More young people across the Darling Downs will have the opportunity to learn practical skills and connect with agriculture following support from the 2026 Elders Community Giving Project.
Outback Instinct participants in front of an Elders truck along with Peter Cooke, Elders Real Estate Agent, and Jason Judge, Branch Support Officer - Logistics, Toowoomba.
Queensland charity Outback Instincts received a grant for its Safe Livestock Handling & Youth Rural Skills Infrastructure Project, supporting its farm-based programs for at-risk and disadvantaged young people in the region.
Based in Goombungee, Outback Instincts works with young people who may be disengaged from school, employment or community activities. They use hands-on agricultural experiences to help build confidence, responsibility and practical life skills.
The grant has funded new livestock handling infrastructure, including portable cattle yard panels, gates and race components. This helps Outback Instincts safely deliver and expand its livestock and rural skills programs.
Outback Instincts Director Hayley Chambers said the new infrastructure was already making a difference to the organisation’s programs.
“The grant has been a game changer for the safety and delivery of our programs. This infrastructure will benefit our young people for many years to come,” Ms Chambers said.
“What made the day even more special was having the young people involved in putting it all together. Rather than simply being handed the finished product, they were there working alongside our team and the Elders Toowoomba team, helping build it and learning along the way.”
Ten young people, three Outback Instincts team members and two Elders Toowoomba team members worked together to receive the equipment and put the yards and panels in place, turning the installation itself into a hands-on learning experience.
“We’ve already been able to safely weigh our cattle using the new infrastructure, which gave the kids another opportunity to learn practical skills, from livestock handling through to recording weights, literacy and numeracy,” Ms Chambers said.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Elders Community Giving and the Toowoomba team for their support of Outback Instincts and our young people.”
Elders Toowoomba Branch Manager Andrew Geary said Outback Instincts was making a real difference for young people in the region.
“Not everyone learns best in a classroom. Some young people really thrive when they’re outside, working with animals and being given a bit of responsibility,” Mr Geary said.
“With more than 65 young people waiting to take part, there’s a clear need. We’re proud to support an organisation that’s giving young people a fair go and introducing many of them to agriculture for the first time.”
Outback Instincts works closely with local schools, Child Safety, Youth Justice, community organisations and agricultural businesses across the Darling Downs. Through activities including livestock handling, cattle showing and animal care, participants develop teamwork, communication, responsibility and safe work practices while gaining exposure to rural industries.
The successful application continues a strong track record for the Darling Downs region in the Elders Community Giving Project. In 2025, the Allora Show Society received funding for a major water harvesting project, helping improve the sustainability of its community facilities and campground while reducing reliance on town water supplies.
The Elders Community Giving Project provides grants to grassroots organisations delivering initiatives that create positive outcomes across regional, rural and remote Australia.
The Elders Community Giving Project will run again for the fourth year in 2027. Applications open in March.