81 LOCAL VOLUNTEER ORGANISATIONS RECEIVE VOLUNTEER GRANTS

Federal Member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon today welcomed the announcement of 81organisations in the Hunter electorate who will receive funding from the Australian Government’s Volunteer Grants 2009 initiative.

Today Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and Parliamentary Secretary for the voluntary sector, Senator Ursula Stephens, announced more than 6700 community organisations across Australia will benefit from $21 million in volunteer grants.

“Under this initiative, grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are provided to non-profit organisations to support their volunteers and encourage volunteering,” Minister Macklin said.

“Every day volunteers are out in our local community doing what they do best– helping those in need, nurturing our environment and fostering our nation’s sporting and cultural life” said Senator Stephens.

The Member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon, welcomed the 81 local volunteer organisations receiving Australian Government support.

“The Australian Government’s volunteer grants provide valuable support to organisations that keep the Hunter electorate community together,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“For many local volunteer organisations these grants provide the opportunity to purchase new equipment and cover the cost of fuel.

“In Hunter volunteer grants will be used to purchase small equipment such as computers, barbeques, stoves, mowers and ovens.”

 “Volunteers are the backbone of so many of our non-profit organisations and make a real and lasting difference in the lives of so many people in our community.

“The Australian Government values the enormous contribution volunteers in the Hunter electorate and this funding will ease the financial pressure on non-profit organisations and their volunteers.”

For the full list of successful organisations, please go to http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/volunteers/funding/Pages/volunteer_grant09.aspx