Islanders, It’s Time to Jump Onboard!
Your ferry, your jetty, the next three departures. All at a glance! Forget complicated journey planners and entering destinations. This clever new ferry tracker automatically selects your island (with location services enabled), shows the next three departures, indicates direction of travel and flags delays. All without entering a thing! Get alerts for your chosen ferry, too! Best of all, no sign up is needed to use the tracker! This is just the beginning of an exciting new platform designed to bring our island communities closer, with more features on the way. Check it out at www.smbi.com.au. Want to stay in the loop? Sign up on the website to receive updates on future features and rollouts as they arrive! Less guessing, less fuss. A smarter way to stay one step ahead of island life!
The Ticks Are Out!
There’s been a noticeable buzz about tick sightings across the islands lately, with reports popping up here, there and everywhere. Tiny, sneaky, eight legged freeloaders are making themselves at home, and they haven’t exactly mastered the art of being good houseguests. They don’t bring a bottle, they don’t contribute to the cheese platter, and they have absolutely no respect for personal space. In fact, they’d quite like to attach themselves to you, your dog, your cat, or anyone else wandering past. So, islanders, consider this your official tick talk. If you’ve been out in the bush, long grass, scrubby patches or leafy hideaways, give yourself a once over when you get home. Check the kids, check your ankles, check those sneaky spots you’d rather not think about, and give your four legged companions a proper tick inspection, too. Keep pets up to date with a vet recommended tick preventative, and remember that ticks can be more than just an itchy inconvenience. Some species can cause serious illness, particularly in pets, so if your furry sidekick seems unwell, weak, wobbly, is vomiting or having trouble breathing, contact a vet urgently. Don’t wait for the drama to unfold.
A Christmas Without the Banners?
It seems Council has decided the streets can go without their usual Christmas banners this year. I can’t help wondering what those banners cost to install, take down and store for the other 11 months of the year. I’d hate to think! Perhaps that money could have a more meaningful Christmas journey; buying presents for local children whose families are doing it tough, or putting a few extra dollars towards hampers for people who might otherwise go without. Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of festive sparkle, but there’s something rather fabulous about the idea of decorating a Christmas tree with presents. And I suspect a child opening a gift they otherwise wouldn’t have received would make a far bigger impression than a banner blowing in the breeze. Just a thought, Santa.
There’s $150,000 Up For Grabs!
This is the sort of gossip I actually like spreading. The Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Programme is opening Round 10, with grants of $2,500 to $20,000 available for projects that make a real difference in local neighbourhoods. Think new equipment for the footy club, a much needed upgrade to the community hall, better accessibility, a defibrillator, shade sails, solar panels, a native garden or new facilities for women and parents. Even First Nations art, tourism signage and war memorial projects are on the list. If your community group has been saying “wouldn’t it be great if we could just…..,” this is the time to put the idea on paper. There are a few rules, of course; your organisation needs to be eligible, the project must cost no more than $50,000, and it can’t have already started or have a contract in place. Expressions of interest close at 5pm on 13th November. So, islanders, what does your community need? To find out more, head to www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-communities-programme-round-10.
It’s Baby Bird Season!
Curlews, plovers and other young birds are out and about across the islands, and they’re not quite up to speed with island life just yet. So, a friendly reminder to slow down on our roads, keep an eye out for chicks that may be crossing or sheltering near the roadside, and give them room to move. They might not understand road rules, but we can certainly do our bit! And cat owners, this one’s for you. Please keep your cats indoors at night. Ground dwelling birds and their young are particularly vulnerable to roaming cats, especially under the cover of darkness. We share these islands with plenty of wildlife, and a little extra care goes a long way. Slow down, stay alert and let our feathered locals have a fighting chance.
Help the Community See in the New Year!
Who’s up for a little island magic to ring in 2027? Bimsara is organising a New Year’s Eve celebration and needs a few good humans to help make it happen! Got some time, energy or hidden event planning talents? Get in touch with Ros on 0403 815 863.
