General News
2 May, 2025
FRRR invite groups to create roadmap
After the recent partnership between Maryborough and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) Program, local not-for-profits (NFPs) are invited to participate in a community roadmap workshop.
The output of the session will be a roadmap to guide future grants, workshops and planning process.
This roadmap will become a living resource that will evolve throughout the five-year program.
Designed to build the capacity of not-for-profit organisations and strengthen the community sector, FRRR’s IRCF program starts by bringing together local community groups.
At this one-day workshop, representatives from local NFPs will identify their strengths, their shared vision for their community and agree priorities to make the groups stronger and more sustainable.
The program’s ultimate aim is to enable the sector to work collectively, so it can more effectively advocate on shared issues, contribute to a thriving community and achieve long-term impact.
IRCF Victoria program manager Jo Kemp said the roadmap process will draw out local knowledge and insights, which are critical to lay the foundations for the future.
“Local leaders, staff and volunteers are placed to identify and share what will make a meaningful difference in their community. That’s why we want to see as many groups represented as possible come along and help answer the question ‘What can we achieve together in Maryborough?’,” she said.
“The workshop will consider the questions through the lenses of the four key capacity building pillars of FRRR’S IRCF program: strategy, people, system and efficiencies.
“I’m really excited to be co-facilitating the workshop and getting a deeper understanding of how our program can best support Maryborough. We know that build-ing a network, sharing ideas and tackling challenges together will reveal so many opportunities for leaning and growth as a community.”
Staff, committee members and volunteers from NFP organisations and community groups in Maryborough as well as other interested stakeholders such as a local council, business chamber and First Nations organisations.
Representatives from smaller nearby towns connected to Maryborough through services and other means are also encouraged to attend.
Jeff Hoober, vice president of Maryborough Volunteer Resource Group has been involved in the early phase of the IRCF program for the region, and said he is looking forward to the roadmap workshop.
“It’s exciting to have so many opportunities ahead, our NFPs have already begun building strong networks together, but the support and guidance of FRRR through the IRCF will really accelerate what we can achieve together for the benefit of our whole community,” he said.
The workshop will take place on Wednesday May 15 from 9.15 am through to 2.30 pm at the Maryborough Salvation Army, 27 Wills Street with lunch provided.
“It would be great to see as many people as possible from a variety of local groups and organisations come along. You will be helping to ensure the IRCF program, best meets the priorities of the Maryborough community and shape a shared vision for the future,” Ms Kemp said.