Coral formations make great homes for a huge variety of different animals. From the fish, which hide in their shadows, to the borers which carve their homes out of the substance of their hosts – the ocean is one great relationship between species.

The Christmas tree worm is one such borer which settles on a piece of coral, perhaps where a polyp has been damaged and is unable to sting it and immediately secretes a small chalky tube.

The coral grows up around the tube through which the worm feeds, secretes, and breeds. It simply must construct its tube at the same rate as Coral growth to prevent it being sealed up and can reach lengths of 50 to 60 millimetres.

A sharp spike at the entrance of the Christmas tree worm deters fish from nipping at the feathery gills/feeding filters but the worm can contract rapidly into its tube sealing the entrance with a chalky plate.

Christmas tree worms are common in the massive porites coral boulders. The reasons for the variations in their colours are not known.

A variety of boring organisms such as worms, sponges, bivalves, algae and even particular hermit crabs make their homes in Coral.

In one study a 2.5-kilogram block of coral was found to be honeycombed with more than 100 species of polychaete worms!

What relationship will you discover when you visit the Reef?

See the Reef, Love the Reef, Protect the Reef.

Contributed with thanks to Brett Chatterton

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What marvellous relationships we see in the coral reefs of the world? Such as the Christmas Tree Worm, named for its appearance

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A veteran of both Gallipoli and the Middle East campaign in World War I, Charles Robert Gibson Dougherty (Charlie) enlisted at Goondiwindi on December 31 1914. He was stationed at Enoggera Camp in Brisbane before being assigned to the 11th  Light Horse Regiment on March 24 1915. This would have been well suited to Charlie as he was an excellent horseman. Born at McKinlay (Northwest Qld) in 1895, he grew up with a rural background. He later worked as a shearer, fencer and drover/stockman and was only 19 when he volunteered for war service.

Private Dougherty boarded HMAT “Borda” at Brisbane on June 2 1915, the ship picking up other troops around Australia before going across to Suez. They went to Cairo and on to Abydos where the 11th Light Horse base camp was established. At this time, the disastrous landing at Gallipoli had already occurred and no sooner had the 11th Light Horse Regiment arrived in Egypt than they were sent to reinforce the 8th Light Horse at Gallipoli.

In his diary, Charlie recorded that they left Gallipoli on December 19 1915 and sailed for Lemnos then Alexandria arriving Christmas Day. We had a sort of Christmas dinner on board ship, landed about 5pm and entrained for Cairo straight away … we marched through Cairo for Maadi … did a lot of shooting and foot drill but we were looking forward to our own regiment to reform … left Maadi on 22/2/16 and arrived at Alimaza which is our old camp … Charlie was again taken in the 11th Light Horse.

Charlie’s war records show he was ranked Lance Corporal on July 12 1916, then Corporal on September 25 1917. His name is listed in the pages of “History of 11th Light Horse Regiment” which describes the April 1917 Gaza attack. On the first day of this attack, April 19, Charlie had his horse shot from underneath him but escaped unhurt apart from a wounded arm. Charlie took part in the charge at Sheria on November 7 1917 and the pursuit of the retreating Turkish troops from Gaza the following day. May 1918 saw Charlie involved in the El Salt raid and then defending the crossing points over the Jordan River.

On May 7 1918, Charlie was promoted to Temporary Sergeant. Two months later, the 11th LHR repulsed the heavy Turkish and German attacks on the Jordan River. On July 31 1918, he was promoted to Sergeant and the next day the 11th LHR began training with swords. On September 25 1918, they performed a cavalry charge at Semakh on the Palestine Coast and finished the battle on foot into the town using rifles and bayonets.

At war’s end, while waiting to embark for Australia the 11th LHR were required to quell the Egyptian revolt of May 1919.  When the war finally ended, Charlie embarked at Port Said on HT “Caledonia” to spend two months leave in the UK. He left there July 5 on the “Port Melbourne” to return home and was discharged on September 22 1919.

On his return, Charlie bought land at Bloomsbury where he grazed cattle and horses and in 1924 married (Alice) Maud Considine and they had four children. After Maud and their infant daughter, Eva, died tragically in 1943, he stayed on his property “Glencoe” until 1967 when a horse-riding accident affected his balance and he retired to Proserpine, in time, becoming Patron of the RSL.  Charlie Dougherty died on August 7 1990 and was given a military burial in Proserpine Cemetery.

LEST WE FORGET

Story courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum and “Proserpine Answered the Call” by Lyn Burke and Lloyd Fox; photo courtesy Proserpine Museum.

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In true Whitsunday style, one local couple recently married in the heart of our iconic islands, spending their wedding day aboard Cruise Whitsundays’ Camira and saying their nuptials on a remote beach location.

Kayla and Simon Hodge planned a relaxed wedding day, and their dreams came true when their guest list of 70 family and friends were able to share their special occasion aboard a yacht where privacy and intimacy abounds.

The couple met at a small pub in Tasmania seven years ago and Kayla, who was born in the Sunshine Coast and had been living in Airlie Beach since 2010, soon convinced Simon to follow his heart to the Sunshine State to be with her.

It was 18 months ago that he proposed to the backdrop of the swirling sands, atop the lookout above the iconic Whitehaven Beach.

At that moment, Kayla knew she wanted her wedding day to be as magical as her proposal, so the couple decided that Whitehaven Beach would be their ideal wedding location.

Unfortunately, on their wedding day the winds were too strong, and vessels were unable to travel to the outside of Whitsunday Island in order to get to Whitehaven Beach.

Instead, Chance Bay on the inside of Whitsunday Island was selected.

“We arranged for everyone to get ready on the beach and I got ready with my bridal party on the boat,” said Kayla.

“Then we got the tender straight onto the beach and it was straight from the tender to the aisle – it was just perfect!”

After the ceremony, the party returned to Camira and enjoyed a relaxing sail while the speeches and afternoon tea took place.

“Then the first dance happened by accident,” reflects Kayla.

“After the speeches the music came on and he grabbed me, and we just danced!”

Photography was by Summer Rain and after the shoot Kayla said she was so hot that she made the decision to jump into the sea with her wedding dress on.

“It was so hot, and it felt so good to get in the water – it was beautiful,” she said.

The newly married couple are thrilled with their wedding day, where they made memories they will cherish forever.

“We love Camira, it is such a relaxed day, everything was included, and it was so wonderful to share it with our friends and family,” said Kayla.

“The crew made it so special, they went above and beyond, and we are already looking forward to coming back to celebrate with them again.”

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A stunning sky creates the perfect backdrop for the first dance aboard Camira. Photo credit: Summer Rain Photography

The bride a groom take a refreshing dip in Whitsunday waters

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This week at Airlie Beach parkrun 109 wonderful people ran, jogged, and walked the five-kilometre waterfront course, of whom 38 were first timers and 16 recorded new Personal Bests.

The event was made possible thanks to Chris H and his team of 18 fantastic volunteers: Nick, Kara, Matthew, Natasha, Erin, Wendy, Ronald, Shane, Jarrod, Lynne, Joanne, Diane, Lilly, Ava, Addison, Margaret, and Austin.

A special congratulations was made for Wendy, who reached the milestone of volunteering for 25 weeks.

Every Saturday Airlie Beach parkrun meets at 6:50am for a briefing at area D, Coral Sea Marina (adjacent to the top carpark).

Parking is free in the lowest carpark till 9:30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard. Post parkrun coffee and chat is held at My Rainbow Bakery & Cafe.

The best-kept secret about parkrun is that it’s not about running - it’s about bringing people together in public parks and open spaces across the world to have some fun in a friendly, social and supportive environment. You can walk or run the 5k course (pushing a pram or with one dog on a short lead if you want to!), lend a helping hand as a volunteer in a wide range of super-easy roles, or simply spectate and socialise on the sidelines.

There are no winners at parkrun and nobody comes last – the Tail walkers do. Regular participation is rewarded rather than performance, with ‘parkrun milestone shirts’ available to people to recognise their achievements in coming along.

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun

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109 Airlie Beach park runners off were off to a good start at the weekly event in fine conditions

Airlie Beach parkrun volunteer Margaret supporting one of the event’s “parkwalkers”

Part of the volunteer team for Airlie Beach parkrun’s 360th event

RACQ CQ Rescue is continuing to search for a missing boatie after earlier winching a 43-year-old Brisbane man out of the ocean about 170km offshore.

The Mackay-based rescue helicopter was first tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) about 9.30pm yesterday to an EPIRB activation at Creal Reef, about 150km north-east of Mackay.

The helicopter crew flew to the scene and quickly honed in on a distress beacon signal on the reef and upon not getting a visual, expanded their search of the area utilizing the aircraft spotlight and Night Vision Goggles.

After several orbits of the area, a man was spotted clinging to the hull of an overturned boat. Unfortunately, due to serious fuel and operational constraints, the helicopter was unable to winch the man last night but AMSA search co-ordinators dispatched Volunteer Marine Rescue to retrieve him.

Today, with reports two men were still missing, the Mackay-based helicopter resumed a search of the area and located a naked man floating near the reef. He was spotted by the RACQ CQ Rescue pilot within five minutes of the search recommencing.

A rescue crewman was winched down into the water to secure the naked man into a strop before winching him back up into the helicopter. He was suffering exposure, dehydration and hypothermia after being in the water since about 8.30pm last night. He was in an altered state of consciousness and was suffering serious cuts to his body from the reef. He was flown to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

It was confirmed he was the same man located by the chopper crew the previous night on the hull of the overturned boat during a search. The man told the rescue helicopter crew a wave had hit the boat, a seven-metre Goodwin Longboard, about 8.30pm and that there were actually three people on board including himself and two brothers both Grasstree Beach.

All three had clung to the hull of the boat after it sank until the two brothers tied themselves to a blue esky to assist with floatation. They somehow become separated during the night. The rescued man told crews he saw the helicopter circling overhead and then flying away last night.

Crews said the man was incredibly fortunate to have survived the night and that they believed the shallow reef protected him from drifting too far away from the search scene.

Earlier this morning, Volunteer Marine Rescue retrieved another man from the water near the search area and Townsville helicopter Rescue 500 winched him from the VMR boat and transported him to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious condition. He is believed to be one of the brothers from Grasstree Beach.

RACQ CQ Rescue has now recommenced the search for the third man still missing.

Contributed by RACQ CQ Rescue.

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RACQ CQ Rescue is continuing to search for a missing boatie after earlier winching a 43-year-old Brisbane man out of the ocean about 170km offshore.

The Mackay-based rescue helicopter was first tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) about 9.30pm yesterday to an EPIRB activation at Creal Reef, about 150km north-east of Mackay.

The helicopter crew flew to the scene and quickly honed in on a distress beacon signal on the reef and upon not getting a visual, expanded their search of the area utilizing the aircraft spotlight and Night Vision Goggles.

After several orbits of the area, a man was spotted clinging to the hull of an overturned boat. Unfortunately, due to serious fuel and operational constraints, the helicopter was unable to winch the man last night but AMSA search co-ordinators dispatched Volunteer Marine Rescue to retrieve him.

Today, with reports two men were still missing, the Mackay-based helicopter resumed a search of the area and located a naked man floating near the reef. He was spotted by the RACQ CQ Rescue pilot within five minutes of the search recommencing.

A rescue crewman was winched down into the water to secure the naked man into a strop before winching him back up into the helicopter. He was suffering exposure, dehydration and hypothermia after being in the water since about 8.30pm last night. He was in an altered state of consciousness and was suffering serious cuts to his body from the reef. He was flown to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

It was confirmed he was the same man located by the chopper crew the previous night on the hull of the overturned boat during a search. The man told the rescue helicopter crew a wave had hit the boat, a seven-metre Goodwin Longboard, about 8.30pm and that there were actually three people on board including himself and two brothers both Grasstree Beach.

All three had clung to the hull of the boat after it sank until the two brothers tied themselves to a blue esky to assist with floatation. They somehow become separated during the night. The rescued man told crews he saw the helicopter circling overhead and then flying away last night.

Crews said the man was incredibly fortunate to have survived the night and that they believed the shallow reef protected him from drifting too far away from the search scene.

Earlier this morning, Volunteer Marine Rescue retrieved another man from the water near the search area and Townsville helicopter Rescue 500 winched him from the VMR boat and transported him to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious condition. He is believed to be one of the brothers from Grasstree Beach.

RACQ CQ Rescue has now recommenced the search for the third man still missing.

Contributed by RACQ CQ Rescue.

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Since Last Year’s Bombshell Allegations?

In December last year, the Mackay community reacted in both shock and support upon hearing allegations of neglect at a North Mackay aged care rental village.

A family member of a current resident who would like to remain anonymous alleges that, when Westminster Lodge’s meal service ceased in September, the village’s 38 residents were left to fend for themselves with only a microwave, mini fridge, toaster and kettle in each room.

He also states that access to the common kitchen, dining and recreational spaces were restricted by management, leaving little opportunity for residents to socialise, and that many of the Lodge’s facilities and amenities were in need of upgrade and replacement.

The family member now alleges that nothing has changed since last year, and he is concerned for the residents’ mental health and wellbeing.

“They can’t get into the dining room which is preventing them from having social interaction,” he said.

“The space where they used to have their meals together was good.

“They would eat together, talk and socialise.

“They’re not getting that social contact now, so I’m worried about the mental state of the residents.”

A group of impassioned volunteers assisted the residents around Christmas last year, taking donations from the community and providing meals and gifts, but the concerned relative said that, understandably, the people are unable to help long term.

“The volunteers that were there, were doing meals mainly through the money donated,” he said.

“As soon as school went back and everyone was back working, it stopped, so all those meals stopped, simply because the money ran out.”

It is understood that meals to all residents were previously supplied by Westminster Lodge Management, but that also came to a halt last year.

The resident, who has lived there since 2020, is currently getting Meals on Wheels, as are most residents, but he will leave the premises during the day.

“He meets other people at a café, and he’ll sit over there the whole day and then go back just before 5pm,” his relative said.

“He’s not getting a conversation with the other residents at Westminster Lodge.

“It’s not a very happy place.”

The residents are calling for a new manager, claiming that the current manager has moved out of the management quarters and is running the business from Brisbane.

“They’ve said to me that the solution is for body corporate to put in a new manager who is there, who’s got the finger on the pulse, who can get the kitchen up and running,” the family member said.

The manager (Helen Lu) refuted this claim, saying she has been in Brisbane recently due to a family illness, but insisted that she could run the business from wherever she wants.

“I can legally run the business from anywhere I like, but I’m still in Mackay,” she said.

“I can choose to live there, I can choose not to live there, it’s none of their business.

“When my family matter’s finished, I’m back.”

Ms Lu said that, while meals are no longer being served and the locks to the common area have been changed, the area is open from 8am to 6pm seven days a week.

The concerned resident, however, said that the manager has allowed only one small group to use the space for bingo but no one else, causing tension amongst other tenants.

“Residents are bickering amongst each other; they’re not getting that mental stimulation of talking and chatting with each other over a meal,” he said.

Management of Westminster Lodge is listed for sale through a local real estate agent, with the listing claiming: “A business opportunity in conjunction with the purchase of the apartment offers the incoming manager a secure income and tax deductable accommodation. Ideal for a single operator or working couple/partnership this Retirement Village Management Rights with Catering Income adds up to a great Return on Investment.”

Ms Lu said she is struggling to sell the place following the allegations.

“People are scared, and they don’t want to buy,” she said.

“They think the tenants are horrible; the tenants are lovely, they’re family.  

“There’s nothing wrong there; everything’s normal.

“Just a couple of people complaining.”

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Westminster Lodge was surrounded by controversy last year as claims were made that catering services had ceased and access to common areas were restricted

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Hi readers

This week’s paper is an absolute mixed bag. The first few pages are the result of some pretty heavy conversations I had in the last week or so.

Firstly, on page four you’ll read about Rhiley and Maree Kuhrt, the young couple who were devastatingly killed in a plane crash earlier in the month. I sincerely thank Beccarah and Steven, Rhiley’s sister and brother-in-law, for taking the time to share their stories and memories with me at what must be an unimaginably emotional time.

Speaking of the unimaginable, I also spoke to Ken Higgins of the Mackay RSL Sub Branch this week, a conversation that revolved heavily around his conscription into the Australian Army during the Vietnam conflict at the innocent age of 20. He made the point that, at the time, 20-year-olds weren’t even allowed to vote for their government. The whole situation is truly unfathomable to me and has highlighted how important the reflections of ANZAC Day and the upcoming Vietnam War commemorations will be this year.

Flick a little further and you’ll see plenty of smiling faces on page 19 – I went along to an Easter egg hunt at the Wake House on the weekend and the vibes were high. It’s been a long time since I’ve been that excited about Easter, so it was fun to experience the holiday vicariously through the eyes of sugar-fuelled kids again.

There’s plenty more in this week’s edition so I hope you enjoy the read!

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The Mackay and Whitsunday Life family is growing as Mackay Editor Amanda and her husband Hamish welcomed their first child, Brydon Michael Wright, into the world on Friday, March 31.

After a long fertility journey, Amanda and Hamish are elated to be parents and have been soaking up the blissful days of watching Brydon grow day by day.

Amanda says her biggest lesson learnt as a first-time mum is that practise makes progress.

“Forget perfection,” she said. “That’s practically unattainable when mixed with the overwhelming feelings, emotions and hormones that flood the body after birth.”

Meanwhile, Hamish’s greatest lesson learned so far is to burp the baby before playing with him.

“Who knew milk could be launched so far by someone so little?” Amanda laughed.

Amanda says her greatest challenge so far has been breastfeeding and the concept of the ‘latch’.

“This means A LOT of my day is spent pumping milk for bottle feeding,” she said. “I am thankful I have a good supply though, so he’s still getting all the benefit of the milk from the source, just not directly just yet. But this is where the practice makes progress comes into play, I feel we’re getting closer every day.”

The name Brydon comes from ancestry on Amanda’s mother’s side, a family which was one of the founders of the small town in which she grew up, called Renwick in the Marlborough region of New Zealand.

In Renwick, there is a Brydon Street that Amanda had to walk along every day to get to school growing up, and she now looks forward to the day they can take Brydon to visit.

His middle name, Michael, is also Hamish and Hamish’s Dad’s middle names, with the tradition being held strongly.

“We think he’s pretty darn amazing and are already proud as punch,” said Amanda.

“I’m sure it won’t be long before he’s following Dad around the velodrome on a little bicycle of his own and joining Mum at the athletics park.”

Name: Brydon Michael Wright

Born: 31 March at 11:44am at Mackay Base Hospital

Weight: 3,750g

Parents: Hamish and Amanda Wright

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Hamish and Amanda proudly welcome their firstborn Brydon into the world

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Plane Crash Victims Lived Life To The Fullest

Living in the police house in Birdsville, overlooking the small town’s airstrip, a young Rhiley Kuhrt was often found perched atop his trike in the front yard, utterly entranced by the nimble machines taking off and landing in front of him.

He loved planes, buying his first in October last year and picking it up a week after marrying his “soulmate” Maree.

Rhiley was immensely proud of his Piper Cherokee aircraft and flew it regularly from their new home at Natal Downs, a cattle station near Charters Towers, to the Mackay region to visit family.

Rhiley and Maree were making this trip on the afternoon of Sunday, April 2.

They were on their way to pick up Rhiley’s daughter Bailey for the easter holidays, who lives in Mackay with her mother and was waiting at Bloomsbury’s Lakeside Airpark with Rhiley’s mother and nieces and nephews.

The pair never arrived, their bodies discovered in the aircraft wreckage amongst the forest-clad Clark Ranges, west of Proserpine, around 10:00am the next morning.

After living in Birdsville, Rhiley and his family, mum Marina, dad Lindsay, and siblings Brenton and Beccarah, relocated to Rosewood, west of Ipswich.

Rhiley left school to start a building apprenticeship, completing three quarters before sustaining a head injury in a freak accident.

“That led him down a dark path,” said his sister Beccarah Markham-Gaudion.

“He was spending a lot of time healing and trying to come back from his brain injury, but he never let that get in his way.

“No matter what he wanted to do, he always worked out a way to do it.”

Rhiley decided to work on cattle stations, getting his first job on a station near Augathella, where Maree was working as a Governess and Ringer.

“When Rhiley and Maree met, they were in a dark place, and they basically helped each other pull themselves out of that dark place,” Beccarah said.

“They’ve done everything together ever since.

“They were true soulmates.”

Together, the pair worked on other stations before Rhiley accepted the managerial position at Natal Downs and Maree a station hand.

They were happy and settled at Natal Downs, looking forward to raising their first child together there.

“They’d just got on their feet, and they were working everything out, trying to improve and clean up a bit,” said Beccarah.

“It was an unbelievable passion they had together,” added Beccarah’s husband, Steven.

“They reached their goals in a very short amount of time.”

Rhiley was a passionate man, with a wide array of interests keeping him busy, whether it was bull riding, camp drafting, pony club, paintball, shooting, wakeboarding, snorkelling or spearfishing.

“He fit so much into his short life,” said Beccarah.

“He was always so cheeky; he was the life of the party.

“Maree was a bit more reserved; they complemented each other.

“She was the best thing for him.”

Beccarah said the family have no words for the community support they’ve received except “thank you”.

She said the adversity Rhiley and Maree overcame to achieve their dreams in such a short time should be an inspiration to all.

“We just want people to know that anything’s possible and, with the help of the people you love, you can do whatever you want,” she said.

“Because that’s exactly what they did.”

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Rhiley and Maree Kuhrt. Photo supplied

A young Beccarah, Rhiley and Brenton. Photo supplied

Steven and Beccarah Markham-Gaudion. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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One of the Mackay region’s last World War II veterans, Raymond “Ray” Wilson, has passed away at the start of the month, aged 101.

Mr Wilson was born in Mackay on July 10, 1921, and attended Victoria Park State School, leaving to work in the cane industry before enlisting in the army in 1941 at the age of 20.

He served in New Guinea in the second world war, making the trip on three occasions between 1942 and 1945.

The RSL Mackay Sub Branch recognised Ray’s service last month, renewing his membership and presenting him with his service record, the slouch hat, and other memorabilia.

“We were so proud to have done the tribute and to have been a part of that,” said Sub Branch President Ken Higgins OAM.

“We acknowledge what a great life he had.”

Mr Wilson passed away on Sunday, April 2.

He will be remembered at a service today, Friday April 14 at City Funerals from 10:00am, followed by a burial at Mount Bassett Cemetery.

He will be buried in full military uniform.

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A 21-year-old Raymond Wilson

Mr Wilson was presented honoured by Ken Higgins OAM and the RSL Mackay Sub Branch last month. Photos supplied

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2023 marks 50 years since the 1973 proclamation of the end of Australian involvement in the Vietnam War.

The anniversary was commemorated on January 11, 2023, which marked the beginning of official anniversary commemorations throughout the year.

“More than 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam, over 3,000 were wounded and 523 lost their lives in the longest conflict Australia was involved in during the 20th Century,” Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said.

“This was a war that was at times contentious at home, and for some veterans their service was not recognised as it should have been.

“The Australian Government is honouring those who served, and throughout this commemorative year will specifically recognise and honour the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families.”

RSL Mackay Sub Branch President Ken Higgins OAM was conscripted into the Australian Army during the Vietnam conflict in 1968, aged 20, and said he is pleased the government is honouring those involved in the conflict.

“We felt that the conscription of young 20-year-old Australians into the military forces to go to Vietnam at the time seemed to be the thing to do and we did it, but the aftermath of it was horrific,” Mr Higgins said.

“When we were conscripted to go over there to die for Australia, we never even had the right to vote on who our government was.

“That is a scar that will never ever heal.

“The tragedy of losing 523 people was bad, but for us to forget them is worse.

“We need to remember they gave their lives in the service of the country and they should be remembered for that, and we thank the Government for highlighting that.”

Mr Higgins said local ANZAC Day services will follow a Vietnam War theme, leading up to Services of Remembrance to be held across the country on August 3, 2023.

“I look at ANZAC Day as a reflection on our service and the sacrifice of the 100,000 that died for our way of life in Australia, but also the hundreds of thousands that have been traumatised by war,” he said.

“We need to honour those people who served and died but we also need to be mindful that war’s a horrible thing.

“Most veterans aren’t interested in war; what they’re interested in is peace.

“Society should be able to talk their way through differences.”

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RSL Mackay Sub Branch members standing L-R Ken Higgins, Steve Haidle, Graham Jackson, Allan Ney. Seated L-R Ray Higgins and Col Walz. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

A photo taken in South Vietnam in 1969 depicting the body of Private Robert Buchan lying on a stretcher surrounded by soldiers including Ken Higgins (seated second from left). Photo credit: Peter Ward

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A group of residents in West Mackay are imploring Council to dismiss a recent planning submission that, if granted, will see the construction of another 24-hour service station in a residential area.

At this particular location, which is near to a school and two churches, there are already 20 service stations within a seven-kilometre radius and two others within three blocks of the proposed site.

A development application is currently being assessed by Mackay Regional Council for the 7- Eleven service station to be built on the site of the Mia Mia Hotel, on the corner of Nebo Road and McGinn Street in West Mackay.

In order for the development to go ahead on the site, it would need to be rezoned from its current ‘medium residential’ zoning.

Judy Nixon, who has lived on McGinn Street for the past 28 years, says that a busy service station would have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of her family and other long-term residents in the area.

“The thought of a service station going in beside my family home is devastating,” she said.

“There is a total lack of need for another service station. There are 20 service stations currently established or under construction within 7kms of the proposed site.

“Officers from Mackay Regional Council have even admitted that that there is an oversupply and that the development application goes against the Mackay Region Planning Scheme.”

Ms Nixon is concerned the neighbourhood will be significantly impacted by noise, harmful emissions, light pollution and increased traffic.

She also states that the impacts to her home, which is directly behind the development site, have not been evaluated as part of the application.

“My home has not been identified as a ‘sensitive receptor’ for noise in the applicants Noise Impact Assessment Report,” she said.

“The developer has also failed to include an Air Quality Impact Assessment in their application.

Residents deserve to know how the fumes and emissions from the proposed service station will impact their health.”

Sharing her views is the Archdeacon Rosemary Dunn of the Mackay Anglican Community who said that another service station in this area would be “superfluous”.

The proposed station site is adjacent to St Charles Anglican Church and there are two local churches nearby.

Ms Dunn believes the sanctitude of the area needs protecting.

“There are already 20 service stations on the Bruce Highway/Nebo Road, but there are few places for quiet reflection,” she said.

“I can see no justification for yet another petrol station here.”

Public consultation for this project is open until April 27 and Ms Nixon implores other residents who are concerned about the development to make their opinion known to Council before it is too late.

Submissions can be made by emailing development.services@mackay.qld.gov.au.

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20 illegal dumping cases from across the region have been reported to Mackay Regional Council over the last month.

Of those incidents, nine offenders have been caught and were required to clean up their mess or face a hefty fine.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said illegal dumping was not only unsightly, but it presented dangerous risks to residents’ health and the environment.

“The type of rubbish we found dumped across the region last month ranged from general household waste to furniture and appliances,” he said.

“However, we have even found things like asbestos and old medication dumped in the region in the past, which is extremely concerning due to the health impacts.

“We can’t be everywhere, so we need everyone in the community to be vigilant and report illegal dumping to council so we can all work together to help keep our region beautiful.

“Council provides three free dump vouchers with every rates notice, so there is no excuse for dumping rubbish around our region.”

Residents can also take any old furniture or white goods to the Incredable Tip Shop at the Paget Waste Management Centre free of charge for recycling.

If you see illegal dumping, please report it to council by calling 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

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Council received reports of 20 illegal dumping cases across the region last month. Photo supplied: Mackay Regional Council

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The future of Queensland’s resources industry was on display as a new virtual reality (VR) training lab was unveiled at the Resources Centre of Excellence last week.

The VR training software provides immersive scenarios to help students understand the high-risk environment and potential hazards, without compromising their safety.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the Resources Centre of Excellence is setting the standard for the sector across the southern hemisphere.

“We're proud to support the Resources Centre of Excellence in Mackay and the role it plays in training the next generation of workers in Queensland's resources sector,” she said.

“This new VR lab will help equip our resources workers with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed well into the future – and most importantly keep them safe.”

The lab is the product of an 18-month collaboration between the Resources Centre of Excellence and Brisbane-based Next World Enterprises.

“We’ve designed our cutting-edge virtual reality software to enhance the learner’s engagement and foster a deep comprehension of the training topic,” said Next World Enterprises CEO and Founder Michael O’Reilly.

“It is also a win for business, as it increases productivity and minimises downtime due to injury from ineffective training.”

Resources Centre of Excellence CEO Stephen Boxall said the new lab will work hand-in-hand with the Centre’s existing training facilities.

“What we’re looking at doing is providing that world-first training across theory, practical and VR which I believe will absolutely lead to much safer outcomes for the industry as a whole,” he said.

Speaking at the Resources Centre of Excellence, Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the Queensland Government has committed an extra $5.7 million in funding to expand the Centre to support emerging industry needs.

“Stage 2 is about looking at artificial intelligence and the technologies that we’ll need to develop the workforce, not only for today’s mining sector, but for the future mining sector,” he said.

"Developing a highly skilled and adaptable workforce is a key component of our 30-year plan for the resources sector, which will enable us to drive innovation and growth for decades to come.”

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CEO and Founder of Next World Enterprises Michael O’Reilly, Minister for Resources Scott Stewart and Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert

VR immerses the user in high-risk scenarios without compromising their safety. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Image supplied: Next World Enterprises

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