NOT sure who to vote for? With just days to go until we head to the polls, news.com.au’s Vote-a-matic 2.0 can help.

The Voteamatic 2.0 asks you 15 questions based on policies announced during the campaign, as well as issues and beliefs associated with the main parties contesting the August 21 election.  Answer the questions and at the end you’ll see which party best matches your views.

Click here to find your result

Well my result was 42% Liberal!!! Yeah I vote for them anyway!!

Not long now and I’m off trekking around Fraser Island for the 3^rd time on Saturday 17th July 2010.

The Fraser Island Challenge is a fun walk / run across picturesque World Heritage listed Fraser Island QLD in One Day to raise Money in the name of Australian Cancer Charities.

Unique in that participants can choose their cancer related charity to raise donations for AND it is the first event of it’s size run in a QLD National Park.

From the beautiful Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village to the beach front resort at Eurong 100 competitors follow a course on established tracks (25km) with an extension option for elite competitors around the lake Wabby circuit (total 50km)…. Click here to find out more or register in the event.

Competitors in this event independently raise funds for their preferred Cancer Charity using a custom donation tracker on the event web site, with 100% of donations going directly to the selected charity

Please show your support and sponsor me …

proceeds go to the Queensland Cancer Council.

There are believed to be as few as 50 dingoes left on Fraser Island consisting of maybe 7 family groups (mum dad and pups).

 
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

The Law of Attraction says people’s thoughts (both conscious and unconscious) dictate the reality of their lives, whether or not they’re aware of it. Essentially “if you really want something and truly believe it’s possible, you’ll get it”,… click here to learn more.

The Secret teaches us that we create our lives, with every thought every minute of every day…. click here to learn more.

I am a huge believer in this theory and see the effects of it in my live on a very regular basis. What you put out to the universe is what you will recieve. Only you have the choice of whether you attract good or bad into your life.

This Tuesday when our Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was in town on Melbourne Cup day for talks re our health system I put it out there to have a photo with him on my facebook profile stating, “The PM is in Hervey Bay today, hope I see him to get a snapshot!!!”

The following day we both made the front page of the local newspaper!!!! (I am the small picture top right ha ha!)

Unfortunately on this occasion I made a slight flaw forgetting to put it out there to meet and be photographed together in person, not at different events!  

Ok time to put it out there again, see how I go this time….

“Dear Jeanette, thank you so much for visiting me in New York, I am so thrilled we finally have had a photo taken together. I would love to pay for your trip! “…. lol your mate forever Donald Trump

[Some info & images via Wikipedia, The Secret & Donald Trump websites]

WTF What a waste of rate payer’s money!!!

$150,000 spent on an eyesore!

What a disaster to have a council in power that would approve to waste that much of rate payer’s money on a sign!!! ….. and then they had the hide to make it look UGLY!
OMG how embarrassing for Hervey Bay!!!

Councillor Anne Nioa who approved this sign states she wanted, ‘something that would represent a contemporary community’.  I’m at a lost how a sign that utilises cluttered collage design trends from the 70’s could possibly be passed off as a modern or contemporary representation of our area. 

From a Qualified & Experienced Professional Designer’s point of view:
It is far too BUSY & CLUTTERED, does not look BALANCED, the colours CLASH, the YELLOW is not part of the Style Guide The Council had designed in Brisbane!!, the word FRASER COAST is lost over the waves & far too small to be read by passing vehicles, the WHALE looks like a grade 3 student drew it & congratulations to them if they did, the structural framework is distracting (wood & aluminium) or is that supposed to be part of the design? …. and that’s just a start, pity I can’t see the whole sign in the editorial. 

Comment from Councillor Sue Brook’s blog when she saw the initial proof…. 

In the FCC today we see a depiction of the new entrance sign for Hervey Bay. I do think that community consultation would assist the development of what I believe are community signs rather than ‘Council signs’ and I do have some concerns that this particular sign is a bit too ‘busy’ and that the free standing bits and pieces won’t stand out against a varying background. 

Another comment from the blog of Councillor Sue Brooks: 

I noticed that the Hervey Bay entrance sign due to be installed on the Hervey Bay Maryborough Rd was shown in the weekend edition of  The Independent. While I like the general look of the sign I worry that the detail will get lost in the background once installed. I must be old fashioned as I prefer a simple stone wall and the words ‘welcome’ and ‘farewell’ on city entrance/exit signs. The sign has been workshopped through Council after being developed by Cr Nioa and the Marketing and Tourism Portfolio team. It will be a relief to finally have a sign for Hervey Bay so fingers crossed that ‘it works’. 

No you are not old fashioned Sue, you clearly have an eye for design plus the elements that will and won’t work and probably should have pushed harder for a professional & community opinion to be sought on the draft. Anyway from past experience we all know how the Council operates on these matters……. 

Oh Dear! How long till the next election………??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Gosh another e-petition.
Do these really work, I think once they government states they are doing something they just do it. Labour is really making the cost of living unaffordable. Thank god I run my own business and am at the moment financially stable due to budgeting and watching my spending and living costs, I feel if I was on an average Queensland award wage there is No Way I could meet my bills!!!!!!!

Maybe a better way to raise revenue and grow Queensland is to stop throwing away money and putting us more in debt with stimulus packages that then raise the cost of living and everything else!!!!

QLD Government is proposing to increase Vehicle Registration by 20%.  Most can barely afford rego now, without having to pay extra $250 per year!
In simple terms this would mean that we will pay about $800 a year for car rego when Victoria only pays about $300! 
[accuracy of statement and source unknown]

Petition now to stop increase of Car Rego in QLD!!!!! Click here !!!!!

Looks like I’ll be using the push bike for work soon!

Tell you what I’m quite over all Anna Bligh’s pre election promises being lies.

I hope all the people that voted for the ALP due to all the free money and lies they were throwing about at election time are adding up how much more it is now costing the whole population to have them in power! 

Why anyone would vote the ALP in when they already had us $64 billion in debt before the global financial crisis was even heard of is beyond me!

We are certainly paying far more than any stimulus package could possibly compensate. Greed should not override commonsense at election times as a dishonest government in power will leave you out of pocket!!! (Karma)

Click here to sign the e-petition!

Stop the fuel tax petition

The State Government plans to scrap Queensland’s 8.35 cents a litre fuel subsidy from July 1 – despite specific assurances to the RACQ and the broader community ahead of the March election that the subsidy would be retained.

Combined with increases in vehicle registration of 17 to 22 percent from July 1, this extra fuel tax will cost most Queensland families and businesses several hundred dollars a year, while also pushing up the prices of other goods and services. 

With GST, it will add 9.2 cents a litre to petrol and diesel and will hit families in the outer suburbs and regional areas hardest, as people in these areas have less access to public transport and, often, longer distances to travel…. click here to read more and sign the e-petition!

[Info via RACQ & news.com.au]

Please click here to sign the e-petition to try and save our Fraser Island Dingoes!!

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]

ANZAC was the name given to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of 25 April 1915 during the First World War (1914-1918).

As a result, one day in the year has involved the whole of Australia in solemn ceremonies of remembrance, gratitude and national pride for all our men and women who have fought and died in all wars. That day is ANZAC Day – 25 April.

Every nation must, sooner or later, come for the first time to a supreme test of quality; and the result of that test will hearten or dishearten those who come afterwards. For the fledgling nation of Australia that first supreme test was at Gallipoli.  

Anzac Day Services in Hervey Bay 

Dawn Service
5am – Meet at the Torquay Road side of the RSL
5.15am - March to Freedom Park, Main St
5.30am - Service Starts

Main Service
9am – Meet at Woolworths Carpark, Torquay Road
9.30am - March to Freedom Park, Main St
9.45am - Service Starts 

Participants in the March that have served for Australia wear their own medals on the left, if you are wearing the medals of a loved one they are worn on the right.

 Two Up
1pm - Hervey Bay RSL 

 ANNA Bligh creates history, becoming the first elected women Premier and leading Labor into a fifth term of Government.

“It is simply extraordinary,” a beaming Ms Bligh said last night after it appeared Labor would lose only a handful of seats.

“Queenslanders, thank you. I feel very humbled and honoured by the strength of your support.”

The 48-year-old mother of two became the first female politician to be elected a premier in any Australian state.

Click here to read more.

[Image & Information via the Courier Mail]

Stay tuned, we should know by 6.30pm tonight!

WINNER!!!!

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for keeping me updated on your campaign progress, that is really appreciated and extremely professional… no other politician in the area including your opposition LNP candidate Ted Sorensen has bothered to respond to my request for information on their policies. 

One wonders if that would be the behaviour and response to be expected on issues if they were to be elected?

Also would it take no longer than one minute to copy and paste from a word document into an email and send, this should be a simple task for any switched on politician who cared about their voters | supporters..? ?

Dear Jeanette, 

Thank you for your interest in the State election and my candidature. 

In the election in a couple of days time, I am standing by my record of delivering millions of dollars of vital job-creating projects for our city. 

Road improvements on Boat Harbour Drive, the raising of Lenthall’s Dam to improve our water security, the new Gatakers Bay boat ramp, additional electrical substations to safeguard our power supply, and new schools, police and ambulance stations are just part of that proven track record. 

The critical issue facing Hervey Bay is how we protect local jobs and ride out the global economic crisis.  The government’s capital works spend over the next three years will be the key factor in determining how well we come through the toughest economic challenge we have seen since the Great Depression. A strong voice for Hervey Bay at the Cabinet table will be vital in these tough times. 

This week I committed $4 million dollars towards the construction of a solar power plant here in Hervey Bay.   My goal is to have a 20 MW solar thermal plant here that would generate around one third of the current power demand of Hervey Bay from clean energy.   This would have many benefits for the city’s energy security, international image and would provide around 140 high paying jobs.

- If I am returned as your local Member, I give my commitment to deliver the following vital projects during the next term:

- The Hervey Bay Dental Clinic will undergo a $7 million expansion, doubling its capacity from 8 to 16 chairs.

- The $30 million upgrade of the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road between Dundowran Road and Torbanlea Road will be completed by June 2010 including a major realignment of the Booral Road intersection.

- The new Hervey Bay Community Centre will be built with a $1.5 million contribution by the Bligh State Government.

- A $2 million expansion of the Hervey Bay Hospital Pathology Laboratory.

- Coordination of the $800 million expansion of the Urangan Boat Harbour redevelopment that will create 600 jobs during construction, and

- The $12 million water park at Pialba will be completed and opened in June 2009. 

To keep Hervey Bay strong, I ask for your vote on Election Day, 21 March 2009. 

Kind regards,

Andrew

 For more information on Andrew McNamara MP please click here.

Thanks heaps Mr Currie for your submission from the Widebay Burnett Conservation Council; I’ve uploaded it for the readers; please click here to view.

Way too many figures for me, hopefully someone can break it down into brief lay mans dot points, though it does appear very informative and well analysed. I will do a thorough brief over the weekend…. 

Hello Jeanette, this is our submission which I presented to Andrew last Friday, cheers 

Roger 

REMC
Regional Ecosystems Mapping Consultancy
The Widebay Burnett  GIS & Environmental Planning Specialists
For all Your Biodiversity Needs
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
ROGER M CURRIE Bc App Sc UQ R.E.A.T
Healthy Habitats Extension Services Officer
roger.remc1@bigpond.com

Last night I emailed our Fraser Coast State Members to find out their policies and vision for our Region, so that I and my readers can make an informed decision at the state election on March 21^st 2009.

Mr Andrew McNamara MP was quick off the mark getting back to me by 10am this morning…..! 

Dear Jeanette,

As a dedicated follower and blogger of Hervey Bay politics, I suspect you know my policies as well as I do!  I have attached a copy of my water plan and will be making a statement a little later in the campaign about new election commitments.

The key to what I offer generally is a commitment to deliver Labor’s infrastructure program to protect jobs and a very strong personal commitment to do more to protect our environment, particularly in the face of the burgeoning challenge of climate change. 

Kind regards,

Andrew

Thanks heaps Andrew for you prompt and professional response, I can’t wait to hear your upcoming statement in relation to your election commitments.

I think you should maybe consider a facebook profile like Lawrence Springborg and Chris Foley to also target the younger voter…. The Borg has 1,030 friends & Foley has 563 with their numbers / supporters rapidly rising daily. A smart way to do mass notifications of policies, campaign news, upload video’s and appeal for volunteers!

Anyway thank you for your time getting back to me and all best wishes for an influential and successful campaign!!! 

You can find out more about Mr McNamara MP here or download his current Water Plan here. 

Still waiting to hear from the others……….

The Hervey Bay candidates will appear on the ballot form as: Paul Brown, the Greens; Ted Sorensen, LNP; Andrew McNamara MP, Labor; Jason Powning, DS4SEQ; and Peter Schuback, Independent.

In Maryborough, we will see  Anne Maddern, LNP; Brad Hansen, Labor; Chris Foley MP, Independent; and David Arthur, Greens.

What a pleasure to be able to converse with Mr Lawrence Springborg MP last night, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the LNP. Earlier in the week I had received an invitation from our local LNP member Mr Ted Sorensen to join local candidate colleagues for drinks with their special guest Mr Springborg at the Wheelhouse Restaurant in Hervey Bay. He had flown in earlier in the day in his helicopter and was staying the night at the Mantra.

Lawrence was easy to talk to and well articulated, some of the different things we discussed in conversation were:

Pure Blonde low carb beer and calorie counting -
“Calories aren’t bad it’s the carbs that kill you, if you don’t burn the carbs they turn into fat. One must cut out cabs at night. Carbs are killers!”

What was Lawrence drinking?
“Apple juice, low GI”

Why did he have writing on the palm of his hand and not a notebook like myself?
“That is my notebook I write on my hand all the time.”

What do you think of the recession?
“Big excuse for why Rudd failed”

What do you think of the Traveston Dam issue?
LNP would not go ahead with the Traveston Dam, not now, now ever.

What did he think of “The Biggest Loser”, reality TV show?
I don’t watch it but my wife and daughter love it.

Do you come to Hervey Bay often?
Yes over the years my mother in law lives in Hervey Bay. I have been coming here since 1987.

Did you meet your wife in Hervey Bay?
No Brisbane….

Just after 7pm after being introduced by Steve Dixon the Wide Bay Chair for the LNP who stated, “I want to live in a Queensland I feel proud of” …then Ted Sorensen MP  who said, “I want to get our fair share of the money coming into Queensland”…..a very fit looking Mr Springborg took the stage.

He spoke about being here to support the cause of LNP Queensland and especially our Hervey Bay candidate Ted Sorensen stating he is a decent representative that doesn’t take people for granted. He is a community champion that will fight for the area and how he needs our support to get him across the line. He believes Queensland is the best state in Australia and that we can make it even better. If we support Ted and with 21 other seats elected the LNP will win for Queensland at the next election.

He also touched on how Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Premier Anna Bligh are talking people into an economic depression.  People deserve better they have been let down by 10 years of Labor Government. There is eight months till the next election.

The invitation said this is an ideal occasion for you to raise the issues that you may have concerning Hervey Bay and our State of Queensland. I really wanted to hear what the new policies for our area would be as to date I have heard nothing. How can one decide who to vote for when you don’t know what their policies are? Mr Springborg’s policies are online here but I’m eager to learn what Teds are for the Fraser Coast area…..

The Local Government Act 1993 requires a Council to prepare and adopt a corporate plan for a period of at least four years.
The plan is a high level strategic document that provides a framework for Council on the direction for the region and guides decision making and policy development.

Click here to download a draft of the Fraser Coast Regional Council Corporate Plan 2009 – 2013
 

To have your say on the Corporate Plan please click here, the closing date for submissions is Friday 30 January 2009.

The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.’  – George W. Bush

‘If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure.’  – George W. Bush

‘One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is “to be prepared”.’  – George W. Bush

‘I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future.’  - George W. Bush

‘The future will be better tomorrow.’ – George W. Bush

‘We’re going to have the best educated American people in the world.’  – George W. Bush

‘I stand by all the misstatements that I’ve made.’  – George W Bush

‘We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe . We are a part of Europe ‘  – George W. Bush

‘Public speaking is very easy.’ – George W. Bush

‘A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.’  – George W. Bush

‘I have opinions of my own — strong opinions — but I don’t always agree with them.’  – George Bush

‘We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.’ – George W. Bush

‘For NASA, space is still a high priority.’  – George W. Bush

‘Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children.’  – George W. Bush

‘It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.’ – George W. Bush

For more BUSHISMS please click here

An anonymous friend has posted me a letter that may shed some light on my earlier logo posts ….  Not that I want to revert back to this issue as I feel my point was made quite clearly at the time but the connection was never made as to who is Anne Maree Althaus and small details can play a large part in who you decide to vote for at future elections.

The Clue:

If you look up Anne Maree’s maiden name and match it up with council staff person Mary-Jane Wruck’s maiden name, you might get a ‘logo’ match.

THE State Government’s controversial water recycling plan is in doubt and the Traveston Dam project is on hold for several years in a major Bligh Government backflip.

Click here to read more from The Courier Mail

One wonders if the upcoming election and the need for crucial votes had anything to do with the sudden change of mind for Premier Anna Bligh MP and the Labor Government??!!

Have your say, take the Traveston Dam POLL here

Barack Obama has won the 2008 U.S. presidential election, defeating John McCain and becoming the first African – American to hold the nation’s highest office. full story

Congratulations Obama on a landslide victory!

What an exciting time for the citizens of America.
This man has the intelligence and potential to create real and powerful changes that will go down in history hopefully bringing prosperity and unifying all of America.

Barack Obama’s Victory Acceptance Speech

[Information and images via CNN and the Chicago Tribune]