Community organisations around the nation are being invited to apply for the Missionary Sisters of Service ‘Highways and Byways’ small grants available to local groups to address disadvantage and inequality, especially in rural, regional and remote areas of Australia.

Highways and Byways – Healing the Land, Healing Ourselves, Together 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.

*Previous Highways and Byways environmental grant recipients at Lake Pedder, Tasmania. PHOTO: Highways and Byways.*

Marnie Wylde, Grants Administrator for Highways and Byways, said the 2023 program theme is ‘Healing and Growing Together’ in recognition of the challenges confronting Australians in recent years, including climate change, natural disasters and the Covid 19 pandemic.

Grants up to $4,000 will be available for:

1. Projects that promote environmental rehabilitation and restoration to rectify the impacts of recent fires, floods or drought. These projects may heal the land in holistic ways, promote community relationships and/or encourage the intergenerational sharing of knowledge and skills; and/or

2. Community-focused projects that build strong and resilient communities, encourage community re-connection and healing post-pandemic and foster indigenous identity and cultural connections.

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,” said Marnie.

“In recent years, Australia has been challenged in more ways than we could ever have been imagined.

“Enduring drought and bushfires and floods have ravaged parts of the country resulting in loss of life, significant impacts on species and the destruction of vast tracts of land, property and habitat.

“The Covid19 pandemic has also affected our very way of living, with long periods of isolation and restrictions on movement, education and trade affecting all segments of the population, none more so than our most vulnerable communities, including those living in poverty, people with disabilities, youth, Indigenous and older persons.

“In 2023, we are seeking applications for funding for projects that support communities as they attempt to heal and grow in the aftermath of these challenges.”