Great Southern success ahead of National Volunteer Week

Nine community groups from the Great Southern region will receive funding under the 2023-24 federal Volunteer Grant round for applications they lodged through the office of Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson MP.

Mr Wilson said volunteers were the lifeblood of country communities, and the annual grants would help build their capacity.

“I am delighted that 23 volunteer groups who lodged applications through my office will be funded this year,” he said.

“All funded organisations proposed very deserving projects.”

Mr Wilson said each group was very active in building community in the Great Southern.

“Ahead of National Volunteer Week, I would like to thank the thousands of people across my vast electorate who regularly take time to work for others and foster the common good,” he said.

National Volunteer Week runs from 20 to 26 May.

Grant recipients from the Great Southern are:

Karlup Animal Sanctuary, Forest Hill, west of Mount Barker

$3000 toward equipping volunteers with specialist bags in which to rescue and safely relocate animals, issuing fuel vouchers to volunteers, and providing training, safety clothing and equipment.

Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary, Tenterden

$3000 toward rescue and safety equipment and fuel vouchers for volunteers, and feed for critically endangered western ringtail possums

Denmark CRC

$2000 toward fuel and other expenses.

Katanning Scout Group

$2000 toward fuel for leaders who drive youth members to camps and activities.

Redmond Community Association

$1500 toward buying a notice-board, and stackable chairs to replace ageing second-hand chairs.

Albany Dragon Boat Club

$4000 toward refurbishing the club kitchen.

Albany and Regional Volunteer Service

$4000 toward celebrating the service’s 20^th year of operation, with a view to retaining existing volunteers and attracting new ones.

Albany Summer School

$4000 toward buying laptop computers, vacuum cleaners,  hair dryers (for class use) among other items, and providing first aid training.

Albany Cycling Club

$2700 toward buying a defibrillator, and training volunteers how to use it.

ENDS

Media contact: Chris Thomson: (08) 9842 2777; [email protected]