Port Fund backs 15 Community Projects

Reconciliation, conservation and community health and wellbeing are the presiding themes among the recipients of the Port of Townsville’s second annual $50,000 Community Fund.

Through the Fund, the Port is providing financial backing for 15 community-based initiatives across Townsville, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook and the Burdekin.

Among the beneficiaries for 2022 are Magnetic Island Network for Turtles, which has received $6,000 to purchase and install new rehabilitation tanks, Townsville State High School receiving $3,250 for its First Nations Arts Project, and Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Association for their work in the local 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,” said Ms Crosby.

“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 Townsville was built on the back of the Port and 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 will use its funding to further develop its First Nations Arts Project.

Music Coordinator James Balthes said the money from the Port’s Community Fund would be used to purchase didgeridoos 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,” said Mr Balthes.

“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,” said Mr Balthes.

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.

The Port of Townsville’s Community Fund was launched in February 2020 to support initiatives that align with the Port’s vision to improve sustainability in four key areas: Planet, Community, People and Prosperity.