FLOOD heroes, a truly dedicated swimmer and a church group are the latest recipients of Member for Glass House Andrew Powell’s Local Heroes Grants.
Maleny SES were awarded a grant and after their efforts in the recent storms and floods with the funds to be used to purchase PPE lockers.
The second has been won by the Woodford Scout Group.
“We would love to purchase a basic tool kit and hand trolley to keep at the den. All too often we find ourselves in need and one of our members has to make a mad dash home. For example, at our Christmas breakup last year we had an issue with our BBQ. The mad dash home wasn’t a problem but delaying food for hungry kids was an entirely different matter!” says Colleen Baker, who received the funds on behalf of the Scout Group.
The Upper Caboolture Uniting Church have an outdoor worship area, however, had reservations about dragging their existing 140-year-old organ out there for their services. They will use the grant to purchase a new portable keyboard.
And 14-year-old Kael Thompson travels seven times a week to attend swimming training session an hour’s drive away from her home in Conondale.
Her grant will assist her with travel, uniforms, nomination fees and accommodation to attend the Australian Open Swimming Championships to be held in April in Adelaide.
Kael is currently ranked 3rd in Australia for the Open MC 50m backstroke and 5th in open MC breaststroke.
Kael is also attending the Commonwealth Games selection trials in June in Sydney.
Due to such high application numbers in the opening round of 2022, and many deserving applicants, Andrew gave out a fifth Local Heroes Grant.
Raylene McSweeny attends year 12 at Maleny State High School where she studies agriculture. She also is undertaking an additional Agriculture Certificate externally through Charters Towers Distance Education. Excitingly, Raylene has been offered a place in the LEADAg pilot course, a five-day hands-on course where students learn practical agricultural skills including livestock management, irrigation and crop management as well as rural first aid.
With the wonderful advocacy of the Maleny Show Society, Raylene has secured a Local Heroes Grant to cover the costs of her flights to Emerald to participate in the course.
“It is always exciting to see grants allowing young people to achieve their dreams and organisations to reach their goals”, concluded Mr Powell.