Insights from the bush

Insights, 26 September 2024

Our team spends plenty of time connecting with grantseekers and community groups – on the phone, over email and face-to-face in communities. This summary highlights the current challenges and insights the FRRR team has observed in their interactions, as well as the proactive and positive steps communities are taking to address them.

Cultural engagement

  • Cultural engagement has been a recurring theme in IRCF communities on the South Coast, particularly following the referendum.
  • There’s a strong desire to understand and support First Nations communities, with many eager to learn about cultural services and the history of their areas

Reconnecting post-COVID

  • The pandemic continues to impact older generations, with many not returning to volunteering.
  • There’s a noticeable impact on social connections, with a need for more opportunities to foster these connections.
  • In some of the more rural, isolated areas, groups are just beginning to re-emerge, and gaining traction around places for social engagement.

Healthcare access

  • Anxiety about the pressured healthcare system is prevalent, especially in remote areas where access is limited.
  • People in these regions often miss out on healthcare services due to the inability to afford travel.

Digital divide

  • A significant issue is the digital exclusion, which affects all aspects of life in rural, remote, and regional communities and exacerbates socio-economic challenges.
  • There is a pressing need to view digital inclusion as a human right and to understand the broader impacts of digital exclusion on these communities.
  • Programs like Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program promote digital inclusion and create momentum in working to close this gap. FRRR is working to respond to the high need we’re seeing through numbers of applications in this space.

Over-consultation and inaction

  • Communities are experiencing fatigue from frequent consultations.
  • There’s a growing emphasis on turning consultations into tangible actions, ensuring communities see real results from their feedback.

Disaster preparedness

  • There’s a focus on pathways to preparedness for disasters, emphasizing the importance of feeling empowered and connected.
  • Even small weather events can trigger anxiety, particularly in areas like the Northern Rivers, and mental health discussions are becoming more prevalent,

Mental health awareness

  • Mental health awareness is growing, but people are less likely to engage in events unless they are practical and actionable.
  • The challenge is to find relevant and engaging ways to connect and encourage participation.

Fostering optimism and resilience

  • Positive examples of resilience, such as “Just a Farmer” screenings, are inspiring hope.
  • Youth-focused initiatives like the One Vision MPOWER app and Corangamite Youth Art Therapy program are driving optimism and resilience.
  • Engagement with First Nations culture, nature, and art is promoting healing and a positive outlook.

There is much more that we could share, so if you’d like to know more about any of these comments, or are interested in a particular geography or issue, please get in touch via info@frrr.org.au.

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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.