At our council meeting on August 24, Cr Martin Bella and I were proud to bring forward a Notified Motion, which saw Mackay Regional Council adopt a Councillor Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy.

The policy received unanimous support from all councillors present at the meeting. For me, there was no question about introducing a policy – if it’s good enough for our staff to participate in random drug and alcohol testing, then it should be good enough for councillors.

The objectives of the policy are to provide a safe, healthy and productive workplace, and it focuses on eliminating risks associated with the adverse effects of alcohol and other drugs in the workplace by:

• preventing, where possible, drug and alcohol related incidents

• ensuring that councillors adversely affected by substances do not create a negative perception of council

• ensuring councillors are in a fit state to undertake their official duties.

In doing research prior to the formulation of the policy, it appears Mackay Regional Council is one of only a handful of 77 councils throughout Queensland to take this step, and residents of our region have suggested to us that State and Federal government MPs should also hold themselves accountable and introduce policies.

Our residents deserve nothing less than full clarity from the leaders and decision makers of this region. If you see something about a councillor’s behaviour that leads you to think they are impaired by drugs or alcohol, report it to council.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Luke Bona from Triple M Night Shift about the policy and he was astounded that we were only just introducing it now. He, like a lot of people, thought that a staff Drug and Alcohol Policy would automatically cover elected officials. This is not the case, as we are not classed as employees.

It’s very simple. Where a councillor is not undertaking official duties, the policy does not apply.  However, councillors, as the primary representative of the council, are still required to comply with the “Code of Conduct for Councillors in Queensland” and any other legislative provisions.

Cr Fran Mann

Mackay Regional Council

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Established in the local community for over 18 years and with over 40 years of combined industry experience, you can count on Roy Powell Security to find the best security solution for you.

Roy Powell Security provides advice, installation and maintenance services for every aspect of security from your home, business and even vehicle.

Their services encompass security alarms, alarm monitoring services, CCTV, intercoms, boom gates, automatic gates, access control and many more, so you’ll rest easy knowing your premises are safe and secure.

“Our solutions can start from a basic home security system to a fully automated and customised solution,” said Roy Powell Security Office Manager Kelli Powell.

“Imagine hitting one button on an app on your phone that turns your alarm system off, your lights on and aircons on, knowing that you can walk in and your house is ready for you to be at home.”

Roy Powell Security can offer a certified data and fibre solution for your business as well.  

With the industry’s technology ever-evolving, Roy Powell Security strives to stay at the forefront with innovations including thermal cameras, intercom systems, key trackers, GPS trackers, solar camera/boom gates and facial recognition software.

The team at Roy Powell Security can advise you on the security system products to suit your home or business and strives to offer a cost-effective, professional service each time.

Find out which level of security best suits your needs and speak to their consultants today.

Call 07 4952 5334, email reception@roypowellseciruty.com.au or visit the team at 3/52 Margaret Vella Dr, Paget.

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The team at Roy Powell Security has more than 40 years’ experience in security services and is up-to-date with the latest systems to provide better, protective solutions to your home or business. Photo credit: Alyce Holzy

Raw Sugar prices

● Overview: Raw sugar futures suffered under the macroeconomic headwinds of global inflation and recessionary fears last week. The prompt Oct22 ICE 11 contract traded from a high of 18.52 USc/lb on Tuesday, down to a low of 17.89 USc/lb on Wednesday before closing the week at 18.15 USc/lb.

● Brazil: Brazilian petroleum giant, Petrobras, announced a further reduction of wholesale gasoline prices by 0.25 BRL/litre (7%) on Friday. The reduction comes as West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil traded to a two-week low and closed the week down 5% at $US88.30/barrel, driving ethanol parity sub-14 USc/lb equivalent. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has also stated that he will not reinstate taxes on gasoline if he is re-elected in October, indicating that sugar is unlikely to receive any strength from ethanol prices in the foreseeable future.

● India: The Indian monsoon continues to operate on two speeds, with both the Maharashtra and Karnataka states receiving well above average rainfall while the Uttar Pradesh state's cumulative rainfall is tracking well below average. However, the India Meteorological Department has stated it expects showers in September to provide some relief.

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A strong bio-economy will prove to be an important way to value-add to our already vibrant sugar industry, and to diversify the regional economy.

This week, we have seen Mackay region’s role in Queensland’s emerging bio-economy validated, with the staging of the Life Sciences Queensland Bioeconomy Forum held at Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre on Monday.

The forum brought together Queensland’s key stakeholders across industrial, agricultural and environmental biotechnology, in a program that included keynote presentations and panel discussions.  Some major players that were included in the event included Nick Hazell of v2food, a major player in plant-based protein production, and Ben van Delden, Head of AgriFood Tech and Circular Economy Advisory at KPMG Australia.

Visitors to the region were joined by State Government department representatives and regional industry leaders, including Mercurius Biorefining CEO Karl Seck, Mackay Sugar CEO Jannik Olejas, and GW3 CEO Kylie Porter.

The forum discussed approaches and technologies that support our growing local bio-based economy to meet global demand for more sustainable energy, processes and products.

It’s exciting stuff that tailors to the value-adding and diversification ideas contained in Sugar Plus, the sugar industry roadmap developed by key sugar industry organisations. But what does that really mean for growers? Ideas about value-adding have been mooted for years: how is now different?

Sometimes, great ideas have their moment, and now is that moment of critical mass for a bio-economy to emerge in the Mackay region. As the world looks for better, more sustainable solutions to energy, fibre and food, and sugarcane is at ground zero for that.

The crop already occupies a sizeable footprint not just here in Mackay but along Queensland’s coast, but Mackay has that perfect capacity of a strong sugarcane growing sector and an abundance of world-class engineering firms. Our small city has the space to develop a greenfields site for new processing and research facilities, and what is more, there is the will to make it happen across our industry and across the region’s economic and political leadership.

CANEGROWERS Mackay is committed to making sure that our members get a good deal in any emerging bio-economy, and that cane growers get a place at the table in any industry deals. It is not enough to have a top-down approach: if a premium industry is to develop in this then it is equally important that there is good benefit for the growers of the base material – sugarcane.

It is also essential that we have a voice in the emergence of our regional bio-economy, and to that end, CANEGROWERS Mackay CEO Kerry Latter takes a place at the discussion table, representing members at the Greater Whitsunday Biofutures Leaders Group and the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Agribusiness Future Alliance Project.

CANEGROWERS Mackay has plans to host an event for growers and bioeconomy players post-crush season.

We will continue to speak for the betterment of our growers.

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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

CANEGROWERS Mackay Chairman Kevin Borg with SRA District Manager - Central Dylan Wedel at the Life Sciences Queensland Bioeconomy Forum. Picture: Contributed

Plant-based protein has a growing presence in the market, sourced from plant stocks such as sugarcane or legumes. Mackay has been slated by the Queensland Government as a centre for development in this production space. Picture: courtesy CSIRO

From Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Ram Mereddy, Michael Brown and Paul Burt with CANEGROWERS Mackay CEO Kerry Latter and Chairman Kevin Borg at the LSQ Bioeconomy Forum. Picture: Contributed

Talking ahead of the forum, from left, GW3 CEO Kylie Porter, with Jarrah Steen GW3 decarbonisation project, CSIRO Main Sequence commercialisation and venture capital unit’s Phil Morle and Gabrielle Munzer. Picture Contributed

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Australia’s leading award to celebrate and acknowledge exceptional women from rural industries and communities is now open for applications.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said “The State Government proudly supports the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award and encourages women working on a project or business that is positively contributing to rural industries and great lifestyles in regional communities to apply.”

“Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Westpac, the Queensland winner of the Rural Women’s Award will receive a $15,000 grant to further their work and represent Queensland at the national awards where they have the chance to win an additional $20,000 grant,” Mr Furner said.

“Our new State sponsor, the University of Queensland, is providing a $2000 grant to Queensland’s finalists.

“For women who feel they are not quite ready to apply for the Award, the Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant provides a bursary of up to $7000 for professional development.

“Applications for the 2023 awards close at 10pm AEST Wednesday 19 October 2022 and I encourage emerging female leaders who want to innovate and make a difference to rural and regional Australia to apply for the Award.”

Managing Director of AgriFutures Australia John Harvey said the Award empowered and celebrated the inclusive and courageous leadership of women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses, and communities, now and into the future.

“The Award provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities, and can open doors to professional development and Alumni networks,” Mr Harvey said.

Westpac Regional General Manager Queensland Peta Ward said the Award played a significant role in acknowledging the change makers in our rural industries and communities.

“The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is an important platform to shine a light on innovative women like Queensland’s 2022 winner, pioneering child health nurse Rebecca Bradshaw,” Ms Ward said.

“Rebecca truly exemplifies the rural and regional women whose leadership today is going to continue to make a difference to the lives and families in our rural communities for years to come.

“It truly is inspiring to be able to recognise the work of women who are responding to some of the biggest industry and community challenges being faced by many of us.”

More information about the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is available at www.agrifutures.com.au/people-leadership/rural-womens-award.

Information about the Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant is available at www.agrifutures.com.au/people-leadership/acceleration-grant.

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2022 Queensland AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Winner Rebecca Bradshaw. Photo credit: Jessica Howard

Year 6 Walkerston State School students were drawn to the magnetic attraction of one of Queensland’s best island vacation spots for their school camp earlier this month.

On Magnetic Island off the coast of Townsville, the Walkerston students combined learning with epic fun, from life skill learning such as building shelter and rafts and fishing, to overcoming fears with abseiling and kayaking.

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Photo source: Walkerston State School

Speaking in public is something many of us fear, but Miley Weller from Walkerston State School is showing there’s nothing to be scared about.

The student took out the Pioneer Valley Primary Schools' Public Speaking Competition in its 16th year.

The competition was initiated by the Rotary Club of Walkerston in 2007 and remains a hotly contested event.

The Rotary Club of Walkerston conveyed their congratulations to Miley and the other participants.

“Getting out there in front of an audience and speaking so well is undoubtedly not an easy task,” a club spokesperson said.

“Congratulations also to each student's support crew of teachers, parents and families.

“Brilliant presentations!”

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Photo source: Rotary Club of Walkerston

We were always taught in school PE to warm up and cool down before and after exercise but it is easy to fall into the habit of skipping these routines. Going through a complete warm up and cool down is a simple way for athletes to maximize their athletic performance and reduce the likelihood of injury and soreness. Pre and post workout exercises play a crucial role in preparing the body for activity and assisting in full recovery.

Warming up is the process of increasing blood flow to the muscles that are to be engaged in the planned exercise. Heightened blood flow to muscles means an increase in oxygen delivery to tissues and the removal of carbon dioxide, a harmful toxin for muscle performance.

Before exercising, do about five to 10 minutes of light aerobic exercise to loosen up your muscles. This could include walking briskly, marching, jogging slowly, or cycling on a stationary bike. Make sure you don't rush your warmup. Dynamic stretches like walking lunges, jumping jacks or opposite toe touches are good ways to stretch the muscles as well.

On the back end of a workout, cooling down can be extremely beneficial for maximizing athletic performance and speeding up recovery. Cooling down is an important step in helping an athlete’s muscles clear lactate and other waste, while loosening tight muscles.

A cool down will usually include gentler cardiovascular exercises and stretching movements, which will help the body dispose of any harmful toxins that can cause muscle aches and stiffness. The main goal of a cool down is to slowly decrease the body temperature, lower an athlete’s heart rate and reduce injury. If athletes choose not to participate in a cool down, they are more susceptible to blood build up in their veins and soreness the next day. A light jog or walk is a simple way to wind down the body after exercising, but stretching can address the particular muscles you want to cool down. Stretches such as upper body stretching, seated forward bend hamstring stretch, standing quad stretch and lunging calf stretch can help you avoid the dreaded soreness the next day.

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It was a race night like no other to raise money for a local charity making a difference.

Mackay Riding for the Disabled held a Race Night called Riding for a Cause. It had all of your race-favourite activities including Fashions on the Field and betting, but with a difference.

The sell-out audience who attended the inaugural event last Friday at the Metropolitan Hotel, were entertained by an array of activities, including fashions on the field, mystery balloon pop and a trivia quiz. It was also an opportunity for the charity to share the story about the magnificent horses at the centre of its organisation and what they bring to the participants life, which is hope and joy. Punters bid on races with funny money watching faux races on a television screen, with as much exuberance and enthusiasm as the real deal.

Riding for the Disabled makes a huge difference to the lives of children and adults living with intellectual, physical, sensory and learning disabilities.

Mackay Riding for the Disabled was recently awarded the Centre for Excellence among its national group of Riding for the Disabled organisations.

Proceeds from the fundraising night were donated to Mackay Riding for the Disabled.

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The inaugural Riding for a Cause Race Night was a sold-out event held at the Metropolitan Hotel on 9 September

When arthritis threatens to immobilize you, exercise keeps you moving.

Exercise is crucial for people with painful joint conditions. It increases strength and flexibility and it can reduce pain.

Understandably, once you are suffering from stiff joints, the thought of moving might be overwhelming. But you don’t need to do strenuous exercise to get results. Even mild movements can help to reduce pain while also helping you to maintain your overall health.

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, but all are painful and can lead to joint deformity and a loss of function if not managed.

Top Tip – Try Pilates

Pilates is a great form of exercise for arthritis patients who shy away from exercise, which they feel they cannot do. Pilates is gentle; it does not stress your joints or add burden to ligaments and cartilage that surround the joints.

The Arthritis Foundation says exercise is one of the best ways to keep joints healthy in the first place. As little as 30 minutes of exercise five times a week helps joints stay limber and strengthens the muscles that support and stabilize your hips and knees.

Top Tip – Try Strength Training

These exercises help you build strong muscles that help support and protect your joints. Rest a day between your workouts, and take an extra day or two if your joints are painful or swollen.

Walking, gardening – even scrubbing floors – count. But the greatest results come with a consistent and progressive exercise program adjusted for your age, fitness level and the activities you enjoy most.

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Top Tip – Try Yoga

Yin yoga is good option if your goal is to reduce chronic arthritis pain by reducing stress, muscle tension, and anxiety in the body. This type of yoga focuses on matching breath to movement during a flowing sequence of poses.

No matter what type of exercise you choose, listen to your body. If you have pain after a workout that persists more than an hour or two, do less next time and take more breaks.

To avoid injury, go slow until you know how your body reacts to a new activity and don't repeat the same exercise every day.

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Since April, Jacob Nicholls has been guiding Mackay and Whitsundays listeners through their mornings with infectious energy and positivity on hit100.3 Mackay.

Jacob has joined the team as Announcer & Operations Manager and is loving every minute of it.

“I’m very lucky to do something that I genuinely love doing every day for a job,” he said.

“It’s pretty surreal to be here.”

Growing up in Brisbane, Jacob started in radio about four years ago after calling his local station Bay FM in the Brisbane bayside suburb of Thornlands.

“I basically called the local community radio station and thought, ‘I reckon I’d be ok at that,’” he said.

After eight weeks of training, Jacob secured an on-air role and volunteered at the station for about three years while studying and working part-time.

“I really didn’t know what sort of career path I wanted to take so I was sort of filling in time for a while to make a bit more of an educated decision,” he said.

Paid opportunities in the industry were rare thanks to the pandemic but Jacob eventually joined the Street Team with B105 and Triple M in Brisbane, working there for nearly 12 months when he was told by multiple people that there was a job going in Mackay that he’d be well suited for.

He applied and was stoked to learn he got the job, moving up from Brisbane within nine days of learning the news.

Jacob says he’s found Mackay to be a friendly town where people are always up for a chat.

“It’s just been the good community feel, it sort of reminds me of a big country town,” he said.

“I really want to do a bit more exploring around town and make the most of it here, because we’re just lucky to live in north Queensland.”

As Announcer & Operations Manager, Jacob is on-air from 9AM to midday daily and spends his afternoons preparing for the rest of the week, saying every day is different.

“A lot of my morning is taken up trying to bring some positive energy to the people of Mackay and The Whitsundays,” he said.

“I always think that energy is infectious so if you’re upbeat and positive and happy and spreading those sort of vibes, the aim is to hope that it translates to the listeners as well and at least make their day slightly brighter than what it was when they woke up in the morning.”

Jacob Nicholls started on the air with hit100.3 Mackay in April

The Mackay community fired up for the recent 30-year celebration of Flagon and Dragon, the region’s bi-annual fundraising luncheon which aims to better the lives of sick and disabled children.

Dressed in ornate oriental patterns with a Chinese theme, the Flagon and Dragon fundraising lunch held at the Manta Marquee on July 15 raised an impressive $210,000 for local charities. Now, the Flagon and Dragon committee are calling on local charities to apply for the grants.

Groups and organisations who are dedicated to the health, well-being and future of Mackay’s local children are urged to apply. Applications outlining the purpose of the donation requests and the beneficiaries of the money donated will be taken into consideration and viewed by the Flagon and Dragon committee.

The recipients of the last Flagon and Dragon grants include Mackay Hospital Foundation, All Abilities Mackay, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the Children’s Ward at the Mackay Mater Hospital.

Eligible applications will need to meet the following criteria:

• Funds will be used for medical health-related equipment / resources / activities primarily for children or young people

• Those children or young people live within the Mackay & surrounding district

• Equipment and/or services must benefit a large number of children or young people (Funding not available for equipment/resources for individuals)

• Where appropriate, details of equipment to be purchased and a minimum of two (2) quotes must be provided (if such equipment can only be sourced through one agency, please clarify)

• Resources or equipment are not otherwise available to children or young people in the Mackay & surrounding district

• Provision of these resources or equipment will serve to enable children or young people to remain in their own environment with family close by

• Provision of these resources/ equipment will provide an immediate & lasting benefit to children & young people in the Mackay & surrounding district.

Images from the 2022 Flagon & Dragon Fundraising Luncheon

As we rapidly approach the peak of magpie season, Mackay Regional Council is reminding residents that we share our parklands and reserves with many native bird species, including a small number that display aggressive behaviour at nesting time.

A study has shown that only nine per cent of magpies are aggressive towards people and this small proportion of magpies usually swoop between July and November.

Earlier this month, a five-year-old attending a birthday party in Mulherin Park was swooped upon by a magpie causing scratches to her face and head, highlighting the importance of magpie awareness.

A magpie will usually only defend the area within 110m to 150m of its nest, called its ‘defence zone’.

Some top tips for staying safe while outdoors include:

• wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses or shelter under an umbrella to protect your face from swooping magpies (painting or sticking large ‘eyes’ on the back of your hat can also deter magpies—but this won’t work for cyclists)

• if a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will probably stop swooping if you get off your bike and walk

• avoid “defence zones” by taking alternative routes during the breeding season

• if you must enter a “defence zone”, magpies will be less likely to swoop if they are watched constantly, or if people walk in a close group

• waving sticks or umbrellas in the air or attaching a brightly coloured flag on a long pole to your bicycle can stop magpies from swooping.

Magpies are only defending their families, so make sure to be magpie-friendly and don’t fight back.

Throwing sticks and stones or yelling at a magpie are likely to make it more aggressive next time anyone enters the defence zone around their nest.

Residents are encouraged to report any concerns they have about swooping birds in council parks or reserves so that council can provide information on how to avoid being swooped and look to place warning signs in the location.

There is also a community-run website, www.magpiealert.com, where residents can provide and receive alerts about swooping magpies Australia-wide that’s well worth checking out.

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A 19-year-old Mirani man died following a two-vehicle crash in Marian last week on September 10.

Police reported that preliminary information indicates a truck and motorbike were travelling on Marian Eton Road at approximately 8am when a collision occurred. The rider was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The truck driver was physically unharmed. Police added that the Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

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Can You Help Police With This Calen Crash?

Also on September 10 police and emergency services were called to a single vehicle crash on Buthurra Station Road near Calen.

The single occupant, a 45-year-old man from Mount Ossa, of the Hilux Utility was trapped and emergency services had to work hard to remove him from the vehicle.

Once he was extricated from the crash he was transported to hospital.

Investigations are ongoing as to the cause of the crash.

If you have any information that will help with the investigation, please quote QP2201558077 when talking to police.

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A ute was involved in a single vehicle crash near Calen on September 10

A couple relocating to Mackay from New Orleans has enlisted the assistance of American reality TV series House Hunters International to find their perfect Mackay home.

Filming for the episode took place throughout the region earlier in the month, showing audiences the sights of Mackay.

In each episode of House Hunters International, individuals, couples or families who are relocating to a new country search for their new home with the assistance of a local real estate agent.

Buyers are shown three homes in their new location and are tasked with picking the one that suits their needs best.

The New Orleans couple, who have relocated for a job at Mackay Mater Hospital, were shown houses in South Mackay, Sarina and Slade Point.

Filming also took place at Cape Hillsborough National Park, Reg Dog Brewery, 9th Lane Grind, the sugar cane fields, Marina Harbour Breakwater and the Mackay Region sign at the south entrance of the city, showing international audiences what makes our region great.

Mackay Isaac Tourism (MIT) assisted producers by providing recommendations on beautiful locations within the region and members they could work with.

The MIT team says one of the many perks of being a member of Mackay Isaac Tourism, as Reg Dog Brewery and 9th Lane Grind are, is that they always push for members to feature in any media opportunities that will help showcase the destination as a place to visit.

If you would like more information on how to get involved in future opportunities, contact MIT Tourism Development Manager Andrea on developments@mackayregion.com.

The episode of House Hunters International will be aired in America in about three weeks and in Australia a year from now.

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American reality TV series House Hunters International filmed an episode in Mackay earlier this month, showcasing the natural beauty of the region

Local businesses were also given the spotlight including Red Dog Brewery and 9th Lane Grind. Photos supplied: Mackay Isaac Tourism