EASTER
EASTER is early this year, and a time that many will use to get away for an extended weekend break or staycationing to catch up with family and friends. This year, Easter also marks the beginning of school holidays.
Why is Easter a different date every year? Easter is known as a ‘movable Feast’. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection occurred at the time of the Jewish Passover, celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon that occurs on or after the March equinox, also known as the Paschal Full Moon. The paschal full moon is the ecclesiastical full moon of the northern spring; the name “paschal” is derived from “Pascha”, a transliteration of the Aramaic word meaning Passover.
Many Christians on the Coast will attend church services across the coast, with Easter one of the most religious events of the year as they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that Christ died on a cross on a day called Good Friday, was buried for three days and was then resurrected and came back to life on Easter Sunday. Hence, the Christian celebrations.
Easter to children (and adults!) also represents a guilt-free time to eat chocolate…. But why chocolate eggs? The tradition of eating and gifting chocolate at Easter dates back centuries, when Christian Europeans began exchanging eggs as symbols of rebirth during the Lent season. And the Easter Egg Hunt…. Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies (kittens), so they became a symbol of new life. Legend has it that the Easter bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs.
MUDJIMBA ISLAND UPDATE
Thank you to everyone who signed the petition to protect Mudjimba Island Coral Reef. We had over 1,000 people sign the petition calling for the installation of moorings to stop anchor damage while still allowing safe access. Last week I tabled the petition in Parliament.
The Minister had committed to a feasibility report to investigate this request following a deputation I took to Parliament with local stakeholders. Last week, the Minister responded to advise that instead of moorings, there will be reef protection markers installed this winter to show people where to anchor without damage.
The Minister also advised that research used in the feasibility report indicated no evidence of damage to the reef from anchors. Local divers are telling me otherwise, so I think it’s important that we keep the dialogue open with the Minister and ensure that the report is also open for scrutiny to ensure the best options are put in place to protect this precious resource, and we get to the bottom of why this research differs from local divers’ feedback.
I will keep pursuing this issue and working with the community to ensure we get the right solution to protect the reef and ensure safe public access.
LOCAL GOV ELECTION
The council elections are now complete, and I congratulate all the new and re-elected councilors, as well as our new Mayor. I wish them all the best for the next four years and look forward to working with the new council as we all seek the best outcomes for the residents of the Sunshine Coast.
If you are on the roads this weekend, I ask that you take care and be aware of all drivers on the road so that you get to your destination safely, or you might be like me and have a staycation. Whatever you do, I wish you a happy and safe Easter.