Great Southern organisations share $1.3 million as part of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund

The Great Southern has been granted a share in the nearly $1.3 million Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal pledge to strengthen communities’ drought durability. Six community organisations from Katanning, Kojonup, Gnowangerup, Borden, and Porongurup received a total of $232,187 towards facility repairs, upgrades, water supplies, and education. Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative’s Small Network Grants is funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and aims to help non-profit organisations strengthen their drought knowledge and resilience. FRRR’s disaster resilience and recovery lead Nina O’Brien said these grants would make a practical difference in drought-sensitive areas and help communities prepare for inevitable dry times and challenges. Katanning Land Conservation District Committee has created an EcoWeek program ‘Strong for the Dry’ to promote drought awareness and resilience through numerous events and workshops focused on professional, social, and community connection and understanding the risks after they were granted $39,510. New shaded areas and a water-efficient community garden will be built in Katanning’s Piesse Park to ensure food security and sun safety with their $13,829 share. The Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation secured $49,350 to enable the sharing of local Noongar fire mitigation, firefighting equipment, and specialised training while learning techniques for cool burning. Kojunup Southern Dirt Incorporated received $49,208 to host grower group-led educational initiatives that educate local school children on soil health and the risk climate change and drought pose to the land. A creative approach earned the Borden Pavilion Committee Incorporated $30,290 to repair and upgrade the building’s flooring and deliver a photography workshop called Through the Lens to teach their community the impact of draughts captured in their photos. And the Porongurup Hall Kitchen Renovation Project secured $50,000 to redesign the building to facilitate small-scale community infrastructure projects and improve community well-being, connection, and facilitates.