Koalas now on threatened species list
Listing welcomed but needs action
On the 30th April it was decided to include Koalas on the National Threatened Species List as ‘vulnerable’ in QLD, NSW and the ACT is a welcome first step towards greater protection of the national icon, but immediate action is now needed to reverse koala population decline.
“This national ‘vulnerable’ listing is an important first step by the Federal Government in acknowledging our declining Koala populations deserve greater protection,” Naomi Hogan of the Wilderness Society said today.
“We now need to see koala recovery plans promptly enacted to reverse the serious decline in their numbers and actually remove key threats.
“This ‘vulnerable’ listing needs to be more than a government label, we need to see action taken and tough decisions made to reverse koala habitat destruction.
“The Tasmanian thylacine was known to be endangered, yet despite efforts it still became extinct in the 1930s.
“Koalas numbers are rapidly declining across NSW where they are under strain due to many factors, including significant habitat clearing, temperature stress and vehicle strike.
Awesome Local Initiative
The Retiree’s Wish Tank
A word from North Lakes Lions' Chris Doyle
Hey NORTH LAKES, over the past 7 months we at the Lions Club, have been hard at work raising funds and setting in place our latest project “The Retiree’s Wish Tank”. Much to our amazement and surprise, no one in North Lakes has taken the first step to nominate a family member, an acquaintance or a friend who has a life-changing wish, but isn’t in the financial situation to make that wish a reality. All that is required is a line or two to The Secretary North Lakes Lions Club Retiree’s Wish Tank P.O. Box 819 North Lakes Qld. 4509 OR by email on north-lakes@lionsq3.org.au and we may be able to grant that wish.
There is one major requirement: the recipient must be 65 years of age or over and “Retired” from the work force. You’ll just need to enclose the recipient’s name and contact details, their wish and the nominator’s details as well. Once we have these, we can make the initial contact and follow through with the process.
As we have no initial interest from North Lakes, we’ve gone further afield to the Greater Brisbane area and have identified two possible recipients to get us under-way. Both these potential recipients are most worthy and will have their particular wishes granted almost immediately.
Whilst we are extremely excited about being able to grant these wishes and make significant changes to both these people’s lives, we feel that with the population available to us at North Lakes, we should be able to draw from our community.
After all, we are a service organization, whose primary aim is to look after the people of North Lakes.
Please appreciate that the North Lakes Lions Club members are very dedicated to our community and we know that there are so many Retiree’s in our immediate vicinity, all who could have their lives significantly affected by this powerful project. What it needs is a little snippet of consideration and care for your fellow man and we’re away. I guarantee that you will feel so good if you nominate somebody and we are able to do what we do, to help that person achieve their wish.
I have said on several occasions before that the wishes can be as diverse as being able to speak to an overseas relative they haven’t spoken to for years (we can arrange a skype link up very inexpensively) which in turn could make the world of difference to a person. Someone who always wanted to fly a plane (we could arrange a ride in a simulator for a couple of hours) which could really satisfy that person’s lifetime wish. A Grandmother may want to once again take a sulky ride through the city as she did in the 50’s on her wedding day (we can arrange that very easily) which again, could mean the world to someone and the range of requests would be endless.
So, now it’s crunch time, take advantage of what’s available in your back yard, NOW.
We’re always looking for new members to join our club. If you are new to the area, have some spare time to put to good use, looking to make new friends and integrating into the community, whilst at the same time helping people in need, give our membership chairman Lion Christine a call on 0419 677 186 and she’ll be happy to welcome you along to our next dinner meeting.
That’s it for this week.
Until next time, Chris.
Agnew's Clothing Factory
Heritage Week Book Launch
Ladies who formerly worked at the Agnew's Clothing Factory in Clontarf, will be interested to know that a book has been published about this iconic business, which was one of the largest employers on the Redcliffe Peninsula at that time.
The Agnew Family set up the factory, producing beautiful hand-embroidered children's clothing, in 1945 and it ran successfully until 1983. Hundreds of ladies gained employment and learned various sewing skills, as well as making life-long friendships
Many former employees were interviewed by the Redcliffe Historical Society, who have published the book "The Agnew Legacy" as part of Heritage Week in May.
Anyone interested in this well-known employer, will be very welcome to attend the book launch and display of Agnew's clothing on 2nd May 2012 at the Redcliffe Library. The display goes from 10am
Big fines to protect Fish
A prosecution in the Bowen Magistrates Court has sent a strong message to the fishing community – bag limits must be respected to protect our fisheries.
A $10,000 fine has been handed down to a recreational fisher who pleaded guilty to possessing excessive quantities of fish.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district officer Glen Harsley said the fisher was intercepted after returning from an eight-week fishing trip in north Queensland.
"The fisher was caught in possession of 2915 pieces of flathead fillet, when the bag limit is five, and 98 goldenline whiting which exceeds the bag limit of 30,” he said.
“This successful prosecution should send a serious message to fishers to understand the rules that are in place to ensure sustainable fisheries for Queensland now and into the future.
“Bag limits aim to conserve heavily exploited species and to conserve those that are susceptible to capture.
“They also allow catches to be shared more equitably amongst fishers and reduce the illegal marketing of fish.
“Respecting the resource means understanding and following the rules.”
Mr Harsley said if people were caught breaking the rules, they could be going to court.
“Breaching the size and bag limits is a serious offence and one which attracts fines of up to $100,000,” he said.
“Fishers who do the wrong thing could receive ‘on-the-spot’ infringement notices, for example, a fine of up to $400 for taking fish over the bag limit.
“A ‘bag’ or ‘possession’ limit refers to the total number of fish an individual can legally take and have in their possession at any one time – it does not apply on a per-day basis.
“This includes the fish you have caught previously that are in your freezer at home, camp site or in your caravan.
“We can all make a difference - ensure you know the limits by learning the recreational fishing rules and keeping a copy handy at all times when fishing.”
To order your free copy of the Queensland Recreational Boating and Fishing Guide or the Recreational fishing size and bag limits for Queensland brochure, call 13 25 23, or find them online where you can also download a copy at www.fisheries.qld.gov.au
Pictured: Some of the flathead pieces the recreational fisher was found with.
Local Environment Group
The next meeting of the Mango Hill & North Lakes Environment Group will take place on Wednesday 7th March at 7pm at the Mango Hill Community Hall. Guest speaker, Cathryn Dexter from Griffith University, will be discussing the Koala Movement project she is leading, which includes some of the koalas in the Mango Hill area.
"The group continues to grow and have now reached the stage where we need to look at turning the group into a formal organization." Said Dave Norman of MHANLEG.
"There are a number of options here, one of which is to merge with an existing organization. We are therefore currently looking into the possibility of amalgamating with the Wildlife Protection Society of Queensland which is a large, well established organization celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year."
"We are also at the stage of embarking on bush care and regeneration as well as organizing community events like Clean up Australia Day."
"Together we CAN and we WILL make a difference!"
If you are interested in joining the group, head along to the next meeting or contact at mhanleg@gmail.com.
Search for "Mango Hill & North Lakes Environment Group" on Facebook.
2012 National NAIDOC Week Theme
Anne Martin and Benjamin Mitchell, National NAIDOC Committee co-chairs, said this year’s theme, selected by the committee, is about celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and acknowledging the key contributors to its long history.
“In 1972, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy became a powerful symbol of unity. Its founders instilled pride, advanced equality and educated the country on the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Ms Martin said.
NAIDOC Week, from 1–8 July 2012, is an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to join together to recognise the valuable contribution Indigenous people make to Australia’s national identity.
Indigenous Australians are encouraged to nominate fellow community members to receive National NAIDOC Awards and submit entries, based on this year’s theme, to the National NAIDOC Poster Competition.
“The National NAIDOC Poster Competition is a great opportunity to showcase upcoming artists on the national stage,” Mr Mitchell said.
The winning entry, which receives a $5000 cash prize, will feature on the 2012 National NAIDOC poster and be displayed across Australia in workplaces, schools and community organisations.
National NAIDOC Poster Competition
The National NAIDOC Poster Competition is an opportunity for talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to have their artwork showcased across Australia as part of NAIDOC celebrations.
Each year, Indigenous artists are invited to submit artwork(s) based on the National NAIDOC theme.
The winning artwork – chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee – is reproduced on the NAIDOC poster, which is circulated nationwide to promote the week and the theme. The winning artist receives a prize of $5000 and national recognition and exposure, with their artwork displayed in schools, work places and community organisations across Australia.
The 2012 National NAIDOC Poster Competition is now open. Your artwork must reflect this year’s National NAIDOC theme: Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on.
Read full article in our February 18 edition
Beware! Local Purchase Scam
Business Owner Trent Le Mottee is feeling very deflated after a recent scam being perpetrated in the name of his business. Trent purchased the Goodyear Autocare Kippa-Ring franchise in October 2011 and has suffered major blow to his business.
During the months of September 2011 to December 2011 a scam was being run in the local Redcliffe, North Lakes and Chermside area which has affected the Goodyear Autocare Kippa- Ring store. Mr Le Mottee said, “Fraudulent “Labour Cards” were being sold under the guise of being for the Goodyear Autocare Kippa-Ring store. These cards were sold to unsuspecting victims for $40 with the promise of $585.00 worth of labour and services which cannot be honoured by our store.”
Trent would like to warn members of the public who may have purchased these fraudulent cards. Goodyear provides genuine labour cards from time to time; however these fraudulent ones are not to the same quality of printing as the genuine Goodyear Autocare cards. Other identifiers are that the cards are issued under a very old name – Goodyear Kippa Ring Tyre and Auto. The store has not operated under this name for over 5 years.
“I am a hardworking, family man who wants to do the right thing for my customers. We have been working hard to maintain the professional standards set by Goodyear, the last thing that we need is to have our good name and reputation tarnished by unscrupulous characters out there. As any of my customers will tell you I pride myself on providing a quality service at a reasonable price. To have someone out there defrauding customers who thought that they were genuinely supporting my business is very disappointing to me” said Mr Le Mottee.
The description of the suspected perpetrator is an older man, approx. 40-50 years old, who said his name is Peter, tall, well dressed with greying hair. He has been wearing a Goodyear work shirt on some occasions.
If you suspect that you have purchased a fraudulent card please take it into the Goodyear Autocare Kippa-Ring store located at 224 Anzac Avenue, Kippa-Ring. They will pass it onto the local fraud squad at the Redcliffe Police who are currently investigating this matter.
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