Two local projects will benefit from the latest Foundation for Regional Renewal grants.
Almost 100 remote, rural and regional communities across Australia will benefit from the $1.2 million in grants being distributed through FRRR's flagship Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program.

Community College Gippsland will receive $1500 for its Community, Connection and Gardening project which aims to promote the health and social wellbeing of older people and foster intergenerational skill-sharing by providing gardening tools for a series of four seasonal workshops.
Labertouche Primary School will receive $3970 for its "From Little Hands, Big Art Grows" project. The funding will enable the school to increase functionality and usage of an outside art space in a rural primary school by installing a water tank system.
Ranging from $1500 to $50,000, the grants will empower 99 not-for-profit organisations to implement a wide range of projects that will enable their communities to be more vibrant, resilient and sustainable places to live, work and invest.
Eighty communities will share $688,444 for small and vital projects such as improvements to community infrastructure and landscaping; festivals and events that reduce social isolation, encourage tourism and boost the local economy; workshops that support cultural healing, creative expression, community safety and celebrate diversity; and training and resources to build NFP capacity and support volunteers.
A further $235,734 will support 12 communities to recover from recent disasters and prepare for future events.
Seven communities are sharing the remaining $276,348, for Larger Leverage projects that will help narrow the digital divide for adults and older community members through initiatives that offer online health management, improved digital literacy and increased online safety.
FRRR head of granting Jill Karena said programs like Strengthening Rural Communities were a vital source of funding for the hundreds of remote and rural NFPs that continue to fill the service gaps in their communities.
"Locally-led, grassroots organisations are key to ensuring vital community services continue to be delivered. That takes committed volunteers, and we are seeing more NFPs working hard to attract and retain volunteers by making improvements to amenities, purchasing new equipment and offering training and mentorship.
"The initiatives we've funded in this round of grants really showcase the diversity of needs of remote, rural and regional communities. This is why flexible funding programs, like SRC, are so critical to the sustainability and vibrancy of our inland communities," Ms Karena said.
FRRR always accepts applications to the program, which typically awards funds four times a year. Local not-for-profit organisations and community groups are encouraged to review the program guidelines and apply. More information about the SRC program is available at www.frrr.org.au/src.