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DECEMBER 5, 2023 | Edition 38-30
www.gcnews.com.au
CONNECTING THE COMMUNITIES OF GLASSHOUSE COUNTRY AND THE BLACKALL RANGE
LOCAL NEWS
PROFILE
SPORT
Johnston set to re-contest Div 5 as candidates step up. p4
Teen’s Conondale card game is an ‘Epic’ for farmers. p18
Pope to fight at Sydney’s Star in Christmas bout. p41
It’s feeling a lot like Christmas
Festive celebrations across the hinterland P10-17
‘You should’ve asked’ Australia Day Awards scrapped for ‘biosphere sustainability’ honours By Kirra Livingstone THE Sunshine Coast Council has been slammed for scrapping the traditional Australia Day Awards program and renaming them the Sunshine Coast Biosphere - Community Awards. The move was labelled as “extremely disappointing” by one councillor, while
Federal member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace, said it was a “disgrace”, promising to strip the council of funding for citizenship ceremonies if the LNP was re-elected. State member for Glasshouse, Andrew Powell added that it was a “huge blow” to the community.
Australia Day Awards have traditionally been awarded to citizens across broad fields of service within their communities. The new awards will recognise those citizens who uphold the region’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve’s unique ‘values
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and goals’ and show “real examples of sustainability efforts and action in the community”. Mr Wallace was livid at the decision, but added he was not surprised. “I’m aghast,” he said. “I think it’s a disgrace and I’m very disappointed.” A Sunshine
Coast Council spokesperson defended the decision not to consult the community, saying they had sought feedback from “internal and external stakeholders”. Stakeholders included council staff, councillors and the Biosphere committee. Full story p3
Cr Rick gives politics the flick By Sonia Isaacs THREE-term Division 1 Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Rick Baberowski, has announced his retirement from politics. Cr Baberowski said the decision had not been taken lightly, and he had spent many months weighing up potential future plans. He said the decision will allow him to spend more time with family. Story p5
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