26 local community groups and sporting clubs in the Blair electorate will share in $62,725 and receive one-off grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 to use for things like IT and audio-visual equipment for volunteer activities, insurance premiums and sporting equipment to train junior sports teams.

These grants support the objectives of the National Strategy for Volunteering, a blueprint for the
next 10 years that will enable volunteering in Australia to thrive.

The Albanese Government is bolstering its support for the nation’s volunteering sector with $9.5
million in total funding through the latest round of grants to help 3,892 not-for-profit community
organisations across the country.

Each year, the Volunteer Grants program provides up to $10 million to community organisations which
they can use to support their volunteers through such things as the purchase of small equipment items, training and background screening checks.

For the first time in this latest round, eligible community organisations were able to allocate
their funding towards insurance premiums to help them better navigate rising operating costs and
reduce out of pocket costs for volunteers.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 15 per cent of Australians report feelings of loneliness, while research shows engaging in volunteer work and maintaining active memberships of sporting or community organisations are associated with reduced social isolation.

Mr Neumann said volunteer groups provided vital support and services to those in need across
Ipswich and the Somerset Region, while allowing volunteers to gain valuable skills and social
connection.

“The Albanese Labor Government understands the importance of volunteer organisations and the work
they do for our community, which is why we’re boosting funding for them,” Mr Neumann said.

“This is about giving our hard-working volunteers a helping hand and helping local
community groups to thrive.

“What’s more, volunteering is one of the most powerful antidotes to loneliness. When we give our
time to others, we build connections and strengthen our communities. I want to see more people find
that rewarding sense of purpose and belonging.

“This funding will provide the support that our volunteers need to keep doing their incredible work
in the community and enjoy the benefits of giving back.

“I’m very proud to be delivering more than $60,000 in grants for 26 incredible local organisations
– from charities to churches to sporting clubs – through the latest round of the highly popular
Volunteer Grants program.”

The full list of grant recipients in Blair is below.

• Australian Breastfeeding Association Ipswich Group - $1,500 to fund professional development and
training to maintain currency of skills, food and venue hire to assist parents with developing skills for newborn care, and training manager travel.

• Brothers Basketball Club Ipswich - $3,500 to purchase iPads and laptops for volunteers, and a dedicated club phone.

• Brothers Cricket Club Ipswich Inc - $1,200 to purchase an iPhone for the use of players, parents and officials, and to cover phone bills.

• Central Districts Cricket Club - $1,200 for grounds maintenance equipment.
• Leichhardt One Mile Community Centre - $4,000 to purchase of printers, computers and monitors for volunteers to support the community through programs run out of the centre.

• Linville Progress Association Inc - $1,000 to purchase annual voluntary workers insurance and 2 square payment terminals for volunteers to use to collect funds.

• Break-Away Raiders Softball Club Incorporated - $2,500 to purchase a laptop, subscription to anti-virus and Microsoft office services subscription, electronic payment equipment fees, and storage container insurance.

• Rosewood Baptist Church - $3,000 for food preparation equipment and appliances to support community and youth programs.

• Yamanto Community Kindergarten - $2,500 to purchase gardening equipment.

• Kilcoy Golf Club - $3,000 to purchase computers to help run community-based activities.

• Esk Country Golf Club - $3,000 to assist in paying higher insurance premiums after the clubhouse was rezoned as being in a bushfire zone.

• Vedanta Centre of Sydney Brisbane Chapter (Springfield Lakes) - $3,000 to purchase software and electronic payment devices for use by volunteers.

• West Moreton Landcare Group Inc. - $1,500 for insurance premiums for a tractor and zero-turn mower used by volunteers for the maintenance and improvement of a section of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.

• Somerset Storm Netball Club - $1,825 to purchase canteen equipment and to allow first aid officers to have ice for injury treatment.

• Friends of Stonehouse - History, Restoration, and Conservation Inc. - $2,500 to purchase laptops
and tablets with software for volunteers, audio-visual equipment for events, and Sky Link internet service.

• Lowood & District Memorial Bowls Club Inc. - $2,500 to purchase laptops for volunteers.

• Ipswich Outlaws Softball Club - $2,000 for training courses and software for
volunteers.

• Ripley Scout Group - $3,000 to fund first aid training for group leaders and volunteers, and purchase mobile phones, radios and computers for volunteer activities.

• Moore Soldiers Memorial Hall Association Inc. - $3,000 for general and public liability insurance costs so funds can be reallocated to hall improvement and maintenance.

• Raceview Congregational Fellowship Inc (Raceview Congregational Church) - $1,000 for insurance premiums so funds can be redirected to community activities.

• Wounded Heroes Association Inc. - $2,500 to purchase electronic audio-visual equipment and computers for volunteer communications and activities.

• Glamorgan Vale Community Hall Association Inc. - $3,000 to purchase new PA system with microphones for events.

• Brisbane Valley Soccer Club - $3,000 to purchase laptops and software for registrar and
treasurer to support online registration and payments, and to fund professional coaching instruction for volunteer coaches.

• Redbank Plains Junior Rugby League Football Club - $2,500 to fund a computer upgrade, and first aid kits and apparel for volunteer trainers.

• Ipswich Region Community Church Property Trust (Cityhope Church) - $2,000 to purchase computers, laptops and tools for volunteers.

• Dinmore Bushrats Soccer & Sports Club - $3,000 to purchase fuel cards, iPads, laptop, square EFTPOS reader, stackable chairs, and security camera for volunteers and committee members.

More information on Volunteer Grants is available on the Department of Social Services website:
https://www.dss.gov.au/volunteering-initiatives/volunteer-grants