People will hit the polling booths in May. At Mackay and Whitsunday Life, we want you to know about the policies of this year’s federal candidates, commencing with our Political Life Column next week.

To kick off proceedings, we invited Shane Hamilton, Labor’s candidate for Dawson, to share with our readers why he put his hand up for politics and where he stands on mining, manufacturing and sugar.

Born in Mackay, Mr Hamilton has a wide breadth of understanding for the region as a whole. He grew up in Sarina and played rugby league for the Crocodiles until he was 19, having to give the sport a rest due to injury. Now, he coaches his son’s U6 Magpies team and gets just as much enjoyment nurturing the next generation from the sideline.

From Sarina, he spent a few years living up the Pioneer Valley in Marian, before his boilermaking career took him throughout the Bowen Basin where his future was forged in mining.

“People ask me where I stand on mining, it’s an industry I’ve built my career in and most of my extended family work in the industry,” Mr Hamilton said.

“The employment the mining industry generates is phenomenal,” he said.

“I know there’s rhetoric around Labor and the Greens and it’s false. As a person who has built a career in mining, there’s no better person than me sitting in Canberra to say what’s really impacting people in the industry.

“That’s a big part of the reason I’ve thrown my hand up for politics, because I’m really passionate about protecting the hard-working Australians out there.”

Mr Hamilton said it’s not in Labor’s game plan to shut down mining.

“It’s in our game plan to create more opportunities, by using mining as a baseload industry, but by looking at the big picture and asking how we create other jobs around it moving forward,” he said.

“My personal big push is regional manufacturing, bringing that back.

“We could be competing with the likes of Germany, building a name for quality, not trying to compete with places like China on price. I’ve seen steel towers shipped into Hay Point from overseas for big projects. As a boilermaker, I saw a lost opportunity in making that product here.”

Mr Hamilton said he believes sugar is another important part of the Dawson electorate and wants to fight for a fair go for farmers.

“My parents rented 160 acres in Sarina so we grew up with cattle and cane,” he said.

“Traditionally cane farmers don’t think a Labor bloke will understand them but it’s an area I’m really focused on and wanting to learn more about.

“Labor’s energy policies focus on lowering energy costs for farmers so they don’t have to think twice about whether they can afford to irrigate.”

Keep an eye out on our political column every week until the federal election to find out more from the federal candidates who opted in to take part in this opportunity.

Labor Candidate for Dawson Shane Hamilton with his wife Anita, son Beau and daughters, Farrah and Isabella

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Traffic backed up past the Ron Camm Bridge last Friday when a suspected chlorine spill from the Memorial Swim Centre brought parts of Mackay’s CBD to a standstill.

An employee of the pool’s contractor Belgravia Leisure raised the alarm about a possible chlorine spill shortly before 7am.

This sparked a quick and major response from emergency services, including securing a safety perimeter and managing motorists in the area.

Investigations since determined there was only a minor leak on a pipe of the chlorine storage system.

“About three to five litres of chlorine had leaked into a contained pit, which was part of the system. This has now been rectified,” A Mackay Regional Council spokesperson said.

“There was also about 150 litres of liquid in a bunded area, but investigations have determined this was pool water and there was no leak.

“Once again, council wishes to thank emergency services and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for their quick response.”

Council will hold further discussions with Belgravia about the incident.

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Another precious life has been lost on the Bruce Highway, this time a promising young medical student was the victim of the treacherous stretch of road between Sarina and St Lawrence last Sunday Morning.

Yi-Jing Zeng was a student at James Cook University where the news of her sudden death sent disbelief through the medical fraternity.

Yi-Jing was the Secretary to MINT, a Physician Interest Group at JCU consisting of medical students and junior doctors. Her colleagues paid a heartfelt tribute to her saying Yi-Jing was an exceptional friend to many of them.

“Our team is in need of some time to grieve and pay respect to our lost beloved executive member. She has been diligently working with us for what has been an incredible few months for MINT this year, with her leadership in rolling out our revived premium memberships and organizing the logistics for all of our events so far,” the group said in a statement.

“Her team spirit and positivity will forever stay with us and will be remembered for the kindness she always had to offer.

“We hope to support our colleagues in this extremely difficult time and the MINT executive team offers its deepest condolences to all of Yi-Jing’s dearest family and friends.”

The Australian Medical Professionals’ Society said they were devastated by the loss of the sixth-year medical student.

“Our sincere condolences to her family, friends and fellow students and work colleagues,” the group issued in a statement.

Yi-Jing had been driving her Suzuki Swift from Mackay, heading South on Sunday March 27.

Police reported that initial investigations indicate that at approximately 7.45am near North Inneston Road and Petersen Road, her Suzuki Swift collided with a truck.

Yi-Jing was the sole occupant of the car and reportedly died from her injuries at the scene. Locals reported that it had been raining heavily that morning.

Police said that the 60-year-old male truck driver was not physically injured.

The incident closed the Bruce Highway in the area for approximately three hours and the Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

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A worker was killed in Moranbah North mine last Friday after suffering fatal head injuries in an event still undergoing investigation.

The 59-year-old father of two, Gaven Feltwell, was in the Moranbah North mine when the tragedy occurred.

Mr Feltwell was reportedly working on “ancillary work” moving an old piece of equipment in a roadway when he was struck in the head.

He was employed as a contractor for Mastermyne, a mining services firm, at the site owned by Anglo American mine.

"We send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his family, colleagues and our communities as we process this tragedy," Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said in a Facebook post.

"Our hearts break all over again today. On behalf of Isaac, I extend our gratitude and support to emergency workers who were there for him last night."

The company has since suspended operations at the site while Resources Safety and Health Queensland investigate the incident.

Mr Feltwell was honoured by the Moranbah Community at the Moranbah Miners’ Memorial with a moving service last Saturday night. Mayor Baker laid a wreath on behalf of the community who stood for a minute's silence.

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Buckets of popcorn, an outdoor movie and some live and loud local music are the treats for youth aged between 12 to 25 in the region, who are invited to kick back at three free events funded by council during Youth Week.

The free events will stretch from Melba House, Marian on Wednesday, 6 April, to Sarina’s Field of Dreams on Thursday, 7 April, and then to Bluewater Quay, Mackay on Friday, 8 April.

Each event will feature a screening of Space Jam: A New Legacy, as well as local performances from Sarina’s Tiffany Grace, and JONTE, who will be performing before the opening credits.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council’s youth development team had put a tremendous amount of work into the events and promised they would be great fun.

“Over three consecutive evenings, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, we will set up the big movie screen outdoors, have some local up-and-coming artists performing live music and there will also be an outdoor art gallery,” Mayor Williamson said.

“The art gallery will feature photographs from young people that live in the Pioneer Valley and Sarina.

“Food will be available for purchase and, of course, there will be free popcorn for everyone!”

Mayor Williamson also said that the youth development team would be presenting the highlights from the YOL1000 project so far.

“YOL stands for Youth Out Loud, and it’s a project where the team is working to have conversations with 1000 young people from across our region to better understand the needs of our region’s youth,” he said.

Mayor Williamson said the group has already recorded more than 800 conversations.

Queensland Youth Week is the annual celebration of young people aged 12 to 25 years and the positive contributions they make to Queensland. This year the week will be held from April 1–11.

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A clever solution to an infestation of weed is reducing the need for herbicide while providing an alternative source of food for local graziers.

Reef Catchments is working to protect and restore wetlands south of Mackay, assisting landholders in the Sandringham Wetland Complex to manage their land and improve grazing practices.

As part of this project, which is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, a long reach excavator has been used in a trial effort to mechanically remove water hyacinth and put it into the adjacent fallow cane paddocks as mulch, as an alternative to spraying vast amounts of herbicides to control this localised infestation.

Reef Catchments and the landholder are now investigating if the mulch layer of aquatic weeds in the paddock will improve soil conditions and benefit the next cane crop, optimising the balance between production and ecosystem protection, promoting a healthier environment for the native birds and fish species, and reducing pollutants running off to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

The potential for biocontrol releases is also being investigated, which could deal with the infestation long-term, since the seed bank can be viable for up to 25 years.

The Plane Creek catchment, in which the Sandringham Wetland Complex is located, covers 2,539 square kilometres, and 28 per cent of the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac (MWI) region.

Reef Catchments is partnering with landholders in the Sandringham Wetland Complex to improve fish habitat, restore native vegetation and improve water quality. Reef Catchments has already assisted local landholders to implement more than 6.5km of new wildlife friendly fencing and 11 additional off-stream watering points to manage stock access in sensitive ecological areas.

Most wetlands in Queensland are on private land, and many are on properties that run grazing businesses.

Reef Catchments Project Officer – Conservation and Communities, Carlos Bueno, said “The Sandringham Wetland Complex provides many vital functions to the local coastal area due to its unique soil types and water holding capacity. Improvements and adoption of best management practices on these critical ecosystems can enhance the ecosystem and improve grazing productivity.

“Graziers value the Sandringham Wetland Complex for providing water and feed for stock, and reserves during the dry season or droughts. The impacts of grazing on wetlands can include reduced water quality from additional nutrient inputs, increased soil compaction and reduced native vegetation.”

Wetlands are the boundary between two different ecosystems, dry and wet, which means they have a unique role in nutrient exchange and water supply to surrounding lands. They also provide habitat, food, and shelter to many different plants and animals including endangered, vulnerable, and migratory species.

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Helping to prepare today’s children for the jobs of the future was the catalyst in driving an expansion to one of Mackay’s growing Christian schools.

Carlisle Adventist College on Holts Road in Beaconsfield officially opened a new two-storey building last week to allow for the growing number of students building a future in technology and home economic subjects.

The rooms are designed to nurture collaborative learning and encourage problem-based skill solving which is an important part of preparing children for STEM-based careers.

The landscaping also incorporates a yarning circle for students to broaden their depth of understanding in Aboriginal culture, particularly understanding local history connected to the region’s Yuwibara people.

Federal Member for Dawson officially opened the new building which was made possible with $500,000 in funding from the Federal Government.

The large food technology space on the ground floor includes a learning café, while the upper rooms will be used for robotics and technology.

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen officially opened additions to Carlisle Adventist College last Friday. Images supplied: Office of George Christensen

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The Federal Budget 2022 has dropped a cash bomb to ease the number one topic on the minds of ordinary Australians: the climbing cost of living.

It includes an extra tax cut for 10 million low- and middle-income workers worth up to $420 – while fuel excise will be slashed for the next six months.

Here's what you need to know.

Firstly, from July 1 this year, more than 10 million individuals will receive a one-off $420 cost of living tax offset, meaning eligible low- and middle-income earners will be up to $1,500 better off for a single income household, or $3,000 better off for dual income household.

Additionally, the Government has committed to helping Australians most in need by providing a one-off, income-tax-exempt payment of $250 to six million eligible pensioners, welfare recipients, veterans, and eligible concession card holders in April 2022.

The fuel excise will also be slashed by 50 per cent for six months, dropping to 22.1 cents per litre, which will see prices drop at the bowser over the next two weeks.

Another major issue addressed in the 2022 Budget is unemployment, training, and job security.

To help Australians gain more highly skilled and better paying employment, the Government is investing in the following measures to expand and upskill the workforce.

On top of the $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy announced in the 2020-21 Budget, the Government will invest a further $1 billion into the manufacturing sector.

More Australians will be trained in key skills across key industries, with $2.8 billion committed to supporting apprenticeships, building on the $13.3 billion spent on apprenticeships and traineeships since 2013.

$3.7 billion in Commonwealth funding has been committed to a new skills agreement that has the capacity to deliver up to 800,000 additional training places for Australians.

The Budget also includes $2.2 billion for a research commercialisation action plan to bring industries and universities together and develop the next generation of innovative Australian companies.

Small businesses will have access to a new 20 per cent bonus deduction for eligible external training courses for upskilling employees.

The Government is also providing $1 billion for a new Technology Investment Boost to encourage small businesses to go digital.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry says Australia’s economic recovery is leading the world.

“More Australians are in work than ever before and the unemployment rate is now forecast to reach 3.75 per cent in 2022, the lowest rate in close to 50 years,” Ms Landry said.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry says the Government’s plan for a stronger future provides cost of living relief, creates more jobs, guarantees essential services, and keeps Australians safe. Photo: supplied

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Three Mackay fishermen were rescued by the RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter after their boat sank off Dolphin Heads last Friday evening.

The men, a 26-year-old from Rural View, a 34-year-old from Beaconsfield, and a 29-year-old from Slade Point, had spent the day fishing in a 16-foot centre console boat at a nearby island.

They were returning home when the boat started taking on water, reportedly due to a fault in the vessel’s bilge pump.

The trio started bailing water from the vessel before quickly roping together some jerry cans as a floatation device.

They then activated their emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and RACQ CQ Rescue was alerted to the beacon by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

The Mackay-based helicopter was alerted to the EPIRB activation approximately 18 kilometres north of Mackay at about 5pm Friday.

10 minutes after departing the Mackay Airport, the rescue helicopter crew, including a Critical Care Paramedic and rescue crewman, spotted the three men in the water about 5 kilometres offshore.

An RACQ CQ Rescue crewman was winched down into the water three times to secure each survivor into a vest to be winched up into the helicopter as Dolphin Heads locals watched on.

The crewman said the exhausted fishermen were incredibly relieved to see help arrive from overhead after spending about an hour in the water trying to swim to shore.

They had already swum approximately three kilometres from the rapidly sinking vessel and were using the empty jerry cans to keep afloat.

Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay also responded and assisted in the rescue.

All three men were physically unharmed and were checked by the paramedic on board before being returned to Mackay Airport.

The men were incredibly relieved and happy to be back on dry land and to be reunited with their grateful families.

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It rained heavily on Monday 2 April 1962 but that did nothing to deter a total of 37 young children from attending the Proserpine Kindergarten on its opening day. No fewer than 51 children had previously registered with the association and an average attendance of 34.2 children per day maintained for several months until later in the year when an epidemic of measles swept through town.

The Proserpine Kindergarten Association had been formed on February 19 that year and the first president was Mr R E Horsford. Accommodation was the first priority. The Shire Council’s offer of the use of the old library building was accepted as suitable after some painting, fencing and the netting of a play enclosure. At such short notice, the association realised the difficulty of securing the services of a qualified kindergarten teacher. However, Mrs Shirley Robinson’s wide experience with children was looked on favourably and her offer to look after the children temporarily was accepted. A roster of mothers assisted Mrs Robinson until a fulltime assistant, Mrs Gloria Bloxsom, was appointed. Mrs Bloxsom had particularly useful skills, being a qualified hospital nursing sister and an accomplished pianist.

In the first year, morning sessions only were held at a cost of 2/6d (12.5 cents) per child for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. This included provision of fruit and sandwiches. At this point the kindergarten was totally self-funded by fees, hall rental, raffles and fundraising events. Money had to be found for wages, equipment, including a piano, and repairs and maintenance. The Education Department provided free milk to all children.

The year 1963 was an important one for the kindergarten. Mrs Pat Burns, a fully qualified teacher, was appointed, with Mrs Bloxsom continuing as her assistant. Affiliation was granted with the Queensland Creche and Kindergarten Association and an application for an annual grant of ₤150 was made to the Education Department. The numbers of registered children rose to 68 and afternoon sessions were introduced. Subsequent enthusiastic committees organised various fundraising activities such as fancy-dress competitions, concerts, the Bride of the Year, golf days and even a Find the Ball competition in “The Courier Mail”. Their main objective was to upgrade the building.

In 1967, the kindergarten moved into the old Windermere school building which had been relocated and re-erected in 1946 in the grounds of Proserpine State School behind where the Entertainment Centre now stands. It continued operating from that building for forty- five years.

On May 22, 2013. “The Proserpine Guardian” ran the following advertisement: “For sale: Proserpine Kindergarten has purchased its new building. Old building - must be sold.”

Proserpine Public Kindergarten has seen hundreds of children pass through its doors in the past 60 years.

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

Gloria Bloxom on piano and teacher Pat Burns with the children in 1963

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The Whitsunday Climate Change Innovation Hub welcomed tourism operators on its deep dive of the latest renewable energy options available in its Green Electricity Information Session on Tuesday.

Part of The Hub’s Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project (WHHP) workshop series, the session was aimed at supporting the Whitsunday tourism sector and the wider community by showing them the options available for reducing their carbon emissions and improving sustainability.

Partnering with the Coral Sea Academy, The Hub brought together speakers from Ergon Energy, Green Energy Technologies, and Edify Energy.

The Green Electricity Information Session was hosted at The Lookout Lounge, Coral Sea Marina.

Lee Hawkins, Climate Change Resilience Officer at The Hub said around “50 per cent of the municipal or human sourced carbon emissions in the Whitsunday region comes from electricity consumption.”

“At this information session, the Whitsunday community learned more about how they can explore ways to reduce their direct emissions,” Ms Hawkins said.

Presenters at the event covered the gamut of climate change topics relevant to Whitsunday Business Owners and how they could change their approach.

It included optimising energy ratings for property portfolios, case studies on successful renewable energy installations, how to buy green electricity through the grid, and Power Purchase Agreements with local solar farms.

The talks of carbon emission reduction came at an incredibly salient time for the region as a Unesco Delegation oversees the Great Barrier Reef’s health ahead of a major decision which is due to be announced in July.

The Hub agreed that the Whitsunday Islands are one of three key locations with current projects underway as part of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Reef Islands Initiative, which is working to restore critical island habitats to protect ecosystems and save vulnerable species.

The initiative is a 10-year program supported by funding from Lendlease, the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Queensland Government, and the Fitzgerald Family Foundation.

Climate Innovation Hub’s Olivia Brodhurst, Lee Hawkins, Edify Energy representative Manas Choudhury, Kon Flaherty from Green Energy Technologies Whitsunday, and Damien Krauklis from Edify Energy

Whitsunday Councillor Al Grundy attended, as well as Tony Fontes, Whitsunday Conservation Council Spokesperson

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The young people of the Whitsundays and their families are invited to Proserpine Youth Space next Friday for a fun afternoon of activities with the opportunity to chat with a range of local services.

Whitsunday Ballers are setting up their gel-blasting range for attendees to experience, a gladiator duel to challenge guests, and there will be free face-painting, fun workshops, demonstrations, games and prizes.

Many of the activities will be held by local youth service representatives who will be available for questions by young people and their families in a relaxed and easy-going environment.

“This is a great opportunity to see local services that help support youth all together in one place, so they know what’s out there to help them,” said Youth Space Coordinator Renee Buckley.

“There will be loads of fun activities too – we even have an obstacle course where you can time yourself going round the course with and without ‘beer goggles’ on so you can see the effects of alcohol on your response rates.”

Also in attendance will be PCYC Whitsundays who will be providing information about their new ‘Braking the Cycle’ program which helps kids attain their drivers licence by matching them with older mentors who assist with accruing the 100 hours needed to take the test.

Whitsunday Counselling and Support, MADEC, Selectability, Real Mates Talk, Lives Lived well and Headspace will also be present on the day.

The Lions will be cooking up a free BBQ for everyone.

The event kicks-off at 3pm on Friday 8th April and winds down at 7pm.

Youth Space is open from Tuesday to Friday throughout the school holidays from 11.30am to 5.30pm.

A home away from home for young people between the ages of 8 and 21, the centre has a pool table, TV, kitchen, arts activities and more.

Everyone is welcome anytime to the Youth Space centre located at 69 Marathon Street in Proserpine.

Free face painting

Free gel blasting experience

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This Whitsunday’s newest mental health and counselling service for local youth was officially launched to the community last week with a formal ceremony followed by relaxed lunch.

Headspace Whitsundays, located on Proserpine Main Street, is a free service that offers early intervention and mental health support to those aged 12-25 years old.

The team offer face to face counselling for issues such as alcohol and other drugs, vocational support as well as sexual and physical health needs.

Over 50 people attended the event including Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm MP and local elder, Aunty Sue with her son Ryan.

Members of the health industry, groups connected with the service such as PCYC, high school students and contractors who helped construct the space were also invited to the celebrations.

The launch party began with a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and storytelling by Aunty Sue and her son Ryan.

Afterwards, there were speeches and the cutting of the ribbon, followed by an opportunity for guests to take a tour of the facilities in small groups.

Lunch and refreshments were then served and young local musicians played music to entertain the crowd while everyone mingled and enjoyed the festivities.

Headspace Whitsunday is a is a satellite office which is open to the public three days a week from Monday through to Thursday.

With a Clinical lead, two clinicians, a Youth and Community Engagement Officer and a Clinical Receptionist as well as a Youth Reference Group the team have a wealth of knowledge which can assist with a broad range of issues.

Alannah Fitzpatrick (headspace Whitsundays Youth Reference Group Member), Abbie O’Sheehy (headspace Whitsundays Youth Reference Group Member), Amanda Camm (Member for Whitsunday)

Abbie O’Sheehy (headspace Whitsundays Youth Reference Group Member), Kiera Mansfield (Head of Centre Services, headspace National), Whitsunday Elder Aunty Sue, Robin Whyte (CEO – Northern Queensland Primary Health Network) and Luke Guazzo (CEO – Northern Australia Primary Health Ltd)

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Thieves Steal Yellow Ute From Bowen

Shortly after 8am, a yellow 1990 Toyota Hilux utility was stolen from a shed at a rural property on the Bruce Highway near Sandy Creek in Bowen.

At the time of the theft, the car was parked in the shed and was left unlocked.

The early hours robbery occurred on 17 March, and the yellow utility’s registration number is 655ZSJ.

Since then, the stolen vehicle has been linked to a stealing incident on Palmerston Street, Pimlico in Townsville on 19 March.

Police are encouraging anyone who might have information about the original offence or the current location of the stolen car to contact Policelink as soon as possible.

As well, local law enforcement has taken the opportunity to remind all vehicle owners that they need to ensure that their cars are secured at all times – even when unattended.

“If you witness any suspicious activity, at any time of the day, please report the matter as soon as possible,” Senior Constable Steve Smith said.

To report any information quote these reference numbers via Crime Stoppers: QP2200475569, QP2200482901.

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The brave heroes at VMR Whitsunday were tasked to attend a serious situation on Sunday morning when a man suffered a suspected Box Jellyfish sting at Butterfly Bay on Hook Island.

The individual was a guest on a charter boat vessel.

With the RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter unable to attend the incident, the volunteers at VMR Whitsunday jumped to action, transporting Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics to the remote location as quickly as possible.

Whale Song VMR2 was deployed first, racing the paramedics to the site at 37 knots and arriving at the scene in just 27 minutes.

Coral Sea Marina VMR1, the patient transfer vessel, followed shortly behind arriving 45 minutes later.

By the time the teams attended to the patient he had been transferred to Hayman Island Resort marina where he was being looked after by the island’s emergency care staff.

As soon as the paramedics arrived, they stabilised the patient which took roughly 45 minutes.

A third paramedic from Hamilton Island also came to support the crew, transported to the site on a fast charter boat to ensure there was enough assistance.

The patient was transferred to Coral Sea Marina VMR1 along with his brother and the pair were brought back to the marina, tying up alongside at 12.55pm.

The entire operation had taken less than two hours.

After the incident, a test uncovered that there was a troponin leak in the patient’s body – this is an enzyme that is released when the heart is under extreme stress like a heart attack – and it was likely the paramedics saved his life.  

“A great team effort by all concerned!” said Mal Priday from Whitsunday VMR.

“Di at the base, staff at Hayman Island Resort, the Hamilton and Airlie Beach paramedics, and both rescue boat crews – to help a patient that was in a very dangerous situation. Well done, everybody!”

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