LINDA’S “VINE” LINES

State Member for Kurwongbah

Happy New Year!  I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and safe Christmas and festive season. 

With the start of the school year, I would urge everyone to remember to drive safely near schools and to be especially careful where buses pick up and drop off children.  As you know, children can be unpredictable and drivers need to be prepared for the unexpected.

Welcome rain

Despite spoiling some plans for holidays, all the rain we’ve been getting has been most welcome.  Local farm dams have been filling up and Lake Samsonvale and Lake Kurwongbah are both receiving good runoff. 

Even though we have been getting good rain, we cannot say that the drought has broken and it is difficult to know just how long the rain will last.  As a result Level 6 water restrictions are still in place and I would encourage everyone to continue to be waterwise.

State Library

Have you ever checked out what’s on at the Queensland State Library?  It is more than just a place full of books and reference material – it is now an experience.  The new look State Library offers a range of activities from the traditional fiction and non-fiction books and references to activities for children, talks and activities for adults.  Why not look at all that’s on offer on their website at www.slq.qld.gov.au. 

Funding and grants programs

If your group is looking for funding for a specific project or to upgrade the services or facilities it offers to the community, why not consider applying for a grant.  The State Government provides various opportunities for local organisations.  More information about the individual programs is available on the internet – links are provided on my website www.lindlavarch.com or you can contact my office on 3205 6779.  Don’t forget to contact my office if you need a letter of support for your organisation.

Gambling Community Benefit Fund - the closing dates for the grant rounds are: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December. 

Jupiters Community Benefit Fund - applications are accepted at any time – there are no set closing dates.  Grants are announced quarterly in March, June, September and December each year. 

Sport and Recreation – at this stage the next rounds for the various sport and recreation programs have not been announced but are expected to open in early to mid 2008.  These include Local Sport and Recreation, Minor Facilities, Major Facilities, Club Development and Community Partnerships Grants.  Applications for the Young Athlete Assistance Program are accepted at any time within 6 months after the event.

Funding for School projects

Four non-state schools at Petrie and Bray Park will receive more than $1.8 million from the State Government to undertake some much-needed projects.  Genesis Christian College will receive $661,411 towards construction of their new administration building and a pick up/set down area.  Holy Spirit School will receive $11,205 for a new mains switchboard.  Mt Maria College will receive $654,879 for a tuckshop, covered physical education area and air conditioning.  Our Lady of the Way School, Petrie will receive $499,506 to refurbish classrooms and administration areas as well as providing some new sports facilities, equipment and resources.

This is great news for our local school communities and I am sure the students, staff, parents and the wider community will all benefit.

Back to school – what’s new this year

Did you know – more than 700,000 students are expected to enrol in Queensland state, Catholic and independent schools this year; of these around 480,000 students will be in state primary, secondary and special schools; almost 37,000 teachers are working in state schools; around 54,000 students will make history this year in the first full intake of the Prep Year with about 37,000 of these in state schools; more than $445 million worth of new facilities have been funded, including two new schools and 350 new classrooms.

Note: School holiday changes

This year, first term school holidays will begin two weeks after the Easter weekend this year.  Easter falls from 21-24 March in 2008 – the earliest it will occur during any year of the 21^st century.  As part of an undertaking to set school terms of similar lengths, this year the first term holidays will not coincide with Easter.  The 2008 term and holiday dates are: Term 1 – 29^th January to 4^th April; Term 2 - 15^th April to 27^th June; Term 3 – 15^th July to 19^th September; Term 4 – 6^th October to 12^th December. 

Also this year, Year 12 students will be the first to receive the new Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).  It replaces the previous Senior Certificate and recognises a range of achievements by students from the start of Year 10, including the traditional school-based academic performance and vocational education and training, as well as workplace, university, sporting and community achievements.  To receive a QCE, students must achieve 20 credits, including a minimum of 12 in completed core subjects and up to 8 credits from non-core studies.  Students will now have more flexibility – those who are not awarded a certificate by the end of Year 12 are able to continue their studies to accumulate credits.

Until next month,

Linda