Catch your kids being good

It’s very easy to give attention to your children when they’re behaving badly, in fact it’s impossible not to! It is important, however, that you find ways to give them attention when they are behaving well too.

If you only focus and put energy into them when their behaviour is bad, they learn to crave and demand attention that way. Equally if you are constantly telling them what not to do, this will breed a negative dynamic between you. Stop and notice them when they are not looking for attention and compliment them on something good they are doing. A hug or kind words works best.

Make communication a priority

Explain everything in a clear, concise and age-appropriate way for your children. This shows respect and also makes them feel included. Offering explanation builds confidence and a deeper understanding. By knowing more about what you are asking them to do, they are more likely to comply.

Make your expectations clear, if there is a problem then express how you feel and enforce consequences. Make suggestions and offer choices to your child, invite them to negotiate, participation will motivate them to interact with you.

Be fair, firm and consistent

Children respond well to boundaries – when used properly rules will make them feel safe and loved. Be clear with your expectations and your limits. Of course, children will test those limits, but they will learn how to be responsible adults by learning how systems work.

Establish house rules and be consistent. If they do not comply, then give one warning that details the ‘consequence’ and then enforce. A common mistake is not following through with a punishment, make sure you only lay on the line what you are willing to give.

Source: Kids Health

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Cooinda Family Centre normally looks after children, but on Wednesday this week the Bowen institution invited seniors into its fold.

For Queensland Senior’s Month, Cooinda Family Centre organised two morning teas for elderly people to interact with the centre’s young children – bringing together generations who can often seem so far apart.

The month’s activities in Bowen were focused on celebrating the important and essential roles older people play in local communities.

“It’s about doing what should be normal: learning from our older generations and realising their importance,” Bowen Neighbourhood Centre Coordinator Stephanie Cora said.

“Bringing children together with their grandparents, the community’s elderly, it’s just as important as teaching children their school lessons.”

Organisations across Bowen coordinated to make the morning teas happen: Girudala Community Co-Operative Society Ltd, Murroona Gardens Nursing Home, Queensland Country Women’s Association’s Bowen Branch, and both Bowen Neighbourhood Centre and Cooinda Family Centre.

“With the little ones, they love to interact with the elderly; they gain so much from it,” Coordinator at Bowen Neighbourhood Centre Xena Yasso said.

“It’s a two-way street, when the elder generation interact with the younger, they’re both benefitting from that.”

An attendee at the Senior’s Month Morning Tea, Rosemary Cora said that the benefits of spending time with children were immediate.

“You see the smiles on their faces and you can’t help but smile. The joy they get from it, it’s wonderful to see,” Ms Cora said.

“My granddaughter is here today and she was just so excited to spend time with me. It’s heart-warming.”

The Bowen Branch of the Queensland Country Women’s Association catered for the event and were one of the primary driving forces behind the morning teas. Ms Cora said they were the “grandparent role for organisations in Bowen.”

“They’re incredible. They do that role to perfection in every aspect, and we can’t thank them enough,” she said.

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Cooinda Family Centre in Bowen invited local nursing homes to participate in a series of morning teas for Seniors Month, bringing kids together with a generation they often don’t see

Bowen Neighbourhood Centre, Cooinda Neighbourhood Centre, and Girudala Community Co-Operative Society Ltd staff at the Seniors Month Morning Tea

The group of elderly and kids enjoyed a day of games and fun at the Centre

Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards Celebrate A Renewed Positivity In The Industry

The 2022 Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards were held last Friday night and a total of 186 people were in attendance, representing the region’s tourism businesses and industry stakeholders including, Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson, Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker and Member for Dawson Mr Andrew Willcox MP.

The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) came alive with excited tourism operators and volunteer groups all vying to receive a prestigious award.

Out of the 53 awards finalists, 27 were selected to take home awards on the night which spread across a multitude of categories.

Glamourous Awards Night Showcases Best Of Local Tourism

Glasses were clinking, speeches brought cheers and the atmosphere was vibrant as tourism businesses from across the region celebrated a renewed positivity that an industry massively impacted by the pandemic was bouncing back to a new normal.

Last Friday’s Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards was an opportunity for everyone to unite, connect and pay homage to all the dedication and hard work from businesses, groups and individuals working in tourism.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said the awards help to acknowledge those who have been constantly raising the bar in our tourism industry.

“Each of the businesses nominated are a shining example of the exceptional tourism experiences offered in our region,” Mayor Williamson said.

“It is these businesses that drive investment into our communities, supporting sustainability and job creation and building upon the liveability of the region.”

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said the tourism awards creates a point of difference and helps to boost the profile of our tourism operators.

“These tourism awards not only shine a light on the region’s outstanding tourism offerings driving visitation, they also promote the destination with tourism leaders across the nation,” she said.

Congratulating each of the winners was Mackay Isaac Tourism Interim Chief Executive Officer Tash Wheeler.

“It is the dedication of businesses and individuals we have recognised tonight,” she said.

“Those that have enabled tourism to firmly establish itself as a key economic pillar to the Mackay Isaac Region’s economy, contributing millions of dollars in investment and creating thousands of jobs.”

MACKAY ISAAC TOURISM AWARD WINNERS 2022

Best Tourist Attraction

Winner: Clermont Historical Centre

Best Business and Event Venue

Winner: Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre

Award For Best Retail and Hire Service

Winner: Caneland Central Shopping Centre

Award For Best Restaurant or Catering Service

Winner: The Seabreeze Hotel

Award For Excellence in Food Tourism

Winner: Sarina Sugar Shed

Award For Best Caravan, Holiday Park or Hosted Accommodation

Winner: Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park

Award For Best 3-3.5 Star Accommodation

Winner: Comfort Resort Blue Pacific

Award For Best 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation

Winner: Alara Motor Inn

Award For Excellence in Customer Service

Winner: Flackyard

Award For Most Outstanding New Business

Winner: Wildcat Mackay

Award For Most Outstanding Regional Event

Winner: St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend

Award For Most Outstanding Volunteer Individual

Winner: Michael Pugh

Award For Most Outstanding Volunteer Group

Winner: Sarina Sugar Shed

Award For Most Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

Ben and Renae Atherton

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Image: Alison Jones, Don Leckby, Terri Leotta, Helen Pert and Helen McKenzie. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Five years of conversation, connection and friendship were celebrated this week as the Mackay and Sarina services of Orange Sky celebrated their fifth birthday.

Orange Sky first launched its services in Mackay in October 2017 and has since provided more than 4,350 loads of free washing to people in need across the Mackay community.

Don Leckby was instrumental in establishing Orange Sky in Mackay, starting a street ministry to assist those in need in 2007, with plans to build a dedicated drop-in centre in 2017.

“Orange Sky were going like champions out of Brisbane, so we gave them a call and offered to buy a van if they installed Orange Sky here in Mackay,” he said.

“I take my hat off to Orange Sky because they found out what they were able to do and that’s what they did, and they do it well.”

When Orange Sky started in Mackay in 2017, the service was seeking volunteers which was when Helen Pert, Helen McKenzie and Terri Leotta got involved.

Ms Pert was retired at the time and seeking any volunteer opportunities in the region, ultimately becoming the Mackay service’s first Service Coordinator.

“It’s just being able to make a difference,” said Ms Pert.

“If you’ve got the time to make a difference for someone else, then that’s the pleasure that it brings.”

“I just enjoy meeting the friends and the people I volunteer with, and I look forward to it,” added Ms McKenzie.

“A lot of the friends now have a safe place to come and chat and they feel comfortable coming here and I think that means a lot to them.”

“Every time I volunteer, I learn something from friends,” agreed Ms Leotta.

“How alike people are in just wanting a conversation, wanting to feel that other people care.”

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Image: Caneland Central is asking for donations of non-perishable food items or fresh produce vouchers to be donated to The Neighbourhood Hub. Photo supplied

Caneland Central has been asking you to put a few extra items in your shopping trolley to donate to the Caneland Central Donation Hub for Anti-Poverty Week this week.

Running from October 16 to 22, Anti-Poverty Week are celebrating their 20th year of acting on poverty and making sure that all Australian children and families can cover the basics and have a secure roof over their head.

Caneland Central is asking for donations of non-perishable food items or fresh produce vouchers to be donated to The Neighbourhood Hub Mackay to support families in need in the community.

In Australia, one in six children live in poverty.

Anti-Poverty Week supports the Australian community to have an increased understanding of poverty and to take action collectively to end it.

The key message is “Poverty exists. Poverty hurts us all. We can all do something about it. It is one of hope, not despair.”

Since 2002, Anti-Poverty Week has been active every year in the week around October 17, the United Nations Day for the Eradication of Poverty.  

During this week, all Australians are encouraged to take action and focus on positive solutions to end poverty.

The Donation Hub is located at the Customer Service Desk and is one way that Caneland Central supports its local community by providing an easy and convenient drop-off point while people are doing their shopping.

The Donation Hub is offered to various charities and causes throughout the community on a regular basis.

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When I first moved to Mackay, I was fortunate in that I knew a handful of people and was able to make new friends through them relatively quickly.

Still, I looked for opportunities through social sport, work and attending different events throughout the community, and will now see someone I know or have previously met almost every time I leave the house.

I’ve learnt a lot about making new friends in your mid-20s and still have a lot to learn but one thing I’m sure many can agree on is that it’s not easy.

I recently joined a group of people who meet at Harbour Beach every Wednesday morning for a swim before heading to a nearby café for a coffee.

The idea is to create a space for people to meet and connect in a wholesome and authentic way – check out “Rise and Mind” on Instagram.

I’m discovering more and more avenues for connecting with like-minded people in our community like this every day.

On page 13, I chat with Zephyr and Bradley from Mackay Community Garden where connection and camaraderie are at the heart of what they do.

They aim to create a welcoming space where anyone can come to meet new people, learn about gardening and permaculture and get involved in their community.

On page 3, Orange Sky has been providing conversation, connection and friendship to the Mackay region for five years under the guise of a charity that only washes clothes.

It’s organisations and groups like these that go out of their way to connect like-minded people and provide a space to talk, listen and meet new people.

If you’re feeling lonely or out of touch with your community, I urge you to consider finding a group that interests you, whether that be a sporting club, special interest group or volunteer organisation – maybe I’ll see you there.

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Image: Peter Dutton warns rising energy and cost-of-living pressures will lead to small businesses suffering. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton visited Mackay last week for the first time since his appointment, welcomed to the region by Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox to visit local small businesses.

“We’ve been talking to lots of different businesses and the sentiment’s the same for me right the way up through the electorate,” said Mr Willcox.

“People are concerned about electricity prices; they’re concerned about the cost of living.”

Mr Willcox and Mr Dutton spoke to local business owners including Madeleine and Damian Connors of The Dispensary, where Mr Dutton proceeded to make a coffee under the watchful eye of barista James.

Mr Dutton said it’s getting tougher for businesses like The Dispensary to thrive with rising costs and added pressures.

“Cost of living continues to go up, it’s not just families but businesses as well,” he said.

“Let’s make sure that we have a sensible debate about energy in our country.

“I don’t want to see power prices go up and up and up under Labor and I certainly don’t want to see the lights go out because manufacturing jobs will go from our country, and they’ll be shifted offshore.”

Mr Dutton said more detail needs to be provided by the Queensland Government around the planned Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro scheme.

“There are families in communities where there will be resumptions that are really panicking now,” he said.

“They don’t know whether their future is secure, they don’t know whether their house and their property will be resumed, and the Premier seems to be able to provide no detail.”

Mr Dutton said Queensland has the lowest input of renewable energy into the network.

“We will support renewable energy and we need to have a serious discussion about how that energy is firmed up,” he said.

“If you don’t like coal and you don’t like gas and hydrogen is at least 10 years away, then what is the answer for firming up?”

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The region’s business sector now has a better idea of how they can contribute to the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Energy Storage scheme after the Queensland Government provided local businesses with a briefing on the first round of tenders for the project earlier this week.

Speaking at the Growing Queensland Business Roadshow at Harrup Park on Wednesday, Minister Mick de Brenni outlined how the region could benefit from one of the most significant nation-building infrastructure programs in Australia’s history.

“It will make Mackay the national capital of energy,” he said.

“We’ll be looking for local businesses to support the construction and operation of that significant storage project.”

Mr de Brenni said he is confident businesses can proceed with the knowledge that the project will go ahead despite being in the early stages of community consultation and environmental study.

“We’ve got to go through those important environmental gateways like we do with all projects,” he said.

“What businesses can bank on right now is that all of the early work that gets us to that decision, which isn’t too far off, we’ll be looking for local businesses to deliver those parts of the project for us.

“We know that the Mackay and North Queensland region has significant experience in delivering some of our nation’s largest projects.

“That’s why we’re confident in their ability to play a role in the delivery of the super grid.”

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the Mackay region would reap enormous benefits from the Pioneer-Burdekin project, from its early days with business opportunities during the investigation stage to procurement work and ongoing benefit sharing.

“This is the biggest infrastructure project of its kind in the State’s history, and I want to make sure that Mackay businesses have the opportunity to work on a legacy project for our region,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Local businesses are already lining up to fill contracts for opportunities including cultural heritage studies, ecological and biodiversity studies, surveyors, hydrological modelling, shallow geotechnical drilling, civil contractors, and provision of catering, printing services, safety and workwear.

“It could create thousands of construction jobs and apprenticeships over a six-to-ten-year period, ongoing operational jobs, as well as jobs and revenue for local businesses, fostering opportunities for our region for decades to come.”

Wednesday also saw the release of the Government’s draft Regional Energy Transformation Partnerships Framework for consultation at the event, outlining a set of principles to guide the implementation of the Energy and Jobs Plan, addressing issues including the preservation of the environment, biodiversity and the housing crisis.

“We know that accommodation is tight right across the nation at the moment, so we’ll be delivering a sophisticated plan to make sure that’s accounted for,” Mr de Brenni said.

“We’re calling for community and business leaders to have their say in terms of the ideas around benefit sharing, legacy infrastructure, how we’ll ensure that it’s local businesses that prosper most from this significant $62b investment.

“We’ve got a very clear plan about the delivery of the super grid.

“Now it’s about drilling down into that detail to make sure Queenslander’s prosper through this process.”

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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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Five new police officers were welcomed to Mackay last week, beginning their careers as First Year Constables (FYCs) with the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

The cohort is part of 107 recent graduates who have been deployed to stations across the state.

The new officers were welcomed to the district with an orientation on Thursday, October 13 facilitated by Mackay Police District Officer Superintendent Graeme Paine before heading out to their stations in the following days.

“This is such an exciting moment for these officers as they now begin their careers in the Queensland Police Service,” Supt Paine said.

“Five officers is a significant increase for the area.

“Regardless of whether there’s been an increase or decrease in crime, we’re going to see an increase in police numbers, and, for us, that’s really important because it increases our capacity to actually be proactive.”

Three of the FYCs will start their career at Mackay Station and the other two at Mackay Northern Beaches Station.

The FYCs spent the past six months at the academy, now undertaking a further 12 months of station-based training.

Their training includes knowledge of laws, policy and procedure as well as practical training pertaining to police activities they’re likely to encounter.

“They’ve got sufficient experience and sufficient knowledge and learning to be able to apply their police powers, but they’ll also do that in a way which is supervised under the guidance of an experienced officer,” said Supt Paine.

Constable Zach Sheppard has previously served in the military and said transitioning into QPS was easy.

“I definitely have been interested in serving the community or the country since surf lifesaving, I did about 10 years in surf lifesaving,” he said.

Cst Sheppard said the six months of academy training made him excited to take on his role in the community.

“They are very thorough with their training but also it’s good to get out of the academy and see what the job has to offer,” he said.

Constable Nathan Giles has a background in psychology and social work and said theoretical and practical training prepared them well.

“It’s obviously a fairly challenging job but the theory side of it is really quite essential to learning our powers and our responsibilities,” he said.

Cst Giles said a key trait required to become a police officer is resilience.

“It’s been quite difficult over the last six months with everything that we’ve been learning and adjusting to the differences in everyday education,” he said.

Supt Paine said QPS is currently in a period of recruiting.

“It’s a fantastic job, it’s a fantastic group of people,” he said.

“There’s an incredibly wide range of roles that you can go into throughout your career.”

If you’re interested in a career in policing, visit PoliceRecruit.com.au.

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Patients have been reportedly experiencing long delays waiting for beds at Mackay Base Hospital, some of whom waited in an ambulance for up to seven hours.

Leader for the Opposition David Crisafulli says the hard-working hospital staff do not deserve to be put under the extra pressure of trying to save lives without enough equipment to meet rising demands.

With recent population trends causing mass movement to regional areas such as Mackay and the Whitsundays, current facilities are no longer adequate in catering for the increase and this extra strain is being felt across the region.

Mr Crisafulli says that despite population growth, there have been no additional beds in any of our eight local hospitals.

“At a time when our frontline staff were facing more pressure than ever, the State Government was making their job more difficult,” he said.

“They publicly said they were doing all they could to fix the health system, but behind closed doors many already-overstretched hospitals didn’t get one new bed.”

Patient Off-Stretcher times have also been flagged by the opposition as an issue that needs to be addressed by state government immediately.

New health figures have revealed patients had to wait in the back of an ambulance for between five and seven hours.

The longest recorded time for a patient in Mackay was 7 hours 19 minutes in March, while in June two patients were forced to wait more than six hours.

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said it’s another symptom of the Queensland health crisis.

“It’s unacceptable for any Queenslander to wait more than seven hours on a stretcher before getting a hospital bed,” Ms Bates said.

“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how frustrating it is for paramedics and patients.

“These dedicated men and women don’t want to spend their entire shift sitting at the end of a ramp, while other calls go unanswered.”

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Over the past few weeks Mackay Base Hospital Urologist Dr Stephens has been publicly scrutinised, his previous cases have been analysed and his professional ability thrown into question.

There are those that wish to jump up and defend a man they believe has been wrongly victimised and others that have connected dots to make their own accusations about ways they feel they have been mistreated.

Known for his unorthodox approach to consulting with patients, it was not uncommon for him to tell patients harsh truths about their lifestyles - like suggesting they stop smoking in order to increase their chances of survival.

“This would often brush people up the wrong way,” said a co-worker who has chosen to remain anonymous.

“But he was also the sort of person who would give patients his mobile number if they wanted to contact him after hours - he’d go out of his way to help others, even turning up on his days off to sit with an ill patient he knew had no family nearby.”

It seems that his unconventional approach to patient management and unique way of interacting with other staff certainly garnered a lot of attention.

His co-worker alleges that while some people loved him, there were those that really didn’t like him and could perhaps have been out to get him.

With all staff being monitored and not allowed to speak to media, Dr Stephens’ co-worker said they were reluctant to say more.

“We have so many patients asking when he is going to come back,” they said.

But does interacting with others in an unconventional manner mean he was less diligent in conducting his professional duties?

With accusations that he blew his nose on hospital drapes during an operation and also that his trousers fell down in surgery, stories about Dr Stephens’ behaviour has certainly been in the spotlight for all the wrong reason lately.

When explaining the most recent matter of his trousers falling down, Dr Stephens said he believes there is someone at the hospital that has been leaking information to the public and asserts that one of the photos is not even of him.

“The first photo is taken without my permission and the second one is not even of me!” he said.

“I do not wear green tape and I do not have a single hair on my leg,” he said.

Defending his lack of trousers, Dr Stephens explains that he has very narrow hips and that his trousers have fallen down between four and five times in his career.

It is worth noting that he does have shorts underneath his trousers and a wrapped long theatre gown down to his ankles.

He also adds that this issue is not something only he has experienced, apparently other surgeons have also had the same issue.

Does a surgeon continue with the job at hand or risk pausing to re-secure scrubs?

Curious to know who at the hospital is leaking confidential and often inaccurate information about him to the press, Dr Stephens said that he would welcome a full investigation.

He also said he would love to return to work but feels the public scrutiny will make him unemployable.

Image: Dr Daryl Stephens might be unorthodox but does that make him dangerous?

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One of the busiest bus stops in Mackay is about to move to a new location in order to facilitate a future expansion that will cater for the population growth in the region.

The Caneland Central Shopping bus stop will be repositioned onto Mangrove Road, in front of the shopping centre in what Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert says will be a much more convenient location for customers.

“People tell me they want better connectivity and accessibility on our public transport network, and now we’re delivering just that,” Ms Gilbert said.

“A big part of the upgrade includes additional capacity which will allow us to grow the bus network in the future – that’s room for more buses to stop at Caneland Shopping Centre as the population grows.”

Currently the bus stop can cater to two buses at a time, but the new location will be provisioned to cater for five.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council’s design team had done a tremendous job tailoring this key interchange to meet the needs of our growing population.

"The new interchange will replace the existing one at the back of Caneland Central and will increase accessibility while catering for an increasing number of commuters,” Mayor Williamson said.

Construction will begin immediately and is expected to be completed by December, with the majority of the works taking place at night.

Stage one will include removal of the pedestrian crossing on Mangrove Road and the installation of a signalled crossing near the Mangrove Road and Peel Street intersection.

The Peel Street exit to Mangrove Road will also be closed to accommodate the new pedestrian crossing.

Image: An artist’s impression of the new bus stop

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Tickets are on sale now for the second annual Broken Ballerina Charity Ball which is due to be held at the Northern Beaches Bowls Club next weekend.

Dedicated to raising money and awareness for domestic violence, this colourful and vibrant event, with a serious overtone, will be hosted by Jay and Dave from Triple M.

With an eighties theme, guests are invited to dress up in anything from cocktail outfits to fancy dress.

“You can wear anything you like – back in the eighties anything went,” said organiser Jules Thompson.

The Broken Ballerina Charity started back in 2019 when a $50 Woolworths voucher was bought for a family escaping domestic violence and since then the charity have been helping countless people across the Mackay region.

“Every week, every day we are helping someone in some way,” said Jules.

“We don’t receive government support so we rely solely on hard work and people’s support.”

All the money raised from the charity ball will go directly to local projects that actively help families living in this area.

From purchasing plane tickets to help a family escape a situation of domestic violence to giving them a visa card so they can buy basic groceries or purchasing gifts to make Christmas feel special – Broken Ballerina are at the forefront of helping families through traumatic times with a kind heart.

The Charity Ball will be a lot of fun with an eighties themed DJ playing your favourite tracks.

Nibbles and a two-course meal will also be served, plus a charity auction with some great prizes to be won.

While the mood is lively, the greater message is both vital and important.

Two women who survived domestic violence will be speaking on the night, sharing their story in order to raise awareness and open the conversation about the reality of abuse.

Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick to show your support.

WHAT: Broken Ballerina Charity Ball

WHERE: Northern Beaches Bowls Club

WHEN: Saturday, October 29 from 7pm

TICKETS: $135 – email pete@brokenballerina-inc.com.au

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Local author Kaaren Sephton is currently compiling her second major work which will bring together stories from women across the region in an effort to fill in the gaps of our regional history.

Having previously published her thesis, At The Crossroads: Biographies of Mia Mia, Kaaren says she felt compelled to bring together unique female histories after speaking with members of the Mackay Family History Society.

She is now putting a call out for family members of women who lived around the 1900s and have now passed on but would have an interesting story that their ancestors would like to share with the community.

“Women have achieved so much with so little recognition, they often get unnoticed,” said Kaaren.

“From farmer’s wives to indigenous women from The Leap, hoteliers to matrons at the hospital and women who lived through WWI – I want to create a broad snapshot of women from the early days.”

Family members are invited to contact Kaaren directly and she would like to receive old photographs and information about individuals so she can compile them into a new history book.

While she is ideally looking for women who lived around the 1900s, Kaaren says that if she gets a good response from the community, she will consider looking at women from different eras in a subsequent book.

So far, she has 40 local women for the book and she is hopeful more families would like to come forward.

You can contact her directly by emailing kskaslester@gmail.com.

Image: Kaaren Sephton with her first book The Crossroads: Biographies of Mia Mia. Photo contributed

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