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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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The development of Langford Park in Eton is starting to take shape.
A master plan for the area has been developed based on feedback that was gathered during the community consultation activities in November last year.
Mayor Greg Williamson said council was committed to improving liveability across the whole region.
“These upgrades will ensure Eton residents have a viable option close by for birthday parties, play dates and other social activities,” Mayor Williamson said.
“The work will take place in four stages, which will see the whole precinct upgraded, subject to funding,” he said.
“Stage one works are expected to commence in the 2024-2025 financial year.
“As part of stage one, the existing playground will be replaced with new play equipment, including a roofed shade structure and covered seating for parents. It will also be relocated closer to the park’s oval.
“The new play equipment will cater for a wide range of ages, from toddlers to children aged up to 12 years-old, and the area will be fully fenced.”
Other work being undertaken as part of stage one includes:
• A formalised entry from Hill Street with a 1.5-metre-wide concrete path connecting to the picnic and playground facilities.
• A new picnic shelter with an electric barbecue and picnic setting overlooking the park’s oval.
• Footy goal posts added to the oval.
• A retrofitted lockable gate to the internal road to prevent vehicles cutting through the park (the gate can be opened to allow access when needed by the Pony Club or others using the park).
• Water bubbler and additional shade trees.
Bowen’s Big Mango continues to attract travellers from all states as well as overseas and they include families, grey nomads, celebrities and people travelling in unusual vehicles.
An estimated 100,000 people stop by this iconic tourist attraction each year to have a selfie taken next to one of Australia’s favourite “big things”.
This week, the Queensland Variety Bash cars are on their way to Cairns – raising money to help disadvantaged children reach their full potential.
Many of the vehicles travelled from Mackay northwest to Collinsville and then back to the Bruce Highway to make their way north.
Some, however, travelled straight up the Bruce Highway from Mackay and the Simpsons Crew from Bash 1111 Car was one of those who stopped at Bowen’s iconic tourist attraction.
This crew set themselves a fundraising goal of $8.5k and they have already passed that, raising more than $11k to help kids in need.
Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the Big Mango team was excited to welcome the Simpsons Crew as they made their way north.
“We often have unusual vehicles and people dressed up in costume call in for a selfie – and we love it when they come into the Visitor Information Centre next door to chat to the team and enjoy a delicious mango sorbet,” she said.
“It is great to see people raising money for such worthy causes.”
The Queensland Variety Bash 2023 finished in Cairns on Thursday (August 24) and raised more than $1.5 million!
The Simpsons Crew from the Variety Bash’s Car 1111 called in at the Big Mango this week. Photo supplied
Customer experience, it is one of the most important things all the businesses in our region have in common. We are all working to ensure our customers feel important and appreciated and enjoy doing business or purchasing from us. We know that good customer service reputation and reviews are a major factor in attracting new business and delivering a great service experience will likely influence a return visit or purchase.
The Chamber is keen to start a conversation on the customer service within the Whitsunday business community. What are our individual and collective strengths? How do we train and support our teams to deliver great service? As a business community, what could we do collectively to help elevate and maintain a customer service culture that is the envy of the nation? We welcome your thoughts.
Business Boost Grants are a vital pillar of the Queensland Government’s Big Plan for Small Business strategy and grants of up to $20,000 are available with a total of $2.5M allocated this round. The grants can be used for activities that will provide growth through strategic business planning, implementation of cloud platforms and online management systems. Available from 6th to 12th September at www.business.qld.gov.au/businessboost
Vision for the Whitsundays – The research phase of our Vision for the Whitsundays project is now open. The project aims to articulate an economic vision for the Whitsundays that is informed by its business community. We invite businesses to have their say on what the Whitsundays of the future looks like, current major drivers of change and points of resistance, and what we need to do now to future proof our tomorrow. There are a few ways you can participate and share your view – make a formal submission to the project, complete a short three question survey, or attend a face-to-face or virtual focus group. Visit our website to learn more and have your say. The full report will be released in May 2024.
Our next Chamber event – Chamber on Tap – will be held 5:30pm-7:00pm Thursday 14 September at the Reef Gateway Hotel, Cannonvale. This event will showcase several business support services offered to the region by the Queensland Government Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training such as their Mentoring for Growth program, financial counselling service, wellness coaching, industry workforce advisors, and Back to Work funding. This event is open to all. Visit our website for more information.
As we emerge from “winter” and embrace the wonderful spring weather, I encourage us all to take particular care as our scaley snake friends awaken from their winter hibernation. They are usually hungry and cranky so please keep your children and your pets safe. The forest is also a source of danger to those who suffer severe allergies so again please take care.
Council has resolved to move to monthly meetings commencing this month in line with most other Queensland Councils. It is the intent to spend more time on looking at the big picture issues rather than the short council meetings we currently have. The meetings will still rotate between Proserpine and Bowen and will be live streamed. The recordings of these meetings will be kept and available for the public to view on Council’s website.
On the 15th of August, Greater Whitsunday Communities held their Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit in Mackay. The summit was attended by the three Local Governments as well as social housing providers, bankers, developers, real estate agents, state government and the mining, tourism and agriculture sectors.
There were some robust and enlightening conversations and presentations during the day. These are being collated into a report and position paper that we can use to lobby the State and Federal Governments for funding. However, everyone agreed that there is a critical shortage of housing across the wider region and that worker and affordable rentals must be addressed as a matter of extreme urgency.
Ergon are undertaking important works that started on Monday the 28th of August until the 16th of September which will affect the Central Lagoon Carpark which will limit the parking available.
Council is preparing to undertake works on the next stage of the Airlie Beach Boardwalk, which will result in the closure of the Boardwalk between the VMR Boat Ramp and Shingley Drive for around 13 weeks, from 11 September to early December. The works will expand the boardwalk by approximately 1m and see the old boards replaced with a composite fibre material.
A detour will be put in place behind Mirage Whitsundays Apartments, via Altmann Avenue and Shingley Drive. I can’t wait to see the finished product and get back out and about enjoying our wonderful foreshore area.
Waste or unwanted motor oil should not be put into recycling or rubbish bins as it is unable to be correctly processed or treated this way. Furthermore, waste oil that spills into collection trucks can ignite fires when in contact with hot surfaces, for example with the exhaust of the truck.
Instead, residents can dispose of up to 20L of waste oil for free at Council landfills as well as at the Cannonvale, Collinsville and Mount Coolon Transfer Stations.
Use a clean metal or appropriate plastic container with a tightly sealed lid to collect your oil before taking it to be recycled. Appropriate plastic containers must be made of polyethylene (e.g. the original motor oil container) and not an empty milk bottle for example.
Waste oil can then be refined through the correct systems into new oil, processed into fuel oils, or used as raw materials for the petroleum industry. By recycling our waste oil efficiently, we greatly reduce the hazardous effects it could have on our delicate environment.
For more information, visit the Waste and Recycling section of our website: www.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au
The Whitsundays is home to some of the greatest tourism products in Australia, but how do you make your business stand out in this sea of excellence?
Whether you’re a small or well-established business, these marketing tips will put you on the path to generating outstanding marketing.
Content: Get the attention your business deserves with a combination of jaw-dropping visuals and user-generated content.
Work with local content creators to create scroll-stopping videos and images or encourage your guests to capture, post, and tag content of your product.
Sharing the real, unedited experience is an equally powerful way to showcase your strengths.
Data: Where you can, collect information from your guests, such as their age, state, occupation, and travel group status (singles, couples, families, etc.) to target your advertisements.
Log into ‘Meta Blueprint’ to learn how to target your social media activity to your most active markets.
Differentiation: Figure out what makes you and your business unique and shout it from the rooftops.
Answer the question: ‘How are you different from your competitors?’ and make sure the answers are clear in your marketing communications.
Lastly, regional tourism organisations provide marketing support to all levels of businesses. Members of Tourism Whitsundays can be included in domestic and international marketing campaigns to receive coverage across a wide range of channels.
For the second year in a row Peninsula Airlie Beach has received national recognition as Residential Manager of the Year – Short Term Accommodation runners-up at the ARAMA awards held down in Brisbane last month.
This latest accolade adds to their already weighty trophy cabinet, having taken out top gong for the same award last year followed by an Excellence In Customer Service Award at the at the Whitsunday Tourism Awards 2022.
This inspiring list of achievements is especially impressive considering Managers Paul and Fran Tuddenham have only been in the industry for two years.
Originally from Robina, on the Gold Coast, the couple worked in Banking and Management for over 20 years before starting a Mortgage Broking Business which they also operated for 20 years.
When they came to Airlie Beach on holiday, they took a tour of Peninsula and fell in love with the area and its stunning sea views.
Taking the career change in their stride, the couple took on the management rights of the complex and have never looked back.
Two years on and not only have they won several awards, but they have also substantially grown the business in that time.
“We have 42 units, 26 of which are in the rental pool,” explained Paul.
“When we came here, we had 12 apartments and have since grown to now manage 23 of them which is amazing!”
Paul says that the location itself makes his job and growing the business easy as Peninsula is perfectly positioned just a short 1.5-kilometre walk from Airlie Beach and has stunning views of the Coral Sea.
“You can see sea turtles off the balconies in the afternoon and all units have balconies that look out onto the Coral Sea or Coral Sea Marina,” he said.
“We love living here and we love our job – it sounds a bit cliché, but we just love building the business up, building relationships with tourism operators and we are getting a lot of repeat business.
“We find that people just love the more personal accommodation and business is really good.”
One significant change that Peninsula has adopted recently is that the units are no longer available to party-guests, with bucks and hen nights strictly prohibited.
This has created an environment where people are assured of a relaxing, quiet holiday escape where they can enjoy the serenity of the location without external noise.
Paul and Fran have also been nominated for the upcoming 2023 Whitsunday Tourism Awards which are due to be held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre in October.
They are hoping to take home another accolade, but if they don’t, Paul says living in such a beautiful location is reward enough.
“We love Airlie Beach, so many people haven’t even been here yet, but they should definitely come, and we will make sure we look after them.”
Paul and Fran Tuddenham, Managers of Peninsula Airlie Beach. Photo supplied
Aspiring nurses of Bowen have been given the green light, with TAFE Bowen now offering the Diploma of Nursing in the Bowen Health Hub.
Replicating a real-life hospital environmental, nursing students at the Bowen Health Hub will be able to get hands-on training for the duration of the 18-month course which is set to start on September 25.
“In Bowen, the Diploma of Nursing will be delivered online with some face-to-face training,” explained Melanie Clarke, Community and Health Faculty Manager for TAFE Queensland in Far North and North Queensland.
“During the course, students will participate in several week-long residential training blocks to gain practical, hands-on skills.
“On campus, students will train in the purpose-built Bowen Health Hub using industry standard equipment and tools.
“To ensure they are work-ready when they graduate, students will also complete a minimum of 400 hours of vocational placement in a health care facility or hospital,” Mrs Clarke said.
The Diploma of Nursing will be offered as a Fee-Free course, meaning eligible students will receive the training for free.
“We know that for some people the cost of training can be a barrier to pursuing their career goals, so Fee-Free TAFE is a great opportunity for locals seeking training,” she said.
Mrs Clarke said Diploma of Nursing graduates can choose to pathway to university.
“Our graduates are highly sought after and can enter the workforce when they finish their course or use their diploma training to pursue further studies such as a Bachelor of Nursing at university,” she said.
To enrol in the Diploma of Nursing at the TAFE Queensland Bowen campus, visit tafeqld.edu.au or call 1300 308 233 today.
After nine days and 37 sessions of performance across the MECC and Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music, the first leg of the Mackay Eisteddfod has wrapped up.
The Eisteddfod will continue with drama and dance categories from October 1 to 14.
Read on to find a selection of results on page 20 and visit Mackay Eisteddfod Results on Facebook for full results.
For a full list of award winners, visit Mackay Eisteddfod Results on Facebook.
Thursday, August 10
SESSION 1 - MECC THEATRE
S1 - Choral Singing for Schools Year 1 and Under
GOLD Mackay West State School
BRONZE Mackay North State School
S2 - Choral Singing for Schools Year 2 and Under
GOLD Victoria Park State School
GOLD Whitsunday Anglican School – Whitsunday Piccolos
BRONZE Emmanuel Catholic Primary School
BRONZE Mackay North State School
S4 - Choral Singing for Schools Year 4 and Under
GOLD Whitsunday Anglican School – Whitsunday Mezzo Coro
GOLD Emmanuel Catholic Primary School
SILVER Mackay West State School Choir
SILVER Eimeo Road State School Choir
SILVER Fitzgerald SS
SESSION 2 - MECC THEATRE
S5A - Choral Singing for Schools Year 6 and Under
GOLD Fitzgerald SS
SILVER Whitsunday Anglican School – Whitsunday Cantare
SILVER Emmanuel Catholic Primary School
BRONZE St John’s Catholic Primary School Choir
S6 - Choral Singing for Primary Schools Open
SILVER Emmanuel Catholic Primary School
SILVER Bucasia State School
BRONZE St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
SESSION 3 - MECC THEATRE
S35 - Modern Solo 13 Years
1st Madelyn Shepherd
2nd Harry Hayes
3rd Maria Attard
S36 - Modern Solo 14 Years
1st Matilda Turner
2nd Sanvi Rana
3rd Senara Wasalthilaka
S37 - Modern Solo 15 Years
1st Elise Doherty
2nd Billie Little
3rd Sophie Reilly
S38 - Modern Solo 16 Years
1st Lexis Tapp
2nd Cohen Goodson
3rd Lily Wardrop
S14 - Folk Singing Group for Secondary Schools
1st Mackay North State High School
2nd St Patrick’s College Folk Choir
S12 - Choral Singing for Secondary Schools Hymn and Folk
1st St Patrick’s College Choir
2nd Whitsunday Anglican School Snr Vocal Ensemble
3rd Catherine McAuley College Mackay
SESSION 4 - MECC THEATRE
S11 - Choral Singing for Secondary Schools Open
1st Catherine McAuley College
2nd St Patrick’s College
3rd Mackay North State High School
S15 - Jazz/Modern Vocal Group for Secondary Schools
1st Mackay North State High School
2nd St Patrick’s College
3rd Catherine McAuley College
S20 - Open Chorus
1st With One Voice Mackay
S21 - Folk Singing Group Open
1st Grace Notes
2nd Dance Express
S22 - Jazz / Modern Group Open
1st Dance Express
2nd With One Voice Mackay
3rd Grace Notes
S39 - Modern Solo 17 to 25 Years
1st Isabella Davison
2nd Dana Falzon
3rd Meg McDonald
Friday, August 11
SESSION 5 - MECC THEATRE
S7 - Choral Singing for Primary Schools Enrolment 150 or less
BRONZE Chelona State School
S8 - Choral Singing for Primary Schools 151 to 300
GOLD Alligator Creek State School
GOLD Carlisle Adventist College Yr 3/4
SILVER Carlisle Adventist College Yr 1/2
BRONZE Carlisle Adventist College Yr 5/6
S3 - Choral Singing for Schools Year 3 and Under
GOLD St Brendan’s Mackay
GOLD Victoria Park State School
SILVER Fitzgerald State School
SILVER Proserpine State School
BRONZE Bucasia State School
BRONZE St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
SESSION 6 - MECC THEATRE
S5B - Choral Singing for Schools Year 6 and Under
GOLD Mackay North State School
GOLD St Brendan’s Mackay
SILVER Proserpine State School
BRONZE Slade Point State School
BRONZE Marian State School
S10 - Folk Singing Group for Primary Schools
GOLD Fitzgerald State School
GOLD Whitsunday Anglican School – Whitsunday Litra Mae
GOLD Proserpine State School
SILVER Marian State School
SESSION 7 - MECC THEATRE
S48 - Solo from any Musical, Operetta or Rock Opera 11 Years
1st Henry Miller
2nd Harriet Wheaton
3rd Kalli Lincoln
S49 - Solo from any Musical, Operetta or Rock Opera 12 Years
1st Kiara Knowles
2nd Emily Chandler
3rd Georgina Baira
S50 - Solo from any Musical, Operetta or Rock Opera 13 Years
1st Emily Franettovich
2nd Madelyn Shepherd
3rd Callyn Grady
S51 - Solo from any Musical, Operetta or Rock Opera 14 Years
1st Sanvi Rana
2nd Lacey Dahl
3rd Gabriella Ruggeri
S52 - Solo from any Musical, Operetta or Rock Opera 15 Years
1st Elise Doherty
2nd Hannah Stevenson
3rd Billie Little
SESSION 8 - MECC THEATRE
S53 - Solo from any Musical, Operetta or Rock Opera 16 Years
1st Lily Wardrop
2nd Lexis Tapp
3rd Cohen Goodson
S54 - Solo from any Musical, Operetta or Rock Opera 17 to 25 Years
1st Meg McDonald
2nd Cara Pace
3rd Nicole Pillhofer
S40 - Modern Solo Open
1st Brandi Illguth
2nd Sharon Thompson
3rd Nicole Pillhofer
Saturday, August 12
SESSION 10 - MECC THEATRE
323A Premier Irish Jig 15 Years and Under
1st Olivia Knight
2nd Harper Mason
3rd Annika Wallace
323B Premier Irish Jig 16 Years and Over
1st Chloe Barnham
2nd Tullia McDonald
3rd Tamlyn Evans
300 Primary Pas De Basques
1st Amber Rowe
2nd Briar-Rose O’Donnell
3rd Henry Rowe
303A Beginners Highland Fling 10 Years and Under
1st Anna O'Riely
2nd Amelia Shipston
303B Beginners Highland Fling 11 Years and Over
1st Caitlin Yore
308 Novice Highland Fling All Ages
1st Gabrielle Reading
2nd Laycee Mason
3rd Marley Brown
313 Intermediate Highland Laddie All Ages
1st Xeaicha Hutchinson
2nd Trinity Lowe
301 Primary Pas De Basques and High Cuts
1st Amber Rose
2nd Briar-Rose O’Donnell
3rd Henry Rowe
315 Intermediate Barracks Johnnie All Ages
1st Layla Brown
2nd Xeaicha Hutchinson
304A Beginners Sword Dance 10 Years and Under
1st Amelia Shipston
2nd Anna O’Riely
3rd Lauren Norgate
304B Beginners Sword Dance 11 Years and Over
1st Zoe Ferguson
2nd Caitlin Yore
309 Novice Sword Dance All Ages
1st Laycee Mason
2nd Gabrielle Reading
3rd Chloe Schatkowski
314 Intermediate Seann Triubhas All Ages
1st Lilly-Louise Foslund
2nd Layla Brown
3rd Trinity Lowe
322A Premier Sailors' Hornpipe 15 Years and Under
1st Olivia Knight
2nd Harper Mason
3rd Lily Williamson
322B Premier Sailors' Hornpipe 16 Years and Over
1st Brooke Elliott
2nd Chloe Barnham
3rd Isabella Yore
302 Primary Highland Fling
1st Briar-Rose O’Donnell
2nd Amber Rose
305A Beginners Seann Triubhas 10 Years and Under
1st Amelia Shipston
2nd Lauren Norgate
3rd Anna O’Riely
305B Beginners Seann Triubhas 11 Years and Over
1st Caitlin Yore
2nd Zoe Ferguson
3rd Sophia Benton
310 Novice Seann Triubhas All Ages
1st Laycee Mason
2nd Scarlett O’Donnell
3rd Marley Brown
316 Intermediate Sailors' Hornpipe All Ages
1st Xeaicha Hutchinson
2nd Trinity Lowe
3rd Layla Brown
Choral and Vocal Major Award Winners Back Row L-R Billy Anderson, Nicole Pillhofer, Madelyn Shepherd, Meg McDonald, Lily Wardrop, Sanvi Rani, Brandi Illguth, D’Arne Sleeman (Adjudicator), Front Row L-R Jeanie Elliott, Hope Gage-Riri, Lacey Cheyne. Photo supplied: Mackay Eisteddfod Association Inc
More than 150 stakeholders in attendance at the Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit last week were presented with a comprehensive schedule of information outlining the multifaceted housing crisis confronting the Greater Whitsunday region.
The aim of the Summit was to seek to develop solutions to the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions’ housing issues in line with the priorities identified at the Housing Roundtable in December 2022.
As major event sponsors, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank Director Ann Fordyce said the material presented and discussions highlighted what an “extremely complex dilemma” housing is – both currently and in our region’s future.
“Housing is critical for our economic and community development,” Ms Fordyce said.
“Our population has grown significantly in recent years, and housing and infrastructure has not kept up with the demand.
“With more people moving to the area, additional pressure is being applied to the region’s increasing demand for social and affordable housing.”
The Summit was an initial working step in formulating and implementing solutions that will take into account the many facets of the housing crisis.
“Collaborative solutions are required. This is not a situation where one organisation will be able to provide a complete, all-over solution. There are many important issues to be taken into account and actioned, such as housing availability to all demographics, diversity of choice and the required infrastructure support relative to population growth.
“Finding workable solutions will require buy-in and action from all levels of government, as well as the private sector, because this critical housing issue impacts every aspect of our region’s economic development.
“As a community bank, Community Bank Sarina supports a collaborative approach to identifying solutions to our region’s housing crisis and we look forward to seeing the strategic outcomes.
“We see the next steps being realistic and actionable solutions enabling partnerships to coordinate, promote and facilitate opportunities to increase housing supply, including the delivery of social and affordable housing outcomes.”
Amanda Camm MP, Member for Whitsunday congratulated the Greater Whitsunday Communities for hosting the Housing Summit.
“To see the breadth and diversity of stakeholders who made valuable contributions to the discussions, highlights the real impact the housing crisis is having across community, industry and development sectors in the region,” Ms Camm said.
Ms Camm said it was disappointing that the State Housing Minister was only able to attend the opening.
“And didn’t make time to hear from the locals in the room who clearly outlined the impacts the crisis was having on the region and also provided local solutions that may help alleviate the problem,” she added.
“Until this housing issue is addressed the challenge for all industries will be the challenge of attracting workforce to our region. It is going to take a collaborative, region specific approach to finding a solution.
“The Government must let regional stakeholders drive the response and not just dictate a one size fits all response from Brisbane.
“The Labor Government’s ongoing announcements and lack of delivery have been disappointing over the last two years.
“We have a 2-billion-dollar housing investment fund and not one cent has been used to build a home in regional Queensland.”
Deputy Mayor Karen May, Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm and Carol Norris, Executive Officer of Greater Whitsunday Communities attending the Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit
NQ's Rock'n Country once again delivered a weekend of loud, energetic, and boot-scooting live country music last weekend.
The music of Shannon Noll, Morgan Evans, Troy Cassar-Daley, and Adam Brand was heard across the city of Mackay, emanating from the busy hub of the Mackay Showgrounds.
While locals and visitors alike enjoyed a weekend of country bangers, they were also playing their part in raising funds for Variety - the Children's Charity of Queensland.
NQ's Rock'n Country made a donation of $30,000 to Variety which will be used to support children who are sick, disadvantaged, or who have a disability.
Money was also raised through auctions and donations throughout the day.
The festival aligned with the 2023 Variety Bash, travelling from Toowoomba to Cairns, with the Variety Bashers stopping in and dancing their lay day away.
Congratulations to all who contributed to this great cause!
NQ's Rock'n Country donated $30,000 to Variety Queensland. Photo supplied
The pressing issue of the housing crisis demands immediate attention and proactive solutions. With the cost of building a home set to rise on October 1, 2023, the timing couldn't be more critical. As we grapple with the housing shortage, the Master Builders Association says the decision for the Queensland Government to introduce livable housing and energy efficiency provisions adds an extra burden to an already challenging situation. While other states have recognised the economic climate and housing crisis and postponed changes, the Queensland Government has chosen a different path.
The Master Builders Association added that the ramifications of these changes are substantial, potentially increasing the cost of building by $20,000 to $30,000. This comes on top of the 42 per cent rise in costs over the past three years. As the housing crisis deepens, adding further complexity and financial strain on prospective homeowners seems counterintuitive. Despite the economic challenges, local builders celebrated earlier this month at the Mackay & Whitsunday Master Builders Awards. You can read about some of the success on pages 10 – 13.
In light of these challenges, it's heartening to see efforts on the community level to address the housing crisis. The recent Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit gathered over 150 stakeholders to delve into the multifaceted housing issues in the region. Acknowledging the complexity of the situation, the summit aimed to formulate solutions in line with community priorities. Collaborative efforts involving all levels of government and the private sector are essential to tackle this crisis head-on. You can read more about this on the opposite page.
As we face the housing shortage, I believe all levels of government, businesses and individuals must come together to offer realistic and actionable solutions. The crisis impacts every aspect of our economic development, from attracting a skilled workforce to ensuring affordable housing for all demographics.
The housing crisis is a call to action, and now is the time for our leaders to step up and provide the necessary support and solutions. The welfare of our communities and the future prosperity of our region depend on it.
Amanda
The Whitsunday STEM Challenge invited young women and their families to learn, network and become inspired at a Women in STEM event earlier this week.
Hosted at Whitsunday Anglican School as part of National Science Week, the event aligned with the national theme of ‘Innovation: Powering Future Industries’.
Event Coordinator Leanne Williams said Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) was important for students in this contemporary world with the rise of new technologies.
“This is to inspire our next generation to think outside the square on different available careers,” she said.
“Students need to learn the ability to understand and apply data and develop solutions to complex problems and this event aims to encourage an interest in science pursuits, especially among our young women.”
Students were offered the opportunity to take part in activities linked to STEM careers including virtual reality, robotics, drones, and forensics.
Four guest speakers of different backgrounds also presented to the group before engaging in a panel discussion and Q&A, including keynote speaker Nicola Grobler (Careers with STEM), Rebekah Rhoades (mechanical/CPEng accredited), Emma Jones (Environmental Management) and Kirtee Nadaraja (medical science).
Mechanical Engineer at BMA’s Broadmeadow Mine Rebekah Rhoades hoped to inspire the next generation to follow a career in STEM, saying “you can’t be what you can’t see.”
“I didn’t have the understanding of the resource sector growing up and wasn’t guided in that direction at all,” she said.
“I want to make it visible that we’re (women in STEM) are in existence.
“Our biggest benefit is the lower high school age bracket, so they can start studying the prerequisites and feel safe to do that.”
Year 11 Whitsunday Anglican School student Kashmala Kahn was eager for the opportunity to network and learn about STEM careers, an opportunity she said is rare.
“There’s not many opportunities like this where you get to meet other women who are interested in STEM, specifically robotics,” she said.
“Hopefully I can help my younger friends see that it’s alright to take part in this type of things.”
Councillor Michelle Green (Emcee) with guest speakers Rebekah Rhoades, Kirtee Nadaraja, Emma Jones, and Nicola Grobler
Students from Mackay, Sarina, and Proserpine attended the event, partaking in robotics, VR, drones, and forensics
Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
Commemorating The 50th Anniversary Of The End Of Australia's Involvement In The Vietnam War
Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
When local model Jenna K took on the role of Mrs Charity Oceania 2023, she vowed to use her platform to raise money and awareness for causes close to her heart and help women of all ages with their confidence, mindset and self-love.
One aspect of this mission was the Beeyoutiful Charity Pageant, an event held on Saturday, July 22 offering the people of Mackay the opportunity to improve their confidence while raising funds for BreastScreen Queensland.
Entrants were invited to a confidence and mindset masterclass throughout the morning, before returning that evening to show off what they’d learnt.
17 participants aged between seven and their late 60s entered across four categories: Little Miss Beeyoutiful, Junior Miss Beeyoutiful, Ms Beeyoutiful and Classic Beeyoutiful.
“I was mindful that the people who were entering might not have done anything like that before, so I wanted to provide each entrant the best chance possible to show their confidence onstage later that evening,” Jenna said.
“When they came back in the evening, I noticed a very high level of confidence they had gained and even a week after, I had parents contacting me saying they see a difference in their daughter and the event really helped with their confidence and self-esteem.”
Entrants walked the runway in pink wear, fun fashion wear and evening wear and were judged on a variety of criteria before winners were named across categories and other prizes were awarded.
Little Miss Beeyoutiful went to Madison Kennedy, Wren Forbes was named Junior Miss Beeyoutiful, Ms Beeyoutiful went to Crystal Sweeney while Judy Cook was crowned Classic Beeyoutiful.
The event raised $2,038.95 for BreastScreen QLD Mackay through the Mackay Hospital Foundation.
“It was an amazing event and it definitely helped to have the event with my current title to show that I’m not just someone who wears a crown and sash but I’m actually someone who wants to make a difference in her community and to other people’s lives,” Jenna said.
“I’m really excited to do it next year because I can see the impact it’s made on young women’s lives.”
Jenna will continue her campaign of kindness before she represents Oceania at Charity Pageant Intercontinental in Perth next year.
Back row L-R Wren Forbes, Judy Cook, Jenna K and Crystal Sweeney, front row Madison Kennedy
17 women aged between seven and their late 60s participated in the pageant
Photo credit: Marty Strecker Photography
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