Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta was greeted to a warm welcome at the Airforce Cadets Squadron 215 this week.

Through the Federal Government’s Community Development Grants Program Mr Vasta secured $14,000 funding for the local group to help further develop the cadet’s skills.

Mr Vasta said this funding will enable the club to purchase two state of the art flight simulators for the growing number of cadets to use.

“These flight simulators will give the cadets real experience behind the joystick; I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when they get to test them out in the next few months.”

215 Squadron Commanding Officer David Bentley said that the funding will equip the cadets with so many great skills including learning how to fly.

“The cadets will be able to help build the simulators, and they will also be taught how to program the simulators, use them and assist with maintenance and upkeep which will teach them valuable skills that they can then use in the program but also out in the real world as young adults.”

The Squadron will officially open the new simulators for use at their closing parade on the 1^st December 2018

More students, teachers and locals in Mt Gravatt can get set to get on the courts thanks to the opening today of brand new federally funded sports courts at St Agnes Primary School.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta who officially opened the courts today said the new set of flexible, multi-use courts would benefit the community for years to come.

“I’m pleased to have been able to secure $211,000 worth of funding for St Agnes and the community.”

“These courts are going to give local children and families better access to recreational activities and will encourage locals to lead an active lifestyle.”

“The courts will be used by both the school and the community for after school and weekend sports such as tennis, netball, basketball and volleyball games,” Mr Vasta said.

St Agnes Principal Bernadette Judd said thanks to Mr Vasta for the funding the school has been able to complete this project and provide the students with multi-sport courts, additional seating, bubblers and equipment lock up shed.

“This money has given us this wonderful facility to be able to share with our school and parish.”

Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the facility is ideal as they enable a wide range of teams and sporting groups to get involved, and it’s expected that there will be around 1,000 different users of these courts each year.

“We are committed to investing in local communities to ensure everyone can access places like this where they can exercise and enjoy sport,” Mr McCormack said.

“Our investment in these new courts will be a boost for sports teams in the area and will make a significant difference for this community, with this project already having supported five jobs during construction in addition to providing fantastic new sports facilities for ongoing use.”

The project was funded by the Australian Government investing $211,000 and St Agnes Primary School contributing $14,180.