Our stunning coastal paradise is brimming with secret spots, and if you’re kind enough to share yours with me, I’d love to hear about it!

I’m one week away from maternity leave with my first-born expected to arrive in the next fortnight, and my parents are travelling from New Zealand to spend three months with me and their first grandchild. They have never holidayed in Queensland before, the only time my Dad touched down in the Sunshine State was probably more than 40 years ago when he was in the Air Force, briefly stopping in Townsville enroute to a deployment in the Pacific.

I’ve arranged some must-do’s on the Gold Coast for when they arrive today, the Sky Deck observatory for lunch and a day exploring the wildlife at Currumbin, but with three months in Mackay, I want them to experience all that our surrounding regions have to offer.

My Mum has trouble with mobility these days so big walks are out of the question, but I know of some locations easily accessible where we can still see the wallabies on the beach and a platypus or two in Eungella. To beat the heat of this sticky start to Autumn, trips to the Bluewater Lagoon will be a given. Living in Dysart for a couple of years before moving to Mackay introduced me to some of the rugged coalfields beauty and I know of a back road between Nebo and Dysart where I can see a plethora of kangaroos.

Here in Mackay, it’s the little things I’m interested in sharing. Shoal Point for its sunset and the Black Cockatoos, I’ve noticed a lot of Black Cockatoos in the big trees near Pioneer State High School too. The lorikeets screeching in the palm trees on Wood Street at dusk as you enjoy a pre-dinner drink. People who grew up here may not think that’s interesting, but when you come from a country that doesn’t have that, it’s quite a buzz! And of course, love them or hate them, the flying foxes. At dusk I’ve noticed the mangroves beside the Showgrounds are home to hundreds.

What is special about Mackay to you and your family?

If you’re happy to share your secret spot, please email me at amanda@mackayandwhitsundaylife.com

Amanda

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What the Federal Government should be doing to combat the cost of living or rising interest rates?

What an exhausting question!

The Federal Government, or any level of Government cannot be responsible for what the Individual can do to combat the cost of living and rising interest rates.

The Individual can examine what moves them forward and puts them into the best position for future advancement.  

Only the Individual can affect the change by identifying present and future income streams and current and past spending, to live within one's means.

It is hard, and it's never been easy, to actually put in different effort, and sustain that effort to change and develop better habits where the onus is on the Individual to identify and creatively solve one's own problems!

Pressure with cost of living, fluctuating interest rates, other economic dramas, are perennial.

No Government anywhere can stop the turbulence.

Making ends meet does improve one's lifestyle, relationships and level of gratitude.  

(Sender asked name not to be printed).

This letter to the editor was in response to the Editor’s Note published 24 February, titled ‘The Squeeze Gets Tighter’.

Do you have a letter to the editor?

Send your letter to amanda@mackayandwhitsundaylife.com

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The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) has been a lifeline for local artists, creatives, and performers in the region for years, providing much-needed funding and support for their projects and initiatives.

It is a major source of funding available to artists, creatives, and performers in local areas. The RADF Committee and council are constantly refining the program to better meet the needs of the community.

If you have participated in an RADF project, Mackay Regional Council would appreciate your feedback through this survey: http://surl.li/fgxao

RADF fund is designed to:

• Promote the value and significance of arts

• Support diverse and inclusive communities through culture and heritage

• Allow local councils to customize RADF programs to match their community's needs

• Be delivered as a partnership between Arts Queensland, a Queensland government agency, and eligible local councils throughout the state.

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A local Vietnam veteran has reflected on the incident that ended his campaign 53 years after the explosion.

Les Palmer was wounded in Vietnam on February 28, 1970, at the age of 22, when his battalion was involved in a landmine explosion.

“It was up in what they call the long, high mountains in South Vietnam,” Les said.

“It was notorious for the enemy hiding up in the mountains, they had boulders they could hide under and camps and kitchens and hospitals up in these mountains.

“The hierarchy said we’d better go and stir them up so instead of us stirring them up, they stirred us up.”

The landmine was buried at ground level with three prongs sticking out of the ground.

“When you stand on it, it jumps a metre in the air and goes bang,” Les said.

Two mines exploded, killing nine soldiers and wounding 16, one of which was Les, suffering multiple fragment wounds and nerve damage resulting in foot drop.

Les likes to commemorate the occasion each year, going out to dinner last week with his wife of 53 years, Sue.

“Even though my mates know me as a Vietnam vet, a lot of them don’t know the story behind how I got hurt and why I’m wounded,” he said.

Les had married Sue one month before he left for Vietnam on the HMAS Sydney aircraft carrier and four months before the explosion.

Mackay born and bred, Les returned to north Queensland and worked in service stations, cane carting and Queensland Rail before retiring in 1999.

He said he has no spare time despite being retired, with plenty of volunteer work to keep him busy for Legacy, Vietnam Veterans Association, Mackay Veterans Support Group and the RSL Mackay Sub Branch.

He plans to travel to Melbourne for ANZAC Day to celebrate a national reunion of his battalion, 8RAR.

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Les Palmer was wounded in Vietnam 53 years ago. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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The Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have concluded a 14-month investigation into a fatal light plane crash that occurred on December 24, 2021, at Ball Bay Beach. According to the police, the passenger, an 83-year-old man, lost his life when the plane crashed on the beach. Meanwhile, the pilot, a 66-year-old Halliday Bay man, was rushed to the Mackay Base Hospital, treated, and discharged.

On February 28 2023, detectives and CASA investigators executed a search warrant at a Halliday Bay Road, Halliday Bay residence. During the search, they arrested a Halliday Bay man and charged him with manslaughter, flying an aircraft without a license, carrying out maintenance without authorization, and flying without satisfying safety requirements. Police allege the pilot, Peter McDougall, was unlicensed and had failed to carry out routine maintenance on his aircraft since 2015.

The 83-year-old man, Gerry Miltenburg, died at the scene of the crash which was meant to be a leisure flight to sightsee nearby islands.

The accused appeared before the Mackay Magistrates Court on March 1.

The charges against the Halliday Bay man stem from the December 2021 light plane crash that resulted in the death of the passenger. The investigation, which lasted for over a year, was carried out jointly by the Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The crash was tragic and shook the local community. The investigators' efforts were aimed at ensuring that justice is served and that the cause of the accident is fully understood.

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RACQ CQ Rescue was tasked to the light plane crash on Ball Bay Beach on December 24, 2021. Photos supplied: RACQ CQ Rescue

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THEFT OF QUAD-BIKE, ETON

Between 5:00pm on March 1 and 7:00am on March 4 a quad bike has been stolen from an open shed at a property on Homebush Road in Sandiford (Eton).

The stolen vehicle is described as a red coloured 2006 model Honda 350 Quad-bike, spray tank fitted and other custom made accessories are visible.

Anyone who might have information about the current location of the stolen quad bike or the actual offence itself is encouraged to contact police as soon as possible. Police report number QP2300382930.

RURAL VIEW DRINK DRIVER CAUGHT IN EARLY MORNING

A 48-year-old male resident of Mount Pleasant has been arrested and charged with a drink driving offence after an alleged police intercept at 5:45am on March 4 on the Mackay Bucasia Road in Rural View.

It's further alleged that following the positive roadside breath test the 48-year-old male was taken to the Mackay police station for further testing. His breath alcohol concentration was confirmed as being .171%.

He was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence of liquor and will appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court on March 22 to have the matter heard.

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Mackay Regional Council is seeking nominations for its Sustainability Advisory Committee.

The purpose of the committee is to discuss and provide information and advice to council on sustainability initiatives.

This includes current and emerging sustainability matters, as well as updates on sustainability initiatives being undertaken by committee members’ organisations.

Council is seeking nominations from anyone with a demonstrated interest in the sustainability of council operations and broader sustainable development issues pertaining to the Mackay region.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Climate change and resilience

• Natural resource management

• Energy management

• Transport

• Water management

• Circular economy

• Community partnerships/programs

The Sustainability Advisory Committee will consist of three councillors, including councillors acting as chair and deputy chair, as appointed by Mayor Greg Williamson.

Council wants to appoint a diverse committee that represents key stakeholders’ interest. It is seeking 12 community representatives to join the committee.

The positions are voluntary, and anyone interested in nominating should live in the Mackay region.

Nominations opened last Friday, March 3, and close March 31 at 5pm. The first meeting of the new committee is scheduled for May 12.

View the terms of reference and nominate online via council’s website.

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Whitsunday Anglican School (WAS) has been ranked as Queensland’s top performing regional school and one of the best schools in the State based on 2022 NAPLAN results.

Proudly representing the regions, WAS was the only regional school in Queensland to make the State’s Top 10 for Secondary.

Senior students ranked an incredible 4th in Queensland, with all other schools in the Top 10 based in Brisbane.

Primary results were also high, with Junior students from WAS the only ones north of the Sunshine Coast to make the Top 50.

WAS Principal Andrew Wheaton said congratulations must go to teachers, students and the wider school community.

“These remarkable results are testament to our dedicated and gifted teachers, and strong academic and pastoral leadership over many years,” he said.

“They are also a reflection of our highly supportive wider parent community!

“It is truly inspiring to be a part of a team that achieves such incredible outcomes for our students.

“While NAPLAN is just one component of the learning journey, at Whitsunday Anglican School, we challenge and support our students to be the best they can be, in a supportive environment that allows them to thrive.”

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Whitsunday Anglican School achieved the best NAPLAN results for any regional Queensland school. Photo supplied

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox is calling on the Federal Government to further extend the Improving Mobile Coverage Round [IMCR] following Dawson completely missing out.

The IMCR will deliver funding to extend and improve mobile phone coverage and competition in regional and remote Australia, by co-funding new or upgraded telecommunications infrastructure in 54 target locations with up to $40 million available.

Mr Willcox said it is extremely disappointing to see the Government has completely forgotten about Dawson in its announcement.  54 locations across Australia have received a funding allocation, and Dawson has been completely left out despite having areas in the region with very little to no mobile service.

“Mobile phone coverage funding is a necessity and shouldn’t be a luxury only for those living in the cities. Dawson punches well above its weight when it comes to contributing taxes to our Government, yet we lack services and infrastructure,” he said.

“We have places suffering terrible mobile service in Dawson, like Slade Point, Beaconsfield, Merinda, Kuttabul, Bloomsbury, Dittmer, Crystalbrook, Cunjulla, Giru, Gnome and Cape Gloucester just to name a few. This is a major safety concern for residents living with minimal and unreliable mobile service.”

DAWSON TRUCKIES DRIVEN TO BREAKING POINT UNDER NEW TAX‍

Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox said Federal Labor’s proposal to impose a 10 per cent per year increase in fuel taxes and registration charges on the nation’s truckies would cost the sector an additional $2.6 billion over three years and add to inflationary pressures.

Mr Willcox added that the Albanese Government’s proposed increases to ‘truckie taxes’ would drive up cost-of-living pressures on local families and businesses and accelerate closures for small and family operated transport enterprises.

“Everything we make in this country starts on a local farm or in the ground, and every product we buy gets to a shop and to the end consumer by travelling on a truck,” Mr Willcox said.

Mr Willcox added, “By 2025-26 the nation’s truckies would be charged $1.35 billion more per year under Labor’s 10 per cent truckie tax,” official documents show.

“This comes at a time when local trucking businesses are paying significantly more for fuel, wages, insurance and maintenance on trucks resulting from the shocking conditions of many roads,” Andrew Willcox said.

“The additional taxes proposed by Labor could send some trucking businesses to the wall.”

“The Coalition will stand by our truckies and press the Labor Government to scrap its plans to increase truckie taxes by up to 10 per cent.”

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Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Willcox

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Loneliness can be a difficult feeling to shake, especially when living in a neighbourhood where connections are scarce. However, a new initiative by council aims to change that for some lucky residents.

This year, council is putting a new twist on its successful annual Neighbour Day campaign, offering 10 families the chance to receive a box full of everything they need to host an introductory get-together with their neighbours. The aim is to bring people together and create new connections in the community. It's an exciting opportunity for those who are looking to build relationships and create a more resilient and connected community.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the “Be a Legendary Neighbour” campaign would provide 10 families with Legendary Neighbour boxes, which will include a $75 Sinclair Meats voucher, Legendary Neighbour invites to personalise, cups and plates, and conversation cards to help break the ice.

“This Neighbour Day initiative is aimed at those who may be new to a street or may have never had the opportunity to become acquainted with their neighbours,” Mayor Williamson said.

“We want to help build a more connected community because connected communities are resilient – they look out for each other,” he said.

“That can take the form of checking in on each other’s physical and mental wellbeing or helping to prepare for, or recover from, natural disasters.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said the My Legendary Neighbour Campaign had been a tremendous community initiative.

“In 2022, council received 75 nominations for residents deserving of the title of ‘Mackay’s most Legendary Neighbour’ and that was such a heart-warming result – the stories that came from it were beautiful,” Mayor Williamson said.

“After a few years of running that campaign though, we decided that we’d try a different approach that will encourage the forging of new legendary neighbour relationships.”

To register for one of the 10 Legendary Neighbour boxes, residents need to head to council’s website and answer the question – “why would you like to build relationships with your neighbours?”.

Applications close noon, Friday, March 24, and those with the 10 best answers to the above question will be notified on Tuesday, March 28.

Council will also be hosting a series of free “Cuppa with your neighbour” events where you can enjoy a free coffee while networking with other residents in your neighbourhood.

Council’s Community Development officers will be at these events to have a chat and share more information on activities happening in your area.

Cuppa with your neighbour events will be held on:

● Tuesday, March 14, from 8am to 10am at the Seaforth Mango Trees

● Saturday, March 18, from 10am to noon at Sealand Takeaway and Café, Midge Point

● Tuesday, March 21, from 8am to 10am at Beachfront Bar and Restaurant, Bucasia Esplanade

● Thursday, March 23, from 9am to 11am at The Esplanade, Grasstree Beach

● Friday, March 24, from 8.30am to 10.30am at The Pinnacle Whistlestop Coffee Cart

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Residents of Marlin Court, Andergrove (pictured) were crowned 2022’s Legendary Neighbours. This year, council is encouraging the building of new neighbourhood friendships

A desire to linger longer at the bedside of patients, hear their concerns and ease their pain led Dr Shanan Molloy to choose palliative care as her speciality.

“I decided when I was working as a GP training in Beaudesert hospital,” Dr Molloy said.

“There was a palliative specialist who came down once a week to do a round and see all the palliative patients.

“I did a number of rounds there, and I just really connected with the way that specialist practiced, she said.

“It was so patient-centred, and he was able to spend a lot more time with patients and address their concerns so thoroughly.

“You could make quite a difference for people at the end of their life.”

Happily for Mackay, Dr Molloy who has two children under the age of four, also chose to return home to be closer to family last year. In November she was appointed as the Mackay Base Hospital’s first specialist palliative care physician.

“We’d been travelling around for some time doing training,” Dr Molloy said.

“We decided to come back to Mackay to be near my family and set up base.”

Dr Molloy is working part-time at this stage and only seeing in-patients, but she also works closely with SPaRTa – the Specialist Palliative and Rural Telehealth service – which provides palliative care outpatient services.

She is also involved in the early stages of planning to increase the Mackay HHS palliative care workforce, as part of Queensland Health’s Specialist Palliative Care Workforce Plan.

Dr Molloy admits palliative care can be a difficult field to work in.

“It can be really challenging work, but it’s also really rewarding,” she said.

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Dr Shanan Molloy was appointed as Mackay Base Hospital’s first specialist palliative care physician. Photo supplied: Mackay Hospital and Health Service

Hi I am Genie,

If you make three wishes, one of them will come true when you adopt me!

I am a very energetic dog so I need to live with an active family with older children who can give me a lot of time and attention since I crave socialisation. I am great on my own and I get on well with other dogs but I just need to continue my training to remain calm when I see them and not to bark - just saying "look at me" distracts me and works!

I am looking for my forever home and would love you to come and meet me and see if we are a good match.

My adoption price includes A FREE 4kg bag of ROYAL CANIN dry food and I'm desexed, microchipped and vaccinated.

Genie's stats

Breed - Kelpie / Labrador Retriever (Mixed)

Gender - Female

Age - 8 months

Desexed - Yes

My ID - 1375467

Adopt me from – Mackay RSPCA

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A large gecko with a ‘beaky’ face, spindly legs and a spiny tail has been discovered on Scawfell Island, about 50km offshore from Mackay.

James Cook University’s Dr Conrad Hoskin discovered the gecko on the rugged, boulder-strewn island during a survey with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships.

In a paper just released in the journal Zootaxa, it has been named the Scawfell Island Leaf-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus fimbriatus), with the species name referring to the fringe of spines around the leaf-shaped tail.

Dr Hoskin said the gecko is perfectly camouflaged to the rocks on the uninhabited island, where it lives deep in piled-up boulders during the day and emerges at night.

“It is incredible to still find large and spectacular new species in this day and age,” said Dr Hoskin.

“The fact that this gecko remained undiscovered to science shows that there are still areas of Australia with hidden secrets.”

Ranger in Charge of the Whitsundays region Brett Turnbull was on the trip when the species was discovered.

“This is an exciting discovery, and an important one, because we base our management of these islands on their biodiversity values,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Knowing which species occur where, and finding species restricted to single islands, informs our management of fire, invasive species and other threats.”

Much is still unknown about the flora and fauna of the islands off Mackay and throughout the Great Barrier Reef, with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Manager of the Ecological Assessment Unit Dr Rhonda Melzer saying that more surveys were required to understand the biodiversity of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef islands.

“We know some islands well but this discovery highlights that some of our islands remain under-surveyed,” she said.

“We are working with researchers like Conrad, and QPWS staff, to better understand and conserve these islands.”

Dr Hoskin said it’s very hard to know how big the population is, but there are at least 30 individuals and more work needs to be done before scientists can say if the geckos are endangered or not.

“Some habitats on the island naturally burn, but the rocks are probably pretty good protection from fire,” he said.

“Another potential threat is the invasive Asian House Gecko and poachers - we know of at least two poaching events of a leaftail gecko near Townsville.”

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The newly discovered Scawfell Island Leaf-tailed Gecko

Dr Conrad Hoskin on Scawfell Island. Photos supplied

Since the news that Norma Shuttlewood had passed away was shared on 1 March 2023, tributes have been flowing in from the many people who knew her and who benefited from her life-long commitment to the arts.

Norma held many positions within Mackay Choral Society but was also deeply involved with other groups including the Mackay Eisteddfod Association Inc, of which she was a Life Member. The Norma Shuttlewood OAM Bursary, awarded to outstanding competitors in the Mackay Eisteddfod, is regarded as a highly prestigious prize. It will be very strange not to see Norma in her usual seat watching the competitors at the Mackay Eisteddfod every year.

Norma was also very fond of Mackay Choral Society's involvement in the North Queensland Eisteddfod. She has regaled us over the years with tales of the adventures had by participating choristers when travelling the road to Townsville and Cairns to compete. As with everything, Norma gave her all and as recognition of her contribution was appointed Life Governor of the Eisteddfod Association of North Queensland in 1987.

Norma was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June 1998 for service to the community through the Mackay Eisteddfod Committee and the Catholic Women's League Australia.

Norma and her family were actively involved with the Mackay Table Tennis Association. Norma was made a life member in 1993 and was Patron of the Club to the end of her life. There is a most fitting tribute to Norma on the Club's Facebook page with a lovely quote from the lady herself:

"I just think it’s a very good sport because it’s as energetic as you want it to be and it’s out of the sun which is a big plus. You can play it at your own level and you can play it all your life – just look at the players we have in our association who are in their 70s and 80s and still play each week.”

I like to think Norma's first love was Mackay Choral Society. When I last visited her this year the choir was the main topic of conversation which is not surprising since she joined at the age of 19 in 1945, when the Mackay Choral Society was founded. Norma was historian from 2006-2010 but her personal records, preserved in many scrapbooks, extend over all the decades since she joined. Other positions held were, President 1975, Secretary 1963-68, Treasurer 1975-76, Conductor 1974-80, Deputy Conductor 1969-74, a record of service more than worthy of the Life Membership awarded in 1980.

So much more can be said about Norma and all she contributed to our community. Her funeral was held at St Patrick's Church Mackay on Tuesday 7th March where we celebrated what can truly be described as a life well lived.

Contributed by Isobel Gillman

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Norma at the 2019 Mackay Eisteddfod at the MECC

Norma and then President, Jeanette Oberg, at the 75th anniversary of Mackay Choral Society. Photos supplied

A local church has revamped its food pantry, offering a huge variety of free food to those in need.

Mackay Church of Christ’s food pantry has taken various forms over the years, the church looking to expand the program with Lynnette Labuschagne leading the way.

“She’s done an extraordinarily good job,” said Pastor Paul Hicks.

Open every Tuesday from 7:30am to 9:30am, Mackay Church of Christ offers grocery items, baked goods, meat, fruit and vegetables and pet food to those in need.

“We have people coming with not much, we have people coming just hard on their luck,” said Mr Hicks.

“Some days they might be able to give and some days they might need to take but there’s no harm, no foul.

“People are not required to do anything.

“When we give, we give what we would eat, and we give with no thought of return.”

Local suppliers and businesses donate goods to the church as well as other churchgoers and people throughout the community.

“It’s been quite amazing, when people found out they just kept coming,” Mr Hicks said.

“We’ve done our very best to give all the food away, and we cannot do it.

“It’s a fantastic problem to have, we have plenty of food.

“There’s no leveller on the planet like compassion.

“One singular act of kindness costs you nothing, but it means the difference between someone having dinner tonight and not.”

Anyone interested in partaking in the church’s food pantry, whether to give, take or simply enjoy a cuppa and a chat, is invited to Mackay Church of Christ every Tuesday morning from 7:30am to 9:30am.

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Mackay Church of Christ’s food pantry is open every Tuesday morning