I encourage readers to prepare Christmas gift packages to send to Australian troops serving overseas.
There are almost 4500 Australian soldiers based overseas who will spend Christmas away from their families, and the “Christmas for the Troops 2011” programme gives ordinary citizens a chance to make their time away a little more enjoyable.
Christmas is a season for spending quality time with loved ones and for those who are serving Australia in overseas postings, in challenging surroundings, being away from their loved ones is doubly difficult.
The Christmas gift programme gives us a chance to say thanks to the troops, to let them know we are thinking of them and we appreciate their efforts, and to give them a gift package that aims to bring a smile to their face.
For details visit my website www.peterslippermp.com.au
Nominations are now open for the Fisher Community Australia Day Awards 2012.
This is the 13th annual holding of the awards, which were started in 2000 by me to provide an opportunity to recognise those who work to make a positive difference in their community.
Nominations can be made for a variety of endeavours, from community services, industry and commerce, the arts and sport. Nominees will also be considered for the prestigious Fisher Citizen of the Year, the Fisher Junior Citizen of the Year and the Wortley Youth Encouragement Award. Community Organisations can be nominated for the Des Scanlan Memorial Award. Nominations for this award are open to all community organisations doing valuable, and often unrecognised, work in the Fisher electorate. Nomination forms are available from my office or by phoning 07-5444 4888. Nominations close on 16 December.
Those wishing to sign my petition calling for the widening of the Bruce Highway between Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast to six lanes can sign it at my office at Buddina or at the office of Andrew Powell MP at Maleny.