Zinfra announces recipients of 2026 First Nations Community Grants Program

Hundreds of children across North Queensland will benefit from expanded school breakfast programs, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women escaping family violence on the Gold Coast will receive additional support, thanks to new community grants announced by Zinfra.

The recipients of the two $10,000 grants are:

– Zinfra's grant will support breakfast programs reaching schools with significant Indigenous student cohorts across North Queensland (traditional lands of the Bindal, Wulgurukaba and Manbarri peoples), including areas around Townsville and Palm Island State School. The funding will help provide nutritious meals that support learning, attendance and educational engagement for thousands of children.

• What Were You Wearing?

  – Funding will support delivery of the Violet Support Program, a healing and recovery initiative for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women on the Gold Coast (traditional lands of the Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples) affected by domestic, family and sexual violence. The program will provide counselling, practical recovery support and pathways towards greater independence and employment.

Zinfra Managing Director Peter Iancov said the grants reflect the company's commitment to strengthening relationships with First Nations communities and supporting projects that deliver meaningful outcomes.

"Our people live and work in communities right across the country and see first-hand the difference organisations like Fuel For Schools and What Were You Wearing? are making. This program is one way that we’re helping to support organisations which are making a real difference in people's lives," Mr Iancov said.

“Recent estimates are between 4-13 per cent of Australia’s general population experiences food insecurity, whereas rates rise to 22-32 per cent in our First Nations population.¹ Our support of Fuel for Schools will go some way to helping reduce that for kids in communities across Far North Queensland.

“Research also shows² First Nations people are over-represented in family and domestic violence data. It shows culturally safe support services like the Violet Support Program are important to their healing, so we are pleased to be able to support this critical service.

"At Zinfra, we are committed to building strong relationships with First Nations communities and supporting initiatives that create opportunities and improve wellbeing. We're proud to partner with these organisations and to help extend the impact of their work."

The First Nations Community Grants Program forms part of Zinfra’s commitment to reconciliation and supports the objectives of the company’s Reconciliation Action Plan. By partnering with Indigenous-led organisations and investing in initiatives that improve wellbeing, strengthen communities and create pathways to employment, the program helps turn Zinfra’s commitment to meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples into practical action.

ENDS

Media contact: 1300 331 239

¹ Australian Institute of Family Studies, Understanding Food Insecurity in Australia, page 2
² Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Family, domestic and sexual violence web page