The Autism Treehouse is one of seven Noosa organisations to receive a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant.
The Autism Treehouse will use its State Government grant of almost $9000 to rebrand its organisation to better define its purpose to be a go-to resource for people wanting information on autism.
Previously called The Treehouse Initiative, the organisation was established in 2013 by Claire Gilmour following the autism diagnosis of her son Cooper and her own need to source information.
“There was no one organisation to go to – to find out what resources are available,” she said.
The organisation operates online with participants from Noosa to Caloundra but hopes with future funding to obtain its own premises from which to base itself.
“It would be somewhere to go to when your child has been diagnosed. We’d have resources, brochures, someone to talk to, someone who understands, who has been through it,” she said.
They currently host workshops with expert speakers, parents’ get-togethers, children’s activities and an annual Christmas party attended by 700-800 people.
Other organisations to receive grants were:
* Cooroy Memorial Hall Association – $32,140.
* Noosa District Softball Association – $33,494.55.
* Noosa Model Flyers – $7500.
* Noosa Tennis Club – $32,790.
* Noosa Trailblazers Mountain Bike Club – $35,000.
* Cooroy Horse and Pony Club – $4560.
Applications for the next round of funding close on 31 August.
The grants are worth between $500 and $35,000, and can be applied for online at www.justice.qld.gov.au/grants
