To mark National Volunteer Week, Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips has announced local organisations will receive more than $58,000 to support their volunteers.

Exactly one year after her election as Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said she was pleased to be delivering positive local projects that will benefit so much of the community.

A total of $58,800 will be awarded to 15 volunteer organisations across the South Coast for purchases such as fuel costs, training, community barbeques and safety equipment. 

After the incredible efforts of local fire fighters during the summer’s bushfires, Mrs Phillips said she was thrilled that four local Rural Fire Service Brigades also received funding.

“This year has shown more than ever how valuable our volunteers are. They were there for our community in our time of need and I am delighted to be able to give back to so many great organisations,” Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said.

“We know volunteer organisations often struggle with basic equipment purchases like these and this funding will help make sure our volunteers can get on with what they do best – supporting our community,” she said.

Mrs Phillips made the announcement with Love Culburra Beach Festival Incorporated which received $2,400 under the program to support local volunteers with training, administration costs, first aid kits and free wifi in the community hub.

“Love Culburra Beach is an important local event and supporting organisations like this will be a critical part of our recovery from the double hit of bushfires and coronavirus to our tourism industry,” Mrs Phillips said.  

The Gilmore MP said she received 74 expressions of interest worth more than $137,000 from local volunteer organisations and it was extremely difficult to determine which would be nominated, with limited funds provided by the government.

Mrs Phillips said she raised this concern directly with the Minister, however the Minister would not commit to any further funding for the local community.

“There is clearly a huge need in our community for more support for our volunteer organisations and I will continue to ask the government to prioritise assistance to bushfire-impacted areas like the South Coast,” Fiona Phillips said.

“I want to sincerely thank all our local community groups for everything they have done to care for others during the bushfires – I have heard so many stories of our true community spirit and it makes me so proud to be part of the South Coast,” Mrs Phillips said.

Funding has been granted to: