Not-for-profits receive funding

FEDERAL Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, was in Cooroy and Pomona recently to present community organisations with funding.

Llew said 27 not-for-profit organisations from throughout Wide Bay received grants of $1,000 to $5,000, and shared more than $66,000 in funding from this round of Volunteer Grants.

“Every volunteer’s contribution, no matter how big or small, is extraordinary because that person cares enough to serve their community and give freely of their time, expertise, and resources to improve the lives of others. Wide Bay communities would not be the same without them,” Llew said.

Pomona Meals On Wheels was awarded $5,000 under the latest round of Volunteer Grants funding to provide reimbursement of fuel costs for the volunteers, who use their own vehicles to make deliveries to the Meals on Wheels’ clients.

The Cooroora Historical Society will safeguard the Noosa Museum’s extensive collection of photographs, documents and artefacts, thanks to a $3,700 grant from Round 8 of the Stronger Communities Program.

The Cooroy Pomona Lions Club will receive $9,000 to support the ongoing restoration of the Rotunda War Memorial, including the installation of a memorial seat and plaque, funded by the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program, and a $2,675 Volunteer Grant to purchase a trailer for their recycling program.

PTSD Dogs Australia has been awarded $3,000 from the Australian Government

Volunteer Grants to assist with training and supplying service dogs for veterans and first responders. The funding will be used to conduct background checks, supply foster carer packs, and provide fuel vouchers for volunteers.

Llew and his guest, the Hon David Littleproud, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Leader of the Nationals, visited each organisation to present them with their cheques.

Llew, together with the Cooroy Pomona RSL, also hosted a policy roundtable discussion recently with the Shadow Minister for Veteran Affairs, Barnaby Joyce, to discuss the improvements that need to be made to Veteran service to ensure the people who defend our nation and secure our freedom have the recognition and support they deserve.