Apparently since DERM has taken control of the island over 100 dingoes have been killed, shot, injected and left to starve to death.

SUSTAINABILITY Minister Kate Jones has strongly defended her Fraser Island Dingo Management Strategy and denied seeing any evidence that it has resulted in starvation for dingoes or danger to the public…. Click here and here to learn more.

THE dingo may be the oldest dog breed in the world, according to a new study (well not for long!!)…. click here to learn more.

Save the Fraser Island Dingo… Sign the petition

It also focuses on the unique surf community that they have pioneered in Tapachula, a coastal city with no other wave riders. The surfing experience has had a phenomenal impact on the children, creating an escape from their unimaginable pasts.

“Somewhere Near Tapachula” will challenge you with the important things in life and open your eyes to the power of riding waves, wether you are a surfer or not.

The film recently won the People’s choice award at Yallingup Surfilm Festival in W.A. It has also featured in the latest edition of Surfing World Australia and this week’s copy of Grazia Magazine. “Somewhere Near Tapachula” has also been nominated for the “Heart of Gold Award” in the International Film Festival held in Gympie this month.

You can check out the teaser trailer on www.somewhereneartapachula.com

This is going to be a fantastic night with live entertainment, art show, prizes and giveaways, Q&A with the director and producer and one of the stars from the film. 100% of profits go to Mission Mexico Children’s Refuge.

Maryborough Town Hall, Friday 19^th March.

Adults $ 15
Concession $ 10
 Family $ 40 (2 Adults, 2 Children).

Doors open: 6:45 pm
Tickets available by calling the numbers below or online at www.moshtix.com

For further information please contact:
Rachel 0424 190 494
Ana 0431 227 324
Lupita 0403 797 723

Please click

The petition has been organised by Hervey Bay resident Karin Kilpatrick and sponsored by MP Ted Sorensen and will be on the Queensland Government website until Tuesday, July 22 2009.

Fraser Island Dingoes Face Extinction
Locals, animal experts and some politicians fear that heavy-handed culling under the Queensland Government’s current dingo management plan will be the final nail in the wild dogs’ coffin ……. learn more here!

[Some Info via the Courier Mail]

Mrs Sandra Maynes was appointed Librarian and the Council is very fortunate in having such a capable and experience Librarian as Mrs Maynes to establish the library, encouraged by the town clerk and his staff with the full support of the Council.

Mrs Maynes commenced duties on the 2^nd May 1978 after all the alterations were done and proceeded with due haste to obtain shelving, books carpets and furnishing and it does credit to her what has been achieved in two months.
[Info via the Commemorative Brochure from the Opening of the Hervey Bay Public Library - 6^th July 1978]

1978 [Population 11,000] – The first Public Library was located in three rooms upstairs in the Council Chambers in Bideford St Torquay.

1979 – The Public Library moved to three leased shops in Turo Street, Torquay. Two extra shops were acquired and the corridor enclosed during the next three years.

1985 [Population 18,800] – The Public Library relocated to the Pialba business area in Main St. where it continued to grow.

1996 the Hervey Bay City Council commenced a partnership with the University of Southern Queensland and on the 1^st of March 1997 the Hervey Bay Public Library opened its doors at 161 Old Maryborough Rd in a spacious facility of 1306m2 which housed the first joint use Community / University Library Collection in Australia. The library staff assisted in establishing the first Regional Public Art Gallery in the Wide Bay area which is also located in the library facility.

2003 [Population 45,959] – 51% of Hervey Bays Population are enrolled at the library.

Mrs Sandra Maynes was the Chief Librarian from 1978 – 1996. She has worked at both the Hervey Bay & Maryborough Libraries and currently still works part time …. (Good Stuff Mum, Very Proud of You!)

What an intuitive, perceptive and enlightening book on how the masses think in an unconscious way creating their own depression based on their own ego. Living their life in a negative manner by constantly complaining, stressing, hurting  / demeaning others and seeking drama in their own lives as they believe this brings them attention / acceptance, makes them feel important  which they need to fuel on their ego. These people are blind not realising they are creating for themselves and those around them more negativity, drama, unhappiness and depression and continue to live a mundane existence being that of a repetitive self destructive cycle.

This book helps you realise how to live your life with true openness and freedom, find out who you really are, by being present through living you life in the now. Stop searching for happiness in the future and material objects, or in recognition / approval from others; true happiness is already within YOU and can be found every day by being conscious in your thoughts, actions and precious timeless moments.

This book is a must read, it’s time to become more awakened!!!

Building on the astonishing success of The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle presents readers with an honest look at the current state of humanity: He implores us to see and accept that this state, which is based on an erroneous identification with the egoic mind, is one of dangerous insanity.

Tolle tells us there is good news, however. There is an alternative to this potentially dire situation. Humanity now, perhaps more than in any previous time, has an opportunity to create a new, saner, more loving world. This will involve a radical inner leap from the current egoic consciousness to an entirely new one.

[Images & Information via Eckhart Teachings]

•1.    Make an appointment to see a nutritionist to have an assessment to find out how many calories your body requires to function on a daily basis. Whether you wish to lose weight or maintain your weight have your nutritionist break these calories down into how many calories per meal per day.
eg. My Goal: consume between 1150 – 1350 calories per day
Breakfast: <200 calories Lunch: <200 calories Dinner: <400 calories Snacks x 3: <100 calories

I would recommend Health Divine in Hervey Bay for a thorough assessment. 

Health Divine Dietitian for Fraser Coast: Peter St Henry    
An APD (accredited practising dietitian) provides expert nutrition advice for a range of medical conditions.  Peter is an APD and has the skills to transform your eating habits to improve your health, lifestyle and budget.   

Your initial appoitment will include a thorough lifestyle, medical and diet assessment.  You will then receive an individualised meal plan and specific recommendations to improve your condition and feel great about yourself. 

•2.    Keep an accurate food diary / meal planner. To do that you will need to record the calories in every meal and beverage you consume and add them up to meet your nutritionist’s daily recommendations. FOOL PROOF!

A must have book to be able to do this and is available in most newsagencies for around $10 is:

Allan Borushek’s Pocket Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter

Whether you are watching your weight or just want to eat healthier, “Allan Borushek’s Pocket Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter” is a must have! Learn how to make better food with this invaluable resource.

“Allan Borushek’s Pocket Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter” is a national best seller and the most recommended book of its type by health professionals. It’s easy to see why!

The book is compiled by Allan Borushek, dietitian and health educator with over 30 years of clinical experience. With his vast knowledge and experience, he’s the Calorie King! His motto is: “Fat Matters, Carbs Count, but, Calories Are King!”

It’s a fact that most of us drastically underestimate how much food we eat. One of the main reasons is that we really don’t know what’s in the food we eat day-in and day-out. Now you can end the guesswork. You will find the calorie, fat and carbohydrate counts for your favourite foods in this convenient, pocket-sized, and colourful book.

This book is also sensational; around $50:

This = That (a life-size photo guide to food serves) by Trudy Williams

More than 300 life-size full colour photos clearly illustrate serve sizes. Simply place your food on the photos to reveal any differences in serve size. You can easily see which foods to have more or less of for better health and body shape. The result is a quick no-fuss approach to great nutrition by enjoying everyday foods.

Winner of the President’s Award for Innovation in 2005. Updated in 2008. Featured on TV, in magazines and newspapers.

Everyday foods. Your choice. Your health. We photographed real foods without any packaging or branding. The images in this book are timeless.

GOOD LUCK!!!
Oh and don’t forget to add in some regular exercise for maximum results…!

[Information & images via Health Divine, Calorie King, & Food Talk)

I was in the first group of students to ever graduate for the Masters of Professional Studies in Australia. This work place based post graduate degree was established on the Fraser Coast.

A big thank you to Graham Young (Campus Coordinator Faculty of Business) my tutor / mentor, I couldn’t have done it without you. Your guidance, knowledge and support was inspirational. Thanks for turning my light bulb on!!!

I would also like to thank Chris Foley (State Member for Maryborough) for taking the time to see me and explain some issues I had with my study more clearly to me. That was really appreciated, a big help and got me back on track!

The staff at USQ did a wonderful job of organising the event and making sure we all were in order and our correct positions throughout the ceremony.

Hats off to USQ graduates (News; Fraser Coast Chronicle)…… click here to read more.

Master of Professional Studies

Program focus

The Master of Professional Studies is designed to enable professionals to engage in the highest form of authentic learning: to study as they engage in real world, real time activity; and to combine their work and study in ways that lead to benefits for both the individual and the organisation.

Accordingly, the program aims to provide opportunities for professionals with the appropriate entry qualifications to gain post-graduate qualifications and enable them to critically review literature to address theoretical and practical questions and issues in their workplace field, and to design and implement projects to further investigate these questions and issues.

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme – providing new opportunities for growing business

When Hervey Bay’s Jeanette Maynes was made redundant in 2004 as marketing manager of a hospitality establishment, she had no idea it would be the best thing that had ever happened to her.

Forced to consider a new career path, Jeanette decided it was the right time to start her own business.

Now a 2008 Telstra Business Young Business Woman of the Year Finalist, Jeanette owes a part of her success to the team at Mission Australia’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) …….. click here to read more.

Thanks to Mission Employment Toowoomba especially David Rozynski!

[Image & info via Mission Australia]

What an extraordinary book by an inspiring, exceptionally wise and intelligent author!

This is a truly amazing book and has been recommended to me at the perfect stage of my journey, thanks Jamie. This book clarifies what I have been experiencing in my mind for the last three and a half years, an awakened consciousness. Repetitive thought, negativity, one’s conditioning and sense of self derived from the past no longer controls my life, emotions or actions, I do.

I have just started reading A new Earth and have also bought Stillness Speaks and Practicing the Power of Now. All these books are essential reading for spirituality and living your best life! There is always so much more to learn, grasp and put into practice… especially to live in the Now!

The Power of Now has been widely recognized as one of the most influential spiritual books of our time. A #1 New York Times bestseller, it has been translated into over 30 languages. The book has helped countless people around the globe awaken to the spiritual dimension in their lives, find inner peace, increased joy and more harmonious relationships.

To make the journey into The Power of Now we will need to leave our analytical mind and its false created self, the ego, behind….

ARE YOU READY TO BE AWAKENED?

When you are present in this moment, you break the continuity of your story, of past and future.
Then true intelligence arises, and also love.
The only way love can come into your life is not through form, but through that inner spaciousness that is Presence.
Love has no form. 

Please click here to read Oprah’s interview with Eckhart Tolle. 

[Images & Information via Eckhart Teachings]

Thousands came down to Freedom Park in Pialba to watch the main march that I participated in this year wearing my late grandfather’s medals. 

His name was Stan McCarthy and he was in the army transport corp. during WWII 1942-1946 and served in Moratai, Cape York, Darwin & Borneo. 

Corporal Norman Saunders (pictured with me here) was also in WWII and served 1940-1945. I was chatting to 87 year old Norman after the ANZAC Day march. He served in Darwin, Moratai, Borneo & New Guinea.

The medals on his right belong to his brother Earald Nilsen who lost his life in the Vietnam war.

He was in M Special Forces and 2^nd 4^th AGH (Australian General Hospital).
He was in the army in Darwin in the artillery section but when the Japanese started bombing he was retrained in a town outside of Melbourne and then sent to New Guinea where he was a nurse. He said he always wanted to be a doctor and pretty much performed the role of one during the war just didn’t have the title on paper.

 It was an honor to chat with Norman and a very proud day in Hervey Bay.