A Mackay man, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has just taken home the first prize in the Luck Lotteries Super Jackpot Draw.

Purchased online and using just two lucky numbers which were drawn at random, the man said he was bewildered but thankful for his good fortune.

“Well, this is absolutely magical!” he exclaimed.

“Lucky the Cat has come up trumps for me this time!

“I’ve been playing for a while but never expected to win anything. You always dream about it, but you can’t expect that it will ever happen to you.

“It’s arrived at just the right time.

“I’ll be able to live a carefree life, pay off some bills and maybe even treat myself to a few things.

“What amazing news!”

The ecstatic man won the guaranteed 1st Prize of $100,000 in Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot draw 10720, drawn Tuesday 18 October 2022.

The Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot prize is now $15.65 million for draw 1596, while the Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot prize is now $32.525 million for draw 10721.  

In FY22, 169 Lucky Lotteries 1st Prize and Jackpot winning entries across Australia won more than $32.95 million.  

Last financial year, Australia’s official lotteries contributed more than $1.6 billion via state lottery taxes and donations to help community initiatives, such as hospitals, health research, disaster relief and education.

Caption: Lucky the Cat comes through for local lotto winner

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Emergency services from throughout the region will face off in a 60km Swim Challenge to raise awareness and funds for men's health in November.

Now in its third year, the challenge differs from the previous two years in that the services, Queensland Fire Service (QFS), Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Police Service and the Mackay Airport Fire and Rescue, will race each other to the 60km mark.

Mackay Fire and Rescue Firefighters Carl Jackson and Kyle McCormack organised the challenge last year and are again at the reins this year, saying the event promotes networking and bonding while raising awareness for men’s mental health and raising funds for Movember.

“The whole goal is to raise funds and awareness for men’s health,” said Kyle.

“We’re lucky that we get to use that common goal to network with the other agencies as well.

“We all do a very similar job and we’re super competitive in our nature, so the event just works perfect for us in getting people in there and making connections.”

“We see them on jobs … so now we'll have that better connection and we can work in better with them,” added Carl.

Between 40 and 50 swimmers participated last year, with all services collaborating to complete the 60km goal in three hours.

This year, each service will enter its own team and race to complete the goal individually.

“It makes it a bit more competitive,” said Kyle.

“There’s a bit more pressure for everyone to get down there which is what we want at the end of the day.”

The nature of the industry and the potential of being exposed to trauma means mental health is of the utmost importance to QFS.

Additionally, with differing shifts, firefighters aren’t always offered the opportunity to get to know their colleagues while at work.

“It’s really about just getting everybody together and connecting,” said Kyle.

“There’s lots of different people and personalities within the workplace, just like every other workplace.

“It’s important to me because we all get to have a conversation and talk and connect, especially with the other services, so they don’t feel like they’re on their own.”

Mental health awareness is engrained in the culture of QFS, seeing frequent collaborations with Movember, R U OK? Day and Black Dog Institute, and Carl says these causes help to promote open communication.

“The more you work with someone, the more you start to realise maybe they’re not having a good day,” he said.

“If you know someone well enough, you’ll be able to talk to them.

“It’s not awkward, it’s not a hard conversation because you feel comfortable, and you feel supported.

“That’s what we’re trying do with this, to encourage people to speak up - it’s okay to not be okay.”

The Challenge will take place at Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Centre on November 11, bringing together emergency services from Mackay and throughout the region and their families.

Emergency vehicles will be there for the kids to explore as well as mascots, a sausage sizzle and games and competitions outside the pool for everyone to get involved in.

There is also a trophy on offer for the first service to complete the 60km swim.

To find out more about the event and to donate, scan the QR code.

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64% Disengaged employees in 2020

66% Disengaged employees in 2021

68% Disengaged employees in 2022

What’s going on and what are you doing about it!

After trending up in recent years, employee engagement saw its first annual decline in a decade -- dropping from 36% engaged employees in 2020 to 34% in 2021.

Engaged employees are involved, enthusiastic, emotionally connected to your business and stay longer. Disengaged employees are disgruntled and disloyal because their workplace needs are unmet.

Employee engagement is pivotal to improving the wellbeing and resilience of a workforce because it contains elements of communication, caring, development, involvement, and collaboration. These set the stage for building & strengthening trust.

What can you do?

Although there has been an overall decrease in employee engagement, some organisations have doubled employee engagement. Here’s what they do differently;

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Create a strong culture, values & behaviour framework to guide business decisions

Employees need to see the culture and values lived out daily. The most successful organisations put their values at the centre of decisions and create behaviour frameworks which display & solidify their values.

Embrace flexible work environments

Hours, location, priorities, hybrid workforces, and roles. Flexibility can take on different meanings – how are you creating flexibility for your workforce?

Focus on employee wellbeing and humancy

Since work and life are blended for many employees, consider the demands of life inside and out of the workplace. Consider how career, social, financial, physical and community wellbeing affect employees, and provide resources designed to improve these important elements of wellbeing.

Tailor communication to reach teams where they are

Transparent and authentic communication is called for in the workplace. Tailor communication to suit teams, individuals and personality types. Ask what your teams prefer for their comms platforms.

Empower managers to manage through times of change

Consistently upskill managers to coach their employees through their strengths. Every person has a different work-life situation, and only managers can understand these nuances and make adjustments based on how each individual best performs, collaborates and brings value to customers.

How can Shiift help you? Our strength is creating great people & great teams. Let’s make it yours too!

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The Queensland Government is introducing a range of new rules for E-rideables this week which include reducing speed limits and handing out bigger penalties.

Covering mobility devices such as e-scooters and e-skateboards, the new legislation promises to improve safety and user-awareness on these relatively new and previously un-regulated modes of transport.

From this Tuesday the speed limit on a footpath will be reduced to 12 kilometres per hour while the current 25 kilometres per hour speed limit will remain the same for bike paths and roads.

In addition, there will be fines for offences involving driving in excess of speed limits, illegal road use and holding a mobile phone while riding.

Mobility devices will also now have to follow all of the rules of the road such as stopping at red lights.

Beam, who are Asia Pacific’s largest shared micromobility company and operate 300 e-scooters in Mackay, are getting behind this new legislation by launching their own ‘Ride Kind’ campaign educating road users about the changes.

At the same time, Beam is investing heavily in shared e-scooter technology for additional oversight over rider use.

For example, Beam restricts where their vehicles can operate, via ‘geofencing’ technology, which allows them to designate specific operating areas, low-speed and no parking areas.

Beam’s e-scooters are speed restricted, have 24-hour GPS tracking and include a helmet with every vehicle, with technology to detect if the helmet has been used during a trip and issue warnings to riders who are breaking the rules.

A “three strikes” policy ensures those breaking the rules face warnings, suspensions, or permanent bans when caught breaking the law.

Beam General Manager (Australia and New Zealand) Tom Cooper said he welcomes the new legislation.

“The added technology in shared e-scooters that differentiates Beam’s from privately owned e-scooters, ensures that we can regulate Beam e-scooter use under the new legislation,” he said.

“Our campaign aims to educate all Beam riders in Queensland of the new rules ahead of 1 November.

“We know that the majority of riders do the right thing, but we’ll be working closely with the Queensland Police Service in all cities we operate to educate and enforce the riding rules.”

NEW RULES

• 16 and up to ride solo, 12 and up with an adult

• Riding with a helmet is mandatory

• $431 fine for drinking and riding

• $1078 if touching your phone when riding

• 12km per hour on footpaths

• 25km per hour on roads and bike lanes

• Riding on local roads allowed

• 50km speed limit roads you must be in a bike lane

Image: New rules apply when riding your e-scooter around Mackay

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Image: Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie in Mackay last week. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox hosted Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie in Mackay last week, highlighting several projects that were ear-marked for funding in the Dawson electorate that they say are now at risk in the upcoming Federal Budget.

Mr Willcox said the Dawson electorate received multiple funding commitments from the Building Better Regions Fund including $483 million towards building the Urannah Dam, $200,000 for a clubhouse upgrade to Mackay Hockey and $5 million towards Veteran Wellbeing Centres in the Mackay region.

The fund also directed $4.1 million to Mackay Regional Council for the Waterfront Revitalisation Project.

“These projects cannot happen for your average council,” said Mr Willcox.

“We need federal government support and that’s why the Building Better Regions Fund is so important.

“We will be watching what happens in this budget to make sure that we get our fair share because the people of Dawson deserve it.”

Ms McKenzie said that, while in government, the LNP contributed $3.5 billion to the Mackay community towards road projects and community benefit projects.

“We are very concerned about the Government’s silence on regional funding in the lead-up to the Budget,” Ms McKenzie said.

Ms McKenzie said that there is uncertainty around what will happen to projects like the Riverfront Revitalisation Project if the Building Better Regions Fund is cut in the upcoming budget.

“It’s been very clear to us that, when the Treasurer’s been talking about the upcoming budget, that he’s described programs that have funded these sorts of projects in communities like Mackay as wasteful,” she said.

“These are the types of projects and programs that underpin the social and economic wealth of this community, and we need to make sure that Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers don’t remove one single dollar from these communities because we produce the wealth of this country out here.

“We don’t ask for a lot, but we do expect to have adequate investment in our economic infrastructure so that we can have a safe, sustainable and prosperous future just like the capital cities.”

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Local gymnasts at PCYC Bowen have been enjoying the use of new GoPro video cameras which are allowing them to review their flips and better their skills.

A suite of GoPRos purchased with funds from a QCoal Foundation Community Spirit Grant are being utilised to enhance multiple programs at the club, including during gymnastic lessons as well as documenting the work of the club’s R.U.B.Y Crew at its skating facility.

PCYC Branch Manager and Police Sergeant Michelle O’Regan said the GoPros had been “wish list items” that were always getting set-back on the list of priority purchases for the club.

“We saw an opportunity in our gymnastics class for our students to see their progress,” Sergeant O’Regan said.

“Students can be coached, but they’re not able to see how they move and GoPros are a good way to remedy that. They can help them perfect their skills and track their progress throughout the term.

“Now thanks to QCoal, that’s something that we can realise with our gymnastics classes, as well as our R.U.B.Y Crew being able to record the work they’re doing.”

PCYC gymnastics head coach, Beau Brooker said the GoPros have already proven a fantastic resource.

“To show the students what they’re doing when they’re in the air particularly, because you’re not always cognitively aware of where your body is, watching that back is extremely useful,” Mr Brooker said.

“It’s also been an excellent tool for promotion: we’ve already seen interest in our circus workshops because of the promos we’ve got from the GoPros.”

Sergeant O’Regan said the next step was rigging televisions on brackets around the PCYC to play looped videos of students for promotion, as well as the potential for instant feedback during lessons.

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PCYC gymnastics head coach, Beau Brooker using one of the club’s new GoPro video cameras

The Neighbourhood Hub celebrated United Nations Day on Tuesday, commemorating the anniversary of the official creation of the United Nations through the 1945 UN Charter.

Inviting community members to mark the annual day of celebration with the weekly World Café group, The Neighbourhood Hub came together to celebrate the UN’s achievements and the important role it continues to play in international peace and security, development and the promotion of human rights.

The morning of celebrations included the sharing of stories, cultural traditions, dance, song and food.  

The Neighbourhood Hub General Manager Nicolette Frost said that the event was a chance to reflect on the principles of the UN including importance of diversity, equality, peace, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“Our region is so blessed to have such a vibrant multicultural community,” she said.

“While we celebrate United Nations Day, we can also reflect on the diversity of our community being one of our greatest assets and know that we are stronger because of it.”

Multicultural Community Program Coordinator Ela Maglente said the aim of the event was to bring everyone together.

“Hopefully we get some meaningful conversations and connections happening and for everyone to meet new people,” she said.

The event was hosted by the World Café group, one of the many programs facilitated by the Neighbourhood Hub to encourage social integration for migrants.

“When migrants come to Mackay, isolation is one of the problems,” said Ms Maglente.

“It’s such a good thing to be coming together and using the space to carve their own life in Mackay.”

Originally from the Philippines, Ms Maglente has lived in Mackay for five years.

“I found out about World Café, so I started coming and I’m so glad that I’m able to be that person to continue the group,” she said.

“Through World Café and the Neighbourhood Hub, I was able to learn how to drive, get my license, meet new friends.

“I started here as a volunteer … and now I run the multicultural program which I’m very passionate about.”

“Those who are in isolation or haven’t heard of us, feel free to come here.

“It doesn’t have to be scary, there’s no expectations, no judgement, you just come here and hopefully you’ll walk out with a friend.”

The Neighbourhood Hub also offer free transport for those who are unable transport themselves to events.

For more information about The Neighbourhood Hub’s multicultural program, email admin@tnhub.org.au or contact 07 4957 2626.

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Queensland's resource mecca is set to shine the spotlight on critical challenges facing community futures as it seeks to deal with a changing world.

Isaac Regional Council has called for 76 other local governments to back five motions at the 126th Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGAQ) 2022 Annual Conference which took place in Cairns from October 17-19.

The motions are pre-emptive actions to ensure communities and local governments are not left to deal with the social, economic and financial impacts from end of mine life and the climate change response.

This includes the need for a regional transformation authority, sourcing state regulators for major resource and renewable projects and establishing a contemporary framework for the future mining sector.

Isaac Regional Council is also pushing for more program funding for regional university centres which will provide more learning opportunities for residents and to retain staff to cost-saving operational measures.

Mayor Anne Baker said it is in best interests for Queensland local councils to be ahead of the game on behalf of regional communities.

“Local governments like ours are the backbone of regional Australian communities and we are asking Queensland’s 76 other councils to back our collective futures,” Ms Baker said.

“Our role has gone way beyond the traditional operations of rates, roads and rubbish as community needs and expectations continue to grow.

“The conference is an opportunity for us to help form policy positions and for the LGAQ, a representative for all Queensland councils, to advocate to federal and state governments for the betterment of the regions we represent.

“We’re looking for a massive vote of support for these five motions.”

The five motions are:

• The need for a regional transformational authority in conjunction with Central Highlands Regional Council

• Resourcing state regulators for major resource and renewable projects

• Establishing a contemporary framework for the resource, renewables and clean energy sector

• Regional university centres program funding

• Cost recovery on over dimensional permits from the national heavy vehicle regulator

Visit https://www.isaac.qld.gov.au/homepage/283/lgaq-conference for more information on Isaac Regional Council’s motions.

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An Environmental Health Officer has received state recognition for his outstanding contributions to investigating and promoting environmental health compliance at Mackay Hospital and Health Service.

Benjamin Rochester, an Environmental Health Officer at the Mackay Public Health Unit, was the recipient of Environmental Health Australia’s (Queensland) Early Career Environmental Health Professional of the Year 2021-22 award in September.

Presented in Dalby, the Early Career award acknowledges the valuable efforts and contributions of any person who has enhanced, shown passion and dedication for, or achieved environmental health outcomes.

Benjamin said he was contacted by Environmental Health Australia’s Queensland president to advise he had been nominated and invited to attend the awards ceremony.

“Being shortlisted as a nominee and then receiving the award was quite humbling as you’re being recognised by peers who have guided and supported you throughout the early stages of your career,” he said.

“A colleague from Metro South Public Health Unit submitted the nomination detailing the work I had undertaken and contributed to over the last couple of years.”

Benjamin started his career as an Environmental Health Officer with Brisbane City Council before moving to Metro South Public Health in 2020 where he was part of a team working to prevent, manage, and control communicable disease and environmental health risks in our community.

He has been part of the Mackay Public Health team since January 2022.

His contributions to investigating foodborne illness outbreaks and collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic attracted praise and supported his nomination for the award.

“I was very nervous at the awards ceremony, but it was a great experience and I am incredibly proud to be this year’s recipient,” he said.

“The award is a reflection of how well we work as a team and the dedication we have shown in protecting and serving our communities.”

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‘Tis the season to be festive and Bowen’s Pilchers Mitre 10 are launching into the Christmas cheer early this year with their first festive display!

Sprinkling a dash of Christmas magic throughout their store, Pilchers Mitre 10 are letting locals have their imagination take flight with multiple Christmas photobooth displays to snap the kids and make memories.

Capture the littlies wonderment as they explore the Pilchers family traditional Nativity Scene or enjoy a ride in Santa’s red sleigh. Booths are open throughout the festive season for customers to Snap-‘n’-Share with their family and friends.

Get up close with Santa as he dashes in from the North Pole to finalise the kids wish list before the big day and have their volunteer team of elves wrap and tag your Christmas gifts ready to go under the tree at the Charity Gift Wrapping Station. For a gold coin donation per gift, you can have your presents looking amazing and help raise funds for charity.

See instore or keep an eye on Facebook for gift wrapping station open times and Santa’s visiting dates.

Gifts to spoil everyone

While instore check out the gift ranges available for the whole family. Whether it’s a tool set or camp gear for dad, garden pots or home decor for mum, and a playhouse or a remote-control car for the kids; Pilchers Mitre 10 has something for everyone and all budgets.

Light up the night

Make sure to shop at Pilchers for all Christmas lights to create a twinkling wonderland at your home. From fairy lights, projectors to inflatables, powered and solar, check out the huge selection to brighten the night and spread the festive spirit in your street.

In the festive spirit of giving, Pilchers Mitre 10 are giving back to their customers and the community that’s continued to support their family business for years. Visit the team at 56 Powell Street Bowen to experience the magic this Christmas, open seven days.

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Pilchers Mitre 10 Bowen are having a very merry Christmas, turning their store into a Santa's village for families to enjoy

Over one hundred people gathered at the Northern Beaches Bowls Club last Sunday to celebrate the launch of an 800-page historical ‘book of knowledge’ that has been put together by local author Doug Petersen.

The Northern Beaches resident has spent most of the last decade compiling a ‘lifetime of experiences’ into a book that captures the history, the culture and the working foundations of this now thriving region of Mackay.

Mr Petersen has lived in the Northern Beaches since he was 24 and has direct family ancestry all the way back to the 1930’s.

His knowledge of the area and connections with pioneering families has given him a unique ability and broad insight into collecting stories for his historical endeavour.

“I’ve had so many cups of coffee and pieces of cake!” he said when asked how he sourced his information.

“It’s been helpful that I’ve known who’s who and a lot of the older names – I’ve also been to the archives and sourced clippings from old newspapers.”

Following the lives of beach house owners who were pillars of the Mackay community, famous local growers, farmers and prize piggeries, there is a wealth of knowledge held inside the book.

There are also several pages in Aboriginal language and sections on South Sea Islander history, showing the cultural influence and unique contribution to society throughout the ages.

A broad and inclusive snapshot of history, Mr Petersen said that he has witnessed so much change over the years.

“Blacks Beach used to be all farms and I remember walking across the creek back when there were no crocodiles,” he laughed.

Originally starting the book for his grandchildren, Mr Petersen said he is proud to have now collected such an extensive list of stories.

This is not the first historical novel he has authored, previously writing 61-pages about the Bucasia Orphanage, which saw 19 young souls perish from 1880 to 1885.

His latest book about the history of the Northern Beaches is entitled Salt Air and Sweet Soil and is available by pre-order only at a cost of $75.

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Skills and knowledge in rural business development and management will be shared with the Farm Business Management Skill Set, visiting Mackay in November.

The special UQ Skills ‘for women, by women’ edition of the program was initiated in recognition of International Women’s Day and aims to celebrate and encourage women’s participation in agriculture.

UQ Skills Trainer and Assessor Janne Dipple says the program is designed for farmers and higher-level management staff in rural enterprises.

“In today’s world, farming has become a whole lot more complex and it’s really important to be business focused and business orientated,” she said.

“Younger people might sign up because they’ve got a whole farming career ahead of them and they want to get off to a good start and make sure they’ve got a really sound business plan.

“Secondly, people sign up if they’re a little bit further into their agriculture career and maybe they want to make some changes to their business.”

On completion of the program, participants will gain access to a six-month post-program agribusiness mentorship platform, allowing them to continue to share their experiences and challenges, receive professional coaching, and gain access to a library of resources.

“When people finish the four-day program, they’ll walk away with a business plan template, a succession plan template and the know how – how to implement it for their rural business,” said Ms Dipple.

“It’s not just a lecture, it’s not just like attending a classroom-style of learning.

“We actually have a lot of conversations and its very practical and hands on.”

The course will take place in Mackay from November 8-11.

Visit uqskills.uq.edu.au/mackay-fbm for more information and to enquire online.

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A local community organisation began their fund and awareness raising campaign for women’s cancer and its research on Wednesday morning.

Bowen-based service Stella Life Care invited women of all ages to a Pink Ribbon Morning Tea in collaboration with the Cancer Council’s month dedicated to breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers.

The business decked out its Herbert Street premises in pink for the day with 20 local ladies purchasing tickets with those funds heading back to Cancer Council.

Stella Life Care provided the ladies with pink cupcakes cooked by Purple Rain Deserts, and set up a generous raffle of prizes, each of which was donated by Whitsunday businesses.

The raffle will be running throughout November, with Stella Life Care hosting stalls at places like Bowen IGA, Woolworths Plaza, and more. The prizes included items like a Whitsunday Jet Ski tour, Horseshoe Bay Café vouchers, a mystery box, and more, totalling roughly $1000.

Local Robyn Burrell, whose husband is a cancer survivor, said it was incredible to see so many people having conversations about getting checked for cancer.

“Cancer has touched a lot of family. To see women talking about it, it’s excellent and so important,” she said.

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Bowen ladies put on their best pink outfits for Stella Life Care’s Pink Ribbon Morning Tea to raise awareness for women’s cancers

Some of the ladies who attended even styled up their old bras for decorations on the day, adding a bit of fun to what can be a serious occasion

By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

I’ve never had such confidence that the time is right for sugarcane to grow beyond its traditional sugar commodity basis and diversify into a range of renewable, sustainable biofutures products.

There is a mature political and commercial environment for it, and it is an opportunity that we as a region need to get on board with and realise a once-in-a-generation opportunity to diversify the regional economy and steer it in the direction of a clean, green sustainable future.

Hot on the tail of Life Sciences Queensland’s September Bioeconomy Forum, in recent weeks, Trade and Investment Queensland Trade Commissioner- North America Viki Forrest and General Manager-Queensland Operations Elton Miller visited the Mackay area to discuss with the economic export potential of sugarcane-based fuels and “future foods”.

This visit included a meeting with Canegrowers Mackay, including Deputy Chairman Joseph Borg, CEO Kerry Latter and myself, where we were able to discuss the trade opportunity that biofutures presents. They also met with the Greater Whitsunday Biofutures Leaders Group, of which Kerry Latter is also a member.

As an organisation, we are committed to seeing growers benefit from the development of a regional plant-based protein processing industry, and from renewable fuels and energy. Growers are the providers of the feedstock, a critical cornerstone in the development of the sector, and as small-to-medium enterprises that happen to farm, they deserve a real value proposition. Pricing of that feedstock will be important to enthuse growers.

The Trade Commissioner affirmed the opportunities are now and into the next several years, not a decade away, and the next generation plant protein companies are looking to invest in our region.

When it comes to an industry that is committed to sustainable and ethical production and supply chains, we in the Mackay region have a commercial edge over less developed sugarcane producing nations.

We offer a mature, stable economy. Our feedstock has the strong sustainability credentials that these companies require, thanks to programs like Smartcane BMP. Obviously, we have developed strong human ethical standards that do not use child or slave labour. Our state is working towards achieving net-zero renewable energy. For these reasons, Mackay is the region on everybody’s lips.

The world population - and particularly in the Asia-Pacific - is growing dramatically, and protein is a fundamental human health and diet. At the same time, the world is looking toward affordable solutions to meeting rapidly growing protein demands with renewable solutions that have positive outcomes for land use, environment and animal welfare.

Major overseas players that are looking to invest in our region have successfully created plant-based milk and egg substitute products from corn syrup (fructose). The Racecourse Biocommodities Plant, alongside other research facilities have done the work to show that sugarcane (sucrose) is a similarly useful feedstock.

The Queensland Sugar industry has always been a world leader in innovation, with other sugar producing countries following our lead. The challenge of stepping up to a robust biofutures sector is within our grasp. Queensland is in the box seat: significant companies are keen to come to Queensland and want to invest.

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Merinda State School students travelled back in time on Thursday last week when they joined the Bowen Mural Society outside Le Sorelle, The Three Sisters Café.

The school children visited the re-painted Merinda School Mural on the side of the building in Bowen, which once again depicts their school’s past in vibrant colour.

Artist Martin Jegou of Gwada Murals gave the Merinda School mural “a new lease on life” and a new coat of paint over the month of September.

“To go over someone else’s work, that is a first for me, and it’s very rewarding to see all these students here enjoying it,” Mr Jegou said.

Business Manager at Merinda State School, Sarah Groves said the mural retouching came at a perfect time with the school set to mark its 125th year in 2023.

“Something like this is incredibly important in celebrating the history of our school,” she said.

“It’s exciting, especially for the kids to see how the school has changed and how different everything was; it is so important for us to highlight that history and that culture.”

Bowen Mural Society Spokesperson Heather Skinner said it was excellent to see students appreciating the painting and made all their fundraising work worthwhile.

“That’s a memory these students will have forever,” Ms Skinner said.

Bowen Mural Society are now fundraising for the retouching of a mural on the wall of the Bowen Hotel which depicts the Denison Hotel, with plans for Mr Jegou to complete the restoring.

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Merinda State School students visited the recently re-painted Merinda School mural alongside the Bowen Mural Society and the artist responsible for the revival, Martin Jegou

Image: Declan Durrant