RACQ Foundation helps cultivate resilience in the Torres Strait
Enhancing food security and bolstering climate resilience across the Torres Strait islands were the key aims of the RACQ Foundation’s 24th community project.
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Over the past week, 38 volunteers completed three resilience building projects including revitalising the Frog Gully Community Gardens on Thursday Island.
Manager of RACQ Foundation Bridgette Muller said the restoration included installing a new irrigation system, improving soil quality and repairing shade sails and the storage shed.
“Bringing this community garden back to life was an important initiative for us to improve food security and restore this valuable community hub, especially for these islands exposed to increasingly severe weather,” Ms Muller said.
Other key works included donating and installing an aquaponics system on Horn Island and the preservation of historical artefacts.
“The aquaponics system at the Torres Strait Island Sports Complex will not only feed local students and their families, but also teach future generations new ways to sustainably farm fresh fruit and vegetables.
“Our team also digitised and catalogued documents and exhibits at the Torres Strait Heritage Museum to safeguard them against future weather events.”
Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat OAM said the partnership with RACQ Foundation has led to positive and long-lasting outcomes for the community.
“This project sets a good example for other major non-indigenous corporate organisations to see and adopt what the RACQ Foundation has fostered in our community,” Mayor Seriat said.
“Our current food supply relies on shipments from the mainland, impacting our health and contributing to the high cost of living in our area.
“These resilience building projects lead to positive outcomes for our wellbeing and employment opportunities, as well as building economic development within our region.”
Ms Muller said RACQ Educators also toured schools in the Torres Strait during the week, teaching students about road safety.
“Our educators visited the Northern Peninsula Area College, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Tagai Secondary State College taking students through RACQ’s specially designed road and marine safety programs, covering the basics for prep to Grade 9 students and more advanced strategies for Year 10 to 12,” she said.
“In addition to working on the islands, our volunteers and staff were honoured to take part in cultural awareness sessions and the NAIDOC Week award ceremony.”
Torres Shire Council CEO Dalassa Yorkston thanked the RACQ Foundation for its work throughout the week.
"Thank you to the RACQ Foundation for bringing that blue army. We've been able to see the community gardens transform before our eyes and we will always remember the input and impact the volunteers have had on our community," Mrs Yorkston said.
Ms Muller said the Foundation was proud to partner with Torres Shire Council on this project to deliver meaningful outcomes for their island communities.Since the RACQ Foundation’s inception in 2011, it has distributed over $14 million to assist more than 400 Queensland community groups affected by natural disaster and drought.
Strengthening relationships and delivering assistance projects in First Nations communities is important for RACQ as the Club continues to deliver on its Reconciliation Action Plan.Related topics
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