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On Queensland Day, the Bancroft Community came together at the North Lakes Sports Club to honour their Community Champions at Chris Whiting MP’s annual award ceremony.

“There is no better day to acknowledge the hard work of local Queenslanders than on Queensland Day,” Mr Whiting said.

Queensland Day, which falls on June 6, is the day that Queensland officially separated from New South Wales, to become its own independent colony in 1859.

“Across Bancroft, our Community Champions are the people who make a great difference,” Mr Whiting said.

“This year we had a range of recipients, ranging from P&C volunteers, disability advocates, owners of local businesses, long-serving JP’s and foster carers,”

“One of the best things about this year’s awards was seeing just how big it has grown, we had three times as many people attend this year from last year,”

“The growth of these awards shows just how community minded people in Bancroft are, and that people want to make sure that those who go above and beyond get the recognition that they deserve,” Mr Whiting said.

The North Lakes Sports Club was again the major sponsor for this event, providing the venue and an afternoon tea for all attendees.

“The North Lakes Sports Club is a champion of our community providing a great venue, and funds to local sporting groups, these awards could not happen without their on-going support,” Mr Whiting said.

The award recipients were:

Paula Burgess

Paula is a tireless ADHD Campaigner. She founded the organisation Beyond the Maze, which provides support to parents and children with ADHD

Catherine Monks

Catherine is the Operations Manager for the North Lakes State College P&C. Described by P&C President and nominator Andrea as the P&C’s Guru, Catherine goes above and beyond what is required of her role, and puts in a great deal of effort after hours and on weekends.

Cheryl Bartley

Cheryl has worked as a JP for many, many years providing an incredibly valuable service to our community. She is the Justice of the Peace Co-ordinator for Deception Bay.

Anna Lumsden

Anna runs local speciality coffee shop ‘Told You So’. During the month of May she dedicated the business and its community to raising money for Peninsula Animal Aid – they raised over $3,000 all while making Australia’s Best Coffee.

Lisa Ann McKenzie

Lisa is the owner of the Celtic Barber, and you may have seen her online or on TV recently, after the amazing story of her two year journey to gain the trust of a child with autism went viral. She now opens up her salon to private appointments for children with autism, so that they can get their hair cut in a calm, friendly environment.

The Garth Family

As a family for over a decade the Garth’s have contributed significantly to many of the programs run by the Mango Hill Progress Association, especially their very popular Christmas Carols and Skate Nights.

Scott Stanford

Scott works as a volunteer for the Redcliffe Tigers AFL Club, where he puts in many, many hours to ensure the continued success of the Club.

Andrea Browne

Andrea is the North Lakes State College P&C President. Her efforts at the head of the P&C have seen it continue to successfully fundraise to provide better facilities for students & staff. The P&C also contributes at sports days, cross countries and other school events.

Elaine Hourston

Elaine is the Bounty Boulevard State School P&C President.

Ralph Ashby

Ralph was a long time stalwart of the local community and the Mousetrap Theatre. He was a regular in my office to get scripts, programs and posters printed and photocopied. I have been advised that since his passing two Mousetrap volunteers are now needed to do all the tasks that Ralph did.

Eileen Goodenough

Eileen is a co-convenor of the Deception Bay QDN (Queensland Disability Network) group, which runs events to provide information to the community, and advocates for the rights of people with disability.

Liz Hancock

Liz works as a co-ordinator for Kidney Support Network at Redcliffe and North Lakes Disalysis units, as well as the President of the Redcliffe Hospital Auxiliary. Both volunteer positions that provide an invaluable service to our community.

Sarah Crawford

Sarah runs the North Lakes Community Parents & Businesses Page, and it is great to see her back at it! This page is a focal point for the North Lakes region online, providing a valuable space for locals to find out what is happening, what local businesses and services are available, as well as get many of their questions answered.

Geoff Hay

Geoff is the Group Leader for the Deception Bay SES. Geoff has been involved with the SES since 1978. It is important that we remember that all members of the SES are volunteers – they give their own time to help out their community during some of the worst times.

Dr Subrat Mishra

Dr Mishra has been involved for four years with the ‘Speaking Out to Stop Family and Domestic Violence program. He has organised art exhibitions and auctions to raise funds for the Centre Against Domestic Abuse and the Sonshine Women’s Refuge Sanctuary, and many other groups who work to tackle the scourge of domestic and family violence.

Christine & Andy Young

Since 1992 Christine has been invovled in producing, direction and showcasing cabaret acts through her company Guys N Dolls revue, and have raised thousands of dollars for local charities through this.

Marney Perna

For many years Marney has been involved in many aspects of community life, from the P&C and tuckshops when her kids were in school, to her tireless efforts as a small business owner and her work with Soroptomists which have enabled the club to access grants to host community health and wellness forums.

Safari Watson-Feilo

On top of her athletics achievements, having competed at State and National Titles, Safari also volunteers at many local events including the Pasifika Families Festival and Nesian Nations Festival.

Tracy Watson

Tracy makes a huge contribution to the multi-cultural community we have here in Bancroft. She works as a tireless volunteer supporting sports, youth and cultural events. She was one of the lead organisers of the recent Nesian Nations Festival, in Redcliffe, which had over 20,000 attendees! She is also one of nine advisors from all across Queensland on the Multicultural Affairs Queensland Advisory Council.

Pamela & Des Gunnis

Pamela & Des have been Foster Carers for an incredible 25 years! They have opened their hearts and home to 65 different children in that time. It says everything to me about Pamela & Des, that they were nominated by the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.

David Rauchle

Pastor David is an institution in Deception Bay. From his Lighthouse Centre he provides more than just food to struggling families, he provides any type of support he is able to offer.

Jeremy Arato

Jeremy is the head of the Deception Bay PCYC, a focal point for the D Bay community. It provides a huge range of activities and facilities for young people in our community.

Moreton Bay Regional Council is calling on young artists from across the region to submit their best photos, paintings, sculptures and artworks for a chance to share in $5,000.

The prizes, which can be used for arts classes and tuition, are part of the 20^th anniversary of the Tyson Evans Scholarship and Exhibition, which celebrates young artists throughout the Moreton Bay Region.

Lifestyle and Amenity Spokesperson Councillor Denise Sims encouraged students currently in grades 7 to 12 to submit their favourite works for a chance to win the major prize of $2,500 or one of five $500 prizes.

“Whatever your medium – be it painting, photography or 3D sculpture – we want to see your works. If you know of a talented young artist, encourage them to enter,” Cr Sims said.

“We have so many talented young artists in our region keen to get their break, and the Tyson Evans Scholarship and Exhibition is the perfect launch pad. Many of the past entrants and winners have gone on to do great things in the arts and creative industries community.”

Division 6 Councillor Koliana Winchester said entries would be displayed in a special exhibition from July 28 to August 18 at the Redcliffe Art Gallery.

“In addition to the major prizes, this is also your chance to have your art professionally displayed for family, friends and the public to see,” Cr Winchester said.

The scholarship and exhibition is named after Tysons Evans, a talented young artist from Redcliffe who passed away in 1997.

“Twenty years on, and there are so many artists in our region today who embody Tyson’s passion for the arts and deserve to be showcased. This is a chance to celebrate Tyson and the many young artists who share the same talent today.”

To enter or for entry details head to www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/redcliffe-art-gallery/artist-opportunities/

Entries close 8pm, June 24.

Division 4 Councillor Julie Greer has announced funding for Dohles Rocks Roads’ major intersections, Lake Eden and the Griffin Sports Complex in Moreton Bay Regional Council’s 2018/19 Budget.

Cr Greer said this year’s Budget would focus on a major upgrade for the Dohles Rocks Road and Henry Road intersection at Griffin as well as ongoing funding for the Dohles Rocks Road interchange project.

“In 2018/19, council is investing $670,000 to widen and realign the Doles Rocks Road and Henry Road intersection,” Cr Greer said.

“This upgrade will prioritise northern and western legs of the intersection to improve traffic flow and safety for local residents and motorists travelling between Griffin and other parts of our region.

“Council has also allocated $2.9 million for the ongoing upgrade of the Dohles Rocks Road and Bruce Highway interchange.

“The interchange upgrade project will help improve safety for motorists along Dohles Rocks Road and includes the installation of traffic signals and a pathway connection under the highway overpass.

The project also includes the renewal of the Dohles Rocks pavement and drainage.

Cr Greer said $200,000 would also be allocated to begin design works on upgrades for Old Gympie Road at Kallangur.

“As part of council’s commitment to local road infrastructure, $693,000 has been allocated to road resurfacing across Division 4 and a further $625,000 has been invested towards connecting Mallard Street at Mango Hill with Maryvale Road.

Cr Greer also announced $750,000 for major works on Lake Eden at North Lakes.

“Lake Eden is a popular destination for local families and visitors, and serves as the backdrop for local events and the new North Lakes Hotel, which is why council has allocated $750,000 to upgrade the lake and improve its water quality.

“The project will include a major revegetation of the lake and surrounding wetland area as well as new vehicle access points for council crews to ensure the lake is more readily maintained.

As part of the Budget, a further $30,000 will be allocated for initial rectification works for Halpine Lake, Mango Hill.

Cr Greer said local sport and recreation also scored in the Budget with $500,000 for the Griffin Sports Complex project as well as $125,000 to carry out facility development planning across the region’s PCYCs including the Deception Bay Sports Centre.

“Following the completion of Kinsellas Sports Complex last year, council has secured funding for the area’s next major sport and recreation precinct, the 92ha Griffin Sports Complex. “Once complete in 2021, the Griffin Sports Complex will unlock two-multipurpose fields, a synthetic field, clubhouse and recreational infrastructure for Griffin’s booming sports community.”

Working Queenslanders living in North Lakes or Deception Bay are being called on to tell their story of their wages “rip off”.

Queensland Parliament recently voted to hold a Parliamentary Inquiry into unpaid wages that will hear testimony from Queenslander workers who have experienced wage theft.

“If it is local workers’ money that is being withheld, I want our local voices to be heard,” said Chris Whiting MP.

“That could be underpayment, unpaid super, unpaid penalty rates, unauthorised deductions from pay, unpaid work trials, the misuse of ABNs and sham contracting to deny workers their proper entitlements”

“The Premier announced on Labour Day that the Government would move a motion in Parliament to establish a Parliamentary Inquiry into unpaid wages – and that’s exactly what we have done,” Mr Whiting said.

The Palaszczuk Government had the support of cross-benchers for the Inquiry to proceed, but the LNP opposed the motion.

Chris Whiting said when workers in Bancroft head off to work each day, they expect to return home safely and they expect to receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

“But for too many workers, this is not the reality,” Mr Whiting said.

“During a period of historically low wages growth, there is an even bigger problem that some workers are not even getting the pay to which they are entitled”

“We encourage workers and all interested parties to participate in the Parliamentary Inquiry and make submissions for how we can bring an end to this insidious practice.” Mr Whiting said.

The Wage Theft Enquiry will report back to the Queensland Parliament by 16 November 2018.

For more information on how to make a submission to the enquiry contact Chris Whiting on 3448-2100 or bancroft@parliament.qld.gov.au

After an unseasonably warm Autumn, with April felling records left, right and centre for temperatures, May came along and reminded us that it sure does get cold in Australia! So, what’s ahead for us in Winter?

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the tropical Pacific Ocean is neutral (neither El Niño nor La Niña) and is expected to remain neutral through the coming season. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is also neutral, with the possibility of a negative IOD event forming during winter. The IOD is is measured by the sustained changes in the difference between sea surface temperatures of the tropical western and eastern Indian Ocean.  A negative IOD is where we see westerly winds intensify along the equator, allowing warmer waters to concentrate near Australia. This sets up a temperature difference across the tropical Indian Ocean, with warmer than normal water in the east and cooler than normal water in the west.

With mostly neutral climate drivers, there is no strong push towards broadscale wetter or drier conditions across the country. In summation, we should expect average rainfall totals across the country but there is always the chance that certain locations will get more, while others, get less.

June is a typically dry month for our part of the world, on average we have five days of rainfall in the month with approximately 45mm falling during the entirety of the month. July and August follow a similar path in terms of rainfall, with it slightly declining from each previous month until the start of storm season in October.

Night-time temperatures are expected to be cooler than average for eastern Queensland, make sure you have your ugg boots handy!

For more information about the Winter Weather Outlook, visit the Bureau of Meteorology.