NEWS NOOSATODAY.COM.AU
On The Soapbox Carol Raye, Board Chairman and Kathy Bruce
Katie Rose says thank you This Christmas I am reminded of the vital role community spirit plays with its unhesitating recognition of our work. Since we opened our 24/7 hospice service four years ago, I have witnessed how powerful the attitudes and contributions of those who care can be in allowing us to do what we do. That’s why Katie Rose Cottage is more than a hospice, it is a community. It includes the people within its walls - the terminally ill and their families who come to us, our health professionals and supporting staff and volunteers. They all have a pride in making sure the work of the hospice continues and that it always stays the beautiful, welcoming home it is. Our small community exists because, thankfully, the wider community believes in our mission – to provide for Noosa and Sunshine Coast folk a financial worry-free and peaceful departure from this world. Our op shops in Tewantin, Cooroy, Noosaville and Maroochydore, our volunteer fundraising events - like the Katie Rose Gala, fashion spectaculars, the classic car show, as well as our coin donation boxes in the local baker or newsagent—are all given vital, charitable support… by you. I say vital because without it we would not be here. Nursing/care costs are about $1.38
Katie Rose Cottage committee chairman Carol Raye million a year and only approximately 21 per cent of that amount comes from state government sources.
Kathy Bruce is one Katie Rose staff member who knows how important the support from the community is.
Kathy is one of our two co-ordinators of our registered clinical nursing staff. “I have been a nurse for 10 years and I have worked in other areas of nursing but looking after the terminally ill is, to me, real nursing,” Kathy said. “We make sure our guests are comfortable and experience a high quality of care. Equally important is that their families are looked after. “Katie Rose is such an amazing organisation. “A lot of people are not aware that what we actually do is provided at no cost. People do not have to pay to be here. I feel quite proud to be a part of Katie Rose.” Like Kathy I, too, am proud of our hospice and grateful to the wider community for the support it gives. As Christmas and the New Year approaches, I know that together we can, and will, do so much more. Thank you so much for your support. On behalf of the Katie Rose family, I wish you a safe and happy festive season and 2023. Please visit our website at katierosecottage. org.au to find out how you can volunteer, obtain information on our upcoming events, or make a tax deductible donation.
Electric vehicle owners are miles ahead of the pack Electric vehicles, commonly known as EVs, are very cheap to run, and comparable in price to purchase - and cheaper to maintain and register - than an ordinary car. Myth Buster: The battery is going to die just like my mobile phone and cost me tens of thousands of dollars to replace. Unlike consumer electronics, EV battery packs are rated at greater than 1000 cycles. With a cycle equalling a full charge, it generally represents 300 or more kilometres per cycle. This means an EV battery pack is good for at least 300,000 kilometres. With the average Australian driving less than 15,000 kilometres per year, we may be worried about something that might happen in over 20 years’ time. Benefit: Buy fuel on a Tuesday, Saturday or is it a long weekend? These are challenges of the past when you own an EV and likely pay the same amount every day to charge up. Leaving home with a full tank every morning is one of the many benefits of owning an EV. Electricity is generally a stable price with the average Queenslander paying about 25 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Owning an EV makes budgeting for your transport costs all the simpler. Battery operated vehicles (BEVs) as opposed to hybrids, which use fuel, only require recharging using an electric plug. An EV comes with a charging lead that plugs into a standard 240-volt power point which means you can charge your car at home. A fully charged EV can travel between 200 and 650 kilometres depending on battery capacity. When charging from home you can fully charge your vehicle for less than $20 (based on 60kWh capacity at 25 cents per kWh). If you have solar power, you may be able to halve the charging cost (standard fit is five cents per kWh by 6kWh) which can result in a cost 70 per cent less than a tank of fuel. If you drive long distances there are options to speed up recharging. Purchasing a 15-amp charging cord will cost you roughly $500 and cut recharging time in half. Or, for $1000 to 36 NOOSA TODAY Friday, 2 December, 2022
Brand new EV ready to go. $2000, installing a home charging station will halve the charging time again. If you have three phase power, a home charging station can fully charge your EV in as little as three hours. There are over 3000 charging stations throughout Australia, some are free, and smart phone apps show their locations. Most charging stations are universal. Tesla has announced that their new super chargers will be universal in the future. It is estimated that 80 per cent of charging happens at home.
Picture: SUPPLIED On the occasion that you need to top up on the road, plan your trip to recharge at a facility where you can get some shopping done, or have a cuppa while you wait. It is as simple as parking, plugging in and logging into your app to unlock the charging station. Your EV’s battery may require replacing approximately every 15 to 20 years. Most batteries have an eight to 10-year warranty. They come in different sizes, with larger batteries giving you further range. The cost of replacement is currently be-
tween $4000 and $20,000 and is expected to significantly reduce within the next few years due to increased recycling. There are subsidised battery exchange programs, or you can replace a faulty cell to extend the battery life. End of life batteries are either repurposed as zero emission energy storage or over 90 per cent recycled to make new batteries. For further information relating to emission reduction in Noosa head to info@zeroemissionsnoosa.com