Leaders from eleven community groups across Australia have shared their stories about the projects their communities embarked on in the depths of the drought that affected so much of Australia over the last decade. The stories can be heard on FRRR’s new Tackling Tough Times Together podcast.

Each of the 10 episodes looks back on a grant that was funded through the long-running Tackling Tough Times Together grant program. Guests are the local leaders behind the projects, who reflect on what shaped the project and most importantly, the impact that it had. They talk about the challenges they faced, how they responded, the lessons they’ve learnt and the legacy that’s been left.

The podcast series supports the release of FRRR’s Tackling Tough Times Together Impact report. The program ran from 2014 to 2022 and sought to support remote, rural and regional communities that were actively in drought, or in the process of recovery from drought. In total, FRRR awarded $18.6 million via 681 grants, with at least half a million people benefitting from the program.

The projects discussed in the podcast range from refurbishing community halls and running community events, to setting up retail spaces so local artisans could generate valuable off-farm income; providing musical experiences that built confidence and skills in young people; to events that brought people together to support one another and to upskill, and art galleries that are not what you might expect.

Social connection was one of the biggest needs, especially as the drought dragged on, and among the stories shared is the Rural Connect project. In the first episode, Lesley Harvey, mental health specialist at the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Sue Kingwill, CEO of Contact Incorporated, talk about how the RFDS and Contact Inc came together to give people across far west New South Wales hope, after 10 years of relentless drought.

Nina O’Brien, FRRR’s Disaster Resilience & Recovery Lead, said that the series highlights the critical role of local leaders and local organisations in shaping a vibrant, resilient, sustainable and empowered community, despite the challenges of drought.

“Drought has always been an enduring feature within the Australian landscape and it’s had profound impacts right across the FRRR’s 25-year history. These conversations showcase the strength and tenacity of rural communities and highlight once again why investing in social capital is a vital puzzle piece for mitigating the impacts of drought.

According to O’Brien, social cohesion is literally the glue that binds these communities. It’s just so important for people to remain socially connected, engaged and feeling like they’re really supported.

“But when adversity strikes, it can easily be reprioritised, especially if it’s costly or doesn’t respond to the local context.”

“By capturing these stories, we hope to inspire other communities and to celebrate the work of these groups,” said O’Brien.