Cr Michelle Green
Mackay Regional Council

My happy place is found on a hiking trail. Hiking is my antidote to a busy life and helps me to “straighten up and fly right”. But don’t listen to me wax lyrical about the tangible benefits of hiking, the science is clear on the positive effects of being in nature while exercising:

• walking in green spaces helps us recover from the “attention overload” from living a digital existence and people who spend time walking in nature are less anxious, helping to protect against depression

• it’s good for your brain. The unpredictable nature of trails versus a concrete urban footpath means your brain is getting stimulation, not just oxygenation, aiding memory and cognitive ability

• being in nature promotes the powerful feeling of awe. Feeling small in the presence of something greater than yourself improves mood and generosity

• when we become connected with nature we care about its fate.

Bringing visitors to regions they typically wouldn’t go also increases the local economy. Who hasn’t stopped for a pie after exploring Finch Hatton Gorge?!

It’s easy on the hip pocket and great for all ages. Hiking is wonderful for children and observe your relationship improve with your surly teenager after walking a trail versus the shopping mall.

That brings us to the diverse range of hiking trails in the Mackay region. Here are a few examples:

Komo Toera Trail

A 1.1km boardwalk stroll through a unique ecosystem and wetlands. Don’t forget the mozzie spray in the wet season.

Slade Point Reserve Track

Generally easy 5.3km out-and-back trail. Extend your hike by following the coastline along the Esplanade to the lookout and the water tower. Can you spot whales?

Andrews Point – Cape Hillsborough

More challenging, this 5.2km trail can be completed as a circuit if the tide allows. Breathtaking ocean, island and coastal views are well worth the climb up to Turtle Lookout on this visually stunning walk.

The Mackay Highlands Great Walk

The 56km, one-way track can be completed in three to five days or hike sections during a day trip to the mist-shrouded peaks of Eungella National Park. While it’s considered a grade five track, the first two sections are relatively flat and perfect for newbies.

When you consider all the physical, health, psychological, emotional and mental health benefits of hiking, there really is no reason not to head out into the wilderness. Happy hiking!

‍

By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

The proposed Queensland Hydro Pioneer-Burdekin Project has been an unexpected and sudden development for our region.

On the day following the State Government announcement of the project, CANEGROWERS Mackay, with Pioneer Valley Water, met with Queensland Hydro's interim CEO Chris Evans and consultants working on stakeholder and community engagement, to directly hear about the proposed project and timeline.

We heard assurances that there would be no effect on existing water allocations for farmers. Equally, the project will not deliver any additional water for rural, industrial or domestic use. The water is purely for electricity generation.

In that meeting, we also took the opportunity to discuss issues for our members – and the wider agricultural community – around land resumptions. It is our highest priority that our members are cared for and compensated fairly for any loss of land and production.

In initial mapping, and from this discussion, it seems that there is only a limited amount of land under cane to be lost - the more significant loss of productive rural land will occur among graziers and other agri-business properties both in the Netherdale and Dalrymple Heights areas. There also appears to be some issues with possible conflicts with established indigenous title areas.

Overall, there seems to have been a significant lack of consultation with landholders prior to the announcement. It’s engendered dismay and confusion, and there is a clear need for rapid transparency, including quality mapping rather than the broad-brushstroke publicity mapping currently available.

CANEGROWERS Mackay sees the project as an opportunity to develop productivity – reaching out to goals for the Mackay-Plane Creek cane growing districts to supply feedstock to plant-based protein manufacturers that will emerge as Mackay takes a stronger role in the biofutures economy.

If the State Government is genuinely committed to developing biofutures and a circular economy in the Mackay Region, delivering direct, localised social benefit from this large-scale renewable energy project would be offering a discounted tariff to local producers for electricity needed to irrigate.

CANEGROWERS Mackay’s Irrigation Project, funded under the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program and led by our Agricultural Economist John Eden is clearly showing that growers applying irrigation in a strategic manner not only has outcomes for the environment in terms of run-off water quality, but also some outstanding productivity results for increases in tonnes of cane per hectare.

It’s a critical link in continuing to meet the region’s milling throughput needs, and creating additional feedstock for future foods and fuels. It would be tremendous to see some lateral thinking and allowing one project to meet another area of government policy. The Sugar-Plus industry roadmap – which was developed by industry in collaboration with the Queensland Government clearly identifies, alongside future foods and fibres- fuel. Biofuel already has a place in our regional technology – with ethanol at Plane Creek and the Mercurius project at Racecourse.

As CANEGROWERS, we support the concept of renewable energy.  There are many opportunities to embrace renewable energy not excluding the barely tapped opportunities within the sugar industry.  

It is certainly pleasing to see the inclusion in the Queensland Jobs and Energy Plan of a planned $4M investment to investigate options for expanding generation from biomass waste streams such as bagasse – derived from cane and used to fuel electricity cogeneration from sugar mills. But it would be better yet to see this opportunity properly acknowledged and realised within the Jobs and Energy Plan as a listed, recognised energy source to be actively developed, rather than merely investigated.

Here in Mackay, Racecourse Mill cogeneration plant has been pumping out 38MW for the past seven years, delivering one third of Mackay’s energy needs to the grid, alongside producing enough energy to power the mill and the neighbouring refinery. Cogenerating mills across the Australian sugar industry currently produce over one million megawatt hours every year, of which 44% goes to the domestic grid. Imagine further developing and harnessing that potential at all mills, conceivably at a lower price tag than a $12billion greenfields pumped hydro project.

A recent report by the Australian Sugar Milling Council found that Queensland’s milling sector had the capacity to almost quadruple its current generation from bagasse from 438MW to 1,736MW. This could see the industry exporting up to 7,588 gigawatt hours of energy a year

Food for thought when the question on a lot of people lips is “Is this hydro a pipe dream when there are many cheaper options?”

Cogen is a tried-and-true process that makes great use of a waste product. If we are talking Queensland, then a biomass waste streaming process from a major crop is a no-brainer if we are aiming to create a diverse and strong energy mix. It’s a product we have right here, right now, and a host of mills that could be brought online to power a renewable future for Queensland.

‍

There has been an alarming decline in the number of Queensland women attending mammograms this year and local medical teams are concerned this will result in an uptick of late presentation breast cancers which are much harder to treat.

The latest figures show a 16 per cent reduction in the number of Queensland women having BreastScreen mammograms in the first three months of 2022.

This means 10,700 fewer women were screened than during the same period last year.

In addition, experts believe that the long-term effects of the COVID pandemic coupled with patient’s reluctance to attend routine hospital appointments, could mean that breast cancers are being discovered at much later stages.

Karen Coningham was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer after failing to attend screening for five years.

While her cancer is incurable, her cancer is now being controlled by drug therapy from the Mater Private Hospital.

Having experienced the real impacts of a late diagnosis due to skipping regular mammograms, Karen implores other women not to make the same mistake as her.

“I used to go regularly for scans, but then life just seemed to get in the way,” the 61-year-old former teacher said.

“I’d felt a lump in my breast but thought it was just a harmless cyst like I’d had before.

“When it became painful I went to get it checked and was eventually told I had advanced breast cancer – and that it had metastasised to my bones and lymph nodes.

“I know that if I had been screened earlier it would not have got to this point, so I want other women to not make the same mistake that I did.

“When it’s time for your mammogram make yourself accountable – and just do it.”

One in every four Queensland breast cancer patients are treated at Mater facilities and Ashleigh Mondolo, Clinical Nurse Consultant at Mater Private Hospital Brisbane, said that the incidence of breast cancer was steadily growing in Australia.

Fortunately, improvements in treatment and care mean that more women are successfully beating or living with breast cancer.

“Breast cancer doesn’t care if you’re busy. A 10-minute mammogram could save your life.”

FAST FACTS

• 92% people diagnosed with breast cancer survive

• If cancer is limited to the breast this increases to 96%

• More than 20,000 women and 200 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year

• The earlier it is found the easier and more successful the treatment plan will be

Image: Karen Coningham, who is living with breast cancer and Mackay Mater Private Health Hospital Clinical Nurse Consultant Maria Maxwell

‍

Hi Everyone,

It has been another huge week producing your local paper and, with our Mackay Editor away on annual leave, I have been taking on extra duties overseeing both sides of the newspaper.

One of the most prominent stories over the past few weeks has been about Mackay Urologist Daryl Stephens who entrusted me to write an exclusive story about his alleged misconduct which caused him to be placed on suspension.

The story I wrote last week attracted national attention with channel 7 News reporter, Marlina Whop, calling me to gather more intel for her story, which aired on the local news.

In addition, I received a call from a disgruntled Editor from a national media company who questioned some of my content, specifically my comments of the media’s misrepresentation of Dr Stephens.

Being given an exclusive story is a great honour but also a great responsibility.

I wanted to tell Dr Stephens’ version but, in doing so, understood there is another side that would also need to be told.

This week I was able to dig deeper into the broader issues this article raised and talk with previous patients and current co-workers to unearth more details of what has unfolded. You can read this on page 5 of the Mackay side.

At the end of the day, this story is about people and the heartache they have suffered.

Regardless of the outcome, who was wrong and who was right, this is the one fact that doesn’t change.

My heart and thoughts are with all those involved.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “A lie gets half-way round the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on” (Winston Churchill)

‍

Local sporting clubs are often run on a tight budget with limited funds for the little extras that seem to add up over the season.

Supporting your club as they support you is an excellent way of giving back directly to the community that you love.

This is what 32 swimmers from Cannonvale Cannons Swim Club experienced last Sunday when they took part in the annual lapathon, swimming as many lengths as they could within a certain amount of time.

Each lap equated to a dollar amount that their sponsors had committed to so the more laps they managed to do, the more money they raised for their club.

Participants swam a total of 80,000 metres which equates to 3,200 laps over the course of one hour.  

Coaches, Ken Crittenden and Mark Erickson would like to congratulate everyone for their amazing effort.

Jy Parkinson (4.45km), Jacob Bell (4.2km), Sophie Fletcher (3km), Roxy Groom (2.9km), Abi Maher (2.5km), Harris Delac (2.1km), Jax Clayworth (2.8km), Nelson Malady (3.15km), Don Algie (3.15km), Levi Smith (2.05km), Indi Smith (2.15km), Celeste Orenshaw (2.4km), Addie Sanders (2.05km), Lily Maher (3.05km), Millie Groom (3.35km), Tora Delac (2.8km), Lochlan Jamieson (3.85km) and Holly Perrin (4km) who swam for one hour.

Also, Zane Clayworth (0.9km), Jasper Korosec (1.3km) and Lucas Korosec (1km) who swam for 30 minutes.

They would also like to thank the Whitsunday Masters Swimming Club for supporting the lapathon.  

Money raised is still being calculated by participants and all funds go directly back into the club for extra supplies, awards nights and general running costs.

‍

A total of 80,000 metres was swum by 32 lapathon participants. Photo supplied

The $7 million replacement fire and rescue station set for construction in Airlie Beach raised alarm bells for local councillors this week.

The proposed location in a low-density residential area on the corner of Shute Harbour Road and Macarthur Drive in Cannonvale raised eyebrows for locals when it was announced in July, and the site is now set for a noise and light impact assessment, but not one that will impact its approval by the State Government.

In Whitsunday Regional Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, Councillors discussed sending a submission to Queensland’s Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, seeking that the approval for the development be deferred until the assessment results were considered.

Whitsunday Regional Council Director Planning and Development Neil McGaffin explained that the original site was chosen by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) because it met the bodies’ strict criteria.

“QFES need to consider the time it takes to leave the station to get where the fire is – that needs to be 16 or 17 minutes, and they can’t achieve that by leaving the [current station] in Jubilee Pocket,” he said.

Other sites had been suggested to QFES further from residential areas, according to Mr McGaffin, but they unfortunately did not meet the parameters.

Councillor Jan Clifford said the proposed location was “highly inappropriate place for a fire station.”

“My concerns are for Airlie Beach, Jubilee Pocket, Shute Harbour if they’ve got a time frame of 14 and a half minutes,” she said.

“The road is frequently blocked between Airlie Beach and Jubilee Pocket, only for a few minutes, but that can be the difference between life and death.”

Councillor Al Grundy suggested that QFES could keep the current station as an auxiliary, which would change the proposed stations requirement criteria, meaning it would no longer be needed to be built at the Shute Harbour and Macarthur Drive location.

“If it was deemed an auxiliary was required to service that area, it would change the impact requirement on this location and allow it to be moved closer to the Gregory Cannon Valley area or the edge of town,” he said.

“When people moved into this medium-low density area, they weren’t expecting a fire station to be built across the road.”

Councillor Michelle Wright was one of the few dissenting voices amongst the Councillors, speaking to the positioning of Bowen and Collinsville’s Fire Stations – both in residential areas.

“This is an essential service. We are putting it there to help the people, and I just don’t understand how some people think,” she said.

“To me, this is saving lives, it’s saving families, it’s saving properties. It’s selfish, I believe.”

Council voted in favour of sending the submission to the Deputy Premier and are now awaiting response.

‍

The Colonel is touching down in Airlie Beach after a proposal for a new KFC at Reef Plaza complex in Cannonvale is approved by Whitsunday Regional Council.

After a long hiatus – with the original KFC on Airlie Beach’s main road shut down – the new outlet on 16 Paluma Road, adjacent to an existing McDonalds, will be constructed.

The 24-hour restaurant and free-standing drive thru joins a soon-to-be completed KFC in Bowen and is expected to open mid-next year.

‍

Harvey Norman is the latest major retailer to jump onboard the planned Galbraith Park Drive and Central Avenue showroom development.

The additional showroom was approved by Whitsunday Regional Council and joins BCF and Supercheap Auto as tenants for the new shopping precinct opposite Whitsunday Plaza which made news for the required traffic lights as part of the development.

Councillors again settled upon concerns with increased traffic to the shopping complex, which will grow exponentially with the new retailers.

Councillor Al Grundy wished to defer the discussion until a zebra crossing was adjoined to the proposal, claiming the area was already “a nightmare” but was outvoted four to two.

‍

Two New Reservoirs Double Water Capacity For Airlie Beach Area

The Cannon Valley Reservoirs were officially opened last week, and everyone involved celebrated a project that broke the mould when it came to successful project management, budget and collaboration.

With five years of planning and just over 12 months in construction the two 12.5 mega litre water tanks are set to provide water security for our ever-growing population, effectively doubling the available water in the Greater Airlie Beach Area.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox was present on the day and expressed his pleasure at being invited to attend the opening of a project dear to his heart.

“When I first became Mayor in my first term for Council it became very obvious that the fastest growing area of population within the Whitsundays had a water security problem,” said the Member for Dawson.

“We had to make sure the town didn’t run out of water, and I would like to thank Councillor Jan Clifford for her advocacy.

Mr Willcox also thanked previous Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen for “going into bat” for the project to obtain $3.755 million from the Federal Government as part of the Building Better Regions fund.

The total project cost $9.2 million.

Mayor Julie Hall hosted the opening and spoke of the huge significance the two water towers will have in our region.

“They will supply increased water security in times of natural disaster and double the drinking water supply capacity for Airlie Beach and surrounds,” she explained.

“With our ever-growing population we needed to future proof our water supply.”

The reservoirs will also act as supply back-up for Proserpine and increase access for firefighters in emergencies.

This project was part of a larger staged water improvement plan which included the recent installation of the 8.8km water pipeline from the Proserpine Water Treatment Plant to Airlie Beach.

The pipeline will be serviced by a new pumping facility and a 2.5 km bore water main linking water bore sites to the Proserpine Plant.

During construction of the reservoirs, 20 local jobs were created and it is projected that up to 700 additional jobs will eventuate through the residential, commercial and industrial growth expected to result from the increased water supply.

The old Cannonvale Reservoir was damaged in 2017 from Cyclone Debbie and with the two new reservoirs now up and running, it will be able to undergo repairs.

Whitsunday Regional Council’s Chief Operating Officer for Water, Troy Pettiford, said that thanks to the project manager’s astute budgeting at pre-works they were able to deliver two reservoirs instead of the one that was initially planned.

“This means the project is twice as big as what we wanted and still delivered under budget!”

Dignitaries gather for the opening of the Cannon Valley Reservoirs

Mayor Julie Hall and Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox cut the ribbon

Mayor Julie Hall climbs the water tanks

Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox stands atop a successful project completed

Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Whitsunday Regional Council’s Chief Operating Officer for Water, Troy Pettiford admire the view

Photo credit: Rachael Smith

‍

A local couple are celebrating the life-changing moment that their lucky Keno ticket saw them win a whopping $150,000 cash prize last week.

The Whitsundays duo held a Keno Classic 8 Spot winning entry in draw 533 which they purchased from the Dingo Beach Hotel on Sunday, October 9.

Their total prize was $150,774.50.

With the prize money set to land in their bank account within the coming days, the pair say they have a few items to tick off their dream list.

“The first thing on the list is to purchase a new tractor – it’s something we’ve wanted to do for a while,” they said.

“We’d love to arrange some maintenance around the house and we can look forward to paying off the house mortgage as well!”

The winning couple have chosen to remain anonymous so far but decided to share an account of how their win unfolded.

The husband was at Dingo Beach Hotel when they realised he was holding the winning ticket and he immediately called his wife to tell her the news and asked her to come down to the hotel to celebrate.

“It’s come at the most perfect time!” she laughed.

“I was sitting at home and my husband rung to tell me that we’d won - all I could hear was his friends cheering in the venue on the phone call. My knees, hands and legs were shaking!

“This is the most we’ve ever won in our entire life, so it’s hard to process.”

Since its inception, Keno has crowned 19 millionaires and multi-millionaires who collectively took home more than $30.7 million.  Eleven of these major winners were Queenslanders.

The Keno winners have decided to stay anonymous so far

In a “post-Covid forum”, Rotary Club Airlie Beach invited the local community to have its say on the organisation’s potential future projects, as well as providing feedback on how the club itself can move into a new era.

The volunteer organisation opened the floor to groups and individuals to highlight small-scale projects that Rotary could support.

Rotary Club Airlie Beach President John Mol opened the meeting with a sobering reflection on the state of the club’s membership tally.

“As most of you know, there has been a slowdown in volunteerism across the country and in rural communities,” Mr Mol said.

“The pandemic made the decline not only more evident, but more concerning. Bodies like SES, VMR, and CWA are experiencing major downturns, especially in country towns. Service clubs such as ours have not been spared, and at the same time our existing members are ageing.

“The future sustainability of our club is now at stake, which is why we are all here tonight to listen to your projects to help create a better local community as we have always aimed to do.”

Assistant Rotary Coordinator Merewyn Wright highlighted the Airlie Beach club’s efforts in past years, including major projects like the raising of $100,000 dollars to contribute towards Volunteer Marine Rescue’s (VMR) very first vessel in years past.

Most salient was the club’s role in the construction of the Whitsunday PCYC where the meeting was held.

“It is one of the biggest local projects the club has been involved in,” Ms Wright said.

“We are still running a number of projects in the District, but tonight is an opportunity for us to learn how we can help even more.”

Other volunteer organisations like VMR and Zonta Club Of The Whitsundays attended, emphasising the idea of resource pooling and working together for the betterment of the region.

Potential projects raised from the night included completing the Bicentennial Boardwalk signage – a previous Rotary project – as well as joint scholarships with Zonta, sporting club grants, and projects to help the homeless.

Rotary Area Governor for District 9560, Trevor Hyatt said the idea was: how can the Rotary branding lend a voice or hand to issues or projects in the community.

“We might not be looking for active members, rather, we’re looking at what we can do with the age group and experience we have. It’s a very different world in volunteerism,” he said.

“The idea is to go to the community and ask: What is expected of a Rotary Club? And that can stir up interest in joining, too.”

Mr Hyatt said taking down the ideas of the community, addressing the small-scale projects that might not necessarily require a “workforce” and actioning them was the major plan of the meeting.

‍

Rotary Area Governor for District 9560 Trevor Hyatt emceed a meeting of Rotarians, community, and volunteer groups at the Whitsunday PCYC on Monday evening on the future of the Club

A 25-year-old Whitsunday local has won a prestigious TAFE award at the Cairns Campus, becoming one of only 16 students selected for the honour out of a cohort of 1,200 apprentices.

Tom Toohey was awarded Refrigeration Apprentice of the Year Award at the TAFE Queensland 2022 Cairns Trade Excellence Awards which was held at Hemingway’s Brewery in Cairns earlier this month.

Over 250 people gathered to celebrate 62 finalists and the Hamilton Island resident said he was thrilled to be one of the 16 students to receive a trophy.

“Winning was awesome! It was unexpected and it definitely means a lot,” said Tom.

“It’s a privilege to live on Hamilton Island and I really enjoy the freedom of my work.

“I love that my job is hands on, it’s really satisfying to be able to fix things and the science behind my trade is also really interesting to learn.

“I’ve enjoyed every bit of my refrigeration training.

“My teacher has been great and has taught me a lot and the classroom environment has been really collaborative, so all of the apprentices learn from each other as well.”

TAFE Queensland Director of Trades (north region) Mark Patterson said the 2022 Cairns Trade Excellence Awards was now in its sixth year.

“Our annual awards night is a great opportunity to celebrate the dedication and success of the next generation of tradespeople and I’d like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners,” Mr Patterson said.

‍

Tom Toohey was awarded Refrigeration Apprentice of the Year Award at the TAFE Queensland 2022 Cairns Trade Excellence Awards. Photo: supplied

‍

A local food-lover who is also gluten and lactose intolerant has put her passion for cooking into a unique concept, designing a cookbook that is dedicated to delicious recipes for those living with specific dietary requirements.

Paula Hovey was diagnosed with Chron’s Disease three years ago and following a food intolerance test at Kissun Clinics, she discovered that she was allergic to gluten, wheat, lactose, tomato and tea.

Paula spent many years in discomfort and although she now has to adhere to a strict diet, she is much happier.

“Tomatoes were the hardest!” she laughed.

“I loved Italian food and have had to accept that I will never enjoy it again, but I am so grateful for my diagnosis because my life has changed so much – I can finally sleep through the night!”

When cooking at a local retreat, Paula was inspired and motivated by other attendees to follow her dreams and create her own cookbook, filling it with delicious recipes that she has tweaked and improved over the years to accommodate her diet.

“Going out to dinner can be hard work when you have intolerances,” said Paula.

“I am so proud to share this book with heaps of recipes that you will want to share with your family, that are enjoyable for all and easy to make.”

From popcorn chicken with bang bang sauce, slow cooked brisket and gooey brownie with home-made ice-cream – all 48 pages of recipes are winners.

Paula’s cookbook is entitled PJ’s Food Diary’s Gluten and Lactose Free – For Pains in the Arse Like Me!

She will be holding a launch party at Whisper Bar on Saturday 12th November at 12pm.

RSVP to 0412 948 813

‍

Paula Hovey launches her gluten and lactose free cookbook next month

Women looking for a career boost, a change of direction, first job or avenue for re-entering the workforce will soon be assisted by a dedicated program that offers free mentorship to rural ladies seeking career development.

LEAP WRQ (Leading Effective Action Program for Women in Regional Queensland) is an initiative that will commence in Bowen next week with its initial intake of 20 local women who have signed-up to the course.

The program is focussed on personal skills development and building confidence and capacity as part of a Career Personal Development Toolkit.

LEAP WRQ Co-Project Manager, Maree Franettovich said that a key focus of the program is not only on developing confidence capacity, but also to look at a variety of career pathways and particularly identifying local opportunities.

“There’s so much to offer in regional and rural communities and now with better quality training and study options available ‘online’, you don’t have to leave where you want to live to forge a career,” she explained.

During the course participants will learn skills such as resume writing, constructing a career plan, how to deliver an ‘elevator pitch’, interview with confidence and understand more about themselves through a personal strengths profile.

LEAP WRQ will run in a hybrid format commencing with the face-to-face workshop followed by online group sessions running from November to March.

Individual coaching sessions will provide further support for participants to implement their personal plans initiated at the workshop.

LEAP WRQ Co-Project Manager, Dr Pamela Greet, said the program will finish with a celebration event in Bowen, as it’s vital to celebrate success.

The initiative has been developed by Maree Franettovich, CareerForce Australia and Dr Pamela Greet, FutureAG Queensland.

It has been made possible with a National Careers Institute Partnership Grant – Career Opportunities and Pathways for Women.

Bowen Chamber of Commerce has partnered with CareerForce Australia, and has been instrumental in bringing LEAP WRQ to fruition.

LEAP WRQ will commence in Bowen on 18 October 2022 with a half-day workshop.

For more information contact: leap@careerforceaustralia.com.au

‍

LEAP WRQ Co-Project Managers Maree Franettovich and Pamela Greet

Two brothers riding postie bikes are halfway through their 10,000-kilometre round trip in the name of mental health awareness and charity.

Andrew and Michael Chapman arrived in Airlie Beach on Monday at the mid-point of their unassisted journey aboard a pair of Honda CT110 motorcycles.

Travelling from Melbourne to the tip of Cape York, the pair, who plan to drive the entire distance of mainland Australia, then back through central Australia, crossing the Simpson Desert before making their way back to Melbourne, are raising money for Black Dog Institute.

The brothers and Melbourne tradesmen decided on the “spur of the moment” to travel across the country in the name of something they were passionate about.

“It’s been amazing. The amount of people we’ve met, the support we’ve had, the generosity,” Andrew Chapman said.

“All of it has been an experience we’ll never forget – and we’re only halfway!”

Although they’ve never suffered with major mental health issues themselves, the pair have seen people close to them affected and knew their trip should have a mission: supporting Black Dog Institute.

The international charity organisation aims to create a world where mental health is treated with the same immediacy and seriousness as physical afflictions – a cause the boys are extremely proud to do their part for.

On their small motorcycles, which are slowly being phased out from use by Australia Post, having been in service from as early as the 1970s and with top speeds of 75 kilometres per hour, the brothers hug the shoulder of the road, stop by local pubs, camp under the stars, post updates on their social media, and meet people who are touched by their ‘Express Post’ mission.

“We’ve had people donate enormous funds, give us spare wheels, help us in any way they can, and we’ve heard their stories of struggling with mental health and how much our journey has even helped them,” Michael Chapman said.

“Seeing us ride up the road and how ridiculous we look has brightened up their day. Even today someone flagged us down having seen our signs. She thanked us, gave us cash, and was almost tearing up from how much a little thing like this meant to her.

“If we can do just one thing to save a life, it will all be worth it.”

Andrew and Michael have raised over $6,500 so far with a goal of $10,000.

You can donate and follow their journey at: https://www.teamblackdog.org.au/fundraisers/expresspost

‍

Michael and Andrew Chapman are travelling up the east coast to raise money for mental health