Rarely have we seen a growing season as good as over the past few months. In the sugar industry, crop tonnage is considerably higher than estimated. This greater than usual mass is not confined to crops. All vegetation is of far higher density than we are accustomed to.

This is where our problem lies. As cold weather has led to much of this vegetation dying off and the oncoming hotter conditions may be combined with drier conditions. We are left with a potential catastrophe with regard to fire.

With such a huge fuel load, an ill-judged spark can cause a conflagration of epic proportion. It was not so long ago that the “red steer” was running wild all across our region. This is a situation that I, for one, have no wish to face again.

So, what to do?

We should all try to reduce the amount of flammable material around us. Tall grass, weeds, undergrowth and leaf litter all need to go. Clear property boundaries and roof gutters. In rural areas, a water source and a means of pumping that does not require electricity is a very good idea. These are just some measures we should take – there are others – now is the time for thinking. When a fire starts, it’s action time and a plan is essential.

The best way of fighting fire is not to start it. Listen to warnings. A total fire ban is TOTAL.

Be wary of anything that can throw a spark, such as slashing and mowing. Think very carefully before undertaking anything that can. If things go awry, it can cost massively in property and, as bitter experience shows, lives.

If you do need to light a fire, protect yourself and others by obtaining a permit from your local fire warden.

Not that we burn cane before harvest much anyway around here, but it is a good idea to get that permit even for this.

Stay safe over the next few months.

Cr Martin Bella

Mackay Regional Council

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Image: Douglas Cannon, of CannonBee, provides a guided hive inspection with Michaela Pritchard. The inspection advises on natural beekeeping practices showing how to conduct a routine hive inspection, what to look for regarding hive health; any sign of pests or disease, analysing overall health and vigour of the bees

Things are buzzing in the Pioneer Valley, especially for local business CannonBee.

The family-owned and Eungella-based business uses natural beekeeping practises to produce raw honey and beeswax products, including Eungella Raw Rainforest Honey and Propolis and Raw Honey Face Polish.

Business owner Janine Cannon recently participated in the second round of council’s one-on-one tailored mentoring program for small business owners.

Mrs Cannon said the program offered a fantastic opportunity to learn how to leverage off the growing tourism market in the Pioneer Valley.

“We are mostly a product-based business, so it has been wonderful to get some expert advice on how we can move into more education focussed aspects such as hosting tours and workshops on beekeeping,” Mrs Cannon said.

“The flexibility of the program - to do it via Zoom - as well as its structured delivery, made it very worthwhile,” she said.

“My mentor was able to provide real-world information such as resources and tools for tourism businesses and databases we can access which will be directly applicable to expanding our business

“With this we will be able to take advantage of the increase in visitor numbers generated by the new Mountain Bike Trails.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said this current round of the program had been aimed at existing businesses, as well as start-ups with a business idea that supported the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails.

“Council is investing in the program as part of our ongoing commitment to growing the visitor economy and ensuring the Mackay region continues to grow as a highly-regarded leisure destination,” Mayor Williamson said.

“We want the Mackay region to be front of mind for travellers seeking nature experiences and we want to offer a high standard of experiences for them to enjoy while visiting,” he said.

Council offers a free five-part webinar series focussed on business development for businesses in the Pioneer Valley. They are available on the council’s website at https://bit.ly/3cyZM2k

The Small Business Mentoring Program is designed and facilitated by independent mentors, business and tourism experts, Sparrowly Group on behalf of Mackay Regional Council.

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Students at Mackay State High School are leaving their legacy on a local art studio as part of their Creative Arts Academy.

Bottletops & Brushes has been operational in Victoria Street since January and, with unutilised space upstairs, co-founder Margaret-Mary Robinson reached out to schools to offer the space to the region’s youth.

“We noticed that young people don’t have very many places to go so we wanted to encourage young people to express themselves in art,” she said.

“We had Mackay State High School who have initiated an art initiative which is why we have three teams doing art on the walls expressing themselves with what they feel is important to them.

“We’re wanting young people to embrace art, to express themselves and have an opportunity to do something in the Mackay city heart, to take ownership of their place here.”

The school’s Creative Arts Academy is in its first year after the school’s principal recognised the creative talent and potential in the students.

“We’ve essentially been grabbing every arts opportunity by the horns and running with it,” said Mackay State High School Creative Arts Coordinator and Senior Visual Art Teacher Anita Pritchard.

“Earlier this year we had a group who actually participated in the Wonder Rooms project with Mackay Regional Council as part of the Festival of Arts.

“Being our pilot year, I’m really stoked with the opportunities we’ve had so far.”

The academy caters to instrumental students, drama, media and visual arts, with students participating in the mural competition all from the school’s extracurricular XL Art program.

“Our Creative Arts Academy is for students who want to extend themselves further and be able to work with likeminded students,” said Ms Pritchard.

“For XL Art, we have students from grade 7 all the way to year 12 … it becomes a bit of a peer mentorship.”

Five students across years 8, 9 and 11 began work on their murals at the start of the week including year 8 student Sophie Van Essen who says the school’s Creative Arts Academy has opened her up to opportunities she never thought possible.

“I’ve been really focussing on that art since about grade five and this year when the Creative Arts Academy opened up that was really the perfect gateway for me,” she said.

“It’s teaching me a lot about art and I’m learning a lot of things that I wouldn’t have learnt without it and I think that’s a really good opportunity to have.”

Sophie’s mural features a large golden heart and incorporates some of her own characters.

“The entire thing is supposed to represent that there can be innocence and good within a really bad place,” she said.

The murals are to remain in the upstairs studio permanently.

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The toll that COVID-19 has taken on Australian women’s health and fitness is laid bare in the 2022 Jean Hailes National Women’s Health Survey, where nearly one in five women reported loss of fitness, weight gain, and muscle and joint pain.

The survey, which was conducted in March-May and attracted more than 14,000 respondents, revealed that 30 per cent of women said they were less fit, 28 per cent said they had gained weight, and 20 per cent said they had muscle and joint pain.

The findings are not surprising. Women assumed the greater shares of housework, childcare, home-learning, as well as managed their own work after the arrival of the pandemic. This burden of care in addition to the closures of facilities meant that many had to abandon their usual fitness regimes like working out in a gym, swimming, doing yoga or Pilates.

Those closures had significant effects on women’s health. Queenslander Penny Conlan says that doing aqua aerobics several times a week is integral to her level of mobility and keeping the pain of her osteoarthritis under control.

“The lockdown meant I had no access to the pool, and I had significantly more joint and muscle pain and was incredibly stiff,” she says.

Anita Hobson-Powell, CEO of Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), says women often struggle to put their own health first. The demands on their time during COVID-19 meant it was hard for them to fit movement into their daily lives.

“Regardless of their health status and stage of life, every woman can gain significant benefits from being active. My message to all Australian women is that to take care of others, you first need to care for yourself. It isn’t selfish to prioritise your health and take time to get the right advice when it comes to exercise.”

CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, Janet Michelmore AO, believes it’s important for women to acknowledge the challenges of the past two-and-a-bit years and to give themselves permission to look now to their own needs.

“We know that we as women are resilient and in the coming months, we will slowly but surely work our way back to better health and fitness,” she says.

“Like all journeys, this one will begin with a step.”

Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of women across Australia.

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There is fresh hope that the murderer of Shandee Blackburn will soon be brought to justice following a revelatory podcast that brings into question the quality of the forensic evidence processing by the state-run laboratory.

The podcast, which was produced by investigative journalist Hedley Thomas from The Australian, found that lab results from DNA testing were likely mis-handled.

In the podcast Dr. Kristy Wright advises that there had been 17 incorrect results released from the laboratory.

A former forensic biologist also called the handling of the case a "forensic train wreck".

This evidence combined prompted the coroner to reopen the coronial investigation into Shandee’s death.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the inquiry in June and it will be headed by the former President of the Court of Appeal, retired judge Walter Sofronoff.

Shandee Blackburn was murdered in February 2013 in the early hours of the morning as she was walking home from her workplace.

She was stabbed in multiple places including her chest and crawled to a nearby gutter where she was heard by a neighbour - Ringo Tapim - who called emergency services.

Shandee was then taken to hospital where attempts were made to resuscitate her before she was pronounced dead.

In 2014, John Peros was arrested and charged with her murder but found not guilty in 2017 when nothing was shown that directly linked him to Shandee’s murder.

In 2019 at a coronial inquest the court heard evidence against John Peros, which showed CCTV footage of a Toyota Hilux of the same age and colour as one he owned nearby the scene of the crime, six minutes prior to the murder.

In August 2020, coroner David O'Connell gave his findings that John Peros was indeed responsible for the murder of Shandee Blackburn - despite being acquitted three years prior.

The refreshed media coverage in the podcast ‘Shandee’s Story’ which mention the forensic lab failures has now brought about the inquiry into the processes of state DNA lab testing.

On Wednesday, two Queensland Government-run DNA testing laboratory senior employees who worked in the forensic unit were stood down pending the outcome of the inquiry.

Thousands of cases, including Sharnee’s will now be re-examined.

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Image: Shandee Blackburn was murdered in 2013

Photo Caption: Council is looking for creative tender ideas for the commercial premises at Bluewater Quay, formerly operating as Ashtart

An exciting opportunity exists for a passionate foodie to snap up a prime waterfront position.

Mackay Regional Council is seeking proposals for a key waterfront commercial tenancy at Bluewater Quay.

The call for tenders, which will be released last Friday (September 16), is for the fit out and operation of food and beverage opportunities from an existing premises at the riverfront location.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the premises, which formerly operated as Ashtart, was beautifully situated on the Bluewater Quay looking over the Pioneer River and formed part of the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with vision to come in and set up a distinctive food and beverage business that will take advantage of this amazing space,” Mayor Williamson said.

“It would be great to see some really creative tenders that provide a new and unique destination for locals and visitors alike to enjoy our riverfront,” he said.

Mayor Williamson said the Mackay Waterfront project had been developed by council to improve the tourism aesthetic, liveability and economic activity in Mackay’s CBD and waterfront areas.

“Council’s Mackay City and Waterfront team are working with the community and local businesses to roll out a series of placemaking and activation activities across the city centre and waterfront areas.

“This premises is perfectly situated between the Mackay city centre and the revitalisation area, acting as a key connector and community hub.  

“And the team would be keen to work with the future operator to identify opportunities for this space that complement the PDA works,” he said.

Interested parties can refer to QTenders for more information.

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From Monday, September 26, there will be some changes to Translink fares and zones in the Mackay and surrounding regions, making public transport simpler and fairer.

Translink said “The new fares and zones will make using and paying for public transport simpler, fairer and more consistent, ahead of the future rollout of Smart Ticketing throughout Queensland.

“Fares will be consistent across networks in regional Queensland with a simplified zone structure that extends outwards from your town centre, making it easier to calculate the cost of your journey.”

Smart Ticketing is an innovative ticketing technology that enables more ways to pay for public transport across Queensland.  Over time, more and more Queenslanders will be able to pay for travel with contactless payment methods using a Visa, Mastercard and American Express debit card, credit card, smartphone or smart device.

Translink added on its website that the timetable wouldn’t change.

Visit Translink.com.au or download the mytranslink app for updated maps and fares.

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Mackay Hospital and Health Service has welcomed Paula Foley as interim Chief Executive.

Paula joined the Executive Leadership Team this week and will remain with the health service until the recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive.

She is an accomplished health professional and senior clinician with 29 years of experience in hospitals and health service.

Paula has held many leadership roles within Queensland Health and most recently was Chief Operating Officer – Mater Health, South Queensland, responsible for overseeing public and private hospitals.

Prior to that, Paula worked at Metro South Hospital and Health Service, where she was the Director of the Clinical Improvement Unit, Director of Nursing and Deputy Surgical Stream Lead from 2011 to 2021.

Paula holds a Master’s in Project Management/Clinical Redesign, a Bachelor of Science (Organisational Psychology) and a Bachelor of Health Science-Nursing.

She has been awarded Hospital and Health Service Board Chair Awards, including Empowering People, Excellence in Patient-Centred Care, Shaping our Future and Innovative Strategies in Improving Patient Access to Elective Surgery.

When she’s not working Paula can be found spending time with family and friends and relaxing with a good book.

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A petition to rename a Slade Point park in honour of a beloved former resident has been denied by Mackay Regional Council, with a park bench being recommended and agreed upon instead.

The petition to rename Seagull Street Park was lodged with council in August 2021 following the death of Nolear ‘Nanna’ Ramsamy, aged 103, by Nanna’s grandson John Ramsamy.

Documents from council’s ordinary meeting held on Wednesday September 14, 2022, read “noting that renaming of a Park itself wouldn’t fit under Council’s Policy, options allowed such as installation and naming of park infrastructure (ie: park bench seat with plaque) were discussed.”

“It is recommended that in line with Council’s adopted policies, it does not rename the Seagull Street Park as requested, and rather the Council agrees to the installation of an appropriate piece of park infrastructure at the applicant’s cost with the appropriate plaque recognising Nanna Ramsamy.”

Councillor Alison Jones, a friend of Nanna, has since started a crowdfunding campaign of her own volition, aiming to raise $3,000 for a park bench seat to be installed at the park.

“It’s not just the Ramsamy family that would want her remembered in that way,” said Ms Jones.

“There is a large number in the community that would want to remember her as well.

“If we did a GoFundMe, that would give everybody an opportunity to put some money together, and we would be able to pay for the chair that way.

“Therefore, it’s not on a particular family member, it’s a community remembrance.”

Ms Jones said Nanna’s 103 years were filled with love, family and community.

“The one thing that was always very, very dear to Nanna’s heart was her family,” she said.

“The way she would embrace community was just outstanding.

“She would make everybody feel welcome.

“She’s just an all-around amazing lady and she has a huge amount of respect in our community, not just in Slade Point, but the greater Mackay community as well.”

Ms Jones said the park and the creek held significance to Nanna and the Ramsamy family who have called the Slade Point area home for generations.

“The family that lived close to the creek would take her (Nanna) down there in her wheelchair in her later years and just sit there and allow her to watch everybody else catching fish,” she said.

“As long as she was down there at the creek, that was her happy place.”

To find out more about the GoFundMe campaign, visit www.gofundme.com/f/purchase-of-a-park-bench-seat.

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Mackay not-for-profit organisation RACQ CQ Rescue was amazed when they opened a donation moneybox collected from Collinsville.

The fundraising team was flabbergasted to find the moneybox loaded up with notes where just loose change would normally be found.

“Small communities often have the biggest hearts,” RACQ CQ Rescue wrote on Facebook.

“They also help inspire the greatest change.”

“How incredibly generous of such a small community who are obviously grateful for the difference our service and crew make to those who live and work so far west,” the post reads on.

“Every cent counts when it comes to saving lives.

“To all our Collinsville supporters, our enormous thanks for helping ensure we can be the difference in a time of dire need to you and the rest of Central Queensland.”

As a community-funded rescue helicopter service, RACQ CQ Rescue is a lifeline to anyone, anywhere at any time across Central and North Queensland.

Thanks to the dedicated staff and generous supporters, RACQ CQ Rescue has rescued, transferred, retrieved and winched thousands of people who say their lives would be extremely different today if the helicopter wasn’t available to help them when they needed it.

Often a patient’s only lifeline, RACQ CQ Rescue offers aeromedical and search and rescue assistance to those in dire situations.

To find out more or make your own donation, visit www.cqrescue.org.au.

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There is a smorgasbord of events on the horizon happening in Mackay, and I’m sad to be missing them all!

Rumble on the Reef, the WBBL, PBR and more, it’s going to be an action-packed September and October.

Our weekly event guide is almost overflowing this week and it never fails to get bigger. Pay close attention to it over the coming weeks as there is a lot happening in sport, art and entertainment.

Don’t forget that it’s free to list an event in our guide for not-for-profit clubs and organisations, simply drop us an email with the details and we’re happy to include it.

While I’m sad to be missing so many great local events, I have a few of my own to make up for it, including baseball at Dodger Stadium, NASCAR at Talladega, Joe Rogan in Atlanta and if this rocket launch with NASA is delayed much longer then I might be able to time a visit to Cape Canaveral with an actual space launch. Only if it doesn’t clash with my Disney World day, of course.

In case you’re into ‘space stuff’, NASA’s "mega moon rocket" (Artemis 1) is now scheduled to make its third liftoff attempt on September 27. I think that’s pretty darn cool and a lot of the world will be watching.

When this edition comes out, I’ll already be in Los Angeles helping my husband prepare to compete in the Masters World Track Cycling Championships.

After the competition is when I get a holiday. While I’m driving across the southern states of North America, our Mackay journalist Sam will keep you up to date on each edition. And thanks to our trendy new online flip book, I won’t miss an edition while I’m on the road.

You’ll see me again in the first edition for November.

So, it’s bye for now, but I’ll be back before you know it. There’s no place like home!

Amanda

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Australia’s newest citizens were welcomed to the Mackay region on Tuesday evening to celebrate Australian Citizenship Day.

73 people from 22 countries became Australians, welcomed by Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson, councillors and members of parliament.

“There’s no doubt that Australia, today, the Australia we all enjoy, is one of the most prosperous, peaceful and wonderful places in the world that you could call home,” said Mr Williamson.

“We truly are a vibrant multicultural nation.”

Dale Martinez and his son Jaron were two of those welcomed to Australia on Tuesday.

Mr Martinez moved to Australia in 2016 to pursue a career in nursing, leaving his family in The Philippines.

After completing his course in Melbourne, he relocated to Mackay where his family joined him two years later.

“Weather-wise, it’s basically almost like back home in the Philippines: most of the time it’s hot,” he laughed.

Mr Martinez and his wife Maria Kristine both work in Mackay as nurses and have since built a house in the northern suburbs.

“Where we’re working, they’re really supportive of us career-wise and, of course, family-wise,” Mr Martinez said.

“It’s great, life is great, but of course, through hard work.”

Mr Martinez says he’s proud to become an Australian citizen.

“I couldn’t actually put it in one word,” he said.

“Being here from a different perspective, a different culture, is actually an eye opener.

“The way I see the world a few years back and the way I see it now is way different.

“I’d like to say thank you mainly to Australia for welcoming us here, having an opportunity stay here and live here and giving us the opportunity to be one of the people of here.”

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Mackay resident and last living Australian recipient of the original Victoria Cross (VC) medal Keith Payne VC AM was invited to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in London this week.

Mr Payne was among four VC recipients to be invited to the ceremony alongside Mark Donaldson, Ben Roberts-Smith and Daniel Keighran, as well as George Cross recipient Michael Pratt.

“Keith is an icon of Mackay and we’ve got to remember his contribution in the Vietnam War and since, not just around here but all over Australia really and probably around the world,” said RSL Mackay Sub Branch President Ken Higgins

Mr Payne had met the Queen many times and admired her greatly.

“He had quite a few meetings with her over the years,” said Mr Higgins.

“It’ll be a great experience for him and (the Queen was) a woman that he greatly admired, too.

“He really admired the Queen and said that quite openly and quite often.”

“We are absolutely delighted in him being invited to go to the funeral services and we’re very proud of his history and him representing the veterans and the RSL.

“We just hope that he has a safe and healthy trip with the support of his veteran mates all around Australia, particularly from Mackay.”

A memorial has been set up in the RSL Mackay Sub Branch incorporating portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Mr Payne.

“We’ve had quite a few discussions about it since she passed and, yeah, it’s a big thing, a big thing for the country,” said Mr Higgins.

“As veterans and as an RSL, it’s a change, it’s a massive change.

“The whole military structure changes now.”

Mr Higgins represented the RSL Mackay Sub Branch alongside fellow veteran Col Benson at a service held at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, September 11 to farewell the Queen.

The service was agreed upon by the Queen herself and her favourite hymns and prayers were shared.

“It paid tribute to her and the actual announcement of King Charles now being our king,” said Mr Higgins.

“It was an honour for us to be there representing the town.”

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While many of our charter anglers throughout the year are travelling to the Whitsundays for pleasure and will fit in a trip on the dam while they are here, at this time of year, we start to see the regulars who are travelling to the region for the specific purpose of barra fishing. These are the true barra addicts who book months in advance and fish multiple days for that bucket list fish, specifically the ‘meteries’ (fish over 1 metre in length).

It’s hard to find a more iconic Australian fish than the mighty barramundi and while there is often an ongoing debate as to whether the saltwater or freshwater/impoundment fish rule (personally I love targeting both equally!) as we inch closer to the saltwater barra closure on October 31st, it is time for the impoundments to shine. And Peter Faust Dam is definitely one of the best options in the country, bringing its fair share of visitors to the region.

Already the campsite on the dam is a buzzing community most days right now (if you haven’t been for a drive up lately, it’s worth a look and check out the new dam-side glamping tents while you are there). Studying number plates at the ramp you’ll be hard pressed to even find one from QLD!

Damian is one such angler who travelled from NSW to fish with his mate Paul with me over three days this week, a trip he booked way back in April. The anticipation has been very high for him since.

And boy did Faust deliver with Paul notching up one our catches of the year, and certainly fish of a lifetime for Paul with this whopper measuring 117 centrimetre on the second day, one of two meteries for Paul for the trip (the other being 106!).

Next year, Damien has his work cut out for him to best this one. He might not invite Paul back again though!

Contributed with thanks to

Luke Fallon | Luke Fallon Sport & Game Fishing | www.fishingfaust.com.au

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Paul caught a whopping 117 centimetre barra at Peter Faust Dam last week

One of the first marinas nationally to make an appearance at an international boat show, Shute Harbour Marina Resort is heading overseas next month and will promote our region to a host of industry leaders at the Monaco Yacht Show.

From September 28 to October 1, developer Sam Wade will attend the iconic boat show and spruik the merits of the new marina, which has been almost 25 years in the making.

The $350 million project was officially launched in April this year following approval of plans and has now seen huge success on the market with unprecedented sales.

Sophia Cross, Sales for Shute Harbour Marina Resort said that there is a shortage of marina berths available in Australia and internationally and it is hoped that visiting the Monaco Yacht Show will let owners know of opportunities here in the Whitsundays.

“We are looking forward to putting Shute Harbour Marina into an international position and helping bring international tourism back to Australia,” she said.

More than just a marina, the new facility will include 58 waterfront land opportunities with private marina berths up to 45 metres, 395 mono and multi hull marina berths, Pier 61 commercial precinct with world-class facilities, 100 luxury waterfront apartments and a resort.

Pier 61 will be a boutique precinct that will include a restaurant and bar, private Marina Club lounge with end-of-trip facilities, supermarket, bottleshop, chemist, marina office, chandlery, marine electronics and charter to name a few.

This will be the first marina built in Airlie Beach for 16 years and it is expected to be a major jobs boom for the post-covid tourism industry with almost 700 jobs to be created for the Whitsunday region.

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An artist’s impression of Shute Harbour Marina Resort