This year’s Clean Up, Mackay Region has seen an increase in volunteers, with 124 people collecting close to three tonnes of litter at nine sites across the region.

Mayor Greg Williamson said it was the loyal volunteers who kept these events running, year after year.

“We would like to thank everyone for taking the time to help keep our region beautiful,” Mayor Williamson said.

“As pledged, this year council will plant five native plants either as street trees or revegetation, for each of these volunteers. That’s 620 trees that will now be growing in our region, helping to make it cleaner and greener,” he said.

“Volunteers removed large items like shopping trolleys and tyres but also large quantities of micro plastics, such as drink bottle lids, plastic water bottles and plastic bags.

“By collecting these items before they make their way to our beautiful beaches, volunteers are helping to protect our local waterways and wildlife in the process.”

Council also thanked event partners including North Queensland Airports, Grasstree Beach Progress Association, Sarina Landcare, Pioneer Catchment Landcare, Mackay Land Rover Club and Mackay Board Riders Club for supporting this event.

Fast facts:

● 2.9 tonnes collected across the clean ups.

● Four shopping trolleys and 41 tyres collected.

● 744kg of resources recovered for recycling and resale at Incredable Tip Shop and 484 “Containers for Change” donated to Mackay District Turtle Watch.

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One of the volunteers, Frances Eiteneuer, at the Bridge Road clean up. Photo supplied: Mackay Regional Council

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After a period of relative calm, the sugar market has come to life with the focus on where the sugar is going to come from in the New Year.

Unofficial reports that India will be banning any sugar exports and the Thai crop continuing to suffer under a poor monsoon leaves Australia in the box seat.

The dream Brazilian harvest continues with weather, ATR and sugar mix combining to keep analysts revising up the final sugar tonnage. However, even with the record Brazilian production, upwards of 39M tonnes factored in, our forecasts remain for a significant deficit for next year.

This will be the fourth year out of five that global supply and demand numbers indicate a reduction in world sugar stocks. Our pools are well positioned to take advantage of any further price rises in the #11 contract, while already having some favourable hedging in place to protect against the downside.

For users of the popular GMPRS pricing mechanism the Mar/May 24 futures pricing structure will benefit from any first quarter tightness. Hopefully this will provide some attractive pricing for the production risk proportion of this year’s crop.

The other contributor to the AUD sugar price rise has been the slide in the currency to a recent low of 63.65. This has seen the AUD break out of the well-established 66 – 68c trading range that has characterised much of this year’s trading.

Concern about Chinese economic growth, a turnaround in the interest rate differential – whereby US longer-term rates are higher than Aussie rates – and a weakening of our core commodity export prices have conspired to turn sentiment against the AUD. The low last year was around 61.70 in October and many analysts are talking the AUD down.

Nevertheless, as is shown by the table below, in recent history, the AUD does not spend a lot of time below 65c. So even if #11 is to rise, the shine might be taken off prices if the AUD was to rally at the same time.

For any queries, please contact Proserpine Grower Marketing Consultant Shirley Norris on 0437 803 019 or Plane Creek Grower Marketing Consultant Angus McKerrow on 0419 238 536.

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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

It has been very positive to see community consultation opened on the proposed State Development Area of 1019 ha at Rosella and Racecourse. It’s another stepping-stone towards the establishment of a sugarcane-based biocommodities industry for the region.

The bio-commodities proposed for Mackay, around sustainable aviation fuels and plant-based milk/egg substitute protein manufacturing offer great opportunity not just for the sugar industry, but for our world-class engineering sector, so it makes a lot of sense to see these co-located in the area arcing between Racecourse Mill and Paget.

We are of the understanding that the Racecourse area would focus on short to medium term projects that extend on current pilot plant-type projects, whereas the Rosella site- 200ha of which is already owned by Economic Development Queensland – would be developed in a more staged approach to full-scale commercial operations for the medium to long term.

That said, we acknowledge that chunks of the area under consideration is land currently under cane, and some privately held by grower members of our organisation. Importantly, to meet the needs of the emerging biocommodities sector, we need to increase productivity and preserve quality agricultural land. We can also certainly understand that landholders within the SDA footprint may feel challenged by the SDA proposal.

The SDA is a zoning consideration that supports development of biocommodities enterprises and commercial land transactions. We have had assurances from the Queensland Government Office of the Coordinator-General that there will not be land resumptions, but that the model would be more around opportunities to sell out. As a grower advocacy body, we remind our members that we are there to support them, to assist them in these processes, and that we have industry experts across economics, agronomy, law and more who are there to assist members, even if just to get a better understanding of the process.

District Manager Michelle Martin also participated in State Development’s industry briefing held in Mackay recently. From this, we understand that landholders are receiving communication from State Development, and we encourage them - and the broader community - to also engage with the public consultation process, which is open until September 15. Find out more about the proposed SDA at www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/mackaysda.

We will continue to speak for the needs of growers as the new biocommodities sector develops, whether that is around land uses, or the importance of their inclusion in the value chain. Growers are the primary investors in the base material. If the world is chasing sustainably produced cane as a base material, then that is because of the growers’ efforts and investment in their agribusinesses. We are working for these emerging opportunities to be recognised as part of a new cane supply agreement.

CANEGROWERS Mackay has taken a seat at the table in seeing this opportunity realised for the region, as part of the Biofutures Leaders Working Group, and it is always positive to see government taking a program of action that will see industry diversify into cutting edge technology that will help feed the world’s growing population, but offer solutions for existing industries to transition into new economies.

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A State Development Area has been proposed for the Racecourse and Rosella localities, to support development of a sugarcane-based bio-commodities industry.  Pictures: Kirili Lamb

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Helmets are on, engines are revving, and the dusty ground is about to shake when over 400 bikes, buggies, and trophy trucks take on the Don River Dash next weekend.

Now in its 5th year, this popular offroad race is now commonly considered to be in the top three races of its kind in Australia, alongside the Finke and the Hattah.

One of the nation’s best and toughest competitions, The Dash is the brainchild of motorsport royalty, Talbot Cox and Michael Marson.

Supported by the Whitsunday Regional Council, local industry and tourism organisations, the Don River Dash also entices visitors to the region, boosting the local economy.

Mayor Julie Hall said Council is proud to provide assistance to Bowen’s Don River Dash, now one of the most anticipated events on the annual calendar.

“The Don River Dash is the pinnacle of off-road racing in our region, and it has continued to grow in popularity since the first event in 2019,” Mayor Hall said.

“It puts Bowen and the Whitsundays on the map and importantly, gives our region a major economic boost throughout the three-day event.”  

Over 5000 spectators are expected to pack the sidelines and the whole community will be buzzing with life over the weekend.

This year, the event will also be live streamed, so spectators both nationally and internationally can view the action.

It is hoped this will further establish the Whitsundays as a premier off-road racing destination and assist in attracting sponsors and competitors from around the world.

Jason Stewart, Race Team Director and Owner for STE Racing, said the Don River Dash was one of the three main races on the event calendar once they recruited Callum Norton to ride for the team.

“It’s up there with the best off-road/desert races, we are super excited and can’t wait” he said.

STE Team Rider, Callum Norton, placed 2nd in 2022 and said he is thrilled to be returning for another lap in 2023.

"I’m super excited to be heading back to Bowen for the 2023 Don River Dash,” he said.

“This will be my second time competing in the event, after finishing 2nd outright last year.

“I loved the event in 2022, everyone involved were super welcoming and all working hard to give the riders, drivers, and spectators the best experience they could.

“The racetrack is one of my favourites in the country. It’s fast, sandy, rough, and great fun to race on!

“Entries look awesome again this year, so I think it’s going to be massive two days with some of the country’s best desert, off-road and motocross riders going at it for the top spot!”

The event will begin on Friday, September 8 at the Bowen Showgrounds from 5pm.

Over the weekend, spectators zones will be set up along the Don River, offering the best views of the race and all the excitement. For locations and more details head to www.donriverdash.com.au.

WHAT: Don River Dash

WHERE: Bowen Showgrounds, 25 Mt Nutt Road, Bowen

WHEN: 8-10 September 2023

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From working on mine sites whilst juggling the challenge of external study, Patrick Doig has paved the way towards his future.

The CQUniversity alumnus has built a career as a mining executive, and now with over a decade of experience, has returned to his alma mater to impart his knowledge to the future generation of mining engineers.

Mr Doig recently presented a series of guest lectures to CQUniversity Engineering students who are undertaking the mine planning and design elective, giving them an opportunity to learn from one who had walked in their shoes.

As Head of Partnerships at global mining technology company Deswik, Mr Doig said it was imperative to invest in the future leaders of the sector – which was why he jumped at the opportunity to return to where it all began.

“My study with CQUniversity was so important as it enabled me to continue on and obtain my full Bachelor of Engineering, which brought me into the mining industry. Engineering is a field that I absolutely love, and I’ve never looked back,” Mr Doig said.

“This is a future I never saw for myself and I’m so excited by it – it’s opened a lot of avenues that I was not even aware of, and so it’s been great to come back to CQU and share with the students what’s possible in this industry,” he said.

Mr Doig commenced his journey with CQUniversity in 2006 through a partnership with Anglo American, which enabled him to study an Associate Degree of Engineering while working in industry.

Mr Doig said that especially with the current skills shortage, it was imperative that businesses started thinking about the next generation of mining engineers and those who would go on to become leaders of mining organisations in the future.

He encouraged students to implement self-care strategies to ensure longevity not only in their careers, but with their work-life balance.

“It’s really important that our workplaces support us in our education; if we don’t finish our studies, we’ll get disgruntled with our life, our jobs, our employer and we’re not going to have a sustainable career,” Mr Doig said.

By CQUniversity

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Engineering students learn from Mr Doig who taught about software technology for integrated mine closures. Photos supplied: CQUniversity

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Four days of intensive discussions about the need to continually improve safety across Queensland’s resources sector wound up on the Gold Coast last week.

More than 1100 delegates attended the Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference (QMIHSC), the biggest annual event of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.

Keynote speakers from mining and other industries have shared their knowledge and experience with different initiatives and technologies dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of all workers.

QMIHSC Chair Larnie Mackay said delegates will have plenty of new safety information to take back to their workplaces across Queensland.

“The conference has again confirmed our industry’s commitment to safety being our number one priority and to ensure we have the systems and tools in place to protect every employee,” Ms Mackay said.

“Speakers have covered every aspect of safety on mine sites from training, operational systems, communication and workplace culture and emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant to keep improving what we do.

“Importantly, some of the sessions included feedback from workers at the coalface of our safety procedures and what they believe can be done to ensure best practice.

“That included workers with industry experience ranging from three months to forty years because when it comes to safety, every voice matters,” Ms Mackay said.

The QMIHSC Exhibition Hall drew crowds every day with its displays showcasing the latest technology in mine safety equipment.

“Every year we’re seeing new developments in safety equipment as companies continue to make big investments in this critically important area,” Ms Mackay said.

“It’s great to see resources companies sharing information on new technologies and initiatives that are contributing to better safety outcomes across the entire mining industry.

“We know delegates will take this information back to mine sites and teams around Queensland so all workers will benefit from our industry’s ongoing focus on making workplaces as safe as they can possibly be.”

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QMIHSC Chair Larnie Mackay

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The average vehicle is made up of more than 30,000 individual parts, most of which are hidden deep beneath the bonnet and differ slightly from brand to brand. It is not until the team at McCarthy Panel Works disassemble a vehicle and take a deeper look that they can identify and assess the true extent of damage to a vehicle. Only once this has been done can they order the necessary parts to ensure all damage is considered and repaired before getting your vehicle safely back on the road.

Read on for five examples of hidden car damage that can delay your vehicle repair.

Frame Damage

A vehicle’s frame is its main supporting structure. If you’ve been in an accident and suspect frame damage, it’s essential that you take your car to a certified collision expert so it can be professionally inspected and assessed.

Back Book Damage

Hidden bumper damage and back boot damage are common types of issues following a rear-end collision. Some damage to your back boot may be visible and obvious, but there are a few very common types of hidden back boot damage to be aware of.

Alignment Issues

Although it’s difficult to diagnose alignment issues just by looking at your vehicle, misalignment is one of the most common problems to airse from many types of accidents. If you notice a difference in how it feels to handle and drive your car following an accident, it’s likely your alignment is off.

Electrical System Damage

Even a minor, low-impact car accident can loosen the wires connected to your taillights, headlights and other vehicle components. This can compromise the electrical systems that are vital to your car’s ability to continue operating.

Rust

Small scratches in your car’s frame can cause paint to rub away over time and result in the exposure of bare metal to the elements, leading to rust build up.

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This Father’s Day

Why not spoil dad this Father’s Day with a morning of miniature trains at Ooralea’s Muller Park?

Hidden amongst the trees, miniature trains weave along miniature tracks, welcoming passengers young and old.

Running once a month and on special occasions, the Mackay Society of Model Engineers is opening the amusement to the public this Father’s Day, Sunday, September 3 from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Simon Hamelink will be celebrating Father’s Day with the miniature trains after growing up near the park where the Mackay Society of Model Engineers have been operating for between 30 and 40 years.

“It was only around the corner from where I lived with mum and dad,” Mr Hamelink said.

“As I moved out of home, I had two kids who became interested as well.”

Mr Hamelink said it’s the perfect opportunity to become familiar with the electric, petrol and steam locomotives used and owned by the club.

Picnics are welcome and a gold coin donation and closed in shoes are required to ride on the trains.

“My interest is around seeing the kids’ faces light up as we ride around,” Mr Hamelink said.

“I enjoy interacting with them, getting them to come over and toot the horn and just getting them involved.”

The club holds weekly Monday working bees for people to come along and see what it’s all about as well as meetings on the second Thursday of every month.

Find the Mackay Society of Model Engineers on Facebook for more information.

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Kids and kids at heart are welcome to Muller Park on Sunday for a miniature trains public run. Photo supplied

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Colgate used to advertise the “ring of confidence” that its product gave the users of its toothpaste and it is something that could be applied to Mackay right now.

Nothing is more important than confidence when it comes to a real estate market and there are some important indicators you can look at in order to gauge the level of confidence in a particular market.

I don’t have a crystal ball and there are no 100 per cent guarantees in life but it seems to me there are plenty of key indicators that give reason to observe the ring of confidence around the real estate market in this town.

Look at the number of childcare centres that are being built and planned.

A huge one is being built in Juliet St opposite Harrup Park, while there is another being built in the city in Carlyle St.

More are planned in West Mackay, Glenella and the Northern Beaches, and that’s just the ones I know about.

I reckon a proliferation of childcare centres is a pretty good indicator of confidence in a city. Those making the enormous investment in building them are backing the idea of a growing population of young people having families.

For that to happen there have to be work opportunities created in a buoyant economy stimulated by business confidence and a belief in the long-term viability of the region. You don’t build childcare centres if you reckon the place is going backwards.

And companies like Aldi don’t invest millions of dollars building a supermarket unless they are confident about the economic future of a particular market. Witness the construction underway near the Wake Park in Andergrove.

One of the drivers of confidence is our coal. Almost all of the coal we produce and export in our region is coking coal or metallurgical coal and the sector is finally referring to it in the easy-to-understand term “steel-making coal”. It’s not thermal coal, it’s not for power plants and we ain’t transitioning out of it. Another ring of confidence.

The State Government was recently talking up the role our sugar industry is going to have in a future 1000-hectare industrial hub between Racecourse mill and Rosella, which will focus on biomanufacturing, renewable energy and green jet fuel.

There is another plan for plastic manufacturing using sugar cane that will rely on the planned massive hydro scheme in the Pioneer Valley.

The continuing demand for our steel-making coal, the planned diversification of our economy to take advantage of the renewable energy push and net zero ambitions and the potential for our outstanding manufacturing credentials to flourish further are all good reasons for a real estate sector ring of confidence.

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OPINION PIECE

Here is the blue sheep, and here is the red sheep.

Here is the bath sheep, and here is the bed sheep.

But where is the green sheep?

If you recognise these words…and quite possibly know every single other word in this award-winning children’s book by Mem Fox…you probably have a lot to do with little people.

I’m talking specifically about 0-5 year-olds.

Babies are born to learn. Their brain forms more than one million connections every second and up to 90 per cent of brain development happens in the first five years of life!

The Australian Early Development Census data found that too many Queensland children were beginning their school years with weak language and cognitive skills. The First 5 Forever program began, an initiative delivered through public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) in partnership with local government.

Fiona, from Mackay Regional Council Libraries, is the First 5 Forever outreach officer and she does a valuable job connecting our regional families with the resources they need to build the best foundation for their child’s language and literacy development.

One of the ways in which our Libraries connect with families is the amazing Book Week Picnic in the Gardens, which I was lucky enough to attend last month.  This is a beautiful event filled with bubbles, very hungry caterpillars, painted faces, puppets, Elsas, drums, playdough and so much more!

It’s a celebration of reading and language.  The costumes were amazing, and very cute, but it was the excitement of the children as they talked about their favourite books and characters that was the most memorable. Well done to all the Library team who worked so hard to deliver this fantastic event.

Our libraries are filled with passionate staff who promote a place for connection and free programs for families. Baby Bounce, Toddler Time, Story Time, Dads ‘n’ Bubs Baby Bounce and Multiples Chatterplay are all extremely popular.

Right from birth, you can nurture your connection to your child and help their brains growth, simply by talking, reading, singing and playing together.

To find out what’s on visit mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries

Cr Michelle Green
Mackay Regional Council

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The team from Badi Yalobaga Yuribaya (Grow Children Strong) – Mackay Connected Beginnings, Janee Breadsell and Zelda Quakawoot, with Cr Michelle Green (centre)

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It’s Father’s Day and you know what that means?

Well how can I say this nicely? Heaps, that’s what.

Sunday is the day all dads in the Mackay region get to be spoiled. Really spoiled. If you’re thinking of doing something nice for your dad, but you’re unsure whether it’s great, then I’m here to tell you it’s not enough. Go harder. Go bigger. When you do that, you might get close to where you need to be.

Really, what you want your dad to do is go “oh wow!” on Sunday. You want to see that big goofy smile and maybe even a few chuckles from the old man. If you can do that, you’re halfway there.

Sure, you can do this by buying expensive gifts that he may use, or even taking him out for a ridiculously large and expensive lunch, after which he may spend the rest of the afternoon on the toilet. Or you can just give him a massive hug and be there for him on Father’s Day. Sound good?

Sometimes the simple things are the most valuable I reckon. The last time I hugged my kids was when Mum died two years ago. Those hugs mean a lot, so when they come, grab them with both hands, because it could be the last time you get to do it.

Hey, the other thing you could do with Dad this Sunday is join us at Dad’s Day in the Valley. We’ve closed off the highway up the valley, grabbed a whole bunch of cars and bikes to look at, heaps of food, and stacks of giveaways for the whole family. I will be doing the show outside the Police station with one of those slot car race tracks too. Come and see if you can beat me? Are you game?

Sunday is also the day for fun at Muller Park for the miniature trains too from 10 so it looks like a busy time for dads. I can’t wait until I get to hang out with my kids come Sunday arvo for a BBQ. It’ll be the best time.

Hey also this weekend is the grand finals for a lot of sports including my hockey club Arsenals. Good luck to all the teams in it. Play hard and fair. Plus, a big shout out and happy birthday to Nigel Lever in South Mackay who’s having a big party tomorrow! Have fun mate.

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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A unique six-month female mentoring program that concluded in Brisbane last week, setting a new group of young Queensland women on the path to a rewarding career in the state’s resources sector.

Twenty Year 12 students from 17 schools across Queensland celebrated the finale of this year’s Girls in Resources Life Skills (GIRLS) Mentoring Program, an annual initiative delivered by the Queensland Resources Council’s Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ).

Celebrating its fifth year, the program aims to connect experienced women in resources with senior female students who want to know more about career opportunities in the sector.  

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said the GIRLS Mentoring Program has made impressive strides each year since it began five years ago.

“This group of female students from QMEA-associated schools have kick-started their way to an exciting career in resources as well as boosted their life skills like networking, communication, and confidence,” she said.

“Over the past six months, they’ve been guided and inspired during regular meetings with their individually-matched, female industry mentors who have imparted invaluable professional and personal advice.

“This mentoring program plays an essential role in the industry’s efforts to attract more young females into the resources and energy, which is steadily increasing its female participation rate with a target of 30 per cent by 2026.

“By working with successful role models from various specialties across the industry, these students have gained first-hand insight into the different exciting and rewarding career opportunities on offer and I am confident they’ll become the Queensland resources sector’s next leaders and innovators.”

BMA Head of Performance & Improvement Lauren Molloy Roberts said BMA is proud to have been involved with the GIRL’s Mentoring Program since its inception.

“It is rewarding to see these passionate and aspiring young women achieve their goals and to help them make informed decisions about their own tertiary education or training pathways,” she said.

“With the number of applications from young women wanting to take part increasing each year, the GIRLS Mentoring Program has become a well-established initiative that will help drive the future of the resources sector.”

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Twenty Year 12 students from 17 schools across Queensland participated in the GIRLS Mentoring Program. Photo supplied: QRC

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Hi Everyone,

Youth crime seems to be rife at the moment, the latest incident involving a 12-year-old boy arrested for arson following a house fire in Jubilee Pocket on Tuesday afternoon.

This is just the latest in a series of crimes reported on over the past few months, several car-break-ins, trespassing, and robberies have also occurred, with many residents suspecting local youth, and uploading security camera footage to social media to prove it.

At the risk of sounding old and possibly out of touch – what is going on with the youth of today?

They have such a great life here in the Whitsundays – the beach is close by, there are skate parks, basketball courts . . . do we need more for them to do?

Statistics show that youth crime has increased drastically since COVID – are youngsters feeling despondent? Bored? Fed up with following the rules?

Or is it that they just don’t care because they don’t get in any real trouble when they get caught?

I was speaking to a business owner from the Burdekin the other day and he said that in his region youngsters are frequently stealing cars and leaving them abandoned.

The police know who the culprits are, let them off with a warning and the youngsters don’t care because their slate gets wiped clean when they turn 18.

It seems there are no real repercussions, and these young offenders feel they are above the law.

In my opinion, if they are old enough to wander the streets by themselves, old enough to think of committing the crime, then they are old enough to be punished by law for their crimes.

But I have to admit . . . if it was my kid out there who had fallen down the wrong path and got himself involved with a serious crime, I might very well feel differently.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “Aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been” (David Bowie)

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In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, women are not merely breaking barriers; they are architecting a new paradigm of leadership, innovation, and success. Let’s shine a spotlight on the incredible strides women continue to make in the world of business, inspiring a generation and reshaping the narrative.

Historically underrepresented in boardrooms and executive suites, women have fought tenaciously to claim their rightful place in the business world. From tech moguls to sustainability champions, their stories are as diverse as the industries they impact. But the journey is far from over, as challenges persist, often morphing into new forms.

One remarkable aspect of women in business today is their unwavering commitment to collaboration and mentorship. Countless networks, both formal and informal, have emerged as essential platforms for fostering connections and learning opportunities.

Entrepreneurship illustrates another facet of the evolving landscape. The rise of women-led startups showcases an inspiring fusion of innovation and determination. Women entrepreneurs are embracing disruption, leveraging their unique perspectives to identify gaps in the market and conceptualise products and services that resonate with a diverse customer base.

Moreover, women are reshaping the definition of leadership itself. Empathy, emotional intelligence, and inclusivity are becoming central tenets of effective leadership, qualities that women often naturally embody. By championing these traits, women are fostering healthier workplace cultures and driving employee satisfaction, leading to increased productivity and company growth.

However, this journey is not without obstacles. Gender bias, both implicit and explicit, still lingers. Women continue to face challenges related to funding disparities, limited access to executive roles, and balancing the demands of career and family. Addressing these issues requires collaborative efforts from both men and women, and from companies and policymakers alike.

As we celebrate the achievements of women in business, it's important to recognise that these achievements are not solely women's victories but victories for progress, innovation, and diversity. Their stories inspire the next generation of female leaders to dream big, work hard, and persevere in the face of adversity.

Women in business are rewriting the narrative, ushering in an era of inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration. By supporting and celebrating women's accomplishments, we contribute to a brighter future where glass ceilings are shattered, and opportunities are limitless.

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Students from across the region enjoyed powerhouse presentations by four incredibly inspiring guest speakers sharing their career journeys in a variety of STEM fields and the opportunity to engage in virtual reality, robotics and drones.

The Whitsunday STEM Challenge committee joined in National Science Week celebrations partnering with key players in the region to bring the Women in STEM event to life.

Whitsunday Anglican School was one of the schools who made the most of the opportunity to join the event which gave the region's youth the chance to experience a taste of the rapidly changing and developing world of STEM.

A school spokesperson said, “At Whitsunday, we are proud to be leaders in STEAM and are counting down the weeks until our world-class STEAM Centre is unveiled to the school.”

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Whitsunday Anglican School students took part in National Science Week celebrations. Photos supplied

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