Grant Powers Civic Club

Excerpt from Sumpton’s Gold Rush Gazette - Friday 28th of February 2025

Civic Club President Alan Rowe and Queensland Country Bank Manager Susan Murphy at the Charters Towers Civic Club

A Queensland Country Bank community grant has helped the Charters Towers Civic Club upgrade its facilities with a new solar power system.

Club President Alan Peter Rowe said the $18,150 grant funded a 13.2kW solar installation, steeply cutting the club’s electricity costs.

“When we put it to the committee, we all agreed reducing our bill would be good because then we can spend that money on other things that the club needs, plus there’s also the sustainability aspect,” Mr Rowe said.

“It’s a big thing because we’re only a small club and we’ve got plenty of other uses for our money other than paying the bills.

“We’re absolutely ecstatic about the grant.”

Mr. Rowe said the Charters Towers Civic Club, a long-standing hub for social gatherings and event catering, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and hopes to strengthen its community support.

“We host a barbecue buffet every Friday night, and we do a lot of catering for wakes, birthday parties, weddings, and hopefully with more money we can do more,” he said.

Queensland Country Bank Manager Susan Murphy said she was proud to support the Charters Towers Civic Club’s work that benefits the community.

“The work the Civic Club do is great, my husband and I go for dinner every couple of months on a Friday night,” Mrs Murphy said.

“As a member-owned bank, helping members reach their financial goals and supporting community is at the heart of what we do at Queensland Country Bank.

“This Good for Good Grant Funding will have long-lasting benefits for the Civic Club and the Charters Towers community for many years to come.”

A total of almost $150,000 was awarded throughout Queensland in Queensland Country Bank Good for Good Grants in 2024 and 2025.

The next round of Good for Good grants will open in July 2025.