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RAA grants more than $50,000 to boost regional community safety

Several South Australian community organisations have been awarded grants to help them fund critical projects that will improve the safety and wellbeing of local communities.

Several South Australian community organisations have been awarded RAA Regional Safety Grants to help them fund critical projects that will improve the safety and wellbeing of local communities.

Among the fourteen grant recipients were several Country Fire Service and State Emergency Service teams, which will now be able to purchase crucial firefighting, rescue and first-aid equipment to enhance the level of service they are able to provide to their communities.

A youth centre and a riding for the disabled association also received grants (see full list below).

Successful grant applicants ranged from Port Lincoln in the Eyre Peninsula, to Spalding in the Mid North and Mount Gambier in the South East.

RAA Insurance spokesman Shaun Ryan said 76 applications were received in November from regional community groups for the annual grants, which provide much-needed support to small communities.

“It can be really difficult for small communities in country areas to raise money for important projects, which is why RAA’s Regional Safety Grants are so important,” Mr Ryan said.

“Since the grant’s inception in 2013/14, RAA has been able to provide more than $410,000 in funding to 128 worthy causes across the state, which all share a common goal of keeping South Australians safe.

“Every year, we’re amazed by the entries and the variety of safety initiatives community groups and individuals come up with.

“It’s always such a difficult decision to make, as we’re so impressed by the ideas that are put forward.’’

Weavers Ag Bureau, based in southern Yorke Peninsula, is one of this year’s recipients. The agricultural bureau run by farmers, aims to improve fire safety in the community.

The bureau’s Regional Safety Grant will help fund 85 sets of fire protective gear, used by farmers in the region.

According to committee member, Fire Recovery Officer and local farmer Marty Collins, the need for this gear has never been greater.

“Because we had horrific fires last year at Yorketown and Edithburgh, we realised we needed more farmer-owned protective clothing and goggles,” he says.

“On that day [the fire came through], there were so many eye injuries and burns because of the flames and the smoke.

“You need goggles, and you need full protective clothing, so we are really appreciative of this grant.’’

Full list of 2020/21 RAA Regional Grant recipients

Marion Bay Country Fire Service – purchase of a Thermal Imaging Camera $3000

Weavers Ag Bureau – fire-fighting personnel protection kits $8125

Mount Torrens Centenary Park – protection of bore pump electrics $1500

Mount Torrens Country Fire Service– farm fire unit refill point $2395

Lochiel Progress Association – defibrillator $3200

Riding for the Disabled Association Yorke Peninsula – road safety equipment $1597

Port Lincoln State Emergency Service Unit – steering wheeler cutter $5000

Mount Barker State Emergency Service Unit – purchase of a Thermal Imaging Camera $4400

Spalding District Incorporated – RAA Regional Safety defibrillator project $4390

Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North Incorporated – Peterborough Youth Centre Safe Play Lights Project $3375

Mount Gambier & Districts State Emergency Service Unit – replacement of rescue pedal cutter $3992

Strathalbyn Country Fire Service Group – portable battery lighting $4304

Callington Memorial Hall Inc – defibrillator, fire blanket and cabinet $2865

Landcare Broken Hill Inc – Landcare Hub safety components project $2736

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