Our Logan April 2020 by Logan City Council

Our Logan

Volume 87 April 2020

Water park a canvas for local artist Council responds to coronavirus

C O N T E NTS OUR LOGAN, OUR CITY MAGAZINE Editorial enquiries: 3412 5284 or media@logan.qld.gov.au Managing Editor: Rebecca Smith News Editor: Martin King Writers: Zoe Krieg Martin King Julie Brumfield-Jones Sam Burgess Samantha Stiller Geoff Stead Jason Oxenbridge

First look at KBF theatre

Online library open all hours

Accessing Council services

Sisterhood doing it for themselves

Our home grown flower market

Thai Orchid wins another award

Graphic design: Dina Wirawan Electoral content authorised by Silvio Trinca, Logan City Council, 150 Wembley Rd, Logan Central

Welcome to this edition of Our Logan Our Business Continuity Committee is meeting frequently and is working closely with Queensland Health, which is keeping us informed of the situation as it evolves.

Printed by Ovato, Geebung Front cover image: Jessica Skeen-McKinnon. Photo Julie BrumfieldJones

We activated our business continuity plan early to guide us in how we deliver our core services.

None of the material in this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the Chief Executive Officer, Logan City Council.

As a Council, our first priority is the safety of our community and staff. As an organisation we are adaptable and will respond to changing circumstances as they arise. We will prioritise and maintain services, based on community need and our capacity—while positioning Council to meet the emerging needs of our residents.

All content accurate as of 19 March 2020.

logan.qld.gov.au visitlogan.com.au Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that images of people who may now be deceased may appear in this magazine.

This magazine is wrapped in biodegradable material, meeting Australia Post packaging requirements in an environmentally sensitive way.

Printed by Ovato, an ISO 14001 certified firm

The situation requires all of us to be understanding and follow the directions of health authorities.

Silvio Trinca, Acting Chief Executive Officer

We need to support each other, provide assistance to those who need it—and to look out for each other—whether it be checking on the welfare of a vulnerable neighbour to maintaining our support of local businesses.

This month’s magazine reflects the quickly changing situation faced by our community.

At times like this our faith in humanity is restored when you see the heartfelt generosity of the community banding together in solidarity.

At the time of writing the Australian Government has directed the closure of a significant number of nonessential services and venues. There is an expectation that additional measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus may be put in place in the coming weeks and months.

This is the time for all of us to step up—and do what we can to help each other.

Council is closely monitoring the situation and will be providing the community with immediate updates via our Internet site at logan.qld.gov.au and Facebook page (facebook.com/logancitycouncil/).

Silvio Trinca, Acting Chief Executive Officer Logan City Council

Although we are not the lead agency, we will continue to provide updates on our website.

Our Logan is produced and delivered to households and businesses in the City of Logan at a cost of 74 cents.

Artist out of the shadows with a splash A public art installation commission has encouraged one Logan artist to come out of her painting shed. Kingston-based artist and Kuku-Yalanji and Biri woman Jessica SkeenMcKinnon, has been passionate about art since she was seven. She was born and raised in Logan and is the youngest of 14 children in a family with strong links to the Indigenous art world. Her parents operate an Aboriginal arts and crafts business and many of her siblings are also artists or involved in artistic pursuits. Since leaving school in 1999, Jessica has been quietly producing art in her studio but has not been involved in public exhibitions. It was her first exhibition at the Logan Art Gallery last year which has now given her the confidence to take her passion for art to another level. “I’ve always loved doing art but there is no more hiding in the shed painting now,” she says.

Our water play parks inspire others

“I’m excited now about what the future will bring.”

The success of Logan’s two new water play parks has made a splash well beyond the city’s boundaries.

Her latest work is the eye-catching and contemporary Indigenous art designs adorning the new water play area at Logan Gardens in Logan Central.

The spectacular new facilities were opened during the summer and became instant hits among Logan residents and visitors.

Jessica painted three designs, titled Logan – A place of resilience and harmonious growth, on canvas using acrylic paint. They have been used on the area’s water table, shade sails and wet ground area in her first public artwork.

Now other Councils are looking to emulate the Logan communityboosting initiatives and build similar new water play parks in their local government areas.

She says she was thrilled to have her work featured in such a vibrant space. “I have incorporated what I feel about Logan such as the multi-culturalism, the opportunities and the acceptance.” Jessica believes Logan Gardens will create a positive effect rippling out into the community. “It adds a beautiful element and will create conversations,” she says. “It is different cultures coming together in the space. I have enjoyed seeing it come to life.”

The Flagstone water play area includes a 10-metre high treehousestyle structure with waterfalls, jets, bubblers and blasters. The facility was named as a finalist in the category of Infrastructure Project of the year at the Australian Construction Awards 2020. The Logan Gardens water play area includes a pop jet plaza with 12 fountains that light up at night, a dumping bucket, 10 totem poles and a water table. In line with Council’s sustainability policy, water use at both facilities is minimised by recycling, filtering and sanitising. Admission to Flagstone and Logan Gardens water play areas is free. Standard operating times for Water play parks are 7.30am to 7.30pm from 1 Oct to 1 Apr and 8.30am to 6.30pm from 2 Apr to 30 Sep. Tweed Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Warren Polglase, who is also a local councillor, says he has been inspired by Logan’s new facilities. “The family water park in Logan City has proved to be so popular that they have actually built a second one,” he told his local newspaper.

Kingston artist Jessica Skeen-McKinnon designed the Indigenous themes used at the new Logan Gardens water play area

Logan City Council’s Parks Department has also been approached by representatives from another South-East Queensland Council keen to learn more about family-friendly water play areas. 3

What you need to know about Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Logan City Council is continuing to prepare for potential impacts of COVID-19 (coronavirus) as well as ensuring that essential services continue to be delivered to our residents and businesses. Our top priority is the health and safety of our community, customers and staff. Council’s Business Continuity Committee is meeting regularly to ensure the advice from relevant authorities, including Queensland Health, is factored into all of our decisions and planning. Council continues to take a calm and rational approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following information is provided by Queensland Health.

What is novel coronavirus (COVID-19)? SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain of virus in the coronavirus family that has not been previously identified. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.

How is it possible to have a new virus that no one has had before? Viruses are microscopic organisms that can enter a living host (like you) to live and multiply. Think of them like an unwanted guest that shows up unannounced, moves into your house, eats out of your fridge and begins to reproduce. When a new virus makes its way into your body, your immune system realises that it’s not part of your normal bodily system, attacks it and tries to kill it. After that, it remembers the virus, so it can get rid of it straight away if it ever comes knocking again. Just like any living creature, viruses change themselves to survive in their environment. Over time, they change in

ways that makes it hard for our immune systems to recognise them. That’s how we end up with new versions of viruses, like this new version of coronavirus.

a door handle) that you touch, getting the droplets on your hands and then transferring them to your mouth, nose or eyes when you touch your face or eat.

What are the symptoms of novel coronavirus?

How can I stop myself from getting it?

When you have a virus, it’s not actually the virus that makes you sick, but your immune system’s efforts to get rid of it. For example, your immune system can raise your body temperature and give you a fever, to make it hot enough to kill a virus. All the hard work your immune system is doing can also use up energy and make you feel tired.

Washing your hands often and properly means that you can prevent viruses from entering your body. That means washing your hands when you’ve been out and about and before you eat (and after you go to the toilet!).

Everyone’s body is different, and because symptoms are caused by your immune system and not the virus itself, different people can have slightly different symptoms when they have the same virus, and some people’s symptoms will be worse than others. Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness, which means it affects the parts of your body you use to breathe: your nose, throat and lungs. If you’re sick with novel coronavirus (COVID-19), your symptoms might include: • fever • a cough • sore throat • fatigue • shortness of breath.

How does novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spread and how can I catch it? Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads between people, usually when a sick person coughs or sneezes. You might catch novel coronavirus (COVID-19) if someone with the virus sneezes or coughs onto you. You could also catch the virus if they have coughed or sneezed onto a surface (like

Try to stay at least 1.5 metres away from people who are coughing or sneezing. Even if they don’t have novel coronavirus (COVID-19), they might have germs you don’t want anyway!

Is there anything else I can do to make myself less likely to catch novel coronavirus (COVID-19)? You might have heard that things like eating lots of garlic, taking extra vitamins, doing certain exercises, or burning heaps of essential oils can stop you from catching novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This isn’t true. Looking after yourself by eating a healthy, balanced diet, getting regular physical activity, sleeping well and reducing stress is important all the time, not just when you’re trying to avoid getting sick, so we recommend you keep these healthy habits in mind every day.

Should I be wearing a facemask to protect myself? You might have seen people in public wearing facemasks lately and wondered if you should too. There isn’t any evidence that wearing a facemask will stop you from catching a virus like novel coronavirus (COVID-19), so if you’re well, you don’t need to wear a facemask. If you’re sick with symptoms of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and you have a facemask, you should wear this when you go to medical appointments. This is

to protect others from contracting novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from you.

Why isn’t there a vaccine yet? For some viruses, we use vaccines to teach your immune system what the virus looks like. As novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is so new, we don’t have a vaccine for it yet. It’s being worked on by teams all over the world, but it takes quite a long time to make a safe vaccine that works well. In the meantime, you can protect yourself from catching novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by washing your hands properly, covering your mouth and nose every time you cough or sneeze, throwing used tissues in the bin, staying at least 1.5 metres away from anyone who is sick and protecting others by staying home if you are sick.

I think I have novel coronavirus but I haven’t been overseas and I haven’t been near someone who has it The people most at risk of having novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are those who

have been overseas in the past 14 days, where they might have come into contact with someone with the virus, or people who know they’ve come into contact with a person who has novel coronavirus (COVID-19). If you haven’t done either of these things but you’re feeling unwell, you might have novel coronavirus (COVID-19), but right now it’s more likely you’ll have a different illness, like a cold or influenza. If you think you need to see a doctor because you feel unwell, you should go to the doctor as normal or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for health advice.

Who is at most risk of catching novel coronavirus Because it’s a new virus, everyone is at risk of catching coronavirus because our immune systems don’t recognise it yet. This is why everyone around the world is trying so hard to make sure that people with the virus don’t pass it on to others. This doesn’t mean that everyone is going to get coronavirus), but it does mean we all have a role to play in

keeping ourselves and others well. The more everyone follows the advice to wash their hands often and properly and stay home when they’re sick, the fewer people will catch this virus.

I’m pregnant—am I or is my baby at extra risk of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)? There haven’t been comprehensive studies that show the effect of novel coronavirus on pregnant women and their babies – it’s simply too early to have this information.

Can I still go to the hospital for my appointment or if I’m sick? You should still attend hospital and doctor appointments as normal during this time, and you should always go to your closest emergency department or call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance in an emergency. At hospitals and clinics, we’re very good at keeping people with infectious diseases away from everyone else and are taking a lot of precautions with anyone who might have coronavirus.

How to look after your mental wellbeing In a pandemic, the endless stream of news headlines can sometimes feel overwhelming. It’s on TV, social media, newspapers and magazines, and it’s often talked about in our social circles too. News is now 24/7, and we’re more connected to it than ever before. While there are benefits to staying upto-date with the news, too much can take a toll on our mental wellbeing. Here are a few ways to find balance while staying informed during a crisis.

Read trustworthy news sources Anyone can publish information online, but that doesn’t make it true. Consider where you’re getting your news updates from—is it a reputable source? Who is best placed to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the issue?

Set news limits News is available everywhere, which means it can be hard to switch off. If you feel that you’re preoccupied by the news, consider setting yourself reasonable limits. You could: • Start your day by reading a book or going for a walk, rather than checking the news or your social media feed • Avoid checking the news before going to bed, especially on your phone or TV • Set a limit on how many times you check the news and social media each day, and how long you spend reading about the issue. It’s understandable that conversations often revolve around current events but remember it’s ok to not want to talk about it all the time. Just make sure you’re not bottling up your feelings or concerns and seek support when you need it. Remember to have a break from the news and do other activities that support your mental wellbeing.

Read good news stories too Alarming headlines are often front and centre but remember there’s still a lot of good happening all around us. If you’re 6

checking for updates on the current event, try to read a good news story as well. Positive news doesn’t diminish a situation, but it can help give us a sense of balance and support our mental wellbeing.

• Point out the people working to fix the situation • Reassure them that they are safe.

Everyone has a role to play in achieving the best possible outcomes. Consider what is within your control and focus on what you can do to contribute in a positive way to those around you.

Your own behaviour plays an important role in helping children deal with the current situation. It’s ok to share your own feelings but show your child that you are managing them. This can help them to build important life skills like resilience. If you are feeling distressed, discuss it with other adults rather than your children.

Helping children cope

When to get support

Heightened media coverage and ongoing conversations can be distressing for children. They may need help to understand what’s going on in a way that’s appropriate for their age and development.

Most people will feel some distress— this is normal, and usually resolves naturally within a matter of days or weeks.

Keep perspective

How to help children cope: • Limit the amount of media coverage children see, hear and read • If they do watch the news, be there to explain it to them • Let them know they can ask you questions anytime • Be honest and stick to the facts but don’t provide too much detail • Be aware of what you say when children are around • Monitor their reactions, and listen to how they feel and what they think

If you’ve taken steps to support better mental wellbeing but are still feeling stressed, overwhelmed, worried, or just not like your normal self, it’s important to tell someone. This might be someone close to you like a family member, friend or colleague. You can also talk to your GP or a mental health professional, in Queensland. If you’ve noticed your child’s behaviour has changed or have concerns about their level of distress, seek help from your GP or other health professional. (Information provided by Queensland Health)

WOMEN IN C O U N C I L

Sports stars shine on world stage

Janine Jungfels (left) and Sarah Buchanan outside the Council Administration Building in Logan Central

When the working day is over, two Logan City Council officers switch gears and dedicate themselves to their sporting pursuits. Janine Jungfels, 31, is one of Council’s Environmental Projects Officers. Sarah Buchanan, 25, is one of Council’s First 5 Forever Officers with Logan City Council Libraries and delivers early literacy programs across the city. Janine is a trials rider while Sarah is a triathlete. Both are world-class and competing regularly on the international stage. Their world away from Council revolves around keeping their bodies in peak physical condition through training and nutrition so they can remain highly competitive. When she competes Janine has to keep her balance and her feet off the ground as she goes over obstacles. She is penalised every time her foot touches the ground. She has two minutes to pass through six gates. “It’s a balance oriented sport, which makes it really challenging,” she says. Her interest in the sport was sparked in 2005 by some family friends who she still trains with. “I train most days after work,” she says. Her training locations are generally Underwood Park, Castle Hill in Ipswich or The Spit at Southport. Last year Janine took part in the Australian titles in Bright, Victoria. Between 2011 and 2017 she went overseas to compete and in 2015 was the world title holder in the open women division. Janine is looking forward to attending the Women Who Shred event in Arkansas in the United States in August. She will be attending some workshops as well as showing off her skills in a demonstration event.

Sarah was forced to look for a new sport in 2015 after a broken leg ended her career as a champion hurdler.

She trains twice a day every week day and spends a further four hours on both Saturday and Sunday.

She came into triathlons at the end of 2017 and started to win national age championships after only a year in the sport.

Sarah says she has put a lot of emphasis on her nutrition this year.

She competed in her first World championships last year—the highly competitive Ironman 70.3 World Championships in France. This event attracts competitors from more than 100 countries, regions and territories and Sarah came 57th in her age group. Each week Sarah spends 15 hours swimming, bike riding and running.

She took part early last month in the 2020 qualifier for the world titles—the Geelong 70.3 Ironman. Sarah, who trains at Tweed Coast Multisport, completed a 1.9km ocean swim, 90km bike ride and 21.1km run. She came second in the 25 to 29 age group with 40 competitors and was the first Australian. She now has her sights set on securing a top three position at the world titles in her age group in Taupo in New Zealand from November 28 to 29. 7

WO M EN I N C OU NCIL

Burn out to bushfires—a remarkable journey to job satisfaction Ariane Allen was in her mid-30s and working as a nurse in a veterinary surgery when she realised a change was needed. “After 15 years, I‘d gone as far as I could go in that job and there didn’t appear to be any more challenges,” Ariane recalls. Six years on, Ariane’s life could hardly be more different. In addition to working as a Natural Areas Project Officer for Council’s Parks Branch, she is studying for a Bachelor of Science with Honours to go with the Bachelor of Environmental Science she already has attained. And by the way, Ariane is also a trained volunteer firefighter who joined Council and Rural Fire Service teams to fight local bushfires in the recent horrendous season. “I am passionate about conserving our natural environment and the wildlife that lives there,” she says. “Once I started learning about how the different elements of the environment work together, how it relates to real life and how important it is to conserve, I was hooked.” Ariane says the secret to cramming so much into every day is managing stress. She also exercises regularly and enjoys hugging her dogs. “I meditate for about 10 minutes every morning,” she says. “I use that time to work out what is important for that day and what I want to achieve.” Ariane’s recent studies have been supported by Council under its Study Assistance Program. It’s available to all permanent full-time and part-time employees. “That support from Council and from my team members has been incredibly valuable, I couldn’t do what I do without that.” Ariane says. Ariane’s Honours research project involves investigating how different fire regimes affect fauna populations.

Council to have a better understanding of what changes occur to habitat and wildlife when using prescribed burning as an ecological tool.

Her research includes setting up AudioMoths which are placed in bushland areas which have been burnt under different time frames.

While she admits a busy lifestyle or a mid-career change is not suited to everyone, Ariane urges others to chase their dreams.

The ‘AudioMoths’ record sounds in the bush. The species captured most by the recordings at this stage of research have been birds.

“Follow your passion and give it your best shot,” she says.

She plans to place up to 12 ‘moths’ in habitats across SouthEast Queensland where prescribed burns have occurred.

“Don’t be afraid to work hard in male-dominated fields as you will learn some great skills and meet some great people.

“Each device will make up to 20,000 recordings. That’s a lot of birds to listen to,” she says.

“Get out of your comfort zone—you will be surprised at what you can accomplish.”

Ariane hopes her research will assist organisations such as 8

Ariane Allen with one of her listening devices she is using to track how animals respond to different fire regimes in South-East Queensland

“Everyone is capable of learning and applying what they learn, especially if it is something you are passionate about.

First look at new Kingston Butter Factory theatre The City of Logan's newest performing arts space is taking shape. The Kingston Butter Factory (KBF) Cultural Precinct will feature a new black-box-style theatre in the historic KBF building, and an early artist impression is now available. The theatre is part of the KBF Cultural Precinct redevelopment, which will take shape in Kingston over the coming months. While preliminary site works were completed late last year, construction will begin in earnest in the precinct next month.

Community groups interested in using or hiring space within the precinct will be able to do so. Bookings will open in July 2020 for events happening outdoors from late February 2021 onwards, and performances indoors from April 2021. You can keep track of KBF Cultural Precinct news at kbfprecinct.com.au and on Facebook @kbfprecinct. Artist's impression of the outdoor stage

This includes creating the city's largest permanent outdoor events space, a multi-purpose outdoor plaza and a new precinct entry from Jacaranda Avenue, and re-imagining the historic KBF building. As well as the new black-box-style theatre, the KBF building will feature a new rehearsal space, and a living museum to celebrate the stories of our people, including our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Council is now seeking commercial proposals that will help the KBF Cultural Precinct become a popular destination for locals and visitors. These proposals are expected to include: ticketed festivals, concerts and major markets that will help the KBF Cultural Precinct become a popular destination for locals and visitors, seven days a week. The outdoor space will have capacity for an audience of up to 5,000 people and be able to host major performances, festivals, markets and large-scale community events.

The stage is not included in the artist impression shared here, as the design was still being finalised at the time the image was created.

Artist's impression of the new KBF black-box theatre

L O G A N L I B R A R I ES

Open all hours and free from your lounge room – eBooks, music, movies and more! Bored? Not sure what to do when stuck at home with the kids or by yourself?

Logan libraries offer a wide range of free online content

Logan City Council Libraries has the answer. Our eLibrary has an endless supply of free online books, games, magazines, music, videos and educational content available online. We also provide personalised assistance, through our Loan Rangers service, to help you find exactly what you are after. Perfect for all age groups and for those unable to visit the library in person, our Loan Rangers can recommend a range of electronic reading material, including: eBooks, eAudiobooks, TV shows, games and learning for kids, eNewspapers and Magazines and much more. Available always from the comfort of your home! To use this free service go to loganlibraries.org/ loanrangers or call your local library. eResources are all free to borrow, with your library membership number and PIN (4 digits of your day and month of your birthday e.g. 4 March is 0403). If you’d prefer to do your own browsing online for your next great read, our Loan Rangers recommend: • BorrowBox and Overdrive are both very popular eBook and eAudiobook platforms, with really good, easy to use apps. There is a large range of book titles available in all genres on both these apps with titles from the latest bestsellers and top authors.

Visit: loglib.org/ eLibrary and click on ‘eBooks and eAudiobooks’.

• RBdigital Magazines—enjoy all the most popular magazines in digital and full colour. There are more than 300 magazines, with current issues and back issues available. There is no loan limit—magazines are yours to keep. RBdigital app available. • Newsbank—here you will find complete full-text articles from thousands of local, Australian and international newspapers. Read today’s paper—all issues are updated each morning and there are back issues available spanning decades. If you don’t have a library membership, you can organise an online membership. Sign up for a limited membership online and visit up to a month later to upgrade to full membership, which provides access to our online services and eBooks. Apply for membership here: loganlibraries.org/join or phone 3412 5420. 10

Visit: loglib.org/eLibrary for details.

Accessing Council services As the measures being taken to slow the spread of coronavirus continue to unfold, Logan City Council will continue to provide information about services, venues and activities on our website at logan.qld.gov.au and on our Facebook page at facebook.com/ logancitycouncil Following the advice from the Federal Government and Queensland Health we're taking the appropriate measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community, customers and employees. Our Council will ensure that essential services continue to be provided, as we contribute to efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Customer service centres We're encouraging customers to avoid visiting our customer service centres and instead make use of our online services which are listed on the back cover. Some centres may close, so if you have to visit in person, please phone 3412 3412 or check our website for availability. For all health information, please visit health.qld.gov.au or for nonurgent advice call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

Events Due to recommendations from health authorities, planned events and scheduled activities have been cancelled or postponed. These include Eats and Beats in April, the LEAF Festival, Beenleigh Town Square Movie Nights, Logan Entertainment Centre Events, Logan Recycling Market and The Tour de Brisbane.

Logan City Council Libraries and Art Gallery All Logan City Council Libraries and the Logan Art Gallery are closed until further notice. See page 10 for information about how to borrow library resources online.

Essential services Waste collection Please continue to ensure your bins are placed out the night before your usual collection day.

Water and sewerage service These services will remain unchanged however, only toilet paper should be flushed as alternatives cause blockages. See page 21 to see why.

NBN status availability You can now access information on network outages directly from nbn™, with the launch of the first phase of a new ‘network status’ webpage, which provides location specific information on planned and unplanned nbn network outages. Go to: nbnco. com.au/support/network-status 11

Ancestral ties fascinate homegrown family history researcher A chance family meeting has proved to be the catalyst to a lifelong passion for Underwood resident Martin Hawkins. It is an interest he is now enthusiastically sharing with the community. Martin first became involved in genealogy and family history research more than 30 years ago. It was on a trip back to his native United Kingdom when his then 93-year-old cousin Mabel mentioned that no-one had recorded the family’s history. Fast-forward to today and Martin can relate many interesting details about his family and its history which he has traced back to 1470 and includes up to 14 generations. He also has supporting records in the form of wills (the first one dated 1530) and baptism, marriage and burial records dating from 1570. On his father’s side of the family he has been unable to go back any further than 1812, which represents about five generations.

“This is the brick wall that all researchers hit at some time and I am hoping that DNA tests will reveal something in time,” he says. Martin is the eldest of 13 children and his 100-year-old mum is still alive and living in Sydney, which has allowed him to capture a detailed family record.

Martin says he was lucky to be provided with wonderful family photos of his great grandparents from 1877. His interest piqued, he discovered The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints worldwide kept extensive genealogy records and resources. He then spent 10 years visiting and volunteering at the organisation’s Underwood and Karawatha centres. “I started using microfilm and microfiche and discovered I had an aptitude for it (family history research),” Martin says.

After surgery in 2008, Martin gave up visiting the Karawatha centre as it was too difficult to get there. Martin began providing genealogy assistance to the community one day each week from the Logan North Library through family history training sessions. Instead, he formed a connection with Logan City Council’s Library Service. This has now grown to three days per week. He and fellow volunteer researcher Michelle Jackson are so busy that there is usually up to a five-week wait to book in for a session. The family history research sessions are available as a one-on-one booking for 90 minutes in Logan North Library. He plans to continue providing family history support to the community as long as his health allows. To help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and protect the health and safety of our community, staff and volunteers, Logan City Council Libraries have reviewed the events held at libraries and have temporarily suspended the family history research sessions at Logan North Library and other LCC libraries. For more information call 3412 4140 or visit: loganlibraries.org

Underwood resident Martin Hawkins is a family history researcher who provides assistance to others interested in researching their family histories through weekly sessions at Logan North Library

Hope sewn

for newcomers at Mantua studio Mady Taue is emotional when speaking about her upbringing in Kingston. Her memories are coloured by the struggles her family faced but they are also a source of pride. Mady’s family travelled to Logan from the Cook Islands, via New Zealand, when she was about eight. Her parents spoke limited English and had no employment at the time. “I just grew up seeing the struggle,” Mady says. “My dad learned English through a TAFE course so he could get a job and my mum had to stay home and raise us, so there was a bit of social isolation there.” Her parents’ stoicism in building a life and home in Logan inspired Mady’s passion for helping others find their feet. She, along with fellow Logan woman Kim Rollason-Nokes, Mady co-founded the Mantua

Sewing Studio—an initiative designed to both fill a niche in the local fashion industry and put refugee and migrant women on paths to employment. The group provides designer manufacturing services to clothing labels, while training already skilled sewers in Australian fashion standards. While the studio is still in its infancy, Kim says the response to the idea has been overwhelming. White Box Enterprises helped them find a space of their own at TAFE Queensland in Mount Gravatt, while Outland Denim at Mount Tamborine donated two shipping containers worth of sewing machines and materials. “You talk to a lot of young Australians and they say ‘I don’t want to become a sewer’, but for other ladies who’ve arrived here from other countries it’s a highly valued skill and respected profession,” she says. The studio is currently making “a bit of everything”, from silk robes and meditation cushions to children’s clothing and women’s wear. The women involved in the program say it is a welcome extension to their regular sewing social group, held on Wednesdays in the Gould Adams Park Community Centre in Kingston. “What keeps us going is knowing how much these ladies love it,” Kim says. “It’s our vision that these ladies are the trainers and the mentors for the next (group). “There’s so many areas this industry can go to but we know there’s a need for machining now, so that’s where we begin.”

Mantua co-founders Mady Taue and Kim Rollason-Nokes (back) and participants Jeyagowry Uthayaseelan of Woodridge and Jeyarani Pragalathan of Kingston, in a dress she made

Logan City Council and Queensland Corrective Services officers accepting the Silver Australian Violence and Crime Prevention Award

Award-winning team delivers a safer city It’s been another successful and award-winning year for the team charged with helping to keep the City of Logan safe. Council's Community Safety Program, more commonly known as Safe City Logan, works with external agencies including the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to deliver crime prevention programs including the Logan Safety Camera Program and the annual Safe City Logan Community Survey. Their Building Social Capital Hubs, a partnership with Queensland Corrective Services, won the Silver Award at the 2019 Australian Violence and Crime Prevention Awards. The Hubs give clients of Community Corrections access to available support services and is aimed at reducing the likelihood of re-offending. They have recently been renamed to Services at the Square (Beenleigh) and Services on Station (Logan Central) and are available for all community members to attend. For more information on these events visit logan.qld.gov.au/ safety Another successful collaboration of note, is the Drink Smarter, Not Harder campaign developed in consultation with the Logan Liquor Industry Action Group and QPS. Safe City Logan is developing a new City of Logan Safe City Strategy and Action Plan, which will cover the next five years.

A month that reflects our cultural diversity Two of the world’s largest religions mark their holiest events this month. Easter Friday on 10 April ends the Christian fast of Lent while Muslims will begin their month of fasting for Ramadan on Thursday 23 April. For Logan’s faithful it is a time of solemn remembrance. Dr Nora Amath says the discipline required to fast allows believers to get closer to God and reminds them there are those who are always hungry.

According to Census data, 54 per cent of Logan's 326,000 residents identify as Christian. Islam accounts for 2.8 percent and Buddhists account for 1.7 per cent of our population.

“For Muslims, fasting is all about God consciousness, it’s to remember the creator,” Nora says. “But it’s also about building selfdiscipline and compassion and empathy. “I will have food at five o’clock but I know that millions of people around the world won’t. “Charity actually increases around the world, we see a sharp increase in donations from the Muslim world during Ramadan because we know what it’s like to fast.” The month of Ramadan ends with the Eid Al Fitr feast. Participants will wear one’s best clothes after attending morning prayers before spending time with family and friends and exchanging presents. Pacific LMS Follower Josephine Aufai, from Slacks Creek, says Easter is also a time for reflection for Christians. “It’s a time where we come together as a family in peace and harmony,” Josephine says. “It’s about focusing on your spirituality and your relationship with God.” Like many practising Christians, Josephine is observing Lent, a time where Christians, not unlike Muslims, deny themselves worldly pleasures for a higher purpose. Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter that begins on Ash Wednesday.

Muslim Dr Nora Amath (left) and Christian Josephine Aufai say April holds special religious significance for both of them

By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. “It’s about giving up whatever it is that you think might be holding you back, from living a full life of love and service to God and others,” Josephine says. “For young people it may be giving up social media, for older people it might be something like alcohol.”

While some families head to the beach for the Easter long weekend (April 10 to 13), the Aufai family intends to use the time to catch up with family and attend church. Another of the world’s great faiths, Buddhism, will celebrate the birth of Buddha at the end of this month.

Springwood kitchen delivers hope for job seekers The Logan East Community Neighbourhood Association (LECNA) has farewelled its first cohort of graduates from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program. Ten students received a Certificate II in Food Preparation from a course that was run out of LECNA’s own kitchen. The Springwood-based LECNA, now in its 30th year, provides community programs. But this is the first time it has run a job-training program. Manager Gillian Marshall-Pierce says the training was combined with a life skills course to ensure the students were job ready. “It’s for people who have been unemployed for some time and are

wanting to upskill or reskill and get back into the workforce,” she says. “They spend half the time in the kitchen instead of sitting in the classroom. “It’s also about getting to know them and identify their soft skills, how they communicate and so on. “That's so when we go and talk to employers, we can be a strong advocate for them.”

Class is in at the Logan East Community Neighbourhood Association kitchen

The program runs over four days a week for 12 weeks.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work provides assistance to those who need support to gain the qualifications and skills needed to enter and stay in the workforce.

Graduates receive a Responsible Service of Alcohol licence, barista certification and the option to find longterm sustainable employment.

LECNA is currently training its second batch of Skilling Queenslanders for Work participants.

For information on Skilling Queenslanders for Work contact LECNA on 3808 4529 or email lecna@lecna.org.au

Alliance awakens artistic flair In the shadow of the Wineglass Reservoir at Hillcrest, a room full of aspiring artists is discovering how to work with clay. While it’s a new experience for participants, for volunteer tutors Sherry Austin, Rob Tindale and Marnie Linger the novelty is watching how their new students interact and approach the task of creating something from scratch. “This is a first time experience for many in this class,” says Sherry. “Some may have modelled clay when in school, but for most this is an opportunity to explore their creative side for the first time.” Sherry says every class is different, with participants ranging from pre-schoolers ‘freestyling’ shapes during their weekly art class, to seniors in their 80s creating extraordinarily detailed glazed ceramic figurines. “We like to keep our classes casual. There is no pressure so everyone can

work at their own speed and level of ability,” she says. “There’s plenty of choice too. We teach how to throw a pot, sculpt in clay, paint—or work with mediums such as fused glass.” As a community-based organisation the alliance relies on donations and volunteers to keep costs down. “We’ve been fortunate to have our site and studio provided by Council and we’ve secured sponsorships and a grant from Greenbank RSL Community Benefit Fund to run this seniors workshop. “We’ve also received a grant from St George Foundation to enable us to visit the Boronia Heights Special School to conduct classes for children with special needs.”

Leanne Cox (left) and Brenda Russell try their hands at shaping clay at Logan West Community ArtShare Alliance, Hillcrest

Non-sponsored programs at Logan West Community ArtShare Alliance are generally kept low and range from social groups at just $5 up to $25/$30 for tutored classes. Several classes are conducted every day for different artistic media and age groups. Enquiries can be made through the website at lwcasa.org or by phoning Steven on 0420 985 527. 15

Authors on write path to publishing literary dreams When you think of famous literary scenes Bloomsbury, Paris, Greenwich Village and maybe even Melbourne come to mind. Not Logan so much. But what the city’s literary scene lacks in notoriety it makes up for in vibrancy with a recent surge in home-grown authors publishing their work. InHouse Publishing Print and Design at Underwood has been at the forefront of this uptick in interest. Since entering the world of publishing six years ago things have never read better.

General Manager Nevada Matthews says despite the popularity of Kindles and iPads there’s still a demand for the tactile experience that ink and paper provides. “If anything the internet has helped us along,” he says.

‘There’s more independent authors and more accessibility for people to do smaller projects for target markets.’

“Where we differ from say Penguin is they have to have a certain substantial number that they have to sell to make it worthwhile. “Whereas with us, if an author was to sell 500 copies they would have covered all their costs and made a profit.” Popular recent publications include My Dad Does FIFO, authored by Blaiz Rahley and illustrated by local artist Aaron Pocock, Cattlemen in Pearls, commissioned by Ian and Anne Galloway, and Being Unstoppable, by Logan businesswoman Janeen Vosper. Janeen is a keynote speaker, sales trainer and professional speaking coach who specialises in helping women in business. She decided to get her books published with InHouse after hearing positive feedback from business contacts. “It was handled so personally, you get to meet the family and see how they do business,” Janeen says. “They are also very good at connecting local authors through various trade shows and the like. “Hearing local authors talk about their books and their stories has been quite fascinating.” The family-run business at Underwood was previously a long-standing printing business which continues its operations. And with many authors lining up the next chapter in this successful venture is sure to be a real page turner.

Nevada Matthews, of Underwood business InHouse Publishing Print and Design, is helping Logan authors

Tee Pupuke Taylor (left) and Jenna Ritai help organise the Sisterhood Empowerment program in Logan

Sisterhood doing it for themselves Her big smile and bubbly personality defies some of the challenges faced by Loganholme mother-of-five and grandmother-of-one, Tee Pupuke Taylor. By her own admission, Tee comes from a family of ‘generational dysfunctionality’. Her story is heart-wrenching and she knew it would take ‘a miracle’ to get out of a downward spiral of dire consequences. Her lifeline came in the form of the Sisterhood Empowerment program and now a revitalised Tee is determined to help others get their lives back on track.

‘We are here to help heal the brokenhearted, help heal broken families and to help those who might think, like I did at one stage, that there is nowhere to turn.’ “My miracle was to come the full circle with Sisterhood and get my life back,” Tee says. Sisterhood Empowerment has its roots in the New Zealandbased Sisterhood Legacy group. It has been in Australia for about four years and now has 12 groups operating across Logan with plans to expand further.

Jenna Ritai, also a mum-of-five, oversees part of the Logan area for Sisterhood Empowerment. She says the free 15-week support program has spiritual ties and aims to be lifestyle-changing. Faith is a key component that sets us apart from other women’s programs currently out there, Jenna says. “We don’t judge and accept women from all walks of life no matter what their situations or where they come from. We say ‘Come as you are’.” While numbers vary, Sisterhood Empowerment in Logan has had up to 100 women involved at times, with ages ranging from 18 through to mid-70s. “Our doors are never closed,” Jenna says. The Logan-based groups meet at various times, day and night, at locations including local coffee shops and fast food outlets. They do their own fund-raising to cover costs and often dip into their own pockets. “It’s not about money or material possessions,” Tee says. “Everyone who turns up to our programs is here for the healing. And it is a beautiful thing when we help them heal.” To find out more go to the Sisterhood Empowerment page on Facebook. A similar partnering program for males called Man Up also operates in Logan and can also be found on Facebook. 17

SAFECITYLOGAN

Community Aware If you are out, even for a short time, your unoccupied home may become a target for opportunistic thieves. Here are 10 simple ways to deter uninvited guests from entering your property: • Ensure that your home, shed and/or garage are properly secured. It seems simple, but most theft is opportunistic with the offender entering through an unlocked door or window. • Ensure that all valuables are secure and stored out of public view. For example, so they can’t be seen through a window or the front door of your house. • If you are going away for a long period of time, ask a trusted family member, neighbour or friend to collect your mail, bring your wheelie bins in and out and maybe even mow your front lawn. This helps to make it less obvious that your home is unoccupied. • Get to know your neighbours. Exchange telephone numbers and keep your eyes and ears out for anything suspicious. If you do see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, be an active bystander and contact the police.

• If you have a faulty alarm that frequently goes off, get it fixed immediately and inform your neighbours that it has been repaired. People are less likely to investigate an alarm that goes off regularly. • When you go out, consider leaving a light on in the home or a radio going to create the perception that your home is occupied. • Don’t leave a spare house key under the doormat or a pot plant, in the letterbox or in other obvious places. If you feel the need to have access to a spare key, consider leaving it with a trusted family member, friend or neighbour. • Ensure trees and bushes are trimmed to allow clear vision into the property. This reduces places for an offender to hide and increases the likelihood that they will be seen from the road or by neighbours.

• Ensure your house/unit number is clearly visible from the street. This will help with locating your house quickly in an emergency and will also reduce the likelihood of someone mistaking your house for a neighbour’s. • Consider engraving your property. Marking your property makes ownership clearer, deters theft as it is more difficult to off-load engraved items and can also help police to identify and return stolen property. We encourage your feedback so together we can keep Logan a safer city for all of our community. Contact council@logan. qld.gov.au

For more crime prevention tips visit: logan.qld.gov.au/communitysafety

SUPPORTING YOUR NEIGHBOURS AHEAD OF DISASTERS Getting to know your neighbours is an important part of being prepared for disasters and protecting what’s most important to you. Whether it’s bushfire, flood or severe storms, we all cope better if we work together. This can be challenging when there is a need for social distancing and in some cases self-isolation. But there are other ways we can stay connected and safe: • Leave a note and offer small acts of kindness, especially with those who might need extra help • Help secure outdoor furniture or loose objects in the yard if a storm is on the way • Make a phone call to check in or share information about what’s happening during an event For other ways to support your neighbours before, during and after a disaster visit:

logan.qld.gov.au/knowyourneighbours

D ISASTER M AN AGE M E N T

Is orange your colour? Are you committed to helping your community following disaster events? Are you active, adventurous, enthusiastic and willing to give back to your community and aged 16 or older? If so, have you considered joining the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES)? It’s an opportunity to make a life-changing commitment through actively contributing during disasters and emergencies locally, state-wide and nationally. You will be required to attend regular training and volunteer your time during activations.

Time to check your smoke alarms April is the month to replace your smoke alarm batteries and check that they are working. To check your alarms, press the ‘test’ button. If they don’t work replace the battery and re-test. (Lithium batteries have a 10-year lifespan, alkaline batteries should be replaced every year.) If your alarm has a small radiation sticker either on the back or inside the unit, replace it as soon as possible. New alarms respond faster and are not as prone to nuisance alarms from cooking. The good news is they are available for less than $30, with a long-life battery. Although alkaline battery-powered models are half the price, they need a replacement battery yearly making them more expensive in the long run. You can buy smoke alarms from hardware stores and electrical retailers. The best systems are linked, 240V mains-powered models installed by a qualified electrician. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has smoke alarm information on its website at: qfes.qld.gov.au/community-safety/ smokealarms/Pages/default.aspx

Put your home in the clear

• Remove all rubbish, leaf litter, wood and any other type of fuel from around your house and detached buildings

If you live close to bushland, or have significant bushland on your property, there are some basic steps you can take during the cooler months to prepare your property to withstand bushfires later in the year.

• Clear roofs and gutters of leaves, twigs, bark and other debris

• Make sure your property has clear access for fire trucks, if required • Trim low-lying branches and native shrubs growing within 15 metres of your house

• Keep grass short by mowing it regularly • If practical, establish a firebreak around your home

• Prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan and have a Bushfire Survival Kit • Find out if there is a nearby Neighbourhood Safer Place. Suggestions about how to make a Bushfire Survival Plan and where to find your nearest Neighbourhood Safer Place, which is a place of last resort, can be found at: logan.qld.gov.au/ disasters-and-emergencies/preparehome

• Fill in any gaps around windows, door frames and roof eaves with sealant 19

Bright times ahead for Browns Plains High Six years at high school can sometimes seem like eternity. But staff and students at Browns Plains State High School have used their time wisely and have raised the school’s academic results to new heights in that period.

Youth hubz pop up in Crestmead

Last year was special for the growing school with various milestones achieved in NAPLAN performances and interschool competitions. And students are excelling under accelerated learning programs. Student Yao-Hsien Huang has skipped Year 10 and is now in Year 11 after achieving consistently high results in subjects including mathematics. Yao-Hsien, along with fellow Year 9 students Brianna Harris and Zhona Ban, achieved perfect scores across NAPLAN’s numeracy, writing and spelling categories last year. Overall, 99.8 per cent of the Year 9 cohort achieved numeracy scores above the national minimum standard. The school also triumphed in the local Yugumbir Math Challenge—achieving first and second place. They also had two Year 9 teams win the Engineering and Technology and Science categories in a Griffith University STEAM (Sciene Technology Engineering Arts and Maths) competition.

A new trial project targeting the specific needs of young people in Logan is being trialled in Crestmead.

School principal Blair Hanna said the senior class of 2020 had started its high school journey at a transformative time.

The Youth Street Hubz project is a partnership between Council, the Department of Youth Justice and the Logan and Crestmead PCYC.

“There’s been a great deal of strategies developed, implemented and reviewed over time which has resulted in our school now being able to celebrate the growth in our students, in many parts above the Queensland state norm,” he says.

It acts as a one-stop-shop to connect Logan youth with essential support services.

School Mathematics Head of Department Tomasz Dolecki says renewed efforts in vocabulary, weekly learning focusses and attitudes to learning had led to improvements across the board.

The first pop-up Hubz in February at Crestmead Park attracted more than 100 locals.

“Five years ago, we had a very small number of students in a high level of mathematics, nowadays we have probably one of the highest I have seen,” he says.

Youth Justice Program Coordinator Sualauvi Albert Ah Kuoi says the Hubz bring together youth support networks and pro-social activities in a relaxed environment.

The school is also being led this year by a motivated student leadership team, including school captains Paris Pilling and Cooper Doyle. The captains said their focus for the year ahead was to motivate and encourage the school’s younger students to greater participation in sport and arts, as well as academics. (From left) Browns Plains State High School student captain Cooper Doyle, Year 11 student Yao-Hsien Huang, academic vice-captain Liam Duncan, English Head of Department Leticia Dwyer, Mathematics Head of Department Tomasz Dolecki and school captain Paris Pilling

“The purpose of the project is to help break down the barriers in terms of access to youth services,” Albert says. “It is about breaking the stigma of seeking out these services and helping to create opportunities for referral pathways.” The Hubz are open to all Logan residents but services and activities are aimed at youth living in Logan. The service providers offer free assistance in areas including: health and wellbeing, housing, financial support, employment and training. Please check the website below for information and the scheduling of future activities. logan.qld.gov.au/youth-street-hubz

There is no substitute for toilet paper If toilet paper is in short supply don’t be tempted to flush an alternative. Wet wipes, baby wipes, flushable wipes, paper towels and tissues don’t break down easily and may block your sewerage pipes, which could result in a costly plumbing bill. Flushing any of these items could create fatbergs in the sewerage network as well as blocking residential sewerage pipes, as they simply don’t break down easily. If you do need to use an alternative to toilet paper such as tissues, wrap it in plastic and put it in your bin.

Sewage overflows can be extremely damaging to your property and are expensive to repair. Residents are responsible for the costs of any blockages on their property. If you dispose of things the right way, you’ll reduce the risk of damaging your sewerage pipes, Council’s sewerage network and the environment as it could impact our waterways. Council spends around $140,000 every year clearing blocked pipes in the sewerage network.

Laboratory testing shows that only toilet paper breaks down easily in water. (From left) paper towel, flushable wipe, toilet paper and tissue after lengthy agitation

Stay connected with virtual meetings Social distancing and isolation doesn’t mean you need to be alone in today’s connected world. INNOV8 Logan is the city’s official virtual innovation hub. It’s an online meeting place where you can find out what is happening in Logan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Usually it promotes exciting events like meetups and Community Coffee—but for the time being it’s all about sharing information. If you’re feeling isolated why not join our community and connect with entrepreneurs, innovation hubs, coworking spaces, accelerator programs and open data? INNOV8 Logan’s virtual meeting places are listed on our site innov8logan.com.au

We have six social media channels that you are welcome to join. • Meetup: meetup.com/INNOV8Logan/ (Networking) • YouTube: youtube.com/channel/ UC2S68IpKcn3os97TBWyRw9g (Video) • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/ company/13753128 (Business) • Twitter: twitter.com/Innov8Logan (Short posts) • Facebook: facebook.com/ Innov8Logan/ (Community) • Instagram: instagram.com/ innov8logan/ (Youth) INNOV8 meetings will be held online until further notice

Help is on hand for businesses This is a very challenging time for our local businesses, so Council has created an online page where you can find all the links to the best support and resources available: loed.com.au/ connect/coronavirus-support

Specifically for businesses, both the Australian and Queensland governments have committed to a range of support programs for businesses including:

We encourage everyone to stay up to date on this as the situation is changing daily. You are welcome to contact the Logan Office of Economic Development to speak to a business consultant regarding your business circumstances and challenges that you may be experiencing.

• cash flow assistance for employers

Managing this disruption to your business is critical for business survival and there is a range of support mechanisms to help you do this and ensure you are in a better position for a strong recovery.

• delivering support for business investment • 12 month interest-free loans to help retain employees • 50 Queensland mentors ready to provide tailored support with financial mentoring and business planning • payroll tax relief package for affected businesses. We encourage you to contact us at LOED to discuss your individual situation so that we can connect you to the right support and services on 3412 4888 or loed.com. au/connect/coronavirus-support

office of Economic Development

BU SI NES S P R OFILE

Click. Buy. Delivered! Milly Christensen in FLOWERHUB's coldroom from where flowers are dispatched to destinations across eastern Australia

FLOWERHUB is an example of how local businesses are embracing online technologies to expand their reach. Last year, husband and wife founders Milly and Nicki Christensen made the transition from regional flower market to a fully online operation—and business is ‘blooming’. “We wanted to make access to flowers easier, not only for our trade customers such as florists, but to also help the public access single species wholesale bunches,” Nicki says. “What we offer is different to florists in that we also bring the full flower market range and choice via our online platform to customers’ screens in their home or office. “You can browse online and choose bunches of flowers from up to 50 local farms and imports from around the world. “We also have the fastest online flower market delivery service. Flowers that were freshly cut in Toowoomba at 1pm can be delivered to someone’s home in Logan by 7pm. “Our head of product purchasing Nicole, has a catch phrase—‘Get it in. Get it Out.’ It really describes what we do in a nutshell.”

Valentine’s Day was particularly busy with $1 million worth of flowers being processed through FLOWERHUB’s trade section and public flower market, which employs a team of 20 people. “We estimate our flowers were in more than 13,000 deliveries this year,” says Nicki. “The most popular flower was the rose. Year-round the second favourite is dried flowers (they have made a huge comeback since the 90s) lilies, chrysanthemums, carnations, lissianthus and orchids.” Nicki says it took two years from the idea inception to launch FLOWERHUB in July last year. “Being selected as one of the 2018 Westpac Top 200 Businesses of Tomorrow gave us the courage we needed to commit to going online,” he says. “We love being a ‘Start Up’ business, born out of a legacy flower brand.” The legacy brand is Christensen’s Flower Auction, Australia’s first grower agent which began at Rocklea Markets in 1995.

the fruit and vegetable markets, before fate intervened and drew them to Slacks Creek. “We relocated the business when Rocklea Markets flooded in 2011,” says Nicki. “Initially we continued business as an emergency operation out of a vacant butcher shop site at Arndale Shopping Centre, Springwood, using the carparks as order picking bays. “From there we secured our current home—the Southside Flower Market— and we’ve been in Carlyle St (Slacks Creek) since then.” With its online success, FLOWERHUB is opening a cash and carry factory outlet at the Southside Flower Market. Special offer. As a thank you to the people of Logan for embracing FLOWERHUB, a special discount is available to Logan residents. Simply shop online and enter the voucher code LUVLOGAN20 to receive $20 off your purchase. Offer expires 1 May 2020. flowerhub.com.au

Milly and Nicki built their business up as Australia’s first grower agent alongside

office of Economic Development

Playtime is back to nature for our littlies In a modern world, it's easy to get caught up in technology, screens, multi-tasking and busyness. Many dream of tree changes or sea changes; of feeling the sand between our toes, green grass under our feet; or just to live the simple life. And it is often lamented that today's children don't have the freedom of past generations to play in the streets until the sun goes down, or to experience time in the great outdoors. But there is a growing movement towards ‘nature play’, which encourages children to spend time playing without structure outside in natural environments. It's a philosophy several Logan childcare centres have embraced in their daily activities. Families have also flocked to the nature play area at Priestdale's Underwood Park since it opened a year ago. Jimboomba’s Johanna Street Early Learning Centre offers a bush kindy program to children aged 15 months and older on its 11-hectare grounds. Bush Kindy Coordinator Kelly Embelton says children enrolled at the centre get a different learning experience when exploring the bush-like environment. “We have a mixture of bushland and open space which includes plenty of trees, dams, muddy play areas and a flowing creek, as well as an array of local wildlife,” she says. “Children are encouraged to explore and investigate the natural world when visiting our bush kindy area. “They can climb trees or tread through the creek, and as they get older, we start introducing more calculated risks such as cooking over an open fire, and using tools such as potato peelers and knives. “It’s a long-term learning process that raises self-awareness and self-esteem in a fun environment.” At Logan Central and Hillcrest, youngsters who attend the Active Kids Early Learning Centres also get to participate in environmental education programs. “Sustainability and caring for the environment are so socially important today, so we embed this in our learning to ensure our children grow up respecting the world around them,” Centre Director Mellenie Mathieson says. “Our playgrounds and outdoor play spaces are sourced from natural and recycled resources, and this is complemented by nature-based play activities when we are inside.” Nature Play QLD is a not-for-profit organisation that believes children can have a full and healthy childhood through unstructured nature play. “Our mission is to increase the time Queensland kids spend in unstructured play outdoors and in nature,” says Program Manager Angela Wright.

Jah Pollock explores nature at Johanna Street Early Learning Centre

“Research all over the world shows that play is vital for children’s development but opportunities to grow and learn through play are diminishing as more time is spent indoors. “Nature play promotes health benefits, including cognitive, social and emotional development, and it builds resilience and creativity as well.” The organisation recently launched its Digital Doorknock app to encourage families to connect in a neighbourhood setting for outdoor play. “After setting up a secure family profile, you can meet other local families who want to play outside and make arrangements to meet up,” Angela says. “Children should experience the magic of childhood: connecting with their local friends, exercising their imaginations and their bodies, developing social skills and having simple fun.”

KNOW MORE Nature Play QLD has lots of ideas for outdoor experiences on its website, including a list of 15 things to do in the City of Logan. Visit natureplayqld.org.au/nature-playlists or download the ‘Digital Doorknock’ app onto your device to connect with other families who want to play outdoors. 25

Good news for Yarrabilba The sad decline in the popularity of print journalism has seen newspapers close all over the world. Local journalism has been hard hit with several community papers in South-East Queensland either shutting down or going online in recent years. Given this background, it would seem like a bit of a gamble to dip a toe into the world of print media—but not for Kerri Cryer. She has started a news magazine dedicated to Yarrabilba and Logan Village. The Yarrabilba Bulletin is distributed free to 4,000 homes and businesses in the burgeoning area in the south-west of Logan. “I want to try to make a paper that’s relevant to the area,” Kerri says. “One that can highlight different people, different groups and businesses in the region and they’ve got something that they can put on their coffee table. “I’m finding that there’s a place for it, it’s a more tangible thing that people are looking for (rather than online).” The Yarrabilba Bulletin is the second news magazine in Kerri’s publishing portfolio. For just over a year she has been helming the Tamborine Bulletin, another monthly news magazine that formed from the ashes of a popular predecessor, Tamborine Talk. “It was a couple of photocopied sheets that ran for years,” she says. “It was a wonderful source of local information but it was decided not to continue with it. “So a friend and I formed the Tamborine Talk Facebook page and group and from this inspiration I later created the Tamborine Bulletin printed news magazine.” With a team consisting of herself, a sales consultant and an intern they have a big job putting together two 24 to 32-page monthly publications. The master planned community of Yarrabilba could be home to 45,000 residents at the end of its 30-year build.

Yarrabilba Bulletin publisher Kerri Cryer

Springwood restaurateur Tina Ratanavaraha (right), and her family James Sumontri and Mandy Klankaew, celebrate her award with celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge

Thai Orchid Tina earns another lifetime award Popular Springwood restaurant owner Chearanai ‘Tina’ Ratanavaraha has received a national accolade. The owner of The Thai Orchid, which has been serving customers for 33 years, was presented with a Lifetime Achiever Award by the Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of Australia at a gala dinner in Canberra. She was joined at the presentation by her daughter Mandy Klankaew, who manages the family’s restaurant, and Mandy’s son and Tina’s grandson James Sumontri,

The town will include 17,000 residential dwellings, a town centre, neighbourhood hubs, as well as community, education and employment facilities.

TV celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge was a special guest at the awards night.

It will eventually have 11 primary and secondary schools.

The national award follows Tina receiving a Lifetime Achiever Award at the Queensland and Northern Territory Restaurant and Catering Industry Awards for Excellence, as reported in Our Logan last November.

Tina joined esteemed company at the function. Other award winners came from renowned restaurants including Cho Cho San (Sydney), Longrain Melbourne and Matteo’s (Sydney and Melbourne).

Students win academic and sporting bursaries Logan City Council’s Educational and Sporting Bursary Programs awarded 10 deserving Logan students, who graduated Year 12 last year, $5,000 each to assist with the cost of attending university.

Photo 1

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The scholarships are awarded annually and are funded by Logan City Council and local businesses to encourage local students to pursue their academic goals. First-class law graduate and guest speaker Chloe Mo, recounted how the award from her sponsor, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, kick-started her career and led to her first legal role with the company. This year’s recipients and sponsors were: • (Photo 1) Reshinthine Purushothaman— Star Carpentry

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• (Photo 2) Elizabeth Longland—Certified Mowing • (Photo 3) Nam Korng You—Corrs Chambers Westgarth • (Photo 4) Chloe Antill—T2 Electrical • (Photo 5) Amber Senysyn— T2 Electrical and System Air • Georgia McCosker—Doval Constructions Qld • Laldintluang Kilung—LCC • Ni Hoih Lang—LCC • Amy Scales—LCC • Jeremy Tucker—LCC. Photo 5

Chloe Mo

Greenbank RSL veteran celebrates life well lived When you reach 90, you have a lifetime of tales to tell.

prompted his decision to leave Holland at the age of 24.

married so we decided that’s not on the cards, but we are very happy.”

Tony Hamers has just celebrated that milestone but for him, one childhood tale still stands out from the rest.

“I arrived in Australia on a Wednesday, I applied for the job on a Friday, and then I started on a Tuesday,” he says.

Staff at the Greenbank RSL threw Tony a huge birthday bash in celebration of his 90th earlier this year.

It is the story of how he and his father, Lambertus, risked their lives to transport equipment and Allied soldiers to safety during World War II.

Initially living in a Dutch hostel in Teneriffe, the job was at a nearby clothing factory and Tony knew the business well. Johanna found work as a seamstress and together they raised three children.

“We had 150 people and they were really great, they did a wonderful job and it made Tony feel really special,” Willemena says of the effort.

Young Tony just didn’t know he was doing it at the time. “When the planes, the Allied forces, flew over the top some were shot down,” Tony recalls. “We got them before the Germans got hold of them, and hid them somewhere. “I didn’t know but my dad (often) asked me to use a bread cart, pedal it over … to a place and put it in the yard. “What was happening was the blokes were in the bread cart, sometimes two or three … I pedalled them five kilometres or something like that.” At around 12 years old, Tony was a key part of Dutch Resistance efforts in Tilburg, Holland, from 1941. He found out later how others would collect the bread cart from where he had left it and the combined efforts of several people were slowly moving his secretive cargo to its escape in northern France. To this day, Tony doesn’t know exactly who was giving his father instructions. Lambertus passed away after a car accident in 1952, just two years before Tony and his would-be wife, Johanna, emigrated to Australia. His father’s death released him for a time from his own period of national service in the Dutch air force, which he had joined in 1950—although he returned afterwards to complete it. He says familial struggles within his father’s textile business, and the promise of better work elsewhere, 28

In 1996, the couple became members, and regulars, at the Greenbank RSL in Logan.

“We always feel as though we are going home (at the RSL), and it is a second home, we are there so much.” Tony Hamers and his wife Johanna

When Johanna died about six years ago, Tony grew closer to Willemena Leahy, the widow of his close RSL mate, Les. Having emigrated from Holland herself at aged 9, Willemena had always found Tony a welcome companion. “When Les was dying, he sort of asked Tony to look after me and Tony said ‘don’t worry I will’ and then consequently we found two houses were too much to keep,” she says. “So I thought I’ll sell mine and we’ll just move in together. We’re too old to get

Greenbank RSL member Tony Hamers and partner Willemena Leahy

Council operating hours for Easter/Anzac Day holidays Only essential services are currently operating.

Animal Management Centre

Waste

Normal hours of service and availability may alter pending advice from Queensland Heatlh.

Open Thursday 9 April 8.30am to 4.30pm; Saturday, 11 April between 9am and 2pm. Closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and Anzac Day.

• Waste transfer and recycling facilities will be closed at Beenleigh, Carbrook, Greenbank and Logan Village on Good Friday – but will be open for the remainder of the Easter long weekend 7am – 5.30pm

To access Council services online, please refer to the back page.

Closed on the Easter long weekend and Anzac Day.

Immunisation clinics

Bin collections continue as normal.

• The Browns Plains Waste Facility will be open all days 7am to 5.30 pm over Easter including Good Friday • The Recycling Market is closed.

Emergencies • For Council-related emergencies at any time, phone 3412 3412. • All other emergencies call 000 for police, fire and ambulance.

Guide to new cat and dog laws

For more information phone 3412 5397 or go to logan.qld.gov.au/ animallaws

Council's cat and dog keeping local laws recently changed to enable every resident the opportunity to own a pet. The number of cats and dogs you can keep depends on your property size. Unsure what size your property is? Visit: logan.qld.gov.au and click on the My Property app. You can now keep two cats and one dog on properties of 350m2 or less. Previously you needed to apply for an Animal Keeping Approval. Council allows for more animals to be kept on larger properties. If you want to keep more than the allowable number, you can apply for an Animal Keeping Approval. Allowable Number without Council Approval

with Council Approval

Units, Townhouses, Multi-Dwelling Premises including retirement/mature age villages

0 to 350

351 to 500

N/A

501 to 1,000

Property Type/Size (m2)

1,001 to 2,000

Over 2,000

N/A

Foster Carers Can keep more than the allowable number with a Foster Carer Approval. Conditions apply.

N/A

Prescribed Dogs (Such as greyhounds, show dogs, agility dogs and herding/trial dogs). Animal keeping of Prescribed Dogs is subject to conditions of both Council and the relevant recognised association.

N/A

Subject to Council approval and special conditions.

Mother of Millions

Allowable Number without Council Approval

with Council Approval

Units, Townhouses, Multi-Dwelling Premises including retirement/mature age villages

N/A

0 to 350

N/A

351 to 2,000

Over 2,000

N/A

Foster Carers Can keep more than the allowable number with a Foster Carer Approval. Conditions apply.

N/A

Breeding Cats Conditions apply to the keeping of cats for the purpose of breeding. Please seek Council advice prior to lodging an Animal Keeping Approval application.

N/A

Subject to Council approval and special conditions.

Property Type/Size (m2)

What’s hiding in your long grass? Recent rain has seen lawns flourish in some cases to new heights providing a home for mice, rats and snakes. As well as being unsightly, grass growing above 45cm is considered overgrown, which can become a fire hazard and a source of weeds and pest plants, some of which are poisonous. This year be on the lookout for the weed Mother of Millions. Mother of Millions infests grass areas and woodlands. Its name is its trademark as its leaf structure produces ‘millions’ of small plantlets along its edge. You can treat Mother of Millions by removing or using herbicide. It's best to treat weeds before and when they are flowering to prevent new seeds from developing.

Kerbside clean-up & recycling market information 30

Northern Rochedale South (north of Underwood Rd including both sides of Underwood Rd) and Priestdale 20 April 2020 to 1 May 2020. Please note the recycling market will be closed until further notice.

Community grants promote positive messages Last year a nine-week program with a message of hope and resilience in the face of bullying was sponsored by a Logan City Council community grant.

Teachers say students felt more confident, shared their concerns and embraced Fiona and Jamie’s weekly visits.

The program was based on the name and theme of Fiona Ware's book, Charming Charlie and Spectacular Sophia.

If you have a project idea and would like to apply for Council funding please visit logan.qld.gov.au/cpg

Author Fiona Ware and volunteer Jamie Sheppard delivered the program at Woodridge State School.

Woodridge State School—5A students

Our website also includes upcoming information sessions and grantwriting workshops.

It encouraged students to feel joy in their lives and to keep looking forward.

Funding of up to $10,000 is available year-round from our Community Project Grants.

It also included creative activities such as designing posters, drawing, singing, dancing and drumming.

It is suitable for not-for-profit organisations, local schools and social enterprises.

HOW WE RECYCLE Your recycling goes to our Materials Recovery Facility where it is sorted and then sent to be re-manufactured into new materials.

You may see a friendly bin inspector around the streets. Feel free to stop and say hi, or ask about how you can improve your recycling. Recycling Col lection

We need to work hard to ensure that our product is as clean as possible. This means ensuring your recycling is empty and dry and that only recyclable material goes in your bin.

These items cannot be recycled through your yellow-lid bin:

For more information about what’s recyclable: logan.qld.gov.au/wheelie-bins

Online Services Did you know you can access most of our Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services online? We have services available 24/7 so you can:

REPORT IT

APPLY FOR IT

PAY IT

Order wheelie bins, report a barking dog, parking issues or parks maintenance

Apply for a water meter, building approval or residential driveway

Pay your rates, development applications, licences, fines and more!

You can also use our My Property tool to find out more about your property and the local community. To access information and services from the comfort of your own home, please visit the online services section of our website. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find what you are looking for, please call 3412 3412. If you would like to connect with us you can complete our website feedback form at: logan.qld.gov.au/websitefeedback or email us at: council@logan.qld.gov.au