Volunteers with the St John Ambulance Hawkesbury service now have better access to potentially life-saving equipment thanks to a grant for a new roller door recommended by Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman.

“While this funding hasn’t gone towards the fanciest piece of equipment, it’s certainly something that was sorely needed,” Ms Templeman said.

The roller door at the volunteers’ Hawkesbury Showground facility had seen better days, and Ms Templeman recommended the volunteers’ application for $4,400 in funding under the Stronger Communities program be granted by the Federal Government.

“This project has resulted in easier and safer access to equipment for our St John Ambulance volunteers,” Ms Templeman said.

“These volunteers make it possible for so many of our local events to take place – sports matches, community events and charity fundraisers – knowing that there is emergency medical assistance on hand.

“They have provided frontline support to key emergency services like the Rural Fire Service (RFS) during the 2019 bushfire crisis, as well as ongoing support to NSW Health throughout the pandemic.

“Without safe and access to equipment – and a secure place to store it - the volunteers simply couldn’t keep providing their services to our community.”

The funding was granted under Round 6 of the Stronger Communities program, which saw more than $1 million worth of applications submitted across the electorate of Macquarie for just $150,000 in available funds.

“Putting forward applications for recommendation is a very tough process for the members of the independent community panel I put together. It shows just how much need there is in the local community for the fund