Communities encouraged to apply for bushfire recovery grants

Applications for round four of the Bushfire Recovery Grant program for local activities and initiatives in the Snowy Valleys, Greater Hume Shire and Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional local government areas will open soon.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) is providing its bushfire affected communities with an opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $20,000, which has been made possible as part of the Australian Government’s Supporting Communities in Recovery program.

Three grant rounds have already been completed with almost $300,000 being distributed to successful applicants throughout bushfire affected regions. Round four will open Monday 1 November 2021 and applications will close on Monday 21 March 2022.

Acting Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network CEO Julie Redway said the grants will be available for activities aiming to strengthen social connectedness, emotional wellbeing and resilience, assisting communities to recover and heal.

“We recognise the significant impact bushfire continues to have on both individuals and communities in our region,” Ms Redway said.

“To help communities continue to recover from the impact of the bushfires, we are providing a fourth round of grants for activities encouraging social cohesion and support post-trauma recovery.

“Previous grant recipients have included school holiday music programs, drum circles, series of high teas, free community yoga sessions, support for events that bring farming communities together.

“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.

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

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.