Mid North Coast projects score thousands in grants to support connection and disaster preparedness

Six local projects supporting communities across the Mid North Coast have received thousands in funding from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR).

The funding is part of the FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program, which gives not-for-profit organisations working in small remote, rural and regional areas the opportunity to access grants to support initiatives focused on resilience and sustainability, as well as disaster recovery and preparedness.

First Steps Count in Taree received $10,000 to go toward its “Yarn. Create. Belong.” project – establishing an informal support group for parents and carers dealing with isolation and trauma.

Shore Track in Macksville received a $10,000 grant to go toward its winter school holiday program teaching employability skills to young people, and The Grafton Community Shed can now purchase an awning to protect members of the Men’s Shed thanks to $6,000 in funding.

Taree Universities Campus received almost $10,000 for its Connected Voices: Empowering New Migrants in Taree digital storytelling activity.

FRRR has awarded a general disaster preparedness and recovery grant to the Women’s Emergency Action Network (WE CAN) in Belligen of close to $25,000.

The grant will support WE CAN’s practical food resilience workshops for women, teaching food security skills.

Just over $22,000 has been awarded to Fortem Australia’s Wingham branch to help connect first responders to mental health services, for those who may be experiencing burnout, trauma and compassion fatigue from recent flooding events.

Thumbnail: Post-flood restoration of the Numulgi Public Hall thanks to 2024 SRC funding. Picture supplied FRRR.