Community groups get volunteer grants

Several local community organisations will receive funding under the Federal Government's 2008 Volunteer Grants Program.

Brisbane Water Secondary College Woy Woy Campus P&C has been granted $5000 for electronic smartboards and video projection equipment, while the Umina campus received $4120 in funding a first aid kit, gardening and landcare tools and equipment and a garden shed.

The Peninsula Environment Group also benefited from the Volunteer Grants Program.

The local environment group will receive $3520 for chairs, a computer, fridge, microwave, tables and a video-data projector.

Empire Bay Public School P&C is expected to receive $1178 to go towards chairs as well as kitchen utensils and equipment.

Federal Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal welcomed the funding announcement by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Ms Jenny Macklin.

"The Volunteer Grants Program is an important initiative which provides valuable support to community organisations and their volunteers," Ms Neal said.

"Grants can be used to purchase equipment and sporting items and give volunteers much needed help with fuel costs.

"I am delighted by the broad range of community, sporting and school groups from all across Robertson that received Federal Government funding."

Nineteen community organisations in the Robertson electorate received grants totalling more than $66,000 from the Federal Government.

Ms Macklin said it was important to support volunteers because they are the "backbone of so many of our community groups and the non-profit sector.

"Every day volunteers are out in their local communities working tirelessly to help the elderly, the sick and those who have hit hard times," Ms Macklin said.

"The government values the enormous contribution volunteers make in our community and this funding will ease the financial pressure on non-profit organisations and volunteers."

Press release, 7 Jan 2009 Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson