The Small Business Expo has had a great run on the Gold Coast and in Logan over the last six years. Now for the first time the Expo will be coming to Brisbane on Friday, May 4th, and I’m thrilled to say the organisers have chosen the Hibiscus Sports Complex at Upper Mt Gravatt as its venue.

I asked organiser Paula Brand to bring the Expo to Upper Mt Gravatt and I’m thrilled she agreed. The Expo is a great opportunity for small businesses in the area, particularly those that don’t have a storefront, to book a trade table where they can showcase their products and services.

There’ll be over 200 trade tables on the day featuring businesses from across the region. Registrations for trade tables are open now and I invite Brisbane businesses to contact my office for further information.

Over 600 small business owners are expected to attend the Expo. It’s a great networking opportunity. Attendees will also be able to learn the latest business tips and industry insight to help bolster their business, with five speaker presentations from some of Australia’s leading business experts including local success story, Phillip Di Bella from Di Bella Coffee, and Glen Richards from Network Ten’s popular Shark Tank Show.

I’ve also secured a very special guest to open the Small Business Expo: the Minister for Small Business. I thank him for his support and I can’t wait to see everyone at the Expo in May.

Today isn't the first time I've mentioned Red Frogs here, and it certainly won't be the last. No, I'm not talking about my alleged chamber lolly stash! Last Thursday, I was delighted to have the Red Frogs founder, Andy Gourley, join me for another student leaders afternoon tea for over 60 primary and secondary captains from across my electorate. Students who attended last year's event got so much out of it that I had to do it again, and I had to bring Andy back.

Andy does such amazing work for young people across the country. He's a great mate of mine and a wonderful role model for young kids. Once again, he gave a great talk sharing his inspiring story and his personal thoughts on how to be a good leader. The students were once again terrific. They had some really thought-provoking questions for Andy, ranging from what inspired him to start Red Frogs to obstacles he's encountered, whether he had any regrets and how he has inspired others to get involved. Andy said that he had people come up and tell him that he had saved their lives and that parents had written to him and thanked him for his work. He told the students to trust their gut and that, through consistent work, they can transform small things into great things. I have no doubt the students learned a lot from Andy and from each other, and I wish them every success in the future.

Over 60 school captains from primary and secondary schools across the Bonner electorate attended the second Student Leaders Afternoon Tea hosted by Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta yesterday.

The students enjoyed a captivating talk by Red Frogs founder Andy Gourley and had the opportunity to ask questions about his work and what they could do to make a difference in their leadership roles.

“When we did this last year the students got so much out of it I had to hold it again,” Mr Vasta said.

“Andy is a superb role model for young kids and his story is an inspiring one everyone can learn from.”

Mr Gourley, a former Holland Park State High School student, spoke about how he started Red Frogs, and shared his general principles on being on a good leader.

“You can achieve a lot with others as long as you don’t mind others taking the credit,” Mr Gourley said.

“Learn the art of being second. Learn to champion others over yourself. Good leaders are culture setters—people will do as you do, so set a good example. Don’t be a whinger and never criticize others for not doing something if you’re not willing to either. And always be willing to learn from others.”

School captain of Mansfield State High School Clive D’Silva said one of his main goals as a school leader was to strengthen ties within the school community and the wider Mansfield community.

“Becoming school captain has motivated me to be the best version of myself I can be, so that I can set a good example for other students,” Mr D’Silva said.

Questions from students to Mr Gourley ranged from what inspired him to start Red Frogs, obstacles he’d encountered and whether he had any regrets, and the best reactions he’d had from people he’s helped, to how he inspired others to get involved.

Mr Gourley said he’d had people come up to him to tell him he’d saved their lives, and that parents had written to him to thank him for his work. He told the students to trust their gut, and that through consistent work they could transform small things into great things.

“More good leaders are needed through the education system, and to encourage this Red Frogs offers student leader training seminars across the country for schools and universities,” Mr Gourley said.

“I had a lot of great questions today—this is definitely a room full of leaders.”

Student leaders from the following schools attended the event:

• Manly West State School
• Lota State School
• Belmont State School
• Wondall Heights State School
• Brisbane Bayside State College
• Moreton Bay Boys’ College
• Citipointe Christian College
• Holland Park State High School
• Mt Gravatt High School
• Mansfield State High School
• Wishart State School
• Rochedale State High School

Mr Vasta said he hoped the students had enjoyed their red frogs and had gotten the most out of meeting Andy and leaders from other schools.

Representatives from local cold chain logistics companies had the opportunity to discuss energy prices and energy security with the Federal Minister for Energy and Environment, the Hon Josh Frydenberg, at a Q&A session hosted by Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta this week.

Minister Frydenberg said he understood power bills were a major expense for cold-storage businesses in Australia, and that they had an impact on their ability to compete with overseas companies.

“The Turnbull Coalition Government’s National Energy Guarantee will drive power prices down and improve reliability as we transition to a lower emissions future,” Minister Frydenberg said.

“The National Energy Guarantee is supported by industry and experts. It is truly technology-neutral, offering a future for investment in whatever technology the market needs – solar, wind, coal, gas, batteries or pumped hydro storage.”

Mr Vasta encouraged attendees to share real-life examples of their power bills and usage, and what businesses had been doing to offset power price rises.

Paul Fleiszig from Oxford Cold Storage, Australia’s leading privately owned cold storage company, said their power bills had risen dramatically even as they’d lowered their power usage.

“The local market is finding it harder and harder to compete. We’ve done everything to improve margins. There are no margins left,” Mr Fleiszig said.

A number of guests shared similar experiences with rising power bills.

Minister Frydenberg said the day’s discussions drove home the importance and urgency of what the Government is trying to do.

“The experiences of businesses here in Bonner is why the National Energy Guarantee is so important as a means to deliver a more affordable and reliable energy system,” Minister Frydenberg said.

Mr Vasta invited attendees and other local businesses to send him further examples of their power bills and usage, which he would present to the Minister to strengthen the Government’s case for change.

I’m happy to report the first Bonner Seniors’ Expo I hosted late last year was a huge success! So many people have told me how much they enjoyed the Expo and how much useful information they got out of it. Over 300 locals from across my electorate came along to enjoy the free entertainment and free information sessions, and to have a chat with the 55 stallholders who took part on the day.

Stallholders included local activity groups, local small businesses, and local service providers including aged care providers from across my electorate. People said the best part of the Expo was the sheer number and variety of stallholders brought together under one roof.

There were also information sessions run by representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, South Queensland Police, Helloworld Travel Wynnum, Tyack Health and more, which many people found useful.

Lastly can I also thank: the wonderful folks at Waterloo Bay Leisure Centre; local stores Juicy Secrets and Bare Traps for their fashion show; students from the Guardian Angels choir for their beautiful performance; the EACH Zumba group for their entertaining dances and for being up for an encore when the crowd demanded it; and TransitCare for providing free bus trips for people living further away.

I’m humbled by the community’s support for the first Bonner Seniors’ Expo. I can’t wait to bring it back even bigger and better next year.

To help protect our youngest children in Bonner from the devastating consequences of meningococcal, the Turnbull Government will add a quad-strain vaccine to the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the new vaccine (Nimenrix) covers against A, C, W and Y strains (MenACWY) and will be added to the NIP ahead of the next peak meningococcal season which, based on previous years, is expected to be in the second half of the year.  

“Meningococcal is a rare but very serious infection that occurs when meningococcal bacteria from the throat or nose ‘invades’ the body. The consequences are devastating for individuals and for their families.” Mr Vasta said.

“In recent years we have seen a rise in the number of invasive meningococcal cases in Australia. In 2017, there were 382 cases reported nationally, compared with 252 cases in 2016 and 182 cases in 2015.”

“Deaths associated with meningococcal have also risen, with 28 deaths in 2017, compared with 11 deaths in 2016 and 12 deaths in 2015.”

“Currently, infants aged 12 months are given a single-strain Meningococcal C vaccine.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt said upgrading to the quad-strain is great news for parents and infants, but it’s only the first step in the Turnbull Government’s broader approach to reduce the impact of meningococcal. 

“In March 2018, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) will consider the listing of a MenACWY vaccine for adolescents,” Minister Hunt said.

“We are committed to strengthening Australia’s world-class national vaccination program and we urge all Australian parents and carers to have their children vaccinated.”

“The announcement follows the decision by PBAC to recommend the listing of Nimenrix for infants aged 12 months of age.”

Mr Vasta said that unlike Labor, the Coalition has a policy of funding all medicines recommended by PBAC.

“This is part of our rock sold commitment to making medicines accessible, and because immunisation is critical to maintaining public health and preventing the outbreak of infectious diseases,” Mr Vasta said.

“Vaccination works and is an effective and safe tool to prevent the spread of many diseases that cause hospitalisation, serious ongoing health conditions and sometimes death.”
 
Mr Vasta encouraged everyone to get the facts about immunisation by visiting https://immunisationfacts.gov.au

You’re invited! We need you!
New players are needed to play at the Manly-Lota RSL Sub-Branch.
When: 10:00am to 12:00pm every Tuesday starting 6th February
Tea & coffee will be provided
BYO morning tea & cup
Cost: $4.00
Come and have some fun and meet new people!
Please call us on 3348 2572 to leave your name & phone number

Wynnum Regional Organised Computing Club for Seniors Inc. will be holding our* AGM on Tuesday, February 13th 2018*.  All interested parties are welcome to attend the meeting at 'Wynnum RSL – Pandanus Room, first floor.'   

The Club is run by Volunteers Coach willing to help you to understand any problem you are experiencing with Programs on your Computer, Laptop, Phone, I Pad etc, we do not fix computers, we help you understand a Program on  Windows  7.8.&10 or show you how to enter/exit etc.  Classes over three to 4 weeks $10 or a one on one class $10. 

If wishing to join you can do so on the day for a $10 Annual Membership.  Remember this is a Club for Seniors, must be 60 yrs or over. 

For inquires please Phone Lavina 0411806154, Beverley 38432920 or go to wroccss.inc@gmail.com

Just recently a young Manly West local, Nichola, wrote to me with a very upsetting story. She was out for a run on the local foreshore when she came across a dead hawksbill sea turtle. The turtle had died after eating a plastic bag. This is a common death for many turtles these days and it’s a horrible one.

The awful thing is that this turtle was just one of many dead marine animals Nichola has seen since she moved into the area only seven months ago. According to UNESCO, plastic debris kills over a million seabirds and over 100,000 marine animals every year. Meanwhile, according to Keep Queensland Beautiful data, there’s been an increase in litter around the bayside area. Clearly something must be done.

It heartens me to know so many locals who use their own time to go along the waterfront and pick up trash left behind by others. Local volunteer groups do regular litter clean-ups in the area. One constituent tells me he fills up bags of rubbish during daily walks, but when he returns the next day it’s all returned.

As Keep Queensland Beautiful CEO David Curtin said to me, if all we ever do is pick up after litterbugs, we will always be cleaning up—education is key. And there are already some fantastic education programs in place in my electorate.

The Moreton Bay Discovery Centre is a great educational resource for the community. I was happy to secure $450,000 for the Centre’s construction and fit-out. The Centre is an important tourism hub that will teach locals and visitors to the area how to help keep Moreton Bay healthy for local marine life. It will also run a Moreton Bay Discovers Children’s Programme when it opens. This is a great way to teach kids the importance of protecting the bay. Another great initiative in Bonner is the renowned Tangalooma EcoMarines program, which includes an Early Learning Centre program for pre-school children.

This Government supports moves by a number of states to phase out single-use plastic bags, including Queensland from July 1. We also welcome industry moves to do the same. Coles and Woolworths have announced they will no longer be using single-use plastic bags by the end of 2018. At the Manly Harbour Village Markets in my electorate, stallholders have reusable fabric shopping bags available for customers. The Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce is also in discussions with the Village traders about using fabric shopping bags.

The Minister for Environment has said it’s inevitable that Australia will be free of single-use plastic bags over time. Until then, I intend to do my part. I will be launching a Clean Up the Bay initiative and working alongside local environmental groups to help keep the bayside beautiful and rubbish-free for marine life. I plan to get as many locals involved as possible. Together we can clean up our bay and teach and inspire others to do the same.