Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Community Grants Program has been announced, with several not-for-profit organisations receiving grants of up to $5,000 to support projects in regional Australia
When talking with Nutrien Ag Solutions corporate affairs coordinator Mady Muirhead, a quote from American writer and teacher Margaret J. Wheatley immediately sprung to mind – “there is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”
For the team at Nutrien, community support and investing in projects is the key to nationwide growth.
“We have an incredibly diverse group of projects this year,” Muirhead says.
“We’re seeing an interest in building organisational capacity, training volunteers and having resources on hand for community support.”
Since 2021, Nutrien’s five-year program has invested $250,000 annually into grassroots projects from rural and regional Australian communities.
“Over the past two years we’ve invested in 110 projects, with another 57 added to the pool this year,” Muirhead says.
“Since the launch of the Community Grants program in 2021, Nutrien awarded over $750,000 in grants to rural and regional communities across Australia.”
This program works alongside the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal – the only national foundation specifically focused on ensuring the social and economic strength of remote, rural and regional communities.
“The success of agriculture and the wellbeing of regional Australia are inextricably linked,” Muirhead says.
“Last year we saw many parts of our country face environmental disasters on a significant scale, with many still facing recovery.
“This placed significant unanticipated stress on grassroots organisations and groups that work tirelessly to support their local communities.
“We are going further by investing in meaningful projects and supporting local grassroot organisations.”
Through helping rural communities, the program aims to bring forward the potential nuggets of cultural gold that may have slipped through the cracks if not properly funded.
In the past successful applicants have seen grant assistance with the installation of an Indigenous artwork and bush tucker garden in Queensland, contributions to a purpose-built beach ramp and wheelchairs in Tasmania, child protection workshops in Western Australia and the installation of solar power panels at the Cambrai Sports Club in South Australia.
“We have thousands of employees living and working in rural and regional Australia, ingrained in their local communities,” Muirhead says.
“They have a deep understanding of what makes a community thrive – and it’s all about the people.
“We work in partnership with our communities to support them at a local level, in ways that best suit the individual needs of that community.”
The list of this year’s successful applicants is:
NSW
- Braidwood FM Incorporated
- Rotary Club of Wagga Kooringal Inc
- Bearbong Recreation Reserve Land Manager
- Berry and District Historical Society Incorporated
- Culgoa Community Sports Club Incorporated
- Goulburn Agricultural Pastoral & Horticultural Society Incorporated
- South Coast Beef Producers Association Incorporated
- Packsaddle Progress Association
- Northern NSW Helicopter Rescue Service Limited
- Girilambone Community Association
- Marrar Gymkhana Reserve Land Manager
- Murrurundi Matters Inc
- Australian Agricultural Centre Limited
- Nullamanna Reserve Land Manager
- Louth Chamber of Commerce
QLD
- Two Mile State School P&C Association
- Morven Progress Association Incorporated
- Banana Shire Community Arts Assoc Inc
- Wandoan District Meals on Wheels Inc
- Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club Inc
- Kilkivan Primary P&C Association
- Mount Morgan Citizen’s Club Inc
VIC
- Kaniva Leeor United Football Netball Club
- Buangor Community Sports Centre Inc.
- Omeo Region Business and Tourism Association
- Committee of Management of Dunrobin Public Hall and Reserve Inc
- Camperdown Pastoral & Agricultural Society Inc
- Dimboola Progress Association Incorporated
- Anam Cara House Colac Inc
- Bonnie Doon Community Group Inc
- The Leongatha Men’s Shed
- The Trustee for The MAC Trust
- Mitta Valley Landcare Inc
- Myrtleford RSL Sub-Branch Inc.
NT
- Riding for the Disabled Association Top End
TAS
- Rocky Cape Public Hall Incorporation
- Huon Valley Police & Community Youth Club Inc
- Flinders Island Show Society Inc
SA
- Jamestown Apex Club
- Glencoe Public Hall Incorporated
- Millicent Agricultural Horticultural and Pastoral Society Inc
- Manoora Centenary Park Incorporated
- Cummins & District War Memorial Swimming Pool Inc
- Burra Pre-School Kindergarten
- Hardwicke Bay & District Progress Association
- Isolated Childrens Parents Association of South Australia
- Karoonda Farm Fair Inc
WA
- Albany MenShed Inc
- River Conservation Society Incorporated
- Tonebridge Country Club Inc
- Nature Conservation Margaret River Region Inc
- Dumbleyung Community Resource
- Aldersyde Agricultural Hall Centre Incorporated
- Hopetoun Progress Association Inc
- Yarra Yarra Catchment Management Group Incorporated
For more information visit www.nutrienagsolutions.com.au