Daylesford and District Historical Society was awarded $2000, while $5000 went to Creswick Men’s Friendship Shed.

The Rotary Club of Daylesford was the recipients of around $5000 and Daylesford Men’s Shed were awarded $2300.

Daylesford and District Historical Society volunteer curator Gary Lawrence said the grant money received would help the group purchase items for volunteers to work on projects.

“One of our projects is oral histories so we will be buying recording equipment,” he said. 

“We are cataloguing all our maps and plans so we will buy magnifying equipment to help us read and identify detail in the maps.”

Mr Lawrence said the grant gave volunteers a boost and helped make them feel valued. 

“We have a team of volunteers through the week working on cataloguing, projects and looking after our building and we are a 100 per cent volunteer organisation of around 25 volunteers in total,” he said. 

“We volunteer for the rewards of knowing we are caring for the history of the area. Documenting history helps explain who we are, what we have done and why we did it. It is telling our story.”

The Daylesford and District Historical Society is working to repair their historic building and the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation is currently assessing their materials.

Victorian MP Jane Hume said investment in communities would deliver vital support to small community organisations which help many vulnerable citizens.

“The energy, expertise and time our volunteers give to our community supports those most in need and represents what Australian communities are all about – giving a helping hand,” she said. 

“I’m glad to see that our local organisations will have this support to continue their valuable work.”

National Volunteer Week from May 8 to to May 14 was intended to acknowledge the important work and generous contribution of volunteers in building stronger communities.