Four South Burnett community groups will share in almost $115,000 from the first 2026 funding round of the Tarong Community Partnership Fund, helping them to kick start projects that improve the liveability of the communities they support.

The projects range from community health improvements, disaster preparedness, sustainable water management and recreational sports.

The Tarong Community Partnership Fund is an important part of Stanwell’s commitment to the communities in which we operate, and we’re proud to be supporting the groups that make our regions a better place to live, work and play.

The successful projects include:

• Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary will purchase ultrasound equipment for guided IV cannulation at Kingaroy Hospital which will allow them to improve timely treatment and reduce the need for patient transfers, particularly for patients with difficult vascular access.

• Kingaroy Combined Sporting Clubs Irrigations Association Inc. will undertake a staged upgrade of the irrigation infrastructure (pumps, storage, mainlines, and manifolds), for the Kingaroy sporting precinct’s treated wastewater irrigation system. This will improve reliability, sporting fields’ turf quality, player safety and equitable access across multiple sporting user groups.

• Wooroolin Community Committee Inc. will resurface one of their key tennis courts and improve associated precinct elements, including fencing and the clubhouse, which will enhance safe participation and community use for the township.

• Blackbutt RSL Sub-Branch will purchase a generator to maintain essential services during power outages and enable the venue to operate as a hub for community support and coordination point during severe weather and disasters events.

Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke congratulated all the recipients and met with members of the Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary while in the region.

“Through the Tarong Community Partnership Fund, Stanwell previously supported the Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary by helping to fund the purchase of a non-invasive ventilator for the hospital. The ventilator was the first of its kind for the region,” Mr O’sRourke said. “It’s great that with this new funding, the hospital will be able to purchase ultrasound equipment to further improve patient outcomes for Kingaroy and the South Burnett.”

Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary President Alison Murray said the support and funding from the Tarong Community Partnership Fund had enabled them to make meaningful change within the region and provide great benefits for Kingaroy Hospital patients.

“The support provided through the Tarong Community Partnership Fund over the past few years, and especially in 2026, has made a real difference to our hospital and the wider community,” she said.

“These grants help us deliver important projects and services that directly benefit local people and also assist with upskilling hospital staff and training medical students at Griffith Campus, Kingaroy.

“Our partnership with the Tarong Community Partnership Fund has enabled us to provide improved health services in Kingaroy, leading to better health outcomes for locals and visitors to the region, and enabling patients to be treated locally, instead of travelling long distances for medical procedures.”

Stanwell General Manager Southern Generation Mick Joy said the Tarong Community Partnership Fund is fundamentally about contributing to valuable initiatives and programs within our community.

“Contributing to our community’s growth and development is an important part of how Tarong Power Station, Meandu Mine and Stanwell operate, and it’s great news that we’re able to support some exciting and essential initiatives and projects this year,” Mr Joy said.

“In the 2025-2026 financial year alone, Tarong power stations and Meandu Mine invested almost $250,000 across 10 incredible community groups, helping to bring their projects and events to life across the South Burnett, Cherbourg and Toowoomba regions.

“Many of these organisations rely entirely on the dedication and hard work of volunteers, and we’re proud to play a role in supporting them in any way that we can.

“We are extremely proud to be part of these communities and will continue to be part of these growing and diverse initiatives and programs for many more years to come.”

The Tarong Community Partnership Fund opens twice a year and provides dedicated financial support to projects that are impactful, inclusive, community aligned and future focussed.

Visit our work with communities for more information.

[PICTURED L-R: Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary Vice-President Keith Campbell, Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke, Stanwell Stakeholder Engagement Manager John Carey, Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary President Alison Murray]