Staff at Mackay Base Hospital celebrated International Midwives Day last Friday, May 5 with the presentation of awards, celebrating the hospital’s midwives and their dedication and contributions to maternal and newborn health.

The theme of International Midwives Day 2023 was ‘together again: from evidence to reality’, a theme that some staff say is more relevant to the hospital than ever.

The three awards given out were the Emerging Midwife Award, Exceptional Midwifery Care Provider Award and the Outstanding Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Award.

Mia Cray was awarded the Emerging Midwife Award and said she’s grown a lot in her 15 months as a Registered Midwife.

“I think being able to provide that care is what drove me,” Ms Cray said.

“I’m naturally pretty good at being around people and getting that relationship going.

“It’s really lovely getting to know these women and their families and being there for the whole experience.

“I’m really proud, I feel like this really solidifies that I’ve chosen the right career and that I’m doing pretty well in it.”

The Exceptional Midwifery Care Provider Award nominees were nominated by patients and was awarded to Donna Towers, a midwife of 25 years.

“In my care, I always try and treat women as I would,” she said.

“It can be a scary time when you’re pregnant and you don’t know options of care, so just talking to people as you would want your family members to be spoken to.

“We have an amazing bunch of midwives here … it’s an absolute honour to be picked.”

Maternity Unit Manager Kylie Clark said, historically, midwifery achievements were celebrated and recognised amongst nursing awards, this year being the first for the International Midwives Day celebrations.

“It’s important that these people are recognised as well, but we’re all here to do the same job,” she said.

“We have a lot of midwives who are great leaders and passionate about their profession.

“We’ve had our challenges so as a health service we’re just aiming to repair our reputation and do the best we can to provide a great service to Mackay.”

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2023 International Midwives Day Awards

Emerging Midwife Award (Postgraduate) – Mia Cray

Exceptional Midwifery Care Provider Award (Consumer/patient nomination) – Donna Towers

Outstanding Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Award – Donna Martin (Proserpine)

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L-R Interim Chief Executive Dr Charles Pain, Maternity Unit Manager Kylie Clark, Clinical Midwife Donna Towers, Registered Midwife Mia

A GENUINE passion for hoops and strong will to succeed have helped transform schoolboy Zac Uhr into a prolific scoring whiz kid in the fast paced sport of wheelchair basketball.

Since his introduction to the game as a fresh faced ten year old the rangy Uhr has developed into one of the region’s best young ‘bigs’ – with the 2025 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships well in his sights.

It has been a meteoric rise for the 16 year old St Patrick’s College Mackay student who was quickly elevated to the Australian Under 23 Spinners Program under the guidance of five time Paralympian and former Rollers captain Brad Ness.

The promising Uhr has attended Under 16 Emerging Camps at the Australian Institute of Sport since the age of 15 where Head Coach Ness has provided an elite training environment that helps athletes identify what it takes to represent the ‘green and gold’ on an international stage.

Zac was recruited by the Mackay Machines at the age of ten and blooded in the Northern Challenge competition where he developed his scoring and rebounding against sides from Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton.

“I learnt so much in those formative years by simply observing matches and just being part of the group,” recalled Zac.

By the age of 13, Uhr was a regular in the Mackay side where he blossomed under the coaching of Peter Sumpter and held his own against older and wiser opponents.

Revelling in his role as a ‘big,’ Zac showed courage and skill to help the Machines reach the Challenge Final and this year achieved a personal milestone when appointed team captain.

He made his State debut for the Queensland Rolling Thunder at the 2019 National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Townsville.

Zac recently skippered the Machines at the Classics tournament in Brisbane where they finished runners up to Rockhampton – teaming up with talented Australian U/23s colleague Brayden Foxley-Conolly, 18; Jordan Williams, Ryan Williams, Shannon Buxton and Sherri Jennings.

Uhr also plays basketball for the Renegades Under 16s and Under 18s and in July will participate in the inaugural National Wheelchair Basketball League round robin series for Southern District Spartans against teams from Sydney, Wollongong, Darwin and Perth.

“My dream is to attend college in the United States, study sports journalism and represent the Australian Rollers one day at the Olympics and World Championships” revealed Zac.

By Chris Karas

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Wheelchair basketball ace Zac Uhr has achieved plenty at the age of 16 – captaining the Mackay Machines and forcing his way into the Australia Under 23 Spinners squad

Mission organisation, Anglican Mothers’ Union group is now looking to expand and welcome new members to its group which is dedicated to the empowerment of women and the improvement of youth’s lives.

The Anglican Mothers’ Union is one of the oldest women’s groups in the world, beginning in England in 1876.

The Mackay Branch is a part of the Unions Diocese of Northern Queensland, and active in the area, providing care packages and aid where they can.

The branch’s project includes providing clothing for youth facing court, so that they can be appropriately dressed, as well as activities while they wait in the court room, including colouring in.

They also provide hygiene packets for people admitted into hospital on short notice, who were unable to pack their own shower bag, and make fiddle rugs for people with dementia.

However, the mission group is eager for a growth in youth members.

“This is the type of organisation you end up living for,” said Kristi Day, the communication coordinator for the Diocese of North Queensland.

“It’s a shame that it’s so quiet, because this is an awesome organisation to be involved in.”

From 16 to 19 May, the North Queensland group will meet in Mackay for their annual Provincial Conference. Together the branches will meet and discuss their individual projects and hold workshops together.

“I just want people to know that we’re still active and still around,” said Ms Day.

“The Mackay Branch of Anglican Mothers’ was the third opened in Australia, so there is so much family history in Mackay.”

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Diocese of North Queensland at their previous Conference.

Mackay & District Senior Citizens congratulate all on attaining such a milestone in their lives.

Elinor Leppien and Alf Pagden recently turned 90 years old.  

Both Elinor and Alf still regularly dance twice a week.

Many friends and relations recently gathered to celebrate their birthdays.

Another one who had also danced regularly till a couple of months ago, due to illness, is Fred Jung who also turned 90 recently.

Contributed by Lyn Coburn

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Elinor Leppien and Alf Pagden recently celebrated 90th birthdays. Photo supplied

A brewer of many years, Scott Linden of Star’s breakfast show Scotty and Kaley started like many amateur brewers with a Coopers homebrew set.

After years of experimenting, Scotty launched his very own beer, the Bald Eagle Brew, at Red Dog Brewery last week, with lucky listeners and special guests there to get the first taste.

“About 18 months ago, I moved to whole grains, I buy 25-kilogram sacks of grain, crush it up and make it on my back deck at home,” Scotty said.

“I just like beer and I like different beers.

“I made this one, I’ve got another one at home which is different again and my next brew will be different again.

“I just find different recipes, try it out and see how it turns out.”

With the help of co-host Kaley, Star and Red Dog Brewery, the first pots of Bald Eagle Brew were poured last week, even getting the tick of approval from Red Dog’s head brewer Woodsy.

“It’s pretty cool having my own beer actually on a tap at a proper brewery,” Scotty said.

“It’s good fun.”

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Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox was the first to try Scotty’s Bald Eagle Brew

A group of lucky Star listeners got their chance to sample the unique beer. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

A local Vietnam veteran travelled to Melbourne for Anzac Day to reunite with his battalion, 8RAR.

With the caravan in tow, Les Palmer and his wife Sue embarked on a three-week trip that Mr Palmer described as “magic”.

Approximately 200 veterans met in Melbourne for the first reunion in three years, the occasion involving photo shoots, trips to shrines and memorials, a formal dinner at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and plenty of opportunities to catch up and share yarns.

The 8RAR battalion also marched together for Anzac Day through the streets of Melbourne.

“I’ve never seen a march so big, being a country lad,” Mr Palmer said.

“You couldn’t even see the shrine; you were that far down St Kilda Road.”

Mr Palmer said Anzac Day is an important day as he reflects on his own memories as well as his dad’s.

“It was good to be with the boys,” he said.

“Every Anzac Day, I put my medals over my heart, and I wear dad’s on my right side, I got medals all across my chest, so it means a lot to me and my dad.

“Besides that, I got wounded in Vietnam, there were nine killed and 16 wounded, so it means a fair bit to me - I lost a few boys over there.”

Les now looks forward to services in August as 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

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Les Palmer reunited with his Vietnam War battalion on Anzac Day

In a Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball first, all 440 tickets for the 2023 event were sold.

The annual Mayor’s Ball has been evolving over the years, with 2023 being the biggest year to date.

Being Havana Nights themed, all music, décor, and even attendees dress was choreographed to that style.

The silent auction was a massive success, with prizes consisting of a Foo Fighters signed guitar, a Reefsleep under the stars for six, and a helicopter ride in the Hunter Valley.

While the official number of funds raised is still being tallied, it is expected that the auction alone raised in excess of $50,000.

All funds raised from the ball were donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities – Mackay Family Room and Australian Street Aid Project – Mackay.

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Four rowers from the Mackay Rowing Club have returned from the Queensland State Masters Championship Regatta with medals aplenty and a reinvigorated passion for their sport.

Jane Deguara, Therese Clancy, Richard McGrath and Mick Wohlfhart competed in the Championship held from April 29 to 30 at Wyaralong Dam near Beaudesert.

“We did do really well for a small club,” said Ms Deguara.

Both Ms Deguara and Ms Clancy were unstoppable, winning gold in their singles sculls before teaming up to win doubles gold as well as another gold as part of a composite quad crew with two other competitors from Brisbane, one of which formerly rowed with Mackay Rowing Club for 10 years.

The women then teamed up with Mr McGrath and Mr Wohlfhart for mixed quad bronze, while both pairs of mixed doubles, Ms Deguara with Mr Wohlfhart and Ms Clancy with Mr McGrath, won silver.

“Everyone won medals, but three gold was huge for us to get,” said Ms Deguara.

Ms Deguara started rowing around 13 years ago after her son took up the sport through school.

“He loved it, so we used to be out there all the time,” she said.

“When he was in year 12, I thought, ‘Oh well, I might have a go at it,’ and that’s usually how Masters get into rowing.”

Based on the river at the Balnagowan Bridge, the Mackay Rowing Club is welcoming new members, often holding learn to row sessions for people to have a go.

“We’ve got doctors in our club who say rowing, for older people, particularly, is such a good sport because it’s not heavy on any of the joints; it’s very good for you and very aerobically hard,” said Ms Deguara.

“It’s hard at first, but most people can do it.”

The four rowers now have their sights set on the Australian Masters Rowing Championships in Sydney in June.

“It’s taken a lot of hard training to get to this stage, it’s not an easy sport to compete in, but it’s a lot of fun as well,” said Ms Deguara.

Find Mackay Rowing Club on Facebook for more information.

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L-R Richard McGrath, Therese Clancy, Jane Deguara and Mick Wohlfhart of Mackay Rowing Club

Therese Clancy and Jane Deguara teamed up with Pine Rivers for the first time to win gold in the composite quad crew. Photos supplied

The Reef Catchments Mackay Whitsunday Streambank Stewardship Program is celebrating receiving an additional $2 million from the Reef Assist 2.0 program.

Being one of 11 regional Queensland initiatives the Reef Assist 2.0 program supports and promotes protection of the Great Barrier Reef and water quality improvements.

“This program represents the next iteration of the Reef Assist program for the Mackay Whitsunday and Isaac region. It allows us to expand on a successful relationship with local Landcare organisations and Traditional Owners that focuses on improving water quality for the benefit of the region and our beautiful reef environment,” said Katrina Dent, Reef Catchments CEO.

There are four key areas the Reef Catchments program will target, including sedimentary reduction and stabilisation of streambanks, the employment and training of new project officers into the various conversation and management projects, creating a Healthy Country Plan for Koinjmal Country, and continued promotion of the Mackay Whitsunday and Isaac Traditional Owner Reference Group (TORG).

This second iteration of the Reef Assist program is estimated to create a further 127 jobs across the catchment area of the Great Barrier Reef.

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Honourable Meaghan Scanlon MP, when visiting Padaminka Nature Reserve said, “The Reef Assist program has been incredibly successful and is delivering real environmental and economic benefits across our reef catchments.”

“We are also seeing improvements in the environmental condition and water quality within our reef catchments, increased resilience to future flood events through the revegetation and stabilisation of streambanks, and improvements in soil condition following the removal of weeds.”

The Reef Catchments projects are set to be completed in late 2024.

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Meaghan Scanlon MP with Katrina Dent of Reef Catchments in Padaminka Nature Reserve. Photo Supplied

It’s being hailed as a “once in a generation” sugar price, recently topping $827 /tonne.

This couples with an easing in fertiliser prices, setting the stage for a promising, prosperous 2023 harvest.

During my time as a grower, I have not seen our sugar industry in such a strong position.

Sugar prices have remained strong now for well over a year, but especially the past three months. Recently we saw the July '23 contract close near the 25 cents/pound bringing a very lucrative, $800/tonne IPS sugar. Sounds great on paper, but a little too late for most Australian growers to secure.

It is looking good - for the short-to-medium term - for prices to maybe even strengthen further, with a 2 million tonne deficit in world supplies.

There are a few factors in world sugar supply that mean the shortfall is going to be difficult to meet: we are seeing the fundamentals around world sugar supply supporting strengthening of the sugar price, in what seems is referred to as a bullish market.

A strong indicator of further sustained prices is that our competitors have not taken up the high price opportunity and begun expanding their production. These decisions - I believe - are based on world economic and financial difficulties and the instability of the US banking sector.

Many sugar-producing countries are experiencing limiting factors in their supply chain.

At this stage, we have Brazil which has had a good wet season with a crop of around 590 million tonnes of cane. Brazil’s problem lies in their ability to get their sugar through their two main ports. The Brazilian sugar industry competes with other commodities for shipping infrastructure. For this season at least, Brazil is behind the eight-ball competing for the use of port facilities with a larger-than-normal corn and soybean crop.

India has a crop of 33.1 million tonnes of sugar and has not made any announcement about their intentions to export anything beyond the initial 6 million tonnes. This is leaving an air of uncertainty around supplies out of India. India has also, since the world trade organisation’s decision on the dumping of subsidised sugar on the world market, now made a significant move towards ethanol production taking away from excess production for export.

The Thai crop is being revised down around 11 million tonnes because of mills finishing sooner than expected.

Taking all of that as it is, we have our own strong points that should go further towards our own bright future.

After a good wet season, we are now looking at another good crop, with Mackay Sugar's preliminary estimate of 5.57 million tonnes and Plane Creek hoping for 1.5 million tonnes. Our Achilles heel will again be our ability to remove and process the crop in a reasonable timeframe.

The local sugar industry is further buoyed by the potential for the development of value-added products derived from our sugar. As we have heard time and again, the Australian sugar industry has stepped up to the plate, with our sustainability credentials making us very attractive for investment in further development of renewables in aviation fuels and plant-based protein from our sugar production.

The spate of interest in the Mackay sugar industry from Australian and overseas companies in Australian sugar, instigated by a hunger by consumers around the world for sustainable food and fuel, is further driven by our stability in production and in capacity to deliver to market.

To add to that, we are fortunate to have a State Government that is hell-bent on supporting the production of these products and have been very active in speaking with industry and investors as to where our opportunities lie.

We need to be part of any developments to be able to take advantage of them in the future. To not be involved leaves us sitting out on a limb with no chance of progress being made.

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A tightening of world sugar supply is keeping sugar prices high. The stability of Australian production and export capacity makes us well-placed to reap the benefits.  Photo: Contributed

The history of Whitson Dawson is long and impressive, but while the accounting firm looks back on its 140-year history with pride, it also looks forward with excitement and confidence. Started in 1883 by W G Hodges, the firm came into the Whitson family in 1956 when Colin Whitson, well known for his accountancy and secretarial roles in the north Queensland sugar industry, joined the firm. He purchased the practise in 1958, running it until his death in 1964 when his son Neil took over. With the purchase and acquisition of more firms over the years, Whitson Dawson morphed and adapted into the accounting firm renowned throughout Mackay; steeped in local history but forward-thinking in its approach to business.

Now at the helm are Neil’s sons, Andrew and David, who joined in 1995 and 2000 respectively. The directors draw on those 140 years of generational experience, using and applying it to service current and new clients in accounting, tax and business advice. It’s this adaptability that has kept the business at the forefront of the industry for over a century; constantly evolving to the changes in the industry while relying on genuine experience and a dedicated team.

The firm is entrenched in the local community, working with a variety of likeminded businesses and professionals to provide expert advice and services. Working with other advisors including lawyers, financial planners, bankers, real estate agents and valuers, Whitson Dawson sees the importance of surrounding clients with good advisors and maintaining good relationships. The firm believes this is crucial to achieve good outcomes for the clients at each stage of the business life cycle, as accountants are at the nexus of all these events where other advisors overlap.

This holistic approach is an example of Whitson Dawson’s proactive attitude towards tax planning, reducing the stress and anxiety of the clients being a major focus of the firm. With a core group of staff dedicated to the business, clients can expect expert advice and continuity of care, no matter the team member. Whitson Dawson prides itself on education, both of the client and the staff members. It’s a place accountants want to work, with opportunities to work with freedom and progress through their careers aplenty. With some team members joining when they left school and progressing within the company to become senior accountants, Whitson Dawson is excited to foster Mackay’s next generation of tax professionals.

The Whitson Dawon team celebrate 140 years in 2023. Photo supplied

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Kacey Peoples

Senior Manager of Whitson Dawson

What drives Kacey Peoples every day is the satisfaction of helping her clients get the best outcome for their finances.

Kacey began with Whitson Dawson 13 years ago, in her second year of university. Since then, she has become an integral figure to Whitson Dawson, overseeing key changes to the business over that time.

“I knew early that accounting was the profession I wanted to pursue,” Kacey said.

“Although there is so much more to accounting than what’s in the books!”

One of the highlights for Kacey has been seeing Whitson Dawson embrace the changes in technology over the years.

“When I first started, it was mainly paper-based systems,” she said.

Kacey has also seen Whitson Dawson adapt to new and changing government policies, which often required changes to the business, including becoming more technology forward, with the introduction of Single Touch Payroll and electronic submission of Employee Superannuation Payments.

In her free time, Kacey practices her yoga and Pilates, and closely follows the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL. She also volunteers with the Marian Markets once a month, and the Pioneer Valley Show annually.

Q: What's the one piece of advice about money that you would give your 18-year-old self?

A: Don’t be afraid to take ‘calculated’ risks.

Q: What's the worst piece of financial advice that is commonly believed?

A: I wouldn’t say it is bad financial advice, but I commonly hear the negative connotations around paying tax. A business paying tax means it is performing well so should be looked at as a positive.

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Willem Weilbach

Senior Accountant with Whitson Dawson

Passion is not something that Willem Weilbach lacks, most definitely not for his work as Senior Accountant with Whitson Dawson.

Willem first realised his love for accounting in Year 10, with his first accounting subject.

“I fell in love with debits and credits and never looked back,” Willem said.

Over his six years with the business, one highlight for Willem has been achieving CPA status in June 2022, however he is often tasked with being the office handyman and tech support.

“More often than not, I use my CPA qualification to rearrange office desks and furniture and fix issues with computers!”

Away from the office, Willem relaxes with his partner, Shay, and their fur baby, Odie, a little foxy with “enough energy to power a nuclear submarine.”

Q: If you only had $1000 what would be the best investment?

A: A good pair of RM Williams boots. I’ve worn multiple boots and they all break within 6 to 12 months. I’ve had these boots for a year, and they still look and feel brand-new, with the proper care.

Q: What's the worst piece of financial advice that is commonly believed?

A: I think the worst piece of financial advice that is commonly believed is to use the equity on your family home to buy a rental property. There are a lot of success stories on the internet, but you never hear about the ones who lost the family home. Although it can work, the family home is still at risk and now you need to service two mortgages. It’s something that would personally keep me up at night!

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Sam Di Francesco

Graduate Accountant with Whitson Dawson

Having always been good with numbers, it is no surprise that Sam Di Francesco moved into the Graduate Accountant position with Whitson Dawson three years ago.

Sam completed his studies at university while employed part time with Whitson Dawson, before moving into the Graduate position.

“I found accounting in high school really interesting, which was compounded by my uni studies and everything I’ve learn about accounting and tax while working here. Something I love about working in tax is that we have the ability to help people basically through the use of a few spreadsheets,” Sam said.

One milestone for Sam is being able to learn on the job, with his part time employment with Whitson Dawson while studying.

“While scary at the time, it was absolutely worth it once I completed my degree.”

In his free time, Sam watches every game of Rugby League – “Up the Broncos!” – while stressing about the NRL. In summer, when he isn’t watching cricket – “Hopefully Australia wins the Ashes this year” – he is playing for the Magpies Cricket Club.

Q: What's the one piece of advice about money that you would give your 18-year-old self?

A: Save your money whenever you can but spending a little for yourself isn’t the worst thing in the world.

Q: What's the worst piece of financial advice that is commonly believed?

A: Cryptocurrency will instantly make you rich. While people have made a considerable amount of money off it, its volatile nature has caused people to lose everything they have.

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The Sarina Beach Progress Association are holding their Giant Garage sales again this year.

The Giant Garage Sales will be held in Sarina Beach and Campwin Beach on Sunday May 28 from 7am.

All the householders wishing to have a Garage Sale at their home are asked to register with $10 at the Sarina Beach Store / Servo up until the day before the event.

A sausage sizzle will take place at the Sarina Beach Store from 7am.

Maps of all the homes taking part are available at the Store / Servo on the day only.

All proceeds from the registration and the sausage sizzle will be donated to a charity to be decided later.

Last year’s money raised from the event, in which over 50 homes took part, was donated to the Air Sea Rescue Mackay .

Our amazing sponsor again for this event is the owners of the store Sharon and  Greg.

The Sarina Beach Progress Association are an important group helping to raise not only money for our community but awareness for what needs to be done in our area.

It is not an easy  job for our hard working volunteers, who are in the firing line with Council trying to better our facilities and projects that they work on to make this area what it is today; just have a look at the new shelters and BBQ facilities on the Beach Front Park.

So take a break and drive down to one of the best beaches in our area, stay for lunch at our Palms restaurant and takeaway shop/servo, great food and the most welcoming staff around.

Contributed by Fran Lloyd

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This year’s theme for National Volunteer Week is ‘The Change Makers’ – and that rings true for the very special people who drive positive change throughout the greater Sarina district.

Most successful not-for-profit and community organisations rely upon the time and enthusiasm of volunteers to stay effective. The selfless act of donating time impacts not only the organisation they volunteer for, but also their wider community.

Volunteers in Sarina and the surrounding areas are at the heart of community groups that help you or someone you know, each day.

Although we appreciate their efforts year-round, the upcoming National Volunteer Week (15-21 May) provides a chance for us all to say thank you for the countless efforts our locals make toward worthy causes.

Something else that is vital in supporting these volunteer groups is funding. Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank’s banking model is unique, in that up to 80% of local profits are contributed to community organisations, assisting volunteers to keep doing what can often be life-changing work.

Some of the groups that Community Bank Sarina has supported recently are:

• Sarina District School Chaplaincy Committee

• Sarina Surf Life Saving Club

• QCWA (Queensland Country Women’s Association) Sarina

• Koumala Progress Association

• Sarina Netball

• Breakaway Horse Riders Club

• Kidney Support Network (KSN)

• Mackay Community Visitors Association (MCVA)

• Mackay Animal Rescue Society (MARS)

• Meals on Wheels

• Men’s Shed Sarina

• Sarina Show Society

• P & Cs for St. Anne’s Catholic Primary School, Alligator Creek State School, Finch Hatton State School, Eungella State School

• Bakers Creek AFC

• Sarina Kennel Club

Community Bank Sarina recognises the work of volunteers in these groups and others in the region, and thanks them for playing a pivotal role in our community. Since opening in 2005, we have supported our greater community – including contributing $3.4 million across a range of community projects and initiatives. Thank you to our volunteers for making Sarina and district an even better place to live!

If you would like to support another crucial volunteer organisation – and have fun doing it – register today for the Cruisin’ the Coast Sarina Beach Fun Run. Happening on May 21, this event is a major fundraiser for Sarina Surf Life Saving Club (SSLC), which provides a vital volunteer service to keep us safe in the water. This event is suitable for all ages with multiple distances, like a 1km walk/run for kids, the 3km, 5km, 10km walk/runs, or the 21.5km half marathon. Find out more at www.sarinafunrun.com.au.

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Mackay’s newest acupuncturist grew up in a Chinese medicine household, following in his father’s footsteps by pursuing acupuncture.

“Whenever my brother or I would get sick, it was always herbs and natural medicine first,” said Bob Wong of Art of Acupuncture.

“My father and grandfather were practitioners so I would always help out at my father’s clinic when I was studying as well.”

It wasn’t always Bob’s dream to practise acupuncture. Originally, he wanted to travel China to study martial arts. It was his father who urged him to follow the family profession, so they came to a compromise.

“I would try studying Chinese medicine for three months with his teacher in China and then the rest of the time I would go train martial arts,” he said.

“After three months studying at the Chinese medicine hospital I ended up falling in love with it and decided that acupuncture would be my career.

“I saw firsthand the amazing results it could produce and loved how it provided a natural option rather than just drugs or surgery for everything.”

Completing his Bachelor’s in medicine in China, with a specialisation in acupuncture, Bob was able to see how both traditional and conventional medicine were utilised in Asia’s hospital systems. He moved to Australia in 2013, spending most of the time since then in Brisbane. Getting sick of the rat race, he and his family decided to try something different. After a road trip through Mackay last year, they decided it would be a good fit and they went for it. He, his wife, his eight-year-old son and six-year-old daughter love the outdoors, going for hikes and exploring their new surroundings. Still passionate about martial arts, Bob practices Brazilian iiu jitsu at Mackay MMA and helps out with the kids classes in his free time.  

Art of Acupuncture started in Brisbane in 2013, recently relocating to Pioneer Medical Centre in North Mackay. Offering a variety of services such as acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine, Bob and the team are dedicated to understanding the needs of their patients, explaining how their treatments work and getting the best results.

“We see a lot of chronic pain, neuralgia and uncommon disorders in our clinic,” Bob said.

“I love how we’re able to help people who have almost given up all hope.

“Many of these patients often times have tried everything in terms of conventional medicine and don’t really know what else to do.”

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There are many small, not-for-profit organisations in the Mackay region that contribute to council’s vision “To become the best region for liveability and livelihood”.

One of those organisations is the Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association, better known as MAFSA.

MAFSA is an association of volunteers dedicated to improving freshwater recreational fishing in the Mackay area, by doing the following: replenishing the Pioneer River fisheries degraded by weir obstructions; stocking Eungella, Kinchant and Teemburra dams; ensuring access for recreational anglers; protecting, preserving, enhancing, promoting, and educating on the value of Mackay’s freshwater fisheries and consulting and liaising with all levels of government and their departments.

Since 1994, MAFSA has created magnificent fisheries in three of our local dams at Kinchant, Teemburra and Eungella, and these attract anglers from across Australia and around the world to experience what our region has to offer.

There has been exceptional growth in the popularity of freshwater fishing since MAFSA assumed responsibility for turning these waterways into world-class fisheries.

Their latest major project has involved the restoration of barramundi stocks in Teemburra Dam following the recent flood event in January, which saw large numbers of fish escape over the dam wall.

The fourth stocking will release approximately 20,000 – 24,000 fingerlings, which takes their stocking total for Teemburra to about 100,000 fingerlings.

This is a massive boost to rebuild this outstanding barra fishing location and is the result of the community’s effort and fundraising.

MAFSA has just hosted the 18th INDT World Sooty Championship at Eungella Dam, with a record participation of 108 anglers, including 27 juniors, in 65 boats.

The tournament was an outstanding success and attracted a nationally known fishing celebrity in Mark Berg.

He will televise an episode highlighting this tournament and other Mackay Region fishing attractions in the coming months.

This is an outstanding example of the dedication and hard work of the MAFSA volunteers and supporters that contribute so greatly to the liveability of the Mackay region.

If you’d like to join MAFSA, or contribute to the stocking of our local dams, get in touch with them at mackayareafishstockingassoc@gmail.com.

Cr Belinda Hassan

Mackay Regional Council

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