General News
12 May, 2026
Clubs share in gaming fund
NEARLY $1 million across the Cairns region has been distributed to dozens of community, sports and not-for-profit groups as part of round 125 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
Ten organisations across the Barron River electorate will share in more than $277,000.
In the Cairns electorate, $415,000 was given to 16 organisations, while in Mulgrave three groups share in $75,000.
On the Cassowary Coast at least five clubs received more than $150,000 while two in the Douglas Shire were given funding totalling $55,555.
Among the recipients were Edge Hill Cairns Bowls Club which gets $22,000 to build a security fence around the green.
Member for Mulgrave Terry James MP said three Mulgrave organisations were sharing grant funding totalling $75,535.
Cairns Southside Youth Concert Band receives $31,735 to buy equipment, Gordonvale Lions Club will spend $9300 on new equipment while Ume Lynx Training Indigenous Corporation will buy a new vehicle with $34,500.
“Congratulations to all the successful applicants. For those organisations who were unsuccessful this time round, please be prepared. The next funding round is expected to open in the second half of the year,” Mr James said.
Recipients in Barron River include 4 Hearts Creative Collective $1598 to buy equipment, Barron Valley Gymnastics Club and Freshwater Tennis Club $35,000 each for new equipment.
In the Cairns electorate the Cairns Dragon Boat Club will use $35,000 for facility upgrades while the Jones Park Development Association will buy a new tractor with $34,850 while the Rotary Club of Sunrise will use $33,991 to host an anti-domestic and family violence campaign.
On the Cassowary Coast, the Cardwell Country Club will spend $34,418.18 on new furniture while Mission Beach Surf Life Saving Club will buy a vehicle with $30,404 and Mundoo State School will spend $17,265 on facility upgrades.
Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club will spend $34,555 on a solar system, while Douglas Shire Motor Sports Association receives $21,000 for onsite toilets.
