News
Out and About
The VFFF team loves getting out and about to see our granting partners in action and attend sector events. This quarter, we spent time visiting our partners and attending events focused on supporting young people and regional communities.
Takeover Lismore Youth Summit
The power, passion and resilience of rural and regional youth was on full display at the Takeover Lismore Youth Summit, delivered in May 2024 through a collaboration between the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and the Office for Youth.
The Summit is an opportunity for young people to tell their stories and share their ideas for positive change with local decision-makers, family, friends, and the broader community. The initiative recognises that regional young people have the expertise and enthusiasm to contribute to a better future for themselves, their peers, and future generations.
More than 30 young people came together for the week-long leadership and storytelling program in Lismore, which culminated in a Youth Ideas Launch. VFFF Chair Rosemary Vilgan and Program Manager, Natalie Buckett, attended this energetic event, where young people delivered group presentations on how to make Lismore a stronger community. They addressed issues like reducing pollution, creating safer and more inclusive local spaces, and providing more local jobs for young people. The audience was packed full of supporters, including local Mayor Steve Krieg and ABC Director of News Justin Stevens.
After the Youth Ideas Launch, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal connected participants with local non-profits to turn their ideas into action. We are excited to see the outcome of their collaborations.
The stories of Takeover Lismore participants are available here.
Young people and the green economy
A new funding outcome has recently been added to the Caring for the Environment focus area of VFFF’s Backing Young People strategy – “young people pursue opportunities to participate in the green economy”. This addition prompted Senior Program Manager, Lynn Anderson, to join a field trip to Newcastle organised by the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN).
During the trip, a small group of AEGN members had the opportunity to attend the Founding Assembly of the Hunter Community Alliance and meet with local community leaders and changemakers to learn more about the renewable energy transition in the Hunter.
VFFF is committed to supporting young people to amplify their voices and see their vision for the future of their communities realised. We know that communities like the Hunter are at the frontline of the energy transition and VFFF will continue to listen to young people to learn about the impact of the transition and what support they need to ensure they are well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities developing in their communities.
Celebrating a milestone at The Family Place
One of the impact investments held in the VFFF corpus’s portfolio is a property in Woodridge, Queensland where The Salvation Army operate The Family Place.
The Family Place is a much loved community centre that welcomes all families within Logan and surrounding areas. The centre primarily supports families with children in their early development years but is also open to older family members, especially during school holidays. In addition to offering a range of fun activities for children who have limited access to facilities, the centre also offers important programs and support to young local parents who are often experiencing disadvantage.
In April The Family Place celebrated its 10th Birthday with an event attended by children and families connected to the centre, including three generations of the Fairfax Family. VFFF Chair Rosemary Vilgan, Tim Fairfax AC, Gina Fairfax AC, Joseph O’Brien, William O’Brien and VFFF CEO Jenny Wheatley joined in the fun, along with over 900 community members. As the local Member of Parliament, The Honourable Dr Jim Chalmers also took time out of his busy schedule to mark the milestone and celebrate this important community asset.
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