Past Community Grant recipients

Townsville based Althea Projects Inc. received $13,757 to put towards their program enhancing residential care for children. The grant has allowed Althea Projects to install additional security measures, assisting in creating a safe and secure environment for staff and children. Providing sensory and therapeutic resources for children to utilise in a safe environment is a key component of Althea Projects. CEO Paula La Rosa, said “this Grant was utilised in the purchase of therapeutic tools that have assisted in increasing the children’s sense of connection and emotional security within the home environment through the opportunity to engage in therapeutic calming and learning activities. The Grant was also instrumental in purchasing sensory resources for the children at Althea House that provide support for diverse developmental levels and needs.”

Brisbane based Arethusa College received $10,000 to put towards the purchase of a new secure storage trailer. Used by many campuses, the storage trailer will house rugby league equipment, mountain bikes, camping gear and other sporting equipment for disadvantaged and at-risk school students. Head of Philanthropy, Mark Bennett, stated that the college has not been able to utilise a number of mountain bikes, as they have not had the means to securely store and transport the bikes. The new storage trailer will streamline access to these resources and make it easier for students to participate in activities. Over the long-term, the project will benefit the organisation by fostering a sustainable program that supports students in developing essential life skills through outdoor activities.

The Burdekin Singers and Theatre Co received $10,000 to put towards the purchase and installation of a large fan to cool the premises. The grant has allowed the organisation to implement a cooling system that will greatly reduce the heat factor for cast and crew, particularly in the warmer months. Vice President of the Burdekin Singers and Theatre Co, Damien Arboit stated “Summer is a brutal time to be working outside of air conditioning and the fan will enhance our venue! We are looking forward to having the fan in place as Burdekin Singers have an upcoming Junior show and a Senior Theatre Restaurant in the planning.”

Cairns BMX Club received a $10,500 Good For Good Community Grant to utilise for an extension to their revitalised BMX track. The project aims to address an unsurfaced section of the track behind the starting hill that proves challenging to navigate and presents a safety risk, particularly in wet conditions. The revitalised track has elevated it to become one of the premier tracks in Queensland with the extension improving the riding experience and promoting safety. A new surface in this section will also reduce erosion and run off into drainage systems.

Capricornia Catchments, a not-for-profit environmental organisation based in Central Queensland, received $11,838 to put towards a Mobile Plastics Recycling Workstation. The project is aimed at educating and facilitating sustainable practices in the region and broader community through repurposing and recycling plastic waste. A member of Capricornia Catchments noted that “Next to plastic bags and containers, plastic bottle top lids are one of the top polluters of oceans and the environment, creating microbeads that enter the food chain and pollute our beaches. This project is important to us as it is our mission for Capricornia Catchments to be an organisation that is embedded in the community from a grassroots level, providing engaged and proactive leadership, gaining and sharing knowledge, and to facilitate and nurture the sustainable, innovative and productive use of the region’s natural resources, using a community partnership approach.”

The Ipswich division of Days for Girls Australia received $5,000 to put towards producing handmade, reusable menstrual kits. Team Co-Leader, Wendy Whannell, stated “Our amazing team of volunteers meet to trace, cut, assemble, sew, fold and pack kits for distribution as well as to gather to socialise, share skills, offer companionship and support, providing a friendly volunteering opportunity that addresses menstrual inequity, which is a local and worldwide problem”. For the Ipswich Days for Girls Australia team, providing the option of sustainable, long-lasting and reusable menstrual kits could have life-changing, positive impacts for women and girls everywhere. Without support from their community and financial funding, it’s hard to keep this great initiative running.

Proserpine Youth Space, a not-for-profit community organisation based in Central Queensland, received $17,253 in Grant funds to put towards the replacement of furniture and refurbishment. In 2017, Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie devastated Central and South East Queensland towns and caused a significant amount of damage to the Proserpine Youth Space, which saw the Youth Space lose most of its furniture. The grant has allowed Proserpine Youth Space to reinvigorate the activities room for local youth. Staff and volunteers worked hard to transform what was a dull space into a bright and colourful place, providing a more inviting environment for youth to spend time.

The Mackay Road Accident Action Group (RAAG) received $5,000 from a Good For Good community grant to put towards road safety messaging. The RAAG are an organisation with a mission to increase awareness and education on the importance of road safety. With a high number of road accidents occurring in the region, the RAAG recognise the need to improve road safety through key messaging. Queenslanders in regional areas contribute to two thirds of road fatalities, highlighting the need for education and awareness. RAAG utilised the grant funds to implement important road safety messaging over key periods – Christmas and Easter school holidays. Messaging occurred over multiple channels including local radio and social media.

The Lower Burdekin Committee of St Andrews Meals on Wheels received $7,000 in funding, helping them acquire stainless steel work benches and insulated eskies. Business Manager Gail Minehan highlighted the value of the Good For Good grant purchases to meet growing community demand. “These have been installed and have made a big difference to the kitchen and have given our volunteers more room to prepare the salads and sandwiches. With our growing numbers and the clients now receiving more variety and options we were in need of more bench space. With a designated salad making area we are able to utilise our other benches to accommodate the increasing numbers” she said.

SevGen Indigenous Corporation received $15,000 from a Good For Good community grant to put towards its Environmental Events Hub project. The project is part of a 5 stage rollout of the events hub area on Galeru. Galeru is the organisation’s Native Foods Orchard. The events hub is the gathering space on Galeru where the SevGen community will gather and also be able to host other groups who visit for food tourism, edutourism, agritourism, cultural tourism as well as be a space to deliver youth programs and facilitate fine debt recovery initiative.

The Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) Bowen branch received $11,000 in grant funding to put towards the installation of external blinds at the Jane King Hall. The fixed aluminium awnings were installed in early January, prior to the 2024 hall opening. The blinds have been installed adjacent to a key meeting room in the hall, providing much needed protection from the hot Queensland sun. The blinds allow natural light in the room while also adding a level of privacy. The QCWA Bowen Branch members and guests have been enjoying the blinds, with the meeting room in use 4-5 days per week. Common usage of the room includes craft and information days, executive and member meetings, morning tea catchups, storage, fundraising, training and community events.

Queensland Youth Services received $28,390 to put towards constructing a ‘Youth Shed’ in Mount Isa to create a safe and engaging space for young people. CEO of Queensland Youth Services, Wendy Lang, said the organisation was overjoyed to receive the Good for Good Grant, which will go a long way in helping the Mount Isa community. “Similar to the concept of a men’s shed, we were wanting to create a space where young people can engage in cultural knowledge or learn basic carpentry skills to enhance self-esteem and cultural identity, and provide positive and meaningful activities for youth to engage in,” said Ms Lang.

The Cape York Boxing club have received the Good for Good Community Grant to purchase new equipment to support their expansion to benefit the Weipa community. Starting out in a makeshift shelter, the club has been running for five years, recently moving into a permanent base and looking to expand their offering to cater to the wider Weipa community. Cape York Boxing club director Scott Wallace says they are thrilled to have received the grant to assist in their expansion. “Our motto has always been that nobody should miss out on coaching and fitness, and thanks to the Queensland Country Bank Good for Good Grant, we will hopefully be able to grow even bigger and welcome more new members.”

Received a grant to help with the purchase equipment and medial supplies to support independent living in the community. “Our Town Association helps anyone in the district with medical aides such as hospital beds, wheelie walkers and shower chairs. If we don’t have what is requested, we will either source one locally or purchase a new one. We seldom refuse to help,” Jo Feirclough, Our Town Association President said.

The 2022 Good For Good Community grant enabled the Club to install two additional grandstands, enabling the growing membership to enjoy new seating. The new grandstands have been a welcome addition for the club, which previously struggled to provide enough seating for those attending games. “As the club grows in strength, our supporter base has grown, meaning we need more accessible and comfortable seating options,” Bowen Rugby Union Club Coach Tom Andison.

Installed solar panels for the Giru Pool which sits at the heart of the community for swimming lessons, events and recreational activities. Jade Lyons from the Giru State School Parents and Citizens Association (Giru SS P&C) says that the grant from Queensland Country Bank will save them thousands in electricity bills. "There is no way we can cover power costs just on patronage alone, being a small community. The grant truly reduces that burden and enables the community of Giru to continue to have access to wonderful programs like swimming lessons, aerobics and community fun nights,” Ms Lyons says.

Received a grant to assist with improving the centre’s facilities to provide a welcoming and safe space for locals of Indian heritage to promote, practice and celebrate Indian Culture through the arts, food and cultural traditions. “One of the key groups we engage at SSVCC are the youth. Providing a safe environment for them to engage in cultural art and craft activities is important. We have had a long-term objective of upgrading our existing infrastructure and the funding we have received from Queensland Country Bank will go towards building toilet facilities for use in the centre.” said Director of SSVCC, Shashidhar Moorthy.

LiteHaus International received a grant to refurbish 100 laptops that were distributed amongst Charters Towers students, equipping them with the devices required to learn in the modern-day classroom. “The digital divide is by no means limited to developing countries as tens of thousands of students across Australia, particularly in rural and remote regions, do not own a personal digital device at home,” Rob Birnie, Australian Programs Lead, LiteHaus International said.

The rugby league fields at the Beaudesert and District Kingfishers Junior Rugby League (BDJRL) grounds benefited with a new tractor mower saving the club hundreds of hours in volunteer time but is also a huge relief financially for the club. BDJRL Vice President, Justin Kummerow says club volunteers spend around 12 hours a week mowing and tending to other groundskeeping tasks. He estimates that the new mower will help them cut down around 300 hours of volunteer time per year. “Volunteer time is always at a premium. The purchase of this mower for our new tractor significantly decreases mowing time, particularly when we’ve got heavy and long grass conditions,” Mr Kummerow says.

The Maleny & Districts Men's Shed completed a fit-out of their second Men’s Shed thanks to a Queensland Country Bank Good for Good Community Grant. The Men’s Shed provides a safe and supportive environment for men to pursue hobbies, learn new skills and mentor younger men. President Kevin Trevarthen said, “The Maleny Men’s Shed offers men, many of whom are retired or unemployed, a place to come and work on their own or community projects; or men may choose to just enjoy the companionship of others,” said Mr Trevarthen.

The Ipswich Swifts Hockey Club kitted out their coaches and managers with new equipment, helping the coaches and managers become more efficient during training and games. “We have struggled to successfully support and retain our volunteer coaches and managers and this grant has helped us equip them with the tools they need and deserve.” “We’ve purchased some pull along bags that will allow our gear to be transported in one go. Currently, there’s around five to 10 pieces of equipment that are being ferried around the fields by several players and staff. Now they can all be packed neatly into one bag and wheeled around,” said Lisa Shaw, Treasurer for the Swifts Hockey Club.

With an ever-increasing annual patient admission rate, the current clinical facilities of Magnetic Island Koala Hospital Ltd have become stretched to their limits. In an effort to still provide gold standard hospital care, a larger clinic was required urgently.

Cape Upstart are purchasing 10 cardiac defibrillators which will be of great help if the need arises. The defibrillator will give reassurance to the sick just knowing that there is some help available if they need it. Their aim in obtaining defibrillators is to help to maintain life.

The Townsville Cycle Club are using the grant for solar panel and battery backup installation at the Velodrome, which will decrease power consumption costs. Long term benefits include redirecting saved energy consumption spending back into the members, by means of assisting with travel costs relating to competition and conducting more education and training sessions for members, volunteers, coaches and judges.

Edge Hill United Football Club Inc is building a fence along the eastern end southern boundaries of field 1. This will fully enclose the field, improving player and spectator safety during games and training sessions.

The club has purchased a water truck, which is a critical piece of machinery they require in order to operate. Without a reliable water truck, the club simply cannot function.

Brothers Australian Football Club will improve field lighting at Kele Park, West Rockhampton. Improvements to lighting will contribute towards our goal of creating a multi-use recreation facility that can safely accommodate more users for extended hours.

Community Gro have purchased a commuter van (seating between 7-12 people) to provide transport options for the community members and to transport emergency food relief items to vulnerable and socially isolated members of our community.

Mackay netballers can ice their injuries and enjoy cool drinks thanks to a new ice machine.

A new floor scrubber will keep the indoor playing surface at Jimboomba and District Sporting Association in tip top condition. The new addition will ensure basketballers, gymnasts and karate kids can compete on a clean and hygienic surface.

Burdekin BMX Club are set to host larger events thanks to a major refurbishment of their toilet block. Expect the next generation of BMX stars to battle it out at the Ayr track thanks to Queensland Country Bank.

The sweet sounds of new cornets will be flowing at the Townsville and Citizens Brass Band hall thanks to a Queensland Country Good for Good Community Grant. It is hoped the new instruments will encourage more kids to take up playing.

Queensland Country is helping the Magnetic Island History and Craft Centre preserve historical buildings. Thanks to a Good for Good Community Grant essential works will be carried out to two, 100 year old buildings.

Charters Towers bowlers can enjoy a roll on the greens in the cool of the night thanks to new flood lights. The Queensland Country Good for Good Grant will allow new participants to enjoy the game and grow the sport of bowls out west.

Mount Isa AFL will receive an upgraded canteen to cater to an ever-growing number of participants. The new canteen will allow the club to host larger competitions.