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Council Working with Flood-Affected Sports Clubs

Townsville City Council is urging flood-affected sports clubs to reach out for help.

Council is checking on the welfare of clubs and offering links to support services for staff, volunteers and members.

Community and Cultural Development Committee Chair Councillor Colleen Doyle said flooded clubs can access a range of programs.

“We’ve spoken to a lot of clubs and many of them have suffered substantial damage,” Cr Doyle said.

“Essential infrastructure has been damaged and it’s had a massive impact on the people who give so much of their time to junior and senior sports.

“We’re helping staff and members from local sports clubs deal with the disaster by providing expert assistance.”

Council’s welfare questionnaire found three clubs estimated their damage bill was more than $250,000 each.

Nine clubs said their losses from the flood could be up to $250,000.

Councillor Maurie Soars – a veteran sports administrator – said clubs should make the most of the Council’s offer.

“I’d urge officials to touch base with Council and let us know how we can help,” Cr Soars said.

“We have a good rapport with a lot of clubs and we can sit down with them to talk about sport and more personal matters.

“Clubs have been working hard to get back on track but if they hit a trough at some stage we’ll be there to help them.”

Townsville Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chair Deputy Mayor Les Walker said sport has an important role to play in the recovery

“These sports want to return to normal as soon as possible and it’s our job to help them,” Cr Walker said.

“Kids want to get back to their normal routine, they want to get back to training and playing sport.

“We can guide the clubs through the recovery process.”

Sports organisations can apply for funding of up to $20,000 through the State Government’s Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program at:

https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/disaster-recovery

Residents can access Council’s sport flood recovery questionnaire at:

https://fs6.formsite.com/townsvillecc/qfnrx6crhv/index.html?1551304220480

Townsville’s Medical Ship Gets Support from Oro Province

Oro Province Governor, Honourable Gary Juffa, presented a cheque for K150,000 to YWAM Medical Ships last week on behalf of the Oro Provincial Government fulfilling the first part of a pledge toward annual operational expenses for YWAM’s Training and Medical Ship, the MV YWAM PNG.

Governor Juffa said that the provincial administration was a proud supporter of YWAM’s work in Oro Province.

“We’ve established a wonderful relationship with YWAM Medical Ships over the last four years – first with their land-based teams and now with their medical ship, MV YWAM PNG.

“YWAM’s unique ability to deliver healthcare and training in remote areas make them an ideal partner as we work toward a shared vision – excellent rural service delivery.

“We are looking forward to the MV YWAM PNG’s return to Oro early next year – our health workers always love working alongside YWAM’s team of passionate, dedicated volunteers.  Together the teams have been able to achieve excellent outcomes for our people,” said Governor Juffa.

YWAM Medical Ships Managing Director, Mr Ken Mulligan, said he was grateful for the Oro Provincial Administration’s support.

“We greatly value our relationships in Oro Province, and appreciate Governor Juffa’s leadership in establishing this important partnership.
“The MV YWAM PNG is currently undergoing Stage III of her renovations before she returns to PNG next month.

“This upcoming deployment is positioned to be our biggest yet – our capacity for service delivery will increase again once this next round of renovations are complete,” said Mr Mulligan.

The MV YWAM PNG’s Stage III of renovations include the construction of a training room, enhance patient waiting area and medical storage space enhanced patient waiting area and medical storage space and the addition of a new extended-range patrol boat, itself with capacity to carry a healthcare team of up to 20 people.

The MV YWAM PNG will arrive in Port Moresby next month before starting her first outreach to remote villages in Gulf Province.

Other major supporters of MV YWAM PNG’s operations include PNG National Government, Puma Energy, Australian Aid, Steamships Trading Company, PNG Ports Corporation and Morobe, Milne Bay, Central and Western Provincial Governments, along with the Sohe District Development Authority.