Lightning Ridge volunteer organisations have received a well earned boost from the Federal Government with $5000 going to the purchase of much-needed equipment.
The Lightning Ridge Improvement and Beautification Committee received $2320, which will help as they continue their work on the new park at the Visitor Information Centre.
The money will be used for a new chipper, a first aid kit, a set of tools and a whipper snipper.
Committee president Margaret Mansfield said the grant was a great helping hand and would help as work on the park progressed nicely.
"That's great, it's the first I've heard of it and that is excellent news," she said.
The funding was announced by Family and community services minister Senator Kay Patterson, and is part of $3 million allocated for the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants.
The Lightning Ridge and Region Transcultural Community Council (TCC) received $1400 for a projector, a tripod screen and a digital camera.
TCC co-ordinator Heather Landini said the funding was a great surprise.
"That's exactly what we asked for, this is excellent," she said.
She said the equipment will be used for the TCC Volunteer Visiting Project and to provide ongoing training to its volunteers.
Deputy prime minister and Gwydir MP John Anderson said the grants were to make volunteers' work easier and enable them to buy equipment they previously may have been unable to afford.
"These groups are made up of volunteers, who are ordinary people who give up their valuable time to help their communities in all sorts of fields - like family and community support, emergency services, the environment, sport and tourism," he said.
Lightning Ridge Blue Light also received $1272 for portable shades, a portable two-way UHF radio and a platform trolley.
President Mark Johnston said the equipment would be used at their discos and their camping trips.
"This is great, it will mean that we can better provide for the youth of Lightning Ridge," he said.
Walgett Rural Fire Brigade received more than $1600 for a set of kitchen items, a portable cooling fan and portable radios.
Walgett Little Athletics Centre received more than $1200 for portable discuss, high jump and shot put trolleys.
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