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Feel Good Feb

There’s been extensive research to show that ‘giving out good’ not only benefits the receiver but also increases the happiness of the person giving it.

Doing a Random Act of Kindness (RAK) is a concept that a lot of people already do. Feel Good Feb brings RAK into the spotlight and wants to inspire people to focus on being proactive, because in our busy lives, sometimes we need to slow down.

A RAK can be something as simple as helping an elderly person carry their groceries to their car, leaving a favourite book on the seat of a train or a bus for someone else to enjoy, or drawing smiley faces on the pavement with chalk near a playground to bring smiles to people’s faces. Other ideas include popping some veggie or herb seedling packets into your neighbourhood’s letterboxes or buying some book vouchers and leaving them on car windscreens.

Feel Good Feb has FGF Kindness Cards which are free to download and print out from our website. These FGF Kindness Cards are attached to gifts such as the seedling packets and books etc, with the words, “If this will brighten your day, please take me. Pass on this card and do a random act of kindness for someone else.”

Over the last 4 years, Feel Good Feb has held community events such as “Swap On the Corso” at Manly Beach in Sydney and partnered with various companies, Mona Vale Library and Harry Hartog Bookseller and hosted “Feel Good Feb Create Date” events. FGF Create Date events are held in early February and is a community event where everyone is welcome to come and hand make items such as jewellery and paint small canvases to give away during the month of February. These events are aimed not only to inspire creativity and generosity but as also as a way for social connection for human interaction.

Anyone is welcome to host a FGF Create Date within their community. Posters with ideas and resources for FGF are available to download free from www.feelgoodfeb.org

We have had companies, nursing homes and disability services participate in FGF throughout the years. For information, feel free to contact Linda by dropping her an email at feelgoodfeb@gmail.com.

04/02/2019 | mandah

Community News

Kids Matter 2 – Domestic Violence Initiative

A new service has opened to help young children in the Moreton Bay region who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence.

The Kids Matter 2 Deception Bay Partnership Response will provide support, education and therapy to young people and their primary care giver through a multi-partner agency based in Deception Bay.

Chris Whiting, MP for Bancroft said, “We accepted all one hundred and forty recommendations of the Not Now Not Ever Report and are implementing the one hundred and twenty-one Government recommendations. “We know that it is true partnerships at a community level that will lead the way to make the changes. “That is why the Department of Child Safety has funded the Centre Against Domestic Abuse, Yourtown and Mindle Bygul to deliver this program in the Deception Bay area. “CADA will be the lead agency and will co-ordinate all referrals from organisations such as Education Queensland and the Department of Child Safety. “The partners will provide therapeutic counselling, education to the child’s safe parent and implement joint recovery processes.

“More than one million Australian children are affected by domestic violence, according the Personal Safety Survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. “The Deception Bay community has been loud in advocating for a co-operative and co-ordinated approach in our community, and we are proud to now welcome this new program.

If any member of our community would like a referral to the Kids Matter 2 Program, they can talk to the support worker in the community or contact either CADA or Mindle Bygul at jason@cada.org.au or cherie.mindlebygul@gmail.com”.

04/02/2019 | mandah

Join Febfast and Pause for a Cause this February

Powered by Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS), Febfast is the great Australian pause from alcohol, sugar or something of your choice for the month of February in support of disadvantaged young people aged 12-25 across the country.

You’ll give up alcohol, sugar or something of your choice, register to take on the challenge and raise vital funds to support disadvantaged young Australians. The money you raise funds youth workers who dedicate their time to connect young people in with the support, programs and services they require to overcome adversity and realise opportunity. When you register, we’ll not only help you stay on track throughout February, but also give you a hand to raise as much as possible from friends, family and colleagues for our partner charities.

Febfast is Australia’s biggest annual fundraiser for young people facing serious disadvantage including alcohol and other drug use. Over 12% of people in Australia aged 16-24 are affected by problematic substance use, negatively impacting their lives, opportunities and communities. Of this 12%, one third is also living with anxiety and one fifth with a mood disorder.

Alcohol and other drugs are often a symptom of much more complex issues like mental health and homelessness. The funds you raise will be invested in programmes that take a holistic approach to a young person’s life, ensuring they have the tools and ability to take control of their futures.

For febfast 2019 we want to raise $800,000 for our partner organisations to fund more youth workers to support more young people.

Because we want you to fundraise, we’re here to help as much (or as little!) as you need. We’ve compiled our best tips, tricks and tools to help you ask your friends, family and colleagues for their support. Every dollar you raise will have an impact.

To give you an idea of how your money will help, just $36 provides a young person with one hour of support with a youth worker. It is this time that makes the difference to a young person and ultimately enables a youth worker to connect them in with the health and resources they require. In just one hour, a young person can start to find a safe place to stay, feel inspired to reboot their education or begin to heal fractured family relationships.

We have a whole page dedicated to our cause on our why page, so read up for more info!

For more information, visit – https://www.febfast.org.au

04/02/2019 | mandah

Group Fitness Going Off

Make your Resolution a Reality!

Christmas is over, you’re back at work and the kids are about to return to school… Which means you’re most at risk of falling back into the bad habits of 2018.

So Council’s here to help!

With an array of free group activities available right across the region, Council wants to help make sure your New Year’s fitness resolutions become a reality in 2019.

“Just this week we’ve got everything from group fitness activities to active kids programs available,” said spokesperson for parks, recreation and sport Cr Koliana Winchester.

“Bookings have been really strong, so get online quickly to reserve your place and make sure you don’t miss out.

“There’s something for everyone, age is no limitation and neither is cost, since Council’s providing all these great activities free of charge.”

Classes run for between five to twenty weeks. Visit https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/healthy-active/find-your-fitness/ for all the details.

04/02/2019 | mandah

Community News

SCAM ALERT – Extortion email scam

Queensland Police have identified an increase in extortion emails demanding payment to bitcoin accounts.

Scammers are sending ransom emails containing terrifying threats designed to frighten people into handing over their money. These emails have been linked to similar campaigns around the world regarding sextortion, bomb hoaxes, fake hitman emails and more recently acid attack threats.

Before allowing yourself to become spooked by the idea that someone is going to harm you, take a minute to re-read the e-mail, this time looking for any indications the sender actually knows anything about you:
– Are you addressed by name?
– Does the sender mention a location you frequent as one of the places they’ve followed you?
– Does the sender demonstrate they know your address or your phone number?
– Does the sender name your place of business?
– Does the sender mention any of your family members by name?

What you should do if you receive any type of extortion email:
– Delete the email immediately. These messages are sent at random, so they won’t know if they have reached a live email address or number unless you respond.
– Do NOT respond to these emails. If you do, the scammers will escalate their intimidation and attempts to get your money.
– Never send details or personal information to anyone you don’t know or trust.
– Use spam filters and be cautious when opening emails, especially if there are attachments.

If you are concerned for your safety, contact the police immediately. For more information about these emails please visit https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/alert-service/bomb-threat-email-campaign

04/02/2019 | mandah

Upgrade to the entrance of The Mill at Moreton Bay

Upgrades to the entrance of The Mill at Moreton Bay will begin this year.

Home to the first new greenfield university campus in more than twenty years in Australia, The Mill at Moreton Bay project will generate thousands of local higher education and employment opportunities for the region.

Upgrades include widening of a section of Gympie Road, creation of a new entrance for The Mill at the intersection of Gympie Road and Paper Avenue (opposite Wyllie Park rest area), as well as an upgraded and safer entry to Wyllie Park.

These upgrades will provide safer access to the university campus for motorists turning onto and off Gympie Road, as well as pedestrians and cyclists travelling between the campus and Wyllie Park.

As part of these works, a number of trees need to be removed from Wyllie Park to allow for the widening of the road and additional turning lanes.

Council has committed to a replanting program which will see nearly double the number of trees planted in Wyllie Park with an emphasis on native species.

No koala habitat will be impacted by the road works adjacent to Wyllie Park, but wildlife protections are important which is why Council is already looking at initiatives including fauna fencing to reduce the risk of koalas and other fauna attempting to cross the road, a wildlife underpass and rope bridge overpass.

04/02/2019 | mandah

North Lakes 2019 Development Boom!

Over the past ten years, many businesses have opened up in North Lakes and gone bust just as quickly, but could 2019 really present a silver bullet opportunity?

Vacant land in the North Lakes CBD will soon be a thing of the past as a development boom gets into full swing in 2019.

Projects such as the $250 million dollar Laguna development, once complete, will help to pedestrianise the North Lakes city centre and provide much needed foot traffic to other shopping precincts such as North Lakes Central.

The North Lakes Specialist Medical Centre is filling fast, attracting specialists and practitioners from far and wide, with a private hospital to be built opposite.

Fantastic Furniture, Plush, Carpet Call and OMF have recently opened their doors in North Lakes.

A Mercedes-Benz Retail Showroom, Service Industry and Vehicle Sales Yard is to be built at the corner of Discovery Drive and Anzac Avenue, North Lakes.

Construction of the new Mango Hill State School (secondary school) goes ahead with completion expected for student intake in 2021.

Construction of the Mill at Moreton Bay (Petrie) will have far reaching implications for industry and investment with an influx of new young residents and is expected to positively impact real estate prices in areas such as North Lakes and Mango Hill, where student accommodation will be in demand.

Capestone at Mango Hill continues to attract families and investors and the much anticipated Lake at Capestone will be opened later this year.

29/01/2019 | mandah

What’s On – January

Are you starting to see the holiday boredom set in? We’ve compiled a list of activities happening this month, to cater for all different interests:

Tours of Farm Animal Rescue
Meet the chickens, goats, sheep, cows, pigs and other happy animals at their forever home. Sunday, 30th December from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Book online: https://bit.ly/2TsRcnc

Healing with Horses
Join the schoolmaster horses for group Equine Facilitated Wellness/Natural Horsemanship. No previous horse experience is necessary. Thursday January 3rd, 4:00pm to 5:00pm. https://bit.ly/2DR0C7E

Exhibition: Going Away
Bribie has long been a popular holiday destination, but what is it that makes Bribie so special? See the history at Bribie Island Seaside Museum every day from 10:0am until February 3rd 2019.

Visit CREEC
Take the kids to the Caboolture Environmental Education Centre to visit the nursery, play on the all-inclusive playground, use the bike track, take a forest walk, watch a or have a BBQ.

The Beat
Come and discover ways in which we interact with music in the Imaginarium and and find your own beat. Redcliffe Museum from 10:00am to 4:00pm everyday except Monday until February 17th 2019.

Samford Conservation Park
Take the kids for a bushwalk through ironbark trees, choose from one of four circuits between 400m-1170 metres in length. Bicycles can be taken certain tracks. Why not pack a picnic for afterwards?

Revolution Sports Park
Over 2,000 square metres of Trampoline Fun and the newest addition to the centre, the new Climb Park section will keep the kids entertained for hours! Book at www.revolutionpark.com.au

Explore Cedar Creek
Take the kids for a splash at Rocky Hole or for some rock hopping at Stony Creek. Pack a picnic or BBQ and enjoy your company at Andy Williams Park. Go turtle spotting at Halls Rd Reserve.

6 Day Musical Theatre Workshop
Creating CONFIDENCE, through PERFORMANCE! Give your child the ULTIMATE school holiday experience! The students will be part of ‘Alice in Wonderland Jr’. To book: https://bit.ly/2Aa4xIr

Settlement Cove Lagoon
A free for public use lagoon situated right next to the beach makes for a great place to spend the day with the kids! Let them tire themselves out on the play equipment, don’t forget money for an icecream!

Explore Osprey House
Wander along the boardwalks at Osprey House Environmental Centre. Spot a koala and view the Osprey and Sea Eagles soaring overhead. Open every day 10:00am to 4:00pm

Chipmunks Playland and Cafe
The whole family will be entertained at Chipmunks Playland. With indoor play areas designed for kids up to eleven years and an onsite Cafe serving delicious food and coffee. Open seven days.

Bricks 4 Kidz
Come build, play & learn with LEGO® these Summer School Holidays! Workshops begin on Tuesday, 18th December and run until Thursday, 24th January. To book: https://bit.ly/2zjpUHl

The 91-Storey Treehouse – Live on Stage
Andy and Terry’s Treehouse has reached an amazing 91 Storeys! QPAC host the adaptation of the book. Starts Wednesday, 23rd January. https://bit.ly/2BqmYdq

Aussie Arvo
Your favourite Aussie event is back for another year! Celebrate Australia Day at Aussie Arvo! It’s a FREE pool party at the Lawnton Aquatic Centre on Saturday 26 January 2019 from 2:00pm.

Aqua Splash
Enjoy a great day out at Redcliffe’s newest attraction, an inflatable waterpark! AquaSplash Redcliffe is Australia’s best open water fun park. Fun for all the family! Book tickets: https://bit.ly/2Tzifxp

Kids Hawaiian Party
Head on down to the Lawnton Tavern with the kids on Sunday, 27th January from 11:30 to 1:30 for a fun Hawaiian themed party! There will be face painting as well as free gift bag for every child.

Australia Day Family Picnic
Join in with other locals for games and a free BBQ. Don’t forget your picnic blanket at frisbee! To be held at Aurora Blvd Park in North Lakes on Monday, 28th January from 3:00pm to 6:30pm.

02/01/2019 | mandah

Community Interest

What’s On – December

Only a few days left before the jolly man arrives! What will you do to keep the kids occupied? We have a few tips:

Moonlight Markets
Old Petrie Town at night, what a beautiful sight! Bring your picnic rug, there will be live entertainment, food vendors and children’s activities, On Friday, 21st December, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.

Mango Hill Christmas Carols

Head on down to Danzy Buchanan Park in the Mango Hill Village this Saturday, 22nd December from 4:00pm for a night filled with entertainment and carols, rides for the kids, family picnic games, food tents and a petting zoo!

Whilst weather predictions are not certain, the Mango Hill Progress Association do not want to disappoint families.

Back Up Plan: If required by the weather, Santa will still pay a visit to the children in the Mango Hill Hall around 5.15pm, after which the wonderful group of entertainers will ensure an enjoyable night regardless.

Santa at the Beach
Take the kids down to the foreshore to have their pic taken with Santa and a groovy surfboard! Near the Redcliffe Anzac Memorial on Sunday, the 23rd of December. Call 0412 704 820 to book.

Free Santa Photo
To receive your free photo, simply spend $50 or more in any store or combination of stores at Caboolture Square and present your receipts to Santa’s Helpers! December 21st fro 10.30am.

Santa Photos
Find Santa in his Village in Morayfield Shopping Centre for photos from Monday 19th November – Christmas Eve! Skip to queues and book online! Visit https://bit.ly/2PoIHuV to book.

Sunday Market
Old Petrie Town offers a truly unique market experience! The perfect opportunity to grab some last minute gifts for the special people in your life. Sunday, 23rd December from 7:00am to 1:00pm.

Be a Christmas Gift Wrapper for a Great Cause!
Celebrate the season of giving by wrapping presents to support people with a disability at The Strathpine Centre. Book at https://bit.ly/2AeI50v

New Year’s Eve at Sandstone Point Hotel
Make the most of the last day of 2018 on the waterfront! From 12 midday enjoy food stalls, kids rides, live music, entertainment and more! Would it even be New Year’s Eve without fireworks? There will be family friendly fireworks at 8:30pm and the BIG countdown to 2019 at midnight! are just $5 for adults and $2 for kids! Get your tickets at:
https://bit.ly/2zmcZoh (Tickets will be available on the door if not sold out prior.)

Woodford Folk Festival
The Woodford festival experience is deep, rich and colourful. It is based on a vision of inclusive and creative community, culture and tradition passed through generations, expressed through story and ceremony. The site, a former barren dairy farm, has been lovingly regenerated with over 120,000 subtropical rain forest trees, orchids, ferns and sedges, planted to create a habitat for butterflies and wildlife. The perfect place to welcome the New Year in! An iconic cultural, music, arts environment and performance event featuring more than 2000 performers, 35 venues and 438 acts, get your tickets at: www.woodfordfolkfestival.com/tickets

21/12/2018 | mandah

Community Interest

Bancroft Independent and Catholic Schools Receive Funding Boost

Almost $3 million in funding has awarded to three local independent schools in Deception Bay and North Lakes, said Chris Whiting Member for Bancroft.

Arethusa College at Deception Bay will receive $1,530,000, Christ the King Catholic Primary will receive $14,120 and The Lakes College will receive $1.4 million from the Queensland Independent Schools Block Grant Authority and the Queensland Catholic Capital Assistance Authority.

“This much-needed funding shows that building better schools for every student is a central value of the Palaszczuk Government,” said Chris Whiting.

“For Arethusa College, these funds will be used for the construction of new classrooms including a technology (food and fibre) room, staff area, withdrawal room, storage and amenities, as well as site development, furniture and equipment.

“At Christ the King Catholic Primary, the $14,120 will be used to assist with council headworks charges.

“Over at The Lakes College, the $1.4 million will be used to assist with construction of six new classrooms, a staff area, outdoor and undercover learning areas, veranda, storage and amenities, as well as site works, furniture and equipment.

“In this financial year we have allocated $98.4 million in capital assistance grants to non-state schools across Queensland.

“The funds provided through these grants help to significantly ease the external infrastructure costs associated with capital works projects.

“Schools typically use the funds for a wide range of important works such as new buildings including specialist classrooms, libraries, canteens and sports courts,” he said.

Mr Whiting said that this particular grant program helped to ensure all Queensland students have access to a quality education with the best possible school facilities.

“The Palaszczuk Government remains committed to ongoing support for non-state schools and I’m pleased that these three schools have received this much-needed assistance,” Mr Whiting said.

10/12/2018 | mandah

Community News

Christmas Recipes

Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients

6 cups vegetable stock
3 tbs olive oil, divided
4 cups sliced mushrooms
2 shallots, diced
1 & 1/2 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 tbs finely chopped chives
2 tbs vegan margarine

Method

Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the mushrooms, and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Remove mushrooms and their liquid, and set aside. Lower heat to medium-low heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and stir in the shallots. Cook 1 minute. Add rice, stirring to coat with oil, about 2 minutes.
When the rice has taken on a pale, golden color, pour in wine, stirring constantly until the wine is fully absorbed. Add 1/2 cup stock to the rice, and stir until the stock is absorbed. Continue adding stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continuously, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the mushrooms, margarine and chives.

BBQ Prawns with Lemon, Parsley & Garlic

Ingredients

4 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced garlic
freshly ground black pepper
to taste
chilli flakes to taste (optional)
700g uncooked fresh king prawns, peeled and deveined

Method

In a large, glass bowl, stir together the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, garlic and black pepper. Season with chilli flakes, if desired. Add prawns and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat barbecue for high heat. Thread prawns onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard any remaining marinade. Lightly oil cooking hotplate. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until opaque.

Fruity Punch

Ingredients

3 L Golden Circle Sunshine Punch
1 & 1/4 L lemonade
1 & 1/4 L ginger ale
Fresh seasonal fruit, diced or
410 g canned fruit salad
fresh mint leaves *optional

Method

Chill juice and soft drinks until icy cold. If using tinned fruit salad, freeze for about an hour before serving. Pour juice and soft drinks into a punch bowl, then add fruit and fresh mint.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

10/12/2018 | mandah

Community Interest

Dear Alice – It’s Not Your Job to Fix People

Dear Alice,
I’ve had a volatile relationship with my younger sister for most of our lives. We are adults now and whilst things have improved there continues to be dramas. She’s been going through a tough time in the last several years since our mother died. Recently I have rented my spare room to her, and hired her to do jobs around the house. Unfortunately, dramas continue to arise and we end up fighting over small issues. I’m trying to be a good sister and look out for her but she says that I am constantly attacking her. Her reactions to me aren’t consistent and I am walking on eggshells in my own house, not knowing what will trigger her next. I thought that helping her would be a good thing but it’s only brought more chaos into my life. Why do I feel like the bad guy all the time, when I’m just trying to help? I don’t understand her; how can we be so close and yet be consistently misunderstood?
Anon

Wow! I’m sorry to hear that there is trouble at home. Looking after your family is important but it can’t come before looking after yourself. Sometimes siblings fall into a trap of assuming understanding; it is because you are so close that you may misinterpret or assume their opinion. Try giving the benefit of the doubt and stepping out of the sibling role. It may be a good idea to pause and think before replying, be more thoughtful in your responses and ask yourself “what would I say to a random person on the street in this situation?”. It appears as though people treat strangers in a politer fashion than those that are closest to us, which is inherently troublesome. Whether they are blood or not, supporting loved ones though mental health issues can be draining and potentially damaging to the relationship. In order to protect the longevity of the relationship you need to find your boundaries. At the end of the day you need to put your own needs first. It goes back to the flight policy of “put your own oxygen mask on before putting on your children’s and other passengers”. If you are running low on your social capital, giving your energy away is not the best idea. You need to be operating at your full capacity in order to be useful to others. Burning yourself into the ground emotionally is not going to help anyone and being low on social capital is going to open you up to collateral damage. The only people that are going to be upset by you putting in boundaries, are the ones that have been benefitting from you having none. Now, this one is big, and I hope that you can internalise this colloquialism… It’s not your job to fix people. This one can be so difficult to let go of, especially when caring for others is in your nature. Let go of that typical ‘Helper’ archetype, it clearly is not doing you any favours. It is true what they say, you cannot help others, you can only help them to help themselves. Sometimes you need to accept that other people’s ‘Best Self’ is not what you would have hoped for them. Perhaps it could be helpful to lower your expectations and accept that all people have a right to self-determination and their ‘Best Self’ may not be something that you like. Saying goodbye to an idea of someone, a vision of their ‘Higher Self’, can be saddening and I encourage you to mourn the loss as if it was a real person. It’s time to worry about your own behaviour and reactions, after all; the only person you have control over is yourself. I hope that this is empowering for you, and I would strongly recommend contacting Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277. Take care of yourself.

10/12/2018 | mandah

Community Interest

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Feel Good Feb

There’s been extensive research to show that ‘giving out good’ not only benefits the receiver but also increases the happiness of the person giving it.

Kids Matter 2 – Domestic Violence Initiative

A new service has opened to help young children in the Moreton Bay region who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence.

Join Febfast and Pause for a Cause this February

Powered by Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS), Febfast is the great Australian pause from alcohol, sugar or something of your choice for the month of February in support of disadvantaged young people aged 12-25 across the country.

Group Fitness Going Off

Make your Resolution a Reality!

SCAM ALERT – Extortion email scam

Queensland Police have identified an increase in extortion emails demanding payment to bitcoin accounts.

Upgrade to the entrance of The Mill at Moreton Bay

Upgrades to the entrance of The Mill at Moreton Bay will begin this year.

North Lakes 2019 Development Boom!

Over the past ten years, many businesses have opened up in North Lakes and gone bust just as quickly, but could 2019 really present a silver bullet opportunity?

What’s On – January

Are you starting to see the holiday boredom set in? We’ve compiled a list of activities happening this month, to cater for all different interests:

What’s On – December

Only a few days left before the jolly man arrives! What will you do to keep the kids occupied? We have a few tips:

Bancroft Independent and Catholic Schools Receive Funding Boost

Almost $3 million in funding has awarded to three local independent schools in Deception Bay and North Lakes, said Chris Whiting Member for Bancroft.