Coast medical transport celebrating 20 years of service
It was great to catch up with Cooloola Coast Medical Transport which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. For 20 years the volunteers have provided a valuable door-to-door service by carrying patients and clients to get treatment and travel to out of town medical appointments.
The service picks up where patient transport is either outside the scope of the Queensland Ambulance service guidelines and where it cannot be provided by public or private transport.
Since its formation at the end of 2003, it has grown from undertaking 192 trips or 43,300kilometres in 2004 to 1,297 trips or 340,295 kilometres last year.
Year on year the need for their service continues to grow. In total it has provided a staggering17,073 trips and covered almost 5 million kilometres.
In that time volunteers generously contributed approximately 229,579 hours of their own time to assist people to see medical practitioners who are often more than 100kilometres away. Patients have had to travel for appointments in Gympie, but alas far away as Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to the south, and Hervey Bay in the north.
Frankly the Cooloola Coast wouldn’t be the same without this vital service.
Coastguard keeps us safe
As we head into summer, the allure of being out on the water is hard to resist. It is great to know Coastguard Tin Can Bay QF17 has you covered. I was pleased to be able to chat with some of its wonderful band of volunteers who keep life on the water safe for boaties, mariners, and visitors to our region.
Our Coastguard’s highly professional hardworking group of volunteers provides an outstanding rescue and assist service from giving radio advice on crossing the waters, to dramatic and lifesaving rescues on the water.
Around the House – in Parliament
Links to the most recent Parliamentary Questions and Speeches.
My Biggest Community Survey is a rich source of information about the issues that matter most to residents in our region. The survey seeks the views and input on a range of State issues that impact all of us.
This year’s survey is still being collated with already more than 1,100 respondents raising issues about health services, law and order, housing, roads and transport, agriculture and the environment, education, cost of living, and local infrastructure.
Fish Stocking in Borumba Dam
The more than 50 volunteers of the Lake Borumba Fish Stocking Association (LBFSA) play a key role in supporting the thriving tourist trade in the Mary Valley by keeping one of our major tourist attractions running.
Locals and tourists who come to use and visit the Lake pump much valued tourist dollars into the local community.
The LBSFA is renowned as being integral to the highly successful fish restocking through fingerling releases and tagging activities at the Lake as well undertaking property maintenance and running fishing competitions. This year they were able to release 125,000Australian native fish and are scheduled to release the same number this year.
It was great to be able to spend time with almost 20 volunteers at their AGM.
Justin Choveaux, General Manager of Rural Fire Brigades Association, and rural firies at Parliament House
Rural Fire Brigade Volunteers are the backbone of a resilient community
Every year we are grateful for the help of our more than 26,000 volunteers who are our rural firies. With more than 1,400 Rural Fire Brigades defending 93% of this State they are the backbone of a resilient community.
Whether it is responding to bushfires, reducing bushfire risks by burn offs, responding to road crashes, and assisting in the recovery from flood and cyclones, our volunteer firefighters are a constant and steadfast part of local community defence.
I was pleased that the sitting of Parliament didn’t prevent me recognising the valuable work of our rural firies on their very special Yellow Ribbon Day and at the launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Rural Fire Brigades.
More fuel to the fire
We’ve been told to brace for an elevated risk of bush fires this summer. Coupled with the transition to the dryer El Nino climate cycle the wet seasons of the last few years have increased the growth of rapidly drying vegetation to provide more fuel to the fire.
Queensland Great Awards– nominate an inspirational Queenslander or institution. Closes 16 February 2024
Help Stop Labor’s Fresh Food Tax – Register your interest to have a say on Labor’s ‘Sustainable funding to Strengthen Biosecurity “ plans.
Trade to Teach – paid internships, $20,000 scholarship, guarantee teaching placement for tradies wanting to become a teacher. Applications close 2 October.
Cash back for appliances – rebates of up to $1,000 to buy and install eligible energy-efficient appliances with a four-star rating. Closes when money runs out.
Environmental Protection Act – have your say on the independent review of the powers and penalties to enforce protection laws about noise, odour, and other pollution – consultation closes 10 November.
