7 July
2006 - The work of 144 voluntary environment and
heritage groups around Australia received a significant
boost today with the announcement of $413,200
in grants under the Australian Government’s Grants
to Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations
(GVEHO) programme.
The Australian Minister for
the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell,
said this was on top of the $354,000 already given
to the recipients of multi-year funding in the
last GVEHO round.
“The GVEHO programme recognises
the important role that voluntary organisations
play in protecting our land, plants, animals and
historic places,” Senator Campbell said.
“We are lucky in Australia to
have so many people dedicated to caring for the
Australian landscape and living history, often
on their own time and with few resources.”
Senator Campbell said there
was a significant increase in demand for funding
from groups involved in ongoing projects to protect
our environment and conserve our heritage.
“The 144 groups that were awarded
funding are among hundreds across Australia –
representing many thousands of committed volunteers
– who care about their local native plants and
animals, wetlands and river foreshores, or small
piece of Australia’s history,” Senator Campbell
said.
“It is pleasing to be able to
assist so many groups so they can continue this
important work. In this round, I have been able
to fund 75 groups that have not received GVEHO
funding before.
“In allocating this year’s grants
each group’s track record was considered, as well
as their potential to deliver on-ground environment
projects or contribute to the protection of Australia’s
heritage. I am pleased to again offer multi-year
grants, making it easier for groups to plan for
the future.
“The grants include providing
continuing support to The Duyfken 1606 Replica
Foundation for its 12,000 km voyage commemorating
the 400th anniversary of the first documented
European contact with Australia. This important
journey sees the Duyfken stopping at 25 ports
around the country.
“Over the last 10 years, the
Australian Government has provided over $13.6
million to 289 environment and heritage groups
under this programme,” he said.
Today’s announcement follows
the awarding of $61 million to 10000 community
groups for water saving projects across Australia,
under the Australian Government’s Community Water
Grants programme (part of the $2 billion Australian
Government Water Fund), and the $20 million available
in the current Australian Government Envirofund
round.
A full list of successful recipient
groups for the 2005-06 round of the GVEHO programme
is attached.
Details of the GVEHO programme are available at
http://www.deh.gov.au/programs/gveho
For further information on Duyfken, or to read
the Captain’s log, visit www.duyfken.com
Rob Broadfield
