PORT of Townsville has backed 15 community projects in through its second annual $50,000 Community Fund.
The fund was launched in 2020. This year, community-based initiatives across Townsville and nearby Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook and Burdekin will benefit from the funding.
This year, Magnetic Island Network for Turtles received $6000 to purchase and install new rehabilitation tanks; Townsville State Hight School received $3250 for its First Nations Arts Project.
The Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Association also received funding for its work in the community.
Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said it was wonderful to see “such a sweeping variety of projects” underway across the region.
“We received a total of 37 applications to this year’s Community Fund, requesting $200,000 in combined support,” Ms Crosby said.
“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.”
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the city was “built on the back of the port”, which has always been an important part of the community.
“It’s great to see the Port of Townsville backing so many community projects,” Mr Stewart said.
“Programs like this make a major difference to so many important organisations which are community focused.”
Townsville State High School music coordinator James Balthes said the funding for the school’s First Nations Arts Project would be used to purchase digeridoos and clapsticks, as well as tutelage from Indigenous educator Les Tanna.
“Our First Nations Arts Project is helping to further students’ understanding of Indigenous music, cultural knowledge and dance,” Mr Balthes said.
“In the short-term it will help students to explore their own culture and develop their identity. In the long-term, we hope our students will build the skills and confidence to share their dance and music with the broader community at public performances.
“The project also aims to build economic growth, by providing local Indigenous businesses more opportunities to work with our school, and by providing students with skills to gain future employment should they wish to pursue careers that involve the sharing of cultural understanding.”
According to Port of Townsville, a second reconciliation-focused project backed through this year’s Community Fund is the provision of buses to help young Torres Strait Islanders attend the Winds of Zenadath Festival on Thursday Island.
