Funding granted to help young Indigenous drivers

Clontarf's Mackay L-2-P Driving Program aims to help more than 40 disadvantaged young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males who face barriers in obtaining driver education and a licence.

The grant was one of 15 Community Grants and 16 Small Equipment Grants approved to the value of $175,353.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council was pleased to be able to support the amazing work done by Clontarf Mackay.

“In Queensland, Indigenous Australians are up to six times more likely to be involved in a road crash than non-Indigenous Australians,” Mayor Williamson said.

“On top of that, in Queensland, 23.6 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fatal crashes had an unlicensed driver,” he said.

“When you consider these statistics, this program that aims to assist young Indigenous men to get a licence and become safe and competent drivers has the potential to change – and even save – lives.”

Also supported with a $7500 grant was the 2024 Friendship Games.

Mayor Williamson said the Friendship Games were a tremendous initiative of the Filipino community.

“The Mackay Filipino-Australian Association is inviting Filipino communities to come to Mackay from Cairns, Townsville, Bowen, Rockhampton and Gladstone for a weekend of sports and cultural activities,” he said.

“The sports will include basketball, volleyball, badminton and darts and the grant will assist the association to hire Mackay Basketball Stadium for the Games.”

Other exciting events that received grant funding were the Greater Whitsunday Communities Camilleri Skate Park activation project, the Eungella Ceilidh (a Scottish country dance), the 2024 Mackay International Film Festival and RADfest – a junior roller derby bootcamp and intensive training weekend.    

As part of this grants program, council also provides larger grants – up to $30,000 – to support not-for-profits with buying minor assets and undertaking minor infrastructure projects.

This round saw Bakers Creek Tigers receive a $30,000 Minor Assets Grants for an electronic scoreboard and East Mackay Australian Football Club received a $30,000 Minor Infrastructure Grant to install a storage shed.

For a full list of Community Grants Round Three grant recipients, including Small Equipment Grants, head to mackay.qld.gov.au/communitygrants.