John McVeigh (Groom, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of opening the third annual Oakey Health and Wellbeing Expo in a community on the Darling Downs which has, like regional Australia elsewhere, dealt with its own challenges—quite literally from flooding a few years ago to the grips of drought right now, uncertainty about jobs going forward given delays in approvals for the Acland New Hope Stage 3 mine proposal and, of course, uncertainty around the impacts of PFAS. This expo focused on individual health and community wellbeing. I really want to congratulate the organisers; Bonnie Teschner, who was master of ceremonies on the day; Bec Meacham from the Oakey Chamber of Commerce; friends of mine, including Dr Eric Donaldson; the Oakey Men's Shed; physical and mental health experts; spiritual health experts; chiropractors; nutritionists—you name it. There was Nathan from the Oakey Discount Pharmacy, previously my own local pharmacy, and Ruth Logan, a great friend of our family, who, having been touched by cancer in her own family, now focuses so much on the It's a Bloke Thing Foundation's work on prostate health in men. It was great to be there with the state member for Condamine, Pat Weir; our mayor, Paul Antonio; and councillors, including Joe Ramier—all supporting the beautiful Oakey township on the Darling Downs, which will be resilient into the future and will realise its future despite the challenges.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.