Mackay Airport has launched a new $25,000 initiative to support local sporting clubs.
Five deserving not-for-profit groups will receive $5000 each as part of the Mackay Airport Local Community Sports Grants campaign.

Nominations opened on Wednesday 8th of May and will close on Thursday 23 May.

Mackay Airport Head of Operations Adrian Miles said the new initiative recognised the significance and wide-ranging benefits of Mackay’s local sporting culture, particularly for school-aged children.

“We know how passionate the Mackay community is about sport and fitness, and that’s why we have created this program,” he said.

The campaign is aimed at supporting small clubs who rely heavily on fundraising and dedicated volunteers.

“We hope this funding will enable small organisations to upgrade their facilities and equipment, establish additional programs or provide new opportunities for kids,” Mr Miles said.

“My family have been heavily involved in local sport for many years and I have seen first-hand how beneficial sporting clubs are for wellbeing, social connection and community development.”

“The Mackay Airport Local Community Sports Grants campaign supports our region’s enthusiasm for sport and will help it continue to thrive. I encourage all eligible groups to nominate and we are looking forward to handing out $5000 each to five fantastic clubs.”

Nominations are open to local residents who are 16 years or older and can be lodged through an online form on the Mackay Airport website.

Successful applicants will be notified on Friday 7 June.

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Mackay Airport Boosts Local Sports Clubs with new $25,000 initiative. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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In April 2024, the prestigious WIDA (World Irish Dance Association) World Championships took place in Belgium, providing a platform for Irish dancers worldwide to showcase their skills. The championship spanned approximately five days, beginning with the Grade Feis, followed by team events and later concluded in The World Championships.
Isabella Cummins, also known as Issey, began dancing at the age of 2. Since then, she has flourished into a phenomenal talent and is now a seven-year-old with a multitude of impressive accomplishments. Issey’s favourite part of her recent trip was not only winning, but also making new friends, travelling with her dance school and “having adventures”.  
Rebecca Cummins, Issey's proud mother says that “Watching Issey dance is unreal; I honestly can’t believe how amazing she is.”
Sarah Purnell, age 29, started her journey of Irish dance at the age of 5 in Mackay and since then, Sarah's dedication has led her to international acclaim. After winning the World Championships in 2021 and securing runner-up in 2023, Sarah continues to inspire as she embarks on defending her title in 2025. Beyond the stage, Sarah is committed to nurturing the next generation of dancers as an Assistant Teacher at Claddagh School of Irish Dance.
With a passion that began at the age of 4, Isabella Shields, now aged 15, performs at community events and is working towards her grade 6 Irish examination in September which consists of solo dancing, group dancing, general knowledge and speaking Gaelic. Bella also plans to compete at the World Championships in 2025.

Eilish Tierney, aged 13, started dancing in Galway Ireland in 2015 at the age of 4. When she moved to Queensland she joined Claddagh School of Irish Dance. Ultimately Eilish would love to dance for the rest of her life and make a career out of it.

Colette Shields, teacher and owner of Claddagh School of Irish Dance Mackay and Marian is extremely proud of all the girls for their hard work and dedication in the lead up to the event as well as their amazing camaraderie shown at the championships.

Results:

Isabella Cummins age 7
International Grade Feis: 1st Intermediate Premiership, 1st Intermediate Light Jig, 1st Intermediate Slip Jig, 1st Primary Slip Jig, 1st Beginner Trebble Jig, 3rd Primary Trebble Jig, 4th Traditional Set
World Championships: 1st Under 8

Sarah Purnell age 29
World Championships: 1st Under 30, 2nd 2 Hand under 30 with Isabella Shields, 3rd Solo Charity Trebble Reel (Show Dance).

Isabella Shields 15
International Grade Feis: 2nd Intermediate Premiership 2nd under 30 2 Hand, 5th under 17 2 Hand.
World Championships: 24th Under 15.

Eilish Tierney age 13
International Grade Feis, 1st Beginner Hornpipe, 3rd Primary Hornpipe, 4th Intermediate Slip Jig, 4th Intermediate Trebble Jig, 7th Intermediate Premiership.
World Championships: Recalled placed 15th under 13.

Sarah Purnell, Colette Shields and Isabella (Issey) Cummins
Eilish Tierney, aged 13
Isabella (Issey) Cummins age 7
Sarah Purnell age 29
Isabella Shields 15
Images Supplied

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Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton, the Most Reverend, Michael McCarthy, has announced the appointment of Mr Michael McCusker as the new Director of Catholic Education for the Rockhampton Diocese effective from 1 July 2024.

The appointment of Mr McCusker follows the announcement by current Director Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, that after 23 years she will be concluding her time in the role at the end of 2024 and will be on leave from 1 July 2024.

In congratulating and welcoming Mr McCusker to the role, Bishop Michael took the opportunity to thank Miss Jeffcoat for her outstanding service as Diocesan Director of Catholic Education.

Mr McCusker is well known to many in Catholic Education having served as a teacher and principal in both the Diocese of Rockhampton and the Archdiocese of Brisbane. For the past 12 years, Mr McCusker has been a member of the Catholic Education Leadership Team in the Diocese of Rockhampton serving as Assistant Director: Schools - Northern Region.

“I am humbled by the faith and confidence that Bishop Michael has placed in me by appointing me to this role and I am looking forward to working closely with the wonderful people in our schools, parishes and offices to take forward the Mission of Catholic Education,” Mr McCusker said.

Mr McCusker also paid tribute to the amazing legacy in Catholic Education that Miss Jeffcoat had created over the past 23 years.

“I am very grateful for Miss Jeffcoat’s mentorship of me and with God’s help and the prayerful and practical support of the dedicated, talented and faith-filled people who serve in the ministry of Catholic Education, I look forward with hope to continuing her great work,” Mr McCusker said.

Miss Jeffcoat said she had been humbled to have served as Diocesan Director of Catholic Education for the past 23 years and was very grateful for the trust Bishop Michael had placed in her to serve as Director and for the care and support that he had always provided for her.

“I am delighted that Mr McCusker will be the next Director of Catholic Education in this Diocese. From working closely with him these past many years, I know him to be a man of deep faith who has the personal gifts and the professional skills to be an outstanding leader of Catholic Education,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

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Pictured from left > Michael McCusker (newly appointed Director), Leesa Jeffcoat AM (current Director) and Bishop Michael McCarthy, (Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton) with students from St John’s Catholic Primary School, Walkerston

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Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) has suspended Harbour Road Medical in Mackay for six months due to substandard spirometry testing, affecting 135 coal mine workers. RSHQ's Director of Health Strategy and Compliance, Patrick Jensen, emphasised the importance of maintaining high-quality medical screening to protect workers' health and safety, especially in light of past incidents like the re-identification of black lung disease in Queensland in 2015.

The state's resources regulator, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), has sent a strong message to medical providers about putting the health of coal mine workers at risk through substandard medical screening.  

As part of a RSHQ campaign aimed at ensuring spirometry testing quality, Harbour Road Medical in Mackay has been suspended for six months following an audit of their lung function tests.

The audit revealed 30 per cent of the provider's spirometry tests were unacceptable and did not meet minimum quality standards, with 135 workers impacted by the poor testing.
The RSHQ audit found the spirometry practice failed to conduct the tests effectively, identify issues in the test results, maintain accurate comments which led to incorrect test interpretation and repeat tests multiple times to the same level as required.  
RSHQ's Director of Health Strategy and Compliance Patrick Jensen said the process had begun to contact all coal mine workers impacted by the audit findings, as well as the workers’ employers and doctors.

"We’re recommending all those affected workers undertake repeat spirometry tests,” said Mr Jensen.

“While we always work with medical providers to improve screening quality through education and advice, we don’t shy away from taking appropriate regulatory action where necessary to protect workers’ health and safety.” 
The operation of ResHealth, the mandatory digital system for the completion of health assessments, assisted in ensuring the quality of medical examinations. 
“ResHealth provides a centralised point for health assessment records, which has made the analysis of disease data easier and better allows us to conduct timely assessments of medical screening,” said Mr Jensen.

Mr Jensen said that RSHQ is undertaking a campaign to ensure spirometry testing is of a high standard.
“As part of the campaign we’ve ordered more than 5,000 spirometry tests across 100 practices in the last 12 months,” he said.
"The re-identification of black lung disease in Queensland in 2015 highlighted the importance of ensuring medical screening is of a high standard and the consequences when this isn’t the case.”
Harbour Road Medical was contacted for comment, however the organisation did not respond.

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A military vehicle careened into chaos at a petrol station in North Queensland, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

It was reported by emergency services that at 5:15pm on Tuesday, authorities including police, firefighters and ambulance were called to the Ampol station situated on the Bruce Highway in Sarina, just south of Mackay.

Quick action from station personnel prevented any fuel spills, averting any potential risks of environmental disaster.

Shocked residents took to a popular Facebook page and released images of the aftermath, revealing the truck's impact as it toppled the forecourt canopy and upended a fuel pump.

While the immediate danger subsided, the repercussions linger. Firefighters are remaining vigilant and an engineer's assessment will be conducted to evaluate the station's structural integrity.

Despite the intensity of the collision, the situation is under control and no one was harmed.

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Images flood Facebook posts as residents react in shock to the incident. Images sourced (Facebook)

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A captivating celestial display unfolded as the aurora australis, commonly known as the southern lights, adorned the skies across the country with stunning hues of pink, green, and blue. This rare spectacle, triggered by a severe geomagnetic storm, marked the first such event in Australia since 2003, captivating observers across the country.

The mesmerising light show, fuelled by sun-emitted plasma and solar flares in four distinct "coronal mass ejections," cast its brilliance over two consecutive nights, with particularly vivid sightings reported from New Zealand, Tasmania, and even the tropical region of Mackay, an extraordinary occurrence for the area.

Geomagnetic storms, caused by these mass ejections colliding with Earth's magnetosphere, created temporary disturbances and manifested as vibrant natural light displays in the sky. Here is how some locals captured the glow through their lenses.

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Campwin Beach, taken by Janice Terrill

Walkerston Cemetery, taken by Claire Stribbles

The Leap, taken by Brittany Wedemeyer

Aurora over the cane, taken by Deb Ford

The vivid glow from Clermont, taken by Elise Dunckis

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In a first for the local area, Mackay Regional Council will recruit the help of two very clever canines to detect water leaks.
Don’t worry, council hasn’t gone barking mad, Bubbles and Splash from NTS Group are two highly trained spaniels able to sniff out potential water leaks.
Together with the help of their diligent handlers they will cover approximately 63 kilometres of water mains in the City Centre precinct, South Mackay and East Mackay areas over the next two weeks.
Besides being adorable, these two pooches are incredibly accurate and quick at detecting a leak early and leading crews right to the source.
Splash specialises in potable water leaks while Bubbles can also detect wastewater leaks.
Mayor Greg Williamson said council was excited to hire the expertise of Bubbles and Splash to assist crews.
“This method has been used by other councils further south and is highly effective, not to mention cost saving,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Leaks can be detected without shutting down networks, digging up roads and interrupting businesses and households,” he said.
“A lot of the water mains in the City Centre area are aging mains that are prone to leaks. Using the dogs will help us to prioritise planned upgrades.
“The skills these dogs have is really impressive – they are able to sniff out chlorine in potable water so they can differentiate between water leaking from a pipe underground and all other types of water on the surface.
“This means the dogs can detect leaks even in heavy rain.
“The dogs are also particularly helpful in areas where it’s difficult to send out crews – like bushland where it can be hard to access – so this may be something we will undertake also.
“Once the dogs detect a potential leak, field crews can be sent out to investigate and repair.”
If you see Bubbles and Splash around Mackay over the next two weeks, you’ll know they aren’t barking up the wrong tree, they’re hard at work!

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Handler Troy Meehan with Splash, the water leak detecting canine, from NTS Group with Mayor Greg Williamson putting Splash's unique skill to the test

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You don’t get a second chance at making a first impression.
I can’t claim that as an original saying but it sums up one of the most important things to consider when selling a property.
It is one of the big points of discussion I regularly have with sellers as they try to work out how much time, effort and money they need to put in to get their property ready for sale.
The obvious point is that you only put money into something that is going to give you a significantly better return than the amount you have put into it.
If you have a long-term strategy to renovate bathrooms and a kitchen then that is great and if you have an old property in a good area the renovations can produce fantastic results in a growing market such as ours.
However, I am thinking more about the sellers who don’t want to undertake major work but, instead, want to put a bit of effort into ensuring they get the best possible return on a limited investment of money and effort.
You need to make the first impression a good one because buyers make their minds up about things quickly. The first 60 seconds are crucial. That’s not to say it’s the only thing that matters but buyers do draw certain conclusions very quickly.
I tell sellers to go for a drive and pull up at the front of their property with their buyers’ hats on. Buyers are looking for reasons to question the asking price. They are very good at making assumptions based on a first impression.
If you have got rickety old stairs with peeling paint at the front of your high-set house the buyers are going to draw some conclusions about your property. They have already started discounting the price based on the stairs and what they see as the inevitable other problems inside the house.
You need to have a critical look at the front of your house and assess what you could do in terms of pressure cleaning, painting, yard work etc that is not going to cost a fortune but will create a good first impression.
Another thing to take into account is that buyers never underestimate the cost of something that will need to be done to the property they are inspecting.
If the paint is peeling off the walls and the carpet is threadbare, the buyers will typically calculate the cost at much higher than the reality.
So, when a property is in need of a coat of paint and new carpet, it is often best to get it done before going on the market. I couldn’t count the number of times I have sold a property for a better than expected price simply because of new floor coverings or a coat of paint.
That is because there is another intangible feature of a property; how it makes the buyer feel. People remember how a property made them feel.
There are plenty of other things to consider when selling a property and I will, from time to time, go through them in my weekly column.
One thing I can say is that many of my best sales have come about when a seller has asked me to go to their property to do an appraisal and, as part of that, make suggestions on what to do to prepare their property for sale.
I get an understanding of what, if anything, a seller wants to spend and get to make suggestions that will bring the best return on their investment of money, time and effort.
The $20,000 underground irrigation system you are planning in your back yard might not be value for money.

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In today's environmentally conscious world, optimising your home's energy efficiency isn't just about reducing your carbon footprint, it's also about saving money and enhancing comfort. With a range of upgrades available, here are some efficient ways to transform your home into an eco-friendly space without sacrificing style or functionality:

Led Lighting: Start by replacing outdated incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights. LED bulbs consume less energy, last longer, and emit less heat, providing a cost-effective and stylish lighting solution for your home.

Energy-Efficient Appliances: Upgrade to ENERGY STAR certified appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines. These appliances are designed to deliver high performance while using less energy, ultimately lowering your electricity bills without compromising on style or functionality.

Smart Thermostat: Install a programmable or smart thermostat to optimise your home's heating and cooling systems. These devices allow you to create customised temperature schedules based on your lifestyle, reducing energy consumption while ensuring comfort throughout your home.

Solar Panels: Consider installing solar panels on your roof to harness renewable energy and reduce your reliance on the grid.

Water-Saving Fixtures: Install low-flow taps, showerheads, and toilets to conserve water and reduce water heating costs. These fixtures combine style with efficiency, offering sleek designs and optimal performance while minimising water waste.

Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems: Upgrade to high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to improve energy efficiency and indoor comfort. ENERGY STAR certified HVAC equipment delivers superior performance while complementing your home's modern aesthetic.

Energy Audit: Conduct a professional energy audit to identify areas of energy wastage and prioritise upgrades. An energy audit provides valuable insights into your home's energy consumption patterns, helping you make informed decisions about energy-saving improvements.

By incorporating these efficient upgrades, you can transform your house into a stylish and eco-friendly home while enjoying long-term savings and comfort. With a focus on energy efficiency, you'll not only reduce your environmental impact but also enhance the overall quality of your living space.

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A brighter future for Queensland’s sugarcane industry was the focus as more than 100 growers and industry leaders gathered in Mackay last week for the inaugural Sugar Cubed conference.
The two-day event featured a lineup of expert speakers, many at the forefront of innovations in the sugarcane industry and the Australian bioeconomy.
Jet Zero CEO Ed Mason, Qantas Head of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Graeme Potger, KPMG Origins CEO Laszlo Peter, Coca Cola’s Head of Sugar Procurement Pete Greenwell, and head of Evidn behavioural science Dr John Pickering were among the speakers who shared insights.
The program covered a variety of topics, from the development of a sugarcane-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry in Queensland to strategies for creating a more profitable future for growers and improving market access for sustainably produced Australian Sugar.
Practical challenges around research and development, farm productivity, and harvest and mill reliability were also discussed.
Attendees participated in field trips, including visits to local sugar mills, farm tours, and a trip to Mackay’s bulk sugar terminal and biorefinery.
CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens emphasised the aim of Sugar Cubed was to provide growers with an annual industry event where they could come together to learn and discuss challenges and opportunities.
“There are so many vital and evolving aspects of our industry,” Mr Menkens said.
“From technological advancements to variety development, harvesting constraints, milling sector sustainability, opportunities in sugar supply chain traceability, marketing and trade access, the emerging bioeconomy, the list is endless and the opportunity to work together as an industry is now.
“But until now, we’ve never had a major forum where growers could come together to learn about and discuss these issues and explore the opportunities together.
“The Sugar Cubed Conference, which has been developed by CANEGROWERS, aims to address the big issues growers want to discuss and see how we can work collaboratively across the industry to bring about success for everyone.”
The conference kicked off with field trips on 8 May, followed by keynote speakers and panel discussions at the Mackay Rydges Suites on 9 May.
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L-R: Pete Greenwell - Head of Sugar Procurement for Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners (the largest purchasers of sugar in Australia), Matt Kealley – CANEGROWERS Membership and Innovation Manager, Graeme Poyger – Qantas Head of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Ed Mason – Jet Zero CEO and Founder, Shannon Guy – QSL Grower Services Manager
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Field trips across key sugar-growing locations in the Mackay region. Photos supplied

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One Hundred women gathered at the Hinchinbrook Shire Hall in Ingham for the 2024 Women in Sugar Australia (WISA) Conference from 28th to 30th April with the theme “Women Powering Agriculture.”
There were plenty of opportunities for the attendees to reminisce, renew acquaintances, and meet other like-minded women in agriculture, whether they were the ladies who worked alongside their husbands on the farm, or those who work in industries or companies that support the sugar industry.
A Meet and Greet on Sunday evening started the lively conversations of the women who were eager to network with ladies from Bundaberg, Mackay, The Burdekin, and Herbert River Districts.
On Monday we heard many inspirational speakers telling their stories about their association with business and how they managed to arrive at where they are today, and others that informed us on how the businesses that they work for can assist the sugar or agricultural industries.
The (Women in Sugar Herbert) WISH President, Leah Russo, welcomed all to the conference and was the Master of Ceremonies for the day. Leah is Board Member of Canegrowers and she thanked the Canegrowers organisation for the support that has been given to her to achieve her goals and she encourages more women to stand for election, as she said “There is nothing that they can’t achieve.”
Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor, Raymond Jayo pointed out that during the War years, many women were involved with the physical tasks on the farm as many of the men signed up to defend our country. Women have always supported their husbands in some way, and now with mechanisation there are many female haul-out operators and many have farm management roles. Mayor Jayo also informed us that the CEO of the Hinchinbrook Shire Council is the first female to take on this role in the shire. Women often bring different opinions to the boardroom along with their aspirations of perfection.
Ellen Cox, from Green Collar informed the audience about “Introduction to Reef Credits”, Clean Air, Clean Water, Biodiversity, and Healthy Soils.
“Sweet Future Taking Off” was presented by Pia Piggott from Rabobank. She said it is “Not Easy Being Green.”  She reported on Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Sugarcane stockfeed. Pia also gave a quick overview of the Sugar Marketing.
Jodie Mittelheuser, the Chief Financial Officer of Queensland Canegrowers, topic was “Women in Business and the Power of I”. She spoke about her journey to where she is today. Challenge, resilience, respect, confidence and patience are tools that are needed to achieve, she was labelled as a “Perfumed Steamroller” but over time she has been accepted and the title has been removed. She endured many business and family adversities which she has been able to overcome. Her message was “Be able to recognise when you need help.”
The Conference guest speaker was Kate Lamason CPA. She has a career spanning the seafood industry. She is passionate about fostering inclusivity and diversity in the seafood industry. She is a Co-Founder and Director of Little Tuna.
Lisa Hewitt from Elders Rural, outlined the qualities of people you need in Agricultural Industries. In the administration roles, 47 per cent are women. There is a push to change the title from “Women in Agricultural” to “People in Agricultural.”
Anita Davina and Dr Charissa Rixon from Metagen Australia, spoke on the “Simple Solutions to manage nutrient efficiency”.
Karen Edgerton and Lawrence DiBella represented Townsville Lime and Gypsum featuring “What’s your PH.”  Lawrence presented the seven Steps, Understanding the importance of soil, testing and monitoring, understanding nutrient availability, crop-specific PH, calcium and magnesium requirements, adjusting soil PH, calcium and magnesium levels, review the impact of the action and maintaining Soil PH.
Nina West from Wilmar Sugar's topic was “Engaging the next generation of women is sugar”.
On Tuesday the group assembled at RSL Ingham and boarded a bus to visit CD Nursery. Colleen Way gave us an account of the history of their establishment and an in-depth explanation on tissue-cultured sugar cane. We were able to see the various stages of the plants. This was followed by a tour of their green houses. She also specialises in growing Tassel Ferns.
It is CANEGROWERS NETWORK Mackay District’s turn to host the WISA conference in 2025 and a tentative date has been set for 31st March and 1st April.
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Contributed by Mary Wallace

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Ladies from the Mackay Canegrowers Network
Tassel Ferns
Painting in the Paddock

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Century 21 Coast to Coalfields is now open servicing Mackay and Morabah, QLD, under the leadership of seasoned real estate professional Luke James Curtis.

With over 14 years of industry expertise, Luke and his experienced team are keen to offer a quality service and experience to buyers and sellers, along with high quality property management.  They can even help with home loans.

Luke expressed the following on what he hopes to accomplish with this new office, "Our vision for the new Century 21 Coast to Coalfields office is to revolutionise the Mackay property market.

“Backed by the Century 21 brand and fuelled by our passion for excellence, we're excited to redefine what it means to be a real estate agency in Mackay".

CEO of Century 21 Australasia, James Bell expresses excitement about this new venture, anticipating the positive impact it will have on the local real estate landscape.

"It's very exciting to see a new era of exceptional real estate and property management services coming to the Mackay region.

“We're proud to have such a dynamic team become part of our network and we look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength."

Century 21 Coast to Coalfields Mackay promises unparalleled real estate services, covering everything from transaction complexities to securing financing for various assets.

Situated in the heart of Mackay within the Century 21 Plaza building, the new office will serve as a centralised hub for delivering exceptional service. Supported by a dedicated team of agents who share his vision, Luke ensures clients receive top-notch guidance and results.
With a focus on personalised attention and comprehensive solutions, the office sets a standard for excellence in the industry, where every client's needs are met with professionalism and efficiency.

Their aim is to make your real estate experience seamless and stress free. They’re new and eager to go over and above for you!

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3 Towns, 3 Medals Up For Grabs!

VOTING CLOSES TODAY!
SCAN THIS QR CODE AND MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT

Three towns in the Whitsundays are in the spotlight this week having all become finalists in the Queensland Top Tourism Town Awards.

Bowen, Airlie Beach and Collinsville have all been nominated in a different category so it is possible that all three could come home with a gold award if they receive the most amount of votes.

Tourism Whitsundays, Bowen Tourism and Business, Whitsunday Regional Council (and your favourite weekly newspaper!) are all asking everyone in the community to cast their votes today before voting closes at 5pm so the Whitsundays has a chance of bringing home triple gold!

Vote Now And Vote For All Three!

Voting for the Queensland Top Tourism Awards closes at 5pm today (Friday 17th May) and all residents are encouraged to take the time to vote for all three towns so the Whitsundays has a chance to bring home three gold medals in their respective categories.

Bowen has been nominated for the Top Tourism Town award because it has a population of more than 5000.

This is the fourth time Bowen has been a finalist for this award and it is hoped this will be the year they bring home the accolade.

Meanwhile, Airlie Beach is a finalist in the Top Small Tourism Town Award category for a population between 1,500 and 5,000.

Having won gold in this category for the last two years in a row, it is hoped this year will be a trifecta.

Finally, this is the first time Collinsville has been nominated and it is a proud moment to see them immediately become a finalist in the Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, for a town with a population under 1,500.

Bowen Tourism and Business was instrumental in putting the submission together for Collinsville and are hoping the small town will get the recognition it deserves.

Jenn Honnery, Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business said they are very proud to see both Bowen and Collinsville make the finals as top tourism towns in Queensland.

“Over the past few years Collinsville has become a favourite stop for RVs and truly punches above its weight when it comes to delivering a rich and engaging experience for visitors,” she said.

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy agreed, saying she hopes all three towns bring home an award.

“We are proud of our towns and our entire region and would be super excited if the three Whitsunday towns could all come home with Gold,” she expressed.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO, Rick Hamilton encouraged locals and visitors alike to vote for The Whitsundays towns. 
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“We have the opportunity to claim all three titles!” he said.  
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“Winning all three categories would highlight the incredible diversity and unforgettable experiences The Whitsundays offer and put us, once again, on the national stage." 
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Mayor Ry Collins added that he’s thrilled to see the Whitsundays' towns represented across all categories in the Queensland Top Tourism Town Awards. 
  
“This recognition not only celebrates the beauty of our region and the unique experiences we have to offer, but also the dedication of our local community and businesses in creating unforgettable memories for visitors,” Mayor Collins said. 
  
“I urge everyone to cast their votes and support our towns as we aim for a clean sweep in showcasing the best of what the Whitsundays has to offer." 
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Queensland residents and visitors are encouraged to cast their votes for their favourite destinations before voting closes on Friday May 17th at 5pm.

Presented by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), the awards recognise outstanding regional communities that excel in providing exceptional visitor experiences.  

Queensland winners will be announced in a function in Brisbane on June 7.

State winners will progress to the national Top Tourism Town Awards later this year.  

Last year Airlie Beach tourism operators gathered to celebrate the announcement that Airlie Beach had won the Top Small Tourism Town Award for the second time in a row. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Hi Everyone,

I was at the gym chatting to a fellow step-class participant earlier this week when we got talking about volunteering for committees.

She told me a hilarious story about a P&C sausage sizzle committee meeting years ago when her children were young – the group of volunteers were all fussing and overthinking the little details so much that she asked a simple question:

“How much are we aiming to fundraise?”

To which she was told, $150 – and, without thinking, she whipped out her purse and handed over $150 to the shock and awe of the rest of the volunteers.

“There you go!” she said, before walking out with a smile on her face.

Despite this lady’s calamitous experience volunteering, we all know how rewarding contributing to our community can be – in fact, if you have any spare time there are many local groups, events and charities that would appreciate your support.

One of these is the Great Barrier Reef Festival which is holding a Meet and Greet at Boaty’s in Airlie Beach this Tuesday at 5pm – go along to find out more!

Over the years I’ve been part of the Whitsunday Writers Festival committee which sadly lost its founder Gloria Burley when she passed away several years ago.

Last year I was approached by a small group of people hoping to re-start the festival and I was thrilled to re-join what I think will be an amazing revival of a special local event.

A big thanks to Richard and Julia Evans for being the festival convenors and doing the majority of heavy lifting to re-establish this fantastic event – they have created an incredible ‘festival model’ which will be used now and into the future.

They have also been able to secure some amazing authors including the popular Sally Hepworth who will be hosting a special festival High Tea.

Early bird tickets are selling fast so make sure you gather your book-loving pals and reserve your spot by visiting whitsundayswriters.com.

We’d love to see you there!

Rach

Quote of the Week: “Think before you speak. Read before you think” Fran Lebowitz

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For four years now Oceana Little has been selling plants for pocket money and her entrepreneurial spirit has become quite well known in the community, giving her the affectionate nickname of ‘plant girl’.

Growing almost any variety of plants and vegetables, Oceana has grown lettuce, tomato, capsicums and many others.

When they reach a good size, she then sells her plants for $1 or $2 for some pocket money and she loves doing it.

With her reputation for loving plants, many people in the community have started donating plants or seedlings to Oceana so she can continue her legacy as ‘plant girl’.

This kind gesture, however, has left Oceana with an over-abundance, so she decided it was time to spread the love of nature within the community by offering some of the plants and seedlings to anyone who might like them.

She has started to give her seedlings away for free to either kids or adults, whoever wants to take them!

Oceana has grown up knowing that it’s good to give and it was entirely her idea to give the seeds away for free.

Her mother said, “it’s good to pass things on when other kids could make use of it, and she’s grown up knowing that.”

Oceana’s mum posted on Facebook advertising the giveaway and they still have some left if anyone would like any.

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Oceana Little is giving away some extra plants and seedlings to members of the community. Photo supplied

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