RACQ urges disaster-hit communities to apply for grants

Queensland-based car insurer RACQ has urged communities affected by a severe weather event to apply for a RACQ Foundation grant before the latest funding round closes.

RACQ Foundation spokesperson Emma Green said charities, communities, and sporting clubs across the state may apply for a grant of up to $50,000 – or $100,000 in exceptional circumstances – to recover from cyclones, floods, bushfires, and drought.

“Community organisations are the backbone of regional towns, and when they’re struggling, the whole community suffers,” Green said. “The devastation caused by natural disasters, both financially and emotionally, can be long lasting, and funding through the RACQ Foundation is one of the ways we help communities recover.”

Read more: RACQ calls for Queensland’s “fair share” of disaster funding

Since Australia’s costliest flood in February-March 2022, RACQ Foundation has pledged $2.1 million to assist affected people in rebuilding and replacing equipment and amenities.

The Toorbul Pony Club, for example, received funding to replace a flood-damaged ride-on-mower to maintain over four hectares of grounds.

“Being a small club run by volunteers, maintenance of the grounds is critical for us to run our events, keeping riders and horses safe,” said Toorbul Pony Club volunteer Pennie Eckel. “As many of our members went under in the February floods, it was overwhelming for the club to also be impacted as it is a happy place for our members and horses.

“Thanks to RACQ Foundation, morale is back to an all-time high. We’re very proud to show off our little club, and it has created optimism for the members that are still not back in their houses.”

The latest round of funding closes at 5pm on October 7, 2022.