SPORT SIGN-UP: AFL certainly holds its own in the sporting scene in Townsville, with hundreds of young people signing up to various clubs across the community. It was great to attend the recent ‘Gather Round’ event, and see so many junior’s running around having fun.

Today I turn 36. My beautiful girls and I started the day off right, with chocolate cake!

We must condemned the provocative and dangerous interaction from a Chinese jet fighter on a Australian helicopter.
I hope the Prime Minister & Defence Minister handle this better then when our navy divers got injured by a Chinese warship.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Great to be at Vincent Market Place Thank you to everyone who stopped for a chat at my mobile office. It was good to speak with so many of you about all things Townsville.

Happy Birthday Astin! My big girl turns 6 today. We had a mermaid party, the kids loved it.

Thank you to the many soldiers from Brigadier Dave McCammon who participated in the ANZAC Day game. NQ Cowboys that was the most moving ANZAC Day commemorative service the NRL has done! Thank you, the boys played hard and left it all out there on the field.

I was honoured to give an ANZAC Day address at the Thuringowa service.
LEST WE FORGET

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On ANZAC Day I remember my mates and the many Australians who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on operations in service to this nation, as well as those who have succumbed to their war within back here in Australia.
LEST WE FORGET

SWEET ADVANCEMENTS: Sugarcane is a 24/7, 365 days a week lifestyle that requires a lot of dedication and sacrifice. The 45th Annual Sugarcane conference held here in Townsville gave me the opportunity to thank those in the industry and to see the advancements being made.

Fantastic event! Run Army Australia

NEW CITIZENS: It’s always a privilege and pleasure to officially welcome Townsville residents as new Australian Citizens. Congratulations to those who took this important step.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION: It was good to catch up with so many Upper Ross residents at Riverway Plaza. Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat and raised the issues impacting the Upper Ross.

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY RiRi! Great to be home with the family to celebrate our baby girl’s Emma memma birthday. We have been eating cake, playing with new toys, her favourites are the recorder and a keyboard and of course anything with Emma Watkins/Emma Memma and The Wiggles on it.

RENTAL CRISIS: More than 100 properties vacant. Many families in Townsville are doing it tough, and getting a rental property is near impossible and to have the Labor Minister allow DHA properties to sit vacant while people are living rough is a disgrace.

‘Stop Screaming I’m Scared Too’
This is the life of an infantry soldier turned door gunner on a chinook in Afghanistan. A gripping tale of duty, danger, and unexpected twists. What a ride.
Great work Rod Henderson on the book mate!
rodhendersonauthor.com.au

MOBILE OFFICE: Always a great afternoon catching up with locals at the North Shore Marketplace! Thanks to everyone who stopped by, crime and cost-of-living pressures were top issues raised. As always, I will continue to take the fight to Canberra and raise our issues!

LOCAL INVESTMENT: Thank you to David from COS for giving me a tour of their new Townsville warehouse. Employing locally and supplying office products to local businesses. It's great to see this level of investment in the local community.

As Australia faces increasing challenging strategic circumstances, we need strong leaders who will ensure our ADF is well-equipped with the capabilities and personnel needed to defend our nation.