Stones Corner Community Kindergarten wins grant for STEM empowerment

Stones Corner Community Kindergarten is one of more than 30 community groups set to benefit from funding that will advance gender equality and respect for women and girls in Queensland.

The kindergarten will receive just over $1,500 to promote a gender equal perception of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) identity in an early childhood education setting, through staff training and the provision of immersive STEM experiences for young girls.

“This funding will support hard working community and sporting groups, universities, front-line services and other organisations as they continue to promote gender equality, safety and healthy futures for women across Queensland,” Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman said.

“We are engaging in genuine conversations to strengthen partnerships across the state that will inspire and encourage the community to respect women and girls, and embrace gender equality.”

Other successful applicants from this round will use the funding for initiatives such as domestic and family violence prevention, consent and respectful relationships workshops, the distribution of educational resources to remote regions, interactive websites, and mentoring programs with sporting clubs.

“Many of these events and programs have also been tailored to assist women from culturally diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the LGBTQI+ community,” Ms Fentiman added.

“I want to congratulate all the successful recipients and applaud them for their commitment to making a positive difference to the lives of so many Queensland women,” she said.

“This is about creating a dynamic shift in community attitudes and behaviours and investing in equal futures for women.”

Round one of the Investing in Queensland Women grants program received over 160 applications, awarding funding to areas such as Biloela, the Torres Strait Islands, Clermont, Normanton, the Wide Bay region, Caboolture and the Gold Coast.

Applications for round two of the Investing in Queensland Women grant program will open on 1 July 2021. Round two will feature a further $270,000 in funding.

To see a full list of recipients under round one, and for further information on future rounds, visit www.justice.qld.gov.au/initiatives/grants-for-queensland-women