Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, is encouraging his community to remember Australian servicemen and women from all wars and conflicts.

“On Anzac Day, it’s important to take a moment to reflect and recognise the men and women who served our nation in wars, conflicts and on peacekeeping operations.”

Ross Vasta said Anzac Day is one of the most important dates in our commemorative calendar.

“We are grateful to the men and women who have served in our Army, Navy and Air Force, and who have given so much for us.”

“In August this year we will mark the entry of Australia into the First World War and the beginning of the commemoration of the Anzac Centenary. Since the first convoy of servicemen left the shores of Albany in 1914, almost  2,000,000 men and women have worn the uniform of the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force with pride and on Anzac Day we remember their service.”

Anzac Day can however be a difficult time for some, evoking memories of pain and suffering. If you need help, free confidential counselling and crisis support service is available to veterans and current serving ADF members, and their families, 24 hours a day by phoning Veterans’ Line on 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 4546).

“I encourage community members in Bonner to attend a service this Anzac Day, or to take the time to pause and reflect, and remember those who gave their lives in the service of our country,” Ross Vasta said.

For information about Anzac Day including historical information, education resources, and on how to organise a local service visit www.dva.gov.au/anzac

  

Details of local Anzac Day services 

Coorparoo:

8:00am March begins at Baragoola St (Opposite St James Church).

8:30am Service in front of Coorparoo RSL & Community Club.

9:15am Function continues inside Coorparoo RSL & Community Club with light refreshments and entertainment

 
Holland Park:

7:30am March commences promptly with police escort from the Old Post Office (corner of Logan Rd and Barter Ave) and continues to site adjacent the Memorial Hall, 58 Arnold St.

7:50am Commemoration service begins at site adjacent to Memorial Hall, 58 Arnold St. Service followed by a sausage sizzle.

 

Manly Lota:

4:15am Service at Richard Russell Park, corner Cambridge Pde and Ferguson St, Manly. Followed by a gunfire breakfast in the RSL Hall at 184 Melville Tce, Manly.

8:00am March begins at Manly State School, Ernest St, Manly and continues to Richard Russell Park, Manly.

8:30am Service at Richard Russell Park, corner Cambrdige Pde and Ferguson St.

 

Springwood:

7:45am March begins at Logan East Community Centre.

8:00am Service commences at the conclusion of the march at memorial in Springwood Park. The service will be followed by refreshments at the Springwood Bowls Club.

 

Wynnum:

5:00am Service held in the car park of Wynnum RSL near the Memorial Rock.

9:00am March begins at corner of Cedar St and Bay Tce, Wynnum and will continue to the Wynnum RSL. The service will commence once march has reached the Wynnum RSL car park.

Lest We Forget.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP has announced that the Australian Government will extend the eligibility for the National Police Service Medal.

 

Ross Vasta said until now, police officers whose service concluded between 14 February 1975 and 30 October 2008 were ineligible for this distinguished medal.

 

The National Police Service Medal recognises 15 years’ ethical and diligent service by Australian sworn police officers in active service.

 

“The eligibility will now be extended to recognise police officers whose service concluded on or after 14 February 1975, the date on which the Australian Honours system was established,” Ross Vasta MP.

 

“The National Police Service Medal recognises the special status that sworn police officers have because of their role protecting the community.

 

“The Australian Government believes that these dedicated police officers who have served our local communities should have their service recognised.

 

“I encourage all the former police officers in our community who will now be eligible for this award to consider applying for this distinguished medal to recognise their service to our community,” Ross Vasta MP.

 

 

The launch of the Green Army is getting closer and the Government is now calling on councils and community groups to submit ideas for new projects in Bonner.

An application form and project guidelines for Green Army projects are now available for organisations to begin planning new projects under the Green Army Programme.

“The Government is looking for projects that will make a real difference to the environment and local communities,” Ross Vasta MP said.

The Green Army will be Australia’s largest-ever team supporting environmental action across the country, building to 15,000 young Australians by 2018.

The Green Army provides opportunities for young people in Bonner to gain training and experience in environmental and heritage conservation fields and explore careers in conservation management, while participating in projects that generate real benefits for the environment locally.

“As the Federal Member for Bonner I will be working with local community groups to fight for projects to be delivered in our community,” Ross Vasta MP said.

“Groups in Bonner will be able to bid to host a Green Army Team. Project activities could involve restoring and protecting habitat, weeding, planting, cleaning up creeks and rivers and conserving cultural heritage places,” Ross Vasta MP said.

“Under the Programme, participants will be paid an allowance and undertake accredited training.”

Applications for Project proposals will open on Monday 14 April 2014 and close Friday 9 May 2014. To be eligible for the first round of the Programme, projects must be ready to commence between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015.

Project guidelines and information to help groups interested in submitting Green Army Projects plan their proposals is available now at: www.environment.gov.au/green-army

Brisbane Airport invites you to attend the Brisbane Airport Community Information Exchange being held in May 2014.

The event will be held in the Village Markets (next to Woolworths), Skygate, Brisbane Airport on Thursday 8 May 2014 from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

At the Community Information Exchange, stations will be set up around the room about key topics of interest including the New Parallel Runway, flight paths around Brisbane, the Master Plan and more. Each station is staffed by senior managers from BAC and/or Airservices Australia who are experts in these topics. Maps, artist impressions, flight path software and other tools are also on hand to assist.

For further information please visit www.bne.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) would like to advise of upcoming safety works on the intersection of Old Cleveland and Stanbrough Roads in Belmont.

Works are expected to start Monday 7 April 2014 and be completed by end of June 2014, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Overnight works will be carried out Monday to Friday between 7pm and 5am, and some day works will occur Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm.

The Old Cleveland Road and Stanbrough Road intersection has an ongoing history of traffic incidents. Due to this history and the proximity of these incidents to the local community, residents and recreational facilities, TMR has committed funding from the Safer Roads Sooner program to upgrade this intersection.

The upgrade of the Old Cleveland Road and Stanbrough Road intersection will improve safety at this intersection for road users and the local community, particularly for turning vehicles.

The safety project works will involve:

· permanent closure of existing median
· left-in, left-out configuration for Stanbrough Road
· left-in, left-out configuration for Main Drive
· construction of acceleration lane for Stanbrough Road traffic
· relocation of Translink bus stop (routes 250, 270, 856 and N250) approximately 110 metres west of Stanbrough Road to ensure safety for merging traffic and buses
· relocation of Australia Post mail box approximately 150 metres west of Stanbrough Road.

Motorists can use nearby traffic signals on Old Cleveland Road at the Cross Street and Tilley Street intersections for turning movements. These signals are located within 1.5km of the Old Cleveland and Stanbrough Roads intersection.

Some traffic delays, lane closures, construction noise and reduced speed limits through the work site can be expected. Traffic control will be in place to ensure safety of road workers and motorists.

TMR apologises for any inconvenience and appreciates your patience while these important works are carried out.

If you require further information on this project, please contact Mr Ron Michel, Regional Director, Metropolitan Region on 3066 4299 or by email metropolitanregion@tmr.qld.gov.au during business hours.

Alternatively please contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13QGOV (137 468) during business hours.

For up-to-date information on road closures and traffic conditions across Queensland, please visit www.131940.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40

 

 

The Abbott Coalition Government has delivered its election promise to 57,000 military superannuants and their families.

 

385 of veterans living in Bonner will benefit from the Government’s legislation which delivers fair indexation. 

 

Ross Vasta MP welcomed the passage of the Defence Force Retirement Benefits Legislation Amendment (Fair Indexation) Bill 2014 through the Senate, giving effect to the Government’s commitment to give veterans a fair go in Bonner and across Australia. 

“Thursday 27 March 2014 is a day for fairness.  The Government fulfilled its pledge to give veterans a fair go.  We made a promise and we have kept it to the letter”, Ross Vasta MP said.

“From 1 July 2015, Defence Forces Retirement Benefits scheme (DFRB) and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits scheme (DFRDB) military superannuants aged 55 and over will have their pensions indexed in the same way as age and service pensions. The fair indexation provisions will also extend to reversionary (widow) pensioners aged 55 and over.” 

“This has been a long fought campaign for equity, justice and fairness, by the entire veteran community across Australia. The Coalition promised our veterans a fair go before the 2010 and 2013 elections and now we have delivered our promise.”

 

“The passing of this legislation today confirms this Government’s recognition of the unique nature of military service and the sacrifices military personnel and their families make on behalf of all Australians.”

“This legislation is an investment in fairness and will ensure the purchasing power of DFRB and DFRDB military superannuation pensions is maintained.”

“By passing this legislation today, veterans and their families have finally been delivered the fair go that they deserve, and that they were promised”, Ross Vasta MP said.