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Next Distribution dates, Issue 106. 21st August - Bribie Island, Sandstone Point & Ningi. 22nd August - 23rd August 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.
Please let me begin with an explanation to our readers and the general community. Sadly, our local MP’s office is not forthcoming with communication and updates to this newspaper even though we have reached out so that we can report ALL local news and other important information that affects everyone. We do, however, have a completely transparent relationship with Terry Young’s office and receive regular media releases which relate to our region. These are published in an endeavour to keep our community informed. I hope this clarifies some of the misgivings circulating within our community regarding our supposed ‘biased’ reporting.
In this Issue, our feature article embraces the goodness in people and highlights a little café on Bribie Island participating in a community initiative where customers have the opportunity to ‘pay it forward’ to assist those struggling who might need time out with a lovely coffee or cake.
Alistair met with some Elimbah residents who are actively protesting against the state government resuming 140 properties to make way for a new highway interconnecting suburban travel in both Pumicestone and Glass House electorates.
Sheree has written a feel-good story on a wonderful local initiative called Courageous Girls Club. They empower our young girls with confidence and better social skills, just to name a few.
For all the people who love gems, the Caboolture Gem Fest is on August 3. Read about some of the wonderful gems and jewellery you will find at this one-day event.
Just to add to the controversy, Alistair has written about Labor’s first major financial commitment. If re-elected, it could mean we see a new bridge. Mainstream media channel nine reported that there are some critical repairs required to our existing bridge due to the current state government neglecting to take the advice of reports with TMR.
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
Bribie Island Hospital / 24-hour Emergency Clinic
Thursday July 11 was an open day for the public to view the new Bribie Island Hospital. It began at 9am and by 10am, less than 30 public visitors had been through the facility.
From listening to the staff, the following has been established.
1. The hospital has no overnight beds.
2. Although nursing staff have been employed, there are still not enough to cover the open hours from 6am10pm. It is uncertain if they can attract any more.
3. Not a single general practitioner has been employed. Several will be needed.
4. There are two wings.
• One is to service chronic patients who require renal dialysis, chemotherapy or other infusion treatments.
• The second to service emergency patients or those requiring a general practitioner. In total in both wings, there are about 20 chairs/beds, half in each.
5. There is no X-ray clinic that I could see. I was told that it has been nearly impossible to find a radiographer to operate the machinery required. Apparently, a specialist radiologist has agreed to read and diagnose the X-ray images remotely, if this was ever to happen.
6. They can only accept patients with basic medical conditions. They are not allowed to accept patients with cardiac issues, i.e. heart attacks or patients with anything except a minor abrasion or cut. In other words, it is really a GP clinic, as it would be impossible to diagnose so much as a small, fractured bone in the case of someone smacking their finger with a hammer.
7. The hospital/emergency clinic is scheduled to open on Wednesday July 17, 2024, but without a doctor or adequate nursing staff, how/why?
8. Self-inflicted wounds by governments can also not be treated and will quickly become septic.
9. We should be grateful for this clinic and not look a gift-horse in the mouth.
Unfortunately, this one has no teeth.
Sharky Bribie Island
Cent Auction to raise funds for LSQ
By Sheree Hoddinett
Leukaemia affects people of all ages and genders and chances are you know someone who has been impacted by blood cancer. While it can’t be prevented or tested for, we can all be aware and support those who face a diagnosis, just like the team from Leukaemia Support Queensland (LSQ) strive to do.
LSQ is run entirely by volunteers who work hard to raise funds and awareness in the community so they can continue the amazing work they do. If you have a few dollars to spare, you may just lock in some awesome prizes at the Leukaemia Support Queensland Cent Auction on August 31. With more than 150 prizes on offer, all funds raised at the Cent Auction will go back into LSQ to go towards building a wellness and accommodation centre in Caboolture.
LSQ president Jane McMillan has spent the last 18 years advocating for patients and their families, ensuring they have the support they need during their cancer journey.
“We work to provide assistance where it’s needed the most,” Jane said. “We also work hard to raise awareness and support the research for the treatment and cure of the disease.
“This Cent Auction is about raising more money for the wellness and accommodation centre we want to build, with lots of emphasis on the wellness. So many patients and their families need a place of comfort, a home away from home while they are undergoing treatment for blood cancer and we want the chance to be able to give them that.”
For LSQ, hosting a Cent Auction each year for the last few years has proven to be a successful venture with the opportunity to raise up to $3500.
“A Cent Auction is a big thing for a lot of people and they seem to be popular
Care
preparing prizes for their
out there, people will actually travel for them,” Jane said. “It’s a chance for the community to win some great prizes and for us to raise money. Along with our parcel of prizes, there’s also super draws with a picnic set that we’ve added champagne and a few other bits and pieces to and a lucky door prize. There is so much here!
“We should also mention one of our sponsors Harvey Norman, they have been very generous, as has the North Lakes Hotel, we are very grateful for their support.”
If you haven’t heard of LSQ, it was first formed on October 21, 2006 initially in support of the Leukaemia Foundation before changing over to Leukaemia Support Queensland Inc. in 2016. It all started when Jane was helping a friend who had been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and the duo did their best to keep the friend’s household afloat during a difficult time. In return, Jane wanted to do her bit to give back to the foundation by raising much needed awareness and help within the local community. And so the branch was born. LSQ is run solely by volunteers with 100% of all funds raised going back into the community to assist patients and their families as they deal with leukaemia or other blood cancer treatments.
The Leukaemia Support Queensland Cent Auction is on Saturday August 31 at the Caboolture Senior Citizens Club (Corner of George and Hasking Street, Caboolture), with doors opening at 10am. Entry is $5, tea and coffee will also be available with a scone or sandwiches for $5.
To book a table please contact Jane 0422 584 080 or Connie 0488 188 989. For further information about LSQ, please visit https://leukaemiasupportqld. org/ or follow them on Facebook.
The care we provide is centred around you.
Our teams take the time to understand the little things that make you smile and focus on your individual needs and preferences.
At Regis, our communities offer a comfortable and safe environment where genuine connections are made and you’re respected and valued.
Call us today to find out more about our care services in Caboolture – we’re here for you.
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65 Mewett Street, Caboolture QLD 4510
SCAN TO LEARN MORE
Leukaemia Support Queensland has been busy
upcoming Cent Auction.
Will we get our new bridge?
By Alistair Gray
For years, the residents of Bribie have been advocating for a new bridge. Even in this paper, The LOCAL News pulled together a petition calling for a new bridge. Our local member Ali King managed to secure funding of $4 million to pull together a business case. Community consultation followed with presentations and feedback sessions, with work on the formal business case started earlier this year. Even then, there was a chorus of criticism for the process, with impatient residents saying things like, "Why can't we just have our bridge built?", "Why the delays?". Yet Ali King stayed the course, working through the machinery of government and preparing the way to fight the political process with government funds in short supply and many pressing conflicting priorities. Labor commits to a new bridge
On Monday July 2, the Labor election process took over with the announcement by Premier Steven Miles that a re-elected Miles Labor Government will deliver a new $700 million bridge to Bribie Island. The bridge would create a safer, more reliable, accessible connection and be fully funded through new borrowings. The proposed two-lane bridge would run parallel to the existing bridge, giving us four lanes and an active transport path for pedestrians, bike riders and mobility devices.
A media frenzy then followed. The announcement, Labor's first major election commitment with a $700 million spend, was immediately called an election bribe. Where was the completed business case? Why was the bridge
suddenly a priority?
Serious maintenance issues uncovered
Channel 9 revealed a secret report that blew the lid off everything. In 2015, the Labor government ignored advice to undertake remedial work to extend the bridge's life past 2038. They also ignored the option of building a new bridge by 2020 for $140 million. Way less than the $700 million now projected. The recommended remedial work included the jacketing of the pylons, in other words wrapping them to stop further corrosion and to extend the bridge life. According to Channel 9, an inspection of the bridge in November 2020 found that the condition of the bridge structure had declined to a poor rating (Level 4), requiring immediate intervention to
preserve the performance and structural integrity of the bridge.
The follow-up from the media was intense. Why was the recommended remedial work back in 2015 ignored? Why wasn't building a new bridge a priority?
What is the ongoing maintenance cost?
Is the bridge safe to use? Many of these questions remain unanswered.
Ali King, on her Facebook page, listed a history of past inspections as:
“TMR has conducted seven detailed inspections of the Bribie Island Bridge since 2013.
“Following a TMR inspection in 1997, two piles were encased with protective material or 'jacketed'. This helps to maintain the structure. In 2013, an independent report conducted an underwater inspection and identified the need to encase
more piles. Eight piles were encased between 2013 and 2020. Maintenance on our bridge is ongoing and a maintenance plan will be prepared as part of our Miles Government plan for our next Bribie Island Bridge.”
The LNP recommits to delivering a new bridge for Bribie Island
“The LNP is committed to delivering the bridge for Bribie. We are the only party consistently campaigning for a second bridge for Bribie. This is a vital project for our community,” LNP candidate for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan said.
“After declaring in 2020 a new bridge ‘wasn’t the priority’ and upgrades ‘weren’t required until after 2031’, Labor now wants Queenslanders to believe it’s suddenly a priority,” Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Jarrod Bleijie said. Ariana Doolan said that the LNP would build a bridge to Bribie, as they had promised and finally give Bribie residents the confidence and security of a second bridge. They see this as a priority for the Bribie community and it’s part of the LNP’s plan for the electorate of Pumicestone.
Finally, it is easy to make election promises, yet the history of Pumicestone is that in every election, we see a new politician come and go. There is no consistency and promises are made and broken. Both parties have promised a new bridge, yet will it happen? Frankly, I doubt it. It is all political ‘bull dust’. There are too many more significant priorities for Queensland now and no one has seriously committed to saying when our new bridge will be delivered. I am happy to be proved wrong.
Support a Child!
Bongaree/Banksia Beach dental are putting together a walk/run to help raise funds for Variety, the charity that helps change children in need lives.
Date : 4th of August
Time : 9am
Start location : Sunset Park
Distance : 5km
You can also just donate if you don’t
to walk/run the 5km
Labor Government plans to resume 140 homes at Elimbah
By Alistair Gray
Elimbah residents are angry at how the Labor Government has treated them. There was a lack of support from Member for Pumicestone Ali King, also the Assistant Minister of Housing, who failed to take an active interest in their plight and fight for the 140 homeowners who are to have their homes resumed. Effectively, the town of Elimbah is to be split in two by the Department of Transport and Main Roads proposed route of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative Stage 4, now known as the Moreton Motorway, with impacts on the communities of Moodlu, Caboolture East and Elimbah. The proposed works have nothing to do with solving the problems of the Bruce Highway; instead, it’s about interconnecting suburban travel. The proposed works segregate the entire Elimbah community, including Pumicestone and the greater Elimbah area, along with the school and Elimbah Village, with kids going to school now having to navigate the proposed four-lane highway. With the significant land movements involved, there are concerns about the impacts on land that already floods, the direct impacts on food production from the farming area and the destruction of native habitats, including Koalas.
The impact places the whole community in limbo while the proposed routes are sorted out, with nothing likely to happen for 15 years. The effect of the uncertainty is that asset values have fallen by 40-60%. With 25% of the population at retirement age and significant paper losses, they cannot sell. The uncertainty
means affected residents are unable to make life decisions with significant impacts on their mental health and their well-being. Residents ask how they replace their homes in a cost-of-living crisis, when their asset values have reduced.
“How does the government accept accountability for the burden and level of impact that it is putting on people now?”
spokesperson for the Elimbah District Community Jason Smith said.
“The consultation was a joke; it wasn’t a consultation. It was you’re being told. There was a lot of misinformation,” Mr Smith said. “We’ve addressed that with Bart Mellish (Minister for Transport and Main Roads), Ali King and directly with the TMR and we’ve provided all the feedback.
“I think the most disappointing thing for the community, besides the
non-consultation process, was that we ended up with 11,000 odd signatures on a parliamentary petition. We are not asking for the highway to be stopped. We’re not against growth. We’re asking for the current route to be scrapped and that they go back and find a far more suitable route that creates less impact on the community, something that makes sense. It doesn’t make sense to other civil engineers looking at this. Bart Mellish didn’t take any action; it should have been a ministerial direction to the TMR. Instead, the TMR is providing direction to Mellish and his responses.”
Since then, Member for Glass House Andrew Powell has followed up with a three-minute speech on behalf of the community in parliament, seeking answers for the community and a response to the petition. The frustration in the community is exacerbated by the lack of timeline and the response; ‘we
are looking at it’. There is a feeling the matter has disappeared until after the election.
“We have just become another pawn in a political game and they don’t care about the people out there. Now, the interesting thing is if you look at Toowoomba, which went through a very similar situation, the previous Minister for Transport provided ministerial direction to the TMR to stop it. What’s the current Labor cabinet doing? Nothing. They’re doing nothing to support us,” Mr Smith said. “As far as Ali King is concerned we’re just a tiny little portion of her electorate right at the very end with maybe three streets affected. That’s nothing. There’s nothing there to incite Ali to, you know, kick and scream. She’s got us a meeting with Bart Mellish. She’s attended a few community events and said a few words. She even said at a community meeting that it doesn’t really affect her electorate. It only affects a handful of streets. But it does affect the greater Elimbah area, which takes into account another 1215,000 people. Yes, it directly affects 40 properties in her electorate and much of the rest sits in Glass House, but that doesn’t mean it’s only affecting those 40 properties. It affects everybody that uses that area that lives in the greater Pumicestone area that travels through Elimbah.”
“Andrew Powell and I can’t believe the government disrespects the affected communities so much that it will not give them certainty and peace of mind until next year, at the earliest. It’s just not good enough,” LNP candidate for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan said.
Elimbah residents set up near the Bribie Bridge to protest the proposed resumption of their homes.
Ariana Doolan
LNP candidate for Pumicestone
The LNP unveils tough new Youth Crime Reforms
I am excited to share our bold initiatives to tackle youth crime in Queensland and here in Pumicestone.
Under our Making Our Community Safer plan, the LNP, if elected in October, will introduce Adult Crime, Adult Time and a $175 million Staying on Track program, aimed at serious youth offenders and reducing repeat offences.
Adult Crime, Adult Time
Our Adult Crime, Adult Time policy ensures that youth offenders committing serious crimes like murder, manslaughter, serious harm, home invasions and dangerous driving will face the same sentences as adults. As the LNP Leader, David Crisafulli, put it: "Youth criminals will face real consequences for their actions".
An expert panel will also be established to assess and expand the list of offences qualifying for adult sentences. We know when adult sentences kick in, the rate of offenders committing crimes like robbery and breaking into homes with intent dramatically drop-off, which suggests sentences are a major deterrent for crime.
Nearly a decade ago, Labor watered-down our youth crime laws, creating a generation of hardcore youth criminals who know they don’t face consequences for their crimes. Labor’s actions have emboldened youth offenders to terrorise our communities without any impact for their crimes. If you violate the sanctity of someone’s home, breaking in and robbing them, you should receive adult time.
Queenslanders have been aghast at hardened youth offenders who repeatedly commit serious crimes and have never been sentenced to a night in detention.
When someone loses their life to a youth crime or are seriously wounded, they should be assured these offenders will face the same tough sentences as an adult would.
Staying on Track Program
Complementing this policy, we would introduce the $175 million Staying on Track program, which will provide an intensive 12-month rehabilitation plan for youth offenders transitioning from detention to community life.
Under the LNP’s plan, young people will have 12-month post-release support from a community service who is partnered with them while in detention, to bridge the transition to community, offering stability and a pathway to education and employment over the year after release.
Every plan will be tailored to the young person and designed to help them prepare for a productive future in employment and community, with tasks including schooling or TAFE, driving lessons, professional mentoring, volunteering, sports and extra-curriculars.
Queensland has the highest rate of recidivism in Australia, with 91% of young people released from detention returning within a year, exposing detention is serving only to detain, not rehabilitate offenders.
Detention should not only remove dangerous youth from our streets but also rehabilitate them. The Staying on Track program will support youth offenders in turning their lives around, offering stability and a pathway to a productive future.
LNP's Commitment to Community Safety
These policies sit alongside our previous announcements of amending the Youth Justice Act to remove the “detention as a last resort” provision and prioritising victims' rights over those of offenders. Our comprehensive approach to youth crime reform highlights our commitment to making Queensland communities safer. By focusing on both accountability and rehabilitation, we aim to reduce youth crime rates and provide offenders with opportunities for a positive future.
As your LNP candidate for Pumicestone, I wholeheartedly support these measures. They are crucial for restoring community safety and confidence in our justice system.
Only the LNP has the right priorities for Queensland’s future, ensuring serious offenders face the consequences while providing necessary support for reintegration into society.
For more information on the LNP’s Making Our Community Safer plan, please visit the LNP’s official website lnp.org.au
Kindness happens on Bribie
kindness partner, Ellie are both teachers at the school and started doing gratitude
act of kindness may help someone else who may be struggling. When I called the café to meet Emily, I found the board overflowing with dockets, showing that
people on their kindness journey. The journal includes activities and reflections to make them feel good about themselves, starting with self-love, gratitude,
random acts of kindness and doing stuff in the community, with money earned from the sale of the journals given back to the community.
What Emily and Ellie are doing aligns with Keahni and Oscar, the owners of the IKIGAI Café, the value of bringing the community together and giving back. They suggested setting up the Pay It Forward board in their café. The IKIGAI Café is more than a café selling superb coffee and food; it is where ‘inspiration meets expression’ and creativity meets with its guided workshops, pottery sessions and art classes—a great place to relax.
Bribie Island Satellite Hospital opens
By Alistair Gray
Our sparkling new satellite hospital is open and ready to provide free health care to the Bribie community. Open from 8am-10pm daily, it will give much-needed urgent care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, such as simple fractures, simple infections, minor burns and minor head injuries. In addition, much-needed outpatient services, such as kidney dialysis and mental health support.
In the second stage, available in early 2025, the hospital will offer cancer care, including chairs for chemotherapy, oral health care and a range of allied health services. The new hospital will be a blessing for many critical care patients who have had to travel several hours to receive treatment, sometimes daily, when they have needed all their strength to fight their illness.
The new satellite hospital is a big positive for our community. However, it is disappointing that the opportunity to combine the hospital with a medical centre and GP support has been missed. The hospital is not permanently staffed with a doctor, with nurses and nurse practitioners to provide service delivery. There are no doctors available to handle emergencies and in all serious emergency situations, like a cardiac arrest or car accident, an ambulance should be called by dialling 000, or if practical, the patient should be taken directly to Caboolture Hospital.
Unfortunately the satellite hospital is not equipped to handle serious emergencies.
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Empowering the next generation
By Sheree Hoddinett
Who runs the world? Girls do! If you haven’t heard of Courageous Girls Club, you or someone in your family might just be missing out on something incredible. Courageous Girls Club is run by Sam Bell and is about fostering a supportive environment where every girl feels valued, heard and above all else, empowered to be her true self.
“In 2022, I saw a Facebook ad relating to a training course in how to facilitate empowerment workshops for young girls,” Sam explains. “Something about
and spent six years helping women look and feel their best through the clothes they wear.
“I feel all of this has given me so much experience, empathy and understanding when it comes to confidence and self-esteem.”
Sam undertook the training and was considering offering school holiday workshops, but instead she created Courageous Girls Club and hasn’t looked back.
“I moved from the UK to Bribie in 2019 with my husband and two sons and simply adore this magical place we get to call home,” Sam said. “So, the idea of starting the club on Bribie just made sense - this is home and helping the community is a priority for me.
“I feel that girls definitely need more support in their lives. We have had such a huge cultural shift over the last 70 years or so and women haven’t always had role models to show us the way.
“I think we have a generation of women navigating a tricky landscape and I want it to be easier for our girls growing up to know who they are, what they are about and to pursue their own dreams and ideals with confidence.”
For Sam, knowing she’s been able to help in some way is a big part of what she loves about having the club out there, whether it’s the immediate shortterm influence where girls have the confidence to make friends and take on new roles or the longer-term difference. “The longer-term impact is what I call the ripple effect,” she said. “A tiny drop in the water with far-reaching influence. Knowing that because of the club someday somebody will avoid an abusive
relationship because they remember what a respectful friendship should look like. Knowing that girls will break cycles of behaviour and take control of their own future. Giving girls a safe place to be themselves and giving them role models, so that they can see there is always a different way.”
Each week the group will have a different focus topic covering things such as individuality and strengths, fostering a growth mindset or peer pressure. The session will kick off with a warm-up game related to the topic and then it’s time to talk, where everyone has the opportunity to be heard. Some sessions even include craft or drama or role play. There’s always a snack and then the session is wrapped up covering what has been learnt and shared, what’s coming up next and the Courageous Girls ‘shout’.
“When I get a message from a parent telling me that they can see their difference in their little girl - improved confidence, better social skills, bouncing back from hard times - I often get a bit
works,” Sam said. “I feel incredibly honoured and proud to be able to do this work, to be part of the ‘village’ of other parents and to be a trusted adult for so many girls in our community.”
Courageous Girls Club meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school at Cooinda Hall in Bongaree. There are four groups of ages within the club: Minis 4-6, Juniors 7-9, Tweens 10-12 and Teens 13+.
“We have some beautiful people in our community who sponsor places in the club and pay for girls to come along,” Sam said. “We currently have two privately funded spots for girls who need the club but maybe don’t have the ability to pay their own fees. Aren’t we lucky to have such amazing people around us? NDIS do pay for the club too, if people have NDIS support.”
If you would like to know more about Courageous Girls Club, visit courageousgirls.com.au or phone Sam on 0484 768 748.
Bribie Island Nature Festival Returns
Mark your calendars October 19-20, 2024
By Alistair Gray
For all our nature and art lovers, this is fabulous news. The Bribie Island Nature Festival is returning for a second year after a successful pilot launch last year. The weekend will be superb and a great time to invite family and friends to visit Bribie. Make sure you book your accommodation now, as it will be in great demand once the news gets out.
The formal program has not been announced. However, 30 events and activities are planned, including a series of art exhibitions, creative workshops, wildlife walks, talks and a cultural tour of the Island. Many events and activities will be free and some will have a low cost. Community organisations and grants from the City of Moreton Bay and the Queensland government through Arts Queensland fund the festival.
Early Program Announcements
• Darryl Jones, a visiting scientist, will conduct talks, early morning bird walks and a creative writing workshop. Darryl is professor emeritus at Griffith University, where he has been investigating how people and wildlife interact for more than 30 years. Darryl is a best-selling author, writer and researcher. He has written eight books, including Mound-builders, Magpie Alert, The Birds at My Table, Curlews on Vulture Street and Getting to Know the Birds in Your Neighbourhood.
• Geoff Ginn and Glenda Charles will be conducting art workshops.
• Yarun Cultural Tour, coordinated by the Pumicestone Indigenous and Education Employment Council - last year, this was the first event to sell out and featured visits to important cultural sites on Bribie Island.
• Canvas to Catwalk Fashion Showcase - a fashion event with a difference. It will feature original fabric designs from 10 young women on Bribie Island, working with Queensland fashion label Red Ridge.
• Tours of Bribie’s CSIRO Research facility – the facility is a tropical hub for aquaculture research that is crucial in developing the aquaculture industry in tropical and subtropical Queensland.
Bribie Island Nature Festival Supporters
Please thank the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland government through Arts Queensland, Bribie Island Butterfly House and community partners BIEPA and PIEEC.
Further information
Tickets are not available for sale yet; this is an advance notice of the upcoming event, though watch their website and Facebook page for details.
Event Coordinator – Libby Anstis
E: info@bribieislandnaturefestival.com.au
W: www.bribieislandnaturefestival.com.
au F: www.facebook.com/bribieislandnaturefestival/
Head out for a gem of a day
It’s time to shine bright like a gemstone. If you like sparkling gemstones, jewellery, rocks, minerals and all they encompass, then Caboolture Gem Fest is definitely the place you want to visit on August 3. This year heralds the 11th Gem Fest for the Caboolture Gem Club and for the first time it will be held in a completely new location at the Caboolture Showgrounds.
Caboolture Gem Club acting vice president, silver instructor, chief steward for competition and Queensland Lapidary & Allied Craft Club Association (QLACCA) delegate Donna Parker described the event as one to mark on the calendar for the whole family.
“People can look forward to seeing many different types of gemstones and minerals all in the one place,” Donna said. “There will be many market stalls to purchase gemstones, jewellery, fossils, minerals - just about anything gemstone related. There will even be a kids corner, where they can sieve for gems, have their faces painted and join in the fun of bracelet making.
“For those interested, we will be having demonstrations on some of the things we do at the club and visitors can also come and see our competition showcases. At the last annual Gemboree which was held in South Australia this year, four of our members received medals ranging from first, second and third. Our own competition is held in conjunction with Gem Fest, so no one will know the outcome until then.”
Wanting to create her own jewellery, along with an interest in gemstones and minerals, is a big part of why Donna decided to join the Caboolture Gem Club, a little over six years ago. She loves to get out and find her own gemstones when she has the chance to.
“Mother Nature is amazing with what she produces,” Donna said. “You pick up a rock and slice it, shape it and polish it and the most prettiest colour or amazing patterns in the stone just pop out and amaze you.
“I’ve recently been out to the Gemfields looking for sapphires. I found a pretty 1.4 carat sapphire - funny story attached to the one. I dropped it and my son-in-law scraped up about a square metre of dirt with a shovel, dustpan and brush and I had to re-sieve it to find the sapphire, which I did thank goodness.”
If you would like to join the CabooltureGem Club, they are open Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 8.30am-
Check out all the amazing pieces on display at this year’s Caboolture Gem Fest.
2pm and also Monday nights 5pm-8pm and can be found at the Caboolture Historical Village.
Caboolture Gem Fest is on Saturday August 3 from 8am-3pm at the Caboolture Showgrounds (140 Beerburrum Road, Caboolture). Entry is $5 with children aged 12 and under free. There will be a gold coin donation for car parking going to the Moodlu Men’s Shed. They are raising money for a concrete slab to build a big shed that was donated to them.
For further information about Caboolture Gem Club or Gem Fest phone 0493 838 287 or visit the website (in the process of being updated) www. caboolturegemclub.com/ and Facebook event page www.facebook.com/ events/s/caboolture-gem-club-gemfest/25570051892641529/
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SES funding helps boost Moreton Bay in times of emergency
Nearly $400,000 worth of state government funding will go towards vital emergency equipment and upgrades for the City of Moreton Bay’s State Emergency Service unit.
Mayor Peter Flannery said this was a major win for the safety of Moreton Bay residents and well-earned acknowledgment for our hardworking SES Unit.
“From fire to flood, our amazing Moreton Bay SES volunteers have been incredibly busy over the past few years keeping our residents safe during emergency events,” he said. “I’m proud to say council applied for nine separate grants through the state government’s SES Support Grant and was successful on all of them, totalling nearly $400,000.”
The funding will be split between various SES groups across the City of Moreton Bay including Bribie Island, Caboolture, Woodford, Deception Bay, Redcliffe, Petrie and Arana Hills, allowing for department upgrades and purchasing new response vehicles.
Since the February 2022 floods, the
Moreton Bay SES Unit has experienced a 187% increase in requests for assistance, ranging from storm and flood relief to aiding the Queensland Police Service in missing person searches.
From December 2023 to March 2024, the Moreton Bay SES Unit responded to more than 500 assistance requests across the City of Moreton Bay area.
“They’ve lent their support to other regions in Queensland too, by dispatching more than 85 volunteers to assist North Queensland towns after devastating cyclones and floods,” Mr Flannery said.
“And they deployed more than 120 members to support communities in the Scenic Rim, Logan and Gold Coast areas after devasting Christmas Day storms.”
For those interested in making a difference, learning new skills and meeting new people, the Moreton Bay SES Unit welcomes new members. Register your interest https://www.moretonbay.qld. gov.au/Services/Disaster-Management/ SES/Moreton-Bay-SES-Membership-Application
www.bribiemovies.com.au
History all around us
By Sheree Hoddinett
We know a lot of the names, but how much do you know about the original landowners from across our community?
The Caboolture Family History Research Group (CFHRG) has been busy uncovering information to identify and document every original landowner in the Old Moreton Bay District from 1860 to 1910, using early Queensland Government Cadastral Maps.
The Founding Families project commenced partway through 2023 and so far the group has pinpointed more than 2200 names. CFHRG president Sue Battersby said within each family they were tracing up to the first three generations and the connection between those families as they intermarried.
“After we have collected all the information that we can find, we are entering all the family details into spreadsheets and then entering that information into Family Historian Genealogy Software, so we have a digital archive of each family member,” Sue explains. “This will allow us to generate a huge family tree showing the intermarriages over those generations. We currently have several hundred family connections through marriage. For example, the Carseldine family married into more than 45 other families in the district between approximately 1860 and the 1880’s.
“This type of project has never been attempted before, as far as we know, and it is extremely exciting to see how the huge family tree is coming together.”
For this project, CFHRG is covering from Humpybong/Redcliffe/Bramble Bay, along the north shore of the Pine River to Samford, along the D’Aguilar Range up to Kilcoy, then along the Conondale Range and back to the coast towards Noosa.
“We have uncovered all sorts of things from accidents to murder, to bigamy, you name it, we have found it,” Sue said. “We have done an enormous amount of
Celebrating two years of extra brightness for kids
By Sheree Hoddinett
Who would have thought that packing a few items into a bag would have grown into the operation that Bright Bags Queensland has become today. It all started back in August 2020 with just a few back packs filled with the necessities for kids who needed them. Now two years on, Bright Bags has put together more than 2000 bags (birthday, essential and hygiene) and it’s time to celebrate.
Bright Bags (which is operated by Raedel Support Group Inc.) is the brainchild of Kerri Raedel, herself the mum of two young children. She wanted to bring this idea to life because all children deserve love, no matter who they are or where they are. When it all began, Kerri could never have imagined Bright Bags would reach the proportions it has, but she couldn’t imagine it any other way.
sation without grants or government assistance has shown me that our local community is truly making a difference.
“Bright Bags would not have been possible without my dedicated and hardworking team, who spend their own time and money and have the same focus as I do - that we need to help our own local children in real time and ensure the community come along for the journey.”
The group always welcomes donations from the community. They are also in need of more drop off points in Redcliffe and Strathpine if anyone knows of somewhere, please get in touch.
“We are always looking for donations if anyone is able to assist,” Kerri said.
“We list our monthly needs on our Facebook page - but we are happy to accept anything from our community for children up to the age of 17.”
work and the ultimate aim for us is that we will have a repository of information that is available to anyone who’s starting or on their journey of finding out about their family history.”
The group is always on the hunt for more information and moving forward Sue hopes to bring members of founding families together annually for a special day to share what has been found and also spread the word about their project. They are adding lots of information to the Founding Family Archives and are on the lookout for the following information:
• Family stories/histories including work histories (occupations); leisure activities, family and community events.
• Shipping arrival details into Australia.
• Historical documents i.e. land title documents; birth/death/marriage certificates; leases etc.
• Historical (old) photographs of Founding Families and their lived experience.
• Diaries; letters; newspaper articles.
• War records; etc.
• “These Family Founding Archives will be available to anyone researching their family tree,” Sue said. “We are here to help as much as we can on your research journey.”
CFHRG has also started a Founding Families Connect group, which will meet every few months to discuss their findings.
If you have anything that you are willing to share copies of (photos, documents, etc.) or you would like to get involved in the Founding Families project and receive newsletters, please email cfhrg55@outlook.com.
“We service only local organisations and deliver real needs in real time - specific to the child’s age, situation and needs,” Kerri said. “We do emergency deliveries, scheduled deliveries, birthdays and also work with organisations to have bags ready as they need them.”
As we head towards the end of the year, Bright Bags will be gearing up for their 2024 Christmas Appeal. More information will be available in September.
The Bright Bags Queensland 2nd birthday morning tea will be held on Saturday August 17 from 10am at the Caboolture Memorial Hall (61-65 King
Celebrating the enormous achievements
Bright Bags has reached in the last two years was an easy decision for Kerri. The event on Saturday August 17 is free, but numbers are capped, so tickets will need to be locked in through the online portal.
“I decided to have a celebration because we never get to stop and just celebrate our community as a whole,” she said.
“This is the perfect chance to all come together, to meet each other - like minded souls - and for our charity to say thank you, in person.
“I am very grateful to every single person that has donated to our cause over the last two years - it has meant that we were able to fill a bag in time and with what the child needed.”
Knowing the difference Bright Bags has made to so many lives is what motivates Kerri to keep going and shining a light on children in need at a local level.
“It fills my heart to know that humour and kindness is still present in a troubled world,” Kerri said. “At times we can be very disillusioned at events happening around us, but operating this organi-
Caboolture).
Street,
It’s an open invitation to the community who have helped Bright Bags fill their bags and the hearts of children over the last two years. All the details are on their Facebook page –Bright Bags QLD.
The first Founding Families event was held in October 2023, with another event planned for later this year.
The face behind Bright Bags Queensland – Kerri Raedel.
Just some of the many bags going out to kids in the community.
PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE TELSTRA MOBILE PHONE
https://www.rfnsa.com.au/4510007/
Proposed upgrade consists of the following. Removal of six (6) existing panel antennas. Installation of seven (7) new panel antennas: seven (7) antennas will measure 2533 x 350 x 208mm The installation of ancillary equipment such as RRUs, TMAs, transceivers, amplifiers, antenna mounts, cable trays, feeders, cabling, combiners, diplexers, splitters, couplers, jumpers, filters, electrical equipment, security fencing, handrails, kick plates, signage, bollards and other associated equipment.
The proposal is to improve Telstra’s 4G services and to introduce 5G technology.
Telstra regards the proposed installations as Low Impact Facilities under the Telecommunications (Low Impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the descriptions above.
In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Ash Mathulla, 0467953938, community.consult@ downergroup.com by COB Tuesday 6th August 2024.
Telstra Limited ACN 086 174 781 Downer EDI Limited ABN 97 003 872 848 www.downergroup.com.au
Luxurious Canal Living
The
Perfect
Family Home in the Beautiful Suburb of Banksia Beach
Beach, Bribie Island - A tranquil and
Introducing this stunning 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom family home that is designed for a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle. This property boasts an impressive 678m2 land area, providing ample space for outdoor activities and gardening. But the real gem of this property is the entertaining options it offers. With two outdoor areas, an atrium, and a sparkling in-ground pool, this home is a dream for those who love to entertain. Only 9 years young, step inside and be greeted by ducted air conditioning, modern fittings, and finishes. Equipped with solar panels, this property is
energy-efficient and comes with a powered pontoon for the angler. Each of the four well-sized bedrooms has built-in robes, while the master suite offers a touch of luxury and privacy with his and her robes, a double vanity ensuite, and a private balcony overlooking the canal system - providing a peaceful retreat for the lucky homeowner.
The kitchen is every cook’s dream, equipped with modern appliances, stone bench tops, and a walk-in pantry. And with a north-facing aspect, this home is flooded with natural light, making it a bright and inviting space.
Located in a quiet pocket of Banksia Beach, this property offers easy access to local amenities such as shops, schools, parks, and cafes, making daily errands a breeze. And for those who love the outdoors, a powered pontoon for easy access to the Pumicestone Passage and a short distance to the pristine beaches of Bribie Island awaits. Secure off-street parking is made easy with a double garage featuring a remote-controlled panel lift door, providing additional storage space. And to top it off, this home also features three-meter-high raked ceilings in the
living area, adding a touch of grandeur to the already impressive home.
Priced below replacement cost, this property is a must-see for those seeking a spacious family home in a prime location. Enjoy the relaxed and luxurious Bribie Island living at its finest with this stunning canal property.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity. Contact Gary Houghton today to arrange a viewing and secure your dream home in Banksia Beach. Live the life you’ve always dreamed of.
Bribie Island
Real Estate Talk
Prices rose every month in FY24, ending the year 8.0% higher
The Australian property market demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the 2023/24 financial year despite challenging economic conditions, including persistent inflation and high interest rates. The ongoing undersupply of housing remained the primary driver for sustained growth in property values.
HOUSING VALUES
• Monthly Change: Nationally, prices rose by 0.7% in June 2024. In the combined capitals, values increased by 0.7%, while regional markets saw a 0.6% rise. Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane were the strongest performing cities.
• Quarterly Change: Nationally, prices rose by 1.8% in Q2, 2024. All markets saw gains except for Melbourne (-0.6%) and Hobart (-0.3%), which continue to face high listing levels.
• Annual Change: Prices rose by 8.0% nationally over the past 12 months. Perth led with a 23.6% increase, followed by Brisbane (15.8%) and Adelaide (15.4%).
• Median Value: Sydney maintained the highest median value at
$1,170,152, followed by Canberra at $870,071 and Brisbane at $859,240. The national median now stands at $793,883.
MARKET TRENDS
• Market Diversity: Despite strong national growth, market conditions vary significantly by location, price point and property type. Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland are experiencing strong price growth due to tight market conditions, while Victoria and Tasmania are seeing softer conditions due to higher listing numbers.
• Affordability Driving Demand: Higher interest rates have reduced borrowing capacity, shifting demand towards more affordable properties. Lower quartile values are rising faster than higher-priced segments driven particularly by higher first home buyer and investor activity.
• Rents: Rental growth remains robust, with CoreLogic’s national rental index rising by 0.4% monthly and 8.2% annually. However, major capitals like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are seeing slower rental
Splendiferous Views at Sandstone Point!
North-eastern superb outlook to Bribie Island, Moreton Island and Port of Brisbane – 104 Bestmann Road East is an impressive grand residence. Elevated upon 735m2 level block, with under roof of approx. 434 m2, complete with blue-ribbon wrap-around deck and master bedroom views of Moreton Bay. Magnificent Brand-New Custom-Built Extension ($425 000+) has transformed the original home into a palace of beautiful surprises with exceptional finishes all throughout. A must to view! Move in now – located steps to the beach or stroll to the Sandstone Point Hotel. Their home improvement journey started with a vision then completed with consultation, to now be launched to the market for the first time. Presenting this Stunning Brand-New Custom-Built Extension by the local Matar GroupForrest Family (2nd generation local builder), brand-new concrete inground pool, situated within luxurious covered outdoor area for year-round entertainment. Stage 3 includes ensuite upstairs and bedroom downstairs options. Impressive outdoor landscaping and
growth in the unit sector due to affordability challenges and reduced international migration.
• Supply and Demand Dynamics: Despite an increase in new listings, total advertised stock remains 18% below the five-year average. Severe shortages persist in strong markets, with Perth listings 23% lower than last year and 47% below the fiveyear average and Adelaide (-43%) and Brisbane (-34%) also well below average. Melbourne (+14%) and Hobart (+46%) have elevated listing numbers.
• Higher Sales Volumes: Strong housing demand has boosted annual home sales by 8.6% compared to last year and 4.8% above the previous five-year average, with Perth recording a 29% increase.
WHAT IS AHEAD?
The market is expected to maintain its momentum over the next financial year due to constrained supply and strong demand. However, affordability constraints and potential mortgage stress due to higher-for-longer interest rates pose downside risks. Home values are likely to continue rising as listings and new supply remain below average levels relative to demand.
New beginnings on REIQ Board
The Real
decking, complete with outdoor shower for a resort-at-home experience. Gorgeous kitchen with bespoke shaker-style cabinetry, impressive stone kitchen island plus walk-in pantry. Upper level provides second full-size kitchen, dining and lounge room, ample space for all the family OR potential dual living! Comfortable with 8KW air-conditioning to both upper and lower floors with oversized secure double lock up garage and shed. Combines luxury and practicality, offering a serene and spacious environment that is perfect for coastal family living.
REIQ Board Chairman Peter Brewer said during many years of dedicated service to the REIQ, Eddie Chung had made an enormous contribution to the Board and to the peak body.
“We are deeply grateful to Eddie for his invaluable guidance and financial expertise, which proved pivotal during critical junctures in the REIQ’s history,” Mr Brewer said.
“During his long tenure, Eddie played a vital role in ensuring the REIQ remained a profitable business and would continue to thrive through sustainable and varied revenue streams.
“Eddie has helped ensure a strong financial foundation for the REIQ’s future and has left an indelible mark on our organisation and
its members.
“On a personal note, he will be sorely missed by the Board, but his retirement is undoubtedly well deserved, and we wish him well.”
Mr Brewer warmly welcomed incoming Director Kerri-Ann Smee, a Business Services Partner from BDO in Brisbane with over 20 years’ experience as a taxation and business advisory specialist.
“Kerri-Ann has stepped into this role seamlessly and I’m confident she will uphold Eddie’s legacy while making her own mark,” Mr Brewer said.
“Her extensive experience and deep understanding of taxation and business advisory in the real estate and construction industry is greatly beneficial and will contribute to the continued success and growth of the REIQ.”
Kerri-Ann officially commenced her role on the REIQ Board in July 2024.
here for social media and property updates
Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) recently announced the retirement of non-member Director Eddie Chung, who has smoothly handed the baton to Kerri-Ann Smee.
Natasha Chadwick knows the trials and tribulations of finding the right care and location for older members of the family. Her background in the aged care industry and along with strong business roles led Natasha to spearhead the development of alternative models of aged care facilities and retirement villages. With the first venture opening in Tasmania, it’s success then saw Natasha pioneer the development of what has become known as a MICRO TOWN® –NewDirection Care at Bellmere.
If you haven’t heard of NewDirection Care Bellmere, it officially opened at the end of 2017 and is a residential community for the elderly and for those living with younger onset dementia and complex care needs. Essentially it is a town within itself where residents can enjoy life by socialising with others, maintaining an active lifestyle and still have an active role within the community.
As the NewDirection Care founder and CEO, Natasha is one part of what is very much a family business. Her brother Greg is a company director and has been on the journey since almost the beginning and son Justin came into the fold about four years ago.
“I never thought this would be a family business, but they have the same passion and want to really change the way that we provide care and services to not just older people, but anyone who requires care and support,” Natasha said.
“It's really nice to think that our model we've created is actually going to continue on and have a different life under the guardianship of my son and my brother, rather than it just being about myself.
“As a family business, that's really important. To know it’s in good hands and it's kind of become more than just aged care services with them on board as well.”
What makes NewDirection Care Bellmere stand out from other aged care facilities is its small town feel and features including a cinema, café and a gym.
“We tried to make sure when we were building that it had that small town community feel and the first thing you see is a cafe and you see people gathering, going about life,” Natasha said. “We have so many young families come to visit us, we have even had four-year-old birthday parties in our community and that's pretty unheard of in aged care.
“So it just demonstrates that when you build the right environment and then provide the right model of care, which enables people to freely move around their community, it’s something that works.
What was behind the decision to have Bellmere as the chosen location?
“One of the reasons was due to the type of land that we wanted to do a large development on where it was kind of sprawling to demonstrate that you can build a small town or a little village,”
Natasha explains. “At the time we were looking, Bellmere had the land available.
“Also, the main reason was because we wanted to be able to demonstrate to the rest of the aged care sector at the time, that you can provide the kinds of services that we provide in any area not just for wealthy Australians. It doesn't have to be an expensive product.”
Along with the village itself, NewDirection Care also provide private health services and support at home and are also an NDIS provider for those aged around 55-plus.
“We also have our disability services,” Natasha said. “The aim behind it is trying to help people stay at home and trying to keep them in their communities for as long as possible. We provide in home services or residents come out to us and we do a lot of rehabilitation where someone may have had a hip replacement or a fracture or something like that and we work with them in our wellness hub in our full gym to get them back to full capacity or restore them back to where they were prior to the injury, so that they can stay at home for longer.”
One person in her life that certainly guided Natasha on her path and set her up with amazing life and work ethics is her own mum.
“It’s interesting, I did a lot of this because of my experiences with my parents,” she said. “My father had cancer at a young
Seeking ways to minimise environmental harm
The City of Moreton Bay is taking bold steps to minimise environmental harm in waterways from erosion and soil sediment plus other construction by-products.
Council has undertaken a pilot project to improve soil erosion at construction and building sites in a bid to prevent the release of sediment into waterways, reducing threats to the wildlife, businesses and lifestyles that depend on them.
“Up to 50,000 dump trucks worth of pollutant soil particles wash into South East Queensland waterways each year,” Mayor Peter Flannery said. “Locally, 14 residential development areas were initially assessed through this project, consisting of hundreds of dwellings at various stages of construction.
“We are continuing to work with contractors to improve erosion and sediment control practices that will reduce the environmental impacts and cost-implications of this building by-product, protecting our waters and all those who use them.”
With the risk of environmental harm still a concern to council, they are undertaking enforcement action, which includes official warnings and penalties, with the minimum penalty amount being $4312.50.
age. He was only 59 when he died. We were able to care for him at home but you know it’s hard for families to be able to do that.
“When my mum first retired, we were having lots of the same conversations, I started thinking about what I would do if she needed care. And that's what started me on the journey for changing the way that I provided services in the aged care environment. That's when I did a lot of research, I read a lot and then finally developed the NewDirection Care model in the microtown.
“The funniest thing about that is that it actually ended up being that mum was just simply bored and she had nothing new to talk about. And so she went back to work at 72 and worked right up until she was 80 when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She was around for another year before she passed, but she was truly an amazing lady and to think that she gave me that insight to think about it from a different perspective.”
If you have a loved one that is approaching this chapter in their lives, Natasha highlights the importance of their quality of life when they enter care or need support.
“If this is on your radar now, start thinking about the life that you would want for yourself or your family member to live, not just the care and support that you would like them to have,” she said. “I think that would change a lot of people's decision-making around placing somebody that they care for deeply in an institutional setting.”
There are alternatives to traditional aged care and Natasha encourages everyone to take the time to research and reach out to these providers, “don’t just go to the closest nursing home in your area, really think about what you or your loved one would want for their later years”.
To find out more about New Direction Care Bellmere, please visit www. newdirectioncare.com.au
“Council will keep working with business, industry and community to improve environmental protections in any way we can, including on building sites and in new development areas, to ensure we are ‘Going Green as We Grow’,” Mr Flannery said. “It is important that homebuilders and buyers are adopting the ethos of the Queensland Environmental Protection Act 1994.
“Adhering to these legal requirements will help avoid any financial burden of rectifying an issue post-build and prevent fines being issued in the first place.”
This compliance project is part of an overall program of work to protect Our Healthy Environments. More information can be found at https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/ services/policies/the-coporate-plan2022-27-our-healthy-environments.pdf
IN THE GARDEN GARDENING
By Adelle and Paul
Hedges and Borders
Hedges
Hedging plants should be evergreen (i.e. green and leafy all year round), resilient and ideal for pruning. Hedges can be used to indicate a border, edge for your garden path or your garden bed. Hedges can also become a screen to eliminate undesired views. Lucky for you, there are a multitude of different hedges to choose from which range in many different sizes, colours and with or without flowers. We cannot possibly name them all so here are just a few.
Syzygium Resilience Lilly Pilly: What a great plant! One of our favourites actually. Not only are they fast growing, this Australian native has beautiful lush green foliage with a bronze coloured tinge on some leaves. These great plants can also be resilient to the common lilly pilly pest ‘psyllids’ and produce little white flowers which then turn into edible fruit. They reach a height of 3-4 metres, but of course can be hedged to whatever size you would like which also helps to keep them nice and bushy.
Murraya Paniculata: This gorgeous plant is commonly known as ‘Mock Orange’. What’s not to love? It has lush glossy dark green leaves, which in spring and summer produce beautiful fragranced white jasmine like flowers. Because of its dense growth habit, it's great for privacy and hedging. To keep these beauties hedged nicely just lightly prune them 3-4 times a year. They can be hedged to your desired height and if left alone they can reach a maximum height of 3-4 metres.
Photinia Red Robin: These plants make a lovely hedge; this may be because they have glossy green mature leaves, whilst their younger leaves are a bright vibrant red. These wonders are suitable to any climate and are also frost tolerant. The idea is to prune regularly to create that dense hedge and to encourage more colour. If you choose not to prune as regularly, you can enjoy the little white fluffy flowers they produce. Once again, prune to whatever size hedge you would like or if left alone they can make a great specimen plant which reaches a height of 3-4 metres.
Borders
The finishing touches to your garden are the border plants. They serve several purposes, which include drawing the eye to a feature or focal point in your garden, conceal attractive edges and can be the last tier on the creation of your layered garden. These border plants come in a range of colours, textures and styles. Once again, we could not possibly mention them all, so here are just a few.
Nandina Domestica (Dwarf Nandina): This border plant can be known as a foliage border plant, which does not need shaping. These gorgeous plants are vibrant in colour and also change colour with the seasons. Their leaves are shades of greens, yellows, pinks and reds becoming more vibrant red in the cooler months. These beauties reach a height of 50cm and a width of 40cm. These are an excellent choice as they are very hardy and require little maintenance.
Do you have a Gardening Question for Adelle and Paul? Come into the shop for advice or e mail : adelle.pbk@gmail.com
This month's recipe focuses on the currently thriving tomatoes, basil and red onion in your garden. Thank you, Chelsea from Bongaree, for sharing
Ingredients
1 sourdough baguette
4 ripe tomatoes
¼ cup of finely chopped basil leaves
1 tablespoon of olive oil
¼ teaspoon of salt
½ a red onion finely diced ground black pepper to taste
½ cup of crumbled feta cheese.
Method
Deseed the tomatoes and chop finely.
Place the chopped tomatoes, chopped basil, diced onion, salt, olive oil and pepper in a bowl and toss gently.
Set aside for 10 minutes.
Slice the sourdough baguette into ½ inch thick slices, lightly brush with some olive oil on both sides and grill both sides until golden and crunchy. Place grilled slices on a platter and pile a tablespoon of the prepared toppings on top of each slice and then sprinkle each bruschetta with some crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
If you have a recipe for us to share e mail : adelle.pbk@gmail.com
Buxus Japanese Box: This border plant is known as a box border plant and will require shaping to give it that ultimate box border hedge shape. Their natural full height is only one metre, but the idea is to prune them regularly to create that border shape. For the perfect border, it is ideal to plant four plants per metre. Once these stunning plants are established they require little water, which is one less job to worry about.
Black Mondo Grass: These border plants are known as strappy border plants. Black Mondo Grass is very similar to the green mondo grass except this one has striking unique black foliage and produces little spikes of white flowers creating a stunning contrast. They are a great choice for a border plant as they require almost zero maintenance, the reason for this is they never require cutting and once established require little watering reaching a height and width of 20cm.
We hope we've inspired you to create a hedge or border in your garden. Thanks for reading, and until next time…
Happy Gardening!
Adelle and Paul
Good winter fishing
Hi everyone, Danny and Michelle from Island Fishing Supplies, Banksia Beach and now Bellara!
WOORIM BEACH
Tailor off the beach on pilchards and metal slugs and hard body lures, Atomic Slim Twitcher 125mm being the pick of lures. Also, dart and bream around the camping area on preserved beach
Dart caught on Woorim beach
SANDSTONE POINT
Flathead on soft plastics on the runout tide near the old fish trap. There is also nice bream and tailor in the same area.
BANKSIA BEACH
Prior to the closure there was good snapper and jew caught on squid strips. Remember the closure is from July 15 to August 15.
WHITE PATCH
Nice of
Some really great bream caught on live yabbies on the incoming tide around the yabbie banks.
MISSION POINT
Reports of summer whiting turning up and flathead as well in the same areas, on the flats the main channel is producing good bream on flesh baits.
is often overlooked as a target
Anything from worms, small crabs, small fish and prawns.
GEAR REQUIRED
Pretty much anything you would use for whiting. A Paternoster style rig or a running sinker above a swivel long trace to a long shank no 6 or 4 hook. Six-pound line on a light 2-4kg rod and small 2500 spin reel.
LOCATION
I find I have more success drifting for these and usually where you find the winter whiting in the bay and the passage. The Cockle Banks in the bay is a great place to start, otherwise the passage from the Bribie bridge to White Patch is definitely another spot to try. Enjoy your fishing and remember to only catch what you need!
Danny and Michelle
Dennis caught this great Snapper.
Dillon caught this Tiger Squid out in the bay.
Whiting and Flathead.
Flounder caught at the Cockle Banks.
Pushing the limits
As we’ve come to expect with the Dolphins since they debuted in the NRL season last year, anything is possible! It’s been a bit of a mixed bag on the field over the last few weeks culminating in a couple of losses (30-24 against the Storm in Round 16 and 26-6 against the Dragons in Round 17), a week off in Round 18 and then finally a win over the Rabbitohs (36-28) on home turf at Redcliffe in Round 19.
All the talk before the match at Dolphin Stadium was about how the Rabbitohs had won five games in a row since Wayne Bennett had signed to return to Redfern in 2025. But despite the chatter, the master coach vowed pre-match that his focus was solely on the Dolphins. The latest Dolphins win wasn’t without its controversy after a Bunker call early on had fans talking about Rabbitohs Jye Gray being awarded a penalty try. After toeing a kick over Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller, Gray was held by his counterpart without the ball but was able to wrestle free and have a clear chance to score. Gray dropped the ball, but the Bunker ruled the infringement by Fuller was severe enough to award a penalty try. Despite all the fuss, the Dolphins powered on.
After being sidelined for a few weeks due to concussion protocols, winger Jack Bostock returned to the Dolphins with gusto, nailing a 272m run to score
the first try of the match and adding to his impressive season tally total taking it to 12.
The match also marked a significant milestone for Kenny Bromwich, who made his 250th NRL appearance. Alongside his brother and Dolphins Captain Jesse Bromwich, they became the fifth set of brothers to each play more than 250 NRL games.
With tries from Bostock, Tevita Pangai Junior and Herbie Farnworth in the first half, the Dolphins led 18-10 heading into the halftime break. It became a game of back and forth during the second half and was starting to look like the match could become a tough one. In the final six minutes, the Rabbitohs scored two more tries in desperation, but despite the late run of activity, the Dolphins held on for an eight-point victory. Both sides scored six tries, but winger Jamayne Isaako landed six goals from as many attempts for the Dolphins, giving them a solid position in the top eight.
Next up, the Dolphins are at home in Brisbane to fellow Queensland team, the Titans (Sunday July 28) who are struggling at the tail end of the competition ladder. In round 22, they head across the country to Perth for a tough game against the Roosters (Friday August 2) before another home game at Suncorp against the Warriors on Sunday August 11. Phins up!
13/6/24 – Single Stableford (Rd 2 Captain’s Trophy)
Div 1 Winners: Carole Watson 38, 2nd Ann Rogers 36 cb, 3rd Gwen Clutterbuck 36
Overall Winners: Lyn Cockerell 33, 2nd Debra Dunn 32 cb, 3rd Carol McKenzie 32 cb
NTP’s: Hole 4 Lyn Cockerell, Hole 7 Jo McCowan, Hole 14 Margaret Huxley, Hole 16 Jo McCowan
Overall Winners: Kate Wesener & Rae Clarke 65 cb, 2nd Debra Dunn & Helena Winterflood 65, 3rd Judy Graham & Kris
Woodford Golf Club
Results for the Caboolture Social Darts Club
Potluck doubles, played every Monday night at 21 Hayes Street, Caboolture. Visitors welcome. Names by 7.15pm.
June/July winners
Dave/Dale, Roger/KY, Greg/Tom, Runners Up
Chris H/Roger, Davo/Sid, Jenny/Chris K, The High Pegs
Dustyn 56, Davo 93, Josh 42,32, Sid 53,39, Conner 68, Ian 36, Chantelle20, KY 42, Sherrie 32, Tom 40,26, Best Throws
Dustyn 180, Shayne 147,134, Jenny 100,100,100, Robert 100, Tom 123,121,134,121, Davo 140, Cecil 105,105, Roger 107,Chris K 107, Ian 113, Conner 119, Sid 119, Matthew 140, KY 180, Sherrie 100,100, Josh 180,100,140, Chantell 88, Best Night players for the period Josh, Dustyn, KY all with a 180 score.
For further information, phone Ian 0400 475 007 (Secretary) or Cecil (the new President) 0411 698 807.
The Pumicestone District Veterans are holding the QUEENSLAND VETERAN’S MEN & LADIES STATE CARNIVAL at the Woodford Golf Club on Monday September 16 and Tuesday September 17, 2024. Shotgun start 7am and 12pm (noon). Prize monies for the two days $4500. Plus, pin shots for Men and Ladies. For booking of golf carts, please phone Woodford Golf Club. For nominations and enquiries, please phone Tony Foran 0427 727 766.
Gwen Clutterbuck – Winner Captain’s Trophy
Try by Trai Fuller against the Rabbitohs
“Unreal” win for lucky Bribie Island man
One Bribie Island man is $1 million richer after finding out he held a division one winning entry in The Lott’s Weekday Windfall on July 1.
The lucky resident, who held one of four winning entries nationally in draw 4410, purchased his 12-game winning ticket from Nextra Bribie Island (Shop 10-11, 239 Goodwin Drive). So far in 2024, there have been eight division one winning entries in the City of Moreton Bay worth more than $10.52 million in prize money.
Upon hearing about his win, the man confessed to feeling overwhelmed and awestruck by the winning news.
“This is unreal,” he gasped. “This is the first time in my life that I’ve won something apart from $20. I’ve never, ever, ever, won anything more than $20! God,
I can’t wrap my head around it. I missed some calls earlier this morning and I thought to myself, ‘Gosh! Who is bloody ringing at this hour!’.
“I then saw a text from The Lott urging me to check my Weekday Windfall tickets and to call in. I went straight to the computer to check the results.”
The man then told his partner that someone in Queensland had won $1 million and that he thought it was them!
“Everything is going through one ear to the other. I’m just so shocked,” he said.
“This is the best phone call – once in a lifetime! I think I need to sit down and process it all. I seriously need a week. I’m struggling to come down from cloud nine.
“Thank you so much.”
With $1 million about to boost his bank account, the Queenslander shared it had come at the most ‘perfect time’ and would help him come out of a “rough trot”.
Nextra Bribie Island owner Steven Kurtz said he and his team were ecstatic to have sold a division one winning entry to a local man.
“It’s such great news. We’re so pleased to hear a regular customer who has supported us for years has picked up a million-dollar prize from a ticket purchased at our outlet,” he said. “We’ve had customers win a flurry of smaller prizes, but it’s been a couple of years since we’ve had a division one winner.
“Congratulations to the winning man and his family. It’s great to hear that the win went to a local and cheers to them!”
