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Jessica Lawrence (journalist, "The Sunday Mail"), returned my voicemail message - and we spoke at length. She now has this website address - and I have her email address. "The Sunday Mail" has covered this issue (extensively), in the past. They will be covering it again in the future (in regard to any new Government announcements and/or any untoward developments). Jessica left a voicemail message on my mobile phone to this effect. TOP

The Queensland Nurses Union has added a link from their site to this one (March 2004). Here's an email I received on the 23rd March 2004:- "Hi Kim Can you email me a copy of the pic on your website - it's apparently taken by local parents - Jimboomba way. I'll use it with a link to your site. Regards, Joan Skewes QNU Publications Officer." TOP

On Tuesday 9th March 2004, I received the following email from The Queensland Nurses Union:-

"Hello Kim,

We have finally had our editorial committee meeting for the April issue. It's been agreed that your campaign/website will be mentioned in the edition to be published on 5 April.

Regards,

Joan Skewes - QNU Publications Officer" TOP

The Cairns Sun

On Thursday 11th February 2004), I did an extended phone interview with Stacy - a journalist on "The Cairns Sun." She will be putting together a major article on this issue either this coming Wednesday, or the Wednesday after - inclusive of my website address (which is regularly included in their "Community Notices" anyway). I also alerted her to this quote from Warren Pitt MP:-

http://www.oocities.org/seatbelts2005/pittquote2.htm

My unsatisfactory correspondence with Desley Boyle:-

http://www.oocities.org/seatbelts2005/cairns.htm

And Lesley Clark's total refusal to even acknowledge my questions:-

http://www.oocities.org/seatbelts2005/correspondence.htm

I also pointed out that in December 2000, there was a coach accident (very similar to the Cairns school bus accident 1987, in which 8 died & 12 were badly injured), in Victoria - however, the ONLY person killed was NOT wearing a seatbelt. I gave Stacy this link - it includes an extended article, and a picture (of a bus at the foot of a cliff):-

http://www.oocities.org/seatbelts2005/chilling_quotes.htm#victoriancrash

I also gave Stacy these damning Federal Office of Road Safety quotes:-

http://www.oocities.org/seatbelts2005/chilling_quotes.htm#admissions

I also told Stacy to take her pick of all the following information:-

http://www.oocities.org/seatbelts2005/chilling_quotes.htm#top

and:-

http://www.oocities.org/seatbelts2005/index.htm TOP

As a mum myself, I've joined numerous parenting & family orientated chat rooms on MSN - and I've been getting some feedback from other "chatters" about my schoolbus seatbelt website. Here's a brief extract from one email I received (March 2004):- "If we don't buckle our kids up in the car we are fined and told it is a form of child abuse - and I totally agree with that - but it doesn't seem to matter if they get thrown around or killed in a bus accident." TOP

Channel 9 ("Brisbane Extra"), has covered this issue (extensively), in the past. I have emailed them in regard to this ongoing campaign and website. I also spoke to Brad - one of their journalists. They will cover this issue again in regard to any new Government announcements - or untoward events TOP

NETWORK TEN

Channel 10 always contacts me in regard to any issues involving school bus safety/school bus accidents. There have been numerous items on "First at 5." They will cover any new Government announcements (or untoward events), as part of their normal news coverage. TOP

4BC Radio have covered the issue of seatbelts on school buses extensively in the past - and I have been interviewed by them many times. They will cover any new Government announcements, or untoward events. TOP

Email received from the ABC - 1st March 2004:-

Hello Kim,

I will make a record of your campaign for our program report in

case of further reports.

Best Wishes,

Rhiannon Treasure-Brand

Radio Current Affairs TOP

On Wednesday 3rd March, Steve Austin from the ABC morning radio show, Brisbane, left a message on my voice-bank. I got back to him the next day (Thursday 4th March), however, as I had just done an interview with the ABC (Alex Bernard, "The Evening Show"), the previous evening, I was asked if I could do a morning radio interview in around 2 to 3 weeks. They also said they'd contact me in the meantime if anything came up. TOP

On Wednesday 3rd March 2004 at 7pm, I did an extended radio interview on the Queensland wide, "Evening Show" with Alex Bernard This discussion was wide ranging - including Prof. Joubert's prediction of 50 dead kids in school bus accident, my correspondence with politicians, the time I camped on Peter Beattie's office steps, my rejection by the ALP, a Federal Report that says most killed passengers in Australia's worst bus accidents would still be alive if they'd had seatbelts - and Peter Beattie's apparent reluctance to put it in writing that he's read Prof Joubert's horrific predictions. This website was also publicised. TOP

Cairns Post

On Monday 1st March 2004, I spoke to Regina (a journalist on "The Cairns Post"), about doing a feature article on school bus seatbelts - especially in light of the recent Cairns mishap, when the wheels of a school bus fell off (February 17th 2004). I gave her this website address - and also gave her some local background e.g. Warren Pitt's Parliamentary quote (29th May 2001):- "Those of us who live in the southern suburbs of Cairns would clearly have imprinted in their minds the horrific school bus crash that occurred on the Gillies Highway in 1987. It is becoming apparent that the potential for a repeat of the tragedy is increasing, as we on a regular basis receive news reports of accidents involving buses carrying schoolchildren." I also informed her about Freda Deen (a local Cairns resident), who collected 1,000 signatures on a petition in support of seatbelts in school buses in 2001, and then I told her about my unsuccessful correspondence with Desley Boyle MP and Lesley Clark MP - and my web record of the same. Regina was very interested - she was busy at the time I spoke to her, but she was going to look at the information more closely as soon as she had a chance - and said she's call back tomorrow (2nd March 2004). TOP

Emails will be sent to every school in Queensland, requesting the insertion of a small notice in their school newsletter (including the website address), every 4 months (next mail-out due in May/June 2004 - or before, as events dictate). TOP

Last two weeks of May 2004 (or before, as events dictate) - "Letters to the Editor" (inclusive of this website address), will be sent out to local newspapers the length and breadth of Queensland (VIA EMAIL). TOP

Another "email update" will be sent to supportive Queenslanders around the end of April 2004. These "updates" will be forwarded once every 2 to 3 months, or as events dictate. TOP

There is ongoing publicity in various local newspapers throughout Queensland (intermittently, until January 2005), via a community notice (including this website address), in their free "Community Notices" section. TOP

The "Safety Chain" has been set in motion. It's a short email message:- "Children need seatbelts even on school buses. Find out more about the Queensland campaign to make our children safe at:- www.oocities.org/seatbelts2004 " It has been sent out to friends and relatives, asking them to add their name to the list - and pass it on to two more people they know. The mathematics of this simple action are amazing. TOP

This is a Channel 7 Programme. They have the following request on their "Sunrise Soapbox" home page:- "Want to chip in on a Sunrise issue? Use this form to tell us what you think. If you provide your contact details we can contact you if we decide to follow it up." - so, I took them up on their offer and submitted this (14th February 2004):- "Help !!! I'm just a mum from Queensland (about an hour south of Brisbane). I'm fighting to prevent 50 dead kids in the next school bus accident - as predicted (in writing), by Prof. Joubert (he headed the Grafton/Kempsey coach crash investigations). Check out my website:- www.oocities.org/seatbelts2004 " - I'll keep people posted about the feedback I get from them. TOP

This "Reader's Letter" was emailed to these magazines on the 14th & 15th February 2004. I'll keep you updated about its progress:- "Help !!! I'm a mum from Queensland fighting to prevent, potentially, 50 dead kids in the next school bus accident (as predicted by Prof. Joubert - a lead investigator of the horrific Kempsey/Grafton coach crashes). Check out my website:- www.oocities.org/seatbelts2004 "No seatbelt. no chance" is dead right - even on the school bus." TOP

On the 3rd March 2004, I sent this email/quote to all local newspapers in Queensland:-

"From Kim Bax - mum & schoolbus seatbelt camapaigner, Beaudesert Shire.

To the Queensland local print media

Hi - in relation to any current & future stories you run about schoolbus safety/accidents/seatbelts, this quote from myself might be a useful resource:-

"Paying out for football stadiums before seatbelting kids is like my hubby blowing the family budget on a bells and whistles home-entertainment centre, before fixing the brakes on the family car. Fortunately, my hubby - unlike Mr. Beattie - puts safety before toys."

For your convenience, this quote is also available on the web - and this link:-

http://www.oocities.org/seatbelts2004/chilling_quotes.htm#kimbaxquote

will take you directly to it - you may want to bookmark it.

All the best - Kim" TOP

All independent local radio stations in Queensland were emailed about this issue during the first week of February 2004 (inclusive of this website address). Those that have not responded by the first week in March 2004 will be followed up. TOP

Every Queensland Union affiliated to the QCU was emailed in regard to this campaign during the first week of February 2004 (inclusive of this website address). A follow-up email was sent on the 29th February 2004. I included a request for a link from their union website - as well as requesting a mention in their union publication. TOP

I emailed all regional (Qld) ABC radio stations during the first week of February 2004. This resulted in 4 radio interviews. Today (28th February 2004), I emailed the other 7 again. TOP

On the 28th February 2004, a "Media Update" was sent to every local newspaper in Queensland. It can be accessed by clicking HERE. TOP

The first "email update" was sent out to supportive Queenslanders on Friday 27th February 2004. It can be accessed by clicking HERE. These "updates" will be forwarded once every 2 to 3 months. TOP

Population in prime circulation area 30,000 - Published Wednesday (Free). The Jimboomba Times circulates through Jimboomba and surrounding areas including Cedar Grove, Cedarvale, Woodhill, Flagstone, Tamborine, Logan Village, Buccan, Park Ridge, Greenbank, Maclean, Munruben, Chambers Flat and Stockleigh. On the 18th of February 2004, this "Letter to the Editor" was published. TOP

Wednesday 18th February 2004 - Radio interview, 4.45pm ABC Far North Queensland (centred on the Cairns area). On Tuesday 17th February 2004, there was a school bus accident in North Cairns. This is a local report:- "Police say its fortunate there were no injuries when a bus carrying school children lost a wheel in Cairns this morning. The chartered bus was carrying forty students on a school excursion when the wheel fell off at about nine thirty am. Police say the students continued their excursion on foot after the accident in McGregor Road, Smithfield. The Transport Minister has called for a report on an accident involving a school bus in far north Queensland yesterday. The bus - with 40 students on board - was driving down a Cairns street when it lost its back wheels. Paul Lucas says the bus was inspected in December as part of the twice-yearly safety check routine which is managed by Queensland Transport. Mr Lucas says he's called for a senior level inquiry into the incident. A senior level inquiry has been launched into a school bus incident in Cairns yesterday. The Love's school bus lost its dual back wheels in McGregor Road, Smithfield, while carrying forty students on an excursion. Transport Minister, Paul Lucas, says the bus was inspected in December as part of Queensland Transports' twice yearly safety check regime . Mr. Lucas says he's called for a report on the incident." During this radio interview, the host emphasised this incident - and noted the flurry of Ministerial/political announcements (in regard to school bus safety), in its aftermath. I contrasted this with the lack of answers I'd had (in regard to seatbelts on school buses), from local members Desley Boyle and Lesley Clark - and challenged them to respond. I also publicised this website. TOP

Wednesday 18th February 2004 - Radio interview, 10.30am ABC Gold & Tweed Coasts. The existence of this website was announced - and listeners were invited to ring the ABC to get the address. Also, Professor Joubert's horrific prediction in regard to the potential of a schoolbus accident (one in two children could die), was discussed. The non-response of many Gold Coast State members to questions sent to them about this (22nd January 2004), was also mentioned. TOP

Tuesday 17th February 2004 - Radio Interview, 9.20am ABC Tropical North Queensland. There was discussion, during this interview, of the tourist bus crash (6th February 2004), near Proserpine. Several people were badly injured, but there were no fatalities. I ended the interview with this quote from an email I sent Jan Jarrett (local State member for Whitsunday), on that day. I also mentioned that I had not received (up until the time of the interview), any response from her:- "You should thank your luck stars that the bus involved in this accident WASN'T a school bus - though I imagine school buses use that route? Believe me, I've been researching this issue for the past 4 years - and I've been speaking to experts from around the globe. It that had been a school bus e.g. NO seatbelts, NO roll-over protection, inadequate/poor seat anchorages, NO high-backed seats, NO internal padding, bare internal metal fitments, loose/heavy school bags and kids packed into the aisles, your local community would have been looking at a bloodbath." TOP

All Churches in Queensland (of all denominations), were emailed the following message on Monday 16th February 2004:- "Hi, I'm a mum from Beaudesert Shire (Queensland), fighting to get seatbelts on school buses. Check out my website:- www.oocities.org/seatbelts2004 Could you add this link to your site (if you have one), and pass the info on your congregation? Best wishes - Kim Bax" TOP

Friday 13th February 2004 - Radio Interview, 5.15pm ABC Southern, this website was publicised during the interview, and it was also publicised that the address could be found on ABC Southern's home page TOP

Mary Valley Voice is a free local newspaper, published twice a month. The distribution of approximately 2200 copies is to Imbil, Dagun, Kandanga, Kenilworth, Ridgewood, Brooloo, Conondale, Belli, Yabba Creek, Coolabine, Obi Obi and Gheerulla. On February 10th 2004, there was article titled "Seatbelts on School Buses" - on page 3. TOP

Tuesday 10th February 2004 - Inclusion (with this website address), on the Internet Home Page of ABC Southern TOP

Last 2 weeks of January 2004/first week of February 2004 - Email sent to every school in Queensland, requesting the insertion of a small notice in their next school newsletter (including the website address) TOP

Last two weeks of January 2004 - "Letter to the Editor" (inclusive of the website address), printed in local newspapers the length and breadth of Queensland TOP

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