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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Image: Shandee Blackburn was murdered in 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interested parties can refer to QTenders for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The way she would embrace community was just outstanding.

“She would make everybody feel welcome.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“They also help inspire the greatest change.”

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

“Every cent counts when it comes to saving lives.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amanda

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

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

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

“We truly are a vibrant multicultural nation.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The whole military structure changes now.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contributed with thanks to

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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An artist’s impression of Shute Harbour Marina Resort

Whether you are renovating your home, embarking on an extension project or building a brand-new house from scratch, choosing the right builder is the most important choice you will make.

Changing the paint colour or the curtains can be a decision you modify over the years, but the structure, quality and workmanship involved with construction is deeply rooted and almost impossible to reconfigure. Choosing the right builder is the foundation of any project.

Here is a checklist to make sure you get it right:

• Do your research – don’t be fooled by a quick talking salesman or rely on a ‘good feeling’, make sure you check out their online reviews and ask around for other people’s experience with the builder

• Ensure they are a specialist – don’t get an ‘odd-job-guy’ to build a home from scratch. Equally if you have a unique project that involves a specific material such as wood, make sure you use a builder who has experience with that material

• Make sure you can trust them – pick someone who clearly outlines the costs and timeline upfront and details any stipulations for additional works if required. If they are honest about this, then they are likely transparent about other elements as well

• Get three quotes – always price check, but also quality check. Don’t always go for the cheapest, ensure you get best value

• Give exact specifications – when getting quotes outline measurements, materials and other factors that affect costings

• Check the builder is registered by going to the Contractor’s Board website. Here you will be able to see whether they are licenced to and can handle the work

• You can also check whether they are insured by checking if the renovation builder is a member of a locating board. This information will also be on the Contractor’s Board website

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Staging your home for sale can add thousands of dollars to the asking price, and most of the work can be achieved by you with little cost and some effort. Here’s how:

• Winning Windows - Replace tired looking curtains and heavy drapes with a more modern and breezier feel. Try sheer fabrics which allow the space to feel more open. Choose floor length curtains and hang them from the ceiling instead of at the top of the window frame, to make the room appear taller.

• Bathroom Beauty - Buy white towels to stage your bathroom – fluffy monochromatic hues will create a spa affect and give the impression of luxury. They also look clean and fresh.

• Rug Right - Find a rug that fits the space and makes the room look bigger. Avoid one that is too small and always ensure the front legs of your couch and chairs are touching the rug. This will pull the room together and make the space look larger.

• Bookcase Bliss – Remove 25 per cent of your books straight away to create a decluttered feel. Afterwards, rearrange the shelf so that some books are stacked horizontally and others are artfully slanted or vertical. Add some interesting trinkets and ornaments to act as bookends, adding character and charm.

• Polished Presentation – If you are selling your home make sure you deal with any repairs and chip marks before prospective buyers view your house and see a minefield of maintenance jobs to attend to. Get the filler out and plaster the little chips in the walls and then add a fresh coat of paint.

• Declutter and Depersonalise – When prospective buyers come to view your house they want to imagine themselves living there and a decluttered, depersonalised space allows them to do that best. Unfortunately, this means removing family photos from walls, clearing away nick-knacks and minimalizing personal effects as much as possible.

• Focus On The Three – the kitchen, master bedroom and living room are considered the most influential rooms when buyers are assessing whether to purchase a property. Use fresh, good quality linen in the bedroom, cluster up the cushions on each side of the lounge setting and wipe your sink with lemon for extra sparkle.

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Keep your garden neat and tidy with Garden Bags Whitsunday, a simple and easy-to-use service that removes your trimmings and garden waste, alleviating the stress and hassle of endless trips to the tip in your Ute.

From palm fronds to lawn clippings, a variety of green waste can be placed in your dedicated bag, including clean cardboard.

The collected items are then recycled and turned into compost.

Made from strong and durable nylon, the tough garden bags are mounted on a metal frame making them easy to fill.

They can be discreetly placed in your garden and are then serviced as required, usually every four to eight weeks.

For bulk garden waste, the friendly team are also happy to remove straight from the pile and into their vehicle.

Chris and Bec McCormack, having previously discovered the Whitsundays after exploring Queensland as a family, moved to the Whitsundays from Canberra in December after Chris had an accident and his back surgeon recommended a warmer climate, and they now love living here.

The couple purchased the long-standing business earlier this year and officially took the reins in July.

Chris now works alongside his 17-year-old son, Chev, the two of them handling the day-to-day operations of the business.

Bec works from home in a government job she was able to bring with her and they have two other boys who are 12 and 22.

“Everyone has been fantastic and really welcoming,” said Bec.

“The handover from the previous owners, Geoff and Kate, was amazing, they spent the following few months showing us how to run the business. In fact, they continue helping with the transition.”

“We deliver your garden bag and stand for free!” said Chris.

“And we are happy to come and take a look at your property first if you like.

“We love meeting everyone and are very happy to help – we can work around your schedules and explain the process clearly.”

Garden Bags Whitsunday remove:

• Grass clippings

• Small shrubs

• Twigs

• Hedge trimmings

• Palm fronds

• Weeds

• Leaves

• Loose garden waste

• Clean Cardboard

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Chris, Bec and Chev McCormack from Garden Bags Whitsunday

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The Scotsman likes his heather bell

The Englishman his rose

The shamrocks please the Irishman

But I choose none of those.

Surrounding my homestead I see

And spread far to the west

The arrows of the sugarcane

And these I like the best.

(D L Moffat)

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Many a tourist and farmer standing on a farmhouse veranda on a sunny afternoon would agree with D L Moffat, that the beauty of acres of pale mauve cane flowers waving in the breeze, is hard to surpass.

When early settlers began growing sugar cane in the district, one wonders if they realised the great wealth that sugar would bring to the Whitsunday Shire.

It was all work and no play in the infant settlement and not always smooth sailing. First attempts at establishing a fledgling industry in 1885 were strangled by government intervention. It was another twelve years before Proserpine finally gained its own mill when the government provided the necessary funds to build the Proserpine Central Mill.

The mill was christened on September 16, 1897, with farmers and graziers from all around travelling by buggy and horseback to attend the celebrations. After the ceremony, there was a picnic and cricket match followed by a shareholders’ banquet that night in the sugar room and the following evening, a grand ball (all of which were echoed 100 years later at the Centenary Celebrations of 1997).

In its first crushing season (September 16 – December 24) 10,991 tons of cane was crushed. There were thirty-nine growers in the district and 568 acres of land was under cane.

Unfortunately, the powers that be had overestimated Proserpine’s potential and recommended a mill with a capacity far in excess of local farm output. District farmers could not service the debt so asked the government to take over the running of the mill. As it transpired, the government appointees were less financially responsible than had been the inexperienced shareholders and for thirty-one years the debt mounted.  

They say that adversity builds strength and there was no greater example of this than the Proserpine farmers’ determination during the Great Depression. On May 14, 1931, in a resoundingly optimistic move, they voted overwhelmingly in favour of purchasing the then government-owned mill to form their own co-operative.  

It was a momentous day on July 1, 1931 when growers once again took charge of their mill. And so began a new page in the history of the mill.

The 1931 season yielded a record crop of 117,347 tons. Fifty years on, in the 1981 season, the first one million tonnes of cane was crushed. Then, only fifteen years later, in 1996, Proserpine Co-operative Sugar Mill crushed two million tonnes – an Australian record for a sugar mill with one set of crushing mills.

In 2011, following a series of global and local setbacks over the previous decade, the difficult decision was made to sell the mill to Wilmar Sugar (Singapore). And so, after eight decades as a Co-Operative, it was the end of an era.

This year, in its 125th crushing, the crop estimate currently stands at 1.826 million tonnes, at the time of printing.

Over 125 years, the growing, harvesting and milling of sugar cane has witnessed considerable change and development – increased mechanisation in both the harvesting and growing sectors; the shift to green cane harvesting; new and improved cane varieties; increased irrigation and other improvements in farm management practices.

Throughout this time, farmers, harvesting contractors and millers have demonstrated a willingness to embrace changes; a determination to work together and the resolve to confront challenges that arise. In the current uncertain world climate, these qualities will be more important than ever.

Story and photo courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum.

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