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Three out of four young Queensland drivers own a vehicle within the first six months of receiving a provisional licence, increasing their risk of being involved in a crash, new research shows. A Queensland University of Technology (QUT) survey, published in the international journal Traffic Injury Prevention, found that nearly 80 per cent of inexperienced, new drivers aged 17 to 19 had primary access to a vehicle. PhD researcher Bridie Scott-Parker, from QUT's Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety - Queensland (CARRS-Q), said research showed car ownership and high mileage led to increased rates of crashes, traffic offences and risky driving for newly independent drivers. "We found 78.4 per cent of young drivers with less than six months of independent driving experience had their own car despite being our newest drivers on the road," she said. "The first six months is the most dangerous time for new drivers. We would prefer they get experience driving in shared vehicles with parents monitoring their driving as much as possible." Mrs Scott-Parker said while graduated driver licensing programs had reduced the number of young novice drivers involved in crashes, they continued to be overrepresented in crash statistics. Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads figures from 2010 showed 6 per cent of drivers held a provisional licence in Queensland in 2008, but they represented 11.8 per cent of drivers fatally-injured in crashes. "Unfortunately this problem is not unique to Queensland - young novice drivers around the world are at greatest risk when they first begin driving by themselves," Mrs Scott-Parker said. Read more in out February 4 edition
The first ever North Lakes Wellness Expo is a community event and fundraiser being held at the North Lakes Community Centre, Saturday 4th February 2012 from 10am - 3pm. Admission is free and presenting the ad at the entrance entitles each holder to take part in a draw to WIN a 6 Month Membership with Breathe Healthclub at North Lakes (T&C apply). Everyone interested in embracing life, stimulating their mind, vitalising their body and nourishing their soul is welcome to come along and bring their family. The expo offers products and services in the areas of natural therapies, massage, fitness, energy healing, personal development, healthy homes, clairvoyance, plants & gifts. You can enjoy a fun day with organic food and fantastic kid’s entertainment! There will be talks and demonstrations presented throughout the day. Take part in our Prize Draw offering prizes worth over $2,000 and help raise funds for the Family & Kids-Care Foundation Inc. Don’t miss this great opportunity to make 2012 your healthiest year ever! See you there! If you have any questions, please contact the Organiser: Karen Larisch, Sense Consulting & Coaching, info@sense2success.com or call 0406 298 452
Australia Day Celebrations Australia Day is an opportunity for us to think about the importance and value of being Australian. We celebrate what we have achieved as a nation together and recommit to making Australia an even better place for the future. Citizenship ceremonies are an important part of Australia Day celebrations. On Australia Day 2011 13,000 people from 143 countries became Australian citizens. Since the first Australian citizenship ceremony in 1949, more than four million people have chosen to become Australian citizens. Last year around 325 citizenship ceremonies were hosted across the nation on and around Australia Day by local councils and community groups. Despite the devastating floods, Brisbane City Council raised spirits by hosting the year's largest Australia Day citizenship ceremony with just over 1000 people becoming citizens at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Brisbane City Council hosts this year's largest Australia Day citizenship ceremony.
Queensland's blockbuster 2012 Event Calendar
2012 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for events in Queensland, with the number of supported major events more than doubling to 39 in just two years. Unprecedented expansion in the state’s major event calendar has resulted in an impressive mix of world class art and cultural offerings alongside national and international sporting events. Acting Premier Andrew Fraser said Queensland was fast developing a reputation for first-rate, quality events and even more impressive attendance figures. “Just look at what the Brisbane International is currently achieving – a year ago the Queensland Tennis Centre was under water, now the tournament is back bigger and better with crowd records being smashed,” Mr Fraser said. “Monday’s day-night attendance record of 18,478 smashed the previous day-night Brisbane International attendance record of 13,121 set last year. “This a fantastic result which follows the increased investment by the State Government, through Events Queensland, to upgrading the women’s tournament to Premier Event status on the world tennis circuit.” The State Government has doubled the major events budget – with an extra $83 million being invested over four years bringing the total Events Queensland budget to $174 million over that same period. “Exhibitions like the highly anticipated Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb and the works of one of the 20th Century’s most renowned artists’ Henri Matisse would not be possible without Queensland’s world class venues and our growing appetite for art and cultural offerings,” Mr Fraser said. “Events have a proven track record in driving up visitation to the state and delivering a strong return on investment of taxpayers dollars. “Events supported by Events Queensland have delivered a $10 return for every $1 invested and enticed more than 505,000 interstate and overseas visitors to the State each year. “They play a vital role in supporting the state’s $9 billion dollar tourism industry and the 222,000 jobs and 115,000 businesses that are a part of it. “This is an event-led recovery that will help provide a buffer from major shocks like last year’s summer of natural disasters and the GFC.” Events Queensland CEO John O’Sullivan said the 2012 Event Calendar was diverse and dynamic. “The increased investment has enabled us to build significant momentum and 2012 is shaping up to be a great year of art, cultural, sporting, business and regional events,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “This momentum, combined with the successful Commonwealth Games bid for the Gold Coast, means Queensland has well and truly cemented its reputation as a first-class events destination.” Some highlights of the 2012 event calendar include: These new events also join other key events like the Gold Coast Airport Marathon and Armor All 600 and the HSBC World Series Rugby Sevens and Challenge Cairns. The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro world surfing tour events return in February, the Mooloolaba and Noosa Triathlons continue to grow in size and popularity and in just its fourth year the Brisbane International has cemented its spot on the national tennis calendar, marking the beginning of the Australian Open Series. The first official event on the 2012 Queensland Events Calendar is the Brisbane International Tennis Championships, which kicked off at Tennyson on 1 January 2012. For information regarding draws, tickets and other news visit www.brisbaneinternational.com.au More details on the 2012 Queensland Events Calendar can be found at www.eventsqueensland.com.au/events/eventlist
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Car Ownership Puts Teens at High Crash Risk
North Lakes Wellness Expo 
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