VOLUNTEER GRANT SUPPORTS RIDING FOR THE DISABLED MARYBOROUGH

The dedicated volunteers at Riding for the Disabled have received funding support from the Australian Government’s 2022-23 Volunteer Grants Program, enabling them to offset some of the costs incurred in their work supporting people with a disability.

The Riding for the Disabled Association Maryborough was awarded $2,000 from the 2022-23 round of Volunteer Grants funding.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien visited the RDA facility at Bidwill today to meet the volunteers and some of the riders who are benefitting from the Federal Government funding.

Mr O’Brien said these funds had been used to provide uniforms for volunteers, reimbursement of fuel costs, and to hire equipment to ensure the facility’s water security.

“The volunteers at RDA Maryborough help to change and improve lives through the programs they run, and this funding will help the volunteers to continue to help others,” Mr O’Brien said.

27 not-for-profit organisations from throughout Wide Bay received grants of $1,000 to $5,000, shared more than $66,000 in funding from the 2022-23 round of Volunteer Grants.

RDA President Noel Ryan said that the funding had supported RDA Maryborough to host a series of coaching workshops to prepare volunteers for working with people with a disability and to support riders aiming to attend state, national and international competitions.

“RDA Maryborough recently hosted the RDAQ State Championships which was attended by 40 riders who are aiming for the National Championships,” Mr Ryan said.

“The Volunteer Grant allowed us to provide uniforms for our volunteers and reimburse them for used their own vehicles to run the competition and workshops.”

“We were also able to use the balance of the grant to hire a digger and install pipework to connect our two water tanks and direct water to where it’s needed,” Mr Ryan said.

“We have a great team of volunteers here who are happy to pitch in and do whatever needs to be done. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to deliver our riding program.”

“Every volunteer’s contribution, no matter how big or small, is extraordinary because that person cares enough to serve their community and give of their time, expertise, and resources freely to improve the lives of others. Wide Bay communities would not be the same without them,” 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.”