Community & Business
23 June, 2024
MP Hamilton visits Oakey for grants tour and BBQ
Federal Member for Groom Garth Hamilton visited Oakey last week to award three grants to local community and sporting groups
The Toowoomba Polo-crosse Club received money to purchase a rotary tiller, which will halve the annual time spent on preparing a field.
“It’ll reduce our work from 90 hours a year down to around 45-50 to get them to where they are now,” Polocrosse volunteer Andrew Faulkner said.
“It only gets mowed once every couple of months.”
President Jo Lossberg was unequivocal in her appreciation for the support given by the Federal Government to her club.
“Grants keep us alive,” she said.
Oakey Men’s Shed received $1200 for tools and planting, which adds to a 3D CNC Carver received earlier under another grant.
St. Monica’s P&C Committee was a late addition to the tour, with a photo recognising a new barbecue purchased at the start of 2024.
Treasurer Ben Johns said the new barbecue replaced an old unit that had seen several years worth of work.
“I’d like to thank Mr Hamilton’s office,” he said.
“This will enable us to cook for major fundraising events which will support the school.”
At the suggestion of the Oakey Champion, Mr Hamilton also paid a visit to the Oakey Community BBQ where he caught up with local stakeholders including PCYC Oakey Connect Co-ordinator Katarina Medland and Toowoomba Regional Council Community Development Officer Karen Suhl.
For Suhl, it was a rare opportunity to catch up with the Federal Member, while Ms Medland discussed her ambition to create a Community Drop-In Centre for the youth of Oakey.
The Oakey Connect Co-ordinator said teenagers often felt uncomfortable walking through the formal setting of her current office in the Toowoomba Regional Council Service Centre on Campbell Street, and had taken to walking up to her window directly.
Funding Grants
Oakey Mens Shed:
1 Cory Street, Oakey
2x Volunteers Grants - 2022/23 - $1,700 and
2023/24 - $1,285
Toowoomba Polocrosse Club:
Oakey Showgrounds
Stronger Communities Grant - $8,000.
and
St. Monica’s P&C Committee - previous grant.
