Leanne Patrick Councillor Gladstone Regional Council

08/09/2026

Council is developing a new Public Art Masterplan to guide the future of public art across the region and we want hear your ideas! 🙌

Your feedback will help shape the Masterplan and future public art projects.

Complete the online survey and have your say. 💬

Learn more: https://conversations.gladstone.qld.gov.au/gladstone-region-public-art-masterplan

Image: Tank Street ANZAC Memorial Mural, Morris Green, 2025.

07/09/2026

🪁🪁 SAVE THE DATE! 🪁🪁

The Gladstone Port Curtis Rotary Kite Festival is returning on Sunday 20 September at the Gladstone State High School Bottom Oval!

Bring the family along for a fun-filled day featuring:
🌈 Colourful kites soaring through the sky
🎶 Live entertainment
🍔 Food and refreshments
🎁 Prizes and surprises
🪁 Kites available to purchase from just $5

📅 Sunday 20 September 2026
⏰ 10:00am - 2:00pm
📍 Gladstone State High School Bottom Oval

Entry is by gold coin donation, with proceeds supporting local community projects.

Pack your kite, grab the family and enjoy a fantastic day outdoors with the Gladstone community! ☀️💨

🪁💙

07/09/2026

🐾 🐶🐱 ANIMAL REGISTRATION RENEWALS ARE COMING!

Pet owners across the Gladstone Region — keep an eye on your mailbox! 📬

Council will be sending out animal registration renewal notices throughout September for the 2026/27 registration period, running from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027.

💰 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT — DON’T MISS IT!

Renew your dog or cat’s registration and pay by 31 October 2026 to take advantage of the discounted renewal fee. Full fees apply after this date.

🐕 Remember: Queensland legislation requires dogs and cats 12 weeks and older to be registered and microchipped.

🆕 NEW FOR 2026/27 — JUVENILE REGISTRATION FEE
Council is introducing a reduced registration fee for puppies and kittens under 12 months of age.

If you have recently welcomed a new furry family member, you can take advantage of the discounted fee by registering them between 1–31 October 2026.

The reduced juvenile fee recognises that the first year of pet ownership can come with plenty of expenses — from vaccinations and desexing to food, bedding and training. 🐾❤️

👉 Other discounts are also available for desexed and microchipped animals, along with concession rates for eligible pensioners.

📅 Key date: 31 October 2026
Make sure your registration is renewed before your current registration expires — even if you haven't received your renewal notice.
For more information, visit Council’s Pets and Animals webpage or contact Council on 4970 0700.
🐾 Responsible pet ownership helps keep our community safe, happy and pet-friendly!

06/09/2026

💰 WHO COLLECTS THE TAX — AND WHO DELIVERS LOCALLY?🤔

Have you ever wondered just how much of Australia’s tax revenue actually sits with local government?

The numbers tell an important story.

📊 Of Australia’s total tax revenue in 2024–25:

🇦🇺 Commonwealth Government — 80.5%
🏛️ State Government — 16.6%
🏘️ Local Government — just 2.9%

Yet local government is responsible for delivering and maintaining many of the services and infrastructure residents interact with every single day — our local roads, footpaths, parks, waste services, community facilities, planning, drainage and so much more.

And this is where the pressure is growing.

👉 Local government is being asked to do significantly more with significantly less.

At the same time, we are seeing an ongoing cost shift from State and Federal Governments down to local councils — responsibilities and expectations increase, but the funding to deliver them doesn't always follow.

For councils, this creates a difficult balancing act.

We need to keep rates affordable for households and businesses, maintain the infrastructure we already have, invest in our communities and plan for future growth — all while dealing with rising construction costs, wages, materials and service delivery costs.

This isn't about pointing fingers.

It's about having an honest conversation about who pays, who is responsible and who has the resources to deliver.

Local government is closest to the community, and we are expected to deliver more and more — but we need a funding model that recognises the reality of what councils are being asked to do.

Our communities deserve better than simply shifting more responsibility down the chain.

We need all three levels of government working together, with appropriate funding attached to the responsibilities they place on local government.

Because doing more with less can only go so far.

📌 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Taxation Revenue, Australia, 2024–25. Percentages calculated from ABS taxation revenue data.

05/09/2026

💙 Happy Father’s Day! 💙

Today we celebrate and acknowledge all the fathers and male father figures who make a difference in the lives of those around them.

To the dads, stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, role models and all the wonderful men who have offered guidance, support, encouragement and love — thank you. 👏

Fatherhood isn’t just about being a dad; it’s about being there, showing up, listening, teaching, encouraging and helping shape the next generation.

Today, we recognise the important role you play in our families and our community.
I’d also like to wish my Dad and Nathan a very special Father’s Day. ❤️

Thank you both for the love, support, guidance and everything you do for our family. We are incredibly lucky to have you both in our lives.

Wishing all our fathers and male father figures a very happy Father’s Day! 🥰💙
Take the time today to give that special man in your life a hug, a phone call or simply say thank you.

Happy Father’s Day from my family to yours! 🌿

04/09/2026

I wanted to let residents know that I’ve recently had surgery and will be taking a few weeks to recover.

I’ll be checking emails intermittently, so replies may take a little longer than usual.

Our community remains front of mind, and I’m grateful for the strong local support network that keeps things moving while I’m briefly offline.

Thank you to everyone who continues to show kindness and understanding — it truly means a lot.

I look forward to being back to full capacity soon.

📞 For Council services or general enquiries, please contact Gladstone Regional Council on 4970 0700.

03/09/2026

🎨 Muscles and Brushstrokes – Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum 💪🌸

If you’re looking for an exhibition that packs both heart and power, Muscles and Brushstrokes by local artist Ping Carlyon is one you won’t want to miss.

Ping’s story is incredible — inspired by her sister’s journey of rebuilding strength and confidence through bodybuilding, she’s created a series of works that celebrate resilience, transformation and the quiet determination that runs through families.

It’s bold, it’s beautiful, and it’s full of emotion.

This exhibition marks Ping’s exciting leap into oil painting, and one of the featured works even took out The Local Artist Award at the 49th Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards.
A true Gladstone success story.

📅 15 August – 10 October 2026
📍 Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum
Goondoon Street
🕰 Open Monday–Friday 10am–5pm | Saturday 10am–2pm

Whether you love art, love a good comeback story, or just want to feel inspired — this exhibition will absolutely speak to you.

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

Fears and Phobias – Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum

If you’re looking for something a little thought‑provoking (and a lot inspiring!), pop into the Gallery and check out Fears and Phobias by Jude Kennedy (Brannigan), showing from 22 August to 3 October.

This exhibition dives into the quirky, everyday things that make our hearts race — and the deeper feelings we don’t always talk about.

Through beautiful ceramic works, Jude turns fear into something you can actually see, touch and reflect on. It’s creative, it’s brave, and it reminds us that everyone carries something unseen.

You’ll find it at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum.

🕰 Opening hours:
Monday–Friday: 10am–5pm
Saturday: 10am–2pm
Closed Sundays & public holidays

A perfect little weekend wander or mid‑week moment of inspiration. You might even walk out feeling a bit lighter — and a bit braver.

01/09/2026

📣 Call to Action: Are you our next Chairperson or Treasurer?

Last night we held the CCRDFV Annual General Meeting.

Unfortunately, we were unable to fill the required committee positions needed for the organisation to continue.

As a result, a new AGM has been scheduled for Tuesday, 1st September. This meeting will determine the future of CCRDFV.

CCRDFV has been built by community, for community. Over the years, together we have raised awareness, supported those impacted by domestic and family violence, honoured lives lost, and advocated for a safer future across our region. This work only continues because volunteers are willing to step forward.

If you have ever attended one of our events, supported our campaigns, or believe this work matters, now is the time to consider becoming involved.

Committee roles don't require you to have all the answers, just a willingness to contribute, work alongside others, and help ensure this important work continues.

If we are unable to fill the positions of Chairperson and Treasurer at the next AGM, CCRDFV may be forced to cease operating.

If you would like to learn more about what's involved or are considering nominating, please send us a private message.

We'd be happy to have a conversation, and provide guidance on the role descriptions.

Reach out if you would like more information.