Nearly $100,000 delivered to support bushfire affected communities

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) has delivered $94,450 in grants to assist bushfire affected communities as part of its second round of Bushfire Recovery Grants, and the third round of grant applications now open.

A total of 16 activities and initiatives have been funded to support wellbeing and resilience, including twice weekly exercise program in Adelong, weekly morning tea at Men’s Shed meetings in Talbingo, Fire Shed Fridays across the FRS sheds in the Snowy Valleys, meditation and relaxation sessions for the Aboriginal community, a mobile playgroup in the Greater Hume Shire, an events calendar for Batlow, and outreach activities delivered by the Gundagai Neighbourhood Centre.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal congratulated the successful grant recipients and encouraged eligible organisations and community groups to apply for grants in the second round of funding.

“We’re pleased to be able to support these outstanding local initiatives, and we are looking forward to seeing more innovative community-led activities being presented as part of applications during the third round of funding,” Ms Neal said.

The third round of grant funding is now open and organisations and community groups within the Snowy Valleys, Greater Hume Shire and Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional local government areas are eligible to apply for a Bushfire Recovery Grant of up to $10,000. Applications close 12pm Monday 22 March 2021.

The grants, which have been made possible as part of the Australian Government’s Supporting Communities in Recovery program, 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 2019/2020 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.

“This might include activities that build social connectedness and improve mental health or workshops designed to provide practical advice for parents to support their children post-bushfires.”

Rounds one and two has seen almost $130,000 of Bushfire Recovery Grants funding have been delivered to the 2019/2020 bushfire impacted communities in the Murrumbidgee.

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.