Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Most body corporate committee members didn’t sign up to become property experts. They’re volunteers. They have jobs, families and their own responsibilities, yet they find themselves helping make decisions that affect their neighbours, their community and often millions of dollars’ worth of property. These are the types of issues the team at BCS Strata Mackay works through every day with body corporate committees across the region. After more than 15 years in the strata industry, BCS Strata Mackay strata manager Rachel Blaxland says the challenges may vary from building to building, but the same issues come across her desk time and again. Insurance costs are high on the list. Rising premiums continue to put pressure on committee budgets, leaving owners questioning why costs keep increasing. Rachel says helping owners understand where those costs come from is often just as important as finding ways to manage them. Maintenance planning is another common challenge. ‘Too often, maintenance is addressed after an issue arises rather than through a planned, preventative approach,’ Rachel said. She believes too many communities are forced into reactive maintenance when earlier planning could have saved both money and stress. Then there’s contractor management. Committees are regularly asked to choose between repairs, upgrades and replacement works, often with competing advice and quotes on the table. ‘Sometimes a repair quote looks attractive because it’s cheaper, but it’s important to understand whether it’s actually the best long-term solution,’ she said. Budget pressure continues to be a balancing act. Committees are trying to keep levies affordable while also ensuring enough money is being set aside for future works. Putting off difficult decisions might provide short-term relief, but it can create bigger financial challenges later. The fifth issue is one Rachel believes can make or break a community: communication. Owners are more likely to support decisions when they understand what’s happening and why. ‘Even if we’re still working through the details, it’s better to let people know something is coming,’ she said. ’Keeping owners informed helps everyone make better decisions.’ While none of these challenges are new, Rachel says the most successful committees she works with through BCS Strata Mackay share one thing in common. They don’t wait for problems to become crises. ‘Most problems don’t appear overnight. Usually, there are early warning signs that can be addressed before they become expensive.’ For Mackay’s volunteer committee members, that may be the best advice of all. The earlier an issue is tackled, the easier it is for everyone to sleep at night.
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For whatever sins I have committed in this or a previous life, I find myself a Sydney Swans fan. Many people will have noticed that their performance on the field this year has attracted far less attention than the alleged performance of a handful of players off the field, specifically at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne in the early hours of a recent Monday morning. Five players from the club have been banned for the remainder of the year because of alleged activities involving alcohol, drugs and female entertainers in a room at the hotel. Three of the banned players are among the top five players at the club and up there with the best AFL players in the country. I make no suggestion of guilt or innocence of any player but simply point out that the club felt their behaviour was sufficiently poor to ban them for the remainder of the year. There is also a police investigation going on regarding an allegation of sexual assault in the hotel room and, again, I make no suggestion of guilt or innocence on the part of anyone as that is a matter for the police to investigate. Putting aside the legal details of the matter, the banning of the five players, particularly Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, left a massive hole in the side as they approached the finals. There was pretty much a consensus in media and football circles that the club was finished for the year and had no chance of progressing through the finals because of the loss of three such important players and due to the psychological and emotional impact that the incident and its aftermath must have had on the rest of the team. Swans fans, understandably, are devastated by the allegations and many have walked away from the club. Others, while appalled at the allegations, feel that it is not the fault of the players that remain and they have continued to support the club. The team won their next game against lowly North Melbourne and then it was the qualifying final last week against reigning premiers the Brisbane Lions. No one gave them a chance because three of their best players were out and the spirit of the club surely had been broken. The Swans then came out and executed a desperate, passionate, clinical, disciplined thrashing of the Lions. Players not known for leadership assumed leadership roles. Formerly fringe players asserted themselves and dominated their opponents. Players who I thought were past it returned to the team and played key roles that stifled the Lions talent. After the game, excited champion small forward Tom Papley said he was not surprised by the victory because the team’s ethos and success did not revolve around talent, it was about process. What he meant was that the success of the team didn’t require superstars, it was all about systems and processes and everyone in the team understanding the responsibilities of their role. Discipline, focus and doing the hard work that gets results. Not talent, focusing on the work that gets results. There is a lesson from this for real estate agents dealing with a changing market. It’s about the work, not profile and status. Sellers need to know that the agent is digging in, making the follow-up phone calls after inspections and open homes. Working with other agents in their agency to identify potential buyers. Contacting them, working with them, ensuring they are aware of the attributes of a particular property. Getting the flyers out. Re-working the write-up if necessary. Working for sellers and giving their property every chance of attracting the buyer who wants their property the most. Obviously an agent hast to have the skills to do the job but when the going gets tough, it’s about discipline and focus and doing everything you can to get the best result. Go Swans!
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From long-time locals who have watched the region grow and change, to those discovering a new chapter in retirement, Mackay’s older residents hold something no service directory can provide – and that’s experience, stories, knowledge and a lifetime of connection to the community. Next Tuesday 15th September, seniors will take centre stage at the Mackay Seniors Expo, with The Big Shed at Mackay Showgrounds set to become a hub of conversation, discovery and connection. Running from 9am to 12pm, the annual expo is expected to welcome around 2,000 people and more than 80 exhibitors, making it one of the region’s biggest opportunities for seniors, families, friends and carers to find out what is happening across Mackay. And there is no need to arrive armed with a list of questions. Come for the coffee. Stay for the conversations. Wander the stalls, meet someone new, discover a service you didn’t know existed, or simply enjoy being among other members of the Mackay community. From health and wellbeing to advocacy, home care, legal services, recreation, employment, community groups and technology, the impressive line-up of exhibitors means there will be plenty to explore. Local organisations including Mackay Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council Libraries, Queensland Health, Services Australia, Legal Aid Queensland, PCYC Queensland, Mackay Community Gardens, The Salvation Army and many more will be among those connecting with the community. There will also be opportunities to learn about everything from dementia support and cancer screening to accessible recreation, transport, technology, home services and community participation. The Queensland Government’s Seniors Month celebrations are about encouraging positive attitudes towards older people, supporting participation and activity, and strengthening relationships between generations, which are values that are particularly important and upheld in a close-knit community like Mackay. Because being a senior does not mean life becomes smaller. In many ways, it can open the door to new interests, new friendships, new adventures and more time to do the things that matter. Whether you have lived in Mackay for decades or are relatively new to the region, Tuesday’s expo is an invitation to get involved, ask questions, have a chat and see what is out there. Bring your curiosity, bring a friend and, most importantly, bring yourself. There is a whole community waiting to connect with you! What: Mackay Seniors Expo When: Tuesday 15th September, 9am–12pm Where: The Big Shed, Mackay Showgrounds.
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For many people, independence means being able to keep doing the everyday things that matter, with the right support around them when they need it. For almost 40 years, Comlink Australia has supported older Australians to live with greater choice, confidence and independence. Our Support at Home Packages are designed to make everyday living easier. Whether it’s assistance with meals, cleaning or personal care, our friendly team is here to provide support in a way that feels right for you. Getting out and about is just as important, which is why our reliable, door-to-door Community Transport service can help participants attend medical appointments, run errands and get where they need to go. It offers a practical and affordable transport option designed to support independence and make everyday travel easier. Navigating aged care can sometimes feel complicated, particularly as needs change over time. In Mackay, dedicated Care Partner Bernadette Moloney brings 15 years of experience in aged care, providing education, guidance and assistance to help participants and their families understand their level of care, the services available to them and how their supports can work together. If you would like to learn more about Comlink Australia and the support available in Mackay, come and meet our team at the Mackay Seniors Expo on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, from 9:00am to 12:00pm at The Big Shed, Mackay Showgrounds. Whether you are beginning to explore aged care options, reviewing your current supports or simply want to understand what help may be available, our team is here to help. www.comlinkaustralia.com.au
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For Teresa Jenkins, owner and Registered Nurse behind Reach Mobile Nurse Consultant, nursing is about more than clinical care. It is about listening, building trust, and ensuring people feel supported – particularly when accessing health care is difficult.
Proudly serving the Pioneer Valley, Mackay and surrounding rural communities, Reach Nurse brings professional and experienced nursing care closer to home. Teresa understands that travelling into town, waiting at busy clinics or arranging transport can be challenging for older residents, people living with disability, busy families and those managing ongoing health conditions.
With 14 years’ experience in primary health and as a standalone independent Registered Nurse, Reach offers a range of personalised services, including blood tests, wound care, chronic disease management, observations, incontinence assessments, ear syringing, 24hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure monitoring and much more whilst collaborating with your regular GP. Reach also offers nonclinical care.
Teresa also consults locally on Tuesdays at the Finch Hatton Hub. Led by Leah Stevenson, the Hub is a Progress Village initiative developed to support the Pioneer Valley community by bringing health and other services closer to home. This welcoming local space provides residents with convenient access to Teresa’s nursing support without the need to travel into Mackay.
As a local small business, Reach is built on connection, continuity of care and a genuine commitment to supporting vulnerable people who may otherwise struggle to access essential health services. Every client is treated as an individual, with their needs, preferences and independence placed at the centre of their care.
Mackay Probus Club’s aims are quite simple, says Club President Colin Thompson.
“We don’t talk politics, we don’t raise funds, we’re purely a bunch of friendly people building friendships and enjoying each other’s company.”
Monthly meetings always include a guest speaker and a generous morning tea break with good food and plenty of time to get to know each other. Other formalities are kept very brief.
“We also have an outing each month to explore something different in the area, but always including a social morning tea or lunch,” he says.
“Our members are an interesting mix of long-term locals, along with those who have come to Mackay more recently to live near family and make new friends,” he says.
Guest speakers include wonderful and inspiring people in the local community and Colin says it’s amazing how much good is being done that we are not aware of.
“Many of our own members have had interesting lives. Some are a bit shy, but we love hearing some of their stories too.”
“Some of our members are regular travellers, and Probus nationally has a wide range of discounted travel opportunities both locally and overseas for members,” he says.
“We encourage people to come to a meeting to see what we do,” Colin says. “If you visit the Probus Club stand at the Seniors Expo and leave your email contact, we can send you more information.”
New members are always welcome. Meetings are held at Souths Leagues Club from 9am on the second Wednesday, the next being October 14th. Inquiries mackayprobusclub@gmail.com or phone 1300 630 488.
Across Australia, communities are shaped by people who generously share their time, knowledge and experience with others.
This spirit is especially evident in my electorate of Capricornia, where residents find creative and meaningful ways to bring people together, preserve local history and build connections between generations.
The revitalisation of the Sarina Field of Dreams precinct is a wonderful example.With plans to strengthen the precinct’s role as a community and tourism destination, including the recent reopening of the Sarina Museum, the precinct can continue sharing the district’s story. Sarina has a rich history shaped by generations of hardworking local people. Preserving their experiences and achievements ensures their contributions are not forgotten and helps younger residents understand the community they have inherited.
That same spirit can be found in Sarina’s award-winning street library, which recently celebrated their first birthday. Created from repurposed bar fridges, the library began as a welcoming place for residents and visitors to exchange books. It has since expanded to include a community pantry, and is a place to stop for a friendly chat. This simple idea demonstrates how creativity can encourage reading, conversation and connection.
The community impact award received by Sarina’s 131 Army Cadet Unit in 2025 also highlights the importance of passing knowledge and values from one generation to the next. Supported by dedicated adult leaders and volunteers, the unit helps young people develop confidence, discipline, leadership and a strong commitment to service.
Together, these stories reflect the qualities that have long sustained our communities: initiative, service, connection and pride in our shared history. They also remind us that strong communities are built across generations. Our seniors contribute invaluable experience and perspective, while younger generations carry that knowledge forward and find new ways to strengthen the places they call home.
By the office of Michelle Landry MP, Member for Capricornia
For almost 60 years, Meals on Wheels Mackay has been delivering meals to local doors, but as well as the thousands of dinners leaving its kitchen each week, volunteers offer something equally important: connection.
Established in Mackay in 1967, the organisation now dispatches approximately 4,000 meals each week, with around 450 clients, volunteers and staff forming what has affectionately become known as the “MOW family”.
While Meals on Wheels is often associated with supporting older residents, the team says one of the biggest misconceptions is that the service - and volunteering for it - is only for older people.
“It is not just for old people!” said Service Manager Zoe Kennedy.
“We have clients under 40 and volunteers under 30. There isn’t a particular age that defines someone who might need our service or someone who can give their time to help provide it.”
Meals on Wheels is available to people of all ages, with the cost of meal packages varying depending on individual circumstances and any support or funding they may be eligible to receive. For many clients, the knock at the door also brings much more than a homestyle meal. Volunteers take the time to chat and check that everything is okay, providing regular social contact that can help reduce isolation while giving families reassurance that someone is checking in on their loved one.
“For me, it’s the connection between people,” Zoe said.
“The food is a bonus, but what we do goes well beyond a meal. Seeing our staff and volunteers have purpose in what they do, and our clients smiling and having a connection with another person, is what makes it worthwhile.”
That sense of connection extends to the diverse group of volunteers who keep the service moving, including former police officers, nurses, teachers and coal miners, as well as local students and businesses.
Senior students from Mackay Special School take part in their own dedicated weekly delivery run, with the organisation working to maintain those connections after graduation. Some former students have even progressed into paid employment with Meals on Wheels.
Students and teachers from Milton High School also join the delivery team each week, while local businesses give employees opportunities to volunteer through workplace community programs.
Among the organisation’s regular volunteers is well-known Mackay radio personality Rob Kidd.
“It always gives me a chuckle when someone realises who he is when he springs in the door,” Zoe said.
“He’s so full of life and has a way of making everyone smile – or blush.”
Meals on Wheels Mackay will soon take their community spirit to the upcoming Seniors Expo, where residents can meet the team, ask questions and learn more about becoming a client or volunteer.
Like many community organisations, Meals on Wheels is currently facing a shortage of volunteers and is encouraging people who may never have considered volunteering to give it a go. Importantly, helping out does not have to mean committing every day, or even every week.
“There’s a place here for people who simply want to be part of something meaningful,” Zoe said.
“Every person who gives their time, no matter how much, becomes part of our MOW family and helps us continue supporting the wider community.”
After almost six decades of service, the organisation is now focused on ensuring Meals on Wheels remains strong for the next generation.
With thousands of meals delivered and hundreds of people connected through the service each week, the team believes its impact is best understood by looking beyond the numbers.
“Meals On Wheels really is a community within a community.”
Brad Baker: Healthy Life Essentials
Gut health has become a popular topic, with shelves full of supplements promising better digestion, greater energy and improved wellbeing. Yet caring for your digestive system is rarely as simple as adding another capsule to your daily routine.
Think of your digestive system as the engine of a car. When the engine is well maintained and running efficiently, the whole vehicle is better equipped for the journey ahead. In much the same way, healthy digestion helps provide the nourishment and energy your body needs to function at its best. When something is out of balance, the effects may be felt far beyond the digestive tract.
Digestion influences how nutrients are broken down and absorbed, while the gut also interacts closely with the immune, nervous and hormonal systems. The well-known gut brain connection helps explain why digestive discomfort and emotional wellbeing can affect one another. Stress may contribute to digestive symptoms, while ongoing discomfort can influence mood, concentration and quality of life. Some people may experience bloating, irregular bowel habits, fatigue or “brain fog”; others may be living with inflammation or a diagnosed digestive condition.
These experiences deserve thoughtful investigation, not hype, guesswork or a one size fits all solution.
At Healthy Life Essentials, we encourage people to look beyond quick fixes. Supplements cannot compensate for habits and circumstances that may be placing the body under daily strain. How are you eating? Are you rushing your meals or eating late at night? Are you properly hydrated? Are stress, poor sleep or emotional pressures affecting your digestion? Are you moving regularly and giving your body enough time to rest and recover?
Even foods widely considered “healthy” may not suit every person in the same way. Your health history, lifestyle, symptoms and individual needs all matter. That is why generic advice can only take you so far.
Our eight pillars of health provide a practical framework for exploring the many interconnected influences on digestive wellbeing. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we consider nutrition, hydration, sleep, movement, stress, emotional wellbeing and other everyday factors that help form the foundation of a healthy life. Every approach is carefully tailored to the individual, because no two bodies, histories or lives are identical.
If digestive discomfort, low energy or mental fog has gradually become your “normal,” it is time to listen more closely. Your body is not asking for another passing trend, it is asking to be understood.
Let Healthy Life Essentials help you explore the bigger picture, uncover the habits and influences that could be holding you back, and begin building a healthier foundation from within.
Selectability Reinforces Message For Child Protection Week
With child safety firmly in the national spotlight, not-for-profit charity selectability is using Queensland Child Protection Week (6th – 12th September) to remind communities that keeping children safe is a shared responsibility.
As Queensland continues to explore new approaches to supporting vulnerable children and families, one message remains clear: creating safer environments for children and young people is a collective effort that requires the commitment of individuals, families, communities and organisations alike.
selectability Chief Operating Officer Aaron Farrell said child safety was strengthened through everyday actions and a commitment to creating safe environments for children and young people.
“From recognising concerns early to creating spaces where children feel safe, respected and heard, everyone has a role to play,” Aaron said.
“Every child deserves to feel safe, valued and supported.
“When children feel heard, respected and protected, they are better able to grow, learn and thrive.”
For almost five years, selectability has supported children and young people through its Child and Family Care program.
Earlier this year, selectability became a licensed care provider, further strengthening the systems and safeguards that support high-quality care for children and young people.
Aaron Farrell said becoming a licensed care provider reflected selectability's ongoing focus on child safety and continuous improvement.
"As a child safe organisation, children's rights, safety and voices help shape how we deliver services and make decisions.
“Child safety isn't limited to a particular policy, program, service or role.
"It's embedded in our culture. You can see it in the decisions we make, the conversations we have, and the standards we set across our organisation.
“Whether we're supporting families, working in corporate roles, or out in our communities, we all contribute to ensuring children and young people feel safe, respected and supported."
Queensland Child Protection Week is celebrating 40 years of advocating for child safety. The 2026 theme, ‘Protecting children is everyone’s business’, is a reminder that creating safer environments for children and young people requires a collective effort.
If I could recommend one small investment to any small business owner, it would be a marketing and sales coaching session.
And I don’t mean hiring someone to take over your marketing.
I mean sitting down with someone who can look at the whole picture with you.
Where are people finding you?
What happens when they land on your website or social media?
Is your offer actually clear?
What happens when someone enquires?
Do you follow up?
Do you have a proper sales process, or are you just hoping people come back?
Because this is where I see so many businesses get stuck.
They think they need more marketing, so they spend more money on ads, content, websites or another new platform.
But sometimes the real problem is somewhere completely different.
Maybe your marketing is bringing people in, but your follow-up is letting you down.
Maybe your website is fine, but nobody really understands what you are selling.
Maybe you are getting enquiries, but there is no clear next step.
Or maybe you are doing a lot of marketing, but none of it really connects together.
That is why I think one good coaching session can be such a smart investment.
Not because someone is going to magically fix your business in an hour or two.
But because sometimes you need someone outside of your business to pull everything apart, look at the full customer journey and show you where things are getting lost.
Then you can decide what actually needs fixing first.
For a small business, that can save a lot of wasted time, money and frustration.
And sometimes, that is far more useful than simply doing more marketing.
glowspheremarketing.com.au
MBH nurse navigator Helen Nengasha, Dr Belinda Weich, Dr Maduka Sanjeewa and Dr Mehul Desai. Photo supplied: Mackay Base Hospital
Mackay stroke patients are set to benefit from nationally recognised specialist care close to home after Mackay Base Hospital became one of just six Queensland hospitals certified as a primary stroke centre.
The hospital is only the second regional facility in Queensland to achieve certification under the Australian Stroke Coalition’s Stroke Unit Certification Project.
Around 190 stroke patients are treated at Mackay Base Hospital each year, with evidence showing treatment in a certified stroke unit can significantly reduce the risk of death or disability.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Sean Birgan said the four-year certification recognised the expertise and dedication of the hospital’s multidisciplinary stroke team while providing a foundation to further strengthen local services.
“This milestone is not simply about accreditation; it is a reflection of a team committed to providing safe, high-quality stroke care and achieving the best possible outcomes for Mackay region patients and their families,” Mr Birgan said.
Certification followed a rigorous peer-reviewed assessment of the hospital’s stroke services.
Nurse navigator Helen Nengasha said timely access to specialised treatment could make a life-changing difference for people experiencing a stroke.
The hospital’s capabilities include a dedicated stroke unit, specialised clinical expertise, thrombolysis, advanced imaging, multidisciplinary care, rehabilitation and ongoing quality improvement.
“By upskilling our nurses through dedicated stroke education and combining that expertise with a certified unit, we have significantly enhanced the quality of patient care,” Ms Nengasha said.
Mackay’s stroke team works alongside services including the Queensland Telestroke Service, Queensland Stroke Clinical Network and Stroke Foundation to access specialist expertise and continue improving regional care.
The team was previously recognised for its high standard of care at the Australian Stroke Coalition Quality Stroke Service Excellence Awards in 2020 and 2023.
131 Army Cadet Unit Sarina cadets put their new drone equipment to the test at a recent training and competition day, supported by a Community Grant from Community Bank Sarina
Students and cadets across the Mackay region are getting hands on with emerging technology, thanks to two community grants recently awarded by Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank.
Sarina’s 131 Army Cadet Unit and Whitsunday STEM Challenge Inc received more than $16,600 combined through the Community Bank Sarina Community Engagement Program to purchase drone technology and equipment, supporting the development of skills, confidence and future career pathways.
Community Bank Sarina Business & Community Engagement Chair Maree Franettovich said investing in future-focused projects supporting youth and education was an important part of the program.
“Drone technology is becoming increasingly relevant across many industries and these projects are giving young people the opportunity to gain practical experience while building skills, confidence and an understanding of where this technology could take them,” Ms Franettovich said.
“It is because of Community Bank Sarina’s customers and our profit for purpose model that these community grants are available to support local organisations and create new opportunities preparing our young people for the jobs of tomorrow.”
131 Army Cadet Unit Sarina’s community grant purchased Defence-approved drones, cameras and training equipment for new elective programs.
131 Army Cadet Unit CAPT(AAC) Amy Bradford said the equipment had “already created new opportunities”, with cadets from across the 80 Battalion coming together in Sarina for a weekend of drone theory, flight skills and racing.
“Thanks to this community grant, we can now deliver drone training to current and future cadets, building skills that can support future pathways across a range of industries,” CAPT(AAC) Bradford said.
Meanwhile, Whitsunday STEM Challenge Inc’s community grant was utilised to introduce drone soccer to the region at the recent Whitsunday Festival of STEM.
STEM Engagement Educator (Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy), Alex van Nunen, said the Drone Soccer ‘Come and Try Day’ was a “major hit”.
“Students of all ages were lining up to have a go, including many who had little or no experience flying drones,” Mr van Nunen said.
“They loved the competitive element, while also having the opportunity to develop their flying skills in a fun and practical environment.
“The strong response has created excitement about the future of drone soccer and we plan on it becoming a formal part of next year’s Festival of STEM.”
From flight training to drone soccer, these projects demonstrate how community investment can create significant impact – by providing opportunities today that will build the skills capacity in our region needed for tomorrow.
To find out more about Community Bank Sarina’s community impact, find them on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
Two decades of local history, sugarcane, and spirits will be celebrated this weekend as Sarina Sugar Shed marks its 20th anniversary with a free Open Day.
The celebration will be held on this Saturday 12th September, from 10am to 3pm at Field of Dreams Parklands, Railway Square, Sarina, with the community invited to come along and celebrate the milestone.
Visitors can explore historical displays and Sugar Shed memorabilia, enjoy free tastings, train rides and interactive activities, and meet award-winning distiller Sarah. Special rum and rum liqueur releases will also be unveiled for the anniversary.
The story of Sarina Sugar Shed began in 2003, after local sugar mills, including Plane Creek Mill, ceased offering tours due to increasing safety compliance and insurance costs. Local citizens and mill workers, supported by the then-Sarina Shire Council, developed the concept for a replica sugar mill on council-owned land.
Development began in 2004, with construction commencing in 2005 and local mill workers collecting and refurbishing equipment. The Sugar Shed officially opened in September 2006, producing its first liqueurs that year.
Since then, it has grown into an award-winning tourism attraction and a celebration of the region’s sugar industry.
Now, 20 years on, the community is invited to celebrate the people, stories and local produce that have helped shape the Sarina Sugar Shed.
What: Sarina Sugar Shed 20th Anniversary Open Day
When: Saturday 12th September, 10am–3pm
Where: Field of Dreams Parklands, Railway Square, Sarina
QSL needs a clear path forwards without competitors clouding the will of members who market their sugar with QSL. Picture: Kirili Lamb
By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay
Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) is our own industry-owned not for profit sugar marketing and logistics organisation which has been in existence for generations, from beginnings in 1923 as the Queensland Sugar Board.
QSL has served the industry well in its role operating our bulk sugar terminals but now, with Sugar Terminals Limited’s decision to insource sugar terminal operations, it has evolved into a sugar marketing company only.
The upcoming shareholder vote to modernise the constitution of QSL is one of the most important governance decisions our industry has faced in years. The issue is simple, and the stakes are high, that Growers and Millers who choose to market through QSL should be the ones who shape its future.
For too long, outdated constitutional rules have allowed milling companies that not only compete with QSL, but supply no Miller Economic Interest (MEI) sugar to QSL, to retain the power to block changes which are supported by growers and millers who actually partner with QSL. This imbalance came into sharp focus at last year’s AGM, when Wilmar and MSF Sugar used Grower Economic Interest (GEI) sugar enabled under old governance arrangements to stop reforms that were backed by grower members and most milling members, including Mackay Sugar Ltd.
Those rules were written for a very different industry. They were created at a time when QSL operated Queensland’s bulk sugar terminals on behalf of everyone. But since 1st July 2026, terminal operations have transitioned to Sugar Terminals Limited. QSL no longer plays that industry wide role, and the constitutional settings that once made sense simply do not fit the organisation’s responsibilities today.
The question before us now is straightforward: should businesses that compete with QSL continue to hold the same power as those who rely on QSL to market their sugar? Or put another way, should companies that supply no MEI sugar to QSL be able to block changes supported by the growers and millers who actually use QSL’s services?
To me, and to the growers I represent, the answer is clear.
At the upcoming AGM on 22nd October, QSL members will again be asked to support constitutional reform that recognises the QSL of today, not the QSL of a decade ago. These changes would align voting rights with those who market through QSL, remove outdated terminal references, update governance arrangements to reflect the current competitive environment and give commercial partners a meaningful say in QSL’s future
These reforms are not about favouring one group over another. They are about fairness, transparency, and ensuring that QSL is governed by those who actually depend on it. When growers choose QSL as their marketer, they deserve confidence that their voice matters and that their marketer is not being held back by competitors with no commercial relationship to it.
This debate also sits within a broader national conversation. The Australian Government is currently reviewing the Sugar Code of Conduct which sits beside the state’s grower choice legislation. These are the two major tools to ensure that competition is fair and the playing field is level. QSL has made its position clear: those who choose QSL should have a meaningful voice in how QSL is governed. I strongly agree.
Our growers rely on QSL to market their sugar competitively, transparently, and independently. QSL has earned that trust over many years. But trust alone is not enough its governance must reflect the real structure of today’s industry.
It is time for QSL’s constitution to catch up.
As growers, we have always stood up for fairness and accountability. We know that strong governance leads to strong outcomes. The proposed reforms are sensible, overdue, and essential to ensuring QSL remains a reliable, competitive marketer for the growers and millers who choose to work with it.
Leucaena is becoming increasingly visible across the Mackay Region, with extensive growth reported in rural areas, along waterways and around Hay Point, while concerns about its spread are also emerging further north into the Whitsundays. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
By Hannah McNamara
A Mackay local is calling for greater recognition and coordinated management of leucaena, raising concerns about its increasing presence across roadsides, waterways and surrounding landscapes.
Helen Tame, who has lived in the region since she was 11, says she has spent at least three years raising concerns about the spread of the plant with government departments and authorities.
“I’ve spent the last, at least three years, trying to get somebody to recognise that Mackay has a problem.”
Ms Tame believes the issue extends beyond Mackay, with leucaena also present across the Whitsunday and Isaac regions and other parts of Queensland.
During a tour of several affected areas, she pointed to growth along roadsides, creek systems, railway corridors and near mangroves in the Mackay district, expressing concern about what continued spread could mean for the region’s landscapes.
“You don't notice it until someone points it out. How many people are not noticing what's happening right now?”
Her concerns have now reached Queensland Parliament, with Member for Mirani Glen Kelly sponsoring a Queensland Parliament petition calling for greater recognition and management of unmanaged and naturalised leucaena across the state.
“Leucaena has been spreading across Central Queensland for many years, and we are increasingly seeing unmanaged plants along roadsides, creek and river systems, reserves and into surrounding paddocks,” Mr Kelly said.
“Leucaena can be a valuable fodder crop when it is properly managed, but when it escapes cultivation and spreads unchecked, it becomes a much broader land management and biosecurity issue.”
The petition calls for unmanaged and naturalised leucaena to be recognised as a significant emerging environmental and biosecurity issue, alongside investment in surveillance, containment, control, research and community awareness programs and a state-wide assessment of its distribution, environmental impacts and future spread risk.
“As the local Member, my job is to make sure the concerns of our communities are heard and put in front of the people who can act on them.”
However, the question of how leucaena should be classified remains an important part of the discussion.
Mackay Regional Councillor Peter Sheedy, who is a co-chair of the council’s sustainability committee, said the matter was a work in progress.
“Leucaena is absolutely very invasive. It's not native, and it's something that with some dedication and effort and resource, can be managed,” said Cr Sheedy.
“But to manage a problem that is so widespread, is going to take considerable resources.”
Ms Tame, who is a passionate advocate for the removal of Leucaena, said the concern is ultimately about the landscape she has watched change over decades.
“We have such a pretty town. We cannot let it be overrun by this.”
“Something has just got to be done.”
The Queensland-wide petition attracted more than 400 signatures within its first week, now up to 750 as the discussion continues over whether unmanaged and naturalised leucaena should receive greater recognition as an environmental and biosecurity issue. The petition will close on 24th September 2026.
For more information, or to sign the petition, visit www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/current - named: 4670-26 Leucaena as a significant emerging environmental and biosecurity threat
By Cr Namarca Corowa
Throughout my first term as a councillor, I've tried to use these articles to give people a glimpse into what I'm learning sitting on this side of the council chamber.
Lately I've been thinking about something my parents taught my siblings and me growing up. If somebody lent you something, you looked after it and tried to return it the way you found it, or better.
But the longer I'm a councillor, the more I think about this seat the same way. It's borrowed.
Before I was elected in 2024, I'd never been a councillor and had no local government experience. But I didn't come into council knowing nothing. I brought years of working with people and community, running an organisation, making decisions, making mistakes and learning along the way.
This role has reinforced that you don't know what you don't know. Something that looks simple can involve legislation, engineering, budgets, staffing, risk and things you might never see from the outside.
So I've learned to ask questions. Being new doesn't mean knowing nothing, and being experienced doesn't mean knowing everything.
Eventually though, after the reports and questions, you have to raise your hand. For me, conscience is an important plumbline. I want to understand the facts, costs, risks and consequences, then make a decision I genuinely believe is right for the region.
I think about that particularly when we're spending ratepayer money. I want Mackay to grow and invest in our future, but there needs to be value in what we're spending because there are real people behind those rate notices.
I've known firsthand what it's like when money is genuinely tight. There was a time when I was supporting a small family on one income. I've lined up at Centrelink and taken low-paying, hard manual labour jobs because I needed to make ends meet. I'm not ashamed of that; you do what you have to do to look after your family.
Council faces financial pressures too. Fuel, materials, staffing and maintaining infrastructure all cost money. Council can't solve the wider cost-of-living problem, but we do control the decisions that belong to us, and affordability should always be part of that consideration.
That's stewardship to me. Sometimes it means investing in something new. Sometimes it means looking after what we already have, questioning whether something still makes sense, or simply saying no.
I've never believed anybody automatically deserves a seat at the council table. We're here because our community gave us the opportunity to be here. And at the next election, every one of us will give our seat back for the community to decide.
When my time in this seat comes to an end, I'll ask myself: Did I listen and learn? Did I make the decisions I genuinely believed were right? And did I do my best to leave what I was given in better condition than I found it?
The seat was never mine. It was only borrowed.
Left to Right: Trevor Peterson, Doug Peterson, Councillor Peter Sheedy and Councillor Ash-Lee Johnson. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
Local historian Doug Peterson recently welcomed Mackay Regional Councillors Ash-Lee Johnson and Peter Sheedy to his Bucasia home, sharing his collection of original plans and historical material connected to the former Mount Pelion State School and other important sites across the region.
The former Mount Pelion State School building now holds pride of place at Sarina’s Field of Dreams Precinct in Railway Square, where it serves as a venue and administrative home for the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre.
For Mr Peterson, preserving these stories is about ensuring future generations understand the foundations upon which their community was built.
“To know where you're going, you've got to know where you come from,” he said.
“You have to recognise those that came before us, because they built what we've got now.”
The historic school building recently formed part of a community celebration marking several significant milestones, including 100 years of the Mount Pelion school building, 30 years of the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre and 120 years of the former Sarina Courthouse and Watch House.
Councillor Ash-Lee Johnson said community members such as Mr Peterson played an invaluable role in passing local history on to others.
“I think it's just wonderful that we have engaged community members like Doug, that are really willing to teach people about the history,” Cr Johnson said.
“They have so much to give, and it’s just great to learn about the landmarks we have here in Mackay and surrounding regions.”
Councillor Peter Sheedy said viewing original documents offered a tangible connection to the region’s past.
“I think it really takes us back, with some original documents showing the origin of the building,” Cr Sheedy said.
“It originated up at Mount Pelion in 1926, so that's 100 years ago, and it’s wonderful to see some of the original documents still preserved.”
Mr Peterson’s brother, Trevor, also reflected on the significance of preserving the former Mount Pelion State School, describing it as an important part of Mackay’s long-term history.
He recalled the vision of establishing the building as an old-fashioned classroom, giving younger generations the opportunity to experience what education was once like – before modern classroom supplies like paper were even invented.
Mr Peterson believes as the region continues to change, preserving its history remains an important part of understanding where it has come from.
The Mackay community gathered on Monday 7th September to honour the history, resilience and ongoing contributions of Australian South Sea Islander people, marking 26 years since their formal recognition in Queensland. Photo source: Mackay Regional Council
Members of Mackay’s Australian South Sea Islander community joined Traditional Owners, Elders, local leaders and community members on Monday 7th September 2026 to commemorate the anniversary of Australian South Sea Islanders being formally recognised as a distinct cultural group.
Held at the Mackay Regional Council Civil Precinct, the community was invited to gather for the raising of the Australian South Sea Islander Flag in recognition of the Australian South Sea Islander people by both the Federal and Queensland Governments.
The gathering brought the community together in a ceremony acknowledging the history, resilience and ongoing contribution of Australian South Sea Islander people, with traditional dances and a special performance by Fitzgerald Primary School forming part of the occasion.
The event marked 26 years since the Queensland Government formally recognised Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct cultural group in 2000.
Local Elder Marion Healy, who was part of the group involved in drafting and finalising the statement adopted by the Queensland Government, reflected on the significance of the anniversary.
“Today we stand together in visibility, with remembrance and pride. We acknowledge our ancestors, the strength of our journey and the legacy that continues through each of us,” Ms Healy said.
Fourth-generation Australian South Sea Islander Runhoa Fatnowna also addressed the gathering, sharing her family's history and acknowledging the experiences of many within the wider community.
“My great grandfather was kidnapped from the Soloman Islands to work in the emerging sugar plantations in Queensland. His story and my story are like so many others – stories of resilience.
“Our ancestors were unwelcome – excluded from land ownership and civic life. Behind every statistic is a family and I stand here today as one of those with a lost heritage.”
Mayor Greg Williamson acknowledged the significant contribution Australian South Sea Islanders have made to the Mackay community.
“We need to remember our origins and that as a community we ensure we don’t leave anybody behind,” Mayor Williamson said.
“There’s no one here that can change the past, but we can change the future.”
The commemoration served as an opportunity to honour those who came before, reflect on the journey towards recognition and celebrate the strong and continuing presence of Australian South Sea Islander culture within the Mackay region.
“My grandad used to say a man with no history is a man with no future. Today, our future stands strong because of our history,” Ms Fatnowna said.
Queensland is home to 75 per cent of the nation’s ASSI, with the majority living in the Mackay region.
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