Friday, 5 August, 2022
12553076-JW23-22
Thinking of selling? You know who to call
It’s a dog’s life
Lunching on Hastings
Two wheelers rally
32-page lift out Property Guide
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INSIDE
PR OP ER TY
Dogs change their lives By Margie Maccoll
Laurie Cattanach with Buddy at A Dog’s Life pet expo.
Picture: ROB MACCOLL
It’s four years since PTSD assistance dog Buddy became a companion for Lawrence (Laurie) Cattanach and gave him back his life. From his time as an army infantry man, Laurie was left with nerve damage down his back and legs and in constant pain. “I was always angry. I was always in pain. Buddy has learnt to smell my pain. He stops me from overdoing it, from becoming more angry,” Laurie said. While being treated for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the Cooinda mental health clinic Laurie met someone else with an assistance dog and saw the benefits. His psychologist suggested it might also help him, so when he met PTSD Dogs Australia staff at the Eumundi Markets he started talking to them about it, then volunteering with them. “Buddy became available. We clicked straight away. He’s barely left my side since,” Laurie said. “I’ve got five girls. I lost love from my kids because I was angry. They wouldn’t give me a hug. Buddy always gives me affection even when I’m angry.” Buddy provides both physical and emotional assistance to Laurie. Laurie becomes overwhelmed in crowded places but Buddy senses his need for support and calms him by leaning his body into him, pushing against him and resting his front legs over Laurie’s knees. Continued page 6
Oyster milestone 12497020-DL22-21
The Nature Conservancy Australia (TNC) is set to begin the restoration of oyster ecosystems at Tewantin, Goat Island and lower Weyba Creek in the Noosa River lower estuary. TNC’s managing director Alison Rowe said the start of the Noosa oyster ecosystem restoration project was the result of months of collaboration with TNC’s partners including Noosa Council and the Noosa community. “It is an exciting milestone for the project and the health of the Noosa estuary. “We are delighted to work with members of the Noosa community on restoring shellfish ecosystems. We thank our partners, in particular The Thomas Foundation, for their support from the very early stages of the project,” Ms Rowe said.
The restored oyster ecosystem is expected to add habitat complexity to the river and provide a boost for the local estuarine environment as well as create employment, tourism and recreational opportunities. Noosa is one of 13 sites identified for shellfish reef restoration under the Australian Government-funded Reef Builder initiative. A partnership between the Australian Government and TNC Australia, Reef Builder aims at bringing shellfish reefs back from the brink of extinction and support the economic recovery of communities impacted by bushfires and Covid-19. Noosa Council Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie said oyster reef restoration was a responsible, science-backed investment in the Noosa River.
“This partnership is a great opportunity to improve the health of this much-loved natural asset and this project puts Noosa at the forefront of oyster reef restoration in Queensland,” he said. “We are starting to lay the reef foundation, which is made from locally-sourced igneous rock. This process will take several weeks,” TNC’s Oceans manager Craig Bohm said. “The reef base will then be seeded in spring with juvenile rock oysters that have settled onto recycled oyster shells, raised in Queensland Government’s Aquaculture Facility on Bribie Island.“ The Noosa Parks Association (NPA) provided the initial impetus for oyster reef restoration in the Noosa estuary.
NPA’s Michael Gloster said improving the health of the river through the restoration of oyster ecosystems had been a long-time ambition. “It’s great to see restoration of the ecosystems underway in our river. Oysters are excellent water filterers, with one oyster filtering up to 100 litres of water a day. This project is an important step forward in improving the health of our Noosa River Estuary.” The Noosa Oyster Ecosystem Restoration Project is a partnership between TNC Australia, the Noosa Shire Council, the Australian Government, The Thomas Foundation and the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS). For more information visit The Nature Conservancy Australia at natureaustralia.org.au