Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
At just 18 months old and weighing 17kg, Obi is a happy little guy with plenty of love and enthusiasm for life. Getting along well with children, other dogs and visitors, he has plenty of potential to become a much-loved member of his new family. Obi had a rough start to life and can still find the world a little scary at times, so he is looking for a patient and understanding family willing to help build his confidence and show him the ropes. He already knows his basic commands and walks confidently on the lead, making him a great companion for someone happy to continue guiding him as he settles into his new life. Once Obi gets to know and trust you, he will become an unshakeable little shadow, following his favourite person wherever they go. If you have the time, patience and love to give Obi the fresh start he deserves, contact his carer Char on 0402 540 612 to arrange a meeting. Alternatively, email LLTAGSandDogRescue@gmail.com to find out more.
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No city or region in Australia has been unaffected by the property market changes that have become obvious ever since the Federal Government introduced its budget in May, removing negative gearing from established housing and changing the capital gains tax rules. But some have been hit harder than others. The latest property market review by valuers Herron Todd White gives an extensive rundown of where particular regions sit as well as the nation as a whole. HTW chief economist Cameron Kusher pointed out in the September review that inflation continues to be a factor, not only in cost of living but also projected interest rate rises in the months ahead. He said: “National dwelling values fell by 3.1 per cent over the three months to August 2026, with capital city values 3.7 per cent lower and regional values falling by 1.2 per cent.” He said property market analyst Cotality estimates that over the three months to August 2026 “there were 14.6 per cent fewer property sales than the same period last year”. “Transaction activity has seen a much greater decline in the capital cities than in the regional markets; however, falls are broad-based,” he said. “Every capital city except for Hobart is seeing a higher volume of properties available for sale relative to a year ago, and only regional Tasmania and regional NT are seeing fewer total listings. “Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra have historically high listing volumes, and although they aren’t at historic highs elsewhere, Brisbane and Perth have seen annual increases of more than 50 per cent, and Adelaide has seen an annual increase of more than 40 per cent. “The heightened volume of stock for sale at a time in which there are fewer active buyers in the market means that those who are buying have less urgency and more choice. In turn, this means that they have greater scope to negotiate on price, and there are many properties that will take a long time to sell in this market or simply won’t transact. “In the regional areas, the longest median days on market are in NT, NSW and Victoria and the lowest are in WA, Queensland and Tasmania.” The HTW monthly review includes their very interesting property clock, in which they categorise where particular markets are in the property cycle. Sitting at 3 o’clock on the property clock in a declining market are Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Sitting in the “starting to decline” category includes cities such as Alice Springs, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Several Queensland cities are included in the “peak of the market” category; Gladstone, Bundaberg and Toowoomba. And cities in the “approaching the top of the market” category include Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and the Whitsundays. What about the cities still sitting at 9 o’clock, the “rising market” category? Well, there aren’t nearly as many cities in that category as there were a few months ago but it still includes Mackay, Rockhampton and Emerald, among a few others. HTW can only go on the data in front of them, however agents on the ground experience the market as it happens. It is true that the Mackay market is behaving nothing like the free fall being felt in major cities like Sydney. The economy is going well, unemployment is virtually non-existent, rental vacancies are low and properties are selling. However, no agent in Mackay will tell you that right now Mackay is in a rising market. It’s still active and people are still buying but at the moment it’s not going up … it represents a great opportunity for those wanting to get into the market and investors seeking one of Australia’s best rental returns.
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Locals gathered in Mackay last Saturday for the annual March For Life, which brought together supporters of the pro-life movement. The march began at Harbour Road before finishing at Caneland Central Park, where attendees heard from guest speakers and community representatives. Among those attending was Cherish Life Queensland CEO Matthew Cliff, who travelled from Brisbane for the event. Operating since 1970, and formerly known as Right to Life Queensland, Cherish Life is one of Queensland's longest-established pro-life organisations, with branches throughout the state, including Mackay. Mr Cliff, who has been CEO for around four and a half years, said the organisation's work centred on two key areas of education and advocacy, aiming to encourage greater understanding of its pro-life position, while engaging with elected representatives and participating in public discussions about abortion. Mr Cliff said the organisation also connected women experiencing unplanned pregnancies with other services that could provide practical and emotional support. Though Cherish Life do not offer direct assistance themselves, they refer women to services like Hope's Dream, a Christian-based, non-profit charitable organization which provides pregnancy counselling and support. “The rallies are really a good way of bringing public awareness,” Mr Cliff said. “It's an opportunity for people who support the pro-life movement to demonstrate why this is important to them.” Mr Cliff said his own Christian beliefs played a role in shaping his position, with his views centred on the belief that human life is valuable from conception. “The Christian method in which I believe as the CEO of Cherish Life Queensland is to walk in grace and truth, and truth in love, and that all human life from conception is valuable,” he said. The Mackay event featured several speakers and representatives, including Mr Cliff, Australian Christian Lobby Assistant Director Daniel Adsett, Family Voice Australia Queensland Director Andrew McColl, Lighthouse Church Mackay Pastor Jai Wright and St Joseph's Catholic Church Associate Pastor Rev. Fr. Raju Mandothparambil. While Cherish Life advocates against abortion, other organisations take a different view of reproductive rights. CEO of Queensland pro choice organisation Children By Choice Anjulee Singh shared: “Children by Choice believe all people have the right to make decisions about their own body and health care. “Abortion is legal healthcare and should be accessible without barriers regardless of where you live.” The organisation advocates for accessible reproductive care in regional communities, claiming that stigma and privacy concerns can make it hard to ask for help, and can prevent women from pursuing the healthcare they are entitled to. “Everyone has the right to make their own decision about their pregnancy, whether that means continuing, ending, or considering adoption,” the organisation states. “Support should be non-judgemental, confidential, and respectful.” The differing perspectives come amid ongoing public and parliamentary debate about reproductive rights in Queensland, including discussions involving Mackay MP Nigel Dalton, who earlier this year crossed the floor in opposition to restrictions on parliamentary debate about abortion. Photo source: Cherish Life QLD - Mackay Branch
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Mackay beachgoers are encouraged to put their photography skills to good use, with the arrival of two new monitoring stations giving community members a hands-on role in tracking changes to the coastline. Eimeo Beach and Lambert’s Beach are the first locations to introduce the newly installed CoastSnap poles, which feature a phone cradle where residents and visitors can position their phones, capture an image of the coastline and upload it through the CoastSnap app. Photos taken from the same position over time will help build a long-term record of sand movement, beach erosion and recovery, providing valuable information to support future coastal management. Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said the project, led by the University of New South Wales, would give council access to valuable monitoring data while allowing the community to get involved. "It's easy to use. You just follow the barcode. And you can do it anonymously, you don't have to put your name on it," he said. Mr Williamson said the photographs and accompanying observations would help build a detailed picture of how the region's beaches change over time. "If everybody does that every day, just imagine the record that we're going to have via the University of New South Wales to manage this in the future," he said. "This is just another tool for us to be able to effectively manage the 31 beaches we've got in our region." Council's Coordinator of Waterways and Coastal Planning Robyn Burkett said the initiative formed part of the Mackay Coast Our Future project, helping council better understand coastal conditions and plan for future changes. "It's about monitoring our beaches, and community education, so that's why we're encouraging people to come along, snap a photo, and learn more about coastal hazards and how our coastal processes work in the Mackay region," she said. Ms Burkett said ongoing monitoring would help determine how much sand was lost during storm events, whether beaches recovered naturally and when intervention might be needed. "Having good information now, when we experience a storm event, looking at what those changes are, and how much sand is lost, whether it will recover over time, or whether it needs intervention is really important." The CoastSnap initiative was founded in 2017 as a pilot project by the University of New South Wales, with more than 100 poles now installed across 16 countries. The two Mackay stations were funded by council, with further locations being considered for the region. To learn more, visit www.coastsnap.com or visit connectingmackay.com.au/mackay-coast-our-future. L-R - Robyn Burkett, Coordinator Waterways and Coastal Planning for Mackay Regional Council, Kylie Cauchi, Waterways Planning Advisor for Mackay Regional Council and Mayor Greg Williamson of Mackay Regional Council, testing out the new CoastSnap pole at Eimeo Beach. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara The impact of tropical cyclone Debbie in 2017. Supplied by Mackay Regional Council
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Meet the Director of EDC Accounting, Emma Walker, an expert in her field of accounting for over fifteen years across Mackay, Hervey Bay and Brisbane-based firms.
Ms Walker established EDC Accounting in December 2022, after seven years working in a local firm where she enjoyed developing and nurturing relationships with business-owners in the local community.
EDC Accounting provides tax agent services and professional advice for all kinds of businesses and services, including tax returns, financial and management accounts, business activity statements, bookkeeping assistance, audits, assistance with accounting software and general advice.
Ms Walker enjoys working with business owners, from side-gig hustlers to multi-million dollar companies, assisting them to flourish within their industries.
A certified partner with Xero, MYOB, QBO and Reckon, EDC Accounting works with businesses through their preferred accounting platform and operates as both a mobile and online service.
Ms Walker is committed to gaining an in-depth understanding of each of her clients’ businesses, with meetings at client premises a standard offering. Feedback from clients is overwhelmingly positive and allows business owners to demonstrate pain points in real time and have all paperwork easily on-hand during consultations.
EDC Accounting has a unique negotiation strategy with clients to set a fee up-front, based on the value of service provided, rather than traditional firm pricing structure based on chargeable time. This factor gives EDC Accounting a competitive edge over competitors.
Ms Walker’s number one tip is: ‘don’t look for the cheapest way out.’ This can lead to costing you more in the long-run due to missed deductions, missed opportunities or mistakes.
Your accountant should be someone you can trust to have your best interests at heart. With EDC Accounting, you can rest assured that your accountant genuinely cares about your success and financial wellbeing.
Ms Walker’s diligence ensures that all services are done by the book, so you can feel confident that your financial matters are in capable hands.
Ms Walker threw herself into the unknown when starting her own business. However, word of mouth in Mackay has already triggered exponential growth and she is now in the process of hiring an assistant to maintain the highest standards for her client base.
To find assistance from EDC Accounting with all aspects of your taxation, accounting, bookkeeping, audit and legislative obligations, visit edcaccounting.com.au for more information
Emma Walker, Director of EDC Accounting
Join Zonta Club of Mackay Inc to raise awareness to the impacts of coercive control experienced by members of our community.
This dinner, held on 28th October at 6pm, is an advocacy event to facilitate an open discussion within the community about how together, we can act towards changing the narrative of ‘What is Domestic Violence?’.
The night will take place at Ocean International, with Jordana Abela from Reynolds Family Law as the Chair, as well as a host of guest speakers including:
● Mayor Greg Williamson – Mayor DV Taskforce
● Detective Inspector Emma Novosel - Queensland Police Service
● Namarca Corowa - Reconcile Life
● Mike Fry - Domestic Violence Resource Service Mackay
● Grace Harrison - Statewide Family Law
Designed as a panel discussion, the evening will provide insight into the police perspective of witnessing on-scene evidence involving domestic violence versus the legal perspective on the nuances of coercive control heard in the courtroom.
The hope of change will be heard by Zonta Club’s community workers, who will discuss the resources available for perpetrators through Reconcile Life and the Domestic Violence Resource Service.
Tickets include access to this event and a 2-course meal. Raffle tickets will also be sold on the night, with the proceeds donated to Reconcile Life to help continue changing the community one person at a time.
Please visit facebook.com/ZontaMackay for more information.
Tickets can be purchased through localtix.com.au
Zonta Club of Mackay Inc hosts event for domestic violence awareness – Photo supplied
Mines rescue brigades from across Queensland and New South Wales (NSW) will descend on the Bowen Basin this week for the 59th annual Australian Underground Coal Mines Rescue Competition.
Four Queensland teams and four NSW teams will vie for the national title at Anglo American’s Moranbah North Mine on Thursday (October 19, 2023), with the winner invited to an international competition in South America.
Competing for Queensland are Anglo American’s mines near Moranbah, Grosvenor mine and Moranbah North mine, as well as BMA-owned Broadmeadow mine and Kestrel mine – all in the Bowen Basin.
Teams from Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Southern and Western Mines Rescue represent NSW.
The day’s format includes several underground and surface simulation exercises to demonstrate knowledge and the use of equipment in realistic scenarios, including exercises to test hazard awareness, underground search and rescue, first aid and fire-fighting.
Queensland Mines Rescue Service Chief Executive Officer Tim Jackson said numerous competitions were held each year across the mining regions to challenge the proficiency of brigade members’ emergency response and recovery techniques.
“The primary purpose of Mines Rescue is to provide emergency response to the industry in the case of an emergency,” he said.
“Events like these allow the brigades to test and hone their skills in preparation for the unfortunate circumstance where they may be called upon.
“With their skills, experience and teamwork they will, at the end of the competition, be a much better team.”
Moranbah North Mine General Manager Paul Green, who will host the 2023 national event, said these competitions provided an invaluable opportunity to enhance skills and training.
“Mines rescue competitions serve as a vital platform for our industry to highlight critical aspects of mine safety,” he said.
“They reassure our employees and their families that we have highly-trained individuals.
“Beyond recognition, they are a testament to our industry’s ongoing commitment to zero harm and continuous improvement of our capability to respond swiftly and effectively when called upon.”
Mr Green said Grosvenor mine emerged as the state champions at the 2023 Queensland State Cup for Mines Rescue in July, with the Moranbah North team finishing runner-up.
“This friendly rivalry between our sister mines adds a unique dimension to this national competition for me but I commend all teams on their grit in physically and mentally demanding state competitions to get here,” he said.
“Best of luck to all competitors and thank you to all our dedicated volunteers for what will no doubt be a tremendous event.”
Coal Services’ Mines Rescue General Manager Alaster Wylie said 2023 was a significant year for NSW Mines Rescue, having just commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the Bellbird Mine Disaster.
He said the event was the catalyst for change in the industry, resulting in the Mines Rescue Act 1925 and establishment of a mines rescue service.
“Almost a century later, our highly skilled mines rescue brigades continue to play a pivotal role in upholding the standards that contribute to incident prevention,” he said.
“We prioritise safety through the implementation of rigorous work practices and the establishment of robust controls to mitigate the hazards of underground mining.
“Their advanced knowledge and expertise are instrumental in ensuring a safer working environment for all.”
All Mines Rescue competitions are the culmination of extensive planning to create realistic and demanding scenarios that challenge the capabilities of each participating team, ensuring a memorable experience for all involved.
The winners will be announced at a presentation dinner to be held following the competition on Thursday.
The winning team will be invited to represent Australia at the International Mines Rescue
Competition which will be held in Colombia in 2024.
Images from the Queensland Underground Coal Mines Rescue Competition held in July. Photos supplied: AngloAmerican
Celebrating the success of local tourism operators and their contribution to the region’s economy took centre stage at the 2023 Mackay Isaac Region Tourism Awards, held at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC).
172 people were in attendance, representing the region’s tourism businesses and industry stakeholders.
Mackay Regional Council Deputy Mayor Karen May said these awards helped to acknowledge those who had been constantly raising the bar in our tourism industry to achieve success in a very competitive industry.
“All of the winners and finalists at this year’s awards are a fantastic example of the exceptional tourism experiences offered in our region,” Cr May said.
“It is these businesses that drive investment into our communities, supporting sustainability and job creation and building on the liveability of the region,” she said.
“We know we are the best place to live and work, and these businesses, through their commitment to building and developing tourism opportunities, are showcasing our region to the world.”
Capping off a successful year for tourism, the Mackay Isaac Region saw record numbers of domestic travel and an increase in visitation for business/events tourism – a new record seen for the region.
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said the tourism awards created a point of difference and helped to boost the profile of our tourism operators as they look to attract more domestic and international travel into the region.
"The Isaac region is one of the most dynamic places for business in Australia due to our major resource, renewables and agricultural industries," Mayor Baker said.
“This record-breaking trend echoes what we see on the ground with increased investment. This is happening despite the headwinds like rising energy prices, inflation and other factors impacting consumers’ wallets and their decision to travel.”
Congratulating each of the winners was Mackay Isaac Tourism Chief Executive Officer Al Grundy.
“The Mackay Isaac Region Tourism Awards exist to recognise the commitment to tourism excellence and celebrate the exceptional achievements of tourism businesses and individuals throughout the region,” he said.
“It is the dedication of businesses and individuals like those we have recognised tonight, that has enabled tourism to firmly establish itself as a key economic pillar to The Mackay Isaac Region’s economy, contributing millions of dollars in investment and creating thousands of jobs.”
Wildcat Mackay
The Flackyard
Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park
Ocean International
St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend
Mt Pleasant Centre
MECC
Oh Deere Farm Tours
Moss on Wood
Comfort Resort Blue Pacific
Rydges Mackay Suites
Sarina Sugar Shed
Murray Gibbs
Friends of the MECC
Amanda Pelagalli
Shamrock Hotel
READ THE FULL MACKAY ISAAC TOURISM AWARDS FEATURE IN NEXT WEEK’S MACKAY AND WHITSUNDAY LIFE – CHECK OUT THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS AND VIEW A GALLERY OF SOCIAL PICS PLUS LEARN ABOUT THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BUSINESSES!
Photos supplied: Mackay Tourism
A range of employers flocked to the Mackay Job Fair 2023 this week, with the event hosted at CQUniversity and sponsored by IDEAL Placements, Workforce Australia and Local Jobs to offer interested job-seekers a chance at secure employment opportunities.
With over thirty businesses and employment agencies in attendance, the event gave opportunity to students from across the Mackay region, to inquire into a range of industries and career pathways.
The Transition to Work program, guided by IDEAL Placements, focuses on youths aged fifteen to twenty-four to guide them in the right direction.
Working on both short-term and long-term goals, the program assists participants to enter the workforce or commit to further study. This allows access to a skill-set that they may not have received in a typical education setting.
Denzel from IDEAL Placements is a former member of the Transition to Work program and now works as an Employment Consultant and Junior Employee Business Broker.
Denzel stated, “I work closely with Mackay businesses to help them find employment leads and I have a caseload of about thirty [job-seekers] right now, that I work with and manage. I've made about fifteen to twenty local contacts that I can use for my participants for future reference.
“Seeing the outcome of what our participants can achieve is really good to see, I have one of my participants that has three interviews next week.”
Employer Business Broker at IDEAL Placements, Scott McPherson stated, “We just want to make sure we're making a difference in people's lives. So if we can help one or two people to get a full-time job, it's going to make a big difference.”
A substantial factor in getting the event running, was to ensure it was not a costly expenditure for businesses to attend. Scott commented, “With the housing crisis at the moment, the more people we can get working, it’s going to be better for businesses.”
Local Jobs Employment Facilitator, Jodie Ahwang, commented, “A lot of new employees have received at least five or more resumes, and we've had a couple of employers conducting interviews, it's been a really successful day.”
Scott and his team at IDEAL Placements would like to thank CQUniversity for being generous hosts of the Mackay Jobs Fair 2023, and encourages anyone who is interested in a career opportunity to reach out, so IDEAL Placements can further help to make a difference.
Operations Team Member, Arabella Jordan and Employer Business Broker, Scott McPherson at Mackay Job Fair 2023
From Transition to Work to Junior Employee Business Broker, Denzel Bobongie
The Queensland Resources Dust Disease Support Group attended the Seniors Expo this week, with an important message to retired mine workers regarding their lung health.
QRDDSG is a not-for-profit charity providing retired, former and current Queensland mine and quarry workers and their families with guidance, support, and friendship during the health assessment process and in the event of a diagnosis.
It is a long road ahead for the volunteers of this organisation, with a goal to test 25,000 former mine workers. The charity started back in February 2022, and slowly but surely, they have achieved 780 individual tests out of their mammoth goal.
QRDDSG provide assessment forms to check eligibility of their applicants before testing commences. By completing the form, QRDDSG can contact you via your preferred details and help to begin the application process for your free lung check.
Applications are for former coal mine workers only, as existing workers receive periodic health assessments from their employers.
From there, if something is wrong, you will be financially covered to travel to Brisbane for further assessment and treatment.
The charity encourages those who are eligible to receive their free lung check on the HEART5 Mobile Health Unit in November. A thorough lung check detects mine dust lung disease early, so you can get support sooner rather than later.
Eligibility requirements:
- You were a coal mine, mineral mine or quarry worker for at least three years in total over your lifetime, with at least 6 months of your mining experience in Queensland. (Note: You may be asked to supply evidence of your work history, such as pay slips or tax returns)
- You have now permanently stopped being a coal mine, mineral mine or quarry worker
- It has been five years since your most recent assessment
HEART5 Mobile Health Unit is coming to Proserpine on 8th November, and Mackay 9th-10th November.
8 November – Proserpine
9-10 November – Mackay
For more information about Queensland Resources Dust Disease Support Group, contact 0419 646 856 or admin@qrddsg.org.
Mine Dust Health Support Service can be contacted at 1300 445 715 or info@minedusthealthsupport.com
Volunteers of Queensland Resources Dust Disease Support Group at the Seniors Expo
Exodas Pty Ltd commenced their operations in 2001 with just two prime movers. Since then, the fleet has grown enormously, now consisting of approximately 120 prime movers and 260 trailers, with a mixture of both fridge vans and tautliners.
Exodas services the east coast of Australia, running from Brisbane to Mackay and Whitsundays, Townsville, Cairns, Sydney and Melbourne, daily and return.
Specialising in the transportation of produce, refrigerated products, general freight and green life with depots located in Mareeba, Tully, Townsville, Bowen, Yatala and Warnervale.
With a diversified customer base ranging from food wholesalers, tourism operators and produce farmers to carpet wholesalers and more, Exodas believe that customer service and reliability are the key to operating a successful transport and logistics company.
Satisfied customers return to Exodas knowing the business offers a great service at competitive rates, with clients regularly referring the business to those who require the top-of-the-line services. The Exodas team are passionate about safety, reliability and service, striving to live by the company motto – ‘Excellence through perseverance and diligence.’
With such a diverse fleet, the business is allowed to service a variety of customer needs, along with the ability to utilise different combinations for different load requirements.
Exodas can operate with single trailer, B’Double, B’Triple or road train configurations, having just recently completed a delivery of their first 10x40 pallet B’Doubles. These combinations allows them to be flexible and meet varying volumes for their customers.
Is it crucial for customers’ to consider the timeframe for their delivery, as well as the weight, size and temperature required for their freight. Exodas ensure to cover these aspects with their diverse fleet, to ensure quality standards are met and customer satisfaction is guaranteed.
With a new installment of 7 Volvos to the ever-growing fleet and an increasing workload demand, Exodas are seeking drivers for both local and linehaul work. The business strongly believes in providing opportunity and training to willing individuals within the transport industry.
Current job vacancies can be found via Seek or by contacting the employment team by phone on 07 3382 7507 or by email at employment@exodas.com.au
One of many from Exodas’ diverse fleet
Time is running out to apply for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award, a program celebrating and empowering the inclusive and courageous leadership of women in Australia's rural and emerging industries, businesses, and communities.
Applications will close on Wednesday, 25 October 2023, at 11.59 pm AEDT.
The Award acts as a springboard, inspiring and nurturing Australian women to harness their skills for the betterment of their industries and communities, while simultaneously unlocking doors to crucial funding opportunities for existing projects and businesses.
Beyond recognition, the Award also provides a pathway for personal and professional growth, offering not only access to vital funding but also a doorway to extensive professional development opportunities and a cherished Alumni network.
State and territory winners are awarded a $15,000 grant generously sponsored by Westpac. Importantly, the program welcomes applications from women across Australia, irrespective of their location.
AgriFutures Australia, Managing Director, John Harvey said AgriFutures are committed to the future growth and advancement of the Award as a means of identifying, celebrating and empowering women.
“If you are passionate about creating impact, innovating, and making a difference in rural and regional Australia, we want to hear from you,” Mr Harvey said.
“By participating in this program, you will become part of a dynamic network of over 350 accomplished women who have been acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to rural industries and rural and regional Australia.”
Emma-Louise Gibbons, the founder of Huds and Toke, is a trailblazing entrepreneur who is passionate about sustainability and reducing carbon emissions by utilising produce grown on farms which can’t be sold and insect protein in her pet treats.
Her dedication to sustainability and innovation has earned her global recognition, including a recent partnership with Krispy Kreme to offer dog-friendly doughnuts in their UK and US stores.
Thanks to the QLD AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award grant, Emma-Louise will be able to purchase highly specialised equipment that can process alternative proteins and ensure all production remains on site at her facilities.
AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant
AgriFutures also runs a program called the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration grant. While this runs separately, it compliments the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
The aim is to provide a leadership and development opportunity to women who are not quite ready to apply for the Award.
Each year, seven Australian women will be granted with a learning and development bursary of up to $7,000 for professional development to enable them to bring their idea, cause, or vision to life.
The Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant is one of many AgriFutures Australia initiatives ensuring our rural industries prosper now, and into the future.
For more information and to apply for the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award, visit our website at https://agrifutures.com.au/opportunities/rural-womens-award/.
For more information on the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant visit http://agrifutures.com.au/opportunities/acceleration-grant/
2022 Queensland winner Rebecca Bradshaw
Emma-Louise Gibbons
Alison Richardson, the Artistic Director/CEO of Crossroad Arts, has made the decision to leave her role at the prominent inclusive arts organisation. She stepped down from her position on October 13th to return to her hometown of Sydney for personal and family reasons.
The organisation, board and community acknowledge Alison's artistic vibrancy and
advocacy for a more inclusive community through her commitment to the Crossroad
Arts vision of Arts for All. Her work over the years on the many projects and productions established unique relationships and connections within the community and uncovered many untold stories. Alison's dedication to developing meaningful access initiatives was instrumental in raising the profile of Crossroad Arts as a leader of inclusive arts practice.
Some notable highlights of Alison’s time at Crossroad Arts include collaborating with
Brenden Borellini and Georgia Cranko on the recent major production Breathe In, which pioneered multilingual storytelling and new embedded access initiatives. During her time with the company she developed partnerships with Dancenorth (Townsville) and La Boite Theatre (Brisbane) resulting in the annual national contemporary dance and theatre making intensive C.R.U.S.H .
Alison leaves a legacy in the numerous productions and programs developed in collaboration with artists with disability from the Mackay region and beyond. These programs enacted social change and celebrated the wider impact of the Crossroad Arts vision of Arts for All.
Alison reflects on her time with Crossroad Arts and shares a message of farewell to the community;
“Being involved in an organisation such as Crossroad Arts you can’t help but get swept up in the community’s enthusiasm, humour, creativity and genuineness. So to lead such an organisation and play some part in creating that culture has been a real privilege and one that I never took for granted.
“My time has now come to return to my hometown of Sydney but I will always look back fondly at the new connections made, the untold stories shared and the assumptions challenged during my time at Crossroad Arts.
“It has been extremely rewarding and satisfying to see such significant growth, stability, vibrancy and impact the company has enjoyed and I will always live the vision of the company and will be cheering everyone on from the sidelines for a long time to come.”
Brian Tucker, Chair of Crossroad Arts Board expressed the board’s gratitude.
“We will miss her inspiring presence and leadership, but understand and support her need to relocate back to Sydney and the personal nature of her decision.
“The organisation is working through a recruitment process to ensure an exciting and prosperous future for Crossroad Arts”
Crossroad Arts Artistic Director and CEO Alison Richardson
Residents are once again being asked to think about the value of water as we celebrate National Water Week this week (October 16 to 22).
This year’s theme is “United by Water” which encourages everyone to think about the vital role water plays in connecting us all.
Water touches every aspect of development. It drives economic growth, supports healthy ecosystems, and is essential and fundamental for life.
Council’s Director of Engineering and Commercial Infrastructure, Jason Devitt, said council was committed to supplying the Mackay region with some of the best water and water services in Australia.
“This year our water from Nebo Road Water Treatment Plant (WTP) was victorious over NSW’s Shoalhaven, in the WIOA Water of Origin taste test, making it two years in a row of holding the title,” Mr Devitt said.
“This win adds to our winning streak, with water from Marian WTP taking the crown in 2019 and 2021 and Nebo Road claiming the title in 2018 and 2022,” he said.
“We have previously taken out the National Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water competition in 2019 and 2020 and even won silver at the 2020 International Water Tasting Competition in Berkely Springs USA.
“These achievements are a testament to our highly professional team as well as the beautiful river we have right on our doorstep. Council couldn’t get that great tasting water to homes without the fantastic water network and infrastructure that supplies it.
“We all need to ensure we are doing everything we can to conserve this precious resource.
“As always, we strongly encourage residents to sign up to myh2o (myh2o.qld.gov.au), to help keep track of how much water they are using each day, how much it’s costing them and how they can better improve their behaviours around water usage.”
National Water Week is the perfect opportunity for everyone to monitor their water use and think of ways to save.
Some simple water saving tips include keeping showers to four minutes or less, turn off taps when washing your hands, fix dripping taps and only water outdoors every second day before 10am after 4pm.
Mr Devitt said we are also reminded daily of the significant role water plays in uniting us as a community.
“We are lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful natural waterways - the iconic Pioneer River running through our city and the beautiful beaches that allow access to so many amazing water activities such as swimming, fishing and boating,” he said.
For more water saving tips visit council’s website mackay.qld.gov.au/water.
Alexander Blanch and Brian Woods oversee the day to day operations of the Nebo
Road Water Treatment Plant
The 75th Anniversary Service for the Walkerston- Pleystowe RSL Sub-Branch Inc will be held on Saturday 18th November 2023 in ANZAC Memorial Park, Walkerston.
The Walkerston-Pleystowe RSL sub-branch invites all members of the Walkerston-Pleystowe community to the 75th anniversary of the formation of the sub-branch in 1948.
A commemorative service will commence at 5.00pm, at ANZAC Park in Walkerston.
Dress is jacket and tie, with medals for veterans.
Walkerston’s Mirani High Graduates of 1993.
Last weekend there was a great reunion held at Walkerston’s Duke Hotel.
People came from the north, the south and the west of the country to meet up with each other where they grew up some 30-plus years ago.
The small township of Walkerston welcomed these ‘Scrubby’ kids who graduated from High School in 1993!
Even though many of them, somewhat sporadically, keep in touch with each other via social media; there were lots of ‘Remember when…’ occasions.
Indeed, some reminiscing moments came from right back in pre-school days where many of the long friendships were first formed – carrying through primary school, then onto high school. Some of the young people even went on to attend university together.
Enduring special connections and friendships were formed when these young people from ‘Scrubby’ were small children. This group kept in touch and checked up on each other wherever they may have ended up in this big world…and here they were - back in the familiar, but ever-changing surroundings of years ago - catching up for a few hours face-to-face joined by other school friends.
Reunions rekindle the best of friendships.
Contributed by Bente McDonald
Graduates from Mirani High, class of 1993. Photo supplied
As we lead up to the warmer part of the year, many are left wondering how to prepare their gardens to beat the summer heat. Have no fear, native plants are here!
Bush flowers, wildflowers, natives - whatever you call them, these plants are adaptable, hardy and a perfect choice to create a majestic and authentic Australian garden.
Not only do native plants attract and provide shelter for local wildlife, they stand up to challenging climates and they look beautiful too!
Establishing a native garden starts with considering your site. You will need to check the soil fertility, structure and drainage systems around your property, as well as the climate conditions (sun, wind and shade) of the chosen area.
It is suitable to group plants with similar requirements and study their root systems. Keep in mind that plants growing too large for their location can damage plumbing and sewerage pipes and be costly to remove.
Establishing layers of vegetation in your garden will not only look great, but each layer will provide habitat for different animals.
Leaf litter and mulch are important as habitat for wildlife and to help retain moisture in the soil.
Plants that are local to an area are well-equipped to handle the conditions (soil, rainfall, temperature) and will generally require less attention and perform better.
The following list encompasses non-invasive plants that are best-suited to Mackay’s tropical climate:
Lily varieties, Fig varieties, Mt. Morgan Wattle, Northern Banksia, Australian Wax Plant, Bird’s Nest Fern, Lillie Pillies, Bottlebrush, Golden Penda, Grevillea, Kangaroo Grass, Mat Rushes.
When planted in the right environment, there is minimal need for watering or fertilisation, making natives an easy choice for beginner gardeners or those who prefer the distinctive characteristics of local flora.
Now you are well on your way to creating your authentic Aussie garden!
To find out more about native plants to the Mackay region, visit: mackayregionalbotanicgardens.com.au to find a comprehensive list of our local gardening clubs.
Walkerston Hockey Premiers A3 1965.
B/R Barry Richards, Mark Kelly, Jimmy Evetts, Stephen Renton, Terry Dee, Alan Jorgensen, Johnny Jarrott.
F/R Alwyn North, Kenny Sturdy, Manix Creedy (Coach), John Belden, David Lake.
Photo supplied on the Facebook page ‘I grew up in Mackay’ by Rob Richards
Head to Walkerston’s track cycling velodrome next weekend for FREE, fun, family entertainment.
Mackay Cycling Club’s annual track cycling carnival will be held on Saturday, 28th October, attracting top riders of all ages from across Queensland.
Witness the need for speed across a variety of track cycling disciplines, from the endurance scratch and points races to the fast and furious keirin racing.
Grab a bite to eat from the canteen and enjoy a day of entertainment in Walkerston.
Photo supplied: Mackay Cycling Club
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