MEDIA STATEMENT
Helen Haines MP has announced that 18 organisations across Indi will share in $62,810 funding under the Volunteer Grants Program to support local volunteers.
These grants range from $1,350 to $5,000, and will assist organisations to better support their volunteers to purchase small equipment, pay fuel, transport and training costs.
The successful recipients include sporting clubs, the Country Fire Authority, health, adult education, fitness and Landcare groups, from across the electorate including Kiewa Valley, Wodonga, Mount Beauty, Euroa, Benalla and Bonnie Doon.
Helen Haines congratulated the successful applicants.
“This funding will be used for a range of community projects, including first aid and mental first aid training for volunteers at Indigo North Health and Chiltern Neighbourhood House, adaptive equipment and protective snow jackets for volunteers and participants at Disabled Wintersport Australia, and mowing equipment to help volunteers maintain the grounds of the Bobinawarrah Soldiers Memorial Hall and Bonnie Doon Recreational Reserve”.
Helen said she had called each organisation to share the news. After receiving 86 Expressions of Interest from across the electorate totalling $297,355, Helen convened a panel of community leaders to assess the projects and make recommendations for funding.
Helen said the grants would go a long way towards supporting volunteers to continue their important work in the community, in what has been recognised as the most neighbourly electorate in Australia.
“Over the last six months Indi has seen some difficult times with the bushfires and now coronavirus affecting every part of our lives.”
“During the bushfires, when I visited recovery centres in the Corryong, Tallangatta, Wodonga and Wangaratta, I was always greeted by a friendly face of a volunteer. I know how much comfort this gave people going through the worst of the worst”.
“I see this generosity of spirit at work each and every day.”
Helen recognised the contribution that volunteers made to every sector. ‘During National Volunteers week, we celebrate those selflessly giving their time to help those doing it tough. Volunteers contribute so much to the fabric of our society. Life wouldn’t be the same without them.”
Alpine Move Group
$2,000
Training and equipment for warm water and chair based exercise sessions.
Alpine U3A Inc.
$2,500
The project seeks to purchase 50 chairs which can be stacked.
Bobinawarrah Soldier Memorial Hall
$3,500
Purchase a ride on mower to maintain the grounds of the hall.
Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve Incorporated
$2,300
Purchase an air conditioner for the kitchen, high pressure cleaner, blower, whipper-snipper and cleaning equipment.
Country Fire Authority West Wodonga
$2,550
Purchase 10 Kore Kooler Rehab Chairs to cool down firefighters during incidents.
Country Fire Authority Baranduda
$2,470
To update ageing 2 Watt UHF radios. to 10 new 5 Watt UHF radios.
Disabled Wintersport Australia Incorporated
$5,000
Adaptive equipment items, protective snow jackets for volunteers and training.
Eagles Corner
$4,000
Training for volunteers in deaf awareness and AUSLAN.
Goulburn Valley Pride Inc (LINE (LGBTQIA+ In the North East) Wangaratta)
$1,740
8-month program inviting the community to attend art-therapy style sessions
Indigo North Health Inc.
$4,360
First Aid and First Aid Mental Health Training.
Kiewa Valley Community Radio Association Inc.
$3,200
Purchase office equipment, and reimburse fuel costs of volunteers.
Mount Beauty And District Men’s Shed Incorporated
$5,000
Installing three evaporative coolers in the work areas.
Raise the Roof Benalla Incorporated
$5,000
Purchase a self-propelled, solar powered travelling irrigator to water the equestrian sand arenas at the Benalla Sports & Equestrian Centre.
Strathbogie Inc.
$5,000
Convert our make-shift ‘Wash-Station’ into a custom-built mobile trailer for public events.
U3A Albury Wodonga Incorporated
$5,000
Establish an office for the organisation.
Wodonga Heart Football Club Inc.
$3,010
First aid training, RSA training and Food Safety Qualification for club volunteers.
Wodonga Tennis Centre
$1,350
Foundation Coaching training to the Saturday morning volunteers.
Wodonga Urban Landcare Network Inc.
$4,830
Health and Safety related training including accredited Safe Chemical Use and First Aid training for volunteers.