NQBP announces 2023-24 Community Fund recipients
30 Nov 2023
Support for marine conservation, reading resources and indigenous support programs will be boosted through North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation’s (NQBP’s) 2023-24 Community Fund.
Reef Catchments Katrina Dent and Rachel Taylor.
Nine Community Fund recipients will share $60,000 in funding, with each initiative expected to deliver strong benefits across NQBP’s port communities.
The selection process
Over 50 applications were received in the second year of the Community Fund from a large range of community groups across all NQBP’s four port communities.
The NQBP team worked carefully to evaluate each application, with each of the successful applicants demonstrating an ability to make a real difference in their respective communities.
All the initiatives supported have a strong alignment with NQBP’s values of Excellence, Unity, Respect, and Integrity.
Selected initiatives also promote the principles of diversity and inclusion, and recognition of First Nations Peoples.
Key environmental programs extended
Reef Catchments CEO Katrina Dent said her team is excited to extend a successful marine debris removal program conducted in conjunction with Wildcat Mackay earlier this year.
“The program proved highly popular with the community. Volunteers shared that their highlights were being able to meaningfully help the environment while getting to see a different side of Mackay,” Katrina said.
“Thanks to NBQP’s generous support, we are able to repeat this experience, engage more members of our community and help keep our islands free from marine debris, thereby reducing the impact of one threatening process affecting our marine turtles.”
About the NQBP Community Fund
The NQBP Community Fund is an annual sponsorship program open to non-profit groups and organisations, and registered charities.
NQBP is a Queensland Government-owned corporation responsible for the ports of Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point, and Weipa.
The 2024-25 NQBP Community Fund will be reopened for applications next financial year.
The 2023-24 Community Fund recipients:
A full list of the 2023-24 Community Fund recipients is below
| Recipient | Initiative |
|---|---|
| Bowen Neighbourhood Centre | Launch of a new Investment Opportunities Guide |
| Mackay Central State School P&C | Purchase of new books and resources for The Reading Project |
| Reef Catchments Limited | Surveying marine turtle nesting beaches and marine debris clean-ups across 14 islands off the coast of Mackay |
| Mackay and District Turtle Watch | Conservation and turtle monitoring activities at Penrith Island |
| Sarina State High School | 2024 Inclusive Learning Centre Camp |
| Weipa Running Festival | 2024 Weipa Running Festival |
| Girudala Community Co-Operative Society Ltd | Emergency relief program for Indigenous families |
| Safe Sleep Mackay (auspiced by ASAP) | The Sleepbus Initiative |
| 122 Army Cadet Unit | First aid training for cadets |
Image for download
Image: Reef Catchments Chief Executive Officer Katrina Dent and Project Officer Rachel Taylor are excited to extend their successful marine debris removal program thanks to the Community Fund.
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation contact:
Emilie Power | Community & Stakeholder Advisor
07 4969 0773 | epower@nqbp.com.au