Image: Tiffany Grace and Matt Tandy will perform at the New Year’s Eve River Party at the Bluewater Quay

Relax, unwind and bring in the new year at the annual New Year’s Eve River Party! Say goodbye to 2022 and kick off the new year with a bang on Saturday, 31st December.

The ever-popular NYE River Party brought to you by the Mackay Regional Council is back at Bluewater Quay from 6pm - 9pm.

There will be non-stop entertainment for the whole family featuring amusement rides, face painting, food vendors, local musicians Tiffany Grace Music and Matt Tandy, as well as an exciting kids performance from a special guest!

This free community event is a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

So come on down and party for the last event of 2022!

Don't forget the fireworks at 9pm and midnight.

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Providing housing has historically been a State Government responsibility. This has been supplemented by the outstanding efforts of churches and charities. Conditions now demand that we, as a council, enter the fray.

In my eyes it is just unacceptable, bordering on immoral, that we build “shiny and pretties” and fund things that in my eyes should be self-funded, while families are living in tents and sleeping in cars.

Before anyone starts talking about what these families should or should not do, you need to understand a few things. Money does not guarantee you a place to rent when there are none available. Secondly, it is exponentially harder for large families.

We have had a family of ten sleeping in tents and a family of twelve sleeping in cars in a workshop. These families are being punished for doing something deserving of admiration. Both families had taken on kids from dysfunctional families and now they themselves find themselves in a precarious position.

Up until now, all I see is a proliferation of talkfests about “affordable housing”. I sometimes wonder if this is just a way to not actually have to do something.

Why? Because as anyone with any idea knows, affordable housing is neither likely nor prompt.

We need to change the term to “accommodation”. Let’s take steps to “accommodate” people NOW and find housing once they are accommodated.

It was stated to me, when I suggested a property that had shared kitchens and bathrooms, that this was “not safe”. To me this is utterly absurd. Sleeping in a tent near a boat ramp seems astronomically more unsafe, yet we condemn vulnerable people, by our inaction, to this danger.

Times are desperate, and they will only get more desperate as Christmas approaches and families spend the “festive” season sleeping rough.  

This is the time for giving, so I ask you to give ten minutes of your time to make a difference.  Email your local politicians today – federal, state and local – and ask them to make accommodating families in our region a priority.  

These families deserve a roof over their heads.

Cr Martin Bella

Mackay Regional Council

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How busy is your Christmas calendar right now?

I just had a look at mine and it’s getting very full, and I love it. Oh, with today being the 25th, that means Xmas is exactly a month away! Yay!!

This time of the year is perfect. The weather is great, the days are long and there’s Xmas songs being played over the loudspeakers wherever you go! So much to love!

Yesterday I had a tourism board meeting, I was out volunteering with the kids at the PCYC, and also handing out meals with Meals on Wheels. I love helping and getting out and about. I’ve been doing it since we arrived in Mackay in 1981.

This next week is another one with a full list of activities. Our 4MK Carols in the Gardens is next Saturday and I can honestly say, Santa has lost a few kilos since the last time we saw him. He’s obviously been on the fresh fruit and veggies from the farmers markets.

Tomorrow however is one for the sporting champions of the Mackay region. Top class netball is back and the game we’ve got lined up down at Mackay Basketball will certainly be amazing to see.

The Queensland Firebirds are taking on the Sunshine Phoenix in the Suncorp Spirit Cup tomorrow and by all reports it’s going to be a cracker. I’ll be the bloke cheering you all on with the microphone again. I must do a good enough job at the Meteors games so they’ve let me loose again!

Oh and by the way. If anyone has any present suggestions for a nearly 19-year-old daughter, can they let me know please? I was going to flick her a Harry Styles ticket for February, but she’s already beaten me to the punch on that one.

I asked her if she wanted to join me at the Cloudland show at the MECC last weekend but I’m still waiting on a reply. Hey, that's just being a Dad. Anyone else know that feeling too?

Have fun,

Rob

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

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Johnathan Thurston has weathered plenty of Storms in his illustrious rugby league career, but this week the North Queensland Cowboys legend was in Mackay to talk about a different kind of storm.

Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School welcomed Get Ready Queensland Ambassador “JT” to their school on Tuesday after winning the Get Ready Queensland school competition.

Students were tasked with designing and constructing disaster-ready houses, with entries received from 65 classrooms and almost 2,000 students across the state.

The winning design, built by Cooper, Zach, Ethan and Jake, was built on stilts and incorporated drainage trenches which were incorporated into the house’s vegetable garden, winning their school a visit from the Queensland icon.

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JT Helps Mackay School Get Ready For Storm Season

The iconic JT smile was mirrored by hundreds of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School students as rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston visited the school for a morning of games and activities, bringing with him an important message.

Mr Thurston is an Ambassador for Get Ready Queensland, a Queensland Government all-hazards, resilience building initiative, to help communities prepare for natural disasters.

“As a Get Ready Queensland Ambassador, I’m very happy to be here, spread the message and make sure that the kids go home and ask mum and dad if they know their risk, have an emergency plan and have an emergency kit,” Mr Thurston said.

“Queensland is the most natural disaster-hit state in the country, and we want to make sure that everyone’s well prepared.

“It’s great work that the Government does, making sure that our communities are safe, and we need to make sure that families and people in our communities are well prepared so that when it happens, they know that they’re going to keep their families safe.”

Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School was chosen from schools state-wide for the visit and Principal Olivia Rostirolla said she was “jumping out of her seat” when she received the email.

“We announced it to the children, and they were beside themselves, they were so excited to know that Johnathan was coming to our school,” she said.

“A person like JT would probably get the message across better than any of us could here at the school because he is so respected in his field, and he is such a beautiful person that the children just listen and are enthralled by him.”

Year six students Natasha and Tessa were two of the students who participated in the project.

“We have a lot of footy fans at our school, so everyone was really excited,” said Natasha.

“We’ve learnt the three steps of how to get ready … and all the emergency kit supplies,” added Tessa.

“I’m going to tell my parents to prepare an emergency kit and emergency plan in case of any storms or floods.”

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3 Steps To Get Ready

Step 1: Understand your risk - impacts from extreme weather are different for everyone. Learn about what can happen where you live and how it could affect your family.

Step 2: Have a plan - make a household emergency plan so your family knows what to do and who to contact in extreme weather. It takes just a few minutes and will give you peace of mind that your information is in one place.

Step 3: Pack a kit - grab a few extra items next time you are at the supermarket to make an emergency kit.

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Johnathan Thurston was in Mackay this week to share the message of disaster preparedness with Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School students. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Johnathan Thurston quizzed the students of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School on how to prepare for storm season

JT joined the students in a morning of games and activities facilitated by Queensland Fire, SES and Get Ready Queensland

Cooper, Zach, Ethan and Jake designed the disaster-ready house that won their school a visit from JT. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Have you ever been interviewed by Rob Kidd from 4MK?

He’s quite the talker, and having been in the radio industry for many years, he’s naturally very good at what he does.

We were having a chat during our time together in Jingle Jail earlier this month, and somehow the conversation switched from sport to babies.

The reason I was able to take part in Jingle Jail this year was because I had withdrawn from the Masters Pan Pacific Games being held on the Gold Coast that same weekend.

Instead of throwing a hammer, discus and other throwing implements, I was able to help raise money for Real Mates Talk, which I thought was a pretty good replacement.

The reason I had withdrawn from the Pan Pacific Games is because I’m expecting my first child. I blurted this out during my interview and Rob offered hearty congratulations.

It’s not my first pregnancy however. The last time I was pregnant was when I last competed in the Masters Pan Pacific Games, four years ago. A week later at my first ultrasound, I found out there was no heartbeat. A scan the following week confirmed my worst fear that I had silently miscarried. That’s when your body doesn’t recognise the miscarriage and you only know through an ultrasound.

I don’t believe that competing in athletics four years ago caused my miscarriage, but it was fate I didn’t want to tempt. Should the same have happened, I would have riddled myself with agonizing guilt.

I’m also a little further along this time, officially halfway this week at 20 weeks. So I’m due early April.

I’ll be classed as a ‘geriatric’ mother which I think is a little harsh, I prefer mature age. But many couples have hard roads to travel when it comes to fertility. I believe it’s good to talk openly and honestly about it, to reduce the stigma for those who may follow in our footsteps.

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A 28-year-old Gulliver man has sadly passed away following a two-vehicle traffic crash in Coppabella last week on November 9.

He was identified as Dylan Wheeler, with initial information indicating the Ford Focus that Mr Wheeler was driving rear-ended a Toyota Hilux on the Peak Downs Highway around 6.10am.

The young father sustained critical injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 39-year-old Proserpine woman, was not physically injured.

An AFL Club which Mr Wheeler was a former member of posted a notification of his death on the club’s Facebook Page, with the club encouraging people to reach out if they needed support.

The Northern Beaches SUNS AFL Club said, “If you need to talk to someone to help you through this, please talk to your coach or mates, we're all there for each other.”

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances of the crash.

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An incident at Coles Parkside has banded customers and staff together to help a fellow customer in need.

Mel Whitestyles was at the checkout when her daughter had a febrile convulsion which is caused by a sudden change in a child's body temperature.

Thankfully, behind Mel was a nurse who didn’t skip a beat in helping her stay calm and cool down her child.

The nurse happened to be on shift later that night and checked in with Mel and her daughter in the hospital.

Another lovely lady, who Mel briefly had a chat to in one of the aisles not long before, paid for Mel’s daughter’s nappies as she had said to the Coles staff member to forget the rest of her items as she had run out.

“To you two beautiful angels, I just want to say thank you!” Mel wrote on Facebook.

“If I could pay you back or buy you a coffee one day soon when my daughter is better to show you my appreciation.”

“Not to mention the amazing team at Parkside who were more than comforting and helpful, for calling the ambulance and making sure I was ok.”

Mel and her daughter returned home after six hours at the hospital.

“Thank you to everyone who helped me out in this terrifying experience.”

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A man has been arrested and charged with child sex offences following a joint investigation involving Mackay Child Protection Investigation Unit, Moranbah Criminal Investigation Branch and Argos.

The investigation commenced on November 8 when the man allegedly engaged in an online conversation about sexual acts with children with a person he believed to be a mother of a 12-year-old girl, who was in fact an undercover officer from Argos.

During the conversation the man allegedly made plans with the officer to travel to Brisbane to meet and engage in sexual acts with a 12-year-old child.

A search warrant was subsequently executed at the man’s accommodation in Dysart on November 11 and a number of items seized, including a phone allegedly detailing communications between the officer and the man.

A further search warrant was executed at the man’s home in Clermont on November 12 where another device was located and examined which allegedly contained Child Exploitation Material (CEM).

The 31-year-old Clermont man was charged with using the internet to procure a child under 16 years and possessing child exploitation material and is due to appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court today (November 14).

Detective Senior Sergeant Emma Novosel of Mackay CPIU said the case highlights the ever-present risk children can face from online predators and the key role parents and caregivers play in teaching children about online safety.

“Research by the Commonwealth eSafety Commissioner has identified that one in four children have been approached by a stranger online,” Detective Senior Sergeant Novosel said.

“The research also shows that over 90 percent of teens regularly use internet connected devices – which highlights the need for parents to be aware of their child’s online footprint and to speak with them about online safety,” she said.

“Supervision is key to prevention, as is ongoing communication with children about how to stay safe online and the dangers of having online ‘friends’ they have never met face-to-face.

“Every day Argos has undercover officers working in a range of online platforms to detect and apprehend people who seek to exploit children in our community,” she added.

“To those that seek to engage in this predatory behaviour, just remember that the next ‘child’ that you message may be a police officer.”

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The Brisbane Broncos’ grassroots team toured Mackay last month as the club’s Game Development squad shone a light on regional Queensland in the off-season.

Club legend and five-time Premiership winner Michael Hancock, along with 2006 Broncos Premiers Casey McGuire and David Stagg, returned to north Queensland, visiting eight schools in two days.

Mr McGuire is a proud regional Queenslander and says the club has a rich history in the regions.

“For the last 20 years and more, the Broncos have made a big point of making connections in the regional communities,” he said.

“We recognise early that a very small percentage of kids that will go on and play professional sport for a living, so we try and cater for those kids that are preparing for life after school.

“It’s about preparing them for work after school and just being good people, and their health and wellbeing is important too.”

The team ran mentoring and skills sessions at Mackay Northern Beaches State High School, Eimeo Road State School, Mackay North State High School, Fitzgerald State School on Wednesday, October 26, followed by Mackay West State School, Catherine McAuley College, Mackay State High School and Pioneer State High School the following Thursday.

Mr Hancock has singled out the club’s ongoing commitment to servicing junior rugby league clubs and schools across Queensland as a key to the Broncos brand.

“When we come into rural and regional areas, where a lot of our players come from, we try and support that region so hopefully they can continue to thrive,” Hancock said.

“Often times, you do see other clubs down south come and take the best and never return to give back.

“With now four clubs in Queensland, collectively we should be able to do a great job on the grass to help boys and girls in general, to have an opportunity to not only go to the Broncos, but the opportunity to go to three other clubs.

“The more the competition is strong, the more rugby league is strong.”

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Broncos legends Michael Hancock, David Staggs and Casey Maguire with the Catherine McCauley College rugby league team. Photo supplied

5,500 jobs in and around Dawson have been put on ice by Federal Labor’s Minister for Water, says Federal Dawson MP Andrew Willcox.

“18 major coal and gas projects which were already approved are now subject to reassessment following a decision by the Labor Government,” Mr Willcox said.

“The North Bowen and Galilee Gas basins project has been named by the Labor Government as a project that is now due to be reassessed.”

Mr Willcox, said the decision is yet another cause for alarm for Australia’s energy future.

“Projects such as these are what will save our nation during an energy crisis. This Labor Government simply does not understand the critical importance of base load power in our energy grid that enables Australians to have 24/7 power,” Mr Willcox said.

“Instead of sabotaging projects, I am urging the Albanese Labor Government to provide energy security to Australia.

“There are plenty of skilled men and women in Dawson who could fill these roles exceptionally and now may not get the opportunity to. And with 18 projects being ‘reassessed’ overall, these opportunities are being severely restricted.

“The Government is too busy trying to appease the activists, rather than bringing the cost of living down for Australians and providing security for the energy mix,” Mr Willcox added.

“At a time when Labor’s own Budget forecasts energy prices rising by more than 50 per cent and gas prices by more than 40 per cent, it is appalling that Labor would send these key projects backwards to further compromise our future supplies of coal and gas.”

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox says the Federal Government is compromising future supplies of coal and gas which will put increased pressure on the cost of living

64 local sporting champions and 2 local para champions will receive funding to help with the cost of attending championship events.

Successful applicants for Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Local Sporting Champions and Local Para Champions programs have been announced.

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships. Successful applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships.

The Local Para Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-24 participating in state, national or international championships for athletes with a disability. Successful applicants will receive $750-$1000 towards the cost of attending their championships.

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, said that 64 local sporting champions and 2 local para champions were successful from the Dawson electorate.

“Successful applicants are from all over the Dawson electorate, including Idalia, Bowen, Mackay, Ayr, Wulguru, Annandale, Jubilee Pocket, Brandy Creek, Farleigh, Shoal Point, Habana, Oonoonba, Jarvisfield, Conway, Gregory River and Proserpine,” Mr Willcox said.

“These successful applicants are competing in sports including rugby union, equestrian, netball, cycling, basketball, touch football, swimming, athletics, softball, sailing, water skiing, volleyball, and hockey.

“Congratulations to all the successful applicants, I am sure you will do Dawson proud.”

Round 3 of both programs are currently open and close on 31 December 2022 and Mr Willcox encourages all eligible Dawson athletes to apply.

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RSL Farleigh and Northern Beaches Sub Branch held a Remembrance Day dusk service last Friday, bringing together veterans, cadets, community members and school students.

Students from Bucasia State School and Northern Beaches High School laid poppies and representatives from Northern Beaches Girl Guides, Northern Beaches Rotary Club and Northern Beaches Lions Club were also present.

105 Squadron Air Force Cadets and TS Pioneer Navy Cadets were in attendance with the Navy Cadets forming the guard and flag orderly duties for the service.

The Sub Branch also presented a $2,200 donation to the Navy Cadets to go towards the purchase of new equipment.

“They are largely self-funded … so we try to help them out as the need arises when we can,” said Sub Branch President Cameron Dorward.

RSL Farleigh and Districts Sub Branch expanded to incorporate the Northern Beaches in 2007.

Mr Dorward said the Sub Branch is seeking new members.

“Younger veterans have got different needs and we need a transgression of younger members to take it on and keep it going for the next 100 years,” he said.

“The reason the organisation has survived so long is because of the ongoing commitment of service personnel and we need to keep that going.”

The Sub Branch meet at the Northern Beaches Bowls Club on the fourth Wednesday of the month, with this month’s meeting, next Wednesday, November 23 at 6:30pm being the last of the year.

“It’d be good to see some new faces turn up,” said Mr Dorward.

Contact Mr Dorward on 0488 425 557 or email Ruth Wickham at secretary@farleigh.rslqld.net.au for more information.

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RSL Farleigh and Northern Beaches Sub Branch Cameron Dorward speaking at the Remembrance Day ceremony at Bucasia

Cadets from 105 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets and TS Pioneer Australian Navy Cadets participated in the service. Photos supplied

On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minutes’ silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect our nation.

104 years ago, the guns on the Western Front finally fell silent, after a conflict which claimed the lives of more than 11 million soldiers and 13 million civilians. The flu which then spread following the outbreak killed another 20 million people around the world when soldiers returned home over the following four years.

During Mackay’s Remembrance Day ceremony, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson reminded the attendees that it’s an important gathering to mark the end of the modern world’s first conflict, and that the past can contain warning signs that shouldn’t be forgotten in our future.

“When the war started in August 1914, the people of Europe were jubilant. It inspired great waves of patriotism and celebration fanned by autocratic rulers who used the sanctity of their treaties to protect their economic and imperial power.

“Nobody could have imagined that when this day came, four years later in 1918, the world would have been changed completely; politically, economically and demographically.

“This Remembrance Day, we should be pleading with the current world leaders to remember.

“The great sacrifices we are gathered here to remember, seem perilously close to being forgotten.

“Today’s autocratic leaders are exercising their military muscle to change the economic and power bases of the world we live in, a scenario very similar to 1914.

“We need to remember.”

At the service held at Jubilee Park last week, special guests from the 102 Field Workshops from Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks were led by Warrant Officer Ben Weston in gifting a special piece of World War I memorabilia to Mackay’s RSL.

The leichter minenwerfer, roughly translating to ‘light mine launcher’ is a piece of artillery used to launch mortars by German and Austrian troops during World War I. They were built around 1911.

RSL Mackay Sub Branch President Ken Higgins OAM said it was an honour to receive a beautifully restored piece of memorabilia.

“It was spotted in a field here in Mackay by one of our officers, and 102 Field Workshops was tasked with its restoration,” Mr Higgins said.

“It was in the trenches during WWI and was in pretty rough condition when the men and women of Lavarack Barracks were given it to restore.

“It’s a magnificent piece of machinery. Yes, it’s German, but the German soldiers were fighting for their country just like our Australians were fighting for theirs, let’s leave it at that,” Mr Higgins said.

“We’re trying to track down the origins of this iconic piece of battle equipment to find out how it came back to a Mackay farm.”

Mr Higgins said the RSL will look after the artillery piece until the RSL finds its permanent place of operation, where a suitable place will be chosen for the mortar launcher to be displayed to the public.

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L-R: Warrant Officer Ben Weston with Ken Higgins OAM beside the German leichter minenwerfer. Photo: Amanda Wright

RSL Mackay Sub Branch President Ken Higgins OAM holding a gift the RSL presented to Warrant Officer Ben Weston from the 102 Field Workshops at Townsville’s Lavarack Barracks. Photo: Mackay Regional Council

Members from 102 Field Workshops, Townsville Lavarack Barracks with the German leichter minenwerfer Photo: Amanda Wright

This year the Queensland RSL invited Sub Branches to contact their local schools to ask if they would like to participate in this year’s Draw to Remember initiative.

Mackay RSL Sub Branch contacted St Mary’s Catholic School and they were more than happy to participate.

Upon their acceptance, Mackay RSL President Ken Higgins OAM, and Secretary Nichole Hood, visited St Mary’s Catholic School to present them with the Draw to Remember pack.

Whilst at the school, Mr Higgins provided the students with background on why we stop to remember on November 11.  

The students were given their pack which consisted of chalk and workbooks to help with the planning of their drawing.

The students, with the help of their teachers, have completed their Draw to Remember pictures and both Ken and Nichole are excited with the pictures that have been produced.

Mr Higgins also attended both St Mary’s and Mercy College on Friday, November 11 to present both schools with Simpson and his Donkey Certificates.

Contributed by Nichole Hood

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Mackay has been put on the map for exceptional coffee thanks to Primal Coffee Roasters win last month in the world’s largest coffee roasting ‘Golden Bean’ competition – resetting the bar for the region’s coffee industry.

Opened in 2020, Primal Coffee Roasters are well-known as the only café in the region to roast their own beans on premise and owner Dan Shaw’s dedication to premium coffee products has been further solidified by the recent award wins.

Dan said that taking home bronze in the categories of Espresso (short black) for their ‘Date Night’ and Milk Coffee (latte) for their ‘Woodstock’ was a true honour.

“The Golden Bean is one of the hardest coffee competitions in the world and we honestly feel so humbled that we have placed. It’s a win for not only our team, but also for Mackay as a regional town competing against major cities,” he said.

Celebrating its 18th year in Australia and eighth in North America, the Golden Bean Australasia Program recognises the most elite roasters across the globe in the categories of Espresso, Milk, Filter, Alternative Milk, Chain Store Milk, Chain Street Espresso, Elite and Super-Automatic.

The judging panel have extensive experience working within the industry, including Paul Asquith who has been Australasian Grand Barista Champion and specialises in filtration for coffee.

“There’s a true science behind coffee. All the different elements need to align, including bean quality, roast date, climate control, water quality…and of course, patience! We are constantly looking for new ways to perfect our craft and it’s encouraging to know that it’s coming through in the quality we’re producing,” Mr Shaw said.

Primal’s Operations Manager, Tamara Vella said that they were incredibly proud of what they had achieved this year and have even bigger plans for 2023.

“We’ve poured so much love into creating the highest quality beans and we’re excited to share that with even more people across Mackay and the Whitsunday Region to make sure everyone has access to an amazing coffee,” she said.

Primal Coffee Roasters are located at 134 Evan Street and sell their signature blends both in store and online via their website www.primalcoffeeroasters.com

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Primal Coffee Roasters’ Owner Dan Shaw (right) and Operations Manager Tamara Vella celebrate two bronze awards in the Golden Bean Australasia awards