CATEGORY

Qld

Reading the St Patrick’s Allora way

Keith Blaikie. In order to keep our students at the centre of the school’s vision, which is to be an inclusive community committed to high levels of learning for all, staff have been engaged in a body of research known as the Science of Reading.

Record number of recruits march toward career on the frontline: Ryan

A record 92 future firefighters have marched in the largest recruit parade in Queensland’s Fire and Rescue Service history. Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said the parade, held at the Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy, was a brilliant show of the professionalism and unity required to keep our communities safe.

What a triumph for Allora!

We know the Melbourne Cup is visiting Allora on Wednesday 14th September but what we didn’t know is the Melbourne Cup will be here for the whole day - not just an hour or so. This is wonderful news as everyone will get a chance to see and maybe have a photo taken with the Cup ... Touring with the Cup will be well-known Champion Jockey John Letts who rode two winners in the Melbourne Cup.

Allora P-10 staff have fun celebrating Book Week

Most of the staff are dressed as crayons to represent the book “The Day The Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt. After having a giggle at their teachers the P-10 students enjoyed the day by dressing as their favourite book character.

New CEO keen to make good impression

Brian Joiner has promised not to make any hasty decisions as he wrapped up his first week as CEO of Cook Shire Council. Mr Joiner started last Monday with a packed schedule, including a council meeting, a councillor workshop and a community planning meeting at Lakeland.

Controversial tower gets green light from council

Sarah Martin. Cook Shire Council has approved a controversial 26-metre Telstra tower on Cooktown’s main street, despite community concerns ... Cook Shire received 23 submissions during the public notification period, with only two in favour of the tower. However, mayor Peter Scott said the decision to approve the tower at last week’s ordinary council meeting took into account the community’s concerns and the communication benefits the tower would provide.

Airport crisis looms – Bamaga runway in desperate need of repairs

Samuel Davis. A “dangerous” Cape York airstrip could lead to fatalities if urgent repairs aren’t carried out soon, local leaders say. Built during World War II, Bamaga airport’s rutted runway connects the Northern Peninsula Area to Cairns with around a thousand takeoffs and landings expected this year. But the most recent technical inspection found the strip is in “poor condition” with major upgrades desperately needed.

New homes to be fit for all: de Brenni

Queensland Minister for Energy and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the changes to the National Construction Code 2022, covered making homes more accessible for people with mobility challenges, and increased the energy efficiency and electric vehicle readiness of new homes.

Indigenous artists weave stories into exhibits at Crows Nest Gallery

Artworks from three Indigenous artists are featured in the latest exhibition, Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Country, which is on display at Crows Nest Gallery until September 18, 2022. The exhibition explores narratives relating to spiritual connectivity, place-making, traditional knowledge, healing and teachings of the participating artists, Cheryl Moggs (from the Bigambul First Nation people), Barbara Walker (from the Wiradjuri First Nation people) and Aaron Blades (from the Mandandanji First Nation people).

Bumper cotton production underpins business cash inflows: NAB

Record-breaking cotton production in Australia in 2021-22 is being reflected in the business cash inflows of NAB’s cotton growing customers, the July NAB Economics Data Insights: Agriculture report shows. The report shows business cash inflows for the bank’s agriculture, forestry and fishing customers continue to grow at a rapid pace, underpinned by a monster winter crop, strong commodity prices, and more recently, a record-breaking cotton bonanza.

Work starts to transform Qld into rail manufacturing powerhouse: Qld Gov’t

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the site at Torbanlea will be home to a brand new train manufacturing workshop where 65 new trains will be built as part of her government’s $7.1 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program.

Labor’s latest political appointment spells trouble for the Murray-Darling Basin: Centofanti and Whetstone

Mr Beasley’s divisive and abrasive approach to the River Murray is illustrated in his 2021 book, Dead In The Water ... "A successful advocacy role in the Murray-Darling Basin requires having the confidence of the Basin communities – which include irrigators, other businesses, and the public. I’m not convinced that appointing a Sydney lawyer, who believes water buybacks are the only way forward, will wash with these communities" : Opposition Minister for Water Resources and the River Murray Nicola Centofanti.

Prominent barrister named first SA Commissioner for the River Murray: Close

Prominent barrister and author, Richard Beasley SC, has been appointed South Australia’s Commissioner for the River Murray ... "Having a Commissioner for the River Murray sends a clear message to upstream states that South Australia is serious about defending its water rights, including the 450 gigalitres promised but not delivered": SA Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close MP

Putting ‘Region’ into Toowoomba Region

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is looking into ways of better connecting with residents outside Toowoomba City by potentially holding meetings in regional towns ... motion proposed ... will see a report outline a variety of options and officer recommendations for additional engagement of councillors into regional communities, to be presented in October. This motion passed unanimously.

Funding win for remote councils

Some of Queensland’s smallest councils are rejoicing after a review will see them receive a bigger slice of the pie from the state government. The Queensland Local Government Grants Commission took a closer look at its financial assistance grants (FAGs) program and although it kept its ungainly name, the revenue will be more fairly distributed across the state.

Survey shows rural debt rise since 2019

Rural debt has increased by $3.34 billion, or 13.89 per cent, on the Eastern Darling Downs regions according to the 2021 Queensland Rural Debt Survey. Over the same period, total rural debt in Queensland has risen to $24.06 billion, an increase of 25.97 per cent ... Since the survey was conducted in December 2021, much of the State has experienced an extended La Niña season with several major flooding events, particularly in South East Queensland.

Camooweal Jockey Club left reeling – Future in doubt

Has the last thoroughbred race been run and won at Camooweal? The president of the race club thinks so ... Camooweal had successfully raced for 132 years until last year when it was deemed by Racing Queensland that the track was no longer fit for racing ... Racing Queensland could have a crisis on its hands, with many other bush clubs under threat of losing their annual meetings due to a lack of funding for infrastructure, especially for track upgrades.

Painting can sure be thirsty work

Alice Melita. Appreciating a cocktail or two while creating their very own Van Gogh-inspired art piece was how about 40 Mount Isa residents spent their Saturday night. The Paint and Sip experience, hosted by Winton-based artist and painting instructor Emma Read, took patrons through step-by-step instructions in painting a field of sunflowers under a blue sky.

From the lab to the classroom

Greenmount State School is one of fifteen schools in Queensland that is taking part in Queensland University of Technology's (QUT) Zoomed-In-Science virtual outreach program ... “For rural communities this program provides access to fabulous lab facilities, and knowledgeable staff who are in tune with students and who demonstrate a real keenness to engage all students in all things science": Greenmount teacher, Kelly Stenzel.

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