Mental Health Week At Proserpine State High

Proserpine State High School celebrated Queensland Mental Health Week, hosting their second annual Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul Expo.

Joined by local organisations, Womens Well Co, PCYC Whitsunday, Whitsunday Libraries, and Whitsunday Sailing Club, were the Year 10 Business Students who showcased their entrepreneurial spirit by selling goods at market stalls.

The music students also rocked out on stage.

“We’ve got a range of community organisations that promote different healthy living options, as well as sporting clubs, and different clubs that are in the school,” explained the Expo organiser and school Guidance Officer, Karen O’Keefe.

“Deadly Choices, our music groups performing, our student leaders handing out pizzas, and our LGBT+ club handing out fairy bread – everyone got involved and it was a wonderful day.”

Throughout the week, the school also hosted art therapy sessions, drumming circles, and indigenous art groups.

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The team from PCYC Whitsundays sharing safe driving with intoxication goggles.2:

Whitsunday Sailing Club promoting the art of sailing as a fantastic hobby

The PSHS Weightlifting club trailing new competitors

Girls giving the drumming circle a go

Whitsunday Counselling and Support with mindful rock painting

Whitsunday Libraries sharing the love of reading with students. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

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RACQ CQ Rescue has this afternoon winched a medical team down onto rocks in a clearing in thick rainforest at Finch Hatton Gorge to treat a seriously injured walker.

The Mackay-based helicopter was tasked by Queensland Health just after midday after a 000 call alerted authorities that a man had fallen on a walking track at the popular tourist spot in the Pioneer Valley and suffered serious leg injuries.

The RACQ CQ Rescue crew used co-ordinates provided by fellow walkers to fly directly to the heavily-wooded location, near the Wheel of Fire waterfall, about 70km west of Mackay.

After a five-minute aerial search of the rocky waterway and thick rainforest canopy, the man’s walking party was spotted near the waterway below by the helicopter crew.

Given the flat rocks below and an adequate clearing in the dense canopy, a decision was made to winch the rescue crewman and Critical Care Paramedic down to the scene.

As the helicopter hovered about 40 metres overhead, a rescue crewman was winched onto rocks near the shallow waterway. A Critical Care Paramedic then followed, winched down from the helicopter onto large rocks near a waterfall, using hand signals to communicate with the crew above about a landing position.

After both crewmen were safely on the ground, a third winch delivered a stretcher and medical equipment down to the medical team.

As SES crews and ambulance officers arrived on scene, the decision was made by the medical team to walk the injured man out of the forest on a stretcher instead of winching him.

After 50 minutes on scene, the helicopter returned to base while crews on the ground carried the injured walker to a waiting ambulance, which then transferred him to Mackay Base Hospital.

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RACQ CQ Rescue winched a rescue crewman and Critical Care Paramedic down to assist a seriously injured walker at Finch Hatton Gorge today. Photo supplied: RACQ CQ Rescue

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New Principal of Mackay Christian College, Bevan Little, has penned an open letter to the community regarding his recent appointment.

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students, Friends, and Associates of Mackay Christian College,

What an honour and privilege to be appointed Principal of Mackay Christian College (MCC). I want to express my heartfelt thanks to those who reached out by text, email, and Facebook to offer kind words of support and encouragement to me and my family as we begin a new chapter in the life of our school. I would also like to thank Ps. Rob Booth-Jones and the Board for their confidence in me to lead Mackay Christian College moving forward.

My journey at the College began in 2012 when I was encouraged to teach Engineering in the Trade Training Centre (TTC). I was at a crossroads in my career as a tradesman, and at that time, founding Principal Dr Craig Murison and TTC Director Mr Peter Hopper offered me the opportunity of a lifetime to study and work to make a difference in the lives of young people. I began to understand the importance of education, where Christian values guide how you live, work with others, and behave. At MCC, our values of Christlikeness, Learning, Excellence, Attitude and Respect (CLEAR) are more than just words we profess; we seek to practice (live out) these beliefs as staff and students.

Fast forward, with various experiences within education under my belt, the opportunity to be entrusted as the Principal of Mackay Christian College is one I do not take lightly. Our goal as a College is to continue the legacy of providing quality, values-based education that positively impacts students into the future.

I sincerely thank Dr Lesley Tunnah, who entered the Acting Principal role in Term 3 2023. Dr Tunnah has been a reassuring presence and an encouragement that “God who began a good work in our College has great plans ahead”.

Special mention to our Executive team, teaching staff and non-teaching staff. Our school would not have traversed through challenges this year without their unwavering commitment to our students and one another.

I look forward to partnering with you to support your child in discovering and growing in their potential in the months and years to come.

God Bless

Bevan Little

Principal

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Left to Right: Ps Rob Booth-Jones, Mr Bevan Little

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In recent weeks, parcels have mistakenly ended up at the wrong addresses, prompting the local community to unite in an effort to return these items.

Among these incidents, Anneliese experienced a delivery mishap when her parcel, intended for Moranbah, was mistakenly delivered to Slade Point without a signature.

The confusion stemmed from Australia Post, as both Mackay and Moranbah have many identical street names.

Local commenters on Facebook community pages took action to identify the parcel's intended recipient, with individuals volunteering their assistance.

Comments included, “I can post on the local Slade Point page for you.”

“I could call past and knock tomorrow?”

“I am travelling from Mackay tomorrow morning, if you find it and need it brought to you.”

The search concluded on a positive note with, "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who offered their assistance. I'm happy to report that the parcel has been located."

Great work, Mackay!

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Parcel mishaps increase over recent weeks

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Feeling lucky this week? Well, your stroke of good fortune might be a mere mouse click away. No need to buy a lottery ticket or scour the ground for lost change. Just head over to the Public Trustee website, type in your name, and see if serendipity has your back.

Now, I know what you're thinking – "Unclaimed money? That's only for folks tangled up in grand estates and long-lost relatives, right?" Wrong! You see, there's a treasure trove of unclaimed cash from all corners – electricity companies, government payroll systems, public departments, housing groups, and even insurance providers.

But why does this money remain unclaimed? The answer's simpler than you might think. People tend to forget to update their address with every nook and cranny they've ever been associated with. Moving house? Well, that's a recipe for lost cash. And businesses? If they can't track you down, they must relinquish owed funds to the Public Trustee for safekeeping.

Speaking of which, the Public Trustee is like the benevolent guardian of unclaimed riches. They're holding on to unclaimed money from a variety of sources, including our very own Queensland Government departments and agencies (yes, including hospitals and correctional centers), accountable individuals or businesses under the Public Trustee Act 1978, and other players like solicitors, real estate agents, accountants, and nursing homes.

We've all felt the pinch of life's rising costs, and it seems like every cent counts. So, why not give the Public Trustee's 'Unclaimed Money' section a whirl? Who knows, a little windfall might be your reward for being financially responsible and updating your address promptly. In the game of life, it's your move.

Amanda

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Last weekend, a group of resilient ultra-athletes embarked on a remarkable journey, conquering 250 kilometres of rugged terrain in the annual 'Trail To Triumph: Tony's Journey' event. This inspiring endeavour pays tribute to the late Tony Britton, a beloved figure in the community and a passionate advocate for youth development.

Tony Britton, who was named Citizen of the Year in 2014, dedicated over four decades to mentoring young individuals and fostering community bonds. His life was tragically cut short by Mesothelioma, a rare and incurable cancer caused by asbestos exposure. In his honour, his son Mat initiated 'Trail To Triumph,' an annual event aimed at commemorating his father's legacy while raising funds and awareness for Mesothelioma.

The gruelling three-day journey began in Moranbah and culminated in Mackay via the challenging Eungella region. Runners faced daunting elevation changes and varying terrains throughout the course, making it a true test of endurance.

Day 1 covered an impressive 112.7 kilometres, including segments from Moranbah to Redhill Road, followed by Pipeline Road stretches. Day 2 proved equally demanding, with participants covering 80.3 kilometres from Lizzie Creek Road to Mackay – Eungella Road, passing through picturesque locations like Eungella Township and Finch Hatton. The final leg on Day 3 encompassed 52.7 kilometres from Gargett, concluding at the Bluewater Trail in Mackay.

A select group of determined runners successfully completed the entire 250-kilometre journey, including Jen Lewis, Kyle McLennan, Anthony Gordon, Anthony McDonald, Steve Kozlowski, Sam Ford, Scott Martin, and Stuart Steele. Joining the full-time pack were sponsors and supporters who ran legs of varying distance depending on ability to support the ultra-marathon runners.

For those unable to join the ultra-marathon, a virtual run was also available, allowing participants to contribute from the comfort of their own surroundings. The 'TTT VR challenge' encouraged individuals to set their own goals and accumulate kilometres during the event weekend of October 6-8, 2023.

'Trail To Triumph: Tony's Journey' continues to inspire the community while raising vital awareness and support for Mesothelioma research and advocacy. Since 2014, more than $430,000 has been raised in the honour of the late Mr Britton.

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Jen Lewis, Kyle McLennan, Anthony Gordon, Anthony McDonald, Steve Kozlowski, Sam Ford, Scott Martin, and Stuart Steele completed the 250km journey. Photo credit: Trail to Triumph Facebook page

Vision from the 2023 Trail to Triumph ultra-marathon

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By Amanda Wright

A woman has been charged with murder following the death of a woman in Glenella on Thursday, 5th October.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) was called for assistance to a Burge Court property in Glenella at approximately 10:45am.

Detective Inspector (DI) Novosel said QAS responded in response to the call saying an elderly woman had had a fall.

“On attendance of that address they identified that the injuries they observed on the deceased person were not consistent with that of a fall and consequently requested that police attend,” she said.

DI Novosel said that the injuries sustained included “significant head injuries”.

“Police attended and located a number of people at that address, including a 55-year-old woman, she was taken into custody and has since been charged with one account of murder in a domestic violence setting,” she said.

A crime scene was declared.

The 55-year-old woman was confirmed by DI Novosel as being the daughter of the 73-year-old. Both women are from Bundaberg and were visiting family in Mackay. They had been in Mackay for around two days staying with family before the alleged incident. They had been staying within the Burge Court address, the 73-year-old had a temporary makeshift bedroom in the garage and that is where the deceased was located by Queensland Ambulance paramedics.

DI Novosel confirmed that the 55-year-old woman is known to police, but there is no domestic violence history reported between the deceased and the accused.

Police said that there are children that live at the Burge Court property but they believe no children were present when they think the alleged incident took place.

The occupants of the Burge Court property were also not believed to have been home during the alleged incident in what was described as a ‘normal morning’ before they left to do their daily business.

DI Novosel said it was confirmed by the occupants that the 73-year-old had been “alive and well” earlier that morning.

She confirmed that neighbours had been canvassed and that some had been able to provide police with information.

DI Novosel said at this stage no weapon had been found consistent with their investigation.

The 55-year-old Bundaberg woman was charged with one count of murder (domestic violence) and appeared in the Mackay Magistrates Court last Friday morning.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.

Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:

DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811

DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636

1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

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Detective Inspector Emma Novosel

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The Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology held their 2023 ASHA Conference at Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre from 19th to 23rd September, with a theme of ‘The past in the present for historical archaeology.’

The 2022 ASHA Conference was held in New Zealand. This year, Mackay had the privilege of hosting the event.

The conference drew in a large crowd of fascinated community members, encouraging reflection on the complex dynamic between the information about our past and how it is understood and accepted in the present.

The sessions and presentations included research with relevance to contemporary issues, community-led projects, public interpretation of archaeological heritage, and evolving values in significance assessment.

Keynote Speaker, Jeff Cheng, spoke about his decade-long study uncovering invaluable insights into both Japanese and Bunun cultural heritage sites, which bear immense significance for contemporary indigenous communities.

With a presentation titled ‘The Past in the Present of the Bunun Country, the Lakulaku River Basin’ explaining Taiwan’s inhabitancy of Austronesian-speaking people before the arrival of colonizers.

Heritage practice lives in the tension between intangible and social values and the materiality of the archaeological record. Many believe historical archaeology only relates to a neutral gathering of evidence that explains the past.

However, the sites and objects in fieldwork, labs and museums comprise important places that resonate directly with living communities.

Sites and objects exist in relationship with communities in the present – not only human but also non-humans such as plants, animals and rivers.

Changing the understanding of the value and meaning of cultural heritage assists in shaping important debates within the world of historical archaeology.

The ASHA Conference also celebrated the following esteemed winners of various historical and archaeological-related awards:

● Best paper – Cassie J Gordon, Being-in-the-Roadside – Roadside Memorials as Artefacts of Contemporary Personal Heritage

● Best student paper – Ramona Lola Angelico and Angela Goh-Smith, ‘A Chinese Den’: The archaeology of intimate exchange in Jones Lane.

● Best poster – Hilda Maclean, No further “Visitations from God”: Classifying Queensland colonial deaths with the Nosological Index

● Best photograph – Tracey Martens, ‘Plain weave silk fabric excavated from a Victorian era cesspit in Melbourne CBD’

● Bursary recipients – Yongjun Qiu and Ramona Lola Angelico

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Keynote Speaker Jeff Cheng

Mayor Greg Williamson of Mackay Regional Council announces opening remarks

Members of the ASHA Conference 2023

Busy hall of eventgoers at the ASHA Conference 2023 (Photo Credit: Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology)

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A thrilling adventure awaited 15 Cub Scouts, 1 Venturer Scout, and 7 adults, including leaders and helpers from Hibiscus Coast District, as they embarked on the 7th Queensland Cuboree from September 17th to 22nd, 2023. Originating from Banksia, Mackay City Central, Sarina, and Proserpine Cub Scout Sections, this ultimate holiday was filled with camaraderie and unforgettable experiences.

The biennial Cuboree, held at Maryborough Showgrounds, brought together around 1000 attendees, comprising approximately 780 Cub Scouts and various leaders and adult helpers. As the most significant and exhilarating camp for Cub Scouts, Cuboree offers a unique opportunity to create lifelong memories.

Under the theme "Choose Your Adventure," the camp featured subcamps named Circus, Universe, Bizarre, and Sea, creatively spelling out "CUBS." An additional sub-camp called "Adventure" catered to Scouts and Venturer Scouts attending as helpers, while "Oasis" accommodated Activity Leaders and Adult Helpers. The youth participants slept in 8-person bell tents, with daily awards for the cleanest tent.

Activities galore were on offer, and it followed the CUBS theme of:

Create your own adventure, which were STEM activities, rope bridge, rope maze, catapult building, ciphers and marble races.

Up, Up and Away, was exploring Maryborough, a joy flight, steam train, damper making and heritage style games in Queens Park. Of great interest at the Museum the Cub Scouts were able to hear the story of how Keith Payne, VC AM earned his Victoria Cross Medal. Another very interesting story was about Able Seacat Simon and how he earned the Dickins Medal.

Beyond Base, bottle rockets, paper planes, games and the very popular colour explosion was held.

Seabound, was an all-day at Hervey Bay foreshore, swimming, fishing, sandcastles, and giant games. These activities were run by the Hervey Bay Sea Scouts.

Evenings were not devoid of excitement, with activities including the Opening Ceremony, a disco night, a STEM Magic Show, a Subcamp movie night, and a promotional video for the 2025 Australian Jamboree, also to be held at Maryborough Showgrounds. Many Cub Scouts who attended Cuboree will be eligible for the Jamboree.

With anticipation, leaders and younger Cub Scouts are already looking forward to the next Cuboree in 2025.

Contributed by Mary Wallace, DL, Hibiscus Coast District

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MCC and Banksia cub scouts

Proserpine cub scouts

Joy flight

Steam train

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Storm and cyclone season in Queensland runs from October to the end of April. During this time, flooding is more likely to impact the state.

Sandbagging is a helpful solution to divert water away from your property and preventing floodwater damage.

The State Emergency Service Mackay Regional Unit operates two sandbagging machines. One electric machine at their headquarters and a mobile, trailer-mounted machine that is transported around the local region.

You can buy sandbags from local hardware stores. Alternatives include fertiliser or potting mix bags, old pillowcases, plastic shopping bags and plastic downpipe bags.

Ensure you only fill your sandbags ¾ full, so they are not too heavy to lift and provide a flat layer for stacking. Place a plastic tarp down before you start to provide a barrier.

The SES encourages self-reliance from our community to reduce requests for assistance.

Access to emergency sand stockpiles in Mackay and surrounding areas:

● North Mackay – Norris Road reserve

● South Mackay – BB Print Stadium overflow car park on Leisure Street

● West Mackay – Hume Street and 374 Shakespeare Street

● Sarina – SES Facility – Brewers Road

● Seaforth – Community Centre, 1 Elizabeth Street

● Armstrong Beach – Rural Fire Brigade Shed

● Calen – Church St

● Campwin Beach – SES Facility - 103 Campwin Beach Road

● Finch Hatton – SES Facility, 17 Letchford Street

● Grasstree Beach, 40 Zelma Street

● Koumala – SES Facility, Bull Street

● Midge Point – SES Facility, 1503 Midge Point Road

● Mirani – Corner of Victoria and Augusta streets

You can find out more information through the Mackay Regional Council or SES websites.

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Sandbagging reduces floodwater damage to your property

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Meet The New Mackay Hospital And Health Services Board

The new Mackay Hospital and Health Board came together on Thursday, 5th October to introduce themselves to health service personnel, appointed to set the strategic direction and oversee the management of Mackay Hospital and Health Service.

The event was kickstarted with a Welcome to Country and traditional smoking ceremony conducted by Elder Uncle Phillip Kemp, to the sound of the didgeridoo, played by Toasie Cora. Alongside this was a performance by the Tchundal Malar Dance Company.

This was followed by a traditional Torres Strait Islander prayer by Aunty Matilda Christian, asking for support and guidance on behalf of the new team of Board members to provide governance for the health service, in both Merian Mir and English languages.

Members include Board Chair Helen Darch, Deputy Chair Kerry Maley and Members Maud Chapman, Bill Cooper, Dr Luke Lawton and Dr Peter O’Mara.

Board Chair, Helen Darch OAM is an experienced board member in both government and not-for-profit sectors, with over thirteen years in the industry.

When Helen received the opportunity to apply for the Mackay Board, she was excited to come in with a broader experience to a team of exceptional people.

Helen’s aim is, “To try and unpack some of the challenges of regional Queensland and its health, and to advocate for change for our community.

“In this first phase, our key focus is to go and listen to staff, to our community, to our politicians to actually understand what is really not working well, what people really need and how best to step in and work together to fix it.

“The past is the past, we must learn the lessons from that to make sure that we are building a far better future for our community.

“I can’t undo what’s happened, but I am absolutely determined that we are going to change things.”

The six-member Board brings a vast range of experience across the fields of emergency medicine, business, nursing and law. This newly assembled team strives to create positive change for the future of Mackay Hospital and Health Service.

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The new Mackay Hospital and Health Board

Mackay HHS Chief Executive Susan Gannon

Tchundal Malar dance group

Smoking ceremony. Photos supplied by Mackay Hospital and Health Service

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GetReady Queensland has partnered with Mackay Regional Council, calling on local residents to stock up their emergency kits and get their emergency evacuation plans in place, before a natural disaster strikes.

Know when to go

Keep track of emergency warnings - Tune in to the official emergency broadcaster ABC Tropical North 101.1FM, or opt in for notifications from the Mackay Emergency Dashboard.

Know where to go

Identify which family, friends, or commercial accommodation you would go to. Make sure you let someone know where you have evacuated to and that you arrived safely.

Know how to move

Identify the safest route and consider potential hazards. If you are elderly or have a disability, use the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness resource.

Know what to take

Consider what you would pack for a remote camping trip and don’t forget the essentials.

Know your neighbours

Often, neighbours will be your first responders in a disaster event and can assist with preparing your home before disaster strikes.

All eight Woolworths stores across Mackay will have two dedicated aisles featuring key items for household disaster kits, as well as tear-off shopping lists.

To find a more detailed summary of advice and information, visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/getreadymackay.

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GetReady stall geared up for the Seniors Expo. Photo credit: Mackay Regional Council

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Women dressed in their most vibrant pink outfits gathered at an exclusive event over the weekend to show their support for breast cancer awareness and fundraising.

Usually held on the 28th October is Pink Ribbon Day, an annual event hosted to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

This past Sunday, October 8th, a group of thirty-five local women eagerly joined the nationwide event ahead of schedule, uniting in their finest pink attire to rally behind the cause.

The event consisted of a morning tea spread, as well as a bidding auction.

A group of small businesses, as well as attendees provided a donation of prizes for the auction, including Debbie’s Seafood, Reef Contracting, Suterbly Crafted and Fancy Pants Ranch.

Collectively, the team managed to raise an impressive sum of $3,482, a remarkable effort from everyone involved.

Main host and organiser, Cheree Ridolfi, commits herself to a different fundraising event each year, dedicated to spreading awareness for various charities.

Last year, Cheree had a close friend who was battling breast cancer. This hit close to home, inspiring her to host the Pink Ribbon Day event.

Cheree commented, “We have some amazing women in our life who we hold close to our hearts and we would hate to lose any of them to breast cancer.”

“It means that one day, when we hopefully find a cure, we can say we helped towards that cure because every little bit helps.”

Cheree’s most memorable moment was the banter between the ladies while holding the auction, stating, “They are a great bunch of ladies and we are lucky to call them our friends.”

Cheree appreciates her supporters braving the strong winds to provide vital support to those battling breast cancer. She aims to raise awareness and promote regular checks.

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A variety of donations supplied for the event

(L-R) Host Cheree Ridolfi, Natalie Fitzgerald, Debra Goodall and Raechel Gribbin

(L-R) Sophie Gribbin, Tiaani Blunt and Sarah McGrath

(L-R) Leonie Goody, Tammy Molloy, Sonya Turner and Jackie Bella. Photo credit: Sinead Porter

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Teams will be revving up for the Spring Shitbox Rally, held from 13th to 21st October 2023. They will be piloting beat-up cars valued under $1500, zooming from Port Douglas to Adelaide over rugged roads for a charitable cause.

This event is considered to be representative of the ‘bumpy ride’ that people diagnosed with cancer might be experiencing, like needing a few adjustments along the way, having faith that you'll make it to the other side and having people along the journey to pick you up when you need a hand.

The Mackay side of the Shitbox Rally teams include ‘Not Lost - Just Looking’, ‘Leketek Mackay’, ‘Whiskey Business’, ‘Hakuna Matata’, ‘Team Ramrod’, ‘The Bozlicks’ and ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’.

Mackay teams look forward to the adventure, where they have a chance to meet new and like-minded people and see the countryside.

In the weeks ahead, we'll provide an update on how the Mackay teams fared tackling the rough terrain.

The Shitbox Rally event raises money for the Cancer Council, to go into numerous research projects, in total raising over $2 million this year so far. Donations can be made via shitboxrally.com.au

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Shitbox Rally cars gearing up for an epic road trip. Photo supplied.

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Queensland is taking a major stride towards training and re-skilling its future workforce for the renewable energy sector with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Queensland Hydro and the Mackay-based Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE). This collaboration aims to address the future skills training needs of the resources sector and support Queensland's transition to renewable energy systems.

Queensland Hydro, a publicly owned entity established by the Queensland Government to develop, operate, and maintain long-duration pumped hydro energy storage assets, is at the forefront of the state's energy transition. The 2GW Borumba project, located near Imbil west of the Sunshine Coast, and the proposed 5GW Pioneer-Burdekin project west of Mackay play pivotal roles in Queensland's renewable energy future.

The RCOE serves as a hub for connecting experts in research, technology, education, and mining equipment, technology, and services (METS) to shape the future of the resources sector. This partnership aligns with the core objectives of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which seeks to create employment and training opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

Julieanne Gilbert, Member for Mackay, expressed enthusiasm for the training opportunities, stating, "The collaboration between Mackay's Resources Centre of Excellence and Queensland Hydro is a massive boost for local jobs and will ensure that the workforce for the renewable sector is trained and ready for the challenge of these new projects."

Queensland Hydro CEO Kieran Cusack emphasised the importance of the partnership, saying, "We want to support workers looking to transition into roles in the energy sector with the right opportunities for skills and training. This MOU covers a range of goals and project outcomes around the areas of training, innovation, and research and development.

“We want as many workers as possible on our projects at Pioneer-Burdekin and Borumba to come from Queensland and from within the energy sector. For those looking to transition into roles in the energy sector, we want to be able to support them with the right opportunities for skills and training.”

Steven Boxall, CEO of the Resources Centre of Excellence, expressed excitement about the collaboration's potential, stating, "We have the skills, expertise, and first-class facilities with a training platform to work with Queensland Hydro to ensure their future workforce has access to a range of innovations for traditional jobs and the skills training to prepare them for Queensland Hydro's major projects."

“The team at the Resources Centre of Excellence is very excited to bring this MOU and collaboration to life after many months of discussion. I believe the RCOE is the ideal partner for Queensland Hydro as being based in Mackay, we’re ideally placed to help facilitate the transition from traditional energy sector jobs to the new clean, green energy sector.”

"The Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project is a long-term game-changer for the Mackay region as the largest infrastructure project in Queensland's history, and it's exciting to see that the benefits from the Queensland Hydro project continue to flow to our region," added Mrs Gilbert.

This partnership between Queensland Hydro and RCOE represents a significant step towards building a skilled and prepared workforce for Queensland's renewable energy sector, aligning with the state's ambitious renewable energy goals.

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Signing of the MOU at the Resources Centre of Excellence, L-R: Queensland Hydro CEO Kieran Cusack, CEO of the Resources Centre of Excellence Steven Boxall, Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert

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