TIME TO BRING FACTIONS TOGETHER TO DEVELOP UNITY IN STRADDIE ABORIGINAL AND QYAC OUTCOMES
In recent times, the Friendly Bay Islander has endeavoured to find out information from the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) with little or no success.
We have asked the corporation and their advertising agency to advise who has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of QYAC since the shock resignation of Cameron Costello prior to Christmas 2020.
Calls to their office result in vague answers and referrals to other areas; that result in a similar outcome.
The advertising agency appointed to handle their affairs told us they are ‘none the wiser’ and stated they ‘no longer represent QYAC’.
Rumours around the island are many, with one stating that a Chief Operating Officer had been appointed, but no-one seems to know who that is.
Their website and facebook pages reveal little or nothing; certainly nothing about anyone who might be in charge.
The situation is ludicrous and should not be allowed to continue.
Everyone knows there is a major split in the aboriginal community ranks on Minjerribah (Straddie). It has been well documented in our pages over a long period of time.
Pleas for intervention have fallen on deaf Government ears, which harks back to the days of the architect of it all, former Deputy Premier and now private citizen, Jacki Trad.
You could not be blamed for thinking that she is still at the helm of this island mess.
There needs to be intervention of some kind, given that the anti QYAC faction are camped on traditional grounds at Point Lookout in protest.
The Friendly Bay Island has made overtures to Government members of parliament for someone to step in an endeavour to get QYAC and their island opposition around a table and to sort it out.
The role of the QYAC board needs to be looked at, and that of the board chair Dr Valerie
Cooms.
Is it time for wholesale change?
We think so, and with the matter now in limbo or sorts, there is no better time.
Why the situation is allowed to continue on with such a split in the island community, is unfathomable.
It is as if the State Government has a see-no-evil, hear-no-evil, speak-no-evil approach.
Is QYAC the organisation untouchable?
We don’t know and others think they know.
Time for this situation to be sorted out once and for all.
TIME N TIDE WHAT A DRENCHING AND DANGER! The rain has kept coming and coming and giving nearly all of Eastern and Central Australia a pounding. In places like the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, there have been record falls and record destruction. Around our islands and SE Queensland it has not been quite as bad, but bad enough. Our islands are susceptible to trees coming down regularly in conditions like we have seen, as constant rain loosens root systems. The biggest impact is when a tree hits power lines, and early on there was an incident when a tree cut off power to much of the Southern Bay islands. After the rain, we are still in dangerous territory, and islanders are advised to keep an eye out for nearby trees and the dangers they present. Any fears, contact the SES or you local tree contractor. SEA LINK FARE INCREASES Barge and ferry operators SeaLink have announced fare increases for their barge services. They sent out a recent notification to say “we wish to advise that there will be an increase in fares applicable to our North Stradbroke Island and Southern Moreton Bay Islands services, effective for travel from 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022. The fare changes are a result of increased operating costs. We look forward to seeing you on board in 2021 and 2022,” the statement said. The increase for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands vehicle ferry averages around 2.8% and the island resident rate will increase $1.50 each way for a standard car from 1st April 2021. ANTI VACCINE POSTER Island residents will have seen an un-signed poster that was circulated around the islands recently. It was an anti Covid 19 vaccine two-sided colour pamphlet. No organisation was identified anywhere on the pamphlet as to responsibility. It is believed both State and Federal Governments will be looking into distribution given the seriousness of the pandemic and the importance of the vaccine rollout. The item was distributed by a private island letter box contractor, and was not handled by Australia Post contractors.
RUSSELL ISLAND FERAL CAT CONTROL Redland City Council has started a feral cat control program on Council-owned land on Russell Island following concerns from the local community. Mayor Karen Williams said that across Australia, feral cats were a major threat to native animals, having directly contributed to the extinction of more than 20 species of Australian mammals and put pressure on at least 124 species endangered with extinction. “On Russell Island, feral cat control will help protect the native water mouse (Xeromys myoides), glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), wallum froglet (Crinia tinnula) and various small shorebirds that call the island home. Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said island catS need to be microchipped and kept on the property of ownership. “Cats with a microchip will be taken to the Redland Animal Shelter where attempts will be made to contact their owners. Cats without a microchip will be assessed for suitability for re-homing.”