The property valuers Herron Todd White put out a very instructive monthly snapshot of real estate prices, and changes, across the nation.

It’s based on the numbers, the sale prices, and for those of us who have a bit of an interest in what’s going on in the real estate sector, it is a very worthwhile read.

The most-recent update made it very clear that there are different things happening to markets throughout the country. There is not a uniform trend and certain regional areas are faring differently to big cities.

To illustrate this, October’s update said the “recent impact of increasing interest rates” has created a “pronounced drop in the median dwelling price”. But where? Not Mackay.

That reference was to places like Sydney and Melbourne.

It went on to say: “In the more affordable regional areas the recent strength of the market has been attributable in part to out of area purchasers who have viewed residential property as affordable.”

So increased interest rates are actually creating a higher level of buyer activity in affordable regional areas from people moving from expensive southern cities, particularly if those regional areas provide the services people need and the lifestyle they want.

I recently sold a property that had multiple offers in which three of the four buyers were from cities down south. The winner was a buyer from Melbourne who had just sold his house and was getting rid of a mortgage and moving to Mackay to be near the sea and have a more relaxed lifestyle.

Mackay is an attraction because it offers the services people require, it is affordable, it is a beautiful part of the country and a great place to live.

There is no doubt that interest rate changes have created nation-wide caution, but we can also see that those very changes are attracting buyers to our city and region.

Herron Todd White also includes a national property clock in their monthly market update, a snapshot of where various cities are in the price cycle. That property clock has the peak of the market at 12 o’clock, a falling market at 3 o’clock, the bottom of the market at 6 o’clock and a rising market at 9 o’clock.

In their housing property clock places like Melbourne and the Gold Coast are around the 2 o’clock mark, starting to decline. Sydney and Brisbane are at 3 o’clock, a declining market.

Where is Mackay in the property clock? At 9 o’clock, a rising market. So, when people say the property market is falling you need to be careful about which market you are actually talking about. Cairrns, the Whitsundays, Gladstone and Rocky are also at 9 o’clock.

When your see and hear on the national media about falling real estate prices they are not looking at our region. They are focused on the big cities.

Apart from interest from southern buyers looking for opportunities here, the big driver is our strong economy and the resources sector that continues to drive it. And that is looking pretty good.

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In an inaugural community event, a Bowen-based mental health hub invited locals to a day promoting mental wellbeing through information, activity, and fun.

For National Mental Health Week, selectability Bowen collaborated with organisations from across the northernmost Whitsunday town, bringing awareness to its community about the valuable services on offer.

Representatives from Trapp, Feros Care, local business wellness coaches, Stella Life Care, Real Mates Talk, Bowen PCYC, and more held stalls on the day, highlighting the interconnectivity of Bowen’s vital organisations.

selectability Regional Coordinator Luana Land said the day was a huge success, with over 150 community members attending.

“I don’t even know how to put it into words how proud I was of the event. Even if we helped one person find a service, that makes the whole day worth it,” Ms Land said.

“Having a big, fun day and aligning that with Mental Health and Suicide Prevention information is something we aspire to. We wanted to help people be aware of that; to show them there are things out there and a lot of organisations locally that can help.”

The event at the Bowen Sound Shell was supported by Local Drug Action Team’s (LDAT) Community Action Plan Stronger Together, with funding supplied through the LDAT and The Drug Alcohol Foundation to provide a children’s play area, as well as catering.

Ms Land said the day received excellent feedback, and it is planned as an annual event each year.

“The response we saw and heard the most was about loneliness and having community events like this is a way we can combat that and it is what the people of Bowen were asking for,” she said.

“We will be making it even bigger and better next year.”

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Locals and Bowen organisations – including emergency services - came together for a Mental Health Week event hosted by selectability

Frocktober Raises Funds And Awareness For Ovarian Cancer

This years’ Frocktober celebrations took to social media for a large campaign that brought together 30 local people, 30 vibrant outfits and 30 stunning photographs - spreading the love and the good word of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

This national charity is dedicated to raising money to create better outcomes for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer by funding programs which are at the forefront of finding pathways for early detection.

Award-winning marketing agency, redhotblue, took the lead again this year, bringing the event together and launching their own team which was named ‘Frock It’!

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Community Rallies For Ovarian Cancer This October

As Frocktober fundraising events take place all over the country, our own local ambassador for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, Jody Euler, is doing her bit by rallying community members for a fun photo shoot that you will have undoubtedly seen colouring your social media feed over the past month.

Her Creative Agency redhotblue, has organised its own team named ‘Frock It’ and brought together a diverse mix of personalities from around the region including Mayor Greg Williamson, doctors, fashionistas, community members and more.

Working in collaboration with local fashion house Hustle and Flo, Jody brought 30 individuals together to wear colour and embody passion for a stunning series of photographs.

The team then used their exemplary social media skills to spread the word across multiple platforms, using the powerful imagery to generate donations.

This is the second year that Jody has hosted a Frocktober event, last year saw 300 people attend a Gala Dinner, where there were raffle prizes, charity auctions and Most Fabulous Frocker Awards.

The gala dinner raised an impressive $25,000, the most amount of money for a stand-alone Frocktober event in all of Australia.

This year, while they are not holding a physical event, Jody is asking the community to donate what they would have spent on a night out instead.

“We’ve made it really easy this year, you don’t have to go and find an outfit, you don’t have to book a babysitter, it’s not a whole night out – all you need to do is click on the link and donate,” she said.

“People are a bit event fatigued so rather than add another one into the event calendar - we’ve made it easy!”

This years’ theme is ‘Life’s too short to be boring’ and countless fundraising campaigns have taken place right across Australia.

Frocktober started in 2007 when 10 friends from Geelong gathered around a table to talk about how they could help raise funds for ovarian cancer.

They decided to rethink something women used every day – their wardrobe.

The first event raised just $200 but flash forward 14 years and in 2021 the now national month-long fundraising initiative reached its first $1million.

Jody has been a passionate ovarian cancer fundraising crusader for several years, ever since a dear friend was diagnosed, and each year she likes to contribute to Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

“The work they are doing is amazing, they keep leading the way, they keep peeling back those layers and finding new results and new outcomes,” she explained.

“They want to achieve better detection tests because often, when people are diagnosed, they are too far into it.”

If you would like to donate, please scan the QR code on this page and follow the instructions on your screen.

DID YOU KNOW?

• 1,800 women are diagnosed in Australia each year

• Every 8 hours a woman in Australia dies from ovarian cancer

• 250,000 people die each year in the world from ovarian cancer

CHECK FOR SYMPTOMS

• Abdominal bloating

• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

• Frequent or urgent urination

• Back, abdominal or pelvic pain

• Constipation or diarrhoea

• Menstrual irregularities (bleeding in-between periods)

• Tiredness and indigestion

• Pain during or after sex

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How do you take a break?  It’s important that we do something for ourselves that just allows us to breath and nurture our mental health. For some, it could be reading a book, attending a concert or going on holidays to faraway places. For me, I try to escape and relax in the natural surroundings of our countryside. I like to camp and, yes, I’m an off-grid camper, so the more remote the better.  

I’ve camped for many years in our region and I started by going to the usual spots like our national parks, Smallies Beach and Eungella etc. But after a few years, we wanted to try new places, so we joined a local 4WD club that arranged trips onto private property, so there were many new places to explore. We now use Hip Camp or Station Hoppers, which are the air BnB’s of camping, to camp locally in the region. There are so many opportunities for property owners in our region to develop this idea into a passive income. You can offer as much as (toilet, showers and fresh produce), or as little as (nothing but a paddock by a stream) you like.

I’m the first to admit there are all types of families in our region with all types of needs regarding caravanning and camping and, as such, we are in the process of developing a RV Strategy.

Council recognises the growing importance of the recreational vehicle (RV) industry. This RV Strategy will review the region’s current RV market and support infrastructure and identify and prioritise key projects. The strategy will involve engagement with existing commercial operators, industry bodies, site users, visitor centres and tourism operators. The draft strategy is expected to be released for public comment by March 2023, with information to be made available on Connecting Mackay (www.connectingmackay.com.au) closer to the date.  So, please make sure you have a say.

We have great spots in our region at Mirani, Seaforth and Ball Bay, but it’s just not enough. Remember to enjoy the great outdoors and what we have in our region and relax.

Gotta love where we live!

Cr Alison Jones
Mackay Regional Council

Concluding our story about dairying in the area…

Fraser’s Dairy: (As remembered by Phil's wife, Marie)

During the war, Phil Fraser was released from the army to assist his parents, Bill and Jane Fraser, in the running of their dairy which was an essential service.  Frasers delivered milk around town and out to the Army Camp at Gunyarra.  After the war, the dairy was sold to Mr Shaw and Jim Fraser. Another son of Bill, stayed on to work for him.  At some time during Fraser’s tenure, people were able to purchase tokens to put out instead of money to pay for the milk. Local children from that time later recalled playing with these.

Muller’s Dairy

Ron Muller Snr (Snow) started the dairy run circa 1941 when he began delivering milk to Dittmer Mines from a farm along the present dam road that his father had purchased from Bill Fraser.  When Dittmer Mines began to wind down, the family moved to Crystalbrook and commenced deliveries in the town area.  They purchased O’Hara's Dairy and were allowed to operate from those premises for about six months.  

At first, all milking was done by hand but the purchase of a three stand Buzzacot Milking Machine allowed them to milk three cows at a time.  Cows had to be milked twice a day come rain or shine and the milk either had to be used or tipped down the drain. So it was that, once, when there was a cloud burst at the top of the river and the road was impassable at Neilsen's crossing, five ten-gallon cans were loaded on an old cane truck that had been left at the siding. It was pushed by manpower along the tramline all the way down to Perske's farm where Joe, Snow's uncle, was waiting in his truck. He then drove Snow around town to deliver the milk.

For many years, deliveries were done by horse and cart. Later they used a Morris Ten and finally a Model T Ford. Sometimes people would be out waiting with a billycan but, at other times, no one would answer the door so they would simply go into the kitchen, find a container and leave the milk.  

At the peak of the season, Mullers delivered seventy to eighty gallons of milk but as the year wore on and the season became drier there was not so much milk and it sometimes ran out before the run was finished. In the afternoon, they would deliver to all of the customers who had missed out in the morning.

Snow recalled that he was never able to play sport because milking began every morning at 2am, deliveries continued until about 11am and afternoon milking began again at 2pm.

The Muller family eventually decided to change to beef cattle declaring they were not sad to move on. It would seem that dairying has always been a very demanding way to earn a living.  

The last vendors in the town area were thought to be the Helliers who went from house to house daily.  The advent of bottled pasteurised milk brought an end this type of business that had served the community so faithfully for so many years. After moving from Proserpine, Bert and Dorothy Hellier settled in Laidley South. Their son, George and wife, Alice, purchased a dairy farm in Laidley Creek West. Two of Bert and Dorothy Hellier’s descendants, their granddaughters, Cindy Hellier-Oliver and Diane Taylor reside in the area. Cindy settled here in 1994 and Diane in 2002.  

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

Hellier family at Proserpine show

1. Cardboard stops car fighting – are your children always getting in each other’s space and bickering during car journeys? Simply cut a sheet of sturdy cardboard and place it between each child

2. Fitted sheet on the beach – take a fitted sheet to the beach and place bags at each of the four corners. This provides a sand-free zone for kids and acts as the perfect playpen for little ones

3. Coffee cup drip tray – did you know that your take-away coffee cup lid can double as a perfect drip tray for your child’s melty ice-cream? Simply turn it upside down and push the ice-cream stick through the mouth section

4. Spray bottle monster killer – are your kids scared of monsters at night? If so, get an empty spray bottle, make a fun activity of decorating it with your child and then fill with water. Tell them that they can use this during the night to battle any scary monsters

5. T-shirt keep sake – On your child’s first day of school buy a large t-shirt (that would fit an 18 year old) and get it printed with the year they will graduate. Then take a photo of them every year on their first day of school for the next 13 years

6. Fan inflated fort – When your kids ask to dismantle your entire lounge to make a fort, simply reach for the fan instead. Get a doona cover and place around a fan on their bed, then turn on. This will put air into the sheet and give them a cool hideaway without messing up your lounge

Source: boredpanda.com

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Coffee cup lid ice cream drip tray

Children of all ages can learn to swim in the comfort of their parent’s arms at the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex (ARC) thanks to the Splish Splash lessons which teach babies as young as three months to have a whole lot of fun while learning to be comfortable in the water.

Sam Westcott has been a swim teacher for over nine years and has been Aquatic School Coordinator at the ARC for the past year.

She loves watching babies discover water for the first time.

“There’s a whole lot of singing in our classes,” said Sam.

“I love watching the babies learn the songs and they soon start following our movements, they also learn the moment that their heads go under water so they feel relaxed when it happens.”

The Splish Splash classes are specifically for children three to six months old, after this point the little ones graduate to Learn To Swim Lessons.

These group classes can cater for up to eight children who are accompanied by their caregivers.

“Children can go through 500 different emotions a day!” said Sam.

“Having their caregivers with them means they’ve got their safety person; it makes the whole experience comfortable and familiar.”

The ARC boasts three pools - a 15-metre pool for beginners, one that is 25-metres and a 50- metre Olympic length pool with 10 lanes.

This means your child can learn and progress at the same facility.

Each swimming pool is heated and they are all easy to access for all ages and abilities.

“We are super family friendly and would love to meet you and your little ones!” said Sam.

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Being a parent doesn’t mean your children will always do as you ask, in fact it often means you find yourself repeating the same request several times before it is even heard, let alone actioned.

There are a few reasons for this, firstly they could be so absorbed in their current activity that they honestly do not hear you. Secondly, if too much time passes, they may have forgotten your request. Or thirdly, they simply don’t want to do what you asked.

Research shows that children under 14 lack peripheral awareness, which means that if they are focused on a toy, book, game, or TV show when you ask them to do something, their brain is tuned into that activity and cannot process that request.

Here are a few helpful tips to get your child to listen to you the first time:

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Get their attention

Make eye-contact and touch their arm to ensure they are listening to you

Check for understanding

Make sure they understand the request by asking them to repeat the instruction

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Set a timeframe

Decide in your own mind what you want the child to do and the time frame you will accept for their compliance

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Watch for Compliance

Instead of going back to what you were doing, hang around to make sure your request is being actioned

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Congratulate success

Reinforcing compliance with praise means your child will be more likely to follow a request next time

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Give consequences if necessary

If your child does not complete the request, then be prepared to give and follow through with a suitable consequence

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Be consistent

It is vital that you stay firm, if they do not comply then there must be a direct consequence

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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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