Qld Guides | Jimboomba - October 2021

WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 2023 ISSUE!

We consider ourselves here working at the Guides to be blessed in many ways.

As we work through each month searching for stories to share with you, it gives us opportunities to meet and learn about some amazing people around us. Not to mention the local organisations & businesses that help make these stories real.

Pete Hutton from MultiLink this month shares a story of a quiet achiever, Pushpa, who has been through a journey that is truly remarkable. Her story is so special, I am sure you will find it inspirational!

And The Logan’s Big Safe Day Out event is on this October hosted Logan City Council, which will help locals Get Ready to cope with severe weather events.

Gracing the front cover of this month’s Scenic Guide is The Emporium in Kalbar, a must-visit destination situated within the historic Wiss Emporium Building, a cherished heritage landmark in the Scenic Rim.

All in all, it is going to be a fantastic October for us all! Happy Reading.

QLD GUIDES TEAM : )

PLANNING CUSTOMER JOURNEYS: “WINNING HEARTS & ELEVATING EXPERIENCES"

Creating an exceptional customer journey is not just a strategy; it can be an entire business plan in itself. A customer journey encompasses the stages of building relationships, touchpoints, channels, metrics, responses, operational processes, and the critical consideration of customers' pain points, emotions, expectations, FAQs, and necessary improvements. Customer journeys are dynamic processes, getting your customers to map their experiences may differ from what you initially planned too.

Finding Your Tribe: Successful customer journeys begin with finding your tribe or should I say your tribe finding you. — the group of individuals who resonate with your brand and values.

Building relationships with them is a journey in itself. Understand their motivations, challenges, and aspirations. At each stage, their emotions can change. Cultivate a sense of community and belonging. Encourage interaction through forums, social media, and events. When customers feel a connection, they become loyal advocates.

Touchpoints, Channels, and Metrics: Every interaction between your business and customers is a touchpoint. They are “moments of truth” for you to check your journey and their map and improve. Whether it's a website visit, a phone call, or a social media message, each touchpoint should be seamless and aligned with your brand's messaging.

Key performance indicators Use metrics to monitor the effectiveness of these touchpoints. (KPIs) help you gauge the success of your customer journey strategy. Analyse data to refine your approach continually.

Workflows-Operational Processes: Behind the scenes, operational processes are vital to delivering consistent customer experiences. Document workflows, marketing material and forms and procedures to ensure that every team member understands their role in the customer journey.

Prioritise customer-centricity in these processes, making it easier for employees to meet customer needs promptly and effectively.

Planning customer journeys that win hearts and elevate experiences endeavour. It requires a look at all facets of your business from both the inside and out. That means sometimes you need that external point of view to see what is really happening rather than what you mean to happen.

Need a hand then don’t forget to give Helen a ring.

Helping you build your knowledge, confidence, performance and profitability with your Small Business Specialist.

STOCKLEIGH

The History of Stockleigh: A Journey Through Time

On the 1st of September in 1863, George Hawkins and Will Elworthy established their land in Stockleigh, naming the area after Elworthy's hometown in Devon. Mary Ann, George's wife, was also Will's sister. The Hawkins family introduced willow trees from St. Helena along the banks of the Logan River.

Mary Ann offered midwifery services to the local women, often embarking with her daughter on downstream journeys to Logan Village for

delivering babies. Additionally, George held church services and conducted funerals from his residence. Initially residing in a simple slab hut, the family upgraded to a substantial house named Sunnyside in 1885.

Among the Stockleigh residents were other notable individuals, including Fred Richardson, Richard Evans, T Flood, John Garsden, William Walsh, George Carter, William Norris, J Gibbons, Christopher Thompson, and Andrew

Banning. Catholic Priest Benedict Scortechini resided between Stockleigh and Logan Village.

In 1872, the residents of Chambers Flat initiated a school in John Garsden's home, which proved to be short-lived. In 1873, a provisional school was established in Stockleigh to serve families on both sides of the river. A new school building was erected in 1877, and in 1899, Mr. Leitzow constructed an additional school building.

Another family with ties to Stockleigh and Devon were the Traces. James and Sarah Trace originally settled in Coopers Plains but relocated to Stockleigh in 1878, shortly after the birth of their eighth child, Richard. Richard married Agnes Hayes, a Chambers Flat native, in 1901, and both families have remained in the area for generations.

Stockleigh continued to be a dairying hub well into the 20th century, with local farmers such as Hawkins, Carter, and Holloway investing

in shares at the Kingston Butter Factory. The Stockleigh school closed its doors in 1935, and the building was eventually sold off during the 1950s.

Formerly in the Shire of Beaudesert, Stockleigh became part of Logan City following the local government amalgamations in March 2008.As of the 2021 census, Stockleigh boasts a population of 1,152 residents residing in 371 private dwellings.

Photo: Feeding calves at Stoneleigh Station, Stockleigh ca. 1935 . Sourced from State Library of Queensland

GOURMET GIFT IDEAS

The gift of food will never not be a crowd pleaser. Whether you’re looking to impress the foodie in your life with your city’s best bites or you have a housewarming party to attend, it’s a choice that never disappoints.

Black Plum Infused Vinegar

Introducing Budburst Australia’s Black Plum and Golden Apricot infused vinegars. Budburst Australia is a farming family based in the beautiful high country of the Granite Belt Plateau of South East Queensland. Known for crafting exquisite golden apricot and black plum infused wine vinegars perfect for salad dressings, mixers for cocktails and refreshing cool soda drinks. $18 // Budburst Australia // www.budburstaustralia.com.au

Macadamia nuts

These Greenlee’s macadamia nuts are grown, processed, and packed on the farm in Canungra by the Lee family. They’re featured on the menus of leading Brisbane restaurants, and we know why. You can purchase these nuts through the Scenic Rim Farm Box, with limited quantities available each week. $8.50 - $22 // Greenlee Farm & Cottages // www.greenleefarm.com.au

FINGER LIMES MARMALADE

At Canungra Creek Finger Limes, they make range of marmalades and preserves from their certified organic fruit. Featured above is the Blood Lime Marmalade. An elegant flavour a bit more like traditional lime marmalade but with a more complex flavour. If you like Roses English lime marmalade this is the one to try. $12 // Canungra Creek Finger Limes // www. canungrafingerlimes.com.au

LIMONCELLO DELLA MONTAGNA

Following on from the success of Cauldron Distillery’s multi-award-winning Five to Five Gin range, the company presents its limited release, Limoncello Della Montagna. Limited to just 525 bottles! Made famous by the locals of the Sorrentine and Amalfi Coastline in Southern Italy, Cauldron Distillery makes it the way they do - using only the freshest local lemons, zested just before maceration in the purest of spirits and sweetened just enough to savour the fresh bitter lemon flavours. $74 // Cauldron Distillery // www. cauldrondistillery.com.au

Chilli Garlic Salt

Oaky Creek Farm’s Chilli Garlic Salt not only tastes amazing, but it’s also incredibly versatile. It can be used as a rub for meats, a topping for pizza, or a finishing touch for soups and stews. This all-natural salt is a must-have ingredient in any well-stocked kitchen. One of the best things about Oaky Creek Farm’s Chilli Garlic Salt is that it’s made with no additives or preservatives, using only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to ensure the best taste and quality every time. $12 // Oaky Creek Farm // www.oakycreekfarm.com.au

Camel Milk Marinated Cheese

This soft, smooth gold medal winning Persian Feta is made with fresh Camel Milk, from the Summer Land herd at Harrisville. This cheese is rich and creamy with delicate flavours and a clean finish. It’s a versatile addition to any cheese board, antipasto, salad, quiche or omelette. $19 // Summer Land Camel Farm // www.summerlandcamels.com.au

Bribie Island Getaways

Tucked away in the pristine Moreton Bay, just a short 2 hour drive from Logan City, lies Bribie Island, a well-kept secret that often escapes the radar of travellers seeking weekend getaways. Yet, it’s precisely this under-the-radar status that makes Bribie Island the perfect destination families, couples or for those in search of tranquillity. Let’s delve into what makes this hidden gem worth discovering.

A Coastal Paradise

Bribie Island, separated from the mainland by the stunning Pumicestone Passage, boasts a unique charm that often goes unnoticed. This slender barrier island stretches over 34 kilometres, offering a diverse range of landscapes, from white sandy beaches to lush subtropical rainforests, all set against the backdrop of the iconic Glass House Mountains. It’s a place where time slows down, and the hustle and bustle of city life are mere memories.

When you step foot on Bribie Island, you’ll soon realise that there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. Begin your journey with a leisurely stroll along one of many beautiful beaches; Bongaree and Bellara are both favoured spots for families.

Bribie Island Hire Hut

Pumicestone Passage is gorgeous to look at, and even better to be out on. Hire array of equipment, including kayaks, Hobie Pedalboards, Water Bikes or Stand-up Paddleboards to enjoy the scenery from the water. If you prefer to explore on land, they have Berg Go Karts, and DC Trikes 3-Wheeler Electric Scooters, ready for your island adventure.

G’Day Adventure Tours

Rated one of the best things to do in Bribie Island, G’Day Adventure Tours offers an array of thrilling activities for those seeking an unforgettable experience. Get up close with native wildlife, enjoy lagoon swimming

and kayaking, embark on exhilarating 4WD adventures along Ocean Beach, or partake in a 2 day – 1 night camping adventure.

First National Real Estate Bribie Island Holiday Accommodation

As the sun sets over Bribie Island, it’s time to rest your head in comfort. First National Real Estate Bribie Island offers a wide range of holiday accommodations, ensuring that your stay is tailored to your preferences. Choose from a variety of options, including holiday homes, units, apartments, and charming cottages. No matter your choice, your perfect holiday starts here at Bribie Island Holiday Accommodation.

Bribie Island Seaside Museum

For a truly unique experience, visit the Bribie Island Seaside Museum, where history and culture collide, shedding light on the island’s rich Aboriginal heritage and European settlement history. Marvel at the striking artwork and artefacts that tell the island’s story.

Bribie Island

4wd DAY tours & overnight cAMping Tours

Specialising in providing a fun, friendly and relaxing true blue Aussie experience worth remembering! Explore Bribie Island with your tour guide Jason who will brush up your knowledge of the 30km white sandy beach and National park! If you want your 4WD experience with a side of kayaking, G’day Adventure Tours has you covered. Book your tour today! Terms & Conditions apply.

Bribie Island 4WD, Kayak, Beach & Bunker Tour Only $119pp

Fun In The Sun Beach Hire Equipment!

EVENTS ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO BE DISASTER-READY

Two upcoming expos hosted by Logan City Council will help locals Get Ready to cope with severe weather events.

The Logan’s Big Safe Day Out events in October and November will show the community how to prepare for a natural disaster or other emergency.

Agencies including Council, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Police Service, and the State Emergency Service will attend the outdoor events.

Logan Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Chairperson, Mayor Darren Power, said everyone was responsible for their own safety if the worst happened.

“You don’t want to be making tough decisions under pressure,” Councillor Power said.

“It’s important to have an emergency plan that suits your family and property ahead of an incident such as a flood or bushfire.

If you need to evacuate, what would you take with you? If you stay at home, could you manage for a few days without power or other services?”

A well-stocked emergency kit could include battery-operated radios and torches, medication, water, food, important documents, special items for elderly or infant family members as well as pets, and money in case ATMs don’t work.

Cr Power said the perfect time to start thinking about being prepared was now.

“If you’re spring cleaning, you can add ‘thinking about how we’d survive a natural disaster’ to the list because it might mean the difference between life and death,” he said.

“It’s also important to ensure your property is well-maintained all year round to minimise the risk of damage.”

Logan Big Safe Day Out events are:

• Saturday, October 14, 10 am to 2 pm at Commercial Cct, Flagstone (off Branson St)

• Saturday, November 18, 10 am to 2 pm at Underwood Park, Underwood Rd, Priestdale (at the amphitheatre)

Find out about preparing for emergencies at Council’s Disaster Dashboard: disaster.logan. qld.gov.au

SEARCH WORD

Dive into the transportation themed word search challenge this month.

Car Bicycle

Motorcycle

Bus Train

Tram

Airplane Helicopter Boat Ferry

Cruise Ship

Scooter

Rickshaw

Cable Car

Gondola

Jet Ski

Segway

Monorail

Kayak

Canoe

E-scooter

horse

Tuk-Tuk

Submarine

Ebike

QUIZ THE

1

In which country is the Tanami Desert located?

a) Japan

b) Australia

c) Morocco

d) USA

Which of the following was considered one of the Seven Ancient Wonders?

a) The Pyramids of Giza

b) Great Wall of China

c) Colossus of Rhodes

d) The Taj Mahal

What year was the iPhone first released in?

a) 2007

b) 2005

c) 2008

d) 2010

Who said this famous quotes. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

a) Martin Luther King Jr.

b) Nelson Mandela

c) Mahatma Gandhi

d) Winston Churchill

Think you know it all? Put your knowledge to the test with this fun Quiz!

What color is an airplane’s famous black box?

a) orange

b) red

c) black

d) yellow

How many bones do sharks have in their body?

a) 78

b) 152

c) 43

d) zero

Answers: (b) Australia, (c) The Colossus of Rhodes, (a) 2007, (b) Nelson Mandela, (a) orange, (d) zero

QUIET ACHIEVER

By Pete Hutton, MultiLink Community Services Inc.

ne of the great elements of living in Logan is our high cultural diversity with over 230 different cultures in the region and almost a third of our residents born overseas. Along with this diversity comes an almost hidden or unspoken aspect of a person’s story. Caught-up in our day-to-day lives, we often don’t stop to think about the person who just served us in the shop, or cooked our meal, that they may actually have an amazing backstory prior to their life in Brisbane. Thankfully at MultiLink Community Service in Logan Central, we do get to hear some of these stories and this is just one of many we would like to share.

Imagine for a moment, being on a boat in the middle of the ocean with no land anywhere in sight. Now imagine that this boat is old and rickety and keeps

ACHIEVER

breaking down every day or two. You are looking at the deep blue sea surrounding the boat and you know you can’t swim. Now imagine there are 50 other people with you on the boat and this is the eighth day you have been without food or water….

This may sound like a bleak movie, but for Pushpa Sureshkumar, it was all very real and part of her journey to where she is today. Pushpa recently completed a 20week Certificate I Hospitality Traineeship with MultiLink and Axiom College as part of a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project funded by the Queensland Government. This Traineeship has been an excellent program for MultiLink for several years helping many Trainees learn new skills and gain employment

in the Hospitality industry. Pushpa is one such participant who was such a delight to have in the program and so humble of her amazing natural culinary skills. She is an absolute ‘wizard’ in the kitchen.

MultiLink’s Hospitality Facilitator Katrina Lazari, described Pushpa as a “natural born leader”. “Initially she was quite shy at the start, but overtime her confidence grew and she came out of her shell. Pushpa was using her initiative and is really creative in the kitchen. She was the hardest worker and someone I could always rely on. It is so good to see where she is now.”

She is an absolute ‘wizard’ in the kitchen

Like many of our culturally diverse residents, life wasn’t always so straight forward for Pushpa. Born in Sri Lanka and growing up in the NorthEastern port city of Trincomalee, Pushpa and her younger sister were raised by their mother after her Tamil father was kidnapped and never seen again when she was 5 years young. Sadly this beautiful little country had fallen into Civil War in 1983 and even when it finally came to an end in 2009, it was still not a safe place for the all-female household as even Pushpa’s Grandmother had been killed during the civil conflict.

These days Trincomalee is a picturesque beach city rated as “one of the best places to visit” in Sri Lanka for it’s snorkelling, whale watching, deer spotting and temples, but in 2013 Pushpa’s mother had decided they

needed to get out of the country for their own safety. Pushpa’s mother managed to secure a plane flight for herself and her 2 daughters and they flew into India where they spent a month as unbeknown to Pushpa, her mother was arranging passage on a boat to Australia.

After some anxious waiting and hoping they had not been tricked by a scam, the three of them boarded a boat with around 50 others and set-off into the unknown. The journey soon descended into chaos. “Every second day the boat broke-down. We were scared, in the middle of the ocean and I cannot swim.” After the fifth day, the boat ran out of food and water and descended into further gloom. Each day bringing the hope of a rescue, only to end in darkness and another long night of scattered sleep.

Finally after 13 days an Indonesian fishing vessel came across them and helped with some food and water before an Australian Patrol Boat arrived the following day. Everyone

Every second day the boat down. We were scared, in the middle of the ocean and I cannot swim.

on the boat was taken to Christmas Island and this was the first Pushpa learnt of their intended Australian destination. Although now safe and with food in their bellies, Pushpa said, “We felt relief, but still scared. There were many refugee boats and the authorities were very serious. Not friendly. We didn’t know what was going to happen.”

From here they were taken to a medical camp and then another camp where they spent the following seven months before being relocated to Brisbane. A house in Darra then became their new home, so Pushpa and her sister took themselves to do further schooling at a ‘flexible’ school in Milton and study more in Maths and English while gaining some cleaning work.

Pushpa then met her husband, married in 2017 and moved to Logan where she became a stay-at-home mum raising her two young children. One day at a local Primary School a staff member mentioned MultiLink’s Hospitality Traineeship as something to consider. Pushpa decided to give us a call and after being interviewed she joined the program. “I really enjoyed it. It was the first time in a commercial kitchen for me and I loved learning new things and meeting the elderly clients and making new friends.”

At the end of the Traineeship, Pushpa applied for a job with Kickin’ Inn (a cajun seafood restaurant) in Spring Hill and was interviewed

and selected on-the-spot. Pushpa’s bosses were surprised how quickly she learnt her required tasks and their cooking methods. This resulted in Pushpa being transferred closer to home to help establish and run the new Kickin’ Inn restaurant in Logan Central (near Coles) which opened a month ago.

“Everyone at work is so nice and friendly. I’ve been made a Kitchen Hand and doing a lot of work preparing the food and I take on a Leader role when our Kitchen Leader is not in. Life is good now. A few months ago I became a permanent resident and I can stay in Australia. I’m so happy.”

Our Employment team at MultiLink Community Service is so happy for Pushpa too. As mentioned earlier, she is one of MANY amazing stories of our clients who have escaped hardship, war zones, experienced tragedies and overcome barriers on the road to making a new life for themselves in our community. They are people that want the same things we all want, a steady job and security for themselves and their families.

Thanks to continued support from the Queensland Government, MultiLink will continue to run the ‘Logan Diverse Workforce Hub’ (helping migrants, refugees and international students in employment), along with training programs in such areas as Automotive, Cleaning, Individual Support, Hospitality, Warehousing and Early Childcare.

If your business can help offer employment to more beautiful people like Pushpa, or want to find out how to receive free training and then gain a job, make contact with MultiLink today. E: employment@multilink. org.au or Ph: 0413 153 898.

Life is good now. A few months ago I became a permanent resident, and I can stay in Australia. I’m so happy.

CITY'S ROADS GET MAJOR UPGRADES

Record spend to make city's roads safer

The prognosis is good as an arterial route which services Logan Hospital and the Meadowbrook health precinct undergoes major surgery.

The $77.7 million widening of Loganlea Rd is among a number of projects within a record $140 million roads and drainage spend by Logan City Council in the 2022/23 financial year.

Works across the city will prepare the network for serious growth, with the population set to almost double by 2041.

Many projects are ahead of schedule thanks to recent fine weather. With a relatively dry spring and summer forecast, that good headway should continue.

Loganlea Rd is being widened to six lanes from University Dr at Meadowbrook to the M1 at Slacks Creek.

Below the surface, extensive new drainage and almost 2km of electricity lines have been installed to improve safety, flood resilience and visual appeal.

Work will soon begin on widening the Ray Hodgson Bridge which spans Slacks Creek.

Council is spending $55.2 million on the Loganlea Rd upgrade. The project is receiving $22.5 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Infrastructure Investment Program.

Council’s 2022/23 roads delivery included:

• $58.3 million to resurface more than 290 streets

• $49.3 million on road upgrades to improve the network

• $5.6 million on the upgrade and enhancement of shared pedestrian paths and cycleways

• $4.3 million to upgrade bridges and stormwater drainage

The innovative resurfacing methods Council is employing at Mundoolun Rd, Jimboomba, will pay dividends.

‘Foamed bitumen’ – made by injecting water into hot bitumen so it vaporises and expands the mixture by up to 15 times its original volume – was used to ensure a harder, more durable pavement which is more resilient to heavy rain.

This method allows vehicles to travel on the road sooner, with shorter road closures from flooding and less disruption for motorists.

The road will have wider lanes and shoulders, and improved intersections for drivers entering from side streets.

Additional street lighting and line marking are still to come.

Mayor Darren Power thanked motorists for their patience while essential upgrades were being undertaken.

“This is important work to prepare our roads network. It will cut travel times and congestion and allow drivers to get home safely, Cr Power said.

“I’d like to thank the Australian Government for its contribution to Loganlea Road and Mundoolun Rd upgrades.”

Division 9 Councillor Scott Bannan welcomed the work at Mundoolun Rd.

“Council has done some cool work on this stretch of road to make it wider and safer,” Cr Bannan said.

“It’s one of my region’s busiest roads – 40,000 use it every week – so this is a terrific investment for our community.”

The Mundoolun Rd project is jointly funded by Council and the Australian Government’s 2022/23 Roads to Recovery Program.

FREE TREATMENT PROGRAM PUTS THE STING ON FIRE ANTS

Logan City Council is playing its part in the fight against fire ants in South East Queensland.

Free fire ant treatment kits are available for a limited time to allow City of Logan homeowners and renters to treat their yards.

The granular treatment can be used safely around people, pets, and wildlife.

Yards can be treated even if fire ants are not visible as they could be under the ground or on nearby properties.

Further information and kits can be obtained by registering at fireants.org.au/selftreat or calling 132 523.

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power urged residents to check their property and treat it for fire ants.

“Even if you don’t see them in your yard, proactively treating your home can prevent them from moving in,” Cr Power said.

“It is important we take all steps possible to stop the spread of this imported pest.

These free treatment kits will help you easily protect your family, pets, and community.”

Fire ants are copper-brown in color with a dark abdomen and measure between 2mm and 6mm in length. Fire ants inflict a painful, fiery sting.

Nests generally appear as mounds with no entry or exit holes.

For more information, visit logan.qld.gov.au/ fire-ants or fireants.org.au.