Redtails Pinktails get $57 million donation from Queensland-based earthmoving company
A Red Centre sporting organisation has received a whopping donation from a Queensland company. Find out more.
Northern Territory
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A Queensland earthmoving company has made a whopping $57 million donation to the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Foundation, which says its has a “very strong plan” on how the money will be used.
The donation was made by Q H & M Birt, a Brisbane-based earthmoving company and was announced at a press conference at Traeger Park in Alice Springs on Thursday.
Redtails president Rob Clarke said the foundation had a “very strong plan that will engage other organisations as well who are trying to do things in the same space”.
He said the donation was made to the Redtails after company founder Quentin Birt and his wife Kylie visited Alice Springs to meet with Mr Clarke.
“We presented to them our 14 years of history, presented to them multiple, multiple, multiple outcomes in regards to positive individuals, and as a group, the teams we support, leadership stuff that (Redtails vice president Ian McAdam) Macca does; schools that Macca goes into, correctional services and we went through everything, the Rusty Jennings program with the Red Centre Nats,” he said.
NT Senator and Shadow Indigenous Australians minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price introduced them, Mr Clarke said.
Ms Price was present at the announcement, and was at points on the verge of tears while announcing the donation.
“(Mr Birt) came to me to express that they wanted to contribute meaningfully to the lives of those affected within my hometown, my community, and therefore asked my advice on how that might be the best way to go through,” she said.
“I have seen the work over the many years of the Red Tails program, and it’s wonderful work.”
In March 2024, the Redtails also received a three year, $600,000 grant from the Northern Territory Government.
Joining Ms Price was CLP Lingiari candidate Lisa Seibert, Nationals Victorian senator and shadow minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development Bridget McKenzie, and Alice Springs Town Council mayor Matt Paterson.
Neither of the Birts were present.
The company, however, has an extensive portfolio in the Territory, dating back to 2003 when they sent a small fleet out to Groote Eylandt, according to their website.
Since then, Q Birt has numerous mining contracts across the country with companies such as Fortescue Metals Group and South 32, for its Groote Eylandt mine.
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Originally published as Redtails Pinktails get $57 million donation from Queensland-based earthmoving company
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