Go Clubs Newsletter | June 2025

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund $100,000 SUPER ROUND Opens 9th of June

About:  The super round has a main focus on infrastructure.  If there is any leftover funding after funding major projects, smaller non-infrastructure grant applications may be entertained. 

Before applying:

✅ If on Council land - ensure you submitting an improvement works form at least 30 days prior to ensure you have the landowner's permission. We can have approvals on file for up to 2 years so it's a great idea to get these in as soon as you know you wish to undertake a project. 

✅Ensure you have thoroughly read through the guidelines to ensure you understand what's eligible and what's ineligible 

✅ Call the Community Benefit Fund and check you do not have any outstanding grant acquittals, and that you have waited for at least one round between your last grant acquittal and your new application.

✅ You can review the questions in advance by signing into the portal.  The questions will be the same as past funding streams. 

✅ Identify community use - are there other clubs, organisations, members of the public or schools that are likely to use this new grant funded infrastructure?  Extended community use is likely to obtain more traction in your grant application.  Please ensure you reference as many organisations as you can and where possible obtain letters of support in case GCBF request these. 

✅ If you have a masterplan over your area or a strategic plan that mentions your infrastructure plans - please ensure you reference these.  If you have any of these documents online you can provide the URL in your application. 

✅ Please ensure you have solid quotes that that have a longer expiry such as 12 months.  It can take anywhere between 4 and 7 months for the successful applicants to be announced.  Then you have to book your contractor/s at a time that fits their schedule and your organisations.

✅ Ensure you understand the obligations to GST.  Grants are not taxed however expenditure is, meaning your club will need to pay for the GST on items.

✅ Inform goclubs@cairns.qld.gov.au of your intention to apply and advise if you are successful.  We can likely provide some support assistance to your organisation. 

Gambling Community Benefit Fund | Department of Justice

The Gambling Community Benefit Fund closes - 18th of July

Community Partnerships Grant

This grant assists community groups and organisations to deliver events and activities that enhance the lives of local communities, celebrate important community occasions and provide opportunities to develop social cohesion and connection in the Cairns region.  Grants are up to $25,000 per application. 

It is recommended that in the first instance to read the Community Partnerships Grant Information booklet found within the ‘related documents’ on the community partnerships page . It is also recommended that you contact a member of the Community Partnerships team prior to completing an application by phone 1300 69 22 47 or email communitygrants@cairns.qld.gov.au 

Go Clubs Infrastructure Assistance Grant | Cairns Celebrates 150 Years UPDATE

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances this grant stream will have a delay in the grant information session, EOI and opening date.  

As soon as we have a new set timeline, we will share this information through the Go Clubs database.  Information will also be updated on the Council Grants page 

Go Clubs infrastructure Assistance Grant – Cairns Celebrates 150 Years | Cairns Regional Council

• TBA - Go Clubs Grant Information Seminar 
• TBA - Expressions of Interest open (see website for EOI form)
• TBA - Go Clubs Infrastructure Grant opens
• TBA - Expressions of Interest close*
• TBA - Improvement Works Applications (if applicable) are due
• TBA - Go Clubs Infrastructure Grant application period closes
• TBA - Successful applications announced
• TBA - Projects / acquittals completed at latest

As soon as we have the new timelines updated, we will share this information through the Go Clubs newsletter and through our Facebook Group 

Thank you for your understanding. 

Community Spotlight: A Win-Win for Local Clubs and Charities

Freshwater Tennis & FNQ Nature Quest

As many of us know, the Cairns region is quickly running out of usable land—and with that comes increased demand for sports facilities, office spaces, and storage. But with a little creativity and collaboration, there are smart ways we can make better use of existing community spaces.

A big shoutout to Freshwater Tennis Club, who have recently opened their downstairs office to FNQ Nature Quest, a newly established charity in our region. Not only has the club created an additional revenue stream, but they’ve also provided a much-needed home for a growing organisation with a powerful mission.

This partnership is a great example of how clubs can work together to support community development. Even better—by demonstrating that their facilities are used beyond just their own members, Freshwater Tennis Club can now gain extra points when applying for building-related grants. That’s a clever move and a big win for everyone involved.

If you know of a club that has space available and you're open to supporting another not-for-profit, they can start by contacting goclubs@cairns.qld.gov.au and submit a request to communitybusiness@cairns.qld.gov.au regarding the allowed land use.   It’s important to confirm that your land use permits this kind of arrangement and to receive the proper approvals. The Freshwater Tennis Club followed the process carefully—and it paid off!

About FNQ Nature Quest

FNQ Nature Quest is a newly established charity whose mission is to inspire and empower individuals and communities to connect with nature. They offer accessible, sustainable, and inclusive programs designed to support physical and emotional wellbeing. Their goal? Helping people reconnect with nature to find balance, resilience, and a healthier way of living.

Disability Inclusion and Accessibility in Sports Clubs

If your organisation is looking to upgrade or build new facilities or trying to be more inclusive in your club, it's a great idea to understand where to go to for support.

SPORTS4ALL A government funded initiative for disability Inclusion and Accessibility in Sports Clubs

PROUD2PLAY Proud 2 Play are dedicated to increasing LGBTQI+ engagement in sport, exercise, and active recreation, collaborating closely with the broader sporting community, and proactively tackling discrimination and hostility within the sporting realm.

DISABILITY GATEWAY A website full of helpful tools with resources on good practice guidelines for engaging with people with disability.

SPORT & RECREATION   Sport, recreation and play content section on Disability Online, with information for people with a disability, their family, carers and friends and coaches and sporting clubs about topics such as social sport, elite sport, disability sport

SPORTS AUSTRALIA to promote more inclusive sport practices in our community, Sports Australia have a variety of easy-to-use tools and resources to help sports and clubs understand, recognise and celebrate inclusion and diversity

PRIDE IN SPORT A national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations of all levels with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators with diverse sexualities and genders.

Welcoming Clubs is coming to Cairns  

Welcoming Clubs is coming to Cairns in 2025 and we are inviting sport and recreational clubs in the region to get in touch with us. Welcoming Clubs is all about harnessing the power of sport to enrich and empower the lives of all involved in community sport, so they can flourish and grow both on and off the field of play.  Through our Active Inclusion Workshop we support clubs in measuring their inclusive practices and implementing practical and relevant actions, while offering learning opportunities for members. By engaging with our workshops and resources, sport clubs can create not only welcoming but also safe and inclusive spaces where all members of the community can experience a true sense of belonging.

Expressions of interest are invited at: stephen@welcoming.org.au Please call Stephen on 0466 228 122 for further information.

Stephen O'Grady    Queensland Coordinator, Welcoming Clubs

0466 228 122

Welcoming Australia  Welcoming Clubs

The power of Strategic Planning

What better way to predict the future of your club than to create it?

Planning is one of the most exciting tasks for club committees because it gives you the chance to set aside your day-to-day operations and dream up a big future. Some of the most successful turnaround stories in clubs started with those organisations planning ahead.

In this free webinar, we’ll explore how strategic planning can assist with your club’s growth and success and we’ll provide practical steps for club planning that actually works!    Register now and let us show you how to start putting together a great club plan!

📣CRP Group      📆19 June 2025       ⏲️ 12:00 PM

Scaling your club for success

Is your club ready to grow and reach new heights? Whether you're looking to boost membership, secure more funding, professionalise your operations or strengthen your governance, having the right strategies in place is key.

Join CPR Group in this free webinar as we break down our insightful club levels framework and explore practical ways to scale your club sustainably. Learn how to move beyond survival mode, increase engagement, reduce volunteer burnout and position your club for long-term success.

This session is perfect for club leaders who want to future-proof their organisation and build a lasting legacy. Register now to take your club to the next level!

📣CRP Group      📆 24 July 2025       ⏲️12:00PM

Did you miss the Club IQ Strategic Planning Workshop?

If you missed this incredibly informative strategic planning session, fear not!  You could now view this at any time through the Club IQ YouTube Channel.

These bite sized webinars are designed for busy clubs and their committees.

Did you miss the Budgeting for Clubs Workshop?

If you missed the budgeting for sports clubs workshop you could now view this at any time through the Club IQ YouTube Channel.

These bite sized webinars are designed for busy clubs and their committees.

The budgeting tools can be found on the State Government website Please scroll to the bottom of the page under the heading 'budgeting'