For the round of 2024-25, 15 not-for-profit organisations have been selected to receive a Good for Good Community Grant, sharing in a total funding amount of $150,000.
This exceptional community programme has been running since 2005 and, with its most recent round of recipients, will have injected $3 million into grassroots initiatives for Queensland. It is open to eligible Queensland not-for-profit organisations, with grants of up to $30,000 available to help deliver projects that will make a practical difference in communities.
“Community groups from Cairns to Brisbane, Weipa, Mount Isa, and down to Stanthorpe will receive Good for Good Community Grants, and we're proud and excited to see the impact of these projects on our Queensland communities. In 2024-25, we will provide a shared total funding of $150,000.” said Queensland Country Bank CEO Aaron Newman.
Here are our 2024-25 Good for Good grant recipients and a summary of their projects:
In Cairns, Far North Queensland Wildlife Rescue (FNQWLR) will use funding to sustain their rescue and care efforts for the increasing number of animals requiring assistance, especially with the decline in carers willing to incur the cost of specialised food. COUCH Wellness Centre will use the funding to support existing and new clients affected by cancer with free workshops, including Nutrition, Art Therapy, and Music Therapy.
In Yarrabah, the Mulgrave Combined Cricket Association will focus on increasing female participation, particularly in the Indigenous community of Yarrabah and the local Indian community, by providing equipment, uniforms, and transport assistance to practices and games. In Mount Isa, Outback at Isa will create a feature wall designed by local Indigenous, at-risk young people, coached by Indigenous artists, enabling skill development and exposure while supporting local talent and cultural diversity. The Mount Isa and District Athletics Club will use the funding to purchase new shade tents and gazebos to protect athletes and their parents from extreme temperatures.
In Weipa, the Weipa Early Childhood Education Association Inc. will install playground equipment incorporating natural materials and elements to support exploration and play-based learning. Townsville’s Fuel For Schools Ltd. will purchase a vehicle to deliver food supplies to schools across North and North-West Queensland for their breakfast programme, aiming to provide more children with a nutritious breakfast, improving attendance and learning outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged children.
In Charters Towers, the Charters Towers Civic Club's project utilises solar power at its heritage-listed building, reducing power bills, improving sustainability, and allowing the club to allocate funds to other projects and maintenance works. In Mackay, the Mackay Surf Life Saving Club Inc. will install beach access matting to boost safe and inclusive participation, addressing the physical barrier of loose sand for older, disabled, mobility-impaired, and visually impaired community members.
In Ayr, the Big Birds Nest Childcare Centre will provide much-needed new cots to promote safe sleep quality, care, and long-term viability. In Collinsville, the Collinsville Community Association will use the funding to have an undercover concrete area professionally painted with games, activities, and line markings to keep the minds and bodies of youth active. In Stanthorpe, the Stanthorpe & District Cricket Association Inc. will upgrade cricket covers for two turf pitches and purchase water management equipment.
The Western Districts Netball Association in Brisbane will assist migrant and refugee students from local schools to participate by covering registration fees, uniforms, training shoes, and sports bras as needed. Queensland-wide, Cystic Fibrosis Queensland's project provides spirometers to children in low socio-economic rural, regional, and remote areas, allowing lung health to be monitored from home and reducing the need for frequent, long-distance travel to healthcare facilities.
Finally, in North Lakes, the Bramble Bay Women’s Shed will upgrade its facilities to enhance safety, purchasing new machines, electrical equipment, roofing insulation, and a defibrillator.