The Western Echo September 2020

The

September 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

The Joys of Weeding!

Men of the Trees stalwart members Stephen Perry, Jean Shipway and Gary Marsh just love weeding! (Story Page 3)

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 1

ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY ACCOUNTANT

MORTGAGE ADVISOR

R G Goodman Phone: 3289 1700 pg 14

Mortgage Choice Ashgrove Phone: 3463 0500 pg 10

AUTO AIR CONDITIONING

MUSIC TUITION

Wyatt Automotive Phone: 3300 2077

pg 12

BATHROOMS Steve Froggatt Phone: 0402 730 177 pg 8

BEAUTY The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy Phone: 3300 1555 pg 32

BUTCHER MeatU@Home Phone: 3161 5021 pg 17

CLUBS/GROUPS Taylor Range Country Club Phone:3366 1560 pg 13

COMMUNITY GARDEN Yooralla Street Community Garden w w w. y s c g . c o m . a u p a g e 2 8

DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE Communify Phone: 3510 2741

pg 16

ELECTRICIAN S&R Electrical Solutions Phone: 1300 007 737 pg 10

GIFTS/HANDCRAFTS ReCreate Art Studio 1125 Waterworks Rd The Gap pg 19

GUITAR TUITION Rob’s Guitar School Phone: 3289 8020 pg 23

GUTTER VACUUM Big Boys Gutter Vacuum Phone: 0407 737 400 pg 10

LAWYERS Hollingworth & Spencer Phone: 3123 5700 pg 14

MASSAGE Bernard Evens Remedial & Sports Phone: 3366 9997 pg 18

MEDICAL CENTRE Keperra Family Practice Phone: 3351 0323 pg 18

The Gap Piano Studio Phone: 3166 8353 pg 23

PHARMACY The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy Phone: 3300 1555 pg 32

PLUMBER Pandanus Contractors Phone: 3300 3934 pg 20 Plumbers We Are Phone: 3351 0016 pg 20

POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT Kate Jones Phone: 3554 9100 pg 1 & 5 Julian Simmonds MP Phone: 3378 1599 pg 7

Cr. Steven Toomey Phone: 3407 1900 pg 4 Trent Wiseman LNP Phone: 0482 468 047 pg 9

PRINTER CARTRIDGES Cartridge World Ashgrove Phone: 3366 5111 pg 14

REAL ESTATE Harcourts Inner West P h o n e : 3 5 11 0 6 6 6 p g 8

REAL ESTATE (Contd) Position Property Phone: 0468 571 238 pg 11

SCHOOLS The Gap State School Phone: 3511 3333

The Western Echo is produced monthly by

Hot Metal Publications

PO Box 270 The Gap

pg 21

SPORTING GROUP Walking Football Phone: 0432 967 829 p26

Ph: 3300 1846

http://www.westernecho.com.au editor@westernecho.com.au

Proudly Printed by

TYRE & MECHANICAL Wyatt Automotive Phone: 3300 2077 pg 12

Printcraft Ph: 07 3291 2444

VETERINARIAN

OVATO Distribution Ph: (07) 3275 9200 and IVE DISTRIBUTION Brisbane

The Gap Veterinary Clinic Phone: 3300 1533 pg 15 WEIGHT LOSS Winning with Food Phone: 0403 085 640 pg 18

Distributed by

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

Advertisers/contributors please note:

Deadline for October 2020 5pm Tuesday 22 Sept. 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 theWestern accuracy ofEcho articlesSeptember published. The2020 Western Echo2is delivered, by private letterbox distribution, to 15,700 homes and businesses in: Ashgrove, The Page website: http://www.westernecho.com.au Ashgrove West, St. Johns Wood, Dorrington, The Gap, and selected areas of Bardon, Red Hill, Enoggera, Keperra and Mitchelton

Who are the “Men of the Trees”?

Who are The Men of the Trees, and why do they have this strange name, unusual today for an organisation open to all people who may be interested in preserving forests to heal the world, and in joining peoples together in peace through planting trees?

Men of the Trees (MOTT) is an international society founded by the forester Richard St Barbe Baker in 1922, first among Kikuyu warriors in Kenya, hence the name, and then taken to his native England and the world, where it has existed in over 100 countries, and continues to inspire people everywhere.

The Man of the Trees himself at the age of 91 founded the Queensland branch of MOTT in 1980 with the help of two Queensland members of the British group.

One of these two women, Ngairetta Brennan, guided this organisation through its formative years, attracting a large membership and fostering statewide projects of different kinds - from the offer of school nursery kits , to the large-scale Farm Tree Help Scheme and working closely with foresters, scientific advisers and government bodies to most effectively implement and extend the work.

In Brisbane, the suburb of The Gap became a focus for MOTT when Councillor for The Gap ward, Brian Hallinan offered a house, formerly acquired by the BCC in Paten Park, to MOTT for its headquarters and the establishment of an environmental centre.

MOTT home propagators brought their seedlings to Twahamwe Cottage, as it was named, after the password (meaning “pull together”) of the original Men of the Trees - where the plants were collected and sorted for use in the many projects to hand.

The young trees and native

understory plants grew in number, and under pressure from members of the public, some of the surplus plants were given away or sold, and so began the original native plant nursery in Paten Park.

The nursery, named the Richard St Barbe Baker Nursery (signage still on site), expanded swiftly with input from the skills of many keen volunteers, supplying plants for reforestation as well as private landscaping projects over S E Qld. They were heady days, reminiscent of the beginnings of the organisation itself in the early eighties. During this later development, besides providing for its own bushcare projects, MOTT gave approximately half its stock away to charities, schools, etc, selling the remaining half to members of the public, private business and government projects.

Towards the end of the nineties, the Management of MOTT, having achieved its major goal of helping to open up public lands and properties for community planting, moved to close down the organisation, and the nursery was offered to Greening Australia, who willingly accepted the huge donation with its challenges.

One project of MOTT’s had been the Saturday Morning Planting Group begun in 1993. This small group of dedicated members wishing to continue the work of bushland revegetation (albeit in a smaller way) under the banner of The Men of the Trees, was given the opportunity to do so by Ngairetta, then retiring as President after 19 years. In exchange for the gift of the Nursery, GA supplied this continuing MOTT planting group with plants, offering the full diversity of its stock, for the next 17 years.

(Continued on Page 6)

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

Natalie's MOTT from left, Gary Marsh, Lawrence Robertson, John Donovan, Pat Peek, Coordinator Natalie Mason, Cr Steven Toomey, Gerry Dunford and Stephen Perry

Inside the September Issue...

Arana VIEW Club...........................................................14 Art in Bark Association.....................................................18 Ashgrove Forum..........................................................................8 Ashgrove Historical Society...............................................20 Ashgrove/The Gap Lions Club............................................12 Brisbane Tramway Museum..................................................31 Chess T’Minit.......................................................................26 Communify.....................................................................31 Enoggera Historical Society............................................26 Ithaca Probus Club...........................................................24 Newmarket Bocce.................................................................30 Newmarket Probus Club........................................................27 Newmarket VIEW Club.................................................................29 Norths Hockey Club............................................................27 Paten Park Native Nursery (PPNN).............................................28 Principal’s Points...................................................................22 - 24 Qld Family History Society..............................................18 Rotary Club of Ashgrove/The Gap..................................10 SOWN (Save Our Waterways Now)...........................................29 State Update - Kate Jones - Member for Ashgrove.....................5 The Gap Historical Society...............................................17 The Gap Laughter Club.................................................25 The Gap Neighbourhood Watch.......................................16 The Gap Probus Club.............................................................14 The Gap She Shed...........................................................19 Walton Bridge The Gap Guides..............................................21 Ward Happenings.........................................................................4 The Western Echo September 2020 Page 3

WARD HAPPENINGS WITH

Cr Steven Toomey

Councillor for The Gap Ward Ashgrove West Village Precinct Project

Council will be hosting 2 community kiosks on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September for residents to view the initial concept designs for the Ashgrove West Village Precinct Project (AWVPP). The design incorporates community feedback from the first round of consultations in 2019. The AWVPP aims to provide increased shade for pedestrians as well as introducing small sub-tropical spaces, inviting residents to stay longer and enjoy what local traders have to offer.

Ease of pedestrian movement is also a focus of the project with improved footpaths and crossing points on Waterworks Road between Cavell Terrace and Glory Street. Please check my website for kiosk times www.steventoomey.com.au

Men of the Trees 40th Anniversary Men of the Trees (MOTT) is a non-profit, non-political international society dedicated in fostering the planting, maintenance and protection of trees. This year they celebrate their 40th anniversary and as President, I will be joining MOTT in Paten Park, The Gap to plant a tree in memory of Mrs Loretta Brennan, 1st President of Men of the Trees in Queensland. Celebrations to mark this event will occur over the next couple of months.

On 5 September Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner re-dedicated a Kauri Pine at Brisbane Botanical Gardens, in honour of Richard St Barbe Baker, known worldwide as ‘The Man of the Trees’, and the international organisation he founded, The Men of the Trees. The new Kauri Pine replaces an original Kauri removed to make way for the Legacy Way tunnel.

Lord Mayor’s COVID-19 Direct Assistance Program Council is providing $3 million in direct financial assistance this year to community, cultural, sport and recreational groups leasing a Council-owned or managed community facility, to help them rebuild and re-commence services to residents after the coronavirus pandemic. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $10,000 in funding.

Applications are now open, please call 3403 8888.

Ward Wednesday Featured Business - One Body Studio Brisbane City Council is committed to building our local economy through supporting small business and nurturing innovation. To support small business in our local area, please visit The Gap Ward Small Business Directory at steventoomey.com.au/brisbane-business-directory/ Each Wednesday I feature a local business in the ward. This week’s featured business is One Body Studio, a new health, fitness and wellbeing studio located in The Gap. One Body Studio is made up of the Yin space for flexibility and core fluid movement like yoga, pilates or barre and the Yang space for a high intensive cardio and strength workout in a group training scenario. All classes have a highly skilled and qualified trainer or instructor present ensuring the complete holistic approach.

Explore One Body Studio’s full range of services on their website www.onebodystudio.com.au/

Cr Steve Toomey with Bree and

Vanessa (owner) of One Body Studio.

477 Waterworks Rd Ashgrove West, 4060 Phone: 07 3407 1900 Email: thegap.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au Web: steventoomey.com.au The Western Echo September 2020 Page 4

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

State Update

Kate Jones MP

Member for Cooper

Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program I would like to thank all our local businesses who have played their part in keeping our community safe during these difficult times. We know that small businesses have a huge role to play in helping us with our plan for Queensland to unite and recover.

And we know that is has been incredibly tough for small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. That is why we have introduced almost $200 million in Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grants.

Eligible small businesses have been able to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help them recover and keep employing Queenslanders. These grants can be used for professional advice or services such as marketing, social media, business planning or the purchase of specialised digital equipment and software – all of which can help businesses enhance their operations.

To date, almost $2 million dollars has been approved for 221 Small business COVID-19 Adaption Grants.

I would like to remind everyone to get behind your local businesses and #SupportSmall – every dollar spent at a local business goes back into our community and supports local jobs.

New Deck for Walkabout Creek It was wonderful to see Minister for Environment, Leeanne Enoch open the redeveloped deck at Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre.

With Queensland Government investment of $1.3 million the deck received a s i g n i f i c a n t Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch makeover during opens the new deck at Walkabout Creek - a win for local jobs!

COVID-19 and is now open for visitors.

Investment in this great facility is not only a boost the tourism industry but also to the economy more broadly, with the project creating 80 jobs.

In total, the Palaszczuk Government has invested $3 million over three years to upgrade facilities at Walkabout Creek.

I can’t wait to see the new upgrades! (pre-COVID photo)

New Projects on the Horizon for Local Schools Schools in Brisbane’s Inner West will share in $6 million worth of new projects, minor works and upgrades thanks to a funding boost from the Palaszczuk Government.

The projects form part of an overall investment of $220 million across Queensland state schools, supporting more than 720 jobs.

Several state schools across the area will be boosted from this funding, supporting local construction jobs during the economic recovery from COVID-19.

I am pleased to see over $1 million in new funding going towards schools in Cooper. I’m particularly excited to see $200,000 towards modernising and upgrading classrooms at Ashgrove State School, including a fresh lick of paint, new carpet, lights and fans.

Highlights of new funding in 2020/21 include $300,000 to refurbish classrooms in Block A at Ithaca Creek State School and $500,000 for the refurbishment of Block A classrooms at Milton State School.

This funding is fantastic news not only for these local school communities but also for local tradies who can tender for these projects.

Contractors and tradies who want to be notified of opportunities for any future tender processes for larger projects can register on the Queensland Government QTenders website, if they have not already done so.

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 September 2020 Page 5

Who are the “Men of the Trees”?

(Continued from Page 3)

The story goes on. When GA gave up its by then highly developed nursery at The Gap a few years ago, it was thought that all of this development would be lost, and the MOTT group too, thought that MOTT itself may disappear along with the supply of plants. As many of us remember, there followed a struggle to save the site as a nursery (a Men’s Shed was preparing to move onto the property) by many concerned members the public.

That the community won this battle, with a final decision well made by the then Councillor for The Gap, Geraldine Knapp, is now history, and the non-profit community nursery (as the Paten Park Native Nursery) continues to produce native plants for sale to members of the public and other groups and businesses. Of special importance for MOTT, the two nurseries in Paten Park, the PPNN and the SOWN nursery, have generously agreed to continue to provide MOTT with the plants it needs.

The MOTT planting group works every Saturday morning from 9.00 to 12.30pm, and has approximately 12 planting sites at any one time, some

Natoinal Tree Day 2019 planting team MOTT good friends, members of Dera Sacha Sauda celebrated tree planters

in the process of being established and some sites requiring maintenance only.

Most of these projects are in north and western Brisbane and the Pine Rivers area, and are greatly assisted by the BCC and MBRC. MOTT rarely plants on private properties, but has done so where permanence of the planting is likely. Oneoff projects far afield are sometimes taken on, to assist other groups and for a holiday experience. MOTT devotes one Saturday a month to Nursery work with the PPNN to assist the source of its planting stock, to learn from this aspect of bushcare work,

Owen Croll and Danya Jassim at Wongan Creek Bunya understory planting

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 6

and for satisfaction of it. All people are welcome to work with the organisation whether members or not, and all highly value the fellowship of the group.

MOTT enjoys its Morning Teas - and no-one gets worked to the bone, though the whipbird is often about goading volunteers on to ever more rainforest expansion.

On the 5th September a Kauri Pine tree is going to be planted in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coottha Road, Toowong by the Lord Mayor, Adrian

Schrinner, to celebrate the life of Richard St Barbe Baker, the founder of Men of the Trees. You can be sure, too, that on MOTT QLD’s 40th Birthday coming up two months later on the 14th November, volunteers will be planting another special tree in Paten Park to honour the Queensland group’s first and long-serving President, Ngairetta Brennan who passed away in June last year - without whom there may not be a MOTT Qld group today, or perhaps, a native plant nursery supplying the whole of Brisbane and beyond, in The Gap.

Ithaca Creek Planting Bardon Esplanade Stephen Perry Erika Jackeman and Gerry Dunford

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

We have extended JobKeeper

We’re helping businesses and workers recover from the impacts of Coronavirus.

To help keep businesses in business and locals in jobs, we’ve extended the JobKeeper payment until March 2021.

Your Local Lnp Team Trent Wiseman, LNP Candidate for Cooper and Julian Simmonds, Federal MP for Ryan.

Julian

07 3378 1599

Julian.Simmonds.MP@aph.gov.au SIMMONDS MP facebook.com/JulianSimmondsMP Federal Member for Ryan Authorised by J. Simmonds MP, 636 Moggill Rd Chapel Hill, QLD 4069.

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 7

Steve Froggatt

Ashgrove

Bathroom Renovation Specialists

• All work completed by Qualified Tradesmen • 40 Years Experience

Ph: 3863 3089 or

0402 730 177 QBCC Lic No. 1177107

www.stevefroggatt.com.au stevefroggatt@hotmail.com

CARMEN BRIGGS Number 1 Agent in Queensland Awarded the Number 1 Agent for Harcourts Queensland 2011, 2014, 2016 and now again in 2018 CONTACT CARMEN Real Estate Agent | Justice of the Peace M 0418 742 511 P 3505 4444 carmen.briggs@harcourts.com.au www.carmenbriggs.harcourts.com.au Harcourts Solutions Group The Gap • Inner City • MItchelton • Everton Park

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 8

Chloe Ainscow

The 956th General Meeting of Ashgrove Forum was held on 19th August 2020 via Zoom, Conferencing, as the Club’s meeting room at the Ashgrove Library was still unavailable.

The main speaker for the evening was Carmel Towler.

During the meeting, team tactics for the Annual Inter-Club Debate with Bremer Forum, to be held in Ipswich on 22nd September, were discussed. Provided Covid-19 restrictions are not tightened, this will be a Face-to-Face debate and club members will be able to attend to support their team. The debate topic is “That women are their own worst enemies in the workplace”. As Ashgrove are the visitors, they must argue the negative case. As part of the preparation, President Ronda Nix delivered a tutorial on “The Rules of Debate”.

Members will attend the State AGM in Ipswich on 31 October, held in conjunction with an all-day Summit Event and Speaking Competition with the theme “Coming Together”.

A highlight of the day will be the presentation of the 2020 Forum Communicators Speaking Bursary. Forum sponsors this annual National Council Women Qld bursary, to a female enrolled in the first or second year of a tertiary course, with a demonstrated record of achievement in the field of communication and community leadership. The 2020 recipient is Chloe Ainscow who is completing a dual degree (Business/ Secondary Education) at UQ. Chloe not only achieves success in debates and public speaking competitions, she also coaches younger students and adjudicates debates.

The next Ashgrove Forum Meeting will be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday 21 October 2020, Visitors and prospective members are always welcome without obligation. For information on how and where to attend this meeting please contact Pat on 0458 696 267.

For more information on Forum Communicators public speaking association, please visit the website www. beconfident.org.au website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

ADVERTISEMENT

Trent WISEMAN LNP Candidate for Cooper

Rebuilding our local economy As a young Dad, raising my family here in The Gap, I’m passionate about making sure our community is supported and can bounce back from the challenges of COVID-19.

Having served 20 years in the Army, I know the importance of standing up for what you believe in. And having run my own small business, I understand first hand the challenges our local businesses face.

With your support, we can get our local community working again.

As part of the LNP Team I will Build new and better roads Back business and local jobs Protect our local environment Deliver cheaper electricity and support green energy

cooper@lnpq.org.au

TrentWisemanLNP

0482 468 047

Let’s get QLD working again!

Authorised by L Folo, Liberal National Party of Queensland, 281 Sandgate Road, Albion QLD 4010.

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 9

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The Rotary Club of Ashgrove The Gap

by Mitch Koroloff - President

The Rotary District Governor is visiting our Club on Wednesday September 16 which will also be the official Change-over of the Presidents and Board. Despite the current restrictions we are earnestly considering ways that we can hold the “Santa Sleigh” this Christmas.

The “Carols in the Park” had to be cancelled this year because of the numbers that attend this popular event.

We will however hold our Christmas Raffle, 2 prizes, full of Xmas goodies always provided the Covid 19 regulations do not change.

The Club is assisting the Neighbourhood Watch group in their “Kids Safe” Program as we consider the safety of children to be of paramount importance.

Rotary Clubs around the world give assistance and support to many projects, Local, National and International. The Interact Clubs at Mount St. Michaels and the Gap High School are involved with Community and International activities.

737 400

Our office is open Or we can give you advice by phone, email or video chat.

Contact Stuart or Gary today.

talk to us today p p w h

07 3463 0500 p 0414 408 535 e stuart.pullar@mortgagechoice.com.au 0406 969 932 e gary.rowe@mortgagechoice.com.au MortgageChoice.com.au/stuart.pullar Unit 3, 229 Waterworks Road, Ashgrove

Mortgage Choice Limited ACN 009 161 979. Australian Credit Licence 382869. FinChoice Pty Limited ACN 158 645 624. AFSL 422854.

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 10

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

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The Western Echo September 2020 Page 11

Ashgrove The Gap Lions Club - We're back!

After nearly Afive months of having to rely on technology to communicate with one another, Ashgrove/The Gap Lions members have finally held a face to face meeting, keeping social distancing in mind of course! It was good to be able to actually feel that some level of normality has finally returned.

Prior to this, our President, Susie Green, suggested we met at the Lions shelter at Walton Bridge for an informal barbeque on a Sunday lunchtime. This was well attended by Lions members and their families as well as Councillor Steve Toomey and Trent Wiseman, LNP candidate for Cooper. It was a lovely day and a chance to catch up with everyone.

Another sign that life is becoming less restricted is that we plan to hold the official changeover of our office bearers, which has been delayed for over two months. This will now be held at the headquarters of Voices of Birralee at the end of August.

With the easing of restrictions we can also start to look

Trent Wiseman, Pres. Susie Green and Cr. Steve Toomey at our BBQ

at ways of getting back into fundraising mode. We have our first activity arranged for the end of August/beginning of September, which will be a Fathers’ Day raffle. The prize is a hamper filled with great gifts suitable for any father so if you see us outside Ashgrove Woolworths please support us, as by doing so you help us to support the local community.

Now that we are able to hold our regular meetings at the Ashgrove Golf Club we can now extend an invitation to anyone that would like to come along, share a meal with us and get to meet us with the view of joining our club. If you are interested or would like more information regarding Ashgrove/ The Gap Lions please contact our membership chair: Liz Baldacchino: 0412 471 869.

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The Western Echo September 2020 Page 12

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

Solar Grant for Brisbane Tramway to help lower power bills in Ryan YOUR LOCAL BUSHLAND LEISURE RETREAT

The Morrison Government is supporting community groups to lower their power bills and play their part in helping to reduce Australia’s emissions.

Across Australia, not-for-profit community groups have been awarded grants of up to $12,500 for energysaving projects under the Government’s Energy Efficient Communities Program.

The Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor said up to two community groups in each federal electorate will receive support for an energy-saving project such as installing a solar PV system, upgrading to more energy efficient equipment or having an energy audit done on their premises.

“Energy bills are often one of the biggest overheads for volunteer organisations, and we want to help ease some of the financial pressures facing our hardworking community groups,” Minister Taylor said.

“These groups are the lifeblood of our towns and regions.

The more they can save on running costs, the more they can spend to support their communities.”

Federal MP, Julian Simmonds was pleased to announce The Brisbane Tramway Museum Society as the successful recipient in Ryan.

“The Government is delivering on its promises and helping community organisations in Ryan save on power bills during this particularly tough time,” Mr Simmonds said.

The Energy Efficient Communities Program was announced as part of the Government’s Climate Solutions Package in the 2019 Budget.

The program will deliver grants to help businesses and community organisations to improve energy efficiency practices and technologies, and better manage energy consumption to reduce their power bills.

Applications are now open for the dairy and small business round. Further information on the Energy Efficient Communities Program is available at energy.gov.au.

Businesses that wish to apply for a grant can access the guidelines and application forms at business.gov.au or by telephone on 13 28 46. website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

If you are new to the area or haven’t visited us before why not come and have a look around the Taylor R a n g e C l u b . Yo u won’t believe that this oasis set on 5 acres is on your doorstep, and the membership rates are very reasonable.

Taylor Range is a non-profit community orientated club that has a great deal to offer local families. There’s no better place to visit for escaping the stresses of work or simply for providing the whole family with enjoyable leisure times and treasured memories.

With the cooler weather now upon us there is no need to give up those early morning laps or weekend family BBQ’s. The Taylor Range 18-metre pool is covered overnight and the gas heater combined with the covers ensures that a comfortable swimming temperature is maintained.

With the Taylor Range you don’t just get a quick swim or hit of tennis, you have the total leisure experience for the entire family. After the kids have had a splash around in one of the 3 pools you can challenge them to a game of tennis or squash. Alternatively let them tire themselves out on court leaving you to cook the lunch at one of the many BBQ areas whilst enjoying * Delivery via UberEats app a cool beverage.

You don’t have to take part in physical activity to enjoy the Taylor Range. The club is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life by relaxing with a cappuccino on the deck with a newspaper or a good book.

If you’ve got a birthday or special occasion coming up how about booking the Taylor Range function hall as an excellent option to house parties or expensive nights out. Rates are very reasonable and there are many catering options available to suit your needs. If you are a member of a club looking for a new home the Taylor Range Club also has a limited number of long-term booking slots available.

Taylor Range Club prides itself on offering its members an affordable quality leisure experience in a safe and relaxed environment.

Membership is strictly limited by Club Constitution.

Contact Club Manager Michael Wilson for details today.

Telephone: 3366 1560

www.taylorrangecountryclub.com.au A.C.N 009 818 277

28 Greenlanes Road, Ashgrove Email: trcclub@bigpond.net.au Fax: 3366 7430

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 13

Probus Club of The Gap 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

Instore Printing Services: Printing, Copying, Scanning, Binding and Laminating up to A3 Simply print from your USB or email direct.

Hollingworth & Spencer W E L 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 September 2020 Page 14

Like some slumbering dragon in its cave, but without the hoard of gold and jewels, the Probus Club of The Gap lives on quietly, troubling no-one and looking forward to the day of awakening.

Unlike the dragon, the club is maintaining a life as near to normal as circumstances permit, with a regular newsletter, new members joining (which is where the simile breaks down, doesn’t it?) and even committee meetings.

“As near to normal as possible” means that informal gettogethers are properly socially distanced, usually in the open air, with no food sharing, but with plenty of good conversation, exchange of stories, jokes and family news. We are managing to stay within the rules and still induct new members.

Despite the happy situation in Queensland (so far – cross fingers) we are very conscious that it could change and we need to be careful, not only for our own sakes but for society: if a problem arose in our circle of friends and acquaintances it could be serious indeed.

Therefore we can’t offer new members a formal physical meeting yet; it could be months but there is reason to hope it could be sooner. 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!

Arana VIEW Club Arana VIEW Club are still meeting casually at present. At out last committee meeting we decided to delay starting formal meetings until we all feel more comfortable with the present COVID 19 situation. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t catching up. Member Bonnie is producing a monthly newsletter which is sent to all members and our coffee in the park get -togethers are continuing.

Our most recent was at Arthur Davis Park in Sandgate and over 30 members attended. We have another planned for 16th September at the Ferny Grove splash park and picnic grounds, Upper Kedron Road and Samford Road intersections. BYO everything again.

We are still supporting our Learning for Life students and making sure they receive the birthday gift cards.

If anyone is interested in finding out about our club, please come along to our mornings in the park. It is a lovely way to meet members informally and discover what we do for the Smith family. Contact Sandra Clark on 0413 317 212 for more information.

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

Clogged up cats You may be surprised to learn that constipation - the infrequent or difficult passage of faeces - is a common problem for our feline friends. Most instances of constipation are easily corrected. However, the longer faeces remain in the colon, the drier, harder, and more difficult to pass they become. Severe constipation can turn into obstipation, where faeces cannot be passed at all.

There are many different possible causes of constipation. These include: • Not drinking enough water, or losing too much water through urine. This can commonly occur with diseases such as chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus.

• Behavioural reasons such as inappropriately placed or dirty litter trays, or bullying from other cats in the house, may prevent a cat from voiding their bowels as often as they should, leading to harder, drier faeces that are more difficult to pass.

• Pain during defecation. This may occur due to diseases of the rectum or anal sacs, or even arthritis of the hind limbs.

• Obstruction preventing defecation. This may be from masses such as enlarged prostate or cancer, strictures of the colon, pelvic fractures, or functional abnormalities that prevent movement in the colon.

If your cat is constipated you may notice straining in the litter box, crying out while defecating, leaving hard, pellet-like faeces, abdominal discomfort, and sometimes even decreased appetite or vomiting.

If your cat is suspected of having constipation, your vet will perform a thorough physical exam. Additional tests, such as blood tests and x-rays, may be required to find the underlying cause of the constipation. Depending on the severity of the case, your cat may be treated with fluids, laxatives, or drugs to increase movement in the colon. In some cases, manual evacuation of the bowel under a general anaesthetic may be required. Be sure to only use laxatives prescribed by a veterinarian, as some laxatives formulated for human use can be very dangerous to cats.

Regards,

Scott, Connie and the team

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The Western Echo September 2020 Page 15

Neighbourhood Watch The Gap 4061 We ’ v e e x e c u t e d o u r Safety Bag Tag Initiative in 3 schools across The Gap 4061: Payne Road State School, St Peter Chanel The Gap, and The Gap State High School Years 7-9 The objective of this initiative: To ensure all 4061 students have easy, fast access to phone numbers for appropriate children’s welfare, wellbeing, and safety numbers to ensure their security, safety, and confidence to act on safety issues they experience to, during and from school.

So far the tags are on 1494 students bags and the feedback we’ve received has been very positive and gives us confidence that these Bag Tags will fulfil their objective.

We’ve had wonderful support launching these across all 3 schools with

strong communication from these amazing school communities to both students and parents.

Thanks to Boomerang Bags The Gap and Surrounds, Kate Jones MP, Member for Cooper and Cr Steven Toomey at The Gap Ward Office for supporting this initiative and helping make it possible. Thanks to Julian Simmonds Federal MP for helping us at the working bee.

Into 2021 and onwards our aim is to provide continuity ensuring these tags remain current and that new students arriving at each school are also provided with a Tag. We a r e w o r k i n g o n collaborations with other NHWQ & community groups in and around 4061 to ensure even more children have these Tags on their bags.

If your child goes to a school which isn’t listed above and you’d like to see

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The Western Echo September 2020 Page 16

Thanks to our wonderful working bee volunteers for assembling the Tags & Nurture the Knack for donating studio space for the evening

these Bag Tags be given out at their school, please visit https://nhwq4061.com/4061school-safety-bag-taginitiative/ and register your interest as a parent or a school P & C or Staff Member.

We are working hard to ensure these remain FREE to all students so if you’d like to support this initiative and help us reach more students, please head to https://nhwq4061. com/product/4061-

neighbourhood-watchmembership-2020-copy/ to donate.

Other News: We’d love to have you as a member and these memberships are available for $15.

Our memberships let you access any special deals we are offered by wonderful local businesses.

Your Suburb, Your Home, Your Family, Your Community 4061 www.fb.com/neighbourhoodwatchthegap neighbourhoodwatchthegap@yahoo.com.au

Home Care Packages Housework Door-to-door transport Centre-based respite Exercise programs for older people Meals on Wheels Personal care and inhome nursing services Home maintenance and modifications

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

The Gap Historical Society Inc. Est 2000 The good news for our members is that we are once again meeting!

We are meeting at The Gap State School Resource Centre on the 4th Saturday each month, starting back in August, with our next meeting on Saturday 26 September.

Naturally – WE ARE OBSERVING STRICT COVID SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. At present we don’t have any guest speakers lined up but once we settle down to our new meeting room and the new conditions – we will get back to a normal routine.

During the break in our meetings, our Time Line Project continued with more items being added. However, project leader George Stoddart has reached a stage where he urgently needs more events to include!!

Our aim is to make the project as comprehensive and wideranging as possible in respect of The Gap history.

We there urge all community groups – no matter how small – to forward us details of their history, particularly any major events in the life of their organisations. Sports clubs, Book clubs, Garden clubs, Service clubs, Scouts, Guides and any other organisations are welcome to forward their history.

Ultimately we will put the Time Line onto our website – www.thegaphistory.com.au where it will add to the overall history of The Gap, along with photos of families who played such a major role in developing our suburb.

Information can be forwarded per email to: deejjay36w@ gmail.com or by post to P O Box 479, The Gap. Secretaries – we really need to hear from you!!!

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS A lot can be, has been and is being said about how much the world has changed over the last few months and what we have seen coming out the other side.

No we are not out of the woods yet but in comparison to a lot of other countries – even our own in some cases – we are doing a great job in keeping Queensland safe.

Over the past few months we have been blessed to meet and assist some wonderful new faces in our business, both here at The Gap and also at Kelvin Grove and Bardon Markets forging a stronger relationship with our existing loyal regulars.

The restrictions forced us to take stock of how we go about our daily lives, and although quite trying in a lot of instances, we have seen some wonderful achievements from some changes in routine.

As a Mother, Wife and Grandmother (unashamedly willing to admit the last role is my most important!) I never tire of hearing some wonderful feedback from all ages and genders – of first time attempts at preparing meals for the family that have never been tried before.

From young children cooking their first batch of Spag Bol, to Dad doing the Sunday Roast, and nailing it, to Mum attempting an Asian dish that is usually eaten in their favourite restaurant but successfully cooked and enjoyed in their own home, the stories are many and varied and absolutely inspiring to hear!

We even have families that are now dividing their weekly meals between the family members to ensure they all get to contribute - some to give Mum a break, some because they’ve discovered a talent they didn’t know they even had and some just because they can and want to!

Growing up in the 60s and 70s in a large family of 8 kids, meal time was always that ONE time of the day when we all got to sit around the kitchen table, enjoy a home cooked meal and talk to each other.

Special times that you remember forever – not to mention hearing about your older siblings’ shenanigans that you could keep in the memory bank to remind them about in years to come when you needed some ammo against them!)

Hearing that this is once again becoming ‘a thing’ it makes us very proud in our business that we can contribute in a small way by providing some of the product needed to make this happen and also that extra bit of advice when it is needed.

We are lucky to have a great team behind the counter and to them I say THANK YOU for all of their hard work and extra time over this period. I am proud to call these guys my “family” so from our family to yours, we say thank you for your continued support of our business, thank you for shopping local and most of all thank you for keeping Queensland safe.

Until next month, eat well, stay healthy and stay safe.

Regards, Julie and the entire team at Meat U @ Home

The Gap Village Shopping Centre, 1000 Waterworks Road, The Gap

Ph: 3161 5021 website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 17

Family History Tips

ANTA Member

by Susie der Kinderen, Publicity Officer, Queensland Family History Society

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Many people think that researching your family history is just a simple matter of logging onto one of the big popular genealogy websites, searching for a family members name and Bingo!, you have the person and family members all before you and it’s as easy as the popular TV show makes it.

There are a few Golden Rules for Genealogy that you really should keep in mind. Here are just two of them: 1. Don’t believe everything you read. Birth, death and marriage certificates can have errors. Misspelling, incorrect dates, human error during transcription of the certificate and other mistakes are all too common.

2. If the document/certificate exists read it. Don’t rely on someone else’s interpretation of the original document.

While researching your ancestors can be extremely rewarding and great fun don’t work in isolation. Experienced researchers know all the traps and how to avoid fruitlessly researching the wrong person.

Queensland Family History Society has a number of special interest groups that focus on a number of countries and are there to help you avoid the traps and give you some tips and tricks to make your research journey rewarding.

Check out our groups and contact the convenor. https:// www.qfhs.org.au/groups/ Our events are for the beginner to the advanced researcher. https://www.qfhs.org.au/events/fridays-qfhs/

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 Nambour show was to be held in September, but has been cancelled.

Brisbane Quilt & Craft Fair at Convention Centre cancelled in October For more info Joy M. 0407 178 064 – Barbara 3271 2130 – Hazel M. 0408 157 117

Making Moving Your Body Easy • Exercise and Feel Better Call Belinda 0403 085 640 803 Waterworks Rd The Gap The Western Echo September 2020 Page 18

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

Locally Handmade Giftware @ The Gap

ReCreate at The Gap is a new community venture showcasing the creative talents of our local residents.

Having only been open a month, it has quickly become a popular source of handcrafted gifts and homewares. The shop is a collaboration between long term Gap resident, Di Briscoe and well known local artist, Karen Bessell. When Covid-19 forced people to stay home, Di realised that there must be many people in our local community who were creating much more than could simply be gifted to family and friends!

“I had recently retired and wanted a way to give back to our wonderful community by providing a means for people to generate a bit of extra income.” Di said.

During lockdown, Karen had been equally busy doing free online painting workshops. Di had been participating and, when they finally met in real life, the idea came to fruition and ‘ReCreate’ became a reality.

The shop is just one arm of the ever growing ‘Gap She Shed’ which grew out of a couple of meetings of like minded women last December.

The Shed rose from quarantine as a strong and vibrant community of diverse women. Karen said that the mission of the ‘She Shed’ is to be an inclusive social group bringing together young women, retirees, new mums and everyone in between. It provides a platform for friendship, skill sharing, learning & creativity. Each month, there are low cost craft workshops, guest speakers and social gatherings. Additionally, members have volunteered their time an expertise to run special interest groups such as crochet, quilting, walking and cycling. ‘I can’t believe that, from small beginnings, our group has grown to over 700 members’ said Karen, ‘We now have a six month program of events and we are adding even more interest groups thanks to the initiative of our members.’

The success of the ventures is yet another example of the vibrancy and support which thrives in our local community.

ReCreate Art Studio is located at 1125 Waterworks Road, The Gap (The Gap Baptist Church) and is open from 9am to 12 noon and 7pm to 9pm Monday; 9am to 12 noon and 3pm to 5pm Tuesday; 9am to 12 noon and 3pm to 5pm Wednesday; 3pm to 5pm Thursday and Friday and from 9am to 12 noon Saturday.

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 19

Ashgrove Historical Society

T h e S o c i e t y ’s g u e s t speaker program, usually held monthly at Ashgrove Library, continues to be in recess due to COVID-19 restrictions at the library.

The society’s books, photos and articles can be viewed on the website. Books can be purchased by contacting the secretary, Julie, on 3366 4621 or email: ahs.secretary@ bigpond.com. They make great gifts for current and past residents.

Many, many babies were born at the Ashgrove Private Hospital (APH) during the late 1930s to mid-1960s.

Unfortunately, no records have been preserved.

However, AHS member, Dr Sandra Bayley, conducted research and presented her findings at a meeting in March 2014. Over 70 people attended the talk which indicated the immense interest in the hospital.

Members of Matron Mickle and Matron Chapman’s families attended and brought along artefacts and photographs of the hospital, nursing staff, mothers and their babies. Some members of the audience shared their memories about the hospital: what it was like inside, the two week stay after the birth, the personalities of the staff, lovely food cooked on site and served on fine bone china, children being cajoled into entering the hospital to have

their tonsils out with the invitation to “come and see the babies.” Some expectant mothers travelled from outside of Brisbane to have their babies at the hospital.

There was also the sad story of forced adoptions in the 1960s and 70s.

Ashgrove Private Hospital – a pocket history Until the 1860s, childbirth happened at home with the help of family, friends and maybe a midwife. The early 1900s saw the beginning of medicalisation of childbirth.

The 1922 Maternity Act aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality. It provided for the establishment of government maternity hospitals and baby clinics.

Many small hospitals opened in Queensland (60 by 1929) and more childbirth options started to appear ie. maternity divisions of large general hospitals; religious and charitable institutions such as the Lady Bowen Lying-in Hospital in Wickham Terrace and small establishments run by a midwife such as Ashgrove Private Hospital.

By 1938, the Government had built the Royal Women’s Hospital at Herston and 93 other maternity hospitals throughout Queensland.

Eventually small private hospitals began to decline in number and public hospital

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The Western Echo September 2020 Page 20

birthing took over.

The original Ashgrove maternity hospital was established circa 1930. It was located on Elimatta Drive, between Aloomba & Kadanga Roads. A search of the post office directories indicates it was on the righthand side but it has since been demolished. Matron Vicar was the initial matron but M. Chapman was listed as matron there in 1933 & 1934. By 1935 the hospital was located on the corner of Waterworks Rd & Elimatta Drive. The building is still there and currently operates as a boarding house.

The site of what was to become the second Ashgrove Private Hospital (APH) was on 3 blocks of land originally purchased by a Mrs Flora Grandison. A large home was built for her and her husband, Charles, in approximately 1928 at a cost of £800. The Grandisons lived there until 1933 when they sold it to Matron Mary Chapman, also known as Molly or Chappy, who was 52 at the time of purchase.

The hospital was mainly a maternity hospital but not exclusively so. Many people have childhood memories of having their tonsils removed there. Other minor surgery was also performed. There were nurses’ quarters at the side of the house, and the 3 bedrooms are still there.

The Matron lived in a room downstairs. In 1936, Sister Mickle (born 1900) became

part of the nursing team. She had trained in midwifery at the Lady Bowen Lying-in Hospital in 1929. When she came to work at the APH with Matron Chapman, it was the start of a long association, both professionally and as friends. They were very different but complementary.

They worked together until 1958, when Matron Chapman, aged 78, sold the hospital to Sister Mickle who then became Matron Mickle at the age of 58. Matron Chapman continued to live onsite, in her room downstairs, until her death in 1971 aged 90.

Other staff members were Nurse Jefferies, Sister Kirby, Nurse Evans, Sister Nichols, Nurse Ross, Mrs Fairburn (the cook), and the laundry team: Mrs Meacham and daughter, Daisy.

In 1965, Matron Mickle had a heart attack and moved to her sister’s home in Oleander Drive. Later she had a major operation, from which she never quite recovered. She developed cancer and the hospital closed in 1966. It took some time to sell but eventually the Methodist Church purchased it in 1969. Matron Mickle died on 9 March 1970, aged 69, and is buried in the cemetery of The Gap Uniting Church.

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Walton Bridge The Gap Girl Guide District After four months of lockdown and no face to face Guide meetings although we did continue during that time with several methods of keeping in touch with our Gumnuts,Brownies,Guides and Rangers. The older girls mostly had weekly Zoom meetings, whereas for our younger members we provided craft boxes and snail mail via newsletters which contained badge syllabus suggestions, colouring in, puzzles and photos of girls doing various activities.

All of our units are now meeting weekly at the Guide hut and enjoying lots of outdoor activities while adhering to COVID rules. The main difference for our volunteer leaders is trying to ensure social distancing and the extra cleaning chores before and after a meeting.

We are looking for leaders and would welcome enquiries from any females who are interested as our District has a number of older leaders who are reaching retirement. This is a very worthwhile volunteer activity working with young girls from five years of age to eighteen years and certainly if you have a preference for a certain age group we can arrange for you to visit and experience a unit of girls in that age range. Uniform and training are all supplied at no cost to the individual. Please contact our District Manager Elizabeth Wheeley if you are interested at e.wheeley@gmail.com as she would love to have a chat with you.

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We are all looking forward to our special presentation afternoon on Saturday 19th September 2020 at the Guide hut in Paten Rd, The Gap. One of our Rangers will receive her Queens Guide award which is a very special achievement requiring lots of work and commitment. There are also a number of leaders and Trefoil members who will be presented with years of membership badges. The afternoon will be hosted by the Sylvia Ringrose Trefoil Guild which meets monthly at the Guide hut and most members are current or past members of the Girl Guide Association. The Guild is always ready to welcome new members.

Quote of the Day

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

- Robert Louis Stevenson

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website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

www.thegapss.eq.edu.au

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 21

.....Principal's Points.......Principal's Points......

Payne Road State School We celebrated an exciting National Science Week 2020 with the theme: “DEEP BLUE: INNOVATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR OCEANS”.

We are very proud at Payne Road SS to facilitate the many activities that ‘dig deep’ into the learning for National Science Week.

Wi t h t h i s i n m i n d , the theme embraced the innovative technologies, capabilities and skills needed to achieve economic, environmental and social sustainability of our oceans. It featured insights and inquiries into workable solutions that generate healthy oceans, healthy economies and healthy communities.

Momentum had been building in classrooms over a number of weeks, with our students actively engaged in ‘Deep Blue’ activities across the curriculum – Science, Technology, Visual Arts and Drama.

Students created amazing Ocean Habitats in 3D or Diorama, combing a range of media, materials and creative skills. Our entry Breezeway was transformed into an ‘underwater world’ as tentacles, and creatures glistened from the well designed and adorned walls and ceilings as marine depictions moved effortlessly with the breezes.

At our assembly, each class reported on their recent scientific learning and reported why these were important to the sustainability of our oceans and our world.

Active student voices had purpose from Prep to Year 6!

Our Environment Clubs, P-2 and 3-6 all made authentic connections with water study and our oceans’ health.

Parents and students

had a great opportunity to create their own collaborative experiments at home. They keenly photographed or video recorded these experiences, and made their own observations and hypotheses.

These were proudly post on our Facebook and Newsletters. Parent feedback on this initiative has been amazing – I’d like to say a very sincere thanks to the school for encouraging the participation in science week this year - it’s been a great opportunity for me and Will to do some fun, educational stuff together, and a very welcome distraction from the stresses of COVID. Why is it so? Was a recurrent question posted by our SEQ Water virtual presenter who worked with all classes in our STEAM Hub. Fittingly, everyone was dressed up as either a Scientist or a Marine Creature! This was a great culmination to our week of DEEP BLUE – a purposeful time for DEEP THINKING AND SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY at Payne Road SS! A school of choice, a school for the future!!

Nicky Brazzale - Principal

St Peter Chanel Primary School Term 3 is in full swing at St Peter Chanel School.

In recent weeks, alongside all Catholic schools in Queensland, we celebrated Catholic Education Week.

Across the 307 schools in our state Catholic education employs over 20 000 staff who serve and educate more than 154 000 children! This year is a particularly special one as we are also celebrating 175 years of Catholic Education in Queensland.

As part of our school’s celebrations, our 2020 Writer-in-Residence, Mr David Lowe, joined us

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 22

for the week. David is an accomplished author of many children’s books and worked with all our classes to empower students to hone their writing skills. This is a wonderful initiative which we undertake annually, in partnership with our Parents and Friends Association, and which demonstrates to our children the value of literature and literacy.

Our Year 1 children have celebrated being at school for 100 days. The day of educational activities and festivities commenced with a treasure hunt to find and order 100 numbered lollies. The students then enjoyed making a badge, glasses and a crown, each with the 100 theme. Mr Laurie Hallam, one of our teachers, used his drone to take a photo of the children making the number 100 with their bodies. It was a great day, and all involved loved celebrating this milestone.

The Gap Neighbourhood Watch group appreciates that it is very important to ensure our youth feel safe where they live. Recently, I was delighted to meet with Mrs Jo Ingram from the group, who, on behalf of Neighbourhood Watch Queensland: The Gap, presented our community with enough tags so that there is one for each child to attach to their school bag.

During the presentation of the tags at a school assembly, we explained the concept of the tags to the students so as they understand that the tags are a reference point for important contact phone numbers and information.

Parents and carers have been encouraged to take time to discuss the tags and their purpose with their child. On our community’s behalf I thanked Jo and her wonderful band of helpers who not only developed the initiative but raised the necessary funds to create the tags as well

as spent time assembling the components. What a great community initiative, with the best interests of our children at heart!

Recently, we welcomed to school Mr Julian Simmonds MP (Member for Ryan).

The visit was designed to inspect the work undertaken to replace the artificial turf around the ship in the early years’ playground.

Our Parents and Friends Association contributed $3 000 towards this project, to add to the school’s $6 000 contribution. Mr Simmonds supported the project with a $3 000 grant from the Local Schools Community Fund.

It was great that many of our students took up the opportunity to also thank Mr Simmonds for his support of this work.

In recognition of our school’s focus on increasing safety in the local community, we have been awarded a fence banner, courtesy of the Brisbane City Council.

Our school works with the Council, who offer help and guidance to schools to develop a tailored Traffic Management Plans (TMP) which assesses traffic and safety challenges specific to the area and finds appropriate solutions and strategies to address them. Our school TMP’s is an important safety initiative.

Congratulations to the students who entered our tuckshop’s Summer Salad Competition. The ultimate winner was Maverick H (from 1B), for his Tuna Salad. Mav will receive a $10.00 Tuckshop Voucher and the salad will be added to the menu in Term 4. In addition, all of Mav’s class will receive a sample of the salad. The competition was so good that we would also like to recognise Patrick N and Isobel O’L (both from (Continued on page 23)

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

.....Principal's Points.......Principal's Points......

St Peter Chanel School

The Gap State High School

(Continued from page 23)

On Friday 31st of July we held our Athletics Carnival due to the inclement weather the week prior. It was a beautiful winter’s day and students and teachers enjoyed being out in the sunshine. The Gap Gift is always a highlight, it’s the last event of the day where the fastest student from each year level runs against each other in a handicap style race. After having so many events cancelled this year it was great to see the carnival go ahead.

Enrolment interviews for 2021 have continued in earnest and we held an enrolment afternoon where we interviewed over 100 Grade 6 students wanting to join our school next year.

It was very refreshing to see so many eager smiling faces and we look forward to seeing them at The Gap SHS in 2021.

Another first this year was our Zoom parent /teacher/ student conferences. After a few initial hiccups the afternoon ran very smoothly and I think most parents and teachers would agree it was probably a preferred way of running conferences in the future, with the intent that these will become primarily student led.

Week 6 of term three was National Science Week.

Our Science faculty kept our students entertained each lunch time with different activities like: paper plane competition, science escape rooms, ‘Gattaca’ movie screening and The Big Watermelon Experiment where we got to watch a watermelon implode. A lot of fun was had by all.

Over two days in August we held over 280 Year 10 Senior Education and Training Plan (SET) interviews. The SET Plan

1M). Their salads will be made available as a one-off special in Term 4. Well done everyone. The recipes entered sounded nothing short of delicious, and alongside the community, I look forward to tasting them.

St Peter Chanel has been successful in receiving a Sporting Schools Grant. Part of this money will be spent on coach-delivered sporting programs for students in Years 3 - 6. Four weeks of sessions have been booked with Auskick (Year 3), Cricket Australia (Year 4), Netball Australia (Year 5) and Touch Football Australia (Year 6). This is an exciting opportunity for the children to participate in sport and learn from high quality coaches.

We are currently in the midst of our Jump Rope for Heart focus and are making great progress towards our $6500.00 fundraising goal.

Jump Rope for Heart is a fantastic physical activity and fundraising program run by the Heart Foundation. It is a great way for our children to keep fit and learn new skills, but it also helps raise funds for vital heart research and educational programs. We are proud to partner with the foundation in this initiative.

Any families in the local community who are interested in knowing more about what our school has to offer are warmly invited to contact our school office on 3300 1202 or by emailing pthegap@bne. catholic.edu.au. We currently have limited vacancies across year levels for 2021 and interested families are welcome to book in a time for a guided tour through our modern teaching and learning spaces and spacious grounds.

Margo Carwardine – Principal

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

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

Rob’s Guitar School Professional - Experienced All Ages - Blue Card Rock - Folk - Jazz - Blues

3289 8020 www.robsguitarschool.com Teaching Studio in The Gap

Proprietor Rob Reeves - rob@robsguitarschool.com

SPEED LIMIT NEAR SCHOOLS Now that the children are back at school please drive carefully!

40Kmh

helps students structure their learning around their abilities, interests and ambitions and outlines the student’s learning pathway. The whole process ran smoothly, thanks to teachers, students and parents involved and we hope that these conversations supported students to make some proactive choices for their future pathway and success.

7am to 9am & 2pm to 4pm We have commenced planning for the timetable for 2021, should families intend on sending sons or daughters and have not enrolled yet, it would be helpful to have these enrolments and interviews finalised so we can factor this into our planning.

Anne McLauchlan – Principal (Continued on page 24)

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 23

THE WESTERN ECHO

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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 OCTOBER 2020 Edition Tuesday 22 September 2020

Phone: 3300 1846

email: editor@westernecho.com.au

Ithaca Probus Club Activities slowly resuming at Ithaca Probus Club Although some social activities are now running again, it has been six months since any formal meetings have been held. Finally, a full general meeting of all members will be held in September. In the interim the former venue for our meetings became unavailable so the resumption will also see meetings commence at a new venue – the Red Hill Community Sports Club in Fulcher Road, Red Hill. Following the outdoor morning teas at Iron Bark Gully club members were delighted to have a BBQ lunch there in August. Plus further catching up over a second lunch at The Gap Tavern. Some of the small group activities resumed in August – the cards group and the poetry group, each held in a member’s home. Our first full day outing – the postponed bus trip to Ipswich, will be held in September. But although the incidence of COVID-19 is very low in our community the threat is not yet over, so we must still be on our guard, maintaining the precautions of physical distancing, regular hand washing, and keeping the COVIDSafe app running on our phones.

Throughout the shut-down we have still been welcoming new members. In troubled times there are even greater benefits for our generation, both mentally and physically, in being part of a social group. All our usual activities are gradually resuming. Meanwhile, our monthly newsletters have been keeping members connected. Getting the newsletters would let potential new members 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 please see our web site: www.probussouthpacific.org/microsites/ithaca The Western Echo September 2020 Page 24

Principal's Points......

The Gap State School (Continued from page 23)

During this term, over 100 students from Years 2-6 participated in our Student Council Handball Competition. Nominated students keenly competed in their respective year levels groups at lunchtime, to eventually determine the overall competition winners.

We a r e p l e a s e d t o announce the winners - Jake (Year 2), Levi (Year 3), Alex (Year 4), Aden (Year 5) and Nathan (Year 6) and I congratulate all students for their sportsmanship and respect shown to their peers and umpires, throughout the competition.

I wish to acknowledge some of our students for their recent sporting successes.

Year 6 student, Orla, has been selected in the Met North Squash 10-19 Years Team and will compete at the State Squash Championships i n To o w o o m b a t h i s September. Congratulations Orla. Congratulations also goes to Julian, Hugh and Rafael on their selection in the North West District Hockey Team to complete at the Met North Trials. We wish each of you all the best at your respective competitions.

Over recent weeks, there has been much activity taking place in our school vegetable garden. Hard at work, teacher Mrs Kilgour and teacher aide gardener James, have cleared the space in the lower section of the garden and brought in some recycled stainless steel bench tops. These long benches allow more students to work together to plant, propagate and learn about the growing cycle. Despite the fact that our market garden

concept has taken a back seat for now, the work behind the scenes by Mrs Kilgour and sustainability club members, preparing plants (succulents and herbs) for future selling, continues to take place each week.

Our Sustainability Club’s Wrapper-Free Wednesday is continuing this term with the Golden Lunchbox presented to an early/middle phase class at each assembly. There is strong competition to receive the lunchbox and it takes pride of place in winning classrooms. Of course, we hope that students and their parents continue with wrapper-free lunchboxes across the remainder of the week and that Wrapper-Free Wednesday is helping to develop more sustainable practices within our community.

Congratulations to our dedicated, Teacher-Librarian, Mrs ten Hacken who has recently secured a position to begin her PhD at the University of Queensland from 2021. Over the next few years, Mrs ten Hacken will continue to work at our school part-time whilst working on her PhD. Her thesis topic is – “Fostering children’s intercultural understanding through picture books”, a passion she regularly shares with our students through their library lessons. We congratulate Mrs ten Hacken on the outstanding achievement of securing a full scholarship, after undergoing a highly competitive application process at Queensland’s top research university. Our school and students will only continue to benefit from her professional growth.

Joanne Nicholls - Principal

Quote of the Day

Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers - Alfred Lord Tennyson website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

Author Dave Lowe inspires local children to write St Peter Chanel School has welcomed Mr David Lowe as their 2020 Writer-in-Residence.

The event coordinator and the school’s Teacher Librarian, Mrs Angela Callins, spoke of David as an accomplished author of eleven acclaimed books aimed at children 7 - 11 years of age.

David is also involved in writing episodes of Bluey, the Australian children’s cartoon series on the ABC which is hugely popular.

As well as sharing his works and passion for writing and stories, David worked with all students from Prep to Year 6 to develop and improve their writing skills. He delighted students with stories about his childhood and the pet hamster which became the inspiration for his first published work. This book, My Hamster is a Genius, was highly commended at the prestigious Sheffield Book Awards in the UK in 2013 and the six book series has already been translated into six languages and sold over 100 000 copies worldwide.

During the writing workshops, David stressed to the students that it is essential to develop a strong sense of character before starting the writing process, to ensure the reader cares about what happens to them. He also shared a powerful strategy that he uses constantly as a writer, asking “What If” questions… for example: What if my hamster could talk? What if my hamster was a genius? It is no doubt strategies such as these that contributed to David winning a Lancashire Fantastic Book Award in 2016.

Principal, Ms Margo Carwardine, said the next step in this much valued program is to collate all student work, ready for publication in the school’s very own book, which will be launched later in the year. She noted that this initiative, which is quite unique to primary schools, gives the students a very clear message about the value the school and its families place on literacy and literature. The project is a joint venture between the school and their Parents and Friends Association.

Valley Hockey Club Celebrating 100 Years in 2021 The Valley Hockey Club will be celebrating its 100 years in 2021. To commemorate its centenary the Club will be hosting a number of events throughout the year.

Any past players or supporters, both men and women, who would like to be advised of such events should contact the VHC Secretary at secretary@valleyhockey.com.au or contact Alex Granlund on 0404 463 733 website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

Dave Lowe has been working with classes at St Peter Chanel Catholic Primary School to develop and improve their writing skills

Laugh for wellbeing, no joke Finish this sentence: what the world needs now is…

Many may say a vaccine to fight COVID-19. The Gap Laughter Club’s founder HeatherJoy Campbell says ‘laughter’ and here’s why.

“We tend to think of laughter as a response to jokes and good times and good company: if that’s the case, there’s not been a lot to laugh about in 2020 thanks to coronavirus,” she says.

“And while a vaccine would be terrific, that takes time.

Meanwhile we can intentionally laugh, as a physical act, and help strengthen our physical and mental health by releasing stress, leaving worries behind, allowing our bodies to relax and release natural feel-good chemicals: we’re helping to strengthen our immune system as well as our mental resilience . Win-win!”

Four years ago, The Gap Laughter Club began its laughter in the park sessions on Saturday mornings, as a volunteerrun community service extending a worldwide movement practising laughter yoga for health, peace and connection.

When restrictions came into force some months ago, the physical weekly gatherings had to stop like so many other activities. But just as HeatherJoy moved her laughter yoga work practices online, the community giveback laughter club went online too.

It’s now online – on Sundays at 5pm until the end of September – and back in the park (weather permitting) at Walton Bridge Reserve on Saturdays at 9am, physical distancing and non-contact exercises in place. There’s no fee for this community activity (gold coin donations for the faceto-face sessions go to support other community groups like Communify’s Pantry).

The face-to-face sessions are in the section of Walton Bridge Reserve on Waterworks Road opposite the Jevons Street junction. A yellow flag flies by the driveway on Saturday mornings. For the password to join the online sessions, email heatherjoy@thehappydemic.com.au The Gap Laughter Club is also on Facebook.

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 25

Enoggera & Districts Historical Society Inc. Helping the Local Community Discover its History!

Who killed Betty Shanks?

On Friday evening, 19 September 1952, 22 year old student Betty Shanks left the tram at the Grange terminus.

She had earlier completed her college night classes in the city. She started the short walk home to her residence in Montpelier Street. With minutes she was savagely

attacked and bludgeoned to death. To this day, this tragic murder mystery has never been solved.

It was called the night that Brisbane lost its innocence.

Afterwards it was said residents always checked to ensure their doors were locked at night, and never again did people sleep outside on their verandas during those hot summer evenings.

This notorious event has been the subject of several books, articles and film productions over the years – including ‘Who Killed Betty Shanks?’ by Ken Blanch.

As of today, a $50,000 reward remains in place for any person who has information about what

Contact us Ph: 0432 967 829 walkingfootballbrisbane.com.au info@walkingfootballbrisbane.com.au

happened on that fateful night back in 1952.

Does anyone out there remember the tragic Betty Shanks murder and the impact it had on Brisbane?

And in particular the north western suburbs?

Visit our Facebook page or email enoggerahistory@ gmail.com And don’t forget: the Enoggera & Districts Historical Society Inc. has

CHESS T'MINIT With Covid-19 restrictions now being relaxed, physical tournament and social play at The Gap Chess Club has recommenced with Covidsafe play rules in place. Game night starts 7.30 pm 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.

A record number of players (18) are currently competing in the Stuart Wilson Trophy tournament, where each player has one hour to make all of their moves, with an increment of 10 seconds for every move.

After two rounds of the seven round Swiss, Harvey Zhu and Oliver Au are the only players with a full 2 points. When this tournament is completed

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 26

just re-opened its history display to the local community each Thursday morning from 9.30am. Just visit the Enoggera Memorial Hall in Wardell Street (parking in Trundle Street). Social distancing and COVID-19 rules apply, but you are most welcome to drop in for a look and a cuppa.

Take care, everyone.

Andrew McMicking President

at the end of the month, the annual ‘Allegro’ event will be held, with players only having 10 minutes for all of their moves.

This month’s problem is another one that recently f e a t u r e d o n t h e c l u b ’s Facebook page. Black has a nice move to win material.

Solution to last month’s puzzle. 1 Ne6 is very strong, as 1… fxe6, 2 f7 leads to checkmate.

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

History at Norths as hockey season resumes

The Brisbane hockey season has resumed following a break due to COVID-19 – and some history is being made at Northern Suburbs Hockey Club at Ashgrove.

Norths club stalwart Trish Hughes recently became just the second woman to play 200 Division 1 games for the Eagles.

One of the few players to have played Division 1 hockey in Brisbane in four different decades, Trish has been a member of Norths’ top women’s side for more than 20 years.

She debuted in first-grade in 1999 Norths Division 1 hockey and is currently coaches Paul and Lyn Tucker. playing her 15th

Norths hockey captain Trish Hughes in action.

Photo by Andrew Blanchard

season in Division 1. In between, she helped Norths win the 2003 Brisbane Division 2 premiership and was named the player of the grand final.

That same season Trish won the Brisbane Division 2 player of the year award and represented the Brisbane Open team – and again in 2004 as co-captain.

She captained Norths to the club’s maiden Division

1 w o m e n ’s s e m i - f i n a l s appearance last season.

Meanwhile, Trish’s coach Lyn Tucker and her husband Paul have also created history at Norths.

The Tuckers are the first husband and wife to coach Division 1 teams at Norths in the same season, with Lyn coaching the top-grade women and Paul in charge of the Eagles’ top men’s side.

Photo by Andrew Blanchard

Newmarket Probus Club - We’re back!

After a long lapse of several months we are planning to reconvene meetings for the Newmarket Probus Club at the Red Hill Community Sports Centre, Fulcher Rd, Red Hill.

Our first meeting back at the Club will be on September 9th. COVID safe precautions will be in place.

Guests are welcome!

Please contact Judith on 3353 1234 if you are interested in joining the club, and she will give you all the necessary information.

The club meets on the second Wednesday of each month between 10 am and 12 midday. There is ample parking at the club for members’ cars.

Regular activities include Sunday Lunch group, Walking

Walking Group displaying their social distancing skills during a recent visit to the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens

group, Book Group, monthly outings, plus Indoor Bowls, 500 cards and Mahjong. The monthly meeting usually includes a guest speaker.

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

During the last month or so small groups of members have met for the Book Group, and the Walking Group.

It will be good to see each other again, and to catch up with everyone’s news.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 27

Cabbage (Fan) Palm 3300 6304

www.ppnn.org.au

With glossy green, fan shaped leaves spanning 3-4m in length and a trunk reaching a height of up to 30m, the cabbage or fan palm (Livistonia australis) is a stunning feature tree suitable for the majority of gardens or as a potted specimen. Its common name derives from both the leaf shape and, in autumn and winter, the striking spikes of cream flowers which resemble cabbages. This tree is naturally found in a narrow coastal strip from Fraser Island in Queensland through NSW to far eastern Victoria where it thrives in rainforest margins and wet eucalypt forests. It grows best in welldrained, organically rich

soils with filtered sunlight in frost-free areas, but tolerates poor air quality and a wide variety of soil types, some of which slow their growth rate and final height. This palm accumulates dead leaves which form a ‘skirt’ beneath the growing top of the palm.

In a formal garden setting these may be removed by an arborist but are left in roadside plantings as the leaves do not drop and thus do not require constant cleaning up.

Traditionally, the cabbage palm has served many purposes. The Eora people of the Sydney Basin ate the young fronds, either cooked or raw and the heart of the

trunk was cooked to treat sore throats. The fronds were used as roofing, the leaf segments for weaving into bags and baskets and fibres for making string, rope, fishing nets and fishing lines. No doubt similar uses were utilised throughout the palm’s natural range. The

early colonists also ate the young leaves as a cabbage substitute. Their greatest use of the plant, however, was in plaiting split leaf segments and constructing these into the distinctive cabbage tree hats that were popular up until the 1930’s.

Have you visited Yoorala St Community Garden?

NOTICE TO READERS

What we love about our garden: Grow your own fresh produce Make new friends An active community group Enjoy family-time outdoors Learn gardening skills & tips No gardening experience required Access-friendly raised garden beds Social events & on-site workshops Private plots available for lease

It's a place we really dig!

Community open times: Please come and see our garden for yourself.

You are welcome to visit us during the following community times: Dec-Mar: Sundays, 4.00-6pm Apr-Nov: Sundays, 8.00-10am Just turn up, bring your hat, water bottle & gloves. One of our members will meet you, show you around, and provide information if you'd like to get involved. And join us for a cuppa afterwards. Hope to see you soon!

Visitors welcome!

98 Yoorala St, The Gap www.yscg.com.au yscgsecretary@gmail.com www.facebook.com/yooralastreetcommunitygarden

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 28

We wish to advise that distribution of the Western Echo can not be legally made to letterboxes displaying No Junk Mail, 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 • Walton Bridge News Copies are also available at The Gap Village Shopping Centre, The Gap Ward Office, The Friendly Grocer The Gap, Ashgrove Electorate Office, Great Western Super Centre Management Keperra, Red Hill APO, Ashgrove APO, and the Ashgrove Library.

Quote of the Day

It's the friends you can call up at 4am that matter.

- Marlene Dietrich website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

Small birds making a comeback

After 18 years of weeding and planting, droughts and floods, the Walton Bridge Reserve bushcare crew has reported the increased presence of small birds in the plantings along the edges of Enoggera and Fish Creeks.

Birds observed include fairywrens, pardalotes, fantails and recently whitebrowed scrubwrens.

Group founder Robert Whyte said that small birds returning to the creek edges was a major achievement for the group.

“Creating habitat is why bushcarers work so hard to restore our bushland corridors.

“Some birds can forage in suburban backyards.

Magpies, honeyeaters, figbirds, even king parrots are regular visitors to the suburbs.

“Many birds are like FIFO workers. They fly in and fly out of backyards to

eat the available food. Other species need food sources and habitat only available in bushland,” he said.

Most small bird species need continuous dense undergrowth so they are not exposed to predators. Many small birds eat insects more plentiful in bushland.

While Walton Bridge Reserve is in the very heart of a large suburban area, its bushland connects directly via the creek corridors to the D’Aguilar National Park, Gallipoli Barracks and the Taylor Range.

Upstream has been revegetated by bushcare groups such as Watercress Farm, Yoorala Street, Bob

White-browed scrubwren Sericornis frontalis Photo: CC BY 2.0 gailhampshire

Wilson Site and Nicholas Park.

“When we stated rehabilitation at Walton Bridge in 2002, there were weedy grasses and lawn areas extending right to the creek edges.

“The priority was to clear the creek edges and plant thickly. The first major planting in 2003 was followed by several drought years,

followed by flood years.

“It’s only been in the last couple of years we’ve started to see thick undergrowth and the tree tops joining across the creek.

“Once you’ve got canopy across the creek, the small birds can make a comeback,” Rob said.

Save Our Waterways Now www.saveourwaterwaysnow. com.au.

Newmarket VIEW Club Lunchtime meetings of the Newmarket VIEW Club are held on 4th Tuesday of month, 10.30am for 11.00am start – Cost $30 at the Gaythorne RSL Club With the new restrictions during COVID19, unfortunately no meetings have been held since January, 2020. However news from Head Office has still been sent out by our President and our Vice- President, to keep members breast of doings throughout Clubs. As the Gaythorne RSL will not be allowing functions in the upstairs function rooms until 2021, a social lunch was arranged in the Bistro for

this month. Only a total of 40 members were able to attend, each purchasing their own meals but, at least, were able to get-together and socialise.

Hopefully, this get-together can be continued until normal life returns.

The Newmarket VIEW Club, Brisbane, is a small. friendly club seeking community-minded women.

VIEW members come from all walks of life, and we would be delighted if you could join us in our mission to provide better educational opportunities for young Australians. We support The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program and our Club

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

2020 Committee, Roslyn Arden, Jean Robinson, Heather Nightingale, Christine Newman, Lynette Harrington, Ann Rammerath and Frances Carter

currently sponsors six school students.

If you wish to know more about the Newmarket VIEW Club, email us on

newmarketview@gmail.com or telephone our president, Heather, on 0437 343 163 or vice-president, Jean, on 0438 177 176.

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 29

Interview with Mario De Marco Secretary Newmarket Bocce Club

Q. How long have you been playing bocce?

A. Well, I remember playing as a teenager. My father built a bocce court at home which doubled up as a drive way for my XW Ford Falcon Sedan. He had boards along the side so you play off the board in a difficult shot.

There were boards placed at either end, my father had screwed on rubber car tyres.

The main reason was to act as a noise buffer but when you played a ball, you could actually bounce the ball from the back and it would travel forward and sometimes take the shot. Back in those days it was no rules bocce. This was before the National Bocce Federation was incorporated.

Well then I got interested in Ten Pin Bowling and did that for 17 years. I was quite good at it with a cabinet full of trophies and patches to show.

I was introduced to bocce at the Australian Italian Club at Carseldine by my brotherin-law. You would remember it as the Tavernetta. Beppi Sari was in charge of Bocce and I remember Marco Stefanuto who at the time was a Queensland junior champion. That was in the mid 1990’s. As you know the land was sold, the beautiful bocce courts torn down and the rest is history.

So I moved over to the Italo Austalian Centre at Newmarket. I was a committee member when Gianni Cappelli was President. I was President in 2008 & 2009 and have been secretary for 10 years.

We currently have a great committee who are dedicated to the club.

Q. What is it about bocce that you enjoy so much?

A. It is a game of skill, being able to accurately bowl a ball to take the shot from your opponent It’s a game of stamina especially when you play a competition and you are playing all day.

It’s a relaxing game, not physical. Bocce is a lively game providing fun to people of all ages and you only need minimal equipment, a set of Bocce balls and a club polo shirt and off you go.

It is also a forum to meet people, make friends and enjoy a drink during and after the game.

We play Wednesday and Friday nights, Tuesday morning and Sunday afternoon (by arrangement), so it is a good mid-week break away from work and hustle and bustle of life.

Q. How many members in the club?

A . We h a v e a b o u t 60members. About 26 members play bocce, some social and some competitive.

The Special Olympic team trains on Thursday night. These juniors are just fantastic. We have the Baby Boomers club where there are up to 20 participants.

Some play Bocce and some play cards. They have a great time. Anyone is welcomed to attend. The cost is $2 per person. They attend

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 30

Mario, centre, with fellow Newmarket Bocce Club members

Wednesday mornings.

Unlike New South Wales and Victoria where Bocce is BIG, here in Queensland it never took off because unfortunately in the early days there was no program to get younger players to play, and train new players and of course when the Italian Club went into liquidation 2006/2007 nearly all the members left. We have 2 original members in the club.

The club had some great players and even boasted a fantastic women’s team.

So, yes it is difficult to get junior players because of all the other interactive sports out there. But our club will not give up on junior players and all ages are welcomed to join. The Queensland Federation has developed a junior program.

Q. How many bocce clubs are there?

A. There used to be about 6 bocce clubs in South East QLD, however they have all gone and we are the only surviving club left in Brisbane. The other is Redlands Bocce club in the Redlands City Council precinct.

We are determined to keep it going, but it is a very hard ask. Without sponsors and a few more members we may not be around in a few years’ time Q. Where to from here?

A . We l l , t h a t ’s a n interesting question. The game is multicultural with about 50 countries involved but it was the Italian migrant in the 1900’s that brought the game to Australia. We are trying to get all cultures involved. We will keep going as long as possible and long as there is some interst in the game. Come and have a try?

There are many forms of Bocce: Vuolo, Raffa, Boccia, Beach bocce, no rules bocce and recreational back yard bocce. Bocce Vuolo is what we play and is a more traditional game.

Bocce will be coming soon in the Olympics. Watch this space!

Q. How can interested people contact you?

A. You can call me on 0403257325 or our President Tony Giacoboni on 0412 386 617.

Quote of the Day

I shut my eyes in order to see.

- Paul Gauguin

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

Brisbane Tramway Museum

and Ferny Grove Men's Shed

This was our Tram 135 years ago!

August saw us commemorate the 135th anniversary of the first horse drawn trams commencing in Brisbane. One of the highlights of the afternoon was a tram- pull-ing demonstration (using the horse drawn tram) organised by Ritual HQ on our be-half. The team managed to cut their time each pull - from 22 seconds down to 17 seconds over a 50 metre track. Cr Steve Toomey is shown in the photograph at right, helping out on the third pull !

Another major event was the official opening of Ashgrove The Gap Rotary Club’s new storage shed erected on the museum site. Member for Ryan Julian Simmonds MP and Councillor for The Gap Ward Steve Toomey assisted Rotarians who later provided the sausage sizzle for the museum’s activities. Our sincere thanks to Ro-tary for their support.

September marks another significant anniversary for the museum - our Commemoration of the Padding-ton Depot fire which occurred back in 1962. Brisbane lost 65 trams in that disaster.

Our commemoration will take place on Saturday 26th

September and will be a late afternoon/evening event. For details closer to the date, please consult our website www. brisbanetramwaymuseum.org or our Facebook page.

And we thank Men of The Trees for their latest garden improvement on our behalf. We now have 3 gar-dens which they have re-organised and which are looking really appealing.

Award winning aged care Communify has been recognised for their outstanding contribution to aged care, winning the Queensland Organisation Award at the 2020 Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) Excellence in Aged Care Awards.

Communify runs community in-home care, day respite and social programs for people in inner north and west Brisbane. Their social inclusion program caught the judges’ attention, which focuses on keeping seniors connected through a social groups, gentle exercise classes and special interests.

C o m m u n i t y ’s C E O , Karen Dare, said that staying connected, active, and feeling part of a community are essential to wellbeing.

“We’re passionate about keeping people connected and we try to come up with innovative ways to improve the lives of older members of our community,” she said.

“We identified a gap for clients who wished to go on outings in the evenings.

From here we started our Sip & Paint classes and Culture Club.”

Communify’s Paint & Sip classes involve a guided art class, supper and a glass (or two) of wine. Their monthly Culture Club, in partnership with QPAC, provides up to 10 clients access to dress rehearsals, backstage meet & greets and preperformance talks, providing unique opportunities to gain backstage insights into theatre, ballet and other performances.

Ms Dare said that, for older people, there can be many barriers to attending evening activities, especially with getting to events safely and with having the right friendly support at events.

“We have found ways to diminish these barriers, and we are very proud of our volunteers and staff - they go

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au

Sip & Paint evening classes are proving very popular and are helping bring out a creative flair in many clients

the extra mile to ensure our clients have such enjoyable memories” she said.

Communify’s aged care services provide a wide range of social activities for seniors, including social groups via video conferencing to help seniors stay socially and physically active while in self-isolation.

If you’d like to find out more about services offered to those over 65, please call 3368 3723. Communify welcomes

men and women over age 65 from inner North Brisbane suburbs who wish to join in the fun and meet like-minded retirees.

Communify continues to provide other in-home services, such as Meals on Wheels, domestic support, in-home personal care and nursing services, and doorto-door transport. Visit communify.org.au for more information, or give them a call on 3510 2700.

The Western Echo September 2020 Page 31

The Gap Day & Night Pharmacy for all your pharmaceutical needs

Michael and Kate Knynenburg

The Gap Health & Beauty Salon Are now stockists of the iconic, French skincare brand - PAYOT with both retail and facial treatments to suit all skin types and conditions.

For 100 years, PAYOT have been a cosmeceutical brand that have been leaders in anti-ageing treatments with innovative ranges and scientific technology. BOOK your facial today and discover PAYOT! OPENING HOURS Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-4pm Thursday 10am-8pm Saturday 8:30am-3pm

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 September 2020 Page 32

website: http://www.westernecho.com.au