Road safety initiative to be launched at caravan show targeting Outback drivers

A road safety initiative, aimed at reducing fatal and injury accidents on outback roads, is set to expand across Queensland, with its launch at the 2014 Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show in Brisbane on June 5.

Called ‘Stay on Track Outback’ the programme has been developed by the Queensland Police Service and the caravanning industry in response to the increase in vehicles travelling on western Queensland roads.

Set initially to cover the Charleville, Roma and Longreach districts and surrounding areas the campaign will see police officers visiting caravan parks to warn tourists of the potential dangers they will face driving in the Outback and to give them advice that could possibly save their lives.

Senior Constable Sarah Grayson of the Charleville DCPC explains: “The aim of this initiative is to increase general driver education through conversation and by supplying tourists with informative education packs. By improving understanding of the challenges they may face whilst travelling they will be better equipped to avoid an accident.”

Snr Constable Grayson says some of the key hazards people need to aware of include how to deal with single track roads, wide loads or road trains. Also watching for stock on the roads and other wildlife, not driving at night because of kangaroos, and to always notify someone if planning to go off road and having a plan for assistance in the event of an incident.

A key supporter and CEO of Caravanning Queensland Ron Chapman says the initiative is an example of the caravanning industry looking out for its own, and ensuring that the pastime of caravanning is continually made safer and more enjoyable.

“We are proud to get behind Stay on Track Outback because it is an incredibly worthwhile cause for our customers, for Queensland tourism and road safety, and as an organisation we are concerned about the welfare of everyone who enjoys caravanning,” says Mr Chapman.

“The 2014 Caravan Show is the perfect place to launch the expanded initiative because it attracts both caravan and camping enthusiasts as well as those who are just considering their first caravan holiday, and all can benefit from learning about safer ways to travel.”

With the support of key stakeholders Santos, Imparja, Caravanning Queensland, Jayco, local councils and Queensland Transport the initiative will grow from a local to a state campaign, with Stay on Track Outback information being placed in all Queensland Transport Customer Service Centres across the state in the coming months.

The launch will be held on June 5 at the 2014 Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show and police representatives attending will include Assistant Commissioner Tony Wright (Southern Region), and Inspector Steve Kersley of the Charleville Patrol Group, with others yet to be confirmed.

The Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show will be held at the Brisbane Showgrounds from June 4-10. More information and tickets can be found at www.caravanqld.com.au. Pre-purchase your tickets online to receive free train travel to and from the event from any station on the Queensland CityRail network.

Media enquiries, please contact Kate Shuttleworth on 0418 723 841 or 07 3250 9400 or respond to this email.

About Caravanning Queensland    
Caravanning Queensland is the peak industry body for caravan dealers, manufacturers, camping suppliers, service providers and caravan park operators through two related associations. These are the Caravan Trade & Industries Association of Queensland and the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland Inc.
The Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show is the official industry event for Queensland, and has been running for 46 years. It attracts over 300 exhibitors and up to 70,000 visitors each year. Featuring the latest products and services the caravanning and camping industry has to offer, including information on tourism and holiday destinations all around Australia, this year’s event will be on June 4-10 at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
This year pre-paid ticketholders can take advantage of free train travel from any station on the Queensland CityRail Network. Catch the ShowTrain from Brunswick Street, Central or Roma Street stations to be taken directly to the Showgrounds. The ShowTrain runs every 20 to 30 minutes and starts at 9.30am each day with the last train leaving shortly after close.

Campaign for Change set to light up and connect the Queensland community

Looking to encourage South East Queensland residents to come together and share their bright ideas for improving the local community, Wesley Mission Brisbane (WMB) is running its incredibly successful Campaign for Change competition again in 2014.

To be officially launched at the State Library of Queensland on Saturday, May 3, WMB is aiming to build on the success of its 2012 inaugural competition which saw more than 80 ideas submitted for creating a brighter, more unified community.

A unique competition that gives residents in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Logan and the Gold Coast the chance to win a $40,000 kick-start to get their concept for enriching the community off the ground, WMB’s Executive Director Geoff Batkin says he’s looking forward to seeing the entries in this year’s competition.

“We were overwhelmed by the response we received when we launched Campaign for Change in 2012,” he said. “It worked to inspire a new wave of community kindness and wellbeing. We really want to build on that further in this year’s campaign and to try and fill the many unmet needs that are facing our local community on a daily basis.”

Mr Batkin continues stating it’s all about highlighting the capability and positive change residents can make if they unite and take action against the issues facing their community.

“Campaign for Change is about motivating residents to make a difference, whether that is offering support services for disadvantaged youths, running a community clean up or providing initiatives to help reduce the stigmas around mental illness,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be a massive project; it could be something small that changes the community for the better. Any and every idea is welcome.”

Winners of Campaign for Change’s 2012 competition, Kath Coory and Tina Graham are just two examples of how everyday Queenslanders can make a big difference to their local community if given the financial backing and support they need.
Thanks to winning the competition, they were able to launch their concept, BestLife Sleepovers in 2013, a service that provides children with disabilities the opportunity to experience a sleep over and to form friendships, while giving their parents a brief break.

“It’s a different, unique kind of respite that you don’t get anywhere else,” explained Co-Founder Ms Coory. “It aims to help give children living with a disability independence and the chance to create networks and friendships. More than that though, it strives to give families a sense of hope, to give them the idea that maybe their child could be independent, and even be part of a community.”

Ms Coory continued saying that her dream would never have been realised if not for the support that she received from WMB, which she believes has been absolutely invaluable, not just in providing funding but also in educating her on how to run a community program. “I think if you’re passionate about an idea that you think is going to change lives then Campaign for Change can be the catalyst to help you to deliver those changes,” she said.

To celebrate the launch of Campaign for Change, WMB will be holding an event on Saturday, May 3, where it will strive to literally light up the community by encouraging residents to connect in a vibrant visual display that will officially open the competition.

Previous winners and finalists will also be in attendance to share their ideas for changing the local community and to inspire Brisbane residents to get involved in Campaign for Change 2014 and to make a difference.

Kids will also have the opportunity to witness and take part in the ‘Magic of Change’ magic show and meet Nova Boy from Nova Radio Station. Entries for Campaign for Change will open on May 1 and close on June 13, with the winner receiving $30,000 from WMB’s campaign partners PBS Building, tailored support from WMB and a short course from Foresters Community Finance. Two runners-up will receive $5,000 from campaign partners PBS Building and enrolment into a short course focusing on starting a social enterprise, sponsored by Foresters Community Finance.

For more information on Wesley Mission Brisbane’s Campaign for Change, please visit www.wmb.org.au 
Media Enquiries: please contact Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au. 

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2014
Time: 10am to 11am
Where: The Studio – The State Library of Queensland
       Cultural Precinct, Stanley Place, South Bank
       Brisbane, Queensland, 4101
Who: Open to Brisbane residents of all ages
Cost: Free

Notes to Editors:

About Wesley Mission Brisbane

Wesley Mission Brisbane (WMB) is a not for profit organisation that has been helping Queenslanders for over 100 years. WMB is a leading provider of innovative and responsive aged care, child care and community service programs that support those in need.

As part of WMB’s ongoing commitment to assisting and improving the Brisbane community, WMB has developed the Campaign for Change initiative, which for the first time, gives Brisbane residents the funding and support services they need to get their programs for improving their local community off the ground.

Discount Drug Stores adopts new online platform to streamline buying process

Discount Drug Stores has become one of the first major Australian pharmacy brands to adopt a new state of the art online portal that uniquely connects product buyers to potential suppliers.

Streamlining the lengthy and complex buying process, Discount Drug Stores has signed on to RANGEme, a new, free to join online marketplace for brands to showcase their products to Australia’s biggest retailers including Coles, Woolworths and Kmart that has been created by Marketing Executive Nicky Jackson.

Developed as a result of Ms Jackson’s own difficulties securing stockists for her baby skincare line, RANGEme aims to save category buyers time and to increase the chances of companies getting their products ranged sooner by bringing everyone together in one, easy to navigate space.

“It’s incredibly challenging to get your product in front of the major retailers for consideration, especially if you don’t have any existing connections,” she said. “RANGEme streamlines this process. Suppliers simply need to post their products on the site, specifying the categories they fall into and RANGEme will connect them directly to the appropriate retailers and buyers.”

National Merchandise Manager at Discount Drug Stores Adam Goss states the brand was immediately drawn to the one of a kind platform as it provided it with the opportunity to maximise efficiency and to better engage with a wider pool of product suppliers.

“Our buyers are often inundated with suppliers pitching their products and we want to make sure that we’re seizing every opportunity,” he said. “RANGEme is a fantastic tool as it sorts through all of the potential products and only highlights the suppliers that are best suited to our brand and categories. It saves our buyers a considerable amount of time.

“It’s also been great in introducing us to smaller, more niche suppliers that would have previously gotten lost through the old pitching process amongst the more established brands and in ensuring that Discount Drug Stores stays up to date with market trends,” Mr Goss continued. 

Free to join for buyers, since its launch only a month ago, over 150 suppliers have subscribed to RANGEme to connect with grocery, pharmacy and general convenience and lifestyle retailers. For more information please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au or https://www.rangeme.com.au.  

Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.