Funds help gliding club soar | Bundaberg Sport | Local Sports in Bundaberg

Spirits have soared at the Bundaberg Gliding Club with members winning nearly $40,000 in funding.

Bundaberg Gliding Club’s Grant Davies said the money had helped give the ageing signage a fresh lick of paint and update its fleet of boys’ toys.

With the money notched up in three consecutive funding applications, Mr Davies said it was just the boost his club needed.

“This has helped to spur some life into the club, increase morale amongst the members and attracted a few more,” he said.

“We’re recruiting new members and we hope this will help in promoting the sport.”

The dream run began with a $1000 donation from Gliding Queensland for new signage on the Childers Highway, advertising the club’s Elliott River Airfield.

“We hoped the new signage would show people that we are still an active club and attract interest from anyone wanting to learn to fly,” Davies said.

“We have definitely seen an increase in people watching the gliders launch on Sundays.”

The good luck continued with the club winning a $30,000 grant from the State Government’s gambling and community benefit fund.

The club dipped in to its own coffers to boost the total and buy a new tractor and mower to maintain its airstrip.

“Our poor old tractor was deteriorating badly but its replacement is a good size and easy to use,” Davies said.

“The new mower has the ability to cut lower and therefore eliminate clumping glass and promote creeping grasses which will result in a smoother and better landing strip.”

The icing on the cake for the Bundaberg Gliding Club was a $6500 Bundaberg Regional Council community grant to build moveable shading for the airfield.

“With operations being held out in the open a place to shelter is absolutely essential,” the club member said.

“The generosity of the council for this grant will save the members and public from the brunt of the harsh sun.”

Bundaberg Gliding Club members fly each Sunday at 12pm at the Elliott River Airfield, 20km south on the Childers road near the forestry tower.