Government delivers $16.8 million to volunteers

The Howard Government is delivering almost $17 million in grants up to $3,000 to more than 7,700 community organisations across Australia.

Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, today announced the successful recipients of the 2007 Volunteer Small Equipment Grants (VSEG).

"The grants have been allocated to volunteer organisations which demonstrated their work significantly contributes to supporting families and strengthening local communities," Mr Brough said.

"This round of VSEG attracted more than 10,800 applications, reflecting the popularity and usefulness of the grants.

"This funding helps organisations purchase a wide variety of equipment items to make the valuable work of volunteers easier, safer and more enjoyable.

"Items purchased include equipment such as urns, microwaves, computers, lawn mowers and tools. Such items make a significant difference to volunteers’ work, and that organisations may not have otherwise been able to afford.

"This time around, we’ve included a new initiative worth close to $6 million; VSEG – Sport, to encourage sport and physical activity within communities, particularly focussing on the participation of youth.

"VSEG – Sport applicants were able to purchase sporting equipment, uniforms and provide training for coaches and referees."

This is the ninth time the Howard Government has delivered equipment and grants to community organisations with volunteers, with more than $62 million distributed to more than 29,000 community organisations since 2001.

All applicants will be notified in writing as to the outcome of their application, with a full list of successful organisations per state available at FaCSIA website