Volunteers doing incredible things at PTSD Dogs Australia, the Cooroora Historical Society, Cooroy-Pomona Lions Club, and Pomona Meals On Wheels will be glad to hear they’ve been awarded funding from the Australian Government Volunteers Grant.
Australian Defence Force personnel and first responders suffering from PTSD will benefit from a $3000 grant to PTSD Dogs Australia, assisting with training and supplying service dogs for veterans and first responders.
While attending the PTSD Dogs graduation morning tea, Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien and guest, the Hon David Littleproud, Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, presented the PTSD Dogs Committee with a certificate to acknowledge their Volunteer Grant.
“As an ex first responder myself, I know how important it is that our veterans and emergency service workers and their families have the right support,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Although still a relatively young organisation, PTSD Dogs Australia is doing an incredible job, saving unwanted dogs and training them to make a positive difference in the lives of people suffering from PTSD.”
Angie Weeks, Volunteer CEO and Co-founder of PTSD Dogs said, “PTSD Dogs Australia is run nearly entirely on the effort of volunteers and receiving a $3000 Volunteer Grant is so valuable to us. Without our volunteers we simply couldn’t achieve everything that we do. This grant will enable us to get our volunteers some much needed office equipment as well as reimbursing volunteer fuel costs. It will enable us to retain our awesome volunteers and that in turn will help us change and save the lives of dogs, first responders and veterans.”
The Cooroora Historical Society will safeguard the Noosa Museum’s extensive collection of photographs, documents, and artifacts, thanks to a $3700 grant from Round 8 of the Stronger Communities Program.
“We are very grateful for this funding which will support the Noosa Museum to enhance the Wi-Fi coverage in the museum building and upgrade our network security,” Cooroora Historical Society President Anne Coombs said.
“This is first stage of a project that will enable the protection of all data stored at the museum and ensure that this valuable collection is available to future researchers and the wider public.”
Improvements to the Pomona Rotunda War Memorial will bring renewed emphasis to the war time service and sacrifice of local men and women, with the installation of a memorial seat and plaque funded by the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program. Cooroy-Pomona Lions Club will receive $9000 to support the ongoing restoration of the Rotunda War Memorial, which was completed and commemorated in 1939 to honour the service and sacrifice of those who fought in World War I.
“The Cooroy-Pomona Lions Club, in conjunction with the Cooroy-Pomona RSL Sub-Branch, Noosa Council, and other community groups and individuals, have been working to restore the Rotunda memorial as an important regional memorial and an appropriate space for commemorative activities,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I’m also pleased to announce that the Cooroy-Pomona Lions Club is to receive an additional $2675 from the Australian Government’s Volunteers Grant to purchase a trailer for their recycle program.”
President Heather Manders said, “The Cooroy-Pomona Lions are very grateful to receive this funding.”
“The Saluting Their Service grant will be used to install a remembrance seat and plaque to honour our fallen soldiers at Joe Bazzo Park, and the Volunteer Grant will provide a trailer for our Cash for Cans Program, where all funds raised go back to the local community.”
Pomona Meals On Wheels has been awarded $5000 which will provide reimbursement of fuel costs for the volunteers who use their own vehicles to make deliveries to the Meals on Wheel clients.
“27 not-for-profit organisations from throughout Wide Bay received grants of $1000 to $5000, shared more than $66,000 in funding from this round of Volunteer Grants,” Mr O’Brien said.
“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.”
Pomona Meals On Wheels Treasurer Irene Gibbs said that their volunteers play an important role in assisting seniors and people recovering from surgery, to remain independent in their own homes.
“Our volunteers not only deliver the freshly cooked local produce, they also make time to talk to our clients and ensure they stay connected in the community,” Mrs Gibbs said.
“We pride ourselves on offering more than just a meal. We offer a service that includes a friendly and respectful chat, and a wellbeing check on all our clients.”
