Warrnambool East Primary School Koori Club has received a $2,500 Brumby Labor Government funding boost to support volunteers.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP announced today that OCR FM had received $2,500 from the latest round of Victorian Volunteer Small Grants.
She said the organisation had received the grant for its ‘Cultural Awareness Program to recruit parents as volunteers to assist with cultural activities for Indigenous children in Warrnambool and surrounding areas.
“Strong families need strong communities, that’s why we are we are supporting the vital work of volunteers through these grants,” Ms Tierney said
“It’s not only the people being helped by volunteers who benefit, but also the volunteers themselves, with research showing people who volunteer reap rewards such as improved health and wellbeing and better employment opportunities.”
It is one of 28 new projects to benefit from the grants announced this month, which are aimed at helping organisations recruit and train volunteers.
The Victorian Volunteer Small Grants program is a key component of the Victorian Government’s $9.3 million Victoria’s Volunteering Strategy 2009, which aims to strengthen volunteering by making it easier for people – young people in particular – to volunteer.
Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor said the lives of people in communities across Victoria were touched daily by the efforts of volunteers who gave their time to help others.
“From providing First Aid support to local sports teams, to helping community theatre groups or teaching nutrition and household budgeting, volunteers are integral to many local organisations, events and services.” Mr Batchelor said.
“Volunteers of all kinds play an important role in building stronger communities.”
Since 2004, the Victorian Government has provided more than $5 million in Victorian Volunteer Small Grants to almost 1400 community organisations.
For more information about grants, visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au