Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, welcomed LNP Shadow Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Child Safety, Ros Bates, to the Hinchinbrook electorate recently and took the opportunity to introduce her to the seniors community in Cardwell.

Mr Cripps and Ms Bates attended the Cardwell Lions Seniors Christmas Lunch at the Cardwell Community Hall on Sunday 11 December, where a large crowd of seniors from the Cardwell district enjoyed a wonderful lunch and entertainment, courtesy of the Cardwell Lions Club.

“Many people don’t realise that the Cardwell Lions Club puts on the annual Seniors Christmas Lunch without any public funding – just the dedication of club members and the fantastic support they receive from the local community in the Cardwell district” said Mr Cripps.

“The Cardwell Lions do a great job and during 2015-16, the club made donations of more than $11,000 to various important Lions programs as well as a number of charities, community organisations and good causes in the Cardwell district” he said.

Ms Bates, whose Shadow portfolio responsibilities includes Queensland’s seniors, said she was very impressed with the Cardwell Lions Seniors Christmas Lunch and congratulated the Cardwell Lions Club on the service they provided to the seniors in the Cardwell district.

“I am a member of my local Lions club on the Gold Coast, so I am well aware of the excellent works that Lions clubs do in local communities across Queensland and the enthusiasm of the members of the Cardwell Lions Club is absolutely terrific” Ms Bates said.

“Our Seniors are an extremely important part of our community – they are people who have worked hard and contributed a great deal to Queensland over many years and it’s appropriate that in the lead up to Christmas, they are recognised and made to feel valued” she said.

Mr Cripps said the Hinchinbrook electorate had an extremely active and generous population of seniors who made strong contributions to the local community through their involvement in numerous service clubs, community and other volunteer organisations.