Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm has stepped down from her role as Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, in an effort to prioritise her health and wellbeing. The announcement comes a fortnight after Ms Camm returned from six weeks of medical leave following major surgery, with the Whitsunday MP recognising she needed more time to recover. “This has been a considered and deeply personal decision,” Ms Camm said. “Having returned from six weeks of medical leave following major surgery I have come to recognise that my recovery still has some way to go and I need to prioritise my health and wellbeing.” “I sincerely thank the Premier for the opportunity to serve in his Government and for his support of my decision.” Ms Camm added in a presser outside of Parliament house in Brisbane, that the pressures of ministerial work had contributed to her decision to step down. This follows months of intense scrutiny over conditions for children in care and domestic violence prevention funding cuts had reinforced the importance of personal safety, especially in light of the recent attack on Victorian MP Helen Haines. “Public scrutiny and accountability are essential to democracy and to our institutions,” she said. “Harassment, threats, bullying and personal vilification are not and for the past year this has been my experience.” But during her time in the role, Ms Camm oversaw reforms to strengthen child protection, support foster and kinship carers and improve responses to domestic and family violence. Central to her child safety work was the Government’s response to the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry, which delivered 52 recommendations for improving the system. “The landmark Child Safety Commission of Inquiry was the turning point for the Child Safety system,” Ms Camm said. “There is much more work to be done, while early positive signs show we have stabilised numbers in the Residential Care system for the first time.” Her work in domestic and family violence included introducing laws for electronic monitoring of perpetrators to strengthen accountability, alongside her reporting a doubling of calls answered by DVConnect to help more people access support when they needed it. “After sitting with victims of domestic and family violence over many years through opposition and then in the ministry, I’m proud to have been part of delivering change that can help save lives,” Ms Camm said. In a statement following her decision, Premier David Crisafulli praised her work across both portfolios, describing the child safety inquiry’s reform roadmap as her greatest legacy and highlighting improved access to the domestic violence helpline. “I thank Amanda for her service to Queensland firstly as a Shadow Minister and then as a Minister,” Mr Crisafulli said. “Amanda took on an enormous task with a Child Safety system in crisis and a state in need of domestic violence reform. “With her dedication, passion and commitment, she has put Queensland on the road to repair both. “I speak on behalf of the Government, the LNP and all Queenslanders in wishing her the best in her recovery.” Ms Camm will continue serving as the Member for Whitsunday, reaffirming her commitment to the local community. “I remain committed to the people of Whitsunday as their Member of Parliament, and to supporting the Premier and the Government in delivering a fresh start for Queensland,” she said.
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By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay A firmly enforced bioethanol mandate, backed by increased local sugarcane production, is essential to strengthening Queensland’s industry resilience, regional jobs, and Australia’s long‑term fuel security. Our region holds enormous potential: not only for producing sugar, but for renewable fuel, energy diversification, and national economic security. Queensland’s sugarcane industry has always been a cornerstone of regional prosperity, but today it stands at a crossroads. Global markets are volatile and input costs are rising, and at the same time, Australia faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions, strengthen domestic fuel supplies, and build more resilient regional economies. A properly enforced bioethanol mandate is one of the most effective tools we have to meet these challenges head on. Queensland already has a mandate in place, but compliance remains inconsistent. When fuel retailers fail to meet their obligations, growers, mills, and regional communities lose out on opportunities that should rightfully be flowing into our local economy. Bioethanol is not a theoretical solution: it is a proven, practical, and immediate pathway to cleaner fuel and stronger regional industries and economies. Countries like Brazil and the United States have shown that bioethanol can reduce emissions, stabilise fuel markets, and create thousands of rural jobs. In these countries, and across the world, bioethanol forms a substantially higher portion of retail fuel sales than this country has embraced. Queensland has the same potential, but only if the mandate is taken seriously and enforced with the consistency it deserves. For Mackay, the benefits are clear. Our region is one of Australia’s most productive sugarcane hubs, with the land, infrastructure, climate, and expertise to support a thriving biofuels sector. Increased demand for bioethanol directly translates into increased demand for sugarcane. That means more cane in the ground, more certainty for growers, and more throughput for our mills, and we all know that milling is a volume game. This in turn supports jobs from the paddock to the processing line. But the opportunity extends far beyond economics. A stronger bioethanol industry enhances national fuel security, reducing Australia’s reliance on imported fuels. At a time when global supply chains are increasingly unstable, producing more of our own fuel is not just smart policy, it is essential. Every litre of bioethanol produced in Queensland is a litre of fuel Australia does not have to import. To seize this opportunity, we must also focus on increasing local sugarcane production. The industry cannot diversify, innovate, or expand into new markets without a reliable and growing supply of cane. More cane means more flexibility for mills, more investment in advanced manufacturing, and greater capacity to produce not only sugar and ethanol, but also bioplastics, green electricity, and other high value products. Growers are ready to meet this challenge. With the right policy settings from all levels of government, including a robust and enforced bioethanol mandate, we can plant more cane, improve productivity, and strengthen the long‑term viability of our region. But growers cannot do it alone. We need government to ensure the mandate is upheld, fuel retailers to meet their obligations, and industry partners to continue investing in innovation and infrastructure. Mackay has the land, the people, and the expertise to lead Queensland’s next era of renewable energy and agricultural diversification. What we need now is the policy certainty that comes from a mandate that is not only written into law but actively enforced. A stronger bioethanol mandate is not just good for growers it is good for Queensland, good for regional jobs, and good for Australia’s fuel future. The time to act is now. Bioethanol can use sugarcane by-products including molasses, bagasse, mill mud as well as plant material. Image: AdobeStock
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Marketing strategy boils down to answering four questions: What does your business want? > The goal. Who can help you achieve your goal? > The audience. What do you need to tell your audience so that they can help you achieve your goal? > The message. Where do you need to put your message so that your audience sees it? > The delivery. But how do you actually go about answering those Q’s? Like anything, the broad strokes are more complicated in practice but it’s a good framework to come back to when you’re planning your next marketing activity. Start by drilling down + identifying a measurable goal that you can work towards. Vague + lofty goals are okay, but without a clear way to track your progress, achieving them will be pretty tough. For example, tracking how many enquiries you get + the quote conversion rate can be useful info to have as a baseline. That way, if you do a targeted campaign to attract more work, you can see if it meaningfully pushed the needle in the right direction! Next, really empathise with who can help you achieve those goals. Try to build up a target customer in your head. How old are they? What do they want from your business? What are they interested in? The more specific you are, the easier it’ll be to craft messaging that will actually appeal to that person. Once you’ve defined your goal + who can help you achieve it, you’ve got to tell them how to help you do it. Your messaging should be the key information that your audience needs to know about your business. This is where you focus on not only what your customers want to know about you, but how your business is different to all the others out there. Your messaging should change based on the people you’re targeting. Lastly, the delivery. Where does your target market frequent? Do they use socials? Are they constantly listening to the radio? Do they frequent the pub on a Friday arvo? Once you know where they go, you can start figuring out how to get your message there. While socials are a great option, they’re not the only one. Billboards, coasters, or a flyer that sits on a wall somewhere are all effective options. But if that all sounds like too much effort, you can always reach out + talk to us. We’ll help you figure it out 😉 Taren McAuley
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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
At last week's meeting of the Rotary Club of Walkerston, representatives from the Early Childhood Learning establishments in Walkerston – the town’s Schools, Kindergarten and Day Care Centres – were invited to join club members for dinner followed by each being presented with a bundle of colourful children’s books.
It is a proven fact that early literacy helps young children develop and comprehend a significant vocabulary, confident self-expression, and general reading comprehension - tools needed to become thriving readers and constant learners.
These skills also inspire a love of books and an eagerness to learn.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Dr Seuss
Contributed by Bente McDonald
Walkerston Rotary's donation of books displayed in Walkerston School's library
Book presentation at Rotary meeting. Photos supplied
As you get older, everything starts to hurt, I don’t know why, but everything hurts.
Even the simplest of injuries or soreness can lead to another bit of you being sore, and before you know it there’s a chiro leaning over you twisting your body back to where it should be.
It’s a discussion I was having with my near teenage son a few weeks ago, why does everything go wrong with you Dad? My only answer was that when you’re younger like he is, everything in your body is “rubbery”, things go back into place much easier. When you’re a kid you can fall over and you just jump back up and continue on. When you’re over 45, you can sneeze and then your neck’s stuffed for a fortnight.
You also start groaning even just bending over to pick something up, that’s the first sign of the pending age of pain and hurt.
I’ve even thought maybe I should do yoga or something like that to help with flexibility and stretching, but I’m worried I’ll get down for an exercise and not be able to get back up. That’s what happened the other day when my daughter asked me to play a new card game Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza … two rounds in I was in agony needing help to get off the carpet. How embarrassing to “get injured” playing a card game.
Back pain is the worst of it though, lower back pain. It hurts to stand for a long period of time, so you sit, but you have to find the perfect angle so it doesn’t hurt. Then you sit for 10-15 minutes and need to get back up, it hurts to get back up and you walk hunched over for a bit. After a minute or two it feels really good. Five minutes after that you need to sit down again, and the cycle just continues.
In Australia, as you get older, we hear more about breast screening, prostate checks, bowel cancer screening kits sent. Each of those pamphlets sent out or packages for tests should be accompanied by a wheat pack.
Scotty
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