A number of Hume community groups will receive funding from Australia Post as part of their People of Post Grants initiative that’s been running since 2018.
Kalkallo CFA and Dallas Neighbourhood House are two of 356 groups being awarded these grants.
The program aims to support a range of community organisations across Australia to be able to fulfil various projects.
The fire brigade will put the $1000 grant towards a new thermal imaging camera to support firefighters working in environments with reduced visibility.
Freight handler at Startrack Annandale facility Shane Muscat nominated Kalkallo CFA for the funding.
“It’s an organisation that helps people when they need it the most. It can be anywhere from saving a house that is on fire, to a motor vehicle accident or even national disasters like bushfires,” Mr Muscat said.
“Kalkallo Fire Brigade is a volunteer brigade and is run on support from the community and donations.”
Kalkallo Fire Brigade captain Michael Bichler said they were “pretty excited” about the funding.
“Any community support we receive or from organisations like Australia Post helps us with obtaining vital equipment that we need to service the community. And without that community support, we’re left to do our own fundraising,” Mr Bichler said.
“And at the moment, being a fully volunteer fire brigade, we do spend a lot of time with training and equipment maintenance and responding to emergencies, it’s a lot of extra work for us to do our own fundraising for that type of equipment.
“It’s fantastic that we’re receiving grants and donations.”
Another community group set to receive $1000 for their ‘Soul Soup’ initiative to help purchase food supplies for vulnerable local members is Dallas Neighbourhood House in Broadmeadows.
Dallas Neighbourhood House manager Carolyn Webster said that “every little bit helps” and they were “thrilled” to be receiving the funding.
“It just means that we’re able to continue a little bit longer with our Soul Soup program. It’s a program that’s essentially run by volunteers and getting some extra cash to buy some ingredients really makes an impact,” Ms Webster said.
Post office network principal architect Gabriel Pacor Bracco nominated the neighbourhood house for their community work.
“This organisation works extremely hard to support some of the most vulnerable community members in Broadmeadows and surrounds,” Mr Bracco said.
“It’s a simple way to assist people in need with additional nutrition and most importantly reducing social isolation and loneliness.”
Australia Post head of community Nicky Tracey said the program encouraged team members to nominate an organisation based on their own personal connection to it.
“With more than 4,000 post offices around Australia, and delivery teams traveling to the furthest corners of the country, we understand the importance of the connections our people have with the communities we serve,” Ms Tracey said.
“These grants give us an opportunity to support what matters to our team members, and to help them to help others in their local community.”
