Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt has today launched an exciting campaign to encourage people across Hinkler to help him showcase the region in pictures.

“I’m putting together a photo book which will be given as a gift to visiting dignitaries and used to promote the electorate in Canberra, or if I am travelling in my role as Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment.

“I promote this great region of ours whenever I can and what better way than to show people how great this region is than with photos?”

Mr Pitt is calling on all photographers – young, old, professional, amateur, anyone who can point a camera and shoot – to contribute photos that best represent the region.

“It could be whales frolicking off the Fraser Coast, one of the beautiful sandy beaches along the coast, a roaring cane fire or iconic locations like the Urangan Pier and the Hummock.

“If you were trying to get someone to visit the region, what would you send them a photo of?”

Mr Pitt said it’s important that we tell everyone how great our region is; talk it up and encourage people to visit.

Each photographer will have their name and the location of the photo published in the photo book.

The closing date for photos to be submitted is 5pm Friday, November 11, and photos must be of a location in the Hinkler electorate.

You can find a map of the electorate here: http://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/qld/files/2009/2009-aec-map-qld-hinkler.pdf

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:

Photos can be submitted by email to keith.pitt.mp@aph.gov.au with the subject heading ‘Bundy Bay & Bush’ or print copies will be accepted at the electorate office, 41 Woongarra Street, Bundaberg. Unfortunately USB’s cannot be used due to security issues.

By submitting a photo you agree to it being used in the book, with your name alongside it, or in any promotional purposes of the book. There will be no payment for its use.

Schools across Hinkler can now apply for grants from the Coalition Government to deliver digital literacy programs to students in engaging and innovative ways.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the 2016 Digital Literacy School Grants program was looking for projects that demonstrated new and innovative methods for teaching students how to use and understand digital technology.

“It is important all children in the Hinkler community have the skills to use digital technology to ensure they are prepared for the jobs of the future,” he said.

“By encouraging digital literacy from an early age I hope that we can increase the interest amongst our students in subjects like science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and encourage a lifelong engagement in the subjects.”

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said up to $4 million had been allocated to the program as part of the Australian Government’s $50.6 million commitment through the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA) to assist Australian teachers and students to embrace the digital age.

“Alongside the Coalition Government’s new Digital Technologies Hub, the grants are also designed to support teachers to implement the digital technologies parts of the national curriculum by providing guidance and support on digital literacy learning and skills in both primary and secondary schools,” Minister Birmingham said. 

“The Coalition Government is committed to improving the teaching and learning of digital literacy in our schools.”

Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) on Friday, 28 October 2016. Further information on the grants is available at: http://education.gov.au/digital-literacy-school-grants-dlsg.

Helping disadvantaged and disconnected people of all ages in the Bundaberg region will be made easier thanks to a grant from the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt congratulated Angels Inc which has been awarded $16,824 to fit-out and furnish the community hall and open a retail shop.

“Angels Inc runs many programs for people of all ages, including friendships groups, travel groups and community enterprise programs,” he said.

“The upgrade to the facilities at the hall means these programs – including a community inclusiveness program – will continue to help a wide variety of people in the community.”

Mr Pitt said the Stronger Communities Program has been a boost for community groups and organisations that would otherwise struggle to generate the funding for this type of work to be done.

Angels Inc operations manager Sue Tasker said the group identifies a need in the community and then works together to develop an enterprise project to fill the need.

“Participants take great pride in the work they perform and regardless of age and community stature develop positive self-worth and esteem by assisting others,” she said.

Previous groups have worked together on arts and crafts activities and then hosted a community Cent Sale, where profits went to assist two deserving members of the community to seek medical treatment.

Ms Tasker said another activity earmarked by the group is to create sleeping bags and bedding for the needy.

“We are also opening a new retail shop on Saturday – called Second 2 None at 45a Walla Street – which has a variety of handmade products including furniture, artwork, pot plant stands.  It also has a range of refashioned clothing including prom dresses.”

Through the Stronger Communities Programme, eligible community groups can apply for grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 for small capital projects. All applications need to commit at least matching funding or in-kind contributions.

Each Federal Electorate is allocated $150,000 a year over two years. For more information go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/SCP

Continuing to provide social and emotional support to local men will be much easier with the official opening of the new Burrum District Community Men’s Shed building.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt congratulated the organisation on seeing this project come to fruition.

“The Burrum District Community Men’s Shed has been working hard for several years to secure its own shed. I wrote to then Defence Minister Darren Chester to inquire if there were any pre-fabricated disused Department of Defence sheds that could be utilised by the group.

“Fortunately, there was one available and in October 2014 it was trucked to Howard from Wallangarra in South Queensland. A similar shed had previously been sourced for the Toogoom RSL.

“It is well known that problems with men’s health, isolation, loneliness and depression are a major health issue for society, and men’s sheds can play a significant and practical role in addressing these and other issues,” Mr Pitt said.

“Men’s sheds help connect men with their communities and mainstream society, and at the same time, act as a catalyst in stimulating their community’s economic activities.

“As the region’s older population continues to grow, I have no doubt that the men’s shed will continue to flourish and provide a tremendous outlet for local men.”

Burrum District Community Men’s Shed secretary John Laffin said it was wonderful for the group to finally see the shed finished.

“The build started in August 2015 after being granted $32,000 through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund to help with construction of the shed,” Mr Laffin said.

“I’d like to thank all of the members who pitched in and gave their time to get the shed built.

“I’d also like to thank the Fraser Coast Regional Council, local businesses and community groups for their support. And a special thank you to the Burrum District Respite Centre which donated its shed to the group to use for the past three years.”

Mr Laffin said the shed was an important meeting place where men of different ages and cultures could come together to socialise, share life experiences and skills.

“By supporting the social, emotional, psychological and physical well-being of men, they are also an important vehicle for maintaining men’s health and for promoting healthy ageing.”

Burrum District Community Men’s Shed was started in 2011 and incorporated in 2012. It currently has 34 members.

The organisation is one of more than 930 men’s sheds which are represented by Australian Men’s Shed Association (AMSA).

AMSA was established in 2007 by the Australian independent community-based Men’s Sheds as a Federated body to represent, support and promote the Men’s Shed movement.

It was founded on the principle of sharing information between sheds and those communities wishing to establish and operate a Men’s Shed. It acts as a central hub for information exchange.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt has congratulated a local academic on her outstanding contributions to student learning.

Lecturer Trixie James from CQUniversity’s Bundaberg campus was awarded prestigious Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning though the Coalition Government’s 2016 Australian Awards for University Teaching program.

“It gives me great pleasure to recognise the significant commitment and achievement of university teachers and professional staff in Bundaberg,” Mr Pitt said.

“Ms James has been recognised for excellence in motivating, inspiring and enabling students to realise their potential and gain a passion and thirst for knowledge through innovative teaching approaches.

“Improving the student learning experience is what these Citations are all about, and they confirm the crucial role teachers play in providing quality education to Australia’s students.

“The Citations awarded recognise a diverse range of contributions and are evidence of the innovative and dedicated work of our university teachers,” Mr Pitt said.

Each successful individual or team will receive $10,000 to further their work supporting university students.

Minister for Education and Training, Simon Birmingham also praised the Citation recipients and reaffirmed the Australian Government’s commitment to ensuring a high quality of student learning.

“Excellent teachers and their work deserve celebration to ensure even more Australians can benefit from the lessons they’ve learned. That’s why the Coalition Government believes high quality teaching must be a core expectation of all Australian higher education providers.”

CQUniversity is among 36 universities around the country to have staff recognised through the 2016 programme with 109 recipients being awarded Citations.

A full list of Citation recipients is available from http://www.education.gov.au/australian-awards-university-teaching

In a show of true bipartisan support, a seabed survey to find a preferred site for ex-HMAS Tobruk has been personally funded by local politicians and businesses.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt held discussions with stakeholders to secure funding for the additional testing to be carried out.

“With extensive work already done on securing the ex-HMAS Tobruk, one of the last activities was a seabed survey of the ocean floor in the proposed dive wreck location.

“The next step was finding a way to fund the hydrographic survey, so I raised the idea of joint funding it with my colleagues in Federal, State and Local Government, as well as several local businesses.

“Being supportive of the project from the outset, they were all quick to say yes,” Mr Pitt said.

Getting on board to help Mr Pitt fund the survey was patron Senator James McGrath, State Member for Bundaberg The Hon Leanne Donaldson, State Member for Burnett Steve Bennett MP, State Member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen MP, Fraser Coast Regional Councillors Rolf Light and Darren Everard, Hervey Bay Boat Club’s Ed Gibson and Nick Schulz.

“With the monetary support from Fraser Coast Regional Council and Bundaberg Regional Council, and the existing work done by the advisory group, we already knew we had a strong bid for ex-HMAS Tobruk.

“But this show of bipartisan support by all three levels of government and local businesses – people that are prepared to put their money where their mouth is – shows that we will work together to make this project a reality,” Mr Pitt said.

“They also realise the economic potential of this project for the region, which will bring long term, sustainable jobs.”

 Preliminary reports from the survey completed by AQUAMAP have identified a site which is 25.13 nautical miles from the Urangan Boat Harbour entrance and 22.78 nautical miles from the Burnett River entrance.

“There are a number of technical requirements for the selection of the site including the depth, currents, tides and visibility,” Mr Pitt said.

“The ideal site will have mild currents which would make it suitable for divers of all experience levels.”

An upgrade to facilities at the Hervey Bay Surf Life Saving Club thanks to a Stronger Communities Programme grant from the Federal Government will widen the use of the clubhouse as a community facility.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt congratulated the club which has been awarded $5455 to upgrade its kitchen facilities and provide a shaded outdoor area.

“The Stronger Communities Programme has been a boost for community groups and organisations like the surf club that would otherwise struggle to generate the funding for this type of work to be done.

“The improved function hire ability will provide increased revenue to support the club’s lifesaving activities such as the purchase of emergency first aid and rescue equipment,” Mr Pitt said.

 The upgrade to the kitchen would see new shelving installed and sheeting on the walls, and the shaded outdoor area would provide a place for Nippers to conduct off-beach activities, and members and spectators to watch events.

 Hervey Bay Surf Life Saving Club director of finance Andrew Eason said the club was a hub for the local and surrounding communities with the facilities being accessed extensively for functions, education programs and social gatherings.

 “The clubhouse is also used three days per week to provide a social outing for Indigenous elders, including a meal prepared in our kitchen, and the upgrade to the kitchen will allow this to continue,” he said.

 The shaded outdoor area is also a priority for club as it will host the 2017 Junior State Championships, which will bring an influx of people to the region.

 “The new shaded area will protect our nippers from the sun during training and provide an additional space from which to watch surf events.

 “It will also meet the basic needs of our volunteers and the community will enable us to attract more members which will continue to make our beaches safer and contribute to the well-being of the entire community,” Mr Eason said.

Through the Stronger Communities Programme, eligible community groups can apply for grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 for small capital projects. All applications need to commit at least matching funding or in-kind contributions.

Each Federal Electorate is allocated $150,000 a year over two years. For more information go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/SCP

Melon and pumpkin producers in the Hinkler region will benefit from new market access to Japan which will deliver new opportunities and better returns to growers.

The Hinkler region is Australia’s largest producer of heavy vegetables and the Bundaberg-Burnett region produces around 25% of Queensland’s rockmelons and more than 4500 tonnes of pumpkins per year.

Member for Hinkler and Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Keith Pitt said the trade deal opens a key growth market for Australian rockmelon, watermelon and honeydew melon growers.

“Through the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA), the Coalition Government has already achieved elimination of the 3% tariff on pumpkins and six per cent tariff on watermelons into Japan.

“The 6% tariff on melons into Japan is set to follow, falling to zero on 1 April 2019,” Mr Pitt said.

“Those opportunities only exist on paper without agreement on the technical market access requirements for exports – the biosecurity processes that allow us to actually ship this produce to Japan – and now that agreement has been reached.

“And it means this trade can begin immediately, which means our local growers will benefit straight away.”

Mr Pitt said the Japan FTA provides multiple trade and export opportunities for producers and businesses in the Hinkler region.

With nearly 380 rockmelon, watermelon and honeydew melon growers and more than 800 pumpkin growers across the nation, Australia grows more than 260,000 tonnes of melons and over 110,000 tonnes of pumpkins each year.  

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt says the community has a huge part to play in protecting and supporting children.

This week is National Child Protection Week (September 4-10) and this year’s theme is ‘Stronger Communities, Safer Children’.

Events are taking place around the country so that community members can get together to focus on promoting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in their neighbourhoods.

“Approximately 40,000 Australian children are abused or neglected each year, which demonstrates the need to do more. I am committed to working together with our community to ensure children and young people are valued, nurtured and live free from abuse and neglect,” Mr Pitt said.

Governments across Australia, together with the community sector, are implementing the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children and the new strategies set out in the Third Action Plan 2015 – 2018, which is focused on prevention and early intervention.

A paper released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, in partnership with NAPCAN, showcases existing evidence that stronger communities are fundamental to preventing child abuse and neglect.

“We need to build communities where there is a sense of belonging, where people know each other and where families are supported. Evidence shows there are tangible long term benefits when you volunteer, when you connect with other families, when you run a community organisation or program.

“I would like to acknowledge and thank all the volunteers and local services in our community for doing their bit to support families and children and who also make Hinkler a great place to live,” Mr Pitt said.

National Child Protection Week is an opportunity for all Australians – as community members, extended family members, neighbours, employers, employees, parents, carers or through other roles – to focus on how we can play a part in promoting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

For more information about National Child Protection Week, head to www.napcan.org.au.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt has today welcomed news that the State Labor Government has called for expressions of interest from local councils regarding ex-HMAS Tobruk for use as a military dive wreck.

“It’s great to see this project gathering momentum. We have two councils – Fraser Coast Regional Council and Bundaberg Regional Council – which have both committed $1 million in funding and are ready to work together,” he said.

“The Wide Bay Regional Drive Wreck Advisory Group has been working on this project for more than three years, so this region is ready to go if Queensland is successful in securing ex-HMAS Tobruk.”

Mr Pitt said an ex-HMAS Tobruk dive site has the potential to contribute between $1 million and $4 million each year to the local economy.

“This project will create jobs, create new business and bring more tourists to our region, which is the shot in the arm this region needs.

A report by the Centre for Conservation Geography into the economic impact of the scuba dive industry in Australia estimates that dive related spending in Australia is $2.2 billion a year.

“In Queensland dive related spending is potentially as much as $950 million a year, which shows there are real economic benefits from this project if we are successful in the local bid.”