Carolyn Male MP, State Member for Pine Rivers, and Mary-Anne O’Neill MP, State Member for Kallangur, urged local multicultural groups to apply for the State Government’s next round of multicultural grants.

Carolyn Male MP said it was a great opportunity for local groups to obtain a grant from the $700,000 Multicultural Assistance Program (MAP) funding to showcase the cultural diversity in the community.

Applications will be open for two months, starting from Friday 11 September 2009.

“Grants can be used for not only organising festivals and other events but for community development projects to improve access to services,” Carolyn Male MP said.

Mary-Anne O’Neill MP said “Some people with a different cultural background can feel isolated in our community and may not be aware of the full range of services that are available to them.”

“These funds can be used to establish projects to improve service delivery and connect the right people with the right services.”

Carolyn Male MP said the staging of festivals and other cultural events were also a good opportunity for many groups to showcase the cultural diversity of the Pine Rivers community and promote greater understanding.

For further details on the Multicultural Assistance Program, including funding categories and information on how to apply contact Carolyn Male’s office on 3205 6779 or email pine.rivers@parliament.qld.gov.au or visit www.multicultural.qld.gov.au.