Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has announced 20 volunteer groups in Indi have been awarded a share of $66,225 in grants funding.

All applicants were assessed by a panel of community leaders and the successful applications were recommended to the government for funding. Each successful group received a personal phone call from Dr Haines to share the good news.

“There are so many extraordinary volunteers across Indi who work tirelessly to make their communities safe, vibrant and fun places to live,” Dr Haines said.

“These grants will go a long way in assisting volunteers to continue their vital work in supporting our communities. They will help to make volunteering more accessible and engage vulnerable people with the opportunity to connect with like-minded people and give back to our community.”

The federal Volunteer Grants program delivers grants of $1,000 to $5,000 to support grassroots community groups to increase participation and accessibility of volunteering across Indi.

The program assists organisations to pay for fuel, transport and training costs for volunteers, and purchase small equipment that makes volunteering enjoyable and accessible to the community.

Albury Wodonga Regional Foodshare, Benalla Aviation Museum and Men’s Shed, and Bonnie Doon Community Group will each use their funding to purchase first aid training for volunteers.

Beechworth Wildlife Shelter will purchase essential protective equipment to ensure volunteer safety, and fuel vouchers to support volunteer continuity where fuel costs would otherwise hinder participation.

Cudgewa Football Netball Club will fund volunteers to undertake food handling training, while Wangaratta Woodworkers will purchase a new safety stop contractors saw that will prevent finger injuries.

Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges members will undertake traffic management courses and governance training and Euroa Health will support volunteers to undertake Demetia Australia training to improve confidence and wellbeing of volunteers and residents.

St Johns Ambulance Wodonga Division will purchase CPR manikins to train volunteers to perform CPR efficiently and effectively in emergencies.

“The Volunteer Grants program supports those who support us,” Dr Haines said.

“Volunteering exemplifies community spirit – it is a wonderful way for people give back to their community, to feel enormous pride, to increase social connections and participation in physical activity.

“Community spirit is something I see right across Indi – a positive community-first mindset that I am proud to represent.

“I am delighted to be able to support and celebrate volunteers who generously share their time and talents to help make our communities the best they can be. Thank you to all our volunteers across Indi.”

• Open Door Neighbourhood House Wangaratta: $3,000 to purchase first aid and mental health first aid training for volunteers, fuel vouchers and small gardening equipment.
• Tolmie Mechanics Institute and Recreation Reserve Committee: $5,000 to recruit new volunteers with a volunteer recruitment drive and purchase volunteer training.
• Euroa Health: $2,044 to purchase Dementia Australia training program Enabling EDIE.
• Up2Us Landcare Alliance Mansfield: $4,950 to purchase small equipment and volunteer training including Gaiters, first aid kits, binoculars, first aid training and wildlife cameras.
• Corryong FoodShare Services: $5,000 for fuel vouchers.
• Wangaratta Woodworkers: $3,279 for Safety Stop contractors saw.
• Benalla Aviation Museum and Men’s Shed: $1,950 to fund volunteer first aid training.
• Corryong and Upper Murray Agricultural and Pastoral Show Society: $4,948 to purchase small tech equipment and office supplies for agricultural shows.
• Albury Wodonga Regional FoodShare: $4,500 to purhcase OHS equipment.
• Beechworth Wildlife Shelter: $2,138 to purchase wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels, gloves, petrol vouchers, first aid kit and a snake bag.
• Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges: $4,940 to purchase traffic management, first aid, and governance training.
• Yackandandah Fire Brigade / Country Fire Authority: $3,300 to purchase first aid training.
• Alexandra and District Speedway: $3,000 to build and retain effective committees and volunteers with committee education training.
• Baranduda Fire Brigade: $3,000 to upgrade outdoor lighting for training activities.
• Cudgewa Football Netball Club: $3,545 to purchase responsible service of alcohol and food safety training.
• The Dame Pattie Menzies Centre/Menzies Support Services Alexandra: $2,000 to purchase fit for purpose assistive technology for Committee of Management meetings.
• St John Ambulance Australia – Wodonga: $4,500 to purchase 6 Little Anne CPR manikins for volunteer CPR training.
• Girl Guides Victoria – Benalla: $2,000 to purchase new computer with internet access for guides and their families to use for online guide registration and memberships.
• Bonnie Doon Community Group: $1,231 to fund volunteer police checks, first aid training and fuel vouchers.

ENDS