At the end of every Federal election there are always metres and metres of plastic wrap leftover, instead of putting them into landfill Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta has found a very important use for the material in Africa.

Mr Vasta said following the 2013 election he spoke to David Forde at Wynnum Christian Community Church about what they could do with the plastic wrap.

“I was glad to have been able to donate the materials over the last 3 elections to David and the team to use in conjunction with their living hope program in Zambia.”

“Last week I met with David and donated more than 60 rolls of plastic wrap which will be transported to Chingola, Zambia and used as weed matting for agriculture crops and waterproofing in village buildings and roofs.”

David from Wynnum Christian community church said the donation is very much appreciated and will be put to good use at the Fipuya Training farm.

“The wrap will be used as part of the farmer training program in the rural parts of Chingola teaching locals and school students about farming and producing crops.”

The local church has two containers filled with books, clothes, furniture, bedding, tools and of course election wrap which will be sent to Chingola in September.

Each container costs the church almost $15,000 to put together and send and this is achieved through donations and the good will of the local community.

To make a donation or to find out more about how you can help please call David Forde on 3396 7444.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta has thanked Mansfield resident Owen Doherty for his service to Australia during World War II and wished him a happy 96th birthday on behalf of the commonwealth government.

At the age of 18 years and five months Owen Doherty was enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force and served as a Warrant Officer before being taken as a Prisoner of War.

After being discharged in 1945 Mr Doherty went on to work in the manufacturing of tapware and fittings and later moved into a management role at the firm. He was very active in the bowling community giving many years of service as an accredited bowls coach at the Moorooka Bowls Club.

Mr Vasta said it is such an honour to be able to congratulate and celebrate a real life local hero who has given so much to this great nation of ours.

“It’s hard to put into words just how much Mr Doherty has given for our freedom today, he is a humble man who has achieved many things in his life and even at 96 years of age he is still as sharp as a tack.”

Mr Doherty’s daughter Diane said he was surprised and very appreciative that Ross had taken time out of his busy day to pay him a visit and present him with a congratulatory birthday card which is proudly displayed in his room.

“It will be good to be able to relive those memories with Dad on our subsequent visit.”