Nutrien Ag Solutions delivers $250,000 into regional Australian communities

Media Releases, 16 October 2024

Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program invests over $1 million into local not-for-profit projects since 2021

FRRR and Nutrien Ag Solutions have today announced the 59 recipients of the 2024 Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants Program, with over $1 million invested in remote, rural or regional communities through the program over the past four years.

Finley PCP received a grant to reduce volunteer manual effort at a local NFP farm enterprise by installing automated crop irrigation.

The 2024 not-for-profit (NFP) recipients will receive a share of $250,000 for projects that will contribute to the success, vibrancy and wellbeing of their communities. Grants have been awarded in every state and each of the projects supported will receive up to $5,000.

This is the fourth round of the annual Nutrien Ag Solutions Community Grants program, which aims to strengthen resilience and sustainability and contribute toward long-term positive social and environmental outcomes.

Mady Muirhead, Corporate Affairs Advisor at Nutrien Ag Solutions, said that it’s wonderful to be able to support so many of the places where the Nutrien staff live and work.

“The nature of our business means that most of our staff live and work in small communities across remote, rural and regional Australia. We love seeing our branch staff making sure that their community know about the grants, and we often find that they also get involved in projects like working bees or events. By supporting the grassroots organisations that are the heartbeat of these communities, we know that we are contributing to the success, wellbeing and vibrancy of these places that our people call home,” Ms Muirhead said.

FRRR’s Place Portfolio Lead, Jill Karena, said that the partnership with Nutrien Ag Solutions means that community groups, especially in smaller, more remote locations, can access the funding they need to create vibrant and sustainable communities.

“Small rural communities – especially those with fewer than 500 people – find it hard to raise the funds to deliver key activities, so we are grateful for our partnership with Nutrien Ag Solutions, as it means that we can help local not for profit groups in these communities to continue to function and deliver critical services and activities.

“Like all of us, these volunteer-led organisations are also feeling the increases in the cost of living, so we’re pleased that a significant tranche of funding has gone toward helping to sustain local community organisations and to host events that both bring the community together and raise vital funds for key local projects.

“As in previous rounds, the most common requests were for funding to support infrastructure and equipment. Many community facilities, which are critical to sustaining social cohesion, are deteriorating as government funding declines, so these grants will help to maintain and enhance these important local meeting places and help create vibrant, resilient communities,” Ms Karena said.

Among the projects funded are:

  • In Ballan VIC, the Community House and Adult Education Centre has received $5,000 toward a disability access ramp.
  • In Tilpa in very remote NSW, the Tilpa Community Committee will use $1,000 towards garden tools.
  • In Teelba, in remote QLD, the Primary School P&C Association will use a $5,000 grant to restore the school landscaping.
  • In Padthaway SA, the Progress and Development Association will put their $5,000 grant towards a new display fridge at their community cafe.
  • In Darkan WA, the West Arthur Community Resource Centre will use their $5,000 grant to lease a car for community use.
  • In Huonville TAS, the Huon She Shed will use their $5,000 grant towards internal heating and a ceiling fan in their shed.

If your group could benefit from an FRRR grant, head to www.frrr.org.au/find-funding-now to explore the programs currently open.

FRRR’s grant programs are always in demand, so if you can help us award more grants to deserving organisations that have funding-ready projects, contact our team via partnerships@frrr.org.au.

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

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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.