$85,000 grants earmarked for regional NSW community projects

Four inspiring young rural leaders will see projects in their local community come to fruition after sharing in $85,000 thanks to the RAS Foundation Community Futures Grants Program.

Tammie McMaster from Ivanhoe, Kymberlee Chase from Cudal, Laura Polson from Taree and Belinda Bell from Warren will each receive a grant, up to the value of $25,000, from the RAS Foundation to fund a project they are passionate about and will benefit their local communities.

The Community Futures Grant is open to NSW residents under the age of 35 and encourages young people living in rural areas to take a leadership role in improving their community by addressing local issues and needs.

RAS Foundation Executive Officer, Kate Ross, said it was always heartening to see young people in rural communities come up with great ideas to address an issue they see happening in their area and apply for a grant through the program.

"These young people are committed to their local community and really want to make a difference. The projects being funded will undoubtedly result in enhanced social and economic outcomes for the wider rural community."

"The grants are only possible with the help and generosity of our donors and supporters, and it’s exciting for the RAS Foundation to see young rural Australians realise their potential and achieve their ambitions," said Ms Ross.

RAS Foundation Community Futures Grants 2016

Tammie McMaster - Ivanhoe

Partner: Ivanhoe Campdraft Committee
Project: Upgrade Toilet/Shower block plus water troughs at Ivanhoe Showground

Tammie McMaster, 34, will partner with the Ivanhoe Campdraft Committee to deliver a much-needed upgrade of the toilet and shower facilities at her local Showground in Ivanhoe, a small community 10 hours west of Sydney on the Cobb Highway. An active community member, Tammie was recently recognized with an Australia Day local citizen award. Tammie has included additional livestock facilities in her project scope which will enable Ivanhoe to host more visitors and participants at a range of events, with a view to boosting local business in her town.

Kymberlee Chase

Partner: Cudal Tennis Club
Project: Cudal Tennis Club Upgrade & Cudal Regional Suicide Prevention Project

Kymberlee Chase, 33, will work with Cudal Tennis Club to restore and revitalise the local tennis courts and clubhouse to create a community venue accessible to all. With rural mental health at the front of her mind, Kymberlee was spurred into action after the recent loss of the Royal Hotel in Cudal, destroyed by fire in mid-2015.

Together with a dedicated local committee, she is passionate about creating a meeting place where her local community can get together, make social connections and keep active, forming a vital support network for each other in this small bush community.

Laura Polson

Partner: Manning River Agricultural & Horticultural Society
Project: Linger Longer Seats and Shade at Taree Showground

Local journalist Laura Polson, 22, will partner with the Manning River Agricultural & Horticultural Society to create a more welcoming and comfortable place for people to linger at her local Taree Show. After being crowned 2015 Taree Showgirl, Laura wrote an open letter to her community to seek ideas about how she could help to breathe new life into this local event. With lack of seating and shade coming up as some of the main issues, Laura's project will engage Indigenous sculpture artist, Russell Saunders, to carve new seating from local timber which she hopes will be part of a sculpture trail leading to the Showground. The project will also include some much needed shade and will engage a number of local volunteer groups including the Taree Men's Shed, Manning River Agricultural & Horticultural Society and Tidy Up Taree.

Belinda Bell

Partner: Warren Pastoral & Agricultural Society
Project: Help Us Hear PA System for Warren Showground

Belinda Bell, 29, and Warren Pastoral & Agricultural Society are passionate about their showground facilities, however they've found it tough to attract new events with an out of date PA system that no-one could hear. Events mean everything to this small drought-affected community and Belinda, a part-time Accounting Officer, and the society have brainstormed a number of initiatives to keep their venue alive and relevant. A new PA system will allow the annual Show, Polocrosse carnivals, annual campdraft and events like picnic race meetings to continue to thrive and bring people to Warren.