Latest Featured Stories

Restoring the Entrepreneurial Spirit - 24 May 2013

Community Leadership Loddon Murray coordinates a program aimed at attracting and retaining young people to rural areas. > More

Cushioning the fall in Corinella - 22 May 2013

No more unecessary scrapes and bruises at Corinella Public School, NSW, where a RRR grant has funded the replacement of softfall for the playground, as well as refilled the sandpit. > More

May eNews online now

All-terrain wheelchairs, historic wagons, an anti-violence campaign and a pathway for toddlers are among the grants featured in this edition. There's also three new grant programs, as well as some advice for those sitting on community boards. > More

Funding available to make rural communities better for young Australians - 1 May 2013

FRRR has partnered with ABC Radio to create a program that will enable seven communities to apply for up to $10,000 in seed funding to adopt, adapt and implement one of seven ideas that young Australians say would improve rural and regional communities. > More

Size doesn't matter - 30 April 2013

Despite a population of 60, the tiny community of Cowley Beach, Qld, raise thousands of dollars to boost a Small Grant they received from FRRR, to purchase all-terrain wheelchairs to enable beach access for those with disabilities. > More

Saying NO to violence in Lightning Ridge - 30 April 2013

The Yarrawai Meamei Women's Group in Lightning Ridge, NSW, has published a calendar that brings positive messages about treating people fairly and with respect to the homes of a diverse community. > More

Taking a dip in Dargo - 30 April 2013

A Landcare group from the tiny community of Dargo in East Gippsland, Victoria, is working to bring back visitors and local pride to their swimming spot, which has been the target of vandalism and will benefit from some basic infrastructure. > More

Well-preserved wagon in Wellstead - 30 April 2013

The members of Wellstead Progress Association understand the importance of historical attractions in small towns. With the support of FRRR they have restored a relic from their past and displayed it in the main street to boost appeal for tourists and preserve the community's heritage. > More

Philanthropy's role in sustainable agriculture - 2 April 2013

FRRR CEO Alexandra Gartmann speaks on ABC's Bush Telegraph about renewed interest from philanthropists in funding research, development and education programs in sustainable agriculture. > More

Friends of the Yarraman Creek not deterred by summer floods

Efforts continue after the January 2013 floods posed a risk to the weed eradication and re-vegetation work done along Yarraman Creek by a community group in Queensland. > More

Never too old to learn

Woodgate Men's Shed receives FRRR/ANZ Seeds of Renewal grant towards equipment to aid education programs for a group of enthusiastic hobbyists from all walks of life - with an average age of 68. > More

Small sustainable business for Aboriginal artists

A Small Grant helps a Northern Territory arts centre to support local indigenous artists. > More

Newsletters need pictures, pictures need cameras!

A Small Grant helps a community group capture local events in full colour for their newsletter and website. > More

Kitchen refurbishment for new mining town childcare facility

A Small Grant helps to refurbish the kitchen of a delapidated building - so that a much-needed childcare facility can start operating in Three Springs, WA. > More

Donald Swimming Pool Celebrates

Volunteers from the community go to great efforts to restore a cherished local swimming pool after devastation from the 2011 floods. > More

February eNews - 28 February 2013

We are off to a running start this year, and are thrilled about releasing our first online annual review, which covers FRRR's activities and achievements for the 2011/12 financial year. Read all about the latest news from FRRR in our February eNews. > More

Time, treasure and talent: a radio interview.

FRRR CEO Alexandra Gartmann is interviewed by Rebecca Levingston on ABC 612 Brisbane, regarding natural disaster recovery. > More

FRRR 2011/12 Annual Review now published - 7 February 2013

FRRR has released an online review of its 2011/12 operations. The publication shares some inspirational examples of our grant programs in action, none of which is possible without the generous support of our donors and partners. > More

Making education interactive - 29 January 2013

Tinonee Public School P&C works to provide "boundless opportunities" for the students of this small school. > More

One wall to fix it all - 29 January 2013

The Cunderdin Men's Shed fixes the issues that come with being housed in the museum complex by the addition of a new wall, enabled by a Small Grant. > More

The great digital transition - 29 January 2013

Iconic, historic Swanpool Cinema keeps its operations up to date in the changing world of modern cinema. > More

Low-cost festival keeps kids happy, helps community recovery - 24 January 2013

The community of Rochester, Victoria, work towards solving their problems with a fun, low-cost festival. > More

The shed that saves precious time - 24 January 2013

A RRR grant keeps fundraising equipment protected and close at hand. > More

With fresh cut grass comes peace of mind - 24 January 2013

The purchase of a new mower means time is saved and children are safer. > More

On with the show - 18 December 2012

The Rex Theatre Charlton, Victoria, faced an uncertain future following the floods of January 2011. An outpouring of support from the local and extended community, aided by an FRRR Donation Account, has helped to rebuild and improve upon this historic feature. > More

Up-cycling in Long Gully - 18 December 2012

St. Matthews Hall in Long Gully, Victoria, is home to a number of community run programs. Its facilities were in dire need of upgrading to help a community in recovery from the effects of the Victorian 2009 Bushfires. FRRR was happy to be able to support this project. > More

Peterborough RSL relocates - 18 December 2012

A small grant has enabled the Peterborough RSL to relocate, adding disabled facilities at the same time. > More

Valley Performers share talents far and wide - 18 December 2012

Thanks to a new grant from FRRR,the Valley Performers are sharing their talents far and wide. > More

Tomorrow:Today Foundation - a great example of a community taking control - 7 November 2012

FRRR's CEO recently attended the Tomorrow:Today Foundation's AGM. In addressing the gathering, she reflected on the achievements of this Community Foundation, which is a great example of what can be achieved when local people work together. > More

Grant gives impetus to get the kitchen sink - 31 October 2012

A grant from FRRR provided the impetus for the small community of Adventure Bay, on Bruny Island in Tasmania, to raise sufficient funds to refurbish their local hall, getting everything including the kitchen sink! > More

Building a Bridge to Work, through adult learning - 31 October 2012

A Seeds of Renewal grant has built skills and confidence among a group of women in Alstonville. Students developed ideas for improved care for children in the Kyogle community, which are now being developed into a framework for a plan to establish a young women's group called Our Women Now (OWN.) > More

Every bloke needs a shed and some new tools - 31 October 2012

An FRRR grant has provided some new tools for the Beechworth Men's Shed, enabling more people to work on projects at the same time. > More

Re-building the Bush in Boolarra - 31 October 2012

A RRR grant has enabled the popular walking trails around Boolarra to be rehabilitated following the devastating 2009 bushfires, giving the community access to a popular recreational area. > More

Through Women's Eyes - 27 September 2012

One of the projects funded by the STEPS program looks at bushfire recovery Through Women's Eyes, collating the insights and lessons from the horror of the Victorian bushfires. > More

Life-long learning in Tasmania - 27 September 2012

An innovative program in remote Tasmania is helping to keeping students in senior school by providing them with qualifications recognised by industry. > More

Tanks revitalise local hall - 27 September 2012

A small grant has made a big difference to the community of Burrapine, helping to refurbish a local meeting place. > More

Students pledge to earn or learn - 27 September 2012

St Augustine's school in Kyabram has an innovative way of ensuring local students continue their education or find work, post year 10. > More

Toys for tots, thanks to FRRR - 27 September 2012

Through the Small Grants program, FRRR funded a range of toys, including some for children with special needs, at the expanding Murilla Kindergarten. > More

McEwen grant helps achieve greater literacy - 27 September 2012

Funding from a previous round of the McEwen Foundation small grants program for the Goulburn Valley resulted in an aboriginal literacy service that's helping to change lives. > More

Country kids become city savvy - 31 August 2012

A Coonalpyn group developed a program to help their country kids become city savvy, to make the transition to the 'big smoke' a bit easier when they have to leave the region to further their education. > More

More resources at Centre for Autism

A small grant from FRRR has helped to restock the library at a northern NSW Centre for Autism. > More

Community Foundations: Give Where You Live

FRRR works with a number of Community Foundations, hosting donation accounts which enable them to fund more broadly. The Visy Corporation and Tumut Communiity Foundation is a great example of what can be achieved with the support of a donation account. > More

Sheltering from the heat - 31 August 2012

A small grant has enabled shelters to be built in a local community recreation reserve in WA. > More

Motorists beware - Meandering malleefowl! - 31 August 2012

Motorists around Wedderburn are now more aware of meandering malleefowl, thanks to some signage funded by FRRR. > More

Cameras capture wildlife - 31 July 2012

FRRR has helped the Mukinbudin Conservation Group to survey local wildlife. > More

Playground colocates with local school

The local community of Barnawartha came together recently to celebrate the opening of the new playgroup, which relocated to the local school, thanks in part to support from FRRR. > More

Copley community gets creative with ceramics - 29 June 2012

The small town of Copley now has a ceramics studio, after ANZ Seeds of Renewal provided the remaining funds to complete their new building. > More

Upper Brogo feels fire safe, thanks to ANZ Seeds funding - 29 June 2012

A new fire shed at Upper Brogo, funded with support from ANZ Seeds of Renewal program, has reinvigorated the community. > More

ANZ Seeds funding helps build computing skills in Okines - 29 June 2012

ANZ Seeds of Renewal funding helped to build computing skills in Oskines, Tasmania, enhancing pre-employment skills and helping participants better undertake everyday activities. > More

Small Grant helps Blighty residents live healthily - 29 June 2012

A 2011 Small Grant to the Blighty Healthy Eating, Active Living program is really making a difference, according to the Committee President. > More

Smoky Bay jetty refurbished - 28 May 2012

FRRR hosted a donation account for the Smoky Bay Progress Association, in collaboration with the Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation to enable them to restore the historic Smoky Bay jetty. > More

Getting young mothers out and about - 24 May 2012

Funding via the Small Grants for Small Rural Communities program has allowed the South Burnett CTC to expand their Young Mothers program. > More

Funding helps rural communities recover from natural disasters

More than $195,000 has been distributed in the second round of FRRR's 2011 Natural Disaster assistance grants under the Repair-Renew-Restore program. Projects cover the length of the East Coast, and repair damage from floods and cyclones in 2011. > More

Blyth community unveils new fence - 14 May 2012

The small community of Blyth recently officially unveiled the new heritage panelled fence surrounding the Padnaindi Reserve, a valued community gathering place. The project was partially funded via a Small Grant from FRRR. > More