Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
OPINION PIECE from the office of Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox There is no question that immigration into Australia is out of control. The government’s numbers are too high, and standards are too low. A sustainable migration program must consider our capacity to provide housing, healthcare, infrastructure and the essential services everyone relies on, and Australians must come first. But Labor’s decision to target Working Holiday Makers Visa holders is not the answer. These people filling vital gaps in our workforce are not the cause of Australia’s housing crisis. In many cases, they are living in accommodation provided by the very businesses that employ them. The National Farmers’ Federation has made the point that Working Holiday Makers generally stay in hostels, caravan parks or purpose-built on-farm accommodation. Resorts usually have on-site staff quarters. They are not the source of Australia’s housing shortage. So why is Labor making it harder for them to come here, when these workers fill genuine jobs that regional Australia holds? Working Holiday Makers fill approximately one in seven farm jobs nationally and are particularly important during peak agricultural periods, which for Dawson, it is right now! Farmers rely on these workers to plant, pick, pack and harvest the produce that ends up on Australian supermarket shelves. Having run one of Australia’s largest tomato farms, at times Working Holiday Makers made up more than 50 per cent of my workforce. Without them, much of our crop simply would not have been picked in time and rotted in the paddock. Some may say, why not employ the Australians who don’t have a job and are on “the dole”? Can I say, this does not work. Most farmers will employ Aussies over travelling backpackers, but many either don’t want to do the work or don’t turn up after the first day. Who picks the fruit or veggies then? Farmers are already warning that visa delays are leaving them without workers. The NFF says approvals that once took days are now facing processing times of up to three months, and this time frame can be the difference between harvesting a crop or losing it. That should concern every Australian already feeling the pressure at the supermarket checkout. The same problem is playing out in tourism. Across Dawson, Working Holiday Makers are an important part of the workforce supporting tourism and hospitality, particularly in the Whitsundays. They help fill shifts, work in hotels and restaurants, support tour operators and keep businesses running through their busiest periods. They also contribute to the local economy. They spend money on food, fuel, attractions and tours, supporting the small businesses that depend on a strong visitor economy. That is why tourism and business leaders across North Queensland are raising the alarm. They understand what happens when a regional business cannot get enough staff: opening hours are reduced, and services are cut, creating a downward spiral. We do need to reduce migration to sustainable levels. We need stronger integrity measures, and we need to crack down on rorts. But responsible migration policy means understanding which parts of the system are creating pressure and which parts are helping Australia function. Working Holiday Makers are not the problem. They are part of the workforce solution for regional. Australia. People have had a gutful of watching their standard of living go backwards. Groceries, fuel, housing and everyday expenses are already putting enormous pressure on families. The last thing Australians need is another reckless policy that makes it harder to produce food, harder to run regional businesses and harder for tourism operators to find the workers they need.
Read the full storySomeone sold a house in Sydney last week for $9 million less than they bought it for four or five years ago. The sellers had bought the property in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $29 million and sold it for $20 million in a sale forced by their bank. I imagine the sellers are a little disappointed by the government’s decisions on negative gearing and capital gains tax and feeling pretty hurt by the increased interest rates. Australia’s interest rates are on the rise and are now sitting at levels not seen since 2011. Increased cost of living is hurting people around the country and interest rates are playing into that. But the impact of interest rates is not felt evenly around the country. The far-higher property prices mean people in the major cities suffer much more than regional areas with the rates increase. That is certainly not to say people in Mackay are unaffected by the cost of living; it’s just that the impact of interest rates increase on a $400,000 mortgage is much less than the impact on a $1m mortgage. There are other Mackay-specific factors that are in play when discussing the current housing market. The big factor is the role of coal in our economy. Most of the coal extracted and exported from our region is coking coal, which is used to make steel. The price of coking coal is around $280 a tonne, which is about 50 per cent up. Good activity in the coal market translates to good news for the Mackay economy, as it is an economic engine that other cities and regions just don’t have. Good activity in Bowen Basin flows throughout the Mackay economy; Paget workshops, transport, suppliers and related businesses all benefit. But so do other, non-mining-related businesses as they benefit from the general confidence and spending that goes on. The strong mining activity also means mines need to keep their staff levels up and that means more people moving to Mackay. Of course, Mackay is much more than a coal mining town but if the coal sector is going well those other areas definitely benefit. It is a confidence boost for Mackay people looking to get into the housing market and those wanting to upgrade or downsize. It also means continuing strong demand from people wanting to rent a property and it will be interesting to see what sort of activity that creates from investors. Investors have walked away from the big-city markets because they can no longer use negative gearing on established properties that do not have a sufficient yield to be positively geared. Negative gearing has never been a big thing in Mackay because our prices are lower and rental returns continue to be strong so many investors have a positively geared property. Around the country everyone is nervous about the state of play and the probability of more interest rate rises. But strong coal prices and an economy that is performing well mean Mackay might just be presenting an opportunity for buyers and sellers that doesn’t exist in other parts. I remember when national confidence was flying high and Mackay prices were going up significantly that many buyers were saying “I wish we had bought a while ago when the market wasn’t so hot”. I’m not armed with a crystal ball so I’m not here to tell you what is going to happen but I suspect there is a very good buying window right now for those looking for an opportunity.
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A local Mackay and Sarina based model has created a dress out of newspapers, including Mackay Life, for her upcoming pageant, representing her region and hometown on the runway as she vies for Miss Diamond International in Brisbane. Zoe Place will be competing this weekend in the three-day event, beginning this Friday 2nd October and ending on Sunday 4th October. The young model spent around a month creating her eco-fashion outfit, using old newspapers as the main material and transforming them into a bodice, skirt and flowers. Red elements were also incorporated into the design to give the dress a bold and glamorous pageant feel. Zoe said, “The entire concept was really about taking something that would normally be thrown away and turning it into something beautiful and meaningful.” Her eco-fashion creation will form part of a busy weekend in Brisbane, with the Miss Diamond International event including photo shoots, interviews, an eco-fashion show and the final pageant. Zoe has been preparing for the event by practising her strut and walking, preparing for interviews and getting comfortable in the different outfits she will wear throughout the weekend. Alongside her love of modelling, pageantry has also provided Zoe with a platform to raise awareness about causes close to her heart, including mental health, while fundraising for Beyond Blue. “Pageantry has given me more of a platform to combine my love for modelling with something that is really important to me.” “When I first started, I was more nervous about putting myself out there and worried about what others would think about me – but I’ve changed a lot through my journey in pageantry.” “Pageantry has also taught me that it’s not about how you look on stage. It’s about the person you are when you step off it.” “Every woman has their own unique journey and that journey is something we should all be really proud of.” “To me, it represents confidence, empowerment, kindness, and using your voice to make a difference.” Zoe said she was looking forward to meeting the other contestants, making new connections and creating memories. “I’m definitely looking forward to meeting all the new contestants and making new connections and creating memories that I will carry with me for a lifetime.” While Zoe hopes to eventually move to the city, her sights are set even further afield, with a dream of one day walking in New York Fashion Week. Mackay and Sarina local Zoe Place has created an eco-fashion dress from recycled newspapers, including Mackay Life, ahead of her Miss Diamond International pageant in Brisbane. Photos supplied
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Trends, reels and the endless cycle of always wanting more has quietly bombarded the minds of countless social media users of all ages, but one former Mackay local has made it her mission to help others understand the effects of social media and find practical ways to break free from online addiction. Alexis Zahner is in Mackay over the next week to teach upcoming generations about social media and the effects it can have on the mind, particularly on identity, self-discovery, as well as the marketing strategies that get viewers hooked and influence their decisions. It is something Alexis knows first-hand can be a useful tool, but also a great disruption to authenticity and the world as we see and experience it. Alexis will hold a free meet and greet and book launch today, Friday 2nd October, at 5.30pm at the Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club, where she will give a talk and answer questions relating to her debut book, Real: Reconnecting to Yourself in a World of Likes and Lies. A former Mackay girl, Alexis spent the past 15 years working across business psychology, marketing and media, with her interest in social media influence beginning during her university studies at James Cook University in Townsville. Her own experience as a social media user, travel blogger and influencer eventually led her to question how much of her identity, decisions and values were being shaped by what she saw online. “The tipping point came for me about 3 years ago when I had this feeling that I couldn't separate influence from my own personal decision making,” she said. “I couldn't separate my own likes, dislikes, values, relationships from what I was being exposed to and being influenced by online.” “I found that I needed to take some time away from social media to recalibrate what was important to me and sort of reconnect and come back to myself.” Alexis said she understood the feeling of questioning who you are outside of social media. “I know what it feels like to live a life under the influence of social media and have that existential crisis of thinking to yourself, who am I? What do I like? What's the kind of life I want to live? and struggling to separate myself from influence.” Alexis is particularly passionate about reaching teenagers, who she says are in an important stage of identity development, and will share this message with Mackay high school students during her upcoming school talks. “Teenagers are really easily influenced by social media. So it's a really important age where we start educating them – not just on the mental health repercussions of things like social media and how it shortens their attention span, but how it actually influences who they become.” “If you're asking yourself these questions, it's not your fault. Social media is actually geared to create this impact on you.” Alexis encourages people of all ages to “start expanding beyond what you see on the platform.” “Dare to indulge in the things that you've always been curious about or things you used to love,” she said. “Don't be afraid to put the phone down to let yourself be curious and have fun.” What: Alexis Zahner's 'Real' Book launch When: 5.30pm Friday 2nd October 2026 Where: Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club Former Mackay local and author Alexis Zahner is returning home to share her experiences with social media and her debut book, Real. Photo supplied
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Dale Last presenting the Bowen QAS with the newest addition to their fleet. Photo supplied
Bowen paramedics have welcomed a new $282,000 patient transport ambulance, providing a more comfortable and practical way to move patients throughout the region.
Member for Burdekin Dale Last said this addition was vital to maintaining a strong, well-functioning health system in Bowen.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to delivering a world-class health system for all Queenslanders, no matter where they live. Part of that commitment is giving our ambulance officers the resources they need to do their jobs safely,” Mr Last said.
“In Bowen our QAS plays a vital role in transporting more acute patients to larger, referring hospitals, which is why we have ensured they have a state-of-the-art vehicle to meet the needs of our officers and patients.”
The new vehicle can carry two patients on powered stretchers, with room for up to four additional patients who can walk aboard.
It also has a refrigerated compartment to keep medication at the correct temperature, while a video display allows the driver to keep a closer eye on the patient area throughout the journey.
Bowen ambulance crews spend much of their time transporting patients beyond the town to other parts of the region, making the new vehicle a timely and welcome addition.
“It’s fantastic, as it’s replacing an older vehicle, so it's a lot smoother and more comfortable for patients,” said Heather Shields, officer in charge at the Bowen Ambulance Station.
“We do transfers from Bowen Hospital to Mackay, or Bowen to Townsville University Hospital and we quite often transfer patients to and from Collinsville to Bowen Hospital as well, from Bowen to Collinsville Hospital.
“But due to the number of kilometers that we do each year in that vehicle, it was getting dated.”
Besides giving patients a smoother trip the vehicle will make everyday transfers easier and safer for Bowen’s ambulance officers, with its powered loading systems reduce the physical strain involved in moving patients, particularly during the station’s frequent long-distance trips.
“There’s no lifting required with the stretchers to get them in and out of the vehicle when they’ve got patients on them,” Heather said.
“It’s a great addition to our fleet at Bowen Station and for the community.”
The ladies putting their sewing skills to work for women recovering from breast cancer surgery. Photo supplied: Marlene Reiffel
The sewing team at the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays has put its needles to work, creating specially shaped breast cancer cushions for women recovering from mastectomy surgery.
Made during a recent club working bee, the cushions are designed to provide comfort and support during recovery, helping to ease pressure around the chest and underarm following surgery.
Ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the finished cushions will be distributed through Proserpine and Mackay hospitals to women who may need them.
“It’s one of the quieter things we do as a club, but also one of the most meaningful,” said club president, Marlene Reiffel.
“Our working bees give us the chance to come together, enjoy each other’s company and create something practical that can make a difficult time just a little more comfortable for someone in our community.”
For more than 100 years, Zonta International has worked to support women and girls, with the Whitsundays club continuing that legacy locally with initiatives such as this one.
Bowen Growers Speak Out Against New Backpacker Visa Restrictions
In Bowen, a good harvest depends on having hands at the ready when the crops are ripe.
Backpackers have long provided that workforce, moving with the seasons and helping growers bring capsicums, mangoes, tomatoes and other produce from the paddock to Australian tables.
But under the Federal Government’s proposed changes, second-year working holiday visas would be capped at 45,000 and third-year visas at 5,000, with places decided by ballot.
Local farmers fear that uncertainty could leave regional communities without the seasonal workforce they have come to rely on.
Farmers in Bowen and across Australia fear they could be left without the seasonal workers needed to harvest their crops following the Federal Government’s crackdown on backpacker and student visas.
Under the proposed changes, backpackers seeking to stay beyond their first year would enter a ballot for limited places, with Second-year visas capped at 45,000, down from about 57,000 last year, while third-year places would fall from approximately 31,000 to 5,000.
Applicants must still complete 88 days of regional work for the second-year ballot and six months for the third. The Federal Government says the restrictions will provide greater control over migration, but growers warn they could discourage backpackers and further shrink the seasonal workforce.
“You’ve got backpackers now thinking, ‘Do I apply for a second visa? Do I even bother coming to Australia? We’ll go to Canada or New Zealand, somewhere they actually want us,’” said Chair of the North Queensland Farmer Carl Walker.
Carl Walker has grown capsicums in Bowen for 30 years and understands how quickly labour demands can change during harvest. Unlike permanent employees and workers employed through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, backpackers provide farms with a flexible workforce that can rapidly expand when warm weather causes crops to ripen at once.
“If the weather changes and everything comes on at once, you might need another 50 or 100 people,” Carl said.
“You can’t just find another 50 locals or PALM workers, but with backpackers, you can bring them in when you need them.
“We could lose up to 30 per cent of our product with no return.”
That pressure is not confined to Carl’s capsicum crop, with NQ Farmers CEO and former mango grower Jenn Honnery warning the changes could also threaten one of Bowen’s best-known delicacies.
“Mangoes are a Christmas fruit, and we want Australians to have them on their Christmas lunch tables,” Jenn said.
“With this reduction, the Bowen Special could be at risk.”
The impacts of a labour shortage during harvest season would extend beyond the farm gate, with Federal Member of Dawson and former Tomato Farmer Andrew Willcox MP warning that unpicked crops would reduce supply and push prices higher for families at the checkout line.
“If that fruit falls to the ground, it won’t make it to market,” Mr Willcox said.
“Under the simple laws of supply and demand, prices will rise and every Australian will pay more for fresh fruit and vegetables, while the farmer also misses out.”
On top of the trickle-down effect on local business and tourism, Mr Willcox criticised the Federal Government for introducing the changes without properly consulting the regional industries that rely on backpacker labour.
“This was handled really badly,” Mr Willcox said.
“It was announced at the National Press Club and didn’t come through Parliament, despite being a major impost on growers and the hospitality industry.
“They’re incredibly important, and for the government not to understand the seasonality of this region is a major problem.”
Marooned boat north of Elizabeth Reef. Photo supplied: BMA CQ Rescue
By Zach Houtenville
A family of four was winched to safety in an early morning helicopter rescue last weekend after their vessel ran aground on a Reef about 120 kilometres offshore.
On the afternoon of 18th September, Gary Dorman and his family departed the Whitsundays aboard their yacht, setting off for a 30-to-36-hour passage to Herald Cays, about 180 nautical miles north, where they planned to anchor and explore the remote islands and reefs.
But at around 1am, while Gary kept watch, the voyage took a terrifying turn.
Despite the family’s electronic charts showing they were travelling through deep water, the yacht suddenly struck a reef north of Elizabeth Reef, coming to an abrupt stop before listing about 60 degrees onto its side.
“The first thing I noticed was that the dinghy had started to surf on white water, like a small wave, and then we came to a stop,” Gary said.
“The boat listed to about 60 degrees because the keel was sitting on the reef, leaving it supported by the keel and the side of the hull.”
The family placed a Mayday call via satellite phone and activated their emergency beacon, but what followed was six harrowing hours as waves repeatedly lifted the yacht and slammed it back onto the reef.
“It’s a horrific sound, having the keel scrape along the rocky bottom of the ocean while the boat groans as it tries to stay together,” Gary said.
“For six hours, we were being thrown around by waves, as the boat would lift slightly as each wave hit, then fall onto its side again and be dragged along the bottom.”
Gary praised the way his family remained calm during the ordeal, working together as a team to manage the situation until help arrived.
“All three of them handled it remarkably,” Gary said.
“They understood the gravity of the situation and knew we had to keep it together, work as a team and get each other through it.”
Within an hour of the distress call, a rescue vessel was launched from Airlie Beach, while an AMSA Challenger jet arrived soon after to monitor the stranded family from above.
As daylight approached, the BMA CQ Rescue helicopter was dispatched from Mackay, reaching the yacht around sunrise as its condition continued to deteriorate.
With the mast and violent movement of the vessel making it too dangerous to approach directly, a rescue swimmer was lowered into the water before helping each family member reach the winch cable.
“The rescue crew were absolutely fantastic, from the pilot and paramedic through to the rescue swimmer,” Gary said.
“One by one, she took my family from the boat. It would have been a lot more difficult if we had needed to be rescued from that reef by another vessel.”
The family was winched to safety and, despite the ordeal, escaped relatively unscathed, other than Gary sustaining a minor head injury.
While grateful his family survived, Gary said the incident had raised serious concerns about the reliability of electronic navigational charts.
He said the reef was missing from the electronic charts used aboard the yacht, which showed the family travelling through deep water when the vessel ran aground, and one he claims was visible on paper maps.
“This was a known reef because it’s on the paper charts, but it’s not on the electronic charts,” Gary said.
“It’s unacceptable that, this close to mainland Australia, we have charts that are not showing hazardous terrain.”
For Gary, ensuring those hazards are accurately mapped could prevent another family from enduring the same ordeal.
Local women gathered at Barrel Room Deli Nook to celebrate 16 women and their stories through Alyce Holzy’s ‘Women Over 40’ Portrait Project Exhibition. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
By Hannah McNamara
On Friday 11th September, women from all walks of life gathered at the Barrel Room Deli Nook to take part in the ‘Women Over 40’ Portrait Project Exhibition, where stories and smile lines were captured and framed in celebration of the lives and stories of 16 women over 40.
Behind the art was Alyce Holzy, owner of Holzy Photography and Boudoir By Alyce.
The idea stemmed from Alyce’s passion for portraits which she says was inspired by the photographs on the walls of her Nan’s house, as well as the recent milestone of turning 40 herself.
On the night of the event, Alyce stood by the entryway admiring all the women she had photographed, now gathered together in one space and staring at their pictures framed on the wall.
With tears in her eyes, she expressed her immense gratitude and honour for the women who had been part of her special project.
“Now that it’s all here, I’m pretty emotional watching everyone’s reactions.”
“It’s just lovely to see everyone supporting one another.”
“There’s laughter, there’s joy, and I can see there’s some realisation of the amount of work that’s gone into this project … I’m still pinching myself that all of this has come together, and here we are celebrating these incredible women and the stories they bring with them.”
“I’m really proud of this project, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out.”
Throughout the project, women were pampered, photographed and professionally framed, with each participant also given the opportunity to share her story.
A coffee-table-style book was created featuring the women and their stories, with each participant gifted a copy at the special exhibition and gala.
Alyce said the project has become close to her heart, filled with moments of connection, laughter and emotion.
“I’ve had laughs with some of the women, even belly laughs!”
“I’ve also shed tears with some of the women – it’s truly been a touching experience.”
The project also proudly supported The Neighbourhood Hub Mackay, with the 40 Over 40 Portrait Project donating $1,600 to the organisation.
Alyce also acknowledged the local businesses, organisations and community members who helped bring the project to life, thanking Funk It Up Mackay, Atkins Lab, Barrel Room by Plattered Up/The Deli Nook, Soleil Coastal, Nancy’s Gym, Ella Bache Mackay, Laffos, Hotel Mackay, Laffos Cookies, The Avenue, Hairway Mackay and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, as well as the many unsung heroes who advocated for the 40 Over 40 Project.
I reckon there are several things that give a true indication of an underlying confidence in a city’s economy and its future.
There might be many others that I am far too unsophisticated to have noted but the ones I am referring to are: new childcare centres, new aged care facilities and pub renovations.
When companies invest money in the construction and infrastructure required for these businesses they have had to do their research.
The cost of building and fitting out a childcare centre is huge and there are new ones dotted around Mackay.
You don’t invest the sort of money that is required for that unless you are very, very confident that there is going to be a strong and prolonged demand for the services of the childcare centre.
Now this is one of the many areas in which I have no expertise whatsoever, however I find myself thinking about these things and I imagine there are a few key things that an investor in child care centres takes into account before deciding to spend millions of dollars building a new facility.
One reasonably obvious question they would ask themselves is: are there going to be enough kids in this town to create the demand we need to justify the investment we are making? There might be lots of kids now but will there be plenty in 10 years’ time?
I imagine that if the answer to those questions is “no”, the childcare operators would walk away before spending the money.
But there has been a proliferation of childcare centres. Now these kids are not hanging around Mackay by themselves; they are part of families and have parents who are living and working in Mackay. The childcare operator obviously feel that these families are putting down roots in Mackay. They’re not fly-by-nighters, they are here for the long-term, working, buying a property, raising kids.
It’s similar with aged care facilities and retirement homes. You don’t invest the enormous amount of money required to set them up unless you expect long-term strong demand for the services of the facility.
These facilities are for people who have spent significant portions of their lives in Mackay. Many of them will have families, adult children and grandkids who are still in the region and nearby.
Just like the decision to build childcare centres, you only invest in them if you have done your research and strongly believe that there is going to be continuing population growth that will sustain your investment for many years to come. You don’tinvest if you think the city is heading for a decline in activity and population.
It’s a great vote of confidence in Mackay. The city has a strong, more diverse economy and offers employment and lifestyle opportunities that attract people from all over the country.
Coal is still a driver of our economy but most of what we dig up and export is coking coal, which is used to make steel. Iron ore and coking coal creates steel and we have the best coal in the world. We do have a more diverse economy these days, which adds to the confidence.
As for pubs, several have been extensively renovated and brought to life in the past couple of years. The thing about pubs is that they rely on customers having discretionary income … spare cash that they can spend at the bistro with the family, having a few beers with mates on a Friday night.
Again, that is a vote of confidence in Mackay’s economy and its future. The evidence is telling the pub investors that Mackay is a vibrant, busy city with a good economy where people make enough money to enjoy the social side of life. Otherwiseyou wouldn’t invest the millions in renovating pubs and bringing them back to life.
At a time of national concern about the Australian property market, all this bodes well for the Mackay property sector.
Photo source: Shutterstock
What if some of the waste going into your kitchen bin each week could instead help feed your garden?
Starting a compost cycle at home does not have to be complicated, and even a small backyard can have a simple system that turns everyday food scraps and garden waste into useful compost.
At its most basic, composting is about combining different types of organic material and allowing them to break down naturally.
There are plenty of everyday items that can become part of the compost pile, including:
A good place to start is with a compost bin, tumbler or designated area of the garden. It should have some airflow and ideally be positioned somewhere convenient, rather than hidden away where it will be forgotten.
The trick is finding a balance between ‘green’ and ‘brown’ materials.
Green materials are generally wetter and richer in nitrogen, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, fresh grass clippings and coffee grounds. Brown materials provide carbon and include dry leaves, cardboard, paper and other dry garden material.
Rather than filling the compost with one type of material, try to mix the two. If the pile becomes very wet or starts to smell, it may need more dry material and airflow. If it is very dry and nothing seems to be breaking down, adding some moisture can help.
Food scraps can be added gradually. Chopping larger pieces into smaller pieces can also help them break down faster.
There are some things best left out of a basic backyard compost system. Meat, bones, dairy products, oils and greasy foods can attract unwanted pests and create problems. Avoid adding pet waste, diseased plants and materials that may contain chemicals or contaminants.
A healthy compost pile should smell earthy rather than rotten. Turning or mixing it occasionally helps introduce oxygen and distributes moisture and materials throughout the pile.
Eventually, the scraps and garden waste you started with will become a dark, crumbly material that can be added to garden beds or mixed into soil.
Last week we celebrated Women’s Health Week, an opportunity to put women’s physical and mental health back on the priority list.
The 2026 theme was “Do It Anyway” — recognising that small, achievable choices made each day can have a positive impact on our health and longevity.
It’s never been harder to feel like we have it all “together” — meals, exercise, sleep, work, family, social calendars and wellbeing. Instead of aiming for perfection, Women’s Health Week encouraged us to focus on five areas where small shifts can make a lasting difference.
FUEL
Women’s nutritional needs change over their lifetime, from adolescence into midlife and menopause. So how can we be consistent? Make it simple and sustainable. Need to drink more water? Start with an extra glass a day. Need more fruits and vegetables? Start with adding a piece of fruit with breakfast, or 1-2 extra colours to your dinner. Choose foods you enjoy the most! And don’t shy away from the frozen section – same nutritional value, more convenient!
MOVE
Being time-poor is a common barrier to regular exercise and research shows women are less active than men. How you once stayed active may have changed with pregnancy, or now isn’t suitable to your body or lifestyle in later years. All women need to exercise for strength (muscles and bones), fitness (heart health) and pelvic floor function. Start by building these into your everyday life. Park further away, walk with a friend before coffee, do calf raises while brushing your teeth or squats while waiting for the microwave. Every workout starts with one movement.
REST
Sleep supports energy, brain function, mood and hormonal regulation. It’s not only about how long you sleep — quality, consistency and timing matter too. Try reducing caffeine or alcohol, dimming the lights and putting screens away before bed. Moving your body and eating well during the day can also support a better night’s rest.
BREATHE
Stress, work, caring responsibilities and hormonal changes can all contribute to feelings of overwhelm. Find moments of enjoyment in everyday life — walk the dog, call a friend, book the holiday or simply sit down and enjoy a cuppa. Ask yourself: what do I love that I haven’t done in a while?
CONNECT
Every woman needs a community that supports her through life’s changing seasons – whether it’s motherhood, retirement, disability or diagnosis. Connection might mean helping a friend, joining a group, checking in with someone you love — or being brave enough to ask for help yourself.
Women’s Health Week may be over for another year, but its message doesn’t need to end there. Let go of the pressure to do everything perfectly and choose just one small thing you can do for your health today. Book the appointment you’ve been putting off, take the walk, call the friend, prioritise some rest or ask for support.
Whatever it is, you don’t have to do it all. Just do one thing — and do it anyway.
- Danae Gardner, from Women’s Health Physio Mackay
Everything about four-year-old Blossom is big. She has a big, strong body, a big personality and an even bigger heart.
Blossom was found wandering the streets and, sadly, when she was returned to her owner, they did not want her back. She came into care with a suspected broken hip, swollen joints, multiple ear infections, an eye infection, hot spots, a skin rash and heartworm.
Thankfully, X-rays showed her hip was okay, and with veterinary treatment, care and plenty of TLC, Blossom has overcome her health issues, including heartworm.
Now, she is full of energy and quite literally jumping out of her skin!
Built like a Mack Truck but with a soft, loving and cheeky side, there was perhaps no better name for this big beautiful girl than Blossom.
She is now looking for a special person or family who understands and loves big, strong gals and can give her the happy home she deserves.
To meet Blossom, contact her carer on 0402 920 511 or email LLTAGSandDogRescue@gmail.com.
GemLife is set to deliver Mackay’s first coastal land lease development, after receiving approval for a 232-home over-50s community in Shoal Point.
The project, which has an expected gross realisation value of $203 million, was given the green light by Mackay Regional Council this week (Tuesday, 8 September).
It will be built on a 10-hectare site, which forms part of Pointglen Development’s Shoal Point Waters masterplanned community and fronts the proposed 80.35-hectare Shoal Point Waters Park, about one kilometre from Bucasia Beach and two kilometres from Shoal Point lookout.
A start date for construction is yet to be determined.
GemLife Shoal Point will feature a range of resort-style amenities, including a Country Club with two pools, a gymnasium, cinema, salon, ten-pin bowling, and golf simulator, plus a sports hub boasting a tennis court, pickleball court, and lawn bowls.
The community is GemLife’s first in the Mackay region, where 35.9 per cent of the population is aged 50-plus, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data. The latest Census data found the 60 to 64 years cohort experienced the largest change over five years, with 18.3 per cent growth from 2016 to 2021.
GemLife Managing Director and Group CEO Adrian Puljich said Mackay had strong underlying demand for over-50s housing, with the Northern Beaches positioned as prime real estate for those seeking a seachange.
“When we looked at the existing land lease and retirement living market around Mackay, the majority of development is in town or inland, with no current opportunity for those who want to live close to the ocean,” he said.
“The Northern Beaches is a lifestyle destination, and we’re expecting strong interest from buyers in Mackay and surrounding rural and semi-rural areas who are looking for a beachside location within easy reach of urban conveniences.”
Mr Puljich said GemLife Shoal Point was designed to capture the essence of laid-back coastal living.
“The look and feel of the community will reflect its beautiful location, with contemporary coastal-inspired architecture and lush landscaping providing a visual connection to surrounding parklands and open green space,” he said.
“All homes will feature a garden courtyard, two bedrooms plus multi-purpose room and double garage, offering residents privacy, space and flexible living options to make downsizing from a family home or larger property a seamless experience.
“There will also be a central Country Club and sporting amenities for residents to socialise and keep active, as part of our commitment to creating communities designed to support healthy ageing.”
GemLife recently committed $6 million to a suite of new holistic wellness initiatives across its communities, including a partnership with Amplar Health to deliver 12 weeks of personalised health coaching to new residents.
What does Sigora actually do?
Sigora helps businesses prevent avoidable employee turnover by helping managers recognise and respond to problems earlier. Most organisations have processes once problems become obvious. The gap I’m interested in is before that point, when something has changed, but it isn’t yet a clear performance problem. That’s when managers have the most options.
What do you mean by ‘earlier’?
Businesses know lagging indicators: absenteeism, underperformance or turnover. Sigora focuses upstream. There can be changes in an employee’s questions, confidence, communication or progress. These signals don’t prove something is wrong, but a change from someone’s normal pattern gives a manager a reason to get curious.
What should a manager do when they notice a change?
The first thing is not to diagnose the employee. Managers don’t need to know why something has changed to respond responsibly. They can explore what’s happening, test their explanation with the employee and consider what’s within their control. Greater clarity? Different support? More challenge? A workload adjustment? Then they reassess. It’s about calibrating the working environment rather than trying to ‘fix’ the person.
Isn’t this just good management?
In many ways, yes. Experienced managers notice changes and make adjustments intuitively. But we rely on them developing that judgement through experience, and it isn’t always consistent. Sigora gives it structure: recognising a change, exploring what might be happening, making a proportionate adjustment and reassessing. The aim is to make good judgement more deliberate and teachable.
Is this another form of performance management?
No. It sits before it. Formal performance management becomes relevant once a problem is established. Sigora works where something has changed, but the manager has incomplete information. It doesn’t replace HR or formal processes. If an issue moves outside the manager’s scope, it moves outside the framework.
What does working with Sigora look like?
The main offering is a half-day workshop for managers and supervisors. It teaches them to recognise changes, separate observation from assumption, explore through a safe conversation, choose a proportionate response and reassess. Managers leave with practical tools, for example, prompts for an early conversation. The goal is to notice a shift on a Tuesday morning and have a way of deciding, ‘What do I do next?’
Where does employee turnover fit in?
Turnover is a lagging indicator. By the time someone leaves, the opportunity to retain them has passed. Sometimes the story starts earlier: an employee begins struggling or disengaging, the change isn’t recognised, and eventually there’s a larger problem. Replacing people costs more than recruitment: lost productivity, training time and pressure on the team. Earlier intervention gives managers more options.
What should local businesses take away?
Probably one idea: managers don’t need certainty to respond responsibly. If something changes, don’t immediately decide what’s wrong with the employee, but don’t ignore it either. Notice it. Get curious. Make a proportionate response. Then see what happens. Sigora helps managers make that judgement better, earlier.
Richglen has marked more than 300,000 Recordable Injury Free Hours across its operations, a milestone the company says reflects the strong safety culture behind its recent industry recognition.
The Mackay-based business was named the Safety Foremost Award winner at the 2026 Resource Industry Network Awards, following its Champion Culture Award win in 2025.
Richglen Managing Director and Founder Matt Borg said the consecutive awards demonstrated the close relationship between workplace culture and safety.
“This award belongs to our people,” Mr Borg said.
“It reflects the care they show for one another and the decisions they make every day to keep themselves and their teammates safe.
“To be recognised for our culture in 2025 and safety in 2026 means a lot because, for us, the two go hand in hand.”
Founded in 2014 with one person and a ute, Richglen has since grown to a team of approximately 240 people, providing mechanical, electrical and industrial services across Queensland’s mining, milling and port sectors.
Its work includes dragline, shovel and CHPP shutdowns and maintenance, capital projects, high-voltage and electrical works, specialised planning, project management and industrial cleaning solutions, supporting clients throughout the Bowen Basin and Central Queensland.
Richglen also recorded more than 900 consecutive Lost Time Injury Free days in 2026, along with 66,700 Recordable Injury Free work hours across two major dragline shutdowns at Callide and Rolleston.
For Richglen, the milestone provides a tangible measure of a culture focused on people, accountability and making safe decisions at every stage of the job.
www.richglen.com.au
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Indigenous businesses from across the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions will come together with local procurement representatives when the First Nations Business Expo returns to Mackay for its fifth year.
Held during Indigenous Business Month, the expo is designed to bring Indigenous suppliers and potential buyers together, while supporting collaboration, relationship building and future business opportunities.
The event provides a space for Indigenous businesses to showcase their work, raise their profile and connect with procurement bodies and other businesses. It also helps local procurement representatives better understand the businesses operating across the region and their capabilities, as well as procurement requirements.
Now in its fifth year, the growing expo highlights the role partnerships and community support can play in creating opportunities for First Nations businesses and supporting economic growth.
The expo will also allow businesses to identify areas where they may need further support, build their capacity and awareness, develop partnerships and establish potential future work prospects.
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Feedback from last year’s event described it as “An amazing showcase of the region’s indigenous capabilities” and “Very informative and helpful”.
Mackay and Region Aboriginal and Islander Development Association, better known as MARABISDA, will also be among the organisations represented at the event. The organisation works alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, children and carers, providing culturally supportive spaces and helping people access services, resources and opportunities while strengthening connections to culture, family and community.
For visitors, the expo will provide a chance to meet local First Nations businesses and organisations and learn more about the services, products and capabilities available across the region.
The event forms part of Indigenous Business Month, held annually from October 1 to 31 to recognise and promote the strength, innovation and impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across Australia.
The month highlights the contribution of Indigenous entrepreneurs and business leaders to Australia’s economy and cultural landscape, while encouraging conversations around economic self-determination and Indigenous business leadership.
The First Nations Business Expo will be held on Thursday 22nd October, from 10:30am to 2pm at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre’s North Foyer.
Attendance is free, with registration required.
This year’s expo is sponsored by Mackay Regional Council and North Queensland Bulk Ports.
Breeanna Poxon from The Just Saying Project in the process of hanging each artist's work, including artist Kahmaia Haines. Photo supplied
Mackay locals will have the chance to see women’s experiences of body image, confidence and self-perception transformed into visual art when Behind the Figures opens this Saturday night.
The new selling exhibition by The Just Saying Project will officially open on Saturday 19th September from 5.30pm to 8pm at JSP Home of Women’s Stories on Wood Street.
The opening will also mark the first official exhibition at The Just Saying Project’s new gallery and community space.
Behind the Figures brings together eight local visual artists, each responding to original research exploring women’s experiences of body image, confidence and the moments they have missed because of how they felt about their appearance.
The research explores the experiences of more than 100 women and explores topics including when body shame can begin, how appearance can influence confidence and participation in life, and experiences that have helped women develop an appreciation for what their bodies can do.
JSP Director and exhibition curator Bree Poxon said the exhibition was about taking the research beyond statistics and reconnecting it with the community.
“Every work in our gallery started as a number in a survey. A statistic about shame, or confidence, or the age a woman first felt she did not measure up,” Ms Poxon said.
“What our artists have done is take that data and give it a body again.
“This is JSP Home of Women's Stories' first official exhibition, and I can't think of a better way to open the gallery walls than by handing the research back to the community it came from.”
Among the eight artists is Isabella Plant, who said art could help open conversations around topics that were not always easy to discuss.
“I have always felt art is a powerful tool for relaying important messages that can sometimes go unseen or aren’t always easy to bring up in conversation,” Ms Plant said.
“That is why from concept to process and final product I have been beaming with pride to create an impactful sculpture that helps bring the numbers found in The Just Saying Project’s research around women’s body image to the forefront of viewers' minds and conversations.”
The exhibition will also form part of a wider program at JSP Home of Women’s Stories, with the After Hours Art: Fragments & Form sessions giving community members a chance to explore the exhibition’s themes through art.
Mrs Poxon said the exhibition was intended to encourage visitors to consider the stories behind the statistics.
“The exhibition asks visitors to look beyond the percentages, consider the women behind the figures and recognise something of their own story in what they see,” she said.
What? Behind the Figures Opening Night
When? Saturday 19th September, 5.30pm to 8pm
Where? JSP Home of Women’s Stories, Shop 5, 31 Wood Street, Mackay
For more information, visit www.thejustsayingproject.com
Sugarcane disease management will be put under the spotlight next month as Sugar Research Australia (SRA) prepares to update growers and millers on Fusarium wilt and new research aimed at improving its control.
SRA will hold a national online industry update on Tuesday 13th October, bringing together biosecurity, disease screening and research specialists to discuss the disease and answer questions from the sugar industry.
The session comes as SRA begins a new research project focused specifically on Fusarium wilt control, led by Manager Biosecurity and Disease Screening Dr Shamsul Bhuiyan.
The research is particularly relevant to major sugar-producing districts including Mackay, where disease management remains an important part of maintaining cane productivity.
Mackay Regional Council estimates around 80,000 hectares of cultivated land across the region is dedicated to sugar production, with approximately 69,000 hectares harvested for cane.
Disease management is already a major focus locally, with Mackay Area Productivity Services (MAPS) providing growers with advice and plant protection services covering diseases, pests, varieties, nutrition and other productivity issues.
SRA's Central District Productivity Plan, covering Mackay, Plane Creek and Proserpine, also identifies improving the industry's understanding and management of pests and diseases as a regional priority.
Research and variety development are another part of that defence.
SRA's Central Region breeding program targets the needs of the Mackay, Plane Creek and Proserpine industries, with potential varieties assessed for productivity and resistance to diseases before reaching commercial growers.
In August, SRA reported disease screening was progressing for a range of sugarcane threats including smut, leaf scald, Fiji gall, red rot, mosaic and Pachymetra, alongside the newly agreed Fusarium wilt project.
The organisation is also working to get improved varieties to growers sooner, with around 100,000 seedlings progressing across its northern, Burdekin and Central regions during August.
For Mackay growers, the upcoming Fusarium session adds to a broader focus on preventing diseases from eroding productivity in one of Australia's major cane-growing districts.
The 30-minute Fusarium Wilt: Australian Industry Update will run online from 11am to 11:30am on Tuesday 13th October.
SRA Manager Biosecurity and Disease Screening Dr Shamsul Bhuiyan, Central District Manager Dylan Wedel and General Manager Research and Development Dr Tinashe Chiurugwi will present, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Registration is available through Sugar Research Australia.
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