Almost $1.2 million in grants will be invested in Queensland communities to celebrate the 25th year of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF).
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D'Ath said the GCBF's silver anniversary provided a wonderful opportunity to award deserving community groups throughout the state.
"There are many not-for-profit organisations undertaking projects – big and small – to benefit their local communities, and I'm pleased we are able to support these groups to complete their projects in our 25th year," Ms D'Ath said.
"Eleven organisations from Townsville down to South Brisbane, have shared in close to $1.2 million to improve local facilities, provide vital services and purchase much needed equipment."
For the commemorative round, 10 grants of up to $100,000, and one grant of up to $250,000, were available for capital works, major equipment items, community events or festivals, and transportation.
The purchase of renal dialysis machines and a 3D stationary camera for paediatric surgeries, as well as establishing an Emergency Response Centre, and a Homeless Transition and Training Centre are among the projects that will be completed thanks to the commemorative grants round.
"These are much-needed community projects that are being fulfilled and I'm thrilled these grants can help important services be delivered sooner," Mrs D'Ath said.
The recipients were:
- The Townsville Hospital Foundation – purchase dialysis machines and blood monitors, ($232,700);
- Motor Neurone Disease Association of Queensland, Inala – purchase equipment for equipment loan program ($93,350);
- Children's Hospital Foundation Queensland, Brisbane – purchase 3D stationary camera for paediatric head and facial surgeries ($100,000);
- Radio Lollipop, South Brisbane – develop a new Radio Lollipop listening platform ($90,745);
- Lions Club of Withcott Helidon – establish Emergency Response Centre and Men's Shed ($100,000);
- Outback Festival Winton – festival to be held September 2019 ($100,000);
- Stanthorpe Agricultural Society – extend Exhibition Centre ($100,000);
- Sheltered by Grace, Waterford – construct Homeless transition and Training Centre ($97,795);
- 4 Aussie Heroes Foundation, Mount Ommaney – construct horse arena for equine assisted therapy for first responders and military personnel ($84,440);
- Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland– Yorke Island– purchase rescue vessel ($100,000); and
- Queensland Maritime Museum Association, South Brisbane – construct function centre ($93,380).
The commemorative round was a one-off funding round, but community organisations can still apply for one of five annual GCBF grant rounds.
"The current GCBF rounds provide grants of up to $35,000 for worthwhile projects for community-based, not-for-profit organisations," Mrs D'Ath said.
"If your organisation has a project in mind, the GCBF want to hear about it."
