WINTER APPEAL
THE rising cost of living and its impact on disadvantaged and marginalised Queenslanders is never more evident than during the winter months.
Last financial year alone, St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland (Vinnies) members provided more than $4.6 million worth of food in the form of vouchers or parcels.
Each year thousands of Queenslanders turn to Vinnies for assistance to make it through the coldest months of the year.
Services are increasingly in demand as the costs of essential goods and services including health, education and utilities increase faster than wages for low income earners.
The high costs of living impact on low income families and individuals the hardest and can cause profound distress.
When the people we assist seek our help, they routinely report how they feel they have failed or feel ashamed and embarrassed because they are unable to provide for their children or because they have to seek help from charities to keep the lights on or pay the rent.
Vinnies will always be there to help people in need. With our support their dignity and self-confidence is restored, but we need your help to continue.
The Winter Appeal is a vital fundraiser which allows us to provide Queenslanders with food, warmth and shelter each year.
- J. Forrest, St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland president
VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK
THANK you to the tens of thousands of Queenslanders who keep the community cycle of giving going each year by volunteering their time.
Last week’s National Volunteer Week came with the theme ‘Give a little, change a lot’. Bicycle Queensland is extremely fortunate to benefit from the support of community volunteers.
Every year, we draw on the kindness and encouragement of nearly 500 volunteers from all walks of life to chase our dream of getting more people cycling more often.
Volunteering with us is always exciting – whether you help in our fast-paced office environment or out on route for one of our iconic bicycle touring holidays or major events.
Without our volunteers, we simply would not be able to stage such successful events as the eight-day Cycle Queensland Adventure Holiday, the Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge and the Yarraman to Wulkuraka Three-Day Rail Trail Adventure.
Our volunteers helped us to grow from a small collective of cycling enthusiasts to one of the largest and most influential community cycling organisations in Australia.
They are motivated by the promise of fun, fitness and the opportunity to enjoy Queensland’s great outdoors – factors that inspire bike riding in all its forms.
To all of our volunteers – thank you for keeping our wheels turning.
- A. Savage, Bicycle Queensland chief executive
PREPARE A FIRE PLAN
ANYONE who does not have a fire mitigation plan on acreage, needs their head read.
I've seen places that have bush right up to the house.
If a wildfire got going, they would not stand a chance. Regular burn-offs of fuel build-up should be undertaken by all property owners.
- B. Pratt, via Facebook.
