My mind was completely blank as I stared at my open Word document. A fresh cup of coffee sat beside me—poured ‘for inspiration’—but even that wasn’t helping.
I had been asked to write about the impact we’d seen through a long-term capacity-building funding program (FRRR’s IRCF Program). And there was so much to share. We had seen and been part of incredible stories—stories of growth, resilience, and connection. But I felt stuck. How could I possibly capture it all? How could I do these stories justice?
Have you ever felt this way? Turns out, I wasn’t alone. Many of us in the community shared with us their struggles with how to tell our stories effectively. So, as part of Community Connect, we teamed up with local communication guru Grace McBride to create a workshop series on the fundamentals of communication.
Over four Sundays, members from eight different community groups came together to learn, share, and grow. The experience was more than just skill-building—it was about connection, confidence, and finding our collective voice.
Key Takeaways from the Workshops:
- The joy of learning together
- Feeling less alone in our challenges
- Finding inspiration and renewed motivation
- Understanding our audiences better
- Learning to communicate the why behind our work, not just the what
- Becoming part of a network of community storytellers—amplifying the incredible work happening around us
Want to grow your communication and storytelling skills?
Grace also created a fantastic set of resources and videos, so if you missed the workshops but want to learn more, you can dive in: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xMzDeNtaKJ450LW_U66P5xCCPiApwKrN?usp=drive_link].
Let’s keep the conversation going—because every story matters – and the more stories we share and amplify, the more culturally rich, diverse and connected our community can become
Supporting a Community of Storytellers Across the South Coast
We proudly help community groups & NFPs across the Shoalhaven and South Coast of NSW, including:
- Ulladulla
- Milton
- Mollymook
- Lake Conjola
- Narrawallee
- Burrill Lake
- Tabourie Lake
- Manyana
- Bawley Point
- Sussex Inlet and surrounds
If you’re based in or around the Ulladulla district, reach out to us: help @ communityconnectss.com.au
Questions & Answers?
1. Why is storytelling so important for community groups?
Storytelling helps bring people together, pride in the wonderful region we live in, build trust, and highlight the real impact of community work. It’s not just about sharing information—it’s about inspiring action, fostering connections, and ensuring important initiatives don’t go unnoticed.
2. What were the biggest challenges people faced in telling their stories?
Many participants struggled with knowing where to start, feeling like their stories weren’t ‘big enough,’ or understanding how to make their messages resonate with different audiences. The workshops helped them gain clarity and confidence.
3. How has the community benefited from these workshops?
Participants are now more confident in communicating their mission, attracting volunteers and funding, and showcasing the positive change happening in the community. Some very creative ideas have emerged and the group have created a lovely network of local storytellers amplifying each other’s work.
4. What’s one key piece of advice for someone struggling with storytelling?
Start with the why. Instead of just stating what your group does, focus on why it matters. Personal stories, emotions, and real-life impact make your message more compelling.
5. What is FRRR?
Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal. An Australian not-for-profit organisation that supports rural, regional, and remote communities. They provide grants, resources, and capacity-building programs to help local groups strengthen their communities, tackle challenges, and create lasting positive change. FRRR partners with government, philanthropy, and businesses to invest in grassroots initiatives that make a real difference.
6. What is IRCF?
Investing in Rural Community Futures program, an initiative by FRRR designed to strengthen the long-term resilience and sustainability of not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in rural and regional Australia.
The program provides funding, resources, and tailored support to help NFPs build their capacity, improve their operations, and better serve their communities. It focuses on leadership, strategic planning, collaboration, and skills development, ensuring that local organizations can thrive and create lasting impact. Ulladulla, Nowra, Kangaroo Valley, Bay & Basin & Batemans Bay were the communities involved in the 2nd round of IRCF program on the South Coast of NSW.
7. Where can people access the storytelling resources?
You can dive in here: Art of Communication
Check out the Resources or Get in Touch
Getting started is easy. Whether you’re refreshing your existing skills or starting from scratch, these resources can be very helpful.
Email: help@communityconnectss.com.au
Location: Based in Ulladulla, NSW
Website: Visit Website
