Two local community groups on the southern Gold Coast can continue with their important work, thanks to funding from the Morrison Government to support volunteers.
Love This City Inc and Gold Coast Hinterland Heritage Museum will benefit from a share of $2.7 million through the supplementary round of the Volunteer Grants scheme.
Member for McPherson Karen Andrews MP said the grants awarded are between $1,000 and $5,000, and will enable local organisations to better support their volunteers to purchase small equipment and pay for fuel, transport and training costs.
“Volunteers are an integral part of our society, especially during difficult times like we have experienced this year,” Mrs Andrews said.
“This additional funding comes off the back of the $9.2 million distributed nationally earlier this year as part of the 2019-20 Volunteer Grants round,” Mrs Andrews explained. “It will go a long way in helping even more local organisations and their volunteers to continue their important work.
“On December 5 we mark International Volunteer Day and celebrate the contribution of charity and community groups across McPherson and the greater Gold Coast area, as they continue to support the vulnerable and strengthen our community.”
Karen Andrews MP and Ruth Arnold in the Love This City kitchen.
Love This City Director Ruth Arnold said the charity would use their grant to purchase a commercial grade dishwasher, to allow their volunteers to use their time more efficiently.
“This year – in response to COVID-19 – Love This City, together with other local charities and in partnership with Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, distributed more than 52,000 meal portions to those in need,” Ms Arnold said.
“Our volunteers will continue to be kept busy over the coming month with our ‘Radical Christmas’ campaign, and using an automatic dishwasher will free-up an extra set of hands” she added.
“Our army of volunteers are the backbone of everything we do and regardless of circumstances they continue to show up week in-week out.”
Volunteer peak bodies across all states and territories are distributing the funding based on the needs of the sector in each state or territory.
The 2020-21 Volunteer Grants round is expected to open mid-2021. Subscribe on the Community Grants Hub to be alerted to this and other grant listings.
For more information on volunteering, visit the Volunteering Australia website.
