The Australian Government has handed down a budget that, for the first time in 15 years, is in surplus.

In their second budget, the Labor government announced a $4.2 billion surplus which has largely been credited to corporate tax gained from the resources industry.

The government has called it “a responsible budget in uncertain times”, saying it “continues the Albanese Government’s work to strengthen the nation’s finances while laying the foundations for a stronger, fairer and more resilient economy into the future.”

But Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is left unsatisfied with the results for his electorate.

“I’m pretty disappointed in the budget as a whole,” Mr Willcox said.

“We’re talking about a surplus of $4.2 billion, well that is largely on the back of an increase in commodity prices.

“We’ve produced a lot of this extra income that’s gone towards the surplus and yet all our infrastructure that’s been in the budget has been scrapped.

“The money’s being generated in rural and regional Australia; we need some infrastructure and support for our people so we can continue to do that.”

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry agreed, saying regional Australia deserves a fair share.

“It is simply not good enough that the hardworking Australians, who live and work in the regions that produce the prosperity we all enjoy, are not receiving their fair share back through investment in local community organisations, infrastructure and roads,” she said.

“It does not create a prosperous, stronger and sustainable Australia.”

Mr Willcox has been advocating for local projects including upgrades to the Bruce Highway, investment into local veterans’ welfare and the Urannah Dam project, all of which have been shunned in the budget.

One thing he is happy to see, though, is the tripling of bulk billing incentives.

“The GP rebate is going to be tripled for certain Australians, the under 16s, the pensioners, the Commonwealth concession card holders,” he said.

“I think health is very important and should be looked after for everybody, but I’m pleased our most vulnerable are being looked after.”

While the budget looks to address the cost-of-living crisis and benefit certain members of the community, including healthcare workers, veterans, low-income renters and welfare recipients, Mr Willcox said it’s not enough.

“Under the Labor Government, what we’ve seen is high inflation, we’ve seen our mortgages go up, we’ve seen fuel go up, we’ve seen grocery prices go up, so there certainly needs to be some measures in place,” he said.

“Cost-of-living pressures have now turned into a cost-of-living crisis, and it’s really starting to bite people.”

Mr Willcox promised to take his time dissecting the budget to identify opportunities for the people of Dawson.

“My role in opposition is to hold the government to account and I’ll work with anybody to make sure the people of my area get the best deal they possibly can,” he said.

“I’m always looking for opportunities to get what we can for my residents and constituents in the area.

“It’s going to take time to pull this to bits, but I’ll do that and while there’s breath in my body, I’ll be punching away every single day.”

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What Andrew Willcox Says Dawson Has Missed Out On

• Bruce Highway Upgrades – “There’s no mention of any funding for the Bruce Highway and we’re in much need of funds for that.”

• Second Mackay Ring Road – “The Mackay Ring Road has been delayed to 2025.”

• Mackay RSL – “The $5 million we had in there for veterans’ wellness, which was going to see a new RSL and a veterans’ wellness retreat at Kinchant Dam, has been scrapped.”

• Urannah Dam – “The North Queensland Water Infrastructure Authority’s being scrapped, so that was $9.5 million and that was going to oversee projects like Urannah Dam, the Burdekin to Bowen pipeline, the raising of Burdekin Falls Dam. Australia’s a dry continent. We should be building dams, catching water, and using our water for tourism opportunities, for urban use, for mining, for agriculture.”

• Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsundays Upgrades – “All we were asking for there was $420,000, which will upgrade their headquarters and operational centre.”

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Members of the Mackay community, including the Mackay Police department and other government departments, has remembered victims of family and domestic violence at a candlelight vigil at the Blue Water Quay in Mackay last week.

Within Australia, one woman a week is killed by an intimate partner.

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, and the Mackay Women’s Centre held the candlelight ceremony to commemorate victims and bring awareness.

This year’s theme is ‘It’s in our control to end coercive control’ and urge the community to be aware of coercive control, which is a pattern of behaviours that create hesitancy and fear, using intimidation and humiliation.

Contact the Mackay Women’s Centre if you or anyone you know requires assistance, 07 4953 1788.

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Mackay Police join members of the community to remember domestic violence victims. Photo supplied

Since the release of damning reports in 2022, the Mackay Base Hospital has hired two new senior obstetrics and gynaecological specialists.

Dr Leigh Grant and Dr Barton Matshe have joined the Women’s Health Unit of Mackay Base Hospital.

“We are very pleased to welcome both Dr Leigh Grant and Dr Barton Matshe to the team here at Mackay Base Hospital as they not only have many years of experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G), but a great passion for caring for women and their families,” said Mackay HHS Acting Chief Executive Charles Pain.

Dr Grant initially joined the team in March, but as of April 21, she “has accepted the position of Clinical Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.”

“She will lead a team of five specialists, and we have two more specialists joining the team, one in July and one in September,” said Dr Pain.

Dr Grant has welcomed the new position.

“Mackay has great facilities, and the staff are all friendly and welcoming, so I’m looking forward to working in this community as we continue to rebuild trust in the services we provide,” Dr Grant said.

Dr Matshe has come from New Zealand, after receiving his training in South Africa.

“He has a special interest in working with culturally diverse communities and providing these women with safe birthing experiences,” Dr Pain said.

“It was time for me to make a change, so I was quite keen to come here and take up a new challenge,” Dr Matshe said.

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Dr Leigh Grant and Dr Barton Matshe join Mackay Base Hospital Women’s Health Unit. Photo supplied

After growing up on a sugar cane farm in Sarina and nearly 30 years after beginning his medical career in Mackay, Dr Adrian Wescott has welcomed a new role of Clinical Director of Surgery with Mackay Base Hospital.

Dr Wescott spent three years at Mackay Base Hospital once completing his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree with the University of Queensland, where he found his passion.

“I did two rotations in surgery as an intern – I knew it was for me pretty quickly,” he said.

“Surgery is something I can do to fix someone, and people get better as a general rule.”

He then transferred to Townsville Hospital to garner more surgical training, with time spent in intensive care and neurosurgery.

Completing training with the Royal Australian College of General Surgery and a Fellowship with the Brisbane Mater Hospital in breast and endocrine surgery, Dr Westcott returned to Mackay Base Hospital in 2008.

His new role will be overseeing urology, neurosurgery, vascular, ENT, ophthalmology, and general surgery, with a priority being to attract more surgeons to the region.

“Mackay is competing with other areas for doctors, so we need to highlight that our region is an enjoyable place to bring up a family and that there are a lot of career opportunities here,” Dr Wescott said.

“Mackay is becoming stronger and more self-sufficient in what we provide.

“This is a five to 10-year plan. We’re playing a long game. And there are certain things you can only change when you are sitting in the chair,” he said.

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Dr Adrian Wescott grew up on a sugar cane farm in Sarina and welcomes new responsibility. Photo supplied

James Cook University’s Mackay campuses have been gifted an Indigenous name in a fitting acknowledgment of the role played by Indigenous people in advancing the University.

JCU’s clinical campuses at Mackay Base Hospital and the Mater Private Hospital Mackay will now be jointly known as Ngudya Yamba (pronounced nood-ja yum-ba), meaning ‘place of knowledge’ in the language of Traditional Owners, the Yuwi People.

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said last week’s ceremony was the fifth of its kind at James Cook University following ceremonies on Townsville, Cairns, and Thursday Island campuses.

“It is a privilege to be given this name by the Yuwi People.

“It’s about showing respect for the places on which we operate and the fact that our indigenous people were here 60,000 years before us.

“That respect of having them gift us a name is a really important part of the development of the university.”

Yuibera Traditional Owner and Cultural Practise Program Facilitator at Mackay Base Hospital Philip Kemp is part of the Mackay Aboriginal Language Group who gifted the name to the University.

“As a descendant of the traditional custodians for Mackay, the Yuwi people, it is a great honour to be able to gift the name to JCU,” he said.

Mr Kemp said the group has been working with council and local businesses to spread the language.

“We’re pleased that those requests are coming from organisations,” he said.

“People are starting to recognise that Aboriginal culture is a strong culture and language, culture and stories all come together to provide that rich culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

Mr Biggs said the biggest step in paying respect to Australia’s indigenous people is population parity, with the university’s student population currently represented by 7% indigenous people while the catchment region is home to 13-14%.

“The ultimate sign of respect for us will be when we’ve all worked together to improve the educational outcomes for the Indigenous people of Australia,” he said.

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Yuibera Traditional Owner Philip Kemp with JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs at the newly named Ngudya Yamba campus at Mackay Base Hospital. Photo supplied

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Staff at Mackay Base Hospital celebrated International Midwives Day last Friday, May 5 with the presentation of awards, celebrating the hospital’s midwives and their dedication and contributions to maternal and newborn health.

The theme of International Midwives Day 2023 was ‘together again: from evidence to reality’, a theme that some staff say is more relevant to the hospital than ever.

The three awards given out were the Emerging Midwife Award, Exceptional Midwifery Care Provider Award and the Outstanding Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Award.

Mia Cray was awarded the Emerging Midwife Award and said she’s grown a lot in her 15 months as a Registered Midwife.

“I think being able to provide that care is what drove me,” Ms Cray said.

“I’m naturally pretty good at being around people and getting that relationship going.

“It’s really lovely getting to know these women and their families and being there for the whole experience.

“I’m really proud, I feel like this really solidifies that I’ve chosen the right career and that I’m doing pretty well in it.”

The Exceptional Midwifery Care Provider Award nominees were nominated by patients and was awarded to Donna Towers, a midwife of 25 years.

“In my care, I always try and treat women as I would,” she said.

“It can be a scary time when you’re pregnant and you don’t know options of care, so just talking to people as you would want your family members to be spoken to.

“We have an amazing bunch of midwives here … it’s an absolute honour to be picked.”

Maternity Unit Manager Kylie Clark said, historically, midwifery achievements were celebrated and recognised amongst nursing awards, this year being the first for the International Midwives Day celebrations.

“It’s important that these people are recognised as well, but we’re all here to do the same job,” she said.

“We have a lot of midwives who are great leaders and passionate about their profession.

“We’ve had our challenges so as a health service we’re just aiming to repair our reputation and do the best we can to provide a great service to Mackay.”

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2023 International Midwives Day Awards

Emerging Midwife Award (Postgraduate) – Mia Cray

Exceptional Midwifery Care Provider Award (Consumer/patient nomination) – Donna Towers

Outstanding Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Award – Donna Martin (Proserpine)

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L-R Interim Chief Executive Dr Charles Pain, Maternity Unit Manager Kylie Clark, Clinical Midwife Donna Towers, Registered Midwife Mia

A GENUINE passion for hoops and strong will to succeed have helped transform schoolboy Zac Uhr into a prolific scoring whiz kid in the fast paced sport of wheelchair basketball.

Since his introduction to the game as a fresh faced ten year old the rangy Uhr has developed into one of the region’s best young ‘bigs’ – with the 2025 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships well in his sights.

It has been a meteoric rise for the 16 year old St Patrick’s College Mackay student who was quickly elevated to the Australian Under 23 Spinners Program under the guidance of five time Paralympian and former Rollers captain Brad Ness.

The promising Uhr has attended Under 16 Emerging Camps at the Australian Institute of Sport since the age of 15 where Head Coach Ness has provided an elite training environment that helps athletes identify what it takes to represent the ‘green and gold’ on an international stage.

Zac was recruited by the Mackay Machines at the age of ten and blooded in the Northern Challenge competition where he developed his scoring and rebounding against sides from Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton.

“I learnt so much in those formative years by simply observing matches and just being part of the group,” recalled Zac.

By the age of 13, Uhr was a regular in the Mackay side where he blossomed under the coaching of Peter Sumpter and held his own against older and wiser opponents.

Revelling in his role as a ‘big,’ Zac showed courage and skill to help the Machines reach the Challenge Final and this year achieved a personal milestone when appointed team captain.

He made his State debut for the Queensland Rolling Thunder at the 2019 National Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Townsville.

Zac recently skippered the Machines at the Classics tournament in Brisbane where they finished runners up to Rockhampton – teaming up with talented Australian U/23s colleague Brayden Foxley-Conolly, 18; Jordan Williams, Ryan Williams, Shannon Buxton and Sherri Jennings.

Uhr also plays basketball for the Renegades Under 16s and Under 18s and in July will participate in the inaugural National Wheelchair Basketball League round robin series for Southern District Spartans against teams from Sydney, Wollongong, Darwin and Perth.

“My dream is to attend college in the United States, study sports journalism and represent the Australian Rollers one day at the Olympics and World Championships” revealed Zac.

By Chris Karas

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Wheelchair basketball ace Zac Uhr has achieved plenty at the age of 16 – captaining the Mackay Machines and forcing his way into the Australia Under 23 Spinners squad

Mission organisation, Anglican Mothers’ Union group is now looking to expand and welcome new members to its group which is dedicated to the empowerment of women and the improvement of youth’s lives.

The Anglican Mothers’ Union is one of the oldest women’s groups in the world, beginning in England in 1876.

The Mackay Branch is a part of the Unions Diocese of Northern Queensland, and active in the area, providing care packages and aid where they can.

The branch’s project includes providing clothing for youth facing court, so that they can be appropriately dressed, as well as activities while they wait in the court room, including colouring in.

They also provide hygiene packets for people admitted into hospital on short notice, who were unable to pack their own shower bag, and make fiddle rugs for people with dementia.

However, the mission group is eager for a growth in youth members.

“This is the type of organisation you end up living for,” said Kristi Day, the communication coordinator for the Diocese of North Queensland.

“It’s a shame that it’s so quiet, because this is an awesome organisation to be involved in.”

From 16 to 19 May, the North Queensland group will meet in Mackay for their annual Provincial Conference. Together the branches will meet and discuss their individual projects and hold workshops together.

“I just want people to know that we’re still active and still around,” said Ms Day.

“The Mackay Branch of Anglican Mothers’ was the third opened in Australia, so there is so much family history in Mackay.”

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Diocese of North Queensland at their previous Conference.

Mackay & District Senior Citizens congratulate all on attaining such a milestone in their lives.

Elinor Leppien and Alf Pagden recently turned 90 years old.  

Both Elinor and Alf still regularly dance twice a week.

Many friends and relations recently gathered to celebrate their birthdays.

Another one who had also danced regularly till a couple of months ago, due to illness, is Fred Jung who also turned 90 recently.

Contributed by Lyn Coburn

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Elinor Leppien and Alf Pagden recently celebrated 90th birthdays. Photo supplied

A brewer of many years, Scott Linden of Star’s breakfast show Scotty and Kaley started like many amateur brewers with a Coopers homebrew set.

After years of experimenting, Scotty launched his very own beer, the Bald Eagle Brew, at Red Dog Brewery last week, with lucky listeners and special guests there to get the first taste.

“About 18 months ago, I moved to whole grains, I buy 25-kilogram sacks of grain, crush it up and make it on my back deck at home,” Scotty said.

“I just like beer and I like different beers.

“I made this one, I’ve got another one at home which is different again and my next brew will be different again.

“I just find different recipes, try it out and see how it turns out.”

With the help of co-host Kaley, Star and Red Dog Brewery, the first pots of Bald Eagle Brew were poured last week, even getting the tick of approval from Red Dog’s head brewer Woodsy.

“It’s pretty cool having my own beer actually on a tap at a proper brewery,” Scotty said.

“It’s good fun.”

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Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox was the first to try Scotty’s Bald Eagle Brew

A group of lucky Star listeners got their chance to sample the unique beer. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

A local Vietnam veteran travelled to Melbourne for Anzac Day to reunite with his battalion, 8RAR.

With the caravan in tow, Les Palmer and his wife Sue embarked on a three-week trip that Mr Palmer described as “magic”.

Approximately 200 veterans met in Melbourne for the first reunion in three years, the occasion involving photo shoots, trips to shrines and memorials, a formal dinner at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and plenty of opportunities to catch up and share yarns.

The 8RAR battalion also marched together for Anzac Day through the streets of Melbourne.

“I’ve never seen a march so big, being a country lad,” Mr Palmer said.

“You couldn’t even see the shrine; you were that far down St Kilda Road.”

Mr Palmer said Anzac Day is an important day as he reflects on his own memories as well as his dad’s.

“It was good to be with the boys,” he said.

“Every Anzac Day, I put my medals over my heart, and I wear dad’s on my right side, I got medals all across my chest, so it means a lot to me and my dad.

“Besides that, I got wounded in Vietnam, there were nine killed and 16 wounded, so it means a fair bit to me - I lost a few boys over there.”

Les now looks forward to services in August as 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

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Les Palmer reunited with his Vietnam War battalion on Anzac Day

In a Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball first, all 440 tickets for the 2023 event were sold.

The annual Mayor’s Ball has been evolving over the years, with 2023 being the biggest year to date.

Being Havana Nights themed, all music, décor, and even attendees dress was choreographed to that style.

The silent auction was a massive success, with prizes consisting of a Foo Fighters signed guitar, a Reefsleep under the stars for six, and a helicopter ride in the Hunter Valley.

While the official number of funds raised is still being tallied, it is expected that the auction alone raised in excess of $50,000.

All funds raised from the ball were donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities – Mackay Family Room and Australian Street Aid Project – Mackay.

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Four rowers from the Mackay Rowing Club have returned from the Queensland State Masters Championship Regatta with medals aplenty and a reinvigorated passion for their sport.

Jane Deguara, Therese Clancy, Richard McGrath and Mick Wohlfhart competed in the Championship held from April 29 to 30 at Wyaralong Dam near Beaudesert.

“We did do really well for a small club,” said Ms Deguara.

Both Ms Deguara and Ms Clancy were unstoppable, winning gold in their singles sculls before teaming up to win doubles gold as well as another gold as part of a composite quad crew with two other competitors from Brisbane, one of which formerly rowed with Mackay Rowing Club for 10 years.

The women then teamed up with Mr McGrath and Mr Wohlfhart for mixed quad bronze, while both pairs of mixed doubles, Ms Deguara with Mr Wohlfhart and Ms Clancy with Mr McGrath, won silver.

“Everyone won medals, but three gold was huge for us to get,” said Ms Deguara.

Ms Deguara started rowing around 13 years ago after her son took up the sport through school.

“He loved it, so we used to be out there all the time,” she said.

“When he was in year 12, I thought, ‘Oh well, I might have a go at it,’ and that’s usually how Masters get into rowing.”

Based on the river at the Balnagowan Bridge, the Mackay Rowing Club is welcoming new members, often holding learn to row sessions for people to have a go.

“We’ve got doctors in our club who say rowing, for older people, particularly, is such a good sport because it’s not heavy on any of the joints; it’s very good for you and very aerobically hard,” said Ms Deguara.

“It’s hard at first, but most people can do it.”

The four rowers now have their sights set on the Australian Masters Rowing Championships in Sydney in June.

“It’s taken a lot of hard training to get to this stage, it’s not an easy sport to compete in, but it’s a lot of fun as well,” said Ms Deguara.

Find Mackay Rowing Club on Facebook for more information.

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L-R Richard McGrath, Therese Clancy, Jane Deguara and Mick Wohlfhart of Mackay Rowing Club

Therese Clancy and Jane Deguara teamed up with Pine Rivers for the first time to win gold in the composite quad crew. Photos supplied

The Reef Catchments Mackay Whitsunday Streambank Stewardship Program is celebrating receiving an additional $2 million from the Reef Assist 2.0 program.

Being one of 11 regional Queensland initiatives the Reef Assist 2.0 program supports and promotes protection of the Great Barrier Reef and water quality improvements.

“This program represents the next iteration of the Reef Assist program for the Mackay Whitsunday and Isaac region. It allows us to expand on a successful relationship with local Landcare organisations and Traditional Owners that focuses on improving water quality for the benefit of the region and our beautiful reef environment,” said Katrina Dent, Reef Catchments CEO.

There are four key areas the Reef Catchments program will target, including sedimentary reduction and stabilisation of streambanks, the employment and training of new project officers into the various conversation and management projects, creating a Healthy Country Plan for Koinjmal Country, and continued promotion of the Mackay Whitsunday and Isaac Traditional Owner Reference Group (TORG).

This second iteration of the Reef Assist program is estimated to create a further 127 jobs across the catchment area of the Great Barrier Reef.

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Honourable Meaghan Scanlon MP, when visiting Padaminka Nature Reserve said, “The Reef Assist program has been incredibly successful and is delivering real environmental and economic benefits across our reef catchments.”

“We are also seeing improvements in the environmental condition and water quality within our reef catchments, increased resilience to future flood events through the revegetation and stabilisation of streambanks, and improvements in soil condition following the removal of weeds.”

The Reef Catchments projects are set to be completed in late 2024.

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Meaghan Scanlon MP with Katrina Dent of Reef Catchments in Padaminka Nature Reserve. Photo Supplied

It’s being hailed as a “once in a generation” sugar price, recently topping $827 /tonne.

This couples with an easing in fertiliser prices, setting the stage for a promising, prosperous 2023 harvest.

During my time as a grower, I have not seen our sugar industry in such a strong position.

Sugar prices have remained strong now for well over a year, but especially the past three months. Recently we saw the July '23 contract close near the 25 cents/pound bringing a very lucrative, $800/tonne IPS sugar. Sounds great on paper, but a little too late for most Australian growers to secure.

It is looking good - for the short-to-medium term - for prices to maybe even strengthen further, with a 2 million tonne deficit in world supplies.

There are a few factors in world sugar supply that mean the shortfall is going to be difficult to meet: we are seeing the fundamentals around world sugar supply supporting strengthening of the sugar price, in what seems is referred to as a bullish market.

A strong indicator of further sustained prices is that our competitors have not taken up the high price opportunity and begun expanding their production. These decisions - I believe - are based on world economic and financial difficulties and the instability of the US banking sector.

Many sugar-producing countries are experiencing limiting factors in their supply chain.

At this stage, we have Brazil which has had a good wet season with a crop of around 590 million tonnes of cane. Brazil’s problem lies in their ability to get their sugar through their two main ports. The Brazilian sugar industry competes with other commodities for shipping infrastructure. For this season at least, Brazil is behind the eight-ball competing for the use of port facilities with a larger-than-normal corn and soybean crop.

India has a crop of 33.1 million tonnes of sugar and has not made any announcement about their intentions to export anything beyond the initial 6 million tonnes. This is leaving an air of uncertainty around supplies out of India. India has also, since the world trade organisation’s decision on the dumping of subsidised sugar on the world market, now made a significant move towards ethanol production taking away from excess production for export.

The Thai crop is being revised down around 11 million tonnes because of mills finishing sooner than expected.

Taking all of that as it is, we have our own strong points that should go further towards our own bright future.

After a good wet season, we are now looking at another good crop, with Mackay Sugar's preliminary estimate of 5.57 million tonnes and Plane Creek hoping for 1.5 million tonnes. Our Achilles heel will again be our ability to remove and process the crop in a reasonable timeframe.

The local sugar industry is further buoyed by the potential for the development of value-added products derived from our sugar. As we have heard time and again, the Australian sugar industry has stepped up to the plate, with our sustainability credentials making us very attractive for investment in further development of renewables in aviation fuels and plant-based protein from our sugar production.

The spate of interest in the Mackay sugar industry from Australian and overseas companies in Australian sugar, instigated by a hunger by consumers around the world for sustainable food and fuel, is further driven by our stability in production and in capacity to deliver to market.

To add to that, we are fortunate to have a State Government that is hell-bent on supporting the production of these products and have been very active in speaking with industry and investors as to where our opportunities lie.

We need to be part of any developments to be able to take advantage of them in the future. To not be involved leaves us sitting out on a limb with no chance of progress being made.

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A tightening of world sugar supply is keeping sugar prices high. The stability of Australian production and export capacity makes us well-placed to reap the benefits.  Photo: Contributed