History

The Macpherson Smith Community Alliance 2004 - 2006

The Macpherson Smith Community Alliance was originally launched on 12 May 2004 as a joint initiative between the Victorian State Government and the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust. The Alliance established a $1 million fund in the financial year 2004 on the basis of a matched grant of $500,000 each from the Trust and from Regional Development Victoria.

The fund supported projects identified by the Community Capacity Building Initiative (CCBI), a joint initiative launched in May 2000 between Regional Development Victoria and the Department of Victorian Communities and supported by the Victorian Farmers Federation.

Sixty different communities originally tendered to take part in this initiative and eleven groups were ultimately selected, involving more than 55 small towns in regional Victoria. The CCBI aimed to build people capacity in local key people and to empower them to build relationships between existing organisations and people in the community, develop the community, enhance the local economy, and involve outside organisations where there were skill gaps.

The CCBI program was founded on the important understanding that local people play a critical role in building the capacity of their communities, through their motivation, vision, energy and commitment. The work of the CCBI project groups enabled the identification and development of a wide range of community projects. The aim of the $1 million fund was to assist the participating rural Victorian communities to bring these projects to fruition.

In October 2004, the first grants round was held and grants of $478,481 were made. The second and final grants round was held in November 2005 and grants of $554,551 were made, bringing the total grants distributed for this project to $1,033,032 as a result of interest earned over the project lifespan. Details of the grants can be found in the 2005 and 2006 Annual Reports of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.

Statements at the time of the launch from John Brumby, then Minister for State and Regional Development, Regional Development Victoria (now Premier of Victoria) and Darvell Hutchinson, Chairman of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust

"The Macpherson Smith Community Alliance is a great example of Government working in partnership with private organisations to deliver real outcomes for Victorians.

The Alliance combines the strong track-record of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust in supporting Victorian charities and the Victorian Government's commitment to rural and regional Victoria .

This partnership will see $1 million made available over the next two years to help small Victorian communities who are participating in the Community Capacity Building Initiative. The Community Capacity Building Initiative (CCBI) is a three-year program that strengthens the ability of small rural communities to continue to revitalise their small towns.

The Alliance will look to fund projects identified through the Community Capacity Building Initiative that have a focus on community and economic infrastructure, community/economic studies, community events, portable community facilities, tourism promotion, education and technology and youth leadership.

This recognises that vibrant, healthy rural communities are crucial to Victoria's continued success socially and economically.

The Victorian Government is proud to be working with the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust in delivering such an innovative partnership that will help rural and regional Victoria and I wish it every success."

John Brumby
Minister for State and Regional Development
Regional Development Victoria

"The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust is delighted with the formation of a working partnership with the Victorian Government aimed at assisting Victoria's small rural communities.

In conjunction with the Victorian Government's Community Capacity Building Initiative, the Macpherson Smith Community Alliance will focus on enabling these selected small rural communities to revitalise their towns. This mission aligns strongly with the heritage of our Trust's founder, Helen Macpherson Smith, and her forebears.

The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust places a high priority on working with people, communities and organisations to realise their community's aspirations. We realise this goal by funding innovative projects and initiatives which demonstrate sustainable long term benefits for those communities.

In partnership with the Victorian Government, the Macpherson Smith Community Alliance will be enacting a Government priority seeking to develop cohesive and sustainable rural communities by helping them to manage their own affairs. The Alliance will collaborate with individuals and communities to help them build on their strengths and create shared economic, cultural and environmental benefits.

We will consider a broad range of initiatives for funding, covering community and economic infrastructure, community/economic studies, community events, portable community facilities, tourism promotion, education and technology and youth leadership.

The Macpherson Smith Community Alliance recognises the vital place Victoria's small rural communities occupy in our diverse and vibrant society. We also recognise the tenacity and determination they show in their endeavours to sustain and grow their towns and their local industries.

We look forward with enthusiasm and optimism to seeing the benefits which will flow to all Victorian's from supporting our small rural communities through the Macpherson Smith Community Alliance."

Darvell M Hutchinson AM
Chairman of Trustees
The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust