The LOCAL News, Island and Surrounds issue 101

Published every four weeks.

Phone: 0447 007 966

PO Box 1019 Bongaree Qld 4507

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While great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and contents of the publication, the Island and Surrounds accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views held by TIAS. All content is copyright and may not be reproduced without permission. The production of this FREE newspaper is only made possible by you continuing to support our local advertisers.

In order to maintain acceptable editorial standards we reserve the right to edit content and, where necessary, the spelling, punctuation, grammar and readability of all articles submitted for publication in The Island and Surrounds News. We are a small Community Newspaper and welcome submissions from our readers and community groups which will provide us with relevant information about our region and provide a platform on which to voice their opinion. Responsibility for the accuracy of the content of submissions remains with the contributor.

Next Distribution dates

1st May - Bribie Island, Sandstone Point & Ningi.

2nd - 3rd May delivered to Beachmere, Caboolture, Toorbul, Donnybrook and surrounding areas.

Delivered to homes and local businesses in the following areas:Bribie Island, Sandstone Point, Ningi, Godwin Beach, Beachmere (including Peel Road & Beachmere Road) Bribie Pines, Toorbul, Donnybrook, Meldale, Central Lakes, Caboolture and Elimbah. Copies can also be picked up from IGA and other local businesses in these districts.

Circulation 24,000

PUBLISHER AND ADVERTISING SALES

Belinda Ferguson 0447 007 966. belinda@islandandsurrounds.com.au

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Kym Braithwaite cos@islandandsurrounds.com.au

JOURNALISTS/WRITERS

Sheree Hoddinett, stories@islandandsurrounds.com.au Alistair Gray. alistair@thegoodnewswriter.com

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Roger Small design1@islandandsurrounds.com.au

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Matthew Owen

From Belinda LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hello Readers!

Welcome to our 101st issue!

Thank you for all your congratulations and well wishes on our 100th issue.

Issue 101 will not disappoint, with some great local articles. Sheree Hoddinett caught up with Kiani Smith to discuss her time on Australian Idol and what she has planned next.

Alistair visited the local Toad Busters. You’ll be very surprised at the numbers they have caught just in Banksia Beach alone.

With Anzac Day fast approaching, we have details on when and where services will be carried out in the region.

The Gecko looks at how renewables are not preventing blackouts and the rising cost of electricity. The Gecko welcomes any kind of feedback, so if you wish to communicate with him, please email belinda@islandandsurrounds.com.au.

Ariana Doolan has been selected as the new LNP state candidate for Pumicestone and you can read a little more about her in this Issue.

Dr Ben Diggles, our local marine biologist, has written an informative article regarding shifting baselines and the saga of a new Bribie bridge.

As usual, we cover a wide variety of local issues, while showcasing our local businesses. It is our local businesses who make this publication possible, so please support them. Until next month.

Warm regards,

Belinda

100 Not Out !

Congratulations on the 100th Edition. I enjoy both your paper and the Islander. I find both are good reads and present a broad spectrum of views. I quite enjoyed seeing a letter in your opposition’s last edition attacking the Gecko! His fame is gathering strength. I must say that in reading both papers I have noted a certain negativity from those who claim to be “woke”. If you dare to oppose their views, you are labelled uneducated and/ or uncaring. However, the claim that “woke” originated around the 1960’s is stretching the truth somewhat. The word was originally linked to wakening from sleep, but was taken (like many of our words) to mean other things by activists in their quest to push their own political agendas.

The one thing the left do not like are facts. While they can deny them they can’t disprove them. Higher interest rates, higher energy costs, rising unemployment, lowering “real” income, education and health standards falling etc. As anyone who is aware knows, without subsidies, the renewable industry would be seen as a poor substitute for what it is trying to replace.

Those who constantly claim the higher moral ground and denigrate others might truly use the word woke as it was originally intended and stay A-wake, not A-woke!

M Matthews Banksia Beach

What is the real cost?

It seems that our Member for Pumicestone, Ali King, is having great difficulty advising us of the likely final cost of the “pie in the sky” hospital on Bribie Island. Following several emails to her over the last few months requesting advice on the cost and the probable completion date, a reply has not been forthcoming.

One wonders why a simple question from a concerned taxpayer whose money has been squandered by her government cannot be answered and advice on the

Continued on page 13

Annie’s positive outlook

By Sheree Hoddinett

Annie Barnett’s beautiful smile and positive attitude certainly are infectious. It’s a big difference to two years ago, when at the age of 21 Annie was left fighting for her life following the rupture of two brain aneurysms and a stroke. It was October 2021, Annie was a seemingly happy and healthy young woman in the prime of her life, working part-time and studying at university when her life turned completely upside down. It’s hard to imagine what she’s been through in her recovery since, but Annie is now on a mission to raise as much awareness about aneurysms as she can.

Annie was just 21-years-old when her entire life changed due to the discovery of five aneurysms in her brain.

When you hear the word aneurysm or even stroke, chances are you associate them with older members of the community. But the reality is, it can happen to anyone, at any age, even young people and Annie is living proof. More than two years on from a very frightening time in her life – being told she had a total of five aneurysms in her brain – Annie is very much reaching for the stars. Finishing her university degree, getting back behind the wheel of a car, drinking coffee, hitting the gym several times a week and locking in a full-time job at the Burpengary Community Club as the marketing coordinator are just a few of the highlights.

“I’m feeling amazing,” Annie says. “I’m so grateful to be here, every single day. I’m also grateful to not have any brain damage, especially after what I went through there was a high chance.

“My life has changed a bit since everything happened, but I look at it in a positive way. It might sound strange, but it was meant to happen.”

Annie’s experience led doctors to recommend her family undergo testing to see if any of them were also ‘ticking time bombs’. Annie’s mum Carol, dad Greg and her grandmother were also walking around with multiple aneurysms inside their brains. However, Annie’s two younger brothers have so far been given the all clear, but will need regular screening tests.

While it’s certainly been a scary and challenging time for Annie and her family, she continues to see the positive in everything.

Now 23, Annie is relishing the opportunity to return to somewhat of a ‘normal’ life.

“I’ve been trying to be more independent because I'm 23 now and I feel like my independence was taken away for a while there,” Annie says. “I’m very grateful to my mum and dad because they have been with me through every part of this journey. They

In October last year Annie was able to regain some independence and went on her first solo holiday to The Whitsundays.

saw me at my worst when they thought they were going to lose me. I can’t imagine how that must have been for them as parents.

“But last year in October, it was exactly two years since it all happened, so I went on a holiday to the Whitsundays by myself. It was only four days, but it was the most amazing experience for me. I’ve never travelled solo before and now that I’ve done it, I want to do it again.”

Annie had to put her university degree on hold, which she has now finished and in January she started working at the Burpengary Community Club as the marketing coordinator, a role which she is loving being able to make her own.

“I finished my double degree in 2022, only a year after I was originally meant to,” Annie says. “I was working at Woolworths before I moved into a marketing assistant role and now I’m a marketing coordinator and I can’t wait to see what else I can achieve.

“My boss at the club is amazing and he's so helpful. He wants me to grow within my career and encourages me to ask questions anytime I want. It’s an exciting new chapter for me.”

Along with her new role, Annie is working hard behind the scenes to try and bring aneurysm awareness into the forefront of everyone’s minds.

“I'm very open about my situation and I feel like it was meant to happen to me,” Annie says “So my story is I survived and I’m okay. But I don’t want to be just known as the girl with the aneurysms, I want to be known as a survivor and inspire others.

“The truly amazing thing with sharing my story is I have had others reach out to me who have been through a similar experience. The thing to remember here is it’s not unheard of for this kind of thing to happen, but it is unusual in younger people.”

Many people live with brain aneurysms that go unnoticed, but if they rupture, like in Annie's case, more often than not they can be fatal. Undergoing an emergency craniotomy, part of Annie's skull was removed in an attempt to stop the bleed. Although some details after the operation are sketchy, Annie still recalls the lead up to the procedure.

“I was in a room with 30-plus nurses and doctors in there. I’ve never been in a room like it, it was pretty scary,” Annie says. “I underwent a nine-hour brain surgery. It’s like what’s your superpower? I’ve survived a nine-hour brain surgery! And that was only the beginning of many brain surgeries.

“When I tell people I had a craniotomy, where they took my skull out and because I had no bone there to help with the swelling and pressure, I like to share the fun fact that my skull was in a fridge for six weeks. Being able to laugh about it now is all part of what I’ve been through.”

Despite everything she has endured in the last two years including further surgery and watching her family go through their own operations, Annie is doing her best to make up for lost time with friends and life in general. When she has a chance, Annie also takes the time to educate others about the risks associated with brain aneurysms through the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation.

“Whenever I tell people my story, they're like, I would not have expected that at all,” she says. “Then I show them a photo of my scar (well-hidden behind the hairline) and that’s definitely another way to impress people!”

ANZAC Day Events –Thursday April 25, 2024

ANZAC Day Dawn Service 2023, Korea Place, Bribie Island.

Picture and information compiled by Alistair Gray Bribie Island

The Bribie Island RSL Sub branch, in conjunction with the Bribie Island RSL Citizens Club will, as usual, host this year's ANZAC Day celebrations.

Details are as follows:-

Dawn Service will commence at 4.28am at Korea Place, followed by a gunfire breakfast at the Bribie Island RSL Club. For members wearing medals, there will be no charge for breakfast. For others, a nominal charge will apply.

The March will commence at 8.30am outside the Bribie Island Sports Club in Toorbul Street, Bongaree marching down to Korea Place, where the service will occur.

The service will start after all the marchers have arrived. Seating will be limited and those not marching must arrive early.

Afterwards, everyone is invited into the club. Members will be able to purchase $2.50 subsidised drinks between

10am and 12noon.

For further information, please contact:

• The Bribie Island RSL Sub branch on 07 3408 0450

• The Bribie Island RSL Citizens Club on 07 3400 1300

Beachmere

The Beachmere RSL will hold a parade and community commemorative service, followed by a gunfire breakfast.

March - Assemble 6.30am at the Uniting Church on the corner of Moreton Terrace and Second Avenue for the march to the Beachmere Remembrance Memorial Park at the RSL. Marchers will head off at 6.45am sharp.

Service - All attendees should be seated by 6.50am at the park. The service will commence at 7am.

Afterwards, a gunfire breakfast will be held at the Beachmere RSL Club. All attendees including the public, are welcome to attend. For further information - please contact the event organiser on 0477 960 487.

ONE

I am thrilled to have joined Bongaree Dental this year.

Originally from New Zealand, I completed my academic studies at the esteemed University of Otago in Dunedin. After graduation, I gained surgical, specialist, and medical experience by working at Christchurch Hospital under the Maxillofacial/Dental unit.

Subsequently, I transitioned to private practice in Christchurch over the past few years.

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Dentistry for the whole family

My partner and I are excited about our move to the Sunshine State, with lots of opportunities for personal and career growth. The region boasts a supportive dental profession with abundant opportunities for continuous development, an integral aspect of our profession. We are also looking forward to enjoying the outdoor lifestyle and exploring everything the region has to offer, including its local beaches.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is the opportunity to make a lasting difference in others' lives. Dentistry, for me, is a blend of my passions for healthcare, science, art, and connecting with people. I enjoy every facet of dentistry and place significant emphasis on communication to ensure that everyone entering the clinic feels at ease. I am excited to work at Bongaree with the opportunity to establish meaningful connections and contribute positively within the community. The team at Bongaree Dental holds an excellent reputation within the community and fosters a wonderful supportive environment, ensuring that we all provide quality care for our patients.

We service the following areas:

Avoca Vale, Beachmere, Beerburrum, Bellmere, Booroobin, Bribie Island, Burpengary, Caboolture, Cedarton, D’Aguilar, Dayboro, Donnybrook, Elimbah, Glass House Mountains, Glenfern, Hazeldean, Kilcoy, Kingaham, Linville, Monsildale, Morayfield, Mount Archer, Mount Kilcoy, Mount Mee, Mount Stanley, Narangba, Neurum, Ningi, Sandstone Point, Sandy Creek, Stanmore, Wamuran, Westvale, and Woodford

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This reduction can add up Regular cleaning is recommended to maintain optimal power and the overall life of the panels MOULD & LICHEN

Over time, dirt, grime, and bird droppings accumulate on your solar panels, which decreases their efficiency

Using the right gutter guard can save you money and reduce the risk of damage to your property

We recommend removable gutter guards that fill the gutter cavity, blocking debris and vermin, whilst still allowing water to flow

Meet the LNP candidate for Pumicestone – Ariana Doolan

My name is Ariana Doolan and I am honoured to be the LNP candidate for our local area at the upcoming state election.

My grandparents, who fled the apartheid regime in South Africa, taught me the values of perseverance and self-reliance. Their journey, from humble beginnings to establishing a successful life in Australia, has been a constant source of inspiration for me.

From a young age, I was involved in our family-owned newsagency. Learning the ropes of business I have come to realise that family and small business are the

backbone of our community. My family and I have called Beachmere home for more than a decade. Like so many locals, I want to protect the things that make our community special and make it an even better place to live in the future.

I am proud to say I have taken a number of actions to help get involved in making our community better – being an active member of the Sandstone Point Lions, the Bribie Island Environmental Protection Agency (BIEPA) and I have also served on the Pumicestone Youth

Advisory Board.

Over the last few years, I have seen how the failures of the tired, third-term Labor Government have created very real pressures in our community. Our infrastructure has not kept pace with the rapid population growth we have experienced, families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads thanks to Labor’s housing crisis and all of our day-to-day bills – from groceries, water, power, insurance and fuel - all keep going up.

Our community has endured Labor for

long enough. We cannot afford four more years of the chaos and crisis of the Palaszczuk/Miles Labor Government.

As your LNP candidate, I am driven by a vision for Pumicestone that addresses the critical issues we face today.

With our population growing at a rapid pace, we need the infrastructure to keep up. We need better roads, we need to address the housing affordability crisis and make it easier to access fully equipped healthcare facilities in the moments that matter most, not just in name but in the services they provide.

I am passionate about delivering economic management that supports small businesses, policies that prepare our youth for tomorrow and a government that has the Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future.

On October 26, we have a critical choice to make. Together, we can elect a strong government led by David Crisafulli to address the youth crime crisis, bring the cost of living under control and ensure our schools and hospitals receive the attention they desperately need.

Together, we can bring about the change our community needs and deserves and I am committed to being that voice for change.

I look forward to meeting you all on the campaign trail, listening to what matters most to you and our community!

Sincerely,

Ariana Doolan

David Crisafulli and Ariana Doolan

Ariana Doolan

Bribie Toastmasters - Fostering leadership and communication skills

Wow! What a fun evening. Secretly, I had always been interested in Toastmasters, but there was never time to attend a meeting. When local author Anne Millen twisted my arm to come along and do a story about Bribie Toastmasters, I couldn't resist the temptation. I found a small, vibrant, welcoming group that wanted to have fun while improving their communication and public speaking skills. It was a fabulous evening with a St Patrick's Day theme, with the tables set up in a horseshoe and decorated in green to set the scene.

The Toastmaster for the night was Anne Millen who, like an orchestra conductor, kept everyone to a strict timetable, ensuring the meeting flowed without missing a beat. The Toastmaster changes at each meeting to ensure everyone builds their skills in running a meeting – after all, Toastmasters is about growing skills and personal development.

President Noela Gray welcomed everyone and the timekeeper was introduced. Timekeeping is critical in Toastmasters, with a green, amber and red traffic light system to warn speakers about their time. The meeting begins with a warmup exercise where everyone, including visitors, are asked to stand and speak for 30 seconds on an impromptu subject, ours being St Patrick's Day. I was expecting a heap of Irish jokes to suddenly surface, though several laughs were heard as the wide variety of stories were told.

One of the highlights of the evening was the delivery of two competition-level, seven-minute speeches presented by Chris Ramos, a visitor from the Pines Toastmasters Club who was preparing for the Toastmasters Moreton Division speech competition. His first speech, his entry in the International Speech Category, for which he placed second, was about the ‘Power of One’ and how a 50 dollar note given to him when living in the Philippines had helped pull him and his family out of poverty. Chris delivered a compelling, emotive and inspiring speech. It was so powerful that I felt my hand moving to my pocket wanting to donate.

Then Jock Elliott, the 2011 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speak-

FINDI NG THE SMILE IN EVERY DAY

At Regis, we believe a good life is built on great relationships.

ing, invited everyone around the room to evaluate Chris's talk. The group provided some interesting observations, with the final comments and suggestions made by Jock. The advice given was golden. Jock is a long-standing member of the Bribie Toastmasters Club with a wealth of experience and is an asset to the club.

Later in the meeting Chris gave another speech, ‘Love is not enough’, his entry for the Humorous Speech category of the competition, with feedback also provided. I found out that Chris won the Humorous Speech category and will go on to represent the Moreton Division at the Toastmasters District 69 Conference. Congratulations Chris Ramos.

Next, it is impromptu speaking with Table Topics. Six members are each asked by the retiring Toastmaster Ken Wales to talk for two minutes on a specific topic related to the St. Patrick's Day theme. The speakers' ingenuity, skill and humour created many laughs and was fun to watch, with feedback provided at the end of each session. It was noticeable how caring and supportive the environment was as the speakers worked on developing their skills.

In this story, I have given you a little taste of what happens in a Toastmasters meeting to whet your appetite without much detail. Toastmasters is a fabulous personal development organisation that can help you learn how to conduct meetings, give impromptu speeches, present prepared speeches, provide constructive evaluations and follow various learning paths. Above all, the one skill I believe Toastmasters gives you is the confidence to stand up and present your ideas to your boss, an organisation or the world. With educated confidence, you are unstoppable.

The club has 20 active members and in June will celebrate its 30th birthday, which is a fantastic achievement. You too can tap into the benefits of Toastmasters. They meet fortnightly on a Tuesday at 7pm at the Bribie RSL, ANZAC Room.

For more information, please contact Joannes Evers 0450 473 822 or

At Bribie Respite, we exist to make a real difference in the lives of our senior members of the Community, people with disability and offer well needed support for their carers. We provide a range of well-researched, effective social and development programs in a warm, community-focused setting in our Centre based programs.

Bribie Respite and Support Services Incorporated has been servicing Bribie Island and surrounds since 1987. As a not for profit organization all monies generated are reinvested into our Bribie based business. Our well trained support workers offer high quality care and support to ensure our clients are able to live their lives in the best possible way with support and dignity.

Our Aged and Demen�a Care Services are also funded through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, which include various activities:

• Social Support Group (5 days/week)

• Flexible Respite

• In Home Social Support

• Personal Care

• Transport to and from our service

• Meals

• Diversional recreational activities

Disability Support - we are a Registered NDIS provider, offering a wide range of support services to assist individuals within our community.

• Centre based Day Program (5 Days/week)

• Community Access

• In Home Social Support

• Personal Care

• Overnight/Short Term Accomodation

• Supported Independent Living

• School Holiday program

• Transport to and from our service

Regis Caboolture 65 Mewett

Left to right. Chris Ramos, the Pines Toastmasters Club, Ken Wales, Amanda Morgan, Joannes Evers, Rosine Evans, Robert Bimrose, Jock Elliott, Lynne De-Roule, Mike Wilkinson, Noela Gray, Anne Millen and Anne Iverson - all members of the Bribie Toastmasters Club.

Celebrating the Year of the Dragon

‘Xin nian kuai le’! Wishing you all a happy Chinese New Year. Despite the rain, 22 members of the Probus Club of Bribie Island gathered at the Solander Bowls Club to mark the Chinese Year of the Dragon. It was a wonderful evening full of fun, friendship and fellowship.

The highlight, no doubt, was the delicious Chinese food that delighted the taste buds of everyone present. May the year bring intelligence, courage and tenacity to those born in the Year of the Dragon.

If you like meeting new friends, enjoy social events, listening to interesting guest speakers and/or participating in tours and trips, then come along

for a couple of hours from 9am on the first Tuesday of each month at the Bribie Island RSL. For more information, visit our website by Googling ‘Probus Bribie’ or phone Gabrielle 0407 341 074 or Dave 0408 453 086.

Shifting baselines and the saga of a new Bribie bridge

Comment by Dr Ben Diggles

My main area of expertise as a marine biologist is centred around the health of aquatic animals and their environment. Usually, I would be writing about our community efforts to try to restore the degraded marine environment around Bribie and in the Pumicestone Passage. But, today I thought I’d voice a few observations regarding discussions in this newspaper (and elsewhere) about the purported need for a new Bribie bridge. From what I am seeing and hearing about the matter, we have an example of ‘shifting baselines’, a phrase which was first coined by fisheries biologist Daniel Pauly in the 1990’s to describe situations when newer generations are not aware of the gradual changes in the condition of the natural environment, due to their lack of experience of past conditions. Because of shifting baselines, each generation regards a progressively poorer natural world as normal.

On one side of the debate are many of the long-time residents of Bribie, who have seen the Island population grow and change over the decades. These people know what has been gained from the convenience of a bridge, but they also know what has been lost in relation to environmental and lifestyle values, whether on the Island itself or below the water out of sight, out of mind. Some of the former may even be old enough to remember times before the bridge, when they were passengers on ferries like the Koopa or Doomba. Others may remember coming over on the vehicular barge which was used before the Bribie bridge was built in the early 1960’s, opening in 1963, when Bribie’s population was about 700 people. Being locals, they might even have been miffed by

the bridge toll of 10 shillings (about $1 for a return trip), which was an exorbitant price at the time (equivalent to about $17 in today’s money). But of course, the fishing back then was fantastic and clearly many people did think the toll was worth it.

Back in the good old days when tolls were removed once a public asset was paid off, it’s certainly fair to say that older generations worked hard for the original Bribie bridge, paying it off within 12 years. So, since 1975, crossing the Bribie bridge has been free to all, which has lead to what has been in many respects a ‘free for all’ when it comes to development on the Island and its surrounds. The reluctance of many older residents to support a new bridge is therefore understandable, based on their past experience. They know there is a very high risk that construction of a four-lane highway over to the Island itself will be a catalyst for even more development, leading to further loss of identity as Bribie risks completing its gradual transition from a special place surrounded by pristine, fish filled waters to just another suburb of Brisbane.

On the other hand, we have the pro-bridge group, many of whom appear to be relatively recent arrivals to the Island. Some may even have been part of the most recent ‘post-Covid’ influx, which has resulted in a noticeably increased strain on local infrastructure. These people may not be aware of what ‘the Island’ was like back in the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s, before the need for traffic lights. They only know that traffic jams are now a commonplace issue on Bribie, especially when the Sandstone Point Hotel (est. 2015) has an event, which seems to be the main problem with the bridge approaches in most situations. They think

its normal that finding a parking space at the local shopping centre is a bit of a lottery. For bridge proponents, having a new bridge and approaches which can allow access to and from the Island if an accident occurs on the other bridge, is the answer to these problems. But is it? I can’t help but wonder where will all those free-flowing cars go once they get off the new bridge? And why is this new bridge planned to be four metres higher above the water than the previous one – to accommodate sea level rise due to climate change? Given that it appears inevitable that we are locked in for at least a 2°C temperature rise over the next 50 years, with the projected sea level rise of 60-100cm that would accompany this, perhaps we should be planning an orderly retreat from Bribie Island, rather than developing a new bridge that will allow developers to cram even more stuff onto an already crowded, yet low lying and fragile sand Island? Is ‘Bribie with dykes’, the ‘Southern Venice’ supposed to be the new tourist mecca of 2100?

Of course, the world is not black and white and many people do not fit the ‘for’ and

‘against’ stereotypes I have described above and to them I apologise in advance. As both a marine scientist and Bribie Island resident of 20 years, who began visiting the Island in the 1970’s, I see both sides of this issue, but I also think about what is happening under the water. The original bridge has a finite engineering lifespan and will not last forever. It will need to be replaced eventually, but while more reliable vehicular access to the Island is a great concept, I can’t see how a new bridge will reduce traffic congestion. All those cars need to go somewhere, but surely yet another new set of traffic lights at the Sandstone Point end of the bridge won’t help with that. On the other hand, improved pedestrian and bike riding access over the new bridge, or even using the old bridge as a dedicated ‘active transport’ corridor would be a much greater benefit for locals.

So, swings and (possibly more) roundabouts, but it’s notable that the preliminary design plans for a new bridge have failed to grasp a golden opportunity for a ‘win-win’ with the design of underwater pylons and provision of other structures that could IMPROVE

Bribie bridge opening day Oct 19, 1963 aerial

the marine environmental situation. Why has the preliminary bridge design failed to provide any purpose designed underwater reef habitat for fishes and shellfish, as well as dedicated fishing platforms to access them?

The old Bribie bridge is still a very popular fishing platform, even though it was never designed as such. If we are to build a new bridge, why not make sure it caters to all recreational users, including recreational fishers and why not try to do so in a way that offsets some of the environmental damage that will undoubtedly continue to occur because of it? I suggested as much during the original requests for comments on bridge design, but it seems the engineers have largely ignored these marine environmental aspects below the waterline, even though they represent (please forgive the pun) the lowest of the ‘low hanging fruit’.

For too long what has been happening under the water in Pumicestone Passage has been ignored. Marine Parks legislation prevents restoration of lost shellfish reefs in Pumicestone Passage, which means that water quality and fish habitat is continuing to decline. Construction of a new Bribie bridge is possibly one of our few opportunities to improve it. The recent rain event in late January 2024 was accompanied by yet more fish kills in Pumicestone Passage, a sure sign of precipitous environmental decline. So what good is provision of even more pelican perches on the lights of the new bridge, when our iconic pelicans themselves have fewer and fewer fish to eat as each year goes by? Yes, they might have a place to sit, but will future Bribie pelicans have anything to eat? Of course, the political side of this debate is understandably prominent, as any new bridge will cost a large amount of money. Is it fair for Queensland taxpayers to dig so deep into their pockets if a new bridge will benefit access for only a couple of tens of thousands of Island residents? Where does a new Bribie bridge stand in the whole scheme of things throughout Queensland when it comes to prioritising spending of hard-earned taxpayer monies?

Remember, in the modern world ‘user pays’ is king. As pointed out by local historian Barry Clark in his excellent article on the 60-year anniversary of the Bribie Bridge (from which I have borrowed several of the historical facts and figures herein), a new bridge will be built sometime, somewhere. It is a matter of history that previous generations paid for the old Bribie bridge out of their own pockets. I know a toll for the new bridge is supposed to be out of the question, but I still wonder. Would so many people still be happy to advocate for a whizz-bang new Bribie bridge with all the bells and whistles if it had a $17 toll?

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Continued from page 2

cost compared to budget is not available. Is it that she doesn’t know or just doesn’t care?

Will future dream projects such as the new proposed Bribie Bridge and the many Olympic projects be set about without any real cost control?

There needs to be high level regular cost reports on all future government projects, particularly those under union control by the CFMEU.

This project has cost far too much, taken twice as long as necessary and still doesn’t fill the promised brief of a HOSPITAL for Bribie Island.

R Dominish Bribie Island

It’s all in the letter

RE: Letter to the Editor - Maintaining a balance (G. Taylor, Issue 100, 07/03/2024). This criticism disguised as a question is inappropriate, disparaging, disrespectful and ignorant of facts. You will note the editor’s disclaimer and realise that. Nevertheless, common sense suggests it would not be in the editor’s nor the paper’s interests to pick and choose letters based on content or leanings of the editor or the contributors and my experience indicates that it does not happen.

You therefore may look to other contributors for your answer. As noted by P. McEllister in that good letter “Pie in the Sky”. Although I disagree with the “leaning “ comment for the same reasons that apply to G. Taylor’s criticism

Is it just possible that contributors who read both publications sometimes detect leanings in contributions to one editor or the other and send their contribution to the respective one that to them APPEARS to lean their way?

Self-perpetual.

If this is the way of it, then a natural balance could be expected due to there fortunately being two publications. Criticism of editors is, in my opinion, clear abuse of the privilege that the editors provide FOR FREE to all contributors and potential contributors, for which they should be thanked instead.

The publishing of G. Taylor’s criticism, in fact, clearly demonstrates G. Taylor’s fallacy!

David Bongaree

The Narrow Focus of Renewables Leading us Down a Path of Blackouts and Rising Costs

The last issue of Gecko Chirps was about our declining living standards brought about by rising costs. Gecko said things will only get worse. Here’s why.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen who claims wind and solar energy are cheap and clean, has yet to explain, if this is the case, why our power bills continue to rise. Journalists do not have the intellectual acuity to even challenge Bowen and hence we continue to be inundated with propaganda from the government and proponents of singularly minded climate maniacs.

Power prices went up an average 28.7% from July 1, 2023 and it is now forecast that southeast Queensland power prices will rise again by up to 7%, but this is yet to be confirmed. So much for renewables providing affordable power!

It only takes a moment’s reckoning to appreciate that the grid-scale storage electricity generated by wind or solar is perfect nonsense. It hasn’t occurred anywhere in the world; nor will it. This is the reason why renewables must be viewed as an adjunct to primary base

Here are some predictions from the past, just to prove to you that planet Earth is still alive and well and not about to self-destruct.

power, such as coal-fired power stations and nuclear power generators. Solar and wind combined with battery storage will not provide the base power required for large scale manufacturing. Try producing steel using batteries.

Back in 2017, South Australia, Australia’s wind power capital, squandered $150 million on one of Elon Musk’s creations that would power the state for all of four

minutes when the wind stops blowing and the sun doesn’t shine! The problem faced with renewables is intermittency of wind and solar and the ability of batteries to provide the necessary grid power. Currently, all batteries on Earth store just 10 minutes of the world’s electricity needs.

Our power system is becoming increasingly more fragile, which is affecting reliability because we continue to shut down our coal-fired power plants, solely relying on renewables. Blackouts will become the norm unless there is a change of focus on power generation. That focus must be that renewables are an adjunct to the power grid, it is not a primary power generation, simply because wind and solar just cannot meet our power needs. Furthermore, smart meters are being introduced which enables power companies to control your usage by load shedding or even turning off your power for a finite time, depending on the demand. You think this is a joke – it is happening now. You need to ask the question, if the government is out to control everything you do, it seems capitalism is being eroded in favour of socialist and communist ideology, not something I would think we, as a free nation would endorse.

coal-fired power plants and is considering sourcing coal from other suppliers – where does this leave us? Coal export provides a significant slice of income; without that income, things will only get worse in terms of cost-of-living and rising prices.

The question needs to be asked about all these government handouts being given out while ordinary Australians struggle with cost-of-living pressure and rising fuel and electricity prices. The Albanese Government is pumping $2 billion into green projects in southeast Asia which is extraordinary when Australians are struggling to make ends meet. That money should be spent here. In another example of subsidies by this government is the handing of $840 million to Gina Rinehart to develop a lithium mine and refinery in the Northern Territory. That’s not all either as lithium developer Liontown resources got $230 million in government agency loans. Guess who the major shareholder in Liontown is - Gina Rinehart. There is no guarantee whether the digging up and refining of lithium happens, but you can be sure that China will most likely be the recipient.

Here are some predictions from the past, just to prove to you that planet Earth is still alive and well and not about to self-destruct.

1960s – no oil in 10 years;

1970s – another ice age in 10 years;

1980s – acid rain will destroy all crops in 10 years and the world will starve; 1990s – the ozone layer will be gone in 10 years and we will all roast; 2000s – the ice caps will be gone in 10 years;

Now, the Left, the Greenies, want to close down all coal-fired power stations and gas in favour of wind and solar generated power to save the planet. Australia produces about 1% of the world’s emissions. It is madness to assume we are continuing down this path when there is no thought to planning to keep coal-fired power generation and/or nuclear power generation to provide the required electricity needs. This madness with net zero emissions is exactly that …. madness, because technically, it is not achievable. Perhaps the next step will be to cull the human population because guess what, we exhale carbon dioxide. With the push for EVs, power demands will increase and put more pressure on our power generation. Just imagine everybody returning from work to start charging their EV overnight, there will not be enough battery power available to fully charge your EV. If the wind does not blow and the sun does not shine, then maybe you might have to ride your bicycle to work.

The government continues with their propaganda that renewables such as wind and solar are clean and free. The wind and the sun are free, but not the manufacturing costs nor the subsidies provided by our government, our tax money. Nor does wind and solar have longevity – maybe 20 years if you are lucky. The nuclear power plant at Lucas Heights has been in operation for 60 years to mainly provide for medical research and delivery. At this stage, wind turbine blades and solar panels are manufactured, not by renewable energy sources but by power generated from coal-fired power stations. China continues to use our coal and build more

2010s – it’s never going to rain and the cities will run out of water (thanks Flannery);

2020s – if we don’t reduce our carbon emissions the world will heat up, causing existential extinctions and collapse of civilization.

Yep, we sure are doomed! Propaganda is alive and well and common sense is now a rarity! Until next time, Gecko Chirps. P.S. While writing this article, the power went out! I won’t say I told you so, but I did!

There is a talented cobbler on Bribie Island, hiding in a workshop down on Armitage Street (behind the cinema) making a whole range of exquisite, handcrafted leathergoods, using only Australian leather. Stephen, who did his apprenticeship as a cobbler and his wife Julie are locals and also the proud owners and craftsmen of Bangee Leather. All their materials are high quality and sourced from within southeast Queensland, with everything made right here in their warehouse workshop on Bribie Island. Bangee Leather has a wide range of high-quality, handmade leather goods, including a wonderful range of women’s and men’s thongs and sandals, which are cut out by hand, stitched and handcrafted in the traditional way so they are comfortable and made to last. Bangee Leather custom orders sandals for men and women so that everyone can have a comfortable fit, whatever their individual needs are. They can accommodate all sizes, even made to measure. No size too large or small! With chic wallets, ladies’ bags, beautiful leather belts, some with croc inlay, some with cowhide inlay, leather pen knife pouches, phone pouches and dog collars, you can dive into a world of high-quality, handmade leather goods that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Get ready to level up your fashion game with the trendiest leather goods

Looking for a stylish upgrade or a unique gift? Look no further, Bangee Leather has got you covered! From chic wallets to stylish accessories, they have it all, including gift certificates! Make sure to swing by their booth and experience the perfect blend of light-heartedness and serious craftsmanship. Trust us, you won’t be able to resist these stunning pieces! Go and see the beautiful craftsmanship of their products for yourself. Don’t miss the chance to explore Bangee’s exquisite collection and discover your new favourite statement piece! You’ll find them at the markets in Brennan Park, Bongaree (near the jetty) on the first, second and third Saturday of every month and at the Yandina Markets on the second Saturday of every month. You can also visit Stephen at the workshop Monday-Friday at 4/25 Armitage Street.

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Singing up a musical storm

By Sheree Hoddinett

While her time on Channel 7’s reality show Australian Idol has come to an end, we certainly haven’t seen the last of the very talented Kiani Smith (also known by her stage name Kiani Jazz).

When we first saw Kiani’s audition air on television on February 6, no one could have imagined, let alone Kiani herself, that the Bribie youngster would make it all the way to the show’s top eight. Proving that age has nothing to do with your talent, at 17 Kiani showed Australia her sheer determination week after week until her final performance on March 11.

After calling Sydney home for six-andhalf-weeks, Kiani was over the moon to finally return home to Bribie on March 13.

“While I’m grateful for the Australian Idol experience, it feels really good to be home,” she said. “I missed my own bedroom, my dog and everything at home.

“The support from everyone here on Bribie has been amazing and having people come up to me since I got back, it’s been really cool.”

Kiani’s Australian Idol journey all began last year when she came across an Instagram post advertising for audition videos.

“I thought it would be fun and something I would benefit from a lot,” Kiani said. “So, I did the audition and I heard back from them that I got through. It was really great.

“If I’m being completely honest I thought I might possibly get to the first audition and then that would be it, but to get to the top eight, it completely blew my mind.”

The musical future is already looking bright for Kiani who was just four-yearsold when she started singing and seven when the guitar entered her world.

“My mum sings, but not in a serious way. When I was growing up she would sing

around the house. My dad is actually the one that taught me how to play the guitar, so we’re a whole family band, even my brother plays instruments and sings a little bit too,” Kiani said.

A career in music is high on Kiani’s list, after leaving school last year, obtaining a Certificate III in Music at Tafe and culminating in her success on the Australian Idol stage. Following the whirlwind of being on a reality show, Kiani is taking a bit of a breather before getting back into gigs again.

“The whole month-and-a-half we were in Sydney was really great, but very tiring,” Kiani said. “I'm planning on maybe taking a week or so to myself and getting back into reality. And then from there, I'm just hoping that I can get some more gigs again. And hopefully some exciting news might come along in the

meantime.”

Noah Kahan is Kiani’s favourite artist to listen to and one she would love to meet and even perform with if the opportunity came up.

“That would be a dream come true,” she said. “He’s more of a hidden artist and he’s a big supporter of mental health and makes a lot of songs about it as well.

“His music is really catchy and a lot of his songs have really nice meanings. It’s the type of music that I just love, folky kind of pop indie stuff and that's my favourite genre.”

More than just a talented singer and guitarist, Kiani is also a songwriter, using a mix of everything in her life as inspiration.

“I kind of play the guitar a little bit to start with, because every time I write a

song I'll just muck around and find a little rhythm,” she said. “So, I’ll start playing that, then sing along with harmonies and then with the lyrics, which some people find really hard.

“I kind of just go off experiences I've had, or experiences people I know have had. I have a few songs that are about breakups. I've only been through one breakup, so I haven't got a lot of experience with that, but I know from other people what that feels like and I can put that in a song.

“And then I also write songs about movies, books and things like that. Just whatever speaks to me at the time. Like when I watched the new Hunger Games movie, then I wrote a song about that.” Often referred to as the young one while on the show, Kiani certainly took it all in her stride, determined to prove she had what it took to be up there with everyone else.

“Everyone would be like, ‘oh, you're so good and you're only 17’ and it really hit me getting that far at such a young age. It was so crazy,” she said. “But I think as the show went on people started saying things like ‘you’re only 17, you have so much more time, you should just come back next year’ or ‘you’re not ready yet’ or ‘you’re not mature enough’ and then I started thinking maybe it isn’t so great that I’m 17! So, it was a mixed experience.

“If I could give advice to others out there, it would be don't let anyone or anything change you. Just stay true to who you are, making sure you know who you are as an artist and age does not matter. Especially for people my age, don't let age stop you being you or letting you do what you want to do. Age has got nothing to do with who you are and your talent.”

You can continue following Kiani’s journey via Facebook and Instagram (Kiani Jazz Music).

Kiani looks right at home as she listens to feedback from the Australian Idol judges.

Kiani enjoyed her time on the big stage on Australian Idol.

Kiani sings 'A Thousand Miles' by Vanessa Carlton.

Kiani performs Feeling Good (Nina Simone).

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Monday to Friday: $12.50 Senior Lunches – select menu available from 11.30am

Wednesday Nights: Check out our $16 main meals available from 5.30pm

Thursday Nights: Our popular Steak and Prawns night at just $23 is not to be missed

Friday nights: Our regular Friday Night Raffles, Trivia and Members Draw takes place every Friday Night (some exceptions do apply due to Charity events –contact the Club for details) from 5.30pm.  We have 12 Quality Assorted Meat Trays from Wamuran Meats up for grabs, plus the Lucky 13 Draw where you could win $500 CASH.  The 14th draw in the raffle will give the winner a ticket in our $1,000 Christmas Cash Giveaway.

We also conduct the quickest 10 question trivia on the night – Free entry, and our Member’s Draw.

all night.

This is a fantastic and fun filled Elvis show that Doug performs and is a night not to be missed so tell your friends and family as tickets are nearly all sold. Bookings are limited and must be made through the Golf Club website at www.bribiegolf.com.au – tickets just $30.

Golf membership is now open and what better way to get some exercise, some fresh air and make new friends. In this busy day and age, you need to get out and move. Golf is a game for all ages and all abilities and our different memberships can help you make that commitment to get out there and do something. You can call us now to discuss.

Our Vernazza restaurant is open for lunch daily from 11.00am and for dinners on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights from 5.30pm. Bookings are highly recommended – so come and join us.

EVERYONE WELCOME! It's Worth The Drive!

Lend your support to Beachmere Road footpath petition

By Sheree Hoddinett

The construction of a footpath seems like a reasonably straightforward task. But as Caboolture resident Cedric Crump has uncovered, it’s become quite a mission, resulting in a petition to be presented to council to try and get the job done. Mr Crump is seeking support for a footpath to be built along Beachmere Road, between Bribie Island Road and Ann Maree Drive, a stretch of road which is frequented by locals and also bus users making their way towards nearby businesses.

Through his petition, Mr Crump is requesting the City of Moreton Bay Council construct a well-lit footpath along the western side of Beachmere Road. The petition is asking the council to build less than 500 metres of footpath, which Mr Crump believes is well within the expenditure capabilities of our council. His reasons include the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, safety of motorists and access to a better bus service. Mr Crump, who has been a local resident for the last five years, believes the whole area is in need of improvements, with the footpath just one small section needing attention.

“I’m one of many local residents who likes to get out and walk the dog,” Mr Crump said. “This is a road that I walk regularly because it’s a decent distance for my dog and myself, but you'll see a lot of people cycling down there or walking or even school kids trying to get to and from school.

“The state government has funded a complete upgrade of Beachmere Road at a cost of more than $20 million dollars. However, the section of roadway north of Jocelyn Street (a stretch of less than two kilometres), which is probably the busiest as it includes many houses bordering Beachmere Road and an industrial estate, has been completely overlooked by the Department of Transport and Main Roads planners. The state government has failed to include a critical section of Beachmere Road in the upgrade which would probably have included a footpath.”

Not everyone has access to their own vehicle and may even rely on public transport to get around. There is also those who live off Beachmere Road who may want to walk or cycle their way down to the businesses just a kilometre away from Ann Maree Drive. A footpath would enable people to safely make their way to these businesses, which include a chemist.

“There is a lot of people that catch the bus (652 route) to access the shops and industrial area on the other side of Bribie Island Road, both for work and personal reasons,” Mr Crump said. “I noticed there is quite a lot of people that get off at the bus stop at Ann Maree Drive and have to walk along Beachmere Road, a distance of more than 1100 metres, with no footpath the majority of the way. They are forced to walk along a grassed area right next to the road with large trees

situated close to the edge of the road on the western side as well, forcing pedestrians even closer to moving traffic.”

One of the biggest factors that comes into play is safety, not just for those who risk the walk, but also other road users, who may not be aware of the situation.

“I have been told by other residents there has been several traffic accidents along this stretch. I walk down this road a fair bit and I've been nearly clipped a couple of times,” Mr Crump said. “There are times when I walk the dog at night, with a torch of course and you really are taking your life into your own hands going that way, but it doesn’t need to be like this!”

For Mr Crump to proceed with his petition he has had to take up the old-fashioned route with paper and pen, one he is more than happy to do.

“There is actually no electronic petition option through our local council,” Mr Crump said. “You can only do an electronic petition through state and federal government. So far, we have managed to obtain more than 150 signatures, which is making it harder as we are now in an electronic age where manual petitions should be a thing of the past. However, I’m prepared to do the leg work on this one to get an outcome.”

Obituary Shirley Glenys King of Bribie Island

September 12, 1942 –February 27, 2024

Shirley Glenys King (nee Kerkow) passed away at St Vincent’s Northside Private Hospital on February 27, 2024. She was born on September 12, 1942 in Laidley, Queensland to parents Franz and Olive Kerkow, a little sister to Barry. The family moved to Wondai in 1947, in time for her to start school at Wondai State School. Upon completion of her scholarship year, she commenced boarding at St Peter’s Lutheran College at Indooroopilly, Brisbane.

Upon finishing junior, she commenced nurses training at the Wondai General Hospital. During this time, she and her nursing friends would attend the local balls and dances. One particular night, Shirley donned a blue satin dress and drove her VW Beetle with a group of her friends to the ball, where she met a handsome young man called Paul who then began to court her. At the end of their dates, Paul would take her back to her parents’ home, now in Redcliffe, where her father would come out turning on the front porch light telling her to come inside. They became engaged six months later, just before Christmas 1962. They married in April 1963 in the Lutheran Church at Redcliffe and embarked on their life together in Sydney, buying their first home in Baulkham Hills and welcomed their first child, Paul Anthony in February 1967.

In 1969 they moved to Wavell Heights and soon welcomed their second child Hilary Jane, in 1977, before moving to Aspley.

To sign the petition you only need to include your name, address and signature. Mr Crump is also more than happy for signed petitions to be placed in his letterbox or posted to him at 59 Ann Maree Drive, Caboolture 4510. If you would like to know more, you can also reach him via email riccrump@gmail. com

The City of Moreton Bay Council was contacted in regard to this issue and provided the following response: “There are no current projects for a footpath to be constructed along this length of Beachmere Road,” a council spokesperson said. “However, council does have this section of road listed for consideration for a new footpath in future years as part of council’s Missing Links Pathway Program.

“The Missing Links Pathway Program is currently filled up to and including the 2026/27 financial year with projects that are considered a higher priority based on their community benefit.

“Footpaths throughout the entire City of Moreton Bay Council area are prioritised using criteria such as population density, links to schools, links to public transport and links to local amenities such as shopping precincts.”

Shirley and Paul were in business with Motor Wholesale Centre in Strathpine for more than 20 years, before retiring and moving to Bongaree where they have lived for the past 29 years.

Their retirement adventures were interrupted in 2003 when Shirley was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). She spent months in the Wesley Hospital undergoing successful treatment and achieving remission. Shirley and Paul were avid travellers, exploring Australia in their caravan, as well as international travel in particular cruising, exploring the Pacific, New Zealand and even the Panama Canal.

Shirley learnt to sew from her mother Olive and she will be remembered as a talented needle woman at embroidery, tapestry, knitting, crotchet and cross-stitch. She was generous with her skills and time, making many items as gifts, for those in need, the family, friends and church. Shirley was a loving and generous soul who was kind, witty and always ready to listen, help and support anyone who was in need. She was also a beloved member of the St Paul’s Lutheran Church (Bribie Island) congregation.

Three years ago, Shirley was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine cancer. We are grateful that she is now at peace and pain free. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Shirley is survived by her husband Paul, her son Paul and wife Rachel, her daughter Hilary and grandchildren Matthew, Lauren, Kate and James.

The stretch of Beachmere Road where pedestrians are forced to walk.

The 652 bus travelling along Beachmere Road.

Getting to the heart of the matter

By Sheree Hoddinett

Cassie O’Brien is one person who has defied the odds. For someone who wasn’t expected to live beyond her toddler years, Cassie has certainly given life a red hot go. Diagnosed with congenital heart disease at birth and undergoing not one, but two open heart surgeries by the time she turned three, Cassie knows the true meaning of being a walking miracle. Late last year she celebrated her 40th birthday and while knowing every day is a bonus no matter what, Cassie continues to embrace her own heart condition while helping to support others as the new leader of Heart Support Australia’s (HSA) Peer Support Group in Caboolture.

Did you know that congenital heart disease is the most common form of birth defect in Australia, affecting about nine in every 1000 babies. There are many types of childhood heart diseases and the severity varies in every baby. Some defects are simple and do not require treatment, while others are more complex or life-threatening and may require multiple surgeries over many years. Either way, it can be a lot for both the patient and their family to deal with and that is where the HSA Peer Support Groups can be a saviour. Recognising the profound emotional, physical and psychological toll of living with heart conditions, the group offers a safe and nurturing space where individuals can share their experiences, seek guidance and find strength in solidarity.

Doctor appointments, hospital visits, blood tests, rehab sessions, you name it and Cassie likely has to do it as part of everyday life. While it may seem like a lot, she doesn’t know any different and takes it all in her stride.

“Some days, it can be a lot just getting out of bed,” Cassie explains. “The heat hits me hard and at times, I experience headaches which can last for a few days or I have to spend hours hooked up to my oxygen. But as much as it can suck, it is what it is and this is life as I know it. I guess it could be worse!

“So for me it's just take the day as it comes. So I'm not pedantic about numbers and tests and doctors telling me I have to follow a certain path because that’s what the rules are. I just tootle along to

whatever I fancy and if I'm having a bit of a moment I get in touch with my nurse and tell her what I’ve done.”

Cassie has been a member of HSA for more than 10 years, finding the support invaluable while living with a chronic illness and navigating the intricacies of motherhood at the same time. Cassie was just 20-years-old when she fell pregnant with her son. It was both a joyous and scary time with her heart dealing with a lot of strain.

“I was told not to have any more children after my son, especially when I spent the last three months of my pregnancy in hospital,” Cassie recalls. “It took a big toll on my heart and I know I’m lucky to have been able to have a child because I was never meant to do that, but I survived having my son.

“It wasn’t an easy time, I felt lost trying to navigate how to raise a child while being chronically ill – there is no user manual for that.”

As HSA’s youngest peer support group leader, Cassie aims to be an outlet for people who have gone through or are going through heart issues. The group seeks to combat feelings of isolation and uncertainty, replacing them with a sense of community, resilience, and hope.

“It’s hard for people to fully understand what it’s like to be a heart patient unless you’ve been through it yourself – it is alienating to live with heart disease,” she says.

“There’s a different kind of support from people who have experienced what you have experienced first-hand.

“It’s a safe space where you can just vent

– all those crappy hospital appointments, new medications, new testing, the group is for people to meet people they can call or catch up for a coffee and share their experiences.”

While Cassie has been somewhat fortunate to have only undergone two open heart surgeries so far, she knows there will come a time when she has to go through it again. The next time it will likely be for a heart replacement.

“The next step, once I decline far enough, will be undergoing a heart and lung replacement, which is an enormous undertaking,” Cassie says. “I have to get to a point where I’m sick enough to need it, but not past the point where it’s too late or I’m too old.

“If there’s anything I’d love to see happen, it would be to have a mechanical heart, that would be amazing and make life so much easier!”

The Caboolture Peer Support Group meets on the second Saturday of each month in the Bronze Room, Caboolture Sports Central. If you would like to know more or to get involved, please contact Cassie via cassieobrien@outlook.com.au or 0416 688 452.

Cassie O’Brien is the new leader of Heart Support Australia’s (HSA) Peer Support Group in Caboolture.

The first meeting of the support group took place on February 17.

Toad Busters smash the toad population on Bribie

By Alistair Gray

The numbers are in! The Toad Buster teams on Bribie Island (Postcode 4507) are blitzing it, with 14,562 adult cane toads captured and destroyed so far this season. The nearest rival, Gaven (Postcode 4211), a small rural residential locality in the Gold Coast, captured 3609 adult toads.

The number of toad poles (cane toad tadpoles) removed at Banksia Beach was an incredible 144,700, according to the latest figures posted on Watergum's Facebook page. Watergum is a not-forprofit and registered charity whose work focuses on maintaining and protecting the natural environment with the support of local communities coordinating the annual toad-busting activities. The numbers are mind-blowing, yet small when measured against an estimated Australian population of 200 million cane toads - according to the Watergum website.

The Bribie efforts centre around a highly committed team of Toad Busters around the Pacific Harbour golf course who work in conjunction with Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association (BIEPA), with other teams collecting toads at Woorim and the Bibimulya Wetlands. I sat down with Simon Middap and Paul McLoughlin from the Pacific Harbour Toad Busters group to learn about toad busting. But first, a little background.

Cane toads were first introduced to Australia from South America in 1935 to control the native cane beetle, which damaged sugar cane crops. Unfortunately, the toads failed to control the beetle and instead became a significant pest themselves. The cane toads have since spread rapidly across northern and eastern Australia, including Queensland, the Northern Territory and parts of Western Australia and New South Wales. The toad's toxic skin secretions, ravenous appetite and lack of natural predators have wreaked havoc, destroying native wildlife such as frogs, snakes and small mammals. Studies have shown that toads have been responsible for significant drops in populations of quoll, freshwater crocodiles, goannas and monitors, according to the Water-

gum website. Also, thousands of our pets, dogs and cats die each year from cane toad poisoning. The environmental problem is enormous and there is no clear solution, despite fencing and community-led eradication programs like Toad Busters.

Toad Busting started on Bribie through BIEPA and the University of Queensland's Cane Toad Challenge, created by Professor Rob Capron. The university needed an army of volunteers to gather healthy toads for research and dissecting to make toad pole attracting baits to complete their research. If you capture the toad poles before they become adult toads, you can make a much more significant impact on

protecting the environment. The work was a great success, with the university handing over the intellectual property to Watergum, whose focus on protecting the environment runs the challenge today.

“In the early days, the Pacific Harbour Golf Estate had a major problem with toads on the greens, which led to the formation of Pacific Harbour Toast Busters, supported by the developer QM Properties and the Pacific Harbour Golf Estate Body Corporate in 2018,” Simon said.

With its lakes and ponds, the golf course is an ideal environment for the toads that mainly breed in the warmer months during the wet season. With a female

laying between 8000 and 35,000 eggs in a breeding season and laying two clutches a year, it is easy to see how the population of toads is growing exponentially.

“Thanks to the dedication of a small team of volunteers at the golf course who gather monthly for Terrorise Toads Third Thursday (TTTT), walk the golf course with buckets, gloves and torches and catch between 200 and 3000 toads each time we go out,” Simon said. “The more volunteers we have, the bigger the golf course area we can cover. The good news is that since the group has been Toad Busting, they have noticed an increase in the number of green tree frogs and small birds returning. Their work is having a positive impact.

“A bucket full of toads is very heavy, up to five kilos and you need to be fit to do the work. The buckets are collected on trolleys and returned to where the toads are put into bags and disposed of humanely. Disposing of the large numbers of dead toads has been a problem and discussions are continuing with the council over the charging commercial tip fees.”

Watergum provided a grant of $2500 to help the group set up, with further grants coming from the Bribie Community Garden Nursery and help from Remax for the signage above the toad pole traps. The Pacific Harbour Toad Busters group is doing a fabulous job and relies very much on the support and goodwill of the local community. If you live on the golf course or you are out chasing a ball around the course and see a swarm of toad poles or a string of toad's eggs, please let the team at Toad Busters know, so they can come and remove them.

If you would like to know more about Pacific Harbour Toad Busters, please get in touch with Simon Midday 0419 677 101

To find out more about Watergum and the Cane Toad Challenge, visit www.watergum.org/canetoads/

Some of the hardened Toad Busting volunteers at Pacific Harbour.

Pictures sourced from the Pacific Harbour Toad Busters' Facebook site.

Toad Buster coordinators Paul McLoughlin and Simon Middap

Look at the size of these two cane toads.

The toad of the night - Collin Ludlow shows off his catch

Here is a toad pole trap with signage.

Bribie Island’s Hidden Gem: A Perfect Beach Cottage Home

For those who love to entertain, this house is a dream come true. It features a large living area at the front, perfect for hosting guests, and an equally spacious open plan kitchen, living, and dining area at the rear. But the real gem is the covered verandah at the back, fully screened to keep insects out, while still allowing the cool ocean breeze and natural light to flow through. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with family and friends, or to simply sit back and soak in the tranquil surroundings.

house, with even the laundry being more than just a place to do chores. And for the creative individuals, there is even an art studio ready for you to unleash your inner artist.

But it's not just the inside of this property that will make you fall in love with it.

your car again. And the lush tropical gardens surrounding the house offer privacy and a sense of tranquility.

This truly is a special and unique property, one that offers the perfect blend of coastal living and modern comforts. Don't miss the opportunity to make it your own today. Contact us for a viewing and start picturing yourself living in this perfect beach cottage home.

Connor Raven

Call 0499 027 046

a long day, or to wake up to the sound of the ocean.

Speaking of the kitchen, the owners have spared no expense in making it a functional and stylish space. It features a 'proper' butler's pantry, and indestructible bench tops that are both practical and beautiful. The theme of spaciousness continues throughout the

The outdoor space is just as impressive, with a completely private, vine-covered outdoor shower that offers hot water for those days spent at the beach. And with ample storage throughout, including two ironing stations, you'll never feel short on space or cluttered.

One of the biggest advantages of this property is its location. With the convenience of a short walk to everything, including restaurants, cafes, shops, and supermarkets, you'll never have to use

John Farren-Price

Call 0418 887 891

Bribie Island

16/19 Benabrow Avenue, Bellara

bribieisland.ljhooker.com.au

(07) 3400 1900

Mandatory CPD for real estate professionals is 'momentous'

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is welcoming a recent announcement from the Attorney General that mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) will be imposed on real estate practitioners in Queensland.

As the law currently stands, real estate practitioners are required to undertake initial educational training, however there are no ongoing educational and training requirements despite the increasingly complex legal and regulatory landscape they operate in.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said as a strong advocate for the establishment of an annual CPD regime for a decade, it was momentous for the REIQ to see it come to fruition.

“As the peak body for real estate professionals, the REIQ are big believers in the critical importance of ongoing education to ensure professionals keep up with complex and ever-changing legislation and lift the professional standards,” Ms Mercorella said.

“When you consider the significant responsibilities bestowed on real estate professionals, including selling what’s often someone’s most valuable asset

and managing trust accounts, it’s crucial that ongoing training requirements are imposed for consumer protection.

“This not only aligns with the expectations of the community but also with those of real estate professionals who are committed to delivering best practice standards.

“Following a decade of advocacy from the REIQ, it’s momentous to see the introduction of mandatory CPD, and we congratulate the Miles Government on delivering on this commitment.

“When mandating CPD, it’s important that there’s flexibility and agility in the required training to ensure its relevant, and so we look forward to helping to shape the content delivered through the Advisory Panel.

“Our members already reflect the REIQ’s commitment to lifelong learning being required to complete least 100 CPD points annually, in order to maintain membership.”

Morayfield

20 Mark Street

First home buyer alert!!!!!

This very tidy family home would suit a new home buyer or a retired couple looking to size down to a level home with very low maintenance. Positioned on a fully fenced block of level land on 714 Sqm, it ticks all the boxes, featuring 3 bedrooms, a modern renovated bathroom, and a separate W.C. The main bedroom boasts a ceiling fan.

The complete family home

This unique, designer house with a secluded backyard in a quiet neighbourhood has all that you need to make it a home. The outdoor entertainment area has shade, Bali hut and spa. Inside the ducted air conditioning (7 zones), is controlled by MyPlace and a smartphone app.

Bongaree

22 Partridge

a flat 529m2 corner allotment in Bongaree, Bribie Island. A must inspection for the first home buyer, investors or down sizers looking for a house at a unit price.

Contact

AUCTION

Woorim

23 North Street

3 3 2

What the owners have enjoyed about living here:

•The sound of the ocean.

•90 seconds walk to the surf.

•Huge master suite with full-length, covered deck & ocean views, kitchenette with hidden bar fridge, his and hers vanities, large rainfall shower.

•House is perfect for entertaining; large living area at the front, and an equally spacious, open plan kitchen/ living/ dining area at the rear.

•The covered veranda at the rear (fully screened to keep insects out, without cutting breezes) is a favourite place to relax, dine and entertain.

•Super-functional kitchen and 'proper' butler's pantry.

•Indestructible bench tops; they don't scratch, stain or chip and are impervious to heat.

•The spaciousness of all areas of the house, even the laundry.

•Art studio.

•Completely private, vine-covered, rustic outdoor shower with hot water.

•2x Robin Hood ironing stations, one in the laundry and the other in the master bedroom.

•Easy walk to everything...restaurants, coffee shops, butcher, bakery, IGA etc.

•Trees give privacy.

IN THE GARDEN

COMING NEXT ISSUE WITH ADELLE & PAUL

Helping your garden grow

By Sheree Hoddinett

If you’re on the hunt for bright flowers, green foliage, potting mixes, décor and more for your home and garden, the Bribie Garden Centre is well worth the visit. This hidden little gem is nestled away in the back streets of Bellara just waiting for you to drop by. As the faces behind this family owned and operated business, Adelle and Paul are a wealth of knowledge on what to plant and when (even if you’re a serial plant killer), the best type of plants for indoors and outdoors and they have everything you need to treat those pesky garden bugs. “I enjoy being able to watch the different varieties of plants come in throughout the season,” Adelle said. “You just get to know the plants and what they need and every plant is different. When you spend every day surrounded by plants, it becomes like second nature and you’re always building on that knowledge, it’s a lifelong learning process.”

Knowing not everyone will have a green thumb when it comes to the garden, Adelle and Paul will happily provide you

with tips and hints to help.

“Learn about the plant, because some require a lot of water, others may not require much at all,” Adelle explains.

“Make sure you put it in the right position in terms of sunlight and shade. Here at the nursery we have everything positioned where it needs to be for sun, shade and water purposes.

“I love when we get new deliveries in and the best part is putting everything away, then standing back and admiring all the fresh plants along with the spray of colour. There is something about the new life of a plant and having a sense of hope that you want to share with your customers.

“Another key tip for our customers for their new plants is ensuring you prep your ground first. You can’t just shove a plant in the ground and leave it, you need to give it that good start. Don’t forget about drainage as well, that’s also important for your plants to survive!”

As we head into the cooler months (hopefully they arrive soon!), it’s the perfect time to plant your trees, shrubs and perennials to give them time to establish before the winter months slow down their growth. The centre stocks a huge range of perennials including scaevola, gerbera, tibouchinas, impatiens, rock orchids and roses.

They also feature a big range of trees and shrubs including leptospermum, grevillea, calliandra, crotons, allyn magic, plum gorgeous and blueberry ash. Now is also the time to be thinking about starting that vegetable patch, so if you’re after seedlings and potting mixes, Bribie Garden Centre have got you covered.

Spending every day surrounded by plants and pots, Adelle does have a few favourites.

“It’s always hard picking a favourite, but I think my favourite plant would be the mandevilla, mainly because they flower nearly all year and they are a hearty plant,” she said.

“If I had to pick a favourite section at the centre, it would be the natives because they do grow well here.”

While they may not have everything you’re looking for in their range, the Bribie Garden Centre will happily look into sourcing it for you.

“I’ve actually been able to extend on the range here through customer requests

and some have become quite popular that way,” Adelle said.

“But one thing we do here is ensure that our range is sourced locally, so we know it grows well in this area.”

If it’s time to add a fresh new look to your garden, why not pop in and say hello?! The Bribie Garden Centre is located at 2/50 Verdoni Street, Bellara. They are open every day of the week 9am-4pm.

For further information, you can also reach them on 0435 007 751.

Adelle and Paul

Quality plants and products

Island Fishing

By Danny & Michelle

Bad weather has affected fishing

Hi, this is Danny and Michelle from Island Fishing Supplies, Banksia Beach and Bellara.

Unfortunately, we have had a run of bad weather from February through to the end of March. Despite this, people have still been able to get out on the water to catch fish and crabs.

A few campers at Mission Point have been doing well, catching some nice mangrove jack on lightly weighted live baits, such as poddy mullet, garfish and herring.

There has also been some very nice flathead caught in the same area on soft plastic lures using Rapala – Crushcity’s and four inch Zman Paddle Tail Swimmerz with a ¼ ounce jighead. Along with the flathead, there is plenty of grunter bream around as well. These seem to prefer the live bloodworms and there is also a chance of getting some nice whiting

Another great spot to try is through the stretch where Gallagher’s Gutter is. There is some nice grassy sweetlip caught on fresh squid with the odd snapper getting caught there as well. The canals have been firing very well with large bream at night - prawns have been producing the biggest bream Remember that most fish are hiding under the pontoons.

If you fancy a feed of delicious mud crabs, the upper reaches of all the creeks have seen some very good bucks caught. Also, around Sandstone Point in the channel.

Some of our locals have been fishing Red Beach and Skirmish Point with great results for summer whiting

Further around onto the open beach of Woorim, massive dart have been caught in the surf using bloodworms and pippies, these are great fun to catch on light tackle putting up a good fight in the waves.

If you are keen to venture over to Moreton Island, squid are plentiful. It is a case of finding where the weed beds are because squid like to use these as cover to ambush their prey. Drifting around with Squidjigs size 2.5 or 3.0 in either an orange or green pattern are the preferred colours. Cast as far away from the boat as possible, letting the Squidjigs slowly sink and then hopping it back towards the boat whilst winding in the slack line. You will feel a heavy pull and usually with the larger squid, they will peel offline and put up a good fight. Make sure you let them shoot out all the ink before you pull them into the boat.

Squid caught in the weed beds – Moreton Island.

Enjoy your fishing and remember to catch only what you need!

Danny and Michelle

Graham’s quality bay snapper.

Arlo with a nice mud crab.

Arlo caught his first whiting.

Dolphins lift their game

While the opening round of the 2024 season proved to be a disappointing one for the Dolphins going down to the Cowboys 43-18, they certainly bounced back in round two. Not only did they win the match against the Dragons on home turf at Kayo Stadium on March 17, they even kept the opposition scoreless, nabbing a 38-0 victory.

Since joining the NRL at the start of the 2023 season, this display saw the Dolphins record their highest-ever score, biggest-ever win and it was also the first time they’ve kept a team to zero. Wayne Bennett’s men flew out of the gates with an intensity that was lacking against the Cowboys a week prior, scoring twice within 10 minutes.

As usual, Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett wasn’t giving too much away post-match despite his game analysis the week before.

“We just had a bad day,” Bennett said following the Cowboys match. “We've got 23 games to go so if we can put it behind us pretty quickly we'll be a lot better off than if we're going to drag it out."

And the Dolphins certainly managed to put the first loss behind them very quickly, completing the first half of their round two match at 94% and continuing to cross the line right up until the dying minutes of the game.

It was certainly a game of mixed moments. The biggest highlight of the game came when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored the fifth try and had the entire

stadium in song, blasting out ‘Sweet Caroline’. Winger Jack Bostock found space on the left and kicked back inside for the Hammer to put the foot down and chase. The electric number one toed ahead and dived on the ball to bring up his 17th try in 21 games as a Dolphin, with more still to come.

It’s not often you have some serious match defining moments that the players themselves might actually want to forget. Jeremy Marshall-King was hit with one of the ‘greatest falcons of all time’, copping a brutal ball to the face from a Ben Hunt kick. The hooker left the field for a head knock assessment but was luckily cleared to return to the field despite the ugly blow.

Marshall-King was lucky not to join the Dolphins growing casualty list including the likes of Connelly Lemuelu, who suffered a grade two tear of the medial ligament in his right knee. Connelly suffered the injury in a collision with another player in the round one match against the Cowboys. It is expected he will be out for up to four matches as he rehabilitates his injury. The Dolphins have already lost forward Tom Gilbert with the confirmation that he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

The Dolphins scored a week off in round three. Next up they hit the turf against the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on April 6 before the highly anticipated local derby against the Broncos at Suncorp on April 12.

Social Darts Update

Donnybrook Social Darts

Results for Donnybrook Sports and Community Club Social Darts, held every Thursday night at 7pm sharp. Visitors welcome.

Caboolture Social Darts Club

Potluck doubles played every Monday night

Results for Bribie Island Women’s Golf

February

22/2/24 – American Foursomes

Winners: Gill Lee & Ros Gardiner 73.125, R/Up Gwen Clutterbuck & Abby Driver 75.125, 3rd Stina Barnulf & Toni Grossmann 75.25

NTP’s: Hole 4 Susie Smith, Hole 7 Gill Lee, Hole 14 Di Croft, Hole 16 Gill Lee

27/2/24 – Single Stableford

Div 1 Winners: Diane Fitzpatrick 39, R/ Up Ros Gardiner 37, 3rd Susie Smith 34

Div 2 Winners: Fitzie Jackson 32 cb, R/

Up Jasmin Tamayao 32, Leonie Buxton 31

Div 3 Winners: Dianne Annesley 37 cb, R/Up Vicki Butcher 37, 3rd Sonia Ferrante 31

NTP’s: Hole 7 Tricia Phillips, Hole 14 Vicki Cronan, Hole 16 Debra Dunn, Hole 7 (Div 3 2nd shot) Dianne Annesley

7/3/24 – Monthly Medal – sponsor –Churches of Christ Qld

A-Grade Winners: Susie Smith 72, R/ Up Di Benghamy 76 cb, 3rd Jo McCowan 76 cb

NTP’s: Hole 4 Jo McCowan, Hole 7 Judith Umlauft, Hole 14 Pauline Grooby, Hole 16 Ailsa Lauchlan

Best Gross Di Benghamy 82

B-Grade Winners: Jasmin Tamayao 71, R/Up Margaret Huxley 74, 3rd Roslyn Crossley

NTP’s: Hole 7 Lesley Heap, Hole 14 Helena Winterflood, Hole 16 Sue Graham

Best Gross: Jasmin Tamayao 98

C-Grade Winners: Claudia Lutgemeier 78 cb, R/Up Jan Jennings 78, 3rd Nadia

Aylott 79 cb

NTP’s: Hole 4 Jody Bedson, Hole 7 Kerryn Keys, Hole 14 Jody Bedson, Hole 16 Jody Bedson

29/2/24 – Single Stableford

Div 1 Winners: Toni Grossmann 36 cb, R/Up Sandy Smith 36, 3rd Suzanne Vallely 35 cb

Div 2 Winners: Lyn Cockerell 37, R/Up

Fitzie Jackson 35 cb, 3rd Sylvia White 35 cb

Div 3 Winners: Sonia Ferrante 32 cb, R/

Potluck Doubles

February Winners

Ryan/Qwynton, Ryan/Russell, Shane/ Kev, Chris/Qwynton/Ken.

Runners Up

Dustyn/Bec, Ben/Beau, Andrew/Ryan, Andrew/Mark/Cecil.

High Scores Men

Ken, 180, 152, 140, 123, 121. Qwynton, 140x5, 125, 121. Andrew, 140, 125, 121x2. Beau, 140x2, 134, 112, 105, 101. Ryan, 135, 101x2. Ben, 140, 121. John, 138, 105. Russell, 137, 121.

High Scores Ladies

Bell, 82, 84. Sky, 100, 98, 85x2. Hazel, 100, 83, 82, 81. Bec, 102, 94.

High Pegs Men

Beau, 97. Ken, 59, 68 bull peg. Andrew, 88, 52. Dustyn 56. Qwynton, 68, 60, 51. Kev, 71. John, 76. Ryan, 60.

High Pegs Ladies Sky, 54.

Best Nights

Beau, 6x100+/1 peg, 2x100+/2 pegs. Andrew, 5x100+/4 pegs, 1x100+/5 pegs, 2x100+/3 pegs. Kev, 3x100+/3 pegs, 2x100+/3 pegs. Qwynton, 4x100+/2 pegs, 3x100+/2 pegs, 4x100+/3 pegs. Ken, 3x100+/3 pegs, 4x100+/3 pegs, 5x100+/1 peg. Ryan, 2x100+/3 pegs. Dustyn, 1x100+/4 pegs. Hazel, 2x80+/1 peg, 2x80+. Sky, 2x80+/1 peg, 2x80+. Bec, 2x80+. Bell, 2x80+.

For further information, phone Ken 0428 831 453.

At 21 Hayes Street, Caboolture. Visitors welcome

Names by 715pm

February/March winners Jenny/Tom, Jenny/Josh, Mark S/Chris H, Jenny/Dale ,Davo, Dustyn/Chris H.

Runners Up Dale/John, Sid/Matthew, Jenny/Dale ,Sid/Josh, Jenny/Sid,Jenny/ Peter

The High pegs Robert 56, Jacinta 30, Connor 78,66, Tom 72, John B 49,46, 130(bull finish)

Mark B 47,Shayne 74, Sherrie 40,36, Dale 63,SS,75(bull finish) 70 Bull finish, Matthew 72, Ian 56,40,80, Matty 52,36, Cecil 40, Neng 32. Bill 54, Jenny 54. Best Throws ,Dustyn 140, 2x140, Sherrie 138,101 95,85,109,100, 92, Kylie 81, Matty 140, Sid 123 140, Matthew 114 ,100, Ian 105, Max 105,104,100,100, Jenny 126,99,90, Dale 121,Sid 100,100, Chris H 127, John B 121, Josh 118,100,100,100,100, Bill 139, Mark B 100 Davo 123, Robert 100, Best nights players over the period John B his pegs 44,46,130 all on one night .Dale 121 plus pegs SS 75.

For further information phone Dale on 04593

Up Cathy Cooke 32, 3rd Kerryn Keys 29 cb

NTP’s: Hole 4 Vicki Jones, Hole 7 Jennifer

De Ruyter, Hole 14 Sandy Smith, Hole 16 Di Benghamy, Hole 7 (Div 3 2nd shot) Penny Brittain

5/3/24 – Single Stableford

Div 1 Winners: Suzanne Vallely 39, R/Up

Gaby Bennett 36 cb, 3rd Vivi Lloyd 36

Div 2 Winners: Leonie Buxton 38, R/Up

Sheena Bath 37, 3rd Fitzie Jackson 36

Div 3 Winners: Susan Brown 37, R/Up Jody Bedson 36 cb, 3rd Di Croft 36

NTP’s: Hole 4 Suzanne Vallely, Hole 7

Abby Driver, Hole 14 Claudia Lutgemeier, Hole 16 Myra Dickson, Hole 14 (Div 3 2nd shot) Jody Bedson

Best Gross: Penny Brittain 109

12/3/24 – Irish 4BBB Stableford

Overall Winners: Val Phinn, Roslyn Crossley, Vicki Butcher & Vicki Jones 87

cb, Runners Up: Gaby Bennett, Nadia Aylott, Sandy Smith & Sue Navie 87

NTP’s: Hole 4 Sue Navie, Hole 7 Lesley

Heap, Hole 14 Diane Fitzpatrick, Hole 16 Yuko Nakamura, Hole 14 (Div 3 2nd shot) Anne Carmody

14/3/24 – Single Stableford - Open Day

A-Grade Winner: Gill Lee 36 cb, R/Up Gaby Bennett 36, 3rd Robyn Harper 35 cb

B-Grade Winner: Vicki Cronan 38, R/Up Kate Brown 37 cb, 3rd Diane Fitzpatrick 37

C-Grade Winner: Dianne Bott (Pac Harbour) 38, R/Up Pam Crothers (Maleny) 36 cb

NTP’s: Hole 4 Lorraine Barrett, Hole 7 (Pro Pin) Diane Williams, Hole 14 Kc Taylor, Hole 16 Gill Lee

Accuracy Drives: A-Grade – Tina Hando, B-Grade – Lee Boyle, C-Grade – Sonia Ferrante

Susie Smith. Jasmin Tamayao. Claudia Lutgemeier

Gill Lee. Vicki Cronan. Dianne Bott.

Back on the track again

By Sheree Hoddinett

Rolling wheels, racing tracks and the smooth metal of a go kart is definitely what the Marks family (Nathan, Tennille, Lillian and Cooper) thrive on. Some of you may remember our coverage of this local family last year as they headed off to compete in the Australian Speedway Kart Title 2022-23 at Avalon Speedway in Victoria. Despite not quite achieving the results they were hoping for, it didn’t stop the steely determination to get back out on the track and keep going.

Following the Australian title last year, the Marks family made their way north for the Queensland title in Maryborough. Young gun Cooper finished in third place in the sub junior class, his sister Lillian unfortunately was unable to finish her juniors race due to mechanical failure, mum Tennille was sixth in the ladies’ class and dad Nathan finished fifth in the modified class.

“We have also had local club days, with plenty of podiums for our small family team,” Tennille said. “In the club championship points, Cooper came first and Nathan also got a first, which we are extremely proud and happy about.” Now preparation is well underway for the upcoming Queensland title in Gladstone (April 20) and the Australian title just a week later in Maryborough (April 26, 27, 28).

“We are feeling pretty confident with the upcoming titles and both in our home state too,” Nathan said. “It feels great having the Australian title in

Cooper, Lillian and Nathan Marks with some of their medals and trophies.

Queensland, especially being at a track that we have raced at a lot of times. It really helps with the track knowledge setting up the karts. QLD Kart Spares, our team sponsor and a local kart business, is also the naming rights sponsor for the event.

“The Queensland title race being held at Gladstone is a track that karts haven’t raced at before, so everyone is on a level

playing field.”

Leading up to the big racing events means it’s all hands-on deck to have everything ready to go.

“Preparation for the titles has been keeping us extra busy with getting motors ready and making sure we have plenty of spares for the two weekends,” Nathan said. “Of course, we are hoping for podium finishes, but at the same time we just want to have a great time with family and our racing mates and on top of that just have some great racing.”

If track life wasn’t enough to keep the Marks family busy on weekends, the kids also have other sporting commitments, Lillian plays netball for Bribie and Cooper hits the rugby league field for the Bribie Warrigals under 11 side.

Once they have completed the karting titles here in Queensland in April, the

Lillian in action on the track.

Marks family are already looking to add more racing dates to their 2024 calendar.

“We are hoping to race in the New South Wales title later this year, as well as our local club shows which we race down at Nudgee, plus a few up in Maryborough too,” Nathan said.

The Marks family appreciate the support they receive from the local community and would like to send a very big thank you to all of their sponsors (listed below), as without them, they couldn’t go out and do what they do!

• QLD Kart Spares

• QK Engines

• Coastal Signs and Stickers

• Devil Race Karts

• Brisk Spark Plugs

• RAAP Pipes

• Dominoes Bribie Island

Wishing Nathan, Tennille, Lillian and Cooper all the best for their upcoming title races!

Lillian and Cooper Marks.