Community, sporting, and service groups from Noosa in receipt of funding from the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities and Volunteer Grants Programs, were presented with certificates by Federal Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien recently.
Mr O’Brien met with representatives from the Kin Kin Community Group and Cooroy Gymnastics Club to congratulate them on receiving funding from Round 8 of the Stronger Communities Program.
“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.
“The residents of Kin Kin will have a new outdoor space at the Community House thanks to their $20,000 grant, and the Cooroy Gymnastics Club used their $7650 grant to repair the flooring and install fans at their training facility.”
Kin Kin Community House President Rilka Stone said that the upgrade will have a big impact in their small community.
“We have used the funding to build a new shelter and deck, install outdoor flooring and weatherproof blinds, and fit a solar system to help alleviate our running expenses,” Ms Stone said.
Jessica Phillips from the Cooroy Gymnastics Club said that the funding has made a big difference in improving their venue and assisting their gymnasts.
“The grant has allowed us to upgrade the front area of our facility and make it safe, comfortable, and welcoming for the 480 gymnasts in the Noosa Shire,” Ms Phillips said.
Mr O’Brien said, “the former Coalition Government introduced the Stronger Communities Programme, which provided grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 to community organisations and local governments for small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities.”
The volunteers at the Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club and the Cooroy Horse and Pony Club are the recipients of funding from the Australian Government’s Volunteer Grants program.
“The Volunteer Grants Program supports the important work volunteers undertake in community groups, providing funding for equipment and training that makes their work easier, safer, and more enjoyable,” Mr O’Brien said.
The volunteer surf lifesavers at the Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club have received new first aid and rescue equipment funded by their $3900 Volunteer Grant, and the Cooroy Horse and Pony Club used their $1000 Volunteer Grant to purchase a new laptop computer and provide fuel vouchers for their volunteers.
Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club President Ross Fisher said the grant had helped the club purchase vital training and rescue equipment.
“We are constantly conducting Surf Rescue and Bronze Medallion certification training, and the equipment is an important requirement for upskilling our volunteers,” Mr Fisher said.
“During the last week of school holidays, we had 35 students doing their Bronze Medallion certification, and basic emergency life support is an important part of this course.”
Cooroy Horse and Pony Club Secretary Nikita Pallett said that their grant funding was very welcome and has allowed the club to give something back to their coach, who regularly travels from Maryborough to Cooroy to provide training and competition opportunities for young riders.
“We also replaced an ancient laptop with a new model that we can use for club communications and activities,” Ms Pallett said.
27 not-for-profit organisations from throughout Wide Bay received grants of between $1000 to $5000 from the 2022-23 Volunteer Grants Program, sharing a total of $66,250.
