Future Drought Fund Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought - Community Impact Program 

2023 - 2025 (COMPLETED)

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From 2023–2025, Gascoyne Catchments Group (GCG) proudly led the Community Impact Program – Connections across the Gascoyne region. This project aimed to strengthen drought resilience by building social connection, community capability, and local leadership.

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Over two years, we brought people together through a series of practical, hands-on workshops, forums and training sessions, reaching more than 250 attendees. Events were held throughout the region, and were designed to foster meaningful conversations, build knowledge, and support both mental and physical preparedness for future droughts.

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What we delivered

GCG worked with a wide range of presenters, facilitators and local partners to deliver training and discussions on:

• Mental health and wellbeing, including Mental Health First Aid with St John WA

• Personal and community resilience through ARLF’s Changemaker Workshops

• Grazing and business planning with Grazing for Profit training

• Plant and pasture identification to support landscape awareness

• Leadership and communication skills, to build capability and confidence

• Workplace health and safety, improving practical resilience for pastoral businesses

• Technology and drought-preparedness tools, with resources designed for high-stress periods

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Why it mattered

The project helped participants:

• Strengthen relationships across sectors and shires

• Learn from each other and from professionals across a variety of fields

• Access information and tools that support them during difficult times

• Build confidence in their role as leaders, neighbours, and contributors to a more resilient region

We also developed practical resources like fridge magnets with local contact info and an online resource hub, so information remains accessible when it's needed most.

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Lasting Impact

The biggest success was seeing the increase in shared learning, peer support, and leadership capacity across the region. Conversations about drought are no longer just about rainfall, they now include mental health, business planning, communication, and how we support one another.

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Bringing people together in-person, on stations, in town halls, and around shared meals proved invaluable. These spaces created genuine connection, strengthened community bonds, and encouraged people to reach out, ask questions, and look out for one another.

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Looking Forward

The foundations laid through this project are already shaping how GCG continues to work. We are now actively embedding these connections and approaches into future programs to ensure that:

• Broader community involvement continues

• Practical, relevant training remains a priority

• The Gascoyne stays at the table in regional drought and climate conversations​

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This project was a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t built alone, it’s built together.