FRRR Celebrates 25 Years of Supporting Rural Communities

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) recently marked its 25th anniversary with a special celebration hosted by the Myer family at Cranlana in Melbourne. The event brought together nearly 100 supporters, partners, and staff to reflect on the organisation’s achievements and look ahead to future initiatives.

FRRR continues to focus on building strong, sustainable, and self-reliant rural communities across Australia. Among its latest initiatives is the expansion of the Investing in Rural Community Futures program in Victoria, with new partnerships beginning in Colac, Maryborough, and Swan Hill. These communities will soon take part in collaborative workshops to map out shared priorities and build capacity among local not-for-profits.

In a further boost, FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program received a significant investment from the Colonial Foundation. This funding will support projects that enhance digital capability in rural areas, with updated guidelines to be released in due course.

Meanwhile, evaluation work is underway for the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative, with the Nous Group gathering insights from participating regions to assess impact and guide future planning.

FRRR also acknowledged the ongoing challenges many rural areas are facing from severe weather events, including flooding, fires, and the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. In response, the Disaster Resilience & Recovery Fund continues to seek donations to support long-term recovery, with recent support including a $300,000 commitment from Suncorp.