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Click here to find out moreNorth Queensland Sportstar Awards
A fantastic night was had by all at the Shire Hall on Saturday for the 2019 North Queensland Sportstar Awards.
Overall, 43 athletes and administrators were recognised for their achievement in a number of differing sporting disciplines throughout our North Queensland region with outstanding efforts, including Australian representation.
Congratulations to local Joe Pennisi who was announced runner up in the Service to North Queensland Sport category for services to Rugby League. Well done Joe. Congratulations also to our other Hinchinbrook nominees –
Alana Romano: Junior Sport
Michael Skipper: Senior Sport
Luke Rosadi: Athlete with a Disability
The competition this year was extremely tough but your achievements were outstanding nevertheless and you have done yourselves and our district proud.
Shop Locally
With Christmas not too far away, a friendly reminder for residents to consider shopping locally when looking for the traditional gifts for friends and family.
I would like to take the opportunity to urge support for the small businesses in our community by buying locally. Without small business, the number of jobs available decreases and sponsorship of sporting and other community associations diminishes to name just two consequences. Where would our junior sporting clubs be without the valuable assistance offered by our business community?
I often hear that buying locally is impractical due to the lack of choice available and the extra costs of items. Buying locally is not about limiting your choice, but simply offering our local businesses the opportunity to satisfy your needs. More often than not the product is locally available and you will hear that prices are competitive.
Because of other factors of concern to you, it may not always be possible, but please afford the opportunity to the locals first. You may be surprised as to what is available and the competiveness of our locals.
Book Presentation
On Wednesday 30 October 2019 Dr Betty Lee presented her book ‘Right Man, Right Place, Worst Time’ to the Hinchinbrook Shire Library.
This book is about an Ingham born Australian hero, Commander Eric Feldt who was the instigator and head of the Coastwatchers, a group of heroes during WW2.
Betty Lee is a retired medical practitioner living in Brisbane. Betty is a great niece of Commander Eric Feldt. Betty attended Somerville House and The Women’s College in Brisbane and graduated from the University of Queensland.
Eric Feldt was born 3 January 1899 to parents Peter and Augusta Feldt at the family home, Norland, situated at Victoria Estate, Ingham.
In 1912, Eric, as a student at Brisbane Grammar School, secured a naval scholarship, the only scholarship for a Queenslander that year, and so began his naval career.
Right Man, Right Place, Worst Time can be found in the Local History Section at the Hinchinbrook Shire Library. Copies may also be purchased from www.boolarongpress.com.au.
Bush Fire Awareness
The seasonal outlook by authorities predict above normal fire potential in Queensland this coming summer.
Landholders are responsible for undertaking relevant works on their property to mitigate and protect against bush fire. The 2018 Queensland Bushfire Review highlighted that legislation on what can and cannot be done in relation to preparation was not well understood by landholders.
To assist in that regard, landholders are informed that hazard reduction burns can be an effective way to prepare properties for bush fire.
If you are planning to light a fire for hazard reduction, it is important you talk to your local fire warden to get a permit that coordinates timing and risk. Local fire wardens are there to help.
Permits are free. You will find contact details for your local fire warden at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/pages//fw_finder.aspx or otherwise, telephone Council for assistance.
As a landholder you can construct fire breaks on your property. Exemptions apply under the vegetation management legislation. No approval or notification is needed to clear necessary fire breaks or fire management lines.
Specifically, a landholder may clear to establish or maintain:
- A fire break to protect infrastructure (other than a fence, road or vehicular track) up to 1.5 times the height of the tallest adjacent vegetation or 20m (whichever is the wider);
- A fire management line of 10m width; and
- Clearing to establish or maintain a fence up to 10m wide – providing a fire management line on the boundary of all properties.
More information can be found at www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/management/vegetation, or call 135VEG (135834).
It is also important to have a bushfire survival plan. You will find all the information you need at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au.
The message is to be ready this fire season.
State Emergency Service (SES) Training Exercise
The SES will be conducting training in flood boat operations, launching boats from Dungeness during the day and night this Saturday and Sunday. There will be a number of SES boats performing various scenarios.
It is purely a training exercise and residents have no need to be concerned by the activity.
Need to print the Council Connections page? Click on the link below for the printable version.