Independent: Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines meeting with volunteers from Benalla’s Tomorrow Today Foundation.
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Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines is proud to support and celebrate the successes of volunteers in Benalla and across the electorate of Indi.
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“During National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of local volunteers and encourage more people to get involved,” Dr Haines said.
“Whether it’s at a Men’s Shed, a sporting club, a wildlife shelter, Landcare or the CFA there are so many ways volunteers support and strengthen our regional communities.
“It’s obvious from the people I meet, but also from official data, that Benalla has a high rate of volunteerism. Something the community should be very proud of.”
According to census results, 18.6 per cent of people in Benalla volunteer with a group or organisation, well above the Victorian rate of 13.3 per cent and the Australian rate of 14.1 per cent.
Selfless: Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines meeting with members of the Benalla Agricultural and Pastoral Society.
“Volunteering contributes to the vibrancy of our local communities and the fabric of our society. I am grateful to every person who gives their time and skills in service to our community and the lives of others,” Dr Haines said.
“Our community groups would welcome more volunteers, and research shows that volunteering increases confidence, improves mental health and our satisfaction with our quality of life.”
Several volunteer groups in Benalla have benefited from federal funding, through programs such as the Commonwealth Volunteer Grants Program, including:
• Benalla Girl Guides who were awarded $2,000 to purchase a new computer for guides and their families to use;
• Benalla Aviation Museum and Men’s Shed received $1950 for first aid training;
• Lima School Community Centre received $6,000 to upgrade centre amenities;
• Waminda Community House received $4,264 to create their coffee hub;
• Benalla Scout Group were awarded $6,000 to fix the girl’s toilets at Benalla Scout Hall.
"Small grants have a big impact on the work of volunteers in our communities,” Dr Haines said.
“The Indi Funding Finder database is freely available on my website to help volunteers and community groups to find available grants funding.
“I encourage all community groups to visit helenhaines.org and use the grants resources to find funding opportunities and strengthen their grant applications. I welcome you contacting my office for a letter of support for your project.”
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