Page 8 - NLN Nov 19

Reminder: Get Ready for Wild Weather
Lace up your steel-cap boots and button-up those
long-sleeves, because now is the perfect time
to unleash your inner weekend warrior ahead of
storm and bushfire season!
Authorities are encouraging residents across the Moreton
Bay Region to prepare their properties for Queensland’s wild
weather as the warmer months approach.
Local Disaster Management Group Chair and Moreton Bay
Regional Councillor for Division 2, Peter Flannery, said residents
should start with a “Spring clean”.
Community Outraged at Sentencing “We are coming out of winter now and the fuel load for bushfires
Every parent’s worst nightmare turned into reality is typically high leading into Spring and Summer, placing
when Sterling Free stalked a little girl in a Kmart properties at risk.
toys aisle and lured her away to bushland. He “Start by removing materials from around your home which fuel
kidnapped her and indecently assaulted the seven fires like long dry grass, dead leaves, branches and other debris.
year old. He has been sentenced to a maximum eight year
sentence but will be eligible for parole in just two years. Having
already served some of his sentence, this means he could be
back on the streets, posing a threat to our children and our
society again in the very near future.
Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia have started a petition
to Yvette D’Ath (Attorney General Queensland), who has
announced that the sentence will be appealed. “As a community,
we implore Attorney General, Ms D’Ath, to hear us and repeal the
criminal’s parole” states the change.org page, “8 years behind
bars cannot bring justice to the little girl who has to live with
the memory of the heinous crime for the rest of her life. No child
should ever have to suffer this type of trauma and no sentence
will ever be long enough to make up for the ongoing effects this
will have on her.”
The least we can do is ensure is that he serves his time.”
Sign the change.org petition here - https://bit.ly/2OJfppu

Introducing Michele Johnson.
(BHSc) Acupuncture (DIP) Nursing.
“Make sure fire vehicles have a clear path to your home as well -
Michele is a fully qualied and you don’t want a car or trailer blocking their access and reducing
trained Chinese Medicine their ability to fight a fire on your property effectively.”
Practitioner with a Bachelor of Councillor Flannery said securing or removing loose items
Health Science. She is a member around the house and garden would help prevent them from
of the Chinese medicine becoming “dangerous projectiles” in strong winds, or from
Association (AACMA) and being washed away with flooding.
registered with AHPRA
(Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) both for “We haven’t seen major summer storms yet, so also take this
Chinese medicine and nursing. time to prepare your property for heavy and prolonged periods
of rain by cleaning out gutters and downpipes, trimming tree
Michele has a special interest in women's health, branches close to your roof and inspecting your roof for leaks,”
chronic/acute pain and treating those with anxiety/stress Councillor Flannery added.
related conditions. She looks forward to meeting her new On a less palatable, but equally important note, Councillor
clients and interacting with the community.
Flannery said residents with on-site sewerage systems should
have them serviced regularly so they can be relied on during a
natural disaster.
“Don’t be left in the dumps after a natural disaster!” Councillor
Flannery said.
For more tips about getting your property ready, visit
www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/services/disaster