Pick us! Pick us!

We'd be ever so grateful if you would vote for us in the Suncorp Back to Business Grants.


It gives us the opportunity to win a $5,000 grant to further assist our community.

As you know, we'll be in it long after the floods - and will continue to help those who need it ;)

Our committment and vision is to improve the quality of lives of our less fortunate community members - flooded or not!

You can vote for us at this page https://suncorpbacktobusiness.com.au/nominations/sandlewood-projects?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d918764601538c5%2C0

1,000 toys appeal deadline rapidly approaches

As you may know we are holding an appeal to get 1,000 new toys for the Fairfield Floods Family Fun Fair on Saturday 16th April.

The event is being run by the Moorooka Lions, and it looks set to be a great fun-filled day with rides, entertainment and food galore (yummo!)

We had been pledged many toys, however many of them were simply not in a condition that we would give away, let alone have Santa deliver.  We have asked for these toys to be NEW and in their original boxes or with original swing tags attached.

Just thought I'd share a few pics of some of the items we have received - this is just a small handful on one of the days where I actually had my phone/camera handy to take pics.

This is one of my favourites - I mean, what kid wouldn't be thrilled to open up their present to find milk bottle lids threaded onto string?!

This poor fellow looked like he'd been in the floods himself :(

And this guy definitely wasn't anywhere near new condition.


So, I'm urging you all, if your children have toys that they have never even taken out of the boxes (mine did!) or you have $10 spare in this weeks pay, please consider buying a toy so we can make these children (who have been through so much) smile!

Don't forget - the jumble sale is this SUNDAY from 7am!!

A big thanks to the Inchcolm Hotel who have generously donated a voucher for : 1 nights accommodation in a Deluxe Suite, Continental breakfast for 1 in Seasalt at Armstrongs, a bottle of bubbly & chocolates on arrival, and a midday checkout. Valid until 20 June 2011. *conditions apply* This will be included in our fundraising efforts on Sunday :)

Visit their website here  http://www.theinchcolm.com.au/  to see this beautiful boutique hotel

Pick us! Pick us!

We'd be ever so grateful if you would vote for us in the Suncorp Back to Business Grants.

It gives us the opportunity to win a $5,000 grant to further assist our community. 
As you know, we'll be in it long after the floods - and will continue to help those who need it ;)
Our committment and vision is to improve the quality of lives of our less fortunate community members - flooded or not!


You can vote for us at this page https://suncorpbacktobusiness.com.au/nominations/sandlewood-projects?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d918764601538c5%2C0

RACQ - are you insured? KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

This blog post goes out to our floodies. 

We have heard that RACQ Insurance is sending out letters stating that people are not covered for damage that occurred during the floods, but offering them a $12,000 cheque as a "good will gesture".  That's one hell of a lot of good will.

Please be aware that if you are not happy with the outcome of your claim you can take the matter further.

However, I believe from my previous work in the insurance industry that by banking that "good will" cheque you are waiving your right to take the matter through to an insurance claim review, or further by taking it to the Insurance Ombudsman.

Please be aware that the Caxton Legal Service are offering free legal advice regarding this matter. I will update the blog with further details as I receive them.  This information was passed to us by staff at the Department of Communities. 

Premiers Relief Fund Round 2 Payments Info

Some great news we found out tonight at our local flood recovery group meeting, thanks to the Department of Communities - is that not only are people whose houses were completely destroyed by the floods eligible for payments this round, but also people whose principal dwelling was a boat or caravan are now eligible.  There are guidelines but you could be eligible for up to $25,000 if your boat or caravan that was your home was destroyed. 

More information can be found by contacting the Department of Communities - they have a drop in centre at the Goprint Building at Woolloongabba just opposite the busway there, and they are also running outreach services at the Yeronga Flood Respite Centre on Thursdays.

Who are you?

Recently, we have had a number of queries regarding our organisation and whether it is affiliated with any other groups.  Sandlewood is a NOT FOR PROFIT (NFP) organisation with no political or religious connections and we are not linked to any other organisations. 

Sandlewood Projects is run by a board of directors and receives no Government of corporate funding. We operate with a Certificate of Sanction under the Collections Act 1966 through the Queensland Department of Justice & Attorney General.

This sanction controls how charities and community purpose organisations conduct appeals for public support or fundraising in Queensland. Any organisation that wants to publicly fundraise for a charitable or community purpose is governed by this Act.

Activities regulated by the Department under the Collections Act 1966 include:

• fundraising appeals
• door-to-door appeals and street collections, and
• commercial appeals on behalf of charities by entrepreneurs

Any person can check the credentials of someone collecting goods or running an appeal to ensure they are legitimate by searching the Office of Fair Trading's website here
http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/check-a-charity-or-association.htm

In our case, you simply enter the Sanction number CP5278 which will show that our Organisation is a REGISTERED ORGANISATION holding a Certificate of Sanction under the Act.

The shop is run entirely by volunteers.  Because of this we have low overheads (rent, power, phone, internet, insurance) and this means we can give back more to the community.