Police report that an unknown person has illegally gained entrance to a portable construction site office in Paget between 5:00pm on March 27 and 6:00am on March 28.

Secure doors were damaged to allow access and Milwaukee brand batteries and chargers have been stolen along with a radio.

Police report that Milwaukee brand commercial tools are being targeted by thieves at multiple business locations and construction sites around the Mackay city area and the Pioneer Valley in recent weeks.

Police urge builders and business owners to ensure sufficient security is in place at their locations.

Information on the matter can be and should be reported to police as soon as possible – quote Report number: QP2300519975.

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A new concept in nursing has arrived in Mackay and it promises to help residents receive the healthcare they need in the comfort of their own homes, enabling them to also avoid lengthy waiting times along the way.

Data has revealed that Mackay Hospitals are clogged with too many patients waiting for appointments.

Earlier this month, Queensland Health said the waiting-list-for-the-waiting-list at Mackay Hospitals increased by 16 per cent in the past 12 months for the December quarter.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said that “better resourcing, improving triaging, real time data monitoring and giving power back to local doctors and nurses to run our hospitals” could provide a solution.

“Behind these 9332 patients waiting for their specialist appointment are stories of Mackay patients desperate for a better quality of life,” Mr Crisafulli said.

A real-time solution is now on its way and, while it cannot replace the need for specialist appointments, it is hoped that it will take some of the pressure off by providing services such as complex bowel care, urinary catheters, wound management, and subcutaneous injections.

Nurse Next Door Home Care Services is operated by local residents Sarah Ryan and George Blackie who wanted to find a solution to support the local community by providing care and nursing services in people’s homes.

“While working in the disability sector, I’d often hear stories from clients about how hard it was to get the proper care they needed and going to hospital was the last thing they wanted to do because of how limited the resources were,” said Sarah.

“We wanted to find a way to help the vulnerable people in our community access healthcare from the comfort and safety of their own homes, on their own terms.” added George.

Almost 20 per cent of the Mackay population is either over the age of 65 or living with a disability.

Nurse Next Door aims to help people continue living independently at home, with the care they need, and to continue to participate in the community safely, with an added personal touch of compassion from locally employed caregivers and nurses.

“We are focused on getting Mackay’s residents that require some level of care back to doing the things they love, and we want each and every one of our residents to live their best lives,” explained Sarah.

The couple hope their services will help to address the growing demand on the healthcare system for Queensland’s ageing and special needs population.

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A “thirsty workforce” is responsible for donating $50,000 to RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter thanks to a partnership between Bravus Mining and Anything Environmental.

Since 2018, workers at the Carmichael Mine have been putting their empty bottles into dedicated recycling bins which are collected by Anything Environmental

These are then cashed in for 10 cents a bottle and, thanks to the generosity of Bravus, the money goes straight to RACQ CQ Rescue to assist with emergency airlift operations.

Bravus Mining and Resources Chief Operating Officer Mick Crowe said the success of the program was due to its simplicity, and a hungry and thirsty workforce.

“Mackay-based group Anything Environmental developed the program and they do the heavy lifting for us. They put the bins in place, collect the recyclable materials, and tally up the donation – all of which goes to RACQ CQ Rescue,” he explains.

“Our people are enthusiastic about doing what they can to reduce, reuse, and recycle on site, and Change for Choppers makes it as simple as putting the right thing in the right bin.”

Mick encourages other businesses to get behind the initiative, which can turn your costly waste into dollars that help provide the region with a vital service.

RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Tim Healee said the community was indebted to their corporate partners.

“RACQ CQ Rescue is a vital part of emergency support for all residents, visitors and workers in this region and it’s reassuring to know corporate organisations like Bravus appreciate the value of supporting our helicopter and that with their support we can continue to provide our vital, lifesaving service to anyone in a time of crisis,” he said.

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(L-R) Bravus Mining and Resources COO Mick Crowe with RACQ CQ Rescue aircrewmen Grant Bollington and Ben McCauley. Photo supplied

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A group of dog owners who regularly gather at Boathaven Beach to run their dogs off-leash and swim in the safe confines of the stinger net are imploring Council to provide dedicated dog-friendly times following a warning from rangers to put their pets on a lead.

Norma Strang and Paula Medley are part of a group of around 20 individuals who meet casually most mornings at the New Beach in Airlie.

“I moved here about 14 months ago and every friend I’ve made is from the beach,” said Paula.

“It’s a big community of friends and I love swimming here – I need to get in the water, and clear my head before starting the day.”

Norma added that she sees no need for the Council to change the rules.

“What’s the problem?” she said.

“The people are great, this is our morning mental health, our dogs are fine, we pick up after them and they are no trouble.

“We just want a few hours for us here with the dogs early morning - we are ratepayers too and our dogs need exercise off the lead”

Director of Community Services for Whitsunday Regional Council, Julie Wright said that Boathaven Beach has always been an on-leash dog walking area.

“It has never been an off-leash beach, it is an on-leash beach,” said Julie.

“It appears the signage from the western end of the beach has been removed by an unknown in recent months, but this sign will be replaced in the coming days.  

“The on-leash signage is still in place at the eastern end of Boathaven Beach and dogs are not permitted to swim inside the stinger enclosure.”

Julie recommends that the group meet at the eastern end of Cannonvale beach which is an off-leash area from 5am-8pm daily except from 8am-9am and 2.30pm-3.30pm on school days.

Norma has been investigating the legal rights of dog owners and asserts that the beach is in international waters and is therefore not within the Council’s jurisdiction.

In response to that, Council said that Local Law considers it a ‘public place’ when referring to animals under effective control, so the argument of international waters is invalid.

She also added that Council had received “several complaints in the past six weeks from residents complaining that their families have been harassed by dogs off the lead at Boathaven Beach”.

“As a result, Local Laws teams will increase patrols to enforce the on-leash status,” she said.

There are no current plans for Council to change the restrictions, but the group believe that allocated off-leash times would allow all ratepayers to live freely and they remain hopeful that restrictions could change.
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Local dog owners enjoying an off-leash swim with their friendly pooches at New Beach in Airlie. Photo credit: Rachael Smith.

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Hi Readers

This paper marks the first full edition since our dedicated Editor took her maternity leave break. Firstly, I want to wish Amanda and Hamish all the best as you embark on such an exciting chapter. I know you will cherish this time with your family and welcome baby Wright with plenty of love.

This week, I’ve taken on a few of Amanda’s responsibilities, the most interesting one being pagination. I wasn’t unfamiliar with the process before now, but it took me actually doing it myself to truly appreciate the work our editors put in every week. Pagination is the mapping out of the paper – planning what article, ad, photo goes on what page; how much space to allow for it; what should go next to it. It’s a never-ending juggle of puzzle pieces and there’s an element of challenge, fun and satisfaction to fitting all the pieces together – although perhaps my editors will warn that the shine wears off with repetition. We will see.

If you flick to the event guide on page 18, you’ll see there’s no shortage of things to do this weekend. Being a fan of sport, I’m excited to see the Cutters, Meteors and Meteorettes getting plenty of home games. I went to my first basketball game ever last week and the energy inside the Crater was electric. I urge you all to check it out tonight if you can. Read my recollections of last week’s games on Page 21 before you do.

Being a beer fan, I’m also looking forward to celebrating Red Dog Brewery’s first birthday tomorrow. One year ago tomorrow, a relatively fresh journalist in a relatively new town, I dropped in at the corner of Victoria and Chain Streets, had a yarn to Woodsy and enjoyed my first schooner of Red Dog’s Red Ale. That year has flown by, and I’ve enjoyed plenty since. You can read Red Dog’s story on page 19.

Whatever you’re getting up to, I hope you have a good weekend and enjoy the read.

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Warning: Confrontational Salesman

Whitsunday police received reports regarding behaviour of a 50– to 60-year-old man with tanned complexion and short dark hair who frequents business and shopping centre car parks.

The heavy-set man is allegedly insistently and confrontationally approaching elderly or vulnerable shoppers and offering services to repair damaged vehicle windscreens.

Anyone with safety concerns should contact police immediately.

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Vessel Trespassers Charged

Two people were charged for allegedly entering a vessel moored in Airlie Beach at The Beacons on March 26 at 12.30am.

It's alleged the caretaker of a moored 30-metre-long vessel found two males in the cabin. The men decamped after being verbally challenged.

Police checked CCTV footage, conducted interviews, and patrolled the area before subsequently arresting and charging a 28 year old male Brisbane resident.

He will appear in the Proserpine Magistrates Court on April 17 for charges of trespass and unlawful entry of a vessel.

A 27-year-old Caboolture man was arrested on the same charges and an additional charge of unlawful possession of a dangerous drug (cocaine) and will appear in court on the same date

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With 57 homeless young people turning to youth support service YIRS in the month of February, calls are being made for more funding to be funnelled into youth services.

YIRS (Youths Information Referral Service) is a youth service for young people aged between 8 and 21 and their families, with the most commonly seen issues facing Mackay’s young people being homelessness, mental health and education.

An average of 20,000 young people present to YIRS a year, and, with only four staff, Service Manager Dee Chapman said more funding is required to provide intervention and support to our young people.

“There’s just not enough manpower,” Ms Chapman said.

“The demand is high, ongoing and increasing.

“We talk about crime in youth but, basically, their basic needs aren’t being met.

“If we put more supports in place for this youth, we’re going to see less crime.”

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm welcomed changes to breach of bail legislation that was passed in the Queensland Parliament earlier in the month criminalising breach of bail for children aged 10 to 17 years.

“Juvenile repeat offenders are causing havoc in the community and to deter these young criminals it was crucial that we reinstate the breach of bail offences,” Ms Camm said.

Ms Camm is now calling for increases to funding for youth services in regional communities to prevent children from becoming involved in criminal activity.

“This government talks about early intervention and supporting young people with complex needs, yet for my community of Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays there has been not one increase in funding in the past decade,” she said.

“My local community’s service, YIRS, is now using reserve funding and making a loss each year to support young people — young people with complex mental health issues who are known to Child Safety and the youth justice system.”

53 per cent of the young people that present to YIRS are victims of abuse, trauma or neglect, 41 per cent are under a current child protection order and 49 per cent have mental health issues.

Ms Chapman said, with more funding, these young people will have better access to the support they need.

“Young people bounce back from trauma if we intervene early enough and put those supports in place,” she said.

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YIRS Service Manager Dee Chapman and Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm at YIRS One Stop Youth Shop Mackay. Photo supplied: Office of Amanda Camm

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Hi Everyone,

Let’s talk Easter Bonnets!

This week my son and I created a Minecraft Easter Bunny ‘Bonnet’ for his school parade which was held on Wednesday.

I’m sure many of you out there have also been part of the excitement of this crafty Easter tradition – paint splotches on the carpet, sticky fingers on couches, half-complete projects abandoned . . . and there you are at 9 o’clock in the evening glueing last minute accessories onto the masterpiece!

It’s a wonderful tradition, and I truly enjoyed spending time with my son, watching his eyes light up as a cardboard box was transformed into a Minecraft-inspired Easter bunny.

Squares were wonky and excess glue was making the paper creased, I found myself trying to correct his placements, make it perfect – but then I stopped myself and let go – this wasn’t a display of great parenting, this was an expression of creative joy, a project for him.

When we got to school, he was proudly wielding his bonnet, which was actually more like a mask, and I watched as his friends gathered.

Everyone was showing off their hats and other kids were keen to see what it was like inside the Minecraft Bunny.

Apparently, when he did his roll call in his classroom this morning he asked his teacher to call him Minecraft Bunny – “good morning Mrs Bunny” – he said afterwards.

As we all enjoy the Easter festivities, let’s remember that family and friends are at the heart of everything we do – quality time is the most important gift we can give anyone – so call your parents, spend time with your children, say hi to your neighbours and stop to talk to a stranger on the street.

Rach

“Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans” (John Lennon)

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The Sugar City's young political aspirants are being given the opportunity to run for Youth Councillor positions and become Young Mayor of Mackay in May through a Queensland-first initiative.

Through an Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) and Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) partnership, young people will be able to participate in a ‘Young Mayors’ program, vote in the region’s first Youth Council election, and get their first look at democracy in action.

Mackay Regional Council will be the first Queensland local government to pilot the program which hopes to promote electoral participation among young people.

Despite recent Federal Election results in which young voters turned out in record numbers, concerns for local- and state-level electoral enrolments remain – a recent Australian Electoral Commission study stated participation by youth was a “great concern in many democracies today”.

Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said ECQ is delighted to be supporting this initiative which “will help young people to improve their knowledge about elections and be ready to vote when they turn 18.”

“Importantly, the program will inspire young people to learn about the electoral system and how they can influence decisions that impact their community,” Mr Vidgen said.

“The Young Mayors program will support people aged 17 and under to get elected to a youth council, positioning young people as decision-makers on issues that impact their future in the Mackay region.”

Over a week in May, young people will experience an election campaign and a week of voting to elect a 12-seat Youth Council.

Elected by their peers, the Youth Council will then nominate a Young Mayor, set an agenda for their 12-month term in office and work with the Mackay Regional Council on specific issues.

FYA’s Executive Director of Civic and Cultural Engagement Molly Whelan said local governments play a huge role in the everyday lives of people in Queensland communities, and “that includes young people. But young people are often locked out of power – consulted but never in charge”.

“This program puts young people in the driver’s seat – ensuring that council policies and programs better reflect the concerns, needs, and desires of local young people,” they said.

The Young Mayors program was designed by Foundation for Young Australians and is based on successful United Kingdom models.

Other Australian councils - in Victoria, and New South Wales – will launch their iterations of the program across 2023 and 2024, with Mackay the first of a proposed number of Local Councils in Queensland to participate.

Youth Council members can be as young as 11, and more information can be found online at: https://www.fya.org.au/young-mayors-mackay/

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A Queensland-first Young Mayors program has begun in Mackay with election canvassing to start in May for a ‘Youth Council’

Image: Supplied

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A local mumand her fitness coach are on a month-long challenge of 57 squats per day – acombined total of 38,874 squats - to fundraise for the National Breast CancerFoundation.

Over themonth of march, Kerry Dibbin joined forces with ‘A Fit Life by Tonya’ to raiseawareness for the current 57 Australians diagnosed daily with breast cancer,having raised $4,482 so far.

Ms Dibbin,who had decided to undertake the national fundraising effort, also recently invitedthe Proserpine Rugby League Club to join her in one day of the challenge afterbringing the idea up to her son’s Under 12 team.

“When we spoke with the Club, they were so quick to jump onboard and very supportive. It was just terrific,” Ms Dibbin said.

Proserpine Brahmans Club President Justin Folley said theentire club joined in, and that it was an obvious choice to do so with the clubhaving been touched by Breast Cancer on more than one occasion.

“We were keen to do whatever we could to support the 57Squat Challenge,” he said.

Ms Dibbin,who trains with local fitness coach Tonya Dunne in her A Fit Life by Tonyagroup, soon had her coach and her coach’s participants signed up too.

“Given my line of work as a Personal Trainer the idea of theNBCF 57 Squat Challenge resonated and I thought, now this is something I can doto support my family and friends fighting this terrible disease,” Tonya Dunnesaid.

“I want tomake a difference in the lives of those 57 Australians impacted by the disease– that's why I'm taking on the 57 Squat Challenge, to raise vital funds forworld-class breast cancer research. Everyone knows someone who has or has hadBreast Cancer.”

To learnmore and make a donation please visit https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/afitlifebytonya

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The Proserpine Brahmans Junior Rugby League Club joined a fundraising effort by a local mum and her trainer who are squatting 57 times per day to fundraise for Breast Cancer

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A Whitsunday local and ex-Mayoral candidate interrupted the recent Whitsunday Regional Council Meeting to pose questions regarding misconduct findings against a senior Councillor.

During Council’s Questions from the Public Gallery in its Wednesday, March 22, meeting, Phil Batty stood to query Council on matters relating to Councillor Michael Brunker’s recent misconduct hearing.

Mr Batty had been denied the right to ask his questions in the regular forum, yet still stood during the allotted public question time to display his disagreement.

“I will stand at this stage, Mayor, and have my say,” Mr Batty said.

“You have shut me down four times and I’m going to continue speaking. You’ve let Councillor Brunker humiliate and vilify me at the last meeting and I won’t stand for it.”

Mr Batty’s comments refer to the March 8 meeting in which Councillor Brunker was fined $500 and asked to apologise after using Council assets during the Mayoral election campaign last year – the now-substantiated allegation of which was first brought to light by Mr Batty.

In his statement at that meeting, Councillor Brunker had, without referring to Mr Batty by name, alluded to the “failed mayoral candidate who has lodged this complaint”, saying he felt “embarrassed for him” – this is the “vilifying” Mr Batty alleges.

Mayor Julie Hall was quick to see Mr Batty leave the Council Meeting for his impertinence, telling him he had been refused his questions and that if he wished to pursue the matter further, to do so with State or Federal regulatory bodies.

“This matter has already been dealt with, and if you have any further issues, Mr Batty, it is an OIA [Office of the Independent Assessor] or CCC [Corruption and Crime Commission],” Mayor Hall said.

“Refer it to them.”

Mr Batty told this publication that he has reported Mayor Hall and Councillor Brunker to the OIA regarding his allegations of their breaching the Local Government Act.

Whitsunday Regional Council said the matter had already been dealt with and had no further comment.

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Concerned that local community groups and infrastructure investment are suffering from a series of newly imposed taxes, Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox says he is preparing to stand up and fight for “our fair share” leading up to the budget in May.

Mr Willcox asserts that our region has suffered “slashes and cuts to vital regional programs” since the Labor Government took over 10 months ago.

He warns that Dawson has been completely left behind by the new Government.

“The Mobile Blackspot Program, Building Better Regions Fund, Community Development Grants and Improving Mobile Coverage Round have all been slashed,” Mr Willcox said.

“When I was Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, programs like the Building Better Regions Fund launched us into overdrive. Investments like the $3.75 million Cannon Valley Reservoir future-proofed the region for years to come.”

He also cites the Community Development Grants, which he believes are now amongst the programs on the chopping block.

“In Dawson, the Northern Beaches Community Hub, the Home Hill State School Hall, the Burdekin Multipurpose Outdoor Stadium, and the Mackay Basketball Seating Upgrades, were all supported by the Community Development Grants,” he explains.

“Cutting these programs is a huge kick in the guts to regional Australia, and it’s slamming on the breaks for our communities.

“There are delays galore, and our community groups and organisations have been left in limbo, with no certainty for our future.”

Mr Willcox says he is standing up for regional Queensland and standing strong with his Nationals colleagues to get Dawson’s “fair share”.

“I’ve always said I’ll work with anyone to grow a stronger Dawson, but what Labor’s doing to our region needs to be called out,” he said.

“Leading up to the budget in May, I’m definitely not going to be quiet on this.”

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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, demands a “fair share” for our region. Photo supplied

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Legendary Cowboys player Ray Thompson delivered a powerful message to parents and caregivers at a special event held at Genius Childcare in Cannonvale on Monday evening.

The retired sportsman, who played for the Cowboys from 2005 to 2017, is now the Cowboys Community Engagement Programs Officer and works directly with schools delivering The Resilience Project around the country.

Founded by Hugh van Cuylenberg, The Resilience Project helps people live a happy and fulfilled life by teaching them the key principals of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness.

Hugh first discovered the magical properties of happiness when he visited a poor town in India where the children had nothing but were incredibly happy.

He used his observations to inspire the Resilience Project and has since visited sporting clubs, businesses and community groups across the country teaching people how to deal with failure, stress and challenges.

The Resilience Project now has a national following and many ambassadors.

For Ray Thomson, who lost a friend to suicide in 2015, passing on this inspiring message is a way to help future generations lead happy lives and hopefully save others from reaching a point of despair.

“I feel proud and humbled to have this power and opportunity to help others,” he said on the night.

“Every single person fails; everyone experiences a traumatic event in their lives – yet 65 per cent of adults won’t seek help when they go through a tough time.”

Ray hopes that by sharing key tools to parents and caregivers at early learning centres, this will better equip children to handle challenges at a young age.

This event was funded by the Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network and is in addition to the $14,000 they provided for similar projects at other childcare centres in 2022.

If this article has triggered any challenging emotions call Lifeline on 131114.

Cowboys legend Ray Thompson and Genius Early Learning Centre Manager, Bec Shultz. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Cannonvale State School held its first Silent Art Auction on Monday night and, with almost 70 pieces of artwork up for grabs, guests were treated to an array of high-quality art produced and donated by creative students.

An entirely student-driven charity art event, Principal Angie Kelly said she was incredibly proud of the year five students who had organised the evening.

Charlotte Behnck, Harlow Ruge, Charli Scott, Evie Berry and Eleanor Turner are the group of classmates who first came up with the idea to sell their artwork.

After a few more brainstorming sessions it was decided that the funds raised would be given to charity and that a silent auction could get more students involved.

The outcome was a fantastic evening supported by teachers and family, with over $1000 raised on the night.

All funds raised were donated to the Sunrise School in Uganda and will be put towards a much-needed renovation of the dormitories.

Cannonvale State School have been supporting Sunrise School for the past seven years and first started regular donations when they discovered 300 orphans were being schooled under a tree.

Since then, our local school has hosted many charity drives which have helped Sunrise School build a school building.

They have also provided money for a generator to give them electricity, delivered food during Covid and recently paid for a toilet block that was needed in order for the Ugandan government to let the school stay open.

“The concept of giving to others is incredibly important,” said Principal Kelly.

“One of the most meaningful things we can do as a school is help facilitate this on behalf of our students.”
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The Silent Art Auction event organisers - Charli Scott, Evie Berry, Charlotte Behnck, Eleanor turner and Harlow Ruge. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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New regulations that aim to streamline meetings and avoid time-wasting will soon be imposed in Council meetings thanks to a motion carried at the ordinary meeting last week.

The changes, which will take effect next month, were adopted following a consultation between Council CEO Scott Owen, Mayor Greg Williamson, and the elected members.

The outcome confirmed that Council will begin to hold their ordinary meetings monthly instead of fortnightly.

They will continue to meet internally every Wednesday.

Another main amendment is that any person or group wishing to attend and address Council, or provide a deputation at a local government meeting, must now make a written request to the CEO at least seven days prior.

This is in line with the length of time Council staff deliver reports and agenda items prior to any meeting.

It is hoped that this system will help Council discern whether the topic is suitable to add to the public participation agenda, or whether it is better if the applicant follows a more appropriate channel.

Mayor Williamson said that previously speakers could turn up on the day and put their names on the list to speak.

This immediate platform meant that Council could not filter subjects that were outside of their jurisdiction.

“What that means is sometimes speakers are talking about matters not related to local government that council has no involvement in,’’ Mayor Williamson said.

“This will ensure matters of public participation are local government specific and appropriate channels within Council have already been used in trying to further the matter.”

There will be a maximum of three speakers per matter and the time of three minutes per speaker, currently in place, would remain.

Under the new stricter rules, there will also be firmer regulations around late business items raised by councillors.

Scott Owen said he believed the meeting changes, developed in consultation with the elected members, were positive.

“They are in line with Council’s focus on becoming more agile and efficient,’’ he said.

“There will also be changes to the monthly reporting at the council meeting to have more of a forward-looking and strategic focus, which will assist with preparing the region for the future.”

In Brief:

• Council ordinary meetings will take place monthly instead of fortnightly

• Anyone wishing to address Council must write a letter seven days prior

• If the matter is better suited, it may be redirected internally

• There will be a maximum of three speakers at a meeting

• An individual will have three minutes to speak

• There will also be stricter rules around late business items raised by Councillors

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