The new Sarina Hospital at 47 Brewers Road has officially reached its six-month anniversary, and staff gathered to celebrate.

The state-of-the-art facility, which opened on April 3, 2024 after a $31.5 million investment, has quickly become a crucial part of the Sarina community, providing high-quality healthcare in a modern setting.

Director of Nursing, Pauline Maude, brought the team together for a barbecue lunch to mark the occasion.

"It's been a huge transition for our staff, but we are now well and truly settled in our beautiful new facility," she said.

The new Sarina Hospital, with its improved layout and 19-bed capacity, offers enhanced services, including allied health and rehabilitation, all housed in a purpose-built, accessible facility.

Since opening, the hospital has provided a welcoming and modern environment, improving the patient experience and equipping healthcare providers with the tools they need to offer the best possible care. Sarina residents now have greater access to essential health services close to home, eliminating the need for longer travel for treatment.

‍

Staff at the new Sarina Hospital gather for a barbecue lunch to celebrate six months of the state-of-the-art facility opening. Photo source: MHHS (Facebook)

‍

Discover Comlink Australia’s wide range of services at this year’s Seniors Expo, all aimed at improving the health, well-being and independence of older adults across the Mackay region.

Comlink provides support for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as those aged 50 and above for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descents, who want to continue living independently in their own homes. With over 37 years of experience, Comlink Australia is committed to providing personalised, community-based care to help seniors thrive.

Need assistance organising transport? Visitors to the Expo will learn all about Comlink's Community Transport services, which provide accessible and reliable transportation for medical appointments, shopping trips and social outings. This service helps maintain mobility and ensures that seniors stay connected within their communities.

In addition, Comlink will highlight its Home Care Packages, offering tailored support for daily tasks like personal care, domestic assistance, and meal preparation. These packages are designed to meet the unique needs of each client, promoting comfort and independence.

Comlink’s Social Support Programs are also key features at the Expo, aimed at combating loneliness through a variety of individual support activities, such as one on one outings, assisted shopping and a volunteer-led companionship program.

With a compassionate team of dedicated staff and volunteers, Comlink fosters meaningful relationships, ensuring services enhance quality of life and instil a sense of belonging.

Join Comlink Australia at the Expo to learn how they empower older Australians to embrace healthy ageing with dignity and independence!

‍

The Mackay Seniors Expo has more than 65 exhibitors covering everything from lawn bowls to legal advice, film festivals to funeral plans and chemists to comedy players.  

This year, Mackay Regional Council will also be running free buses from Sarina and Mirani to the event at the Mackay Showgrounds.

The Mackay Seniors Expo is held in the Showgrounds’ big shed on Tuesday, October 15, from 9am to noon.  

The expo is free to attend and will feature exhibitors covering retirement homes, healthcare and funeral homes, services, products, recreational activities, mobility aids and support groups.

There will also be lucky door prizes throughout the morning.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council was looking to remove the travel barrier faced by seniors living outside of the Mackay city area.

“This year we have a 50-seater bus running from Broad Street bus stop in Sarina at 8.45am and a 57-seater running from the Mirani Town Centre council office (20 Victoria Street) at 8.30am,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Both buses are completely free and will take residents to the expo and then drop them back at noon to the pickup point,” he said.

“This is a tremendous expo with vital information for seniors, so we want to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to attend.”

Please call Sarina Neighbourhood Centre on 4961 9290 to book your seats on either bus.

Mayor Williamson encouraged all seniors, and those caring for seniors, to take the time to visit the expo.

“There isn’t another event like this where you will find so many services, businesses, groups and clubs in one place, all with a focus on seniors,” he said.  

“While we often get a few thousand people through the expo, the big shed is spread out and there is plenty of room to explore the booths and you can have conversations without needing to yell.”

Two coffee vans and the Mackay Host Lions Club (sausage sizzle) will be providing refreshments and food.  

For more information, head to council’s website – www.mackay.qld.gov.au/seniors-expo

‍

At The 2024 Two Feet & A Heartbeat Charity Walk

Mackay will soon host HeartKids' annual charity walk, Two Feet & A Heartbeat this Sunday, October 13, at John Breen Park.

This special event aims to honour children lost to Childhood-onset Heart Disease (CoHD) and raise awareness of the condition that affects over 80,000 Australians.

HeartKids is the only charity in Australia dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by congenital heart disease and has been running this event since 2014, with a focus on uniting families and communities in over 30 locations nationwide.

Participants in Mackay will have the option to walk either 4 kilometres, in memory of the four children who lose their lives to CoHD each week, or 8 kilometres, in recognition of the eight babies born with CoHD each day.

HeartKids CEO Marcus Sandmann highlighted the importance of events like this and said that, “Bereaved families need all the support we can give them, and HeartKids’ mission is to do what we can to ease the burden on families following the tragic loss of a child.”

He added that Two Feet & A Heartbeat allows families to come together in memory of their Heart Angels, in a community that truly understands their grief.

The walk begins at 4pm, with participants encouraged to arrive by 3pm to enjoy the range of family-friendly activities, including free face painting, a barbecue and games. Mackay's own HeartKids ambassador Jace, along with his family, will be participating in the event, adding a local touch to this vital cause.

Zoe Corbett, mother to Heart Angel Jaxxon said, “Few understand just what it’s like to go through this, but HeartKids have put in so much effort to ensure that we can all come together like this.”

What: Two Feet & A Heartbeat Charity Walk

When: From 3pm, Sunday, 13th October

Where: John Breen Park

‍

HeartKids Ambassador Jace

On Sunday, October 13, participants will come together at John Breen Park for the Two Feet & A Heartbeat Charity Walk to raise awareness and honour those lost to Childhood-onset Heart Disease. Photos supplied

‍

As concerns around fast fashion’s environmental impact and the rising cost of living continue to grow, Zero Waste Solutions is excited to host its 4th Preloved Market Night. The fast fashion industry contributes significantly to pollution, waste, and exploitation, but together, we can make a difference.
The Preloved Market Night offers a solution by creating a space where fashion meets sustainability. The market invites customers to enjoy an evening filled with coffee, snacks, music, and the excitement of winning great prizes, including the chance to be crowned the "Top Fashion Thriftsta" for the most stylish second-hand outfit of the night.
In addition to promoting sustainable fashion, organisers are taking the opportunity to give back. They will be collecting donations of new and unused self-care items, such as face masks, makeup wipes, hair care products, and other pampering essentials, to support local women who are escaping domestic violence.
Head down to the pre-loved markets for an uplifting evening that’s all about making mindful choices, building community connections, and showing how small actions can lead to big changes.

What: Zero Waste Solutions Preloved Market
When: Friday, 25th October, 6-8pm
Where: 3 Little Birds Espresso, 2/402 Shute Harbour Rd, Airlie Beach
Admission: Free

‍

In her 45 years working at Proserpine Hospital, Leigh Ironside has witnessed many incredible and dynamic changes in the nursing profession.

Tourism, technology and a transient population had reshaped healthcare delivery in the Whitsunday region since the Proserpine local began her hospital-training at Mackay Base Hospital in 1979.

She commenced full-time work at Proserpine Hospital in May 1982.

“I’ve seen many colleagues I’ve worked with start their careers, get married, have babies and then their babies actually come to work here – it’s very generational at Proserpine,” Leigh said.

The number of patients presenting to the small rural hospital had increased significantly over four decades, as had the acuity.

“Patients used to come with one health issue – now they have several illnesses and with an ageing population, there’s a much greater degree of co-morbidity.”

On public holidays the rural hospital was extremely busy – the cost of GPs and long wait times had also changed the face of primary healthcare, Leigh said.

“We generally see be between 60 and 70 people every day in the ED here, for a range of conditions,” she explained.

“Once upon a time GPs stayed in the area and saw many generations of the same family – that just doesn’t happen anymore.”

As a clinical nurse in the busy emergency department, Leigh is impressed by the standard of care and the rural hospital’s response to major incidents in the region.

“I’ve seen some really impressive responses to large trauma cases; how the entire staff mobilise and really pull together to triage,” she said.

“I worked triage a few years ago after a serious bus accident – it was incredible to see the whole staff response to such a terrible incident and how teams were allocated to each individual patient and were met upon arrival.

“Bloomsbury has always been major fatigue zone on Bruce Highway – we’ve really seen a huge increase in the number major traumas coming here over the years.

“The retrieval process has undergone phenomenal change – a transfer used to be done by road ambulance once a week. Now the helicopter flies into Proserpine several times a week.”

Growth in the tourism industry had changed the dynamics of the hospital, the staff and consumers.

“During Christmas and over New Years the region gets an influx of about 8000 people – that puts significant pressure on our ED and hospital,” Leigh said.

“A lot of people visit the Whitsundays and end up moving to the region – who wouldn’t want to live here in paradise?”

Leigh’s passion for rural nursing started early in life. Her mum was a nurse and midwife and she had several aunties who were nurses.

“When I was still at school, mum got permission from the matron for me to work here at Proserpine as an Assistant in Nursing over Christmas and during the school holidays,” she said.

“That’s how I learnt to take blood pressure, make beds and shower and feed the oldies. It’s how I knew that I really wanted to do this as a career.

“Times have changed. Gone are the days of no-aircon and wearing those starched white nurse dresses and stockings.

“When I first started nursing there was only computers in the office; so ieMR (digital records) would definitely have to be one of the biggest changes I’ve seen in my nursing career in addition to medical equipment.”

Leigh admits she considered retirement after a health scare last year, but still enjoys the pace and face-to-face demands of nursing. She remains invested in her patients, in the hospital and the community itself.

“I have no children so work is my socialisation,” she said, “but I love that at Proserpine you aren’t just a number – we really get to know our patients and they become part of our family.

“At a rural hospital like this we get to experience a bit of everything, from surgical to paediatric, and that’s very appealing to the next generation of the healthcare workforce.”

Contributed with thanks to Mackay Hospital and Health Service.

‍

Leigh Ironside has witnessed many incredible and dynamic changes in the 45 years she has worked at Proserpine Hospital. Photo supplied

‍

This week
Season to date
Cane crushed
97,268
968,604
Average bin weight
9.66
9.61
CCS
14.38
13.99
Cane variety performance for region
Variety
%
CCS
Variety
%
CCS
Q208
20.8
15.01
Q253
9.7
13.96
Q240
15.3
14.13
KQ228
5.1
13.89
Q183
14.1
14.55
SRA12
2.1
14.14
SRA9
10.2
14.79
Q247
1.1
13.47
Comments

‍
Proserpine Mill processed 97,268 tonnes of cane for the week, which is the highest factory throughput since 2020. Thanks to all sectors of the industry for working together to achieve this great result.
We’ve now processed close to 970,000 tonnes of cane for the season, representing about 56 per cent of the total estimated crop.
The average weekly CCS came in slightly below budget at 14.38 units.
The highest CCS was 17.16 units from a rake of ratoon Q208 from the Kelsey Creek productivity district.
Please remember to use your train brain and always take care around our cane rail network.
A fully loaded cane train can take up to one kilometre to pull up. Our cane trains work around the clock, seven days a week.
‍

Peter Luke
Cane Supply Manager
Proserpine Region

‍

This October, Proserpine YouthSpace is offering a vibrant lineup of activities designed to engage young people in fun, creative, and health-focused experiences.

YouthSpace, located at 65 Marathon Street (Old St. Cath’s School), will host a variety of workshops and social sessions throughout the month.

YouthSpace activities are scheduled every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, with great events on Fridays. The calendar is packed with exciting options such as art workshops, fitness sessions, and Halloween-themed fun.

October Highlights

   • Mental Health Week LEGO Challenge (Wednesday 9 October and Thursday 10 October, 3:00-5:00 PM): In support of Mental Health Week, there are two sessions that will inspire creativity while promoting mental wellness through a LEGO challenge.

   • Zentangle Drawing (Wednesday 23 October, 3pm – 5pm): A calming and mindful drawing activity, perfect for young people to relax and explore new artistic techniques.

   • Halloween Craft & Party (Tuesday 30 October and Thursday 31 October, 3pm - 5pm): Celebrate Halloween with spooky crafts on the 30th, followed by a Halloween party with food and fun on the 31st.

In addition to these special events, there will be ongoing Youth Fitness Bootcamps every Tuesday to help young people stay active and ‘Chat n’ Chill’ sessions for informal socialising.

Outreach and Support
Proserpine YouthSpace also offers one-on-one support for young people by appointment in surrounding areas Cannonvale, Airlie Beach, and Jubilee Pocket.

For more information or to register for the activities, contact YouthSpace at 0458 438 169, or visit them on social media.

There’s always an action-packed program at Proserpine Youth Space. Photo sourced: Facebook

‍

Imagine charting your own course through crystal-clear waters, relaxing on secluded beaches, and exploring the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park—all with a crew of your choice. Welcome to bareboating in The Whitsundays, an adventure that offers unparalleled freedom to experience one of Australia's most breathtaking regions. 

Bareboating involves hiring a fully equipped, self-contained boat—either a yacht or a catamaran—and operating it yourself with your friends or family as your crew. Experience the ultimate freedom as the captain of your voyage. 

A common question is whether a boating licence is required to bareboat in The Whitsundays. Unlike other parts of the world, no formal licence is needed. Charter companies offer comprehensive briefings at the start of your trip and you can contact the mainland by radio during your journey. As long as you show basic boating knowledge and a willingness to learn, you’re ready to embark on an unforgettable journey. 

Bareboating in The Whitsundays allows you to explore our 74 stunning islands free from set itineraries so you can chart your own course and set your own pace. This flexibility enables access to secluded locations, hidden coves, and lesser-known areas that larger tour groups can't reach. You can customise your adventure based on your interests—whether it’s snorkelling, hiking, or simply relaxing. 

For more information on bareboating, visit: www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/bareboating/ 
 
Contributed by Tourism Whitsundays  

‍

Charter your own boat with bareboating in the Whitsundays, Photo supplied

‍

Meet Biscuit, a joyful 12-month-old Kelpie x Foxie eager to find his forever home! He’s a smaller medium-sized pup who loves fetch and needs a yard to run in. Known as ‘Bikky’ by his foster family, he’s doing well with training—he sits patiently for dinner until given the release word “ok.”
Biscuit enjoys cuddles, is food motivated, and is learning to control his excitement. He gets along with his foster sister Rita but is cautious around other dogs, so positive exposure is key. With strong recall and energy to spare, he’d thrive in an active home with high fences.
Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue Inc also offer a desex and vaccination health care card program which ensures that every pet gets desexed and vaccinated at an incredibly discounted price – get in touch to find out more!
‍

If you believe you can provide Biscuit with the loving home and secure fencing he deserves, please reach out to Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue Inc: bowencollinsville@gmail.com

‍
Rehoming fee: $650
Age: 12 months
Sex: Male
Breed: Kelpie X Foxie
Other dogs: No but is being introduced
Cats: No
Fences: 5ft

‍

With Life In Motion Exercise Physiolgy Clinic

Life in Motion is set to make an exciting appearance at this year's Seniors Expo, offering visitors an inside look at how their Exercise Physiology services can greatly improve the health and well-being of older adults.

As an allied health provider, Life in Motion addresses a wide range of senior health needs, from balance and falls prevention to diabetes management, neurological rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, bone health, dementia management, and much more - all through individually tailored exercise programs.

Attendees will get the chance to learn more about the state-of-the-art equipment used in their privately owned facility, which is designed specifically to improve the quality of life and overall wellbeing of their clients. Life in Motion will be showcasing its brand new, innovative rehabilitation machine, proven to deliver outstanding results to clients living with a history of stroke or various neurological conditions.

The friendly team will be on-site to discuss their facility and services, including a High-Risk Balance and Falls Prevention program launching in 2025. With a focus on improving strength, coordination, balance, and mobility, this program offers essential support to at-risk seniors.

If you’re ready to boost your physical, mental, and social well-being, be sure to visit Life in Motion at the Expo to learn how these impactful services can enhance overall quality of life.

‍

Shocking statistics show that two out of every three Australians will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, and people over 55 are at the highest risk.

That’s why the first 100 visitors to the CQ Skin Cancer Centre stand at the upcoming Seniors Expo in Mackay will receive a special voucher to save $20 off their full-body skin cancer examination!

CQ Skin Cancer Centre is part of Australia’s leading network of skin cancer clinics, which has been operating for twenty years and conducts over 200,000 skin checks annually across the country.

With a dedicated team of four doctors trained in advanced skin cancer medicine, the centre provides essential services such as total body photography, mole removal and both surgical and non-surgical skin cancer treatments.

Total body photography is a cutting-edge tool designed for comprehensive skin cancer detection in high-risk patients. This technology allows for the monitoring of changes in moles over time, facilitating early diagnosis and providing peace of mind.

Unfortunately, many Queenslanders remain unaware that they live in the melanoma capital of the world. With melanoma diagnoses in Mackay 119% above the national average, it’s absolutely crucial for seniors to prioritise their skin health.

CQ Skin Cancer Centre is dedicated to educating Australians about the risks of skin cancer, working towards a vision of better outcomes for everyone and ensuring that no one suffers

from this largely preventable disease.

Visit their stand to learn more about skin cancer prevention and take advantage of their special offer on skin examinations!

‍

Mother Cat And Kittens Rescued From Despair

A brave mama cat and her six kittens have found refuge with Mackay Pet Rescue Inc. after a challenging start to their lives.

Last Tuesday afternoon, the mother cat, who is severely malnourished and skeletal thin, was discovered in a shed with her two-week-old kittens. The kind person who initially found the cats attempted to give away the vulnerable family to shoppers in the carpark of Petbarn in Greenfields.

Thankfully, the compassionate Petbarn staff stepped in, recognising the urgent need for extensive care. They then encouraged the finder to surrender the cats to Mackay Pet Rescue Inc.

In a quick response, a foster carer arrived at Petbarn to rescue the family, and now, they are safe and sound in a caring environment, where they have access to a soft bed and much-needed food.

The rescue organisation is dedicated to ensuring that both the mother and her kittens receive the care and nourishment they deserve. And with continued support, this fury family will have the opportunity to thrive and find their loving ‘fur-ever’ homes. As they begin their recovery, updates on their progress will be shared to the Mackay Pet Rescue Inc Facebook page.

If you'd like to support the great work being done by Mackay Pet Rescue Inc, donations are greatly appreciated.

You can contribute by visiting www.mackaypetrescueinc.com.au/support/

‍

It is pretty easy is to identify when and where my vague dislike of heights turned into a full-on, socially embarrassing fear and hatred of heights; on the 40th floor of a Hong Kong skyscraper when a very powerful typhoon hit what was then the British colony in the 1990s.

The thing about skyscrapers is that they are designed to sway with the wind when they are hit by typhoons, hurricanes or cyclones.

While this is a life-saving engineering feature that I celebrate, the experience of lying face-down on the floor, swaying back and forth on the 40th level of building is not as much fun as it sounds.

You’re in Hong Kong so you try to remember those Chinese proverbs that are all about bending and adjusting rather than resisting and snapping: “The green reed which bends in the wind is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in a storm.”  Crap like that doesn’t help.

Years later I surveyed the scene after a Mackay cyclone and noticed uprooted gum trees on one side of the street and a perfect row of unaffected palm trees on the other. While that was interesting, it didn’t change my fear of heights, which is now ingrained.

When I first started going out with my wife Sonia we had a trip to Cains and she arranged a trip on the skyrail up to Kuranda.

At that early point of our relationship I hadn’t broached the subject of my fear of heights and as we made our way up the mountain hanging in the air in a metal box attached to some piece of cable, I apparently transformed into a different person.

As I sat there frozen like a statue, not moving, talking or looking out, she thought there was something deeply wrong, perhaps with our relationship. She didn’t know that I was just a sook. She does now.

So do my kids, which is probably even worse.

When they were young I was with them at the Mackay Show and thought I could do the ferris wheel. I struggled through and tried, fairly unsuccessfully, to hide my phobia.

Some years later I tried it again on the one in Brisbane. That was a complete fail as the kids realised what was going on and went out of their way to make it worse by jumping around and trying to get me to stand up.

These days I don’t even try. From time to time I have to sell a unit in Mackay that is too high for my liking. I’m okay inside the unit but I won’t go out to the balcony and look over the hand rail.

“Step out to the balcony and have a look at the fantastic view,” I suggest to buyers as I plant myself in the lounge room.

I’ve sold a few and no one seems to have noticed that I never joined them on the balcony.

The problem with high-rise unit blocks is the insurance and the impact that has on the body corporate cost. It is a different story when it comes to those older unit blocks in our inner suburbs, mainly Mackay city, and East, West and South Mackay.

Those complexes don’t have anywhere near the insurance costs and body corporate fees are usually around the $3000 a year mark, which includes building insurance.

It’s a completely different market to the high-rise blocks but I feel those older, low-set units in the inner suburbs are great value, particularly for older people wanting to downsize and younger buyers wanting to break into the market.

You can still pick up a two-bedroom unit for under $300,000, which is pretty good in what is a hot real estate market.

And you usually get a courtyard … mercifully, on the ground floor.

‍

I’ll be doing it this weekend, because my baby brother Graham has just turned the big 50 on Tuesday this week, and he’s here in Mackay with his family to celebrate.

A few months ago, I got a call from Graham in Sydney wanting to know if I would be around in October, because they were thinking about coming up to Mackay and the Whitsundays to say hello, and to celebrate an important birthday.

I will be honest, I thought it was unexpected, as it would have only been a few weeks since I saw them last when I was down to run the Sydney Marathon. He said it was all fine because, they had not been back to Mackay for years to visit family, so it would be a terrific opportunity.

So, here we are, Friday! Graham, Karina and Sophie all flew in last night and today, and are ready to take on everything we have in store.

My boss Scott suggested that I take today and Monday off so I could spend quality time with all of them, so today we are heading up to Cape Hillsborough for the wallaby sunrise experience, then hightailing it up to Airlie and the Whitsundays for a day of fun, sand, and water. We might be jumping on a boat, or even just swimming around the lagoon. It will be a fun day. Tonight, I’ll get to showcase my BBQ skills at my place, so if you see any of us at the hospital, things haven’t exactly gone to plan.

Over the weekend we will be busy. The Pioneer Valley, Finch Hatton, Eungella, Sarina Sugar Shed, Wakeboard Park, Marina, Eimeo Pub, Harrup Park, Magpies and more are all on the list of places to visit and experience. I cannot forget the big birthday dinner feast on Saturday night at mine. All the family members will be there, so I am sure Graham will have an exciting time.

My goal is to make Graham’s quick birthday weekend the best ever, so when they jet back to the big smoke on Monday, they leave with smiles, a few extra kilos in their bellies and a warm heart after seeing the extended North Queensland family.

Oh, if you remember Graham Kidd, and you went to school with him at Central State School in the early 80s, get in touch.

On a last note, having family around you is paramount as we get older. I have certainly been reminded of that after we lost Mum, and of course Dad’s recent issues with his ticker. Any chance you get to share with family must be at the top of the list of to-dos right now.

Happy 50th birthday Graham. Love you mate.

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

‍