Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton pictured with Necia Benjamin from the Lightning Ridge Piranhas Swimming Club, which received $2,000 under the 2021 Volunteer Grants to enable volunteers to travel to undertake learn to swim training.

 Community groups in the Parkes electorate are encouraged to apply now for a share of $66,225 in funding to support the work of their volunteers.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said Expressions of Interest (EOI) in the Australian Government’s 2022-23 Volunteer Grants program are now open.

“We are lucky to have so many hard-working volunteers in the Parkes electorate who dedicate countless hours of their time to helping our communities,” Mr Coulton said.

“Whether it’s volunteering with Meals on Wheels, helping in the canteen at the junior soccer or responding to emergencies with the State Emergency Service, our volunteers play an important role in our communities.

“The Volunteer Grants program was an initiative established by the former Coalition Government to support local volunteers, ensuring they can continue their valuable work in the community safely and appropriately.”

Mr Coulton said volunteer organisations can apply for grants of between $1,000 and $5,000.

“These grants can help pay for equipment or for promotional activities that increase participation in volunteering, as well as reimburse fuel costs and expenses associated with transport and training,” Mr Coulton said.

“I know how beneficial these grants have been to previous recipients over the years, so I encourage all eligible organisations to submit an expression of interest to my office by Friday 16 September.”

Eligible organisations must submit an EOI to be considered for a grant.

Mr Coulton, with the assistance of a committee of local leaders, will consider the submissions and nominate projects up to the funding cap of $66,225. Nominated organisations will then be invited to apply for funding from 15 November 2022. Successful applicants will be announced in May 2023.

Eligible organisations in the Parkes electorate can download an EOI form for submission to Mr Coulton’s office by 5pm AEST Friday 16 September 2022.

More information is available by contacting the Dubbo electorate office on 02 6882 0999 or by downloading the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.