RSL grants to community groups
Eight community groups shared in $25,000 worth of grants given by the RSL last week.
Surf lifesaving rescue boards, a CFA thermal imaging camera and support for domestic violence survivors all received a share of $25,000 worth of RSL grants last week.
The annual grant announcement saw eight local groups given a variety of giant cheques, after applying for funding for specific projects.
The Phillip Island Fire Brigade received $3500 for a hand-held thermal imaging camera - that can see through walls - to help firefighters pinpoint a blaze.
"It will make firefighting capabilities a lot easier and more efficient," Captain Lino Drazzi said.
Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club was given $5000 for new rescue boards, which the club's Christian Born said would help their several hundred members patrol.
"When you've got that many members out in rough conditions the boards get knocked about. They are repaired but some need to be retired," Christian said.
Change for Sam received $5000 which chair Lija Matthews said would go towards more personal security alarms for their loan library.
"We used to be auspiced under Bass Coast Health and now we are a stand-alone charity and so the money will also go to a computer," Lija said, adding the Go Fund Me fundraiser for the security alarms was still open.
Other grant recipients included:
- The Girls On Tools class at PICAL ($2000) for tools and machines. The class just finished second term, with third term booked out and a waiting list for the end of the year;
- Wonthaggi army cadet unit ($5000), which looks after 13-17-year-olds across Bass Coast, training in radio communication, navigation, first aid and even live fire at Puckapunyal. The grant will pay for an army tent, advanced first aid kit and ceremonial sword;
- Melaleuca Lodge received $1600 for wheelchair-accessible raised garden beds;
- Lighten Up Theatre ($2000) a new community theatre group that performs "uplifting , positive, feel good theatre to bring joy to the community";
- Phillip Island Probus Club was given $2000 for a transportable defibrillator.
Change for Sam fundraising details: www.gofundme.com/f/change-for-sam-making-a-safer-community
