A Note From Nigel Member for Mackay, Nigel Dalton MP

This week in Mackay has been rich with community spirit from recognising cultural champions and personal milestones to advancing infrastructure and reinforcing public safety.

Crossroad Arts Giving Day – A Showcase of Inclusion

It was such a privilege to attend Crossroad Arts’ Giving Day here in Mackay. The event was an uplifting reminder of the power of inclusive arts where creativity meets community. Crossroad Arts continues to lead the way in creating opportunities for people of all abilities to share their stories. Even better, any donations made until May 31st will be doubled, meaning your support can go twice as far.

Celebrating a Legend: Margaret Cunningham Turns 100

This week we also celebrated a truly special milestone, my mother-in-law and long-time swimming companion Margaret Cunningham turned 100 years old.

Margaret isn’t just a remarkable person, she’s a world-class athlete. Over the decades, she’s set numerous world records across multiple age categories in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and individual medley. At age 85, she broke world records in the 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, and 200m individual medley. In her 90s, she continued setting records in the 50m breaststroke and 400m freestyle.

Margaret was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2016, one of the very few Australians to receive this honour. She’s competed internationally in five World Masters Games winning 12 Gold medals, consistently breaking age-group records and inspiring swimmers across the globe.

Over the weekend, her family, old friends and swimming colleagues gathered to celebrate not just a century of life, but a legacy built on discipline, joy, and always staying in her lane.

Superyachts Welcomed to Mackay’s Growing Marina Hub

I also had the chance to visit the Mackay Marina with General Manager Ben Anderson. Their focus right now is on attracting more superyachts, a move that gives those on board a chance to experience everything Mackay has to offer.

As an official port of entry to Australia, the marina boasts strong infrastructure, including high fuel delivery capacity, making it an ideal stopover for vessels travelling between iconic destinations like the Whitsundays. Mackay has also been identified as a great place for crew members to stop, relax, and even host visits from family while docked.

Back to School, Let’s Prioritise Road Safety

With students now returning to class, it’s crucial we all slow down and stay alert in school zones. Whether you’re doing the school drop-off or driving past during peak times, a moment’s care can prevent tragedy. Let’s work together to make school commutes safer for our children and give peace of mind to parents across Mackay.

E-Bike Safety Crackdown: Operation Wolfking Underway

In response to a rise in the illegal use of electric bikes and personal mobility devices (PMDs), police have launched Operation Wolfking across the Mackay Whitsunday District. So far this year, 18 street checks have been conducted, leading to 12 infringement notices for issues like unregistered or uninsured e-bikes, riding without helmets, and using PMDs on prohibited roads.

Six individuals aged between 13 and 16 have also been charged with a combined 24 offences. In one instance, a parent was fined more than $700 for allegedly allowing their underage son to ride a modified e-bike.

The operation also includes an educational push, with officers working to inform families and young people about the rules surrounding e-bike use and the risks of non-compliance. With holiday periods typically seeing a spike in PMD usage, the program is a timely reminder that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

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