A brand-new multistorey apartment complex at the Port of Airlie has been approved by Whitsunday Regional Council at last week’s council meeting.

Councillors voted on the three apartment blocks that will be three to four storeys high and comprise 52 dwellings, granting Port of Airlie owners Meridien preliminary approval to exceed the statutory 12-metre height limit for Airlie Beach.

Councillor Jan Clifford was particularly frustrated by the building heights that “didn’t comply with the town plan.”

“All the nice little carrots they promised the community about a cinema and a bowling alley, they’re gone,” Councillor Clifford said.

“The community did not have an issue with the original concept for the Port of Airlie, but they certainly do now and so do I.”

Councillor Clifford and Councillor Al Grundy were the only dissenting voices in the meeting, both voting against the proposal.

Councillor Grundy said that he had “major concerns of traffic, transportation, housing and how the vision for the area matches with the broader visitation expectations Airlie Beach offers and has today.”

“My message is just be careful, be careful with the growth,” he said.

The complex is set to be built on a vacant lot on Port Drive as part of the contentious Port of Airlie Development which has seen strong opposition, particularly from Save Our Foreshore, a group directly opposed to the development’s high-rise construction.

Councillor Mike Brunker said that Airlie Beach has “got to evolve” and that people were against the original Port of Airlie when it first arrived too.

“I think it’s a gradual evolution and people want to live in paradise and for nothing to change, but it has to be a gradual evolving,” he said.

Mayor Andrew Willcox was one supporter of the development, stating that the proposed building height is still actually lower than the existing Port of Airlie buildings.

Meridien produced a Visual Impact Analysis to dispute the building height objections.

“The conclusions from the VIA are accepted in that there will be a minor to moderate local view impact and from a regional context there will be an extremely limited visual impact,” the report sent to Council reads.

Meridien’s report also stated that restricting the building’s height would result in the loss of six three-bedroom apartments and housing, which would “continue to restrict choice and the capacity to meet the needs of residents seeking an Airlie Beach lifestyle.”

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After four years of dedicated effort by its committee, the 8.2 million Whitsunday Sportspark facility is reaching a milestone moment, with three levels of government set to attend the building completion and handover ceremony at the Jubilee Pocket location next Friday.

The community facility, which will soon deliver first-class sporting amenities as well as a central Clubhouse to the Whitsunday region, is jointly funded by Local, Federal and State Government and all profits will go straight back into the community.

The new Clubhouse will feature a 120-seater bistro dining area which will be open seven days a week.

There will also be a sports bar with TAB and big screens as well as an outdoor terrace overlooking the AFL field.

Adjacent to this is the Pokie Room intended to house 46 machines.

The Sportspark is ultimately owned by the five not-for-profit sporting clubs that call the Whitsunday Sportspark home.

These include AFL, Netball, Rugby Union, Soccer and Touch Football.

The Sportspark will operate the Clubhouse and all profits are directed back into the facility and the community it serves.

Every customer will be eligible for a membership card and each purchase will enable them to accrue points which can be nominated to their favourite sporting or community club anywhere in the Whitsundays and transferred to a dollar sum that will assist the sporting group.

“We look forward to celebrating this milestone on our march towards the opening of a top-class sports and community hospitality club to benefit our growing town and shire,” said Chairman of Whitsunday Sportspark Justin Butler.

The official opening of the facility to the public is expected to take place this July.

Whitsunday Sportspark Chairman, Justin Butler, outside the new building

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Innovative Australian company, Gilmour Space Technologies is one step closer to launching rockets from its spaceport at Abbott Point thanks to an Operational Works approval which was issued by Whitsunday Regional Council earlier this week.

For several years, the space company has been working alongside the state and federal government, as well as local stakeholders, to bring their spaceport to the Whitsundays and this announcement means they are on-track to launch this June.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said the approval will allow Gilmore Space Technologies to commence early works on Australia’s first orbital launch facility at the Abbott Point State Development Area.

“If progress remains on track, then Gilmour Space hope to launch the first rocket from the proposed facility later this year,” said Mr Willcox.

"Bowen is located about 20 degrees south of the equator which geographically makes it the ideal location to actually launch rockets and send satellites into space.

“The construction of the Bowen Orbital Spaceport is exciting for Bowen and will provide an enormous economic and tourism injection for the region.”

From June, Gilmour Space Group plans to launch two rockets per year until 2025, after which they aim to increase launch frequencies to monthly.

Gilmour Space predicts that up to 92 rocket launches annually could be conducted from the Spaceport by 2032.

"It’s exciting to have rockets being launched and there is potential to leverage from this to start the journey making Bowen and Abbot Point a smaller version of America’s Cape Canaveral, the home of the Kennedy Space Center,” said Mr Willcox.

"The new $4 million Flagstaff Hill Cultural and Conference Centre in Bowen is the perfect vantage point and looks straight across to the launch site.”

The rockets will be manufactured at Gilmour's Gold Coast manufacturing hub before being transported to the Bowen launch site.

It is anticipated that the rockets will transport small satellites low-Earth orbit.

They will be used as part of broadband internet constellations.

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Local Dogs Need Space To Run Too! While there are a variety of off-leash areas throughout the Whitsundays many local dog owners feel that their four-legged friends do not have enough freedom to run down the beach and play in the waves - are our local pets becoming marginalised members of the community?

Dog Owners Ask For More Freedom

Many Whitsunday dog owners are baffled by local laws which restrict the free movement of dogs on beaches when, in many cases, they are the only people using the public areas.

A Cannonvale-based dog-loving group who meet up each afternoon at 4pm at the Bicentennial Park opposite Cannonvale Beach say that this has been an ongoing problem, with unfortunate complaints causing off-leash movements of dogs to become increasingly reduced.

They are now only free to use the parkland and the far eastern end of Cannonvale Beach, away from the playground – an area which is close to the road and often dangerous for dogs.

“We probably get more people reading and doing yoga in the off-lead park area and winging than we do coming down here to the beach,” said Larissa Whincop from the group.

“On this beach there is no-one during the early mornings, there might be another person with a dog, but very rarely have I ever encountered someone swimming or enjoying the beach,” said Amy Close.

The group wish that dog-owners were allowed to use common sense in deciding where and when it is safe for their dogs to be off-leash, with many stating that no-one would let a dangerous dog off the lead.

A Whitsunday Regional Council spokesperson said that they have no plans at this stage to increase the number of off-leash locations as they believe sufficient areas exist to accommodate community needs.  

“The designation of off-leash areas is approved by Councillors in an ordinary Council meeting,” said the spokesperson.

“Taken into consideration is protection of public safety, maintenance, amenity of the area and protection of the environment.”

At the mercy of a $250 fine for allowing their dogs to roam free outside designated hours or restricted zones, local dog owners find themselves nervous in using local beaches or feeling forced to break laws that do not make sense when no-one else is using the site.

“Conway Beach is the best beach ever to run your dogs,” said Ms Close.

“It’s very unlikely there would be a ranger to give you a ticket there but it is still a possibility which makes me feel nervous.”

Current off-leash locations:

• Queens Beach, Bowen

• Doughty Creek Mouth, Bowen

• Kings Beach, Bowen

• Denison Park, Bowen

• Shingley Beach, Airlie Beach (Eastern end only)

• Bicentennial Park, Cannonvale

• Cannonvale Beach (Sanded area; Eastern end; Restricted times - 5am to 8am and 5pm to 8pm)

• Gailbraith Park, Cannonvale

• Whisper Bay Boat Ramp, Cannonvale

• Wildlife Park, Jubilee Pocket - enclosure Keith Jones Estate Park, Proserpine

• Hydeaway Bay

Some of the 15 members of a local dog group: Evelyn Cartlidge, Larissa Whincop, Amy Close, Grant Restieaux, Kate Donohoe and baby Charlie with their friendly pets

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A Habana property was sold for a whopping $7.3 million dollars by auction last Friday in a new local record for real estate, claimed by Blacks Real Estate Rural.

Blacks real estate agent Royce Dunn oversaw the auctioning at Ocean International which ended with Bill and Margo Fordyce scooping up the property.

‘Constant Creek’ in Habana is an impressive cattle grazing and cropping property 28 kilometres outside Mackay, covering a mammoth 676 hectares, or 1670 acres. It also boasts 59.88 hectares of irrigated cropping.

The property houses several kilometres of estuary frontage, leading to a potential for aquaculture to crop up on the site, as well as approximately 300 acres of potential cultivation with very little preparation – it’s a location rife for the picking or the fishing.

The whopping land has five titles, with an unformed, gazetted road running through, and multiple magnificent sites for a home, or several.

Mr and Mrs Fordyce are both local graziers, leading to speculation that the property will most certainly house its fair share of cattle.

There are several bodies of water on the property, meaning free water for irrigation, and the already well-maintained fencing and yards are perfect for cattle grazing.

Mr Dunn, the agency's Rural Specialist and Director, sold the property on February 18 in an auction in Mackay, with 10 registered bidders interested on the day.

The group of interested parties spanned from the Northern Territory down to the southern states of the country.

“I think if it’s not some sort of a record for a small grazing property, it must be close,” Mr Dunn said

“I think mainly [the price is due] to market conditions which we see at this time is very buoyant; a convergence of very, very good conditions in the values of cattle and cattle properties has led to this.

“We were very, very pleased to have received the instructions to market an incredible property and we congratulate the Fordyce Family in their purchase and wish them all the best.”

The property will be used for cattle grazing

Just some of the enormous property near Mt Blackwood

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HYPNOTIC CHANGES

With DAVID LORNIE ML, BA, MA, DIP HYP & PSYCH.

One of the myths surrounding hypnosis is that somehow the hypnotist puts someone “under their control”.

The fact is that it is impossible to control someone through hypnosis. Those stage shows where people start clucking like chickens or whatever are performed with people who have willingly taken part in the show and have agreed to acting like buffoons!

Hypnosis accesses a person’s subconscious mind, and your subconscious is the part of you that protects you. It won’t accept any suggestions, under hypnosis or otherwise, that will bring harm to you.

Hypnotherapy actually does exactly the opposite of controlling a person – the aim of hypnotherapy is to give you more control over your own life.

Many of us are controlled by bad thoughts, feelings and actions. This leads to bad habits and unhelpful patterns of behaviour. Many are also controlled by bad desires and habits ranging from drinking, smoking drug use to impulse shopping and gambling.

Such people cannot be said to be in control of their lives.

Hypnotherapy is powerful tool to give back people control over those aspects of their lives which are causing them to suffer.

People get locked into negative patterns of behaviour for various reasons, but these can be reversed through hypnotherapy, which gives the person control over those patterns. And this is done at a deep, subconscious level – where those behaviours originate.

Hypnotherapy teaches self-efficacy, enabling a person to behave in a way which will produce the desired results. When this happens, you have greater control over how you live your life according to your own values and goals.

And the beauty of this is, you are NEVER too old or set in your ways to be able to change. So, if there is a part of your life that is not quite right or making you suffer, hypnotherapy can offer a lasting solution for you.

David Lornie is owner and principal hypnotherapist at Frontier Hypnotherapy in Mackay. He is available for both face-to-face and online consultations. Contact him on 0401 223 780 or help@frontierhypnotheray.com.au. His website is: www.frontierhypnotherapy.com.au

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Casual coal miners who have highlighted “unscrupulous” practices of the government corporation Coal Long Service Leave (Coal LSL), have been vindicated in a recent audit by consultants KPMG.

Senator Malcolm Roberts has championed the scrutiny of Coal LSL after he first became aware of many malpractices from casual coal miners and labour hire companies in 2019.

Senator Roberts said, “This issue has been in plain sight for years, yet successive governments have ignored the calls for an investigation.”

The KPMG report, which the Government ordered in late 2021, makes 20 recommendations covering governance, treatment of casual coal miners, exploitation of SMEs, compliance, and Board governance and conflicts of interest.

Senator Roberts said, “I welcome the recommendation for independent Coal LSL board members to address the current glaring conflict of interest with only Minerals Councils and the CFMMEU representatives.”

Senator Roberts gathered evidence from many casual coal miners that showed LSL entitlements were incorrectly calculated, and yet Coal LSL refused to investigate and rectify.

“When the causal coal miners themselves could work out that Coal LSL were not calculating their entitlements correctly and notified Coal LSL management, it begs the question why it took a KPMG review for Coal LSL to finally listen,” Senator Roberts said.

Senator Roberts said that Coal LSL were “reluctant” first-time attendees at Senate Estimates in 2019, having never faced Senate scrutiny until Senator Roberts demanded they appear to account for their actions.

Senator Roberts said, “There was no way Coal LSL were going to continue to avoid scrutiny because I knew that hundreds of casual coal miners had been systematically ripped off and ignored over decades.”

Although some miners prefer to be casuals, all casuals deserve respect as they allow companies to move with changes in the global market and mine site conditions.

Senator Roberts said, “The mobility of this casual workforce doesn’t mean they should be treated with such contempt and disregard; they too have livelihoods and families to support.”

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Many in Mackay will be familiar with Campbell Newman as the state’s former Premier, or prior to that, Brisbane’s Lord Mayor. If you thought the brutal loss to Palasczcuk in 2015 was enough for him to give politics the flick, think again. Newman is back, as Lead Senate Candidate for Queensland with the LibDems (Liberal Democrats).

Previously a member of the LNP, Campbell Newman felt the party had ‘lost its soul’ and abandoned true liberal values, so he resigned in July 2021. Newman says the LibDems will be a major force in the coming election and it’s time for the media to pay more attention to the fast-growing party.

“The latest Newspoll showed a big spike in ‘Other’ from 11 per cent to 14 per cent of the primary vote,” Mr Newman said.

Minor parties One Nation and the Greens are counted separately from the ‘Other’ category, and both showed declines in the latest poll, to 3 per cent and 8 per cent of the primary vote respectively.

“The LibDems and the UAP make up the bulk of the ‘Other’ category. The three percentage-point jump is equal to a 37 per cent increase in our support.

“This confirms the LibDems message of providing a sensible alternative to the major parties is already resonating strongly with voters,” Mr Newman noted.

Newman said Australians want alternatives to the major parties led by people who have deep leadership experience in business and the real world.

“People are sick of the ‘Canberra class’ of career politicians and bureaucrats playing musical chairs with our country and our kids’ futures.

“It’s time to set Australia free,” Mr Newman declared.

“People want to be free to dream, free to hope, free to have a go, free to make their own choices, free to take risks, and even free to fail and make mistakes sometimes. That’s what life is all about.”

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Mackay’s premier panel beaters are set to expand their facilities to include a dedicated electric and hybrid car repair space thanks to state government grants.

The fifty-year old Mackay business McCarthy Panel Works received a $50,000 grant from the State Government Business Growth Fund to install specialised equipment at their O’Loughlin Street site.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the family-owned business that was once filled with Falcons, Chargers and Kingswoods, would be equipped to enter the modern world of electric and hybrid cars with the expansion.

“This Business Growth Fund grant will help McCarthy’s stay on the front foot of smash repairs so they can help anyone and everyone when accidents happen,” Ms Gilbert said.

“McCarthy Panel Works has been getting locals back on the road since 1971, and now, they’re looking to the future.”

The grants will be used to fund equipment like a new chassis aligner, aluminium welders and riveting guns for the new space, which will accelerate growth opportunities for the business, allowing them to reach even greater heights.

“I’m excited to see what McCarthy’s achieve in the next 12 months, although my Nissan hopes my next visit is strictly professional,” The Member for Mackay said.

Owners and directors of the 51-year-old family business Andrea and Craig McCarthy said they are pushing closer to their goal of developing the next evolution in vehicle repair.

"It is really encouraging for us to know that others can see how passionate we are about what we do and the need to do it right,” Ms McCarthy said.

“As a repairer in today’s market, you must be looking in this direction, so I am super proud to be taking McCarthy’s into this new space, especially in regard to further training for our current team members and bringing in new ones.

“It’s the next evolution for our staff, for where vehicles are going, and to stay current and fresh you need to be heading this way.”

The Palaszczuk Government grant comes as part of the delivery of its Big Plans for Small Business Strategy.

The Business Growth Fund grants of up to $50,000 for highly specialised equipment that will help businesses boost their productivity, and hopefully in turn their workforce.

Successful applicants have demonstrated a 20 percent increase in productivity, turnover, profit or employment in the past 12 months and have clearly defined business plans in place.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, Small Business Minister Di Farmer MP, and Julia and Craig McCarthy with the McCarthy team celebrating a grant through the Business Growth Fund

Some of the new equipment purchased through the grant funding

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Ten local businesses have refined their business skills thanks to a tailored one-on-one mentoring program delivered by Mackay Regional Council.  

Pilot program participant Mary-Ann Refalo from family-owned and operated Walkerston-based business Retrospect Life said the program was a good opportunity to learn new things.

“With our current business we specialise in and sell homemade jams, chutneys, relishes and sauces – however, my husband and I are considering agritourism and wanted to better prepare ourselves should we head down that track,” Mrs Refalo said.

“The program is easy-to-follow, and I have walked away with a deeper understanding on a range of topics including knowing your customer and pricing strategies,” she said.

Mayor Greg Williamson said after a successful pilot program, another round had been opened today, offering the opportunity to 10 additional businesses.

“Existing businesses, as well as start-ups with a business idea that supports the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails, are eligible and encouraged to apply,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Council is investing in the program as part of our ongoing commitment to growing the visitor economy and ensuring the Mackay region continues to grow as a highly-regarded leisure destination.

“We want the Mackay region to be front of mind for travellers seeking nature experiences and we want to offer a high standard of experiences for them to enjoy while visiting.”

Tracey Pelling also took part in the pilot program, seeking guidance for her start-up accommodation business Ride, Rest, Repeat.

“We’re doing some nature-based short stay accommodation, so some campsites and some cabins, in support of the mountain bike tracks that are coming,” she explained.

“The program led us through our business plan, our financial plan, operational plan, and really just kept us focused to get our start up up and running.

Tracey would highly recommend the program to other small businesses.

“The other thing that it allowed us to do was network with other businesses in the area,” she said.

“It’s not just the course that you do, it’s the legacy that comes with it which is great.”

For more information, business owners are asked to visit mackay.qld.gov.au/businessmentoring. Applications for the next program close Friday, March 4 at 5pm.

Mayor Greg Williamson with pilot program participant and local business owner Mary-Ann Refalo from Retrospect Life. Photo Supplied: Mackay Regional Council

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The section of Glenella-Richmond Road between Mackay-Habana Road and Holts Road is now open to traffic, after labour and material shortages created a lengthy delay in the completion of the project.

The project was due for completion in December 2021, but after the project duration was extended to February, the contractors delivered within the extended timeframe.

The country road is a pivotal piece of infrastructure for Northern Beaches and Habana residents, as it bypasses part of the often-congested main thoroughfare to the Northern Beaches suburbs.

Within 24 hours of announcing the re-opening of the road on Facebook, Mackay Regional Council’s post had attracted more than 450 comments, showing how closely this project has been followed by residents.

A Council spokesperson said “There are still some minor works left to complete, so please drive to the conditions and obey all signage in the area.

“A big thank you to the community for their patience and understanding during this project.”

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Live music has been a casualty over the last few years, but 2022 is shaping up for a beauty around Mackay.

Just announced in the last week or so, Legends on the Lawn - one of the best lineups you’ll see, headlined by Jimmy Barnes at Harrup Park on May 21st.

Jimmy’s great, whether you saw him here open the MECC, at the Blue Water Quay with Shannon Noll, or with Chisel at the Showgrounds, he always puts on a great show.

As far as laid-back performers go, he’s one of the best. At his Blue Water Quay gig I had the chance to go backstage and interview him before the show, leaning on the railing overlooking the Pioneer River. Mahalia was warming up just near us, the band were “in the zone”, but Jimmy was just having a chat about the location and what he was going to play first. Rather different to the 23 seconds I was able to get with Deborah Harry from Blondie before their show at the MECC.

Think about the last 10 years or so in Mackay, Elton John and Kiss - amazing that both came here and played shows at the MECC, they’re acts that sometimes bypass some capital cities on tours, but we had them.

Even Blondie, go back to the late 70’s and early 80’s they were top bill globally, and they came to the MECC.

We’ve had Powderfinger, Jet, Silverchair, River Sessions and more. All concerts are memorable, but especially your first one you attended.

My first was Crowded House at the Adelaide F1 GP with my dad around 1986, but my first proper concert with no parents was Johnny Diesel & the Injectors. It’s still the loudest concert I’ve been to, it was at the beautiful Thebarton Theatre in Adelaide.

I’m hoping Legends on The Lawn will be my kids first ever concert, and I’ll be buying earplugs for them just in case. I can’t wait for Barnsey’s screams, the loud guitar and bass of The Living End and cruisy tunes of Busby Marou. Hopefully we have perfect weather.

Scotty

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An injured driver had to be cut from the wreckage of his rolled truck after being trapped for 90 minutes near Oakenden last week (18 February).

RACQ CQ Rescue was tasked by Retrieval Services Queensland (RSQ) to the accident scene where a flat-bed truck had rolled while taking a corner on Eton Homebush Road, about 30km south-west of Mackay, just before 7am.

It is believed the truck was being escorted by a pilot vehicle.

The Mackay-based rescue helicopter landed on the bitumen road which had been closed by police and had to wait for about 60 minutes for the injured driver, believed to be from Blackwater, to be cut from the rear of the truck cab by Queensland Fire and Rescue.

The 49-year-old was loaded into the helicopter and flown to Mackay Base Hospital with suspected spinal injuries arriving at 8.30am.

Pedestrian Killed Near St Lawrence

Earlier that same day (18 February), a pedestrian lost their life after police believe a man was hit by a truck. The Bruce Highway was closed for several hours as investigations were undertaken, re-opening that afternoon.

Early information indicates at around 6am the 42-year-old man was on foot in the Northbound lanes of the Bruce Highway when he was struck by a large vehicle.

The man died at the scene.

Anyone with information relating to this incident, or dash cam footage from that area from 4am onwards, is urged to contact police.

Police would also like to speak to a driver (possibly driving a Pantech style truck), who was heading Southbound on the Bruce highway and sent a radio transmission about a person on the road immediately prior to this incident.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

23-Year-Old Mackay Man Missing

Police are seeking public assistance to locate a 23-year-old man reported missing in the Mackay area since Monday, 14 February.

Jayden Nolan (pictured) left a residence in Andergrove around 8am, and has not made contact with anyone since.

Investigators believe he may have been in the area of Monto Showgrounds in Monto on the evening of Thursday 17 February. His car was reportedly seen near the Sunshine Coast on 20 February.

Police and family hold concern for his welfare as his disappearance is out of character. Jayden’s brother said that he rarely leaves the house for long periods of time and would always let his workplace know if he couldn’t be at work.

He is described as 178cm tall with a fair complexion, short brown hair and hazel eyes.

Jaden is believed to be travelling in a 2011 blue Kia Rio with Qld registration 343RRO.

Anyone who may have seen him or know his whereabouts is urged to come forward.

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In dark hours are when the kindest spirits shine brightly.

Katelyn Pershouse discovered this earlier this week when she, a friend and two young children were involved in a car accident due to another vehicle allegedly running a red light.

It happened in Mackay near at the Milton Street Skate Park.

Though she no longer has a vehicle, she said she was overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers who stopped to help them when they were injured and upset.

“We’re alive and safe and se, so grateful,” she said on a Facebook community page called Mackay Noticeboard.

“I hope this post reaches the beautiful, kind and very caring people that stopped to help us, and give us water,” she said.

We have shared her story in an effort to let these people know they are appreciated.

In particular, a kind man gifted Katelyn’s son a soft animal.

“He saw my little boy upset and gifted him a sloth teddy to try and help distract and comfort him.

“It meant so much to me and that teddy will have a place in our hearts forever - our little boy slept with it last night at the hospital and has had it by his side since.

“Thank you deeply to everyone that helped us and took the time to see if we were okay and needed anything.”

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A world-first mobile health unit that will help with the early detection of lung diseases visited Mackay last Friday after departing Brisbane earlier that week.

The state-of-the-art Queensland-built HEART 5 vehicle was developed between the State Government and Heart of Australia and will assist in the early detection of mine dust lung diseases in regional Queensland workers.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart farewelled the vehicle from Brisbane last week.

“HEART 5 is a revolutionary piece of technology that will bring high-quality respiratory health screenings to mine and quarry workers in regional and remote parts of the state,” Mr Stewart said.

“This means workers won’t have to travel as far to access highly specialised services, ensuring earlier detection and intervention in cases of mine dust lung diseases like black lung and silicosis.”

The facility contains an x-ray machine and a world-first battery-powered high-resolution computerised tomography (CT) scanner.

Mr Stewart said HEART 5 has been built by Queenslanders, for Queenslanders.

“The robust vehicle was constructed in Narangba to the highest standards, in order to withstand the wear and tear of travelling through rural Queensland,” Mr Stewart said.

Heart of Australia founder Dr Rolf Gomes said that HEART 5 can do a CT parked on a mine site, and this is a world first.

“HEART 5 breaks down the tyranny of distance, so if you do have a lung disease, we can find it early and quickly,” Dr Gomes said.

Speaking in Mackay, Heart of Australia’s Head of Operations and Business Development Ewan Wylie said HEART 5 is a project of passion as a former respiratory scientist.

“I’ve sadly now met over 100 people affected by these preventable diseases,” he said.

“We can set up on a mine site, in a worker’s club car park or in a cane field and do a CT anytime, anywhere.

“We’ll be able to diagnose conditions earlier and support more informed treatment keeping miners and their communities healthier and improving their quality of life.”

HEART 5 journeyed to coal mining community Collinsville to begin vital work screening workers and former workers of mines and quarries.

“On our maiden journey over the last four days we have screened 74 retired miners from the Bowen Basin,” Mr Wylie said.

“We have already found on initial review a number of abnormal findings and have actioned some further investigations for some.

“We will be returning to Collinsville soon to complete all the required investigations once we have put all those screenings through all our specialists. “

CFMEU Queensland’s District President Steven Smyth said it doesn’t end there.

“The next step is taking this out to the regions, further providing the service that needs to be done, and then providing the backup services these mineworkers, their families and the community will need,” Mt Smyth said.

L-R Heart of Australia’s Corporate Health Initiative Program Lead Andrew Bailey, Heart of Australia’s Head of Operations and Business Development Ewan Wylie, CFMEU District President Stephen Smyth, Resources Minister Scott Stewart, Labor Candidate for Dawson Shane Hamilton, and Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert. Photo: Amanda Wright

Heart of Australia’s Corporate Health Initiative Program Lead Andrew Bailey addresses an impressive crowd welcoming HEART 5 to the Resources Centre of Excellence.

A MRI scanner is part of the impressive equipment onboard the mobile health unit

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