Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Whitsunday Anglican School has celebrated a successful year of student sport, recognising the tremendous talent and achievements of its athletes at its 2026 Sports Awards. Among the major honours, the Bill Turner Cup Under-15 Soccer Team and Vicki Wilson Cup Year 7–9 Netball Team were named Sports Teams of the Year after winning their respective Mackay competitions and progressing to represent the Mackay Region at state competitions. Harriet received Sports Official of the Year for her commitment to netball umpiring, including her selection to officiate at Queensland Representative School Sport level, while Maverick and Chelsea were named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for their sporting excellence, integrity and contributions to the school. The school also recognised Mr Jim Fredericksen for 20 years of volunteer coaching with its Archery Programme. Mayor Greg Williamson attended the awards, alongside guest speaker Mrs Deanna Turner, who shared insights into the value of sport in education. A former Queensland Firebirds netball player, Australian rugby league player and Queensland Rugby League coach, Mrs Turner is also a current Queensland Representative School Sport coach. Her presentation explored how sport can help build resilience, teamwork and leadership. The school congratulated all award recipients and students who represented Whitsunday Anglican School throughout 2026. Photo source: Whitsunday Anglican School
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It’s the story about 30,000 drowned pigs and how it applies to real estate, best business practices and life in general. In an earlier life I was the editor of the Daily Mercury newspaper, back when it was published and printed six days a week and over 20,000 copies were sold on a Saturday. Different times in the media world. Anyway, this one day we were following a story about flooding in Rockhampton. Some days earlier there had been a lot of rain and some flooding in the Mackay region and, as often happens, the river system’s flood waters then made their way towards Rockhampton. When there is a rain event upstream a lot of water from various rivers and tributaries runs into the low-lying Fitzroy River system and into Rockhampton. It is very predictable and Rocky authorities can often establish that when there is flooding further north in places like Mackay that in a week’s time the Rocky area will be flooded. So up in nearby Mackay we were following the approaching flood and in communication with our sister paper in Rocky who were giving it massive coverage. It wasn’t Mackay so it wasn’t going to be front page in our paper but we were planning on a significant coverage. In the late afternoon one of our reporters came into my office and said: “30,000 pigs have drowned in the Rocky floods. They were washed away from a farm.” I said: “Thirty thousand pigs!? That’s a lot of pigs. Can we check on that?” The reporter came back five minutes later and said: “The story’s right. The farmer told the Rocky journo thirty thousand pigs have drowned from his property upstream from Rocky. Rocky’s running the story.” I asked if we had photos and he said they didn’t but would let me know when they had some, although none arrived that evening. We went pretty big on the drowning, as the Page 3 or Page 5 lead story with the obvious headline of 30,000 pigs drowning in the Rocky floods. Early the next morning the young journalist who had told me about the thirty thousand pigs drowning approached my office and tentatively knocked on the door. In a stammering voice he said: “Ah, look … about that, um, story about the, ah, thirty thousand pigs drowning near Rocky ...” I had an uneasy feeling, bordering on dread. “Uh ha … what about the pig story?” I asked. He said: “It wasn’t thirty thousand pigs. It was 30 sows and pigs.” I’m no mathematician but even I could work out that our story and big headline was out by about 29,970 dead pigs. I knew immediately how the miss-communication would have happened. A young Rocky reporter busily covering the floods. On the phone talking to a distressed farmer or piggery owner who blurts out: “Mate it’s terribly out here. I’ve lost 30 sows and pigs, all drowned.” If someone, speaking quickly, blurts out “thirty-sows-and-pigs” you can understand how someone could hear “thirty thousand pigs”. Also, who says “sows and pigs”? A piggery owner, obviously, but probably no-one else. Certainly not a reporter in the city. Anyway, we ran a correction the next day. The story reminds me that in life, real estate and business, listen to your gut. I had questioned the story. I thought 30,000 pigs was extremely unlikely but accepted it when the young reporter confirmed it. I should have asked more questions. I should have listened to my gut. In real estate, owners sometimes get the facts wrong … how many kilowatts in the solar system, how many litres the bore produces, when the previous owner had renovated the house. You can’t just pass these things on to a buyer as facts if you don’t know them 100 per cent true. You’ve got to be cautious, listen to your gut and check the facts.
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Queensland Telestroke Service is saving lives one video call at a time, recently providing life saving consultation to 37-year-old Mackay mum Angelica Murray. Angelica suffered a stroke whilst out with a friend, and was rushed to Mackay Base Hospital. Within minutes of her arrival she was connected by video to a specialist stroke neurologist who prescribed life-saving medication. “I was in the car with my friend and suddenly I couldn’t concentrate or remember names,” Angelica said. As her condition deteriorated, her friend rushed her to hospital. At the emergency department, staff immediately recognised the signs of a stroke. “I remember all the nurses and doctors working together so quickly,” Angelica said. “They were explaining everything, even the stroke doctor on the screen.” From the advice of the Queensland Telestroke Service (QTS) neurologist, Angelica received the clot busting medication she needed. The speed of the service made a life changing difference. “I started feeling better after a couple of hours,” Angelica said. Mackay Base Hospital is now recording the fastest stroke treatment times in the state. QTS is operating live across ten Queensland sites ( Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Ipswich, Makay, Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Rockhampton, Bowen, Proserpine, and Gladstone hospitals) with more than 850 patients being treated so far. 12 Queensland hospitals are planned to be added to the list. The service aims to make sure that regional patients are receiving specialist stroke care just as efficiently as those in central areas. Local Stroke Nurse Helen Nengasha, who has spent more than a decade caring for stroke patients, said seeing outcomes like Angelica's was exactly why the team has embraced Queensland Telestroke Service. “The introduction of QTS has streamlined care for patients experiencing time-critical strokes,” Helen said. “Now, it doesn’t matter where you live, you can get that expert care straight away. “In one recent case, the team achieved treatment in just 42 minutes, well under the national 60-minute benchmark. That’s the fastest we’ve ever done.”
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From toilet training to prostate health, pregnancy to menopause — why pelvic health matters to us all. When you hear the words pelvic floor, what comes to mind? Pregnancy? Childbirth? Perhaps those exercises you were told to do but never quite remembered? For many years, pelvic health has been viewed as a women’s health issue. But here’s something that might surprise you: everyone has a pelvic floor, and everyone can experience pelvic health problems. Whether you’re a child struggling with constipation, a new mum recovering from childbirth, a man experiencing bladder changes after prostate surgery, or someone navigating menopause, pelvic health plays an important role in everyday life. Our pelvic floor is a group of muscles at the base of our pelvis. These muscles support our pelvic organs, help control our bladder and bowels, contribute to sexual function and work alongside our abdominal muscles during movement. When things aren’t working as they should, the impact can extend well beyond the bathroom. It might be the child who avoids school toilets because passing a bowel motion hurts. The mum who stops running because she leaks urine. The man who avoids social outings because he’s worried about finding a toilet. Or the woman who believes pelvic heaviness is simply another part of getting older. Different people. Different stages of life. But one common thread: pelvic health can influence our confidence, activity levels and quality of life. And importantly, many pelvic health concerns can improve with the right support. Pelvic health physiotherapy is about much more than strengthening muscles. Treatment might involve bladder retraining, bowel management, improving muscle coordination, addressing pain or helping someone return to activities they love. Sometimes the answer is strengthening. Sometimes it’s learning to relax. And sometimes it’s simply understanding what’s happening in your body. This broader understanding of pelvic health is also why our clinic has recently embraced a new name. After five wonderful years as Women’s Health Physio Mackay, we are now proudly Pelvic Health Mackay. Our new name reflects something we’ve always believed: pelvic health is for everyone. While our name has changed, our team, our care and our commitment to helping the Mackay community remain the same. So here’s my question to you. Have you stopped doing something you love because of your bladder, bowel or pelvic health? Perhaps you’ve given up running because of leakage, avoided social outings because of urgency, or accepted discomfort because you thought it was simply part of getting older. You don’t have to wait until symptoms become overwhelming to seek help. Many concerns can improve with appropriate assessment, education and individualised treatment. If something doesn’t feel right, start the conversation. Speak with your GP or a pelvic health physiotherapist and find out what support is available. Because pelvic health isn’t just about muscles, bladders or bowels. It’s about confidence, independence and enjoying life without unnecessary limitations. Pelvic health isn’t just women’s business. It’s everyone’s business. And your health deserves attention. Lauren Neill | APA Titled Women’s, Men’s & Pelvic Health Physiotherapist | Pelvic Health Mackay
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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
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
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.”
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.”
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
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
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.”
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
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.
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.”
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
The Whitsundays is currently experiencing a problem with homeless cats who have either been deliberately dumped or handed over because their owners are no longer able to look after them.
Last year a box containing approximately three litters (16 kittens) was found behind the Reef Gateway Hotel in Cannonvale – the unfortunate felines were abandoned without a thought to their welfare and one of these cats remains traumatised to this day.
Another incident occurred when a pensioner was forced to move out of the rental property she had been residing in for 20 years and the new motel-style accommodation, which was her only option, did not take cats so she had to hand over her 10 year old companion.
These are just some of the experiences that 81-year-old Christina Della Valle has witnessed in the three years since she opened the doors and her heart to the abandoned animals of the Whitsundays.
This inspiring lady is currently housing five rescue dogs, which will remain hers, almost 20 cats and two horses which she hopes to re-home, as well as various other farm animals on her 260-acre property in Preston, near Proserpine.
Animal Rescue Whitsunday operates independently and relies entirely on GoFundMe donations.
“What I don’t get donated, I pay for myself,” said Ms Della Valle.
“This is something I always wanted to do, so I just did!”
Increasingly, anyone who finds an abandoned pet in the area calls her directly and without the red tape of registered charities, Ms Della Valle is able to focus on the important job of rehousing and caring for animals.
“My only agenda is looking after the animals,” she said.
This also makes the adoption process a lot simpler for a genuine animal lover – Ms Della Valle says she prefers to go with her gut instinct when determining each applicant’s ability to look after an animal long-term.
At the moment she has nine three-week-old kittens, four eight-week-old kittens, two that are three months old and two adult cats – all of them are looking for the right home.
For $180, which in fact does not quite cover the costs, you will receive a de-sexed and vaccinated cat.
You can also donate to Animal Rescue Whitsundays by going onto their Facebook page and following the link to the GoFundMe site which is pinned to the top.
Christina Della Valle holding one of the kittens
The kittens are well looked after at the rescue centre but would love to move into a forever home
After months of planning and community consultation the draft designs were approved in a January council meeting, with stage one of the Cannonvale Skate Park redevelopment due to get underway this year.
The Whitsunday Regional Council owned facility had been showing signs of wear for years and the older design no longer met current skating trends so it was decided to demolish the park and replace it with a more modern, user-friendly facility.
During the community consultation period, however, many residents took to the public platform to raise concerns about the proposed design, stating that it seemed to replace not improve the previous park offering.
Theo George from the Australian Skateboarding Community Initiative said that a more progressive park could attract more visitors and possibly some competitions to the area.
“The new design is very entry level in the difficulty of elements,” he said.
“A park this size is not suitable for regional competitions. Investing more into a skatepark can bring large returns to your community via skatepark activation.
“It would be a shame to finally demolish and build a new park, only to realise it is unable to facilitate any events to showcase your region or talented skaters.”
All feedback was considered prior to the final draft and an updated concept was presented to the Council last month which included a competition skatebowl suitable for intermediate and advanced skaters to be added to the design as Stage Two of the project.
A total of 41 newly qualified doctors are now completing their internships at our rural hospitals and one of them is Proserpine local Dr Alex Moore who graduated last year.
Moving to Townsville after high school to study medicine at the James Cook University, Dr Moore said that diverse learning opportunities and welcoming team environment are just two of the many reasons he decided to complete his internships in the Mackay and Whitsunday region.
"Growing up in a rural area you definitely have an appreciation of health care workers and how much they're needed in those smaller towns," he said.
Developing an early interest in science inspired Dr Moore to pursue a career that combined this discipline with a passion for helping people.
"The way the human body works has always fascinated me and being in a position to make a positive difference to the health outcomes of people is hugely rewarding," he said.
"My first core rotation is emergency medicine and I'm learning a lot through the variety of presentations and team of clinicians who work in the department."
Dr Moore will be heading to Bowen Hospital in October where he hopes to expand his experience and embrace a diverse scope of practice.
Proserpine local Dr Alex Moore
Young Whitsunday residents from 8 to 21 are eligible for free support to help them access a variety of resources practical tools and professional advice thanks to not-for-profit community organisation, MADEC Ltd and their Youth Empowerment and Support Service. (YESS)
The friendly and dedicated local youth support workers can assist any young person through challenging processes by dismantling barriers that would otherwise prevent doors from opening and quality of life improving.
Whether it be helping you get access to mental health services, applying for financial assistance payments, enrolling into education or assisting with writing a resume to secure your dream job, the team can show you how.
YESS Youth Support Worker, Torii Kelly, said that anyone who lives in the Whitsundays, from Bloomsbury to Bowen and out to Collinsville between the ages of 8 to 21 can be eligible to access the service.
“If you have any questions about our services or if you believe you or someone you know may benefit from our support service, please contact us. We are available Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm to answer any questions you may have” she said.
“We will help you work through your list of goals – and help you achieve them by supporting you in any way we can.”
Generally, in the Whitsundays most young people are seeking pathways to link in with mental health services, alternative forms of education as well as assistance to access safe housing options.
By working with the individual young person to create an individual support plan, each Support Worker can keep connected to ensure every young person has the tools and support they need for a successful life.
YESS Youth Workers Rachel Miller who services Bowen and Collinsville, Natasha Reid who services Bowen and Proserpine and Torii Kelly who services Proserpine, Airlie Beach and Cannonvale area
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