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I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW – HIS ANNUS HORRIBILIS

David Sweedman
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I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW – HIS ANNUS HORRIBILIS

On 24th November in 1992 during a speech to mark the fortieth anniversary of her accession to the throne, Queen Elizabeth II described the recent events that included the devastating fire at Windsor Castle as being part of an Annus Horribilis that she will not look back upon with undiluted pleasure. That description immediately came to mind following my recent conversation with David Levick in which he recalled what had happened to him during the first six months of 2018.

Featured Image(above): A croc’s tail did this to Dave Levick

Dave and his wife Jenny are what can best be described as professional house sitters and whilst living in a very well fitted out RV, make themselves available to look after properties whilst the owners are away. The beginning of 2018 saw the couple taking care of a small cane farm outside of Mackay and Dave told me that the first tragic event of his Annus Horribilis was when he slipped over on wet floor tiles, severely injuring his head as he fell. ‘The following morning, my head was aching badly so I went to Mackay Hospital to get checked out and, after scans and so on they told me that I had a bleed on the brain,’ said Dave. ‘I was told that I would have to go to Townsville to be treated as that was where the nearest neuro-surgeon was.

I pointed out that this was not possible as my wife suffers from mild dementia and there was nobody to be there for her,’ he said. This resulted in Dave being monitored at the local hospital before returning home the next day and, soon after his return, an urge to drive the farm ATV into a shed was to result in him once again damaging his head on a low beam as he walked back out. ‘I kept on working around the place but had bad headaches so I went back to the hospital, only to be told that I had an even more serious bleed on the brain,’ Dave explained.

Arriving in Mackay after the stint in Townsville Hospital

‘There was no choice this time so, after making arrangements for someone to look after Jenny, went to Townsville courtesy of the Flying Doctor and when I arrived at the hospital, they drilled a twenty -five millimetre hole in my skull into which they inserted twenty-two centimetres of drain tube around my brain,’ he said. With the procedure achieving the desired result Dave’s condition improved to the point where he was only two days away from being able to return to Mackay when a twist of fate saw him trip over a nurse’s chair, fracturing his arm in the process.

As well as being disruptive in itself, that accident then presented a whole new problem. ‘In ten days time, myself and a mate who lives in America were booked to go on a fishing safari out of Cairns. And so we had to hurriedly cancel bookings including my mate’s flight over, Dave pointed out. ‘This resulted in us eventually going on the safari during May, me with my arm still in a sling but about seventy-five percent healed,’ he told me. As I sat there wondering how anyone could experience so much bad luck in such a short time, Dave described how, after two days of deep sea fishing, the pair then joined up with a guide who took them fishing in a remote river system near Innisfail.

‘On the second day, we launched the boat in a little creek and, after a good few hours of catching Spanish Mackerel and some Barramundi, we made our way back to the ramp. Because the ramp was a narrow area between two big rocks, the guide said that we should get off the boat onto the rocks and then help him to get the boat back on the trailer,’ recalled Dave. ‘ My mate Chris jumped off onto a rock and, as I tried to do the same, I grabbed an overhanging branch to steady myself but it wasn’t attached to a tree and I fell into the water up to my neck.

With the guide yelling out for me to get the #@** out of the water and Chris starting to drag me out, there was a big splash where I was a second before and we were confronted by a big crocodile,’ he said with a bit of a shudder. Dave told me that, as he was being dragged out by his mate, and with the croc intent on making a meal of him, he kicked at its head and missed with the beast snapping its jaws shut in between his legs. ‘The croc then spun around, dragging its tail over my head causing some damage to my face.

They eventually got me out and kept throwing rocks at the croc until it gave up and went away. All I could say when it was over was, “Gee their breath stinks”,’ Dave said. When I caught up with Dave and Jenny, they were relaxing at a house sit in Ningi and, although the unlucky events of this year are now behind him, I reckon that this will definitely not be a year that Dave Levick will look back on with undiluted pleasure.

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ENTERTAINERS OF THE Island – KEITH HAIGH

David Sweedman
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ENTERTAINERS OF THE Island – KEITH HAIGH

From when the very first “Entertainers of the Island” series appeared in the April/May 2017 issue of The Mini Bribie Islander, I have written about many talented entertainers including “Wings of Fleetwood” (the very first of the series), “The Plumbdogs” and “The Ukulele Strummers”, each of them well known among the music lovers of our community.

As a complete coincidence, our “Entertainer of the Island” for this issue just happens to be a member of each of them Keith Haigh pointed out that it all began because a number of his relations were accomplished musicians and it was after hearing them playing their various instruments and getting together for family singalongs while he and his parents were visiting them during the holidays that he knew where he was going.

Featured Image(above): The Plumbdogs

’That was a big influence for me when I was only about four or five,’ Keith said. ‘Then I heard the Mary Ford and Les Paul song “How High the Moon” and I used to sing it a lot. That really made me want to be a musician,’ he recalled. From when Keith’s mum bought him a guitar in 1966, and he received lessons from Vic Dean, Keith’s musical career went from strength to strength.

Although he continued to study classical for a period of ten years, as a lad he got together with three other budding musos and their parents used to arrange gigs for them. ‘We used to get work playing at private functions such as BBQs and we were paid one dollar each,’ Keith explained. ‘Then we began playing at a garage outside Garden City of a Saturday morning and we would get bookings from that,’ he added. As time went on, Keith teamed up with a piano accordion player and used to play at some of the country dances around the area.

Wings of Fleetwood – Keith Haigh and Mary Anne Cannon

It was at this point that reality saw him become an apprentice baker and, after his employer closed down, he found employment with Arnotts and remained there for a period of four years. By this time, his passion for all things musical took over and, as well as working in a Brisbane music store, he began to pass his talent on to others as a teacher. Being an obviously talented musician, Keith plays and teaches a number of instruments including guitar.

Bass guitar, banjo and ukulele. He also teaches singing and stage presentation and over the years he has played in a number of bands and also performed as a solo act, moving to our beautiful Island about thirteen years ago. As a member of the bands that I mentioned at the beginning and a jazz trio that goes by the name of 3 Up, Keith has entertained at many venues in the local area and that includes the Blue Pacific Hotel, Bribie Waterways, Country Links and more. He appears by himself at other locations such as private functions, the Art Café and the Brennan Park markets.

He can also lay claim to having been instrumental in the development of a few up and coming local performers such as that “Pocket Rocket,” the dynamic Paige Montgomery and teaches a number of want to be guitar players including one that he probably regards as an impossible dream, ME. Seriously though, Keith Haigh is a super talented performer who receives acclaim wherever he performs and, if anyone would like to enquire about having him play at an event, he can be contacted on 0419 733 282.

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Banksia Beach State School bands at Music Fest

 

A special Christmas Vibe Market on Saturday December 8th

David Sweedman
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A special Christmas Vibe Market on Saturday December 8th

Since its inception, the Bribie Vibe Market, held at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre on the last Sunday of each month, has become a popular way for both locals and visitors to spend a Sunday morning and, as Christmas approaches, marketgoers will have the opportunity to visit the Vibe Markets twice in as many weeks.

Featured Image(above): Division One Councillor Brooke Savige and her family made the most of Santa’s visit to the 2017 Vibe Christmas Markets

As well as the normal event on November 25th, there will be a special Christmas Vibe Market on Saturday, December 8th and organisers have told me that, as well as the usual variety of stalls selling homemade craft and food items, Santa will be in attendance and local photographer Ian Jennings will be on hand to take photos of the family with Santa. Of course, there will be lots of activities for the kids including train rides and gem fossicking at the Gem Club.

Anyone who is feeling a bit peckish will be able to satisfy their hunger at the Vibe Café and there will be entertainment by the Caboolture Community Choir and the Bribie Island Country Music Club. The December market also kicks off the Arts Centre’s thirtieth-anniversary celebrations which will feature a week of great exhibitions and other activities. For more information on the markets or any of the other activities at the Arts centre, call 3408 9288 or visit the centre on Sunderland Drive at Banksia Beach.

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Vibe Markets – Arts and Crafts – Bribie Island

MEET OUR VERY OWN “MISS WORLD”

David Sweedman
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MEET OUR VERY OWN “MISS WORLD”

We may chuckle to ourselves about the standard beauty pageant contestant’s answer to such questions as “If you could get world leaders to work together and achieve one thing, what would it be? Every one of those stunningly beautiful contestants answers “world peace”. Indeed even Gracie Hart (aka “Miss Congeniality”) answers “harsher punishment for parole violators” but quickly adds “… and, world peace”. In all our wishes and prayers, “world peace” gets a mention, along with health, wealth and happiness. However, to many, the concept of World Peace is a mere pipe dream.

Featured Image (above): Kathryn Borrelli, Raina Fox, June Sturges and Anne Matthews at the Rotary markets

Currently, conflict and violence displace millions of people each year, with half of those killed in conflict being children, and 90 per cent civilians. It is worth stopping to think about this staggering figure! 90 per cent of the deaths are civilians! Rotary International lists Peace and Conflict Resolution as one of its main causes. Through service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, Rotary members are taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, which include poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

Each year, Rotary pays for 100 of the world’s most dedicated and brightest professionals to study at Rotary Peace Centres. Through training, study, and practice, Rotary Peace Fellows become leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution. Many go on to careers in national governments the military, law enforcement, and international organizations like the United Nations and World Bank. Presently, our Club is hosting Raina Fox who is studying for a Masters Degree in Peace and Conflict at the University of Queensland, which is a designated Rotary Peace Centre.

Raina is an inspirational young woman from Minnesota USA and has dedicated her life to working for “world peace”. She says that peace is not just about the absence of wars but also about the absence of injustice. Raina’s aim is to support people who are leading work in their own communities towards durable peace and human rights for people of all social identities. She is a strong advocate for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 SDGs are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership.

Raina with President John Oxenford who is also her Counsellor for her time
in Australia

They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. As part of the degree, Raina has to complete an internship over the academic year break and has chosen to do this internship at the United Nations Development Program in Amman Jordan. Raina told me she likes to ask what people need rather than say this is what we are going to give you. Perhaps a good rule for us all.

Last year’s Peace Fellow, Laurie Smolenski, completed her Master’s degree and is now working at the Institute for Economics and Peace; a World think tank dedicated to developing metrics to analyse peace and to quantify its economic benefits. We wish Raina and all our Peace Fellows every success in their careers and in achieving “world peace”.

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Ray of Hope South East Queensland

In the Air with the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre and BEAUFORT A9-141

David Sweedman
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In the Air with the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre and BEAUFORT A9-141

Built in Australia by the Department of Aircraft Production under licence to the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Bristol Beaufort was arguably one of the most important aircraft employed in the defence of Australia during World War II and became known as the “Workhorse of the RAAF” in the South Pacific region. Sadly, there are none of these beautiful aircraft still flying anywhere in the world but, thanks to the dedicated effort of the volunteers at AAHC (Australian Aviation Heritage Centre), DAP Beaufort A9- 141 will one day take to the skies again.

Featured Image(above): The workhorse of the RAAF

The twin-engine Bristol Beaufort was designed to be used mainly in a reconnaissance role and as a torpedo bomber and was manned by a crew of four. As well as being capable of carrying torpedos and/ or bombs, the aircraft was equipped with two wing-mounted machine guns and a number of other machine guns in both the nose and turrets along the fuselage. A9-141 went into service with the RAAF in 1942 and was operated by bot 7 and 14 Squadrons as well as being used for flying training at 1 O.T.U. and 5 O.T.U.

A crash at Tocumwal in January of 1944 signalled the end of its service. A9-141 was bought by aviation enthusiast and AAHC founder Ralph Cusack in 1983 and brought back to Queensland where the restoration work commenced in 1984 at a building in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra. ’I decided to take on the project of restoring a Beaufort after I had read that there were none flying,’ said Ralph. ‘Also, someone said that I couldn’t do it and at first, we thought that it would not take much to get her flying. How wrong we were,’ he added.

The restoration work is progressing slowly

In 2007, the Beaufort was relocated to Caboolture and, after a time in what is now the TAVAS hangar and another short period away from the Caboolture, A9-141 was finally moved to its current home in Hangar 104 where restoration work is progressing. ‘Our biggest problem with the work on the Beaufort is funding and we are having to do it on a shoestring budget,’ Ralph told me. ‘At times we take on a bit of contract work such as restoring the Bofors gun for the Bribie RSL.

We have also received a few donations from some generous people and it all helps but restoration work is expensive and we have to be precise with everything that we do,’ he said. Ralph told me that, as well as A9-141, AAHC is also restoring other aircraft including a Westland Wessex helicopter along with a Caribou and he said that he has even had a DC2, a Percival Proctor and a Wirraway and others in the past. ‘Although I learned to fly, I enjoy fixing them more,’ he remarked.

At present, there are twenty-five volunteers who spend time working on the restoration of the Beaufort and whilst they are slowly achieving their goal, they are always keen to welcome new volunteers. Ralph pointed out that everyone has their own skill set and although some have no experience with aircraft, their help will not go astray. While on the subject of volunteers, Ralph said that Len Brock, who has helped with the restoration work at AAHC turns 100 soon and he was actually an inspector at the factory where the Beaufort was built.

When DAP Beaufort A9-141 finally takes to the air as the only flying Beaufort in the world, it will be a proud moment for all who have contributed to her restoration and considering Ralph’s statement that he intends to work until he drops, I can only imagine what his next major project will be. If anyone would like to find out more about either the AAHC, the restoration work of A9-141 or about becoming a volunteer, the number to call is 5495 4951 and the email address is [email protected]. AAHC is situated in Hangar 104 at 157 McNaught Road in Caboolture.

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In the Air with KATHERINE SEITZ & Aviation Lovers Qld

Banksia Beach State School bands at Music Fest

David Sweedman
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Banksia Beach State School bands at Music Fest

IS IT SOMETHING IN THE AIR?

Whilst those who are a part of the Bribie Island community know, there are so many talented people that live in the area among them, there are many adults and children who are gifted musicians. In fact, following the recent successes of the Banksia Beach State School bands at Music Fest, some outsiders have been left wondering whether there is something special about the air at Bribie Island that stimulates such wonderful talent. School Performing Arts Manager Martin O’Callaghan told me that the contingent of students from Banksia Beach State School was the largest to attend the event which was held at Iona College.

‘The two hundred students that we took to Music Fest made up the Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced bands and each of those bands were recognised for their talents,’ said Martin. ‘The Beginners Band received a Gold Award whilst both the Intermediate and Advanced Bands took out the Platinum Awards,’ he added. The achievements of the school’s bands have been consistent for some time and an example of this is that only a short time prior to their victory at Music Fest, the Advanced Band were winners of the St. Columbans Music Spectacular for the sixth year in a row.

I guess that it really doesn’t matter whether it’s something in the air or just the result of total dedication by all those involved, knowing that these young people are a part of our community makes one proud to be a Bribie Islander.

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The Junior Cheer Squad – Bribie Island State School

GREEN THUMBS HELPING OTHERS

David Sweedman
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GREEN THUMBS HELPING OTHERS

The members of the Banksia Garden Club are dedicated to playing an active role within the local community and as such are often committing the funds that are made from plant sales to worthwhile causes whenever the opportunity presents itself. Over the last two months, the club has collected the takings from a craft stall and plant sales at their meetings and these funds will be donated to the drought relief appeal.

Featured Image(above): Joanne Allison-Chouw (R) of the Bribie Respite Centre
received a cheque for $500 from Banksia Garden Club
President Desley Horsfall

Another example of the club’s generosity was when, at the Garden Club’s November meeting, President Desley Horsfall handed over a cheque for $500 to Bribie Respite Centre Service Manager Joanne Allison-Chouw. The amount donated to the Respite Centre was the result of plant sales made when other garden clubs visited the local club. The Banksia Garden Club is a well-run organisation which has become popular with local green thumbs and club meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre complex.

Anyone who would like further information on the club’s activities is welcome to either come along to a meeting or call Desley Horsfall on 3408 8470.

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Bribie Island Community Arts Centre at Banksia Beach – 30 YEARS OF AWESOME

The Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group and the Thursday Painters Working Together Group

David Sweedman
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The Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group and the Thursday Painters Working Together Group

It is very seldom that I only use one word as the title of an article but, to be perfectly honest, I can not think of any other word to adequately describe the recent combined exhibition by both the Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group and the Thursday Painters Working Together Group.

Featured Image(above): Paul Bruce’s lifelike acrylic – Marty

On display in the Mathew Flinders Gallery earlier this month, the works of the two groups reflected a diverse cross-section of Australian animal and bird life as well as examples of the country’s landscapes.

The Watercolour Working Together Group meets at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre and the co-ordinator Gail Greening can be contacted on 3410 8794. The Thursday Painters Working Together Group meets, as the name suggests, on Thursdays at the Arts Centre and anyone who would like to find out more about that group should call Maureen Gough on 3408 2716 or Bev Power on 3408 7882.

The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is on Sunderland Drive at Banksia Beach and is open each day except Monday from 10 am. They can be contacted by phone on 3408 9288.

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The Bribie Island Watercolour Working Together Group

Chopper to tackle mozzies

David Sweedman
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Chopper to tackle mozzies

Due to tidal activity Council will conduct an aerial mosquito treatment program tomorrow (Friday 30 November), weather permitting, targeting saltmarsh areas in Deception Bay, Burpengary East, Uhlmann Road, Beachmere, Ningi, Toorbul, Elimbah and Bribie Island.

The treatment targets mosquito larvae before they have the chance to emerge, and forms part of council’s ongoing program to treat mosquitoes in public places like parks, sports facilities and local reserves across the region.

As mosquitos can fly up to 10km from saltmarsh areas it is important to target them where they breed to stop their spread across the region.

Council is urging residents to also manage mosquito numbers in the region by taking a few simple steps in and around the home, where most mozzies breed.

Take five minutes to empty any containers that might have rainwater and change the water in your pet’s bowl, and make sure your swimming pool remains chlorinated.

People are also encouraged to apply mosquito repellent when heading outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

For more information about mosquito management visit: www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/health-safety/mosquitos

THE BRIBIE WINELANDER – Oct/Nov 2018

David Sweedman
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THE BRIBIE WINELANDER – Oct/Nov 2018

Rush down to your wine cellar and see if you have any French wines from The Bourgogne region or The Bordeaux region with an emphasis on the 1945 vintage, this could be your lotto win or even lotto wine. Sotheby’s auction house has just sold a bottle of Romanee- Conti 1945 vintage for an astonishing $558,000 or approx. $140,000 per glass, in 2007 a bottle of 1945 Mouton Rothschild sold at auction for a mere $310,000 which proves that in the right hands a fine bottle of wine makes for a very shrewd investment.

To think thirty years ago when I was working for Penfolds we sold Mouton Rothschild and so that we could talk to our customers about the wines tried the wines on a fairly regular basis, ah those were the days. The Rothschild Winery also produces a couple of more affordable wines which are available in many liquor outlets, that is The Mouton Cadet Rouge (red $16.00), The Mouton Cadet Select (red $33.00) The Mouton Cadet Sauvignon Blanc (white $11.00) and The Mouton Cadet rose ($10.00) these wines are all very approachable and if you are looking for something different with a unique story I would give them a go.

Back in 1935, a fellow by the name of Jimmy Watson opened the doors of J.C. Watson Wine Merchants in Carlton Melbourne which at that time was a risk as most men drank beer and women rarely drank at all in public. The most common drinks were ‘threepenny dark’ port and sweet sherry and Jim knew he had his work cut out to introduce table wine to the Australian drinkers. He persevered and the business grew and was successful. In the 1940’s he started to organise trips to vineyards to purchase wine and started to educate his customers and he selected hogsheads of his favourite wine styles, dry whites, young reds and great fortified wines to be taken back to his bar for sale.

He marked these hogsheads with a lion roaring over the barrel a feature still found on the labels of Jimmy Watson wines today. In 1960 Jimmy decided to redesign the existing wine bar layout to better incorporate the three shops on the current site, an important aspect of the renovation was that the building must have atmosphere. The renovations were completed by mid-1963 and were acclaimed a success by architects and regular customers who came to sit and admire the space and intimacy.

After his sudden death in 1962 a group of friends decided at his funeral to honour the name Jimmy Watson and they established the perpetual Jimmy Watson Trophy. The Jimmy Watson Trophy is now part of the Royal Melbourne Wine Show and at first was awarded to the producer of the best one-year-old red presented at the show, this has now been extended to the best one or two-year dry red wine, any winery winning this trophy is guaranteed to pretty well sell every bottle of the winning wine.

This year’s winner is The Turkey Flat Vineyard 2016 Barossa Grenache, past winners have included The Deepwoods Reserve 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, The SC Pannell Adelaide Hills 2013 Syrah (Shiraz), Bests Great Western Bin 1 2011 Shiraz and a couple of my favourites The Scarpantoni Brothers Block 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and The Shingleback ‘D’ Block Reserve McLaren Vale 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. If you want to treat someone special with a bottle of wine then The Shingleback ‘D’ Block Wines are always outstanding. If you are interested in the latest news in the world of wine there is a bi-monthly journal available at your local newsagent called “Winestate”.

The magazine reviews wines from all over the world and judges them using teams comprising of winemakers, wine judges and wine writers from all over Australia and New Zealand. The September/ October edition concentrated on “The Mainfreight” World’s greatest Syrah and Shiraz challenge” which comprised of over 420 wines submitted from around the globe and broken down into various price points.

What I like most of all about this tasting is that no winery submits the wines, Winestate actually go and buy the wines and the panel taste them ‘blind’ so if they receive five stars that’s how they come across, they also judge around 400 wines so it’s not a question of buying what’s perceived to be the best. The final top 10 Australian wines were: 1. Penfolds 2013 Grange 2. Gumpara Hexen 2014 Barossa Valley Shiraz 3. Z Wines Julius Single Vineyard Barossa 2016 Shiraz 4. Reilly’s RCV Epitaph Clare Valley 2014 Shiraz 5. Tenafeate Creek Wines Museum Release One Tree 2010 Shiraz 6.

Gumpara Victor’s Old Vine Barossa 2016 Shiraz 7. Patritti Merchant McLaren Vale 2016 Shiraz 8. 1847 Wines First Pick Barossa Valley 2016 Shiraz 9. Fox Creek Short Row McLaren Vale 2016 Shiraz 10. Domaine Asmara Reserve Heathcote 2016 Shiraz. Several of these wines are readily available at reasonable prices others will raise a few eyebrows. The 2016 vintage in South Australia is regarded by many as the best vintage in South Australia of the century so seek out Shiraz wines from The Barossa, McLaren Vale and The Clare valley before the next vintage arrives in the stores.

Abraham Lincoln “People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like” As drinking alcohol declines cast your minds back to the times when noblemen weren’t health conscious. The days are past when a noble lord could be congratulated on having consumed three bottles of port. When the nobleman in question was asked if it were true that he had drunk them all without assistance, he replied “ Not quite, I had help from a bottle of Madeira”!

Cheers, Philip Arlidge [email protected]

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Italian wines – The Bribie Winelander

Access Your Super – Hardship or Compassionate Grounds

David Sweedman
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Access Your Super – Hardship or Compassionate Grounds

Tags: Money advice. Financial. Councillor. Super. Retirement

Your super is your retirement nest egg that may make the difference between having to scrape by on government benefits or enjoying more financial freedom from a super pension so withdrawing money before retirement should be a last resort. If you do fall on hard times and are unable to meet reasonable and immediate family living expenses, you may be able to withdraw some of your super on either severe financial hardship or compassionate grounds.

Most withdrawals will be taxed so before withdrawing money check the ATO website to confirm how much tax you will lose from your payment. To withdraw under severe financial hardship you need to have been receiving eligible government income support payments, for example, unemployment benefits, for at least 26 weeks continuously and you need to satisfy the trustee of your super fund that you can’t meet immediate reasonable family expenses.

Not all super funds allow you to withdraw monies under severe financial hardship so the first step is to check with your fund. If your fund does allow withdrawals the minimum amount that can be withdrawn is $1,000 (unless your super balance is less than $1,000) and the maximum amount is $10,000. You can only make one withdrawal from your super fund because of severe financial hardship in any 12-month period.

If you’ve reached your preservation age (from age 55 to 60, depending on date of birth), you may be able to receive your entire superannuation benefit provided that you’ve been in receipt of government income support for at least 39 weeks and you were not gainfully employed on a full-time or part-time basis at the time of application. You may be allowed to withdraw some of your super on compassionate grounds.

Compassionate grounds include paying for medical treatment for you or a dependant, modifying your home or vehicle for the special needs of you or a dependant because of a severe disability, paying for expenses associated with a death, funeral or burial of a dependant or making a payment on a loan to prevent you from losing your house. If your property is under threat of a forced sale, is your principal place of residence and you are legally responsible for the mortgage repayments you may be able to withdraw up to three months repayments and 12 months interest on the outstanding balance of the loan.

You may also be eligible to apply if you have arrears on council rates and your council is threatening to take possession of or sell your property. Before drawing down your super to try to save your property it is advisable to think about whether you may be better off selling the property and preserving your super. I have assisted many clients who have depleted their super and still lost their properties. Remember that money in super is protected from creditors in the event that you finish up with a shortfall on the sale of your property. As always do your own research.

Check out the ATO and Moneysmart websites. Be aware of scammers offering to get you early access to your super. They will try to convince you to let them take control of your fund and you may lose the lot. Peter Dallimore is a volunteer Financial Counsellor at the Bribie Island Neighbourhood Centre. He 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.

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MONEY TALK – KNOW YOUR SUPER – INSURANCE

BRIBIE ISLAND STATE SCHOOL EARLYACT PROGRAM RAISES $4,337 FOR OUR FARMERS

David Sweedman
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BRIBIE ISLAND STATE SCHOOL EARLYACT PROGRAM RAISES $4,337 FOR OUR FARMERS

EarlyAct is a school-wide service club for primary school students. It is sponsored by a local Rotary club in the township in which the school is located. The mission and operation of EarlyAct are closely linked to the ideals of Rotary. The Rotary Club of Bribie Island established the Earlyact Club at Bribie Island State School in 2013. The club currently has 28 members and the Board consists of Year 4 and 5 students.

Featured Image(above): EarlyAct Teachers and Students with Rotary members selling raffle tickets at the Rotary Markets in Brennan Park

Bribie Island State School and the Rotary Club of Bribie Island are so proud of their EarlyAct members who throughout Term 3 have raised $4,337 for Australia’s Drought-stricken farmers. Under the leadership of teachers Kim Hatfield and Rosi Riek and assisted by our Club’s Youth Director June Sturges and Chaplain Ken Piva the EarlyAct members organised four events.

Wear a “Flannie for a Farmer” was held on Friday 24 August and raised $753.60. The entire school participated in this event and wore a flannel shirt and gave a gold coin donation. $1,644 was raised at school venues such as the disco and tuck shop, the sale of muffins raised $571.50 and the raffle, with prizes generously donated by local businesses, raised $1,367. One of the Club’s ongoing projects is a vegetable garden which they cultivate and harvest and then sell the produce to parents and teachers.

Students who joined in the fun on “Wear a Flannie for a Farmer” Day

At a recent meeting, the “EarlyActers” built a scarecrow, dressed him in a flannel shirt and placed him in the vegetable garden in order to raise awareness of the “Wear a Flannie for a Farmer” Day. These students are an inspiration to us all and with their enthusiasm and commitment, they epitomise the aims of the EarlyAct program. They demonstrated that they are caring and helpful and were able to complete a project that will benefit the Australian farmers.

Through Rotary, 100% of this money will be delivered to the National Farmer’s Federation (NFF). NFF will then supply fodder and water for the livestock and help Farmers with everyday expenses and give them access to health and financial support services. EarlyAct is proud to have contributed to the Drought Appeal but couldn’t have raised so much without the support of our local community and businesses.

Bribie Rotary President John Oxenford, Youth Director June Sturges and EarlyAct Board members drawing the raffle at School Assembly

They would like to thank local businesses who so generously donated raffle prizes and supported the fundraising efforts. In particular BBQ Boats Bribie Island, Bribie Twin Cinemas, Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club, Savige’s Seafood, Allround Angler and Izzy Fizzys.

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Living with a disability – Afternoon tea – 3rd December

The Bribie Celtic Fiddlers – A PROMISE THAT LIVES ON

David Sweedman
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The Bribie Celtic Fiddlers – A PROMISE THAT LIVES ON

Remembrance Day in 2018 marks one hundred years since the end of conflict in World War 1 and following the customary observation of one minute’s silence at 11 am and other associated services to commemorate the day, those who come along to @ The Jetty Restaurant in the afternoon will be entertained by the talented musicians who make up The Bribie Celtic Fiddlers.

Featured Image(above): Celtic Fiddlers member John Boland playing a tune on his eight-string banjo

Fiddlers spokesperson John Boland explained to me that, due to the importance of the day, members have made the decision to use the occasion as a way to raise funds for Legacy. Representatives from Legacy will be collecting donations during the afternoon and @ The Jetty management is donating $3.50 from each meal toward the fundraising. ‘the planned meal is braised beef cheeks with vegetables followed by Anzac cookies in brandy sauce,’ said John.

‘The Celtic Fiddlers will be entertaining from 2 pm until 4 pm with a break at 2.50 pm for a pianist and vocalist to perform three Vera Lynn songs, the words of which will be printed on the placemats at each table. While they are performing, I will be moving around the tables with a mobile mike and whichever table does the best job of singing along will win a bottle of wine,’ he told me. John pointed out that, having been a Legacy ward after his father passed away as a result of wounds suffered during World War II, he realises the importance of what the organisation does and the ever-present need for additional funding.

‘Legacy was founded in 1923 because of a promise to “look after the missus and kids” that a digger made to his mate in the trenches of World War 1 and that more or less describes what they have been doing ever since,’ said John. ‘They support thousands of Queensland widows and children whose loved ones have lost their lives or health whilst serving in our country’s defence forces.

There are more than 150 war widows on Bribie Island and many more veterans,’ he added. The Celtic Fiddlers have been regular entertainers in the area for some time after being founded by Ross Lister and John mentioned that, whilst there are usually only about five or six that attend practice, at their gigs there can be up to fifteen who join them on stage. If anyone would like to enquire about booking this great band of talented musicians, they are welcome to give John Boland a call on 0422 770 252.

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