Bruce set to shine at Special Olympics

Ashley Schipper

Bundaberg man Bruce Gossner will travel to Berlin next month to represent Australia at the Special Olympics World Summer Games as part of the country’s athletics team.

Bruce's impressive journey to the World Games has been underway for some time, qualifying for the Australian team last October at the National Championships in Launceston.

He will be one of 64 athletes with an intellectual disability to wear the green and gold and represent Australia at the games.

Ann Gossner, Bruce's proud mother, expressed her heartfelt pride and gratitude.

“I couldn't be prouder of Bruce and his remarkable achievements,” she said.

“He has worked tirelessly to reach this point, and his dedication is truly inspiring.

“The whole community has been incredibly supportive, and we are grateful for their unwavering encouragement.

“We know that Bruce will give it his all at the Special Olympics World Games, and we will be cheering him on every step of the way.”

Bruce has been involved in athletics for just four years and has proven himself as a force to be reckoned with.

Having been involved with Special Olympics for 12 years, he has also represented Queensland in Basketball at a previous Special Olympics National Championships.

An NDIS participant with IMPACT Community Services, Bruce has been working hard to fund his participation in the games through a range of fundraising activities.

This includes collecting cans and drink bottles, which he plans to cash in at IMPACT’s Containers For Change Container Refund Point, converting recyclables into much needed funds.

Bruce's vibrant and active lifestyle reflects his ongoing pursuit of excellence.

Alongside his athletic endeavours, he participates in 10-pin bowling, weekly beep tests, one to two long runs per week, regular training sessions at the athletics track, gym workouts, and basketball training.

Chatting to Bruce, it’s clear to see that he loves what he does.

“I like meeting new friends from all over Australia,” he said.

“[On Tuesday] I was very happy to meet the Queensland Governor, Dr Jeannette Young, who presented the uniforms to Queensland athletes in the Australian team.”

IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea expressed her immense pride and admiration for Bruce's accomplishments.

“We are incredibly proud of Bruce and his outstanding achievements,” she said.

“His journey to qualify for the Special Olympics World Games is truly inspiring, and he serves as a shining example of determination and perseverance.

“Bruce's dedication to his athletic pursuits and his unwavering spirit have touched the hearts of our entire organization.

“We are standing firmly behind him, cheering him on as he represents Australia on the global stage.

“Bruce's success embodies the transformative power of sports and the indomitable spirit of our participants.

“We are honoured to be a part of his journey and remain committed to empowering individuals like Bruce to overcome barriers and achieve greatness.”

Bruce’s fundraising efforts continue both online and offline, with the final tally yet to be determined.

You can donate to help Bruce get to the Special Olympics World Games by making a tax-deductible donation here.

Ecotourism attraction on the way at Turtle Sands

Contributed

Turtle Sands Holiday Park at Mon Repos will soon be transformed into a year-round ecotourism attraction, with the sod turned and new trees planted on site during World Environment Day to mark the occasion.

The partnership project between NRMA Parks and Resorts and the Queensland Government will see a $28 million revamp to the iconic holiday destination.

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the project was estimated to attract over 90,000 visitors and generate more than $13 million in overnight visitor expenditure a year.

“This is a terrific partnership with NRMA Parks and Resorts who see the value in delivering more quality-based tourism infrastructure, to give visitors that extra level of comfort when they come to immerse themselves in this very unique holiday experience,” Minister Hinchliffe said. 

“Tourism operators tell me there’s a strong global desire for more meaningful ecotourism experiences and Turtle Sands Holiday Park ticks all the boxes, while creating over 70 good construction and operational jobs,” he said.

Mon Repos is home to the largest colony of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland, including the most significant nesting population of the endangered loggerhead turtle in the South Pacific region.

The overarching vision is to create a tourism experience that is both a great year-round holiday destination and a unique nature and cultural experience.

NRMA is already working closely with Gidarjil Development Corporation to plan a program of cultural experiences and considered nature encounters.

NRMA Parks and Resorts CEO Paul Davies said the preservation of this unique natural location, a critical nesting ground for one of Australia’s most important marine animals, was key to its operation.

“The new Turtle Sands will offer an immersive accommodation tourism experience celebrating and supporting the conservation of marine turtles in their natural environment,” Mr Davies said.

“The NRMA recognises the responsibility in working adjacent to the environmentally sensitive Mon Repos Conservation Park and a comprehensive set of Federal, State and Local Government environmental and design approvals guidelines are in place for the development.

“The design and operation of the Turtle Sands Holiday Park will adopt best practice environmental standards to protect this unique location, especially during the nesting season for turtles, including night-time light controls and restricted beach access.”

Mayor Jack Dempsey congratulated the NRMA at the official sod-turning event.

“It's very significant to be here on the 50th World Environment Day to turn the sod for a new NRMA facility, with members from our indigenous community and tourism sector coming together to celebrate,” he said.

“As we look over the beach we see waves of change and oceans of opportunities ahead for this exciting project, for new tourism ventures and for more cultural opportunities.”

Included in the plan is an interactive education program and guest activities that encourage participation in hands-on conservation initiatives.

Essential to the plan for the destination to have year-round appeal for guests is the consistent protection of the dunes and rookeries where the turtles nest.

Council grant supports Trauma Teddies

Emma Orford

The Bundaberg branch of the Australian Red Cross can keep knitting thanks to a Council Partnership and Sponsorship Grant for their Trauma Teddy Program.

The funding will help supply stuffing, labels, wool and other materials so that community volunteers can continue to get together and create these beneficial bears.

The Trauma Teddy Program launched in Australia in 1900 with the establishment of the Bundaberg branch in 2001.

Since then, a dedicated team of local knitters has provided teddies throughout the region in times of disaster but also to give comfort or reduce stress wherever needed.

Australian Red Cross Trauma Teddy Convener Wendy MacDonald said the teddies were not only given to children but also to the elderly and disadvantaged members of the community in times of need.

“Closer to home, the Red Cross Trauma Teddies were used at both the 2011 and 2013 floods here in Bundaberg,” Wendy said.

“In 2006, 467 Trauma Teddies were handed out to hospitals, pathology labs, physios and schools.

“This has greatly increased to more than 2,000 over the years with them being provided to three local hospitals, multiple pathology clinics, doctors surgeries, a domestic violence centre and the local ambulance, plus a few others.”

Wendy said they currently had approximately 50 volunteers who all played an integral part in the Trauma Teddy Program.

“There are the knitters, those who stuff and fill them, sew on labels, give them faces and finish off assembling our Trauma Teddies throughout the community,” she said.

“Even though we have this magnificent number of volunteers, new volunteers and members are always welcome and needed.”

Wendy said that while the teddies themselves provided comfort to those in need, the program also served as a social outing for those who enjoyed craft and a chat with others.

“[It] provides a necessary comfort when everyone around you seems to be busy or you are alone in hospital and missing your family,” she said.

“It can also fill in time at home and keep the mind motivated and the hands active and also gives a sense of achievement and satisfaction of knowing you are helping others in their time of need and stress.”

The Partnerships and Sponsorships Program reflects the philanthropy of Council and its commitment to improve the wellbeing of the community of the Bundaberg Region.

To find out more about the Trauma Teddies Program or to join, click here.

To find out more about Council's Partnership and Sponsorship Program, click here.

Riverfeast to hold Upmarket Upcycle Sale Day

Natasha Harth

Riverfeast is busy getting ready for a massive day of vintage, upcycled and preloved stalls at its first Upmarket Upcycle Sale Day.

Riverfeast Events Co-ordinator Lisa Gallwey said it was a chance for everybody to clean out their wardrobes, and to sell the designer clothes and knickknacks that they’ve collected.

“It's a garage sale on steroids!” she said.

Riverfeast Co-owner Karen Wittkopp said the Upmarket Upcycle Sale Day was a new venture for the venue, which had been focussing on their events and functions business for the past few years.

“Our markets came and went with Riverfeast Friday nights, but we’ve not had a dedicated one like this for people to bring all their worldly goods,” Karen said.

“It's our chance to just go through all of my props and make a plan for moving forward.”

Interest from potential stall holders has already been high, with vintage clothing, furniture, homewares and upcycled lamps among the planned stalls.

Part of the inspiration for holding the sale has been Riverfeast’s own eclectic collection of props that have accumulated over the years, including over 1,200 costumes.

“We are running out of space from lots of different events and things like that, and we are wanting to [get] our space ready for an exciting 2024,” Lisa said.

“It's been really popular (with stall holders), so it might be something we do every six months.”

The sale will include some new items, but mainly focused on upcycling, in keeping with Riverfeast’s ethos to reuse and be creative.

“At Riverfeast, we've always loved to recycle, the whole venue, everything pretty much is recycled and upcycled,” Lisa said.

With pre-loved furniture, hundreds of metres of new fabric, and craft materials to clear out, the sale will include plenty of items buyers can then refurbish and renew with their own creative skills.

Karen and Lisa encouraged buyers to see the potential in pre-loved items.

“Why buy new?” Karen said.

“Let’s get creative!” Lisa added.

Riverfeast Upmarket Upcycle Sale Day will be held on 17 June, 8 am to 2 pm.

Stall holders can book a site for $25 and bookings close 10 June.

Contact Riverfeast for more information.

History of the Alexandra Park rotunda

Contributed

The Alexandra Park rotunda – or bandstand – has been a permanent fixture within the popular recreational space since 1911.

Located in an open grassed area and boasting a grand architectural design, the structure has hosted many community celebrations in its 112 years.

Listed among Bundaberg Regional Council's Local Heritage Places the rotunda was built after plans were approved at a Council meeting on 15 December 1910.

Prominent local architect FH Faircloth produced drawings for a “…handsome and roomy bandstand”.

Mayor Alderson Nielson donated £50 (his Mayoral allowance) towards the cost of the bandstand while other funds came from government parks and gardens grants.

Tenders for the building were called for soon after the Council meeting, on 16 December, to be ready for the next meeting on 11 January 1911.

Mr John Heaps won the tender with a quote of £160 for a rotunda with iron railings or £158 for wooden railings.

The quote for a rotunda featuring iron railings was accepted.

The bandstand was officially opened to the public on the evening of Wednesday 8 November 1911 with a crowd of 400 to 500 present to hear the Naval Band play.

Mayor Alderman Nielson had died suddenly on 11 October 1911 and the new rotunda was “…regarded as a memorial to Alderman Nielson – fitting that he should be remembered in the gardens and his name should be on the bandstand”.

He had been a great supporter of the Naval Band and of the construction of a bandstand.

Alexandra Park rotunda a great community asset

Today, the locally heritage-listed rotunda is still used for many community events and occasions in the centre of Alexandra Park.

The free-standing, elevated, timber-framed pavilion is set on a concrete and brick base, with turned timber columns and an octagonal steel roof.

A marble memorial plaque is attached to the brickwork on the north-eastern side of the bandstand which reads: ‘erected to the memory of the late Alderman Peter Nielson by the citizens of Bundaberg in recognition of his services as chairman of the Parks Committee 1912”.

A flagpole sits on a steel base adjacent to the steps.

On the western side of the bandstand, concrete steps lead down to a storage area.

In 2001, funds were set aside for works to be undertaken to the bandstand, which included painting the entire structure, replacing timber, repairs to the wrought iron balustrade and more.

A boulder with an attached plaque reading ‘In memory of all those who have fallen in all wars’ is located next to the band rotunda.

Photo: Rotunda in Alexandra Park. Picture Bundaberg, Rattray, Doug, date unknown, bun01231