A WAIKERIE group has upgraded its tools and safety equipment thanks to a recent grant funding initiative for volunteer groups.
The Waikerie Men’s Shed was granted $4590 from the Federal Government’s National Volunteer Week fund recently which they used to buy safety equipment and power tools.
Members Malcolm Jinks and Jimmy Maywald applied for the funding, and Mr Jinks said the equipment was important for the group.
“We were able to purchase a fair amount of items with the funding that we were in need of, like a new laptop for the office, safety ladders, some power tools and a welder,” he said.
“We bought local as much as possible so we were able to get that money back into the local economy, and it’s also going to benefit the members who want to come along and try out some welding.”
Mr Jinks said previous Men’s Shed member Tom Loffler (now deceased) wrote most of the group’s grant funding applications.
“(Jimmy) and I did a lot of research into grant funding applications, as it was the first time either of us had taken a crack at applying for a grant,” he said.
“Tom was a real gun for the Men’s Shed – he was always busy up here trying to get money for upgrades and equipment.
“We were lucky to have some great help from Tony Pasin’s office – they gave us a lot of advice when writing the application, so a big thanks to them.”
Sixteen organisations across Barker shared in over $65,000 from the funding injections.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the funding would go a long way to support local organisations and their volunteers through what has been a “tough year”.
“This summer, on the back of a prolonged drought, our nation battled bushfires the equivalent of any experienced in our lifetimes,” he said.
“While the extent of these natural disasters were catastrophic, one thing remained unwavering: the role of volunteers who were there in the line of duty.
“Volunteers freely give their time and skills to support others and will play a key role in communities over the next few months as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This funding recognises the sacrifices they make to help deliver vital services to those who need it most.”