Issuu

Friday, 12 February, 2021

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

Circulating in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday Regional Council areas

Friday, 12 February, 2021

www.mackaylocalnews.com.au Issue 1 • $2.50

Are Rate Rises Cyclone Driven? GUIDE

REAL ESTATE

PRIME MINISTER Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg are facing pleas for help from an insurance pandemic sweeping North Queensland during an election year. Residents in Mackay and elsewhere in North Queensland are facing skyrocketing insurance premiums on household insurance, which has risen by 72 to 92 per cent in the past 12 months. Mackay’s holiday resort owners have also faced insurance increases of 191 per cent and apartment or strata owners’ insurance premium have increased by 20-fold. Mackay residents have found it hard to believe that Suncorp and its numerous marketing brands, and other insurers, have blamed Cyclone Debbie in 2017 for escalating insurance premiums in 2021. This is because billions of dollars of recent insurance claims have been bushfires and hail damage in southern states. For example, Australia’s biggest insurance company, IAG, has reported to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) that it had received 40,000 claims for catastrophic hail storm damage in Mel-bourne, Sydney and in Canberra. IAG also reported that bushfire losses in New South Wales in the last quarter of 2019 and in 2020 totalled $1.3 billion. IAG reported that insurance company profits for the six months to December 31 in 2020, profits were up by 33.1 per cent to $670 million. IAG stated that “this was largely rate driven, with insurance perils below allowances which created underlying insurance profit margins of 15.9 per cent.” • Special Insurance Rate Rise stories pages 10 and 11.

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3-PAGES Mark and Debbie Ahern outline their huge rises in insurance premiums.

SOCIAL PHOTOS PAGES 12-14

COAL JOBS “ASSURED”: MINISTER - SEE PAGE 4

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NEWS

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

Great week-end… Sports award character building then rough week WEATHER will be great this week-end, with only a slight chance of the odd shower. The south-easterly change that came through on Tuesday has stabilised the weather. Wet weather is set to return in the new week, with the chance of showers increasing from Monday. Temperatures will be minimums of the low 20’s and maximums in the low to mid 30’s range. But with a nice SE’ly blowing in it should keep the coastal areas reasonably comfortable. Boating: Unfortunately for the boaties it’s looking rough on the water. South Easterly winds up to 15 to 20 knots. Also it’s the new moon on Friday meaning bigger runs on the tides. 1-2m easterly seas and swell offshore. I would suggest the creek and rivers

for this week-end. This forecast has been put together by the team at L&K Mackay Severe Weather. Background. L&K MSW has been running a free community Facebook page in Mackay and the Whitsundays for just under 8 years. Specialising in local severe weather forecasting and events, Liam Leonard and his team are with the community during the events and always updating information to help the community prepare and be safe pre, during and post severe weather events. We do not charge a subscription service. All forecasts are our opinions only and are not backed by any official government service. For all local forecasts, accurate and local information. Follow L&K Mackay Severe Weather on Facebook.

A LIFELONG passion for and joy of horse riding gave one Mackay woman many reasons to celebrate Australia Day. Former national Barrel Horse Association District Eight director, Melissa Milton, won the Senior Sports Award at the Australia Day awards in Mackay. She said her lifelong passion of horse riding goes back to when she was around five years of age and used to helpout on her father’s cattle farm. “Since I was very young,

my dad had a cattle station, so I also grew-up mustering during the school holidays,” Mrs Milton said. “It was hard work — hot — but yeah, it was good though, good character building.” “It’s in your blood, if you’re in that type of lifestyle.” Mrs Milton said she got her first horse at the age of 13 and owned it for 21 years before it passed away at the age of 26. Eventually, she grew to love the sheer adrenaline and thrill that barrel racing brought her.

Over the years, she competed in many competitions but narrowly missed out on receiving the top prize. Fast forward to 2017, she and other members of the Mackay region got together and decided to start a club as they realised there was a need for barrel racing. “There was no barrel racing club here, so myself and another lady started that in 2017,” she said. “Every year, bar the year I was pregnant with my second

COURT

Mackay man on child sex offence charges

Melissa Milton in action.

Islander achiever

DEPENDING on who you ask, she is many different things such as active citizen, educator, mentor and volunteer. Mabel Quakawoot went on to achieve many great and wonderful things with her life after moving to Mackay to marry her late husband Colin in 1962. Her most recent achievement came from the Australia Day Awards at the Mackay Regional Council, where she was nominated for citizen of the year. Mrs Quokawoot said she joined the Women’s Royal Australian Air force around 1957 and served for almost six years in Signals. Mrs Quokawoot was the first female of Pacific Islander heritage to join the RAAF. She went on to push for a memorial to acknowledge South Sea Islander military service in Mackay. She taught at a Mackay

School for Special Education for 21 years and then finished her teaching duties at Mackay TAFE, where she spent seven years. She has recently been active in assisting and working with Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander youth in many capacities throughout North Queensland. She has been an active member of the Murri Court system and started the volunteers at the Mackay Court House.

Concerns continue to bloom over Keswick FRUSTRATIONS continue to grow among residents at Keswick Island amidst the ongoing dispute with property developer China Bloom. State Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm, met-up with some of her fellow party members, where she updated them on latest developments concerning Keswick island.

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daughter, I qualified to compete in America at the world champion ships.” Now that she stepped down from her role, she hopes she will finally be able to “claim the grand prize” and enjoy the spoils of war. “My plans now are to just focus on my riding and have fun with my family,” she said. Until she wins this prize, she will continue to train and enjoy spending time with her family and four horses, two of which she would prepare for racing.

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She met with fellow party members Dale Last, Sam O’Connor and Pat Weir to share her concerns about “current lack of communication and accountability by the Labor state government.” During discussions, she highlighted community action about the Island by both the Mackay and Whitsunday

communities, that wanted to see the island managed in the interest of Queensland. Ms Camm said she had plans to meet with residents later in the week. The first parliamentary sessions are scheduled for the end of February and the Whitsunday MP plans to hold the state government to account.

A 75-year-old West Mackay man is facing trial in the Mackay Magistrates Court on a string of paedophilia or sexual child sexual offences. Douglas Leslie Gaylard is facing one charge of grooming a child under 16 with intent to procure engagement in a sexual act, plus two charges of indecent treatment of children under 16. Gaylard has also faces three charges of sexual assault and a breach of bail, which has been ex-tended. The alleged offences are understood to have occurred in West Mackay in 2019 and in 2020. Mr Gaylard’s charges were listed for mention in the Mackay Magistrate’s Court on January 21 this year, where they were adjourned for mention in the Mackay Magistrate’s Court on Febru-ary 19. Mackay’s Police Child Protection Squad has declined to comment.

NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

The Mackay Regional Council weed management control program rates the ratstail and sicklepod plants as being medium threats. What this means is that the plants need to be contained and the infestation is spreading. However, parthenium is classed as a high threat that should be eradicated. In addition, all three of the invasive plants were listed as category three, meaning they should not be distributed or disposed.

War on weeds stalling MACKAY Councillor, cattle farmer and cane grower, Marty Bella, has called for environmen-tal war on toxic and destructive weeds, which are destroying national parks, plus Council and farming land across the Isaac, Whitsunday and Mackay shires. Councillor Bella (pictured) has appealed for a dramatically upgraded and combined team warfare approach by the three Councils, by volunteer environmental groups and by state and federal government departments. “Weeds are uncontrollably spreading through the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday Council re-gions which choke other grasses, so a new combined and coordinated campaign is now urgent-ly required to stop this biosecurity risk,” Cr Bella declared. Giant rats tail (GRT) weed was introduced by the Department of Primary Industry in

the 1960s, when it imported sirato seeds from Africa. Each GRT weed head has up to 10,000 seeds and chemical treatment costs $800 per drum. Control is also highly la-

trolled spread of weeds. State and federal government treatment programmes have also been erratic and a new state-wide program to educate Council slashing contractors has been ‘slashed’. “

“Weeds are causing fires and horrific damage in national parks and farms.”

bour intensive and these weeds are spread by cattle, plus farm and earth moving equipment. Seeds have also been spread by Councils’ and Main Roads staff mowing of roadside areas, if biosecurity measures are not stringently followed, which can lead to the uncon-

“Parthenium causes allergic reactions, especially for asthmatics and is being spread at Mackay and Whitsunday beaches from vehicles which have been driven from out west,” Cr Bella said. “This is now causing weed infestations along the coast.

“For example, there is now a rats tail grass infestation at Paget, which has been created from seeds falling off vehicles. “Lantana has already caused horrific damage in national parks and on private property. “Giant rats tail grass, lantana, sicklepod and parthenium are like fire kindling. “These weeds played a major role in helping to create the uncontrollable bushfire at Eungella and will do so again in the future. “This is because lantana and rubber vine create a staircase for grass fires to reach the tops of trees and cause crown fires. “This becomes incredibly damaging for native animals, which climb trees to escape the blaze, but they can’t escape. “In the past, bushfires just ran along the ground, but these weeds have made it possible for fire to reach to tops of tall

timber.” Cr Bella explained that Mackay Council has a good weed eradication programme and is in-creasing staff and work hours to help. “But a much stronger and dramatically upgraded multi-Council and community group campaign or war against

weeds is urgently required. New rats tall grass is edible for cattle, but it is so coarse that it grinds cattles’ teeth away. “It is also very low on energy and takes more energy to eat than it provides to animals and so cattle slowly starve to death.”

NEWS

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

Coal mining jobs ‘assured’ — MPs QUEENSLAND coal mining jobs are safe and coal mines will not close, despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s latest promises of zero carbon emissions by 2050. Queensland Senator, Matt Canavan has sternly rebuked the PM’s promise as’ unrealistic wishful thinking dream, that the National Party MP’s will never allow to happen, as we protect jobs in country areas. “To achieve zero emissions by 2050, every single Queensland and Australian coal mine would have to close, every coal mining job would be crucified, plus there will be no coal exports and that’s just not going to happen,” Senator Canavan warned. “It’s a mythical target, where world leaders are making promises that they will not be around to deliver! “Statistics demonstrate that the rest of the world is not taking these promises seriously and instead, countries throughout the world continues to use coal. “For example, developing countries like Vietnam is building 17 seven new coal fired power stations in addition to its seven existing coal powered electricity generators.

“Zero emissions by 2050 means that Australia will be left with unreliable alternative electricity, which is incapable of providing massive amounts of power to protect factory jobs, or affordable electricity for heating and air-conditioning. “I will not see my Queensland country towns put on the altar and sacrificed to satisfy the moral guilt of dreamers in Sydney and Melbourne, so they can sleep at night, all because Australia produces fossil fuels. “Dreamers in Melbourne in Sydney will first have to close their airports and highways to reduce emissions.” Senator Canavan explained that while China publicly supports zero emissions by 2050, the truth is that China has 104 new coal fired power stations under construction, or about two new coal fired power stations every week. “In just past year, China has brought online more coal fired power stations which produce more electricity than throughout Australia. “It’s a mythical target in 30-years time, plus there is no serious way that Australia reach it with offsets like planting trees.

“India is building 28 new coal fired power stations, the Philippines has 13 new coal fired power stations under construction. Turkey is building 29 new coal powered electricity stations and Indonesia 52. “India is another China coming down the road with 300 million people seeking cheap coal fired electricity to turn on of the lights and then there is massive future demand for coal in Africa.

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Coal Industry and Job Facts: • The number of people employed in mining jumped by 22,000, or by nearly 10 per cent in three months to November 2020, or 264,000 more jobs for Australians; • Coal mining was the standout employment growth during this period, jumping by 25 per cent to employ an extra 11,000 Queenslanders and a total of 62,000 across Australia; • The value of Australian coal exports between November and December last year increased by 26 per cent; • Westpac states that Queensland coal miners have out manoeuvred China’s coal ban and benefited from a 50 per cent spike in metallurgical coal prices; • Metallurgical coal, used for steel production), is now selling for up to US$154 per tonne from past lows of US$93 per tonne;’ • While coal exports EX Gladstone to China fell by one million tonnes in the past three months, coal exports to India and South Korea jumped from 1.4 million tonnes and 1.6 million tonnes respectively in 2020, to more than two million tonnes each; • Queensland coal exports were up by 19 per cent in November; • International coal prices have moved up, partly because China is buying coal from the US at above market rates;’ • China has replaced Australian coal with coal from other countries, which has left a gap for Australian coal miners to fill; • The Queensland state government budget is heavily reliant on royalties from coal mines; • There is a broad trend for metallurgical coal (to make steel) accounting for 60 to 70 per cent of Queensland’s coal exports.

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We will be there to provide expertise, guidance and support. But more than that, we will go above and beyond to fight for you, because we believe in justice and fairness. Our local lawyers – Antoinette Morton and Sean Gibbs – are experts in criminal defence and ready to guide you. Contact us for a confidential discussion about how we can help.

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NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

Trade and Tourism in spotlight as JobKeeper deadline draws near

MACKAY and Whitsunday tourist operators could be a key influence on whether the Federal Government extends JobKeeper for workers from the end of March. Tourism and hospitality workers and businesses across the region receiving support by JobKeeper are concerned about its impending deadline. A lightning trip by a Federal Minister to talk to tourism operators badly affected by COVID border closures will lead to important submissions to Federal Cabinet over the next fortnight. Trade, Tourism and Innovation Minister Dan Tehan came to the Mackay and Whitsunday region to understand the need to continue JobKeeper. “It is great that Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan is here to listen to Whitsunday tourism operators as it’s critical the government understands their plight,” Mr Christensen said. “So we make sure future policies in this space are the right policies for the industry and local jobs.” The two ministers met with cane farmers and then with Cruise Whitsunday at Airlie Beach to discuss and better understand the situation of

both respective sectors. Mr Tehan said a $5 million advertising blitz was launched, which encourages Australians to book a domestic holiday this year to support local jobs and businesses. Cool Mango co-owner, Tony De Vinczo, said his business was not as affected by the pandemic and did not need to rely upon JobKeeper. However, his business went down by 11 per cent for around two to three weeks. He added that he had to take away the tables and chairs because of the pandemic but some customers were still coming in to grab food, as they were working from home. He said he understood how other businesses needed it. Mackay Tourism CEO, Tas Webber, said some businesses were hanging on and wanted to see JobKeeper extended. Mr Webber said his main concern was the potential loss of some businesses and wanted to ensure that they would continue receiving support. He believed that it was best for them to receive sustainable support. Ascott Australia managing director, David Mansfield, said the potential loss of JobKeeper presented

unique challenges. “Quest Apartment Hotels has 140plus hotels around Australia, so the looming loss of JobKeeper for our franchise business operators presents a ubiquitous challenge,” Mr Mansfield said. “To date, our people have done a terrific job navigating incredibly onerous business conditions, but recovery is slow and the loss of JobKeeper would hamper that process further. “It’s promising to see the matter high on the federal government’s agenda, and we will certainly embrace any extension or substitute support with open arms.” The Federal Government’s JobKeeper program, $1 billion COVID-19 relief and recovery fund has provided support to these sectors. This also included support measures for regional airlines, costing $308 million and $33.5 million set aside for conservation and infrastructure upgrades, which target national and world heritage sites. One hundred million dollars for tourism-related infrastructure was included through the Building Better Regions Fund.

Shaun Cawood, Dan Tehan and George Christensen at Airlie Beach. Photo James Moyes.

NEWS

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

Opportunity paid dividends

Peta Baxter and Connie Hemmens with Frankie the Dog. Photo: Andrew Sorensen.

Man’s best friend established it’s nucleus at Walkerston Kindy PARENTHOOD can be an exciting adventure filled with many milestones parents can proudly reflect on. C and K Kindergarten Walkerston director-teacher, Peta Baxter, says many parents in the Mackay region were often proud to see their children start school. Early in 2019, she was inspired to bring her pet dog, Frankie, along to help the children settle-in and become comfortable with kindergarten. She said this was due to some children being away from their family for the first time. She added: “He first became part of a ‘show and tell’ after the children noticed him on her screensaver. “I’d bring him in for a day and the children fell in love with

him,” Ms Baxter said. “Frank is our therapy dog. “He doesn’t come every single day, but yeah, he spends the day with us and the children and follows us around everywhere. “Then parents were saying that’s all their children were talking about that day. “So we did all the risk assessments and put all the steps in place to be able to have a dog at kindy. “C and K were really supportive of things like this as well.” Ms Baxter said her dog soon became a regular feature, where his presence inspired both her and a co-worker, co-educator Connie Hemmens, to write a book about him. She continued: “A very talented parent in 2019 did some illus-

trations that they could include in a book that would later become a gift to the children so as to remember kindergarten. “We just got a lot of great feedback about the book, so we thought we could really write a tome for the whole of Australia and help them settle into kindy,” she said. The book was soon pitched to Ford St Publishing and was different to the first, as it focused on what kindergarten and daycare was all about and how families return at the end of the day The book was well received by the publisher, who helped make it into a masterpiece. ‘Frankie Goes to Kindergarten’ will be released in March, and the adorable dog can be found on Instagram and Facebook under @frankthekindydog.

LOOKING for adventure and an opportunity to experience new challenges? Look no further than the Australian Army Cadets right here in the Mackay region. Former National Cadet Adjuntant, Olivia Swindells, has nothing but fond memories and life-long skills she developed during her six years of service. The former Sarina resident said she joined the Cadets back in 2015 when she was still at school. “I just found it interesting — I thought I would give it a go,” Ms Swindells said. “It was promoted at our school parade and seemed interesting.” What stood-out to her most was the many opportunities to learn and just how interesting it was for her. Reflecting back on her time, she it was not too uncommon for her to “travel around Australia.” “It was especially the adventure side of things — like the many different opportunities throughout those six years that I had to travel around Australia and compete against the other states,” she said.

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

Horrific traffic at Blacks Beach RESIDENTS across the Northern Beaches have expressed frustration about the state of the Mackay-Bucasia Road after being stuck in long traffic jams. Many contacted the State Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm, calling for improvements to be done to the road. Ms Camm said on social media there was a need to recognise that Mackay’s liveability and productivity was being

“I have been very fortunate to travel to Canberra a couple of times, and Sydney; additionally I also go to Townsville multiple times, because I’m from Sarina.” Cadets proved to be pivotal for her in providing many developmental opportunities that saw her excel as a leader. Eventually, she worked her way up and applied for a National Cadet position in 2020. A brand-new position was created for her — that of National Cadet Adjutant. However, this position is now her legacy as she aged-out of cadets on her 18th birthday. She was allowed to stay on and provide some guidance and mentorship for other cadets. She is now in her second year of her psychological science degree at James Cook University in Townsville. Ms Swindells said she has recently applied for a position as a combat engineer with the Australian Army Reserve. This position will be done on a part-time basis while she balances her full-time studies. The former cadet has encouraged those interested to give it a go as it is ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity.

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impacted. Ms Camm said she believes the Northern Beaches growth had to be supported through infrastructure investment. She said she would develop a petitioning and lobbying plan to “send a message that Labor’s commitment of $750,000 for planning out to 2024 is not good enough.” She added that meetings with Mackay Regional Council would be focused on plans on local roads to support growth.

Crackdown on youth crime

Olivia Swindells undergoes training with the Australian Army Cadets. Photo: Contributed.

THE STATE Government has moved to immediately crackdown further on youth crime. The new measures will target hardcore youth criminals that repeatedly offend and put the community at risk. Courts will get more power that allows them to do the following: • Require the fitting of GPS trackers; • Create a presumption against bail for youth offenders arrested for committing further serious indictable offences while on bail; • Seek assurances from parents and guardians that bail conditions will be complied with before an offender is released; • Strengthen existing bail laws to provide further guidance to

the courts. Offending while on bail could now be considered an aggravating circumstance when the court is imposing a sentence. To prevent crime: • Police will be given metal detecting wands to target knife crime on the Gold Coast; • Anti-hooning laws will be strengthened to hold the registered owner of a vehicle responsible except where the vehicle is stolen or the owner can identify another driver; and • A parliamentary inquiry will examine the implementation of remote engine immobilisers. Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said it is anticipated necessary law changes will be introduced at this month’s sittings of State Parliament.

New opportunities during Covid re-ignited florist business ONE OF Queensland’s most successful and enterprising Valentines’ Day flower businesses is The Florist Fourways on Nebo Road, West Mackay. While other businesses struggled during the Covid shutdown, Fourways expanded, when its hard-working business owner, Shawna Starrett, initiated new business opportunities. “My business went into overdrive with phone bookings and on the internet, with requests for our affordable home delivered hampers called ‘Just Because’,” Shawna smiled.

“Mackay residents really loved our ‘Covid Packs’ which included, nuts, chips, plus tissues and toilet rolls when nobody could buy them. “Our hampers had everything including coffees, cake, flowers, chocolates wine, cheese, beer and teddy bears. “So social media really helped me through the rough Covid times. “For example, while all other Mackay restaurants and luxuries of life were shut, The Florist Fourways was the only luxury left and my business just bloomed.

“I was scared that I would be shut-down, but I didn’t have to close and now I’m also very busy making reels or videos of flower arrangements on Instagram and on Facebook. “I really enjoy this live internet broadcasting, where I talk straight to people on their phones. “Customers then feel they have a relationship with me and follow me on Facebook from their loungerooms. Another of Shawna’s clever initiatives is her reception/dining room, which adjoins her florist shop.

“We’ve done a lot of Christmas workshops by using this space as a classroom to teach customers flower arranging or ‘florestry’, which includes dry flowers which are very popular. “Now The Florist Fourways also provides high teas, plus baby and bridal showers for four to 50 people, and includes pastries, patizzi, tea, coffee, cakes, mini-sweets and savories. “Importantly, our treats are especially tasty as they are all made by local home businesses. “Plus, we also arrange and provide flowers for up to three weddings each weekend.”

However, a large part of the every-smiling Shawna’s success, is her outward-going personality, her charm and her passion to be the best florist shop in Mackay. “I enjoy being the face of my business and looking after my customers. “I always remember each of my customers’ names and I make them feel welcome by remembering what coffee and cakes they had last time.” Another reason for Shawna’s success is that she knows the flower business from the ground up.

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make your Frankie the Dog enjoys the company of (from left) Dylan Campbell, Ollie Muscat and Joshua McLeay. Photo: Andrew Sorensen.

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“I grew-up on a flower farm at north Eton, where I started at 13, with the backbreaking work of weeding, planting and chipping garden beds. “We started when Mackay Sugar decided they would start a flower project called North Eton Blooms. “So, six cane farmers decided to grow flowers and our large family flower farm grew red and pink roses, babies breath, gerberas, anthuriums and seasonal crops. “Mum also used to buy seconds and sell them to churches and at the markets.”

EDITORIAL COMMENT

OPINION

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

WELCOME to Mackay Local News — and from our first Page One you can read what matters. It’s in our name — ‘Local’ and ‘News’. COMMENT The things that matter to us are the things that matter to you, our readers. Let’s put out a starter list. • Insurance and a host of other costs of just living in the most productive area of Australia. We generally get charged an extra whack because the big bosses of business and government down south reckon they can’t hear the whinges from this far away. • Phone and internet coverage. While the inner city hipsters are on 5G phones, many people up here have ZERO G. Disgraceful describes the fact there’s no continuous mobile coverage from Eton to Moranbah on a highway that’s so busy, has so much valuable freight, and earns this country so many billions. • Roads and infrastructure. Great to have part of a ring road, but in the time that was built, Brisbane got $6 billion — one $800 million widening on the Gateway ring road simply moved congestion 8kms. Meanwhile, even new work on the Bruce Highway falls apart within a year of being constructed — more lanes, more potholes. • Schools and jobs: we need the best to hold our best children locally — and attract the best to our region. • The environment: We need to get past slogans. Anti-coal protesters using social media forget how their computers/phones/cloud computing is totally dependent on coal and minerals being mined and processed. Denying climate change is nonsense, as anyone who has been to China and seen the amount of air-and-water putrid yellow pollution is making your everyday goods bought from just about any Australian shop or workshop. Local people doing good — promoting good people in community, sport, business and health promotes the best of our region. If you don’t agree or want to add to the list, send a message by print or email. We will be part of a respectful debate. We don’t pull punches, but we don’t sling-out unfounded rumour or innuendo. We’re not interested in blah/blah/blah politics — only in issues that really impact the 160,000 people who live in this wonderful region from Clermont to St Lawrence to Bowen. In print and online, Mackay Local News and our nine local staff, are here to help you in the things that really matter in our community.

Published weekly on Friday Circulating local news throughout the Mackay, Whitsunday and Issac Regional Council areas.

CONTENTS Entertainment .....................................12-14 Dining ................................................. 30-31 Real Estate.......................................... 15-26 Crosswords and Puzzles..................... 27 Television...........................................28-29 Boating and Fishing.............................33-35 Funerals............................................... 32 Classifieds........................................... 32 CONTACTS Office: Suite 5, Level 1, 45 Victoria Street Mackay, QLD Postal: PO Box 1025, Mackay QLD 4740 Office Monday - Friday Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm Email: Editorial and Letters news@mackaylocalnews.com.au Advertising Material ads@mackaylocalnews.com.au Advertising Sales brooke@mackaylocalnews.com.au suzannah@mackaylocalnews.com.au Advertising Support jodie@mackaylocalnews.com.au Accounts accounts@mackaylocalnews.com.au General Manager Dallas Frakking dallas@mackaylocalnews.com.au Editor John Bell john@mackaylocalnews.com.au

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Letters to the Editor To the Mackay Local News team, We’re always excited when a new business opens in our wonderful region, so this short message is to wish you good luck as your first edition hits our streets today. With many Australian media companies downsizing and some even abandoning regional Australia, it is great to welcome new players to this space in Mackay. There is no doubt that the media plays an extremely important role in our region. We have been blessed by local media personnel who obviously have a keen interest in our community — the issues, the challenges and the potential. Local media provides a voice for residents, holding a mirror up to our community to reflect the many and varied views. Importantly, media also hold authorities, including councils, to account, when needed. We’re extremely mindful that older residents in our region, many

of whom aren’t tech savvy or interested in becoming tech savvy, need to have as many avenues as possible to remain informed. To have another printed newspaper available in newsagents and stores for them to access is a positive. Once again, good luck. We look forward to reading this first edition. Mayor Greg Williamson Mackay Regional Council Dear Editor — What a pleasure it is to pick up a print edition of a local newspaper today and catch up on the news and events of our city. I would like to congratulate the team at Mackay Local News on providing us with a weekly paper, a move which I expect will be welcomed and heartily embraced. The loss of the print edition of the Daily Mercury in May last year, the newspaper which had served the city so well for more than a century, was keenly felt. Many of my constituents

mourned the habit of a lifetime – buying their local paper, checking the day’s news, sport, classifieds, social events; finding out what was most relevant to them in their home town. The loss of print editions happened not just in Mackay, but in Proserpine, the Whitsundays, Bowen and the Burdekin. Other players have entered the market to fill the yawning gap left by their demise, and this is also adding some much-needed diversity to the media landscape. As a former journalist and community newspaper publisher myself, I know only too well how much work is involved in these endeavours, and I welcome the efforts of each publisher. I encourage readers to show their support so that these print editions continue. George Christensen MP Federal Member for Dawson Congratulations to the team at Mackay Local News on your first issue hitting the newsstands

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this week. As Mayor of the Whitsunday Region, communicating and engaging with our community has always been a top priority. Another player in the traditional print media space will make it easier for our residents to keep up to date with the latest news and views in their towns. All the best Andrew Willcox Mayor, Whitsunday Regional Council The Mackay community has been calling for a printed paper since the Daily Mercury went fully digital. We want media outlets that engage with local people on local issues telling the story of our neighbourhoods. The Mackay Local News seeks to do just that. I look forward to seeing our community back in print. Thank you Julianne Gilbert Member for Mackay

Send your letters, responses or comments to: Mackay Local News, PO Box 1025, Mackay 4740 Email: john@mackaylocalnews.com.au

What’s up mate? Real mates talk to each other – they ask how their mates are going and they let their mates know if they need help. This is the intention of the Real Mates Talk men’s campaign. Real Mates Talk is about mates helping mates in the Whitsunday, Isaac and Mackay region. Check out our website:

COULD someone in Australia’s version of Disneyland — State and Federal politics — get their head out of the clouds (or wherever that head now resides) and actually do something that will help educate our children? I shook my head in wonder recently when the “incoming Leader” of the Federal Opposition and possibly the next Prime Minister, Tanya Plibersek, called for all children to be educated in “our citizenship pledge”. She did this because “recent test results show that most high school kids don’t understand our national values, how government works, or what it takes to be a good citizen.” My mind immediately flashed back to a statement I heard just a number of weeks earlier. “I am looking after them now. My husband will be looking after them 10 years from now.” That sad, prophetic statement was made by a delightful young lady, a school teacher, who had just had a discussion with her Year 1 class. Her husband is a police officer. I’ll go further into Tanya P’s galling statement after we have a look at what the school teacher had to say. What would you expect to hear if you asked about 20 Year 1 kids what they wanted to be when they grow up? A fireman? Actress? Astronaut? Doctor? Champion sports person? Maybe, maybe not, but certainly not if you asked a group of kids from a certain State school in the Greater Brisbane Area. This excellent teacher thought she would be hearing expressions of hope and wideeyed aspira-tions when she enquired about how her pupils saw their future in the workforce. Would you believe not one of them — no, not one — expressed the ambition, the hope, or even the desire, to get a job — any job at all. “I’m going to steal cars,” was the answer from more than one. “I’m not going to get a job,” several others replied. When the more-than-surprised teacher asked how they would live if they didn’t work and get money, the spontaneous response from several was, “I’ll just take what I want.” “Another said, “My mum doesn’t work and she gets paid every Tuesday.”

Under My Skin…

INTRODUCING Skinhead, a self-described “old hack” who retired from the workforce but cannot give up writing about his favourite subjects — things that really get under his skin. He will be a regular contributor to The Rural Leader and readers will soon get to know where he stands on a number of issues. Skinhead suffers from a medical condition colloquially known as SOL. Regular bouts of this common infliction are induced by some public servants, most politicians, and all governments. Because of this, those three “scars on the democratic landscape” will feature regularly. After “a lifetime in provincial newspapers, two lifetimes in government media, and on parole for a while in the pursuit of happiness,” Skinhead will be presenting readers with some down-to-earth, common sense and thought-provoking opinions. Sometimes he gets serious, but where possible he gives his views in a humorous style. As he says, “life is too short to waste on serious stuff.” The teacher was gobsmacked and more than a bit disappointed. She actually felt hurt because she thought, mistakenly I might add, that somehow it was her fault that they had absolutely no ambition. She was sure one of them would have wanted to be a ballet dancer or a footballer, and of course she was hoping she had inspired some of them to have a burning desire to be a teacher. When she asked if any of them wanted to be a teacher she was met with a mixture of disdain and bewilderment. “Why?” was the immediate response. None of them could see any reason for wanting to

or the same ethnic mixes. A recent regional newspaper opinion piece spoke about the need for “life-saving surgery on an education system that appears to be on life support.” The editorial quoted from a media report which said, “Queensland teachers are at breaking point, with insurmountable workloads, expectations of being ‘on’ 24/7, results-driven pressure, a steamroller curriculum, and violent students forcing many to consider abandoning the profession.” The story quoted numerous teachers expressing frustration, distress, depression, ex-

“The teacher

was gobsmacked and more than a bit disappointed.” be a teacher. That really was a telling blow, a proverbial shin-kicker, collectively delivered by a bunch of six and seven-yearolds. I’m not suggesting for one moment that this group of Year Oners is typical of Queensland children. I’m sure the majority of young school kids want to achieve something in later life. I also believe in this particular case, even though they may only be in Year 1, there may have been a bit of peer pressure. Being a “bad ass” is more cool in some circumstances than being a goody-goody or a suck-up. But what is concerning is that this attitude may be more prevalent than we realise. It may be widespread in schools in similar circumstances such as in certain regions with the same socio-economic groups

asperation, exhaustion, even constant fear of physical and verbal violence. After talking to this teacher, I can see why some in that noble profession are not getting a high level of job satisfaction at the moment. So when I hear young, keen, aspiring teachers expressing anxiety about the profession and the way it’s going, I truly feel sad for them. Which brings us back to Tanya P and her concern “recent test results show that most high school kids don’t understand our national values, how government works, or what it takes to be a good citizen.” Newsflash Tanya, it involves more than “most high school kids”. Extend those test results to include most politicians, too many public servants, and all the social en-

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gineers who are stuffing up the education system with your blessing. Tanya, if you called for all children to be taught how to read and write properly you might have some credibility. Right now the education curriculum is crammed with so many “subjects” it looks more like a recipe book that contains every recipe ever published by the Women’s Weekly. How can our kids find the time for reading and writing when they have to cope with every ex-traneous social engineering subject from gender fluidity to “how to become a contributing member of a militant trade union”? How can they think about learning actual history, useful maths, and genuine science

when they have to take days off school (or risk abuse and persecution) to protest about every issue from global warming to SBLM (Some Black Lives Matter)? Hey Tanya, when you achieve your goal to become Prime Minister, how real will you be? You quoted the citizenship pledge to us: “From this time forward, I pledge my loyalty to Aus-tralia and its people, whose democratic values I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.” How many of our so-called “leaders” live up to that pledge now? Many wouldn’t know what loyalty to Australia and its people was. Loyalty to the

“party” or loyalty to “my personal beliefs and ethics” maybe, but to Australia? Give me a break. Some politicians wouldn’t want to share democratic values even if they came with a free set of steak knives, and some can only respect rights and liberties when they apply to a select few. All other citizens can cop it sweet in silence. And then there’s the bit about upholding and obeying laws. Pardon me? How many “leaders” proudly disobey and break the laws of this land, and skite about it? My respect and concerns are with the young school teacher. When leaders start showing genuine leadership they might earn that respect too.

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Friday, 12 February, 2021

john

PRIME MINISTER Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg are facing pleas for help to solve an explosion in home insurance costs in Mackay and Airlie Beach during an election year. They are also facing growing barrage of protests from their own government MPs about uncontrolled and skyrocketing household insurance costs, which have risen 72 to 92 per cent in the past 12 months. The growing storm of political protests in an election year, is being led by Dawson MP, George Christensen, who quoted just one example of a Mackay’s holiday resort owner, who faces an impossible home insurance increase of 191 per cent in 12 months. “Clearly there is a market failure, which is why the Morrison Government has to intervene,” George Christensen explained. “I’m pressing Scott Morrison and the federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg to fix this. “I also have strong support from the Cairns based conservative Leichhardt MP, Warren Entsch and from Townsville

bell

john@mackaylocalnews.com.au

saying it was because of floods and cyclones.” However, Mackay and North Queensland’s apartment and strata owners face an even bigger crisis. Mackay’s Strata Insurance Solutions broker, Tyronne Shandinan, revealed that Mackay and North Queensland’s residential and commercial strata-owners insurance face an almost impossible 20-fold increase in insurance charges. “In the past, the insurance premium for strata units was $1,000 for every million dollars in unit value,” Mackay strata insurance broker explained. “But now owners are now facing totally almost impossible and prohibitive annual insurance premiums of $20,000 a year for each million in property value, or $10,000 a year in insurance for apartments costing only $500,000.” “In fact, north Queensland’s unit block and apartment owners of over 10 units have difficulty getting any insurance at all. “The last resort is Lloyd of London, which is 20 times more expensive than from Australian insurance companies. “Then to make life for retirees even harder, it is against the law for strata owners not to be insured. “This places retirees in a horrific personal crisis of moving out of their retirement units because they can’t afford to pay exploding insurance premiums. “It also means that there are whole blocks of units in Mackay and in the Whitsundays are uninsured.”

As a result, Mr Shandinan believes that the Morrison and Palaszczuk governments have no option than to intervene. “In the past, insurance companies spread the risk across all of Australia, which held down insurance costs. “But computerisation has meant that insurance companies calculate risks and charges down to the street and house.” Mackay and Airlie Beach apartment owners’ plight has been confirmed by retired Mackay Marina apartment owner, Tony Upton. “Every retiree with an apartment in northern Queensland needs to be urgently rescued by overdue leadership from the Morrison and Palaszczuk government,” Mr Upton explained. “Since Cyclone Debbie, Suncorp and is subsidiary Vero have basically pulled-out and deliberately almost priced themselves out of the Mackay and Whitsunday apartment insurance market. “I have been forced to take any insurance that I can’t afford. “It hasn’t dawned on Annastacia Palaszczuk and Scott Morrison that massive insurance increases are a burden of every business employing people, plus these ongoing and exorbitant insurance increases have forced-up rents for wage earners. “The Northern Territory government solved this home insurance crisis and delivered reasonable costs by creating a supportive insurance pool. “But instead, in North Queensland, more and more retirees can’t afford home insurance.”

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

Pollies pressured on policies

Debbie’s Rates Double WELL KNOWN Debbie’s Seafood and Fish Café is just one of hundreds of Mackay businesses facing a crippling pandemic of skyrocketing insurance costs. Mirani One Nation MP, Stephen Andrew and every North Queensland politician is alarmed at unacceptable increases in home-owners’ insurance premiums. Debbie’s Seafood is facing a 91.2 per cent increase in home insurance, up from $157.83 per month to $301.77, while their second rental house has just suffered a 72 per cent increase, from $196.78 per month to $339.5. Exasperated Debbie Seafood proprietors, Mark and Debbie Ahern, explained that these houses had no history of water damage or flooding, as they were built in a raised flood free zone, plus they pay the highest possible $2,000 excess on any claim. “We tried ringing the Bank of Queensland insurance and their Suncorp’s insurance underwriter, Vero,” Mark and Debbie said. “I asked why we faced an almost 100 per cent increase in insurance premiums in a single year, but I couldn’t get any satisfaction or a definite answer. “We just can’t absorb these insurance increases and we will have to raise our Mackay tenants’ rent. “All Suncorp’s Vero Insurance would say was that the latest insurance increases were because of bushfires, which were over 1,000 km away in New South Wales. “Then when I questioned Vero’s explanation, staff changed their story and kept

NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

Taking their chances ONE of the kindest and most generous Australian of the Year Award winners is Mackay youth worker, Kayleigh Brewster. The Mackay nursing sister has given up her nursing career to voluntarily start Chances Cafe, which has pioneered paid training for street kids as baristas. But Chances Cafe is not Kayleigh’s first act of generosity and kindness. Kayleigh has also provided care-packs for Mackay’s homeless youths, which includes insect repellent, a camping pillow, a water bottle and toiletries. “I listened to these young people living on the street and noticed a gap in their employment opportunities,” Kayleigh smiled. “So, I decided to do something about it and to legally accept donations, I got board members together and formed a charity — The Australian Street Aid Project, which gives Mackay’s street kids a second chance. “Hospitality is such a broad field with lots of job opportunities and I’m transitioning young people into these jobs. “We opened Chances Cafe in June last year and then we expanded to include meals in September.” Kayleigh modestly explained that she has already transitioned three Mackay

based Liberal MP for Herbert, Phillip Thompson. “We are strongly supporting pleas for our help from angry householders, from local government councils, from regional chambers of commerce, from tourism bodies, from economic development groups and from every North Queensland body corporate. “The insurance industry is doing the wrong thing by North Queenslanders, while making substantial profit across Australia. “It’s just not fair that they make insurance unaffordable for North Queenslanders because we live in higher risk areas. “In fact, there is now no insurance at all for those affected by floods and cyclones.” Mr Christensen explained that insurance companies have caused North Queensland’s insurance crisis. “This is because insurance companies have cancelled past procedures of averaging home insurance risks across Australia, so everyone, regardless of where they live, pays the same and insurance companies re-

mained profitable. “Instead, they have changed to calculating home insurance rates, based on North Queensland regional risks, even when homes have not made claims and have not been affected by cyclones and floods. “Currently insurance companies have knowingly overcharged and keep saying there is a risk of a cyclone, because they don’t want this risk, which is why they are charging through the roof.” Mr Christensen added that computerisation has means that insurance risks and charges are now calculated right down to the street and house. North Queenslanders’ home insurance worries have been confirmed by retired Mackay Marina apartment owner, Tony Upton. “Since Cyclone Debbie, Suncorp and Vero have basically pulled-out and so I have been forced to take any insurance I can get, when years ago insurance costs were cheaper when the insurance risk was spread across Australia.

“Every retiree with an apartment in northern Queensland now needs to be rescued by leadership from Scott Morrison and Annastacia. “It hasn’t dawned on Palaszczuk and Morrison that our massive insurance increases are a burden of every business and reducing employment, plus skyrocketing home insurance costs have been making rent less and less affordable for ordinary people. “The Northern Territory government solved this problem and created reasonable home insurance costs with a news insurance pool. “Ínstead in North Queensland, our retirees are either uninsured or dramatically under-insured.”

Retired apartment owner Tony Upton.

Mackay to profit from disaster Revolutionary approach to recovery

youths into permanent hospitality jobs. “Most of our employees are in stable accommodation, but a lot of people we take on and help are homeless and profits from Chances Café support our youth accommodation project. “We have rented and provided a share house for young people, as arranging public housing with Queensland’s Department of Housing is such a long process.” Trainee baristas Storm Chapman, 18 and Jahdan Corowa, 18 are two more of Kayleigh’s growing number of wonderful success stories. “Chances Café is like my second family from the second day I came here and its com-

forting, I guess. “Chances Café has also helped me to start studying for a Certificate Three and then I’m going to study Steps at CQ Uni, so I can enrol in a degree in primary school teaching.” Storm’s fellow trainee barista, Jahdan Corowa’s family came from the French speaking island of Vanuatu and he is even more enthusiastic. “I’m here training as I’ve just graduated from Milton High School and now I get to meet and talk to new people,” he beamed. “Now, I lecture my mates and tell them to do stuff that makes you feel uncomfortable learning new challenges and I’m now planning to learn a trade.”

AidForce founder David Ayles.

PROMISING a revolutionary approach to disaster management, a Mackay local says he believes the industry is ripe for disruption. Aidforce founder David Ayles said he wants to put Mackay on the map and become number one for disaster management. Mr Ayles said the idea for his company came from the 2008 Mackay floods but saw serious action when Cyclone Debbie hit the Mackay Region in 2017. “Cyclone Debby hit the region, we set up a recovery centre in North Mackay and we fed over 6000 people,” Mr Ayles said. He said Aidforce was a 12 year project that he worked on and said would be somewhat like roadside insurance. The founder said he teamed up with students and lecturers when he was studying his masters in emergency management and wants to provide help before, during and after any disaster. He added Aidforce would work as a disaster management and assistance company that would supplement, not replace organisations like the SES. To put it one way, it can be best described as

a private disaster army ready to send help out in mere minutes. Whether it be a locksmith replacing a door lock to an electrician replacing a switch, he said help would never be far away regardless of the situation. For this to happen, he said a rescue trainer would first have to instruct each tradie how to be prepared to provide rescue. He added there has been global interest from more than 60 companies across the world, along with countries like Canada, New Zealand and the state of California. “This is a massive thing – RACQ has like 2.9 million members,” he said. “If we’re able to get that eventually as well, you can imagine three million members in Queensland. “Then we can start building more resilience hubs and start buying our own aviation assets for firefighting.” Some of his long term plans also included buying a high-speed catamaran that can send 300 people, along with vehicles to somewhere like New Zealand to assist.

Mr Ayles said people in the Mackay region and across Australia will one day be able to ring 1300 disaster for help.

SShhh . . . IT’S A SECRET. I can’t tell.

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OPEN HOMES

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HANDY APPS WE’VE COME ACROSS: Magicplan This app generates floor plans from photos taken with your Android and Apple phones and tablets. Its Canadian developer Sensopia says you don’t have to move furniture before taking photos. The app produces a floor plan of the room you have taken photos of in several different formats, including PDF, JPG and DXF. A key advantage is that it will produce a floor plan to scale. It is free to download and use, but drawings contain a watermark and you will have to pay to download other floorplans.

Property Calculator Australia This app is designed to help you work out how much a home will cost you. It will display the stamp duty, loan balance, deposit required, loan repayments and more based on the details you give it, such as the property’s purchase price and the type of home loan you are looking for. It will also take into account lender’s mortgage insurance if the deposit is less than 20% of the home value.

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Friday, 12 February, 2021

Property experts Mackay’s new, weekly newspaper, The Mackay Local News, has invited the region’s real estate agents to pass-on their professional advice and analysis of the real estate market in the real estate section of this newspaper. Their professional understanding of our current real estate market, both now and in the future is invaluable. The combined advice from these experts will prove invaluable and very helpful. Each week, our regions real estate agents will offer their professional assessment to readers, which will add to the community’s body of knowledge. If readers’ miss any the comments, their professional opinion on our region will also be available on The Mackay Local News free website, which does not have a paywall at www. mackaylocalnews.com.au

Mackay market improves By Antonia Mercorella The Real Estate Institute of Queensland Mackay remains one of the most popular property markets, as Queensland continues to enjoy the highest interstate migration rates across the country. And why not? After all, Queensland is the ultimate pin-up for liability, affordability and lifestyle Shifts in the housing market remain strong yet steady, with many sellers profiting from higher than expected sales results. The Mackay region has been waiting longer than it should have for improving market conditions, but it appears they have well and truly arrived. The median house price has increased six per cent over the past year, making it one of the best performing major regions in the state.

The unit market is also recording positive results and the volume of land sales is soaring.

Rentals On top of all that, the Mackay rental market is the tightest in the state, with rents rising significantly. That said, there’s signs that rental stock levels are easing albeit ever so slightly. December 2020 rental rates for the Mackay region came in at one per cent, which is double what was recorded in both August and September, of 0.5 per cent. Tight rental rates are nothing new for Mackay, with levels sitting below the 2.5 per cent healthy threshold since October 2017. That said, the last time vacancy rates were so tight, was back in October, 2011 (0.4 per cent). Ideally, more investors are needed to enter the market, but is it the right time? Sure, people have been saving more money due to the the COVID-19 pandemic, plus interest rates are at historic lows. However, investors are still on the sidelines, in part because of artificial price increases due to demand far outweighing supply. Added to this is the upward pressure on rents. As a result of tight vacancy rates, it can potentially push the market towards unaffordable levels, making it less attractive to investors. Its unlikely rental vacancies will change significantly in the near future as Queensland as a whole continues to remain a popular destination for interstate migration, while investors are still yet to reenter the market.

Stamp Duty As already highlighted, property investors are critical to ensuring we have adequate supply of rental accommodation available for Queenslanders. This is why the Real Estate Institute

of Queensland continues to strongly advocate for the abolishment of stamp duty, to provide a much-needed incentive for investors to re-enter the market now.

Strong market Benjamin Molineux Licensee and director Baileux Real Estate Mackay’s real estate market is currently experiencing limited availability and high rents. It is back to where it was pre-COVID. With low-interest rates, plus the availability of good properties and high rental returns, it is an appetising equation for investors. People are rethinking under-performing investment strategies such as stocks, shares and bank deposits. Bricks and mortar are the best return on investment and if you can return more than five per cent, that’s a very good return. We’re also seeing more people from all over Australia moving to the Mackay region and applying for rentals. High-quality applicants include doctors, police and workers employed by local businesses. When the international borders open, we will see a compounding effect on the pricing on rents and sales. RENTALS Most of the properties that we have recently sold have been for investment purposes. In one such instance, we sold a house and a few days later, locked in new tenants at 59 per cent above the previous rental. Rentals are currently being tenanted before the previous tenants have even vacated. We think investors are looking at Mackay at the moment, because you can get great properties at great prices with great returns.

REAL ESTATE

Friday, 12 February, 2021

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

share the cautious path forward Unexpected market strength

Mackay region, Queensland’s third best

Janine Walsh Elders Real Estate Against forecasts for the year ahead, no one could have predicted the change the pandemic would bring to our real estate market. We have seen increased buyer enquiry, shorter listing times and multiple offers on many properties. As rentals tighten our tenants are becoming buyers, with record low interest rates an attractive option for first home buyers to enter the market, along with government incentives. The volume of house sales increased by nearly 13 per cent in Mackay and median house prices grew by 6.0 per cent to $365,000 last year. Mackay is now amongst the top performers for all major regions across the state and with the availability of jobs in mining and other industries.

Peter Francis, Blacks Real Estate

Antonia Mercorella The Real Estate Institute of Queensland

Benjamin Molineux Licensee and director Baileux Real Estate

Janine Walsh Elders Real Estate

Peter Francis, Blacks Real Estate

Mackay region, Queensland’s third best

the REIQ rank the Mackay Region as Queensland’s third best performer for median house prices, with 6 per cent growth to the year ending September. On top of this the volume of sales has increased by 13 per cent.

So, if your thinking about buying a home, be prepared and do your homework. First, go a see a finance broker and find out what your budget is – this will not cost you anything. Start researching your preferred

Elders Mackay sees this continuing into the future as Mackay becomes a destination of choice, for Peter Francis, work opportunity and family Blacks Real Estate living. (Source REIQ & The latest statistics from HTW)

Exclusive

suburbs, there are great aps on real estate sites that will give you updates on new and sold listings. In a hot market where competition is fierce, you need to be prepared to make an offer on good homes quickly. There is a lack of stock on the market and there is plenty of buyer competition. 5 years ago, there were 3,684 properties on the market in the Mackay Region and now there are just 1599. The number of Mackay land sales in the last quarter of 2020 increased by over 260 per cent compared to the previous quarter. If anyone has land that they would like to list now is the time to do it! Each week, our regions real estate agents will offer their professional assessment to readers, which will add to the community’s body of knowledge.

service with a personal touch

“Pam and Melisha provide outstanding service and communication! I would definitely recommend them to anyone selling or renting their home” - V. Walter “I highly recommend Pam Baum and her team. Pam was extremely professional and honest in every aspect of the sale. Nothing was ever too much trouble. I cannot thank Pam enough for her genuine kindness and support. Pam was always happy to answer and follow up any queries. She kept us updated and informed throughout the process. Pam and her team have tremendous knowledge and understanding of the local market. I completely trust Pam and would not hesitate in recommending Pam to anyone selling a home.” - D. Carter “Pam was constantly on the ball and quick with information to ensure us the absolute best outcome. Pam has assisted us with several sales and purchases and we have always been relieved at the ease of contact and professional advice. Pam has a great knowledge of Mackay and the surrounding areas, as well as a heart for people she meets and works with. She is always our first thought whenever we are considering a change.” - J. Jreije

Mackay’s boutique real estate & property management experts: pam@coraltreeproperty.com.au | melisha@coraltreeproperty.com.au

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Pam Baum

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$595,000

STUNNING, SPACIOUS HOME WITH AMPLE ENTERTAINMENT AREAS • • • •

OPEN Saturday 13th February HOME 11.30am to 12.15pm

Magnificent open kitchen, with stone bench tops & the added bonus of a butlers pantry. Spectacular main bedroom with stylish ensuite & walk in robe fit for a king & queen. With six airconditioning units throughout, relaxing can be done anywhere. A separate media room forming as the children’s own little retreat.

• Large outdoor entertainment area perfect for all family affairs. • The backyard has more than enough room for a potential shed or swimming pool. • The fully fenced property with security screens offers the all round comfort in the brand new home.

0409 095 703 | pfrancis@blacksrealestate.com.au | Peter Francis

119 Christensens Road, Balberra

$2,050,000

LUXURY ACREAGE ON THE WATER’S EDGE - 39 ACRES Boasting waterfront location, this prestigious home enjoys superb water views and indulgent amenities offering a quality of life that is quite simply the envy of all. Presenting a grand façade, stretching across 647 m2 of luxury living, the views are maximised by the extensive use of glass, vaulted ceilings and sliding doors to the Iron Bark decks. The floorplan offers 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, powder room, bar, media room, an open-plan dining, kitchen and living area. The sophisticated design elements are showcased in the kitchen, which includes Italian tiles, granite benchtops, striking

07 4963 2500

timber feature walls and a walk-in butler’s pantry complete with European appliances. The master bedroom features a private deck with panoramic views, luxurious walk-in-robe, elegant ensuite with dual vanities, free standing bathtub, and floor to ceiling marble wall. Further highlights include a 40m2 gazebo with outdoor kitchen, sundeck and pool that overlooks picturesque Sandy Creek. The 4-car garage is 15m wide with a side roller door offering plenty of space for all the toys. Enjoy fishing and crabbing? There’s are a smattering of spots

43 Wood Street, Mackay

scattered along the 400m of creek frontage and the 38.8 acres is fenced into 5 paddocks. The lifestyle aspects and qualities of this property are vast, an inspection will suitably inpress. View and enjoy this luxury acreage on the water’s edge, 20 mins from Mackay’s CBD.

0409 095 703 pfrancis@blacksrealestate.com.au Peter Francis

blacksrealestate.com.au

Friday, 12 February, 2021

REAL ESTATE

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

REAL ESTATE

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

Executive comforts enchant undecided AN EASY 160 metres direct walk through the nature strip lands you in the sand beachside. Positioned within one of Mackay’s finest precincts, 140 Waverley Street, Bucasia, offers an executive lifestyle within relaxing surrounds. The high-set modern residence is situated on a very spacious 2023sq/m land area. Key features include four bedrooms and two bathrooms, split between upstairs and downstairs. With space for all members of the family to enjoy, there’s approximately 380sq/m under roof area. Upstairs features an open

property of the

week

from blacks real estate

plan kitchen, dining and living areas with timeless appeal. Featuring beautiful Tassie Oak Timber Floors, these areas lead out to the amazing timber deck area. The kitchen has many great features as well — including impressive two-pac cabinetry complimented with stone bench-tops — and it is delightfully equipped with quality appliances. Wrap-around timber decking on the upper level offers a very casual entertainment area, with a backdrop of the

nature strip on the foreshore and popular walkways with glimpses of the ocean through the trees. On the same level are two spacious bedrooms adjoining the two-way bathroom. • Downstairs is equally generous in size, with a large living area, a further two bedrooms and quality bathroom. • Adjoining the outside entertainment area downstairs is the in-ground pebblecrete saltwater pool — the perfect spot for a cool down after a walk on the beach. • Extra Features to cut down on the services bills are the 3.5Kw solar system and a rainwater tank to save on water for the gardens.

REAL ESTATE

Friday, 12 February, 2021

HIGHSET RURAL LIVING

2 Meadowlands Road, Racecourse

BY NEGOTIATION

• This house has been cleverly designed to keep you comfortable all year round: insulated walls, air conditioned throughout, ceilings fans and tinted windows and louvres to catch the south-easterly breezes off the water. • Two bay shed, concreted, andv powered for those extra storage needs Bucasia Beach is one of

Mackays longest beaches spanning almost 4kms, and its white soft sands make it very popular for beach walks, swimming and fishing, as well as being pet friendly in approved areas. All of this is literally within two minutes walk of your front gate. Bucasia has many amenities nearby, and they continue

to grow on a monthly basis it seems as the Northern Beaches area continues to develop and expand. These amenities include three primary schools, the Northern Beaches High School, Hibiscus Shopping Centre, doctors, kindergarten, IGA, service station, gym, chemist, bottle shop and boat ramp – all within 15kms of the Mackay CBD.

It’s hard to sell a secret! Some believe all you need in order to sell something, is go online. We just debunked that idea, here you are.

3 3 3 3

Highset three bedroom home with separate living and dining rooms 1032m2 block including two bore water pumps and large water tanks 3 bay shed, plenty of room for hobbies and the toys Rural living close to town ID 2675992

18 Mod Crescent, Beaconsfield

$599,000 3 3 3 3

Zachary Manning 0408 321 103

A LOT ON OFFER HERE

Cheryl Mulder 0411 164 968

Stunning, large and stylish family home Main bathroom with double vanity, sunken bath and large shower Separate lounge and dining areas Media room and a games room ID 134778582

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

A TOUCH OF LUXURY

5 Albion Crescent, Mount Pleasant

BY NEGOTIATION

3 3 3 3

Cheryl Mulder 0411 164 968

Award winning quality home, first time on the market since built, 2017 3 Master bedroom comes complete with a walk-in-robe and ensuite Open plan living flows out to the alfresco dining area ID 135154722 Stylish kitchen with quality, modern appliances

STYLISH DUPLEX

4 4 1&2/21 Maranark Avenue, Mount Pleasant

BY NEGOTIATION

Emilee Walters 0408 231 402

On offer within each duplex is: 3 Master bedroom with ensuite and walk-in robe 3 Second bedroom has a semi-ensuite to main bathroom with BIR 3 Fully airconditioned throughout ID 135014986

UNDER CONTRACT BY CHERYL & ZACHARY

TIDY, HOMELY UNIT

7/63 Grendon Street, North Mackay

BY NEGOTIATION

3 3 3 3

Perfect first investment opportunity Freshly painted throughout the unit Newly renovated bathroom Move-in ready home

Cheryl Mulder 0411 164 968

HAPPY SELLERS & BUYERS 18 Antonia Court, Glenella

Cheryl Mulder 0411 164 968 and Zachary Manning 0408 321 103

ID 2675992

UNDER CONTRACT IN UNDER A WEEK

Where are the property buyers looking? Answer: everywhere, including their local Real Estate Guide. Are the current available buyers looking today, seeing your property for sale here in their local Real Estate Guide?

My Real Estate QLD My town my paper

8 Evans Avenue, North Mackay

mreqld.com.au

Integrity: We demonstrate to each other, our customers and the community, qualities of steadfastness and honesty in character.

Respect: We treat all people with respect and appreciate their individual worth and qualities.

07 4898 5999

REAL ESTATE

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

COMMERCIAL

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

R e n t a ls & S a le s M a ck a y

FOR SALE $840,000

FOR SALE $439,000

1 6 A l e xa n d ra St reet , West Mackay

2 4 Andrew M i l ne Drive , M ount P le as ant

This home certainly delivers contemporary living at its best. The spacious open floor plan seamlessly integrates both indoor and outdoor living space through bi-fold doors, which almost doubles the usable living area in the home. The configuration of the home is genius with three generous size bedrooms plus rumpus room on the lower level and spacious master bedroom with ensuite, walk in robe and own balcony on the top level, enjoying seclusion and privacy away from the others.

• Spacious kitchen, perfect for entertaining! • Kitchen has gas cook top stove, breakfast bar and dishwasher! • Main bedroom with ensuite and WIR • Two living areas plus separate dining room! • Air conditioned throughout • Main bathroom has bathtub • Separate laundry with storage • Outdoor entertaining area overlooking in-ground pool • Fully fenced yard • Double garage with double carport

The middle level has the kitchen with sleek bench tops and ample cabinetry, ensuring effortless entertaining with its central position. Experience the character filled ambiance, elegant living and vast entertaining space of this desirable family home. Situated overlooking the beautiful Botanical Gardens, this home is just a five minute drive to CBD, schools, sporting field and airport.

CONTACT

IN S P E CT

By appointment

FOR SALE $299,000

Gary Tweddle – 0457 880 838 gary@professionalsmackay.com.au

IN SPE CT

By appointment WEB ID 1156584

FOR SALE $279,000

4/ 1 5 -1 7 Creek St reet Nor t h Mackay

5 0 2 /5 - 7 N els on S tre e t, M ac kay

This three bedroom free standing townhome is an exceptional offering with the benefits of serenity and privacy located so close to the hustle and bustle of the CBD. Other features include: • 3 generous sized bedrooms, all having ceiling fans, built in wardrobes and air-conditioning • The master bedroom has a stylish ensuite • A spacious open plan dining/living with ceiling fans and reverse cycle air conditioning to ensure your year-round comfort • Outdoor entertainment area - perfect for relaxing or entertaining the family and friends • Double lockup remote garage which is ideal for securing your vehicle • Fully fenced backyard • Close to shops, schools and medical facilities

The Riviera Apartments are Mackay’s newest Riverfront residential development and this executive apartment is now available for a new home owner or investor!

*Currently tenanted on a Periodic Lease*

For further information or to arrange your private inspection of 4/15-17 Creek Street, North Mackay, please contact Gary Tweddle today!

Professionals Rentals & Sales Mackay 126 Victoria St, Mackay

CONTACT

Gary Tweddle – 0457 880 838 gary@professionalsmackay.com.au

3 Better 3 Cheaper 3 Quicker

Online and print advertising combo coming soon

This property features: • Fully Furnished • Large, carpeted bedroom with views • Study space • Secure undercover parking • Fully air-conditioned throughout • NBN and Foxtel access • Access to the communal BBQ & activity area on the rooftop! • Walk to the CBD and major shopping centre • Only minutes drive to the airport and both Mackay Base Hospital and Mater Hospital! For more property details or to arrange your private inspection please contact Gary Tweddle today!

Real Estate Agents and sellers: u UPLOADABLE u UPDATEABLE u TARGETTED u AFFORDABLE The best in print and online for Mackay, Whitsundays and the Coalfields

CONTACT

Gary Tweddle – 0457 880 838 gary@professionalsmackay.com.au

07 4944 6666 www.professionalsmackay.com.au

My town my paper

COMMERCIAL

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

RURAL

Friday, 12 February, 2021

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

ONP MP pressures Palaszczuk on pigs

3 Peel Street, Mackay INVESTMENT POTENTIAL WITH LONG TERM TENANTS

FOR SALE

• This Mackay CBD freehold property comprises a L-shaped site on approximately 1,536m2 commercially zoned land. • 2 titles with 2 lettable sheds with office and car sales yard. • Currently rented to 2 long-term tenants.

• 2,021 m2 block located directly across from the Caneland Shopping Centre. Minutes to the Mackay CBD and 10 minutes from the Mackay Airport. • The property is improved with a 1,440 m2 building. • Onsite parking, front and rear of the property. Direct access from Wellington Street to the warehouse at the rear. • Leased to Discount Warehouse Chemist to 30th April 2022 with 5 year option. The tenancy has air-conditioned retail at the front and a warehouse at the rear.

0418 776 855 | glewis@blacksrealestate.com.au |

20 - 22 Peel Street, Mackay SALE BY EXPRESSION OF INTEREST INVESTMENT/REDEVELOPMENT - CNR GORDON & PEEL STREET

Greg Lewis

181 Victoria Street, Mackay PRIME CBD LOCATION

• • • • •

FOR LEASE

Shop 2, 326 Shakespeare Street, Mackay GREAT LOCATION - FRONTAGE ONTO BUSY STREET

0408 017 917 | Ellen Everett eeverett@blacksrealestate.com.au

0400 354 800 | Melanie Hartmann commercial@blacksrealestate.com.au

FOR LEASE

• Two x 190m2 tenancies avilable • Small office and toilet • Large roller door access • Personal door access

0408 017 917 | eeverett@blacksrealestate.com.au |Ellen Everett

07 4963 2500

• • • • •

43 Wood Street, Mackay

FOR LEASE

Good quality, modern office space Sizes ranging from 42m2 – 239m2 Close to airport Plenty of on-site parking Only minutes to Mackay CBD

0400 354 800 | Melanie Hartmann commercial@blacksrealestate.com.au

ers from sneaking in and causing public liability insurance issues.” Mr Andrews added that ‘pigs are prolific breeders and produce very large litters of piglets, which makes it even harder to eradicate feral pigs’. ‘For example, if a farmer has 100 wild pigs on a property, only killing 75 feral pigs each year means that the feral pig numbers will still not be reduced below 100. “This is why in my travels I always help my rural constituents and remove dangerous animals including wild dogs and feral cats. Then its amazing to see populations of native animals return.”

“Mackay Sugar crushings were 5.15 million tonnes in 2020, compared with 4.67 million tonnes in 2019,” he said. “1.23 million tonnes has also been crushed at Plane Creek, compared with 1.14 million tonnes in 2019.

Sugar content in last year was better than expected with Mackay Sugar averaging Commercial Clean Sugar (CCS) of 14.14, compared with 14.33 in 2019. The CCS content at Plane Creek was 14.23, compared with 14.69 in 2019.

FOR SALE

$995,000

0408 017 917 | Ellen Everett eeverett@blacksrealestate.com.au

121 Boundary Road, Mackay PRIME PAGET LOCATION 26 Victoria Street, Mackay CBD FRINGE WAREHOUSE/SHED

FOR LEASE

“I explained to the Estimates Committee that this is less than one percent of the known environmental and agricultural damage that pigs do to both properties and to national parks throughout Queensland. “Mark Furner needs to explain why he spends so little to prevent damage from feral pigs. “Farmers want pigs gone after suffering significant crop losses. Feral pigs destroy crops and impact in so many ways by spreading weeds and disease, plus they dig up areas, where soil eventually runoff into the sea. “Farmers are also forced to dig large holes to stop poach-

0408 017 917 | Ellen Everett eeverett@blacksrealestate.com.au

blacksrealestate.com.au

Andrews shoots monster pig with one bullet.

Growers expect bigger crop

CANEGROWERS Chairman Kevin Borg said the sugar industry has started this year on a positive note. Cane production increased following good rain at Christmas 2019 and follow-up winter rains at the beginning of the crush in June 2020.

• Great location frontage onto Shakespeare Street is an opportunity not to be missed. • Open plan space with white tiled floor, roller door at rear. • Sink with hot water and shared toilets. • Great signage onto Shakespeare Street.

Building has frontage to Victoria-Nelson Streets On-site parking available for tenants Some quality fitted options available Office space ranges from 50m2 - 210m2 Walking distance to Canelands Shopping Centre and Mackay Regional Council

0400 354 800 | Melanie Hartmann commercial@blacksrealestate.com.au

Greg Lewis

COLOURFUL Mirani One Nation parliamentarian, Stephen Andrews, has called on the Palaszczuk government to get real and be serious about eliminating feral animals, including wild pigs. Mr Andrew’s plea came after he shoot a large, 140km pig on a property at Eton/Brightly. “I have asked a parliamentary question of the Palaszczuk Government about why it Agriculture Minister, Mark Furner spent $945,000 on useless pig research,” Stephen said. “It’s like setting a mouse against a dragon, while the Queensland government spends $407 million on the Great Barrier Reef.

39 Burnell Drive Alligator Creek Mackay 4740

Prestige Property - 180° Views

OPEN HOME 13 FEB - 10AM -12PM ■ 1.69 Ha

An exquisite lifestyle property set over 3 levels, incorporating the main house on the top level with sensational views back to Mackay & Whitsunday Islands.

■ 4 Bedroom House

A four bay powered shed is on the second level, and a 1 bedroom guest house is on the first level. Combine all of this, including designer landscaped gardens, native trees and this hilltop paradise is sure to impress.

■ 4 Bay Shed

A short drive to Mackay airport, makes this property a perfect way to enjoy a luxurious rural lifestyle with the accessibility to commute between capital cities.

■ 1 Bedroom Guest House

■ Panoramic Views to Mackay & Whitsunday Islands ■ 150k litre combined water tank capacity

SALES AGENT JASON CHETCUTI

■ 20 minutes to Mackay Airport

Think Real Estate Mackay

■ Low maintenance designer landscaped gardens

0418 700 623

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

REAL ESTATE

Friday, 12 February, 2021

PUZZLES

Friday, 12 February, 2021

FILL-IN PUZZLE

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

SUDOKU

HOW MANY?

Fill-Ins are just like crossword puzzles but with words instead of clues. Your challenge is to fill in the puzzle by fitting in all of the given words. Keep in mind that two or more words can fit into a space. If you choose incorrectly you may be unable to fit in all of the words. 3 LETTER WORDS

Large sugar cane farm of 684 acres across 3 freehold titles in a prime position just 20 minutes South of the thriving Mackay City. Total 548 acres of laser levelled and irrigated cane production area in the tightly held Homebush area owned and operated by the same family for nearly 90 years. Water abundantly provided from reliable high output bores and Kinchant Irrigation Scheme allocation. Reticulated to crop via modern underground mains system. Good sized farm sheds provide plenty of garaging and workshop space. Graziers should note the fertile loam soils would easily convert to tropical pastures. Owners will consider offers to purchase the whole farm to the one buyer or three portions to separate buyers.

Sae Sen Sip Sol Tar Tun Uni Use Vee

Baron Biota Carib Dense Erect Gnarl Guard H-bomb

4 LETTER WORDS

Eponym Etcher Ferule Kelpie Knotty

Ala And Boa DNA Dud Era Err Eta Eve Fie

Sarina - Homebush Road, Homebush FORMAL TENDER

Acai Aloe Alto Anew Anne Anoa A-one Aryl Asia Atop Balm Boer Derv Else Ends Evil

FOR SALE BY FORMAL TENDER TO CLOSE THURSDAY 8TH OF APRIL AT 12:00 NOON 0428 182 569

rural@blacksrealestate.com.au

Royce Dunn

Easy

Lot 132 Luscombe Heads Road, Septimus

$1,250,000

PIONEER RIVER AND CATTLE CREEK JUNCTION - 287 ACRES • Unique cattle and cane farming property at the junction of the Pioneer River and Cattle Creek. • 90 acres is cultivated for sugar cane in need of a major replant. • A large machinery shed with concrete floor and power connected. • Studio style donga with kitchenette and shower and toilet. • Sale to include 153 mega litres of irrigation water and old plant and equipment. • 15 minutes to Gargett and 30 minutes to Mirani.

0428 182 569 | rural@blacksrealestate.com.au | Royce Dunn

07 4963 2500

43 Wood Street, Mackay

blacksrealestate.com.au

5 LETTER WORDS

Fog Got GSA Hat Ike Imp Nos Oar Owe Rep Foci Hail Ilia Ills IndoIris Lira Macs Mask Mean Memo Mole Mope Nags Nisi Null

Odds Okra Olla Over Puck Pupa Step Tads T-bar Toed Toys Ugli Ulna Veil Yeas Yule

Ileum Inept Inure Lasso Linum Llama Mages No end

Nudes Opens Owens Rebut Sarky Steed Weber

15 LETTER WORDS Double entendres Self-realisation

19 LETTER WORDS Delusions of grandeur Genetically modified

THOUGHTS:

6 LETTER WORDS Lifted Longan Matted Mighty Simony

7 LETTER WORDS

Adulate

Sleeper

8 LETTER WORDS

Cenotaph Disliked

In unison Lodgment

13 LETTER WORDS

(07) 49 656 100 1 Glenella Road, Mackay QLD www.magpiesmackay.com.au/bingo

Lunatic asylum Ophthalmology

Medium

SUDOKU

Hard

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13

6:00 News Breakfast [s] 9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Q&A [s] 11:05 The Pacific: In The Wake Of Captain Cook With Sam Neill (PG) [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Jack Irish (M l,s) [s] 3:00 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Restoration Australia [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 Gardening Australia [s] 8:30 Vera (M v) [s] 10:00 Mum (M) [s] 10:30 State Of The Union (M l,d,v) [s] 11:00 The Weekly (PG) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “Am I A Serial Killer?” (M) (’19) Stars: Monroe Cline 2:00 House Of Wellness [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Better Homes And Gardens [s] 8:30 Movie: “Captain America: Civil War” (M v,l) (’16) Stars: Chris Evans 11:30 Holey Moley Australia (PG) [s] 1:00 Movie: “Gone In A Heartbeat” (PG) (’96) Stars: James Marsden

6:00 Today [s] 9:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Pre Show [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Day *Live* From Melbourne [s] 3:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Afternoon *Live* From Melbourne [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Late Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 11:00 Chicago Med: What You Don’t Know (M mp) [s] 12:00 Straight Forward [s] 1:00 Destination WA [s]

6:00 Headline News [s] 7:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 Jamie & The Nonnas: Tuscany [s] 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Living Room [s] 8:30 The Graham Norton Show (M) [s] 9:30 Program To Be Advised

1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 2:05 China From Above (In English/ Mandarin) 3:00 NITV News: Nula 3:30 China From Above (In English/ Mandarin) 4:25 Great British Railroad Journeys (PG) 5:00 Letters And Numbers 5:30 Jeopardy! (PG) 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Secrets Of China’s Forbidden City (PG) 8:30 Who Do You Think You Are UK? (PG) 9:35 My Grandparents War (PG)

3:00 Million Dollar Minute 3:30 Weekender 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens 5:30 Escape To The Country 6:30 Bargain Hunt 7:30 Dog Patrol (PG) 8:30 Escape To The Country 9:30 Selling Houses Australia 10:30 Property Ladder UK (PG) 1:00 The Fine Art Auction (M)

4:00 STIHL Timbersports (PG) 4:30 Road Hauks (PG) 5:30 Storage Wars (PG) 6:00 American Pickers (PG) 7:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Alien vs Predator” (M) (’04) Stars: Colin Salmon 9:30 Movie: “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem” (M v,l) (’07) Stars: Reiko Aylesworth

3:50 Movie: “This Beautiful Fantastic” (PG) (’16) Stars: Mia Farkasovska 5:30 Movie: “When Marnie Was There” (PG) (’14) Stars: Sara Takatsuki 7:30 Movie: “The Big Boss” (PG) (’71) Stars: Bruce Lee (In Cantonese) 9:30 Movie: “Fist Of Fury” (PG) (’72) Stars: Nora Miao (In Cantonese)

2:00 CSI: Miami (M v) 3:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 4:30 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 5:30 Star Trek: Enterprise (PG) 6:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 8:30 Law & Order: SVU (M v) 10:30 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (M v)

1:00 Medium (M) 2:00 The King Of Queens (PG) 3:00 Everybody Loves Raymond (PG) 4:00 Becker (PG) 5:00 Frasier (PG) 6:00 Friends (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 9:30 Movie: “A Walk To Remember” (PG) (’02) Stars: Mandy Moore

5:20 Dogstar 6:00 Dragons: Race To The Edge (PG) 6:30 Operation Ouch! 7:00 Bruno And Boots 8:25 Operation Ouch! 8:55 Voltron: Legendary Defender 9:20 Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (PG) 9:40 Radiant 10:05 The Legend Of Korra (PG)

5:10 Luo Bao Bei 5:25 Fireman Sam 5:55 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom 6:30 Kiri And Lou 7:00 Dino Dana 7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 Doctor Who (PG) 8:45 Coppelia 10:35 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 11:05 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces 11:55 Catalyst 12:55 Parks And Recreation

4:00 Afternoon Briefing 4:30 Friday Briefing 5:00 ABC News Hour 6:00 ABC Evening News 7:00 ABC National News 7:30 The Vaccine 8:00 ABC News Tonight 8:15 Planet America 9:00 ABC Nightly News 9:30 Close Of Business 10:00 The World 11:00 The Drum

6:00 Home Shopping 7:00 Religious Programs 7:30 Home Shopping 9:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Pre Show *Live* 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Day *Live* 5:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Night *Live* 10:00 Law & Order (M v) 11:00 Timeless (M v) 12:00 TBA

2:50 Huang’s World China (PG) 3:40 ABC America: World News Tonight 4:05 PBS Newshour 5:05 Only Connect (PG) 5:40 Shortland Street (PG) 6:10 Abandoned (PG) 7:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (PG) 8:30 Hoarders (M) 9:20 City Porn (MA15+)

10:00 rage (PG) [s] 11:00 rage Retro Month (PG) [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 12:30 Employable Me Australia (M l) [s] 1:30 Agatha Christie’s The Witness For The Prosecution (M v) [s] 2:20 Making Child Prodigies [s] 3:30 Dream Gardens [s] 4:00 Football: A-League: Western United v Sydney FC *Live* From AAMI Park [s] 6:00 Ask The Doctor (PG) [s] 6:30 Landline Summer [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 Death In Paradise (PG) [s] 8:30 Call The Midwife (PG) [s] 9:30 Endeavour (M v) [s]

6:00 NBC Today [s] 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend [s] 12:00 Seven’s Horse Racing [s] 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens [s] 5:00 Seven News At 5 [s] 5:30 Creek To Coast (PG) [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Movie: “Thor” (M v) (’11) Stars: Chris Hemsworth 9:20 Movie: “Thor: The Dark World (M v) (’13) Stars: Chris Hemsworth 11:35 Surveillance Oz: Dashcam (PG) [s] 12:05 Movie: “The End Of Eden” (M v) (’96) Stars: Jennie Garth

6:00 Weekend Today [s] 9:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Pre Show [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Day *Live* From Melbourne [s] 3:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Afternoon *Live* From Melbourne [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Late Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 11:00 Chicago Med (M mp) [s] 12:00 Straight Forward [s] 1:00 Customs (PG)

12:00 Beyond The Fire (PG) [s] 12:30 Good Chef Bad Chef [s] 1:00 10 Minute Kitchen [s] 1:30 Destination Dessert [s] 2:00 My Market Kitchen [s] 2:30 Australia By Design [s] 3:00 What’s Up Down Under [s] 3:30 Freshly Picked [s] 4:00 Everyday Gourmet [s] 4:30 Farm To Fork [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] 7:00 Three Blue Ducks [s] 7:30 Ambulance UK (M) [s] 11:00 Inside The Children’s Hospital (PG) [s] 11:30 Program To Be Advised

5:30 Worldwatch 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 Figure Skating: ISU European Figure Skating Austria 3:00 Jupiter Revealed 4:00 Great British Railway Journeys (PG) 4:35 Remarkable Places To Eat (PG) 5:35 Secret Nazi Bases 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo 8:05 Michael Portillo’s Abandoned Britain (PG) 9:00 Movie: “Harry Brown” (MA15+) (’09) Stars: Michael Caine 10:55 Movie: “The Pianist” (M) (’02) Stars: Adrien Brody 1:30 Atlanta (MA15+)

3:00 Property Ladder UK (PG) 3:15 Dog Patrol (PG) 3:45 Property Ladder UK (PG) 5:00 Seven’s Horse Racing 5:30 The Great Outdoors (PG) 6:30 The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 8:30 Escape To The Country 11:30 Greatest Outdoors (PG) 12:30 The Fine Art Auction (PG)

2:00 AFL: Women’s Round 3: GWS v Brisbane *Live* 4:00 AFL: Women’s Round 3: Gold Coast v Carlton *Live* 6:00 Ultimate Factories (PG) 7:00 Building Giants (PG) 8:00 Mighty Ships (PG) 9:00 Mighty Cruise Ships (PG) 10:00 Air Crash Investigations (PG)

4:10 Movie: “The Crow’s Egg” (PG) (’14) Stars: Aishwarya Rajesh (In Tamil) 5:50 Movie: “The Finishers” (PG) (’13) Stars: Jacques Gamblin (In French) 7:30 Movie: “The Way Of The Dragon” (M v) (’72) Stars: Chuck Norris (In Cantonese) 9:25 Movie: “The Game Of Death” (M v) (’78)

2:00 Jake And The Fatman 4:00 I Fish 4:30 Mighty Machines 5:00 Escape Fishing With ET (PG) 5:30 Scorpion (M v) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 8:30 NCIS: New Orleans (M v) 10:20 TBA 11:20 LA’s Finest: Maverick (M) 12:15 Hawaii Five-O (M v) 1:10 CSI: Miami (M v) 2:10 48 Hours (M v)

12:00 WIN’s All Australian News 1:00 The Neighbourhood (PG) 1:30 The Middle (PG) 2:30 Friends (PG) 6:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 10:30 The Middle (M) 12:00 Home Shopping 1:30 2 Broke Girls (M v) 4:00 Mom (M s) 4:30 Home Shopping 5:30 The Brady Bunch (M)

5:20 Dogstar 5:50 Sadie Sparks 6:00 Dragons: Race To The Edge (PG) 6:30 Robot Wars 7:30 Shaun The Sheep 8:00 Slugterra 8:35 Camp Lakebottom 8:55 Total DramaRama 9:05 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG) 9:30 The Legend Of Korra (PG)

5:10 Luo Bao Bei 5:25 Fireman Sam 5:55 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom 6:30 Kiri And Lou 7:00 Catie’s Amazing Machines 7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 QI: Joints (M l,s) 8:30 Unprotected Sets (MA15+) 9:20 Live At The Apollo (M l,s) 10:15 Would I Lie To You? (PG)

4:00 ABC News 4:30 Close Of Business 5:00 ABC News 5:15 Planet America 6:00 ABC Evening News 6:30 Australian Story 7:00 ABC National News 7:30 Back Roads 8:00 ABC News Tonight 8:10 Four Corners 9:00 ABC Nightly News 9:30 Foreign Correspondent

6:00 Home Shopping 9:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Pre Show *Live* 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Day *Live* 5:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Night *Live* 10:00 Law & Order: Hubris (M v) 11:00 Timeless: The Day Reagan Was Shot (M v) 12:00 TBA 1:00 Home Shopping

4:00 ABC America: World News Tonight 4:30 Basketball: NBL: Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans Spurs *Live* 6:30 PBS Newshour 7:30 The Last Man On Earth (M l) 7:55 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M d,l,s) 8:30 The X-Files (M h,v) 11:00 Tent And Sex (M s) (In Dutch)

10:00 Offsiders [s] 10:30 The World This Week [s] 11:00 Compass (PG) [s] 11:30 Songs Of Praise (PG) [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 12:30 Landline [s] 1:30 Gardening Australia [s] 2:30 The Mix [s] 3:00 Football: Round 8: Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets *Live* From Dolphin Stadium [s] 5:00 Australia Remastered (PG) [s] 6:00 Antiques Roadshow [s] 7:00 ABC News Sunday [s] 7:40 Quoll Farm [s] 8:40 Harrow (M v) [s] 9:30 Silent Witness (M) [s] 10:35 Killing Eve (M) [s]

6:00 NBC Today [s] 7:00 Weekend Sunrise [s] 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend (PG) [s] 12:00 House Of Wellness [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 2:30 Program To Be Advised 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens [s] 5:00 Seven News At 5 [s] 5:30 Weekender (PG) [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Holey Moley Australia (PG) [s] 8:30 Program To Be Advised 11:00 World’s Deadliest: Twist Of Fate (PG) [s] 12:00 Medical Emergency (PG) [s] 1:00 The Guardian: Family (M v,s,d) [s]

9:30 Studio 10 Sunday [s] 12:00 10 Minute Kitchen [s] 12:30 Left Off The Map [s] 1:00 My Market Kitchen [s] 1:30 Three Blue Ducks [s] 2:00 Everyday Gourmet [s] 2:30 Farm To Fork [s] 3:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) [s] 4:00 Program To Be Advised 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Amazing Race Australia (M) [s] 9:00 FBI: Most Wanted (M) [s] 11:00 The Sunday Project (PG) [s] 12:00 Home Shopping 3:30 CBS This Morning [s]

5:30 Worldwatch 1:00 Speedweek 3:00 Travel Man: Stockholm 3:35 Cycling: AusCycling 2021 Women’s Road National *Live* 4:35 Cycling: AusCycling 2021 Men’s Road National *Live* 5:35 Secret Nazi Bases (PG) 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Diana: Interview That Shocked The World (PG) 8:50 Princess Anne At 70 (PG) 10:05 Filthy Rich And Homeless (M l) 11:15 Police Custody (M l) 12:10 Michael Mosley: Guts (MA15+) 1:05 Body Clock - What Makes Us Tick? (PG)

2:15 The Great Outdoors: Greatest Escapes 6:15 M*A*S*H (M v,l) 11:30 World’s Most Amazing Videos: Freak Accidents (M) 12:30 TBA 1:30 ICU (PG) 2:00 Brit Cops (PG) 4:00 Harry’s Practice 4:30 Million Dollar Minute 5:00 Home Shopping

3:00 Mighty Ships (PG) 4:00 Graveyard Carz (PG) 5:00 Counting Cars (PG) 6:00 Last Car Garage (PG) 6:30 Border Patrol (PG) 7:00 Movie: “Thor: The Dark World (M v) (’13) Stars: Chris Hemsworth 9:15 Movie: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (M v) (’14)

4:10 Movie: “Kiki’s Delivery Service” (G) (’89) Stars: Kirsten Dunst 6:10 Movie: “Our Little Sister” (PG) (’15) Stars: Haruka Ayase (In Japanese) 8:30 Movie: “Loving Pablo” (MA15+) (’17) Stars: Javier Bardem 10:45 Movie: “Worlds Apart” (M l) (’08) (In Danish)

2:00 Beyond The Fire (PG) 2:30 The Offroad Adventure Show 3:30 Reel Action 4:30 What’s Up Down Under 5:00 I Fish 5:30 Star Trek: Enterprise (PG) 6:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 9:25 NCIS: Los Angeles (M v) 10:20 48 Hours (M) 11:20 NCIS: Los Angeles (M v)

11:30 The Neighbourhood (PG) 1:00 TBA 2:00 The Middle (PG) 3:30 Friends (PG) 6:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 9:00 Friends (PG) 10:30 2 Broke Girls (M) 12:00 Home Shopping 1:30 Mom (M s) 3:30 The Neighbourhood (PG) 4:30 Home Shopping 5:30 The Brady Bunch

5:20 Dogstar 6:00 Dragons: Race To The Edge (PG) 6:30 Robot Wars 7:30 Shaun The Sheep 8:00 Slugterra 8:35 Camp Lakebottom 8:55 Total DramaRama 9:05 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG) 9:30 The Legend Of Korra (PG) 9:55 rage (PG)

5:25 Fireman Sam 6:10 Brave Bunnies 6:30 Kiri And Lou 7:00 Catie’s Amazing Machines 7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 Compass (PG) 8:30 Louis Theroux: The Most Hated Family In America (M l) 9:30 Enslaved (M l) 10:30 Catalyst (PG) 11:25 Leaving Allen Street (M)

4:00 Landline 5:00 ABC News 5:30 The World This Week 6:00 ABC Evening News 6:30 Foreign Correspondent 7:00 ABC News Sunday 7:40 Drum Beat 8:00 Insiders 9:00 ABC Nightly News 9:30 Australian Story 10:00 ABC News Weekend 10:30 Q&A Highlights

7:00 Religious Programs 9:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Pre Show *Live* 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Day *Live* 5:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Night *Live* 7:00 Keeping Up Appearances (PG) 7:30 Death In Paradise (PG) 8:40 Chicago PD (M) 9:40 Chicago Fire (MA15+)

4:00 Basketball: NBL: Melbourne Phoenix v Perth Wildcats *Live* 6:00 Dateline 6:30 France 24 English News 7:00 Abandoned Places (PG) 7:30 The Last Man On Earth (M s) 7:55 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M d,l,s) 8:35 Why Women Kill (MA15+) 9:30 United Shades Of America (M)

Classifications: (G) General, (PG) Parental Guidance, (M) Mature Audiences, (MA15+) Mature Audience Over 15 Years, [s] Subtitles Programming information correct at time of going to press, changes are at the network’s discretion Prepared by National Typesetting Services

Get out and explore this weekend with our top 10 ...

Haunts Rocky Horror Tribute S how. A hilarious Show and 3 course set meal. Haunt is Mackay’s only Permanent Dinner Theatre. Comedy, Cabaret, Burlesque!

4 5

Mackay Tiger Moth Museum Joy Flights - Joy Flights are available to the general public. You can enjoy the complete freedom of o pen cockpit flying in this rare vintage aircraft and see the beauty of Mackay’s sandy beaches, i slands, the Pioneer Valley and the City of Mackay.

Sidetrax Indoor Go-Karting - Come rain, sunshine or heat-wave we’ve got you covered w ith plenty of onsite parking, a fully air conditioned Café and function rooms too.

ONE

8 9 10

Toppo Markets - Run by Rotary Club of Mackay North (volunteers). Well o ver 100 stalls of all varieties!

Shred with Tegan, Women’s Fitness Classes Shred, women’s fitness studio runs classes everyday from HIIT, Tabata, Weights, Booty Burn & Boxing. All fitness levels and abilities are encouraged. Bookings essential. $15 T-Bone Steak at Seaforth Bowls Club – Enjoy a delicious 2 50g T-Bone Steak for just $15!

Mackay Orchid House - Relax and enjoy the beautiful Orchid House, i ntricately placed in the historic Queens Park gardens, boasting a broad collection of unique and exquisite orchids.

6 7

The Sunday Roast at Magpies Mackay - Members can enjoy a d elicious, hot, home cooked roast served with vegetables and gravy f or only fifteen bucks. Valentines Day at The Austral Hotel - Treat your Lovely to an intimate Dining experience at Mackay’s Premier Steakhouse.

View CJ Smith’s brand new display home - 5 Grandwood Avenue, Richmond Hills.

FREE

GARLIC BREAD with any pizza purchased ...

3/106 Nebo Road, West Mackay

07 4805 6622

Bring in newspaper coupon to receive garlic bread. No photocopies. Offer ends March 12, 2021

MONDAY FEBRUARY 15

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12

WEEKLY TELEVISION

WHAT’S ON

Friday, 12 February, 2021

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16

Friday, 12 February, 2021

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17

WHAT’S ON

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

10:00 Landline [s] 11:00 Antiques Roadshow [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Death In Paradise (M v) [s] 2:00 Parliament Question Time [s] 3:15 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Restoration Australia (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Australian Story [s] 8:30 Four Corners [s] 9:15 Media Watch [s] 9:35 The Pacific: In The Wake Of Captain Cook With Sam Neill (PG) [s] 10:25 You Can’t Ask That (MA15+) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 10:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “Killing Mommy” (M s,v) (’16) Stars: Yvonne Zima 2:00 What The Killer Did Next: Norma Bell (M v) [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 7:30 Holey Moley Australia (PG) [s] 9:00 9-1-1: Future Tense (M) [s] 10:00 The Rookie: Hand-Off (M) [s] 11:00 World’s Deadliest Weather: Caught On Camera (M) [s]

6:00 Today [s] 9:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Pre Show [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Day *Live* From Melbourne [s] 3:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Afternoon *Live* From Melbourne [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Late Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 11:00 Chicago Med (M mp) [s] 12:00 Straight Forward [s] 1:00 Our State On A Plate (PG) [s]

6:00 Headline News [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 2:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Amazing Race Australia (M) [s] 8:40 Hughesy, We Have A Problem (M) [s] 9:40 The Graham Norton Show (M s) [s] 10:40 The Project (PG) [s]

5:30 Worldwatch 2:00 Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 2:30 Luke Nguyen’s Railway Vietnam (PG) 3:00 Singapore 1942 - End Of Empire (PG) (In English/ Japanese) 5:05 Letters And Numbers 5:35 Jeopardy! (PG) 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 The Architecture The Railways Built (PG) 8:30 24 Hours In Emergency (M) 9:25 The Story Of The Songs (M) 10:20 SBS World News Late 10:50 Outlander (MA15+)

12:00 House Of Wellness 1:00 Cold Feet (PG) 2:00 Harry’s Practice 2:30 Million Dollar Minute 3:30 M*A*S*H (PG) 5:30 Escape To The Country 6:30 Bargain Hunt 7:30 Doc Martin (PG) 8:30 Foyle’s War (M) 10:40 Autopsy USA (M) 11:50 World’s Most Amazing Videos (M v)

4:30 Road Hauks (PG) 5:30 Storage Wars (PG) 6:00 American Pickers (PG) 7:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 Restoration Workshop (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice” (M) (’16) Stars: Ben Affleck 11:30 Movie: “Mortal Kombat” (M v) (’95) Stars: Robin Shou

4:15 Movie: “The Little Witch” (PG) (’18) Stars: Karoline Herfurth 6:10 Movie: “Hotel Salvation” (PG) (’16) Stars: Adil Hussain (In Hindi) 8:05 Movie: “The Pigeon” (PG) (’05) Stars: Kemal Burak (In Turkish) 9:30 Movie: “The Graduate” (M) (’67) Stars: Dustin Hoffman

2:00 CSI: Miami (MA15+) 3:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 4:30 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 5:30 Star Trek: Enterprise (PG) 6:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 10:20 TBA 11:15 TBA 12:10 Home Shopping 2:10 CSI: Miami (M v)

1:00 Medium (M) 2:00 Two And A Half Men (PG) 3:00 Everybody Loves Raymond (PG) 4:00 Becker (PG) 5:00 Frasier (PG) 6:00 Friends (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 9:30 Two And A Half Men (PG) 11:00 The Middle (PG)

5:20 Dogstar 6:00 Dragons: Race To The Edge (PG) 6:30 Operation Ouch! 7:00 Teenage Boss 7:30 Shaun The Sheep 8:00 Slugterra 8:30 Camp Lakebottom 8:55 Total DramaRama 9:05 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG) 9:30 The Legend Of Korra (PG) 9:55 rage (PG)

5:25 Fireman Sam 5:55 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom 6:30 Kiri And Lou 7:00 Dino Dana 7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 Doctor Who (PG) 8:45 Quoll Farm (PG) 9:45 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces 10:35 Escape From The City 11:35 TBA 12:20 Would I Lie To You? (M l)

4:00 Afternoon Briefing 5:00 ABC News Hour 6:00 ABC Evening News 7:00 ABC National News 8:00 ABC News Tonight 8:45 The Business 9:00 ABC Nightly News 9:30 7.30 10:00 The World 11:00 The Drum 12:00 ABC Late News 12:30 Q&A Highlights 1:00 ABC Late News

7:00 Religious Programs 7:30 Home Shopping 9:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Pre Show *Live* 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Day *Live* 5:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Night *Live* 7:00 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 Grantchester (M) 8:40 DCI Banks (MA15+)

4:10 This Week 5:05 Only Connect (PG) 5:40 Shortland Street (PG) 6:10 Abandoned (PG) 7:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 7:30 NITV News Update 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 8:30 Taskmaster (M) 9:25 RocKwiz (M l) 10:20 Secrets Of America’s Shadow Government (M)

9:00 ABC News Mornings [s] 10:00 Four Corners [s] 11:00 Our Dementia Choir (PG) [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Call The Midwife (M) [s] 2:00 Parliament Question Time [s] 3:15 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:05 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Restoration Australia (PG) [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Foreign Correspondent [s] 8:30 Catalyst [s] 9:30 Australia Remastered (PG) [s] 10:25 QI (M) [s] 10:55 ABC Late News [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “I’ll Be Watching” (M) (’18) Stars: Janel Parrish 2:00 What The Killer Did Next: Kate Prout (M v) [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 7:30 Holey Moley Australia (PG) [s] 9:00 The Good Doctor (M) [s] 10:00 The Resident (M) [s] 11:00 Station 19 (M l) [s] 12:00 Splitting Up Together (PG) [s]

6:00 Today [s] 9:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Pre Show [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Day *Live* From Melbourne [s] 3:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Afternoon *Live* From Melbourne [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Late Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 11:00 Chicago Med (M mp) [s] 12:00 Aircrash Confidential (PG) [s] 1:00 Our State On A Plate (PG) [s]

6:00 Headline News [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s]12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 2:10 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 The Amazing Race Australia (M) [s] 8:40 NCIS (M v) [s] 9:40 NCIS: Los Angeles (M) [s] 10:40 The Project (PG) [s] 11:40 WIN’s All Australian News [s]

5:30 Worldwatch 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 2:35 Luke Nguyen’s Railway Vietnam (PG) 3:10 David Baddiel On The Silk Road (PG) 4:05 Who Do You Think You Are? (PG) 5:05 Letters And Numbers 5:35 Jeopardy! (PG) 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Great Continental Railway Journeys 8:35 24 Hours In Emergency (M) 9:30 Dog Tales (PG) 10:30 SBS World News Late

2:30 Million Dollar Minute 3:30 Sydney Weekender 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens 5:30 Escape To The Country 6:30 Bargain Hunt 7:30 Pie In The Sky (PG) 8:30 Inspector George Gently (M v) 10:30 Jonathan Creek (M v,s) 12:30 ICU (PG) 1:00 Pie In The Sky (PG)

4:00 Al McGlashan’s Fish’n With Mates (PG) 4:30 Pawnography (PG) 5:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 5:30 Storage Wars (PG) 6:00 American Pickers (PG) 7:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 Highway Patrol (PG) 8:30 Outback Opal Hunters (PG) 10:30 Yukon Gold (M l) 11:30 Jade Fever (PG)

3:40 Movie: “Polina” (PG) (’16) Stars: Anastasia Shevtsova (In French) 5:40 Movie: “The Bookshop” (PG) (’17) Stars: Emily Mortimer 7:45 Movie: “Lost In Armenia” (PG) (’15) Stars: Patrick Chesnais (In French/ Armenian) 9:30 Movie: “Chinatown” (M l,v) (’74) Stars: Roman Polanski

2:00 CSI: Miami (M v) 3:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 4:30 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 5:30 Star Trek: Enterprise (PG) 6:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 8:30 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (M v) 10:25 CSI: Miami (M v) 11:20 TBA

5:25 Fireman Sam 5:55 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom 6:30 Kiri And Lou 7:00 Dino Dana 7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 Doctor Who (PG) 8:45 Why Are You Like This (MA15+) 9:35 TBA 10:20 Brassic (MA15+) 11:05 TBA 11:50 Live At The Apollo (PG) 12:40 Parks And Recreation (PG)

2:50 Movie: “The Great St Trinians Train Robbery” (G) (’66) Stars: Frankie Howerd 4:50 Heartbeat (PG) 6:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Night *Live* 7:00 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 New Tricks (M) 8:40 The Closer (M) 9:50 Rizzoli & Isles (M v) 11:00 Shades Of Blue (M)

4:40 PBS Newshour 5:40 Shortland Street (PG) 6:10 Abandoned (PG) 7:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life” (M l,s) (’83) Stars: John Cleese 10:15 Locked Up Abroad (M v) 11:10 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (PG)

10:00 Foreign Correspondent [s] 10:30 Stan Grant’s One Plus One [s] 11:00 Quoll Farm [s] 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 12:30 National Press Club Address [s] 1:40 Media Watch [s] 2:00 Parliament Question Time [s] 3:15 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Restoration Australia [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 8:30 The Weekly (PG) [s] 9:00 Aftertaste [s] 9:30 Why Are You Like This (M) [s]

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “Family Pictures” (PG) (’93) Stars: Larissa Albuquerque 2:00 Gold Coast Medical (PG) [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 7:30 Ambulance - Code Red (PG) [s] 8:30 The Bay (M v,l) [s] 10:30 Criminal Confessions: Vanished In The Night (MA15+) [s] 11:30 Celebrity Obsessed: Bjork (MA15+) [s]

6:00 Today [s] 9:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Pre Show [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Day *Live* From Melbourne [s] 3:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Afternoon *Live* From Melbourne [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Late Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 11:00 Chicago Med (M mp) [s] 12:00 Aircrash Confidential (PG) [s] 1:00 Our State On A Plate (PG) [s]

6:00 Headline News [s] 7:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s]2:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 1:30 Program To Be Advised 2:00 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:00 WIN News [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Jamie’s Easy Meals For Every Day [s] 8:30 Bull (M) [s] 10:30 The Project (PG) [s]

5:30 Worldwatch 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 2:35 Luke Nguyen’s Railway Vietnam (PG) 3:05 David Baddiel On The Silk Road (PG) 4:00 Who Do You Think You Are? (PG) 5:05 Letters And Numbers 5:35 Jeopardy! (PG) 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Britain’s Most Historic Towns (PG) 8:30 Michael Palin: Travels Of A Lifetime (PG) 9:25 Vikings (MA15+) 10:15 SBS World News Late

1:00 Cold Feet (PG) 2:00 Harry’s Practice 2:30 Million Dollar Minute 3:30 Make It Yours 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens 5:30 Escape To The Country 6:30 Bargain Hunt (PG) 7:30 Frankie Drake Mysteries (M v) 8:30 A Touch Of Frost (M v) 10:50 Jonathan Creek (M)

5:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 5:30 Storage Wars (PG) 6:00 American Pickers (PG) 7:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 The Simpsons (PG) 9:00 Family Guy (M) 9:30 American Dad (PG) 10:30 Family Guy (M) 11:30 American Dad (M) 12:00 LPL Pro (PG) 2:00 Home Shopping

3:30 Movie: “Fame” (PG) (’09) Stars: Kay Panabaker 5:45 Movie: “The Assassin” (PG) (’15) Stars: Ni Dahong (In Mandarin) 7:45 Movie: “Two Days, One Night” (M) (’14) Stars: Marion Cotillard (In French/ Arabic) 9:30 Movie: “Amelie” (M n,s) (’01) Stars: Audrey Tautou (In French)

2:00 CSI: Miami (M v) 3:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 4:30 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 5:30 Star Trek: Enterprise (PG) 6:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 8:30 NCIS: Los Angeles (M v) 10:20 NCIS (M) 12:10 Home Shopping 2:10 CSI: Miami (M)

5:25 Fireman Sam 5:55 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom 6:30 Kiri And Lou 7:00 Dino Dana 7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 Doctor Who (PG) 8:45 Quilty (M l) 9:45 Restoration Australia (PG) 10:40 Enslaved (M) 11:40 Louis Theroux: The Most Hated Family In America (M)

3:00 Garden Gurus Moments 3:30 Movie: “The Man Upstairs” (PG) (’58) Stars: Bernard Lee 4:50 Heartbeat (PG) 6:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Night *Live* 7:00 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 As Time Goes By (PG) 8:50 Midsomer Murders (M) 10:50 Silent Witness (MA15+)

4:05 PBS Newshour 5:05 Only Connect (PG) 5:40 Shortland Street (PG) 6:10 Abandoned (PG) 7:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Legend” (PG) (’85) Stars: Tom Cruise 10:15 Movie: “Escape From L.A.” (M v,l) (’96) Stars: Kurt Russell

10:00 Australian Story [s] 10:30 Program To Be Advised 11:00 Program To Be Advised 12:00 ABC News At Noon [s] 1:00 Hard Quiz (PG) [s] 1:30 The Weekly (PG) [s] 2:00 Parliament Question Time [s] 3:15 ABC News Afternoons [s] 4:00 The Heights (PG) [s] 4:30 Back Roads (PG) [s] 5:00 Restoration Australia [s] 6:00 The Drum [s] 7:00 ABC News [s] 7:30 7.30 (PG) [s] 8:00 Back Roads [s] 8:30 Q&A [s] 9:35 Program To Be Advised 10:25 Program To Be Advised

6:00 Sunrise [s] 9:00 The Morning Show [s] 11:30 Seven Morning News [s] 12:00 Movie: “The Witches Of Eastwick” (M s,l) (’87) Stars: Jack Nicholson 2:00 Gold Coast Medical (PG) [s] 3:00 The Chase UK [s] 4:00 Seven News At 4 [s] 5:00 The Chase Australia [s] 6:00 Seven News [s] 7:00 Home And Away (PG) [s] 8:30 Wife Swap Australia (PG) [s] 10:00 Busted In Bangkok (MA15+) [s] 11:00 Gordon Ramsay On Cocaine (M d,l) [s] 12:00 Movie: “Breaking The Surface” (M v) (’96)

6:00 Today [s] 9:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Pre Show [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Day *Live* From Melbourne [s] 3:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Afternoon *Live* From Melbourne [s] 6:00 NINE News [s] 7:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 10:00 Tennis: Australian Open Tennis: Late Night *Live* From Melbourne [s] 11:00 Chicago Med (M mp) [s] 12:00 Aircrash Confidential (PG) [s] 1:00 Our State On A Plate (PG) [s]

6:00 Headline News [s] 7:30 Entertainment Tonight [s] 8:00 Studio 10 (PG) [s] 12:00 Dr Phil (PG) [s] 1:00 Program To Be Advised 2:10 Entertainment Tonight [s] 2:30 Everyday Gourmet [s] 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) [s] 3:30 Left Off The Map [s] 4:00 Farm To Fork [s] 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) [s] 5:00 10 News First [s] 6:30 The Project (PG) [s] 7:30 Ambulance Australia (M) [s] 8:30 Gogglebox (M) [s] 9:30 Law & Order: SVU (M) [s 10:30 This Is Us (M) [s]

5:30 Worldwatch 1:00 PBS Newshour 2:00 Destination Flavour China (In English/ Mandarin) 3:00 Luke Nguyen’s Railway Vietnam (PG) 3:30 David Baddiel On The Silk Road (PG) 5:05 Letters And Numbers 5:35 Jeopardy! (PG) 6:00 Mastermind Australia 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 The World’s Greatest Palaces (PG) 8:30 Michael Mosley On Cosmetic Treatments (M) 9:30 Cornwall With Simon Reeve (PG) 10:30 SBS World News Late

1:00 Cold Feet (PG) 2:00 Harry’s Practice 2:30 Million Dollar Minute 3:30 Creek To Coast 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens 5:30 Escape To The Country 6:30 Bargain Hunt (PG) 7:30 Father Brown (PG) 8:30 Murdoch Mysteries (MA15+) 11:30 Andrew Denton’s Interview (MA15+)

4:30 Pawnography (PG) 5:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 5:30 Storage Wars (PG) 6:00 American Pickers (PG) 7:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows - Part 2” (PG) (’10) Stars: Alan Rickman 10:05 Movie: “10,000 BC” (PG) (’08) Stars: Camilla Belle

3:40 Movie: “Heidi” (PG) (’15) Stars: Anuk Steffen (In German) 5:45 Movie: “Romeo And Juliet” (PG) (’13) Stars: Hailee Steinfeld 7:55 Movie: “Slow West” (M v,l) (’15) Stars: Michael Fassbender 9:30 Movie: “The Godfather Part III” (PG) (’90) (In English/ German/ Italian/ Latin)

2:00 CSI: Miami (M v) 3:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 4:30 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 5:30 Star Trek: Enterprise (PG) 6:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 8:30 Hawaii Five-O (M v) 9:30 LA’s Finest (M) 10:30 NCIS: Los Angeles (M v)

5:20 Dogstar 6:00 Dragons: Race To The Edge (PG) 6:30 Operation Ouch! 7:00 Deadly 60 7:30 Shaun The Sheep 8:00 Slugterra 8:30 Camp Lakebottom 8:55 Total DramaRama 9:05 All Hail King Julien (PG) 9:30 The Legend Of Korra (PG) 9:55 rage (PG)

5:25 Fireman Sam 5:55 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom 6:30 Kiri And Lou 7:00 Dino Dana 7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 Doctor Who (PG) 8:45 Penn And Teller: Fool Us (M l) 9:35 Hard Quiz (PG) 10:05 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering (M) 10:35 You Can’t Ask That: Fat (M)

2:50 Movie: “Agatha Raisin And Then There Were None” (PG) (’15) Stars: Ashley Jensen 4:50 Heartbeat (PG) 6:00 Tennis: Australian Open: Night *Live* 7:00 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 Poirot (M v) 9:30 The First 48 (M v) 10:30 The Disappearance (M v,l)

4:05 PBS Newshour 5:15 Basketball: NBL Overtime 5:45 Shortland Street (PG) 6:15 Abandoned (PG) 7:10 Jeopardy! (PG) 7:40 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (PG) 8:30 The Curse Of Oak Island (PG) 9:20 Time Warp: The Greatest Cult Films (M)

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

VALENTINES DAY

Friday, 12 February, 2021

Valentines offers a great gift of time for couples LOVE is in the air as couple across the Mackay region have big plans for the romantic day. Some couples dream of chocolates and flowers while others just want a fancy dinner date at a luxurious restaurant.

Unica Stabillo (below left) said, because she is married and has three children, whatever they plan will involve her whole family. Mrs Stabilo said she could not remember what the weirdest gift she ever received was. She said the best thing she ever received was “the usual – flowers”. “When you’ve been married for, like, 11 years, if you get flowers on Valentines Day, you’re doing pretty well,” Mrs Stabilo said. Trudie Bishop (right) said she and her husband hoped they were able to hire a babysitter to enjoy some much valued time together. “Literally, this is the first valentines day with Bubba,” Mrs Bishop said.

VALENTINES DAY

Friday, 12 February, 2021

No love in Valentines pet gift PLEASE don’t give your sweetheart a pet for Valentines Day. A gift of a pet seems all cute and fine when you see a lovely, fluffy baby kitten or puppy, but your partner may not have the time to love and care for this animal morning and night, every day. Mackay’s Pound Rescue Carer, Robyn Van Rooyen, explained that people just don’t realise the time and money it takes to look after and care for cute little pets. “It’s great that that people want to surprise their loved ones with a pet, but this definitely requires a discussion in

“We’re hoping to get someone to baby sit so hubby and I can go out to lunch somewhere, that’s our plan. “Flowers are alright, hubby and I generally don’t do too much for each other. “We like to spend time together.”

advance - to check that a pet will fit into your friend lifestyle,” Robyn explained. “For example, kittens need feeding several times a day and puppies need lots of love, attention and exercise and walked one or twice and day, plus dogs need to be played with by throwing a ball in the park.” Ms Van Rooyen added that pets can also be an unexpected expense. “Often pets that don’t come from the pound, require the cost of de-sexing, microchipping, vaccinations, plus flea and worm treatment and registering the pet at the Council.

“The big three reasons are time, money and commitment, as a pet is really at 15-year commitment, with vet bills along the way and this is not a caught-up in the moment commitment. “But after a discussion, owning or sharing a pet can be a life changing experience, if this is what your loved friend wants for the next 12 or so years.” Robyn added that if a stray pet is found, community minded citizen can contact Mackay’s Pound Rescue Inc, on Tel: 0403 814318, or on our Facebook page poundrescueincinMackay.

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

A Pesty’s Love Letter to the Cockroach ... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… Do I love how a newborn can be an adult, in 36 days Or is it that you can live headless for a week? Maybe it’s holding your breath for 40 minutes without even a squeak Do I love the fact you feed on toenails, eyelashes and hair while children sleep. Or is it even after 280 million years People still find you, a bit of a creep. Do I love that you carry so much disease With 33 kinds of bacteria, you can cause asthma with ease NO, it’s just that I love to treat Where you hide, sleep, produce and eat And people find you dead on the floor With your little legs up, that will kick no more. - Deadstop Pest Control

Some haunts like it saucy SOME of Mackay’s luckiest Valentine couples will enjoy a three-course meal and a risque cabaret comedy evening at Haunt’s dinner theatre at 38 Sydney Street. The burlesque performance by seven local singers and performers has proved to be very

popular for group parties and outings. Alluring and suggestive dancing is an adults-only evening, where an illusion of nudity and a celebration of the female form takes advantage of very suggestive outfits. An added highlight is

Haunt’s Ultimate VIP Cabaret Package. This includes a ticket for two, collection from home in a stretched limousine, goodies and pre-sents during the dinner, followed by a chauffeured drive home at the end of the evening.

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• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS Thinking of selling your property?

Edward Royce ‘Ted’ Passed away peacefully on Saturday, 6th February 2021 Loved by all who knew him and dearly missed by all. Family and Friends are respectfully invited to attend Ted’s Funeral Service to be held 9.30am on Friday 19th February 2021 at Whitsunday Funerals Chapel, 209 Shakespeare Street Mackay, followed by Interment at Mt Bassett Cemetery. Due to Covid restrictions, please contact the family prior to the service to register your attendance.

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Vale: carpenter Brian Hicks was a community stalwart ST BRIGID’s Parish Farleigh stalwart, Erakala resident and carpenter, Brian Leslie Hicks, passed away from a brain tumour in Brisbane on January 11. Brian’s funeral was held on January 22 at St Francis Catholic Church in West Mackay, where Covid-19 restricted the congregation to 200, although many friends watched online. Brian Hicks was honoured with a guard of honour at the church by members of St Vincent de Paul and by the

RSL/42nd Royal Queensland Regiment, plus a second RQR guard of honour at his burial. A moving moment at his funeral was when the President of the RSL draped the coffin with the Australian flag and an army slouch hat. Then each RSL member placed a poppy on Brian’s coffin. Finally, a bugler played the Last Post. Brian’s illness was diagnosed on December 10 last year, and he leaves his wife Annette and their three children, Jennifer, Brett and Ni-

cole, plus grandchildren Ryland, Ethan and Cain. Both Brian and Annette are born and bred Mackay locals who first met at church dances. Brian Leslie Hicks was born in Mackay on August 4, 1947 to Leslie (also known as Slim) and Monica Hicks. Brian and his siblings, Margaret and Noel, tragically lost their sister Anne and her baby Justin in a drowning incident in 1971. The all grewup in West Mackay and were baptised and went to primary school at St Francis. After finishing high school at St Patrick’s Christian Brothers Mackay, Brian apprenticed as a carpenter and over the years this led him to work as an estimator, clerk of works and building inspector. Finally, Brian was the manager of the Queensland Building Services Authority in Mackay until he retired in 2013. In 1966, a certain young Mackay lady, Annette was

looking for a partner for the Catholic Debutante Ball. She noticed a handsome young man at the church dances whom she thought she would like to ask. Apart from his good looks, Brian had another thing in his favour, he had a car, a Mini Minor, so on December 13, 1969 they married at St Brigids and the rest is history. Brian built his family home at Erakala, where his children, Jennifer, Brett and Nicole grew up and Brian and Annette spent 51 happy years there. Brian was always there for his children and always had lots of other people in his life. Brian always gave 110 percent to everything he did, even around the house. He was always hammering-in an extra nail, or doing another turn of his screwdriver, just to make sure things wouldn`t fall apart or come undone. Brian especially loved his grandchildren, Ryland, Ethan and Cain. His children have

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columnist - pioneer valley

In conjunction with the Queensland Government’s Recovery Grants, the Finch Hatton Progress Association has installed UHF radios into the Communications Hub in the

old SES shed on water tank hill above town. It is now possible to actively link with Mackay Council Emergency Activation Plan relaying conditions and situation. In addition, Finch Hatton has added capability for police officer-in-charge to communicate with the outside world by arranging for VHF aircraft radios available to speak to

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CLEAR communication is now possible from Finch Hatton to Eungella at the top of the range as well as with Finch Hatton Gorge when the creeks between town and the Gorge are flooded. In times of emergency local liaison officers can now communicate with Mackay Council liaison officers as well as Mirani SES personnel.

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MOTORING and OUTDOORS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

many special memories of Brian visiting them in Brisbane, riding the big wheel at South Bank with him, having fun at the Ekka and discovering the dinosaurs at the museum. Brian’s grandchildren also loved to visit their poppy in Mackay. They spent time together at the beach house in Seaforth, helped him with his ride-on mower and they visited all his favourite local spots, like Finch Hatton and Eungella. Brian Hicks loved country living and he was a bit of an animal whisperer. Brian especially loved the birds that came to visit him every day, plus feeding mangoes to the cows and, of course, his daily visit from “Jack” the Sherry’s dog, whom he had a special bond with. Brian always loved his involvement after National Service with the RQR and being President of the RQR Association branch for 10-years. He proudly marched on Anzac Day

and never missed a Dawn Service, not even during the Covid lockdown, where he set up his home driveway for his own Dawn Service ceremony. Brian also loved his involvement with the St Vincent de Paul Society and of course his work with St Brigid’s Parish Farleigh. After Brian’s retirement, he became involved with the St Francis of Assisi Home, where he played a key role in their rebuilding project. This led to a very close friendship with Sister Pauline and the other Sisters and staff at the Home. Brian Hicks would have helped the Sisters for many years to come, if it had been possible. In the words of a long-time friend, Bruce Lees, who had worked with Brian, quoted Shakesphere: “His life was gentle and elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to the world — this was a man!”

Avid camper pitches open tent for readers KERRY Purcell’s first camping experience was an overnight trip with his best friend from primary school, and his dad. “I actually slept in a calico toy tent, with cowboys and indians emblazoned on the sides,” he said. “As time went on, I got a part-time week-end job mowing lawns. I saved my money and bought my first camping tent from the local camping store in Toowoomba. It was a two-person, bright orange nylon tent. “It was so small that I had to sleep diagonally across it. But I loved that tent and slept in my parents’ backyard often.”

kerry

purcell

columnist - true blue camping

In year 10, Kerry completed the ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ award, which included a 25km overnight hike. This sparked within him an interest in all things outdoors. Today, Kerry can boast of having worked in the camping and canvas industries for over 40 years, and has now owned True Blue Camping for over 31 years. He remains a keen fourwheel-driver and camper to this day. Together with his wife, Margaret, they enjoy getting into the great out-

doors at every opportunity. Kerry interests in fourwheel-driving extends to him participating in Mackay’s two 4WD clubs — the Mackay and District 4WD Club and the Mackay Land Rover Club. Kerry has been an active member of MLRC since 1999, and has also been a member of the MAD club in the past. Next time he’ll explain more about our local 4WD Clubs, how to join, what gear you will need and what to expect on local driving and camping club trips. So, until next time, Kerry encourages you to enjoy the great outdoors.

crews on water bombing aircraft and the RACQ Rescue Chopper. As with any small township in Queensland or even Australia the necessity to operate self-sufficiently can be both challenging and rewarding. The township of Finch Hatton in the upper Pioneer Valley has risen admirably to its challenges. Cyclone Debbie impacted the Whitsunday and Mackay coastline regions in March 2017 so much so that its effects were sharply experienced 67 km away in the upper Pioneer Valley and the surrounding ranges devastating much of the rainforest and farmlands. Power outages left Finch Hatton and the surrounding area with no water, no flushing toilets, no lights, and no internet. Those lucky enough to access a generator had at least a modicum of comfort. It seems unimaginable today that a town can run out of fresh water when the power is turned off. There is one road that runs down the range from Eungella to Finch Hatton, in periods of heavy rainfall it closes due to landslides. Such was the case in 2017. The road from Finch Hatton to Mackay was cut in several places due to flooding and thick debris on bridges – hence no trucks or road vehicles in or out. Phones Mobile reception and Internet access ceased operation cutting off commu-

Bill Cross, vice president of the Finch Hatton Progress Association presents VHF aircraft radios to Finch Hatton Police. nication to Disaster Management, essential services and concerned family and friends. This issue of phone reception is not isolated to extreme weather events. It may be due to the unique geography and/ or geology of the area. Regardless, the result ranks ‘normal transmission’ high on the wish list. After Cyclone Debbie, residents local police, and emergency personnel found satellite phones unreliable and prone to drop out easily. In 2018-2019, Finch Hatton and the upper Pioneer Valley welcomed the severe bushfires that torched the landscape from the valley floor to the peaks of the range. Firefighters and relief crews worked from the Rural Fire Station base established in Finch Hatton. Local communities rallied with truckloads

of volunteer fire crews from as far away as Western Australia and eventually the erratic path of the wind-whipped fires was overcome. In many cases officers on foot relayed ‘evacuate’ messages to residents. After the conflagration, in September 2019, Area Director Qld Fire and Emergency Services, Aaron Regan, Reef Catchment and Scott Brooks Regional Fire and Pest Coordinator Qld Parks and Wildlife Service Central Queensland attended a Finch Hatton community meeting to discuss the strategies for protecting the area against damaging fire outbreaks. The outcome of this meeting was the cutting of an 11 km Class 2 firebreak along the base of the range lying south of the township.

Joe Scriha, Andrew Houley (Area Director of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) and Ivan Shield.

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• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

BOATING and FISHING

Friday, 12 February, 2021

Confusing new Tackle World fishing report standards for lifejackets

Why lifejackets need updating TWO HUNDRED and thirty people drowned in marine incidents in Queensland waters between 1992 and 2018. Only 12 were wearing a lifejacket, so its common sense to wear a lifejacket, before you need it. Fines already apply for boat owners who do not carry a life jackets for each person on board, including for each visitor. Boat owners will also be fined, if there are children under 12 on a boat which is less than 4.7 metres long and underway. Lifejackets are often described as your seatbelt at sea, so its common sense to ensure that all children under 12 wear lifejackets on boats. Clearly, everyone onboard, including visitors, need to know where jackets are stowed and how to put them on, which is a basic safety measure. Boat owners should also ensure that lifejackets fit properly and that the collar is not rising behind a wearers head. So, with the introduction of new lifejacket standards, it is

a good time to check that lifejackets are in good condition to avoid prosecution and have reflective tape when used at night. The new and approved base level 50, or AS 4758.2 lifejackets are for use on ‘smooth waters’ or on rivers and dams, where users are only in the water for a short time. These level 50 life jackets help to keep wearers afloat in calm water, but they do not have a collar which rotates the user to be face up. In addition, there are some specially approved buoyancy wetsuits which are also approved as lifejackets in smooth waters. Higher standard, level 100 or AS 4758.1 lifejackets are approved for partially smooth, or inshore waters off the Queensland coast. Level 100, AS 4758.1 lifejackets have a flotation collar to keep the wearer’s face up in calm water. Level 150, offshore or ocean passages and yacht racing lifejackets have bright colours and may have light reflective tape.

Connor Falvo ensures a lifejacket is the right fit.

EVERYTHING FOR THE BUTCHER EXCEPT THE MEAT

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

Busy ‘quiet’ VMR week-end

EVEN on a quiet week-end, VMR provides an invaluable rescue and safety net for Mackay and Whitsunday boat owners. Volunteers rush-out day and night to help, plus their log in radio coverage on any voyage is invaluable and dedicated volunteers always radio and ring to check your safe, if boat owners fail to log off. Every boat owner going offshore should join VMR’s marine rescue service. Last week-end was quiet, but even so they were busy volunteering to help boat owners. Saturday Morning: The first rescue responded to a radio call from Calder Island Mastermyne Rescue 5 returned home from Calder Island with a 6M half-cab that had mechanical issues. The call came into Peter in the Radio room around 13:45 hours and Geoff (Skipper), Ben, Peter and Ian (Crew) were on the way by 14:20. Calm seas meant the 57kms from the Harbour to Calder Island was covered in good time, and everyone is now safely at the Mackay Marina and making great time with Mastermyne Rescue 5 made great time.

Saturday Night: Stop, Drop and Roll...or in this case Untie, Refuel and Back to Sea: Just as the crew untied the 6m Half-cab towed in from Calder Island, a call came for another assist, for a 5.85m Half-cab. So, it was a quick refuel and the same crew headed out past the Southern ship anchorage, about 30 kilometres away. Dirty fuel seemed to be the issue, clogging flow to the outboard, so a tow-line was connected and the vessel taken into the Half-tide Boat Ramp. The sun had long gone down by the time the crew was back in Mackay, with the two jobs covering around 200km. Sunday: Boats and helicopters working together is cool. Two VMR Rescue Vessels helped with Helicopter Training, before each were called to assist boaters in need: This was a great training exercise, in partnership with the awesome team at RACQ CQ Rescue winching onto Mastermyne Rescue 5. No matter how many times we retrieve and launch the rescue swimmer, it’s always an awesome experience and VMR is grateful to be part of their extended water rescue team. Then a call come in for Mastermyne Rescue 5 to assist a 5m powerboat that had broken down near Keswick Island. Geoff (skipper) with Ben, Aaron and Ian (crew) headed out for the tow home. Then another call for an overturned vessel at Refuge Bay at Scawfell Island. Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Rescue 6 headed to help Peter (skipper) and Tracey and Tom (crew). By the time Rescue 6 arrived the 21ft boat had been righted and water was being pumped out. Both vessels were towed into Mackay with all people safe. Great work by all crew who had a long day with training and activations. Another buys week-end.

Sludge slugs boat engines REEF MARINE sells useful fuel filtering funnels which can save boat owners thousands of dollars in unnecessary costs and emergency tows after breakdowns. These Racor fuel filters remove water, dirt and impurities bigger than 50 microns. The cost of Racor’s crisis preventing filtering funnels start at $60 for a fuel flow funnel which allows 10 litres per minute and range up to the top of the line, $250, for a 57 litre per minute filtering funnel. Reef Marine’s Dealer Principal, Andrew Camilleri, is pleased to offer this crisis preventing option,especially as he has just done an $7,000 plus engine repair on a large sail cat, which picked-up dirty fuel en route from Brisbane to north of Mackay. “Dirty fuel overwhelmed built-in fuel water traps and fuel filters and caused both engines to breakdown and so the large sail cat had to be towed into Mackay by VMR,” Andrew explained. “Then yacht had to be lifted out of the water at the marina, as it is against the law to remove the 500 litre- inboard fuel tank when the sail cat was in the water. “Fibreglass fuel tank straps had to be cut-out, so the tank could be removed for steam cleaning and new fibreglass straps made and installed. “Reef Marine also had to remove both new, 25HP Yahama outboards, as the entire fuel system was contaminated. “All fuel lines, fuel filters and the Vapour Separation Tank (VST) had to be replaced and the fuel injectors removed and cleaned.”

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them prior to 2016. “But how is it proved when lifejackets were put on a boat ?” The MSQ Education Manager explained that Officers from the Water Police, Fisheries and South East Water (SEW) are all empowered to fine and enforce lifejacket standards. “Compliance meetings for new lifejacket standards are required by the Local Area Manager, Max Haste in Townsville, plus by Mackay Harbour Master, Jason Brittan,” she added.

dards, depending on where they go boating. Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) Education Manager, Judith Bugden, explained that ‘legislation in 2016 recognises (or enforce) different lifejacket standards for use on dams and rivers, inshore and offshore’. “Older life lifejackets will be accepted if they are in good condition,” she explained. “There is also a ‘Grandfather clause’ which prevents boat owners from being fined, for carrying older lifejackets, if their boat was equipped with

A NEW Australian standard (AS4758) for lifejackets was introduced on January 1 this year. However, Mackay’s 20,000 registered boat owners’ boat will not face heavy fines if older lifejackets do not comply. This is because the Queensland Government’s enforcement procedures appear to be confused and as a result, boat owners are not required to equip their boats with latest AS4758 lifejackets. Instead, boat owners will still be expected to use different lifejacket flotation stan-

BIG TIDES this week-end will give anglers a chance to fish the creeks and local beaches, or try their luck in the local dams. Midday high tide will be perfect for those anglers chasing Grunter, try using fresh pumped yabbies, large green prawns or strips of mullet and squid — or for the lure fanatics, small three inch gulp shrimp or 70mm Samaki vibes. Hot spots will be the mouth of Constant, Rocky Dam and Boundary Creeks and the upper reaches of the Pioneer River. Land-based anglers will find perfect tides fishing the South Harbour break wall — try live baits or ganged pilchard and squid as there have been plenty of Trevally, Mackerel and Black Jew being caught. The local beaches such as Town, Blacks and Eimeo will also fish well with the big tides — fresh yabbies, prawns or live baits fished on a running sinker rig for Whiting, Bream, Trevally and Flathead. If you’re heading to the dams, the new moon this week-end should see plenty of day action. Try fishing weedless surface lures around the weed beds or working vibes and plastics around any points and bays. Both Kinchant and Teemburra Dams have been producing quality Barramundi.

BOATING and FISHING

Friday, 12 February, 2021

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• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

Friday, 12 February, 2021

Competitive family streak in new year Tennis sign-ons

Pam Keune and Janelle Keune.

MOTHER-daughter teams of Leeanne Scriha, Sue Scriha, Pam Keune and Janelle Keune were at the forefront of the Tennis Association ladies fixtures sign-on when it opened on February 2. Both groups have been playing Tuesday ladies fixtures for many years. Their daughters play Wednesday night fixtures and also travel to other competitions in North Queensland. Both families are avid players and all share the enjoyment of meeting like-minded people

and having a good time. The fixtures consists of two rounds for the year, where the first round runs from February to the June school holidays. The second round goes from July to December, and both are open to beginners through to champions. While the games are all about fun, each player is graded accordingly. Members of the public who would like to play Tuesday Ladies should contact Joyce on 0417 615 888.

Leeanne Scriha, Sue Scriha and Vicki Barbeler.

Sarina Pony Club sign-on THE SARINA Pony Club sign-on rally will be held on Sunday, February 21, from 9 am at the Sarina showgrounds. Young horse riders are invited to attend their first rally of the year and become acquainted with the facilities that the club provides. As a registered Fairplay Activity provider, Sarina Pony Club is funded by the Queensland Government to help children participate in physical activities. Riders and spectators will be able to meet club mem-

jacob

cumner

jacob@mackaylocalnews.com.au

bers and experience horse riding at before committing to a yearly membership. Clubs instructors will guide and coach each rider through three different sessions during the day. There will be the opportunity for all present to ask questions; there will be fun games for the children and also a sausage sizzle. The cost is $10 for the day

and participants must fill out forms to participate. The horse rally is run under Pony Club Association of Queensland (PCAQ) Rules, and so all gear and equipment must comply. Advanced bookings are encouraged, so please email: sarinaponyclub@hotmail. com Photos: Pink Lady Photography.

SPORT

Friday, 12 February, 2021

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

Ramsgate charts a course to netball excellence WHEN a young Victorian lass moved to Moranbah in 2013, her first impression was that there was enornous potential for sport. Yet, she had concerns about the lack of options and opportunities for young girls in netball even back then. Today, the Moranbah Netball Association president and head coach, Natalie Ramsdale recalls how she had just started playing in the social netball competition in Moranbah, “and we actually put a team together for the Dysart Carnival.” She continued: “The Whitsunday Regional Sharks Netball team were doing a clinic there. “I asked if they could play against my team, and that was when I was asked to trial for the Whitsunday Sharks. “I was selected to play for them in 2014 and, from there, that’s where a few girls were asking me if I would undertake one-on-one training with them,” she recalled. “So I did that and I thought, “well, you know what? I’ll start my own academy here in Moranbah for girls to give them an opportunity.’ “So that’s when I started Moranbah Junior Sharks Netball Club under affiliation with

the Moranbah Netball Association.” Ramsdale said she wants to give Moranbah girls the same opportunities in netball as they have in Mackay. This sometimes requires them to do fundraisers, where she said they raised money to play in the USA. “Moranbah Netball has travelled to Disneyland for Netball tournament that Vicki Wilson was part of, and the Gold Coast for International Netball Carnival, and since then have been to many carnivals to help our girls improve and be competitive,” she said. “We have achieved so much, now we want to continue what we have worked so hard for and that’s to give all our girls a pathway.” Around 2018, she said they started driving two hours into Mackay to play on Tuesdays and Saturdays while coming in to train on Fridays. While not all of the age groups were able to come in due to various commitments and responsibilities, she said they enjoyed playing for fun. Ramsdale said she was optimistic and hoped that netballers one day would not have to move south to pursue a career in the sport.

Showdown at Citibeach

Abby Matsen on Elly.

Mya Keating on Max, Mackay North Pony Club One Day Event 2020.

David Collins Ph: 0448 302 042 E: david@davkathh.com.au

Tristan Collins: Operations Ph: 0437 370 642 E: tristan@davkathh.com.au

Mya Keating on Max.

SShhh . . .

IT’S A SECRET. Me missus will cane me. ... but maybe have a look at page 20

LAST week’s Citibeach volley ball feature game was played between the 2020 season champion, Sandsational, and the comparably young team, the Untouchaballs. Sandsational got off to an early lead of 16 to nine, before a serving run by Untouchaball’s captain, Tristan Geach, brought the Untouchaball’s back to within two points. Sandsational skilled players were displayed. Mark Vairy, Adam McDougall and Adam James were de-

fensive players and set their 66 hitter, Jason Wellings. While Untouchaballs put together solid attacks of their own, a few unforced errors allowed the champs to go into half time with a lead of 34 to 29. In the first half, newcomer, Slater Pearce impressed when he passed-up a hard driven hit, which clipped his lip before his team converted the play into a winning attack. In the next ball, Slater Pearce backed it up he rolled

over the opposing blocker. In the second half, the score difference fluctuated between two and nine points. With four minutes remaining and only three points difference, the rally of the day occurred when Mark Vairy set up Jason Wellings on the net. This allowed him to smash the ball unopposed. The sole lady on the court, Alexia Brownsey, popped the ball up. This allowed a team mate

Available for all of February mackay.qld.gov.au/onlinesportexpo

to put the ball back over, only to have Jason Wellings hit the ball back through the defensive gap. Despite the best efforts of the Untouchaballs hitter, Cody Ainslee and Tristan Geach, they could not close the difference in points with the score ending on 63 to 59 to Sandsational. All player, enjoyed good spirited and very sportsman like conduct. The upcoming finals should be very interesting.

Cody Ainslee, Tristan Geach, Slater Pearce and Alexia Brownsey.

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Friday, 12 February, 2021

SPORT

Steve Burchill and Debra Cody register at North Mackay Masters Swimming.

for Monday and Wednesday, or just the pool entry cost on Saturdays. The Sinkers Club will hold a short course 25-metre event at our Valley Street training pool, in all strokes. Events will include a fun 25m swim, and the more gruelling 200m swims will test swimmers’ personal boundaries. Pre-meet 800m and 1500m events are more serious distances. Swimmers don’t need to be a member to join this fun event, as long as they are over 17, and older guest swimmers are welcome. The swim event is scheduled for Saturday, February 27. Last year’s short course

event was not all hard work. Registrations also included money boards, a multi-prize draw and there was a kiosk for refreshments. An after-swim social was held at a local tavern. Events are sanctioned and official, so in theory, a swimmer could set a world record ! In fact, the 2020 event saw several state and national swimming records reset. Swimming events are officiated by trained officials for starts, technique and results. For further information on masters swimming, please contact, Dan Stampa, on Tel: 0413 805 156, or email: nthmkysinkers@gmail.com. Please visit Master Swimming Queensland and the Sinkers Facebook page.

Building moral character and self-confidence The Mackay branch of the Queensland Taekwon-Do Academy has operated in Mackay since 2010. Members are affiliated with the International Taekwon-Do Federation, which has members world-wide. Access to high level seminars and events under the direction of Grand Master Instructors is also provided. The Taekwon-Do Academy’s goal is to develop individuals with a strong moral character and equip them with the self-confidence. Members will only use the practical self-defense skills they master should the need arise. The instructors have been officially appointed after completing both practical and theoretical training and assessment. All instructors are first aid trained, and holders of the Government Blue Suitability Card to work with children.

The content of the training strictly follows the criteria set down by the Founder of Taekwon-Do. The Taekwon-Do Academy is focused on developing strong technique, improved fitness, fast reflexes, and determination to succeed in all aspects of life’s challenges. A New Year is traditionally a time where many participants decide it’s time take a fresh start, and new members are welcomed as the lifeblood of the Academy. Taekwon-Do as a martial art is not just about winning medals. It provides the opportunity for each student to set personal goals that individuals measure. The Taekwon-Do journey is to understand yourself, your capabilities, and how through regular practice, to be a little better each day. The Academy includes practical self-defense as an

element to be examined every three months. The last grading examination was held in December 2020. Number of coloured belt students and three long term students applied for the black belt. The students, Riley Balchin, Chloe O’Loughlin and Tim Craig were awarded their First Degree Black Belt by Chief Instructor Sabum, Jeff Dieben who is a Sixth Degree Black Belt. Taekwon-Do classes in Mackay are held every Tuesday and Thursday including school holidays at the Mackay Central State School. New members are always made welcome. Class Times are: Juniors and Parents 5.30pm, and Young Adults and Seniors 6.30pm For more information about our club, see https:// queenslandtaekwondo.com.au/ Hope to meet you soon.

SShhh . . . IT’S A SECRET. We shouldn’t tell.

... have you seen page 20

Newly promoted Blackbelts, Riley Balchin, Chloe O’Loughlin and Tim Craig (front) with Senior Branch Instructor, Anil Silwal.

Mackay Netball rep squads begin training

Masters Swimming and the Club NORTH Mackay’s Sinkers Masters Swimming Club, aka ‘the Sinkers’, provides swimming training for those who want to compete. There are three swimming sessions a week with two coached sessions. Members improve their fitness technique while enjoying the company of fellow swimmers. Sessions are on Monday and Wednesday at 5.45pm at the North Mackay State High School in Valley Street and at 8am on Saturday mornings at the Memorial Pool in Milton Street. The Sinkers invites swimmers of varying ability for an introductory period at these sessions. The session fee is $5

MACKAY LOCAL NEWS •

Back row (l to r) Tracey Turner (Manager), Ashlee Turton, Claire O’Loughlin, Sophie Ruggeri, Jazmyn Gervinas, Madeline Freeman, Paige Giles and Amy Sinn (coach). Front row Ysobel Maher, Olivia Price, Jorja Jeffs and Sophie Dinsdale.

ABOUT 150 young women have registered for selection trial with the Mackay Netball Association. They will be working hard to be picked to play at the State Age Competition in July at the Sunshine Coast Netball Association. Players will work with numerous coaches for the next six weeks to improve their net-

ball skills, drills and shooting styles. The Mackay Netball Association and Untapped Athlete Development’s Kylie Watts, will do strength and conditioning to help with fitness and core strength training. Once the selections have been made, players will be coached and trained each week until the July School Holidays.

The Mackay Netball Association has a number of carnivals to attend and there will also be a representative bonding day to bring players together, both on and off the court. Last Year’s Mackay Netball Association’s team took out 2nd spot in the State Age Competition and they are hoping to bring more medals home this year.

Bowling by the Busload Zanthia’s dream

TUESDAY bowls recommenced on February 9, and already we are expecting a bus load of bowling tourists from Atherton on the 16th, and a great day is anticipated. The Wednesday bowls winning team was Bob Spees and Warren Mills who defeated John Fielding and Rick Galea, 24 to 11. This was the biggest winning margin on the day and six rinks were in play. Fortunately, rain held off just long enough for all games to finish. The closest game on the day was a draw between Herb Secomb, Lyn Graham and Tony Nugent, versus Cheryl Nugent, Bev Taylor, and Steve Tattam. Another close game was Lu Rogan and Barry Zillman, who defeated Elaine Hadlow and Terry Clark 20 to 17. The winning team, Business House Bowls, was the B team of Whitsunday. Gold, John Brown, Wolfgang Keppke, Andy MacDougall, and Skip Ted Cullen overwhelmed the usually strong TukTuk team. The A team of Whitsunday Gold and Whitsunday Parking both had a win. BCT Constructions proved last week was no fluke and won again against “Show us your Kitties”. Game Manager, Mark Mawson, reported a successful evening. Sunday social bowls had five pairs games and two triples games rinks in play. The winners on the day were Rick Galea and Col Morris, who defeated Russell Jackson and John Fielding 32 to 23. The closest game on Sunday was between Ray Edwards and Ted Cullen who defeated Bob Fenney and Gary Coleman 17 to 16. The Scroungers game on Saturday had a new start time of 9.30am for 33 players.

finds high noon

The winner last week was again, Russ Jackson (pictured above) who defeated Ray Edwards. Russ has won two weeks in a row now and carries the 10 shot penalty. Man Isgro is playing for Paradise Dolphins at the Premier League Queensland, and last available results that team is running fifth out of 14. The ladies district selection has been announced and three ladies from Airlie Beach: Ladda Purdie, Betty Nicolle and Carol Crosbie have been selected. This is a great achievement and congratulations to these three ladies. Three players in a squad of 12 is a great achievement for a small Airlie Beach Club.

IT WAS only a dream for Zanthia Noon just 18 months ago, but that ambition will come to fruition next weekend when the Pioneer North Mackay swimmer will compete in the Queensland State Sprints in Brisbane. Under head coach Igor Denim, Zanthia will attend the state sprints with 10 of her team mates, including her 10-year-old brother, Wyatt. A total of 17 swimmers qualified for this year, the largest number of qualifiers in years. At the Mirani Carnival last week-end, Wyatt qualified for his second event in the Sprints and he received five upgrade awards. According to Club Secretary Nikki Bounden, “Team Pioneer is very succesful after a couple of years of struggling. “We are so proud of our swimmers, their parents and the Club, and its really like one big happy family at the moment,” Nikki said. “Igor has taken-on Pioneer swimmers and they have started to take swimming much

more seriously. “They are training harder and growing a bit more.” “As a result, swimmers are now cutting their times down even more again.” “Eleven swimmers are attending the Sprints, seven of whom are first timers. “Georgie Brand ,10, will join her big sister Stevie. “Its very much a family affair, with Ella Bounden, 10, joining her big sister Jade.” Also continuing his recent form was Caleb O’Brien, who was a star at the Mirani Meet. In all, the 12-year-old swimmer took home two gold medals and three bronze. This included him achieving personal best in seven out of nine events. Three younger swimmers, Dean Brien, Wren Forbes and Lily Philbin also completed their first-time trials, and gained state qualifying times for freestyle. Club veteran Sophie Chrzanowski competed for the last time with our Club at the Mirani meet, and she also qualifyed for the Open butterfly.

Zanthia Noon…a dream come true.

SPORT 40

• MACKAY LOCAL NEWS

Pony Club sign-on

The North Mackay Pony Club, located on Riverside Drive, Cremorne, successfully trains children in horse riding skills. The Club has excellent facilities, including a round yard, a 20x60 metre fenced arena, a large flat area for horse jumping and dressage, plus a cross country course. Weekly rallies for members are held every Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm. Full horse riding rally days are held on the third Sunday of every month and starts at 9am. Club member Adrienne Kelley jumps a hurdle.

Tennis, Cricket, Bowls Inside

Friday, 12 February, 2021

Boxing brothers back in training

BOXING brothers, Macen,14 and Memphis Algie,12 are back in training. Mackay Boxing Club head coach, Sam O’Malley, said both boys have been training with us for three years and are showing great promise as they improve, after winning state titles in 2020. “However, Macen and Memphis still managed to stay focused and got on track towards the end of the year,” Coach O’Malley said. Both boys are relatively experienced for their age — Macen has 15 fights under his belt and Memphis 20. It’s difficult to get Macen fights in his age, weight and experience category, as he’s big for his 14 years. Macen weighed in at 75kg, and last year Macen was fighting at in the 69kg category. Last year the Mackay Boxing Club entered Macen in the state titles, but because of his weight organisers couldn’t find him a match-up. The club was not able to step Macen into a higher weight category, as the opposing coach refused the challenge. As a result, Macen was awarded the 2020 Queensland under 15s, 69kg champion. Macen’s younger brother Memphis,12, also has a similar weight for age problem. Memphis weighed in at 55kg and the Club couldn’t find an opponent in his division. Memphis stepped-up a weight division and faced a very experienced and strong opponent from the Gold Coast Police Citizens Youth Club. Memphis lost the bout in a very close contest, but was awarded the Queensland 55kg under 13s State Title, which was his nominated Division. The Mackay Boxing Club is now located at the Mackay Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) and operates four nights a week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On February 27 and 28, the Mackay Boxing Club will host a Boxing Queensland development camp, where 70 boxers will attend from throughout Queensland. This is an open camp, so boxers do not have to be a member of Boxing Queensland to participate, but boxing experience is essential.

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