Moreton Bay Sentinel News 31 Aug 23

The Moreton Bay Bug

Your say is different

RECENTLY a focus group was held for people in Moreton Bay and the far northern suburbs of Brisbane - with intriguing results.

A focus group is when a polling organisation gathers 15 to 20 people truly representative of a community (by age, income, family situation, gender, etc) into a room with a facilitator who carefully draws out comments and concerns.

This focus group was designed to draw out the quick yes/no answers of a typical telephone poll to find out not whether people would vote for this policy, but why or why not. In this case, the agenda of what issues were important was largely left to the attendees, which in itself was interesting.

Here’s a summary of the major issues:

- Population.

All attendees were concerned about forecasts of huge population increases for southeast Queensland. There were a few ‘too many Indians, too many Chinese’ comments, but largely the concern was that this would make housing unaffordable. And there was little confidence that governments would provide facilities and infrastructure (especially trains, buses and roads as well as hospitals) to properly service the population increase. That led to a long list of faults with existing infrastructure problems that couldn’t cope with the current population, let alone increases. In other words, if governments want to cram in more people, first show us the actual new trains, buses, roads, sporting fields, hospitals FIRST.

- High rise is not the answer.

While some of the younger attendees were happy with unit living (especially if it were in inner Brisbane close to night clubs, etc not ‘Moronfield’) there was a strong view that Australian families deserved a house with a backyard and a shed or room to park a boat or caravan. Gardens and nature were important to many. There was a major objection to councils allowing high rises in existing suburbs where they would cause building noise and crowded streets.

- Who speaks up for residents.

One major side discussion from the population debate was ‘who speaks up for residents?’ Local council politicians were overwhelmingly described as ‘useless’. Concern was expressed that the new planning laws meant residents could not object to new residential or high rise developments, or had little say in how parks

and sporting facilities were developed.

- That Moreton Bay was a city was a major surprise to three quarters of the attendees.

This was not just a total fail of Council communication. Overwhelmingly the attendees could not see the point or any benefit for the Council being a City. That led to a large list of complaints about the Council (‘secret society’ and ‘corrupt’ loud and typical).

- The Olympics won no medals.

Not even a third wanted them in 2032 or any year. The multi-billions going to ‘inner city sports facilities for rich people’ was contrasted with broken promises for extra train lines and roads and long hospital queues. The hostility to ‘wasted dollars’ on the Olympics was severe. Some praised Dan Andrews for stopping Melbourne’s Commonwealth Games. Even those who supported the Olympics asked why a cheaper upgrade of existing facilities couldn’t be used. More than half would change their vote to a politician who promised to can the Olympics.

- Youth crime.

The majority wanted to ‘lock ‘em up’. Further discussion drew out concern for young people on drugs having children, lack of school and social worker support, lack of family and church support and a breakdown in ‘discipline’.

- Social media is drawing scepticism.

Fewer were active or others spent less time on social media. Most praised hyper local social media (what neighbour lost their cat, etc) but even the young ones said while they might spend a lot of time looking at a screen, ‘it’s entertainment’. As for government and corporates using social media to spread their message, there was unanimous scepticism of their messaging. There was real concern about ‘fake news’ on social media, but less than a fifth of attendees watched the evening TV news.

- China came up for most when asked to list their ‘major concerns’ after housing and living costs.

There wasn’t any specific threat felt, but just that it had ‘too much influence’.

There was obviously a deep desire in the community to discuss issues (this session planned for 90 minutes when well over two hours). And many of the issues came back to be tied to their local neighbourhoods or families.

The frustration is that at a local level, there isn’t a representation of their ‘real issues’.

One attendee said they went to a ‘stakeholder consultation’ about new suburbia ‘and the government and developer presented us with glossy brochures of what was happening - we weren’t there to be asked, just to be told to agree to the plan’. That got a rousing cheer from all attendees.

$1.5M upgrade for Burpengary environmental centre

A ONE-OF-A-KIND, nature-themed adventure playground is set for construction in Burpengary, helping children of all ages to get active while learning more about Moreton Bay’s incredible natural assets.

City of Moreton Bay has invested $1.5 million into upgrades of the recreation space at the beloved Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre (CREEC), situated on 18 hectares of greenspace along the Burpengary River.

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the works, due to start later this year, will expand the existing playground to delight visitors from far and wide.

“CREEC offers nature walk trails, a community nursery, native beehives, a ‘nocturnal room’, and a café, and supports environmental education and recreation activities for the community,” he said.

“When phase one is completed in early 2024, we’ll see custom play equipment and nature-based features come together to create a signature

park destination for the City of Moreton Bay.

“The new play space will attract visitors from across Moreton Bay and wider, improving our ever-growing tourism offering and bringing

additional trade to local businesses.

“Council sought feedback from centre users and staff in the planning and design process to ensure that the facility meets the needs and expectations of

the local community.

“The finished product will be yet another great, free, recreation space making outdoor fun more accessible, sustainability a focal point, and healthy and active lifestyle

choices easier.

“And this is just phase one. We have more big plans for this local treasure to be delivered over the next few years.”

This first stage of CREEC upgrades will include

installation of custom play equipment inspired by the natural environment and landscaping to suit. Further planned activities include:

• Upgrade s to the Environmental Education Centre and amenities;

• Construction of a new picnic hub with tables, seats and shelters;

• Construction of additional car parking;

• Enhancing trails to make them fully accessible.

Cr Tony Latter (Division 12) said Council was committed to preserving the region’s natural environment and to supporting those who did the same.

“Not only is the CREEC a great place for an affordable family day out, it’s helping Moreton Bay residents and visitors to care for our natural assets through education and awareness,” he said.

“Council is thrilled to bring new life to this local Burpengary favourite and, of course, we’ll ensure protection of our native wildlife and flora are top priority while we build.”

Get set to go green at Moreton Bay Eco Fest

CABOOLTURE Town Square will turn green this September when eco-advocates, sustainability-stalwarts and waste-warriors come together for the return of Eco Fest - the region’s first eco-conscious festival celebrating all things sustainable and green.

Following the successful launch in 2022, Moreton Bay Eco Fest returns in 2023 with a fabulous line-up of special guests, activities and entertainment.

Join ABC Gardening Australia’s host Hannah Moloney and the world’s grubbiest garden-lover dirtgirl, plus leading sustainability experts, community organisations, foodies, greenthumbs, conservationists and planet-lovers for a day of sharing eco-friendly lifestyle ideas that will leave you feeling inspired to make a greener change in your patch.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the festival, back by popular demand, is a celebration of the natural environment and a bold look at sustainability – all wrapped up in an affordable day out for the whole family.

“A healthy environment allows for a healthy, vibrant community and that supports happier people and a prosperous economy,” Cr Flannery said.

“Council is committed to Going Green As We Grow to protect our natural environments, which means focusing on sustainability, preserving our green spaces, avoiding waste in all that we do and reducing our carbon footprint.

“We all have a part to play in protecting the amazing natural assets that Moreton Bay has to offer and this festival will help make ecochampions of us all.”

Cr Adam Hain said presenters’ practical tips

would help festival-goers learn how to live more sustainably and become more aware of the impact of their actions at home and at work.

“Eco Fest will showcase just what is possible at the household and business level in sustainable practice and environmentally conscious decision making,” Cr Hain said.

“The festival will include eco-friendly activities and green-inspired entertainment with a jam-packed program and plenty of hands-on activities for people of all ages.

“See a variety of electric vehicles on display, take time to wander through the various market stalls and shop locally-made, eco-friendly items while connecting to organisations that are working towards a more sustainable future.

“We’re walking the talk and ensuring the festival itself is as low-impact on the environment as possible.

“For example, the on-site bin sorting system will ensure that recyclable material is recycled, and landfill is minimised, with organic waste from the festival going to a local worm farm, where it will be repurposed as compost and used as worm food.

“Caboolture Town Square is the perfect setting to bring Moreton Bay residents and visitors together to better our knowledge and connect as a community.”

Eco Fest is a FREE, family-friendly event promoting sustainability and eco-friendly living. Caboolture Town Square is a wheelchair and pram-friendly venue with accessible toilets and footpaths.

DATE: Saturday September 30.

TIME: 10am – 2pm.

VENUE: Caboolture Town Square, 4 Hasking

Street, Caboolture.

The Eco Fest 2023 program includes:

• Appearances and presentations by Ha nnah Moloney, ABC Gardening Australia.

• Performances and meet and greets with dirtgirl, dirtgirlworld

• Caboolture Library’s Garden Party featuring a robot obstacle course, free tomato planting, free fairy floss and apple spirals, story times, and a chill out zone

• Kids scavenger hunt (with winners going into the draw to win a family pass to White Ridge Farm).

• Wi ldlife HQ rangers and some scaly friends presenting animal facts and conservation tips.

• Useful items to help families save food, save money and save the planet.

• Pop-up treasure market.

• Free native plant from one of our friendly Council environmental officers.

Another new wheelie bin coming to a kerbside near you

THE Queensland Government will invest $151 million to help Queensland councils implement food organic and garden organic (FOGO) waste collection services.

The GROW FOGO Program will support Queensland councils to roll out more than 1 million lime-green lidded organics bins to

Moreton Bay

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support Queensland’s progress towards its 2030 waste targets.

The funding will also help to deliver kitchen caddies, to help households keep food organics (such as food scraps and leftovers) separate from general waste.

The GROW FOGO program supports the implementation of the SEQ Waste Management Plan - a collaboration between the State Government and Council of Mayors (SEQ) - as well as the outcomes of the Queensland Organics Strategy and Action Plan.

The Council of Mayors (SEQ) SEQ Waste Management Plan identifies that up to 50% of general kerbside waste collected is organic waste. Organic waste is one of the biggest drivers of greenhouse gas emissions from landfill but can be converted into re-usable products like mulch or compost.

Recent state-wide data indicates that of the 2 million plus Queensland households that have a general kerbside waste service, 92 per cent have a recycling bin, while just 17 per cent currently have an organics bin.

Enabling organics collection is a vital step in propelling Queensland towards state and national resource recovery targets and will substantially reduce waste going to landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs.

Gold Coast City Council, Ipswich City Council and Brisbane City Council are expected to be the first Councils to benefit from the GROW FOGO Program.

Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, said we know that Queenslanders are keen to do more to reduce, reuse and recycle waste and the next important step is the introduction of food organics and garden organics to our resource recovery mix.

“Currently, most garden and food waste ends up in landfill, where it emits methane gas and leaves significant organic resources wasted.

“Organic resources can be processed into high value compost, mulch, and soil products that can be used for a range of things, like tree planting, soil improvement, and revegetation projects.

“This means that important nutrients and resources in food scraps will be reused and put back into the environment as compost, keeping it out of landfill and putting food waste to good use.

“The State Government’s 10-year Queensland Organics Strategy and action plan sets out how we will reduce the generation of organic waste and improve the management of this valuable resource where it has been generated.

“Our targets are to halve the amount of food waste generated by 2030, divert 80 percent of organic material from landfill and achieve a minimum organics recycling rate of 70 percent.

“The CoMSEQ SEQ Waste Management Plan demonstrates what can be achieved through strong regional collaboration, and the GROW FOGO program will support the rollout of new services for more than 3.25 million people in communities stretching from Gold Coast to Noosa.”

Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair and Brisbane Lord Mayor, Cr Adrian Schrinner, said South East Queensland is the most liveable region in Australia and our waste management plan is all about ensuring it stays that way by doing all we can to reduce our impact on future generations.

“Since the launch of the CoMSEQ SEQ Waste Management Plan, we’ve been working collaboratively to implement long-term solutions for our region’s waste.

“Communities across the region including Brisbane, Ipswich and Lockyer Valley have already shown strong interest in trialling food organic recycling. With the support of the Queensland Government, we will see even more households transitioning to new green-top bins in the coming years.

“This partnership can help drive one of the most significant changes to household waste in a generation, and at the same time, deliver significant regional benefit for communities across the South-East.”

Fast facts:

GROW FOGO SEQ is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $1.1 billion, 10-year Recycling and Jobs Fund, and will deliver:

• More than 1 million new lime-green top organics collection bins made with recycled plastic.

• Dedicated household kitchen caddies, made with recycled plastic, to help collect food waste.

• Support to councils to deliver public education and communications activities to all households receiving additional waste collection services.

• The support of bin harmonisation activities to standardise bin lid colours using recycled plastic to align with Australian Standards.

• And support to the implementation of the SEQ Waste Management Plan, a collaboration between the Council of Mayors (SEQ) and Queensland Government. The plan aims to divert more than 1 million tonnes of waste from landfill each year by 2030, boosting environment outcomes and creating thousands of local jobs. Led by Council of Mayors (SEQ), the plan is a collaboration with all 12 SEQ councils.

SEQ councils will need to demonstrate planning, financial and operational commitment to implementing organic kerbside collection for funding to be delivered.

Planning to roll the program out in regional Queensland is underway.

Tullawong dance students relish Sydney tour

SIXTY-SEVEN dance extension students from Tullawong State High School (SHS) savoured the chance to visit the Opera House and participate in numerous dance-related workshops and activities during a recent Sydney dance tour.

The four-day tour provided opportunities for the dance extension students from the Caboolture-based school to engage with real world industry level dance experiences, and to expand their own skills.

Offered exclusively to Tullawong SHS students, these interstate dance tours have been scheduled every two years – alternating between Sydney and Melbourne –although this year’s tour was the first for a few years due to covid.

The students were accompanied by four staff: deputy principal Joshe Newton, head of arts department Zoe Wells, and dance extension teachers Natasha King and Monique Kennedy.

Ms Wells said the main purposes of the tour were team bonding and to build the confidence of the students, to challenge their technical and expressive skills, and to develop industry links and networks for future pathways.

Ms Wells said the students were exceptionally well behaved throughout the tour and had a wonderful time, and that they stayed in group accomodation in the centre of the NSW capital.

“The tour developed as an

extra opportunity for students in the dance extension program to build up their technical and expressive skills in a range of dance styles from Lyrical to Hip Hop,” Ms Wells said.

“It allows students to engage with the dance industry, work with professional dancers and choreographers and realise their potential in the dance space.”

Ms Wells said the students were able to network with industry professionals, and to learn from some of Australia’s leading dancers and choreographers.

“One of our students has been approached by some of the full-time dance colleges to study full-time with them next year, which demonstrates the opportunities that can come from tours like this,” she said.

“Students have come back from the tour more dedicated and passionate to their dance studies and inspired to make dance and the creative arts their future pathway.”

Ms Wells said tour highlights included dance workshops at Sydney Dance Company, ED5, and Ev and Bow, while other highlights were the Opera House Backstage Tour, observations of full-time dance students at Brent Street studios, and viewing a professional live production of Beauty and the Beast.

Upon arrival, the Tullawong SHS group hopped onto a sight-seeing double decker bus tour of the city, giving the chance to appreciate all of its

beauty and iconic landmarks including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach.

Day two began with the dance workshops at ED5; a tertiary full-time dance college. The Tullawong SHS group was welcomed by college owner and renowned choreographer William Forsyth, who has worked with identities such as Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman and Samantha Jade.

Mr Forsyth conveyed his wisdom and knowledge of the dance industry, before the students took part in a Hip Hop workshop and a musical theatre workshop.

Afterwards, the students climbed more than 200 steps to reach the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and enjoy the view.

The students had a buffet dinner on a Sydney Harbour Cruise, while enjoying the sights and lights of the city at night.

On day three, there were morning workshops at Sydney Dance Company where a couple of industry professionals took the Tullawong SHS group through a lyrical and traditional Broadway jazz class.

The group then headed to the Brent Street studios – a full-time tertiary dance college – and viewed classes in the genres of ballet, musical theatre and jazz.

The group also watched leading choreographer Cassie Bartho rehearsing her new

dance work ‘Unholy’ for the upcoming Australian Dance Festival.

In the evening, the students viewed the musical Beauty and the Beast at the Capitol Theatre, and were captivated by the magical storyline, elaborate sets and costumes, and entertaining song and dance numbers.

The Tullawong SHS group began the final day with a guided tour of the Opera House where the tourists went inside and backstage, and learned about the historical significance of the landmark

and the contribution it has had on Australia’s cultural identity.

Students then explored Circular Quay, and admired the full beauty of the harbour.

The group then travelled to Ev and Bow; a full-time dance college owned by Australian dance icon Sarah Boulter who has worked with Celine Dion and has choreographed for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.

Students learned a commercial jazz routine by Pete Evans and a contemporary

dance routine by Ms Boulter. Students built on their skills including how to improvise, use their weight to enhance their movement qualities, and letting go of their inhibitions to perform.

The Tullawong SHS group returned to Brisbane, no doubt with plenty of stories to share.

Anyone interested in auditioning for Tullawong SHS’s dance extension program for 2024 is asked to contact Ms Wells at zwell10@eq.edu.au for more information.

Tullawong State High School duo Dontay (Year 12) and Emtayia (Year 11) show off their flexibility in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Sydney dance tour

Tullawong State High School students at Sydney Dance Company after their Lyrical Class.

Six-month milestone for Bribie Island after-hours GP pilot

A PILOT program codesigned by Brisbane North Primary Health Network offering after-hours primary care services to residents of Bribie Island has surpassed its six-month milestone.

Bribie Doctors Banksia Beach was selected to commence the clinic last October after a need was identified to extend access to GPs after-hours in the region where over 40 per cent of the population is over the age of

65.

The clinic operates Monday to Wednesday, 6pm to 9pm, offering bulk billed access to primary care for people who present with acute illnesses, minor accidents or urgent medical concerns.

Bulk-billed appointments for children under the age of 16 and pension, healthcare and DVA gold card holders can also be booked in advance.

Unlike other after-hours care providers in the region, anyone

from the wider community – not just existing practice patients – can access the service.

“There is a high demand for doctors on the island, even during the day. The added benefit of the scope of our clinic is that we can provide out-of-hours appointments for patients who might not have been able to get in to see their own GP at any other time,” Bribie Doctors Banksia Beach Practice Manager, Rebecca

Langfeldt, said.

The clinic has already seen 280 patients in the first quarter of 2023, and is averaging six presentations per evening.

Typical presentations at the clinic since its establishment include respiratory illness, minor burns and cuts requiring sutures, and children who become unwell during the evening – right through to more acute cases of chest pain.

Over the course of the pilot, Bribie Doctors Banksia Beach

have been able to broaden the scope of care they can provide during the after-hours period to bring it in line with services available in-practice during the day.

This includes: adapting and expanding the capacity of their treatment room, increasing their provision of emergency medicines and antibiotics (usually only available in pharmacies), increasing the ability of practice nurses to effectively triage patients, and engaging clinic staff in further training and education.

These interventions have allowed the clinic to successfully treat patients who may have ordinarily had to present to nearby hospital emergency departments (EDs).

On two occasions where patients still needed to be triaged to hospital (less than one per cent of Banksia Beach clinic’s total presentations across the pilot period),

clinicians were able to begin treatment, make direct contact with specialists and prevent those patients from a lengthy wait in the ED.

Bribie Doctors have been able to offer an invaluable community service in the interim period while the Caboolture Satellite Hospital, encompassing a Minor Accident and Injuries Clinic, is built and established.

The Satellite Hospital is scheduled to open this month, with the Bribie Island afterhours pilot funded until the end of this year.

“Dr Vaid (Bribie Doctors’ primary General Practitioner) is very committed to this community,” Ms Langfeldt said.

“It’s been meaningful for all of the doctors to be able to fill that gap, and to be able to offer residents a service that has been in high demand, and much needed, for a long time.”

Under My Skin

Drowning in a conspiracy theory ocean

I LOVE good conspiracy theories and they are flying around 1 William Street like crows around road kill at present with Premier Annastacia being front and centre in most of them.

The political rumour mill can provide great entertainment and it never stops grinding away in the Sunshine State, adding a bit of spice to what could otherwise be a mundane existence for us sad souls who take more than a passing interest in politics. Here’s a few of the current ones.

Some sections of the media seem surprised that Transport Minister Mark Bailey hasn’t been sacked. One theory says two words give the answer — Gary Bullock.

They believe the union heavyweight has told Palaszczuk to back off and leave Bailey alone.

This one suggest Bailey has the metaphoric photos or, to be more accurate, the emails. “I’ll show everyone the photos” is an old blackmail ploy and a more sophisticated version of it is claimed to be a possible threat between some players.

was sprung using his private Mangocube email account to discuss parliamentary business

with everyone including union heavies and other Ministers?

The Premier was caught up with that scandal.

So now the cold conspiracy winds are swirling with theories that Bailey has emails to and from the Premier, on private accounts, not released at date and not advantageous to the Premier.

That theory, to me, is a bit far-fetched but I like it just the same. When you think against-the-rules private email accounts were used by Cabinet luminaries such as Miles, D’Ath, de Brennie, Fentiman and Pitt to communicate with Bailey, it really is grist to the rumour mill.

And here’s another conspiracy theory on a different subject. Premier Palaszczuk will be going to the Paris Olympics in July next year, not in the role of Premier but as a “permanent” member of her

amateurish handling of the youth crime and juvenile justice issues, left most political pundits gasping for breath.

What adds a little fuel to the Premier-stepping-down fire is that Palaszczuk has already said she will be going to the Paris Olympics “probably only for a week”.

I suppose Queensland can do without the Premier for a week but it will be just three months before the election which could be, on present indications, a pretty tight contest.

Living the high life at the Olympics, rubbing shoulders with the so-called elite, and grandstanding about the 2032 Palaszczuk Olympics, won’t be a good look for a Premier seeking re-election and labouring under a poor reputation for a love of the red carpet.

and either ignores any similar question or simply walks away. Incredible.

Lost its Voice

ALBO’S government is really presiding over one of the most idiotic periods in Australia’s political history. Think that’s an exaggeration? Consider this.

On August 24 I received in my letter box “Your official referendum booklet” with the first statement on the cover being “Voting is compulsory”. You probably got one too.

The booklet informed me to “Plan ahead to vote in the referendum. Polling places will be open at 8am and close at 6pm sharp”.

I immediately started to plan ahead. I checked my calendar to make sure I kept the date free.

The booklet posed the question “Where can I vote?” and answered with “To find your nearest polling place visit aec. gov.au/where”.

I went to the website and was told “Polling places are usually located at local schools, churches and community halls, or public buildings”.

So I made detailed plans to vote at 10.33am on an unknown date, possibly this year, at an unknown place, probably at a local school, church hall, community hall, or public building.

(The statement “Polling places are usually located …..” left me wondering where polling place are unusually located).

The booklet was able to tell me hand sanitiser will be available so that was both a load off my mind and helped

By SKINHEAD

brilliantly but a statue for finishing 4th?

Does anyone know how much vodka you should add to mashed potatoes? Just asking for a friend.

I called a plumber recently to fix a slight leak (pun intended) in a toilet cistern. The cost of the faulty “washer seating” was $6.88. The total bill, including GST, was $529.42. Obviously there were other problems but I can say it was the most expensive leak I’ve ever had.

Our national broadcaster, Their ABC, is spending more than $8 million a year advertising its “brands and content”. With its TV and radio audiences falling faster than a lead Zeppelin, makes you wonder why we keep pouring billions of dollars into such a biased “loser”.

“The Queensland Police Services’ Executive Leadership Team is acutely aware of these pressures and has met on multiple occasions to analyse the results and see where the organisation could make improvements as a direct response to feedback from members”. — QPS spokesman. (Straight from the Monty Python script: “This calls for immediate

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Local real estate principal to address Asia Pacific peers

BURPENGARY real estate

principal Kathy Sweeney heads to Thailand next month with the challenging task of explaining the value in having property management as part of a real estate business to a room full of broker owners unfamiliar with the concept.

Owner of the award winning RE/MAX Living business, with offices in Burpengary and Woodford, Kathy is a recognised market leader in property management and sales services, a sought-after industry contributor and commentator, and member of the global RE/ MAX Hall of Fame.

RE/MAX Australia

Managing Director, Joel Davoren, said RE/MAX Living has achieved consistent organic and strategic business growth over the past three years.

“Kathy is an emergent business leader in our network and is already a prestigious ‘Titan Club’ property management service provider.”

Cheryl Luster, Director of Global Development, RE/ MAX LLC, approached Kathy when the global company and one of the leading real estate franchisors worldwide was putting the program together for the 2023 RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention.

Kathy said, “When I took

Cheryl through the history of my property management business and what it has generated for and contributed to my overall business over the past five years, she was amazed and hadn’t realised the potential.

“There’s not a lot of property management outside of Australia and New Zealand, not in the sense that we know it anyway, and she believed broker owners attending the Convention would benefit from hearing from me.”

Nineteen regions currently make up the RE/MAX Asia Pacific network. They are Australia, New Zealand, China, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Palau, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

Kathy said planning her presentation caused her to put herself in another’s shoes.

“It’s a tricky subject, talking property management to real estate business owners when I’m potentially explaining something that they may know very little about.

“I’m coming from the starting point of where I am physically – Burpengary and Woodford – and I’ll talk about my business over the past five

years through real facts and figures.

“I think what will surprise – and get their attention – is that the property management business actually generates

sales for my agents, and this might be a real incentive to look at incorporating property management into their businesses.

“They are probably already

aware that a rent roll can be an asset when they sell their business, but I won’t take that for granted. They will hear the value of property management in generating a reliable income stream that is relatively insulated from market cycles.

“Property management is a driver of both profitability and stability in a real estate business but I’m showing them that it can be much more than that.

“I hope their take-away from my session is that property management is linked to sales, if they want to control the sales market, they should aim to control the rental market.

“In any market where property investors play a large role, there is a close relationship between property management and sales volumes, and we are serving the same client through both parts of the business.”

Kathy will share her lean toward a portfolio-based property management operation over a task-based one.

“I run a portfolio-based property management department, at around 120 managements per property manager, because I believe a portfolio-base breeds better personal relationships and better accountability.

“In my business, there is a high focus on client experiences,

where I call myself ‘heavyhanded’ meaning I’m heavily personally involved.”

Kathy says maintaining the personal relationship is so critical that she is currently in the process of phoning every property owner associated with RE/MAX Living’s 700 managements.

One element Kathy has sured up is what to do about broker owners who want to know more.

“I’ll be referring them to my own business coach, Kylie Walsh, who specialises in customer experiences that drive business efficiencies, profit and culture and assisting real estate business owners to create market share growth and increase revenue.”

Kathy had always intended to go to the Asia Pacific Convention this year, the first to be held post-COVID. Previous events have been hosted by Singapore, Thailand, Australia, South Korea and India.

“Now I’m both excited about being there and presenting as part of an amazing program of speakers, and I’m very proud too,” Kathy said.

More than 250 are expected to attend the convention from September 10 to 12 at the Marriott Marquis in Bangkok, Thailand.

Kathy Sweeney, owner of RE/MAX Living, set to address Asia Pacific Peers in Thailand next month.

THIS outstanding 12 acre semi-rural lifestyle property in Wamuran is truly a rare find and presents a significant offering for those looking for an easy-to-run working farm along with an income opportunity.

This property offers unlimited opportunity with plenty of room and access for trucks, tractors, caravans, boats, 4 x 4’s and trailers, plus loads of extra space for the kids to ride their dirt bikes, to have horses and animals.

The established farm consists of approximately 2 acres of choko vines and 2 acres of passionfruit vines both on overhead trellising, plenty of water supply equipped with 2 dams complete with pumps and irrigation system that run throughout the property plus 5 large rainwater tanks for all your water needs.

Incredible shedding with large 20m x 12m lock-up workshop/storage shed, 20m x 20m machinery shelter and

a separate packing/processing shed.

There is also a well-tended orchard with a wide variety of different tropical fruit trees, vegetable gardens plus a beautiful established rose garden to admire.

Oozing character and charm the property offers a beautiful 4-bedroom modern country home plus original 2-bedroom farmhouse, placed high and dry to capitalise on the everyday breezes and spectacular rural views of Glass House Mountains.

Fantastic 12 acre lifestyle property + 2 homes + income producing farm living

Geared for family living, the main home features a large, tiled open plan living area with air-conditioning, combined kitchen and dining area, stunning modern kitchen with lovely cabinetry, plenty of cupboard space and good quality cooking appliances and dishwasher, separate spacious lounge/TV room, main bedroom with ensuite plus walk-in-robe storage. This home is further

enhanced with a huge alfresco area surrounded by beautiful gardens great for BBQ’s and parties or just relax and take in the serenity!

So, escape to the space and fresh air of country living and inspect this life changing property today! There is great value everywhere you look here... Loads more features... you won’t be disappointed. Call Terry on 0409 147 721 for your inspection... he’s available 7 days.

Environmental Land Buyback Scheme hits 100ha milestone

MORETON Bay’s Land Buyback for Environmental Purposes Program has officially ticked over the 100-hectare mark, just three years after its launch.

“We promised our community that we would ‘go green as we grow’ in the face of booming population growth, which is why we’re buying strategic properties to ensure habitat is retained for our local wildlife”, Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“This 5.44ha property in Everton Hills is part of a known fauna movement corridor, so it was the perfect acquisition to enhance the network of properties we’ve already protected from development.

“We will need to rehabilitate a small area and implement weed

control over the property to properly restore the area, which is an invaluable investment for our wildlife and biodiversity.

“This program and purchase is a small part of our impressive ambition to protect 75% of Moreton Bay from urban development by retaining our productive rural areas, important greenspace and of course habitat areas for wildlife.

“Our target is to limit Moreton Bay’s urban footprint to just 25% of our total land area, this will make us the green belt between the sprawl of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast and effectively turn us into the lungs of South East Queensland.

“As Australia’s newest city it’s incumbent on us to start thinking and planning

differently, because we don’t want to be like anyone else, we can learn from the mistakes of other cities to set a new standard of what modern sustainability and design looks like.

“My dream is to see our Environmental Land Buyback program expand to the point that it creates green ‘wildlife corridors’ running east-west and north-south, so that wildlife can move around more freely, without encountering the cars and dogs that take their lives.”

Cr Matt Constance (Div 10) said The Hills District is already renowned for its leafy suburban lifestyle, and locals could look forward to seeing more wildlife as Council revegetates the land it buys back.

“This 5.44ha property

WEASEY’S PROPERTY REPORT

VOLUNTARY Conservation

Agreements - Understanding their impact on property values.

In the vast and diverse landscapes of Queensland, a growing number of property owners are choosing to embrace the beauty of nature while also safeguarding it for future generations.

In essence, a Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) is the highest level of legal protection of the environmental values on your property. This is achieved by a covenant placed on the title of land in perpetuity. Landowners can receive a grant, annual rate rebates and other incentives such as

ongoing land management support and access to technical advice. Tax concessions can also apply in some instances.

The land remains under your ownership and control and a VCA does not grant any public right of access to your land. It is registered under the Queensland Land Title Act 1994 and binding on any future owners or any parties that gain an interest in any part of the property after the agreement is entered into.

As a fourth Generation local and long-term real estate agent, I have witnessed varied impacts of these agreements on property values.

Property owners who enter into conservation agreements

are often celebrated as environmental stewards who are contributing to the protection of biodiversity and ecological balance.

Conservation agreements preserve a variety of scenic landscapes, lush forests, or pristine water bodies, which become irresistible features for eco-conscious buyers seeking a connection with nature. These preserved elements can significantly increase the property’s desirability to buyers who prioritise sustainability and environmental matters, which in turn, increases the property value.

On the other hand, conservation agreements may

on Collins Road is situated within the Cabbage Tree Creek ecological corridor and connects Cabbage Tree Creek Reserve with Bunyaville Conservation Park,” Cr Constance said.

“The property creates a continuous network of conservation parks and reserves from Samford Conservation Park, east into Bunyaville Conservation Park”.

“The corridor facilitates movement and dispersal of koalas and other priority species towards core habitat in the Arana Hills, Samford and Bunya areas.

“Adding further value to this acquisition, the property fronts an existing green infrastructure investment in the form of wildlife crossing and exclusion infrastructure, situated on Collins

Road. “So really, this is a win-win for everyone, since we know

Insights into the local housing market

with Chris Wease, Senior Sales Agent at Remax Living,

restrict certain land uses, such as clearing for development or agriculture. For buyers seeking maximum flexibility and control over their land, these limitations could deter them from considering such properties. Occasionally, buyers who are unfamiliar with the benefits and implications of a VCA perceive the agreement as a burden or potential liability. Proper education and transparent communication is essential to address these concerns.

Determining the property’s market value under a conservation agreement can be slightly more complex and the reduction of development potential or certain land uses

Woodford.

may affect the property’s appraised value in some instances.

As a tour guide in the Kakadu and Kimberley regions of Australia in the past, I have a deep love and appreciation for the wonders of our natural world, and I respect property owners who understand the significance of voluntary conservation agreements in preserving Queensland’s natural treasures. It is clear that VCA’s have the potential to positively impact property values through enhanced desirability and financial incentives, but it is important that certain challenges be addressed to market such properties successfully.

locals are most concerned about protecting their environment and lifestyle as our city grows.”

living

As more landowners opt for sustainable stewardship, it is essential to navigate the complexities carefully, to ensure that the legacy of preservation enriches both the environment and the real estate market.

WOODFORD Community Bandit

Playitt

FIRST and foremost may I take the liberty, on behalf of the Playitt assembly, of expressing condolences to the family of the late Claude Bleakley, who departed this world recently.

Claude was a 99 years young, a loyal Playitt patron when his health allowed, and he and his daughters rarely missed a Thursday evening with us.

Travel safe, old chum.

And here we are creeping up on Spring when it seems like only yesterday we were welcoming Autumn!

“As the day lengthens the cold strengthens” is an old adage; let’s see!

Only three band members offered solo items in the opening bracket, with Bill joined by Elaine for a Waylon Jennings tune, “I Ain’t Living Long Like This”, Mike with Smokie’s “Living Next Door to Alice” and Norm with his own great trucking composition, “Miles and Miles of Tarmac”.

This band doesn’t get enough accolades!

Apart from being superb musicians, they spend all three hours of every Playitt on stage, mostly only to get to perform one solo item each per session, and can provide excellent backing for just about any genre of music that our guest artists present to them, often “off the grass”, sight unseen and sound unheard!

To the aforementioned Bill,

on lead guitar, Norm on rhythm guitar and Mike on drums, add Alan who can play any damn thing, Peter and Kev alternating on bass guitar, Chas, sharing keyboard with Al, and Roger with the magic sax and it is a one in a million outfit.

Regulars Fay, Richard, Don, Jo and Catherine were all starters with such material as The Bee Gees’ “Words”, The Beatles “Something” to highlight just a couple, along with Sue K. and visitor Chris.

We also had Jenny and Leanne, The Salmonz, Monty, Kiwi, Davinia, Elaine and The Plumbdogs adding favourites “Spanish Harlem”, “Satisfaction” and “Tell Him”.

Theme for next week the 31st of August is sport.

Let your imagination run riot… someone even suggested budgie smugglers… but cricket

THE new line up for “Phat Chance” graced the Bandit stage sporting new drummer John Morris and his brother Mark on keyboards who were joined by Stephen Ewart on trumpet with regular band member saxophonist Brian Edwards.

A whole new line-up of songs enhanced with guest singer Sue Jones for the final set was delivered for dancers and armchair musicians alike.

Michael Angeles, who knows nearly every song that has ever been written, is the singer and frontman for the band keeping the crowd entertained and informed with his cryptic clues on what song is coming next.

Bandit Live, Woodford Bowls Club, Tuesday commencing 6.30pm. Community music by the community for the community.

whites would be better, or a jockey’s silks, even come as a football, tennis racquet, skis, a shuttlecock, boxing glove… the ball’s in your court, ha, ha.

Thank you linesmen, thank you ball boys. See you next week.

Mic Phat Chance.

Songbird Elaine.

Toni, Barry, Narelle, Stuart.

Food and art and music festival returns to Wamuran

THIS year’s Wamuran F.A.M (Food Art Music) Festival is set for September 23, after the festival generated plenty of interest when it debuted last year.

Once again the festival will

contain food, art and music at the Wamuran Sports Complex while celebrating producers, makers and artists from the Wamuran and surrounding area.

The event is free to enter,

and attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic basket as fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, jam, honey, freeze dried munchies and other offerings are available at the vendors.

The festival will also feature a range of talented local artists and their product range from a variety of different mediums including painting, sculpture, jewellery and textiles.

There will be a chance to meet the artists and learn about their craft, as well as take home a piece of art.

To round out the day, a lineup of local musicians including headliners Soulergy will take to the stage.

With the event starting at 9am and finishing at about 2pm, food trucks will serve a range of food throughout the day.

Wamuran F.A.M Festival is part of the Tastes of Moreton Bay Feastival, which is a five-week program delivering unique dining experiences and events showcasing local produce, partnered with the region’s premier hospitality and catering businesses, producers and chefs.

About 2000 people flocked to the inaugural event last year, with Moreton Mayor Peter Flannery saying the crowds surpassed the expectations of organisers after the food vendors sold out well before the end of proceedings.

Cr Flannery said at the time that he was confident the event would grow in popularity.

The Wamuran F.A.M (Food Art Music) Festival will return to the Wamuran Sports Complex on September 23, after the event was strongly supported when it first appeared a year earlier.

Cattle markets

WOODFORD

207 HEAD were yarded at Stariha Auctions Woodford

cattle sale on Monday. All buyers were in operation with the market remaining unchanged.

Channel Country Agricultural Company, Kilcoy, sold young Santa and Droughtmaster weaner steers for $800, $690 and $680.

STS Trust, Ocean View, sold a Charolais bull for $1,800. Sommer Brothers, Maleny,

sold Angus cross cows for $1,360 and $910.

Keith and Regina Schultz, Elimbah, sold Droughtmaster steers for $710.

Graham Schroeder, Caboolture, sold Angus vealer heifers for $520.

TOOGOOLAWAH STORE SALE

Jessica Schneider, Sheep Station Creek, sold Charolais cross calves for $345.

Rogers Egg Supplies, Toogoolawah, sold Angus steers for $1,100.

MORETON

AGENTS Boyd, O’Brien and Bartholomew reported a yarding of 412 head at their weekly live weight cattle sale at Moreton on Tuesday.

A reduced yarding came to hand with all classes showing a decline in numbers. Export cattle sold to a firm market with all processors in attendance. A small yarding of quality trade came to hand and sold to a competitive panel of buyers. Weaner steers and heifers sold to a slightly easier market as dry weather continues to affect buyer confidence.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

PLEASE USE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND WEBSITE FOR UP-TO-DATE DETAILS WWW.SHEPBOYD.COM.AU

BOOKINGS STILL OPEN

Pens of weaner steers: Mark Werner (Charbray X) 275.2c $734.

Pens of weaner heifers: RB Toft (Droughtmaster X) 201.2c $626.

Backgrounder steers: F. O’Shea (Charolais X) 299.2c $1,084.

Feeder steers: Emervale (Charbray) 301.2c $1,512.

4 tooth pasture ox: Emervale (Charbray) 260.2c $1,476.

8 tooth ox: Sam Turner (Droughtmaster) 240c $1,608. 0/2 tooth pasture heifers: BM Neumann (Droughtmaster) 250.2c $1,163.

Medium cows: Allig P/L (Santa X) 217.2c $1,229.

Heavy cows: KDS (Droughtmaster) 224.2c

$1,479.

Heavy cows: Toogoolawah High School (Droughtmaster) 220.2c $1,601.

Bul ls: P Stark (Angus) 249.2c $2,467.

EUMUNDI

375 HEAD were yarded at Stariha Auctions Eumundi cattle sale on August 22. There was competition for all descriptions of cattle, resulting in the market holding firm.

Radheath Pty Ltd, Cooroy, sold Charolais and Brahman cross steers for $1,260 and $1,100.

Russell Long, Woolmar, sold Droughtmaster weaner steers for $780.

McIntyre Family, Kenilworth, sold Charolais weaner steers for $890.

James and Alyssa Goldman, Mount Mee, sold a pen of Hereford steers for $700.

Jason Cleary, Kureelpa, sold Angus cows for $1,170 and $1,010.

Neil Hughes, Kandanga Creek, sold a Red Brangus bull for $1,460.

Coolibah Pastoral Co, Flagstone Creek, sold Longhorn cows with young calves at foot for $1,120 and $1,040.

Jeremy and Rose-Marie Langton, Kureelpa, sold an Angus steer for $1,550.

Steven Hamilton, Carters Ridge, sold Droughtmaster cows and calves for $1,200.

John Roe, Gheerulla, sold Droughtmaster vealer males for $480.

FOR MARKET INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE WITH CARTAGE ARRANGEMENTS CONTACT US - ANYTIME YOU TOO CAN ACHIEVE THESE RESULTS

Consign your cattle to Moreton Saleyards. Cartage arranged for any numbers of livestock. Selling every Tuesday 8am. For further enquiries phone any time

Council unveils city vision for Caboolture

THE City of Moreton Bay reached a pivotal milestone in its journey towards a polycentric city with the unveiling of an ambitious revitalisation vision for Caboolture.

The revitalisation blueprint represents a strategic effort to redefine Caboolture’s image and character, positioning it as a dynamic, adaptable, and sustainable urban centre.

Industry feedback was sought this week regarding the level of commercial interest and viability of partnership prospects to support this

ambitious plan for Caboolture.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Peter Flannery, emphasised the significance of this revitalisation effort.

“This Council is taking a deliberate departure from conventional city models, propelling Moreton Bay towards a polycentric future that champions equity and inclusivity for all residentsm” he said.

“By embracing growth and fostering collaboration, we chart a path towards sustainable urban expansion

Brisbane Valley Santa Gertrudis

Bull Sale - Sept 13

THE 2023 Brisbane Valley Santa Bull Sale will be held at the Toogoolawah Showgrounds on Wednesday September 13, commencing at 12.30pm where 72 quality, commercially orientated, herd improvers will go under the hammer of guest auctioneer Innes Fahey.

All bulls have had the same vaccinations, 3-germ blood, Vibrio, 7 in 1 and 3 day sickness. All bulls will be scanned and semen tested by the one person to enable comparisons to be made between drafts, and all are presale weighed at the saleyards on Tuesday September 12.

The nine studs represented in the sale are all domiciled east of the great dividing range where their cow herds run on forest country, giving these bulls a natural doing ability to perform wherever they go. Bulls from these studs have performed very well in some of the major herds within the breed.

There is a great range of genetics represented in the sale

and economic prosperity, while being mindful of Going Green As We Grow.

“It is significant that our primary focus is on Caboolture, an area primed for reinvigoration. Home to the Caboolture River and Centenary Lakes, a contemporary state-of-theart gallery, quality sporting facilities, prime development land and transport we have big ambitions for Caboolture, focusing on a greener, more connected, and livelier centre.

“With Council investing $44 million for projects in

Caboolture over the next five years we anticipate this will signal to others that it’s a good time to invest in this centre.

“We want new businesses bringing in greater job opportunities for locals, a thriving and distinctive café and dining culture, connection to the river plus improved streetscapes and pedestrian connections.

“We are committed to a future where every resident can access quality housing, employment opportunities, essential services, and an enhanced quality of life.”

With its distinct urban country charm, Caboolture stands as a unique gem within the mosaic of Moreton Bay’s city centres.

Councillor Adam Hain (Div 3) welcomed the renewed investment into Caboolture.

“As a key hub and one of the largest areas of our polycentric City of Moreton Bay, Caboolture is ripe for development,” Cr Hain said.

“We have a once-in-alifetime opportunity to refresh our identity and forge a new path for the centre of

Caboolture.

“After seven years of hard work, I’m very appreciative of the support of the Mayor, my Council colleagues and most importantly support from investors to a level we have never seen in this town.”

City of Moreton Bay is experiencing remarkable growth, with the development spotlight on areas like Waraba (Caboolture West). Notably, around 70,000 people are expected to become part of this thriving community in the next three decades.

with 26 individual sires giving 44 classified bulls and 75% exhibiting polled genetics.

Also on offer this year are 5 classified heifers (4 poll) from the Beutel family’s Warrillee stud.

The bulls and heifers will be available for inspection at the Toogoolawah Showgrounds from Monday afternoon.

The vendors are offering freight assistance to these centres - Murgon, Gayndah, Eidsvold, Dalby, Coolabunia, Beaudesert, Casino and Moreton Saleyards if agents are contacted prior to the sale.

Sole agents for the sale are Sheperdson and Boyd, and it will be interfaced with AuctionPlus.

Catalogues are available by contacting Russell Gray on 0429 005 013 or 07 5424 8138 or they can be downloaded from the link on the Brisbane Valley Facebook Page.

Lot 8 will be up for auction at the 2023 Brisbane Valley Santa Bull Sale on Wednesday September 13.

You can lose your driver’s license while using an e-scooter

TWO men have lost their driver’s licences after being caught operating e-scooters either intoxicated or over the speed limit, and many people are wondering what the road rules are when it comes to these two-wheeled vehicles.

Slater and Gordon Head of Work and Road Claims Queensland, Peta Yujnovich, an expert in motor vehicle law, said e-scooters have taken over the streets, and in some states the roads.

“They’re a convenient and fun way to get around, and you don’t even need a licence to use them. But, if you’re someone who holds a driver’s licence and you get on an e-scooter thinking you can get away with speeding or, that blood alcohol limits don’t apply, think again.

“We’ve seen it happen already. Just weeks ago a Victorian man was caught allegedly three times over the limit, resulting in a hefty $1,000 fine and the loss of his licence for 13 months.

“But it’s not just people hopping on an e-scooter after a night out thinking they won’t be caught. In December last year a Queensland man trying to get to work on time, was videoed speeding at 94km/h while helmet-free.

“He was given a $575 fine, and the minimum penalty for a dangerous driving offence, which was a six-month disqualification of his driver’s licence.

“There can be confusion over

what penalties apply because you don’t always need a driver’s licence to operate an e-scooter, though electric scooter riders in Queensland could soon be forced to get a licence and registration as city leaders crackdown on riders flouting e-scooter laws and speed limits.

“When most people get on an e-scooter they can think they’re using a toy, but it is a vehicle and its drivers are subject to the same if not similar laws other vehicles are.

“To put it simply, if you wouldn’t do it in a car or on a motorbike you shouldn’t do it using an e-scooter. That includes drinking and riding, using your mobile phone on your e-scooter or speeding. Just as there are financial, and sometimes deadly, consequences to doing those things in a car, we need to remember these consequences also apply to e-scooters.

“If you are riding an e-scooter or e-bike, keep left of oncoming bicycles and other personal

mobility devices and follow the road rules.

“The rules vary depending on what state you are riding the e-scooter in. In Queensland, for example, when riding on the road, e-scooters must comply with normal road rules. In Victoria and New South Wales, you cannot ride on the footpath, but in all other states you can. In Queensland, you can ride on a footpath at a maximum speed of 12km/h and you must give way to other path users.”

Major construction finished on local Bruce Highway stretch

THE Bruce Highway Upgrade – Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163) has reached another key milestone, with three lanes now open to north and southbound traffic between CabooltureBribie Island Road and Pumicestone Road, Elimbah.

The $662.5 million upgrade is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $530 million and the Queensland Government committing $132.5 million.

The entire 11-kilometre upgrade is expected to be completed in early 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting. An average of 664 direct jobs will be supported over the life of the project.

Australian Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King, said the Australian Government’s

investment is making a real difference to the safety, flood resilience and capacity of vital infrastructure.

“This upgrade project is part of the 15-year, $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, which will transform travel between Brisbane and Cairns.

“Widening this stretch between Caboolture and Beerburrum will keep traffic flowing on Queensland’s longest and busiest highway.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey, said with major construction for the first of the two contracts now complete, motorists are enjoying the significant benefits the project is delivering, with three lanes of traffic moving smoothly in each direction along this key part of the Bruce Highway.

“This milestone follows another significant achievement for the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program recently, with completion of the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road Interchanges project in June 2023.

“The Maroochydore Road and Mons Road Interchanges project has improved safety and efficiency and significantly increased capacity at the interchanges, keeping traffic flowing on the Bruce Highway.”

Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan, said this is a fantastic milestone for a project that will deliver benefits to residents and communities in North Brisbane and the North Coast areas for generations.

“With a total of 10 new bridges, including two new three-

lane northbound bridges that are 1.5-metres higher at King Johns and Lagoon creeks, the highway will be more resilient during significant wet weather events.”

Member for Pumicestone, Ali King, said a temporary 100km/h speed limit is in place and will be permanently increased to 110km/h through this section once the whole project is completed.

“Some minor finalisation works will be completed over the coming weeks.

“The second contract is on track to finish in early 2024, following weather and construction industry impacts.

“We are transforming what was previously the most floodprone stretch of highway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.”

Car breakin attempt Dangerous driver charged

POLICE have charged a 29-year-old Beerwah man following an alleged dangerous driving incident in Morayfield last Saturday.

Police allege at approximately 8.20am the man was driving a silver 2008 Volkswagen Golf erratically along Buchannan Road, Morayfield when it collided with the rear of a silver Holden Commodore, forcing both vehicles off the road.

The Commodore driver, a 31-year-old Bellmere woman,

drove to a nearby service station and called for assistance. No one was physically injured.

The Golf driver, a 29-yearold Beerwah man, allegedly left the scene on foot before being taken into police custody nearby a short time later.

The man has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle (domestic violence), wilful damage (domestic violence), unlawful stalking, failure to properly dispose of a needle, and two counts of

possessing dangerous drugs. He was due to appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court on August 28.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the silver 2008 Volkswagen Golf, with Queensland registration 007GW2, allegedly being driven erratically between 8am and 9.15am on Saturday in Morayfield, to immediately come forward.

Investigations are continuing.

A SECURITY guard patrolling a council compound on Commercial Drive, Caboolture allegedly located a man attempting to break into a vehicle at about 10pm on Friday, August 25.

A 39-year-old Caboolture man was charged with entering a premises with intent to commit an indictable offence, wilful damage and possession of a drug utensil. He was remanded in custody and was due to appear in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on August 28.

Ten junior Snakes teams ready for grand final action

THE Caboolture Snakes will be strongly represented in this Saturday’s Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League (SCJRL) grand final day at the Coolum-based Ronnie Cargill Oval.

Ten Snakes teams will take part as the club has teams in the U13, U14, U15 and U17 age groups.

The club’s president Nate Findlay said this year was a turnaround for the club after last year was impacted by the February floods, in addition to clubhouse structural issues.

“It’s great to see all the teams playing good footy but more importantly enjoying their footy,” he said.

Findlay said last year the Snakes improved the coaching recruitment process, especially for the age groups from U13 and older.

“The culture at the club has improved significantly, especially in 2023 being a more ethnic and diversity inclusiveness club than before,” he said.

“Exposure for the club has been another positive impact, having been involved in several community events such as Strength In Community Day, NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony, Culture Kings grand opening of our basketball court, and the latest being Caboolture’s Family Fun Day with Christmas Carols in the Park coming up next.

“Our players get to interact with the community and represent the club, all for the love of it.”

Findlay also noted that the club was a finalist in the 2023 QRL Volunteer Awards, nominated for Community Club of the year.

“Volunteers have been

fantastic this year with bigger buy-in than before,” he said.

“With over 150 registered at the club, it makes it so much easier on game days.”

Findlay said there were more reasons why the Snakes had had a successful year, while the “short of it” was that “the kids are just enjoying their footy”.

“I feel the culture we have at the club, we are a really good support group introducing a Club Creed in 2022 that has ‘3 keys to success’: attitude, effort and desire,” he said.

“This holds the players and volunteers accountable and gives them a standard to work from.”

Regardless of the grand final results, Findlay said “100 percent it is” an achievement in itself that 10 junior teams from the one club had made it to grand final day.

“To make it this far with 10 teams left to have a shot at the premiership is a massive achievement for the club and makes me even more excited for next season,” he said.

For the parents, Findlay said the biggest reward was watching the players smile, laugh and enjoy their footy, which may mean when bruised, broken or defeated.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about the kids and their ability to have fun playing the greatest game in the world,” he said.

CABOOLTURE GRAND FINAL SCHEDULE:

U13 Div 1A Snakes v Gympie; U13 Girls A Snakes v Gympie; U13 Div 2B Snakes v Maroochydore; U14 Div 1 Snakes v Kawana; U14 Div 2 Snakes v Gympie; U15 Div 1 Snakes v Caloundra; U15 Div 2 Snakes v Maroochydore; U15 Girls Snakes v Caloundra; U17 Boys Snakes v Kawana; U17 Girls Snakes v Caloundra.

PUBlIC NoTICes

CAN'T STOP DRINKING?

Call 1300 222 222

LINE DANCING FUN

Tue: 1-3pm, Thu: 6:30-8:30pm

anglican Church Hall, King st, Caboolture

Contact Suzzanne 0427 882 582 \

for sale

GarDeNING aND eleCTrICal eQUIPMeNT

sTIHl whipper snipper FS55, 2 stroke straight shaft as new $95. McCulloch hedger 2 stroke petrol motor 2' cut as new $85. Gardener’s Choice whipper snipper 2 stroke petrol motor as new $85. Bailey step ladder 7' and extending to 12'6" as new $85. Wheelbarrow 100L steel tub wooden handles $50. Rover mower and catcher

18" cut, 4 stroke Briggs and Stratton motor, $120. Victor mower & catcher 4 stroke B&S motor 18" cut $100. Edger “Poulan”

2 stroke petrol motor, straight shaft, steel blade, as new $75. Ryobi whipper snipper

2 stroke, petrol motor, as new $75. Skil electric saw 2 1/8 HP, 184mm, 60mm cut, as new $50. Bosch pressure washer electric 1100psi, as new $40. Weldmate arc stick welder 100amps with a sheild as new $60. GMC angle grinder 100mm, 650 watt, as new $50. Ryobi whipper snipper petrol motor as new $85. Metabo jigsaw with spare blades $40. Skill battery drill and impact driver 20v 2 x batteries and charger brand new $60. Gardenline blower, petrol motor, near new $45. Ryobi Whipper Snipper, electric 525W $50. PH 5495 2557. Caboolture.

for sale

HoUseHolD

BeD Double size, black metal frame with mattress (optional), $20. PH 5498 8402. Caboolture area.

Glass TaBle with 4 cane chairs. Good cond. $60. PH 5498 8402. Caboolture area.

MaCHINerY

MasseY ferGUsoN Massey Ferguson

- 2 disk plough with cutting disk, plus a spare new disk; Bonell Reversable Plough - large cutting discs. Napier Rippers - 3 tines ripper - h/duty; Massey Ferguson

Scarifier - 11 tines - 7 inch double bar; Massey Ferguson - Hydraulics Stabiliser arm - Tractor; Chain h/duty, 5.20 mt long, 16ml thick; Howard Rotary Hoe - 70 AR Series, 2 large metal side wheels, h/duty unit, as new; Tractor Air Pump - Air PTO Driven; Vital Chain Block with bearings, never used, 1.5 tons, lifts 3 mts; Load Binder - 2 avail. Offers. PH 0416 276 763.

MoTor VeHICles & aCCessorIes

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Dylan Gardner excels at Woodford Golf Pro Am

A MIX of pros and amateurs flocked to the Woodford Golf Club on Monday of last week for the Woodford Professional Golfers Association (PGA)

Associate Pro Am.

There were 50 pros and 54 amateurs as the participants came from as far north as Bundaberg and as far south as Yamba, while the event was the first of its type in Woodford for nearly 10 years.

Groups comprised two pros and two amateurs, with the pros teeing off at 7am and playing 36 holes while the amateurs teed off in the afternoon and played 18 holes.

The format was Stroke for the pros and Stableford for the amateurs, with many of the pros visiting Woodford for the first time.

The overall winner was Dylan Gardner of Pelican Waters with scores of 63 and 66, while Zach Ion of Virginia placed second with 64 and 68.

Dylan was no stranger to Woodford, having joined this club a few years back when his home course was closed for renovations.

Dylan grew up at Mt Kilcoy, where his parents Michael and Jodie still reside, and was a Kilcoy Golf Club Junior.

Dylan Gardner of Pelican Waters (formerly of Mt Kilcoy and a Kilcoy Golf Club Junior) claimed top spot in the recent Woodford PGA Associate Pro Am.

Stolen robots

POLICE from Moreton North Criminal Investigation Branch are investigating a break-in at a Caboolture East school that occurred on August 13.

Between 1pm and 2pm unknown persons smashed a

classroom window and reached through and unlocked the door.

Two programmable robots and a Samsung A13 mobile phone and charger were stolen.

The robots are fairly unique and not readily available to purchase by the public.

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sToraGe UNIT 1 available, 40ft $240 per month.

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Wolves’ premiership surge hits a snag

THE Stanley River Wolves remain one win away from a grand final berth after the Bribie Island Warrigals became the first team to qualify for this year’s Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League (SCGRL) reserve grade decider.

Bribie defeated Stanley River 20-12 in last Saturday’s major semi-final at the Bribie Islandbased Bernie Foley Oval, after the Beerwah Bulldogs beat the Kawana Dolphins 26-23 in the minor semi-final.

Stanley River and Beerwah will subsequently square off in this Saturday’s preliminary final at Sunshine Coast Stadium, after the teams met only a fortnight earlier in week one of the finals.

Last Saturday was only the second time this year that the Wolves tasted defeat, while the Warrigals continued their unbeaten year.

Wolves co-coach Ethan Szendrey didn’t sound overly concerned about last Saturday’s defeat, as he said it was much different from the 26-10 loss that his team sustained against the Warrigals back on May 27.

Szendrey said “as a team we didn’t perform (well)” in the 26-10 loss, whereas last Saturday “was a high quality game”.

“I wouldn’t really look at it as a setback or anything of the sort,” he said of last Saturday’s defeat.

“At the end of the day it was a really good game of footy.”

Although the winners from last Saturday earned a week’s rest, Szendrey said it wasn’t a bad thing to have to play this Saturday considering the Wolves were short of match practice in the past couple of months due to a few wins on forfeit as well as a general bye.

Stanley River had a setback in the warm-up last Saturday as Casey Gray injured his knee and was forced to withdraw from the match.

After Szendrey predicted last week that the Wolves needed to be ready to be in an arm-wrestle for the whole 70 minutes, the first half was very much an arm-wrestle.

Neither team scored in the first 32 minutes, before a converted try to Paul McKewin took the Warrigals to a 6-0 lead.

The Wolves erred at the start of the second half, and paid dearly as Jack McAlister scored a try soon afterwards to stretch the margin to 10 points.

Stanley River recovered as Tony Ainsworth scored a converted try, and the Wolves gained some momentum before another turning point occurred.

Matthew Mladenovic put in a perfectly placed cross-field kick, only for a certain try to go begging as a simple catch was fumbled.

Instead of leading 12-10 or being level at 10-all, the Wolves trailed 16-6 several minutes later as Bribie’s Anthony Evans scored a converted try.

Szendrey said afterwards that “Bribie executed a couple of chances better than we did” while the Wolves needed to realise how important it was to take such opportunities.

A converted try to Luke Gillett gave the Warrigals a 14-point lead, before Jack Argent scored for Stanley River with about four minutes remaining.

Realistically, Argent’s try came a bit too late for the Wolves to have any real hope of a comeback.

Szendrey said he was fairly happy with his team’s discipline and ball control, while he didn’t

Stelicans strive for premiership glory

think there was too much which required attention.

“We’ll take a huge amount out of that game,” he said.

Szendrey nonetheless said the Wolves needed to “clean up some small areas” such as the bombed try, while another error was being held on the last tackle on their own side of halfway.

Szendrey said the Warrigals were “the team to beat” and that “they proved on the weekend why they are where they are”.

“We knew Bribie had good defence (but) they probably shocked us with how quick their line speed was,” he said.

“We probably moved a bit too laterally.

“Our scrambling defence on our line left a bit to be desired.”

Looking ahead, Szendrey said the Wolves had to focus on beating the Bulldogs and to not think about a rematch with the Warrigals.

Dalton Smith is set to return for Stanley River after missing last Saturday’s match due to work commitments, while Gray is likely to remain sidelined for the remainder of the season.

John Snow is also in doubt after sustaining a suspected broken hand which will require x-rays.

This Saturday will be the fourth time the Wolves and Bulldogs meet this year, after a 30-10 win to Stanley River in April was followed by an 18-all draw in June and a 46-16 victory for Stanley River in the August 19 fixture.

Interestingly, Szendrey coached the Bulldogs last year when they beat the Wolves 24-10 in the preliminary final to end Stanley River’s premiership aspirations, before he returned to his junior club this year after Beerwah lost last year’s decider 24-4 to Coolum.

Masters/Rattlers claim bragging rights

THE Southside Eagles were too good for Caboolture in last Saturday’s FQPL1 (Football Queensland Premier League) men’s soccer fixtures at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, following the annual match which honours

Caboolture soccer legend Russell Standish.

In the first match of the day, Masters/Rattlers claimed a tight 4-3 win against Coaches/ Managers as these teams vied for the Russell Standish Cup.

In the second contest,

ONE Stanley River junior rugby league team will take to the field on grand final day at the Coolum-based Ronnie Cargill Oval this Saturday, after winning a preliminary final last Saturday.

The Stanley RiverBeachmere U13 girls will contest the Beerwah Bulldogs

in the Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League (SCJRL) Pool B grand final at 11.10am, while Caboolture and Gympie go head-to-head in Pool A.

The Stanley RiverBeachmere team, known as the ‘Stelicans’, won 36-18 against Nambour at Kawana last Saturday after Beerwah

downed the Stelicans 34-4 a week earlier.

Meanwhile the Wolves U13 Div 2 boys finished one game shy of a grand final berth after going down 28-24 to host team Kawana last Saturday, with this result setting up a Kawana versus Caloundra Black grand final.

Caboolture remained last while Southside moved to eighth on the 12-team ladder in the U23 competition as the Eagles won 4-0.

The standout performer was Ben Lonergan with a hat-trick of goals.

In the senior division, the 10th-placed Caboolture went down 2-1 to the 11th-placed Southside outfit.

The hosts led 1-0 after Luka Pullen found the back of the net around the 25-minute mark, but they were unable to score again.

The visitors took the game to the home side, and the lowerplaced team was rewarded as Liam Fisher scored an equaliser shortly before half-time.

Caboolture survived a flurry of attacks from Southside in the second half, and a draw appeared certain until Scott Henderson slotted a matchwinning goal for the Eagles in injury time.

The

Lions and Panthers in AFL decider

THE Moreton Bay Lions will oppose the Morningside Panthers in the Queensland Football Association Women’s (QFAW) Div 1 senior grand final at the Kedron-based EK (Ted) Anderson Oval this Saturday.

The top-placed Morningside beat the fourth-placed Sherwood 4.6.30 to 3.1.19 at Jack Esplen Oval last Saturday, while the second-placed Lions defeated the third-placed Sandgate Hawks 5.7.37 to 1.3.9 at Red Rooster Park.

The result at Red Rooster Park didn’t reflect how tight and hard-fought the contest was, while the main difference between the two sides was the Lions’ ability to kick crucial goals when they got the ball into their attacking 50 metres.

In front of a bumper crowd at the Burpengary-based venue, the game started in a frenetic fashion with both sides throwing their bodies into contests and neither taking a backward step.

The only score in the first eight minutes was a solitary behind to the home side.

Moreton Bay controlled clearances and possession, but dour defending from Sandgate restricted the home team’s scoring.

Lions captain Jess Davy led from the front, while young guns Charis Tarr and Tahlia Benson were raking up the possession count.

An inspired piece of play from Taylor McCosker eventually led to the first sixpointer. She won a strong contest on the wing and, after a series of elite passes through Davy and co, the ball found the hands of Caitlin Brooks who ran into the open goal to land the major.

The quarter-time score was 1.3.9 to 0.1.1, with the

Lions seemingly having the ascendency.

The hosts continued their enviable work rate in the second term, with the backline led by gun fullback Taylah Brotherston, the evergreen Jo Tuza and creative Courtney Page repelling Sandgate’s attack.

Mon Loughlin, who had been given the big job on Hawks star Issy McDonough, completely shut the young Brisbane Lions Academy prospect out of the game.

The Lions kicked consecutive goals, with Brooks jostling her way to front position to take a strong contested mark and calmly slot her second major, quickly followed by star goalkicker Ellen Hopkins opening her account.

Moreton Bay led 3.6.24 to 0.1.1 at half-time, before the third term was a high-pressure one with both sides throwing everything at each other.

Neither team could finish off their good work as both defences held sway.

A breakthrough goal finally came following another coastto-coast Lions ball movement, which ended up in the sure hands of Hopkins who stepped, propped and booted her second major.

Nearly five minutes were spent exclusively in the Hawks’ forward line and, despite Moreton Bay’s backs fighting earnestly, the Hawks kicked a grubber to produce their lone goal.

Deep in the quarter, popular Lions stalwart Kim Armstrong took a strong grab and went back to slot the home side’s fifth major which sent the crowd into a frenzy.

After leading 5.6.36 to 1.2.8 at the final change, the Lions applied pressure in the final term to prevent any chance of

Sandgate fighting back.

Dominant ruck Renee Gould continually knocked the ball Moreton Bay’s way in a beston-ground display and, with the newly formed ruck duo of Gould and Bri Cason, the Lions smashed the Hawks around the stoppages.

The highlight of the quarter was the intercept marking of Lions centre half back Bayley Woollett, who continually thwarted any Sandgate entries.

In her first season of AFL after a stellar junior netball career, Woollett was again a revelation for the Lions.

Meanwhile the Lions U13 boys, U13 girls and U17 boys will also play in grand finals this weekend.

Moreton Bay’s women’s Div 1 reserves finished one game short of a grand final berth after the Hawks won a dramatic and lengthy contest 3.5.23 to 2.3.15 at Red Rooster Park last Saturday.

After a dour struggle, the scores were locked at 2.3.15 apiece at full-time.

Under finals rules, two threeminute quarters of extra time were played.

The scores still hadn’t changed, so a second set of extra time was required which had the crowd at fever pitch.

Again the teams couldn’t be separated, so a third stanza began.

Both sides had periods of dominance, but neither could quite get the ball to the line to even rush a behind.

In the end the Hawks scored that elusive behind, and they sealed the game with a goal deep in the final stanza of extra time.

The gallant Lions exited the finals race, while maintaining the pride of the supporter base for the fabulous effort under trying circumstances.

The Masters/Rattlers and Coaches/Managers teams went head-to-head in the annual soccer contest at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, to pay tribute to Caboolture soccer legend Russell Standish. Photo credit: Annie/atnc photography.

Stanley River-Beachmere U13 girls enjoy their preliminary final win last Saturday, and will go on to contest the grand final this Saturday.

Snakes U19s bow out

THE Caboolture Snakes

U19s were left to wonder what might have been as they fell out of rugby league premiership contention.

The Snakes were well in the hunt for much of their minor semi-final against the Maroochydore Swans at Tewantin Sports Complex last Saturday, before the Swans prevailed 24-12.

Snakes winger Graham

Folau scored all of the points for the vanquished team as he notched two tries and two goals, while the Swans had four different tryscorers and two different goal-kickers.

Jayden Watt, Cooper Green, Harry Dreger and Jayden Marshall scored a try each for the victors, and Marshall also landed two conversions while Zac Andrews booted a conversion and a penalty goal.

Folau scored the first try of the match in the fifth minute and converted it to give Caboolture a 6-0 lead, before Maroochydore drew

Dragon boating on the rise

level with a converted try about 10 minutes later.

The Swans hit the lead in the 21st minute with another converted try, before an unconverted try to Folau cut the margin to two points.

The teams went to half-time on level terms after Folau nailed a penalty goal just before the break.

The score remained level until the Swans scored an unconverted try in the 55th minute, and Caboolture’s hopes slipped away further just six minutes later when a converted try stretched the margin to 10 points.

A late penalty goal to the Swans sealed their victory and the right to qualify for this coming Saturday’s preliminary final.

Maroochydore will contest Caloundra, with the winner to oppose Kawana in the grand final after a sideline conversion in the latter stages enabled Kawana to record a 28-26 win over Caloundra last Saturday.

Darts club hands out awards

THE Caboolture Social Darts Club held its yearly trophy and dinner night at the Central Tavern Burpengary on Friday August 18, with 19 members and four other guests attending.

Club president Dale Herron and Games captain Shane Elliott conducted the trophy presentation.

Winners for 2022-2023 were:

Most tons: Jenny 54, Josh 89;

Most peg outs: Jenny 122,

Josh 129;

High pegs: Sherrie Dures 80, Dale 112, Mark Blackwell (junior player) 90;

High scores: Sherrie 160, Josh 160, Chris Kelly (junior player) 156 while maximum three darts of 180 were Josh 5 and Dale, Shane, Bill, Mason Kopecki (junior) 1 each.

Plus Bull finishes by Matthew Elliot 2, Chris Hughes and Mark 1.

All members received a pewter mug.

DRAGON Boat Pumicestone club is seeking new members as the race season is about to start, while the club is also changing its home base.

Having been registered since early this year, the club will actively recruit and run an Introduction to Dragon Boat each Saturday throughout September.

No experience is required while the sport is open to anyone aged eight and beyond, regardless of fitness level.

Highly experienced dragon boaters will lead the sessions, and participants will learn a safe and correct paddling technique in a fun and supportive environment while all equipment is provided.

Attendance is free but registrations are essential, and can be done by contacting dragonboatpumicestone@ gmail.comor 0493 525 980, while the club can also be found on social media.

Currently based at Kal Ma Kuta Drive in Sandstone Point, the club will soon relocate to 60 Sylvan Beach Esplanade in Bribie Island, right next to

Volunteer Marine Rescue and Mahalo Outriggers.

The club’s president Michelle Hanton said the club formed after a group of keen paddlers from Dragons Abreast decided just over a year ago that it was time to form a community club for the Pumicestone area.

As the first female Life Member of AusDBF while also being the founder of Dragons Abreast Australia as well as being a former AusDBF board director, Michelle was approached to help establish the new club on the island.

In January of this year, Dragon Boat Pumicestone Inc had been accepted as a registered member of Dragon Boat Queensland (DBQ), and then dragon boat ‘Khaleesi’ arrived in February while the club also hit the water for the first time in February.

About six months later the club was gifted a second dragon boat – named ‘Linda’ – courtesy of the 1770 Dragon Boat Club.

Dragon Boat Pumicestone currently has 55 members ranging from 29 to 84 years

of age and coming from all walks of life. Dragons Abreast Pumicestone – the breast cancer survivor group of paddlers – is part of the club.

The main race season runs from September through to April, with the impending season culminating with the Australian national titles in Perth in 2024.

Additionally, the Queensland titles will be held at Lake Kawana on March 16 and 17.

All Dragon Boat Queensland clubs are eligible to compete at the Queensland events, plus there are corporate and community events run by local dragon boat clubs that encourage local businesses, schools, universities and others to become involved.

The Dragon Boat Pumicestone president said many participants were hooked on the sport from the moment they stepped into a dragon boat.

“I think the beauty is that

you are not going to be left behind if you stop paddling, because the boat continues to move. You are carried along,” Michelle said.

“If this were a running or even a walking group, you’d be left behind, but here, we are one crew.

“There are pathways to reach the elite level of the sport, and Australia is well-ranked on the international stage.”

Having begun paddling in June, Vicky Connor said, “(I) had the best time for my first event and fresh to the club representing Dragon Boat Pumicestone, I am so proud to be part of such a great team.

“It was so good to see what we can become in the near future, and what we are able to achieve with a little fine tune timing.

“The teams we competed against as well as our very own have inspired me to level up.

“Absolutely loved it.”

Dragon Boat Pumicestone has come along in leaps and bounds this year, and is eager for more members to join as the club relocates.

Bill Wheatley, Josh Kopecki and Cecil Williams at the Caboolture Social Darts Club’s annual trophy and dinner night.

Snakes women book grand final berth

THE Caboolture Snakes became the first team to enter this year’s Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League (SCGRL) women’s grand final as the Snakes defeated the Kawana Dolphins 1810 in last Saturday’s major semi-final at the Beerwah Sportsground.

With Caloundra having beaten Beerwah 32-10 at Tewantin Sports Complex in the other semi-final last Saturday, Kawana and Caloundra will face off this Saturday to decide who meets Caboolture in the decider.

Last Saturday’s clash at Beerwah was scrappy at times while Caboolture turned a 4-0 deficit into an 18-4 lead, before Kawana scored a late try to make the result appear close.

While Caboolture’s win was a team effort, a major turning point occurred when winger Amy Bird produced a spectacular try-saving tackle.

Were it not for Bird’s sensational effort to prevent a runaway try, the Dolphins would have moved to an 8-0 or 10-0 lead and potentially gone on to win.

Both sides squandered possession repeatedly in the first 10 minutes, before Kawana

opened the scoring after receiving successive penalties.

In the attacking zone, Brooke Kingdom cleverly changed the point of play as she turned the ball right to Tyla Mitchell who powered through the defence and scored a try.

Back-to-back penalties gave Caboolture the chance to reply, but a Kawana back took an intercept and threatened to score a 95-metre try.

Bird’s phenomenal chase, desperation and perfectly timed tackle not only saved a

try to help the Snakes remain within striking distance on the scoreboard, but her effort seemed to have a domino effect as it evidently inspired her teammates.

Following a penalty each way, the Dolphins committed

a knock-on at acting-half. The Snakes capitalised as they entered the 10-metre zone, with Emmogen Taumafai tackled just short of the line before Naomi Henry ran onto a pass and muscled her way over the tryline.

A stray conversion attempt kept the score 4-all, before Bird broke the deadlock with an easy penalty goal less than three minutes before half-time.

The Snakes spurned the chance to kick another easy penalty goal in the last minute of the first half, as they sought a try and ended up losing possession.

Early in the second half, the Snakes went on the attack as Abbie Ritchie made a good run. Following a subsequent penalty, Henry fired a pass left to Taumafai who powered over to score amid the last-ditch defence.

Bird’s conversion gave Caboolture an eight-point lead.

Kawana’s defence survived the next major test when Caboolture applied pressure, and a fumble occurred just short of the tryline.

It wasn’t long before the Snakes returned to the red zone, and they were rewarded as Tarnee Evans muscled her way over the tryline and set up a 14-point lead with 11 minutes left.

A needless handling error from Caboolture gave Kawana a late chance to apply pressure, with Mitchell scoring a consolation try in the final two minutes.

Latisha Hoek, Matyniah Fullagar and Lenniece Wright savour Caboolture’s victory over Kawana in the women’s major semi-final, enabling the Snakes team to reach the grand final.

Sarai Pule, Julianna Tevaga and Mariesha Orr savour Caboolture’s victory over Kawana in the women’s major semi-final, enabling the Snakes team to reach the grand final.