March 17, 2026
It was a pleasure to join the community for Kilkivan State School’s 150th birthday celebrations.
Hearing stories from past students and seeing the pride people hold for this little school was something special.
Kilkivan State School has a remarkable history.
It was first built on the old Rise and Shine Goldfield and opened on March 6, 1876, as the Rise and Shine Provisional School with just 37 children.
By 1881, it had become Kilkivan State School, and only a few years later, in 1884, parents raised enough money to buy shelves, blackboards, a table and three desks.
Over the decades the school continued to grow.
Vocational classes for girls were once held on an enclosed veranda until a new building opened in 1928, proudly sponsored by the Kilkivan QCWA.
A secondary department was added in 1964, followed by a pre-school in 1977.
Reaching 150 years is an incredible milestone, and it’s clear the school’s history is deeply woven into the story of the Kilkivan community.
It was an honour to be part of the celebrations.
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E-Mobility Safety Inquiry
As your local MP, I know illegal e-bikes and e-scooters have caused chaos on our streets and in our community.
That is why I championed a full Parliamentary inquiry, with the committee report now handed to the Parliament with several major recommendations.
These include:
- Introducing an age restriction of 16+ and having licensing requirements (learners)
- Amending laws to ensure that e-bike or PMD riders under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be tested
- New powers to seize, impound and destroy illegal e-mobility devices
- Changes to State Penalties Enforcement Registry to pursue 16- and 17-year-old riders, and laws to pursue parents or guardians for penalties for those under 16
- Penalties for anti-tampering and clear requirements for all retailers
- A new offence for riding without due care and attention around pedestrians and speed limits of 10km/h on footpaths
The work of the Parliamentary Committee was shaped by community input and more than 1200 submissions.
You can download a copy of the report here (5.4Mb PDF)
Now that the report has been tabled, the LNP Crisafulli Government will work quickly to respond to the recommendations so that we can restore safety where we live.
I want to hear from you – do you support the proposed changes? Let me know through my quick survey, it only takes 30 seconds to complete.
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Kilkivan Kindy Blooms
It was an honour to be the guest speaker at the Kilkivan Kindy Blooms & Bubbles fundraising lunch, held on the eve of International Women’s Day.
The event was a wonderful celebration of community spirit, with generous raffle donations, great company and fantastic live music setting the tone for a memorable afternoon.
Congratulations to president Vicki and her dedicated team of volunteers for putting together such a successful event. Their hard work and passion are clear, and it’s inspiring to see the community come together to support the Kilkivan Kindy kids.
Working together really does make all the difference.
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Goomeri Hall Of Memory Centenary
I was excited to join hall president Phyllis Hopf OAM and the Goomeri community to celebrate the centenary of the Goomeri Hall of Memory, a building that has stood at the heart of the town for 100 years.
First opened in July 1926, the hall was officially Heritage-listed on October 21, 1992, recognising its deep historical and cultural significance.
Its story is remarkable. During the World War II, the basement was used to store 600 tonnes of emergency supplies in case of a Japanese invasion. These supplies were freighted by rail to Goomeri, transferred by truck under police guard and stored beneath the hall. After the war the space was later converted into clubrooms for the RSL.
The hall has always been a gathering place.
Mr A. Duffy once held a long lease to show films there, though demand dropped in the 1950s with the arrival of television and screenings shifted to once a week.
A highlight of the centenary celebrations was watching the Goomeri State School P-10 students perform a traditional maypole dance, a beautiful nod to the hall’s long history of community events.
It was a privilege to be part of such a special milestone for Goomeri and to honour a building that has served generations.
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Seniors Month Grants
Applications are now open for the age-friendly Seniors Month Grant program to support innovative projects that respond to a local need, benefit older people and contribute to an age-friendly Queensland.
The grants will provide seed funding of between $5000 to $15,000 per initiative to local government, community organisations and not-for-profit organisations to deliver initiatives in their local community that work towards an age-friendly Queensland.
Initiatives may include, but are not limited to:
- Bringing generations together through meaningful projects
- Hosting regular activities that tackle community needs
- Creating vibrant library or community space events for older Queenslanders
- Designing culturally inclusive strategies to build age-friendly communities
Older Queenslanders play vital roles in our communities as carers, workers, volunteers and leaders and we want to ensure this is recognised.
Applications close at 5:00pm on Friday, March 27, 2026
- External link: Seniors Month grants
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More Police On The Beat
I am proud to be part of the Crisafulli Government as we continue rebuilding the frontline police presence Queenslanders rely on.
In February, another 123 new constables were sworn into the Queensland Police Service, a welcome boost at a time when every community wants to see more police on the beat.
This latest intake adds to the strong momentum across the State.
Since the October 2024 election, 1561 new constables have joined the ranks, marking a decisive turnaround after a decade of decline. These officers are already strengthening policing in towns and cities right across Queensland, ensuring support is closer when people need it most.
The Crisafulli Government’s commitment is clear: Restore safety, rebuild capability, and put more police where they are needed.
With every new graduating class, Queensland takes another step toward the safer future our communities deserve.
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Vale Don Davey OAM
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Don Davey OAM, a man whose leadership, compassion and unwavering dedication to veterans will be long remembered.
Don devoted many years to serving as president of the Kingaroy-Memerambi RSL Sub-Branch, and his commitment to supporting veterans and their families was evident in everything he did.
Don had a remarkable ability to bring people together, to listen and to lead with humility.
His contribution to the South Burnett community was significant and his legacy will continue to shape and strengthen our region for many years to come.
We honour his service, his kindness and the lasting impact he leaves behind.
