Douglas Shire Community Groups Share in Gambling Community Benefit Fund
David Kempton Member for Cook is pleased to announce the latest round of successful applicants for the Round 125 Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) for the Douglas Shire Community.
“Through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club and the Douglas Shire Motor Sports Association will receive funding to expand and improve their facilities,” Mr Kempton said.
“For over 30 years, grants have supported diverse initiatives that build community pride, from volunteer‑led services and sporting groups to programs for young people, seniors, and people of all abilities.”
Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club secretary Ingrid van Opzeeland said the $34,555 grant would help the club install a solar system. With one of the club’s buildings already fitted with solar panels, the funding will allow the club to expand its use of renewable energy.
“I started volunteering with here when my son was just eight years old and now he is a doctor on the Gold Coast,” Ingrid said.
“He is still involved in Surf Life Saving down there and I’m still here working alongside the rest of the team.”
The Douglas Shire Motor Sports Association also received $21,000 in funding and is looking forward to adding an on-site toilet facility.
President Bob Err and vice president Shane North said the club is family-oriented and welcomed the funding.
“I can see the club growing with a toilet on site. At the moment, the ladies and kids have to walk all the way to the Pony Club and in Far North Queensland you get snakes, wild horses and pigs in the grass,” Mr Err said.
“It’s much more family-friendly to have the facility on site,” Mr North said.
GCBF is Queensland’s largest one-off community grants program and distributes approximately $60 million each year to not-for-profit community groups.
For future dates of the remaining GCBF rounds in 2026 and information on how to apply please visit: Gambling Community Benefit Fund | Department of Justice