History Alive- A Journey Through Time

History is better experienced in action!

Join us at Fort Lytton National Park on 10 & 11 June, 2017

for Queensland’s most unique living history event.


History Alive next goes off with a bang at 10:00 am on Saturday, 10 June 2017 and concludes at 4:00 pm on Sunday 11th June 2017.


History Alive: A Journey Through Time is held annually on the second weekend in June.

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90 Second Statement – Bonner Bright Stars – 14 February 2017

Thank you Madam/Deputy Speaker.

I rise in the house today to discuss the importance of encouraging the youth of today.

There are so many great young people doing incredible things in the electorate of Bonner, so this year I’ve decided to create an award to celebrate their wonderful achievements.

Starting in the month of March The Bonner Bright Star award will be open to all school aged children in my electorate who have achieved something great this month.

Whether it is excellence in sport, academic, environmental, volunteering or even just helping out in the community, I want to hear what our young people are doing.

Each month a local panel will select a winner who will then be awarded the bright star of that month and receive a gift voucher to help them continue their good work.

Nominations for the month of March are now open, and will close March 13.

It’s easy to submit a nomination, all you need to do is go to my website and tell me in 100 words or less why the person you’re nominating is deserving of the Bonner Bright Star award.

I can’t wait to see the nominations that come through, it’s so inspiring to be able to see what the youngest generations of our region are doing and encourage them to keep trying their hardest to pursue their dreams whatever they may be.

Thank you.

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Bay Belles- Stars and Chat – weaving evening

One Million Stars to End Violence (started by Maryann Talia Pau) is a peaceful global weaving project that engages communities in a conversation about ending all forms of violence. Visit with the Bay Belles for a fun weaving evening weaving stars. Our creations will help make the One Million Star installation a reality at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Date | Time: Thursday 16 March, 7.30pm start

Venue: Wynnum RSL Club 174 Tingal Rd, Wynnum QLD 4178 (upstairs small function room)

Cost: $3.00 pp (covers cost of a light supper) – Wynnum RSL, upstairs small function room

Further information: https://baysidebelles.wordpress.com/  |  baybelles@outlook.com  |

https://www.facebook.com/wynnumbaybelles/

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NEW Award Celebrates Bonner’s Best and Brightest Young Achievers

Federal MP for Bonner Ross Vasta is supporting young high achievers in his electorate by introducing the inaugural Bonner Bright Star award for the month of March.

Nominations are now open for the new award and will celebrate the accomplishments of youth in the Bonner electorate.

Mr Vasta said the award is open for all children of school age who are reaching outstanding results in sport, education, art or any other activity or commitment they are involved in.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to support the young people of our community. As a father of two I am always trying to encourage my boys to do and be the best they can, and as the Federal Member I want to be able to do the same for the kids of our community.

“While it may sound overdone children really are the future, and I am passionate about encouraging future generations to strive for greatness.”

Separate nominations will be taken each month and Member for Bonner Ross Vasta will announce the winner at the end of each month in a special ceremony congratulating the winner with a prize.

Nomination forms for the March Bonner Bright Star are now available online at www.rossvasta.com.au, all you have to do is describe in 100 words or less why your nominee deserves to be the Bonner Bright Star for this month. 

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Wynnum Manly Visitor Guide

The 2017 Wynnum Manly Visitor Guide is now available with details of what’s on, things to do and where to stay in the Wynnum/Manly area.  A new website www.visitwynnummanly.com and Visit Wynnum Manly Facebook page will keep Wynnum Manly locals and visitors up-to-date on what’s happening each week with information on markets, festivals and sporting events. Pick up a copy of the Wynnum Manly Visitor Guide from the Visitor Information Centre at the Manly jetty; Wynnum library and RSL and from various outlets around Wynnum Manly.  Like and follow the Visit Wynnum Manly page on Facebook to keep up to date on events.

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FEDERATION CHAMBER – BAYSIDE PROJECTS UPDATE

Last year I spoke here about important projects in my electorate the Coalition Government has committed to support. Today I’d like to update the Chamber about two projects that will boost sports and tourism in Brisbane’s bayside area. I’m pleased to report that work is progressing well at the Wynnum Manly Seagulls Clubhouse and the Moreton Bay Discovery Centre.

My flagship commitment last year was to the Wynnum Manly Seagulls for a much-needed upgrade of their dressing rooms. The Coalition pledged $400,000 in funding which has since come through. The Wynnum Manly Seagulls Football Club CEO, Hanan Laban, has told me the project is now ahead of schedule.

This is excellent news for local football and sporting groups in the bayside area. Hanan was kind enough to give me a tour of the project site last year. He told me footy and sports groups of all ages use their dressing room facilities. The project will open up access to many more groups, including women’s sports groups thanks to the addition of female changing stalls and facilities. 

I’m proud to have delivered for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls Football Club, a not-for-profit organisation that relies on community support to operate. The project will make the clubhouse a sporting hub for the community and bring more people to the bayside area. I can’t wait to be there for the grand opening next month.

Another project that will attract more visitors to the bayside is the extension of the Moreton Bay Discovery Centre at Manly Harbour Village. The Coalition has committed $450,000 to the centre to construct an extension that will house the Moreton Bay Discovery Museum. The deed of agreement for the project has now been signed and work is expected to be finished by the end of the year.

Chair of the Moreton Bay Discovery Centre, David Farley, tells me the Moreton Bay Discovery Museum will house displays showcasing the natural, social and cultural history of Moreton Bay. It’s a great addition to the new Wynnum Manly Visitor Information Centre and Jetty Café at William Gunn Jetty, and will help attract more tourists to the area.

I can’t wait to see these vital projects completed. I’ll continue to provide updates on these projects and others in my electorate as they progress.

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90 SECOND STATEMENT – BONNER VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Today I’d like to discuss the important contribution volunteers make in Bonner. I’d also like to talk about the first annual Bonner Volunteer Awards which is starting soon.

I’ve met many exceptional volunteers over the years. These men and women freely give up their time and energy to make their community a better place. They improve our schools, clean up our environment, provide a boost to emergency and health services, and help keep vital community organisations running. They give a helping hand to people in need. They’re amazing role models. And they do it all without asking for anything in return, except the knowledge they’re making a difference.

I have nothing but respect for the many thousands of volunteers all across Australia. This year I wanted to do my part to thank outstanding volunteers and volunteer groups in my electorate.

I’m now pleased to announce the Bonner Volunteer Awards. These awards will give thanks to individuals and teams that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer qualities. They will recognise volunteers who’ve made a significant and lasting contribution to the community, who’ve set a good example for fellow volunteers and inspired others to volunteer.

My office will be taking nominations from February 27 to March 17. I’ve selected a panel of three community representatives to choose the winners, who’ll be presented their awards on March 31. I can’t wait to hear the stories of Bonner’s exceptional volunteers and thank them for their service.

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FUNDING APPROVED FOR MT GRAVATT KARATE-DO CLUB

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today confirmed a Turnbull Coalition Government commitment of $185,000 announced last year for the Australian Academy of Martial Arts Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Club (AAMA).

“I’m pleased to announce that the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development has approved this funding for AAMA’s new dojo,” Mr Vasta said today.

“This grant has enabled AAMA to secure a site at Mt Gravatt for their new dojo. It’s a great boost for the club and the community. People of all ages will now have better access to karate and other health and wellness programs offered by AAMA.”

AAMA will use the Federal Community Development Grant to refurbish and further develop the former Girl Guides Hut in Carson Lane at 1873 Logan Road, Upper Mt Gravatt.

President of AAMA, Dr Lyndon Kurth said the club was delighted to have its application accepted.

“As a volunteer operated, not-for-profit, community sports club, the AAMA Karate Club has been fortunate to have the support of three levels of government: Councillor Steven Huang, State parliamentarian Ian Walker, and Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta,” Dr Kurth said.

“When the new dojo is constructed on land leased from the Brisbane City Council, the operating costs of the Club will be significantly lower. The club plans to lower its tuition fees and make its programs more accessible to the community.”

This year AAMA will be celebrating its 45th year as part of the Mt Gravatt, Wishart and Mansfield community.

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Scams – how to recognise and avoid

The Bay Belles, QCWA, Wynnum branch are hosting a “how to recognise and avoid scams session.

Bob Walker is a Community Engagement Officer for the Office of Fair Trading. He will be visiting the Bay Belles to offer advice on how to recognise and avoid common types of scam. He will also explain about what you can do if you think you may have fallen victim to—or narrowly avoided—a scam.

Date / Time: Thursday 16 February, 7.30pm start

Venue: Wynnum RSL Club 174 Tingal Rd, Wynnum QLD 4178 (upstairs small function room)

Cost: $3.00 pp (covers cost of a light supper)

Further information: https://baysidebelles.wordpress.com/  |  baybelles@outlook.com  |

https://www.facebook.com/wynnumbaybelles/

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90 SECOND STATEMENT – FACEBOOK QUESTIONS – TUESDAY 7TH February 2017

Thank you Madam/Deputy Speaker. Today I rise to update the house about a call out I put on Facebook recently asking constituents to submit their burning questions to me.

The post generated quite a bit of interest. Today I’m going to answer some of those questions however as I can only mention a few I’m going to focus on the questions related to the NBN roll out in Bonner asked by Petro from Wishart and Chris in the Bayside.

I thank Petro and Chris for their questions. As Telstra is now project managing the rollout, they’ve decided to focus on rolling out the Fibre to the Node (FTTN) technology before the Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) technology rollout.

In my electorate, Bonner is made up of 77% Hybrid Fibre Coaxial which means we are awaiting the next update.  NBN has recently taken down their old 3 year rollout plan which was released on October 2015. In the meantime there has been a move to provide more accurate and timely information about the NBN with a brand new website allowing you to ‘check your address’.

NBN has released the first phase of the ‘check your address’ web function that will provide a date range for when the NBN service will be available at an individual address. Keep in mind that some suburbs are stating generic rollout information on the NBN website, saying “it will be delivered by 2020.” These suburbs will be updated in the coming months.

Just like the questions I was asked, many others want to know ‘when will they get the NBN?’

This new ‘check your address’ tool gives individual households and businesses more specific information to answer that question. For ‘check your address’ go to nbnco.com.au

The NBN rollout is a priority for my constituents and I have met with the Communications Minister this week to remind him of the need for superfast broadband sooner for my local residents and business owners. I will continue to meet with the Minister for Communications and NBN on a regular basis and put forward my constituents concerns and keep pushing for the roll out in Bonner. I’m fighting for Bonner and this means securing the NBN rollout as soon as possible.

Thank you.

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