Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
OPINION PIECE from the office of Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox There is no question that immigration into Australia is out of control. The government’s numbers are too high, and standards are too low. A sustainable migration program must consider our capacity to provide housing, healthcare, infrastructure and the essential services everyone relies on, and Australians must come first. But Labor’s decision to target Working Holiday Makers Visa holders is not the answer. These people filling vital gaps in our workforce are not the cause of Australia’s housing crisis. In many cases, they are living in accommodation provided by the very businesses that employ them. The National Farmers’ Federation has made the point that Working Holiday Makers generally stay in hostels, caravan parks or purpose-built on-farm accommodation. Resorts usually have on-site staff quarters. They are not the source of Australia’s housing shortage. So why is Labor making it harder for them to come here, when these workers fill genuine jobs that regional Australia holds? Working Holiday Makers fill approximately one in seven farm jobs nationally and are particularly important during peak agricultural periods, which for Dawson, it is right now! Farmers rely on these workers to plant, pick, pack and harvest the produce that ends up on Australian supermarket shelves. Having run one of Australia’s largest tomato farms, at times Working Holiday Makers made up more than 50 per cent of my workforce. Without them, much of our crop simply would not have been picked in time and rotted in the paddock. Some may say, why not employ the Australians who don’t have a job and are on “the dole”? Can I say, this does not work. Most farmers will employ Aussies over travelling backpackers, but many either don’t want to do the work or don’t turn up after the first day. Who picks the fruit or veggies then? Farmers are already warning that visa delays are leaving them without workers. The NFF says approvals that once took days are now facing processing times of up to three months, and this time frame can be the difference between harvesting a crop or losing it. That should concern every Australian already feeling the pressure at the supermarket checkout. The same problem is playing out in tourism. Across Dawson, Working Holiday Makers are an important part of the workforce supporting tourism and hospitality, particularly in the Whitsundays. They help fill shifts, work in hotels and restaurants, support tour operators and keep businesses running through their busiest periods. They also contribute to the local economy. They spend money on food, fuel, attractions and tours, supporting the small businesses that depend on a strong visitor economy. That is why tourism and business leaders across North Queensland are raising the alarm. They understand what happens when a regional business cannot get enough staff: opening hours are reduced, and services are cut, creating a downward spiral. We do need to reduce migration to sustainable levels. We need stronger integrity measures, and we need to crack down on rorts. But responsible migration policy means understanding which parts of the system are creating pressure and which parts are helping Australia function. Working Holiday Makers are not the problem. They are part of the workforce solution for regional. Australia. People have had a gutful of watching their standard of living go backwards. Groceries, fuel, housing and everyday expenses are already putting enormous pressure on families. The last thing Australians need is another reckless policy that makes it harder to produce food, harder to run regional businesses and harder for tourism operators to find the workers they need.
Read the full storySomeone sold a house in Sydney last week for $9 million less than they bought it for four or five years ago. The sellers had bought the property in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $29 million and sold it for $20 million in a sale forced by their bank. I imagine the sellers are a little disappointed by the government’s decisions on negative gearing and capital gains tax and feeling pretty hurt by the increased interest rates. Australia’s interest rates are on the rise and are now sitting at levels not seen since 2011. Increased cost of living is hurting people around the country and interest rates are playing into that. But the impact of interest rates is not felt evenly around the country. The far-higher property prices mean people in the major cities suffer much more than regional areas with the rates increase. That is certainly not to say people in Mackay are unaffected by the cost of living; it’s just that the impact of interest rates increase on a $400,000 mortgage is much less than the impact on a $1m mortgage. There are other Mackay-specific factors that are in play when discussing the current housing market. The big factor is the role of coal in our economy. Most of the coal extracted and exported from our region is coking coal, which is used to make steel. The price of coking coal is around $280 a tonne, which is about 50 per cent up. Good activity in the coal market translates to good news for the Mackay economy, as it is an economic engine that other cities and regions just don’t have. Good activity in Bowen Basin flows throughout the Mackay economy; Paget workshops, transport, suppliers and related businesses all benefit. But so do other, non-mining-related businesses as they benefit from the general confidence and spending that goes on. The strong mining activity also means mines need to keep their staff levels up and that means more people moving to Mackay. Of course, Mackay is much more than a coal mining town but if the coal sector is going well those other areas definitely benefit. It is a confidence boost for Mackay people looking to get into the housing market and those wanting to upgrade or downsize. It also means continuing strong demand from people wanting to rent a property and it will be interesting to see what sort of activity that creates from investors. Investors have walked away from the big-city markets because they can no longer use negative gearing on established properties that do not have a sufficient yield to be positively geared. Negative gearing has never been a big thing in Mackay because our prices are lower and rental returns continue to be strong so many investors have a positively geared property. Around the country everyone is nervous about the state of play and the probability of more interest rate rises. But strong coal prices and an economy that is performing well mean Mackay might just be presenting an opportunity for buyers and sellers that doesn’t exist in other parts. I remember when national confidence was flying high and Mackay prices were going up significantly that many buyers were saying “I wish we had bought a while ago when the market wasn’t so hot”. I’m not armed with a crystal ball so I’m not here to tell you what is going to happen but I suspect there is a very good buying window right now for those looking for an opportunity.
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A local Mackay and Sarina based model has created a dress out of newspapers, including Mackay Life, for her upcoming pageant, representing her region and hometown on the runway as she vies for Miss Diamond International in Brisbane. Zoe Place will be competing this weekend in the three-day event, beginning this Friday 2nd October and ending on Sunday 4th October. The young model spent around a month creating her eco-fashion outfit, using old newspapers as the main material and transforming them into a bodice, skirt and flowers. Red elements were also incorporated into the design to give the dress a bold and glamorous pageant feel. Zoe said, “The entire concept was really about taking something that would normally be thrown away and turning it into something beautiful and meaningful.” Her eco-fashion creation will form part of a busy weekend in Brisbane, with the Miss Diamond International event including photo shoots, interviews, an eco-fashion show and the final pageant. Zoe has been preparing for the event by practising her strut and walking, preparing for interviews and getting comfortable in the different outfits she will wear throughout the weekend. Alongside her love of modelling, pageantry has also provided Zoe with a platform to raise awareness about causes close to her heart, including mental health, while fundraising for Beyond Blue. “Pageantry has given me more of a platform to combine my love for modelling with something that is really important to me.” “When I first started, I was more nervous about putting myself out there and worried about what others would think about me – but I’ve changed a lot through my journey in pageantry.” “Pageantry has also taught me that it’s not about how you look on stage. It’s about the person you are when you step off it.” “Every woman has their own unique journey and that journey is something we should all be really proud of.” “To me, it represents confidence, empowerment, kindness, and using your voice to make a difference.” Zoe said she was looking forward to meeting the other contestants, making new connections and creating memories. “I’m definitely looking forward to meeting all the new contestants and making new connections and creating memories that I will carry with me for a lifetime.” While Zoe hopes to eventually move to the city, her sights are set even further afield, with a dream of one day walking in New York Fashion Week. Mackay and Sarina local Zoe Place has created an eco-fashion dress from recycled newspapers, including Mackay Life, ahead of her Miss Diamond International pageant in Brisbane. Photos supplied
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Trends, reels and the endless cycle of always wanting more has quietly bombarded the minds of countless social media users of all ages, but one former Mackay local has made it her mission to help others understand the effects of social media and find practical ways to break free from online addiction. Alexis Zahner is in Mackay over the next week to teach upcoming generations about social media and the effects it can have on the mind, particularly on identity, self-discovery, as well as the marketing strategies that get viewers hooked and influence their decisions. It is something Alexis knows first-hand can be a useful tool, but also a great disruption to authenticity and the world as we see and experience it. Alexis will hold a free meet and greet and book launch today, Friday 2nd October, at 5.30pm at the Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club, where she will give a talk and answer questions relating to her debut book, Real: Reconnecting to Yourself in a World of Likes and Lies. A former Mackay girl, Alexis spent the past 15 years working across business psychology, marketing and media, with her interest in social media influence beginning during her university studies at James Cook University in Townsville. Her own experience as a social media user, travel blogger and influencer eventually led her to question how much of her identity, decisions and values were being shaped by what she saw online. “The tipping point came for me about 3 years ago when I had this feeling that I couldn't separate influence from my own personal decision making,” she said. “I couldn't separate my own likes, dislikes, values, relationships from what I was being exposed to and being influenced by online.” “I found that I needed to take some time away from social media to recalibrate what was important to me and sort of reconnect and come back to myself.” Alexis said she understood the feeling of questioning who you are outside of social media. “I know what it feels like to live a life under the influence of social media and have that existential crisis of thinking to yourself, who am I? What do I like? What's the kind of life I want to live? and struggling to separate myself from influence.” Alexis is particularly passionate about reaching teenagers, who she says are in an important stage of identity development, and will share this message with Mackay high school students during her upcoming school talks. “Teenagers are really easily influenced by social media. So it's a really important age where we start educating them – not just on the mental health repercussions of things like social media and how it shortens their attention span, but how it actually influences who they become.” “If you're asking yourself these questions, it's not your fault. Social media is actually geared to create this impact on you.” Alexis encourages people of all ages to “start expanding beyond what you see on the platform.” “Dare to indulge in the things that you've always been curious about or things you used to love,” she said. “Don't be afraid to put the phone down to let yourself be curious and have fun.” What: Alexis Zahner's 'Real' Book launch When: 5.30pm Friday 2nd October 2026 Where: Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club Former Mackay local and author Alexis Zahner is returning home to share her experiences with social media and her debut book, Real. Photo supplied
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It is often said that behind every successful man stands a good woman. From the early years of settlement, women were playing a major role in the development of the shire, not only in their traditional roles as wives and mothers but as active and essential members of the farming and business communities.
One such woman was Sarah Hannington Compton.
Born in Lambeth, Surrey, England on the 17th of October, 1870, she was the eldest of Sarah and John lllidge Gray's fifteen children. The family migrated to Australia on the ship “Macquarie” in 1889.
Sarah's sister, Miriam, had married and her husband was working on Havilah Station near Bowen. While visiting them, Sarah met her future husband, John Compton, who also worked there. John and Sarah married in Bowen in 1893. They had six children. Sadly, their first child died at nine years old.
In the first years of married life, they travelled around the Bowen district while John, a proficient carpenter, built homes and stockyards.
In 1895, they took up Block No. 3 on Glen Isla Estate, growing sugar cane in anticipation of Proserpine's Central Sugar Mill which opened in 1897. Until their home was built, they lived in a humpy with a grass roof. It was cool but there were plenty of snakes. Living conditions were poor, so a couple of years later, with their young family, they moved to another farm, Fern Hill, at Mt Julian.
John Compton was one of Proserpine's representatives on the Bowen-Proserpine Tramway Joint Board. He also agitated for Proserpine to become a shire separate from Bowen's Wangaratta Shire. In March of 1910, this dream was realised, and John was elected first Chairman of Proserpine's Shire Council. As Chairman’s wife, Sarah provided strong support to John throughout his time in office. In 1912, she was given the honour of opening the McGregor Bridge at Taylor's Crossing, Glen Isla.
After selling their Mt Julian farm in 1915, they built a home on Auburn, their town cane farm located where Edward Street is now situated. Sarah and family were then very involved in Presbyterian Church activities. Sarah was also an active member of Proserpine Hospital Ladies' Guild.
In 1920, the Comptons were once again on the move, selling their farm and buying another, Yelvertoft, at Mackay corner, Proserpine. Then followed a short residence in Warwick before they returned to Proserpine in 1922, living in a home on their land in the Herbert/Main Street area. In 1923, John once again caught the pioneering bug and cleared land for farming at Lethebrook where he built yet another home. Sarah continued to immerse herself in local activities.
When John Compton died in 1932, Sarah remained on the farm with the help of son, Alex. When he married and left in 1939, she hired a manager until 1949, when she sold the farm to the Pratt family, moving to a new home in Herbert Street. Sarah managed on rental income earned from five houses that had been built on Compton land by O H Gray and sons, circa 1938. She supervised these tenants. As was a common practice for widows in years gone by, she rented part of her home to young married couples; sometimes, taking in young men as boarders; usually bank workers.
Throughout this time, Sarah continued to attend the Presbyterian Church and crafted many items to sell at their functions. She was also active in CWA and Red Cross.
At 94, Sarah had a serious fall and was admitted to hospital. Unfortunately, she suffered memory loss, however she lived on to almost 103 years, becoming Proserpine's first centenarian.
Naming Sarah Compton Lane on former Compton land was fitting acknowledgment of Sarah’s contribution to her community.
Story and photo courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum.
Despite being in business for just over three months, The Stylist Airlie Beach has been making a name for themselves.
Husband and wife duo Amanda and Dexter Greyvensteyn noticed a gap in the market and Amanda's keen eye, exceptional attention to detail, and love for interior design made it an obvious decision.
"I thought there must be demand for it," exclaimed Amanda.
"So I made a couple of phone calls to a few of real estate agents, and they said, 'Yes, there is definitely a market for property staging in Airlie Beach'."
The Stylist Airlie Beach focuses on making homes look spectacular for sale, and Amanda said she likes to think of it as part of the marketing strategy for selling your house.
"We present your property in the best way that it can be presented," she said.
"So when people walk into the homes they fall in love with the house and can see themselves living there. When more people are attracted to the property it creates more competition within buyers."
Most importantly it makes viewers feel an emotional connection to the home.
"I go by the motto of first impressions matter," said Amanda.
"I think it's very important that when somebody does walk into that house, they fall in love straight away, they want to buy it, and so they put their best offer in and hopefully gets the seller the best price they can achieve."
The Stylist Airlie Beach have various packages ranging from a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment to large four-to-five bedroom homes. Amanda and Dexter provide a complete end-to-end staging service, including furniture selection, delivery, installation and styling. After the sale, all items are professionally removed, leaving no work for the seller.
They prioritise all areas of the home and source everything, artwork, furniture, and outdoor living too.
Amanda acknowledges that some sellers may initially be deterred by the cost but explains that staging does not usually require an upfront payment. In many cases, real estate agencies allow the cost of staging to be paid from the settlement proceeds once the property has sold, offering a stage now, pay later option.
Since starting last October The Stylist Airlie Beach has received great reviews with Amanda noting that numerous clients comment "I'm so glad I've done this" and "I don't want to sell my house anymore." Reviews that are a testament to the hard work, love and care that Amanda and Dexter have for their business.
Amanda and Greyvensteyn style your homes ready for sale. Photo supplied
Skipper David Sautret says a lifetime on the water has taught him that sailing is as much about character as it is about skill.
David, from near Bordeaux in southwest France, has been sailing for 26 years and is responsible for every aspect of the Yacht Club Punta del Este vessel and crew.
“It’s complicated, I am responsible for everything,” he said.
"From the boat being on-course, off-course, boat safety, crew safety. So everything that's that's happening on-board is under my responsibility. It has to be monitored by myself."
David has been sailing for over two decades and says it's the freedom and challenge that holds his interest.
“It’s the only thing I keep on doing through the years,” he said.
“I love the freedom it gives you, to be in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the ocean, confronting yourself to nature and the elements.”
His path to the Clipper Race began unexpectedly in 2023 while training in the UK. He recalls being astonished by the number of boats, the training and the organisation.
David said he was so impressed he applied for the race but he just missed the cut off, so he considered his application was an early application for the next bi-annual race.
Reflecting on the race so far, David described it as “good and bad, but at least it’s an adventure”.
Despite challenges he said recent strong results had lifted the team.
We scored a lot of points in the in the last two races. We are coming back in the overall ranking. So I'm pretty happy about that."
David Sautret is Skipper onboard the Yacht Club Punta del Este. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
Though hailing from Cork in Ireland, the Clipper Race is the most amount of travelling first-mate Lorraine O’Hanlan has done in her life. Discovering an interest in sailing in her early 20s, Lorraine is clearly very passionate about getting out onto the water, having participated in last the race as well as the current one. The prior race was her first time ocean sailing.
“I love ocean racing; I like the big long distances”.
Despite the brief experience, Lorraine clearly possesses insightful knowledge into how races are one and lost.
“You can fall behind, but because they’re such long races you can fight and come back up. If you fall behind it’s usually because you haven’t had a good 24 hours, maybe your speeds haven’t been great, maybe your sail plan hasn’t been as good for the conditions you have compared to other boats. In another 24 hours with a better sailing plan, superior speeds and current, you can start knocking miles off.”
As the first mate, she has the role of assisting the skipper and crew, “you’re almost like the second in command.”
Above all, Lorraine most enjoys the direction and sense of purpose that sailing gives.
“It’s almost like a simple world. You have one objective which is to make the boat go as fast as it can. Regardless of the weather it’s always this amazing environment, it really puts everything in perspective.”
With the team achieving their first podium position in the race, Lorraine hopes to find similar success with the subsequent legs of the race.
Perth-born sailor Colin Thomson has wrapped up his Clipper Round the World Yacht Race campaign after completing the first four legs of the global event.
Now based in London, Colin said he first noticed the Clipper race advertised in the UK years ago before finally signing up.
While he originally planned to sail the entire circumnavigation, he's changed his mind and his adventure will end here in the Whitsundays.
Remarkably, Colin began the race with no sailing background.
"I came in with no sailing experience,” he said, explaining he joined to learn through Clipper’s intensive training program. “I thought this was a good way to learn how to sail, to do all the training and to get up to this level.”
Training in the UK proved challenging. “We went out in a storm in the English Channel… I think eight people were puking,” he said.
Primarily a watch leader, Colin worked primarily on the foredeck, describing it as “quite hectic,” before finishing his campaign and heading on a holiday around Australia, before going back to the UK.
Originally from Melbourne, crew member Voula Skinner has lived in Hobart for 20 years. In a male dominated area, she hoped to bring more female representation to the Clipper Races. The lack of sailing experience required to join, and dedicated training program were a major draw.
“I love the training; they do a really good job of making it an even playing field. It is just supreme.”
Voula developed a passion for sailing in her late 30s and hasn’t looked back since. She cites the close friendships she’s developed as one of the best parts of her sailing experience.
“I loved the hard bits as much as the easy bits.”
Voula enjoys the obstacles of the sea, finding joy in the challenge of the great stretch between South Africa and Fremantle.
“I wanted that really big ocean crossing, it was cold, it was ferocious”.
Although returning to Hobart for now, Voula hopes to continue at a later leg of the race.
Sailor from 1707, Chris Heath is continuing his journey around the globe after a hard-fought leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, finishing third after more than 4,000 nautical miles at sea.
Chris who describes 1770 as his personal home port, said the Clipper Round the World race appealed to him because of its raw challenge.
“You can’t tame the ocean, you can only beat it, and each time you beat it, it’s only a short victory,” he said. “The next time it’s always hitting you with something else later on.”
After signing up in March 2024, Chris joined the race from Portsmouth and has faced everything from brutal weather to equipment failures and injuries.
“We’ve had just about everything thrown at us you can,” he said.
“It was a fair bit of a psychological thing to keep going every day but now I think we've got to the point where we can actually enjoy the racing and enjoy the conditions."
Now preparing for the next leg to the Philippines and China, he said, “The more we go, the more enthusiastic I’m getting to keep going.”
Chris Heath is looking forward to the remainder of the race. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
Following the heavy rainfall and flooding caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji earlier this week, health authorities are urging North Queensland communities to remain alert to the risk of melioidosis, a rare but potentially deadly tropical disease found in soil and water.
Melioidosis is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which lives naturally in deep soil and muddy water across northern Australia. Cases are most commonly reported during the wet season, particularly after periods of heavy rain or flooding, when the bacteria can rise to the surface and spread more easily.
While melioidosis is rare in healthy adults and children, it can cause severe illness if it enters the body through cuts or sores, is inhaled in contaminated dust or water droplets, or is consumed in untreated water. Symptoms can appear anywhere from one day to three weeks after exposure and may include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, skin ulcers or non-healing sores. In serious cases, the infection can spread through the bloodstream, leading to sepsis and, if untreated, death.
People most at risk include those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, kidney or lung disease, cancer, or weakened immune systems, as well as people who drink alcohol heavily.
The seriousness of the disease was spotlighted a couple of years ago after a local mother lost her leg after contracting melioidosis in 2024. In her case, a small cut sustained during everyday activity became the entry point for the bacteria, leading to a life-threatening illness that required intensive medical care.
Health experts say early treatment is critical. Melioidosis is treated with strong antibiotics for at least three months, and severe cases often require hospitalisation and intensive care. Prompt medical attention can be lifesaving.
There is no vaccine for melioidosis, but prevention plays a crucial role, particularly during the wet season. Residents are encouraged to:
Melioidosis does not usually spread from person to person or from animals, but exposure can lead to illness days, months, or even years later.
Health authorities are reminding the community that while most people exposed to the bacteria do not become sick, melioidosis can be life-threatening for those who do. Awareness, early recognition of symptoms and preventative measures are key, particularly as wet weather conditions continue.
Anyone feeling unwell after potential exposure to muddy water or soil is urged to seek medical advice promptly. For health advice, residents can contact their local doctor, health centre or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) at any time. In an emergency, call 000.
Water and mud can pose serious health risks, including exposure to rare tropical diseases like Melioidosis. Photo credit: Jenya Smyk
Residents of the Whitsunday Shire are being reminded to act quickly and responsibly if they encounter sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife, with expert help available through dedicated wildlife rescue services.
Native animals can become injured or unwell for many reasons, including vehicle strikes, disease, attacks by other animals, or becoming trapped in fencing or netting. Sadly, these incidents often leave young animals orphaned and vulnerable, requiring urgent and specialised care.
If you come across a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal (excluding marine animal strandings), the first step is to call Fauna Rescue Whitsundays on 4947 3389 or 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) immediately. The 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) service operates from 7am to 7pm, 365 days a year, providing specialist advice on the safest way to respond and ensuring the animal has the best possible chance of survival. After hours, assistance is still available through the RSPCA Hotline, which can help connect callers with their nearest wildlife rescue organisation.
Even when an animal appears to have only minor injuries, experts warn that serious internal trauma may still be present. This also applies if a dog or cat has interacted with wildlife, as even small scratches or contact with saliva can transmit harmful bacteria that require professional treatment.
For marine animal strandings, including sick, injured or deceased turtles, dolphins, dugongs or whales, the public should call 1300 130 372.
The Queensland Government appreciates the community's compassion for native animals, noting that by taking these actions, residents will be directly contributing wildlife conservation efforts accross the state.
The Whitsundays homes plenty of adorable animals like wallabies. Photo source: Visit Whitsundays
Green Sea Turtles are often spotted in the region. Photo source: Visit Whitsundays
Banjo is a happy-go-lucky Bull Terrier x Staffy with a love for life and a playful personality that’s hard to resist. This affectionate young dog enjoys games with balls and soft toys and is looking for an active home where he can enjoy plenty of walks, playtime, and quality bonding with his new family.
Banjo is a small–medium, male dog who gets along well with other dogs and is great with children aged seven and up. While his compatibility with cats and livestock has not yet been tested, he walks well on a lead with a little reinforcement and is full of energy and enthusiasm.
To ensure Banjo thrives, adopters will need a secure, high-fenced yard and a household ready for an active, playful companion. He will come vaccinated, desexed, and microchipped, with his desexing scheduled for the week beginning 12 January. His heartworm status is to be tested.
Banjo’s adoption fee is $400. He is ready to find a loving home where he can be a joyful, loyal companion and a true member of the family.
For more information or to arrange a meet and greet with Banjo, interested adopters are encouraged to get in touch with the rescue team. Sharing Banjo’s story is also appreciated to help him find the forever home he deserves.
Mackay rang in 2026 in spectacular style at the 2025 New Year’s Eve River Party at Bluewater Quay, where families and locals turned out in force to farewell the year together.
The riverfront came alive with bustling food stalls, live music setting the soundtrack for the night, and a vibrant atmosphere that reflected the spirit of the community. As evening fell, the celebrations built to a dazzling fireworks display, lighting up the sky and marking a memorable start to the year ahead.
As you hold our very first publication of 2026 in hand, Life Publishing Group extends our warmest New Year wishes to our community. A fresh year brings fresh perspective, with new stories to tell, milestones to celebrate, and moments that remind us why local voices matter.
Thank you for welcoming Life into your homes, your conversations, and your everyday lives. Here’s to bold beginnings, shared success, and a year driven by connection, community, and possibility.
Happy New Year!
Hi lovely readers!
I hope you had a wonderful rest over the Christmas break.
We’re officially back in the office, and I’m so ready to smash out another great year with you all!
I honestly didn’t get up to much over the holidays, but I’m grateful for the chance to rest and recharge, ready to start fresh for the new year. Adam and I spent quite a bit of time with our Rhodesian Ridgeback, Mocha, and for Christmas, we hosted our very first festive dinner.
The dining table was filled with all the people I love most, including my parents, my mother-in-law, my sister, and my niece.
And of course, we had ham for the following four days! Ham sandwiches, ham toasties, ham and salad, ham with tomato sauce… and so on, lol!
For New Year’s, I ventured along with Adam to the 2025 NYE Riverside Party to snap some shots of beautiful families soaking up the festive spirit. Live music, food stalls, and hundreds of happy locals filled the Bluewater Quay.
As the night went on, I met up with some friends and leaders from my church, and as the timer ticked down to 12am, we gathered to share what we’re grateful for heading into 2026.
If you haven’t taken a moment to think about something that happened in 2025 that you’re grateful for, I encourage you to do the same.
While New Year’s resolutions are great, it's also important to acknowledge just how far you've already come!
Scripture of the week: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – 1 Chronicles 16:34
A simple act of kindness has delivered a big boost of cheer to animals in care at RSPCA Mackay, thanks to the generosity of a young local who chose compassion over personal reward.
Nate recently received a voucher from his workplace, but rather than spending it on himself, he walked into RSPCA Mackay with bags filled with toys, dog and cat food, and essential supplies for animals awaiting their forever homes.
RSPCA Mackay shared its appreciation, saying, “Thank you very much Nate! He received a voucher from his work and instead of spending it on himself he brought in bags of toys, dog and cat food. We hope to have him as a volunteer in the new year.”
For the local shelter, the donation arrived at a time when every item makes a meaningful difference. With many animals relying entirely on community support, contributions like Nate’s help ensure they receive comfort, enrichment and proper nutrition while in care.
RSPCA Mackay said it is always in need of practical items to support daily operations and animal wellbeing, including treats, toys, treat pouches, wet food, bones, collars and leads, medicated shampoos, and other donated goods.
“We are always in need of treats, toys, treat pouches, wet food, bones, collars and leads, medicated shampoos and anything you can donate is very much appreciated,” the organisation said.
Acts like Nate’s serve as a reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be grand to be powerful, and that small choices can have a lasting impact on the lives of animals, and the community, right here in Mackay.
Nate brightened the lives of RSPCA Mackay animals by donating toys, food, and supplies instead of spending his workplace voucher on himself. Photo source: RSPCA Mackay
The Mackay region’s favourite mosquito warrior is reminding residents to make sure their properties are ready for summer.
From clearing the gutters of leaves, tipping out containers of stagnant water and wearing protective clothing, Damo has taken steps to protect his family from dengue fever.
Mayor Greg Williamson said now is the time to make sure your home and yard is in order.
“We’re yet to get the heavy summer rainfall, so the current spell of dry weather is the ideal time to check around your property to ensure your yard isn’t a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Dengue mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) breed in stagnant water around the home,” he said.
“To help prevent a dengue outbreak, it is important to tip out any water in pot plant bases and containers, store items that can hold water in a dry spot or undercover, throw out any rubbish lying around and clean out your gutters.
“Dengue mosquitoes only need a small amount of water to breed in, so it’s important to keep the area around your house clean and free of items where water can accumulate, especially in the wet season.
“The symptoms of dengue fever include headaches, fevers, aches and pains, nausea, vomiting and, in some rare cases, can result in death.
“If you experience any of these symptoms, please see a doctor immediately.”
Mayor Williamson said it’s also important to wear long clothing and insect repellent when outside and ensure door and window screens don’t have any holes in them.
Queensland Health data shows there was an outbreak in Townsville last year, with 11 cases reported in the first quarter of 2025.
Mackay’s mosquito warrior is urging residents to use the current dry weather to remove stagnant water and prepare their homes now to help prevent dengue fever this summer. Photo supplied
Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP, is proud to announce that 44 outstanding young athletes from across the Dawson electorate have been successful recipients of the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions program.
The successful applicants come from communities right across the electorate, including Wulguru, Balnagowan, Mount Pleasant, Riordanvale, Idalia, Glenella, Slade Point, Rural View, South Mackay, Seaforth, Ayr, Breadalbane, Cannonvale, Annandale, Shoal Point, Andergrove, North Mackay, Erakala, Hampden, Bowen, Sugarloaf, Midge Point, and surrounding areas.
“These 44 young athletes are a credit to themselves, their families, their coaches, and the local clubs that support them,” Mr Willcox said.
“Dawson has a strong and proud sporting culture, and it is terrific to see so many young people earning the opportunity to represent our region at state, national, and international level.”
The Local Sporting Champions grants assist recipients with the significant costs associated with elite competition, including travel, accommodation, uniforms, and essential sporting equipment. Each successful applicant may receive up to $750 to support their participation.
Athletes from the Dawson electorate will go on to represent their communities across a broad range of sports, including rugby union, rugby league, basketball, touch football, softball, netball, hockey, football, athletics, cross country, swimming, rowing, volleyball, gymnastics, BMX, motocross, pony club, skate hockey, and Australian football. Competitions range from Queensland state championships through to national championships and international events.
“Regional athletes often face additional financial pressures simply due to distance and travel requirements,” Mr Willcox said.
“The Local Sporting Champions program helps ensure that young people from regional communities like Dawson are not disadvantaged and can compete on an equal footing with their metropolitan counterparts.”
Applications Now Open
Mr Willcox is encouraging families across the Dawson electorate to apply for the next round of Local Sporting Champions funding.
The program provides financial assistance to athletes, coaches, and officials aged 12 to 18 who are participating in state, national, or international championships. Grants of up to $750 are available to help cover competition-related expenses.
The current round is now open and will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2026.
Further information on eligibility requirements and how to apply is available through the Australian Sports Commission at: https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions
“Every young athlete deserves the chance to pursue their sporting ambitions,” Mr Willcox said.
“I strongly encourage eligible families across Dawson to apply and take advantage of this valuable support.”
Andrew Willcox MP with junior sailors. Image supplied
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