With hearts brimming with anticipation, proud parents throughout the Mackay region are rejoicing as they welcome an influx of newborns into their lives. At Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay, the month of July witnessed the advent of 33 newborns, each one an embodiment of pure potential and promise.

As the nursery echoes with the symphony of tender gurgles and tiny yawns, it is evident that these newcomers have seamlessly "pacified" their way into the hearts of all fortunate enough to witness their debut.

Mackay Private Hospital Acting General Manager Chris Junge said the new arrivals were given a big welcome into the world by their parents who were eager to meet them.  

Andergrove mum Jessica Corsaro welcomed her second baby Julius on 25 July and said he was a “beautiful addition to the family”.

“Julius has an 18-month-old big sister Audrey who absolutely adores him,” Mrs Corsaro, 37, said.

“He is very loved. Julius weighed 3.6kg when he was born and is the eighth grandchild on my side and 12th grandchild for my in-laws.”

Other babies born at Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay this year include little Alfie and Ellidy.

Mr Junge said data showed 451 babies were born at Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay last year.

The most popular names for babies born at Mater Mothers in 2022 were Charlotte for girls and Oliver for boys, he said.

Most popular girl names in 2022 for Mater Mothers’:

1. Charlotte

2. Olivia

3. Sophie

4. Isabella

5. Mia

6. Isla

7. Eleanor

8. Lily

9. Ella

10. Georgia

Most popular boy names in 2022 for Mater Mothers’:

1. Oliver

2. Henry

3. Theodore

4. Charlie

5. Thomas

6. Leo

7. Noah

8. Jack

9. Alexander

10. Harry

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Jessica Corsaro with little Julius. Photo supplied

Baby Ellidy was born on 1 May at Mater Mothers' Private Mackay. Photo supplied

Be Social Fest went off with a bang in June and the good vibrations are still being felt throughout the community.

The rapidly growing music festival brought Grinspoon, San Cisco, Mallrat and more to Mackay, providing an epic day of live music while raising funds for a good cause.

Festival organisers recently made a donation of $7,548 to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) North Australia, thanking RMHC, McDonalds Mackay and staff members Samantha, Sarah and Niki for their support of the event.

Posting on social media, Be Social Fest wrote: “One of our core values is the commitment to giving back to the Mackay Community in various ways.

“As one of the largest non-touring music events in NQ, we have the opportunity to engage with the community on multiple levels, and we take great pride in being a part of its growth.”

The post went on to thank those who attended Be Social Fest as well as major sponsors LiSTNR, Mackay Regional Council, Queensland Tourism, Hawk Hire, Queensland Mental Health Commission, MECC, The Dispensary and City Fitness.

“We are deeply appreciative of everyone’s involvement and assistance in making this event and contribution a reality.

“Together, we are making a positive impact on our community, and we look forward to continuing our journey of giving back and growing an event that Mackay can call its own!”

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Be Social Fest recently made a donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia. Photo supplied

North Mackay’s Pioneer Swim Centre will close its gates for the month of September for scheduled maintenance work.

The work will include levelling the deep end of the 50m pool, expansion joint renewal, pool tile renewal, recoating the children’s pool water features and repairs and maintenance to the grandstand.

Residents are reminded that Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex in Ooralea will remain open during this time, while Memorial Swim Centre on Milton Street and Bluewater Lagoon are scheduled to reopen on September 1 following winter maintenance.

Maintenance work is also being carried out at Sarina Swim Centre and is expected to reopen by early October, weather permitting.

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Energise your local community hub or Mackay’s town centre with a touch of magic courtesy of the Activate My Place! (AMP!) Placemaking Grants. As these grants take centre stage, they are your passport to rejuvenating your surroundings, stitching together vibrancy and vitality in a symphony of transformation.

Mayor Greg Williamson said if residents had the vision or passion to transform public spaces and bring communities together, then council wanted to hear from them.

“Our communities are the lifeblood of our region, and we believe that strong, vibrant places can drive economic development, ignite community pride and enrich the lives of everyone around us,” Mr Williamson said.

“AMP! is more than just a grants program; it's about turning public spaces into captivating hubs.

“Whether you have ideas for art installations that inspire wonder, communal spaces that foster togetherness or initiatives that celebrate our cultural heritage – AMP! is your platform to shine.”

In the past, AMP! has already witnessed the revival of forgotten laneways into artistic showcases like Fifth Lane and the Indigenous Meeting Place and Healing Garden at Mackay Base Hospital.

Mayor Williamson said council’s Economic Development team were excited to work with residents and businesses to identify projects that would breathe new life into every corner of our beloved region.

If you’re ready to make a difference, take the first step and apply for an Activate My Place! (AMP!) Placemaking Grant today.

Project funding is competitive, and applications must address the program’s selection criteria. Previously successful applications have received funding in the range of $3000 to $15,000. Read the guidelines by visiting discovermackay.com.au/invest and apply by September 30.

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The revival of Fifth Lane was made possible by an Activate My Place! (AMP!)

Placemaking Grant

By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

It is always positive to see government investing in the sustainability of the sugar industry.

As growers, we know it is all-important that farm inputs - like fertiliser – stay in the ground where we need them working towards increasing productivity and profitability, and not making its way off farm during rain and into creeks and on to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

The Queensland Government just recently announced funding of $3.6M over 2.5 years for the Sugarcane Practice Change Program. While that funding is appreciated, it is concerning to see that again, the Government has not consulted with the sugar industry to gain our views on what would give them more bang for their buck. It is also disappointing that the program is more about driving projects that offer agronomy/ extension advice, and less about practical on-the-ground activities that allow farmers to deliver practice change. Actual practice change is what delivers benefits to improved water quality.

The sugarcane growing sector already has a range of strong best management practice programs like Sugar Research Australia’s Six Easy Steps (6ES), and the productivity services-delivered Smartcane BMP.

Both are quality programs that work well together to assist farmers to refine their nutrient, chemical and soil management for positive environmental and profitability outcomes. The programs are internationally acknowledged as delivering positive environmental outcomes and are in fact the cornerstone that makes the Queensland sugar industry attractive to bio-commodities companies working in sustainable/renewable foods, fibres and fuels. The cane industry has been successful in developing these programs, and now other ag sectors, like horticulture are looking to our industry as a beacon.

Announcements like the Pivotal Ingredients precision fermentation plant-based “milk” protein manufacturing facility set for start of construction in 2024 come off the back of the region's sugarcane growing sector’s sustainability credentials.

Growers are concerned about runoff, and I guess the industry has come a long way in 12 years since we first started looking at the impact of agricultural practice on water quality. In that time, CANEGROWERS district offices have connected coastwide with Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnerships – like our own Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac regional one, of which CANEGROWERS Mackay is not only a partner member, but highly active within the partnership.

Many growers are now fully accredited under BMP, many more are somewhere along the BMP journey. Lots of those same farmers have completed 6ES, and/or worked with other nutrient management programs. The commitment is there. But at times the capacity to fully finance what can be quite costly machinery is not practical within the farm’s finances.

We encourage Government to engage with organisations like CANEGROWERS and learn what it is that growers are expressing a need for when it comes to meeting reef water quality targets. To see what we think this funding criteria should be. To learn about the different issues on the ground for different growing regions. Queensland is large, and diverse. The water quality issues for a wet tropics region like Tully are not the same for a cooler, drier region like Bundaberg, for example.

You can have all the extension advice in the world, but if people can't find the money to implement that - to buy the equipment needed to implement the advisable changes, then it could be wasted taxpayer money, and that's a real big concern.

In CANEGROWERS, we listen to our members, and it isn’t more advice that they are asking for. It’s financial support to afford the very necessary precision agriculture equipment that will help with highly accurate delivery of chemicals and fertiliser. It’s support to engage in earthworks that helps to create retention and treatment dams, to conduct revegetation projects that can act as a buffer between paddock and streamlines. To invest in precision irrigation equipment that informs highly effective crop water use and nitrogen use efficiencies.

Projects that will make a real difference on the ground - and in the water.

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Practice change that benefits water quality requires substantial investment by growers. Options include GPS guided high-rise spray tractors that offer the capability to precisely control rate of delivery and appropriate timed weed control. Photo Contributed RCL

Pivotal Ingredients has teamed up with the local sugar industry in Mackay to tap into the growing global demand for sustainable animal-free dairy products.

Pivotal Ingredients is excited to announce its vision to build a state-of-the-art fermentation facility in Mackay, Queensland and is partnering with local sugar producers to help make this project a reality.

Projected to create an estimated 500 construction jobs and about 80 ongoing biotech jobs in the Mackay region, the proposed Pivotal facility will use locally sourced sugar cane to power its cutting-edge fermentation processes. A global race is underway to meet surging consumer demand for sustainable, animal-free dairy products.

Powered by Queensland-grown sugar, Pivotal’s facility will utilise precision fermentation techniques to manufacture dairy proteins such as whey or casein. These proteins can then be used to make lactose-free ice-cream, cream cheese, protein bars, and beverages for sale around the world. The new technology has the potential to transform Queensland into a world-leading supplier of fermentation-derived dairy proteins, capturing a significant slice of the $US600 billion global dairy industry.

It will also position Mackay as a hub for value-added processing and food production.

Pivotal Ingredients CEO Jeff Goodwin said he was particularly excited by the opportunity to boost the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry.

“Coming from a family with a background in the sugar industry and regional Queensland, this proposal will ensure long-term opportunities for the local economy,” Mr Goodwin said.

“What excites us about Mackay is the close proximity to sugar feedstock, the synergies with local sugar milling industry and the Queensland Government’s biofutures vision.”

Canegrowers Mackay chairman Kevin Borg applauded the proposal, noting it had the potential to put Mackay producers at the forefront of global changes.

“The local sugarcane industry welcomes projects like this that will ensure producers can continue to flourish and capture the global demand for new products that utilise sugarcane,” Mr Borg said.

Kylie Porter, CEO of Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), the peak economic development agency for Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday backed the potential of the project.

"The proposed fermentation facility by Pivotal Ingredients represents an incredible opportunity for the Mackay region. This project not only creates significant job opportunities but also positions Mackay at the forefront of the global biotech industry,” she said.

“We welcome this initiative and look forward to working with the proponents and the State and Federal Government to make this a reality.”

Pivotal Ingredients is actively engaging with large investors and collaborating with the government to bring this pioneering proposal to fruition.

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Artist impression of a fermentation facility which could be based in Mackay to meet demand for animal-free dairy products

Walkerston’s Vietnam Veteran William Lake was, at lastweek’s local RSL meeting, presented with a commemoration medallion andcertificate marking the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvementin the Vietnam War.

Today, the 18th of August, is Vietnam Veterans'Remembrance Day. Also known as Long Tan Day, this day was marked by Vietnamveterans as a day to commemorate the fallen at the 1966 Battle of LongTan.  

Bill, as all nineteen-year-old Australian men back then -between 1965 and 1972, had to register for national service. Servicemenconscripted under this scheme were known as 'Nashos'. Names of potentialconscripts were selected bya birthday ballot, where numbered wooden marbles were drawn by lottery from abarrel.

The Menzies Government had concluded that Australia hadinadequate Defence manpower and aimed to increase the strength of the Army to33,000 by the end of 1966 by introducing national service.

There were many ‘conscientious objectors’ resistingmilitary service. These people were prosecuted criminally for refusal to complywith draft board orders.                                                          

The Australian Servicesinvolvement in the Vietnam War was at that time, quite a controversial subjectin Australia. For some veterans their service was never recognised as it shouldhave been. Upon returning home, there was no debriefing, it was ‘just go hometo your family and deal with life as best you can’.                    

Many soldiers who had servedin Vietnam never spoke about that time as they were treated quite badly, evensometimes mocked, mainly in the bigger cities of Australia. Fortunately, thiskind of abhorrent behaviour was not apparent in the much smallercommunities.                                                                            

Sadly, it was not until 15years after the end of the Vietnam war, in 1987, that Australian servicemen,and women, were duly recognised and given a Welcome Home parade where about25,000 veterans marched in Sydney.

The date of August 18 was recognised by Australian Vietnamveterans as a day to honour and acknowledge all those who served and died inVietnam. It was formally recognised as Vietnam Veterans' Day in 1987 with thethen Prime Minister Bob Hawke's announcement after the Welcome Home parade.

In 1992 a National Memorialfor the Vietnam War was established in Canberra.

Bill Lake’s birthdate waspicked out of the barrel when he was nineteen, but like so many otherconscripts, his joining the military services - training at Singleton,Canungra, and Shoal Water Bay, and then stationed at Lavarack Barracks inTownsville, before his battalion was sent to the Vietnam War - was postponed fora year until Bill had finished his apprenticeship in Walkerston.  

Bill has lived most of hislife in Walkerston; with only short periods residing in other parts of thecountry. He and his wife now live in the house right next to their first home -where they and their children lived for many years.

One could say that – in manyways – Bill’s uncharted circle of life has come back to where it began yearsago…and it is by no means finished yet!

Contributed by Bente McDonald

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When it comes to protecting your home from the impacts of natural disasters, being prepared is key. Mackay residents have experienced firsthand the importance of home maintenance in the face of our region's unpredictable weather patterns. Whether you own your home or are renting, these practical steps can make all the difference in safeguarding your property. If you are renting and have concerns regarding the safety of your home, bring these to the attention of your landlord or property manager in writing.

1. Roof Check: Regularly inspect your roof for loose tiles, eaves, screws, and cracked guttering or flashing. Keeping your roof in good condition is vital to prevent leaks during heavy rainfall or storms.

2. Clear Gutters: Ensure your gutters and downpipes are clean to allow efficient water drainage, reducing the risk of flooding during intense rainfall.

3. Trim Trees: Overhanging branches can pose a hazard during storms. Trim trees and branches that are too close to your home to prevent potential damage.

4. House Repairs: Address corrosion, loose fittings, and any rotting or termite-affected timber promptly. A well-maintained house is more resilient against the forces of nature.

5. Window Seals: Repair broken sealant around windows to prevent water from entering your home during rain events.

Cyclones and storms can be powerful enough to uproot trees and damage poorly constructed structures. Our sub-tropical climate also brings the risk of heavy rainfall, which can lead to floods. To prepare, remember the following:

1. Emergency Kits: Assemble emergency and evacuation kits, ensuring their location is noted in your household's emergency plan.

2. Spare Fuel: Keep a safe supply of spare fuel for your vehicle, which can be crucial during emergency situations.

By following these practical steps, you can enhance the resilience of your home against the challenges posed by natural disasters.

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Maintaining a clean car not only enhances its appearance but also contributes to its longevity and overall value. Regular cleaning goes beyond aesthetics; it helps protect your investment and ensures a comfortable and healthy driving environment. Here are some expert tips to keep your car sparkling clean:

Gather the Right Supplies: Before you begin, gather essential cleaning supplies such as car wash soap, microfiber cloths, soft brushes, glass cleaner, and tire cleaner. Using the right products prevents damage and provides effective results.

Start with the Interior: Begin by removing any clutter, trash, and personal items from the interior. Vacuum the seats, floor mats, and carpet thoroughly. Wipe down surfaces with a microfiber cloth and a mild interior cleaner.

Tackle the Exterior: Rinse off loose dirt and debris with a hose. Use a dedicated car wash soap and a soft sponge to clean the exterior. Wash in sections and rinse promptly to prevent soap residue. Dry the car with a clean microfiber towel to avoid water spots.

Focus on Glass and Mirrors: Clean windows and mirrors with a quality glass cleaner and a microfibre or lint-free cloth.

Protect the Paint: Apply a coat of wax or sealant to protect the paint and give it a glossy finish. This helps repel dirt and environmental contaminants.

Vacuum Regularly: Vacuum the interior regularly to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating.

Preventative Measures: Use car seat covers, floor mats, and sunshades to protect your car's interior from potential damage caused by sunlight, spills, and wear.

Consistency is Key: Establish a regular cleaning routine to prevent dirt buildup. A clean car is easier to maintain than one that's heavily soiled.

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My real estate career is littered with occasions when I have held open houses and private inspections and have not been required to draw a gun and shoot someone.

Call me a bright-eyed optimist who views the world through rose-coloured glasses if you like, but I have never even felt the need to take a gun to a private inspection.

I think my stance on weapons in real estate probably reflects the broader Australian situation but, like so many things, it’s different in America.

Judging by the discussion on several social media real estate support groups, an armed agent is nothing unusual in the US.

A female Mackay agent and friend of mine is a member of several women-in-real-estate social media support groups where participants share their experiences and offer advice to each other about various aspects of the industry.

Most of the women seem to be from the United States, which is where the guns come into it.

Some of the discussion, as you would expect, is about personal safety at private inspections and open homes.

It is absolutely an issue that needs to be considered, particularly for women, because the job takes you out of the office into private homes and requires agents to be by themselves with someone they often do not know.

In Mackay there are precautions that female agents take, including recording the name and mobile number of the buyer and recording that with the address of the inspection in a google calendar that others in the office can access.

But they take it a step further in the States.

On the pages of one group, Women in Real Estate, the admin person gives some tips on “equipping” yourself for inspections: “It would be great to get some input from everyone with recommendations for safety tools.

“Some use pepper spray (I have heard bear spray is a better option), I’ve talked to realtors with razors, knives and ones who carry a gun.”

Another woman, in the group Real Estate Talk for Women, says: “I carry a sling crossbody as my purse. When I’m working my 9mm is safely contained and accessible.”

Another female agent responds with: “I use one of those lululemon fanny packs and a crossbody and keep my gun in there. Fits my gun, keys, pen and some business cards.”

There appears to be a range of guns the ladies like but one called a Kimber Micro 9mm seems very popular, while another called the Sig Sauer 380 is highly rated and the old Glock 43 also gets a favourable mention.

None of this is to dismiss the need for Australian female agents to also take safety precautions but it can’t be a bad thing that they don’t feel the need to be armed at private inspections.

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Opinion piece

The Housing Summit has been and gone and the numbers are scary, with approximately 1,200 homeless in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaacs areas.  

We need the results of this to be more than just data collection. We need to see some action in the short term to address our deteriorating position. You can judge the effectiveness of the summit over the next six months through signs of reduction in the homeless in our region.

The current problems are caused by a higher-than-expected population growth, compounded by a slower rate of new housing stock coming online. This has led to declining rental stock and an increased rental stress due to rent increases.

This rental stress is being felt by all, with the most concerning area being pensioners and those on low incomes, as they have the least ability to cope with the rise.

We are also seeing a larger number of what I call the working class homeless – those who have come here to help fill our labour shortage but can’t find anywhere to stay. I have even spoken to one businessman who had an employee from out of town accept a role with his company only to decline it when he could not find suitable accommodation.  

The solution of building more housing is great, but let’s face it, by time approvals are done and materials sourced, coupled with the shortage of contactors, it could be two years away at best. Even then, our population growth may continue and outstrip our building rate and the situation will be the same.

So, what do I think can be done? Well, I really would like to see serious consideration given to some form of temporary mine-style accommodation as an interim measure. This type of initiative could provide a larger quantity of housing in less than six months. Yes, this would be basic accommodation, but it would be a roof over someone’s head and far safer than what many rough sleepers are currently enduring. Then, if and when the housing stock catches up, the sites can be decommissioned.

To achieve this, it will need the involvement of all three levels of government at ministerial level working together in a proactive way. Passing the buck or using the blame game will not solve the problem. Our ever-increasing numbers of homeless need help now.

Cr Laurence Bonaventura

Mackay Regional Council

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If I tell you something very special, do you promise not to tell anyone else? Promise? No? Well, OK, let me tell you anyway.

This weekend is one of the biggest concerts ever seen in Mackay.

Sure, we’ve seen some big names here over the years! Elton John for one. Even having KISS play here years ago was an amazing experience too. I even remember watching Dire Straits back in ’86 and what a show that was! The list of artists that have played here is just incredible.

This weekend we are adding to that list, with the latest QCCS NQ’s Rockin’ Country music festival at the Mackay Showgrounds! Can I get you excited with a few of the acts first? Morgan Evan and Gord Bamford are two artists that are starting their national tours here in good old Mackay! It’s just insane.

Troy Cassar-Daley, Shannon Noll, Adam Brand, Jayne Denham, Chad Morgan, Pete Denahy and so many more will all be playing on that massive stage tomorrow and Sunday. The sound will be incredible, the food will be great, and the MC (me) will be, well I’ll give it my best shot as always.

This will be the third year in a row that the festival will be on and it’s drawing people from all over NQ for this weekend of music and fun. You can get your tickets now, but you know what else it’s doing? Raising money for Variety, the Children’s Charity and Ronald McDonald House. These organisations do so much for our kids, and this is our way to give back to the community, plus have some fun at the same time.

If you’re driving around town today, drive past the showgrounds and see how big that stage is up at the showgrounds. From Milton St, or even looking from Gordon Street it’s just massive! I can’t wait.

Oh, and a little secret that I sort of mentioned before. This afternoon from 4pm, the gates will be open to the showgrounds for a free concert for anyone to come along to before the main shows start tomorrow. It’s a free fightback concert on the main stage, with four artists that you will love. Come and have a look, grab some dinner, and sit back and relax.

I’ll see you there! I’ll be the bloke in the big hat and blue shirt! You can’t miss me!

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

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By Bronte Hodge

The Whitsunday community has been rocked by a spike in road accidents over the past six weeks, with five fatalities across the Mackay and Whitsunday region, four of which occurred in the Whitsundays.

This comes off the back of a wider eight-month period of fatal accidents that have claimed 10 lives in the region to date, almost half locally within the last two months.

Across Queensland to date this year, 170 lives have sadly been lost on Queensland roads, with 10 deaths alone occurring in the Mackay and Whitsunday area, five of which occurred in the past six weeks.

The most recent traffic accident took place last Friday evening, just south of Glen Isla Road, where a 74-year-old Proserpine man’s ute collided with a truck travelling in the opposite direction.

Less than a month earlier, Oscar Jensen, a 24-year-old Gregory River man, tragically died when his ute left the road on Dingo Beach Road.

Then, on July 11, 47-year-old Proserpine man, Gavin Hussey, tragically passed away when his vehicle collided with a truck travelling in the opposite direction on Shute Harbour Road.

On the same day, Bentley Parsgaard, a 50-year-old Townsville man, was the passenger in a vehicle that collided with a coal train west of Bowen, and he died at the scene.

Prior to this, the community mourned the news that a 29-year-old Mackay woman died after the vehicle she was travelling in rolled on the Bruce Highway at Saint Lawrence.

Detective Inspector Emma Novosel spoke to the community on July 20, saying:

“The loss of one life on our roads is tragic, but the fact that we’ve lost four in the space of ten days is a great concern.”

“We’re just urging drivers to make good choices,” she said.

While investigations are still ongoing as to the cause of the accidents, Senior Constable Bradley Cunningham of the Bowen Highway Patrol said most accidents boil down to the Fatal Five: speeding, drink driving, seatbelts, distraction, and fatigue.

“People are not paying attention when driving, we hear it all the time when we pull someone over,” he said.

“Next week is Road Safety Week, with Operation Saturation taking place across the region.

“No matter if you see us or not, our patrol officers will be across the district, ensuring safe driving.”

Senior Constable of the Mackay Crime Prevention Unit, Stephen Smith said by their nature, crashes happen unexpectedly and very quickly. Lives can be changed forever and permanently. Every single trip, drivers must be alert.

“Every single traffic crash where a life is lost has an enormous impact on the families, community, workplaces and responding emergency services,” he explained.

“Drive with patience, if you are planning to drink, plan not to drive, avoid driving tired in all circumstances and finally, drive to the conditions.”

Sam Kissier, the life partner of Gavin Hussey, who tragically lost his life on July 11 said she was devastated to hear that even more people had died on local roads.

“I’d never want to see any other family go through this, it’s so tragic to see it happen again,” she said.

“I know how they are feeling because it happened to me and my family.

“When I read about the other deaths it took me right back and I relived the whole experience again, it was so sad.”

Ms Kissier said that Gavin had fallen asleep at the wheel and warns other road users about the dangers of fatigue.

“He suffered from undiagnosed sleep apnoea,” she said.

“And I told him to go to the doctor about it, but he didn’t.”

“We all need to drive safely, look out for each other and look for signs, take a break if you feel tired.”

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Faces of the tragic road toll: Victims who died on local roads over the last 12 months. Photos: Facebook

Family of Oscar Jensen, who tragically lost his life in July, held a touching memorial on the family property, celebrating a beautiful life lost. Photo: Facebook

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Hi Everyone,

On the front page this week you will see faces of people that have tragically lost their lives on our region’s roads in the last 12 months.

Every person you see was very special, they had loved ones whose lives will never be the same again and futures that will now remain untold.

We chose to put their faces up on the front page of the paper this week as a reminder to everyone in the community to be careful each time we get into our vehicles.

Driving is often a bit like walking – we jump in the car and run on auto-pilot – accelerating, braking, and turning is all done without us really realising what we are doing.

Meanwhile we are planning our days in our head, daydreaming about future holidays and assuming we will inevitably arrive at our destination.

I can put my hand up and say that I am a car-driving daydreamer; I will pass friends waving at me enthusiastically and not even notice they’re there, I will travel for long periods without remembering anything about how I got there.

The tragic events on the roads recently have reminded me not only about how fragile life is and how quickly it could all be taken away, but also that it is vitally important to pay attention when driving.

One mistake, one lapse in concentration, one chance over-take gone wrong, and any one of us could be the reason our own loved ones are crying that night.

Let’s pay attention to our own driving but also look out for others, check they are ok to drive and never take unnecessary risks with our own driving.

My own uncle died in a head-on collision with a truck when he was on his way to play golf one morning, he was only 27 years old.

The truck driver had fallen asleep at the wheel and this one lapse meant that my uncle’s two young children grew up without their father.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “The most precious jewels are not made of stone, but of flesh” (Robert Ludlum)

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Every parent’s nightmare is a sick kid vomiting in the car, not only is the child unwell, but the car’s interior is at risk of smelling like vomit for several years afterwards.

Mum of three, Crissy Bottrell, almost experienced this first-hand last week when she rushed to Cannonvale State School last week to pick up her youngest daughter who was sick and vomiting.

Once in the car, it became very clear that her daughter was still in the throes of sickness, so Crissy instantly pulled over and let her daughter out of the vehicle so she could vomit outside.

Sitting on the curb, the young girl was clearly struggling while her mother comforted her the best she could, wishing she’d had more warning and could have been better prepared.

It was at that moment that she looked up and saw a man walking towards them proffering a pile of helpful items that would make her daughter a lot more comfortable.

“He came over to us with spare vomit bags, a cold bottle of water and cloths to wash her face,” said Crissy.

“It was incredible to think that he had all these items to hand so quickly – what a hero!

“The spare vomit bag he gave us came in particularly useful as she needed it a few minutes into the drive after we left!

“We are very grateful for his kindness, and it shows how people in our community are selfless without a second’s thought.”

If you see someone struggling do you pull over to help them out?

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