Towong Community Bushfire Relief Fund – Round 3 Recipient Announcement

Border Trust recently completed our third allocation of grant funding specifically targeted at the recovery and relief of the Towong Shire community impacted so heavily by the 2019/20 bushfires.

$272,213 will support 6 projects in this round. These projects will support the likes of Mental Health, infrastructure and food security.  The funded projects will enable various programs and works to be carried out in the region over the coming twelve months.

We look forward to seeing these projects develop through 2023, further providing the communities most impacted with the supports and physical improvements needed to promote recovery, and to enhance the opportunity to move forward with enthusiasm and confidence.

Congratulations to the following successful Round 3 recipient organisations:

  • Corryong and District Memorial Hall – $41,248, Project Protection
    • Update June 2023 – Kitchenette ProjectThe Memorial Hall’s old Crying Room, presently a storage room, will be converted into a basic kitchenette with refrigeration capable of storage for amounts of food and drink to accommodate displaced residents in the event of future adverse events. This small facility will also be assessable to the major large floor space during activities in the hall proper. At the moment no such facility is available. The inclusion of such will increase hall usage, viability, and sustainability.
  • Corryong Food Share Services – $50,000, Ensuring Food Security for Vulnerable Community Members.   See Video
    • Update June 2023 – Food ShareThis project will provide twelve months of operating costs to cover insurance, electricity and water bills, funding to purchase groceries, meat, fruit and vegetable stocks; and fuel vouchers for volunteers to continue to deliver food hampers to vulnerable community members in line with CFSS COVID-19 non-contact protocols. Twelve months of operating costs will ensure that CFSS is able to continue to deliver emergency food relief to vulnerable members of the Upper Murray community for the 2023 calendar year.
  • Life Central Services – $40,000, Rural and Remote Suicide Safety Online Training Initiative
  • Upper Murray Historical Society Inc. – $50,000, Museum Accessibility
  • Upper Murray Innovation Foundation – $40,965, Attree Park Softfall
  • Corryong Opportunity Shop Inc. – $50,000, Corryong Opportunity Shop Revamp and Facelift.   See Video
    • Update June 2023Corryong Op Shop premises are over 50 years old. No one can remember any upgrades, renovations or improvements being made in that time. The shop interior suffered with smoke and ash damage during the fires, and water damage from some flooding after heavy rains. The shop is tired, and displays are increasingly difficult to manage as shelving is no longer fit for purpose. Work areas are limited, and need to be improved to assist volunteers to make the most of their volunteer hours in the shop.