John McVeigh (Groom, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Our electorate of Groom is keenly anticipating the next Stronger Communities Program round. These very much needed community grants help support projects that bring our communities together, strengthen social connections right across the board and really develop community participation. There's no better example than to look to recently funded projects or projects funded in previous rounds. I refer in particular to the Pittsworth Men's Shed. A $20,000 grant towards the cost of a new shared facility really leveraged the community to invest more than $70,000 in total off the back of that grant for this important work in the beautiful town of Pittsworth.

There's also the Toowoomba West Lions Club, who do so much work towards the Christmas Wonderland affair every year in our city, bringing joy to young and old. There's the DownsSteam Tourist Railway, which has much tourism potential. There was some work there to continue to renovate old locomotives. There was some work at the Toowoomba Bowls Club on their commercial kitchen facilities for their work in the community—not only for their members but also for others who use the facility. There's also of course Brightside on Victoria. There was very important work there. There was some money invested to continue to renovate their disability day-care centre. Dollar-for-dollar grants up to $20,000 are very important for the cohesiveness and important work in our community.

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