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Greg Gilbert, Farm Services Manager for Dairy Farmers’ southern region, said 29 groups had been represented at a recent information session, with groups travelling from as far afield as Tailem Bend, Yankalilla and Meningie.
“The attendance at the workshop was outstanding,” Mr Gilbert said.
“People made a big effort to get there on the night and we were delighted by the response.
“It was also pleasing to see such a wide cross-section of groups.
“We had sporting groups, community halls, music groups, driving clubs and churches. There was a community centre and a childcare centre. We also had several dairy farmers and some local government representatives – just a great mix of groups.”
Mr Gilbert said the grants program was being rolled out in dairying regions in other states.
“While it’s been met with enthusiasm everywhere, I believe the Murray Bridge workshop has had the highest attendance so far.
“Dairy Farmers Milk Cooperative director Peter Ness of Mount Compass, along with director Trevor Middlebrook from Gloucester in NSW, promoted the program at six recent farmer meetings and were also pleased by the positive response.”
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) – which is administering the program on behalf of Dairy Farmers – has also reported a large number of calls to its grants hotline.
Mr Gilbert said that in a time of drought, the grants program was a tangible way Dairy Farmers could show its support to communities in dairying regions.
“As much as we’d like to, there’s nothing any of us can do to improve the weather outlook. What we can do, however, is give local groups the financial means to make some special projects a reality.
“Dairy Farmers is particularly keen to fund projects that have a social or a community welfare focus, or they could be economic, environmental, health, education or cultural projects.
“This is really important to us. We’re 100 per cent farmer-owned and Australian to boot. This mindset is what sets us apart from other dairy companies.”
Dairy Farmers will distribute a total of $200,000 across the country over coming months. Groups can apply for one-off grants of up to $5,000.
Applications close on 17 November 2006. Dairy Farmers and FRRR expect to announce the first grants about six to eight weeks later.
For further information, contact FRRR on 1800 170 020 or email info@frrr.org.au.
