The Good For Good Community Grants Program focuses on key areas of community engagement that promote healthy communities and positive relationships. The latest round in 2022 saw nine community projects across Queensland share in the largest ever amount of funding from Queensland Country Bank’s Good For Good Community Grants Program.

Successful applicants range from as far south as Beaudesert right through to Weipa in the north, sharing in $132,824 to see their projects get off the ground. Each project will benefit their respective communities across a variety of areas including health, sport and recreation, education, environment, and arts and culture. 

Read more about the latest recipients below!

 

2022 Recipients

Cape York Boxing, Weipa

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.”

Our Town Association, Charters Towers

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.

Rugby Union Football Club, Bowen

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.

Giru State School P&C

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.

Sri Siddhi Vinayak Cultural Centre, Townsville

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, Charters Towers

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.

Beaudesert & District Junior Rugby League

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.

Maleny & District Men’s Shed

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.

Swifts Hockey Club, Ipswich

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.

2021 Recipients

Magnetic Island Koala Hospital Ltd – Magnetic Island

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 Community Progress Association Inc - Burdekin

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.

Townsville Cycle Club

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 – Cairns

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.

Mareeba Motor Racing Club Inc – Tablelands

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 - Rockhampton

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

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.

2020 Recipients

Mackay Netball Association

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

Jimboomba and District Sporting Association

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

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.

Townsville and Citizens Brass Band

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.

Magnetic Island History and Craft Centre

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.

Gold City Bowls

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 Australian Football League

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.

2019 Recipients

Kooralbyn Mountain Bike Club – Kooralbyn, Queensland

Residents will soon be able to enjoy a new tracks and skills park for beginners, to fill a missing gap in the region. This project will also open opportunity to facility school programs.

Home Hill Community Kindergarten Inc. – Home Hill, Queensland

Home Hill Community Kindergarten will soon have a new water tank to teach children the importance of water conservation as part of their sustainability program, after receiving a grant from Queensland Country to fund the project.

The Good Shepherd Home - Townsville, Queensland

Soon volunteers called "pilots" will be taking residents from The Good Shepherd Home on joy rides among specially designed Trishaws that will allow them to "feel the wind in their hair" once again.

Mount Isa & District Athletics Association Inc. - Mt Isa, Queensland

New starting equipment will provide athletes in Mt Isa with the correct training equipment they require to gain a competitive edge against larger centres throughout Australia.

North West Canoe Club - Mt Isa, Queensland

With the addition of twelve new paddles North West Canoe Club will continue to be able to service members and facilitate newcomers.

Ivanhoe's Football and Recreation Club Inc. – Smithfield, Queensland

Ivanhoe’s now have the funds to change the "open" nature of the dressing rooms by enclosing the showers to create more privacy within this space. This addition will encourage more women into the league and provide a more comfortable environment for all players.

Herberton District Junior Rugby League Club – Herberton, Queensland

The club will soon be sporting a new look with two sets of rugby league goal posts, four goal post pads and four goal post pad skins. This will increase the quality of the grounds and provide a safe environment for their players and community.

Magnetic Island State School P&C Association – Magnetic Island, Queensland

The Magnetic Island State School’s physical education program have received a long-needed update to their sporting equipment, which will improve the experience of students and in turn positively impact their performance.

Innisfail United Football Club – Innisfail, Queensland

As part of the strategic plan, the Innisfail United Football Club aimed to add a fence on the northern end of the football field. This will now allow the club to have more opportunity to host state league games.

Innisfail United Football Club and Queensland Country Bank holding a cutout of the Good for Good emblem