Thriving Communities Qld

🏡 Grants of up to $10,000 are available to protect Queensland homes against flooding.

Build a stronger, more disaster-resilient home with the Stronger Homes Grant.

If your property was impacted by recent floods or cyclones, you could be eligible for funding to help with essential repairs and upgrades.

To find out more and check your eligibility visit qld.gov.au/strongerhomesgrant

Let’s work together to create safer, more resilient communities! 💪

[Image description: A photograph of a home with floodwater outside].

Grants to strengthen Queensland homes against flooding 🏡

If your home was impacted by one of the following disasters, you may be eligible for a grant up to $10,000 to make your home more resilient.
💧North and Far North Queensland floods (January-February 2025)
💧Western Queensland floods (March-May 2025)
💧Queensland floods, Cyclones Koji and Narelle (December 2025-April 2026)

Stronger Homes Grants can support critical works such as:
⚡Raising essential services like switchboards and air-conditioning
🔨Replacing floor coverings and plasterboard wall linings
🖌️Painting stud work to prevent future mould

To check your eligibility and apply visit qld.gov.au/strongerhomesgrant

Applications close Monday 30 November 2026.

Queensland Building

🎉 Join us in celebrating Athol Alcorn! 💜

At 94 years young, Athol has been nominated for the Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award. For nearly a decade, Athol has been a dedicated volunteer at Hummingbird House, raising over $35,000 through endurance challenges such as walking the Kokoda Track at 87 and completing a 300-kilometre charity walk at 90.

Despite being legally blind, Athol continues to volunteer two days a week, travelling by public transport to care for the Hummingbird House hospice gardens and outdoor spaces.

Thank you, Athol, for your unwavering dedication and kindness. You are an inspiration to us all! 💛 If you’re inspired by Athol’s story and want to make a difference, find out more about volunteering here: 👉 https://volunteeringqld.org.au/

[Image description: Three photographs of Athol Alcorn. The first photograph shows Athol wearing a white and purple Hummingbird House cap and purple shirt, drinking a cup of tea. The second photograph shows Athol in the garden, sweeping up leaves. The third photograph is a close up of Athol's face].

Celebrate QLD Day on 6 June 2026!

It’s a day of state pride — our chance to celebrate the unique people, places, and things that make Queensland what it is today.

QLD Day commemorates the historic moment on 6 June 1859 when our great state started to chart its own course away from NSW by becoming an independent colony.

This QLD Day we’re shouting out the best of our state.

From burgers to beaches, cafes to campsites, vote for your favourite across 15 categories — bakeries, butchers, hairdressers, florists, camping spots and more.

🌐 For more information or to vote, visit 👉 https://qldday.initiatives.qld.gov.au/

[Image description: Graphic with a maroon background and the text, ‘Celebrate our state QLD Day’.]

Queensland Day 2026 On June 6th, we celebrate Queensland Day by shining a light on the everyday heroes who make our state great.

Did you know there are free financial counselling services available across Australia?

These services, funded by local organisations, provide vital support to people facing financial challenges like managing debts or falling behind on rent or mortgage payments.

📌 Learn more about financial counselling services here: dss.gov.au/financial-counselling

💬💰

[Image description: Four green tiles featuring the Autralian Government Department of Social Services logo with text that reads: Free financial counselling is available to you. Local organisations can help you with financial issues, debt management, money choices. Financial Counsellors can help you with your financial problems, manage your debt, make informed choices about your money in the future. Find a service near you at: Dss.gov.au/financial-counselling.]

🏠 Small Changes, Big Difference forum. 🌟

Join the Queenslanders with Disability Network for an important online forum designed to empower people with disability to understand their rights as tenants when requesting home modifications.

From grab rails to ramps, even small changes can make a big difference in supporting independence, safety, and dignity. This session will provide clear guidance on the laws, dispel common myths, and share insights from people with lived experience.

Event details:
🗓️ Date: Friday, 29 May 2026
⏰ Time: 9:30am – 10:30am AEST
📍 Location: Online via Zoom
🎟️ Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/small-changes-big-difference-forum/tickets

💡 What you’ll learn:
• your rights as a tenant when requesting home modifications
• practical resources and co-designed videos to guide you
• insights from the Small Changes, Big Difference project team.

Accessible housing benefits everyone – from people with disability to older Australians, families, and future tenants.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, share, and ask questions!

[Image description: A light blue tile. At the top left of the tile are the words ‘Small changes, Big Difference’. Below the title, there is a photograph of six people with visible and invisible disability, along with a guide dog. To the right of the image are the words ‘let’s talk’ in a speech bubble. Below the speech bubble are the words Home modifications. The campaign creating homes that adapt with you. The Queenslanders with Disability Network and Queensland Government logos are shown at the bottom of the image].

Small Changes, Big Difference Forum Learn your rights as a renter with disability. Join QDN’s Small Changes, Big Difference forum to explore home modifications & lived experience insights.

Looking for ways to save money on your grocery bills?

There has been a resurgence in home gardening as families look to find ways to mitigate the increasing cost of living.

Home gardeners say growing your own food makes financial sense in the long run and can shave hundreds of dollars a month off grocery bills.

It's not too late to start an Autumn-producing vegetable garden, with No Dig garden beds an economical way to get started with little up-front cost.

🌐 Read the full story at 👉 https://ow.ly/ulWt50Z0UW7

[Image description: Image displays layers of soil and grass with a range of vegetables growing on top, the ABC News logo is in the top-left corner.]

Save money on groceries with 'relatively little effort' With grocery prices continuing to bite, more Australians are discovering that home gardening isn't just good for wellbeing — it can also make real financial sense.

May is Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month in Queensland, and you can play an important part in creating safer communities.

This annual initiative is an opportunity to come together, raise awareness and understanding of this form of violence, and take practical steps to prevent DFV across our state.

All Queenslanders – from big organisations, sporting clubs, community groups, to everyday community members – have a role to play, and there are many ways to get involved.

We can all make a difference and contribute to a safer community by:
▶️ promoting respect
▶️ challenging harmful behaviours
▶️ sharing accurate information
▶️ supporting people who may be impacted by DFV.

Find information, resources and practical steps you can take to prevent DFV in your communities at 👉 www.qld.gov.au/dfvpmonth.



[Image description: A blue social tile featuring white text that reads, “Together Queenslanders can prevent domestic and family violence” and “Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month 1 – 31 May 2026”. Beneath this is a search bar displaying ‘Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month’.]

Celebrate National Volunteer Week from 18 to 24 May!

National Volunteer Week is a time to say thank you and recognise the people who give their time and care.

Volunteers play a vital role in building connected, inclusive, and resilient communities; and volunteering creates connection, purpose, and belonging.

The 2026 National Volunteer Week theme is 'Your Year to Volunteer' and everyone is invited to get involved in ways that work for them.

Volunteering can look different at different life stages, and that’s okay.

There is no one way to volunteer, just the way that fits you.

Make 2026 Your Year to Volunteer!

🌐 For more information, visit 👉 https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/



[Image description: A person holding a box of groceries and smiling, text reads ‘National Volunteer Week 18–24 May 2026, Your Year to Volunteer’, with multicoloured wave graphics on the left of the image.]

As we count down to Queensland Day on 6 June, Mini Maroons clinics are being held across the state, giving boys and girls aged 5–12 the chance to take part in fun, inclusive rugby league experiences that build skills, confidence and pride in our state.

Open to all abilities, the clinics focus on fun, friendship and creating a welcoming environment for every child.

Upcoming Mini Maroons clinics:
🏉 Gold Coast – Wednesday 27 May.
🏉 Barcaldine – Saturday 30 May.
🏉 Brisbane – Saturday 30 May.
🏉 Mount Isa – Friday 5 June.
🏉 Sunshine Coast – Saturday 6 June.

Register now with QRL - Queensland Rugby League 👉 https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2026/04/01/mini-maroons-clinics-to-ignite-pride-ahead-of-qld-day

[Image description: A group of kids are running on a field, dressed in maroon football gear. Football sheds can be seen in the background.]

It’s never too early to start sharing the maroon spirit with our kids! And the Mini Maroons clinics are the perfect place to get kids excited for sport, teach them the values of being a “Queenslander”, and get them ready to cheer on our Maroons stars in the men’s women’s State of Origin battles.

We’re excited to partner with QRL - Queensland Rugby League to deliver six Mini Maroons clinics for children of all abilities aged 5 to 12.

The clinics provide a welcoming, inclusive environment where kids can learn basic skills, make new mates and show their passion for the mighty Maroons.

Starting in Mackay on May 1, the fun-filled clinics will continue across the state in the Gold Coast, Barcaldine, Brisbane, Mount Isa and Sunshine Coast.

For more information: https://bit.ly/3PVJeET