Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox is calling on the Federal Government to further extend the Improving Mobile Coverage Round [IMCR] following Dawson completely missing out.

The IMCR will deliver funding to extend and improve mobile phone coverage and competition in regional and remote Australia, by co-funding new or upgraded telecommunications infrastructure in 54 target locations with up to $40 million available.

Mr Willcox said it is extremely disappointing to see the Government has completely forgotten about Dawson in its announcement.  54 locations across Australia have received a funding allocation, and Dawson has been completely left out despite having areas in the region with very little to no mobile service.

“Mobile phone coverage funding is a necessity and shouldn’t be a luxury only for those living in the cities. Dawson punches well above its weight when it comes to contributing taxes to our Government, yet we lack services and infrastructure,” he said.

“We have places suffering terrible mobile service in Dawson, like Slade Point, Beaconsfield, Merinda, Kuttabul, Bloomsbury, Dittmer, Crystalbrook, Cunjulla, Giru, Gnome and Cape Gloucester just to name a few. This is a major safety concern for residents living with minimal and unreliable mobile service.”

DAWSON TRUCKIES DRIVEN TO BREAKING POINT UNDER NEW TAX‍

Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox said Federal Labor’s proposal to impose a 10 per cent per year increase in fuel taxes and registration charges on the nation’s truckies would cost the sector an additional $2.6 billion over three years and add to inflationary pressures.

Mr Willcox added that the Albanese Government’s proposed increases to ‘truckie taxes’ would drive up cost-of-living pressures on local families and businesses and accelerate closures for small and family operated transport enterprises.

“Everything we make in this country starts on a local farm or in the ground, and every product we buy gets to a shop and to the end consumer by travelling on a truck,” Mr Willcox said.

Mr Willcox added, “By 2025-26 the nation’s truckies would be charged $1.35 billion more per year under Labor’s 10 per cent truckie tax,” official documents show.

“This comes at a time when local trucking businesses are paying significantly more for fuel, wages, insurance and maintenance on trucks resulting from the shocking conditions of many roads,” Andrew Willcox said.

“The additional taxes proposed by Labor could send some trucking businesses to the wall.”

“The Coalition will stand by our truckies and press the Labor Government to scrap its plans to increase truckie taxes by up to 10 per cent.”

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Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Willcox

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Loneliness can be a difficult feeling to shake, especially when living in a neighbourhood where connections are scarce. However, a new initiative by council aims to change that for some lucky residents.

This year, council is putting a new twist on its successful annual Neighbour Day campaign, offering 10 families the chance to receive a box full of everything they need to host an introductory get-together with their neighbours. The aim is to bring people together and create new connections in the community. It's an exciting opportunity for those who are looking to build relationships and create a more resilient and connected community.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the “Be a Legendary Neighbour” campaign would provide 10 families with Legendary Neighbour boxes, which will include a $75 Sinclair Meats voucher, Legendary Neighbour invites to personalise, cups and plates, and conversation cards to help break the ice.

“This Neighbour Day initiative is aimed at those who may be new to a street or may have never had the opportunity to become acquainted with their neighbours,” Mayor Williamson said.

“We want to help build a more connected community because connected communities are resilient – they look out for each other,” he said.

“That can take the form of checking in on each other’s physical and mental wellbeing or helping to prepare for, or recover from, natural disasters.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said the My Legendary Neighbour Campaign had been a tremendous community initiative.

“In 2022, council received 75 nominations for residents deserving of the title of ‘Mackay’s most Legendary Neighbour’ and that was such a heart-warming result – the stories that came from it were beautiful,” Mayor Williamson said.

“After a few years of running that campaign though, we decided that we’d try a different approach that will encourage the forging of new legendary neighbour relationships.”

To register for one of the 10 Legendary Neighbour boxes, residents need to head to council’s website and answer the question – “why would you like to build relationships with your neighbours?”.

Applications close noon, Friday, March 24, and those with the 10 best answers to the above question will be notified on Tuesday, March 28.

Council will also be hosting a series of free “Cuppa with your neighbour” events where you can enjoy a free coffee while networking with other residents in your neighbourhood.

Council’s Community Development officers will be at these events to have a chat and share more information on activities happening in your area.

Cuppa with your neighbour events will be held on:

● Tuesday, March 14, from 8am to 10am at the Seaforth Mango Trees

● Saturday, March 18, from 10am to noon at Sealand Takeaway and Café, Midge Point

● Tuesday, March 21, from 8am to 10am at Beachfront Bar and Restaurant, Bucasia Esplanade

● Thursday, March 23, from 9am to 11am at The Esplanade, Grasstree Beach

● Friday, March 24, from 8.30am to 10.30am at The Pinnacle Whistlestop Coffee Cart

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Residents of Marlin Court, Andergrove (pictured) were crowned 2022’s Legendary Neighbours. This year, council is encouraging the building of new neighbourhood friendships

A desire to linger longer at the bedside of patients, hear their concerns and ease their pain led Dr Shanan Molloy to choose palliative care as her speciality.

“I decided when I was working as a GP training in Beaudesert hospital,” Dr Molloy said.

“There was a palliative specialist who came down once a week to do a round and see all the palliative patients.

“I did a number of rounds there, and I just really connected with the way that specialist practiced, she said.

“It was so patient-centred, and he was able to spend a lot more time with patients and address their concerns so thoroughly.

“You could make quite a difference for people at the end of their life.”

Happily for Mackay, Dr Molloy who has two children under the age of four, also chose to return home to be closer to family last year. In November she was appointed as the Mackay Base Hospital’s first specialist palliative care physician.

“We’d been travelling around for some time doing training,” Dr Molloy said.

“We decided to come back to Mackay to be near my family and set up base.”

Dr Molloy is working part-time at this stage and only seeing in-patients, but she also works closely with SPaRTa – the Specialist Palliative and Rural Telehealth service – which provides palliative care outpatient services.

She is also involved in the early stages of planning to increase the Mackay HHS palliative care workforce, as part of Queensland Health’s Specialist Palliative Care Workforce Plan.

Dr Molloy admits palliative care can be a difficult field to work in.

“It can be really challenging work, but it’s also really rewarding,” she said.

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Dr Shanan Molloy was appointed as Mackay Base Hospital’s first specialist palliative care physician. Photo supplied: Mackay Hospital and Health Service

Hi I am Genie,

If you make three wishes, one of them will come true when you adopt me!

I am a very energetic dog so I need to live with an active family with older children who can give me a lot of time and attention since I crave socialisation. I am great on my own and I get on well with other dogs but I just need to continue my training to remain calm when I see them and not to bark - just saying "look at me" distracts me and works!

I am looking for my forever home and would love you to come and meet me and see if we are a good match.

My adoption price includes A FREE 4kg bag of ROYAL CANIN dry food and I'm desexed, microchipped and vaccinated.

Genie's stats

Breed - Kelpie / Labrador Retriever (Mixed)

Gender - Female

Age - 8 months

Desexed - Yes

My ID - 1375467

Adopt me from – Mackay RSPCA

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A large gecko with a ‘beaky’ face, spindly legs and a spiny tail has been discovered on Scawfell Island, about 50km offshore from Mackay.

James Cook University’s Dr Conrad Hoskin discovered the gecko on the rugged, boulder-strewn island during a survey with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships.

In a paper just released in the journal Zootaxa, it has been named the Scawfell Island Leaf-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus fimbriatus), with the species name referring to the fringe of spines around the leaf-shaped tail.

Dr Hoskin said the gecko is perfectly camouflaged to the rocks on the uninhabited island, where it lives deep in piled-up boulders during the day and emerges at night.

“It is incredible to still find large and spectacular new species in this day and age,” said Dr Hoskin.

“The fact that this gecko remained undiscovered to science shows that there are still areas of Australia with hidden secrets.”

Ranger in Charge of the Whitsundays region Brett Turnbull was on the trip when the species was discovered.

“This is an exciting discovery, and an important one, because we base our management of these islands on their biodiversity values,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Knowing which species occur where, and finding species restricted to single islands, informs our management of fire, invasive species and other threats.”

Much is still unknown about the flora and fauna of the islands off Mackay and throughout the Great Barrier Reef, with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Manager of the Ecological Assessment Unit Dr Rhonda Melzer saying that more surveys were required to understand the biodiversity of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef islands.

“We know some islands well but this discovery highlights that some of our islands remain under-surveyed,” she said.

“We are working with researchers like Conrad, and QPWS staff, to better understand and conserve these islands.”

Dr Hoskin said it’s very hard to know how big the population is, but there are at least 30 individuals and more work needs to be done before scientists can say if the geckos are endangered or not.

“Some habitats on the island naturally burn, but the rocks are probably pretty good protection from fire,” he said.

“Another potential threat is the invasive Asian House Gecko and poachers - we know of at least two poaching events of a leaftail gecko near Townsville.”

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The newly discovered Scawfell Island Leaf-tailed Gecko

Dr Conrad Hoskin on Scawfell Island. Photos supplied

Since the news that Norma Shuttlewood had passed away was shared on 1 March 2023, tributes have been flowing in from the many people who knew her and who benefited from her life-long commitment to the arts.

Norma held many positions within Mackay Choral Society but was also deeply involved with other groups including the Mackay Eisteddfod Association Inc, of which she was a Life Member. The Norma Shuttlewood OAM Bursary, awarded to outstanding competitors in the Mackay Eisteddfod, is regarded as a highly prestigious prize. It will be very strange not to see Norma in her usual seat watching the competitors at the Mackay Eisteddfod every year.

Norma was also very fond of Mackay Choral Society's involvement in the North Queensland Eisteddfod. She has regaled us over the years with tales of the adventures had by participating choristers when travelling the road to Townsville and Cairns to compete. As with everything, Norma gave her all and as recognition of her contribution was appointed Life Governor of the Eisteddfod Association of North Queensland in 1987.

Norma was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June 1998 for service to the community through the Mackay Eisteddfod Committee and the Catholic Women's League Australia.

Norma and her family were actively involved with the Mackay Table Tennis Association. Norma was made a life member in 1993 and was Patron of the Club to the end of her life. There is a most fitting tribute to Norma on the Club's Facebook page with a lovely quote from the lady herself:

"I just think it’s a very good sport because it’s as energetic as you want it to be and it’s out of the sun which is a big plus. You can play it at your own level and you can play it all your life – just look at the players we have in our association who are in their 70s and 80s and still play each week.”

I like to think Norma's first love was Mackay Choral Society. When I last visited her this year the choir was the main topic of conversation which is not surprising since she joined at the age of 19 in 1945, when the Mackay Choral Society was founded. Norma was historian from 2006-2010 but her personal records, preserved in many scrapbooks, extend over all the decades since she joined. Other positions held were, President 1975, Secretary 1963-68, Treasurer 1975-76, Conductor 1974-80, Deputy Conductor 1969-74, a record of service more than worthy of the Life Membership awarded in 1980.

So much more can be said about Norma and all she contributed to our community. Her funeral was held at St Patrick's Church Mackay on Tuesday 7th March where we celebrated what can truly be described as a life well lived.

Contributed by Isobel Gillman

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Norma at the 2019 Mackay Eisteddfod at the MECC

Norma and then President, Jeanette Oberg, at the 75th anniversary of Mackay Choral Society. Photos supplied

A local church has revamped its food pantry, offering a huge variety of free food to those in need.

Mackay Church of Christ’s food pantry has taken various forms over the years, the church looking to expand the program with Lynnette Labuschagne leading the way.

“She’s done an extraordinarily good job,” said Pastor Paul Hicks.

Open every Tuesday from 7:30am to 9:30am, Mackay Church of Christ offers grocery items, baked goods, meat, fruit and vegetables and pet food to those in need.

“We have people coming with not much, we have people coming just hard on their luck,” said Mr Hicks.

“Some days they might be able to give and some days they might need to take but there’s no harm, no foul.

“People are not required to do anything.

“When we give, we give what we would eat, and we give with no thought of return.”

Local suppliers and businesses donate goods to the church as well as other churchgoers and people throughout the community.

“It’s been quite amazing, when people found out they just kept coming,” Mr Hicks said.

“We’ve done our very best to give all the food away, and we cannot do it.

“It’s a fantastic problem to have, we have plenty of food.

“There’s no leveller on the planet like compassion.

“One singular act of kindness costs you nothing, but it means the difference between someone having dinner tonight and not.”

Anyone interested in partaking in the church’s food pantry, whether to give, take or simply enjoy a cuppa and a chat, is invited to Mackay Church of Christ every Tuesday morning from 7:30am to 9:30am.

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Mackay Church of Christ’s food pantry is open every Tuesday morning

Weaving through the Pioneer Valley, the Mackay Railway first opened in 1885, with the last section closing between Paget and Marian in 2009.

While much of the line is still used for carting cane, a group of locals have taken it upon themselves to clear unused parts of the line and repurpose it as the Pioneer Valley Rail Trail.

Pioneer Valley Rail Trail Committee President David Arnold has a background in mountain biking and, while riding rail trails around Australia, wondered if something similar was possible in the Mackay region.

He initiated work on the project five years ago and formed the committee one year ago, starting discussions with Mackay Sugar who are the exclusive lessees of the corridor through the valley.

“Over that time, I’d identified sections that Mackay Sugar weren’t using,” said Mr Arnold.

“We came to the agreement that there’s two sections between Walkerston through to Marian.”

Mr Arnold identified one 18km stretch of the line that isn’t going to be used in the foreseeable future, but still has Queensland Rail infrastructure on it, making it a possibility.

Another section, covering 8.5km between Gargett and Benholme, has no possibility of being used and is therefore the section of rail the committee started working on.

“It started out with us getting out the cane knives and chopping lantana down,” said Mr Arnold.

“Then we’ve got a couple of guys with ride-on mowers and excavators doing a bit of work for us.

“We’ve got the 8.5km cleared.

“Bar a couple of obstacles, it’s usable now.”

The committee hopes to have the rail trail open to hikers, bike riders and horseback riders midyear.

In the long term, Mr Arnold hopes to make the trail a convenient and safe route from Mackay to Finch Hatton, especially ahead of the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails opening at Finch Hatton.

“The long picture is being able to get on a bike or a horse in Mackay and go all the way to Finch Hatton,” he said.

“There are a lot of backroads that can be used as link roads from one section of true rail trail to the next.”

Anyone interested in joining the committee, lending a hand or keeping up to date with the rail trail’s progress is asked to like Pioneer Valley Rail Trail on Facebook or join the Friends of the Pioneer Valley Rail Trail Facebook group.

Membership forms can be found on Facebook with the option to join as an individual, family or organisation.

“This is 100 per cent community led,” said Mr Arnold.

“Whatever work and whatever machinery that’s happened on the trial to date has been volunteers.”

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The Pioneer Valley Rail Trail Committee are hoping to have the rail trail open midyear. Photos supplied

Lunchtime at the Isaac coast is set for a foodie makeover with one of the nation’s much-loved amateur cooks turned restauranteurs starring at this year’s St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend.

Hervey Bay’s Dan and Steph Mulheron have earned their place in the serious foodie world after their My Kitchen Rules win in 2013. In recent years, the sausage king and queen landed a huge Coles deal to create their own gourmet range thanks to their ambassador roles with major Australian producers SunPork and Sweet Potatoes Australia.

They currently own and operate EAT at Dan & Steph’s basing the restaurant experience around family, food and fun while being stars of their very on TV show on Channel 7, Travel and EAT with Dan & Steph.

The pair will take on the signature lunch event at St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend, sharing the limelight with crowd favourite ABC TV’s Gardening Australia alumni Costa Georgiadis, bush gourmet chef Nik Flack and First Nation Peoples.

The couple’s passion is food and they are looking forward to the range of produce offered in the Isaac.

“Dan is the strong cook and always was, prior to us being on MKR,” says Steph.

“I wasn’t a great cook before we got together. But Dan has taught me so much and is my inspiration.”

“We cook every day at home for our family and we love to have friends over regularly to put on a spread,” Dan says.

The couple published their first cookbook in November 2014 ‘EAT @ Home’ and published their second cookbook ‘Meat & Sweet’ in July 2015. Their biggest goal in life was achieved when they introduced their first child into the world, a daughter Emmy born in late April 2015.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said the award-winning nature, culture, and culinary event is nestled in the backdrop of one of Australia’s birdwatching havens.

“St Lawrence’s population swells 12 times over as the wetlands’ bursts into life with an immersive experience of creativity, education, family fun and live entertainment,” Mayor Baker said.

“Take the road less travelled and head to the multi-award winning nationally recognised three-day extravaganza at historic St Lawrence on the Isaac region’s coast in Central Queensland.

“It’s the mouth-watering food, especially the locally caught mud crabs, king salmon, and prawns that attracts the foodies at heart and has helped put the Isaac coast on the destination tourism map.”

The Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia listed the St Lawrence wetlands as an essential ecosystem that supports nationally threatened water birds and is abundant with wildlife. The event is also the perfect spot to pull up the caravan and watch the colours of the east coast Australian sunset or pitch a tent or glamp at the St Lawrence Recreation Grounds.

The event is proudly brought to the region by Isaac Regional Council in partnership with the Koinjmal People from Koinmerburra Country and the community. St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

Tickets will be on sale from 7am on Friday, 10 March 2023 for the 23-25 June 2023 event. Visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au/wetlandsweekend, call 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227) or follow Isaac Regional Council’s Facebook page for more information.

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Dan and Steph Mulheron, My Kitchen Rules champions from 2013, will take on the signature lunch event at St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend

Sarina Community Arts And Crafts Mega Raffle Featuring Handmade Quilt By Late Dulcie Christensen

A hand-made quilt by a talented Sarina crafter will be first prize in a mega raffle, conducted by Sarina Community Arts and Crafts.

A quilt made by the late Dulcie Christensen, donated by her son Glen, will be the major prize.

Dulcie was a prominent and long-standing member of Sarina Community Arts and Crafts and Sarina Fibre Arts. Dulcie loved crafts and was very artistic. She made many quilts, for her family, for friends, for fundraisers for Fibre Arts. She also was talented in Folk Art painting and many forms of embroidery.

She was an inaugural member of the Red Hat Belles of Sarina.

The raffle will be drawn on May 13, one day before Mother’s Day.

As well as the quilt, other prizes to be won are:

● A corner-to-corner crocheted rug;

● A hamper of locally produced delicious foods;

● A one-of-a kind tea cosy and tea pot;

● A fuel voucher.

Tickets are $2 and are available at the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre.

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Dulcie Christensen

Rhonda Payne and Jenny Costello with a quilt made by the late Dulcie Christensen which is first prize in a mega raffle

A quilt made by the late Dulcie Christensen is first prize in a mega raffle

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As interest rates continue to rise, it is more important than ever for homeowners to review their home loans. A home loan health check can help ensure that your loan is still right for you and your current needs. Here are five reasons why you should book an appointment for your home loan health check today.

1. A home loan health check could potentially save you thousands of dollars. By reviewing your rate, term, repayments, and equity, you may be able to find ways to reduce your loan costs.

2. Interest rates are on the rise. By reviewing your home loan now, you may be able to lock in a lower rate before they increase further.

3. Your personal situation may have changed since you took out your home loan. A health check can help ensure that your loan still meets your needs and that you are not paying for features or benefits that you no longer require.

4. Your home's equity has likely increased over time. A home loan health check can help ensure that you are taking advantage of this equity, which could help you access additional funds or reduce your loan costs.

5. Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank offers a 100% offset option, which could help you save on interest charges. By linking an offset account to your home loan, you can reduce the interest charged on your loan by the amount held in the offset account.

At Community Bank Sarina, we are here to help you get the most out of your home loan. Whether you are an existing customer or you are new to our bank, we welcome you to book a home loan health check today. With interest rates on the rise, now is the time to review your home loan and ensure that it is still right for you.

To help with your home loan check, Community Bank Sarina is here to help! Call Charmaine and the team on 07 4943 2624 or enquire online at bendigobank.com.au/healthcheck.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Attention all teachers and careers advisors in the Mackay region! This is your last chance to register for the upcoming Primary Industry Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA) Teacher PD workshops.

PIEFA is a not-for-profit organization that aims to provide educators with the resources, knowledge, and skills to teach about Australia’s primary industries, including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and food and fibre production.

These upcoming workshops in Mackay are designed to equip educators with the latest teaching resources and strategies to support their students on their learning journeys.

“PIEFA’S resources and programs are aligned with Australian and State curriculum, ensuring they are relevant and accessible to teachers across Australia”, PIEFA CEO Luciano Mesiti explains. “This alignment means that educators can incorporate PIEFA’S resources and strategies seamlessly into their teaching, helping students to better understand the role and importance of primary industries to Australia’s economy and society.”

One of PIEFA’s key platforms is the online hub, Primezone, which provides educators with a vast range of teaching resources, including lesson plans, activities, and multimedia content. Primezone’s resources cover a range of subjects, including science, technology, mathematics, and humanities, and are designed to help teachers incorporate food and fibre themes into their lessons.

In addition to Primezone, PIEFA offers a range of other programs, including professional development, online student programs and career portals and research initiatives. Each program aligns with PIEFA’s mission, to help teachers and students build their knowledge and understanding of the processes and career opportunities within our primary industries, as well as to promote sustainable and ethical practices.

Upcoming PIEFA Teacher PD workshops are being held in Cairns and Mackay, QLD, and will be held in the evening with dinner included. Educators will learn more about PIEFA’s resources, while also enjoying the opportunity to network with other teachers over a meal.

Topics covered will include sustainable food and fibre production, as well as the latest developments in technology and innovation in these industries. In addition to these benefits, attending the PIEFA Teacher PD workshops will count towards your professional development requirements, making it a valuable investment in your career as an educator whilst expanding your knowledge and skills.

The workshops are open to all teachers, regardless of your level of experience or subject area. Whether you are a primary teacher or a high school teacher; whether you teach science or humanities – there is something in these workshops for everyone.

FNQ Growers key workforce representative, Leanne Kruss, explains “Learning about Australian agriculture and where our food and fibre comes from is essential for building a sustainable and prosperous future. By gaining an appreciation for the effort and resources required to produce the goods that sustain us, students can become better equipped to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future”.

MACKAY - Primary Teachers: Monday, March 13 | 5:00-8:00pm @ Shamrock Hotel

MACKAY - Secondary Teachers: Tuesday, March 14 | 5:00-8:00pm @ Shamrock Hotel

Each session will include:

- PIEFA programs and resources

- Workshop session

- The future of agricultural education

- Dinner

To register or for more information, contact Leanne Kruss: leannefnqagriculture@gmail.com.

These workshops are proudly sponsored by FNQ Growers, Canegrowers Mackay and the Queensland Agricultural Workforce Network, an initiative funded by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and supports QLD agribusiness to attract, train and retain its workforce.

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Orchid Society's Trip And Upcoming Autumn Show

Flower power! Nineteen blossoming members of the Mackay Orchid Society took a petal-packed trip to Rockhampton to explore other gardens and greenhouses. They got to see how other growers do things, from planting to potting, fertilising to displaying. The group even visited places from North Rockhampton to Yeppoon, covering every hill and dale along the way!

Talk about spreading the love, the group was joined by other flower aficionados from Bundaberg, Blackwater, Pioneer River Orchid & Plants Assoc, and Gladstone. Thanks to Gladstone's hospitality, everyone got to ride on their petal-packed coach, even though it was stuffed with all the flowers purchased during the two-day trip.

Kudos to the Rockhampton Orchid Society for such a well-organised weekend, with morning teas and Saturday lunch for a whopping 160 people. The group even enjoyed dinner on Saturday night and lunch on Sunday at the Calligan Park Jockey Club. What a blooming great time!

Don't miss out on the Mackay and District Orchid Society's Autumn Orchid Show at the Sporting Wheelies Hall. The show will be in full bloom from Friday, March 31st from 8 am to 4 pm and Saturday, April 1st from 8 am to 3 pm. There will be orchids galore, along with pots, potting medium, tags, and more. You'll even get to see orchid culture demonstrations and enter a raffle for a chance to win some flower power! Don't forget your $2 coin donation at the door.

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Members of the Mackay Orchid Society took a road trip to Rockhampton

A marine biology expert is being recognised for her efforts in inspiring the next generation of scientists through an award-winning university-port partnership.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) Senior Environmental Advisor Nicola Stokes has been designing targeted programs for marine science students at James Cook University (JCU), which allow them to gain real-world experience in the port industry while relating their studies to environmental aspects at ports.

“My role is to design a targeted program for each student where they can be involved in the many diverse operations and environmental aspects at ports and relate their studies to real world experiences,” Ms Nicola Stokes said.

“Students are mentored by a range of environmental management and planning experts at NQBP while undergoing their marine science studies.

“They gain practical skills beyond the classroom which can help shape their career direction.”

Ms Stokes said helping future marine scientists is one of her most rewarding roles.

"I enjoy interacting with younger generations and sharing my knowledge and passion for learning,” she said.

“It is very fulfilling to see marine science students taking an interest in the diversity and interconnectedness of port environments and see their eyes open to the opportunities available.”

Ms Stokes shares her passion for the maritime industry with students and urges them to consider working in the industry.

“The maritime industry offers opportunities that people often overlook, with many different paths taking you around the world,” she said.

“As women progress from their tertiary education into their maritime careers it is important to create an empowering space for them.”

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North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) Senior Environmental Advisor Nicola Stokes

Ms Stokes with student Jordan Wells. Photos supplied