Local Music Band and Event

David Sweedman

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March 30, 2018

Tags: Local Music Event. Music. Local Entertainers. Shave for a mate fundraiser.

WHAT A DAY!! – Local Music Event

After a few nervous days waiting for the weather to improve, it was decided to call off the February Locals Only Show at Blueys. As it was put to us…”It would be much more preferable to hear ‘the Boys Light Up” than to see them do it. ”

The ground was quite soggy underfoot and there was more rain predicted. We’d like to Thank the Locals Only community for turning up to the 10th-anniversary celebration. It was wonderful to catch up with folks from the past and see some new artists as well. As there’s no real news to report, except for Ryan Kennedy’s dreadlocks, We’d like to Thank some of the sponsors who have kept us going over the years.

It’s the attitude that they have towards the community which is so gratifying. Last month’s show featured the return of one of the original ‘poster boys’ from the past. Brodie Blank, songwriter, beatboxer and singer returned to the stage after a long absence.

We’re told that he has a whole bunch of new material and is going to perform at the next couple of Locals Shows. The March show will include the ‘Shave for a Mate’ fundraiser for a long time Woorim resident who has been having a tough time of it over the past few months.

Jack James

“It is very encouraging to notice that some of the local music identities are working on presenting more music on Bribie Island. The emergence of a jam session at Bongaree, hosted by Dan Burns and another in the planning stage hosted by Mike Early are just a couple of things in the works. Keep watching this space for more information as it comes to hand.”

The next show is 25th March at the usual time 1pm-5pm.

UPCOMING EVENTS
2nd March ……….. Award winning duo, Dreadlock Cowboy…very popular.
5pm-9pm
9th March ………… Fabio Tolli. This is a much-anticipated event. Back by popular
demand. 5pm-9pm
16th/17th March .. Jack James. Friday night, 5pm-6pm
St.Patrick’s Day, 2pm-6pm
23rd March ………. Dave Lynch Jr. Everybody’s favourite entertainer, 5pm-9pm
25th March ………. Locals Only Show. Bribie’s best singers, musicians, and
entertainers. (including the ‘Shave for a Mate’ fundraiser).
1pm-5pm
30th March ………. Wings of Fleetwood. MaryAnne & Keith present their show consisting of the best of Fleetwood Mac and Sir Paul Mac, 5pm-9pm.

Funny Jokes

Laugh Riot

David Sweedman

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March 27, 2018

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After being married for 50 years, I took a careful look at my wife one day and said, “Fifty years ago we had a cheap house, a junk car, slept on a sofa-bed and watched a 10-inch black and white TV. But hey I got to sleep every night with a hot 23-year-old girl.

Now … I have a $750,000 home, a $45,000 car, a nice big bed and a large screen TV, but I’m sleeping with a 73-year-old woman. So I said to my wife “it seems to me that you’re not holding up your side of things.”

My wife is a very reasonable woman. She told me to go out and find a hot 23-year-old girl and she would make sure that I would once again be living in a cheap house, driving a junk car, sleeping on a sofa bed and watching a 10-inch black and white TV. Aren’t older women great? They really know how to solve an old guy’s problems!

Technology and how it affects our life

Technology

David Sweedman

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March 26, 2018

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Tags: Technology. Lifestyle.

THE GOOD – THE BAD – AND THE DOWNRIGHT DISGRACEFUL

The Good. As we all know, modern technology makes it easier to perform the everyday tasks that we face in our busy lifestyle. Right? Well, nobody can deny that with the availability of services such as internet banking, online shopping, access to government facilities including Centrelink and the gathering of information through search engines including Google, we can certainly accomplish much more without leaving the comfort of our own home.

However, whilst this is certainly an asset to those of us who not only have some degree of computer literacy but also own a computer or have easy access to one, people who do not come into this category, (and there are quite a few,) are being more and more disadvantaged as technology progresses further.

The Bad. There are many areas in which modern technology has become a curse instead of a blessing and the first of these is the stress that is faced by the senior members of our community when the bank where they have been going to for years suddenly pulls up stumps and says, goodbye. Not only are these people left inconvenienced by being unable to go into a branch and deal with a person, they either have to either enlist the help of someone in order to carry out transactions that they may feel uncomfortable disclosing to a third party, or they have to learn to operate a computer or similar device or travel to the nearest branch which may be some distance away.

Playing games on a computer has replaced time spent outdoors.

This can present some difficulty for those who have limited mobility such as having to use a walking frame or wheelchair. I guess the simplest solution, therefore, would to change banks. Still, on the subject of the bad, there is little doubt that technology has to some degree been responsible for the increase in the number of people who are overweight or even obese. Children are less likely to play outdoors and instead prefer to play games on X-Box or Playstation and with the convenience of online shopping, if we so desire, we can purchase almost everything we need from the comfort of our recliner and so by eliminating the need to walk up and down the aisles of the supermarket or other stores.

I see that there is now an App on which you can purchase a brand new Holden Commodore from home. Just where will it all end! The Downright Disgraceful. Although some of the above situations could possibly be regarded as disgraceful, what I feel is one of the worst results of advancing technology is the ever-increasing examples of it being used as a way to rip people off, either by scams that originate in foreign countries or by the accessing of personal information that allows thieves to take what is not theirs.

We can purchase almost anything from home.

As a way of making readers aware of just how easy it is for someone to steal either money or property, I will list a few of the known instances where technology has resulted in theft. While a car was parked in the long-term section at an airport, thieves broke into the vehicle and, after accessing the owner’s personal information through documents such as registration papers, they stole the remote garage door opener and accessed the house, removing anything of value.

During her time at the local supermarket, a woman had her handbag containing her phone and wallet stolen from the trolley. A little while later when she called her husband from a public phone to tell him what had happened, he said, “I got your text asking for our pin number and I replied straight away.” The woman went straight down to the bank and was told that all the money had been withdrawn.

The thief had used the stolen mobile phone to text “hubby” from the contact list and got the pin number. These events are happening all the time so we need to be really conscious about how we protect our personal details and, as technology becomes, even more, smarter, so then will the criminals of this world. As I have said, this is downright disgraceful.

https://thebribieislander.com.au/the-history-of-time-science-and-history/

Bribie Island Secondhand News

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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March 26, 2018

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Tags: Queensland Holiday Destination – Bribie Island Secondhand

What a hot start to the new year with very little rain for this part of our summer season, it was quite a relief to have some much-welcomed rain and more pleasant temperatures last week. After making that statement it seems odd to be saying this, but we have started to put some winter clothing out due to many requests.

Last week we put a few boxes of tracksuit pants and jackets out and they disappeared quickly, so our Manager Sonia has decided to steadily put some of the winter clothing out. We presume it is for people who are going on holiday to cooler climates or maybe just getting ready for winter.

Just recently, Sonia performed a bit of shop refurbishment and moved the bookshelves around and away from the wall, to allow the air to flow more freely in that corner of the shop. it is more open now with some new low shelving for tools, sporting and bits, and bobs.

She has also put quilt covers on hangers instead of in bags, as so many customers were removing covers to check the pattern and not putting them back in the bags causing untidy shelves by the end of the day; so if you are looking for quilts and also curtains please check out the racks on the edge of the furniture area.

Since the Christmas period, we have received quite a few DVD’s so they are currently on sale for $1 each, with a 50% off sale on furniture and prints. We also have some nice dinner sets and plenty of kitchen and glassware as well as a collection of shoes, bags, and toys available at the moment.

The shop is really looking good and has many bargains so come and check them out. Just recently we have had a few calls from people who have accidentally donated something incorrectly. Even though we searched high and low the items were not in the shop. Please check your items carefully before dropping them off, because as soon as something comes in we try to price it as soon as possible and get it on the shelves.

We will always try and find your item if it is still with us, but some items sell quickly; quite often it is an item of sentimental value and it is awful if we can’t locate it. Please be aware that currently, we are about one week behind in the free pick up, so if you need this service, please ring 34081014 as soon as possible so we do not have to keep you waiting. When it comes to supporting the island associations and residents we have started the year off well, with the following grants:

The Bongaree Bowls Club needed new scoreboards for the other green as the old ones were becoming brittle and dangerous, these were installed last week. The Coolamon Social Club in Cotterill Avenue asked for some computers so the residents could enter the IT world and learn how to email, search the internet and do internet banking. The Maritime cadets needed some more uniforms for their new recruits, this group has been having great success with the cadets and some have already entered the Defence Forces, including a young lady who entered the navy for Officer training last month.

The BI – Sandstone Pt Cricket Club had a problem at the BI soccer field cricket pitch with access time and the condition of the pitch and had to move to the Sandstone Point oval. We were asked if we could help in refurbishing the pitch, as the club needed the work done immediately as the Junior Teams were forfeiting games.

We are pleased to say that the pitch is up and running and the juniors are able to practice as well as playing home games. Being a holiday destination with a lovely surf beach, we have a great Surf Life Saving Club at Woorim which we have supported many times in the past. Adrian Harvie the Treasurer asked us for help in purchasing 2 Spinal Boards used for the extraction of unconscious or injured swimmers.

They also require 10 Surf Boards for beginners which are extremely safe and long lasting boards for the youngest members being instructed in surf rescue and paddling styles. These boards will be delivered shortly, we are always conscious of the safety, as well as the well being of our residents and also the visitors to our beautiful island. We would not be able to support not only these few associations but the many others we do during the year without the help of YOU, the wonderful residents who give generously of their preloved goods but also frequent the shop to purchase the many items available.

We thank you for all your support. We always need volunteers and if you wish to join our family please call Sonia on 3408 1014 or come in and speak to her, we are registered and approved by Centrelink and the employment agencies. In conclusion, I would like to thank our customers for their patience, when we had to close the shop last Saturday, due to electrical work.

We have replaced all the lights in the old section of the shop to improve lighting and the look of the shop whilst eradicating the dust and fluff that the old lights collected as well as saving on electricity.

We sincerely thank Ron of RJB Electrical who has been our electrician for many years now and has always looked after us.

We also wish to thank Richard and the gang at The Bribie Islander for their continued support for this article and our advert not only in this paper but also now in the mid-month glossy paper. Hope to see you in the shop soon.

https://thebribieislander.com.au/international-womens-day/

Elvis is on the island

David Sweedman

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March 26, 2018

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Tags: Elvis Presley. Bribie Island. Elvis Impersonator

For many years now, people have regularly reported sightings of Elvis throughout various countries across the globe including Australia. Well, whether or not anyone believes those reports, the one thing that I can say for sure is that Elvis will definitely be alive and well at the Bribie Vibe Markets on Sunday 25th March.

If you haven’t guessed by now, I am referring to a local popular entertainer, Elvis Parsley who, after years operating his fruit shop “Grapelands.” has now made the island his home. He is scheduled to appear at the markets from 10 am and will, of course, be singing all the old Elvis Presley favourites.

Also appearing on the day will be the Redcliffe dance group “Le Step” who will be giving a demonstration at 9.30am prior to the main event. The Bribie Vibe Markets is held at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre on the last Sunday of each month and is a popular venue for both locals and visitors to spend an enjoyable morning.

As well as stalls selling a range of handmade items and fresh produce, the Gem Club and the Woodcrafters always have a display.

The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is on Sunderland Drive at Banksia Beach and can be contacted on 3408 9588 for information about any of the activities that are held there. For information about the Vibe Markets, you can contact the coordinator, Kelly Vass on 0417 741979.

Other News

https://thebribieislander.com.au/bribie-island-secondhand-news/

Local Martial Artist Attempts Guinness World Record

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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March 26, 2018

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Local Martial Artist Attempts Guinness World Record

Tags: Martial Artist. Guinness world record. Bribie Island

An attempt to become the holder of a Guinness World Record recently did not go as planned for sixty-year-old martial arts enthusiast Bernie Jankowski. Bernie has been training for some time in preparation for his attempt to break six pool cues with his shin and, due to him having already successfully broken five cues some time ago, the hopes of those who came to cheer him on were high for a successful attempt.

As the time for the event drew near, Bernie sat around chatting and thinking about what he was about to do and then, when he and his assistants began to set up the cues, he announced to everyone, ‘I’m Pumped and ready to go.’ With two people holding the bundle of cues firm in the required position, Bernie made a few practice kicks before coming in with a kick to the cues that made a sound like the shot from a pistol.

That attempt unsuccessful, Bernie gave a couple of more incredibly powerful kicks to the bundle of cues but to no avail. ‘Just that one extra cue makes it so much more solid,’ Bernie announced. These kicks at the cues resulted in Bernie suffering splits to his shin and this very determined guy told me that he has not given up. ‘As soon as I have healed, I will give it another try,’ said Bernie. ‘I have definitely not given up.

I know I can do it,’ he added. The event was held at the front of Trevor Sealey’s First Avenue Tattoo Shop in front of a smaller than expected band of onlookers which was obviously due to the rain.

As Bernie’s sponsor, Trevor has supported him during all his training and told me that he is confident that Bernie will eventually succeed. ‘We are a family business here at First Avenue Tattoos and this community has supported us well since we opened over two years ago,’ said Trevor. ‘We try to get involved in fundraising whenever possible and sponsoring Bernie is just one more way we can give back to the locals,’ he said.

Local Handyman Store Closing Down

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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March 26, 2018

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Tags: Closing Down. Handyman Store. Bribie Island

Bribie Discount Handyman Materials has advised customers that they will be closing the doors for the final time on June 15th due to not having renewed their lease with McDonald’s.

They say that there were a number of reasons as to why this decision had to be made. As a store that always carried a large of building materials, tools, and other household items, Discount Handyman Materials has been popular with both tradies and the DIY enthusiasts on the island from when they first opened and the closure will adversely affect many within the local community.

As well as the obvious ramifications to tradespeople, another regrettable result of the closure will be the loss of a number of jobs and, whilst there is a certain amount of employment in the local area, it is more likely that these workers who until now did not have to travel very far from home to earn a living will end up either joining the growing list of unemployed or find a job which requires them to spend what used their leisure time in travel.

Those of us who have lived here for a long time have witnessed many changes within the area and although we know that change is a good thing and is brought about to improve conditions when a well-patronized business closes the doors, there is no benefit to anyone.

Other News

https://thebribieislander.com.au/bribie-island-secondhand-news/

https://thebribieislander.com.au/local-martial-artist-attempts-guinness-world-record/

International Women’s Day Event

David Sweedman

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March 26, 2018

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Tags: International Women’s Day. Bribie Island Tourist Destination.

There is possibly no drink that is more synonymous with a time of celebration than champagne and that beverage is regarded as perhaps the only form of alcohol that can be acceptably consumed with a celebratory breakfast so, as a way of joining in the world celebrations that mark a very special day, the Solander Lake Bowls Club will be the venue for a champagne breakfast at 8.30 am on March 7th.

The event at the bowls club is actually to celebrate International Women’s Day which is officially recognised as being March 8th. Ladies President Fay Hubbard told me that this will be the third year that the club has held the event. ‘It is an enjoyable morning where ladies can get dressed up and have a bit of fun,’ said Fay. ‘There will be a lucky door prize as well as a few raffles and we have a guest speaker coming along,’ she added.

Fay also explained that tickets for the breakfast are available at the club bar and, as this has been such a popular event in the past, it is advisable to get in early. Although it was not until 1977 that the United Nations General Assembly invited members to proclaim March 8th as the UN Day for Women, International Women’s Day has its origins over sixty years earlier. History shows that the earliest record of the observance of a Day for Women took place on February 28th in 1909 when the Socialist Party of America organised an event in New York at the suggestion of a member by the name of Theresa Malkiel.

In August of the following year, an International Women’s Conference was organised to precede the general meeting of the Socialist Second International in Copenhagen and this was partly inspired by the American Socialists. German Socialist Luise Zietz’s proposal to establish an annual International Women’s Day was favourably received and on March 8th in 1911, the day was marked for the first time by more than one million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

Women celebrating International Women’s Day in Cameroon

The demonstration in Petrograd that signaled the start of the Russian Revolution

Russian women observed the day for the first time in 1913 and the 1914 observance of the day in Germany was dedicated to the right of women to cast a vote. (They were not granted that right until 1918.)

Also in 1914, there was a march from London’s Bow Street to Trafalgar Square in support of women’s suffrage and whilst on her way to speak in Trafalgar Square, well-known suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst was arrested in front of Charing Cross Station. In 1017, on March 8th textile workers in the Russian Empire capital Petrograd began a demonstration that covered the whole of the city and was to signal the beginning of the Russian Revolution. Following the revolution, the day was declared as an official holiday but actually remained a working day until 1965 when, by the decree of the USSR Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, it was declared as a non-working day in the USSR.

As the years went by, International Women’s Day was celebrated by more and more of the world’s women and, on March 8th in 2011, events took place in more than one hundred countries across the globe. Then United States President, Barack Obama, proclaimed March of 2011 as “Women’s History Month” and called on Americans to reflect on the extraordinary accomplishments of women in shaping the country’s history.

Australia marked the anniversary by issuing a commemorative twenty cent piece. The United Nations has always had a theme for the day each tear such as “Empowering Rural Women” in 2012, “Equality for Women” in 2014 and “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030,” so in this tradition, the theme for 2018 is “Leave No Woman Behind” and is based around promoting the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women throughout the world.

ROTARY CLUB OF BRIBIE ISLAND’S CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

David Sweedman

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March 24, 2018

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ROTARY CLUB OF BRIBIE ISLAND’S CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Tags: Bribie Island Rotary Club. International Womens day. Local Clubs and Groups

THE ROOM ROCKED, THE CHAMPAGNE FLOWED AND THE LAUGHTER RESONATED

On Sunday 4 March 2018, the Rotary Club of Bribie Island held its fourth annual High Tea to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), at Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club. The 2018 International Women’s Day theme of #PressforProgress and Rotary’s 2017/2018 theme of “Making a Difference” were very apt slogans for the function.

Featured Image(above): The ladies from Sway with the models, Marjorie, Julie T,
Julie R and Sherryl

IWD was started by the Suffragettes in the early 1900’s and the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911. According to the IWD Website, the day is recognised by communities all over the world – by governments, companies, charities, educational institutions, networks, associations, the media and many more. Whether through a High Tea, breakfast, conference, community gathering, classroom lesson or dinner table conversation, everyone can play a role in achieving gender parity.

Rotary was founded by Chicago attorney Paul Harris in February 1905, however, women were not admitted as members until 1989. Following The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide Frank J. Devlyn said “My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world.”

Members of the Rotary Clubs of Caboolture and Bribie Island

Today there are over 260,000 female members worldwide (22% of the 1.22 million members). Of the 36 members of the R C Bribie Island, 15 are women. 10 of our ladies attended the High Tea, together with 3 Rotarian wives and four members of the Rotary Club of Caboolture. The inspirational guest speaker, at the event, was Alanna Geary, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Metro North Hospital and Health Services. Alanna spoke about her career and rise to the role of an Executive Director.

She said along the way there had been many falls but a leader learns from mistakes and setbacks and moves on. The inimitable Elvis Parsley had the ladies up and dancing and set the mood for the fun afternoon. Mary Anne Cannon and Keith Haigh from “Wings of Fleetwood” provided music throughout the afternoon.

Guest speaker Alanna Hill and Rotarian Lyn Petrohilos(left) and Organisers Lyn Petrohilos
and Cate Palmer(right)

These three generous entertainers provided their services free of charge to support our worthy causes. Sway on Bribie provided the fashions for a very special fashion parade. The beautiful clothes were modelled by Sherryl Jennings, Julie Thomson, Marjorie Voss OAM, and Rotary’s very own Julie Robbins.

Raffle prizes and the lucky door prize were donated by local businesses. Nadine King from Fifth Avenue Collection had a display stand of her beautiful jewellery which attracted much interest. Proceeds from the day (just under $2,000) will go to Rotary International and “Look Good, Feel Better” (LGFB).

LGFB is a free community service program dedicated to teaching cancer patients how to manage the appearance-related side-effects caused by cancer treatment. My sincere thanks to this year’s organisers Rotarians Ann France, Lyn Petroholis and Cate Palmer and Ella Chipperfield from Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club.

ROCKS AROUND THE ISLAND

David Sweedman

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March 18, 2018

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Tags: Rocks. Geology. Minerals. Local clubs and groups. Bribie Island. Brisbane.

It seems that the days when geologists and miners were the only ones who got excited about finding the rocks that they sought are well and truly a thing of the past and, from the beginning of this year, hunting for rocks on Bribie Island has become a very popular pastime for many locals and visitors.

Being already aware of this craze from hearing of its existence in many other places, Bribie Rocks cofounders Kaye Harper-Smith and her friend Alayne Charles Stuart decided to begin painting and then hiding rocks around the island and therefore, as a way of announcing it also started the Facebook page, “Bribie Rocks.”

Featured Image(above): Kaye Harper Smith with her latest batch of painted rocks

The way that this rather unique idea which seems like a Flinstones version of Pokemon Go works is that people paint little rocks, put an inscription on the back which reads, “Keep me or re-hide me and take a photo to let us know where you found me” and after applying a sealing lacquer, they hide them in various places around the island which even include supermarket shelves.

The finder then posts the photo on the Facebook page for the group to see. Kaye and Alayne told me that there similar groups all over the world and there is a state group that is called Queensland Rocks. ‘We decided to form our own local group within the community,’ said Kaye.

‘The group started with only three of us and now there almost six hundred members. People have discovered that it is a great way to get kids out of the house,’ she said. Whilst Kaye paints her rocks, Alayne uses stickers to decorate hers and she admits that this is due to being a terrible painter.

The ladies explained that seeing the excited smiles of the children when they have found a rock is what makes the rock decorating such a worthwhile pastime. They also pointed out that there are quite a number of adults who actively go looking for the special rocks and even they get a thrill when they make a find.

Apparently, the rocks that are most commonly used, (not just any old rock is good enough) can be purchased at the local hardware shop at a price of twenty dollars for twenty kilograms.

Just a few of the hundreds of rocks that Kaye has painted

If the idea of spending a few hours decorating and then hiding rocks interests you, or if you would just like to join the ever-increasing number of rock hunters, you should go to the Bribie Rocks page and click on join.

Bribie Island Women United

Local Clubs & Groups

David Sweedman

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March 17, 2018

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Tags: Womens groups. Clubs. Focus on fellowship. Bribie Island. Brisbane.

BRIBIE ISLAND WOMEN UNITED

Focus On Fellowship – Local Bribie Island Womens Group

Focus on Fellowship came into being 14 years ago. They are a committed group of Christian women representing 8 of the churches on Bribie Island. Their focus is on fellowship and reaching out to the wider community of Bribie Island and surrounds, in love, peace and hope. When they first came together all those years ago, they decided that the group didn’t want to lose sight of the initial goal of fellowship; they are about information sharing, collaborating and demonstrating ecumenism in the name of Christ.

Featured Image(above): Focus on Fellowship group

They don’t fundraise and they don’t have a president, secretary or treasurer, they don’t sell raffle tickets, and they don’t charge for functions, but they achieve their purpose. They convene three functions a year. The annual fashion parade in June, which is held at the Church of the Little Flower in First Avenue.

The parade showcases and promotes the Op shops on the Island and the good work that they do in raising funds for a variety of welfare organisations. The fashion parade is always well attended by over 300 people.

The group hold two-morning teas, one in April and the other in October. The morning teas are held at the different churches on a rotating basis. The group ask that guests bring a small plate of food to share at functions and the spread provided is most enjoyable.

The women remain passionate and dedicated to the group and to each other through their faith and care of the community. For more information contact:- Kay Benson – 3408 1058 Anne Iverson – 0407 134 841

CABOOLTURE HOSPITAL WELCOMES 15 NEW GRADUATE NURSES

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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March 17, 2018

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CABOOLTURE HOSPITAL WELCOMES 15 NEW GRADUATE NURSES

Tags: Caboolture hospital. Caboolture news. Graduate nurses.

The nursing service at Caboolture Hospital is expanding with more than 24 new starters set to join the ranks by June this year. Caboolture Hospital Director of Nursing and Midwifery Julie Lahey congratulated 15 graduate registered nurses joining the hospital today (Monday 26 February).

Featured Image(above): Caboolture Hospital Executive Director Dr Lance Le Ray(rear), Director of Nursing and Midwifery Julie Lahey(centre), Nursing Directors Marguerite Byrnes (rear)and Anne Clayton (left) with Metro North Hospital and Health Service Board Deputy Chair Dr Kim Forrester (far right) welcoming 15 graduate registered nurses joining
Caboolture Hospital.

“We always love to see fresh faces around our hospital and our new nurses are going to learn a great deal from our already incredible cohort of nurses,” Julie said. “What better way to contribute to the health and well-being of the community than by joining Caboolture Hospital.

“It’s a very exciting time to join Caboolture Hospital as we continue to build a better hospital for our community to access. “We have just opened a new Outpatient Services building, new Coronary Care Unit, upgraded our Intensive Care Unit and we are getting ready for a large expansion of our Emergency Department.

“We’re also upgrading the surgical equipment sterilisation facilities, which will allow the hospital to undertake more surgery in future, to name but a few of the changes underway. “Nearby Kilcoy Hospital continues to offer more health services to the local community, greatly reducing the need for residents to travel long distances to access high-quality health care. “Our community will benefit from these new starters coming through.

“Nurses help form the backbone of healthcare delivering high-quality care every day and I thank all 24 for choosing to work in the Caboolture region.” Metro-North is the biggest and most diverse Hospital and Health Service in Queensland, delivering the best care by the brightest healthcare professionals, employing more than 7000 nurses and midwives which is nearly half of the workforce.

Our professional skills, innovative thinking and compassion make us an employer of choice and allow us to attract the highest calibre of nurses and midwives. The 15 nurses joining Caboolture Hospital today are part of the Metro North Hospital and Health Service cohort of 298, alongside 173 at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, 61 at The Prince Charles Hospital, 32 at Redcliffe Hospital and eight at our Community, Indigenous and Subacute Services (CISS).

The new graduates will participate in an orientation program to familiarise themselves with the hospital before beginning their postgraduate year in an individual ward or unit.

Nikita – Local Singer and Songwriter

Entertainers of The Island

David Sweedman

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March 16, 2018

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Tags: Singers. Songwriters. Entertainers. Musicians. Bribie Island. Brisbane. Queensland

Entertainers of the Island

Nikita Chee

I have discovered that one of the most common talents that are shared by many popular entertainers is the ability to be proficient with more than one instrument and the bubbly young lady who features as the “Entertainer of the Island” for this issue is definitely no exception. In fact, Nikita Chee is equally confident when playing any one of seven instruments that include saxophone, piano, flute and guitar as well as the Irish tin whistle, ukulele and the Bodrum.

Featured Image(above): Nikita keeping patrons entertained at Locals Only

(Irish drum) Nikita is about as local as anyone can be, being born in the house where she currently lives with mum Lisa and dad Gerry. As Nikita told me about her family’s historic love of music through generations, I found it easy to understand why she has such a passion for all things musical. ‘My whole family has such a wonderful appreciation of music. Mum loves to sing, my dad’s parents loved singing and my sister is in a band in Cairns that is called “After Three,”’ explained Nikita.

‘As well as being a vocalist, she plays keyboards and bass guitar. When I was little, there was always music in the house and I remember listening to Michael Jackson tracks that were playing in the background,’ she said. Although having a love of music, it was not until she was in year six at school that this now talented performer began to take music seriously and learn to play an instrument.

I was entertained with the Aloha Bribie song that Nikita co-wrote with her mother

‘I had the choice of either the drums or the saxophone and so the first instrument that I learned to play properly was the saxophone,’ Nikita told me. ‘I was inspired by the TV character Lisa Simpson. She played the saxophone and I wanted to be like her,’ she added. From the saxophone, Nikita the turned her attention to the piano and learned her keyboard skills from none other than Bribie Island Orchestra Director, Martin White.

She said that she also learned to play the flute and along with her musical ability came the opportunity to be involved in school bands and events. With her school years behind her and needing a break from study, Nikita concentrated more on her desire to become a singer/ songwriter, learning to play more instruments and also began to perform at events such as the Blue Pacific Hotel’s “Locals Only” where new performers can take to the stage and become accustomed to being in front of an audience.

Nikita is also well known for her appearances at the annual “Blessing of the Surf” where she and children from both Banksia Beach State School and Bribie Island State School entertain the crowd with Hawaiian dancing and singing. For this event in 2017, Nikita and her mother co-wrote a beautiful song entitled “Aloha Bribie” which I had the opportunity to hear Nikita sing when I paid her a visit recently.

Of course, as an appropriate way to accompany her vocals, Nikita played along with the ukulele. With mum Lisa keeping time with the Bodrum, Nikita treated me to a great Irish tune with the Irish tin whistle. As a musician who can turn her hand to so many instruments, Nikita also enjoys a variety of genres although she said that she really likes easy listening styles the most. ‘I probably prefer artists such as Ed Sheeran and Jack Johnson but I also enjoy songs with a bit of soul,’ said Nikita. ‘As well as that, I don’t mind something a bit jazzy such as “Dream a Little Dream of Me,”’ she told me.

An example of Nikita’s skill with the brush

While visiting Nikita, it really came as no real surprise that along with her musical ability, she is also a very competent watercolour artist and I was able to see some beautiful examples of her works that adorn the walls of the family home. This up and coming entertainer with a wonderful personality is employed at the Sandstone Point Hotel and is also a valued contributor to The Bribie Islander.

She is now at the stage where she is keen to be a truly accomplished artist, Nikita is currently studying for her music degree at the Sunshine Coast University and she pointed out that her aim is to eventually become a regular performer at some of the venues in the area. My advice would be to keep an eye out for any opportunity to hear her perform because, believe me, Nikita Chee is definitely on the way to being recognised as one of our truly great local entertainers.

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