I recently caught up with Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club vice president Jerry Lewis at Sunshine Beach, the place where more than 500 players and 2000 social members call home, with major events attracting up to 5000 people.
The Club was formed in 1985 and fields 22 senior mens, womens, and junior teams in the Sunshine Coast club rugby union competition.
Noosa Dolphins have a strong record of success, appearing in 31 First Grade deciders and winning premierships on 16 occasions.
The Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club has deep roots in the Noosa community, their grounds and facilities are also used by several community groups and local schools, but the demands on the club house have significantly outgrown the building that was constructed in 1988.
For a number of years I’ve been working with the club on their plans for a new club house that can accommodate their members now and into the future, to better support all players and to improve the venue’s accessibility and capacity for other clubs and community groups to use.
The Club is set in a spectacular location and has huge potential to become one of Noosa’s premier sporting facilities and an even better asset for the Noosa community.
That’s why I’m continuing to work with the club on a plan to secure funding to rebuild their club house and upgrade their facilities.
Noosa Dolphins plans to become an even brighter focal point for the Noosa community where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy getting involved in sporting, recreational and community activities.
Wide Bay’s volunteer groups play a very important role in community life, particularly during tough times when households are struggling with the cost of living.
The Volunteer Grants Program has historically been a source of funding that supports volunteer organisations including community service groups, sporting clubs and Veteran associations to make their work easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
There was strong interest in Wide Bay’s 2025 Volunteer Grants Program, with 67 expressions of interest seeking around $268,000 in funding for projects to support the work of volunteers in the community. However, the total allocation for the Wide Bay electorate was only $66,225 in this round, which unfortunately means that many worthwhile projects are not able to be funded under this round.
In 2025, I am supporting the Volunteer Grants applications from the Pomona and District Kindergarten, Pomona District Meals on Wheels, Cooroora Netball Club, Noosa Trailblazers Mountain Bike Club, Noosa District Rugby Union Club, Noosa Christian Outreach Church, and Noosa District Netball Club.
Every volunteer’s contribution, no matter how big or small, is extraordinary because that person cares enough to serve their community and give of their time, expertise, and resources freely to improve the lives of others. Wide Bay communities would not be the same without them.
Special Certificates of Appreciation for volunteer groups and their members are available from my office. The certificates are a way of recognising the work that volunteers do and to say thank you to them. If your volunteer group would like to be recognised please contact my office on 4121 2936 or through my website llewobrien.com.au and I’d be pleased to arrange the certificates for you.
