Goulburn Valley farmers will be able to enjoy a gala night of networking in support of mental health and wellbeing, thanks to a Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal grant that has ensured a major get-together goes ahead in February.
Fruit Growers Victoria will use the $5000 grant to stage the highly anticipated 2025 Harvest Ball in Shepparton.
Greater Shepparton City Council economic development coordinator Sarah Hardwick said the funding would secure former NRL State of Origin star and Queensland farmer Shane Webcke as guest speaker.
Mr Webcke is well-known for his passion for farmer mental health, wellbeing and farm safety.
Mrs Hardwick said the ball would be held on Friday, February 14 next year and is expecting up to 150 attendees.
“Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday and some of our farmers said that would be an ideal day to take their loved one out for an evening,” she said.
“The invitation will go out to all farmers in the Shepparton shire and their plus one to come and network with other farmers on issues of mental health in the face of severe climate events.”
The event is also supported by Greater Shepparton City Council.
More than $55,000 has been awarded to six local community and not-for-profit organisations as part of the latest funding round by the FRRR.
Since 2019, FRRR has distributed more than $27 million to more than 2360 remote and regional communities in every state and territory.
In this round of grants, the FRRR provided more than $1 million in total funding to 103 community groups nationwide to enhance the vitality and liveability of remote, rural and regional places.
Philanthropy still being sought to meet shortfall
The Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal’s ‘flagship’ grants program, Strengthening Rural Communities, is a collaboration supported by donors ranging from private individuals to larger foundations.
Demand for funding in communities continues to outstrip what FRRR has available, with this round seeing more than 32 small and ‘vital’ projects missing out on $362,000 between them.
FRRR place portfolio lead Jill Karena said the foundation’s commitment to empowering local groups and organisations still required help.
“To meet the continued demand for funding, FRRR needs the support of the philanthropic and corporate sectors to empower rural communities to lead projects and local solutions that will ensure their future is vibrant and sustainable,” Ms Karena said.
“Our funding is often the critical catalyst that community groups need to get their projects off the ground.
“A grant from FRRR can encourage other organisations to invest in local solutions or can be used to leverage the additional funding their project needs.”
Information on donating can be found at www.frrr.org.au/donate