STUDENTS in Bonner can learn more about veteran service and Australian wartime history by asking the question, ‘what does commemoration look like in our community?’

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said students could enter the Anzac Day Schools’ Awards and honour the service and sacrifice of Australians from the First World War to modern day conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

“Australia has a rich military history and the Anzac Day Schools’ Awards are an opportunity for students in Bonner to learn more about our contribution over the years and how we now commemorate as a community,” Mr Vasta said.

“2020 meant the cancellation of many Anzac Day services and we saw communities adapt and find different ways to commemorate.

“The theme centres on the importance of commemorations and asks students to look at how society and commemorations have changed over time.

“The Awards also help ensure our future generations grow up with a recognition and respect for the sacrifice of all who have served in the protection of our country and way of life.

“I encourage all schools across Bonner to take part in this competition and I look forward to seeing what students come up with.”

The national winner’s school will receive $5000, a trophy and a certificate.

There will also be state and territory winners, with the schools receiving $3000 and a certificate.

Winners in the special categories will receive $2000 and a certificate.

Entries for the Awards are now open and will close on Wednesday, 30 June 2021.

For more information, including on award categories, judging, criteria and how to apply visit the Anzac Portal website.

The Morrison Government has launched a $5 million campaign across national advertising, TV and event sponsorships to encourage Australians to book a holiday in Australia this year.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the advertising blitz was about promoting domestic holidays to support our local tourism jobs and businesses.

“The campaign will feature Australian destinations, tourism products and experiences from every state and territory in national advertising, TV program and event sponsorships, publisher created content and in-program editorial integration,” Mr Vasta said.

“Everyone deserves to take a break this year and it doesn’t matter if you book a holiday down the road or on the other side of the country, you’ll be supporting Australian businesses and workers.”

Mr Vasta said JobKeeper saved tourist businesses like Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island in Bonner, however, with the school holidays over and wage subsidies wrapping up, it was still important to back our local businesses.

“You can always enjoy a day trip or long weekend away to take a break and keep supporting Australia’s tourism industry,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our tourism industry is so important because it supports more than 666,000 local jobs and every dollar spent on an Australian holiday this year will help our tourism sector.

“When you do book your holiday this year, go to one of Bonner’s local travel agents to help support them because they’re also doing it tough because of COVID-19.”

With the sixth round of the Morrison Government’s Stronger Communities grant program now open, this round will be particularly important in supporting Australia’s economic recovery.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the program had successfully supported dozens of projects in his electorate, with community groups contributing equal share or in-kind funding.

“However, for this special round, the grant funding for each project will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs, except for local governing bodies,” Mr Vasta said.

“Grant requests must be between $2500 and $20,000 and projects completed by December 31, 2021.”

Mr Vasta said the Stronger Communities Program provided each electorate with $150,000 to fund small capital projects that improve local community participation.

“This could be anything from fitting out community centres, to upgrading sporting club equipment, purchasing emergency service equipment or adding disability access as just some examples,” Mr Vasta said.

“If your sporting club, school or community organisation has a project in mind, I encourage you to get in touch with my office to submit an expression of interest.”

Applications open January 19, 2021 and close March 15, 2021.

For more information email ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au  or visit www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-communities-programme

Are you the king or queen of the summer barbecue at your place? If so, enter your best barbecue secret and go in the draw to win a Bonner Barbecue prize pack this Australia Day.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he was looking for the best barbecue tips and recipes in celebration of Australia Day.

“Australia Day this year will be a day for us all to reflect on the events of 2020, respect the selfless sacrifice of frontline workers and celebrate the promise of a brighter 2021,” Mr Vasta said.

“I want to help kick off those celebrations with a barbecue prize pack for your Aussie Day event.”

Mr Vasta said Australia Day was always about coming together with family, friends and our local community to celebrate our nation’s place in the world.

“Whether its at the beach, the park or your own backyard, celebrating Australia Day with a barbie has become tradition for most of us,” Mr Vasta said.

“I know a lot of families have had a tough year and enjoying an Aussie Day barbecue by winning a Bonner Barbecue pack could brighten up your public holiday even more.

“So if you’d like a barbecue meat pack from one of Bonner’s local butchers, jump onto my website and enter for the chance to win one of three delicious BBQ packs.”

Entries close January 22 and the winners will receive their Bonner Barbecue prize prior to Australia Day.

Visit www.rossvasta.com.au for more information.

It’s time to get snapping and test out your photography skills with the Bonner Summer Snaps Photo Competition.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said with the Christmas break and school holidays, summer was the best time of year to get out and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle that makes our region such a great part of the world.

“People love Queensland and particularly our nature reserves and beautiful Moreton Bay,” Mr Vasta said.

“To encourage residents to get outdoors and explore everything Bonner has to offer, we’re running the Bonner Summer Snaps Photo Competition.”

Mr Vasta said residents can take a snap that best displays what summer in Bonner means to them.

“Is it fishing off the pier, swimming at Wynnum Wading Pool, barbecuing with friends at Carindale Recreation Reserve, or picnicking with family at Mt Gravatt Lookout?

“Take your best summer snaps and upload it to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #BonnerSummerSnap.”

Entries open Monday, December 14 and close Friday, January 15. There will be two categories, Junior (up to age 17) and Adult.

Winner’s will receive a Photo Prize Pack.

For more information visit www.rossvasta.com.au

Annual shows in Bonner cancelled because of COVID-19 are about to get a slice of $34 million Australian Government funding to help ensure they can bounce back next year.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the first payments under the Supporting Agricultural Show and Fields Day program would roll out before Christmas.

“I am very pleased to share with the community the Mt Gravatt Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Society is one of the successful recipients, with a funding grant of $32,448,” Mr Vasta said.

“We want to see the Mt Gravatt Show bounce back in 2021 and this funding package is about reimbursing cancellation costs and losses.”

Mr Vasta said the Government wanted to ensure show societies and field day organisers were in the best shape possible to continue next year.

“These events bring our families and farmers together, build community spirit and help bridge the divide between country and city,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our show days are uniquely Australian and also provide huge economic benefits to local communities, as well as the opportunities for the businesses and services who exhibit.”

Mt Gravatt Show Society Secretary Loretta Smith said she was so happy and surprised to receive this federal funding to support the Mt Gravatt Show to continue in 2021.

“So many people in the community, particularly older people who take part in the knitting and cake competitions were so disappointed we didn’t have a show this year,” Ms Smith said.

“It was such a relief for us to get this funding so we can get on with planning the 2021 Mt Gravatt Show.

“We have a lot of commitments with insurance and other things that was just draining our funds so this announcement has been a huge relief.”

Mr Vasta said he was very pleased the Mt Gravatt Show was able to access this funding to help them through this tough period.

“Next year is looking so much brighter and I know this support will be fantastic boost for our volunteers, families and school kids,” Mr Vasta said.

The 2021 Mt Gravatt show is planned for July 24-25.

More information on the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program is available here.

More Australian girls with a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics will take part in the annual Curious Minds Summer Camp.

More than 120 young women from across Australia will virtually attend a four-day intensive program and receive six months of one-on-one mentorship from 48 women in STEM professions.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he was very pleased to share Annaliese Bohnstedt of Brisbane Bayside State College was amongst those chosen to take part in Curious Minds.

“The Curious Minds program provides an opportunity for Year 9 and 10 girls to explore their interests and build confidence in STEM subjects,” Mr Vasta said.

“I want to congratulate Annaliese and and hope she learns new skills and gains the confidence to pursue a career in STEM after school.

“Because of COVID-19, these high-potential young women will take part in a virtual four-day intensive program, including online challenges, followed by six months of coaching sessions with inspiring female mentors working in the STEM community.

“I encourage other young girls in Bonner with similar dreams to get involved and also pursue their passion for STEM.

“STEM skills are vital to future jobs and Australia’s future economy, and our Government is committed to empowering young women to excel in these areas.”

The Australian Government has provided $2.35 million to expand the camp to include Curious Minds West Coast and Curious Minds East Coast programs.

The virtual west camp will be held from 6-9 December and the east camp from 13-16 December.

More information on the program is available here.

Three community groups in Bonner will benefit from a share in $2.7 million from the Morrison Government to support the work of local volunteers.

The grants awarded are between $1000 and $5000 and will enable local organisations to better support their volunteers to purchase small equipment, pay fuel, transport and training costs.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said volunteers played an integral part on our society, particularly during times of hardship.

“On December 5 we mark International Volunteer Day and celebrate the contribution of charity and community groups across Bonner as they continue to support the vulnerable and strengthen our community,” Mr Vasta said.

“From fire to floods and a global pandemic, Queensland has been significantly impacted this year and help is always needed by people in our community.

“I am very pleased this Morrison Government funding will support the volunteers in Bonner to continue doing their great work.”

Recipients include:

• Hope Foundation – Mt Gravatt – $4970
• Indians Baseball Club – Wakerley – $3925
• The Corporation of The Synod of The Diocese of Brisbane – Manly – $3000

“Now more than ever our community organisations, sporting clubs and charities rely on the selflessness of volunteers who step up to lend a hand,” Mr Vasta said.

“Often their time and work can incur a cost and I am glad that funding will help these groups better support our volunteers.”

The 2020-21 Volunteer Grants round is expected to open mid-2021 and you can subscribe on the Community Grants Hub to be alerted to this and other grant listings.

For more information on volunteering, visit the Volunteering Australia website.

Local road maintenance in Bonner will receive a boost thanks to funding under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Program.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Australian Government would deliver over $171.1 million to 344 local government authorities nationwide for safer and better-maintained roads.

“The Roads to Recovery funding in Bonner will allow councils across the area to progress a number of high-priority projects, using local knowledge to deliver the best local roads,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Australian Government is committed to getting Australians home sooner and safer, no matter where they live.”

This payment includes the final instalment of the Government’s $138.9 million additional funding for the 128 Local Government Areas eligible for the Drought Communities Program Extension.

Brisbane City Council received $3 million under the program which was used to upgrade Player Street in Bonner.

The project included extending Player Street to provide a connection with Kessells Road in Upper Mt Gravatt to improve safety access.

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Kevin Hogan said the Australian Government has committed an additional $100 million per year to the Roads to Recovery Program from 2019–20, as part of the Local and State Government Road Safety Package announced in the 2019–20 Budget.

“From 2013–14 to 2023–24, the Government will provide $6.2 billion under the Roads to Recovery Program, with an ongoing commitment of $500 million each year following,” Mr Hogan said.

“We are investing in infrastructure nationwide in order to lay the foundations for economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Assisting local councils to maintain and improve roads under their jurisdiction is a big part of that, which is why we have also funded a new $1.5 billion Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and brought forward $1.3 billion of the 2020–21 Financial Assistance Grant payment.”

Mr Hogan said Roads to Recovery investments deliver safer roads in local government areas throughout the country.

“In order to meet the anticipated strong demand for Roads to Recovery for 2020–21, the Australian Government has brought forward $22.75 million to be available to councils to claim this financial year, for a total of $592.18 million in 2020–21,” Mr Hogan said.

“The Australian Government supports local governments to provide vital infrastructure and services through a range of programs.

“This support includes Financial Assistance Grants and the Bridges Renewal, Black Spot, Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity and Roads to Recovery programs.”

More information on these programs is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au.

Member for Townsville Phil Thompson MP joined Ross Vasta MP for the final Bonner Youth Advisory Council (BYAC) Zoom of 2020 to offer inspiring insight into his journey from infantryman to parliamentarian.

Mr Vasta said BYAC was not only about giving local students a platform to have their voices and opinions heard, but to also provide insight on the inner workings of their Government.

“We had a fantastic turnout for the final BYAC Zoom meeting of 2020 and I hope they encourage their fellow students to get involved next year,” Mr Vasta said.

“My BYAC guest was the Member for Townsville who spoke about his journey into public life following a career in the Australian Defence Force.

“If there’s one message Phil passed on, I felt resonated, was his views on leadership and standing up for something you believe in – in his words it’s about ‘taking the hard right instead of the easy wrong’.”

Mr Vasta said BYAC participants asked some great questions around mental health, how students like themselves could reach our and why Phil took on further studies after his military career.

“It’s always great to hear about the issues at the forefront of young people’s minds and how they feel about other matters,” Mr Vasta said.

“I look forward to continuing the BYAC into 2021 and nominations are now open for the Junior (years 5-6) and Senior (years 10-12) BYAC.”

For more information or to get involved, contact your school and email your nomination to ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au