General News
22 July, 2025
FRRR appoint facilitator
Since Maryborough’s successful $5 million partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), the five year program has since commenced and now appointed a facilitator.
Alistair Shaw was assigned to the position earlier this month, following Maryborough’s partnership with the Investing in Rural Community Futures not-for-profit sector capacity building program in March this year.
“I started on the third of July. The way that funding will work is that community groups will come up with their own initiatives, either on their own or with other groups. My job is to help the groups shape their plans so that they will be successful,” Mr Shaw said.
“Both successful in getting grants, but also successful in terms of what they want to achieve.”
The role of the facilitator will be to strengthen local grassroots not-for-profit groups, so they can respond to local community needs and to achieve a greater impact.
“Since the funding is providing a million dollars a year for five years, community groups will come up with their own initiatives. If they are consistent with the roadmap and they meet the funding guidelines, they can apply for funding,” Mr Shaw said.
“My main job is to connect groups with this project, both the groups that have already been involved and the groups that haven’t.”
Mr Shaw has had previous experience in similar positions in central Victoria.
“I have spent my life supporting groups to be more successful. I currently work part time in Bendigo with the volunteer resource center, I used to run a project to enhance governance with small and medium sized groups, and I’m an experienced trainer facilitator with lots of roles,” he said.
“For me, this project is about people recognising if they help each other, then we can make Maryborough a better place.
“Also, the fact that all of these groups here want to do stuff for other people, enabling that to happen more easily and more successfully, is what will build a better community.”
Mr Shaw said his position extends to assisting surrounding communities.
“It’s not just for Maryborough, but nearby, so the other little towns that make up the shire need to feel that this is their project too,” he said.
Mr Shaw will be based at Mill House two days a week and can be contacted via email at ircf.maryborough@frrr.org.au