RACQ celebrates community initiative milestone

RACQ celebrates community initiative milestone | Insurance Business Australia

Insurance News

RACQ celebrates community initiative milestone

New project supported primary producers impacted by natural disasters

Insurance News

By
Roxanne Libatique

The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has celebrated its 20th community assistance project in Queensland by collaborating with Drought Angels.

Drought Angels is an Australian charity established in 2014 to support primary producers impacted by prolonged drought. Over the years, it has expanded to provide financial assistance, food hampers, care packs, and mental wellbeing support to thousands of primary providers affected by all natural disasters.

The new project, held for two weeks, included various farming work to support 10 drought and flood-affected stations, volunteering, and prizes to help deliver the annual “Better in Blackall Festival” and help the Jericho Men’s Shed develop a new community garden. Nearly 50 RACQ Foundation volunteers joined the activities.

“After a week of physical farming and gardening work, we then had the privilege of seeing the town come to life through the community-led ‘Better in Blackall Festival’. We thank both Blackall and Jericho for welcoming us into your communities,” said RACQ Foundation manager Bridgette Muller.

Community assistance project’s goals

RACQ established the community assistance project to provide practical on-the-ground support to Queenslanders impacted by natural disasters. Since its launch in 2016, the project has helped 44 community groups and 137 family-owned farms or stations impacted by severe weather events across Queensland.

“In FY23 alone, we travelled to far north Queensland to carry out repairs and upgrades to facilities in the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah, spent time in Texas and Goondiwindi completing farming and community work, and worked with the Gympie community to help complete revegetation and flood resilience activity,” Muller said. “We have now completed our 20th community assistance project, providing support to the local communities in Blackall and Jericho who suffered more than nine years of drought, before enduring a flood in 2022.

“The importance of the work we do in regional Queensland extends beyond the fences we build, the buildings we repair, and farm equipment we fix. It’s a core part of strengthening our connection to communities and making a difference.”

The RACQ Foundation also has a Community Grant Program to help Queensland community organisations and clubs recover from severe weather events and build resilience against natural disasters.

“Since launching in 2011, the foundation has distributed $14 million to assist more than 400 Queensland community groups affected by natural disaster and drought,” Muller said. “If your community group needs support, you can visit our website to apply for a grant. The current round of applications is open until Monday, 2 October 2023.”