The latest grants from the Mount Emerald Wind Farm Community Fund will help Tablelands voluntary groups bounce back from 2020’s COVID-19 chaos.

Tolga Scarecrow Festival fell victim to the pandemic last year but organisers are determined to come back with a bang in 2021.

A grant from the wind farm community fund will support their efforts to deliver a fun-filled family festival in October.

The full list of successful applications in this round of funding is:

• Atherton Herberton Historic Railway
• CWA Tolga
• Herberton Mining Museum
• Malanda Men’s Shed
• Malanda Swimming Club
• Mareeba Cricket Club
• Mareeba Pony Club
• North Queensland Working Horse Association
• Ravenshoe Meals on Wheels
• Red Earth Running
• Tablelands Outdoor Recreation Association
• Tolga Lions Club
• Tolga Scarecrow Festival

Tom Braes from Mareeba, the chairman of the fund’s independent advisory committee, said: “Last year was horrendous for voluntary groups who had their normal fundraising activities curtailed by COVID, so we are very pleased to see so many of them back up and running again.

“As always, it was tough to decide which of the excellent applications to support, but at least one of the successful groups had applied a number of times before so we were pleased to be able to reward their persistence.

“I would certainly encourage other groups who were unlucky this time to apply again.”

The fund, now in its third year, has backed 63 projects located within a 50km radius of the turbines so far, and will continue to offer more than $200,000 per year throughout the wind farm’s working life.

Applications are accepted all year round, with the deadline for the next round of funding on 31 July. Guidance for applicants and application forms are available from the Mount Emerald Wind Farm website. 

Applications and enquiries can be sent to communityfund@ratchaustralia.com