GYMPIE GROUPS RECEIVE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FUNDING
Community and service groups, and a local primary school in Gympie have received funding from the Federal Government to purchase equipment and provide support for their volunteers.
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien met with representatives from the Gympie RSL Sub-Branch, Australian Institute of Country Music, Gympie Medical Transport, Albert Bowls Club, and Gympie South State School to congratulate them on receiving funding from the Australian Government.
The Gympie RSL Sub-Branch received $44,009 from the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grant program to support veterans and their families with wellbeing advocacy and compensation claims.
“The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicides identified that the arduous claims process and long wait to receive entitlements can have a serious and negative impact on the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families, and the BEST funding will support the Sub-Branch advocates in the important work they do preparing claims paperwork,” Mr O’Brien said.
The Australian Institute of Country Music received $5,118 from Round 8 of the Stronger Communities Program for the purchase of computer equipment to upgrade their recording studio.
“The Stronger Communities Program funded a range of projects across Wide Bay that boosted community organisations, delivered social benefits, and strengthened local economies,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Gympie is the home of the iconic Country Music Muster, and the Stronger Communities funding will support the further development of regional song writers, musicians and performers.”
The dedicated volunteer drivers at Gympie Medical Transport have received $4,900 from the Australian Government’s Volunteer Grants Program to subsidise the fuel costs they incur when using their own vehicles to transport people to and from hospitals and specialist centres.
“I am pleased to be able to support the volunteers at Gympie Medical Transport in the important service they provide, driving people from Gympie to medical appointments in Hervey Bay, Brisbane, and anywhere in between,” Mr O’Brien said.
The Abert Bowls Club’s volunteers also received fuel subsidies from their $3,300 Volunteer Grant, along with new office equipment to make their work easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
“In tough times like these, the volunteers give their time and spend money on travel expenses, so the fuel subsidy is a small way to show them how much they are valued,” Mr O’Brien said.
The Gympie South State School received $8,345 from the Department of Veterans Affairs Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program to upgrade the school’s war memorial.
The Saluting Their Service Grants Program is designed to commemorate the service and sacrifice of our service personnel and their families in war, conflict, and peace operations,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Small grants can make a big difference in regional communities, and I am looking forward to the positive impact this funding has on community and service groups in the Gympie region.”
