Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
OPINION PIECE from the office of Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox There is no question that immigration into Australia is out of control. The government’s numbers are too high, and standards are too low. A sustainable migration program must consider our capacity to provide housing, healthcare, infrastructure and the essential services everyone relies on, and Australians must come first. But Labor’s decision to target Working Holiday Makers Visa holders is not the answer. These people filling vital gaps in our workforce are not the cause of Australia’s housing crisis. In many cases, they are living in accommodation provided by the very businesses that employ them. The National Farmers’ Federation has made the point that Working Holiday Makers generally stay in hostels, caravan parks or purpose-built on-farm accommodation. Resorts usually have on-site staff quarters. They are not the source of Australia’s housing shortage. So why is Labor making it harder for them to come here, when these workers fill genuine jobs that regional Australia holds? Working Holiday Makers fill approximately one in seven farm jobs nationally and are particularly important during peak agricultural periods, which for Dawson, it is right now! Farmers rely on these workers to plant, pick, pack and harvest the produce that ends up on Australian supermarket shelves. Having run one of Australia’s largest tomato farms, at times Working Holiday Makers made up more than 50 per cent of my workforce. Without them, much of our crop simply would not have been picked in time and rotted in the paddock. Some may say, why not employ the Australians who don’t have a job and are on “the dole”? Can I say, this does not work. Most farmers will employ Aussies over travelling backpackers, but many either don’t want to do the work or don’t turn up after the first day. Who picks the fruit or veggies then? Farmers are already warning that visa delays are leaving them without workers. The NFF says approvals that once took days are now facing processing times of up to three months, and this time frame can be the difference between harvesting a crop or losing it. That should concern every Australian already feeling the pressure at the supermarket checkout. The same problem is playing out in tourism. Across Dawson, Working Holiday Makers are an important part of the workforce supporting tourism and hospitality, particularly in the Whitsundays. They help fill shifts, work in hotels and restaurants, support tour operators and keep businesses running through their busiest periods. They also contribute to the local economy. They spend money on food, fuel, attractions and tours, supporting the small businesses that depend on a strong visitor economy. That is why tourism and business leaders across North Queensland are raising the alarm. They understand what happens when a regional business cannot get enough staff: opening hours are reduced, and services are cut, creating a downward spiral. We do need to reduce migration to sustainable levels. We need stronger integrity measures, and we need to crack down on rorts. But responsible migration policy means understanding which parts of the system are creating pressure and which parts are helping Australia function. Working Holiday Makers are not the problem. They are part of the workforce solution for regional. Australia. People have had a gutful of watching their standard of living go backwards. Groceries, fuel, housing and everyday expenses are already putting enormous pressure on families. The last thing Australians need is another reckless policy that makes it harder to produce food, harder to run regional businesses and harder for tourism operators to find the workers they need.
Read the full storySomeone sold a house in Sydney last week for $9 million less than they bought it for four or five years ago. The sellers had bought the property in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $29 million and sold it for $20 million in a sale forced by their bank. I imagine the sellers are a little disappointed by the government’s decisions on negative gearing and capital gains tax and feeling pretty hurt by the increased interest rates. Australia’s interest rates are on the rise and are now sitting at levels not seen since 2011. Increased cost of living is hurting people around the country and interest rates are playing into that. But the impact of interest rates is not felt evenly around the country. The far-higher property prices mean people in the major cities suffer much more than regional areas with the rates increase. That is certainly not to say people in Mackay are unaffected by the cost of living; it’s just that the impact of interest rates increase on a $400,000 mortgage is much less than the impact on a $1m mortgage. There are other Mackay-specific factors that are in play when discussing the current housing market. The big factor is the role of coal in our economy. Most of the coal extracted and exported from our region is coking coal, which is used to make steel. The price of coking coal is around $280 a tonne, which is about 50 per cent up. Good activity in the coal market translates to good news for the Mackay economy, as it is an economic engine that other cities and regions just don’t have. Good activity in Bowen Basin flows throughout the Mackay economy; Paget workshops, transport, suppliers and related businesses all benefit. But so do other, non-mining-related businesses as they benefit from the general confidence and spending that goes on. The strong mining activity also means mines need to keep their staff levels up and that means more people moving to Mackay. Of course, Mackay is much more than a coal mining town but if the coal sector is going well those other areas definitely benefit. It is a confidence boost for Mackay people looking to get into the housing market and those wanting to upgrade or downsize. It also means continuing strong demand from people wanting to rent a property and it will be interesting to see what sort of activity that creates from investors. Investors have walked away from the big-city markets because they can no longer use negative gearing on established properties that do not have a sufficient yield to be positively geared. Negative gearing has never been a big thing in Mackay because our prices are lower and rental returns continue to be strong so many investors have a positively geared property. Around the country everyone is nervous about the state of play and the probability of more interest rate rises. But strong coal prices and an economy that is performing well mean Mackay might just be presenting an opportunity for buyers and sellers that doesn’t exist in other parts. I remember when national confidence was flying high and Mackay prices were going up significantly that many buyers were saying “I wish we had bought a while ago when the market wasn’t so hot”. I’m not armed with a crystal ball so I’m not here to tell you what is going to happen but I suspect there is a very good buying window right now for those looking for an opportunity.
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A local Mackay and Sarina based model has created a dress out of newspapers, including Mackay Life, for her upcoming pageant, representing her region and hometown on the runway as she vies for Miss Diamond International in Brisbane. Zoe Place will be competing this weekend in the three-day event, beginning this Friday 2nd October and ending on Sunday 4th October. The young model spent around a month creating her eco-fashion outfit, using old newspapers as the main material and transforming them into a bodice, skirt and flowers. Red elements were also incorporated into the design to give the dress a bold and glamorous pageant feel. Zoe said, “The entire concept was really about taking something that would normally be thrown away and turning it into something beautiful and meaningful.” Her eco-fashion creation will form part of a busy weekend in Brisbane, with the Miss Diamond International event including photo shoots, interviews, an eco-fashion show and the final pageant. Zoe has been preparing for the event by practising her strut and walking, preparing for interviews and getting comfortable in the different outfits she will wear throughout the weekend. Alongside her love of modelling, pageantry has also provided Zoe with a platform to raise awareness about causes close to her heart, including mental health, while fundraising for Beyond Blue. “Pageantry has given me more of a platform to combine my love for modelling with something that is really important to me.” “When I first started, I was more nervous about putting myself out there and worried about what others would think about me – but I’ve changed a lot through my journey in pageantry.” “Pageantry has also taught me that it’s not about how you look on stage. It’s about the person you are when you step off it.” “Every woman has their own unique journey and that journey is something we should all be really proud of.” “To me, it represents confidence, empowerment, kindness, and using your voice to make a difference.” Zoe said she was looking forward to meeting the other contestants, making new connections and creating memories. “I’m definitely looking forward to meeting all the new contestants and making new connections and creating memories that I will carry with me for a lifetime.” While Zoe hopes to eventually move to the city, her sights are set even further afield, with a dream of one day walking in New York Fashion Week. Mackay and Sarina local Zoe Place has created an eco-fashion dress from recycled newspapers, including Mackay Life, ahead of her Miss Diamond International pageant in Brisbane. Photos supplied
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Trends, reels and the endless cycle of always wanting more has quietly bombarded the minds of countless social media users of all ages, but one former Mackay local has made it her mission to help others understand the effects of social media and find practical ways to break free from online addiction. Alexis Zahner is in Mackay over the next week to teach upcoming generations about social media and the effects it can have on the mind, particularly on identity, self-discovery, as well as the marketing strategies that get viewers hooked and influence their decisions. It is something Alexis knows first-hand can be a useful tool, but also a great disruption to authenticity and the world as we see and experience it. Alexis will hold a free meet and greet and book launch today, Friday 2nd October, at 5.30pm at the Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club, where she will give a talk and answer questions relating to her debut book, Real: Reconnecting to Yourself in a World of Likes and Lies. A former Mackay girl, Alexis spent the past 15 years working across business psychology, marketing and media, with her interest in social media influence beginning during her university studies at James Cook University in Townsville. Her own experience as a social media user, travel blogger and influencer eventually led her to question how much of her identity, decisions and values were being shaped by what she saw online. “The tipping point came for me about 3 years ago when I had this feeling that I couldn't separate influence from my own personal decision making,” she said. “I couldn't separate my own likes, dislikes, values, relationships from what I was being exposed to and being influenced by online.” “I found that I needed to take some time away from social media to recalibrate what was important to me and sort of reconnect and come back to myself.” Alexis said she understood the feeling of questioning who you are outside of social media. “I know what it feels like to live a life under the influence of social media and have that existential crisis of thinking to yourself, who am I? What do I like? What's the kind of life I want to live? and struggling to separate myself from influence.” Alexis is particularly passionate about reaching teenagers, who she says are in an important stage of identity development, and will share this message with Mackay high school students during her upcoming school talks. “Teenagers are really easily influenced by social media. So it's a really important age where we start educating them – not just on the mental health repercussions of things like social media and how it shortens their attention span, but how it actually influences who they become.” “If you're asking yourself these questions, it's not your fault. Social media is actually geared to create this impact on you.” Alexis encourages people of all ages to “start expanding beyond what you see on the platform.” “Dare to indulge in the things that you've always been curious about or things you used to love,” she said. “Don't be afraid to put the phone down to let yourself be curious and have fun.” What: Alexis Zahner's 'Real' Book launch When: 5.30pm Friday 2nd October 2026 Where: Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club Former Mackay local and author Alexis Zahner is returning home to share her experiences with social media and her debut book, Real. Photo supplied
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Photo source: Shutterstock
From long-time locals who have watched the region grow and change, to those discovering a new chapter in retirement, Mackay’s older residents hold something no service directory can provide – and that’s experience, stories, knowledge and a lifetime of connection to the community.
Next Tuesday 15th September, seniors will take centre stage at the Mackay Seniors Expo, with The Big Shed at Mackay Showgrounds set to become a hub of conversation, discovery and connection.
Running from 9am to 12pm, the annual expo is expected to welcome around 2,000 people and more than 80 exhibitors, making it one of the region’s biggest opportunities for seniors, families, friends and carers to find out what is happening across Mackay.
And there is no need to arrive armed with a list of questions.
Come for the coffee. Stay for the conversations. Wander the stalls, meet someone new, discover a service you didn’t know existed, or simply enjoy being among other members of the Mackay community.
From health and wellbeing to advocacy, home care, legal services, recreation, employment, community groups and technology, the impressive line-up of exhibitors means there will be plenty to explore.
Local organisations including Mackay Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council Libraries, Queensland Health, Services Australia, Legal Aid Queensland, PCYC Queensland, Mackay Community Gardens, The Salvation Army and many more will be among those connecting with the community.
There will also be opportunities to learn about everything from dementia support and cancer screening to accessible recreation, transport, technology, home services and community participation.
The Queensland Government’s Seniors Month celebrations are about encouraging positive attitudes towards older people, supporting participation and activity, and strengthening relationships between generations, which are values that are particularly important and upheld in a close-knit community like Mackay.
Because being a senior does not mean life becomes smaller. In many ways, it can open the door to new interests, new friendships, new adventures and more time to do the things that matter.
Whether you have lived in Mackay for decades or are relatively new to the region, Tuesday’s expo is an invitation to get involved, ask questions, have a chat and see what is out there.
Bring your curiosity, bring a friend and, most importantly, bring yourself. There is a whole community waiting to connect with you!
For many people, independence means being able to keep doing the everyday things that matter, with the right support around them when they need it.
For almost 40 years, Comlink Australia has supported older Australians to live with greater choice, confidence and independence.
Our Support at Home Packages are designed to make everyday living easier. Whether it’s assistance with meals, cleaning or personal care, our friendly team is here to provide support in a way that feels right for you.
Getting out and about is just as important, which is why our reliable, door-to-door Community Transport service can help participants attend medical appointments, run errands and get where they need to go. It offers a practical and affordable transport option designed to support independence and make everyday travel easier.
Navigating aged care can sometimes feel complicated, particularly as needs change over time. In Mackay, dedicated Care Partner Bernadette Moloney brings 15 years of experience in aged care, providing education, guidance and assistance to help participants and their families understand their level of care, the services available to them and how their supports can work together.
If you would like to learn more about Comlink Australia and the support available in Mackay, come and meet our team at the Mackay Seniors Expo on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, from 9:00am to 12:00pm at The Big Shed, Mackay Showgrounds.
Whether you are beginning to explore aged care options, reviewing your current supports or simply want to understand what help may be available, our team is here to help.
For Teresa Jenkins, owner and Registered Nurse behind Reach Mobile Nurse Consultant, nursing is about more than clinical care. It is about listening, building trust, and ensuring people feel supported – particularly when accessing health care is difficult.
Proudly serving the Pioneer Valley, Mackay and surrounding rural communities, Reach Nurse brings professional and experienced nursing care closer to home. Teresa understands that travelling into town, waiting at busy clinics or arranging transport can be challenging for older residents, people living with disability, busy families and those managing ongoing health conditions.
With 14 years’ experience in primary health and as a standalone independent Registered Nurse, Reach offers a range of personalised services, including blood tests, wound care, chronic disease management, observations, incontinence assessments, ear syringing, 24hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure monitoring and much more whilst collaborating with your regular GP. Reach also offers nonclinical care.
Teresa also consults locally on Tuesdays at the Finch Hatton Hub. Led by Leah Stevenson, the Hub is a Progress Village initiative developed to support the Pioneer Valley community by bringing health and other services closer to home. This welcoming local space provides residents with convenient access to Teresa’s nursing support without the need to travel into Mackay.
As a local small business, Reach is built on connection, continuity of care and a genuine commitment to supporting vulnerable people who may otherwise struggle to access essential health services. Every client is treated as an individual, with their needs, preferences and independence placed at the centre of their care.
Mackay Probus Club’s aims are quite simple, says Club President Colin Thompson.
“We don’t talk politics, we don’t raise funds, we’re purely a bunch of friendly people building friendships and enjoying each other’s company.”
Monthly meetings always include a guest speaker and a generous morning tea break with good food and plenty of time to get to know each other. Other formalities are kept very brief.
“We also have an outing each month to explore something different in the area, but always including a social morning tea or lunch,” he says.
“Our members are an interesting mix of long-term locals, along with those who have come to Mackay more recently to live near family and make new friends,” he says.
Guest speakers include wonderful and inspiring people in the local community and Colin says it’s amazing how much good is being done that we are not aware of.
“Many of our own members have had interesting lives. Some are a bit shy, but we love hearing some of their stories too.”
“Some of our members are regular travellers, and Probus nationally has a wide range of discounted travel opportunities both locally and overseas for members,” he says.
“We encourage people to come to a meeting to see what we do,” Colin says. “If you visit the Probus Club stand at the Seniors Expo and leave your email contact, we can send you more information.”
New members are always welcome. Meetings are held at Souths Leagues Club from 9am on the second Wednesday, the next being October 14th. Inquiries mackayprobusclub@gmail.com or phone 1300 630 488.
Across Australia, communities are shaped by people who generously share their time, knowledge and experience with others.
This spirit is especially evident in my electorate of Capricornia, where residents find creative and meaningful ways to bring people together, preserve local history and build connections between generations.
The revitalisation of the Sarina Field of Dreams precinct is a wonderful example.With plans to strengthen the precinct’s role as a community and tourism destination, including the recent reopening of the Sarina Museum, the precinct can continue sharing the district’s story. Sarina has a rich history shaped by generations of hardworking local people. Preserving their experiences and achievements ensures their contributions are not forgotten and helps younger residents understand the community they have inherited.
That same spirit can be found in Sarina’s award-winning street library, which recently celebrated their first birthday. Created from repurposed bar fridges, the library began as a welcoming place for residents and visitors to exchange books. It has since expanded to include a community pantry, and is a place to stop for a friendly chat. This simple idea demonstrates how creativity can encourage reading, conversation and connection.
The community impact award received by Sarina’s 131 Army Cadet Unit in 2025 also highlights the importance of passing knowledge and values from one generation to the next. Supported by dedicated adult leaders and volunteers, the unit helps young people develop confidence, discipline, leadership and a strong commitment to service.
Together, these stories reflect the qualities that have long sustained our communities: initiative, service, connection and pride in our shared history. They also remind us that strong communities are built across generations. Our seniors contribute invaluable experience and perspective, while younger generations carry that knowledge forward and find new ways to strengthen the places they call home.
By the office of Michelle Landry MP, Member for Capricornia
For almost 60 years, Meals on Wheels Mackay has been delivering meals to local doors, but as well as the thousands of dinners leaving its kitchen each week, volunteers offer something equally important: connection.
Established in Mackay in 1967, the organisation now dispatches approximately 4,000 meals each week, with around 450 clients, volunteers and staff forming what has affectionately become known as the “MOW family”.
While Meals on Wheels is often associated with supporting older residents, the team says one of the biggest misconceptions is that the service - and volunteering for it - is only for older people.
“It is not just for old people!” said Service Manager Zoe Kennedy.
“We have clients under 40 and volunteers under 30. There isn’t a particular age that defines someone who might need our service or someone who can give their time to help provide it.”
Meals on Wheels is available to people of all ages, with the cost of meal packages varying depending on individual circumstances and any support or funding they may be eligible to receive. For many clients, the knock at the door also brings much more than a homestyle meal. Volunteers take the time to chat and check that everything is okay, providing regular social contact that can help reduce isolation while giving families reassurance that someone is checking in on their loved one.
“For me, it’s the connection between people,” Zoe said.
“The food is a bonus, but what we do goes well beyond a meal. Seeing our staff and volunteers have purpose in what they do, and our clients smiling and having a connection with another person, is what makes it worthwhile.”
That sense of connection extends to the diverse group of volunteers who keep the service moving, including former police officers, nurses, teachers and coal miners, as well as local students and businesses.
Senior students from Mackay Special School take part in their own dedicated weekly delivery run, with the organisation working to maintain those connections after graduation. Some former students have even progressed into paid employment with Meals on Wheels.
Students and teachers from Milton High School also join the delivery team each week, while local businesses give employees opportunities to volunteer through workplace community programs.
Among the organisation’s regular volunteers is well-known Mackay radio personality Rob Kidd.
“It always gives me a chuckle when someone realises who he is when he springs in the door,” Zoe said.
“He’s so full of life and has a way of making everyone smile – or blush.”
Meals on Wheels Mackay will soon take their community spirit to the upcoming Seniors Expo, where residents can meet the team, ask questions and learn more about becoming a client or volunteer.
Like many community organisations, Meals on Wheels is currently facing a shortage of volunteers and is encouraging people who may never have considered volunteering to give it a go. Importantly, helping out does not have to mean committing every day, or even every week.
“There’s a place here for people who simply want to be part of something meaningful,” Zoe said.
“Every person who gives their time, no matter how much, becomes part of our MOW family and helps us continue supporting the wider community.”
After almost six decades of service, the organisation is now focused on ensuring Meals on Wheels remains strong for the next generation.
With thousands of meals delivered and hundreds of people connected through the service each week, the team believes its impact is best understood by looking beyond the numbers.
“Meals On Wheels really is a community within a community.”
Brad Baker: Healthy Life Essentials
Gut health has become a popular topic, with shelves full of supplements promising better digestion, greater energy and improved wellbeing. Yet caring for your digestive system is rarely as simple as adding another capsule to your daily routine.
Think of your digestive system as the engine of a car. When the engine is well maintained and running efficiently, the whole vehicle is better equipped for the journey ahead. In much the same way, healthy digestion helps provide the nourishment and energy your body needs to function at its best. When something is out of balance, the effects may be felt far beyond the digestive tract.
Digestion influences how nutrients are broken down and absorbed, while the gut also interacts closely with the immune, nervous and hormonal systems. The well-known gut brain connection helps explain why digestive discomfort and emotional wellbeing can affect one another. Stress may contribute to digestive symptoms, while ongoing discomfort can influence mood, concentration and quality of life. Some people may experience bloating, irregular bowel habits, fatigue or “brain fog”; others may be living with inflammation or a diagnosed digestive condition.
These experiences deserve thoughtful investigation, not hype, guesswork or a one size fits all solution.
At Healthy Life Essentials, we encourage people to look beyond quick fixes. Supplements cannot compensate for habits and circumstances that may be placing the body under daily strain. How are you eating? Are you rushing your meals or eating late at night? Are you properly hydrated? Are stress, poor sleep or emotional pressures affecting your digestion? Are you moving regularly and giving your body enough time to rest and recover?
Even foods widely considered “healthy” may not suit every person in the same way. Your health history, lifestyle, symptoms and individual needs all matter. That is why generic advice can only take you so far.
Our eight pillars of health provide a practical framework for exploring the many interconnected influences on digestive wellbeing. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, we consider nutrition, hydration, sleep, movement, stress, emotional wellbeing and other everyday factors that help form the foundation of a healthy life. Every approach is carefully tailored to the individual, because no two bodies, histories or lives are identical.
If digestive discomfort, low energy or mental fog has gradually become your “normal,” it is time to listen more closely. Your body is not asking for another passing trend, it is asking to be understood.
Let Healthy Life Essentials help you explore the bigger picture, uncover the habits and influences that could be holding you back, and begin building a healthier foundation from within.
Selectability Reinforces Message For Child Protection Week
With child safety firmly in the national spotlight, not-for-profit charity selectability is using Queensland Child Protection Week (6th – 12th September) to remind communities that keeping children safe is a shared responsibility.
As Queensland continues to explore new approaches to supporting vulnerable children and families, one message remains clear: creating safer environments for children and young people is a collective effort that requires the commitment of individuals, families, communities and organisations alike.
selectability Chief Operating Officer Aaron Farrell said child safety was strengthened through everyday actions and a commitment to creating safe environments for children and young people.
“From recognising concerns early to creating spaces where children feel safe, respected and heard, everyone has a role to play,” Aaron said.
“Every child deserves to feel safe, valued and supported.
“When children feel heard, respected and protected, they are better able to grow, learn and thrive.”
For almost five years, selectability has supported children and young people through its Child and Family Care program.
Earlier this year, selectability became a licensed care provider, further strengthening the systems and safeguards that support high-quality care for children and young people.
Aaron Farrell said becoming a licensed care provider reflected selectability's ongoing focus on child safety and continuous improvement.
"As a child safe organisation, children's rights, safety and voices help shape how we deliver services and make decisions.
“Child safety isn't limited to a particular policy, program, service or role.
"It's embedded in our culture. You can see it in the decisions we make, the conversations we have, and the standards we set across our organisation.
“Whether we're supporting families, working in corporate roles, or out in our communities, we all contribute to ensuring children and young people feel safe, respected and supported."
Queensland Child Protection Week is celebrating 40 years of advocating for child safety. The 2026 theme, ‘Protecting children is everyone’s business’, is a reminder that creating safer environments for children and young people requires a collective effort.
If I could recommend one small investment to any small business owner, it would be a marketing and sales coaching session.
And I don’t mean hiring someone to take over your marketing.
I mean sitting down with someone who can look at the whole picture with you.
Where are people finding you?
What happens when they land on your website or social media?
Is your offer actually clear?
What happens when someone enquires?
Do you follow up?
Do you have a proper sales process, or are you just hoping people come back?
Because this is where I see so many businesses get stuck.
They think they need more marketing, so they spend more money on ads, content, websites or another new platform.
But sometimes the real problem is somewhere completely different.
Maybe your marketing is bringing people in, but your follow-up is letting you down.
Maybe your website is fine, but nobody really understands what you are selling.
Maybe you are getting enquiries, but there is no clear next step.
Or maybe you are doing a lot of marketing, but none of it really connects together.
That is why I think one good coaching session can be such a smart investment.
Not because someone is going to magically fix your business in an hour or two.
But because sometimes you need someone outside of your business to pull everything apart, look at the full customer journey and show you where things are getting lost.
Then you can decide what actually needs fixing first.
For a small business, that can save a lot of wasted time, money and frustration.
And sometimes, that is far more useful than simply doing more marketing.
glowspheremarketing.com.au
MBH nurse navigator Helen Nengasha, Dr Belinda Weich, Dr Maduka Sanjeewa and Dr Mehul Desai. Photo supplied: Mackay Base Hospital
Mackay stroke patients are set to benefit from nationally recognised specialist care close to home after Mackay Base Hospital became one of just six Queensland hospitals certified as a primary stroke centre.
The hospital is only the second regional facility in Queensland to achieve certification under the Australian Stroke Coalition’s Stroke Unit Certification Project.
Around 190 stroke patients are treated at Mackay Base Hospital each year, with evidence showing treatment in a certified stroke unit can significantly reduce the risk of death or disability.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Sean Birgan said the four-year certification recognised the expertise and dedication of the hospital’s multidisciplinary stroke team while providing a foundation to further strengthen local services.
“This milestone is not simply about accreditation; it is a reflection of a team committed to providing safe, high-quality stroke care and achieving the best possible outcomes for Mackay region patients and their families,” Mr Birgan said.
Certification followed a rigorous peer-reviewed assessment of the hospital’s stroke services.
Nurse navigator Helen Nengasha said timely access to specialised treatment could make a life-changing difference for people experiencing a stroke.
The hospital’s capabilities include a dedicated stroke unit, specialised clinical expertise, thrombolysis, advanced imaging, multidisciplinary care, rehabilitation and ongoing quality improvement.
“By upskilling our nurses through dedicated stroke education and combining that expertise with a certified unit, we have significantly enhanced the quality of patient care,” Ms Nengasha said.
Mackay’s stroke team works alongside services including the Queensland Telestroke Service, Queensland Stroke Clinical Network and Stroke Foundation to access specialist expertise and continue improving regional care.
The team was previously recognised for its high standard of care at the Australian Stroke Coalition Quality Stroke Service Excellence Awards in 2020 and 2023.
131 Army Cadet Unit Sarina cadets put their new drone equipment to the test at a recent training and competition day, supported by a Community Grant from Community Bank Sarina
Students and cadets across the Mackay region are getting hands on with emerging technology, thanks to two community grants recently awarded by Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank.
Sarina’s 131 Army Cadet Unit and Whitsunday STEM Challenge Inc received more than $16,600 combined through the Community Bank Sarina Community Engagement Program to purchase drone technology and equipment, supporting the development of skills, confidence and future career pathways.
Community Bank Sarina Business & Community Engagement Chair Maree Franettovich said investing in future-focused projects supporting youth and education was an important part of the program.
“Drone technology is becoming increasingly relevant across many industries and these projects are giving young people the opportunity to gain practical experience while building skills, confidence and an understanding of where this technology could take them,” Ms Franettovich said.
“It is because of Community Bank Sarina’s customers and our profit for purpose model that these community grants are available to support local organisations and create new opportunities preparing our young people for the jobs of tomorrow.”
131 Army Cadet Unit Sarina’s community grant purchased Defence-approved drones, cameras and training equipment for new elective programs.
131 Army Cadet Unit CAPT(AAC) Amy Bradford said the equipment had “already created new opportunities”, with cadets from across the 80 Battalion coming together in Sarina for a weekend of drone theory, flight skills and racing.
“Thanks to this community grant, we can now deliver drone training to current and future cadets, building skills that can support future pathways across a range of industries,” CAPT(AAC) Bradford said.
Meanwhile, Whitsunday STEM Challenge Inc’s community grant was utilised to introduce drone soccer to the region at the recent Whitsunday Festival of STEM.
STEM Engagement Educator (Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy), Alex van Nunen, said the Drone Soccer ‘Come and Try Day’ was a “major hit”.
“Students of all ages were lining up to have a go, including many who had little or no experience flying drones,” Mr van Nunen said.
“They loved the competitive element, while also having the opportunity to develop their flying skills in a fun and practical environment.
“The strong response has created excitement about the future of drone soccer and we plan on it becoming a formal part of next year’s Festival of STEM.”
From flight training to drone soccer, these projects demonstrate how community investment can create significant impact – by providing opportunities today that will build the skills capacity in our region needed for tomorrow.
To find out more about Community Bank Sarina’s community impact, find them on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
Two decades of local history, sugarcane, and spirits will be celebrated this weekend as Sarina Sugar Shed marks its 20th anniversary with a free Open Day.
The celebration will be held on this Saturday 12th September, from 10am to 3pm at Field of Dreams Parklands, Railway Square, Sarina, with the community invited to come along and celebrate the milestone.
Visitors can explore historical displays and Sugar Shed memorabilia, enjoy free tastings, train rides and interactive activities, and meet award-winning distiller Sarah. Special rum and rum liqueur releases will also be unveiled for the anniversary.
The story of Sarina Sugar Shed began in 2003, after local sugar mills, including Plane Creek Mill, ceased offering tours due to increasing safety compliance and insurance costs. Local citizens and mill workers, supported by the then-Sarina Shire Council, developed the concept for a replica sugar mill on council-owned land.
Development began in 2004, with construction commencing in 2005 and local mill workers collecting and refurbishing equipment. The Sugar Shed officially opened in September 2006, producing its first liqueurs that year.
Since then, it has grown into an award-winning tourism attraction and a celebration of the region’s sugar industry.
Now, 20 years on, the community is invited to celebrate the people, stories and local produce that have helped shape the Sarina Sugar Shed.
What: Sarina Sugar Shed 20th Anniversary Open Day
When: Saturday 12th September, 10am–3pm
Where: Field of Dreams Parklands, Railway Square, Sarina
QSL needs a clear path forwards without competitors clouding the will of members who market their sugar with QSL. Picture: Kirili Lamb
By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay
Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) is our own industry-owned not for profit sugar marketing and logistics organisation which has been in existence for generations, from beginnings in 1923 as the Queensland Sugar Board.
QSL has served the industry well in its role operating our bulk sugar terminals but now, with Sugar Terminals Limited’s decision to insource sugar terminal operations, it has evolved into a sugar marketing company only.
The upcoming shareholder vote to modernise the constitution of QSL is one of the most important governance decisions our industry has faced in years. The issue is simple, and the stakes are high, that Growers and Millers who choose to market through QSL should be the ones who shape its future.
For too long, outdated constitutional rules have allowed milling companies that not only compete with QSL, but supply no Miller Economic Interest (MEI) sugar to QSL, to retain the power to block changes which are supported by growers and millers who actually partner with QSL. This imbalance came into sharp focus at last year’s AGM, when Wilmar and MSF Sugar used Grower Economic Interest (GEI) sugar enabled under old governance arrangements to stop reforms that were backed by grower members and most milling members, including Mackay Sugar Ltd.
Those rules were written for a very different industry. They were created at a time when QSL operated Queensland’s bulk sugar terminals on behalf of everyone. But since 1st July 2026, terminal operations have transitioned to Sugar Terminals Limited. QSL no longer plays that industry wide role, and the constitutional settings that once made sense simply do not fit the organisation’s responsibilities today.
The question before us now is straightforward: should businesses that compete with QSL continue to hold the same power as those who rely on QSL to market their sugar? Or put another way, should companies that supply no MEI sugar to QSL be able to block changes supported by the growers and millers who actually use QSL’s services?
To me, and to the growers I represent, the answer is clear.
At the upcoming AGM on 22nd October, QSL members will again be asked to support constitutional reform that recognises the QSL of today, not the QSL of a decade ago. These changes would align voting rights with those who market through QSL, remove outdated terminal references, update governance arrangements to reflect the current competitive environment and give commercial partners a meaningful say in QSL’s future
These reforms are not about favouring one group over another. They are about fairness, transparency, and ensuring that QSL is governed by those who actually depend on it. When growers choose QSL as their marketer, they deserve confidence that their voice matters and that their marketer is not being held back by competitors with no commercial relationship to it.
This debate also sits within a broader national conversation. The Australian Government is currently reviewing the Sugar Code of Conduct which sits beside the state’s grower choice legislation. These are the two major tools to ensure that competition is fair and the playing field is level. QSL has made its position clear: those who choose QSL should have a meaningful voice in how QSL is governed. I strongly agree.
Our growers rely on QSL to market their sugar competitively, transparently, and independently. QSL has earned that trust over many years. But trust alone is not enough its governance must reflect the real structure of today’s industry.
It is time for QSL’s constitution to catch up.
As growers, we have always stood up for fairness and accountability. We know that strong governance leads to strong outcomes. The proposed reforms are sensible, overdue, and essential to ensuring QSL remains a reliable, competitive marketer for the growers and millers who choose to work with it.
Leucaena is becoming increasingly visible across the Mackay Region, with extensive growth reported in rural areas, along waterways and around Hay Point, while concerns about its spread are also emerging further north into the Whitsundays. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
By Hannah McNamara
A Mackay local is calling for greater recognition and coordinated management of leucaena, raising concerns about its increasing presence across roadsides, waterways and surrounding landscapes.
Helen Tame, who has lived in the region since she was 11, says she has spent at least three years raising concerns about the spread of the plant with government departments and authorities.
“I’ve spent the last, at least three years, trying to get somebody to recognise that Mackay has a problem.”
Ms Tame believes the issue extends beyond Mackay, with leucaena also present across the Whitsunday and Isaac regions and other parts of Queensland.
During a tour of several affected areas, she pointed to growth along roadsides, creek systems, railway corridors and near mangroves in the Mackay district, expressing concern about what continued spread could mean for the region’s landscapes.
“You don't notice it until someone points it out. How many people are not noticing what's happening right now?”
Her concerns have now reached Queensland Parliament, with Member for Mirani Glen Kelly sponsoring a Queensland Parliament petition calling for greater recognition and management of unmanaged and naturalised leucaena across the state.
“Leucaena has been spreading across Central Queensland for many years, and we are increasingly seeing unmanaged plants along roadsides, creek and river systems, reserves and into surrounding paddocks,” Mr Kelly said.
“Leucaena can be a valuable fodder crop when it is properly managed, but when it escapes cultivation and spreads unchecked, it becomes a much broader land management and biosecurity issue.”
The petition calls for unmanaged and naturalised leucaena to be recognised as a significant emerging environmental and biosecurity issue, alongside investment in surveillance, containment, control, research and community awareness programs and a state-wide assessment of its distribution, environmental impacts and future spread risk.
“As the local Member, my job is to make sure the concerns of our communities are heard and put in front of the people who can act on them.”
However, the question of how leucaena should be classified remains an important part of the discussion.
Mackay Regional Councillor Peter Sheedy, who is a co-chair of the council’s sustainability committee, said the matter was a work in progress.
“Leucaena is absolutely very invasive. It's not native, and it's something that with some dedication and effort and resource, can be managed,” said Cr Sheedy.
“But to manage a problem that is so widespread, is going to take considerable resources.”
Ms Tame, who is a passionate advocate for the removal of Leucaena, said the concern is ultimately about the landscape she has watched change over decades.
“We have such a pretty town. We cannot let it be overrun by this.”
“Something has just got to be done.”
The Queensland-wide petition attracted more than 400 signatures within its first week, now up to 750 as the discussion continues over whether unmanaged and naturalised leucaena should receive greater recognition as an environmental and biosecurity issue. The petition will close on 24th September 2026.
For more information, or to sign the petition, visit www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/current - named: 4670-26 Leucaena as a significant emerging environmental and biosecurity threat
By Cr Namarca Corowa
Throughout my first term as a councillor, I've tried to use these articles to give people a glimpse into what I'm learning sitting on this side of the council chamber.
Lately I've been thinking about something my parents taught my siblings and me growing up. If somebody lent you something, you looked after it and tried to return it the way you found it, or better.
But the longer I'm a councillor, the more I think about this seat the same way. It's borrowed.
Before I was elected in 2024, I'd never been a councillor and had no local government experience. But I didn't come into council knowing nothing. I brought years of working with people and community, running an organisation, making decisions, making mistakes and learning along the way.
This role has reinforced that you don't know what you don't know. Something that looks simple can involve legislation, engineering, budgets, staffing, risk and things you might never see from the outside.
So I've learned to ask questions. Being new doesn't mean knowing nothing, and being experienced doesn't mean knowing everything.
Eventually though, after the reports and questions, you have to raise your hand. For me, conscience is an important plumbline. I want to understand the facts, costs, risks and consequences, then make a decision I genuinely believe is right for the region.
I think about that particularly when we're spending ratepayer money. I want Mackay to grow and invest in our future, but there needs to be value in what we're spending because there are real people behind those rate notices.
I've known firsthand what it's like when money is genuinely tight. There was a time when I was supporting a small family on one income. I've lined up at Centrelink and taken low-paying, hard manual labour jobs because I needed to make ends meet. I'm not ashamed of that; you do what you have to do to look after your family.
Council faces financial pressures too. Fuel, materials, staffing and maintaining infrastructure all cost money. Council can't solve the wider cost-of-living problem, but we do control the decisions that belong to us, and affordability should always be part of that consideration.
That's stewardship to me. Sometimes it means investing in something new. Sometimes it means looking after what we already have, questioning whether something still makes sense, or simply saying no.
I've never believed anybody automatically deserves a seat at the council table. We're here because our community gave us the opportunity to be here. And at the next election, every one of us will give our seat back for the community to decide.
When my time in this seat comes to an end, I'll ask myself: Did I listen and learn? Did I make the decisions I genuinely believed were right? And did I do my best to leave what I was given in better condition than I found it?
The seat was never mine. It was only borrowed.
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