June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a Bowel Cancer Australia initiative to raise awareness of Australia’s second deadliest cancer and raise funds for the leading community-funded charity dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and the best care for everyone affected by bowel cancer.

A highlight of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is Red Apple Day (Wednesday, 19 June 2019), where Australians are encouraged to support the vital work of Bowel Cancer Australia through the purchase of a Bowel Cancer Awareness Ribbon and apple themed fundraising activities.

Bowel cancer claims the lives of 103 Australians every week (5,375 people a year) – but it’s one of the most treatable types of cancer if found early.

While the risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age, the disease doesn’t discriminate, affecting men and women, young and old.

1 in 13 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime. 15,604 Australians will be diagnosed with the disease this year.

To find out how you can support or fundraise, please visit – https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org

Talk to your GP or pharmacist today about BowelScreen Australia®
Order a screening test online or by calling 1800 555 494.

Residents in the North Lakes region will now be able to access lifesaving scans for cancer, stroke, heart and other medical conditions with the announcement of a new MRI machine and licence for Redcliffe Hospital.

A MRI is a commonly used medical scan which gives a detailed view of the soft tissues of the body such as muscles, ligaments, brain tissue, discs and blood vessels. It is used by doctors to diagnose and monitor a number of different medical conditions including cancer and trauma or sporting injuries.

The MRI licence is expected to benefit the many Australians living in the region through a Medicare rebate and provide an estimated 5,900 services a year – saving lives and reducing the costs for patients.

Federal Member for Petrie, Luke Howarth MP said this announcement is a big win for locals.

“The Federal Government has delivered the licence and patients could receive the Medicare-covered MRI services,” Mr Howarth said.

“Having the MRI machine located in the hospital will free up frontline services, such as nurses and ambulance staff who are required to accompany patients to the MRI which is currently available off-site,” Mr Howarth said.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the Federal Government is helping Australians stay healthy and keeping down the cost of healthcare for families.

“Our plan for a strong economy means we continue to deliver record funding for essential services such as Medicare, public hospitals and life-saving medicines,” Minister Hunt said.

The State Government have announced a $10 million investment in an MRI Machine at Redcliffe Hospital. mi Steven Miles MP, Minister for Health, said the MRI will receive a full Medicare-eligible licence.

“A licence makes the running of an MRI machine at Redcliffe Hospital significantly more affordable. Without a licence, today’s announcement would not have been possible.”

“Patients at Redcliffe Hospital will now be able to access vital MRI scans,” Mrs Palaszczuk said.

“A new machine at the hospital, means patients can get the care they need close to home.”

Yvette D’Ath MP, State Member for Redcliffe said Redcliffe Hospital experiences increasing demand following population growth across the region.

“Our local area is booming, and we have an ageing population. Having an MRI machine at Redcliffe Hospital will make the world of difference to people in our community,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“The upgrade will include expanding the current Medical Imaging Department to enable the installation of the MRI machine.

“Medical imaging machines like MRIs require purpose-built infrastructure to operate safely.’

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Financial and Cyber Crime Group have issued a warning to Queensland residents about a scam using a Queensland Police Service phone number to legitimize a government or Australian Taxation Office (ATO) impersonation scam.

In this instance the criminals are using a practice known as caller ID spoofing where they inappropriately manipulate the telephone network to indicate the incoming call is from a different number (in this case a QPS number).

The scam starts when the criminal calls the victim impersonating a government department. They advise the victim has an outstanding fine or fee with them (for example, the ATO). While this type of scam has been doing the rounds for some time, police are concerned this version of the scam has an additional layer which may result in more members of the community falling victim.

The second part of the scam involves the criminal calling the victim from what appears to be a trusted or well-known government phone number and impersonating an employee from the organisation (in this case a police officer) to legitimise the scam. The criminal posing as a police officer threatens you with arrest or states they will commence legal action before demanding a form of payment.

“While this may sound alarm bells and cause the public to become extra cynical when they receive a call like this, then we are 100% fine with this. We want you to be on your guard and we want you to question anyone who asks you for money.

“The biggest fault in this scam is that they ask you to pay the fee or fine in gift cards. Just know, no government agency, law enforcement or any legitimate organisation will ask you to pay them in gift cards,” Detective Superintendent Terry Lawrence of the Financial and Cyber Crime Group said.

Australian Cyber Online Reporting Network (ACORN) indicates they have had 121 reports of the ATO scam in Queensland in 2019, totalling $173,000.

Police have commenced enquiries regarding this scam and the illegal use of the police number.

Members of the public can learn about scams at www.scamwatch.gov.au, mypolice.qld.gov.au R U In Control. Scams can be reported to www.acorn.gov.au

If you like your coffee with a conscience, then you’re in luck!

Moreton Bay Regional Council has awarded a contract to the Morayfield and District Lions Club to run a social enterprise café at the Caboolture Regional Environmental Centre (CREEC), following a successful nine-month trial with the club.

Councillor for Division 12 Adrian Raedel said the Lions Club had proven it had the right skills and capacity to manage a café at the popular environmental centre.

“The Lions Club has committed to using the funds generated by the café to support the community,” Cr Raedel said.

“Just in March and April alone the club raised more than $2000 through the café for early intervention kits for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

“As a father, I understand you already have enough on your plate to worry about without these added pressures and I am grateful that we have community organisations like the Lions Club standing by ready to help.”

In keeping with the environmental theme, Morayfield and District Lions Club President Mark Bates said the café would “strive to be environmentally responsible and use crockery whenever possible and compostable takeaway coffee cups.”

The compostable cups are processed on-site in partnership with the CREEC Community Nursery.

“We also bake everything fresh on site,” Mr Bates said, adding the Lions Club had sold more than 412 Monte Carlos and close to 200 scones since the trial began in September.

The café is open from 9am to midday on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Residents of South East Queensland can expect a Wintery blast Tuesday morning, with the Bureau of Meteorology describing it as ‘brisk’ and ‘cold’.

Overnight temperatures are expected to fall to between 3 and 8 degrees. Daytime temperatures are expected to reach a maximum of between 14 and 18 degrees.

Sounds bearable? The catch is the wind chill factor which means the ‘feels like’ temperature could drop to as low as 10 degrees (as the maximum for the day!)

The cold, dry southwesterly winds will pick up during the morning and reach anywhere from 25-40 km/h (pack your chapstick!)

Take refuge from the icy winds!

So, why is this happening? It’s all due to the deepening of a complex low pressure system in the Tasman Sea and an associated cold front near the NSW coast. Models were hinting that the low pressure system may become an infamous East Coast Low but the Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed today that won’t be the case.

Air cold enough for snow will even spread up into Queensland! The Southern part of the Granite Belt, near the Stanthorpe region may be treated to some flurries in the early hours of the morning, dependent on the whether or not the air will have enough moisture by the time it reaches the area.

Thankfully, conditions will ease on Wednesday, with temperatures returning to the more normal range for this time of year, daily maximums in the low 20’s.

Our advice? Don’t get out of bed if you don’t have to. But if you do have to, dress warmly!

Warm bed, you’ll be missed :(

Police have charged the alleged teenage driver of a stolen vehicle involved in a fatal traffic crash at Rothwell yesterday afternoon.

The alleged driver of the car, a 14-year-old Waterford West boy, has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving and failing to stop for a red traffic light.

He remains in a stable condition in Brisbane Children’s Hospital for injuries sustained during the crash.

A 10-year-old female passenger of the vehicle from Kallangur has also been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

It will be alleged at 2.50pm yesterday a stolen silver Mazda 6 station wagon ran a red light on Anzac Avenue and struck a silver Dodge Journey before colliding with a set of traffic lights.

The front passenger of the Mazda 6, a 14-year-old boy, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Three female passengers of the vehicle aged 10, 14 and 16 sustained injuries and were transported to hospital as well as a 13-year-old male passenger and the 14-year-old driver.

Investigators are requesting information from anyone who may have been driving between 2.35pm and 2.50pm in the vicinity of the Mango Hill Railway Station and Anzac Ave between Kinsellas Road, and the intersection of Anzac Avenue and Wattle Street to contact police.

Via myPolice on May 30, 2019 @ 5.08pm

Winter can be a difficult time for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.

We have a very loyal list of donors who donate whenever they are able, be it fortnightly for plasma or every three months for whole blood. Unfortunately, winter coughs, colds and flus impact our donors as much as anyone and in order to donate blood, you need to be feeling fit and well a week prior to your donation. This means that some of our regular donors aren’t able to donate as regularly as they usually do.

So, every winter, the Blood Service calls on people who have never donated before, or haven’t donated for a while, to make a donation. Because blood only has a short shelf life, we aren’t able to stockpile donations for when we have a downturn in donors. This means that there can be particular strain on stocks coming up to public holidays and over Winter, which is why it is so important for new donors to try their arm at donating blood. We need more than 25 000 donations every week to provide to patients in need.

Blood donation is a very simple process, and the donation itself only takes between five and ten minutes. It’s a great chance to relax and take some ‘me’ time, all the while helping patients in need.
We’ll also be setting up our Mobile Donor Centre on North Lakes Drive, outside the Good Guys, between Tuesday the 18th and Friday the 21st of June. There is also a permanent Donor Centre at Strathpine, only 15 minutes down the road from North Lakes. Located at 349 Gympie Road, Strathpine, it is open 6 days a week, with sessions available both early morning, late evening, and on weekends, so that everyone can find a time to donate that suits them.

If you are interested in donating, or would like more information, you can visit donateblood.com.au, or phone 13 14 95.

If you run a business, or would like to donate as part of a community or church group, the Blood Service runs a group donation program called Red25. For more information on Red25, please call Liam Richardson on 3624 0407, or email lrichardson@redcrossblood.org.au.

The 2019 flu season is well underway, with an increase in cases being reported in comparison to the previous year.

In fact, three times as many cases have been reported this year, with the majority of the cases coming from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Influenza is caused by influenza viruses, which are highly contagious via respiratory droplet transmission. Influenza type A and B cause the majority of disease in humans. Genetic changes to proteins on the viruses result in different strains each season, which is why influenza immunisation is recommended every year.

Australian studies have estimated vaccine effectiveness is between 38% and 86%. The variation depends on age, whether a person is immunocompromised and how good the match is between influenza strains in the vaccine and those circulating in the community. Protection was thought to persist up to one year, but recent evidence suggests protection may wane from three to four months after vaccination. May/June are the ideal months to have the vaccination, as the flu season extends to the end of August.

TIPS TO REMEMBER:
– The more people who are vaccinated, the less likely the flu will spread in the community
– If you get symptoms of influenza you will need to have a diagnosis confirmed via laboratory tests
– Don’t forget your cough etiquette
– Wash your hands regularly
– Staying at home can prevent transmission

Protect yourself and your family, book an appointment with Doctor Donna today on (07) 3886 5400

Election Day is fast approaching and whilst everyone loves a Democratic sausage, choosing which condiment to have on it is far easier than choosing which Candidates to give your preferences to.

If you would like the opportunity to meet the Candidates and ask questions, be sure to head down to the Mango Hill Community Centre on Wednesday, the 15th of May for a 7:00pm start. All Candidates will be in attendance and open to questions from Community members. Be sure to stay around afterwards for a supper and a cuppa! Proudly hosted by the Mango Hill Progress Association.

We live in the most beautiful place in the world and, having grown up in Bracken Ridge and now living in Clontarf, I want to see our community thrive.
With your support, I’ve secured funding to upgrade the Bruce Highway, Gateway Motorway, Linkfield Rd Overpass, the old Rothwell Roundabout, Boundary Rd Overpass, Deception Bay Rd Overpass, On/Off ramps to the Bruce Highway from Griffin and the Mango Hill Train Station car park.
I want our children to have the sporting infrastructure they need to chase their dreams. So I’ve secured a new running track for Deception Bay, netball courts for the North Lakes Blues, field lighting for the North Lakes Eels and new women’s changerooms at the Dolphins. I’m also fighting to save the North Lakes Golf Course.
Unemployment was the top issue when I was elected in 2013 – so I started a Job Seeker Boot Camp to connect job seekers with local employers and employment agencies. The events have been a great success and Deception Bay is no longer among Australia’s top 20 regions with the highest youth unemployment.
Today, our community is economically stronger, our roads are safer and we’ve busted traffic hotspots. But there’s still more to do! With your support I’ll keep working hard to deliver results.

Corinne is a long-term resident in the area and understands the importance of a stable Government. Buying her first house locally when she was 21, Corinne lived and worked in the Moreton Bay region ever since.
Corrine is passionate in the region continuing to grow and thrive, she understands the pressure that the LNP chaos and cuts have placed on our local area. Corinne will always stand up against the LNP’s cuts to local schools and hospitals.
Corinne has significant experience working across Government and policy making. Working in a senior local government role, she has built a strong reputation by working with local community, sporting and business groups to deliver for Moreton Bay. Corinne will use this experience to fight for the roads, infrastructure and services we need in our growing community.
Corinne knows that Petrie needs an MP who has the energy and vision to help build a stronger future.

I live in this community with my wife and daughters and have worked in the product sourcing industry for more than twenty years. Previously, I worked at Super Cheap and ran my own small business as an import broker. I’m an active participant in several community organisations, resident’s association and as a member of a number of local sustainability groups.
As your local representative, I will work with local business and community groups to build a strong and vibrant community that is innovative, sustainable and inclusive. I will fight for a universal health care system that includes dental and mental health, fairer funding of schools with free TAFE and university, an increase in the minimum wage and Newstart allowance, free childcare, affordable housing, and a public energy retailer that will bring down power bills.
We need the Greens to fight for a better future for all of us, and we need to keep the Greens in the Senate to hold the major parties to account.

I am a family man with government experience and I am passionate about community service, being heard and making a difference to everyday people. I was an international student, a skilled migrant and a proud Australian. I have worked in Education sector, Energy industry, State and Federal Governments and I have seen so many places where we can improve.
We built our first home in Fitzgibbon and I commute to work in the city and am aware of the problems that our electorate is currently facing. I am here to listen to the people on the issues that matter for them, fight and make sure our problems get addressed.
I am passionate about representing the community of Petrie, I would like to work for the best interest of all Australians and contribute towards making this country a safe place to live.

At 47 years young, Troy has lived on the north side of Brisbane his whole life, a true Queenslander through and through, he found residence just over 12 years ago in the Petrie electorate where he runs a small drafting business. He is a husband, a father, a stepfather, and recently a grandfather.
Troy is a life student of Aikido (Japanese martial arts) of which he has been involved in for 18 plus years. Public safety is high on his agenda. Troy is passionate about The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia 1901, common law and maritime law. He enjoys all things motoring, cars, 4WD’s, motor bikes and boating, and has been a long term advocate for national road rule reform to better reflect technology. Lets make Australia great, get Australia moving, and focus on what we can do rather than what we cannot.
His desire to enter politics stems from a need to bring working class people into the policy making arena.
Politicians need to stop fighting like school children, be respectful, responsible and accountable, they need to grow a back bone, stand up for the people and PUT AUSTRALIA FIRST.

No information available on candidate, Neville Fowler, for Fraser Anning Conservative National Party.

Local Mum Amanda has been impacted first hand and is on a mission to bring about conversations on this unspoken issue, in the hope that she may help others and raise awareness.

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) or Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) as it is now more commonly referred to, is more frequent in Australia than low speed run-overs, drownings and childhood cancers.

It is a widely under-reported and frequently misdiagnosed form of traumatic brain injury. Considered a form of child abuse, the number one reported trigger for SBS is frustration with a
baby’s crying.

As many as 1 in every 3 children that are the victims of Abusive Head Trauma will die as a result of their injuries. Of those who survive, as many as 2 in every 3 will live with profound and permanent disability.

The implications of this abuse are far reaching.

For local Mum Amanda, she knows this only too well. Her twin daughters were born prematurely, weighing a mere 2.5kg each at birth. After the horrific incident, Amanda was told her daughter, Sarah, would not survive. Her life support system was turned off, but proving herself to be an absolute fighter, Sarah continued to breathe on her own.
Sarah was left with permanent brain damage, she is blind, requires feeding via a tube, is unable to walk and has a myriad of other health issues.

Amanda took her daughter home from hospital and through her hard work, dedication and determination, she has just celebrated her daughter’s sixth birthday. For the occasion, Amanda organised a very special meet and greet with Emma, Simon and Lachy from the Wiggles who sung Happy Birthday to both the girls!

Sarah continues to defy the odds and attends special school while Amanda works part-time. Amanda is an amazing Mother and leader, a true example of what real love and resilience looks like.

When funding for the purchase of a modified vehicle for her daughter did not eventuate, Amanda contemplated putting her daughter into permanent care after six years of caring for and supporting her girls, as the physical and mental repercussions had become very difficult to manage as a single parent.

We are calling on the Community to help raise the funds needed for Amanda to buy a suitable modified vehicle for her daughter and to allow her to continue raising her twin girls at home together.

To donate, visit: https://bit.ly/2vfJRN7

Amanda has been a victim in this situation as well as her daughter Sarah. However, for legal reasons, the perpetrator will not be identified.