This week, the Junior Bonner Youth Advisory Council (BYAC) met for the first time with Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP and GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant to have their say on issues important to them.

Launched in 2020, the BYAC has now extended to junior students, inviting Bonner schools to select students between years 5 to 6 to take part in the program which provides young people with the opportunity to meet with Mr Vasta and other community leaders.

The meeting saw 10 years 5 and 6 students from Moreton Bay College, Gumdale State School, Manly West State School and Redeemer Lutheran College join a Zoom call with Mr Vasta and Mrs Tennant to find out more about how the not for profit charity GIVIT is making a difference to those in need by encouraging donated goods, disaster relief assistance, giving to charity and more.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said it was fantastic to welcome junior students to the BYAC and bring natural born leaders from various schools across Bonner together.

“The Junior BYAC is an incredible initiative where students can learn about the issues important to them and understand the role the government plays in our local community. It is essential we are extending these learnings to our junior students and that’s why I have started the Junior BYAC,” Mr Vasta said.

“Students were very engaged with the story behind GIVIT and the work of this not for profit, with many asking questions around how it started, what charities it supports and how they can even start donating themselves.

“Sarah’s does special work with GIVIT. She has an incredible passion for making a positive difference and helping Australian’s give the way that best suits them, no matter how big or small. Sarah is also an East Brisbane local!

“I am very proud of the students who took part in the meeting. The Junior BYAC is an initiative that not only enables me to teach young people about the role government’s play in our local community but provide them with an opportunity to have a voice and influence change.”

GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said, “I was honoured to be a part of the first meeting with the Junior BYAC.

“It was so heart-warming to hear how the students saw a need to help those in vulnerable situations. A few of them even shared how they would like to make a difference by donating some of their old books or clothes,” Mrs Tennant said.

“It’s very special to see this level of compassion in the next generation of leaders and I congratulate these students on being great examples.”

“Junior BYAC participants can be chosen by their school or they can self-nominate for the chance to be the youth voice of their peers,” Mr Vasta said.

“If you would like to be part of the 2021 Junior BYAC, you can be nominated through your local school or contact my office.”

About GIVIT 

GIVIT is the smart way to give. Through GIVIT.org.au, we channel generosity where it is needed to support vulnerable people and communities in Australia. Working with more than 4,000 support organisations, we ensure people get what they need when they need it most – whether recovering from an emergency event, or experiencing hardship due to circumstances such as drought, domestic and family violence, homelessness, disability, and mental health. GIVIT captures all offers of goods and services online, removing the need for charities and services to sort, store and dispose of unrequested donations, saving valuable resources. 100% of donated money received by GIVIT to support people in need are used to purchase essential items and services. We buy locally, wherever possible, to support local businesses and the economic recovery of affected communities.

Ocean Crusaders has been awarded $20,000 in funding for the installation of an automatic bottle cap washing machine.

Based in Hemmant, this charity organisation specialises in waterway cleaning on a large scale, with its Caps Crusade initiative helping to ensure plastic caps don’t end up in the environment but can be recycled into new products.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP recently visited Ocean Crusaders headquarters to congratulate the team and its volunteers on this funding, which is essential to driving change and clean our waterways.

“Thanks to the Morrison Government’s Stronger Communities Program, we have delivered an incredible $20,000 to assist the work of Ocean Crusaders, including its team of volunteers who are dedicated to ensuring our oceans, waterways and beaches are clean and safe for all animals,” Mr Vasta said.

“Bonner is home to beautiful waterways, tidal creeks and even islands. We are fortunate to have these gems right in our backyard, which means we all must play a part in protecting them and keeping them clean today and into the future.”

Ocean Crusaders Director Annika Thomson was thrilled by what the funding will mean for the organisation, driving their mission to change Australia’s thinking of plastic and its ‘throw-away society’ mentality.

“Across South East Queensland, there are 2.5 million caps per day being produced, ending up nowhere but in landfill. This is premium plastic,” said Mrs Thomson.

“With this funding we can develop a system to clean them and make it easier for our volunteers to get clean plastic back on the market.”

Mr Vasta said the Stronger Communities Program supported projects that deliver social benefits as part of the government’s continuing commitment to strengthen communities across Australia.

“This investment in local projects under the Stronger Communities Program is about invigorating these organisations and ensuring their continued success,” Mr Vasta said.

Deputy Speaker, I rise to speak on the work of an incredible volunteer in my electorate of Bonner.

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of meeting Damien who is the founder of Little Warrior Shields. Damien hand makes amazing medieval inspired play shields and helmets for sick children.

These are made from a super lightweight and flexible foam, so they are perfect for children of all ages.

In fact, I have a mini version of one of his shields pinned to me today.

But, what started out as a hobby for Damien four years ago has grown into so much more.

Damien has now donated over 280 shields to Queensland Children’s Hospital and the P.A Hospital.

All whilst working full time and with a young family.

Damien’s passion for putting a smile on these children’s faces is truly inspiring.

He is even using up his annual leave this week to prepare the next batch of shields to donate.

What’s also extraordinary is how he has been backed by local Brisbane small businesses.

Hero Studios have sponsored the foam he uses, and East Coast Leather sponsor the leather and screws.

Deputy Speaker, supporting local has never been more important and this is a prime example of why we must do it.

It extends into all parts of the community, making projects just like Little Warrior Shields possible.

And now it has touched the lives of hundreds of sick children.

Making them feel like the little warriors they are.

Mr Speaker, last week I had the pleasure of dropping in on the Wynnum-Manly District Men’s Shed in my electorate of Bonner.

The Shed recently completed upgrades to its facilities thanks to two hundred thousand dollars in funding from the Morrison Government’s Community Development Grants Program.

I was really looking forward to this visit and seeing the benefits of our funding in person.

The funding has enabled the upgrade of the Wynnum-Manly and District Men’s Shed’s office facilities, shed equipment including a laser cutter and dust extraction system and the installation of solar panels.

It will also support their growing membership base.

Mr Speaker, Men’s Sheds do incredible work.

Open to all men, they play vital roles in our communities, addressing social isolation and boosting men’s mental health.

Mr Speaker, mental health care is a priority of the Morrison Government.

We have nearly doubled spending on mental health since we came to office.

There are more than one thousand Men’s Sheds across the country where men can work on various projects from manual crafts to gardening.

I am fortunate enough to have multiple Men’s Sheds in Bonner whose amazing projects are often donated back into our communities.

The Wynnum-Manly Men’s Shed has built model trains for our childcare centres, supported local businesses with handmade décor like table numbers for the local Leagues Club and provided carpentry support to those in need.

I am always humbled by the kindness and generosity of the Men’s Shed towards our community.

Mr Speaker, the Morrison Government’s funding towards the Wynnum-Manly Men’s Shed means we are not only nurturing the skills and passions of our community, but we are investing in their mental health and wellbeing.

Our Government is making mental health services accessible and providing safe environments for those seeking support.

I believe this embodies exactly what it means to be Australian.

To provide a helping hand to those who need it most.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Morrison Government’s $270 billion investment into Australia’s Defence Capability.

Mr Speaker, not only do I support this bill, I applaud this bill!

We are living in increasingly uncertain times, both at home and abroad.

Australia should and must always prioritise its own interests.

And that is exactly Mr Speaker what the Morrison Government is doing.

We are ensuring the men and women of the Australian Defence Force have the capability they need to keep Australians safe and secure.

Currently, 15,000 businesses and 70,000 Australians are employed in our Defence industry.

These numbers will increase thanks to our $270 billion plan.

It will create new jobs for skilled workers and investment in our local communities over the coming decade and beyond.

Mr Speaker, it is more important than ever we are keeping Australians in work.

Queensland is headed towards being Australia’s front line for Defence industry and that’s thanks to the Morrison Government’s ongoing commitment to Australia’s Defence capability.

Our Government is investing in growing Queensland’s Defence capability; supporting Queensland’s small businesses and enabling thousands of jobs.

Mr Speaker, North Queensland has an established Defence industry.

This is Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson’s patch.

It is gold standard and an example of what can be achieved.

Townsville has a long and proud role at the core of our nation’s Defence.

It is Australia’s largest garrison city.

Our plan will help strengthen Townsville’s Defence strategy over the decades to come.

We are committing $31 million in the delivery of a new, three-storey Armoured Vehicle Simulation Centre in Townsville.

This equates to 110 local jobs.

Jobs that are crucial in keeping Australians safe.

As part of this plan, Queensland also welcomes the first of the fleet of new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles.

It enables the delivery of 211 Boxer CRV’s creating 330 local jobs in Queensland.

Mr Speaker, our plan benefits both the state of Queensland and my electorate of Bonner.

Mr Speaker, Bonner is home to successful Defence contracts critical to building up our local industry.

In 2019, Skyborne Technologies based in Murarrie was awarded a $463,000 grant by the Morrison Government to enhance manufacturing capability and further research into Artificial Intelligence.

They are making their mark on Australia’s Defence industry through the development of armoured drones.

Mr Speaker, Bonner is also home to Tingalpa based Defence manufacturer Ferra Engineering, who in late 2020 were awarded a Defence Global Competiveness Grant of $127,000 to enhance export manufacturing capability.

Ferra Engineering are one of Australia’s largest independently owned technology companies serving the aerospace and Defence industries.

Mr Speaker, the Morrison Government is creating the environment for Australian businesses to thrive.

I recently visited Crystal Aid’s headquarters in Tingalpa who are undertaking incredible work specialising in Defence, medical and aerospace industries.

I was excited to congratulate them on being one of six Australian small businesses who were awarded $207,000 in Morrison Government grants designed to boost their export potential.

Bonner is going from strength to strength when it comes to Defence.

Mr Speaker, small business is the backbone of our economy.

Our Government is enabling small business to be front and centre of Defence capability and infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, next week Land Forces which is a premier international land Defence exposition is taking place in Queensland.

It will showcase equipment, technology and services for the armies of Australia and the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

Under the Morrison Government, Queensland has an exciting and young Defence industry base.

For this event to go ahead, it’s clear there is confidence in the Queensland Defence industry.

The Morrison Government is getting on with the job of delivering for Defence and our Defence industry.

Mr Speaker, compare this to the previous Labor Government who sat idle for six years.

Labor gutted $18 billion from the Defence Budget. $18 billion Mr Speaker!

Labor did not commission a single Australian built ship.

Whereas the Morrison Government is creating at least 15,000 jobs in Australian Defence shipbuilding.

It’s not enough to just talk about the Defence of our nation.

You need a plan, and you need to execute and invest in that plan.

And that Mr Speaker, is how the Morrison Government is building the strongest Defence industry the country has ever seen.

It’s the first day of winter and as the temperatures continue to drop and night-time comes even earlier, we must remember that some of us don’t have the luxury of warm clothing or heaters during the colder months.

Up until Friday 9^th of July, Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP is encouraging locals to spare a thought for those doing it tough this winter by donating goods such as clothing, blankets, and non-perishable food items.

Mr Vasta said the goods would be spread across Bonner’s not for profit groups where they are needed most including Mt Gravatt Community Centre, Rosie’s, Beyond DV as well as church groups like St Peters in Wynnum and Citipointe Church in Carindale.

“Winter is an extremely hard time for some of our locals. This year’s Bonner Winter Appeal is a chance for us to donate the simple food and clothing items most of us take for granted.”

“I would love for you to be a part of this year’s appeal. The various not for profit groups where the goods will be donated do great work in our local community by providing a helping hand to those who need it most.”

“Having the opportunity to help out is a privilege and the difference these goods will make to someone this winter is priceless. I have already had a number of people contact my office asking when they can start donating!”

Mr Vasta said clothing and blankets don’t have to be brand new, as long as they’re clean and in good condition.

Donations can be dropped into the below locations any weekday between now and Friday 9^th July between 8:30am and 4:30pm.

• Ross Vasta MP at 69 Clara Street Wynnum
• Councillor Steven Huang at MacGregor Ward Office 2072 Logan Road Upper Mt Gravatt
• Councillor Ryan Murphy at Chandler Ward Office Shop 8 Millennium Centre, 14 Millennium Boulevard Carindale