Councillor Report – Wednesday 26 July 2017

Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Meeting 26 July 2017

Agenda Item # 5 Matters of Public Interest

27 July                  Glamorgan Vale QCWA Birthday

27 July                  Kilcoy Chamber of Commerce & Community Inc. Meeting

27 July                  Kilcoy QCWA Annual General Meeting

28-30 July            Glen Haven Park Sunshine Tour 2017 – Kilcoy

29 July                  Kilcoy Art Society Inc. Christmas in July

29 July                  Back to Benarkin Bush Picnic

03 August            Lowood Recreational Complex Extension Official Opening

I wish to offer my sincere congratulations to Toogoolawah’s Show Society’s Rural Ambassador, Jack Fogg as winner of the Rural Ambassador title at the West Moreton and Brisbane Valley Regional Finals.  Also, congratulations to Toogoolawah’s Show Society’s Show Girl Jessica Salute as runner-up in the Miss Show Girl section of the West Moreton and Brisbane Valley Regional Finals.  Lastly congratulations to Kilcoy Show Society’s Sarah Eaton as runner-up in the Near North Coast Rural Ambassador Regional Title.

Agenda Item # 35 Councillors’ Reports

12 July                  Kilcoy State High School P & C Meeting

14 July                  ALGWA Forum – Brisbane

16 July                  Regional Flavours – Brisbane

18 July                  Meeting with Mayor Mark Jamieson (President LGAQ) – Esk

19 July                  Kilcoy State High School Council Meeting

21 July                  Blackbutt Post Office – public meeting regarding postcode 4306

22 July                  Rural Fire Challenge – Kilcoy Showground

22 July                  Meeting – R & V Wallis Mt Kilcoy

25 July                  Lowood QCWA 90^th Birthday Celebrations

Australia Local Government Women’s Association – Inspiring Women’s Leadership in Local Government Forum – Brisbane

The forum was well structured with many interesting and inspiring speakers and sessions.  The first session consisted of a diverse panel of local government speakers who discussed the topic of empowerment.  Sessions two and three consisted of how to assess your powers and to be aware of unconscious bias.  The last session motivated every person in the room with a heartfelt story of a remarkable woman’s life.  The keynote speaker, Anne Marie White OAM is one of Australia’s most respected and admired sporting, media and entertainment personalities.  She is also the author of the popular books Women Who Win, profiling 10 internationally successful Australian women and Telling it Like It Is – 23 breast cancer journeys.

Regional Flavours  –  Brisbane’s Free Food & Wine Festival

The Sunshine State on a plate was experienced by more than eighty thousand people.  This event has become Queensland’s premier free food and wine festival.  Celebrity chefs and industry experts offered free advice and provided answers to questions from the large audiences.  There was free live entertainment for adults and children and around eighty stalls proudly presenting their gourmet specialties.  Many farmers affected by Cyclone Debbie were determined to remain a part of this prestigious event.  I noticed that councils collaborated with local producers to showcase their patch, and I believe that this style of presentation is a powerful introduction and welcome to interested tourists and/or customers.

Mayor Sunshine Coast Regional Council and President Local Government Association of Queensland, Cr Mark Jamieson – Meet & Greet

It was an honour to meet with Cr Jamieson and to learn of State and Regional initiatives.  Cr Jamieson is Mayor of Sunshine Coast Regional Council which is listed as being the fourth largest council area in Queensland and of course President of our peak body representing local government in Queensland.

Blackbutt Post Office – public meeting with respect to Postcode 4306

Between 70 – 80 people gathered outside the Blackbutt Post Office to offer their feedback to Australia Post representatives regarding their experience with the localities currently contained within the 4306 postcode.  Unfortunately, the event was poorly organised, with insufficient space, lots of passing traffic noise, which made it very difficult to hear all speakers.  Australia Post advertised this opportunity as seeking community feedback and offered three separate events to achieve the outcome.  The Blackbutt gathering was informed that:  1.  It is more expensive for Australia Post to operate the mail delivery processing service from Toowoomba than Ipswich  2.  There are other Queensland postcodes that contain more localities than 4306   3.  Third party use of Australia Post postcodes in not the responsibility of Australia Post.  Following numerous unfavourable comments from the public and further questions and statements made by David Littleproud MP, it was agreed that further public consultation will be organised.  Deb Frecklington MP and Shayne Neumann MP are both supportive of the need to review the 4306 postcode issues.

Lowood QCWA 90^th Birthday Celebrations

With wonderful music, a delicious lunch, lots of raffles and lucky door prizes, the 90^th birthday celebration of the Lowood QCWA was a joyous occasion for the many guests.  President Lois Spresser, Secretary Pam Elliot, Treasurer Val Shelton and along with their many helpers are congratulated for organising a warm and friendly event.  Val also gave a very informative story about the history of this very valuable community group.