Strengthening Wide Bay communities through Volunteer Grants
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien is encouraging local community, sporting and service groups to lodge an expression of interest for grants of up to $5,000 to support the work of their volunteers.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our Wide Bay communities, dedicating countless hours to improve the lives of others around them, and the Morrison Government is backing their efforts with this bumper round of $20 million in Volunteer Grants funding,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available under this program, with up to $132,450 in total available in Wide Bay for equipment such as shade structures or laptops, to pay fuel costs, train volunteers and improve their fundraising capabilities.”
An expression of interest form is available from the website https://llewobrien.com.au/grants-information/ or from Mr O’Brien’s office by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 4121 2936.
Expressions of Interest must be returned to Mr O’Brien’s office by 5pm on Friday, 16 April, 2021.
Expressions of Interest will be assessed by a committee, and selected EOIs will then proceed to the formal application stage.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) Community Grants Hub will send an application form to nominated organisations to apply for funding between 20 May and 9 June 2021, with successful applicants expected to be announced in November 2021.
“Small grants to local organisations have strengthened Wide Bay communities for many years, encouraging more people to put their hand up to volunteer, and equipping these local champions with the tools and resources they need to help others,” Mr O’Brien said.
Last year’s round of the Volunteer Grants Program provided 18 Wide Bay community groups with a share of more than $60,000, including Graham House Community Centre, Murgon Men’s Shed, Pomona District Meals on Wheels, Noosa District Rugby League Club, Maryborough Mural Project, Hope Reins, Rainbow Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, Goomeri Pumpkin Festival, Kilkivan District Amateur Swimming Club, Woolooga Old Coach Riders, Friends of Kandanga and others.
