Hi readers

This week’s paper is an absolute mixed bag. The first few pages are the result of some pretty heavy conversations I had in the last week or so.

Firstly, on page four you’ll read about Rhiley and Maree Kuhrt, the young couple who were devastatingly killed in a plane crash earlier in the month. I sincerely thank Beccarah and Steven, Rhiley’s sister and brother-in-law, for taking the time to share their stories and memories with me at what must be an unimaginably emotional time.

Speaking of the unimaginable, I also spoke to Ken Higgins of the Mackay RSL Sub Branch this week, a conversation that revolved heavily around his conscription into the Australian Army during the Vietnam conflict at the innocent age of 20. He made the point that, at the time, 20-year-olds weren’t even allowed to vote for their government. The whole situation is truly unfathomable to me and has highlighted how important the reflections of ANZAC Day and the upcoming Vietnam War commemorations will be this year.

Flick a little further and you’ll see plenty of smiling faces on page 19 – I went along to an Easter egg hunt at the Wake House on the weekend and the vibes were high. It’s been a long time since I’ve been that excited about Easter, so it was fun to experience the holiday vicariously through the eyes of sugar-fuelled kids again.

There’s plenty more in this week’s edition so I hope you enjoy the read!

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The Mackay and Whitsunday Life family is growing as Mackay Editor Amanda and her husband Hamish welcomed their first child, Brydon Michael Wright, into the world on Friday, March 31.

After a long fertility journey, Amanda and Hamish are elated to be parents and have been soaking up the blissful days of watching Brydon grow day by day.

Amanda says her biggest lesson learnt as a first-time mum is that practise makes progress.

“Forget perfection,” she said. “That’s practically unattainable when mixed with the overwhelming feelings, emotions and hormones that flood the body after birth.”

Meanwhile, Hamish’s greatest lesson learned so far is to burp the baby before playing with him.

“Who knew milk could be launched so far by someone so little?” Amanda laughed.

Amanda says her greatest challenge so far has been breastfeeding and the concept of the ‘latch’.

“This means A LOT of my day is spent pumping milk for bottle feeding,” she said. “I am thankful I have a good supply though, so he’s still getting all the benefit of the milk from the source, just not directly just yet. But this is where the practice makes progress comes into play, I feel we’re getting closer every day.”

The name Brydon comes from ancestry on Amanda’s mother’s side, a family which was one of the founders of the small town in which she grew up, called Renwick in the Marlborough region of New Zealand.

In Renwick, there is a Brydon Street that Amanda had to walk along every day to get to school growing up, and she now looks forward to the day they can take Brydon to visit.

His middle name, Michael, is also Hamish and Hamish’s Dad’s middle names, with the tradition being held strongly.

“We think he’s pretty darn amazing and are already proud as punch,” said Amanda.

“I’m sure it won’t be long before he’s following Dad around the velodrome on a little bicycle of his own and joining Mum at the athletics park.”

Name: Brydon Michael Wright

Born: 31 March at 11:44am at Mackay Base Hospital

Weight: 3,750g

Parents: Hamish and Amanda Wright

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Hamish and Amanda proudly welcome their firstborn Brydon into the world

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Plane Crash Victims Lived Life To The Fullest

Living in the police house in Birdsville, overlooking the small town’s airstrip, a young Rhiley Kuhrt was often found perched atop his trike in the front yard, utterly entranced by the nimble machines taking off and landing in front of him.

He loved planes, buying his first in October last year and picking it up a week after marrying his “soulmate” Maree.

Rhiley was immensely proud of his Piper Cherokee aircraft and flew it regularly from their new home at Natal Downs, a cattle station near Charters Towers, to the Mackay region to visit family.

Rhiley and Maree were making this trip on the afternoon of Sunday, April 2.

They were on their way to pick up Rhiley’s daughter Bailey for the easter holidays, who lives in Mackay with her mother and was waiting at Bloomsbury’s Lakeside Airpark with Rhiley’s mother and nieces and nephews.

The pair never arrived, their bodies discovered in the aircraft wreckage amongst the forest-clad Clark Ranges, west of Proserpine, around 10:00am the next morning.

After living in Birdsville, Rhiley and his family, mum Marina, dad Lindsay, and siblings Brenton and Beccarah, relocated to Rosewood, west of Ipswich.

Rhiley left school to start a building apprenticeship, completing three quarters before sustaining a head injury in a freak accident.

“That led him down a dark path,” said his sister Beccarah Markham-Gaudion.

“He was spending a lot of time healing and trying to come back from his brain injury, but he never let that get in his way.

“No matter what he wanted to do, he always worked out a way to do it.”

Rhiley decided to work on cattle stations, getting his first job on a station near Augathella, where Maree was working as a Governess and Ringer.

“When Rhiley and Maree met, they were in a dark place, and they basically helped each other pull themselves out of that dark place,” Beccarah said.

“They’ve done everything together ever since.

“They were true soulmates.”

Together, the pair worked on other stations before Rhiley accepted the managerial position at Natal Downs and Maree a station hand.

They were happy and settled at Natal Downs, looking forward to raising their first child together there.

“They’d just got on their feet, and they were working everything out, trying to improve and clean up a bit,” said Beccarah.

“It was an unbelievable passion they had together,” added Beccarah’s husband, Steven.

“They reached their goals in a very short amount of time.”

Rhiley was a passionate man, with a wide array of interests keeping him busy, whether it was bull riding, camp drafting, pony club, paintball, shooting, wakeboarding, snorkelling or spearfishing.

“He fit so much into his short life,” said Beccarah.

“He was always so cheeky; he was the life of the party.

“Maree was a bit more reserved; they complemented each other.

“She was the best thing for him.”

Beccarah said the family have no words for the community support they’ve received except “thank you”.

She said the adversity Rhiley and Maree overcame to achieve their dreams in such a short time should be an inspiration to all.

“We just want people to know that anything’s possible and, with the help of the people you love, you can do whatever you want,” she said.

“Because that’s exactly what they did.”

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Rhiley and Maree Kuhrt. Photo supplied

A young Beccarah, Rhiley and Brenton. Photo supplied

Steven and Beccarah Markham-Gaudion. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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One of the Mackay region’s last World War II veterans, Raymond “Ray” Wilson, has passed away at the start of the month, aged 101.

Mr Wilson was born in Mackay on July 10, 1921, and attended Victoria Park State School, leaving to work in the cane industry before enlisting in the army in 1941 at the age of 20.

He served in New Guinea in the second world war, making the trip on three occasions between 1942 and 1945.

The RSL Mackay Sub Branch recognised Ray’s service last month, renewing his membership and presenting him with his service record, the slouch hat, and other memorabilia.

“We were so proud to have done the tribute and to have been a part of that,” said Sub Branch President Ken Higgins OAM.

“We acknowledge what a great life he had.”

Mr Wilson passed away on Sunday, April 2.

He will be remembered at a service today, Friday April 14 at City Funerals from 10:00am, followed by a burial at Mount Bassett Cemetery.

He will be buried in full military uniform.

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A 21-year-old Raymond Wilson

Mr Wilson was presented honoured by Ken Higgins OAM and the RSL Mackay Sub Branch last month. Photos supplied

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2023 marks 50 years since the 1973 proclamation of the end of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War.

The anniversary was commemorated on January 11, 2023, which marked the beginning of official anniversary commemorations throughout the year.

“More than 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam, over 3,000 were wounded and 523 lost their lives in the longest conflict Australia was involved in during the 20th Century,” Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said.

“This was a war that was at times contentious at home, and for some veterans their service was not recognised as it should have been.

“The Australian Government is honouring those who served, and throughout this commemorative year will specifically recognise and honour the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families.”

RSL Mackay Sub Branch President Ken Higgins OAM was conscripted into the Australian Army during the Vietnam conflict in 1968, aged 20, and said he is pleased the government is honouring those involved in the conflict.

“We felt that the conscription of young 20-year-old Australians into the military forces to go to Vietnam at the time seemed to be the thing to do and we did it, but the aftermath of it was horrific,” Mr Higgins said.

“When we were conscripted to go over there to die for Australia, we never even had the right to vote on who our government was.

“That is a scar that will never ever heal.

“The tragedy of losing 523 people was bad, but for us to forget them is worse.

“We need to remember they gave their lives in the service of the country and they should be remembered for that, and we thank the Government for highlighting that.”

Mr Higgins said local ANZAC Day services will follow a Vietnam War theme, leading up to Services of Remembrance to be held across the country on August 3, 2023.

“I look at ANZAC Day as a reflection on our service and the sacrifice of the 100,000 that died for our way of life in Australia, but also the hundreds of thousands that have been traumatised by war,” he said.

“We need to honour those people who served and died but we also need to be mindful that war’s a horrible thing.

“Most veterans aren’t interested in war; what they’re interested in is peace.

“Society should be able to talk their way through differences.”

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RSL Mackay Sub Branch members standing L-R Ken Higgins, Steve Haidle, Graham Jackson, Allan Ney. Seated L-R Ray Higgins and Col Walz. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

A photo taken in South Vietnam in 1969 depicting the body of Private Robert Buchan lying on a stretcher surrounded by soldiers including Ken Higgins (seated second from left). Photo credit: Peter Ward

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A group of residents in West Mackay are imploring Council to dismiss a recent planning submission that, if granted, will see the construction of another 24-hour service station in a residential area.

At this particular location, which is near to a school and two churches, there are already 20 service stations within a seven-kilometre radius and two others within three blocks of the proposed site.

A development application is currently being assessed by Mackay Regional Council for the 7- Eleven service station to be built on the site of the Mia Mia Hotel, on the corner of Nebo Road and McGinn Street in West Mackay.

In order for the development to go ahead on the site, it would need to be rezoned from its current ‘medium residential’ zoning.

Judy Nixon, who has lived on McGinn Street for the past 28 years, says that a busy service station would have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of her family and other long-term residents in the area.

“The thought of a service station going in beside my family home is devastating,” she said.

“There is a total lack of need for another service station. There are 20 service stations currently established or under construction within 7kms of the proposed site.

“Officers from Mackay Regional Council have even admitted that that there is an oversupply and that the development application goes against the Mackay Region Planning Scheme.”

Ms Nixon is concerned the neighbourhood will be significantly impacted by noise, harmful emissions, light pollution and increased traffic.

She also states that the impacts to her home, which is directly behind the development site, have not been evaluated as part of the application.

“My home has not been identified as a ‘sensitive receptor’ for noise in the applicants Noise Impact Assessment Report,” she said.

“The developer has also failed to include an Air Quality Impact Assessment in their application.

Residents deserve to know how the fumes and emissions from the proposed service station will impact their health.”

Sharing her views is the Archdeacon Rosemary Dunn of the Mackay Anglican Community who said that another service station in this area would be “superfluous”.

The proposed station site is adjacent to St Charles Anglican Church and there are two local churches nearby.

Ms Dunn believes the sanctitude of the area needs protecting.

“There are already 20 service stations on the Bruce Highway/Nebo Road, but there are few places for quiet reflection,” she said.

“I can see no justification for yet another petrol station here.”

Public consultation for this project is open until April 27 and Ms Nixon implores other residents who are concerned about the development to make their opinion known to Council before it is too late.

Submissions can be made by emailing development.services@mackay.qld.gov.au.

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20 illegal dumping cases from across the region have been reported to Mackay Regional Council over the last month.

Of those incidents, nine offenders have been caught and were required to clean up their mess or face a hefty fine.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said illegal dumping was not only unsightly, but it presented dangerous risks to residents’ health and the environment.

“The type of rubbish we found dumped across the region last month ranged from general household waste to furniture and appliances,” he said.

“However, we have even found things like asbestos and old medication dumped in the region in the past, which is extremely concerning due to the health impacts.

“We can’t be everywhere, so we need everyone in the community to be vigilant and report illegal dumping to council so we can all work together to help keep our region beautiful.

“Council provides three free dump vouchers with every rates notice, so there is no excuse for dumping rubbish around our region.”

Residents can also take any old furniture or white goods to the Incredable Tip Shop at the Paget Waste Management Centre free of charge for recycling.

If you see illegal dumping, please report it to council by calling 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

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Council received reports of 20 illegal dumping cases across the region last month. Photo supplied: Mackay Regional Council

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The future of Queensland’s resources industry was on display as a new virtual reality (VR) training lab was unveiled at the Resources Centre of Excellence last week.

The VR training software provides immersive scenarios to help students understand the high-risk environment and potential hazards, without compromising their safety.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the Resources Centre of Excellence is setting the standard for the sector across the southern hemisphere.

“We're proud to support the Resources Centre of Excellence in Mackay and the role it plays in training the next generation of workers in Queensland's resources sector,” she said.

“This new VR lab will help equip our resources workers with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed well into the future – and most importantly keep them safe.”

The lab is the product of an 18-month collaboration between the Resources Centre of Excellence and Brisbane-based Next World Enterprises.

“We’ve designed our cutting-edge virtual reality software to enhance the learner’s engagement and foster a deep comprehension of the training topic,” said Next World Enterprises CEO and Founder Michael O’Reilly.

“It is also a win for business, as it increases productivity and minimises downtime due to injury from ineffective training.”

Resources Centre of Excellence CEO Stephen Boxall said the new lab will work hand-in-hand with the Centre’s existing training facilities.

“What we’re looking at doing is providing that world-first training across theory, practical and VR which I believe will absolutely lead to much safer outcomes for the industry as a whole,” he said.

Speaking at the Resources Centre of Excellence, Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the Queensland Government has committed an extra $5.7 million in funding to expand the Centre to support emerging industry needs.

“Stage 2 is about looking at artificial intelligence and the technologies that we’ll need to develop the workforce, not only for today’s mining sector, but for the future mining sector,” he said.

"Developing a highly skilled and adaptable workforce is a key component of our 30-year plan for the resources sector, which will enable us to drive innovation and growth for decades to come.”

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CEO and Founder of Next World Enterprises Michael O’Reilly, Minister for Resources Scott Stewart and Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert

VR immerses the user in high-risk scenarios without compromising their safety. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Image supplied: Next World Enterprises

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A 19-year-old Mackay man is currently looking for three housemates of a similar age to join him in one of two new fully accessible homes that have just been completed in Beaconsfield.

The Endeavour Foundation built the houses at a cost of $2.1 million and they are fully equipped to provide the vital facilities needed to enable people living with disabilities to live independently.

One of these individuals is a Mackay local called Chris who is currently living with older people and would love some housemates of a similar age to live with.

“I love love, love my elders, but I would rather live with people in my age group,” said Chris.

“I just hope that we will find at least one rare, beautiful soul.

“If we had similar interests, such as having our own YouTube channels or liking to make films I guess I could do that.

“And someone who loves pets, especially cats. Must be extremely kind to cats!”

Chris said it’s important that people with disability have a house that suits their needs and is staffed by great support workers.

“I describe my disability by saying, ‘Messages to my brain don’t get through as well and that’s the reason I’m always in this wheelchair.’” he explained.

“I will need loving support workers that hoist me in a special kind of chair.

“I would also need to be hoisted from the chair to going in the shower chair, having a shower, getting out of the shower chair and into bed.

Endeavour Foundation Executive General Manager of Home and Community services Leanne Rutherford said she was proud to be building affordable and purpose-built accessible housing for people with disability.

“There are more than 27-000 households on the social housing register across Queensland and nearly half of those include a person with disability,” Ms Rutherford said.

“We believe people with disability have the same right as everyone else to live in a suitable, affordable, and secure home with people they want to live with.”

Recent data from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) says Mackay has a fraction of the registered Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) that other regions have.

“It’s clear that Mackay has very low SDA availability, but the good news is we’ve finished two more new homes here to ease some of that pressure,” said Ms Rutherford.

“That’s why we are investing $45m over four years as part of our My Home, My Life initiative to upgrade existing homes, replace older homes, and build brand-new, fully accessible, ‘Platinum level’ homes for people who may never have had one before.”

Chris said he feels very lucky to have this opportunity and hopes that by sharing his story it will open people’s eyes to the need for more housing.

“I want to make sure that by the time I’m in my 70s, there are a lot of accessible houses,” he said.

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Chris is with his Support Worker, Dannielle Gallagher, planting a tree.

The new home is fully equipped with all the essentials

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At first glance you might think there are very few similarities between movie stars, models and real estate agents. There is a photo of a real estate agent with this column that might help you make a visual assessment of that proposition.

It is true that if you go by the touched-up photos of some real estate agents you could well be filled with excited anticipation, or a daunting feeling of inadequacy, as you wait for them to arrive to do an appraisal at your place.

The reality can be quite different. “My God (he/she) doesn’t look anything like their photo!”

Note to real estate agents: under-promise and over-deliver with everything, including your photos. (“Gee, you’re much better-looking than your photo?”). I’m yet to find a photographer bad enough to create that sensation but it will be a game-changer when I do.

But despite the apparent differences between Hollywood actors, models and real estate agents, there is one clear similarity: having to deal with rejection.

I imagine that if you are an actor or a model and you miss out on the gig, the feeling of rejection is quite palpable. You’d take it personally.

Rejection for an actor would feel personal; it was something about you, your acting, your  appearance. They decided they didn’t like how you act, the thing you have dedicated your life and energy to.

It would be similar for a model: you missed out because you were too fat, too short, not good-looking enough. There is nothing else to blame. It was personal, they didn’t like you.

But for those actors and models there is nothing else to do but get up, dust yourself off, put a smile on your face and get on with it. Where’s the next casting call, the next audition?

For real estate agents, rejection is a visitor that can arrive after you have done appraisal. You hope it doesn’t and the call from a seller saying “we’ve decided to go with you” is the most pleasing in real estate because nothing happens unless you get that call.

But all agents, no matter how good, have missed out on getting the listing after doing an appraisal. We’ve all had the feeling of rejection. And it’s always tough.

The temptation is to take it personally, to think about it and dwell on it, allow it to drag you down. Wallow in it.

Or bounce back. Get moving. Focus on finding buyers for the listings you do have. Getting a sale is a terrific pick-me-up.

Learn lessons if there are lessons to be learned from the rejection but move on with your job and life. Stay positive, be you. Believe in yourself and be the best you can be. The clients who have chosen you need you to be up and about, at your best. So you move on.

Of course you, the seller, need feel no guilt about handing out rejection. It’s your job to decide and there can only be one agent so someone has to go.

You should properly weigh up whether you are going to be able to easily work with a particular agent and whether you believe that agent can get you the best price, but make the decision and move on guilt-free.

Facing rejection is a fact of life for real estate agents and if they can’t deal with it they are in the wrong business. It’s not your fault the decision didn’t go their way.

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Registered nurses are invited to participate in an up-skilling program in acute care thanks to a new initiative that gives nurses returning to the profession an opportunity to progress and develop new skills.

Elizabeth, who is a registered Mental Health nurse based in Mackay, is one of many who participated in a recent month-long reskilling program.

She completed her Bachelor of Nursing on the Sunshine Coast, before relocating to Mackay with her husband, in September 2020.

“I was working in aged care as a clinical nurse, but I wanted to get back into acute care in a clinical stream,” Elizabeth said.

She completed the Mackay Hospital and Health Service Nurse Reskilling Program in mid-2021, before being offered a job as a registered nurse within the Mental Health Department of Mackay Base Hospital in December 2021.

“I really enjoyed the reskilling course,” Elizabeth said.

“It helped me regain some of those skills which you don’t normally employ in aged care.”

With a blended model of face-to-face education, scenarios, simulation exercises and independent study, participates then complete a practical component, before graduating the course.

“I was on a Medical Rehab F0 ward, for a refresh of what we had learned. We were provided with lots of support, and I am very grateful for that reskilling program because it provided a stepping-stone for me,” Elizabeth said.

Both registered and enrolled nurses who are working outside of the hospital acute care are eligible to participate in the Mackay Hospital and Health Service Nurse Reskilling Program.

The next course will take place from July 10 to August 4, with applications closing Monday, May 1.

For further information about how you could re-skill, call Nicole Armitage on 4885 7059 or email nicole.armitage2@health.qld.gove.au.

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Mental Health Nurse Elizabeth. Photo supplied

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Land valuations are a hot topic and so they should be. We have all received our new Land Valuation and there have been massive changes in some areas. Land valuations are set by the Department of Resources, not councils, and are conducted every two to four years – our last was in 2019.

If you are unhappy with your new valuation and believe your circumstances on your parcel of land are substantially different to those around you then you can lodge an objection. You have until May 16 to object and the details are on the back of your valuation notice. You can also go online at www.qld.gov.au/landvaluation  and see how your area fared compared to those around you.

Mackay Regional Council has more than 53,000 rateable properties in 25 categories and each year council sets a budget to ensure council can provide services for the community. Rates are then calculated based upon a property’s land use category and the current land valuation using a cents in the dollar calculation. As valuations rise, we drop the cents in the dollar to match what we need to run council.

Whilst calculating rates can seem complex, using the cents in the dollar method avoids situations where rates increase at the rate of property values. More information on how rates are calculated is available at council’s website.

Unfortunately, where wild fluctuations in land valuations occur, we will struggle to maintain an even rate rise across all ratepayers. For example, if your suburb has increased substantially compared to the average it will affect your rates.

This is the same for our rural land holders as because we cover such a large area there has been big changes in some areas. My rural land valuation has gone from $170,000 to $590,000 (288% rise). As this is higher than the average rural valuation rises, there is no doubt that this is going to have a negative effect on my rates.  

Council will continue to look at multiple avenues to reduce costs prior to determining the rates generated per category for the 2023-2024 budget. I am always happy to chat or visit community groups to give more detail on this topic if you are interested.

Cr Laurence Bonaventura

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Good news for Bowen and Collinsville residents who need to attend medical appointments with plans now underway to provide a bus service that will transport patients north to Townsville.

Mayor Julie Hall said this service would be invaluable for families who needed to travel long distances for medical care.

“Our Economic Development team are working to explore potential funding opportunities for a community minibus for Bowen, Collinsville, and surrounds to transport patients to Townsville for regular medical appointments,” she said.

“Council will work with our Federal and State government representatives, community, and not-for-profit groups to explore options and advocate for ongoing funding, to ensure the service is viable and operates to meet our residents’ needs.”

Mayor Hall said, at the Pink Stumps Day held in Bowen in February, she was saddened to discover that people with cancer are missing out on vital treatment because they can’t get to their hospital appointments.

She said that Council has already contributed $50,000 to the Mackay Hospital Foundation towards providing a community medical bus service to transport patients from Proserpine and Airlie Beach to Mackay Hospital and the Icon Cancer Centre for medical appointments.

“However, there is currently no such service for residents in the northern end of the Whitsundays,” she explained.

“Ensuring access to this service for regional communities is so important, but it will be no quick fix as there are multiple funding, legal and operational logistics to be negotiated.”

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It is hoped that the new bus will provide a similar service to the Mackay Hospital Foundation bus. Photo supplied

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You can hear the screams from parents right now, can’t you?

The parents who haven’t done anything to get ready. The ones who still haven’t cleaned out the lunchbox with the banana in there from two weeks ago. The bags that have got homework uncompleted from weeks ago are still sitting on the kitchen bench.

We’ve all been there, but I have got some help for you, and it’s free.

Grab the lunchbox, throw it in the bin and grab a new one out of the cupboard. Get that school bag and throw it in the washing machine. Job done. Oh and the homework, throw that in the bin too. Tell the teacher the dog ate it. If you don’t have a dog, tell them the one next door did it.

Now that’s all done, and the kids are ready for the school return next week, get ready to enjoy the next two days and make it count. I have some suggestions that will make you smile.

Get in the car tomorrow morning, tell your phone’s guidance app to take you to Cattle Creek near Pinnacle. You’ll be driving through the Pioneer Valley, and you know how great that is. Don’t forget to take your camera because you’ll need it for snaps.

When you get to Cattle Creek on the left, get out of the car, race into the creek water, and just sit there and let the rapids take you wherever you want to go. I probably wouldn’t drink the water, as you may swallow half of what the horses and cattle leave in the creek upstream. Just a heads up.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll be hungry. You could drive up the road for a $9 pie, or you could head up to the Chalet and grab a feed with the most gorgeous view of the valley anyone would love to see.

Once that’s all done, and only if you have time, drop into the Leap and walk up the mountain. The views are spectacular. Don’t forget your camera.

This should fill up your weekend before Monday and it will certainly make you smile. The reason I know. I did them all last week and I’m still smiling now.

If you need directions to any of these places, let me know. I’ll be your tour guide.

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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April is the cruellest month to depart the Whitsundays.

The stifling air is finally running off - the rain, rain has gone away - and I decide to move to the country’s opposite end? The kookaburras on the fence line are laughing at me for that.

I have been a writer for Mackay and Whitsunday Life newspaper for two years, and in two weeks, I will write my last word for this masthead. This is my final editor’s note. I have made the decision to leave the region and the publication behind. Onwards to greener pastures, as they say.

Let us do away with any pretence: I am a sentimental man. I will miss Pioneer Bay, levelled out on the horizon, blue and tinged with green. I walked the bicentennial boardwalk on Easter Weekend and watched rainbow lorikeets chirruping to each other – I miss the sound already. I imagine I will cry when I drive up Shute Harbour Road through to Proserpine for the last time. The sugarcane will wave me goodbye in the wind.

And that’s simply the place; I will miss the people more. Writing for them, and for all of you, has been an honour. You know how incredible you are. And that alights on something else: I will miss my friends. But “friends come in and out of your life like busboys at a restaurant,” don’t they? We will see each other again.

So, to the Mackay and Whitsunday Life team, to my friends: thank you all for making the Whitsundays my home. This new chapter in Tasmania will be an exciting one, and I will not forget you.

To you, I say thank you, Constant Readers.

Goodbye, for the last time.

Declan

Quote of the Week:

“Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance. They make the latitudes and longitudes.” – Henry David Thoreau

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