More women will reach their leadership potential with the Australian Government investing an additional $3.4 million over four years for the highly regarded Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) program.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said more than 25,000 women across the country had benefited from the initiative since it started in 2002.

“WLIS is helping improve outcomes for Australian women in areas including job creation, workforce participation and leadership,” Mr Vasta said.

The WLIS program is managed by Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), under a partnership with the Office for Women.

In February, Sport Australia opened grant applications for the WLIS Development Grants and Leadership Workshops, which will provide:

• Individuals with a grant up to the value of $10,000 to support their professional development,
• Organisations with a grant up to the value of $20,000 to provide professional development courses to employees, and
• Opportunities for individuals to undertake online WLIS Leadership Workshops.

Mr Vasta said the WLIS grants would provide women in Australian sport with the opportunity to gain new skills, knowledge and qualifications to progress their leadership journey.

“This program is playing a key role in developing our next female leaders across the industry and ultimately what we want to see is a more balanced workforce that is more representative of our diverse sporting community,” Mr Vasta said.

Eligibility criteria and information on how to apply for the WLIS Development Grants and Leadership Workshops can be found here.

Applications close March 17.

The Program is funded under the Government’s Women’s Leadership and Development Program (WLDP).

With the sixth round of the Morrison Government’s Stronger Communities grant program now open, this round will be particularly important in supporting Australia’s economic recovery.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the program had successfully supported dozens of projects in his electorate, with community groups contributing equal share or in-kind funding.

“However, for this special round, the grant funding for each project will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs, except for local governing bodies,” Mr Vasta said.

“Grant requests must be between $2500 and $20,000 and projects completed by December 31, 2021.”

Mr Vasta said the Stronger Communities Program provided each electorate with $150,000 to fund small capital projects that improve local community participation.

“This could be anything from fitting out community centres, to upgrading sporting club equipment, purchasing emergency service equipment or adding disability access as just some examples,” Mr Vasta said.

“If your sporting club, school or community organisation has a project in mind, I encourage you to get in touch with my office to submit an expression of interest.”

Applications open January 19, 2021 and close March 15, 2021.

For more information email ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au  or visit www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-communities-programme

Three community groups in Bonner will benefit from a share in $2.7 million from the Morrison Government to support the work of local volunteers.

The grants awarded are between $1000 and $5000 and will enable local organisations to better support their volunteers to purchase small equipment, pay fuel, transport and training costs.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said volunteers played an integral part on our society, particularly during times of hardship.

“On December 5 we mark International Volunteer Day and celebrate the contribution of charity and community groups across Bonner as they continue to support the vulnerable and strengthen our community,” Mr Vasta said.

“From fire to floods and a global pandemic, Queensland has been significantly impacted this year and help is always needed by people in our community.

“I am very pleased this Morrison Government funding will support the volunteers in Bonner to continue doing their great work.”

Recipients include:

• Hope Foundation – Mt Gravatt – $4970
• Indians Baseball Club – Wakerley – $3925
• The Corporation of The Synod of The Diocese of Brisbane – Manly – $3000

“Now more than ever our community organisations, sporting clubs and charities rely on the selflessness of volunteers who step up to lend a hand,” Mr Vasta said.

“Often their time and work can incur a cost and I am glad that funding will help these groups better support our volunteers.”

The 2020-21 Volunteer Grants round is expected to open mid-2021 and you can subscribe on the Community Grants Hub to be alerted to this and other grant listings.

For more information on volunteering, visit the Volunteering Australia website.

Grants for projects supporting the health and wellbeing of veterans and their families are now available, with the latest round of Veteran and Community Grants (V&CG) program now open.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the health and wellbeing of the veteran community was an ongoing priority for the Federal Government and the V&CG program was a way of supporting ex-service organisations (ESOs) and community organisations in providing local solutions.

“Veteran and Community Grants are for activities and services that improve the health and wellbeing of members of the veteran community,” Mr Vasta said.

“Grants can provide seed funding for projects that promote a healthy lifestyle, help veterans to remain living independently in their own homes, reduce social isolation, support carers and improve access to community services.

“Our local ESOs know best what will benefit veterans and their families and these grants will provide opportunities to community organisations to extend the important support they provide to veterans and their families.”

ESOs and community organisation partners are invited to apply for grants of up to $20,000 for local, community-based projects and activities.

A small number of large grants of up to $150,000 are available for projects that deliver wellbeing support services and activities of broad-scale benefit to the veteran community.

The 2020-21 grant round is now open online and follows the successful Veterans’ Health Week where social connection amidst the coronavirus pandemic was the theme and key focus of events.

“2020 has been a tough year for so many, and this year maintaining social connections has been more important than ever when it comes to our mental health and wellbeing,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage any local ESO or community organisation with ideas for practical projects and activities that support safe environments for veterans and their families to connect and engage to consider making an application.”

Grant applications will close 29 January 2021.

For information about how to apply see the Community Grants Hub website: www.communitygrants.gov.au.

Assistance with grant application queries is also available by phone: 1800 020 283 or by email: support@communitygrants.gov.au.

To receive an email alert when veteran and other community grants are open for applications on the Hub, visit www.communitygrants.gov.au.

Local organisations in Bonner with research project ideas that encourage the community to get involved are invited to apply for a Citizen Science Grant.

Grants of between $150,000 and $500,000 are available to support projects encouraging community participation in four key research areas: disaster resilience and preparedness, environmental change, cyber security and artificial intelligence, and food and agribusiness.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the grants not only provide exciting opportunities for the organisations but also enable members of the community to get involved and participate in discoveries which could have an impact across the country.

“Citizen Science grants are all about coming up with innovative solutions to some of our biggest national challenges,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage organisations across my electorate to put their research project ideas forward for grants.”

Citizen Science Grants are part of the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Programme, which encourages community participation in science and technology, with $4 million available over four years.

Applications for Round 2 are open until 17 December. For more information visit https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/citizen-science-grants

Bonner’s local Men’s Sheds can now apply for funding as part of the latest round of the National Men’s Shed Development Program (NSDP), with priority given on applications with a strong focus on health, wellbeing and safety.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said in acknowledgement of the impact COVID-19 has had on the community, the grants would be used to help local Men’s Shed groups during their recovery and help facilitate increased connectivity amongst shedders.

“I strongly encourage the Men’s Shed groups in Bonner to apply for this grant to support the great work they already do,” Mr Vasta said.

“Now more than ever, Men’s Sheds offer men a critical avenue for social support and engagement. They have become a focal point for the Bonner community and encourage men to stay healthy, socialise and do regular activities in good company.

“This funding can help our Sheds deliver programs with a strong health, wellbeing or safety focus and I urge all local Sheds to apply.”

Men’s Sheds can apply for financial support across the following funding categories:

• Category 1: Health, Wellbeing, and Events $8,000 maximum
• Category 2: Shed Improvements $8,000 maximum
• Category 3: Equipment $5,000 maximum

Minister for Health Greg Hunt MP said Men’s Sheds were vital in providing a safe space for men to talk and work on meaningful projects.

“This new funding round will provide financial support to assist in both setting up and maintaining Men’s Sheds across Australia,” Minister Hunt said

Since 2013, the Coalition Government has provided $5.4 million to support Men’s Sheds across Australia.

Applications for the current funding round close Friday 27 November. For more information, visit https://mensshed.org

Organisations and individuals in Bonner with ideas for exciting National Science Week events for next year are being encouraged to apply for a grant to make their idea a reality.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said preparations for next year’s annual festival of science were underway, with grants of up to $20,000 available for those ready to inspire Australia’s next generation of big picture thinkers.

“The idea is to make science fun and accessible to everyone and I urge qualified local people with good ideas to put them forward for grants,” Mr Vasta said.

“Successful grant applications will mean that you can have a positive impact on your community and set an example for others. Let’s get involved and show what we can do!”

“This year’s event organisers showed incredible ingenuity in delivering their events online due to COVID-19 restrictions and it was great to see people from all over the country come together to participate in virtual tours, online events and DIY science and citizen science projects.”

National Science Week will run from 14 – 22 August 2021 and is Australia’s largest festival with over a million people participating in thousands of events each year.

Applications for 2021 National Science Week grants are now open, and close on 28 October 2020.

To apply for a grant, or read the updated grant opportunity guidelines, go to https://www.business.gov.au/nswkg

To find out more about National Science Week go to www.scienceweek.net.au

New ceiling fans to provide relief from the summer heat have been installed at Tingalpa State School’s assembly hall thanks to a $20,000 grant through the Morrison Government’s Local Schools Community Fund.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP recently visited the school to see the new fans and said the addition greatly improved the facility for students, teachers and the wider Tingalpa community.

“In the middle of summer, it can be very uncomfortable in the hall for students, staff, families and visitors,” Mr Vasta said.

“Having a cooling system in place was necessary due to the hall’s location to the noisy Wynnum Road and the need to keep doors closed for the noise and wind control.

“Thanks to this $20,000 grant, these new fans will not only benefit the school community but the wider community as well.”

Mr Vasta said with a shortage of indoor sporting venues in the area, the ceiling fan upgrade would encourage additional community use.

“Having a cooling system in place now allows the school to feature this facility as a good option for external events and sporting games for community groups, which will have tremendous benefits for the school.”

Mr Vasta said the Tingalpa P&C was instrumental in making this grant happen and it wouldn’t have been possible without their fundraising efforts and attention to detail in applying for the grant.

The Morrison Government is supporting community groups to lower their power bills and play their part in helping to reduce Australia’s emissions.

Across Australia, not-for-profit community groups have been awarded grants of up to $12,500 for energy-saving projects under the Government’s Energy Efficient Communities Program.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he was pleased to announce the Wynnum Manly Employment and Training Association, and the St Mark’s Lutheran Pre-School and Child Care Association were successful recipients in his electorate of Bonner.

“Energy Bills are often one of the biggest overheads for volunteer organisations, and we want to help ease some of the financial pressures facing our hard-working community groups,” Mr Vasta said.

“St Marks Lutheran Pre-School received a $11,364 grant and Wynnum Manly Employment and Training Association received $6000 to support their energy saving projects, which can include installing a solar system, upgrading to more energy efficient equipment, or having an energy audit done on their premises.”

Mr Vasta said the more these groups could save on running costs, the more they could spend supporting their communities.

The Energy Efficient Communities Program was announced as part of the Government’s Climate Solutions Package in the 2019 Budget.

The program will deliver grants to help businesses and community organisations to improve energy efficiency practices and technologies, and better manage energy consumption to reduce their power bills.

In addition to grants for community organisations, the program will provide $10 million for dairy farming businesses, $9 million for small businesses and $15 million for high energy-using businesses.

For more information on the Energy Efficient Communities Program visit energy.gov.au

Manly-Lota RSL Sub-branch has received a $23,000 Building Excellence in Support Training (BEST) grant to help provide advocacy services to veterans and their families in the Bonner community.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the local RSL was one of 164 recipients across Australia to benefit from this grant program.

“Ex-Service Organisations and veteran groups play a crucial role in supporting the health and welfare of the veteran community,” Mr Vasta said.

“The BEST grants program provides these groups with an opportunity to expand on their services to further support veterans and their families.

“I’d like to congratulate the team at Manly-Lota RSL Sub-Branch who continually support veterans and their families to access the assistance and services they need, and I encourage veterans in our community to reach out to them.”

The BEST grants program funds a range of essential support measures from Ex Service Organisations (ESOs), advocates and welfare practitioners who continue to provide advice and assistance to the veteran and defence community. This round of BEST saw $4.2 million provided nationally to support organisations.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said staying connected with local ESOs and other veteran groups providing advocacy services was vital to ensure our veteran community received the support they needed.

“These organisations complement the support provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and show just how deeply the community is committed to putting veterans and their families first,” Minister Chester said.

“At this time more than ever, advocacy services through ESOs can help our veterans and their families with their claims, entitlements and other services.”

For more information on BEST grants visit the grants page on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at www.dva.gov.au/grants