St Arnaud Primary School has received a $2,200 Brumby Labor Government funding grant to encourage more people to volunteer, Candy Broad, Member for Northern Victoria Region said today.
Ms Broad said it was one of 26 new projects to share in more than $76,000 from the Victorian Volunteer Small Grants program and was a great way to mark National Volunteer Week (May 11-17).
“St Arnaud Primary School will use the grant to attract volunteers to its Right Choices program,” Ms Broad said.
“The Right Choices program is designed to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds, who need support with literacy and numeracy as well as real-life skills.”
“St Arnaud Primary School has successfully engaged the whole community in its work with children and families and last year won a Herald Sun Innovation Award for the program,” Ms Broad said.
Ms Broad said the Brumby Labor Government was taking action to encourage more Victorians to volunteer through its new $9.3 million volunteer strategy.
“Volunteering is a terrific way to meet new people, feel more connected, learn new skills and give something back to your community,” she said.
Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor said the lives of people in communities across Victoria were touched daily by the efforts of volunteers.
“We only have to look back to the horrific February bushfires to see how Victorians respond to those needing a helping hand,” Mr Batchelor said.
“It was touching to see the outpouring of community spirit from people across Victoria, who volunteered for a range of activities from fighting fires to sorting through donated items or working at relief centres.
“We must also remember and thank those who regularly volunteer in the community, whether it’s coaching a kid’s footy team, teaching older people to use the internet or working in an op shop.
“Volunteers play an important role in building stronger communities and research shows people who volunteer reap rewards such as improved health and wellbeing, and better employment opportunities.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that many of our most important local organisations, events and services would simply cease to function if volunteers stopped giving their time,” he said.
Since 2004, more than 1200 organisations have shared in over $4 million through the Victorian Volunteer Small Grants program to support and attract volunteers.
For more information about Victorian Volunteer Support Grants visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 366 356.