9 minute read
Welcome our new Editor
It is my pleasure to be stepping into the role of editor for The Mary Valley Voice. “ I believe we are all
I am happy to be working for a quality local publication that showcases our talented community, as well as provides valuable advertising space for businesses and organisations. In a world that is increasingly going ‘online’ it feels important to maintain connection and presence in the physical.
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I love a good magazine that I can hold in my hands, sit down with a cuppa and enjoy. I hope our monthly paper brings some joy for you too.
I encourage businesses to put their ads in, not only does it financially support our local community news association, but your ad will be seen by 5000+ readers of the Mary Valley Voice, sending customers who need your services directly to you.
Likewise, if you are a local person or organisation with a story to share, or even a visitor or tourist with something to say, please send us an email and we will do our best to get your words into print.
plants and beyond. ” ~ Samantha Starshine
A BIT ABOUT ME…
I was born in the UK and emigrated to Australia in 2004 as a teenager with my parents and younger brother. We fell in love with the Sunshine Coast and have been based here ever since. In 2010 I started my own family and we have moved in, out and around the Mary Valley area for the last 12 years, settling in beautiful Gheerulla four years ago. In a funny synchronicity we once lived on the property featured right, with my second daughgter born there on the land! My husband is from Africa so we have also lived there and with soul-family in Taiwan. I love multicultural diversity and endeavour to celebrate more of this in our local region. I am especially grateful to live, work and play on Gubbi Gubbi / Kabi Kabi Country. I am nature-loving human of many paradoxes. A high-achieving academic but a hippie at heart. I completed my double degree in Arts & Science with a focus on Sustainability, Sociology and Futures Studies. I am fascinated by the nexus between people and planet, dedicated to living in harmony with mother Earth. I believe we are all interconnected - land, sea, sky, humans, animals, plants and beyond.
My passion and purpose this lifetime is to bridge science and spirituality. I offer sessions in life-coaching and coherence of bodymind-spirit, with the Heartmath biofeedback device and other nifty tools. I’m involved in women’s circles and the Starseed Sisterhood 10-month course for women rising into service for humanity and the planet. I also write articles and books and support people to achieve their book-writing and other dreams.
Before kids I won a scholarship in astrophysics and worked for a summer at the ANU Observatory, but now I am a mother of many and save stargazing mostly for fun or intentional communion with the universe. All of our babies were free-birthed into the bath at home. Some of our children are homeschooling and one loves attending a local primary school. We enjoy exploring the region’s magical nature spaces, gardening and living our best lives.
Whoever you are, whatever your story, I welcome your input into The Mary Valley Voice. Like it says on the cover, we are all about connecting communities, and what a wonderful community to be part of!
Smiles and stardust,
Sam and family xoxo
We LOVE stories from people in our community. Send us your photos and inspiring news to be featured. Or nominate a friend!
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ARE YOU DISASTER READY?
Sign up to council’s Opt-In Disaster Alerts
Better informed is better prepared.
Where you previously had to go looking for disaster information, it now comes to you. You can sign up to the FREE Opt-In Alerts service by visiting council's Disaster Dashboard at disaster.gympie.qld.gov.au. Click on the 'Opt-in Alerts' button and follow the prompts to sign up. You can also scan the QR code to get started today!
Powering our future with sunshine
Council is the first local government in Australia to build, own and operate its own solar farm. The award winning 15 megawatt solar farm, at Valdora, has offset Council’s electricity consumption across all of its facilities and operations since July 2017, including buildings, parks, libraries, aquatic centres, galleries and street lighting. Based on current electricity prices, the solar farm will save an estimated $22 million over 30 years. To see live generation data from the solar farm, visit Council’s website and search for ‘solar farm’.
Top tips for new garden bins
Did you know putting small branches into your bin before grass, prevents the grass sticking to the bottom? For more top tips on how to get the best from your Sunshine Coast household garden organics bins, check out the new video in the recycle right series on Council's website.
CUSTOMER CONTACT
sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/ Contact-Council
Linking the Sunshine Coast
Welcome to the new provider for the Council Link service, Suncoast Cabs. They will be undertaking the same service as previously provided through ComLink. Council Link operates across the region and is an affordable transport service that is available for people aged 60 and over and people with a disability or mobility impairment. To book your service, please call Suncoast Cabs on 5441 8856. For more information, visit Council’s website.
One for the calendar
Watch Council’s next Ordinary Meeting online on Wednesday 25 January at 9am.
Land protected by your levy
Your Environment Levy supports a range of projects, programs and initiatives to protect and enhance our natural assets and helps Council to deliver a healthier environment and more liveable Sunshine Coast. Last financial year, the levy enabled Council to acquire four parcels of environmentally significant land, protecting a further 165ha across the region. Visit Council’s website to learn more.
Get the latest Council news delivered directly to your inbox each week.
Sign up for the OurSC enewsletter here TED O'BRIEN MP
Sporting and Para-sporting Champions
It was great to recently meet another group of local sporting and para-sporting champions. Thirty four (34) young sports stars were recognised in the latest round of Local Sporting Champions and Local Para Champions grants for 12-18 year olds, from diverse sports such as artistic roller skating and sport climbing.
I would particularly like to give a shoutout to: • Phoenix Deans from Burnside – Oceania Championships for artistic roller skating • Mailee Fearon from Obi Obi - Queensland u15 State Hockey Championships • Millan Power from Kiamba - School Sport Australia 2022 for Triathlon
I look forward to following their journey to the 2032 Games!
Sportspeople aged 12-18 can apply for the next round of local sporting champion and local para champion grants at https://www.sportaus.gov.au/.
Planting trees for the Queen’s Jubilee
It was a pleasure to support local community group, Queensland Koala Crusaders in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Members of Queensland Koala Crusaders met in Verrierdale recently with a grant of $5,500 I helped secure to plant 500 koala-specific tree species and improve habitat connectivity in the local area.
This is just one of the seven successful tree planting projects in the electorate, totalling over $77,000 of funding for the region, with the aim of increasing the tree canopy.
For more information, go to www.dcceew.gpv.au and search ‘Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program’.
Happy New Year
A big Happy New Year to Mary Valley Voice readers! If my office or I can help you with any federal or local issue, please ring 5479 2800 or email ted.obrien.mp@aph.gov.au.
CR WINSTON JOHNSTON | DIVISION 5 – SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL
My first column back for 2023 – I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s break with friends and family, I know I certainly enjoyed the quality time.
I would like to thank our critical front-line workers who have continued to keep our region safe over the holiday period.
There is much to look forward to this year, and I am excited to deliver more community and infrastructure projects throughout Division 5 in 2023.
How you can get 2023 off to a winning start.
Did you know that you can put yourself in the running to win up to $1000 off your next rates bill by switching your rates notice delivery mode from traditional post to email?
You can make this simple change through MyCouncil, which is accessible on council’s website. Just register for a MyCouncil account or sign-in to an existing account and change your rates notice delivery method from traditional post to email. By doing this, you’ll help Council save paper, which is great for the environment, and you’ll go into the draw to win up to $1000 off your next rates bill. Stay connected: keep an eye on my Facebook page for the latest Division 5 news and information. Visit www.facebook.com/winstonjohnstondivision5scc
WHERE THERE IS A WILL, THERE’S A WAVE!
Forty-five Sunshine Coast migrant residents took the plunge and came out swimmingly after successfully completing Sunshine Coast Council and Royal Life Saving Society Queensland’s Migrant Learn to Swim and Beach Safe Program over the past seven weeks. For more information please visit Council’s website and search ‘Migrant Learn to Swim’. To be placed on the waiting list for possible future programs, please email healthysc@ sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
