Southern Free Times

Thank you Southern Downs

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:57 +0000

I would like to sincerely thank all of the Southern Downs residents who supported me in my recent election campaign.
Even though I didn’t have quite enough votes to get me over the line, I appreciated the number of voters who gave me their tick of approval. It was a very interesting time. I have met many new faces, and had the opportunity to get around the electorate and be aware of what happens in other areas. It was the longest job interview that I have ever had. It was also interesting to meet the other candidates. The experience should stand me in good stead for the next election.
So for now, it is back to my real estate sales job at Landmark Harcourt’s Warwick office.
Yve Stocks
Warwick

Autographed Broncos jersey up for grabs

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:53 +0000

Are you ready to test your knowledge, play fun games and win fantastic prizes?
The well known ‘Rattle of the Brains’ Trivia Night will be held on Friday, May 25, at the Allora Community Hall, Herbert Street.
The St Patrick’s School and families are very grateful for the wonderful generosity of their local and regional sponsors.
Question rounds have been sponsored and donations received, with some fantastic prizes up for grabs. These include a colour printer, retro style toaster, sandwich maker, coffee maker, kettle and iron, just to name a few.
A framed Broncos ‘Away Strip’ jersey signed by the whole team will also be raffled at next week’s Trivia Night. This raffle will be drawn for Father’s Day.
The money raised from this jersey will be used to install air-conditioning at the school’s library.
Come and also meet the newly elected Southern Downs Regional Councillor Glyn Rees, who has kindly accepted to be the guest Quiz Master.
Those wishing to test their trivia knowledge can nominate a team of eight by phoning the St Patrick’s School in Allora on (07) 4666 3551 or email allora@twb.catholic.edu.au
If you are having trouble putting a team together, individuals can also nominate and organisers will find you a full team.
At only $10 each, this can be paid at the door on the night. Doors open at 6.15pm.

Southern Downs is going green

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:50 +0000

Southern Downs Regional Council has again embraced ‘green’ technology by installing the first of two LED solar powered street lights at the corner of Flitcroft Street and Regency Drive, opposite the Regency Park estate.
A single light on a six-metre pole has been installed.
Regency Park was chosen as the site for the initial trial for solar street lights, as the intersection at this location suffers from a lack of appropriate lighting.
“The new light will definitely be a benefit to residents of the park and eliminate a potential problem spot,” said Michael Bell, acting director engineering services.
“Also, this location is reasonably close to town so the effectiveness of the light can be appropriately monitored and we can ensure it is working correctly,” Mr Bell said.
The council’s commitment to an environmentally sustainable Southern Downs is outlined in the Southern Downs Community Plan 2030.
Under the plan the Southern Downs will actively work towards encouraging the widespread use of renewable energy sources including solar power.
As part of the ClimateSmart Living Communities Program a two-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system, donated by Ergon Energy, was installed on the roof of the Stanthorpe Library and Art Gallery building. This building forms part of a ‘Solar Precinct’ incorporating the Stanthorpe Library, Art Gallery and the swimming pool.
Solar panels installed at the pool provide heating for the pools and the showers in the change rooms.
The Warwick Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Centre also utilises solar panels installed on its roof for heating of the pools within the centre.
The council plans to trial another solar powered light, with the installation of a double light in Palmerin Street south of Percy Street in the near future.

New Health Minister praises nurses

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:43 +0000

Saturday was International Nurses Day and new Queensland Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg, has sung the praises of nurses in Queensland, acknowledging the 32, 200 nurses and midwives employed by Queensland Health.
“Our nurses and midwives do an amazing job, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and I recognise this day as an opportunity to formally say thanks,” Minister Springborg said.
Last week, the Minister attended a breakfast with more than 100 nurses and midwives where he said that each day in public hospitals our nurses provide expert care to more than 30,000 outpatients and for more than 8500 people admitted to hospital.
“May 12 is celebrated around the world, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth and International Nurses Day,” he said.
“Every day, nurses in Queensland face challenges that include rural isolation, ageing population, workforce/recruitment pressures, indigenous disadvantage, changing ways of practice, health reform, greater accountability and budget pressures.”
Queensland Health has just awarded scholarships worth up to $5000 each annually to 30 of our nurses and midwives. The Minister said that it is encouraging to see more nurses specialising.
A recent survey showed 70 per cent of registered nurses in Queensland work in a specialist area.
He said that the number of nurse practitioners is also increasing, with more than 100 practitioners working in high priority areas, such as rural and remote health in Queensland Health.
“Nurse practitioners deliver innovative and flexible health care solutions and can reduce patient waiting times to free up doctors for specialist work. I see this as important,” he said.

Budget omission

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:40 +0000

Well, the Budget has been published and there is one very glaring omission.
Pensions did not get a mention.
Every now and then we hear someone going on about the Stolen Generation, well let me say that now we have another topic, the forgotten and ignored generation, which correctly describes pensioners.
I urge all pensioners to write letters, get in touch with their local members and get together and stand up and be counted. It’s amazing what people power can do when we all stick together and keep hacking away at the powers that be.
Low income earners are going to benefit, and rightly so, but what are pensioners if they are not low income earners. They are the lowest of the low and, as far as I can see, we are rated on the bottom rung of the ladder in social circles.
So come on oldies, get out there and talk about our plight and keep at it until someone sits up and takes notice.

Margaret Nash
via Email

Physie success

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:39 +0000

After months and many hours of hard work, Natasha Brierley and teacher Rachel Sanders headed to Sydney to film the 2012 BJP instructional DVD.
Natasha was selected to perform on the DVD after winning the six-year age section at the Junior National Championships last November.
It is such an honour to be asked to perform on the DVD and a challenge Natasha took in her stride. The DVD was filmed at the ABC studios in Sydney recently.
Natasha had to learn and perfect the 2012 syllabus by the start of April and send DVDs to BJP head office for corrections to be made.
This alone is a huge achievement for a seven-year-old, let alone putting her in front of a camera, lights and many people watching her and telling her what she had to do.
Overall Natasha had a wonderful day and both her mum and teacher were very proud of how she handled the experience.
The end product will be out for all BJP physical culture members to purchase, for practice purpose, at the end of this month.
Anyone in the Tenterfield or Stanthorpe areas wanting to get involved in physical culture, contact Rachel Sanders from The Granite Belt Physie Club on 0404 498 118.

New director for QCWT

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:39 +0000

The Queensland College of Wine Tourism (QCWT) Board of Management is pleased to announce that it has appointed Tony Comino to fill the director vacancy resulting from the recent resignation of Cam Dearsly.
Chair of the Board of Management, Professor Helen Garnett, said Mr Comino brings strong industry experience in viticulture, winemaking and the broader wine industry and tourism field to the board.
As owner operator, together with wife Mary, of Kominos Wines in the Granite Belt for more than 28 years, Mr Comino has a vast experience, which is recognised across Australia.
A successful wine business, Kominos Wines boasts numerous trophies and awards over many years and was a pioneer in the Asian export market.
Kominos also contributes significantly to the Granite Belt’s wine tourism sector through the operation of the cellar door and the annual “Kefi” Greek festival.
Mr Comino has provided strong leadership to the Queensland wine industry through his involvement with the Queensland Winemakers Association and Granite Belt Wine Industry Association.
He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the college, including advocacy to government and harnessing financial support from the wine industry.

Living the hard life

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:35 +0000

Schizophrenia Awareness Week, May 14-20, is a great opportunity to find out more and gain greater understanding of the real and relevant issues of this very misunderstood condition.
I have “lived experience” of schizophrenia for 15 years and recovery for 10. If I look at the hardship this has caused me, only around 20 per cent was caused by symptoms such as altered thought and perception, delusional thinking and a myriad of sight, sound and tactile hallucinations.
The majority of the negative impact on my life – that is, 80 per cent – came from the damage caused to my world, my sense of self, and my relationship with others. My everyday life was turned upside down. I experienced loneliness, an inability to relate to others, damage to career, low self-esteem and disconnection from community – this is what caused most of the pain.
The 80:20 Rule is a very common theme with people that have a mental illness. Just like me, much of their hardship is in dealing with everyday life.
Eighty per cent of my recovery was from “lifestyle factors” and issues of “human condition” which are common to us all. This illustrates the amazing thing about mental illness and the community. Everybody in the community is in a position to help with the 80 per cent of the trouble. We can all play a very important role in any number of ways, and I will tell you honestly that in some cases, your assistance will be far more important than the treating psychiatrist. By just being your good, kind self you can make an incredible difference.

David Braniff
Spokesperson for
SANE Australia

Power line project

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:34 +0000

Many community members do not accept Ergon Energy’s verbal statement regarding the legal liability being put to rest (Free Times, May 10).
The prospect of any potential litigation is regarded by landholders and community members as a very serious matter.
There is nothing in today’s society that prevents one person from instituting legal proceedings against another person, regardless of the situation. Such action may place a legal obligation on a respondent [CRG member selected] to defend any action. This means, in reality, possible legal bills for the CRG member.
Whilst Ergon Energy employees may have protection by the corporation and any possible legislative provisions, any community member who voluntary performs a task on behalf of Ergon Energy, such as the CRG, does not have that same protection.
There is already talk of landholders obtaining legal advice. There is talk of a class action. There is a serious likelihood any legal action could embroil appointed members of the CRG if a recommended route is accepted by the Ergon Board of Directors.
I received what appears to be legal advice from the Project Team on behalf of Ergon Energy. I will not accept this advice. It was provided in an unsigned email. The unsigned legal opinion, of one paragraph, was from an unknown source with no corporation letterhead.
The remittance of this so-called legal advice was not very professional for a Government owned corporation.

Allen Kehoe
Warwick

Rotten Federal Budget for local fruit growers

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:31 +0000

Apple & Pear Australia Limited (APAL) have announced it will continue to seek funding after last week’s budget announcement failed to recognise Australian apple growers, including those in Stanthorpe.
APAL had sought an investment package of $21.9 million through its Aussie Apple Accord to help growers become internationally competitive by transitioning them to best practice orchard management techniques.
APAL managing director Jon Durham said it was disappointing to see the government once again ignore the plight of Australian apple growers and had left farming jobs and the communities that rely on them particularly vulnerable.
“Without additional funding from the government, the industry could face widespread job losses, which would have a devastating impact on many rural communities—this does not factor in additional flow-on effects of seasonal job losses,” Mr Durham said.
“While (I know) the Minister for Agriculture Joe Ludwig is sympathetic to the plight of rural Australia, it is disappointing to see—that once again—the current government is disinterested in investing in the sustainability of Australian apple growers.”
APAL chairman John Lawrenson said, although apple growers are a resilient bunch, resilience alone can only stretch so far.
“If additional funds aren’t secured to invest in helping growers improve efficiencies in a low priced market, then we will no doubt see casualties.
“Growers are nervous. Many are already running at a loss and it’s only so long they can operate like this before they leave the industry and that’s not only sad for growers but for consumers too,” Mr Lawrenson said.
He said apple growers have been hit particularly hard of late with recent changes to government policy meaning that, for the first time in 90 years, international apple imports have been allowed.
In addition, inconsistent weather conditions and oversupply has added to the stress and the industry is now facing a challenging environment.
“While this setback is disappointing we haven’t given up and we will continue to engage with government on behalf of apple growers.
“APAL remains committed to supporting growers stay internationally competitive and will continue to invest in projects like Future Orchards, helping growers lift productivity in their orchards to world competitiveness,” Mr Durham said.