Red Dirt Rocks funding allocated

The Red Dirt Rocks Committee has awarded $16,000 to three local organisations in Paraburdoo from its 2014 fundraising events.

Committee president Brett Sharpe said after a lengthy application process the committee decided to award the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Paraburdoo Swimming Club and Paraburdoo Squash Club with donations.

"Red Dirt Rocks has traditionally raised funds from events like the Para Ball and Beerfest, events we run to get the community together and make Paraburdoo a fun and more interesting place to live," he said.

"We identified the RFDS as an organisation that provides a much needed service to the people of Paraburdoo, so we awarded them $10,000.

"We also wanted to give back to sports clubs that would foster engagement and participation within the community, so we awarded $2000 each to the Paraburdoo Squash and Amateur Swimming clubs."

RFDS North West regional manager Phil Strapp said funding from community groups like Red Dirt Rocks was "invaluable".

"It costs us $2.5 million to get one of our aircraft ready to go to deliver our service and we operate 14 of those aircrafts across the state," he said.

"Two hundred people were flown out of Paraburdoo airport from Tom Price and Paraburdoo hospitals last year and we've already run 91 people this year."

"We rely heavily on public donations to keep our service going and to make sure we can renew our fleet and medical equipment.

"This ensures we maintain a high level of health service to the rural and remote community like Paraburdoo."

Squash Club president Mark Carson said the donation would go towards club's first upgrade since it was built in 1974.

"We started our junior program this year for the first time and we bought a WA squash professional and got 45 children down at the club for a session," he said.

"The money for us will go towards new furniture for the club which the kids use for their training.

"It's a commitment to the kids and to our members."

Former Swimming Club president Karen Monfries said the funds received would enable the club to upgrade the pool facility for the Pilbara Championships in 2017.

"The $2000 will go towards getting a new dolphin timing system, starter gun and all the computer equipment that goes with it," she said.