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Councillor Amanda Cooper's News Column for January 2008

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News Column

Councillor Amanda Cooper
Bracken Ridge Ward, Brisbane City Council
Lord Mayor's Spokesperson on Urban Planning & Economic Development
Phone: 36676000 or 0438 113 719

Happy New Year to All!  I hope you are all enjoying a safe and happy holiday season in 2008. 

The school holidays are a busy time for both parents and children and with the overcast weather, you are probably looking for ideas of how to keep the children entertained.  Come and attend the Illustration Workshop with Susy Boyer to be held in the Bracken Ridge Library on Wednesday 16 January 2008 at 10.30am for children aged 8-14 years.

My next Movies in the Park will literally be under the stars at the top end of Barrett Street Reserve.  We will be showing Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer on Friday 18 January 2008.  This is a must for school holiday entertainment so come along and enjoy a free movie under the stars with a yummy Scouts community fundraising sausage sizzle and glow sticks for sale.  Don’t forget your chairs, blanket and insect repellent. 

There’s still time to join the Summer Reading Adventure so come and pick up your passport and Adventure Guide from the library.  This program encourages children to read over the holidays and finishes on Friday 25 January 2008.  Don’t forget the library is open Tuesdays through to Saturdays from 10am and closed on Mondays. 

Summer reading events are fun and held at the Bracken Ridge Library each Friday from 10.30am to 11.30am - a must to bring the children or grandchildren to.  A great way to start your computer education for 2008 is the *Introduction to the Internet – please phone Bracken Ridge Library on: 3667 6060 for further information or to make a booking.

Bracken Ridge Central Lions Club will host their fifth annual Australian Citizenship Ceremony on Sunday 27 January in McPherson Park and I am very proud to be the presiding officer with Campbell Newman, Lord Mayor attending.  This year we will welcome 38 adults and children into our Australian family from 13 different nations from New Zealand, Philippines, Britain, China, Nepal, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Taiwan, Sudan, Fiji, Korea and United States of America.

We are very lucky this year to have local musician Dan Sweetman singing some Australian songs. The Bracken Ridge ceremony has become a very moving and traditional event with the local community becoming involved, in particular the Bracken Ridge Lions and Lioness Clubs, the Scouts and Bracken Ridge McDonalds.

The Bracken Ridge Lions’ Steam Train rides continue to be popular, drawing locals and visitors for a family outing. It is a cheap day out, where the whole family can have a ride on the miniature steam trains, wander around the stalls and enjoy lunch under the shade of the trees. The steam trains are located at McPherson Park, Bracken Ridge on the fourth Sunday of the month from 10am to 4pm.

Have your children visited the new playground in the Barrett Street Reserve with a new range of swings incorporating a small rock climbing wall.  I hope the children enjoy the new style of swings and activities on offer in the park with new rubber matting for their safety.  Local residents are also encouraged to enjoy the new playground and shelter in Fred Francis Park at the end of Brookvale Place in the Sungate Estate.

Has your smaller dog or puppy test driven the new scaled down sized exercise yard at the Barrett Street Reserve Off Leash Area?  The Council has just completed the changes to the existing dog off leash area, which provides a separate section for small dogs and puppies to run around in safely.  With two new shelters, two new seats and two new entry holding areas its all ready for summer puppy holiday fun.

The new Active Parks North program is out for January through to March 2008 kicking off with three (3) Self Defence and Karate sessions.  The first session will be in Harold Kielly Park each Saturday from 16 February to 8 March from 9.30am – 10.30am.  The second session will be in Phillip Vaughan Park, same dates from 11am – 12 noon.  The third session will be in Bangalow Street Park, same dates from 12.30pm – 1.30pm.  Look for the active and healthy signs.
 
Don’t forget the new Chill Out program is also out for January through to March 2008 is now available with loads of activities for the children during the school holidays.  Get Wild! Discover Natural Brisbane Calendar of Events for Summer 2007/2008 program is also available.  For a program please contact my office on:  3667 6000 or for what’s on in Brisbane phone Council on: 3403 8888 or visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/activeandhealthy.

“What’s in the Box” holiday fun for the children at Artrageous Community Arts Centre at 84 88 Loftus Street, Deagon are running a number of fun classes with all materials and refreshments included in the price, all facilitators hold a blue card.  All workshops require bookings and prepayment, please call: 3269 1535.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Bracken Ridge Ward Office on 3667 6000 or via email at brackenridge.ward@ecn.net.au.

Happy and Safe Holidays
Councillor Amanda Cooper
Bracken Ridge Ward

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