Paul Toole MP and Roza Sage MP

Members for Bathurst and Blue Mountains

MEDIA RELEASE
12 November 201

Hill End History Volunteers get $6,600 funding boost

Member for Bathurst Electorate Paul Toole MP has welcomed the announcement by Environment and Heritage Minister Robyn Parker of a $6,600 State Government Grant to support volunteers working to preserve the history of Hill End families.

Mr Toole said volunteers have for the past seven years partnered with the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) out of the Hill End Historic Site to record information and data about thousands of Hill End families.

“I am pleased to say the grant of $6,600 will allow Hill End Family History and the Hill End and Tambaroora Gathering Group Volunteers to preserve, record, assess, clean and provide appropriate storage to family history files which include 25,000 names covering 7,000 surnames,” Mr Toole said.

“This will be done by converting material to digital format and allowing remote access through websites.

“The grant is welcome news for the volunteers and they are looking forward to tackling this latest project.”

Ms Parker said the funding for the Hill End project is part of a $100,000 State Government grant to boost important volunteer run wildlife programs in NSW National Parks.

Acknowledging the contribution volunteers make to protecting the environment and supporting Parks’ programs Ms Parker said the Hill End Project is one of 16 projects to receive funding in the latest round of the NSW Volunteer Grants Program.

“Volunteers make a huge contribution to helping look after our natural and cultural heritage and this year’s grant recipients demonstrate the sheer diversity of the contribution,” Ms Parker said.

“In 2011/12 more than 6,500 volunteers contributed more than 130,000 hours of service through a wide range of programs across NSW – a fabulous contribution.”