RED CROSS VOLUNTEER TRAINING FUNDED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANT

The Australian Red Cross in Maryborough has received a $1,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Volunteer Grants program to provide first aid and CPR training for their volunteers.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien congratulated Red Cross representative Gerard Donoghue on the work the Red Cross does to support residents and local government during emergency situations.

“In times of disaster, the Red Cross Emergency Service volunteers open and operate local government evacuation centres, setting up temporary accommodation for displaced people, and managing the registration system that keeps track of evacuees,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The Red Cross team also deliver outreach services, with volunteer teams going out to communities impacted by natural disasters, checking on residents and referring them to any other services they may require.

“This funding will help volunteers to help others and apply life saving skills when medical emergencies strike.”

Red Cross’s Regional Liaison Officer Gerard Donoghue welcomed the grant allocation and explained why the funding was important in upskilling their volunteers.

“During the flood disaster in early 2022, several people at the evacuation centres had minor injuries. The emergency services were flat out, and we realised our volunteers needed to be first aid qualified,” Mr Donoghue said.

“This grant funding meant our volunteers didn’t have to dig into their own pockets to pay for their first aid training.”

“27 volunteer organisations in Wide Bay shared $66,225 of funding from the 2022-23 Volunteer Grants Program,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Volunteer Grants support the work of volunteers and encourage volunteering, allowing organisations to purchase equipment, making volunteers’ work easier, safer and more enjoyable.”