On the morning of Saturday, March 17, 1962, residents of Townsville awoke to find a peculiar figure painted atop their beloved Castle Hill.

It wasn’t the first time an out of place painting appeared on the hill as university students had painted a question mark there the year before, which had since been painted over.

This time, it was the recognisable figure of ‘The Saint’, a figure that would remain on the north facing rock wall of Castle Hill for 60 years.

20 years ago, on the Saint’s 40th anniversary, after decades of speculation and controversy, seven former Mackay State High School students came forward as the ones responsible for the original iteration of what has become a Townsville icon.

They were Graeme Bowen, Lyall Ford, Rodney Froyland, David Greve, Peter Higgins, Barrie Snarski and Robert Sothman.

Mr Ford has told the story of the Saint in his book ‘A History of The Townsville Saint’, revealing for the first time who held the brush that fateful night.

“Barry Snarski was revealed in this book, for the first time, as the guy that actually did the painting but for 60 years, we never revealed who did the painting,” said Mr Ford.

The book was launched in Townsville in October to mark the 60th anniversary of the Saint, celebrated with functions at Townville’s C Bar and university alongside councillors, MPs and special guests.

60 years ago, seven young Mackay men aged between 17 and 18 had recently relocated to Townsville for their first year of university.

Commemoration Week was a tradition where university students would pull pranks throughout town, with the previous year’s Commemoration Week resulting in a 15-foot-long question mark being painted on Castle Hill.

“It got painted out the following January by four blokes in the Air Force and we arrived in February,” said Mr Ford.

“We were all thinking … ‘We should do something to put something back there.’”

The Mackay mischief makers decided on The Saint, the calling card of literary character Simon Templar created by Leslie Charteris.

“Schoolkids used to doodle The Saint, so it was a very well-known figure in 1962,” said Mr Ford.

“We organised all the gear to do the job, got hold of ropes and paints and a jeep and went up one Friday night and did the painting between 2 and 3 o’clock.”

Mr Snarski hung down the side of Castle Hill for 35 minutes, tied to posts at the lookout on top of the hill, completing the painting.

In doing so, he and his friends instigated one of the most contentious debates in Townsville history: an icon to some, an eyesore to others.

Throughout the many ups and downs the Saint has endured, including being painted over and repainted countless times, clashes with council and a copyright dilemma, the prevailing stance of the people of Townsville is that the Saint is an icon, and they have these seven Mackay men to thank.

“It was just a student prank,” laughed Mr Ford.

“I guess we assumed it’d probably get painted out by someone,”

The Saint has since been adopted by the university, the university’s rugby league club and other clubs and businesses throughout north Queensland as their logo or mascot.

“The council accepted that it was an icon of Townsville and that they wouldn’t remove it,” said Mr Ford.

To purchase ‘A History of The Townsville Saint’, contact Lyall Ford on 0400 772 278 or email lyallrford@gmail.com.

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Mackay’s smallest and most vulnerable babies will be given the best start possible in life thanks to a collaboration on the use of a new state-of-the-art cot for neonatal transfers to the Mackay Base Hospital from the Mater Private Hospital.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) Nursing and Midwifery Executive Director Karen Wade said the initiative was aimed at providing the best care possible for vulnerable babies.

“The neonatal transfer cot is a state-of-the-art piece of equipment to care for premature babies or any babies who need a high level of care who might be born at the Mater and need an immediate transfer to the Base hospital’s Special Care Nursery (SCN),” Ms Wade said.

“Every minute saved in transfer is of vital importance when a mum has had a premature or sick baby, and this new cot will give these little ones the best chance possible.

“This is a great example of our hospitals collaborating on care for the benefit of our most vulnerable patients.”

Mater Private Hospital Executive Officer Beth Thomas welcomed the initiative.

“The neonatal cot will be in place at Mater Maternity to enable these vulnerable babies to be transferred with minimum delay,” Ms Thomas said.

“This is the best equipment available for transporting premature babies, consisting of a temperature-controlled capsule, monitoring equipment, resuscitation equipment and its own power source.

“It then sits on its own stretcher so it can be immediately loaded onto an ambulance for transfer.

“The Base and Mater hospitals are always collaborating to provide patient care, but the sharing of resources takes that collaboration to another level.”

Nursing staff at both hospitals will be provided with training in the use of the cot by Special Care Nursery Clinical Nurse Consultant Louise Johnson, who holds a Masters degree in Clinical Nursing in Neonatal Intensive Care.

Last week’s announcement coincided with World Prematurity Day, which is celebrated annually to raise awareness of our most vulnerable babies, their families and the clinicians who care for them.

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North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) has completed major infrastructure works at the Port of Mackay with the completion of Wharf Five.

The Port’s newest wharf now boasts a $4 million western approach deck, positioning the Port to continue to take advantage of future trade opportunities.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey celebrated the project’s completion.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support Queensland’s strong trade industry, and delivering better infrastructure is just one way of doing that,” Minister Bailey said.

“Not only has this $4 million project seen a new deck delivered, we’ve supported good local jobs and supply chains throughout construction.

“Having infrastructure of this calibre at our state-owned ports means we can expand into new industries and capitalise on the investment made in renewables throughout the region.”

NQBP Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Fertin said the works were part of a number of infrastructure upgrades at the Port.

“Over the past 18 months we’ve invested $1.8 million to expand cargo capacity at Wharf Four, $2.5 million to extend Wharf One and recently completed our new $8.5 million tug berth facility, all aimed at supporting growth and diversified trade,” Mr Fertin said.

“The Port of Mackay is an essential gateway linking Central Queensland to the world, servicing mining and agricultural industries and supporting 2,100 trade jobs with goods to the value of around $4.9 billion passing through the port.

“We are dedicated to supporting our local economy and workforce and are pleased we were able to achieve this during the Wharf Five project with our principal contractors V2R Projects.”

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said opportunities in Mackay were booming.

“You only need to take a drive around our growing region to see the investment being made in our region,” Ms Gilbert said.

“From new bypasses, a better Bruce Highway, and upgrades to our Port – the Palaszczuk Government continues to put money into creating jobs in regional Queensland.

“I was here alongside the Premier just a few months ago and the amount of work that has been completed since is incredible.”

V2R Projects Director Paul Chambers said the company has valued working with NQBP on the project which has resulted in an important piece of infrastructure for the region.

“We have been proud to work with a number of local and regional based subcontractors and suppliers for the delivery of this project,” Mr Chambers said.

“Our site-based team are all local Mackay residents and all took pride in the delivery of infrastructure that will support their local community and economy,” he said.

Wharf Five facilitates the import and export of fuel, dry bulk (grain, magnetite and fertiliser) as well as break bulk (scrap metal).

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Local builders Anthony and Lynelle Wolff from Hotondo Homes Mackay are celebrating after Hotondo Homes’ night of nights, walking away with the prestigious 2022 National Display Home of the Year Award.

Inspired by the Australian coastal lifestyle, their award-winning Seacoast 259 design elegantly captures the essence of relaxed family living.

“The Seacoast 259 is coastal, light and open, designed to perfectly suit our location and lifestyle,” said Lynelle.

“It embraces open plan living, with a focus on creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow between the entertaining area and out to the alfresco and pool.”

“It’s a great home for entertaining and everyday family life in Mackay,” added Anthony.

The contemporary single storey design offers a functional family-friendly layout, complete with two spacious living areas, four bedrooms and a double garage.

The home was recognised for its quality workmanship, sophisticated design, impeccable presentation and understanding of the local market.

“The design is bathed in natural light and caters to a laidback, beachside lifestyle,” said Lynelle.

“The colour scheme is right on-trend and from the high ceilings to the skylights, there’s lots of wow factors.”

“The quality of workmanship and finishes make this home a true standout,” said Anthony.

The Seacoast 259 also recently won Best Display Home in the up to $550,000 category at the 2022 Master Builders Mackay & Whitsunday Housing & Construction Awards.

The award wins come after the building industry has navigated a range of unprecedented challenges, experiencing record levels of demand amidst widespread materials and trades shortages, price spikes, delays and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved, and it’s very rewarding to be recognised for our efforts and hard work during this time,” said Anthony.

“It’s a great achievement, and we couldn’t do it without our team.”

As a local family-owned business, Anthony and Lynelle have helped clients build their dream home across Mackay and surrounds for over 10 years.

Visit 26 Beachway Blvd, Shoal Point to take a tour of this sensational home, open 7 days a week from 10am to 4pm.

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The giving tree at Mackay’s Explore Property is back again in 2022, gathering goodies and gifts for children in need.

The toy drive is collecting presents for girls aged 10 – 13 and boys aged 9 – 11 which will be donated to the Pyjama Foundation.

The Pyjama Foundation was created to provide children in care a world of unlimited opportunity, to create positive relationships, and to instill a love for learning.

After only being up for a short while, Explore Property is thrilled with the response its received already from generous givers.

You can donate to the toy drive by visiting Explore Property at 224 Victoria Street, Mackay.

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Cape Hillsborough is one of the Mackay region’s most popular destinations with its kangaroo and wallaby experiences, bushwalks and stunning views on the bucket lists of many.

Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park provides a central point for backpackers, travellers and families to stay while visiting the National Park and the popular nature-based visitor holiday park may get a facelift soon after being acquired by NRMA Parks and Resorts.

Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park will retain its current branding for now with future plans for significant refurbishments to the park facilities including new accommodation options and destination experiences, such as guided tours and Indigenous experiences at hand as part of a broad reaching three-year masterplan.

Animal lovers can rest assured that the Sunrise with the Wallabies encounter, taking place each morning on the beach in front of the park, will remain.

NRMA Parks and Resorts Chief Executive Officer Paul Davies said the easy connection with wildlife in its natural environment set the park aside as a nature-based experiential property.

“As the NRMA Parks portfolio continues to expand, we’re conscious of growing in a considered way and offer our guests the chance to interact in a memorable and sustainable way with Australia’s own incredible wildlife and Aboriginal cultural histories and stories,” Mr Davies said.

“There are so many unforgettable experiences we’d like to offer our guests, and the Sunrise with the Wallabies experience is a perfect example.

“As the sun takes its first glimpse over the horizon, our guests join the kangaroos and wallabies on the beach as the friendly Tour Guides share stories about the unique environmental aspects of the location and the region.”

The park was purchased from long time owners Ben and Renae Atherton and whose work was recently recognised through a gold award for the Best of Queensland Award for Best Caravan or Holiday Park and the Most Outstanding Contribution by an Individual at the Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards 2022.

The acquisition marks the eleventh property in Queensland for NRMA Parks and Resorts and brings the total to 40 holiday parks and resorts across the nation.

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Every Thursday night, a group of savvy and enthusiastic teenagers meet to share life skills, laughs and lessons.

They are the PCYC Emergency Services Cadet Unit.

Cadets is a fun and encouraging program that equips its participants with skills and knowledge to take into the world, whether the participants choose to pursue the emergency services or not.

“The last few weeks we’ve been doing preparation for storm season,” said PCYC Emergency Services Cadet Unit Coordinator Andrew Nicholson.

“We’ve been teaching them about knots, radios, what to have, tarping, sandbagging and getting them all to work as a team to do it.”

Andrew has been in the coordinator role for the last five years but involved in the SES for much longer.

“At the time, I’d just gone into being the deputy local controller then three months later, all of a sudden, I became the one in charge, so I had some real sudden learning curves,” he laughed.

He says he’s loved the responsibility of teaching children these valuable life skills.

“Getting out there, helping the young ones, getting them up to speed with life skills and getting to know them and helping them along and keeping them off the streets,” he said.

“I have seen some really good cadets come through over the years and quite a few that wish they could stay.”

There are currently 12 cadets in the unit, including 15-year-old Noah Weber and 16-year-old Bianca Oakley.

They both agree that cadets is a great place to make friends and learn new skills, and that’s what keeps them coming back.

“All the people and the community, honestly,” said Bianca.

“I know just about everyone here off by heart.”

“The life skills that I’ve learnt, the people that I’ve made friends with and just everyone in general, they’re just great people to be around,” agreed Noah.

Noah plans to contribute his Cadets skills to the air force when he finishes school, while Bianca is already in the field, recently joining the SES Calen Unit.

“Since I started Cadets, I’ve always wanted to be in the SES because my mum was, my step-dad has been, I’ve always been around it so it’s just kind of normal,” said Bianca.

“Now that I’m 16, I can actually go and be a part of it and be involved.”

An annual highlight for Cadets is the Cadet Games held in Townsville every year, giving cadets the opportunity to put their skills to the test in a competitive environment and meet different cadet units while doing so.

“It was a lot of medical-based stuff, this year,” said Noah.

“First aid, triage, the stretcher obstacle course,” added Bianca.

The Games includes other cadet units including Navy, Army and Surf Life Savers from areas including Emerald, Charters Towers, Hughenden, Cairns and Thursday Island.

“It’s open to any cadet group agency,” said Andrew.

The Mackay group won the Squad Challenge in 2021 and Noah says they weren’t far off this year.

For more information on PCYC Emergency Services Cadets or to join, visit www.pcyc.org.au/join-a-unit.

Bianca and Noah’s Disaster Tips

Ask the SES or Emergency Service Cadets – “Most events we go to, we’ll set up a tent where we’ll have bags, folders, a book with all the stuff you should know,” said Bianca.

Check your risk – “Check where you are, make sure you’re not going to get flooded out,” said Noah. “If you are going to get flooded out, move when you can. There’s no point in waiting until it’s at your doorstep.”

Check the storm guide – “There are websites that you can use,” said Bianca. “The government has a section on their website where you can download information.”

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It’s the largest community infrastructure project in more than 20 years for the Mackay Regional Council, which is set to greatly benefit one of Queensland’s fastest-growing communities upon completion.

Earlier this week, civil works began on a parcel of land opposite Northern Beaches State High School to make way for the Northern Beaches Community Hub.

The civil works will include the construction of J4 Road, off Rosewood Drive and Eimeo Road, and associated earthworks.

While these works are underway, design consultants CA Architects will begin working on the detailed design for stage 1A and 1B of the project.

Following the completion of the civil works, construction is planned to begin on stage 1A, which has received $6.5 million in funding from the Australian Government and a $4.2 million contribution from council.

Mackay Regional Council also plans to seek funding for stage 1B, which will include a library, meeting rooms and a cafe.

Deputy Mayor Karen May, who chairs the Northern Beaches Community Hub Reference Group, said CA Architects had recently met with the group to discuss plans for the facility.

“There was a lot of positive feedback regarding the project, and everyone is excited for the facility to start taking shape,” Cr May said.

“Stage 1A will include a nature play area, a multipurpose court with line marking for various ball sports and a picnic area, among other things,” she said.

“The Northern Beaches is our region’s fastest growing area, and this project will provide residents with access to a range of community facilities it desperately needs.

“It will also serve as a welcoming meeting place for locals.

“Parents who want easy access to swimming lessons for their children will also be pleased to know that we are looking forward to bringing a new aquatics centre to the Northern Beaches as part of future stages of this project.”

If you would like to view the master plan for this project, find more information and subscribe to project update emails, visit connectingmackay.com.au/northern-beaches-community-hub.

Northern Beaches Community Hub stages include:

● Stage 1A – Includes a multipurpose undercover area, parking area, nature play area, picnic area, landscaping, pedestrian links and internal roads. Design and construction is funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

A Changing Places (accessible adult change facility for people with a disability) will also be included as part of stage 1A and will be funded by Mackay Regional Council.

● Stage 1B – Includes the library and various meeting, program and activity rooms, café, town square and landscaping, pedestrian links and internal roads. Design is funded by council; construction is not yet funded.

● Stage 2 – Future works that will include an aquatics centre and a kick and throw space adjoining the centre.

● Stage 3 – Future works that will include the development of the northern parcel of the site. At this stage, we envisage this area to be used for an office building with car parking.

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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

We are moving slowly towards the end of the 2022 crush, but there is no room for complacency when it comes to safety.

Road users, please keep in mind that both haulout vehicles and cane trains will still be on the roads and tramlines across Christmas and into January. Rail crossings will be active, use your train brain.

We also ask for the community’s continued patience with the slower moving haulout vehicles. There’s no value for anyone involved in crazy high-speed manoeuvres to overtake, it just places everyone in jeopardy. So please be mindful on the roads- these are people earning a living in an industry that works hard for the regional economy.

Most years, the large low-loader trucks moving harvesters between farms are off the road and the crush done and dusted by the Christmas Heavy Vehicle Curfew, but this year they will be about, as with the end of 2021.

CANEGROWERS Mackay has worked with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Queensland Transport and Main Roads and relevant harvester contractors who are CANEGROWERS members, to smoothly ensure that permits are secured for operators over the curfew period, holding a workshop last week between all stakeholders. The event was highly beneficial for all involved, hopefully introducing some streamlines to the process, should we find ourselves negotiating the Christmas Curfew in years to come. Also present at the information workshop were representatives from Mackay Sugar, Mackay Regional Council, and CANEGROWERS Proserpine.

To help extend community safety messaging, in coming weeks you will also start to hear our radio ad played across 4MK, KIX and HIT, reminding road users that we are out there for the longer harvest this year.

No-one likes working over what should be a festive season celebrated with family and friends, but that is what the sugar industry is grappling with again in 2022. Weighing on growers’ minds is the spectres of dwindling sugar content, standover cane and the ongoing viability of their agribusinesses. The rush is on, also, to get as much of the crop away as possible as the monsoon moves in.

Despite these pressure points and their toll upon stress levels, we must not sacrifice our safety. The recent incident between a haulout tractor and a cane train in the Burdekin is a strong warning on the importance of vigilance and keen awareness of our surroundings as we go about our work. It’s an industry of big machinery, and big consequences when things go wrong.

It has been a long crush, people are looking to get the job done, but this is not the time for complacency. We urge growers and harvesters to think safety in the paddock, in the shed and around sidings: to be mindful of our environment and the machines around us.

There’s not a dollar in the world for which it is worth losing a life. Think safety, wherever you are working.

Image 1: Harvest Contractors, and other stakeholders gathered at CANEGROWERS Mackay last week for the information workshop on NHVR permits for the Christmas oversize vehicle curfew. Pictures: Contributed

Image 2: As part of our Christmas Curfew oversize vehicle permit NHVR and TMR staff were taken to the farm of CANEGROWERS Mackay Area Committee member Andre Camilleri, to get a first-hand look at some of the large agricultural machinery involved in cane farming operations.

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One of the World’s Worst 100 Invasive Species has been detected in Mackay, posing a serious threat to biodiversity.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has confirmed the presence of African big-headed ants (Pheidole megacephala) in Mackay. These ants will displace most native insects through aggression.

African big-headed ants (ABHA) are widespread on the Australian mainland, making them extremely difficult to eradicate from the Mackay locality. However, Reef Catchments Coordinator Cass Hayward said that It’s very important to raise awareness now to prevent the ants being transported from Mackay to nearby islands.

One such project is the ABHA eradication program on Bushy Island, being delivered by Reef Catchments through the Australian Government’s Reef Trust funding. The ants threaten not only the food-web, but also the island’s forest of Pisonia trees, of which there are only 190 hectares in the entire country.

“African big-headed ants form super colonies, with multiple queens and very high numbers of ants per square metre. They force out native species through sheer numbers. They also protect sap-sucking insects, such as scale insects, which results in damage to trees,” Ms Hayward said.

“We ask people to care about what they are transporting from place to place. Just like you wouldn’t want damaging pests on your property, we don't want pests in fragile island environments.”

This isn’t the first time that African big-headed ants have damaged island ecosystems. The Pisonia forest on Tryon Island was almost completely destroyed due to scale insects and the pest ants. To avoid these situations, Reef Catchments offers some strategic advice for island visitors:

● Check your shoes for seeds and plant material. They are often stuck in shoelaces or in dirt/mud on the bottom of shoes.

● Take all food in airtight containers.

● Check your gear, such as swags and tents, for insects, insect eggs and plants.

● Many weeds can shoot from leaves and stems (not just seeds), so make sure to brush your gear down.

Invasive ant species can be easily transported in the clothing, food or equipment of recreational boaters, campers, hikers and day-visitors.  Once this happens, it can cost millions of dollars to control or eradicate the species.

Reef Catchments are holding an Invasive Ant Workshop on the 29th of November. The workshop aims to upskill staff at Ports, Harbours, Marinas and Councils so these key groups can be on alert for new introductions of invasive ants.

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Each year, during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we take part in the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign.

When does it take place?

Campaigns and events will take place across Australia from Friday 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to Saturday 10 December, Human Rights Day. We will also be raising awareness locally in Mackay over the 16 days.

Why is it important?

In Australia, 1 in 3 women has experienced physical or sexual assault in her lifetime. By recognising the 16 Days of Activism, we aim to raise public awareness of gender-based violence and mobilise people everywhere to bring about change.

What part does Zonta play?

We aim to:

• Raise awareness of the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women campaign in our local communities;

• Take local, national and international actions to influence the making and implementation of laws; and

• Contribute to changing gender-based attitudes and behaviours to end violence against women.

What’s happening in Mackay?

We have the following exciting plans in the works to raise awareness:

• Mackay Regional Council will light up the Sir Albert Abbott Administration building in orange, for the full 16 days;

• Our well known ‘Orange Ladies’ will pop up in various locations around the region; and

• We will be creating posters of support, as well as posting photos and updates throughout the 16 days on our Facebook page.

How can I get involved?

• Visit our website (zontadistrict22.org/district-22-clubs/zonta-club-of-mackay-inc/) to download the poster of support;

• Share your photos and messages of support with us via the Zonta Club of Mackay Facebook page; and

• Keep an eye out for our well known ‘Orange Ladies’ in locations around Mackay! These will provide an opportunity to learn more about the issue of gender-based violence, and the effects it has on our community.

For further information about any of these events, please send a message via Facebook or email zontamackay@gmail.com. I look forward to sharing more about Zonta and our events with you!

Karlee Box

Zonta Club Board Member

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Have you seen Christmas lights in your street yet? I understand councils having to get a head start on Christmas decorations, given the amount of ground they need to cover but what in the Mariah Carey are people thinking?! IT’S STILL NOVEMBER.

In all seriousness you can probably tell I’m a firm believer in not setting up before December 1st. And to be fair I’m slightly a Christmas grinch but that’s a story for another time. Regardless of the reasoning – it’s bad luck or tacky which are a few I’ve heard in the past - I just feel it’s too soon to be that festive! The Christmas break is still so far away.

This really is the debate every year much like when the hot cross buns hit shelves in February.

One way I consider acceptable to celebrate Christmas in November is with Star 101.9’s Santa’s Storage Shed! One person in Mackay and the Whitsundays is going to win over 20k worth of prizes by spending $10 or more in selected stores. If you’d like to get in the running for this one head over to our station website www.star1019.com.au

And don’t forget Star 101.9’s Carols in the Gardens are on at the much more appropriate time of Saturday, December 3rd at the Meadowlands Amphitheatre - Mackay Botanic Gardens. Gates open 5:30pm, for 6:30pm start so you can embrace your inner Buddy the Elf without any judgement from more grinchy people whatsoever.

Kaley

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Image: The Salvation Army is calling for volunteers and donations to help those in need this Christmas

The Salvation Army is launching their annual Christmas Appeal for 2022 with the aim of raising $3.1 million in Queensland to ensure no one is left in need during the festive season.

Mackay Salvation Army is hoping to raise $20,000 to support the increase of people and families they predict to see over the Christmas period.

“Christmas is always the busiest time of the year for The Salvos – but add a turbulent year with drastic increases to the cost of living – and we’re expecting even more individuals and families will need support so that no one is left in need and no child goes without a gift on Christmas Day,” Aux Lieutenant David Dobbie, Mackay Corps, The Salvation Army, said.

To support those doing it tough, The Salvation Army is calling on the kindness, generosity and giving spirit of the Mackay community to help make Christmas a joyful time for everyone.

“If you can afford to lend a hand or make a donation, you’ll be making a huge difference to those who are really struggling,” Aux Lieutenant Dobbie said.

“We are in need of toys and non-perishable food items, which can be dropped off at the church office at 48 Gregory Street, Mackay. Or if you’d like to volunteer, please contact us on 07 4957 3576.”

For those needing food or gifts, or feeling down or lonely this Christmas, please reach out to the Mackay Salvos, 48 Gregory Street, Mackay by calling 07 4957 3576.

“For financial and emergency assistance, please reach out to our national financial support service on 07 3001 6288 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday).”

“Most importantly, take time to remember what matters most at Christmas – connection, community, friends, and family. Reach out to people, spend time with those you care about, and if Christmas is a hard or lonely time for you, remember that your local Salvos family is always just down the road.

“From all of us at The Salvos, we wish you a peaceful and hope-filled Christmas,” Aux Lt Dobbie said.

You can find all the Christmas event information at salvationarmy.org.au/events, or donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal at salvationarmy.org.au or by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).

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Image: Tiffany Grace and Matt Tandy will perform at the New Year’s Eve River Party at the Bluewater Quay

Relax, unwind and bring in the new year at the annual New Year’s Eve River Party! Say goodbye to 2022 and kick off the new year with a bang on Saturday, 31st December.

The ever-popular NYE River Party brought to you by the Mackay Regional Council is back at Bluewater Quay from 6pm - 9pm.

There will be non-stop entertainment for the whole family featuring amusement rides, face painting, food vendors, local musicians Tiffany Grace Music and Matt Tandy, as well as an exciting kids performance from a special guest!

This free community event is a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

So come on down and party for the last event of 2022!

Don't forget the fireworks at 9pm and midnight.

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Providing housing has historically been a State Government responsibility. This has been supplemented by the outstanding efforts of churches and charities. Conditions now demand that we, as a council, enter the fray.

In my eyes it is just unacceptable, bordering on immoral, that we build “shiny and pretties” and fund things that in my eyes should be self-funded, while families are living in tents and sleeping in cars.

Before anyone starts talking about what these families should or should not do, you need to understand a few things. Money does not guarantee you a place to rent when there are none available. Secondly, it is exponentially harder for large families.

We have had a family of ten sleeping in tents and a family of twelve sleeping in cars in a workshop. These families are being punished for doing something deserving of admiration. Both families had taken on kids from dysfunctional families and now they themselves find themselves in a precarious position.

Up until now, all I see is a proliferation of talkfests about “affordable housing”. I sometimes wonder if this is just a way to not actually have to do something.

Why? Because as anyone with any idea knows, affordable housing is neither likely nor prompt.

We need to change the term to “accommodation”. Let’s take steps to “accommodate” people NOW and find housing once they are accommodated.

It was stated to me, when I suggested a property that had shared kitchens and bathrooms, that this was “not safe”. To me this is utterly absurd. Sleeping in a tent near a boat ramp seems astronomically more unsafe, yet we condemn vulnerable people, by our inaction, to this danger.

Times are desperate, and they will only get more desperate as Christmas approaches and families spend the “festive” season sleeping rough.  

This is the time for giving, so I ask you to give ten minutes of your time to make a difference.  Email your local politicians today – federal, state and local – and ask them to make accommodating families in our region a priority.  

These families deserve a roof over their heads.

Cr Martin Bella

Mackay Regional Council

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