Police are investigating a serious vehicle and pedestrian traffic crash and assault at Homebush, southwest of Mackay, earlier this week on November 2.
The Mackay police unit said that initial investigations indicate that at around 9:45pm, a white utility was driving dangerously along Homebush Road before a red Mazda 3 travelling westbound collided with a 17-year-old girl who was on the roadway.
The Mazda continued for a short distance before stopping, its then alleged several people nearby approached the vehicle and assaulted a 53-year-old male passenger.
Officers arrived on scene a short time later and broke up the group.
The 17-year-old Glenella girl was transported to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The 53-year-old Sarina man was also transported to hospital for treatment.
The other occupants of the Mazda, the 16-year-old female driver, a 12-year-old male passenger, and a 56-year-old female passenger, were physically uninjured.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of the crash and is appealing to anyone who may have relevant information or CCTV, dashcam footage or mobile phone footage to come forward.

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A flood study for Finch Hatton was adopted at last week’s ordinary meeting of council.
The Finch Hatton Flood Study was undertaken by engineering consultants Water Technology Pty Ltd to update the existing flood data and inform planning for the Finch Hatton township.
Mayor Greg Williamson said council was continually expanding and re-assessing its flood hazard studies, which were prioritised based on various factors including the potential risk to the community and other development drivers.
“The new Finch Hatton Flood Study helps us to understand flood behaviour in Cattle Creek and the local catchments that influence the risk to Finch Hatton and its infrastructure,” Mayor Williamson said.
“The flood hazard information improves existing flood knowledge and will be used to inform flood risk assessment and management, planning and disaster management,” he said.
As part of the flood study, council commissioned updated ground level data – both survey and LiDAR – to update topography information.
Data from the rainfall and river height gauges, installed in the past decade, was incorporated and the latest industry flood guidance (ARR19) was used to ensure the new flood study uses the best available information.
“This study has found that peak flood levels are lower than those that were used to inform the Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) mapping,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Now that the study has been adopted, it can be used to prepare a Flood Risk Assessment to identify effective land use planning and development controls in Finch Hatton,” he said.
The study does not consider any projects upstream of the township.
Council will host a drop-in session at the Finch Hatton MTB Cattle Creek Administration Building on Thursday, November 27, from 4pm to 7pm should residents have any questions.

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Hundreds of members from the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) gathered in Mackay for the first time in over a century to participate in the 101st Annual State Conference, held from October 22 to November 1. With 300 registered attendees, the conference aimed to unite women from rural and regional communities, addressing pressing issues affecting their lives and reinforcing the importance of camaraderie and support across Queensland.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in a wide range of activities, where attendees had the opportunity to view the results of the judging from various State contests, which included categories such as Handcraft, Cookery, Sewing, Photography, Floral Art, Knitting and Crochet, as well as Agricultural and Environmental projects, Patchwork, and international contests.

In addition to these displays of creativity and skill, a significant resolution by the Pioneer Division called on both state and federal governments to reassess the growing shift towards a cashless society. This resolution raised important concerns about the implications of decreasing cash usage on budgeting practices, financial inclusion, and the reliability of payment methods during technological failures or emergencies.

Key events included a State Handcraft meeting and workshops designed for handcraft teachers and trainees, fostering skills development and community engagement. On Monday, October 28, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson officially welcomed delegates, followed by a Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Uniting Church. Notable presentations featured representatives from Chances House, who discussed their initiatives supporting the homeless community in Mackay.

As the conference progressed, members showcased their skills in various competitions, concluding in a gala dinner that celebrated QCWA achievements. A special display at the Jubilee Centre highlighted the rich history of the QCWA and local memorabilia, setting the tone for the historic gathering.

The event not only marked a significant reunion for the QCWA but also reinforced the association's commitment to advocacy and community support for women throughout Queensland.

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Over 300 women registered to attend the Queensland women’s association's 101st annual conference, celebrating a century of empowerment and community. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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Annie Wood Park playground in Mount Pleasant is getting a makeover.
As part of the work, one of the open top slides on the existing play structure is being replaced with a larger closed tube slide.

Other minor maintenance work is also being completed.

The playground will be closed from Monday, November 4, to Friday, November 15, weather permitting, to allow for the installation of the new slide and associated foundation work.

Council apologises for any inconvenience caused by this closure.

To find an alternative playground during this work, please visit knowyourburb.com.au.

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The blue slide at Annie Wood Park is being replaced with a closed tube slide

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Friday November 15, marks the 150th birthday of one of our region’s oldest schools – Walkerston State School. The school community is excited to celebrate this significant event with the outside community.

Walkerston State School started as Alsatia Provisional School with 20 students, opening in November 1874, 12 years after Captain John Mackay settled at Greenmount.

Over time the school has grown, moving to its current site in 1880, with the original 1880 building still standing. Over time several new buildings have been established and the grounds now host a number of renovated classrooms, two playgrounds and a dedicated outdoor learning area.

This sesquicentennial has given the school the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the Walkerston community itself – who without, the school would not exist. The school has a proud history with multi-generations of families who have attended the school and boasts being the education centre of excellence for the 13th prime minister of Australia.
The school would like to invite all to their celebration on Friday 15th November. The official ceremony starts at 9.30am.

Contributed By Chantel Kay

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Walkerston State School celebrates 150 years with the community, tracing its roots back to 1874

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It has been a year since nurse Ailsa Millewski passed away peacefully in the Mater palliative care unit where she once worked, but the legacy of her care has not faded.
Ailsa joined Mater Private Hospital Mackay in 2010, working in the maternity team and coordinating the hospital’s Health Hearing Program. She made a positive impact on her patients and colleagues from the very beginning.
“People said that when Ailsa smiled, it wasn’t just a smile. She smiled with her whole face,” her husband Gary Millewski recalled.
“She loved working with the babies and young children.
“Whether these children and parents remember her or not, she had made a real difference.
“The ENT specialist who she worked closely with, Dr Luke Reid, said she was special for the patients – her presence alone would calm them.”
Ailsa worked across many areas of the hospital, but felt a special draw to the Palliative Care Unit on St Catherine’s ward. The unit has grown over the past 30 years to provide holistic support to patients experiencing lifelimiting illness. Ailsa soon became close friends with fellow Palliative Care Nurse, Miechelle Williams, who said she had ‘fallen into’ this demanding and specialised field of nursing.
“I graduated from university a few months after all of my friends, and one of the areas that became available to me straight away in Townsville was an introduction to oncology and palliative care nursing through Queensland Health,” Ms Williams said.
“That was the first time I actually experienced caring for a patient from their diagnosis all the way through to end of life.
“I was still relatively new to Mackay when I met Ailsa. From the get go, I just thought, ‘This is an extremely lovely person.’ You knew if she was on shift with you, it wouldn’t feel like work.”
Miechelle and Ailsa grew closer when Ailsa was part of the nursing team who cared for Miechelle’s husband Warren when he was in Palliative Care Unit. Warren passed in 2018.
“It was only two and a half years from the time of my husband’s diagnosis to his passing,” Miechelle said.
“In that time, everything about my kids’ lives was disrupted – but once he was in Palliative Care here at Mater, Ailsa just brought that extra little bit of compassion.
“She was so nice, and so softly spoken, and my 12 and 14-year-olds at the time just connected with her on an extra level because of not only the care she was giving their dad, but how she was there for all of us.”
Last year roles were reversed when Ailsa was admitted as a patient in Mater’s Palliative Care Unit.
“Ailsa had fond memories working with Miechelle right up until she took ill – she first showed symptoms that something was wrong in 2021,” Gary said.
“She was always an amazing cook so the first I noticed something was wrong was one night when she was cooking a chicken stir-fry and she came out to me and said ‘Gary, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.’
“It took until the end of the year to work out that Ailsa had developed a tumour in her adrenal glands which we had removed in Townsville – but a biopsy and PET scan revealed it was already a stage 3 carcinoma and had spread to her spine.
“She opted not to have chemo and wanted to pass away at home.
“I cared for her at home, bought all the equipment, but didn’t want to be the one to tell her that it was getting too much for me.
“She could see though. I just couldn’t do that last bit – our GP had been doing home visits and we went into him one day. He visited her and she said to him, ‘I think I’ll have to go across the road to the Mater.’
“He said, ‘I guess you’ll want the penthouse,’ and she said, ‘Yes, room 116.’
“The first time I laid eyes on Ailsa was 12 September 1984. On 12 September 2023, she was admitted to Palliative Care.”
Miechelle cared for Ailsa throughout her admission.
“Caring for Ailsa at the end was difficult because this was a colleague I had worked with, but it was also such a beautiful experience to be able to support her and her family like she had done for me and my family previously,” Miechelle said.
“The night of her passing, Gary and their daughter were both there and it all just felt like it happened at the right time for everyone.”
“Miechelle didn’t have to say anything in those final moments, just her presence there with us was fantastic,” Gary said.
“Ailsa’s wish was that she didn’t want anyone else to be with her when she passed, only me – and it turned out that, at five to two in the morning, our daughters were dozing off to sleep, I was holding Ailsa’s hand, and I just said, ‘I think she’s taken her last breath.’
“She had - and it was just the two of us.”
Gary shared Miechelle’s appreciation for the staff, saying Ailsa was provided with the same care she had given to countless other patients over the years.
“The feeling whenever you are at the Mater is always different to other places. It is so personal and you never feel like a number; you know every person is there for you and nowhere more so than with the palliative care team,” he said.
“The important part, from my perspective, is to have that assurance and feeling that the people caring for Ailsa understood the situation and supported her just as much as they were there for me and my family.
“Ailsa had always said ‘Gaz, don’t be sad because dying is just as much a part of life as living.’
“She said it’s such a privilege to see a baby born, but also a privilege to be able to support a patient at the other end of their care too.”
Echoing Ailsa’s thoughts, Miechelle said she believes the care the team provides is just as much for loved ones as it is for patients.
“We had a cry with Ailsa’s family, but we also laughed too,” she said. “It’s a time where you do just have to take the good with the bad.
“I’ll always happily remember Ailsa and the impact she has had on my life will remain with me for a very long time.”

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Ailsa Millewski

Gary Millewski with his favourite photo of Ailsa, taken during a shift at Mater

Miechelle Williams and Gary Millewski. Photos supplied: Mater Private Hospital Mackay

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Last month on October 25th, the Mackay Hospital and Health Service acknowledged the outstanding contributions of their healthcare staff at the Let’s Celebrate Mackay HHS People Awards.
 
The gala event was held at the Ocean International and recognised the individuals and teams who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in their roles, embodying the core organisational values of collaboration, trust, respect and teamwork.
 
The Mackay HHS team extends their congratulations to the following award winners:
   • Clinical Excellence Award – Medical Imaging Team, Mackay Base Hospital
   • Non-Clinical Excellence – Tina Mansell, clinical director support officer, medical and critical care.
   • The Golden Boot Award – Kaleena Bradwell, operational officer, Sarina Hospital
   • Innovation & Productivity Award – Post Operative Discharge Support Service (PODSS)
   • Closing the Gap Award – Philip Kemp, cultural practice coordinator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit
   • Volunteer of the Year Award – Jeffrey Timor (JT)
   • People’s Choice Award – Bowen District Home Care 
   • Chief Executive Values Award – Dean Rokic, operational officer, Mackay Base Hospital.
 
A representative from the team said “Thank you to all our skilled, compassionate and dedicated staff members for delivering vital health care to our communities across the Mackay HHS.”
 

CE Values Award Winner – Mackay Base Hospital operational officer Dean Rokic
 
WINNER 1 – Volunteer of the Year Award winner Jeffrey Timor, Non-Clinical Excellence Award winner Tina Mansell and Closing the Gap Award winner Philip Kemp.
 
WINNER 2 – Bowen District Home Care team won the People’s Choice Award
 
WINNER 3 – Post Operative Discharge Support Service team, from left, Sarah Johnston, Erin Sherry, Samantha Sanders and Chelsea Presley.
 
WINNER 4 – Golden Boot Award winner and Sarina Hospital operational officer Kalenna Bradwell
 
WINNER 5 – Mackay Base Hospital Medical Imaging Team won the Clinical Excellence Award
 
SOCIAL 1 – Attending the Let’s Celebrate Mackay HHS People Awards are Sharelle Liles, Tracy Falbo, Jennifer Lindsay, Jenny Adams and Sarah Schneider.
 
SOCIAL 2 – Mackay Hospital and Health Board members, from left, Dr Luke Lawton, Kerry Maley, chair Helen Darch, Andrea Ransom and Bill Cooper 
 
SOCIAL 4 – Mackay Base Hospital Pharmacy team members
 
SOCIAL 5 – Alice Cameron, Khannah Poppi, Lynda Marchitto and Natalie Williams were at the Mackay HHS staff awards.
 
SOCIAL 6 – Attending the Let’s Celebrate Mackay HHS People Awards were Deb Anderson, Emma Hess, Kylie Ludwick and Kylie Clark,
 
SOCIAL 7 – Marion Nelis, James William Jenkins and Deb McConnell at the Mackay HHS staff awards held at the Ocean International on Friday 25 October. Photos supplied

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Eleven months after a debilitating stroke changed her life, Susan Kynaston is still
working hard to “retrain her brain”.

Susan suffered a number of small brain bleeds in December last year and was flown
to Townsville Hospital where she was operated on and spent four days in ICU. She
spent four months in hospital in total including Christmas, her 71st birthday and her
wedding anniversary.

The stroke left her bed-ridden and unable to eat or drink – she spent months having to
be fed via a tube both in hospital and at home.

Recovering from a stroke was a long and frustrating experience with many difficulties
along the way. But Susan was dedicated and willing to work towards improvement.

She set herself small goals including getting to church on Easter Sunday.

“I always led a very active life so sitting in a wheelchair for the rest of it just wasn’t an
option for me,” she said.

“I’ll never be the same and I have to embrace that and be realistic moving forward.

“Life has changed and we have to adapt – but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

Susan shared her stroke rehab journey to highlight the vital and life-
changing work of Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) staff for Allied Health
Professionals Day last month.

Susan left hospital on April 8. Beside her every step of the way on her health journey,
both in and out of hospital, has been her devoted husband, Allen.

Susan’s ongoing rehabilitation program started when she was in hospital and included
different therapies designed to help her relearn both physical and cognitive skills. This
included learning to walk again.

Her rehab was centred around repetitive actions and tasks and creating new
communication pathways in her brain.

Susan describes Mackay Base Hospital’s Community Health and Therapy Services
(CHATS), a multidisciplinary team of allied health and nursing professions, as “warm,
compassionate and caring” and the reason she has regained so much dignity and
independence.

Physiotherapists helped improve the movement and functioning of her body; occupational therapists worked to re-wire her brain and improve daily function as well as make some home safety modifications; speech pathologists enabled her to finally transition from being tube bed to re-introducing texture in food and drinks and assisted with swallowing exercises; the dietetics team provided nutrition supplements and advice on nutrient absorption.

CHATS senior occupational therapist Jemma Ryan said Susan had consistently demonstrated her motivation, positivity and determination throughout the highs an lows of her stroke rehab journey in the last six months.

“Susan started in the Transition Care Program (TCP) with CHATS upon discharge
from hospital and has achieved many goals such as independently applying her own
make-up,” she said.

“One of Susan’s big occupational therapy goals was to return to playing the piano -
this has had great meaning and purpose throughout her life.

“With hard work and persistence, she is now able to play the piano and is close to
playing an entire favourite song of hers.”

CHATS physiotherapist Darcy Bogaart said Susan’s major goals in hospital were
around building strength and they worked on sitting, standing, stepping and walking
for two to three hours a day. After she returned home, the goal was to get back to the
hobbies she enjoyed including church, shopping, singing and seeing shows at the
MECC.

“Since day one she has held this incredibly positive and optimistic mindset despite all
she has faced and her strong work ethic has been a major part of her recovery,” she said.

“She has never shied away from having big scary goals to work towards including her
dream of returning to volunteering at the hospital in the paediatric ward.”

Susan still attends both one-on-one and group therapy sessions every week, including
a falls and balance class.

“The staff are all so wonderful and I’ve had the absolute best care, both in the hospital
and here at CHATS – they even picked me up and brought me to my appointments for
the first 12 weeks after I went home,” she said.

“It’s been very hard work, sometimes we are visiting up to four times a week for
appointments, but just look at what we’ve been able to accomplish.

“I never thought I’d be back up on a treadmill and walking, so for me that’s a real
milestone.

“It’s been a long and trying journey but I have a lot of peace as I never would have
thought I’d have the gumption to get to where I am now after my stroke. It’s
miraculous.

“I’m proud of myself and it shows anything is possible when you have the right
support. My life really is blessed.”

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Mackay woman Susan Kynaston pictured with CHATS physiotherapist Darcy
Bogaart and allied health assistant Peter Treloar. Photo supplied

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For many people, recovering from COVID-19 isn’t always straightforward. While most recover fully after a few weeks, some continue to experience symptoms long after their initial illness. This condition, known as Long COVID, can affect everyday life, making it hard to work, socialise, and manage day-to-day activities.

Long COVID includes a range of symptoms that can last for weeks or even months. These can include extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating (often called “brain fog”), joint pain, and sometimes mental health struggles like anxiety or low mood. These lingering effects can be frustrating, and for some, even limiting.

Studies suggest that one in ten people who have had COVID-19 may experience these long-lasting symptoms. Those at higher risk include people with other health conditions, older adults, and those who had severe symptoms during their COVID-19 illness. However, Long COVID can be unpredictable, and it can affect anyone, regardless of their age or health before the illness.

Managing Long COVID often requires patience and support. While there’s no specific cure yet, healthcare providers can help manage symptoms with a personalised plan that might include gentle physical activities, breathing exercises, and support for mental health. It’s usually recommended to take things slowly, listen to your body, and gradually get back into daily activities.

If you or someone you know is dealing with Long COVID symptoms, reaching out to a healthcare provider is important. They can suggest ways to ease symptoms and may refer you to other specialists if needed. For people in rural or remote areas, phone and online consultations can make it easier to access care without having to travel.

Recovery from Long COVID can take time, but with the right support, many people find relief and can slowly return to their routines. Staying connected with your healthcare team and taking care of yourself are key steps in managing this condition and feeling better over time. 

Yours in Good Health 
Dr Mags 

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Last Saturday, the 2024 Annual Mackay Women’s High Tea, hosted by the Zonta Club of Mackay, was held at Ocean International, bringing together a diverse group of attendees for a morning of connection and engagement. The venue was elegantly decorated, providing a welcoming environment for all.
Guests enjoyed an interactive session led by speakers from Rhythm Business, who incorporated song, drumming, and music-making into their presentation. This engaging approach encouraged participation and fostered a sense of community among attendees.
The event also served a charitable purpose, with a significant amount of donations collected for the Salvation Army, showcasing the community's commitment to supporting those in need.
The morning was marked by laughter, meaningful connections, and inspiration, making the 2024 Annual Mackay Women’s High Tea a successful gathering that celebrated the strength and unity of Mackay women.

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Zonta Club of Mackay

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After competing in her very first pageant, eight-year-old Cindy proudly took home the title of Miss Photogenic and placed in the Top 5, ultimately winning the Miss Ruby International crown. This remarkable achievement of ranking second among five levels: Amethyst, Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, and Diamond, has brought immense joy to Cindy and her supporters.

Cindy’s mother, Monique, expressed her pride, saying, “Cindy was really happy with her crowns and sashes.”

This success is just the beginning for Cindy, whose passion for modelling has opened doors to new and exciting opportunities. She is thrilled to announce her role as a brand ambassador for Harper Bee, a community loved Mackay family business offering “all things teens and tweens.”

Cindy was introduced to modelling last year under the supportive guidance of her teacher assistant, Miss Alexis, who also participated in the Fashion vs Beauty event, creating a special bond between them. In a lovely twist of fate, Miss Alexis’ mother, Lisa, is the owner of Harper Bee.

When Monique spotted a flyer on Instagram about becoming a Harper Bee ambassador, she applied for Cindy and Lisa graciously welcomed her into the Harper Bee family. Through this partnership, Cindy feels inspired to use her platform to support causes that are close to her heart.

Just six months ago, Cindy began fundraising for the #Love Your Ovaries Campaign, motivated by her mother’s own health scare and in memory of her late Grandad Colin, a war veteran who sadly lost his battle with cancer.

Recently, Cindy’s beloved Lola passed away on October 16 after her own courageous fight with cancer. While Cindy carries the weight of this loss in her heart, she can hopefully find strength in honouring Lola’s memory through her fundraising efforts and wonderful achievements.

With her natural talent and a heart full of compassion, Cindy aspires to make a positive impact wherever she goes.

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Cindy with her Lola, who passed away on October 16, 2024. Photos supplied

Alexis Versaci and Cindy at the Miss Diamond International pageant

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Over time, the things we want and need in a home can change. This is when you ask yourself ‘do I renovate and create exactly what I need?’ or ‘do I relocate and find something new?’. Here’s some tips to help you consider what may be best for you.
 
Choosing to renovate
Renovating allows you to customise your plans and create a home that is exactly how you want it to be. An office space, another bathroom, a second living area. Although a renovation may cost you money upfront, any upgrades or additions can add value to your property in the long term.
 
However, renovation budgets can blow out. The cost of building materials can rise, and delays can push out completion dates. There's also the risk of overcapitalising your home. This happens when the renovation costs more than the value you’ve added.
 
Choosing the relocate
If you choose to relocate, you can look for a property that meets your needs, rather than having to work with a property that’s no longer suitable. You’ll have more freedom over location, and you might be able to leverage equity in your current home to buy a property with greater growth potential.
 
Depending on where you want to live, relocating may come with significant costs. This is especially true if you need to sell your existing home before you buy. Real estate agent fees, stamp duty, moving and solicitor/conveyancing costs can quickly mount up.
 
So, which is best?
If your current location isn’t right for you, that’s a significant reason to relocate. But, if you’re happy where you are and you think a renovation could transform your home into what you need, staying put might be the better option for you.
 
Your friendly team at Community Bank Sarina are here for you. For more information on funding options when renovating or relocating, call 4943 2634 or visit us in branch at 37 Broad Street, Sarina.
 
Bendigo Bank – the better big bank.

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If you’re on the hunt for a new addition to your wardrobe, look no further than the North Mackay Kidney Support Network (KSN) Inc Community Op Shop on Evans Avenue.

This week, from 8-15th of November, they’re offering readers a special offer of 50% off all clothing!

Here’s the best part… every dollar spent at KSN’s Op Shop directly supports individuals living with kidney disease in the community, with proceeds going towards essential services, particularly door-to-door transport for patients attending dialysis or medical appointments.

Operations Manager Paula O'Neill emphasises the importance of this initiative.

“All of the revenue from the op shop goes towards supporting kidney patients in the Mackay region, particularly providing transport to and from the hospital,” she said.

The Kidney Support Network not only aids individuals with kidney disease but also extends support to their families and carers. All KSN shops are staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers, ensuring that every dollar spent is reinvested into vital services for those affected by kidney disease.

Their transport service is crucial for patients requiring dialysis treatment up to three times a week, however, this initiative is not government funded and relies solely on donations, volunteering and community support. This means that your purchases play a critical role in sustaining these indispensable services.

“We’re definitely always looking for volunteers to work in our Op Shops to help support our service,” says Paula.

If you’re interested in making a difference and have some spare time, consider stopping by the Evans Avenue Op Shop to discuss volunteering opportunities with the team. From sorting donations to assisting customers, every bit of help contributes significantly to supporting patients and advancing KSN’s mission.

By shopping at the KSN Community Op Shop, you’re not just grabbing a bargain, you’re also funding life-saving services for those navigating the challenges of kidney disease.

Their Op Shop offers a diverse selection of items and sizes, from trendy tops and versatile trousers to cozy winter wear. With new items arriving frequently, there’s always something fresh and exciting on the racks, making it the perfect opportunity to update your wardrobe while supporting a worthy cause.

In addition to the Evans Avenue location, KSN operates four Op Shops throughout the region, including sites in the Mackay city centre, Sarina and Mirani.

As you shop, Paula also encourages everyone to consider their eligibility to become a donor, noting that it could be the “gift of life to someone.”

Stay informed about great weekly items and promotions on clothing and other goodies by following KSN on their Facebook page.

Find something fabulous and be part of something extraordinary!

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Get in quick as the 50% off sale ends November 15th! Photos supplied

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The Pioneer Swimming Club is excited to announce their new club captains for the 2024/25 season, Zahli Herring and Stevie Brand.

A representative from swimming club said, “The role of captain is given to those athletes whom the rest of the team respect and trust to lead them in the right direction - Zahli and Stevie nominated for these roles, and agreed to lead and inspire their junior swimmers for the season.”

Members from the club also expressed their gratitude to WHF Constructions - Building Contractors Australia for sponsoring the captains this season. .

At the Pioneer Swim Centre itself, pride is taken in offering a variety of programs that cater to the diverse needs of the community. The facility boasts an 8-lane, 50m swimming pool surrounded by ample lawn space, making it the perfect spot for families to swim and relax. Programs include swimming and water safety lessons, Junior Squads, birthday party packages, and aqua aerobics, all designed to ensure everyone can enjoy a positive aquatic experience.

Centre Hours
Monday - Friday: 5:30 am - 7:00 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Public Holidays: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Pioneer Swimming Club announced Zahli Herring and Stevie Brand as club captains for the 2024/25 season. Photo credit: Pioneer Swimming Club (Facebook)

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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay
This being our first column post-election, on behalf of CANEGROWERS Mackay I would like to congratulate the successful candidates across the region. We look forward to continuing to work with them as the new term of a new government for Queensland takes office and implements policy and programs.
CANEGROWERS, throughout the election was clear about the needs of the industry to continue to raise productivity, sustainability in an effort to continue to reach and supply our diverse markets. We hope that the Crisafulli Government has taken these matters on board.
We are confident that we can work with our local members to achieve good outcomes on local issues.
The top issue for the Mackay area is cost of electricity, which is preventing irrigators making use of their water allocations and challenging the viability of irrigation schemes.
We will continue to press the case for a food and fibre tariff for electricity, but in Mackay’s case, there is another option. We have a mill that is supplying electricity to the national grid. It would require only a change to legislation to allow Mackay Sugar to establish a virtual microgrid with it supplying its own electricity to its growers as its customers, and without any extra infrastructure.
Irrigation has been proven through projects like the CANEGROWERS Mackay Irrigation Project to deliver benefits not only for productivity, but for reducing nutrient runoff by increasing the cane plants Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE). It makes sense to increase the industry’s capacity to affordably irrigate.
Which leads to Smartcane BMP. It is vital that the State Government continue to support the funding for this and to increase incentives for growers to make the practice change that has been proven across (almost) a decade of the best management practice program.
Strong research and development remains a critical area for maintaining the industry, and helping build productivity, sustainability and biosecurity. Funding to continue to improve research into practices and products remains an important way government can keep the sugar cane industry strong. However, it is a fallacy if we think growers can implement change on their own. Previous Federal and State Governments have spent massive amounts of money on water quality, however change is slower than it should be. Actual change and results happen at farm level, leaving us asking the question: why isn’t more of the funding targeted at changes on the farm.
Feral pigs remain one of the region’s major pest species problems, across all agriculture. Helicopter shoots are an effective way to deal with the ever-increasing population. However, these are costly. Farmers are working to control the pest on their land, but the reality is that pigs are using unmanaged state and federal land as a breeding ground. Governments are as big a landholder as it gets, so realistically there needs to be far greater investment by state and Federal Government in control measures, including subsidising community pest control projects like helicopter shoots.
We also encourage our new State Government to continue to support the work that has been done in market diversification by its predecessor and the sugarcane industry. This is work across the development of a sustainable aviation fuel manufacturing sector that sources sugarcane waste as a feedstock, and alternate proteins production that uses sugar as a base. Moreover, we would like to see government policy and practical support for mill co-generation plants to take an increasing role in the State’s energy generation mix. The capacity has been proven at Mackay Sugar’s Racecourse Mill, delivering a third of Mackay’s energy demand.
We also need to see clear support that across any value-add to sugarcane, whether molasses, ethanol, SAFs, or cogenerated electricity, that there is a clear benefit to the feedstock producers: the cane growers. There must be a value proposition across the paddock to mill supply chain.

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Feral pigs remain a serious pest in this region, posing threats across biosecurity, environment and productivity. Photo credit: Reef Catchments

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