September 17, 2012
SBRC Mayor Wayne Kratzmann pledged tonight to keep the South Burnett branch of the Emergency Services Cadets going if the State Government doesn’t reverse its decision to close the program down.
At a hastily convened public meeting held at the Kingaroy SES shed in Glendon Street, the Mayor said he thought the government’s decision this week to axe the program was “one that they’ve got wrong”.
He said he would seek an urgent meeting with Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington this week, and also raise the issue at Council’s upcoming meeting on Wednesday.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities,” he said. “This program trains our region’s next generation of volunteers. If we close down this program now we may not be able to start it up again in a year or two when the State’s finances improve because we will have betrayed these young people who’ve done everything right.”
The meeting was attended by about 100 people from a number of groups, including South Burnett rural and urban fire brigades, SES units, the Queensland Greens and the Queensland Teachers Union.
Former Member for Nanango Dorothy Pratt and representatives of Katter’s Australian Party were also in attendance.
They heard that the Emergency Services Cadets program had been operating since 1994, providing training to young people aged 13 to 18 in emergency services procedures, leadership skills, teamwork and self-confidence.
They also heard that upwards of 25 per cent of cadets enrolled in the State’s 39 active cadets units went on to join emergency services units when they graduated – either in the police, fire brigades or SES units.
Peter Greensill, the local co-ordinator of the South Burnett Emergency Services Cadets, told the meeting the Kingaroy branch currently had 28 cadets and the branch’s annual operating budget was $3000, plus uniforms and insurance.
Several current cadets also spoke – one tearfully – about how important the branch was in their lives and the positive difference it had made to them, and thanked everyone for their support.
About 700 young people are currently enrolled in the cadet program State-wide, along with 350 volunteer leaders who guide the cadets through their training.
The State Government hopes to save $1.2 million a year by axing the program.
Cr Kratzmann apologised on behalf of Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington who could not attend the meeting because she was travelling back to Kingaroy.
However he said had spoken to her by phone and she was very interested in the matter.
Mrs Pratt said that – in her experience – the only thing that ever persuaded a government to change its decisions was a sustained letter-writing campaign.
She said petitions could easily be ignored by government departments but letters and emails clogged up the system because each one must be individually recorded, replied to and filed.
She urged everyone at the meeting, and anyone in the community dissatisfied by cuts to jobs and services in the recent State budget, to write to their local Member, to the Premier and to heads of departments to express their concerns.
A petition was also circulated at the meeting calling for the cadets program to be retained.
Footnote: Prior to to the start of tonight’s meeting, Cr Kratzmann officially presented an Adult Member Award to Peter Greensill. The award was to have been presented at a special function for cadets in Kedron last Saturday night, but the State Government abruptly cancelled it just a few days before it was due to be held, leaving organisers to pick up the cost. Adult Member Awards are given out annually to recognise the special contribution or achievement an adult member has made within their cadet group.
[UPDATED September 18, 2012]
Related articles:
- Locals Fear Budget Cuts
- Rural Firies Join Yellow Ribbon Campaign
- MP Spells Out Budget Benefits
- Greens Say Budget Is Bad For Qld
- Rural Firefighters ‘Feel Betrayed’
- $1.5m In Budget For Ambulance Station
- Work Starts On Repairs To Historic Cemetery
- $2m Upgrade For Kingaroy Hospital
