FRRR on the lookout for regional Aussies to have their say

By Billie Davern

Mar 21, 2025

FRRR is searching for regional Australians to sit on one of three advisory boards. Pictured are Jan Ferguson and Jan and Ron Tarr, all members of the Beltana Progress Association, which has recently received an FRRR grant. Photo by Bec Smart

In its 25th year, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal is on the hunt for regional Australians to fill one of three advisory boards.

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Two of the three are seeking to refresh their membership and expand representation, while the third is an entirely new board.

FRRR chief executive Natalie Egleton said each of these bodies would play a crucial role in the effective governance of the nearly $20 million that the foundation awarded annually.

“While our staff do very thorough and detailed initial assessments of applications, for the most part it is the Program Advisory Committees that recommend where our scarce funds are allocated,” Ms Egleton said.

“To ensure that we are directing grants where they are needed most, we have Program Advisory Committees comprising people with relevant lived experience sitting alongside FRRR directors and donor partners.

“Their insights and knowledge of the subject matter are critical to our decisions.”

FRRR is seeking individuals with experience or interest in mental health and community wellbeing to join its In a Good Place Program advisory committee, as well as those with experience in climate and energy transitions to join its Community Led Climate Solutions advisory committee.

Alongside these boards, FRRR is establishing an Outback Advisory Board.

“We have supported remote, rural and regional Australia for more than 25 years and it’s become apparent that remote, very remote and outback Australia has specific challenges and needs,” Ms Egleton said.

“To ensure that our granting and capacity-building support, and our advocacy, fully reflects this uniqueness, the board has decided to appoint an Outback Advisory Board.

“Its remit will be to bring a national perspective, as well as local knowledge, to our granting programs, as well as to our advocacy activities, such as submissions to Senate inquiries and the development of policy and issues papers.”

These remote/online roles will be voluntary, but FRRR aims to have a diversity in membership, so it will consider supporting successful applicants to address barriers to participation in these primarily virtual meetings.

Expressions of interest for these roles will close on Friday, April 11.

Detailed role descriptions and expression of interest forms are available at frrr.org.au/about-frrr/work-with-us/