Media Release

FRRR puts Bush Philanthropy on the map

22 July 2003

From small grants big things grow – a great success story

FRRR - Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal is Australia’s only national philanthropic foundation dedicated to rural and regional Australia and proving a valuable resource to these communities across the nation.

As one of Australia’s most innovative philanthropic foundations, it champions the economic and social strength of Australia’s regional, rural and remote communities through partnership with the private sector, philanthropy and governments. Now in its third year, FRRR’s strategies for creating rural and regional opportunity are supported by a range of funding programs and initiatives.

In June 2001, the national office was opened in the historic regional city of Bendigo, Victoria. Over the past three years, FRRR has attracted more than 1000 applications nationwide with 234 successful grants receiving funds for their projects. All up, $3.5 million has been distributed to rural and remote Australian communities.

Sylvia Admans, CEO of FRRR explains the community interest in the Foundation. “It became clearly evident that there were many communities across Australia in desperate need of support. FRRR’s Small Grant Program is just one response to provide the assistance that many of these communities had been previously unable to access.”

All of the projects receiving funds from FRRR take positive and practical action towards the renewal and revitalization of rural and regional Australia. The Foundation is interested in funding projects which stimulate the renewal of whole communities with its major areas of funding support identified as: Innovative Business Ventures - Environment - Information Technology and Communications - Indigenous Communities –Youth Leadership Skills – Tourism – Education and Training – Rural Women – Cultural Projects – Establishment of Regional Community Foundations and the Role of Volunteers.

In commenting on the positive impact that funding projects is having on rural and regional communities, Ms Admans says, “FRRR is here to look at creative ways of facing the future, to build on existing strengths and to make links between government, the corporate world and philanthropy.

The Foundation is becoming known as an organization that not only responds to ideas and suggestions calling for involvement in projects in rural and regional Australia, but through its own research and networks, generates them as well.”

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FRRR is about working at a grass roots level in communities. From as far north as Aurukun on the tip of Cape York across to Derby in Western Australia and as far south as The Furneaux Islands – a number of small communities have been successful in attaining funding. Some of the most innovative FRRR-supported projects, which demonstrate the diversity of assistance include:

• Lead On is a community initiative established in Bendigo, Victoria in 1999 to give regional young people leadership development opportunities through exposure to business, community development and mentoring. An overwhelming success, Lead On Inc business has expanded into Queensland to give regional youth similar opportunities to its Victorian counterparts.

• The Tasmanian Community Foundation celebrated their 10th birthday in 2002. FRRR has at different times supported the foundation to grow and move forward with the development of their donor base, through the Regional Community Foundation Strategy. Community Foundations are the fastest growing form of Philanthropy and have the ability to become a major source of long term philanthropic funding to help communities help themselves.

• The Heartlands project located in the Goulburn Valley in Victoria receives funding to implement changes to improve water quality, aquatic ecosystems and restore biodiversity through project management and funding of four community projects.

• Kulkarriya Community School in Noonkanbah Station, Fitzroy Crossing in West Australia with a population of 250 people. This is an independent Aboriginal Community School founded in 1978. With just 78 kids, the school had no area to conduct effective PE lessons. An FRRR grant allowed for a rammed-ant-nest basketball court to be constructed.

Since its inception, FRRR has also established important alliances with the corporate world securing generous funding from the ANZ (a founding donor), under the Seeds of Renewal Program, and The Geoffrey Gardiner Foundation with the Caring for Dairy Small Grants Program – these programs have enabled an additional sixty small communities to realise their potential and continue to develop vibrant successful communities across rural Australia.

Funding support in the form of FRRR’s drought reliefprograms has managed to take the pressure off the community in tough times. Drought has sapped the local economy and for those communities affected by the severe impact of drought conditions, FRRR assistance provided through its support based alliances has made a significant impact.

The Rt Hon Ian Sinclair AC, Chairman of the FRRR Board strongly believes that one of FRRR’s major strengths is its ability to lead the way with innovative partnerships. In describing this unique role Mr. Sinclair explains, “to do this we work with others who are inspiring communities and who have the ability to drive projects that are wanted and needed by their communities. The future of FRRR depends on the number and variety of our partnerships. We seek to have engagement not only with business but with governments, the community and other philanthropic bodies.”

“Through our variety of programs, FRRR has proven to be an invaluable support to communities throughout the whole of Australia. Our success is the success of the communities and the desire of our partners to see a great future for the country.” concludes Ms. Admans.

Sylvia Admans, CEO of FRRR is available to talk about the extraordinary work undertaken by the Foundation in rural and regional Australia.

For all media enquiries and interview requests, please contact: Fran Lanigan tel: 03 9690 7557 mob: 0412 174 033 email: laniganf@ozemail.com.au