Three FNQ groups share in grants to build supportive communities

People with a disability in far north Queensland will benefit from a range of events and activities after three local groups were awarded grants as part of the Beattie Government’s Building Supportive Communities initiative.

Disability Services Minister Warren Pitt said the $200 000 grants program would fund activities designed to encourage communities to become more supportive and inclusive of people with a disability.

Mr Pitt made the announcement at the inaugural Far North Queensland Disability Forum in Cairns today.

He said the far north Queensland grants recipients and activities were:

• Arts Nexus – $4 520 to release a new book profiling Deaf Australian Achievers, highlighting the important roles they play within the community; and $4 043 to develop the Cairns-based Whatever Junk Percussion and Drama Group, which supports people with disabilities and others to make instruments out of recycled materials.
• Tableland Community Link Association – $2 200 to hold a wheelchair rally, encouraging teams to compete in a race through Atherton, to highlight accessibility issues.
• Ravenshoe Network Group – $5 000 to invite members of the community to express their impressions of community life through artistic forms, culminating in an exhibition.

“The grants scheme will fund a total of 43 community initiatives throughout Queensland, including both statewide and local initiatives,” Mr Pitt said.

The events will mostly be held during Disability Action Week next July, or on International Day of People with a Disability on 3 December next year.

Mr Pitt said the announcement of the 2007 funding was a great way to herald Sunday’s celebrations for International Day of People with a Disability.

“Many of the events to be held on the International Day of People with a Disability were made possible through grants announced this time last year, while this year’s grants will fund events to take place next year,” Mr Pitt said.

“International Day of People with a Disability is an important opportunity for all Queenslanders to celebrate inclusive communities.

“This funding enables communities to stage events that promote positive attitudes and address the barriers faced by people with a disability at a local level.”

Mr Pitt said the funding included five grants of up to $15,000 each for significant statewide initiatives, together with smaller grants for localised events and activities.

Additional locally based events will also be staged across Queensland next year, with grants of up to $5000 awarded to 38 other community organisations.

Mr Pitt congratulated all groups that had been successful in their funding applications.

“The response to the Building Supportive Communities grants program shows there is a growing number of communities and organisations interested in taking action and becoming more supportive and inclusive of people with a disability,” he said.

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4280