Two late entries have added fresh intrigue to the race for Dawson, with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) confirming the official ballot draw for the federal election.

Held in Mackay using a blindfold and old-school bingo-roller system, the ballot draw randomly assigned the order in which candidates will appear on the voting slip.

In total, seven candidates have been confirmed for Dawson:

Michael Lockyer – Trumpet of Patriots

Alexander John Beaumont – Gerrard Rennick People First

Amanda Nickson – Family First

Andrew Willcox – Liberal National Party

Darren Brown – Pauline Hanson’s One Nation

Paula Creen – The Greens

Neil Wallace – Labor

One of the last-minute additions is Alexander John Beaumont, representing the newly formed Gerrard Rennick People First party. According to the party’s website, Mr Beaumont brings a "colourful and diverse" background across industries including advertising, technology, health, and education. A veteran of the Australian Defence Force, he served in both the signals and artillery corps and worked as a physical training instructor.

Mr Beaumont is described as a passionate advocate for freedom of speech, constitutional rights, and protectionism for the people. He also has experience as a coach in athletics, rowing and marathons, and held a presidential position with a Chamber of Commerce in his early thirties.

Another latecomer, Darren Brown of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, is on the ballot — however, at the time of print, no candidate profile or campaign details could be found on the official One Nation website.

When asked about his draw position in the middle of the ballot, incumbent Andrew Willcox remained unfazed.

"I'm placed right in the middle, and at the end of the day, it's not important where you're placed on the ballot, it's what you do,” he said.

"I've put my best foot forward each and every day since being elected and I hope to continue the work I'm doing.

"It's been a steep learning curve going from local government into federal politics but I've got the experience, the training wheels are off and I'm ready to hit the ground running."

Early voting opens on April 22, with pre-poll centres located at:

Mackay Showgrounds 500 Pavilion

Shop 8, Northern Beaches Central, Rural View

Whitsunday Masonic Lodge, Proserpine

PCYC Whitsundays, Airlie Beach

Bowen PCYC

Sarina QCWA Hall

Moranbah Arts Council Building

Clermont Civic Centre

Blackwater QCWA Hall

Meanwhile, the AEC confirmed a record 98.2% of eligible Australians are enrolled to vote.

“This is the third election in a row at which we’ve set a record for Australia’s national enrolment rate,” said Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope.

“Record enrolment like this doesn’t happen by accident. It represents a huge amount of work on the part of the AEC to engage with voters and reduce barriers for enrolment, and of course a fantastic effort from eligible Australians to get enrolled.”

“We’re particularly focused on Australia’s youth enrolment rates, and I’m pleased to report that it’s now extremely healthy.

"Well done, Australia.”

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Andrew Willcox stands beside the official ballot list for Dawson, unfazed by his mid-list placement as early voting approaches. Photo supplied

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By Sonia Ball, QCAR Central District Manager

Forty-eight days to kick off to the much anticipated and discussed 2025 sugarcane crushing season. That’s according to the QCAR clock (as at Sunday on our website) and that’s geared to a generic 1 June 2025 start date.

The big question on everyone’s lips is, will your mill be ready?

According to the recent mill maintenance program updates, which should have been received by most farmers and contractors, all Central District mills - Mackay Sugar’s three mills and Wilmar’s Plane Creek and Proserpine mills – state their maintenance programs are ‘on track’, despite the late finish.

Relieved? Yes. Confident? We’ll see.

The QCAR Central District team has this week been hosting its annual QCAR Central District Roadshows in Proserpine, Mackay and Plane Creek. Lending support to the local team were QCAR CEO Stephen Ryan, QCAR Chairman Christian Lago and the reinstated QCAR Central District Committee consisting of Chairman (and QCAR Director) Steve McKeering, Deputy Chairman Steve Fordyce and committee members Blair Watt and Craig Keating.

A bonus for the local team was to also have the support of Herbert River District Manager Lawrence Di Bella and Anna at all three meetings.

Nominations have closed for the QCAR District Committee elections, with our existing committee members all renominating and therefore no election was required. Voting is underway however in the Burdekin and Herbert River districts until 24 April 2025.

QCAR has thanked all nominees for their support and confidence in QCAR.

Finally, as we head into the long Easter weekend, QCAR would like to wish everyone a dry, comfortable and safe weekend.

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Some of the QCAR Central District Committee out and about recently attended this week’s QCAR Central District Annual Roadshows in Proserpine, Mackay and at Plane Creek. From left, Craig Keating, Chairman Steve McKeering and Deputy Chairman Steve Fordyce. Photo supplied

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Drowning in clutter and not sure where to start? You’re not alone…and you don’t have to do it alone either. Tidy Home Organiser is a fully insured Mackay-based service offering more than just a standard declutter. With a heart-led approach and a background in nursing and psychology, they understand the emotional toll clutter can take. Whether it’s a chaotic pantry, overflowing garage, or the sensitive task of managing a deceased estate, every job is met with care, compassion, and zero judgement. Decluttering is a form of self-care, and often, the hardest part is asking for help – but that first step can change everything. Book your free in-home consultation today… because you deserve to feel calm, in control, and truly at home again!

@ Tidy Home Organiser Mackay / francine@tidyhomeorganiser.com

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Whitsunday Anglican School’s Preparatory and Kindergarten students lit up the campus with creativity and colour during this year’s Easter Bonnet Hat Parade.

The annual celebration saw students don their handmade masterpieces, proudly parading hats adorned with bunnies, eggs, flowers, and all things festive. From sparkles to pipe cleaners, no detail was spared in the cheerful display of Easter spirit.

The event was made even more special thanks to the collaboration between students, teachers, and dedicated parent volunteers, whose combined efforts helped bring each bonnet to life.

It was a fun-filled occasion, celebrating not just Easter, but the creativity, teamwork and joy that make Whitsunday Anglican School such a vibrant place to learn and grow.

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Happy Easter, Mackay!

From chocolate flinging to joyful giggling, kids across the region are hopping head-first into the magic of Easter. With the long weekend finally here, families are soaking up the simple joys — sweet treats, sunny weather (hopefully) and time together.

In another egg-cellent display, students from Whitsunday Anglican School stole the show with their colourful Easter Bonnet Parade — a true showcase of creativity and community spirit (see page 27 for all the cuteness!).

And while the fun flows freely, it's also a time to reflect on the reason for the season. Find local church messages on page 26 — and enjoy this special time with loved ones.

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Local children are egg-cited to get into the Easter spirit. L-R: Stella Versaci, Braxton Ball, Millie Thomsett, Ivy Thomsett, Eli Thomsett, Brydon Wright, Alexis Versaci. Photo credit: Photos by Nell

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Mother's Day is a sacred pause, a moment to cradle in our hearts the quiet strength and boundless love that mothers gift to the world. It is a day to honour the women who have nurtured us, not just with their hands, but with their hearts — with patience that stretches as far as the horizon and tenderness that holds us steady through life’s storms.

A mother’s love is a soft melody, woven through every gesture, every whisper of wisdom, every sleepless night, and every sacrifice made in silence. She is the steady pulse at the centre of a home, transforming chaos into comfort, turning fleeting moments into memories, and quietly shaping the very souls she loves.

In the warmth of her embrace, we learn to dream, to stumble, and to rise again.

Her hands may bear the marks of years spent caring for others, but in those hands is also the power to heal, to guide, and to comfort. A mother’s love does not come with conditions, nor does it wait for a special day to shine; it is present always, unfurling like petals in the quiet moments of everyday life. It lives in the way she listens without judgment, the way she nurtures both body and soul, and the way she turns ordinary days into extraordinary ones.

But, let’s not forget the humour tucked within motherhood’s embrace. The art of juggling endless to-do lists with a smile, of turning a spilled glass of juice into a lesson in resilience, and of hiding chocolate like a secret treasure. The love is deep, but so too is the laughter, and sometimes, the mess. It’s in those unspoken moments, the ones full of chaos and sweetness, that motherhood reveals its true magic.

As Mother’s Day approaches next month, let us honour the mothers who do it all — with grace, laughter, and hearts that know no bounds. These are the women who make the world bloom, filling our lives with love, strength, and the warmth of a mother’s touch.

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What began as a passion for computers has evolved into a game-changing initiative transforming chemical safety practices across the country.

Tristan Turnbull, a 23-year-old Mackay-based rising star, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Channel 7 Young Achiever Awards for his pioneering work in hazardous chemical management. With a sharp focus on compliance, safety, and digital transformation, he has become one of the go-to experts in the mining and construction sectors for chemical handling, storage, and register systems.

His success comes after just three years of involvement in the family business, ALT Industries—initially brought on board to assist with weekend data entry tasks. However, his natural aptitude for technology and problem-solving quickly led him to develop streamlined systems now used by major national chemical management firms.

“I’ve pretty much used computers all my life. I used them a lot in my previous job too, so doing this kind of work just made sense, and I enjoy doing it,” Tristan said.

His father, John Turnbull, Assessor Area Manager of ALT Industries, said, “He’s always been someone who takes something and tries to make it better.

“We’re very proud, and he should be incredibly proud of the work he’s achieved.”

These innovations, including a custom-built app designed to replace outdated spreadsheets, have revolutionised how companies manage Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and chemical inventories. Through a 12-month traineeship and extensive qualifications in hazardous material handling, Tristan quickly expanded his skill set.

His hands-on approach is centred on support, not audits. Rather than conducting formal inspections like a typical auditor, Tristan focuses on providing practical, on-the-ground assistance. He offers gap analyses, on-site education, and easy-to-use tools that empower staff and simplify compliance, making it easier for businesses to meet safety and regulatory standards without feeling overwhelmed.

As a consultant, Tristan is known for his dedication and reliability, often regarded by clients as an extension of their own teams. In an industry where safety managers juggle multiple roles, having someone who can provide consistent, expert support has proven invaluable – particularly throughout regional Queensland.

Based in Mackay, Tristan’s work is placing regional Queensland on the map for innovation. His recognition as a Young Achiever highlights the high-calibre talent emerging from North Queensland and the significance of homegrown solutions in industries that typically look externally for expertise.

One of his most impressive accomplishments is the continual refinement of his custom chemical management app. Over the past three years, Tristan has revised the app multiple times to ensure it meets evolving industry regulations and the specific needs of each client.

His attention to detail and adaptability have set him apart, catching the eye of international firms. Discussions are underway to expand his services globally.

Now a finalist for the 2025 Channel 7 Young Achiever Awards, Tristan is also in the running for the People’s Choice Award – an opportunity for the public to support and recognise the incredible work he is doing right here in the region.

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23-year-old Tristan is revolutionising chemical safety nationwide with innovative digital systems, earning him a finalist spot in the 2025 Channel 7 Young Achiever Awards. The winner will be announced in Brisbane next month. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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Mackay Regional Council, in partnership with major industry associations, has developed a new tool for businesses to use to help combat the regional skills shortage.

The Workforce Attraction Toolkit is a completely free, comprehensive resource for businesses that can support employers in addressing their workforce needs.

Mayor Greg Williamson said Mackay was a thriving region with a strong and diverse workforce of more than 67,350 people and an impressively low unemployment rate of 2.4 per cent at the end of 2024.

“As the demand for skilled workers continues to grow, attracting and retaining talent remains a challenge for local businesses,” Mayor Williamson said.

“This comprehensive resource is designed to help businesses effectively promote Mackay as a desirable place to live, work, invest and explore,” he said.

“It provides a range of helpful tips, resources and digital assets designed to help businesses and recruiters attract employees, especially from out of region.

“And why wouldn’t you want to come to our region – we have stunning beaches, a vibrant community, short commutes, excellent schools and affordable cost of living!”

You can download the toolkit today from www.mackayregionjobs.com.au

Minister for Manufacturing Dale Last said the initiative will receive in-kind support from the Queensland Government’s Manufacturing Hub in Mackay.

“Queensland is home to the world’s best coal and mineral reserves, but to get it out of the ground, we need skilled workers in local manufacturing as part of the vital supply chains to the resources sector,” Minister Last said.

“That means making sure regions like Mackay can attract the right people to service mining equipment and build the machinery needed for our local industries,” he said.

Queensland Manufacturing Hub Mackay Manager, Deb Allan said it had been fantastic to see the Queensland Manufacturing Hub Mackay, Resource Industry Network (RIN) and Mackay Regional Council join forces to tackle one of our region’s biggest challenges – attracting skilled workers.

“The Workforce Attraction Toolkit, which is focused on all businesses, is being released in conjunction with a suite of free downloadable resources focused on the manufacturing sector,” Ms Allan said.

“The recruitment resources include high-impact marketing collateral – including social media tiles, images and videos – that manufacturers can use in their ongoing recruitment efforts,” she said.

“These will be hosted on the Mackay Region Jobs website and will aim to increase awareness of Mackay’s career and lifestyle benefits among skilled workers, tradespeople and their networks.

Ms Allan said the resources were part of a strategy that would also see a targeted national marketing campaign promoting manufacturing jobs in Mackay across both metro and regional areas.

“A marketing campaign has been developed, and we are ready to launch,” she said.

“If you are a manufacturer and want to know more, get in touch with the Mackay Manufacturing Hub, located at the Resources Centre of Excellence in Paget.”

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Australian plague locusts are an endemic pest that threatens our agricultural industry, devastating crops, and causing losses of up to $30 million.

By harnessing cutting edge science, experts can forecast locust outbreaks with greater accuracy, helping mitigate economic impacts.

The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) uses advanced analytics to improve early detection and rapid response. However, forecasting locust populations is challenging.

The APLC has been developing a simulation model to predict locust population dynamics across their entire range. This model predicts the development, survival, and behaviour of locusts across all life stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults.

However, locusts inhabit a vast range of more than 2 million square kilometres, so deploying the model is challenging. Field surveys alone cannot provide enough coverage to initialise the model.

But artificial intelligence is changing the game. The APLC has partnered with the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) to develop a new AI-driven model. The machine learning algorithms developed have incorporated 37 years of locust data with high-resolution weather, vegetation, and soil records to generate more accurate short-term forecasts (up to 90%).

These AI models will not only initialise the population dynamics model but also enhance field survey targeting, leading to more reliable on-the-ground surveillance. Additionally, they will support better planning and resource allocation.

Thanks to a growing ecosystem of models, the APLC is now better equipped to predict locust populations, making it easier to forecast their changes in response to Australia's highly variable climate. This will enable governments and industry to prepare and respond more effectively.

The APLC plans to integrate this AI-driven forecasting system into a new online data dashboard. This will further support enhanced locust predictions, enable real-time monitoring, and improve response strategies.

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Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera). Photo credit: P.D. Amara / Flickr

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Reform of global agricultural subsidies and tariffs at the World Trade Organization would support better environmental and food security outcomes, according to the latest ABARES Insights paper.

Executive Director of ABARES, Dr Jared Greenville, said taxpayers and consumers bear the brunt of hundreds of billions of dollars spent every year on agricultural support policies that inadvertently create adverse environmental impacts.

“Some forms of agricultural support distort production decisions in a way that encourages excess production and the use of inputs above and beyond what the market demands,” Dr Jared Greenville said.

“This excess can lead to environmental harm in the form of more emissions and more chemical use.”

The most environmentally harmful agricultural support policies, such as tariffs, price floors and payments linked to agricultural inputs and production, cost taxpayers and consumers around the world US$472 billion a year, between 2019 to 2023. This figure climbs to US$671 billion a year when export restrictions and other market price-deflating policies are included.

Europe and Asia provided the most environmentally harmful support as a share of farm income between 2019 and 2023. Australia and New Zealand recorded some of the lowest levels.

The report, Addressing Environmental Harm: Reforming Agricultural Support, details how removing and redirecting environmentally harmful support has the capacity to improve environmental outcomes.

Dr Greenville said the report details that “what is good for efficient global agricultural production is also good for the environment”.

“It is possible to minimise the environmental impacts of agriculture without compromising food security,” he said.

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Executive Director of ABARES, Dr Jared Greenville. Photo credit: Lisa McKelvie

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As Easter school holidays begin, I’d like to extend my warmest wishes to all Mackay families. This is a special time for reflection, celebration, and most importantly, enjoying some well-earned rest and quality time with loved ones.

While you’re out and about exploring our beautiful region or heading further afield, I urge everyone to take care on the roads. Whether you're off on a family camping trip or just popping down to the local shops, please remember to drive safely. Let’s look out for one another and ensure everyone gets home safely to their families this Easter.

To help spread some festive fun, our office is excited to be running a Year 2 Easter Colouring Competition!

If your child is in Grade 2 and didn’t receive a sheet through school, you're more than welcome to collect one from our office. We’ve got delicious Easter-themed prizes waiting for some lucky and creative young artists!

And for extra convenience, entries can also be submitted online. Simply take a clear photo or scan of your child’s finished masterpiece and email it to mackay@parliament.qld.gov.au or message it to us via our Facebook page. Just make sure to include your child's name, school, and contact details so we can get in touch with our winners!

We’re also taking a moment to celebrate the exceptional talent that shines in Mackay. Congratulations to Donald MacGregor from Mackay Christian College on his outstanding performance at the 2025 Basel Piano Competition. His dedication and artistry are a credit to his school and to CQUniversity, which continues to offer incredible opportunities for young achievers in our region.

As we celebrate Easter, may this season of renewal bring joy, peace, and safety to every household. Whether it's time spent around the table, at a community event, or simply enjoying a quiet moment in nature, let’s embrace what matters most.

We would also like to remind families to stay vigilant about the dangers of button batteries in the lead up to the Easter holidays. Parents and caregivers are being urged to avoid products with button batteries where possible – or if they are purchased, to ensure they have a child-resistant battery compartment.

Happy Easter, Mackay – stay safe, stay kind, and don’t forget to get those colouring entries in!

Nigel Dalton MP

Member for Mackay

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Progress on the Moranbah Hospital Redevelopment continues with construction of the new onsite helipad now close to completion.

Following the new Moranbah Hospital opening on 26 November 2024, the old hospital was handed over to managing contractor Hutchinson Builders for decommissioning and demolition in preparation for construction of the new onsite helipad.

Contractors poured more than 98 cubic metres of concrete and completed more than 400 square metres of flat work to establish the helipad concrete slab. Light installation and landscaping is now underway. Upon completion, the project team will work through the helipad’s operational requirements.

The helipad is located next to the new hospital to facilitate inter-hospital patient transfers. Establishing the hospital’s first on-campus helipad will ensure patients in need of time-critical and advanced care receive inter-hospital transfers more efficiently.

Demolition of the old hospital was undertaken throughout January and February this year, signalling the end of an era for Moranbah’s first hospital that served the community for 50 years.

It was certainly a bittersweet day for staff who worked in the old facility for many years and were able to walk through the facility one last time before its demolition.

The Moranbah Hospital Redevelopment project is part of the Queensland Government’s Building Rural and Remote Health Program.

By Mackay Hospital and Health Service

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If you felt the earth tremble recently, it wasn’t an earthquake—it was the sonic boom of Australia’s track and field stars obliterating limits and blowing minds.

At the 2025 Australian Athletics Championships in Perth, 17-year-old sensation Gout Gout ran so fast in the men’s 200m final (a wind-assisted 19.84 seconds), we’re pretty sure his spikes are still smoking. With a +2.2 m/s tailwind nudging him along, it’s not eligible for record books—but try telling that to the jaws still on the ground. The time still places him among the fastest under-20 athletes globally, beating the GOAT Bolt and trailing only Erriyon Knighton. The teen also dropped a cheeky sub-10 in the under-20 100m (9.99s, wind-assisted).

Not to be outdone, Peter Bol stormed through the 800m in a blistering 1:43.79, smashing his own national record. This is the same guy who bounced back from a bogus doping scandal, proof that Bol doesn’t just run fast, he runs strong. If resilience was a lane, he’d have lapped us all twice by now.

And while the sprinters were frying the track in Perth, Matthew Denny was sending the discus into orbit overseas. His 74.78m national record would’ve been a world record, had it not been for Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna, who casually broke the actual world record in the same comp with a gravity-defying 75.56m. The first human ever to go over 75 metres. It was less a discus comp, more a Marvel origin story.

Closer to home, flick to page 35 to catch local gun Toby Rule, who lined up on the very same Perth track as Gout and Bol and took a whopping four seconds off his PB to crack the elusive 4-minute mark in the U20 1500m. That’s not just running, it’s rewriting personal history with turbocharged shoes. And while we’re on high-speed local heroes, check out David O’Connell, also on page 35, who spun his way onto the masters national podium with a brilliant bronze at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane.

This golden age of Aussie athletics is reminding us of something timeless: no matter how far you’ve come, you can always push that little bit further. And if you’re Gout Gout, you might just need a passport for it.

Amanda

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There was a time, many years ago, when buyers were a rare species in the Mackay region.

Hardly ever seen or heard, they would occasionally turn up at an open house, avoid eye contact with another threatened species, the agent, and quickly flee before anyone could trick them into buying anything.

You would sit alone at what was given the hopeful label of  an “open” house and thank the dear Lord that some brainiac had invented this new smart phone thingo that meant you had something to do during the demoralising 30 minutes you had dedicated to this cruel, lonely exercise in futility.

Then, one day, people started turning up. A trickle at first, just having a look. Then people noticed that rents had started going up and a bright idea started to form: it might be a good idea to buy a house.

Soon this once-threatened species started to flourish. You would see them arrive at open homes; occasionally an individual member of the species, often a pair looking together, sometimes it was one or two younger ones in their 20s with their parents.

Over recent years buyers have flourished; they now travel in hordes, marauding through the suburbs fighting over the scarce offerings of a tight market.

But buyers have evolved and there is now a new, aggressive sub-species called The Southern Investor. This sub-species is very determined, focused and ruthless. The Southern Investor researches the Mackay market and is cashed up and ready to pounce.

What does it all mean for a real estate agent? How do you handle all these buyers, the locals and the southerner investors.

The one thing that is very clear is that an agent’s core responsibility is to get the best possible price for their client, the seller, within what are clear ethical and legal boundaries.

All offers must be presented to a seller and they must be given all relevant information so they can make informed decisions. And last year it was usually the southern investor making the higher offers and getting the prize.

That has changed this year and, while southern investors are still very much in the market, locals are fighting back.

I had two open homes last weekend: one was a property over the $1m mark that had 35 groups and six offers. All attendees were locals and all the offers came from locals. The other open house was at a low-set brick property that needed a bit of work but had lots of potential … that one got about 16 groups but received about 20 offers.

The reason the second one had more offers than people in attendance was because of the interest from southern investors.

Most of the strong offers came from southern investors but the offer that was accepted by the sellers was from a local couple.

One of the problems with southern investors is that they have not seen the property and, for that reason, they are often surprised when they receive the building and pest report and then ask for a significant reduction in the price.

One of the advantages of being a local buyer is that you can look at the property, discuss any shortcomings with the agent and factor those issues into the price you offer.

The sellers accepted the offer from the locals on the weekend because they had more confidence with people who had seen the house, spoken with me about issues that needed to be addressed and had factored that into their offer. The sellers had more trust in the local buyers than the southern investors.

My job is to act in the best interests of my sellers. But it is great when that aligns with local buyers getting a chance.

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In a touching display of unity and compassion, Whitsunday Anglican School’s 2025 Service Captains – Lachlan, Charli and Tahsin – have led a heartfelt initiative to support families in need across the Mackay region.

Partnering with The Neighbourhood Hub, the School community rallied behind their call, gathering school essentials for those who may not otherwise have access to these basic but vital items. From pens and pencils to backpacks, books, lunchboxes, and hats, every donation was a quiet reminder that small gestures can make a big difference.

“Our students and wider Whitsunday family have donated items such as pens, pencils, books, backpacks, lunchboxes, hats and more,” a representative from Whitsunday Anglican School said.

“Together, we're making a difference, one act of kindness at a time.”

Melissa Green, Director of the Mackay Community Foundation, personally visited the School to receive the donations on behalf of the community.

There was something poetic in the quiet determination of these students, a belief that change can begin with the contents of a schoolbag. It’s more than just giving supplies – it’s about giving hope.

In a world where kindness sometimes whispers, Whitsunday Anglican School chose to speak loudly with love.

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Photo source: Whitsunday Anglican School (Facebook)

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