The Basalt to Bay Landcare Network Inc. in the Moyne Shire has received a $3,308 Brumby Government funding boost to encourage people to volunteer.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP announced today that Basalt to Bay Landcare Network Inc. had received the grant from the latest round of Victorian Volunteer Small Grants.
Ms Tierney said the organisation had received the grant for its ‘Revamping Landcare in Gunditjmarra Country project aimed at reinvigorating the Landcare movement in the Hopkins Moyne Catchment (Gunditjmarra Country).
“The focus of the Network is to encourage volunteers and volunteer groups to engage in restoring native habitat in the Hopkins Moyne Catchment,” Ms Tierney said.
It is one of 26 projects to benefit from the latest round of Victorian Volunteer Small Grants to help organisations recruit and train volunteers.
Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor said the Victorian Volunteer Small Grants program was part of a $21 million package of support for volunteering and community enterprises.
“As part of the package the Brumby Government will invest a further $3 million over the next three years to help people get involved and increase support for volunteers,” Mr Batchelor said.
“The lives of people in communities across Victoria are touched each day by the efforts of volunteers who give their time to help others.
“From driving a car pool to coaching a kid’s footy team or teaching older people to use the internet, volunteers of all kinds play an important role in building stronger communities.”
Mr Batchelor said volunteering not only helped the community, but research showed that people who volunteered reaped rewards such as improved health and wellbeing, and better employment opportunities.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that many of our most important local organisations, events and services would simply cease to function if volunteers stopped giving their time,” Mr Batchelor said.
Since 2004, more than 1200 organisations have been funded through the Victorian Volunteer Small Grants, with a total of more than $4 million across Victoria to support and attract volunteers.
Applications for the Victorian Volunteer Small Grants are open. For more information, visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au