Clairvaux Football Club (FC) has been successful in receiving funding from Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP through the Volunteer Grants program. The funding will be used to purchase new equipment for the club’s volunteers.

On Saturday Mr Vasta attended Clairvaux FC, at Clairvaux Mackillop College, to catch-up with members and find out how the new equipment will help the club.

“It’s been great to work with Clairvaux FC and deliver federal funding which will be used to purchase new fridges for their canteen,” Mr Vasta said.

“Canteens sales at sporting events are a vital source of income and allow the club to reinvest into their players and the community.”

Clairvaux FC Coach and Treasurer Robbie McLean said the funding allows the club to regain an important income stream.

“We are very thankful for the funding that Ross has secured for us, and it will make a massive difference to the club,” Mr McLean said.

“Without fridges to keep food and drinks cold and fresh, we lose the ability to raise money through canteen sales, which means we have less money to reinvest into the club,

“Purchasing new fridges will also mean we can have cold drinks ready for players after games.”

Mr Vasta is proud to support the Clairvaux FC, which last year had 400 players, and provide this Federal funding to benefit the Clairvaux FC sporting community.

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

Annual shows in Bonner cancelled because of COVID-19 are about to get a slice of $34 million Australian Government funding to help ensure they can bounce back next year.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the first payments under the Supporting Agricultural Show and Fields Day program would roll out before Christmas.

“I am very pleased to share with the community the Mt Gravatt Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Society is one of the successful recipients, with a funding grant of $32,448,” Mr Vasta said.

“We want to see the Mt Gravatt Show bounce back in 2021 and this funding package is about reimbursing cancellation costs and losses.”

Mr Vasta said the Government wanted to ensure show societies and field day organisers were in the best shape possible to continue next year.

“These events bring our families and farmers together, build community spirit and help bridge the divide between country and city,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our show days are uniquely Australian and also provide huge economic benefits to local communities, as well as the opportunities for the businesses and services who exhibit.”

Mt Gravatt Show Society Secretary Loretta Smith said she was so happy and surprised to receive this federal funding to support the Mt Gravatt Show to continue in 2021.

“So many people in the community, particularly older people who take part in the knitting and cake competitions were so disappointed we didn’t have a show this year,” Ms Smith said.

“It was such a relief for us to get this funding so we can get on with planning the 2021 Mt Gravatt Show.

“We have a lot of commitments with insurance and other things that was just draining our funds so this announcement has been a huge relief.”

Mr Vasta said he was very pleased the Mt Gravatt Show was able to access this funding to help them through this tough period.

“Next year is looking so much brighter and I know this support will be fantastic boost for our volunteers, families and school kids,” Mr Vasta said.

The 2021 Mt Gravatt show is planned for July 24-25.

More information on the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program is available here.

BONNER’S Local Legends have been recognised during a special barbecue to thank them for their selfless acts of kindness during a difficult 2020.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he put the call out for the community to nominate people who went above and beyond to support others.

“While 2020 has been a trying year for all of us, it has also brought out the best in our local community,” Mr Vasta said.

“I wanted to celebrate that by hosting the Bonner Local Legends Awards and after promoting it over the past couple of months, we received some heart-warming nominations.”

Mr Vasta said he was humbled to meet so many incredible people in the community and learn more about what motivated them to be so kind, caring and compassionate towards others.

“I hope by sharing their selfless stories it inspires others and also provides hope to those doing it tough, that there are always good people out there willing to lend a hand,” Mr Vasta said.

Bonner Local Legends include:

Coast Guard Brisbane volunteers – we couldn’t just have one, because you work as a team and everything you do to keep our boaties safe is a team effort!

Rebekah Barelet – Nominated by her neighbour, Rebekah showed selflessness and care during COVID-19. She rang her neighbour every day to make sure she was okay. Her neighbour also described her as “the most selfless person I know.”

Coral Brenner – Darling Point Special School. Running the before and after school program and vacation care program at Darling Point Special School, Coral works extra hard to support the families who needed their children minded during COVID restrictions. She not only looks after the children’s families but treats everyone with respect and greets all with a smile.

Mark Brittan – President of the Mt Gravatt Hawks Football Club. Mark is described as the heart and soul of the club. He was nominated for his hard work and commitment as a club volunteer, making sure everything is running smoothly. His good humour is always appreciated on game days.

Keoni Driscol  – A Disability Support Worker, Keoni was nominated by the beautiful family she supports. She worked tirelessly to protect Charlotte during COVID-19 and Charlotte’s mother Angela said she and Charlotte would not have managed without her.

Lisa Morrison – Principal of Belmont State School, Lisa has had a year like no other and has led her school community through absolute tragedy. With the loss of three beautiful students earlier this year, Lisa made sure everyone had access to counsellors and guidance officers. On top of this, she had to take on learning from home during COVID, as well as navigate a whole new set of challenges once school resumed.

Christine Rafter – President of Care Kits for Kids Queensland, Chris and her amazing team put together care kits for the thousands of Queensland children in crisis or care.

Michelle Thompson – Opening a dance studio just prior to COVID. Michelle didn’t let that stop her from supporting her local community. She took her classes online and offered them for free to anyone in the community wanting to dance. She ran competitions and lessons on top of her day job and kept everyone’s spirits up.

Nicole Blums – Volunteering for Wildlife Australia, Nicole was nominated for leading an amazing team of volunteers and helping to save thousands of native animals during the devastating bushfires.

Sports Australia has developed a Return to Sport Toolkit to provide community sporting clubs and associations with a clear path to competition as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the suite of practical resources, provided by Sport Australia, focused on giving grassroots organisations a road map for the safe return to sport at all levels.

“The Toolkit encourages clubs and associations at every level to document their own COVID-19 Safety Plan and appoint a COVID Safety Co-ordinator to implement and oversee it,” Mr Vasta said.

“As part of the toolkit, checklists provide practical and progressive steps such as relevant government and national sporting organisation approvals, facility management, training behaviours, hygiene protocols and appropriate communication with members.”

Minister for Youth and Sport Richard Colbeck said the Return to Sport Toolkit was a comprehensive checklist that complemented the National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities, endorsed by the National Cabinet on May 1.

“Sporting clubs and organisations across Australia will play an enormous part in getting the nation back on track as we recover from the impact of COVID-19,” Minister Colbeck said.

“The Sport Australia toolkit provides the resources and guidance local clubs need to ensure a streamlined process, with the safe return of competition relying on a responsible rollout where everybody follows advice and takes precautions.”

The National Principles along with the Australian Institute of Sport’s framework will be used to guide the staged return of activity as efforts to stop the spread of the virus continue.

The States and Territories will be responsible for sport and recreation resumption decisions, both at the professional and community level and will determine progression through the phases, taking account of local epidemiology, risk mitigation strategies and public health capability.

Sport Australia’s Return to Sport Toolkit can be found here.

The AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment can be found here.

The Australian Academy of Martial Arts (AAMA) officially opened their new training facility doors to showcase the new and improved dojo.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he was so pleased to be able to support this much deserved upgrade with $185,000 Morrison Government grant to enhance the club’s training facility.

“Through the Community Development grant we were able to contribute $185,000 to the enhancement of AMMA and help them continue the 47 year legacy they’ve established in the community,” Mr Vasta said.

AAMA President Lyndon Kurth said the welcome upgrade ensured their sporting club would continue its impactful future on young people in the region.

“This new Dojo will ensure the sustainable future of our volunteer operated club whilst also offering affordable karate tuition fees for families,” Mr Kurth said.

“Our classes are more than self-defense but rather about enhancing the mind, body and spirit through excellence in karate.

“It’s also a great inclusive sport for women and children.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government’s investment in community infrastructure would provide long term benefits to the Mt Gravatt region.

“This investment will contribute to people feeling more socially connected and building self-esteem, particularly among vulnerable youth and provide positive health benefits,” Mr McCormack said.

A greenhouse, LED lighting and a library refurbishment are among some of the exciting new projects for schools in Bonner who received funding under the Morrison Government’s Local School Community Fund program.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said students would be the big winners in this funding program, which supports small but vital projects in local schools.

“These are the small projects that make a big difference to providing better learning outcomes and learning experiences for students in my electorate of Bonner,” Mr Vasta said.

“School communities nominated the projects they most wanted and the Morrison Government stepped up with funding support through our $30.2 million Local School Community Fund.

“This is an additional investment on top of our record funding of $310 billion for schools.”

Schools in Bonner to recieve funding include:

• Belmont State School $20,000 to refurbish their multi-purpose centre
• Holland Park State High School $19,995 to install energy efficient LED lighting
• Mount Gravatt State School $8058 to construct a Greenhouse
• Mount Gravatt State High School $12,500 for the installation of musical instrument bag racks
• Rochedale State High School $19,909 for Library refurbishment and upgrades
• St Peter’s Primary School at Rochedale $20,000 for a nature based interactive learning project
• Mackenzie State Special School $4944 to expand their Thrift Shop
• Guardian Angels’ Primary School $20,000 for the installation of synthetic grass for the P2 playground
• Murarrie State School $20,000 to install air-conditioning
• Tingalpa State School $20,000 to install ceiling fans in the Assembly Hall
• Darling Point Special School $20,000 to upgrade playground equipment
• Wynnum State School $14,594 to upgrade senior laptop and robotics devices

Mr Vasta said these projects would go a long way to supporting students when completed in 2020.

Round Two of Australian Aid Friendship Grants are now open for charities, local government groups and organisations.

Since starting last year, this three-year program has allocated $10 million to strengthen our relationships between our not-for-profit organisations and our neighbours in the Indo-Pacific region.

Eligible non-profit organisations can apply for a one-off grant from $30,000 right up to $60,000 to assist these countries that face various needs and challenges.

Last year, World Hope International from Mackenzie was successful in receiving a Friendship Grant to further their work in Cambodia to build all-year-round climate-controlled mushroom grow houses.

Over 200 applications were received for the Friendship Grants Program that was awarded to 46 organisations through their merit-based selection process.

Round two of the Australia Aid Friendship closes 1 pm AEST 10 September 2019

To know more on how to apply for the Friendship Grant, visit the DFAT website

www.dfat.gov.au/friendshipgrants.