FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) is currently seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified people from remote, rural and regional Australia to sit on one of three bodies that advise the FRRR Board. 

Two of the three are Program Advisory Committees seeking to refresh their membership and expand representation, while the third is a completely new Outback Advisory Board. 

Natalie Egleton, FRRR CEO, said that each of these bodies plays a critical role in the effective governance of the nearly $20 million that the Foundation, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, awards 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 our donor partners. Their insights and knowledge of the subject matter are critical to our decisions. 

“Right now, we are seeking people with experience or interest in mental health and community wellbeing to join our In a Good Place Program Advisory Committee, and people with experience in climate and energy transitions to join our Community Led Climate Solutions advisory committee,” Ms Egleton explained. 

FRRR is also establishing an Outback Advisory Board, whose remit will be to advise the Board more broadly on issues and opportunities in remote and outback Australia. 

“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. To ensure that our granting and capacity building support, and our advocacy, fully reflect this uniqueness, the Board has decided to appoint and 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.” 

Ms Egleton said that while these roles are voluntary, FRRR aims to have a diversity in membership, so the Foundation will consider supporting successful applicants to address barriers to participation in these primarily virtual meetings.

Detailed role descriptions, as well as Expression of Interest Forms are available on the Work With Us page on FRRR’s website. 

EOIs close 5pm AEDT on Friday 11 April 2025.