Expertise Pool

The FRRR Expertise Pool is a network of highly-experienced consultants from around the country, with a proven track record of working in collaboration with community organisations to achieve their mission and build their resilience.

Run by the Social Impact Hub, the FRRR Expertise Pool offers a range of professional skills, sector expertise, specialist advice and support to enable community organisations to deliver place-based projects – from leadership training and capability building workshops to networking events and small-scale infrastructure initiatives.

While initially designed to assist community organisations involved in the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought (HRCPD) Initiative and funded by the Australian Government, through the Future Drought Fund, the FRRR Expertise Pool is now open to all Australian-based community and social purpose organisations.

I have a question, who can I talk to?

Jay at Social Impact Hub on

Ph: 02 8957 4978 or Email: jay@socialimpacthub.org

Or Email:  futuredrought@frrr.org.au
or call us on 1800 170 020.

Experts are located all over Australia, including remote, rural and regional areas. Some are based in metro areas but have proven experience working with grassroots organisations in remote, rural or regional areas.

To join the Expertise Pool, consultants and advisors need to fulfill several criteria. They must be seasoned and highly experienced with a proven track record of helping regional community organisations. The vetting process includes reference checking.

Some of the areas where consultants have experience include:

  • Advocacy
  • Fundraising
  • Organisational Diagnostics
  • Asset Management
  • General Management
  • Operations and Service Delivery
  • Bid Writing
  • Governance
  • Philanthropy
  • Business Development
  • HR & Recruitment
  • Pricing
  • Business Planning
  • Impact Investing
  • Procurement
  • Business Processes
  • Impact Measurement
  • Project Management
  • Campaigning
  • International Development
  • Public Relations
  • Capital Raise
  • Investment Management
  • Qualified Accountant
  • Change Management
  • IT
  • Retail Management
  • Coach or Mentor
  • JV & Partnership Work
  • Sales Management
  • Communications
  • Lecturing & Workshop Delivery
  • Shared Value
  • Company Secretarial
  • Legal
  • Social Finance
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Market Research
  • Sponsorship
  • Data Management
  • Marketing
  • Start-up Experience
  • Environmental Management
  • Media
  • Strategic Planning
  • Facilities Management
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Training & Development
  • Financial Modelling
  • Monitoring & Evaluation
  • Web Design
How can I find out more?

Visit the FRRR Expertise Pool portal.
Contact Jay at Social Impact Hub on 02 8957 4978 or email jay@socialimpacthub.org.
Or email FRRR at futuredrought@frrr-bricks.staging67.com or call 03 5430 2399.

Please contact FRRR if you have any questions about the following information.

Download the Program Guidelines

In most situations, access to the Expertise Pool is completely free.

Note that each expert determines their fees but some consultants are willing to offer services pro-bono.

To get started, explore the consultants listed on the FRRR Expertise Pool then submit your Expression of Interest for a free consultation with the team and you’ll be matched to the right consultant.

Community organisations have the liberty to peruse the expert directory and indicate specific preferences via EOI. The Social Impact Hub then works with groups to understanding the specific needs of the community organisation. Before recommending an expert, availability and interest of the expert will be confirmed. The decision rests with the community organisation to determine if they want Social Impact Hub to facilitate a warm introduction with an expert.

Yes, we have experts from around Australia.

It is designed to allow community organisations to consider their needs and identify preferred areas of expertise or individuals they are interested in working with.

Social Impact Hub can work with your organisation to understand what challenges you would like to overcome or opportunities you would like to take advantage of and suggest areas of expertise that could be beneficial to your organisation’s situation.

Each expert determines their fees. In addition, some consultants are willing to offer services pro-bono.

How can I find out more?

Watch our recording from FRRR Expertise Pool Webinar.
Visit the FRRR Expertise Pool portal.
Contact Jay at Social Impact Hub on 02 8957 4978 or email jay@socialimpacthub.org.
Or email FRRR at futuredrought@frrr.org.au or call 03 5430 2399.

Please contact FRRR if you have any questions about the following information.

Download the Program Guidelines

There is no cost to join the FRRR Expertise Pool. Neither FRRR nor Social Impact Hub take any fee or commission for any referrals or paid advisory work that comes via the FRRR Expertise Pool. Consultants are connected directly with the group and manage invoicing directly.

Complete an Expression of Interest from Consultants, which is then assessed by Social Impact Hub. If the EOI is approved, applicants will be invited to an interview and reference checks will be conducted.

If successful, the expert is required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement. Once part of the Pool, they are required to undertake a commencement and end of project survey with client’s via the Pool. This is done to gather relevant client satisfaction and impact outcomes for all projects conducted via the Pool.

To learn more about what’s involved in joining the FRRR Expertise Pool, watch this video.

Experts need to fulfill several requirements. They must be seasoned and highly experienced with a proven track record of helping regional community organisations. The vetting process includes an interview and reference checking.

It’s a great way to grow your potential client base, as well as work on projects that are important to local communities. Being part of a selective and vetted register of seasoned and highly experienced consultants from around the country is an endorsement of your deep experience, reputation and track record.

Initially, the focus of the FRRR Expertise Pool was to support community organisations in the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative. However, it’s now open to all Australian-based community and social purpose organisations. This not only widens the range of work but also amplifies the possible opportunities to increase your visibility as a remote, rural and regional expert.

We cannot guarantee any volume of referrals or work through joining the Expertise Pool. 

There are no priority regions where we are seeking experts, but you must be based in – or at least work in – remote, rural or regional areas.

There is no specific closing date. Depending on demand and capacity, the EOIs may close and/or reopen periodically.

Social Impact Hub works through the EOIs received. Depending on the amount of EOIs to be considered at any one time, timeframes for outcomes may vary. Please contact Social Impact Hub for further information on your Expression of Interest.

The FRRR Expertise Pool is open to both individual consultants and consulting organisations.

We are continually updating and improving the portal. Any feedback and suggestions are welcome.

It is designed to allow community organisations to consider their needs and identify preferred areas of expertise or individuals they are interested in working with.

Social Impact Hub will seek this information when onboarding consultants and work to match preferences when talking with community organisations that are seeking expertise.

Community organisations have the liberty to peruse the expert directory and indicate specific preferences via a separate EOI. The Social Impact Hub then works with groups to understanding the specific needs of the community organisation. Before recommending an expert, availability and interest of the expert will be confirmed. The decision rests with the community organisation to determine if they want Social Impact Hub to facilitate a warm introduction with an expert.

The services offered within the Pool are primarily for paid work. If interested, we welcome consultants who are willing to offer services pro-bono and can discuss this during the onboarding stage.

Each expert determines their fees.

Interviews can be conducted on Zoom or via phone.

Social Impact Hub will explore your professional experience, your previous work and your preferred methods of delivery.

It is the responsibility of the experts to ensure they have appropriate insurance type and coverage.

Need some more help?

We have a large selection of resources on our Grantseeker Resources Page to help you along the way.

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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.