Nine Noosa organisations will share in $32,360 through the Australian Government’s Volunteer Grants Program in recognition of their valuable work.
“Volunteers are the beating heart of our communities, and Noosa and its hinterland areas simply would not be the same vibrant, thriving communities without the energy, expertise and time that volunteers generously give,” Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said.
The grants are between $1,000 and $5,000, and will enable organisations in Wide Bay to better support their volunteers to purchase small equipment, pay fuel, transport and training costs, as part of the Government’s $20 million Volunteer Grants round, to support the crucial role that they play as Australia moves forward out of the pandemic.
The following Noosa and hinterland organisations have received funding:
Cooran State School P & C Association – $1,200.00 for an iPad to be used for sales at the tuckshop and fundraising events.
Cooroy Golf Club – $2,530 for protective workwear and a first aid kit.
Katie Rose Cottage Hospice – $5,000 – CPR training for volunteers and a laptop computer.
Noosa Arts and Crafts Association – $5,000 for a laptop, software, computer training and an ergonomic chair.
Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club – $5,000 for a nippers program, first aid equipment and radio equipment.
Noosa Integrated Catchment Association – $3,500 for a new spotting scope and tripod to support the shorebird survey team.
Ozfish Unlimited – Noosa – $1,690 for a new laptop and projector to assist with administration duties.
Pomona Arts Inc – Majestic Theatre – $3,442 for fuel vouchers, a washer and dryer, signage and signage.
PTSD Dogs Australia – $4,998 for training courses to assist volunteers in their work with veterans with PTSD.
“Whether it’s caring for people in their hour of need like Katie Rose Cottage Hospice and PTSD Dogs Australia, keeping us safe on the beach like Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club, protecting our waterways like Noosa Integrated Catchment Association and OzFish Unlimited, advocating for kids like Cooran State School P and C, or contributing to Noosa’s thriving arts, sporting and social scenes like Noosa Arts and Crafts Association, Pomona’s Majestic Theatre and the Cooroy Golf Club – Noosa’s volunteers are heavyweights when it comes to generosity and community spirit,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This funding will go a long way to ensuring volunteers to continue their important work in the community, helping families, strengthening community resilience and helping to create brighter, even more engaged and vibrant communities in Noosa and the hinterland.”
“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.”
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, representing an economic contribution of around $290 billion each year.
