It’s important to stay cool during hot weather, and for many of us in the Scenic Rim this may mean visiting one of the dams in the region, swimming in the pool, or even taking a trip to the coast (when it’s not raining). It’s vital that children are supervised at all times when they’re in the water and it’s also vital for kids to learn the basics in swimming to prevent drownings. Adults also need to be safe around water by wearing a life jacket while boating or kayaking. Remembering to keep safe around the water is especially important as we head into the Christmas period when most of us are on holidays and the weather is warm.

Warm weather can also bring summer storms – I urge you not to wait until you are caught in the middle of a storm to wish that you were better prepared. As well as ensuring that loose objects are secured, make sure plans are made to protect your pets and livestock during a disaster, and that your insurance information is up to date. It is also important that all those with health problems ensure they will be able to access their medication in the event of a disaster, and each family member needs to know what to do in the case of a severe storm event. I believe that getting to know your neighbours and familiarising yourself with storm warnings and action plans is vital for the safety of our community. If you are not sure where to begin in your storm preparations, visit the Get Ready Queensland website at: www.getready.qld.gov.au
The annual warning about storms also means that it’s the time of year that school starts to wind down. I want to take this opportunity to say a big congratulations to our students from all year levels and to all our teachers – 2021 has been another unpredictable year and your ability to adapt to the constantly changing teaching and learning environments should not go unnoticed. There are still a few days left of school for this year, so please remember that the standard operating times for most school zones in Queensland are between 7–9am and 2–4pm. Children can be hard to see and may not be concentrating on vehicle movements before or after school, so it’s important that we take extra care at these times.
BUY LOCAL CHRISTMAS 2021
Buy Local Christmas 2021 and go in the draw to win $1000. It’s easy: all you need to do is make a purchase at a local Scenic Rim business and write your name and phone number on the back of your receipt and drop it in a ‘Buy Local Christmas Box’ – located at participating businesses around the electorate. I started this initiative, together with Federal Member Scott Buchholz MP and various Chambers of Commerce, to encourage the community to support local businesses following the ongoing devastation of drought, bushfires, and COVID-19. My family will be doing our Christmas shopping locally and I urge everybody to do the same.
MY OFFICE
In addition to helping with Queensland Government matters, my office can provide assistance in procuring Queensland flags and letters of congratulations for significant birthdays and anniversaries. We can also provide letters of support for community groups seeking grant funding. Anybody considering becoming a Justice of the Peace/Commissioner for Declarations will need to contact my office to complete the nomination form.
If you have an issue that you think should be fixed, I encourage you to contact my office, toll-free on 1800 813 960, so I can lobby on your behalf in Brisbane.