The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, encourages not-for-profit community groups that offer early childhood services throughout the Benalla Electorate to apply for funding through the Foundation of Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) Rural Early Childhood Program 2010 (REACH) Grants program.
The grants are to assist early childhood services in small rural communities.
Bill Sykes said, “The REACH program is sponsored by Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) which targets rural communities with a population of 10,000 or less people.”
As part of the 2010 grants program $450,000 has been made available for projects within rural Victoria. Grants will be made available in amounts up from $1,000 to $20,000 to not-for-profit organisations with an Australian Business Number (ABN).
The following projects can be funded under this program:
• Interior & exterior refurbishment;
• Educational resources;
• Training & professional development;
• Heating and cooling;
• Water (tanks, irrigation, drinking supply);
• Indoor equipment;
• Information technology;
• Outdoor equipment; and
• Community gardens.
“This has been a valuable program for groups in the Benalla Electorate and a number of community organisations were successful in the 2009 round of grants,” Dr Sykes said.
“Murchison Preschool Incorporated was successful in 2009 and refurbished their outside play area. Bonnie Doon Community Centre Playgroup was able to purchase educational resources while Glenrowan Kindergarten & Occasional Care used the grant to upgrade the community sandpit.”
Application forms and guidelines are available at www.frrr.org.au. Applications must be submitted by post only to FRRR PO BOX 41, BENDIGO 3552 by no later than 5.00pm on 14 May, 2010.
Grant enquiries can be made by calling 1800 170 020 or email: info@frrr.org.au.
Media contact: Bill Sykes 03 5762 2100
