The Coonabarabran community will benefit from $70,000 in funding from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Tackling Tough Times Together initiative.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said $42,500 has been awarded to the Coonabarabran High School P & C Association, with a further $27,500 to 2357 Partnerships for the Star Wars-themed Dark Sky Awakens Festival.
“The Tackling Tough Times Together program has a range of benefits, including keeping money flowing through shops and suppliers, boosting local tourism and creating jobs for drought-hit communities,” Mr Coulton said.
“The grant for 2357 Partnerships will help to establish the local Dark Sky Awakens Festival, to be held 8 – 10 May, providing economic renewal to the Coonabarabran community.
“Another grant will enable Coonabarabran High School P & C to fund travel costs for students participating in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program, as well as a school-hosted maths event, ‘Feast of Pi’.”
Mr Coulton said the grants will provide a boost to the local community at a time when drought has impacted the entire Parkes electorate.
“I’m thrilled that Coonabarabran stands to benefit significantly from this round of FRRR funding, which will help the community continue to thrive despite the difficult times,” he said.
An additional three projects in the Parkes electorate have been funded in this round of grants, including:
• $43,800 for Country Women’s Association (CWA) in Menindee;
• $13,055 for Grawin Glengarry Sheepyard Opal Field Men’s Shed; and
• $30,847 for Lake Cargelligo Early Learning Centre.
The Federal Coalition Government has provided a total of $15 million to the Tackling Tough Times Together initiative, which is also supported by philanthropy and business. More information can be found at www.frrr.org.au/grants/TTTT.
For further details on the Dark Sky Awakens Festival, see www.darkskyawakensfestival.com.au
Media Contact: Anna Tickle 0491 135 852
Background:
• Projects supported through Tackling Tough Times Together help rural communities cope with the impact of the drought on families and businesses.
• The majority of projects funded in this round seek to reduce volunteer fatigue and boost the operations of local not-for-profit organisations in drought communities.
Photo Caption: Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton meeting with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Board in Parliament House late last year, along with Federal colleagues. The Coalition Government supports the FRRR and has committed $15 million to its Tackling Tough Times Together program.
