Volunteer groups enjoy government grants

SEVERAL Surf Coast and Bellarine volunteer groups received funding from the federal government last week.

The 31 volunteer organisations in the Corangamite electorate shared $64,170 of volunteer grants.

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said the work of volunteers amid the recent troubles had emphasised their importance.

“While the work of our volunteers may be unpaid, it is not unrecognised.

“From fighting bushfires, delivering food to vulnerable Australians in isolation and helping out with the weekend sport, they are all local champions.

“Their contribution is vital to ensuring that we continue to support families, provide employment pathways for young people and strengthen community resilience.”

Multiple men’s sheds are among the recipients of the grants in the Corangamite electorate.

Clifton Springs Men’s Shed were among the main benefactors, receiving $3,000 from the federal government.

The shed’s secretary Jeff Neal said there are multiple projects the funds can go to.

“We’re doing a few extensions, one being a toilet renovation. Also tools, we’re in need of a lot more tools and benches.”

Mr Neal said with the men’s shed role as a volunteer group made the federal government’s funds particularly welcome.

“We’re a not for profit organisation and we do a lot of charity work for local schools, churches and kindergartens.”

St Leonards Men’s Shed received $1,100 in grants.

Shed member Shane McManus said the funds would similarly help the shed serve their community.

“It gives us some money to reimburse people for the use of their own vehicles, like when people ring us up and say ‘my father’s passed away, can you come and collect some wood and some tools?’ and we go out and do that. Or when we deliver something to the school or go to pick up some materials. So, that’s what we applied for and that’s what we received.”

Torquay Men’s Shed received $2,000 as part of the grant and will be spending their funds in a similarly varied manner.

“We’re putting it towards two laptop computers,” Shed secretary Ian Mathieson said. “One to be our based for all our records and everything else and the other two be used as training.

“We rely a lot on the grants and what have you. Other than that our main source of income is barbeques at Bunnings.

“But we don’t overstretch going for grants. We only apply for what we need.”