Golden Casket is well-known for giving away millions of dollars in prize money each year, however many people may not realise that it has also provided a vital source of funding for the Queensland community for close to 90 years.
In 08/09 $3.5 million will be given back to the community in donations from unclaimed prize money and general profits. These donations include a $1,166,667 donation to the Starlight Foundation, a $1,166,667 donation to the Mater Foundation and a $1,166,667 donation to the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation. These donations form part of a $10 million commitment to three charities over three years, from the sale of Golden Casket to Tattersalls in 2007.
The events around the donation of these amounts are the Gold Lotto Superdraw dedicated to the Starlight Children's Foundation, Starlight Day, the Mater Little Miracles Easter Appeal, Mothers Day, and the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation B105 Appeal.
Right from day one, Golden Casket funds helped the community. After initially raising money for World War One diggers and their dependents, the focus moved to health. Monies raised by Golden Casket funded the building of the original Brisbane Women’s Hospital and Brisbane General Hospital and Golden Casket funds are also said to have made the free public hospital service possible in Queensland.
Today this legacy continues.
Each year since 1992, Golden Casket has made an annual $1.5 million donation shared equally by the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Mater Children’s Hospital and Queensland Health to fund numerous child health care projects across the State.
Golden Casket has joined forces with the Queensland Police Service supporting the introduction of Australia's first Child Abduction Alert system. The system, which will enable media broadcasts of details relating to child abductions – has now been rolled out state-wide.
In assisting Queensland Police with this system, Golden Casket and our extensive agency network may provide valuable assistance in deterring and capturing abductors and returning children as soon as possible.
Throughout November and December 2006, around 5,900 special children attended the Golden Casket Variety Special Children's Christmas Parties across Queensland. The parties were held in Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Toowoomba and Brisbane.
The children and their families enjoyed hours of entertainment including rides, face painting, magicians, Neighbours' stars, food and drinks. The highlight of the day was Santa arriving to hand out thousands of toys to the children. Golden Casket is proud to support this event and help bring big smiles to little faces at Christmas.
The Queensland Government established the Gambling Community Benefit Fund in 1994 to provide funding to community groups in Queensland. One-off grants of up to $30,000 are allocated to approved non-profit organisations to help them provide community services or activities that benefit the community. Applicant organisations must be Queensland-based and the project for which a grant is sought must provide demonstrable benefits to Queensland.
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