A local advice firm is bringing world-class investment solutions to Mackay.

Local independent firm, Alman Partners True Wealth, has been named the best Professional Financial Planning Practice in Australia, taking out the 2022 Financial Planning Association (FPA) Awards – Professional Practice of the Year.

Senior Financial Advisers & Partners of the firm, Stephen Lowry & Teneale Laister were present in Sydney at the FPA Congress in late November to accept the award.

“It certainly has been a journey,” Managing Partner Stephen Lowry said.

“Our firm started from humble beginnings with Mackay local Scott Alman in 1985. We now have 2 offices, opening our Brisbane location in 2020, and a team of 30, including some of the highest qualified Financial Advisers in the profession.

“Providing our clients with world-class advice and a 5-star experience has always been a focus for us, and we feel truly humbled by this acknowledgement for the work we do each and every day,” says Mr Lowry.

One of Alman Partners’ goals is to make financial advice universally accessible, and in early 2022 launched its self-directed investment platform, AP Direct Invest. Utilising Nobel-prize-winning academic research as a foundation, 6 portfolios have been developed taking in 37 years of operating in the profession to create a low-cost entry-level investment option. Due to legislation and upheaval in the financial services industry in recent years, seeking full-service financial advice has become cost prohibitive to some investors, especially those starting out. Alman Partners holds a high belief that through continual education and a starting platform, these young investors over time will benefit from holistic advice.

As a founding member of a now global association of like-minded firms, Alman Partners is heavily involved with the Global Association of Independent Advisors (GAIA). This Association aims to share best practices in the profession whilst supporting the next generation of Financial Advisers. A 2nd generation Association has now formed with the focus of nurturing these emerging financial leaders, 2 of Alman Partners’ Advisers sit on this committee.

With a mission to Lead, Educate and Inspire, Alman Partners hosts a radio segment each month on ABC Tropical North Radio and has a scholarship programme for those studying financial planning through CQ University.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring world-class investment solutions to regional Queensland,” says Teneale Laister.

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Domestic violence doesn’t take a break for the holidays, in fact, it often gets worse.

Being able to support vulnerable women and children in need year-round is the aim of Broken Ballerina Inc. who were the recipients of 10 hampers and a $5,000USD grant from Cummins earlier this week.

Broken Ballerina Inc. Founder Jules Thompson said they are so grateful to have received these donations from the team at Cummins as it will enable them to help many people.

“As we don't receive government funding, the majority of the money received will be going to Rebecca Snell, Managing Director of Breakthrough Counselling and Support Services, to enable us to continue to provide free counselling to those in need, including children,” Ms Thompson said.

To date, Broken Ballerina Inc. has donated more than 100 hours of free counselling to its clients.

“We would like to give a special thank you to Heather McCurry for putting us forward for the grant and for supporting what we do in the community,” Ms Thompson added.

Mackay Branch Manager of Cummins South Pacific, Glen Jones, said the business is delighted to support Broken Ballerina with a grant and hampers to support survivors of domestic and family violence.

“Cummins globally has a long-standing strategy to support the communities in which we operate,” Mr Jones said.

“This is typically through donating employee hours back to local not-for-profit organisations, something we encourage all our employees to do each year.

“In this instance, Broken Ballerina stood out for the outstanding work they were doing in the Mackay community, and we were able to secure a grant from the Cummins Foundation,” Mr Jones added.

“Our local Cummins CIT (Community Involvement Team) couldn’t have been prouder to be handing over the goods this week.

“We’d like to again thank Jules and all those involved for their outstanding support to this critically important cause.”

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Jules and Pete Thompson from Broken Ballerina Inc. received 10 hampers and a cash grant from Cummins, with the Community Involvement Team from Cummins sourcing goods for the hampers. Photos supplied

Two Mackay firefighters were recently deployed to southern New South Wales to assist in the response to the state’s ongoing flood event.

Parts of NSW have been in a flood crisis for almost three months with emergency services from across the country rallying to assist.

Carl Jackson and Patrick McGuire of Mackay Fire and Rescue joined two firefighters from Gladstone and four from Airlie Beach, travelling to the NSW town of Deniliquin for seven days in late November.

The teams were tasked with conducting rapid damage assessments, spending most of their time in Moulamein, west of Deniliquin.

“It’s just a quick assessment of a house or a property to determine if it is habitable, how much water has gone through the house, do they have power, running water, sewerage,” said Mr Jackson.

“They call it rapid because it’s a brief snapshot of a particular area.

“That information then gets sent into the command centre to then allow our senior officers to coordinate the response and recovery and to allocate resources to specific areas.

“We were also part of a swift water crew, so if any persons were stuck in floodwater, we would then be the response crew to rescue them from the floodwater.”

The team also transported sandbags from Deniliquin to Moulamein, working alongside teams from Urban Search and Rescue, Marine Rescue, Rural Fire Service, Volunteer Rescue Association and SES.

“It was pretty cool … everyone wearing a different shirt but all working towards the same goal,” said Mr Jackson.

“Even though we’re from different agencies, we’ve got different procedures and policies, in the event of an emergency, we all just come together and we work in well together.”

Mr Jackson said while the town was experiencing an emergency, the people of Moulamein banded together.

“The first day we got there, there was a family of six with kids aged from seven up to 14 and they were helping to fill sandbags,” he said.

“That was just awesome to see, it’s just a good country town.”

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Emergency services from across Australia joined forces to assist in the NSW flood response

A new signalised pedestrian crossing has been installed on Mangrove Road to improve pedestrian connectivity and safety in the Mackay City Centre.

The signalised intersection is now operational.

It replaces the old zebra crossing and features traffic lights, pedestrian signal displays and line marking.

Motorists are asked to please adhere to all traffic instructions.

These works are part of the Caneland Station Bus Interchange project.

To learn more about the project, visit council’s Connecting Mackay website.

The Caneland Station Bus Interchange project is funded by the Queensland Government, through Translink, and is managed by Mackay Regional Council.

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Mangrove Road’s new signalised pedestrian crossing

Sometimes we feel our home gets cluttered and needs a refresh, however, the budget doesn’t have wiggle room for a full home-renovation makeover. There are many simple and cost-effective improvements you can do yourself that can make your home feel brand new – which don’t have to cost a fortune. Simple changes like freshening up your home décor, updating tapware or repainting a wall can make all the difference. See some of the smaller items you can do to your home to give it a new and refreshed feeling.

Out with the old and in with the new

If you don’t love it or haven’t used it in the past 12 months, it’s a sign you may be able to let it go. Decluttering can be a good opportunity to sell items you no longer want or need to make money to buy the new piece of furniture or paint that’s on your wish list.

Introduce a new colour palette

Colour affects our emotions and moods so a fresh coat of paint or switching the colours in a room can dramatically make a difference to the way we feel in a space. Even consider painting your trimwork with an updated colour – this defines your home’s features, while creating a high-end look. Freshening up a space with a fresh coat of paint is a cost-effective but impactful change that can make a space feel brand new.

Switch up your tapware

Tapware can play a massive role in the way a bathroom or laundry space can make you feel. Simply switching up your tapware, and adding some cute new storage for supplies can make you feel like you’ve had a complete renovation.

Style your entry

The first impression of the home is the entryway. If your entryway feels like a dumping ground, give it a quick refresh that will make your guests say ‘wow’. Adding a bowl or tray to put smaller items in (like keys) will help to tidy the area and keep those smaller things contained. To make the area feel bigger than it is, without knocking down a wall, add a mirror to one wall.

A home refresh doesn’t need to be a massive overhaul and doesn’t need to break the bank. Visit the helpful staff at Porters Mitre 10 stores for ideas and expert advice on how to refresh your home.

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WHAT’S TRENDING IN LANDSCAPE AND GARDEN DESIGN FOR 2023

Spending more time at home over the last few years means the search for style inspiration for outdoor living has never been greater. Making spaces work harder for longer seasonal use is the current garden trend.

The garden now needs to be multipurpose, with a space for entertaining and relaxing and it must look good too. In 2023 we will see a surge in less lawns and more actual gardens. It’s all about materials that can be natural, artisan and practical at the same time.

The planting spotlight is on successional designs that provide colour and interest all year round.

Water wise, sustainable plants and landscape materials will be a continuing trend, this can be achieved by using materials like volcanic stone, reclaimed timber or composite timber that require little to no maintenance.

A carefully thought-out irrigation system will ensure you spend more time enjoying the garden, plus it’s peace of mind if you want to go away.

Allocate a sheltered shady spot amongst the garden where you can bring all your indoor plants out, so they get looked after whilst everything else gets watered whilst you're away from home.

Traditionally the swimming pool has always been a focal point surrounded by lots of concrete. We are now moving into creating swimming pools with more narrow coping in cooler touch ceramics, textured travertine and even sunken edging transitioning to smooth rocks and surrounded by lush gardens.

Utilizing multipurpose spaces, we are seeing tiered garden beds with alcoves in the newly revived rustic render effect for intimate seating and dining zones. Purpose built seating, arbours, fire pits and pizza ovens are creating the perfect place to enjoy around the pool area. Top it off with carefully placed lighting throughout the garden and don’t just keep it down at ground level, add strings of festoon lighting up high on walls, fences & trees to create a wonderful ambiance.

At Style Central Home we would be delighted to assist you in creating your very own outdoor sanctuary whether it be big or small. Whatever you are doing over the Christmas break, may you all have a happy, relaxing time with your loved ones and we hope that 2023 is a positive and healthy year ahead.

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Mackay Regional Council has a plan to make Mackay cooler, greener and more connected.

It’s all part of council’s new Mackay Urban Greening Strategy, which was adopted at last week’s ordinary council meeting.

Urban greening is the process of strategically identifying ways to protect, plan and plant vegetation across urban areas, including streets, parks, reserves, car parks and waterways.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the strategy would put a plan in place to increase vegetation coverage across the region over the next 20 years.

“Mackay’s urban vegetation cover is relatively low, and it is also declining in some areas,” he said.

“The Mackay Urban Greening Strategy was developed with community input, and it provides a vision, target, and actions to make Mackay cooler, greener and more connected into the future.

“It will include actions, such as more planting projects, tree management, policy reviews and community engagement.

“Urban greening is a priority for us as a council as it not only provides shade from the hot sun, but it also improves air quality, reduces stormwater run-off and contributes to the amenity of Mackay’s urban character and sense of place.”

The Mackay Urban Greening Strategy highlights four key objectives including:

> growing greener and cooler neighbourhoods

> protecting and nurturing our valued green assets

> building community stewardship and partnerships

> adapting and learning.

For more information on the Mackay Urban Greening Strategy visit www.connectingmackay.com.au/urban-greening.
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Grant and Nicole Trone and their daughter Xanthe enjoy a walk under the tree canopy at Queens Park

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Science and technology education, conservation and sailing skills are among nine community initiatives to be supported under North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation’s (NQBP’s) 2022-23 Community Fund.

The Community Fund recipients will share $60,000 in funding, with each initiative expected to deliver tangible benefits across NQBP’s port communities.

NQBP Acting Chief Executive Officer Belinda Kenny congratulated the Community Fund recipients and said each initiative demonstrated an ability to make a real difference in their respective communities.

“We had a great response to our 2022-23 Community Fund, the inaugural year of the Fund, with 56 applications received,” Ms Kenny said.

“We’re proud to support a broad range of initiatives within each of our port communities via this year’s Community Fund.

“All the initiatives supported have a strong alignment with NQBP’s values of Excellence, Unity, Respect, and Integrity.”

From science kits for Sarina State School, sailing classes for people with disabilities in Mackay, mental health training for Bowen Flexi Care staff and the Bowen community, and Christmas hampers for Weipa foster children and carers, NQBP is playing an active role in the communities in which it operates.

Ms Kenny said the selected initiatives also promote the principles of diversity and inclusion, and recognition of First Nations Peoples.

“I would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this year’s Community Fund and wish those not selected for this year’s Fund the very best with their respective community initiatives,” she said.

“We look forward to working with our 2022-23 Community Fund partners to support their valuable initiatives over the coming year, and fostering stronger community connections.”

Sailability Mackay President, Nanetta McKeiver said the NQBP Community Fund sponsorship will assist the volunteer organisation in bringing joy to people with disability through the experience of sailing.

“We are extremely grateful for the support provided by NQBP,” Mrs McKeiver said.

“Through our sailing experience sessions, we aim to provide people with disability the opportunity to participate in the sport of sailing in a safe and supportive environment and it’s only with the support of organisations like NQBP that we can continue to provide this opportunity to the Mackay community.”

The NQBP Community Fund is an annual sponsorship program open to non-profit groups and organisations, and registered charities.

NQBP is a Queensland Government-owned corporation responsible for the ports of Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point, and Weipa in far north Queensland.

The 2023-24 NQBP Community Fund will be open for applications in April/May 2023. A full list of the 2022-23 Community Fund recipients is below:

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Sailability Mackay’s sailing experience sessions for people with disability (pictured) is one of nine community initiatives to be supported under NQBP’s 2022-23 Community Fund

Did you know that in the 2020-2021 financial year, Queensland produced 96 per cent of Australia’s sugarcane?

In a partnership that goes back to the 1900s, the Queensland Government is continuing its support for Queensland’s sugarcane industry with a 5-year $14.25 million funding grant to Sugar Research Australia Limited (SRA) for research, development and extension (RD&E) activities.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the Queensland Government had been working with and supporting this iconic industry for 122 years.

“The Queensland Government has a long-standing history of supporting RD&E activities that improve the prosperity and sustainability of the sugarcane industry,” Mr Furner said.

“This grant will see a further $14.25M committed to strategic RD&E investments that will increase our understanding of industry problems, enable the uptake of advanced technology, and implement innovative management practices to strengthen the industry.

“Our research support for agriculture, together with investment from our research partners, is key to helping farmers to solve production problems so they get on with what they do best, growing the world’s best food and fibre.”

Mr Furner said cane growers could also benefit significantly under the government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

“The plan recognises growers, graziers and bioenergy generators are key partners in our clean energy transition,” he said.

As part of the 2022-23 State Budget, the Palaszczuk Government announced a new Queensland Microgrid Pilot Fund (the fund) which will invest $10 million over two years, to boost the resilience of regional and remote communities.

The Department of Energy and Public Works is currently developing guidelines and eligibility requirements for the fund, with the guidelines expected to be released by the end of 2022. Canegrowers, or sugar mills, are welcome to apply if eligibility requirements are met.

SRA recently completed its new 5-year Strategic Plan, identifying 5 strategic pillars to help grow and shape the prosperity of the Australian sugarcane industry and regional communities.

SRA Chief Executive Officer Roslyn Baker said the funding commitment from the Queensland Government was extremely welcome and would greatly assist the industry to grow and adapt to future challenges.

“Sugarcane is a vital industry to Queensland’s economy and for building regional prosperity,” Ms Baker said.

“SRA is focused on boosting our industry to deliver immediate value through our industry services and also long-term sustainability and growth. Investment in RD&E is critical, and I welcome the Queensland Government’s commitment to sugarcane RD&E through this grant.”

The overall contribution from the sugarcane industry to Queensland’s gross value of production for 2020-2021 is estimated to be $1.15 billion, a 12.7 per cent increase from the previous year, when production was affected by drier seasons.

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Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner

The Allan Cameron Park in Walkerston is now open after recent upgrades.

Allan Cameron Rotary Park was originally a Walkerston Rotary Club project in partnership with Mackay Regional Council - way back in the year 2000.

As the Allan Cameron Rotary Park was established in 2000 and all of the children's playground equipment would need replacing as it was quite old and dilapidated and no longer up to standard requirements - the proposal to upgrade the park to an 'Adult Exercise Playground' came about.

A survey had been conducted with the findings that the park was hardly used, except by students waiting for the school bus which stops there.

The fact that a bigger and better equipped playground had been built in the same area, just down the street on the corner of Stevic Street - and has high visitation numbers, was also taken into account.

The Adult Exercise Playground was suggested as it was noted that many 'walkers' cut through the park on their daily exercise route, therefore the suggestion of exercise equipment.

The Walkerston Rotary Club was consulted and kept informed every step of the upgrade which was greatly appreciated.

Contributed by Bente McDonald, Walkerston Rotary Club.

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Allan Cameron Park upgrades are complete. Photo credit: Mackay Regional Council

Allan Cameron Rotary Park at the very beginning - with Mr Cameron at the official opening. Image supplied

Congratulations to St John’s Catholic School’s Harrison Freiberg and Nathan Salter and Walkerston State School’s Sophie Vassallo who were recently presented academic awards by the Walkerston Rotary Club.

At the end of every school year, the Rotary Club of Walkerston has the great pleasure of presenting School Dux Awards at Walkerston’s two local primary schools - Walkerston State School and St John's Catholic School.

The Club Congratulates our three recipients of this award for 2022, and wishes them every success as they continue their education at secondary level.

To Sophie, Nathan and Harrison, our sincere congratulations.

Contributed by Bente McDonald, Walkerston Rotary Club.

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Sophie Vassallo with Rotarian Bente McDonald

Harrison Freiberg and Nathan Salter with Rotarian Ray Borg

The image of the man, woman and baby in the darkened stable has had a powerful hold on people’s imaginations over millennia.

What makes it so powerful? Maybe it’s because so many can identify with the man or the woman, huddled in darkness, turned away from the inn, apart from family.

How many people now feel displaced, not ‘at home’ in their surroundings? How many suffer the darkness of loneliness, betrayal and rejection? How many dwell in the shadow of illness and grief?

Mary and Joseph are first time parents- how many live with the anxiety of uncertainty about their actions, about the future for themselves and the family? The material world is not always a hospitable place.

But look closer! There is the baby, a universal symbol of hope and love. But there’s more: a light glowing through, and out from, the baby, and the light casts out the darkness, and the darkness has no power against the light.

The light is the sign of God in a human life, re-creating lives. In a world of uncertainty, the God of creation, life and love is still at work. I have seen many lives transformed by God’s presence.

At Christmas, those who have found the glory of this joy gather to give thanks for, and share, this most wonderful inner peace.  Come and join us and, wherever you are, may you know God’s blessings of joy.

Reflection from Ven Dr Rosemary Dunn

Archdeacon of Mackay

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Imagine if for minimal or no expense, your business can make changes that will allow you to increase your customer base and your bottom line? Interested…?

When we think of people with a disability, typically a person in a wheelchair comes to mind.  However over 90% of disabilities are invisible and more than half of these people are aged over 55. One in six people in our community have sight, hearing, social and mobility barriers that can result in a poor customer service experience – that’s 20% of potential customers your business could be missing out on!

There is a myth that making your business more accessible is costly. One of the simplest solutions is to educate your staff how to communicate well with people experiencing communication barriers which could include cerebral palsy, stroke or come from a non-English speaking background. Good communication equals good customer service.

The Good Access Equals Good Business Guide was created by Mackay Regional Council and the Access and Inclusion Reference Group. It is a brilliant resource for local businesses to identify their accessibility issues with a simple checklist.

Armed with this knowledge, business owners can then use the guide to make small changes that can make a big difference; attracting new customers and repeat business. It can also help businesses meet their legal responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992).

The Queensland Government has declared 2023 is the Year of Accessible Tourism in Queensland. $12 million in funding has been announced to support small and medium businesses to develop or enhance accessibility.

The Mackay region is striving to enhance our reputation as an inclusive and accessible destination; the Seaforth Esplanade and Woodlands Parkland upgrades are a testament to our commitment to create amazing spaces for our whole community and visitors to enjoy.

We can shine as an Accessible Tourism Destination, and it starts with empowering our local businesses by dispelling the myths around access and inclusion and making the small changes that will take their business to the next level.

Everyone in our community deserves to feel welcome, included and experience great customer service wherever they go.

Cr. Michelle Green

Mackay Regional Council

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A climbing unit and hammock swing located in Iluka Park playground in East Mackay will be temporarily closed while council waits for replacement equipment to arrive.

Mayor Greg Williamson said vandals had recently targeted the play equipment, which was due for renewal.

“The team had modified the climbing unit to allow it to remain in service until the replacement equipment could be installed, however for reasons that totally baffle us, vandals have attacked the equipment with an angle grinder,” he said.

“Regrettably, crews now have no option but to remove the climbing unit and swing.

“This destructive behaviour is unacceptable, and it means that this play equipment is now out of action for the Christmas school holidays.

“The climbing unit has been cordoned off for public safety and is being removed.

“The good news is that most of the other play equipment in the park was not touched and remains available for use.”

If anyone has any information regarding the vandalism in Iluka Park, or at any of our other parks or playgrounds across the region, please contact council on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

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Make room for Christ and others this Christmas

This Christmas how can you make room in your life for the Christ-child, the Saviour of the world?

Christmas is a time for awe, wonder and response. The angels sing glory to God. The shepherds proclaim the birth of the king of the world. Mary rejoices that God chose her to carry the Saviour. The wise men follow a star, are overwhelmed with joy, and kneel down and worship the babe of Bethlehem.

This Christmas experience anew the awe and wonder of the birth of Christ by finding your local church, attending a Christmas service, and contributing to a Christmas appeal. More than just family, presents and food, Christmas is a time to be confronted by the awe-inspiring reality of the birth of God into the world: Emmanuel, God is with us. The God who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14) identifies with us in life’s challenges.

This Christmas how can you make room in your life for people seeking accommodation in the Mackay region?

The Roman Emperor called Mary and Joseph to their home town of Bethlehem for registration, but there were so many people present that they could not find a place to stay. ‘And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn’ (Luke 2:7). Mary found room in the animals’ quarters to give birth and to lay the baby Jesus in a manger, a feeding trough. From their treasure chests, the wise men offered lavish gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

This year, people seeking work in the Mackay region are looking for accommodation. Can you spare a room or a granny-flat out the back for people to come to Mackay to work? Can you advertise to take in a boarder? Like the innkeeper and the wise men, let us be adaptable and generous in helping to solve the shortage of housing in Mackay.

REV. DR JULIA PITMAN

ST PAUL’S UNITING CHURCH

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