The display was fortunate to be awarded first prize again this year in the Local Government category. This acknowledges the contribution of a number of Parks staff and provides an opportunity for Council to receive the first prize standard awarded by the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA).
COUNCIL ESTABLISHED CEMETERY DATABASE
Council has recently established a database of burials at its eight cemeteries and one memorial garden.  With computers and internet connections common in most homes, more and more people are delving into the past to build a permanent record of their ancestry by drawing up a family tree, and this data base on-line will make the job of compiling family histories just that bit easier.  The search facility will include records as far back as 1874 and there are already plans to include interactive grave site maps, details of monument inscriptions, life stories of pioneers and obituaries of prominent community leaders.  The Moreton Bay Regional Council on-line cemetery database can be found at www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/cemeteries
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE - WEEDS
Most residents are probably unaware of the continuous works done by our Parks Grounds staff to keep our region clear of class 1 environmental weeds.  This never ending and costly work is carried out all year round, and in my Division of some 600 square kilometres Council officers are currently undertaking declared weed treatments on public land in the following suburbs: Clear Mountain, Samford, Highvale, Wights Mountain, Camp Mountain and Dayboro. Along with this officers are also slashing fire trails in the suburbs of Kobble Creek and Mount Samson.
MORETON BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL 2010 AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS
Nominations for the Moreton Bay Regional Council 2010 Australia Day Award are now open.  The awards pay tribute to individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to their local community and/or achieved exceptional results in sporting, environment or cultural endeavours. Members of community, sporting, environmental, church and charity groups are invited to nominate people or organisations in Moreton Bay Region by Wednesday 28th October 2009.  Nomination forms are available from all libraries and customer service centres or alternatively, nominations can be submitted on-line or the Nomination form itself can be downloaded from www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au .
WILD DOG BREEDING SEASON
We are now in the breeding season of the wild dogs and there are many young pups in dens whose parents are on the prowl for food. It is important that these animals are not encouraged to become familiar with people through feeding etc as this contributes to a bolder and more aggressive animal. Domestic pets should be well restrained, particularly at night, as many have been encouraged into neighbouring bushland by the wild dogs, only to meet an unfortunate fate. Dog proof enclosures are strongly recommended in the more exposed areas of the Shire particularly those close to State forests. Councils animal control officers work closely with the State Parks and Wildlife Service as many of the dogs come from within these forested areas. Residents are also encouraged to provide details of any sightings to assist officers in the overall management of the problem.  Further information or assistance is available by calling Council on 3205 0555.
CITIZENSHIP
Moreton Bay Regional Council held another of its naturalization ceremonies recently with 135 residents becoming Australian Citizens. 23 countries were represented with new “aussies” originating from all around the globe. Congratulations to all those that chose to become Australian citizens.
DID YOU KNOW?
That in the new Moreton Bay Region, there are 2,684km of sealed roads and 421km of unsealed roads.