The RACQ Foundation has completed its 24th community initiative, targeting food security and climate resilience in the Torres Strait islands.
Over the past week, 38 volunteers undertook three significant projects, including revitalising the Frog Gully Community Gardens on Thursday Island.
RACQ Foundation manager Bridgette Muller said that the restoration work encompassed installing a new irrigation system, enhancing 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,” she said.
Other notable projects included the donation and installation of 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,” Muller said. “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 commended the partnership with the RACQ Foundation, citing its significant and lasting benefits.
“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,” she 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.”
During the week, RACQ educators visited schools in the Torres Strait to promote road safety. They conducted sessions at Northern Peninsula Area College, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, and Tagai Secondary State College, covering topics from basic road safety to advanced strategies for older students.
“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,” Muller 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 expressed gratitude for the RACQ Foundation’s efforts.
“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,” she said.
Since its establishment in 2011, the RACQ Foundation has allocated over $14 million to assist more than 400 Queensland community groups affected by natural disasters and droughts.
RACQ said strengthening relationships and supporting projects in First Nations communities align with its Reconciliation Action Plan.
