Media Releases

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is inviting residents of the Lowan electorate to celebrate Volunteers Week between 13th and 19th May.

“The theme of for the week will be “Thanks a Million” – and it is an opportunity to raise the profile of volunteering and highlight that volunteering is important to our local society and the contribution of all volunteers must be recognised,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Statistics show that more than 6 million people do some voluntary work annually representing 36% of the adult population.

“Volunteers are the backbone of any community, especially country communities and they provide much needed assistance to not only organisations but also to individuals,” Mr. Delahunty said.

Volunteering is not only giving to the community but there are many rewards gained from volunteer work such as meeting people, learning new skills and developing self-esteem.

“The theme for National Volunteers Week is “Thanks a Million” and with all the pressures of life it is now, more than ever, that we need our volunteers to keep our sporting, arts and community organisations viable.

“People volunteer because they not only gain personal satisfaction in helping others but also develop social networks, gain work experience and maintain existing skills.”

“The importance of volunteers cannot be underestimated.  Volunteers provide vital service in country areas through organisations such as Country Fire Authority which relies heavily on the volunteer workforce. Not only do I congratulate our volunteers for their wonderful contributions to our communities, but I also encourage others to take up the challenge to become a volunteer.”

“I believe in the philosophy “in giving we receive” so on behalf of all the people in the Lowan electorate I say a big thank you to all volunteers,” Mr. Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said western Victorian charities can now apply for Coalition Government funding to help them cover the cost of illegal dumping.

“The Coalition Government is providing $1.5 million for landfill levy relief to help charities prevent illegal dumping at their premises.  These grants will offset landfill levy costs and help charities to get on with the job of helping families and members of the community in need,” Mr Delahunty said.

Quarterly grants based on the levy cost to dispose of illegally dumped waste would be distributed to charities. The amounts of the grants would be based on the cost impost of illegal dumping borne by charitable recyclers.

The funding was provided as part of a $2 million partnership with the National Association for
Charitable Recycling Organisations (NACRO) to help stem the flow of illegally dumped waste on charities. As part of that funding, $500,000 will be provided for measures to help prevent illegal dumping.

“We want to stop the unacceptable practice of people dumping waste on charities and leaving them with the burden of disposing the unsellable junk,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Leaving broken, old, stained or unusable items such as televisions, computers, fridges, beds and dirty mattresses or sofas outside charity op-shops and bins is not donating, it’s dumping.”

“Everyone can make a difference with their recycled items and resalable donations are always greatly appreciated,” Mr Delahunty said.

NACRO charities wanting to apply for landfill levy relief funding should visit www.nacro.org.au for an application form, with applications closing on 12 October 2012.

Illegal dumping is littering, if you see someone dumping their garbage on charity, record their vehicle registration and report it to Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) pollution hotline on 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty along with Julie Pettett, Chief Executive Officer of Wimmera Volunteers today launched the agenda for the Regional Victorian VolunteerFest to be held in Horsham later this month.

“Wimmera Volunteers in partnership with the Department of Planning and Community Development are funding this free event which is the major 2012 regional and rural volunteering forum in Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Regional VolunteerFest will feature presentations, panel discussions and workshops, featuring a range of volunteering and community organisations, and focusing on topics including active citizenship, volunteering in regional Australia, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and volunteering, youth and volunteering, changes to the not-for-profit sector, emergency volunteering, Victoria’s volunteering portal and philanthropy.

Chief Executive Officer Ms Julie Pettett said Wimmera Volunteers is very pleased to be working in partnership with DPCD to host the VolunteerFest. It is a great opportunity for Wimmera community organisations to hear from an amazing line up of speaker and presenters.

“One of the highlights of the VolunteerFest will be the launching of the 'Volunteering in Regional Victoria' research commissioned by Wimmera Volunteers and undertaken by NetBalance Foundation. Ross Wyatt, the lead researcher, will be presenting the key findings of the research that over 500 people from across the Wimmera participated in,” Ms Pettet said.

Mr Delahunty said the forum was funded through the Victorian Government’s $400,000 Valuing Diversity in Volunteering Program.  

“More than 1.5 million Victorians make a significant contribution to our local communities as volunteers across a range of sectors including emergency services, health and ageing, education social justice, heritage and culture, and in sport and recreation.

“Volunteers are the backbone of our communities and come from all walks of life.  Not only to volunteers make significant contributions to local communities but they themselves reap benefits such as learning new skills, extending networks and enjoying a sense of fulfilment through helping others,” Mr Delahunty said.

“I encourage volunteers from across western Victoria to participate in the Regional Victoria VolunteerFest to be held in Horsham Thursday 26th and Friday 27th July,” Mr Delahunty said.

For more information contact Wimmera Volunteers on 5382 5607 or to register, visit www.volunteer.vic.gov.au/toolkit-for-volunteer-organisations/volunteerfest

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is encouraging volunteers from across western Victoria to attend the Regional Victoria VolunteerFest to be held in Horsham in July.

“This is a free event and will be the major 2012 regional and rural volunteering forum in Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Regional VolunteerFest will feature presentations, panel discussions and workshops, featuring a range of volunteering and community organisations, and focusing on topics including active citizenship, volunteering in regional Australia, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and volunteering, youth and volunteering, changes to the not-for-profit sector, emergency volunteering, Victoria’s volunteering portal and philanthropy.

Mr Delahunty said the forum was funded through the Victorian Government’s $400,000 Valuing Diversity in Volunteering Program.  

“More than 1.5 million Victorians make a significant contribution to our local communities as volunteers across a range of sectors including emergency services, health and ageing, education social justice, heritage and culture, and in sport and recreation.

“Volunteers are the backbone of our communities and come from all walks of life.  Not only to volunteers make significant contributions to local communities but they themselves reap benefits such as learning new skills, extending networks and enjoying a sense of fulfilment through helping others,” Mr Delahunty said.

“I encourage volunteers from across the Lowan electorate to participate in the Regional Victoria VolunteerFest to be held in Horsham Thursday 26th and Friday 27th July,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said for more information or to register, visit www.volunteer.vic.gov.au/toolkit-for-volunteer-organisations/volunteerfest

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is inviting residents of the Lowan electorate to celebrate Volunteers Week between 9th and 15th May.

“The theme of for the week will be “Volunteering – Every One Counts” – and it is an opportunity to raise the profile of volunteering and highlight that volunteering is important to our local communities and the contribution of all volunteers must be recognised,” Mr Delahunty said.

“This year’s theme also sends a strong message to existing volunteers that they are valued and that every single volunteer makes an important contribution to the community.”

Mr Delahunty said more than 6 million Australians volunteer each year.

“Volunteers are the backbone of any community, especially country communities and they provide much needed assistance to not only organisations but also to individuals,” Mr. Delahunty said.

Volunteering is not only giving to the community but there are many rewards gained from volunteer work such as meeting people, learning new skills and developing self-esteem.

“The theme for National Volunteers Week is “Volunteering – Every One Counts” and with all the pressures of life it is now, more than ever, that we need our volunteers to keep our sporting, arts and community organisations viable.

“People who volunteer not only gain personal satisfaction in helping others but also develop social networks, gain work experience and maintain existing skills.”

“The importance of volunteers cannot be underestimated.  I take this opportunity to congratulate our volunteers for their wonderful contributions to our communities, and  I also encourage others to take up the challenge to become a volunteer.”

“I believe in the philosophy “in giving we receive” so on behalf of all the people in the Lowan electorate I say a big thank you to all volunteers,” Mr. Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty announced today that the Dimboola Scout Group will soon be enjoying improved facilities thanks to a grant of $30,000 from the Victorian Coalition Government.

The Dimboola Scout Group will receive the funding to upgrade the hall in Muller Street including replacing the exit ramp, upgrades to the toilet and kitchen and improvements to storage facilities.
“Scouting and guiding play an important role in our rural communities in helping young girls and boys gain practical social and life skills as well as providing a safe environment for adventure.”

“The new facilities are a great boost to the Dimboola community and to the scouting community in particular,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said the $4 million program delivered on the Government’s election commitment to upgrade Scouts and Girl Guides facilities across the state.

“With this new funding Scouts Victorian and Guides Victoria will be able to modernise facilities and to continue their fantastic work in supporting, training and mentoring young Victorians.

“This funding also ensures that these facilities are still available for other community needs, such as accommodating local not-for-profit organisations working with young people,” Mr Delahunty said.

Girl Guides Victoria’s Sate Commissioner Robinette Emonson said: “We are looking forward to working closely with the state and local governments and the community to achieve outcomes which will be of benefit to everyone.”

Chief Commissioner of Scouts Victoria, Bob Taylor, said: “It is fantastic that the Victorian government has recognised the importance and benefits of Scouting and Guiding in today’s society and are providing funding to assist up in upgrading our facilities across the state.”
To get involved with your local Girl Guide or Scout group visit www.guidesvic.gov.au or www.vicscouts.com.au

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty announced today in Kaniva that the Kaniva Scout Group will soon be enjoying improved facilities thanks to a grant of $45,000 from the Victorian Coalition Government.

The Kaniva Scout Group will receive the funding to upgrade the hall in Young Street including removal of asbestos, insulate walls and ceiling, reline interior walls, level floor and construct new toilets with disabled facilities.

“Scouting and guiding play an important role in our rural communities in helping young girls and boys gain practical social and life skills as well as providing a safe environment for adventure.”
“The new facilities are a great boost to the Kaniva community and to the scouting community in particular,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said the $4 million program delivered on the Government’s election commitment to upgrade Scouts and Girl Guides facilities across the state.

“With this new funding Scouts Victorian and Guides Victoria will be able to modernise facilities and to continue their fantastic work in supporting, training and mentoring young Victorians.
“This funding also ensures that these facilities are still available for other community needs, such as accommodating local not-for-profit organisations working with young people,” Mr Delahunty said.

Girl Guides Victoria’s Sate Commissioner Robinette Emonson said: “We are looking forward to working closely with the state and local governments and the community to achieve outcomes which will be of benefit to everyone.”

Chief Commissioner of Scouts Victoria, Bob Taylor, said: “It is fantastic that the Victorian government has recognised the importance and benefits of Scouting and Guiding in today’s society and are providing funding to assist up in upgrading our facilities across the state.”
To get involved with your local Girl Guide or Scout group visit www.guidesvic.gov.au or www.vicscouts.com.au

The Nationals member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty this week praised the good work of emergency services personnel, councils and many volunteers who worked tirelessly during the Victorian floods, in a statement during the first week of Parliament this year.

“In a week that marks the second anniversary of Black Saturday, where so many scars remain for people who’s homes and businesses being destroyed by fire, Western Victorians have still managed to pull together to avoid more damage from record flooding,” Mr Delahunty said.

“There would have been greater damage if it were not for the good work of all those who sandbagged houses, businesses and community assets,” Mr Delahunty said. “And in many areas, Western Victorians are still suffering from unseasonable weather conditions.

“Over the last couple of months, floods and storms have had a major impact on our agricultural and tourism sectors, and water has inundated houses and businesses.”

Mr Delahunty thanked the Premier, the Deputy Premier and other Ministers who had visited affected areas and implemented grants and programs to assist communities. He also paid tribute to many other MPs who assisted with clean up working bees.

“The cumulative effect of drought, fires, code red days, locusts and now floods has impacted hard on our community,” he said.

“It does not matter if it is a house in Wickliffe, a business in Dadswell’s Bridge or farm in Western Victoria, the Victorian Government will walk with these communities, whether they be fire or flood affected, in their recovery phase.”

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said this week a Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will establish a $6 million Regional Community Leadership Fund to provide funding over four years to secure and reinvigorate Community Leadership Programs across regional and rural Victoria.

“Strengthening Victoria’s regional network of Community Leadership Programs will drive future prosperity, growth and confidence in rural and regional Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

The $6 million strategic initiative, delivered through the Coalition’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund, will support community leadership and create opportunity across regional and rural Victoria.

“Community Leadership Programs are invaluable to the resilience of Victorian communities because they educate and empower current and emerging leaders to proactively respond to local issues,” Mr Delahunty said.

“I am very aware of the benefits the participants gain and the positive flow on effects to the community.  The Leadership Wimmera and Leadership Ballarat and Western Region will be programs benefiting from the fund and provide an excellent environment in which to meet and learn from existing and emerging leaders and the opportunity to explore the major issues confronting western Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Tomorrow night I will be attending the Leadership Wimmera Graduation Dinner and look forward to congratulating the future leaders on the positive steps they have taken.”

“The graduates learn so much about our community, the challenges we face and the opportunities for growth.

“The Labor Government has under funded Regional Community Leadership Programs for years and many are now struggling.

“This funding is a significant boost which will give leadership programs a secure, genuine funding stream over four years which will allow them to plan and grow.

“Only a Coalition Government is committed to securing Community Leadership Programs into the future so that regional and rural Victoria can continue to contribute to Victoria’s fortunes,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said the Brumby Government has delivered a poor deal to the state’s 58,000 volunteer fire-fighters.

“The decision by the government and the Country Fire Authority leadership to conduct and finalise EBA negotiations based on discussions with the Fire Fighters Union but by-passing the volunteers was now causing major unrest,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The Government is party to a CFA Volunteers Charter signed by all parties, but it has chosen to ignore these obligations in order to deal directly with the union. It is a slap in the face for volunteers, who are such a vital part of the state’s fire-fighting system,” he said.

The new deal would affect volunteers in a number of ways, and they should have been involved in all stages of the discussions.

“I understand that the new deal over-rides the CFA chief officer’s decision making powers and excludes CFA volunteers from having an effective say over matters that directly affect their brigades and the local communities.

“It also determines and limits how training will be managed by the CFA, it dictates how paid support can be provided to volunteer brigades regardless of need and it blocks volunteers from being employed in roles that they are qualified to do,” Mr Delahunty said.

He said the new deal covered paid CFA staff, who represent one per cent of the total CFA workforce, and excludes the rights of 58 000 volunteers.

“I am very concerned that these actions will have an adverse effect on both the working conditions and morale of the volunteers in western Victoria, who bravely confront fires threatening communities.

“Quite obviously the Brumby Government wanted to lock away this poor deal with its union mates prior to the coming November election, and it was prepared to abandon the volunteer fire-fighters to get that result. Volunteers are angry about this, and they have every right to be,” Mr Delahunty said.