Regional Community Vet Clinic awarded $50,000 in grant funding from Victorian Government Living Local Regional Fund.
Announcement posted by Regional Community Vet Clinic 25 Oct 2022
Campbells Creek, Victoria - October 24, 2022
On Monday 24th October, founders from Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC) and their volunteers were joined by representatives from Campbells Creek Community Centre and Mt Alexander Shire Council to welcome back State Member for Bendigo West, Ms Maree Edwards at the proposed construction site of RCVC’s not-for-profit veterinary clinic to announce a second grant award for the organisation.
The grant awards RCVC $50,000 towards their goal of constructing a portable veterinary clinic on vacant council land at rear of Campbell’s Creek Community Centre to service pet owners across the region who desperately want to keep and care for a companion animal but are struggling due to financial or physical disadvantage.
“It’s great to see so many new projects like our Regional Community Vet Clinic on the way that will help our regions – when we our regions do well, the whole of Victoria benefits,” Ms. Edwards commented at the announcement.
The Living Local - Regional Fund is designed to support locals and visitors in regional Victoria to experience new and better infrastructure that helps them come together as a community.
“This was an extremely competitive grant process, and we were delighted to see that the social welfare issues that we are trying to address, and the validity of an organisation that is 100% not-for-profit and run exclusively by volunteers is recognised by the State Government.” Said RCVC founder & treasurer, Robyn Slattery.
In addition to the $50,000 grant announcement, Ms. Edwards also announced that if re-elected the Andrews Labor Government will invest a further $100,000 towards the construction of the clinic building – bringing total funding to $350,000 only $50,000 away from the organisations goal of $400,000.
“Today’s two announcements have been a tremendous boost for the organisation and it’s volunteers…” said RCVC founder & secretary, James Mack “The idea of raising $400,000 was extremely daunting to us at first, but the outpouring of support has really showed that we had an idea that was not only supported by the community but sorely needed.”
While the long-term goal of RCVC is to establish its own dedicated facility the organisation is committed to helping those in need in the community today through pop-up clinics, social outreach and donating food and medication sourced through partner organisations into the community.
“Now the word is spreading through the community we’re really starting to see how and where our services are needed most…” comments Founder and Chair, Dr Yvette Berkely “With the help of Vets for Compassion we’ve been able to run multiple pop-up clinics de-sexing over 100 cats in the region. As part of our new social outreach program, we’ve been able to supply medication and food as well as in-home help to pet owners across the region who are doing it tough.”
With funding goals looking close to being reached RCVC are hopeful of meeting their original goal of opening a dedicated clinic by the end of 2023, with all further funding being used to cover operational expenses and grow their social outreach program.
Donating to Regional Community Vet Clinic:
Regional Community Vet Clinic were granted deductible gift recipient (DGR) status in June 2022 meaning all donations over $2 are fully tax deductible.
For those interested in contributing their clinic fundraising campaign can be found at https://www.mycause.com.au/rcvc-clinic or through the RCVC homepage at https://rcvc.org.au/donate/
RCVC are also inviting any organisations interested in corporate giving or sponsorship to contact them at info@rcvc.org.au, call 0493 447 394 or visit www.rcvc.org.au.
Volunteering at Regional Community Vet Clinic:
RCVC are in the process of finalising their volunteer program and are interested in hearing from aspiring volunteers from all walks of life at info@rcvc.org.au or 0493 447 394
About Regional Community Vet Clinic:
Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC) was founded in 2021 with the belief that companion animals play a vital role in the welfare and overall wellbeing of residents in regional communities.
Our mission is to establish facilities that provide affordable, quality veterinary care for companion animals when their owners are experiencing social disadvantage or financial hardship in Central Victoria.
Media Contact:
James Mack
Co-Founder & Secretary
Mobile: +61 411 823 787