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Gardiner Foundation Working in Dairying Communities

10 March 2006

Working in Dairying Communities Program is now into it’s third year

A permanent water supply, training in photography, interviewing and writing skills, and a newsletter which encouraged women on dairy farms to develop alternative businesses are just some of the diverse recipients of the Gardiner Foundation Small Grants Program, implemented by FRRR

The Gardiner Foundation and FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) will work together again this year to offer a Small Grants Program to dairying communities across Victoria. This initiative will fund in excess of $85,000 in Small Grants (each up to $5,000) to Victorian dairying communities for projects which focus on

  • Leadership
  • Changing Demographics, and
  • Employment

in Victorian dairying communities, with priority given to communities with a population of fewer than 10,000.

FRRR CEO, Ms Sylvia Admans said that ‘We are once again pleased to continue the relationship with the Gardiner Foundation to implement their program of Small Grants for the ‘Working in Dairying Communities’ program. To date the Gardiner Foundation has funded more than 70 small Community Development projects in Victorian dairying regions and the response to these initiatives has been extremely positive. Recipients of funding have indicated that this program provides them with a real opportunity to implement activities within their regions which will improve local leadership, assist with labour issues and address the changes that are being experienced due to demographic impacts.

Mr Paul Ford, CEO of the Gardiner Foundation, said ‘These small grants are instrumental in assisting community groups and many volunteering organisations in Victorian communities to drive projects at the local level to target leadership, labour and the changing make up of country populations where there is often a movement of younger people away from the region to larger towns. The Foundation is pleased to support these local initiatives to deliver lasting benefits for dairying communities.

For more information on ‘Working in Dairying Communities’ Small Grants program contact Audrey Elstona.elston@frrr.org.au or www.frrr.org.au or freecall 1800 170 020 top