FRRR has appointed eight community representatives with deep expertise in remote and very remote Australia.
The establishment of FRRR’s Outback Advisory Board builds on the long-standing work of the Outback Alliance, which recently disbanded. The alliance was made up of a group of seven organisations, which came together regularly for more than four years, acting as a voice for people who live in outback areas.
The outback makes up more than 70% of the Australian continent; however, less than four per cent of the population lives there. Despite its sparse population, the outback is the source of nearly half of Australia’s export revenue and supports more than 40,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. Yet there is often little consideration given to the unique needs of this region and its people.
The new advisory body will provide a forum that will identify the unique challenges that face outback Australia and discuss the solutions for those challenges. By sharing their insights and perspectives, the advisory board members will help shape FRRR’s strategy and influence systemic change to make life better for those who live in those regions. Their work will inform FRRR’s granting programs, as well as its advocacy activities, such as submissions to Senate inquiries and the development of policy and issues papers.
Donna Digby, an FRRR board member who will chair the Outback Advisory Board, said the advisory board will enable FRRR to work more deeply and with greater insight into outback contexts.
“I’ve lived and worked in outback areas for nearly two decades, and I know that it comes with unique challenges and opportunities. Locals are really resourceful, but there are deep, systemic issues that require a different approach compared to inner rural and urban areas. And with fewer people and resources in these areas, those issues aren’t often heard loudly,” Digby explained.
According to her, by listening, understanding and leveraging the local insights of the advisory board members, FRRR will be better equipped to engage philanthropy, corporate and government stakeholders in tailored support for these very remote communities.
“With its work grounded in local knowledge and relationships, FRRR is well-placed to surface these issues and work with communities to shape them into considered, practical input for policy considerations. I’m so pleased to have a group of such high-calibre leaders with deep experience joining the inaugural Outback Advisory Board, and, as Chair, I’m honoured to be working alongside the members to amplify the voices of these very remote communities,” Digby said.
Each of the people appointed is an active community leader who shares FRRR’s vision of empowering local communities to ensure a vibrant future for remote Australia. Digby is confident that they will bring a broad, yet deeper, understanding of what outback communities need to thrive in a way that’s empowering and sustainable.
“On behalf of FRRR’s board, I’d like to thank the representatives for stepping up, and I look forward to working with them to champion the needs of outback communities,” she said.
Andrew Drysdale, former Outback Alliance chair, is very pleased to see FRRR step into this space, as there will continue to be a forum for these critical conversations.
“The outback is an extraordinary place, and it’s critical to the prosperity of Australia, as a nation and to our national identity. It’s vital that we understand the perspective of the people who live there, as the outback is a region made up of complex connections, networks, layers of history and places of deep cultural meaning,” Drysdale said.
For a snapshot of the members of the Outback Advisory Board, visit FRRR’s website.
Read also: FRRR appoints four new board directors
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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