THE Wandong History Group has secured a significant boost for its newest storytelling venture, receiving $9,405 from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) to create an intergenerational documentary titled Moments That Matter.
The project will see local schoolchildren work with the History Group to capture Wandong’s past and present on film, a creative bridge between generations designed to preserve community memory while fostering youth engagement. Once completed, the documentary will be shared with the wider community, ensuring Wandong’s stories continue to be told well into the future.
Formed in 2001, the Wandong History Group has spent more than two decades preserving the rich social, industrial and environmental heritage of Wandong and Heathcote.
The grant is part of FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program, which this round will support 78 locally led projects across the country. FRRR, the only national foundation focused solely on remote, rural and regional Australia, received 331 applications, highlighting the growing demand for grassroots investment.
Jill Karena, FRRR’s Head of Granting, said the projects funded reflect both the resilience and the immediate needs of regional communities.
“Grassroots organisations are the backbone of rural Australia. They deliver vital services, create opportunities for connection and respond to local needs with creativity and commitment. These locally led efforts result in tangible improvements and build stronger, more inclusive communities,” Ms Karena said
For the Wandong History Group, the funding marks another milestone in its long-running mission: ensuring that the stories that shaped the township are never forgotten, and that the next generation understands the place they call home.
