Together we battled adversity

THE past month we have celebrated Australia Day and all that is great about our nation and, in turn, we have seen how Australians bind together through tragedy.
Our neighbours up north have been hit by floods and most recently Cyclone Yasi and we have also seen major flooding in Victoria.
Our community understands that when we face adversity, we do it together and Queensland is no exception.
I am proud that our community has stood with our fellow Australians during their darkest hours, as they stood by us during ours.
It has been inspiring how many of our locals who have come to me seeking advice on how they can assist our northern neighbours during this tough time.
They want to use their experiences to help others, to make the journey on along the path of recovery a smoother one.
Over the weekend, we stopped to remember the second anniversary of the Black Saturday Bushfires that devastated our community and to remember the lives that we so tragically lost.
It was also a time to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of our local volunteers.
To our volunteers, there are no words I can say to reflect the great appreciation our community has for you and your continuous acts of bravery and selfless heroism.
We salute you because you chose to donate the most precious commodity known to us – time.
Like everyone else, you facelife’s struggles, but additionally you volunteer your time and go beyond the call of duty.
We will always remember the lives we lost and stand together, united in the belief that both our community and our country will continue to rebuild as one.
Back to School!
As kids go back to school, the Gillard Government understands the financial pressures that local families can face. Supporting local families is one of my top priorities, which is why I encourage parents to claim back from tax their children’s educations costs.
Under the Education Tax Refund, families can claim up to 50 per cent back on a range of education expenses – up to $397 for each primary school child and $794 for each secondary school child.
Eligible families can claim for items like textbooks, computers, stationary and monthly internet connections as well as school uniforms!
The Education Tax Refund along with things like Paid Parental Leave and the Child Care Rebate reinforces the Gillard Government’s commitment to reducing cost of living pressures on families in McEwen.