May 28, 2025

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A great night was had by all at last Saturday night's LifeFlight Toowoomba Gala, 24th May 2025 at The Goods Shed.

The night saw over 670 people attending with more than $2 million raised! The money raised will support the LifeFlight Toowoomba Visitor Experience and Education Centre inspiring and educating the next generation of lifesavers.

May 26, 2025

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It was a privilege to attend the Oakey Community Reconciliation Week 2025 at the Goondir Health Services BBQ today and enjoy a free sausage sizzle and share the honour of cutting the cake.

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared history and look towards a brighter future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme – Bridging Now to Next, is a reminder of the ongoing connection between past, present and future.

Congratulations to the recipients of the Celebrating Reconciliation Grants and thank you for enabling Queenslanders to walk alongside you on this journey to reconciliation.

To learn more about National Reconciliation Week 2025 and find a community event near you, visit www.qld.gov.au/reconciliationweek

#NRW2025

May 23, 2025

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Earlier this week, I was pleased to host the Children's Hospital Foundation at Parliament House, as they launch their new campaign: "Help Us Make Hospital Feel More Like Home.”

The Children’s Hospital Foundation is the primary charity for the Queensland Children’s Hospital, which is one of the world’s best paediatric hospitals.

The Foundation plays an important role in supporting Queensland’s most vulnerable, our sickest children and their families.

Funds raised by the Foundation not only support sick children and their families but also, go towards funding research into new treatments.

Those who attended the event were able to experience some of the programs and services the Foundation coordinates to make Hospital feel more like home.

Some of these programs include visits with dogs, the provision of handmade quilts and more.

May 23, 2025

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Earlier this week, I was pleased to host His Excellency Mr. Antonio Albero Morales, Ambassador of the Philippines to Australia, together with Mr. Rainier Casis, First Secretary and Consul, and Ms. Sheryll Gabutero, Honorary Consul of the Philippines, at Queensland Parliament. We discussed our strong people links through trade and investment, cultural exchange, education, tourism, and migration, as well as the mutual challenges faced with housing.

The Philippines is a top five overseas country of birth for Queenslanders, with 51,549 Queenslanders born in the Philippines according to the 2021 Census, and over 400,000 Australians having Filipino heritage.

May 22, 2025

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Yesterday, we were visited at Parliament House by a Heart of Australia Health van.

The Heart of Australia services are specifically aimed to help Australians whose lives are threatened by this nation’s vast distances.

Heart of Australia provides access to specialist healthcare and testing in rural, remote, and First Nations communities.

Their Heart Trucks are custom designed as health clinics on wheels which service over 30 rural communities.

Heart of Australia has saved over 800 lives since their creation in 2014.

I was pleased to again catch up with Dr Rolf Gomes, Heart of Australia Director, and Founder.

Dr Gomes showed me around one of their health vans and told me more about this innovative service.

May 8, 2025

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A privilege to attend the official opening of the new lights at Platz Oval, Clifton Recreational Grounds, home of the Wattle Rugby League Football Club!

Thank you to the Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Hon Tim Mander MP - State Member for Everton - State Member for Everton for granting the funding, which truly supports our sporting communities in regional towns.

Apr 25, 2025

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It was an honour to attend several ANZAC Day Services across the Condamine electorate, a day dedicated to remembering the sacrifices of our brave servicemen, servicewomen, and their families who have selflessly served our nation.

Each moment spent with the Oakey, Drayton, Clifton and Kingsthorpe communities was a heartfelt tribute to their legacy. Thank you for allowing me to stand alongside you in remembrance. Lest we forget.

Apr 24, 2025

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It was a privilege to speak to the students of Crows Nest State School and present them with "Silk Clouds and Olive Trees: Stories from the Battle of Crete," a book by author Deborah Wheeler. This moment holds special significance for me, as my paternal great-uncle, Pat Saal, served at Crete.

Apr 24, 2025

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It's that time of year again, flu season!

I visited Goondir Health Services in Oakey today for my yearly vaccination.

Apr 16, 2025

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Great to catch up with Jennifer Wharton, Clinic Manager Goondir Health Services in Oakey today handing out Easter bags for the children..

Apr 15, 2025

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Spent an interesting day with the Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Tony Perrett MP, visiting the following businesses/organisations:

RDO Australia's newest Toowoomba facility, hosted by the Facility Manager, Brett Priebe. Their commitment to delivering top-quality machinery and services in the agricultural construction sectors, as well as their latest innovative technologies in action through the facility was inspiring.

An enlightening tour of the University of Soutern Queensland focusing on cutting-edge imagery and evaporation technology! This innovative research has the potential to revolutionize our agricultural practices and enhance water management strategies across the region and are at the forefront of tackling climates challenges while supporting our local farmers.

Mort & Co's feedlot at Grassdale, Australia’s largest feedlot, where scale and innovation combine to create a world leading facility. Given the size of the operation, significant infrastructure exists on the property to assist with its function. Grassdale has a gas fired electricity plant onsite that is used to run major feedlot infrastructure including the feedmill, workshop and pump stations. Excess power not required by site is exported from this facility back into the grid.

Apr 3, 2025

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I was pleased to welcome the High Commissioner of New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Andrew Needs and Consul-General, Mr James Munro to Parliament House this week. New Zealand is a close strategic partner and friend for Queensland. Our proximity and access with direct flights, provides significant opportunities for two-way tourism and export growth.

With ANZAC Day coming up later this month, we discussed our joint observance of the day commemorating those who served in peace and war.

It was pleasure to discuss our shared mutual interests and the opportunities that hosting the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics will generate.

Apr 2, 2025

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The 2025 Royal Toowoomba Show was well attended despite the wet weather.

Exhibits, ring events plus other show features were plentiful and well supported - well done to all winners and exhibitors.

Caught up with Mayor McDonald, Trevor Watts MP (Member for Toowoomba North) and Don McDonnel (Mt Brisbane Stn, who breeds purebred Droughtmaster cattle).

Mar 25, 2025

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Thank you to the Oakey Neighbourhood Watch for hosting this morning's successful 'Cuppa with a Cop' event for the community and surrounding areas.

Pictured with Ellisa Parker and Officer-in-Charge, Oakey Police, Sgt James Leahy.

Mar 25, 2025

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I attended a very well supported business networking event hosted by the Oakey Chamber of Commerce last night.

A great opportunity to catch up with many, including David Cooper from Coop's Construction based in Oakey.

Mar 24, 2025

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Saturday morning, I had the privilege of attending the Clifton CWA Branch of the Country Women's Association's (CWA) 100 Year Celebrations, alongside Mayor Geoff McDonald.

It was great to present Julie Thomas with her well-deserved award for 60 years of dedicated CWA membership. Cutting the cake to mark this incredible milestone was an honor, celebrating a century filled with community spirit, friendship, and unwavering service.

March 21, 2025

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This morning, a special morning tea was held in Oakey to celebrate the 50 volunteers of the Oakey Community BBQ.

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible volunteers who make the Oakey Community BBQ a success, your hard work and dedication are truly appreciated and bring the community together!

Thank you to the group of students from Oakey State High, who put together an impressive morning tea for the event!

Mar 17, 2025

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Had a fantastic Saturday morning at the Oakey Show, where I had the privilege of speaking and presenting the crop awards and prizes.

Huge congratulations to all the crop award winners—your hard work truly deserves recognition. It was also great to witness the strong community spirit on display.

Mar 17, 2025

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Saturday afternoon, the Minister for Housing, Hon Sam O'Connor MP and I met with Crows Nest Community Solutions (CNCS) to discuss the Chaseley Park project, an initiative of CNCS.

It was a great opportunity to view the site, meet with the team and discuss the initiative, including what the project can provide to the Crows Nest community.

Feb 28, 2025

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This morning I met with some Board Members and staff from Beauaraba Living in Pittsworth. Discussion of issues relating to this facility, including the attracting and retaining of Doctors to regional towns, of which Pittsworth is not immune from these challenges!

Feb 17, 2025

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It was a great day on Saturday at the 2025 Clifton Show which had wonderful community support and attendance.

A special acknowledgement to all those who competed in the events and made the day even more memorable and a big congratulations to all winners.

Feb 14, 2025

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Good to catch up with some of the team from Multicultural Australia this morning to discuss the Condamine electorate, broader regions, and exciting things happening in our community.

Pictured below from left to right; Tanja Miljevic (Employment Manager - SEQ), Christine Castley (CEO), Jason Olsson-Seeto (CDO).

Feb 7, 2025

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Very informative catch up at the recent Oakey Urban Landcare Group's AGM. Great to talk to a dedicated group and hear of the extensive work surrounding the planting of the local koala habitat.

Congratulations to the returning Committee pictured: Trevor Cockburn President, Jenny Gordon Treasurer and Paul Green Secretary.

Jan 28, 2025

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The Crows Nest 2025 Australia Awards recognised the following people from their community:

Elly Close - Crows Nest Young Citizen of the Year (pictured)

Terese 'Tess' Martin - Crows Nest Citizen of the Year for 2025

John Fowler - Crows Nest Senior Sports Award (accepted by Michele)

First Crows Nest Girls Brigade - Crows Nest Community Group Award, (accepted by Julie Gillies)

My congratulations to you all.

Jan 28, 2025

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Last week I attended the annual TSBE Darling Downs Beef Battle. Caught up with Jim Friis Stanbroke’s Processing Operations Manager. Congratulations to the Stanbroke team pictured with Dr John McVeigh Chancellor UniSQ. Stanbroke has won this year’s Darling Downs Beef Battle People’s Choice for the fifth year in a row, winning with Diamantina wagyu.

Congratulations also to Stockyard 2024 Darling Downs Beef Battle Professional Choice Winner with Kiwami wagyu.

Great night of competition and an all round display of the region’s excellent beef.

Jan 23, 2025

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Yesterday, I had the honour of presenting the Australia Day Achievement Awards to dedicated Queensland Fire Department personnel in Toowoomba.

QFD members, whether on the frontline or behind the scenes, have shown incredible resilience and dedication in keeping Queenslanders safe.

During the awards ceremony, we recognised those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, including those who contributed outstanding efforts during the 2019/20 bushfires and the 2023 Canada Wildfires deployment.

Thank you and congratulations to all award recipients, your courage and commitment are truly appreciated.

Jan 23, 2025

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Congratulations to the Queensland Fire Department on the opening of their new fire and rescue station. I was honoured to attend the official opening yesterday on behalf of the Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, Minister Ann Leahy.

This fantastic new facility will provide firefighters with the best equipment and resources to meet increasing operational needs and serve the growing community.