By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay
The current harvest season in Mackay and Plane Creek is languishing, and it is costing growers, and the regional economy.
There’s been a few factors at play, but mill performance and industrial action have dogged Plane Creek and brought on an abysmal season start, and in Mackay, the very poor reliability at Marian Mill has unbalanced crush progress across the milling area as a whole.
Added to that mix was the late June rain event of up to 90mm which made paddock conditions very difficult and impacting crushing. It was a boon for our following crop, but impacted crushing start.
It has been reassuring to see Farleigh and Racecourse mill settle into a reasonable crush rate, but with Marian only managing - across seven weeks of crushing combined- less than the volume that the mill should throughput in one week, it’s fair to say that enough is enough. Marian Mill should be the big star in the three-mill organisation, managing in the vicinity of 100,000 tonne per week. It’s like a tripod stool with one leg cut off.
At the time of writing, Mackay Sugar was at around 15% of the way through the area’s estimated 5.2Mt crop. Plane Creek had processed around 10% of a 1.3Mt crop. Realistically, at this time of year and based on an optimal 21-week crush, we should be about 30% of the way through.
Milling performance is integral to growers’ confidence in the industry.
Milling performance is integral to the regional economy and the community that relies on it.
Escalating investment in our region’s mills, maintaining an experienced mill workforce, and building our capacity is critical to maintaining the region’s role as a primary sugar producer.
While respecting that millers are investing in their factories, and that these are aging infrastructure, we urge that the level of investment must be escalated for the benefit of the industry and the regional economies it supports.
We see, in other regions, mills that are capable of operating at 97% availability. We see mills that are able to accommodate processing another region’s crop. This is because of investment and seeing the vision for a strong future for Australian sugarcane across renewable foods fibres and fuels.
A 2019 Queensland Economic Advocacy Solutions study -commissioned by CANEGROWERS - on The economic contribution of the sugarcane industry to Queensland and its regional communities showed that, for every dollar spent on growing sugarcane, that multiplied to $6.42 generated in the Queensland economy.
Growers invest extensively in their operations. We invest in developing practices that build our business and environmental sustainability. We invest in the usual farm inputs and production costs - fuel, fertiliser, workforce, insurances, rates etc. We invest in our soils, our fallow, our crop. We do this, and that forms the base of our industry. We take responsibility for - and invest heavily in - our role in the supply chain. We ask millers to honour not just the growers’ investment, but to honour their own investment in their factories, and to process our crop in an efficient, timely fashion.

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Mills need to be crushing consistently. Photo credit: Kirili Lamb

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This week
Season to date
Cane crushed
54,338
187,117
Average bin weight
3.84
3.81
CCS
13.13
12.93
Cane variety performance for region
Variety
%
CCS
Variety
%
CCS
Q183
23.4
12.70
Q253
16.2
13.60
Q240
19.8
13.43
Q138
2.9
10.81
Q208
12.2
13.60
SRA9
3.8
11.31
KQ228
12.2
14.61
Q242
3.3
12.59
Comments:
Plane Creek Mill processed 54,338 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season total to just over 187,000 tonnes.
Throughput was disrupted on Tuesday morning due to a major derailment at Tedlands siding on Monday afternoon, along with an extended stop due to industrial action on Wednesday.
Average CCS rose by 0.03 of a unit over the previous week, closing out at 13.13 units. Standover cane made up 24 per cent of the week’s cane supply.
The highest CCS honour for the week was a rake of KQ228 1R from the Mt Christian productivity area with a CCS of 16.05 units.
As always, we ask the public to stay alert around our cane rail network.
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Lindsay Wheeler
Cane Supply Manager
Plane Creek Region

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Mackay Sugar has reported its 2024 crushing season is well underway.
As of 6am last Friday (26th July), Mackay Sugar said in a statement that its three factories have crushed a combined 16 per cent of the predicted crop.
“Farleigh and Racecourse mills are experiencing some of the best early-season crushing performance in recent years, with Farleigh delivering as much as 85.4 per cent reliability and Racecourse as much as 90.3 per cent,” the statement read.
Despite the evident improvements at two of Mackay Sugar’s mills, the organisation admitted that the season start up at Marian factory has not been good enough.
“Mackay Sugar, along with its Board of Directors, has publicly acknowledged this on several occasions and have clearly committed to implementing changes to address the season’s challenges so they will not be repeated,” the business shared in its statement.
“Over the past 12 months, Mackay Sugar invested $84.3M in capital improvements and maintenance at its three factories, with Marian receiving almost half this spend. This significant investment, combined with widespread skilled labour shortages, exceeded Mackay Sugar’s ability to deliver the work on time and as a result it was unable to start Marian factory as planned.
“Mackay Sugar reallocated resources to Marian and its crews worked around the clock to start the factory on 17 June before several factory stops occurred due to issues ranging from equipment failures to human error, which are currently under investigation.
“In Marian’s first full week of crushing, the factory has delivered rates in line with the same time last year.
“We continue to work with growers and harvester groups to manage allotments and cane transfers and we will continue doing so throughout the season, as we do every year.”
Mackay Sugar said it is also working alongside industry bodies to rectify this difficult situation.
“Milling performance is integral to everyone involved in our symbiotic industry - our ambition is to crush the entire crop, and we are doing what we can to achieve this.
“Mackay Sugar would like to remind members of our community and industry to remain respectful and courteous when dealing with our employees.
“Whilst we appreciate the concerns and impacts of milling performance on growers, our people in frontline roles are not personally responsible for Marian’s challenges and should never be subjected to abuse.
“Mackay Sugar employees have remained dedicated throughout the maintenance season and start up – as they are every year – and will continue their commitment to ensuring a positive future for our business and industry.”

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Racecourse Mill has reported a strong start to the crush according to Mackay Sugar. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

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Enterprise bargaining discussions between Wilmar Sugar and Renewables and representatives of three unions in Townsville earlier this week on Tuesday have been described as constructive by a Wilmar company spokesman.
A Fair Work Commissioner assisted in the discussions and the Wilmar spokesman said that in the course of the day the parties had succeeded in narrowing the gap further between unions’ claims and company offers.
The Commissioner, Bernie Riordan, has offered to provide further input and remain available should the parties wish him to contribute further.
“These confidential discussions are ongoing and without prejudice, so we do not intend to discuss details outside the negotiating room,” said the company spokesman.
He added that Wilmar Sugar and Renewables was disappointed to receive notification of further industrial action from all three unions within 15 minutes of Tuesday’s discussions concluding.

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Simon Hood
Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing

We recently completed a roadshow through Wilmar’s four milling regions with senior sugar traders, Peter Bingham and Neil Foo.

Peter and Neil work with Wilmar International and travel to Queensland once a year to meet with growers who choose Wilmar to market their GEI sugar. Peter is based in London while Neil is based in Singapore.

Their overarching message was for growers to be conscious that we may not see the elevated prices we witnessed in the last couple of years. The primary cause for caution on the outlook for #11 sugar pricing is based around the rapid ramping up of Brazilian cane production and crystallisation capacity.

Peter delivered a Brazilian masterclass, highlighting how acreage under cane had expanded. A 300,000 increase in 24/25 season hectares has essentially erased the previous eight-year steady decline in area under cane.

Additionally, millers have been aggressively investing in crystallisation capacity by converting ethanol- only factories to dual sugar/ethanol output. The increased acreage and sugar-make capacity has our projection for this year’s Brazilian sugar production to be at 42.2m tonnes – similar to last year’s record production.

The supply response in Europe, China and Thailand is expected to see a trade surplus for this year and beyond. India is expected to have a larger crop as well, but will not be a trade participant as domestic consumption and increased ethanol production will soak up the extra tonnes.

Overall consumption is expected to stay solid but the key importing countries of China and Indonesia are reasonably well covered in the short term and have sufficient stocks for them to sit out of the market for some time.

Peter and Neil were clear in their delivery that this is a forecast, which is based on modelling, which relies on assumptions, which relies on information known at the time. We could be wrong. No one was able to foresee the massive tail end of the Brazilian harvest in November 2023, which caused the spectacular collapse of #11 from US 28c/lb to sub 20c/lb.

The good news is that demand for Australian sugar remains strong into our traditional markets of Japan and Korea. Our 24-season physical sale program is well advanced and the large premiums that flowed into the Allocation Account for 23 Season are likely to be repeated this year – albeit at a slightly lower level.

Peter and Neil enjoyed their annual roadshow and look forward to returning next year.

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Senior Sugar Traders Peter Bingham and Neil Foo travelled to all of Wilmar's milling regions as part of their annual roadshow

Pictured from left are Wilmar Senior Trader Peter Bingham, Proserpine harvesting contractors Andrew Auld and Mark Orr, and Wilmar Risk Manager Bevan Patterson

Senior Sugar Trader Neil Foo checks out the view from a LOS Harvesting double row harvester. Photos supplied

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A comprehensive lung health check is available at no charge for former Queensland mine and quarry workers local to Mackay, when the HEART5 truck returns in August. 
The service is operated by Heart of Australia in partnership with Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ).
The B-double truck is packed full of state-of-the-art medical screening equipment and travels around regional and remote Queensland offering tests that detect mine dust lung diseases.
Free checks are available to former Queensland mine and quarry workers with at least 3 years' experience working in coal mines, mineral mines or quarries, including 6 months in Queensland.
RSHQ's Director of Health Strategy and Compliance Patrick Jensen said the tests are important to do, even long after finishing work in the industry because occupational lung diseases can take 10 years or more to develop.  
"Many former workers may not have symptoms or be aware they have a disease," said Mr Jensen.  

"Come forward and get tested because there could be treatment available, and you may be entitled to compensation. 

"It costs you nothing, just time. " 

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HEART5 screening includes:
   • Examination with an RSHQ-approved doctor
   • Chest X-ray
   • Lung function test by spirometry
   • CT scan (if required)

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HEART5 has travelled to Mackay seven times since it began operating in 2022. 
Retired Queensland miner Glenn Hank is living proof that a free lung check can change your life.  

One year ago, he noticed some worrying symptoms and decided to get tested.  

"I was pushing the mower around and getting shortness of breath," said Mr Hank. 

"I can't do a lot of things that I used to be able to do." 

The 59-year-old was tested on board the HEART5 truck one year ago, and was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a mine dust lung disease attributed to 20 years of working in Queensland coal and mineral mines.  

"My experience on the HEART5 truck was excellent," he said. 

"If the truck is around and you can get to it, bloody go for sure." 

"Have the test just to be on the safe side." 
Bookings are essential. Call 1300 445 715 to book or visit online for more information:  Contact | Miners' health matters (rshq.qld.gov.au)
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HEART5 Mackay visit details:
Where: Resources Centre of Excellence, 65 Crichtons Road, Paget
When: Tuesday 6 August – Thursday 8 August 2024

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This Tradies Health Awareness Month (August), optometrists are warning tradies in Mackay to better protect their eyes from injury on the job site. This comes after new research commissioned by Specsavers* reveals three in five (61%) tradies admit they have worn everyday sunglasses in place of protective eyewear on the worksite. 
 
With a large number (68%) of tradies witnessing an eye injury or an eye safety hazard while on the job, subbing sunnies for safety eyewear is putting their eye health at serious risk. 
 
Optometrists are calling out to all tradespeople to be vigilant in looking after their eyes on the job to avoid long-term, often preventable, and in some cases irreversible, damage to their eyesight. 
 
The research revealed almost half (42%) of tradespeople have had an eye injury at work that required further medical attention, and almost one in five had an eye injury more than once. 
 
Local Mackay Canelands Specsavers Optometrist Liam Grouhel says,  “We are urging tradies to take their eye safety seriously and be sure to take preventative measures on the worksite to protect their eyesight. 
“Sunglasses are not the right tool for protection against injuries.
“Safety glasses on the worksite are fit for purpose and provide essential eye protection against hazards such as flying debris and dust and even chemical splashes significantly reducing the risk of eye injuries.” 
 
The research found that tradies are risking their eye health by not taking eye safety as seriously as they should.  
“Health professionals want tradies to know that prevention is always better than cure, and getting regular eye tests is important to helping retain quality of vision, now and for years to come.” 
 
If you are on the worksite, make sure you wear protective glasses and if you have noticed any changes to your eyesight, book an eye test, which is bulk billed for all eligible Medicare card holders without optometry restrictions, this Tradies Health Awareness Month. For further information, visit https://www.specsavers.com.au.

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The Greater Whitsunday region is set to experience a significant boost in digital capabilities with the launch of the Greater Digital Skills Program.

This region-specific training program is tailored to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in addressing workforce challenges and skills gaps.

Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) Chief Executive Officer Ms Kylie Porter said the Greater Digital Skills Program was one of five successful projects to receive round two of Jobs Queensland ‘Grow Your Own’ funding.

Ms Porter said the Greater Digital Skills Program will be launched at the Digital Futurist Forum on Tuesday August 13.

“The Digital Futurist Forum is the first event in the Greater Digital Skills Program and is the first step for local business owners and operators interested in improving and advancing their digital skills to address workforce challenges and improve productivity.

“The Greater Digital Skills Program aims to educate local businesses on the range of digital options that can support their business in these challenging conditions.

Ms Porter said the Greater Digital Skills Program was part of GW3’s strategic workforce initiatives to develop a dynamic, responsive and capable workforce.

“Our region’s workforce is embracing the future, but we must equip businesses with cutting-edge skills to navigate workforces and prepare them to leverage new technologies. “Offering hands-on, region-specific training, the program enhances team capabilities and bridges skills gaps, ensuring seamless digital transformation,” Ms Porter said.

At the Digital Futurist Forum businesses will hear from digital leaders Dr Catherine Ball and The Digital Guide Tracy Sheen, who will share insights on the latest digital trends and technologies. Associate Professor Dr Catherine Ball is an academic, company director, bestselling author, futurist and visioner working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs.

Tracy Sheen has more than 30 years’ experience in marketing and technology and is the author of ‘The End of Technophobia’ Australia’s Business Book of the Year in 2021. The program will be facilitated by Tracy Sheen, who will lead the series of masterclasses both face-to face and online. During the masterclasses, businesses will receive mentorship and ongoing support from motivation, accountability, personalised advice along with tools to integrate new digital tools into their business to solve workforce challenges

After the Digital Futurist Forum, Greater Whitsunday businesses will have the opportunity to submit an Expression of Interest for the Greater Digital Skills Program which will run from September 2024 to May 2025.

Submissions to be part of the Greater Digital Skills Program will close September 1, 2024, with successful applicants notified by September 10.

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What: Digital Futurist Forum
When: Tuesday, August 13, 2024; 7:30am – 9:30am
Where: Sky’s Function Room, Magpies Sporting Club, 1 Glenella Road, Mackay
Tickets: $35/head (Includes breakfast). Purchase online via Humanitix

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Tracy Sheen will share insights on the latest digital trends and technologies during the Digital Futurist Forum

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Tuesday Night Trivia

Every Tuesday night, Laffos Bar & Pizzeria turns into the go-to spot for enjoyable, family-friendly fun with its Free Trivia Night!

Starting at 7pm and finishing by 8:30pm, this event promises a great time with three rounds of 10 questions each. The trivia is expertly hosted by the legendary Joel, who has been at the helm for eight years, while the questions are crafted by Dave Peters, a familiar voice from Mackay’s Triple M radio station.

For bookings, call 4898 112 now to secure your table and enjoy an evening of laughter, great food and friendly competition!

Pizza For A Purpose

The recent Pizza for a Purpose initiative was a huge success, raising $11,700 in June. By donating $5 from every large pizza sold, the campaign supported local suicide awareness programs and saw 2,340 pizzas sold, which is 184 more than last year.

Partnering with Grapevine Group, Bright Light Marketing and Caneland Central for the Pizza for a Purpose campaign was a rewarding experience for Laffos. This collaborative effort not only raised significant funds but also helped spread crucial awareness about mental health.

Co-owner Nicole Laffin said “At the end of the day, while the money is wonderful, the campaign is also about awareness and we need people to know they do not need to suffer.

“Reaching out when you are struggling with life is very hard but a conversation can change everything and we want people to speak up…It’s so important.

“Working with Grapevine Group, Bright Light Marketing and Caneland Central to deliver Pizza for a Purpose is an absolute pleasure, we make a great team,” Nicole remarked.

Head over to Laffos today and enjoy a delicious selection of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, all while supporting a restaurant that values their community in a vibrant atmosphere!

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‘Great food, fantastic service, excellent all round.’

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Don’t waste another morning on a regular breakfast! Discover the perfect start to your day at Ocean International with their delightful breakfast menu.

Open every day from 6am, Oceans Bar & Restaurant offers a refreshing breakfast experience where guests can enjoy the gentle ocean breeze and a relaxing ambiance by the serene pool.

Whether it’s a morning meeting over coffee or a family breakfast with the kids playing at the nearby park, Ocean International provides an ideal setting.

Take the chance to treat yourself and indulge in their delectable breakfast offerings, featuring irresistibly fluffy pancakes and a crowd-pleasing smashed avocado dish. Each meal is complemented by freshly brewed coffee that’s sure to awaken your senses.

The reviews speak for themselves, with just one of many happy customers claiming: "Loved our breakfast there! Great menu and so nice eating by the pool! Totally recommend it." - Carol Palmer.

Ocean International has quickly become a regional favourite, setting a new standard with its meticulously crafted, visually stunning atmosphere and exceptionally friendly service. Whether you’re a local or a visitor from afar, this destination promises an experience that goes beyond expectations, making sure every moment feels uniquely special and warmly inviting for every occasion.

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Breakfast Menu concludes at 11am

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For just $29.90, Fusion 128 offers a delightful lunchtime special featuring a choice of six main meals, plus a complimentary dessert!

The options include a selection of delicious dishes featuring mouth-watering Pork Belly, cooked to perfection with your choice of a Creamy Pasta, Pork Belly with vegetables and mash, Pork Belly with chips and corn ribs, Pork Belly with cheese rolls, Pork Belly Ramen, or Pork Belly with Spicy Korean Noodles.

Each lunch special comes with a complimentary Crème Bruleé, making it a two-course meal that adds a touch of luxury to your lunchtime experience. This enticing offer is available from Monday to Saturday, between 11:45 AM and 1:30 PM.

Fusion 128, a beloved regional restaurant, has been delighting customers under the ownership of David Ting for over a decade. Mr Ting, who has extensive experience in the industry and has been involved with Hong Kong importers for 26 years, infuses the restaurant with his rich expertise and engaging personality.

On some special occasions, guests can sometimes find themselves treated to Mr Ting’s impressive magic tricks, adding an element of surprise and wonder to their dining experience.

The atmosphere at Fusion 128 is both welcoming and elegant, creating a spacious and inviting setting ideal for all your gatherings. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply wanting to make an ordinary day feel extraordinary, the ambiance at Fusion 128 adds a welcoming touch of charm and sophistication to any meal.

The restaurant's staff, comprising individuals from France, Australia, Korea and an array of other countries, contributes to the authentic and diverse culinary experience that Fusion 128 is known for. This fusion of cultures and backgrounds enriches the dining experience, bringing a unique and global perspective to the menu.

The chefs at Fusion 128 are dedicated not only to preparing great food but also to enhancing its flavour to ensure a memorable dining experience. Mr Ting emphasises that every detail, from the honey-coated carrots to the carefully selected ingredients, is crafted with precise care.

This attention to detail makes every dish not just tasty, but truly exceptional, encouraging guests to keep coming back for more.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your friends, family and work colleagues and take advantage of this limited lunchtime special as you devour a range of tasty pork belly dishes paired with a delicious Crème Bruleé.

Offer is only available for a limited time until August 31st, 2024

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2 Course Pork Belly Lunch Special (from 11:45am – 1.30pm)

Choices of Main:

Pork Belly & Creamy Pasta
Pork Belly with Vegetables and Mash
Pork Belly with Chips and Corn Ribs
Pork Belly with Cheese Rolls
Pork Belly Ramen
Pork Belly with Spicy Korean Noodles

Plus a Crème Bruleé for dessert just $29.90 until August 31st!

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There’s a lot happening this weekend that I want to tell you about, and I can tell you now, you will absolutely love it.

If you love sport, then this weekend you will have the biggest smile on your face. Harrup Park is coming alive from today until Sunday with the Century Cricket Competition going off. There are stacks of BBL players competing in this one too. Our local Rays team will certainly show the rest of Australia how good we are.

Airlie Beach has their Barrier Reef Festival kicking off tonight with the lantern parade from 6, Conrad Sewell on stage later tonight, the street parade tomorrow, and so much entertainment, you will love it.

The big tribute show to Tina Turner is on Sunday at the MECC with the amazing Caroline Borole belting out the tunes and dancing the night away. When I spoke to her on Tuesday, she was excited to get to Mackay and get everyone singing and dancing. You have been warned!

Plus, the big-ticket event for this weekend is not me playing A4 grass hockey at Harney Street, oh no. It’s the grand final series with the basketball kings, the Mackay McDonald’s Meteors, who are playing the games of their lives taking on the Brisbane Capitals in the best of 3 games here in Mackay on Juliet Street. Tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday if needed will be edge-of-the-seat stuff that’s for sure.

Last weekend we beat the Spartans to get to this grand final spot, so you really don’t want to miss out. It’ll be fun. It will be loud. It will be something you want to be a part of. Remember it’ll be coach Joel Kahlu’s last game before he heads off to work full-time with the NBL Illawarra Hawks team as assistant coach.

This bloke not only is basketball through and through, but when you break it down, he is one of the nicest blokes going. While he might not be able to reach the top shelf in the fridge or wash the roof of the car, he’s top shelf in my eyes. Your passion comes through in every game, even to the point when the refs have that chat with you to behave.

We will all miss you when you head down south, Joel. Go hard this weekend, mate, and make us all proud with all your tall mates. Let’s go MACKTOWN! I hope my voice holds up on the mic!

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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!

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I’m not sure who first said that but I heard it recently from a client who had a property I was selling.
The relationship an agent has with sellers is a hugely important one because it is quite a journey we embark on, with plenty of ups and downs that we share and work through along the way.
I do feel it is a team effort when working with sellers because that’s what creates the most successful outcomes.
There are times that, as the agent, I need the sellers to provide information that I know will help us sell the property; it might be some house plans, details about the construction of the house or some historical data that a potential buyer is asking about.
The comment, “If you want a job done, give it to a busy person” came from a client who had a property that he owned with his son that they had asked me to sell.
The client was the successful businessman and all-round decent human Michael Camilleri who, with his wife Marianne and son Chris, own and operate the Jayco caravan business in Mackay.
Michael is still very involved in the business but Chris is the manager and he is a very busy man running what is a tremendously successful Jayco operation.
The property that I was selling had a house on it that had been moved from another site and had then been renovated prior to going on the market.
While both Michael and Chris were very involved with the relocation and renovation of the property,  Chris was my go-to person for documentation and other information I needed to conduct the sale.
At one stage during the process I was talking to Michael and realised I would again have to get Chris to dig out some more documentation for me relating to the property. I was a bit apologetic because I knew how busy Chris was with his job managing Jayco.
That’s when Michael said: “If you want a job done, give it to a busy person.”
Michael didn’t say that in a dismissive way but with a sense of pride that Chris had the management and organizational skills to efficiently move from one job to the next, juggling as many balls as required along the way.
As always, Chris got me the information I needed quick as a flash and got back to his real job.
And that’s the thing. Effective, busy people manage to get the job done and move on to the next thing. They’re not busy being busy but busy executing their work, methodically completing tasks and getting results.
So that is another benefit about selling real estate; you get to know and observe people who have built businesses, created successful operations that provide opportunities for themselves and their staff.
And, speaking of busy, it is part of the deal in my world of real estate sales. If you’re not busy you’re in trouble. Busy means business is coming in and it then comes down to how you manage that.
I have a personal assistant, Sandy, who looks after the admin/paperwork side of things, which is a great relief. But it’s my job to be making the calls, managing a pipeline of listings, preparing properties for sale, negotiating offers and getting the deals done.
Like other businesses in Mackay, real estate is strong and very active. It’s great to be busy.

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Council is providing free buses to Daly Bay Illuminate this year to allow residents to access the showcase Mackay Festival of Arts event with greater ease.
For four nights, from Thursday, August 8, to Sunday, August 11, Queens Park will be transformed into a stunning showcase of art, light and creativity.
Each night from 6pm to 9pm, Daly Bay Illuminate will explode with bubbles, glow with fun and wonder, and vividly highlight the historic landmarks and natural beauty of Queens Park.

Major installations this year include:
The Bubble Lab with 12,000 bubbles springing to life every minute.
Fire Trees which simulate trees on fire with neon flex.
The rainbow layered Speckled Gums.
The Radiant Earthscape realm with moving lights rising from the ground.
The underwater wonderland that is Habitat.
The Insectarium – an installation that shines a light on the diversity and beauty of our local insects.

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Mayor Greg Williamson said Daly Bay Illuminate was a beautiful event for young families that attracted thousands of visitors.
“Daly Bay Illuminate is a tremendous showcase of the talents of many of our local artists and our MECC lighting and technical team who always put so much creativity into linking the various installations,” Mayor Williamson said.
“It’s also great to be able to feature one of our standout regional parklands – Queens Park is a beautiful park with historic trees, excellent accessibility and plenty of space for crowds to spread out and relax,” he said.
“We want every festivalgoer to be able to enjoy this spectacular event, so to cut down on parking congestion and to prevent those with little legs having to walk long distances during peak times, we have three free buses running from key locations.”
The wheelchair-accessible buses will run on 35-minute loops from 5.45pm to 10.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (not Sunday) and deliver festivalgoers to Queens Park via the bus stop on Goldsmith Street.
Bus one will run from Caneland Central, bus two will run from Mount Pleasant/North Mackay and bus three will run from Ooralea/Nebo Road (includes city stop).
A full bus schedule and more information on Daly Bay Illuminate can be found at themecc.com.au/illuminate.
MECC Venue and Events Operations Manager Jemma Carey said Illuminate wasn’t wholly a visual spectacle – there was a culinary adventure to be had as well.
“We’ve got more than a dozen food vendors coming to the event, offering delicious dumplings, kebabs, woodfired pizzas, Brazilian barbecue, gourmet sausages, burgers, fried chicken, crepes and desserts like fairy floss and ice cream,” Ms Carey said.
“This is going to be a fantastic night out for the family and the team is excited to be able to share this wonderland of vivid colours and lights with our community and visitors to the region,” she said.

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For four nights, from Thursday, August 8, to Sunday, August 11, Queens Park will be transformed into a stunning showcase of art, light and creativity
 
Bubble Lab seamlessly blends the delicate beauty of bubbles with the vivid spectacle that is Daly Bay Illuminate

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Last night a multi-agency search and rescue operation successfully saved three local men, who were out fishing from a sinking 6.9-metre vessel near Block Reef, about 70 nautical miles offshore.

The men were rescued after a mayday call was received at 10:15pm. Water Police, Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland (VMRAQ), and a civilian boat were all involved in the rescue operation.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) also received an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) activation at the same time with the same coordinates and dispatched the Cairns-based Challenger rescue aircraft along with two rescue helicopters

The Queensland water police, assumed coordination of the surface assets, which included the police vessel the ‘Damien Leeding.’

The helicopter dropped a life raft to the individuals at around 12:30am. The police vessel was about 45 minutes off at that time. The boat sank at the time of the life raft being dropped, and the men were forced to swim and climb into the life raft.

The men stayed in the life raft around 45 minutes until the police vessel was able to deploy their tender to collect them.

After collection, Senior Constable Damien Watts, stated that the men were “cold, they were very hungry, they were given some warm drinks so it was probably one of the best tasting cups of instant coffee they’ve ever had.”

“No injuries, I think they were very grateful to be saved,” Damien added.

“A great effort from all agencies involved, it was a timely deployment.”

Incidents like this serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of registering your EPIRB, ensuring your vessel is seaworthy, verifying that radios are functioning, and confirming that all safety equipment is onboard.

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