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Next Distribution dates, Issue 110. 11th December - Bribie Island, Sandstone Point & Ningi. 12th December- 13th December delivered to Beachmere, Caboolture, Toorbul, Donnybrook and surrounding areas.
Delivered to homes and local businesses in the following areas:Bribie Island, Sandstone Point, Ningi, Godwin Beach, Beachmere (including Peel Road & Beachmere Road) Bribie Pines, Toorbul, Donnybrook, Meldale, Central Lakes, Caboolture and Elimbah.
Copies can also be picked up from IGA and other local businesses in these districts.
Our front cover feature is a wonderfully inspiring story about two young locals, Levi and Mahalia Davidson from Bribie Island Weightlifting Club, who have recently competed in the Australian Weightlifting Federation Under 15 and Youth Championships, both coming second in Australia in their age groups. The state election is now over. It was a very close contest for the seat of Pumicestone. We hear from Ariana Doolan, who won the seat from Ali King.
Caboolture Hospital has a newly appointed paediatric team and our journalist Sheree Hoddinett gives us an insight into the new team and the vast range of experience they have between them.
Leukaemia Support Queensland has just secured a local property, which will become a wellness centre to assist patients and their families during difficult times. It will become a sanctuary of support for our local community for those who are affected by leukaemia.
Christmas is just around the corner and Sheree has given you a list of Christmas festive events, so if you’re looking for something to do, with or without the kids, there are a few ideas to get you started.
As usual, we cover a wide variety of local issues, while showcasing our local businesses. It is our local businesses who make this publication possible, so please support them.
Until next month
Warm regards, Belinda
call : 0447 007 966
The views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the editor or publishers of the newspaper.
“Please keep letter to a maximum of 200 words” all Letters to the editor can be emailed to belinda@islandandsurrounds.com.au
Disturbing the peace I read with interest the negative feedback about the ‘aircraft noise’ over our Island. In 1925 Eagle Farm officially became an airport. The first commercial flights commenced in the 1920’s, with Qantas beginning operations there in 1926. In 1926, Bribie Island had only 20 permanent residents, therefore at the time the airport first became operational, there were only a handful of people here. The same applied when London Heathrow (previously London Airport) first became an airport in 1946 and at that time it was mostly farm and heath land around it. Between 1948 and 1967 I lived near Heathrow at Heston and later at Hounslow. The latter almost under a main flight path into Heathrow. The problem with the definition of aircraft noise and how loud noise is, unfortunately is in the mind of the individual. Compared to the 60’s, the aircraft of today are like a high gust of wind compared to someone banging a tin lid with a hammer. The ‘noise’ we do get is the sound (or lack of it) of progress.
Like all good things there is a very small downside with it. I say bring it on and be pleased that we are able to express our views, unlike many people in this world. Name & Address supplied
Just who is responsible?
Most people who read my September letter would have realised that “so good” only referred to class sizes. That is why I asked what has gone wrong. Things were getting bad when I opted to retire, exhausted at 55, nearly 30 years ago. Since no one really answered my question, perhaps I should do it myself. It seems to me that little has been done to make a teacher’s job any easier. They are now expected to do so much more than teach with less time to do it in. They are expected to pick up the pieces from family breakdown, to take over from helicopter-parents who fail to teach their children to stand on their own two feet and be ready to handle adult concepts with the same immature minds whose owners were once just allowed to be children.
As NAPLAN results have shown, tried
Continued on page 7
A lift of success
By Sheree Hoddinett
Levi and Mahalia Davidson have shown determination, grit and strength on the national stage. The weightlifting duo have recently returned from Tasmania, where they competed in the Australian Weightlifting Federation Under 15 and Youth Championships, each finishing in second place and Levi just missing out on first place by one kilogram. It’s also a great result for the Bribie Island Weightlifting Club where the pair undertake all their training.
Coach Jade Sharp couldn’t be more proud of the results for a club that’s still growing.
“I am very happy for Mahalia and Levi,” she said. “They are happy with their achievements and that’s what we look for.
“Our club is athlete driven and we are guided by what they want. I am so proud of our little club. In our small club space on Bribie Island, that we can provide our athletes with everything they need to achieve their goals at the state, national and international level, it’s incredible and extremely heart-warming.”
For 16-year-old Levi who has been with the Bribie club now for almost 10 years, achieving six lifts and recording ‘big’ personal bests, along with a second place is what he calls a ‘great outcome’. His success on a national level is an achievement he has worked extremely hard for, with a great team of support behind him.
“It’s fair to say that everything that an athlete does comes from their coaches’
decisions,” Levi said. “I am really fortunate to have three great coaches that can back all their choices and always encourage me. My aunty Jade, who has always been by my side no matter the circumstances, has shaped my whole life and without her I would never have been doing anything like this.
“Paul, the second coach at Bribie Island Weightlifting, is always committed to helping everyone at the club become better at weightlifting and is always
great to ask for advice and Mason, head coach at CrossFit Bribie, alongside Glenn and Chelsea. Mason is really knowledgeable in every aspect of fitness and training and is able to accomplish any challenge no matter the circumstances. With all three of these amazing coaches, it’s impossible to not do well and I want to thank them for everything that they do.”
For younger sister Mahalia, at just 15, her results are extremely impressive given she’s only been with the club for a little over a year.
“I decided to get into weightlifting after my nanna introduced me to CrossFit. I wanted to improve my weightlifting skills, but I quickly fell in love with the sport,” Mahalia said.
“Coming in second at nationals was an incredible achievement for me. It was a lot of hard work, dedication and support from my coaches and other members of the club. I’m really proud of what I accomplished.”
For these young lifters, next on their ‘to do’ list is to represent Australia.
“The next goal will be to get to the Australian team and try to get on the world stage,” Levi said. “I hope I can achieve this goal by the start of next year and go to a competition like commonwealth or Oceania championships. This would mean a lot because it has been a long-time goal.”
“Qualifying for the Australian team is my next goal,” Mahalia added. “It would mean everything to me; it’s a reflection of all the hard work I’ve put in and a chance to represent my country.”
Although they put in the physical hard yards, both Levi and Mahalia want to acknowledge those behind the scenes who have helped them reach the heights of success.
“I would like to thank Evolve Physio at Ningi for the sponsorship allowing me to get a good amount of time there to make sure I am in top form. Andrew and his team are really friendly, knowledgeable and able to fix any problem they come across,” Levi said. “I would also like to thank my coaches once again and my family, who provide everything and are the reason why I do anything.”
“I want to thank my aunt and coach Jade, who has helped me the whole way,” Mahalia said. “Coach Paul from Bribie Island Weightlifting Club who has always been there through the rough training days. Mason, from CrossFit Bribie, who is really encouraging along
with Chelsea and Glenn. Their guidance and support has been amazing and I couldn’t have done it without them. They all remind me of why I lift, especially on the tough days.
“I also want to express my gratitude for my club and everyone who has supported me along the way, especially my family who make it possible to do what I do. I love everything weightlifting has taught me, like resilience and dedication and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
Along with seeing success from club representatives, Bribie Island Weightlifting Club is also moving forward in leaps and bounds, with extra youth programs coming in from next year.
“We are working towards local sports partnerships to other sporting clubs in the physical development of their athletes with the use of our facilities and coach experience,” Jade said. “We have also developed a physical literacy class for 7-11-year-olds, which focuses on physical literacy skills, strength and movement development which is in line with the Australian Sports Commission best practise evidence and research. So these classes are fun, we play games, we practise gymnastics skills, Olympic weightlifting skills and strength development on Monday and Wednesday 3:30pm - 4:30pm.”
To find out more, visit the Bribie Island Weightlifting Club via https://bimsc. com.au/ and Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/Bribieweightlifting
Mahalia in action.
Mahalia shows off her strength.
Levi ready to lift at the national championships.
Another successful lift for Levi.
Feeling the rhythm of the night
By Sheree Hoddinett
Share in a night of phenomenal costumes, sparkly entertainment, market stalls and food as Rhythms of Mayyada comes to life. Hosted by local dance and alternative arts studio, Belly Beats and Booty Buster, Rhythms of Mayyada on November 23 will see women from the Island, Caboolture, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane come together in a bright, bold and talented showcase.
Tia Wyatt is the extraordinarily talented woman behind the scenes at Belly Beats and Booty Buster. Her students have been working hard all year preparing for this event and can’t wait to hit the stage.
“If you’re looking for an upbeat, fun and alternative night out, we recommend coming to the show! This entire event supports small local businesses,” Tia said. “You can expect to see elaborate costumes, tribal dancers, sword dancing, silk fan veils and an array of alternative art and props. Our showcase is not only about displaying talents, but is most importantly about our student’s gaining confidence, taking opportunities and most of all body positivity.”
If you find yourself in the audience, you will get to see belly dancing, tribal artists, Bollywood dancers, hula hoop performers, beautiful market stalls and so much more. Seeing it all come together fills Tia with a great sense of achievement.
“Months and months of preparation goes into this event and I am always left feeling proud. Proud of our studio, but most importantly proud of our dancers,”
Tia said. “Our performers are local, every day people. They are stepping out of their comfort zones and doing something for themselves and that deserves to be celebrated and cheered for! If we have an audience full of happy faces, that’s a huge bonus!”
With close to 100 women and children attending the popular belly dancing and booty buster classes each week, Tia highlights inclusivity as the best part of Belly Beats and Booty Buster.
“We welcome ALL ages and ALL sizes,” Tia said. “We are a community that makes people feel welcomed and accepted. We are a judgment free studio with no competition. We have also seen so many friendships formed over the years as well.
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“Our classes run on weeknights, as well as the occasional weekend workshop. I would encourage all children and women to join because I think it is such an uplifting and supportive space to be a part of. We recommend everyone check out our Facebook or Instagram so they can see all our photos, videos and events. Then, if they decide they’d like to join in on all the fun they can just flick us a message or email to find out which class suits them best. I always welcome people with open arms and remind them not to feel nervous about joining as they’ll feel at home!”
For Tia, dance and movement is an important aspect in her life and it means so much for her to be able to share that experience with others.
“I think dance is underestimated for its ability to help one’s mental state,” Tia explains. “I see people daily enter our doors struggling with life’s challenges and they walk out feeling the exact opposite with a smile on their face. This doesn’t even cover the many exercise and health benefits it includes.
“Dance means the world to me because it doesn’t just take you out of your own head, it’s also a safe space, a place of expression, a supportive group and a space to meet new friends.”
More than just showing off their amazing talents, this year’s show also has a more poignant meaning for everyone involved.
“This year’s event, Rhythms of Mayyada, is in memory of the mentors and students we have sadly lost due to cancer,” Tia said. “Bribie business Mayyada Bazaar was where all of our belly dancing journeys began and this year, we sadly lost owner Leanne Griffith. In honour of her memory, our show is dedicated to her and hence the showcase name
Rhythms of Mayyada, which will demonstrate our belly dance journey.”
Rhythms of Mayyada is on Saturday November 23 from 6pm at Morayfield East State School. For more information, join the event Rhythms of Mayyada via Facebook.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Continued from page 2
and true methods have often been thrown out for new-fangled methods which don’t work (e.g. “look-say” and Cuisenaire rods). The result is children who are stressed by what should be the joy of learning. How come our children refuse school, while in other countries they complain if they can’t go? Governments on all sides of the spectrum need to go back to basics and decide just who should be responsible for raising the next generation, sharing the care (appropriately paid) amongst all types of carers/educators. As many poor parents have discovered, one size does not fit all.
H Beneke Banksia Beach
Continued on page 29
BRIBIE ISLAND
– 2.00pm
Ariana Doolan
LNP candidate for Pumicestone
Thank you and list of our key commitments to you
Dear Pumicestone,
I am deeply honoured you have elected me to be your representative in the Queensland parliament. Thank you to each and every one of you who placed your trust in me. Your support means everything and I am committed to serving our community with integrity and dedication.
I am proud to be Pumicestone’s voice in a David Crisafulli LNP government, where we prioritise real solutions and positive outcomes for our community. We are committed to delivering important projects and policies to make our community safer, to improve health and wellbeing and deliver long term cost of living relief, all while respecting your money.
As part of David Crisafulli’s 100 Day Action Plan, we are dedicated to taking swift, decisive action to restore faith in government and
tackle the challenges our community faces. This plan emphasises clear, achievable goals that will be implemented promptly to show that our government is serious about delivering positive changes.
Key commitments in the first 100 days include:
• Ensuring Public Safety: By Christmas, our Adult Crime, Adult Time policy will be law. This measure will hold offenders accountable and include programs designed to divert youth from a life of crime, restoring a sense of safety and justice in our communities.
• Strengthening Accountability: Immediate steps will be taken to ensure government transparency and integrity, giving our community confidence in the actions and promises made.
• Immediate Infrastructure
Focus: A focus on prioritising the start of crucial local projects to show quick progress and dedication to community improvement.
Locally, we have pledged to:
• Resurface Bribie Island Netball Club courts.
• Support adult education by assisting U3A Bribie Island in finding a new home.
• Enhance road and active transport safety with new and upgraded paths across the electorate. This includes work on Pumicestone Road, Beachmere Road and completing the missing footpath link along Bribie Island Road in Ningi.
• A Bribie Island On-Demand Bus Trial to improve public transport reliability on Bribie.
• Provide a PA System for Bribie
District Little Athletics Club.
• Expand Bribie Island Surf Club.
• Upgrade Beachmere Clayton Park Playground.
• Lighting upgrades for Beachmere Rugby League Football Club.
• Deliver the Bribie Island bridge.
• Expand the Bribie Island Movement and Strength Club.
I am looking forward to working for our community and being involved at all levels, from grassroots initiatives to major developments. These priorities embody our shared vision for a thriving and connected community. Together, we can achieve great things and make Pumicestone an even better place to live. Thank you once again for your support. I look forward to working closely with all of you.
Ariana
What’s in store for the City of Moreton Bay following state election
The state election was a hot topic for months and now we have a new Queensland premier, the City of Moreton Bay is ready to get cracking on commitments for our area.
Mayor Peter Flannery recently took the opportunity to congratulate Queensland’s 41st Premier David Crisafulli and his newly elected government. Mayor Flannery said council had a reputation for engaging collaboratively with all parties and candidates and looked forward to working closely with the LNP government.
“We were buoyed by the LNP’s significant commitments during the campaign and will soon be writing to the new government to facilitate further discussion and delivery of these commitments,” Mayor Flannery said. Key commitments include:
• $3.75 million towards the Deception Bay SES Depot and Emergency Operations Centre to ensure this outdated facility can adequately service daily operations.
• $60 million for the TAFE and Ad-
vanced Manufacturing Hub at The Mill, Petrie.
• $250,000 towards licence plate recognition technology and council’s CCTV network.
• $15 million for the construction of the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital.
• More than $30 million towards local parks, pathways and sporting clubs.
“We also look forward to realising road, park and pathway projects, including the LNP government’s commitment to deliver the Active Transport Link Pathway and Boardwalk connecting Griffin to Mango Hill, as well as supporting local clubs on facility upgrades,” Mayor Flannery said.
“With infrastructure being key to our growing city, it was also positive to hear David Crisafulli say that the LNP will investigate our Moreton Bay Ferry Service proposal if elected and it was indeed heartening that the one of the first things the new premier did was speak to the prime minister about the Bruce Highway. I look forward to further discussion on these critical infrastructure matters.”
Mayor Flannery said as the level of government closest to the people, they are keen to work with state members so they can maximise the potential of the City of Moreton Bay together.
“With 10 local members across our local government area, we commit to representing the communities’ needs to each and every one of them, because City of Moreton Bay matters,” Mayor Flannery said. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing premier/Member for Murrumba, Steven Miles. I have enjoyed working with him and thank him for his service to Queensland and engagement with City of Moreton Bay, while in government."
GRANTECH
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery with new Queensland Premier David Crisafulli.
Make the change to be the difference
By Sheree Hoddinett
Imagine a world where every school is free of bullying.
While it may seem impossible, Bullyproof Australia is on a mission to make a difference to every student, every teacher, every school, everywhere!
Bullyproof Australia is an Australian registered charity which focuses on a pro-active approach and teaches practical solutions to a wide range of bullying situations. At the helm is Frank Mechler, Jeff Horn and Glenn Rushton, three men dedicated to bullying prevention and management, mental health improvement and fostering an ideal learning environment for academic performance.
“I’ve been in the awareness side of bullying prevention for more than 20 years,” Frank said. “I have a background in Kung Fu and part of that mandate is to give back to the community and when I became a master, I decided that I was going to help kids with bullying. I experienced bullying myself when I was at school and I wanted to empower others and get the attention of kids to try and be kinder to each other. But the biggest problem was that while it was creating awareness, that awareness doesn’t actually fix anything.”
In 2014, one of Frank’s close friends lost his 14-year-old daughter Erin to suicide as a result of bullying. It was at this point that Frank knew more had to be done.
“It hit us really hard, Erin taking her life was kind of the catalyst and I knew we needed to do more. We actually had to teach kids skills on how to resolve conflict and manage conflict in their personal lives,” Frank said. “I spent two years working on a pilot program and took it to my good friend Jeff Horn and we decided to team up, along with Glenn and worked out how we were going to do it all.”
Through the AMAYDA Resilience Program, Bullyproof Australia provides comprehensive and complex training around conflict resolution for teachers and students with the overarching principle of achieving the best outcome for everyone involved.
“We realised we had to provide training programs to teach kids how to resolve conflict because it's a skill,” Frank said. “Resolving conflict is a skill like anything else and if you're not trained in it, you generally handle it fairly poorly.”
Many of you would be familiar with Jeff Horn as a former boxing champion. However, he also spent time teaching and has seen firsthand the complicated nature of bullying.
“As a teacher, you struggle to either recognise exactly what’s happening or you just don’t have the time to get through everything you need to and deal with the issue at hand as well,” Jeff said. “Behaviour management is very time consuming for teachers and if you were to try and stop every little thing happening in class, there’s very little time left for teaching!
“It's been a while now since I've been in the classroom, but I know the problems are just getting worse and worse with
technology. I think it's a problem across the board, but it's definitely focused more in the early teenage years, but creeping in to earlier ages, especially with technology and social media.”
Bullyproof Australia might sound like a name with a big job to do. And while the essence of it is true, there is more to it than most people realise.
“We don't like to use the word bullying, because to bullyproof simply means that you can resolve conflict at the conflict stage before it becomes ongoing and targeted,” Frank said. “That's what it means to become bullyproof, it means that it never gets to bullying.
“So, we actually are in the conflict resolution business. That's what we do. We teach people how to resolve conflict, so it never becomes bullying.”
Knowing how important it is to tackle this all head on, Jeff has also taken on the role of national ambassador for Bullyproof Australia.
“Bullying and mental health are issues very close to my heart,” Jeff said. “A lot of people see me as a boxing champion which was a big chapter in my life, but believe it or not I was actually bullied at school and it’s not something you want to happen or see happen to others.
“I’ve always been about showing respect to others, no matter who they are or what they do and that’s what I teach my kids at home, we should treat other people the way we would want to be treated in return.”
For further information, please visit www.bullyproofaustralia.org.au
Jeff Horn is the national ambassador for Bullyproof Australia.
Frank Mechler has been to multiple schools with Bullyproof Australia.
New team at the helm of Caboolture Hospital paediatrics
By Sheree Hoddinett
A newly appointed paediatric team at Caboolture Hospital is bringing a wave of enhanced expertise and dedicated care to children and families in the community. The team – compromising four new medical experts with a combined 97 years of experience between them - will support and streamline paediatric services at the hospital.
The emergency department and the paediatric emergency services at the hospital were relocated to the new Clinical Services building and has been in operation since December 6, 2023. To ensure a better patient experience for a booming region that has a high population of paediatric patients, a separate paediatric triage and waiting area has been initiated. The new roles will support better operation of the paediatric ED area, as well as across care on the ward and in outpatient areas at Caboolture Hospital.
The new staff include:
• Dr Rajeev Jarugula, Clinical Director for the paediatric emergency department. Dr Jarugula was a staff specialist in the paediatric emergency at the Prince Charles Hospital, so has recent hands-on experience in paediatric emergency care at a senior level.
• Rebekah Rawson recently joined the Caboolture Hospital paediatric emergency department as the Associate Nurse Unit Manager.
• Dr Michelle Davison is the Medical Director of the emergency service line, overseeing Caboolture adult and paediatric emergency departments, Kilcoy Hospital, Woodford Corrections Health, Bribie Island Satellite Hospital (Yarun), and Caboolture Satellite Hospital (Kabul).
• Kylie Sykes is the Assistant Nursing Director for paediatrics. Her work will span the paediatric ward, child protection unit, paediatric emergency and paediatric outpatient department. This addition reflects the hospital’s commitment to meeting the growing needs of the region’s youngest patients.
For Rebekah Rawson who has been in nursing now for 25 years, her role as the Associate Nurse Unit Manager, entails managing the day-to-day running of the paediatric emergency department, taking care of staffing and making sure care is delivered as per the children’s health guidelines.
“A big part of my role is making sure we build a really good team and look after the community as best we can,” Rebekah said. “I've always worked in a critical care stream and done a lot of different things and a lot of education and I just found that I've become really passionate about providing really good care in a paediatric setting because one of my children was born unwell.
“For me, I know what it is like to be a parent as well as a nurse, so working in paediatrics is something I’m really passionate about. I loved it from the start and felt like I could make a difference.” Making the move to Caboolture and joining a good team of nurses and doctors, Rebekah is all about spreading positivity. “Every day I have little positive mantras that I like to read out in the huddle,” Rebekah said. “I just try and bring positivity into every day. My main aim is to make sure that everyone feels happy at work.
Everyone has to be smiling and have fun because that's why we work with kids. Every child that comes in, I treat them like how I would want my child to be treated because that's sort of what I've learned from my own experience.
“One thing I always say is, it's not about us, the parents are having the worst day of their life. Whatever is happening with their child, their life doesn't stop when they come in here. So we've got to think about the whole family and their experience. Sometimes I wish there was more people and more resources for us, but we do the best that we can. It is a good place to work and I look forward to everything we can achieve.”
To describe Dr Michelle Davison as one busy doctor, would probably be a bit of an understatement. Along with her role as the Medical Director of the emergency service line, Dr Davison also works clinically in her speciality as an adult and paediatric specialist emergency physician in the Caboolture ED regularly.
“Emergency departments are organised chaos and one of the challenges in running both is finding the balance,” Dr Davison said. “Our EDs have many different patient populations, elderly, kids, adolescents, patients with mental health issues, patients requiring a holistic approach to care and social emergency care.
“Staffing a midsized department, that has both adult and children areas requires balance and flex - we have times of surge that maybe are not matched nor predictable and we need to have a broad skillset, pockets of specialist care and then a flexible workforce that can help in all areas. Every day is different and our emergency clinicians have to make rapid assessments and be flexible to meet the needs of the hour and the day.”
A path into the medical world was inevitable for Dr Davison following in the footsteps of fellow family members.
“Medicine was in my blood,” Dr Davison said. “My dad was a rural doctor and then a hospital administrator and heavily involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, my mum was a child safety social worker and worked in rural and remote healthcare system improvement and my grandmother, a fiercely passionate nurse unit manager looking after the diggers and elderly.
“Medicine is fascinating and makes sense, it allows you to be a detective, an analyst, a risk manager, a communicator and a counsellor. As an emergency doctor, my job is meaningful, enriching, humbling, exhausting, all-encompassing and I couldn't
previously working on the Sunshine Coast
staff and allows our patients to heal,” Dr Davison said. “The special things about this role were the opportunity to develop an adult and PED service, but also the interlinkage with urgent care. The community at Caboolture has unique needs and the relatively high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient presen-
tations and vulnerable populations was a real attraction for me and speaks to the type of medicine I like to be involved in.”
While we often hear about negative experiences at the hospital, Dr Davison said the team was working hard to make a difference, by communicating with all levels and implementing new procedures, where possible.
“The first thing we are doing is listening to our community and what we are hearing is that communication and waiting times are the source of many of the complaints,” Dr Davison said. “We are trying to improve this by looking at alternative models to meet our patient’s needs, continuing to try and improve conditions for our staff and ensure that they know the things that make Caboolture special, make the department a great place to work and make them want to join our team. This will increase the doctors and nurses on the floor and improve our waiting times and ability to match our workforce to our surge times. This takes time, but slowly and surely we are seeing improvements.
“I am excited at the opportunity we have to improve care at Caboolture, our new ED, the staff that are bolstering our existing dedicated workforce and working with our community, I think we will see great changes. I would love for our community to go back to loving their EDs and our urgent care facilities and trust that the staff there are able to care for them in the way that we all want to care for our community.”
Dr Rajeev Jarugula, Rebekah Rawson, Dr Michelle Davison and Kylie Sykes.
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Get into the festive spirit
By Sheree Hoddinett
It’s that time of year again! Christmas is fast approaching and with the distant ringing of sleigh bells comes the mix of festive events to celebrate the season. If you’re looking for something to do with or without the kids, here’s a few ideas and events to get you in the Christmas spirit.
A seaside Christmas
December 1-24
Bribie Island Seaside Museum is creating some Christmas cheer with festive joy for one and all. They will be sharing stories from the past and offering new, fun and engaging Christmas activities every day they are open from December 1-24. Check out the cheeky antics of their Christmas elf, participate in a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt or get creative at the Christmas craft table. It’s definitely the place to be this festive season. Bribie Island Seaside Museum (1 South Esplanade, Bongaree) is open from Wednesday to Friday, 10am – 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm.
munity-carrols
Caboolture Christmas Carols
Saturday December 1, 4pm-8pm - Centenary Lakes Park, Morayfield Road, Caboolture
With twilight markets, food trucks and Santa’s Village with Christmas activities for the kids, there’s plenty happening in Centenary Lakes Park. Everyone can join in the festive fun while enjoying an amazing line-up of local artists and community groups performing all your favourite Christmas carols. Along with the Caboolture Community Choir, Citipointe Church will be performing again this year.
“For the past 13 years Citipointe Church have had the privilege of performing at the Caboolture Community Carols and it's the highlight of our year,” Citipointe’s Mel Politanski said. “Christmas is such a special time for us and we love to share in the joy and hope of the season with our community.
“Being able to serve in this way brings us immense joy and we are grateful to
Annual Bribie Island Christmas Lights Boat Parade
December 21 from 7pm Bright and sparkly boats will light up the canals with plenty of viewing spots on offer.
For further information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ events/1039686800781426/?-rdr
Beachmere Xmas Bazaar & Community Carols
Saturday December 7 from 4pm - Clayton Park, Moreton Terrace, Beachmere. Celebrate the festive season with activities and entertainment for the whole family. Check out the markets or bring a rug and settle in with family and friends. Shellacken will pump out the music and Good Company will lead the carols. Visit www.bang.org.au/beachmere-com-
be part of this cherished celebration each year. We look forward to many more years of celebrating Christmas in our community!”
For further information, please visit www.whatsonmoretonbay.com/events/ caboolture-christmas-carols
Sandstone Point Christmas Carnival
Sunday December 15, 1-8pm, Sandstone Point Hotel.
Find the perfect gift at the markets, enjoy delicious treats from the food stalls, settle in for some live music, tackle the kids rides and wait for the biggest guest of all – Santa and his reindeer will be stopping by all the way from the North Pole! There will be Christmas crafts, a cookie decorating station and the chance to be crowned as wearing the ugliest sweater, so make sure you drag it out of the back of the cupboard. There will be Christmas carols and fireworks as well.
For tickets visit www.sandstonepoint. oztix.com.au/outlet/event/a60509ff047d-41e0-98de-0e5f5b2d4820
Christmas Event Extravaganza Saturday December 14, 8am-1pm, Morayfield Sport & Events Centre, Morayfield Road, Morayfield. Join in the fun as the Southside Collective Market bring the community together to celebrate the season with exciting activities, giveaways and more. There will be face painting for the kids, games, best dressed competitions,
hidden gift vouchers, along with coffee and an onsite café. Don’t forget to look out for Santa as he hands out special gifts to children. Entry is $2 per adult, kids enter free and receive surprise gifts. For more information check out www. southsidecollectivemarket.com.au/ event/morayfield-sports-complex-indoor-market-copy-4/ Bribie Island Christmas Spectacular
Saturday December 7, from 4pm, Brennan Park, Bongaree. Get ready for a magical evening at Carols in the Park with special guest
Smith from Australian Idol fame singing from 4pm-6.30pm. This event will also feature food vendors, face painting, balloon art and a jumping castle for the kids. The carols concert will start at 6.30pm and conclude with fireworks. It is proudly presented by Bribie Island Churches. Get ready to be merry and bright and have a jolly good time as Christmas comes around for another year!
Kiani
BIEPA is working hard to protect our environment
By Alistair Gray
Environmental Protection Association).
A man who gushes with enthusiasm for our natural world and all the fabulous opportunities Bribie offers residents and visitors.
Richard loves being part of BIEPA and working closely with a highly dedicated team of volunteers and leaders in the fight to preserve, protect and advocate for the large variety of wildlife found on Bribie. BIEPA has undergone phenomenal growth over the last three years, now with a membership of close to 400. This has meant careful planning, some structural changes and giving more power and ownership to team leaders to deliver the various initiatives and projects as the breadth of the organisation has widened.
“It is a genuinely, community-wide, supported organisation and that is very exciting,” Richard said.
A lot is going on! The changes have not been without challenges and there is still much to do as this unique organisation positions itself to protect and enhance our environment in a fast-changing world, while working with the government and various partners.
“I want to acknowledge BIEPA’s cross-community partnerships and active engagement with community organisations, including the Seaside
Museum and importantly with PIEEC (Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council),” Richard said.
With the upcoming election in mind, Richard said “it is important for BIEPA to communicate the expectation of the community that the incoming government will do its best on nature, environment and climate because that is a big issue for many of our members”.
For BIEPA, the next major goal is to build an Environmental Discovery
Centre on Bribie. The City of Moreton Bay has allocated $170,000 for a pre-feasibility study for the centre, much thanks to BIEPA’s lobbying and help from the Council’s Economic Development Officer. BIEPA is keen to demonstrate and promote the high environmental values of visiting the City of Moreton Bay, not just Bribie and not just to enjoy recreational activities.
“We believe there’s an opportunity for this to become like a listening post to nature. You know, remembering
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drinking water in your home as an alternative to the Moreton Bay water? Then you need to look seriously at getting a machine that makes drinking water from Air It’s easy in Moreton Bay. In fact perfect all year round.
the deep cultural connections through aboriginal history with Stradbroke, the trading routes up here to Sunshine Coast and the fact we have endangered dugongs, turtles and dolphins. You come to the discovery centre and are inspired as to the true value of this place,” Richard said.
Now, an area of concern for BIEPA is the Kakadu bird roost.
“We have an active and deeply concerned shorebirds team because the council is not properly looking after the Kakadu bird roost,” Richard said. “Council officers have listened to BIEPA’s real concerns and are working with Councillor Brooke Savige’s encouragement to restore the bird roost.”
Regrettably, the lagoon has lost its integrity and is draining too quickly, leaving poor-quality water behind and a pathway to the roost. It is suspected there is a problem with the weirs. The lagoon was initially constructed as a barrier to prevent feral cats, foxes, dogs and humans from visiting the roost. Between September and April, migratory birds make the roost their home where they rest, while local shorebirds nest. The nesting birds make any maintenance of the roost very difficult, with work needing to be carefully planned and timed between April and August. Discussions continue with the council to address the maintenance issues. We have international obligations to protect these birds.
“Shorebird populations are down by up to 80% from what they were 50 years ago and they need to be carefully protected,” Richard said.
There are so many great things going on in BIEPA, including being founding partners in the upcoming Bribie Island Nature Festival (October 18/19/20). I have only mentioned a few things here. If you are interested in finding out more or would like to become a member and get involved in some of their many projects, please visit www.biepa.online
What a treat to sit down with Richard Ogden, president of BIEPA (Bribie Island
The Bibimulya Wetlands right in the heart of Bellara is well worth the visit.
Kakadu Bird Sanctuary Lagoon – July 2024
BIEPA president Richard Ogden.
Another step in the right direction
By Sheree Hoddinett
Leukaemia Support Queensland (LSQ) is one step closer to making the lives of leukaemia patients and their families a little easier during difficult times, by securing a property that will serve as the beginnings of a wellness centre. This new centre is poised to become a sanctuary of support, resources and community, offering those affected by leukaemia a place to seek comfort and feel empowered throughout a difficult time in their lives as they undergo treatment at the nearby Caboolture Hospital.
Securing a property for the wellness centre represents a major milestone for LSQ and reflects the commitment and dedication of its members. But before anyone is able to stay there, the property located in King Street Caboolture, will need a lot of work done. Despite the hard yards still ahead of them, LSQ president Jane McMillan is overjoyed to see things are starting to progress.
“Our kind benefactors, who wish to remain anonymous, have donated a house to us for the beginnings of the wellness centre that we have been working towards for so long,” Jane said. “We have been given the house on a long-term agreement for the purpose of being able to house patients and their families who are going through leukaemia and need somewhere to stay together.”
The first working bee took place in mid-October with a dedicated team removing rubbish, old furniture and appliances left behind from previous tenants, plus cleaning up inside the property to prep the walls and ceilings ahead of new paint work.
“We still have a lot of work to do! We have been fortunate enough to have the staff from Planet Fitness Pumicestone come out to help, along with Charlie, Rosalina and Meg (from LSQ), who have removed the brunt of the rubbish that was left behind,” Jane said.
“We have been lucky to have an offer from Aspect Kitchens, Caboolture who have said they'll build us a new kitchen, which is greatly appreciated. Tradelink have given us a couple of brand new toilets and shower heads. Wattyl have donated some paint, which we are extremely grateful for and Bunnings Morayfield are going to see what they can do to help as well.”
Looking to the weeks ahead, the house
will need new doors, windows, cementing work, plumbing and so much more.
“There is lots to be done and ideally, we hope to have the house ready as soon as possible, but it’s all dependant on what we can achieve,” Jane said. “As always, we would love to hear from anyone who may be able to help, whether it’s with manpower at the house or to assist by providing us with much needed materials. We cannot do this without help. This is just the beginning of our wellness centre and it won’t be the last.”
On Thursday December 5, Domino’s Morayfield will also be donating $1 from every pizza sold to support LSQ and the
wellness centre.
“Their Dough Days are normally a couple of hours on a certain day, but for us on December 5 from 11am until midnight, they will give us a dollar from every pizza sold, so if everyone out there has pizza that day, we will be very appreciative of that,” Jane said. “We're also going to have a silly sock day and we just happen to sell silly socks, so we would love for everyone to get behind that as well.”
If you would like further information about LSQ or can offer any services or assistance towards the wellness centre, please contact Jane on 0422 584 080.
SHOWROOM
TRADING HOURS
8:30am - 4:30pm
Work has already started to get the house in tip top shape. LSQ president Jane McMillan (centre) is pictured here with some amazing helpers including a team from Planet Fitness Pumicestone.
The house in King Street, Caboolture.
Coastal Paradise Awaits: Discover Your Dream Home in Kakadu Beach
the enviable Kakadu Beach precinct, this stunning 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom residence—complete with accommodation for 4 cars—offers a unique blend of luxury and coastal living that is rarely available on today’s market. Backing onto the serene Pumicestone Passage and situated adjacent to the tranquil Kakadu Beach Park and bird sanctuary, this property is a sanctuary of nature and comfort. With breathtaking, unobstructed views of the iconic Glass House Mountains, each window presents a picturesque panorama, allowing residents to soak in spectacular sunsets and enjoy sightings of playful dolphins and leisurely watercraft.
Step inside to explore multiple spacious living areas thoughtfully designed for relaxation and entertainment. The open-plan layout floods the home with natural light and connects the central living space seamlessly to the outdoor entertainment area, perfect for hosting family and friends.
The modern, recently renovated kitchen is a chef’s delight, strategically positioned to maximize the stunning views. With a large stone benchtop breakfast bar, built-in pantry, and advanced ZIP tap sparkling water system, this culinary haven is perfect for creating delicious meals while enjoying the beauty of your surroundings. The bespoke, custom-made backsplash adds a touch
of elegance to this already impressive space.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the fully automated, solar-heated saltwater pool invites year-round enjoyment, supported by a substantial 16,000-litre water tank promoting sustainable living. An outdoor kitchen with a built-in barbecue is ready to enhance your alfresco dining experiences.
Safety and convenience are paramount in this property; a comprehensive security camera system ensures peace of mind while you unwind in your tranquil surroundings. The oversized garage not only offers secure storage for cars, caravans, or boats but also includes space for a workshop. It features an auto burglar-proof locking panel lift door with an impressive 3.2m opening height,
making access easy and secure.
Additional amenities—such as a 4.5 kw solar system, ducted air conditioning for year-round comfort, and dedicated wine storage—cater to every lifestyle need.
Properties for sale in the coveted Kakadu Beach area are rare, making this an exceptional opportunity to acquire a slice of paradise that provides a lifestyle that is truly hard to beat.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of living in such luxury and serenity, don’t hesitate to reach out to Gary Houghton for more information. Contact him via phone, text, or email, or come and view this magnificent property at the next advertised open home. Your coastal dream awaits!
bribieisland.ljhooker.com.au | (07) 3400 1900
Bribie Island
Everything to Know About Making an Offer on a Property
You have found your dream home! All the necessary checks – such as a pest and building report – have been carried out and you are finally ready to make an offer. It may feel a little stressful, but it is also an exciting time. To make it as seamless as possible, it is helpful to have a solid understanding of the buying process. Knowing all the steps involved can boost your confidence and even your bargaining power.
To do this we need to rewind and start at the very beginning.
Line everything up
Buying a property doesn’t just commence when you attend an open inspection. You need to make sure you are organised beforehand so you can act quickly when you find something you love. This also increases your chances of success, particularly if it is a competitive seller’s market.
Get pre-approval
Before you start house-hunting it is important to have an understanding of your finances – after all, there is no point in inspecting properties that are out of your budget. Be realistic about the amount you are not only allowed to borrow but can comfortably afford to pay back. To figure this out, speak to a mortgage broker or several banks to see which one can provide the best rate and a pre-approved home loan. It can be tempting to go beyond your means and even if a lender offers this, it may not be the right choice for your lifestyle.
Having pre-approval puts you in a stronger position when you eventually do make an offer. You will have financial proof that you can and will go through with the sale, making you a much more attractive choice to vendors.
Don’t forget if you are a first home buyer there are several Government incentives to help you get onto the property ladder sooner – so don’t forget to check out your eligibility.
Consult with a lawyer
Although not a completely necessary step, it may be wise to consult with a conveyancing lawyer with property purchasing expertise to help you navigate your rights and obligations. Two main reasons consulting a lawyer is in your best interest:
1. Having a lawyer in your corner from the outset can help mitigate any issues around the agreement.
2. A conveyancer can help you figure out a deal that works for you from the beginning. For example, including specific clauses or conditions that need to be set.
Consider what conditions you may have
An offer on a property is usually made either conditionally or unconditionally. So, what does that mean?
In an unconditional agreement, the property is purchased in its current state. It assumes that the buyer will proceed with the settlement regardless of finance and the state of the home. This is typical in an auction sale.
A conditional sale utilises the ‘cooling-off’ period and is reliant on the buyer’s finances, completion of the relevant inspections and if any maintenance needs to be completed prior to settlement.
Get the necessary inspections completed
There are various inspections required as part of the sale of a property. This generally includes pest and building inspections to ensure the property is up to code, and that there are no issues with pests or no potential issues brewing. The inspections also help to foresee whether there may be any building issues down the track. When buying an apartment, it is important to review the strata report as this may also highlight any problems such as building defects and upcoming special levies. Depending on your State or Territory, a strata can be purchased from the agent or directly through a strata inspection company..
Review the contract of sale
Well before you make an offer, review the contract of sale. There may be conditions included that become part of a negotiation or that do not suit your requirements. Indeed, there may be conditions in there that force a purchaser out of the game completely. The contract of sale details several factors, including the deposit amount and due date, settlement date, and any inclusions.
Questions to consider
There are several questions any potential purchaser should be asking, and vendors must know these will be coming.
1. What is the asking price and why? Understanding why vendors came up with the asking price can be an important part of the negotiation process for purchasers. For example, if it was led by the agent, then it is likely to be a good indicator of the market. However, if the asking price is unrealistically high because the vendor needs to buy their next home, this may impact bargaining power.
2. What other offers have been made, if any? Knowing what other offers have been made can give a good indication of the competition.
3. How long has the home been on the market? The length of time can indicate how much negotiation may occur - for properties that are on the market longer, buyers may try to negotiate a price decrease.
4. Why is the vendor selling? The answer to this can indicate how much negotia-
tion may occur. A motivated vendor who wants to sell quickly may be pressured into selling for a lower price.
5. Has the asking price changed through the campaign? This may reflect what the market is performing and the level of interest from other buyers.
Making an offer
Once you have done all the necessary research and have a price in mind that you would like to present, it is time to start the negotiation process.
The first thing you need to determine is how high you can financially go and how high you are willing to go - remember, these may not be the same number.
The top figure that you can afford needs to accommodate moving fees, legal fees and real estate fees (if relevant). Don’t forget to include renovation works that may be required.
Your low figure also needs to be realistic. If you offer way below market value then this may insult the vendor and put them off the negotiation process. Your real estate agent or your lawyer will know how best to approach the situation.
Do not ever assume that your first offer will be accepted. This rarely occurs, so be prepared for a bit of back-and-forth. Negotiating can be tricky and it can be intimidating if you do not feel confident in the process. But there are some things you can do to help:
Research
First, do your research. Remember the asking price is generally a bit lower than the vendor is actually seeking. Keep an eye on how the market is performing. Be sure to look at recent, comparable sales to get an idea of where vendor expectations are likely to fall.
Sticking to your budget
Don’t be swayed by your emotions and overstretch yourself financially. If this property doesn’t work out, another listing could come up that is perfect. Being able to walk away is also an important part of negotiating.
Making an early offer
Consider strategies that may put you ahead
of the competition such as a pre-auction offer.
Some people believe it is best to wait until closer to the auction date. This means the vendor and real estate agent may have a better idea of interest in the property and may be more willing to negotiate or sell prior to the auction.
On the other hand, if a purchaser presents an offer early in the campaign, it may knock out a few competing parties who cannot match the price or get their due diligence done fast enough.
Remember to put your offers in writing. Be deliberate in how you communicate. And always make sure to include any conditions you have when you put forward the price –this shows you are genuine in your offer.
Key Takeaways
• Before you make an offer, do the necessary due diligence, including finance pre-approval, property inspections and consulting with a lawyer.
• There are several questions purchasers should be asking and vendors should keep in mind. This includes why the property is being sold and why the purchase price has been chosen.
• The most important thing to do before making an offer is to figure out what your financial limit is.
• The top dollar price needs to include all other costs involved with purchasing a property including any relevant fees, moving costs and any renovation costs required.
• Check to see what other properties are being sold for in the area. This gives a good indication of what the property should be priced at.
• Do not be swayed by emotions.
Care
The care we provide is centred around
Our teams take the time to understand the little things that make you smile and focus on your individual needs and preferences. At Regis, our communities offer a comfortable and safe environment where genuine connections are made and you’re respected and valued.
Call us today to find out more about our care services in Caboolture – we’re here for you.
DRIVERS WANTED
Bribie Taxis are looking for drivers to help service our ever-growing clientele. To assist with this, we really need more customer focused drivers to join our Taxi Service.
Maybe you are retired but would like something to do a couple of days a week, maybe you’re looking at a change in careers, or just maybe you’re looking for some extra cash due to the interest rates and ever-increasing cost of living.
If you are interested and would like to know more please email: info@bribiecabs.com.au Are you a person that likes to drive and meet new people?
We offer:
•Lots of flexibility in shifts – days, nights and weekends (however many days you would like to work).
•Vehicle is provided
•We cover costs of maintaining cars.
•HD Visual security cameras and alarms in every taxi for safety
•We provide training and ongoing support
•A supportive and friendly work environment.
IN THE GARDEN
By Adelle and Paul
Natives and bees go hand-in-hand like carrots and peas!
Exciting times! We are continually discovering more and more bee-attracting natives that are now readily available for your garden to keep our bees busy. A huge range of groundcovers and small shrubs are now available. First thing though is to prepare your garden, pots or an appropriate spot in the yard so your natives will happily grow, be healthy and of course flower, which will bring in the bees. Whether you are planting them in the ground or a pot, there are special mixes and fertilisers that have been specially formulated for our native plants, so be sure to obtain these along with your plants. Once again there are so many plants to talk about, so here are just a few of our favourite flowering bee attracting natives.
Native Ground Covers
Leptospermum Pink Cascade and Leptospermum Red Cascade
What's not to love?! Both of these beauties reach a maximum height of only 80cm, but have a generous spread of 1.5-2m in width. The pink cascade has green foliage and gets covered in tiny delicate pink flowers, whilst the red cascade also has green foliage, but with a reddish tinge and also gets covered in tiny delicate red flowers. Bees love both of these and they make a beautiful addition to any garden. These plants are very versatile, thriving in arid and coastal regions since they can withstand
spread of 1.5-2m. The dense growing habit of this plant will smother out those pesky weeds and to top it all off, this plant is super hardy in coastal windy conditions and is drought tolerant. If you don’t need a groundcover, this plant will also be great as a container or hanging
transform your garden's ground into a lush carpet of foliage and tiny delicate flowers. Myoporum’s robust branches and tightly packed, semi-succulent leaves may easily cover any garden space ranging from a steep sloped garden or a flat leveled garden. This can be done without requiring any work on your part as it grows super-fast and is super hardy. This plant also helps preserve the soil and suppresses bothersome weeds. Myoporum is not only incredibly practical, but is also incredibly attractive reaching a height of only 20cm and a massive spread of up to 3m. Wow!
Flowering for most of the year (if the weather is warm), this stunner produces tiny, star-shaped white or pink blooms with delicate leaves (obviously) that our bees and birds adore.
Leptospermum Ballerina
This gorgeous plant is classified as a shrub or a small tree. This stunner has
profusion of exquisite flowers that are speckled pink, purple and white. What's not to love about this? It's not only attractive, but it's native to Australia and the bees are kept very busy with this plant. It is possible to utilise this plant as a low hedge or border or even as an attractive feature plant for your garden or pot. These plants can reach a height and width of 1-2m. They can also be grown in the sun or shade, making this plant a stunning allrounder!
glossy dark green leaves and small dainty white blooms, which the bees just love. This beauty makes a lovely border plant in a cottage garden, an informal hedge in natural gardens or can even be grown in a pot as a stunning feature. This plant has also been known to make a great plant to bonsai. The Baecka Mount Tozer is a resilient plant that can grow in various types of soil and is tolerant of coastal conditions. It’s such a great shrub reaching a height of only 1m and a generous width of 2m. Well that’s all folks! Happy gardening! From Adelle and Paul
Egg and Bacon Plant
that grows as an excellent groundcover. It has a much larger flower than other varieties of this plant and produces buttercup yellow flowers that are long lasting in the warmer months, therefore it flowers nearly all year! It stays quite low to the ground and has a massive
We have talked about this stunner before but due to popular demand, it gets another mention. Unquestionably, this is one of our favorites! This attractive, compact shrub reaches a height and breadth of 1m. This gem has a lovely small pea-shaped display of two-toned orange and yellow flowers that are also subtly fragrant. This plant, once established, is highly drought-tolerant and prefers a sunny area in your garden. It is an excellent choice for Bribie Island due to its ability to withstand coastal conditions. Because of its dense growth, this lovely plant makes an excellent hedge or tiny screening plant. And to finish it off, it's another Australian native and bees just love it!. Whoa!
November’s fishing highlights and tips
Hi everyone, it’s Danny and Michelle from Island Fishing Supplies, Banksia Beach and Bellara! We’re excited to share November’s fishing highlights and tips.
Red Beach to Woorim
There is still plenty of whiting around. We have received reports of anglers catching more than 20 whiting in a session with impressive sizes. The stretch from Skirmish Point to Eighth Avenue has been especially productive, with the incoming high tide being the optimal time. Live bloodworms remain the top bait for whiting and if you’re looking for a sheltered spot out of the wind, White Patch is ideal.
Whiting and flathead
Sandstone Point
Flathead continue to be caught in good numbers, particularly around the mouth of the Pacific Harbour Canals, the Avon Wreck and the old fish trap at Sandstone Point.
Additionally, anglers have been catching grassy sweetlip around the Ripples and Gallagher’s Gutter, with the top and bottom of the tide being prime times to fish.
Bellara – Sylvan Beach
The sandbank off Pirate Park has been a hotspot for flathead, with soft plastics proving highly effective.
Pacific Harbour Canals
The canals are starting to heat up as the
jelly prawns move in, attracting trevally, grunter bream and mangrove jacks that feed on them. Mangrove jack are becoming more active and afternoon storms paired with high humidity are perfect conditions for these summer species. Live bait is hard for them to resist, but cut baits like pilchards and mullet fillet also work well. Live baiting can attract excellent by-catch, including mulloway and trevally with the occasional barra
as bait can spoil quickly in the heat. Regularly changing bait will increase your chances of success. Now is the time to dust off those crab pots and pack the cast net for live bait. Vibes and lures
Vibes are a very versatile lure suited to a long list of fish species. Vibes can be worked at any depth the angler wishes. Whilst primarily designed for fishing in deep structure laden water, they can be worked just below the surface by pulling up the lure as it approaches the surface of the water commence retrieve upon splash down. Alternatively, the lure can be allowed to reach the bottom (line goes slack) before it is worked back. Small vibes are effective on the flats when chasing whiting, if they are not
spring days and remember to only catch
Thorpy caught these black spot tusk fish –Moreton Island
Tyde caught this flathead on Rapala Crushcity Heavy Hitter – Pink Supr
Mitch caught this fantastic mangrove jack
Join the Dolphins for their third NRL season in 2025
While the remnants of end-of-seasonmatches are still fresh in our minds, now it’s time to turn our attention to the upcoming 2025 season. What will the Dolphins have in store for their growing league of fans after showing even more promising signs in 2024?
A new head coach and new recruits are already in the mix. The Dolphins farewelled Wayne Bennett after his time at the helm came to an end and warmly welcome Kristian Woolf into the head coach role. New recruits Daniel Saifiti, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Max Feagai have also been officially welcomed into the Dolphins’ ranks.
Dolphins’ CEO Terry Reader said the club’s future under head coach Kristian Woolf was extremely bright and certainly exciting for members and fans, especially with the addition of new assistant coaches Rory Kostjaysn and Ben Woolf. “Along with coaching changes, we are also adding to the player group with the experience of New South Wales representative Daniel Saifiti, plus Junior Tupou and Max Feagai,” Reader said. Daniel Saifiti has signed a three-year contract with the Dolphins after 183 games at the Newcastle Knights. He has also played seven origin games for New South Wales and previously represented Fiji at test level. Reader said 28-year-old Saifiti was a perfect fit for the club as they aimed for another year of improvement in their third season in the NRL.
“We are very eager to see what Daniel Saifiti is going to bring to our club,” Reader said. “It is probably impossible to replace someone who has had the amazing career of Jesse Bromwich, but we know we have done extremely well in bringing in Daniel to add to our depth.
“He is a representative player, he is tough, aggressive and a hard worker - all the things the Dolphins pride themselves on being.
“We can’t wait to see him in our colours next year and are excited about what he will add to our already formidable forward pack.”
The signing of Dragons’ outside back Max Feagai on a two-year deal will add a bit of youth to the Dolphins in 2025. At just 23 years of age, Feagai has just had his best year in the NRL, playing the entire second half of the season for the Dragons.
Born in New Zealand, Feagai moved to
southern NSW as a child and played junior league in Leeton. He was scouted by the Dragons and impressed as a junior, representing NSW under-18s in 2019. That year, he also made the Australian Schoolboys team and then progressed to his NRL debut the very next season.
He will now join an exciting outside back list that already includes Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth, Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock and Trai Fuller.
Reader said Feagai would provide increased competition for spots as the club’s roster showed signs of maturing.
“Max is just the kind of recruit we are looking for to add depth and youth to our squad,” Reader said. “He has been a representative player through his junior career and with 23 matches behind him now he has proved he is a true NRL player. Importantly, this year he played the most NRL games of any year in his career.
“So what is most exciting is that we know his best football is just ahead of him.”
Memberships for the 2025 season are also officially open at the club. In 2024, the Dolphins surpassed their inaugural membership figure, with more than 35,000 passionate members—a milestone that placed the NRL’s newest team among the league’s top four clubs for membership in its second year.
Renewals for the 2025 season began for existing members in October and the general public can also secure their seat in 2025 by purchasing either a ninegame membership package for Suncorp Stadium or an 11-game package, which includes two games at the Dolphins’ home on the Peninsula, Kayo Stadium.
“Memberships are already tracking ahead of this time last year and with an additional game at Suncorp Stadium this season, we are giving more members more opportunities to be at our games,” Reader said.”
For fans looking for more flexibility, partial season memberships—including the popular Battle for Brisbane package—will be available closer to the season’s kick-off.
For further information about membership packages, visit https://membership. dolphinsnrl.com.au
1/10/24 – Single Stableford
Div 1 Winner: Di Fitzpatrick 39, 2nd
Suzanne Vallely 35 cb, 3rd Toni Grossmann 35
Div 2 Winner: Sheena Bath 41, 2nd Helena Winterflood 40, 3rd Jenny Williams 38 Div 3 Winner: Majorie Sills 39, 2nd Roslyn Crossley 36, 3rd Yvonne Nicklin 35
Results for Donnybrook Sports and Community Club Social Darts, held every Thursday night at 7pm sharp.
Visitors welcome.
Potluck Doubles
October Winners
Ken/Andrew, Ben/Andrew, Beau/Ken, Dale/Andrew.
Runners Up
Sky/Sonia, Ryan/Ken, Thaison/Brad, Ryan/Beau S.
High Scores Men
Colin 180, 104. Chilli 140, Ken 140x2, 138, 117. Andrew 140x2, 123, 121x2, 120, 115, 113, 102. Kev 101. Tom 140, 133. Rhys 140. Luke 133. Ben 116, 103. Thaison 109. Brad 122. Gary 160.
pegs. Andrew 5x100+/5 pegs x 2, 2x100+/3 pegs. Rhys 3x100+/2 pegs. Ben 1x100+/3 pegs. Kev 1x100+/3 pegs. Ryan 1x100+/4 pegs. Colin 2x100+/3 pegs. Linzi 3x80+/1 peg. Sky 2x80+/1 peg. Sonia 3x80+/5 pegs, 2x80+/3 pegs. Toorbul Darts Club hosted Donnybrook Darts Club on October 19 for another challenge round, with Donnybrook coming out the winners once again. The winning margin is narrowing though, as Toorbul are starting to edge closer with each challenge. Many thanks to Toorbul Tavern for hosting this event. An enjoyable afternoon was had by all. For further information, phone Ken 0428 831 453.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Continued from page 7
Smoke and Mirrors
Almost 10 years ago, after ALP won government in Queensland, a new Youth Justice Act was passed. Amongst other matters, Section 150 of the act provided for the sentencing of juveniles (person under 17 years of age) who were found guilty or pleaded guilty to criminal offences. About four years ago, the age was increased from 17 to 18 years.
Section 150(2)(e) provided a detention order (this includes imprisonment) should be imposed only as a last resort, if there is no other punishment available. Recently, the ALP government amended such legislation and would have us believe such provision no longer applies.
Section 150(2)(e) was amended to read - "a detention order should be imposed having regard to principle 18 of the youth justice principles".
Principle 18 reads - "A child should be detained in custody for an offence, whether on arrest, remand or sentence, only
as a last resort (my highlighting) and for the least time that is justified in the circumstances". Talk about smoke and mirrors. Can your readers see the real difference in the meaning of the provisions? I can't. In Principle 18 "remand" includes the granting of bail.
All judges and magistrates are bound by law to make rulings according to law and follow the provisions as legislated. To do otherwise they are likely to be overturned on appeal to a higher court. Judges and magistrates are in no way to blame for their rulings in releasing juveniles on bail, irrespective of the number of times previously before the courts, because the current law binds them to do so. The only way this can be changed is by government amending the legislation.
Whilst the law remains, as is, the chances of a juvenile being detained in detention is minimal and most juveniles know this.
The Juvenile Justice Act needs a good overhaul.
Would our local state member mind replying to tell us if I am right or wrong and why.
