1.    What is Golf Programs Australia Incorporated? (GPAI)

GPAI is a registered Queensland based charity organisation that develops & delivers golf programs for underprivileged groups & individuals in the community.  These include those living with intellectual, physical & mental health disabilities, Autism & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Youth At Risk, The Indigenous and The Aged. 

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2.    What Does GPAI do?

 

GPAI uses golf to drive inclusion & break isolation for those in need.​
 

GPAI achieves this via the following ways:

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1. Providing specialty golf programs

2. Offering a number of volunteer opportunities for the isolated

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3.    What is the GPAI Facility Vision?

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In 2016 GPAI took its first steps in securing a dedicated golf facility to support its specialty golf programs.

 

GPAI President & charity founder Darrell Dalton is a firm believer in the power of the spoken word and has shared the concept far and wide to individuals, organisations, local and state government representatives and Sunshine Coast Councillors.

 

Letters of support for the proposed facility have already been collected from key stake holders which include Bendigo Bank Maroochydore; The Professional Golfers Association of Australia (PGA), Special Olympics Australia (SOA), Special Olympics Sunshine Coast (SOSC), Compass Institute, Inclusions Plus Family Support and the list grows daily. 

 

Commitments of support have also been received from MP Peter Wellington who presented the concept to the Qld Parliament in mid February 2016 and Sunshine Coast Councillor Jenny McKay who has expressed her support and also registered our proposal with the Sunshine Coast Council. To learn more about the GPAI Vision click - Here!

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4.    What is GPAI's Mission Statement?

 

• Golf Programs Australia Inc.'s foremost mission is to develop & deliver specialty golf programs for special needs groups that may experience being marginalised and isolated in the community, particularly those living with intellectual and or physical disabilities.

• ​Golf Programs Australia Inc.'s efforts also include outreach programs for children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder that may or may not attend mainstream primary Schools. 

• Golf Programs Australia Inc. believes golf is a worthwhile & wholesome activity that enriches the lives of the organisation's target groups when given the opportunity to participate in this non-contact physical activity. Through its work, GPAI aims to give all disadvantaged groups & eligible participants a positive experience through its various pathways.

 

• Golf Programs Australia Inc. commits to developing high quality & sustainable initiatives where the organisation's target groups & individuals can be encouraged to feel part of consistent and meaningful programs.  It is the G.P.A.I.'s intention that these programs encourage participants to:

1. Learn a new skill and skills for life

2. Improve eye/hand coordination

3. Participate in and learn about a non-contact physical activity.

4. Improve health through the physical movement of the activity & walking

5. Rejuvenate via fresh air and sunshine 

6. Connect to others in groups and the wider community

7. Build confidence & improve self esteem

8. Remove isolation

9. Have fun

5.   What groups or individuals does GPAI consider?

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1. The Intellectually and or Physically Disabled 

2. Children & adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

3. Those living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

4. Those living with Depression

5. The Isolated

6. The Aged

7. Indigenous Youth & Groups

8. Youth At Risk

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6.  What are GPAI's Core Values?

 

Our core values define what we stand for and how we do things, helping us to deliver our specialty Golf Initiatives in the most meaningful and practical way.

1. We strive for excellence - through continuous improvements in all our work.

2. We lead by example - acting in a way that exemplifies what we expect of each other.

3. We work together - bringing out the best in each other and creating strong and successful working relationships.

4. We respect people - for who they are and for their knowledge, skills and experience as individuals, team members and participants.

5. We are open and honest in our communication - sharing information, insight and advice, frequently and constructively and managing tough situations with courage and candor.

6. We act with integrity - constantly striving to uphold the highest professional standards.

7. We aim to - innovate not replicate.

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7.   What is GPAI's Charity Slogan?

 Golf Programs Australia Incorporated - Driving Inclusion / Breaking Isolation​

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8.   What is GPAI Creative?

 GPAI Creative is the official GPAI office & retail store located at 89 Currie Street Nambour, Qld, 4560

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9.   What does GPAI Creative Do?

The GPAI Board believes the charity must be sustainable and not reliant on funding or grants to remain viable.  Subsequently, micro-businesses have been created to provide constant & residual income and this arm of the charity operates from the GPAI Creative retail space in Nambour. These micro - businesses include:

1. Soft Furnishings Range - Created from high grade remnant upholstery materials & textiles donated from local upholstery firms, designers & textile manufacturers. All items are created by the GPAI Charity sewing volunteers with each project under the supervision of GPAI Secretary & store development manager Michelle Dalton. All completed items are provided for sale in the GPAI Creative retail space and all proceeds go directly to the charity.

2. GPAI Creative - Artists & Artisans - GPAI Creative works collaboratively with local artists & artisans who are provided an opportunity to showcase their artwork and or creative pieces in the GPAI Creative retail space.  In exchange for the opportunity to share the retail space, each artist must commit to volunteering time in store.  Additionally, when any of the consignment stock is sold GPAI receive a generous percentage (30%) of the retail sale of each item. Again this is an ideal arrangement as GPAI does not outlay for merchandise and benefits directly on the retail sale of each item. 

3. GPAI Charity Golf Pro-Shop - The GPAI Charity Pro-Shop offers a full range of new golf equipment to the public.  All new stock is provided free of charge by the Golf Gurus located in Aspley, North Brisbane.  When any golf stock is sold in the charity pro-shop a percentage of the retail profit is provided to GPAI.  This is a great opportunity for the charity as it does not outlay funds to purchase new golf merchandise and directly benefits from the sale of each item.

4. GPAI Pre-Loved Golf Balls - GPAI President Darrell Dalton has arranged donations of pre-loved golf balls to the charity.  The donated balls are collected, cleaned and sorted in to their brands and made available for sale in the GPAI Charity Pro-shop. The sale of pr-loved golf balls is a great fundraising opportunity for the charity as 100% of the sale is provided to GPAI.

5. GPAI Creative  / TAFE East Coast / Design Equity Project 

                           GPAI Creative Business Development Manager Michelle Dalton works collaboratively with TAFE East Coast to encourage creativity                                  with textiles to people with disabilities.  Eligible TAFE East Coast students with a disability are taught to work with donated textile                                    materials under the guidance of project equity design manager Michelle Dalton.

 6. GPAI Creative Volunteers - The GPAI Creative store has a number of volunteers that provide various expertise and include:

• GPAI Sewers

• GPAI Administrative Support

• GPAI Project Volunteers
   

10.  How can I support GPAI?

There are a number of ways to support Golf programs Australia Incorporated:

1. Cash Donations - Online via Paypal or in-store

2. Become a GPAI Individual Member - $2:00

3. Purchase GPAI Raffle Tickets - Bi Monthly Raffle

4. Sign up for our KEEP THE LIGHTS ON CAMPAIGN

5. Golf Club Donations - Good quality Items only

6. New & Pre-Loved Golf Ball Donations

7. Furniture Donations - No chip board items please!

8. Remnant textile material donations

9. Haberdashery donations / Cotton, Zips, Buttons, Scissors etc.

10. Volunteer for GPAI Creative

11. Volunteer for a GPAI Golf Program

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11.  How do I volunteer for GPAI?

In the footer below there is a GPAI volunteer form that you can download, print & fill in.  Scan the completed form and send it to admin@gpai.org.au attention Michelle Dalton. Alternatively, download, print and complete the GPAI volunteer form and mail it to Golf Programs Australia Incorporated, Shop 1, 89 Currie Street, Nambour, Qld, 4560 or drop it instore.

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