On Wednesday August 23, the Queensland Police Service conducted an awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of officers and staff.

Commissioner Ian Stewart was in attendance to present the awards to the recipients.

The ceremony included the awarding of the National Police Service Medal and the Queensland Police Service Medal as well as the presentation of the QPS Awards for Excellence.

National Police Service Medal

The National Police Service Medal represents a police officer’s past and future commitment to give ethical and diligent service and recognises the special status that sworn police officers have because of their role protecting the community.

This years recipients of the medal were:

• Retired Chief Superintendent Douglas Smith
• Retired Senior Sergeant Reindert (Ray) De Bruyn
• Retired Senior Sergeant John Graham
• Late Constable Mark Goodwin
• Late Constable John Sturrock

Queensland Police Service Medal 

In 1999, the Queensland Police Service Medal (QPSM) was introduced to recognise the diligent and ethical service contributions by all members of the Queensland Police Service.

This years recipients of the medal were:

• Late Constable Mark Goodwin
• Late Constable John Sturrock

Honour Roll

In addition to posthumously receiving the QPSM Constables Mark Goodwin and John Sturrock were also added to the QPS Honour Roll.

Constable Goodwin commenced with the QPS as a Probationary on April 27, 1987 and was sworn in on November 20, 1987. Constable Goodwin was killed in a traffic incident whilst on duty at Jamboree Heights on July 9, 1991.

Constable Sturrock commenced with the QPS as a Cadet on January 17, 1977 and was sworn in on June 27, 1980. Constable Sturrock was killed in a motorcycle incident whilst on duty at Mango Hill on February 6, 1984.

Late Constable John Sturrock

The families were present to receive the award.

Margaret Maythers and Catherine Hallam, sisters of the late Constable John Sturrock with Commissioner Ian Stewart.

Mango Hill State School has been shortlisted for the prestigious Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.

Environment Minister Dr Steve Miles and Member for Murrumba Chris Whiting announced today that the Mango Hill State School leadership team has been shortlisted for the QUT Showcase Award for Leadership Team of the Year.

“The Showcase Awards are the pinnacle of achievement for Queensland state schools and it is great to see the undoubted excellence of the school being recognised,” Minister Miles said.

“The Showcase Awards are an important way to recognise and encourage excellence in education.   “I’d like to congratulate Mango Hill State School for this well-deserved recognition,” he said.

Mr Whiting said the award recognised schools that demonstrated ongoing improvement and positive outcomes for students. “Teachers are doing amazing work in classrooms right across Queensland,” Mr Whiting said.

“Each state finalist in the Showcase Awards receives a $7500 development grant in recognition of their outstanding work.

“I wish them all the best as the winners are announced at the Showcase Awards Gala Dinner on 27 October.”

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating a fatal traffic crash that claimed the life of a woman at Mango Hill this afternoon.

Preliminary information suggests around 1.00pm the 36-year-old woman was travelling along Kinsellas Road East when the she lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll before bursting into flames.

She was declared deceased at the scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who may have dash cam footage of the incident is urged to contact Policelink or Crimestoppers.

By QPS Media.

The stunning wildlife artwork created by David Houghton Art along the Redcliffe Peninsula rail line shared pathway has been one of the latest victims of graffiti artists.

The iconic murals were painted so that local residents could appreciate their aesthetic appeal on the shared pathway but also as a deterrent for vandalism.

The graffiti is not only an eyesore, as graffiti normally is but it also distracted from the underlying art, much to the dismay of local residents.

Division 4 Councillor Julie Greer said it was extremely disappointing to see the shared path murals defaced by graffiti and that council took a zero tolerance approach to graffiti in public spaces.

“Council crews were quick to action and have since removed the graffiti,” Cr Greer said.

“If you see graffiti along the shared pathway and in other publics spaces, I encourage you to report it to council as soon as possible for maintenance crews to action.”

Council officers captured images of the graffiti and tags before removing them to assist police in identifying known tags.

You can report graffiti in public spaces via the MBRCRequest app available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play, council’s website (www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au) or by calling 3205 0555.

Recent developments in Mango Hill have raised concerns for some locals.

You may have noticed the construction zone at the entrance to the Mango Hill Village. A townhouses development is underway by the Phillip Usher Construction Group on Kinsellas Road West.

Two hundred and thirty-three units are being built on the site, containing three or four bedrooms each. Approximately seven hundred to nine hundred new residents are expected to make Mango Hill their new home within the complex.

With the expansion comes a need for facilities to accommodate the rising population. A Childcare Centre and a small shopping precinct are being built within the complex, near the road with the townhouses to the rear. A small convenience type shop, plus eateries and other specialty stores are expected in the precinct, a Philip Usher Group spokesperson has confirmed.

Image: Philip Usher Constructions Townhouse Artists Impression

The Group will also be responsible for the Mango Hill Ring Road development. Once development starts, it’s expected to be completed within six to eight months, weather permitting.

On the other side of Mango Hill, Impact Homes are building two townhouse complexes, sixteen new townhouses on Wyatt Crescent and twenty on Abercrombie Street. They’re expected to be completed late 2017/early 2018.

There’s no denying, Mango Hill is up and coming!

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the Facebook comments.

Mango Hill Ring Road image courtesy of The Mango Hill Progress Association.

A new two-storey classroom block and Special Education Unit at Mango Hill State School are ready for delivery, following the granting of full financial approval.

Acting Education Minister and State MP, Steven Miles, said these significant upgrades were being funded through the Palaszczuk Government’s record $667 million school infrastructure program in 2016-17.

“Our Government is investing $7.7 million, to deliver these additional facilities for Mango Hill State School,” he said.

The two-storey junior learning block includes four prep spaces, five classrooms, a staff room and an outdoor learning area.

The new Special Education Unit will feature a life skills area, withdrawal space, staff room and outdoor learning areas.

“We are on track to deliver the new facilities for the start of the Term 1 2018 school year. Design and concept plans have been developed and now, with full financial approval being granted, the project will proceed to tender,” said Steven Miles MP.

Steven Miles MP with a Mango Hill State School student and parent.

Member for Murrumba Chris Whiting welcomed the news that the facilities were one step closer to delivery.

“Mango Hill is a fast growing community and the local primary school is a vital asset to families from the area,” he said.

“The new junior learning block and Special Education Unit will assist in catering for enrolment growth. I’m very pleased to have been advocating for these additional facilities at Mango Hill State School.”