Council is aware of water discolouration at Midge Point, which is due to emergency firefighting activities that occurred in the area on Friday, October 27, and Saturday, October 28.

Council advises to not consume darkly coloured water at this stage. A water tanker is currently available at Midge Point Rural Fire Brigade, 1481 Midge Street, from 2.30pm to 5:30pm today and noon to 5pm tomorrow for residents to obtain drinking water only.

During firefighting periods, there is a significantly higher water demand in the system which increases velocities in the pipe and stirs up any sediment in the existing pipe network.

Council is completing scouring works to help minimise the impact, but some ongoing issues are expected until the system returns to normal operation.

The discoloured water is safe for other activities such as washing dishes, bathing and washing clothing, however dark water may stain light clothing.

Council conducts regular water quality testing and any results that don't meet the guideline values are reported to Queensland Health and the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.

Council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and encourages customers to continue to contact us to report discoloured water.

If you have any concerns, please call 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

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Region’s Rescuers ‘Gob-Smacked’ By Record Donation

One of Mackay’s smallest schools has shown enormous heart with an incredible, record donation to the region’s rescuers.

Chelona State School fundraised an incredible $13,000 for RACQ CQ Rescue during Rescue Chopper Week and has now set their sights on reaching a target donation of

$15,000 by next Friday.

The blue and yellow Bell 412 rescue helicopter landed on the oval last Friday morning, about 15km south of Mackay, to thank the students and teachers for their fundraising efforts ahead of their school fun run.

Chelona Teacher Amy Privileggio said the school community felt RACQ CQ Rescue was an important charity as a number of families had actually used the lifesaving service.

“Through our school fun run we’ve raised $12,090.22 for RACQ CQ Rescue which is just fantastic for such a little school,” she said.

“Our fun run is being held today but our fundraising is ongoing and already this morning, it's increased by another $1000 to $13,000. We actually expect that the total amount raised will continue to climb in the next week.”

RACQ CQ Rescue confirmed it was a record amount for a school donating to the rescue chopper service.

Chelona School Soars In Fundraising Efforts For RACQ CQ Rescue

Ms Privileggio said the rescue helicopter was often seen overhead the school by students and was an absolutely vital service in the community.

“There’s a few of our families who have actually used the chopper so we wanted to do this fun run to raise funds for such an important charity,” she said.

“We only have 110 students at our school and most of those are fundraising for the fun run, with some of our kids actually raising over $1000 alone, so that's just amazing.”

The students were also given an extra incentive to reach fundraising targets, she said.

“If they reached $10,000, the students got to slime teacher Mr Matthews and we've decided today if they can now reach $15,000 by next Friday, they also get to slime the school principal Ms Brown as well as some of the RACQ CQ rescue crew,” she said.

Chelona teacher Kym Marshall admitted she was incredible emotional and had goosebumps watching the rescue helicopter landing on the oval today as it was a traumatic reminder of when her son was airlifted to hospital by RACQ CQ Rescue in March last year.

Eight-year-old Hunter suffered serious abdominal injuries while bull riding near Bloomsbury.

“I was riding a mini bull and I got my hand stuck in a rope and I was dragged along the ground,” the Year 4 student said.

“It (the bull) stood on me and sliced open my stomach, so I had to go to hospital.” Hunter was airlifted by RACQ CQ Rescue from Proserpine to Mackay hospital for further treatment.

“I remember a little bit of going in the helicopter, but it got me to Mackay a lot quicker than going by road,” Hunter said.

He said it felt “pretty good” about the school donating a record amount to the service which cared for him after such a frightening ordeal.

“I raised $75 for the chopper through our school fun run because it’s pretty important to help keep the chopper in the air to help other people like me.”

The Sammut family, including dad Chris, mum Trish, and students Kiara, Miley, Zachary and Nicholas, were also airlifted by the rescue helicopter back in 2017 when their Homebush home was inundated by floodwaters in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie. Another Chelona parent, Helene Bezzina, said members of her family had also used the service after accidents on cattle properties and that her father had also been airlifted by RACQ CQ Rescue with a medical condition.

The highest fundraiser for the Chelona School fun run was Harry Silling ($1270), followed by runner-up Jackson Wynn ($1150) and Nash Milburn ($520). The Sillings, including Evelyn, Harry, Jack and mum Patrice were the family who raised the most amount of money.

Year 6 student Sam Bezzina said it was quite exciting to see the rescue helicopter land on their school oval and chat to the crew this morning.

“It’s good to see them land here – it was really cool,” he said.

Sam said he was looking forward to the fun run and enjoying some time on the large jumping castles with his friends.

RACQ CQ Rescue Media and Communications Manager Naomi Noy said the service was “gob-smacked” by the amount raised by such a small school.

“They’ve done a phenomenal job fundraising – it’s an absolute record amount for a school donating to our rescue chopper service. We couldn’t be more grateful for their efforts,” she

said.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to land here at Chelona today to thank the school as each year we have to raise about $5 million to keep the service up in the air. It costs about $11,500 each hour to have the helicopter on task and we have a huge workload.

“We’ve already flown 587 missions this year, so that’s a lot of lives touched and changed by the rescue chopper in this community.

“But today, the real heroes are these incredible kids and the amazing donation they’ve made to this vital service.”

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The Sammut family, including mum Trish, Miley, Zachary and Nicholas enjoyed a viewing of the RACQ CQ Rescue Bell 412 helicopter at the Chelona State School landing last Friday. The family were airlifted by RACQ CQ Rescue during Cyclone Debbie in 2017. Photo credit: RACQ CQ Rescue

Chelona student Hunter Marshall with crew from left, rescue crew officer Jarrod Healey, air crewman Mick Di Stefano and pilot Leigh Wilkinson. Hunter was airlifted by RACQ CQ Rescue last March

Hunter Marshall in the pilot seat of the Bell 412 helicopter

Hunter Marshal and his mother, Chelona teacher, Kym Marshall

Chelona State School captains with RACQ CQ Rescue crew from left, pilot Leigh Wilkinson, air crewman Mick Di Stefano and rescue crew officer Jarrod Healey

Chelona fundraising heroes Jackson, Harry and Nash

Entire school of 110 students with the chopper

Crew talk to students

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Mackay’s festive spirit will soon be on full display as Mackay Regional Council staff will begin installing Christmas decorations this Saturday (October 28).

The long lead time is necessary to ensure the decorations are in place for the festive season and so that work can be done at times that won’t inconvenience the public.

The installations will be completed each weekend from now until early December, with most of the banner and pole unit installations completed in the early hours or mornings.

Motorists are asked to take care when driving, as staff will be working close to the road during the installations.

This year’s Christmas decorations will include:

• Christmas tree at Calen next to the RSL building (October 28-29 installation)

• Christmas tree at Sarina in front of the library (November 4-5 installation)

• Christmas tree in Walkerston in Anzac Park (November 12 installation)

• Christmas tree and garland at Bluewater Quay (November 18 installation)

• Christmas tree at Mirani in Anzac Park (November 26 installation)

• 116 banners

• 62 pole units

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Mackay’s Christmas tree will be located at the Bluewater Quay and installed on the 18th November

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Queensland Police are investigating following a wilful damage incident in Slade Point last week on 19th October.

Emergency services were called to the Slade Esplanade property just after 7pm following reports of a shot fired.

Upon arrival, police observed damage from a single impact on the outside wall before investigating further.

Mackay police said that people were home during the shooting incident but no injuries were sustained. Two people were confirmed as being home at the time of the shooting but it is unclear if there may had been others.

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton, Mackay CIB, said bullets had travelled into the interior of the home.

“Concerningly from that incident the projectiles had gone through the front wall of the house, and then travelled through two further walls and lodged in a rear bedroom at the back of the premises,” he said.

“Inside the house at the time was a 32-year-old female and a 59-year-old male, thankfully no persons were injured during the course of that particular shooting.

“As you can imagine the occupants were incredibly shaken, it’s an incredibly seriously incident, the shooting of a projectile into a house can have deadly consequences,” he said.

Witnesses or anyone with relevant vision is urged to come forward. Police are unsure if the offenders arrived at the property in a vehicle or by foot so all footage from surrounding streets around the date and time of the offence is welcomed.

“Anyone with CCTV footage from the streets surrounding Slade Point Esplanade area or dashcam footage from that area on that evening are urged to come forward,” DSS Eaton said.

“We also call on members of the public that may have knowledge of the particular incident, I have no doubt there will be members of the community who will know who committed this offence or have strong suspicions who has done this.

“We ask them to contact local police or Crime Stoppers.”

Police said they have no reason to believe it was a random shooting and are looking into whether it was the occupants who were targeted or people who were visiting the premises.

At this stage police haven’t confirmed the type of firearm used in the shooting and said forensic teams have retrieved the projectiles for testing. They confirmed that witnesses reported hearing one distinctive loud bang but it was part of their ongoing investigation to determine how many shots were fired.

Investigations are continuing.

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Last week, students from Pioneer State High School were proud to present a cheque to the not-for-profit organisation, Broken Ballerina Inc.

The students showed their Pioneer Pride, raising almost $2,500 during their Market Day in the previous school term.

Market Day was an initiative that came to life through the Student Pride Team and Wellbeing Staff, enabling everyone throughout the school to contribute and become involved in giving back to the community.

These funds will help Broken Ballerina Inc. to continue in assisting victims of domestic and family violence in the Mackay region.

Well done to the students and staff from Pioneer State High School on their monumental efforts for a vitally important and beloved local charity.

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The past few weeks have been nothing short of a celebration of the vibrant tourism scene in our region. First, Mackay/Isaac had its turn, and then the Whitsundays. But let's dive into a key insight from Amanda Pelagalli, the recipient of Mackay Isaac Tourism's Outstanding Contribution by an Individual award, as it truly resonated. Instead of grumbling about a lack of activities, her advice is simple: get off the couch and make things happen. Be part of the solution.

Tourism in the region is booming, and you don't need to look further than Nebo Road to see that our local accommodations are consistently booked. That's a surefire sign of a bustling economy. This wave of opportunity offers an exciting prospect for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit, eager to add new activities and attractions to our beautiful Mackay.

Amanda's thriving Adventure Tour business showcasing Cape Hillsborough and Eungella, and the ever-popular Wildcat Mackay island and sunset tours, are living proof that there's an abundance of untapped potential. So, who's ready to pick up the mantle and unveil more hidden gems of our tropical landscape?

In reality, there's a wealth of events and experiences happening right here, practically on our doorstep. From the recent Global Grooves to upcoming sporting showdowns like the GC Suns versus Essendon WAFL, followed by the women's Big Bash featuring the Heat ladies, our calendar is packed. Every weekend, the region offers a range of opportunities, such as the thrilling PBR and this Saturday's track cycling carnival at the Walkerston Velodrome, another event open to spectators at no cost.

So, when you encounter the age-old adage that there's nothing to do in Mackay, open your eyes. Or read our weekly event guide. Our region is teeming with life, innovation, and adventure. The possibilities are boundless, and it's your curiosity that will set the limit.

Amanda

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More people will soon have access to Mackay’s beautiful blue water river with the installation of a floating pontoon.

The pontoon, to be constructed at the end of Brisbane Street, near the Bluewater Quay, is part of the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area’s (PDA) Riverside Revitalisation project.

The pontoon will allow commercial and non-motorised watercraft to have centralised access to the Pioneer River to load and unload for a day of recreation.

Contractor SMC Marine Pty Ltd has been fabricating the floating pontoon offsite and will start the installation process in early November, weather permitting.

All piling equipment and the pontoon will be delivered to the site in stages over a number of weeks. As it is delivered it will be offloaded to a barricaded laydown area at the River Street boat ramp before being floated up the river to its final location at the Brisbane Street fishing pier.

The River Street boat ramp will not be closed during this time; however, motorists and fishers are asked to please follow all instructions from traffic controllers.

The Brisbane Street fishing pier will be closed to the public during installation, however the surrounding pedestrian paths around the pier and Bluewater Quay area will remain open.

Working hours will be generally Monday to Friday, from 6am to 6pm, and some weekends or night works when required.

The floating pontoon is anticipated to be completed by late December 2023, weather permitting.

Some dust and noise disruptions are expected due to the various plant and equipment onsite, however, appropriate controls will be put in place to minimise impacts.

This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

For more information contact Community Engagement on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

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A map showing the area at the River Street boat ramp that will be a barricaded laydown area during the works

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According to the latest figures produced by the Queensland Government, the Mackay region has beaten south-east Queensland in receiving its share of state government infrastructure spending.

Data from the Queensland Budget papers and the Queensland Government Statistician's Office shows 56 per cent more per capita is being spent by the state government on infrastructure and capital works in the Mackay region, compared to its counterparts in South East Queensland.

In fact, infrastructure spending in the Mackay Region has been higher than in SEQ for the last five financial years.

The figures show that in the last available financial year (2021-22), for every person in the Mackay region, the state government has spent $3,603 on local infrastructure and capital works, compared to $2,307 per person in South East Queensland.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert pointed to an extensive range of projects that have been delivered for Mackay in recent years, proving the Mackay region is receiving its fair share of funding.

“We’ve had massive projects like the Mackay Ring Road, Walkerston Bypass and Peak Downs Highway upgrades, as well as new hospitals in Sarina and Moranbah, an extension to the Mackay Base Hospital going ahead, the works to the Great Barrier Reef arena and much more,” Ms Gilbert stated.

“The data is clear - we are receiving more funding for projects in our region per person than those in SEQ - and we have done so for a long time.

“I’m proud of what we’ve been able to secure for Mackay. And I’m happy to say that will continue under this government.

“People are saying: ‘Let’s go to Mackay because it’s the best place to be’,” Ms Gilbert said.  

Ms Gilbert debunked the rumours that Mackay gets less than its fair share in funding, saying: “The LNP like to talk a tough game about us receiving less than our southern counterparts saying we are missing out but it’s simply not the case.”

In 2021, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner made headlines complaining that the Queensland Government was spending too much in regional Queensland, arguing Brisbane was being shortchanged.

“He must be feeling the pinch, because he knows that per capita, more money is being spent on each individual up here in the region compared to down there in Brisbane,” Ms Gilbert added.  

Ms Gilbert is looking forward to the results of the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Project, with a potential cash injection of around $12 billion making the spend per capita even more abundant.

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Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert showing the latest financial figures. Photo credit: Sinead Porter

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Mackay Engineering College have partnered with the Mackay Chamber of Commerce to deliver the ‘Cars for Communities’ initiative, revving up this year to donate four newly refurbished cars to not-for-profit organisations.

Mackay Engineering College was built in 2011 with funding from Queensland State Government to allow students from the Mackay region state schools to take part in vocational training programs.  

Students from Year 11 and 12 from the six local state high schools are currently completing their Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology over the course of the 2023 school year.

The students attend the college for one day a week and spend at least one week out of every school term committing themselves to work experience, to get amongst the automotive industries and prepare for future apprenticeships.

The students have learnt a range of skills to achieve their competencies, such as basic motor servicing and studying the purposes of all operating components within a vehicle, like gearboxes and transmissions.  

Anthony Puddicombe from Mackay Engineering College commented on the ‘real-world experience’ the students are achieving, stating: “It’s a great opportunity for them to work on a real car rather than just a part of a car that’s a simulator.

“They can relate back to what we’ve shown them based on what they’re doing within their [future] apprenticeships.”

The ‘Cars for Communities’ initiative started back at the end of 2022. The sourcing of scrapped cars began in February this year, with students spending this year repairing the cars to road-safety standards.

Cars have been donated to the Mackay Engineering College by parents and interested community members. Previously, students had restored vehicles that were ultimately sent to the wreckers, whereas now they will make a significant difference to the wider community.

The initiative sees a selection process held by the Mackay Chamber of Commerce, who receive applications from not-for-profit organisations and decide who will benefit the most.

Mr Puddicombe stated, “The fact that a not-for-profit can get a car and use it for their needs, whether it is learner drivers or visiting people in homes that need [support], it’s a great opportunity.”

Chamber Committee Member Cathy Sullivan said: “Mackay Region Chamber are very excited to announce an exciting opportunity for community not-for-profit organisations to receive the gift of mobility.”

The first fleet of four are now ready to be donated, with the Year 11 and 12 students working diligently throughout 2023 to achieve this impressive goal.

Repco, Beaurepairs, Protector Autoglass, Bakers Creek Wreckers and DC Power and Auto have supplied their time, parts and services to the college to assist with the project.

Without the support of these local businesses, the dedicated student workers of ‘Cars for Communities’ would have struggled to maintain such a high standard in the restoration of vehicles.

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Mackay Engineering College, Mackay Chamber of Commerce and local sponsors

Year 11 and 12 students in action with mechanical repairs

Credit: Sinead Porter

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Two of Mackay’s largest and most dynamic organisations have joined forces in a bid to attract more major sporting events to the region.

This new strategic partnership between Mackay Airport and Harrup Park has a mission to increase visitation and secure national and international sporting showdowns.

Mackay Airport Head of Operations Adrian Miles said Mackay was ‘ideally positioned’ to welcome more major events in 2024.

“This is a great opportunity to use one of the largest sporting facilities in regional Australia, and its delivering world-class experiences.

“There’s fantastic potential to grow the sports tourism market leading up to the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.

“We’ll collaborate with the team at Great Barrier Reef Arena and approach stakeholders for potential opportunities.

“We should be able to approach airline partners and see if we can get additional flights to cater for major events to bring people into the region.” Mr Miles commented.

Mr Miles stated that this is the first of some new exciting opportunities for the community that Mackay Airport is looking into, with more announcements on the way in the near future.

Harrup Park Chief Executive Officer Adrian Young said the arena would become a destination for more major key events, including 2025 Australia vs. South Africa T20 cricket as well as preparation for national and international sporting carnivals, concerts and festivals.

“Both Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket have told us this is the best regional facility for cricket in Australia.

“We’ve had the pitch and outfield rated as excellent, with the Queensland Cricket Captain stating this is the best one outside of the Gabba.” Mr Young exclaims.  

“We will have a significant role to play in the lead up to and during the Brisbane 2032 Olympics,” he said.

But it’s not just about the cricket, with another strong focus on AFL and broadening the horizon with other sports to facilitate more events at the arena.

The dynamic partnership hopes to see the local economy diversified by an influx of tourism from all over Queensland, as well as playing a crucial role in making new opportunities a reality.

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Harrup Park Chief Executive Officer Adrian Young and Mackay Airport Head of Operations Adrian Miles. Photo credit: Sinead Porter

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A family in the Mackay region has been left shattered after discovering their thoroughbred horse, Skye, deliberately killed in their paddock on Beaconsfield Road, 4th October.

The heartbreaking discovery happened just after 8am on Thursday, just two minutes from the family home.

Skye’s body was found “in a lying down position”, Owner Melissa Turner at first suspected the horse had passed away from a snake bite.

The 19-year-old former racehorse was said to be in good health the night before the discovery. Having been the riding companion of Ms Turner’s daughter, Brooklyn, for the past six years in pony club and riding events.

Police have ruled Skye’s death as ‘foul play’ and are currently investigating the circumstances leading up to the tragic event. The death of the horse is now a matter subject to a major police investigation.

While there have been no solid developments in the case, owner Melissa Turner commented, “We have received a huge amount of support from the community and lots of calls have been made to Police Link.

“Not even just the horse community, they have been amazing. Just general people, especially people who live in the area who have driven past everyday and seen the horses.”

Rumours and names of alleged offenders have spread around the community and local high schools, Mackay police are following up on leads and the matter is still under investigation.

“The Major Organised Crime Squad from Rockhampton are here, they are experts in this field,” Sergeant Nigel Dalton from Mackay Police said.

Ms Turner stated, “The police have done a lot of testing, there might have been developments in the case that we are not aware of at this stage.

“The most important thing is that if people have information, they pass on how they heard it, not third hand information.”

Police have not revealed the cause of death.

The family have put up a sign in their paddocks to jog the memories of people who might have more information.

Local residents who may have dashcam footage from the night before (3rd October) or the morning of the incident are encouraged to report anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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A new, cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) laboratory marks a significant stride toward revolutionising workforce development and readiness in the mining industry.

On 20th October, Anglo American and the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) came together to deliver their purpose-built, fully integrated VR laboratory to better prepare workers for the mine site.

The lab is designed to equip mining professionals, training organisations and community groups with immersive experiences and advanced learning tools.

This technology allows users to gain access to more than 20 training modules, ranging from critical safety protocols to advanced mining techniques and technologies.

A growing list of courses includes working at height, hazard identification, boom and scissor lift operation, hand safety, and working with hazardous substances but there is also potential for site-specific courses to be developed.

Anglo American’s Australia CEO Dan van der Westhuizen said safety, innovation and sustainability were critical to the future of mining in Queensland.

He said the VR lab would become a vital companion to on-the-job training, allowing workers to learn key skills in a safe and supportive environment.

"This new partnership exemplifies our commitment to fostering innovation and preparing the mining workforce for the future,” he said.

“New technologies will require new skills and the lab is a significant step forward in harnessing virtual reality to train and upskill our teams.

“The lab can be used for graduate assessment, trades assessment and onboarding, site inductions and industry problem solving.”

RCOE CEO Steven Boxall said he looked forward to booking mining companies, training organisations and community/school groups to use the VR lab for training solutions, problem solving and technology trials.

“Everyone is talking about virtual reality but it’s hard to test and trial it without access to the hardware and the relevant training platform,” he said.

“Anglo American’s support has enabled our region to now have access to all of that via Next World Enterprises who developed the VR platform.

Aquila Mine General Manager Shane McDowall, who has also been RCOE Board Chairman for the past year, said this virtual reality technology could pave the way for a new era in training for mine sites like his.

“Being able to immerse new-to-industry personnel in real-world situations without the presence of hazards will help raise awareness around hazards and fundamental controls required in our industry.

“It's not only a tool for Anglo American but also for the wider community to experience and learn about the industry in a highly immersive and safe environment."

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CEO Dan van der Westhuizen and RCOE CEO Steven Boxall introducing the new VR labs

Photo credit: Sinead Porter

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When was the last time you checked in on your home loan? It's usually a tedious and seemingly frivolous task. But what if we told you there's an easy-to-use, free tool that considers your current home loan and your future goals?

Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank’s home loan health check starts with a review of your current interest rate, loan structure, home value, repayment options and remaining loan term. The team will also ask you about your goals, aspirations and any short or long term plans you have. From here, the team will explore options that are available to suit your circumstances.

Community Bank Sarina’s Branch Manager Charmaine Matsen believes it’s important for all home owners – no matter how long you’ve had your loan – to get it checked regularly.

“As borrowers’ circumstances change, and interest rates fluctuate, it’s important that you review your home loan to ensure you are making the best financial decisions to suit both you, and the options available at that time.”

Ideally you should be reviewing your home loan annually, but there’s a few indications that it’s time to take another look:

● Your interest rate is higher than advertised rates for new customers (or you don’t know your rate at all!)

● You don’t have access to features like an offset account

● Your circumstances have changed since you took out your home loan, e.g. income changes or life goals

● Your fixed rate has ended (or is ending soon)

● You were previously on a special offer ‘honeymoon’ rate which has now reverted to a higher rate

● Your home value has increased

Charmaine urges borrowers to take action and seize the opportunities available.

“Contact us or visit us at Community Bank Sarina. We’re here to guide you on your financial journey so you can achieve those financial goals – and the home loan health check is a great place to start.”

If you want to achieve your financial goals, a free home loan health check with Community Bank Sarina could unlock opportunities to get you there sooner. Contact Charmaine and the team at Community Bank Sarina on 07 4943 2634.

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Sarina’s young achievers were in the spotlight last week at the Sarina State High School (SSHS) Annual Presentation Night.

Bringing together the school community, students were awarded for qualities such as academic excellence, leadership, and contributions to their school and the wider community.

Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank sponsored the Community Citizenship Role Model Awards (Grades 7-12), the Employment Ready Award, and the Excellence in Business Award.

Community Bank Sarina Deputy Chair Maree Franettovich said the awards overall are a way to recognise students for their diligent work and accomplishments, whilst also motivating students to reach their full potential.

The Community Citizenship Role Model Award acknowledges a student’s active participation in their school and broader community, looking to each grade level for students who are getting involved and giving back to their community.

The Employment Ready Award focuses on the student’s demonstration of employability skills, such as dependability, adaptability and resilience – while the Excellence in Business Award specified an outstanding contribution to the Business Technology Department, and enthusiastically participating in business activities outside of class time also.

“It was wonderful to see a celebration of the diverse talents and skills of our local young people. Community Bank Sarina is proud to support these awards – they are an opportunity to provide recognition, instilling confidence and belief in their abilities,” Ms. Franettovich said.

Community Bank Sarina also sponsored two $2000 SSHS Senior Schooling Scholarships for students entering grade 11 in 2024, which were presented to Jacob Adams and Sophie Steindl.

The selection criteria for the scholarships covered not just academic efforts, but also school and community engagement, plus personal and career goals.

Scholarship recipient Sophie said the scholarship relieved financial pressure for her family and was grateful for the generosity of Community Bank Sarina and the support of her parents to encourage her to apply.

“Scholarships like these are important as they help students like me receive opportunities in education that they might not of aimed for before. I hope to complete further education in the medical field after school as I have always loved helping people, and this scholarship is a helpful step towards these goals,” Ms Steindl said.

Scholarship recipient Jacob was “excited and happy” that this scholarship will give him the chance to get his name out in the community, and help him eventually chase a career in either sports, engineering, or both.

“I hope to continue studying after high school to become an engineer, and pursue my passion for sprinting and NRL.”

“It’s great that Community Bank Sarina gives back to their community through scholarships such as these, and I look forward to seeing what opportunities it brings,” Mr Adams said.

Community Bank Sarina also offer CQUniversity scholarships annually and applications for 2024 open November 1. For more information see the Community Bank Sarina Facebook page or contact executive@sarinacommunity.com.au.

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Meet the infamous duo, Elmo and Chicken Man, two men creating smiles in the Mackay region with their funky motorcycle helmets and dance moves in traffic.

Name: Ethan Grech (Grechy)

Handle: @motogrechy

Alias: Elmo

Age: 18

Origin: Mackay

Bike: Black Yamaha MT-07

Ethan Grech, better known by his crew as ‘Grechy’, is a born and raised Mackay local with a strong love for his region.

Growing up, he always wanted his motorcycle license and had a strong passion for bikes.

Mr Grech has many reasons for taking on the Elmo alias, from making his rides around town more entertaining for himself, as well as receiving positive reactions from the wider community. He likes to stand apart from the crowd and dare to be different.

“I guess I use the helmet as a logo or icon to show that it’s that rider there, who does all these things.” He stated.

“A lot of reactions are positive, but when you do something different you expect some to judge.

“I find that anything you do in life, there is always one out of one hundred that would judge or have their own negative view.

“But when I ride every day, I get about ten photos or videos from people with a bright smile behind the camera, so I will never stop because it benefits people’s lives from laughing.

“I see it as I show an example of kindness on the bike and making people laugh, people can do the same.”

Mr Grech inspired his group of friends to join the helmet trend and hopes to one day get himself to the stage of making himself more well-known, to the point that he is able to start up a charity.

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Name: Ryan De Jager

Handle: @ryanorigins

Age: 23

Alias: Chicken Man

Origin: South Africa

Bike: 1996 Yamaha Virago 535 – modified into a bobber

Ryan De Jager is a boilermaker by trade and is well-known by his alias as the ‘Chicken Man’. He loves to wear his helmet to ‘make people laugh and bring some joy to people and their kids.’

Mr De Jager commented that the reaction from the community has been ‘very positive’ and he loves to see the smiles and waving from people in traffic.

His favourite memory of his time doing this is when the group went for the first ride together, as well as being invited onto Star FM 101.9 radio station to be interviewed, in which he stated, “The interview was great, everyone was very kind, welcoming and very open and accepting of what we do.”

Mr De Jager was tossing and turning about his anonymity, but the effort and precautions required to stay anonymous would eventually become tedious, so he decided to just put a name to the face (or helmet).

The main thing he would like to address is that anyone is welcome to say hello and wave, take photos and videos and share them with him and the crew. However, it is important to always pay attention to the road and traffic around you.

Mr De Jager stated, “Don't get distracted by us and cause an accident, save saying hello for when you're stopped or at a red light.

“We would hate for our group of riders to be the cause of accidents.”

Elmo and Chicken Man aren’t the only riders taking part, with their group rocking a range of helmet covers, including a dragon, a unicorn and a bunny.

The pair love the special memories from people around the community, creating a positive atmosphere around Mackay and working hard to show how awesome the motorcycle community really is.

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Chicken Man and Elmo with his Yamaha MT-07. Photo credit: Raylene’s Reflections

Elmo and Chicken Man with his Yamaha Virago 535. Photo credit: Ethan Grech

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