Port Fund supports diverse and inclusive communities

Thirteen community projects contributing to diverse and inclusive communities across North Queensland will get a boost thanks to the Port of Townsville’s annual $50,000 Community Fund. Many of this year’s successful applicants are forging important new or improved opportunities for community members to participate in important employment, social and recreational activities. Among the beneficiaries for 2023 are Happy Vibes Café who will establish a coffee cart employing people living with a disability, Story Dogs Queensland who will train and deploy five new dog teams to help local primary school students learn to read and NQ Queer Society who will receive support to stage the second annual Queer Candy event for Townsville’s LGBTQI+ community and allies. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the Port was proud to contribute to more inclusive communities across Townsville, Magnetic Island and Lucinda by backing this year’s Community Fund recipients. “The Port of Townsville is committed to supporting vibrant, liveable communities across our entire catchment area,” Ms Crosby said. “This year’s Community Fund recipients reflect our commitment to providing opportunities for all North Queenslanders to participate in our community, thereby strengthening it as a whole. “It was an incredibly difficult task to narrow down the applications, however we are pleased to ultimately be supporting a broad range of projects that share the Port’s vision to create sustainability in the areas of community, planet, people and prosperity. The Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise will use funds from the Port Community Fund to establish a Strand Starfish program to provide an opportunity for children with physical and intellectual disabilities and learning difficulties to take part in surf lifesaving activities. The Club’s President, Ben Thompson said the program would focus on beach and water safety and awareness, while allowing local kids throughout North Queensland to enjoy the water without having to travel further South. “The Strand Starfish program is designed for people aged six to 14 years and can be modified to suit an individual participant’s needs so that everyone can be included. We are hoping to see 20 children take part in our pilot season in 2023, with larger number in future programs.” Strand Starfish will officially begin on 13 August 2023. People wishing to take part can contact the Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise on 0429 628 033. Recipients of the 2023 Port of Townsville Community Fund Organisation Item/s Funded Arcadian Surf Life Saving Club To purchase 2 x Automated External Defibrillators for the Alma Bay First Aid Room. C&K Kindergarten Install a beehive, replace wicking bed, plant advanced native shade trees. Cleveland Bay Lions Club Purchase professional quality marquee for the NQ Lions Hearing Dogs. Happy Vibes Cafe To purchase coffee cart and furniture for a café-nursery employing people with disabilities. Lucinda Progress Association For sponsorship of the Lucinda Community Christmas Carols The Pyjama Foundation To support the training, screening and recruitment of  five volunteers working with children in foster care. Pimlico State High School Support students to take part in the Hydrogen Horizon Grand Prix STEM Challenge. Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise To establish a Starfish Nippers program for special needs children wanting to participate in surf life saving (administered by Picnic Bay SLSC) St Joseph’s Catholic School To engage Traditional Owners in the development of the school’s Yarn Circle Story Dogs Queensland To support five new Dog Teams to attend local primary schools and help children learn to read. Townsville Motor Boat and Yacht Club Free shuttle buses at the Community Day during Magnetic Island Race Week. Umbrella Studio contemporary art To mentor local First Nations artists to create new artwork & present at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair NQ Queer Society Waived hire fee of Quayside Terminal for second annual Queer Candy Event celebrating the LGBTQI+ community and allies   The Port of Townsville’s Community Fund was launched in February 2020 to support initiatives that align with the Port’s vision to improve sustainability in four key areas: Planet, Community, People and Prosperity. “We received a total of 39 applications to this year’s Community Fund, requesting more than $247,000 in combined support,” said Ms Crosby. The Port opens its Community Fund to applications each February.