With contact tracing a thing of the past, the State Government announced earlier this week that QR code check-ins were no longer necessary, however the check-in app would still be required to show proof of vaccination in specified venues.

Venues that still require patrons to be fully vaccinated, such as pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafés and event venues will still need to see proof of vaccination.

The move was enthusiastically welcomed by many businesses with some staff immediately removing the app signage from their venues.

Chief Executive of the Queensland Tourism and Industry Council Daniel Gschwind labelled the need to check-in as confusing and said there was relief that the practice was being shelved.

"It didn't serve much purpose and we still have mandated vaccination requirements for all hospitality venues and that will probably stay in place,” Mr Gschwind said.

Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner had been calling on the State Government for the past month to scrap the app, saying finally common sense prevailed.

“Glad to see the State Government has listened to our calls to scrap the check-in app for many businesses,” the Lord Mayor said.

“The State hasn’t been using their app for contact tracing, so forcing residents to use it didn’t make much sense.

“This will help to reduce the angst and be good for local business.”

With double vaccination rates reaching 90 per cent this week, hospitality owners are calling to remove all vaccination mandates in an effort to rebound from what has been a stifling time in business.

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KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter spoke in the heartland of Queensland’s coal coastline last week to fight for the future of affordable electricity and a strong economy.

With Hay Point’s coal loading facility as the backdrop, Mr Katter said he is sick and tired of other parties spitting on the coal industry which delivers $110B per year to the Australian economy.

“If you want to buy a pair of shoes, food for your table, live the dream of owning your own home, the money for that comes from coal and iron ore,” Mr Katter said.

“This country has been carried in the coal truck for 70-odd years now.

“If you work in the coal industry, or benefit from the coal industry, for heaven’s sake, have the guts to stand up for coal.”

Mr Katter said businesses who publicly denounce coal and advocate for solar are taking Australian jobs and exporting them to China.

“Every time you put glass on your roof, you take a job off an Australian and send that job to China,” he said.

“600 million people are without electricity in India. They need coal, they don’t have space for glass.”

Mr Katter said that the coal-fired power plants of the future emit far less CO2 than previously and spoke of technology to use the CO2 emitted to cultivate algae, a protein-rich food source for farmers.

“The future of coal is very bright when you look at the research being conducted in using CO2 to grow algae.

“You need to have a lot of flat land, in North Queensland, we have heaps of flat land. Due west from Mackay, there’s desert upland, there’s water and it’s as flat as a billiard table. There’s about 10,000 square kilometres.

“Plenty of land, plenty of water and plenty of coal. Feeding the CO2 to the algae, zero emissions. Zero emissions. You can’t say there’s zero emissions in producing that silicone for your roof.

“Producing electricity from a modern coal-fired power station with the algae ponds, zero emissions.

“Algae is 23 per cent protein. In the cattle industry, you’d cry for 23 per cent protein. Anyone can cut grass, but it lacks protein.

“The future of coal is bright, black and shiny.”

Mr Katter also spoke of the cost of renewables, saying it would further widen the wealth gap.

“Think of the poor old pensioners, they’re going to be the ones paying double for their electricity to subsidise the rich people who could afford solar,” he said.

Katter also said he is looking for a strong federal candidate to take on the seat of Dawson, saying discussions with George Christensen hadn’t come to fruition.

“I think he has made a terrible mistake,” Mr Katter said.

“He could win this seat running for us.

“We’re determined to move forward in this seat (of Dawson). We dipped out by two seats to get the balance of power in the last election. Two seats.

“Behind the scenes we’re making great strides. We’re very strong in some seats.

“We will get the balance of power, and when we do, you can start counting the days to when we get our own state for North Queensland.”

Katter Party Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and former Katter Party candidate for Whitsunday Ciaron Patterson at Hay Point. Photos: Amanda Wright

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With the recent Senate Inquiry into GP shortages in regional Queensland, Dawson’s Labor Candidate, Shane Hamilton, is throwing his full support behind addressing the issue in Mackay through James Cook University (JCU).

Meeting on Thursday with Dr Elissa Hatherly, Mackay Clinical School Head at James Cook University (JCU), Mr Hamilton heard the concerns facing the Sugar City’s hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals.

Mr Hamilton said that JCU is investing in three key areas to sustain and build a lasting health workforce for the communities of the Mackay region and supporting them was pivotal.

“JCU is well known for its success in taking kids from regional communities, giving them a great educational experience, with positive rural experiences and fantastic mentors, that inspire graduating health professionals to want to stay in the region,” Mr Hamilton said.

“It makes sense to back a local provider that is delivering strong results for our community.”

This past week, 18 doctors commenced training with JCU to become GPs in the Mackay region.

“From what I have been told, that is a 17 per cent increase of GP trainees in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions,” Mr Hamilton said.

The University is seeking to expand the delivery of its Medical School program in Mackay and Cairns with a minimum 80 additional trainees commencing Commonwealth supported places (CSPs).

“North Queensland has really struggled for many years; we are under servicing, we have far fewer doctors in northern Queensland than our southeast corner counterparts,” Dr Hatherly said.

“Increasing the number of GP training program pathway positions here in Mackay and across northern Queensland is incredibly important.

“We have proven to deliver high quality general practice training and are well prepared to do that in greater numbers.”

Dr Hatherly said that, if these GP numbers aren’t met, workforce pressures will be exacerbated, and COVID has already highlighted the stress the system could experience in 10 to 15 years’ time.

“We need to be training people here to have them stay here,” Dr Hatherly said.

Mr Hamilton said that GP training needs to meet Queensland’s needs, including continued funding for JCU to deliver the College-led GP training across regional Queensland.

“I 100 per cent support the outcomes of the senate inquiry which should and will support the need for more GPs and more doctors in regional Queensland,” Mr Hamilton said.

“Programs like the JCU are running allows doctors to be trained here, and will imbed them to stay here, have a career, have a life in the towns they’ve come to know.”

On the same day, The Honourable Dr David Gillespie MP, Minister for Regional Health announced the Federal Liberals and Nationals Government would invest $2 million over two years to the University of Queensland to expand allied health student training in St George in rural Queensland.

Dr Gillespie agreed with Mr Hamilton’s assessment that training a GP in a regional setting inclines them to stay there.

“There is growing evidence that students who have a positive and rewarding extended training experience in a rural area are more likely to take up rural practice upon graduation,” Dr Gillespie said.

The Coalition Government has stated that investing in and supporting high-quality rural health training is a proven and effective way to address gaps in the rural and remote health workforce now and in the future.

Mr Hamilton said that the current government's stance on healthcare is something that goes to show their level of awareness, with their stripping away of funding in telehealth and Medicare, and that these promises were election stunts.

“Their track history on health and healthcare speaks for itself, again we see the government getting close to election time trying to buy votes,” Mr Hamilton said.

Mr Hamilton could not promise that an investment in JCU’s priorities post-election would be “cast iron.”

“We can’t say 100 per cent that we’re there, but myself here in Dawson, John [Ring] up In Herbert, the guys up in Leichhardt, we’re all pushing this extremely hard,” Mr Hamilton said.

“It was a commitment in 2019, during that election, so I’m very confident we’ll get it over the line.”

“Increasing the number of GP training program pathway positions here in Mackay and across northern Queensland is incredibly important.”

Labor Federal Candidate Shane Hamilton and Dr Elissa Hatherly, Mackay Clinical School Head at James Cook University

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Cars, trucks and tens of thousands of people have converged on Canberra over the past fortnight as part of a convoy protesting against government COVID-19 restrictions such as vaccination mandates.

Hundreds of Mackay locals have already made what is being described as a ‘pilgrimage for freedom’ with many more showing support to convoys passing through from Townsville and Cairns by delivering meals and groceries along the highway.

One marcher from Mackay said they were in Canberra to fight for the freedom of those who had lost their jobs due to vaccine mandates.

“We should have the right of choice when it comes to any medical decision. Coercion, to say ‘you must do this or you will lose your job’ is absolutely criminal. More people are starting to wake up. Two weeks to ‘flatten the curve’ and here we are two years later.”

The Convoy to Canberra rally originally arrived in Canberra at the beginning of February, when thousands of people gathered at Parliament House. Thousands more are expected to continue to arrive over the coming week, as corners of Australia unite in the Capital.

Mackay locals gathered to send groups of cars and trucks off for the Convoy to Canberra. Photo credit Eye Kaptured

Dawson MP George Christensen at the Convoy to Canberra in Canberra

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I was forced to isolate myself at home lastweek after my wife and son contracted a well-known and highly contagious virus.

The virus was confirmed by our doctorduring a home visit and I immediately sent a telegram to my list of buyers totell them my open homes were cancelled for the coming Saturday.

I had four listings to get ready to beadvertised the following week so I typed up the write-ups and sent them intothe office by carrier pigeon. Not all of them arrived.

Since I was in isolation I was unable to doany real estate work so I filled the backyard incinerator with rubbish I’d beenmeaning to burn off, grabbed the wireless and a long-neck and listened to theTop 40 while I watched the smoke disappear over my neighbours’ properties.

All of the above is absolutely untrueexcept for the part about me having to isolate because my wife and son gotCOVID-19. But it is the way it could well have played out in the past.

The way the world has changed meant thatdespite me being in isolation my business was able to continue as close aspossible to normal, with listings being advertised, private inspections takingplace, open houses going ahead as planned and properties selling.

Some of the changes that allowed this weretechnological … I was able to work remotely with my laptop connected to theGardian server so I could do write-ups, select photos for properties to beadvertised, answer email inquiries from buyers, make and receive calls on mymobile.

But there are other equally importantchanges, relating to how the best real estate agencies now operate, thatallowed me to continue to provide the service that buyers and sellers need.

At Gardian we operate in teams, orfamilies, that work together and support each other. I’ve got a little workfamily of three with me and two sales associates; Skye who is a buyers agentand Sandy who largely looks after contracts, listing documents and generaladmin.

During my week of isolation, Skye did a lotof private inspections and was in constant phone contact with me with updates.Sandy looked after listing documents, advertising uploads and theadministration work that is required to keep things ticking over. Skye andSandy did the open homes together on the Saturday, and they did six of them,and made sure we didn’t miss a beat for our clients.

The family system works extremely well whenlife runs as planned, and I’ll discuss that in a future column, but a big partof it is that when something goes wrong it allows us to continue to provide thebest service. Change is good and has definitely improved things, although Imiss the incinerator and Casey Kasem. (Google it kids.)

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One of Mackay’s emerging interior designers has taken out a coveted customer service award in design, based on satisfaction and reviews.

Deborah Muscat of Sabih Interiors won a ‘Best of Houzz’ award for Customer Service, on Houzz®, a leading nationwide online platform for home renovation and design.

The dynamic new Mackay design firm, which is only three years young, was chosen by the plethora of homeowners that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 2.7 million active home building, renovation and design industry professionals in Australia.

Ms Muscat won her award during the 10-year anniversary of the Best of Houzz awards program and says that it’s people who lead the way when it comes to design choice.

“The essence of interior design will always be about people,” Ms Muscat said.

She has been creating beautiful interiors for more than 25 years and believes as a designer it is not always about following cutting-edge trends and styles or replicating what is already safe and done.

“It’s about creating the uniqueness of each and every one of my clients,” she said.

Ms Muscat is honored to receive such an award and says, “The Houzz community is made up of millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals Australia wide, and I am very thankful for the recognition within the Houzz community.”

Sabih Interiors offers a full personalised service, from consultancy to design and decoration, through to specially sourced furnishings and fabrics.

“We draw on extensive experience in both residential and commercial interior design and decoration.

“We specialise in custom designed furniture and can help and guide you every step of the way through your project.”

Sabih Interiors have its own approach to the progressive outcome and prides itself on making design available to everyone, no matter what budget or need.

“It is a unique touch of sophistication, where your personal style is predominant throughout the whole design process,” Ms Muscat said.

“We also help with project management during construction of the project if needed.”

Whether it is an interior for a new home or home renovation or your commercial office, Sabig Interiors can help you through as little or as much of the design stages as you want.

Creating a functional and intelligible space is key to a successful project.

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If you’re a parent with little primary school aged kids or high school kids around Mackay, Monday is going to be huge because most kids are heading back to school after being delayed due to COVID-19.

Sure, there have been many kids already back at school over the last few weeks because their parents are essential workers or even kids who’ve had no-one to look after them because both parents work.

This Monday I reckon will come as a bit of a shock to lots of kids. The alarm will be going off before midday. There won’t be a fridge to go and open every 5 minutes to see what food there is to dream about.

There won’t be a TV remote to hold to flick over every 5 seconds. There also won’t be a bed to lay down on when you get tired because you’ve just used more energy walking down the hallway, than you would have used over the last two months.

Kids are in for a shock. Some will have to wear face masks. Some will have to wash their hands more. Yes, wash them for longer than 10 seconds. Some kids will have to keep their distance from their mates. Maybe no hugs. Perhaps no shaking of hands. It’s going to be different.

But you know what? Being at school and around their mates has to be better than in front of a screen in your PJ’s right? I hope so.

Remember if your kids aren’t that happy about getting their uniforms ready to head off to North High, or Sarina, or MCC, or St Pat’s, or West Mackay Primary, it could be worse.

When I went to primary school in Sydney in 1976 I had to have everything ironed. I had to wear a jacket, a boater hat (look it up) and shoes that were polished the night before. If that wasn’t done, you’d get the cane. I kid you not. If you’re little ones still aren’t happy, remind them of how we used to ride our bikes to school.

Life was a little different back then.

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!

Rob growing up in Sydney with older sister Alison before the family moved to Mackay

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Blessed in July, with the first students arriving in November for orientation, Mackay’s newest Catholic College, Catherine McAuley College is set to open in less than a week’s time.

Built around the old Sugar Research Institute, the new college went through a blessed construction period where it ran ahead of schedule and will welcome its historic first four classrooms of Year 7 students through the Institute’s historic doors on February 7.

“The College looks amazing with a blend of refurbished old and stylish new,” Catherine McAuley College Principal, Mr Jim Ford said.

“The Institute’s main building has been transformed into a versatile, highly functional educational facility with fully equipped, attractive, air-conditioned rooms.”

The Sugar Research Institute was one of the most iconic landmarks in the Australian sugar industry, and now transformed, reinvigorated, and renovated, but retaining its spirit is part of the $20m dollar project.

The original building has remained, with architects managing to meld the old with the new, providing other buildings on the campus with fresh looks.

“An eighteen-month construction period had much to achieve in both restoration and new structures with contemporary architecture making best use of the site,” Mr Ford said.

“Ample car parking, play spaces and student lunch facilities are some of the welcome finishing touches. As the landscapers finish their plantings the site is finally dedicated to quality education.”

Year 7s will be the first cohort arriving at the school, with further years joining until the college reaches its full capacity of 1200 students.

Mr Ford said staff are ready to go and somewhat impatient to make a start on another kind of building program.

“That involves building the traditions and effective practices that offer the families and students who seek our values a place in an excellent school. I’m sure the whole of Mackay wishes us all the best,” he said.

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After a public allegation claiming newborn babies were being ‘taken’ from COVID-positive mothers at Mackay Base Hospital, the health service issued a statement refuting the claim and to make their birthing policy clear surrounding the pandemic.

“Our policy has always been that new mothers and their babies are able to room together in the COVID-19 ward at Mackay Base Hospital if both are well,” the statement read.

“If the baby needs to go to the Special Care Nursery they will be cared for there while their mother remains in the COVID-19 ward or in the Intensive Care Unit.

“It is important that premature and other unwell newborn babies in the Special Care Nursery are not exposed to a visitor who is COVID-19 positive.”

Mackay HHS has undertaken planning to care for women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The hospital said these plans will continue to be updated in line with the latest advice from the Chief Health Officer.

“Our hospitals are well prepared to respond to COVID-19 to ensure they are a safe place for you and your baby.

“Staff are vigilant with cleaning, handwashing and using protective equipment to keep you and your baby safe.”

Women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are able to birth at Mackay Base Hospital in dedicated rooms in Labour Ward.

“This is the case as long as there are no other factors that would normally result in transfer to a tertiary hospital. Staff will use COVID-19 precautions until results are returned.

“After birthing you will be cared for in a dedicated COVID-19 ward at Mackay Base Hospital. If babies are well and not requiring care in the Special Care Nursery they will remain with their mothers,” the policy reads.

“Your mode of birth will not be influenced by COVID-19 unless urgent delivery is indicated. Your choice of feeding is supported and breastfeeding is still recommended even if you have COVID-19.”

The hospital also said that unvaccinated partners were able to be support people.

“While we can allow an unvaccinated partner to attend (provided they follow all staff instructions regarding Personal Protective Equipment), we do require that any secondary support person be vaccinated, to limit risk to our staff.”

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Providing care for Mackay’s young patients and their families is a life-long passion for paediatric staff specialist Dr Clara Menezes, who said Mackay gave her the opportunity to treat her patients holistically.

“Prior to working at Mackay Base Hospital, I worked mainly in tertiary centres for twenty years, where I would ‘treat the child for the condition they are referred for,’” she said.

“You can be a true paediatrician here. It’s not like you are just managing a few conditions for the patient, you provide care for them and their family as a whole.”

Dr Menezes first came to Mackay Base Hospital in 2011 and initially only stayed for a year but knew she wanted to come back as soon as possible. In 2015, when her son had finished his schooling, Dr Menezes packed up her life and returned to the tropics.

“When I started off at Mackay Base Hospital, my intention was to stay here forever but sometimes life doesn’t go the way we want,” she said.

“I love this place, and everyone knows it. This is like a home to me and it will remain that way.”

Dr Menezes particularly loves the family spirit at the Mackay Base Hospital, especially within the paediatric department. She credits her colleagues for helping her become the paediatrician she is today.

“We work as a team with the final goal to provide the best of care for the child and to their family.

After seven years of working in Mackay Base Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Unit, Dr Menezes has bid farewell to the place she calls home after deciding to move to New South Wales.

“I am thankful for all my support networks over the years from my nursing, allied health and child safety colleagues,” Dr Menezes said.

“Mackay is the best place and has an excellent team of professionals I learned my medicine from. We have very well-trained clinicians.”

Dr Clara Menezes. Photo supplied: Mackay Hospital and Health Service

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Last Friday, All Abilities Mackay’s Summer House, the disability initiative providing a variety of program for children in the community, closed its door for one last time.

From mainstream activities for all children with their parents, smaller group programs for children with disabilities, after school programs for children with disabilities, and school holiday programs for children with disabilities, the programs of Summer House were a hit amongst the Sugar City’s parents.

Founded in 2019 by Bec Nicol, the aim was to create a place where families struggling with disability could have a safe, predictable place for kids, and then bring in neurotypical kids to socialise with them in an inclusive play setting.

Letting kids interact with other kids was the idea, but with struggles in achieving NDIS funding a constant bane for the initiative, as well as pandemic problems, Summer House closed its doors last Friday.

Ms Nicol said that she wished the circumstances were different.

“We have loved the time getting to know families and support you the best we knew how to,” she said.

“Unfortunately, we must recognise when things aren’t meant to be, and for us the time has come.”

Summer House was a “long term dream” for Ms Nicol, who said the current uncertain times forced her to be unable to continue.

“I don’t have the time, energy or tenacity left to continue,” she said.

She thanked the exceptional businesses, organisations and individuals who supported the group over the years.

I would like to shout out a special mention to Sharon and the crew at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and Flagon & Dragon Mackay,” Ms Nicol said.

“Without their tens of thousands of dollars of support over the years, we couldn’t be anywhere close to where we are without them.”

The community have expressed their support for Summer House, and hope that it will continue on in some form or another, or be reborn.

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Not many people know that the op in Op Shop means opportunity, and that Mackay has a population of over 3,500 people suffering from homelessness. Many of them without opportunity, without shelter, often living within a cycle of drug abuse, or a cycle of poverty.

It is a hidden world of confrontation, and it seems that chances are hard to come by in it.

One organisation providing for Mackay’s growing population of those experiencing degrees of homelessness is Australian Street Aid Project LTD. (ASAP).

They performed a recent striking interview in a sit down with Karren in Mackay at their Chances Café in Shakespeare Street. Karren has been experiencing homelessness for six months.

“I’ve lived in abandoned houses and in the streets,” Karren said in the interview.

“I feel like I’m useless, like I’ve lost my soul, and that sometimes I don’t want to be alive. I just want to have a home and somewhere to live and be happy again. This is not happiness.

“I just hope that a lot of things change in Mackay and that the homeless situation gets help[ed] for everyone.”

Its ‘Pay Forward’ board in the Shakespeare Street cafe is a way for people to purchase a meal for those in need.

“Our Pay It Forward meal system feeds up to 60 people per week who are experiencing homelessness,” a cafe spokesperson said.

“From mothers and children to people with disabilities or those who are just down and out - homelessness does not discriminate.”

ASAP have been providing ‘op’ since their humble beginnings in 2018, and have now expanded to not only provide the tools that people need to break their cycle through employing those experiencing homelessness, but now with a new coffee shop within the Chances Op Shop in Victoria Street.

“Our cafe on Shakespeare Street is still open as per usual, but we now also have a coffee shop within our Chances Op Shop at 7 Victoria Street.

“You can grab a quick bite to eat or drink whilst checking out all the bargains, knowing that your money goes right back into the Mackay Community.”

They’re one of the many organisations championing the cause of helping those experiencing homelessness in Mackay. As a non-for-profit they are always seeking donations or volunteers on their website.

In December, Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper spoke with Paul Winter, a local man on a crusade to build a homeless shelter as part of his non-for-profit 360five, another individual doing what he saw as his part. After a long bout of drug addiction himself, Paul saw the issues in the regions firsthand.

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The Sugar City may have just become a whole lot sweeter for some with the announcement of a new brothel as Mackay’s only legal sex work establishment opening in two week’s time.

Harlots Mackay is set to open its doors February 14 in the freshly renovated Club 7 premises in Paget which closed in 2015.

Sex workers in Mackay have been operating illegally and unsafely since the closing of Club 7 seven years ago, leaving the return of an established brothel a potential haven for those pursuing the profession.

Prostitution in Queensland is regulated through the compliance of both brothels and what are known as ‘sole operator sex workers’ who are government registered, yet some workers acted outside of the law finding the regulations too restricting.

Queensland’s strict Prostitution Licensing Authority law mean escorts can only operate within the premises of a brothel, in this case Harlots, and safety regulations set by police are stringent in these regards.

They will be the only legally operating brothel in the region.

Harlots has other establishments both in ACT and in the Northern Territory, and claim they are the fastest growing network of high-class brothels in Australia.

In line with safety protocols, no alcohol will be served at the site and violent or intoxicated potential patrons will be turned away.

Harlots will be open 7 days a week, running operating hours of 12pm to 5am in its Paget address from February 14.

Harlots Management have said that they will be bringing escorts from down south from their Canberra establishment up to the Sugar City.

They also said that they would be promoting through advertising, which is strictly legislated in Queensland by the same Prostitution Licensing Authority.

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A teacher of 34 years, a junior rugby league coach for 55, Douglas Knight has imparted his own brand of wisdom to generations of Mackay kids, both in sport and in life. The local legend received his Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to rugby league on Australia day, having done “pretty well for himself.”

‘Dougy’ has a legacy of more than five decades in the game, both as a player and a coach, although admittedly not so much of a player nowadays at 77.

His illustrious career began in Bowen, but he soon realised he wasn’t making any waves on the playing side, having a self-proclaimed penchant for food, Dougy took to the coaching, which offered far less running.

“I enjoyed playing but wasn’t much of a trainer; I could never get motivated to run around the block to come back to where you started but put me into a game situation and I always put my full effort in,” Dougy said.

When he took up coaching, much of his league time was spent with Souths Suburban – the Sharks – where he would hold the positions of junior president and senior president in his tenure, as well as coaching at every junior grade.

Dougy now hangs his hat as the Under 6’s coach at Souths, continuing his love of the game, which has given him so much over the years.

“Some people describe it as herding cats,” Dougy laughed.

“They’re definitely different from the other grades, but they’re keen and always want to have a go.

“I guess I get along with them well, because I never really grew up.”

He spoke of his first cohort of players back in 1969, and how good it was to see them grow up.

“I think the biggest thing was seeing different kids growing in confidence; seeing the confidence they get, and the friendships I made and the friendships they make.

“A lot of them are still close friends among themselves, and I still see them sometimes around town – I’m lucky like that.”

He said that being awarded the Order of Australia Medal was fantastic, not only for himself but for all volunteers throughout Mackay and the region in any sport.

In Rugby League, he was proud to have helped so many young people grow into not only great players, but great people.

“It’s confidence and being able to have a go at things, win or lose, you have a go and put in your best effort; that carries over into real life.”

Doug Knight has served rugby league in Mackay for over 50 years

“That’s what it’s all about, teaching these kids to become their best selves and build confidence”

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At just six, Janice Whelan was already an accomplished accompanist, playing the instrument that would lead her on a lifelong journey of knowledge, expertise, and modesty on the piano. Now, after years of servitude to the Mackay Choral Society and the region, Janice received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to music.

If there were an epitome of what an accompanist is, a musician whose sole purpose was to allow others to be the best they can be, Ms Whelan is that epitome.

She served as accompanist for the Mackay Choral Society from 1994 to 2020 – of which she is a life member - as well as still accompanying at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in North Mackay, Holy Spirit Choir and Music Minister, as well as Emmanuel Catholic Primary.

“I accepted it on behalf of all the accompanists, because it’s not often a role that receives this kind of recognition,” Janice said.

“I would be more comfortable in the background, and I suppose that’s why I’m a good accompanist!”

A calling that spanned so long and so many events has touched so many lives, with mentors and mentoring, where she said she passed on the lessons of her storied musical career.

“I want to thank those mentors that I had over my years, because I had many, each of them different and varied in good ways,” she said.

“There are too many to mention and I don’t want to miss naming them!”

Working at the Eisteddfod each year, Janice said that it gave her opportunities to forge friendships and bonds with many young artists, especially with her role as an accompanist.

She worked with one student in particular for twenty years, following her all the way to the Sydney Eisteddfod, and enabling her to become the musician and singer she is today.

Janice said that, for her, one of the most significant and beautiful moments of her career was when a girl from Emmanuel College in grade three gave her a letter which said: The way I see you is not as an old lady, I see you as a shining rainbow.

“I showed my entire family the letter at Christmas and they were all crying,” Janice said.

Of her three children and three grandchildren, she’s passed on her love and passion for music, especially to her son, who works as an instrumental teacher and trombonist.

The Mackay Choral Society said that they “cannot think of anyone more worthy of this prestigious award.”

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