Everyone is invited to hear the Rev. Dr Solmon Zwana, National Chaplain to Zimbabwean Methodists in Australia and Oceania, speak at meetings at St Paul’s Uniting Church on 18-20 November and on Sunday 20 November when he will preach at Armitage, St Paul’s and Calen Uniting Churches.

A former presiding bishop, Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, theologian, church leader, and advocate for good governance and honesty in public life, Dr Zwana is conducting a national tour of Australian capital cities and regional centres. He will raise awareness among Zimbabwean migrants of the relationship between the Methodist Church, founded in England in the 1730s, and its continuation in the Uniting Church in Australia, a union of Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches in 1977.

Dr Zwana has served as chairman of the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network, a local coalition of civil society organisations formed to observe elections. ‘You cannot say you are preaching the gospel if social justice is not part of your work,’ said Dr Zwana, who has highlighted harassment of voters by the government. Although he has received threatening phone calls, government leaders, often educated in Christian schools, respect the role of the church in the community, appreciate the large number of Christians as a proportion of the population, and heed the constructive criticism provided by mainline Protestant Churches. International partnerships, such as the relationship between the Methodist Development and Relief Agency and the Uniting Church in Australia through Uniting World, also encourage the Methodist Church to speak up for justice.

REV. DR JULIA PITMAN, MINISTER, ST PAUL’S UNITING CHURCH

‍

A local girl guide group is marking a milestone moment by bringing together Guides both past and present to a special event which is due to be held next Saturday.

The Mackay City Girl Guides have been operating at their current location for the past 65 years and during that time countless young women have learnt invaluable skills such as resilience, team building, leadership skills and community engagement.

The event will be a snapshot through time with the group putting up old tents that would have been used and exhibiting old membership forms that show processes of yesteryear.

“The vibe is reminiscing through the years of Guiding,” said Support Group President Erin Turner.

“We will look at what Guiding used to be like with old photos and go through the decades to see how things changed.”

The current Girl Guide patrols will also show some of their skills such as first aid, knots and lashing and telecommunications.

During the event there will be special presentations to two of the Guides who have recently been awarded the Baden-Powell award.  

There will also be a special celebratory cake and an opportunity for girl guides, young and old, to connect and share stories.

“Everyone is welcome to come along to the event,” said Erin.

“Even if you’re not a Girl Guide but are interested in learning more about it – we’d love to see you.”

As the afternoon progresses there will also be a BBQ and for those that would like to stay into the evening there will be a campfire.

WHAT: Mackay City Girl Guides 65 year celebration

WHERE: Girl Guide Hut on the corner of Sydney Street and Juliet Street

WHEN: Saturday October, 29 from 1pm to 5pm

‍

Disaster season is coming in hot, and council is urging residents to stock up their emergency kits, familiarise themselves with council’s Emergency Action Guide and get their emergency evacuation plans in place.

Mayor Greg Williamson said now is the time to prepare.

“Whether it’s fires, floods, cyclones or heatwaves, history has shown us that our best defence when it comes to disasters is preparedness,” Mr Williamson said.

“We are asking residents to make a plan and discuss it with their family, so they know when to go, where to go, how to move and what to take.

“We’re also asking them to get to know their neighbours who can be lifesavers in emergency situations.

“The last thing you want to do in a disaster is to have to put a plan in place last minute when you’re stressed and not thinking clearly.”

Residents are encouraged to keep an eye out on council’s Facebook page for tips and tricks on how to get prepared for disaster season.

Suncorp Insurance’s Head of Home Claims Steven Hussey said that it’s important to educate and raise awareness of the simple ways Australians can be better informed, and therefore better prepared for severe weather, to protect their family, homes and mental wellbeing.

“We’re a country battered by extreme weather,” he said.

“Floods, cyclones, bushfires and storms are becoming more frequent and severe – yet our research shows Australians have limited knowledge and awareness about them.

“The knowledge gap around extreme weather events is concerning and contributing to Australians being underprepared when it comes to managing their impact.”

Stay up to date with the latest emergency news thanks to council’s online Emergency Dashboard, providing timely and relevant information to help you make informed decisions and be better prepared.

The Emergency Dashboard provides all the information you need including latest road conditions, fire incidents, weather warnings, storm tide evacuation zones and power outages, active evacuation centres and flood cameras.

You can access resources including your local emergency action guide, emergency guides for pets, radio stations and emergency contacts.

Check your route ahead of time with road status updates and flood cameras, allowing you to take the safest roads in and out of the region.

Keep an eye on what’s happening in the sky and the water with local weather radar and local river height updates.

You can also opt in to receive text messages and email notifications of emergency alerts and weather warnings in our region.

Access the Emergency Dashboard at disaster.mackay.qld.gov.au or via the link on council’s website.

The Five ‘Knows’

• Know When To Go – Listen for notifications from the Emergency Dashboard or on the official emergency broadcaster. Where possible, consider leaving before flooding/cyclone/disaster commences.

• Know Where To Go – Identify now where you will go and let someone know where you have evacuated to and that you have arrived safely. Public cyclone shelters should be your last resort as they may not be open.

• Know How To Move – Transport options for people with medical needs or mobility issues as well as pets require careful planning. Identify the safest route and consider potential hazards.

• Know What To Take – Prepare an emergency bag with food, medicine, documents, flashlight, phone chargers and pet items. You may be away from home for several days.

• Know Your Neighbours – Think about who you could help in your neighbourhood or who might be able to help you. Neighbours are often best placed to assist with preparing your home before disaster strikes.

‍

On the banks of the Pioneer River, hidden behind a thicket of trees and shrubs, is an oasis of community, nature and connectedness.

The Mackay Community Garden has sat next to the river, down past the hospital, for 25 years, with Zephyr Routh recently taking on the responsibility of bringing it to its former glory and showcasing the processes of permaculture used in the garden.

“It’s become more of a demonstration garden and a place for the community to connect and share the love of gardening,” Zephyr said.

“I’m trying to bring community and trying to bring life back into the space and create a nice atmosphere for people to come and work in harmony with nature and work in harmony with each other.”

Zephyr explained that permaculture is all about biodiversity.

“It’s about working with the rhythms of nature and really focusing on perennial plants and biodiversity and stability,” he said.

“We focus on a lot of tropical foods because we’re growing into the climate.”

“It’s very structured and very planned,” Bradley Grendom added, explaining that trees and plants are positioned to optimise each plant’s exposure to the sun as it crosses the sky.

Being a pensioner, Bradley was seeking somewhere to connect with likeminded people when he found the garden.

“There’s a lot of spiritual people around this permaculture process that we’re in and that’s what I like,” he said.

“I’m just here to get a bit of the day changed and work around trees and plants, getting the hands and the feet in the soil.

“It’s a healing process.”

The Community Garden hosts a range of events for anyone to attend, including Abundance Days, potting days and workshops.

“We come in as a collective group and we go around and ask the community what jobs they want to do, whether that be playing in the nursery, planting some herbs, picking some fruit, or even art,” Zephyr said.

“It’s always open and there’s always something different going on.”

The group of volunteers is hosting its first Food Forest Fest this Sunday to showcase their hard work and to bring new people into the space.

“I just thought, ‘How can we bring more life into this place?” Zephyr said.

“A lot of people in Mackay don’t know about this area, it’s still a little hidden gem.”

Food Forest Fest is a celebration of the life of spring, centred around the region's diversity, permaculture, music, healing, food, and local handcrafted and homegrown goods.

Activities will include permaculture workshops, tropical cooking demonstrations, sound healing, live music, garden tours, kids’ activities, locally grown and handcrafted market stalls and tree planting.

“It’s really based around trying to get people down here and show people a different way to live in community,” Zephyr said.

For more information on Mackay Community Garden and Food Forest Fest, visit the Mackay Community Garden on Facebook or contact Zephyr on 0497 150 777.

WHAT: Food Forest Fest

WHERE: Mackay Community Garden

WHEN: Sunday, October 23 from 10:00am to 3:00pm

This is a free community event.

‍

If you are an agent in the eastern suburbs of Sydney and you are not driving a late model Porsche 911 then you are a dismal failure who is an embarrassment to the agency you represent.

Actually, a top-of-the-range Tesla would also be okay in those areas because that would signal to the millionaires in Double Bay that you are not only successful and wealthy but you also “care passionately” about the environment. Tick and Tick.

Mackay is a different story. Don’t even think about turning up to an appraisal in Walkerston or West Mackay in a Porsche 911 unless your number plate says WANKR (that would at least show you had a sense of humour).

From what I could tell, even before I went into the industry, there used to be an unwritten rule about the type of car that was acceptable for a Mackay real estate agent.

A Holden Commodore was good. A Ford Fairmont was also perfectly acceptable. Australian-made, yes. Mercedes or BMW, no.

Later, when the world transitioned from sedans to SUV’s and big utilities (do they call them utilities anymore?), Mackay agents started to get around in Hiluxes and Ford Rangers or Mazda BT-50’s. Some had smaller SUVs like Kia’s and Mazda 5’s.

Australia is currently focused on destroying its energy advantage and multi-billion-dollar resources sector but before that we turned our attention to wiping out our manufacturing industry.

We were very successful at that, and our car industry has now gone … which means you will no longer see a Mackay real estate agent in an Australian-made vehicle.

That change has opened the door to the Germans.

You will now see Mackay agents in late-model Mercedes and BMWs. This also reflects Mackay itself as you see a lot more German vehicles on the road than you did 15 years ago. Times change.

The other point to make is that one of those common Japanese utes like a Hilux costs around $65,000-$70,000 so why not buy a flash German sedan for around the same price?

The point about all this is that I am due for a new car. Not because I want one or need one or because I am having any problems with my car. I love my car and would happily keep it. But it’s old and is starting to show its age.

It is a Toyota Aurion; a big sedan with leather seats and it goes like the clappers with its big six-cylinder fuel injected engine. It’s as reliable as the day is long and I can throw in directional signs, Open House flags or anything else I want to without worrying about scratching or spoiling anything.

But we live in a world where perception is everything and my car looks old and unimpressive. Probably not what a “successful real estate agent” should be getting around in.

So I have begun my research. Will I join the Germans? Will I stick with the Japanese? I don’t think it will be a big beaut ute.

Then there’s the issue of agent branding on the car. That’s for another column.

‍

I’ll be honest. I just had that moment with my sister online and I’m still laughing, days later.

A few days ago after work I was mucking around online. You know the 7pm drill. Checking socials, looking at emails that you didn’t get to during the day and trying to feed the dog, when you also realise you don’t have one and you’ve been putting food in a bowl for no reason.

That is a different story.

While I was online I sent my sister and her running buddy a message.

Now let me remind you. A few weeks ago, all three of us ran the 20th edition of the Sydney Marathon after having it postponed numerous times due to COVID. We all enjoyed the experience and all said “I’ll never do this again..”

Well, the other night I sent a message to Katriona and her running pal Serena to see if they had thought about doing it again? Her reply, some 10 seconds later was “hell yeah…they sent me an email to see if I was going to sign up for 2023..?”

I was a little taken back by it after hearing those “never again” words come out of her mouth. So, after numerous emails and messages back and forth over 30 minutes, we are now all locked in to run the marathon in Sydney again. Yes, again.

We laughed and laughed and then I went to bed as I had my usual 4am wake up alarm to deal with.

All I can say is, never say never. Anything is possible especially from this bloke who didn’t train at all for the run, but that’s my own fault.

I’ll say between now and September next year, I will train. I will get stronger, and yes I will compete in the Mackay Marina Run beforehand and various other fun runs around Mackay and the Whitsundays.

If you see a tall wobbly “jogger” running strangely around Victoria Street and Mackay Harbour, give him a honk and a shout-out. He’ll need it. He may be still laughing, but hey that also could be after effects from looking in the bathroom mirror at 4:01am!

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

‍

October is Sexual Violence Awareness month.  On Friday, October 28, there is a community “Reclaim the Night” event being held at Bluewater Quay, commencing at 5.30pm.  This event begins with a march, starting and ending at Bluewater Quay, to highlight that women and girls should be able to walk safely at any time of the day or night, free of sexual violence.  There will be entertainment, speeches and a sausage sizzle.  This is an open public event with everyone welcome.  

Reclaim the Night is traditionally held on the last Friday in October, during Sexual Violence Awareness Month. Despite the march’s long and interesting history, it still, sadly, remains extremely relevant today.

Reclaim the Night – facts and history

Co-ordinated women’s marches against sexual harassment and rape first started in Europe and the USA in the mid-1970s. The first Reclaim the Night march in the UK was in 1977 in Leeds. Inspired by similar marches in West Germany, the Leeds march was partly in response to the “Yorkshire Ripper” murders and the police reaction, which was to tell women they should not go out at night unless absolutely necessary. These early Reclaim the Night marches fought for a woman’s right to walk without fear at night. They made it clear that women should not be restricted or blamed because of men’s violence. In Australia, the first Reclaim the Night marches were held in 1978 in Sydney and Perth.

Over the years, although the focus remains on sexual violence, Reclaim the Night has evolved to include other forms of violence against women.

Today people march as a show of resistance, strength and unity.

They march because they believe everyone has the right to feel safe and to BE safe.

They march to show a united front against violence of all kinds.

They march in honour of those without a voice and to remember those whose voice has been silenced.

They will join people from all over the world fighting for the right for women to feel safe — to be safe — no matter where they are, no matter what time of day it is, no matter what they’re doing or what they’re wearing.

‍

Mackay’s favourite indoor play centre, Kidz Life, is well-known for its exhilarating super slide, colourful ball pits and adventure tunnels that provide hours of entertainment for little ones while their parents get to chat and relax.

What many people do not know, however, is that Kidz Life is a non-profit organisation that is always giving back to the community and looking for different ways it can help change the world for others.

From giving vouchers as school raffle prizes to offering free parties to local children living with disabilities or even donating to world-wide charity projects, Kidz Life continuously reinvests in important causes close to their heart.

This means that every time your child enjoys a few hours of fun at the play centre, other children both locally and around the world will benefit in some way.

Open from Tuesday through to Saturday, Kidz Life is an affordable outing for families looking to enjoy some indoor air-conditioned fun.

Ideal for children’s parties, the centre can cater for groups up to 100 in a private function setting.

Kidz Life also has a welcoming and community-focused heart, with many friendships made and knowledge exchanged between parents and staff.

Part of New Life Church, the play centre works alongside the religious community to help others and bring more kindness to the world.

Everyone is invited to church on Sunday with children enjoying a kid’s church session followed by some time to have fun in the play centre.

An on-site café serves great coffee and has a small but delicious menu.

Suitable for babies right through to 12-year-olds, there is a designated toddler area so little ones can explore with their own age-group.

Open 9am – 12pm Tuesday to Friday and 9am – 4pm on Saturday.

‍

Play is vital to a child’s learning, development, confidence and wellbeing. Variety in play is important because it helps with all areas of children’s development, and the way a child plays will change over time.

Unstructured, free play is unplanned play that just happens, depending on what takes your child’s interest at the time. Unstructured, free play is particularly important for younger children because it lets them use their imagination and move at their own pace.

Examples of unstructured play might be:

• creative play alone or with others

• imaginative games

• exploring new or favourite spaces like cupboards, backyards, parks, playgrounds and play centres

Sometimes all a parent will need to do is point their child in the right direction – towards the jumble of dress-ups and toys on their floor, or to the table with crayons and paper. At other times, you might need to be a bit more active. For example, ‘How about we play dress-ups? What do you want to be today?’

Structured play is organised and happens at a fixed time or in a set space. It’s often led by a grown-up. Older children are more likely to enjoy and benefit from structured play.

Examples of structured play include:

• outdoor ball games like kicking a soccer ball

• swimming lessons

• storytelling groups at the local library

• dance, music or drama classes

• family board or card games

• After school sport

Whether play is structured or unstructured, indoors or outdoors, play can give your child the chance to explore, be active, test physical limits and get messy.

‍

Hundreds of people gathered at Wests Leagues Club in Walkerston on Sunday for the Mackay Sugar Run For MI Life, held in honour of brother, uncle and friend Matthew Ivory, who sadly died by suicide on October 19, 2012.

Since the first run in 2014, Run For MI Life has spread to three locations, seen thousands of people run and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to inspire people to seek help and support when it's needed.

A large focus of Run For MI Life is to ensure that the SafeTALK course is able to be offered for free within the communities that run, to make them suicide safe.

“Matt was a fun-loving, kind-hearted person who enjoyed a joke and relished making others laugh,” said event organisers.

“His death was both unexpected and devastating to those who knew him.

“We, as his family, intend on using his name to change the perception of depression and suicide in our community and take away the negative stigma attached.”

‍

Get to know some of the staff members bringing you delicious coffee, fresh food and service with a smile at Social Fresh & Local.

Belinda Potts – Owner

Go-to coffee order? Caramel latte

What do you like to do while sipping your coffee? “I love to be at the beach just relaxing and watching the world go by.”

Go-to Social Fresh & Local food order? Eggs Benedict – “Apparently, we’re getting well known for eggs benny, so I’ve heard.”

Favourite Mackay beach? Town Beach

Belinda is in her fourth year of managing Social Fresh & Local and is amazed at how much it’s grown. Born in WA, Belinda has been in Mackay for almost 30 years and draws on years of hospitality experience as a chef and barista.

“The community is absolutely amazing,” she said. “I love hospitality, I love people, I love giving that great service.”

Belinda and her team are passionate about delivering delicious coffee and excellent customer service to the Walkerston community.

“All the staff, they thrive on us being busy, they thrive on watching the place grow,” she said. “We’re happy people, we’re kind people and we just want to provide the best we can for the region.”

Jen Hughes – Chef

Go-to coffee order? Vanilla flat white

What do you like to do while sipping your coffee? “Usually cooking. Experimenting.”

Go-to Social Fresh & Local food order? Eggs Benedict with mushrooms and spinach

Favourite Mackay beach? Cape Hillsborough

Jen has been a chef for most of her life and has worked at Social Fresh & Local since January, becoming an invaluable asset to the team.

“I just love food,” she said. “The rush of service day and the sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. It’s always good fun, the customers are always happy. It’s a nice, fun environment.”

‍

The goal of Pilates is to be in total control of your body as you move and to balance your muscles by targeting and strengthening the ones you don't usually use in your day-to-day life that would benefit from being stronger.

This requires beginning from your central core muscles and using the stability these muscles provide to smoothly control your arms, legs and other extremities.

This is no easy feat, which is what makes Pilates a great way to build strength and stamina.

Pilates is for everybody, regardless of gender, age, race, size, ability or current fitness level.

The Pilates Method, which includes mat and specialised equipment, is made up of over 600 exercises and variations.

“There’s something for everyone, whether you have a sedentary lifestyle, are a weekend warrior, are pregnant, are undergoing rehab, have anxiety, or if you’re a professional athlete,” said Core Defined Pilates and Fitness Studio Instructor Unica Estabillo.

“Studies have shown that Pilates improves quality of life by having a positive effect on depression and pain, most notably decreasing back pain.”

Pilates aligns your entire body’s overall structure and supports its joints.

“What appears to look simple can be deceptively challenging and incredibly effective when done correctly with good form,” said Unica.

The optimal strength gained from consistent Pilates practice is nonrigid, balancing strength with mobility and flexibility.

It helps you move and breathe through your daily activities with more freedom and power and less pain.

At Core Defined Pilates, all classes are taught by qualified instructors who will ensure you follow your individual program whether in a one-on-one or in their group "All Levels" class.

This ensures you perform all exercises correctly, safely and achieve the best results.

“We structure all our classes to provide you with flexibility and accessibility, whilst keeping class sizes small to ensure we provide personalised movements and maintain the highest quality standards,” said Unica.

‍

A unique scent fills the nostrils when you walk into P Comino & Sons. It’s the scent of fine leather and quality clothing but also the scent of almost a century of history emanating from the walls. P Comino & Sons has stood the test of time, celebrating its 90th year this year, and they’ve done so without compromising on their integrity, image or values.

“Nothing much changes here,” said Vassie, a third-generation business owner who operates the store with confidence in her brand and her approach to business. “We’re happy with the pace we’re at.”

Stepping into the store is like stepping into a time machine and Vassie says this is a deliberate choice, maintaining the history that got them where they are today.

“A lot of people like the atmosphere,” she said. “It’s different.”

Driving along Sydney Street towards the Forgan Bridge, the green, yellow and burgundy sign is unmissable, a clear indication of a business that values its heritage. The building dates back to 1890 and hasn’t changed a lot over the years, although one change came in 2000 when the Comino’s installed air conditioning.

“We got a heritage architect up from Brisbane to tell us how to do it properly in keeping with the age of the building,” said Vassie.

Vassie suggested to the architect that they repolish countertops and repaint shelves while work was being completed.

“He said to me, ‘Don’t you dare touch anything. Just leave it how it is,’” she laughed.

“It’s all part of the historical aspect of the building and the business.”

It’s a simple and old-fashioned approach to business and one that has seen P Comino & Sons establish a reputation and dependability and consistency throughout the community.

“We’ve got a lot of longstanding, loyal customers who come because they know this is where they can get exactly what they want,” said Vassie. “We don’t change things at a whim.”

P Comino & Sons have long-stocked brands that customers know and love including King Gee, Dunlop, Bonds, Blundstone, R. M. Williams and Akubra.

“I think people like the consistency,” said Vassie. “A lot of people do know what they want or have a favourite brand that they wear and want to buy the same thing again.”

While their stock is consistent, their range is unusual in its variety.

“Some shops specialise in workwear only, others specialise in western gear only,” said Vassie. “We’ve got an assortment.”

And with such a wide variety of stock, it takes knowledgeable staff to help customers find what they want. Sharon, Jenny and Salina have all worked with P Comino & Sons for over ten years and continue a tradition of long-serving and loyal staff members. P Comino & Sons is a family business, and everyone is a part of the family.

“I think they all have a nice attachment to the shop,” said Vassie. “So do a lot of our customers. A lot of them say, ‘Don’t ever close.’ It’s nice to know that we’re still here and well supported,”

Customers can expect genuine advice and utmost professionalism when they walk through the doors of P Comino & Sons – good old-fashioned customer service.

“The personal service is a big part of it,” said Vassie. “Plus, we handwrite our invoices, isn’t that a dying art?” she laughed.

P Comino & Sons is one of a few businesses that has seen and survived countless changes throughout the Mackay community. Their consistent approach to business allows them to traverse and withstand any tribulation that comes their way.

“Mackay had a lot of local big businesses … you thought they’d be here forever and they’re all history now,” said Vassie.

“I can’t imagine my grandfather ever would’ve thought the business would still be going, or even my father.”

Vassie says that, while the future is unknown, she looks forward to celebrating the centenary in ten years’ time.

“It’s like, in a way, looking after a family heirloom but it’s also a challenge, running a business,” she said.

“We’re grateful to our customers who continue to support us.”

Steeped In History, Loved By Generations

Renowned for their quality products and friendly, personalised service, P Comino & Sons has been faithfully serving the Mackay region for the past 90 years.

One of the founding business pioneers in Mackay City, the first business was opened by newly migrated Greek, Peter Comino back in 1906.

Initially the family worked in hospitality, opening the Sydney Oyster Saloon in Sydney Street.

After a cyclone hit Mackay in 1918, the restaurant needed a renovation, so the Comino family decided to rebrand and re-open as Britannia Café.

In the early 1930’s the business took a different and now very familiar path, opening Comino Drapers on 14 Sydney Street.

This business would soon become the iconic P Comino and Sons we love and hold dear today.

A family business at heart, Peter Comino and his wife Vasiliki had 10 children, many of whom have worked at the family businesses over the years.

Their son Jim managed the store for many years, and his brother Cyril opened Comino’s Camping a few doors up on Sydney Street.

In 1979 Cyril took over management of P Comino & Sons, combining some items from his nearby camping store.

When he retired in 1986, Cyril handed the reins over to his daughter Vassie, who left her profession as a pharmacist to work in the family business.

Vassie has now been managing the business for over 36 years.

Despite remaining a profitable and popular retail destination that has successfully traversed the ages, P Comino & Sons holds dear to its past and part of its charm is the old-world feel customers experience as they enter the store.

The cash register, which was converted to decimal currency in 1966, still sits on the long wooden counters which have stood in store since 1932.

In addition, some of the glass counters and display cabinets originally came from Britannia Café.

The only item of technology in the store is an EFTPOS machine and invoices are handwritten.

Priding itself on operating a good old-fashioned business that has withstood the tests of time and technological advancement, P Comino & Sons will remain how it is, like a museum for the modern age, creating a shopping experience that can no longer be replicated.

‍

Hi Everyone,

I had an interesting experience this week when I tried to put a poster up at my son’s school.

It was for a Prep Year Halloween Fancy Dress Party that I am organising where everyone brings a plate of food and a bag of lollies to share with friends.

The whole community are invited and I was hoping to put four posters up outside the prep classrooms to make it easy to let all the parents know it was happening.

To my surprise, when I asked permission to put them up, I was told by the school that the theme of the party might ‘offend’ some people.

For a moment I was speechless – how could a kid’s party be offensive?

But when it was explained further, I was made aware that no ‘private’ parties can be promoted at the school and that they have to be very careful with promoting all holidays whether that be Christmas or Halloween.

I notice Easter was ok though.

Now to be clear, I am not upset with the school for the decision, I completely respect their right to make up their rules.

It just made me realise that broader society seems to be becoming so sensitive to all subjects especially those that are not intended to cause offence.

I respect everyone’s rights to live their life in the way that they choose, and I hope to live in a society that does the same.

We are a multi-cultural nation that is richer for its diversity, and I believe that we could all benefit from opening our arms to some innocence, especially when the intention is only that of inclusion.

On a brighter note, if your kid would like to come to the party – here is the invite

‍

Last weekend 13 people split into five groups and managed to collect 1,530 items, a total of 42.2 kilograms of litter, filling 15 bags in a collection area from Cannonvale Beach to Airlie Lagoon.

An initiative of the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, several litter picking groups have been tackling areas on a broader scale across the full length of the Great Barrier Reef as part of the ReefClean GBR project throughout the month of October.

The small contingent of Airlie Beach residents did their part on the weekend in an effort to not only collect litter but, also create data that will then help instigate better community practices on a local level.

Organiser Heidi Tait said that small groups are brilliant at maintaining and monitoring their “small patch” to make a big difference.

“Our motto is that if all you do is clean-up, that’s all you’re ever going to do,” she said.

“By ongoing collection you get some great data and every region is different, so what solutions work here and what works up the coast are entirely different.”

In the Greater Airlie Beach area cigarette butts have been flagged as a major source of litter with 321 collected by the team last weekend alone.

Heidi has been collaborating with ‘Ditch the Flick’ for some time and works with local businesses to encourage better disposal options.

These include placing cigarette shaped bins that are brightly coloured at strategic points where cigarette littering is predominant.

By working in collaboration with other organisations and local business they can cure the problem rather than prevent the impacts.

If you would like to volunteer your time to collect and monitor litter on your ‘patch’, then head to tangaroablue.org where you will find a range of resources including a specially designed data collection app to record your findings.

‍

The ReefClean at Airlie Beach last weekend