22 September - Redlands Sporting Club (Palms Auditorium), Anson Road, Wellington Point - 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

24 September - Fradgley Hall, Palm Avenue, Burleigh Heads - 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

25 September - 33 Charlotte Street (Upper Plaza), Brisbane City - 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

28 September – Events Centre Maroochy, Memorial Avenue, Maroochydore - 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

30 September - Mantra, Buccaneer Drive, Urangan, Hervey Bay - 2 pm - 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

5 October - Albert Park Motor Inn, Cnr Sir Hudson Fysh Drive & Stork Road, Longreach - 2 pm - 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

5 October - 33 Charlotte Street (Upper Plaza), Brisbane City - 2 pm - 3 pm

6 October - Caboolture Memorial Hall, King Street, Caboolture – 3 pm - 4 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30pm

8 October - Charleville RSL (Hall), 37-39 Watson Street, Charleville - 2 pm - 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

12 October - Magpies Sporting Club (Sunset Room), Glenella Road, Glenella, Mackay - 2 pm - 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

13 October - Carina Leagues Club, 1390 Creek Road, Carina - 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm

15 October – Quality Hotel Burnett Riverside, 7 Quay Street, Bundaberg - 2 pm - 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

19 October – The Buffs Club, Cnr Grace & Simpson Streets, Mount Isa - 2 pm - 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

22 October - Rockhampton Leagues Club, Cnr Cambridge & George Streets, Rockhampton - 2 pm - 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

28 October - Holiday Inn (Pandora Room), 334 Flinders Mall, Townsville - 2 pm - 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

4 November - Kedron Wavell Services Club, 375 Hamilton Road, Chermside – 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

5 November - Southport Sharks, Cnr Musgrave & Olsen Avenues, Southport – 2 pm – 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

9 November - Cairns RSL, 115 Esplanade, Cairns - 2 pm - 3 pm & 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm

9 November - Crestmead Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association, Gimlet Street, Crestmead - 6 pm – 7 pm

11 November - 33 Charlotte Street (Upper Plaza), Brisbane City - 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

12 November  - Cathedral Centre Function Venue, 123 Neil Street, Toowoomba - 2 pm - 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

19 November - Brothers Leagues Club, Wildey Street, Raceview – 3 pm – 4 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

23 November - Gympie Civic Centre, Mellor Street, Gympie - 2 pm - 3 pm & 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

Round 43 of the Breakwater Island Casino Community Benefit Fund has been announced with 33 organisations receiving a total of $122,794. Please access the publications and resources section for a full list of successful organisations.

The Queensland Government established the Breakwater Island Casino Community Benefit Fund (BICCBF) in 1988 to provide funding to community groups in North Queensland.

The BICCBF receives money from taxes on casinos. It distributes these funds to community projects on a bi-annual basis. The BICCBF is just one way the Government returns taxes from gambling activities. In redistributing gambling taxes through its grants program, the BICCBF plays an important role in ensuring, on balance, the whole State benefits from gambling in Queensland.

One off grants of up to $5,000 are allocated to approved not-for-profit organisations to help provide community services or activities that benefit the community. These grants are not intended to replace existing sources of support for these organisations.

Grants of more than $5,000 are considered for more complex projects which have significant community benefit.

Applications must be from Queensland-based organisations, located within the areas of Mount Isa, Cloncurry, McKinlay, Richmond, Flinders, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Townsville, Burdekin, Whitsunday and Mackay. The majority of Queensland not-for-profit community organisations are eligible to apply for a grant.

The BICCBF has two annual funding rounds. The closing dates for applications are 30 April and 31 October. Allocations are made to successful organisations approximately four months after the funding round closing date.

An independent community-based Board of Trustees considers all applications for funding and makes recommendations to the Minister on allocations from the BICCBF. The Trustees consider applications on a bi-annual basis throughout the year.

The Trustees publish an Annual Allocations Report, which profiles the work of the fund throughout the year. It contains statistical information about grants distribution and gives examples of funded projects. This report is accessible from the publications and resources section.

Les Tyrell- Chairperson

Les Tyrell’s involvement with the local government commenced when he was elected as Councillor to Thuringowa Shire in 1979. Since 1991, he has held the position of Mayor of Thuringowa City Council. In 2003, Mr Tyrell was awarded the Centenary Medal for distinguished service to local government. Besides sitting on numerous council and community committees, Mr Tyrell is also the Deputy Chairman of the Willows Joint Sports Complex Board, Director of Pandora Foundation and board member of NQ Water and Thuringowa Crime Prevention Partnership.

David Ford

David Ford has been Deputy Under Treasurer of Queensland Treasury since August 2005, following a period as Deputy Director-General in the Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development. Prior to this, he was Executive Director of the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation within Queensland Treasury for more than a decade. Mr Ford is also a member of the South Bank Corporation, the International Association of Gaming Regulators, Chairperson of the Golden Casket Foundation Committee and trustee of the Breakwater Island, Jupiters and Reef Hotel Casino Community Benefit Fund.

Fay Barker

Fay Barker was elected to the Townsville City Council in March 2004 and is Councillor for Division 2, which includes Stanton Hill, Rowes Bay, Belgian Gardens and Castle Hill. Prior to her election, Ms Barker operated Townsville Welding Supplies as a sole trader. The company was a success, being listed in the Top 400 privately owned companies in Queensland for seven consecutive years. Ms Barker is a Director for a number of organisations including the Pandora Foundation, Townsville Sister Cities, RACQ Limited and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

David Mather

David Mather has over nine years experience in local government. He is Councillor for Division 9 which includes Mundingburra, Aitkenvale and Rosslea. As well as being a member of 10 council committees, Mr Mather represents the Council on the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE Townsville College Council, NQ Water and Economic Development Advisory Committee of Townsville Enterprise Limited.

Jessie Maher

Jessie Maher is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Unicare, the childcare centre at James Cook University. She also holds membership to Diabetes Australia, Alliance Francaise De Townsville and Queensland Teachers Union.

Elsa Germain

Dr Elsa Germain is the Clinical Director at Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service. She was appointed to this position after working at James Cook University in the roles of Senior Clinical Psychologist/University Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor for nearly 19 years. Dr Germain has also worked as a private consultant in Townsville and South West Queensland for several years. She is a serving member on a number of boards and advisory bodies, including the Psychologists Board of Queensland, the Central and North Queensland Regional Parole Board and the Transcultural Mental Health Unit in Brisbane.