The Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce congratulated community volunteer organisations in and around Glen Innes for sharing in more than $42,300 from the Volunteer Grants 2015 Programme.

Mr Joyce said the 13 volunteer groups, which represented about 280 community volunteers in Glen Innes, Deepwater, Emmaville, Ben Lomond and the localities of Bald Nob and Shannonvale will receive grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 to buy small equipment items, contribute towards the cost of training courses and background checks, and to help to reimburse volunteers for the cost of their fuel or transport.

The groups receiving funding included: $1,700 for the Ben Lomond War Memorial Hall Trust, $5,000 for the Deepwater and District Community FM Radio, $2,826 for the Emmaville Central School P&C and $4,000 for the Emmaville Pony Club.

The Glen Innes Clay Target Club received $2,330, $2,750 to the Glen Innes District and Historical Society, $2,480 for the Glen Innes Natural Resources Advisory Committee, $3,000 for the Australian Standing Stones Management Board, $4,800 for the Friends of the Glen Innes Severn Library, $4,900 for the Glen Innes Swimming Club and $4,900 to the Glen Innes Showground Trust.

The Bald Nob Rural Fire Brigade received $1,965 while $1,600 goes to the Shannonvale Rural Fire Brigade.

Mr Joyce said the Australian Government is providing $20 million through Volunteer Grants 2015 to support and encourage volunteering in local communities. About 5,300 community organisations will benefit from the funding around the country, supporting almost 128,000 volunteers.

“Volunteers play a critical role in helping shape Australia and building stronger and more resilient communities.

“Their generosity permeates almost every aspect of Australian society, whether it be helping out local sporting clubs or Landcare groups, assisting our most disadvantaged, or helping recover from natural disasters,” he said.