Media Release

Growing the awareness of Philanthropy in Rural Australia.

07 January 2005

As FRRR – the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal continued into its fourth round of the highly sought after Small Grants for Small Rural Communities, the awareness of the innovative partnership program has continued to grow rapidly.

This highlights the growing awareness of philanthropy in country Australia – something we have not been noted for in the past.

FRRR has been striving to raise the understanding and awareness of philanthropy and CEO of FRRR Ms Sylvia Admans said ‘We are pleased to be receiving so many applications from organisations all over rural and remote Australia. With so many applications received the competition for funding was extremely intense’.

Fortunately FRRR was able to attract an additional funding partner to the program prior to the commencement of the latest funding round in September 2003. The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation joined the growing cast of supporters for the Small Grants Program that include some of the Australia’s most famous philanthropic families.

FRRR CEO Ms Sylvia Admans said that ‘It has become clearly evident that there are many communities across Australia in desperate need of support. FRRR’s Small Grants Program provides the assistance that many of these communities have been previously unable to access.’ The themes that have emerged from this round of funding include support for;

Retention of young people in rural and regional Australia
Technology and Equipment
Resettlement of immigrants in rural Australia

Community Hardship in drought effected areas

The collaborative approach for funding Small Grants is designed to make better, targeted use of funds improving access for rural and regional communities, provide a simpler application process and enhance efficiency and effectiveness for philanthropic trusts and foundations who wish to support small communities. FRRR gratefully acknowledges the support of current funding partners The Myer Foundation, Perpetual Trustees, RE Ross Trust, The William Buckland Foundation, Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation and The Pratt Foundation.

Successful Organisations for Round 6, 2004:

Organisation	State	Grant
Allora Community Kindergarten	QLD	2000
Apex Club of Murtoa	VIC	1200
Australian Red Cross Dalby	QLD	2495
Bega Preschool Assn Inc	NSW	1000
Biloela Local Ambulance Committee	QLD	4000
Blue Knob Hall Inc	NSW	2500
Bonnie Doon Community Group	VIC	3000
Boolarra Comm Development Group	VIC	1000
Boomi Amateur Thespian Society	NSW	4000
Boomi Preschool	NSW	1800
Bowen Flexi Care Inc	QLD	2500
Boyup Brook YAC	WA	3000
Brogo Rural Fire Service	NSW	3000
Bulga Soldiers Memorial Hall	NSW	2000
Byford Progress Assn Inc	WA	1000
Cabanandra Camp Draft Club Inc	NSW	5000
Carisbrook Fire Brigade	VIC	4700
Cawarral School of Arts Assn Inc	QLD	4000
Cawongla Playhouse Inc (Preschool)	NSW	1500
Charleville&District Comm Support Assn	QLD	3500
Charters Towers Meals on Wheels	QLD	1900
Cobar Mobile Children Services Inc	NSW	3000
Cobram & District Foodbank	VIC	5000
Coleambally Arts Council	NSW	1000
Coleambally Preschool Assn Inc	NSW	2900
Corner Inlet Initiatives Board	VIC	1000
Crows Nest Men's Network	QLD	2000
Deaf Children Australia	VIC	3168
Derby Volunteer Marine Rescue Group	WA	3000
Disability Advocacy & Info Service	VIC	841
Dooen Rural Fire Brigade	VIC	4214
Dunmunkle Group of Fire Brigades	VIC	2316
Federal School of the Arts	NSW	2500
Fitzroy Crossing DHS	WA	3000
Forest PS After School Care	TAS	1000
Gannawarra Neighbourhood House	VIC	602
Goldfields Children's Centre	VIC	2000
Goodagah Relief Aboriginal Corp	NSW	2450
Hamilton Community House Inc	VIC	3749
Holbrook Children's Centre Inc	NSW	1900
Howlong Community Learning Inc	NSW	2000
Ilbilbie Hall Management Assn Inc	QLD	1500
Inglewood & Districts Health Service	VIC	3900
Lake Charm Landcare & Development	VIC	3000
Lake Wangary Primary	SA	1000
Launceston City Mission Inc	TAS	5000
Legerwood Hall & Reserve Committee	TAS	3000
Little Plains Hall Committee	NSW	2000
Lochiel Progress Assn Inc	SA	858
Maidenwell Fire Brigade	QLD	4000
Maryborough District Health Service	VIC	1674
Menindee Food & Fibre Business Assn	NSW	2000
Moree Community Health Centre	NSW	3250
Mount Beauty Toy Library	VIC	700
Moyhu Primary School	VIC	2500
Murchison Neighborhood House	VIC	1992
Muttaburra Community Development Assn Inc	QLD	1000
Portsea Camp	VIC	5000
Rainbow Patchwork Group	VIC	500
Ravenshoe Meals on Wheels	QLD	1500
Ruffy Public Hall Committee	VIC	3000
Shire of Exmouth/Bushfire Brigade	WA	4000
Shire of Westonia	WA	1000
Snowy Mtns Neighbourhood Centre	NSW	1000
Swan Hill District Hospital	VIC	1500
Tathra Children's Services	NSW	1000
Tatura Community House Inc	VIC	2970
The Miners Cottage Co-op Society Inc	TAS	480
Trustees Yarrowitch Memorial Grounds	NSW	3000
VIC SES Myrtleford Unit	VIC	4048
Waroo District Memorial Hall	NSW	3920
Warrell Creek Hall Committee	NSW	3000
Warren Preschool Kindergarten Inc	NSW	1775
Wentworth Preschool	NSW	1400
West Wimmera Health Service	VIC	4990
Wilderness Bike Ride Association	VIC	2640
Wudinna Area School	SA	4000
Yaapeet Community Club	VIC	3000
Yallunda Flat A&H Society	SA	2500
Yarrabah PCYC	QLD	5000
YMCA Katherine Inc	NT	3000
Zimbabwe Connection	VIC	3000
Total Funds Granted		$207,332

Audrey Elston, FRRR Grants Manager 03) 5443 7300