Nominations for the Australian of the Year Awards 2016 are now open!

Each year our nation celebrates the achievement and contribution of eminent Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards by profiling leading citizens who are role models for us all. They inspire us through their achievements and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia. The Awards continue to offer an insight into the Australian identity and celebrate the diversity of its people.

The Australian of the Year Awards provide all Australians with the opportunity to recognise someone who makes them proud in four categories: Australian of the Year; Senior Australian of the Year (those aged 60 years and over); Young Australian of the year (ages 16 to 30); and Australia’s Local Hero.

Further information is also available at www.australianoftheyear.gov.au or by telephone on 1300 655 193

The Coalition Government maintains its commitment to fund measures that will improve safety near the Minnippi Parklands in Tingalpa.

Federal Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan joined Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, and Councillor for Doboy, Ryan Murphy at Minnippi Parklands to discuss the Government’s funding of $70,000 for the area.

 Minister Keenan pledged the funds as part of the Government’s $50 million Safer Streets Programme.

 Mr Vasta said the Government had delivered on its Budget commitment to provide the funding in a significant boost for community safety in the Minnippi Parklands area.

 “The measures this funding will help provide will deter anti-social behaviour, and provide a safer and more family-friendly environment for the community,” Mr Vasta said.

 “They will build on existing measures taken by Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Police Service to improve safety in the area.”

Mr Vasta commendd Cr Ryan Murphy and the Queensland Police Service for their continued efforts to address crime in the area.

He also thanked members of the Tingalpa Model Aero Club who were in attendance for their support and assistance in implementing the new safety measures.

Young people in Bonner will be among the first 17 to 24 year olds to join the Australian Government’s Green Army and become part of the largest environmental movement in Australia’s history, Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“The first round of Green Army projects is set to get underway in the coming weeks, and I’m pleased to announce Bonner will be one of the first to host a Green Army project team,” Mr Vasta said.

“Young Australians will now have the opportunity to be a part of one of the Government’s major environmental initiatives and help our community deliver important local conservation outcomes.”

A number of Green Army rehabilitation projects are set to be rolled out soon in Bonner, with the aim of restoring habitat and creating connectivity. The projects will commence in:

·         Mansfield;

·         Wynnum North;

·         Minnippi Parklands;

·         Rochedale; and

·         Clem Jones Centre at Carina.

“The Green Army provides opportunities for young Australians aged 17-24 years 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 Australian environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“Participants will receive a Green Army allowance for the duration of their project. Participants will also be supported to obtain Certificate I or II qualifications or nationally endorsed skills set to help them prepare for the workforce or improve their career opportunities.”

The Green Army was a key Coalition election commitment, and with $525 million budgeted over four years, the Green Army is one of the Government’s major environmental initiatives. It will encourage practical, grassroots action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia, providing training to 15,000 young Australians by 2018.

This investment in the Green Army will bring the Government’s total investment in natural resource management to more than $2 billion over four years.

Young Australians interested in joining the Green Army can apply through the appointed Service Providers for each state and territory. Contact details for Service Providers are available from www.environment.gov.au/green-army.