Dubbo Regional Council: Five local organisations and charities receive $22,867 from community services fund

Five local community groups in the state’s central west have received additional funding to support their causes. See which groups are set to benefit.

The Pink Angels are proud to receive money for compression sleeves. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

A regional council in the state’s central west has given more than $20,000 to local organisations who are giving back to the community.

Dubbo Regional Council presented cheques to five community groups, including Dubbo Base Hospital Pink Ladies, St Brigid’s Catholic Church Craft Group, Pink Angels Incorporated, Songwriters & Original Musicians Association Dubbo (SOMAD) Inc and Wellington Family and Domestic Violence Collective – totalling $22,867 from council’s community services fund.

Mayor Mathew Dickerson said the funds were provided to local community groups to make a larger contribution.

Wellington Family and Domestic Violence Collective secretary Shiree Talbot said the $7500 the organisation had received would go towards victims of domestic violence, specifically mothers and children escaping their homes.

Dubbo Regional Council gave a check to the Wellington Family and Domestic Violence Collective Photo: Tijana Birdjan

“I think it’s really important for us as community leaders to look at some of the gaps in our own community in Wellington and to invigorate our community and awareness around family and domestic violence,” Ms Talbot said.

“Thank you very much to council for helping us out with this.

“It is great benefit to the families directly impacted but also a measurable benefit to the community to raise awareness of family and domestic violence.”

The St Brigid’s Catholic Church Craft Group received $1000 to purchase materials to knit blankets for other local, national and global organisations such as the United Nations.

SOMAD is one of the groups selected for the additional funding. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

Pink Angels received $7988 to provide compression sleeves to people with breast cancer in the state’s western region.

President Sue Gavinlock said the organisation provided practical care and support to breast cancer patients in the area, including accommodation, medical expenses and medical garments.

“A lot of patients will develop lymphedema following their breast cancer treatment and recovery and it’s a very painful swelling of the hands usually and can be a lifelong condition,” Ms Gavinlock said.

“This will give us a great supply to be able to give to patients, including in the Brewarrina, Bourke, Lightning Ridge and Walgett areas.

“We’re servicing a very big area and a remote area so these can be posted to them and be used to give them release.”