Image: Paul “Campo” Campion

It’s been over one year since Paul “Campo” Campion lost his mother to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

These days, Paul can be heard across the southeast Queensland airwaves on Ipswich-based radio station River949, but he grew up in Armstrong Beach, near Sarina, and says his north Queensland childhood was wonderful.

“I’ve got many fond memories of growing up in Sarina,” he said.

“It was a wonderful time through the 80s, a lot of fun for kids.”

When Paul left Sarina State High School in 1987, he got a job at Mackay radio station 4MK, embarking on a career in radio that would take him to Sydney and Brisbane.

He has also become an advocate for COPD after watching his mother struggle with it for 20 years.

“There’s no real cure, it just keeps deteriorating,” said Paul.

“Your lung filaments die and it’s very slow.

“Your lungs just continually deteriorate as the years go by.”

COPD affects around one in 13 Australians over the age of 40 and is the number one cause of avoidable hospitalisations in Australia.

The lung condition worsens over time and leads to increasing breathing difficulty, disability and premature death, usually affecting people aged over 45 but often going unnoticed or undiagnosed for a long time.

Paul said COPD heavily affected his mother’s quality of life.

“As years went by, she couldn’t really leave the house because she was on the oxygen tank,” he said.

“It was very difficult to watch when we all came home for Christmas, all the kids were there, she could talk and everything but there was no getting up and enjoying life.

“Watching my mum, over the years, deteriorate and lose her quality of life, I think it’s enough for anyone to tell people to look after your lungs, look after your breathing, because once they’re gone, you’re stuffed.”

World COPD Day was held on November 16 and saw Lung Foundation Australia launch its blueprint calling on the state and federal governments to take urgent action to improve COPD care and outcomes.

“We urgently need to create pathways for lifelong prevention of COPD, earlier diagnosis, and improved awareness and treatment of this condition,” said Lung Foundation Australia Board Member and Respiratory Expert Professor Christine Jenkins AM.

“Much can be done to address these inadequacies of care delivery, and this Blueprint describes the innovations and changes in service delivery that could accelerate this.”

There are many ways to avoid COPD and Paul said not smoking and early detection is key.

“Anyone who’s sucking foreign substances into their lungs, there’s going to be issues later in life,” he said.

“If you’re starting to get short of breath, struggling to run or be active, starting to cough, you might want to check it out sooner rather than later.

“With early detection, you can have quality of life, but my mum was too far gone.”

Lung Foundation Australia have prepared ‘Making Lung Cancer A Fair Fight: A Blueprint for Reform’ to raise awareness about the burden of lung cancer in Australia and the particular challenges faced by people diagnosed with the condition.

To view the Blueprint, visit the following link: https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/making-lung-cancer-a-fair-fight-a-blueprint-for-reform/.

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Image 1: Gladys Smart turned 100 early last month

Image 2: 105 family and friends gathered to help Gladys celebrate

Image 3: Gladys’ grandson Dean couldn’t attend but sent his well wishes from Antarctica

Mackay resident Gladys Smart turned 100 years old on November 6, 2022, celebrating her milestone at her daughter Beryl and son-in-law John Ahern’s home in Mackay alongside 105 family and friends.

Son Bob and his wife Jan and their family travelled from Bowen and many other family members travelled from as far as Melbourne, Brisbane, Yeppoon, Blackwater and Calliope.

Gladys’ grandson Dean also sent his special greetings from Casey Station, Antarctica, where he lives and works.

A wonderful afternoon was enjoyed by all featuring a puppet show, pinatas and lots of delicious food.

Gladys’ family has grown from her twins, Bob and Beryl, to now include 7 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 23 great, great grandchildren.

Gladys has received special congratulations from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk, Governor of Queensland Jeanette Young and Professor Graeme Nimmo, Governor General David Hurley and wife Linda, Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and still awaits her letter from His Majesty King Charles.

Congratulations, Gladys!

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Image: Joanne Hamilton SL, Scout Liam Broadbent and DC Katrina Hoare

Banksia Scout Liam Broadbent was recently presented with the Australian Scout Medallion at a Special Ceremony to celebrate the event.

Liam joined Banksia Scout Group as a Cub Scout in 2016 and advanced to the Scout section in 2018.

Despite the challenges over the last couple of years with Coronavirus, Liam managed to complete the activities required for him to achieve this significant award.

Some of these are as follows: for his journey, Liam completed a 32km hike through Eungella visiting both Crediton and the Diggings before finishing at Sky Window, the elective Target Badge completed was Emergencies and his proficiency badges were Abseiling, Animal Keeper, Caving, Entertainer, Fire Awareness, and Information Technology.

He has been an important part of the Unit Council and completed his activities at a high standard.

Liam chose District Commissioner Katrina Hoare to present him with his Australian Scout Medallion and his father Colin Broadbent to present him with his ASM Badge.  

Region Commissioner Mr Dougal McWhinney was present to witness the presentation of this significant award.

Liam said the best activity he attended whilst in Scouts was Capture the Flag, where you get to stay up all night to do the challenges to achieve the goal, and most of all have fun whilst doing it.

He said the thing that has made him a better person by being in Scouting is, he enjoys helping the younger members, the Joey Scouts and Cub Scouts, as it makes him feel like he has accomplished something by encouraging them on their scouting journey.  

In the future Liam would like to gain paddling, archery and abseiling qualifications as he continues in his scouting journey.

BRAVO to Liam and congratulations on receiving this significant award and may you achieve all you set out to do in scouting.

Contributed by Joanne Hamilton

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Friday 2 December

Christmas Wrapping

9:00am to 4:00pm daily

SCOPE ladies and volunteers will be Christmas Wrapping at Home Co between Thrifties and Spotlight starting November 26 until Christmas Eve daily 9am to 4pm. Gold coin plus extra for over-sized gifts. All proceeds go to local charities including Samaritan House, Chances Op Shop (Australian Street Aid Project) and Mackay Animal Rescue Society.

Home Co between Thrifties and Spotlight

Morning Melodies 2022 presents Darren Coggan Home for Christmas

Friday, 11:00am

Season’s greetings music lovers, time to “Deck the shed with bits of wattle” and join award winning performer, Darren Coggan, as he celebrates the joy of being Home For Christmas, through a collection of songs and stories that embrace the festive spirit of Christmas in Australia.

MECC

City Heart Christmas

Friday, 4:00pm

The City Heart will come alive on December 2 with Christmas celebrations. Fifth Lane will brighten the city with markets, live music, face painting, roving performers and a Sensory Circus workshop. Enjoy late night shopping, art exhibitions and Santa will be in town. Great fun for all the family.

Mackay City Heart

Guided Bird Tour

Friday, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Join birdwatchers Desley and Jenny as they go for a walk around our 1.4km track to discover what birds are about in the late afternoon/early evening. They have over 100 species recorded so far. Bring your own insect repellent and long clothes. Meet and greet from 4.30pm with walk starting at 5pm. $5 donation.

Wetland Walkabout

Exhibition Opening - Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT

Friday, 6:00pm

Mackay Regional Council and Artspace Mackay invite you to the official opening of Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT.

Artspace Mackay

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.

Wake House Australia

Northlane + Windwaker & Arcade Stories

Friday, 7:00pm

Australian heavy trailblazers Northlane are taking their #1 album, Obsidian, on tour through regional Australia in November and December. The regional tour is set to cap off a stellar 2022 for Northlane. Earlier this year, the band released their acclaimed new album, Obsidian, which topped the ARIA Chart and has been streamed over 22 million times and climbing on Spotify. This fusion of metal and electronic music lent itself to some of the most mind-blowingly spectacular shows Australian venues have seen in recent times.

Seabreeze Hotel

Saturday 3 December

Mackay Art Society Christmas Market

Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm

Support local artisans at the Christmas Market featuring timber gifts, cards, botanical art, jewellery, pottery, plants, Christmas gifts, bags, bric-a-brac and beautiful paintings.

2 Snow Wright Court, Beaconsfield

Exhibition Floor Talk - Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT

Saturday, 10:30am

Join Simon Wright, QAGOMA’s Assistant Director of Learning and Public Engagement on a guided walking tour of Three Decades of APT. This exhibition profiles key moments from the gallery’s flagship exhibition series looking to contemporary art in the Asia Pacific Region. Works of art commissioned or collected from APT1 (1993) through to APT9 (2018-19, display APT’s embrace of contemporary art in all its forms— from the ceremonial to the conceptual, and the deeply personal to the resolutely social. This event will be Auslan interpreted & amplified for patrons with hearing difficulties.

Artspace Mackay

Carols in the Gardens

Saturday, 5:30pm to 8:30pm

This year, Carols in the Gardens will take place at a brand-new location, the Meadowlands Amphitheatre at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens. The event will feature many talented local performers who will ring out festive cheer with Carols and Christmas songs you know and love. This Christmas celebration wouldn’t be complete without Kids Adventureland thanks to McDonalds, Mini Eat Street featuring food vendors from the Twilight Markets thanks to RDO Equipment, Walz Group VIP Area.

Meadowlands Amphitheatre

Christmas Actually

Saturday, 7:00pm

Are you planning your work Christmas party? Or a festive night out with friends? The MECC presents Christmas Actually hits from iconic holiday classic Love Actually. The silly season is quickly approaching, and the MECC presents the ultimate end of year experience to get everyone into the Christmas spirit! Kicking off the night with the festive event of the year, from the creators of Rumour Has It and Lady Beatle comes Christmas Actually: the world’s most-loved movie soundtrack live on stage. The fun doesn’t finish after the show, the bar remains open as the festive cheer continues with a live band performing everyone’s favourites!

MECC

SANTA’S BREAKFAST

Saturday, 8.30am

Santa’s helpers have been hard at work to bring you something nice this year. Join us in welcoming Santa as he touches down at Mount Pleasant Centre for a special breakfast event. Get up close with Santa and friends, enjoy special guests, a festive performance from Dance Express Mackay, and face painting thanks to Let’s Just Face It Entertainment. All children receive a special gift from Santa.

Tickets $10 per child, with proceeds going to the Mackay Hospital Foundation.

Bookings essential. To secure your spot, head to: https://mountpleasantcentre.com.au/whats-on/

Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre

Sunday 4 December

Sarina Country Music Associations Christmas Breakup

Sunday, 1:00pm

Bistro opens at 11.30am. Could you phone or text Betty 0434911712 as soon as possible if you will be attending to let the Club know for catering purposes. You do not need to be a Club Member to attend. Music will be supplied by our resident band and club members.  All other enquiries phone President Earl Burchardt on 049563330. Admission is free for this function. We welcome you to join us for our last Country Music afternoon for 2022.

Sarina Sporting and Services Club

Sunday Live Music – Ruby Sue

Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Music every Sunday from 2pm - 5pm. Head down to the Seabreeze Hotel this Sunday for some fresh tunes, delicious food, and ice-cold brews.

Seabreeze Hotel

Tuesday 6 December

Morning Melodies

Tuesday, 11:00am to 1:00pm

Enjoy a morning of fun, food and entertainment with Morning Melodies at the Leagues Club with Anette Worthington performing live once a month.

Souths Leagues Club Mackay

Wednesday 7 December

Mackay Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday, 6:30am to 10:30am

The market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce direct from the farmer.

Bluewater Quay

Sugar City Rock and Roll Mackay Club Wednesday Night Lessons

Every Wednesday, 7:00pm

Why not come along and learn to rock ‘n’ roll in a friendly and fun atmosphere with the Sugar City Rock ‘n’ Rollers Mackay Club? Previous experience is not required. Everyone learns at their own pace and, even better, the first lesson is free on your way to learning the four step style of rock ‘n’ roll. $5 for members and $8 for non-members after that. The club caters for social activities for club members with regular dances with live bands in attendance and away trips. For further enquiries call 0408 983 911.

58 Macalister St, Mackay

Christmas Comedy Tour

Wednesday, 7:30pm

Get stuck into the Christmas spirits with four of QLD's favourite stand-up comics this December. Anna Brennan has performed at well over 100 stand-up shows, including a sold out ‘Queerly Beloved’ performance at Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Her comedy is observational, relatable and a little bit gross. Fresh from doing sold out shows at Sydney and Melbourne Fringe Festivals, Chris Southcote is cleverly camp and tantalizingly twisted.

Hosted by ex-Mackay local Reid Willoughby whose comedy is sharp, edgy and sweary. Headliner Georgina Humphries hails from a dairy farm in Far North QLD and moved to Brisbane to pursue her quirky and light-hearted style of comedy. Her first solo show, ‘Get Clucked’ sold out. Only suitable for 18+ audiences (and barely suitable for them).

Ambassador Hotel

Christmas Storytime With Mrs Claus

December 7, 8 and 9, 9.30am

Straight from the North Pole, Mrs Claus is set to share some of the most cherished classic Christmas stories with little ones these holidays. Located on the Food Court stage, you’ll make beautiful memories together as a family. Mrs Claus will also be available until 12.30pm to jump into any Santa photos. Bookings not required.

Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre

Thursday 8 December

Mackay Riverside Market

Every Thursday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Come and meet your local growers, bakers and makers, chill on the lawn listening to some beautiful tunes and grab some delicious dinner and desert.

Bluewater Quay

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Image 1: Darren Coggan

Image 2: Guided Bird Tour

Image 3: Asia PacificContemporary: Three Decades of APT

Image 4: Northlane

Image 5: Carols in theGardens

Image 6: ChristmasActually

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Image: Tomoko Kashiki I am a rock 2012, synthetic polymer paint, masking tape on linen on plywood. The Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Collection of Contemporary Asian Art. (Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA)

A Pair of sculptural bulls made from branded corn beef tins, mythological paintings from the early 1990s and a witty moving-image work by Tracey Moffat are just part of a collection of high-profile artworks coming to Artspace Mackay this week.

The works are part of the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art’s (QAGOMA) touring exhibition “Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT”, which will open in the Main Gallery, Artspace Mackay on December 2.

It will run until February 5, 2023.

QAGOMA director Chris Saines said Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT featured works of art commissioned or collected from APT1 (1993) through to APT9 (2018-19).

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to tour this exciting exhibition profiling key moments from the Gallery’s flagship exhibition series, which has contributed so much to our audience’s engagement with and understanding of contemporary art and culture in the region,” Mr Saines said.

“This diverse travelling exhibition highlights internationally significant works by leading artists dating from the 1980s to the present day,” he said.

Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT includes works by Heri Dono (Indonesia), Lee Wen (Singapore), Tracey Moffatt (Australia/United States), Lorraine Connelly-Northey (Waradgerie people, Australia) and Michel Tuffery (Aotearoa New Zealand).

Reuben Keehan, curator, Contemporary Asian Art, QAGOMA, said the exhibition included works in a diversity of media including painting, sculpture, works on paper, video and performance.

“It reflects APT’s embrace of contemporary art in all its forms, ranging from the ceremonial to the conceptual, and the deeply personal to the resolutely social,” Mr Keehan said.

“These vibrant and innovative works encompass diverse customary practices and cultural encounters, and illustrate extraordinary social change over almost thirty years.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said also opening in Artspace Mackay on December 2 was an exhibition by local illustrator Ryan Vella.

“Ryan has been creating graphic style illustrations for more than two decades and gained national recognition in 2004 when he illustrated John Birmingham’s ‘He Died with a Felafel in his Hand’,” Mayor Williamson said.

“It’s tremendous to see a local artist gaining a following nationally, and it’s sensational to be able to showcase his works with an exhibition in his hometown,” he said.

Drawing on recent work, this exhibition, Underground Spandex, showcases Vella’s intricate line drawings of comic characters in graphic, narrative scenes.

Also opening at Artspace Mackay is Focus on the Collection: Formed and Niloufar Lovegrove: Too Little, Too Much.

Head to artspacemackay.com.au for more information.

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Caption: Photo credit: Emma Goodland

Missy Higgins is one of Australia’s most beloved singer songwriters. Classic songs like Scar, The Special Two, Steer, Everyone’s Waiting and Futon Couch, plus her unforgettable live shows, have made Missy an authentic household name. Earlier in 2022, Missy released mini-album Total Control, picking up themes of exploitation and female empowerment that run through the TV series of the same name and which also dominated real world headlines last year as a string of abuse allegations emerged from Parliament House. Sam had a chat with Missy before she brings her songs and her stories to Mackay for Legends on the Lawn in May.

Missy, going back to the start, how did the song ‘All for Believing’ come about and how do you think it winning triple j Unearthed affect your career trajectory?

‘All For Believing’ was pretty much one of the first songs I ever wrote, I was 15 or 16 in year 10. I wrote it about my boyfriend I had when I was in year 10, he was kind of my first love. It was a very tumultuous affair. I wrote it for a school music assignment and, as usual, I just didn’t do my homework so I did it at the last minute. I went into a room with a piano at recess on the day that it was due and I wrote that song and it just kind of came out. I was listening to a lot of Sarah McLachlan at the time so I can hear that on it. I recorded it and then a couple of years later, when I was in year 12, my sister sent the cassette of the recording to triple j and it won Unearthed. I didn’t even know what Unearthed was at the time but it was a really big deal and it ended up getting my song on the radio and I got a record deal out of that; it was really how the whole thing started, I have my sister really to thank for sending the cassette in in the first place, because I’m not sure how I would’ve got my start without that.

When I was in bands in high school, sending something to triple j was the absolute goal, what role do you think triple j and Unearthed plays in the Australian music scene?

I think it’s just a really great way to showcase Australian talent, especially regional talent. A lot of people from regional areas don’t have as much access to the industry bigwigs like they do in the city. Triple j is a huge national radio station with so much respect. Back in my day you, you only really heard the people that won or were the runners up but now there’s the whole section on their website dedicated to the lot of people who entered that you can discover yourself, so it really puts it into the hands of the listeners to find their own music, which I think is really great.

What was 15-year-old Missy Higgins’ song writing process compared to that of current day Missy Higgins?

I guess back then, I didn’t have much going on so I could spend a lot of time in my bedroom pouring my heart out. My process was like keeping a diary and when you’re a teenager you feel like you’re going through so many huge waves of emotion and life altering experiences because you’re feeling lots of things for the first time and experiencing things for the first time. All of that makes for really good song writing because it’s such potent emotion. It was just a way of processing the way around me. Now I’ve really got to make an effort to carve out the time because I’ve got kids now and that’s a bloody full-time job so I’ve just got to figure out how the hell to make the time for myself to write songs, so it couldn’t be more different, actually.

I read that music was your escape from the pressures of high school, was music always the plan at that stage?

Yes and no. I knew how much I loved music and I knew how much I always wanted to do music. My older brother was a musician and I just grew up watching him play in these bands, because he’s a lot older than me. I just wanted to do what he did and I also love jazz, I love singing jazz, so I just thought, ‘I just want to play music. I want to play piano and I want to sing. Either or and I don’t care how I do it, I just want to do it, I just want to perform.’ That was the extent of it, it wasn’t until later that I developed this longing to write my own songs and sing my own songs. I just wanted to perform, even it meant just singing other people’s songs. I knew it was definitely music for me, I just didn’t realise that my name would be on the front of the album.

Flash forward 20 years and you’re on the bill under Paul Kelly, which you have been many times before, on this huge tour before coming to Mackay for Legends on the Lawn, how excited are you for these shows?

I’m so excited. It’s just such an amazing group of people on this tour, most of which I know and love from over the years. It’s just so great to have such a big run of shows, I think it’s 26 or 27 shows with the same group of people so after a while you just become a bit of a family. You see them backstage every day and get to listen to each other and catch up with each other and most of us live in different cities so it’s the only chance we get to hang out with each other. Just to have these regular, consistent shows after a couple of years of the pandemic ruining live music for us and for everyone else, it’s a real relief and I think all of us are even more grateful than we ever have been to be doing what we do and to be able to play live shows

You’re no stranger to performing in the regions, are there any noticeable differences between performing in places like Mackay compared to the big cities?

It’s always really fun, going to the regional places. It’s a different vibe I guess because you guys don’t get as much access to live music as we do in the big cities, we get a bit spoilt. It’s always really fun, everyone’s super excited, it just feels like a special event and that’s just so nice. It feels really special to us but it’s even more special if we feel like everyone in the audience is super stoked to have us there.

Can you remember the last time you visited Mackay?

I think it was ages ago. I think it was 2014, I think I played at the Convention Centre. So, yeah, a really long time ago so I can’t wait to get back. I might bring my kids and go and have a look at the Barrier Reef this time, that’d be great.

Oh nice, yeah there’s plenty to see and do up here. And what can we expect from your Legends on the Lawn set?

I released an album earlier this year called ‘Total Control’, it’s a real feminist powerhouse album so we’re going to be playing a lot of songs from that album but we mix in a lot of old stuff too so there’ll be quite a few from the first album and a mixture of the subsequent albums and there’s always a few surprises in there too, we’re trying to work up a cover song at the moment, so it should be a lot of fun.

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Image 1: Paul Kelly headlines Legends On The Lawn 2023

Image 2: Vika and Linda return for their second Legends On The Lawn

Image 3: Bernard Fanning headlines an impressive Legends of the Lawn lineup

After a sold-out inaugural event earlier this year, Legends On The Lawn will return in 2023 with an iconic all-Australian line-up.

Featuring Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning, Missy Higgins, Mark Seymour, Vika & Linda and Ian Moss & Troy Cassar-Daley, the one-day festival is back in May and is guaranteed to sell out.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said after the success of the 2022 Legends On The Lawn it was fantastic to see such huge names stepping out for the 2023 event.

“Legends On The Lawn will return again in May,” he said.

“With Australian music icons Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning, Missy Higgins and Mark Seymour, as well as crowd favourites Vika & Linda and Troy Cassar-Daley, it’s certain to again be an epic live music event that will benefit our community and our economy.

“Legends On The Lawn is shaping up to be a major drawcard for our region, attracting visitors who will also have the opportunity to experience all of the natural attractions on offer, including platypus spotting, sunrise on the beach with kangaroos and exploring our pristine beaches and tropical rainforests.”

Great Barrier Reef Arena General Manager Adrian Young agreed.

“We’re extremely excited to be involved in one of the best line-ups ever assembled in North Queensland,” he said.

“This year’s event was outstanding and we expect 2023 to be even better.

“We can’t wait.”

Paul Kelly has been writing music and touring for over forty years.

Along the way he has released over 40 albums and collaborated with many other artists.

Paul’s live shows in recent years reveal a performer and band at the peak of their powers.

For the Legends On The Lawn, he will be playing a generous selection from his ever-green, ever-selling greatest hits record Songs From The South, as well as delving into a range of songs from his vast catalogue.

Similarly, Bernard Fanning has accumulated one of the most celebrated songbooks on the Australian rock spectrum.

The former Powderfinger frontman has collectively released 11 studio albums producing songs that have become ingrained in the Queensland psyche.

It’s fair to say Bernard Fanning has firmly cemented his position as one of Australia’s finest singer-songwriters and lyricists.

With over 20 years of touring, expect a rock show with swagger, entertaining banter, crowd interaction and a display of pure musical talent by a member of Australian rock royalty and his band who are the perfect accompaniment to his wide-ranging set list of heartfelt country - folk tinged charm and classic rock grooves.

Missy Higgins is one of our most beloved singer/songwriters and her acclaimed studio albums have sold more than two million copies.

Classic songs like Scar, The Special Two, Steer, Everyone’s Waiting and Futon Couch, plus her unforgettable live shows, have made Missy an authentic household name.

The stories Missy shares through songwriting come to life on stage as enjoyed by the thousands of fans who attend her concerts.

Read our interview with Missy on the next page.

Mark Seymour formed Hunters and Collectors in 1980 with a bunch of Uni friends.

The band became famous for its rhythmic power and very quickly became touted as the ‘next big thing’.

Mark Seymour is one of our finest songwriters, capturing our stories of love, loss, human courage and achievement.

Vika & Linda’s effortless harmonies and journey through rock, country, gospel, reggae, R&B, soul and blues, while always paying tribute to their rich Tongan heritage, has earned the respect and admiration of their greatest fans – the renowned Australian artists they’ve performed and recorded with, and whose work their voices have enhanced.

Paul Kelly says, “Their voices combined sound salty-sweet and have that elusive twinned quality you only get when siblings sing together ... They make the air beat in sync.”

Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley, two powerhouse artists, joined forces in 2022 for one of the year's most successful tours.

A truly remarkable partnership, with simplicity proving to be a powerful vessel to tell a story and share a song, will delight audiences at Legends On The Lawn.

The 2023 Legends On The Lawn is guaranteed to sell-out – grab your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets for Legends on the Lawn go on sale at 9am QLD time on Thursday 1st December through Ticketmaster.

WHAT: Legends On The Lawn 2023

WHERE: Harrup Park

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 2023

TICKETS: On sale now via Ticketmaster

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Image: Mackay City and Waterfront acting project manager Stacey Mills accepted the Great Place Award on behalf of Mackay Regional Council at the 2022 Awards for Planning Excellence. Photo supplied

Fifth Lane will come alive tonight for the City Heart Christmas event from 4pm to 7pm

A great place is one that attracts, inspires and motivates people – a place that people are proud of.

And the Mackay region has even more reason to be proud of Fifth Lane, which has won the Great Place category at the 2022 Awards for Planning Excellence.

Mayor Greg Williamson said while Fifth Lane was initially supported by council grants, the collaboration between council, property owners and businesses (including local artists) enabled the project to be a success.

“Fifth Lane is more than a capital project or a piece of public art; it has provided a managed event space that continues to deliver ongoing community benefit,” Mayor Williamson said.

“It has come a long way from an unused laneway space in 2018 to what we look at and enjoy today,” he said

“It is now a lively and attractive event space that complements adjoining commercial uses.”

The Queensland Awards for Planning Excellence program recognises individuals, teams and community groups for their innovation, leadership, excellence and commitment to good planning.

Mayor Williamson said, next week, Fifth Lane would be jam-packed with family fun, including Christmas markets, face painting and live music as part of the Mackay City and Waterfront’s City Heart Christmas event.

“City Heart Christmas is a chance for the local community to eat, drink, shop and embrace the festive season while enjoying late-night trading, roving performers and much more,” he said.

“There’s even a special surprise for the kids, with Santa stopping by.”

To stay up to date on City Heart Christmas and more exciting events planned for the City Centre, follow the Mackay City and Waterfront Facebook page.

City Heart Christmas

Friday, December 2, from 4pm to 7pm.

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Image 1: L-R Carter Marsh, Ryan Chatteris, Mr Alex Kertesz, Mr Andrew Wheaton, Mr Jamie Novosel, Mr Alex Barker, Noah Faa and Charlie Jackson

Image 2: Mrs Helle Smith. Photos supplied

mullets: Students and teachers lined up to participate in Mullets for Mental Health

In a true display of ‘school’s out for summer’ energy, four students and four staff members from Whitsunday Anglican School had their hair shaped into a mullet on the last day of school, all for a good cause.

Year 11 students Noah Faa, Charlie Jackson, Carter Marsh and Ryan Chatteris all decided to get mullets for Mullets For Mental Health, a cause raising funds and awareness for mental health research, and challenged the staff to get involved.

“I’m a bit of a barber myself and I was having a bit of banter with (Deputy Principal Jamie Novosel) saying, ‘You should let me give you a mullet,’” said Noah.

“Two terms later, at the end of the year, we’ve created a fundraiser, and unfortunately I’m not giving him a mullet, but at least he’s getting one.”

With the help of Amy and Tiffany from Moldielox Barber Shop, who donated their time and expertise, the four students, as well as Principal Andrew Wheaton, Deputy Principal Jamie Novosel and teachers Alex Kertesz and Alex Barker all started a party at the back, business at the front in front of a vocal crowd.

The boys raised over $7,000, surpassing their goal of $5,000, for a cause close to Noah’s heart.

“It’s something quite close to me and I know it’s probably something that’s skimmed over a lot and it’s something that’s very prominent, more than we can see,” he said.

Principal Andrew Wheaton said the occasion was a perfect opportunity to highlight mental health in a school setting.

“The ability to be able to talk about this and for our boys and girls to express their emotions is an issue we feel very strongly about and it’s great to see that our young men are taking up the baton in this very special cause,” he said.

One in five Australians experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year and roughly 60% of these people won’t seek help.

“Mental health is one thing that we’re very well attuned to for our young people who are moving through the pressures of their schooling,” said Mr Wheaton.

The previous week, Senior Mathematics Teacher Mrs Helle Smith shaved her head to raise funds for cancer with the help of her outgoing year 12 maths students.

Ms Smith raised close to $4,000 and said she hoped her fundraising will help many families that are affected by cancer.

Mrs Smith also believes in being a positive role model for her young students and to always be community minded, help wherever you can.

Visit the Whitsunday Anglican School’s Facebook page to donate to the causes.

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Image 1: Graduation Dux and Marist Sisters' Award - Jack Thatcher

Image 2: Year 11 Dux – Kaede Smyth

Image 3: Year 10 Dux – Demi Dennis and Lily Paul

Image 4: Year 9 Dux – Rory Franklin

Image 5: Year 8 Dux – Brayden Manttan

Image 6: Year 7 Dux – Sienna McEvoy

Holy Spirit College welcomed many special guests on Tuesday, November 15 as students were awarded for their efforts throughout the year at the College’s Speech Night and Presentation of Awards.

Students’ successes were celebrated and they were encouraged to continue to share their gifts and talents with the College and their local community.

The Graduation Dux is the highest academic honour that one can achieve at the time of Speech Night and is awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall Internal Assessment Results for the combination of their best 5 subjects that would qualify for the award of an ATAR.

Confirmed Internal Assessment results are available to the College at the time of Graduation for determination of the awarding of the Graduation Dux.

School Dux’s

• Graduation Dux – Jack Thatcher

• Year 11 Dux – Kaede Smyth

• Year 10 Dux – Demi Dennis and Lily Paul

• Year 9 Dux – Rory Franklin

• Year 8 Dux – Brayden Manttan

• Year 7 Dux – Sienna McEvoy

Other Major Award Winners Of The Night Included:

• Marist Sisters’ Award (Year 12) – Jack Thatcher

• Don Brown Memorial Bursary (Year 12) – Hamish Donnollan

• Mary Moore Memorial Award (Year 10) – Mia Cundell

• Gifts of the Holy Spirit in memory of Bobette Hazell – Natalie Doyle

• Excellence in Studentship Award (Year 12) in memory of Mark Camilleri – Mitchell Penfold

• Vocational Education & Training Award (Year 12) in memory of Mark Cowley – Annica Gibbs

• The James Cook University Rising Star Scholarship – Rorie McKinnon

• Ampol Best All Rounder Award (Year 12) – Patrick Mattes

• Macrossan & Amiet Charitable Foundation Award (Year 11) – Jorja Jurczyluk

• Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton Aspire to Teach (Year 11) – Courtney Brooke

• Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton Award (Year 10) – Nicholas Doyle

• Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton Scholarship for an Indigenous Student (Year 9) –

• Lincoln Heffington

• Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award (Years 10 and 12) – Eleena Joe and Emma White

• Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Awards(Years 10 and 12) – Hannah Benjamin and Harrison Turner

• The Dawson Medal for Outstanding Community Service – Rory Franklin

Cultural And Sporting Award Winners:

The following awardees were initially presented their awards at the Celebration of the Arts and Celebration of Sports Awards Evenings held recently.

• Excellence in The Arts – Kira Atherton

• Most Promising Junior Arts Student – Rory Franklin and Liam Hyde

• Junior Sportswoman of the Year – Kiara Johnson and Elizabeth Lee

• Junior Sportsman of the Year – Lucas Haack

• Senior Sportswoman of the Year – Taynah McMurtrie and Preetika Vella

• Senior Sportsman of the Year – Cameron Wonnocott

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Image: Photos supplied

Holy Spirit College, a Catholic co-educational college for Years 7 to 12 in Mackay, celebrated their Year 12 Graduation on Friday, November 18.

The day commenced with a special Graduation Mass with Parish Priest Fr Stephen Hanly, presiding.

The HSC Community then welcomed all Year 12 Graduates onto the stage as they were applauded by their families, fellow students and College staff.

It was an extraordinary day to commemorate the end of thirteen years of schooling and the College wishes their graduates all the best for their bright and promising futures.

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Teen Shed Mackay are holding a school holidays activity making mats for the homeless out of rubbish bags and need your help!

The teens require a lot more bags to make lots of these mats for this great cause.

If you have newly bought rolls of plastic bags, used shopping bags, large black bags, Coles/Woolworths bags, or large coloured rubbish bags, why not contribute?

Teen Shed Mackay will be at the Laneway Markets at City Heart Fridays tonight where you will be able to drop off your bags.

If you can't make it to the markets, message Teen Shed Mackay on Facebook to organise an alternative.

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Around 60 port industry and community stakeholders came together to celebrate their collective achievements at North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) Stakeholder Function on Tuesday night.

This year the Port of Mackay celebrated a record-breaking 3.6 million tonnes for FY22 and NQBP delivered nearly $12 million in trade supporting infrastructure investments and maintenance works.

NQBP thanks all stakeholders for their support and acknowledges the commitment of NQBP’s people, port partners, customers, and port communities.

NQBP is a Queensland Government-owned corporation responsible for the ports of Mackay, Abbot Point, Hay Point, and Weipa in far north Queensland.

Images:

NQBP 1 – North Queensland Bulk Ports Board Directors Lynn Smart, Tony Mooney, Monica McKendry, Chair Jane McTaggart and Andrea Ranson

NQBP 2 – NQBP CEO Nicolas Fertin shared the port community’s collective achievements at NQBP’s Stakeholder Function on Tuesday night

NQBP 3 – Mackay Regional Council Cr Pauline Townsend, NQBP Board Director Monica McKendry, NQBP Community Reference Group Member Alison Jones, NQBP Board Director Lynn Smart, NQBP Board Chair Jane McTaggart, Yuwi Aboriginal Corporation representative Patricia Corrie and Cr Laurence Bonaventura

NQBP 4 – Regional Harbour Master Captain Jason Britton with Renae Harmsworth from DBCT, Tim Ffrost from Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure and Caroline Roche from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

NQBP 5 – NQBP’s Ash Sinha and Darren Brownsey with Les Rodgers from DBCT

NQBP 6 – Auriga’s Jaison Sebastian, with Petra Graham from NQBP, Damian Muscat of Crane Logistics and Chris Bugeja from Wisely Group

NQBP 7 – Evan Milne and Aaron Wood from Smit Lamnalco Towage with NQBP’s Luke Sorensen (centre)

NQBP 8 – NQBP’s Tim Lewis and Hossein Saadai with Danny Wisely from Wisely Group

NQBP 9 – Tim Magoffin representing the Resource Industry Network and Mackay Marina Run with NQBP Board Director Tony Mooney

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Image: It has been four years since Mackay last sent a delegation of youth ambassadors to Matsuura (pictured)

Since COVID-19 swept the world, youth ambassador tours to Mackay’s sister city Matsuura have been put on hold, but that’s about to change.

Mackay Regional Council is currently seeking applications from students in years 10, 11 and 12 (in 2023) to travel to Japan on June 23, 2023, returning on July 8, 2023.

The estimated cost of the trip is $3500 (plus spending money), and council will subsidise $1000 for each youth ambassador, directly to the travel agent.

Mayor Greg Williamsons said this was a tremendous opportunity for young people, especially those learning Japanese or with an interest in Japan.

“Being welcomed into the home of a Japanese family and having the chance to learn from, and be guided by, citizens of our sister city Matsuura is an opportunity of a lifetime,” Mayor Williamson said.  

“Add to that an exciting itinerary that includes a bullet train trip, a visit to Tokyo Disneyland and daily sightseeing activities, and this will be a trip attendees will remember for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Youth ambassador applications must be submitted to mackaysistercities@mackay.qld.gov.au by Sunday, February 12, 2023.

Council is also seeking chaperones for the tour, whose costs will be covered by council.

Chaperones must be at least 20 years old, fluent in Japanese and English and have a first aid certificate.

Chaperone applications must be submitted to mackaysistercities@mackay.qld.gov.au by Sunday, January 15, 2023.

Students and chaperones need to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as per travel requirements, and attend monthly/fortnightly cultural information sessions, which start in March 2023 prior to departure.

All applications are available online at mackay.qld.gov.au/matsuura

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Image:  Mercy College Eisteddfod winners Lily Wardrop, Zoe Wardrop and Kayli Vormister with St Patrick’s/Mercy College principal and Mackay Eisteddfod Association President Janelle Agius

Mercy College students achieved a wave of success across all platforms at this year’s 75th Annual Mackay Eisteddfod.

The performing arts students claimed multiple ribbons in the Dance, Music, Speech and Drama categories – earning high praise from experienced judges as well as Mercy/St Patrick’s College Principal Janelle Agius, who is the widely respected President of the Mackay Eisteddfod Association.

Talented 15-year-old dancer and vocalist Sophie Reilly received the Mackay Discount Drug Store $200 Bursary for the Most Promising Performer 18 Years & Under in the Eisteddfod’s Vocal Section.

Sophie capped a memorable Eisteddfod by also winning the 14 Years Girls Vocal Solo as well as the 13- & 14-Years Song and Dance Solo categories.

She was the winner of Miss GTB Entertainment at this year’s Get the Beat Competition in Mackay; attended the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge and was a finalist in the Musical Theatre Scholarships.

At the annual Queensland Asia-Pacific Grand Internationals National Cheer and Dance Competition held recently in Brisbane, Sophie was part of the Mercy/St Patrick’s College team that were crowned National champions in the Junior Lyrical category and also brought home the Highest Points Scoring for a School trophy.

Year 10 dancer KAYLI VORMISTER picked up the 13-14yrs Lucy Bishop Encouragement Award after impressive performances in jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and duo.

She featured in ten solos,  finished runner up in Jazz and Duo and a Highly Commended in lyrical.

Kayli has performed at local Eisteddfods since 2013 when aged six and is a promising student of Demi Reck at Dance Avenue.

EVA BISHOP won Most Outstanding Jazz Solo in 11yrs and under plus the Jazz Modern Aggregate for 11-12yrs.

She competed in 14 solos in jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, lyrical and Championship Jazz and won the Ballet and Jazz solos, Waltz Tap, Speed Tap, Dance Improvisations and Demi Character.

Year 7 student Eva has honed her skills at the Leisa Payne School of Dance in Mackay since the age of 4.

Siblings ZOE WARDROP, 14 and LILY WARDROP, 15 turned in classic performances and brought home a swag of awards in Contemporary, jazz, ballet, National and Championship.

Zoe won the Jazz Modern Aggregate Award as well as Contemporary and Jazz sections and impressed in the Teams events.

Lily won the Mary Haughton Memorial Trophy for 15yrs-18yrs Impromptu Story Telling and achieved top two placings in Lyrical, Drama, Characterisation, Mime, Shakespeare,Verse, Verse by Australian and Prose Reading.

She also received the Venebles Trudgion Encouragement Award.

MACKENZIE WOTHERSPOON impressed in solo Dance – tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical and won the Modern Championship and collected four top places in jazz solo, lyrical solo, tap and ballet improvisation.

She also gained second place in speed tap and five thirds in Waltz tap, Classic Tap, Ballet solo, tap solo and jazz.

MYAH ROKIC won the Joyce Caldwell Memorial Perpetual Trophy with top performances in the 12-14ys Piano and Forte.

Talented Irish Dancer AVA PEARL continued her superb achievements at competition level with brilliant displays at this year’s Eisteddfod.

Ava – who has danced since she was aged 4 – has joined a new dance school and is currently performing with International Dance Affair.

Despite having to learn all new dances this year and considering she had a six-month restyling ban from competition, Ava has risen to the challenge.

Her team have been super proud of her resilience and placings this year with superb results at the NQ Premierships, IDA Feis and Eisteddfod.

ADYSON BAYLISS shone in the Piano category – finishing second in the 13yrs Modern and third in the 14yrs Modern.

By Chris Karas

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