PICTURED: Lee Thompson (Gwymac Landcare), Kylie Falconer (GLENRAC), Mike Norton (GLENRAC Committee of Management member), Kelly Walsh (GLENRAC) and Kylie Sutherland (Gwymac Landcare) following announcement of their successful funding application.
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the Glen Innes and Inverell communities would benefit from a local project that has received Federal Government funding to target disadvantage and encourage a stronger community.
Glen Innes Natural Resources Advisory Committee (GLENRAC) will receive a grant of $122,560 for its project titled The Bold and the Beautiful – Engaging and Connecting Women in the Northern Tablelands, under the Strong and Resilient Communities grants program.
Delivered in collaboration with Gwydir and Macintyre Resources Management Committee (GWYMAC) from Inverell, the project will support 16 events attended by 340 people, primarily women, to engage women in our conservative rural communities. It will offer women in the region with high quality educational opportunities delivered locally at a minimal cost.
Mr Joyce today congratulated GLENRAC and said its work will continue to build inclusion and cohesion in New England communities.
“Projects like this are invaluable as they are derived from local people who understand what is best for our community,” Mr Joyce said.
“This program will deliver practical skills for local women to more effectively participate in business and ascend leadership roles in the New England. It will also address issues of women's financial security and independence and host activities coinciding with local Harmony Day events until 2021.”
GLENRAC executive officer Kylie Falconer said it will allow more flexibility in how they operate.
“A lot of the time we were asking presenters to do events for free and that limited our options,” Ms Falconer said. “Having this funding will expand the opportunities available for both groups.”
Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan said 83 organisations had received a total of $36.6 million in funding under the Strong and Resilient Communities grants program.
“This grants program complements the Coalition Government’s national priorities of creating a safer Australia and helping people get into employment,” Mr Tehan said.
More information on Strong and Resilient Communities grants is available on the DSS website.
(ENDS)