The work of two Parkes district community groups is set to be supported by the federal government with grants delivered through the 2019-20 Volunteer Grants round.
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Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack announced Parkes Neighbourhood Central will receive $5000 to purchase furniture and equipment, such as tables, a hot water urn and a blower vacuum to support their efforts, improve morale and ensure safety, while the Bogan Gate Community Hall Association will receive $1,200 for air conditioning.
"These are not big amounts of money, but they will make a big difference to Parkes Neighbourhood Central and the Bogan Gate Community Hall Association," Mr McCormack said.
"The grants will provide important things which the groups need but can't afford because they are putting all their resources into supporting their communities."
Some 18 Riverina and Central West community groups will share in grants worth nearly $64,000 delivered in the 2019-20 Volunteer Grants round.
"I'm really pleased to support the work of local volunteers right throughout the Riverina and Central West because I know these organisations are working even harder for our community than they have in the past because of the COVID-19 pandemic," Mr McCormack said.
"The pandemic has thrown many more and new demands on volunteers than they have had to deal with in the past but at the same time they are grappling with social distancing and other necessary restrictions which makes it even more difficult to deliver the services many people depend on every day."
Mr McCormack said the electorate grants, ranging from $1,070 to $5,000, would be put towards a wide range of purposes, including buying small equipment and first aid items, meeting fuel costs and training.
"Volunteers give freely of their time - I see that regularly as I travel throughout the Riverina and Central West - and they deserve our support to meet fuel costs, to buy a laptop for better record keeping and to have air conditioning," Mr McCormack said.
Nationally, volunteering has an estimated annual economic and social contribution of $290 billion.
