Queensland Government donates $100K to Townsville ECEC service blighted by arson

The AEIOU Foundation’s Townsville Centre, which was destroyed by a fire, will receive a $100,000 donation from the Miles Government, to replace equipment used to deliver critical autism-specific early intervention therapy.

The fire occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 23 March 2024, approximately four months before AEIOU planned to move to a new centre, currently under construction in Idalia. 

“The arson attack on the AEIOU Townsville Centre was devastating for this community, the staff and all the little ones who come here to get the best start in life,” Queensland Premier Steven Miles said. 

“Locals have rallied to help get this centre back up and running, with all the critical tools and programs it needs, and I want to help push this campaign along.”

The centre has supported hundreds of Townsville families for more than 15 years, and AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith said the boost from the Government will go a long way to the recovery of the service and its operations in its new location. 

“I express our sincere gratitude to the Queensland Government for this generous funding to aid in the recovery of our Townsville centre following the devastating fire in March,” he said.

“The Queensland Government’s longstanding commitment to the autism community and investment in early intervention for children is truly commendable and vital for the future of essential programs like the ones delivered by AEIOU Foundation.”

As well as the Government support, the not-for-profit AEIOU centre is running a community appeal to raise the crucial funding needed to replace the resources and equipment lost in the fire.

A minimum of $400,000 in donations will enable the centre to continue providing their quality evidence-based support in a new facility, currently under construction, to children living with autism local to Townsville and their families.

For more information and to donate visit – aeiou.org.au