Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year
As this is my final column for 2025, I want to wish everyone a very safe and happy Christmas and New Year. I hope the holiday season offers time with the friends, family and community that make this such a special part of the year. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with you in 2026 and to what we can achieve together as a region.
This season also gives us a chance to reflect on the year, celebrate our achievements and acknowledge the many people who make our community so strong. It was a pleasure to drop in this week on the volunteers from the Goondiwindi Visitor Information Centre and our Meditrans service during their end-of-year catch-ups. To all who volunteer across our region - from coaching sports teams to fundraising and everything in between - thank you for your generosity and commitment. Your continued dedication and service to your community is truly what living in regional Australia is all about.
Standing up for the towns powering Queensland’s renewable developments
You may recall from an earlier column that I have been appointed by the Darling Downs and South West Council of Mayors to lead regional advocacy for improved benefits and stronger policy settings for communities hosting renewable energy projects. While small towns are frequently the backbone of large-scale developments, the real benefits too often flow elsewhere.
So, I was pleased to be invited to speak on a panel at the Future Grid Summit 2025 recently. This was an important opportunity to further advocate on behalf of host communities in front of senior decision-makers and the leaders shaping Australia’s energy strategies, from regulators and network operators to innovators, investors, and major energy users.
As I highlighted during the discussion, the construction phase of major renewable projects places a significant impost on the small regional communities, like ours, that are directly impacted by the development, yet long-term investment back into these host communities remains limited. In some cases, towns that help produce the energy that powers the state still struggle to access reliable electricity themselves.
In a nutshell, the region will be producing enormous amounts of energy, but our businesses, industries and households don’t share the day-to-day benefits.
While I acknowledge the positive legislative changes introduced by the state government earlier in 2025, the focus must now be on ensuring these reforms translate into real, tangible outcomes on the ground. Communities must see meaningful, long-term benefits. I will continue to keep pushing for this.
New QLD Fire and Rescue area commander for Goondiwindi ahead of summer
Last week, I was pleased to meet with Queensland Fire and Rescue Inspector Steve Lohmann, the new area commander for our local Goondiwindi Command. This role is vital for our region, with the area commander responsible for coordinating and overseeing our auxiliary crews and fire brigades, as well as working closely with our rural fire volunteers and other emergency services, from Bollon right through to Inglewood and Texas. With Insp. Lohmann now based in Goondiwindi, it was a great opportunity to welcome him to the community and acknowledge the important leadership he will provide across such a broad and diverse region.
Queensland Fire and Rescue play a crucial role in keeping our communities safe - particularly as we move further into summer and toward the peak of our higher-risk season. The devastating fires in NSW this week serve as a stark reminder of the very real dangers we face and the importance of strong coordination, preparedness, and community awareness. I look forward to working with Insp. Lohmann and supporting the dedicated fire crews who stand ready to protect our communities.
Marking a milestone for the Goondiwindi Civic Centre
Next week marks a special milestone for our community as the Goondiwindi Regional Civic Centre celebrates 10 years since its major refurbishment. Originally built in 1937 as the town hall, Council chambers and offices, the heritage-listed building was transformed and re-opened in 2015 as the modern, multi-purpose Civic Centre we know today. It is now home to the Goondiwindi Library, Customer Service Centre, Visitor Information Centre, Art Space, the Gunsynd tribute display, and of course the much-loved Art Deco cinema and theatre.
What the refurbishment really gave us was more than a building - it gave us a place where the community comes together. The Civic Centre is now a vibrant hub that supports learning, arts, events, tourism and everyday connection. From toddler rhyme time to students revising for exams to older residents accessing tech help, the Civic Centre has become woven into the fabric of life in Goondiwindi. Families, visitors, volunteers and local organisations use its spaces daily for programs, gatherings, exhibitions and performances, making it one of our region’s most valued community assets.
To celebrate the 10-year milestone, residents were warmly invited to join the festivities on Wednesday 17 December. Activities included a range of children’s events, a cake-cutting, a special photography exhibition revisiting the very first display held when the centre reopened, and a nostalgic walk down memory lane in the cinema. Additional displays, including an exhibition in the Family History Room, were also open for the community to enjoy. Cheers to 10 years – and here’s to the next.
End of school year brings plenty to celebrate
As we come to the end of the school year, with summer holidays on the horizon, it’s always such a pleasure to attend the awards celebrations that showcase students’ achievements. These occasions highlight not only their academic and extracurricular growth, but also the dedication of the parents, families, teachers, and coaches who support them throughout the year.
In Talwood, the State School celebrated in the community hall where awards were presented throughout the night, as well as a truly wonderful performance of singing and dancing from Kindy and Year 1 students, and a terrific play put on for us by the older students based on local themes and places. It was a very special evening, really showcasing the wonderful closeness and community connection fostered in small schools.
In Inglewood, I had the pleasure of attending the St Maria Goretti Graduation Mass at Our Lady of the Southern Cross Church, followed by morning tea and a cake cutting at the school. Graduation is an important rite of passage, recognising students’ accomplishments and wishing them well for the next stage of their learning. The school itself will also hit a major milestone in 2026: 75 years of learning, community, and legacy - a remarkable achievement and I look forward to the celebrations next year.
In Goondiwindi, it was time for the State Primary School Presentation Assembly, which included the presentation of Year 6 Graduation Certificates along with a community morning tea after. It was wonderful to see the hundreds of parents, relatives and friends in attendance – all there to support the students and share in the celebrations of their success.
Finally, I look forward to attending the Yelarbon State School awards and BBQ dinner this evening. It’s always sure to be a terrific community gathering in my hometown of Yelarbon - I look forward to celebrating and catching up with many of you there.
