23 minute read
Rural Life
from Mackay Life
Survey Shows Rise In Rural Debt
Total rural debt in Queensland has risen to $24.06 billion, an increase of 25.97 per cent since 2019 according to the 2021 Queensland Rural Debt Survey. At the same time, the quality of that rural debt has remained strong with almost 95 per cent rated viable or long term viable, despite challenging times for rural businesses.
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Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner MP tabled the 2021 Queensland Rural Debt Survey report last week and said the average debt per borrower rose by 32.67 per cent to $1.39 million.
“The 2021 Queensland Rural Debt Survey provides critical insight into the financial state of enterprises across rural industries over the past two years and will assist government and industry to help inform future decisions,” Mr Furner said. “Debt funding remains the principal source of capital for Queensland primary producers including for working capital, infrastructure, property, and other investment purposes. “Debt in the beef industry accounts for the largest proportion of rural debt across Queensland, growing by more than $3 billion and accounting for around 60 per cent of the increase in total debt. This is followed by cotton debt, growing 53.1 per cent to $1.69 billion. grain/grazing also saw a large increase, totalling $1.68 billion and recording a 40.9 per cent growth since the 2019 survey. “The Western Downs and Central Highlands region represented the largest portion (just over 35 per cent) of total rural debt in Queensland, totalling $8.51 billion. This is followed by the Southern Coastal Curtis to Moreton region ($5.46 billion or 22.7 per cent) and Eastern Darling Downs region ($3.34 billion or 13.89 per cent).” “In addition, the total number of rural borrowers in Queensland has decreased by 920 to 17,312 borrowers, down 5.05 per cent on 2019.” Conducted as of 31 December 2021, the latest Queensland Rural Debt Survey was undertaken by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) in collaboration with the Queensland Government Statisticians Office (QGSO) and with the support of all major rural lenders and insights from agricultural industry associations. QRIDA Chief Executive Officer, Cameron MacMillan said 2021 Queensland Rural Debt Survey provided a comprehensive breakdown of the value, movement and quality of rural debt and the number of borrowers by industry and region. Mr MacMillan said rural businesses continued to face tough conditions throughout the period from December 2019 to December 2021, yet many industries had also shown their resilience.
“In 2019, Queensland recorded the lowest level of rainfall since 2005. From 2020, they also faced rising input costs and supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All these factors have impacted production and business decisions by primary producers.” “While overall debt has grown, the survey showed the quality of that debt has remained strong. Rural debt rated viable (A) and potentially viable long term (B+) combined increased from 93.14 per cent in 2019 to 94.97 per cent in 2021 as a proportion of total debt. “This in part reflects the improved seasonal conditions and production over the latter part of the 2019-2021 period, continued strong commodity prices and the significant increase in the value of rural land that underpins much of this rural debt,” he said. For more see the 2021 Rural Debt Survey full report and interactive dashboard at: qrida.qld.gov.au/queensland-rural-debtsurvey
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Weekly production figures
Weekly production figures Wilmar Sugar Plane Creek MillWilmar Sugar Plane Creek Mill Week 10, Week ending 20 August 2022 Week 10, Week ending 20 August 2022
This weekCane crushed Season to date This week Season to date 66,353 438,883 Cane crushed 66,353 Average bin weight CCS 438,8833.93 13.19 3.86 12.40
Average bin weight 3.93 3.86 CCS 13.19 12.40
Comments:
Plane Creek Mill crushed just over 66,000 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season total to nearly 439,000 tonnes. The major cause of lost time for the week was a shredder tip change on Wednesday afternoon. This coming week, there will be a 14-hour planned maintenance stop on Tuesday 23 August. There was a modest 0.26 of unit improvement in CCS over the previous week, taking the weekly CCS figure above 13 units for the first time this season. Average bin weights continued to improve. The highest CCS honour for the week was shared between a rake of KQ228 1R from the Ilbilbie productivity area and a rake of Q242 3R from the Turnors Paddock productivity area – both with a CCS of 15.5 units.
Jim Kirchner Cane Supply Manager Plane Creek Region
Cane variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS
Q183 28.8 12.97 Q242 6.8 13.24
Q208 22.1 13.36 KQ228 5.5 14.09
Q240 11.7 13.41 Q138 5.3 12.17
Q253 9.5 13.05 Q250 2.1 14.14
Comments:
Plane Creek Mill crushed just over 66,000 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season total to nearly 439,000 tonnes. The major cause of lost time for the week was a shredder tip change on Wednesday afternoon. This coming week, there will be a 14-hour planned maintenance stop on Tuesday 23 August. There was a modest 0.26 of unit improvement in CCS over the previous week, taking the weekly CCS figure above 13 units for the first time this season. Average bin weights continued to improve. The highest CCS honour for the week was shared between a rake of KQ228 1R from the Ilbilbie productivity area and a rake of Q242 3R from the Turnors Paddock productivity area – both with a CCS of 15.5 units.
Jim Kirchner Cane Supply Manager Plane Creek Region
With their toes a-tappin’, their Akubra’s atop their heads and their hands in the air, country music fans of all ages enjoyed three days of country music at the 2022 NQ’s Rock’n Country Music Festival over the weekend. Over 40 of Australia and New Zealand’s best country musicians took to the stage at the Mackay Showgrounds for the third installment of the festival.
Icons of the genre Lee Kernaghan, Gina Jeffreys, Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey and Fanny Lumsden all delivered show-stopping sets to the passionate crowd, as well as local legends Graeme Connors, Luke Geiger and Bella Mackenzie. Also featured throughout the weekend was line dancing, karaoke, Q&As and more. NQ’s Rock’n Country is a supporter of Variety, raising over $40,000 for the children’s charity at this year’s festival.
Feel InspiredLife Impact Church is excited to be hosting a Women’s conference, Inspire. Inspire means to arouse, animate, be moved by the spirit, do something by or as if by supernatural or divine influence. The aim of the conference is to inspire the women in our Mackay community to be excited and encouraged to live to their potential. “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” Eph 1:18 The conference begins September 9 and 10, 2022, starting Friday night with worship and session one and ending Saturday lunchtime after sessions two and three. Inspire is a free event and is open to all women and morning tea is included. Each of the guest speakers live a passionate and transformed life and are on a mission to inspire and support other women to lead an abundant life.
The speakers are Ps Teya Gibson from Life Impact Church Mackay, Ps Samantha Faltinsky, from Whitsunday Impact Church and Ps Jo-Ellen Bouttell, from Northpointe, Atherton. More information on Inspire can be found on the Facebook event.
WHAT: Inspire WHEN: September 9-10, 2022 WHERE: Life Impact Church, 5 Wellington St, Mackay TICKETS: This is a free community event
Ps Jo-Ellen Bouttell Ps Samantha Faltinsky Ps Teya Gibson. Photos supplied: Teya Gibson
CONFERENCE
DATE:
Fri 9th Sept 7pm & Sat 10th Sept 9am ADDRESS:
Life Impact Church Mackay, 5 Wellington St, Mackay
Inspiring women within our community to be excited Become encouraged and be awakened to your call Live out your potential
FREE EVENT MORNING TEA INCLUDED
Let Art Transport You
Three local artists have exhibited their artworks at the Jubilee Community Centre in a new exhibition entitled ‘Art Transports Us’. Joy Rogers skilfully paints traditional watercolour scenes of coastal Australian towns, Josephine Iacovelli’s work is bright scenes from Europe in acrylics and Linda Danvers’ work is gentle and calming nature scenes in watercolour and acrylic. All three artists have exhibited their artworks around town previously, with Ms Danvers initiating this exhibition.
“I knew that Josephine and Joy were both painting and had artworks they’d like to put in an exhibition so we chatted about and they all said, ‘yeah, let’s do it,’” she said.
Ms Danvers has been painting since 2015 and says her inspiration comes from the ocean, islands, foliage and whatever inspires her in the moment. “When I’m walking, I take a lot of photos, so my aerobic walks don’t get too aerobic because I stop a lot,” she laughs. “One day, you just know it’s the day, you pick up the paints, and you just do it. The exhibition is open for all to enjoy a few moments of calm amongst the artworks, from 8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays until next Tuesday, August 30 at the Jubilee Community Centre. All works are available for purchase.
Joy Rogers Linda Danvers
Josephine Iacovelli. Photos supplied: Linda Danvers
Country Music Legends Making A Senior’s Stop In Mackay
There is great news for Mackay country music lovers with the sugar city being included on the busy touring schedule of the Butler Showband.
The group features the legendary master of country guitar, Lindsay Butler OAM, Queensland’s own well known country singer / songwriter Shaza Leigh, ably supported by bush balladeer Ashley Cook and musician Penny Gilchrist. Their show at the Mackay Senior Citizens Centre on Friday September 2 will be a treat with these multiaward-winning country music artists coming on a rare trip north from their Tamworth base to take their National Touring Road Show to country towns and regional cities. Mackay is a favourite stop for this band and the many country music fans in this city with multiple country music clubs are eagerly awaiting their show.
Lindsay Butler is an inspiring country guitarist who has featured on thousands of recordings as well as over 30 of his own career albums. Among his numerous country awards are multiple Golden Guitars in a career that also saw him honing his skills touring with Slim Dusty for 17 years. His Order of Australia Medal for services to Australian Country Music is richly deserved and his visit to Mackay will be enjoyed by many long-term fans. The Mackay show is a special one to welcome Shaza Leigh home to the region. Locals had the pleasure of watching a young local girl Sharon Waddington pursue her love of country music with a passion while she was growing up here. She honed her vocal and guitar skills with the support and teaching of some fine Mackay musicians, including John Killcullen and the Country Conspiracy Band before spreading her wings as Shaza Leigh. She first travelled with the Brian Young Show and then formed an iconic country music partnership with husband Lindsay Butler. From her debut album in 1990 she has recorded 15 career albums and three DVDs and won countless awards.
Ashley Cook brings another interesting style to the Butler Road Show’s visit to Mackay. He is recognised Australia wide as a bush balladeer who continues the Australian Bush Ballad tradition, having won numerous national bush ballad awards. His recordings in this tradition keep the music alive of the pioneers of bush music
Penny Gilchrist is an accomplished country musician, with piano and strings being her forte. Her instrumental albums have earned her many awards and she is a highly sought after session musician.
What: The Butler Showband
Where: The Mackay Senior Citizens Centre, 58 Macalister Street When: Friday September 2, commencing at 1.30pm For details and bookings: Contact Charlie Symons 0408 776564
C.R.U.S.H SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATIONS CLOSING TODAY
Crossroad Arts performers pose by a canefield for C.R.U.S.H. Photo credit: Jim Cullen Photography
Crossroad Arts are coming together with Townsville’s Dancenorth and Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre to produce their annual national meet-up incorporating three exciting days of workshops in contemporary movement, performance and theatre-making to nurture a new crop of fresh and crushingly sweet talent. There are fantastic opportunities on offer for regional Australian artists with disability to apply for scholarships of up to $2,000 to assist with travel and accommodation to attend the annual C.R.U.S.H theatre-making intensive. C.R.U.S.H is suitable for all bodies, minds and levels of artistic experience from raw beginners to highly accomplished performers and/or dancers of 15 years and older.
tor Alison Richardson. The fabulous weekend will see artists with and without disability from all over Australia converge on Mackay to participate. “C.R.U.S.H is an opportunity for artists across Australia to undertake skills development in contemporary performance making in an inclusive and fun environment,” said Crossroad Arts Artistic Direc-
“It’s an opportunity to make new friends and build your confidence in a collaborative setting.” Dancenorth Community Experience Manager Alice Lee Holland has been involved as facilitator with C.R.U.S.H since its inception in 2019. “It’s a highlight on our community calendar each year,” Ms Holland said. “It’s a special project, in that it offers the rare opportunity for regionally-based artists to gather and share skills and ideas – it’s such a thrill to be immersed in such a joyful, passionate and inspired space and we encourage everyone with an interest in creative arts to get involved. “We love being part of C.R.U.S.H.” La Boite Theatre is Australia’s longest continuously running theatre company and their Youth and Education Producer Ari Palani attended as a C.R.U.S.H facilitator in 2021.
“C.R.U.S.H is about exploring all of the skills it takes to share your own story your way and what it takes to craft your story to share with an audience,” Ms Palani said. “Performances are led by the heart and the artists sharing how their stories connect and weave together.” Applications for scholarships close today and application forms can be found at crossroadarts.com.au or call 4953 5122, admin@crossroadarts.com.au or text (for those that are Deaf) 0400 832 626. Interviews can also be arranged if more accessible.
EVENTGUIDE
Clean Up the Mackay Region
Robertson Brothers 1960’s TV Variety Show McLintock In Hearts Wake
Legends On The Lawn Jack Oliveira
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST
Seniors Friendship Group Every Friday, 9:00am to 11:30am
The Senior Friendship Group meets every Friday and does a range of activities from Bingo to Morning Tea to Lunch. If you would like to join this group or have any queries, please phone (07) 4957 2626.
The Neighbourhood Hub, 4 George Street, Mackay
Silver Screen Surprise – McLintock 1963 (PG) Friday, 9:30am to 11:30am
Are you tired of seeing the same movies? Discover a hidden movie gem at our Silver Screen Surprise showing of an American Western comedy film starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, called McLintock. Bookings required.
Gordon White Library
Age Care Fees and Charges Seminar Friday, 11:00am to 12:30pm
A free seminar by Services Australia discussing aged care needs, options for the former home, fees and charges, and pension and tax implications. Bookings required.
Dudley Denny City Library
Bass Jamming Friday, 3:40pm to 4:40pm
Play bass guitar with other music enthusiasts. This session now includes percussion and synth bass as well. The event is for those aged 12 years and older. Bookings required.
Dudley Denny City Library
Friday SUN.sets – Jack Oliveira Every Friday Evening From 6pm
Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.
Wake House Australia
SATURDAY 27 AUGUST
Saturday, August 27, 3pm to 5pm – Grasstree Beach Sunday, August 28, 8am to 10am – Riverside Drive, Cremorne Sunday, August 28, 9am to 11am – Hodges Road, Shoal Point
Are you sick of seeing litter in the Mackay region’s beautiful natural areas? It’s not too late to lend a hand during ‘Clean Up the Mackay Region’ in the month of August. Join a clean-up near you and help intercept the Mackay region’s litter before it reaches the ocean. Check out the list of events being held in August and register at www.cleanup.org.au/mackay.
Various locations
Legends On The Lawn Saturday, 12:00pm
Legends on the Lawn is coming to Harrup Park! Bringing some of the biggest names to North Queensland, it’s time to get your mates together for one massive day of live music. Headlined by Jimmy Barnes, along with The Living End, Jon Stevens, Vika & Linda, Vanessa Amorosi, Busby Marou and Christine Anu, Legends on the Lawn is put together by the organisers who are responsible for the ever-popular Red Hot Summer Tour.
Harrup Park
Sugar City Rock ‘n’ Rollers Mackay Club Hop Saturday, 6:30pm to 11:00pm
Our next Hop is at St Patrick’s Hall on Saturday with The Two Maoris providing the music from 7pm to 11pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Further enquiries call 0408 983 911.
St Patrick’s Hall, River Street, Mackay
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST
Workshop: Practical Bookbinding Sunday, 10:00am to 2:30pm
A resurgence of the bookbinding craft has seen many visual artists and photographers explore captivating ideas through the use of a book medium. In this workshop, Louis Lim will discuss the various possibilities in artist book making followed by a handson session learning several book-binding techniques. $15 per person.
Artspace Mackay
Robertson Brothers 1960’s TV Variety Show Sunday, 2:00pm
Do you dream of reliving the good old days? Well, don’t miss the Robertson Brothers 1960s TV Variety Show with special guest Simon Brook McLachlan - from the original cast of the hit musical Jersey Boys. Take a trip down memory lane with this amazing interactive live TV Variety Show featuring the hits from The Seekers, Bee Gees, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Neil Sedaka and The Everly Brothers!
MECC
Pets at the Pub Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon with your best friend browsing the pet market stalls and enjoying the live entertainment. RSPCA Mackay will be onsite with some adorable adoptions. Plus there will be live music by Jax Morton.
Seabreeze Hotel
TUESDAY 30 AUGUST
World Café Tuesday, 10:30am to 12:30pm
World Café is a free culture-sharing group that meets every Tuesday (between February and November) from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Activities include cooking, art and craft, conversational games, small projects, workshops, information sessions and local excursions. For more information please phone (07) 4957 7222.
The Neighbourhood Hub, 4 George Street, Mackay
ECDP Superhero Trivia Night Tuesday, 6:30pm
Come on down to Superhero Themed Trivia night. All money raised on the night will be going to assist children needing mobility aids to participate in an educational setting. $5 per person and gold coin donation for kids under 12. Prize for best dressed. Winning team and lucky door prize. Come and help support your local community. Book now online or call (07) 4942 1711.
Mount Pleasant Tavern
WEDNESDAY 31 AUGUST
Mackay Farmers’ Market Every Wednesday, 6:30am to 10:30am
The market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce direct from the farmer.
Bluewater Quay
Sugar City Rock and Roll Mackay Club Wednesday Night Lessons Every Wednesday, 7:00pm
Why not come along and learn to rock ‘n’ roll in a friendly and fun atmosphere with the Sugar City Rock ‘n’ Rollers Mackay Club? Previous experience is not required. Everyone learns at their own pace and, even better, the first lesson is free on your way to learning the four step style of rock ‘n’ roll. $5 for members and $8 for non-members after that. The club caters for social activities for club members with regular dances with live bands in attendance and away trips. For further enquiries call 0408 983 911.
58 Macalister St, Mackay
THURSDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
In Hearts Wake – Green Is The New Black Tour Thursday, 7:30pm
Australian heavy music act In Hearts Wake are stoked to announce a massive national tour in celebration of their new feature-length documentary, Green Is The New Black, which has recently finished screening across the country and internationally alongside Earth Week 2022. The huge 27 date tour will be hitting Mackay and will also feature some of the most exciting heavy acts in the country with support from RedHook, Pridelands and Banks Arcade.
Seabreeze Hotel
IN HEARTS WAKE
On Environmental Journey
In Hearts Wake are touring Australia to celebrate the release of their documentary Green Is The New Black
Byron Bay metalcore act In Hearts Wake kicked off a massive 27-date Australian tour in Western Australia last week and will be making their way to Mackay next Thursday, September 1. The tour celebrates their new feature-length documentary, Green Is The New Black, an examination of the music industry’s relationship to the environment and an account of the making of their 100% carbon offset 2020 album Kaliyuga. We chatted to In Hearts Wake lead singer Jake Taylor ahead of the tour.
What was the initial motivation to record Kaliyuga in a carbon-neutral manner and then to document it?
We’ve been on this environmental journey for at least the last decade. It’s always been a part of who we are growing up in such a nature-rich place so that’s been instilled in us since our inception. We’re always making steps and we just didn’t quite know to what deep end of the ocean we’d be diving in. It got to that point where doing record signing weeks at that point didn’t make sense so how can we celebrate it? Let’s do these marine debris clean-ups with our fans where we actually pick a spot, have a meet-up and celebrate release day like that. As we were doing that, we were picking up pool toys and discarded t-shirts in waterways and things like that. And then you get back on stage later that week where we’ve got the pool toys and we’re selling the t-shirts and it was that next step to go ‘wow, we have to look at what we produce and what we create on a whole new level,’ and once you go down that rabbit hole… the next big necessary dive into the ocean was to look at how to reduce emissions and offset an album. So, here we are today, and I realised there’s no point doing this if you’re not able to share your challenges and triumphs along the way because that ripple effect is far greater than just doing it yourself and keeping it hidden or a secret. I think we often keep things hidden or a secret because we’re afraid of getting it wrong. So, this journey is our journey, what we got wrong and potentially what we got right. We’re really opening ourselves up to be that case study.
Do you have any examples of what you did learn throughout the process?
Yeah, well, the film really dives into everything thoroughly and to give you a blanket few points, it was merchandising, what can we switch to to get off regular cotton and polyester, making those eco choices; it was stage production, getting rid of pool toys and CO2, looking at alternatives that benefit our show and minimise our impact on the environment; then there was renewable solutions to touring itself, like reducing emissions; and how to produce a record that isn’t on something that’s super harmful to the environment, something that is eco-friendly, recycled, those sorts of avenues. It’s looking at these solutions holistically to realise there’s no one single one but there are many. To really dive into it is to watch the film but those are the areas we looked into.
What do you have planned for the tour?
We’re putting on the biggest and best show that we can in this new way, with all the new ways we’ve learnt with this doco. That’s the cool thing, testing out these new ways.
How important is it for you guys to visit the regions like Mackay and do you notice any difference in the crowds and the vibes compared to metro places?
Yeah, I do notice. To me, it’s more important. We enjoy it more than metro places because, not only is there easy parking, better hospitality, but there’s a realness… it feels more like a real, more pure taste of a place, and in that the people aren’t spoilt for like, ‘which show do I go to this week?’ but rather like, ‘wow, there’s a show here and I’m grateful that you came.’ So, people are much more present and that equals a higher vibe and people are really in the joy, they tend to be more joyous… In north Queensland, there’s a rowdiness in a good way… Truly, out of all the states, north Queensland is the state we often look forward to for some of the craziest shows. There’s like a party, tropical vibe, too. There’s a loose, joyousness that happens up there. WHAT: In Hearts Wake WHEN: Thursday, September 1 at 7:30pm WHERE: Seabreeze Tavern TICKETS: Moshtix
Pioneer Valley children will soon have the opportunity to learn a traditional handicraft thanks to a $1946 Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grant to support the Crafty Hands Holiday Workshops to be held in the next school holidays. This two-day event will be held at the Gargett CWA Hall in the September school vacation. The program will be open to interested students (aged 10 years or older) from Gargett SS, Pinnacle SS, Eungella SS, Finch Hatton SS, Mirani SS and Mirani SHS. Children will learn the basics of one handicraft - knitting, crochet, raffia/eco-weaving or Japanese sashiko stitching. Thanks to the RADF and local sponsor, Richglen Maintenance Group, equipment and materials will be provided and children will work towards producing items to keep that are fun and useful. Valley Spinners and Crafts president, Margaret Borg said, “Many of our members learnt to knit or crochet as children under the helpful eye of their mothers, grandmothers or aunts but this is not so common today. “There’s a wealth of crafting knowledge amongst our members and we are very excited to share this with younger ones in our community. We hope that these workshops might begin a lifelong love of craft for some of them.” “I believe this is a wonderful initiative… that will definitely create some remarkable changes in students,” said Gargett State School principal, Fiona Tass. Bookings are limited and can be made via http://craftyhandsworkshops.eventbrite. com .
For further information: valleyspinnersandcraft@outlook.com
