OREANDA-NEWS. February 16, 2016. Emergency medical equipment for rural communities and new digital technology for a local school were made possible through support from the QGC Communities Fund, which is currently open for grant applications.

The Agnes Water/1770 Local Ambulance Committee will provide community resuscitation training and install Automatic Emergency Defibrillators (AEDs) in the community, while Wandoan State School will purchase digital technology equipment for students after receiving grants in the last round of the fund.

The QGC Communities Fund gives not-for-profit organisations and local governments in the Western Downs and Gladstone the opportunity to benefit from \\$10,001 to \\$50,000 of support for projects up to 12 months that enhance regional liveability.

Vice President External Affairs Joanne Pafumi said QGC was committed to helping develop strong, diversified economic growth and sustainability in communities where it operates.

“We’re excited to be involved with programs that help to enhance regional liveability by benefiting local people and organisations,” Ms Pafumi said.

“By focusing on skills development, service capacity and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education, we’re supporting communities to lay the foundations for a prosperous future.”

The types of projects eligible for support include training programs for employees and volunteers, new facilities and equipment to support STEM education, improvements to buildings or resources, events and festivals.

The current funding round opened on 1 February and closes on 31 March 2016, when applications will be assessed by panels comprising QGC and community representatives.

From the last round between August and September last year, grants worth about \\$422,530 were provided to help deliver 13 community projects. These included a total of about \\$216,550 granted to seven groups in Gladstone and about \\$205,980 to six groups in the Western Downs.

In Agnes Water, a \\$15,463 grant is enabling the Local Ambulance Committee to purchase four defibrillators and to train people in the use of the units and in bystander CPR.

Local Ambulance Committee President Josie Meng said providing rural communities with access to AEDs and CPR training could help save the life of someone suffering cardiac arrest.

“It often takes more than an hour and a half to get to hospitals in the region so having access to AEDS and being trained in bystander CPR could actually help save somebody’s life,” Ms Meng said.

“We’re rolling out CPR awareness programs in schools and in the community so people are confident doing CPR and we’re also training some people living near to where the equipment will be installed so they know how to use the AEDs if the need arises.

“We carefully chose the locations where the AEDs will be installed around the community, including the Agnes Water Caltex Service Station, the Rosedale Police Station, the Baffle Creek Convenience Store & Petrol Station and 1770 Camping Ground.

“While we hope to never use them, we are pleased to be getting this equipment and are very thankful to QGC for their support of our initiative.”

Wandoan State School Principal Rowie Price said a \\$49,819 grant is allowing the school to purchase resources to be able to implement a Digital Technology Program with a focus on strong STEM skills.

“With this funding support we’ll be able to purchase equipment so our students can be involved in activities such as robotics, coding, laser cutting and 3D printing,” Ms Price said.

“The digital technology program will help develop skills in our students that will give them career opportunities in the digital space in the future.

“It will also help foster a local future workforce for our community that can tackle the challenges our local communities are facing – innovation and change.

“We’re also hoping to draw our community together and celebrate STEM in the community through showcase events at our local community centre where people can see the work produced from the equipment.

“We hope that by sharing the resources and knowledge we’ll be able to help people in the wider community to develop skills in this area as well,” she said.

Representatives from not-for-profit organisations and local governments can register for free information sessions about the fund through (freecall) 1800 030 443 or email community@qgc.com.au Nominate your session from the list below.

An application form and guidelines can be downloaded through www.bg-group.com/australia

Notes to editors:

Western Downs grant recipients February 2016

Organisation Program Grant
Wandoan State School Wandoan State School digital technology STEM program \\$49,819
Bell Bunya Community Centre Association Inc Community centre outdoor kitchen \\$21,711
Brigalow Recreation Grounds Association Inc Brigalow Recreation Grounds canteen and covered eating area \\$50,000
Cooranga North Recreation Reserve Inc Relocation of clubhouse to recreation reserve \\$14,450
Hannaford Club Inc Building the future. Restoring the past \\$50,000
Miles State High School Establish a multipurpose hall facility  \\$20,000
Total    \\$205,980

Gladstone grant recipients February 2016

Organisation Program Grant
Agnes Water/1770 Local Ambulance Committee Community Safety Awareness - AED and CPR Programs \\$15,463
BITS Saints Australian Rules F.C Inc Bums on Seats \\$32,727
Port Curtis Historical Society Inc Wheelchair ramps for access to buildings \\$46,585
Gladstone Seventh-Day Adventist Church Community Hall kitchen replacement \\$14,760
Gladstone Amateur Radio Club Inc Kroombit Tops facility upgrade \\$10,993
The Mission to Seafarers (Gladstone) Inc Crew welfare/transport/visiting bus \\$49,244
Women's Health Awareness Group of Gladstone Inc Not in our town \\$46,779
Total   \\$216,551

Information session times

Town Address Date and Time
Agnes Water/1770 Plantations Restaurant Function Room, Lagoons 1770, Captain Cook Dr and Beaches Village Circuit

Wednesday 2 March,

6pm-8pm
Gladstone Central Queensland University, Leo Zussino Building, Bryan Jordan Drive Thursday 3 March, 10am-12pm and 6pm-8pm
Tara  Tara Golf Club, Tara-Chinchilla Road Wednesday 24 February 1pm-3pm
Chinchilla Chinchilla Community Connexions Building, 67-71 Middle Street Wednesday 24 February 6pm-8pm
Wandoan Diggers Complex, Wandoan Showgrounds  Thursday 25 February 12pm-2pm
Miles The Murilla Room, Dogwood Crossing 91 Murilla Street Thursday 25 February 6pm-8pm
Chinchilla Chinchilla Community Connexions Building, 67-71 Middle Street  Friday 26 February 12pm-2pm