Community
26 June, 2024
Groups benefit under FRRR funds
TWO Cobden groups have shared in more than $9000 in funding.
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and Gardiner Foundation have awarded $38,052 to eight community groups across south west Victoria for local initiatives which will support, strengthen and sustain their dairying regions.
In total, 27 groups across Gippsland, South-West and Northern Victoria are sharing in $124,478 in grants.
For 22 years, the Gardiner Foundation Community Grants program has empowered not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in Victoria’s dairy communities to create and lead projects which help locals to connect and support their farming regions to be sustainable and vibrant places to live and work.
This year, Victoria’s dairying regions will be boosted by a wide range of community-led projects including Strengthening Beech Forest with an historic bakery oven.
Cobden Men’s Shed received $5000 towards the shed’s expansion project and the Cobden Historical Society under the auspice of Progressing Cobden received $4121 for new equipment to assist with cataloguing, labelling and storage of historical items.
Gardiner Foundation chief executive officer Allan Cameron said the organisation’s longstanding partnership with FRRR has enabled it to invest more than $2.4 million in Victoria’s dairying regions.
“The Community Grants Program aims to support purpose-driven, not-for-profit organisations in rural and regional Victoria by enhancing their capacity to serve their local communities effectively,” he said.
“Since the program began in 2003, we have supported over 600 projects across the state.
“These grants provide crucial financial support to community groups, helping them overcome challenges as they work to revitalise their communities.
“We take pride in recognising the remarkable efforts of these groups within their communities, often carried out voluntarily, and in assisting them by funding projects that they believe will significantly enhance community resilience.”
FRRR place portfolio lead Jill Karena said the impact the Gardiner Foundation Community Grants program has had over the past 22 years was a testament to what was possible through collaboration with partners like Gardiner Foundation.
“Not-for-profits work tirelessly to strengthen and grow the social and cultural fabric of their communities,” she said.
“But with current the economic landscape and climate-related transitions impacting Victoria, keeping these organisations up and running is becoming exceedingly difficult.
“Therefore, it's not surprising that this year we saw a predominant need from community groups for funding to develop organisational resilience and capacity.”
Ms Karena said Victoria’s dairy regions were resilient and resourceful.
“We have seen, firsthand, the transformational change and outcomes that local people can achieve when they have access to funding,” she said.
“We are proud to play a small role in enabling these groups to drive change, build connections and share the vibrancy and determination of those living in Victoria’s dairying regions.”
A full list of grant recipients and funded projects can be found on FRRR’s website.
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