News

Reflections from Moree

On March 4 and 5, the VFFF Directors and team were privileged to spend time in the small country town of Moree in northern NSW. The purpose of the visit was to provide context for VFFF’s granting to young people, particularly those in rural and regional areas, as well as an opportunity for the Board to spend time together in its new formation, after four new new Directors were appointed in December. We are grateful to the community for the warm country hospitality we experienced, particularly the Welcome to Country from Llyod Munro, Vice-Chairman of the Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Moree was chosen as the destination due to VFFF’s long granting history in the community as well as the recognition that young people living in the town have a very broad range of experiences and diverse outcomes in which VFFF could learn from. The town of Moree has its challenges. It has been the subject of media reports which paint a negative picture of life in the town, particularly for young people. However, while VFFF acknowledge the impact of youth crime, the team’s experience in Moree shows there is much more to the community than what is depicted in those reports – there is innovation, passion and hope.

VFFF Directors and team in Moree

Field Trip visit with the Moree OzFish Chapter

Directors had the opportunity to hear from a wide range of people in Moree offering different perspectives about this complex community. The group heard from both local and state government representatives, organisations and community members who are educating, working with, and providing services to the young people of Moree, as well as hearing directly from young people about their experiences and how they are contributing to their community.

A highlight of the trip was an evening spent with 11 young people at a local Moree restaurant. Over a shared meal of Thai food, the Directors and team had conversations with the school captains of the local high school, young aboriginal leaders, an aboriginal community liaison officer, Christian youth group leaders, art directors, entrepreneurs, bankers and teachers. The group of young people openly and generously shared their stories and offered unique perspectives of living and working in Moree.

Directors were also pleased to meet the teams from two VFFF grant partners, Warrama-Li and Miyay Birray Youth Services. These organisations are working tirelessly to support young first nations people into meaningful employment, specifically in the building and maintenance industry in Moree.

VFFF found the time spent in this rural community invaluable, as it reinforced the importance of continuing to Back Young People through our grant-making efforts. With over 60 years of experience in supporting rural and regional communities across Australia, we recognise that each country town has its own unique characteristics. As we strive to maximise our impact in these communities, we remain committed to backing individuals and organisations that focus on mentoring, building local skills, connecting people with opportunities, and nurturing emerging leaders. We will continue to amplify the voices of young people and use the insights gained from our visit to further strengthen our role as a philanthropic organisation.