A Bittersweet Win

As you flip through this week’s edition, some of our team are swapping deadlines for datelines — soaking up wisdom, inspiration and (hopefully) some wins at the Queensland Country Press Association’s annual media awards and conference.

It’s a special trip for us. Last year, we had the incredible honour of being named Queensland’s Best Free Newspaper — an unforgettable achievement that still gives me tingles. We launched this paper right in the thick of Covid five years ago, with nothing but guts, passion, and a healthy dose of community spirit. After four years, we were recognised with the industry’s top award.

But that moment was deeply bittersweet. Just the day before, I had major bowel surgery to remove colon cancer. My body felt like it had been hit by a freight train. I remember staring at the ceiling, numb physically and emotionally, heavy with fear and the weight of the unknown. Then my phone lit up with a flurry of messages. We’d won.

I read them slowly, still in a daze, letting the joy and disbelief wash over me. There were tears — lots of them. It was surreal to feel such pride and celebration when my world had been so consumed by fear. But in that moment, this paper, this little community champion we built during such uncertain times, reminded me what hope lay ahead for me.

So this trip? This one’s my redemption ride. Will we bring home an award again? I’ll let you know next week... but regardless, just being here is a win in itself, in more ways than one.

Of course, I’ll be racing back home for Sunday’s Mackay Hospital Foundation Family Fun Day, proudly presented by Gardian. My little one’s counting sleeps 'til he meets Bluey, Bingo and a few Paw Patrol heroes. And let’s be honest — so am I.

Make sure you check out pages 24–29 for all the latest social snaps and event info, and don’t miss Cr Nathenea MacRae’s great wrap of the region's upcoming events on page 31.

Keep your fingers crossed for us — and thank you, always, for reading.

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