King’s Beach will be a little safer from today with the official handover of a new Federally funded Patrol Trailer for the Metropolitan-Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club on the first day of the new season. The trailer was supported by a Federal Government grant of $9,000 under the Stronger Communities Program alongside community support from local businesses Henzell Real Estate and APAC Infrastructure.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said that the 19 grants in Fisher under this program totalling $150,000 in 2020 are helping rebuild our local economy after the COVID crisis and supporting community groups and small local construction businesses who are doing it tougher than ever.
“There has never been a more important time to support our local community groups. A lot of people on the Sunshine Coast are struggling, and local volunteer groups can make all the difference for many. These grants are giving these volunteers the capacity to do more, and to help get our community through this tough time.” Mr Wallace said.
The new Patrol Trailer will transport and store vital lifesaving and first aid equipment down on the beach allowing it to be instantly on hand when needed. It will also provide a highly visible location for the public to get information and assistance from surf lifesavers as well as assisting in the use of rescue boats and other essential equipment.
“Surf lifesavers protect us on our spectacular beaches and give tourists the confidence that they will be safe in our waters. However, they also make a big contribution to bringing people together, reducing social isolation and giving a lot of Sunshine Coast locals a sense of community and purpose. In the era of COVID-19, all of these roles are critical, and I am proud to be able to be part of supporting that work.” he said.
Metropolitan-Caloundra Surf Lifesaving Club is located on King’s Beach which attracts more than 120,000 each patrolling season. The club has more than 800 active members.
Metropolitan-Caloundra Surf Lifesaving Club President Jim Chisholm said “The Club now has a “state-of-the-art” Patrol Trailer that has been designed in consultation with APAC Infrastructure, a local Caloundra Company. We are grateful for the support provided by the Federal Government and our major Sponsor Henzell’s Real Estate. It is through their ongoing support and commitment to Metropolitan-Caloundra Surf Lifesaving Club that we are able to keep members of the community safe when they visit Kings Beach.”
Other groups in Fisher receiving grants in this Round of the Programme included RoboCoast Sunshine Coast Robotics Association who received $13,775 to purchase robots, laptops and training mats for training sessions in schools; Montville Village Association who received $13,500 for construction of a covered deck and upgrade of disability access at the heritage listed Montville Village Hall; and Sunshine Coast Film Festival, who received $10,000 to purchase film equipment and to fund the development and production of local stories.
“At a time when the Government is investing hundreds of billions in programs like JobKeeper to support Australians, these grants show just how much the community themselves can also do to help with just a small leg up. For communities all over the Sunshine Coast, the new equipment and facilities being delivered from these nineteen grants are helping to get local people out of the house and give them access to activities they never had before, while for local tradies and businesses, these grants mean a little more work when they need it the most.” Mr Wallace said.
In addition to the Metropolitan-Caloundra SLSC project, the complete list of grants in Fisher under Round 5 of the Stronger Communities Programme includes:
Organisation | Project | Funding Received |
5th Light Horse Regiment Maleny Troop | Installation of improved security for the Beersheba Living Museum | $2,600 |
Dicky Beach SLSC | Purchase of an inflatable rescue boat | $9,000 |
Volunteering Sunshine Coast | Purchase office equipment, software and technology to assist with maintaining their 130 plus member organisations | $11,500 |
Sunshine Coast Film Festival | To purchase film equipment and to fund the development and production of local stories | $10,000 |
Montville Village Association | Construction of a covered deck and upgrade of disability access at the heritage listed Montville Village Hall | $13,500 |
Alexandra Headland SLSC | Purchase of a surf lifesaving equipment trailer | $4,000 |
Australian Cycling Academy Limited | Purchase 10 medium performance road cycles | $10,000 |
STEPS Charity | Electrical fit out of new Murphy House residential units for Pathways College students | $7,180 |
Lions Club of Beerwah | Purchase materials and cover installation costs for ceiling insulation of the Lions shed | $5,300 |
Talara Primary College P&C Association | Purchase a sound system | $3,000 |
Night Eyes Water & Landcare | Funds to repair equipment trailer and purchase safety equipment for volunteers | $2,500 |
Caloundra Arts Centre Association | Purchase and installation of shade sails | $6,950 |
The Compass Institute | Kitchen upgrade from domestic to commercial kitchen | $8,000 |
Mooloolaba Volunteer Coast Guard Association | Replacement of three suspension seats on rescue boat | $4,695 |
Suncoast Community Legal | Digital transformation project to assist with tracking and processing productivity | $9,000 |
RoboCoast Sunshine Coast Robotics Association | Service Purchase robots, laptops and training mats for use at training sessions at local schools | $13,775 |
Gateway Care | Installation of additional freezer | $12,000 |
Mooloolaba Bowls Club | Replacement of fire damaged furniture | $8,000 |
The Stronger Communities Programme funds small capital projects in each of the 151 federal electorates, which can range from upgrading the local community hall or sporting facility, building new bike paths, or providing essential equipment for the local State Emergency Service. For more information on the Stronger Communities Programme visit www.business.gov.au/assistance/stronger-communities-programme
