Council Corner

Council Corner vid Goodman reported on the current status surrounding the dredging of One Mile Creek and Port Hinchinbrook Haragreeable terms. It was believed that Pleash was to be offered to be redeployed into a junior position, however this THE recent Council meeting last less than one hour. Very bour. offer was not mutually agreeable for both parties. little business was transacted. Perhaps the most farcical point within the meeting centered around the perceived conflict of interest. Councilor Millwood declared a conflict of interest with regard to the catering issue before Council due to her living next door to one of the caterers used. Councilor Barnes raised whether he needed to declare a conflict due to a caterer living in the same street as he does.

This clearly demonstrates the gun-shy nature of local government councilors today. Rather than getting on with business they are constantly on the lookout for trip-wires and potential booby-traps.

Council currently are researching and compiling the reports required to present to the Federal Government later this year, with the view to securing the promised $1.5 million for the project.

The commitment to fund by the government is dependent upon a demonstration by Council of the economic and community benefit, employment during the process as well as continued employment after completion as well as suitable costings attached to the execution of the project. Council is hopeful of finalizing their submission to the Federal Government later this year.

The Mission Beach Aquatic Centre was a brief topic of

When Council was approached to confirm the departure of Pleash a Council spokesman stated, “Following the move to adopt recommendations presented to Councillors regarding the organisation structure, Council is currently undertaking a consultation period of 21 days with affected staff and Unions regarding the proposed changes.

We understand the community has an interest in the outcome of this process and we are committed to keeping them informed.

However, at this time, we have a responsibility to our staff to ensure they are first informed and supported.

Catering was raised as an example of this Council’s discussion during general business with a recommendation When it is appropriate to do so, we will provide further dedication to cost savings across the entire face of Counapproved that Council’s CEO prepared a report for Couninformation to the public regarding the organisational recil. The Chief Financial Officer presented a report prepared cil covering opening hours and operations for the aquatic view. Including but not limited to details regarding cost savfor Council speculating the savings could be in the order of facility. ings. $10,000 over the year. In other news it is the understanding that Council’s ExUntil that time we ask for patience and understanding

Under general business, Director for Infrastructure, Daecutive Manager, Anne Pleash has left Council on mutually while our staff navigate a time of uncertainty and change.

2020 Queensland Reconciliation Awards announced

THE Premier has announced this year’s 2020 Queensland Recaberg community, but across Queensland. onciliation Awards winners and congratulated the 16 awards In other categories, Hutchinson Builders was named winner finalists for their dedication and commitment to reconciliation of the Business category for its Statim Yaga (Start Work) pro across Queensland. gram, which focusses on Indigenous training and employment.

The awards are held as part of National Reconciliation Week Beulah Community Limited, which established the First Peo (May 27 – June 3). ple’s Memorial Garden and War Memorial and a Frontier Wars

The Premier said a construction company focusing on Indige installation featuring artworks by several local First Peoples art nous training and employment, a memorial garden honouring the ists, took out the Community category award. First Nations Peoples, and the team responsible for an 80-metre Eidsvold P–12 State School was the winner of the Education screen project depicting the First Nation oral histories are among category for Yumbin means ‘All of us’, an initiative to link stu this year’s recipients. dents, teachers and the wider community through health, wellbe

“The strength and diversity of the initiatives honoured ing and a focus on building cultural capacity. through these awards is a true indication of the support for rec onciliation across the State,” Ms Palaszczuk said. Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s Kids in Action program, in partnership with Jinibara Aboriginal Corporation and Gubbi

Indigenous Wellbeing Centre Ltd was named the winner of Gubbi Dance, was the winner of the Partnership category. the Premier’s Reconciliation Award for its initiative Screens share Aboriginal history to support reconciliation. Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partner ships Craig Crawford congratulated the award recipients. “This wonderful initiative showcases the benefits of ap proaching reconciliation as a community. It focused on the First Nations Peoples and the trauma experienced in their lifetime, a platform for true reconciliation and a healing process for the community,” the Premier said.

“The Indigenous Wellbeing Centre has acknowledged the im portance and sensitivities of the past through a piece of art, and also opened a platform for discussion, not just within the Bund

“Reconciliation is the responsibility of all Queenslanders and through these awards we continue to acknowledge and honour the positive actions taken towards closing the gap,” Minister Crawford said.

The winning projects across the categories of business, com munity, education, partnership and the Premier’s Reconciliation Award will receive a share of $25,000 in prize money.

The Queens land Reconciliation Awards is an initiative of the Queensland Gov ernment through the Department of the Premier FOR SALE SOLD and Cabinet and the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partner ships. For further information, visit: www.qld.gov. au/reconciliation. 2020 Queens land Reconciliation Award win566 East Feluga Road, East Feluga – $150,000 ners

P r e m i e r ’ s Reconciliation APPROX. 1.4 HA (3.48 Acres) IN EAST FELUGA Award I n d i g e n o u s There is a dwelling on the property with a detached two vehicle garage, as well Wellbeing Centre Ltd for Screens FIVE BEDROOM, THREE BATHROOM DWELLING Situated on an approx. 3,034m2 allotment, this property has been converted into two units. Located on the outskirts of Tully township, this property offers space as an additional three bay shed on the lower part of the block. At the bottom corner of the property you will find a pond being fed by a natural water source. Contact LJ Hooker Tully for more information. share Aboriginal history to support reconciliation

The Indige nous Wellbeing with the convenience of being close to town. View: Sat, 15 Feb - 9am - 9:45am Web: ljhooker.com.au/9JUGYA Web: https://tully.ljhooker.com.au/a1dgya Centre (IWC) is an Aboriginal CommuniContact: LJ Hooker Tully – 4068 1100 t y - C o n t r o l l e d Health Organisation committed to reconciliation in

action. Forty per cent of IWC’s staff are Indigenous, and 93 per cent of the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people access IWC services and programs.

IWC created an 80 metre-long pictorial depiction of First Na tion oral histories. The screens project was undertaken with the First Nation Traditional Owners and Elders of the region and the Taribelang Cultural Aboriginal Corporation. A local artist created 11 paintings that were copied to become weatherproof aluminium screening, able to be lit at night.

Business category Hutchinson Builders for Statim Yaga (Start Work)

In 2012, during its 100th anniversary, Hutchinson Builders employed a dedicated Indigenous specialist with the aim of in troducing the company to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to engage and work with the communities in a respectful manner. This has evolved to become the Statim Yaga, or Start Work program, which focusses on Indigenous training and employment while increasing the cultural capability of the broader organisation. Since its launch, Statim Yaga has in creased the company’s Indigenous workforce, placed 411 Indigenous workers into construction careers, and spent more than $25 million in contracts with Queensland Indigenous businesses.

Community category Beulah Community Limited

Beulah Community Limited established the First People's Memorial Garden in 2009 in response to a request from a First Nations People's health provider to partake in Sorry Business and install memorial plaques at Beulah's centre in Buderim For est Nature Refuge. Paths, sitting places and artworks by various local Indigenous artists have been steadily added.

A First People and Islanders’ War Memorial was installed in 2015, and in 2017 a Frontier Wars Installation featuring artworks by several local First People artists was built. A statue of the lo cal resistance leader, Dundalli, was added in 2018. Annual gatherings are held on Anzac Day to remember Frontier Wars, on 5 January to remember Dundalli and on Elders Day to remember the local Elders.

Education category Eidsvold P–12 State School for Yumbin means ‘All of us’

Eidsvold P–12 State School's Yumbin program began as an initiative to link students, teachers and the wider communi ty together through health, wellbeing and an explicit focus on building cultural capability. With the support of teachers, the P&C community and the local Elders group, the Yumbin program was implemented across the school from the start of 2017. The Yumbin philosophy has continued to grow rapidly. Over the past three years the school has set up a full P–12 language reclamation program, shown a dramatic increase in community and school relationships, been a lighthouse school for positive behaviour for learning.

Partnership category

Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation and Gubbi Gubbi Dance for Kids in Action Program

Sunshine Coast Council’s Kids in Action (KIA) program was created to encourage young people to become future custodians of the natural environment. Funded by the council’s environ mental levy and local businesses, KIA partners with many local community groups and is offered to all Sunshine Coast schools.

Jinibara and Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi First Nations com munity members partnered with the KIA program to deliver a program underpinned by ecological knowledge, language and cultural practice, connecting to country and celebrating nature's icons.