Mackay Life

It’s been estimated that at least 1,200 people currently experience homelessness in the Mackay region.

With local support services at capacity, a group of community-minded people working in the sector have come together to form Safe Sleep Mackay, an initiative dedicated to delivering the region’s

first sleepbus.

With 20 beds onboard, televisions, toilets, charging facilities and storage, sleepbus promises a safe and restful night’s sleep for those who have nowhere else to go.

“If we can get some safe accommodation for people to sleep at night, it’s going to make a difference

to their life and it’s going to make a difference to the community,” said Orange Sky Service Coordinator Lisa Jamieson.

“It’s probably the option that the fewest people fall through the gaps,” added Australian Street Aid Project CEO Kayleigh Brewster.

Continued on page 5

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Oh Baby, It’s Time

As my baby bump continues to grow larger than my love for cream doughnuts, it's time for me to take a break from working life and start preparing for the arrival of my mini-me in six-days’ time.

While I continue the nesting to welcome my little bundle of joy into the world, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your unwavering support and encouragement. The kind words and well wishes from readers have brought me so much joy during this exciting time in my life.

As I briefly step away from my role as editor to focus on the joys of motherhood, I'll miss the hustle and bustle of our vibrant community. It's been a privilege to work with our talented team to bring you the latest news and insights from our beloved Mackay region. I'm proud of the work we've done together, and I'm confident that we will continue to deliver outstanding content in my absence. Our journalist Sam Gillespie is stepping up to look after the planning of each edition while I’m away, with the support of our Whitsundays-based team.

They say it takes a village, and I’m lucky to be surrounded by a lot of tribes. The staff at Mackay Base Hospital who have been wonderful. My husband and his supportive workplace, who have given him time off at the drop of a hat to attend appointments. My own workplace at Core Publishing who helped me to execute my gender reveal and then threw me a beautiful baby shower, and my parents, who have travelled from New Zealand to be with me for three months.

While I'm filled with mixed emotions and nerves about this new chapter in my life, I'm excited to take on the challenges and joys of parenthood. I can't wait to hold my little one in my arms and start this incredible journey together. And when I return, I'll be eager to re-connect with the community and face the juggle that no doubt will come with being a working mum.

Thank you again for your ongoing support, and I look forward to catching up with you in May when I return.

Amanda

officers

unusual encounter on the Bruce Highway

Mackay over the weekend when they intercepted a unique vehicle from overseas.

The officers stopped a 1974 model Austrian Steyr Puch truck, which was left-hand drive, had six wheels and was imported from Belgium, making it an unusual sight on Australian roads.

Senior Constable Carl Butcher described the interaction as "one of the more unusual intercepts that I have ever made."

The two French nationals who were driving the vehicle were found to have the correct permits and were travelling appropriately on an international registration.

The tourists were more than

happy to chat with the officers and share their stories of their travels around the Mackay and Whitsunday district.

They also allowed the officers to take a photograph of their incredible vehicle, which they had shipped over from Europe for their journey around Australia.

The officers were impressed with the vehicle's unique design and enjoyed the opportunity to inspect it up close.

They appreciated the chance to see a vehicle of this type, which they had never encountered before.

As the tourists continued on their journey, the Mackay Highway Patrol Group wished them safe travels and thanked them for sharing their experience with the officers.

Mackay Highway Patrol Group intercepted a 1974 model Austrian Steyr Puch truck. Photo supplied

Mackay Highway Patrol Group

had an

near

New Bus Helps 2000 Seafarers

Feel “Grass Between Their Toes”

The bustling Ports of Hay Point and Mackay are now operating a little smoother thanks to a new 22-seater bus that provides much-needed transport to an on-shore haven where weary seafarers “can relax and enjoy having their feet on land with the grass between their toes”.

Stella Maris Seafarers Mackay is largely run by volunteers who help provide this special service to over 2000 seafarers each year. “The ports operate 24/7, and so do our volunteers, coming and going in all hours of the day and night,” said Stella Maris Centre Manager Pauline Harris.

“Our bus drivers connect the seafarers with our Centre, providing them with a home away from home”.

Award-Winning Duo Lead The Charge In Keeping The Region Safe

Seafarers Centre is an unassuming, but fully renovated and equipped house.

It includes an onsite bar, currency exchange, tourist souvenir shop, pool table, chapel and most importantly, access to grass.

“You’d be surprised by how many of the seafarers just want somewhere they can relax and enjoy having their feet on land with the grass between their toes,” Ms Harris says. The service also regularly transports crew to the airport when required or to local shopping centres for personal items, and to doctors and health professionals for medical appointments.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) said they are proud to be one of many organisations that have contributed funds towards the purchase of the new bus.

The Mackay region is attracting attention as the Neighbourhood Watch Australiasia's top accolades have been handcuffed to two exceptional locals, highlighting their exemplary service and tireless efforts to keep the community safe. The award-winning duo, Sergeant Nigel Dalton and Gerri Kissner, have certainly proved that they have a rap sheet of success when it comes to promoting social inclusion, community engagement, and empowering people.

Member for Whitsunday

Amanda Camm MP congratulated Queensland Police Sergeant Nigel Dalton, from Mackay, who was awarded the NHWA 2022 Police Commissioner’s Award, and Gerri Kissner, of the Mackay Northern Beaches NHW group, who was awarded the NHWA 2022 Malcolm Grant OAM Volunteer of the Year Award.

“For both recipients to be from our region is an incredible achievement and speaks of the impact they make with their work, and we thank them,” Ms Camm said.

“I understand this is the first time in the history of the NHWA awards that both winners have been selected from the same region, in

the same state, and to me that says that our police and community are working together in a way that is gaining national attention.

“How fortunate are we to have such committed people who are actively making our community safer for everyone.

“A huge thank-you to Nigel and Gerri for their hard work and devotion to our region.” These awards recognise individuals who have actively demonstrated empowering people and communities through the development of effective partnerships that promote safer communities, engagement, and social inclusion.

Mackay Police Sergeant Nigel Dalton, Neighbourhood Watch Mackay Northern Beaches member Gerri Kissner and Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP. Photo supplied: Office of Amanda Camm

Located on Brisbane Street, the Stella Maris

Stella Maris Bus - Stella Maris Centre Manager Pauline Harris with North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) A/Chief Executive Office Belinda Kenny. Photo supplied

Hospital Welcomes New Graduates

LISTING LUCK: PROPERTY SO LD, CAR WON!

“I went with Explore for the service, not for the possibility of potentially winning, but I’m very happy.”

Nine nursing graduates have embarked on their new careers at Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) as the hospital welcomed their fourth intake, taking the total for 2023 to 84.

The graduates completed a week of training this week before they join their specific departments where they will complete 12 months of hands-on learning.

Registered Midwife Ally Bennett completed her Bachelor of Midwifery in December following a career change, recently relocating from Brisbane.

“The hospital facilities are fantastic, really modern,” Ms Bennett said.

“There’s also a dedicated education and research centre so I think that makes a real difference to how you come in as a graduate.”

Ms Bennett previously worked in human resources, making the decision to become a midwife amidst a global pandemic.

“I really think that women and children are a foundation in our community,” she said.

“In my previous roles I worked in male dominated organisations so I worked to attract and retain women.

“If we can give good antenatal care and give women good experiences when they first start their families, that can be life changing.”

Having completed her study, Ms Bennett looks forward to consolidating her skills, particularly in a clinical setting.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the local population as well,” she said.

“From what I hear, it’s really mixed and diverse and that’s what I really enjoy about midwifery.”

Fellow graduate Latisha Chong started as a Registered Nurse last week, completing her study at the James Cook University Mater Clinical Training Centre in Mackay.

“It’s been a long time coming,” she said.

“Three years of full-time study, having a baby in be-

tween, it has felt like a lifetime but definitely excited to be finished and ready to start my new career in healthcare.”

Being a smaller university, Ms Chong said the cohort was smaller than those in bigger cities but tight knit.

“I was able to find a really great support network within my cohort at university,” she said.

“We were able to bounce off each other with ideas and, most importantly, emotional support.”

Ms Chong started her nursing career in the medical ward where she will use and learn a diverse range of skills.

“I really love the complexity of nursing,” she said.

“I love being knowledgeable about the human body and how to treat and manage diseases.

“I really love patient care and working really closely with my patients.”

Mackay HHS Acting Assistant Director of Nursing, Education and Training Paul McAlister said this week’s training was theory-based in a simulated environment, preparing for their year ahead in the workplace.

“When they do go to their workplace, they’re well supported in their early days,” he said.

“They’re responsible and accountable but they’re well supported by the workplace.”

Mr McAlister said the hospital is still working through recruitment challenges.

“It’s a constant challenge and an ongoing process, so certainly at this time of year, we welcome our new graduates and it’s a great opportunity for them to join us,” he said.

“We’re thankful for the cohorts that we’ve been able to achieve and hopefully we can encourage some more recruitment throughout the year.

“It’s a rewarding career.

“It’s a caring vocation and we really instill that in our programs.”

It’s not every day that the sale of your property goes under contract and you win a car on the very same day.

Well, that’s what happened to Kimberley Edwards who sold her property with the assistance of Maxine Richardson at Explore Property and won Explore Property’s Win A Car Competition doing so.

The competition was run between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023, with entrants having to list their property for sale with Explore Property during that time.

“It was a little bit of a laugh when Maxine mentioned the competition when I said that I was going to list my property because I said that I’d never won anything before,” said Kimberley.

With almost 90 entrants, the odds were looking good, but Kimberley still can’t believe her luck.

“I was astounded,” she said.

“I didn’t believe it.

“I had to ask him several times if I’d actually won or not and then had to get Maxine to call me back to confirm that it wasn’t a prank phone call.” Kimberley’s property was under contract and went unconditional the same day that she won the car.

She said her experiences with Maxine and Explore Property were amazing, their industry experience and friendly and approachable nature helping them stand out from the rest.

“I didn’t even look at another real estate agent after I met Maxine,” Kimberley said.

“She was probably one of the nicest and most informative people I’ve met.”

Kimberley picked up her brand new MG3 earlier this week in what was a perfect cherry on top of an already positive experience with Explore Property.

“I went with Explore for the service, not for the possibility of potentially winning, but I’m very happy,” she said.

Kimberley Edwards won a brand new MG3 in Explore Property’s Win A Car Competition

Nine nursing graduates joined Mackay HHS this week

Mackay HHS Acting Assistant Director of Nursing, Education and Training

A SAFE SLEEP FOR THOSE ON THE STREET

Continued from pg 1

John spends his days reading and listening to music, a book about the Knights Templar, his current obsession.

“You’ve got to find somewhere comfortable and cool, which is the library, basically,” he said.

“I spend a lot of time in the library reading, or anywhere that’s comfortable with air conditioning.”

When the sun goes down, John seeks shelter from sporadic late-night downpours and other more sinister threats, because he currently lives on the streets.

“You just pick certain spots where you feel safe and sleep,” he said.

“It’s not a comfortable feeling.

“You’re not living in this world.

“It’s an underground world because there’s such a stigma about being on the street.”

The 70-year-old Mackay local has moved around Australia for most of his life.

He’s a surveyor by trade, has a skipper’s ticket, but spent most of his time in northern New South Wales where he owned a 15-acre bonsai nursery.

“I’ve had a good life,” John reflected.

“I’ve lived in places that have had lifts in them.

“I had peacocks in the backyard and a great big pool.

“I’ve been there and done that and here I am at the other end of the scale.”

John returned to Mackay 20 years ago after his mother had a stroke and has been here since.

A workplace injury has prevented him from working for years and, either way, he said he should be enjoying his retirement.

“It basically comes down to money,” he said.

“I was never able to work again, basically.

“Being on the pension, things go downhill.

“We’re just people and we’ve hit hard times.”

When John learnt of the possibility of a sleepbus in Mackay, he thought the news was great.

“If you can get 20 people off the street that aren’t going to get bashed, knifed, shot, whatever, of a night time … shit like that does happen … if it was coming somewhere, I’d be there, alright,” he said.

“It’s safe, for a start, and it’s a comfortable bed.”

sleepbus provides a safe, temporary overnight accommodation service, getting people off the street by offering an immediate and cost-effective solution for the community’s most vulnerable.

Each sleepbus has up to 20 secure, climate controlled, individual sleep pods with a lockable door and toilet that will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Everyone is looked after with overnight volunteer caretakers and CCTV surveillance as well as under bus storage for belongings, and pets are welcome.

Orange Sky Service Coordinator Lisa Jamieson said sleepbus will not only provide respite for those on the street, but it will also take pressure off support services who are having to turn people away.

“It is so hard to have someone turn up and you know there’s nothing you can do,” she said.

“If we can get some of that short term relief out there … the likes of CASA and St Vinnies have the opportunity to prioritise.”

Safe Sleep Mackay are currently in the process of raising the $100,000 required to build a sleepbus.

The organisation is welcoming community donations, applying for grants and asking for the assistance of local businesses, with corporate sponsorship models available.

“It really needs to be a community solution to the problem we’re seeing at the moment,” said Ms Jamieson.

“This is an investment in Mackay’s future,” agreed Kayleigh Brewster, Australian Street Aid Project CEO.

“Homelessness can happen to anyone at any time.

“Having that security and that back up for the entire region can put a lot of people’s minds at ease.”

There are currently sleepbuses operating in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Maroochydore, Redcliffe, Byron Bay, Sydney and Ballarat. sleepbus Founder Simon Rowe conceptualised the initiative after an interaction

with a man sleeping rough who looked “tired to his very core”.

“I design and build sleepbus vehicles to help keep people safe and healthy, and to provide Government and agencies tasked with assisting people with finding their pathway out of homelessness time to do so,” Mr Rowe said.

“sleepbus should not exist.

“We can do better than this.

“However, for now, we don’t have an abundance of affordable housing; more people become homeless by the day in our country alone; so sleepbus will do its part in providing a safe place to sleep until such time as it’s no longer required.”

Ms Jamieson admitted that sleepbus is not a long-term solution.

“There’s always going to be a sector of the community that we’re never going to have enough to cater for,” she said.

“It’s a long-term need, but we need a shortterm fix to get us over this crisis that we’re in at the moment.”

To find out more, visit Safe Sleep Mackay on Facebook or scan the QR code.

sleepbus Founder Simon Rowe sleepbuses have been tried and tested in other regions around Australia. Photos supplied

2022 Gold

Wildcat Wins Gold At National Awards

Anew tourism business, showcasing Mackay in a way that it has never been before is making waves not just regionally, but now on a national scale, having won Best New Tourism Business in the country at the Qantas Australia Tourism Awards held in Sydney on Friday night.

Wildcat Mackay is now in its second year of operation, offering guests daily experiences to previously inaccessible Great Barrier Reef islands off the Mackay coast, on a purpose-built vessel, custom-designed from extensive research.

The business was launched in the midst of Covid, making its success even more incredible.

Owners, Julie and Asher Telford are familiar with conquering adversity, having operated Wildcat’s award-winning sister company, Red Cat Adventures in the Whitsundays for the past 10 years.

Despite their achievements with Red Cat Adventures, the couple say that they were surprised to receive gold and deeply humbled to be selected for such a prestigious award.

Julie Telford said for a business launched at the height of the pandemic, Wildcat had not only met but exceeded expectations, virtually against all odds.

“To say the cards were stacked against us would be an understatement, so to be recognised as Australia’s best new tourism business is testament to the innovation and

tenacity involved, and proof of our ability to design and develop new tourism experiences that people want,” she said.

“We put everything we had into this – emotionally, physically, financially – but it was a calculated risk that paid off; we promise our customers the experience of a lifetime, and awards like this confirm that’s what we deliver.”

Every element of Wildcat Mackay is conceived from scratch – from the boat design to the tour itself and when Asher Telford scoped out a coastline with a reputation for shallow approaches and steep seas, he quickly discovered there was a reason not many operators had offered day trips.

“But after completing significant data analysis and aerial surveillance we knew we’d found paradise and were determined to showcase it,” he said.

“Working with a team of leading naval architects, we were able to come up with a hull design specifically suited to the waters where we wanted to operate, with features like reverse bows, angled surfaces, easy-access fore and aft electric stairs, and a 360-degree rooftop viewing platform, that are every bit as practical as they are striking.”

Wildcat employ eight staff and departs daily from Mackay Marina.

In under two years, the business has already expanded to include weekend sunset cruises around the Mackay Harbour, as well as

Queensland Shines At National Tourism Awards

Atotal of 16 Queensland businesses won awards at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards over the weekend, representing the highest total since 2018 and the largest of any state in the country.

A quarter of this total was won by Mackay and Whitsunday tourism operators, including Wildcat Mackay who won Best New Tourism Business, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort who won gold for Best Caravan and Holiday Parks, Ocean Rafting who won silver in Adventure Tourism and Magnums Accommodation received bronze for Best 3-3.5 star Accommodation.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said

this confirms Queensland as Australia’s leading visitor destination.

“Queensland has literally scooped the pool at the Australian Tourism Awards,” he said.

“Congratulations to all Queensland Awards winners and finalists on an absolutely magnificent result.

“I want to thank Queensland tourism operators and their communities for their hard work and commitment to building back better and delivering truly outstanding Queensland visitor experiences.

“The resilience, commitment to success and creativity of Queensland tourism businesses really is second to none.”

offering immersive learning tours, curriculum-linked school excursions, school-age Coxswain training and private charters.

Mackay Isaac Tourism Chief Executive Officer, Al Grundy, said whatever the outcome had been at Saturday’s awards, he sees Wildcat as a winning experience.

“In our eyes Wildcat were already winners as the trips they provide exploring the islands and reefs off the Mackay coast are worldclass,” he said.

The support for our region from Asher and Julie Telford is helping to establish Mackay as a jumping-off point to visit the islands of the Great Barrier Reef – so go get ‘em Jules, Ash and the Wildcat team, and thank you.”

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO TOP AUSTRA LIAN TOURISM?

A clear vision that also involves in-depth research, innovation and development. A focus on the community, accessibility and a genuine passion towards protecting the environment. We also believe in maintaining our integrity within a business. We stick to our purpose: to make sure everyone who travels with us has the best experience and deliver on it.

It also takes a lot of hard work and dedication from everyone involved. A business is only as strong as the people in it, and winning awards acknowledges their commitment and passion for Wildcat.

Left to right: Asher and Julie Telford with Operations Manager Dan Gabbert

The business has achieved the highest level of ECO accreditation and is a Climate Action Leader Wildcat Mackay offers unique experiences in nature

MHAODS Peer Workforce Team Now A Permanent Fixture

Meet Kerri, Deb, Cat and Helen - the colourful crew at the heart of a new workforce initiative at Mackay Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Service (MHAODS).

They are four of the seven workers who make up our MHAODS peer workforce –people who know all too well what it means to battle mental health issues or problematic substance use challenges and come through it.

They are now ready to walk alongside others to help them manage those difficult journeys.

Team leader Deb explains the concept she is passionate about.

“Peer workers have lived with mental health or problematic substance use challenges and worked through recovery,” Deb said.

“With that experience and understanding they are able to come alongside others and support them on their recovery journey.

“We’ve all got our different strengths, knowledge, skills and experiences of different issues – and we all come to work bearing our difficult past.

“We are now here to stand beside our clients and support people and ride alongside them.”

Following a 12-month pilot program in 2021-22, the permanent peer workforce team has now been established and is operating out of MHAODS in Nelson Street.

Peer worker Kerri said their task was to build

relationships, rapport and provide support.

“We relate and empathise, let them know their rights,” Kerri said.

“We are connecting on that level, of having a lived experience.

“We want to build their resilience, alleviate stress, find things they relate to and we have knowledge of the mental health system and resources out in the community.

“We work closely with clinical teams, so we’re a link between the two.”

Cat loves the collaborative team environ-

ment.

“There’s great collaboration in the team, and the focus is on our clients and their support people,” Cat said.

“We work on mutual respect; we don’t tell people what to do or how to do it.

“Everyone knows why they’re here and the client voice is present in everything.”

It is a role that can be challenging.

Helen is the newest member of the team and will fill the role of a carer peer worker – caring for the carers.

“What this service offers is what I needed when I was supporting someone with mental health challenges,” Helen said.

“The team is so welcoming here and they offer brilliant support.

“We all get supported in here too because I can’t help anybody if I’m not in a good place myself.”

To find out more about our mental health peer workforce team, phone 4968 3893. For 24/7 mental health support phone 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55).

Port Helps University Students Engineer Their Future

NQBP Engineer Daniel Harris and Graduate Engineer Khine Htet are encouraging aspiring engineers to build their career at the Port of Mackay

Local engineering students are being offered a world of opportunities thanks to the launch of North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation’s (NQBP) 2023 Internship Program.

Applications are now open for the Port of Mackay-based program, which offers a valuable career-building opportunity to a third-year undergraduate student enrolled in a civil engineering degree.

NQBP Acting Chief Executive Officer Belinda Kenny said the successful applicant will work in an organisation that plays a

vital role in Queensland’s economy.

“NQBP is one of Australia's largest port authorities by tonnage throughput, with around half of Queensland's trade by tonnage passing through our ports,” Ms Kenny said.

"Ports are crucial, handling around 90 per cent of global trade and the work our people do makes a meaningful contribution.

"Through our ports, we connect regional Queensland to the world and working with us provides the chance to gain invaluable experience on exciting projects that

can take you anywhere."

The 2023 program will help one aspiring engineer gain hands-on experience in a port trade environment.

“Our internship program is an opportunity to learn about the complex engineering systems and operations that keep ports running safely and efficiently,” Ms Kenny said.

"The engineering field is highly competitive, and our internship allows you to earn while you learn and have a truly unique experience.

“The program is part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of industry professionals and supporting them in achieving their goals.”

The paid internship program will run from June 2023 to March 2024. To apply for the Student Internship Program, please visit the NQBP website or contact hr@nqbp. com.au before 16 April 2023.

NQBP is a Queensland Government-owned corporation responsible for the ports of Mackay, Abbot Point, Hay Point, and Weipa in far north Queensland.

MHAODS peer workforce Kerri, Deb, Cat and Helen. Photo supplied: Mackay Hospital and Health Services

Star’s School Of The Year Announced

Keswick Island Recommendations Welcomed

Findings and recommendations have been delivered following the Inquiry into the economic and regulatory frameworks for Queensland island resorts which was tabled to the Queensland Parliament on Friday.

The recommendations state that developers and head lessees who fail to fulfil their lease conditions should have their leases cancelled.

“We resolved to hold an inquiry into Great Barrier Reef island resorts after becoming aware that the story of failed development is not just about the abandoned and damaged infrastructure that litters some of our coastal islands, but also about the impact that such development (or lack of) has on the right of everyone to access, recreate and enjoy these amazing natural spaces,” wrote committee Chair Shane King MP. Keswick Island, 34km northeast of Mackay, was one island in question and hosted the public hearing in August 2022.

“The sub-lessees of Keswick Island are residents of that place, and deserve to have the level of amenity that was promised to them

when they originally agreed to purchase their Keswick blocks,” the report reads.

“This amenity should extend not only to basic services and infrastructure, but also to their ability to deal with their interest in land in a way that suits them – whether that be constructing a residence or selling their block.”

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, who has been involved in the progress of Keswick Island since her days as Deputy Mayor of Mackay Regional Council, welcomed the recommendations.

“It’s good to finally see a spotlight has been shone on Queensland islands, and in particular the Whitsunday islands, with a raft of recommendations to support sustainable island development for years to come,” Ms Camm said.

Ms Camm said these changes would ensure that leaseholders of islands could not sit dormant on their promises of development.

“It ensures owners and the people of Queensland get to experience the return on investment into Queensland’s beautiful islands that they deserve.”

Scotty and Kaley surprised students at Glenella State School at their Monday morning assembly, crowning the school as the station’s inaugural School of the Year and handing over the $10,000 prize.

The competition was judged on the most votes received, the creativity of responses and the intended use of the prize money, with Glenella State School hoping to spend the money on sound gear and smoke machines for discos.

“We are thrilled that a school like Glenella State could take out the first ever $10,000 Star School of the Year,” said Star’s Scotty and Kaley.

“It was a gruelling judging process but in the end Glenella won out with their creativity on how they wanted to spend the money and the public outpouring for them meant that, while they weren’t the biggest school in our top 5, they did end up with the most votes!”

“Thank you so much to Richglen Maintenance Services for making it all happen.”

Earlier in the month, Glenella State School was forced to close following significant vandalism making parts of the campus unusable and forcing hundreds of students to temporarily relocate their studies to nearby Mackay West State School.

School Principal Brett Di Boni said the competition came at a perfect time after what the school has been through.

“This is really great for our school,” he told Scotty and Kaley.

“The silver lining in everything we’ve experienced in the last week is what a great community we’re a part of.

“It’s been great and that’s been further reinforced here.”

Glenella State School was shortlisted alongside four other finalists including St Catherine’s Catholic College, Homebush State School, Seaforth State School and Eimeo

Glenella State School students were in raptures when Scotty and Kaley crashed their assembly to crown them School of the Year. Photos supplied: Star

After a week of live broadcasts from schools throughout the region, Star Mackay has announced their School of the Year for 2023.

SOMETHING FISHY IN THE PIONEER RIVER Sugar Efforts Awarded Following Busy 2022 Crush

Underwater video monitoring of Fish Habitat Reef Modules in the Pioneer River. Image: Catchment Solutions

Recent underwater video monitoring surveys show Fish Habitat Reef Modules in the Pioneer River are now thriving.

An amazing 22 fish species have been recorded using the new Habitat Reefs which were deployed in 2021 by Mackay Regional Council.

All up, 45 Habitat Reef Modules were deployed at the base of three easily accessible fishing platforms on Bridge Road, Brisbane Street and Carlyle Street.

Matt Moore, Fisheries Ecologist with Catchment Solutions said recording 22 species on these reefs was a fantastic result and represented substantial increase compared to pre-deployment surveys.

“Monitoring results demonstrate the reef design and project have been a huge success, both in terms of increasing populations of iconic recreational fishing species at the sites, like barramundi, mangrove jack and fingermark, and providing habitat for juvenile fish species,” Mr Moore said.

Mr Moore said the most encouraging results had been the high numbers of juvenile fish species utilising the reef modules as nursery habitats.

“Fish typically have millions of eggs and larvae, but most of these are eaten by predators,” he said.

“A great way to increase fish populations is to provide nursery habitats for these baby fish, allowing them to shelter from predators.”

Busy fish nurseries also get a big thumbs up from recreational fishers. John Bennet from Mackay Recreational Fishing Association (MRFA) said they fully supported sensible and practical ways to improve fisheries management.

“It’s fantastic to turn desert landscapes into productive fisheries by protecting juvenile fish. If there is no habitat, then there are no juvenile fish.”

Some of the more iconic fish species spotted during the video surveys include barramundi, golden snapper (fingermark), mangrove jack, barred grunter, estuary cod and trevally.

Catches of large barramundi and barred grunter from the fishing platforms have also been reported by young and old fishers alike.

In addition to the recreational fishing species, the reef modules also provide habitats for fish species that feed on algae, such as rabbitfish, red scats, mullet and small-bodied wrasse.

Mr Moore said that these ecosystem engineers are vital for maintaining healthy habitats in Great Barrier Reef waters, as they feed on fast-growing algae, which often outcompetes slower-growing corals and molluscs.

Chair of council’s Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee Cr Belinda Hassan said it was amazing to see the results of the video surveys.

“Seeing just how much these innovative concrete structures have transformed into healthy marine ecosystems in a relatively short time is really exciting,” Cr Hassan said.

“Council is really pleased to see the platforms being used by so many anglers, as well as local Mackay schools for outdoor curricular activities.”

The innovative Habitat Reef Modules were designed by Catchment Solutions to provide complex vertical relief structures for a wide range of fish species and encrusting marine organisms.

More than 300 people attended the event at Mackay Turf Club to help recognise the key achievements and exceptional performance from the 2022 crushing season, across productivity areas such as crop yield, efficiency, innovation and sustainability.

The annual Productivity Awards highlight the importance of sugar cane farming on the local economy as well as the hard work, dedication and innovation of local growers in the sugar industry across eight categories, with the following people being named the 2023 winners:

• Brett Minchianski – Brown & Hurley Harvesting Group Award >40,000t

• Anthony Agius – RDO Equipment Harvesting Group Award <40,000t

• Andrew Vassallo – Canegrowers Sustainable Management Practices Award

• Ross Windsor – AgForce Research Excellence Awards

• Albert Deboni – Farmacist Innovation and Technology Award

• Paul Schembri Junior – NQ Farmshed Promising Contributor Award

• Maryann Nielsen – Mackay Sugar Lifetime Achievement Award

As well as the winners of the Highest Tonnes of Sugar per Hectare award:

• Steve Russell (Farleigh region)

• Adrian Zarb (Marian region)

• Shane Mau (Racecourse region)

Photos supplied: Mackay Sugar

Local growers, harvesters and industry stakeholders gathered last Friday night for the 2023 Mackay Sugar Productivity Awards.

Time To Resolve Sugar Terminals Issue

CANEGROWERS is calling on the owners and opera tors of Queensland’s bulk sugar terminals to put aside their differences and come together to find a long-term solution to the operation of these strategically significant industry assets.

Representatives from Sugar Terminals Limited (STL) and Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) fronted grower-leaders at the CANEGROWERS Policy Coun cil meeting in Brisbane this week, to explain why terminal operations have suddenly become one of the most contentious issues facing the industry.

Queensland’s sugarcane farmers funded two-thirds of the construction costs of six purpose-built bulk sugar terminals between Cairns and Bundaberg in 1950s and 60s.

For decades these terminals have been operated safely and successfully by QSL as a not-for-profit enterprise, handling around 4 million tonnes of sugar exports annually.

However, despite having no hands-on experience in the operation of sugar terminals, in January STL, the owner of the assets, announced its intention to wind up the commercial agreement with QSL and insource terminal operations.

CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said growers are concerned the decision poses unnecessary risks to Australia’s international reputation as a reliable supplier of high quality, sustainably produced sugar.

“These terminals are a huge asset to the industry,” Mr Menkens said. “They give us a significant competitive advantage in the world market and their efficient, effective and safe operation as a service to the industry is paramount.

“Growers were the major investors in these facilities, so, we’re not about to sit quietly back and see that legacy risked in any way because these organisations are unable to agree what’s actually in the best interests of the industry,” Mr Menkens said.

How To Train Your Working Dog

The importance of the more than 270,000 stock-herding dogs across rural Australia to the country’s farmers and property owners cannot be underestimated – and Clermont musterer Frank Finger knows it.

The winner of ABC's Muster Dog program has been training working dogs for over 20 years on his property in the Isaac and is now using his platform to share his tips with farmers across Australia.

Frank said farmers are “well aware that a well-trained dog provides benefits to a farm well beyond its sale price”, which is why he’s always preferred training dogs from puppyhood.

they’re working, they can become accustomed to it and come to expect it too much later on.”

Frank said to “think small” when training a small pup: incorporate small livestock such as goats or even ducks, train in short periods, and don’t overwhelm the little nippers.

“Training time and size of livestock can increase over time as the dogs grow,” he said.

“Once the dog is nine months of age, we increase the cattle size and the number of them in the yard.”

Both parties need to come together and resolve their operational issues in an orderly way. The grower-led CANEGROWERS Policy Council affirmed that growers want to be assured that:

• terminals will be operated without increased costs while ensuring efficiency and reliability

• there is a forward operating strategy and business plan in place for the terminals

• terminal operations will always prioritise sugar access

• pricing and access arrangements will continue to be on an equitable basis for all customers

“The bottom line is these terminals have operated very well under QSL,” Mr Menkens said.

“And the fact that QSL is an industry-owned, not for profit organisation has given growers confidence that these assets are being managed in the best interests of the industry.

“It is now up to STL to demonstrate to growers that they can do a similar or better job, possibly at lower cost. But we have yet to be convinced of that.

“If there is a better operating model then surely STL and QSL as two organisations that should be thinking in the best interests of the industry should resolve the situation in a professional manner.

“CANEGROWERS will continue to fight to ensure this issue is resolved in an acceptable way as soon as possible.”

“[You must] start small in all facets of a dog’s training,” he said.

“The initial training is all about showing them what to do until their instincts come out.”

From birth, Frank said it is essential to nurture working dog pups through their early weeks and work with them at nine weeks in short bursts of training.

“As small and cute as they are, it’s important to bond with them,” Frank said. “But not too much until they are working.”

“If too much bonding occurs before

Frank said notes that one often overlooked aspect of training working dogs is that a dog's line of sight extends no higher than a trainer's knee when nearby - this is especially true for pups.

“Remembering the dogs’ eye level when training them is important,” said Frank.

“This is why we use a plastic garden rake to act as an extension of our arm and ensure we’re in their line of sight. The rake is also used as an indicator to get the dogs to stay next to the trainer and not move in front.”

And most importantly, Frank said that simple commands are the key to success.

CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens

Frank Finger, winner of the ABC’s Muster Dog program, has been training working dogs for over 20 years on his Clermont, Queensland property and shares his top tips

FROM SARINA TO THE ISLANDS

Rescue Crew Kept On Their Toes

RACQ CQ Rescue experienced another busy weekend last weekend, airlifting a man from Sarina after a drug overdose on Saturday and a woman from Cockermouth Island with a dislocated knee on Sunday.

The Mackay-based helicopter has completed five missions since Friday.

Early Saturday morning, Queensland Health tasked the service to transport a patient from Bowen to hospital in Mackay.

Later the same day, RACQ CQ Rescue was

tasked again by Queensland Health to fly 30km south to land near the showgrounds at Sarina to airlift a critically ill patient.

A 27-year-old North Mackay man who suffered a drug overdose and was initially taken to Sarina Hospital, required emergency treatment by paramedics and the flight doctor before being flown to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious condition about 6pm.

Later Saturday night, a patient from Collinsville hospital was transported by heli-

Mackay Hosts First Regional Community Forum Of 2023

Regional infrastructure, renewable energy and workforce attraction were in focus as the members of the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Community Forum gathered in Mackay on Monday, chaired by Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert.

“It is fantastic to gather for the first Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Community Forum of the year, and to continue the important work to create a brighter future by discussing priorities for the region,” Ms Gilbert said.

“I thank the Forum members for their amazing support and advice.”

Forum members visited key projects in the region, including the Queensland University of Technology – Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant which is engaged in pioneering research converting biomass into biofuels, green chemicals and other bioproducts.

The Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency

Services Mark Ryan and the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs Meaghan Scanlon were also in attendance.

Since 2015, the state government has invested approximately $1.5 billion in the region to create about 1 gigawatt of largescale renewable energy, supporting approximately 1,400 construction jobs.

More than $7 billion of additional clean energy infrastructure investment is forecast for the region by 2040.

The vast cane fields and mountain range surrounding Mackay will be a source of innovations in biofuels while playing home to the largest pumped hydro energy storage scheme in the world.

“The Queensland Government has set

copter to Mackay after suffering pelvic and spinal injuries after rolling a ute.

On Sunday morning, the Mackay-based helicopter was tasked to Cockermouth Island, about 50km north-east of Mackay.

A woman on board a tourist vessel visiting the island was paddleboarding in the lagoon when she seriously dislocated her knee.

RACQ CQ Rescue was tasked by Queensland Health about 11:30am and the helicopter landed on the island’s beach

so the medical team, including a doctor and Critical Care Paramedic, could treat the woman and deliver pain relief. She was then airlifted for further treatment at Mackay Base Hospital.

It was an early start for the crew again on Monday morning after being tasked at 3:00am by Queensland Health to transfer a hospital patient from Clermont to Mackay in a four-hour mission.

RACQ CQ Rescue has already completed 141 missions so far this year.

aside $273.5 million to support exploration of the Pioneer-Burdekin and Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage projects,” said Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs Meaghan Scanlon.

“Community engagement and environmental and cultural considerations are central to this work, which is why the Forum is so important to this region.”

The Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro scheme was announced in September last year as part of the government’s

Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is helping to power this region,” said Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan.

“The Plan will support workforce transition and galvanise the recruitment of workers from across Australia.”

This was the first meeting of the Forum members in 2023, with three more Regional Community Forums scheduled throughout the year.

The RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter transported patients from Sarina and Cockermouth Island over the weekend. Images supplied.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert chaired the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Community Forum earlier this week where renewable energy was a top priority. Photo supplied

POINT

It always makes me laugh when I see two dogs walking on a footpath, unaccompanied by a human, alongside a suburban street.

They move along on a good trot, with a sense of purpose, as though they know exactly what they’re doing and where they’re going.

I saw a couple of dogs the other day walking briskly along the footpath alongside Paradise St in South Mackay.

One dog was slightly ahead of the other one, leading the way, and that’s usually the case in these dual-dog escapades.

The one in front is the leader and shows the way with a confident stride, looking straight ahead undistracted by cars, humans, those other dogs pathetically barking from behind their fenced suburban prisons and ignoring anything that could divert them from their mission. Whatever that is.

The dog that is following the leader does so with blind allegiance, confident that the boss knows exactly what he or she is doing and where they’re going.

The mission is, of course, a sham and a futile exercise that will achieve nothing and possibly end up in disaster.

The whole image reminds me of what can be a very unfortunate real estate experience … that is if you’re the seller and the agent doesn’t really know what they’re doing.

I’ve got to stress there are plenty of good agents

David Fisher

out there but there are some who are not and if you manage to land one of them, well, it’s you and the agent making your way along Paradise St with the agent up ahead pretending he or she knows what they’re doing.

That’s you following along, initially believing the agent is all over it but after a while realising there’s no real direction, no serious engagement with buyers and that the whole exercise seems to be going nowhere.

It seemed so promising at the start. The agent was cheaper that the others. Commission was lower, marketing was a bargain compared to the expense of a premiere listing on realestate.com.au that some agents were suggesting along with a social media strategy and professional photos.

Now when you look at that crappy advertising write-up you see it doesn’t in any way convey the desirable attributes of your property and make any connection with potential buyers, you note the lack of offers, the poor attendance at open homes, the fact other agents at the agency aren’t bringing buyers to the table.

You see the opportunity is gone. You realise there is only one chance to make a first impression. You know you’re not going to get the best price the market will pay. You now understand that all agents are not the same.

I imagine there are cheap mechanics, cheap painters, cheap plumbers, cheap accountants and probably cheap surgeons. I don’t use any of them because they’re cheap for a reason. And it’s not a good reason.

Gardian Real Estate Sales Agent

0408 672 703

David@gardian.com.au

It happened for me just a week or two ago with my cricket team in here in Mackay, Pinnacle, when we won the 3rd grade competition. The night before, there was a huge crowd in the stand for the Party in the Park and the 1st Grade Final, and just a few less for us the next day at Great Barrier Reef Arena. Well, let’s be honest, there was five, five people in the stand, and two of those were kids who wanted to go home.

It was a cracker of a game with Pinnacle Vs Souths, and we won with only 3 balls spare and no wickets left. For the non-cricket people, that means it was very close and we nearly lost.

Now normally with 3rd grade, we play on the “outer grounds” at Harrup Park, at Mirani High, at Magpies and a few other grounds, so for us to get a game at Great Barrier Reef Arena was pretty cool.

The win was great, the celebrations were good

TACKLING HOMELESSNESS IN MACKAY

Irecently had the privilege of spending time in the company of a remarkable young woman, Kayleigh Brewster, of Australian Street Aid Project, a registered charity based here in Mackay.

Her genuine care and compassion for the 40 to 60 homeless that visit her and her volunteer staff at Chances Café daily ensures they are provided with two meals per day in a safe and secure environment. Chances Café is the closest thing to a home environment they have, where they can have a sense of belonging, companionship, and acceptance with no judgement.

When I asked Kayleigh her ‘Why’, her response was “It gives me a sense of purpose and I have a genuine passion for making a difference to peoples lives”. “There’s always

a story behind every person that comes here and quite often they come from a place of trauma, and you don’t fix trauma by giving up on them”.

Her charity will benefit from funds raised at the Mayors Charity Ball in May and will hopefully allow her to employ a part-time registered nurse to administer basic first aid for those that need it.

Her ultimate goal is to convert the second-hand shop based at 1/7 Victoria Street into a Drop in Lounge, a “Place To Be”, fitted out with comfy sofas, bean bags, TV, computers and charge facility for phones. Basics we take for granted yet will do so much for the mental and physical welfare of our homeless.

Unfortunately, homelessness is on the

rise and Kayleigh is seeing more people having to utilise their services. There are not enough shelter beds in our region and people are forced to squat, rough sleep and sleep in vehicles.

This charity receives no government funding, but YOU can help make a big difference. Become a Charity Champion by visiting www.austreetaid.org where you can donate as little as $8 (or more) per week and help improve the lives of our homeless.

They may not have a big fancy space, or a lot of funding, but they have big compassionate hearts. Donate today!

and went well into the night, and morning for some in my team, but there was another highlight for me.

My 12-year-old son loves his cricket. He takes a bat and ball to all my games so he can smash it around the spare grounds at Harrup Park. Our final on the Sunday was the final game of cricket for the 22-23 season in Mackay, and now GBRA gets tweaked into an AFL set up, so the pristine cricket pitch that was used for 1st and 3rd grade finals had done its job for the year.

With no official cricket left, my boy and I went out to the middle and played some father son cricket together. A cricket ground that gets used for WBBL, international matches (Australia Vs India women’s), Sheffield Shield … and me and my son. It was a pretty cool thing to do after out grand final win on that beautiful ground, perfect lawn and centre wicket.

Scotty

How good is it winning a grand final with your team

With increasing environmental concerns, many individuals and governments are turning to electric vehicles (EVs) as a cleaner and more sustainable mode of transportation. EVs offer lower operating costs, quieter driving experiences and improved performance, seeing them rapidly gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional cars. It's clear that EVs are poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the automotive industry and Volt Car Rentals has become Mackay’s first and only car rental company offering a range of EVs.

Business owner Scott Hession grew up with a passion for cars, saying it runs in his blood.

“I started as an apprentice in 2007,” he said. “Right out of school, I was eager to start learning and have continued carving my entire career around the automotive industry.”

Scott grew up in Tasmania, leaving the island state in 2011 after visiting family who had recently relocated to Mackay. With two bags and $350 in his account, he moved north and never looked back. Scott and his partner Casey, who are about to celebrate 12 years together, bought Torrisi’s Garage in 2016 where Scott put his expertise to the test. Having since completed certificates and short courses in mechanical, automotive sales and repair, his unique range of knowledge has been gained from hands-on experience throughout his automotive career.

A pair who are always keen for the next thing in automotive, Scott and Casey ordered their first EV, a red Volvo XC40. Eagerly awaiting the new Volvo, they took the opportunity to rent a Tesla Model 3 while on holiday in Cairns in October 2021 to see what it would be like to live with an EV. They were clearly impressed, ordering their second EV for the

start of Volt Car Rentals soon after. Having driven their XC40 around the Mackay and Whitsunday regions to test its range, they decided it was time to order more vehicles for their rental fleet, with the Tesla Model 3 arriving in August 2022.

“We offer predominately electric vehicles for customers to rent, ranging from 24 hours to as long as they would like,” said Scott.

“We cover the cost of charging the vehicle at any Chargefox Charging station, unlimited kilometres, premium connectivity for Spotify, Netflix etc, maps are the latest and up to date.

In an industry of innovation, Scott and the team are always up for new challenges.

“We are always looking ahead in the future to keep up with the latest technology,” said Scott.

Premium Vehicles, Premium Experience Mackay’s Sleep Apnoea Specialists

We all know every day should start with a good night and restorative sleep. For those with snoring and apnea issues that might be getting in the way, CPAP Direct is here to help.

With a new store now open in Mackay, CPAP Direct Mackay are the sleep apnea specialists, specialising in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and related products to treat chronic snoring, sleep apnea and other related conditions. The family owned and independently operated business provides sleep testing, treatment and on- going support for those that suffer from snoring issues (and their partners), to ensure you get the most out of the third of your life you spend in bed.

“We pride ourselves on providing a wide range of cost-effective treatment options, whilst delivering a 5-star patient care experience from sleep diagnostics through

to treatment,” said local Store Manager Kiera Smith.

After years of studying and working as a cleaner, Kiera, who is Mackay born and bred, jumped at the opportunity to learn something new, pursuing a career as a sleep technologist.

“Throughout the years I have had the opportunity to work with a few businesses in Mackay and learnt a lot about sleep, diagnosing sleep apnea and CPAP therapy,” she said.

“Last year I was given the opportunity of a lifetime, managing the new CPAP Direct store in Mackay.”

She brings over six years of sleep industry experience to the role as well as reliability, commitment and dedication to helping all patients get the most out of therapy.

“I am honest, polite, respectful and fair to others and will always go above and beyond to help and support my staff, customers

and members of the CPAP Direct family,” she said.

CPAP Direct nationally has a unique work culture that values family and community.

As a family-owned business, the company extends its values to its employees, treating them as part of the family.

The team at CPAP Direct is committed to helping customers find the right treatment options that are affordable, effective and include ongoing support.

Outside of her CPAP Direct family, Kiera has been with her partner Matt for 24 years, married for 15, and together they have three beautiful daughters and one handsome grandson.

Kiera’s family is a wide-reaching one, as her

“We try out all of the tech before introducing it into our business to ensure ease of use and the best quality products are available for our customers.”

The family-owned and operated business facilitates a LGBTIQ+ friendly environment and a relaxed, safe and supportive atmosphere for customers and staff. The cando attitude of Volt Car Rentals is apparent through their dedication to quality service and customer satisfaction.

“We pride ourselves in showing our customers through the vehicle and how everything works and if there are any questions during the rental we can be contacted at any time,” Scott said.

“We offer a true premium experience.” Find Volt Car Rentals at 39 Macalister St, Mackay, email info@voltcarrentals.com.au or phone 0408 701 644.

and Matt have been foster carers for 13 years, opening their home to many wonderful children throughout that time. With hobbies such as sewing, crocheting and renovating, Kiera always finds the time to relax outside of work, allowing her to focus on delivering utmost customer care.

Leading from the front, Kiera will always have time for her CPAP Direct customers, with no problem being too big or small. She is up for a friendly chat, so visit Kiera and the CPAP Direct team at the Big Bear shopping centre at 2 Ungerer St, North Mackay today, call 4863 4767 or visit cpap. com.au

Scott Hession showcasing some of the electric vehicles available to rent, a first for Mackay. Photo supplied.

Meet The Dancers Part 2

Renae Kunst Queensland Rugby League

Why did you get involved in Dancing with Heart?

The lovely Brenda from the Mackay Hospital foundation reached out to me to assist although she may have failed to mention I would be dancing after already agreeing. How could I say no when it goes to such a great cause.

How have your dance lessons with Dolly been?

Dolly is such a gem human being and so patient. I am hopeless but she keeps me laughing (actually I think this is the other way around)

What song gets you on the dance floor faster than any other?

This is the thing; I have never been the dancing type so I am well out of my comfort zone

What is your go to dance move?

I have always had a huge appreciation for the athleticism on display from dances, unfortunately none of these skills pertain to me.

What are you expecting from everyone else’s dance moves on the night?

I have meant this wonderful bunch of people and I am sure they will put their best foot forward. It will be a fun and eventful night that will contribute to the wonderful work the organisation does.

Mackay Hospital Foundation is well-known for signature events that bring the community together, and Dancing With Heart is no different.

On Friday March 31, eight local identities will take to the dance floor to showcase their individual dance styles in support of

Tegan Jones Dysart Hospital

Why did you get involved in Dancing with Heart?

I am the Business Manager at the Dysart Hospital and the health and wellbeing of our community, especially our kids, is very important to me. I am the boots on the ground seeing the work that our clinical and support staff do to provide a service to our patients. We are working really hard to continuously improve, there are always new ways to support patients and families in their journey through the health system. Of course, everything costs money, so having the Hospital Foundation behind us to support equipment purchases and facility upgrades to improve the experience of patients at our facility is amazing!

How have your dance lessons with Dolly been?

Well, I can't dance so it's not going well honestly. My first lesson with Dolly is actually on Monday, so I feel very sorry for her!

What song gets you on the dance floor faster than any other?

As they say out here in Dysart, there are only two types of music, Country and Western. But I also enjoy heavy metal and the boys from Booyah did get me into Hooligan Hefs.

What is your go to dance move?

My go-to dance move is definitely the two step, however my line manager did show me

Paul Manttan Mackay West State School

Why did you get involved in Dancing with Heart?

As Principal of a local primary school, I know all too well about the important role of Mackay Hospital Foundation and their support of patients and families, particularly kids.

How have your dance lessons with Dolly been?

Dolly is a superstar taking on the challenge of teaching me to follow some dance moves. She’s a very patient lady and I can only hope I do her proud on the night of Dancing with Heart. I think the dance is coming along quite well, others may not agree…. Whatever the case, it will be very entertaining I’m sure.

What song gets you on the dance floor faster than any other?

I can’t go past “Low” for Flo Rida. What is your go to dance move?

The sprinkler is definitely my favourite. Sometimes the shopping trolley comes out

our local hospitals.

Each dancer has been working with Dolly Louw from Fame Talent School to fine tune their skills on the dance floor, with each dance choreographed especially for the individual performer.

Read on to meet three more dancers.

a move called the shopping trolley last week so I will have to practice that one. What are you expecting from everyone else’s dance moves on the night?

Well, I have heard that Cathy has already had 5 lessons, and Bing just opened a karaoke bar, so he has his own practice space. It's going to be such a great night.

I am flying the flag for the rural health services, from Prossie, Bowen, Collinsville, Sarina, Moranbah, Clermont, Middlemount and of course through to Dysart. We are all supported by the Mackay Hospital Foundation so get behind your local hospital by donating today!

after a few cordials!

What are you expecting from everyone else’s dance moves on the night?

I’m expecting that all the dancers will be well rehearsed and pumped for the night by the time 31st March comes around. I’m sure we’re going to see some personality coming out in the dances as the night rolls on.

Don’t forget to grab next week’s paper for the final profiles.

Mackay’s newest sporting arena, Great Barrier Reef Arena, was opened in emphatic style last Saturday at Harrup Park’s Party in the Park. With live music from Wild Sky and Graeme Connors, amusement rides, activities, fireworks and the DBCT Poole Cup Cricket final, it was impossible not to get excited.

Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

GARDIAN MAKES MARCH PURPLE

New Star Trek Chapter USS Pacifica Opens In Mackay

Alife is turned upside down by epilepsy every 33 minutes.

The team at Gardian Real Estate felt that impact last year, losing a colleague and friend to the disorder.

“We do a lot for epilepsy to remember him,” said Gardian Corporate Support Officer Kylie Darko.

This March, Gardian have set their directors a series of daring challenges to help raise money and awareness for epilepsy.

“We set certain goals, so the first goal was $250 and then all the directors of Gardian had to do the ice bath challenge,” said Ms Darko.

Gardian enlisted the assistance of Base Performance and Recovery who hosted the event and donated the session, inviting people to take part in a $10 ice bath with all funds going to Gardian’s cause.

Between 50 and 60 people took the plunge, raising $1480 for Epilepsy Queensland, with an extra 40 people coming along to watch and support.

With each milestone reached, directors will be tasked with new challenges including a 5km run dressed as a purple fairy, eating a fertilized duck egg, getting a purple ribbon tattoo and a hot yoga session dressed as a purple wiggle.

Gardian are no strangers to charity, frequently donating to local causes including the Mackay Hospital Foundation, Chances Café and more.

“We give back to the community and are very involved.”

To find out more and to donate, visit myimpact.epilepsyqueensland.com.au/fundraiser/Gardianmakesmarchpurple/gardian-makes-march-purple.

STARFLEET International officially opened its Star Trek Mackay Chapter USS Pacifica during a function last Saturday at the Mackay Surf Club.

The commissioning comes after a nine month “Shake Down” where members have built rapport and relationships while adapting to their various roles.

For over 40 years STARFLEET International has provided Star Trek fans a way to meet each other, make friends, have fun, give back to their communities and show that the dream of Gene Roddenberry can live long and prosper.

“On the local level members can gather with other fans for a variety of enjoyable activities,” revealed Captain Matthew Perna.

“The USS Pacifica is the newest addition to the fleet, comprised of members based in and around Central Queensland.

“We are a family orientated Chapter and enjoy meeting up at conventions, recreating the costumes and props of the shows and to share our love of Star Trek – and other pop culture too.

“We welcome all forms of Star Trek from the classic 1960s Trek to the current New Trek movies and TV shows.”

The group meets on the second Sunday each month at the Haven Gaming & Pop Culture store in Sydney Street Mackay from 11am.

For further enquiries email: info@usspacifica.org.au

Free Yo-Yos And Bookmarks At The MECC

The Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (MECC) kicked off “Take a Child to the Theatre Day” this week by giving away yo-yos and bookmarks to all children who visit the box office between Monday March 20th and Saturday March 25.

Take a Child to the Theatre Day is an annual day of celebration, to encourage families to introduce children to the benefits and enchantment of live theatre.

MECC and Events Manager Andrew Bobeldyk said the yo-yo and bookmark giveaways are the MECC’s way to welcome new faces into the building.

“We want all families to feel welcomed when they visit our theatre,” Mr Bobeldyk said.

“If you haven’t been to the MECC before, come along and say hello.

“Our box office team will welcome all children with a yo-yo and a bookmark,” he said.

It’s no surprise that theatre promotes edu-

cation and literacy.

Studies have shown theatre can motivate a child to read more, increasing their comprehension levels and their ability to connect with a story.

Each year, the DBCT Kids’ Theatre Season brings stage adaptations of popular children’s books to the MECC stage.

Previous years have included performances The Hungry Caterpillar, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Pete the Sheep.

“The 2023 season includes Possum Magic, Just Live, Wind in the Willows and Roald Dahl’s The Twits,” Mr Bobeldyk said.

“All fantastic books, which will be brought to life with the magic of theatre.

MECC Staff are excited to gift yo-yos to any children visiting the centre

“Sponsored by Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, a family pass to any performance in DBCT Kids’ Theatre Season is $60, making it an affordable children’s theatre option.”

Families are advised they do not need to make a purchase to receive free yo-yos and

bookmarks for their children.

Simply visit the box office, say hello, and the staff will welcome you with a smile, a bookmark and a yo-yo.

Offer ends Saturday March 25 at 1pm.

USS Pacifica members Captain Matthew Perna, Executive Officer Jess O’Neill, Chief of Tactical Lt Jason Heart, Chief of Engineering Lt Scott Marshall, Chief Medical Lt Lulu Mollis, Junior Grade Communications Officer Lt Alana McAnulty, Chief of Communications Lt Trevor May, Engineering Officer Crewman Felicia Scott, Marcus Perna and Emily Perna

Captain Matthew Perna and Executive Officer Jess O’Neill at the official opening of Mackay’s new Star Trek Chapter USS Pacifica at Mackay Surf Club. Photo credit: Chris Karas

The team at Gardian Real Estate plunged into ice baths last Friday, raising money for Epilepsy Queensland. Photos supplied

Prints On Show

Printmaker Marilyn Bliss is exhibiting her prints as part of the Sarina Arts Council exhibition now on show at the Sarina Art Gallery.

Marilyn had always wanted to paint and when she retired nearly 20 years ago, she joined an art group and went to quite a few workshops.

Marilyn continued painting until about 10 years ago when Brigitte Zimmerman (Brizi) talked her into joining Printbank Mackay and since then she has spent her time printmaking.

Currently she uses copper or aluminium plates.

She now has her own press and last year sent prints to six exhibitions, three in Australia and three overseas.

Marilyn said she enjoys the challenge of

creating new images using the age-old technology of printmaking.

In printmaking, plates are used to transfer an image onto another surface, usually paper.

Tools or chemicals are used to create a design onto the plate which is inked and then applying pressure usually using a printing press to transfer the design onto paper.

Seven artists are displaying their works at the Sarina Art Gallery daily from 10am3pm until March 24.

Other artists are Gail McKeown, Brigitte Zimmermann, Kerry Williams, Jenny Tibbett, Jodie Perna and Lenore Chapple.

The Sarina Art Gallery is in the Field of Dreams Parkland, with plenty of parking available.

A‘Hot’ Night In Havana

Bringing a slice of Cuba to Mackay, the 2023 Mayor’s Charity Ball officially launched last Friday with the theme of Havana Nights.

There will be plenty of lush greenery at the MECC on Saturday, May 6 and the night promises to be “hot, hot, hot” on the dance floor, with the award-winning Salsa Kingz Band playing.

Mayor Greg Williamson said Havana Nights was the room theme for the Ball.

“Those attending will feel like they’ve taken a trip to Cuba for the night,’’ he said. But the dress code for the Ball remained formal, Mr Williamson confirmed.

“It isn’t a fancy dress event, but ball-goers should feel free to accessorise to add to the Havana Nights feel,’’ he said.

This year’s ball will raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), to assist with operational costs of the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Mackay, as well as Australian Street Aid Project, a Mackay charity in urgent need of funds to help support people experiencing homelessness.

It is the second year of sponsorship for the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Mackay, with Australian Street Aid replacing HeartKids Mackay, which has dropped out following its two years of tenure.

Australian Street Aid Project (ASAP) was established in 2018 by Mackay nurse Kayleigh Brewster.

She said the organisation had in recent months seen a dramatic increase in presentations of people experiencing homelessness in Mackay.

“Many of these people have one or more unmet medical needs,” Ms Brewster said.

“Homelessness is an isolating and scary experience, and chronic or acute pain contributes to both the difficulty of the journey and the feeling of hopelessness in finding a pathway out.

“This funding will directly impact the lives of many disadvantaged people in our community, and we are delighted to be beneficiaries of this year's Mayors Charity Ball.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) North Australia CEO, Tamara South, extended her sincere thanks to Mayor Williamson for council’s continued

commitment to local families, who call upon the Charity in their greatest time of need.

“Our heartfelt thanks to Mayor Greg Williamson and Mackay Regional Council for their continued and extraordinary support,’’ she said.

“Funds raised from the generous community of local sponsors and attendees of this year’s event will help to ensure that RMHC North Australia continues to be there to support Mackay regional families when

they need it most.”

Channel 7 fishing personality Scotty Hillier returns as Emcee again this year and there will also be the usual gala charity auction.

WHAT: 2023 Mayor’s Charity Ball

WHERE: The MECC

WHEN: Saturday, May 6

TICKETS: themecc.com.au

Contributed by Charlie Payne

Marilyn Bliss with her print A Couple of Minis. Photo credit: Charlie Payne

Gail McKeown

Brigitte Zimmermann

Kerry Williams

Jenny Tibbett Lenore Chapple

Jodie Perna

Mayor Greg Williamson, sporting a Fedora hat, at last week’s launch with representatives of 2023 Mayor’s Ball charity recipients Samantha Lee (right), of Ronald McDonald House, and Kayleigh Brewster, of Mackay’s Australian Street Aid Project

EVENTGUIDE

FRIDAY 24 MARCH

Friday Jazz @ The Con featuring Dan Barnett

Friday, 6:00pm to 7:30pm

CQCM Music Staff present Friday Jazz @ the Con featuring Dr David Reaston (guitar), Dr Peter McKenzie (saxophone), Jason SmythTomkins (drums).

Central Queensland Conservatorium Of Music

Blake O’Connor // Finding Light Tour

Friday, 8:00pm

Guitar Slinger Blake O’Connor is often described as incorporating the outlaw country of Chris Stapleton, Soul of the blues of Tedeschi Trucks Band with the melodic soft rock of John Mayer. Catch him at the Met this Friday.

The Metropolitan Hotel Mackay

SATURDAY 25 MARCH

Free Community Boot Camp

Saturday, 6:00am to 7:00am

Join Muscle Garden for their Free Community Boot Camp at the Mackay Gym. It’s absolutely free! Bring a friend or family member and have some fun. Please arrive 5 minutes early. All non-members welcomed. Bring a towel, water bottle and a smile. Muscle Garden Health & Fitness Centre

Pocket Sessions - Autumn 2023

Saturday, 3:00pm

Join in for a day and night of live music in the rainforest. Featuring Late November, Will Blume, Stone Faced Heathens, The Wild Sky and Josh Vine and a performance by the amazing Tattyfaze Ablaze.

1195 Calen Mount Charlton Rd, Mount Charlton

Mackay Cutters Round 3

Saturday, 4:00pm to 8:30pm

Get around game day and cheer on the Cutters as they take on Townsville Blackhawks. 10:45am | GATES OPEN.

11:30am | Cyril Connell Challenge. 1:00pm | Mal Meninga Cup. 2:30pm | Harvey Norman

U19s. 4:00pm | Hastings Deering Colts (TRIAL). 6:15pm | Hostplus Cup.

BB Print Stadium

Mackay Twilight Market

Saturday, 4:00pm to 8:30pm Market stalls, mini eat street, local musician, jumping castles and face painting. Come and browse the many local small business market stalls, then have a seat and listen to local musicians all while enjoying the yummy food Mackay food trucks have to offer. ATM on site for customers convenience. Come and enjoy a night out with your family. It’s not just another market, it’s a great family night out!

Mackay Showgrounds

Leaving Jackson - The Johnny Cash & June Carter Show

Saturday, 7:30pm

Relive the moments that captured the life of a legend! A life story played out through some of the greatest songs ever written. Folsom Prison Blues, Jackson, Walk the Line, Boy Name Sue, Ring of Fire, San Quinten, The Man in Black, Big River, Hurt, Get Rhythm, Sunday Morning coming down and much more. A heart-warming and inspiring night of music!

MECC

SUNDAY 26 MARCH

Lifeline 60th Anniversary

Sunday, 9:15am

Songs, prayers and presentations by the Rev. Dr Julia Pitman and Edie Weiss, long-time volunteer telephone counsellor and suicide prevention trainer. Morning tea to follow –no need to RSVP, please just turn up.

St Paul’s Uniting Church, Macalister Street, Mackay

Sunday Live Music – Mango

Junction

Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm Music every Sunday from 2pm - 5pm. Head down to the Seabreeze Hotel this Sunday for some fresh tunes, delicious food, and ice-cold brews.

Seabreeze Hotel

TUESDAY 28 MARCH

Kucom Theatre Annual General Meeting

Tuesday, 7:00pm

The Kucom Annual General Meeting, including election of the 2023 Committee, is scheduled for Tuesday 28 March 2023. This is a public meeting and everyone is welcome to attend.

1 Snow Wright Court, Andergrove

WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH

Teen Shed Mackay Teen Circle

Every Wednesday, 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Teen Circle is a place for all teens in the community to come together. It’s a safe space for them to connect, heal & learn from each other. They can be seen, heard & understood with no judgement. It’s a space to honour the uniqueness of each individual, everyone is equal. They will be able to speak from their hearts about things that trouble, annoy, frustrate them. This gathering will be held every Wednesday, all teenagers are welcome to attend. It is a free event, but attendees are asked to register for numbers.

Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School

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 30 MARCH

Mackay Riverside Market

Every Thursday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Come and meet your local growers, bakers and makers, chill on the lawn listening to some beautiful tunes and grab some delicious dinner and desert.

Bluewater Quay

Community Easter Activation

Thursday, 4:00pm

Join for an afternoon of Easter excitement. Teen Shed Teenagers will be setting up an Easter Activity station that will lead you along the new waterfront. Starting point is near Paxton Markets where you will be given a FIND IT card to stamp off on your Easter Hunt journey. Activities will involve Easter Cookie decorating (made by Jo Jo’s Bakehouse), Tattoos, Get active activity, Photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny, Bunny mask and Bunny ear decorating. Once you get to final destination, you will be gifted with Easter Eggs. You can then hang around and have dinner at the markets. This fun family friendly activity, is for anyone to join. We ask a gold coin donation which will go back to Teen Shed to help its growth.

Bluewater Quay

Practice Your Performance

Thursday, 6:00pm

PERFORMERS: Bring your music, instrument, monologue, family and friends to the “Practice Your Performance” night at the con. This is a free opportunity for anyone in the community to prepare a performance and deliver it on the beautifully lit stage. If you require an accompanist, Sarah Rozekrans will be there to help you out! Completely informal and relaxed, these evenings are a great opportunity for you or your music students. All are welcome to participate or to just watch.

Central Queensland Conservatorium Of Music

Pocket Sessions

Leaving Jackson

Friday Jazz @ The Con

Blake O’Connor

Free Community Boot Camp

Cross Country Gold For Super Mackay Athletes

RUNNING

Mackay Athletics Club runners have performed with distinction at major carnivals staged in Brisbane and the Whitsundays over the past fortnight.

Talented siblings Oliver and Toby Rule upstaged their decorated father Justin Rule after capturing gold medals at the Athletics North Queensland Cross Country Championships at Airlie Beach last Sunday. 18-year-old Oliver won the 8km race for Under 20s while kid brother Toby, 16, clinched a thrilling 6km event for Under 17s by 0.03 sec to claim a family milestone.

Their accomplished father Justin, the 2022 Athletics North Queensland Masters Athlete of the Year, picked up a silver medal in the Masters 8km race – just seven days after collecting 3000m Steeplechase gold and 8km bronze at the Australian Masters Athletics Championships in Sydney.

Liam Mumford celebrated a gold medal triumph in the Open 10km event while Abigail Sweeney grabbed a silver medal in the 4km Under 17s race.

Weekly Smash Hits With Mackay Table Tennis

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning

fixture results March 14, 2023:

Division 1:

Doves (Judy Zahn, Pam Joyce, Kevin Abbott, Coral Morgan) drew Pelicans (Charlie Payne, Branko Vucurovic, John McGee) 7-all. Pam d Charlie 12, -9, -17, 10, 7.

Cockatoos (Tony Martin, Steve Mathieson, Peter Goodson, Don Boettcher) d Magpies

(George Camilleri, Delma Knight, Noreen Fredericksen) 8-6. George/Delma d Tony/ Steve 7, -10, 10, -6, 8.

Division 2:

Kookaburras (John Hamelink, Ken Best, Kim Daffy) drew Owls (Kim Challender, Helen Ware) 6-all. Helen d Ken -11, 8, 12, -8, 7.

Parrots (Bryan Marshall, Judi Hicks, Ma-

rie Taylor) drew Ibis (Iris Grasso, Louise Gould, Fred Saliba) 6-all. Marie d Fred 9, 11, -9, -14, 9).

Division 3:

Eagles (Gloria Vella, Thelma Caruana) drew Hawks (Sharon Muller, Frank Caruana, Glenda Dutton) 6-all. Gloria d Sharon -4, 8, -7, 9, 8.

Storks (Madge Saunders, Allison Day) d Pigeons (Bill Hey, Myles Dutton) 6-4. Bill d Allison 2, -4, 6, -11, 7.

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures March 14, 2023:

Division 1:

Tebhar (Mick Ruhl, Vince Boeske, Allan Edwards) d Victas (Geoff Denman, Anne Sheridan, Steven Whiting) 7-4. Steven/ Anne d Mick/Allan -13, -8, 10, 7, 1.

Joola (Emma Widdup, Timothy Shehan, Robbie Richards) d Donic (Graham Dru-

ry, Andrew McHugh, Barry Patterson) 6-5. Andrew d Robbie -8, 9, 6, -12, 6.

Division 2:

Yasaka (Ian McKay, Peter Goodson, Ishan Rana) d Radak (Lee Brake, Daniel Warfield, George Camilleri, Delma Knight) 9-5. Peter d Delma -7, -9, 9, 11, 7.

Stiga (David Ting, Tony Bowman, Steve Mathieson, Matthew West) d Andro (Janice Kent, Graeme Walker, Mark Sleeman, Will VanDeKaa) 9-5. Will d Steve -7, 7, -9,

Strong performances were also turned in by Aleshia Ware in the Open Race and Alliah Fallon and Isabella Read in the Under 13/14s division.

At the recent Queensland State Track & Field Athletics Championships held at the Sport and Athletics Centre in Brisbane, sprint queen Mikayla Webb brought home a silver medal for the 100m and bronze in the 200m in the Under 17s category.

Another dual medal recipient was Hayley Colless, who grabbed two bronze medals in the 90m hurdles and 200m hurdles for Under 15s competitors.

Other notable performances were turned in by Toby Rule, who finished sixth in the Under 17s 1500m with a personal best time of 4 min 10 sec and sixth in the Steeplechase, shaving 29 seconds off his PB.

Isabella Webb finished fifth in her Under 15s 100m heat and 13th overall preliminary; Damon Brown came fifth in his Open 100m heat and 20th overall while Trae O’Brien finished seventh in the Under 14s Long Jump and fifth in his 100m heat and 10th overall.

10, 19.

Division 3:

Xiom (Donna Abbott, Michael Ibbotson, Ollie Hamelink) d Gewo (Noreen Fredericksen, Craig VanDeKaa, Aarnav Reelh) 6-5. Noreen/Aarnav d Donna/Michael 6, 9, -8, -8, 8.

Nittaku (Jye Callendar, Duncan Sheridan, Steve Crocker) d Butterfly 3 (Coral Morgan, Val Austin, Trent Day) Trent d Steve -9, 11, 11, -9, 7.

Judy Zahn was part of the division 1 Doves team which drew with Pelicans

TABLE TENNIS

Gold rush for promising siblings Oliver Rule and Toby Rule

Liam Mumford strides to victory and a well-earned gold in the Open 10km race

Abigail Sweeney grabs a silver medal in the 4km Under 17s race

Oliver Rule, 18, claims gold in the Under 20s 8km event

CRICKET

Last weekend saw the men’s grade cricket finals bring the 2022/23 season to a close, headlined by Magpies going two from two at the freshly opened Great Barrier Reef Arena.

The first grade Magpies celebrated their Poole Cup premiership, toppling favourites Walkerston after winning the Twenty20 Shootout final earlier in the year.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Magpies registered 8-196 off their 40 overs with impressive contributions from Andrew Borg (50), Mathew Borg (27), Jaxn Sign (24), Ben Zurvas (23) and Isaac Borg (18 not out).

Adam Knezevic and Liam Newbery took two scalps each for Walkerston with Neil Gustavson and Chris McEldowney taking one each.

In reply, Walkerston were bundled out for 126 in the 36th over with Isaac Borg the chief destroyer finishing with four wickets, supported by Liam Zurvas, Andrew Borg and Adam Zurvas taking one wicket each.

There were solid batting performances from Tom Vandenberg (22), Sam Vassallo (20), Luke Jackson (20), Chris McEldowney (17) and Riley Jackson (16 not out) but to no avail as the perennial champions succumbed under lights.

Off spinner Isaac Borg was crowned player of the match after bagging the superb figures of 4/14 off eight overs and hitting 18 not out in an unbroken stand of 19 with Liam Zurvas (8 not out).

Meanwhile, the second grade DBCT Cup final between Brothers and Norths proved to be a quick-finishing affair.

Brothers won the toss and elected to bat, with opener Ian Kelly starring (58) alongside second drop Lucas Tomerini (40).

No other batsman scored above five runs, seeing Brothers bowled out for 115 off 28 overs.

Norths’ Josh Jones shone with the ball, taking five wickets alongside Aaron Durelli with three and Lachlan Brett with two.

Norths made quick work of the run chase,

achieving the total in 15.2 overs with the loss of three wickets.

Russel Counsell led the way with 68 with help from Jack Lyons (11) and Shawn Day (10 not out).

Jack Muller and Harrison Kelly took a wicket each for Brothers in the unsuccessful defence of their total.

On Sunday, Souths Sharks and Pinnacle took to Great Barrier Reef Arena vying for the third grade One Day Shield.

Souths batted first after winning the toss, getting bowled out in the 33rd over for 108 runs thanks to Ashish Rana (20), Varinderpal Singh (17) and Chirag Mitra (15).

Wickets were shared across Matthew Boyd and Damien Russell with three each, Adam Hughes with two and Justin Teys and Albert Jeffs with one each.

Damien Russell led the chase for Pinnacle with 32 alongside John Gauci (19) and Brodie Lyon (12), chasing down the total with three balls and one wicket to spare in a nail-biting finish.

Muhammad Wahab led Souths’ defence with three wickets with assistance from Arun Chandrasekar, Sarajpal Singh, Iqbal Singh and Chirag Mitra with one each.

Saturday’s Fourth grade final between Pinnacle and Eastern Swans at Pinnacle resulted in a resounding win by the visitors.

Winning the toss, Swans elected to bat and finished their allocated 35 overs on 9/154 thanks to contributions from Kerrod Morris (43), Terry Bailey (29) and Brodie McCormac-Black (25 not out).

Kulwinder Singh led with the ball for Pinnacle, taking four wickets with Gupreet Sarao taking two and Akhil Devarpalli and Ashley Fry taking one each.

Pinnacle were unable to build any momentum in the run chase, losing their ten wickets in 25.3 overs for 62 runs, with Kulwinder Singh’s 14 the only double digits contribution.

Four wickets each to David Manning and Brodie McCormac-Black ensured the Swans victory, with Rocklyn Miller and Terry Bailey also taking on each.

Magpies first grade cricketers celebrate their Poole Cup premiership and Twenty20 Shootout double after toppling Walkerston at Great Barrier Reef Arena last Saturday. Photo supplied

BMD Premiership Cutters Secure First Win At Home

RUGBY LEAGUE

The Mackay Cutters welcomed fans to BB Print Stadium for the first time in the 2023 season with five squads taking to the field throughout the day.

The BMD Premiership Cutters played their first home game ever against Tweed Seagulls, continuing their impressive form to start their debut season in the competition.

It looked good for the Cutters from the first whistle, with the home side going 100m off the kick off for Keegan Irelandes to score in the corner in the first minute.

Tweed hit back with a crafty dummy half try in the 9th minute, shortly followed by a Cutters double from Sareka Mooka and Katie Green.

Some nimble footwork from the visitors on the stroke of half time saw the teams hit the sheds at 12-12.

Tweed were the first to score in the second half in the 43rd, but it was all the home side from there with Vanique Malayta, Emily Bella and Sareka Mooka all scoring second half tries to finish 26-16 victors.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Hostplus Cup Cutters looked to bounce back from a heavy round one defeat, taking on the Northern Pride.

The visitors leapt out of the gates, with two tries in the first ten minutes seeing them to an early 10-0 lead.

A meticulously executed cut out ball to Josh Smith saw the centra open the Cutters’ account in the 21st minute, with the home side

going into half time 10-6 down.

Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano scored for the home side in the 63rd minute, taking full advantage of a sin binning after Pride winger Rhy Young was given ten for a professional foul.

With the Cutters in the lead for the first time in the match, Pride prop Jaymon Moore dashed the home fans’ hopes with a barnstorming try in the 72nd minute, his second for the match.

Three goal line dropouts from the Pride in the last few minutes gave the Cutters a sniff in a tense finale, however the visitors were able to hang on for a 16-12 win, handing the Cutters their second loss of the season.

Showing positive signs for the future of Mackay rugby league, all three junior squads took to BB Print Stadium for the first time

this year, resulting in two wins and a draw.

The Cyrill Connell Challenge Cutters took to the field first, downing Northern Pride in a convincing fashion with a 34-4 victory. The difference couldn’t be split between the Mal Meninga Cup Cutters and Pride, with five tries and three conversions each resulting in a 26-all draw.

The Harvey Norman U19s followed with a huge 38-0 victory over their Northern Pride counterparts.

The Cutters will return to BB Print Stadium this Saturday with the Cyril Connell Challenge, Mal Meninga Cup, Harvey Norman U19s and Hostplus Cup squads taking on the Townsville Blackhawks and the Hastings Deering Colts getting their season preparations underway with a trial match.

Photo credit: Marty Strecker Photography

Ten Year Milestone For Respected Basketball Mentor Jamiey

BASKETBALL

Basketball is a way of life for Mackay’s respected coaching guru Jamiey Doevendans.

Whether it is planning the Mackay Meteorettes’ charge towards the NBL1 North women’s title or simply devoting his spare time to assisting the St Patrick’s College Boys and Girls basketball programs, you will find this revered hoops mentor approaching his work with a genuine passion.

The dedicated Douvendans takes over the reins as Head Coach of the Meteorettes this season in the NBL1 – an opportunity and challenge that he relishes.

But the experienced campaigner gets as much enjoyment with teaching youngsters the finer points of basketball and celebrates a milestone this season when he chalks up a decade of yeoman service with aspiring hoopers at St Patrick’s College.

“It is a significant milestone and one that I am definitely proud of,” revealed Jamiey.

“I thoroughly enjoy working with the school’s basketball program and preparing the players for the annual Champion Schools tournament on the Gold Coast.

“There is so much untapped potential in both the boys and girls ranks and hopefully I can

play a role in the students’ basketball development.”

You can find the decorated coach putting the students through their paces on a regular basis at the College courts – honing their skills in preparation for the big tournaments ahead. Douvendans has achieved plenty of success previously in the Mackay Basketball NBL1 program.

He was an assistant coach with the Mackay Meteors men’s team for three years, figuring in two QBL championship-winning campaigns before switching over to the Meteor-

ettes program as an assistant coach for seven seasons.

During this period, he helped guide the women to another QBL title and two more Grand Final appearances.

Testimony of the College’s depth of basketball talent is the selection of eleven students in various Queensland and Capricornia representative squads.

13-year-old young guns Cooper Currie, Treyce Ciantar and Usai Bickey were named in the Emerging Queensland Under 15s team that competed at a National interstate tournament in Melbourne earlier this year as part of

the Future Development Program.

When Toowoomba hosts the Queensland School Sport State 13-16yrs Basketball Championships from May 11-14, there’ll be a host of St Patrick’s players featured in the Capricornia line ups.

These include Mackay Meteorettes shooter Charli Bliss, who will compete in the 1718yrs Girls division; Cooper Garnham and Julius Jurd (13-16yrs Boys division) and Tahlia Jensen, Eden Catip, Lily Mapp, Mackensie Brown and Hannah Jensen (13-16yrs Girls division).

By Chris Karas

ZURVAS FAMILY CRICKET HEROICS AS MAGPIES CLINCH PREMIERSHIP DOUBLE

CRICKET

When Magpies stalwart Brad Zurvas and his three sons Ben, Adam and Liam padded up for the club in a late season fixture in the Mackay Cricket Association first grade competition last summer, they each experienced a slice of history.

It is believed to be the first time that a father and three sons have played a top grade match together since the Magpies were formed back in 1961.

This unique feat was achieved against the Souths Sharks at Jack Lancaster Oval in a game that featured several milestones.

As well as being Brad’s retirement match, talented keeper-batsman Ben posted his maiden top grade century – an unbeaten 110 off 147 balls that included two sixes and nine boundaries in an emphatic victory over

the Sharks.

The name Zurvas has been synonymous with Magpies Cricket Club for nearly four decades.

Last Saturday Ben skippered the Magpies to another milestone achievement when he lifted the Poole Cup first grade premiership trophy after defeating favourites Walkerston in the Grand Final at Great Barrier Reef Arena.

Ben was joined by siblings Adam and Liam as the Magpies (8-196) skittled Walkerston (126) to bring home the club’s first top grade trophy double after earlier winning the Twenty20 Shootout title.

Raised in Sarina, Brad played his early cricket with the local Crocodiles club alongside his rugby league mates before grabbing an opportunity to play in the Mackay Cricket Association.

He joined the Farleigh Magpies as a promising 15-year-old keeper-batsman back in 1986 and has been a permanent fixture ever since.

It is a real family affair with Brad the current Magpies Cricket Club President and a proud Life Member along with his tireless wife Julie, who serves as the Seniors Co-ordinator.

Entrenched in the Magpies top grade XI are gifted sons Adam, Ben and teenager Liam who has just returned with the Capricornia schoolboys representative side from the Queensland Secondary School Cricket Championships in Maroochydore.

“Watching the boys develop their cricket throughout the grades has been a proud moment for both Julie and I,” revealed Brad.

“I had a break from the game in my early 20s and made a comeback when Adam first expressed an interest in playing the sport,” he

reflected.

Adam, 22, has blossomed into a stylish top order batsman and handy seam bowler while 20-year-old skipper Ben shows natural leadership skills and is one of the competition’s best young keeper batsmen.

Coming up through the Mercy College and Holy Spirit College cricket ranks, Ben was identified as an exceptional talent.

He was named in the Queensland Open Schoolboys team and also represented Queensland Country at both Under 19 and Under 21s level – a testimony of his ability with the gloves and bat.

All eyes are on whiz kid Liam, a Year 12 student at St Patrick’s College, who at the age of 16 is one of the youngest competitors in the Mackay first grade DBCT Poole Cup premiership series.

By Chris Karas

Jamiey Douvendans discusses the finer points of basketball with St Patrick’s College senior players Ben Devitt, Max Cain, Amarco Doyle and Baxter Norsworthy

Magpies Cricket history makers – Brad Zurvas (second right) with sons Liam, Ben and Adam after the family quartet all figured in a first-grade fixture against Souths last summer

Swimming Carnival A Splashing Success

Mackay Bowling Club News

BOWLS

Mackay Bowls Club had a full week of Bowls with teams competing in the Marian Mill Shield at Gargett on Saturday.

SWIMMING

Catherine McAuley College held their Swimming Carnival on Friday 10 March at the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex, with excellent weather, and enthusiastic students combining to make the day a great success.

House spirit was alive with a sea of colour, war cries, and many with no voice by the end of a day filled with noise, laughter, fun and constructive rivalry.

Students and staff from the College all entered the spirit of the day, with more than 70 competitive races along with the additional whole of house swims adding points to the final tally for the day. The atmosphere of this

carnival was enhanced by the additional student cohort now including years 7 and 8 as the Catholic College moves into its second year of quality faith-based education and learning.

College Staff also participated in the event, winning the silver medal in the Students versus Staff race. Staff were also freed up to provide supervision and other roles and join in the energy of the day via the use of electronic timing to one hundredth of a second. No challenging those results!

Catherine McAuley College would like to sincerely thank the staff at the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex for their outstanding assistance which also contributed to the success of the day.

NORTH MACKAY LADIES BOWLS RESULTS

BOWLS

Social ladies’ bowls played on Wednesday March 15.

Results: Winners Neddy Thomsen, Wendy McGee and Dot Wise.

Runners up Sue Roscoe, Pam Louis and Daphne Offield.

There was no Ladies Social bowls this week as the Club hosted the District Master Pairs on both Wednesday March 22 and Thursday

March 23.

Congratulations to all those who played in that great competition.

Coming up on the club calendar is the Goosepond 3 Bowl Triples competition, to be held on the April 26 2023, and players from our district clubs and as far as Townsville will be playing on the day.

Promising to be an amazing event for the club.

Contributed by Sue Hazledine

They were beaten in their first game by Northern Beaches who eventually won the Shield. On Saturday afternoon at club, a Mens Open Fours game was played with M Irving , R Fry, M Coll, S Cassidy def J Smith, L Dorgin, R Casey, T Casey on the last end 16/15 - a good close game was played.

Ladies Championships Pairs: C Savage, K Durns def J Nielsen, W Pomeroy

Ladies CH of CH singles: C Savage def l Jenner.

The Mackay Club Ladies Section PAH will be played on Friday April 14.

Players must register their names on the nominations form at the Clubhouse.

RESULTS:

Tuesday Social Bowls (24) Players: Winners of Winners

Barry Jenner, Whare Herawini, Barry Paskins

Winners of Losers

Julie Caban, Marie Mayfield, Dot McMamara.

Thursday Scroungers (12):

Brian Williams def Jim Wallace.

Friday Social Play:

K Robinson, R Schatkowski, def B Jenner, J Caban

J Nielsen, D Mezzen, def L McIntosh, V Edwards

Players are reminded that Pennants Competition begin on April 15-16 for rounds 1 and 2.

If you are unavailable or don't want to play Pennants put your name on the Sheet in the Clubhouse.

Contributed by Mike Irving

Photo credit: Mike Irving

RIDERS UNLEASHED:

Mackay Cycling Club's Season Opener

CYCLING

The Mackay Cycling Club's inaugural race of the season was a triumph for riders of all ages and abilities. The individual time trial, held along the Walkerston Homebush Road, tested the mettle of competitors ranging in age from around 8 to 80. From a 4km challenge for the youngest cyclists to a gruelling 20km test against the clock for the seniors, ev-

ery rider pushed themselves to make their mark on the beginning of the season.

A couple of punctures meant two favoured racers to take out their grades had to make way for others to claim the glory, showing anything can happen on the day.

With some notable big names missing the start of the season, it left the gate open for a strong ride from Tim Ffrost to take line honours as the fastest senior of the day, completing the 20km in around 29 min-

utes. Taking out the B-grade was Luke Schatkowski, who was only 2-seconds from cracking the sub-30-minute mark.

C-grade was cleaned up by Noel Garciano in a time of 30:34 which would have seen him competitive in the B-grade, along with Tenille Galea who was the fastest woman home in 31:52. Winning the D-grade was Bradley Fraser, in a hot time of 32:29.

Juniors who won their respective grades were U9 Hamish Brennan, U11 Rowdy

The Mackay Cycling Club welcomes riders of all levels of experience to participate in their events, offering day race passes to anyone wanting to take on the challenge. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice rider, the Mackay Cycling Club is the place to be if you want to experience the thrill of the ride.

Basketball To Return To The Valley

BASKETBALL

One of Mackay’s largest and longest-running basketball clubs has teamed up with Wests Tigers to ensure the future of the sport in the Pioneer Valley.

Formed in 1981, Renegades Basketball Club is considered one of the big three basketball clubs in the region with 43 men’s and women’s teams from under 8s up to division 1. The club, however, has never had a base to operate out of, host meetings or run training sessions.

“We’ve been around since 1981 … surviving on backyard patios and meetings at local clubs,” said Renegades President Guy Simpson.

The Mackay Cycling Club’s inaugural race of the 2023 season was a time trial. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

Brennan, U13 Matthew Schatkowski, U15 Peter Schatkowski and U17 Chrisse Neah Garciano.

L-R Rob Cunningham (Renegades Vice President), Guy Simpson (Renegades President), Helen Bartolo (Renegades Life Member), Ian Nicholas (Original Committee Member) Alan Edwards (Life Member and original committee member), Kingsley Theiber (Wests General Manger), Mick Baker (Wests Director) and Brett Leach (Wests Chairman). Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

25 Renegades teams will play finals this weekend.

Photos credit: Deanne Woods Photography

Medal Success For Talented Mackay Trio

At National Masters Athletics Championships

ATHLETICS

Mackay endurance king Justin Rule has continued his medal-winning achievements on the Masters Athletics circuit.

The 48-year-old iron man was one of three Mackay Athletics Club competitors to stamp their mark at the recent Australian Masters Athletics Championships in Sydney – bringing home gold in the 3000m Steeplechase and a bronze medal in the 8km Cross Country in the Mens 45-49yrs category.

Clubmates Maddy Simmons and Mel Esau also impressed in the Women’s 40-44yrs division by collecting a swag of medals in field and track events.

German-born Simmons, 41, clinched a silver medal in the 80m hurdles and bronze

“We’ve never had a home base.”

With the number of basketball teams in Mackay growing by 21% over the last 12 months, facilities are becoming harder to acquire for training purposes.

“The reality is every club in Mackay is struggling to get a venue to bounce a ball on of an afternoon for the kids,” Mr Simpson said. Meetings with Wests began in early 2022 with the hopes of establishing Renegades as the basketball club of choice for the Pioneer Valley.

“Being a country boy myself, I grew up in Calen, I know what it’s like not to have representation and I reckon the Pioneer Valley’s a great fit for us,” Mr Simpson said.

“Hopefully we can have from under 8s, starting at that level and filtering through, we get enough of that age group that they can even train out here in the valley and save

in both the triple jump and pole vault to add to her 80m hurdles gold and pole vault silver at the 2022 National Masters in Townsville.

40-year-old Esau – who only took up athletics earlier this year – grabbed silver medals for Queensland in the 4 x 100m (180+) and 4 x 400m (120+) Relay finals. She also reached the finals of the 60m, 100m, 200m and long jump events and recorded a personal best time in the 400m for her age group.

But it was the super fit Rule – named Athletics North Queensland Masters Athlete of the Year in 2022 – who enhanced his reputation with standout performances in recent weeks.

At the World Masters Cross Country

them commuting all the way into town every week.”

The Pioneer Valley has been without a basketball club since Midgets Basketball Club, junior club of Australian basketball coach Sandy Brondello, folded about 15 years ago.

Integral to the Renegades’ plans are the expansion plans of Wests Tigers.

Following the purchase of a neighbouring 25ha cane farm, Wests Tigers are in the process of creating a master expansion plan to enhance the sporting facilities available to the people of the Pioneer Valley.

“It is our club’s vision to provide a sporting complex for as many sports as we can,” said Wests Chairman Brett Leach.

“When I played sport as a young bloke, we all trained at pretty ordinary facilities, and we all travelled.

Championships last month in Bathurst, the lanky Mackay runner finished a creditable 13th in a strong international field in the 6km short course event.

A highlight for Justin was navigating the course alongside legendary Australian long distance running champion Steve Moneghetti, who claimed the 60-69yrs world title.

Rule also teamed up with Joanna Bailey (Northern Territory) to finish 11th in the Mixed Relay.

Since entering major Masters events in 2020, a rejuvenated Justin has collected a swag of medals including two gold (steeplechase and 5000m) and three silver (400m hurdles, 800m and 1500m) at the Oceania Championships in Mackay and

“When kids look to play sport, they want to see where they’re training and where they’re playing and the more professional that club can be, not only as a club but also the facilities, the more it’ll attract people to the sport.”

The Renegades have been involved in the planning process of Wests’ expansion, which looks to include four outdoor, undercover basketball courts and one indoor court.

“It’s going to be up to us to provide the infrastructure that’s needed for them to be able to play their sport,” said Mr Leach.

“This club can’t afford to do what we’d like to do for our community without the help from local, state and federal governments,” added Wests Director Mick Baker.

“This is about planning for the future of basketball in our region out here in the valley.

“It’s about making sure we get this relationship right now so that in the future it’s a

the Pan Pacific Championships on the Gold Coast where he captured two gold in the 1500m and 5000m); two silver (steeplechase and 800m) plus a bronze in the Beach Mile.

The former Brisbane Grammar student made a comeback to athletics when sons Oliver and Toby joined the Mackay Athletics Club.

Last Sunday at the Athletics North Queensland Cross Country Championships at Airlie Beach, Justin was upstaged by the duo when 18-year-old Oliver won gold in the 8km Under 20 event and Toby, 16, grabbed gold in the 6km Under 17 race.

Justin had to settle for silver in the 8km Masters event.

strong bond.”

Wests Tigers are holding a community consultation day on June 17 where anyone involved in Pioneer Valley sport can view the plans and make comments and recommendations.

“At the moment it’s purely a dream, nothing’s locked in,” said Mr Baker.

Renegades Basketball Club are holding a sign-on day at Mirani State School next Wednesday, March 29 from 5:00pm ahead of the President’s Cup Season starting in term 2.

For more information, email renegadesmackay@hotmail.com.

As Mackay Basketball finals get underway, 25 of the Renegades’ 43 teams will participate in the finals of the Championship season this weekend at the Mackay Basketball Association.

Talented Mackay athletes Mel Esau, Justin Rule and Maddy Simmons collected a swag of medals at the recent Australian Masters Athletics Championships in Sydney. Photo credit: Chris Karas

A Humid Whibley’s Wander

several locals took out top podium places:

Liam Mumford - 1st Open 10km

Justin Rule - 2nd 45-49yrs 8km

Oliver Rule - 1st under 20yrs 8km

Damian Rutland - 3rd under 20yrs km

Toby Rule - 1st under 18/17 yrs 6km

Abigail Sweeney - 2nd under 18/17 yrs 4km

Lily Leven - 2nd under 16/15 yrs 4km

Congratulations to all, what an amaz-

ing effort against very talented athletes throughout the North Queensland region.

This Sunday’s local Mackay Road Runners Club event will be held at beautiful Cape Hillsborough National Park carpark near the Resort precincts commencing at 7am.

All casual non-member runners are most welcome to attend however, there will be a day runner fee of $5 for juniors and $10 for seniors to cover insurance costs, etc.

Contributed by Janelle Tilse

(Far right standing)

Julie Whibley is thanked by some of the Mackay Road Runners for her and Andrew Whibley’s exceptional postrun brekky.

Nearly sixty runners and supporters attended the very popular annual Whibley’s Wander held from the Secretary’s residence early Sunday morning.

The wonderful Julie and Andrew were the perfect hosts with all runners appreciating their generosity and picture-perfect back yard.

Paul Mackenzie and Alana Knesevic were the top male and female in the 12km with

excellent performances by the 5km top duo of Terese Hackney and Darrin Pullen.

The 100% humidity was extreme as runners braved the conditions and early morning high temperatures. Meanwhile Mackay Road Runners’ competitors did very well at the Athletics North Queensland Cross Country Championships hosted by The Whitsunday Running Club in Cannonvale where

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Photo credit: Janelle Tilse

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