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STRENGTHENING SMALL DAIRY COMMUNITIES
Strengthening the small rural communities that support the dairy industry is a key priority for the Gardiner Foundation. Nearly two-thirds of dairy industry employees live or work in small communities of fewer than 5,000 people, and there are around 700 of these small dairy communities in Victoria – many of which are facing increasing pressures. The dairy industry relies on a rural workforce and rural services, so the strength and vibrancy of small dairy communities is a critical issue for the future sustainability of the dairy industry.
A new funding program
Strengthening Small Dairy Communities is a new funding program being piloted by the Gardiner Foundation, whereby the Foundation works with and within clusters of small dairy communities to invest in local infrastructure projects and skills development. The objective of this program is to:
“Build the ongoing capability of small dairy communities to direct and support their own advancement and attract and retain investment, thus contributing to the growth and resilience of the communities and the local dairy industry.”
Specifically, this program seeks to build the ongoing capability of the cluster of small dairy communities to:
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Identify needs, issues, priorities and resources
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Mobilise project teams
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Seek and win competitive grants
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Successfully implement and manage projects to deliver impact at community level
The program also seeks to expand the number and diversity of people involved in community groups and activities, and strengthen the networks cooperating within and between the cluster of towns.
In late 2010, the first of three regional projects commenced in the Lower Tarwin Valley district of South Gippsland, in partnership with South Gippsland Shire Council and GippsDairy. The Lower Tarwin Valley district comprises the communities of Buffalo, Dumbalk, Fish Creek, Koonwarra, Meeniyan, Stony Creek, Tarwin Lower, and Venus Bay, and the areas in between.
This first project will develop and test a robust project framework and models of community engagement that can also be implemented in Western and Northern Victorian dairy communities in 2012-13. This first project is being evaluated by The University of Melbourne’s Rural Innovation Research Group, to ensure the outcomes are clearly documented and the lessons learned can help improve future projects.
Since the project was launched in Meeniyan in December 2010, communities have commenced planning for their future and identifying priority actions. Community volunteers are forming project teams and developing project plans, submitting funding applications, and implementing funded projects. Practical workshops and coaching is being provided by Our Community, to help increase the confidence and skills of community volunteers in these key areas.
The Gardiner Foundation will provide up to $150,000 for community projects in each of the three regional projects, and communities will also seek grants from further afield to leverage this seed funding. The entire project is overseen at a district level by a network of nominated community and business/organizational representatives from each town, to ensure the whole district has input to the project.
Strengthening Small Dairy Communities will continue to unfold in South Gippsland over the next two years, and the Foundation aims to commence a second project in a new cluster of dairy communities early in 2012. While the project will likely tackle different local issues in the three regions, the key program elements of increased partnerships, skill development and investment in community projects will remain consistent.
Like many volunteers in rural communities, Fish Creek resident Catherine McGlead wears a number of hats. She is involved in the Fish Creek Community Garden Group, Prom Country Tourism, the Great Southern Rail Trail, and the Prom Coast Film Society. Catherine is excited about the Strengthening Small Dairy Communities project in her district.
“This project gives us the opportunity to think of our district as a whole community, rather than each community working in isolation. This positive approach has the potential to benefit all of us much more than if each small town was competing individually.”
Download the “Strengthening Small Dairy Communities” brochure
Lower Tarwin Valley Project Continue...