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The Bribie Island Police Force remembers

David Sweedman
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The Bribie Island Police Force remembers

When members of the Police Service commence their shift, they do so with the expectation that they may be called upon to deal with a variety of situations within the next few hours and that one or more of those situations may involve danger to both the community and themselves. That knowledge, however, did not prevent Toowoomba Police Officer Senior Constable Brett Forte from doing his best when called upon to attend a high-risk situation on May 29th, 2018.

Featured image(above): Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Thompson reading the Police Ode while Police Officers Rick Diaz, Chris Bird, Phil Wallace, Nicole Diegon, Michael Hamilton, Lisa Monteiro, Phil Robson and Stephen Collins pause to remember Senior Constable Brett Andrew Forte

After being advised of the situation, Senior Constable Forte and his partner left the Toowoomba Police Station and proceeded to the scene of the dangerous incident in the Helidon area which was to result in the brave Senior Constable losing his life in the hours to come. We all should be very thankful that officers such as Senior Constable Forte are prepared to dedicate their lives to serving the community and protect us from danger and we should also hope that these brave men and women are able to return to their families at the end of their shift.

On May 29th this year at 1.40 pm, twelve months on from the tragic events at Helidon, officers from Bribie Island Police Station participated in a small ceremony to mark the anniversary of Senior Constable Forte’s death and to pay tribute to the courageous officer. Police Officers Rick Diaz, Chris Bird, Phil Wallace, Nicole Diegan and Michael Hamilton joined with Lisa Monteiro, Phil Robson and Stephen Collins assembled at the front of the Bribie Island Police Station as Bribie Station Acting OIC, Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Thompson recited the Police Ode and then all present observed forty seconds silence. This was referred to as “Forty Seconds for Fortey.” In writing this article, I wish not only to pay tribute to Senior Constable Brett Andrew Forte but to assist in creating awareness of the ongoing commitment to the community that is demonstrated each day by the members of the Queensland Police Service.

THE POLICE ODE

As the sun surely sets

Dawn will see it arise

For service above self

Demands its own prize

You have fought the good fight

Life’s race has been run

And peace your reward for eternity begun

And we that are left shall never forget

Rest in peace friend and colleague

For the sun has now set

We will remember Senior Constable Brett Andrew Forte

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INSOMNIA – Symptoms, side effects and causes.

David Sweedman
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INSOMNIA – Symptoms, side effects and causes.

Tags: INSOMNIA. Mental health. Side effects. Symptoms and cause.

INSOMNIA

By Veronica Mercer Mental Health Accredited Social Worker

“NOTHING CURES INSOMNIA LIKE THE REALISATION THAT IT’S TIME TO GET UP” –
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body, characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles, and reduced interactions with surroundings.

Healthy sleep is important for both physical and mental wellbeing. It also improves productivity and overall quality of life. Everyone, from children to older adults, can benefit from practicing good sleep habits. If you’ve ever felt drowsy or “zoned out” in class or at work, then you’re already aware of how important a good night’s sleep can be.

INSOMNIA. Mental health. Side effects. Symptoms and cause.

What you might not know, however, is that sleep isn’t just important for helping you get through those dreaded Monday mornings, but it’s essential for your mental health too. Life constantly throws up challenges and difficulties. Resilience is the ability to manage and cope with these challenges. It is believed that having enough sleep is a crucial factor in our ability to deal with adversity and the demands of a busy life.

Sleep is a built-in biological source of resilience and the ability to bounce back. Although the relationship between sleep and mental health is not clearly understood, we believe that a good night’s sleep helps foster both mental and emotional resilience. Chronic sleep disruptions set the stage for negative thinking, depression, anxiety and emotional vulnerability.

REM (rapid eye movement) sleep – the deepest stage of the sleep cycle, stimulates the brain regions used in learning. Essentially, when deep sleep is disrupted, it wreaks havoc on our brains and impairs our ability to think clearly and remember things. How much sleep do I need? Most adults need between seven and eight hours sleep each day.

Be realistic about your needs. Younger people have different sleep needs. If you are a poor sleeper it is very important you do not spend too long in bed. Spend no more than 8 or so hours in your bed. If you spend more time in bed, you will be telling your body that it’s OK to drift in and out of sleep all night. Going to bed later at night may be the single best thing to help reduce your wake time during the night in bed (Psychcentral.com).

So, how much sleep do you need? According to 18 sleep experts who compared nearly 2,500 research papers, their recommendations are that on average you need:

• nine to 11 hours if you’re aged between six and nine-years-old

• eight to 10 hours if you’re a teenager

• seven to nine hours if you’re between 18 and 64 years-old

• seven and eight if you’re over 65 years old (reachout.com).

What are good sleep habits? Good sleep habits are often referred to as good sleep hygiene. There are many things that can be done to improve sleep. Here, we will give you some guidelines for what you should and should not do for a good night’s sleep. Many people have trouble with their sleep. If you are one of them, some of these simple things may help. What should I do in the evening?

• Try to go to bed at the same time each night.

• Our bodies have an internal clock and hormones that control sleep and wakefulness. • This clock works best if there is a regular sleep routine.

• When working well, you will feel sleepy at bedtime. Try not to ignore this by staying up, as this is a window of opportunity for sleep.

• Going to bed too early can also disturb your sleep. In the hour before going to bed, it is important to have a relaxing sleep routine. Some things that you may find relaxing include having a warm bath, reading quietly or a warm milk drink.

• Going to the toilet is important to avoid having to get up in the night.

• It is also recommended to turn off all screens (e.g., computers, smartphones) 1/2 hours prior to bed, and if possible, not have them in the bedroom.

Things to avoid in the evening?

• Caffeine should be avoided at least 2 hours before going to bed. This isn’t just coffee and tea. It is also found in colas and soft drinks. Smoking also makes it difficult to go

• No cigarettes before going to bed or during the night.

• Alcohol might help you get to sleep, but it will make it harder to stay asleep. It makes sleep problems like snoring and sleep apnoea worse as well.

• Activities that are stimulating should be avoided in the hour before bed. This includes moderate exercise, computer games, television, movies, having important discussions, using social media and responding to emails and text messages.

• Being in a brightly lit environment or the blue light of the computer can reduce evening levels of the a sleep-promoting hormone, melatonin.

• Don’t fall asleep on the couch during the evening as it reduces your sleep pressure and makes it harder to fall asleep when you go to bed.

• It is important to not be hungry at bedtime or having a full stomach can make it difficult to sleep.

• Some people find that having a small snack at bedtime helps them to sleep Better.

When in Bed.

• Make sure your bed is comfortable.

• Avoid being too hot or too cold.

• The mattress, pillow and blankets should be comfortable and restful.

• There should be no distractions in the bedroom.

• This may mean removing the television, radio and hand-held devices such as phones and laptop computers.

• If there is a clock in the bedroom, it should be covered to avoid clock watching.

• If possible, don’t allow children and pets to be a disturbance.

What should I do during the day?

• One very important thing is to stay out of bed.

• Some people use the bedroom as a living room, where they study, watch television, make phone calls and read books. This will make it harder to sleep.

• It is important to train the brain to link the bed with sleep. The bedroom should be used for sleeping and intimacy only.

• As a rule, exercise is good for sleep, but not just before going to bed. The best times are in the morning and before the evening meal, however any exercise is better than none.

• Being out in the natural daylight during the day will improve sleep at night. This will help with your body clock, and the melatonin levels in the body. It is best to be outside in the early part of the day.

What should I do if I can’t get to sleep?

• Sleep is not something that you can force to happen. If you are not asleep within 20 to 30 minutes of going to bed you should get up.

• Go to another darkened room and sit quietly.

• Try not have screen time (e.g., television, smartphone, computer) eat, drink or do household chores.

• When you feel tired and sleepy again go back to bed. This helps your mind link bed with sleep – not with being frustrated and not sleeping. Rest is good – it does not have to be sleep.

• Don’t label yourself as an insomniac as this will increase your worry and frustration.

INSOMNIA. Mental health. Side effects. Symptoms and cause.

Tick Tock goes my mind?

• Some people lie awake in bed at night and cannot switch of their thoughts. If this is a problem, set aside a ‘worry time’ during the evening. Use this time to think about what has been happening during the day, make plans and workable solutions. Then don’t think about these things until the next day.

• Keep the hour before bed as your wind down time – develop a routine that prepares your body and mind for sleep. Listen to quiet music or something that you find relaxing.

• Remember that we can never shut off our mind. Our thoughts continue all the time, so try to make them calmer thoughts.

• Create a favourite fantasy place. Or daydream of your favourite holiday spot. If other thoughts come in, consider them for a moment and then try to gently replace them with calm thoughts.

• If you are still unable to sleep despite your best attempts at relaxing and trying to calm your thoughts, go out of the bedroom and wait until you’re sleepy and tired and then try again.

Are naps good or bad? It depends. Remember that the average adult sleeps for between seven and eight hours a day. If you are taking naps without any problems, and they are short naps (around 30 minutes) then this will not be detrimental to your nighttime sleep. On the other hand, naps in the evening, or dozing in front of the TV, can make it harder to get to sleep at night.

What about prescription medicines and sleep? Some of these will make it easier to get to sleep. But others will keep you awake. It is best to take them only when your doctor or pharmacist says so. Sleeping pills are designed for short-term or intermittent use only, and always under the supervision of your medical doctor. But they are only a short-term fix.

INSOMNIA. Mental health. Side effects. Symptoms and cause.

How important is a routine? Try to stick to a good sleep routine. Improved sleep will not happen as soon as changes are made. But if good sleep habits are maintained, sleep will certainly get better. It is not possible to do the same thing every day, but it should be most days. Different things work for different people. Find what works for you and stick with it. If you try everything and your sleep still doesn’t get any better, then see your GP (http://www.yourmentalhealth.ie/).

INSOMNIA. Mental health. Side effects. Symptoms and cause.

The Facts

• The total cost of inadequate sleep in Australia was estimated to be $66.3 billion in 2016 – 17

• This total is made up of $26.2 billion in financial costs and $40.1 billion in the loss of wellbeing.

• The $26.2 billion in financial costs due to inadequate sleep are estimated to be as follows:

• health system costs of $1.8 billion, or $246 per person with inadequate sleep;

• productivity losses of $17.9 billion, or $2,418 per person with inadequate sleep;

• informal care costs of $0.6 billion, or $82 per person with inadequate sleep; and

• other costs (including welfare payments, tax losses) of $5.9 billion or $802 per person with inadequate sleep

• The $40.1 billion in loss of wellbeing is estimated using World Health Organisation and Australian Government metrics which assess the non-financial costs of healthy life lost through disability and premature death from inadequate sleep and associated conditions (Sleep Health Foundation 2017).

INSOMNIA. Mental health. Side effects. Symptoms and cause.

How sleep can affect your mental health. If you’re struggling to sleep over an extended period, this may lead to more challenges to your mental health, or it may make existing mental health challenges worse. Here are some ways that this may occur:

• Being tired makes it harder to cope – Everyday life becomes a much greater challenge when you’re tired. Over time, this can affect your self-esteem and mental health.

• You may become lonely – Feeling more tired may cause you to skip on going out and other social activities, meaning you might see less people. Becoming isolated can lead to mental health problems.

• Your mood might be lower – Sleep deprivation (lack of sleep) may impact your mood and energy level. Regular poor sleep could impact your mood negatively in diverse ways which could increase negative thinking cycles.

Some Trivia

• 12% of people dream in black and white

• 2/3 of a cat’s life is spent sleeping

• Humans spend 1/3 of their life sleeping

• The record for the longest period without sleep is 11 days

• It’s not uncommon for deaf people to use sign language in their sleep

• The sensation of falling when half asleep and jerking yourself awake is called ‘hypnic jerks’

• It’s thought that up to 15% of the population are sleepwalkers

• Sleep deprivation will kill you more quickly than food deprivation

• Those born blind experience dreams involving things such as emotion, sound, and smell rather than sight

• Within 5 minutes of waking up, 50% of your dream is forgotten

• Pain tolerance is reduced by sleep deprivation High-income earners ($65 – $75,000) get the best sleep(sleepfoundation.org).

Wishing you all good mental well-being, Cheers Veronica

“A GOOD LAUGH AND A LONG SLEEP ARE THE TWO BEST CURES FOR ANYTHING”
IRISH PROVERB

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Bribie Island State School Choir

David Sweedman
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Bribie Island State School Choir

Tags: Bribie Island State School Choir

HOW GOOD IS THAT?

The Swedish pop group ABBA had a hit with a song that included the lines “Thank You For the Music, for giving it to me” and those words are a true reflection of the joy that music can bring into someone’s life, both as a listener and also as the performer.

Featured Image(above): Bribie Island State School Choir warming up

As a matter of fact, I think that in many instances, the performer is the one who benefits the most. With this in mind, I can only imagine the pleasure that students from Bribie Island State School Choir experienced when they displayed their talents while competing in the Queensland Youth Music Awards at Kurwongbah State School recently. The Bribie Island State School Choir consists of twenty-seven keen singers and on the night, they performed two songs which were, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (let spell check work that one out) from Mary Poppins and Hushabye Mountain from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

When the competition winners were announced, both supporters and choir members were thrilled to hear the Bribie Island Choir rewarded for their performances with the Bronze Award. Currently celebrating its fiftieth year, the Queensland Youth Music Awards is one of the state’s longest-running school music competitions and consistently provides an opportunity for students to develop their skills and raise artistic levels by performing in front of an audience, other contestants, and adjudicators.

The BISS choir is seen as an integral part of the school’s Arts program and school music teacher Liz Palmer said that as a non-auditioned choir, all students are welcome to join. ‘I believe that all students who love to sing should have the opportunity to sing and perform,’ Liz told me. ‘By becoming part of a team students are able to make friends and be challenged as well as learning a range of songs, both popular and classic, while having fun. The choir practices twice each week during the lunch break and the students really love being involved,’ she added.

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1,400 people on the transplant waiting list in Australia

David Sweedman
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1,400 people on the transplant waiting list in Australia

Tags: Transplant waiting list. Organ and tissue donations. Australia. Queensland. Health. Bribie Island

TIME TO DECIDE

Recent statistics indicate that there are at least 1,400 people on the transplant waiting list in Australia with approximately half of those being children and, whilst from 2009 until 2017 the number of registered donors has increased by over one hundred percent, the need for organ and tissue donors is also increasing.

There are many misconceptions about organ and tissue donation and one of those is the concern about whether doctors will work as hard to save someone’s life if they know that the person is a registered donor. Doctors are committed to doing everything possible to save a life and donation is not even considered until someone is officially declared ass being brain dead by two independent medical professionals.

Another common concern relates to the issue of being too old. This is not normally a concern and in the past, people who are eighty years of age have been donors. An important step when deciding on becoming a donor is talking about it with family. Even if a person is a registered donor, the family must give their consent before any procedure can take place.

More about these and other details regarding the decision to become an organ and tissue donor can be found at www.donatelife.gov.au and www.donorregister.gov.au is where registration can be made. Each year, The Organ and Tissue Authority, a division within the Australian Government runs Donate Life Week and this is a key part of the Australian Government’s national reform program.

This is aimed at increasing organ and tissue donations and during that week, events are held across the country in an effort to encourage more Australians to register. This year, Donate Life Week is from Sunday, July 29th until Sunday, August 5th and more information can be obtained by visiting any Department of Human Services Centre or by making a call to 1800 777 203.

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Representatives gather at the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre

David Sweedman
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Representatives gather at the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre

Tags: Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre. charity organisation. Brisbane. Queensland

A NETWORKING AFTERNOON

Representatives from a number of organisations gathered at the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre during May for an afternoon meeting to discuss ways to assist the needs of those within the community who are at risk.

An initiative which has been facilitated by Neighbourhood Centre Manager Cecelia Taylor, the May get together was the third meeting of the group and, as the format can best be described as an opportunity for networking between the various agencies, the group has now been given the title of “HAND” which stands for Helping Agencies Network Development. The Rotary Club of Bribie Island, BIDCA, the Wallum Action Group, and the East Pumicestone Community Association along with the Anglican Church, and of course the Neighbourhood were all represented at the meeting and, after deciding on the official name and settling on suitable terms of reference, those present explained their focus and also their concerns to the group.

Members discussed their fundraising efforts and where they could best be directed and Neighbourhood Centre Counsellor Lindy McAndrew took time to talk about the work at the centre and the current trends as experienced by centre staff. Lindy also pointed out that, as the resources at the centre were dwindling rapidly at present due to the approach of financial year end, there was a need for added pantry items as well as swags which could be issued to the homeless who rely on the centre for support.

After a discussion about how often the “HAND” meetings should occur, members decided that this should be on a trial two monthly basis. The networking of the member groups is seen as a great way for agencies too become aware of who can offer which services and therefore be able to refer someone to the right place. As well as offering a wide range of support to people who are at risk, the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre can offer clients counselling services, both for personal and family issues) as well as debt relief and addiction.

Other services available at the centre include access to Centrelink, legal services and even tax return assistance at the appropriate time of year. As a very important way of boosting funds, the thrift shop at the centre has a large array of pre-loved items which are all available at a low price. Anyone who would like to find out more about the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre can either give them a call on 3408 8440 or pay them a visit at 9 Verdoni Street in Bellara. The centre is open each weekday except Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.

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HELLY’S CELEBRITIES OF THE 20TH CENTURY – JENNY AGUTTER

David Sweedman
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HELLY’S CELEBRITIES OF THE 20TH CENTURY – JENNY AGUTTER

Tags: Celebrities. Historical people. Famous people. Jenny Agutter

At 65, the eclectic and beautiful JENNY AGUTTER OBE, is still beautiful, as you’ve seen her on TV in May 2018, when she is a presenter at Her Royal Majesty’s, Queen Elizabeth II, 92nd birthday celebration, screened worldwide from London’s Albert Hall.

Discovered by Walt Disney at 11, starring in classic movies including THE RAILWAY CHILDREN, WALKABOUT, THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK (a favourite of mine I still keep watching decades later), THE EAGLE HAS LANDED and AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, endears Jenny to a worldwide audience with her hard work and dedication. And, of course, currently we still see her every week in TV’s CALL THE MIDWIFE. The wandering star born in Taunton, Somerset, with Jenny‘s father a Tank Corps Captain, Jenny’s first home at the age of two is Germany: at three Singapore; at eight Cypress; in her teens and early twenties, England; in her thirties and for a long time, Hollywood; but finally back to London.

Married to Swedish hotelier, Johan Tham, they have a 28-year-old son called Jonathan. I first meet Jenny when she is 33, living in West Hollywood and there has never been a more caring, unassuming and gentle woman. Everything about Jenny glows. Yet when she speaks, there is a firmness and positivity in everything she says. “Wherever I live, I must have space and light. And when I can get away with not using blinds and curtains, I do,” insists Jenny.

Celebrities. Historical people. famous people. Jenny Agutter

“If I have to use blinds, I prefer the big, wide shutter ones which you can angle, so that no one can see inside, but which don’t shut out the light.” The light touch is echoed in the colour schemes. “I just love light walls, especially when they’re done with Mediterranean paints, which are more like washes. I prefer paint to wallpaper and do most of the painting myself.” Jenny finds wallpaper gives her a hard time. “It’s such a fashion thing – suitable one minute and not the next.

With paint I can just go over it and change it all whenever I feel like it.” And her talents don’t stop at painting. “I’m quite good at things like stripping window frames down, sanding, lacquering, re-painting, framing pictures and making curtains. But I never touch upholstery. That has to look professional.” And how it does: a white cool and very comfortable sofa as well as armchairs.

“I love natural fibres and handcrafted materials. But in contrast with the white walls and furniture, I use a lot of earthy and brilliantly coloured cushions and carpets, as well as a selection of bright Indian, Caucasian and Persian rugs.” Jenny’s furniture is an interesting mixture of the modern and the ancient. Etchings, drawings, and watercolours – mostly seas scapes – blend with the odd oil painting here and there.

But she also has a passion for old English furniture. “My best pieces are my dining room suite and two oak dowry chests, which are early 18th century and have the original names and dates carved into their fronts.” She pauses for a while and there is a little sadness in her eyes. “Life in California is great. You live outdoors so much and it has a very relaxed and casual atmosphere. But I miss my family, England and the atmosphere of a real city like London.

Celebrities. Historical people. famous people. Jenny Agutter

Here you are close to your friends, but in a way you are uninvolved in society. “It’s like being permanently on holiday. Although it’s your home, you are not very attached to the place in a real social sense.” And 32 years on back in the U.K., there is no sadness in her eyes when she introduces concert acts for the Queen’s birthday at the Albert Hall in May. Her homes all over the globe, her adventures and the never-ending creative decades in the theatre, on TV and in the movies have left a soothing and tranquil effect on Jenny, with much of her inspiration having come from Ancient Rome.

But her heart has always been in London and. So she has truly settled now.

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THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT

David Sweedman
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THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Tags: Life. Philosophy.

Often the best things in this life, the things that make a difference to ourselves and to each other in a positive, uplifting way go against the status quo. Or at least, are not as usual as they ought to be.

For example: smiling at strangers, breaking out in dance, writing letters or playing like children. And something that I LOVE to do, but honestly see very little of it being done between people, is encouragement! I do not know why, when it is so powerful and beautiful, that we don’t encourage each other more often.

One of the scariest things you can do is be thrown into a new environment with unfamiliar people and systems. Like, starting a new job or starting school. There’s pressure to perform as well as the thought of, “Am I going to make friends and be accepted?”. But you know what is the perfect antidote to nerves and fears? Encouragement! From others and from yourself. A few simple words strung together and filled with sincerity can do wonders for the self-esteem.

It just doesn’t take much at all to say: “You’re doing a good job”, “Keep going”, “That’s it! You’ve got it!” So, so simple but powerful. I think one of the reasons that we don’t encourage each other is because we actually have low self-esteem ourselves, either that or we have really big egos; it’s one or the other! We don’t give kind words because we haven’t received kind words. Or, we just feel it’s too much effort.

This is a wrong approach. Start giving cheerfully with excited expectation that your words will be helpful to others and goodness will fill your life from every corner. And don’t choose who you give encouragement to for one person over another in a biased way. Do it equally for all people (unless it’s encouraging them to do something wrong).

You never know, that one person that you helped when no one noticed could, in the future, help you in an unexpected way. Imagine, if you had to wear all the words that came out of your mouth, would your attire be attractive or repulsive? Think about it. Eventually, we do wear our words through our deeds and other people’s deeds done back to us. Don’t just blurt out anything, choose your words wisely because they have the power to bring people to strength and health, including our own, “self-talk”.

An encouragement is the predecessor of a compliment and can make someone feel just as good. So try it today for instant warm and fuzzies.

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Bribie Island Junior Rugby League – Sponsors Needed

David Sweedman
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Bribie Island Junior Rugby League – Sponsors Needed

BRIBIE ISLAND JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE

SPONSORS NEEDED

Bribie Island Junior Rugby League (Warrigals), was established in 1982. We are a non-profit organisation affiliated with the Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League. In 2017, we had 4 Teams make it to the Grand Finals. One Team went on to win their Grand Final, the other 3 were gallant in defeat. In 2018, we have over 250 players registered at our Club, ranging in age from 6 to 15.

We attempt to keep our fees at an affordable price for families, but costs continue to increase. Due to the number of Teams at our Club, we train 4 nights a week under lights, and games are played most Friday nights, again under lights. So, electricity is one of the many costs the Club incurs.

We can tailor make a Sponsorship Package to suit your Budget and Business requirements. At Warrigals, we want to ensure that every Sponsor gets value for their Sponsorship Dollar. To discuss what we can do for you, contact… Alan (Vice President) on 0487368275 or Brooke (President) on 0414582779.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE CLUB NEWS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

Search for… Bribie Island & District Junior Rugby League

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Busy Fingers – Second Hand Store Bribie Island

David Sweedman
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Busy Fingers – Second Hand Store Bribie Island

Well, the awful flu season is with us once again and already our staff and volunteers have been affected, including our manager Sonia and I, at one point there was nine of us out for the count. Being short of staff makes it very difficult for the remaining members trying to keep the shop working well.

Colds, coughs and also the flu is so easily spread that we respectfully ask that everyone practises good personal hygiene and carries tissues and hand sanitizer if you have an annoying cough or cold. Last week our poor cashier was coughed and sneezed on so many times that she actually used a whole can of Glen 20 around her counter. We thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Stay Healthy.

Once again we are having problems with the theft of donations overnight during weekdays, so we have had to bite the bullet and close the gates every afternoon after the shop closes. We also have a problem with people actually going through all our rubbish and larger industrial bins in the middle of the night. These bins have broken glass and crockery, soiled clothing as well as many other undesirable items in them, our cameras show people dragging soiled clothes out of the bins, this is so unhygienic and also dangerous as broken glass can do a lot of damage.

Please refrain from searching through our bins. Due to this problem we have decided to continue our fence around the back of the property enclosing all the bins and shed, this will be at great expense and also cause inconvenience to many of our wonderful donators of goods. We will eventually only be able to receive goods from 7.30 am until 3 pm Monday to Friday and 7 am to noon on Saturday. If you are unable to bring the goods to us during that time please call Sonia on 3408 1014 or email [email protected] for a free pick up by our drivers. We are sincerely sorry for any inconvenience this will cause in the future but it is a case of the few affecting the many.

Our manager has ordered some more clothing racks and shelves which arrived in Brisbane this week, so hopefully, these will be installed over the next few weeks. Once these are in place there will be more room for both winter and summer clothing and a permanent place for hats, scarves and belts. Certain areas will be moved around hopefully for the last time, allowing customers to get familiar with the layout of the shop floor. I have also placed an order for reusable shopping bags which are due to arrive at the end of June when plastic bags will no longer be available.

We have quite a few of plastic bags in the shop but once they are gone it will be impossible to get more, so we suggest you bring a bag with you if possible. Last month we were pleased to give some much-needed grants away, the Bribie Island Kindergarten needed a piece of equipment to assist non-verbal children, they were also in great need of new flooring for the classroom.

Hopefully, the new flooring will be installed soon. We have supported Bribie Island Diabetes Support group for many years now and we have been able to grant 20 places for the Kids to Camp Programme 2018. This camp has helped so many children over the years, here they are with kids like themselves who live with diabetes, making so many friends while learning more about diabetes.

The Banksia Beach Primary school has started a new program called “Books before the Bell”, teachers throw cushions and blankets out and bring boxes of books out for children to read before class. They have encouraged siblings to help the younger children and have also involved parents and teachers. They were in need of trolleys and books and we have granted this wish. We thank all our donators and also our customers for the generosity, without you, we would not be able to grant the many wishes that we receive, we also thank our staff and many volunteers for all their hard work throughout the year too.

If you are a member of an island club or association and require assistance please let us know. We try to assist all not for profit associations and sporting clubs, we also assist the police, SES, VMR and the BI Hospice. Our President Karen is quite happy to come along to your club and present our aims and goals and how your club can apply for assistance.

Please call 3410 1920 or email [email protected] if you wish to have a presentation or if you wish to apply for a grant of assistance. We still have continuing sales. There is 50% off prints and some kitchenware at the moment, but our sales change constantly depending on the items we have, when the number of books increases we have a bag of books for $5.

Furniture also is often on sale if we get in a large number of lounges. So please come down and check out the bargains. Once again we would like to thank Richard and his gang at The Bribie Islander for their continued support of us and also the island community. Hope to see you in the shop soon. Sandra

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HENRY IS A HERO

David Sweedman
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HENRY IS A HERO

 

When two thirteen-year-old mates went for an early morning fish recently, the events which occurred over the following couple of hours will most certainly be forever remembered by both the boys and their parents. Local butcher Allan Riddle told me that he had dropped son Caidan and his mate Henry Purtill-Stokes off at the Melrose Avenue entrance to the Bibimulya Wetlands where they were planning to spend some of the morning fishing.

Apparently, without any prior warning, Caidan, who requires regular medication to control regular instances of high blood pressure, ran into the lake and then plunged face down into the rather murky water which is more than one metre deep. After a few moments of believing that Caidan was clowning around, Henry, who by the way is much smaller than his friend, realised the seriousness of the situation and knew that he had to act swiftly to save his mate. He plunged into the lake and, using all his strength as well as that extra boost which is brought on by adrenaline, managed to position himself underneath Caidan, who weighs almost seventy kilograms and would have been much heavier with his wet clothes and force the drowning youth up and back to the shore.

Henry, who does not have a mobile phone but luckily knew the pin number of his friend’s phone, called Caidan’s mum and texted his mother Rachel. Police were first to attend followed closely by QAS paramedics who removed Caidan’s wet clothes and placed him in a special thermal suit to alleviate any hypothermia before transporting him to hospital as a precautionary measure. There have been reports of one woman who, due to being angry with the boys fishing in the reserve, told Henry that he should have just let Caidan drown. Hopefully, this was an incidence of someone saying something that they did not really mean.

Caidan’s mum Wendy and dad Allan have both told me that they are so grateful to both the paramedics and police for their swift response. They also pointed out that if it were not for Henry’s actions on the day, the result may well have been tragic. ‘Henry has shown a level of sense and responsibility that are well beyond his years,’ said Allan. ‘It appears that Caidan had not taken his blood pressure medication and this resulted in him blacking out before stumbling into the water. It was not until Henry had brought him back to the shore that he regained consciousness,’ he added.

Whilst the brave actions of Henry Purtill-Stokes can be regarded as an example of the caring nature shown by both the young and old within our community, his selflessness should not go unrecognised and I have been told that there he will be recommended for a very well deserved bravery award. Division One Councillor Brooke Savige told me that she will be following this through with the appropriate State Government department. ‘Henry has shown that there are many youths within the community who will help when needed and his actions will be noticed by other young people who often learn through example,’ she remarked.

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Fishing Report and Tide Times Bribie Island June 2018

David Sweedman
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Fishing Report and Tide Times Bribie Island June 2018

Tags: Bribie Island Fishing report. Tide Time. fishing Spots. Moreton Bay. Brisbane.

While spending so much time fishing and boating most of us crazy fisherman/ fisherwomen understand the reasons why. Once you get hooked on the whole fishing, camping and boating lifestyle you will be generally hooked for life. With so many beautiful eating species of fish, crab and prawn, and not to mention the absolutely beautiful spots and locations around Bribie Island, its no wonder why fishing, camping and boating has really become so popular over the last ten year’s or so.

Over the next few months, the mozzies and midges will disappear, making it a great time to camp a couple of days up the passage or the ocean beach. Firepits have been placed in the ocean beach campsites over the last year making it a somewhat better place to camp now because of it. There’s nothing better than a nice campfire on a winters night up the beach. Fires are great to cook on, they act as a light and heater, are great at keeping mozzies and bities away from the camp and the good old fire is basically the outback tv. Always check campsite availability and book permits well in advance if you are planning a camping trip.

The fishing around Bribie has been really good once again and in reality, every day and every month of the year will generally fish well. As the seasons come and go some species move in and others move out, but more than often they will hang around the entire year and will feed throughout the day or night. Knowing where, when, which certain rigs to use, the tackle, techniques and bait selection will be important to ensure you catch a few. In the passage, the flattys have been caught throughout and there has been great numbers and size fish around.

Bribie Island Fishing report. Tide Time. fishing Spots. Moreton Bay. Brisbane.

Mixed bag from off the cape

Plastics and hardbodies producing great results. Pillies, live baits and prawns working well for the baits. Bream have been thick of late and should really start to pick up over the next month. Try the bridge pylons, oyster leases, up the creeks on the deep rocky bends and also the 112’s. The squire have also moved into the passage with good numbers getting taken. Try the bridge, ripples,112’s and any deep rocky ledge throughout the passage. Still, a few good summer whiting, try the mouths of the creeks on live worms and yabbies. Jewies on live baits around the bridge,112’s and the Bongaree ledge.

The longtails and mack tuna have been smashing the bait schools off Woorim Beach and in the bay – although have been very spooky to catch. Offshore the fishing has been good also with all the local systems holding good quality and a variety of species. Over the next month or so should see the first of the humpback whales travelling up the east coast, which means water temperatures should start to drop off a lot also.

This will really start to fire up the snapper and pearlies in close. Caloundra wide, deep tempest, the containers and the 60 -90m ground east of Flinders and Hutchies a great spot to look for both species. This is also a great time to target the big bay snapper. Fresh squid, tailor, diver whiting, tuna and big pillies make great baits for the big 10kg plus models. The bigger the baits the better.

Bribie Island Fishing report. Tide Time. fishing Spots. Moreton Bay. Brisbane.

Still, some quality muddies around

The wrecks, artificials and the ledges throughout the bay are generally where we target these prized trophy snapper. So grab the rods and camping gear and get out and enjoy this lovely part of the year. And don’t destroy what you come to enjoy. Well yet again another months gone by. We have had pretty reasonable weather throughout the month of May, with a few days of strong south to south easterlies in between the relatively calm periods. Over the next couple of months, we are more likely to see slow-moving weather systems bringing us hopefully high-pressure systems with no wind and calm conditions. But as we all know this isn’t always the case knowing what certain weather patterns are coming and planning your offshore trips around the good weather is generally the best way to have a safe and comfortable trip.

When heading out offshore always make sure all GPS, flares, life jackets and all other safety equipment is up to date and working correctly. Always check your battery system and wiring to make sure batteries are fully charged and wiring hasn’t been damaged. Check fuel lines,primer bulbs and steering system for any damage. Also log into Bribie Island Marine Rescue or Redcliffe Coastguard with your trip particulars, people on board and destination etc.

Know your fish species, bag limits and any marine park green zones. Looking after your catch the right way will ensure when you get home from your trip,all your fish will be in great condition. The best way is to have a nice clean esky full of an ice and seawater slurry. Fresh fish in an icy cold saltwater slurry will last up to 3 days or longer. Generally we fillet fish up the next day after the trip. You can also brain spike or bleed the fish which can also make your catch taste better. While you don’t necessarily need to bleed all species I find that bleeding all fish is the best bet. Once again it’s personal preference.

Tide Times

Click here to see Bribie Island Tide Times

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Wines – a long history

David Sweedman
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Wines – a long history

Tags: History. White and red wines.

Last month we looked at the making of white and red wines and the fact that modern winemaking techniques have greatly improved what we drink today compared to the cloudy alcoholic substance drank hundreds of years ago. It is probable that the making of wine came about by accident, grape juice left for a while in the heat combined with the yeast lying on the outside of the skin of the grape and got together with the sugar in the grape which then fermented, providing the first glass (or container) of wine some several thousand years ago.

Champagne was another accident which initially was a curse to wine producers causing bottles of their hard work to explode in their cellars. As we mentioned last month one of the by-products of fermentation is carbon dioxide, which in making table wine dissipates into the atmosphere, but in days gone by wine was often bottled before all the yeast had been converted to alcohol as the cold weather halted the fermentation process. With the onset of spring bringing the warm rays of the sun the fermentation would start again, but within a corked bottle not built for the process, and suddenly the carbon dioxide would create a fizzy drink and the bottle would explode.

The Romans had planted grapes in The Champagne region several thousand years ago but the wines were considered to be poor compared to Burgundy and a lot of the wines were made by the Monks for religious purpose and to resolve the exploding wine problem a young monk by the name of Dom Perignon was employed to stop this curse from happening. The problem was that a number of bottles exported to England didn’t explode and the monarchy had developed a liking for this new sparkling wine!

Wines. Sparkling. White. Red. Shiraz. Queensland. Australian

When Perignon tried the wine from an unexploded bottle he exclaimed “ come quickly I am drinking the stars’ Although Perignon did not invent champagne he was responsible for the development of a bottle that held the pressure, a cork and muselet (the wire cage) that prevents the cork from leaving the bottle and he was also involved in the deliberate secondary fermentation of the wine and the blending of different varieties to produce a perfect product.

Champagne is a region of France about ninety miles north of Paris and has a set border in which only three grape varieties are grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and anything produced outside this border cannot be called Champagne. However, due to the popularity of the wine especially now that China is developing a thirst for it there are moves to expand that border.

Champagne can be made from any single variety of the three grape varieties or a combination of any which makes them all different, this combined with the regions weather and the soil (terroir) and making them in the traditional “Method Champenois” (in the bottle) is what had made Champagne different to other sparkling wines, especially as it set the standard for sparkling winemaking and its use for all types of celebrations which have carried on over the centuries.

Yarra Valley. Wine. History. Australian. Wineries.

The grapes are all handpicked and mechanical harvesters are banned from Champagne as the slightest damage to the skins could result in variously tainted wines. There used to be a starting date for the picking of the grapes but this is now more relaxed and each village can decide when this should be. There are two types of Champagne, vintage and non-vintage, the non-vintage being a reserve wine prepared each year with various years blended together to produce a constant style that a consumer can always rely on.

The vintage wines will be made from the wine of a single year and the date shown on the bottle, however with nature playing its part, there will be better vintages than others. Once the wines have been made and blended they are cold stabilized to eliminate crystals and then are ready for the second fermentation. This is obtained by adding the liqueur tirage, a mixture of wine, sugar and a selected yeast culture carefully calculated to give the right amount of bubbles to the final result.

The wine is then bottled and sealed with a crown cap (as used on imported beers) and stacked horizontally at a constant temperature of around 12 degrees and the secondary fermentation can take around three months to complete. During this period the bottles are shaken to shift the forming sediment when the bottles are inserted neck first leaning downwards into riddling tables and over a period of time turned gently to propel the sediment down to the neck of the bottle, in smaller wineries this is still done by hand.

When the time has come to disgorge the wad of sediment the neck of the bottle is submerged in a tank of freezing brine, the top is then removed and the wad gets pushed out by the pressure, the bottle is then topped up with the liqueur d’expedition, containing wine similar to what is in the bottle and usually some cane sugar. The cork and cage are then fitted and the product will then be ready for packing, although some Champagne houses will age them for a while. The following terms can appear on the label. Blanc de Blanc. White wine made from white grapes exclusively Chardonnay.

Blanc de noirs. White wine made from black grapes, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Brut. Very dry. Cru. A growth or a village. Cuvee. A blend of wines that make up a specific Champagne. Cuvee prestige. The Champagne Houses top Champagne. Non-vintage. A blend of current and reserve wines. Vintage. Wines of that year. Cheap sparkling wines are made similar to soft drinks by adding carbon dioxide to the wine then bottling it. I hope I have made this fairly simple for quite a complex winemaking procedure, for that blame Dom Perignon.

Houghton Wines. Wine. White. Red.

You don’t need a celebration to enjoy Champagne so there are quite a number of specials out there and the home brands from Woolworths (BWS and Dan Murphys) and Coles (Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and First Choice) offer very good value. Enjoy Mumm, Veuve Clicquot, Moet and Chandon, Pommery and Tattinger. For the more discerning try Bollinger, Perrier Jouet, Henriot, Krug, Cristal and of course Dom Perignon. Cheers, Philip Arlidge [email protected] An oldie but a goodie.

Lily Bollinger House of Bollinger quotes:

“I drink Champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty.”

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MONEY TALK – KNOW YOUR SUPER – INSURANCE

David Sweedman
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MONEY TALK – KNOW YOUR SUPER – INSURANCE

Tags: Financial Advice. Super annuation insurance. Finance. Money. Bribie Island. Brisbane

This is the first of a series of articles on super. For many people super is not something to spend too much time thinking about. They may notice the compulsory employer contributions on their pay slips, receive annual statements of their fund balance from their fund manager and consign them to the bin. In the articles to follow I will detail how a healthy super fund balance and adequate insurance cover through your fund can make life much more comfortable in retirement or if you are unlucky enough to be injured and unable to work. Most super funds offer insurance for their members to cover death, total and permanent disability (TPD) and income protection.

Your employer’s default super fund must offer a minimum level of life insurance depending on your age. Check your annual statement or online account if you have one to see what cover you have. You can usually increase, decrease, or cancel your insurance at any time. Getting your life insurance through super should be cheaper because super funds purchase insurance policies in bulk. The premium payments are deducted from your fund balance so you can maintain cover even when money is tight and you can’t afford to pay premiums from the family budget.

The downside is that the premium payments from your fund reduce your fund balance leaving you less in retirement unless you top up your fund to cover the cost of insurance. Another potential advantage of obtaining cover through your super is that some funds automatically accept you for cover without requiring a health check You need to be aware that super fund insurance cover is not portable.

If you move to a different super fund or your employer’s super contributions stop, your cover may end without notice. Also life insurance coverage through super ends when you reach a certain age (usually 65 or 70) whereas policies outside of super may cover you for longer. To ensure that when you die the insurance payout goes to the person of your choice you need to make a binding beneficiary nomination otherwise the super fund trustees will decide who gets the benefits.

Your fund will provide the appropriate paperwork for you to make a binding nomination. Before switching or consolidating super funds, make sure you can get the cover you want, in your chosen fund. Ask the fund if you can transfer your current level of cover before you roll your super over. Be particularly careful if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are aged 60 or over.

If you are considering accessing your super under hardship, compassionate or terminal illness grounds make sure you leave sufficient funds in your account to cover premium payments. I had a terminally ill client who drew down his super balance and closed his account in order to complete a renovation on his house. He was not aware that his super included a $70,000 death cover that was lost when he closed the account. He died a few months later.

If he had left $1000 in his fund to cover the insurance premium the $70,000 payout would have made a big difference to his wife. So it’s well worth knowing what insurance cover you have in your super and increasing the cover if it is inadequate. Also make sure that you take insurance into account when consolidating or drawing down your super account. Check out moneysmart.gov.au for more detailed information Peter Dallimore can be contacted via email at [email protected] or you can make an appointment to see him by calling 3408 8440.

The Financial Counselling service is free. Other free Neighbourhood Centre services include family counselling and courses for parenting, anger management, personal empowerment for women and depression and anxiety courses. A small Emergency Relief Program, a Debt Relief Service and Neighbourhood Harvest (free food once a week) are also provided. In addition the Centre hosts outreach services including Centrelink, Job Search, hearing services and supports some great initiatives including Tax Help and Broadband for seniors. A small onsite Bargain Shop has super low prices. The Neighbourhood Centre is located at 9 Verdoni St Bellara.

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