Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has announced the winner of her inaugural Nanango Electorate Year 12 School Leavers Bursary.
After receiving an overwhelming number of applications, five were shortlisted and interviews held with Mrs Frecklington and a representative of the Red Earth Community Foundation.
“I was very impressed with the calibre of applicants and the decision was a difficult one,” Deb said.
“I’m thrilled to announce Megan Frohloff of Kingaroy as the successful applicant.
“Megan will be undertaking a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at USQ, Toowoomba – a profession she’s entering due to the positive influence her own teachers at Kingaroy State High have had on her learnings.”
Mrs Frecklington said that for many school leavers, it is often necessary to travel, or move to major centres to access further education and the bursary is designed to help with those costs.
“The Bursary is worth $1000 and aims to provide financial assistance with the costs associated with moving to their place of learning, the purchase of books, IT, tools or other necessary requirements” Deb said.
Applications for the 2020 Deb Frecklington Nanango Electorate Year 12 School Leavers Bursary will open on 5 October 2020.
Photo: Deb with Megan Frohloff, winner of the 2019 Bursary for Nanango Electorate Year 12 School Leavers
As school students, teachers and families across our region settle back into the routine of school life and Term 1, I would like to wish them all a fantastic year ahead.
In particular, congratulations to our newly elected school leaders, along with the seniors of Year 6 and Year 12, who are taking on many important roles within their school community.
Our senior students have a busy year ahead, working to achieve their best through their studies and also being positive role models each and every day.
I have been honoured to personally meet several of our new school leaders recently at investiture ceremonies at Harlin, Toogoolawah and Esk State Schools.
During my visits over the years I have seen many of these young people start their learning journey in Prep, and I’ve been fortunate enough to see them as they’ve transitioned through school.
Our teachers and school staff do a remarkable job and it is obvious that these are great young people who are excited and ready to take on their leadership roles.
Congratulations once more. I wish everyone a terrific 2020 school year – full of fun, learning and friendship.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, says the decision by ANZ to close yet another regional branch in the Somerset, this time at Kilcoy is just another example of services being stripped from regional areas.
Deb said the Kilcoy closure comes after the 2016 closure of the Toogoolawah branch.
“I am extremely disappointed that ANZ are closing another regional branch. The community has been told the closure is due to issues relating to their building lease, however, the question remains about why they have been unable to find another location in Kilcoy,” Deb said.
“Regional towns like Kilcoy really value these types of services and once again we’re seeing large companies relinquish their commitment to serve regional areas.
“This closure will be hard enough, not to mention that ANZ withdrew its banking services from Australia Post outlets in early 2019, leaving business with no local banking options.
“I understand the majority of Kilcoy businesses currently bank with ANZ and this will certainly disrupt the way they operate.
“Unfortunately, this has become a common theme for the big banks, who believe they can service their customers just as well online.
“However, for community groups, and businesses, it will always be necessary for them to have access to physical banking services. And we all know that many people in regional areas have poor internet connection, or no computer access at all, so internet banking isn’t always the answer.
“I am also really concerned about the staff who may lose their jobs. ANZ needs to ensure employment options are provided to these local staff.
“As I did to support the Toogoolawah community, I will again write to ANZ to express my disappointment about the Kilcoy decision and to request their decision be overturned.”
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, is encouraging young people from the Nanango Electorate to apply to become the Youth Member for Nanango at the upcoming 2020 YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament.
Deb said nominations are now open for this year’s youth parliament which kicks off with a forum from 3-5 April in Brisbane, including a formal launch at Parliament House.
“More than 90 young people aged 15 to 25 will be selected to discuss the issues facing our youth and develop legislation that they will debate later in the year,” Deb said.
“These young parliamentarians are selected to represent the 93 Queensland electorates based on their enthusiasm, ability to represent their communities and interest and passion for issues affecting Queensland. Four Indigenous members will also be selected to participate.
“These types of opportunities are so important for our young people so we can encourage them to get involved and learn more about how they can initiate change to tackle issues and help improve our communities.
“All Youth Members are involved in committee meetings, mentoring, training and research to help produce the Bills to be debated at Parliament House during the residential week in Brisbane from 27 Sept – 3rd October.”
“Applications for the 2020 program close on 16th February, so I would encourage anyone interested to get in quick,” she said.
“Youth Parliament teaches young people about the government decision-making process, while providing an excellent leadership opportunity for those who may one day become our future decision makers,” she said.
For more information about the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament and to access the application form, go to https://www.ymcabrisbane.org/queensland-youth-parliament-home
Labor has combined contempt for both democracy and regional Queensland in a disgraceful week in Parliament, LNP Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett said today.
Mr Perrett said Labor began the sitting with an attempt to ram through the lowering of the Paradise Dam without any Parliamentary scrutiny or public consultation.
And today Labor has introduced legislation – again without notice – to repeal the Agricultural Training Colleges Act.
The move will set the seal on the closure of the Emerald and Longreach agricultural colleges – without any public consultation or Parliamentary committee scrutiny.
“Labor doesn’t listen to Queenslanders in the regions and it doesn’t listen to regional MPs in Parliament,” Mr Perrett said.
“After five years in power, the Palaszczuk Labor Government thinks it can do whatever it wants.
“The regions get no say and no respect from Labor.
“If you live in Wide Bay, Emerald, Longreach or anywhere else outside Brisbane, Labor doesn’t care what you think and will go outside the rules to get its way.
“Labor never treats communities in Brisbane like this.
“Regional Queenslanders are sick of being told to suck it up by the Brisbane Labor Party.”
The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s move to lower the Paradise Dam set aside 17 separate pieces of legislation, allowing the Government to act without requiring any of the planning or environmental approvals required from any other agency or individual.
The Palaszczuk Labor Government is hammering the final nail in the coffin for the state’s agriculture colleges in Parliament today.
Labor is repealing the Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges Act 2005, which removes the educational pathway from legislation.
LNP Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett said Labor had snuck the amendments through and the decision would not be subject to community consultation or Parliamentary Committee scrutiny.
“This is further proof Labor doesn’t care about the regions,” Mr Perrett said.
“Labor’s decision to close the state’s last remaining training colleges raises serious concerns over how the next generation of Queensland farmers will get the education and jobs they need.
“Two months have passed since the Ag Colleges in Emerald and Longreach closed their doors but regional communities, as well as the agriculture industry, remain completely in the dark as to what happens next.
“Education is a key issue in rural and regional Queensland, but the Palaszczuk Labor Government has turned its back on ag education.
“A prosperous agriculture industry is crucial for our regional communities and Queensland’s economy, but it’s unforgivable that no courses are being offered to the next generation of farmers this year under Labor.
“Clearly Labor Agriculture Minister Mark Furner doesn’t think creating a pathway to jobs for young regional Queenslanders is a priority.”
LNP MP for Gregory Lachlan Millar said regional Queensland communities like Longreach and Emerald needed more economic and education opportunities, not less.
“Drought continues to devastate many areas of the state and communities need confidence, not uncertainty,” Mr Millar said.
“The closure of these institutions makes no sense whatsoever.
“Instead of dismantling our Ag Colleges piece by piece, Labor should be coming clean on its plans for agricultural education now they’ve shut the colleges.
“Only the Labor party has cut agriculture education, sacked agricultural educators and sold agriculture assets.”
The LNP strongly opposes the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s decision to begin tearing down the Paradise Dam without public consultation or Parliamentary scrutiny.
Labor today moved amendments in Parliament that will allow them to commence demolition of the dam without obtaining any of the usual council or environmental approvals – sweeping aside 17 separate pieces of legislation.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government gave no notice of this decision, has carried out no consultation and has given no explanation for it,” LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said.
“Labor is treating the people of Wide Bay with complete contempt, as they have done throughout the whole Paradise Dam saga.
“This decision will have huge repercussions for jobs and locals deserve the truth.
“Labor is more interested in protecting itself than protecting the community and jobs.”
LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said: “It’s unacceptable that Labor only has a plan to tear down the dam and no plan to fix it.
“Labor’s handling of Paradise Dam has been a kick in the guts for our economy.”
LNP Member for Bundaberg David Batt said: “This raises serious questions about what Labor knew and when.
“Given Labor has known about these safety issues since 2015, why is Labor ramming this through now?
“Building Queensland is about to hand down its report on the dam.
“We should be able to see that report before Labor starts tearing down this dam.
LNP Member for Callide Colin Boyce added: “This is an act of monumental Labor arrogance.
“Labor is rushing to pull down Paradise Dam right after it dumped thousands of litres from the dam into the ocean in the middle of a drought.”
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated four Somerset community groups who have been successful in the latest round of Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) grants.
Mrs Frecklington said the groups will share in more than more than $86,000 for infrastructure upgrades and equipment.
“We have some excellent grant writers in the Somerset and I’d like to congratulate them on achieving a great range of grants for projects that will greatly benefit our community,” Mrs Frecklington said.
The successful Somerset groups in Round 102 of the GCBF include:
Mrs Frecklington encouraged local groups to consider applying for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant to help achieve their goals.
“These grants are now offered over five rounds per year and offer a significant opportunity for community groups to work on important projects,” she said.
“It’s important to note that there have been some recent changes to the Guidelines and groups should head the GCBF website to check these changes and ensure their applications meet all requirements.
The next Gambling Community Benefit Fund round closes on 29 February. For more information give Deb’s office or call on 4190 7100, or head to https://www.justice.qld.gov.au/initiatives/community-grants
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington has congratulated fourteen South Burnett community groups who have been successful in the latest round of Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) grants.
Mrs Frecklington said the groups will share in more than more than $295,000 for infrastructure upgrades and equipment.
“We have some excellent grant writers in the South Burnett and I’d like to congratulate them on achieving a great range of grants for projects that will greatly benefit our community,” Mrs Frecklington said.
The successful South Burnett groups in Round 102 of the GCBF include:
Mrs Frecklington encouraged local groups to consider applying for a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant to help achieve their goals.
“These grants are now offered over five rounds per year and offer a significant opportunity for community groups to work on important projects,” she said.
“It’s important to note that there have been some recent changes to the Guidelines and groups should head the GCBF website to check these changes and ensure their applications meet all requirements.”
The next Gambling Community Benefit Fund round closes on 29 February. For more information give Deb’s office or call on 4190 7100, or head to https://www.justice.qld.gov.au/initiatives/community-grants
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has called out the Labor Government for not completing its promised air-conditioning rollout for the first week of the 2020 school year.
Mrs Frecklington said 14 Nanango Electorate schools were still waiting for their promised air-conditioned classrooms.
“Temperatures have soared this week, and our local school children will be struggling to learn in these conditions,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Education Minister, Grace Grace promised to fast-track funding for schools to have their air-conditioning installed over the summer holidays, but this hasn’t happened.
“Unlike Labor, the LNP is committed to air-conditioning every state school in Queensland – without exception.
“The LNP knows that cool kids are smart kids.
“Our state schools need cool classrooms and that’s what the LNP will deliver.”
South Burnett schools still waiting for every classroom to be air-conditioned are:
