Hospital with a Satellite Phone to maintain communications in an emergency. 

Neerim South $3,050
Port Albert Maritime Museum

Letting History Speak
Enhance tourism experience at the Port Albert Maritime Museum with audio installations to increase inclusivity and access.

Port Albert $5,000
Toora Primary School

Netball lines in Stadium
Increase access to all weather facilities for the Toora Primary School and surrounding community.

Toora $5,000
Trafalgar Holden Museum Inc

Replacement of chairs
Increase organisational capacity and community safety with the replacement of dilapidated chairs at the Trafalgar Holden Museum.

Trafalgar $5,000
Newry Hall Upper Maffra Mechanics Institute Incorporated

Hall Internet Connection
Reduce the digital divide for the Newry community with the provision of enhanced internet infrastructure at the Newry Hall.

Newry $3,000
Venus Bay Tarwin Lower and District Mens Shed Incorporated

“Stop Washing Dishes by Hand and Greater Community Participation”
Enhance operational infrastructure to support volunteer vitality through the purchase of a dishwasher for the Venus Bay Tarwin Lower and Districts Mens Shed.

Venus Bay $5,000
Welshpool and District Primary School

IncrediGirls
Develop lifelong educational opportunities for girls of Welshpool and District Primary School through the delivery of the IncrediGirls program focused on STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) activities across the community.

Welshpool $5,000
NORTH EAST VICTORIA

Corryong Neighbourhood House Inc

Digital Growth
Grow the organisations capacity to support the community with the provision of computer equipment and software.		Corryong $5,000
Girgarre Community CentreBuilding Connections with Technology
Build the capacity of Girgarre Community House to increase community access to online services in collaboration with neighbouring town Stanhope.		Girgarre $5,000
Kyabram Development Committee IncorporatedKyabram Tastes & Tunes
Strengthen the social and economic outcomes of Kyabram through support of the Tastes and Tunes Festival.		Kyabram $5,000
Rochester Community House IncIt’s Time for New Tools
Improve facilities and equipment to increase participation and safety with the purchase of new tools for the Rochester Mens Shed.		Rochester $2,900
SOUTH WEST VICTORIA

Anam Cara House Colac Inc

Strengthening Community Connections through Information Technology Final stage
Build organisational capacity to support resident’s socialisation and staff training with Smart TV equipment.		Colac$2,446
Archers of Warrnambool Associated IncorporatedCombined Clubs Mower
Improve equipment to support volunteer participation with a mower to maintain grounds for combined community activity and tourism.		Allansford $5,000
Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum Trust Inc.Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum digital engagement project
Build organisational capacity through developing digital capability that will promote and enable wide engagement with Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum.		Camperdown$4,752
Loved and Shared IncorporatedLoved & Shared, Establishing the Warehouse
Increase organisational capacity of this start up not-for-profit group to repair and distribute nursery equipment and children’s clothing and items to the community.		Warrnambool$5,000
Pennyroyal Hall CommitteePennyroyal Hall Refurbishment
Improve community facilities at Pennyroyal by replastering the local hall.		Pennyroyal$5,000
Purnim Recreation ReserveUpgrade Pavilion Kitchen Appliances
Upgrade the kitchen facilities at the Purnim Community Recreation facility to support community events and activity.		Purnim$3,500
Simpson Indoor Bias Bowls Club IncIndoor Bowls Carpet Mat upgrade
Boost volunteer vitality with the provision of replacement bowls carpet to support community activity for the Simpson community.		Simpson$4,235

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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.