Cancer Council Queensland and Queensland Government cover kids from the harsh Queensland sun
Queensland kids will have more access to shade thanks to funding from the Queensland Government.
The 2019 funding round of the SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative has officially opened and the grant recipients for the 2018 funding round have been announced.
The initiative, led by Queensland Government and Cancer Council Queensland, provides 50 per cent matched funding up to $2000 for portable shade and up to $5000 for permanent shade for not-for-profit organisations that cater to children 0-18 years.
This current grant round will see 50 per cent of funding spent in the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service area, due to the extremely high sun burn rates in this part of Queensland.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said funding provided through the SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative will increase the number of shaded areas at early childhood centres, schools, junior sporting clubs and not-for-profit youth community organisations.
“In Queensland, we have the highest rate of melanoma in the country, 35 per cent higher than the national rate,” Minister Miles said.[1]
“Childhood is a crucial period for reducing ultraviolet (UV) exposure as children’s skin is particularly susceptible to damage.
“Alarmingly 46 per cent of children aged 5-17 were sunburnt in the last 12 months.
“These shade grants will help to protect the next generation by providing more shaded areas for the kids of our state.”
Cancer Council Queensland CEO Ms Chris McMillan urged eligible schools, sporting clubs, childcare centres and community groups to apply for the SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative.
“We’re proud to partner with the Queensland Government to help provide shade and to assist organisations with developing SunSmart policies, to ultimately reduce skin cancer rates,” Ms McMillan said.
“Skin damage can occur in as little as 10 minutes if you’re outdoors without sun protection and creating more shady spaces in settings where young Queenslanders spend a large portion of the day will help reduce their exposure and skin cancer risk.”
For 2018-19, $275,000 was provided to 113 eligible organisations to purchase shade structures – with 52 organisations within the Mackay Hospital and Health Service area benefiting from the SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative.
The Mackay and Central Queensland Hospital Health Service areas have been targeted in recent SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative funding rounds as childhood sunburn rates in these areas are higher than the state average.
Applications for this round of the 2019 SunSmart Shade Creation Initiative close at 5pm on November 8, 2019. To apply, complete the online application form on the Cancer Council Queensland website: .
