Congratulations to our grant recipients

Wagga Wagga Rescue Squad 

The  Wagga Wagga Rescue Squad is first on the scene in many accidents in and around Wagga Wagga, NSW. The rescue team heads out to road crashes, marine accidents and other specialist rescues where emergency services personnel are needed. A Cadbury Fundraiser 'live well' community grant has contributed to the cost of a defibrillator for the group's main rescue vehicle. As well as being used at rescue sites, this defibrillator – an essential tool in saving the lives of those who suffer a cardiac arrest – will also be used when the Wagga Wagga Rescue Squad provides first aid at community sporting events.

Skool to Skoolies

Muck up day looks very different at  St Edmund's College in Ipswich. Instead of the kids running amok, they put pedal-power to use for a great cause. Called 'Skool to Skoolies', the program entails a 150km fundraising bike ride from Ipswich to the Gold Coast, with all money raised going towards local charities. Skool to Skoolies has received a ‘live well’ Cadbury Fundraiser Community Grant to help purchase bicycles for disadvantaged Year 12 students, so they too can train for and take part in the ride. Emms Hatchett of St Edmund’s College says: ‘The Skool to Skoolies project sees huge personal growth – physically and mentally – from our students. They come to realise they are competing in the ride for themselves and a sense of personal accomplishment, but also for their community. At St Edmund’s, there are a number of families that economically struggle. One of our main aims is to help students who want to participate, but can’t afford a bike. Thanks to Cadbury Fundraiser, they will now be able to get involved.’

Wedderburn Community House

Around northern regional Victoria, many citizens benefit from the courses and activities offered by  Wedderburn Community House. This community-run organisation is focused on improving the education, health and well-being of locals – and always aims to encourage community participation for isolated citizens from lower socio-economic areas. Wedderburn Community House is using a Cadbury Fundraiser 'learn well' community grant to purchase a new colour photocopier so that local organisations, community groups and students won't have to travel the 75km to Bendigo for photocopier access.

Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Federation (ACT)

The  Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Federation (VV&VF) supports veterans and serving or ex-service personnel of the Australian Defence Force with a range of services including an administrative facility, welfare support, advocacy services, and metal and woodwork workshops. The advocacy service assist members with claims for compensation or pensions as well as assisting in appeals – and it is all run by volunteers. A Cadbury Fundraiser 'learn well' community grant is being used to provide advanced training in Microsoft Word for Windows, so that the volunteers in the advocacy service can prepare compensation submissions and other documents quickly and efficiently. Given that the VV&VF volunteers handle over 600 claims and advocacy cases each year, this training will make a big difference on their workload.

Kiama Netball Association

The games will go on thanks to Cadbury Fundraiser! This is the case for  Kiama Netball Association, which is using a ‘live well’ Cadbury Fundraiser community grant to help resurface its netball courts. The courts, which were plagued by cracking and splitting, were becoming unsafe for players and many games had to be cancelled. A comprehensive program of works will transform the courts and give Kiama's many netball enthusiasts a safe and modern place to play. Association Secretary Kerren Britton says: ‘Without these upgrades, Kiama will lose community connectedness – this is especially true for mature age players or those with disabilities who are unable to participate at present due to the lack of safe, even surfaces. We’re thankful for our community grant which will help fund the overall replacement of the courts.’