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.

Wardell CORE building community resilience

29 Feb 2024 – The work of the Wardell Community Organised Resilience Effort (CORE) is an example of how a small town can rally in the face of a disaster and be ready for…

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Kimba’s Fusion Festival engages youth via Heywire program

29 Feb 2024 – The Kimba district was among the hardest hit by the destructive rain and floods of January 2022, which battered most of regional South Australia. Our Town Kimba (OTK) is a…

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Boosting employment opportunities for Indigenous people in the Kimberley

28 Feb 2024 – Saltwater Country, an Indigenous-led voluntary organisation, embarked on a mission to establish the Saltwater Academy and create a sustainable business model to provide training and employment opportunities for Indigenous people…

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Digitally connecting King Island

28 Feb 2024 – The King Island Regional Development Organisation (KIRDO) is a not-for-profit, community-run business centre on King Island. Located in the middle of Bass Strait between the Tasmanian mainland and Victoria, King…

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Beginning the Journey to Cultural Healing on Jaithmathang Country

28 Feb 2024 – A Bushfire Recovery Fund grant supported Indigenous organisation, Jaithmathang TABOO, by funding a program of annual cool burns and to work with key environment and government stakeholders to share learnings.

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Fundraising in focus: Mycelia Renewables

28 Feb 2024 – Mycelia Renewables has partnered with FRRR to fundraise, using a Not-for-Profit Fundraising Account, to support and enable circular economy initiatives with Traditional Owners, rural business and regional communities.

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Kyabram’s Tastes & Tunes Festival

06 Feb 2024 – A Gardiner Foundation Community grant funded the entertainment component of the Kyabram Development Committee’s Tastes & Tunes Festival.

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IncrediGirls makes for incredible learning opportunities

06 Feb 2024 – A Gardiner Foundation Community grant has helped the Welshpool and District Primary School address the gender imbalance through their IncrediGirls program.

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Reconnecting community in South Purrumbete

31 Jan 2024 – The South Purrumbete community banded together to save the disused Recreation Reserve building with a vision to create a vibrant community hub.

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Tools, tech and transformation

31 Jan 2024 – A $20,000 Networks to Build Drought Resilience grant enabled UNFS to deliver the ‘Tools, Tech and Transformation’ workshop for farmers and agribusinesses.

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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.