Communities encouraged to apply for bushfire recovery grants

Organisations and community groups within the Snowy Valleys, Greater Hume Shire and Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional local government areas can now apply for a Bushfire Recovery Grant for local activities and initiatives to support wellbeing and resilience.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) is providing its bushfire affected communities with an opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $10,000, which has been made possible as part of the Australian Government’s Supporting Communities in Recovery program.

The first round opens on Monday, 2 March and all applications must be received by Friday, 17 April 2020. Rounds two and three will open in August 2020 and March 2021 respectively.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said the grants will be available for activities that aim to strengthen social connectedness, emotional wellbeing and resilience, assisting communities to recover and heal.

“We recognise the significant impact the recent bushfire crisis has had on individuals and communities in our region,” Ms Neal said.

“To help communities to recover from the impact of the bushfires, we are providing grants for activities aimed at bringing the community together in a positive way.

“These activities might include a community barbecue to thank local firefighters, regular community meetings to help build local friendships, or workshops designed to help local businesses manage the impact of the bushfires on demand.

“Small rural communities are always very resourceful and innovative when it comes to supporting each other and we are really looking forward to seeing what community-led activities are developed to access these grants,” she said.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency should call the Mental Health Line 1800 011 511, Lifeline 13 11 14 or call 000. Or to access the Head to Health website visit www.headtohealth.gov.au.

For more information about the bushfire recovery grants or to apply for the grant funding, visit www.mphn.org.au/bushfire-recovery-grants.