Last month, eighteen Moreton Bay students walked among the dinosaurs, discovered the spiritual home of Waltzing Matilda and learned about the foundation of the flying kangaroo when they travelled to Winton for the trip of a lifetime.

The students travelled to outback Queensland as part of Moreton Bay Regional Council and Winton Shire Council’s 2018 Beach to Bush competition, which late last year asked students from schools across Moreton Bay to put their best foot forward and describe why they want to take part in the 1,350km trip to Winton.

Before the trip, Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said entrants had impressed the judges with their passion for the bush, incredible knowledge of local topics like Banjo Patterson and how they could share their stories with their classmates after the visit.

“I’m excited, because the students will get to tour the brand new Waltzing Matilda Centre, explore the dinosaur canyon at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum and experience the views which have given Winton the nickname big sky country,” Mayor Sutherland said.

Winton Shire Mayor Gavin Baskett said Winton has had a great relationship with the Moreton Bay Shire over many years and the Beach to Bush & Bush to Beach programs are a good way to broaden our youths’ horizons.

“It’s great to have these students from the Moreton Bay Shire region visiting us during such a momentous occasion,” Mayor Baskett said.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all the kids and hoping they have a good experience with many stories of their adventure that they can take back to family and friends.”

Mayor Sutherland said not only is it a great way for the kids to experience the sights, it is also an important opportunity for Moreton Bay’s younger residents to visit rural communities and see why both Moreton Bay and Winton cherish the sister city relationship.

“I think there’s a perception out there of this growing disconnect between communities in urban areas and those in the bush, and I think this trip will show that it couldn’t be further from the truth.

“We may be some 1,300km apart, but we have a hell of a lot in common and I hope the students create new friendships and experience the sense of mateship and family that both communities share.”

Mercy Community is searching for people who want to be part of giving young people in foster care a chance to reclaim their future.

Many teens requiring foster care have experienced varying degrees of trauma, neglect, and/or abuse prior to entering into care, along with the loss and separation from their birth family.

Such suffering in early developmental years can bear significant impact on their future physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

CEO of Mercy Community Elaine De Vos said it’s time for the community to rally together and give teenagers in foster care stability and hope.

“At Mercy Community, we are passionate about partnering with people in the community to empower teens and show them that their past experiences should in no way define their future.”

“We are on the look-out for like-minded people who understand how important it is for teens to have positive, consistent role models throughout their impressionable adolescent years,” Ms De Vos said.

“It’s not about whether you have previous foster care experience, whether you are married or single, have four children or none, live in a mansion or a unit, are retired or just out of university.

“Becoming a foster carer is about giving our young people a chance to reach their full potential – a chance to adjust their perspective on life and reclaim their future.

“Many people associate foster care with young infants or toddlers and so often we see adolescents left on the outskirts of compassion.

“Mercy Community is committed to upholding the dignity of every human person, and young people in foster care are no exception,” she said. 

Regional Director Families and Young People Services Martin Greller said the team at Mercy Community offers continuous guidance and support to its foster carers.

“We understand that raising teenagers can be challenging – particularly those who have experienced significant trauma so early in their lives – but Mercy Community genuinely partners with our carers and is there for them every step of the way,” Mr Greller said.

“We recognise that each carer requires different types and levels of assistance and training, and we are committed to tailoring the support we provide in order to meet their individual needs.

“Adolescent years are renowned for being some of the toughest, most impressionable and isolated years of our lives.

“But when you add in the unspeakable trauma and hurt many of the young people have endured prior to their time in foster care, it’s hard to imagine the sense of uncertainty they must face about their future.

“As a foster carer, you have the opportunity to journey alongside a teen, support them to take positive steps forward, and play a role in the process of turning heartbreak and hurt into hope and healing – the way I see it, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime.

“If you would like to be part of something bigger we would love to hear from you, because together, we have the power to defy the statistics and reclaim a young person’s future,” he said.

Mercy Community provides foster and kinship care services for children of all ages in Caboolture, Brisbane, Beaudesert, Logan, Redlands, Greater Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Southern Downs.

For more information or to make an enquiry, please visit their dedicated foster care site at www.caretofoster.com.au or call 1300TOFOSTER.

Getting a call back for a specialist appointment wasn’t something that North Brisbane resident Terece Edgar was expecting following her regular breast screen.

“I was absolutely terrified when I was told that I had to get an extra mammogram after they had found a density in my breast,” Mrs Edgar said.

Terece, who recently went for her regular two year check up at the BreastScreen Queensland Clinic at David Jones in the city, needed to attend a second appointment to see the specialist team at Chermside.

“Everyone at the Chermside Breastscreen Clinic made me feel reassured and safe,” Mrs Edgar said.

“It is clearly being delivered by people who know what they are doing and who care about what they do. I felt absolutely reassured there was no better place I could have been, and was so happy when I got the all clear.”

BreastScreen Queensland Brisbane Northside Service Director Dr Jane Brazier congratulated Terece and the 43,000 local women in North Brisbane for making the time to look after their breast health by ensuring that they had regular breast screens every two years.

“Finding time to look after your own health can sometimes be difficult, especially with busy careers, family lives and hectic schedules,” Dr Brazier said.

“It is so important that every woman aged between 50 and 74 sets aside a small amount of time to schedule and attend a breast screen every two years – it’s very easy and accessible.

“For women aged 50 to 74 a regular breast screen is the best way to detect breast cancer early and enhancing the effectiveness of treatment.

“Early detection of breast cancer through a regular breast screen has meant that survival rates had increased significantly in recent years with nine out of 10 women surviving breast cancer.

“The national BreastScreen Australia program aims to screen 70 per cent of women aged 50 to 74 years every two years. It is concerning that only 53 per cent of women in this age group are currently receiving regular breast screens through BreastScreen Queensland.”

BreastScreen Queensland Brisbane Northside Service offers a free, comfortable screening service which takes as little as 30 minutes, and is one-on-one with a highly experienced female health professional.

Women who access the free service do not require a referral from a GP. They can visit one of six centres across North Brisbane including Chermside and satellite screening clinics at Keperra, Kippa-Ring, Indooroopilly, North Lakes and in Brisbane City at the David Jone’s Rose Clinic.

Women in their forties and over 75 years are also eligible to have a free breast screen through this service. Phone 13 20 50 for your free breast screen today or book online at www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au

Unitywater, with Moreton Bay Regional Council, is installing fixed water refill stations in public areas to keep the community hydrated and help reduce plastic waste.

Unitywater’s Back To Tap campaign encourages everyone to drink tap water rather than buy plastic bottled water to help keep our waterways clean and protect local marine life.

CEO George Theo said one of the simplest ways to prevent and reduce the consumption of plastic waste was through behavioural change.

“We’re passionate about tackling the global issue of plastic waste on a local level and that’s why we’re introducing these refill stations,” Mr Theo said.

“In 2016 we established a regional reference group to address the issue of plastic waste across our community.

“As a group, we identified that one of the easiest ways to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic water bottles is by providing a reliable source of clean, fresh drinking water at key public places.

“We’re thrilled to be working with council to make it easier for people to get Back To Tap.”

Lifestyle and Amenity spokesman Cr Matt Constance said Moreton Bay Regional Council was pleased to partner on the initiative. “We’ve worked with Unitywater to determine the best locations for the refill stations and are keen to see people filling up their reusable water bottles at the touch of a button,” he said. “Five refill stations are being rolled out initially and we hope to welcome many more soon.”

The first five locations will be:

• Town Park (Lake Eden), North Lakes
• Pumicestone Lions Park, Bongaree
• Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre, Burpengary
• Woody Point, Redcliffe
• Scarborough Beach, Scarborough

Autism. An often misunderstood condition.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. It’s also the start of Autism Awareness Month in Australia and Autism Queensland’s annual Go Blue for Autism campaign.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the name for a number of neurodevelopmental disorders. The symptoms cover a wide range, hence the term, ‘spectrum’.

Not all is as it appears with those affected by the neurodevelopmental disorder. That ‘naughty’ child throwing a tantrum at the store may not be throwing a tantrum because they were told “no” by their parent. That child may have just been completely overwhelmed. Too many different noises, incredibly bright lights, a situation that is very different to any situation they’ve ever experienced.

ASD is a complex, lifelong developmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate, interact with others and cope in everyday situations. Tasks such as getting ready in the mornings, may seem very daunting, whereas for other people it’s usually not an issue. Every person with ASD is different to another and has their own way of seeing the world, which makes them interesting and unique.
When someone has ASD, it means that their brains are wired differently to other people. But, as we know, no two brains are the same and this certainly still applies to individuals who are on the spectrum.

So, how you can tell someone is autistic by looking at them?
You can’t.

People with ASD can find it much harder to interact socially and to communicate effectively with others. As they often have difficulty understanding what other people are feeling and what interests others, they might say the wrong thing. They might talk for a long time about a topic they really like, as they are unaware that the topic is of little interest to others. One of my children, who is on the spectrum, can sit and talk for hours on end about the Titanic.

They may not use gestures and body language in the way that other people do. For example they may not use eye contact and may not smile. However, their ability to communicate can vary tremendously, with some people with Autism having no or limited speech, and others having extensive vocabularies. Although people with ASD can find it difficult to talk to people and make friends, they still have the same emotions as anybody else and love to have friends, even if it’s harder for them
than most.

People with ASD also like things to happen the same way. They might take the same route to school or the shops, or line up their toys in a particular order. If something is out of place or if routines change without warning, they can get upset or worried.

They may also be bothered by sudden loud sounds, bright lights or unexpected touch, that does not bother others. They may become upset if someone hugs them or talks too quickly or loudly. They often have intense interests in particular topics and may be extremely knowledgeable about their special interest areas. They can also have an amazing memory for detail.

The cause of autism is not fully understood, but structured early intervention, therapy and education delivered by professionals with expertise in ASD can make a significant difference
in their lives.

Autism Queensland’s annual Go Blue for Autism campaign is when the public is called upon to help raise awareness, and funds to help us support people living with ASD and their families, by holding an event or attending one being held in their local community.

There is also a great range of merchandise available for purchase from the eShop for individuals and businesses. (Schools and community groups can apply to sell Go Blue for Autism merchandise on consignment (approval conditions apply) when they register their event. To make a purchase or register your event, head to www.goblueforautism.com.au

In 2018, all funds raised through Go Blue for Autism will help Autism Queensland provide education, therapy and support services for children and adults living with autism. To learn more about the vital work Autism Queensland provides, visit  www.autismqld.com.au

After incredible success in other states of Australia and overseas, the phenomenon that is Archery Skirmish will arrive in North Lakes this April as a local business becomes the first in Queensland to launch the sport.

XFire Games will bring the sport played with bows and soft-tipped arrows to North Lakes, as part of their mobile games offering and as part of a brand new Archery Skirmish Members’ League.

XFire Games Owner-Operator, Brendan Ellwood, said the sport could best be described as a mix of dodgeball and paintball – with the obvious addition of bows and soft-tip arrows – and was sure to be as much of a hit here as it has already proven worldwide.

“An Archery Skirmish game is played dodgeball style, with a team at either end of the field, and a pile of arrows in the middle waiting to be collected and fired,” said Mr Ellwood.

“We will be the very first anywhere in Queensland to offer Archery Skirmish League – it’s been incredibly successful in other states of Australia as well as internationally, so it’s about time that North Lakes got to experience what all the fuss is about.

“Archery has really been on trend for the last decade or so with the popularity of movies like Lord of the Rings and the Hunger Games; and unlike traditional archery that focuses on hitting a stationary target, Archery Skirmish allows people to safely fire at opposing players, so they can really channel their inner Katniss,” Mr Ellwood said.

In addition to the planned Members League, XFire Games will have a mobile Archery Skirmish field available for private functions, events and parties.

“XFire Games Archery Skirmish, Laser Skirmish and Hoverball is suitable for everything from kids’ parties and bucks’ parties to corporate functions. We can create activities that integrate our Games with team building and employee profiling, to help businesses identify ways they can maximise productivity,” said Mr Ellwood.

XFire Games’ Archery Skirmish is now taking registrations for individuals or teams of up to eight. From beginners to amateurs if you want in on this one of a kind heart pumping, exhilarating new sport register here (places are subject to availablity).