December 13, 2016
As we approach the festive season and the New Year, I would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and health, happiness and prosperity for 2017.
This year there have been many achievements across the Nanango Electorate and for the South Burnett.
As your local State Member I am always fighting for good outcomes for our community.
Here’s just a few from 2016:
- opening of the new Nanango police station
- ongoing work on the new Kingaroy police station, which is now almost complete as well
- a community legal service for the South Burnett
- changes to vegetation laws defeated in State Parliament
Many of these great results would not have been possible without the ongoing support of community groups and individuals, and I pass on my thanks for your assistance to make them happen.
Around the Electorate there is still much to be done, and you have my assurance that I will continue to fight for our region and our communities.
If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me on (07) 4190-7100 or by email.
You can always find up-to-date information at my new look website, or follow me on Facebook.
Merry Christmas!
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Heritage Lodge Opens
In 2014 I announced that South Burnett CTC had secured $488,000 through the State Government’s “Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Trial” to construct disability housing in Nanango.
Our former Government also donated the land, and the culmination is Heritage Lodge – a wonderful facility providing independent living for people with a disability and their parents (like Andrew and his mum, pictured above) which was officially opened on November 20.
Access to this type of service in regional areas is reassuring for elderly parent carers, knowing that a local accommodation solution is available for their loved ones.
Congratulations to South Burnett CTC, Heritage Nanango Community Fund, the South Burnett Regional Council and the community for their dedication to this project and region.
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Local Sporting Groups Receive Funding
Congratulations to six local clubs who have been successful in the latest round of sporting club grants.
The South Burnett Regional Council also secured $100,000 to construct an exercise track.
The successful clubs were:
- Blackbutt Tennis Club – $4,715
- Kingaroy Amateur Basketball Assoc – $2,963
- Kingaroy Golf Club – $5,375
- Kingaroy Touch Association – $5,455
- Nanango Rugby League – $6,014
- South Burnett Junior Motorcycle Club – $7,250
The funding comes from the State Government’s “Get Playing Places and Spaces” funding program and the “Get Going Clubs” program.
These are great results for the region and I look forward to hearing how the funds encourage more people to get involved in sport.
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Kumbia Memorial Unveiled On Remembrance Day
This year I attended Remembrance Day in Kumbia and also helped unveil the restored Kumbia War Memorial.
The Anzac Centenary Community Grant Program provided $5604 to help fund the restoration.
This allowed the township to replace the marble panel, re-paint the monument and install two bronze plaques.
The plaques are inscribed with names of 26 local men who enlisted in WWI and never returned, as well as five others lost during WWII.
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Maidenwell Celebrates
What a great community we have at Maidenwell!
It was fantastic to attend the official opening and renaming of the Maidenwell Sportsground as the J.A. Gorton Memorial Oval on Saturday, December 3.
The oval sits on land that was originally owned by Maidenwell’s Gorton family.
The family sold the land to Nanango Shire Council more than 35 years ago so the town could have a sportsground, and it has now been renamed in their honour.
Over the past few years the Maidenwell Community Group have put in a big effort to level and returf the oval, and the many other improvements they’ve made to the grounds have been impressive.
Their work has been assisted by sponsorship from the South Burnett Regional Council, Heritage Bank Nanango and Stanwell Corporation, and I was pleased to be able to donate $2,500 myself to help them construct a new cricket pitch.
Well done, Maidenwell!
* * *
Coolabunia SS Blitzes Reading Challenge
Congratulations Coolabunia State School for achieving a 100% participation rate in the 2016 Premier’s Reading Challenge.
For the past eight years, every student at Coolabunia has participated and completed the Challenge – that’s an amazing effort.
It’s always a pleasure to present the certificates and see the kids enjoying their reading!
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Well Done Swickers
It’s just a few weeks since the fire at Swickers and they have done an amazing job in getting their operation back up and running.
I would like to congratulate and thank the Swickers team for everything they have done to retain their workers and assure our community that Swickers is here for the long term.
We are lucky to have such a great employer in Kingaroy.
* * *
Touch Footy In Kingaroy
Finally, huge congratulations to Bean Growers Australia Limited who organised the inaugural Workplace Warriors Touch Footy Fun Day in Kingaroy.
We entered a team and I’d like to thank everyone who played and put in a 100 per cent effort.
It was a great community day and fun way for our local businesses to get together.
And well done to the Fiedler Flushers (aka Fiedler Brothers Plumbing) on their win.
The Flushers’ chosen charity for the $1000 first prize was the Melanoma Awareness Foundation, which will use the funds to raise awareness about melanoma amongst South Burnett school children.
[Photos: Nanango Electorate Office and southburnett.com.au]
