New round of community events funded

A total of $182,950 will be invested through Round 17 of the Community Partnerships Grants, supporting 14 community events that celebrate culture, sport and local connection.

Cairns Basketball Inc will host the 2026 U14 Boys State Championships, giving local young athletes the rare chance to compete at state level at home while drawing over 3,000 visitors and generating an estimated $3.6 million in economic benefit.

The Cairns Diwali Mela (Fair), Songkran Festival, Thai Cultural Loy Krathong Festival and Cairns Filipino Barrio Fiesta will each create a vibrant and immersive showcase of culture, strengthening local understanding and community pride.

NAIDOC Friday in the Park, delivered by Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good, and the Edor Carnival by Our Future Mentors Indigenous Corporation, create powerful spaces for youth participation and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.

Much-loved neighbourhood events will also be supported through the grant stream, such as the Gordonvale Sugar Solstice Country Fair, Freshwater Festival, Redlynch Twilight Markets and Marlin Coast Community Fun Day.

Funded events and organisations:

• Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation – Cairns NAIDOC Friday in the Park ($25,000)
• UMI Arts Limited – Big Talk One Fire Cultural Festival ($25,000)
• Cairns Thai Community Association FNQ Inc – Songkran Festival ($20,000)
• Philippine Cultural Society of Cairns Inc – Cairns Filipino Barrio Fiesta ($20,000)
• Cairns Hindu Samaj Inc – Cairns Diwali Mela (Fair) ($16,000)
• QCWA Branch Freshwater – Freshwater Festival ($12,000)
• Cairns Basketball Inc – 2026 U14 Boys State Championships ($10,000)
• Gordonvale District Chamber of Commerce Inc – Gordonvale Sugar Solstice Country Fair ($10,000)
• Our Future Mentors Indigenous Corporation – Cairns NAIDOC EDOR Carnival ($10,000)
• Redlynch Valley Community Group – Redlynch Community Twilight Markets ($6,200)
• Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre Inc – Community Fun Day ($4,000)
• Northern Beaches Mudcrabs Rugby Union Club Inc – Mudcrabs 7s Tournament ($4,000)
• HeartKids Limited – Two Feet & A Heartbeat ($150)