The long-awaited projects for road safety improvements in the Bowen area will forge ahead in early 2023, but it is looking likely they will take over a year to complete – a timeline the Federal Member for Dawson said is “not good enough”.

The state government awarded contracts to two projects last week, announcing works between Bowen Connection Road and Champion Street intersections.

Construction ceased in February 2022 after principal contractor WBHO Infrastructure Pty Ltd went into voluntary administration.

New contractor FKG Civil will now deliver six kilometres of safety improvements in the area which include road widening, wide centre line treatments, guard rails, protected turn lanes, removal of roadside hazards and an upgrade to the Bowen Connection Road and Don Street intersection.

They are expected to be complete in early 2024 but Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Wilcox, said this is too long for residents to endure.

“While I am relieved that new contractors have been appointed and works will recommence it is just not good enough to expect locals to put up with this,” he said.

“If this road was in the southeast corner, they would not be waiting years for six kilometres of safety improvements to be completed.

“The hard reality is locals are over it. We have been dealing with dangerous road conditions and lowered speed limits with no action for almost 12 months and to hear the completion date keeps getting dragged out is very frustrating.”  

Willcox took his frustrations to social media where the community responded with their comments, many stating that the current situation is dangerous and the speed restriction pointless in some areas.

“I find the tall red bollards very difficult to see through at the intersection of Bowen. They have been there for so long it’s unbelievable. I breathe a sigh of relief every time I successfully make the right turn to continue the Bruce Highway south,” said one disappointed road user.

“If the roads can’t be fixed, can someone please revise the speed limits? Doing 60 in some and 80 in other sections with no workers and no work happening is ridiculous,” said another.

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox holds a sign up to vent his frustrations about long delays to roadworks along the Bruce Highway. Photo supplied

Anglican Church Whitsunday

8 Main Street, Proserpine

Christmas Eve at 7pm

Christmas Day at 8am

Liberty Church Whitsunday

19 Philip Street, Proserpine

Christmas Day at 9.30am

New Year’s Day at 9.30am

Proserpine Whitsunday Uniting Church

Christmas Eve at 7pm at St Paul’s Anglican Church

Christmas Day at 8am at St James Uniting Church

Christmas Day at 8am at St Paul’s Anglican Church

Whitsunday Baptist Church

4 Martin’s Lane, Cannonvale

Christmas Day at 9am

Whitsunday Impact Church

202 Bruce Highway, Proserpine

Christmas Carols on Friday, December 23 at 6pm

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A trusted rural charity has distributed more than 700 bales of hay to Central West New South Wales farmers, helping to make Christmas a little brighter for flood-affected producers.

A hay drop was held at the Central West Livestock Exchange in Forbes on Friday, December 16.

Ten road trains delivered more than 480 tonnes of hay to the saleyards for Rural Aid’s registered primary producers.  

Forbes cattle breeder Danielle Beard said her property is still covered in floodwaters and thick layers of mud, smothering any grass underneath.

“75 per cent of our property is under water and we’re going to have water on our place for another seven months.”

She said the bales of hay were exactly what her family needed to help them recover from the flooding event.

“We’re just so grateful for this hay,” Ms Beard said.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said flood affected farmers are facing a difficult recovery that will last well after Christmas.

“Rural Aid has brought back its Buy a Bale campaign, which was first created in the Millennium Drought, to help raise funds to support farmers impacted by these record-breaking floods,” Mr Warlters said.

“Christmas is going to be an enormously difficult time for thousands of our farming families.”

To support Rural Aid or make a donation go to: www.buyabale.com.au

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Merry Christmas Everyone, from all of us to all of you!

We really appreciate you picking up the paper every week and we hope we delivered another year of exciting local news stories – we aim to support as many events and cover as many community issues as possible so please reach out to us if there is anything you would like us to cover for you.

I received a call last week saying that since the Bowen Independent stopped running, many of you in the north of the Whitsundays had been feeling abandoned and like you’d lost your local paper.

That was until we showed up!

We’ve received so many calls lately from Bowen and Collinsville – residents looking to us to relay their concerns to the broader community – whether that be a vandalised sign or the flying fox problem or a proud mother wanting us to cover her son’s sporting success.

Every time I receive one of these calls, I am thrilled to hear how our newspaper reaches every corner of the region and that many people consider us their local newspaper now.

While our office is based in Cannonvale, our team are all around the region and if not in person, we are always at the end of the phone so please call us anytime.

Once again, thank you for a fabulous year delivering your local newspaper and I would also like to say a huge thanks to our amazing team – everyone always gives 100 per cent and cares deeply about what they do.

See you in the new year!

Rach

Quote of the week: “May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve” anonymous

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A national outpouring of grief followed the mid-December murders of two young Queensland Police officers in Wieambilla, including in the Whitsundays where a group of Bowen kids took the opportunity to thank their local officers.

Children from ‘Kidz at the Beach’ day care centre visited their local officers at the Bowen Police Station last Friday, offering them their gratitude as well as some delicious home baked cookies.

Chaperoned by Owner and Director of Kidz at the Beach, Anna Woodhouse, and Police Sergeant Michelle O’Regan, the kids were treated to a tour of the station as thanks for their gifts.

Those gifts included the aforementioned cookies – baked at Kidz at the Beach’s premises by the children themselves – as well as the children’s own drawings of police officers with ‘Thank You’ written on each.

Police Sergeant O’Regan said Kidz at the Beach had contacted her sending their well wishes to all Bowen officers which soon expanded to the pictures.

“They hopped on the bus, we took them to the police station, and they delivered their drawings which are just fantastic,” Sergeant O’Regan said.

“The guys were busy at the station, but they took the time out of their day to show the kids around because it really filled our buckets. It’s wonderful to see the genuine appreciation from the little people – it enlightens your soul in relation to what we do in community.

“Community is right behind police at the minute, and it’s just wonderful to have that.”

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Bowen’s police officers were lucky enough to have a show of appreciation from some of the town’s ‘little people’ this week during what is a tough time for all law enforcement personnel

Sirens blaring, lights blazing and fire fighters with lollies in bared hands – the annual ‘lolly drop’ returned to Collinsville and Scottville last week after an 11-year hiatus and everyone in the community was thrilled to see it back.

Organised and funded by the Fire Station Social Club and with kind donations from Mamma Varity sweet shop, the annual event received the support it needed to reinstate this much-loved Christmas tradition.

Lieutenant Ashley Murphy and two other Auxiliary fire fighters were joined by members of the local ambulance and police services, all volunteering their time last Saturday to throw handfuls of lollies out to excited children who lined the street.

Lieutenant Murphy said the idea began when the fire station posted a picture of their fire truck dressed in tinsel on social media and they were overwhelmed with the response.

“So many people reminisced about the old days,” he explained.

“The lolly drop used to mean a lot to the local community, so we were pleased to bring it back.”

Watching the children’s faces as they drove down the street was a highlight for all the volunteer emergency service workers.

“The kids were so excited because they could hear the lights and the sirens coming their way,” said Lieutenant Murphy.

“Throwing the lollies on the footpaths and seeing the smiles on all the faces was a definite highlight for us all.”

The ‘lolly drop’ team: Fire Fighter Billy Bilson, Anthony Sehl from Queensland Ambulance Services, Ross Petersen from Queensland Police, Lieutenant Ashley Murphy and Fire Fighter Lizzy Hill. Photo supplied

Santa hats on and ready to go!

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Car Spins Out Of Control On Wet Road

A local family are thankful this week having escaped without harm following an incident where the vehicle they were travelling in suddenly span out of control when they tried to navigate a roundabout shortly after a downpour of rain.

Driving at less than 40 kilometres an hour, the accident occurred when Ruth Russell, her husband, their daughter and two young granddaughters were heading towards Airlie Beach and attempted to traverse the roundabout near Bunnings in Cannonvale.

“The police later said that a touch of rain makes the road very slippery after a long dry spell due to the accumulation of oil that builds up, so extra caution is needed especially on a roundabout or corner,” said Ruth.

In this case, when the vehicle suddenly started skidding, it began heading towards the central reservation and oncoming traffic.

Ruth’s daughter, who was driving at the time, overcorrected but the steering wheel locked, leaving them helpless and spinning out of control.

“It all felt like it was going in slow motion,” said Ruth.

“There was no gripping, just skidding and we careened straight off the road.”

The vehicle passed through the crash barrier and plummeted two metres into the grassland below.

“I’m very grateful that the railing gave way,” said Ruth.

“It slowed us down but didn’t stop us, otherwise it might have been a different outcome.

“My son was travelling in the car behind us, and he said it was terrifying to watch – we nose-dived off the edge!

“We are grateful to God the car didn’t turn over after crashing through the barrier.”

Once the vehicle came to a halt, staff from Bunnings and someone travelling behind them immediately raced over to check on their welfare.

Miraculously everyone was unharmed, although Ruth reported minor whiplash the following day.

The ambulance, police and fire brigade attended the scene and took charge.

Meanwhile, the Bunnings staff brought out ice blocks for the children, a box of teddy bears and some craft items.

“The loving response from many people who stopped to help was so touching,” said Ruth.

“We felt very looked after.”

The following week Ruth heard that this was not the first time there had been an accident at that location.

“The tow truck operator told us there had been a lot of accidents there because of the camber of the roundabout being really faulty,” she explained.

“Hopefully something can be done before anything worse happens.”

The Russell family are very grateful to everyone who helped on the day and decided to share their story hoping to raise awareness for other road users to take great care when driving at this time of year, especially after the rain.

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The family’s vehicle plummeted over two metres off the edge of the road

People are advised to be extra vigilant driving after rain as oil on the road makes it very slippery

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Image: CANEGROWERS Mackay recently held its AGM, an important event in the membership calendar. Pictures: Contributed

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“Whatever decisions may be arrived at, it is well to keep that important principle in view – that the interests of the whole are always greater than the interests of the unit, and what is of benefit to all must be of benefit to the individual.”                                    

Queensland Agriculture Minister William Forgan Smith (Member for Mackay 1915-42; Premier of Queensland 1932-42) speaking at the first meeting of the Queensland Cane Growers Association, Mackay, 21 January, 1926.

CANEGROWERS has a long and rich history of grower representation, going back almost 100 years, and with its origins here in Mackay. Did you know the first ever meeting of the Queensland Cane Growers Association was held here in Mackay on January 21, 1926?

That coming together signalled something important: that growers needed to unify as a collective. There’s nothing new about collective representation, and the principles of collective representation are sound: when we stand together we can speak out with a common voice.

And that is what the organisation does, representing grower member families from the negotiation of cane supply agreements with mills, to ensuring a place at the table in regional economic development, to getting good support from governments, to maintaining global market access.

Our grass roots representation starts with the farmgate, to branch meetings and the district office, providing advocacy at a local, state, national and international level. We negotiate at the local level and enforce at the State level, supported by CANEGROWERS Queensland, which includes elected representatives from our own Mackay and Plane Creek milling districts.  

We ensure growers have marketing choice nationally and take other countries to task if they break the trade agreements to keep our export industry strong and ensure growers get paid on their cane supply agreement. A great example of this is what CANEGROWERS was able to achieve through lobbying, with the Australian Sugar Milling Council, to achieve a positive decision from the World Trade Organisation when Australia disputed India’s dumping of subsidised sugar onto the market several years ago.

By having a strong grower representative body, backed by high grower membership, we can work with other peak organisations in the sugar industry and government to keep our industry strong. It is evident that when CANEGROWERS speaks, government listens

Across 2022, CANEGROWERS Mackay elected members and staff have worked hard for the 740 grower member families across this region. We have met with State and Federal Government ministers and departments discussing important and topical matters, such as energy, transport, land use and management, cost of production, biofutures, environment and climate. We have engaged and collaborated with businesses and organisations across the sugar industry supply chain.

We were able to offer free crop insurance for crop areas listed under membership from June 2022 to June 2023.

We have enabled the running of courses that help our members run their business effectively, such as the excellent Business Essentials course, chemical accreditations, pilot driving, and heavily championed Smartcane BMP delivery.

We have facilitated access to CANEGROWERS’ top-level professionals, such as solicitor Chris Cooper, who represents and advises members in a range of areas, including Government land resumptions, disputes and other legal proceedings.

The levy that our members pay truly is an investment in the future of their business.

There is a huge amount of value in CANEGROWERS membership, but the greatest value is the strength in numbers of our membership. As growers, we are stronger together!

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Councillor Clay Bauman was officially sworn into his new role as Councillor for Division 2 on Tuesday morning with a special ceremony held in his honour at the Proserpine Council Offices.

Attended by council staff, other Councillors, Mayor Julie Hall and Cr Bauman’s close friends and family, the formalities took place in the main meeting room where Cr Bauman signed the official documents and was welcomed in by the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer.

Mayor Hall gave her advice for starting the new role and said she was pleased to finally have a full team together.

“You’re on the inside now Clay so it’s both an honour and a privilege to be voted in to represent your division and the greater Whitsunday community,” she said.

“Through your position in the organisation, I am sure you’ll enjoy the journey of working in the local government.

“My advice is work hard, be open to learning and listen – and you can’t go wrong”

“I am happy we now once again have a full team of Councillors, and we can move into 2023 with less election disruption so we can focus on the job of working with our community.”

Local government in the Whitsundays has seen much uncertainty in 2022, with the previous Mayor Andrew Willcox leaving the position when he was elected as the Federal Member for Dawson in May.

His position was filled in July by the newly elected Mayor Julie Hall but shortly afterwards the previous Councillor for Division 2, Al Grundy, resigned from his role, leaving another vacancy at the table.

Cr Bauman’s appointment as Councillor for Division 2 marks the first time since May that Whitsunday Regional Council have had a full team onboard.

In officially accepting his role on Tuesday, Cr Bauman said that he was excited to get started.

“I am very happy to be the newest member of the team and I look forward to working with all of you for the better of the Whitsundays region,” he said.

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Mayor Julie Hall, Cr Clay Bauman and Chief Executive Officer Rod Ferguson

The position is accepted with a handshake

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A Bowen family are celebrating this week following the announcement that they won the Whitsunday Regional Council’s ‘Our Whitsunday Way’ Christmas Lights Competition.

The Carnes family moved to Bowen from the Gold Coast 18 months ago and live on a one-acre property on Mount Nutt Road which has 50-metres of main road frontage and is decorated with bright lights and festive cheer.

Danielle and Daniel Carnes have two children, who are now 12 and 11 years old, and started decorating their front lawn with Christmas lights six years ago.

“It’s been wonderful while the kids have been young,” said Danielle.

“And we just love seeing the smiles on their faces.”

A huge inflatable gingerbread family take centre stage and a brightly lit gingerbread house is Danielle’s favourite new addition.

Glittering reindeer, marching nutcrackers and an enormous glowing Christmas tree with a bright star atop encourages families to stop and marvel at the entrancing display every evening in the run-up to Christmas.

With all these magical features, it is easy to see how the Mount Nutt Road house was picked from the 26 other entries across the region.

Despite this, Danielle says she was shocked to hear they had won.

“We were very surprised considering it was out of the whole region,” she said.

“We are super-stoked, and we can’t wait to go to Daydream Island and out to the Reef!”

The competition was judged by the following criteria – effort, creativity and theming - and as a prize, the Carnes’ family received a night on Daydream Island for two adults and two children with a $500 island credit, plus a trip on Cruise Whitsunday’s ReefWorld.

The family are planning on redeeming their prize over the Christmas holidays and Danielle said that she and her husband love designing the display each year and are already planning a few new additions next year.

“Thanks everyone for your support,” she said.

“We love seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces.”

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Winners of the Christmas Lights Competition, Danielle and Daniel Carnes with Mayor Julie Hall. Photo: provided

The glittering lights and impressive display at Mount Nutt Road in Bowen

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Image: MP Di Farmer announcing the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative at the Hendra Pony Club

The Queensland Government has committed more than $150,000 from its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to assist 60 people from Mackay.

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said this was part of more than $31 million committed to assist 5,247 people across the state.

“More than 46,600 people in the state have found jobs thanks to Skilling Queenslanders for Work and it’s great to see how these projects will help even more people,” Minister Farmer said.

"We know this initiative is life changing because 76 per cent of participants find work or take on further training around 12 months after exiting a Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.

“The initiative funds community-based organisations who tailor their programs to suit local conditions, understand where opportunities and local employer needs are.

“Tailored, local community-based support is offered to young people, mature-age job seekers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, women re-entering the workforce, Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans, recently released prisoners; and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.”

Minister Farmer said projects to be funded include:

• Community Solutions Group’s Community Careers project in Mackay, which will assist 45 people thanks to $137,900.

• Selectability Ltd’s Workforce Ready in Mackay, which will assist 15 people thanks to $61,800.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said she was delighted to see funding for local projects in her electorate for the latest round.

“I am excited that 60 residents will have the opportunity to take further steps into the community services industry, or the chance to change their career.”

Skilling Queenslanders for Work funds skills development, training and job opportunities for unemployed, disengaged or disadvantaged Queenslanders through a suite of targeted skills and training programs.  

Minister Farmer said the initiative is another way of giving people the jobs, training and skills they need while helping them stay in their communities.

“The initiative supports many focus areas from the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032, which aims to attract, connect and educate a thriving workforce to set our state up for success now and into the future.”

For further information visit www.qld.gov.au/skillingqueenslanders or call 1300 369 935.

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Earlier this month the approaches to the brand new $4.5 million Ted Cunningham Bridge were washed away by flood waters and since then residents have been forced to use the old bridge which has “reached end of useful life” and is now restricted to a maximum of a ten-tonne load.

“Investigations have determined that some of the footings are not as good as we thought,” said Darren Raeck, Manager of Roads and Drainage for Whitsunday Regional Council.

“Its structural integrity is a bit unknown which is why we have a load limit of ten tonne so that school buses, fuel trucks, cars and utes can get through but no heavy vehicles.”

Council have reinforced the previously disused bridge with a gravel road base, mixed with cement to make it more durable but residents are concerned it will be washed away with the next rainfall.

Mr Raeck reassures residents that Council will “continue to monitor the location and will continue to react and respond and reinstate access as quickly as possible” if this does occur.

It is estimated that it could be upwards of three months before the new bridge is restored, with an estimated two month consultation period to discover the fault.

“We’re just working through with the contractor on why the approaches failed and once we’ve determined that, we’ll work out the best solution,” said Mr Raeck.

“If it’s a matter of replacing it like-for-like it won’t take too long and could be fixed in a matter of weeks but if we decide we need to do more extensive works and extend the bridge that will take a lot more time.”

The bridge was built with principal project requirements and budget established prior to the tender that the contractor follows and that the best and most cost effective design is chosen for the best long-term outcome.

The Ted Cunningham Bridge approach collapsed earlier this month

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Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank’s recent AGM included announcements that have set the bar for creating impact in our community.

During the 2021/22 financial year, our community continued to support Community Bank Sarina with customer numbers up 6.1% - enabling the local branch to provide significant investments back into community groups and organisations.

The results also provided for a fully franked dividend of 10c per share to the company’s local shareholders.

Last financial year, the branch team focused on connecting with and supporting customers, assisting them on the path to their financial goals, including first home loans, first car or next home, among others.

In a bid to enhance liveability within the region, Community Bank Sarina ramped up its support to a range of community organisations – many of which are volunteer run – to focus on connection, diversity and inclusion.

“We have supported our community directly with a record amount of $424,036 through community grants, sponsorships and activations, including signage and charitable donations, during the past 12 months,” said Community Bank Sarina board chair, Karen May.

“Since opening the branch in 2005, building on last year’s investment we have now injected a total of $3.4 million back into the community - supporting organisations and groups with a range of projects and initiatives to enhance liveability and increase capacity in our region.

“This year we were pleased to support health and wellbeing in our community through the Mackay Hospital Foundation with a $17,800 community grant to purchase blanket warmers and treatment chairs – to ensure Sarina Hospital patients are comfortable during their stay and treatments.

“Supporting the Hospital Foundation has been a focus this year, with a second community grant of $4,893 being awarded for the purchase of vital signs monitors.

“Recognising the importance of sun safety, a number of organisations, including P&Cs, benefited from our Marquee Sponsorship Program which provides a dual branded marquee for shade and sun protection, and feather banners to use at events.

“We would like to thank our customers for choosing to bank with Community Bank Sarina, as without you, we wouldn’t be able to provide the level of community investment and positively impact our community.”

To find out more Community Bank Sarina announcements and the Community Engagement Program, follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SarinaCommunityBankBranch.

Photo caption:

QCWA Sarina Branch President Mary-Therese Watson presented the support they have received from Community Bank Sarina over the years

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It’s a busy time of year for our local charities and in particular the local Zontarians who have contributed in multiple ways throughout our community over the past few months.

Pamper Packs have been lovingly created and sent to the Women’s Refuge through Whitsunday Counselling and Support.

“We do this every year,” said Marlene Reiffel from the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays.

“Zonta has assembled many gorgeous items that people would love to receive so they can be a little bit spoilt over the Christmas period.”

In addition, the large group of local Zontarians each brought a special present for a child to their annual Christmas lunch earlier this month.

They are distributed to children in the Whitsundays and Marlene says she hopes “the tradition of giving to children may also be picked up by other clubs in the area”.

Zonta also assembled three hampers that have been given to Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre’s ‘Adopt A Family’ appeal.

Not only is it important to give to those less fortunate at Christmas, Zonta believe it is also important to use this opportunity to raise awareness for their ‘NO to violence” campaign.

This is part of a worldwide initiative to stop violence and forms part of 16 days of activism to raise awareness of the issue.

Constantly engaging with the community and doing good wherever they can, the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays are tireless in their efforts.

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Images

1: L-R Anthony Heintze and Craig Singleton of Diverse Asset Maintenance Services, Daniel Grech of BMA and Kristi Algate of Mackay Hospital Foundation

2: Catherine Clark Dowden worked for three weeks to complete her artwork. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Outside and inside the Children and Adolescent Unit (CAU) at Mackay Base Hospital has been transformed into a space for patients and their families to escape their challenges.

Two local organisations have chosen to support the projects with BMA providing funding to Mackay Hospital Foundation for the implementation of a Therapeutic Play Space outside of the Unit where young patients, their families and siblings can forget about treatment for a short time and enjoy their surroundings in a ‘happy space’ away from a clinical environment.

The inside project is the implementation of an Australiana-themed wall mural which has been funded by Autocorner Mackay.

“Seeing these projects come to fruition has been absolutely amazing,” General Manager at Mackay Hospital Foundation Kristi Algate.

“Seeing the smiles on the faces of patients who have been able to spend time in both indoor and outdoor areas is heart-warming.

“The funding from our local businesses has been overwhelming.

“They love to support the local community.”

BMA Production Manager Daniel Grech said BMA was proud to fund and support the construction of the Therapeutic Play Space.

“Mackay Hospital foundation provides facilities for the entire Mackay and Isaac regions so we’re really happy to support them in any way we can to give back to the community,” he said.

“The new facilities will basically mean that the kids will get to come here and enjoy that time at the hospital and not be so clinical.

“It just gives them somewhere to play and be natural and enjoy the facilities.”

Artwork inside the Unit and throughout the Play Space was completed by Mackay artist Catherine Clark Dowden who has a history of volunteering her artistic talents to the hospital.

Her artwork is intended to inspire and distract patients and families.

“I tried to get every Australian animal that I could that would interest kids, so that there was a conversation that they could have with their parents or the nurses,” Ms Clark Dowden said.

“I’d like to be able to take their mind off it, take them on a journey, so the more they look, the more they see on those walls, so they feel like they’re more a part of what’s happening on the wall rather than in the hospital.

“It’s been an amazing experience and I’m very thankful to have been given the opportunity to do it.”

The mural was funded by Autocorner Mackay who announced Mackay Hospital Foundation as their Charity of Choice in 2021 which continues in 2022.

A second contribution made by Autocorner Mackay in September this year will also be utilized in the Children and Adolescent Unit at the hospital to provide upgrades for mental health in that Unit.

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