Local organisations and community groups engaged in providing help to refugees and other vulnerable members of the community are among the recipients of new grants between $2,000-5,000 which will assist them to continue delivering important services.
Labor Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese today congratulated the eight local organisations who were successful under the Volunteer Grants 2012 initiative.
Marrickville-based Migrante Sydney Neighbourhood provides assistance for newly arrived immigrants and will receive funding for equipment while Lewisham-based SPARK helps resettle refugee families and will receive funding for training courses.

Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTAR), based in Dulwich Hill, advocates for human rights for aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. It will receive funding for storage units.
Two Ashfield organisations received funding: Mandala Community Counselling Service which provides counselling to vulnerable members of the community through the Exodus Foundation and Small Earth Australia, which undertakes collaborative development projects with a focus on the education, health and environment sectors.
St Peters-based Maggie’s Rescue Co-operative assists orphaned and injured animals. It will receive funding for equipment and fuel for volunteers.
Two sporting organisations also received funding for equipment: Wests Boomers Baseball Club from Leichhardt and the Pyrmont Heritage Boating Club, which operates out of Newtown.
Mr Albanese praised the contribution made by local volunteers.
“Around a third of the population volunteer each year and these grants are a way of saying thank you for their selfless work and commitment,” Mr Albanese said.