blah blah blah | 27 March

Dear colleagues,

Most of you would have seen the steady stream of emails regarding the infrastructure work kicking off around Townsville University Hospital. We’ve started some of the enabling works for projects like the multi-storey carpark, which is a major component of our hospital expansion program. Some of this work has, and will continue, to impact traffic and parking conditions at Townsville University Hospital. I’ll be the first to admit that with any significant growth comes a fair share of growing pains but this work is necessary to build the future of health for our region. I want to thank you for your patience as we navigate these hurdles together; the long-term gain will be worth the short-term pain. On more exciting news than traffic interruptions, it was great to see the CTs for Ingham and Charters Towers arrive this week. These will be game-changing additions to both of these health services when they are commissioned later this year.

That sense of building a better future extends beyond our physical walls and into the culture of our workplace. Last Friday was a significant milestone for us as we marked the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with the launch of our Humans in Health – Making Deadly Decisions campaign. This initiative is incredibly important as it shares the lived experiences of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, helping us all better understand what true cultural safety looks like in practice. These stories are about listening, learning, and ensuring every single colleague feels respected and supported at Townsville HHS. I strongly encourage you all to take a moment to explore the Humans in Health videos and Deadly Decisions resources on QHEPS; it’s a powerful way to connect with the people behind the care.

As we move into April, there’s a lot to look forward to. The Easter weekend is almost upon us, which will bring with it the opportunity for some to enjoy a small break for work, although for the majority of our staff it will be business as usual as healthcare never stops. Thank you to those working over the Easter period.

April is also Falls Awareness Month. This is an international campaign focused on raising awareness and promoting best practice prevention strategies to keep our patients safe. Throughout the month, the ieMR digital team and our standard lead for falls prevention Donna Waterhouse will be on the floor supporting you to deliver high-quality care. My key reminder for all clinical staff is to ensure falls risk assessments are completed on admission for every patient. If a patient does experience a fall, please ensure the Adult Inpatient Post-Fall Power Plan is initiated promptly. Further resources will be shared via the Weekly Wrap to help us keep these safety standards front of mind.

At the end of April is ANZAC Day, which this year falls on a Saturday. We will still hold our dawn service in the front garden at Townsville University Hospital. It is always a moving experience to stand together in the early light to honour the service and sacrifice of past and present servicemen and women. Both staff and patients are invited to attend and commemorate the day, and guests are more than welcome to lay a wreath or a book during the service as a mark of respect.

Last weekend I did the Cowboys an enormous favour, I tipped against them (so when they won I didn’t really lose). The Storm will be a tougher test this weekend though. I won’t be there to watch the game as I am going to the Rocky Horror Musical on Saturday (which also means I miss homebrew club meeting!).

Until next time

kk

Dawn Service

Townsville Hospital and Health Service invites you to join us at a dawn service to commemorate past and present service men and women

Saturday, 25 April at 5:50am

Townsville University Hospital Front Garden

Guests are welcome to lay a wreath or book

Humans in Health powerful portraits to eliminate racism

A powerful and artistically curated photographic installation of Townsville HHS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff headlined last week’s launch of Humans in Health, a campaign focused on addressing racism, strengthening cultural safety, and fostering a more inclusive health service.

Loosely inspired by the online photoblog Humans of New York, the installation links to a series of videos where staff share their lived experiences and perspectives.

Executive director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Amanda Cooms said, at its heart, the installation honoured the voices, experiences, and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

“It offers powerful truth-telling about the realities of working in spaces that have not always felt culturally safe,” she said.

“Through portrait and story, Humans in Health creates a space for truth-telling, reflection, and shared understanding, recognising the courage it takes to speak openly about experiences of racism in healthcare,” she said.

“The campaign invites reflection, responsibility, and action across the organisation and is a clear expression of our commitment to eliminating racism and discrimination in healthcare; this is not optional work, every person across our health service has a responsibility to recognise it, reflect on it, and take action.

“This campaign has been shaped by the voices and experiences of our staff and communities, and it’s grounded in respect and cultural strength.

“It makes clear that meaningful change will only happen when each of us takes responsibility for the part we play including having the courage to speak up, challenge behaviour, and not walk past racism when we see it.

“We are accountable not only for our own actions, but for how safe our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues and consumers feel within our services and their experiences must guide our response and our standards.”

Amanda said Humans in Health sat within the broader commitment to Two Worlds, One Healthcare System.

“This is supported by practical tools through our Deadly Decisions framework including the Everyday Response Guide, Invisible Dillybag, and Deadly Deck,” she said.

“These resources are designed to move us beyond awareness into action giving staff the confidence to respond in the moment, the language to call in or call out behaviour, and the accountability to ensure culturally safe care is everyone’s responsibility, every day.”

Emceed by ATSIWAES program manager and anti-racism project lead Mick Illin the launch also featured a Welcome to Country by Bindal Elder Aunty Dorothy Savage, cultural dance performances, and the premiere of the campaign videos and opportunity to yarn during morning tea.

Board Chair Tony Mooney said the campaign was about recognising and challenging inherent biases with awareness, curiosity, and practicality.

“Humans in Health asks us to be curious before we are certain, to listen before we decide, and to develop self-awareness so we can challenge unconscious assumptions,” he said.

Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said eliminating racism in the workplace was ‘incumbent on all of us’.

“Noone should experience racism at work; this isn’t about blaming anyone, but we have a choice,” he said.

“We can turn a blind eye and do nothing or together we can seek to address it.

“I’d encourage everyone to visit the installation in the front foyer of TUH or go to the QHEPS page to listen and learn from the stories your colleagues have bravely chosen to share so together we can eliminate racism in health.

“Cultural accountability requires everybody including you and me; please engage with the C.A.R.E framework – call in with care, address it clearly, review and respond, and ensure safety continues.

“It’s a cool acronym and it matters.”

Humans in Health launched on March 20, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

It makes clear that meaningful change will only happen when each of us takes responsibility for the part we play including having the courage to speak up, challenge behaviour, and not walk past racism when we see it.”

Cultural safety on the cards as HHS deals Deadly Deck

As part of the Humans in Health anti-racism campaign, Deadly Deck cards are being rolled out across the health service to support culturally safe conversations in everyday situations.

The cards have been developed by staff using the Deadly Decisions framework, which focuses on making culturally informed choices, and the C.A.R.E. model, which guides how staff communicate and respond in practice.

The tool helps staff recognise what is not culturally safe and gives clear, practical ways to respond.

Deadly Deck cards equip staff with practical prompts to support culturally safe conversations and call out racism.

Anti-racism project lead Mick Illin said the cards were designed to shift staff from awareness to action.

“These cards give staff real words to use in real situations, removing the uncertainty and making it easier to step in, speak up, and call out racism when it happens,” he said.

The cards are built from real-life scenarios making the Deadly Deck a powerful truth telling for both First Nations and culturally diverse staff.

“It’s about what we do next that counts; how we respond, how we support each other, and how we build a workplace that is safe and careful.”

Mick said the tool was both simple and accessible.

“The Deadly Deck is an innovative and novel way to respond to an important issue and has been designed to be used in team meetings, at handover, or in the moment when it matters most.

“It’s not about being perfect but about having a conversation and making a different choice next time.

“I would encourage all teams to have a Deadly Deck in their staff rooms or meeting areas and to make cultural safety part of how we work every day.”

To learn more about Deadly Decks or to purchase the cards, click here

Uniting with community to drive action on Closing the Gap

Staff across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service came together to mark Closing the Gap Day, recognising the importance of community partnerships, cultural safety, and improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Held at Townsville University Hospital’s Robert Douglas Auditorium, the event brought together Elders, community organisations, and staff for a morning of presentations, discussion, and connection.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health executive director Amanda Cooms said the day reinforced both the shared commitment and the urgent work ahead.

“While the national Closing the Gap targets focus on areas such as life expectancy, healthy birthweight and reducing suicide, we must also be honest - the gap is not closing at the pace it should. That tells us we need to do things differently, and we need to do them together,” she said.

“This is not just about awareness, it is about learning, unlearning, and taking action and about understanding the role each of us plays in either maintaining or challenging the systems and behaviours that contribute to inequity.

“We know real progress occurs when health services work alongside communities to address the broader factors that influence health and wellbeing, and when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices guide how services are designed and delivered.

“Closing the Gap is not something governments or the health systems can achieve alone. It requires genuine partnerships with community-controlled organisations, community leaders, and communities themselves.

“Most importantly, this is a call to action for every staff member. Cultural safety, accountability and respect must be part of how we show up every day in every interaction, every decision, and every part of the care we provide.

“By listening to community and shaping services that work for our mob, we can help build a stronger, culturally safe health system and keep moving forward to close the gap.”

Closing the Gap Day is recognised nationally as a time to reflect on progress, acknowledge where more needs to be done, and focus on practical action to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Kevin-sent premmie another miracle for TUH

The dust had barely settled on the record books after Australia’s most premature surviving baby, Stevie O’Reilly, was born at 22 weeks and two days at Townsville University Hospital, when they were opened again this time to welcome baby Kevin.

Kevin is credited as the hospital’s second ‘miracle’ baby, born four months after Stevie, also at 22 weeks and two days on November 8 last year.

Mum Mahrita Hampton went into preterm labour at the home she shares with partner Harrison in Dimbulah on the Atherton Tableland around dawn on 7 November.

“I woke about five in morning with pains and we went straight to Mareeba Hospital,” she said.

“They said to save the baby I would have to be flown out to Cairns, so they got me into a helicopter and once I arrived they said Townsville was the best place for my son to have a chance.

“Harrison had come down by car with family and I’m glad he made it.”

Born at 440g, Kevin, who is named after his grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle, was immediately transferred to the hospital’s neonatal unit.

Staff specialist neonatologist Dr Mary Ghazawy said babies born as early as Kevin were ‘extremely challenging’ to care for.

“The first few weeks of his life we had to monitor for skin breakdowns and infections, water and electrolyte imbalances, and support his blood pressure and his breathing,” she said.

“Kevin has had his ups and downs and gave all of us a sleepless night or two.”

Now weighing 3.2kg, Mary described Kevin as ‘our miracle mark two’.

“After Stevie, we didn’t think we’d see another 22 weeker in our unit so soon and then just a few months later we had Kevin,” she said.

Mahrita, who also credited her baby’s survival to the power of prayer, said she believed Kevin was sent for a higher purpose.

“He’s changed how I look at life,” she said.

“There were a few times that I thought he wasn’t going to make it and that’s when one of Kevin’s nurses prayed with me and asked if I wanted to go to church with her; my church family at home has also been praying for him.”

Mary said the chances of survival for babies born at less than 23 weeks was improving.

“Less than 23 weeks is extremely early; babies born this early face very high risks of breathing difficulties, brain bleeds, infection, renal and retinal disease,” she said.

“Kevin has equalled the record for the youngest preterm baby to survive in Australia.

“He has been an absolute treasure to care for and is a credit to his amazing parents who never stopped believing.”

Alexis leads next generation of health workers

For 18-year-old Alexis Fisher, stepping into the world of healthcare was about far more than starting a career, it was about culture, community, and creating change for generations to come.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Indigenous health worker trainee Alexis is part of the First Nations leadership program designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to lead within their careers in health.

Alexis said her motivation to work in healthcare was shaped by her understanding of the challenges Aboriginal people continued to face.

“I have understood the battles my ancestors and Elders have fought and I know we’ve come such a long way,” Alexis said.

“I’ve been privileged to have had Elders, like my grandmother who was an Aboriginal advocate and midwife, pass their knowledge on to me.

“Through the traineeship, I’ve gained confidence and a clearer sense of purpose, which has been really valuable as I move from being a school student into the workforce.”

Executive director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health Amanda Cooms said the First Nations leadership program was created to support the growth and development of emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders across the Townsville HHS.

“The program provides a dedicated space for participants to reflect on their identity as First Nations professionals and their role in shaping a more culturally safe, responsive and equitable health system,” Amanda said.

“The aim of the program is to equip staff with strategies to navigate complexity and lead with confidence, while also building resilience for a career in healthcare.”

Looking ahead, Alexis said she viewed her experience in the program as a stepping stone to making a broader impact not just on the health service, but on her community.

“As a proud Bindal woman, I am passionate about supporting and connecting with the young generation to remove the shame and be proud of their culture,” Alexis said.

“I’m keen to see how much I can do to inspire the next generation coming through, because I don’t want younger mob to ever feel shame about who they are.”

Her message to other young people considering a career in healthcare or looking to take on leadership roles was simple.

“You’ve just got to back yourself,” she said.

“Our ancestors’ strength lives within us, carry it, honour it, and lead the next generation with pride, Wadda Mooli.”

Staff hit the right notes ahead of nationals

Four Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff members are looking to kick some brass at next week’s Australian National Band Championships.

Charters Towers Health Service director of nursing Katrina Ford, director legal services Jennifer Grant, senior biomedical technician Martin Cervellin, and pharmacist advanced centralised services Kym Hosking will join more than 60 other north Queensland musicians to face off against 68 brass bands from across the country at the national competition.

Katrina said the group has spent the past six months preparing for the championships.

“Preparing ourselves for this has been a real challenge, requiring us to balance our work and home life with the need to get in plenty of practice and rehearsals together,” Katrina said.

“It’s been exciting being able to stretch myself and really perfect a few pieces of music.

“It’s about getting the muscle memory in place and knowing the pieces so well that you know exactly where you’re coming in, where the dynamics are, and where the expression is.”

Jennifer said the band had to perform a set piece, a hymn, a march, and an “own choice” piece, with judges scoring on technical performance and overall sound.

“The band has been practising a couple of times a week together for the past few months, and we are ready to take on some of the country’s best brass bands,” Jen said.

“It’s been great spending time with other likeminded people who really appreciate the beauty of music.

“We’ve had some great musicians within the band supporting the band to learn and grow.

“I think we’ll do well; we’ve really come together and nailed something.”

The Australian National Band Championships run over three days, beginning on Good Friday, and include a marching section alongside the auditorium performances.

The performance will be livestreamed here.

NQ locals urged to go see the ‘Flu Fighters

Before legendary US rock band The Foo Fighters takes to the stage at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in December, the Townsville Hospital and Health Service has encouraged locals to go to The ‘Flu Fighters first.

North Queensland locals have been urged to see a GP, pharmacist, community clinic, or other vaccination provider to get immunised as the state prepares for a busy influenza season.

In Queensland, there is a free ‘flu vaccination program for everyone aged six months and older.

Townsville Public Health Unit director Dr Steven Donohue said it was important the community took influenza seriously and got immunised.

“This year to date, there have already been more than 850 confirmed cases of influenza across the Townsville HHS region,” Steven said.

“This is more than double the rate for the same period last year.

“On average, influenza is linked to about 3,500 deaths in Australia each year, most of those diagnosed much later, and leads to more than 18,000 hospitalisations.

“In Queensland, 73 per cent of people who were hospitalised for influenza were not vaccinated.”

Steven said influenza was more than just having a bad cold.

“This is not a minor illness. It’s a serious disease that circulates in our community, and we have already seen a significant number of cases this year.

“While most of us will be able to shake it off, people can still get seriously ill potentially leading to severe complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, or worsening of underlying health conditions.

“Like all vaccines, the annual ‘flu shot remains the single best defence we have against influenza, and we are encouraging everyone to go see a ‘Flu Fighter and get immunised.

“You can easily get it at eligible pharmacies or through your GP, and the vaccine is readily available across Townsville and north Queensland.”

The Townsville Public Health Unit, together with North Queensland Primary Health Care Network, is holding a special influenza immunisation workshop on Wednesday 1 March at TUH. Click here to find out more and to register to attend either in person or online.

Thursday 7 May 2026

Robert Douglas Auditorium

Townsville University Hospital

12:00-14:30

A Microsoft Teams appointment will be organised for staff wishing to join via teams.

Townsville-led workforce model delivers nurses where they’re needed most

A Queensland-first workforce model, led by Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff, is helping deliver critical nursing support to some of the state’s most remote communities.

Rural and Remote Connect (RRC) is a statewide initiative supplying experienced nurses to shortterm vacancies across remote facilities, supporting care where workforce gaps can have the greatest impact.

Nursing director Chris McIntosh said the service worked with eight HHSs and more than 90 facilities across Queensland.

“Our main aim is to build a workforce of experienced rural and remote nurses to fill critical vacancies in some of Queensland’s most isolated communities,” she said.

Since launching in August, the service has delivered more than 158 nursing placements with another 34 planned for next month alone.

“RRC operates as an internal agency model, offering flexible placements while maintaining Queensland Health employment benefits.

“We onboard staff once, and they can move across different HHSs without needing to re-onboard each time.”

Chris said placements ranged from two to 12 weeks, supporting both flexibility for staff and continuity for services.

“We’re filling gaps that might otherwise go unfilled, especially in single or two-nurse facilities,” she said.

“In some communities, if we’re not supplying that nurse, they may not have anyone at all.”

While based in Townsville, the service was designed to be led by a team that understood the diversity and complexities of rural and remote health care.

“It’s not just about workforce, it’s about supporting communities that rely on consistent access to care,” Chris said.

To learn more about Rural and Remote Connect check out their social media pages or contact the team at ruralremoteconnect@health.qld.gov.au

Admin professionals celebrate taking care of business

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service has a myriad of health professionals on the frontline, delivering world-class healthcare for north Queensland; but there’s another frontline that has quietly supported them to do so… and they’re about to get their flowers.

Nationally, Administrative Professionals Day is celebrated on the first Friday in May and executive director digital health and knowledge and professional lead for administrative professionals Louise Hayes has stepped up to ensure health service admin staff are not forgotten.

“When I talk to a lot of our admin staff they say, ‘I’m just the support, I’m just the person who answers the phone,’ and they’re more than that,” Louise said.

“Admin staff are really the backbone of the organisation.

“As with everyone who works within this organisation, it’s important that we take a moment to celebrate the work and achievements of our admin staff.”

Regarding her own executive assistant, Breanna Kilgour, Louise said she’s more than ‘just’ administrative support.

“Brea is part of my partnership,” she said.

“Both of us together get my job done; she organises me, keeps me on track, and it’s very much like two working parts of a whole.”

Having also considered herself ‘just’ admin, Brea said it easy working with Louise.

“She values what I do and always gives me positive feedback, which I think is very impactful,” Brea said.

“I think she’s the ideal professional lead for administrative professionals because she understands what that feedback can do for us as human beings and as a workforce.

“We might just be doing the meeting minutes, the scheduling, or filing important records, but when someone takes a second to acknowledge you, it means a lot.”

Townsville University Hospital admin staff are invited to a morning tea in the Federation Gardens on Friday 1 May; Louise said they were working on some ideas for the rest of the facilities across the health service.

“We’re got a small working group of passionate admin staff who are working through all the ideas and the logistics and we’ll come up with a nice way to help all our facilities celebrate the day,” Louise said.

Red socks reminder for men to check their prostate

For more than 10 years, red socks have become synonymous with prostate cancer awareness in Townsville all thanks to the team at Rotary Club of Townsville Sunrise.

Local members Peter Heuke and John Gough stopped by the Townsville Cancer Centre this week with a box of red socks and copies of Suzanne Chambers’ book Facing the Tiger for patients and their families.

“The Rotary Red Socks Project has been going for more than 10 years and was started in memory of one of our members, Dennis Denmead, who was very sick with prostate cancer,” Peter said.

“The socks are red coloured because Dennis was an avid Arsenal fan and always wore red socks.

“We started this program to put red socks in every man’s drawer to remind to remind him every year to do a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test.”

Prostate cancer specialist nurse Kathy Ashley said the support from the local Rotary club was amazing.

“They’re always ready to help us out with practical gifts such as these books and socks,” Kathy said.

“We give these red socks out to families to encourage early detection for their sons; a family history of prostate cancer significantly increases, risk, particularly if a first-degree relative, such as a father or brother, has a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

“The Facing the Tiger books are like a warm hug, providing emotional comfort, practical advice, and personal stories from other men and their partners, helping patients and their supports manage stress and anxiety.”

For more details about the Rotary Red Socks Project visit www.rotaryredsocks.com.

A Note...Brighter

Lamberts throws support behind Brighter Lives

Once a month, the Brighter Lives volunteers cook up a sausage sizzle to help with fundraising for projects and equipment that support the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

On Friday, the team in yellow put on a sausage sizzle with the help of Lamberts Produce.

Brighter LIves CEO Stephanie Naunton said Lamberts had sponsored all eight sausage sizzles at Townsville University Hospital this year, supplying the sausages required for every barbeque.

“We’re thrilled that Lamberts have come on board to support their local hospital charity,” Stephanie said.

“The sponsorship means more funds raised to support locals here in north Queensland.”

Each fundraising barbeque sells about 450 sausages, with this donation equating to an incredible 3,600 sausages annually.

Funds raised by Brighter Lives have helped purchase equipment and fund projects within the health service.

Lamberts Produce’s Gemma Harper said the company was proud to support the local charity that makes a real difference to patients and families across north Queensland.

“At Lamberts, supporting our community is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re grateful to play a role in helping Brighter Lives continue their incredible work,” Gemma said.

The next Brighter Lives sausage sizzle will be held on 24 April from 9am until sold out at the front of Townsville University Hospital.

Title Title

“I would like to thank all nursing staff for my post operative care. I cannot commend them enough for their knowledge and understanding of medical issues and patient requirements.”

PPU

“Our midwife was absolutely incredible and deserves the recognition. She delivered my son after a 24-hour labour, she was with us from the start and I’m so thankful she was a part of our team. By the end of our time together, she felt like family. In such a vulnerable and scary time, she was a light. I will never forget how she helped us and made us feel supported.”

BIRTH SUITE

“I cannot speak highly enough about the care my husband and I (carer) received from Kirwan OPMHS. They were very attentive when things weren’t going well – thank you.”

OLDER PERSON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

Capital works update

Works currently underway

Project: eHealth Infrastructure Maintenance Program

Work location: Various locations in TUH

Project: Charters Towers CT Scanner

Work location: Charters Towers Health Service

Project: Kirwan Health Communty Campus expansion

Work location: Kirwan Health Campus

Works on the way

Project: Multi-storey car park

Work location: Townsville University Hospital

Project: TUH Transit Lounge

Work location: DDU and Social Work Area

Project: Charters Towers Staff Accommodation

Work location: Charters Towers Health Service

Project: Palm Island Staff Accommodation

Work location: Palm Island Health Service

Have any questions?

Project: Ingham CT Scanner

Work location: Ingham Health Service

Project: Carpark 17 expansion

Work location: Adjacent TecNQ

Project: Ingham Staff Accommodation

Work location: Ingham Health Service

Project: Ayr CT Scanner

Work location: Ayr Health Service

Plans are currently underway to support staff through the changes that will occur in the coming months.

To accommodate so much growth at TUH, some staff will be required to relocate to new office spaces and to support this, we have commenced a Business Case for Significant Change with those teams who will be impacted by works undertaken at TUH.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any proposed changes, please contact the chief operating officer via email or THHS-InfrastructureOffice@health.qld.gov.au.

Recipe of the week Classic moussaka

Laugh of the blah

Ingredients

• 1.5KG (ABOUT 2 LARGE) EGGPLANT, CUT INTO 5MM-THICK SLICES

• SALT

• 1 TBSP OLIVE OIL, PLUS EXTRA TO BRUSH

• 1 BROWN ONION, FINELY CHOPPED

• 1 TSP FRESH OREGANO LEAVES

• 1/2 TSP GROUND CINNAMON

• 1/4 TSP GROUND NUTMEG

• 1KG LAMB MINCE

• 1 CUP (250ML) RED WINE

• MUTTI POLPA FINELY CHOPPED TOMATOES 400G

• 1 CUP GRATED PARMESAN

• BECHAMEL SAUCE

Method

1. Sprinkle eggplant with salt. Set aside for 1 hour. Rinse and pat dry.

2. Preheat a grill. Brush the eggplant with olive oil. Grill for 4-5 minutes each side until golden.

3. Cook the onion, oregano, cinnamon and nutmeg in a frying pan with the oil until soft. Add the mince and cook until browned. Add the wine and tomatoes. Simmer for 25-30 minutes until it thickens.

4. Preheat oven to 190°C. Layer the eggplant, parmesan and mince in a 12-cup ovenproof dish finishing with eggplant. Spread over the bechamel sauce. Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden. Set aside for 15 minutes before serving.

Classifieds

FOR RENT

Lease Break, roommate wanted. Unit - 3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom, 1 car space, across from Rosslea Golf Course. Available April. $280 p/w excluding utilities. Lease ending 25th Jan 2026. Spacious unit, airconditioned, complex pool. Unfurnished bedroom with built-in wardrobe, accompanying bathroom and toilet. Sharing with 28yr male roommate and whippet dog. Contact Sean 0447027093. (18/3)

Short term rental. Self-contained fully furnished 1 bedroom Granny Flat located in Mt Louisa. (19/3)

OTHER NOTICES

Looking for someone to foster (6-12months) or adopt my beautiful female cat Penny whilst we do long term travel. She is around 3 years old, desexed and low maintenance. Unsure of breed but looks like a russian blue or similar. Please contact samantha.hunt@health.qld.gov. au if interested.

Email classifieds to tsv-public-affairs@health.qld.gov.au with subject ‘Classifieds’. Do not send classifieds as attachments.

Photos will not be included. Submissions for classifieds should be no longer than 50 word in a plain-text email. Classifieds longer than this will not be included.

Classifieds will stay current for two issues of the blah. If you would like your ad to be continued after this time please resend the ad. We do not advertise services in the blah.