With a prime location overlooking the Pioneer River and Forgan Bridge at Bluewater Quay, the former site of Lebanese Restaurant Ashtart has laid dormant for years.

But Mackay Regional Council is brewing something up for the site, selecting J&J Brewing Co Pty Ltd, better known as Red Dog, as the new licensee.

Red Dog Brewery aim to open their new taphouse and restaurant on the river in July, adding to their current location on Chain Street, which opened in April 2022.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the site was well situated on Bluewater Quay overlooking the Pioneer River and formed part of the Mackay Waterfront PDA (Priority Development Area).

“This is an excellent outcome for Bluewater Quay, and the City Centre more generally, to create new activation opportunities, with a business that already has local support and recognition,” he said.

“The Mackay Waterfront project has been developed by council to improve tourism, liveability and economic activity in Mackay’s CBD and waterfront.

“Red Dog will be a great addition to this key location between the City Centre and the newly established River Wharves in River Street.”

The new Red Dog site will complement the existing location in Chain Street, with Bluewater Quay becoming the main retail outlet and Chain Street the main production location.

Red Dog co-owners Jason Egan and Jamie Woods said the new location has untapped potential.

“Mackay has a great river, one of the best you see, and what better place to have a brewery than on a river?” said Mr Egan.

“It’s a great location, somewhere you can come with friends and close to town.

“We’re hoping we’ll get a new influx of different types of people, pick up a different market with this venue.

The owners are excited to begin canning their beers which will be available for takeaway at the new location, as well as offering a wider variety of beers, spirits and cocktails.

“If the locals support it, it’ll go well,” Mr Egan said.

“If they want something like this in the town, they need to embrace it.”

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Mayor Greg Williamson (left) hands over the keys to a council-owned building at Bluewater Quay to Jason Egan, of Red Dog Brewery, and Louie the dog. Photo supplied

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For the first time since coming to power, the Labor Government has approved a new coal mine in the Isaac region, but new strict environmental regulations and timeframes are attached.

The mine, 28 kilometres east of Moranbah, was provisionally approved by the Federal Government and it is set to become the third mine operated by Bowen Coking Coal.

The company currently employs a 700 strong workforce and will be mining for high quality, high yielding metallurgical coal used for steelmaking.

The new mine is adjacent to the two existing mines.

The following strict new regulations apply:

1. The mine must not clear more than 25 hectares of land.

2. Impact on the native snake species must be minimised.

3. There must be an on-site fauna spotter.

4. The mine must maintain the property and land quality.

5. Operational timeframe is five years (compared to the standard 25-50 years)

It is estimated that the mine will produce half a million tonnes of coal a year and provide an additional 200 new jobs in the region.

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Plans are now in place for a new jetty on Keswick Island and local residents say this will increase accessibility for all and reinstate a casual boating community that will revive the local tourism industry.  

Keswick Island Headlease Holder, Oasis Forest (China Bloom), has lodged its Development Application for the jetty with Mackay Regional Council and approvals have already been granted by the Queensland Government and the Australian Government through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

It is hoped that works will commence by the end of this year and construction will be completed sometime in 2024.

Keswick Island Progress Association (KIPA) Spokesperson, Greg Chappell, said the new jetty would be a game changer for north Queensland boaties, day trippers and yachties.  

“People will now have a destination to spend time on land during their trips through the Cumberland Islands,” he said.

“Opening up Keswick Island’s access means more visitation, and more visitation means more dollars into the local Mackay economy.

“It will also spur a boost in building activity on the Island, and the benefits of this will flow to local builders, tradies, and suppliers.  

“We look forward to Mackay Regional Council’s support to expedite the final approvals required so construction can commence.”

CEO of Mackay Isaac Tourism, Al Grundy, welcomed the jetty application and said it was no secret that access is the first mandatory criteria to grow tourism on an Island.  

“The ability for visitors to depart Mackay and access Keswick Island via a jetty is the first step to growing the Island’s tourism potential,” he said.

“Mackay based marine tourism operators will be able to pick up guests from Keswick for day tour excursions to visit other islands, for snorkelling, beachcombing or to head off on fishing charters.  

“Keswick Island has potential to play a key role in our broader regional tourism strategy – an island on our doorstep that is easy to access and a tourism location that we are proud to showcase to the world. This development is a welcome contribution.”

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New jetty promotes tourism on Keswick Island. Photo supplied

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A 50 year old man has died on a private property in Ball Bay after suffering an electric shock.

Emergency services were called to the Cape Hillsborough property on Tuesday, May 16. It was declared the next morning that the man had been found deceased at the scene.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland are assisting police in the investigation.

The week prior, a crime scene was declared and forensic examinations are underway after a fire broke out on a property at Eungella on the evening of Thursday, May 11.

Emergency services were called to a Schumanns Road property at approximately 5.20pm, to reports the dwelling was on fire.

Initial investigations indicate a woman in her 50s was inside the property, sustaining critical injuries and dying at the scene.

Investigations remain ongoing and anyone with further information is urged to contact police and quote this reference number: QP2300781943.

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This Mother’s Day, Mackay mums experienced the joy of receiving flowers, sold with love, by enthusiastic Endeavour Foundation clients who enjoyed the experience of participating in a worthy cause.

For the past 31 years, more than 70,000 chrysanthemums have been cultivated by the Endeavour Foundation at its Bundaberg Disability Social Enterprise for Mother’s Day.

The flowers are hand-picked, stripped, and put into 7000 bunches, many of which are sold locally while thousands more are transported to other Queensland regions.

A total of 300 bunches were sold here in Mackay and Endeavour Foundation’s Executive General Manager – Work Services, Eric Teed, said local mums and caregivers enjoyed receiving such thoughtful gifts.

“When you bought an Endeavour Foundation bunch for mum this year, you put a smile on her dial with a thoughtful gift,” said Mr Teed.

“But you were also giving the gift of employment.”

“You were ensuring people who face barriers to employment have a job that works for them so they can experience all the physical, mental, and social benefits that come with it.

“We believe everyone has the right to work and our social enterprises create meaningful employment and training outcomes for people who need extra support in the workplace.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of the community that made Mum’s Day bloomin’ marvellous with an Endeavour Foundation bunch this year!”

For the past 70 years the Endeavour Foundation has been dedicated to help build brighter futures for people living with disabilities.

Their programs currently support thousands of Australians with intellectual disability and help them live, learn, work and thrive.

It is initiatives such as this that further integrates those living with disabilities into the community, giving them the opportunity to participate and interact with a broader social network in a positive and fulfilling way.

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BY MEMBER FOR DAWSON, ANDREW WILLCOX

It’s coming up to 12 months since being elected, and what an honour it is to be chosen to represent our incredible region. Being able to bring your voice to our nation’s capital nearly every sitting week, being able to share your voice in our national debates, travelling to every corner of our beautiful electorate, and meeting so many incredible people are just some of the great perks of representing you!

But one of my favourite parts of the being the Federal Member is meeting people across the electorate and especially meeting those who volunteer their time to our communities.

Our volunteers are some of the most selfless people I’ve ever met, from the great people at Meals on Wheels, to our Crime Stoppers, our VMR’s, SES groups, our RSL’s, Rotary & Lions Clubs, and many other community groups and sports clubs.

These incredible men and women contribute so much to our region, while expecting nothing in return!

As this week is National Volunteers Week and its an opportunity for us to give back and say ‘thank-you’ to our incredible ladies and gents who volunteer their time. And with this year’s theme being ‘The Change Makers’, it’s the perfect time to acknowledge the power our volunteers have in driving positive change in our communities!

I have one thing to say to our amazing volunteers across Dawson: THANK-YOU!

Thank-you for working so hard for our communities!

Thank-you for being the backbone of our region!

And thank-you for always being there when our communities need you most!

This National Volunteers Week, if you see one of our fantastic volunteers, please show how much we appreciate them and appreciate what they do for Dawson!

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Talking about death and dying won’t kill you, and neither will watching a film about it.

This is the message a new and inspiring documentary is bringing audiences all over the country during National Palliative Care Week.

A total of 60 cinemas in Australia will be showing ‘Live The Life You Please’ and Event Cinemas, Mount Pleasant is one of them.

The film follows the journeys of several individuals who experience end-of-life-care and it aims to change the public perception on death and what it means to be cared for in your final days.

Common misperceptions of palliative care include that pain is an inevitable part of dying, palliative care hastens death, you can only receive it in hospital, and it is on only available days before you die.

In fact, palliative care is known to prolong death, be filled with moments of intense joy and can be flexible to meet your needs, giving you the control on when, where and how you die.

By following the diverse range of stories in the documentary, audiences witness how palliative care can come with many positives.

“Their powerful stories will show you that palliative care is more than medicine. It’s about quality of life. It’s about providing physical, social, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones,” said a spokesperson.

“It makes the social and economic case for increased support of essential services including palliative care, aged care, community care, allied health and the support of carers at home.”

The film introduces audiences to the advocates campaigning tirelessly to make palliative care available to every Australian where and when they need it – be that in aged care, a hospital setting or at home.

At the heart of ‘Live The Life You Please’ is a series of unexpected moments of joy caught between caregivers, patients and their families.

Director Mike Hill said that people thought he was crazy for making a film about death, but that, having experienced such amazing insights, he would do it all over again.

“What I’ve learned is that talking or thinking about death won’t kill you. In fact, it will do quite the opposite - it will enhance your life,” he said.

“Making this film was an incredibly empowering experience. The infinite capacity for humans to grow even whilst grappling with life-limiting illness was inspiring.

“The film will make you smile, laugh, laugh harder and occasionally shed a tear as it shares the stories of a diverse range of Australians experiencing their last chapter.”

“I hope that people will use this film as a conversation starter to talk about a difficult subject, feel better about what the future holds and use that knowledge to live the life they please.”

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You can see ‘Live The Life You Please’ at Event Cinema Mount Pleasant during National Palliative Care Week, May 22-28.

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Recognised For Making A Difference

International Nurses Day is an opportunity to celebrate and recognise nurses for their roles in the community and dedication to achieving health outcomes for their patients.

Celebrated each year on May 12 in recognition of the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, Mackay Hospital and Health Service marks the day with morning and afternoon teas and the annual International Nurses Day Awards.

“It’s really important to celebrate the achievements of our nurses and how hard they work 24/7,” said Nursing Director Samantha Sanders.

“They show up every day and they’re very passionate about what they do so we want to celebrate that.”

Emergency Department Registered Nurse Felicity Morris received the CQUniversity 2022 Graduate of the Year Award, completing her studies at CQU before entering the Emergency Department in her graduate year.

“I’ve had exposure to so many different presentations and I’ve been able to progress very quickly through my career,” she said.

“Nursing is such an integral part of the community and we do it day in and day out and we always put our patients first but it’s nice to have a day where we let the community know that we are here, and we celebrate our nurses.”

Surgical Nurse Unit Manager Lachlan Frank agreed after receiving the Nurse Unit Manager Clinical Excellence Award.

“I think this award demonstrates what we do as Nurse Unit Managers on a daily basis in supporting our teams but also we couldn’t do our jobs without the support of our teams,” he said.

“While I was the winner of this award, it really does demonstrate the hard work our staff do on the surgical ward every day.”

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International Nurses Day Award Recipients

McFadzen Perpetual Award: Margaret MacDermott (Day Surgery Unit)

Clinical Nurse Specialty Award: Yolanda Gibbons (Paediatric Diabetes Clinic)

Clinical Excellence Award – Rural: Vicky Grams (Proserpine Hospital)

Clinical Excellence Award – Nurse Unit Manager: Lachlan Frank (GSU)

Excellence in Patient Care Award: Vincent Uy (Renal Unit)

CQUniversity 2022 Graduate of the Year Award: Felicity Morris (Emergency Department)

JCU Department Outstanding Support Award: Mackay Base Hospital G2 Medical Ward

JCU Department Outstanding Support Award: Proserpine Hospital

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CQUniversity 2022 Graduate of the Year Award: Felicity Morris (Emergency Department)

Clinical Excellence Award – Nurse Unit Manager: Lachlan Frank (GSU)

JCU Department Outstanding Support Award: Mackay Base Hospital G2 Medical Ward

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A total of six eco-tourism projects are set to receive a share in $9.3 million of state government funding and the Pioneer Valley Tourism Hub has been named one of them.

The Activate Ecotourism Infrastructure initiative will provide funds to kickstart an outdoor tourism hub that will accommodate up to 26 visitors in a brand-new lodge to be built in Finch Hatton.

It is hoped the lodge will complement the new bike trails in the area and open opportunities for guided fishing experiences at the nearby dams.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the announcement marks the start of an exciting time for tourism in the area.

“The natural environment of the Pioneer Valley near Mackay has amazing potential as an international mountain bike destination,” she said.

“Delivering more than 40 construction and ongoing jobs, the Pioneer Valley Outdoor Tourism Hub is about boosting access to the region’s outstanding fishing and hiking experiences.

“The Hub will also support future mountain biking tours and generate up to $3 million for the Mackay region’s visitor economy.”

Chief Operating Officer of Mackay Tourism, Al Grundy, said that he is thrilled with the announcement.

“It will be a great base for people coming the region to use the mountain bike trails,” he said.

“I think the project will really activate Finch Hatton and the Pioneer Valley.”

The Lodge will be utilised by tour guides and operators from across the country and it is set to offer a spotlight for the showcasing the natural environment of the Mackay hinterland.

Finch Hatton is the gateway to a plethora of tourist activities, from fully stocked dams to rainforests, scenic walks, bike trails and it is only 20 minutes to Broken River where you can view platypus in the wild.

“It’s really good for our region as it opens up some many more options for land-based activities,” said Mr Grundy.

“There will be a brand new building in town, right next to the bike trails so I think it will get a lot of use.”

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An artist’s impression of the Pioneer Valley Tourism Hub, a two storey lodge that sleeps up to 26 people

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In a big move, Mackay Regional Council is trialling a reimbursement scheme for low-income earners to de-sex their pet cat or dog.

“Each year there are countless unwanted dog and cat litters in the region,” Mayor Greg Williamson said.

Through the program, eligible pet owners can receive a reimbursement of $75 to desex cats and $150 for dogs.

Pet owners must be a certain criteria:

- Be a resident of Mackay

- Hold an approved Queensland concession card, including seniors, sole parents, widows, students, carers, and health care cards

- Have a registered, microchipped and desexed cat or dog

- The pet has been desexed in the last 60 days

“Desexing also has countless other benefits including preventing uterine infections, lowering the risk of some cancers, and it can also reduce aggressive and territorial behaviours and your pet’s likelihood to wander.”

To learn more, visit mackay.qld.gov.au/desexingrebate

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Mackay local runner, Brenda Windsor, is taking on the mammoth Bravehearts 777 Marathon this June.

Brenda has been running for 12 years, after stumbling into the sport during a bootcamp fitness class. From there, she steadily increased her speed and distance, and is now set to complete her third Bravehearts 777 Marathon.

The 777 Marathon takes participants to all seven Australian states, over seven days, to complete seven marathons consecutively, to raise awareness and funds for Bravehearts and the one in four children who have been impacted by child sexual abuse.

The marathon acts as a major fundraising tool, as national participants must raise $10,000 each for the cause.

For Brenda, this is her third 777 Marathon, and is definitely not her last.

“After my first 777 marathon, I was like ‘Wow, did I really do that?’” Brenda said.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into, and it was just this real buzz.

“But this time, I know what I’m getting into, so that’s a bit different.

“I’m feeling good.”

Brenda will fly into Perth Sunday June 25, to finish the first marathon on the Monday, before completing marathons in Adelaide, Melbourne, Launceston, Sydney, Canberra and the Gold Coast on Sunday, July 1.

“Over the last nine years,” Alison Geale, Bravehearts CEO said, “the Bravehearts 777 Marathon has raised more than $2.15 million for our critical support and education services, and this year we’re hoping to raise the stakes and fundraise more than $250,000.”

Clear from being Brenda’s final marathon, she is set to participate at the Airlie Beach Marathon only two weeks after the 777 Marathon.

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Brenda Windsor has competed in over 30 marathons and regularly trains with her grandchildren. Photo supplied

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1869 was the beginning of the Sugar Cane industry in the Walkerston area when cane was grown and supplied to Pleystowe Sugar Mill. The first sugar crushing season at Pleystowe was in 1872.

A distillery was added to the mill in 1873 in order to manufacture the quite popular - ‘Pleystowe Rum’. Allegedly, the distillery operated for just a few years.

In 1918 a disastrous cyclone hit the Mackay region dropping 84 inches of rain in just 6 days - 2134 mm! At that time there was another mill in the Walkerston area as well as Pleystowe - The Palms Mill, owned by Australian Estates. As it was badly damaged in the cyclone, its cane supply was consequently sent to Pleystowe Mill for crushing. The two mills were eventually amalgamated in 1925 to form Amalgamated Sugar Mills Limited.

In 1975 Pleystowe Mill became part of CSR – the Colonial Sugar Refining Company.

Sadly, Pleystowe Mill ceased crushing forever in October 2008 - after 139 years, having been the oldest operating sugar mill in Australia at the time of its closure. Today the Pleystowe Mill site provides a few centralised services, and spare parts, to other operating mills of Mackay Sugar – part of the Nordsucker Group.

During 2010, a few of the staff of the old Pleystowe Mill decided that it would be great with a ‘Back to Pleystowe’ reunion. This was so popular that it became a yearly event coordinated by two well-known Pleystowe Mill identities – Jim Ross and Bob Dolan.

During last year (2022) - Jim and Bob, after 12 years of a job well done and greatly appreciated by all past Pleystowe Mill workers – decided to hand the planning and coordination over to the ‘younger generation’ in the form of Mark Gayton and Ian Ritchie. These two are set to carry the traditional Pleystowe Mill reunion into the future, no doubt assisted by a few of the Pleystowe oldies.

The 2023 Pleystowe Mill Reunion was held recently, with approximately 70 people attending – mostly past Pleystowe workers, joined by a few younger people employed by Mackay Sugar. Once again, it was a terrific reunion with work colleagues and friends catching up with one another – there was even a few people who had not seen each other for nearly fifty years. Quite special, and very nostalgic!

The next Pleystowe Mill Reunion will be held on the third Wednesday of April 2024.

Contributed by Bente McDonald

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Reunion organisers Mark Gayton, Jim Ross & Ian Ritchie

Reunion attendees John Smith, Terry Doolan & Bill Hamilton. Photos supplied

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The second in a series of Housing Roundtables will be held in Mackay in June where attendees will discuss the key findings from the first iteration which was held in December last year.

The aim of the roundtable is to develop region-specific, place-based solutions to the housing crises in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions.

The key findings from the first roundtable are availability and diversity of choice.

Greater Whitsunday Communities (GWC) and Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW) have partnered to deliver the sessions which will be attended by stakeholders from across the region.

Rob Cocco, CEO of RDA GW explained that housing is constraining economic development in the Greater Whitsunday region.

“We need more housing stock – to rent and to purchase, to be able to attract more workers to our region to deliver against the many economic opportunities we have,” he said.

“And we need to find ways to bring this stock online quicker than we have ever before.”

Carol Norris, Executive Officer at GWC said they have baseline data to help inform discussions at the summit and provide the evidence to support funding applications to access State and Federal funding schemes.

“The Summit will result in an Action Plan for our region, comprising many sub-projects across the housing spectrum,” explains Carol.

“This Action Plan will be co-designed, localised and outline relevant place-based solutions.

The Summit will allow us to hear the voice of regional community stakeholders and build their insights into the solutions proposed.”

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The first Greater Whitsunday Housing Project Housing Roundtable was held in December. Photo supplied

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Artspace Mackay is turning 20 this year, a huge milestone for the regional gallery.

For the last two decades, Artspace Mackay has been illuminating the best of exhibitions, artist talks, and workshops.

“I hear it time and time again from artists who come to exhibit here – we have one of the best regional galleries in all of Australia,” Mayor Greg Williamson said.

Since opening in 2003, Artspace Mackay has seen an estimated 600,000 visitors for across the world and Australia, hosted 343 exhibitions, and have collected 1200 works of arts.

Julie Boyd, Mayor from 1997 to 2008, was a strong backer of the project.

“We did a lot of surveying, across all demographics, before we built the gallery, and we asked people what they did when they went visiting new areas and almost every person said they visited museums and galleries,” Ms Boyd said.

“So, when you put the argument together, this space is about bringing people into our community as well as showcasing art to our local community.

“You can’t get some of the amazing travelling exhibitions that we get now without a proper gallery space.

Artspace Mackay director Tracey Heathwood said, “I am so blessed to work with an incredible team – they are all so passionate about what they do and we literally couldn’t open the doors without them.”

“I’d like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you to all of them.”

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A big milestone for Artspace Mackay

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The annual Women in Sugar Australia (WISA) conference was another success, being held at the Bargara Cultural Centre, east of Bundaberg.

Seven members of Canegrowers Network Mackay District attended the conference, which has the theme ‘Women of Worth’.

The conference consisted for talks delivered by key individuals in and associated within the sugar industry.

The conference was officially opened by Stephen Bennett MP, member for Burnett, who shared challenges within the community, particularly with attracting young people to communities.

Mark Pressler, Chairperson of Bundaberg Canegrowers, shared issues with Bundaberg’s sugar industry, not dissimilar to Mackay’s own late cut cane.

The special guest speaker for the event was Georgie Somerset AM, president of Agforce Queensland, who spoke of her youth, of being 18-years old and not knowing what she wanted to do professionally. She shared that she believes that women have an invaluable place in the sugar industry and encouraged women to ‘Find Your Voice’.

She encourages the belief that changes happens, and to connect community despite geographical isolation, and invest in individuals and continued education.

For the Conference Dinner, the guest speaker was Angela Williams, membership and engagement practitioner of Canegrowers Isis and contributor to ‘Walking the Wire’ a publication to strength the financial stability of rural agribusiness women.

Angela spoke on holding critical conversations, unintended consequences, how more than two in a marriage is crowded, and the importance of succession planning.

The second day of the conference consisted of a trip to Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, One Little Farm Market, and Bundaberg Rum Distillery with a self-guided tour and tastings.

Other special guests for the conference included Lisa Deveraux and Cathy Mylrea from Sugar Research Australia (SRA), who spoke on gender and diversity, Glen Harris from Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL), who shared the market prices of sugar, global influences and organisations that buy and sell sugar.

RaboBank also presented on horticulture, sugar, and wine, as well as by products, including aviation fuel and tights global supply.

Mary Wallace of Canegrowers Network Mackay said, “The conference is an excellent opportunity for the ladies to share their experience with other likeminded women, on current issues and diversity within the industry.”

Marice Perna, another Mackay attendee, said, “I enjoyed catching up with WIS members from other districts.

“The bus trip with the ladies from here is always a highlight.

“I enjoyed the conference speakers from diverse sections of the industry."

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The Mackay branch of the Canegrowers Network

The conference saw an excursion to Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, with a tour and tasting. Photos supplied

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