Anglicare North Coast, Grafton and the Lower Clarence-based Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation have each won $30,000 in NSW Government grants to help keep COVID-19 away from their stakeholders, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis has announced.

“Lockdowns and other restrictions have put a severe strain on Anglicare’s vital outreach programs to the disadvantaged in our community, Mr Gulaptis said.

“This $30,000 grant will support the resumption of community activities in a COVID-safe environment, share information about COVID-19 and facilitate access to testing, vaccines and accurate updates regarding restrictions”

Mr Gulaptis said the $30,000 grant to the Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation would address social isolation and emotional wellbeing in the local Indigenous community.

“The funds will support weekly ‘Yarn-Up’ activities with mental health benefits and a pathway of correct and appropriate information to be provided to the Aboriginal elders in an informal setting that encourages effective discussion,” Mr Gulaptis said.

He said it was the fifth time in the past 12 months that Mudyala had won a Nationals in NSW Government grant, with previous projects including car safety workshops, stories of Yaegl, a new van for youth and a $134,000 rebuild of the Nungera Community Hall.

Minister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward said 85 grassroots community projects worth more than $1.8 million have been funded under this particular program.

“We are providing funding to the organisations who know their communities best and are best placed to address their needs on the ground,” she said.