More than 100 experts and leaders within the environmental management space converged in Cairns for the annual Reef Synthesis workshop to discuss the ongoing protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

Covering an immense area, over 1.3 times the size of New Zealand, ensuring the health and protection of the Reef is no small task and requires engagement and input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, research organisations, natural resource management bodies, traditional owners, landholders and peak industry bodies.  

The Reef Synthesis provided stakeholders with the opportunity to present findings, create partnerships and learn from each other to ensure best management of the Reef.

Held over three days in November  last year, the workshop’s focus was ‘Connecting people, programs and landscapes’ and covered a range of topics such as enabling environments for improving practice, understanding Traditional Owner priorities and creating a vision for success, accountability and legacy. A number of representatives from the Whitsunday and Mackay region attended, including Bernie Cockayne, Program Manager for Reef Catchments in Mackay -

‘The workshop was a great opportunity to learn about work being conducted across the Reef. What I found most interesting was the work that many of our farmers, Traditional Owners and community organisations are doing to improve our Reef’s health. This included Jason Bradford, a farmer between Mackay and Sarina, who we’ve been working with to improve the health of wetlands on his property and the water quality entering the Reef. It was fantastic to see his hard work being acknowledged by receiving the Reef Conservation Champion Award’.

With such a prized and valued asset for Australia and the world, bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders is essential to learn from each other and build partnerships for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

One of seven natural wonders of the world, the World Heritage Listed area of the Great Barrier Reef covers a staggering 348,000kms2 starting from north of Bundaberg in the south to the tip of Cape York in the north, a distance of approximately 2,300kms. The world heritage area includes 980 islands, 3000 coral reefs and extends from depths of over 2,000m to the intertidal zone and seagrass meadows found along the coastline, including our own Whitsunday Coast.

For more information on the work being undertaken locally to manage the Reef, please visit Reef Catchments www.reefcatchments.com.au

Contributed with thanks to Chris Dench.

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Image: The reef synthesis workshop. Photo supplied

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Again, that day sneaks up on us.

What to do this year? Picnic in the park? Candlelit dinner for two? A bed of red rose petals spilling across the floor? No – no, not all that again. That’s a lot of picking up roses later.

If you’re bereft of ideas for Valentine’s Day – oh, that sweet, sweet, sneaky day – you’re lucky you live in a picture-perfect paradise; a postcard place, brimming with choices for the romantic.

Take your lover for a dip in turquoise waters that sparkle like diamonds, perhaps? Walk by a tropical forest while swaying lines of palm trees are a rhythmic serenade of your love song.

There are few places that can rival the Whitsundays in romantic regard. So, on Valentine's Day in the Whitsundays, sing your own symphony of love in a dream destination.

These are some of the best things to do on Valentine's Day in the Whitsundays:

1. Whitehaven Beach: One of the best beaches in the world is the perfect place for couples to relax, swim and soak up the sun. Pack a picnic and take it beachside for the day.

2. Enjoy a spa day: For couples seeking a more relaxed pace, head to the spa to unwind and rejuvenate. The Whitsundays offers a range of luxurious spa experiences, ensuring that you leave feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.

3. Take a sunset sail: What could be more romantic than watching the sun dip below the horizon, creating a mesmerizing and unforgettable backdrop for your romantic evening.

Whether you prefer adventure or relaxation, the Whitsundays has something for all your romantic tastes – and you don’t have to look very far to find it.

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Sourced from an ancient inland ocean that is estimated to be 100 million years old, each individually cut and collected opal is completely unique and it is their swirling sparkles and transient shades of turquoise that make them so special.

Over 95 per cent of the world’s opals are from Australia and we are lucky enough to have one of the most prestigious suppliers based right here in Airlie Beach.

Having uncovered a $1.2 million treasure trove of opals on a hunt that was documented in a reality TV series on the Discovery Channel, owner of Opal Earth Sofia Andreou, looks forward to welcoming you to her local store.

For the past 62 years, the Andeou family has been a prominent name in the opal industry and each custom-made, award-winning ready-made piece of jewelry is hand-crafted by experts that the family has a long-standing relationship with.

Shop Manager, Joseph King, said that an opal is one of the most magical gems to give a loved one for any special occasion, especially Valentine’s Day.

“Of all the stones in all the world, the only thing more beautiful than the opal is the ladies that wear it,” he said.

“While a diamond might be a girl’s best, an opal is a lady’s best friend.”

Every customer at Opal Earth will be welcomed into the store and treated to personal service that can assist everyone from an opal connoisseur to a novice looking for something special.

From necklaces to pendants, earrings to rings, bracelets, and almost anything your heart desires - whatever your taste, passion, or persuasion, you can find it at Opal Earth.

How to pick the perfect piece:

• Find out what style she likes – you can choose between a light or a dark gem and each piece holds every colour of the rainbow

• Would she prefer a gold or silver setting, perhaps check other pieces of jewellery she owns

• If purchasing a ring, quietly find out your loved one’s ring size, you can bring another ring in if you like

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Images:

1: Opal Earth owner Sofia Andreou models one of the unique opal necklaces

2: Airlie Beach Store Manager, Joseph King, looks forward to greeting you

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A Clermont cattle grazier who shot to national TV stardom for building community bonds, a Nebo barrel racer champion and a rainbow gala event that is leading social change were among the major Australia Day winners in the Isaac region.

Layney Deguara has been named the 2023 Young Citizen of the Year for her passion and dedication to her sport, local club and her community. She accepted her award at a ceremony held in Nebo.

WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY MATTERS

CREAM OF THE ISAAC CROP CELEBRATED ON AUSTRALIA DAY

Frank Finger accepted the 2023 Isaac Region Australia Day Citizen of the Year award from Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker at Clermont Showgrounds during local Australia Day celebrations.

The national award winner of the ABC TV’s Muster Dog series has a persistent determination to the agricultural and tourism industry, love for his muster dogs and for sharing his stories with residents at MontCler.

Moranbah Rainbow Collective’s inaugural Rainbow Gala won the 2023 Community Event of the Year for breaking barriers and creating an inclusive, and socially aware safe space.

2023 Corporate Contribution of the Year is Dysart News and Post for demonstrating a strong commitment to their continuous support of local groups, sporting clubs and events.

Former Isaac Regional Councillor and long-time Dysart resident Nick Wheeler accepted the 2023 Spirit of Isaac Award for 44 years of countless achievements and contributions to his community.

Mayor Baker said recognising the outstanding work of Isaac residents is important as Council held eight ceremonial events announcing 51 award winners.

“Congratulations to Frank, Layney, the Moranbah Rainbow Collective, Dysart News and Post and Nick Wheeler, you are the cream of Isaac’s crop today,” Mayor Baker said.

“What we do everyday matters and today’s awards recognise the great things you do.

“Thank you to all our nominees and everyone who attended these events over the past 24 hours.

“We also welcomed 11 new Australian citizens as well and thank you for being persistent in your journey.

“Isaac is a region that celebrates our diversity with good intentions and we reflect on the past with acknowledgement.

“On behalf of myself, Councillors and Council staff, I would like to thank our 2023 Australia Day Ambassadors Lakeisha Patterson OAM and Kevin Hughes BM for being part of our celebrations.”

“A very special thank you to our Council team and community for their efforts in making these events happen.”

The 2023 Australia Day Awards is an Isaac Regional Council event assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.

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Image: 2023 Isaac Region Young Citizen of the Year Layney Deguara with DeputyMayor Kelly Vea Vea and Cr Viv Coleman

Image: 2023 Isaac Region Australia Day Citizen of the Year FrankFinger

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Two Mackay locals have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM); one for his service in the Australian army and the other for his contribution to the local lychee industry.

Ronald Bassan OAM signed up for the army at age 17, serving from 1954 to 1975 in both Malaysia (known then as Malaya) and Vietnam.

He received a long list of awards and recognition for his military service, including the Australian Defence Medal, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal, and Vietnamese Medal 1962.

Mr Bassan is a proud return serviceman; a member of 'A' Field Battery Association, Royal Australian Artillery since 1997 and serving as president and secretary throughout his tenure, as well as the RSL Farleigh and Northern Beaches Sub Branch.

He followed his passions for orchid growing and stamp collecting upon returning to Mackay, participating in community groups including the Australian Native Orchid Society Mackay Group, Mackay and District Orchid Society and the Mackay and District Philatelic Society.

Mr Bassan was awarded the OAM “for service to the community through a range of organisations.”

Laurence Dixon revolutionised the lychee industry.

He has owned Rainbow Orchard in Sarina since 1978, recently making headlines when he introduced Australia’s first seedless lychee variety in 2020.

He is constantly experimenting with and creating various new cultivars, increasing the export opportunities of Australia’s lychees.

Mr Dixon co-founded the Australian Lychee Growers Association in 1986, serving as president for five years and becoming a life member in 2018.

He was also awarded the Queensland Government Export award in 2002.

Mr Dixon was awarded the OAM “for service to horticulture.”

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Image: Laurence Dixon was awarded an Australia Day OAM for his contribution to the lychee industry

Image: Ronald Bassan on military duties in Malaysia. Photo credit: A Battery Association Inc.

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Two minutes of kindness is a little thing to pay for joy, for respect, or for admiration and appreciation. Tiny actions add up to a greater whole and something as simple as helping can mean more than its weight in two Pepsi boxes.

In Sarina, that was the case for one woman on a regular shopping trip.

Maxx, a young man working at Sarina’s local IGA, likely thought little of helping a woman to her car, carrying some heavy boxes of Pepsi for her.

Two boxes of Pepsi, two minutes of kindness -- nothing out of his day, really. Yet, to Astrid, the lifting of boxes into the trolley and into the car were a reflection of what makes her community so great.

“Maxx was very courteous when I approached him for help and I wanted to acknowledge his kind support to me as a customer,” Astrid said.

“To the young men and women working at IGA, we appreciate the hard work you all do. Be proud of yourself for the service you give to our local community.”

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Image: A simple act of kindness, like loading someone’s shopping for them, can mean so much

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Life is a precious gift that we often take for granted.

We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, work, and responsibilities and fail to appreciate the simple things that make life worth living.

We often assume that we will have tomorrow and forget to live in the moment and make the most of every day. But life can be unpredictable and fragile, and it is important to remember to cherish and make the most of every opportunity we have to be happy.

On page 4, we share the story of Sarina mother, Amy Coyne, who had a brush with death after contracting a rare and dangerous nematode disorder. She was 10 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with having a rare parasite found on wild meat which causes polymyositis, a form of muscle weakness.

This condition is so rare she was only the 11th person in the world to receive the diagnosis and the first pregnant woman ever.

It’s progressive, debilitating and has been known to be fatal in some cases.

You can read her powerful story over the page.

If Amy’s story can teach us anything, it’s to appreciate every bit of time we have and not to take our health for granted.

It is all too easy to get caught up in worries about the future or regrets about the past, but when we focus on the present, we can fully experience and appreciate the beauty and wonder of life.

Amanda

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A happy and healthy six-months-old Sarina boy and his mother are survivors of a rare and dangerous nematode disorder causing polymyositis possibly linked to central and North Queensland and Tasmania.

Amy Coyne, husband Kane and six-months-old Vincent are all smiles after their brush with the disorder, which doctors cannot rule out recurring.

Amy was in the 10th week of her pregnancy when she was diagnosed with Haycocknema perplexum, a parasite found in wild meats like possum and kangaroo causing polymyositis in humans.

She was the first pregnant woman ever to be diagnosed with the disorder, and just the 11th person in the world.

‘’Somehow you contract this parasite, and the human body starts attacking itself trying to eradicate the foreign body from the muscles,” Amy said.

“It’s progressive, debilitating and has been known to be fatal in some cases.

“There is a common denominator of all cases recorded; we (those affected) have all spent a chunk of time in far North Queensland and Central Queensland and one in Tasmania I believe.’’

Amy said she downplayed the seriousness of what she’d been diagnosed with to most, apart from husband Kane who could see her deteriorating more each day.

“I’ve always been very in tune with my body and noticed a decline some three years ago,” she said.

“I wasn’t able to do certain things fitness wise, such as get on my toes, lift my head off the ground from a supine position, the way I walked was affected, I couldn’t jump, to name a few.

“This led to lifestyle setbacks such as not being able to open a twist top water bottle, dysphasia (not being able to swallow properly), my speech began to slur and slow; to name a few.

“My muscles atrophied severely and I dropped a good 8-10 kilos, I was so weak I could barely make it up a flight of stairs, let alone carry a load of washing back up with me.”

Amy said she saw many health specialists over the years trying to figure out what was wrong with her body such as chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, GPs and sports doctors.

“In the end I was eventually referred to a neurologist, who, by my luck, had seen someone years before with similar symptoms. I went through a series of tests and ultimately a biopsy to confirm I had contracted the muscle disorder. I was diagnosed at 10 weeks gestation with my little man.

“I held off taking the treatment as the microbiologist specialist I was seeing wouldn’t guarantee me that the drug treatment wouldn’t affect my baby, as they obviously don’t test drugs on pregnant women. But the obstetric specialist could guarantee that my disorder wouldn’t affect him at all in the womb.”

Amy added that she got to a stage where if she went to the grocery shop, she would feel fatigued to the point she would sleep for hours to recover.

“My body wasn’t functioning the further into my pregnancy I got. If I don’t function, how can I give my son any chance at life?

“The team of doctors behind me, and Kane and I decided, in the second trimester I’d start my treatment.

“I was monitored by blood tests monthly by the disease team for me and fortnightly appointments with the obstetric team for my baby, and by my own observations physically.

“The treatment is simple. Basically it’s a deworming drug but the diagnosis is the hard part. I’m told it is often misdiagnosed as an autoimmune disease or not diagnosed at all.

Now off treatment, Amy gave birth to a healthy little boy and is still being monitored by blood tests.

“There is no guarantee the treatment eradicates the disorder,” she said.

“Being so rare there is no “rehab” plan so I decided to see a very knowledgeable local sports therapist and physiotherapist and am organising to see a speech therapist.

“At the age of 30 I have begun learning how to walk again and am finding strength and balance back in the little things most take for granted.”

By Charlie Payne

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Image: Kane and Amy Coyle and six-months-old Vincent are all smiles after Amy overcame a rare parasite disorder which is possibly linked to North Queensland. Photo: Charlie Payne

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Mackay Regional Council and the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) are searching for people aged 11 to 17 to nominate themselves for Mackay’s Youth Council.

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

With access to training, mentoring and money to run local projects and campaigns, Youth Councils won’t just have a voice - but a platform to take action on the issues that young people in Mackay truly care about.

“If you’ve ever spotted something that could be done differently in Mackay, or something that needed to change; if you’ve ever wondered how you could make an impact in our community – this is your time,” Mayor Greg Williamson said.

“Nominate yourself as a candidate, cast your vote in the election and help elect this community’s Youth Council.”

The FYA is the pre-eminent national organisation dedicated to backing young people. Established in 2000, FYA has a proud history of collaboration with government, industry, the community sector, and young people themselves on large scale projects designed to back and support young people across the country.

Molly Whelan, executive director, Civic & Cultural Engagement, FYA said candidates who were selected for election would be supported to campaign until the election.

“They will have access to free media training, campaigning workshops, marketing tutorials and more,” Ms Whelan said.

“It’s free for all young people to apply and participate in Young Mayors.”

Youth Council’s vision is that young people have the power to beat injustice and transform the future. In pursuit of this vision, its purpose is to back young people with the trust, resources, skills, and connections to make change.

The Youth Council is run through the Young Mayors program delivered in partnership with the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Centre for Cities, and is supported by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation.

Nominations open Monday, January 30, and close Sunday, March 5. To nominate for Young Mayors or find out more information, visit www.fya.org.au/program/young-mayors/

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Image: Krystopher Gakowski (left) and Rory McPhail (right) chat with Mayor Greg Williamson

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Mackay is one of five local government areas (LGAs) that disaster assistance has been made available to, following recent flooding activity.

This assistance is available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for counter disaster operations and to repair roads and other essential public infrastructure.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the additions, also including Barcoo, Burdekin, Whitsunday and Winton LGAs, bring the number of councils receiving assistance under DRFA to 19, as a result of the widespread flooding last week.

“In one 24-hour period, between 100 and 200 millimetres of rain fell between Mackay and Ayr,” he said.

“Eungella also copped over 300 millimetres of rain over another 24-hour period.

“This amount of rainfall has seen several road closures due to flooding, including parts of the Bruce Highway, and the substantial land-slip leading to the isolation of Eungella.

“At times like this all levels of government need to work quickly to get support to communities to begin cleaning up and restoring critical infrastructure.”

Acting Minister for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Mark Furner said this disaster assistance for impacted local governments means they can focus on the immediate welfare and protection of their local communities.

“This assistance means that local governments can deal with the immediate impact of current flooding, knowing damage to assets such as roads and dams will be repaired once the immediate threat has passed,” Minister Furner said.

“Our priority is the safety of Queenslanders, but the government is also committed to helping local authorities restore damaged public infrastructure.”

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s website at www.qra.qld.gov.au.

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Image: The Eungella Range road was badly damaged due to flood water and slips during the rain event last month. Photo source: Mackay Regional Council

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Between 10:00pm on January 31 and 1:00am on February 1 someone has gained entry into a home on Jardine Drive in Erakala by removing a window screen and forcing open the window.

Once inside the home the intruder has found where the vehicle keys have been stored.

The keys were used to steal the two vehicles described below, both were parked on site.

- a 2016 model white coloured Isuzu D-Max dual cab, registration number 281 WWH

- a 2018 model grey coloured Nissan X-Trail station wagon, registration number 555 YJU

If you have any information about the current location of either of the stolen vehicles, or the actual offence itself, please contact police as soon as possible.

The police report number to refer to is QP2300182772.

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DRIVER CAUGHT THREE TIMES IN A DAY FOR ALLEGED DRINK DRIVING OFFENCES

A 27-year-old man from Charleville has been arrested and charged with multiple drink driving related offences following several alleged interactions with police on January 22.

Mackay police said the following will be alleged.

The 27-year-old was stopped by police in a Toyota Hilux at 1:40am on Sydney Street, Mackay. Following a positive roadside breath test he was taken to the Mackay police station for further breath analysis. He was arrested and charged with failing to provide a specimen of breath at the police station as a result.

The 27-year-old was stopped by police in a Toyota Hilux at 7:13am on Brisbane Street, Mackay. Following a positive roadside breath test he was again taken to the Mackay police station for further breath analysis. He was arrested and charged with drink driving (.079%) and also driving with a suspended driver's licence.

The 27-year-old was spoken to by police at 8:50am at an address at Steen Street, South Mackay after police found the same Toyota Hilux parked in the driveway. Following this alleged conversation and a positive breath test, the driver was taken to the Mackay police station for further breath analysis. He was arrested and charged with drink driving (.066%) and also driving with a suspended drivers licence.

All matters will be heard on February 13 at the Mackay Magistrates Court for the first time.

"The policing of drink driving has always been taken very seriously" said Senior Constable Steve Smith from the Mackay crime prevention unit.

"Even more so now after the damaging impacts of drink driving in 2022 in our police district. If you are planning to drink, plan not to drive. Being caught by the police for drink driving is not the worst possible outcome" he added.

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The opportunity to join the rural generalist pathway in Queensland has brought self-professed country girl Dr Jessica Chambers up to Mackay Hospital and Health Service.

“I’m a country girl from north-eastern NSW, where I grew up on a little farm with a lot of animals,” Jessica said.

“My dad is a vet and I loved veterinary medicine. I could only imagine that practicing medicine with humans and interacting with people would be amazing, so that’s why I went into medicine.”

Jessica, who is from the Armidale area, started studying medicine straight out of high school at the University of Newcastle which really cemented the career path she wanted to take.

“I’m really passionate about rural medicine especially growing up in a town of about 20,000 we don’t just deal with the people who are from our area, but from the surrounds, and seeing what you can do for those people really made me want to give back to that community and help.”

“During my last year of university I did a longitudinal integrated clerkship - which was six months in a small town called Inverell about hour and a half north of my hometown (of Armidale).”

The clerkship gave Jessica an opportunity to experience rural generalist practice and she searched for the right place to begin her career on that pathway.

“Queensland is the place to do rural generalism. Queensland does it well and to the extent that the community needs, and that’s why I’ve come to Queensland,” she said.

“One of the benefits of coming to Queensland has been that we join the rural generalist pathway straight up as an intern. In New South Wales you can’t do that - you begin as a rural intern but that doesn’t feed onto the rural generalist pathway and having that career support right away.

“Working in Mackay also guaranteed rotations during the first two years in obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and anaesthetics – (which) is just amazing and you are not guaranteed that in NSW if you do rural internships.”

For Jessica the rural generalist pathway was attractive as it offered an opportunity to care and support people throughout their lives.

“I love being able to get to know someone, getting to be their clinician and having a long-term relationship with them. Seeing them for maybe their reproductive health in their twenties, then being able to see them give birth to their babies and then seeing their kids grow up.

“I love that, and I can’t wait to be a part of someone’s journey through healthcare.”

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Image: Jessica Chambers

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Approximately 300 people gathered on the land of the Yuwibara people at Bluewater Quay throughout the morning of Thursday, January 26 to commemorate Survival Day.

The event, organised by Mackay Connected Beginnings (MCB), was the first of its kind to be held in Mackay.

The morning involved a march across the Forgan Bridge, a Welcome to Country by Uncle George Tonga and Smoking Ceremony by Peter Tonga, guest speakers and traditional dance, art and food.

MCB Manager Fiona Mann Bobongie, a Darumbal woman, spoke on the day alongside Andrew Doyle, Melanie Kemp and Raechel Ivey.

“We walked in remembrance of our ancestors and those who have fought for our people in the past but also looking to the future to make change,” Ms Mann Bobongie said.

“We remembered and reflected on the atrocities that have happened to our people from a range of things from massacres to displacement from our country, removal from our families.

“We’re still here; that was the message, after 60,000 years, we’re still here, and after all the atrocities, we are still here.

“We’re not only surviving but we’re thriving, too.”

January 26 remains a divisive date in Australian society, with Ms Mann Bobongie saying the date represents the start of the Aboriginal Australia’s downfall.

“90 per cent of our people were killed,” she said.

“Our land was taken, it was the fastest land grab in world history, and it was license to kill.

“Who would think we were still standing after that?

“And we never ceded sovereignty … we never gave it up, we were just invaded, but we took a positive stand of, ‘We are here and we’re still surviving, and we’ve never ceded sovereignty.’”

MCB was also supported by Mackay Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service, MARABISDA and Yuwi Yumba in organising the event.

Ms Mann Bobongie said the work of MCB, also known as Badi Yalobugu Yuribaya (Grow Children Strong), focuses on the future, building strength for family and community for generations to come.

“We’re very patient people,” she said.

“We want to sit and talk, we want to bring everyone together to understand that we have a holistic view of the world.

“We will come and we will go but we need to leave a legacy for our generations to come.”

Badi Yalobaga Yuribaya is a federally funded project for pregnant women and children from birth to school age designed to bring together fragmented and disjointed service systems and build community support for change to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families with holistic support and timely access to services.

For more information on Badi Yalobaga Yuribaya, contact 07 4962 3089 or email manager@badiyy.com.au.

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Image: Signs and chants spread the message of the Survival Day March held last Thursday, January 26 on the land of the Yuwibara people. Photo credit: Light Photography

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A new program aimed at skilling locals is offering a solution as Queensland’s Resource and Infrastructure sector grapples with a skills shortage.

MRAEL and Capricornia Training Company (CTC), part of the IntoWork Group, will deliver ‘Step into Resources and Infrastructure’ in Mackay and Rockhampton, a program which will see locals develop employability skills and confidence to prepare them to enter the workforce using a combination of industry specific training, work readiness and employment support.

Metal fitters, machinists, drillers, miners, truck drivers, electricians and shot firers were the most in-demand occupations according to the National Skills Commission’s 2022 Skills Priority List, equating to 30 per cent of national job ads listed in Queensland.

MRAEL and CTC CEO Christine Zechowski said the program is specifically designed to help locals prepare to join the workforce, ensuring they develop relevant skills to meet current and future demands within the industry.

“Participants of the program undertake a Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation, delivered by an approved Registered Training Organisation, and are supported by program mentors with employability and work readiness training – aimed at preparing them to successfully join or rejoin the workforce,” she said.

Ms Zechowski said the program helps participants feel more confident in job hunting, networking with employers and on-the-job work experience with support from MRAEL’s assistance.

“This project is holistic and provides participants with industry specific skills, experience and qualifications through accredited training as well as employability skills, job search techniques and life skills,” she said.

Step into Resources and Infrastructure will be available to people aged 25 and over in Mackay.

The programs have been funded through the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative which assists up to 15,000 disadvantaged Queenslanders each year to gain skills, qualifications and experience to enter and stay in the workforce.

The next program will run in Mackay from February 6 to April 21.

For more information, go to MRAEL’s Facebook page, or email people@mrael.com.au.

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Image: Queensland’s Resource and Infrastructure sector is experiencing a skills shortage that a new program plans to address. Photo supplied

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