our grants

background

small grants program

Highways and Byways continues the work of the Missionary Sisters of Service (MSS) reaching out in hope and love to people socially and geographically isolated, strengthening community relationships and networks, developing leadership and empowering people to meet the challenges that confront them.

Since 1944 the MSS have travelled vast distances to reach people in all kinds of places and situations, and support those on the margins: geographically, culturally, spiritually, socially and economically.

Each year we provide small grants to community-led organisations for projects that address disadvantage and exclusion within towns and communities, especially in rural and regional Australia.

OUR theme and focus for 2023 grants

HEALING AND GROWING TOGETHER

The last few years have been tough for many Australians.

Drought, bushfires and floods have impacted many communities, resulting in the loss of life, impacts on species and the destruction of vast tracts of land, property and habitat. The Covid19 pandemic also affected our very way of living, with restrictions and long periods of isolation affecting everyone, but none more so than our most vulnerable communities.

This year, we are supporting people and communities as they attempt to heal and grow from these challenges and are providing small grants for environmental restoration and rehabilitation projects, and community-focused initiatives that encourage re-connection post-pandemic. We are also supporting projects that foster indigenous identity and cultural connections.

Applications for our 2023 Small Grants Program have now closed.

Applications are now being assessed and successful applicants will be announced in June 2023.

Featured Grant Recipients

success stories

BIOBLITZ SHOWCASES LAKE PEDDER POSSIBILITIES

Lake Pedder, Tasmania Tabatha Badger’s work takes her to the magnificent Pedder Impoundment in Tasmania and the halls of Parliament House in Canberra. It’s for the same purpose; the restoration of the original, World Heritage Listed, Lake Pedder. It’s the same reason...

TOUCH, FEEL AND SMELL THE SURROUNDS

Drake, NSW Gardeners at the Drake Village Women’s Shed wanted to cater for most folk in the small NSW town when they developed their community garden with support from Highways and Byways. Using three newly built raised garden beds they planted up pollinator, sensory...

PROTECTING NATURE’S NATURAL BEAUTY

Broulee, NSW Lynn Bain wears a few hats around the beautiful NSW coastal town of Broulee, including "Rubbish Queen" and "Weed Lady". She and a group of volunteers can often be found pulling weeds, replanting and picking up rubbish from Mossy Point to Moruya Airport,...

CHANGING TIMES FOR FARMERS

Goondiwindi, Queensland Louise Carroll cites a worm farm as the highlight of the recent regenerative cropping field day she helped organise. Not your average domestic worm farm, but a massive purpose-built worm farm producing enough material to contribute to crop...

KIDS CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IN WA

BUSSELTON, WESTERN AUSTRALIA A tree planting day involving local youth has rehabilitated bushland within degraded areas of Barnard Park East in Busselton, Western Australia thanks to a small grant from Highways and Byways. The day involved planting out 780 native...

IT’S A SLOW BURN

Nelligen, NSW Nelligen rural firefighter Robynne Murphy now sees more than a fire hazard in the overgrown grass and dense bush around Bateman’s Bay. Through her involvement with the Bateman’s Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council, her growing understanding of cultural...