Community & Business
25 September, 2024
Three local Cambooya, East Greenmount groups share in GCBF grants
The latest round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) has seen successful grant applications from Cambooya Public Hall, Emu Creek Primary P&C and Cambooya Landcare.
Cambooya Public Hall will receive the largest funding of the three groups, $91,610.25 towards a swathe of works upgrading the hall.
Committee member Rachel Barron, who organised the grant, said the funding is a win for the community.
Ms Barron said about half of the funding will go toward upgrading the hall’s toilets, including making them wheelchair friendly for the first time.
She has been already been in touch with a few local residents who would benefit from the facilities to make sure they are adequately suited.
The rest of the funding will go towards both heating and cooling air conditioning, outdoor lighting for the car park, minor upgrades for the kitchen and constructing an LED electronic sign to advertise upcoming events.
The sign will be built on a grassy patch facing Harrow Street, opposite Cambooya State School.
Although it is too early to confirm a timeline, following upcoming committee meetings to iron out details Ms Barron is hopeful most of the works can be completed within six months.
Emu Creek Primary Parents and Citizens (P&C) Association will receive $67,740 to install playground equipment.
Emu Creek P&C Treasurer Zoey Harper said the grant will provide much needed funding for a whole new playground featuring slides and climbing walls, soft fall and an all new sand pit.
Ms Harper Emu Creek students have been unable to use their all ages playground since the end of last year after a Department of Education deemed it unusable.
“We’ve been trying to get a playground back for the school,” she said.
“We went all in on this grant - we’re so excited that we’re successful.”
Not only was the whole school playground closed, but at the same time the senior playground needed repairs, however that playground is open again.
The P&C Association started applying for the grant back in February.
Ms Harper said all going well, hopefully the old playground will be removed during these school holidays and construction can start on the new playground in October.
“We’re very excited and grateful to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.”
As well as benefitting Emu Creek students, the playground will be used by the community playgroup.
Cambooya Landcare Association will receive $6,206.75 to construct a community garden.
Cambooya Landcare member Madeline Grummitt said the organisation is very excited about the community garden and is looking forward to getting started.
“The community garden will be established on the vacant parcel of land adjacent to the Landcare office at 64 Eton Street,” Ms Grummitt said.
“The location is in the main street of Cambooya, opposite the Post Office.
“We plan to establish a number of garden beds in which we will plant herbs and vegetables.
“We will also be planting a number of fruiting trees.
“The main feature of our garden will be an Indigenous plant-use garden.”
To learn more about Indigenous plant-use gardens, visit juniorlandcare.org.au/learning_activity/creating-an-indigenous-plant-use-garden-planting/
The latest GCBF round, Round 121, marked the 30th anniverary of the grants being distributed.
A total of 598 community groups and organisations were awarded over $33 million in grants in this round.
In Toowoomba, Tony’s Community Kitchen will receive $100,000 to purchase a refrigerated truck and van to assist the work of the organisation as it delivers meals to the homeless, elderly and those in need in the city and the wider Darling Downs.
Since it was established in 1994, the GCBF has provided more than $1.188 billion directly to communities, cementing its role as one of Queensland’s most important grant programs.
Community groups who missed out are encouraged to apply for Round 122 of the GCBF, which will be the final funding round in 2024.
Round 122 will offer $35,000 grants and is already open.
For more information visit justice.qld.gov.au/grants
