Federal Nationals Member for Lyne, Alison Penfold, has announced 41 community organisations across the Lyne electorate will share in $65,225 in funding as part of the Australian Government's 2024-25 Volunteer Grants Program.
The Volunteer Grants program supports the crucial role volunteers play in strengthening local communities by funding equipment, training, and other needs to make volunteering safer, easier, and more enjoyable. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are provided to eligible not-for-profit organisations.
"This funding recognises the incredible work our volunteers do right across the electorate," said Ms Penfold.
"From supporting local youth programs to maintaining community sporting facilities, these grants help to support volunteers with the resources and tools they need to continue their valuable work."
Grants are allocated through a community-based expression of interest process, with local priorities identified in consultation with a Community Committee. The Department of Social Services assessed nominated organisations against eligibility criteria before approving funding.
Ms Penfold has visited some of the successful recipients in Forster, including:
• Foster Tuncurry Touch Association - awarded $1,429 for upgrades to toilets for people with disabilities at the Peter Barclay Fields, North Tuncurry complex.
• Forster Tuncurry Girl Guides - awarded $2,000 to assist with costs for the 2025 Jamboree in Murwillumbah and ongoing Girl Guide activities.
• Forster Evangelical Church - awarded $2,000 to support the training of volunteer youth leaders and to purchase resources for their long-running Friday night youth program, which currently engages 25-40 local high school students weekly.
"I want to congratulate all of the successful organisations and thank their volunteers for the outstanding work they do for our community," Ms Penfold said.
"I also want to acknowledge that this round of the Program was supported with work by the former Member for Lyne, the Hon Dr David Gillespie.
"I'm looking forward to visiting and congratulating more of our incredible local groups right across the electorate in the coming weeks."
