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Keeping you informed about Community News in the Flinders Shire. 
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If there is something you would like to see included in the Community Connect eNewsletter or if you would like to share your event information please contact the Community Development Officer via email cdo@flinders.qld.gov.au or phone 4741 2900.
Upcoming Events 
Freestyle on Flinders FAQ 

When is it?
Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd of August.

What is on?
Friday Night:

  • Kicks off with the boat parade and lantern parade.  Assembly point is at the Shire Office – meet at 5:45pm to kick off at 6pm.
  • Then bring your family and friends along to watch Opera Queensland’s colourful riot of sunny Spanish madness, “The Adventures of Figaro”.  This is a high energy, fun, family show (not your traditional opera), presented on a professional stage.  Stalls will be open with food and drink, so bring your chairs along to Robert Gray Memorial Park and give yourself a night off from the cooking.

Saturday:

  • Boat Races – 12pm till 4:30pm – Robert Gray Memorial Park.
  • Get your family, friends, club members, schoolmates and workmates together and build yourselves a trusty craft to sail the high seas of the Flinders River.  Challenge other clubs for domination of the sandy straights!
  • Get into training for the Ironman events and Tug-a-War.
  • Food and Drink stalls. BYO Alcohol in a restricted area.
  • Music & Karaoke – 6pm till midnight – Hughenden Showgrounds
  • Lions will be running the bar and food, so come and support them and have a great time.

Sunday:

  • Markets in the Discovery Park
  • If you would like to hold a stall at the markets, contact Cathy Acree on 47 411 225

What do the boats have to be like?

  • Boats can be as simple or as complicated as you like but must vaguely resemble a boat.  
  • Make sure they fully enclose your team.
  • No sharp edges.  (Poly pipe, electrical conduit, plastic bottles are some ideas for materials.)
  • They must cross the line as an assembled piece (holding a piece of poly pipe in your left hand as you run over doesn’t quite do the trick!)
  • Make them fun – decorate them to your heart’s content.

What categories can we compete in?

  • Single and two man boat events – Men’s, Women’s, U16 & U12
  • Four man boat events – Open, U16 & U12
  • Iron Man, Woman, U16 & U12
  • Tug-A-War – 8 person team – Open, U16, U12
  • Open teams and kid’s teams can be mixed. 

How do I register?

  • Preferably register at the Flinders Discovery Centre, but if you can’t manage that, registrations open at 11:30 on the Saturday.  

We want to make this a great event for the town and the district, so tell everyone you know and spread the word on Facebook, Twitter etc.  Extra visitors to the town are always a bonus to the local businesses, and keep our town happy and prosperous.  Please contact the Flinders Discovery Centre for more information on 4741 2970 or info@flinders.qld.gov.au.  

The Adventures of Figaro - Based on the Barber of Seville.  A new OperaQ performing version by Lindy Hume and Craig Allister Young.  

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT 
7.30pm Friday 21 August 2015 
Freestyle on Flinders Festivities begin at 6pm Robert Gray Memorial Park, Hughenden
BYO Drinks and chairs - Food stalls available

The Adventures of Figaro is a high-energy, colourful riot of sunny-Spanish madness in which performers sing, dance, act and play their way through a 90 minute version of Rossini’s much-loved opera, The Barber of Seville.

This madcap tale follows a lively Figaro as he attempts to help Count Almaviva (his former boss) rescue Rosina (the Count’s crush) from the romantic sights of the doddery Doctor Bartolo.

OperaQ’s Lindy Hume will direct her adventurous and dynamic new adaptation of Rossini’s much loved opera, The Barber of Seville accompanied by an effervescent new musical arrangement by Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Craig Allister Young. 

The Adventures of Figaro features celebrated Queensland performers including Jason Barry-Smith in the title role as the famous barber, a dynamic ensemble of four singers and three musicians and award-winning Sandro Colarelli as the frazzled servant Fiorello. This fast-paced, vibrant work performed in English is perfect for opera lovers and new comers alike.

“Once again a triumph from Opera Queensland, which has had a consistently brilliant year.  I very much hope rural Queenslanders take full advantage of the tour.”

Andrew Messenger, Limelight Magazine OperaQ La bohème Tour 2014

Visit OperaQ's Facebook Page 
Get a sneak peak of what to expect from Figaro 
NQ Healthy Workplace Program is now available – register your workplace today! 

NQ Healthy Workplace Program is a workplace wellness initiative supporting all local businesses to create healthy work environments. You can demonstrate your commitment to workplace health by registering for FREE!!

Workplaces who register for the program receive access to a range of support services and resources, including an initial consultation with a health professional, monthly e-bulletins and toolkits to support your workplace program! For more information and to register, visit the Active Healthy NQ website: www.activehealthynq.com 

Register by August 30th and receive pedometers for your workplace. 

If you would like more information on the program, or to schedule your initial consultation contact us on healthpromotion@naphl.com.au or call 07 4722 8766.

 

The Queensland Arts Showcase Program 

The Queensland Arts Showcase Program was announced in the 2015-16 State Budget and will start from 1 September 2015.

This new program will be rolled out through three streams: Arts Ignite, Arts Illuminate and Arts Impact.

The program aims to provide a vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector in Queensland that connects with and develops new audiences. It also focuses on creating employment and training opportunities for Queensland based artists and arts workers while supporting collaborations to provide quality arts and cultural experiences.

The draft guidelines for the Program are now available for public comment for a four week period.

A copy of the draft guidelines for Queensland Arts Showcase is available online.  

The arts sector and the Queensland community are invited to provide feedback to Arts Queensland by emailing aqpolicy@arts.qld.gov.au by 5pm Monday 17 August 2015.

Stronger Communities Programme – Grants for Small Capital Project
Grants of $5,000 and up to $20,000 – Two Funding Rounds available
Projects must have confirmed matching cash or in-kind funding on at least a $ for $ basis


KAP Federal Leader and Member for Kennedy Bob Katter MP is delighted to announce that the guidelines for the Stronger Communities Programme funding have been released by the Federal Government.  (Please read the Guidelines document attached).

“These are excellent little grants, we really need them to get small projects off the ground,” Mr Katter said.

Under the Stronger Communities Programme funding of $150,000 per year will be available in 2015-16 and 2016-17 for the electorate of Kennedy, to support small capital projects to improve local community participation and contribute to the community’s vibrancy and viability. 

Funding programmes such as this provides significant social benefits to small communities such as those within Kennedy. Mr Katter pointed out the example of a past small grant given to the community of Richmond.

“A little tiny grant of $5,000 that was given to Richmond and it grew into a half a million dollar leading, interpretive, Mesozic museum,” Mr Katter said.

Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 will be available for projects with matched contributions, in cash or in-kind, on at least a dollar for dollar basis. 

We encourage all community based incorporated not-for-profit organisations, local governing bodies and legal entities with small capital projects in the local communities to make the most of the programme.  

Projects for consideration need to be submitted by COB Monday 17 August 2015 
by email to:  Terese Mayer, Mount Isa Electorate Office:  terese.mayer@aph.gov.au.  (Please have emails with the subject line of:  “SCP: Project for Consideration”), 
or by mail to:  Hon. Bob Katter MP, Member for Kennedy, PO Box 2130, Mount Isa, Qld, 4825.

If you require further information please contact Mr Katter's Mount Isa Electorate Office on 07 4743 3534 or go to this website for further information.  

Helpful Documents
 
20 Million Trees Programme Grant 
Round Two of the 20 Million Trees Programme competitive grants was announced by the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, on National Tree Day.
 
Round Two of the 20 Million Trees Programme invites applications from individuals, organisations and community groups such as schools, landholders and conservation groups to apply for funding of between $20,000 and $100,000 to plant trees in a range of urban, peri-urban and regional environments across Australia.
 
To assist applicants to plan their projects, the Guidelines and other key information will be available online. Applications for Round 2 can be submitted from early August using the online form. Applications must be submitted by the closing time of 2.00pm AEST (Canberra time) 16 September 2015.
 
The 20 Million Trees Programme is part of the National Landcare Programme. The Australian Government has committed $50 million over four years to the 20 Million Trees Programme. Under Round One, grant funding of over $4.5 million is already enabling projects across 6 states to plant over one million trees.
 
The Programme will support projects that involve the community in re-establishing native vegetation, provide habitat to support our threatened species, sequester carbon from the atmosphere and help to create greener spaces to improve the liveability of Australia’s cities and towns. Priority for Round Two will be given to projects with positive outcomes for threatened species and threatened ecological communities listed under the EPBC Act.

For Round Two, applicants have the option to apply in the same application for up to three Green Army Teams to assist with their 20 Million Trees Project.
 
Information on the application process is available in the Guidelines.
Rural and Remote Education Access Program (RREAP)
The Rural and Remote Education Access Program (RREAP) helps schools and school communities improve the educational outcomes and opportunities of students who are disadvantaged because of their geographical isolation so that students' learning outcomes match those of other students.

RREAP funds are available to assist Queensland state schools and school communities to support and enrich a curriculum that is appropriate for the educational needs of geographically isolated primary and secondary school students.

RREAP Funding Applications for funding from the Rural and Remote Education Access Program (RREAP) are now open. Application forms can be found on the website under “School Cluster Committee Application” - http://rreap.qld.edu.au.Application rounds close on the 14th of August 2015. Applications will be assessed in the week following, interested community members are welcome to attend. For help or further information regarding RREAP applications please approach your school or contact Tammy at Prairie State School.

NOW OPEN - Gambling Community Benefit Fund Round 

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) has replaced the Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund, Breakwater Island Casino Community Benefit Fund, Reef Hotel Casino Community Benefit Fund and the pre-existing Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

Eligible organisations will be able to apply for a maximum of $35,000 and this will involve completing just 1 application. There are 4 rounds each year.

Making it better for community groups

Community groups can be assured they will not be worse off. Amalgamating the funds now means that:

  1. all eligible organisations can apply for the same grant value
  2. the new process is more consistent and fair for all organisations across the state
  3. one application per round makes it easier for community groups to apply (no more applying to 4 separate funding programs, each with different grant limits, criteria and budget requirements).
The next funding round opens mid-July 2015 and will close on the 31 August.  
Queensland Destination Events Program

Events play a key role in fostering regional tourism and economic development. Tourism is an essential industry to many rural and regional centres, ensuring economic stability, and events can be a cost-effective way of promoting a region and its attractions – as an event grows, it attracts tourists in its own right.

The positive economic impact and interest in a community that a successful regional event can provide not only helps to build a sense of local pride but can also foster confidence and strengthen the community as a whole.

The Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP), formerly the Regional Development Program (RDP), seeks to leverage the crucial link between events and the destinations in which they are staged, extending the flow of the economic, marketing and social benefits of events throughout metropolitan and regional Queensland.

Within this context, the aims and objectives of the QDEP are as follows:

  • Generate local economic activity and development in the host destination
  • Attract external visitation to the destination
  • Drive social and community outcomes for the host destination, noting the important link between community outcomes and economic benefits
  • Enhance the profile and appeal of the host destination.
Type of funding available to events

The QDEP offers two funding options for regional events:
  • Destination event funding – single year funding for developing events seeking growth ($10,000 - $25,000 per year)
  • Significant event funding – single year or up to 3-years of funding for events that can demonstrate a strong track record of growth or growth potential ($25,000 - $100,000 per year)
How the funding can be used
  • Marketing costs
  • Strategic plan development
  • Engagement of short-term specialised personnel
  • Hire of temporary infrastructure
For more information visit the Tourism and Events Queensland Website 
Funding Round Round Opens Round Closes Eligible Event Dates
1 25 May 2015 10 July 2015 29 February 2016 - 26 February 2017
2 13 July 2015 30 October 2015 20 June 2016 - 25 June 2017
3 2 November 2015 18 March 2016 3 October 2016 - 8 October 2017
 
CLOSING SOON - RAF Community Project Grants

Artslink Queensland manage The Regional Arts Fund (RAF) in Queensland. RAF is an Australian Government initiative that supports sustainable, community-based cultural development in regional, remote and isolated areas of Australia.

Quick Response Grants Assistance up to $1,500 to individual artists or $3,000 for organisations for professional development  or community arts projects. Runs annually from 1 February – 30 November. There are no round dates.  To apply and find out more information visit the Artslink website.

Round Two 2015 of the Community Projects Grants opens 1 July for projects commencing after 1 January 2016.  Applications for Round Two 2015  close at 5pm on 17 August.  More information and how to apply can be found here.  

CLOSING SOON - Queensland Week Sponsorship 2016 Program 

The Queensland Week Sponsorship Program encourages Queenslanders to celebrate Queensland Week in a way that reflects the unique culture, heritage and aspirations of their own community.

Each year, right across the state, Queenslanders mark this annual celebration of our people, places and achievements with barbeques, family fun days, festivals, street parades or something unique to their community.

Applications for sponsorship of up to $10,000 (exclusive of GST) are now being accepted for events being held to celebrate Queensland Week from 4 to 12 June 2016.

It is important organisations thoroughly read and understand the guidelines before submitting an application.

For further information can be found on here.  Applications close on the 28 August 2015.

If you require any assistance with your applications please don't hesitate to contact Community Development Officer on 4741 2900 or cdo@flinders.qld.gov.au

Copyright © 2015 Flinders Shire Council, All rights reserved.


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