Grants to help volunteers power on in the Cooloola Coast

Cooloola Coast community groups will share in grants of $26,000 as Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien confirms funding to support local volunteers and slash electricity bills.

“The Cooloola Coast is a fantastic, welcoming place where people go out of their way to help others, and it wouldn’t be the same without valued organisations like Cooloola Coast Medical Transport, Tin Can Bay Meals on Wheels, the Tin Can Bay Volunteer Coast Guard, and the Cooloola Coast Bowls Club,” Mr O’Brien said.

“From helping people travel to important medical appointments, to keeping people safe in the water, to providing a meal or the opportunity for a friendly chat, volunteers from each of these organisations help make their community happier, more vibrant, and better every day.”

These organisations have received funding to purchase small equipment, pay fuel, transport and training costs in support of their volunteers, as part of the Coalition Government’s $20 million Volunteer Grants round:

• Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Tin Can Bay – $3,330 for six spotlights to be used on Coastguard Tin Can Bay vessels for search and rescue operations and navigation at night.
• Cooloola Coast Bowls Club – $5,000 to replace an old analogue television with a new digital TV.
• Cooloola Coast Medical Transport – $5,000 to assist with fuel vouchers for the organisation’s 100-plus volunteers who take people to medical appointments.
• Tin Can Bay Meals On Wheels – $5,000 to assist volunteers with meal costs and travel. 

The Cooloola Coast Bowls Club has also received $7,700 through the Government’s Powering Communities Program to install a new solar panel system, cutting the Club’s costs.

Cooloola Coast Bowls Club chairman Gary Holyoak thanked Mr O’Brien for the funding, and said it would make a significant difference to the club’s 250 members.

“The solar panels have helped tremendously, they have cut our bill by a third and power bills are one of our biggest costs so it does mean a lot,” Mr Holyoak said.

“The new television is also really helpful because we can use it to show new techniques and coaching training, as well as being used at functions which helps other volunteer organisations with their fundraising.”

Volunteers are integral to many Australian organisations, with more than 8.7 million volunteers across the country giving their time freely to support their communities.

“Cooloola Coast’s volunteers are heavyweights when it comes to their generosity and community spirit, and the funding delivered through the Volunteer Grants Program will go a long way to ensuring they are supported to continue their important work,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I thank all volunteers everywhere for the work they do and congratulate these organisations for the difference they continue to make every day in their community.”