Federal Member for Calare and Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education Andrew Gee visited volunteers at the local RFS station today to see how the grant has been spent.

"The grant has been used the purchase a new TV and computer equipment, which will be used for online training programs for Portland RFS' 25-odd volunteers," Mr Gee said.

"After the bushfires of last summer, no one can be in any doubt of the dangers our Rural Fire Service members and volunteers put themselves in for the sake of the community.

"Ensuring these fantastic volunteers have the best equipment to undertake online training which could make their jobs easier and safer is money very, very well spent."

Under the Australian Government's 2019-20 Volunteer Grants program, $66,000 in funding was allocated to each electorate in Australia. The grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 could be used to buy small equipment for volunteers, or for the reimbursement of volunteer fuel, transport or training costs.

"Volunteering is part of the Australian way of life," Mr Gee said.

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"It has many social and economic benefits such as increased confidence, reduced marginalisation and skill development.

"The grants form part of the Australian Government's commitment to supporting organisations whose volunteers assist our communities and encourage the inclusion of vulnerable people in our society."

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