LINDA’S “VINE” LINES June08
State Member for Kurwongbah
G’Day! Once again Dayboro Day was a great success and I had a fantastic time as usual. Congratulations to the Dayboro Day Festival Committee for all the hard work that must have gone into staging the day. I am very much looking forward to seeing what they have in store for us next year.
Foster Carers Wanted
The State Government is urgently seeking more foster families to care for vulnerable children and young people who are unable to live at home because of abuse or neglect. We are investing more than $15 million over the next five years to recruit, train and increase support for carers. This is an investment in the future of Queensland. It’s about ensuring that we attract more compassionate, dedicated people to care for our state’s most vulnerable children. Carers are vital but we need many more of these generous people.
Sadly there are currently around 6,500 children and young people in Queensland who are unable to live with their families because one or both of their parents abuse or neglect them. We desperately need more families willing to provide these children and young people with safe and loving homes. I urge you to please seriously consider becoming a foster or kinship carer. Carers can come from all walks of life, be young or old, and live in the city or the bush. For more information on becoming a foster or kinship carer, call 1300 550 877 or visit www.childsafety.qld.gov.au.
Local Government Act Review
With the local Government amalgamations out of the way, the State Government is now looking to the future of local government in Queensland. A review of the Local Government Act is now underway covering every council except Brisbane (covered separately in the Act of Brisbane 1924). Some of the issues to be considered will be: what powers should the Minister have to intervene in council activity; what should be regulated by state government and what should be left to council.
There are 8 issues papers that can be viewed or downloaded at www.localgovernment.qld.gov.au/?id=5026. There are quite a few pages involved, so if you would like a printed copy, let me know.
I encourage you to consider contributing to the review. Submissions can be emailed, faxed or posted. Email: lgareview@dlgpsr.qld.gov.au; Fax: (07) 3237 1710; or Post to:
Local Government Act Review
Dept of Local Government, Sport and Recreation
PO Box 15031
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Candle Lighting Ceremony
The month of May was Domestic and Family Violence Awareness month – an opportunity to remember those who have suffered as a result of domestic and family violence and to promote early intervention and prevention of violence. The theme of ‘See the Signs Be the Solution’ seeks to raise awareness of such violence and to encourage people who use abuse and/or violence to take responsibility for their behaviour and to seek support to change. I attended a Candle Lighting Ceremony that was held at the Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre and I would like to commend the Caboolture Regional Domestic Violence Service and the Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre for organising this event and their efforts to highlight the need to recognise the signs and be part of the solution.
Road Sense!
Give Way to buses – Motorists are legally required to give way to buses pulling out from a bus stop, shoulder of the road or from the far left side of the road in built up areas where the speed limit is 70km/hr or less. This rule applies to buses displaying the GIVE WAY TO BUSES sign on the rear of the vehicle and is designed to improve commuter efficiency.
Diary highlights!
State Budget – June is budget time and I will have all the highlights in next month’s column.
Queensland Day – 6th June – celebrates the day Queensland was officially separated from the colony of New South Wales. There will be a week of celebrations with a range of activities including free bbq’s, and a movie marathon. If you would like to find out more, contact my office on 3205 6779 or check my website at www.lindalavarch.com.
Picasso and his collection – An exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s personal art collection will be held for the first time outside of Europe, and exclusively in Brisbane, at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) from 9 June to 14 September. Visit queenslandartgallery.com/
Foster Carers – early July – to promote the call for more foster carers, we will be holding a bbq and fun day in Pine Rivers Park with face painting, farm animals and balloons for the kids. It will be a great opportunity to find out more about foster caring. More information to follow.
Until next month
Linda
Sadly there are currently around 6,500 children and young people in Queensland who are unable to live with their families because one or both of their parents abuse or neglect them. We desperately need more families willing to provide these children and young people with safe and loving homes. I urge you to please seriously consider becoming a foster or kinship carer. Carers can come from all walks of life, be young or old, and live in the city or the bush. For more information on becoming a foster or kinship carer, call 1300 550 877 or visit www.childsafety.qld.gov.au.
Local Government Act Review
With the local Government amalgamations out of the way, the State Government is now looking to the future of local government in Queensland. A review of the Local Government Act is now underway covering every council except Brisbane (covered separately in the Act of Brisbane 1924). Some of the issues to be considered will be: what powers should the Minister have to intervene in council activity; what should be regulated by state government and what should be left to council.
There are 8 issues papers that can be viewed or downloaded at www.localgovernment.qld.gov.au/?id=5026. There are quite a few pages involved, so if you would like a printed copy, let me know.
I encourage you to consider contributing to the review. Submissions can be emailed, faxed or posted. Email: lgareview@dlgpsr.qld.gov.au; Fax: (07) 3237 1710; or Post to:
Local Government Act Review
Dept of Local Government, Sport and Recreation
PO Box 15031
CITY EAST QLD 4002
Candle Lighting Ceremony
The month of May was Domestic and Family Violence Awareness month – an opportunity to remember those who have suffered as a result of domestic and family violence and to promote early intervention and prevention of violence. The theme of ‘See the Signs Be the Solution’ seeks to raise awareness of such violence and to encourage people who use abuse and/or violence to take responsibility for their behaviour and to seek support to change. I attended a Candle Lighting Ceremony that was held at the Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre and I would like to commend the Caboolture Regional Domestic Violence Service and the Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre for organising this event and their efforts to highlight the need to recognise the signs and be part of the solution.
Road Sense!
Give Way to buses – Motorists are legally required to give way to buses pulling out from a bus stop, shoulder of the road or from the far left side of the road in built up areas where the speed limit is 70km/hr or less. This rule applies to buses displaying the GIVE WAY TO BUSES sign on the rear of the vehicle and is designed to improve commuter efficiency.
Diary highlights!
State Budget – June is budget time and I will have all the highlights in next month’s column.
Queensland Day – 6th June – celebrates the day Queensland was officially separated from the colony of New South Wales. There will be a week of celebrations with a range of activities including free bbq’s, and a movie marathon. If you would like to find out more, contact my office on 3205 6779 or check my website at www.lindalavarch.com.
Picasso and his collection – An exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s personal art collection will be held for the first time outside of Europe, and exclusively in Brisbane, at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) from 9 June to 14 September. Visit queenslandartgallery.com/
Foster Carers – early July – to promote the call for more foster carers, we will be holding a bbq and fun day in Pine Rivers Park with face painting, farm animals and balloons for the kids. It will be a great opportunity to find out more about foster caring. More information to follow.
Until next month
Linda
