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SmartFone Flick Fest 2021 Extends Deadline For Entries

Springfield’s Brenton McNally is one of the Queenslanders joining this year’s SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3), Australia’s international smartphone film festival for filmmakers of all ages. The festival returns for the seventh year in November and has extended the deadline for entries until September 2021.

Read: First Dedicated Children’s Library in Australia Opens in Ipswich

McNally, a Principal Business Analyst for the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women in Brisbane, entered the #FILMBREAKER Award for debut film-makers. He joins fellow Queenslanders Van Ginkel (Coolum Beach) and Rob Layton (Tallebudgera) as participants for the adults category whilst Everton Hills’ Phoenix Montgomert-Brown of Everton Hills aspires to win in the SF3 Kids category.

Participants will be given until 1 September 2021 to submit entries in one of the five different categories: Gala for shorts up to 20 mins; SF3 Kids for filmmakers 16 and under; SF360 for virtual reality and 3D/360 degree films; SF3 for films 40 minutes and longer; and SF3 Mini for films 3 mins or less on the theme of “RISE.”

“We know some of the world is in lockdown right now (us here in Sydney), and things change day to day SO we have given you an extra month to pick up your phones and tablets and make a film for us!” SF3 announced.

Festival founders and co-directors Angela Blake and Ali Crew have set the Mini film theme as “RISE” in partnership with the United Nations Association of Australia. Blake recommended checking out UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals for more inspiration.

In 2020, the festival had a mix of online and live screenings due to the pandemic. This year, it will likely be the same. Screenings for SF3 Kids, Feature Film, and the new SF3 Mini will take place at the Actors Centre Australia in Leichhardt on 28 November whilst the Gala Awards Final will be held at Chauvel Cinema Paddington on 27 November.

This year, SF3 also welcomes new ambassadors for the SF3 First Nations Award — Journalist and producer Stan Grant, actor and director Wayne Blair, and high profile screenwriter Jon Bell who will join returning ambassadors Phillip Noyce, Kriv Stenders, Nicole da Silva, Jason van Genderen, Kerry Armstrong and Christopher Stollery.

Aussie star Nicole da Silva as one of the returning ambassadors for SF3 (Photo supplied)

There will be more than 30 awards to be given this year, including the #FILMBREAKER award for first-time filmmakers, Best Female Creative, Best Feature Film, two SF3 Kids Best Film awards (Teen and Junior/Primary) plus three new ‘gongs’: Best Documentary, Best Editing and the SF3 Luma Touch, Finished on Mobile Award – for a film that is both shot and edited on a smartphone or tablet.

There are over $40,000 in prizes, including mentorships, classes, memberships, apps, lenses, mics, phones and tablets to be given this year. To join and for full details of each category, visit www.sf3.com.au.

National Stroke Week: Greenbank Dad Shares Recovery Journey and Message to Act FAST

Do you know how to spot the most common signs of stroke? In observance of National Stroke Week, here’s a reminder that acting fast can be critical to saving someone’s life. A stroke can happen at any time and at any age, as in the case of Shaun Bickley, 38, from Greenbank.

Shaun, a fairly young man who embraces a healthy lifestyle, experienced severe headaches overnight and woke up losing his sight in one eye. He and his wife, Lauren Bickley, went to the hospital for some tests and that’s where Shaun had a stroke and lost all of his eyesight completely.

As stroke affects the brain — the human control centre for thoughts, feelings and movements — Shaun lost his ability to speak and became paralysed on one side of his body.

Highlights

Stroke can happen to anyone at any age, as in the case of Shaun Bickley, a healthy dad at 38.
Acting F.A.S.T. can make a difference in a stroke victim’s recovery.
Raising awareness on F. A. S. T. is in observance of National Stroke Week from 2 to 8 Aug 2021.

“I was warned to brace for the worst, which is heart-breaking,” Lauren said. “Thankfully, Shaun pulled through.”

It took the Greenbank local six weeks of rehabilitation to regain his function to walk and speak. Whilst Lauren thought her husband was doing better, Shaun suffered another stroke. However, with the help of Lauren and the medical workers, his determination to get better brought great gains to his recovery.

In 2020, more than 5,300 suffered from stroke for the first time in Queensland. There are an estimated 87,000 stroke survivors in the community.

Stroke Foundation Queensland State Manager Andrea Sanders said that when a stroke happens to an individual, the family and people close to that person feels the impact.

With the theme “United by Stroke” for National Stroke Week from 2 to 8 Aug 2021, the couple wants to thank the healthcare professionals who have crucial roles in the patient’s recovery from stroke: from the person who takes the 000 calls, to the paramedics, surgeons, and allied health professionals.

“Those actions unite people along the stroke journey and improve the chance of survival and recovery. Getting that urgent medical attention is so critical, which is why we want everyone to learn the F.A.S.T message,” Ms Sanders said.

To recognise the most common signs of stroke, remember to act F. A. S. T. (Face Arms Speech Time):

Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can they lift both arms?
Speech – Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
Time is critical – If you see any of these signs call triple zero (000) straight away

Learn the F.A.S.T. signs of stroke from Stroke Foundation on Vimeo.

Two Petitions Lodged for an Ashleigh Barty Bridge or Statue in Springfield Central

Locals in Ipswich are mobilising a petition to rename a bridge in Springfield Central after Australia’s first Wimbledon women’s singles champion in 41 years, Ashleigh Barty. A second petition is also pushing for the first female statue in Brisbane featuring the tennis star.

Spearheaded by Ipswich resident Karin Weston, the petition on Charge.Org has gotten nearly 7,000 signatures and it’s still gaining the numbers. The petition is asking Ipswich City Council to change the Paul Pisasale Bridge to Ashleigh Barty Bridge, citing that it’s “well overdue.”

Weston said that she gets frustrated whenever she crosses the Paul Pisasale Bridge, named after the disgraced mayor who was sacked in 2018 and convicted in 2020 following a Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission investigation.

Highlights

A petition to rename the Paul Pisasale Bridge to Ashleigh Barty Bridge in Springfield Central is gaining momentum after her Wimbledon win.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said that Barty deserves the highest honour that should top the Paul Pisasale Bridge.
Another petition has launched the campaign for the first female statue in Brisbane featuring Barty.

“An Indigenous woman, a sporting legend, a woman of character who is proud to call this community her hometown,” Weston wrote. “We are all so proud of Ash and acknowledge the values and successes through triumph and the low times where Ash’s character was tested and shone through maintaining her strength and values and always commending the support of her team family and fans.”

Sign Campaign for Ash Barty Bridge

Ash Barty Statue

Meanwhile, a campaign has been launched to build a statue for Barty in Greater Springfield. Created by Melina MacNellie-Verrall, the petition could pave the way for the creation of Brisbane’s first statue dedicated to a woman.

“The point was raised that Brisbane does not have any female statues recognising their achievements,” Ms MacNellie-Verrall wrote. “Ash Barty deserves to be recognised for her success as one of Queensland’s greatest sportswomen for many years to come and what a wonderful opportunity to be Brisbane’s first female statue.”

SIGN THE CAMPAIGN for ASH BARTY STATUE

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)

Council’s Plans

It comes as Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has been looking into renaming some bridges, roads, and nature reserves amidst calls from the community. These landmarks include:

Paul Pisasale Bridge – Springfield Central	David Morrison Way – Springfield
Paul Tully Bridge – Springfield Central	Paul Tully Avenue – Collingwood
David Pahlke Bridge – Springfield Central	Sheila Ireland Reserve – Redbank Plain

Whilst the mayor agrees with the community’s call for the renaming, she said that the Council would still conduct a proper investigation into the cost of changing public landmarks, which will be shouldered by ratepayers. She said that residents and businesses that could be affected by the name change will be consulted and that Council will need 75 percent of the public to agree before proceeding with the plans.

The mayor also believes that the city should give Barty the “highest honour,” especially after her display of sportsmanship at Wimbledon. She is aware of the petition but given the association with the bridge, Harding said that wants to give Barty something more special to top the Paul Pisasale Bridge. She also plans to run some ideas with the tennis champ herself.

Ash Barty at the Tokyo Olympics

Meanwhile, after her success at Wimbledon, Barty failed to win an Olympic medal at the women’s single in the Tokyo Olympics. Team Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo knocked Barty off the first-round match.

Barty and Storm Sanders also failed to win the women’s doubles match against Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova. But as Barty was not yet ready to throw in the towel, she and John Peers won bronze medals at the mixed doubles, their first Olympic medals in their career.

After Tokyo Olympics, Barty will play at the U.S. Open and then come home in November. She has houses in Springfield Lakes and Augustine Heights. The renaming might need to wait until the champion returns home.

Springfield Lakes Shopping Village Childcare Centre Development Lodged

Plans to build a new childcare centre have been lodged by Lead Childcare Pty Ltd, following news of the approval of the upcoming Springfield Lakes Shopping Village. If approved, the childcare facility will be built next to the planned retail site.

Situated on Grande Avenue, the childcare centre will allow for 130 kids with 11 rooms for babies, toddlers and pre-kindy children. The facility will also include a pool, an art studio, and areas for outdoor play, as well as a section for 46 car park spaces.

Highlights

Plans for a childcare centre have been lodged with Ipswich City Council in June 2021.
The facility will be built beside the Springfield Lakes Shopping Village.
Approval for the construction of Springfield Lakes Shopping Village was finalised in April 2021, after three years of assessment.

Ipswich City Council received the development application (11413/2021/ADP) in June 2021. However, Council is still assessing the proposal and informed the developers of issues surrounding the pool and art studio.

Photo Credit: ICC Development Application

“Demonstrate that the proposed pool and art studio are not to be open to the general public and are regarded as ancillary uses to the primary proposed use of the site for a Child Care Centre, rather than additional uses,” the Council stated.

Photo Credit: Photo Credit: ICC Development Application

Meanwhile, Council approved the plans for the Springfield Lakes Shopping Village (2886/2018/ADP) after three years of assessment.

In April 2021, Taree Property Pty Ltd and Coles Group Property Developments Limited, the developers behind the shopping village, were able to settle some disputes regarding the decision notice. When the development application was first filed in 2018, the developers indicated plans for a childcare facility but this was not included in the amendments.

Springfield Lakes Shopping Village, covering 2.396 hectares from 1 to 15 Grande Avenue, will be built over two stages beginning with the construction of the shopping centre and the automatic car wash and dog wash facility. The car wash will have a 10-car capacity on queue whilst the shopping centre will include 214 car parking areas.

The second stage includes plans for a service station with a car repair centre and 26 car parks. The developers did not indicate which stage will cover the construction of the childcare centre.

First Dedicated Children’s Library in Australia Opens in Ipswich

The Ipswich community is bursting with pride as the first standalone children’s library in the country has opened at the revitalised Nicholas Street Precinct.

As a special space dedicated for children between the ages of zero to 12 years old, the Ipswich Children’s Library has been designed to allow engagement, interactivity and learning as the kids play and explore.

“This is not like the libraries of yesteryear, the focus is very much on interactivity and engaging our young people as they learn, explore and play,” Mayor Teresa Harding said, adding that they have incorporated digital technologies for many of the children’s library features.

“Augmented reality will bring hand drawings to life, allowing children to colour in a fish or prehistoric creature, scan it, and watch it appear and move on an ocean backdrop,” the mayor said.

“There is also a Magic Mirror that children can stand in front of to watch butterflies swarm around them, and even land on them if they stand still enough.

“For children in the early learning years, there is a specially designed multi-touch interactive table with various games and experiences.”

Of course, the library has thousands of books, magazines and digital resources specifically catered for young readers. There are also two life-sized dinosaurs inside the building.

With heaps of kids-focused programs and events, the children will enjoy their every visit to this special place. The Ipswich Children’s Library is on the ground floor of the Nicholas Street council administration. It was officially opened to the public on 28 June 2021.

Visit the official site for the opening hours and the safety protocols observed at the library.

Springfield to Gain 174 New Hospital Beds in Planned Expansion

In response to a pressing need in Springfield’s public hospitals, a promise of 174 new hospital beds will be delivered to the growing Greater Ipswich region within the next three and a half years.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the State Government has partnered with Mater Health Services to bring in new hospital beds for its Emergency Department, Maternity Units, Intensive Care Unit and procedural departments.

Currently, Mater Private Hospital Springfield has 95 beds and the plan is to build the 174-bed hospital beside this existing facility as soon as possible. The State Government said that it will deliver an initial $177 million for this project.

Photo Credit: Mike Robertson/Google Maps

“Greater Ipswich is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, with an ever-increasing demand for public health services,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This means we need to invest now to create the beds we know we need in the future.

“This partnership will mean more than $1 billion investment by the Queensland Government over the next decade. Importantly, this project is shovel ready with Mater expected to be able to deliver it by the end of 2024.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath previously said that public hospitals struggle with unsustainable demands and this expansion will “significantly boost capacity in the local health network.”

As a strong advocate for public health services, Member for Jordan Charis Mullen sees this development as a win for the community.

“This new public hospital for Springfield will deliver a major economic boost for the booming region and that means being able to continue our economic recovery by creating jobs,” Ms Mullen said.

“This project alone will create more than 700 jobs during construction and more than 1,000 new frontline health jobs once operational.”

Construction Ongoing for New Brighton Homes Arena in Springfield Central

Did you know that the Brisbane Lions, the reigning AFLW premiers, will have a new home in Springfield Central? Construction has started for $70 million Brighton Homes Arena, opening opportunities for 187 tradies jobs and boosting the economy of Queensland.

Brighton Homes Arena, projected for completion in September 2022, will be a modern stadium that can accommodate over 10,000 spectators and 600 fans in the grandstand. The facilities will also include shaded and disabled seats, as well as other features — such as a gym, pool, childcare centre, and lawn for events — that will make this sports centre an all-year-round community hub.

As the new home of the Brisbane Lions, the arena will have a high-performance training and support centre with specially designed equal features for both the men’s and women’s team.

“It’s fantastic to see the construction team on-site and delivering jobs for tradies,” Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said. “We’ve always wanted to see access to this important sporting infrastructure investment shared with the whole community and that’s what we’ve achieved. It’s an important win for both women’s AFL and our community.”

Funding for Brighton Homes Arena was divided among the State Government ($18 million), the Federal Government ($15 million), the Brisbane Lions and the AFL ($10 million) and the Ipswich City Council ($20 million). Architects from Populous did the design that will be built by Hutchinson.

“We know this complex will inspire the next generation of young girls to chase their sporting goals,” State Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said. “When girls and women have the infrastructure and coaching support they need to be their best, the sky’s the limit.”

“From community to elite football, Queensland is experiencing phenomenal growth in girls and young women playing AFL. Right now, 42 per cent of AFL players in Queensland are female, up by an impressive 331 per cent in just seven years.”

Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann said that the arena will bring a “transformative impact” to the club, the AFL women’s matches and the supporters of this sport in Queensland. On the other hand, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said that the location is perfect as it is beside the train station and the booming eastern suburbs.

Brighton Homes Arena will also be used for various AFLQ community programs and the NEAF.

New Ipswich Hospital Ward on Track for Completion

The Ipswich community will soon benefit from the much-needed redevelopment at the Ipswich Hospital as the first new ward to be built in seven years is on track for its targeted completion date.

The new 26-bed medical and surgical ward, which falls under West Moreton Health’s 15-year Master Plan, is set to open in September 2021. The new facility includes a patient transit lounge, which goes in line with the hospital’s patient-centred care.

This project is part of Stage 1 of the Ipswich Hospital Expansion following the opening of the Oncology Day Unit in April and the Allied Health Services – Outpatients area in May.

Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath, Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard and Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum visited the site at the end of May to check the development’s progress and was met by West Moreton Health Chief Executive Dr Kerrie Freeman.

“These expansion projects will make a significant difference to the patients in our care,” Dr Freeman said.

“The master-planned Ipswich Hospital Precinct is vital to ensuring we meet the health needs of West Moreton residents now and into the future in a safe and sustainable way as we move towards becoming a tertiary hospital.”

Construction for the Ipswich Hospital ward started in mid-2020 and was projected to be ready before the flu season.

“It will help meet a rapid growth in demand and will mean more patients from the region can be treated closer to home,” Ms Howard said.

Springfield Lakes Experiencing GP Shortage Amid a Population Boom

GP clinics in Springfield Lakes have started turning down requests for appointments of residents due to the shortage of doctors in the area. The problem expected to continue as the region west of Brisbane goes through a population boom unless measures are undertaken to reduce the backlog.

By 2041, the Ipswich region could have more than 550,000 residents, up from 226,857 in 2020, as it is the fastest-growing city in Queensland. However, residents have been raising concerns over the lack of essential services as more families move into housing developments, especially in the Springfield Lakes area, which has been touted as a family-oriented location.

As it is, families have to leave Springfield Lakes to see a GP because clinics in their own suburb are all booked well in advance.

According to Dr Maria Boulton of the chairperson of Australian Medical Association Queensland, GP shortage is not just a problem in Springfield Lakes but also across the region. She cited that Gold Coast doctors are pressed to see 30 percent more patients on a daily basis to do away with backlogs.

Despite the effort to see more patients, GP clinics continue to be booked out, especially for patients seeking support for mental health. In Brisbane, a three to six months waitlist with a psychiatrist is becoming more common, Dr Boulton said.

The GP also revealed that her clinic in Brisbane’s northside has been busier than ever despite adding three new doctors. She believes the solution is to get more support and funding from the government for general practice.

The Federal Government has committed $1.8 billion for primary healthcare for the 2021-2022 financial year, where $65 million will go to tackling GP shortages in regional areas. It’s still unclear, however, if Springfield Lakes will benefit from this budget.

St Augustine’s College in Greater Springfield Switching to Renewable Power

A number of Catholic schools in Queensland are taking concrete actions to reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact, including St Augustine’s College in Greater Springfield.

St Augustine’s College is one of the first institutions, among 115 Queensland Catholic schools, to make the switch to renewable power following the partnership between Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) and ENGIE Australia.

The provider will be aggregating 26,000 MWh a year of renewable energy to various archdiocese buildings to save on utility costs and to maximise the benefits of solar power. The move is also part of Greater Springfield’s goal to become a 100 percent renewable city by 2038.

In a statement, BCE executive director Dr Doug Ashleigh said that they have been educating their students about the value of environmental sustainability. Thus, this move towards green electricity shows how they are leading by example.

Dr Ashleigh said that the partnership with ENGIE Australia is a win for both the environment and their school budget as it will cut down their power cost.

ENGIE Australia head Andrew Hyland welcomed the chance to work with a diverse range of businesses that now includes schools that will ramp up their role in net zero energy transition. At the same time, their service demonstrates the stability and reliability of using 100 precent renewable energy.