Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Council Meeting 23 November 2022 – Councillor Report

 Cr Cheryl Gaedtke – Ordinary Council Meeting 23 November 2022

Agenda Item #5 Matters of Public Interest

According to data from booking site Stayz, demand for rustic getaways has increased by up to 90% in the past year, with demand for locations close to mountains, lakes and rivers increasing by 50%.  Queensland is ticking all the boxes.  Expedia Australia general manager Daniel Finch agrees that Aussies love the beach, but they are also craving private holiday homes with lots of space – think converted regional barns and rural farmhouses.  Our region, Somerset, definitely has all of the abovementioned attractions.

Many thanks to Somerset & Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Association volunteers who released 67,000 bass fingerlings into Somerset Dam, resulting in a boost to the Somerset Dam ecosystem.

The Lowood APRA Rodeo postponed from October is now happening on Saturday 26 November at 5:00pm at the Lowood showgrounds.

Saturday 19 November was International Men’s Day (IMD), which presented an opportunity to celebrate men and boys and ask what it means to be a positive male role model in modern society.  It’s about showing respect, being kind and empathetic, acting as genuine role models for young boys to aspire to and acknowledge male diversity.  It was also a time to openly discuss positive masculinity and challenge rigid cultural standards, male stereotypes and gender roles.

Agenda Item #28 Councillors’ Report

November

09     Ordinary Council Meeting – Kilcoy

09     Council Workshop – Kilcoy

10    Brisbane Valley Interagency Meeting – Teams

11     Remembrance Day – Kilcoy RSL Sub-Branch

11     Meeting with Kilcoy Chamber of Commerce President

14     Calendar Shoot – Toogoolawah

14      RADF Advisory Committee Meeting – Esk

14     Kilcoy State School P & C Meeting

14     Kilcoy District Progress Assn Meeting

15     Kilcoy State School Instrumental Band and Choir Performance Parade/Chalk Murals

15     Disaster Management Prep Workshop for Businesses – Kilcoy

16     Mt Kilcoy State School P&C Meeting

17     Somerset Regional Council Human Social Recovery Group – Teams

17     Focus on Farmers Dinner – Esk

18     Kilcoy State High School Senior Graduation Ceremony

18     Stanley Rivers Environmental Centre End of Year BBQ

22     Kilcoy State High School P & C Assn Monthly Meeting

It is pleasing to learn how progressive and strong our local P & C Associations have become.  The hard working groups of parents and citizens have raised funds required to purchase very needed school related items, and also have enjoyed the fund raising effort.  I was also very impressed with the Year 4 school students who took part in the Kilcoy RSL Chalk Murals for Remembrance Day.  The students were asked to “Draw to Remember” and each student drew what signified Remembrance Day on a personal level.

Mary O’Brien from Are You Bogged Mate was brilliant and openly encouraged conversation about issues facing rural men and outlined the available support and lifelines.  Mary gave a sensible, down to earth story that summed it all up – don’t burn the bogged vehicle, it can be unbogged.  Give it time, ask for a hand to carry that bucket.  A lovely dinner and country music was provided at the Somerset Civic Centre and Marcus Mission and its volunteer peer mentors gave an overview of their service that will be available soon in the Somerset community.  After speaking at length to the service providers represented at the event, I am confident that our primary producers have the best available resources at their fingertips.

Without a doubt, I attended the most emotional Senior Graduation Ceremony last Friday morning at the Kilcoy High School. The Class of 2022 has experienced many milestones over their entire school years, and the level of comradery, i.e., their spirit of friendship, the feeling of trust and community between this group of students, teachers, parents and care-givers, who have known each other for a long time and gone through the same experiences together became very obvious.  This group is so comfortable around each other, and they truly support each other, and as a past student and Councillor, I was completely honoured to be asked to offer the opening inspirational speech.  Good luck and all the very best  to each and every student.

I wish to offer my sincere apologies for allowing my passion and my heart on one occasion to overrule my head, and inadvertently in doing so, resulted in my complete misjudgment when livestreaming on my Councillor Facebook Page a (<30 second) video of gym members completing a movement to music routine and then seeking feedback of the gym manager at the invitation only Toogoolawah Gym opening.  This oversight was found to be an offence under Section 150K (1) (b) of the Local Government Act 2009 and is considered that I engaged in Inappropriate Conduct in contravening a policy, procedure or resolution of the local government.  This matter has now been finalised and I affirm will not occur again.