A fundraising breakfast has opened a platform for men across the region to express themselves in art, with the theme of celebrating positive role models.

Shed Happens Mackay, sponsored by DGH Engineering, celebrated International Men’s Day (IMD) last year (IMD21) with a fundraising breakfast. This year, as part of the IMD22 celebrations, Shed Happens have facilitated an Art Show in partnership with the Mackay Art Society, and entries close on August 1.

The first pillar of IMD is ‘Celebrating positive male role models’, and this is the theme for artists to create their works.

Shed Happens convenor Frank Cowell said, “We are calling on any local and emerging artists to submit their entries for this exciting art show.

“The entry form can be found at the SHED Happens Mackay Facebook Page, and there is an entry fee of $10.00 per artwork submitted, with a limit of two pieces per person.”

There are four sections, each with prize money for the winners, with second and third prizes in three of the sections.

The artworks will be on display during August at the Mackay Art Society, Snow Wright Court, Beaconsfield, and the finalists works will be displayed at the Mackay Botanic Gardens Lagoons Café Gallery throughout September.

For more information, contact Frank Cowell on 0434 908 968 or man@dfcowell.net

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When Mackay people gather for weekend barbies with friends and chat about the issues of the day, the conversation invariably leads to a discussion about the best-looking real estate agents in town.

While opinions vary on different agents, I am consistently named in the Top 98 Best-Looking Agents in Mackay.

Some say that, considering my competition, Number 98 is not that great and others point out that numbers 99 and 100 are absolute shockers.

The truth is I have to put a lot of effort into maintaining my standing in the Top 98 and I am far from complacent about my position on the good-looking list.

Diet and exercise are important and my preferred form of physical activity is running.

I like to run in the morning and, while I prefer to do so in daylight, sometimes I wake up during the night, toss and turn for a while and decide to go for a run and go back to bed for a bit more sleep after the run.

I live in West Mackay near Nebo Road, which is beautifully lit up at night so it is a fantastic night-time running track.

The other night I woke up about 3am and couldn’t get back to sleep so I grabbed the dog and we went for a run.

The first thing you notice about Nebo Road at that time of day is how quiet it is now that we have a Ring Road. No more trucks and other vehicles powering their way through the city. The road is now eerily peaceful late at night.

The second thing I noticed as I ran along the footpath was the No Vacancy signs on all the motels. Not one vacancy in all the motels on Nebo Road.

I remember when the real estate downturn kicked in around 2013 that one of the things we noticed was that all the Nebo Road motels had Vacancy signs. The mine workers had stopped coming, business travellers no longer had prospects in Mackay and the motel rooms were empty.

“Vacancy” was a sign of the times.

The question now is whether “No Vacancy” is going to be a continuing sign of these different times.

For all the national media talk about inflation, interest rates, economic pain and housing downturns, the motel rooms are full on Nebo Road, unemployment is virtually non-existent in Mackay, residential rental vacancies are under 1 per cent and business is good.

Two of my properties had more than 30 groups of buyers at open homes in July and inquiries continue to be strong, another good sign of the times.

If our resources sector continues to do well, Mackay might avoid the downturn that is closing in on southern states. Economic pain in the south might lead to a migration to Mackay of people looking for work.

A thriving coal sector is the key as it will drive the rest of our economy. I’ll be keeping an eye on the No Vacancy signs on Nebo Road.

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It is hard to escape the continual blandishments of those behind the microphone, regarding “the jobs and industries of the future”.

They wax lyrical in their calls for funding to be directed to facilitate this.

They forget that the jobs and industries of the “here and now” are the ones feeding, clothing, and providing us with the time and wealth to be concerned with the future, rather than where the next meal is and where we sleep tonight.

These current jobs and industries are essential.

Many are derided as “unskilled” or “menial”. This is disrespect on a grand scale. It is a display of how out of touch the individual using the term is. I challenge anyone that has not used a shovel to keep up with an “unskilled” labourer for much more than a handful of moments. Try keeping up with someone who has worked in retail or hospitality for a shift or two.

In hard times, such as we now face, it is not the “jobs and industries of the future” that will get us through. It is the here and now. Our traditional and current industries and jobs will provide us with the means to stay afloat and will be a bridge to the future.

The future gazers are often remarkably unaware of the technological advances, innovations, and efficiencies, that have, and continue to evolve in traditional industries.

Ultimately however, technology will never completely remove the need for people whom are willing to get their hands dirty.

Leaders cannot succeed without supporters and despite what seems to be the popular view, not everyone can be a leader. Is it any less important to be simply a member of an effective team? I do not believe so. While challenging yourself one must know there are limits to everyone’s ability. Targets that are way too high and thus never attainable are often a source of personal dissatisfaction. Thus, challenges must be paired with realism.

So, to all those who work in our traditional industries and jobs, to all those members of effective teams, cherish the rough hands, the blisters, the sweat. Feel proud that you have skills that those in suits will never have. Understand that while you are not the bright shiny paint job, you are the rubber tyres of the vehicle that our community relies upon to travel toward the much vaunted future.

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Australian Church Women will celebrate our annual Fellowship Day Service on Friday 29th July at St Paul’s Uniting Church, Macalister Street, Mackay at 10 am.

Australian Church Women seeks to unite Christian women across denominational boundaries and to promote peace, understanding and unity through faith and love in one God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The theme for our Service is “Renewal through Trust”. It is more important than ever to trust in the One who gives us the peace and joy that only God can give us as we continue our journey in this life, and to renew our faith knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ is there to unconditionally support, guide and love each one of us as we face the trials and tribulations, as well as the joy and happiness that each day brings.

The offerings presented at the Service go to the Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is offered to Christian women to help with training and further studies in theology or related fields. The Guest Preacher will be the Rev. Dr. Geraldine Wheeler; she was ordained at the Iona West Presbyterian Church Mackay in 1976.

Please join us as we give thanks and praise to God and pray that we may, through the renewal of our faith, bring joy, peace and love to our world.

Anne Jennings – Mackay Unit - Australian Church Women

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Local inclusive arts company Crossroad Arts will continue development of a new touring theatre show thanks to national funding from the Office of Arts.

‘Breathe In’ is a contemporary multimedia performance piece featuring Melbourne-based Georgia Cranko and Crossroad Arts’ Artist in Residence Brenden Borellini.

Both Ms Cranko and Mr Borellini use alternative forms of communication – i.e. text to speech and braille to text technology as well as hand signing – and Ms Cranko says the piece offers a unique opportunity.

“As a nonverbal Disabled Artist, with a unique and underrepresented voice, these themes are pertinent to my everyday existence,” she said.

“The piece will expose and embrace the nonlinearity of communicating and listening, of moving and feeling.

“I’m excited to continue the development of this important piece of theatre.”

Over the next two weeks, Ms Cranko and Mr Borellini will be collaborating in Mackay with Crossroad Arts' Artistic Associate Autumn Skuthorpe and Artistic Director Alison Richardson as well as Sydney-based musician Daniel Holdsworth to create the show ready for Mackay Festival of the Arts in 2023.

The unique production will then be tour-ready for presentation at other national festivals and venues after its Mackay premiere.

Ms Richardson says it’s important to reflect and embrace the diversity of society on the stage and screen.

“It is exciting to be working alongside two non-verbal and two verbal performers to challenge the status quo and create a piece of theatre that will give an insight into these artists’ daily task of just surviving in what can be, at times, an unforgiving and inaccessible world,” she said.

At the end of this exciting two-week development, there will be a free ‘work in progress’ showing open to the community.

For further information on ‘Breathe In’ check out www.crossroadarts.com.au or like Crossroad Arts on Facebook for up-to-date news on upcoming community projects and events.

WHAT: Breathe In – A Work In Progress

WHEN: Sunday, July 31, 3:00pm to 4:30pm

WHERE: Senior Citizens Hall, 58 MacAlister Street, Mackay

RSVP: admin@crossroadarts.com.au / 4953 5122 / 0400 832 626 (text) or via the National Relay Service

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Crossroad Arts Ambassador Brenden Borellini and artist Georgia Cranko performing at An Unconventional Tour, 2019. Photo credit: Celese Heward

It’s going to be a busy one.

I thought last weekend was busy and I was right. The Cutters, Meteors, Meteorettes, and Crusaders were all playing alongside the entertainment at Queens Park for our Festival of Arts.

This weekend is set to be just as much fun; I’m looking forward to spending it with the family this weekend.

If you want to put a smile on your face and get your body moving, come and join myself and the Mayor of Mackay, Greg Williamson, for some line dancing entertainment at Mt P. It is getting us ready for all the dancing that will be on at the showgrounds in a few weeks for NQ’s Rockin Country, which I will be your MC for all weekend.

Then on Sunday heaps of us are heading to Iluka Park for the Beach to Gardens Fun Run. I mean when they said a fun run, I was in. Sign me up! Then I realised I said yes to the half marathon distance again. That’s 21km (about twice the cruising altitude of a commercial jet) of running if you are unaware.

I ran the same distance only a few weeks ago when my sister was up from Sydney. She had never run a road race of the same distance so she thought it was great. This Sunday I will be running along the Bluewater Trail to the Botanic Gardens and then back again.

I know there are shorter distances to try, so give it a go. All money raised will help our local RACQ CQ Rescue chopper service to save lives around Mackay and the Whitsundays. It is just another way we can all give back to our community.

Oh, before I get ready for the radio show, I want to say thanks to the Flagon and Dragon fundraising crew for all they did last week at the Mackay Harbour with their huge Friday fundraiser. Well done. The concept has celebrated 30 years of continued service to help kids in our region lead better and healthier lives.

To every person who donated cash, bought a raffle ticket or just went along to this amazing event thank you. You are all champions in my eyes.

Now to lace the joggers...wish me luck.

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

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Queensland beekeepers can now use a new form on a survey app to help keep the destructive varroa mite (Varroa destructor) out of Queensland.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said using the Bee 123 form on the Survey 123 app would play an important role in the fight to keep varroa mite out of Queensland.

“Even if suspect mites are not found, information from the Bee 123 form will be used to understand the number and health of beehives in Queensland, and to demonstrate the state remains free of the pest,” Mr Furner said.

“The recent detection of varroa mites in New South Wales highlights the need for increased vigilance to protect Queensland’s beehives, the honeybee industry and the crops they pollinate.

“Although the Varroa destructor species is not established in Australia, we cannot be complacent and early detection is essential to ensure any varroa mites entering Australia are contained.

“That is why we have restricted the movement of bees, beehives and other varroa mite carriers from New South Wales into Queensland and I urge beekeepers to download the Survey 123 app and use the Bee 123 form which will help make reporting checks of their hives easy and efficient.”

Mr Furner also urged beekeepers to register as a Biosecurity Entity with Biosecurity Queensland.

“Being registered means you can quickly receive urgent information in the event of a biosecurity emergency, so please take the time to register with Biosecurity Queensland,” he said.

Mr Furner said there were three simple and effective ways that beekeepers could conduct their own varroa mite surveillance.

“Biosecurity Queensland recommends alcohol wash as the most effective method to detect mites in hives, but the sugar shake and drone uncapping methods can also be used,” Mr Furner said.

“Details of all three methods are available online and all beekeepers should monitor their hives and report the results to Biosecurity Queensland.

“As varroa mite has the potential to severely affect honey production and a wide range of pollination-reliant food crops and crops that support primary food production, beekeepers have both a legal and social responsibility to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risk of varroa mite entering and establishing in Queensland.

“Regular surveillance and reporting through the Bee123 form, which is available through the Survey 123 app on the Apple App Store, and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website and ehub, will be crucial to keeping Queensland free of varroa mite and protecting our vital agribusinesses.”

Apiarists who suspect a case of varroa mite should call Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or email info@daf.qld.gov.au.

Detailed information on how to check hives and report results can be found at daf.qld.gov.au/varroa and daf.engagementhub.com.au/varroa-mite.

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Photo credit: Biosecurity Queensland

Five trees have been poisoned at Hay Point, with soil samples linking the vandalism to a similar occurrence in 2020.

Council officers discovered the trees on the foreshore area in McCarthy Street in April.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the soil sample tested positive for Metsulfuron methyl.

“This is the same herbicide that was used in 2020 to kill a number of trees in this area,” he said.

“It is extremely disappointing because these plants protect beachfront properties from coastal erosion.

“They also provide habitat for native animals.

“As a result, we will be replanting 15 plants in place of the five that have been destroyed.

“The large billboard sign that was installed in this area in 2020 will also remain in place for a further five years – until 2027.”

The five trees that were destroyed included young she-oaks, pandanus and mature octopus bush.

Anyone with evidence or information relating to this act of vegetation vandalism is encouraged to contact council’s Health and Regulatory team on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

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The vegetation vandalism sign at Hay Point will remain in place for a further five years

Woodlands Reserve in Andergrove will be the focus of this year’s National Tree Day in Mackay, with Mackay Regional Council calling for volunteers to pull out their green thumbs.

This year’s event will be held on Sunday, July 31, from 8.30am to 12.30pm at Ficus Crescent, Andergrove.

This site has strong community interest, and the tree planting event will help to enhance the natural areas of reserve and will complement the upcoming Woodlands District Park project.

Council is aiming to plant up to 1300 plants at National Tree Day.

Get your hands dirty for a good cause by registering as a volunteer for National Tree Day at treeday.planetark.org/site/10026765.

Please wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and bring a water bottle. If you have your own gloves and gardening equipment, please bring them along. A free barbecue will be provided to everyone who participates in this event.

Registrations close at 5pm on Thursday, July 28.

School’s Tree Day will be held at a different location this year. Students will be revegetating the area beside the 2021 School’s Tree Day site on the Bluewater Trail, east of the Ron Camm Bridge.

School’s Tree Day will be held on Friday, July 29, and council is aiming to plant 700 plants as part of this event.

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Mayor Greg Williamson with volunteers from Swayneville State School at the 2021 School’s Tree Day event in Mackay

Woodlands site map for National Tree Day

Two outstanding James Cook University (JCU) marine science students have been awarded Bachelor of Science scholarships – equipping them with unique real-world experience on the Great Barrier Reef under the guidance of leading marine researchers.

Jordan Wells and Indus Fisher will receive financial support throughout each year of their degree, in addition to the chance to work alongside researchers and port industry managers, thanks to a partnership between JCU and North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP).

JCU’s Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) Principal Researcher Dr Nathan Waltham said the scholarship would be invaluable for the budding marine scientists.

“Every year Jordan and Indus will have financial support, plus get hands-on experience in understanding how environmental science can tackle real marine industry issues,” he said.

“Marine science can be a very competitive field and this scholarship gives these promising students valuable real-world experiences, beyond just the classroom.”

Indus Fisher, who relocated to Townsville from Mackay, said he had grown up in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and loved the marine environment from a young age.

“With a hope to help protect this beautiful ecosystem, I couldn't think of a better place to learn the knowledge and skills to do so than at the world's leading university in marine science,” he said.

“Thanks to the generosity of North Queensland Bulk Ports and JCU TropWATER, this financial burden has been greatly reduced, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and achieve the very best possible results I can.

“The real opportunity lies in the industry connections, placement possibilities, and real-world experience this fantastic partnership makes available to us."

The two students will join last year’s scholarship recipient, Amy Cantrill, and intern students who will complete placement in the environmental team at NQBP. Together, the student programs are building the next generation of marine scientists to be job ready.

NQBP CEO Nicolas Fertin said the port authority is proud to provide university students realworld experience in port environmental management.

“With JCU, we have created one of Australia’s most comprehensive port marine ambient monitoring programs while training the next generation of industry and job-ready science graduates,” Mr Fertin said.

“The marine environment is central in our everyday planning and port operations. Informed environmental management ensures trade keeps flowing to service the Queensland economy.”

The scholarship program is part of NQBP’s broader five-year partnership with JCU, where researchers monitor the local marine environment surrounding four ports.

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Indus Fisher, Amy Cantrill and Jordan Wells

JCU’s TropWATER Principal Researcher Dr Nathan Waltham and JCU student Indus Fisher

Fishers across the region won’t be losing vehicle access to a popular Pioneer River fishing spot, after the decision was made at last week’s council meeting to maintain access to East Point.

The decision is a temporary one however and the current access track will close for environmental and safety reasons.

Working with the developer of the Dunes Estate development, Mackay Regional Council and the developer agreed on a solution to maintain vehicle access to the popular recreation and fishing area with a temporary solution.

An area immediately adjacent to the first stage of the development will be closed to vehicular traffic to allow the developer to revegetate the foreshore reserve.

Access to East Point will be maintained in the first instance via a track off Dunes Boulevard, past the first stage, which will link up with the existing track to East Point.

The temporary measure is in place while council works on a more long-term solution by providing a gravel road along the Road Reserve through The Dunes development site.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council officers had initially recommended vehicular access to East Point be closed to enable the revegetation, a State Government condition, to be undertaken.

But he said the original report was “laid on the table” to enable investigation of other potential options.

“Council has a duty of care as Trustee of the Environmental Reserve, but also acknowledges the existing vehicle track is popular with anglers accessing East Point and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts.

“This informal access has been in place for many decades.”

Mayor Williamson acknowledged developers of The Dunes for working proactively with council in looking for a solution and the work of council officers.

Mayor Williamson said the side track branching off at the end of the current Dunes Boulevard Road was only a temporary measure.

“Council’s preferred option is to build a formed gravel road on the Road Reserve of the development.

“This will get vehicles off the Environmental Reserve on the foreshore. Council is a trustee of that reserve.

“But this will take some time as there are issues, including cultural heritage consultation, to be addressed.

“It would only be a gravel road at this stage as the alignment of the Road Reserve may change in future stages of that development.

“Eventually, as the development progresses, there will be a bitumen road all the way to East Point.”

Mayor Williamson said closing the section of the track in front of the development would also help ease safety concerns.

“Residents of that first stage have moved into their new homes and there is a safety risk with them accessing the beach on foot and vehicles using the track,” he said.

Map showing the new East Point access road

Federal and State representatives of the LNP have raised and moved motions backing regional and rural communities at the LNP State Conference earlier this month.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry, Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Member for Burdekin Dale Last moved motions backing rural health facilities in Moranbah, emergency repairs of the Bruce Highway and Peak Downs Highway as well as the upgrade to Phillips Creek Bridge.

Motions covered the following requests.

● This Convention of the LNP calls on a future LNP State Government to urgently bring forward the $54 million in funding allocated to construct a new hospital in Moranbah.

● This Convention of the LNP calls on the State and Federal Government to urgently fund and undertake emergency repairs of the Bruce Highway between Gympie and Townsville and the Peak Downs Highway.

● This Convention of the LNP calls on the State and Federal Government to deliver $18 million to upgrade Phillips Creek Bridge.

The trio is also concerned about what they described as a ‘negative impact’ of the state government’s Reef Regulations on farmers.

Ms Landry said the LNP understands regional communities.

“My colleagues, Andrew Willcox in the federal electorate of Dawson and Dale Last in the state seat of Burdekin, have joined with me in calling for urgent action to provide better health care and fix existing infrastructure in our electorates,” Ms Landry said.

“I’d like to invite some of the Brisbane based members in the Labor Party who are used to driving on the gilded roads in the southeast corner to travel on some of these roads out west in Capricornia and see how bad the road conditions really are.

“While coal royalties from our region pay for their way of life in Brisbane, they need to listen to what the communities in rural areas need,” Ms Landry said.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said the state and federal LNP and Liberal-National teams must continue to advocate for the agricultural sector, which is so important in the federal seats of Capricornia and Dawson, and the state seat of Burdekin.

“Telecommunications services, or the lack of, is another concern for our electorates, which is why we pushed motions through the state conference calling for action on these issues,” Mr Willcox said.

“The three of us understand the frustration of encountering yet another phone blackspot as we travel through our electorates.

“We know how hard it must be for business and industry leaders to develop new economic opportunities in our electorates when they cannot even have a proper phone call,” Mr Willcox said.

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Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry (centre) with Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox (right) with National Party Leader MP David Littleproud at the LNP State Conference. Photo credit: The office of Michelle Landry

With DonateLife Week coming up, Bernie Scott and Maree Martin are urging people to consider registering as organ donors.

DonateLife Week, happening from July 24 to 31, plays a vital role in encouraging more Australians to register to be an organ and tissue donor, with over 108,000 new registrations recorded on the Australian Organ Donor Register in 2021.

Both Mr Scott and Ms Martin became DonateLife advocates after receiving life-changing double lung transplants.

“In a moment of tears and crying and ‘I’m still alive,’ was, ‘okay, what do I do now to pay back,’” said Ms Martin.

Mr Scott says the benefits of more people registering include more availability of organs resulting in expansion of facilities and more training and research into organ transplantation.

“We’ve got some world-leading people in Australia in terms of transplants, in both the surgery but also in research,” he said.

“There’s a lot of different feelings out there about the process.

“The ultimate outcome, despite all the feelings around it, is that it saves lives.

“I came out of that hospital after a two-week period and I hadn’t felt that good in years.

"I would like to see as many people as possible do this because they never know who they’re going to be helping – it could be your own family.”

While the majority of Australians support organ and tissue donation, only 36% are registered to be a donor.

There are currently around 1,750 Australians on the waitlist for an organ transplant with an additional 13,000 people on dialysis, some in need of a kidney transplant.

“Everyone’s in the same boat – it doesn’t really matter who you are or what you do or your place in society, it comes down to who’s got the greater need at the time, and again this is what underscores the need for more donors,” said Mr Scott.

Ms Martin says there is a common misconception that people with illness and of advanced age are precluded from being a donor.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re 17 or 97, still sign up,” she said.

“Even though you think you’re old, there’s parts of you that are still quite great.”

After DonateLife Week, Mr Scott and Ms Martin’s focus will turn to DonateLife Day, happening at the Mackay Turf Club on September 6.

Visit www.donatelife.gov.au to find out more and to register and make sure to inform your family of your wishes.

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Bernie Scott and Maree Martin became DonateLife advocates after receiving life-changing double lung transplants

Community groups from across Queensland are being encouraged to apply for a share in $100,000 of funding, with applications now open for the 2022 Queensland Country Good for Good Community Grants.

The Good for Good Community Grants aims to support a diverse range of community projects across the sectors of arts, cultural, sport, health, education, recreation and sustainability, with grants of between $5,000 and $30,000 available for eligible community groups.

Mackay Netball Association were awarded a 2020 Good for Good Community Grant to purchase a new ice machine, which Secretary, Jenny Moohin says has provided numerous cost-saving benefits for the club.

“Thanks to the Good for Good Community Grants, we’re no longer purchasing bags of ice to use on injuries or to service the courtside canteen,” says Ms Moohin.

“The ice machine has been crucial for our club as it has saved us hundreds of dollars and we’ve been able to utilise those funds elsewhere around the facility.

“We’re extremely grateful to Queensland Country Bank and I’d encourage any community groups who are looking for funds to support local initiatives to apply.”

Queensland Country Bank Mackay Area Manager, Bill Paton, says they are looking to fund projects that will provide positive long-term benefits for their local communities, with this year’s round also having a strong focus on supporting sustainability initiatives.

“As a member-owned organisation, we take great pride in being able to give back to the community in this manner and offer support for projects that not only leave a positive long-lasting impact in the community but also protect our planet,” says Mr Paton.

“We’re looking forward to once again supporting a range of incredible projects that build healthier and more inclusive communities for all Queenslanders.”

Mr Paton says the application process has been thoughtfully designed to make it easy to apply and community groups do not need to be a Member of Queensland Country Bank at the time of their application.

“We encourage all community groups who are looking for financial support for their project to apply,” continues Mr Paton.

“It is all part of our difference being a member-owned bank, which enables us to reinvest our profits back into supporting the local communities that support us.”

This is the sixth year that Queensland Country Bank has run the Good for Good Community Grants program. It follows a long history of supporting the community through grants with over $2.5 million injected into Queensland community projects since 2005.

Applications close Sunday, 31 July 2022 and can be made online at www.queenslandcountry.bank.

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Jenny Moohin (Mackay Netball Association) and Henri Stocks (Queensland Country Bank) celebrate a Good for Good Grant awarded to Mackay Netball Association in 2020 to fund an ice machine. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

The Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival returned for its 18th year last week bringing a stellar line-up of authors, artists, storytellers, screenwriters, slam poets, musicians and scientists to the Mackay region.

The festival kicked off last Wednesday with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country led by local Yuwi people followed by an insightful Writer’s Panel featuring presenters Melina Marchetta, Jack Heath, Cath Moore and Oliver Phommavanh, hosted by Nat Amoore.

Over the next two days, over 5000 students from the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions and 500 students from 21 schools in rural and remote regions thanks to the Winchester Foundation were immersed in all things literature.

Presentations, workshops, competitions and book signings had students of all ages captivated by the art of writing and the Litchat Educators’ Event and Flor-Hanly Literary Dinner enthralled the adults.

“The great part of why I love this festival is that it provides an opportunity for regional and rural students to experience a world-class literature festival that they normally wouldn’t get a chance to outside major capital cities,” said Whitsunday Anglican School Principal Andrew Wheaton.

“The students walk away tremendously invigorated and excited with a love of literature.”

Festival Organiser Tracey Gurdler says she feels she has delivered a festival that excites and encourages the students of Mackay into the world of literature.

“To see children immerse themselves in the joy of literature, reading and writing is incredibly meaningful,” she said.

“For me, this is what the festival is truly about.”

Two presenters at the festival included Sydney-based writer and kidlit podcast host Nat Amoore and Queensland author, illustrator and ‘Story Doctor’ Dr Cameron Stelzer.

Ms Amoore says as well as writing and illustrating, festivals are a big part of the job.

“Getting in front of the kids, they’re your audience, they’re your readers so you want to go out and see them,” she said.

“It’s where you get your ideas from as well,” added Dr Stelzer.

“If you’re sitting in a room not interacting, you don’t get the feel of what’s going to work and what the kids want to see.”

The festival came to a close last Friday night with the Whitsunday Voices Literary Dinner headlined by keynote speaker Dr Richard Harris.

Dr Harris spoke about his involvement in the rescue of a teenage soccer team trapped in a flooded Thai cave system.

The audience watched and listened in awe as Dr Harris told his unbelievable tale with a standing ovation to follow.

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Dr Richard Harris and Whitsunday Anglican School Principal Andrew Wheaton. Photo credit: Cherrie Hughes

Over 5000 students from the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions and 500 from rural and remote regions were immersed in all things literature. Photo credit: Nicole Hatfield Photography

Tomorrow, When the War Began author John Marsden. Photo credit: Nicole Hatfield Photography

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