Local Government News
 Ian
Causley
Canberra Connection
VP Day celebrations
On Monday we officially celebrated VP (Victory in the Pacific) Day.
Of course, the whole of 2005 will be a year in which peace is celebrated and
the sacrifices of many men and women will be remembered for the part they played
in helping to bring an end to the War.
The best way we can honour these Australians is to remember why they had to
fight, and to learn the lessons of those terrible days.
This week 60 years ago Victory in the Pacific was announced after Japan's surrender
to Allied forces.
Australians serving around the world looked forward to returning home, but
their thoughts also turned to those who did not live to see peace. Some one million
Australians served during World War II; about 40,000 were killed and more than
30,000 were taken prisoner.
VP Day was marked by commemorations across Australia, supported by funding
from the Australian Government. One of the activities, of which I am proud to
be playing a part, is the presentation of commemorative medallions. I have been
presenting these to WWII servicemen and women throughout the Page electorate.
I encourage everyone to take time to think about those who served in World
War II and the important role they have in Australia's history.
New family relationship centre
Lismore has been announced as one of 15 Family Relationship Centres to open
throughout Australia from the middle of 2006.
The Family Relationship Centres will become a vital source of support and assistance
for families and an integral part of the community by becoming the first port
of call when people need help to make their relationships stronger or when relationships
end.
The centres have been located in areas with high numbers of families with young
children and high numbers of divorced or separated families and blended families.
The Family Relationship Centres will be the front door for people seeking to
strengthen family relationships, prevent separation and enable parents to resolve
conflict after separation. Separating parents will be encouraged to sit down and
work out what is best for the children.
The Coalition Government will roll out a network of 65 of these centres across
Australia over the next three years.
Older & more thrifty
A report from the Department of Family and Community Services has found that
older Australians are heading into their retirement years wealthier than ever,
and less likely to need the full Age Pension.
The research suggests that most Retirees are extremely careful with their retirement
funds and most unlikely to waste it. Many continue to add to their assets after
retirement.
The paper, "New Age Pensioners - Trends in Wealth", shows that policies
that were designed to promote a much higher level of self-reliance among retirees
are working. This is particularly good considering the fact that people are living
longer these days.
Federal Nationals MP for Page, Ian Causley, visited Bonalbo and District Volunteer
Association president Barbara Kirkpatrick and other team members to see the new
equipment purchased with a Volunteer Small Equipment Grant from the Government.
The volunteers, aged 17-75, manage the Bonalbo Caravan Park, the hall, streets,
the cemetery and run the Community Technology Centre. They bought gardening equipment
and portable shade gazebos with a $1645 grant.
"The much-needed outdoor and gardening equipment they've purchased will
get a lot of use and hopefully will make their work a little easier," Mr
Causley said.
 Federal
Nationals MP for Page, Ian Causley, visited Bonalbo and District Volunteer Association
president Barbara Kirkpatrick and other team members to see the new equipment
purchased with a Volunteer Small Equipment Grant from the Government. The volunteers,
aged 17-75, manage the Bonalbo Caravan Park, the hall, streets, the cemetery and
run the Community Technology Centre. They bought gardening equipment and portable
shade gazebos with a $1645 grant.
"The much-needed outdoor and gardening equipment they've purchased will
get a lot of use and hopefully will make their work a little easier," Mr
Causley said.
Office contacts
Address: PO Box 1119, Lismore, NSW, 2480
Phone: 6621 9909
Fax: 6621 9959
Email: ian.causley.mp@aph.gov.au
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