Twenty volunteer organisations in the Bega Valley have recently benefited from $54,067 in government grants aimed at helping the community sector.
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Dr Peter Hendy welcomed the grant announcement last week and said the Government’s investment is delivering vital support to small community organisations which help many of our most vulnerable citizens.
“The Volunteer Grants will assist a range of local groups in the Bega Valley,” Dr Hendy said. “The grants of between $1000 to $5000 enable local organisations to better support their volunteers by purchasing much-needed equipment and computers, helping with training for volunteers and meeting fuel costs, or undertaking background security checks.
REAP Sapphire Coast received a $2,200 grant to help attract and keep volunteers by subsidising fuel costs.
“All costs associated with the volunteer work including fuel come out of the pockets of the volunteers,” co-founder Christine Welsh said. “Many of our volunteers are retired people on modest incomes or pensions. The cost of fuel can be a significant disincentive to recruiting new volunteers or to enabling volunteers to continue their work.”
The Eden Community Access Centre also receive a $2,000 grant which will go towards purchasing a new vacuum cleaner as well as a sturdy marquee and banners to use when at festivals or events.
Access Centre project manager Vera Clark said the volunteers were over the moon at receiving the grant.
“If it wasn’t for the grant we wouldn’t have been able to buy these items. It’s not terribly exciting but it is very practical and very much needed,” she said.
Other organisations that received a Volunteer Grant include: Bega Bombers: $1,095; Bega Minor Rugby League: $3,000; Bega Valley Meals on Wheels: $2,254; Bemboka Landcare: $2,200; Bermagui Community Technology Centre: $4,950; Bermagui Seasiders: $2,544; Eden Minor Rugby League: $1,639; Eden Tourism: $3,400; Eden Whale Festival: $2,000; Far South Coast Landcare: $5,000; National Parks Association of NSW Far South Coast: $3,975; Nethercote Bushfire Brigade: $1,000; Pambula Agricultural, Horticultural and Pastoral Society: $1,200; Rotary Club of Pambula: $4982; Pambula-Merimbula CWA: $1,000; Garden of Eden Community Project: $3,048; The Crossing Land Education Centre Trust: $4,080; Narooma Health Auxiliary: $2,500.
