From restocking the First Aid supplies of volunteer lifesavers to supporting the toy library, the Community Benefit Fund associated with Townsville Airport has benefited dozens of local community groups since its inception four years ago.

This year’s Community Benefit Fund is now open for applications, with cash grants of up to $1,000 on offer.

The program is awarding cash grants to support initiatives in the categories of health and wellbeing, community safety, education, environment and sustainability, arts and culture for the fourth consecutive year. This year, the airport is also calling for initiatives aimed at supporting local indigenous communities or enhancing indigenous cultural awareness.

The Community Benefit Fund is run by the airport’s parent company, Queensland Airports Limited (QAL), which has supported about 150 groups and initiatives since 2016, providing more than $150,000 in funding.

Townsville Airport Chief Operating Officer Kevin Gill said the airport was committed to advancing the North Queensland region and the Community Benefit Fund was key to achieving this.

“This fund is ideal for schools, sporting clubs, charities, community support services and surf clubs. We are hopefully of supporting as many initiatives as possible,” he said.

Townsville Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club president Darrin Bragg said the club had benefited from two successful grant applications in the past two years and intended to apply again in this year’s round.

“Volunteer groups rely on community funding, so they can provide a high-quality service that gives back to the wider community,” he said.

“The Community Benefit Fund has enabled us to update and stock our First Aid rooms in both our clubhouses at The Strand and Picnic Bay at Magnetic Island.

“We also purchased new CPR and resuscitation training equipment, including resuscitation manikins, to allow us to provide enhance training and improve the skills of our volunteer lifesavers.

“These grants benefit anyone who may find themselves in an emergency situation under our watch.”

Other community groups that have received a grant from Townsville Airport’s Community Benefit Fund in the past include local schools, sports clubs and daycare centres as well as Ronald McDonald House Charities North Queensland, Townsville Toy Library, House With No Steps and Townsville Sailing Club.

To receive a $1,000 grant, groups need to demonstrate their ability to deliver positive outcomes in at least one of the nominated funding categories.

Applications for this year’s Community Benefit Fund, which are open until 23 June 2019, can be made online and take less than an hour. For more information and to apply, visit www.townsvilleairport.com.au/community/community-benefit-fund

QAL is an accomplished airport operator that owns and operates Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports.

The Community Benefit Fund was established in 2016, providing more than $50,000 a year in support to community grassroots events and initiatives.