Cobar’s local Newspaper ‘The Cobar Weekly’ has been named one of 26 recipients for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) grant program, receiving $10,000 via Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant.

The FRRR in partnership with Telstra, is aiming to support projects led by not-for-profit organisations at the grassroots of communities.

The money will help to narrow the digital divide by allowing communities to embrace new technologies, improve digital literacy and enhance digital capabilities.

With 196 applications received, the FRRR was looking for outstanding projects that help build connected communities, are sustainable and exhibit resilience.

The Cobar Weekly has played a valuable role in Cobar and outlying communities for many years and Editor Sharon Harland says they are happy to have received this funding.

“The Cobar Weekly staff and committee were thrilled to hear that we had been chosen to receive $10,000 from the Telstra’s Connected Community grant program, which was offered in partnership with FRRR (Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal),” said Editor Sharon Harland.

“From the almost 200 applications received, ours was one of seven projects chosen in NSW to be funded and one of 26 Australia-wide.

“We were lucky to have ticked many of the grant criteria boxes – being a not-for-profit group, a community-based and community-focused organisation, a community organisation that wanted to build our operational capacity with new technology and digital solutions and we continuously strive to enhance social connection within our community.

“The Weekly is a not-for-profit community-owned newspaper. We’ve been delivering information to our community for almost 40 years,” said Mrs Harland.

“This $10,000 grant will enable us to upgrade our computer system to enhance our digital capabilities and improve cyber security.

“It will help us to continue to deliver vital information to the community and to do it more effectively.

“It’s great news for the staff. There will be no more waiting for monitors to warm up, incompatible programs and the many other technology headaches we have with our outdated system," said Mrs Harland.

Image - Angie White.

“While we’re proud to say The Cobar Weekly remains 100 per cent community-owned, being a not-for-profit organisation has its challenges when it comes to finding money in the budget to maintain up-to-date technology,” said Tahnee Andrew, Cobar Weekly Association’s President.

“Telstra’s support to upgrade the computer system will help the staff continue to deliver a high-quality, professional product to the Cobar community each week.

“The ‘little paper’ has been a record of Cobar’s history; promoter of local businesses and events; and a champion of the community for almost four decades and has managed to stay completely independent and community owned because of the support of a volunteer committee, a strong membership base and donations from organisations such as Telstra who recognise the work The Cobar Weekly does to keep our community connected,” said Ms Andrew.