Times The stresses of living rural

Sari Russo Nee Hyytinen

I am sure that many in the community have heard that Westpac is closing their Ingham and Tully facilities and asking the members of those communities to go online to do their banking.

How feasible will it be to utilise online banking in areas that struggle with good internet connection?

I, like many rural locals, have needed to do the drive to the closest city to fix a service issue with a phone/internet service (for me, the service provider is Telstra) as after a few times of the online facility not recognising my details I needed to attend the closest facility in person.

When I spoke with the Telstra representative over the phone, they did not realise that by asking me to attend the nearest facility, they were asking me to travel a minimum of an hour and fifteen minutes (depending on roadworks) out of my hometown to be able to access their service.

When I made the trip to Townsville recently to fix my service, I made the mistake of not booking an appointment before I arrived and was informed at the first Telstra facility I attended that they had already booked their appointments with their customers for the rest of the evening and I would need to come back tomorrow or to attend another facility.

When I arrived at the other facility, the first representative informed me they were already booked for the night. I was fortunate to have my conversation overheard by a fellow representative who had been contacted by the facility I attended prior. She prioritised fitting in an appointment for me, and the service was fixed.

We are losing bank facilities, we don’t have telecommunication facilities, and we are losing our hospital services. When living rural, what essential services will we need to understand that we will no longer have adequate access to when we make the switch?

AN enthusiastic and appreciative crowd attended the retrospective exhibition 'A Series of Eclectic Martha Moments' featuring the work of David Rowe, painter and owner of Picture this Framed, an art gallery, picture framing and art supplies business.

The exhibition's signature piece is a detail of 'Christ in the house of Martha and Mary' by Russian-born Polish painter Henryk Siemiradzki.

The exhibition was opened by Reverend Greg Rankin, Uniting Church Minister, who explained the significance of the biblical episode and its meaning in relation to David's exhibition. Also speaking on the night were David's family, his wife Leigh, son Adam and daughter Emma, who spoke movingly and humorously on what it is like living with an artist husband and father.

David was inspired by the biblical story and saw the detail of Mary and Jesus talking as an expression of the 'Martha moments' we all experience: those moments when we become so concerned about something that we let go of reality, what is real and what is important.

Yet contradictorily, David believes the message that can be taken from the Martha moment is that we should pause and truly listen to each other.

David describes the Martha moment experienced by an artist or creative as when they are totally immersed in a work, experiencing frustration and concern about not only its execution but the end product, how it will look and how it will be received. When the work is finished, they wonder why they were in such a state of high anxiety.

All 34 paintings in the exhibition have been Martha moments. Many are surreal, and he admits not of general appeal. But as he says, "I don't paint to other people's expectations." He says that when he does, he doesn't feel it's his best work, and though others are happy with it, he is not.

Neither are all paintings comfortable viewing, but they are truthful, expressing how David feels emotionally, spiritually and sexually, what he describes as the reality of being a white male over 60 with all the problems that come with that.

Viewers will notice that 19 paintings have responses from friends and arts community members. David says he did this to involve them and give them a moment of creativity, a Martha moment – "what do I write to respond to this?" Each respondent chose a painting they could respond to.

In this exhibition, David seeks to connect with viewers about the 'Martha moment'.

Hinchinbrook H2O Website, Townsville Enterprise Limited Destination Branding Workshop and Upcoming Events

Hinchinbrook H2O Website

Monitor your water use online at h2o.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au.

With the click of a mouse you can now monitor your water consumption anytime, anywhere for FREE!

The Hinchinbrook H2O website provides the tools to help you save water and money, avoiding the shock of large water bills!

Set email and SMS alerts and be notified of water leaks and high consumption within days of occurring.

Sign up today by visiting h20.hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au or by scanning the QR Code to receive your daily water consumption information.

Morning Melodies: Hits from the Crooners

Chris Lloyds sings the “Hits of the Crooners”, those memorable songs of the great swing era and beyond.

The songs in Chris’s show transport you back to a time when life was less complicated, when style was the thing and swing was king!

These are the songs that cause for feet to tap and your fingers to snap!

Chris’s performance is sure to evoke positive feelings, images and memories of wonderful times past.

You’re invited to share a sentimental journey with outstanding vocalist Chris Lloyds as he pays homage to the wonderful “Hits of the Crooners”.

Date: Thursday 9 February 2023

Time: 10.30am

Where: JL Kelly Theatre

76 Townsville Road Ingham

Cost: $22.50

Magic Men Australia

Voted Australia's number one ladies night out, come feel the magic and stay for the fun as Magic Men take you on a journey that'll have the girls chanting for days to come!

Date: Thursday 9 February 2023

Time: 8.30pm

Where: JL Kelly Theatre

Cost: $50 - $90

2023 Defence Welcome and Information Expo

Council in partnership with Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce Industry and Tourism, will be attending the 2023 Defence Welcome and Information Expo in Townsville on Saturday 11 February 2023.

At the beginning of each year, Townsville Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families are invited to attend a Welcome and Information Expo. New to Townsville or been here a while, everyone is welcome to attend.

With over 100 exhibitors, ADF members and families can discover what the Far North region has to offer.

The expo presents an opportunity to showcase a range of Government organisations, local community and sporting groups and service providers that will assist the Defence members and their families on their arrival to North Queensland.

Council on the day, looks forward to introducing some of the Shire's best kept secrets and destinations and to assist, Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce Industry and Tourism has prepared the ultimate showbag for families to take away ensuring they are reminded to visit the Hinchinbrook region soon.

Current Procurement and Tender Opportunities

Keep up to date with opportunities available through Council by visiting the Current Procurement and Tender Opportunities page on Council’s website.

Current opportunities include:

• HSC 23/02 - Vince Corbett Park Amenities UpgradeConstruction

Should you require further information, please contact Council’s Procurement Services on 4776 4665.

Half Yearly Rate Notices

Half Yearly Rate Notices will be issued soon with payment due by Friday 31 March 2023. To receive future Rate Notices electronically, please visit Council’s website, Rates Fees and Charges page.

Townsville Enterprise Limited

Destination Branding Workshop

Join us for an exclusive look at the new Townsville North Queensland destination brand before it is launched.

Over the last 12 months, Townsville Enterprise has been working on a destination rebrand project –specifically informed by consumer research and future travel trends.

The project has been guided by an industry steering committee, and involved a review of over 230,000 individual data points, stakeholder surveys to gauge industry and resident perspective, focus group co-creation and creative testing with 2,000 people and 161 in-depth qualitative surveys with consumers from key intra and interstate markets.

You are invited to hear the new direction for our region's marketing, and how your business can help extend the brand promise to curious travellers from across Australia and abroad.

Date: Monday 13 February 2023

Time: 5.00pm

Where: TYTO Conference and Events Centre

73-75 McIlwraith Street

Ingham

Cost: Free event

Tribute to Elvis presents

Throughout the Years

Australia’s “King of the 50’s” Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist, Brody Finlay is one of Australia's premier 50's Elvis Tribute acts.

Finlay will take you back in time to the roaring 50's with this not to be missed performance singing all your favourites including Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, Can’t Help Falling In Love and Love Me Tender.

Date: Saturday 18 February 2023

Time: 7.30pm

Where: JL Kelly Theatre

76 Townsville Road Ingham

Cost: $39.95 - $44.95

Knock at the Cabin (M) While vacationing at a remote cabin in the woods, a young girl and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand they make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse.

Date: Friday 24 February 2023

Time: 6.30pm

Where: JL Kelly Theatre 76 Townsville Road Ingham

Cost: $10 - 15

Blueback (PG)

Follows Abby, a child who befriends a magnificent wild blue groper while diving. When Abby realises that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her activist Mum, Dora, and takes on poachers to save her friend.

Date: Saturday 25 February 2023

Time: 10.30am

Where: JL Kelly Theatre 76 Townsville Road Ingham

Cost: $10 - 15

Operations Fortune: Ruse de guerre (M)

Special agent Orson Fortune and his team of operatives recruit one of Hollywood's biggest movie stars to help them on an undercover mission when the sale of a deadly new weapons technology threatens to disrupt the world order.

Regional Arts Development Fund Public Applications Round Two 2022-2023

Do you or someone you know have a project idea that could contribute to Arts and Culture in the Hinchinbrook Shire?

Applications for funding through Council's Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Program are open for Round Two from Monday 30 January 2023 until 5.00pm Friday 24 February 2023.

RADF provides funding to successful applicants for up to 70% of the total project cost.

To download an application form and to find out more visit Council's website, Grants and Funding page or contact the TYTO Regional Art Gallery.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

Date: Saturday 25 February 2023

Time: 2.30pm

Where: JL Kelly Theatre

76 Townsville Road Ingham

Cost: $10 - 15

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (MA) In Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, twotime Academy Award winner Emma Thompson (Love, Actually) embodies the candor and apprehension of retired teacher Nancy Stokes, and newcomer Daryl McCormack (Peaky Blinders) personifies the charisma and compassion of sex worker Leo Grande.

As Nancy embarks on a post-marital sexual awakening and Leo draws on his skills and charm, together they find a surprising human connection.

Date: Saturday 25 February 2023

Time: 6.30pm

Where: JL Kelly Theatre 76 Townsville Road Ingham

Cost: $15

This event is a licenced event.

A Man Called Otto (PG) Otto is a grump who's given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all. When a young family moves in nearby, he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol, leading to a friendship that will turn his world around.

Date: Sunday 26 February 2023

Time: 10.30am

Where: JL Kelly Theatre 76 Townsville Road Ingham

Cost: $10 - 15