connect , f a e l a new Issue 84
Turn r reef love ou
YOUR
LIFT OFF PROGRA M GUIDE
Gladstone Tondoon Bo tanic Gar
Sunday, Jun
dens
8 1 20
9am - 3pm
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2018 Main Tent stage program 9.30am Tondoon Talks - Topic: Gardening with Port Curtis Plants
12.45pm Solar Boat Challenge
9.50am Official Opening by Gladstone Regional Council Mayor, Matt Burnett Welcome to Country
1.00pm Jon Dee - Founder and managing director of the Australian advocacy organisation “Do Something” Topic: How technology can save the planet
10.00am Dr Emma Jackson Topic: Seagrass research
1.50pm Tondoon Talks - Announcement
10.40am Tondoon Talks - Topic: Turfing for tomorrow
2.00pm Winners Ecofest 2018 awards
11.00am Jon Dee – Founder and managing director of the Australian advocacy organisation “Do Something” Topic: How electric cars will transform our lives
2.05pm Video: What will you do to #lovethereef – International Year of the Reef 2018, presented by GBRMPA. Movie runs for about two mins
11.50am Tondoon Talks - Topic: Bonsai with Friends of Tondoon
2.15pm CRC & Rainbow Valley –present children’s movies 3 x 5 mins
12.00pm Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority - Dr David Wachenfeld, chief scientist Topic: Protecting the Great Barrier Reef in the 21st Century
Animals
Gladstone District Wildlife Carers Association Come and meet the team and the animals they have in care. You may be lucky enough to see Eastern Grey kangaroos and wallabies being fed and get up close to some reptiles and an array of other native animals.
Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (QITRC), established in 2012, is licensed to rehabilitate up to 10 marine turtles at once. Carers have rehabilitated green, hawksbill, flatback and baby loggerhead turtles. Come on over to the QITRC marquee where there are displays, slide shows, activities and a live turtle education display. It’s a great way to learn about our sea life, then see them up close and personal. If you see a sick or injured sea turtle call 0408 431 304. #savetheturtles
Kids' Art Display
Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum will highlight works by youngsters from Gladstone’s Stepping Stones Child Care Centre reflecting this year’s Ecofest theme, ‘Turn a new leaf, love our reef’. Over 20 works will be exhibited at the Tondoon Art Gallery, Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens alongside a film of the children talking about what they have created. The display will be on show during Ecofest with visiting children encouraged to create their own masterpiece.
LIFT O
FF
Plants
ECOfun Zone
Benaraby Plant Farm
Radical Reptiles
You don’t need a large garden or yard to grow your fruit and vegetables. Ion Daetz will answer all your questions on container gardening and setting up your own vegetable garden boxes.
Calliope Garden Club The Calliope Garden Club Inc. will be back at Ecofest this year. Established in 2012, it will bring both keen and amateur gardeners together to share their passion and grow their skills. They aim to educate attendees on a range of gardening activities and create a healthy and organic shared community garden.
Native Plants Queensland There will be various activities taking place throughout the day, including: • Native Plants Capricornia • Gladstone Branch SGAP - Bee nurseries, Cane toad traps, Ants, children’s activities • Gladstone Branch NPQ – plant sales • CQ Koala Volunteers - Dr Alistair Melzer • Landcare - Bush Food Display • Honey bunch Beeswax Craft • Ruth Crossan – Wildlife in your backyard – nest box display • Betty Laver - Author & Book sales • Caring for our reef – posters • Maureen Slipper – Ornamental Plants in Containers • Dolphin Sea Scouts- scouting information and display • Port Curtis Organic Growers - displays, offer seeds, provide information, and give short talks about Organic Gardening.
10am, 12pm and 2pm Radical Reptiles will return to give three 30 minute demonstrations at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. Radical Reptiles Training has been in business for 10 years bringing educational entertainment to the public. Radical Reptiles currently hold Australia’s only nationally recognised course for reptile awareness and safety.
Recycled Arts & Craft
- presented by Bunnings 9am - 3pm Residents are encouraged to come and visit the Bunnings team marquee and make sea themed craft out of recycled materials.
Face Painting - presented by Orica
9am - 3pm Have your face painted by the fairies from Fantasy Faces.
Happy faces by Maria – Bubble Play 11am – 1pm Demonstrations and creations of giant bubbles using wands.
Gladstone Gymnastics
9am – 3pm Obstacle course and Gymnastics display around 11.30am.
Mega Slide and Littlies Bouncy Castle 9am - 3pm Children will have a blast on these inflatable slides and get fit at the same time.
C
t c e n on
WITH COUNCIL
PO Box 29, Gladstone Qld 4680
Phone 4970 0700 to lodge an urgent request or report an issue any time, day or night. Use our online service for non-urgent requests.
Email: info@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au www.gladstone.qld.gov.au
www.online.gladstone.qld.gov.au
@GladstoneRegionalCouncil
@GladstoneRegionalCouncil
@GladRegCnl
A message from our Mayor Gladstone Region leading the way in renewable energy The Gladstone Region’s future as a renewable energy hub for the state continues to take shape with international companies showing an increased interest in our hydrogen production potential. The recent visit to the Northern Oil biorefinery in Yarwun by representatives of various Japanese companies, to scope the facility’s hydrogen production capabilities ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, provides another exciting opportunity for the region. Japan wants all cars in use for the Olympic Games to be fuelled by hydrogen and there’s now a strong possibility that Northern Oil and the Gladstone Region could play a key role in delivering that outcome. Already we’ve had the Queensland Government announce that global energy giant Acciona Energy will utilise 1250 hectares of the Gladstone State Development Area in Aldoga for a $500m solar energy project.
Cr Matt Burnett - Mayor P: 4976 6903 E: Mayor@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr Chris Trevor - Deputy Mayor P: 0437 757 839 E: ChrisTrevor@gladstone.qld.gov.au
Cr Kahn Goodluck - Councillor P: 0433 944 302 E: KahnGoodluck@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr Rick Hansen - Councillor P: 0448 885 047 E: RickHansen@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr Peter Masters - Councillor P: 0438 145 780 E: PeterMasters@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr Desley O'Grady - Councillor P: 0437 837 148 E: DesleyOGrady@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr PJ Sobhanian - Councillor P: 0412 544 201 E: PJSobhanian@gladstone.qld.gov.au
Although there is much to get excited about, Council must continue to do what it can to promote the Gladstone Region’s potential as a biofutures hub. I will return to the USA at the end of May to attend the BIO International Convention in Boston to speak with influential life science and technology companies and bring the possibilities that the Gladstone Region offers to a wider audience. My visit to San Diego and other parts of the USA last year has already generated interest in our region’s potential, and has prompted three visits from Mercurius Biorefining, the most recent being in April. This latest visit was to advance its plans for the construction of a demonstration plant in Gladstone in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology and Northern Oil. The plant will employ Mercurius’s REACH (Renewable Acid-hydrolysis Condensation Hydrotreating) biotechnology which efficiently converts biomass into biofuels and green chemicals without producing CO2 byproducts such as fermentation and gasification processes. My previous visit also helped capture the attention of the US Navy to the work being done by Northern Oil’s advanced biofuels pilot plant which turns waste into fuel.
Cr Cindi Bush - Councillor P: 0437 642 081 E: CindiBush@gladstone.qld.gov.au Cr Glenn Churchill - Councillor P: 0407 289 139 E: GlennChurchill@gladstone.qld.gov.au
cent and, with site plans also incorporating the inclusion of a solar plant, Council is creating its own green energy hub.
This includes turning tyres into biodiesel, with the goal of one day fuelling the US Navy under its Great Green Fleet initiative. The 265MW facility will produce enough electricity to power 122,000 homes, more than is required by the Gladstone Region itself, helping to cater for Queensland’s overall power supply needs and contributing greatly to the State Government’s biofutures industry plans.
An exciting biofuture awaits the Gladstone Region and Council will take the message to the world that it is ready for business when it comes to the generation of renewable energy for a cleaner and safer future.
This is in addition to the proposed 300MW Renew Estate solar farm at Rodds Bay. Council is already contributing to a cleaner energy future via its Benaraby Landfill Gasto-Power Project, (image above), which enables gas generated at the site to be extracted and converted into green power. The project has cut greenhouse gas emissions at the plant by more than 60 per
Mayor Matt Burnett
Gladstone Regional Council
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NRL match makes history
More than 5000 NRL fans filed into Gladstone’s Marley Brown Oval on April 8 to witness local history in the making. The home of Gladstone Region rugby league was awash with colour and humming with excitement when the Gold Coast Titans and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles contested the region’s first NRL fixture match. The Titans took the two competition points on the day, but the big winners were Gladstone Region rugby league fans with the event’s success kickstarting plans for future NRL trial and fixture matches to be played at the same venue. Rugby league fans were not the only beneficiaries, with the local economy receiving an estimated $460,000 boost from the event. Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said
the income generated by the event was a welcome boon for the region. “Money spent on this type of event has an accumulative effect within the community, as those who generated income from the initial spending, in turn, purchase other goods and services within the region,” Councillor Burnett said. “The same can be said for those who earned wages on the day as some of this money would also have been injected back into the local economy.” Cr Burnett is leading the effort to create a Marley Brown Oval complex master plan in a bid to obtain state and federal government funding to upgrade the facilities and attract additional games to the region. “The Titans-Sea Eagles match proved that we have a ground capable of hosting firstclass rugby league,” he said.
“Improvements to the facility, such as additional grandstand seating and greater overall capacity, would increase our chances of hosting more NRL matches at the venue, as well as other major sports events such as A League football, and more outdoor concerts.” Cr Burnett said the feedback from both NRL clubs had been positive and that Titans officials were delighted with the amount of support shown for the team on the day. “Titans and Sea Eagles officials, as well as the NRL, praised the standard of the playing surface and the event organisation, leaving the possibility open for one or both clubs to return in future. “With clever planning and a strong show of community spirit, there is no reason we cannot get to a point where Gladstone regularly hosts NRL games.”
Water meter readings soon Council’s water meter readers will be out in the community from the week beginning June 18, so please make sure your meters can be found easily. They should be clear of topsoil, building and garden materials and parked vehicles. Dogs should also be secured or restrained away from the location. If you’re not sure where your water meter is, phone Council on 4970 0700. Information on how to read a water meter is available at www.gladstone. qld.gov.au/water-meters
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Workshops to reduce marine debris Residents concerned about the amount of litter on our beaches can help stop the flow of rubbish at the source. Two community Marine Debris Source Reduction Workshops will be held across the Gladstone Region to help communities look after their coastal environments. Source reduction plan workshops bring like-minded people together to stop the flow of rubbish into waterways and the Great Barrier Reef. The workshops have been organised in collaboration with Tangaroa Blue Foundation, Gladstone Regional Council and Discovery Coast Environment group with funding support from the Australian Government’s Community Heritage and Icons Grant.
Tondoon Gardens growing a culture of sustainability If you want to see a glimpse of our environmental future visit our nationally recognised Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens.
The waste to ‘energy’ process is not only making a nutritious supplement for the Gardens’ trees and plants but is helping to improve its operational efficiency.
Workshops will be held on:
Creating a culture of sustainability there is on everyone’s mind and to do list and they’re putting their ideas into practice every day.
• Wednesday, May 30 from 10.30am to 3pm at Sandcastles Resort, 40 Captain Cook Drive, Agnes Water,
Turning various waste products into organic ‘energy’ is at the heart of the Gardens’ horticulture operations.
Where an employee would once have driven a truckload of waste to the Benaraby landfill station, that person can now use their time more productively on site.
• Thursday, May 31 from 9am to 2pm at Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens.
It involves using green waste such as grass clippings and leaves, waste from last year’s Ecofest, dead cane toads (from the Toadbusting season), harvested aquatic weed and the newest ingredient – coffee grinds (from The Gardens’ café) – all layered into what Manager, Barry Meiring, calls a ‘bio bin’.
Light lunch, tea and coffee will be provided with bookings essential by emailing jodi@tangaroablue.org
Did you know?
Tangaroa Blue Foundation is an Australian-wide not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the removal and prevention of marine debris. 18,000 pieces of plastic are estimated to float in every square kilometre of ocean. 633 species worldwide including 77 Australian species are impacted by marine debris.
Coffee grinds are plentiful as ‘Savour the Flavour’ fills a wheelie bin full of them every two weeks. The grinds have plenty of NPK – nitrogen, phosphate and potash – in them, representing all the healthy nutrients plants love. A ‘bio bin’ is built using hay bales and more hay is spread between the layers of waste to allow oxygen to circulate during the composting process. This also keeps any smells at bay.
Barry said this was just the beginning of implementing more sustainable practices including worm farming and using technology to create compost overnight from food scraps . Larger green waste such as palm fronds and tree branches will be mulched on site to contribute to an annual mulching program. The first compost using the waste from last year’s Ecofest will be used later this year in spring. Another innovation to improve asset management at the Gardens will be the use of recycled plastic in the form of legs for timber seats. Using timber legs in the Gardens’ wet, muggy environment where white ants are also a problem, has proven to be inefficient because of maintenance needs.
Sand push success down to team work
Before
After
During
What happens when the community, volunteers and the Council come together to tackle an environmental problem? You can see for yourself at Tannum Sands's Wild Cattle Creek, six months on from the successful sand push and revegetation project. In September last year, Council completed a sand push in the area that moved about 10,000 cubic metres of sand to
mitigate erosion.
small plants could take hold and spread.
Then volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) and Gladstone Engineering Alliance’s Conservation trainees joined in to help Council revegetate the area. They planted more than 1400 beach vines and grasses across the new dunes to keep the sand in place.
Council is grateful for the public’s cooperation with these requests.
Signs and temporary fencing were put up asking people to keep off the dunes so the
Six months on and the beach reprofiling project and revegetation program has been declared a great success. The foredune vegetation will play an important role in trapping wind blown sand and stabilising the dunes, helping to protect the beach from future erosion.
Pedestrian safety improved The $3.4m Stage 1 Harvey Road upgrade project was completed in early May, improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety on the busy thoroughfare. The introduction of a signalised intersection adjacent to the Clinton State School entrance, dedicated turns lanes into the public carpark, construction of a bus bay for southbound buses and upgrades to street lighting have dramatically improved road user and pedestrian experience on the busy thoroughfare. Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett thanked the public for its patience while the project, which began in October 2017, was in progress. “Stage 1 of the Harvey Road upgrade was a large and complex project and Council worked with stakeholders throughout the process to ensure the best possible outcome,” Councillor Burnett said. “Many people use Harvey Road daily
for various reasons and Council held numerous discussions with school, childcare centre, sporting groups and business representatives to ensure their input into the project was gained. “At times, the project caused significant disruption to motorists and pedestrians and I thank road users for the patience they showed while the upgrade was in progress. “The reward is a much more effective thoroughfare that will better serve the Gladstone community for many years to come.” The project was jointly funded via the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Program, the Queensland Government’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme and Council. Stage 2 of the Harvey Road upgrade project will include the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Harvey Road and Spindrift Drive, the entrance to HillClose estate.
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Getting by with a little help from some friends
When Council employee Steve Hausheer (pictured above centre) was a small boy growing up in Oaka Lane, one of his favourite spots to play was under a big tree not far from there. He would swim with his mates at the nearby Railway Dam, catch lobbies with string lines baited with liver and run around under the tree, before heading home. Those carefree days of adventure created lasting memories.
Did you know?
William and Lillian Golding planted three Moreton Bay figs and a row of Cassia trees in what is now Apex Park, to commemorate the coronation of King George V on June 22, 1911. One of the figs has since been removed to widen Tank Street. If the trees could talk, there’d be many stories to tell judging by the comments from Gladstone residents to a recent social media post about work done to support heavy lower branches.
Little did Steve realise, many years later, he’d be back under that same tree helping to give it a new lease of life. The tree is the grand old Moreton Bay fig on the corner of Goondoon and Tank Streets that stands imposingly at the edge of Gladstone’s Apex Park. Over the years, people have swung on and broken its aerial roots put down for stability. They’ve set fire to it, ringbarked it and vandalised it. Homeless people have used it to shelter from the weather. And it’s rotting in places. But Horticulture Supervisor, Ian Black, with his knowledge and many years of experience, was determined to find a way to give it a new lease of life. With the aerial roots breaking, there was concern it wouldn’t be able to sustain its weight. Some of the lower branches can weigh up to 2.5 tonne each when wet. Ian and Supervisor, Peter Fontaine, travelled to Maryborough and Rockhampton to look for a solution. They found it in the form of tree supports that had to be concreted into the
ground to act like crutches. In late November last year, Ian told the Parks Infrastructure crew about his idea. They described installing the posts, which took nearly three days, as an 'oddball job’ and wondered if it would work. Five months on their questions have been answered and the tree is thriving. A job well done and one that Peter Fontaine’s (pictured above right) crew of Steve Hausheer, Farron Leeke (pictured above left), Dale Thompson, Ryan Mitchell, Gary Foad and Marcus Vanderworlf are all very proud of. Steve said: “It’s nice, as a Parks employee, to be able to put something back into the community.”
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Cycling safety tips
All cyclists are requested to be mindful of pedestrians and other cyclists who share the path when using Council walk/cycleways.
Pathways lead to improved fitness and discovery Council provides more than 50km of designated walk/cycleways for recreational use throughout the Gladstone Region. This figure does not include many suburban paths or those located on non-Council land such as East Shores and Spinnaker Park. Pounding the pavement or hitting the gym are not everyone’s cup of energy drink, so these pathways cater for those who find the most enjoyable way to get their daily exercise is to don their cycling gear for a work out on the ‘treadly’. Riding a bike is also a great way to discover the region and Council has developed many trails for riding as well as walking,
Did you know?
Due to the pristine nature of the Round Gladstone Trail, a popular feature with cyclists, the use of motorised vehicles is not permitted.
jogging and even horse riding. The tracks and bikeways provide a range of environments from an easy ride to challenging workouts, passing through a variety of natural and built locations. Among the more popular and heavily used paths are the Turtle Way Bikeway, which winds along the Boyne River and takes in the beauty of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands, and the network of paths extending from Lions Park to Dawson Highway including Police Creek and Lake Callemondah loops. Council has developed 16km of walk/ cycleways in Gladstone as well as Boyne Island/Tannum Sands (15km), Seventeen Seventy and Agnes Water (8km), Calliope (5km), Benaraby (3km) and Miriam Vale (2km). For the more adventurous there is the Round Gladstone Trail consisting of several self-guided trails that follow the banks of Police Creek through bushland in Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens and 3km south to Nyarla Road, O’Connell.
Upcoming general meetings Members of the public can attend Council general meetings held in the Council Chambers at Council’s Gladstone Administration Centre at 101 Goondoon Street commencing at 9am.
Remaining 2018 meetings will be held in Gladstone on: June 5 and 19, July 3 and 17, August 21, September 4 and 18, October 2 and 16, November 20 and December 4 and 18.
In the second half of this year, two meetings will be held at regional locations with one to be held at the Wartburg Sports Grounds at Baffle Creek on August 7 and the other to be held at Council’s Calliope Administration Office on November 6.
Meetings schedules, agendas and minutes can be viewed on Council’s website. A list of agenda items is available on Council’s website from 5pm on the Friday prior to each meeting.
Cyclists should also ensure they are wearing the correct safety gear and that their bike is safe to use, including having good brakes, and the necessary safety features including lights, reflectors and a bell. Bike safety hints: • Helmets must be worn when riding a bicycle. • Obey all road rules. • Always keep at least one hand on the handle bars. • No doubling passengers. • Always give hand signals before you make any turn or stop. • Secure any luggage being carried on a bike. • Every bike must be fitted with: • good brakes • a head light for night riding • a red reflector and tail light • a bell Even a young child being carried on a baby seat on the bicycle must wear a helmet. Additional information regarding cyclists and road safety can be found on the Queensland Transport Department website at / www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-andtransport/Cycling.aspx
Free fingerstyle guitar workshop
Acoustic guitarists share talents at free concert and workshop Visit Library Square, Gladstone on July 13 at 7.30pm and enjoy a free performance of a hand-picked group of internationally recognised acoustic guitarists from across the globe. The Acoustic Guitar Spectacular will feature internationally acclaimed Brisbane acoustic guitarist Michael Fix (above), who was recently named one of Australia’s Top 25 Guitarists of All Time by readers of Guitarist Australia magazine. Michael will be joined by high-energy Italian virtuoso Andrea Valeri and Queensland’s own funky finger-stylist Sarah Koppen. Concerts are structured so that each player will feature as solo artists, as well as perform as an ensemble, allowing plenty of opportunity for spontaneity and improvisation.
The musicians’ diverse musical backgrounds present amazing possibilities and offer incredible variety for audiences. Each guitarist is known for their ability to entertain, and each present their music with a view to engage and delight audiences with stories, songs, and humour, (as well as fretboard fireworks), making it a performance aimed for all. This is a rare opportunity to see such a wealth of amazing musical talent on the one stage and to see one of the international young stars of the global acoustic guitar scene. A free one-hour workshop with Michael Fix is on offer. Register by visiting www.gladecc. com.au or call the GECC Box Office on 4972 2822.
Learn the fine art of fingerstyle guitar with the talented Michael Fix and explore the mechanics of arranging popular tunes in a variety of styles for solo guitar. Michael has one rule: "there are no rules!" and this idea is reinforced by s, demonstrating thought-provoking idea tips and tricks. Michael presents his workshops in a breezy, humorous style, answering questions and addressing issues with personal anecdotes. As Michael explains at the beginning of each session: "We are here because we all have one thing in common - we all love the guitar! There are no secrets here - I'm happy to show you anything you wish to know about." To be involved in this free, one-hour workshop, get in quick and call the GECC box office or sign up online.
Friday, July 13, 7:30pm Library Square Stage
FREE Community Event
Ad Wer:
Story of the Stars from Eastern Torres Strait
umbrella studio contemporary arts
May 26 - August 4 Linocut print artworks by Tommy Pau based on the constellations and the science of astronomy used by eastern Torres Strait Islanders.
This exhibition has been supported by the Queensland Government, the Australian Government Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, and Australia Council for the Arts.
Tommy Pau, Sia (Carin Nubula), 2015, Linocut on paper, printed by Bill Young Studio
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Photo: Contributed
Another island paradise to visit Lady Musgrave Island is small in size but big in stature when it comes to offering a quality reef visit.
Fans line up to meet gold medal hero Only a select few athletes will ever know the feel of wearing a Commonwealth Games gold medal around their neck. Hundreds of Gladstone Region residents gathered at Tondoon Botanic Gardens to experience the next best thing, getting a close look at the medal and congratulating its proud owner, Tia-Clair Toomey, at a civic reception on April 20. The Gladstone athlete, who lifted her way to a combined total of 201kg to win the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games women’s 58kg weightlifting gold medal on April 6, was happy to pose for photographs and sign autographs for fans at the Council event. Tia-Clair was delighted at the response her achievement received from the Gladstone Region community. “Thank you so much to everyone for coming out here today,” Tia-Clair told the crowd. “I’m quite taken aback, I didn’t think so many people would be here!” Tia-Clair, who is also the reigning world Reebok CrossFit Games champion, hoped her gold medal performance at the Gold Coast would inspire young Gladstone Region residents, including the many present at the event, to chase their dreams.
“It was great to represent Gladstone at the Commonwealth Games and it’s a real honour to celebrate it here with you today,’’ she said. “The experience was one of the highlights of my career
You can do either a day trip to try out a variety of activities or camp overnight on this sandy coral cay and experience authentic island living. Day trips are available from the Town of Seventeen Seventy or Bundaberg. Lady Musgrave is one of the few islands along the length of the Great Barrier
“There is so much talent in Gladstone and I think, being a rural centre, people in the cities can forget that sometimes. “(My victory) shows what people in smaller towns can achieve and that, just because you come from a smaller town, it doesn’t mean that your dreams can’t come true,” she said. “I believe anyone, if they put their mind to it, can achieve their dreams.” Tia-Clair is training hard to compete in the Reebok Crossfit Games Pacific Regional in Sydney in June where she will seek to again qualify for the world finals in Madison, Wisconsin, USA in August. She also told those present at the civic reception that representing Australia at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games remained a distant goal. “You never say never but I’m just focussing on each day as it comes and maybe, in two years’ time, I can focus on Tokyo,” she said.
Reef where you can swim, snorkel and dive during the day then sleep out under the stars. It’s the only island with a navigable, protected lagoon and is surrounded by 3000 acres of living reef. If you decide on a daytrip, you can choose from viewing the reef by glass bottom boat, diving or snorkeling. Island walks are also worthwhile and with Lady Musgrave just eight kilometres in circumference, it won’t take long to get around. Just remember, the flora and fauna are worth slowing down for.
“It would be great to represent Australia on the Olympic stage.”
Don’t forget if you’re visiting between November to March, turtles may be gently laying their eggs or babies will be heading off across the sand for their first swim – a sight worth catching. Page 10
Appreciation shown to young residents Seventy-one Gladstone Region residents were nominated to attend the annual invitation-only Mayor’s Youth Breakfast in April.
our young community leaders with many having a strong involvement in regional sporting clubs, community groups or their schools.
This year, more than twice the number of young residents aged between 12 and 24 were nominated by the public to attend the event in recognition of their achievements, contributions and community involvement.
Young residents were nominated for their efforts ranging from sporting achievements to volunteering with groups, such as Deepwater Rural Fire Brigade and Tannum Sands Surf Life Saving Club, or involvement in various theatre productions held in Gladstone.
Certificates were presented at the annual event which was held as part of the region’s Queensland Youth Week program. The breakfast was an opportunity to thank
Council thanks regional organisations that partnered with Council to host a variety of other activities and events during 2018 Queensland Youth Week.
Community Donations Program offers groups assistance Not-for-profit community groups in need of financial assistance are encouraged to apply for inclusion in the 2018-19 round of Council's Community Donations Program.
Representatives of community groups are encouraged to submit a Community Donations Program application by May 31 with timely applications preferred.
The Community Donations Program consists of a general pool of funds for a range of community-based organisations and is administered by Council's Community Wellbeing Department.
Applications outside of these dates may still be accepted, subject to availability of remaining funds in each category.
The program is designed to assist not-forprofit community groups otherwise ineligible for donations from other government or non-government sources. There are various categories available with eligible organisations invited to submit one application per category in any financial year.
The Community Donations Program guidelines and application form can be accessed via Council's website at www. gladstone.qld.gov.au/donations-and-grants Information and enquiries about the program can be directed to Council's Community Donations Officer Janine Sorrensen on 4976 6351 or email janines@ gladstone.qld.gov.au
Regional event organisers can upskill for free Are you part of a community event? Council, through its Major Events Advisory Panel (MEAP) is offering organisers of local community events a chance to attend upskilling and professional development workshops in Gladstone for free. Workshop attendees can learn about the benefits of future event planning and gain tips on setting strategic directions, establishing business plans and implementing marketing strategies. The workshops, led by an experienced facilitator, support MEAP’s ethos of encouraging the growth and success of regional events while emphasising the importance of events to become self-sufficient and sustainable. MEAP’s 2018 Events Bootcamp will be held at the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre on Monday, July 9 from 9am to 4pm and is open to all community event organisers in the Gladstone Region. A Grants and Sponsorships, Mythbusting and Trade Secrets community events’ workshop will also be held on July 9 from 6pm to 8pm. Places in the bootcamp and evening workshop are limited with RSVPs required by July 2. Free seats can be claimed from early June via the GECC website. Page 11
Test your Queensland knowledge 1. How many people live in Queensland to the closest million?
June 6 is Queensland Day, a celebration of our state’s culture, heritage, people and industry.
“We are fortunate to live in a great region, within a great state in the greatest country in the world,” Councillor Burnett said.
The day commemorates Queensland’s official separation from New South Wales as an independent colony on June 6, 1859.
“June 6 gives us the chance to wave a maroon flag and reflect on how fortunate we are to live in our diverse region in a state that is the envy of many others throughout the world, and to celebrate the people, places and achievements that add up to what it is to be a Queenslander.
Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said Queensland Day provided the ideal opportunity to celebrate being Australian and a Queenslander.
Did you know?
On 13 November 2003, the Governor in Council officially named maroon as Queensland’s state colour. This announcement was made as a result of a long-held, but informal, tradition of using maroon to represent Queensland.
“Council will have its Gladstone Civic Centre at 101 Goondoon Street bathed in a maroon glow on the night of June 6. So wear maroon or throw on a State of Origin jersey, cook up your favourite Queensland dish, decorate your workplace or enjoy a Queensland Day picnic to celebrate being a Queenslander!” While many of you reading this will consider yourselves proud Queenslanders, how much do you know about your home state?
Show your maroon pride this Queensland Day and celebrate what being a Queenslander means to you. Photo: Contributed
2. Is it true that Waltzing Matilda was first publicly sung in Queensland? 3. Who was the state’s first premier? 4. What is the state’s motto? 5. True or False: Queensland is home to the world’s largest sand island? 6. What is the name of Queensland’s largest national park? 7. Where was QANTAS established? 8. What is the name of the point where the boundary lines of Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales meet? 9. Which university was Queensland’s first? 10. Where was World Expo 88 held? 11. What is the postcode for 1770? 12. Which Powderfinger album and street in Brisbane share the same name? 13. Mon Repos, on the coast of Bundaberg, supports the largest concentration on the eastern Australian mainland of which animal? 14. True or False: Queensland was the first state to abolish the death penalty? 15. What is Queensland’s largest industry?
Queensland Day quiz answers
Special Olympics Gladstone Club athletes were in great form at the Australia National Games in Adelaide from April 16-20, winning 21 medals between them in basketball, equestrian events, soccer and swimming. The 10-strong Gladstone Club contingent of Ellie Bloomfield, George Button, Nicole Corowa, Shelby Davis-Hill, Levi Harris, Adam Knust, Ruby Lawler, Tyler Roberts, Sarah Rukavina and Rachel Smith were honoured for their efforts with a civic reception at Gladstone Library Square on May 9, earning the praise of Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett for being fine ambassadors for the region.
1. Five million people 2. Yes, in Winton. 3. Sir Robert George Wyndham Herbert 4. Audax at Fidelis 5. True 6. Munga-Thirri National Park 7. Longreach 8. Cameron Corner 9. The University of Queensland 10. Brisbane 11. 4677 12. Vulture Street 13. Turtles 14. True 15. Tourism and hospitality
Gladstone athletes in medal rush
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Dance Around the World at Symphony Under the Stars
Another magical Symphony Under the Stars will be presented by Council and Queensland Symphony Orchestra with a free community concert, Dance Around the World, at the GPC Marina stage, on July 27 from 7pm. Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s visits to Gladstone are made possible by the generous support of Australia Pacific LNG. As an arts leader and great Australian orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra is renowned for its high quality, breathtaking performances of both classical and modern compositions that engage audiences of diverse musical tastes, interests and ages. The largest performing arts company in Queensland and the state’s only professional symphony orchestra, the Orchestra plays a vital role in Queensland’s
cultural community, educating; mentoring aspiring performers; touring regional centres; broadcasting and performing with state, national and international ballet and opera companies. Each year, Queensland Symphony Orchestra attracts the world’s best conductors and soloists as part of its acclaimed concert season, in addition to presenting unique blockbuster events. Queensland Symphony Orchestra is passionate about commissioning innovative new programs and Australian works and continues to invest in collaborations, recordings and digital initiatives. In 2017, Queensland Symphony Orchestra welcomed Alondra de la Parra as Music Director. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Music Director is proudly supported by Tim Fairfax AC. Huw Jones who joined the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as Principal Oboe in 2013 will perform an oboe solo during the Gladstone visit. Residents are encouraged to take along chairs or a blanket to the family-friendly event with food vendors on site. We are delighted that Music Director Alondra de la Parra will be conducting Symphony Under the Stars in Gladstone in 2018.
Friday, July 27, 7pm GPC Marina Stage
FREE Community Event
Rotarians plant Pandanus at Agnes Water When Rotarians come to town for a conference why not put them to work to help the environment and the local community? That’s what Council’s Conservation team, Tondoon Botanic Gardens and Friends of Conservation volunteers did
recently during the Central Queensland Rotary Conference at Agnes Water. The team organised a tree planting activity at the main beach to break up the conference program and stabilise the sand dunes at the same time. Pandanus seeds were collected during a Pandanus Dieback workshop held in Agnes Water last year with the plants grown at Tondoon Botanic Gardens. The Rotarians planted more than 60 Pandanus plants as well as beach vines and grasses throughout the dunes. These plants are also important in providing food and
habitat for various native species. This revegetation project will help mitigate Pandanus Dieback which has devastated numbers of Pandanus throughout the Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy areas. The condition is caused by infestations of the leafhopper Jamella australiae, which feeds on the sap and growing shoots of the Pandanus, producing honeydew and promoting the growth of mould and fungus. The planting project is just one strategy Council and community groups are using to combat Pandanus Dieback in the region.
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Mind the gap when passing cyclists Stay wider of the rider. That is the message from Transport and Main Roads Queensland when it comes to looking after bicycle riders on our roads. Cycling is becoming a more acceptable mode of transport and recreation that is environmentally friendly and provides great individual health benefits. As the community becomes more attuned to the benefits of cycling we are seeing an increasing number of cyclists sharing our roads. However, cyclists are among our most vulnerable road users. To encourage this healthy practise, road rules are in place to help improve the safety of cyclists on our roads. Motorists are now required, by law, to leave a gap between their vehicles and cyclist sharing the road. These include: • One metre minimum gap when the speed limit is 60kph or under. • 1.5 metres minimum gap when the speed limit is more than 60kph. These minimum gaps apply to motorists
passing a cyclist, not a cyclist passing motorists. If a cyclist passes a motorist by less than the minimum distance, the driver has not committed an offence. Similarly, if a driver has stopped at traffic lights or in a line of traffic, and a bicycle rider stops within the minimum passing distance, the driver has not committed an offence. To accommodate the road rule, motorists passing cyclists can cross double lines or painted traffic islands, provided it is safe to do so. For more information about bicycle safety visit: Road safety information: www.jointhedrive. qld.gov.au/bicylce-riders/stay-wider-of-therider Bicycle information: www.tmr.qld.gov.au/ Travel-and-transport/Cycling Fines and demerit points; www.qld.gov.au/ transport/safety/fines/emerit/cycling To engage with others about bicycle riding visit JoinTheDrive and TMRQld on Facebook or Twitter.
Business licence renewals are due Regional commercial operators are reminded health licences are due for renewal by June 30, 2018.
must continue to meet Council approved standards and conditions to retain their licences.
Renewal notices have been issued to commercial operators working in the food business, environmentally relevant activities, tattooing/body piercing and commercial activities categories.
Commercial operators can pay the nominated fee on Council’s Online Services Portal at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/ onlineservices
All businesses under these categories
For more information phone our Regulatory Services Division on 4977 6821.
Let’s hear it for our volunteers! It’s National Volunteers Week – a time to celebrate those people who work quietly in the background doing something invaluable for our community. A volunteer may just hold someone’s hand in a moment of need; lead people on a guided tour of a destination like our own Tondoon Botanic Gardens; or show people to their seats at the Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre. If you’ve been helped by a volunteer or know someone who is one, you’ll understand the week’s theme of ‘Give a little. Change a lot’. During 2016, an estimated total of 932 million hours was volunteered with people in the 45 – 54 year age group participating the most. Business volunteering in the workplace is increasing with 63 per cent of large companies having a workplace volunteering program, 30 per cent of medium sized businesses and 6 per cent of small business. From today until Friday, many events will be held across Australia to thank the six million people who volunteer. Here in Gladstone, Council will host a special breakfast on Friday, May 25 to recognise those who keep so many aspects of our community life ticking over.
2018
Reduce, recycle & reuse Creative Recycling Centre - Recycled Musical Instruments Get ready to explore sound at Ecofest 2018 with the Recycled Rhythmic Instrument Installation! Following on from 2017’s successful Ecofest public art project, Creative Recycling Centre engaged three local artists; Rosemary Anderson, Julie Miers and Katrina Elliott to design and create rhythmic instruments using 80% recycled material to create a playground of sound that is suitable and tons of fun for all ages!
Other Activities
This project is an opportunity to create a conversation about ways the community can reduce, recycle and reuse everyday objects in a fun and engaging way. It supports the Creative Recycling Centre’s mission and vision to promote sustainable behaviour change within our homes, communities and region.
Register on the day for an 8am start. For all runners and fitness levels, there will be a 3km and 10km run, even walkers are welcome. Entry is $5.
The Recycled Rhythmic Instrument Installation is a regional partnership between Gladstone Festivals and Events and Creative Recycling Centre, proudly supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).
9am - 3pm Join the fun, and try to reach the top of this rock climbing wall. It will challenge your strength and agility.
Solar Boat Challenge Setup 11.30am, Race 11.45am Twelve to 17-year-olds are invited to participate in the Creative Recycling Centre’s Solar Boat Community Challenge. They’ll need to form a team to build a solar-powered model boat out of recycled materials and then race the boat at this year’s Ecofest. The winning team will be presented with the Solar Boat Community Challenge perpetual trophy, created from recycled materials by local artist Rosemary Anderson. Participants will learn about recycling and solar power.
Ecofest Trail Run - Gladstone Road Runners
Rock Climbing Wall
Audience Survey Don't forget to fill in the audience survey located at the front gate. You can be in with a chance to win a trip to Heron Island.
Film Bag It - Saturday, June 2 at 7.30pm - Tondoon Botanic Gardens
Gladstone Regional Council stalls
Running time - 78 minutes
Tondoon Botanic Gardens
The film is presented by Gladstone Regional Council and introduced by Jon Dee, Managing Director of “Do Something”.
Pest Management
Americans use 60,000 plastic bags every five minutes; single use disposable bags we mindlessly throw away. But where is “away?” Where do the bags and other plastics end up, and at what cost to our environment, marine life and human health? Bag It follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he navigates our plastic world. Jeb is not a radical environmentalist but an average American who decides to take a closer look at our cultural love affair with plastics. His journey in this documentary film starts with simple questions: Are plastic bags necessary? What are plastic bags made from? What happens to plastic bags after they are discarded?
• Port Curtis garden plants and special Bonsai plants for sale. • Bonsai display • Fun conservational activity • Herbarium demonstration by volunteers • Tours to see garden scultpures
The Pest Management stall will show various displays and children's activities. There will be a display of live weed samples for hands on identification; a feral animal trapping equipment display and weed and feral animal factsheets.
Environmental Health The Environmental Health stall will focus on stormwater pollution and the impact that rubbish, sediment and other factors have on plants and animals within the region.
Local Laws Local law officers will provide information about responsible pet ownership, discussing topics such as registration, roaming and dangerous dogs with dog mannequins for visual impact. They will also have iPads to complete online registrations and assist with updating contact details.
Cost - Free but Gold Coin donation appreciated. All money raised will go to the Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
Jeb looks beyond plastic bags and discovers that virtually everything in modern society—from baby bottles, to sports equipment, to dental sealants, to personal care products—is made with plastic or contains potentially harmful chemical additives used in the plastic-making process. When Jeb’s journey takes a personal twist, we see how our crazy-for-plastic world has finally caught up with us and what we can do about it. Today. Right now What starts as a film about plastic bags evolves into a wholesale investigation into plastics’ effects on our oceans, environment and bodies. Bag It should be considered a key educational tool for teachers everywhere. I highly recommend educators of all disciplines to consider showing this film to help convey the complexity of the looming environmental challenges of plastic. Helen Rowe, Professor, Arizona State University https://www.newday.com/film/bag-it For comfort, bring your own fold up chair or bean bag. Some chairs provided.
F F O T LIF
8 1 0 2
Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens
Sunday, June 3 9am - 3pm
Meet our Special Guests
WIN
Jon Dee
Environmental campaigner and co-founder of Planet Ark, National Recycling Week and National Tree Day. Also founder of social advocacy group Do Something!
a holiday for 2 to
Heron Island
Dr David Wachenfeld
Chief scientist – Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)Trust for Nature
Dr Emma Jackson
CQUniversity marine ecologist researching seagrass meadows
Fill out the Ecofest 2018 audience survey and be in the running to win two nights’ twin share accommodation on Heron Island. You’ll stay in a Reef Room with daily breakfast, dinner and return launch transfers. There’ll be a choice of a Guided Reef Snorkel Trip for two adults, including snorkeling equipment, or an I-Spy Semi-submersible Trip for two adults. This combined prize is worth over $1500. Find the survey at our front gate. The prize winner will be contacted on the Monday after Ecofest. Please note – this prize is non-transferable, non-exchangeable and non-redeemable for cash.
Visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/ecofest for full program details. Sponsors
FREE car parking beside Tondoon Botanic Gardens. $2 car parking at Meteors Sports Club.