Community ‘beating hearts’ gain vital funding

A local collective that boosts men’s health and wellbeing and a much-loved community festival have received funding injections to keep the music playing.

They are just two of the 140 groups that were successful in the latest round of Sunshine Coast Council’s major grant funding.

Council’s Major Grants are a bi-annual opportunity for not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding support to deliver one-off projects, activities and events that have broad, community benefit.

The latest round attracted a record-breaking number of applicants with groups applying for up to $15,000 for community group projects and $30,000 for infrastructure projects.

Sunshine Coast Council Strong Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said this round of funding was competitive, with 200 applications from throughout the region.

“It’s wonderful to have so many community groups and not-for-profits take the time to apply for Council funding and congratulations to those who were successful,” Cr Law said.

“The calibre of the entries from so many worthy groups was incredibly high.

“Those groups that missed out this time shouldn’t be disheartened, and I encourage you to have another go in the future.

“Please reach out to Council’s Grants Team about your application and they will provide you and your not-for-profit organisation with feedback to strengthen your next application.

”And if you’ve not applied for Council funding before and don’t know how to start, we run grant drop-in sessions at our libraries and grant writing workshops that will help you with your application.”

Range of grants for community champions

Fellow Strong Community Portfolio Councillor Taylor Bunnag said Council was committed to supporting the valuable contribution of our region’s community groups and their dedicated volunteers by offering a range of grants and funding opportunities.

“I look forward to seeing what the groups achieve with their acquired funding,” Cr Bunnag said.

“From vital infrastructure improvements to building social connections, supporting the local economy, fostering creativity and enhancing health and wellbeing, the footprints of our local community organisations are vast. 

“Community groups and not-for-profits are the beating hearts in our towns and suburbs - right across the region - and Council is very proud to play a role in supporting them.”

Music makers the big winners

The Coolum Men’s Shed is set to host a bigger and better Shed Music Festival in 2025, thanks to a $9,000 boost in grant funding.

This follows the success of the group’s inaugural event in 2024.

Organiser Bruce Uhlhorn said last year’s hugely successful festival was a Men’s Shed world first, combining health checks and great tunes.

“Shed Music ’25 is a ‘Music for Health’ initiative that gives Men’s Shed musicians a performance opportunity and provides a platform for men’s health discussions in a relaxed, festival atmosphere,” Mr Uhlhorn said.

“Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service clinicians will again come along this year and provide free check-ups as well as referrals for people who may need additional services - all while festival-goers soak up the atmosphere and live music.

“One of last year’s patrons, who was suffering from PTSD and related mental health issues, said the experience had been wonderful for his mental health.

“The music will again be performed by talented members from men’s and women’s sheds across the coast, interstate and internationally.”

Council funding will contribute to outdoor mobile stage hire, sound and lighting crew, stage management and security.

This year’s weekend festival will take place from September 5 to 7, at the Coolum-Peregian RSL in Coolum Beach. www.mensshed.org/event/shedmusic25

Hills alive with music after funding injection

Sweet sounds are also set to flow in the hinterland, with Maleny Music and Performing Arts Inc. receiving $9,500 for the annual Maleny Music Festival.

Festival general manager Tony Collins said this year’s event from November 7 to 9 would include more than 120 acts.

“It will feature local musicians playing folk, traditional Irish, blues and Americana, as well as performing poetry, dance, acrobatics, workshops and activities for children,” Mr Collins said.

“This event gives our community a wonderful opportunity to connect through music and creativity, while also showcasing Maleny as a wonderful, hinterland destination.

“It’s important to the event organisers that ticket prices are affordable, so the festival remains accessible to everyone, while also providing paid employment opportunities for our musicians too.

“And of course, an increase in visitors to Maleny also means more money spent at local businesses.

“The festival is family-friendly, and we encourage all ages to come along, with kids under 12 free.

“We also have a lot of older audience members attend and because we are a small, inclusive festival, the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly as well as easy to navigate around.

“There are various costs involved in running this event - venue and equipment hire, consumables, specialist contractors, promotion, production, performers, and insurance to name a few!

“Council’s grant funding greatly assists in covering those costs and keeping ticket prices down.”

For more information on the festival, visit www.malenymusicfestival.com.

Other community projects funded under Council’s Major Grants program include:

• Arts Connect - $7,500 towards this annual, nine-day event at Flaxton Gardens (November 28 - December 7). Program includes exhibition and sculpture competition.
• Royal Life Saving Society Queensland - $2,000 towards a Migrant Water Safety Program.
• Sunshine Coast Pride Network - $6,000 towards Pride Festival Fair Day 2025 - free event celebrating LGBTQIA+ visibility and inclusion (November 16).
• Dicky Beach Surf Life Saving Club - $2,000 towards videography for Dicky Beach SLSC History Film Project - Build on existing series of videos documenting club's history.
• Caloundra Residents Association - $3,633 towards purchase of portable PA system, cables, marquee, table, chairs and signage for community meetings and events.
• The First Traders Ltd - $15,000 towards empowering local First Nations Business Growth to develop a strategic plan, marketing strategy, and operations blueprint to provide a structured roadmap for growth, investment, and long-term sustainability.
• Maleny Rangers Football Club - $20,000 towards construction of new changerooms adjacent to the existing clubhouse.
• Caloundra Triathlon Club Inc - $2,000 trainer fees for a month-long introductory program into triathlons.
• Sunshine Coast Rowing Club - $9,000 towards the purchase of a new rowing boat.
• Island Swim: Mudjimba to Mooloolaba - $5,000+ towards the purchase of beach mobility mats for use by people with a disability at the annual ocean swimming event that raises funds for Sunshine Coast special schools.
• Generation Innovation - $7,500 towards event series (July - October 2025) for young entrepreneurs (ages 15-21) to provide mentoring, skills development and business connections.
• Sunshine Coast Chinese Association - $5,000 towards the 2026 Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival Celebration.
• SunnyKids - $7,500 towards Transitional Housing Fit-Out - beds and mattresses to furnish six, newly built transitional townhouses in Maroochydore, to provide medium-term housing for families exiting crisis accommodation, or are at risk of homelessness.
• Parent to Parent Association Qld - $7,000 towards Loud and Clear Qld 2025 - for a conference and concert (October 2025) designed for, and led by, people with disabilities.
• Our Mate-Ship - $4,000 towards Reel Therapy Fishing Program - A six-month fishing program designed to support the mental wellbeing of veterans, emergency services personnel, emergency services members.
• Undumbi Muckan Tribe Aboriginal Corporation - $7,500 towards NAIDOC week community celebration at Aura, bringing together Aboriginal tribal groups to share cultural knowledge, traditional dance and storytelling while reviving the historic Festival of the Harvest.

The full list of successful recipients is available on Council’s website.

The next round of Major Grants will open July 14 and close August 25, 2025.

To learn more about grant programs and funding opportunities for community organisations, please visit Council's website.