Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Tasmania’s volunteering organisations share in $481,000

More than 220 community organisations in Tasmania will receive $481,000 in Australian Government Volunteer Grants.

This funding is part of the $21 million in Volunteers Grants which will go to more than 7,200 community organisations across the country.

Under the program, grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are provided to non-profit organisations.

Volunteers 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.

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.

In Tasmania, the Volunteer Grants Program 2008 will assist organisations to buy small equipment and sporting items, to train volunteers, and to help with fuel costs. There are more than 130,000 volunteers in Tasmania, some of whom will benefit from this funding.

Organisations to receive funding include the Scout Association in Tasmania, Surf Life Saving Tasmania and the Salvation Army.

The 61 branches of the Scout Association in Tasmania will receive a total of $98,250 from the Volunteer Grants Program to help reimburse fuel costs for the association’s 428 volunteers.

Volunteer scout leaders travel many thousands of kilometres each year to provide young people with quality experiences and opportunities not normally provided at home or at school and this funding allows volunteers to continue this important work.

The Surf Life Saving Tasmania Club will receive $30,000 to help its 2,510 community volunteers across surf life saving clubs in Tasmania.

Training and education is a core component in developing skilled volunteer life savers in this vital community service.

Funding of $20,000 will assist around 136 Salvation Army community volunteers in Tasmania. The Salvation Army provides assistance to the most disadvantaged people in the community with welfare services for the aged, unemployed, families, people at risk of homelessness and children escaping domestic violence.

The Volunteer Grants Program 2008 delivers on a Rudd Government election commitment.