IN partnership with Telstra, the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal has awarded 26 grants to not-for-profit organisations throughout regional Australia, including Meals on Wheels Broken Hill, who received over $4000 to purchase two new laptops and wireless internet to streamline processes.
Cobar Weekly Association, the town’s newspaper that has been running for over 33 years, was also among the recipients, receiving $10,000 to strengthen their digital capacity to ensure information is spread to the community more effectively.
The annual program received 196 applications from not-for-profits, with the grants assisting community-led initiatives to enhance resilience and sustainability.
FRRR’s CEO, Natalie Egleton, said that the program is able to reach across rural Australia to ensure far reaching impacts for non-urban communities.
“These grants go far beyond simply getting people connected to the internet,” she said.
“They’re about ensuring that people in remote and regional Australia have access to essential services and opportunities.
“Reliable digital infrastructure and skills are fundamental to improving quality of life and these communities are demonstrating real drive to respond to local issues innovatively, with our support.
“The ripple effects of these community-led projects are significant and contribute to stronger local economies, more connected communities and greater resilience overall.
“That’s why continued investment in digital inclusion is so important for the sustainability of rural and remote Australia.”
Regional Australia executive at Telstra, Loretta Willaton, said that the number of applications received reflected a desire for digital connectivity and new technology remotely.
“Organisations all over the country have stepped forward with a solutions-focused approach to improving their digital capabilities and improving social and environmental outcomes for their communities,” she said.
“Access to technology is especially crucial in times of crisis.
“We appreciate that the preparedness of communities ahead of disasters, as well as in response to or recovering from them, is made so much more robust with greater access to digital tools and knowledge.”
