David Batt (Hinkler, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

My electorate of Hinkler is full of opportunity, new beginnings and wonderful people getting things done. This was on show at the blessing of a new grotto and garden at the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Childers recently. The famous Bruce Highway runs through this town and the peaceful space is open to locals and travellers looking for somewhere to take a break. The new Maternal Heart Garden and Grotto was officially blessed and dedicated as a place of fellowship, faith and renewal. I had the privilege of being involved in the opening with Father Jack Ho, members of the parish and the year 1 students from the neighbouring St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, where I presented an Australian flag at an earlier assembly. The students sang, danced and used AUSLAN to celebrate the opening. The generosity of the local O'Brien and La Rocca families made this grotto and garden possible.

I'm proud to have officially opened the new Hinkler electorate satellite office in Hervey Bay, a bustling and booming community that deserve to have their voices heard. Thankyou to the Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, for giving his time to celebrate the opening. I've commenced constituent meetings in the office, and on the day of the ribbon cutting I was fortunate enough to spend time with Hervey Bay pharmacist Paul Stanton in the lead up to World Pharmacists Day. Paul shared the challenges and opportunities facing our local pharmacy, and I applaud Paul and all Hinkler pharmacists for their role in keeping my community healthy. I also met with Australian Medical Association of Queensland president and local Hervey Bay GP Dr Nick Yim, who highlighted the need for private practices in Hinkler to be given a fairer go to ensure patients can access more affordable and reliable health care.

I've had the fortune to take my mobile office on the road throughout Hinkler over the past two weeks. My 'Straight off the Batt' office visited 17 locations. My team and I said g'day to locals at the Buxton boat ramp, Childers' main street, the wonderful beachside village of Woodgate, Torbanlea, Aldershot, Toogoom, the beautiful Burrum Heads, various locations around Bundy, Burnett Heads, Bargara, Elliott Heads, Pialba, Urangan and River Heads. The strong themes discussed were aged-care concerns, veterans affairs, telecommunications shortfalls, energy policy, rising electricity prices and the cost of living. I thank my community for attending these mobile office locations. I value their feedback. I will always work hard to find solutions to any matters facing the people of Hinkler and ensure regional Aussies get their fair share.

I highlight two of Hinkler's finest young ambassadors and leaders: Hervey Bay's Maxim Van Wijk and Bundaberg's Emily Cullinan. Max is 15 years old and has been selected to attend a Rotary youth exchange for 12 weeks in Belgium. Max is hoping to hone his French language and immerse himself in the local culture and cuisine. Emily, from Bundaberg, is also 15 years old and will head to Cancun, Mexico for her three-month exchange. These programs build friendships around the world and teach students a new language and culture. I have proudly met with these two youth exchange ambassadors and presented them with an Australian flag, an Australian pin, a copy of our Constitution and other resources to take with them overseas. On behalf of the Hinkler community, I wish Max and Emily safe travels and look forward to catching up with them both on their return.

I wish BUSHkids a happy 90th anniversary. It is a not-for-profit organisation supporting children and families in regional, rural and remote Queensland. Once known as the Royal Queensland Bush Children's Health Scheme, the roots of this organisation are in the electorate of Hinkler, in Hervey Bay. It all started with summer camps for bush children at the QCWA holiday college at Pialba. BUSHkids, as an organisation, has evolved, and it is always about improving the lives of children, particularly those experiencing disadvantage. BUSHkids delivers holistic family centred services in collaboration with local communities, community organisations and health and education providers. In Hinkler, the Early Childhood Approach, or ECA, delivers services in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg, supporting children with disability or developmental delay from birth to age nine. I recently had the privilege of supporting and attending the screening of a film called SEEN, presented by BUSHkids, which provides an inspiring insight into the power of positive parenting. In their 90th year, I applaud the work of BUSHkids staff, the Friends of BUSHkids volunteers, CEO Carlton Meyn, president Dr Neil Bartels and the board for all they are doing to give our youngsters the best shot at life. Thank you.

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