Bundaberg, Burnett Gambling Community Benefit Fund recipients announced

Organisations across Bundaberg and the Burnett have shared in thousands of dollars in Gambling Community Benefit Fund money, with homeless charity Angels receiving a $35,000 cash boost to fund solar panels. See the list of recipients.

A number of community groups have benefited from the funds.

Angels Community Group’s Sue Tasker was both excited and worried when she had air-conditioners donated - excited because it would mean comfort, but worried at how the charity would cope when the annual power bill was already $30,000 a year.

The community support service provides food, hot showers and a helping hand to vulnerable people in the community, and runs off funds made in its discount mini-mart.

“The support centre is flat out with people needing support and assistance,” she said.

But things will get a little easier for the charity with a $35,000 Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant headed its way to foot the bill for solar panels.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith and Angels' Sue Tasker.

“To get the solar panels means we can provide a good place for people to shop, which is where we get our money for our support centre,” Ms Tasker said.

“It means the world of difference, it's absolutely huge for us.”

Ms Tasker says funds will be channeled back into the support centre which helps with the region’s increasing homeless population.

The charity is already spending around $1000 a week on hampers.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said it was a great investment in cutting the organisation’s power bill amid a worsening crisis of vulnerability.

“Right now, Sue‘s telling me that her power bill is roughly about $30,000 a year, this is set to drop, on average, 74 per cent of that so it’s a great investment into not only a great community organisation but an investment in those cost of living pressures...,” he said.

The charity has also recently taken on 12 Skilling Queensland workers who will achieve their Certificate I in Hospitality for working with the group.

Burnett groups will share in funding.

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the biggest winners would be local halls.

“The Tegege Memorial Hall and Pine Creek Hall and Sports Association will see almost $26,000 and $35,000 come their way,” he said.

“These funds are sorely needed and will go towards vital upgrades and accessibility improvements.

“It’s about time they see some TLC come their way.”

MP Stephen Bennett with some of the gambling fund recipients in the Burnett.

Seven organisations across the Burnett have been successful in Round 115 of the GCBF including the 1770 Dragons.

Kholi Stower from the 1770 Dragons said they’re paddling to success.

“This grant means we can now meet the needs of our growing club with improved boats and equipment,” she said.

“We’re so excited to be able to share this with the rest of the community.

“Our club is inclusive of everyone; we reach out to our youth and elderly.

“We also hold social days so if you’re interested in giving Dragon Boats a go, please get in touch.”

Round 117 of the funding will open mid-April and close at midnight on 31, May 2023.

For more information on the 1770 Dragons, email [e-mail] or call 0409 971 401.