Two weeks ago, Andrew Willcox dropped in to congratulate Libby Edge and her team at Eco Barge CleanSeas on receiving a much-needed $4000 volunteer grant to upgrade their outdated computer equipment.
Libby requested the grant back in November last year after seeing the volunteer grant opportunity on Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox’s newsletter, and received it in May this year which Libby described as a “great turn around!”
Before receiving the grant Libby and her team were using really old computers, which are vital to the running of their organisation:
“We do a lot of reporting and send out a lot of emails to our volunteers, everyone knows we need a computer to run, we were running off computers that were so old and weren't keeping up with the speed that we needed at all,” Libby explained.
The grant, which has gone to two new computers, has really streamlined the admin side of Eco Barge:
“This grant was perfect, it is so helpful, it's all about the nuts and bolts in running the organisation and you can't do it with a slow computer, but now we have brand new computers!” Libby enthused.
Libby herself uses the computers for grant writing and policy procedures, and without the admin side of Eco Barge they “can't run.”
“We reply to hundreds of emails a week and the new computers just make it that bit faster!”
Upon visiting Eco Barge, Andrew Willcox MP, stated, “It’s important we keep continuing to support organisations such as Eco Barge in the Whitsundays and I know they have big plans in the making and I look forward to continuing to work with them.”
The Eco Barge team really appreciated, Andrew Willcox’s attendance and for helping get the team the grant:
“I really want to thank Andrew and his team; it really is a daily thank you when we come into the office and it is so streamlined,” Libby emphasised.
She continued that visit to the centre, like the one Andrew Willcox MP did are important:
“It's very important for people to come into the centre and see what we do, once you come and see the marine debris, and the sheer volume that we have, it's an eye-opener, this is direct action and you can see it in action and see the plastic.”
Organisations like Eco Barge, rely on the generosity from the public and volunteers:
“If anyone donates to eco barge anything small or large is greatly appreciated, it all helps us go out there and do what we do best which is remove marine debris and protect our beautiful sea turtles.”
Libby and her team are always looking for more people to join Eco Barge: “if there are volunteers that are specialists in admin or data collection, I'm all ears and you can volunteer via our website.”
Eco Barge, now have the equipment to continue keeping their ocean clean and “raising awareness on how each individual can play their part on how to protect our ocean.”

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Founder of Eco Barge Libby Edge and Federal Member for Andrew Willcox MP

Founder of Eco Barge Libby Edge and Andrew Willcox MP, with collected marine debris

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Book Week is an exciting and magical celebration, that captivates the imaginations of children across Australia.

This year’s Book Week has an enchanting theme ‘Reading is Magic’ and it is encouraging children to read in a fun way.

‘Reading is Magic’ will be at taking place in all Whitsunday Regional Council libraries and there will be themed story times and activities for children to enjoy throughout Book Week.

Families can go in and there are lots of play stations set up, songs are also sung.

Acting team leader of Proserpine, Bowen and Collinsville Libraries Alicia Mulcahy loves reading herself and thinks it is important for children to start reading too.

“I love reading, it transports me into a new world, allowing me to have incredible adventures and meet fascinating characters. I love to read books about different cultures to learn new perspectives,” Alicia said.

“It’s important to foster a love of reading early to encourage lifelong learning!

“In school, you read to learn, and that can be a little bit boring, but reading is a lifelong skill, so if you're reading fantastic stories you learn to have a love for it.”

Alongside Book Week an annual Book of the Year Award is announced.

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA), established in 1945, hosts an annual Book of the Year Award, created to promote high-quality literature for young Australians.

There are different judging panels, and they award a book of the year.

Libraries receive a short list of books, so they can stock all of the books that are on the list, and then the CBCA award Book of the Year.

In the lead-up to the CBCA's Book of the Year Awards, children celebrate the joy of reading by dressing up as their favourite literary characters in Book Week.

During this special week stories come to life and young readers are inspired to explore the wanders of books and the limitless possibilities they hold.

Come and be a part of the enchanting Book Week celebrations at your local library! Dress up as your favourite characters and dive into the magical world of reading and start your reading journey.

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Come to Book Week and fall in love with reading, Stock Image

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Alongside the Olympic athletes, students from Bowen State High School have been excelling on the track for the past few weeks.

Bowen State High School celebrated 30 years of inclusive athletics at The Challenge Games on Wednesday 24th July.

The Challenge Games are an annual event held at the Townsville Sports Reserve, which allows students of all ages with disabilities to participate in a range of athletic and novelty activities.

Bowen State High School students represent their school with pride and enthusiasm alongside a contingent of other schools across the North Queensland Region.

Head of Diversity Craig Ninnes understands the difficulty that students with disabilities face and praises The Challenge Games inclusivity.  

“Navigating the social landscape of high school can be difficult for students with disability,” Craig Ninnes said.

“The Challenge Games allows students with disability the opportunity to connect with each other through the common theme of athletics. The friendships and self-confidence they build will allow them to improve their own wellbeing, engagement and success in learning.”

The focus of the day was fun, and friendship and students were able to socialise with local primary schools, compete against other high schools, and forge stronger relationships with their own peers.

Events for the day included shotput, long jump, rugby league, vortex throwing, fling-o-majig, 200m and sitting volleyball.

Bowen State High School Students also hit the field in their Interhouse Athletics Carnival, which was held over two days on the 1st and 2nd August.

This year’s carnival saw the highest attendance and participation it has seen in many years.

Students competed in traditional track and field events, as well as age group challenges. Highlights of the carnival included the Mascot Race and the staff verse Year 12 students’ tug-of-war.

Principal of Bowen State High School Rob Harris said these sporting events are important to students as they focus on Olympic values that they want to replicate.

“The focus is to emulate the Olympic values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship,” said Principal Harris.

“When we see students achieving results because of their hard work and training, along with students cheering on their peers and interacting positively with staff to assist with events, it highlights those extra-curricular activities are important for student and staff wellbeing.

“Congratulations to all students on their performances, especially our age champions and we wish those students who have qualified for the North Queensland Trials in Townsville later this month all the best.”

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A dedicated careers’ program has launched for students at Bowen State High School with a focus on know and grow local.

Career Academy Grow Local Connection comprises a five-session program for students to explore local career opportunities of which a key feature is the inclusion of local employer guest panels to dig deeper into just what’s on offer locally, and students hear first-hand about the range of job options and opportunities.

Bowen State High School Principal, Rob Harris has welcomed the collaboration with Career Academy to provide students, not only with personal development but also with ‘a real world’ perspective and what potential employers are looking for which is important for students looking to gain their first job out of school and start their careers.

Mr Harris said Career Academy will equip participating students across year levels, 10, 11 and 12 with greater knowledge to make first career choices and a better understanding of what employers want.

Career Academy Program Director, Maree Franettovich said the Program is focussed on personal skills development for students in a career context to build greater confidence to seek out information, plan and make decisions, and engage in the types of activities required of them to make things happen in relation to their careers.

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Pamela Greet, Jake Collins, Susan Brown, Emily Moore, Rob Harris and Maree Franettovich

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If there is one place that knows about Lawn Mowers, it's Whitsunday Mowers, the company dates back to 25 years ago, and was bought by Wayne and Sharron Drabsch in 2018.
Wayne, a seasoned business owner, brings extensive experience to the lawn mower industry. With over 40 years as a mechanic and a passion for lawn mowers dating back to when he was 13—when he would take community mowers home to study and tinker with them —Wayne combines deep technical knowledge with a lifelong enthusiasm for the field.
Business owner Wayne explained how the business went from a “little backyard business and developed into something where we service the whole area now, and not just Proserpine.”
Whitsunday Mowers only sells top quality products:
“We do not sell any cheap product at all; it's got to be value for the customer for us to put our hands on it.”
On their second-hand products the company gives a 3-month warranty to ensure the quality and longevity of their products.
Despite enjoying a strong start during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wayne acknowledges that the gardening market is highly competitive. However, given the company's rapid expansion, it’s clear they are thriving.
Whitsunday mowers has some new and exciting items coming online, including an all-terrain type mower called the ALTOZ TRX354. This machine is a commercial grade zero turn mower with tracks on the rear instead of wheels and has puncture proof front tyres. It is very stable on slopes and smooth over rough ground, it is also very good on wet soggy areas where normal mowers would get bogged.
“We are constantly looking for new products to offer the customer a better experience,” explained Wayne.
Whitsunday Mowers remains committed to supporting the community through generous donations. Recently, they backed the fishing tournament in Hideaway Bay and contributed to the Soldier's Hall in Bloomsbury.

Come support them too and take a look at their amazing new products, you can even demo an item on your own property with one of the Whitsunday Mowers staff.
www.whitsundaymowers.com.au

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Get your hands on the all new ALTOZ TRX354!

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Feeling lower than low, after discovering that someone I knew and trusted had been stealing from us for some time, I went to my vegie patch with a very heavy heart.

I discovered three things:

Firstly, Bandicoots had returned. They had destroyed two of my newly planted garden beds.
Totally unsavable. Secondly, when picking what I thought were beautiful red ripe heritage tomatoes, on closer inspection, they turned out to be eaten by caterpillars. I had not recovered the crop after the wind had blown the netting off.
Third and not really vegetable related, my pet turtle of seven years who I had let out of his tank to bask in the morning sun, had escaped from his outdoor enclosure and had run away.

CRAP! (Not a negative word in the plant growing world!)

So, what do you do to keep bandicoots and insects out of your vegie patch? It’s really simple. Net your crop with 25% shade cloth. Weight the edges down with anything you have – rocks, tent pegs or even branches that have fallen from trees.

It’s a win, win:
Firstly, you have given your crop shade from the harsh midday Whitsundays sun
Secondly, you have reduced loss of soil moisture in our (so called) dry season
Thirdly, you keep out bandicoots and insects!

There are MANY and I mean MANY options for holding your shade cloth in place.  From irrigation pipe (cut into lengths, bent into semicircles and pushed into the soil), to 25mm hardwood stakes, to bamboo bent over like you would irrigation pipe or simply use branches from trees.

A very simple but effective way to hold your shade cloth to the structure is to use clothes pegs. They work a treat.

I had let my guard down and I was paying the price.
I had let creatures into my crops by not being vigilant.
And in not being vigilant in life, I had also let someone take what was important to me.

In the garden I see the problem and I solve it! I found a way to protect what is precious to me. I don’t get angry with the insects – pointless they wouldn’t really care if I yell at them.  I just keep them at bay.

So, I stopped sulking and got into action in my garden and in my life.
Re-seeded, secured shade cloth and removed insect effected veggies and added them to the compost bin.

And guess what, three days after my turtle escaped, I stepped out of my front door to be greeted by a very hungry and dehydrated turtle. True story! Who said reptiles don’t love their owners?!

Protect your patch and reap the rewards!

IT’S THE LAST MONTH OF WINTER
While you may be sowing seeds in preparation for your spring crops, it’s also a time when you are reaping the rewards of seeds sown in the beginning of the season. So, with lots of growth it is an important time to be liquid fertilising your crops. Grab your seasol today and give your vegie patch an all important boost

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Events in Paris make Proserpine’s links to previous Olympics very topical. Although there are no Proserpinians competing in the current Olympic Games people, from this great sporting town have certainly made significant contributions to Australia’s success in the Paralympics. And there have also been two wonderful occasions when the Olympic Torch relay has passed through the region involving many locals and attracting large crowds.
Alan Dufty, a wheelchair athlete, competed in three Paralympic Games – London (1984), Seoul (1988) and Barcelona in 1992. In London, he won two gold, two silver and two bronze medals and a total of twelve medals over the three games. Upon his return after the London Olympics, one of the largest crowds ever seen in Proserpine welcomed him and saw him drive slowly down Main Street in an open vehicle. At his reception, he was presented with the Advance Australia Fair Ambassadorship, an award he now shares in the illustrious company of Bert Newton, Dennis Lillee and Sir Robert Helpmann, all past recipients of this award.
David Nicholas is another outstanding Paralympian who won cycling gold and bronze medals in London in 2012, a gold medal in cycling in the C3 3000m individual pursuit in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and a bronze medal in the men’s individual pursuit C3 in Tokyo in2020.
Amanda Fraser, granddaughter of Phil and Marie Fraser, swam in seven events in the Sydney Paralympics, reaching six finals and winning bronze medals in two. By the time of the next Paralympics in Athens, she had changed sports and went on to win silver in the discus in Athens (2004) and then in Beijing (2008).  
Glen Gough, talented local equestrian, was one of the stockhorse riders to perform in the magnificent ‘Man from Snowy River’ segment in the Sydney opening ceremony, and Australian 100 metres record holder, Patrick Johnson, spent part of his nomadic childhood near enough to Cannonvale to attend the school for a short while, long enough to set a new shot put record. Patrick went on to represent Australia in the Sydney Olympics in both sprints and the relay. Can we claim him?
The Melbourne Olympic Torch Relay evoked much interest locally. The flame had to be carried all the way from Cairns to Melbourne on foot. Each runner was required to cover one mile in under seven minutes and was tested at the showgrounds. They then trained regularly, with particular attention to the considerable weight of the torch. Often this necessitated frequent changing of hands throughout the run. One runner in Bowen even trained holding a water bottle of the same weight aloft. No women were allowed to run - their longest track event in the ’56 Games was only 400 metres. Perhaps they were considered incapable!
One of the 1956 torch bearers, Kevin Duell, was also in the team to carry the Sydney Olympic Torch in 2000 which arrived by train and was then carried around the shire. Less fitness was required and the relay team was chosen from those who had made major contributions to sport and the local community. With the inclusion of nine women in the team of twenty, clearly attitudes towards women in sport had become much more enlightened by 2000. The torch was greeted with enthusiasm by thousands of spectators who lined the route.
With the prospect of the Olympic Games in Brisbane in just eight years’ time, perhaps one of our young Whitsunday athletes could be a future Olympian at those games. You never know!

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum

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Kevin Duell who was a torch bearer in 1956 and 2000

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The eagerly awaited return of the Whitsundays Writers Festival in September 2024 offers an exciting opportunity for writers, poets, and book cover designers across Australia.
In a bold initiative, the Festival launched earlier this year the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, offering substantial cash prizes to recognise and honour outstanding contributions to the literary and design landscape.
The Heart Awards’ mission is to spotlight the diverse talents within the Australian creative community while also paying homage to the captivating Heart Reef—a natural wonder found in the Whitsundays region.
Festival President Karen Jacobsen expressed enthusiasm for the awards program, “We believe in celebrating the richness of Australian creativity in all its forms. The Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards are a testament to our commitment to recognising and rewarding the extraordinary talents within our community,” remarked Karen.
The Heart Award for Best Published Book Cover Design offers a first prize of $1,500 and $500 for the runner up for original design works for books published in Australia between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024 and offered for sale to the public.
Book covers in any genre were eligible, as were printed books, ebooks and audio book cover designs.
We are delighted to announce the longlisted submissions for the 2024 Best Published Book Cover Design award:
   • A Leaf Called Greaf, designer Rebecca Mills.
   • Birdy, designer Imogen Stubbs.
   • Courage Be My Friend, designer Rebecca Mills.
   • I am the Mau, designer Rebecca Mills.  
   • Minutiae, poet and painter Kirsten Johnston.
   • Mums and Mogs, author and illustrator Mick Elliot.
   • The Furphy Anthology 2023, designer Josh Durham/Design by Committee.
   • The Skeleton House, designer Nada Backovic.
   • They Who Nicked the Sun, designer Nicola Matthews.
   • Those Girls, designer Walker Books.  
The judging panel have diligently reviewed submissions for the Best Published Book Cover Design award against three selection criteria of title clarity and genre indication, visual appeal and tone setting, and introduction of key elements and design.
The longlist submissions are currently under further consideration. From the longlist, a final shortlist will be selected, and winners announced on Saturday 7 September 2024 at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
“In a world where first impressions matter, book covers serve as visual gateways to literary worlds. We are proud to shine a spotlight on the designers whose artistry enriches the literary landscape,” Karen remarked. “There is little recognition for our designers and the cover prize is a timely addition to the Heart Awards.”
The Festival is grateful for the generous support by the major venue partner the Whitsunday Sailing Club in hosting this year’s event.
For Festival program and tickets visit our website: www.whitsundayswriters.com

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Around 6.30am this morning, police were called to an incident at the Mackay Marina, where they have confirmed a man’s body was found deceased inside a submerged vehicle.

Authorities have speculated that the van rolled into the water and was later crushed under a pontoon that it had become stuck under with the rising tide. Police are viewing CCTV footage to confirm the circumstances of the tragedy.

Emergency services were in full force at the Marina on Thursday morning with police, fire, ambulance and other authorities on scene to determine the cause. Tow trucks and a heavy lift vehicle were on scene to assist with the attempted extrication of the vehicle from the water.

Senior Sergeant and District Duty Officer Kyle Gaule revealed that at 6:30am, police authorities received a phone call alerting them to the vehicle in the water. When they arrived at the scene, they discovered a man in the driver’s seat unresponsive in the vehicle submerged under the pontoon.

Sergeant Gaule declared that, “Just after midnight the vehicle has entered the water and it remains under investigation.

“It appears the vehicle entered at low tide, so as the tide has come in, the car has located itself under the pontoon, which the pontoon itself weighs about nine tonnes, so as the tide’s coming in the pontoon has come down on top of the vehicle.”

“To safely extract the vehicle, a heavy lift vehicle was used to make sure everybody was safe while the vehicle was extracted.”

Further investigations are required to determine how the vehicle was located initially and how it ended up in the water.

“As far as we’re aware it has rolled into the water.

“We’ve got to make some further inquiries, we will be reviewing CCTV and speaking to further witnesses,” said Sergeant Gaule.

Authorities have declared the case as non-suspicious and it will be treated as a marine/traffic incident.

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By Amanda Wright

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In a significant move to address the housing crisis, another 27 modular homes are set to be assembled and delivered to Mackay as part of the state government’s Homes for Queenslanders plan. This initiative aims to provide quick and effective housing solutions for families, individuals, and older Queenslanders looking to downsize.
These modular homes will be constructed in collaboration with Fleetwood and Ausco at their Queensland factories before being transported to four designated sites within the sugar city. A mix of one and two-bedroom homes will be built with enhanced flood resilience to ensure safety and longevity.
Earlier this year, the state government announced it would order 600 more modular homes in partnership with Queensland builders and through the state’s public building arm, QBuild. Modular homes can expedite the transition from temporary accommodations, with on-site construction taking about three months compared to a year for many traditional builds.
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon visited Mackay on Monday morning to deliver the modular homes announcement. It was also an opportunity for the Labour Party to formally introduce Belinda Hassan as their candidate for the seat of Mackay.
Ms Scanlon emphasised the efficiency of modular homes, saying, “Modular homes are speeding up production and cutting timeframes – especially in regional parts of our state like Mackay – and they’re critical to our Homes for Queenslanders plan to deliver one million more homes."
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert attended the press conference to congratulate Belinda Hassan on her party nomination and to express her enthusiasm for the state government's cost-of-living relief measures, which include $1,300 off power bills, 20% off rego, and 50-cent public transportation fares.
In her final months as the Member for Mackay, Mrs Gilbert was pleased to see proactive action being undertaken to address the homelessness crisis in Mackay.
“These new houses will benefit our community, unlocking supply and creating homes for local families and individuals," Mrs Gilbert said.
"Importantly, they’ll be built with flood resilience in mind and be located close to local schools, services, and transport.”
Belinda Hassan, currently a second-term councillor with Mackay Regional Council and Deputy Mayor, brings a wealth of experience to her candidacy. Having secured the highest number of votes in the local election, she has been a vocal advocate for community issues. During her campaign for the seat of Mackay, she will take leave from her role as Deputy Mayor.
At the time of print, a special meeting was being held by Mackay Regional Council to elect a new Deputy Mayor as Ms Hassan stated that to minimise disruption to council, she wishes to stand down from the role of Deputy Mayor immediately, to take leave for the required period to align with her period as an official candidate.
Addressing comments made on social media about her candidacy, Belinda Hassan said, “I have the community's best interests at heart.
“By taking the opportunity to run for the seat of Mackay, I can advocate for the same people who voted for me in local elections but at a higher level of government, allowing me to push for positive change.
“I came into council with no set agenda, no pet projects, only to represent the community the best I could, and that hasn’t changed.”
Ms Hassan's extensive involvement in various volunteer roles has given her firsthand insight into the homelessness crisis. Before being elected to Council, Belinda served as an after-hours support worker at a domestic violence shelter for women for nine years. Her tenure as Service Manager at the Mackay Women’s Centre further demonstrates her commitment to community welfare.
Ms Hassan said that these modular units would significantly benefit local families.
“Importantly, these modular homes and the social housing units being built in Palmer Street will make way for more families to find safe accommodation.
“There are many older people in our community wanting to downsize but the smaller units aren't available for them. This will pave the way for singles and couples to find more affordable living options while opening up multi-room homes for families, helping people across the region facing homelessness.”

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Belinda Hassan, newly announced Labor candidate for Mackay, showcasing the benefits of the upcoming modular homes with Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert congratulates Belinda Hassan on her nomination as the Labor candidate for Mackay

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If there’s one thing my little one adores, it’s bubbles! He’s forever waving his bubble wand and saying “bub, bub, bub” with all the enthusiasm of a toddler who’s just discovered magic. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest pleasures bring the greatest joy. Watching him revel in those floating spheres of happiness has given me a fresh perspective on what true joy really means.
Before our little bubble enthusiast arrived, my husband and I had a rather lofty view of joy. We thought it was about grand adventures—like our globe-trotting escapades from NASCAR at Talladega to sipping champagne on the Eiffel Tower, exploring Chichen Itza guided by an archaeologist, picnicking via helicopter in the Grand Canyon or climbing the caves of Ha Long Bay. Those experiences were unforgettable, but the cost—well, that’s another story.
In the face of rising living costs, I've learned to appreciate that joy doesn’t have to come with a substantial price tag. If only I’d figured this out a decade ago, my savings might not be as deflated as a popped bubble. Now, our region’s local gems and free or affordable events have become our family’s new joy-filled highlights. From the action-packed basketball finals featuring the Meteors and MVP Toddy Blanchfield (with a special shoutout to his number one fan, mum Karen), to the smash and bash free Century Cricket competition at Harrup Park, world-class racing yachts arriving in our harbour and the 60th anniversary of the Sarina Show (check out our photo gallery on page 18 and online), there was plenty to celebrate last weekend without breaking the bank.
This weekend, Daly Bay Illuminate promises a dazzling display with 12,000 bubbles per minute—perfect for my bubble-loving toddler and completely free. Plus, with free buses running to Queens Park, there’s no need to battle for a park or walk for miles.
Check out our event guide on page 28 for more, and if you’ve got an event to share, send us an email.
Who knew that a bit of frugality might just lead to finding more joy in our everyday lives?
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Amanda

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Edwina Davey, who will turn 102 next month, might just be the oldest reader of Mackay Life newspaper. Living independently in a retirement village in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Edwina remains remarkably active. She claims she can still read without glasses, a statement she made with a twinkle in her eye and a bit of cheekiness, according to her son who has a suspicion that may be a fib. She even uses her mobility walker to get to the local shops for a pint of milk and a loaf of bread.
Her son, Gareth Davey, ensures she stays connected to the Mackay region by posting a copy of Mackay Life (and Tripping, when published) every Friday from the Midge Point postal agency. Despite the six-day journey to Melbourne, Edwina eagerly awaits each issue, enjoying the news and stories from the sunny coast of northern Queensland.
Edwina’s fondness for Mackay Life has also extended to her neighbours in the retirement village. A couple down the hall, who once lived in Queensland, look forward to reading the paper after Edwina has finished. The wife reads the articles aloud to her husband, who has recently gone blind, creating a shared connection to their former home.
Is Edwina Davey our oldest reader at nearly 102 years old? If there are any older readers of Mackay Life out there, we would love to hear from you.
We hope this has made your day, Edwina! Thank you for reading and for sharing your story, it made our week that much brighter to see you reading our newspaper.

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Edwina Davey, 102, enjoying her weekly copy of Mackay Life, sent all the way from Midge Point to her home in Melbourne

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Last Friday, a group of students from Matsuura, Japan, arrived in Mackay, embarking on a cultural exchange that promises to leave lasting impressions on both the visitors and their hosts. The students were greeted with a warm welcome at Mackay Regional Council, where they were taken on a tour of the council chambers by Mayor Greg Williamson.
Councillor Karen May opened the proceedings with a welcoming speech, setting the tone for a week filled with cultural, educational, and fun activities. The welcome lunch that followed was attended by most of the Mackay Regional Council councillors, providing an opportunity for the media to interact with the students. Many of the young visitors expressed their excitement about seeing kangaroos and spending time with Australian families during their stay.
The Mackay Matsuura Sister City relationship was formed in 1989. Today the relationship is a cultural one, but was founded on the common interest in coal. One of the cultural exchange programs of the sister city relationship is annual visits between Mackay and Matsuura school students. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen our cities' ties and to expose Mackay and Matsuura students to each other's cultures.
Mayor Williamson highlighted the importance of such cultural exchanges, saying, "Culturally and as human beings, we're all pretty much built the same. If the world could grow up knowing other cultures and languages, it would help us understand that these differences don't divide us—they simply highlight that we're all the same people."
The students’ itinerary included visits to local schools such as Bucasia Primary School and Holy Spirit School, where they mingled with Australian students. They also participated in the popular Bush Dance, toured the Sarina Sugar Shed, and enjoyed classic fish and chips at the harbour.
"The more we interact with one another, the better our understanding and appreciation of each other becomes," Mayor Williamson said.
"These young people will return home with a completely different attitude and vision of Australia, which is exactly what we need. We know that when our young people visit Japan, they come back speaking of what a wonderful and beautiful country it is."
The exchange aims to foster greater understanding and friendship between the two cultures. The students were particularly appreciative of Mackay’s mild winter weather, a welcome change from the hot and humid climate of Matsuura at this time of year.
"Every family hosting a Japanese student this time will tell you they couldn’t have wished for a better experience," Mayor Williamson added.
"When these young people leave, there will be tears, not just from them, but from their host families as well."

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Students from Matsuura, Japan, exploring the Mackay Regional Council Chambers and interacting with councillors and the media at the Jubilee Centre during their time in Mackay. Photo credit: Mackay Regional Council

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BUSINESS BREAK IN, MACKAY CITY
Between 2:00am and 5:00am on Monday morning (August 5) someone has broken into a business on Victoria Street in East Mackay.
Entry was gained by causing extensive damage to a secured door.
Once inside the showroom and office areas have been searched resulting in the theft of cash and a fridge/freezer unit.
Anyone who may have information about the matter is encouraged to contact police as soon as possible - police report number QP2401317389.

STOLEN MOTORCYCLE, EAST MACKAY
Between 2:20pm and 3:10pm on July 26 someone has entered the yard of a home on Keelan Street in East Mackay.
The person has opened the closed door of a garage while the resident was briefly absent. A motorcycle has been walked out of the shed and stolen.
The stolen motorcycle is a red and white coloured 2008 model Honda off road motorcycle.
The matter was reported to police on July 31.
Police report number QP2401291209.

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Students in the Mackay region will make history at the Queensland Museum, thanks to St Patrick’s College Mackay recently receiving a generous grant of $18,000 under the Engaging Science Grants Program.

Not only does this grant support their innovative project ‘Robotics In Action’ but also aims to enhance student engagement in robotics and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematical) fields.

This program is a part of a broader initiative that allocates nearly $500,000 to 28 recipients across the state in hopes of boosting student participation in scientific research and STEM activities to build their knowledge and skills for future career pathways.

At the start of the year, students in grades nine and ten began collaborating with Dr. David Pyle who is a senior lecturer and scientist at QUT Brisbane and also works for the Queensland Museum. Part of Dr. Pyle’s work involves photographing artifacts and converting them into 3D digital models.

One significant challenge he faced was the ‘banana effect,’ where long, thin objects warped at the ends. To address this, students were tasked with designing a turntable to rotate these objects for comprehensive photographic coverage.

By working with Dr. Pyle, the students have the opportunity to tackle real-world problems and overall increase their skills in various ways.

The grant enables students to not only work with Dr. Pyle but also with local engineers to develop and eventually manufacture their device. Although they are still in the prototype phase, they are making significant progress towards a functional model and are aiming to have it completed by the end of the year.

This project provides students with hands-on experience and introduces them to local industries which can open pathways for future academic and career opportunities.

Sandra Bayliss is a teacher on the Mercy campus and has been leading the project since its inception.

Ms. Bayliss highlights that one of the most valuable skills that students are gaining from this project is collaboration. They are learning to work together effectively within their school community and with professionals across the country whilst also refining their individual strengths.

“This offers great opportunities for the students to extend their knowledge with David, but not only that, they also get to work with local industries.

“They’ll be able to fabricate this particular device working with engineering companies here in Mackay to learn what industries and what jobs are available to them in the future,” she said.

Ms Bayliss also noted that their technological skills will also advance from the program, given they communicate and work on specific programs with Dr. Pyle - who is located in Brisbane.

The year nine and ten students at St Patrick’s College shared their excitement about the project as they emphasised the importance of being involved in a project that not all schools get to partake in.

Rexjan Melocotones said “I think it’s pretty great that we are getting recognised for this.”

Explaining the collaboration process, Rexjan said, “We got all the ideas together, so to get the two prototypes together in check, we broke into three separate groups, specialising in those three things so we have a couple of people building the claw and turn table and another group doing the tripod and the other group working on the remote-control switch.”

Jacob Smart says partaking in this project “will look very good on the resume…to be able to say you worked on the project for the Queensland Museum especially if you’re trying to get into anywhere that has robotics, computers and coding in that field, you can say you’ve worked at a very high level which is experience that not a lot of people our age would have.”

The students are thrilled for their upcoming trip to the Queensland Museum.

Aaron Greenwood said he’s “really looking forward to learning more about what pathways would be good and having a bit of fun, learning and just enjoying time doing robotics.”

“We’re extremely lucky to have received this fund,” Ms Bayliss added.

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Ms Sandra Bayliss with year nine and ten students: Rexjan Melocotones, Jacob Smart, Aaron Greenwood, Jackson Yates, Axle Barrett and Darcy Edgerton. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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