Giving account for local drought aid
Published on 10 May 2019
Northern District Community Health has established a Gannawarra Giving Account to accept donations as the ongoing dry conditions continue.
Gannawarra Shire Council Mayor, Lorraine Learmonth said that the decision to create a local Giving Account followed discussions by the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee – a group consisting of 21 agencies working together to ensure planned and coordinated community support across the Gannawarra Shire.
“The Victorian Farmers Federation and Murray Dairy are represented on the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee along with local health services, social support agencies, State Government, service providers such as the Rural Financial Counselling Service and emergency services,” Mayor Learmonth said.
“A Gannawarra Community Resilience Action Plan that includes the establishment of a Giving Account has been put in place to provide relevant and timely support for our communities over the coming 12 months.”
NDCH Chief Executive Officer, Mandy Hutchinson said that her organisation had received requests to accept and distribute donations to support local farming families, small businesses and the wider community impacted by the ongoing dry conditions.
“The primary purpose of the Giving Account is to provide assistance such as funding uniform, equipment or fees to ensure inclusion into sport and recreation opportunities for children or anything else needed to meet other individual and community needs,” Ms Hutchinson said.
“I am very pleased to announce that this account is now in place and can accept donations, which are tax deductible.”
Mayor Learmonth will be the Patron for the Giving Account with decisions to be made by a small confidential panel consisting of representatives from Northern District Community Health, Gannawarra Shire Council and Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria – North West.
“Both NDCH and the Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria – North West are working with local farming families and small businesses so are well placed to provide relevant and timely support,” Mayor Learmonth said.
For more information or to make a tax deductible donation to the Gannawarra Giving Account call Northern District Community Health on (03) 5451 0200.
CAPTION: Mayor Lorraine Learmonth, left, Northern District Community Health Chief Executive Officer, Mandy Hutchinson and Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria – North West Senior Co-ordinator, Stephanie Ferdelja are supporters of the Gannawarra Giving Account.