A message from the Chairman

FRRR has had a successful year although conditions have been hard.

Protracted drought across southern NSW, most of Victoria and all South Australia, tragic bushfires in country Victoria, repeated flooding in Queensland and the NSW north coast created havoc.   

These natural disasters were followed by the impact on investment, commercial activity and employment of the global financial crisis.  

FRRR priorities have been to assist environmental, social and economic recovery, to encourage young people socially through better educational opportunities and to restore hope, particularly in areas hit by natural disaster or economic downturn.

In spite of adversity with remarkable determination and some Government and philanthropic help including that from FRRR, people have  continued their daily activities, rebuilding local community infrastructure, battling the odds, educating children, caring for the aged and sick and getting on with life.

In its nine years of operation, FRRR has allocated some $25M to more than  3000 individual programs mainly through small grants including the Rural Education Program, Back to School $50 vouchers, ANZ’s Seeds of Renewal and many others.   

This granting has been possible with funding from the Australian Government but significantly through shared programs with different businesses, corporations, private individuals, trusts, other foundations and communities themselves.

Full details of all FRRR granting programs are set out elsewhere in this report.   All are important and the Board is very grateful to each partner and donor for their generosity and support.   Varying objectives in the programs enable different grants to not- for-profit community organizations for local projects and through local charitable bodies to school children and disadvantaged individuals.   

A significant achievement is that for every FRRR dollar, another nine dollars are assessed as being leveraged to the funded programs, an additional $225M.

FRRR continues its financial support for Community Foundations, helped by the Regional Donation Account facilitated by Commonwealth legislation.  This enables FRRR to receive tax deductible donations on behalf of Community Foundations for granting to rural and regional communities.  It is pleasing to report that many are now pursuing their own granting programs.

In program delivery, FRRR operates a small but essential administrative base in Bendigo, Victoria, keeping costs low and seeking reports from recipients to monitor the effectiveness of the funds provided.  

In addition to moneys granted, to offset market volatility FRRR has set aside funds to cover the $10M initially allocated by the Australian Government.

FRRR was formed in a partnership between the Australian Government and the Sidney Myer Fund and the ongoing involvement of each is important.   They are our shareholders and as a philanthropic foundation with legislated tax deductibility, FRRR is particularly grateful for the Government’s support.

Our Patron-in-Chief, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC, Governor General has displayed her personal interest in FRRR programs and their objectives.  This is appreciated.

Mr Baillieu Myer AC and Lady Southey AC, Patrons of FRRR have continued their active support.   We are indebted to them. 

Sadly Mr Richard Pratt, a committed donor to FRRR, passed away recently.   To his widow and family I extend the deepest sympathy of all in FRRR.

FRRR Directors, now including Mr Paddy Handbury, give considerably of their time and energy and I thank each of them for their considerable voluntary commitment. 

Members of our staff, so ably lead by CEO Sylvia Admans, have again rendered exceptional service - to each special thanks.   The excellent outcomes and satisfied donors, partners and grant recipients reflect well on your efforts.

To friends of FRRR, I give my assurance that your support works towards the betterment of the lives of all in regional, rural and remote Australia.