Moreton Life North Lakes - Autumn - Issue 1

Leading by example

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway talks community, connection and council

Moreton Bay Region

COVER PHOTO

Moreton Bay Regional Council Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway. STORY Page 4

Editor Jodie Powell jodie.powell@mbrit.com.au

Writers

Ashleigh Howarth, Kylie Knight, Nick Crockford

Design

Lubica Urbanska, Anika Julie Partnerships & Advertising Lyndsay Lawler lyndsay.lawler@mbrit.com.au

Publication

Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT)

433 Elizabeth Ave, Kippa-Ring, Qld, 4021

ABN 91 604 740 936

Moreton Life is a vibrant magazine celebrating the best of the Moreton Bay Region. With six localised editions published each season, it captures the unique precincts that make up the Moreton Bay Region. Twenty thousand copies of each precinct edition will be distributed each season to locations including Visitor Information Centres, tourism operators, newsagencies, shopping centres and local businesses.

Moreton Life is published by Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT).

The publisher and associated parties do not assume responsibility for, nor endorse or adopt the content of any advertisement or thirdparty information published in Moreton Life. Moreton Life is intended to be a guide and reasonable care is taken in the preparation of the publication, however the Publisher and other associated parties do not accept any liability for any errors or omissions the publication may contain.

Moreton Life - your free dedicated publication for the Moreton Bay region

Connecting with

community

by Jodie Powell

Before Jodie Shipway was elected to Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2020, her sole role model was her mum, Kerry.

But she’s added a couple of others in recent years - and unwittingly become one herself.

“I was raised by my mum on her own - she did everything,” Jodie says.

“Apart from mum, I never really had a role model until this job, but Julie Bishop and Ita Buttrose are amazing.

“I met them at Business Moreton Bay lunches and I was blown away.

“(Julie’s) having more of an impact on the community and positivity and women now that she’s out of politics.

“If I had to choose three (role models), it would be my mum, Ita and Julie.”

Jodie, who was elected Deputy Mayor in October 2021, is touched to think she might be a role model for others, saying a neighbour’s daughter recently declared she was going to be the Prime Minister of Australia.

“She said if I could be a Councillor and Deputy Mayor, she could be the Prime Minister,” Jodie laughs.

She’s proud to be raising sons with husband Mark, saying being a role model to Frazer, 13, and Mason, 10, is a privilege.

“Our boys see that I mow the lawn and Mark will do the vacuuming - I like that they see a mix.

“I am all for empowering women, but I don’t want us to put men in the corner.„

Jodie Shipway with Ita Buttrose, left, and Julie Bishop, above

“Sometimes you have just got to step up„

“I’m the football manager and Mark’s the coach - you can’t let your family go because you’re in council.”

Jodie’s acutely aware of the responsibility of her role, from voting on planning decisions and taking calls from people concerned about traffic and road maintenance, to offering support to flood victims and, more recently, helping the community come to terms with the tragic death of North Lakes mum Emma Lovell.

Jodie organised a candlelight vigil in the days after Emma’s death and was touched when Emma’s husband, Lee, and their daughters attended.

“Sometimes you have just got to step up. The community want to help but they don’t know how to and where to go.

“They want us, as their leaders, to ensure that they can come together and feel safe - and safety’s not just

physical, it’s a connection.

“What we saw on December 30 at the vigil for Emma - we had over 1000 people and it was incredible to see their support for her family.

“There are times when you need to wrap your arms around people. Sometimes you can’t fix it, but you can acknowledge people feeling a certain way.”

Jodie says the 18 months since being elevated to Deputy Mayor have been a whirlwind, with 2022’s floods, a focus on improving local laws and taking every opportunity to share Moreton Bay’s virtues with a wider audience.

“It’s been the biggest learning curve because (Mayor) Peter (Flannery) hurt his back after the floods and I had to step up as acting Mayor for six weeks.

“I did a divisional tour with every councillor and got to hear what’s important to their community.

“What’s important in Redcliffe is completely different from the Hills District and Bribie. “It was the best way to get to know the entire region.”

Jodie says she and the Mayor have very different personalities, but it’s those differences that make them a great team.

“Peter and I don’t agree on everything either and that’s how I have learnt a lot.”

She’s proud to be part of a team of hard-working councillors committed to the best outcomes for the community.

“We make decisions based on what’s good and right - it’s not a popularity contest, it’s long term.”

So what’s next? “There’s the election in 2024 and this is my first term. I will run as a councillor again and I want to be Deputy to Peter again - I love it.”

“There are times when you need to wrap your arms around people„

Moreton Bay welcomes the inaugural

MORETON BAY Pridefest

On Saturday, 10 June 2023, Moreton Bay will come alive with rainbow flags, glitter and all things fabulous as we introduce the first-ever allages Moreton Bay PrideFest hosted during World Pride Month.

With a vision to make the region a happier, healthier, safer and more culturally rich and diverse place for the community, Moreton Bay PrideFest aims to empower the current and future generations to be their authentic selves and wants them to feel accepted within their local community.

Moreton Bay PrideFest is delivered by Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) in partnership with Moreton Bay Regional Council, and supported by Major Sponsors including TAFE Queensland, UniSC, Ray White Aspley Group and Visit Moreton Bay Region.

Pridefest STAGE

Presented by TAFE Queensland

Kicking off at 2pm and keeping the good vibes going all afternoon long will be all your favourite party anthems by some of the biggest names in Australian music, as well as popular local LGBTIQAP+ performers.

MEET

+ more announced soon

Tickets are on sale now and can’t be guaranteed at the gate if sold out prior.

The Important Info

Saturday, 10 June 2023 Pine Rivers Park, Strathpine

Gates open 1.30pm Stage 2pm - 10pm

Tickets on sale via moretonbaypridefest.com.au

Drag Brunch Club

PrideFest Pop Up (18+ only)

*not included in GA

Cloudland’s iconic “Brunch with Bite” Drag Brunch Club and their fabulous hosts promise to spice up your Saturday with a deliciously naughty and delightfully nice time.

Ticket holders will be entertained by the riotous and risqué as they indulge in a grazing station with a 2.5 hour drinks package.

OFFICIAL Charity Partner

Moreton Bay PrideFest is proud to announce that it will be raising money for headspace, the official 2023 Charity Partner. For every Festival ticket sold, the festival will donate $5 towards LTBQIAP+ programs in Moreton Bay delivered by headspace Redcliffe, Strathpine and Caboolture branches.

The ultimate Moreton Bay

Autumn bucket list

Why settle for a boring bucket list when you can spice things up!? This destination is the ultimate playground for adventure seekers, animal lovers, sightseers, and foodiesalike. Get ready to have some serious fun!

Here are our top 15 picks to get you started…

#1 PINOT AND PICASSO PAINT THOSE AUTUMN HUES AND SIP WITH AN OCEAN VIEW

With stunning views of Moreton Bay, this Paint and Sip Studio is the perfect place to find your inner artist! Their talented hosts guide you, step by step, through a fun and memorable art experience!

Their calendar is always jam-packed with artworks to choose from, so grab a friend, your favourite BYO drinks and snacks and be prepared to paint, sip and laugh your way to a masterpiece.

#2 ORANGE SHERBET SHOP TIL YOU DROP!

Looking to indulge in a spot of retail therapy? Located along the Redcliffe waterfront, Orange Sherbet is a shopping destination whose owner is passionate about providing affordable, on-trend and inclusive fashion options for women from sizes 6 to 24.

#3 WHITE RIDGE FARM VISIT THE FARM

Everyone is invited to experience the Animal Kingdom at White Ridge Farm in Elimbah.

White Ridge Farm offers a unique opportunity for visitors of all ages to be hands-on with beautiful animals. Discover friendly farm residents, and some exotic animals you might not expect to see. Get a photo taken with Gypsy the camel or maybe even a kiss from one of the llamas.

There are playgrounds, a fossil dig, putt-putt golf, picnic facilities and a tractor ride. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 3pm, and seven days a week during school holidays, with no need for reservations. White Ridge Farm – something fun for everyone!

#4 PACIFIC HARBOUR

AWARD-WINNING GOLF COURSE

Pacific Harbour is one of Queensland’s premier golf courses, located on beautiful Bribie Island. Playing at the unique, award-winning, ‘island links’ style 18-hole championship course should be on everyone’s bucket list - it challenges avid golfers and mesmerises social players.

Operating since 2006 and open to the public, Pacific Harbour offers social play 7 days a week and visitors are welcome to play in competitions. With lush green fairways, fast-paced greens, there are challenging par-3s, lengthy par-4s and some rewarding par-5s for golfers of all levels. There's an aquatic driving range, chipping area and spectacular views of natural surrounds - the course is a must-see destination.

#6 UNDERSEA PUTT & PLAY

DIVE INTO PUTT PUTT PARADISE

Experience a whimsical underwater adventure with the whole family at Undersea Putt and Play! With its one-of-a-kind 18-hole mini-golf course and accompanying arcade, you'll be transported to a magical world of sea creatures, caves, and treasures. Make lasting memories as you putt your way through the course and enjoy a fun-filled day with your loved ones.

#5 ABBEY MUSEUM OF ART & ARCHAEOLOGY

TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME

The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology is a unique cultural and historical attraction in Caboolture. It’s home to artifacts and artworks from ancient civilisations, including Egyptian, Roman, and medieval European, as well as contemporary pieces. Experience the rich history and culture of the past while appreciating art and artifacts on display in a beautiful and educational setting, with events for all ages hosted throughout the year. Don’t forget the Abbey Medieval Festival – it’s a must! Mark the calendar for July 8 and 9, 2023.

#7 BRISBANE WHALE WATCHING HAVE A WHALE OF A TIME

Buckle up, it's almost time to hop aboard with Brisbane Whale Watching! This June, get ready to feel like a true sea captain as you embark on a search for the largest sea creatures in town. Just remember, these whales are known for being a little cheeky, so watch out for some friendly splashes and keep your cameras ready for the ultimate selfie!

#9

#8 DREAMTIME KULLILLA ART

DISCOVER THE WORLD’S LONGEST LIVING CULTURE

This family-owned business is a hub for authentic Aboriginal art, craft, and bush tucker products. The gallery and shop in Clontarf, Redcliffe Peninsula, doubles as a studio for the talented and renowned artist, Michael Connolly. As a proud and passionate Aboriginal man, Michael is always happy to have a chat and share his insights with visitors.

MOUNTAIN WINE TOURS

SIP THE DAY AWAY WITH A DESIGNATED DRIVER

Attention all wine aficionados! Embark on a wine-tasting adventure with Mountain Wine Tours through the stunning wine regions of South East Queensland. From Moreton Bay Region and other local regions, you'll be sipping on the best locally-grown varietals with your friends.

Discover the top boutique vineyards, breweries, and local tasting rooms in the area, without having to venture far from Brisbane. Say goodbye to wine tasting on the Sunshine Coast and hello to world vineyards and breweries right in your backyard, waiting for you to visit!

#10 LUVABERRY FARM

BECOME A 'FARMER FOR THE DAY' AT LUVABERRY'S WORKING FARM

Let the LuvaBerry team guide you through planting your very own strawberry patch. Feel connected to your harvest, learn where your food comes from and when the time is right, enjoy the delicious strawberries you've grown.

Farmer for the Day is an unforgettable experience offered on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Bookings required.

#12 SUNRISES AND SUNSETS

CATCH THE SPECTACULAR SUNRISES AND SUNSETS

As the days get shorter, it’s prime time to catch a later sunrise or earlier sunset. Capture your perfect moment in the Moreton Bay Region! Whether you're seeking the perfect shot for Instagram or a romantic picnic with your loved one, there's no shortage of options. Choose from breathtaking beaches, scenic bayside jetties, or stunning hinterland locations to create memories in both the virtual and real world.

#11 MORETON BAY PRIDEFEST

RAINBOW FLAGS READY FOR INAUGRUAL PRIDEFEST

#14 VISIT AN ART GALLERY

CONTINUE THE ARTY PARTY IN THE MORETON BAY REGION

PrideFest

Moreton Bay is the perfect opportunity to let your rainbow flag fly! This festival celebrates the diversity of our LGBTQIAP+ community and is packed full of colourful events, including an epic stage line-up, drag shows, and fabulous brunches. Whether you're a seasoned ally or a proud member of the LGBTQIAP+ community, join the fun and show your love and support for diversity and inclusivity on June 10. Tickets are on sale NOW!

#13 MORETON BAY FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL

A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FOODIE DELIGHTS

Get ready to indulge in a feast for the senses at the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival! With a line-up of your favourite chefs and local producers, you'll be treated to a smorgasbord of delicious bites and sips that'll have taste buds doing somersaults like a gymnast. Grab your squad, loosen your belts and come ready to eat, drink and repeat at this epic culinary bash. Hitting the Woody Point foreshore in August with tickets on sale this Autumn!

EAT. DRINK. ENJOY. REPEAT. EAT. DRINK. ENJOY. REPEAT. DRINK. ENJOY. REPEAT. EAT. DRINK. ENJOY. REPEAT. EAT. ENJOY. REPEAT. EAT. DRINK. ENJOY. REPEAT. EAT. DRIN K. REPEAT. EAT. DRINK. ENJOY. EAT. DRINK. ENJOY. REPEAT. DRINK. ENJOY. REPEAT. EAT. DRINK. ENJOY.

There are loads of amazing art galleries to explore, and you might need a few weekends to see them all. Check out Redcliffe Art Gallery, Good Egg Gallery, Woodford Museum and Art Gallery, Pine Rivers Art Gallery, Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, The Slab Hut Art and Craft Gallery, Red Poppy Art Collective, Dayboro Art Gallery and The Old Fire Station Gallery at Redcliffe, among others. Trust us, once you start, you won't be able to stop! There are so many hidden gems to discover, and you're in for a treat with all the creativity and talent on display. So, grab your friends and get ready to immerse yourself in a world of art!

#15 JETTY 2 JETTY FUN RUN

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND’S MOST SCENIC FUN RUN

Strap up the laces and get ready for Jetty 2 Jetty Fun Run! This exciting event takes you along the beautiful Redcliffe Peninsula, feeling the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. Registrations are open all through Autumn for this Winter race. Jetty 2 Jetty Fun Run, on July 16, is the perfect way to get your heart pumping as you take in the glorious views.

ages and abilities A run for all

by Jodie Powell

Registrations are rolling in for Queensland’s longest running fun run - the Jetty 2 Jetty Fun Run.

The 2023 event will be held on Sunday, July 16 at Pelican Park, Clontarf, and organisers are urging eager entrants to register early as categories are expected to sell out again this year.

“Jetty 2 Jetty is always hugely popular,” Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) CEO Shane Newcombe says.

“We had waiting lists for several categories last year, so people should get in early to avoid missing out.”

The 2023 event will again offer a range of categories suited to runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels, including 3km, 5km, 10km and 21km (half-marathon).

Mr Newcombe says MBRIT is proud to be including the 10km Elite Wheelchair category in Jetty2Jetty for the third year.

“It’s important that all of our events are more inclusive and accessible – and it’s fitting in this, the Year of Accessible Tourism, that we have an accessible course,” he says.

Jetty 2 Jetty’s course certification from AIMS, the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, has put the event on the national and international stage, with runners eligible to set records and achieve marathon qualification points.

Mayor Peter Flannery says he’s proud anyone of any age and any ability can take part in Jetty2Jetty.

“In fact I’ve seen whole families cross the finish line together. It’s fantastic,” Mayor Flannery says.

“But of course it’s the views that bring entrants from far and wide, in fact I’d say

Entry prices include official 2023 merchandise, with 21km and 10km entrants receiving a J2J singlet and 3km and 5km entrants receiving a J2J cap. Merchandise is also available for purchase at the time of registration.

Runners can save on their entry fee by signing up, or joining, a team of 10 or more by May 1, receiving a 10 per cent discount.

The Jetty 2 Jetty Fun Run is proudly presented by MBRIT and Moreton Bay Road Runners and supported by Strategic Partner Moreton Bay Regional Council, Event Partner It’s Live Queensland! and sponsored by Rebel North Lakes, Kindred, Moreton Daily, Planet Fitness, Ausbuild, Sesame Lane, Grand Prix Mazda Caboolture and Tafe Queensland.

For more information and to register, visit j2j.com.au

this is the most spectacular running course in Australia.”

Official charity partner

A Brave Life has been named the Jetty2Jetty charity partner

Every year the event nominates a charity to support, raising funds through race registration and encouraging additional

empowers young mums facing a broad range of challenges such as domestic violence, poverty, trauma, relationship or family breakdown, unplanned pregnancy and homelessness. Funds raised through Jetty2Jetty will help A Brave Life provide free baby bundles to young mothers, as well as delivering mentoring and life skills programs and Dare to Dream Big workshops. Each bundle, consisting of a bag filled with new products, is designed for a young mother to arrive at the hospital with all the essentials needed for her newborn baby.

FIND OUT MORE AT abravelife.com.au

Dayboro to sparkle at dazzling gem show

by Ashleigh Howarth

Looking to marvel at unique and beautiful stones from across Australia and the world? Head along to the 2023 national Gemboree event in Dayboro - the biggest lapidary, rock, fossil, crystal, mineral, gem and jewellery show in the country.

Visitors and hobbyists from all over Australia will visit the Dayboro Showgrounds over the Easter long weekend for the 59th national Gem and Mineral Show, hosted by the Queensland Lapidary and Allied Craft Clubs Association Inc.

President Les Hathaway, above right, says he is thrilled to bring the hugely popular event to the Moreton Bay Region.

“This unique event is held in a different state each year, meaning it only comes to Queensland every six years, so this year we are thrilled to bring the event to the Moreton Bay Region for the first time,” Les says.

“For the last 58 years the event has always been held in regional areas, meaning this will also be the first time Gemboree has been held in a metropolitan region near a capital city.

“It’s also a real boost for the area as Moreton Bay has four local lapidary clubs, which is exceptional because most towns or regions only have one club.”

The four-day event will be a colourful showcase of all the amazing things you can dig out of the ground, with

plenty of trade stalls and tailgaters selling rough gem materials, finished jewellery and gemstones, mineral specimens, crystals, fossils and the latest lapidary equipment.

“If you’re looking for a great deal on a piece of jewellery, this will be the place to be,„ Les says.

“Here you will find stones and pieces of jewellery that are so unique that there will never be a copy.

“You can talk to the person who found the stone somewhere in Australia, take that stone or raw material to the person that cuts and polishes it before then going to see someone who can turn it into a lovely one-of-a-kind jewellery piece like a necklace or a bracelet.”

There will also be more than 1000 entries for the national competition, where gem lovers can enter their own homemade jewellery pieces, stones, fossils and more for judging, as well as demonstrations, lectures, displays, activities for the kids and giveaways.

“There will be a thunder egg hunt for the kids on Easter Sunday, and a lot of the market stalls will have lucky dips for the kids,” Les says.

“Kids can also try their hand at sieving so they can fossick for their own gems.

“There will also a major raffle with prizes totalling $5000.”

7-10 APRIL

Dayboro Showgrounds, 3512 Mt Mee Rd, Dayboro

OPEN Friday noon-4pm

Saturday/Sunday 9am-4pm Monday 9am-3pm

ENTRY

Adults $10

Concession/student $5

Children under 12 are free

Join a club to learn more skills

If you’re keen to know more, there are four lapidary clubs in the Moreton Bay Region you can join.

These include the Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club Inc, the Caboolture Gem Club Inc, the Deception Bay Gem and Allied Craft Club Inc, and the Redcliffe Gem Club.

Les says joining a club is a great way to learn new skills and meet other gem aficionados.

“Most clubs have got faceting, grinding and polishing machines so you can make your own beautiful pendants,” Les says.

“There is also usually a silversmith area where you can learn to be a silversmith and make your own oneof-a-kind jewellery like necklaces or

“Joining a club is a fantastic way to learn all these skills and it’s membership can een $30-$50 for the year depending on the club, and usually $5 to attend a session where you can use all of the equipment.

It’s a lot of fun, you learn lots of new skills, and meet some great people„

Army veteran upholds Anzac spirit

by Ashleigh Howarth

When John Hardgrave saw his grandfather leading an Anzac Day march with his medals proudly pinned to his chest, it inspired him to pursue his own life of service.

“One of my earliest memories of wanting to join the military was when I watched my grandfather lead the Anzac Day march in Brisbane one year, and I just remember how proud he was,” John says.

“I also remember the comradery between him and the mates he served with, which made me realise that was something I wanted to be a part of.”

John, who lives in Albany Creek, and is the Head of League Development at RSL Queensland, enlisted in the Australian Army when he was 19 and

served his country for 17 years.

He has completed tours of the Solomon Islands, Timor - Leste and Afghanistan, and was involved in the flood recovery after the 2011 Grantham floods.

“I am incredibly proud of what we were able to do at the time on the ground, both here and overseas.”

After being discharged, John has continued to serve his country through the Australian Army Reserve, where he mentors the next generation of soldiers.

He has also been involved in initiatives to raise money for veterans, is the Director and Treasurer of the Gaythorne RSL, and volunteers at the Bribie Island Surf Lifesaving Club and his local football club.

Anzac Day is one of the most important days of the year for John.

“For me, Anzac Day is a personal thing. It’s a time to recognise the sacrifices of those people who have signed on the dotted line and given a blank cheque to Australia to serve, even if that means they might die for their country,” John says.

“We recognise those that served before us and who bravely fought so we could enjoy the lifestyle and the freedoms we as a nation enjoy today.”

TO READ MORE about John’s story, scan here

Where to pay your respects

As the sun rose on April 25, 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers rowed towards the shores of Gallipoli and into history.

Every year since, Australians have gathered at Cenotaphs and memorials to remember their legacy and all who have followed in their brave footsteps. Here is a list of services where you can honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Kallangur

DAWN SERVICE

When: 5.30am

Where: Memorial Gardens, 1349 Anzac Ave

MARCH

When: 8.15am

Where: Kallangur Fair to Memorial Gardens, 1349 Anzac Ave

MAIN SERVICE

When: 9.30am

Where: Memorial Gardens, 1349 Anzac Ave

Search for more Anzac Day Services at moretondaily.com.au

Service

Cheers

Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival is back BABY!

Foodies get your tastebuds ready to EAT. DRINK. ENJOY. REPEAT at Southeast Queensland’s (SEQ) biggest foodie celebration. It’s time to raise your champagne glasses because the Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival is back in 2023, with our biggest, best, and tastiest event yet.

For three delicious days, foodies from all over SEQ will soak up the sunshine on the edge of Moreton Bay, as they explore the Festival Precinct’s cooking demonstrations by some of the biggest names in the culinary world, seaside bars, local produce, live entertainment and fireworks on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The 2023 Festival Program will be released to the public and tickets on sale from 29th March. So, we can’t give away all our juicy secrets yet… but let’s just say, we’re in for a hella good time in 2023.

The Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival is proudly delivered by Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) in partnership with Moreton Bay Regional Council and is supported with funding from Tourism & Events Queensland as well as Corporate Sponsors.

Festival Precinct Program

Your general admission entry ticket gives you access to the Festival Precinct with a huge program of cooking demonstrations, live music, pop-up bars, market stalls and so much more!

The Kitchen

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home and the same can be said for this year’s Festival. In The Kitchen, you’ll learn the tricks of the trade from some of Australia’s most respected food gurus, as they share their recipes and kitchen tips.

The 2023 line-up will be revealed on Wednesday, 29th March. Stay tuned!

Festival Precinct Information

calendar Friday 4 August | 10am – 8pm (bars open until 10pm)

Saturday 5 August | 10am – 8pm (bars open until 10pm)

Sunday 6 August | 10am – 6pm (bars open until 10pm)

map-marker Apex Park, Woody Point

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 29 MARCH 2023

WWW.MORETONBAYFOODWINE.COM.AU

Moreton Bay Springs

presented by Aspley Mazda

Welcome to Moreton Bay Springs (formerly called The Oasis) – serving up the party vibes all weekend long. Get a taste of all your favourite party treats flowing in this tropical-inspired “Spring Break” area with colourful cocktails, your favourite gin distilleries and an electric program of DJs and live music that will keep the party vibes going all weekend.

Moreton Bay BrewFest

Quench your thirst with local, independent, and popular brewers pouring your favourite beers and ciders in this brewtastic paradise. Soak up the sunshine as you take in magnificent views of Moreton Bay with a cool brew in your hand, with a backdrop of epic live music on the Brewfest Stage or match your mates to a game of foosball.

Lifestyle Stage

presented by UniSC

This intimate second stage will be home to an eclectic program ranging from panel discussions, and Q&As with chefs, local producers, and popular personalities, as they discuss everything from health and wellbeing to home, garden and local produce.

The Cellar Door

presented by Ray White Woody Point

It’s not called the Moreton Bay Food and WINE festival for nothing. If you love a good drop, head to The Cellar Door for a range of delicious stalls with food that pairs perfectly with a good drop of red, white or pink such as cheese, meats and other picnic goodies.

Market Place

Delight in the diverse tastes of local produce of SEQ, home to exceptional local produce both from the Bay and the farms all year round. Sample fresh local specialities, meet and hear from passionate artesian producers and stock up on homemade and homegrown goodies.

Oasis VIP Village

For those wanting to live their best life, the 2023 Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival will debut a brand-new VIP Village called The Oasis.

Kick back and relax in comfort with access to:

• 2 x drink tokens redeemable at the Oasis Bar on any beer, wine or soft drink.

• Exclusive luxe bars (including a secret cocktail bar)

Access to private meet and greets with celebrity chefs and personalities

• Private VIP toilets

The Oasis Café with unlimited free coffee

• Charging station

• Access to the Masterclass Teepee (bookings essential)

• Live entertainment and DJ sets

• Themed parties nightly

• Lawn games

+ SO MUCH MORE

Entry into The Oasis is ticketed and includes a general admission day pass for entry into the Festival Precinct.

The Oasis Pavilion

map-marker Located in The Oasis

Across the weekend, The Oasis Pavilion will be home to ticketed events, unique experiences, and private functions.

Seating up to 120 guests at long tables, The Oasis Pavilion is located under the stunning Spiegel tent, this year equipped with a stage and screens for easy viewing.

Tickets are on sale 29 March when the program is released.

The Oasis Information

calendar Friday 4 August – Sunday 6 August 10am – 10pm daily

map-marker Apex Park, Woody Point

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 29 MARCH 2023

dining LOCAL GUIDE

With its spacious design offering a relaxed family friendly atmosphere, enjoy casual dining at The Deck Bistro at Pacific Harbour in air-conditioned comfort or alfresco dining overlooking the golf course, lake and water features set amid lush native gardens. Open for coffee, breakfast and lunch 7 days a week, and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.

pacificharbourgolf.com.au | 3410 4024

Tucked in The Sebel Hotel and overlooking Moreton Bay, Sunny’s Margate Beach is the ultimate waterfront destination. This triple threat venue is a bustling cafe by morning, a local favourite for lunch and dinner and transforms into a rooftop bar every Friday and Sunday, perfect for watching the sunset over Moreton Bay with a drink in hand.

sunnysmargatebeach.com.au | 3448 3400

Located on the water's edge at Scarborough Harbour, Tempest offers absolute waterfront dining and the freshest seafood straight from the trawlers moored on their doorstep. Dine in the award-winning seafood restaurant, watch the sun go down with a drink in the alfresco area or enjoy a sizzling good time with our masters at the Teppanyaki grill.

tempestrestaurant.com.au | 3203 5744

Overlooking stunning Moreton Bay, Redcliffe’s ERA Bar & Grill, showcases the best of craft beers, with more than 25 taps, along with premium wines, spirits and cocktails. The venue’s a relaxed home-away-from home where friends and family can gather, with a menu featuring burgers, pizzas, light bites and sharing platters with free live music at weekends. www.era.bar

FAN-tastic support for Moreton Bay food producers

Become a member of FAN

Jacki’s encouraging local producers and growers to reach out so they can meet other like-minded people across the region.

“I would invite you to register for our monthly newsletter, follow us on social media and come along to a monthly member meet-up where we go to a member’s premises and learn about their experience and chat with each other,” Jacki says.

by Ashleigh Howarth

As the Moreton Bay Co-ordinator for the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN), Jacki Hinchey is helping to shine a light on the region’s farmers, graziers, producers, manufacturers and makers who are dishing up local flavours for foodies to devour.

By connecting members with each other and resources to build their businesses, Jacki is ensuring more products that offer a taste of Moreton Bay are found in kitchens and venues across Queensland, Australia and overseas.

“FAN is a vital resource for anyone in the food and agribusiness sector as it is a collaborative ecosystem that empowers members and helps the industry to grow,” Jacki says.

“We are the glue that connects everyone in this supply network. My job is to help people and businesses make connections that are valuable for them and drive trade locally and globally.

“Through FAN, you will see food manufacturers collaborating with primary producers and people from the hospitality industry collaborating with beverage producers.”

The member-based, not-for-profit organisation was established in December 2015.

Today, FAN covers four regions including Moreton Bay, Gympie, Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, with roughly 400 members.

Jacki, who is the founder of Blue Dog Farm in Ocean View, joined FAN in 2017 because she wholeheartedly believes in the concept of locally grown food.

“I absolutely loved the idea of FAN and everything they were doing” Jacki explains.

“There are about 50 members from Moreton Bay ranging from large businesses like the Comiskey Group and the Caboolture Sports Club all the way through to solo side hustles started during COVID.

“One of the good things that came out of COVID was REKO - a digital farmers’ market that connects consumers directly with local farmers, makers and growers.”

It is a combination of a digital farmers' market and a drive-through where consumers can order their products online and pick them up weekly at one convenient time and location.

SCAN THE CODE FOR MORE INFORMATION

With a love for the land and a passion for growing really good honest food,

stall, which grew in popularity through word of mouth.

Jacki’s farm is named Blue Dog Farm which quickly turned her farm and produce into a thriving business. Jacki realised she was growing more salad leaves than her family could consume, which prompted her to begin sharing the salad mix with families in her community.

She then established a farm gate

30 | Moreton Life

Jacki’s salad mix, with its variety of colour and nutritional diversity, was dubbed Really Fancy Salad by local families.

Today, Really Fancy Salad is a weekly staple on plates in homes and restaurants all over the Moreton Bay Region and Brisbane.

“I produce about 1.5 tonnes of Really Fancy Salad a year, so roughly 30kg a week,” Jacki says.

Jacki also farms Really Good Beef for those same plates too.

“My life is all about food and agribusiness,” Jacki says.

Scan

Ausbuild is creating more than bricks and mortar in Moreton Bay, it prides itself on establishing stronger communities and building long-term relationships.

South East Queensland’s largest private land developer and home builder is delivering two masterplanned communities in the region - The Sanctuary at Warner and Montrose at Morayfield.

Ausbuild Joint Managing Director Matthew Bell said the company’s community partnership program

foundationsBuilding strong

was producing positive impacts for the region.

“These initiatives are providing solid foundations to deliver long-term, positive impacts for our residents and their communities,’’ Mr Bell said.

“Our program involves apprenticeships for school students, sponsorship of major local events and a community reference group to help shape our future plans.

“Ausbuild is particularly proud of its Community Fund, which has already provided up to $100,000 to 14

community groups and schools since March 2022.”

Last year Ausbuild signed a threeyear sponsorship with the Dolphins to help kick off the 2023 season as the newest club in the National Rugby League competition.

The company’s community efforts were recognised when it won the 2022 Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence.

Ausbuild has commenced construction on 50 homes at The

Sanctuary, with building work due to start at Montrose in mid-2023.

The Sanctuary has set a benchmark for thoughtful development, with Ausbuild undertaking to rehabilitate 45 percent of the site as a riparian reserve for fauna and flora (pictured above right).

“The Sanctuary has undertaken a major koala protection program including the provision of 1.8m high koala-proof fencing, a fauna crossing under Warner Rd, and conservation zones with 125,000 new native trees

and plants,’’ Mr Bell said.

“Our residents will be surrounded by green spaces with parks, walking and cycling paths, a children’s playground with a sensory garden plus an on-site childcare centre.’’ Ausbuild chose Morayfield for its second Moreton Bay master-planned residential community, Montrose.

“Montrose is perfectly located in the high-growth Caboolture area between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, offering a place for families and first home buyers seeking

Ausbuild Fast Facts

• Celebrating 35 years

• 24,000+ people live in Ausbuild homes

• 9,000+ homes delivered

• 69 home designs

• 75+ master planned communities

established facilities and lifestyle offerings,’’ Mr Bell said.

“The community will provide the Moreton Bay region with around 600 new homes, four local parks, a childcare centre and more than 12ha of parklands and conservation areas.

“Importantly, Ausbuild provides a fixed-price and finish time guarantee, and as the developer-builder, our buyers know the final package price and have a timeframe so there’s added confidence to plan and budget.”

House salesholding firm

Continued low days on market and a higher number of listings than preCOVID are indicative of a property market holding firm, according to the latest quarterly data analysed by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland. With double-digit annual median sale growth during the September quarter in most regions across Queensland, REIQ chief Antonia Mercorella says there are many reasons to remain confident in the strength and resilience of property.

“The average number of days on market in Queensland is now sitting at 19 days, compared to 51 days preCOVID,” Ms Mercorella says.

“It’s somewhat of a relief that the frenzied buying behaviours and bullish offers spurred on by COVID-19 are behind us, but there’s still strong

buyer demand and competition for scarce stock.”

Property sales across the Moreton Bay Region are generally reflecting state trends, according to local real estate agents.

The REIQ figures show the median number of days on market for property across Moreton Bay was 14 in the September quarter, compared with 17 at the same time in 2021, while listings remained relatively stable.

Median house prices in the region rose by 27.27 percent compared with the year before, although there was a slight dip of 3.45 percent to $700,000 compared with the previous quarter.

The REIQ figures don’t include auctions or listings where an asking

price is not specified.

Ray White Aspley Group CEO Robert Green says 2023 got off to a flying start, with three consecutive weeks of record-breaking open home inspections.

“We’re talking nearly 2500 people through our open homes in the first three weeks of the year, which is far greater than the past two years,” Robert says.

“We have more buyers going through open homes than we did in the boom.”

Robert says the record numbers have included a surge in interest from Melbourne and Canberra - including buyers flying in specifically to view properties - with a particular interest in the Redcliffe peninsula.

Moreton Bay LGA

Number of listings

“They just want that simple life and as much as we’re seeing interest rates rising, it’s still more affordable than in the boom.”

He says interest from locals is still strong, with both first-home owners and investors keen to buy.

“A lot of people had money in equity to now be able to invest in properties,” Robert says.

David Deane Real Estate Strathpine licensee and sales manager Mark Rumsey says turnover is sitting between seven and 14 days from listing to selling.

“Prices have softened with some stock, but quality stock is still achieving very close to what it was when it was peaking,” Mark says.

“We’re very optimistic about 2023 -

we think it’s going to be a good year.”

Richardson and Wrench Caboolture principal and licensee Scott Lachmund (pictured) says sales bounced back after a slowish Christmas period, with buyers taking advantage of improved stock.

“People are getting on with business and there’s a real mix of first-time buyers and people downsizing.”

Scott says buyers are drawn to Caboolture and surrounds because of the area’s affordability compared with other suburbs.

“We have started the year positively - we’re still very affordable, where some suburbs are feeling the pinch in Brisbane.”

Image Property Redcliffe sales agent Andrew Reibelt says sellers

are coming to terms with having to meet the market to get results, and buyers are inclined to pay more for a property that doesn’t need renovating.

“The polished version seems to be a little bit more attractive than the rough diamond,” he says.

“Buyers are not sure about building because of the number of builders who have been in trouble and the cost of materials.”

Ray White Samford selling principal Brett Crompton says the number of days on market for properties in Samford and surrounds has risen, but agents are seeing strong interest, mainly from Brisbane-based buyers.

“The average length is now about 4560 days, whereas in the middle of last year it was within a week,” Brett says.

Source: REIQ

“We have more buyers going through open homes than we did in the boom.„

- Robert Green Ray White Aspley Group CEO

Jamie

& Lilly Bayliss

YOUR TRUSTED REAL ESTATE EXPERTS IN NORTH LAKES

If you're looking to sell your property or purchase a new home in North Lakes Queensland, the Bayliss Team is here to help. Comprised of experienced real estate sales agents Jamie and Lilly Bayliss, the Bayliss Team is a dynamic duo that brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion to the real estate industry.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR PROPERTY VALUE?

SCAN TO FIND OUT

WHY NORTH LAKES?

With a 44.2% increase in median house value over the last 5 years, North Lakes Queensland is a thriving suburban community that offers incredible real estate opportunities for buyers and sellers alike. Jamie and Lilly understand this market better than anyone, as they have been living and raising their family in the area for the past 10 years. Their keen interest in the local property market and their commitment to their clients sets them apart from other real estate agents.

North Lakes is a well-planned community that features a wide range of residential options, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, growing family, or seasoned property investor, you’ll find the perfect property that meets your needs and budget.

The suburb is also home to a vibrant shopping and dining scene, with the Westfield North Lakes shopping centre being a major attraction. Residents can enjoy a variety of shops, restaurants, cinemas, and other entertainment options, all within a short walk or drive from their homes.

For families, North Lakes offers excellent education options, with a number of highly-rated public and private schools in the area. The suburb also features numerous parks and recreational areas, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities and community events hosted by Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism.

MEDIAN HOUSE PRICE

$735K

HIGHEST SOLD PRICE

$1.7M

17.7% GROWTH RATE IN 2022

439 HOMES SOLD

the Planning

key to managing weather disasters

by Jodie Powell

Weather might be unpredictable, but the Moreton Bay Region’s disaster management team leaves nothing to chance.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Emergency Management and Public Safety Manager Carl Peterson says the team uses an array of data to determine risk levels when wild weather is forecast.

Thirty-three flood warning stations installed since the 2011 floods deliver real-time monitoring and feed into information predicting the likelihood and amount of rain provided by the Bureau of Meteorology several times a day.

“There’s been a huge investment in having to get rainfall and river level gauges,” Carl says.

Disaster Management Co-ordinator Chris Barnes says even with the most sophisticated tools and flood mapping, weather has a reputation for doing its own thing.

“Micro changes in weather patterns can result in a significant change in a small space of time,” Chris says. “There’s no tool available to be able to predict exactly where weather is going to occur.”

Supplementing information are a series of checklists, which Chris says are crucial to the smooth coordination of disaster operations.

While the team uses technology to manage disasters, equipment also includes old-school boards tracking which sandbag stations are open and the occupancy of evacuation centres.

Chris says it’s important for people to stay up to date with the latest information.

information - they use global models.”

Carl and Chris say the region’s geography leaves us exposed to severe weather at short notice.

Chris says it also leads to storms often appearing to avoid the Peninsula.

One way of doing that is to sign up to MoretonAlert - a free SMS, email and voice alert system that delivers severe weather and bushfire warnings, burn notifications, potential flash flooding notifications and information about planned dam releases.

Messages include information about the type of emergency, the level of threat and recommended actions.

“One thing the community can have confidence in is that we listen only to the Bureau of Meteorology,” Chris says.

“They don’t just rely on their own

“Locals will talk about the ‘dome’ over the bay and quite often weather goes around us - it’s to do with the terrain, which influences it,” he explains.

Carl says planning for and responding to severe weather is a constant evolution as new data becomes available.

The team used to swing into action based on Bureau of Meteorology advice of a 25 percent probability of receiving more than 100-150

millimetres of rainfall in 24 hours, but now activates at 10 percent. The strategy drew praise from the Office of the Inspector General of Emergency Management in its The South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding February to March 2022 Review Report 1, which said it also ensured preparations were underway if forecast rainfall totals were exceeded.

“The 10 percent trigger results in MBRC’s severe weather response plans and (Local Disaster Management Group) regularly being activated and exercised to Lean Forward and Stand Up, with staff considering this business as usual,” the report says.

“While the duration and impacts of the event across the region tested the planning capabilities of all agencies, use of the early activation trigger meant that MBRC’s preparedness measures

were in place 36 hours before the event’s peak.”

Chris says signing up for MoretonAlert and monitoring the Bureau of Meteorology and Council’s new Disaster Dashboard, which is available on the Council’s website and displays on mobile devices, are the best ways to prepare.

“When natural disasters hit our region, you will have all the information you need in the palm of your hand.

“In combination with MoretonAlert, this will help you stay up-to-date and safe when natural disasters hit.

“The Disaster Dashboard delivers real-time information including warnings, evacuation alerts and relevant weather updates as the event unfolds.

Images: DOMINIKA LIS

Growth drives upgrades road

by Nick Crockford

The road network through Moreton Bay Region will be transformed in the next decade.

Billions of dollars will be spent preparing for a new highway, massive motorway expansion and significant road upgrades.

Driving the change is our region’s rapid growth, which will see the population leap from around 500,000 today to a projected 656,000 by 2041.

Planners must also cater for a surge in visitors during and after the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, with events in the Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast regions.

The centrepiece will be a $2.1 billion upgrade for the Gateway Motorway from Deagon Deviation to the Bruce Highway and up to North Lakes.

It will include new lanes, service roads, bridges across Pine River, and on and off ramps. About 120 properties - some with brand new homes - will be resumed or impacted by the upgrades.

With major improvements at Deception Bay (intersection) and from Caboolture to Steve Irwin Way nearing completion, attention will turn to a new highway.

Stretching 60km from Beerburrum to Kallangur and then Bald Hills, the Bruce Highway Western Alternative is a decades-long project.

“Protecting” the route has already begun - Stage 1 Moodlu to Moorina is complete and Stage 2 Moorina to Narangba (through the planned Caboolture West township) begins this year.

Stage 3 Narangba to Kallangur and Stage 4 Beerburrum to Moodlu have yet to start.

However, there are hurdles to be overcome. Public consultation is key and Mayor Peter Flannery has significant concerns.

He has slammed delaying the Moreton Connector through Mango Hill and Griffin; criticised new homes being resumed for highway expansions and fears Caboolture West being built before necessary infrastructure is ready.

Future Raynbird Road overpass

Future Browns Creek Road overpass

Future connection to local network south of Caboolture River to be identi ed as part of Caboolture West planning

Future Caboolture River Road overpass

Future Moorina Road overpass

$163m Deception Bay Overpass –expected to finish early 2023

ROAD WORKS

$200m Buchanan Rd upgrade –not yet funded

$2.1 BILLION BRUCE HIGHWAY AND GATEWAY UPGRADE

• Construction to start on Dohles Rocks Rd ramps 2024

• Business case Dohles Rocks Rd – Anzac Ave due early 2023

• Business case for Gateway Motorway –Dohles Rocks Rd due late 2023

$663m

Bruce Highway Caboolture/Bribie Island Rd to Steve Irwin Way upgrade –expected to finish late 2023

BRUCE HIGHWAY WESTERN ALTERNATIVE (60KM)

STAGE 1 Moodlu-Moorina – required property now “protected”

Forest Hills Drive Interchange

Legend

Stage 3 will continue south towards Bald Hills. Further investigations will be undertaken to identi how and where to best connect to the road network in the south

Stage 1 Moodlu - Moorina (preferred alignment determined and corridor protected)

Stage 2 Moorina - Narangba (preferred alignment determined)

Stage 3 Narangba - Bald Hills (indicative study area)

State government roads

Local government roads Government owned land Emerging community Rail Power easements 1 in 100 year flood area

BHWA movements

Future Forest Hills Drive underpass Interchange with connections to Raynbird Road

Source: Department of Transport and Main Roads

ROADS North Lakes | 41

International Women's Day

Mango Hill’s Barbara Armstrong is fast making a name for herself in the world of social enterprise.

Late last year Barbara’s social enterprise Sweet Peanuts teamed with workwear company TradeMutts, which makes conversation-starting hi vis workwear and donates profits to men’s mental health support charity TIACS.

This year, they’re launching high-vis medical scrubs with a pattern designed by Bobbi Lockyer, with profits going to Sweet Peanuts.

Barbara launched Sweet Peanuts after suffering a miscarriage in 2019 and struggling to find support.

She eventually found a support group where she learnt the grief of many women and their partners is sometimes dismissed by family and friends.

Determined to change that, she founded Sweet Peanuts, which donates care packages to hospitals to ensure mothers who miscarry know someone is thinking of them and support is available.

Sweet Peanuts also enables supportive conversations for bereaved parents through education.

Barbara starts a Masters’ degree this year and has a full scholarship with the Women’s School of Business Ignite incubator program.

Sweet Peanuts founder

Barbara Armstrong

Splice Marketing’s Ellie Bakker had always dreamt of owning her own business by the age of 30.

Hard work and a bold vision led Ellie to do just that - launching the

healthcare marketing agency in 2017 at the age of 29. It was that determination and tenacity that impressed the judges of the 2022 Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards, who named Ellie as the Moreton Bay Region’s Entrepreneur of the Year.

Splice Marketing focuses on improving people’s lives by ethically marketing medical devices and technologies, health and wellness businesses, and health non-profits.

Since the business launched, Ellie and her team have generated tens of millions of dollars in new business for a range of health businesses they work with across Australia. They have also increased public access to quality health information

by creating accurate, high-quality content for clients and getting Google to display it at the top of search results.

Ellie’s top tip for people wanting to start a business? “Just dive inthere’s never a good time to start, so just get started.”

She says the Moreton Bay Region is the perfect place to be in business.

“Really tap into the community, there’s so much support here, so much energy and so many events.

“Reach out to people, connect on LinkedIn, go to events in Moreton Bay and you’ll really succeed in business because everyone’s here to support everyone.”

Splice Marketing founder

a breast cancer diagnosis, Wendy Paterson vowed to herself that if she survived, she would do everything in

hairdressing, house cleaning, food deliveries, crocheted knockersexternal prostheses that provide the look and shape of a breast - and transport to treatment.

Leanne Hopkins believes in the importance of helping children reach their potential. Her business was born after

Leanne Hopkins

Succeed Healthcare Solutions Chief Success Officer and founder

Leanne volunteered for almost a year in Romanian orphanages and children’s homes.

She noticed many children suffered from delayed development because of neglect before they were placed in the centres.

Leanne devised a developmental therapy program for children aged up to six to help them reach social and physical development milestones before being adopted. The experience sparked a passion for helping children, leading Leanne to establish Succeed Healthcare Solutions, providing award-winning creative therapy.

She says struggles in child, teen and young adult years often have significant long-term impacts if not addressed.

Leanne says striving to be inclusive is beneficial for businesses.

When North Lakes business Hey Caddy officially opened early last year, owners Olga and Anthony Mahler were in Europe helping

Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Olga migrated to Australia from Ukraine 10 years ago and had family and friends caught up in the Russian attacks, including her elderly blind parents.

Blind from birth, Olga imagined the terror they faced and vowed she and Anthony would do whatever they could to help.

They joined with charity A Demand For Action to help refugees and connected with an old friend, blind advocate Laurel Wheeler, to co-ordinate technology for blind refugees.

Olga attended the School for the Blind in Kharkiv and was devastated when it was bombed, with children inside and the principal badly injured.

Olga managed the 'Help Us to Shelter Ukraine’ project, supporting the short-term needs of about 20 blind refugees and helping them relocate to safety.

Olga Mahler

Hey Caddy co-owner and Ukraine refugee supporter

selfless service Moreton Bay Region Australia Day awards honour

A man on a mission to abolish food insecurity, a woman bringing dignity to disadvantaged and vulnerable people and a champion of community spirit are among those honoured at this year’s Moreton Bay Region Australia Day awards.

The awards acknowledge extraordinary contribution to community in two categoriesCitizen of the Year, awarded to a resident of the region, and the Spirit Award, which is open to those who live within or outside the region and those who are not Australian Citizens.

Citizen of the Year

Nick Steiner

“It’s about people working with people for people.”

So says the 2023 Moreton Bay Region Citizen of the year and Mini Farm Project founder Nick Steiner.

Nick’s vision is to address food insecurity, with a network of charity farms growing food to give to local charities creating urgently needed meals.

It all began with his first farm in his backyard and has since grown to his first “dream farm” – Millen Farm at

Samford, followed by a second, the Urban Farm and Food Forest Project at Loganlea State High School.

In October Nick announced his third farm, which will be built on a one-acre site at Wamuran donated by Mandy and Adrian Schultz from Luvaberry.

Nick says with the majority of charities needing to buy food to feed people in need, Mini Farms donate most of their crops so vulnerable people in the community can enjoy a healthy meal, using fresh, nutrientrich produce.

The Mini Farm Project supports organisations such as Meals on

Wheels, OzHarvest and community shelters, saving the charities money that would otherwise be spent buying food so they can deliver other vital services.

Rotary Club of Caboolture

Community Services Director Riana Botha, who nominated Nick for the award, says Nick’s innovative dedication to help build a better community through collaboration is astounding.

“His ambition does not stop here, but rather takes you to a world of inclusion with students, universities, care workers, and any organisation interested to invest in the community,” she says.

Kevin Couch

Community Spirit Award enjoys a chat with everyone he meets on his walks, which gave him the idea of hosting regular morning teas on public holidays in local parks around the neighbourhood.

Kevin Couch’s twice-daily strolls around his Albany Creek neighbourhood during COVID-19 lockdowns sparked a series of morning teas and a festive barbecue in December, creating a unique sense of community in the suburb.

The 89-year-old is very social and

To let people know about the events, he drops invitations into more than 150 local letterboxes - a recent morning tea attracted more than 100 neighbours.

Alyssa Kerr, who nominated her grandfather for the award, says Kevin spends days setting up the morning tea area, with signs to encourage

people to come and to make the space welcoming.

“At the events he takes the time to make introductions and connect the people that he meets on his walks with others with similar interests,” Alyssa says.

“Kevin has shown tremendous community pride in recent years… (he) is all about bringing the community together for a good time, a social time, and to meet new people.”

Laurence Christie wears many hats in the Mango Hill community and was a strong advocate for fellow residents in during last year’s February and March floods.

He serves as the president of the Mango Hill Progress Association, runs the hall at Danzy Buchanan Park and volunteers his time with the

Warehouse Cricket Association.

Laurence, who was nominated in 2019 and 2020 for an Australia Day Award for Volunteer of the Year, also advocates on behalf of residents to all levels of government to improve the area to benefit the large number of young families moving to the Moreton Bay Region.

During the 2022 flood, Laurence was constantly on the phone to Council reporting updates and ensuring his community had a voice.

He helped his divisional councillor, Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway, coordinate a visit from Mayor Peter Flannery, organised clean up days to get the community back on its feet in record time, and also arranged for the local Lions Club and shopping centre to donate food and vouchers to help families in need.

“Laurence leads the charge in advocating for improvements and initiatives in and around his local area and has been an integral part of the community,” Cr Jodie Shipway says.

Laurence Christie Community Spirit Award

Michelle Gilchrist

Breakfast Club Redcliffe manager and chairperson Michelle Gilchrist brings dignity to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the Moreton Bay Region.

She started as a volunteer eight years ago, stepping into the leadership roles about four years ago, co-ordinating all aspects of the

Breakfast Club’s operation. A regular day might see her cooking and managing kitchen teams, ordering, running fundraisers, facilitating community engagement activities, recruiting and rostering volunteers, and working with other not-for-profit organisations and government services to benefit guests or applying for grants.

Breakfast Club Redcliffe support worker and volunteer Helen Bambling described Michelle as always having a phone in her hand juggling the

steady stream of messages and calls from community members seeking or offering help.

“While managing the hectic day-today operations of the organisation, Michelle remains a constant pillar of friendship and support for those who need it most,” Helen says.

“The Breakfast Club community, both guests and volunteers, are incredibly grateful for the enormous amount work…as the Breakfast Club nears its 20th birthday, it feels fitting to honour the woman who makes it all happen.”

Community Spirit Award

Meet yourDolphins team

The Dolphins make their historic NRL debut this year, a moment more than 75 years in the making. Super coach Wayne Bennett and his coaching staff have worked an extended squad hard during the preseason, getting them ready but also bringing the players together as a team. Here’s your Dolphins NRL team for 2023.

KENNY BROMWICH

Second row | Age: 31

Height: 183cm | Weight: 105kg

Born in Auckland, New Zealand. Debuted for the Melbourne Storm in 2013 and has been a one-club NRL player until now. Two-time premiership-winning player and international player for New Zealand.

EUAN AITKEN

Centre/back row | Age: 27

Height: 182cm | Weight: 96kg

Born in Pambula, NSW. Debuted for St. George Illawarra Dragons in 2015. Played for New Zealand Warriors 2021-22. Warriors’ Player of the Year in 2022.

JESSE BROMWICH

Prop | Age: 33

Height: 194cm | Weight: 114kg

Born in Auckland, New Zealand. Debuted for the Melbourne Storm in 2010 and has been a one-club NRL player until now. Three-time premiership-winning player, international player for New Zealand and former Storm co-captain.

JJ COLLINS

Prop | Age: 27

Height: 184cm | Weight: 105kg

Born in Logan City. Debuted for Wests Tigers in 2016. Also played for Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders.

HERMAN ESE’ESE

Prop | Age: 28

Height: 186cm | Weight: 107kg

Born in Auckland, New Zealand. Debuted for Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2015 and has also played for Brisbane Broncos, Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans.

POASA FAAMAUSILI

Prop | Age: 26

Height: 188cm | Weight: 108kg

Born in Auckland, New Zealand. Debuted for Sydney Roosters in 2018 and has also played for New Zealand Warriors and St George Illawarra Dragons.

JAMAYNE ISAAKO

Fullback | Age: 26

Height: 180cm | Weight: 95kg

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand. Debuted for Brisbane Broncos in 2017, where he played until he joined Gold Coast Titans in 2022.

TOM GILBERT

Prop | Age: 22

Height: 185cm | Weight: 100kg

Born in Brisbane. Debuted for North Queensland Cowboys in 2020 and won the Cowboys’ Club Person of the Year award in 2022. Made his State of Origin debut for Queensland in 2022.

ROBERT JENNINGS

Winger | Age: 27

Height: 185cm | Weight: 107kg

Born in Blacktown, NSW. Debuted for Penrith Panthers in 2015 and has also played for South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers.

HARRISON GRAHAM

Prop | Age: 21

Height: 177cm | Weight: 83kg

Born in Lismore. Debuted for Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2021, impressing the Dolphins with his efforts in the Hostplus Cup. Has played under-18s for Queensland and for the Queensland Universities team.

ISAIYA KATOA

Five-eighth | Age: 19

Height: 178cm | Weight: 91kg

Born in Wellington, New Zealand. Was playing in Panthers’ under-19s team in NSW Rugby League’s SG Ball competition when he was signed by the Dolphins. Has already played Tests for Tonga and has been fast-tracked straight to the club’s top 30.

View DOLPHINS’ NRL DRAW

CAPTAIN

FELISE KAUFUSI

Second row | Age: 30

Height: 189cm | Weight: 109kg

Born in Auckland, New Zealand. Debuted with Melbourne Storm in 2015. Had been a one-club NRL player until he became the Dolphins’ first signing. The two-time premiership winner and Queensland and Australia player is on a three-year deal.

CONNELLY LEMUELU

Centre | Age: 24

Height: 190cm | Weight: 106kg

Born in Auckland, New Zealand. Debuted for North Queensland Cowboys in 2020 after spending time in the Wests Tigers and Bulldogs’ NRL systems. In 2022, he transitioned to the forwards as an edge back rower.

BRENKO LEE

Centre | Age: 27

Height: 190cm | Weight: 104kg

Born in Brisbane. Debuted for Canberra Raiders in 2014 and has also played at the Bulldogs, Titans, Storm and Broncos. He has also represented Queensland and won an NRL Grand Final with the Storm.

JEREMY

MARSHALL-KING

Hooker | Age: 27

Height: 186cm | Weight: 83kg

Born in Whakatane, New Zealand. Debuted for Wests Tigers in 2017 and has also played for the Bulldogs where he was the club’s Player of the Year in 2022. He represented New Zealand at the World Cup in 2022 and has also played in the World Nines.

EDRICK

LEE

Winger | Age: 30

Height: 196cm | Weight: 100kg

Born in Brisbane. Debuted for Canberra Raiders in 2012 and has also played for the Sharks and Knights. He has also represented Queensland and been part of the Indigenous All Stars team.

ANTHONY MILFORD

Halfback | Age: 28

Height: 177cm | Weight: 90kg

Born in Brisbane. Debuted for Canberra Raiders in 2013 and has also played for the Broncos and Knights. He has also represented Queensland, Samoa and played in the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII.

MARK NICHOLLS

Prop | Age: 33

Height: 194cm | Weight: 104kg

Born in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Debuted for Canberra Raiders in 2012 and has also played for the Storm and Rabbitohs (Grand Finalist).

KODI NIKORIMA

Halfback/hooker | Age: 28

Height: 1741cm | Weight: 82kg

Born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, but lived his Brisbane from the age of 12 years. Debuted for Brisbane Broncos in 2015 and has also played for the Warriors and Rabbitohs. Has represented New Zealand and the Maori All Stars.

RAY STONE

Lock | Age: 25

Height: 180cm | Weight: 95kg

Born in Moss Vale, NSW. Debuted for Parramatta Eels in 2018. He played lock for the NSW under-20s State of Origin team in 2017, the same year he played for the Junior Kangaroos. He also represented his country as an Australian Schoolboy.

MASON TEAGUE

Lock | Age: 19

Height: 179cm | Weight: 93kg

Penrith Panthers’ premiership-winning under-19s captain, who played alongside fellow Dolphins’ signing Isaiya Katoa. He graduated to the Panthers’ Jersey Flegg under-21 team before making the move to Redcliffe.

HAMISO

TABUAI-FIDOW

Fullback | Age: 21

Height: 186cm | Weight: 89kg

Born in Cairns. Debuted for North Queensland Cowboys in 2020 and is one of the fastest players in the NRL. He has represented Queensland and can play in the centre or on the wing.

SEAN O’SULLIVAN

Halfback | Age: 24

Height: 179cm | Weight: 86kg

Born in St George, NSW. Debuted for Sydney Roosters in 2018. He has also played for the Broncos, Warriors and Panthers.

VALYNCE TE WHARE

Centre | Age: 22

Height: 182cm | Weight: 108kg

Born in New Zealand. With a background in rugby union, he debuted for the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2022, playing in the Hostplus Cup and becoming an integral part of the team.

JARROD WALLACE

Prop | Age: 31

Height: 188cm | Weight: 109kg

Born on Gold Coast. Debuted for Brisbane Broncos in 2012 before moving to the Titans in 2017. He has also represented Queensland and played in one Grand Final.

TESI NIU

Fullback/centre | Age: 21

Height: 177cm | Weight: 94kg

Born in Brisbane. Represented Tonga in 2019 Great Britain Lions tour. He then played for Tonga 9s in the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s. Debuted for Brisbane Broncos in 2020 and was granted an early release to join the Dolphins.

Perfect time celebrate to

region's businesses

by Jodie Powell

Entries are flowing in for the 2023 Moreton Bay Business Excellence and Innovation Awards, which celebrate the achievements of businesses and individuals.

There are 15 categories, plus the Business of the Year Award, with entries closing on Friday, March 17 at 11.59pm AEST.

A gala awards night to announce the winners will be held on July 7 at St Columban’s College, with expanded capacity to accommodate more guests.

Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism (MBRIT) CEO Shane

Newcombe is encouraging businesses of all sizes to enter.

“Our small and medium businesses are the heart and soul of our region,” Mr Newcombe says.

“It is more important than ever to acknowledge these businesses that contribute to our region’s economy and provide jobs for local people.

“The simple fact is that we have thousands of businesses who qualify for these awards each year, but for reasons such as being time poor, lack of awards writing experience, or the belief this is not for them, they don’t enter.”

Mr Newcombe says the online nomination form guides entrants through the process, with helpful prompts about information to consider including in an entry.

Moreton Bay Region Mayor Peter Flannery says the awards are a great way to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work that’s gone into overcoming significant challenges to not only succeed but thrive in a postCOVID world.

“We’ve seen some amazing worldconquering and domestic businesses take home prizes at our prestigious Business and Innovation Awards in the face adversity over recent years,” Mayor Flannery says.

every day and there’s plenty of reason with the unprecedented amount of growth and investment that’s coming to our beautiful region.

“Business in Moreton Bay is growing in confidence

2023 AWARD CATEGORIES

There are 15 categories, plus the Business of the Year Award, in the 2023 Moreton Bay Business & Innovation Awards:

EPIC Assist Accessibility & Inclusiveness Excellence

North Harbour Advanced Manufacturing Excellence

Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence

Customer Service Excellence

UniSC Environment & Sustainability Excellence

Solar Bollard Lighting Exporting Excellence

Food & Agribusiness Excellence

RDA Moreton Bay Innovation Excellence

Bishopp Marketing Excellence

Not-For-Profit Excellence

Tourism Business Excellence

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Youth Innovation Excellence

Westpac Morayfield Businesswoman of the Year

Employee of the Year

Think2Be Entrepreneur of the Year

“National and international markets are coming online thanks to Council’s Invest Moreton Bay initiative highlighting our geographic advantages of being near the Port of Brisbane and the Brisbane Airport, as well as our potential for industries like advanced manufacturing, food and agribusiness, and much more.

“But we know that small business is the backbone of the Moreton Bay community, which is why we want to give them the recognition they deserve.

“So I urge all business owners to enter themselves into the 2023 edition of the Business and Innovation Awards, because you never know what could happen.”

Young creatives wow judges

The creative minds behind a business that aims to provide a safe and welcoming space for Neurodivergent people to express themselves won the UniSC Award for Youth Innovation Excellence at the 2022 Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards.

Finley Berry and Lauren Adair’s business, Shnoompy Boy Designs, seeks to provide a space for Neurodivergent people to express themselves by showcasing their art, music and other artistic endeavours while earning an income through long-term meaningful employment opportunities.

The award for Youth Innovation Excellence recognises an individual or group aged 18 years and younger who studies in the Moreton Bay Region and is demonstrating excellence in a product, process, business model or marketing innovation, developed within the past 24 months, that challenges conventional thinking and

demonstrates competitiveness.

Bray Park State High School graduate Finley says he wants to use the award as a way to set stronger goals and push himself harder.

Lauren says she’s only new to the Shnoompy Boy team, but is inspired by founder Finley.

“He’s amazing. Finley struggled to find work – he has autism so it makes it a lot more difficult to find a job where they accept him,” Lauren explains.

“Finley has an amazing talent for art, so he decided ‘why not create my own business?’ with his nickname he has had since he was a childShnoompy Boy.

Lauren says she and Finley hope to open a store where other

Neurodivergent people can gather, be creative, find a place where they feel like they belong and work at the same time.

Bray Park State High School principal Peter Turner says he's incredibly proud of what Finley and Lauren have achieved.

“The students have done a fantastic job representing Bray Park State High School, and the whole school is behind them, all 1400 students.”

There were 68 finalists in last year’s awards and the winners were decided by a panel of 44 judges from a mix of public and private sector organisations.

“Ever since then people have loved it and it’s gone crazy.„

UniSC Award for Youth Innovation and Excellence winners Finley Berry and Lauren Adair.

for Sesame Lane Top marks

Sesame Lane Care and Kindergarten team’s valued contribution to the lives of children and to the business’s success were front and centre at the 2022 Moreton Bay Business Excellence and Innovation Awards, where it was named Business of the Year.

the private entrepreneurs, because that’s where the cutting-edge new innovation comes from.”

Head of Sesame Lane Kerri Smith thanked her team for all their hard work.

“Without these guys, Sesame Lane would not be as great as we are. Thank you so much also to Hilton and Lynda (Misso). I’ve had two great mentors in my life and one of them is Hilton. He believes in me always,” she said.

Sesame Lane employs almost 400 educators, teachers and staff and cares for more than 2000 children from more than 1700 families at its 14 centres.

Mr Misso believes the people at Sesame Lane make the difference. His management team handpicks staff for their positive attitude, caring disposition and passion for supporting young children to thrive. Sesame Lane also financially supports staff with ongoing professional development to ensure they continue to deliver quality learning outcomes for the children in their care.

In accepting the Moreton Daily Customer Service Excellence award, Ms Smith said looking after their ‘customers’ was vital in many ways.

Sesame Lane, which has been providing care and early childhood education in the Moreton Bay Region for more than 33 years, took out the top gong after sharing the honours in the Moreton Daily Customer Service Excellence category with North Lakes and Surrounds Electrical.

Accepting the award, founder and owner Hilton Misso said his current team was the best he’d worked with in six decades in business.

“That is said with authenticity and from the heart. I have been truly been blessed. They say if you’re blessed with good people and you have a great vision (you’ll succeed),” Hilton said.

“It took me a while to work out why we’re in childcare … the early learning between the ages of 0-6 is the period of a human’s life where you can have the greatest impact. To have the privilege of having a business in that area is wonderful. To be a teacher, an educator is the most noble industry one can be in.

“We call our group Think2Be and the strapline for Think2Be is think to be anything you want to be. It’s about what you believe you’re capable of doing.

“That’s one of the reasons we sponsor the Entrepreneur of the Year Award because I think the future lays in the hands of the entrepreneurs,

“It is absolutely important to our business. In early childhood education, we have a lot of customers - we have our families, we have our children and for us as a business, our staff are our customers too and our priority,” Ms Smith said.

“(Winning the award) means we’re on the right track, we’re doing the right thing, we’re doing a great job. This is for all of our staff, nearly 400 staff.

“We are doing a program called Rise Within and it’s a leadership program to help all of our staff, which is nearly 400 employees within this region, gain other skills and help them on a pathway to where they’d like to be for their future,” she said.

Mr Misso said the Moreton Bay Region provided many opportunities for businesses and residents.

Moreton Bay Business excellence and Innovation Awards Business of the Year winners Sesame Lane.

Tourism celebrates inclusio n

A pilot program is helping businesses in the Moreton Bay Region boost accessibility for customers and staff.

Run by Spinal Life Australia, the EnABLED Business program is funded under the Queensland Government’s Growing Workforce Participation Fund and provides one-on-one mentoring and disability awareness training, as well as connections to potential employees with a disability.

Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) Tourism and Industry Development manager Renee Gusa says the timing couldn’t be better, with the State Government declaring 2023 the Year of Accessible Tourism.

“It’s an opportunity for businesses - including tourism and hospitality operators - to think about how they can welcome an area of the market that’s been under-serviced,” Renee says.

“It’s about changing perceptions, really,

and understanding that when we think about the word ‘disability’ we have this icon which is a wheelchair, which only represents four percent of people with a disability.

“Spinal Life recognises not all disabilities are the same, but accessibility for wheelchair users also enables access for people using walkers, frames, trolleys and prams. The program considers all disability types and access needs.”

Renee says she and Spinal Life Australia Business Inclusion and Diversity officer Brendan Somerville are talking with businesses about improvements they can make.

“As an industry, we were ignoring a whole user group – one in five domestic travellers has a disability."

“It’s not just focusing on wheelchairs - there’s also the vision-impaired and hearing-impaired market and we’re talking to cruise vendors about how to make their vessels more accessible.”

Renee says there’s a focus on catering to the needs of people with unseen disabilities such as ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) - from both a consumer and employment perspective.

“Many families with kids on the spectrum don’t travel because of sensory considerations.

“But knowing what it’s going to be like and what it’s going to smell like can break down those barriers.”

She says the needs of an ageing population are on the agenda, as well as those of residents with disabilities who have family come to visit.

“People have families to stay and send their families to tourism experiences while they stay home, because they don’t want to be a burden.”

Renee’s focus on accessibility was sparked about six years ago when she received

an email from a North Lakes resident whose parents were due to visit from the UK.

“My dad is a wheelchair user, can you recommend places they could visit that would be accessible for him?” the email asked.

“I thought it would be easy to find information, but when I started to search there was none,” Renee recalls. Since then, she’s worked with Moreton Bay Regional Council Access and Inclusion officer Andrew Monaghan, disability advocate the late Matt McCracken and Spinal Life Australia to change that.

“Our Visit Moreton Bay website has an accessibility portal, which also has new accessibility software to ensure people of all abilities can use it,” Renee says.

“Among the features are the ability to convert content from text to speech, change text and background colours to assist with dyslexia and translate to over 100 different languages.”

Sister site Visit Moreton Bay Region For All is a comprehensive guide to the region - with tips on the best spots to park, location of toilets and seating and sensory considerations.

Brendan from Spinal Life Australia says EnABLED Business is an opportunity for owners to seek advice about being more accessible.

“It’s all about businesses in the region becoming more confident to welcome customers with disabilities and helping them consider people with disabilities as they’re recruiting,” he says.

“Some of the changes so far have been things like signage in the wrong place - like too high or a contrast of the wrong colours making it difficult for people who are colour-blind - or websites that are not accessible.

“People have good will, they want to be more accessible, they just don’t know how to achieve it.”

EnABLED Business runs until September, with participants receiving a comprehensive report after working with Brendan, who says good accessibility is good business.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery says the region has long been a friendly place for people of all abilities to call home and feel welcomed without discrimination, but there’s always more to do.

“Twenty per cent of people in Moreton Bay live with some form of disability and many parts of our region have a significant proportion of elderly residents, so providing accessible infrastructure for everyone is (important),” he says.

Staging a worldof events

competitions, celebrations of local produce, arts and cultural activities, live music and concerts, to an array of family friendly and community events around the region, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Many know some of the biggest and most-loved events on the Moreton Bay calendar include Jetty 2 Jetty, Redcliffe KiteFest and the Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival.

But few would be aware of all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make them memorable for all the right reasons.

by Ashleigh Howarth

Meet Melissa Gooderham - the Events, Marketing and Sponsorship Manager at Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT).

Melissa has been working in this role for 10 years and loves being part of a team that brings so much joy and happiness to the Moreton Bay community.

“My core role is to oversee the events team, the delivery of the events calendar and liaise with Moreton Bay Regional Council to ensure all the components for community and tourism contracts are met,” Melissa says.

“I have eight people in my teamsix people in the major events team and two in the community events team - and they are responsible for looking after the 60-70 events we will be hosting this year.

“It is my job to ensure every single one of them becomes the best event managers they can be, so each of them will be the lead co-ordinator at their designated events.”

In addition to the events listed above, other highlights of this year’s events calendar include the

If there’s one thing the Moreton Bay Region is renowned for, it’s hosting some of the biggest, best and most unique festivals and events in the country.

Caboolture Festival, Movies in the Park, Music in the Park and Christmas Carols during the festive season. The team is also responsible for five business events, including the Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards, as well as working with Steve Butler from Innovate Moreton Bay to help him deliver several social gettogethers.

Some events can take months to plan, during which each person in the events team must work to a strict budget to book entertainers, artisan stall holders and food vendors. They must present their ideas and costings to management, who give the final stamp of approval ahead of the event.

“The Jetty2Jetty fun run and Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival are two of our events that have the longest lead times,” Melissa says.

“They can take anywhere between eight to nine months to plan, so that means a lot of meetings.

well known.

“That’s what we are doing with Redcliffe KiteFest - we want people to hear the word Redcliffe and automatically think of KiteFest.

“Then there are the economic and financial benefits for the region and local businesses.

“They are all really big jobs, but having worked in this industry for a long time, it’s second nature now.”

Melissa says community events like the ones she and her team deliver are important for three reasons.

“Major community events are great for place making and ensuring a region is well known to both locals and visitors,” Melissa explains.

“When you look at other events like the Gympie Muster and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, everyone knows when and where they will be held because they are so

“When we get thousands of people visiting our events, that has a positive flow on effect for local businesses.

“Lastly, there are the social benefits. In a world where more things are done online, these events are giving people an opportunity to get out of their homes and gather face-to-face for some fun.

“One of my favourite parts of the job is helping people create memories with their families, which is what these events do.”

“Redcliffe KiteFest usually takes us roughly four months to plan„

Growing

March 9, 2020. The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) officially opens its Moreton Bay campus, just two days before the COVID-19 pandemic is declared.

alongside

Moreton Bay Region

as extended research and academic activities.

And now, February 2023. UniSC Moreton Bay’s campus has 4090 students enrolled.

Despite the extraordinary challenges brought on by the COVID-19 lockdowns, enrolments at UniSC’s newest campus rise steadily, its student body growing faster than predicted.

This cements UniSC’s belief in the Moreton Bay region as a place of untapped potential, a place thirsty for learning.

Fast forward to April 2022, two years since UniSC Moreton Bay welcomed its first cohort.

More than 120 students cross the stage to receive degrees and certificates in front of a crowd of almost 500 guests.

It’s a celebration of growth, personal growth for graduates and physical growth for UniSC’s Moreton Bay campus, with a Stage Two expansion announced to meet the demands of a rising student population as well

Stage Two construction is well underway - set to be completed this year - adding three new buildings opposite the campus’s impressive foundation building, with a further 12,500 square metres for teaching, research, sporting activity and socialising.

UniSC is growing alongside the Moreton Bay region - which faces a 20year economic and population boom.

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett says with a projected population increase to 700,000 in 20 years, the opportunity to educate and equip people with the necessary skills to meet industry gaps is enormous.

“Our enrolments have exceeded expectations, largely due to pent-up demand before a university campus arrived, which is why we are seeing

such a high number of non-school leavers enrolling,” Professor Bartlett says.

“We have not only been able to partner with businesses in the region to meet their needs and support rapid workforce growth, but also to invite businesses to co-locate with us at The Mill site in Petrie, a Priority Development Area.”

With seven out of 10 students who study in a region staying in that region to work, the immense value UniSC graduates contribute back to their local communities cannot be underestimated.

And as UniSC continues to grow alongside the community, the ways in which students, business and industry partners can grow together are more opportune than ever.

Growth continues at UniSC Moreton Bay campus, with the federal government announcing it will fund an additional 120 student places addressing national skills shortage areas of engineering, education and health from 2024.

Investing in bright ideas

by Ashleigh Howarth

A specialised Moreton Bay Regional Council-funded program supporting innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into successful world-class projects is gearing up for a year filled with workshops, key events, and social catchups.

Included in this year’s line-up delivered by Innovate Moreton Bay are the Creative Industry Demo Day, Techstars Startup Weekend Moreton Bay, the Moreton Bay Region Innovations Day, and workshops and speaker events.

There’s also social catchups, open to everyone and held on the third Wednesday of each month at the North Lakes Sports Club.

Mayor Peter Flannery said Council’s support was about investing in local inventors.

“Our ambition is to become a Top 10 regional knowledge and innovation hub, as outlined in our Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS),„ Mayor Flannery says.

“This $300,000 fund has been set up specifically to support existing local businesses and entrepreneurs to develop valuable skills and connections through specialist mentoring as well as access to innovation and growth services via a dedicated Regional Innovation Coordinator (RIC).

“We have bold plans to grow our local innovation ecosystem so that we better connect our industry and support our locals to become and connect with world class talent, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!”

The program is led by Regional

Innovation Co-ordinator

Steve Butler, who has a passion for thinking outside the box to help businesses and individuals reach their full potential.

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Steve Butler 0412 911 546 steve.butler@mbrit.com.au

“What I love most is helping businesses and individuals get their ideas off the ground or to the next level while connecting our regional ecosystem,” Steve explains.

“The Innovation ecosystem is a dynamic network of entrepreneurs, businesses and support organisations, which collectively forms an environment where ideas are fostered and supported to

become new businesses.

“We can help with your innovative idea, whether that be providing advice or introducing you to people who are willing to share their time and experiences.”

Steve says he’s constantly impressed by the calibre of ideas and projects coming from the region.

“That’s what Innovate Moreton Bay is all about - shining a light on the amazing opportunities that are happening here and giving people

the chance to step up and share their stories," Steve says.

“Every day we are finding something new, and connecting more people, so we can continue growing our innovation ecosystem to create a bigger, brighter and bolder future.”

Steve says Innovate Moreton Bay’s purpose is to inspire ingenuity into the future.

“The best bit of advice I have ever been given is you have got to find your tribe, which can be extremely hard to do alone, so that’s where Innovate Moreton Bay comes in,” Steve says.

2023 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

APRIL 27

Creative Industries Demo Day 2023

MAY 26-28

Techstars Startup Weekend Moreton Bay 2023

NOVEMBER 9

Moreton Bay Region Innovations Day 2023

THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH

Innovate Moreton Bay Monthly Social Catch-Up, any time 3-5pm

Correct at time of printing. Find more events at innovatemoretonbay.com.au

Innovate Moreton Bay has a packed calendar of events for 2023.

BUSINESS CASE STUDY: #TeamMoretonBay

About

Spatial Innovation is a Moreton-Bay based business specialising in spatial technologies, using digital mapping tools to turn geographic data from a wide range of sources into valuable online products.

Last year, Spatial Innovation received funding from Advance Queensland’s Ignite Ideas fund, to commercialise their Flood Query portal and market their product to regional and rural councils.

Spatial Innovation’s success will support Moreton Bay’s Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS) by supporting future innovation from within the region, boosting economic strategies by leveraging innovative collaborators and providing a strong foundation for current, emerging and future innovation sectors within the region.

Product Showcase: FLOODQUERY

Spatial Innovation’s unique and innovative Flood Query program, originally developed in partnership with Lockyer Valley Regional Council, uses mapping and data analytics to generate detailed flood mapping reports for specific areas.

Victor Nicholls, CEO of Spatial Innovation, explains that other existing programs provide comparatively limited information, which is “delivered in a format which is not really user-friendly”.

Unlike any other software on the market, FloodQuery provides free and fast quality flood-information that is accurate, current, and point-specific, to the public (such as homeowners, insurers, and developers) via their local council’s website.

Why Moreton Bay?

Mr Nicholls sees the Moreton Bay Region as a key hub for innovation, and highlights the Moreton Bay Regional Council’s efforts to support businesses and drive innovation as a key part of what makes the region attractive to companies like Spatial Innovation.

“It’s a great place to live, a great place to work. There are great support networks in Moreton Bay, there’s a great Council that are really behind business and driving business.”

“The Regional Economic Development Strategy is part of that, and I think the core features of that is education and innovation and that fits with us really well.“

~ Victor Nicholls

Case Studies Series

Our case studies series is showcasing businesses across the Moreton Bay Region which are doing innovative things aligned with the Innovate Moreton Bay program. Get involved by visiting our website and attending events like our monthly social catchups, where you can meet other innovators in our collaborative #teammoretonbay network.

Closing the loop

A partnership between Sesame Lane Care and Kindergarten and a Beachmere-based business is turning food waste into compost, soil and worm castings.

Sesame Lane and In the Loop BNE have forged a new food partnership following a successful trial at Clontarf that ran for a year from June 2020. Since then, Sesame Lane has been rolling out the initiative across all its centres to reduce food waste to zero.

Mitch Langfield from In the Loop BNE explains how it works.

“The whole process is called a closed loop system. It’s where the food waste gets produced, I collect it, it gets turned back into compost, the compost is then used to grow food and then goes back into the kitchen. So, nothing actually needs to be wasted and you’re continually building nutrient density in whatever garden you’re getting your food from,” he says.

Sesame Lane Food Services Co-ordinator Tiffany Turner says partnering with Mitch to make better use of food scraps from Sesame Lane’s 14 centres makes sense.

“We cook over 5000 meals every week at Sesame Lane and that produces quite a lot of food scraps in that process,” she says.

“Our goal for 2023 is to have zero food scraps going into landfill.

“Each day, our chefs provide each classroom with a small rubbish bin for food scraps. They come back to the kitchen and then they are simply placed into a larger bin and at the end of each day, our chef takes all the food scraps to a main bin for Mitch to collect at the end of each week.

“Six short weeks later, Mitch brings back beautiful soil for us bursting with nutrients for the children to grow their vegetables and their herbs which supports our Owlbert Garden Program.”

Tiffany says it is a complete loop to create a healthier environment.

“The kids get really excited and know their scraps have been turned into soil which is used to grow fruit and vegetables and flowers,” she says.

It’s an important piece of the puzzle for Mitch, who is passionate about community education on how to reduce food waste and improve soil quality.

He has refined the process along the way, experimenting with different methods to determine which work best.

And Mitch loves that the zero food waste message will flow from children to their parents as a result of his partnership with Sesame Lane.

Food waste facts

• Rotting food produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

• Across Australia, one in three kilograms of food produced is wasted.

• Australians throw out up to 20 per cent of the food they buy.

• Between 20 and 40 per cent of fruit and vegetables are rejected before they reach supermarket shelves.

Student 2023 leaders

St Benedict’s College

Ronauld and Cecille say the St Benedict’s team is deeply honoured to be College Leaders for 2023.

“As college leaders of St Benedict’s, we plan to inspire younger students in our community and actively support each one of them to be their own keys to their own doors, whatever it may be,” they say.

“By working together with our fellow leaders, teachers, and senior year cohort we can bring our college community together in harmony and build each other up in our friendships and connections.”

Cecille and Ronauld hope to inspire their love for learning and compassion in their peers so that together, they can enjoy their college experience.

“It is our goal to ensure that our community is based on compassion, where the students can encourage each other to continue to grow and work towards their goals.

“By our example, we want to encourage our peers to compassionately act in service of others and especially themselves, to find balance in their schoolwork and life priorities and work together as a community, cultivating and respecting our SBC culture.

“This year we will continue to build and nurture our beautiful garden so that our students and future leaders can plant their seeds and like saplings constantly reach greater heights and strive to be the best version of themselves.

“We would like to see throughout

the year, SBC students upholding and promoting the traditions of the College, even at the expense of popularity.

“We will strive every day, reflecting and living out the Benedictine values of service, balance, and community, to build a group of young servants, that act with utmost respect and dignity, in and outside of school.

“We will work together to assist each member of our beloved College community to craft their own keys and unlock their door, just as Jesus said, ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.’

(Matthew 7:7).”

Cecille Miranda, Bella Raynbird, Oscar Mou, Lauren Bull, Tadhg Leslie, Ronauld Vaipuna, Ashleigh Sinden, Michelle Mabena, Manjot Chhimba, Clark Andales, Paola Arquinez. Absent: Alistair Bell.

 St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School

Caiden McGill wants to be a leader who younger students will come to and discuss whatever they feel is important. Fellow

captain Zara hopes to be a leader who supports others so they feel comfortable to discuss whatever they need.

Mango Hill State School

Wontaa hopes to strengthen a culture

Sohum is keen to to help everyone feel welcome and included and a part of 'Team Mango' and Aayan wants to influence a culture of kindness across the community.

School captains Wontaa Derbile and Sohum Sharma and vice captains Aayan Umar and Holly Morrell.

School captains Zara Zoghbi and Caiden McGill.

Welcome to Moreton Life

- a vibrant magazine celebrating the best of the Moreton Bay Region. Packed with inspiring stories, and showcasing the best places to eat, major events and destinations to explore, Moreton Life offers an insight into everything the region has to offer.

With six localised editions published each season, it captures the unique precincts that make up the Moreton Bay Region.

From The Hills and Hinterland, Pine Rivers and Caboolture to North Lakes, the Redcliffe Bayside and Bribie Island, Moreton Life takes you on a journey of discovery and introduces you to the inspiring people who help our region thrive.

Twenty thousand copies of each precinct edition will be distributed each season to locations including Visitor Information Centres, tourism operators, newsagencies, shopping centres and local businesses.

Moreton Life is published by Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) so locals and visitors alike can discover the best of what the region has to offer.

The magazine complements the region’s free online news outlet Moreton Daily, which provides local news from across the Moreton Bay Region every day at moretondaily.com.au.

The team behind Moreton Life is passionate about connecting with the community, celebrating community

heroes and shining a light on what makes this region a special place. The editorial team is comprised of experienced journalists Ashleigh Howarth, Kylie Knight, Nick Crockford and Jodie Powell. They’re supported by MBRIT CEO Shane Newcombe, advertising specialist Lyndsay Lawler, chief operating officer Ethan Schilling, designers Lubica Urbanska and Anika Julie and photographer Dominika Lis.

For more information about advertising in Moreton Life contact

LYNDSAY LAWLER

lyndsay.lawler@mbrit.com.au

0448 551 069

Distribution & advertising

2023-24

MORETON LIFE EDITIONS

AUTUMN EDITION (Mar - May)

WINTER EDITION (Jun - Aug)

SPRING EDITION (Sept - Nov)

SUMMER EDITION (Dec - Feb)

Moreton Life is distributed right across Moreton Bay Region, with 120,000 editions distributed quarterly. Moreton Life is a free publication with each edition designed, produced and distributed to showcase each of the six unique precincts

Caboolture

Elimbah Bongaree Margate Griffin Warner Ferny Hills

Burpengary Sandstone Point Woody Point

Morayfield Woorim Deception Bay Kallangur Bray Park Woodford

Narangba Ningi Rothwell Joyner Wamuran

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Your guide to Autumnwith Patsy

Aries

MAR 21 - APR 19

This period of the year will reveal a new cycle in your life, particularly in relation to your status, general direction and career. With Jupiter in your sign until mid-May bringing additional energy and motivation to explore new territory, you may take on more than you can manage at once, so plan ahead carefully.

An increase in energy from the end of May will predispose you to live life large - and to over-indulge and overspend unless you’re careful. This aside, you’ll notice a feeling of optimism and increased self-esteem and confidence. The eclipse on April 20 and the new moon on May 20 will usher in a new schedule that could bring more balance to your life.

MAY 21 - JUN 20

This Autumn is a phase that will present you with considerable change and so a solid financial base that provides a sense of security is important. The new moon on May 20 could bring a positive financial development. In your personal life, if you’re looking to make considerable change, this is it: April and May are conducive to a sociable and outgoing phase for singles’ and couples’.

Taurus

APR 20 - MAY 20

Cancer

JUN 21 - JUL 22

This Autumn is a time to invest in happiness. Leave time to make the most of positive love stars, and to transform home and family life to bring more happiness your way. It’s also a good season to focus on health, wellbeing and appearance. This period is conducive to formulating a nutritious diet that facilitates weight loss. Put energy into a little DIY and embellishing your home.

Leo

JUL 23 - AUG 22

A change in routine due to work or health will ask that you explore a new schedule from the end of March. The lunar eclipse on May 6 will motivate you to make changes in relationships and communications. If you’ve been drawn to travel and explore new territory during the first quarter of the year, you’ll be in a better position to take advantage of options during Autumn.

Virgo

AUG 23 - SEP 22

Adventure beckons this Autumn, but family and your personal life will come first. This is an excellent phase to investigate new ways to get on with family members. If you feel you have hit an impasse with someone special, Autumn will bring new choices about forging a better understanding. Be sure to avoid being too idealistic about how things should be.

SEP 23 - OCT 22

This year you will step into a fresh understanding with someone special at home or regarding property. Be prepared to look at your domestic and family circumstances in a new light. The entry of Pluto into Aquarius at the end of March reveals the likely direction of home life. The May 6 eclipse spotlights whether finances and shared duties stretch to where you wish to take your life. Be prepared to innovate.

OCT 23 - NOV 21

Libra Scorpio

Developments in March and April at home and, for November Scorpios, in close relationships, determine how you wish to progress in the rest of the year. The lunar eclipse on May 6 points to a fresh chapter in your personal life, especially for those born on or around November 8. It is time to reinvent your personal life and, if born in late November, reconsider daily work and health schedule.

Sagittarius

NOV 22 - DEC 21

Autumn will be one to remember, because of considerable watershed moments you experience. It will be an excellent phase to look at ways to plan and execute daily duties, so a fresh work or health schedule will suit. For November Archers, there will be a new work or personal agreement; for December Archers, a fresh financial arrangement. Prepare to look outside the box.

DEC 22 - JAN 19

As Pluto prepares to leave your sign, you will notice a distinct feeling of lightness, especially in April, in comparison to previous years that demanded you alter significant aspects of yourself and personal life. Autumn will be a good time to let bygones be bygones and to consciously turn a corner into a more exciting future. You may need to overcome one last hurdle in March.

JAN 20 - FEB 18

The big news this Autumn is the entry of transformative Pluto into your sign on March 23, bringing into sharp focus your work, health and daily routine - and ways to improve all these areas. Your opportunity for the next three months is to totally transform yourself. You may find the going tougher in May - seize the day in March with work and health schedules that promote happiness.

FEB 19 - MAR 20

Saturn will enter your sign on March 7, bringing focus to responsibilities, money and authority. You may notice a change in your duties, finances and position in life, and if you manage developments well, you could create a solid and stable base for yourself. Avoid committing to schedules that limit future movements too much, as this could lead to a sense of stagnation.