Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta has invited enthusiastic 17-24 year olds in the electorate to join what is fast becoming the largest-ever team of young Australians supporting environmental action across the country, as local Green Army workers today celebrated their graduation.

“The Green Army teams in Bonner are generating real environment and conservation benefits for our community,” Mr Vasta said at the graduation of the Green Army team responsible for rehabilitation of the Bulimba Creek Oxbow Wetlands at Tingalpa.

“Green Army volunteers are also gaining valuable practical training and experience to help them prepare for the workforce or further training and improve their career opportunities.”

The four Green Army teams in Bonner who graduated today have completed projects at:

·         Oxbow Wetlands;

·         Clem Jones Centre, Carina;

·         Iona Wetlands;

·         Rochedale.

Participants in these Green Army projects were involved in recovery actions to restore habitat and create connectivity, activities such as weed control and brush cutting, use of small engines, herbicide applications, specifies identification, mulching, revegetation establishment, seed collection and propagation, habitat creation using natural materials, monitoring and evaluation assistance, and more.

Mr Vasta thanked the Bulimba Creek Catchment Co-ordinating Committee for hosting the projects.

“I congratulate the Green Army volunteers in Bonner on their hard work and the real difference they have made to our local environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage young people who would like to gain valuable skills, training and experience in environmental and conservation fields to register their interest in the Green Army now.”

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.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta today said local Men’s Sheds in his electorate would benefit from the Abbott Coalition Government’s Father’s Day announcement of $4.5 million in additional funding for the National Shed Development Programme (NSDP).

“To provide certainty to our Men’s Sheds, the Abbott Government has guaranteed funding for a further three years from 30 June 2016 to 2019,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our local Men’s Sheds play a vital role in our community to keep men active, reduce their social isolation and contribute to their mental health and physical wellbeing.”

“This funding will help Sheds start new projects and buy new tools and equipment, and is great news for our community who benefit from Shed members’ work.”

President of Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed Murray Rogash thanked the Government for its continued support and said the Australian Men’s Shed Association (ASMA), which assesses grant applications, develops and maintains relationships and linkages with health providers and employs strategies to more effectively reach and engage men, could now breathe a sigh of relief.

“It’s fantastic that government at all levels continue to be so supportive of our Men’s Sheds,” Mr Rogash said.

“Taking into account the loved ones of all Men’s Sheds members across the country, the programme probably directly affects the lives of around one million people in Australia.”

Wynnum Manly and Districts Men’s Shed Secretary Bob Coakes said the NSDP was an amazing concept that had become a growth area across the nation.

“The Government’s continuing, invaluable and generous support for Men’s Shed programmes will ensure their resourcing and growth into the future,” Mr Coakes said.

Round 11 of the NSDP is currently open for applications. Sheds are able to apply for up to a total of $8,000 across three funding categories – tools, equipment, community projects and training; building maintenance and development; and health improvement activities. Applications for Round 11 close on September 18.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta today presented Citipointe Christian College in Carindale with an Australian Government Anzac Day Schools’ Award.

“The students and staff of Citipointe should be very proud of the Highly Commended award they’ve received today,” Mr Vasta said.

“This important honour recognises Citipointe’s commitment to teaching students about Australia’s wartime history.”

Citipointe teacher Mrs Zita Horton said this year students commemorated the 100^th anniversary of the Anzac landing at Gallipoli, as well as the 70^th anniversary of World War II.

“The three ASPIRE classes at Citipointe created a video showing how their World War II historical school days helped them to understand and honour the ANZACs and the ANZAC spirit,” Mrs Horton said.

“By role-playing children evacuated during the war, the ASPIRE students participated in many traditional activities and reflected upon what life would be like for people in the armed forces, as well as how those left at home during war are affected.”

Mr Vasta today presented Citipointe with a certificate in recognition of their award.

“I congratulate the school, the teachers and the students on ensuring that the Anzac story is understood and, most importantly, never forgotten,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Centenary of Anzac is our nation’s most important period of commemoration and educating our next generation about the service and sacrifice of all of our servicemen and servicewomen is a crucial component of carrying the Anzac legacy into the future.”

The Anzac Day Schools’ Awards encourage the study of Australia’s wartime history in schools through learning activities and the commemoration of Australian servicemen and women on Anzac Day.

Thirty-eight schools shared in a total of around $48,000 in prize money, which is funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs through its Commemorations Program.

For more information on the Anzac Day Schools’ Awards visit www.anzacportal.dva.gov.au

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta has welcomed the Coalition Government’s announcement that $1 million in funding would be made available to Crime Stoppers to roll out a national ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign to help combat Australia’s ice scourge.

Mr Vasta said the national campaign asks community members to report people who are dealing illegal drugs as part of a national initiative to crack down on the supply of ice at our borders and in our communities.

He said the campaign would be modelled on a similar Crime Stoppers initiative in Victoria which resulted in information increases of 100 per cent to 400 per cent across its 15 regional campaign sites.

“The fight against ice can only be effective when the community and law enforcement agencies work together,” Mr Vasta said.

“Information from the public plays an essential role in helping police and other agencies to bust drug manufacturers and prevent illegal drugs from ending up on our streets.”

Mr Vasta said he was concerned about the growing impact of ice on the community and that he was working with local authorities and experts on measures to stop the spread of the drug.

“I have met with Wynnum Police and ice taskforce experts Senior Sergeant Mark Norrish and Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Austin to discuss our local situation and strategies to combat the ice epidemic,” Mr Vasta said.

“I will also be hosting Minister Keenan in Bonner for a forum to answer the community’s questions on ice and the Government’s measures to stop its spread.”

Minister Keenan said ice posed the highest risk of all illegal drugs to the community because of the violent, menacing and irrational way people behave under its influence.

“With more than 60 per cent of Australia’s most significant organised crime groups involved in the ice market and about 200,000 Australians reported to have used ice in the last 12 months, it is up to all of us – government, industry, law enforcement agencies, health workers, educators and the community – to work together to remove this ongoing threat to Australia,” Minister Keenan said.

The ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign will be rolled out in consultation with the states and territories but all instances of crime or suspicious behaviour can be reported to Crime Stoppers now on 1800 333 000.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta today encouraged secondary schools in Bonner to participate in the Australian Government’s Honouring Australian Vietnam Veterans schools’ competition.

The competition encourages students in Year 9 and 10 to explore the service of Australia’s Vietnam veterans, and to reflect on the importance of remembering their involvement in the conflict.

“More than 60,000 Australian servicemen and women were deployed to Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, and over 500 were killed. While many returned home with physical and emotional scars, all came home with a personal story to tell,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Honouring Australian Vietnam Veterans schools’ competition offers students an opportunity to research some of these stories and better understand their service.  Students can submit responses in a variety of ways, including multi-media, artworks, musical compositions or essays.”

The competition is open from Tuesday, 18 August 2015 until Friday, 8 April 2016, giving students two full terms to participate. Schools can enter their best individual student entry.

Winning students will be invited to attend a three-day Canberra Commemorative Programme in August 2016, where they will visit cultural institutions and attend the national commemorative event marking the 50^th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

The Honouring Australian Vietnam Veterans schools’ competition is one of several initiatives linked to the Australian Government’s Anzac Centenary national programme. A key aim of the programme is to improve education and awareness about Australia’s wartime history, especially among younger Australians.

Further information, including entry details, the competition question, guidelines and frequently asked questions, is available at www.anzacportal.dva.gov.au/competitions. 

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP has farewelled local Mansfield State High School students ahead of their exchange programme to France.

Ross was particularly proud to have Zac Look, one of Mansfield SHS’s Year 12 students, contact him directly to request the National Australian Flag to present to their sister school Jean-Baptiste de la Salle School in Rouen.

“It was such a privilege to be invited to see off this delegation,” Mr Vasta said.

“After seeing the quality of students embarking on this exciting adventure, I am filled with confidence knowing the Mansfield school community is being represented by these outstanding students.”

Mansfield SHS teacher Sarah Fryer, who will be accompanying the students, said the school was proud of the long-standing exchange program established in 1999.

“The program is invaluable for students to experience the culture and speak the language they are learning,” Mrs Fryer said.

“The students will be spending their September holidays immersed in French culture, history, language and of course, food!”

As local ambassadors for Bonner, Mr Vasta wishes the student group and the accompanying teachers and parents all the best for a safe and happy learning experience.