Mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being and can have a significant impact on daily life.

Here are five tips to help improve your mental health:

• Exercise regularly: Physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as improve overall mood. Even just a short walk or jog can help clear your head and boost your mood.

• Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet is important for maintaining good physical and mental health. Eating nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, can provide the energy and nourishment your body and mind need to function well.

• Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining good mental health. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night and establish a regular sleep schedule to help regulate your body's natural rhythm.

• Practice stress management techniques: Stress is a natural part of life, but chronic stress can take a toll on your mental health. Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga to help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

• Seek professional help: If you are struggling with your mental health, it may be helpful to seek professional help. A therapist or counsellor can work with you to develop strategies for managing your symptoms and improving your overall well-being.

It's worth noting that some of the steps may be harder for some people due to various reasons, whether it be financial, time, or accessibility. But even small steps towards these tips can make a big difference.

Remember to be kind to yourself and know that it's okay to ask for help. With time, patience, and effort, you can take control of your mental health and improve your overall well-being.

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Do you have frizzy, uncontrollable hair? Thinning hair that is easy to break? Or Greasy hair that falls flat and lifeless? Whatever your haircare woe, let Monat’s vegan, plant-based, humidity combatting ingredients rejuvenate your scalp and transform your look.

Following its huge success in America, the US brand launched in Australia in November 2021 and local businesswoman, Sammy Walsh, is now bringing these revolutionary products to the Whitsundays.

“I used to get teased about my big frizzy hair,” she said.

“Over the years I’ve spent so much money trying so many products and spent a lot of time straightening it, but the products wouldn't hold, and the results wouldn’t last.”

When she first heard of Monat, Sammy was sceptical, but she tried the sample packs and was astounded by the results.

“I got results straight away and it’s been amazing ever since,” she said passionately.

“Finding something that holds, lasts, and gives definition whilst nourishing the scalp and hair inside and out, has truly been life-changing for me.”

“Not only my confidence and self-esteem in general but being able to wear my hair out without feeling self-conscious was amazing.”

With a mission to help other local women feel as confident with their hair, Sammy is now introducing the full range of Monat products to the Whitsundays.

“I am very much an empath and I love helping people,” she said.

“Our hair can be so important and being comfortable with your hair makes you feel good – it changes lives!

“For people who don’t have as much hair as they would like – or people who have a receding hairline or are post-partum – these products can help thicken your hair and there has been amazing results!”

Sammy can offer you a free consult, a quick online questionnaire followed by a more in-depth conversation, to discover which hair product will suit you best.

After this, she can drop off some samples or a ‘borrow basket’ so you can experience the difference yourself.

She will then set you up with an account and send you a link with your shopping cart so you can confirm payment and receive the products direct.

Monat also do a range of skincare products which include moisturisers, cleansers, a Vitamin C serum, an overnight target treatment, a berry scrub and a cold charcoal clay mask.

“It’s so nice to have a range of great products from the same brand,” said Sammy.

“They last usually last around six months too!”

Sammy Walsh says Monat beauty products have been “life-changing”

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For many years people have reported feelings of ‘losing track of time’ or being so engrossed in what they are doing that they simply do not notice what is happening around them.

This may seem like a pointless and unproductive state to be in, but many experts are starting to recognise the merits of this state, so much so, that it now has a name – ‘flow’.

When we are completely absorbed in a task, our pre-frontal cortex activity is reduced meaning that we are more open to creative ideas coming our way, a sense of complete calm will transcend and afterwards we will experience an untold amount of satisfaction.

A feeling of complete fulfillment.

Increasingly, the feeling of ‘flow’ is being sought after by many craving to wind down and detach from a busy mind.

Here’s how you can achieve a state of flow:

• Everyone’s ‘flow’ activity is different, some might like to play sport or exercise, others might like to create art – whatever activity you choose, it must be something that you are good enough at to do with ease but also challenging enough so that it captures your complete attention.

• Another way to find your flow is to eliminate distractions and focus on the task at hand. This means setting aside time to work on the task undisturbed, turning off your phone and other distractions, and finding a quiet and comfortable space to work.

• Flow also loves creating clear and specific goals for the task at hand and to make progress toward these goals. When you are working towards a goal, you can feel a sense of accomplishment and progress, which can help keep you motivated and engaged in the task.

Find your flow today and see how it can transform your life.

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Detectives from the Mackay Child Protection Investigation Unit are investigating the sudden death of a two-year-old girl in North Mackay.

Police said the child was taken to Mackay Base Hospital on December 29, around 8pm, where she was pronounced deceased upon arrival.

Detective Acting Inspector Chris Eaton said police were called and under direction of the coroner and are now conducting investigations into the child’s death.

The circumstances leading up to the child’s death have remained a focus of the investigation with DAI Eaton confirming the child had been unwell in the days leading up to her death. He said under direction from the coroner, police would look into any care the child had also received in the days leading up to her death.

DAI Eaton said the family had been through a very traumatic event and any sudden death that occurs with a child will be investigated by police. He wouldn’t comment on whether the family had prior association with the police or other services.

The North Mackay home where the child lived was declared a crime scene to enable police to conduct their investigation.

Police said an autopsy will be conducted to establish the cause of death.

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Mackay’s Georgia Knoll lights up a room from the moment she enters. Her beaming smile and constant positive personality has made her a favourite local identity, as well as a star employee for the Coffee Club on Wood Street.

For her dedication to service with a smile, Georgia was recognised with a nationwide award from the Coffee Club, the Service with Heart award.

The Coffee Club Wood Street and regular customers were quick to praise Georgia for this win.

“Every shift, Georgia arrives full of smiles and is extremely proud to wear the Coffee Club logo. Georgia has always encouraged us all to be kind to everyone and goes out of her way to greet everybody in store and does her best to make their day,” The Coffee Club said in a statement.

“We are so proud of Georgia for winning such a big award. Keep an eye out for her special embroidered apron next time you’re in store.”

Customer Helen Noy Newman said, “We had lunch at The Coffee Club Wood Street and Georgia’s beautiful face graced our visit! Thank you for making every single visit an enjoyable and happy experience.”

Jan Simpson added, “That big smile of yours is definitely a winner.”

Georgia’s family said that Georgia loves working at the Coffee Club and they are grateful for the business’ ongoing support.

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Georgia Knoll was presented with the Service with Heart award from Coffee Club’s head office

“I helped this woman load her shopping into her car this afternoon, she said she was so grateful that she could marry me.

“I couldn’t believe it, you do something nice for someone and they threaten to ruin your life.”

Happy 2023, Mackay!

I hope that joke started your day with a chuckle.

I chose to open with a good deed with a twist, because over the holidays, particularly in the week leading up to Christmas, I was floored with the generosity displayed by locals to those less fortunate.

And these displays of kindness came in all shapes and forms. Like a post on the Mackay Buy, Swap & Sell Facebook page, where Sonny Williams offered to give a good quality children’s bike away.

He asked, “Are there any mums or dads who need a pressie for a little takka?

“This bike would suit a 5+-year-old. Nothing wrong with it, free to a good home.

“I’d like this bike to go to someone who needs it and whom their child would appreciate. Merry Christmas.”

Another post on the Mums and Bubs of Mackay & the Whitsundays Facebook page showed that it doesn’t need to be a financial contribution to make a difference in a person’s life.

Madison Smith wrote, “I wanted to share about a beautiful and kind lady who helped me at Coles Mt Pleasant.

“I was in the self-serve checkout with my 7-week-old in the carrier and hubby had taken our son to the loo.

“My baby started crying and I had two people push in front of me as I turned to grab a couple of bags. When I got to the checkout, a lady in front of me asked if she could scan and bag my groceries so I could calm my baby.

“It was such a beautiful act of kindness, I’m so appreciative.”

Another story was shared about kindness from Coles Mt Pleasant.

“My son works at Coles Mt Pleasant mainly in the online department,” Tash Salanoa wrote.

“This is Tyrone’s first part-time job and first time working Christmas eve.

“When I picked him up after his shift, he came to the car with a smile from ear-to-ear just beaming and told me how a lovely lady surprised him with a box of chocolates and thanked him.

“Thank you to a lady named Leisa Scott, your kind and thoughtful gesture was so lovely.”

Pauline Nash in Sarina gave a shout-out to a local business who made her day.

She described how she accidentally placed an order for Alcorns Bakery in Andergrove instead of the Sarina store.

“They not only filled my order of bread rolls, but didn’t charge me. It was my mistake, so thank you ladies, I truly appreciate it.”

There were many more acts of kindness, from people picking up the tab for others while shopping, to individuals donating their belongings to those in need.

Now that the tinsel is down, the tree has been packed away and the world is a little less festive, I hope the kindness continues. The period after Christmas can be daunting for many people, emotionally and financially.

If you can spare some time to do good for others, I think January is the month where kindness is needed more so than any other time of the year.

Amanda

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A community forum was hosted in December 2022 by Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox focussing on veterans’ services throughout the electorate with the Former Deputy Prime Minister and Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Barnaby Joyce.

Mr Joyce said Veterans’ Services were a top priority for the LNP, with substantial investment committed for veterans’ wellbeing at the election earlier this year.

“Our veterans are the heroes of the nation who have sacrificed so much for the sovereignty and freedom of our country,” he said.

“They deserve our complete support and investment.

When in Government, the LNP invested $5 million towards Veterans’ Wellness which was hoped to assist in building an RSL in Mackay and a wellness centre at Kinchant Dam.

“This is a legacy that we are extremely proud of, but there is still so much work to be done.

“We’re going to fight to try and get a wellness centre back, and if we were given the great honour of government, we make a commitment that we’ll be putting a wellness centre in Mackay.

“You need RSL’s, you need wellness centres, you need sub-branches to basically meet people who can say, ‘How are you going? I haven’t heard from you lately.’”

Mr Joyce said the forum is an opportunity to talk to local veterans about their concerns.

“One of the big things you do in opposition is you develop policy, and you don’t do it by your own divine intuition,” he said.

“You do it by talking to people.

“We want to take their concerns to Canberra to make sure our ex-serving personnel are looked after as well as possible.”

Mr Willcox said it was important to listen directly to the veterans and local community on how returned service men and women can best be supported.

“Many returned servicemen and women come home with significant trauma – experiences that stay with them for a lifetime,” he said.

“The prevalence of PTSD and suicide among serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members is deeply concerning.

“I will be doing everything that I can to make sure our veterans are well supported in our region.

“In Labor’s first Federal Budget, they cut all Veterans Wellness Hubs north of Brisbane.

“The Coalition wants to work with the Government to see these services are fully supported and fully funded for our Mackay region veterans.

“I believe if people are good enough to fight for this country, if they’re good enough to put their bodies on the line, their lives on the line, then when they come back to our home turf, we should look after them.”

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Barnaby Joyce. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

A prime riverfront food and beverage location is next in line for a revamp as part of council’s Mackay Waterfront redevelopment.

Council is calling for tenders for a structural refurbishment of 8 River Street, formerly Maria’s Donkey and more recently the Don Daniels restaurant site.

It will be the third major project in the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA).

The first was the Queens Park redevelopment, followed by the Riverside Revitalisation.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the Riverside Revitalisation, a public realm development where the old Seafresh sheds were previously located, was nearing completion.

He said a revamp of the nearby 8 River Street building was the next important stage in revitalisation of the riverfront.

“We’re calling design and construct tenders for this building,’’ Mayor Williamson said.

“We are seeking a proposal from suitably qualified contractors for the structural refurbishment of the building,” he said.

“The brief will be a design and construct contract and aims to refurbish the building as a food and beverage facility.

“The building remediation will aim to enable the site to accommodate a variety of hospitality uses, such as café, restaurant, bar and function capabilities.”

Mayor Williamson said the design of the building must make full use of the position and the river views available.

“It must also provide connectivity with the Riverside Revitalisation public realm space, which is nearing completion.”

This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

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Tenders are wanted for structural refurbishment of the former Maria’s Donkey building on River Street

Means Less Patrolled Beaches For Mackay

Sarina and Bucasia Beaches will no longer be regularly patrolled by lifeguards, as a result of a decision by Surf Life Saving Queensland.

Following the tragic death of a teenager due to a box jellyfish sting, there has been a change to the marine stinger risk management procedure which will now require two lifeguards to perform a stinger drag before opening a beach. Previously this task had required only one lifeguard.

Adding increased resource pressures has meant that two of the Mackay region’s popular beaches will not be regularly patrolled, meaning the added intent of safety could have the opposite effect, with the potential to put more of the community in danger due to less patrolled beaches. Continue reading on page six to find out what this means for communities in Bucasia and Sarina.

A change to Surf Life Saving Queensland’s procedures will significantly impact the number of beaches that can be patrolled in the Mackay region.

As part of changes to their marine stinger risk management procedure, two lifeguards are now required to perform a box jellyfish drag before opening a beach.

This task was previously performed by one lifeguard with a smaller sized net.

However, the procedure has been updated following recommendations from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland after the tragic death of a teenager at Eimeo Beach last year due to a box jellyfish sting.

As a result, only Harbour Beach, Lamberts Beach and Eimeo Beach will be patrolled regularly for the next 12 months, which commenced earlier this week on Wednesday, January 4.

Sarina Beach will be patrolled intermittently by volunteer lifesavers and a roving lifeguard will be visiting both Sarina and Bucasia beaches each week to advise beachgoers of the risks of swimming at local beaches.

Development Services director Aletta Nugent said the reduction in patrolled beaches was unfortunate, but council had no other option.

“Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) patrol our beaches and they have been struggling with staff shortages for quite some time,” Ms Nugent said.

“Given the additional resourcing requirements of the new procedure, our only option was to reduce the number of beaches patrolled across the region or the contract would be cancelled as the terms would be unable to be met,” she said.

“This would mean we wouldn’t have anyone to patrol any of the beaches.

“Over the next 12 months we’ll be investigating ways to reinstate patrols to Bucasia Beach and Sarina Beach.

“We’re hopeful that the job market may also improve during this time.”

Residents in Sarina are encouraged to visit beachsafe.org.au for regular updates on the dates and times that volunteer lifesavers will patrol Sarina Beach.

Residents are also encouraged to visit nbbsurflifesaving.com.au/beach-reports for beach open/closure updates for SLSQ’s entire patrol region.

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Harbour Beach will continue to be patrolled following changes to Surf Life Saving Queensland’s marine stinger risk management procedure. Photo Supplied: Mackay Regional Council

Eimeo Beach

New Year’s Day, 2023.

While most of us were sleeping peacefully, perhaps nursing a sore head or wiping crusty eyes from seeing the new year in, our region’s rescue helicopter crews were primed and ready for activation.

They weren’t waiting for long.

On the morning of New Year’s Day, RACQ CQ Rescue were tasked to Moranbah to airlift a woman with a cranial bleed. This was followed in the afternoon by an even longer flight to Clermont, to transfer a hospital patient to Mackay.

To find out more about our region’s community funded rescue service, visit cqrescue.org.au.

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RACQ CQ Rescue started 2023 by airlifting a patient with a cranial bleed from Moranbah. Photo credit: RACQ CQ Rescue

Mackay families worried about expensive back-to-school costs for the new year can breathe a sigh of relief with the news that School Savvy is coming to town.

Selling secondhand school uniforms and quality booklist stationery supplies at extremely low-cost, School Savvy will be opening their pop-up shop at the Mackay PCYC from January 9 – 12.

CatholicCare’s General Manager for Health and Wellbeing, Flavia Prospero, said that she and her local School Savvy team were excited to be bringing the much-needed event to the region.

“School Savvy is a great program that is already run very successfully in many places across Queensland,” Ms. Prospero said.

“Pop-up shop prices generally range between one to five dollars, with the program all about making sure that no student is left without the resources they need to be engaged at school and to feel no different to any of their classmates.

“We believe very strongly that a family’s financial situation should never be a barrier to accessing a good education.”

Local businesswoman and Champ Group Managing Director, Matilda Chapman, said that Champ had previously supported School Savvy’s introduction to other areas of Queensland.

“You see a lot of families struggling, particularly with the rental crisis that we are in at the moment, housing affordability, and increases in electricity prices,” Ms. Chapman said.

“The School Savvy program is practical, real relief that will benefit a lot of Mackay families by making sure that they can access the school resources their kids need, without the added financial pressure.”

Mackay PCYC Manager, Sgt. Dorinda Freeman, said that she was also happy to extend the PCYC’s support after hearing the program was coming to town.

“I love the concept behind School Savvy,” Sgt. Freeman said.

“There are so many kids and families in Mackay who need this extra support, and to be able to help provide it to them in such a welcoming and inclusive way is something that really aligns with what we do at the PCYC.

“We look forward to hosting the School Savvy pop-up shop in January.”

For more information, find School Savvy CQ on Facebook.

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Flavia Prospero (left) with Sgt. Dorinda Freeman (right)

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Strong tourism recovery results for domestic tourism have been released in the latest National Visitor Survey by Tourism Research Australia last month.

The Mackay Isaac Region placed eighth nation-wide in the Top 10 tourism regions in overnight trips in the year ending September 2022, compared to the year ending September 2019, with an impressive 13 per cent increase and a total of 1.2 million trips.

The Mackay Isaac Region was unique in seeing an overall increase across both holiday and business travel visitors, with an increase of 31.9 per cent and 13.6 per cent respectively compared to 2019.

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, all spend by travel purpose categories exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

Mackay Isaac Tourism CEO, Al Grundy said that these results can be attributed to the efforts of the tourism industry working together to promote our region.

“The generous support of our major sponsors, including Mackay and Isaac Regional Councils, Tourism Events Queensland, Mackay Airport and Harrup Park, along with the hard work and contribution of our local businesses and operators, have been instrumental in returning these record-breaking results for the region,” Mr Grundy said.

“We are seeing the results of a successful events calendar drawing visitors to the region, along with the strength of the domestic drive market, which has seen caravan and RV growth supporting the overall leisure visitation.

“We look forward to maintaining strong visitation into 2023. Our major Destination Marketing Campaign, commencing in February 2023 will highlight the region’s strong event calendar and promote the message to ‘stay a little longer’ and experience the wonderful local experiences on offer.”

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The Mackay Classic Car Club finished off 2022 with a $500 donation to Dragons Abreast Mackay made on Sunday, December 11.

The money was primarily raised through driver reviver at Waverley Creek, a fundraising activity the Car Club takes part in every year.

“Up until this year, we go down on the last week of the school holidays in July,” said Mackay Classic Car Club President Les Palmer.

Dragons Abreast is a national charity with groups spread across the country and a membership of over 1200 individuals, the majority of whom are breast cancer survivors.

The group provides an understanding network for survivors who participate in the sport of dragon boat paddling.

The Car Club was approached by Dragon Abreast Mackay, saying their tractor needed attention.

“We had a call from them to say that their tractor that they pull their dragon boat out of the water with, they were having difficulties with it, mechanical problems,” said Mr Palmer.

“One of our members just happened to know somebody in the club, so we said, ‘Righto, we’ll donate $500 towards you getting your tractor fixed.’”

The Mackay Classic Car Club made the donation at Mackay Harbour in December last year and will continue to make similar donations throughout the community where they can.

“Without people like our car club, a lot of those little organisations wouldn’t survive,” said Mr Palmer.

“They’re not government funded, they’ve got to raise the money the best way they can and we’re willing to help out.”

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The Mackay Classic Car Club have donated funds to assist in the repair of Dragons Abreast Mackay’s tractor

The generosity of the Mackay community in the leadup to Christmas was commendable. Thousands of hampers, toys and other goodies were donated and distributed to organisations who help those in need, however that need doesn’t diminish along with the Christmas tree for another year.

Mayor Greg Williamson recently presented Lorraine Wirth, Manager of Community Accommodation and Support Agency (CASA) Mackay, a donation of $1200.

This donation was money saved from printing and sending hard copy Christmas cards, as the council opted to send eCards again this year.

It is a good opportunity to remember that organisations such as CASA rely on donations throughout the year, to support those in our community who need food and shelter.

The community is invited to support CASA by sending donations of non-perishable items to their office, or by donating via their website www.casamackay.org.au

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Lorraine Wirth, Manager of Community Accommodation and Support Agency (CASA) Mackay and Mayor Greg Williamson

A new, lower cost of PBS medicines came into effect on New Year’s Day, meaning the most patients will pay for a PBS listed medication is $30, down from $42.50.

This follows Parliament passing legislation late last year to lower the maximum co-payment cost of PBS medicines.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s National President, Professor Trent Twomey, says this will be a big help to some 19 million patients, especially those who have been struggling to afford their medicines.

“In 2019-20 we learnt that 900,000 Australian patients did not get a script filled because they could not afford it,” Professor Twomey said.

“As health professionals, this disturbed us immensely and led to our “Affordable Medicines Now” campaign which pressured both parties to commit to lowering the cost of PBS medicines in the lead up to the last election.

“It’s a credit to our politicians that they listened to those concerns and gave a bi-partisan commitment to lower the maximum co-payment for PBS listed medicines after the election.

January 1 marked a significant date as was the first time in the history of the PBS that the general co-payment for medicines has come down and not gone up.

However, Professor Twomey says the campaign to make medicines universally affordable is far from over.

“We are now pushing to lower the maximum co-payment of PBS medicines even further, to $19.

“Reducing the maximum co-payment to $19 will mean an additional 30 per cent of PBS medicines are covered,” Professor Twomey said.

A national survey commissioned by the Pharmacy Guild in 2022 revealed the affordability of healthcare was the biggest hip pocket concern among polled voters.

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