June 2023
JVT is helping fund a new partnership aimed at supporting better outcomes for children, young people and their families and communities in country Queensland.
Last year, The John Villiers Trust (JVT) committed foundational support to the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership (TQKP). TQKP is currently progressing ten statewide initiatives and, given our love of country Queensland, our funding was dedicated to the Country Collaborative, which amplifies the voices of rural, regional and remote communities to achieve systemic change.
As the end of the financial year approaches, JVT is looking back on some examples of the valuable work TQKP has achieved.
TQKP currently has a focus on 10 key initiatives. These are just some of their highlights from the last 12 months in the country and strategic space.
Thriving Queensland Kids Country Collaborative
Over the last year, TQKP has been setting up the Thriving Queensland Kids Country Collaborative and forming the partnerships needed for co-hosting the leadership position for this initiative in a regional Queensland location. This was essential to ensure the initiative remains focused on and informed by the real needs of regional communities by centring the voices and lived experience of country Queensland.
With funding from JVT and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, the Country Collaborative has now been established as a joint initiative between TQKP, CQUniversity and James Cook University (JCU), which hosts the lead Partnership Officer at its Cairns campus.
The Country Collaborative brings together local leaders and organisations from across the state to collectively address the unique challenges that impact children, youth and families in country Queensland, which includes those living in regional, rural and remote communities.
Partnership Officer – Thriving Queensland Country Collaborative
A new Partnership Officer role, co-funded by JVT and TFFF, was created and Jacinta Perry was appointed to the position in April 2023. In this role, Jacinta is enabling greater opportunity for TQKP to embrace and support more country Queensland communities and organisations. That means more local input into the initiatives and ideas being developed by TQKP, and a better understanding of the unique issues and needs of the communities they support.
Jacinta’s conversations across country Queensland have already highlighted the potential and ingenuity of many communities, but also their gaps, challenges and opportunities for further partnerships and resourcing to ensure kids can thrive.
Tim Fairfax Family Foundation (TFFF) joins the collaboration
Early this year TFFF joined the collaboration alongside founding members JVT, Hand Heart Pocket, The Bryan Foundation, and Paul Ramsay Foundation – boosting the combined philanthropic funding of TQKP to a total of $8.5m over three years. TFFF has committed funding specifically to support country Queensland, and also to amplify First Nations voices through a separate TQKP initiative.
At both JVT and TQKP we believe we have more impact when we work together. Partners and funders play a critical role in driving significant, long-term changes in child and youth wellbeing in country Queensland.
The collaboration is a great example of the benefits of co-funding and partnering, and highlights the importance of multiple grants, funding and donations to the success of making real, lasting difference in people’s lives and the places they live.
TQKP Leadership table established
A new Leadership Table for TQKP was established to provide strategic leadership, advice and assistance.
The diverse, multi-disciplinary group of experienced and emerging leaders and collaborators brings perspectives from across Queensland, and a great depth and breadth of cross-sectoral knowledge and experience to TQKP.
Read more about JVT and ARACY / the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership
