Community groups receive support for events and facilities

A program to produce Trauma Teddys, buy a fridge and skate park events to promote mental health are among the initiatives being supported through the Fraser Coast Regional Council Community Grants Program.

“Council will provide $43,815.22 in grants which will help 18 organisations across the region improve facilities, host events and develop community initiatives,” Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott said.

“The Trauma Teddys are produced by Red Cross volunteers at their own expense.

“They have produced more than 8,500 bears since project started 10 years ago.

“The approved material to fill the Teddys is becoming increasingly expensive for the volunteers so the grant will significantly enhance the continuation of this valuable community service.

“Meanwhile Fraser Coast Cycling Club will receive funds to go towards a project to buy a new fridge and loan bikes for juniors joining the sport to use to see if they like it before having to buy expensive bikes of their own.”

The Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre was also allocated a grant to help stage the Bay and Borough Beat (Youth Skate Park Event).

The annual youth survey for the Fraser Coast in 2022 indicated that 34% of young people (12-18 years) identified as needing mental health support.

The events will help promote awareness and engagement of local youth sector services while also promoting drug-and-alcohol-free events.

Successful applicants for Round 2 of the Community Grants Program 2022-23 include:

• Australian Red Cross Society Fraser Coast Branch, Trauma Teddy Project, $985;
• Wide Bay Gymnastics, Upgrade of Recreational Gym Equipment, $1,488;
• Fraser Coast Cycling Club, Fridges and junior bikes, $1,000;
• Hervey Bay Photography Club, Computer Equipment $4,900;
• Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Assoc QF21, Fuel POD Trailer $2,500;
• Hervey Bay Historical Village and Museum, Perimeter Fencing, $5,000;
• Burrum Coal Discovery Festival, Coalfest23 , $5,000;
• Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Bay and Borough Beat (Youth Skate Park Event), $1,600;
• Maryborough Rifle and Pistol Club, Computer Software, $500;
• Fraser Coast Hervey Bay Combined Probus Club, Implement EFTPOS facility, $712.85;
• Glenwood (QLD) Wildlife Awareness, Glenwood Wildlife and Threatened Species Survey, $2,500;
• Mungar State School Parents and Citizens Association, Signage upgrade, $3,358;
• Maryborough Garden Club, Solar Installation, $1,240;
• Glenwood Ladies Shed, Operation Heart Re-Start, $2,000;
• Bayside Transformations,  Upgrade Network System, $2,181.37;
• Toogoom Fishing Club, membership drive, $5,000;
• STEAMfesta, Steampunk Mini Festival 2023, $3,000;
• The Trustee for the Mother’ s Day Classic Foundation, Mother’ s Day Classic Hervey Bay, (Breast cancer Awareness) $850.

Council also approved a $5,000 grant from the 2022-23 Sport and Recreation Capital Assistance Fund for the Wide Bay Gymnastics Upgrade of Recreational Gym Equipment.