National Volunteer Funding Recipients Announced

Volunteer-based emergency service organisations, RSL clubs and Meals on Wheels are the big winners in the Federal Government's latest volunteer grants program.

The Government has announced the recipients of its $21 million local grants program to support volunteers at community organisations across Australia.

More than 250,000 volunteers from over 6000 community organisations are set to benefit from the funding.

Some 241 Returned and Services League branches will share in more than $1 million to help continue their work supporting former and current Australian Defence Force personnel.

Australia’s largest volunteer-based emergency and fire management organisations, the Country Fire Authority and the Rural Fire Service, will receive $660,000 to support over 9,400 volunteers across the country.

These grants will help purchase radio transceivers, breathing apparatus, high pressure cleaners, air conditioners and computer equipment to be used by volunteers in community awareness activities and to respond to emergency situations.

In addition more than 4,800 Meals on Wheels volunteers will share in almost $207,000 to cover training and petrol costs and purchase new kitchen and administrative equipment.

Local organisations will receive grants of between $1000 and $5000 to cover the cost of petrol and purchase much-needed equipment such as computers, barbecues, air conditioners and refrigerators.

Petrol reimbursements will assist more than 29,000 volunteers, with an expected saving by volunteers of over $2.8 million at the bowser.

For the first time the grants will also help organisations meet the costs of training their volunteers and completing police and background checks.

The lion's share of the funding will go to NSW organisations which will receive $7,364,641 followed by Victorian organisations which will receive $5,491,955 and Queensland with $4,332,084.

A list of successful organisations can be found at: www.fahcsia.gov.au