The Eatons Echo - April 2023

Chandler

JonssonHarlacz

Chandler

Dombrowski

Manager Vicki Harper Jonathan Wein Sales Consultant Wayne Cornell Jason Wagner Sales Consultant

Albany Creek Shavers Take The Plunge!

On the 17th of March, the Albany Creek Tavern was awash with bald heads, crazy hair colours and shaved eyebrows. Before you ask—no, this tavern has not converted into a bonkers hairdressing salon! However, it was the location for the annual Albany Creek Community’s World’s Greatest Shave! And what a success the event was.

Team ‘Albany Creek Community’ cranked up the heat with ten shavers braving the clippers to sport new bald heads. Another seven individuals coloured their hair on the night to raise money for vital research and patient support services for those Australians living with a blood cancer or related blood disease. Notable individuals such as Chris Gilding, Eileen Schofield, Jonah Robinson, Lois Shinners, Pete O'Donoghue, and Arren Heeley managed to collectively raise a whopping $7,216, with local Chris G. surpassing his goal of $2,000 by $1— enough to commit to the additional eyebrow shave!

The Albany Creek Leukaemia Branch has been hosting the World’s Greatest Shave locally since 2001, bringing together community groups to raise money and awareness for blood cancer, including Apex, Albany Creek Tavern Social Club, Lions Club, Leukaemia Foundation Branch, local hairdressers, and retailers. It is a testament to the community spirit of the region, the way people have rallied to support a cause so dear to them.

Although the event was full of fun and laughter, the evening also bore the weight of significant reminiscing. Shae Kennedy, an Albany Creek Tavern regular and a man whose history as a World’s Greatest Shaver extends back 25 years, recently passed. Shae always enjoyed being part of the Tavern community at the shave and will be dearly missed. The whole community passes on their condolences to his family and friends.

Special thanks go to the members of the Albany Creek Tavern Social Club, the Albany Creek Apex Club, and our hairdressers – Arren and Jane from Hairologists and Rachael from Albany Creek Hair Directions, all of whom helped make the Shave event a resounding success.

Lois Shinners is a ‘Shaver’ from 2001- 2018 and came out of retirement to remember Julia for her 19th Shave

Pete O’Donoghue had pink hair to participate in Breast Cancer fundraiser weekend before

Members of the Albany Creek Leukaemia Branch

Recipe of the month

The Eatons Echo is a FREE monthly publication delivering 14,500 copies per month of what matters to the Eatons Hill and surrounding areas. Our paper is 100% locally owned and operated, which means we don’t just talk about being local, WE ARE LOCAL; we live it everyday.

Distribution is carried out via direct letterbox delivery to homes and businesses in the suburbs of; Albany Creek, Eatons Hill, Warner and Cashmere. Copies can also be picked up from a variety of magazine stands within the above suburbs. .....................................

Copyright: The Eatons Echo is produced by Echo Media Group Pty Ltd (The Publisher). All rights are reserved and the contents are copyright and may not be reproduced without permission from The Publisher. All care is taken by The Publisher, however responsibility is not accepted for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Publisher.

COVID-19: At the time of going to press (28th March 2023), information contained within this issue is correct. As the situation with the COVID health crisis is ever changing, we urge you to contact organisers of any events listed within our publication if you are doubtful about times and dates. For more information, visit www.echo-news.com.au or email admin@echo-news.com.au

TOMATO CHUTNEY

Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 45 mins

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 brown onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, crushed 400g can crushed tomatoes

¼ cup raisins or sultanas

½ teaspoon mixed spice or allspice

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Method

HEAT oil in a saucepan over medium heat. ADD onion and cook for 3-4 minutes or until soft. ADD garlic and cook for 1 minute.

POUR in tomatoes, raisins or sultanas, spice and balsamic vinegar.

BRING to the boil.

REDUCE heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until chutney is thick.

Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens 2023 Product of the Year Recipe Collection

This recipe is brought to you by The Queensland Country Women’s Association’s (QCWA) Country Kitchens program. The program is empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https:// qcwacountrykitchens.com.

Upgrades At Boxwood

Boxwood Court Park, off Silversash Court, Warner has recently received a welcome addition to its facilities in the form of a outdoor ping pong table along with line markings for handball and hopscotch (pictured below). This upgrade will create a high-quality activity area for all ages and encourage increased levels of exercise for local residents and visitors to the area.

A Walk Back in Time

Samford QCWA are delighted partner with a local historian from the Samford Museum who will accompany the ladies on their annual ‘Women Walk The World’ event in late April.

Members will be guided through the Main Street of Samford to learn more about the fascinating local history. There is much to tell and you may hear some surprising tales! The walk will take place on Sunday 30th April at 7.30am

(to take advantage of the cooler weather!)

Attendees will meet beside the QCWA hall at John Scott Park, Samford. The cost is only a gold coin donation, so pop along, bring your sunscreen, hat, water and your curiosity! All are welcome to attend.

A Local Doggy Delight

Dog owners will be delighted to welcome a new Dog Off Leash Park on Albany Forest Road, Albany Creek (beside Chatterbox Childcare Centre).

Construction is already underway for the new facility that will see turfing, fencing, a drink fountain, shelter and seating installed within the park. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of May, weather permitting.

eBarrows Leading The Way In Sustainable Trail Care

Getting the balance between building and maintaining a fun twisting trail, whilst having minimal impact on the environment can a tricky business. Naturally, one of the prime aims of the Northside Trail Care Alliance (NTCA) is to manage and improve the sustainability of their trail networks with minimal disturbance to the surrounding flora and fauna.

For those not familiar with the NTCA, this is a volunteer organisation helps maintain the trails within Bunyaville and Samford Conservation Parks.

One of the key principals that has been cultivated into the organisation via Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the NTCA’s founding volunteers, is to be mindful of the impact of maintenance activities, methodology and equipment used. Machinery that professional trail builders utilise has its place, however for general maintenance, manual labor with shovel, crowbar, mattock, fireman’s rake and wheelbarrows are

key to minimalising the disturbance to the surrounding flora and fauna.

With this in mind, some time ago, one of the groups dedicated volunteers, Matthew Dunn began to tinker and prototype an electric wheelbarrow. This electric wheelbarrow sought minimise damage the trail surface and have the same footprint as a normal wheelbarrow, whilst also assisting and improving the safety for volunteers when transporting materials and tools up or down the narrow, and sometimes steep trails.

In 2017, the first fully working prototype made its debut at a trail care session. It was a true productivity multiplier, dramatically improving the amount of work that could be achieved. This changed the game on how the NTCA planned and completed tasks. The eBarrow has since been developed into a commercial product, and in 2021 Hero Dirt Industries was formed to meet the demand in the trail care industry.

This year, the North Brisbane Mountain Bike Club - the parent organisation of NTCA - received an equipment grant from Moreton Bay Regional Council and last month took delivery of a Hero Dirt Industries electric barrow. The club was also able to purchase a new gazeebo that will be used for trail care and club events.

However, Hero Dirt Industries’ prototyping has not ended there. Currently, a custom battery powered tiller is in development, which will be designed to assist in the creation and maintenance of drainage. This is another very low impact tool that greatly improves ability of the NTCA to further improve the sustainability the trails they help to maintain.

Head over to the NTCA’s Facebook page for more information https://www.facebook.com/NorthsideTrailCareAlliance

NTCA member Greg Ditchburn , Cr Matthew Constance & NTCA member Lochlan Dunn with the eBarrow

AfterPay available, no minimum spend.

The Future Of Local Wildlife Is In Your Hands

It is no secret that rapid urban development has detrimental impact upon our environment.

As fears of wildlife and habitual endangerment escalate worldwide, it is now more important than ever to fight for mother nature and her fur babies. Wildlife Rescue Queensland (WRQ) does just that, specialising in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native Australian wildlife primarily in the Moreton Bay area.

WRQ is a non-profit organisation comprised of a network of dedicated volunteers, all striving to foster public awareness of native wildlife’s importance within the environment. Their work is carried out under a Group Rehabilitation Permit, issued by the Queensland Department of Environment & Science. The organisation is in proud support of Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, RSPCA, and many more veterinary clinics whose trained carers can assist in the rehabilitation and release process.

WRQ is run by a devoted committee who have all turned their love for animals and passion for nurturing them back to health into organisational roles. There is Committee President Byron Cann, Vice President Katrina Gilligan, Secretary Heather Giles, and Treasurer Jessie Ryan, all of which keep the community group afloat. However, without volunteers, the positive impact of WRQ is nothing but promise.

There are so many ways that people can get involved at WRQ; even the smallest of services can create astronomical difference. You could become a wildlife carer, receiving adequate training to ensure you are competent in handling injured wildlife. You could collect native plant cuttings for rescued animals’ daily food supplies. You could lend a hand—and vehicle—in transporting animals to and from the Wildlife Hospitals, or assist in 24 hour hotline help, fundraising or admin duties. Heck, you could even sew animal pouches or make possum boxes! Anything, really, can make a difference.

Of course, that includes donations. As a registered non-profit, WRQ relies on donations from the general public and fundraising activities to meet costs, as well as continue their hard work in restoring what others have broken in nature. Every dollar counts toward protecting the future of Australian wildlife.

To donate, check out this link: https://wrq.org.au/ donate-now/ Alternatively, if you wish to know more information about the organisation or make an inquiry, you can email enquire@wrq.org.au or head to their website: https:// wrq.org.au/

A Fiesta Of Fun Coming Soon!

The Hills Festival is back and better than ever in 2023. The Hills will come alive this May with fireworks, rides, workshops, and classes for the entire month! Enjoy a jam-packed program full of great events, activities, and family friendly fun, it is sure to be a blast for all ages! Get ready for four whole weeks of incredible shows, carnivals, entertainment, and festivities to celebrate everything that is the Moreton Bay Region’s beloved Hills District.

The 2023 Hills Festival will feature everything from bee keeping workshops to kid’s activities and even a Community Disaster Resilience Expo. Mother’s Day Jazz and Shiraz will also be a key event on this year’s calendar. Everyone is encouraged to celebrate Mum this Mother’s Day by sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying an afternoon of good wine, live music and FREE Moreton Bay Entertainment at this great Jazz and Shiraz event. And it only gets better! George Willmore Park will once again play host to the Hills Carnivale on Saturday the 27th of May. The Carnivale is one of the highlights on the Hills Festival Calendar and is an event that the whole community looks forward to.

The Hills Carnivale will end the month-long Hills Festival with a fantastic night out. Enjoy rides from $2, plenty of markets, a huge kid zone, a great mainstage program, a whole stack of different food options and spectacular fireworks display. For all the Hills Festival info and a full program of events make sure you visit: www.hillsfestival.com.au

MOVIE IN THE PARK

Friday 21st April, 5pm - 8pm

Dragonfly Park, Warner FREE ENTRY!

Head along to for a night under the stars watching a terrific movie!

MOBILE

THAT COME TO YOU!

Local Group Leading A Running Revolution

Many VERY early commuters in the Eatons Hill may have noticed a surge in the amount of runners pounding the pavement over the past year. No, this is no zombie apocalypse, and there is nothing to run from, besides the harsh reality of dawnbreak alarms. This mob belong to local running group ‘Run With Rob’(RWR) and they have seen exponential growth in members recently.

Now, for many, getting up at 4am to exert your body to its limits might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this cluey bunch are on to something. For one, running early on is way cooler and less strain on the bod, two, getting your exercise out of the way for the day and loading yourself with those happy endorphins or catching that ‘runners high’ as they call it is a great way to get the day started.

Mind you, this is no ordinary running group. For a start, their morning dashes aren’t purely for the benefit of each runner’s fitness, but rather to help those in need along with creating a supportive community. At the forefront of the group’s values is helping the community, whether that be by donating to charities, forging friendships with one another to form a supportive network, or achieving personal and group running goals. This group runs for a reason and is open for community members just getting into running to the more experienced runner. Plus, they are excited to now introduce a Ferny Hills morning group AND afternoon sessions at Warner Lakes, so if getting up at dawn break isn’t your vibe, join the group in the afternoon sunshine. The group was founded back in 2014 by revered local and a notoriously talented Ultra Marathon Runner Rob Hopkinson, who runs marathons to support charities that tug on his heart. Last year, his choice was ‘Small Steps 4 Hannah’—a foundation that seeks to end cycles of domestic violence and be the guiding light for those who need the confidence to act. Now Rob is an official ambassador for this charity, amongst others his group raises money for. Speaking to Rob, he is quite humble about the inception of the RWR group.

‘I wanted to inspire and support our RWR community to be the best versions of themselves so that together we can make a difference by supporting our preferred charities. We now have donated over $90 000 to local charities,’ Rob told Echo News. But we don’t think the extent of what Rob has created has dawned on him. The running group has helped changed the lives of its members in so many ways other than in the health sector. For proud member Renee, it has helped her find her path: ‘After having kids I felt lost—I needed something that was just for me—and didn’t include mass amounts of food and alcohol! Run With Rob helps with every aspect of my life—health, fitness, friendship, mental and emotional stability. I found what’s been missing in my life.’

Another member, Bridgette, explains that, ‘Run With Rob has changed my life by pushing me out of my comfort zone with my fitness but also by providing a network of friends. Everyone who joins the group has the same ethos. For example, if a family member is ill, we will arrange a care package. If a dog is lost, we will go and help find it. If someone wants a running partner at 8pm, there will be a willing participant.’

Led by Rob, the group has some exciting events coming up, including Dead Cow Gully Ultra, Run Army, Noosa Running Festival, Wondai Running Festival, Moreton Bay Running Festival, Brisbane and Bargara Running Festivals, Gold Coast Marathon, Jetty 2 Jetty, and Sunshine Coast Marathon, where they hope to set the record as the biggest team for the 2nd year in a row.

What’s more, this group will be hosting a ‘Pink Night’ again this year, and are currently scoping for a venue that will hold close to 200 guests, along with decorations to make the night that extra bit special to raise money for charities are also in progress. If you are a local business and can support the fundraiser in anyway, the RWR community would love to work with you, get in touch via the contact details below.

Contact runwithrob4037@gmail.com for more information, or alternately check out the advertisement below.

Reviewing your goals for 2023? Looking for a group of inspiring, motivating and energetic individuals? Come join the Run With Rob running group at Eatons Hill, Ferny Hills or Warner. We guarantee it will be life changing and just the motivation you need to kick start 2023.

Suitable for ALL ability levels. Our no cost sessions will change your life.

RWR member Kelly celebrating her recent 150th Park Run

BUILDING, BUYING & RENOVATING

Construction and renovation projects continue to evolve and grow in our area and this guide is designed to let you know who to call when in need of a LOCAL service. From tradies to financiers, this guide contains plenty of trustworthy and reliable local services that can help! We are so lucky to have a great range of local businesses in our district so please remember to THINK LOCAL and SHOP LOCAL!

CUT OUT AND KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!

Who can I trust to broker the best deal on a HOME LOAN or REFINANCE

Who has the experience to RENOVATE & REPAIR my home?

Who has the expertise to construct a RETAINING WALL in the yard?

Who can effectively & professionally BUY, RENT & SELL my home?

What's On at the Albany Creek Library!

To book your event, visit www.mbrc.qld.gov.au/libraries/ events, choose your event, make your booking and print your ticket. For more information, contact the library on 5433 2638.

Predators and prey (5-12 years): Thursday 13th April, 11am - noon

Discover how predatory insects seek out, catch and kill their prey with Bugs Ed. Meet some of the most ferocious hunters on the planet - praying mantises, robber flies, ant lions and assassin bugs. Ages 5-12. Free. Bookings required.

Edible science exploratorium: Friday 14th April, 2pm -3pm

Enjoy science you can eat with our range of edible science experiments! Ages 6-12. Free. Bookings required.

Rag Rugs: Wednesday 19th April, 10.30am - Noon

Jazz up your space by making your own eco-friendly rag rug using old sheets. Discover how fun (and addictive) it is to make your own rugs in this hands-on workshop. Get started making your own rag rug, to finish at home. Free. Bookings required.

Make a Cricut iron-on transfer: Friday 28th April, 10.30am - 12.30pm

Use our Cricut machines to design and make an iron-on transfer. BYO an old t-shirt to iron on your design and give it new life. Free. Bookings required. Facilitated by our friendly library staff.

National Simultaneous Storytime: Wednesday 24th May, 11am - noon

Join children from all over Australia and New Zealand for National Simultaneous Storytime as we read The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young and Heath McKenzie. No bookings required.

STEAM Station: 2nd Friday of the month, 3.30pm - 4pm Get curious! Explore science, technology, engineering, art and maths through hands-on discovery after school. Ideal for primary school kids. No bookings required.

Next Chapter Book Club: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month, 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Libraries Next Chapter Book Clubs will provide a great opportunity for people with developmental disabilities to read and learn, make new friends, and enjoy a fun community. Our book clubs, led by friendly library staff, will meet in libraries across Moreton Bay. To join our community of readers, phone or email any of our libraries.

Baby Rhyme Time : Mondays at 2pm, Tuesdays at 9.30am , Thursdays at 10.30am and Saturdays at 10.30am

Baby Rhyme Time helps develop the skills needed to communicate and to learn to read. In a friendly and relaxed environment you and your baby can learn rhymes, action songs and finger plays to share together. For parents and children, babies to 2 years. No bookings required.

JP’s in the Community:

JP’s available weekly on Wed at 3.30pm - 5pm, Thurs at 5.30pm - 7pm, Sat at 9.30am - 11.30am

$4 million North Pine River catchment investment announced

Seqwater today announced an expansion of its longrunning partnership with Eatons Hill based land care group, Pine Rivers Catchment Association Inc. (PRCA), with almost $4 million to be invested over the next five years to improve catchment area and water quality of the Upper North Pine River, near Dayboro.

For 15 years, the organisations have been working together with local communities upstream of North Pine Dam (Lake Samsonvale) to control vine weeds that threaten the health of the North Pine River, which is a key drinking water catchment for the Moreton Bay Region and South East Queensland. Seqwater relies on large open catchments covering more than 1.2 million hectares of land, 95 per cent of which we they not own or manage, which is why community partnerships like this are so important to Seqwater achieving better land management and water quality outcomes.

PRCA President Derek Johnson said the new funding would help the not-for-profit organisation to continue to plan and deliver multi-year weed eradication, soil erosion prevention and riparian land care programs.

‘Through Seqwater’s support, we have worked since the early 2000s to significantly improve the health of 22 kilometres of the river and Terrors Creek,’ Mr Johnson said.

‘The river was once in a terrible state, with many thousands of riparian trees near death due to cats claw. Now the vines are almost gone, and the river looks amazing, the trees healthy and able to continue to stabilize the river banks, to enhance the condition of the North and South Pine River catchments.’ The North Pine River catchment is a source of water supply for Dayboro, an off-grid community and also for North Pine Dam (Lake Samsonvale), the region’s fourth largest supply dam.

As part of the expanded program, weed control work is also being supported by Moreton Bay Regional Council and river erosion and farm planning works are being delivered by environmental organisation Healthy Land and Water.

Mention Code NTHBRIS22 when booking!

Seqwater and PRCA working together on weed management and catchment rehabilitation along the North Pine River

&

A guide to educational facilities within north Brisbane

Winnie - Working Wonders

Our Lady of Dolours School at Mitchelton has welcomed a new staff member to its ranks – Winnie, a therapy dog.

Winnie is owned by School Chaplain, Mrs Rachel Stigter, and has recently completed her final accreditation.

“Winnie has always been a very calm and gentle dog”, said Mrs Stigter. “People would often say that she’d make a wonderful therapy dog and that started me thinking about the potential for introducing her as a support animal in our school environment.”

“Winnie was in training for over six months before she received her certification”, said Mrs Stigter.

Principal, Mrs Tricia Howard, is a great advocate of the benefits of therapy dogs at school.

“The benefits of a therapy dog in an educational setting are well documented” continued Mrs Howard. “They provide significant social-emotional support and lower the stress levels of young people. Therapy dogs have been shown to improve the physical wellbeing of students, decrease anxiety, ease social isolation, and help children learn social skills.”

In particular, therapy dogs are credited with impressive results in supporting young people in improving literacy and reading skills. Look out for some amazing results the school's newest member of staff very soon!

Winnie with students, new Principal Tricia Howard, and School Chaplain Rachel Stigter

German Immersion Celebrates 20 Years!

A lot has changed in 20 years, but the German Immersion program at Ferny Grove State High School continues to remain as one of the key signature programs offered to students. .

The German Immersion program involves students from years 7-10 learning the same curriculum as other students, however with one significant difference. These subjects are taught in German, developing the student’s language proficiency through learning the regular curriculum in the target language.

Ferny Grove invites any past or present students and/or families involved in the program to attend the evening running from 4:00pm-7:00pm (formal ceremony begins at 4:30pm) at the Auditorium and W Block courtyard on Friday 26th May. For further information please contact GIAnniversary@fernygroveshs.eq.edu.au

Music To Feed The Soul

With 10 years in the local area under his belt, Scotty Wade, owner and drum teacher of STW Drumming is ready to take that next step and offer more services for the local community.

What was STW Drumming, has now transformed into the STW Music School. Branching out to not just include Drum Lessons, but Vocals, and Guitar lessons, these lessons are offered to anyone in the local community of any age! Many people do not realise that anyone can play an instrument, and Scotty wants to show you it’s possible!

After stumbling into drumming through a bit of a rebellious period in his life 25 years ago, this talented local has since discovered the craft can help any one of all ages to improve their confidence, focus, co-ordination and inner voice!

Scotty has been a drummer for 25 years, with humble beginnings. From the age of five Scotty wanted to play drums, but his parents thought that it was a phase. They thought it would burn out in a week or at most, a month. However, music for Scotty was so much more and not just on the surface, it ran a lot deeper for him. Music was, and is, a part of his being. After buying a drum kit behind his parents back early on, 25 years later, Scotty has since been touring in bands, playing in over 15 bands, to now being the owner/drum teacher of STW Drumming since 2012! He now wants to show that playing a musical instrument can help any one of all ages to improve their confidence, focus, co-ordination and inner voice!

Starting at home, STW Drumming has evolved from small beginnings to branching out to other avenues. Not just providing professional and fun drum lessons, but also guitar, and vocal lessons. There is always more

music to go around to the enhance the soul and bring ones confidence and selfbelief to the forefront. At STW Music School, all the teachers encourage each student’s personal growth as a human, and as a musician!

Scotty’s belief is if you believe it, work for it, and you will get it. Anyone can play an instrument, and when step into the STW Music School, you will believe you can!

The State Library of Queensland offers a range of loan Technology kits to aid digital literacy. For more information visit https://plconnect. slq.qld.gov.au/

Honouring Veterans Legacies through their Stories

This Story Australia is a local Moreton Bay charity preserving Australia’s history through documentary interviews with our diggers. The charity engages with veterans from all conflicts – from WWII through to Afghanistan – to preserve their personal stories and ensure veterans have a digital platform on which they can share their experiences.

This Story has a great working relationship with the Queensland State Library to ensure that stories are not only archived at a State level, but made available to the public for free anytime in their catalogue. The stories are also searchable and readily accessible on This Story Australia’s website.

To date they have interviewed over 50 veterans across NSW, the Northern Territory and Queensland including stories from our own Moreton Bay veterans residing in Deception Bay, Mango Hill, Woodford, Redcliffe and Albany Creek. CEO Jeff Hughes is eager to ensure veterans in our own area are given the opportunity to share their stories.

‘We are reaching out to Moreton Bay businesses to partner with us to make a real difference to veterans and their community. It is great for us collectively to remember on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, but it is even more important for us to take action.’

In February 2023 one of This Story Australia’s veteran stories was awarded Best Short Documentary in the Mykonos International Film Festival. ‘Second Generation ANZAC’ shares the service and life of 105 year old veteran Alf Carpenter of Newcastle. Alf learned of the selection of his story among

the film festival finalists in Greece last year before his passing in September. Alf was overjoyed at the thought that he could share his story about his experiences in the Battle of Crete in 1941 with the people of Greece today.

‘Veterans stories matter, and our community wants to learn and honour their legacy’ says Jeff Hughes. ‘These are the lives of ordinary people and their extraordinary accomplishments, and they have the power to connect the community.’

Check out www.thisstory.com.au follow them on social media and get in touch today to be a part of this special project.

Hear local Veteran's Alf and Zig’s stories on www.thisstory.com.au

A Chapel On The Move

Dr Lena von Schuckmann is a Queensland trained Dermatologist and fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists.

• Skin cancer screening and treatment

• General Dermatology Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne, Rosacea

• Vulval conditions

• Hair disorders

• Nail disorders

• Pigmentation disorders

• Paediatric dermatology

• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

Dermatology services include; Now accepting new patients

Dr Lena has a special interest in women’s dermatology and the assessment and treatment of skin cancer. She is committed to providing compassionate and individualised care to her patients. She works within a multidisciplinary team at Vera to offer wholistic treatment.

132 Foggs Road, Mount Samson QLD

E: hello@verawomenswellness.com.au

P: 07 2000 1099

Please note: Our dermatology service accepts all female patients, and male patients up to 18 years The quaint Chapel that sits on the roadside of Hills Church in Everton Hills will be a familiar sight on the commute to work along Queens Rd, and for the more mature residents in our community it will hold a fond memory or two. However, many may have noticed the construction paraphernalia erected around the Hills Church Chapel boundary in recent months. Do not fear; this old chapel is not going far, as renovations and relocation are both set to take place soon.

After nearly a century of serving the local community through Baptisms, Christenings, and services including hosting the popular Op Shop, the chapel will be transported to the back of the property to the main Church precinct where it can be appreciated and utilised once again. The chapel will also undertake a full renovation carried out by church members. As Pastor Nathan Bell explains, ‘Although the Chapel is not heritage listed, the affection and memories it holds to community members has encouraged the Church to preserve its past.’

‘Even though the chapel in its current state requires considerable refurbishment, we really love its historical significance and connection to our community. The main reason we’re relocating the chapel to another part of the property is because it's sitting idle and is not in use. By relocating the chapel closer to where most of our activity centres on a day-to-day basis, the chapel can receive a new lease of life and honour its original purpose as a place of prayer, or even for small ceremonies such as weddings – and we’re excited about that.’

Indeed, this historic piece of Hills history dates to 1928 when it was constructed on land that was donated by local resident Artur Timms who also donated the timber for its construction. After construction, community members would travel from near and far across what was rough ground back then to reach the church. Due to the small size of the Chapel, it is mentioned that there was no baptistry within it so believers were baptised in a small creek on the Bennett property close by.

If any readers have history or memories surrounding this little church, we would LOVE to hear from you. Please email admin@echo-news.com.au with more information.

Pastor Nathan and Assistant Pastor Mark from The Hills Church outside their little Chapel that will soon be relocated and given a bit of TLC

ANZAC Fact! Anzac biscuits were traditionally square and so hard that some men were said to have broken their teeth on them. They were sometimes ground down to make porridge, thicken a stew or fried as fritters. They were first supplied as rations and it was only later on that people would make and send the biscuits we are more familiar with today.

Anzac Day at the Samford Museum

• Group Coaching

Albany Hills State School

All Saints Parish

Primary school

Albany Creek State School

Aspley East State School

• Private Lessons

• Fixtures

• Racquet Restringing

• Pro Shop

St Dympnas Catholic Primary School

Queen of Apostles Catholic School

Good Shepherd Christian School

ALL NEW ENROLMENTS RECEIVE A FREE TENNIS RACKET AND FREE HOT SHOT T-SHIRT

Phone: 3264 2011

woodstennis@bigpond.com www.woodstennis.com.au

The Samford Museum is gearing up for their annual Anzac Day celebrations and will open on the 25th April with FREE entry from 9am- 2pm.

Highlands (Samford) Soldier Settler, Harry Randall, is one whose resting place in Lutwyche Cemetery is being marked by Australian Remembrance Army. Their project has received funding from the ‘Unmarked First World War Graves’ program which acts to mark graves of the 710 WWI veterans at rest in Lutwyche Cemetery. You can read Harry’s story on Anzac Day at the Samford Museum in a new feature display by Australian Remembrance Army.

Locals who have served in all wars will also be highlighted along with as all things ANZAC. Light refreshments will be available and ANZAC-themed! Military and local history research assistance will be available, and much more.For youngsters and the young at heart, there will be an Anzacthemed treasure hunt.

Further information can be obtained from Bev on 0405 104 331 or email info@samfordmuseum.com.au

Join the Moreton Bay SES

To join the SES you must be 16 years of age and older. The unit and groups undertake weekend training activities two to three times a year to put new volunteers through these probationary courses. New members are encouraged to participate in regular core skill training activities during group evenings to build up their basic skills while they are going through their probationary period.

More information can be found atwww.moretonbay. qld.gov.au/Services/ Disaster-Management/SES

Cash rate moves in March: Could debt consolidation be worthwhile?

A property finance column from Scott Palazzi, your local Mortgage Broker

At the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) March board meeting, it opted to raise the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points. This takes the cash rate to 3.6%, 3.5 percentage points higher than this time last year.

As interest rates have increased over the last 10 months, many homeowners have been looking for ways to save costs. One way they may have considered is debt consolidation. This can be a beneficial decision for a number of reasons but it may not be right for everyone. We explore who this might be better suited to.

Why consider debt consolidation?

Debt consolidation is where you roll multiple debts, such as personal loans, car loans and credit cards, into one account. This can help simplify repayments as it will only be one rather than multiple. It could also potentially save you money if the consolidated debt is a lower interest rate than when the debts were separate.

There are a number of ways you could consider consolidating debt. These include combining into one personal loan or adding it to your home loan.

Key considerations before consolidating debt

Consolidating debt could be beneficial for many people, however there are a number of factors that need careful consideration before choosing to do so. The main questions to ask include:

• Are there any fees for paying any of the debts off early?

Are there any application, legal or valuation fees or changes to the stamp duty costs?

Are you comfortable with the security? For example, if rolling unsecured personal loans or credit cards into your home loan, your home is used as security. This means should anything happen you can no longer meet repayments, the lender is within its rights to sell your home to recoup costs.

Will the new debt have a longer loan term, which could mean paying more interest over time?

Can debt consolidation impact my credit score?

Credit scores can be impacted in the short term when lines of credit are applied for, particularly if multiple applications are made within a short period of time. However, if you consolidate debt and consistently make your repayments, it could potentially improve your score.

Why see a broker about consolidating debt?

As you can see, debt consolidation can be an effective way for some people to save money and make repayments simpler. However there are a number of considerations to ensure it is the right strategy for you.

We will get to know your situation and goals and crunch the numbers for you to determine whether debt consolidation could be the right choice for you. We also have access to over 60 lenders to find one that suits your needs and offers a competitive rate. Contact me, Scott Palazzi on 0413 747 283 for more information or an informal chat.

Dickson News

Happy Easter

I just wanted to take the time to wish you and your family a happy Easter. Easter is a time for hope and renewal and for families to come together and celebrate. Please enjoy your holidays and stay safe on the roads if you are travelling.

ANZAC Day Services

ANZAC Day is our chance to let our servicemen and women – past and present – know that their service and sacrifice is remembered, appreciated and honoured.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam war. Between 1962 and 1972 almost 60,000 Australians served in the conflict, and we pay our respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice as well as those veterans’ still with us, many of whom continue to bear the wounds seen and unseen.

We must never repeat the mistakes of our past by disrespecting and mistreating the men and women who proudly wear the uniform in defence of our flag, values and country.

The Biggest Survey

Thank you to everyone who completed my ‘Biggest Survey’ either by post or online. Your feedback will help me to better understand your needs, priorities and what’s important to you and our community.

Congratulations to Glen of Albany Creek for winning the $500 grocery gift card.

Dickson Seniors Expo – Save the Date

Planning is underway for the 2023 Dickson Seniors Expo to be held on Tuesday 22 August at the South Pine Sports Complex, South Pine Road, Brendale. If your organisation or business would like a stall at the expo, please contact my office for an Expression of Interest Form. Details below.

Tickets for the expo will be released closer to the date –entrance will be free again this year.

Community Marquee Hire

If your community organisation is looking at hosting an event, or attending an event, and are in need of a marquee, I have the following marquees available to hire for free:

• One (1) 6m x 3m

• Two (2) 3m x 3m

Please get in touch with my office to enquire about a booking – contact details are below.

Contact Me

For regular updates on what’s happening in Dickson, you can sign up to my eNewsletter at www.peterdutton.com.au, or head over and like my Facebook page.

If there is anything I can do to help or any local issues you’d like to raise, please send me an email at peter.dutton.mp@ aph.gov.au or call my office on 3205 9977.

The Serenata Singers is a community choir based in The Gap, Queensland which sings a variety of popular, traditional, spiritual and show tunes. PreCOVID, the choir performed regularly in aged-care facilities and for local community groups.

Great Results All Round

Good Result for a Great Cause

After two years of campaigning, the LNP has had a win in the battle against youth crime with parliament agreeing to our push for breach of bail to be an offence for young offenders. This is an acknowledgement from the Palaszczuk Government its decision to water down youth justice laws in 2015 has created a generation of repeat offenders. But more needs to be done to help keep Queenslanders safe. This is the first of many changes we are campaigning for. The current youth justice system is failing at both ends of the spectrum. Listening to Queenslanders we will continue to fight for:

• Removing the rule of detention as a last resort in sentencing and

• An independent audit of early intervention programs Removing detention as a last resort unshackles the judiciary and gives them discretion to send youth criminals to detention when warranted.

We must also get serious about early intervention services to help guide kids back onto the rails before it’s too late. Thank you for those that have written to me about this issue. I will continue to listen to constituents and work hard to make sure people feel safe in our community.

On 25th February I had the privilege to referee the Queensland Police Service Memorial Legends Rugby League game to honour the lives of Constables Matt Arnold and Rachel McCrow who tragically lost their lives serving our State. May they rest in peace.

More Great Results with Clean Up Australia Day

A big thank you to all those who stepped up to clean up and help us get rid of ugly rubbish around Teralba Park. We had a great turn-out with 35 enthusiastic volunteers who dug in and removed lots of unwanted garbage from our parkland and along the creek bed. One young lad even found an old lounge chair!

Distribution Method: Direct letterbox delivery around the North West suburbs of Brisbane. Copies also available for pick up from magazine stands, libraries, coffee shops and childcare centres in the local area