Funding for an inclusive arts program that will help the community reconnect after the floods has been won by Kerang Neighbourhood House.
The Kerang and District Community Centre Inc is the recipient of a $10,000 grant that Suncorp Insurance, AAMI Insurance and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal have awarded in the wake of the October 2022 and January 2023 floods.
A total of $300,781 has been awarded to 18 remote, rural and regional not-for-profits in Victorian communities.
The grants range from $4,040 to $20,000. They will be used for a range of projects from building community infrastructure and improving emergency facilities, to youth activity programs and community workshops – all high-priority projects for their local community.
In Kerang the money will go to the build resilience in Kerang through an inclusive arts program aimed at connecting people through positive creative activities.
Suncorp Group chief executive officer Steve Johnston, said the grants would help support community-led recovery.
“Australia is no stranger to natural disasters and unfortunately I’ve seen all too often the devastation and emotional toll they have on our communities,” Mr Johnston said.
“That’s why we are supporting affected Victorian communities through the Rebuilding Futures program – to not just build back but to build back better than before, making them even more resilient.
“These communities have been through a lot, and we know that recovery from severe weather events can sometimes take years.
“We also know that each community’s priorities during that recovery are different.
“We’re pleased to provide support to a range of different community groups and local not-for-profits that are run by people who know and understand what it is their community needs in order to rebuild.”
Nina O’Brien, disaster resilience and recovery lead at FRRR, said this round of grants is further confirmation of the long-term impacts of natural disasters.
“In this round of grants, we’re seeing projects that are about building community amenities and improving infrastructure but there’s also an emphasis on initiatives that are about building community resilience and promoting social wellbeing,” she said.
“It’s nearly a year since the floods first started and so this just goes to show that the impacts of floods are long-lasting and go far beyond the physical damage that’s caused.”
