Deagon Ward E-News

31 March 2017

The clean up after the storms is well underway in Council parks and on our roads. If you see any damage to local parks or trees down on roads or footpaths please let Council know on 3403 8888. There will be no charge to take green waste to Council's waste transfer stations until 5.45PM Sunday 2 April. Please contact my office if you are still cleaning up and require dump vouchers after this weekend.

I want to thank the Council and Emergency Services staff for their work over the past few days. They will have a busy few days and weeks ahead cleaning up the debris in our parks and public spaces.

With school holidays upon us, I want to wish local families a safe and enjoyable Easter break. If you are staying in Brisbane for the holidays there are lots of free or low cost events for children of all ages. Please click here to book in. The Museum of Brisbane have recently launch a few new exhibitions including Sit. Pose. Snap: Brisbane Portrait Photography 1850-1950 and Robert Andrews: Our Mutable Histories. Click here to find out more about the Museum of Brisbane.

We have recently celebrated Harmony Day and I want to congratulate and thank the local schools and community groups who held special events to mark this occasion. The message of Harmony Day is ‘everyone belongs’, the Day aims to engage people to participate in their community, respect cultural and religious diversity and foster sense of belonging for everyone. We have such a diverse, yet cohesive community here on the Northside and that's in no small part due to the work that schools, groups and individuals put in to make this community a welcoming place for all Australians.

This is your last chance to sign my petition calling on Council to reinstate the $2 million in funding that was originally for a fountain in the Dowse Lagoon. This funding has now been redirected to projects in Brisbane's CBD. I would like to see Council consult with local residents about spending this money locally. Please sign my petition here.

Keep an eye out on my Facebook page to keep up to date with local news and events over the New Year.

Cheers

Jared Cassidy

Out and About in the Community

Supporting Phoenix Synchonised Ice Skating Team

Stirling Hinchliffe and I recently visited the Phoenix Synchronised Ice Skating team at Iceworld Boondall to present them with a donation to help them with the costs of attening competitions right across Australia. Synchronised Ice Skating teams out of Boondall have had great success over the years and has teams for people of all ages and abilities. Click here to find out more.

Murri Taipans Launch and First Home Game

The Murri Taipans Sporting Association recently launched a senior NRL team at Brighton with the aim of competing in the State's highest competition. The Taipans is providing a pathway for indigenous and non-indigenous players to progress to higher levels of competition. The Murri Taipans are looking to expand into other sports, providing these pathways within existing clubs. I have assisted the club in purchasing some gear to help them get established. The Taipans had their first home game at Brighton, narrowly going down to Valleys. It was a great game to watch!

Sandgate / Redcliffe Cricket Club Presentations

The Sandgate / Redcliffe Cricket Club (Gators) held their annual awards night recently with players from each team being recognised for their efforts over the season. Thanks to the volunteers who put in so much effort to keep the club growing, headed up by President Brent Sweeney and his committee. Well done to the players, coaches, team managers and parents for a terrific season.

Latest Skilling Queenslanders for Work Graduations

I always enjoy attending graduation ceremonies for the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program. SANDBAG has received funding to run a number of these Certificate level courses over the past couple of years with another Certificate I in Construction now complete. Thirteen graduates received their qualifications with some participants receiving offers of full time work before the course even finished! This program, fully funded by the State Government, is achieving amazing results in our community. Thanks to SANDBAG, Stirling Hinchliffe and all of the community partners who make this work possible.

Chermside Library Opening

The brand new Chermside Library at Hamilton Road was official opened a few weeks ago. This purpose built library is the biggest in Brisbane, outside of the Brisbane Square Library. The upgraded library is larger and can accommodate three meeting rooms, quiet areas for study and reading, news lounges, quiet rooms and booths, an exciting new children’s library, a Maker Space and a dedicated technology facility for digital learning and literacy. Click here to find out more.

What's Coming Up...

Easter Art Show

The Sandgate Art Society and Shorncliffe Potters are hosting their Easter Art Show at Shorncliffe once again with the opening night on Thursday April 13 and running until Sunday April 16.

Keri McSweeney Art Show Launch

I will be officially opening local artist Keri McSweeny's first solo exhibition at 5.30PM at Bramble Place in Sandgate (opposite the Sandgate Town Hall). This exhibition will showcase Kerri's works featuring many local landmarks. Head down to check out this great local artist.

Vaisakhi Mela

The Annual Vaisakhi (Harvest Festival) is being held at the Sandgate Hawks Football Club on Saturday April 8 from 8.30AM.

Vaisakhi is the harvest festival celebrated by the Sikh community, which coincides with the beginning of the Punjabi New Year. It is traditional for communities to gather at this time of year and hold fairs to celebrate Vaisakhi. In recent years the Singh Saba temple has relocated to Taigum. As the temple establishes itself within the local community, it is important for the Sikh and Non-Sikh residents to join together and understand one another.

Opening up this celebration to the local community through a free public event will provide Sikh and Non-Sikh residents an opportunity to interact and enjoy the festival together. With kids’ rides and activities, along with dancing and music, there will be plenty of opportunities for the wider community to mix, and promote a culture of understanding and acceptance.

As with all Punjabi celebrations, there will be plenty of food on offer. And being the harvest festival, local residents will have the opportunity to try many traditional dishes, all made by the Singh Saba community.

Paul Neil Sandgate Art Show

Paul Neil will be holding his annual exhibition at the Sandgate Town Hall on Sunday April 9 from 4.00PM. This year's exhibition is called 'Family Album' and will show families of Sandgaten and surrounds. The Famous Arch of Sandgate will be back too at the entrance of the Town Hall.

Bluewater Festival

The annual Bluewater Festival is approaching fast with Good Friday just around the corner. This year the festival will occur on Friday April 14 from 9.00AM - 7.45PM, finishing with Fireworks.

Check out the festival program here. The Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race will start at 11AM. To check out all the festival details click here.