By Jed Lanyon
Thirty-six community projects that will assist the continued recovery of communities impacted by the Black Saturday Bushfires will receive funding totalling $602,308.
The groups, many of which are in the Yarra Ranges, are the latest recipients of the Grants for Resilience and Wellness (GRW) and Community Group Futures (CGF) programs.
The two programs have delivered over $3 million in grants to date, according to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).
Funding is made possible by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) which the general public generously contributed to in the immediate aftermath of the fires.
The GRW program focuses on community strengthening and resilience-building projects, while CGF supports not-for-profit organisations to think beyond day-to-day operations and look ahead to ensure they can meet ongoing community need.
This year’s 10th Anniversary of the Black Saturday Bushfires brought many of the communities affected by the devastating event back into focus for the wider public but also reinforced that recovery from something so catastrophic is very much a long-term proposition.
A media release from the FRRR stated that support is still being sought for disaster preparedness projects, but most requests were for projects that bring communities together, including upgrades to existing community meeting places to improve aspects such as their functionality, comfort and safety.
Creating connections from the youngest to the oldest members of the community, both to place and each other, was the other strong theme this round.
FRRR program manager Emma Thomas said that with the 10th anniversary behind them, it was heartening to see these communities looking ahead to the next ten years and beyond.
“The vast majority of applications for grants this round fit within the Strengthening Community Connectedness, Sense of Place, and Community Identity program area,” Ms Thomas said.
“When you’ve lost everything, as so many people did during the Black Saturday Bushfires, you get a different perspective on what is important and the things that make life better – these are communities taking charge of their future.
Among the funded projects are:
$3009 to Steels Creek Community Groups AED Update to increase preparedness for medical emergency, through updating AED equipment located at community meeting spaces in Steels Creek.
$18,750 to the Toolangi District Community House Inc for the upgrade of a disused community building, providing additional space for community activities and initiatives in Toolangi.
$858 to the Toolangi District Community House Inc Creative Writers Group to increase awareness of the benefits of social participation for seniors through publication and distribution of Creative Writers Group stories for the Encourage Active Ageing project.
$10,000 to improve amenity and safety at Toolangi Primary School, through restoration of retaining wall and pathways around historic and heritage listed trees.
$6090 to the Healesville CoRE Policy Governance Project to increase governance and direction for members of Healesville Community Renewable Energy through the development of organisation policies.
$20,000 to Yarra Valley Ecoss to increase support to deliver activities that support social and skill development for people with a disability at Yarra Valley ECOSS, through the employment of a project officer.
$7920 to the Marysville, Alexandra, Yea and Kinglake communities to increase capacity to market to potential donors and attract support through development of marketing tools including refreshed website, templates and brochure.
The FRRR was established in 2000 to support the renewal of rural, regional and remote communities in Australia through partnerships with the private sector, philanthropy and governments.
