Moreton Bay Sentinel News 3 Aug 23

McGruddy with My Berries team members Travis and Kathryn accepting

The Moreton Bay Bug

Two words to stop vaping

JUST two words are needed to get out there to stop school kids vaping - oral herpes.

This came up in a rare intersection of having tea with some teachers and a doctor.

The teachers, from various schools around Moreton Bay, were complaining about the strict limits on how they could discipline children.

They weren’t asking for a return to the cane, although I can still feel where I got 12 of the best swipes from a footy playing teacher who put his shoulder into the punishment. I learnt my lesson.

They’d just like the potty mouth smarty pants to keep quiet at the back of the classroom so the majority of the pupils could concentrate on

learning.

And the smarty pants know just how far they can push disruption (a long way) without the teacher being able to do anything effective. What, send them out of the classroom - that’s exactly what they want!

It is playground duty that the teachers absolutely abhor.

Once every fortnight they have to patrol the grounds of the school trying to ensure the teenagers in their care don’t do anything stupidly dangerous, break up looming fights and put a restraint on bullying. (And notice the kid crying in the corner, often due to family issues at home

- and needing adult care and advice.)

But some politically correct education bureaucrat (who has probably never been in a classroom or school grounds at lunchtime) issued an edict saying teachers couldn’t enter toilets (or at least that’s how it has been interpreted).

The female teacher went red in the face as she considered whether to let loose with her frustration.

“I walk around the toilet block and there’s no smoke. Just a decade ago students were sharing a durry, or at worst a spliff. We could then go in and take some direct action,” she said.

“No, today it’s just a fug of sweet smells, the

colourless steam from vaping.

“It’s pervasive, dozens of teenagers vaping in the toilets, boys and girls in each other’s loos sharing vapes.

“The smell is overwhelming and the kids don’t care because they think it’s safe and we can’t touch them.”

There’s no packets of cigarettes to confiscate. And the teenage students can easily hide their vapes down the spine of a book or in their phone wallets.

Or, interrupted another teacher, in their jumpers or knickers.

After a side excursion into a discussion about the difficulties policing mobile phone use in school, the doctor spoke up.

She had a large practice of teenage girls (probably because she was discreet in handling sex issues and prescribing ‘the pill’ with wise advice).

She explained that the sharing of vapes may explain the significant rise in oral herpes she has noticed in teenage girls.

They come in wanting advice on sex or flu or some excuse, often wearing a thick smear of lipstick, allegedly banned at school or certainly not a fashion statement of a too young miss.

But a doctor’s well trained eye picks up the infection on the lips or tongue or nose.

Further examination shows the tell-tale red infection in the mouth.

Sharing a vape, well smeared with the saliva of others, for a long suck of sweet smoke would be a good way of also sharing herpes.

Left untreated it would spread through the body and could cause long term damage, but certainly discomfort.

The teachers were all ears.

The doctor suggested the schools do a little lecture on the dangers of oral herpes and how it could become viral through vaping, easily as much as energetic kissing.

Certainly don’t share a vape or kiss someone with sores or any redness in or around their mouth or nose, was the medical advice.

To stop teenage vaping mention two words - oral herpes.

Moreton Bay dance crew hits the world stage

THE Moreton Bay-based Anonymous Dance Crew is performing on the world stage this week, as the crew competes at the Hip Hop International (HHI) World Championship for the second year in a row.

With the crew describing the event as being “the Olympics of Hip Hop”, the HHI World Championship runs from last Sunday to this coming Sunday (August 6) in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Between 55 and 60 countries are taking part, with no more than five teams per country.

The Moreton Bay-based crew is the only Queenslandbased team in the adult section, while the Australian contingent also has four crews from Sydney.

One of the Sydney crews placed second in the world at last year’s championship while Anonymous Dance Crew placed 17th, however the latter is looking to change that this year.

Crew members reign from Caboolture, North Lakes, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Redlands and Logan.

south-east Queensland said they strived to be the bestperforming Australian line-up in the adult section this year, and truly believed there was

The Anonymous Dance Crew members train two or three times each week at The Space, in North Lakes, and they also work on fitness, nutrition, physical health and mental health.

The members said the style of performance needed at least three foundational hip hop styles such as locking, breakdancing, and lite feet, while the group had to work as a team and be on the same page.

“If one person drops their fire or will whilst dancing, it all falls apart,” Chase said.

Another group member, Evander Taumafai from Caboolture, said although each crew from the competing countries spoke different languages, they “all share the same passion”.

“It’s definitely fun, but the competitive aspect is up there with competitive sports like football and fighting,” Evander

Evander said “your first time over there can be a bit daunting”, and that the crew learned a lot from last year, to

“You’re in a different culture

“The bright lights can be overwhelming and a bit

“Arizona desert heat is another layer on top of the

Australia’s first satellite hospital opens in Caboolture

THE Caboolture Satellite Hospital will begin operating today (Thursday), following a community open day on Monday.

Monday’s event enabled locals to have a look inside Australia’s first satellite hospital, as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joined the guests at the Rowe Street facility.

The new facility contains a minor illness and injury clinic, which will provide free urgent care options for people who don’t need to visit an

emergency department.

The facility, which will be open from 8am to 10pm each day, is equipped to treat simple fractures, sprains and strains, head injuries without loss of consciousness, and a range of other urgent conditions. There will also be on site medical imaging.

The Caboolture Satellite Hospital will also offer outpatient and community health services including oral health clinics, mental health services, a sleep studies service, and an Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander Hub.

A $377 million Satellite Hospital program is delivering seven facilities in south-east Queensland, with Caboolture the first one before others open in Bribie Island, Eight Mile Plains, Kallangur, Redlands, Ripley and Tugun later this year

or next year.

Queensland’s Premier said rapidly growing communities like Caboolture needed free healthcare services that kept pace with their needs.

“I look forward to the remaining satellite hospitals

coming online in the next 12 months, to the benefit of Queensland families,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan, said “these new health services will make a significant difference to the many people who live in

and around this community”.

State Member for Pumicestone, Ali King, said, “Our satellite hospitals will bring key hospital services closer to home, making a huge difference for people who would otherwise have to travel for urgent and outpatient care.”

Over $21,000 raised at tattoo and bike show

THIS year’s tattoo and motorbike show at the D’Aguilar Hotel was the biggest yet in terms of attendance and fundraising figures, as the venue was packed out on Saturday, July 15.

The event raised $21,382.75 for the Stanmore Rural Fire Brigade, with the subsequent cheque presentation taking place on Wednesday, July 26.

With the event in its third year and at the same location each time, it was a case of ‘third time lucky’ as the weather was fine this time after being rainy on the first two occasions.

Funds were again raised through donations, raffle items,

attendees who supplied a gold coin upon entry, and those who entered in the tattoo and motorbike categories.

There was also a range of merchandise including jumpers, courtesy of the Viking Breed Social Motorcycle Club (VBSMC) which organised the event for the third year running.

As usual, the event attracted people from the Moreton, Somerset and Brisbane regions, with a mix of first-timers and others who came for the second or third time.

Hundreds of meals, snacks and drinks were purchased and served, while people socialised and mingled.

After the scheduled events

finished, Aussie band The Radiators performed live entertainment into the night.

A VBSMC spokesperson said the much larger crowd this year was possibly due to the good weather, which also resulted in a vastly bigger number of motorbikes than last year and the year before.

“It was very pleasing that the rain stayed away this time, and it was terrific to see such a strong turnout,” the spokesperson said.

“The tattoo and motorbike

categories were well supported, but importantly it’s about bringing the community together and raising funds for a good cause.

“A special mention to the local businesses that sponsored the event.

“All of this isn’t possible without their support, and our thanks go especially to the D’Ag pub for letting us use their venue once again.

“Hopefully next year will be even bigger.”

A group of Viking Breed Social Motorcycle Club members at the tattoo and motorbike show in D’Aguilar.

Members of the Viking Breed Social Motorcycle Club hand over a cheque to the Stanmore Rural Fire Brigade, following the recent tattoo and motorbike fundraising event at the D’Aguilar Hotel.

Bailey Rees, Shavanie Sweatman and Mick Rees.

‘Gammo’ displays some shirts available for sale at the tattoo and motorbike show in D’Aguilar.

Julie Powell, Kay Doust, Lee-Ann Swan and Joanne Watson.

Estella Booth.

Win for Moreton Bay berry farmers

INNOVATORS Stuart and Allison McGruddy have been rewarded for their passion and drive to keep Australian grown and made berry products in supermarket freezers.

The McGruddys founded My Berries in the heart of the Moreton Bay berry growing region in 2013. They turn surplus fresh fruit, that would have been discarded, into value-added frozen and now freeze-dried products.

My Berries provide local farmers with a profitable solution for seasonal fruit waste and offer Australian families a high quality and safe alternative to imports.

The family business recently won the Advanced Manufacturing Award at the 2023 Moreton Bay Business Excellence and Innovation Awards for their use of innovative technologies and processes to transform materials into new products.

Last year My Berries upgraded and expanded their Caboolture facilities to keep up with demand and launched a new snack food range.

This is a back-to-back win for My Berries after taking home the Food and Agribusiness Excellence Award in 2022.

My Berries director Allison McGruddy said their investment in local manufacturing has been a win-win for farmers and consumers.

“After being named an #eatqld champion by the Queensland Government for supporting local farmers and the state’s agricultural sector, we are delighted to be recognised for the technical side of our business and for our product ingenuity,” Allison said.

“The science behind freezing and freeze dried technology relies on the manufacturing process starting quickly straight off the farm to preserve the fruits’ vitamins

and antioxidants.

“In Caboolture, we are ideally located a stone’s throw from raspberry, strawberry and blackberry farms allowing us to create highly nutritious and convenient health food products.

“In peak season, we save deliciously ripe berries that don’t meet cosmetic supermarket specs for fresh punnets. We cut, wash and freeze them to safeguard the quality and ensure Australian grown options are available all year round.

“We hate waste so in order to use every berry available to us, last year we decided to expand our range and target the snack food market with grab-and-go packs of freeze dried fruit bites.

“Without adding anything, specialised drying methods intensify the fruit’s flavour and texture to create berries that are sweet and crispy and can be stored at room temperature. They’re so light and crunchy, we call them the popcorn of fruit.

“My Berries is so proud to be flying the Australian manufacturing flag and to be recognised for all the hard work behind the scenes in launching a new product, that’s both grown and made on home soil.”

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said this year’s finalists in the business excellence and innovation awards were an inspiration to all businesses in the region.

“In the face of rising input costs, labour shortages and globally difficult trading conditions, these local legends have somehow managed to rise above seemingly insurmountable odds,” Cr Flannery said.

My Berries is a staple in the freezer section of more than 1,200 stores nation wide, and their new freeze-dried range can be found in the snack and pantry aisles too.

Fatal plane crash

TWO people died in an aviation incident at Caboolture last Friday.

Police and emergency services were called to the aerodrome on McNaught Road at about 10.30am after reports of a collision between two light planes close to the ground.

Two people who were travelling in the same aircraft were killed in the crash.

The other plane had only a pilot on board. He did not sustain serious injuries.

The Forensic Crash Unit will work with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to investigate the cause of the collision.

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, or the movements of the aircrafts prior to the collision, to make contact.

Allison and Stuart McGruddy support

Australian berry farmers by providing a local manufacturing solution for seasonal fruit waste. Their sons Luther and Gabriel are My Berries' chief taste testers.

Team My Berries are on the road daily collecting fresh fruit from Moreton Bay farms for same day processing at their Caboolture facility to lock in the fruits flavour, nutrients and antioxidants. Photo supplied by EPIC Assist.

Neurum fire a timely reminder about being prepared for fires

A LARGE grass fire in Neurum has prompted a reminder from the Rural Fire Service for residents to ensure they have an up-todate Bushfire Survival Plan.

On Friday July 21, the blaze burnt around 60 acres and threatened multiple structures, which firefighters were able to protect.

Bushfire Safety Officer, Jasmine Cassell, said it was vital for everyone to have a Bushfire Survival Plan in place so they could act quickly when a fire started in their area.

“We are expecting fire activity to increase over the coming weeks as we move into bushfire season, which is why we are asking everyone to

take the time now to sit down and put their plan together,” she said.

“Once a fire is approaching there is no time to have discussions around what you will do, whether you will leave or stay and defend.

“The Neurum fire was incredibly fast-moving which prompted us to issue a Prepare to Leave warning.

“When these warnings are issued, residents should immediately enact their Bushfire Survival Plans.”

Ms Cassell said property owners also needed to ensure there was adequate access for emergency service vehicles to their property.

FairPlay funds for kids sport

THE second round of FairPlay for 2023 has been launched.

participation fees.

sports/funding/swimstart.

“Ideally our trucks need a space four metres wide and high to be able to get onto a property,” she said.

“It’s also helpful if you have your property number clearly displayed on the road.

“This will ensure we are able to access the fire quickly and bring it under control as soon as possible.

“Thankfully due to the access we had at Neurum, we were able to contain the fire in two-and-a-half hours.”

People can build their Bushfire Survival Plan according to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services website: https://bushfiresurvival-plan.qfes.qld.gov.au/

Each year FairPlay supports up to 50,000 Queensland parents, carers and guardians with children aged five to 17 to receive a voucher valued up to $150.

This will help low-income families experiencing cost-ofliving pressures to access sport and active recreation programs.

Parents, carers and guardians who hold a current Services Australia Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card are encouraged to apply.

More than 177,000 FairPlay Vouchers have been redeemed since the program’s inception in 2019.

An investment of more than $26 million contributed towards reducing the cost of sports memberships, registration or

FairPlay is part of a suite of Palaszczuk Government initiatives aimed at helping Queenslanders with national cost-of-living pressures.

Clubs and active recreation providers participating in or wanting to participate in FairPlay can find more information about FairPlay at www.qld.gov.au/ fairplayvouchers.

SwimStart, as announced in May, is a new program opening later this year to assist parents to introduce Queensland kids 0 to 4 years to swimming.

Eligible parents, carers, or guardians can now register their interest in SwimStart vouchers, which will have a value of up to $150.

Register your interest and be kept up to date on SwimStart at www.qld.gov.au/recreation/

Teenager hit by car

A MALE teenager was transported in a stable condition to Caboolture Hospital after being hit by a vehicle at Elimbah last Thursday.

The teen sustained a leg injury in the incident which occurred on Bigmor Drive at about 10.30pm.

Sport Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe, said getting young Queenslanders involved in community sport or active recreation helped improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

“We don’t want to see financial circumstances be a barrier to young Queenslanders getting on a team, connecting with friends, and staying active and healthy,” he said.

“A FairPlay voucher could be a game-changer for a young athlete with aspirations of representing their country at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The Palaszczuk Government has funded more than $26 million in vouchers for local sport and active recreation as part of our ten-year Activate! Queensland strategy to get more Queenslanders moving more often.”

Vehicle into tree

ONE patient was assessed by paramedics after a vehicle collided with a tree at Burpengary last Wednesday.

The incident occurred on Morayfield Road at about 6.20am.

Crackdown on gel blasters

THE State Government has taken steps to improve community safety, placing restrictions around items such as gel blasters.

In 2020, the State Government passed laws that impose strict regulations around the transportation and storage of gel blasters.

As a result:

• Gel blasters must be s tored in a secure, locked container;

• Gel blasters must be kept in an appropriate container to keep the device from public view when it’s being transported; and

• A person w ith a gel blaster in public must also have a legitimate reason to have one, like being a member of a gel blaster sporting club.

These laws are on top of laws that already exist, making it illegal for anyone to brandish

a weapon or anything that looks like a weapon in public.

Police Minister, Mark Ryan, said the State Government makes no apologies for making sure that people with a legitimate reason for having a gel blaster, transport and store them in an appropriate way that doesn’t cause public alarm.

“These laws were introduced in consultation with police and we will continue to work with police on the laws they need,” he said.

A recent grass fire in Neurum has prompted the Rural Fire Service to issue a reminder to residents to have a Bushfire Survival Plan in place.

Morayfield State School ready to mark 150 years

A MIX of current and former students and staff from Morayfield State School will converge at the school from 9am to 1pm on Saturday for the school’s 150-year anniversary.

Current principal Rebecca Jones said staff and scholars were likely to be represented from across many decades, with a student from 1939 to 1942 set to be among the attendees.

School tours will be held at 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm, and the opening ceremony will occur at 10am.

The opening at 10am will include a Welcome to Country, followed by the unveiling of a mural, cutting a cake, and official speeches.

Mrs Jones said she looked forward to hearing the stories of past students and teachers, with visitors able to write their memories for inclusion in the 150th time capsule.

A ‘roll call’ will take place at 11am, with staff and students through the decades having the chance to mingle and have photos taken.

A time capsule collation will start at 12.15pm, with items added to the time capsule to be opened in 2048 when the school marks 175 years.

Other features on the day are set to include a photo booth, sausage sizzle, coffee van, Devonshire tea, cakes and muffins, memorabilia, and a display of the school’s history.

Visitors can purchase a paver and have their details engraved onto it which will then be added to a special garden the school is creating to commemorate this milestone.

Attendees are welcome without needing to notify the school beforehand.

Proposal to name park at Toorbul ‘John Van Peype Park’

MORETON BAY Regional

Council is proposing to honour local community advocate and volunteer, John Van Peype, by naming a Toorbul park after him.

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery is inviting the community to have their say on the proposal that acknowledges Mr Van Peype as a dedicated member of Toorbul community who volunteered much of his time and energy to others, until his passing in 2012.

“It’s really important we can honour members of the community that have served

their local community and naming a park after a great man like John is a small way we can show appreciation,” Cr Flannery said.

“Mr Van Peype was one of the founding members of the Toorbul Rural Fire Brigade, Toorbul and Donnybrook Seniors Club and the Toorbul Fishing Club, where he dedicated decades of his life volunteering.

“He was handy on the tools, helping build the community hall that’s been home to local clubs and community groups over the years.

“He was a strong advocate for his community, spending many years in the 70s and 80s as a member of the Toorbul Progress Association.”

The specific area to be

named ‘John Van Peype Park’ is located at 107 The Esplanade, Toorbul (Lot 105).

Cr Brooke Savige (Division 1) welcomed the proposal and agreed it was an appropriate

way to respect the valuable contribution of one of Toorbul’s long-time residents.

“Toorbul is a better place thanks to John’s commitment to serving his community,” Cr Savige said.

“John assisted in raising funds for the community, clubs and the ambulance service. He was also a volunteer with the local fire brigade and gave much of himself for others.

“John not only served our local community but also our country, and his name appears as an ex-serviceman at the ANZAC cenotaph which he

also helped build. He was truly an active and passionate community contributor.”

The proposal to name this parkland will now go out for public advertising and feedback over a 28-day period. Non-supportive submissions through this consultation period will see the proposed action brought back to Council for re-consideration.

Public feedback can be made by emailing mbrc@ moretonbay.qld.gov.au or via written submission to PO Box 159, Caboolture Q 4510.

Morayfield State School captains Harlee and Stevie-Lee are looking forward to welcoming everyone on Saturday for the school’s 150th anniversary.

PEOPLE from a range of businesses and industries descended at a picturesque property in Wamuran on Wednesday of last week as part of a new networking group.

Attendees travelled from as far as Caboolture, D’Aguilar, Woodford, North Lakes and Redcliffe, with one participant visiting from Switzerland.

Fields of work among the guests included textile designer,

New connections formed at scenic Wamuran property

nutritional health coach, financial advisor, Human Resources (HR) software developer, Western Herbal Medicine practitioner, teacher, children’s therapist, counsellor and more.

Federal Member for Longman, Terry Young, also attended.

Proceedings started with attendees introducing themselves and their field of work, before learning about each other through informal discussions

while plenty of business cards were handed around. Before leaving, each person received a complimentary swag bag containing discount offers and fun promotional items kindly donated from Moreton Bay businesses.

Event host Karen Ahl, who runs local web design agency Web-Sta Web Design, staged her first networking event in January. Last week’s event was the third of its kind.

Some of last week’s guests had attended one of the two previous networking events, at the same location.

Karen said the purpose of the “collaborative event” was to foster the exchange of “valuable feedback, new ideas and strategies that can help you grow your business”.

Karen said this went beyond networking, while there were many benefits of being a part of a mastermind group including

Fees and charges waived to create 82 new homes

MORETON BAY R egional Council has waived over $1 million worth of infrastructure charges and development application fees for Brisbane Housing Company (BHC) to construct 82 new accessible social and affordable homes for older residents, in a bid to tackle growing homelessness and housing affordability concerns.

peer support and accountability, networking and connections, knowledge sharing, problemsolving and brainstorming, and personal and professional growth.

Karen’s next event will be a brunch on October 25. Visit www.karenahl.com.

au for more information about Karen’s October event, Virtual Masterminds and web design services.

The BHC project is being constructed at 99 Sutton Street, Redcliffe, as part of the state government’s Housing Investment Fund.

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the level of housing needed wasn’t unique to this part of south-east Queensland, but Council’s proactive approach to help addressed the issue had put Moreton Bay at the forefront of delivering new solutions.

“This exciting new project is proof that by thinking outside the box we can support great outcomes quickly and effectively,” Cr Flannery said.

“We only just launched our new Attraction of Affordable Social Housing Development Policy in March, which BHC jumped on immediately, and now just four months later we’ve already entered into an infrastructure agreement.

“It means they won’t pay any Council infrastructure fees or charges on this affordable and social housing project, saving them $1.025 million.

“We’ve seen homelessness grow by 92% over the past decade and reports of homelessness and people sleeping in public spaces have increased significantly.”

Woodford Lions welcome new members at changeover

THE Woodford Lions Club committee remained unchanged while four new members were inducted at the club’s annual changeover dinner, which took place at Sauté Thai restaurant on Tuesday last week.

David Kearns was re-elected

as president following his first year at the helm while vicepresidents Carol McLeod and Lynne Barling, membership chairperson Barry Siebuhr, secretary Judy Wenham and treasurer Ron Remfrey also remained in their respective positions.

Angie Liggins, Jessica Haley, Wanita Stanley and Michael Billett were the new members to come on board, while another highlight was Allan Handsley receiving life membership after 60 years of service as a Lion.

Between 40 and 50 people

attended the changeover dinner, with the gathering including Terry Young (Federal Member for Longman) and Andrew Powell (State Member for Glass House).

Mr Kearns said the past year was probably the most successful yet for the Woodford

Lions, with events such as the mega raffle, Dancing In The Cool, Woodford Folk Festival, and Woodford Community Carnival and Lantern Parade, as well as raffles, barbecues and organising Meals on Wheels services.

Mr Kearns said the

committee members shared the workload and were keen to continue in the same vein, while the club felt well supported by the community.

“Why change something if it ain’t broke?” he said.

District Governor Graeme Emery presents Allan Handsley with his life membership award at the Woodford Lions changeover dinner.

District Governor Graeme Emery (far left) with Woodford Lions members David Kearns, Ron Remfrey, Carol McLeod, Judy Wenham, Barry Siebuhr and Lynne Barling.

A group of people from various businesses and industries came together at Wamuran last week as part of a new networking group.

Karen Ahl from Web-Sta Web Design with Amanda Webb from Quad Care in Woodford. Photo credit: That Coastal Photographer.

Geoff Robins from Southern Cross First Response. Photo credit: That Coastal Photographer.

Under My Skin

I WAS having a whinge to a friend the other day complaining about the State Government’s threat to set targets for councils to build a minimum number of social and affordable homes.

“Remember the good old days when all councils had to do was worry about rates, rubbish and roads?” I ranted like a grumpy old fart. “No wonder government costs so much — thousands of politicians, millions of bureaucrats, duplication everywhere — and most of the time they just play politics and forget why we put them there.”

At that stage old mate produced his council rate notice. It included levies for sustainable transport, heritage, environment, State Emergency Management, and Bushfire Resilience and Response.

“Next time I get a rate notice it will probably include a social and affordable housing levy,” he said with a shrug of inevitability.

That prompted me to check a few things. According to the Parliamentary Education Office website:

“State and Territory Governments raise money from taxes but receive more than half

their money from the Federal Government and spend it on State and Territory matters: for example, schools, housing, hospitals, roads and railways, police and ambulance services.

“Local councils collect taxes (rates) from all local property owners and receive grants from Federal, State and Territory Governments, and spend this on local matters: for example, town planning, rubbish collection, water and sewerage, local roads and pet control.”

So how come our State Government thinks it can duckshove some of its housing responsibilities on to Local Government?

That’s when I again started to wonder if we really need all this government. In Australia we have about 2.5 million public servants and more than 5,000 elected representatives.

What the hell do they all do, apart from stuffing many things up? More to the point, why have we meekly given up and allowed them to ruin this country?

I must add there are some excellent elected representatives and some very capable, professional and diligent public servants who deserve our thanks.

The rest deserve the sack.

Drawing the line

THERE have been times when I think I’m a cultural klutz, not understanding ‘the arts’ or those creative people who try hard to help us out of our blank canvas tent.

But maybe it’s not just me. Tell me if you understand the following, publicising an artist who had work featured in some Sunshine Coast parks recently:

“Her work is motivated by a fascination with the mind’s relationship with the outside world conducted through the senses. Using only what she sees around her, she uses a drawn line as the materialisation of being present in the world and in the moment.

“A series of picnic tables fitted with oversized sneeze guards become the surface for (the artist’s) drawing performances. (The artist) augments these barriers — surfaces that have kept us apart and that have articulated a space between us over recent years — with observations of the interconnectedness of the world and the activity around her.”

Maybe I’m just a cretin. I have absolutely no idea what that was all about.

Just briefly

NSW pollies started panicking when they were told fire ants were spreading across the border. They needn’t have worried. Our “I’m keeping you safe” Premier assured them Queensland soil is for Queensland fire ants only.

Remember when we had to stop cutting down trees to save the planet. Now we have to cut down trees to build wind and solar farms to save the planet.

I must be really unlucky. Every time I phone a “service provider”, like telcos, power, water, or government departments, they are always experiencing a “higher than usual number of enquiries” and it might be better if I clicked on their website. Why me every time? It’s not fair.

Derailing Mark

HAVE we just seen the Premier throw another Cabinet Minister under the bus or, in this instance, under the train?

She has cancelled her Treasurer more than once, denouncing his tax announcements when they met with public outcry, and now her Transport Minister, Mark Bailey, has been made look like a right royal twat who talks

bollocks.

Remember when Bailey unsuccessfully tried to explain why he had failed to inform the public about a $2.4 billion (34 per cent) cost blowout in a train manufacturing program?

No one, including the Premier, knows what “the new figure includes options for a further 20 years of operational costs” actually means.

Palaszczuk has admitted she also misled Queenslanders about the multi-million dollar cost blow out, and has apologised for doing so.

Where does that leave Bailey? I suggest it leaves him up the sewer without an air freshener.

Maybe it was his totally weird excuse for using the old figure in his media release that forced the Premier to cancel him.

“We put the new figure out there on the world wide web and we basically can’t be more transparent than that,” was Bailey’s explanation.

I’m not a day-to-day follower of the Transport Department’s website so, like 99 (plus) per cent of Queenslanders, I missed the announcement of the paltry multi-billion dollar overspend.

If the Minister seriously thinks he’s being “transparent” he needs

By SKINHEAD

basic English lessons or an urgent psychological assessment. Transparent means easy to perceive or detect — just the opposite to what he has been. But in this instance the Premier detected Ministerial shite at its best, called it out, and decoupled the Minister for Choo Choos.

Be careful Mark II

POLICE Minister Mark Ryan should heed what his boss did to Cabinet colleague Bailey because the Premier might now realise government isn’t an integrity-free zone.

When figures showed there were 30,000 more serious crimes committed in Queensland in the first half of this year than the same period last year, Ryan described it as a “fluctuation”.

Reminds me of Monty Python’s Black Knight declaration, “Tis but a scratch” when he lost an arm in a sword fight, and “a mere flesh wound” when both arms and both legs were lying on the ground. Thought of the week: I miss the good old days when you could have an opinion without offending anyone.

Impressive family home with 3 living areas

KATHY Sweeney is proud to present this incredibly built home that is packed with stunning features in Caboolture.

It leaves nothing for the lucky new owners to do but enjoy.

It was thoughtfully designed to bring a unique and personalised living experience to its owners, ensuring prestige features throughout and a harmonious indoor/outdoor lifestyle.

From the first street glance, this incredible property gives you a prestige, yet homely feel provided by the immaculate presentation and contemporary design.

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Vacant aged care home in Moreton Bay to house people in need

A FORMER aged care home in Moreton Bay region will soon be transformed into homes for Queenslanders in need of housing after the property was purchased by the State Government.

The Rothwell property will undergo a $1.6 million refurbishment before welcoming tenants at the end of the year.

Like the other aged care facilities secured by the State Government in the past six months in Toowoomba,

Clayfield and Redland Bay, this property will mostly house older Queenslanders.

The Rothwell site will provide up to 18 units for people in the Moreton Bay region, adding to 58 units at Toowoomba, 37 at Clayfield and 28 at Redlands.

Staff from the Department of Housing and a specialised homelessness service will work onsite with residents to support them in obtaining longer-term accommodation.

Deputy Premier and Member for Murrumba, Steven Miles, said everyone deserves a place to call home, and soon this former aged care facility will provide a home for older Queenslanders experiencing housing stress.

“Moreton Bay region is one of the largest and fastest growing regions in the country. A property like this will allow people in need to stay within their community and connected to services,” Mr Miles said.

“This helps vulnerable locals into housing and helps to support them into permanent accommodation.

“This is just one example of the diverse housing solutions the government is delivering to help ease housing pressure and increase supply.”

Minister for Housing, Meaghan Scanlon, said the housing challenges in Queensland and across the country were unprecedented,

so the State Government was always looking at new and innovative solutions to get Queenslanders into safe and stable housing sooner.

“This site is particularly exciting as we have been able to purchase both the building of the former retirement village and the vacant adjoining parcel of land that has potential for longer-term development opportunities,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Not only do we have shovels

in the ground building hundreds of homes through our record $5 billion investment in social and affordable housing, but we are purchasing existing facilities like this that would otherwise have been lost.

“Support doesn’t stop at the front door, this site is a great example of how the State Government will provide not only a home but wrap around support services to help transition residents into longerterm accommodation.”

New bill busting energy efficient appliance rebate

AROUND 40,000 eligible households can benefit from key cost-of-living measure rebates of up to $1,000 to buy and install energy-efficient appliances from next month.

The $22 million program includes rebates for washing machines, fridges, dryers,

dishwashers, air-conditioners and hot water systems.

This comes on top of electricity bill rebates of $550 and $1072 for senior and concession card holders.

As part of the State Government’s push to ease cost of living pressures, the

new Smart Energy Savers program offers rebates for a range of eligible energy efficient appliances.

It’s estimated that making the switch from two to four star appliances could save individual households hundreds to thousands of

WEASEY’S PROPERTY REPORT

PREPARE your parachute - Navigating the mortgage cliff.

In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate, there are certain terms that gain prominence at different times, reflecting the prevailing market conditions. One such term that has been making waves lately is the “mortgage cliff.”

So, what exactly does this term signify, and what are the potential effects it could have on both homeowners and the real estate market as a whole?

The mortgage cliff refers to a critical juncture in the mortgage journey of many homeowners who had fixed-

term mortgages locked in two to three years ago at historically low-interest rates, typically around 2%. As the fixed term nears its end, homeowners find themselves standing on the edge of a metaphorical cliff.

Once their fixed-rate period expires, borrowers are automatically shifted to the standard variable rate (currently 6-7%) offered by their lender unless they have been able to refinance. This can result in a significant spike in their mortgage repayments, causing borrowers to have to find hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of extra dollars each month. For many homeowners,

this sudden increase will prove to be financially challenging, potentially leading to payment difficulties and even the risk of default. According to the RBA, 880,000 loans were fixed at rock-bottom interest rates. About half are due to expire in 2023 and approximately 38% will expire in 2024.

Those who are currently navigating a mortgage cliff are not alone and there are a number of options and support avenues available.

A licensed, experienced and highly rated mortgage broker may be able to assist in the process of refinancing.

It is recommended to choose

dollars a year, and reduce Queensland’s CO2 emissions by thousands of tonnes each year.

Low income households will be able to claim the most on appliances, however all Queenslanders will be eligible to access cost-of-living support

on selected appliances.

To be eligible for the lowincome additional component, individual applicants must meet the Low Income Tax Offset threshold as defined by the ATO.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said

Insights into the local housing market

with Chris Wease, Senior Sales Agent at Remax Living, Woodford.

a broker with a wide range of lenders on their panel rather than a broker with a shortlist of just a few banks that all applications are funnelled into. Alternatively, the Moneysmart online ‘mortgage calculator’ is useful to easily clarify the cost of various scenarios, and the National Debt Helpline – 1800 007 007 – is a governmentfunded service that connects to free financial counselling and can assist with negotiating with lenders and other creditors. All lenders have hardship teams to help customers in difficult circumstances.

As for the real estate market, it will be a period of

careful observation. Market dynamics may shift, presenting opportunities for some and challenges for others.

In conclusion, the mortgage cliff presents a significant challenge for some homeowners who face a surge in mortgage repayments. As this phenomenon unfolds, it will also be a litmus test for the resilience of the real estate market, shaping its trajectory in the coming months. Planning and prudence will be key to weathering the storm and emerging on the other side with stability and confidence.

If you have any specific questions, or if I can assist

the State Government was investing a record $8.2 billion in concessions this financial year to help ease cost of living pressures.

“This includes the biggest electricity bill support package in the nation which comes on top of these rebates.”

living

in any way, please reach out on 0427 536 725 or email cwease@remaxliving.com. au. I look forward to hearing from you.

Being connected to others is key to mental wellbeing

Zoetis and Beyond Blue support the mental health of Australia’s rural communities

INCREASING interest rates, inflation, rising living costs and concerns about the future are among the primary causes of community concern for people living in regional Australia, according to a new survey by Beyond Blue. However, despite the importance of seeking help for mental health, many Australians are hesitant to do so, especially

in rural areas where there is a stigma surrounding mental illness.

Research shows that being connected to others is crucial for mental wellbeing and can serve as a protective factor against anxiety and depression.

Zoetis, the leading animal health business, has partnered with Beyond Blue for seven years to support mental health

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initiatives and reduce stigma around mental illness in rural and regional Australia.

During this time, Zoetis has raised $700,000 for the Beyond Blue Support Service by donating $5 from each sale of the company’s livestock, pig, and poultry vaccines and drenches. In 2023, Zoetis has set a goal to raise an additional $100,000 by the end of the year.

Lance Williams, Zoetis senior vice-president and Cluster Lead, Australia and New Zealand, said Zoetis works closely with rural Australia through interactions with the country’s farming community, agricultural stores, veterinarians and their families.

“We are proud to once again be supporting Beyond Blue and the important work they do,”

COWS and CALVES:

he said.

“The farming community has endured many challenges over the years. Through economic insecurity, social isolation, loneliness, and insecure work, we’re seeing an increase in many of the factors that drive mental health challenges.

Rural Australia and country people are stoic and display considerable courage, however, the impact on mental health has been significant for many.”

Beyond Blue chief community officer, Patrice O’Brien, said social connections were closely tied to our physical and mental wellbeing.

“Feeling connected with others can reduce stress and build resilience. Having someone to talk to and support you is important. People in rural Australia are known for their resilience in times of crisis, but even the most resilient need extra support at times. Timely diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of a mental health condition in rural areas are likely to occur later or not at all, often resulting in an increased probability of the most tragic of outcomes. We want everyone to know that support is available.”

The journey to better mental health can start with small actions.

“It’s important to make looking after ourselves a priority. Maintaining social connections, keeping in touch with friends and family, and being part of a community provides a supportive network. Also, understanding which tools and strategies work well for you in tough times and reaching out for that extra support when you need it are really important,” Ms O’Brien said.

“You are not alone, and you don’t have to work things out

by yourself. Seeking support at the first sign you’re not feeling quite yourself can make it easier to bounce back and maintain good mental health. Sometimes, just talking to someone can make a difference.”

People can support the Zoetis initiative between now and October 31.

For each sale of the company’s livestock, pig and poultry vaccines and drenches Zoetis will donate $5, up to $100,000, to Beyond Blue.

“The money raised goes directly to the Beyond Blue Support Service to continue helping people living in remote areas. To date, thanks to Zoetis’s donation, over 14,000 people have been able to get the support they need through the service. Together we have made strong progress in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of those who live in rural Australia, and we are passionate about helping again this year,” Mr Williams said.

Need help?

For more information on how you can help Zoetis to raise vital funds to support mental health in rural communities through its partnership with Beyond Blue please visit www. zoetis.com.au.

For more information about depression and anxiety, visit www.beyondblue.org.au.

The Beyond Blue Support Service offers free and immediate counselling, advice and referrals via phone, webchat or email. To talk to a mental health professional for free, contact the 24/7 Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 22 46 36.

Free web chat is also available 24/7 at beyondblue. org.au/support-service/chat and you can join the online forums for free.

plainer cattle being cheaper.

For Sale Details, Market Reports and more info visit our website www.moretonsaleyards.com.au or find us on Facebook @ Moreton Saleyards

Watch out for little farmers who play in the workplace

GROWING up on a farm is great fun.

There’s oodles of space to run around, lots of animals to care for… and what little boy (or girl for that matter) doesn’t love a tractor?

But it’s also a high-risk working environment - fraught with danger - and if the latest statistics are anything to go by, it’s time we all took heed.

According to the 2022 Non-Intentional Farm-Related Incidents in Australia Report,

Cattle markets

WOODFORD

213 HEAD were sold at Stariha Auctions Woodford cattle sale on Monday. Younger cattle again held firm to dearer with increased competition. Cows and feeders sold to a similar market as previous weeks.

David Aubrey, Glass House Mountain, sold a pen of Murray Grey feeder steers for $1,295.

Quail Family Trust, Wamuran, sold Charolais cross weaner steers for $780 and steer calves for $560 and $530.

Michael Friedrich, Toogoolawah, sold Droughtmaster cross weaner steers for $700 and steer calves for $580 and $480.

Allan Thornton, Kilcoy, sold lines of Brangus steer calves for $650 and $500.

Bernard Spilsbury, Balmoral Ridge, sold a pen of young Droughtmaster steers for $640 and light heifer calves for $360.

Josh Sippel, Caboolture, sold Charbray weaner steers for $730 and vealer males for $560.

Shaun Lennon, Conondale, sold Droughtmaster heifers

14 per cent of on-farm fatalities since 2001 were children under the age of 15.

Although drowning remains the greatest risk for youngsters on farms, quad bikes, side-bysides, motorbikes, and tractors feature heavily in injury and fatality reports in this age group.

As a mother myself, it doesn’t bear thinking about.

At AgForce we talk about safety every chance we get, and as part of our recent

for $810.

P Roberts, Woodford, sold Limousin cows for $1,380.

EUMUNDI

240 HEAD were sold at Stariha Auctions Eumundi cattle sale on Tuesday, July 25.

Prices for quality cattle improved, with increased competition, while the market remains tough for lesser quality cattle.

Rusty Jones, Carters Ridge, sold milk tooth Droughtmaster steers for $1,390.

Happy Jack Pastoral, Ridgewood, sold Charbray cross weaner steers for $855.

Farm Safety Week campaign we took the opportunity to highlight the risks involved with little farmers who play in the workplace.

By implementing simple precautions and fostering a safety-conscious culture on farm, we can ensure the wellbeing of our children, and prevent injuries and fatalities from occurring.

Some of the tips from leading ag safety advocate Farmsafe Australia include establishing boundaries where

Rodney Garrett, Amamoor, sold Droughtmaster steers for $1,100 and $1,000.

Allan McCombe, Kybong, sold Droughtmaster weaner steers for $870.

Josh Sippel, Caboolture, sold Angus cross weaner steers for $840.

Sunny Cattle Co, Yandina, sold Charolais cows for $1,510 and $1,140.

Diane Murphy, Cootharaba, sold Angus cross steers for $810.

Rob Ludwig, Conondale, sold a pen of Droughtmaster store cows for $980. Hayley Worth, Kandanga, sold Brangus steer calves for $560.

children are allowed to play safely (with ‘no-go zones’ designated for operating tractors and machinery), educating anyone who visits your farm of the risks, and teaching kids to appreciate and respect the power of farm vehicles.

Above all, please remember – active supervision is essential, especially when machinery is in operation.

Agriculture continues to be one of our nation’s most important industries - but it

MORETON

AGENTS Boyd O’Brien Bartholomew reported a yarding of 317 head at their weekly live weight cattle sale at Moreton on Tuesday.

Less numbers came to hand, with cows and weaners most affected. Export cattle sold to stronger competition to be 10 cents dearer. Feeders sold to local feedlots at rates fully firm on last week. Yearlings and weaners sold equal to last week with only plainer cattle being cheaper.

Weaner steers: A Sellin (Braford) 336.2c $843; B Sheehy (Red Angus) 352.2 $978.

Vealer heifers: M Thornton

also remains one of our most dangerous - and protecting our little people must be at the forefront of our minds at all times.

What’s more, we need to continue to educate our kids about safety, provide information and resources to them and their families, and hopefully, raise a much more safety-conscious generation, who will enjoy their childhood on the farm and one day take over the workload themselves.

(Charolais x) 239.2c $691.

Backgrounder steers: L Draheim (Charolais x) 339.2c $1,009.

Feeder steers: E and M Carey (Droughtmaster x) 289.2c $1,077.

Milk and 2 tooth steers: C and P Bell (Limo) 301.2c $1,717.

Export feeder steers: B Sheehy (Droughtmaster x) 295.2c $1,420.

Feeder heifers: Yabba Past Co (Santa x) 257.2c $1,260.

Heavy cows: A and F Macarthur and Sons (Santa) 227.2c $1,607.

Medium cows: A Sellin (Braford) 226.2c $1,346.

Bulls: Gilla Partnership (Charolais) 265.2c $2,520.

Top line-up for 2023 Coolabunia Classic Charolais Bull Sale

THE 11th Annual Coolabunia Classic Charolais Bull Sale is on Thursday August 17 at 11am at the Coolabunia Saleyards. On offer will be 52 commercially focused Charolais bulls that have been Semen and Morphology tested, Vaccinated: 3 day sickness, 3 germ blood, 7 in 1, Pestigard and Vibriovax. All bulls will be scanned for EMA, Fat, IMF and will be weighed before sale day and the raw data will be available on a supplementary sheet. All bulls will be pre-treated for ticks to allow access to tick free areas. Online bidding through Elite Livestock Auctions will be available on sale day if you cannot attend and phone bidding is also available. Vendors are offering free freight on all bulls sold up to 150km from the sale (terms and conditions apply). Should you wish to pre-inspect any of the bulls please contact the vendors or

the Agents: Aussie Land and Livestock 074162 2233, Midge Thompson 0427 710 018, James Bredhauer 0427 549 373.

Charnelle Chaolais

We begin the Coolabunia Classic bull sale with a bull that we rate as good as any that we have ever bred. The “Station Master” will impress you with his carcase, muscle, softness and confirmation attributes. He is a Homozygous Polled, Full French bull with a sirey head, good scrotal size, and stands on good bone with very tidy feet and legs. He is a combination of two of the Polled Full French bulls from whom we have imported semen from France; Gallway and Johnny. Johnny was the sire of the top selling bull at this sale in 2021 and Station Master is out of the same cow that produced the top seller

last year. Desire N32F is from the Palgrove Desire cow family, and we rate her very highly. She produced Skipper and Station Master and a twin sister in the one calendar year of 2021. He has a beautiful nature, moves very well and we believe he has the goods to be a stud sire. We are retaining a ¼ semen share with a small amount already collected and no further call on the bull. Tested PI negative.

Silverwood Charolais

As is always the case, we are once again excited to offer up what we think are 12 herd improving bulls. Ten of the 12 offered are by Charnelle President, who was purchased in 2020 and was the top priced bull that year as well as ranking third in the sires shoot out. We purchased him when we couldn’t go past his overall carcass

attributes that showcased excellent muscle and fat combination as well as near perfect structure. We believe he has already really left his mark on the bulls we are offering, and we are quietly confident they will be well received among commercial or stud buyers alike. Ten of the 12 bulls are clean polled, with the other two unfortunately developing small scurs. As we like to do, we also have 3 red factor sires to pick from. Most of the bulls offered this year are, on average, slightly older than we have usually offered them at. This has allowed a more tempered preparation and we believe it will help aid our bulls when they get out working for you. Once again, we welcome/ encourage pre-sale inspections and ask that you contact Lindsay (0409677611) or Rodney (0408 717 974) to arrange a time.

Silverwood Sapper (P)

Charnelle Stationmaster (PP) (Full French)

Georgie Somerset, AgForce General President

Mandating reversing vehicle aids to save lives

NO PARENT, family or friend should ever have to experience the devastation of losing a loved one on or around our roads.

To provide drivers with the best possible line of sight while reversing, the Australian Government is mandating reversing technologies for all

new vehicles.

The mandate comes after many years of advocacy from organisations such as KidSafe, and parents who have experienced both fatal and nonfatal driveway incidents.

Reversing technologies, which include reversing cameras and motion sensors,

Moreton Bay

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increase driver awareness of vulnerable road users behind a vehicle.

Mandating this life-saving technology will reduce the devastating impact of reversecrash road trauma, particularly for pedestrians – which are Australia’s largest single road user group and have no protection against vehicle impact.

The new standard, called Australian Design Rule 108/00

– Reversing Technologies, will apply to all types of light, medium and heavy vehicles, from everyday cars through to heavy goods trucks.

Reversing technologies that meet the new standard must be installed in all new vehicle models from November 1, 2025.

For new vehicles made from existing models, this life-saving technology must be installed from November 1, 2027.

The new Australian Design Rule and its full impact assessment are available at www.legislation.gov.au/ Details/F2023L01006.

Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Carol Brown, said if we save even one child’s life through this mandate, it will be worth it.

“We know that reversing aids will improve visibility for drivers to minimise black spots while reversing. The Australian

Government predicts that this change will contribute to a reduction in both fatal and nonfatal driveway incidents.

“This new standard supports our unwavering commitment to achieving Vision Zero: zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 2050. It will be particularly impactful towards ensuring zero deaths of children 7-years and under by 2030, one of the key targets on this vision roadmap. “

Bribie’s northern access track re-opens

BRIBIE Island’s Northern Access Track has re-opened following extensive repairs after it was badly damaged by unprecedented weather events in early 2022.

The Northern Access Track and a number of other inland tracks within the Bribie Island National Park and Recreation Area were heavily impacted by the severe weather in 2022 and required significant repair works.

Impacted sections of the 20 kilometres of track between Poverty Creek turn-off and the Fort Bribie Day-Use Area have been raised and rock inverts installed to reduce the chance of closures after future rain events.

The $750,000 project was funded through the ‘Community and Recreational Asset Recovery and Resilience

Program’ established under the Australian and Queensland governments’ Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements following the 2021-22 disaster season.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, said Bribie was a beautiful part of the world, and it was great to be able to welcome locals and visitors alike back to the walking tracks.

“The federal government is pleased to partner with the state government in delivering these important repairs,” he said.

“The significant works that have been undertaken will hopefully mean the tracks are more resistant to damage from future natural disasters.”

Queensland Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard,

said the 2022 severe weather events caused significant damage to many national parks, including Bribie Island.

“While we were able to quickly re-open the most popular visitor areas of the Bribie Island National Park and Recreation Area fairly quickly, repairing the damage to the Northern Access Track proved to be particularly challenging,” she said.

“The 2022 rainfall resulted in the water table on Bribie Island becoming elevated, which meant it took a long time for the low-lying areas around the Northern Access Track to dry out to allow machinery access.

“The remoteness of the tracks was also a challenge.

“Re-opening the access track and other damaged inland

tracks has been a priority for the Department of Environment and Science and I am pleased that works have now been completed and this important access point to Bribie Island Recreation Area has been restored.”

Member for Pumicestone, Ali King, said she was grateful for the community’s patience while the Northern Access Track was repaired after it was damaged in the February 2022 floods.

“During these works we upgraded the Northern Access Track to better withstand future severe weather events,” she said.

“We can be proud that we’re building back better from the challenges of the 2022 floods, which hit our Pumicestone community so hard.”

RHS, FLAT BAR, ANGLE, ROUND BAR, TOPHAT, PURLINS,

JENNY and Bill were the winners while Sherrie and Cecil were runners-up after a three-way play-off in Monday night’s round of pot luck doubles at Caboolture Social Darts Club.

High scores were recorded by Jenny (100 and 108) and Cecil (100).

Pegs were Corey (55) and Bill (40), while junior player Mark had 48.

Only 10 players took part this week.

Visitors and new players are welcome at the Hayes Streetbased club each Monday night. Enquiries can be made to club secretary Ian at 0400 475 007.

- Call Josh

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Caboolture Garden Club celebrates half-century

ABOUT 130 gardeners and guests descended on the Caboolture Showgrounds for the Caboolture Garden Club’s 50th anniversary morning tea on Wednesday, July 12.

Several of the gardeners won a gift from the huge number of raffle prizes donated by guests and visiting Garden Clubs from all over the south-east region.

Caboolture Garden Club member John McGrath and former Garden Clubs of Australia president George Hoad gave an impromptu song and dance routine. Mr Hoad also used his trusty projector to deliver a travelogue about his recent trip to Europe and all the beautiful flowers and gardens he saw there.

State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan, also spoke to the gathering.

“For the past 50 years the Caboolture Garden Club has

significantly added to the rich fabric of our community, providing friendship and a sense of belonging to generations of members,” Mr Ryan said.

The Member for Morayfield said it was heartwarming to see so many people at the event, not only celebrating the Caboolture Garden Club but celebrating the role of community organisations.

“As we come out the other side of Covid, it’s important to remind ourselves that we are part of something bigger,” he said.

“Being in that room with so many people, it was comforting to see that there are still networks and organisations who come together, not only because they have a shared interest but because they know that if they are part of something bigger, they have a more fulfilling life.

“The contribution the

PuBlIC NoTICes

Garden Club of Caboolture has made to our community can’t be understated.

“They play a big part in community projects, in contributing towards charities and in volunteering.

“But the opportunity they provide individuals to be part of a collective is the most important thing they do.

“If you are part of the Caboolture Garden Club, you are part of something much bigger, and that is certainly worth celebrating five decades of.”

Caboolture Garden Club president Steve Mason said everything worked well at the 50-year anniversary event, and that the club received a number of “thank-yous and congratulations”.

“A loud thank you to those wonderful people who helped organise and make the day the success that it was,” he said.

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Snakes teen on the rise as a dual rugby player

CABOOLTURE Snakes teen

Ashyr Kelso has come along in leaps and bounds in rugby union, having only begun playing the sport this year while also continuing his rugby league career.

An underage player for Caboolture Snakes rugby union and rugby league teams, Ashyr chose to have a go at both codes this year after starting in rugby league at U7 level about eight years ago.

Ashyr gained a player-ofthe-match award in the recent Queensland Rugby Football Schools Union (QRFSU) 14-15 years Boys State Championship in Cairns, and he was subsequently invited to trial for the Emerging Reds Cup (ERC).

The ERC, which is a Queensland Reds Academy competition designed to provide a pathway for Queensland U15 players, can lead to selection

for a match against the NSW Waratahs U15s.

Ashyr was originally chosen to play on the left wing for the Sunshine Coast team at the championship in Cairns, but he shifted to fullback after the first-choice fullback withdrew due to injury.

With all games at Barlow Park from July 20 to 23, the teams were split into two pools, with Sunshine Coast in Pool B along with Metropolitan East, Capricornia, Peninsula and Wide Bay while Pool A comprised South Coast, Northern, Metropolitan North, Metropolitan West, and Darling Downs.

Ashyr and his teammates began well as they beat Peninsula 34-24 and followed up with a 36-0 win over Capricornia on day one, with Ashyr scoring a try in the first game.

Ashyr also scored in Sunshine Coast’s first game on day two, with the team defeating Wide Bay 42-0 before losing its next match 15-3 to Met East.

Having finished second in Pool B and fourth overall on competition points, Sunshine Coast couldn’t match it with Met West and Met East in the finals.

With the finals series on the weekend, Sunshine Coast lost 24-7 to Met West on the Saturday before going down 41-12 to Met East the next day.

Ashyr could hold his head high after scoring Sunshine Coast’s lone try in the 17-point defeat, before earning playerof-the-match honours in the 29-point loss.

The individual honour came as the coach of the opposing team picked the player who they rated as a standout.

Ashyr said he loved a number of things about this trip; the winter weather in Cairns, playing football, and meeting new people.

Ashyr only knew one of his teammates at the start of the championship – a player from Caloundra – but he later said “the team was really accepting and gelled together beautifully”.

“The families and coaching staff were all amazing, and it made it easy to settle in and play some great rugby,” he said.

“The team was made up of boys from schools over the Sunny Coast region, and some great friendships have come from it.”

By his own standards, Ashyr was never overly happy with his form as he considered he could always get better, but he said he was enjoying rugby union more and more while also

Fiddle boards donated to aged care facility

THE Bellmere-based NewDirection Care received two fiddle boards on Wednesday July 19, courtesy of a donation from the Wamuran and District Men’s Shed.

The boards contained tactile items such as a light switch, knobs and latches, to promote sensory engagement for individuals living with neurological conditions.

With the Wamuran-based men’s shed open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, some of its members displayed their craftsmanship as they spent several weeks working on the fiddle boards.

Wamuran and District Men’s Shed president Gary McBride said how fulfilling it felt for

the members to make items that would benefit the local community.

NewDirection Care clinical services manager Alyssa Jenkins said the fiddle boards would empower and enrich the lives of the residents.

“The primary purpose of these boards is to promote sensory engagement, a vital aspect for individuals in advanced stages of such illnesses,” she said.

“The onsite occupational and physiotherapy team at NewDirection Care is deeply appreciative of this donation.

“They recognise the significance of these fiddle boards in enhancing the functional

abilities of residents, particularly in terms of dexterity.

“By interacting with the tactile items on the boards, residents can maintain their ability to perform common activities of daily living, such as eating and drinking, fostering independence and a sense of accomplishment.”

Alyssa said the fiddle boards also acted as a valuable psychological stress outlet for residents who may experience difficulties regulating emotions.

“Engaging with the boards allows them to find comfort and solace, relieving stress and promoting emotional wellbeing,” she said.

“This thoughtful gift from the

Wamuran and District Men’s Shed serves as a reminder of the power of unity and community support in creating a nurturing environment for those in need.”

Alyssa said the NewDirection Care staff applauded the dedication and generosity of the Wamuran and District Men’s Shed members, “whose efforts have made a profound difference in the lives of residents at NewDirection Care Bellmere”.

“This heartwarming initiative reminds us of the importance of coming together as a community, supporting one another, and creating an inclusive and caring environment for everyone,” she said.

gaining a better understanding of the rules each time he played.

Ashyr said he was pretty excited to have the chance to

trial for the Queensland Reds U15s, and that he also looked forward to lining up in an upcoming all schools oztag tournament.

Local artist Jamie Congdon wins Moreton Bay Art Prize

‘ALL Aboard in Margate Parade’, a sophisticated and contemporary interpretation of a self-portrait, is the winning entry in this year’s Moreton Bay Region Art Prize.

First prize winner, Jamie Congdon, is a well-regarded local artist who uses the world around him as his inspiration. Traversing a range of form and style, his artworks present viewers with new perspectives on portraiture and suburban landscapes, providing complex narratives through snapshots of fleeting daily moments and creating an intimate visual diary.

With 152 entries in this year’s Moreton Bay Region Art Prize and a further 39 entries in the Outdoor Gallery, Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the exhibition showcased the depth of artistic talent in the Moreton Bay Region.

“These outstanding works speak volumes about the talent of our local artists,” Cr

Flannery said.

“A flourishing arts and cultural sector plays a vital role in shaping our city’s identity and contributes to a sense of place and belonging.

“Council is helping build

Moreton Bay’s creative communities by celebrating the city’s talents, and this year is contributing $10,000 in prizes to support local artists to continue their great work.

“Residents can show their support by visiting the

exhibition at Pine Rivers Art Gallery by August 19 and voting for the People’s Choice Award.”

This year’s Moreton Bay Region Art Prize winners and submissions will be on display at Pine Rivers Art Gallery until

August 19.

First prize was awarded $5,000 (Jamie Congdon, All Aboard in Margate Parade), second prize $3,000 (Tayla Anahera Shanti Mishra, The Interruption) and third prize $1,500 (Amanda Ivy Gardner,

Ladies Home Journal #3).

The People’s Choice Award of $500 will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibition.

“For those that remember the vibrant outdoor gallery that popped up throughout May and June, those banners have found a new life as a one-of-a-kind upcycled outdoor picnic mat. These sustainable pieces will be available for purchase for $30 at Redcliffe, Pine Rivers and Caboolture Art Gallery shops in mid-August,” Cr Flannery said.

“We have a strong network of libraries, galleries, museums, heritage services, and cultural activation services which deliver significant arts and cultural outcomes across the region.

“We’ve invested over $17 million into our cultural services this financial year and are working on our Creative Communities Action Plan to ensure we are continuing to support the arts into the future.”

Leanne Allen (NewDirection Care lifestyle and events team member), Jim Shannon (resident) and Gary McBride (Wamuran and District Men’s Shed president) showcase the fiddle boards, donated by the Wamuran and District Men’s Shed to the Bellmere-based NewDirection Care.

A victory at last! Sole win for the year

THE Caboolture Snakes

first graders finished their 2023 Sunshine Coast Rugby Union (SCRU) campaign with their only win of the season as they defeated the Maroochydore Swans 46-38 at Caboolture Rugby Union Club last Saturday.

Having drawn their opening match of the season before losing 10 in a row, the Snakes relished the club’s annual Ladies Day last Saturday as well as breaking their duck at the last available opportunity.

The Snakes must also have felt they had a score to settle after they lost 29-27 to the Swans back on June 10, when Maroochydore stole victory on full-time with a goal from a contentious penalty.

There were many twists and turns as well as plenty of controversy last Saturday, with Caboolture a player short for 30 minutes due to three players being yellow-carded.

While the Snakes weren’t at full strength as Will Tanzer was among the missing players, a key inclusion was fullback Kegan Tuhega who set the game alight with two stunning tries.

The start couldn’t have been more inauspicious, with Caboolture hooking the kickoff out on the full before a fumble from the Swans in the ensuing scrum was immediately followed by the Snakes fumbling in another scrum.

The Swans threw a forward pass just moments later, before they opened the scoring as Josh Williams threw a dummy and made a mockery of Caboolture’s defence as he broke away for the opening try.

Soon afterwards, Tuhega fielded a kick from the Swans and used brilliant footwork as he evaded numerous wouldbe defenders and scored a

60-metre solo try.

Both teams failed to find touch with a penalty kick, and Caboolture lost Joseph Suitauloa for 10 minutes following an intentional infringement.

Maroochydore enjoyed field position and a run of penalties, but Caboolture survived while Suitauloa was on the sidelines.

After Suitauloa’s return, James Barrett was yellowcarded for repeated infringements. Yuto Nakai scored a converted try just moments later, enabling the Swans to lead 14-7 with five minutes left in the first half.

Tuhega made another break on a kick return, but then a stray pass followed.

Maroochydore could have maintained its seven-point advantage until half-time, but a needless pass was intercepted by Jacob Prlja who dashed away to score shortly before the whistle sounded.

Prlja converted his try to level the score, before the Swans regained the lead shortly after play resumed as Shane Wright landed a penalty goal.

The Snakes regained the ascendancy with two converted tries to set up a 28-17 lead.

Rakai Rangiawha touched down for a five-pointer that was set up by the forwards, and then Tuhega produced another spectacular solo effort and saluted the cheering crowd just before diving over the tryline.

Caboolture’s grip on the match was loosened as Finian Ralph scampered away from the cordon of defenders for a converted try, which trimmed the margin back to four points.

The Snakes were in further trouble when Josiah Tautaiolefua was dubiously yellow-carded for a so-called late hit, when he was committed to the tackle. The Swans moved downfield, and then Lockie

Stewart fielded the ball at the breakdown and darted through a yawning gap to put the Swans back in front.

Caboolture regained the lead as Lopeti Mailau crashed over the tryline from close range, and Prlja’s conversion took the score to 35-31.

Eli Fifita ran away to score next and increase the margin to nine points, before the Swans hit back with a converted try off the back of another suspect decision.

Prlja nailed a penalty goal with four minutes remaining, making the score 43-38, before he landed a long range penalty goal in the dying seconds to seal the eight-point triumph.

Snakes coach Wilson Enoka was happy with the longawaited win, while the club was about to have a function at the clubhouse.

“It’s a long season, (and I’m) happy to finish with a win, especially at our home ground,” he said.

Enoka said he was relieved and happy at the same time, with regard to the season concluding for the Snakes first graders.

Although the Snakes weren’t a premiership threat like Enoka had hoped, he said there were “little wins” such as the culture they were creating.

“We look at ourselves with things like game management, our fitness and what we do off the field,” he said.

“Accountability let us down a bit.”

Enoka said he was happy with the effort and commitment of the players during the season, and that it was too early to say if he would coach again next year.

“I just want to focus on tonight,” he said.

“I’m really proud of the boys, (with their) hard work for the season.”

Snakes leap to top of women’s league ladder

THE Caboolture Snakes moved to top spot in the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League (SCGRL) women’s competition after a decisive 30-14 win against former ladder leaders the Kawana Dolphins at Bob Day Oval last Sunday.

Caboolture moved two competition points ahead of Kawana with three rounds left before the finals, with the Snakes guaranteed maximum points this weekend due to a bye.

Last Sunday was the third

Chance arises for Lions to snatch unlikely finals spot

THE Moreton Bay Lions need to win and rely on two other results to go their way this Saturday to enable the Lions to qualify for the upcoming Queensland Football Association (QFA) Div 1 HART Sport Cup finals series.

The seventh-placed Moreton Bay needs to beat the thirdplaced Caloundra at the Caloundra-based Carter Park, which is a tall order in itself.

Moreton Bay also needs the fourth-placed Mayne to beat the fifth-placed Hinterland, and for the first-placed Coorparoo to defeat the sixth-placed Beenleigh.

Should everything fall into place and enable the Lions to make the finals, it would be a dramatic turnaround for them after their home match last Saturday was a battle of avoiding the wooden spoon.

The Lions and University of Queensland (UQ) were equallast on competition points, with the loser of the match at Red Rooster Park all but assured of claiming the unwanted bottom position.

Moreton Bay ultimately claimed a nine-point win after many momentum changes, particularly in the first half.

The first quarter was even and intense, with neither side dominating while there were more behinds than majors.

UQ led 2.5.17 to 2.3.15 at quarter-time, with Blair Humphreys kicking both of Moreton Bay’s goals.

The Lions applied pressure

in the second term with quick and precise handballs which gave their forwards the chance to find space.

The hosts squandered a chance to score a major from a fairly straightforward position, before the visitors went up the other end and kicked a goal.

Moreton Bay hit back with a goal to Charlie Hewitt, before a fine kick from Jordan Williams produced a major for UQ.

Some good handballing and a well-placed kick set up another goal for Humphreys, and then a goal to captain Jono Giles helped Moreton Bay to a 6.6.42 to 4.8.32 lead at half-time.

UQ stamped its authority in the third quarter, scoring 4.3.27 to 2.1.13 in this period to claim a four-point lead and threaten to leave Moreton Bay with the wooden spoon.

The Lions once again rued a lapse in concentration which left them needing to play catchup football, but then they fought tooth and nail in the final quarter to kick 5.1.31 to 3.0.18 and earn a 13.8.86 to 11.11.77 victory.

The Lions jumped to a 20-point lead before UQ narrowed the margin, without being able to catch up.

Moreton Bay had nine goalkickers, with Humphreys the most prolific as he landed three. UQ had seven goal-kickers, with Thomas Campbell the standout as he landed four majors.

Another feature of the game was 17-year-old Bailey Hilton making his senior debut for

Moreton Bay and kicking a goal.

Lions coach David ‘Penguin’ Harding said, “Yes, we finally got a reward for our hard work.

“A four-quarter performance from the whole group today, which saw a high standard of fast-paced footy being played at Red Rooster Park.

“(I was) so pleased for the whole group to play and finally start to implement our new game plan.

“Now all we have to do next week is win to give ourselves a chance to play finals footy.”

In the reserves, meanwhile, the fifth-placed Lions fell away in the second half against the fourth-placed UQ while the hosts also lamented wayward kicking for goal.

The Lions had a two-point lead at quarter-time and a onepoint lead at half-time, but it was telling that they kicked seven behinds and only two goals in the first half while their opponents landed three goals and no behinds.

UQ led by one goal with one quarter remaining, before kicking three goals to two in the final term to run out 7.2.44 to 4.8.32 victors.

Regardless of this Saturday’s result against the secondplaced Caloundra, the Lions development team looks set to contest UQ in week one of finals.

The Lions women’s teams had a bye last weekend, and will contest Sherwood at Red Rooster Park this Saturday.

time the Snakes and Dolphins women’s teams met this year, having had a 28-all draw on May 20 before the Dolphins won the next encounter 28-12 in the President’s Cup round on June 3.

Caboolture dominated much of last Sunday’s contest, having won the battle through the middle, although Kawana fought back at one stage and had a chance of a comeback win.

A try each to Mariesha Orr, Emmogen Taumafai and Abbie Ritchie helped the hosts to a

16-0 lead after 15 minutes, before the visitors hit back with three unanswered tries of their own.

With their lead cut to just two points, the Snakes recovered as Tarnee Evans and Lenniece Wright scored a try each in the space of four minutes to set up a 12-point lead.

A try to Bianca Dioth in the 59th minute sealed Caboolture’s win and the ladder lead.

Following the bye, the Snakes women will return the following Saturday with an away match against Nambour.

The Caboolture Snakes and Maroochydore Swans in action at Caboolture Rugby Union Club last Saturday, with the hosts winning a high scoring match by eight points.

Jack Powell has possession for the Moreton Bay Lions during their win against University of Queensland in AFL action at Burpengary last Saturday.

Win and a draw for Caboolture men’s soccer teams

CABOOLTURE’S senior men’s soccer team had a tight win while the U23s had a draw as they contested Capalaba in Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) action at Max Haynes Field last Sunday.

The seventh-placed Capalaba and tenth-placed Caboolture were locked at 1-all at half-time in the senior game, before the visitors scored the only goal of the second half.

Joseph Copas and Luka Pullen scored for Caboolture, while Seyfullah Eser scored for the beaten team.

The visitors broke a fivegame losing streak while the hosts wore pink jerseys and raised funds for various cancer organisations.

It was also a farewell game

for Capalaba’s Ashton Bonsall, before jetting off to Louisiana State University.

In the U23 match, the 12th and last-placed Caboolture came agonisingly close to beating the fourth-placed Capalaba.

The visitors led 1-0 before Capalaba’s Caden Fay equalised from a penalty in stoppage time.

It was the second successive 1-all draw for Caboolture’s U23s.

The following day, the club announced its coaching staff for the remainder of this season as well as the 2024 season.

Royce Brownlie was appointed as the new senior men’s coach with Michael

McEvoy as his assistant, while Mark Boyd was appointed U23 men’s coach with Andrew Nairn as his assistant.

Brownlie’s extensive playing CV included stints with the Brisbane Strikers, Marconi Stallions, Parramatta Power, Queensland Roar, Swindon Town, Wellington Phoenix, Peninsula Power and Moreton Bay United.

More recently, Brownlie coached Moreton Bay United and Olympic FC.

McEvoy meanwhile has had a lengthy playing career with Caboolture.

Boyd was in charge of the senior men’s team until Brownlie’s appointment, while Nairn was in charge of the U23s.

Snakes reserves finish in style

THE Caboolture Snakes reserve graders had a happy conclusion to their Sunshine Coast Rugby Union (SCRU) season as they trounced the Maroochydore Swans 36-0 at Caboolture Rugby Union Club last Saturday.

Guaranteed to finish second-

last on the seven-team ladder, the Snakes recorded their third win of the year as they scored six unanswered tries against the bottom-placed team.

It was a far removed situation from the previous meeting involving the two teams, when the Swans landed a last-minute

Snakes women ready for finals

penalty goal for a 19-17 win which was the only time they tasted success this year.

Dale Blair, Billy Holland, Robert Panipasa, Quinton Strickland, Shaun Fletcher and Brad Lawrie scored a try each for the victors, while half of the tries were converted.

Snakes upset Dolphins at Snake Pit

THE Caboolture Snakes kept their finals chances alive with a 22-12 win over the Kawana Dolphins in last Sunday’s Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League (SCGRL) A Grade contest at Bob Day Oval.

The Snakes found themselves one-and-a-half wins outside the top-four with three rounds left before the finals, with the opportunity to make further inroads as they host the fourth-placed Maroochydore Swans this Saturday night.

If Maroochydore wins, however, a finals berth will be out of Caboolture’s grasp.

While the top-placed Beerwah remained unbeaten, it was notable that Caboolture last Sunday beat the second-placed team which subsequently found itself 22 points behind the competition leader.

Last Sunday was vastly different from the previous weekend when the Snakes suffered their biggest defeat of the year; 42-16 against the now third-placed Noosa.

Last Sunday was also a lot different from the previous Snakes versus Dolphins contest, which the latter won 30-16 on Kawana soil back on May 20.

Josh Totoro, Gerald Ubaldo, Logan Puohotaua, Steven Borg, Jason Gillard and D’Layni Perham returned for Caboolture last Sunday after missing the previous weekend’s disappointing defeat. Another change to the line-up last Sunday was the introduction of Bailey Henry, who made

his first grade debut off the interchange bench.

After playing against Noosa due to his team’s player shortage, Snakes coach Mitch Buckett said the return of several players last Sunday made a big difference while another factor was “definitely an attitude adjustment” among the team.

“We had nine players poll votes for players’ player, which shows how well we went as a team,” he said.

“Everyone played their role well and put the team first.”

Totoro, Perham and Ashleigh Comer were rated among the players as the top three performers in the victory.

Buckett said the team’s “ability to stick in the grind” was most pleasing, while the Snakes had a completion rate of 84 percent with only five errors.

Buckett however said the discipline let the Snakes down, as “we allowed them (the Dolphins) to attack our line on multiple occasions due to penalties”.

The first half featured only one try, with Kawana’s Zachariah Myles scoring around the 24-minute mark before Jay Lanuto landed the conversion.

With the Snakes trailing 6-0 midway through the game, Buckett said the attitude at halftime was great while the players felt confident.

“The first half was close but I believe we were making more metres out of our end,” Buckett said.

“They’d only get close to us

if we got penalised.

“(In the) second half it felt like we were the better team.”

The Snakes levelled the score in the early stages of the second half with a converted try to Comer, before an unconverted try to Jason Gillard put the home side in front.

A penalty goal stretched the margin to six points, before another unconverted try to Gillard took the score to 16-6.

A converted try to captain Aaron Nelson gave the Snakes a 22-6 lead with 10 minutes left, but then the Dolphins quickly hit back with a converted try to Ryan Jeffery.

There was enough time for the Dolphins to produce a comeback win, but it didn’t eventuate.

“I would like to believe with what’s on the line, the (Caboolture) players will continue their form,” Buckett said afterwards.

“Knowing the next three games are must-wins, I’m hoping the attitude over the next month remains where it is.”

This Saturday will be Caboolture’s final home match of the year, with kick-off at 6pm.

For the record, the Swans beat the Snakes 30-26 and 3022 earlier this year.

The Snakes meanwhile will host Kawana in the U19s this Saturday, after Caboolture’s U19s had a bye last weekend.

THE Caboolture Snakes women are ready for an acid test in week one of the Sunshine Coast Rugby Union (SCRU) finals series, with the Snakes contesting the undefeated Nambour Toads at Sunshine Coast University this Saturday.

The winner will progress to the grand final while the loser goes on to play the winner of this Sunday’s Caloundra Lighthouses versus Maroochydore Swans contest.

Caboolture finished second on the ladder with seven wins, four losses and a draw, having beaten Maroochydore 37-0 on Caboolture soil last Saturday when a win to the Swans would have lifted them to second spot and relegated the Snakes to this Sunday’s elimination final.

Nambour meanwhile recorded its 12th win from as many games, having beaten Brothers 32-12 last Saturday.

When the Toads and Snakes met in the regular season, the top-placed team won 24-18 on May 13 before racking up a 5819 victory on July 8.

The Snakes were penalised 13 times in the first half of their fixture last Saturday, but they set up their convincing win as they led 17-0 at half-time.

Caboolture skipper Olivia Fidow made a strong run in the first minute, and then the team made further inroads before Line Enoka scooted away to score the opening try.

The Snakes let themselves down with some loose passes as well as numerous penalties, but the Swans couldn’t find a way to score.

Elizabeth Tevi-Hopoi notched the second try of the game, following a great run and offload from Fidow.

Fidow made another strong run and was rewarded with a

try, before she spent a while off the field as she battled a shoulder injury.

Nive Moefaauo scored the opening try of the second half, before Lupe Fetaui scored next. In the lead-up to Fetaui’s try, Shannon Howard threatened to score as she made a great run, but her jersey came off as the defence thwarted her.

A fierce tackle left a Maroochydore player with a bleeding nose and needing to leave the field, before Howard made another good run.

Fidow soon charged over for her second try of the day, before Solina Lotu scored the final five-pointer.

The convincing win was fitting for the Snakes as they hosted their annual Ladies Day, and the players stood in a line at the conclusion of their game while acknowledging the spectators for their support.

Wolves and Snakes rivalry

THE Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League (SCGRL) reserve grade match at Bob Day Oval this Saturday is likely to have a bit of spice to it, as local rivals the Stanley River Wolves and Caboolture Snakes square off.

The result will have no bearing on the finals, however, as the visitors are guaranteed to finish the round-robin season in second spot while the hosts are

seventh and unlikely to move higher as a finals berth is beyond them.

The Wolves won on forfeit against the second-last Nambour Crushers last Saturday, before the Snakes were beaten 46-12 by the fourth-placed Kawana Dolphins on Caboolture soil the next day.

It was the second time this year that the Wolves won on forfeit, and the second time this year

that Kawana comprehensively beat the Snakes.

The Dolphins scored nine tries to two last Sunday, with Riley Arthur and Lucas Bell notching a double each.

The Wolves also had a resounding victory against the Snakes when the local rivals previously met, with Stanley River scoring 40 points to Caboolture’s six on Kilcoy soil back on April 15.

Caboolture’s coaching staff in the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) was announced earlier this week: Mark Boyd, Royce Brownlie, Michael McEvoy and Andrew Nairn. Photo credit: Caboolture Sports FC.

The Caboolture Snakes women in their team huddle at half-time last Saturday. The Snakes sealed second spot on the ladder, and will feature in the rugby union finals series starting this Saturday.

Snakes teen on the rise as a dual rugby player

Caboolture’s Ashyr Kelso has made his mark in rugby league and rugby union, having only started rugby union this year and already gained representative honours.