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$200,000 'Working in Dairy Program' released

12 December 2003

FRRR/ Gardiner Foundation team up again for 2004.

Australia’s young and innovative Foundations FRRR – The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal and the Gardiner Foundation will team up again for a two year program to provide up to $200,000 in small grants to dairying communities across Victoria.

The ‘Working in Dairying Communities Program’ will be launched today following on from the successful ‘Caring for Dairy’ Program that supported 32 dairy communities across Victoria in 2003.

Gardiner Foundation Director, Mr Ian MacAulay and CEO, Ms Carol Bate said that ‘We were very impressed with the ‘Caring for Dairy’ Program and the outcomes that this particular initiative has produced. This has lead us to continue our partnership with FRRR and offer a follow on program ‘Working in Dairying Communities’.

The Gardiner Foundation has stated that over the next three years approximately $2.2 million will be directed towards a series of initiatives which address the issues of:

  • Labour
  • Changing demographics
  • Leadership in Dairying Communities

The initiatives will be funded over the next three years through Small Grants (up to $5,000 each) in the FRRR/GF ‘Working in Dairying Communities Program’, in addition to the Gardiner Foundation Small Projects (up to $25,000) or Major Community Development Projects (at least $200,000 per annum for up to five years) programs.

FRRR CEO, Ms Sylvia Admans said that ‘We were pleased to be in a position to work with the Gardiner Foundation again. The ‘Caring for Dairy Program’ has been very successful, the creativity and resilience of dairying communities is very positive for rural and regional Victoria. We think the ‘Working in Dairying Communities Program’ funding will really continue to illustrate the partnership investment FRRR has been making in rural and regional Australia across the board’.

Mr Chris Nixon, Chairman of the Gardiner Foundation said that ‘There are important opportunities to commit community development funds to help build self-confidence and self esteem in dairying communities. Together with FRRR we now have a clear view of the way ahead to support local initiatives that deliver lasting benefits for dairy communities’.

Audrey Elston of FRRR on a.elston@frrr.org.au or 1800 070 020 top