One of Bowen’s biggest employers has launched a new community support program, providing funding to not-for-profit organisations and community groups through purchases of small assets to “make a big difference.”
Bowen Rail Company (BRC) commenced the first round of its Community Partnership Program in November, making “positive financial contributions” to communities where the company’s employees live and work.
Each year, the Program intends on offering two rounds of funding for community groups and not-for-profit initiatives, projects, and programs with a maximum of $2,000 per applicant granted per round.
The program’s inaugural grant went to Bowen State High School, assisting them in sending 27 budding engineers, mathematicians, and roboticists to Brisbane to compete in the F1 In Schools Challenge.
Students acted as car manufacturers as part of a team-based state-level competition, designing and building cars from balsa wood in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) school program.
Bowen Rail Company’s Community Partnership Program was integral in helping the students build their car and make the trip to race it in Brisbane, according to the local school as well as the company itself.
BRC General Manager Brendan Lane said the students’ experience was an example of the community outcomes the business wanted to deliver.
“This is something the BRC team has been wanting to do for a while, and now that we’ve moved into operations, we’re really excited to be able to give back to our community in a new way,” Mr Lane said.
“The program is purposefully designed to help with the purchase of the small assets that can make a big contribution to what makes Bowen such a great place to live and work in.
“Tangible things like a new oven for the P&C tuckshop, kickboards for swimming training, or new football jerseys to help players get on the field and make new friends are what we’re looking to support.”
Mr Lane said the Company - which planted its tracks in the Far North town in late 2020 and forms part of the Carmichael Mine resource chain – will run the program annually, awarding it on a bi-annual basis in May and November with applications for the first round open now.
Bowen Rail Company (BRC) launched their new Community Partnership Program with the inaugural grant heading to Bowen State High School to support the school’s F1 In Schools Challenge
