Tag Archives: toowoomba north
Calls For Community Cabinet Deputation Requests
Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine is encouraging people concerned about mining explorations being carried out in the local area to apply for deputations at the upcoming Community Cabinet in Toowoomba on Sunday, March 13th. Mr Shine said he had already raised the issue with the new Minister for Mining, Stirling Hinchliffe, and was keen for people who had questions about the process to raise them with the Minister. “Community Cabinet is a chance for locals to speak to Ministers directly about issues they may have, and I think that’s clearly what should happen here,” Mr Shine says. “This is a very important issue in our local area and I want to make sure the community takes advantage of this opportunity to put their views forward. “While I understand mining brings jobs to the local area, we need to protect the places where people live. “Explorations may never progress to actual mines and there are plenty of opportunities for people to have their say if a company wants to start a mine.” People requesting deputations about mining or other issues should contact the Toowoomba North Electorate Office on 4638 5755. Continue reading
Calls For Community Cabinet Deputation Requests
Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine is encouraging people concerned about mining explorations being carried out in the local area to apply for deputations at the upcoming Community Cabinet in Toowoomba on Sunday, March 13th. Mr Shine said he had already raised the issue with the new Minister for Mining, Stirling Hinchliffe, and was keen for people who had questions about the process to raise them with the Minister. “Community Cabinet is a chance for locals to speak to Ministers directly about issues they may have, and I think that’s clearly what should happen here,” Mr Shine says. “This is a very important issue in our local area and I want to make sure the community takes advantage of this opportunity to put their views forward. “While I understand mining brings jobs to the local area, we need to protect the places where people live. “Explorations may never progress to actual mines and there are plenty of opportunities for people to have their say if a company wants to start a mine.” People requesting deputations about mining or other issues should contact the Toowoomba North Electorate Office on 4638 5755. Continue reading
Qld Premier in Highfields for Christmas Concert
Premier Anna Bligh brought some Christmas cheer to seniors in Toowoomba/Highfields area with the annual Premier’s Seniors Christmas Concert at the Highfields Cultural Centre today (Tuesday 7th December) Qld Premier Anna Bligh and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine on arrival for the Concert Premier Bligh said she was excited to be hosting the free concert and was looking forward to helping seniors in the Toowoomba region celebrate the festive season. “Seniors have made significant contributions to their communities and continue to make them,” Ms Bligh said. “I am thrilled to be here celebrating the spirit of Christmas with the seniors of the Toowoomba area and look forward to enjoying a sing-along to our favourite carols.” Representing Tomnet Toowoomba at the Premiers Seniors Christmas Concert in Highfields were Dorothy and Bill Woodside (Dorothy is an office volunteer) The Premier’s Senior’s Christmas Concerts began in 2001 and have since been held in 18 regional areas throughout Queensland. Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine said it was great news the concert was being held in Highfields. Allan Western, Melissa Western, members of the band and the Toowoomba East State School Choir The concert was compered by the charismatic jazz singer Melissa Western, performing solo and duet performances with her father Alan Western, a renowned jazz performer and entertainer in the UK and Australia. Also featured were performances by Toowoomba East State School Choir, Dance routines by Dance Central and poetry recitations by Highfields State School students. Bill Woodside won the Lucky Program prize, and was presented with a hamper by the Premier. Dorothy and Bill Woodside with Premier Anna Bligh and Kerry Shine MP. Bill could also have won an award for the best costume, looking the part of Santa, but wearing a kilt. He also carried a Condamine bell. The concert was followed by a morning tea. Carole Lyons, Cr Anne Glasheen and Annica Sheppard chatting at the morning tea. The QUEENSLAND Premier will host a second concert in Cairns on Friday 10 December. Continue reading
Minister and Member Drop In On Tenants
Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine and Housing Minister Karen Struthers have visited tenants who have been living in a new social housing development completed in May. Mr Shine said the eight, two bedroom apartments in Wilsonton were built using funds from the federal government’s stimulus package and had been a great help to tenants looking to get back on their feet. He said the $1.7 million project had provided a safe and secure place to live for people doing it tough and generated jobs in the local construction industry. “Here in the Darling Downs region, we saw a 28% downturn in the construction industry between August 2008 and April this year,” Mr Shine said. “This project alone generated 15 jobs during that time. Across the Toowoomba area, we invested more than $25 million from the federal government and the state government in the last financial year to build social housing. All up, that supported almost 190 jobs. The investment has been a real lifeline to the local construction industry”. Hon. Karen Struthers (Minister for Community Services and Housing, and Minister for Women) and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine outside the $1.7 million project of 8 two bedroom apartments in Wilsonton. Mr Shine went on to say “The great thing about this project here is that half of the units can be adapted to meet the access requirements of people with a disability. Two of the units are semi-adaptable and two are fully wheelchair adaptable”. Ms Struthers said Queensland could expect to see more than 4000 new social housing dwellings by June 2012 under the federal government program. “The help people receive from social housing is very significant when it’s added up,” Ms Struthers said. “When you add in other concessions, it works out to be about an average of about $14,500 a year in assistance that social housing tenants receive”. Further Information: Phone: 4638 5755 Fax: 4638 4056 Email: toowoomba.north@parliament.qld.gov.au Continue reading
Glennie School’s New Hospitality Centre Officially Open
Students and staff at The Glennie School for in Toowoomba have celebrated the official opening of their new hospitality training centre recently. Member for Toowoomba North, Kerry Shine said the new centre was a major asset for the school community. “The hospitality centre offers an excellent training facility for hospitality students,” Mr Shine said. “It has a commercial training kitchen containing a barista-style coffee machine, and an industrial oven, and the neighbouring classroom can double as a function room for school events. “The hospitality students are putting it to good use – they helped cater for the Glennie Foundation cocktail party and have prepared morning tea for the official opening.” The State Government contributed $250,000 in capital assistance funding to the project, adding to the $850,000 raised by the school. From left: Right Reverend Rob Nolan (Anglican Bishop West Region), Kerry Shine MP, Wendy Ashley-Cooper (Head of Glennie School). The Member for Toowoomba North represented the Minister for Education and Training Geoff Wilson at the opening. Mr Wilson said the Queensland Government was pleased to help support the school’s ongoing development. “Over the past five years, The Glennie School (an Anglican school for girls) has received more than $5.6 million in recurrent funding and $1.9 million in capital assistance from the State Government.” Further Information Phone: 4638 5755 or Email: toowoomba.north@parliament.qld.gov.au Continue reading
Children’s Book Week Celebrations
Local primary school children are being encouraged to celebrate Children’s Book Week this week (August 21-27). Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine Week said “With the State Government’s continued focus on improving children’s literacy, Children’s Book Week represents another opportunity to help us spread the word about the importance of reading, and to encourage young Queenslanders to learn to love reading from an early age. I urge parents to make the most of any Book Week activities and celebrations taking place at local schools.” Children’s Book Week is organised by the Children’s Book Council of Australia and this year marks the program’s 65th anniversary, with the 2010 theme ‘Across the Story Bridge’. Member for Toowoomba North, Kerry Shine had quite a few interested students when he was invited to read a mystery book at the Rockville State School library. Mr Shine went on to say “Currently more than 60,000 students from 400 schools are involved in the fifth annual Premier’s Reading Challenge, which sets reading targets for all primary students in Queensland. The Challenge finishes on August 27 and I’m told we’re on track to better last year’s results where more than 1.2 million books were read during the campaign.” Further Information: Phone: 4638 5755 or Email: toowoomba.north@parliament.qld.gov.au Continue reading
Diabetes Week – Are You The Type?
Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine is encouraging Toowoomba residents to think about their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes this National Diabetes Week (11 -17 July 2010). Mr Shine said diabetes was the fastest growing chronic disease in the state, with more than 250,000 Queenslanders living with the disease. “In 2007 it was estimated 50 new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in our state each day, but if current trends persist, by 2031 this number is expected to have tripled to about 160 new diagnoses each day.” Mr Shine said. According to Diabetes Australia Queensland, it is estimated there are currently 7800 Toowoomba residents who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes – however, research suggests that for every person diagnosed, there could be another person living with the disease unaware that they have it. “This year’s National Diabetes Week theme is Don’t be the type to leave it too late which highlights the serious complications of diabetes and what can be done to prevent it. “Associated complications include chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, blindness and lower limb amputation. Mr Shine said it is never too late to engage in healthy eating patterns and physical activity to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. “I encourage residents to log on to the Diabetes Australia Queensland ‘Are you at risk’ website www.areyouatrisk.com.au and do a simple risk assessment to find out if they are at low, intermediate or high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Kerry Shine MP State Member for Toowoomba North Phone: 4638 5755 Fax: 4638 4056 Email: toowoomba.north@parliament.qld.gov.au Continue reading
Toowoomba Graduation for five Green Army workers
Five recruits on Lifeline’s Green Army Recycling project have graduated with new skills and self-confidence after completing 23 weeks paid work. The State Government provided $228,000 to the Queensland’s Green Army project to employ 12 jobseekers at Lifeline’s Distribution Centre and Smart Tip Shop to reduce landfill by identifying reusable and recyclable materials. Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland Business Coordinator Angela Klein said the project included some accredited training so participants worked safely and gained some valuable skills. “Two participants have earned their fork lift licences and another completed a course and gained a Statement of Attainment so he can check, test and tag electrical equipment as safe.” Ms Klein said “We’ve also helped each person to improve their resume and we will keep supporting them as they start searching for their next jobs.” Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine attended the event and said the project had helped the wider community while offering the participants an excellent chance to sharpen their workplace skills. “All jobseekers can check their eligibility and I encourage them to register their interest in joining a Queensland’s Green Army project like this through the website www.greenarmy.qld.gov.au or by calling 1300 369 925.” L to R Lifeline General Manager Derek Tuffield, Philip Obote, Percy Popovich, Lifeline Business Coordinator Angela Klein, Emmanuel Mansaray, Charlef Ochan, Nick Dowdle, Lifeline board executive chair person Tai Soo Kim Watson, Lynnette Pirie and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine. Continue reading
Toowoomba Graduation for five Green Army workers
Five recruits on Lifeline’s Green Army Recycling project have graduated with new skills and self-confidence after completing 23 weeks paid work. The State Government provided $228,000 to the Queensland’s Green Army project to employ 12 jobseekers at Lifeline’s Distribution Centre and Smart Tip Shop to reduce landfill by identifying reusable and recyclable materials. Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland Business Coordinator Angela Klein said the project included some accredited training so participants worked safely and gained some valuable skills. “Two participants have earned their fork lift licences and another completed a course and gained a Statement of Attainment so he can check, test and tag electrical equipment as safe.” Ms Klein said “We’ve also helped each person to improve their resume and we will keep supporting them as they start searching for their next jobs.” Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine attended the event and said the project had helped the wider community while offering the participants an excellent chance to sharpen their workplace skills. “All jobseekers can check their eligibility and I encourage them to register their interest in joining a Queensland’s Green Army project like this through the website www.greenarmy.qld.gov.au or by calling 1300 369 925.” L to R Lifeline General Manager Derek Tuffield, Philip Obote, Percy Popovich, Lifeline Business Coordinator Angela Klein, Emmanuel Mansaray, Charlef Ochan, Nick Dowdle, Lifeline board executive chair person Tai Soo Kim Watson, Lynnette Pirie and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine. Continue reading
Member for Toowoomba North, Kerry Shine Reflects On 2009 and Ahead to 2010
Kerry Shine MP speaks to Toowoomba Regional Radio’s Gordon Patterson about his efforts on behalf of his constituents, particularly in respect to Highfields. He also outlines his priorities for 2010 and wishes everyone a prosperous New Year. Audio: Kerry Shine Continue reading
