Rural Health Research Foundation backs innovative projects supporting rural health, wellbeing and connection

The Rural Health Research Foundation (RHRF), in partnership with the Carolyn Vincent Ubuntu Foundation, has announced a new round of targeted funding supporting innovative projects focused on rural health access, wellbeing, connection and community resilience.

The projects were funded under the RHRF Health & Community Innovation stream, which supports community-led and technology-driven approaches that improve health and wellbeing across rural, regional and remote communities.

Guided by the principles of the Ubuntu Foundation, the funding prioritises initiatives that strengthen connection and belonging, support locally led solutions, embrace co-design with communities, and improve equity and access for people living outside metropolitan areas.

The stream also recognises the importance of creativity, innovation and collaboration in developing practical responses to complex rural health and wellbeing challenges.

RHRF CEO Cassandra Wilson said the projects demonstrate the importance of investing in prevention, connection and locally driven solutions that strengthen long-term community wellbeing.

“These projects show how community-led ideas can strengthen wellbeing, connection and resilience by recognising that healthy communities are shaped by belonging, culture, creativity and access, not just clinical services”.

Funded Projects

Motherland – Central Queensland

Motherland received funding to support its Rockhampton event, which will bring together more than 150 rural mothers from across Central Queensland for a day focused on connection, storytelling and mental health awareness.

The initiative responds to the growing issue of social isolation experienced by rural mothers, particularly those navigating geographic isolation, reduced access to services and the pressures of modern motherhood. Motherland’s national survey data found more than 70 per cent of rural mothers identified isolation as the hardest part of rural motherhood, while half reported they could not access a local mothers’ group.

The event aims to strengthen peer connection and provide a supportive environment that promotes wellbeing and reduces social isolation.

The Embrace Collective – North Coast NSW

The Embrace Collective received funding for Body Safe, Body Strong, a community-led initiative co-designing culturally grounded resources to support body respect, body safety and wellbeing among Aboriginal girls and young women on Gumbaynggirr Country.

Through yarning circles and collaborative workshops involving local women, girls, Elders and wellbeing leaders, the project will explore lived experiences of body image, safety, strength and cultural identity. The initiative will adapt evidence-based body image approaches within an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing framework.

The project aims to address the lack of culturally safe body image resources designed specifically for Indigenous girls and young women, while strengthening protective factors such as belonging, cultural pride relationships.

Marathon Health – Western NSW

‍Marathon Health received support to co-design and establish an integrated virtual GP model within existing rural general practices across the Warrumbungle Shire in Western NSW.

The project will explore ways to redirect overflow or unmet GP appointments to an integrated telehealth GP service operating as an extension of local practices. The model will support continuity of care through shared clinical information, referral pathways and local support for patients accessing telehealth services.

Delivered through Marathon Health’s Innovation Hub, the initiative aims to strengthen healthcare access in communities experiencing significant GP shortages while testing innovative models of rural care delivery.

Grow The Music – North Coast NSW

Grow the Music received funding to develop an impact measurement toolkit that will strengthen evaluation of its long-running music-based wellbeing programs.

For more than 13 years, Grow the Music has delivered programs supporting disadvantaged communities through storytelling, songwriting, recording and performance opportunities that build confidence, connection and pathways into education and employment.

The project will involve collaboration with La Trobe University and Coffs Community College, with the toolkit to be piloted through a Turning Points program supporting young CALD women.

The initiative aims to better capture and communicate the health, wellbeing and social benefits of creative participation, while strengthening future funding opportunities and long-term program impact.

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Projects will be delivered over the next 12 months, with learnings helping inform future philanthropic and community investment priorities for the Foundation.

*Photo credit – Jay Black, And the Trees Photography www.andthetrees.com, Wee Waa High School.

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