Council Connections - 10 November 2021

Nursery Volunteer Program, 2022 Australia Day Award Nominations, Coconut Palm De-Nutting and Event Wrap Ups

Exercise Black Rain

Wild fire preparedness was the focus of an exercise held on Wednesday 3 November 2021 attended by the Hinchinbrook Local Disaster Management Group (HLDMG), Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), Queensland Police Service (QPS), National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), HQ Plantations and various local fire warden representatives.

Exercise Black Rain was designed to evaluate and potentially enhance the ability of HLDMG and supporting partners readiness to respond to a large bushfire impacting properties bordering upon the Girringun National Park within Hinchinbrook.

Whilst valuable pointers were picked up, it was determined overall that solid strategies and processes to assist and protect the community are in place.

As we are within our traditional dry time of the year, it's a timely reminder to all to be vigilant and cautious with fire activities and any outdoor activity or work that could potentially cause fire ignition.

For further information please visit Council’s website Disaster and Emergency Information page.

Nursery Volunteer Program

Council calls for community members interested in volunteering in the nursery each Wednesday where you will gain valuable experience, learn new skills, make new friends, and contribute to growing plants for the local environment.

Volunteers are given the opportunity to learn about seed collection, storage, preparation and sowing, direct seedling techniques, propagation by division, and potting mixes.

The Nursery Volunteer Program will take place every Wednesday from 8.00am to 11.30am at the Nursery located at Council’s Works Depot on Martin Street Ingham.

Volunteers are required to bring closed in shoes, hat, sunscreen, water, and something to eat. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided on site.

Please note spaces are limited.

To register your interest in becoming part of a friendly and active team and would like to contribute to our local environment, please contact Council’s Biosecurity Team on 4776 4740.

2022 Australia Day Award Nominations

Council is now seeking nominations for Australia Day Awards to be presented on Australia Day Wednesday 26 January 2022.

Categories include:

• Citizen Award for a person 27 years or older on 26 January 2021;
• Young Citizen Award for a person under 27 years on 26 January 2021;
• Junior and Senior Sports Awards, senior category over 18 years, junior category under 18 years;
• Senior and Junior Cultural Awards;
• Community Event Award; and
• Individual Achievement Award for a significant contribution to a local community group/s either as an official, coach, office bearer or in some other official or volunteer capacity.

Any person residing in the Hinchinbrook Shire during 2021 is eligible and their contribution or performance may have occurred during 2021, or over a number of years.

Further information regarding Award categories as well as Nomination Forms are available on Council’s website under Community and Environment or from the Council Office, 25 Lannercost Street Ingham. 

Nominations are to be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, PO Box 366, Ingham, by 5.00pm Wednesday 5 January 2022, to allow judging by a local selection panel.

Why not nominate someone you think is worthy of an award by completing and submitting a Nomination Form? There are many people in our wonderful community whose service or outstanding contribution to the community ought to be recognised through these Awards.

Floor Stickers Installed in Rotary Park Playground

With the assistance of the First 5 Forever Innovation Micro Grant, Council installed interactive floor stickers featuring the Heads and Shoulders, Knees and Toes rhyme in Biyay, Nwaigi and Warrgamay language.

The floor stickers encourage sharing of culturally significant rhymes as well as how important play-based learning is in the development of emergent literacy.

Council would like to express appreciation to Troy Wyles-Whelan, Josie Barrett, Jacob Cassady and Stacey Santo for their collaboration on the creation and installation of the First 5 Forever Floor stickers.

First 5 Forever is a State Government and State Library of Queensland initiative which directly supports parents and caregivers in providing key language and literacy skills to our region’s under 5’s.

Mark Fitz Workshop Wrap Up

The Hinchinbrook community had the opportunity to learn how to take professional photos, videos and write successful blogs with award winning Australian photographer, Mark Fitz.

An “Insta-Meet” took place on Tuesday 19 October 2021, where a group of 12 participants took on a fun and social opportunity to meet new people, share opinions, tips and experiences relating to Instagram, photography, and videography.

Mark Fitz also facilitated a Workshop on Wednesday 20 October 2021 where 26 participants where guided through tips and tricks on how to improve their photography, videography, blogging and all round social media content.

Seniors Morning Tea Wrap Up

The 2021 Seniors Morning Tea was held on Friday 29 October, it was fantastic to see so many Seniors from across the Shire enjoy the morning tea, embrace the entertainment and delight in each other’s company.

There were many wonderful compliments on the decorations, catering boxes, entertainment and general appreciation for this special event being hosted by Council.

Events like this would not be possible without the support of our community and the many volunteers.

Thank you to the Maraka Queen Entrants and Ingham State High School Hospitality Class for your assistance.

Reconciliation Action Plan Meeting

Council invites all First Nations people to attend a meeting to discuss ideas on developing a Reconciliation Action Plan for the Hinchinbrook area.

Date: Tuesday 16 November 2021

Time: 5.30pm

Where: TYTO Jabiru Room 73-75 McIlwraith Street Ingham

RSVP: Not required

For further information please contact Council.

Local Sportstars Queensland Nomination

On Saturday 30 October 2021 Lachlan Buckman won the North Queensland Junior Sportstar of the Year for his track and field prowess.

Lachlan has since been selected as one of five finalists for the 2021 Queensland Junior Sport Star Award and will attend the Award Presentation in Brisbane on Thursday 25 November 2021.

Coconut Palms De-Nutting Program

Council wishes to advise that the Coconut Palms De-Nutting Program commenced on Monday 8 November 2021 with completion anticipated by the end of November, weather permitting.

This work will be undertaken by Taylors Tree Lopping and will begin in Lucinda, with multiple crews progressively working through all beach areas.

Please note that some problematic Coconut Palms have been selected for removal.

For further information regarding this work, please contact Council's Public Spaces Team on 4776 4740.

Temporary Closure to Anabranch Bridge Macknade

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) advises that the Anabranch Bridge will be closed from Tuesday 23 November to mid-December 2021.

Repair works will occur underneath the bridge to improve scour depth and prevent further scouring around the bridge's foundations.

A detour will be in place via Halifax Road – Eddleston Drive – Musgrave Street – Scott Street – Lucinda Road for the duration of the closure.

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COUNCIL CONNECTIONS - 10 NOVEMBER 2021