There are so many people in our community who are doing great things and who are helping to make great things happen.

The list is only a sample and people are encouraged to suggest others.

Let’s acknowledge the people who help to make our community the great place it is.

12. SIMON ARMSTRONG

As Principal of The Lakes College for the past seven years, Simon Armstrong has played an integral role in the growth of the school from 398 students in 2012 to 900 students in 2019. With this enrolment growth has been the expansion of the school building program with modern educational facilities including 10 secondary classrooms, seniors’ room, two ovals, dance studio, industrial arts and a food technology and textiles centre. Building relationships with the school community if important to Mr Armstrong who daily greets students and parents at the school gate, reads storybooks to Prep students and mentors the older students.

He sees role as providing student-centred education to help young people become “productive and valuable contributors to our local and wider community”.

11. LUKE HOWARTH

The Federal Member for Petrie, Luke Howarth became involved in politics to make a difference in the community he lived in. Since being elected in 2013, North Lakes, Mango Hill and Griffin have almost doubled in size. Mr Howarth’s main goals were to improve local traffic congestion, reduce unemployment and support local community organisations.

In the growing areas of his electorate he has campaigned to improve local sporting infrastructure and preserve existing infrastructure such as North Lakes Golf Course. Recent achievements include a new Boundary Rd overpass, securing $120 million to build on/off ramps from Dohles Rocks Rd onto the Bruce Highway and $4 million to upgrade carparking at the Mango Hill train station.

10. PIP GRANT-TAYLOR

Osprey House Environmental Centre at Griffin is owned by Moreton Bay Regional Council and operated by trained and enthusiastic volunteers. A long-term volunteer at the centre, is Pip Grant-Taylor who is passionate about wildlife. In 2011 the keen photographer, author and illustrator released a children’s book about ospreys at the centre. It was distributed to 800 schools in Queensland. Ms Grant-Taylor keeps a sharp eye on the wildlife around the centre and has helped with many rescues of injured and sick animals. Late last year her surveillance paid off when she watched the hatching of the centre’s first osprey chicks for four years.

9. KELVIN PATCH

As chief executive of the Caboolture Sports Club Group (CSC Group) Kelvin Patch was a driving force behind the feasibility and initiative to get the North Lakes Sport Club up and running. He was instrumental in discussions with the State Government on getting changes to the legislation around gaming licenses amended which made it easier for existing clubs to open greenfield sites in new communities or merge/amalgamate with struggling clubs to keep them alive. The North Lakes Sports Club, as part of the CSC Group, opened in May 2017 and as well as being a popular gaming, entertainment and function venue supports local sporting and community groups.