RACQ Foundation helps flood-ravaged community & sporting groups
Twenty grassroots community and sporting organisations impacted by the recent floods in south east Queensland have been approved for more than half a million dollars in funding through RACQ Foundation’s Community Grants Program.
“Our grants program was already open to groups impacted by drought and other natural disasters when historic flooding hit the south east,” Ms Muller said.
“Of the 38 approved applicants in this funding round, 20 were affected by flooding.
“The majority of recipients are not-for-profit groups which are often run by volunteers, so this financial support will go a long way in helping them recover from the devastation, including paying for replacement equipment as well as re-establishment and natural disaster resilience building initiatives.
“Since RACQ Foundation was established in 2011, we’ve proudly donated more than $10.6 million to support 412 groups across Queensland.”
Some recipients of this first round funding include:
• Centenary Rowing Club at Riverhills, which will receive funding to help replace and repair the clubhouse• Northern Suburbs Bowls Club at Wavell Heights, which will receive funding to repair a retaining wall and improve to playing greens
• Jindalee Bowls Club, which will receive funding for a temporary clubhouse and replacement kitchenware
• Ashgrove Cricket Club Incorporated, which will receive funding an outfield and cylinder mower
• Brisbane Typhoon dragon boat club, which will receive funding to replace flood-damaged equipment.
Centenary Rowing Club president Rob Kennedy said they were extremely grateful for RACQ Foundation’s support during this tough time.
“As a 100% volunteer-run youth rowing club, our members were devastated by the impacts of the February 2022 floods, which saw our boatshed and clubhouse in Riverhills completely inundated,” Mr Kennedy said.
“This happened just as many of our young athletes were in the final stages of their year-long training for the Australian Rowing Championships, and it also caused major disruptions to the commencement of our 2022/23 season.
“RACQ Foundation’s generous contribution will be invaluable in allowing us to accelerate our works program, which includes major structural and electrical repairs to our facilities.
“We’re excited to see these works completed and get back to focusing on growing our rowing program and welcoming more kids to this fantastic sport.”
Ms Muller said another 69 organisations had applied for funding under RACQ Foundation’s special SEQ flood grant.
“RACQ Foundation is now processing those applications and will be donating further funding to help more community groups later this month,” she said.
“We are now also accepting applications for the next round of Foundation community grants, which close on 7 October. I encourage any Queensland community group affected by a natural disaster, including drought, floods, or bushfires to apply online.”