Federation Chamber
Monday 22 March 2021

One of the great privileges I have in this job is talking about the many volunteer led organisations who provide great services and support to our community. Oxley's volunteers do it all. Some raise funds and supplies for families doing it tough, others support the homeless, veterans, older members of the community, Indigenous Australians and local businesses that are struggling, just to name a few great causes.

So it's a pleasure to be able to give them the support that they need to continue their dedicated work. The 2021 Volunteer Grants program is a great opportunity to do this, and I'm excited to say that expressions of interest for funding are now open. Volunteer grants will help Oxley community organisations, who are often heavily reliant on donations, to support the efforts of local volunteers. These grants will go to eligible not-for-profit organisations so they can continue to support the inclusion of vulnerable people through volunteering.

I also hope that this much needed funding will encourage, support and increase participation in volunteering, because every not-for-profit organisation that I speak to tells me the same thing: there is always room to do more. I welcome the community organisations in my electorate to check their eligibility and express their interest in a volunteer grant with my office or through my website. I commend the Department of Social Services for this great program, which allows volunteers across the country to continue what they do best: making our communities a great place to live.