Fourteen schools, sporting clubs and other community groups across Townsville have received a welcome cash injection from the 2018 Townsville Airport Community Benefit Fund.

The groups received grant funding of about $1,000 per organisation to assist with initiatives in the areas of health and wellbeing, safety, education, security, and environment.

A list of grant recipients includes:

• Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia

• Giru Daycare Centre

• Townsville Toy Library

• Hermit Park State School P&C Association

• Townsville Picnic Bay SLSC

• Be Kind Townsville

• North Queensland Phoenix Dragon Boat Club

• Cootharinga North Queensland

• Townsville Tourist Amateur Swimming Club

• Kirwan State High School Special Education

• Thuringowa Combined Probus Club

• Townsville Sailing Club

• House with No Steps

• South Townsville Bowls Club

Townsville Airport Chief Operating Officer Kevin Gill said the Community Benefit Fund had operated for the past three years, allowing the airport to provide funding support to a significant number of local community groups at a grassroots level.

“The Community Benefit Fund is really about giving back to the region and supporting the initiatives and projects that our community cares about,” he said.

“This grant program helps support organisations that struggle to compete for corporate sponsorship.

“Grants of $1000 go a very long way for these groups.”

Townsville local Amy Simmons is encouraging people to write messages of kindness and positivity on boards at key locations across the city – including Townsville Airport – and share them on social media.  

Her organisation – Be Kind – was awarded funding for its Stick with Kindness project – a creative arts initiative which aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma associated with mental health, while promoting positivity and kindness.

“We hope it gets people thinking about mental health, while promoting kindness. Hopefully it puts a few smiles on the faces of people who engage with the boards,” Ms Simmons said.

“The grant has allowed this idea to become a reality.”

The Community Benefit Fund is run by Townsville Airport’s parent company, Queensland Airports Limited (QAL), which also operates Gold Coast, Mount Isa and Longreach airports.

The 2018 Community Benefit Fund contributed $50,000 to 43 organisations across the four ports – representing half of the 86 applications received.

QAL also supports local community, business, environmental and tourism events in each of its regions and across Queensland under its corporate sponsorship program.

The 2019 Community Benefit Fund will be launched in May this year. Organisations interested in applying should stay tuned to the airport’s website and Facebook page for further updates.

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