Community safety has been the core of everything we’ve done since being elected to represent you in the seats of Nicklin and Caloundra.

Keeping people safe is in our DNA, between the two of us we have been about community safety our whole lives, whether serving in the military and corrective services or protecting people and property as a firefighter.

And both of us have continued to do everything we can to keep our communities safe since being elected, fighting hard for extra police and resources.

Those efforts have seen a new emergency services precinct in Aura in the seat of Caloundra including a new police station, while in Nicklin there are many more police who are better equipped - and there are more officers on the way.

And we’re about to take that push for community safety to a whole new level.

We take our jobs as the voices of Sunshine Coast people very seriously which is why this week while in Brisbane for Parliament we will be meeting with the Police Minister to call for even more resources to protect people and property on the Sunshine Coast.

We’ve been keeping a close eye on what Police have been doing to combat crime in Townsville, and by all reports the new helicopter has made a massive difference to community safety in that city. It’s that sort of resource, when coupled with more police, which can have a huge impact.

Extra resources need to be backed with tough laws and we were pleased to see the recent comments from Chief Justice Helen Bowskill who said Queensland had the strong laws needed for Judges and Magistrates to deal with repeat offenders and keep them off our streets. If young offenders pose an unacceptable risk to the community they should remain in custody – and with our tough laws the courts have the power to do just that.

You can sign a petition calling for a new police helicopter here: www.robertskeltonmp.com.au/new-police-helicopter-sunshine-coast. 

– Rob Skelton, State Member for Nicklin, Jason Hunt State Member for Caloundra

Call to action on war torn front line love letters

I am not sure if readers saw the call by the Australian War Memorial on Valentine’s Day for volunteers to transcribe handwritten love letters from the front lines. 

Perhaps we had our minds on loved ones closer to home.

The heartfelt letters are an intimate insight into the daily lives of couples separated by war.

Images of thousands of handwritten letters have been released on the Memorial’s digital platform Transcribe.awm.gov.au

An army of volunteers is needed to help decipher the scripts online.

Volunteers typing out text in the comfort of their homes can make it easier for historians, descendants, and the community to access the precious love letters.

Among the collection is a letter from Dorothy Keshan and her husband Malcolm “Mac” William Keshan, who was a prisoner of war in Germany from 1941-45.

“The only good thing about all this passing time is that each day brings you a little closer, I feel pretty certain that it won’t be much longer sweetheart,” she wrote to him in one of hundreds of letters between the pair.

“All this time passing only makes me miss you so more and more, and – I’m waiting for you Mac.”

With Anzac Day approaching, volunteering to transcribe love letters online is an action worth considering in commemorating those who fought for us while desperately missing their sweethearts.

Lest we forget.

– Garry Reynolds, Peregian Springs

Business experience? Anyone? 

With pressing issues facing the Sunshine Coast, including the housing and rental crisis, booming population growth, over-development and lack of essential infrastructure planning to cope, it has never been a more vital time in consolidating the region’s future.

As such the recent council elections have been vital in electing people with sound business sense and experience to manage these key issues astutely and with due diligence. 

Also essential is the ability to be able to do the tough talking, advocating and negotiating with governments at State and Federal level on behalf of the Sunshine Coast, whenever needed.

Which raises the very pertinent question, how many of the elected representatives actually have proven business management experience, ability and track records? 

Popular personalities and social connections are one thing, but in the end it requires sound business and project management expertise to manage the region’s economy and problem-solve key issues effectively and judiciously.  Much the same as managing a business successfully. 

Only time and performance will tell the reality.

– Paul Ross, Mooloolah Valley

Showground growing pains could have been avoided

I read with interest the article in the April 3 edition of the Gazette regarding the Sunshine Coast Show outgrowing the Nambour Showgrounds. 

This could have been avoided if a move by the Sunshine Coast Council back in 2018 to sell off the former council works depot site (5.6 ha) had not been approved. 

The works depot site with its large sheds, car parking and other hardstand areas would have been an ideal extension to the showground which could have been connected by tunnel under the Bli Bli Road intersection. 

The decision to sell the works depot was shortsighted not only for Nambour but for the Sunshine Coast in general. 

– Clive Plater OAM, Eudlo