Member for Gregory, Lachlan Millar, is welcomed today with the announcement of the successful grant applications from Round 96 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

The GCBF, which supports community groups and non-for-profit organisations throughout Queensland, has today announced the successful groups for this round.

Mr Millar, whose electorate spans more than 460,000sq. km’s, is proud to be able announce these grants today.

“The Gambling Community Benefit Fund helps local sporting and community groups undertake vital activities, including infrastructure upgrades and purchasing new equipment” Mr Millar said.

"These one-off grants are important for local sporting and community groups in Central and Western Queensland who are often overlooked by other major funding programs and struggle to raise funds with a smaller membership base.

"Our sporting and community organisations are the lifeblood of our communities, they improve the social, mental and physical wellbeing of townspeople and ensure our regional communities have a vibrant future."

One of the successful community groups was the Emerald Pre-School and Community Kindergarten, who were successful in their $17,500 grant application.

Director Kay Harling explains that the grant will have a huge impact on the community kindergarten, which hosts up to 90 children, including 6 rural and remote families from as far as Springsure and the Arcadia Valley.

“The grant will go towards keeping our facility to a high standard, by painting the outside of the building, one of the inside rooms and replacing floor coverings throughout the centre.

“The upgrades will take place during the school holidays and will be completed over the Christmas holidays.

“This grant is a huge benefit and means that we don’t need to fundraise to complete the upgrades – we’re just so grateful” she said.

“These grants not only help the local organisations, they flow onto local builders, painters and small businesses, helping the whole community to prosper” Mr Millar said.

For more information on how to apply for the Gambling Community Benefit Fund is available at www.justice.qld.gov.au/grants.

Round 96 GCBF recipients include: