Politics

AS I write from Parliament after an evening of welcoming fellow ‘Noosans’ to the Supercharging QLD Showcase, I am reminded of how incredibly fortunate we are to live in an electorate where so many are dedicated to effecting positive change. This ‘can do’ attitude makes our community, from coast to countryside, incredibly special.

Works will get underway on Beckmans Road Stage 1 in the coming weeks. Design work completed to date had identified the alignment of the new intersection, allowing vegetation clearing and relocation of energy and water infrastructure to start the project. Main construction is projected to commence in late 2021 - weather and construction conditions permitting - with more information available on Noosa Council’s website. My work now is securing the funding for Stage 2 in the upcoming Budget!

The issue of heavy haulage vehicles through our villages remains a priority, and we are currently waiting on the response to the request for a review of the review process for Environmental Authorities. A survey regarding needed works has been sent to Kin Kin and Pinbarren residents, with updates available at www.sandybolton. com and Noosa Council’s website.

The Housing Action Group met again in May to report on progress made including legislation around secondary dwellings and access to worker accommodation, with micro-apartments housing hospitality staff and agreements with providers being negotiated. A co-housing project by women, for women, has been brought forward by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Sallyanne Atkinson, Susan Davies, President of Sharing with Friends, and Joanna Blyth from AECOM. It was wonderful to meet with those who are committed in all ways, and I look forward to our journey together.

As always, we have run out of room! With so much to share, stay updated on local issues as well as Parliamentary happenings via Noosa 360 at www.sandybolton.com. Whilst there, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, or join us on Facebook. As always, email our office at noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au or phone 5319 3100 if you any require assistance or have any questions.

Warmest regards, and how wonderful is this beautiful autumn? Sandy

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION AND REHABILITATION AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2020.

During the last sitting week, the Palaszczuk government passed legislation that provides a presumptive pathway for first responders to access treatment for PTSD. Our Emergency Services are the backbone of our community, always going the extra mile to ensure that Queenslanders are not in harm’s way. Quite often they are exposed to circumstances that leave lasting effects, and this legislation will ensure they can get the help they need, when they need it.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

Last week was National Volunteer Week. We have so many amazing volunteers here in Nicklin that deserve to be recognised for the tireless work they do to better our community. I was fortunately able to thank a few in person including Red Cross Nambour Branch, Nambour and District Scouts group, the Nambour Probus Club, Norm Morwood from our Local BushCare Groups, and Lorraine Taylor from Street Art Nambour. Thank you for all for your ongoing commitment to our community.

If you would like me to attend your group’s meeting, get in touch with my office to arrange a time.

VOLUNTARY ASSISTED DYING Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that Queensland will introduce Voluntary Assisted Dying laws to the Parliament this week. I recognise this is an important issue for many of my constituents and that there are many with strong views on the subject.

I want to hear what your views are on the legislation, if you would like to comment send an email to my office at nicklin@parliament.qld.gov.au

FEDERAL BUDGET 2021

I was disappointed by miniscule funding offered to Queensland compared to the rest of the states in this year’s Federal Budget. With so many projects of national importance on the go, it is disheartening to think the Federal Government will not come to the party and provide Queensland with the support it needs. I call on my Federal colleagues to stand up for the region, to secure the funding it deserves.

LLEW O’BRIEN federal member for Wide Bay

THE Federal Budget for 2021-22 is one of the most important in Australia’s history, with significant investments to rebuild our economy, create jobs, and build infrastructure following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Budget contains a record $17.7 billion commitment to improve aged care, which includes an extra 80,000 new home care packages, and I will be working to ensure this funding is used to address the availability and quality of care in Noosa and Wide Bay. Assistant Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie and I recently met with veterans at the Tewantin-Noosa and the Cooroy Pomona RSLs, where we discussed the urgent need for fair pay for Occupational Therapists and allied health professionals who care for veterans. I’m pleased that the Government has acted with a $61.9 million boost for these services.

I also welcome $2.3 billion in the Budget for mental health, $1.1 billion for women’s safety, and an increase of the Child Care Subsidy to for families with more than one child aged five and under. Around 49,100 taxpayers in Wide Bay will benefit from tax relief of up to $2,745 this year, from the extension of the low and middle income tax offset to 2021-22 and the decision to bring forward Stage 2 of the Government’s tax relief plan.

Locally, the Tablelands Road Bridge at Cooran and Wahpunga Lane Bridge at Kin Kin will be completed in 2021-22 with $1,240,949 allocated through the Bridges Renewal Program; and Noosa Council will receive $1,580,692 through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program. Cooroy Badminton Hall receives a final payment of $10,000 for its newly completed $20,000 amenities block upgrade, while the new Peregian Beach Community House is scheduled to be finished by November with $1,517,500 in the Budget as part of a $2,550,179 investment.

LLEW O’BRIEN MP

Federal Member for Wide Bay Working for Noosa's Hinterland

319 Kent Street, Maryborough QLD 4650 PO Box 283 Maryborough QLD 4650 07 4121 2936 Tollfree 1300 301 968 Llew.Obrien.MP@aph.gov.au www.llewobrien.com.au facebook.com/llewobrienLNP

THE safety of our residents must always come first, and we’ve called on the State Government to act in response to our Hinterland community’s concerns about the number of trucks using the Pomona Kin Kin Road. I have now sent three letters to the Qld Transport minister Mark Bailey asking for support. Our hinterland residents are increasingly frightened for the safety of their loved ones, especially their children who regularly have to cross roads used by quarry trucks travelling at significant speed. The Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 allows the state to restrict the use of state-controlled roads in order to prevent damage to road transport infrastructure or to ensure the safety of road users. This piece of legislation that I highlighted to the Minister allows for the state to restrict the use of statecontrolled roads according to vehicle class, time of day and by load weight. Instigating this legislation (which only the minister can do) will help safeguard against an accident or even worse a fatality and I have written to the Transport minister and asked him to act immediately for the sake of our community.

Council has now finalised its draft budget for 2021/22. This draft will go out for community feedback in early June. Council is committed to being open and transparent in developing the budget and this is the next stage in the budget development process. All councillors welcomed the initial feedback from residents, and we hope that the community takes advantage of the opportunity to review the draft budget and provide us with further feedback.

Speaking of finances, council has received a sound credit rating following a credit review by the Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC). This recognises Noosa Council’s strong financial management. The QTC said the sound rating with a neutral outlook is underpinned by Noosa’s historical financial performance, relatively low debt levels and strong cash position. The QTC completed the review based on information provided by council up to February 2021.

As we look to infrastructure around the Shire, early works on the first stages of the Tewantin Bypass are underway. The final design for the new roundabout at the Cooroy-Noosa Road and Beckmans Road intersection has progressed. The design work completed so far has identified the alignment of the new intersection which means vegetation clearing and relocation of energy and water infrastructure can now start. This project is one of the most significant infrastructure projects for our community and it is terrific to see that works have finally started. As we head towards the end of another month, it is all systems go here at council and until next month, stay safe, Clare.

TED O’BRIEN federal member for Fairfax

HIGH NOTE

Music lovers across the Sunshine Coast are in for a double treat, with the announcement of half a million dollars of Federal funding for two local events.

Eumundi’s ‘Offbeat Festival’ will receive $425,000 from the Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund. Around 100 acts will be performing on multiple stages throughout the picturesque hinterland village between November 26 – 28.

There’s also almost $100,000 of funding for Coolum promoter Red Chair’s COMPASS Project concert series. Seven tours will be organised, featuring world, jazz, folk and classical musicians, at multiple venues across the Coast.

Not only will this money help local artists who have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, but also assist promoters, festival directors, roadies, stagehands, and a whole host of other support staff who make these live events possible. The financial benefits also flow onto and into the broader community, attracting visitors to the Sunshine Coast who need somewhere to eat, drink and sleep.

Local musician Andrea Kirwin was on hand when I announced the funding at Eumundi’s Imperial Hotel and I was able to pass on my congratulations for her recent Queensland Music Award.

Ted O’Brien MP, Federal Member for Fairfax, local promoters & musicians celebrate a $500,000 RISE funding boost.

SHOW TIME

It’s show time across the region, and the Sunshine Coast Show is on this month after being cancelled last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. To ensure the Show Society survived this major blow the Federal Government came to the rescue with $70,000 of support, and was also able to provide another $100,000 to help install a passenger lift in the Main Pavilion at the Showgrounds. Come and visit my stand at the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show, June 11-13, and grab your free Ted O’Brien showbag.

The man in the mural

By Karen Woods

AS YOU walk by Cooroy’s Harvest Fresh and turn into Emerald Street, on your left is a mural.

It depicts several men and a blacksmith shoeing a draught horse. A few accompanying words state: COOROY BLACKSMITH, prop. Owen Norton.

Who was Owen Norton? Why is his painting on the wall?

This is his story as told by his wife Barbara:

Owen Norton was born in 1927 in Eumundi. In 1941, at the tender age of 14, Owen began his blacksmith apprenticeship under George 'Spokey' Adams at the blacksmith shop in Cook Street, Eumundi.

Spokey Adams was a blacksmith, wheelwright and coach builder by trade who had previously been employed by Cobb & Co. (hence the nickname, after the spokes in the coach wheels he crafted).

The blacksmith trade was of hard and physical work, and Spokey was a hard taskmaster who taught his trade well.

One of the jobs that Owen learned was shoeing horses. The ones he shod were primarily draught horses that were used for heavy farm work.

Shoeing a draught horse is not an easy job - it is hot, heavy and hard, and was one job that Owen had a keen dislike for.

In 1953 Owen married Barbara Bonnell at the Anglican church in Cooroy. They then moved into a house in Diamond Street.

Eighteen months later, the Cooroy Blacksmith shut its doors and went on the market.

The Cooroy Blacksmith shop was located at 12 Maple Street and had been built and operated by Arthur Crees from 1920.

According to Owen’s father-in-law, Oak Bonnell, “Cooroy must have a blacksmith”.

Oak Bonnell and his two sons, Selwyn and Martin (Bub), had a trucking company in Cooroy that primarily hauled timber and delivered goods to farmers.

Oak argued that farmers had to have horses to work the plough - no one had new machinery, the trucks were old, and a smithy was needed to shoe their horses and to repair their machinery.

A skilled blacksmith provided an essential service. Something always needed repairing by a smithy. Owen wasn’t keen to purchase the business as he was reluctant to go into debt. But after three months of strong encouragement by Oak Bonnell, Harry Spring (Springs Pharmacy) and Jack Wimmer (Wimmers Cordials), Owen gave in and purchased the shop in 1954.

There was a dirt floor, an anvil, a set of bellows, lots of black smoke from the forge fire, and no electricity to start with.

Owen was kept busy at his forge and many a yarn was told over his smithy’s anvil as the sparks dropped to the floor.

Shoeing horses was one of a blacksmith’s main duties, but Owen only ever shod one draught horse at his shop. He had vowed never to shoe a draught horse again. An exception to this rule was for a horse that belonged to an older gentleman – Mr Dave McGilchrest - who drove his horse and sulky to town each week from Pearsons Road to do his shopping.

As times changed, the need for horses to be shod lessened and the business took on more engineering style jobs and less of the more traditional blacksmith work. Owen now constructed all types of steel work, from cattle gates, railings and grids to designing and forging hand tools for farmers. After 35 years, the doors of Owen Norton’s Blacksmith shop closed in 1989. Sadly, Owen passed away in December 1995 leaving behind his wife Barbara and daughters Rhonda and Sonya and their families.

His blacksmith shop is still there but is now a dress shop - Wildflower Fashions - and a real estate agency, Blue Moon Properties.

The man in the mural ‘Owen Norton’ on the wall at Cooroy Harvest Fresh

Owen Norton working his anvil

THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE PART OF A POEM ENTITLED 'THE VILLAGE SMITH' WRITTEN BY DON GIBBONS IN TRIBUTE OF OWEN: The old blacksmith shop ... now Wildflower Fashions & Blue Moon Properties.

No longer we walk down Maple street And hear the ring of the anvil and the hammers beat, The red-hot sparks flying to the door With many bits and pieces lying around the floor. You pumped the bellows till the irons red hot On your fire-side wall some job you would plot.

There were pipes and bars, plus a broken chair A crow-bar here and a barrow there, Some things may be junk but there they would stop Because that was the way you ran your blacksmith shop.