RACQ Foundation lends helping hand to Yarrabah community
RACQ Foundation volunteers travelled to far north Queensland this month to carry out repairs and upgrades to facilities in the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah.
Media Release News Grabs & Vision
The group of 29 volunteers including RACQ staff and trades personnel, spent two weeks in the town helping with cleaning, gardening, and roofing, as well as carpentry, mechanical and maintenance work.
RACQ CEO David Carter, who volunteered on the trip, said they were overwhelmed by the warm reception they received from the Gunggandji and Yidinji people.
“Local groups like the RSL, Yarrabah Seahawks Rugby Leagues Club, SES and Women’s Elders’ Hub, are the heart and soul of this community and being able to help revitalise their amenities will go a long way in supporting the entire town,” Mr Carter said.
“This has also been an incredible experience for our staff, having the opportunity to engage with the Traditional Custodians and learn more about their history, culture and local arts.
“Building strong and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities across Queensland are at the heart of RACQ’s Reconciliation Action plan.”
King of Yarrabah, Vincent Jaabaan Schrieber, is the fifth generation of his family to hold the traditional title and said RACQ Foundation’s visit greatly benefitted the community.
“RACQ has been a blessing. We’re so grateful there are organisations out there that want to come into our community and help us - giving and not wanting anything back - and that’s something we’ve never seen in my community,” King Schrieber said.
“No matter what community RACQ goes to next, I hope they form the same friendship we’ve formed with them here in Yarrabah.”
RACQ volunteer Philippa Hill, who works in RACQ’s call centre, said she was fortunate for the opportunity to give back.
“We helped the Yarrabah RSL by replacing the roof and gutters, repainting the internal walls and doors, and externally, painting the concrete base that supports a war-time tank, repairing garden beds and general cleaning. The work revitalised the RSL which commemorates Yarrabah’s contribution to World War II,” she said.
“I also felt honoured to spend time with the women Elders who are teaching younger generations about their traditional paintings, sewing and crafts in order to preserve their culture,” Ms Hill said.
“It’s great to work for an organisation that gives their people volunteering opportunities allowing them to use their skills to support communities - that’s what our Club is all about.”
Yarrabah Shire Mayor Ross Andrews said the repairs to the RSL will mean so much to the town’s veterans.
“The RSL was really run down but the work the RACQ Foundation has done to restore the building will go a long way towards giving the veterans a place where they can come together, sit, and have a cuppa and a yarn.”
Since its establishment in 2011, RACQ Foundation has distributed $15 million to more than 400 community groups. It’s also delivered 20 Community Assistance Projects since 2016.
For more information visit www.racq.com/foundation
Related topics
-
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.