Port funds help locals lead 'Brighter Lives'

An innovative health and wellbeing program aimed at empowering young mothers living on Palm Island is just one of the important projects the Port of Townsville’s Community Fund has supported this year. A record 57 applications were received, with 10 successful recipients sharing in $50,000 that will go towards a range of projects and causes including environmental stewardship and community togetherness. Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said the Community Fund was in its fourth year and continued to make a positive difference to the wider community. “The Port of Townsville is celebrating its 160th year of operations this year and we have always existed to support our broader community,” Ms Crosby said. “To see the successful applicants of the 2024 Community Fund be able to purchase much needed equipment and bring to life important projects shows why our community partnerships remain so important. “We endeavour to support a wide cross section of our North Queensland community targeting a range of great initiatives and causes.” Brighter Lives Townsville Hospital Foundation will use the funding they received to support the delivery of a nutrition and cooking initiative. The funds will cover the cost of ingredients and utensils for the workshops plus support the development of a recipe book. Townsville Hospital and Health Service Clinical Midwife Consultant (Young Parent Support Worker) Kerry Foster said proper nutrition was vital for the healthy development of babies, both inside and outside of the womb. “By providing women and their families with the right knowledge and tools, we can promote healthy eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives,” Ms Foster said.  “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Port of Townsville for their invaluable support. We look forward to the successful implementation of our project and making a positive impact on the community." Belgian Gardens State School’s Reef Guardian program has received a boost thanks to the funding that will be used to upgrade equipment in their vibrant reef room. “Our whole school benefits as Reef BG is a focal point for real-life hands-on science lessons,” Belgian Gardens State School STEM Coordinator Brett Murphy said. “We also have students come to our school and visit Reef BG and carry out learning activities. “Animals from Reef BG are also taken to other schools for science incursions.” Each application is assessed by the fund’s panel that carefully considers requests with the Port’s values of Partnerships, Opportunity, Respect and Trust and our themes of Prosperity, Planet, Community and People. Recipients of the 2024 Port Community Fund Organisation Item/s Funded Brighter Lives, Townsville Hospital Foundation Education and cooking classes to mitigate the risk of chronic illness for Palm Island families Belgian Gardens State School Expand the school’s Reef Ecology work breeding clownfish Jubilee Bowl's Club To purchase three bowlers’ arms to allow them to be actively involved in lawn bowls Coral Sea Outrigger Canoe Club New paddles and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) North Queensland Wildlife Care Purchase a net launcher to capture injured birds TropWATER DNA kits and undertake studies to determine health outcomes for dugongs and sea turtles in Cleveland Bay Townsville Hike and Explore Group To purchase safety gear for their volunteer hike leaders   Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare To support a large revegetation project at Douglas   Magnetic Island Men's Shed To equip their premises with a kitchen   Wulguru United Football Club To purchase nets, goals and equipment ahead of their junior carnival