Volunteers at 38 Sunshine Coast organisations in the Federal electorate of Fisher are among tens of thousands across Australia about to benefit from the Morrison Government’s support through the Volunteer Grants Program as we look toward building our recovery from COVID-19. These grants, totalling $132,041 in Fisher, will provide, among much more, a new sound and mixing desk for Caloundra Chorale and Theatre Company, coaching training for SunCoast Hinterland Softball Association and CPR and first aid equipment for the Volunteer Coast Guard QF6 in Mooloolaba.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace, who nominated the 38 organisations receiving funding on the basis of expressions of interest delivered to his office, said that this was the most funding provided to Fisher in a single round of the Volunteer Grants program.
“I’m glad to see our local organisations getting even more help in continuing to support families, provide employment pathways for young people and strengthen community resilience. Volunteers rarely ask for anything, they just get on with the job. With these grants, the Morrison Government is giving them our biggest leg up yet.”
Mr Wallace said that volunteers have been critical to maintaining our community’s physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Volunteers have been more important than ever over the past two years as we have dealt with the health and economic consequences of COVID-19. Whether it is distributing essential supplies to locals who lost their jobs, providing counselling and support for business owners under stress, or offering mateship and a friendly welcome to those who are socially isolated, volunteers have played a major role in keeping our community together during this global pandemic.”
“With more than $132,000 in funding from the Morrison Government this year, I’m sure these 38 organisations are going to be able to do even more to help us build the foundations of our recovery in the months to come.” Mr Wallace said.
The Old Witta School Community Centre, which provides unique historic community meeting facilities in extensive and well-maintained grounds received $5,000 for a ride on lawnmower.
Grant Fincher, Committee President of the Old Witta School Community Centre said “For some time now we have relied on our volunteers to transport and supply their own lawn mowers to maintain the more than five acres of grounds here at the old school. This is time consuming and inconvenient and makes it more difficult to maintain our grounds to the highest standard. The committee of the Old Witta School Community Centre would like to thank Mr Wallace and the Federal Government sincerely for awarding the Volunteers Grant of $5000 to our community centre. I know that our volunteers will all appreciate the purchase of our own mower!”
In total 38 grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are being provided in Fisher to help community organisations buy equipment, pay fuel costs, or train volunteers.
The organisations in Fisher receiving grants are:
- The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association – QF6 in Mooloolaba who received $4,640 for CPR and First Aid Training & Equipment.
- The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard – QF4 in Caloundra who received $4,794 for QVCGA Maritime training including CPR, First Aid and radio operation.
- Beerwah & District Memorial Golf Club who received $4,500 for a volunteer buggy for transport.
- Caloundra Business Alliance who received $5,000 for tablet computers and training.
- Caloundra Chorale and Theatre Company who received $5,000 for replacement of their sound desk and mixing desk.
- Caloundra City Junior Rugby Union Club who received $4,200 for marquees.
- Caloundra Community Kindergarten who received $5,000 for a fridge, air conditioning, and a shed.
- Caloundra Little Athletics Club who received $1,587 for a point of sale system.
- Chenrezig Institute in Eudlo who received $3,764 for a mower, blower, and garden tools.
- Dicky Beach Surf Life Saving Club who received $2,497 for a deep fryer, cash register, extraction fan, and tablet computer.
- Friends of Buddina who received $1,928 for a PA system, laminator, and stationery.
- Friends of Pattemore House in Maleny who received $4,794 for six pure cool towers for air conditioning.
- Gateway Care in Caloundra who received $5,000 for laundry stock cages, a ladder, and a trolley.
- Glasshouse District Cricket Club who received $2,198 for two point of sale cash registers.
- Golden Beach Sailing and Boating Club who received $1,793 for propeller guards for the Navy Cadets.
- Vinnies’ Good Shepherd Conference in Buddina who received $2,500 for volunteer fuel costs.
- Kidney Support Network in Currimundi who received $4,994 for a camera, phone, a tablet, blinds, safety kit, and personal protective equipment.
- Landsborough Area Community Association who received $2,800 for two sofas and three office chairs.
- Landsborough Cricket Club who received $1,860 for four tablets for scoring, correspondence, and COVID-19 sign-in.
- Lions Club of Caloundra who received $2,575 for fuel, aprons, safety training, and marketing.
- Maleny Neighbourhood Centre who received $2,500 for a dishwasher, washing machine and coffee maker.
- Metropolitan Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club who received $3,900 for a PA system, desk, chairs, air-conditioning and cupboards.
- Montville State School P&C Association who received $4,700 for tuckshop kitchen appliances and a trolley.
- Mooloolaba Outrigger Canoe Club who received $2,200 for volunteers’ fuel and food costs.
- Nambour & Hinterland Australian Football Club in Palmwoods who received $4,000 for First Aid training.
- Old Witta School Community Centre who received $5,000 for a ride on mower.
- Palmwoods Bowls Club who received $3,000 for a defibrillator machine and CPR training.
- Queensland Justices Association Caloundra Branch who received $1,300 for Justice of the Peace training and an information event.
- Quota Caloundra who received $3,000 for tablets, cables and cords, display screens, and software.
- Rotary Club of Alexandra Headland who received $3,500 for replacement computer and sound systems.
- Rotary Club of Mooloolaba who received $3,350 for a laptop, modem, camera, audio mixer, and tablet.
- SunCoast Hinterland Softball Association in Glenview who received $5,000 for coaching, first aid and food safety training.
- SunCoast Spinners Wheelchair Basketball in Sippy Downs who received $3,980 for volunteer fuel costs.
- Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Action Group who received $3,092 for a photocopier and folding machine.
- Sunshine Coast Multiple Births Association in Alexandra Headlands who received $1,250 for fuel cards and a social event to engage volunteers.
- Sunshine Valley Men’s Shed in Woombye who received $2,277 for demountable shelving.
- The Gathering Church Caloundra who received $4,050 for First Aid training.
- Vinnies Caloundra who received $2,633 for a tablet, TV, and a mounting bracket.
- Wildlife SEQ in Palmwoods who received $4,885 for office supplies, volunteer transport and fuel costs, and training.
Mr Wallace said that he and the Morrison Government are committed to helping the Sunshine Coast to rebuild stronger than ever after the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting local small businesses and maximising the impact that volunteers can have in our region.
“When it comes to dealing with the immediate health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic the job is far from finished. However, with grants like these the Morrison Government is also looking to the future and ensuring that our region has the capacity we need to build the Sunshine Coast that we all want to see in the months and years to come.” he said.
For more information about the 2021 Volunteers Grants visit https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants/volunteer-grants-activity-2021-volunteer-grants
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. Nationally, volunteering makes an estimated annual economic and social contribution of $290 billion.
