Spring on The coast! - Gilmore News - Fiona Phillips, Federal Member for Gilmore

 

Hi  Welcome to spring on the coast! After a busy week in parliament, it’s great to be back in the electorate meeting with constituents and local organisations and working hard for the people of Gilmore. I was inspired to meet a Kiama bee breeder who is stepping up the fight against Varroa Mite and absolutely thrilled to be involved in the vibrant Onam Festival in Nowra. Residents of Kiama and Ulladulla have been recognised by the Governor-General for their bravery and I thank them for their selfless actions in extraordinary circumstances. And, as the weather warms up, I’ve issued a timely reminder for householders across the region to prepare for the up-coming bush fire season by attending a local Get Ready Weekend event.   Bravery awards for two exceptional Gilmore residents Two Gilmore residents have been recognized by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC for their bravery and courage. Lisa Whitbourn of Kiama and Steven Apthorp from Ulladulla were among 46 Australians honoured with Australian Bravery Decorations announced by the Governor-General. Mr Apthorp was also honoured with the Group Bravery Citation for his actions after two rafts collided on a water ride at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Queensland on 25 October 2016. …READ MORE   Kiama’s bee queen takes on Varroa mite   A Kiama apiarist is stepping up her fight against Varroa mites which are threatening the future of Australia’s honey bee industry. A bee keeper, and the south coast’s only queen bee breeder, Laura Patmore is using artificial insemination to breed drone bees than can detect and kill the Varroa destructor mites in the hive. Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips recently met with Laura to learn more about her efforts to save the bees and said her innovative techniques were “inspirational”. “I love honey and, like many people, I know how important our busy bees are for pollinating and ensuring a successful food system,” Mrs Phillips said. …READ MORE   Onam Festival showcases vibrant Keralan culture in the Shoalhaven The Shoalhaven is home to around 50 families from Kerala in Southern India who celebrated the annual Onam Festival at the Nowra School of Arts. Federal Member for Gilmore joined Shoalhaven Malayalee Community Inc (SMCI) for the vibrant harvest festival on August 31, which also welcomes the Hindi New Year. “I was honoured to be invited to celebrate the Onam Festival with around 100 members of the Shoalhaven Malayalee community again this year,” Mrs Phillips said. “The Nowra School of Arts came to life with the most wonderful, colourful display of traditional dance, song, games and, of course, tasty Keralan cuisine.” …READ MORE   Fiona Phillips MP issues ‘get ready’ reminder ahead of bush fire season   As the bush fire season approaches, Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips is encouraging householders to visit their local Rural Fire Service during the annual Get Ready Weekend. “Our wonderful Rural Fire Service volunteers are helping local residents prepare with their annual Get Ready Weekend events being held across Gilmore,” Mrs Phillips said. Most RFS stations will hold events will be held this weekend, September 21 and 22, however some are being held the following weekend, and couple not until October. “We’ve already had some hot, windy weather and a few bush fires in the region, so it's crucial for residents and landowners to be aware of their risk and to take steps to protect their homes and properties,” Mrs Phillips said. “The Get Ready Weekend events provide valuable information and resources to ensure you're ready for the upcoming bush fire season. …READ MORE Yours sincerely   Fiona Phillips MP Member for Gilmore   18th September 2024