Nineteen grassroots initiatives across remote, rural and regional Australia will share in $172,069 in grants through the FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants program.
This year, the program took ideas generated by young Australians at the ABC Takeover Shepparton Summit and offered rural community organisations the opportunity to apply for a grant that would bring one of the six ideas to life. This year’s ideas for change centred around the themes of LGBTQIA+ allyship; hands on learning for young people; promoting healthier communities; supporting people in need; cultural awareness; and homelessness.
These 19 grants will mean that community organisations will have the support and resources they need to help address some of the issues that matter most to young people.
Deb Samuels, FRRR’s People Portfolio Lead, said that this program is so important because it gives young people a say and prepares them for future leadership roles within their communities.
“This program not only gives young Australians a platform to champion the causes that matter to them but, more importantly, it puts their thoughts and ideas into action. Young people are the future and the initiatives being funded are a great example of how they can have a direct and positive impact on regional Australia.
“The young people who participate in this program – either in developing the ideas or helping them come to life in their community – often go on to do great things in their communities and beyond. For the last couple of years, due to COVID we’ve had to adapt the way the ideas are generated, yet young people have continued to step up and show their dedication to working towards a better future for regional Australia,” Ms Samuels said.
Deakin, one of the young people who attended this year’s 2022 Takeover Shepparton Summit, run by the ABC in partnership with VicHealth, said it is so exciting to see that communities are going to adapt and adopt the ideas they were part of developing.
“Participating in Takeover this year was an amazing experience. Having the opportunity to get together with likeminded young people who are passionate about improving the future of regional Australia was really empowering.
“The conversations we had were really productive and, now, seeing the ideas we came up with turn into real initiatives and projects is amazing. I’m proud to think that the ideas we came up will reach so many communities,” said Deakin.
The FRRR Program Advisory Committee, which recommends the applications to be supported to the FRRR Board, is also made up of ABC Heywire alumni. This ensures young people to have an input in each step of the program, giving them a say in which initiatives best align with the issues affecting young people. The Committee role means they also gain valuable insight into the world of philanthropy and see just what’s involved in assessing and validating the applications, under the guidance of FRRR Directors and staff.
The Board endorsed 19 projects, some of which are highlighted below:
- The Scouts of the 1st Burrill-Ulladulla Sea Scout Group in Ulladulla NSW, received $2,782 to develop the Humanity Helping Homelessness idea by reducing food insecurity with the installation and promotion of a community food pantry and vegetable gardens.
- Melaleuca Refugee Centre Torture & Trauma Survivor’s Service of the Northern Territory Inc in Darwin, NT, received $10,000 to develop the Fusion Festival idea and encourage cultural inclusivity, by running a multicultural festival featuring food, workshops and live performances that provides an opportunity for migrants and former refugees to share their culture with the community and explore business opportunities to utilise their culture and skill set.
- RoboCoast Sunshine Coast Robotics Association in Bamaga, QLD, received $10,000 to develop the Hands On Learning idea by providing youth throughout remote Australia with a hands-on opportunity to learn about Robotics.
- Roxby Downs Community Board in Roxby Downs, SA, received $6,393 to develop the Take Care idea by empowering youth with the skills to recognise and respond to a friend experiencing a mental health problem or a crisis situation through Mental Health First Aid training at Roxby Downs Area School.
- Launceston Hazara Community in Launceston, TAS, received $10,000 to develop the Supporting People In Need idea by supporting upskilling and social opportunities for youth in the Hazara community through a program of culturally safe and supportive social opportunities.
- Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Ltd in Shepparton, VIC, received $10,000 to develop the Hands On Learning idea by expanding the use of the current ‘Pit Stop’ program with a series of workshops for youth focusing on hands-on projects such as woodwork, car maintenance and push bike refurbishment.
- City of Albany in Albany, WA, received $4,664 to develop The Allies Project by highlighting the stories of what it means to be a LGBTQIA+ ally in the Albany community through the production of The Ally Podcast.
A full list of the projects funded can be found on FRRR’s website.
These grants are possible thanks to the generous support of the Sally Foundation, Findex Community Fund, David Mactaggart Foundation and The Collie Foundation, Greater Shepparton Foundation as well as several private donors.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| Eden Community Access Centre Inc | Hands on Learning Engage youth in disaster preparedness and resilience through a youth designed and developed game. | Eden | $10,000 | |||
| Farm it Forward Inc | Hands on Learning Support Farm it Forward with the installation of a greenhouse to enable future youth workshops and employment pathways. | Hazelbrook | $10,000 | |||
| Heal.ed Tribe Ltd | Supporting People in Need Empower youth with the skills and knowledge to overcome mental health challenges with a peer-led reconnect program. | Mullumbimby | $9,030 | |||
| The Scouts of the 1st Burrill-Ulladulla Sea Scout Group | Triple H Reduce food insecurity with the installation and promotion of a community food pantry and vegetable gardens. | Ulladulla | $2,782 | |||
| NORTHERN TERRITORY | ||||||
| Melaleuca Refugee Centre Torture & Trauma Survivor's Service of the Northern Territory Inc | Fusion Festival Develop a multicultural festival of food, workshops, and live performances that provides an opportunity for migrants and former refugees to share their culture with the community and explore business opportunities to utilise their culture and skill set. | Darwin | $10,000 | |||
| Corrugated Iron Youth Arts Inc | Hands On Learning Support performing youth with the teaching skills to become teachers to the next generation. | Darwin | $10,000 | |||
| Uprising of the People Ltd | Supporting People In Need Encourage youth to connect with their community and elders with regular youth events. | Darwin | $10,000 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| RoboCoast Sunshine Coast Robotics Association | Hands On Learning Provide youth throughout remote Australia with a hands on opportunity to learn about Robotics. | Bamaga | $10,000 | |||
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Kimba Mental Health and Wellbeing Group Inc | Fusion Festival Foster cultural awareness in the local community through a youth led festival of storytelling, dance and activities showcasing the cultural makeup of the Kimba community. | Kimba | $10,000 | |||
| District Council of Karoonda East Murray | Hands On Learning Empower youth with the skills, equipment and mentoring to establish and run a coffee business. | Karoonda | $10,000 | |||
| Riverland Youth Theatre | The Allies Project Help youth identify LGBTQIA+ allies and identify safe spaces within their community by developing The Ally Awards. | Renmark | $10,000 | |||
| Roxby Downs Community Board Inc | Take Care Empower youth with the skills to recognise and respond to a friend experiencing a mental health problem or a crisis situation through Mental Health First Aid training at Roxby Downs Area School. | Roxby Downs | $6,393 | |||
| Nature Foundation Ltd | Hands on Learning Provide the future generation with the skills and knowledge of caring for country and future employment pathways. | Witchelina | $10,000 | |||
| TASMANIA | ||||||
| Launceston Hazara Community Inc | Supporting People in Need Encourage the development of skills and social opportunities for youth in the Hazara community with a program of culturally safe and supportive social opportunities. | Launceston | $10,000 | |||
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| REACH Foundation | Supporting People in Need Improve youth mental health with the delivery of youth-led workshops that equip young people with the tools to set goals, deal with conflict and build emotional resilience. | Shepparton | $9,920 | |||
| Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Ltd | Hands on Learning Expand the use of the current ‘Pit Stop’ program with a series of workshops for youth focusing on hands on projects such as woodwork, car maintenance and push bike refurbishment. | Shepparton | $10,000 | |||
| The Foyer Shepparton | Triple H Support youth experiencing homelessness in Shepparton through the development of free and accessible video resources relating to affordable housing. | Shepparton | $10,000 | |||
| The Bridge Youth Service Inc | Triple H Build on The Bridge’s current work in youth homelessness, with a program of initiatives to support youth experiencing housing insecurity including information and education sessions and an event to raise awareness of homelessness issues. | Shepparton | $10,000 | |||
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| City of Albany | The Allies Project Highlight the stories of what it means to be a LGBTQIA+ ally in the Albany community through the production of The Ally Podcast. | Albany | $4,664 | |||
