Community Stories

Thanks for popping by. In this area of the site, we share news of the grants we have awarded, our new partnerships and share stories about our organisation. From time to time, you’ll also find articles and our thoughts on key issues facing remote, rural and regional communities.

You can use the categories to the right to explore particular topics, including how FRRR is supporting communities affected by the 2019 / 2020 bushfires. You’ll also find inspiring stories about some of the wonderful things community groups do with that funding. We also share a selection of media stories, where FRRR or a member of our staff has been featured. For any media enquiries, email Julie Weldon or call 0423 110 802.

Artistic approach to educating children about fire safety

29 Jun 2018 – The 2009 Victorian Bushfires were the impetus for the Strathewen and Arthurs Creek CFA to forge a strong creative partnership with the local school. They received a number of grants…

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Festival shines light on iconic red gums

28 Jun 2018 – The red gums around Cavendish are beautiful, and many within the local community love them. The Cavendish community’s inaugural Red Gum Festival, funded in part by a $3,410 grant from…

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Helping little kids with their big feelings after bushfires

26 Apr 2018 – Arthurs Creek Strathewan CFA were given a $15,730 grant from the Grants for Resilience and Wellness program funded by Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund to deliver the Strathewen Primary School Fire…

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High school students tackle ICE epidemic in Tasmania

19 Apr 2018 – The small town of Smithton, in Tasmania was in the grips of an ice epidemic, and this project developed a documentary targeted at high school students, highlighting how dangerous the…

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Fitness connects a community and saves lives

19 Apr 2018 – The Fit For Free program was developed and implemented by Toolangi Castella District Community House Inc (TCDCH) for a community community in Victoria that was severely impacted by the Black…

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Thallon a step closer to facilities to help locals age in place

26 Mar 2018 – The Thallon Progress Association received an FRRR Caring for Ageing Rural Australians (CARA) grant of $7,032, funded by the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation. This enabled them to engage…

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Mirror Mirror… youth reflect impact of drugs & alcohol

28 Feb 2018 – The Roper Gulf Regional Council worked in partnership with the Indigenous Community Volunteer organisation to adopt and adapt the 2014 Heywire Youth Innovation Grant project ‘Mirror Mirror on the Screen’…

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“It’s real and it’s happening now”

31 Jan 2018 – Farmers for Climate Action know that the winds of change are upon farming in Australia and want to do something about it, with the help of an FRRR Not-for-profit fundraising…

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Are you right, mate?

30 Jan 2018 – In 2016, South West Healthcare received a grant of $3,635 from the Gardiner Dairy Foundation ‘Working in Dairy Communities’ small grant program to support the local dairy farming community by…

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Taking professional development on-country

30 Jan 2018 – The FRRR ANZ Seeds of Renewal grant program supported the Nowanup ‘Bush University’ Schools Program with a $12,500 grant for professional development for teachers and staff, deepening cross cultural awareness…

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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.