The Lockyer October 22 2020

Public Notices, Tenders, Funerals, Deaths, Births & Employment
Phone: 0411 896 004 Phone: 0411 896 004 Phone: 0411 896 004 Phone: 0411 896 004 Phone: 0411 896 004 Phone: 0411 896 004 Phone: 0411 896 004 Phone: 0411 896 004
LOST AUCTION TENDERS
SALE
COUNCIL TO
HOST LOCKYER
VALLEY DROUGHT
SUPPORT EXPO
Lockyer Valley Regional Council
will put a spotlight on the drought
and its devastating impact on
rural landholders in the region
when it hosts the Lockyer Valley
Drought Support Expo.
Council is inviting local drought-affected
rural landholders, farmers, farm workers and
farm suppliers to attend the Expo, which will
be held on Wednesday 4 November 2020.
Lockyer Valley Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan
said the Expo will bring together a range of
information and support services for those
dealing with the impacts of the ongoing
drought.
“The Expo will include presentations on
climate outlook, land management, financial
support and structuring; and, importantly,
looking after yourself and your mates.
“The importance of mental health and
wellbeing during an ongoing drought can’t
be overlooked and checking in with your own
mental health, and that of your neighbours,
really is so important,” Mayor Milligan said.
Mary O’Brien from “Are you bogged mate?” is
the event’s key note speaker. Guest speakers
will include the Department of Agriculture
and Fisheries (DAF) on climate outlook,
drought management and financial support.
What: Lockyer Valley Drought Support Expo
When: Wednesday, 4 November 2020
Time: 8.45am – 2.30pm
Where: Gatton Shire Hall, 52 North Street,
Gatton
Cost: Free
Gift vouchers for some lucky attendees,
including Lockyer Valley Gift Cards and local
produce store vouchers, will be up for grabs
on the day. Lockyer Valley Gift Cards keep
money circulating in our local economy and
help support local business and local jobs.
This project received grant funding from
the Australian Government Drought
Communities Programme.
Numbers for the COVID Safe Expo are limited.
Register your place via lockyervalleytickets.
com.au or contact Council on 1300 005 872
for further information.
Advertise in The Lockyer NOW - Call 0411 896 004
A LIFE COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY
Reflecting on his life so far,
Member for Lockyer Jim
McDonald remarks ‘It was fun
growing up in the McDonald
household.’
He remembers a house full of laughter and
games, a family committed to one another,
but above all else a family committed to the
community.
‘I had incredible mentors growing up, first
and foremost my mother and father. Their
values were passed onto me and I take great
pride in upholding those values.’
Jim’s father, John McDonald is one of the
greatest rugby league players Toowoomba
ever produced. A Queensland and Australian
representative, John coached Queensland to
victory in the first ever State of Origin series
in 1980 and remains the only State of Origin
coach with a perfect record.
Asked what his greatest contribution to
the sport would be, Jim suggests his father
would not hesitate before nominating his
support and commitment to grass roots
football as his greatest achievement.
‘I am incredibly proud of my Dad and what
he achieved, but I think he is most proud
not of his own playing career, but of what
he was able to achieve in campaigning
for and supporting grass roots football in
Queensland.’
Jim suggests this focus on community
development is a value he holds dear and
has tried to emulate throughout his life.
Joining the Queensland Police Service
straight out of high school, Jim says he has
always aimed to do anything he can to better
local communities.
‘Policing is not all about catching criminals.
Policing is about helping the community
grow and feel safe.’
From serving as a school Adopt-A-Cop
to running blue light discos in Gatton
and Laidley, Jim says it is this community
development work which he highlights as
the most cherished memories of his 32 years
in blue.
Alongside his time as a police officer, Jim
served as a councilor with the Gatton Shire
and then Lockyer Valley Regional Councils.
He highlights this service as another sign of
his devotion to seeing his community be the
best it can be.
‘As a council I served the people of the
Lockyer Valley Region to help them with
anything I could and to ensure their voices
were heard and listened to by decision
makers. This is an ideal I continue to uphold
and work towards in my new role.’
Elected to state parliament in 2017, Jim says
his primary focus is still working hard to help
his community.
‘The Lockyer electorate is a large and diverse
area but my goal for the electorate is clear,
I want to work towards making Lockyer the
best it can be.’
‘We’ve achieved a lot in my first term in
parliament but the work I am most proud
of is the successes we’ve had with giving a
small boost to local community groups.’
Across his term in parliament, Jim and his
team have managed to secure over $16
million of community grants and funding
for over 600 sporting clubs and community
groups and he says it is this work which he
hopes will help secure him a second term in
parliament.
‘I’m proud of all we’ve been able to achieve.
From securing road upgrades, improvements
to our local schools or even something as
small as helping the local football club win a
grant to purchase new equipment, it all adds
up to the betterment of our communities.
I hope with your support to be able to
continue this work. Together, we can build a
better Lockyer and get Queensland working
again.’
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COMMUNITY NOTICE
MA MA CREEK COMMUNITY
CENTRE & EXHIBITION
A.G.M.
at 7 p.m. on
Tuesday
November 17 th 2020
at
Ma Ma Creek Hall
830 Gatton-Clifton Road
ALL WELCOME !
If you cannot attend AGM, please
come along to our meetings on 2 nd
Tuesday of the month.
RECOGNISING
OUR LOCAL
ACHIEVERS ON
AUSTRALIA
DAY
From sporting achievements to
planning a successful community
event, residents in the Lockyer
Valley have a lot to be proud of.
Nominations for the 2021 Australia Day
Awards are open and now is the time to think
about accomplishments that deserve to be
recognised.
Lockyer Valley Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan
encouraged residents to get their nominations
in for the 2021 Awards now.
“Our region has a lot to offer and that’s due to
the dedication of our residents who always go
the extra mile to do the best job possible.
“Australia Day Awards are a great opportunity
for those who have represented the region in
a positive way to get the recognition they so
rightly deserve,” Mayor Milligan said.
Award categories include:
• Citizen of the Year
• Young Citizen of the Year
• Junior Sports Award
• Senior Sports Award
• Sporting / Community Group of the Year
• Arts and Cultural Award
• Community Event of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
Nominations close on 16 November 2020.
Nomination forms are available from Council
offices in Gatton and Laidley, the Lockyer Valley
Libraries, the Lake Apex Visitor Information
Centre and online at www.lockyervalley.qld.
gov.au
THE LOCKYER - Thursday October 22, 2020 - Page 12