Port offers $50,000 for community-minded projects

The Port of Townsville is inviting not-for-profits, community groups and schools across North Queensland to apply for a share in $50,000 to help bring their community-minded projects to life. Now entering its third year, the Community Fund has already backed 33 projects with a combined value of almost $1.9 million. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the Community Fund seeks to support a variety of local initiatives that align with the Port’s strategic vision to create improved sustainability in four key areas: Planet, Community, People and Prosperity.   “We are proud to have funded a broad range of projects through previous rounds of the Community Fund," said Ms Crosby. “Past projects have ranged from the purchase of gardening tools for the Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare’s sites and a new stove for the Burdekin Trailerable Yacht Club up to larger activities like the installation of a new rehabilitation tank at the Turtle Hospital run by the Magnetic Island Network for Turtles.” Ms Crosby said the Port was calling for applications from groups right across North Queensland. “While our Port is based in Townsville, we are mindful that our operations take in Hinchinbrook, the Burdekin, Charters Towers and the North West and we want to ensure that the Community Fund also touches communities in these regions,” said Ms Crosby. “We invite groups from all of these communities to apply for the Community Fund, if they have a project that could benefit from in-kind or monetary support.” Jane Wild from the Townsville Toy Library said the Port’s Community Fund had aided them to purchase a range of high quality STEM toys and soft play to add to our toy borrowing collection. “Adding a range of STEM toys to our collection allows the community to engage with science and engineering,” said Ms Wild. “STEM toys help children to develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking and spatial reasoning. By introducing STEM concepts through play, children can develop an interest in STEM fields and prepare themselves for future academic and career success.”  More than 320 local families have access to the toys purchased by the Townsville Toy Library via the Port’s Community Fund. Applications to the Port of Townsville’s 2023 Community Fund will be open until 12 March 2023. For more information and to apply, go to www.townsville-port.com.au/community/