Federal Member for Throsby Stephen Jones welcomed todays announcement that 37 community organisations across the Illawarra and Southern Highlands will share in almost $114,000 through the Australian Governments 2013 Volunteer Grants program.

These include Berkeley West Public School P&C, Dapto Little Athletics, Illawarra Palliative Care Service, Red Point Artists Association and Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens.

Our volunteers are the backbone of the community but increasing financial strains are making it hard for them to provide the important services we rely on every day, said Jones.

The successful organisations will receive grants between $1000 and $5000 to help them meet the rising costs of running a not-for-profit organisation.

The money can be used to purchase much-needed equipment or as a contribution towards training courses, background checks and transport costs of volunteers with disability who are unable to drive.

This is just one way the Australian Labor Government can say thank you for the selfless work and commitment of the regions volunteers, said Jones.