Volunteer groups across Indi to benefit from $46,000 in funding
Twelve volunteer organisations across Indi will share in $46,214 in federal grant funding, Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has announced.
These grants range from $2,700 to $5,000 and will assist organisations to better support their volunteers to purchase small equipment, pay fuel, transport and training costs.
Dr Haines called each organisation to share the good news personally. The successful applicants were recommended to the federal government for funding after being assessed by a panel of community leaders.
“These grants will go a long way towards supporting volunteers to continue their important work in the community, in work that brings people together especially in times of need,” Dr Haines said.
“According to the latest census results, 19.5% of people in Indi did volunteer work with a group or organisation – that’s well above the Victorian rate of 13.3% and the Australian rate of 14.1%.
“We really are a community that gives back!”
A diverse and varied list of volunteer groups from across the whole of Indi will benefit, with the funding to go from specialist equipment for local fire brigades to technical equipment like a laptop and EFTPOS Square for the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club.
The Baranduda and West Wodonga fire brigades were granted funding for equipment, as well as the Flowerdale CFA. The Rutherglen Men’s Shed will be able to purchase new tools and personal protective equipment, while Boomerang Bags Tangambalanga will be able to buy a new sewing machine and overlocker.
The Violet Town Bowls Club will buy a new ride-on lawn mower and the Murrindindi Ranges Wildlife Shelter will use the grant to purchase equipment and fuel cards for volunteers.
Bright Hospital Op Shop has also been funded for travel costs for volunteers, and the Oxley Hall Committee of Management has been granted funds for folding chairs.
The Chiltern Atheneum Museum will be able to purchase camera and lighting equipment with their grant and the Wodonga Urban Landcare Group will fund tools, PPE and fuel costs for the Clyde Cameron Reserve Landcare Group.
Dr Haines said volunteers are the lifeblood of towns across Indi.
“Whether it’s at a bowls club, the CFA, the op shop, the wildlife shelter, Men’s Shed or more, volunteers make our communities exactly that – communities.
“Research shows that volunteering increases our confidence, our satisfaction with our quality of life and our mental health, especially in older people.
“More than any of the work we do – these groups give us social connection, and the last few years have shown us just how important that is. I am proud to be able to support volunteer community groups through these grants.”
Successful projects:
Baranduda Fire Brigade
Remote Area Lighting Systems (2 units)
$3200
Boomerang Bags Tangambalanga
Sewing machine and overlocker
$4500
Bright Hospital Opportunity Shop
Taxi fares and fuel costs
$4160
Chiltern Tourism and Development Inc
Chiltern Atheneum Museum
Purchase camera and lighting equipment
$4777
Flowerdale CFA
Purchase TFT Nozzles
$3878
Indigo North Health Inc
Rutherglen Men’s Shed – tools and PPE
$3200
Murrindindi Ranges Wildlife Shelter
Fuel cards and equipment
$5000
Oxley Hall Committee of Management
Folding chairs
$2700
Violet Town Bowls Club
Ride-on mower
$3900
Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club
Laptop and EFTPOS Square
$3813
Wodonga Urban Landcare Network
Clyde Cameron Reserve Landcare Group – Tools, PPE and fuel costs
$3086
Wodonga West Fire Brigade
Torches, radio harnesses, training
$4000