Thank you Chappy!

By Sonia Isaacs

ON Wednesday May 24, the Beerwah State School community acknowledged the incredible work of Chaplain Mike Turner with a specially organised BBQ breakfast. Held during National Chaplaincy Week; students, staff, and parents gathered to show their appreciation for ‘Chappy Mike’, who is also marking his 20th year of service. Mike started working within the Beerwah community as a full-time chaplain at Beerwah State High School in 2007. Commencing his role at Beerwah State School with just one day a week in 2017; he now works fulltime across both schools.

Principal of Beerwah State School, Scott Bowden, said having Mike as part of the school community was a wonderful support to many of the families in the area. He said the student cohort benefited greatly from Mike’s encouraging mentorship and genuine enthusiasm to support, engage, and connect. He said some of popular programs Mike had initiated in recent years included heading up the Beerwah Bounty Hunters Frisbee Team, and helping kids start up their own rock band.

“Chappy Mike consistently put’s his heart and soul into his work, and we are extremely fortunate to have him here with us. He supports so many of the local families here,” said Principal Bowden. Chatting to GC&M News, Mike said he loved working as a Chaplain, and enjoyed the variety and uniqueness of the role.

“Chaplains bring all types of different styles to their work, and what I think is important is to be constantly adapting to make sure you are meeting the needs of the school, which can evolve and change over time,”

Mike said he felt one of the most essential components of his work was to genuinely and it can be hard. I want to help kids to know that’s its ok, and there will be hurdles. There will also be positive experiences and that life is a gift and an amazing adventure.

‘have a heart’ for kids and teenagers, and to understand that young people were a work in progress who, more often than not, needed to feel part of a tribe, valued routines and having stable people around them. He said a big part of what he did was encourage young people to look to good people around them - who they could turn to when needed.

Hindu temple proposed for hinterland

A NEW Hindu temple bordering a massive new tourism development has been proposed for Glenview.

Principal Scott Bowden

Hindi religious group, BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha), last week applied to the Sunshine Coast Council for a material change of use to 2620 Steve Irwin Way at Glenview. The site borders a proposed Discovery Parks tourism development that includes more than 300 villas, BMX tracks and splash pool. The tourism development is currently open to public consultation.

BAPS is a Hindu denomination formed in 1905 and currently has around 3850 centres and 1200 temples worldwide.

A town planning report lodged with the council states the active congregation of the Sunshine Coast Hindu BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Sanstha community is small, consisting of only 60-70 members with that number not expected to exceed 70 even with the new temple. “This is because members regularly move for work and come to locations for a short period of time, prior to settling closer to major capital cities across Australia,” the planning report stated.

“Our clients have specifically chosen this site, as it will cater for it’s current and expected demand of their congregation into the future.”

The proposed temple is to be located in an existing structure at the rear of the site and extended by 72sqm.

“The proposed place of worship provides the local Sunshine Coast BAPS community with a permanent location to continue to foster their religious and social needs,” the application concluded.