Sunshine Coast Airport’s Community Support Fund takes off as successful applicants announced

Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) has announced 16 successful grant recipients for their inaugural Community Support Fund. Each successful applicant received a grant of up to $1,000 with submissions ranging from first aid kits for local rugby league, to cancer support services and volunteer appreciation events.

SCA General Manager People and Communications Kylie Ezzy said the airport team were impressed by the number of worthy initiatives, community groups and organisations. 

“We had some amazing submissions from community groups and organisations who are doing incredible things in the local community,” Ms Ezzy said. 

“The $15,000 Community Support Fund is an important way for us to give back. There were many successful community groups and organisations who applied that we had not worked with prior to this program, and speaking with them and learning about their work has been extremely rewarding.

“We had applicants from all across the region, including Caloundra, Peachester and Noosa, with each successful submission meeting one of the key criteria for the program:

•    Environment and Sustainability
•    Health and Wellbeing
•    Amazing Experiences
•    Connections
•    Opportunity and Growth
•    Pride of Place.

“With so many worthy community groups and organisations, we are excited to continue the Community Support Fund next year.”

Bloomhill Cancer Care Events Lead Joe Surace said the grant would support Bloomhill’s Client transport services to help local cancer patients attend appointments they cannot drive to themselves.

“Bloomhill Cancer Care's Transport Service is led by passionate volunteers, and we provide vital transport services for cancer patients across the Sunshine Coast, including waiting for them to come out of their appointments and return them safely home” Mr Surace said.
 
"With almost 1700 clients at Bloomhill, and 250+ of those actively engaged in requiring transportation, the Community Support Fund grant will provide much needed fuel savings to the Bloomhill Fleet to ensure patients get to their appointments and receive the care they need.

“We thank Sunshine Coast Airport for their support.”

Queensland Air Museum President Garry Hills said the Sunshine Coast Airport’s new Community Support Fund came at exactly the right time, in the museum’s 50th anniversary year.

“We will use it to help support and thank our 460 members, in particular the 140 volunteers who work tirelessly each week on-site in Caloundra,” Mr Hills said.

“Every volunteer will be given a 50th Anniversary commemorative badge, with the remainder of the funding helping to cover special anniversary events,” he said. 

“We want to thank Sunshine Coast Airport which not only plays a significant part in the Sunshine Coast region’s continuing economic growth but also enriches the Coast community.”

Mr Hills said it was particularly pleasing that another Coast aviation business is supporting the Queensland Air Museum, a not-for-profit business run entirely by volunteers which last year hosted more than 25,000 visitors.

“We are kindred spirits,” he said. 

Full list of grant recipients: 
•    Bloomhill Cancer Care 
•    Head and Neck Cancer Support Group 
•    Smart Pups Assistance Dogs
•    STEPS Group
•    Nambour Crushers Junior Rugby League
•    Suncoast Community Legal Service
•    Coolum State School P&C Association
•    Queensland Air Museum
•    North Shore Community Centre Inc.
•    Katie Rose Cottage Hospice
•    Caloundra Business Alliance
•    Buderim War Memorial Community Association Inc. 
•    Peachester State School P&C
•    Slow Food Noosa
•    Noosa Community Gardens (NCG) Inc
•    Red Chair

For more information, on the Community Support Fund please visit here.