Mallee-REEL-Culture

Empowering Mallee’s youth to share and celebrate their stories of resilience and community through captivating social media reels

Key objectives

Showcase Regional Resilience Through Storytelling

Promote Community Engagement and Collective Problem-Solving

Celebrate and Connect Through an Inclusive Screening Event

About the project

Aimed at young people in the Northern Mallee areas, this project centres around the production of a series of short videos or “reels” for social media through the eyes of young people from across the region. The videos will tell “local stories” about the highs and lows of working and living in Mallee communities, and showcase examples of personal and community resilience.

The videos will illuminate how resilience is built through adversity, how communities work together to overcome challenges, and the role of community connections, leadership and communication in sustaining resilient Mallee communities.

An official “screening” of the Mallee-REEL-Culture series will be held towards the end of the project, which will serve as a celebration of youth and resilience in our region, and strengthen connections between youth, service providers, major stakeholders, employers and Community Impact Program delivery partners.

Mallee Sustainable Farming is proudly leading this project for the Victorian Mallee Region that is funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund | Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought – Community Impact Program.

This Initiative assists communities in strengthening networks ahead of drought through community-led projects and support for individuals in developing leadership skills to benefit their community. The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal is delivering this Initiative in partnership with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

The Aim of Mallee REEL Culture Project

Showcase Regional Resilience Through Storytelling

This objective involves the creation and dissemination of engaging social media reels that capture the authentic experiences of young individuals living and working in the Northern Mallee areas. These videos will highlight local narratives that cover both the successes and challenges faced by these communities, emphasizing how personal and community resilience emerges from these experiences.

Promote Community Engagement and Collective Problem-Solving

The video series will serve as a platform to showcase the collective efforts of Mallee communities in addressing and overcoming various challenges. It will highlight effective community strategies, including the essential roles played by leadership, communication, and robust community connections, in building and sustaining resilience in the face of adversity.

Celebrate and Connect Through an Inclusive Screening Event

Toward the project’s conclusion, an official screening event of the “Mallee-REEL-Culture” series will be held as a celebration of youth and resilience in the region. This event will not only showcase the stories captured in the videos but also serve as a pivotal gathering to strengthen ties among the youth, local service providers, major stakeholders, employers, and partners involved in the Community Impact Program. This initiative will foster a greater sense of community and provide networking opportunities that could lead to further collaborations and support systems within the region

A Guide to Producing Reels

“A Really Good Guide to producing Reels”

This reel is a light-hearted, practical guide to help beginners create better short-form videos for social media. With five simple tips — from planning your message to filming vertically and adding music — it empowers regional storytellers to confidently share their stories.

Whether you’re promoting an event, sharing knowledge, or capturing life in the Mallee, this reel is all about making content creation feel achievable, fun, and impactful.

Because everyone has a story — and now, a reel to tell it with. 🎥

All REELS are on a dedicated playlist on our Youtube channel and feature on the project page on the MSF website.

View on Youtube

Reels

Managing Water Resources; supporting community enterprises through impoved irrigation and water management training

This reel introduces Shingi Nyabonda, Executive Officer of the Food Next Door Co-op, and showcases how the organization is supporting refugees in establishing market gardens in a drought-prone region.

The video highlights the co-op’s innovative irrigation training, a multilingual agricultural manual, and the broader impact on food security, community resilience, and sustainability. Supported by the FRRR and the Future Drought Fund, the initiative demonstrates how refugee empowerment and sustainable farming can go hand in hand.

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Shared Shops; supporting business retail entrepreneurship through collaboration.

This reel takes us to Donald, Victoria, where local entrepreneur Bev D’Arcy – owner of Bev’s Baubles Jewellery – is part of a new initiative transforming the historic Bassett Building into a “Shared Shop.” The project brings together micro-businesses under one roof, reducing overheads and creating space for local makers, from furniture builders to cheese producers.

Backed by FRRR and the Future Drought Fund, the shared shop model is strengthening economic and social resilience across Northwest Victoria, ensuring small-town businesses have the support to grow and adapt.

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Think Locally – Acting Globally; sharing partner experiences from the Community Impact Program

This reel highlights a mid project catch-up for region 27’s project partners at SuniTAFE SMART Farm in Mildura, Vic. The catch-up focused on the achievements and future potential of our Community Impact Program with each project partner presenting to the group.

The day was complemented with a group of international visitors joning us and sharing What resilience means to smallholder farmers in the Eastern-Gangetic Plains (India/Nepal/Bangladesh).

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Growing Leaders in the Mallee: Emerging Leadership in Action

This reel celebrates the successful completion of the Emerging Leaders Program facilitated by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. Held In June and July 2024 for Region 27, we brought together incredible young people from across the Mallee for the Emerging Leadership Program – part of our broader work supporting regional communities to prepare for future drought.

Over two powerful sessions, participants developed leadership, resilience, and communication skills – and left inspired to drive positive change in their communities.

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Beyond the Crossroads: Developing Leadership Skills for Rural Women

This reel celebrates the success of the “Beyond the Crossroads” leadership program, Funded through the HRCPDI – Small Network Grants this program was facilitated by Mallee Sustainable Farming.

Rural women from Wentworth-Pooncarie have strengthened their self-confidence, resilience, and community connections through empowering workshops and meaningful conversations.

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Growing Together: Celebrating the BCG Young Farmer Network

This reel highlights the BCG Young Farmer Network that has united young farmers across the Wimmera Mallee, fostering growth, resilience, and community.

Through educational events, hands-on workshops, and social gatherings, participants have gained valuable skills and connections.

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Building Business Resilience Across the Mallee

Facing drought and uncertainty, Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West worked alongside small business owners to build skills, confidence and networks through the Resilient Small Businesses project.

This reel highlights the Workshops, mentoring, and networking events that gave new, young and Indigenous business owners the tools to adapt, connect, and thrive

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Building Resilient Communities Together: Region 27 Mallee

In Region 27 Mallee, local organisations are leading the way, strengthening connections, growing local leadership, building business resilience, reviving land, and supporting young people – all with a shared vision for a drought-prepared future.

This reel celebrates that together, we’re: ✔ Growing skills and leadership ✔ Strengthening community networks ✔ Building capability to face future challenges

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All project partners from Region 27 Mallee

Pathways in Agriculture – Your Future in Farming and Agribusiness

This reel highlights the future in Farming and Agribusiness! The future of our Mallee communities depends on bold, skilled people like you. From hands-on farming to research, business management, and technology – there’s a career waiting for you in agriculture.

Whether you start with TAFE, university, or a traineeship, your pathway to success can begin today.

Let’s grow a resilient future together

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Pathways in Agriculture – Protecting Country, Caring for the Land

This reel aims to bring awareness to protecting country and building resilient communities. The future of the Mallee depends on passionate leaders ready to care for the land and protect our shared heritage.

Whether through Indigenous leadership, environmental management, or cultural heritage preservation, you can drive positive change. Your journey could start through TAFE, university, or working directly with your community.

Let’s lead, protect, and grow the Mallee together.

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Nurturing Country: The Young Rangers of Neds Corner

This reel aims to highlight the impact of the Young Ranger Program led by the First People of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation. Through hands-on work at Neds Corner in the seed bank, nursery, and revegetation sites, young Indigenous rangers are reconnecting with Country and leading the way in land restoration.

This initiative strengthens cultural knowledge, supports future environmental custodians, and helps build resilience for both people and landscape in the Mallee.

Let’s grow leadership, protect Country, and create lasting change — together.

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