Check out our Media Release on the Cairns Local News Website.
The Cairns Agricultural, Pastoral and Mining Association (CAPMA), organisers of the iconic Cairns Show, has been awarded $32,812 through Round 125 of the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund, supporting a key facility upgrade at the Cairns Showgrounds.
The funding will be used to upgrade the air-conditioning system in the De Jarlais Venue, ensuring the space remains cool, comfortable, and usable during the sweltering summer months typical of Far North Queensland’s tropical climate. The venue is a heavily used community space, hosting competitions, exhibitions, meetings, and events throughout the year.
Cairns Agricultural, Pastoral and Mining Association was one of sixteen organisations in the Cairns electorate to receive funding in the latest round, which distributed more than $417,000 to local community projects.
Member for Cairns, Michael Healy MP, congratulated the Association on the successful application and said the upgrade would deliver practical benefits to the community.
“The Cairns Showgrounds are an important community asset, and upgrades like this make a real difference to how these spaces are used,” Mr Healy said. “Improving cooling in the De Jarlais Venue will enhance comfort and accessibility for exhibitors, volunteers, and the public.”
A spokesperson for the Cairns Agricultural, Pastoral and Mining Association welcomed the funding, highlighting the importance of climate-appropriate infrastructure in Far North Queensland.
“Keeping our venues cool is essential in our tropical conditions,” the spokesperson said. “This upgrade will significantly improve comfort for everyone using the De Jarlais Venue, particularly during the warmer months, and allow us to continue hosting events safely and effectively.”
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund, established in 1994, returns gambling profits to Queensland communities by supporting not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that provide lasting local benefits.
Official confirmation of the funding will be received from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General in the coming days, with planning for the air-conditioning upgrade to follow grant finalisation.
