Key points
- Suncorp Group and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) have awarded their third round of grants under the Rebuilding Futures program established in 2021.
- The $300,871 in grants have gone to 18 not-for-profits located in regional Victoria communities impacted by flooding in late 2022 and early 2023.
- The grant money will fund a range of projects including community infrastructure, workshops, skill-building and social wellbeing.
The grants are thanks to the Rebuilding Futures program established by Suncorp Group and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) in 2021.
Rochester Community House Inc was one of this year's grant recipients, awarded $19,949 to complete the restoration of their iconic Rochestor Shire Hall.
Located approximately two and a half hours north of Melbourne, this shire hall is an integral part of the Rochestor community, offering social events, exercise classes and educational workshops in partnership with several community groups.
In their application, Rochestor Community House Inc said: "We have a saying in our community that 90 per cent of the community was inundated but 100 per cent of the community has been affected.
"The Shire Hall is an integral part of our community, and while all the flood damage repairs, which took six months, have been completed, there are still some finishing touches to make this venue a one stop shop for everyone to enjoy.
"RCH holds many of its regular events in the hall, and now we are also holding many flood recovery events in the hall, which we know is key to helping our community to recover from this horrific event and move forward with their lives."
Suncorp Group’s Chief Executive Officer Consumer Insurance Lisa Harrison recently visited Rochestor Community House Inc and witnessed first-hand how responsive funding brings life back to local communities.
"The Rebuilding Futures program allows us to provide funding to community leaders who are best placed to drive the recovery of regional Victoria," Ms Harrison said.
"These funding grants are crucial to help communities build back better."
Projects funded
Congratulations and thanks to the following groups for their critical work:
CEO FRRR Natalie Egleton said the grant recipients have shown a sense of resolve and strength when it comes to rebuilding.
“Recovery following a natural disaster is a marathon, not a sprint. We know from supporting affected communities that it takes years, if not decades," Ms Egleton said.
"Understanding this, and then being able to offer support when the community is ready to action their medium- to long-term needs, is the purpose of our partnership with Suncorp Group.
"A lot of the funding and the human resources that were allocated to support flood recovery are starting to wind down and yet, we’re hearing from communities that there is still a long way to go to get back on their feet.
"This recent grant round provided flexible funding for communities to tackle local priorities."
This is the third round of grants offered by the Rebuilding Futures program, with this round offered to recipients located in regional Victorian communities impacted by the flood events that took place between October 2022 and January 2023.
To date, more than $1 million has been awarded via three grant rounds to 62 community groups for a wide range of projects and activities to support recovery from natural disasters in the medium- to long-term.