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And in Other News...Partnerships start in MarchQueensland’s first civil partnerships will be able to take place in March this year. The Governor has approved the Civil Partnership Act to commence on 23 February, which, allowing for the 10-day waiting period, means the first ceremonies could take place on 5 March. The legislation allows any couple, regardless of their sex or sexual orientation, to lodge the paperwork with Queensland’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) from 23 February. From 5 March ceremonies can be held at the BDM registry and various Magistrates’ courts across Queensland. State school bounces back Tully State High School is being rebuilt better than before it was damaged by Cyclone Yasi, with millions of dollars in additional facilities being provided. The cyclone destroyed or damaged 75 per cent of the school, causing $5 million damage but the school is to get $13.2 million in repairs and new additions. Facilities to be built that did not exist before include a seven-classroom interactive learning centre, a special education unit, a hospitality and catering kitchen, and a creative arts precinct incorporating an amphitheatre and outdoor performance area. Construction is expected to start in April and be completed in 2013. Reconciliation awards open The 2012 Queensland Reconciliation Awards have been launched. The awards recognise Queenslanders working in partnership with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people on important reconciliation projects and initiatives across the state. The awards program offers $25,000 across five categories. Nominations close Friday 9 March With the winners announced at a ceremony during Reconciliation Week in May. More information, including nomination forms, can be obtained from this PS News link. Lookout honours archbishop One of Brisbane’s most spectacular lookouts has been officially opened and named after former Archbishop the Most Reverend John Bathersby. The new Bathersby lookout is a tribute to the archbishop who was an avid bushwalker and environmental champion, who retired last year after 20 years of service. The lookout features views of Brisbane city, the Gap, Bardon and Paddington. Weather closes parks A number of national parks are closed following severe weather conditions. Camping grounds as well as walking tracks and day use areas are affected in Western Queensland and the greater South East including the Sunshine Coast, Burnett and Great Sandy region. The situation is being constantly updated and anyone planning to travel to a national park is advised to first check the latest park alerts at this PS News link. More options for motorway Redbank, Riverview and Dinmore residents have more travel choices following the opening of two new service roads and a pedestrian bridge. The openings mark a milestone for the Ipswich Motorway upgrade. The Tessman Street bridge creates an important link to the Riverview railway station, white the service roads have cycle lanes and pedestrian paths. Police Centre opened The refurbished Beenleigh Police facility has been officially opened. The $8.3 million project included the new Regional Communications Centre which is a combination of two former police communication centres at Beenleigh and Broadbeach. The Beenleigh Police Station and Communications Centre are operational 24 hours a day. The Station will also be home to the Logan District Prosecution Corp, which provides services to the Central Division of the Brisbane Magistrates Court District. Women prefer continuity Women who enjoy continuity of carer during their pregnancy, labour and birth have recorded the highest rates of satisfaction in a survey conducted by the University of Queensland’s Centre for Mothers & Babies (QCMB). Continuity, in which the women saw the same midwives and/or doctors throughout their pregnancy and up to six weeks after the birth of their baby, is a common model in birth centres. Results from the ‘Having a Baby in Queensland Survey’ showed the benefit of this model of maternity care. Edition 203, 9 February 2012
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