As anyone who has traveled extensively in Africa knows a knowledgeable and professional guide is worth their weight in gold.

Not only are they well versed in the places they visit but they know how to navigate local customs and avoid potential pitfalls and problems.

Journeys Worldwide managing director Sean Lues knows more than most having been a trainer and examiner for people wanting to be certified in Africa as professional guides.

He tells Mark he’s about to put some of that experience to work leading a trip to Tanzania early in the new year.

https://wetu.com/Itinerary/Landing/A7A82C99-8FE1-4FBB-B286-62A0B611BA6D

Luise Manning has been one of the driving forces behind protecting and preserving the natural beauty of the Springfield Lakes area.

Since forming the Springfield Lakes Nature Care group in early 2017 it has removed almost 5,000 cane toads, planted 650 trees and pulled piles of litter and garbage from the picturesque lake.

It’s work that has earned Luise the Ipswich Council’s first Environmental Hero Award and she tells Mark that people would not believe some of the things people have thrown in the lake.

A southeast Queensland delegation arrives in Switzerland this weekend to meet with International Olympic Committee officials, including President Thomas Bach.

Even though the bidding process for the 2032 games is still some years away, southeast Queensland is moving forward with plans to make a bid.

All three levels of government are represented in the delegation and the man who is going as the Prime Minister’s eyes and ears is Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien.

He tells Mark the trip is not about spruiking SEQ’s credentials but listening to the IOC about what it might take to win a bid.

Queensland Cricket will celebrate one of the biggest seasons the game has seen on Australia shores in style with the inaugural Queensland Summer of Cricket Lunch in October.

Featured guest speakers include: Darren Lehmann, Chris Lynn, Beth Mooney, Allan Border, Ian Healy and the great Carl Rackemann. Carl tells Mark the lunch is also a reunion for the 30 year anniversary when they won the 1 day FAI Cup in Victoria…

Spring has sprung so there's no better time to head to Roma St Parklands. With over 3,000 annuals currently blooming into a riot of curated colour, Roma Street Parkland’s Spectacle Garden is an exceptionally beautiful showcase of not-to-be-missed floral grandeur.

 

Operations Manager Paul Hoffman tells Mark what’s in store for the Parklands during September.

One of the sports stories of the year has been the resurgence of the Brisbane Lions. Last year they won 5 games and this year they have won an incredible 16. 

When Greg Swann joined the Lions as CEO in mid 2014 the club was a basket case... But this Saturday night they will host the biggest game at the Gabba in a decade.

This week marks two years since the government was handed the report of the Koala Expert Panel into how to conserve southeast Queensland’s dwindling population of the marsupials.

According to the Queensland Conservation Council its been two years of inaction and missed opportunities by the Palaszczuk government.

Council director Louise Matthiesson is planning a protest outside state parliament on Thursday and she tells Mark it’s not too late to protect the koala population but action is needed now.

Protest: 9:30am. Speaker’s Corner, Parliament House, George St

The Brisbane City Council has unveiled its $190 million plan for a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge linking Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.

The plan is to have it completed by 2024, but that will require the state and federal governments to stump up a third of the cash.

Brisbane Deputy Mayor Krista Adams tells Mark a bridge across the river there has been on the drawing boards since the 1860s and its time has now come.

There is talk in mining industry circles that some of the big players could blacklist suppliers or contractors who won’t work on coal projects because of pressure from climate activists.

It comes after Melbourne based engineering firm Aurecon recently cut ties with Adani.

At the time Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan called the decision ‘piss weak.

Today the senator told Mark that virtue signaling won’t prevent projects going ahead, it will only mean that Australian companies lose work to overseas suppliers.

The Nine Network’s head of sport Tom Malone has ratcheted up tensions within the NRL saying a Sydney team must be cut to create room for a second Brisbane club.

He’s made it clear the network won’t entertain a 17 team competition in future and the speculation is that Manly or Cronulla could face the chop.

Mark is also against an expanded competition and caught up with Nick Livermore, one of the driving forces behind a proposed new franchise, the Brisbane Bombers.