The
May 2020 ISSN 1327-676X
Western Echo Western
Published by: Hot Metal Publications Phone: 3300 1846 - Email: hotmetal@aussiebroadband.com.au Over 15,700 Copies delivered each month to homes, businesses and clubs in the Western Suburbs
Communities Commemorate ANZAC Day
Australian and New Zealand communities commemorated ANZAC Day 2020 as has never been conducted before. No marches, mass services, local gatherings at suburban cenotaphs due to Covid-19. Nevertheless, countless thousands showed their respect to our veterans and their families by gathering along their roadsides at 6am to participate in Light Up the Dawn. Christina Bastaja, Elijah, Craig, Cohen and Anja Moyle made hundreds of poppies in the week leading up to ANZAC Day (photograph by Leonie Tran - Green Mango - Ashgrove West). More photos page 18 & 19
More than just a meal Meals on Wheels delivering to inner North-West Brisbane Hearty, nutritious meals, a friendly chat, and a check-in to make sure everything’s OK. website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
3368 3723 communify.org.au
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 1
ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY ACCOUNTANT
MORTGAGE ADVISOR
R G Goodman Phone: 3289 1700 pg 14
Mortgage Choice Ashgrove Phone: 3463 0500 pg 21
AUTO AIR CONDITIONING Wyatt Automotive Phone: 3300 2077
pg 9
BEAUTY The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy Phone: 3300 1555 pg 32 Intune Beauty Therapy Phone: 3300 9710 pg 13
BUTCHER MeatU@Home Phone: 3161 5021 pg 17
CLUBS/GROUPS Taylor Range Country Club Phone:3366 1560 pg 8
COMMUNITY GARDEN Yooralla Street Community Garden w w w. y s c g . c o m . a u
DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE Communify Phone: 3510 2741
pg 1
ELECTRICIAN S&R Electrical Solutions Phone: 1300 007 737 pg 11
GUITAR TUITION Rob’s Guitar School Phone: 3289
8020
GUTTER VACUUM Big Boys Gutter Vacuum Phone: 0407 737 400 pg 11
HYPNOSIS Brisbane Hypnosis Phone: 3354 4555
pg 13
LAWYERS Hollingworth & Spencer Phone: 3123 5700 pg 14
MASSAGE Bernard Evens Remedial & Sports Phone: 3366 9997
MEDICAL CENTRE Keperra Family Practice Phone: 3351 0323 pg 13
MOWING Good Deal Mowing Phone: 0439 734 142 pg 10
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT Kate Jones Phone: 3554 9100 Julian Simmonds MP Phone: 3378 1599
pg 5 pg 7
Cr. Steven Toomey Phone: 3407 1900 pg 4
PRINTER CARTRIDGES
MUSIC TUITION
Cartridge World Ashgrove Phone: 3366 5111 pg 14
The Gap Piano Studio Phone: 3166 8353 pg 23
REAL ESTATE
PHARMACY
Harcourts Inner West Phone: 3511 0666 pg 11 Trish Holliday - Ray White Phone: 0411 825 808 pg 16
The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy Phone: 3300 1555 pg 32
PLUMBER Pandanus Contractors Phone: 3300 3934 pg 10 Plumbers We Are Phone: 3351 0016 pg 10
SPORTING GROUP Walking Football Phone: 0432 967 829
NOTICE TO READERS
We wish to advise that distribution of the Western Echo can not be legally made to letterboxes displaying ‘Australia Post Only’ ‘Authorised Mail Only’ or ‘No Junk Mail’. For those residents who wish to collect a free copy, we have newstands located at: • Enoggera News - Corner Samford Rd & Wardell St • Stewart Road News Ashgrove • Ashgrove Library • Kate Jones’ State Electorate Office • Cr. Steven Toomey’s Gap Ward Office
Copies are also available at Red Hill APO, Ashgrove APO, The Gap Village, The Friendly Grocer The Gap, Ashgrove Golf Club & Great Western Super Centre Management.
Because of CoVid-19 VOLUNTEER DRIVERS MAY BE NEEDED SHORTLY We are anticipating a need more volunteer drivers. It can be for as little as a few hours each month. We deliver each morning: Monday to Friday, from around 9.30am until noon.
Can you help us? If you are interested, please phone Carolyn on 3366 4299 between the hours of 8.00am and noon.
Ashgrove Meals on Wheels 524 Waterworks Road
Ph 3366 4299
TYRE & MECHANICAL Wyatt Automotive Phone: 3300 2077 pg 6 VETERINARIAN The Gap Veterinary Clinic Phone: 3300 1533 pg 15 WARDROBES Specialized HS Phone:0419 437 470 pg 10
WEIGHT LOSS Winning with Food Phone: 0403 085
640
The Western Echo is produced monthly by
Hot Metal Publications
PO Box 270 The Gap
Ph: 3300 1846
http://www.westernecho.com.au editor@westernecho.com.au
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Deadline for JUNE 2020 5pm Tuesday 19 May 2020
COPYRIGHT: All advertisements appearing in The Western Echo are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the written consent of the owner of the copyright. No guarantee is given to the positioning of the advertisements and the publisher takes no responsibility for errors or omissions or the accuracy of articles published. The Western Echo is delivered, by private letterbox distribution, to 15,700 homes and businesses in: Ashgrove, Ashgrove West, St.Echo Johns May Wood,2020 Dorrington, The2Gap, and selected areas of Bardon, Red Hill, Enoggera, Keperra and Mitchelton The Western Page website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
ANZAC Day Commemoration 2020 - low key in The Gap but very high in Spirit! At the time of writing, ANZAC Day is still ahead of us but you will be reading this sometime after ANZAC Days is past. Those that are placing great store in the Commemoration are wondering how our community will show their respect for our fallen and for those who have so gallantly served our country. Members of The Gap RSL Sub Branch at first were dismayed at the news that The Gap Commemoration had to be cancelled. They were concerned that the community had been gathering in everincreasing numbers at Walton Bridge Memorial Park to honour those service people who have passed on, but this year, were unable to do so. That concern has changed to quiet satisfaction as our community showed a determination to demonstrate that honour and respect in their hearts, in their homes and at the head of their driveways on ANZAC morning. Earlier this year, The Gap Sub Branch were able to celebrate the 96th birthday of the widow of a well-known Australian who fought in a well-known battle as a member of, perhaps, Aus tralia’s mos t loved battalion. That lady is Joy Harvey. The soldier was
Mick Harvey. The battle was the Battle of Kokoda and the battalion was the 39th Battalion. Now, truth be known, Joy and Mick did not meet and marry until after World War 2 finished. Their story, however, encapsulates much of the reason why our Sub Branch and community feel so much for them as a couple and for Joy as a War Widow. Mick, as a young man joined the CMF which became the Militia that fought doggedly to resist the Japanese advances along the Kokoda Track. He transferred to the AIF and returned to the battle. After World War 2, Mick and Joy did what most young people did: married, raised a family, played first class cricket for Victoria and Queensland and umpired test cricket. Mick passed away in 2016. Joy continues to play indoor bowls and cheer on her grand-daughter who represents Queensland at Women’s Cricket. The Gap RSL Sub Branch is proposing to establish a Military History Group. Interested persons may obtain further information by telephoning the Secretary on 0434 555 618 or emailing the Sub Branch at gap_rsl@ bigpond.com
Waterworks Road 2020 - bereft of an ANZAC Day March
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Individual visits to the Walton Bridge Cenotaph in 2020
Inside the May Issue...
ANZAC Day Photographs................................................18 & 19 Art in Bark Association.....................................................11 Ashgrove Forum..........................................................................20 Ashgrove Historical Society...............................................12 Ashgrove/The Gap Lions Club..............................................9 Boomerang Bags The Gap & Surrounds..........................27 Brisbane Tramway Museum..................................................30 Chess T’Minit.......................................................................22 Communify.....................................................................12 Enoggera Historical Society............................................10 Ithaca Probus Club...........................................................24 Mitchelton Garden Club......................................................29 Newmarket Bocce Club...................................................31 Paten Park Native Nursery (PPNN).............................................28 Principal’s Points...................................................................22 Rotary Club of Ashgrove/The Gap..................................16 SOWN (Save Our Waterways Now)...........................................29 State Update - Kate Jones - Member for Ashgrove.....................5 The Gap Historical Society...............................................14 The Gap Neighbourhood Watch.......................................6 The Gap Probus Club.............................................................24 The Gap RSL Sub Branch......................................................3 Unusual Hobbies......................................................................21 Ward Happenings.........................................................................4 Westside Business Heart....................................................25 The Western Echo May 2020 Page 3
WARD HAPPENINGS WITH
Cr Steven Toomey
Councillor for The Gap Ward
Local Government Elections March 2020 – The Gap Ward
I would like to thank the residents of The Gap Ward for your trust and support in me to continue serving our community as your local Councillor. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and I are working to ensure our community is safe and functioning and ready to emerge from this crisis in a strong position. The ward office is open during the week from 9am-5pm and we kindly ask if you do need to visit please adhere to the current social distancing conventions.
Green Happenings in The Gap Ward Brisbane City Council’s Free Native Plants Program offers a range of plants to assist the community to plant and green their properties. Call the ward office to arrange your ‘free tree voucher’. Paten Park Native Nursery in The Gap is our local provider for this program. For more information visit www. brisbane.qld.gov.au/ and search for ‘Free Native Plants program’. Weed Identification Tool If you are in the garden deciding what should stay and what should go, here’s a resource to help you.
Gresham Street Bridge Ashgrove
Steve Toomey at Gresham St Bridge
Gresham Street Bridge is one of the last timber bridges in Brisbane to be replaced. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has announced the construction of a new bridge across Enoggera Creek. To prepare for the bridge replacement Council is undertaking works to relocate the gas main that presently services St Johns Wood via the existing bridge. The new gas main will be installed under Enoggera Creek and Waterworks Road using horizontal boring technology. This project is part of the Lord Mayor’s plan to stimulate the economy and deliver the upgrade of vital infrastructure across our suburbs.
Council has a tool to help identify weeds and provide guides on how to remove them https://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
Western Suburbs Business Support Group
As businesses adjust their services during the coronavirus restrictions, the ‘Western Suburbs Business Support Network’ Facebook Group is a great platform to support small business. If you are a local business who is open and changing your services or a local resident seeking to support local business, join this group!
Smoother Suburban Streets Program – School Road Resurfacing School Road The Gap has recently been resurfaced as part of Council’s program for smoother suburban streets. Our roads are one of our most critical assets, which is why Council continues to prioritise their maintenance. The $1.1million road resurfacing of School Road ensures our city’s transport network continues to deliver a high quality experience for users. If you believe your street needs resurfacing, please do not hesitate to contact me at the ward office so council may undertake your request.
477 Waterworks Rd Ashgrove West, 4060 Phone: 07 3407 1900 Email: thegap.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au Web: StevenToomey.com.au The Western Echo May 2020 Page 4
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
State Update
Kate Jones MP
Member for Cooper
Keeping our Community Safe
Locals Sign Up For Care Army
Thank you to everyone who is doing the right thing and practicing social distancing during this critical time. Because of you Queensland looks to be ahead of the curve and while we are not out of the woods yet, our early actions have saved lives. National Cabinet has agreed that social restriction will last until at least the end of May as lifting these protective measures too quickly could put us all at risk, especially our seniors. Remember to wash your hands regularly, limit public gatherings to two people and have no more than two people around to your house who don’t normally As you can see the early action and live there. your great work has avoided an
More than 550 locals are among the 27,000 volunteers who have already signed up to help in the Care Army. Thank you to everyone who has put up their hand to help including the hundreds of young people, some of who are volunteering for the first time. Now our focus is shifting to ensure every senior who needs help is connected with either their family or a volunteer. I am calling as many seniors in our local community as I can but if you need help, or you know someone who does, please contact the Care Army helpline on 1800 173 349 (Free Call) or my office on 3554 9100. Help can mean something as little as a regular check in, collecting groceries or helping out with the gardening. It’s important that we all do our bit to help protect those most vulnerable in our community.
ANZAC Day
Small Business Owners have been some of the hardest hit during the COVID19 pandemic. That’s why the Queensland Government has actioned an economic support package to complement the Federal Government measures to help us all get through this difficult time and to rebuild. This includes: $300 million for direct cost-of-living relief including water and electricity $2.5 billion for payroll tax reductions and assistance to scale up after the crisis Program to connect unemployed workers with job sectors facing shortages Jobs Support Loan facility that will help to keep Queenslanders in work $400 million in land tax relief to support property owners and their tenants Targeted housing and homelessness plan to help those most vulnerable We are also rapidly expanding our health system’s capacity with an extra $1.2 billion for fever clinics, emergency departments and acute care services. This pandemic is causing economic and social challenges all over the world and while it will be some time yet before we are back to normal, we can all help each other get through.
exponential increase in cases.
Anzac Day has been growing every year in our community and while I certainly missed attending the services this year, that doesn’t mean we couldn’t pay our respects. Thank you to everyone who took a moment across the day to think about the sacrifices our servicemen and women have made for us. It was great to see many people up at dawn, standing in their driveways.
I missed attending ANZAC services this year but we will get back to this soon
Business Support During COVID19
Shop 2/230 Waterworks Road, Ashgrove Q 4060 t 3554 9100 e cooper@parliament.qld.gov.au f www.facebook.com/katejonesqld
Kate Jones - a local you can trust website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 5
Neighbourhood Watch The Gap 4061 It’s been a challenging time in so many ways but the 4061 community has pulled together in an outstanding way, particularly in the weeks leading up to ANZAC Day. Though physically we’ve not been more isolated, neighbours and our larger community have been supporting each other and are building ties that will last far longer than the virus which has caused this isolation. Throughout this time we marked a significant day in ANZAC Day 2020. We asked a neighbour and Gap local to share his experience of ANZAC Day this year. “ANZAC Day can be a difficult time for veterans. I had been “home” from Vietnam 23 years before I could face being part of public ceremonies. I have marched in the city most years since then, drawing strength from the support of crowds along the route, remembering those we lost. This year that all changed. There were no crowds as we quietly stood at our own driveways. I had not seen all the residents of our street come together before, but this year they did, to remember the fallen on this ANZAC Day 2020. Family groups with candles quietly
emerged one by one, with the faint sound of The Last Post drifting across from a nearby street. The early morning song of butcher birds blended with the notes of the bugle and it struck me how quintessentially Australian this was; neighbours, at home under gum trees, observing Australia’s most sacred day. When the New Zealand national anthem reminded us of the NZ half of ANZAC, I thought of our immediate neighbour and said quietly, “Onya Polly”. The sense of collective belonging in our street was perhaps changed in those few minutes, forever. For me it was particularly special because the day was remembered not with crowds, but alongside my neighbours, in my street, where I live. And I thought yes, I am home.” David Earley The power of community is a power we cannot underestimate. Neighbours standing silently distanced at the ends of their own driveways has led to unspoken connections, many that up until now may not have existed across our suburb. It’s important to have something positive to look forward to, so though our time remaining in isolation is uncertain we’d love to encourage The Gap
Jo Ingram's children commemorating ANZAC Day 2020
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 6
Nancy and David Earley
community to start now to plan a post Covid 19 Street Party by making a pledge. A pledge that when we are given the ok to “go safely back to normal’ without social distancing, The Gap
4061 neighbours will come together in our streets again. Visit www.nhwq4061. com and click the link to 4061 Street Party Pledge to sign up your street.
Your Suburb, Your Home, Your Family, Your Community 4061 www.fb.com/neighbourhoodwatchthegap neighbourhoodwatchthegap@yahoo.com.au www.nhwq4061.com
Support local businesses Over the last 25 years The Western Echo has brought you information about local clubs, organisations, businesses and services yet in all those years there has never been a situation which has had the potential to change the way we live and operate. The Covid-19 pandemic is hitting everyone across the world in ways we never would have imagined possible. Our local businesses are taking a massive blow and with that in mind, we should all take stock and do what we can, when we can. It is now, more than ever before, that our local businesses need and deserve your whole-hearted support. If you can source a product or service locally, please endeavour to support a local business - they support and nourish our community in ways we can't appreciate, until they are no longer there to do so. So please, think local, shop local and support local. With the proposed relaxation of social distancing and movement regulations potentially taking place from 2 May, it is an opportunity to support those local businesses which can now open and provide valued products and services. Please keep ssafe however and maintain social distancing guidelines to ensure the spread of Covid-19 is kept at bay.
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
KNOW THE FACTS
COVID-19
“As a community, we are rising to the challenge of tackling COVID-19. It’s an anxious time but what is important is that we support each other and act on the latest advice. The Morrison Government is offering unprecedented support and you can access it through the websites below. Together, our sacrifices are ensuring we protect public health and safeguard our economy. I encourage you to contact me directly for assistance or the latest information. You can also stay up to date by following my facebook where I post the latest information and announcements. Stay well,”
Julian
Health.gov.au
Australia.gov.au
For the most current health advice
For all current announcements
Treasury.gov.au Servicesaustralia.gov.au For information on our Economic Response
For help accessing support payments
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT ME ON THE DETAILS BELOW
Julian SIMMONDS MP Federal Member for Ryan
07 3378 1599
Julian.Simmonds.MP@aph.gov.au facebook.com/JulianSimmondsMP
Authorised by J. Simmonds MP, 636 Moggill Rd Chapel Hill, QLD 4069.
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 7
Making the Most of Downtime! Usually this time of year Taylor Range Club would be a hive of activity, with families enjoying the Autumn sunshine. C h i l d r e n ’s b i r t h d a y parties in the function hall and barbecue areas, lap swimming, social squash and games of tennis typifying the activities at this Club. However this year, as we all know, has been like no other. “It’s very surreal coming in to the Club at the moment and being greeted only by a few Bush Turkeys scratching around or Water Dragons sunning themselves next to the covered pools”, said Club Manager Mike Wilson. Taylor Range Club though is using this ‘downtime’ to ensure that it comes out stronger on the other side by bringing forward its Winter Program of Works.
“With the assistance of the Job Keeper scheme we have been able to keep almost all of our employees working at the Club. They’ve left their smart Club polo shirts hanging up at home for now and instead are getting stuck into painting, varnishing, water-blasting, gardening and cleaning jobs around the venue”, added Mike. “I can’t speak highly enough of our team of staff here at the Club. One day they’re all given the bad news that they no longer have a job as the Club has had to close, and the next day they all agree to switch from predominantly administration rolls to getting their hands dirty doing all manner of work that is asked of them”. Whenever Taylor Range Club gets the ‘green light’ to open its doors again you can be sure that it will be more than ready and looking better than ever.
“All the staff, directors and members of this great facility are being incredibly supportive and are looking forward to being able to gettogether for a big re-opening day”, said Mike.
The Club will also have memberships available for new families and individuals who will be feeling the need to enjoy the best things in life once again when the opportunity arises.
Quote of the Day Looking forward to getting back to normality
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 8
We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon. Franklin D. Roosevelt website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
A small part of a very big picture One of the things that have been brought to the fore during the current coronavirus pandemic is how much the world is interrelated. What happens anywhere in the world has the ability to affect even the most isolated of countries. Living in Australia it is easy to forget that we are part of a large and very diverse global family. Likewise it is easy to forget that Ashgrove/The Gap Lions Club is just one of over 47000 Lions Clubsthat exist in over 200 countries worldwide. All of these clubs are managed and supported by Lions Clubs International that is based in Chicago and has been in existence since 1920, just three years after the inaugural Lions club was started by Melvin Jones. The first club to be opened in Australia was in Lismore in 1947. There are now more than 1200 Lions clubs throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea.
A s t h e o rg a n i s a t i o n grew it became necessary to separate the administration of the organisation (which is wholly funded by club membership) from the fundraising side and in 1968 the Lions Club International Foundation was initiated. This is run throughout the world by volunteers to ensure that all monies raised go directly to those in need. Hence when Ashgrove/The Gap Lions club “rattle tins” to raise money for such things as the recent bushfires or floods the money is sent directly to the Australian branch of the Foundation for distribution. This ensures that the money goes to where it is needed the most via the Lions club in that particular area. Due to the restrictions that have been placed on us here in Queensland, Ashgrove/ The Gap Lions club is unable to hold meetings or get out into our community to raise funds at the moment.
However that is not to say that we are not still actively involved in helping to give our support to others. Our board, through the use of modern technology, is still able to hold its meetings from the safety of individual homes and part of the discussion at the latest meeting was the dividing up of the monies we had collected during the year to various organisations within our local community.
We are confident that this devastating virus will be contained and life will return to normal. Hopefully this will see the resumption of Ashgrove/ The Gap Lions club’s activities around the local area. Until that time, if you wish to make a donation or would like more information about Lions clubs, be it locally or internationally, please visit our websites or Facebook pages.
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website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 9
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Enoggera & Districts Historical Society Inc. Helping the Local Community Discover its History!
Boardgame nostalgia
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Proudly Supporting our Local Community
With current COVID-19 restrictions in place, and the community needing to stay indoors much of the time, who else out there is reaching for a good old-fashioned boardgame to play with the family to while away the hours? And in the process bring back some lovely memories of years gone by! There’s a few well-known staples we all know and love, and indeed grew up with – such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Cluedo. But who out there also remembers Risk, Squatter, The Game of Life, Pay Day or Poleconomy? (being played below) What about Rum Rebellion, Test match, Scotland Yard, Lose Your Shirt, Buccaneers or Park and Shop? The Enoggera and Districts Historical Society would love to hear people’s memories of playing boardgames indoors from years gone by. Visit our Facebook page and post a photo of a game (if you still have it!) and write a comment about what made the experience so special. And remember, while the Society has had to postpone a number of activities for the foreseeable future, you can still stay in touch by emailing enoggerahistory@gmail.com or visiting our website www.enoggerahistory.org Take care, everyone. Andrew McMicking - President
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Lawn mowing - Ride on mowing Hedge Trimming - Tree & Shrub Pruning Tree Removal - Regular Garden Maintenance Rubbish Removal - Weeding & Mulching and Garden clean ups. The Western Echo May 2020 Page 10
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
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It is great to see our community keeping in high spirits and attracting as much assistance as possible to our local businesses here in The Gap at this time. It really is a time to consider buying local and supporting local as we all work together to support our neighbours and their businesses. We wanted to let you all know that Carmen Briggs Real Estate at Harcourts Solutions is OPEN FOR BUSINESS albeit within the boundaries that have been put in place to keep us all healthy! During this time many residents of The Gap, Ashgrove and Bardon have wanted to learn the updated market value of their property and Carmen is making this easy for each of you. All you need to do text Carmen on 0418 742 511 your full name and property address and she will get back to you with further details. Whilst our lives have changed (quite significantly for many) at the moment, this time does provide a great opportunity to think about what next. Carmen has been helping families for over 15 years create dreams and memories and makes buying and selling easy and stress free!
Art in Bark Assoc. Art in Bark Association have cancelled their workshops at City Hall 50+ in the basement until further notice. • Closed workshops at Skylarkers at Inala till further notice. • Nundah has closed till further notice. The Ipswich Show has been cancelled for their annual event in May.The Brisbane Royal National Show the ‘Ekka’ have cancelled their show for this August For more info Joy M. 0407 178 064 – Barbara 3271 2130 – Hazel M. 0408 157 117 website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Are your GUTTERS ready for the storm season? Don’t risk your safety by climbing on your roof!
Call Maurie on 0407
737 400
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 11
Ashgrove Historical Society The society’s meetings at the Ashgrove Library on the first Saturday of the month are in recess during the coronavirus pandemic. However, social distancing restrictions and self-isolation provides extended spare time to research topics of personal interest including the history behind street names. The following information appeared in the Society’s newsletter last year. As ANZAC Day has recently
been commemorated, it seems an appropriate time to draw readers’ attention to the Streets of Remembrance. In 2015, Brisbane City Council launched the Streets of Remembrance project to commemorate the centenary of World War One and honour the spirit of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). From 2015-2018, Council placed the Australian Defence Force Rising Sun badge and
the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) badge on streets which share the same names as people, places or events of historical significance to the ANZAC campaign 1915-1918. Due to the project’s success, Council expanded the focus in 2019 to honour Australian armed forces across all wars and campaigns. To d a t e , 7 4 8 s i g n s recognising 154 street names at 223 locations * across
Brisbane have received special commemorative badges based on links to Australian forces. Visit the Streets of Remembrance website for further information. *Information from BCC Streets of Remembrance website 20.04.2020.
Streets of Remembrance in Ashgrove
Corbie Corbie is a small town 15 kilometres east of Amiens on the Somme where the ANZACs fought the German advance, which was halted at Villers-Bretonneux. On 21 April 1918, combined Australian and Canadian gunfire brought down the famous German fighter the ‘Red Baron’ a few hundred metres north of Corbie. Foch French military officer, Ferdinand Foch, became Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in the final months of the First World War and is credited as the leader most responsible for the Allied victory. Glasgow Sir Thomas William (Bill) Glasgow (1876-1955) served in the South African War in the Queensland Mounted Infantry and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. When World War One broke out, Glasgow
joined the Australian Imperial Force and was appointed Major in the 2nd Light Horse Regiment. His regiment landed at Gallipoli where Glasgow’s heroism earned him command of the regiment. On the Western Front, Glasgow led the 13th Infantry Brigade through the famous battles at Pozières, Messines, Passchendaele, Mouquet Farm and Dernancourt. Haig Field Marshall Douglas Haig (18611928) commanded the 1st Army Corps of the British Expeditionary Force serving under General French in 1914. Firstly known for the Somme Offensive in 1916, he is credited with masterminding the campaign at Passchendaele in 1917 and overseeing the successful Allied advances on the Western Front in 1918. Joffre Marshal Joseph Jacques
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 12
Cesaire Joffre (1852-1931) was a French General who served as Commander-inChief of French forces on the Western Front from the start of World War One until the end of 1916. ‘Papa Joffre’s’ calmness and refusal to admit defeat saw him credited with regrouping the retreating allied armies, leading to defeating the Germans at the First Battle of the Marne in 1914. Romani Romani is an Egyptian town where a decisive battle was fought to maintain Allied control of the Suez Canal. Somme The Somme is the site of the costliest battles in the history of the British Army. The name became synonymous with slaughter, with a total of over 620,000
British Commonwealth and French casualties and an estimated 500,000 German casualties between July and November 1916. Vaux Fort Vaux is a French fort built in the 1880s but captured by the Germans in the Battle of Verdun in 1916. The defence of Fort Vaux was marked by the heroism and endurance of the garrison, including commander Major Sylvain-Eugene Raynal. After bombings earlier in the year, the fort had no artillery. The besieged French garrison repulsed German assaults, fighting inside the galleries with grenades, guns and bayonets. The last remaining men surrendered after three days without water (some of which was poisoned) and running out of ammunition, medical supplies and food.
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Meals on Wheels: More than just food delivery
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Communify's Meals On Wheels - delivered each week day
For more than 40 years Communify, and The Paddington District Meals on Wheels Branch before that, has been delivering hearty, nutritious meals to local residents in inner North-West Brisbane. A choice of fresh or frozen meals are delivered each weekday by Communify staff, who can also assist to prepare meals in your home. The service is increasingly busy due to people visiting the shops less often. Communify CEO, Karen Dare, said the service is more than just meal delivery. “It’s not only nutritious meals delivered to your door, it’s also a friendly chat and a check-in to make sure everything is OK,” Ms Dare said. “Many people are isolated and finding it difficult to access food, so a reliable food service like Meals on Wheels can really help,” she said. “It’s also reassuring to have someone check-in on relatives who aren’t having many visitors.” Communify staff are following strict hygiene and social distancing procedures to ensure the health and safety of its community members. “We have strict procedures in place. Our staff are trained to undertake correct hand washing procedures, not work if they are unwell in any way, and call ahead to screen their in-home visits and identify whether clients may be unwell,“ Ms Dare said. To find out more, call Communify’s Meals on Wheels team on 3368 3723 or visit communify.org.au/meals-on-wheels. Communify continues to provide other in-home services, such as domestic support, in-home personal care and nursing services, and door-to-door transport. Visit communify.org. au for more information, or give them a call on 3510 2700. website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Our team of doctors and health professionals provide you with ongoing and comprehensive medical care.
Childhood Immunisation now available • Same day appointment guaranteed • Open 7 days • Online bookings on our website • Bulk billing for children & concession card holders
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Keperra Phone: 3351 0323
www.keperrafamilypractice.com.au
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The Western Echo May 2020 Page 13
The Gap Historical Society Inc. Est. 2000 ACCOUNTANTS - TAX AGENTS on 32 Main St, Samford (next to Farmers Hall)
T 07 3289 1700 F 07 3289 2110 E reception@rgoodman.com.au
Cartridge World Ashgrove
WE ARE STILL OPEN & TAKING ORDERS. Order Online, Phone or Email for safe collection or delivery. 139 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove
Ph: 07 3366 5111
ashgrove@cartridgeworld.com.au CARTRIDGEWORLD.COM.AU
Hollingworth &L Spencer W E
In recent weeks we have all been learning to lead our day to day lives very differently as we try to play our parts in helping to keep our community safe from the Covid 19 Pandemic. One of the challenging issues is our reduced contact with family and friends. However, we are not the first residents of our district to deal with the heartbreaking results of a pandemic. Robert Proctor, the first child of soldier settler Mark Proctor and his wife Agnes, died in December 1920 as a result of the Spanish Flu pandemic. At the time Agnes, a war bride from England, had lived in Australia for less than two years and was only twenty- one years old. In the years that followed, Agnes had eight more children and was a person other war brides and young mothers could rely upon for support. Being socially isolated was the way of life for our early settlers particularly the women. By 1911 there were only 67 residents scattered around the district and even after Soldier Settlement the population only grew to139 by 1921. To visit other settlers meant walking, often accompanied by small children and a baby. With much work to do at home and on the farms, few roads and farms scattered across the district, it was not east to have company. The main meeting place for our early residents was at church. Before the Primitive Methodist Church was built where The Gap Uniting Church now stands, services were held in private homes. Henry Howard Payne, after whom Payne Rd is named, and James Beeston from further along Payne Rd both made their homes available. James Beeston and his brother, Joseph, built The Primitive Methodist Church in1873 on land donated by Moses Adsett. After the Soldier Settlement was established, the Church of England commenced services in a hut on ¼ acre of leased land at now 107 Settlement, just north of the Kaloma Rd. junction with Settlement Dr. This hut was later moved to Waterworks Rd where Illowra St. was later constructed. To make way for Illowra St., the hut was moved again to where the St. Mark’s hall now stands. Despite many uncertainties and hardships, just one of which was social isolation, many of our pioneers persevered, found a way foreward and raised their families. Perhaps we can take inspiration from them as we face these uncertain times.
ills and states awyers The Gap Professional Centre, 6/23 Glenaffric Street, The Gap
Our Wills & Estates team has expertise in:
• Advice on Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney & Advance Health Directives • Advice on Testamentary Trust • Estate Administration & Family Provision Claims Contact Adam Robinson or Sue Hobbs
Phone: (07) 3123 5700 www.hslawyers.com.au
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 14
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease Have you observed your cat regularly urinating outside of the litter tray, or crying out in pain when urinating? Have you seen blood in your cat’s urine, or noticed them straining to urinate a small amount? Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is one of the most common reasons for cats to present to a veterinary clinic! FLUTD describes a variety of conditions that affect the bladder and urethra in cats. There are many different diseases that may lead to FLUTD signs in cats. These include bladder stones, bacterial infection, blockage of the urethra, trauma, neurological disorders, or cancer. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough work-up, which may include analysis or bacterial culture of urine, blood tests, and/or imaging. In more than half of FLUTD cases, however, no underlying disease can be found. These patients have a condition called feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), which means bladder inflammation of unknown cause. Although all cats can develop FIC, the typical cat is between two and six years of age, overweight, predominantly housed indoors, and from a multi-cat household. Disease often occurs after a recent stressful event, such as a new animal, recent move, or change in routine. FIC will usually resolve by itself within a few days. However, it can lead to serious side effects, including potentially life-threatening urethral blockage. FIC is also painful, so pain relief medication is often required. Prevention of future episodes of disease is a key part of treatment! This may include environmental modification, providing more litter trays, removal of stressors from the environment, dietary change, increased exercise, and use of anti-anxiety aids. If your cat is straining, passing small amounts, over-grooming around the genitals, crying out, or has blood in the urine, contact your local veterinarian for a check-up!
Warm regards, Scott, Connie and the team
Services we offer :•Veterinary treatments, surgery and hospitalisation • Small animal Dentistry • Veterinary diagnostic pathology and radiology • Sales of Pet products, food and accessories • PennHIP scheme accreditation • Cat Boarding • Loads of friendly advice!
www.thegapvet.com.au
www.facebook.com/thegapvet
VETERINARY SURGERY 1104 Waterworks Road The Gap 4061 website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 15
Rotary Spirit Will Live On Despite Covid 19 Corona virus pandemic is having far reaching impact on all of us. But the Rotary spirit will live on regardless of its immediate effects. For Rotarians not being able to carry on with their usual ‘hands-on’ projects, as we have had to cancel our usual activities, has been heart-breaking. Our regular activities, such as the sale of our Easter Raffles tickets had to curtailed after just two weeks of operation because of the social distancing requirements or to keep over 60’s members safe. Bunnings BBQ fund raising activity was cancelled. Our regular weekly Club meetings had to be cancelled. Most devastating decision we had to make was to cancel the 2020 Carols at the Park event. As many know, for a successful Carols at the Park around Xmas, Rotary starts planning and implementing key tasks from as early as March / April each year. This year, the Board regrettably concluded that many of these tasks could not be completed in time, considering corona
virus risks and the ongoing g o v e r n m e n t ’s s o c i a l distancing requirements. The Board hopes that this much valued and anticipated flagship project can be resumed the following year/s. We hope, at this stage, other flagship projects, such as Santa Sleigh, and the Citizenship Ceremony can continue; they are more than six months away and many of the tasks do not require much public interaction at this stage, and/or can be completed remotely. What happens with our various Youth projects, such as Rotary Junior Community Award, GRIPPS, and Interact Club activities, may depend on when the schools go back to normality. SolarBuddy Lights for the Solomon Islands project involving children in The Gap and in the Solomon Islands has been put on hold due to corona virus pandemic in Australia, and the devastating impacts of cyclone Harrold in the Solomon Islands. Despite all this not so positive news, COVID
pandemic cannot break our spirit. Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike,are trying their best to remain positive and connected with friends and families. Many are demonstrating a high degree of resilience, creating ways of staying in touch, at least emotionally if not physically. Through phone calls, Messenger, Whatsapp or Facetime connections, we are trying to stay in touch, ‘see’ and talk with our friends and loved ones. People are learning to use new digital platforms to connect with family and friends. ZOOM has also come to our Club’s rescue as all, but one member attended our virtual Board Meeting; one member did not want to connect due to concerns about cyber security. Above all, the COVID 19 lockdown has not stopped Rotarians doing what they do best, community service. Some are actively reaching out to their elderly neighbours, checking on them, picking their grocery or medicines. Some have signed up for Queensland’s Care Army to help out in the wider community. Our Club has made additional financial donations this year to community groups assisting homeless and victims of domestic violence, which have seen increased numbers due to the effects of COVID. RATG in partnership with the Star Discount Pharmacy in the Gap have started collection of personal toiletries for the
homeless people served by 3rd SPACE, a community organisation that operate in the Fortitude Valley. Some members are helping other community groups, such as the Rotary Club of Brisbane River City’s ‘Community Kitchen’, feeding the many homeless and other people in need. Rotarians, too, did what many did throughout Australia. Go out in their driveways, join their neighbours with candles in hand to observe a minutes silence to mark ANZAC, with the backdrop of different renditions of Last Post playing over the hills mixed with the singing, screeching and laughter of birds announcing the new dawn. So even if COVID has had affected our daily lives recently it has not dampened our spirit of fellowship. If anything, COVID has underscored for each and everyone of us what is important in life, friends, family and fellowship, and above all service above all, the Rotary philosophy.
Looking for advice in the current market?
Trish Holliday 0411 825 808 The Western Echo May 2020 Page 16
"I am a long term resident of The Gap and have been working in the Property Industry for 18 years. I have a deep understanding of The Gap market and would love to support you through your property sale. At Ray White The Gap we work as a team to provide you with the best possible outcome and experience. If you're looking for an agent totally committed to your best interests, ring me anytime.''
trish.holliday@raywhite.com
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
The Rev to Become a Reserve Army Chaplain It has been quite a while since I have written for The Western Echo but I have exciting news to share! On the 24 of April, the day before ANZAC day I was successful in my application to become a Reserve Army Chaplain. One of the highlights of serving The Gap was taking part in our ANZAC services, to see so many of you remember the sacrifices of both past and present defence force personal. I have always wanted to support our soldiers and now I have been given this privilege and responsibility. Over the last five years I have been serving the Australian Army Cadets as a chaplain. This is a fantastic youth development program supported by the Army. I encourage any high school student to look into joining cadets for a fantastic military like experience where you will be challenged, equipped and given leadership experience. May you all continue to be a close-knit and supportive community. Your friend https://www.armycadets.gov.au/ (The Rev) Chris Perona
THE SEASONS ARE CHANGING And so are meal choices as we are now starting to think of those delicious colder weather dishes that we love to serve over the cooler months. As always, we have a multitude of fabulous cuts for you to create that favourite family meal or for you to try something completely new and exciting! Whether you are cooking with a Slow Cooker, Pressure Cooker, BBQ, Weber, Oven or Stovetop, we have a cut that will suit your needs. From Lamb Shoulder, Lamb Shanks, Lamb Osso Bucco, through to Ox Tail, Beef Cheek, Beef Osso Bucco and everything Pork, Chicken and Goat in between we’ve got you covered for that fabulous result! Talk to any of the team for suggestions if you’d like some ideas or just let us know exactly what you need and we’ll source it for you.
Just 20 mins in the oven and these lines are ready to serve with your favourite accompaniment or even as a great small meal or snack just on their own Choose from many varieties in beef, chicken, lamb or pork to find something to suit the whole family. We also have our great selection of home READY TO BAKE made pies, quiche, lasagne, meatballs Did you know MU@H also offers a wonderful and returning soon, soups and risottos. assortment of Ready To Bake lines for you to simply (A little birdie also told me that in the heat and eat? coming weeks you will be able to order your fully cooked roast meal - including baked veggies and gravy - to collect on your way home and take straight to the table!! But don’t tell anyone, it’s a secret that will be shared as soon as it begins...) Well we trust everybody has had a wonderful Easter and Holidays and are now all settled back into a new term and are preparing for the colder months ahead. Until we next Meat U, Take care, stay well and eat healthy!
The Gap Village Shopping Centre, 1000 Waterworks Road, The Gap website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Ph: 3161 5021 The Western Echo May 2020 Page 17
Miriam Whaley Craig Moyle with his children Anja, Elijah and Cohen making the poppies which formed the tribute at their footpath in Koorong Street The Gap
Jeremy and Suzanne Whaley
Hilder Road State School Captain Holly Garrity
Sacha Kirk and her son and daughter - The Gap
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 18
Cr. Steven Toomey - Ashgrove
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
ANZAC Day 2020 - Light Up the Dawn
Paul Kucharski - Madeira & Pindari Street The Gap
Ashgrove Ambulance Stattion's Jordan Grice Madeline Atkinson and Chris Godden - photo by Andy Speakman Jane Lyrstedt - The Gap
Andy Andrews - The Gap
Woodbine and Penley Streets The Gap residents: Andy Andrews, John and Ann Burke, Merle Jones, Andrew and Kathryn Ash
Ashgrove War Memorial
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Ainsley Kruse
Driveway in Bellerose Street by DRAPL
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 19
UNUSUAL HOBBIES - MATCHWORK by Don Willsher (Brisbane Tramway Museum)
The Corvid-19 virus has impacted on many of our lives - and liberty - which has seen us house bound to help stop the spread of the virus. Many of us are taking up new hobbies and activities to keep mind, hands and brains active. Puzzles are becoming popular, board games are being dusted off and long forgotten crafts and pasttimes are seeing a resurgence. One such craft is the art of Matchwork. When my mother died when I was very young, we had a housekeeper whose husband made coffee tables with match designs as the top. Many years later, when I was laid up with a carbuncle for a couple of weeks, and looking for something to do, I remembered the match work and made a tray. That was in the early 1960’s. Since then I estimate that I have made more than 40 coffee tables or trays, and more recently, I have turned to pictures and clocks and I have even replicated a wedding photo. By invitation, I have exhibited my work at Working With Wood shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra in 2014 and 2015. My wife and I spent nearly 14 years full time in a caravan travelling and this was an ideal hobby for those times as it requires no workshop— simply a folding table, some matches, some scraper blades and some glue!! I only use Redheads (earlier on it was Bryant & Mays matches actually made in Australia) and for
Major Matchwork piece - Donnsville
a time, Woolworths Home Brand Matches. Home Brand matches were made in Indonesia from a brown timber and were thus good for obtaining contrast without having to stain the matches as seen in this chessboard.
Intricate use of 'spent' matches in this clockface
Two of the major works were made during the years we were travelling - the village of Donnsville - shown above and a picture of a wolf. More on these in later editions. To anyone interested in getting started in this hobby, I suggest keep-ing to simple designs until you develop your skills and techniques. Geometric designs are easiest as you only have to worry about straight lines and edges—no curves etc!. Another tip is to make sure you do NOT use too much glue and don’t try to set too many matches at one time— they will move!! For the jobs I do, I have to cut off the head of each match unless I want that black head to highlight some-thing in the design eg, the minutes on the clockface above. If any readers are interested in taking up this hobby, please contact me at: deejjay36w@gmail.com
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 20
ASHGROVE
In the hearts & homes of Australians for more than 60 years
We currently have vacancies for our home delivery meal service. If you, or someone you know, is now unable to leave home because of Covid-19, we can assist.
Do you need our help?
If you need more information, please phone Carolyn on 3366 4299 between the hours of 8.00am and noon. Ashgrove Meals on Wheels 524 Waterworks Road
Ph 3366 4299
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Ashgrove The April meeting of Ashgrove Forum Club was quite subdued. Since then, the lockdown due to COVID-19 has prevented meetings in person, so the April meeting was just an informal get together held via the Zoom platform. Sadly, one of our members could not join us, as she had a son in ICU who is very ill with coronavirus. We are all praying for his recovery. Many other Forum Clubs are now holding their meetings using Zoom. The Palm Beach/Currumbin Club invited Ashgrove members to join them for their April Meeting via Zoom, and several of our members took the opportunity to listen to entertaining speeches on the Wow Factor and a Communication Tutorial. It is true that when one door closes, another opens. The next meeting of Ashgrove Forum will be held via the Zoom platform on at 6.30pm on 20 May. It will be in the form of a Hypothetical on the following proposition: “In order to combat obesity, the height and weight of shoppers to grocery stores are to be recorded automatically, and stores instructed not to sell fattening food to overweight customers”. This should provide much “food for thought” and be most entertaining Anyone wishing to “sit in” as an observer should ring Pat Pepper on 0458 696 267 by Monday 18 May to get an email invitation to the Ashgrove Forum Zoom meeting. For anyone interested in joining Ashgrove Forum or attending a future meeting as a visitor to observe proceedings when the coronavirus crisis come to an end, please ring Pat Pepper on 0458 696 267. www.beconfident.org.au
We are here to help We can give you advice by email, telephone or video chat. Contact Stuart or Gary today.
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website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 21
.....Principal's Points.......Principal's Points...... St Peter Chanel School Whilst the world is quite a different place since I last reflected with the local community, in many ways it’s still the same. Importantly, great learning and teaching continues at St Peter Chanel School! In the final weeks of Term 1, we sensed that learning would be different in Term 2. Teachers, in year level teams, were provided with release time to commence planning for alternative education arrangements for Term 2, developing local learning plans aligned with student needs and the Australian Curriculum. These plans identify appropriate learning opportunities which can be delivered either on or offline, to provide continuity of learning for each student. To support our families progress the well-crafted plans, we
have provided every student with a school device (iPad or Laptop) to take home for their learning. Taking away the burden on families about device access was one means of support, which has the tandem goal of offering consistency of learning for all students. As a school we have provided parents with key documents and materials to support home-learning. All families will also receive a discount on their Term 2 tuition fees, with the additional option available to apply for further concessions. Against this backdrop, Term 2 has commenced. We continue to commit to supporting families in engaging children in realistic and authentic learning, be it, for now, for the vast majority of students learning at home or the small number of
CHESS T'MINIT As a result of Covid-19 restrictions all physical tournament and social play at The Gap Chess Club has now ceased indefinitely. When these restrictions have left, we will return to meeting at 8.00pm on Friday nights at Room B6, The Gap State High School. The club has a Facebook Page, “The Gap Chess Club”, with updates on club play, local chess news and puzzles. Social online tournaments are being played on Friday evenings, anybody interested can find out details of these through the Facebook Page. The Facebook Page also has regular chess puzzles and problems. This month’s problem featured recently. Black to play, what is the best move? Solution to February’s puzzle. d8=R is the only drawing move The Western Echo May 2020 Page 22
children of essential workers being supervised at school. We remind ourselves that … Hope is the promise that all will be well. Whilst school was on a break from the presence of students over the holiday period, we continued to undertake maintenance and upgrade projects to keep our contemporary facilities wellmaintained, ready for the students’ return. Locksmiths, electricians, fire and safety personnel, builders, roof safety equipment installers and pest control workers were just some of the tradespeople on site. The most noticeable project undertaken was the replacement of the artificial grass around the ship in the early year’s playground. One important change that we have needed to make is to the timing of our Open Days, Prep 2021 enrolment interviews and school tours. For now, all previously advertised Open Day dates are on hold, with new dates being set once we have a clearer indication of when restrictions will be lifted. We are still however, receiving applications for enrolment from families. So, to all our interested readers, do you have a son or daughter eligible for enrolment in Prep next year? Or do you have a neighbour or friend in the area who has a child born between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 who is eligible to apply to enrol? Please spread the word! Interested families are asked to contact the school office as soon as possible by phoning 3300 1202 or emailing pthegap@ bne.catholic.edu.au. We can then look to make a time to meet with you, later this term or early Term 3. This will be a wonderful opportunity for those families in The Gap community and its surrounds who are looking
for a great school, to come and see teaching and learning in action, as well as our contemporary facilities and spacious grounds. Together we can explore opportunities for the next steps in your child’s education. Margo Carwardine Principal
The Gap State School Hello readers and welcome back to Term 2 from The Gap State School. We a r e c e r t a i n l y i n unprecedented times and our work for the first 5 weeks of this term is very different to what we had planned at the start of the year. Staff are currently working to support students using our online platform while providing guidance and encouragement to our families. It is challenging new work and I am grateful for our hard-working, professional staff members who are all working together to support the learning of our students. Our school community, our wonderful group of parents, are incredibly supportive of our school and our work and remain positive despite the challenges they are currently experiencing. We a c k n o w l e d g e a n d appreciate their support as we all navigate this new way of working. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our parents for their kind words of support and encouragement. It means the world to all of us working at The Gap State School and is a testimony to the strength of our community partnerships that we work so well together in this time of crisis. We would do it no other way at The Gap State School. Joanne Nicholls - Principal
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Teaching primary school kids about the brain through art
Primary school students around Australia are being encouraged to think about how amazing their brains are through a national art competition that will be judged by some of Australia’s leading brain researchers. With great prizes on offer, including up to $1000 in teaching aids for the winning students’ schools, the competition is a great way for children to learn about brain science whilst using their imagination. The annual competition is held by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function (Brain Function CoE), which is a national collaboration of brain researchers from universities around Australia. Entering this competition is the perfect activity for children to complete at home, so due to COVID-19, the deadline has been extended to 19 June 2020 . Students can enter individually or as a combined school or class effort. Their artworks must be inspired by the question: Why do you love your brain? Artworks must fit on A4 size paper and students can use either pens, pencils, crayons, textas or paint.
After the competition closes on 19 June 2020, the entries will be shortlisted and then judged by Brain Function CoE researchers. The competition is judged in different year level categories with lots of prizes on offer. Last year we had over 1200 entries and this year we hope even more students
will enter the competition, particularly with so many students working remotely during term 2. Full details about the
competition can be found on the Brain Function CoE website: www.brainfunction. edu.au The competition is also on Facebook.
Bunnings strongly encourages customers to plan ahead for the weekend Bunnings is encouraging customers to plan ahead for their weekend projects, shop alone
where possible and consider purchasing products online. Bunnings is continuing to follow government advice relating to COVID-19 and is adapting the way it operates to keep its team and customers safe while ensuring customers have access to the products they need. There are a number of options available for Bunnings customers, including Click and Deliver and the contactless Drive and Collect service, which is now available at 250 larger Bunnings stores across Australia. Drive and Collect gives customers the option to pick up their order from Bunnings car parks, with no contact between team members and customers. Customers who have ordered online via the Bunnings website can select a convenient date and time to collect their order. On arrival, the customer parks in a nominated location in the car park, texts or calls the store team and a team member then brings the customer’s order out and places it in their boot. Customers will have noticed a number of changes in stores as Bunnings implements social distancing measures, including limiting customer numbers in store and in busy aisles, trestle tables in front of service areas to create more distance, acrylic register guards for registers and counters, taped floors to mark 1.5m and increased cleaning across the store. Drive and Collect is available at 250 Bunnings Warehouse stores across Australia. Smaller format Bunnings stores are not included and customers are encouraged to check if their local store is participating via the Bunnings website. Customers are encouraged to check their local stores trading hours on the Bunnings website.
Individual piano tuition
Mariella Farrugia MTAQ (prof) LLCM, ALCM, 30 years teaching experience
Online lessons available via ‘FaceTime' or ‘Zoom'
ph: 3166 8353 Mob: 0409 204128 more info on: www.thegappianostudio.com website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 23
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For more information contact Philippa Wightman on Ph: 3300 1846 or 0408 496 737
or mail: PO Box 270, The Gap Q 4061 The Deadline for the JUNE 2020 Edition Tuesday 19 MAY 2020
Phone: 3300 1846
email: editor@westernecho.com.au
The Probus Club of The Gap
Australia, and especially Queensland, has had spectacular success at curbing the infection rate (so far), and people are starting to ask when they will be able to resume “normal life”. The answer appears to be “not for a while yet” as the downside of our success is that the is no immunity in the community (any rappers out there want to pick this one up?). Therefore older people, more vulnerable to serious consequences, will have to be careful for months to come. This is one area where Probus is helping, by relieving the isolation that locked-down people can feel, especially those living alone and maybe far from their children and grandchildren. By being a social group and maintaining contact the Probus Club is doing its best to fulfil one of its promises, “Fun, Friendship and Fellowship” even as the other becomes more difficult: “An Active Retirement”. We can’t meet together or go on outings, but we can and do stay in touch by phone, Internet and Newsletter. We can’t offer new members a physical meeting for the foreseeable future; it could be months. But if you would be interested in joining, or just giving it a try, we would welcome your enquiry. Just call our secretary Jan on 0448 965 459. Places are available – no waiting list – and we’d love put you on the mailing list and include you in the clubbishness! The Western Echo May 2020 Page 24
Keeping in touch at Ithaca Probus Club With all regular activities suspended through these difficult times members of Ithaca Probus Club at Ashgrove are upholding the Probus theme of Friendship, Fellowship and Fun, finding new ways of social interaction. With the Corvin 19 virus being a particular threat to our membership of retirees we recognise the necessity of social isolation and are probably handling it better than most. We also know that we cannot let up too soon or all the good work now becoming evident could very quickly unravel. Life won’t completely return to normal for a very long time. Meanwhile our members are keeping in contact through personal calls and the monthly newsletters to help to maintain the club ethos and provide a sense of continued connection between members. Not like actually meeting people though so all our usual activities will be resumed as soon as it is safe to do so. Our comprehensive list of interesting guest speakers for the year, and outings that were planned, are hopefully just postponed. Wherever possible they will all be rescheduled for a later date. Even though there won’t be any group activities for a while we are still welcoming new members. There are great benefits for our generation, both mentally and physically, in being part of a social group. All our usual activities will resume when this is over. Meanwhile, getting our monthly newsletters would let you see how we run. If you would like to give us a try, please phone either of our Club Membership Officers Sue Vivian on 0413 544 202 or Janelle Rhodes on 0412 628 646. For more information about our club, including a map on how to find us (not needed just at the moment), please see our web site: www.probussouthpacific.org/microsites/ithaca
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Westside Business Heart - 5 years and going strong!
Did you know we have a local business networking group? We do – and it’s been going for 5 years now! Melanie Grevis-James (pictured above right) from locally-based marketing agency Planet Marketing has been organising the monthly networking meetings and events since early 2015. There is no membership cost, just the cost to attend the event (usually $20) – and payment goes direct to the local host café, restaurant, or bar. The purpose of Westside Business Heart (previously called Ashgrove Heart) is to provide an opportunity for local Westside business owners to get together informally, network, share business experiences and ideas, build new friendships, discuss local issues, and to support community activities. The group meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month, at a local location in The Gap or Ashgrove – usually for a casual breakfast, sometimes for evening social events. Currently meetings are taking place online as a “Coffee Chat” session, fortnightly on Zoom.
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
During these trying times - shop local - buy local & please support your local businesses
“It’s all about supporting each other, providing tips and useful business info, and building relationships with other local business owners. It’s a really lovely group of people. We’ve all made new friends, and we have a good laugh along the way. It’s definitely not a serious business group, but we do talk about business and the challenges we face, and help each other where we can, especially at the moment”, says Melanie Grevis-James. The group welcomes any local Westside business owners to come along and join in – the more the merrier! Occasional guest speakers and presentations occur covering suitable small business topics. To find out more details, visit their Facebook page: www. facebook.com/WestsideBusinessHeart Or call Melanie on 0409 440 501, or email: melanie@ planetmarketing.com.au Melanie also offers marketing consulting and advice services, with a free initial Marketing Review session available for new clients: www.planetmarketing.com.au The Western Echo May 2020 Page 25
First influenza vaccine program to target children aged 6 months to under five years More than a million Australian children aged between 6 months and under 5 years1 can now receive a free influenza vaccine as part of the first National Immunisation Program to include all children in this age group.2
Willow hospitalised due to influenza at 9 months
The Sanofi Pasteur influenza vaccine VAXIGRIP TETRA® will be used to vaccinate these children3 under the 2020 National Immun is ation P ro g ram (NIP). Dr Sarah Chu, General Practitioner at the Turbot Street Medical Centre, Brisbane, said a nationwide approach to influenza vaccination was particularly important in young children as they are at increased risk of hospitalisation caused by influenza. Last year, in children under 5 years of age there were 36,569 reported cases of laboratory confirmed influenza and an estimated 5,000 related hospitalisations. Dr Chu said: “There has been a lot of focus on influenza in older Australians, but hospitalisation rates in children are too high for a virus that is preventable. Vaccination remains the
Leanne Ritchie with daughter Willow now happy and healthy
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 26
Children 6 month to 5 years can now receive free influenza vaccination
most effective way to protect children against influenza.” As Australia works to contain and cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Chu said the community needs to do all it can to minimise avoidable hospitalisations, reduce transmission of influenza, and the “double-whammy of infection with influenza and the coronavirus.” Dr Chu said that many GPs had introduced protective measures for patients visiting their clinics and that the “stay at home message does not mean foregoing vaccination ahead of the flu season. An annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all Australians from 6 months and over.” Since 2018, state and territory authorities have offered broader access to the influenza vaccine, but despite their best efforts only one-in-four children under five years was vaccinated. The extension of the NIP age range followed a
submission by Sanofi Pasteur to the Government’s advisory committee. Sanofi Pasteur Australia and New Zealand Medical Director, Dr Christian Felter welcomed the extension of the NIP age range and the start of this year’s worldleading vaccination program. “We hope the move to a national influenza vaccination program will improve immunisation rates in young children and help reduce the number of people who contract the virus,” Dr Felter said. “This is not the year to be complacent about the influenza vaccine. It can protect you, safeguard people around you and hopefully ease the pressure on our overburdened medical system.” For further information regarding influenza and vaccination, speak with a health care professional or visit: www.vaccinehub.com. au/disease/influenza
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Boomerang Bags Helping Frontline Health workers Who would have thought three years ago to the month
when a small group of Gap residents started their local boomerang bags group to make boomerang bags to help reduce the use of single use plastic shopping bags would one day be also making these bags to help for our frontline health care workers. As COVID pandemic grew, and the risk of virus being transmitted through clothes and other personal items, frontline health workers turned to our boomerang bags for use as ‘laundry bags’. After spending hours on their feet, and despite wearing personal protective equipment, frontline health workers need to change out of their uniforms and work gear before they got into their cars to go home to their loved ones. Our reusable boomerang bags became the ideal bags to place the ‘dirty clothes’ as an ICU nurse from Prince Charles Hospital noted “ being able to use these bags and putting them straight into the washing machine means I am not handling possibly infected clothing in the home”. In less than a month, BBTGS donated close to 300 of our boomerang bags to nurses, radiologists, doctors across Brisbane and even as far away as Emerald Emergency Hospital. These were either hand delivered by BB volunteers or were sent via courier. These bags not only seemed to have made a material difference but more importantly to their spirits. BBTGS received comments such as ‘I absolutely love the bags and [am] so excited …. to be able to put my dirty uniforms in to keep them separate from my other stuff until I can get them in a nice hot wash.” Louise, Ipswich Hospital. Wendy from Prince Charles Hospital said, “Being able to use these bags and putting them straight into the washing machine when I get home means I’m not handling possibly infected clothing in the home”. Jamine from Emerald Hospital also appreciated our little gesture, saying “Thanks so much for helping out HCWs everywhere and making sure we keep ourselves as safe as we can and helping to also keep our families as safe as possible.” It is indeed comforting to know that there are so many out there are doing whatever they can to keep their spirits up while also giving strengthen to all that who are sacrificing so much to keep Queenslanders safe. Our Boomerang bag volunteers were not expecting anything from doing what they always did - Get together to sew, or just chat in person, although during these crazy times we are meeting virtually through ZOOM. Our volunteers appreciated all the fabrics we get donated, ensuring we continue to help our environment by recycling and upscaling at the same time helping people to reduce the use of plastic bags.
Queensland Children’s Hospital Doctors
Wesley Hospital Doctors - above and left
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The Western Echo May 2020 Page 27
Queensland Kauri 3300 6304
www.ppnn.org.au
A magnificent avenue of Queensland Kauri pine (Agathis robusta) planted along Grey Street, beside South Bank, displays this tree in all its glory. This is a member of an ancient Australian family with fossils dating back epochs to the Jurassic period. It has survived the rise and fall of the dinosaurs and the massive diversification of the flowering plants. For this reason alone, it is iconic. Additionally, its ornamental and economic significance make this a species to be valued. A dry rainforest e m e rg e n t s p e c i e s , t w o natural populations remain of Queensland Kauri – one b e t w e e n Te w a n t i n a n d Maryborough on the mainland and on Fraser Island, and the other on the Atherton Tableland. It grows from sea level to 900m in a variety of deep, well-drained soils that include sand dunes, basalt, granite and metamorphic rocks, in mixed forests. They are extremely resilient over a
range of climatic conditions with the ability to survive severe storms as well as long term stresses such as drought. The trees are thought to live for several hundred years. This tree has a straight trunk that is clear for over half of its length and can reach 3 m in diameter, smooth orangebrown bark and a dense crown of spirally arranged, broad, flat green leaves (unlike other conifers which have needle-like leaves). The species name is derived from the shape of the female cones which look like a ball of thread (agathis) and its vigorous growth (robusta). The inner bark of the Queensland Kauri was used by indigenous people to make nets. From early colonisation, this was a highly soughtafter timber tree, with is long straight trunk of broad diameter and fine, straightgrained texture, for indoor uses such as fine cabinetry, joinery flooring, producing plywood and even for making violin bellies, and was heavily logged. Over exploitation
combined with the risk of land clearance in its natural populations, has placed this species on the vulnerable list. Although not a tree for small gardens, it is nonthe-less a beautiful feature plant for large gardens and properties. It also makes, with its leathery foliage, an attractive indoor plant and makes a distinctively Australian potted Christmas
tree. For those with acreage wishing to grow timber trees, it is recommended that they be planted in a mixed species (e.g. with Brachychiton acerifolia, Backhousia mytrifolia, Flindersia bennettiana and Rhodamnia trinerva) plantations as monocultures are prone to attack by large stick insects .
Simplify Your Medication Ordering 2.Process supporting the community’s Request home delivery
Available at leading A u s t r a l i a ’s l e a d i n g p h a r m a c y c o n n e c t e d pharmacies Australia-wide, medication application is including The Gap Day MedAdvisor. Join over a & Night Pharmacy, Med million Australians who are Advisor has been praised as a saving time and skipping life changing app that makes queues at their pharmacy by ordering meds a simple process. using MedAdvisor. Ask your pharmacist to Whether you take many medications or just activate your account. one, MedAdvisor is the COVID-19’s impact on all revolutionary health app that aspects of the health system is helps you stay in control. You as yet unknown, but demand can pre-order meds, receive is increasing by the day. script reminders and keep Pharmacies and pharmacists track of meds yourself and for are a critical component of those you may care for, all in that system and the burden of one smart-phone application. The Western Echo May 2020 Page 28
needs is enormous. Please help your pharmacy better manage during this time by downloading and using their chosen digital pharmacy companion tool - the MedAdvisor App – so you can: 1. Order and pay for your medications in advance so you are not waiting at pharmacy when you don’t need to. Pharmacists can tell you when your scripts are ready for pick up, or if a medication is out of stock.
of your medications to avoid community exposure if you are at high risk or simply for convenience; 3. Avoid the waiting room and use our telehealth service, GP Link, to get a repeat script if you’re running low; and 4. Care for others and their medication needs. Speak to your pharmacist to add a cared for patient. Download the MedAdvisor App today from the Google PlayStore.
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
SOWN Adapts to Social Distancing Current social distancing regulations have brought major changes in the operation of Save Our Waterways Now (SOWN). SOWN President John Abbott said the SOWN Nursery has closed to members on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and that all bushcare groups have suspended working bees. “Despite the current restrictions, the SOWN Nursery is still operating. Native plants remain available for members via a new ordering and collection system,” John said. Every week, SOWN members can place an email order by Wednesday night and then collect plants the following Saturday morning. A current list of the plants available is posted on the front page of the SOWN web site www.saveourwaterwaysnow. com.au. There is a limit of 60 lomandras and 60 other plants
per order. To o r d e r, m e m b e r s should email info@ s a v e o u r w a t e r w a y s n o w. com.au with the following information: • Member’s name • SOWN membership number or receipt number • Scientific names of plants requested • Quantity of each of the plants requested • Location of the planting John said SOWN was able to process a total of 15 orders each week, which means anyone thinking about planting needs to plan ahead and get in early. “Once you’ve ordered, you will receive an email on Friday confirming that your plants are ready to collect on Saturday morning. “Then members need to go to the nursery gate on Saturday morning to collect their order and return any
SOWN member Gail Chuter collecting pre-ordered plants from volunteer Dick Harding at the SOWN Nursery gate PHOTO: Anne Jones
wire trays and washed tubes. “The new process is working well so far – but please be patient, keep your social distance, and keep smiling at our volunteers,” he said. SOWN provides free native plants to financial members to plant on private or public land. If you would like to plant
more native species on your land, then joining SOWN makes sound financial sense. The annual membership fee is $25.00 for individuals or $20 concession, $35.00 for families, $50.00 for community groups and $100.00 for schools. J o i n o n l i n e a t w w w. s a v e o u r w a t e r w a y s n o w. com.au or email info@ saveourwaterwaysnow.com.au.
Mitchelton and Districts Garden Club Until restrictions in connection with the Novel Coronavirus are lifted, meeting of the Mitchelton and Districts Garden Club have been cancelled. When it is possible to resume normal activities this Club will continue to meet at the
Paper wasps busy building nests
Enoggera Memorial Hall on the first Thursday of each calendar month (except January). The contact number for phone enquiries is 3356 1256. While some of your usual routine has been interrupted, giving attention to gardening remains important. Be aware that wasps are active just now. They are building nests in places that provide shelter, such as under eaves or steps, or arching branches. Just a slight disturbance near a nest releases a fury of attacking insects so be aware of the danger. Should you notice a nest, keep clear of it until the wasps are drowsy – in the early morning or at dusk – then spray them with an insect spray. Keep well clear until there is no more activity, then destroy the nest. Sometimes
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the wasps will rebuild in the same area, so be vigilant at all times. By now spring flowering bulbs and annuals should be planted in prepared garden beds which should be well mulched to keep the soil warm and moist. Mother’s Day occurs on 10th May and a popular gift has been a potted flowering cyclamen. These more or less are like a substitute for a bunch of flowers and expectation of saving the bulbs to replant next year are too good to be true. However, to extend the life of these, regularly remove spent flowers and leaves and place the pot plant outside in the cold night air. Please note that cyclamens do not require a lot of water. Pruning geraniums may
Mother's Day Cyclamens
be commenced this month. Keep the tip cuttings for propagation. If you leave them to dry out for a few hours before potting, there’s more chance of success in creating more plants to share with friends.
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 29
Brisbane Tramway Museum Society Including The Ferny Grove Men’s Shed Quite often, museums and archives are separate entities. Museums may of course have their own archives, but few would be the repositories of other party’s archives. But in the case of the Brisbane Tramway Museum, our archives are more like a
museum within a museum. Only a small percentage relate directly to the museum’s own history. Most items were inherited from the Brisbane City Council when tram-way operations ceased in 1969. Normally, when we think of archives, we think of box after box of dusty files sitting on shelves — seldom seeing the light of day — rarely looked at — simply filed for the sake of filing them! And some of our archives are no different! But a great part of our collection consists of technical drawings, blueprints and data relating to all the different trams and trolley buses in our fleet. We also have a great range of information on old tram routes — often sought out by the Council wanting to find out where old tram tracks are still buried beneath the bitumen. (For the benefit of younger readers — blueprints were the forerunners of photocopies!). Some of the rarer items are
Bushell's tea advertisement on the back of a tram ticket
the glass slide photographs of Brisbane’s early trams—if only we had a projector to show them! Other rarities are minute books dating back to when the Brisbane City Council took over the tram service in the 1920’s, annual reports from tram operations covering all Australian states. Our oldest records are rural catalogues dated 1903 and 1908. We have Certificates which were awarded to citizens who helped the government during the major strike of 1912. In all, we estimate that there are some 3000 plans and over 1000 books in our archives, not to mention such items as vintage uniforms, tickets and other
memorabilia, such as copies of advertisements which were printed on the backs of the tickets. The archives are the province of Glen Dyer, sometimes assisted by one or two other members. He is currently organising the digitisation of the collection. The Brisbane City Council, recognising the importance of these archives, is upgrading our archive room to better preserve these treasures. The Brisbane Tramway Museum is proudly supported by The Brisbane City Council.
NOTICE TO READERS
We wish to advise that distribution of the Western Echo can not be legally made to letterboxes displaying Australia Post Only or Authorised Mail Only. For those residents who wish to collect a free copy, we have newstands located at: • Enoggera News - Corner Samford Rd & Wardell St • Stewart Road News Ashgrove Copies are also available at The Gap Village Shopping Centre, The Gap Ward Office, Ashgrove Electorate Office, Ashgrove Library, Red Hill and Ashgrove West Post Offices & Great Western Super Centre Management.
The Western Echo May 2020 Page 30
Certificate from the Citizens of Brisbane
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
Bocce Australia Celebrates 50 years... Submitted by Mario DiMarco, Secretary Newmarket Bocce Club
We continue this series of celebrating Bocce in Australia with this month saluting the town of Griffith, NSW which at one stage was the epicenter in the region for bocce boasting 4 clubs, over 32 bocce courts and home to some of the top bocce players in Australia. Bocce was an impoftant element in the social life of Griffith’s settlers prior to World War ll. Work was hard and money was scarce, but a game of bocce could be set up almost anywhere. Families frequently gathered at one or other of the ltalian farms, such as that of the Ceccato family and a makeshift bocce court would be laid out. With the help of home made grappa, food cooked by the women and the strong musicaltraditions of the Comunitd in the evening, these were lively occasions remembered fondly by all participants. At other times they would pack onto the back of farm trucks and head to the Murrumbidgee River. There was a bocce court on the Salvestro’s own farm. The end of this lively social life came with the advent of the Second World War, when Italians needed to keep their heads down and avoid notice. This type of bocce ball
(pictured below) was used in Griffith in the c1937 to 1971 period. Charlie’s father Antonio Suine was a good player and used this bocce set. From 1971, when boece was formalised in Australia and internationally as a competition sport, metal bocce balls were adopted and the old rubber composition balls were no longer used. Griffith was one of the first places in Australia where the game became an organised sport. lt was brought to the area by the first ltalian settlers began as an informal social activity on impromptu courts set up at private homes around Hanwood and Yenda, or sometimes on the river bank at Darlington Point. Groups of men would play for a drink, the losers doing the shouting, while their wives had a chance to gossip and their children to play together. It is said the competition was often lively, with much excitement and shouting. The gathering might then continue on to the evening with cards or dancing to records such as the ‘Blue Danube’ or ‘Skater’s Waltz’, played on a hand turned gramophone. The popularity of bocce lead to the formation of many of Griffith’s social, and now licensed clubs, beginning with the ltalo-
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Australian Club in 1936, for whom the Coronation Hall at Yoogali was built. Griffith’s players were once the best in Australia and the game, organised through several clubs, was played by both men and women. The Yoogali Club is thought to be the first club in New South Wales to admit women.
Inscription on the back of the photograph above
Excerpts for this article were from the NSW Migration Heritage centre. Special thanks to the following: Cornwall, J 2007, Fruits of Our Labour. The history of Griffith’s ltalian Community. Griffith City Council. Kabaila, P 2005, Griffith Heitage. Piion Publishing, Canberra. Heritage Office & Dept of Urban Affairs & Planning 1996, Regional Histoies of NSW, Sydney. Heritage Collections Council 2001, Significance: A guide to assessing the significance of cultural heritage objects and collections, Canberra. Robyn Oliver, “Bocce in Griffith”, Area News, March 1991 . Robyn Oliver, “1930s Christmas with the Salvestro Family”, Area News, Dec 1994 The Western Echo May 2020 Page 31
The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy for all your pharmaceutical needs
Michael and Kate Knynenburg
During these difficult times The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy is working as usual. To assist our clients and help take the pressure off our clients we are here to help with two options: • Delivery of your medications if you are unable to leave your premises. • Or, if you do not wish to come into the pharmacy, please ring ahead and order your scripts and we will bring them out to your car. Phone payments are available.
You'll see our Delivery Vehicle around the suburb - © Bloedel Photography
Open 7 Days 8:30am to 8pm Undercover Parking available under Aldi Glen Affric Street is available if parking spots in our centre are fully occupied Providing all your pharmaceutical needs including :-
• Blood Pressure Checks • NDSS Agent • Ear piercing • Webster Packing
Ph: 3300 1555
Naturopath available — Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday
HOME DELIVERY
The Gap Day and Night Pharmacy 974 Waterworks Road, The Gap QLD, 4061 thegap@thegappharmacy.com.au
Fax: 3300 9020
Available Monday to Friday You’ll see us coming in our new delivery vehicle!
The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy
thegapdayandnightpharmacy
www.thegappharmacy.com.au The Western Echo May 2020 Page 32
website: http://www.westernecho.com.au