Kalkallo CFA is one of 356 community groups who will receive funding from Australia Post as part of their People of Post Grants initiative that’s been running since 2018.
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.”
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.”
