St James’ Uniting was the first church ever built in Proserpine, and in December, after over 100 years of standing proud on the corner of Herbert and Main Street, it was demolished.

The once local heritage site was de-registered in April last year and, having received immense structural damage during Cyclone Debbie, a full investigation deemed the structure unsafe.

The Proserpine Uniting Church Committee came to the decision to rebuild the church on the same sight and in mid-December, Proserpine said goodbye to one of its oldest buildings.

In a candlelight service, the Uniting Church congregation held a moving ceremony, recalling all the wonderful events that had happened over their 86-year tenancy at the church.

The Church Committee now have a building planning group who are working on designs and how to develop the space.

“Initially, we’re going to do some garden beautification until we have surveyors, architects and all of that,” Reverend Suzy Sitton.

“It won’t just be a church building, it will be something multi-purpose, and a space that provides a sense of well-being, peace, and an area that people can ask questions.

Reverend Sitton said that the building will be “signed, sealed, delivered” by November 2023.

“We’ve still got work ahead of us with the initial stages, but we’re underway now,” she said.

The church has reached out to its worshipers in Proserpine for over a year, seeking the opinion of the community in what they would like the space of worship to be like.

“It’s not going to be a quick project because we’re engaging with community to find exactly the needs for our community,” Reverend Sitton said.

“We had a lot of conversation leading up to Christmas, and people from the community were able to engage and talk to us about that.”

Quoting Ecclesiastes 3:1 in the Bible – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under Heaven” - Proserpine worshippers now welcome in their new season of beginning.

Services are currently held at the old hall behind where the church stood and will continue to be held there until the new building is finished.

Proserpine Uniting Church held a goodbye candlelit ceremony before the demolition of the old church building in December

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Windermere School (1922 – 1942) – The school that travelled to the children!

On March 21 this year, it will be 100 years since Windermere School opened with Miss Fanny Hancock as teacher and fourteen pupils – Eva, Robert and Edward Barr; Agnes and James Fraser; Margaret and Nell Holmes; Thelma, Cyril and Harold Lee; Florence and Herbert Lee; Frederick and James Pepper.

The school commenced in the Cannon Valley Hall where it operated for twelve months until the closed school at Palm Grove in the Conway district was transported and re-erected on land donated by Mr H. W. Holmes.  Fittingly, it took its name, Windermere, from the name of Mr Holmes’s farm. The school and the Cannon Valley Hall were situated on either side of what is now known as Robinson’s Road.

The first teacher, Miss Hancock (1922 – 1924), made a lasting impression. During her first year of teaching which was in the Cannon Valley Hall, things were fairly hectic on weekends when dances were to be held. Dances were significant fund raisers for communities – as well as important socially. Everyone available had to work to move all the school gear out for the dance and then set it up in time for Monday morning’s school.

Times were challenging – Miss Hancock taught seven different grades in her little bush school with few aids other than a blackboard, slates and slate pencils.

Recollections from past students paint a picture of a wonderful school environment. When the Palm Grove school was re-erected, gardening began in earnest and through the combined efforts of both girls and boys, a lovely flower garden was established. Friday afternoon was devoted first to sewing (both boys and girls participating) and then it was into the garden to beautify the surroundings.

Many of the children rode horses to school as there was plenty of room in the new school grounds for their horses to graze. Pupils took part with enthusiasm in concerts, plays and maypole dancing.

In its twenty years as a school, there were only five different teachers – Miss Fanny Hancock, Miss Morris, Miss Connie Hopkins, Miss Flegabein and Mr Pearce. As was the case in the early days, all these teachers boarded locally.

On June 25, 1942 the Department of Public Instruction informed the secretary of the school committee that it was necessary to close the school as from June 30. The school had not met the department’s requirement of an average attendance of at least nine pupils. Petitions in 1944 to have the school re-opened were unsuccessful.

The Windermere School building remained unused for several years and in 1945 a decision was made to remove and re-erect the building at Proserpine State School (then situated behind the Entertainment Centre) to be used as a classroom for the students attending the High School Top and as extra classrooms for the primary school until students transitioned to the new building in Sterry Street. It was subsequently used as the Proserpine Kindergarten until 2013.

After many years, the land was handed back to the Holmes family.      

Story and photo courtesy of Proserpine Museum and “Enlightened Horizons” by Neville Smith.

Fanny Hancock and horse called Old Girl circa 1922

Windermere class in the late 1930s

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A Year 12 graduate from Whitsunday Christian College was announced the lucky recipient of the Laura Morrison Memorial Bequest Scholarship at an intimate ceremony hosted by the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays on Sunday.

Madison Braddock, 18, is heading to James Cook University in Townsville to study Occupational Therapy on the February 6 this year.

Last year, Maddison’s mum encouraged her to apply for the $2000 scholarship to assist with the financial costs involved with pursuing the next stage in her studies.

The scholarship is provided by the late Laura Morrison, who was treasurer of the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays for eight years and passed-away suddenly in 2020.

Remembered for her generosity, love of the Zonta Club, and desire to support the education of women, Ms Morrison’s legacy lives on as part of this three-year scholarship package.

Maddison used the kind donation to purchase a new laptop computer which she says she will use every day to assist with her studies and assignments.

Always excelling academically, Maddison loves helping people and works long hours at the Airlie Beach Hotel to help fund her studies.

These are just some of the credentials that made her application successful.

“Her application was an absolute winner,” said Secretary of the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays, Janice Lake.

“Her academic achievements and community involvements demonstrate the Zonta ideals of women’s rights and education for women.”

The Laura Morrison Memorial Bequest Scholarship will run for three years with $2000 going to a worthy community member each year and it is hoped that the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays will be able to fund future years.

The presentation was held with morning tea at the Rainbow Bakery at Shingley Beach, with Maddison’s parents looking on proudly as she accepted the bequest.

“Thank you so much for your support and I hope to see you all again soon,” said Maddison.

The Zonta Club of the Whitsundays with Maddison Braddock and her parents

President of the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays, Dianne Truman presents Maddison with the bequest

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Junior Sports Award

Abby Plate

A passionate equestrian, Abby excels in barrel racing and has a team of 12 horses which are all home bread and trained by herself and her father, Robert.

In 2021, Abby travelled and competed with four of her horses in over 15 different events and still finds the time to encourage her younger peers, always willing to share her knowledge with others.

Abby Plate with one of her horses

Arts and Culture Award

Collinsville Youth Centre’s Gwada Murals Project

Local youth assisted Martin from Gwada Murals to create some beautiful artwork for the community to enjoy.

The project created a bright space for the youth of the Collinsville and Scottville community, expressing the many reasons they love to live in the Whitsunday Region.

The Gwada Mural

Collinsville Community Association’s Volunteer of the Year Award

Nathan Reinke

Known for his dedication and passion, Nathan is one of Collinsville’s most hard-working volunteers with his ideas, input and enthusiasm proving instrumental in may events.

From the CSHS Bacon Busters event, the Weetalaba Campdraft Clinic, local youth group and playing one of the scariest roles in the CYC Haunted House of Horrors – Nathan is a local legend.

Nathan Reinke

Community Event of the Year  

CSHS P&C Bacon Busters Event

For the past seven years a passionate group of staff, parents and students have been running this popular community event which is a fun family day out for everyone to enjoy.

All proceeds are reinvested back into the high school and gate entry donations are given to a worthy charity each year.

Noah Brand with Councillor Michelle wright at the 2021 Bacon Buster Event

Young Citizen of the Year

Sarah Wilson

While continuing with full-time study, Sarah manages to find the time to inspire and teach younger children through her tireless work at her mum’s dance school.

She takes pride in establishing a fun and safe environment for her students to learn and teaches the children in tolerance, discipline and friendship.

Sarah Wilson

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Arts and Cultural Award

Jessica Begun from Whitsunday Arts Festival

Jessica, along with Cathy Knezivic and Tom Casey, founded the Whitsundays Arts Festival due to host its third annual event in September this year.

The festival brings together local artists and broadens our cultural, engaging with the younger generations through partnering with schools, which Jessica, and by extension her team, have been honour for.

Tom Casey, Cathy Knezivic and Jess Begun

Environmental Achievement Award

John Gaskell

Described as the real life “Aquaman” by his peers, John is currently the Program Manager for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Whitsunday Reef Island Initiative – focusing his time on reef rehabilitation.

He previously developed the Daydream Island Coral Restoration Facility and Living Reef Underwater Observatory and has an immense passion for studying, photographing, and protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

John Gaskell

Senior Sports Award

Marteaka Hoffman

Marteaka is not only a valuable netball player at the Whitsunday Netball Club, but she has been a valuable volunteer for the past 10 years.

From coaching to mentoring the younger players, travelling to carnivals, umpire development and writing grant submissions, Marteaka is a dedicated sports woman, as well as a dedicated member of the club community.

Young Sports Award

Jy Parkinson

Excelling both in the water and on the field, Jy enjoys swimming, cross country, and football.

He has been awarded Sportsman of the Year at Saint Catherine’s Catholic College in Proserpine for the past three years, and this year winning Gold for backstroke at the Qld Schools Swimming State Championships followed by Bronze at a National Level.

Jy shows maturity beyond his years and has demonstrated great leadership amongst his peers, always encouraging them to do their best and leading by example.

Jy Parkinson

Community Event of the Year

Proserpine State High School’s “We Will Rock You” musical production

This professional standard school musical was received with acclaim from across the region and demonstrated the love and passion of all involved.

There were over 60 students, 20 staff and more than 20 community members participating, and many young people had the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the industry and perform in the sold-out shows.

The cast of “We Will Rock You”

Volunteer of the Year Award

Wally Hinschen

An active and valued member in a range of emergency services, Wally spent 15 and a half years with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services before his retirement on his 65th birthday.

He continues to volunteer for the SES, VMR and the Cannonvalley Rural Fire Brigade giving him a combined total of over 30 years’ experience attending rescues, fires, land and water searches, boat rescues.

Young Citizen of the Year:  

Declan Coull

Racing in the Formula 3 series in Australia, Declan has been behind the wheel since he was nine years old.

Given the “Future Star Award” in the Senior Karts and “Local Sporting Champion” by the Australian Institute of Sport, Declan is also a “racing for road safety” ambassador with Safe Drive Training (SDT) mentoring young drivers about responsible vehicle usage and is also a Defensive Driving Instructor.

Declan Coull with Mayor Andrew Willcox

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The Arts and Cultural Award goes to:

Nicole Rowan

Nicole started the Happy Rocks craze in Bowen as a fun activity she could do with her children, but it soon grew to a community of 1300 people who regularly paint, hide and hunt for rocks.

Great promoters for Bowen, the rocks have travelled all over the world left in places for people to find and encouraging them to visit Bowen.

Nicole Rowan with her son Archie

The Senior Sports Award

Sylvie Thureau-Martin

Sylvie is a 71-year-old active member of the Whitsunday Running Club who is a keen competitor and someone you can rely on to volunteer at community events.

Her greatest recent achievement was setting a new Queensland Women’s Masters record where she ran a time of 55.02 on the world certified 10km course at the Airlie Beach Marathon Festival.

Sylvie Thureau-Martin

The Young Sports Award goes to:

Shaniah Power

Shaniah started playing for the Proserpine Brahmans in 2019 and then played for the Townsville Western Lions where she represented Queensland Country at the Women’s National Championships.

In 2020 and 2021 Shaniah was selected to play for the Indigenous All Stars, the North Queensland Gold Stars and was selected to play for the Gold Coast Titans.

Shaniah Power

Volunteer of the Year Award

Arthur and Robyn Burrell

This inspiring couple have been volunteering in the Bowen community for over 45 years.

Arthur is a member of the Bowen RSL and helped establish the Bowen Men’s Shed.

Robyn has been fundraising for the Cancer Council for the past five years and is currently supporting the Cancer Council’s Shitbox Rally

Together they have volunteered for the Delta Rural Fire Brigade for 15 years and both donate time for the Bowen PCYC’s mentor driving program – Braking the Cycle.

Arthur (Tek) and Robyn Burrell

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Whitsunday Regional Council marked Australia Day by honouring the region’s high achievers in ceremonies in Collinsville, Bowen and Proserpine, as well as welcoming in those who took the pledge to become our newest Australian citizens.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said it was a great honour to be part of such a special day.

“I am fortunate in my role to be involved with many different facets of our community and I can proudly say our Whitsunday residents truly represent the Australian values,” Mayor Willcox said.

“The winners and the nominees of the Awards come from all walks of life and have excelled in different areas but the one common theme I see amongst them is that they are genuine community minded people.”

Citizen of the Year - Airlie, Proserpine and Surrounds

Helen Mathewson

They say the more you put into a community, the more you get out of it, and this applies in abundance to Helen.

Regularly volunteering at the Anglican Op Shop, maintaining the church gardens and a dedicated member of the ESA and the church council – Helen is a much-loved volunteer, friend and committee member.

A pensioner herself, Helen takes the time to help others – driving people to appointments and regularly hosting morning teas at the pensioner units.

Citizen of the Year - Bowen

Tracey Bazzo

Tracey is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating fresh water and sea turtles in Bowen, regularly spending many hours rescuing and caring for sick or injured turtles to see them fit enough to be returned to the ocean.

While running her own business, Tracey manages to find time to help others and during Cyclone Debbie she assisted the Queensland Police Service by offering use of her business premises as a storage unit for their rescue equipment.

Citizen of the Year – Collinsville

Janet Lobegeier

A vibrant, kind and loving lady, Janet Lobegeier, is the driving force behind numerous community events and is always willing to offer her time and assistance in any way she can.

Most notably, each year Janice raises much needed funds for the RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter and was an inspiration to many were affected by the 2020 bushfires, raising thousands of dollars to assist.

She is a member of the Collinsville Lions Club, is on the Collinsville Rodeo committee, Bowen River Rodeo, and assists with programs for the Collinsville Youth Coalition.

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A Chinese tourist who tragically lost her five-year-old son and her husband when they both drowned at the Airlie Beach Lagoon is fighting for $4.5 million in compensation.

On October 28th 2018, 30-year-old airline pilot, Yuanwei Zhang, was unable to swim when he ventured into the shallows with his son, Chenxi, while his wife visited the nearby shops.

It is understood that he mistakenly got out of his depth and the pair slipped under the water.

Despite it being a busy day at the lagoon and with two lifeguards just 20 metres away, no-one noticed the incident and it was several minutes before Mr Zhang was pulled from the water.

It was a further seven minutes before Chenxi was retrieved.

Neither could be revived.

The young family had been enjoying a dream holiday, travelling to Sydney before visiting the Whitsundays.

In a situation, no-one should have to deal with, wife and mother, Jie Tan, had to return home to China alone.

Just over three years later, she is now suing Whitsunday Regional Council, who own the public facility and the lifeguard contractor, Ellmill Enterprises Pty Ltd.

It is alleged that the two lifeguards who were on duty at the time failed to keep a proper look out and were chatting on the bridge instead of keeping watch.

Jie Tan is seeking $4.5 million in compensation which represents past and future lost earnings.

The couple were among the top 20 per cent of income-earners in China with Mr Zhang being a pilot and Jie Tan an intermediate flight dispatcher, earning a combined annual income of 1.4 million yuan ($307,000).

The court documents were filed in Mackay and claim the deaths could have been avoided by the exercise of reasonable care.

Council has been charged with failing to comply with workplace health and safety duty following an investigation by the Office of Workplace Health and Safety.

The matter is due to return to court next month.

Jie Tan, her husband Yuanwei Zhang and their five-year-old son Chenxi days before the tragedy. (Supplied: Jie Tan and ABC News)

Jie Tan and her son Chenxi enjoyed time in Sydney in the days before they travelled to the Whitsundays. (Supplied: Jie Tan and ABC news)

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Australia Day Awards Presented At Region-Wide Events

This Australia Day The Whitsundays acknowledged our region’s most inspiring, dedicated and high-achieving community members with awards that reflect their service and excellence.

The Region also welcomed 69 new Australian Citizens to the Whitsundays, with members of 10 different countries choosing to officially join ours.

Honouring new citizens and celebrating our community’s bright stars, Mayor Andrew Willcox, Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, and many other dignitaries attended a host of events over the Australia Day festivities.

AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED INSIDE!

Helen Mathewson, Citizen of the Year for Airlie, Proserpine and Surrounds, was presented with her award by Mayor Andrew Willcox at a special ceremony on Tuesday night

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Sugarcane growers are hopeful 2022 will bring new sugar trade opportunities following the official signing of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) last month.

“The signing of the Aus-UK FTA takes the Australian sugar industry a step closer to rebuilding what had once been a strong trading relationship with the United Kingdom, after a 50-year hiatus,” CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.

Once the FTA enters into force it will give up-front tariff-free access for 80,000 tonnes of Australian sugar to be sold to the UK in the first year increasing by 20,000 tonnes each year for the next eight years.

“We thank the Australian government for achieving this result which is a huge boost on the 9,925 tonnes quota we had for the whole of the European Union prior to Brexit,” Mr Galligan said.

“The Australian industry looks forward to supplying high quality, sustainably and ethically produced sugar to top up local beet sugar production so that UK refiners can meet the country’s needs.

“The signing of this FTA is the second piece of good trade news this week and it’s bolstering the spirits of growers working in a number of regions to finish harvesting the 2021 crop after a difficult season.”

Earlier this week the World Trade Organization found in favour of Australia in its dispute with India over that country’s price supports for sugarcane and export subsidies.

“While markets in the Asia-Pacific region will continue to be the main focus of Australia’s sugar sales, this Aus-UK FTA will allow for some important diversification for our export-oriented industry which relies on a fair and rules-based world trading system,” Mr Galligan said.

CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan

Born in darkness, little hatchling turtles peak their heads out from underneath the sand, ready to trek from the dunes to the surf each year.

This miracle of life shares the beaches of Mackay, they are a part of the Mackay community – and it is everyone’s responsibility to protect them at all costs.

The season for turtle nesting begins around the middle of October, and hatchlings emerge all the way through until April, with the main species of Mackay turtles the Flatback – the most common, and the Green and Loggerhead turtles across most of the district’s beaches.

“Nesting mainly on our mainland beaches are the Flatback, who lay approximately 50 billiard ball size eggs,” Fay Griffin of Mackay and District Turtle Watch Association said.

Marine turtles are a protected species, and only authorised persons are permitted to handle them. It is an offence to interfere with these animals, so if you are lucky enough to witness the hatchlings hustle, make sure you stand clear of the nest.

Turn off your lights, including mobile phones – they can be disorienting – let them make their own way to the beach, unless they’ve lost their way and gone somewhere dangerous, like a carpark or roadway.

Picking up a turtle in a bucket of water is permitted in this case, and they should be immediately taken back to the beach and released again to make their own way back to the sea.

“You can get quite a crowd sometimes, and it’s best to be careful and make sure you’re letting them be,” Ms Griffin said.

Flapping their flippers, these little tikes leave imprints in the sand to remember where they hatched for when they themselves become parents three decades later.

Most little hatchlings emerge at night, so keeping the beaches nice and dark ensures that both nesting females and baby turtles are undisturbed.

Any hatching activity should be reported to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, as well as Mackay and District Turtle Watch Association.

Only one in one thousand turtles survive to maturity, so make sure you’re giving our Mackay turtles the best chance of survival this hatching season.

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Local doctors may no longer need a COVID-19 vaccination to practise thanks to an exemption to the vaccine mandate.

Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen, announced a workforce shortage declaration for Mackay’s healthcare earlier this week which could result in the exemption.

Enforced in December last year by the State Government, the vaccine mandate ruled that all healthcare workers, across public and private sectors, must be vaccinated.

Mr Christensen stated that this led to a number of doctors losing their jobs at private medical practices, leaving Mackay patients waiting weeks to see a doctor.

“The mandate rules, however, contained an exemption, allowing a private practice to employ an unvaccinated doctor if there was a workforce shortage, personal protection equipment was worn and a negative rapid antigen test was recorded before work each day,” he said.

“While I vehemently disagreed with the mandate at the time, and still do, this measure by the Federal Government is a significant proof point for local surgeries to show they are suffering from a workforce shortage.

“With this proof, they may be able to hire or re-hire GPs who had to leave their job because of the vaccine mandate.”

“Medical practices in Mackay can now go to the Chief Health Officer and tell them about the city’s designation as an area of healthcare workforce shortage, describe their particular situation, and set out a solution and protocols to have medical professionals return to work for the next three months.

“The exemption can be granted for three months but there is scope for additional time to be signed off by the Chief Health Officer,” he said.

Mackay physiotherapist, Kimberley Cahill, has noticed the workforce shortage and would welcome the exemption.

“We are having to close down non-essential services including outpatient appointments, elective surgeries (some have been on a wait list for over a year) to meet unstaffed areas and redeployment services due to other areas being understaffed,” Ms Cahill stated.

“I would say it’s like a food chain - if one link is broken it affects so many other areas,” she added.

“Although with being unvaccinated there’s a higher risk of symptoms, we are so understaffed, exhausted, burnt out, that it would really benefit the amount of double shifts and overtime worked by all streams of healthcare.

“Pre-Covid and at the best of times the healthcare system is under pump and strained so adding a pandemic on top is crazy.

“We are all in PPE, so why not let them work?” she concluded.

Story by Sam Gillespie

Dr Nicole Higgins (Health on Central), Member for Dawson George Christensen and Dr Graeme Cumming (Shakespeare Medical Centre) have recently spoken out about a shortage of doctors in Mackay.

Image supplied: George Christensen MP

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Ergon Energy and the Voluntary Marine Rescue (VMR) have joined forces to remind boaties of overhead powerlines and submarine power cables crossing waterways.

The call comes after dozens of anchors were removed from just one electricity cable crossing between the mainland and Bribie Island last summer.

Ergon Area Manager Kevin Lavender said, “Last summer, in just one morning, commercial divers removed 27 anchors and hundreds of metres of rope from around just one short Moreton Bay cable and was a stark reminder that boaties were still anchoring over the clearly marked electricity infrastructure,” Mr Lavender said.

“These powerlines and cables crossing rivers and estuaries are charged with up to 132,000 volts of electricity and power tens of thousands of homes and such high voltage can make any accidental contact deadly, so I am pleading with boaties to keep a clear visual while on the water.”

Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay public relations volunteer Daryl Howland said there were a few ‘no anchor’ spots and locations with overhead wires along the Pioneer River to be aware of.

“The overhead danger is predominantly for ‘trailer sailer’ boats where skippers can forget to take their masts down,” he said.

“Although not common due to being tidal and not ideal for sailing, the River Street boat ramp also has overhead wires to be aware of.”

Mr Howland added that the one to be most aware of in the Mackay and Isaac region is the Port of Airlie which has overhead wires.

If boaties do find themselves in any difficulty they’re urged to phone Triple Zero and ask for police, who will dispatch the closest rescue vessel, or contact their local VMR or Coast Guard via phone or two-way radio.

Mackay Voluntary Marine Rescue (VMR) vessel Mastermyne Rescue 5. Image: VMR Mackay

Be aware of signs indicating danger. Image supplied: Ergon Energy

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Making Beer Now Considered ‘Essential’ As More Industries Added To Critically Essential Work List

The Queensland Government’s arrangements for critically essential workers have been expanded, with disability care, aged care, media and telecommunications now declared critical industries.

Workers performing critically essential roles may continue to work if they are a close contact.

Additional testing requirements have also been added, to ensure close contacts who are working are regularly monitored for COVID-19.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said Queensland was the first jurisdiction in the country to establish critically essential worker provisions, to help keep Queensland running.

“These changes mean more clarity for employees and employers on what a critically essential worker is, and what they are able to do,” Minister D’Ath said.

“A critically essential worker is only able to attend the workplace as a close contact to perform a critically essential role, when both employer and employee agree.

“The critically essential worker must have no symptoms of COVID-19, be fully vaccinated and provide a negative Rapid Antigen Test on their first day of work, prior to commencing work, and every second day thereafter while working, including the usual Day 6 test for close contacts.”

Employers must provide the rapid antigen test to the employee.

The definition of critically essential workers has been expanded to:

● included the beverage manufacturing industry

● include telecommunication and broadcasting services

● clarify that paid workers in disability care and aged care are critically essential.

Minister D’Ath said all categories of critically essential workers had been carefully considered, and were vital to keeping Queensland running.

“These measures keep Queenslanders safe, while also ensuring we can continue to keep our supermarkets stocked, power connected to our homes, and our hospitals available to provide free emergency health care to those that need it,” Minister D’Ath said.

“We have worked with stakeholders, including unions, to find the right balance of keeping Queensland running and keeping Queenslanders safe.”

Mackay Region Records First COVID-19 Death

Mackay Hospital and Health Service recorded its first COVID-19 related death earlier this week, reporting it on Monday 24 January.

Queensland health data published showed it was one of 13 COVID-related deaths reported in that 24-hours throughout the state.

It is understood all 13 of those deaths, including the one from the Mackay region, occurred in people over the age of 70.

Restrictions On Vaccinated International Arrivals Ease

Fully vaccinated international arrivals can now enter Queensland without quarantine. The change took effect last weekend from 1am, Saturday, January 22.

The measure was identified in the Queensland Government’s ‘Vaccine Plan to Reunite Families’ once the state reached 90 per cent of its eligible population fully vaccinated.

By opening the border just before the vaccination rate reached 90 per cent, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the move gave businesses and families certainty.

“Providing this date gives businesses and families certainty and time to make their plans.”

Vaccinated international travellers will be required to take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival.

Unvaccinated travellers will still be required to complete 14 days quarantine in a government-nominated facility.

Second-dose rates have slowed in the 18-39 years age group. It is presumed this is because of increasing case numbers in the age group.

Many due for their second vaccinations are presumed to be in isolation as either a positive case or a close contact of a positive case in their households.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said contracting COVID does not affect the time frame for getting a second dose.

“You can get vaccinated as soon as you recover from your COVID symptoms,” the Minister said.

Other Countries Shut Australia Out

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern (left) moved New Zealand back to red in its traffic light COVID-19 response this week

While international border restrictions have eased to international arrivals coming into Queensland, more countries overseas are placing stricter requirements on people from Australia entering their countries as Omicron surges down under.

The European Council took Australia, Argentina and Canada off its travel green list, meaning restrictions on non-essential travel have been enforced, making it considerably harder for Australians to holiday overseas.

Each European country will now make its own rules on entry requirements including isolation or quarantine and testing.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also moved Australia into its highest-risk travel category for COVID-19, advising US citizens not to travel to Australia.

A decision on reopening the quarantine-free travel bubble with New Zealand has also been pushed further back. Earlier this week, New Zealand moved to its ‘red light’ setting after nine cases in the Nelson region were confirmed to have the Omicron strain.

Every region in New Zealand will move to the red setting regardless of whether that area has had a confirmed Omicron case, and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she expected the country would stay in red for "some weeks".

Rapid Antigen Tests Available At Mackay Showgrounds

community members can get a COVID-19 test result faster at the Mackay Showgrounds testing clinic via a rapid antigen test. Photo: Mackay Hospital and Health Service

Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) are now available to eligible community members through Mackay Hospital’s testing clinic at the Mackay Showgrounds.

These tests are limited to eligible people only, which are those who are a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case and who need a negative test on day six to exit quarantine, or essential workers who cannot wait for a PCR result and need to return to work.

Mackay Hospital said the RATs are not available for other people whose employers ask them to them to show they are negative.

If you believe you are eligible for a RAT please call the COVID-19 hotline on 4885 5666 to book your test. When you arrive at the Showgrounds, please tell staff you are there for a RAT.

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Years ago, when I was thinking of changing careers and going into real estate, I raised the idea with a colleague whose opinion I valued. She asked me what sort of drugs I had begun consuming.

She warned me that while my newly acquired drug of choice was obviously very amusing, it clearly had hallucinogenic qualities that distorted reality and turned up-coming disasters into an apparent bed of roses.

While she questioned why I would leave a well-paid job with a secure future for something that was completely different and commission-based, she had another main reason for why she thought the move would be a disaster.

She said she would never go into selling real estate because you would be taking on responsibility for someone’s most important asset and that there were also emotional factors that come into play for sellers.

“It would be too stressful. There will be emotional attachments, massive financial considerations for them. If things go wrong, it will be all your fault. I wouldn’t dream of taking all that on,” she said.

I’m pleased to say I was able to reassure my friend that there were no drugs involved and I made the move into real estate soon afterwards.

In some ways my friend was correct. In real estate you are selling someone’s most significant asset. And it is true that emotions are involved.

But the importance of what we do as agents is actually what I like about the gig.

Good agents value the responsibility of selling someone’s most important asset. We are honoured to be entrusted with the sale of their property and be given an important role in helping someone start the next chapter of their lives.

You get to know people on the journey of selling their homes and you take the responsibility seriously. The fact that it is very important to them and that your role is vital to their successful transition to the next stage of their lives is, for me, a big part of why I love the job.

If it didn’t matter to them, it wouldn’t really matter to me. But you know it’s important and one of the great sources of satisfaction is knowing that you have successfully managed the sale of a property and got a result that allows people to step into the next chapter of their lives.

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