Private sailing charter company, Waltzing Matilda, and its skipper has been charged $15,000 following a three-day charter which saw the classic sailing yacht without adequate supervision, drifting away with passengers onboard in November 2022.

The charter boat had been hired for a 21st birthday celebration which ended in disaster when the skipper disembarked the vessel to venture to Hill Inlet, leaving some of its 13 passengers alone on the vessel.

The court found the vessel had been improperly secured, and drifted away, while the skipper, from his position on land, yelled instructions to the passengers on how to return the boat to shore.

Once on board again, the skipper turned the boat to Whitehaven Beach, however, it became grounded on some rocks.

The passengers escaped to a nearby tender, and the court heard how the skipper told them he did not want to call the Volunteer Marine Rescue for assistance.

The Australia Maritime Safety Authority stated that, "The skipper also failed to provide the required standard of lifejackets for the passengers, failed to properly secure the tender to the main vessel to ensure it would not drift away and allowed multiple safety violations to occur during the grounding.”

"The magistrate noted in court that the grounding would have been terrifying for the passengers on board," AMSA said.

The skipper was also operating the vessel without proper certifications, “assuming the role of master without the proper qualifications and reckless operation of the vessel which, amongst a litany of other serious safety issues, led to the vessel grounding near Hook Passage in the Whitsundays,” according to AMSA.

The skipper was charged with three offences under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012, and was also charged for failure to pay the fines related to the incident.

The skipper also failed to appear at the Proserpine Magistrates Court for the hearing.

‍

Waltzing Matilda Charter skipper fined $15,000. Photo supplied

‍

The Whitsundays Writers Festival is gearing for a grand comeback, with a schedule jampacked full of immersive celebrations of all things literary.

On the cards is esteemed 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award winner, Shankari Chandran, winner of Australia’s premier literary prize for her debut novel, ‘Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens’.

Alongside Shankari are several other highly regarded, award-winning Australian authors, who are excited to be in sunny Whitsundays for a weekend of literary prowess.

Karen Jacobsen, the Festival President, expressed her excitement, stating, “It's not often we have the opportunity to meet renowned national and international writers. This will be a landmark event for the Whitsundays and a golden opportunity for regional Queensland to add a substantial literary gem to its arts calendar.”

Alongside the schedule of workshops, talks, and luncheons, the weekend will also include the prestigious Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards. The Heart Awards provide well-deserved recognition and financial rewards to talented writers for best unpublished manuscript, short story, poetry, and book design. Submissions for the Heart Awards open February 14.

“This event will bring together creative minds in the picturesque setting of the Whitsundays. What better place to immerse yourself in the brilliance of Australian literature?” remarked Karen.

“I strongly advise securing your place at the festival and booking accommodation early to fully enjoy the wonders of the Whitsundays while indulging in the myriad of events the festival has to offer.”  

Save The Date!

WHAT: Whitsunday Writers Festival
WHEN: Friday, September 6 to Sunday September 8

‍

Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards

Submissions Open February 14

‍

Shankari Chandran confirmed to star in September’s Whitsundays Writers Festival. Photo supplied

‍

Get ready to fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and celebrate our fantastic sugar industry as the whole community gets together to pay homage to our quintessential local culture.

Hosted by Cut Out Party, the annual Sugar Bush Shindig is set to ignite the region, celebrating the conclusion of the sugar season, and saying cheers to the cane farmers and associated industries for a job well done.

With an exciting charity auction scheduled, the evening is going to be a lot of fun and will also offer time to reflect on the previous year and the progression of the sugar industry as a whole.

Announced prizes on the auction list include a massive prize pact from Canegrowers Proserpine, a 2-night stay at The Boathouse Apartments, and 2 Family Passes for Whitsunday Crocodile Safari.

And don’t miss your chance to be take on the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Simulator, which will excite and showcase how RFDS team work, to provide essential medical treatment and intervention to our wider Whitsunday community.

Purchase your tickets now for the event for the summer, with all tickets including dinner and drinks, with an auction, lucky door prize, music and entertainment for the kids as added bonus.

‍

WHAT: Sugar Bush Shindig
WHERE: Proserpine Showgrounds
WHEN: Saturday, March 9, from 5.30pm
TICKETS: $80 available through whitsundaytickets.com.au

The Cut Out Party team. Photo supplied

‍

This March, Collinsville is turning pink, to celebrate International Women’s Day and help fundraise for the Mater Foundation, to fight breast cancer.

Part of the fundraising will include the annual fun run which will be held on Sunday, March 10.

This event has become a well-supported community tradition and aligns nicely with the Sea of Pink events which are set to take place across Australia over the same weekend.

With the 2023 Collinsville event raising over $9,200, the local Sea of Pink team were named Mater Foundation Community Heroes last year which was a huge honour for the region.

They are now hoping to repeat the same and ideally smash last years’ target.

For organiser Alice Randell, the event has been made more personal by the friends and family members diagnosed with breast cancer in the past year.  

“Organising this event has started conversations about breast cancer at work and at home,” Alice said.

“When women share their experiences, it empowers others to be proactive about their health.”

“As you get older, you begin to meet more and more people affected by breast cancer, and the importance of this sort of event grows today.”

Supported by Collinsville local businesses, the team will be hosted by the Collinsville Golf Club, with Collinsville QCWA branch catering a well-deserved breakfast, and the local butcher, Stanley Street Butchers, donating a dollar from every sale in February and March.

“It’s fantastic to see so much support from local businesses and community groups,” Alice said.

“With this event, it’s great as community groups get behind us, and do their own thing. The Collinsville Youth Coalition are having a Pink Pancake day, and we know more will get on board too.

“This community is so proactive to get behind us and this cause.”

At the time of writing this, the Collinsville team has already over 50 registered team members, and over $4,500 raised for the cause.

“If you’re interested in joining us and showing your support for women with breast cancer, please register for the event.

“With the Country Women’s Association putting on breakfast, and the walk only five kilometres, it’s such an easy event to get behind. We’re not all athletes and we try and make it a good atmosphere for a Sunday morning.”

To join the Collinsville Sea of Pink team or to show support, scan the QR code.

WHAT: Collinsville’s Sea of Pink
WHERE: Collinsville
WHEN: Sunday, March 10

‍

Collinsville Sea of Pink were named Mater Foundation Community Heroes last year

Alice Randall donning the pink for breast cancer. Photo supplied

‍

‍

E-Scooter Accident

A female e-scooter rider has been transported to Proserpine Hospital, following a collision between the e-scooter and a vehicle at 8am on Tuesday, February 6.

Occurring at the intersection of Shingley Drive and Shute Harbour Road, the female patient was transported to Proserpine Hospital in a stable condition, with head and neck injuries.

Senior Sergeant Shane Edwards, the Officer in Charge of the Mackay Whitsunday Highway Patrol Group, urges riders of personal mobility devices (PMDs) to be aware of the legislation and road rules of these devices on the road.

“These devices are designed to be ridden on footpaths or suburban back streets, not main thoroughfares,” S/Sgt Edwards explained.

“If a road has centre lines or islands, PMDs are not permitted on the road. On suburban roads, a PMD may go up to 25 kilometres an hour; on footpaths, maximum speed is 12 kilometres. Helmets are always required, and riders must not be using their phone or under the influence.

“There must also be no doubling on PMDs.

“Normal road rules apply to these riders. They must stop for stop signs and follow all road rules,” explained S/Sgt Edwards.

‍

Neighbourhood Centre Donations Stolen

A series of individuals have repeatedly stolen donations dropped off at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre over the last few weeks.

The thefts occurred during the night, with donations that had been donated to the Centre outside of office hours.

Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre urge donors to drop off donations during working hours, “so we can remove temptation from these individuals.”

‍

Traffic held up on Shute Harbour Road while services attended to the e-scooter accident. Photo supplied

‍

The volunteers of Bowen Tourism and Business were honoured at a morning tea last week, where they were thanked for their dedicated service and lasting commitment to the town.

For Steve Fisher, better known as ‘Fish’, he began volunteering with the team following his retirement in 2015.

“I found myself lost, with nothing to do,” Fish explained.

And having caravanned across Australia with his wife, Chips, he knew he would be able to share recommendations and stories with visitors by volunteering at the Big Mango Tourist Information Centre.

“I find this so rewarding and personally fulfilling. I love the Big Mango, and I am grateful for everything Leanne and the team have been able to offer me.”

Other members of the dream team are Anne and Mark Steen and for them, volunteering is a way to give back to Bowen.

“We love showing tourists the best of Bowen and sharing knowledge and experience,” Mark said.

Bowen Tourism and Business has 18 active volunteers who welcome visitors at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre next to the Big Mango and the information booth at Bowen’s Front Beach.

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the volunteers were an integral part of the organisation.

“They are so dedicated and passionate about our town and the entire region,” she said.

“We held the morning tea as a small token of our appreciation, and we presented each of them with a small gift. Some of them have been helping Bowen Tourism for more than 10 years!”

‍

Bowen Tourism and Business volunteers at last week’s morning tea - Pam Skinner, Anne Skeen, Marie Bailey, Viv Clark, Margaret Hurst, Mark Steen, Janice Germain, Anne Mason, and Steve Fisher.

‍

Leanne Abernethy

‍

Businesses from across the region are invited to register for the inaugural Whitsundays Business Conference which is organised by the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and due to take place later this year.

The Conference will be held Friday, May 31 and will bring together the region’s business community and stakeholders for an inspiring day of education, sharing knowledge and experience.

The morning program will be hosted in Proserpine, with attendees invited to the subsequent afternoon of practical workshops and a Sundowner cocktail networking event in Cannonvale.

Organisers have already put together a sneak-peak of the program which promises an action-packed day of inspiration and motivation.

Start your day with networking and a series of thought-provoking sessions on Building Business Together; The Benefits and Impact of AI and Cybersecurity in Business; Features, Drivers, and Myths About the Future Workforce; and Driving Business Growth and Turning Business On Its Head.

The event has been possible with thanks to Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine, Shiift, and Tassal through their local presence with the Proserpine Prawn Farm, Whitsunday Regional Council, TAFE Queensland Whitsunday Campus, and Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper who have all provided their generous support in bringing this important regional event to life!

On another note, have you been enjoying our new article series featuring Chamber members?

Head over to the Chamber’s Facebook page to learn more about their members and the Ask An Expert series.

Got a business question you want answered? Visit the Chamber’s website or social media to ask your question for an expert response.

Did you know? You can join the Chamber any time, your membership is valid for 12-months from day of joining. We have five membership categories starting from $99 per year to suit a range of needs. We look forward to engaging you in Chamber life and the Whitsundays business community.

‍

The tourism industry is inching its way back to the black following bad weather events which have significantly impacted the expected visitor numbers and, in-turn, the amount of tourism dollars flying into the region.

Rick Hamilton, CEO of Tourism Whitsundays said it’s been a hectic few weeks for the industry.

“The past six weeks have been eventful to say the least - two cyclones, Christmas Holidays, Clipper Race and a long weekend,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we've taken a huge hit as a region with over $35 million in losses from the two cyclones that didn't hit us, and the weather events affected the Christmas holidays, Clipper Race and long weekend to varying degrees.”

While these impacts are frustrating to operators, they are also a common part of life for our resilient small business owners who are adept at bouncing back from weather events.

Mr Hamilton is currently advocating for some disaster support and is a discussing recovery campaign Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and the Department of Tourism and Sport (DTS).

“I’ll let you know more on that when we have confirmation of the approach,” he explained.

In the meantime, operators are invited to take a quick survey to register their account of damage caused by TC Kirrily.

“The results of this will be submitted to TEQ and DTS,” said Mr Hamilton.

“The results of the survey will compound our bid for further funding to aid tourism recovery in The Whitsundays.”

Take the survey – scan this QR code!

‍

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Rick Hamilton advocates for support post TC Kirrily. Photo supplied

‍

The secret to love for this couple is quality time, with every momentspent together a cherished and loving piece of their wider puzzle.

Amy Dolman knewthat Reece Nesbitt was the person for her when she saw him walkingout of a restaurant one evening.

“He just walkedout of the Restaurant I was going to in his chef uniform and I knew Ihad found a handsome man to cook for me for the rest of my life,”Amy laughed.

Now, eightexciting years on, Amy and Reece keep their connection alive andthriving, passion in every moment of their time together.

They have spenttime travelling Europe together and creating long-lasting memories,of the good, the bad and the ugly, and of completing the simplemundane tasks together, like spending time at the beach together.

‍

Amy and Reece’s top tip for a lasting and loving relationship:

“Keep going onadventures and keep having fun!”

‍

It began with a workplace romance, with Greg and Nettie Dunlop meeting in the kitchen of a restaurant in Victoria, and since then, the pair have never looked back.

Now, with 30 years of marriage behind them, Greg and Nettie are as inseparable as they were when they first met, and for them, it’s not always about the romance, but a vow to each other.

“It’s not always about the romance but more of making forever memories,” Greg explained.

And great memories they have shared, with one of the more memorable being their 28th wedding anniversary.

“We took a private helicopter and flew out over the Whitsunday Islands, lunched and dined on Whitehaven.”

For this pair, no challenge is too big, always being there for the other, and being a stable, confident rock for the other to rely upon.

“Nettie and I have been inseparable for 30 years. We work, live and love together every day and appreciate every minute of every day,” Greg explained.

“When we are not working, we love just hanging out, keeping life simple, and enjoying each other’s company.”

And, of course, their romance hinges on their laughter.

For Nettie, “If you’re not annoying in some way during the day, life would be pretty boring - as long as it’s in a fun way.”

‍

Greg and Nettie’s top tip for love:

“Unconditional love is patience and understanding of one another.”

‍

19 years of being in a relationship has turned a romantic spark into a strong bond for Norina Jane and Tim Perkins, with their love for each other strengthening through their shared sense of humour.

“Sometimes you need humour, so you don’t kill each other!” They laughed.

It began with an interesting introduction, with Norina rummaging in the work fridge, while Tim was being shown through his new workplace, the Proserpine Airport.

“I was head in and bum out of the fridge grabbing the first-class chocolates after the flight departure and Tim walked in with his new boss who was attempting to introduce us, and he said ‘well, this is Norina’s arse.’ And the laughter began from day one!” Norina explained.

For this pair, they cherish the fun moments together, laughing at the adventures and shenanigans they get up to.

“I remember when we spent the night in a tent at the bottom of Ayres Rock, having no idea that it would get down to 1 degree!” Norina explained.

“With no blankets, we just barely made it through the night. We have never wanted to be so close as we were that night. If you are struggling with intimacy, we strongly recommend going to the snow ill equipped for the night. You can thank us later!”

In fact, laughing and playing around is one thing they love doing together and that now includes sharing some down time with their grandson.

“We love our time with our grandson, Rohan. It’s great to let go of all other responsibilities and clown around for a while”. That’s the humour shining through again.

“Making up songs and singing them to Tim’s beat, play-arguing over who loves him the most, chasing each other down the beach, building stick houses from driftwood and laughing with his interpretation of the world. Turns out he loves to laugh too!”

‍

Tim and Norina’s tips for keeping the spark alive:

“Don’t take each other for granted, not even for a day. What you take for granted, you stop caring about.”

‍

Mackay Regional Council faced a tough call last week as they made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Australia Day Awards Gala, originally set for Thursday, January 25. The cancellation came as a precautionary step, considering the unpredictable weather conditions tied to TC Kirrily.

Mayor Greg Williamson acknowledged the heaviness of the situation, stressing the council's commitment to community safety.

He said the fact that we had a cyclone forecast to cross the coast late at night about the time the event was set to conclude was something they couldn’t ignore.

“We don’t want 400-plus people on the road coming from all parts of our region if there is severe weather,’’ he said when he announced the cancellation last week.

Despite the cancellation, the unveiling of the Australia Day Award recipients, including the prestigious titles of Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year, went ahead as planned on Australia Day, January 26.

Peter Reedman is a pillar of the community whose selfless contributions have created a resurgence in junior rugby union in the Mackay region.

For his dedication, selflessness, support and community building efforts, Peter has been named the 2024 Mackay Regional Council Australia Day Citizen of the Year.

Mayor Greg Williamson said Mr Reedman’s commitment went far beyond what was typical of a volunteer.

“Peter offers support to anyone and everyone at the blink of an eye – he is selfless and has a genuine care for others,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Whether it is providing coaching support, spending his evenings mowing and marking fields, driving children to tournaments, or ensuring they have access to referees, Peter consistently goes out of his way to support the rugby community,” he said.

“Peter has had a huge impact on regional junior rugby union and his efforts are greatly appreciated by that community.

“In fact, the judges had not one, but five nominations for Peter to consider – each detailing different ways in which he has gone above and beyond for young players and their families.”

‍

From Rugby Revival to Mental Health Advocacy

Mackay's Australia Day Winners' Diverse Triumphs

‍

Mackay's Australia Day Awards not only serve as a stage to honour individuals but also highlight the collective brilliance within the Mackay community.

From the resurgence of junior rugby union led by the passionate Peter Reedman to the unwavering dedication of Jasmine Fuhlbohm in advocating for lifesaving defibrillators, the nominees' accomplishments span various fields, underlining the depth and diversity of their impact.

Jasmine Fuhlbohm was announced as the winner of the Young Citizen of the Year.

After losing her father at only 10 years of age, Jasmine has made it her mission to ensure our community has lifesaving defibrillators on hand where they can save lives.

Mayor Williamson said Jasmine had created the "Help Keep Hearts Beating" raffle, a GoFundMe campaign and additional fundraising endeavours whilst also promoting a healthy lifestyle.

“Jasmine is an exceptional young person who is working to create safer, healthier places for residents in our region,” he said.

Mayor Williamson said the Lori Burgess Community Volunteer of the Year award also went to an exceptional community champion.

“The positive impact Kimberly Doyle has made in the lives of people with intellectual disability and autism is immense,” he said.

“She spends more than 25 hours per week in her volunteering capacity with Special Olympics Mackay Fire and Special Olympics Queensland and she constantly uses her own annual leave to attend club trips and Special Olympics conferences outside the region.”

Mayor Williamson said the judging panel was amazed by the number and quality of nominations submitted this year.

“Selecting a winner in each category was incredibly difficult and is a real testament to just what an amazing community we have – there are just so many selfless people doing tremendous things,” he said.

“We had 183 nominations across the eight categories, and we would like to acknowledge the 74 nominators, many of whom nominated multiple individuals or groups.”

Mayor Williamson said council was currently looking at options around an appropriate way to celebrate the winners and nominees at a later date.

‍

Meet Your Australia Day Award Winners

Citizen of the Year: Peter Reedman

Peter Reedman has been involved in and supported the Mackay District Junior Rugby Union as president, vice president, groundsman, referee, official and coach for the past decade.

He has been a major driver of junior rugby union in the region, along with his wife Kelly. The Reedmans have overseen a massive increase in kids wanting to play rugby, both girls and boys, from ages 6 to 16.

Peter's presence at every rugby game with a smile on his face creates a positive and welcoming atmosphere for players, coaches and spectators alike. His active involvement in various roles within the club helps foster a sense of community and camaraderie among the members.

By driving children to tournaments and ensuring they have coaching support, Peter actively contributes to the development and growth of young athletes, making a positive impact on their lives.

He is also a key driver of the Nyrie Contor Cup, the largest junior carnival of rugby in our region, where close to 500 kids descend on Mackay to play. He is a life member of Slade Point Rugby Union, a club he has played more than 300 games for.

Overall, Peter Reedman's continuous support, dedication, selflessness, mentorship and positive influence within the Mackay and Central Queensland rugby communities make him extremely deserving of recognition.

Young Citizen of the Year: Jasmine Fuhlbohm

Jasmine’s goal is to save lives in our community and to hopefully prevent other families from going through a tragic event, like she did. Jasmine unexpectedly lost her father to a heart attack when she was only 10 years old. He was just 39 years old.

This event has inspired her to help raise awareness around heart attacks in our community and highlight that heart attacks don’t only happen in older age; they can happen earlier in life and can be a very unpredictable health issue for many people. Jasmine has worked tirelessly to raise funds and raise the awareness of the need for defibrillator machines across various charities, organisations and locations within the Mackay community that would otherwise not have access to this vital resource.

To this end, she has created the "Help Keep Hearts Beating" raffle, a GoFundMe campaign and additional fundraising endeavours whilst also promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Lori Burgess Community Volunteer of the Year: Kimberly Doyle

Kimberly Doyle is an outstanding volunteer with Special Olympics, a coach, mentor and an advocate for accessibility and inclusion.

She undertakes a host of volunteer duties, including facilitating Kung Fu and Tai Chi classes weekly and coaching Special Olympics sports every Saturday. These include powerlifting, table tennis and three sessions of basketball.

Kimberly also mentors and arranges training for athlete leaders, raises funds, prepares all Special Olympics Mackay Fire grant applications, plans and manages all Special Olympics Mackay Fire sporting events and choreographs all travelling competitions. She recently managed a 12-day trip for Special Olympics athletes to Perth for the Special Olympics WA State Games.

In April 2023, Kimberly was appointed Special Olympics Queensland Chair, with her main aim to see Queensland clubs and programs provide inclusive training and competition in a variety of sports.

Arts and Culture Award: Margaret Ross

Margaret Ross has worked tirelessly in the Mackay and Sarina areas with people experiencing mental illness, other disabilities and loneliness.

She is constantly coming up with new ways to reduce the stigma associated with mental health disorders and is striving to provide a happier and more meaningful life to those she works with. Through her amazing talent with music and music therapy, she has provided remarkable programs and a wonderful safe, welcoming and accepting space through the Choir of Unheard Voices.Those involved in the choir report that “Margie’s” work has performed miracles, including people with disabilities so debilitated that they could not communicate with others now emceeing at major events and performing to large crowds.

She has also been working with individuals, through The Bee Creativezz, helping them create marketable items made by them and, in so doing, giving them a sense of purpose and confidence. Plus, she volunteers most years to organise and bring together talented musicians and singers to perform for the Sarina Surf Lifesavers’ annual carols, which is their main fundraiser.

Environmental Achievement Award: Mackay and District Turtle Watch Association  

Mackay and District Turtle Watch (MDTW) is a volunteer group dedicated to monitoring and protecting marine turtles. The group formed in 1992 when Queensland Parks and Wildlife put an advertisement in the local paper looking for interested members of the public to come to a meeting about starting a turtle watch group.

The group later became their own incorporated body, which has remained strong and has 39 members this year. Very early each morning, from October right through to March, before most people are even out of bed, MDTW volunteers are out searching 20 of the region’s beaches, looking for turtle tracks or signs of nesting or hatchlings. This daily monitoring occurs throughout nesting season so these dedicated volunteers can collect data on nesting turtles and hatchlings and relocate at-risk nests.In addition, they respond to marine strandings year-round and collect data about females nesting at beaches across our region.

The group also works hard to increase awareness by educating our community about habitat protection and the importance of conservation for future generations.

Community Group Award: Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club

Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club is seen as the guardian of sand, sea and community spirit in Sarina.

More than just lifesavers, this small but mighty group of volunteers embody the spirit of community service, safeguarding beach goers every weekend and on public holidays between September and May. Their commitment extends far beyond patrolling the waves.

The club passionately invests in its community, training members in their Bronze Medallion, Surf Rescue Certificates, First Aid and CPR awards. Open to all community members, regardless of experience, it's fuelled by volunteer coaches, age managers and water safety officers. This dedication nurtures a pipeline of young lifesavers, ensuring the club's future while fostering a strong sense of belonging. They train a dedicated team of athletes, coaching multiple sessions a week and providing them with crucial opportunities to compete in local, state, national and even world championships.

The club also actively engages with local schools, sending volunteer guest speakers and distributing informative literature to educate parents and children alike about beach safety and the club. As well, the Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club coordinates a yearly community event: Carols by Candlelight.

Senior Sports Award: Heath Galletly

Heath Galletly has been involved with local rugby league most of his life, having started as an under nine and progressing through to A grade in Mackay.

Once he started his family, his three boys also started playing and Heath started coaching – from under sixes to under 16s.

From 2016 to 2019, he went on to executive positions with the boys’ club (Wanderers Junior Rugby League), including vice president, secretary and president. These roles also formed the pathway into roles as Elected Director of Rugby League Mackay and District (RLMD) and Director of Mackay Cutters.

Heath was instrumental in the merging of the local Mackay junior and senior rugby league associations in 2019. 

He was chair of RLMD in 2020 when COVID hit, and while many other leagues played no football at that time, Mackay did, and even took in Townsville Clubs due to their league not playing in 2020.

Junior Sports Award: Takiah Moore-Barrett

Takiah Moore-Barrett is one of the best underhand women’s wood choppers in the world.

She had a very successful 2023, winning many awards in woodchopping, including the Women’s Championship at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Takiah also won the Women’s Championship at the Adelaide Show as well as the most successful female competitor award. She has also been successful against the men, winning open handicap underhand events.  

Takiah picked up her first axe when she was just five and comes from a family of wood choppers. In fact, she is a fourth-generation wood chopper and regularly competes with her father in events.

‍

In a startling act of destruction, a man has been caught on CCTV engaging in what appears to be an intentional arson attack on a mobile camera trailer in Mount Pleasant.

Police have released CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to in relation to an arson investigation of a mobile camera trailer in Mount Pleasant on January 20.

In a statement shared by police, initial investigations indicate a man approached the trailer on Malcomson Street around 10.30pm and set the trailer alight.

"Emergency crews arrived soon afterwards and extinguished the blaze; however, the trailer was destroyed," the police statement read.

CCTV footage shows a man dressed in a black t-shirt carrying a red backpack. He pulls a plastic bottle from the bag and pours a liquid over the trailer, which police allege was petrol, before setting the liquid alight.

In an attempt to find the alleged arsonist, police announced, “we’re looking for information as to how we can identify that person.”

The man is believed to be aged in his 40’s or 50’s and police authorities declared, “that person needs to be spoken to.

“It’d only be fair that that person goes before the court and is dealt with.”

Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.

‍

Mackay Police are on the hunt to find an accused arsonist after a man set a mobile speed camera trailer alight. Photo source: CCTV footage supplied by Mackay Police

‍

As we embark on the journey that is 2024, there's no denying that the financial rollercoaster is taking us for a spin we didn't sign up for. The economic ups and downs are leaving many of us feeling a bit queasy, especially when it comes to the ever-rising cost of living. But fear not, because we're all navigating this terrain together.

Let's dive into those proposed tax cuts. The powers that be in Canberra have put forth some potential changes to income tax rates and thresholds, slated to take effect from July 1, 2024. But here's the catch – they're not official law just yet. So, it's like waiting for confirmation on that extra scoop of ice cream – a mix of anticipation and a touch of anxiety.

Come July 1, if these changes get the official nod, we're looking at a reduction in the 19 per cent tax rate to a tidy 16 per cent. They're dialling down the 32.5 per cent tax rate to 30 per cent, and there are tweaks to the thresholds too - shifting the trigger point for the 37 per cent tax rate from $120,000 to $135,000 and adjusting the 45 per cent tax rate threshold from $180,000 to $190,000.

Speaking of finances, we understand that many families are grappling with the challenge of living on a single income. With daycare options as scarce as a rare artifact, many mums are exploring creative ways to add a few extra dollars to the family coffers. Head to page 16 for tips on side hustles you can run from the comfort of your home – because who said your living room can't be your boardroom?

For our remarkable women navigating the workforce, we're addressing the gender pay gap head-on. Page 16 holds the keys to assertiveness, courage, and perhaps a sprinkle of wisdom. It's time to raise your hand and say, "I'm worth it!"

Remember, we're here to share stories, offer advice, and maybe share a thought or two. Reach out with any community news that you would like to see in an upcoming edition by sending me an email.

Amanda

‍

Five children under the age of thirteen are being relocated to a local Mackay home after it was alleged that they weren’t being taken care of properly. In a heartfelt attempt to give the children a better life and a fresh start, a compassionate Mackay local has taken the children into care despite not having extra beds or necessities for school supplies to cater for the five young children.

This act of kindness shortly reaped a multitude of generosity after the caretaker made a post on a local Mackay Facebook page asking to buy beds and school supplies. Members of the community united together, as several people openhandedly offered to give away beds, toys and vouchers. One particular local hero among the many was Trisha Armstrong, owner of NQ Babies & Kids Shop who selflessly offered brand new school supplies at no cost. From lunchboxes, cold packs, water bottles, book covers, labels, library bags and even swimming bags to all five children.

This heartwarming story is a prime example of the unity and selfless good people we have in our community, never failing to offer a helping hand in times of need. The caregiver was left overwhelmed with the community’s response.

The anonymous carer posted: “I am so thankful for everyone’s support, it’s so humble to know we have such an amazing community behind us.”

‍