Hervey Bay Gossip

It’s the time of the month in Hervey Bay when the moon is full and moonrise and moonset are just as spectactular as sunrise and sunset. It’s certainly worth seeing and this was the view from our office window just as the  full moon rose last night.

There’s been a lot of talk in Queensland lately about the aviation industry and how Queensland is to become the home of the aviation industry in Australia.

At the same time here in Hervey Bay there’s been a lot of talk about our new airport and how much of an impact the airport is having on the town. And through it all Hervey Bay and Queensland have had a leader in world aviation quietly working away out at the airport.

Apart from an occasional flight over Hervey Bay by one their products you don’t see much of Seabird Aviation - even the part of their plant that you can see out at the airport is rather low key - but Seabird Aviation is exporting to the world.

You can read more about Seabird Aviation here on the Hervey Bay Gossip here, here, here and here and you can also vist Seabird Aviation’s new website and get a good look at their great product simply by following the link.

Even though we’ve experienced so rather cold days this winter we not seem to be returning to normal. Winter Hervey Bay style means days so warm that you can still go swimming and the beach is a great place to be.

Yesterday afternoon was definitely warm enough to go swimming,

The report of the Local Government Reform Comission has now been released and, as expected, Hervey Bay will be affected by changes that the Commission has recommended.

The report recommends that Hervey Bay be included in the Fraser Coast Regional Council. This council will include all parts of the current Hervey Bay City Council, the Maryborough City Council, Woocoo Shire and Divisions 1 and 2 of Tiaro Shire.

The Commission has recommended that the new council be an undivided regional council with 10 Councillors plus the Mayor. An undivided regional council is one where there are no wards and Councillors are elected on the basis of votes cast throughout the entire council area.

While the findings of the Commission may not sit well with some of the Councils - particularly Maryborough who would rather walk across hot coals than be included with Hervey Bay - the findings were what local businesses in both centres had hoped would happen.

The death of numerous fish in various dams around the State hit the papers this week but is it all doom and gloom?

Here is one local expert’s considered opinion.

Queensland retirees are ‘Easing into village life’ with the help of a new information guide, says Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech

The free guide from the Office of Fair Trading tells retirees all they need to know about retirement village living.

“The decision to move into a retirement village is an exciting one that can involve significant lifestyle change and considerable financial commitment,” Mrs Keech said.

“Easing into village life is an easy-to-use reference designed to help retirees understand everything about retirement village life from contracts and financial contributions to their rights if they decide to leave.

“The guide provides a plain English explanation of the laws governing retirement villages including recent changes to the Retirement Villages Act 1999 which give greater protection to the rights of village residents.

“The guide is a must for anyone considering moving into a retirement village. It will help ensure your decision is an informed one.”

The guide features topics such as:

• what is a retirement village

• things to consider before deciding to live in a retirement village

• shopping around for the most suitable retirement village

• options after signing the contract

• associated costs and charges

• dispute resolution; and

• options when residents decide to leave the village.

It also includes frequently asked questions, a checklist for making the right decision and a list of useful contacts.

Easing into village life can be downloaded from the Office of Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or get a hard copy mailed out by calling 13 13 04.

The Premier has announced that Local Government Reform Commission’s report will be released on Friday. There will be a detailed briefing for Mayors, other stakeholders and the media on Friday morning and the report will be released to the public at midday.

A $2 million capital works project has been completed at Wide Bay Institute of TAFE’s Hervey Bay Senior College campus, allowing all classes to operate out of one modern facility.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford officially opened the new facilities today.

Mr Welford said the Beattie Government had invested $1.2 million to ensure the college remained a first-rate destination for students looking for pathways to employment or further study.

“Our Government is committed to making sure all young Queenslanders are either learning or earning and that’s why we’ve provided this new facility at the Hervey Bay Senior College,” Mr Welford said.

“The project included construction of a new building - W Block - and refurbishment of existing facilities at the college.

“The new building houses the language centre, the fashion and sewing centre and theory classrooms, catering for 176 staff and students - including a large cohort of international students.

“Blocks A, C, E and F were refurbished to provide more teaching spaces, improved technology and learning equipment, air-conditioning and updated fire prevention methods.

“This project has allowed the Hervey Bay campus to offer all classes at one modern facility.

“Traditional subjects like maths and English are being taught alongside specialist studies like fashion, Adult Migrant English and the Silkeborg Higher Technical Examination Program for Danish exchange students.”

The Federal Government also contributed funding of $800,000 to the project, taking the total investment to $2 million.

Mr Welford said the upgrades would further cement the institute’s position as a valuable resource for the Wide Bay region, in helping to meet the need for more skilled local workers.

“For more than 20 years the Hervey Bay Senior College has provided Year 10 graduates with alternative avenues to complete Year 12, to pursue university entrance, or study subjects leading to a prevocational certificate with credits towards an apprenticeship,” he said.

“When the college opened in 1986, it offered six courses to around 300 students. Now the campus offers 128 programs to around 3000 students-10 times the original number.

“The college’s flexible approach to training and education, such as negotiated assessments and a learning environment based on mutual respect, also supports the Government’s Education and Training Reforms for the Future to ensure young people continue their learning journey.”

When most people think of Hervey Bay they think of whales, access to Fraser Island and maybe a spot of fishing too. But there’s more to Hervey Bay than just those things … there’s also things to do and see below the surface of the Bay

So if you’re thinking of diving in Hervey Bay you should find this page, Diving Hervey Bay … and the links on it … to be of some use.

If you’ve ever been out on one of the great whale watching cruises that operates out of Hervey Bay during July to November you’ll know what I mean when I wonder whether it’s just us watching the whales or mabye the whales find us interesting enough to watch us too.

This photo was taken from one of Hervey Bay’s whale watching cruise boats - the DescaradA and you can find more photos taken from the DescaradA here