FRRR: Support for Regional Community Foundations

As part of its objective of stimulating the renewal of rural and regional communities in Australia, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (“FRRR”) will support the development of community foundations in regional Australia in a number of ways. Regional community foundations are recognised as a flexible and responsive vehicle for bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders in rural communities and providing them with resources and tools to initiate key rural and regional renewal activities. While building a capital fund is one important objective of a regional community foundation, the other objective of initiating innovative approaches to regional development is critical if FRRR's vision is to be realised.

Activities: Small Grants Incentive

Connecting Communities through effective grant making The Break O’Day Community Radio Station – a story of perseverance

More than twenty years ago local identities Dale Wright, Robert Legge, Tim McManus, Karen Glatte and Stephen Salter shared a vision - to create a radio station for the Fingal Valley and East Coast.

Their aim: to provide a locally owned and controlled community asset that could service a region with very limited radio reception. Since that time many hurdles have been encountered on the long journey to realise the original goal. In 1999 a steering committee was reformed and chaired by Dale Wright.

During this time consultations were held with Tasman FM Radio which was a valuable resource and enabled the group to move forward.

The concept of a community radio station became the highest priority through community consultation supported through the Break O’Day Council. Steve Walley, Chairman of the community development group, directed the project toward seeking written approval for the proposal from local non-profit organizations to enhance funding opportunities

Some disappointments were encountered which stalled the momentum and enthusiasm of the steering committee.

The Tasmanian Community Foundation at this stage met with the group to explore possibilities of an incentive grant. An application for $5,000 was approved by the Grants Committee in November 2000 in support of test transmission sites. In 2001 an additional $2000 was applied for and granted to the Incorporated body to assist with the purchase of broadcasting technical equipment.

With the group achieving positive results through the incentive grant other funding sources came on board and after many months and hundreds of voluntary hours of hard work Break O’Day FM Radio is now a reality. As then chairman of BOD FM Don Ives wrote in a letter to the Foundation: "As an incentive it inspired our group and reignited the somewhat subdued flame of enthusiasm". The project has value added the initial grant to now have a capital value in excess of $100,000.00 BODFM 93.7 and 100.3 was opened for business by TCF Chairman Mick Clark in October 2002. The volunteers were congratulated for their magnificent effort.