State Update Welcome Back to School 2022 After a bit of a false-start to the 2022 school year, it was great to welcome students and families back to school. There was the usual return to school anxiety and tears (from parents more than the students), but I think we’ve all settled into what is a bit of a new school routine this year. School does look a little different this year - masks are required for staff and students in high school and highly encouraged for students in Year 3 and above. There are some great local mask providers for young people, including Loot in The Gap where I picked up our daughters’.
Jonty Bush MP
Member for Cooper
Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre I had the pleasure of showing Minister for the Environment and Great Barrier Reef, Meaghan Scanlon MP, around the Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre this month when we showed off the new and improved immersive education rooms. This upgrade was made possible by a $300,000 investment from the Palaszczuk Government. Our knowledgeable rangers are making the most of this new space and host regular shows for visitors, allowing you an ‘up-close and personal’ experience with some of our most unique wildlife. It will inspire the next generation of conservationists and is definitely something to put on your list of things to do with the family.
Mental Health Inquiry The Queensland Parliament Mental Health Select Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into opportunities to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders. Over the past few months, the committee has heard invaluable testimony from people with lived experience of psycho-social illness. Last month, I hosted a round-table discussion for our local service providers, to learn from their perspectives and inform a submission I have made to the Committee on behalf of the Cooper community. We heard about the pressures on children, adults and families, the difficulties in diagnosis and access to specialist services, and the opportunities that come when services work together. I’ve also had a number of locals contact me to share their stories of living with a mental illness, which have helped inform our local submission. I was really impressed by the number and quality of services in our area – please know that support is available if you are struggling.
Minister Scanlon visits Walkabout Creek
Ithaca War Memorial Centenary Each year my office coordinates the Ithaca War Memorial Service on ANZAC Day. This years’ service will be particularly special, as it is the 100th anniversary of its unveiling in 1922. Do you or your family have relatives whose names are inscribed on the Ithaca War Memorial – or a special story to share? We would love to hear from you. Please reach out to my office on cooper@parliament.qld. gov.au or 3554 9100.
Shop 2/230 Waterworks Road, Ashgrove Q 4060 t 3554 9100 e cooper@parliament.qld.gov.au f www.facebook.com/jontyforcooper
Jonty Bush - working hard for us website: http://www.westernecho.com.au
The Western Echo March 2022 Page 5
