Cr Danita Potter - Community Portfolio Report - 14 June 2017

Libraries

This month the South Burnett Libraries’ launched the new “Rocket to Reading” Library Loyalty Program for children 0 to 12 years old.  This program has been designed to encourage children not only to use and visit the library, but also to be comfortable and confident in asking staff for help and support when needed.  After the first week, Kingaroy alone has seen 70 children sign up to this exciting program.

The school holiday activities have once again proven to be a success with an action packed couple of weeks.  One of the activities was mini-golf where six holes set up in and around the libraries with many budding golfers manoeuvring their way around the obstacles of the themed holes.  The range of ages proved to be no barrier as everyone joined in, cheering one-another on and taking pleasure in each performance, demonstrating the Aussie spirit.

Libraries - Rotary Club Donates Life Saving Equipment

Recently the Kingaroy Rotary Club approached the South Burnett Regional Council and offered to supply the Kingaroy Library with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

The President and members of the Kingaroy Rotary Club met with myself and staff at the Kingaroy Library for the official hand over of the AED.

This project will have such a positive impact on our community and I would like to express our appreciation to the Rotary Club of Kingaroy for choosing to donate this AED to the Kingaroy Library. It is the hope that the need for this AED will not be realised, however knowing that it is available for any cardiac emergency, will hopefully assist and prevent a tragedy that otherwise may not have been averted.

All staff in the Kingaroy Library will be trained in the use of the AED and the South Burnett Regional Council will be responsible for its maintenance and upkeep, however the cost is minimal compared to the peace of mind that it will bring.

National Simultaneous Storytime

National Simultaneous Storytime is an important annual campaign as part of Library & Information Week.  Now in its 17th successful year, the South Burnett has once again hosted this colourful, vibrant and fun event which aims to promote the value of reading and literacy. Each year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator is read simultaneously across the country.  This year children visited their local Library to share the story of ‘The Cow Tripped over the Moon’ written by Tony Wilson & illustrated by Laura Wood and then completed craft activities.   Kingaroy hosted over 60 children and adults in back to back story time sessions from the Kingaroy Kindergarten, a local daycare centre & other families from the local area.  18 children attended a special story time session at Blackbutt Library and almost 40 children joined in the fun at the Nanango Library. 

Proston Library - Angel Flight presentation

The Proston Library in conjunction with the Proston branch of the CWA were delighted to invite 34 guests to hear an Angel Flight spokesperson give his presentation on the services offered by this very important rural and remote medical service.  David Mathews-Frederick told of his years as a pilot with Angel Flight, how he built his own plane and some of the stories of patients that he has carried over the years.  A question and answer session resulted in many of the guests learning of services that they had no idea they had access to.  David explained how they were able to access these services through their doctors, social workers, hospitals and other specialist medical facilities. 

Upcoming Community Events

South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group “Winter Warmer” to be held in the Town Hall Forecourt on Friday 30 June 2017 from 4.00pm-7.00pm.  All welcome.  This group strives to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental illness and suicide. RU Ok is not just a day, it should be asked all year round.

Stronger Communities – This Thursday a Stronger Communities Meeting will be held.  This is a follow on from the first meeting last month to discuss the issues regarding the five main areas of childhood development in our children.  Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting in the Council Chambers at 6.30pm on Thursday 15 June 2017.