This week marks National Volunteer Week and 16 local community groups in Mallee will benefit from a share in $9 million of federal funding to support local volunteers across Australia.

The grants awarded are between $1,000 and $5,000, and will enable organisations in Mallee to better support their volunteers to purchase small equipment, pay fuel, transport and training costs.

Member for Mallee, Anne Webster, said this funding will go a long way in supporting organisations and their volunteers through what has been a tough year.

“Mallee has been significantly impacted by drought and coronavirus this year. This funding will go a long way to support volunteers to continue their important work in the community.”

Volunteers are an integral part of our society, especially during difficult times. Their contribution is vital to ensuring that we continue to support families, provide employment pathways for young people and strengthen community resilience,” Dr Webster said.

Some of the sectors this funding will help include Men’s Sheds, Football and Netball clubs, Little Athletics and St John Ambulance.

National Volunteer Week runs from 18-24 May and is run by Volunteering Australia. You can get involved in the online activities by visiting the Volunteering Australia www.volunteeringaustralia.org/update-on-national-volunteer-week-2020/#/.

A list of Mallee recipients are below

ElectorateLegal Trading NameLegal Entity NameFundingMalleeBuloke & Northern Grampians Landcare Network Inc.Buloke & Northern Grampians Landcare Network Inc.$3,770 Mallee Donald Friends & Neighbours Society Inc.Donald Friends & Neighbours Society Inc. $5,000 Mallee Donald Golf and Bowls Club Inc Donald Golf and Bowls Club Inc $3,200 Mallee Donald Learning Group Inc.Donald Learning Group Inc. $2,080 Mallee Kara Kara Golf Association Inc.Kara Kara Golf Association Inc.$2,000 Mallee Mildura & District Little Athletics Centre Inc. Mildura & District Little Athletics Centre Inc. $5,000 Mallee Millewa News Millewa News $4,180 Mallee Murrabit Men’s Shed Inc.Murrabit Men’s Shed Inc.$3,350 Mallee Natimuk United Football Netball Club Inc. Natimuk United Football Netball Club Inc.$3,530 Mallee Pyramid Hill Football Netball Club Inc.Pyramid Hill Football Netball Club Inc.$4,840 MalleeR ex Theatre Rex Theatre $4,460Mallee Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices $5,000 Mallee St. Arnaud Neighbourhood House Inc. St. Arnaud Neighbourhood House Inc. $4,550 Mallee St. John Ambulance Australia (Victoria) Inc. St. John Ambulance Australia (Victoria) Inc. $5,000 Mallee T and Toast T and Toast $4,950 Mallee The Boy Scouts Association, Victorian Branch The Boy Scouts Association, Victorian Branch $3,370