Mackay Life

MACKAY’S MAN OF

Decades of community service, voluntary work and supporting youth was rec ognised last month as Kieran Horsfall was awarded Mackay Man of the Year at the In ternational Men’s Day Breakfast.

Kieran’s role as Police Coordinator for Project Booyah Mackay sees him help and mentor dis

advantaged youth through issues at home, school and with the law.

He is also involved in the community through lo cal sport and organisations, his passion for youth development apparent in every role he fills.

“I’ve always been around youth, to be honest,” Ki eran said.

Kieran Horsfall was awarded Mackay Man of the Year at the International Men’s Day Breakfast

“For me, being a member of the community, it’s all about helping the community and providing a service that supports young men and people in the community to become who they want and succeed.”

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What’s Your Christmas Tradition?

LSTAR 101.9 wrote in her column that she’s a firm believer in waiting until December 1 to get into the Christmas spir it, and it got me thinking about the different tradi tions we have.

Many people believe it’s bad luck to put the tree up before December 1, where as others are champing at the bit to get theirs fully laden around mid-Novem ber.

Decorating the tree is per haps the only tradition I share with my husband. Whenever we go away on holiday, we try to get dec orations from significant places we visit, so when we hang them each year, we can reminisce about the places we have travelled.

In this week’s Community Chat section, Councillor Bonaventura talks about the tradition of going to the Christmas Carols in Habana.

If you’re new to town, your family has recently grown and you want to start a new tradition, or if you’re sim ply looking for something festive to do, check out our Event Guide on page 20. It’s a weekly ‘what’s on’ which will get even busier in the lead-up to Christmas.

One other tradition I make time for each year is to give to someone less fortunate than myself. Whether it’s some gifts under a wish ing tree, a dignity bag and meals for the homeless, a hamper for the Women’s Centre or donating to Vin nies or the Salvos, I think it’s an important time of the year to show those who often feel forgotten that someone cares.

From carol singing to breakfast with Santa, lolly scrambles and local per formances, what new tradi tion will you start this year?

Town Team’s First Assignment

They say many hands make light work, and these dedicated cit izens put it to the test, coming together to spruce up the Mackay City Heart one dirty window at a time.

Ahead of tonight’s City Heart Christ mas, the Mackay Town Team along with past and present Chamber com mittee members and Council represen tatives hit the City Heart last Sunday to make the city’s windows sparkle.

The Mackay Town Team became the second Town Team Movement team in Queensland earlier this year.

Town Team Movement is a non-profit social enterprise working with proac tive people to improve places, building a movement of positive ‘doers’.

“We were trying to work out how we can continue to move forward, espe cially with the development happening at the waterfront, we don’t want the city centre to be left behind,” said Mackay Region Chamber of Commerce Busi

ness Engagement, Events and Com munications Manager Ellen Maddern. Commerce then came across the Town Team Movement, a movement whose values align perfectly with what Com merce is trying to achieve.

“They give us a group of resources, so we started with an expression of inter est that we sent out … and people ap plied and then this group formed,” said Ms Maddern.

“We had a couple of meetings and thought, ‘What can we do first? What’s a good, quick win?’ and they came up with washing those windows.”

Reach out to Mackay Region Cham ber of Commerce if you’d like to know more or be part of the Mackay Town Team and like their Facebook page for future initiatives.

Make sure to get down to the city to night and admire the team’s handiwork at the Mackay City Heart Christmas.

L-R: Ally Blines, Tammy Laval, Chrissy Evangelou, Scott Jamieson, Bonnie McCarthy, Jonathan from Detailed Windows, Vicki Smith. Photo supplied

A Plea To Find A Missing Best Friend

Sharon Fox was looking forward to a road trip with her good friend Helen Barnett earlier this year but before the two could reunite, Helen went missing.

54-year-old Helen of Koumala went missing on Sunday, February 13, 2022, and after thorough searches, no trace of Helen has been uncov ered.

“My immediate response was shock because she expected me to be there on the following Wednesday,” said Sharon.

“I just couldn’t believe it.”

Sharon and Helen met around nine years ago through mutual friends and became very close very quickly.

“We had similarities and we always called each other sisters,” said Sha ron.

“She’s just an amazing person –loved life, loved people, not once in all those years have I ever seen Helen in a bad mood.”

Sharon said Helen is a free-spirited person who loves to travel but when she had a seizure at the wheel of her small bus and lost her license, her mental health took a turn.

“That contributed to a fair bit of her depression at the time she went missing,” said Sharon.

The pair planned a road trip, with Sharon to pick Helen up from her Koumala home on Wednesday, Feb ruary 16.

Helen was seeking support for her mental health at Sharon’s suggestion and was released on Friday, Febru ary 11.

“She’d gone home and then her car er called me on the Sunday and said she was missing,” said Sharon.

“From that day on, I searched for a whole week down there with a cou ple of friends to no avail.

“We’ve found nothing, we’ve heard nothing.

Helen was last seen about 300m from her home on Turnors Paddock Road at around 4:20pm on Sunday, February 13.

“It’s just heartbreaking to know that we can’t find her.”

Helen’s disappearance is shrouded in mystery.

While it wasn’t unlike her to go for walks, Sharon says she would nev er have left without her joggers and phone.

She was also taking regular epilep sy and blood pressure medication, which was left at home alongside her beloved dog Rocky’s ashes and her cat Smudge.

“Helen would never have wanted people to give up on her,” Sharon said.

“She would never have given up on us.

“That’s the sort of person she was.

“I hope we find her, and I hope she’s returned to us all in one piece.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Stinger Season Is Serious New Warning Signs Explain Risk

Do you know a Box from an Irukandji?

Mackay Region al Council is installing new warning signs at a number of popular beaches to coincide with the beginning of stinger season.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the signs were designed to in crease awareness of the risks of two of the most dangerous species of jellyfish (stingers) found in the region; the Box jellyfish and Irukandji.

“Stinger season runs from No vember to May each year, so we want to increase awareness around this issue,” Mayor Wil liamson said.

“We had a death in our re gion earlier this year due to a jellyfish sting, so we want to remind residents to remain vigilant when visiting our beaches,” he said.

“Full length stinger suits provide the best protection against jellyfish stings when swimming at local beaches.”

Mayor Williamson said the

new signs were designed to give users a better apprecia tion of the risks of swimming at the beach.

“The signs detail the time of year when these jellyfish are most likely to be found in our waters, what protective measures should be taken, symptoms, first aid informa tion, emergency locations and contacts.

“Beachgoers can also scan the QR code on the signs, which provides a link to even more detailed information in the event of a sting.”

New stinger signs were installed at Eimeo Beach last week

Sharon Fox is urging people to not forget about her friend Helen Barnett who has been missing February.

Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Photo supplied

Merry

MERRY CHRISTMAS

With 70 staff serving Mackay locals across five different business units you are bound to deal with one of our Gardian family. One of the team may be helping you with a loan to purchase a property. You may be reviewing superannuation, you may have a business that needs to renew its insurance policy and you are on the look out for a competitive quote. You could be looking to have your property managed whether domestic or commercial our team has you covered. it could be that one of our team is looking for a home for you to rent at this busy time of year. Maybe you work in one of Mackay's local eateries and you have served one of our Gardian team. They may have bought Christmas gifts for their family and friends from you. They may even play in your local sporting club, soccer, netball, footy or cricket - we have a few stars. One of our Gardian team may be related to you, they may even be at your Christmas dinner table. With a group as large as Gardian all supporting, living and adding to the economy of Mackay when they say MERRY CHRISTMAS you are sure to hear it. To all those that have supported the Gardian Family throughout 2022 the team would like to offer their sincerest THANK YOU

Family

Finance Family

Best Wishes from Gardian Financial Planning Family

Stay Safe over the Festive Season from Gardian Insurance Family

Enjoy

Estate Family

a great break from all Gardian Real

Baden Robinson, Pat Daly, Mick McLeod, Kelsey Webb, Anastasia Thornhill & Katrina Burge, Mason Stubbs, Ryan Patton, Courtney Fahl, Greg Smith, Bryan Loft, Joe Rickman, David Fisher, Sarah Murrell, Chris Bonanno & Sandra Marchetti, Stacey Alderman, Dianne Drew, Ben Kerrisk, Ryan Patton, Rhee Healy, Baden Robinson & Cecelia Reed

Maddison Bell, Luke Phillips, Bridget Franettovich, Kellie Leach, Zac Thompson, Taylah Park, Jack Weston, Emma Morgan, Ben Weston Rose Webb, Monique Baldassarre & Bec Phillips

Happy Holidays from Gardian Property Management

Billa Taya, Emilee Walters, Matthew Moreni, Wendy Bray, Janenne Carter, Renae Ahmat, Hayley Wynn, Wendy Tucker, Mel Park, Jodie Mogford, Sonya Lester, Caitlin Hollywood

Jessica Fay, Sammie Robertson, Mel Johnson, Hamish Rogers, Susan McNamara & Karlee Purnell - Webb

Christmas from Gardian

Kate Radel, Tamesha Gregor, Grace Birkett, Golda Emery, Nikita Denkewitz, Justin Shoer, Zac Spencer & Ben Phillips

Enjoy some Christmas CHEER from Gardian Corporate Team Peter & Denise Phillips, Gillian Smith, Kylie Darko and Anne Louise Waddington

Rodeo Raffle Raises Valuable Funds DO YOU KNOW THE 16 WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE?

The Gargett community gathered for their annual rodeo recently, but it was the half time entertainment that stole the show.

Emily Mastropaolo held a raffle and auc tion at the rodeo, raising funds and aware ness for Motor Neurone Disease, a cause close to their hearts since their brother Phillip was diagnosed last November.

“We’d never heard of it, so we wanted to start fundraising to spread awareness and fundraise to find a cure or at least a treat ment,” said Emily.

With the help of generous businesses around Mackay, Emily and her family gathered raffle prizes and auction items for the Gargett Rodeo, raising almost $30,000 for Australia's leading MND foundation, FightMND.

Emily says Phillip was a confident and ar ticulate man, so his family found it unusu al when he started slurring.

“He was a very well-spoken man,” she said. “He just started slurring and my mum was like, ‘You should go see somebody.’”

Phillip was diagnosed with MND which is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells, or neurones, con trolling your muscles fail to work normally and eventually die.

Early MND Symptoms Include:

“It affects the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you breathe, it affects your muscles,” said Emily.

“It’s just your body just slowly failing.

“We’re very lucky – (Phillip) hasn’t lost his voice but it’s getting very hard to under stand him – but he’s still physically fine, he can still walk, use all his muscles, it’s just his speech.”

Emily started selling raffle tickets as early as June, aiming to raise $10,000 and even tually raising almost triple for FightMND.

“There is a lot of research yet to be done as to why people get it,” she said.

“There’s all these ‘could bes’, but nothing’s ever been confirmed.

“Funds help research to finding a cure or at least a treatment.”

Emily says Phillip is trying absolutely ev erything to prevent his body from failing and his family is 100% behind him.

“That’s our way of helping him, trying to raise money and finding a cure,” she said.

“When it does hit your family, you’ve got to think positive and don’t let your mind set think negative because that’s where things can go downhill.

“If you’ve got a positive mindset and you’re strong, it helps through the dark days.”

• weakness in your ankle or leg – you might trip, or find it harder to climb stairs

• slurred speech and difficulty swallowing some foods

• a weak grip – you might drop things, or find it hard to open jars or do up buttons

• muscle cramps and twitches

• weight loss – your arms or leg muscles may have become thinner over time

• difficulty stopping yourself from crying or laughing in inappropriate situations

Christmas is once again upon us and Grapevine Group is reminding the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday communities to keep an eye on mates and loved ones, and to do their bit by learning the 16 warning signs of suicide.

Grapevine president Debbie Knight is wishing for more to learn about what to look out for.

“It’s a good time to remind our communi ties that Christmas can be hard for some, and we can help our mates and family by learning the warning signs,” said Ms Knight.

“Anyone can participate in our new free safety toolbox talk called Suicide Myth Busters.

“It’s as simple as carving out an hour to learn from one of our qualified trainers on the 16 signs that can be an indication someone is thinking about suicide.”

Suicide Mythbusters can be presented onsite at businesses, sporting clubs and com munity organisations. This year, the Chamber of Commerce and Resource Industry Network are backing the group by endorsing the toolbox talk. “We’re proud to be part of this worthy cause because prevention can save count less lives,” said Chamber of Commerce President Geoff O’Connor.

For Christmas this year, Dean Kirkwood, General Manager of Resource Industry Network wants us all to check in with friends, neighbours and loved ones.

"It is essential the community knows what to look out for and how to link people to help,” Mr Kirkwood said.

Strong supporter of the Christmas cam paign Mayor Greg Williamson urges the community to support suicide prevention.

“As always, we want people to be safe and by keeping an eye on those around us, we can make Christmas that little bit better."

Look out for the Christmas campaign which will appear on the Mackay Show grounds digital billboard to encourage the community to learn the signs and book the quick Suicide Mythbusters one-hour course.

The talk is free and introduces suicide in tervention by discussing the common fal lacies and tips on how to help when some one is experiencing suicidal thoughts. Book a toolbox talk by emailing training@ grapevinegroup.org.au.

To learn the 16 signs, download the Grape vine Group app, visit grapevinegroup.org. au or check out the group's Facebook page where you will also find a list of local sui cide prevention services.

Phillip (middle) was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year

A raffle and auction were held at the Gargett Rodeo to raise funds for FightMND. Photo supplied

Mayor Greg Williamson and Grapevine Group President Debbie Knight encourage the community to be suicide alert this Christmas

Role Models Honoured At Breakfast For Blokes

Continued from page 1 Kieran said it was a shock to be recognised as Mackay’s Man of the Year.

“it’s an honour to be awarded with such an accolade,” he said.

“I’ve had good role models, good mentors in my life.

“There are good male role models in the community doing great things and I think it should be recognised.”

Shed Happens Mackay Convenor Frank Cowell said Kieran’s active involvement in the community helped him stand out.

“Kieran impressed us with his enthusiasm for voluntary work and also the things he said about raising his family and the Proj ect Booyah lads, you could tell he had a passion for it,” he said.

Friday’s International Men’s Day Breakfast was the fourth time the occasion has been recognised with a breakfast in Mackay, with 120 people attending the Ocean In ternational Hotel.

The day started with light exercise led by Steve Eden of City Fitness, followed by

addresses,

Two pieces of art from the International Men’s Day Art Show earlier this year were auctioned and donations were given to Chances Cafe, TEEN Shed and Vinnies Men's Hostel.

Group discussions were held throughout the morning, discussing the role of a posi tive male role model in the community.

“The biggest message that came out of that was that most people’s positive male role model was their dad or their grandfather,” said Mr Cowell.

“We talked about the qualities of a good role model, and they were integrity, hon esty, the ability to listen.

“We need to celebrate the good things, when people do good things.

“That’s what International Men’s Day is all about, is celebrating the positives.”

speeches and welcomes from Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson, Reverend Doctor Solman Zwana, Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal CEO Steve Rae and Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox.

Chances Cafe, TEEN Shed and Vinnies Men's Hostel received cheques for $3,000 thanks to diners and sponsors

Two pieces of art from the International Men’s Day Art Show were auctioned. Photo credit: Liz Andrews

L-R DGH Engineering General Manager Dave Hackett, Shed Happens Mackay Convenor Frank Cowell and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal CEO Steve Rae

Photo credit: Liz Andrews

The Mexican Food Battle Of The North

Residents on the north side of the Pioneer River are about to have a whole lot more choice when that craving for some thing spicy hits.

Popular Mexican quick service restaurant Guzman y Gomez (GYG) has submitted documents to Mack ay Regional Council with plans to build its first Mackay location in the carpark of Mount Pleasant Centre.

The documents submitted to council say the development “will provide valuable services and convenient fa cilities for residents living within the Mount Pleasant area and employees within the locality.”

“The proposal is considered to be in the public interest as it will deliver a number of public, social and econom ic benefits with minimal adverse im pacts,” the documents state.

The 282m2 building will incorporate 230m2 of internal dining area, food preparation areas, storage, amenities, office and service area as well as 52m2 of external/alfresco area.

74 car parks will be lost to facilitate the construction and the new site will include eight new car parking spaces

including one disabled space.

The drive through element of the restaurant will have a capacity of 14 cars and include a dual lane order point, forming a single lane payment booth and pickup booth.

The restaurant will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and construc tion of the site is predicted to cost over $1 million.

“The proposal will generate direct on going employment opportunities as well as further job creation during the construction phase,” documents read.

“The development will be compliant with relevant disability standards, and will meet the needs of people with physical disabilities, sensory disabili ties and intellectual disabilities.

“The proposal will provide much needed services to the area meeting the daily needs of the surrounding residents, workers and visitors.

“The development will have a positive impact on the natural environment by enhancing Mt Pleasant and main taining the downstream water quality as a result of the development.”

About 10 minutes north along Mack ay Bucasia Road, construction has be gun on a new shopping complex that will feature Mackay’s second Zambre ro site.

Nearby, Burrito Bar Rural View re cently reopened under new man agement, offering a revamped menu through its drive through restaurant.

Boaties Escape From Sinking Vessel

Six boaties had a lucky escape last week when their vessel sank near Scawfell Island.

RACQ CQ Rescue were tasked to investigate re ports of a rapidly sinking ship and departed base quick ly, with a rescue crewman on board prepared for a possi ble over water winch retrieval from a sinking boat.

Within 15 minutes the chopper arrived on scene about 35km north-east of Mackay to find the boat’s six occu pants had already evacuated the vessel in a small tender and spotted them on the nearby rocks of the south-west side of the island.

Radio contact with the boaties then confirmed all were safe and uninjured.

Their boat didn’t fare so well unfortunately.

The chopper crew provided watch overhead until VMR 448 Mackay arrived on scene to retrieve the stranded, but still incredibly lucky, boaties.

Guzman y Gomez have submitted plans to build in the carpark of the Mount Pleasant Centre. Photo supplied

A vessel sank near Scawfell Island last week with the six occupants safely escaping to the island’s shore. Photo credit: RACQ CQ Rescue

WIN A NEW CAR

PROTECT NORTH WALL

Locals Say No To Port Expansion Plans

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is leading mas ter planning for the priority Port of Hay Point/Mackay to establish a long-term strategic outlook for the ports, however a group of concerned residents say the plan puts a fragile ecosystem near North Har bour Beach (North Wall) at risk.

Last weekend, hundreds of residents took part in a community walk along North Wall to protest the proposed future devel opment of the Port of Mackay, which the master plan shows would eradicate around one third of the beach.

The walk was held to raise community awareness of the proposed plan and to ex tend the community consultation period. Public information sessions were held in October and November, but the public wasn’t made aware of these sessions until a Facebook post was made by TMR on No vember 16, one day before the last infor mation session on November 17.

Local resident Kim Edwards started a petition on the website change.org called North Harbour Beach Community Inter est Campaign, calling for TMR to extend the deadline and open up community con sultation again as she said the initial notice

for consultation was poorly communicat ed to the community at large.

“We are asking that TMR extend that deadline and reopen community consulta tion so that we can have further consulta tion with our community and in particular the local environmental groups like Mack ay Turtle Watch and the Mackay Conser vation Group,” Kim said.

“This is really concerning because that area is an important turtle hatching area, both green and flat back turtles’ nest there,” she said.

“That area is also surrounded by wetland ecosystems and also a large section of par abolic dunes, which are a relatively rare natural feature.

“The wetlands and inshore reef catch ments are also recognized as vital by Queensland Wetlands Program to the health of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem and its catchments.”

MP Amanda Camm attended the walk and spoke to concerned locals, urging people to make a submission on the TMR website so as to better inform the Government on the use and importance North Wall beach has in our community.

“The Queensland Government has tried to slip another report through without any genuine community consultation,” Ms Camm said.

“This plan includes resuming large amounts of North Wall beach and possibly closing public access to the area. Whilst I support planning and growth, I believe any decisions need to be transparent and include community consultation - that means with the community.”

Ms Camm wrote to Minister Bailey, re questing that he extend the consultation period for the Draft Master Plan for the Mackay Port to enable locals to have ad equate time to make a written submission.

“I have also requested that the Minister ensures that TMR engages with Mackay & District Turtle Watch and other local envi ronmental and conservation groups to ob tain the necessary data to ensure that the government is making decisions based on accurate information,” she said.

Local residents gathered at North Wall last weekend to protest draft plan for a Mackay Port expansion which would eradicate a large portion of beach and put turtle nesting sites at risk. Photo: MP Amanda Camm

New Moranbah Hospital Planned To Commence Early 2023

Construction for a new Moranbah Hospital is expected to commence early next year, with the new facil ity providing improved medical imaging facilities as well as a helipad.

Tenders have opened for the construction of the new Moranbah Hospital, which will deliver better health services in the heart of Queensland’s resources community.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and In vestment Cameron Dick said the State Government was seeking a construction partner to commence work in the first half of 2023.

“The New Moranbah Hospital will be the bricks and mortar proof of our Gov ernment’s commitment to supporting Queensland resources communities,” the Treasurer said.

“The towns of the Bowen Basin deliver for the entire Queensland community through the royalties their mines generate.

“It is only right that those royalties are re invested in our resources communities.

“With tenders now open, we will start see ing tangible proof of evidence of deliver ing better health services for the Moran bah community.

“The new Moranbah Hospital will increase the number of emergency department treatment spaces currently available and provide enhanced outpatient, allied health, community health, and community mental health spaces.

“The Moranbah community will benefit from improved medical imaging services including a CT scanner as well as a helipad to reduce reliance on ambulance services and make inter-hospital transfers more efficient.

“By integrating all services within a single building, we’ll also bolster amenities and security for staff and patients through improved patient flow, an airlock entrance, and replicating

the existing hospital’s rose garden and family room.”

Subject to tender negotiations, the new Moranbah Hospital will support 102 con struction jobs and is scheduled for com pletion by June 2025.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said the Queensland Government's tender announcement was a positive commit ment to health across the Isaac.

“Council, along with community, have worked hard to advocate for improved ac cess to health services, so we are thrilled with today’s announcement," Mayor Baker said.

“The Moranbah Hospital upgrade will en able the facility to cater for the region well into the future and acting as a regional hub for neighbouring towns.

“The redevelopment will support resi dents, workers and the heavy industries that operate across the Isaac region with a

fit for purpose facility.

"This is going to mean a significant im provement to the emergency department, dedicated mental health care and more specialist services available."

The Treasurer said progress was also being made on other health infrastructure proj ects in the Bowen Basin.

“A tender process is currently underway for upgrades to the Blackwater Multipur pose Health Service, which will support 68 construction jobs.

“Work is also continuing at pace on the redevelopment of the Emerald Hospital’s emergency department and day surgery, supporting 29 construction jobs.

“In the June Budget, I also locked in the funding for our ten-year $334 million deal between the Queensland Government and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.”

The Moranbah Hospital tender is live on QTenders and closes on 9 December 2022.

Stanwell Reaches 100% Green Energy Deal With Anglo American

Anglo American’s steelmaking coal business in Australia will be pow ered by 100 per cent renewable en ergy from 2025, as part of a ten-year deal with Queensland government-owned en ergy generator, Stanwell.

In what will be Stanwell’s biggest ever re tail deal, the company will supply Anglo American with renewable electricity, pow ering their five steelmaking coal opera tions across Central Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan was an swering the call of businesses and indus tries wanting to decarbonise, while deliv ering huge investment in the regions and 100,000 more good jobs.

“This partnership with Anglo American and Stanwell demonstrates the strong shift to clean energy from Queensland busi nesses,” the Premier said.

“Stanwell is one of Queensland’s major en ergy suppliers, and until recently has been known only for coal-fired energy genera tion.

“Because Queenslanders own their ener gy assets, we are able to guide our energy transformation in way that provides en

ergy security, while delivering more good jobs.”

The deal will power all electrical equipment at Anglo American’s mines in Moranbah, Middlemount and Moura, including draglines, longwall equipment, conveyors, coal preparation facilities, lighting and ventilation and cooling infrastructure, water treatment plant and administration facilities.

Queensland Minister for Energy, Re newables and Hydrogen, Mick de Bren ni, said this was another example of how Queensland was working together to sup port the state’s decarbonisation efforts.

“Boardrooms across the nation and the world, are setting their own emissions reduction targets, so it makes supporting Queensland industry with clean energy a priority,” Minister de Brenni said.

“Today’s announcement shows Queensland’s energy transformation is well and truly happening, and it’s sup porting traditional industries to remain strong.”

CEO of Anglo American in Australia,

Dan van der Westhuizen, said the energy supply would effectively remove all Scope 2 emissions from Anglo American’s steel making coal business in Australia from 2025.

“Securing 100 per cent renewables from Stanwell is a major step towards our target of carbon neutral operations in Australia –and globally – by 2040,” Mr van der West huizen said.

“Many of the metals and minerals we pro duce - including steelmaking coal - are critical to supporting decarbonisation projects and the transition to renewable energy, as an essential component of so lar, wind, hydro, bioenergy and hydrogen power generation.”

The partnership with Anglo American Steelmaking Coal Pty Ltd will be linked to renewable energy from the Clarke Creek Wind Farm and Blue Grass Solar projects.

Anglo American CEO, Dan van der Westhuizen, joined Minister Mick de Brenni and Stanwell CEO Michael O'Rourke to announce the supply of 100% renewable electricity for Anglo’s operations in Australia. Photo credit: Anglo American

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert and Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick showing staff at Moranbah Hospital the plans for the new hospital with con struction expected to start early next year

Bowen Basin Steelmaking Coal Mines Given The Green Light

Futura Wilton and Fairhill mine map

Two steelmaking coal mines in the Bowen Basin have been given the green light, bringing with them up to 130 good regional jobs.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the approval of Futura Resources’ Fairhill and Wilton projects near Emerald was a big boost for the regional workforce and economy.

“This investment is a strong vote of confi dence in the Queensland resources sector and our state’s large deposits of high-quali ty steelmaking coal,” Mr Stewart said.

“These projects are in the heart of the Bow en Basin and will benefit from the existing infrastructure in place from nearby mines.

“At their peak, these two mines will pro duce more than three million tonnes per year of steelmaking coal, which will be processed then transported by rail to the Port of Gladstone and exported to key in ternational markets.

The Wilton and Fairhill projects are locat ed adjacent to one another about 50km northeast of Emerald, with coal to be pro cessed using existing infrastructure at the nearby Gregory-Crinum mine.

Construction works are set to begin in ear ly 2023, with coal production expected to begin within six months.

Both mines have an initial 10-year pro posed lifespan but could be expanded to more than 20 years with continued explo ration.

Futura Resources Chief Executive Officer Ben Dunlop said coal continued to play a big role in Australia’s and the world’s steel making and energy mix.

“We see ourselves as a sustainable, low en vironmental footprint producer utilising nearby existing infrastructure, including coal processing facilities which will be 50 per cent powered by renewable energy by end of 2023, Mr Dunlop said.

Mr Stewart said recent analysis by Queensland Treasury showed steelmaking coal will remain an essential internation al export commodity for the state until at least 2050.

“Treasury forecasts show Queensland will likely remain the world’s largest seaborne exporter of steelmaking coal for many de cades to come,” he said.

Big Dream Small Steps Program Seeking Students For 2023 Resources Boost Queensland Economy By 94 Billion

(From left) Cyirene Ralph, Montana Ramsamy, Jalen Pauling, Leysha Pearson (phone), Lara Pinkard, Klara Close, Megan Sutton (teacher). Front row: Jessalyn Peddel, Tamika Mooney, Shanae Corowa

Following the success of the first in take of students to complete the Budyubari Bidyiri Kebi Stapal (Big Dream Small Steps) program, the Mack ay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) is encouraging current Year 10 students to consider applying for the school-based health traineeships.

MHHS Manager HR Strategy & Engage ment Onno Van Es said nine students graduated from the program last month, and all planned to pursue careers in the health sector.

“These students from six different high schools have all completed Certificate lll qualifications in either Health Services As sistance or Allied Health Assistance, and

they are all interested in continuing their studies in health care,” Mr Van Es said.

“Some want to be nurses or doctors, and others want to pursue careers in allied health such as physiotherapy, occupation al therapy or medical imaging.

“It’s a great result from the first intake of the Big Dream Small Steps program, which aims to increase the number of people in our workforce who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

“We currently have about 2.3 per cent and we want to increase that to 6 per cent to be in line with the proportion of the wider health service community that identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.”

Anew report has confirmed the im portance of the resources sector to the Queensland economy, with a record $94.6 billion contributed by coal, gas, and minerals producers in the 2021/22 financial year.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the result was a new record and up an incred ible $10 billion or 12 per cent on the pre vious year.

“This year’s annual Economic Contri bution report shows how integral the re sources sector is to the Queensland econ omy, with the figures telling the full story,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Our total figure of $94.6 billion includes a record $9 billion in resources royalties, with international demand for Queensland commodities, particularly coal and gas, driving record prices and therefore record royalties for the Queensland budget.

“Resources royalties go straight into the state budget to help pay for hospitals, nurses, teachers, police officers and other essential government services.

“On top of this, the resources sector also supports the jobs of almost 451,000 Queenslanders and supports one in every four dollars spent in this state, which is up from one in five last year,” he said.

Mr Macfarlane said the contribution by the resources sector to regional economies

and employment has continued to grow for the past five years

“Towns and communities from the state’s north-west down to the south-east corner all benefit from the prosperity of the re sources sector and our associated supply chain,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“In the past financial year, resources com panies have also spent $27 billion on sup porting local business, sporting groups and charities, which brings enormous so cial and economic benefits to mining com munities.

“More than half of that is spent outside the Brisbane region.

“Significantly, coal producers accounted for 69 per cent of the money spent by the resources industry across the state.

“Looking forward, as our trading partners look to Queensland to meet their ener gy, metals and steelmaking needs, along with a growing critical minerals market, it’s more important than ever to have the right government policy settings in place to maximise this opportunity.

“The QRC continues to call on the Queensland Government to review this tax increase on our industry, and to work with us on a better plan that doesn’t dam age the state’s number one export indus try.”

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane

Ever wondered why your vehicle is taking so long at a repair facility?

Every year, we’re reminded of the incredible Christmas spirit we see spread throughout Mackay for those doing it tough over this period.

Get Real Workwear & Safety is a proud locally owned and operated business committed to supporting

the community. As part of that, we know that people are doing it tough and there are ways we can all get on board to help.

Whether you can contribute, or you need a helping hand, there are several organisations actively making a difference for others:

Triple M Mackay - Toy Drive Appeal

Buy a brand-new toy (any age group), leave it unwrapped and drop it to the Triple M studios. Level 3, 123 Victoria Street Mackay, or to the Salvation Army Hall Mackay.

Roshni Indian Restaurant - ‘No One Eats Alone’ Christmas Lunch No booking required – attend on Christmas Day for a free lunch 11am-1pm with all the trimmings ham, prawns, rolls, salad, and dessert, plus a small gift!

Star 101.9 and Mackay Women’s Services

Christmas Hamper Drive

Drop off ‘Christmas Day Hamper’ themed items including older children’s gifts (13+), along with food, fuel, and gift vouchers. Please contact Julie on 4953 1788 or email julie@mkywc.org.au

The Neighbourhood Hub – Community Christmas Appeal 2022

Asking the Mackay community to assist with the purchase of vouchers and non-perishable food items. Please email christmas@tnhub.org.au for more information.

Christmas can be a stressful time and the wonderful team at Lifeline 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 are available for a chat 24/7.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our customers and suppliers who supported us in 2022. Wishing everyone a merry, safe, and happy Christmas from the Get Real Workwear & Safety team!

proudly brought to you

Why didn’t we order all the parts before we started?

Let’s break this down a lit tle more!

Repair facilities are gen erally governed by in surance and the scope of works that are initially al lowed or approved. This is limited to what is visi ble at the time of the es timate.

We can of course provide an indication of damage we believe has occurred

however this is rarely in cluded in the initial ap proved scope of work.

That means that vehicles need to be disassem bled so as to identify and photograph the internal or non-visible damaged components. Resent for authority and then orders are placed for additional parts while this appears to make the process a bit clunky, it is an important step in making sure that all the damage is consid ered and covered in the repair process.

The Average Car has roughly 30,000 parts! Add to that over 40 different brands, all with a variety of models released every year.

That is a staggering num ber of parts to be able to locate and identify.

This is an example of the 2 part breakdowns in to tal there are 8 of these for this section of the vehicle.

Andrea McCarthy Owner, McCarthy Panel Works

by

We’ve worked hard and we’ve been fortunate. We really want to thank our present and past employees, customers and the community for their support and we will continue to focus on maintaining strong business and customer relationships. Pat, John and Stefan

Stronger Together For 50 Years

Croydens Success – Driven By Community

Ahousehold name throughout Sa rina and beyond for 50 years, JT & PA Croyden Pty Ltd celebrated hauling for half a century and reflected on how their business had evolved through the decades.

Owners John and Patricia Croyden estab lished the “Croydens” business in 1972 with the purchase of their first truck from a local business formerly Crokers Truck Centre, to service the Sarina community with landscaping and quarry supplies.

Before the beach communities around Sa rina had water installed, carting water was a big part of the business. People would ring in the middle of the night because someone was having a party and they’d run out of water. They would want Croy dens to do a load of water immediately. That’s how the Croyden name became wo ven throughout the fabric of the commu nity.

The business quickly established a reputa tion for customer focus, which was based on a “make it happen” approach, and al ways being prepared to “have a go”. The result – being able to hold long-standing

John’s perspective was that if something was wrong, they would fix it.

“It also helped that we looked after our gear with preventative maintenance, even before that became a ‘thing’,” John said.

“It was also significant at the time that we established a business office and weren’t operating from the driver’s seat of a truck.”

The 24-hour nature of the business meant both John and Pat were on call all hours of the day and night. At night, John and Pat would sleep with the telephone on one side of the bed and the two-way radio on the other. As Pat says, if you’ve got trucks out working, you’ve got to be on call – in case

they get bogged, break down, or they’re having trouble finding a delivery point.

Since the heady days of employing more than 80 permanent staff, with a long list of casuals and approximately 150 pieces of equipment, some divisions of the business have been sold off, including quarrying, biodunder, cattle feed transport and water truck contracts with the mines.

croyden.com.au

Along the way, John and Pat have man aged to transition to retirement, however easing the transition has been the steady hand of trusted, long-time employee, Ste fan Tomerini.

Croydens General Manager Stefan Tomer ini stepped into the role in 2007 to “help steer the transformation of Croydens”.

“John and Pat have supported the local community and been part of developing so many local charities and clubs finan cially, and it humbles me to manage the Croyden empire,” Mr Tomerini said.

A business turning 50 is an appropri ate time to take a helicopter view of past achievements and impact on the commu nity. John may have had the big picture view, but make no mistake – Pat was in strumental in making it happen.

We’ve worked hard and we’ve been fortunate. We really want to thank our present and past employees, customers and the community for their support and we will continue to focus on maintaining strong business and customer relationships.

Pat, John and Stefan

“We’ve managed to ride the ups and downs – there were some trying times, but also plenty of good times.”

Celebrating 50 years of Croydens. L-R: Glen Croker, Ross Kynaston, Jason Cross, John Croyden, Patricia Croyden, Stefan Tomerini, Don McAlpine, Justin Donovan, Steve Knight, Nathan Fahl and Iain Allison

Smart Cropping Paving The Way For Future AgTech

Growers and agri-technology rep resentatives gathered in Emerald last week as part of AgTech Month to collectively brainstorm new and clever ways to address cropping challenges with technology solutions.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Devel opment and Fisheries Mark Furner said Emerald’s new Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre is the perfect forum for this meeting of the minds.

“The Smart Cropping Centre is rapidly de veloping into a hothouse for robotics, sen sor networks, drones and other tech which supports farming systems in an environ ment of increasing climate variability,” Mr Furner said.

“Just recently, the Smart Cropping Centre has begun using robots and drones on the site to field test their capabilities.

“This week’s co-design workshop will flesh out the challenges the local agricultural in dustry faces and what they believe would make a difference to their business and industry.

“The information gathered will ensure the centre continues to shape its work in a di rection that is meaningful and supportive of local producers.

“The role of the Smart Cropping Centre is

to develop solutions that assist producers in maximising their efficiency, so collabo ration is key.

“This kind of innovation points the way to the future of agriculture and the thousands of good jobs that rely on this industry.

Mr Furner said Central Queensland is an important agricultural production region, contributing significantly to Queensland’s $23 billion agricultural industry.

“As part of the 2021 State Budget, the Queensland Government invested $5.85 million to develop the Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre as an innovation flagship that brings together RD&E in farming systems, agronomy, crop innova tion and plant protection with the latest innovations in AgTech and data sciences to deliver a world-class research hub for Queensland’s cropping sector,” he said.

“It will boost local and national industry confidence to invest in new technologies and growing systems to achieve growth in productivity, expand exports and ensure future food security.”

The centre is part of the Queensland Smart Farms initiative which is developing a net work of farms and facilities dedicated to advancing Australia’s agriculture and food industries through AgTech innovation–AgTech in action.

The Key To A Sustainable Sugar Future

Global Sugar Alliance members have called on India to fully com ply with its international commit ments and urged all countries to redouble efforts to fix the World Trade Organiza tion (WTO), during a meeting in London this week.

The global sugar industry needs a trade system that works. To achieve this the Al liance has established three priorities:

• India complying with its WTO com mitments.

• Restoring a fully and well-functioning WTO dispute settlement system and appellate body.

• Strengthening the WTO’s rules-based global trading system with countries committed to ambitious reductions in trade- and production-distorting do mestic supports, and increasing trade liberalism – not retreating into protec tionism.

An open international trading system will have the added benefit of supporting and simplifying efforts to sustainably secure global food security in concert with sci

ence-based action against climate change.

Global Sugar Alliance Chair - Greg Beashel said, “The WTO Panel ruling that the fundamentally flawed Indian sug ar regime breaches India’s international commitments is an emphatic win for the world sugar industry.”

Following India’s appeal, without a func tioning Appellate Body, swift finalisation of the case has been delayed.

“To promote predictability and security in the multilateral trading system, res toration of the WTO Appellate Body is a matter of priority and urgency,” Mr Beashel said.

Sandra Marsden from Canada said, “The WTO’s ruling that India’s sugar supports were in breach of its commitments under scored the importance of an enforceable rules-based trading system. Unsubsidised international trade in agriculture has a critical role to play in achieving both sus tainable global food security and reduc ing pressures on climate change.”

The planned 15 hour cleaning intermission on Thursday was extended by seven hours when a replacement injection water pump failed upon restart. Further unplanned stops during the latter part of the week also affected overall throughput.

Average weekly CCS was 13.01, down slightly from 13.04 the previous week. The season to date CCS closed out at 13.14 units.

An extended stop was caused by a failed electric motor on No.1 mill pressure feeder hydraulic unit, and a failed boiler 3 grate. The northern half of the supply district received heavy rainfall on Thursday afternoon.

The highest CCS was 15.6 units from a rake of Q200 Plant from the Yukan productivity district.

The highest CCS was 15.6 units from a rake of Q240 2nd ratoon from the Carmila productivity district. Please continue to use your train brain and remain alert around our cane rail network. Do not linger near any part of the rail network, and only cross the line using designated crossings.

With the crushing season extending into the school holidays, we ask parents and caregivers to talk to children about the dangers of playing on or around our cane rail network.

Remember our locos are towing heavy loads and can take up to 1km to come to a complete stop.

Our cane trains are in operation around the clock, seven days a week during the crushing season.

Our cane trains are continuing to operate round the clock, seven days a week.

Jim Kirchner

Cane Supply Manager

Plane Creek Region

Quentin is a technology solutions architect based at the Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre in Emerald. The Centre recently hosted an AgTech forum. Photo credit: Queensland Agriculture

Jim Kirchner

Cane Supply Manager Plane Creek Region

VEGETATION VANDALISM PUTS BALL BAY PROPERTIES AT RISK SOILS SYMPOSIUM A HIT WITH LOCAL LANDHOLDERS

Presenter Tim Marshall, (National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia). Tim is a leader in organic agriculture and certification in Australia for 45 years and a significant contributor to organic standards and certification in worldwide forums. Photos supplied

Carlos Bueno, (Reef Catchments Senior Project Officer – Conservation and Communities) and Kym Kruse, (Co-Founding Director RegenAGE). Kym is a sought-after farming consultant and educator, with over 20 years of regenerative agriculture experience.

More than 70 landholders attended the 11th Annual Healthy Soils Symposium conference last week in Mackay, wanting to learn more about how to create vibrant healthy soils for increased productivity and sustainability.

The conference is part of a three-day event which included two field days where local farms showcased regenerative farming prac tices and sustainable land management.

The Soils Symposium is managed by Reef Catchments with funding from the Austra lian Government’s National Landcare Pro gram.

Reef Catchments’ Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator, Gillian Barbat said this year’s turnout was a testament to the excel lent guest speakers featured at the confer ence, and the landholders who were willing to welcome others to their properties to see hands-on examples of regenerative agricul

ture.

“As we move into our second decade of the Symposium, it’s great to see the desire to improve soil health and caring for country continue to grow,” she said.

“The Soil Symposium is all about network ing and sharing ideas, offering delegates many opportunities to question and brain storm solutions to challenges they may be facing in their own soil health journey.”

With extensive grazing, sugar cane produc tion and forestry industries in the Mack ay-Whitsunday-Isaac region, events such as the Healthy Soils Symposium share experi ence, knowledge and management practices to help reduce the impact of these activities on our natural environment.

Read more about projects delivered by our Sustainable Agriculture team on our website at www.reefcatchments.com.au.

At least 25 trees have been damaged at Ball Bay in a shocking act of vegetation vandalism.

The incident involved the complete re moval of some of the trees at Buoro Street and extensive trimming of others.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council would be implementing the actions of its vegetation vandalism policy to their full effect.

“These trees protect our foreshore and provide residents’ properties with protec tion from severe weather events,” he said.

“We are currently in storm season, so it is disgusting that some residents continue to

prioritise their views of the beach over the safety of the foreshore.

“As a result, council will be replanting trees at this location at a density of three trees for every one that was damaged. In total, we will be replanting up to 75 new trees.

“We will also be installing a large vegeta tion vandalism billboard at this location.”

Mayor Williamson said that there was not enough evidence available to prove the identity of the person responsible for this act of vegetation vandalism.

“If anyone has any information or evi dence on who may have damaged the trees at Ball Bay, please contact council,” he said.

WOODLANDS SPRINGING INTO LIFE THIS MONTH

The tender for civil works for the ea gerly anticipated Woodlands Dis trict Park project has been awarded to local contractor, Vassallo Constructions, with works commencing this month.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the project was all about improving liveability for res idents.

“Woodlands District Park will be a place where residents can enjoy time as a family and take in the beauty of the natural envi ronment, regardless of their age or ability,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Providing we have good weather, we’re hoping to start civil works next month,” he said.

“This work will include drainage improve ments and the installation of a new path network and lighting.

“Council has also committed to bringing the construction of the all-abilities play ground and multi-purpose active track forward into stage one, and this work is

due to commence next year.”

The civil works and drainage improve ments are expected to start in December and will be completed by late May 2023, weather permitting.

Construction of the inclusive playground, new public amenities and the other recre ational facilities will commence in 2023 once the civil works are complete.

The existing playground in Broomdykes Drive Park will remain operational while construction is underway.

To stay informed about work happening as part of stage one and to learn more about future stages of this project, visit connect ingmackay.com.au/woodlands and sub scribe to project update emails.

STAGE ONE OF WOODLANDS DISTRICT PARK UPGRADES WILL INCLUDE:

• a new all-abilities playground

• a multipurpose active track (Woodlands

Track), which will be suitable for all ages

• new barbecue and picnic facilities

• public amenities, including an accessible adult change facility for the disabled community

• improvements to the park’s entries

• additional paths, including the start of a new north-south connection through to Caledonian Drive and the extension of the existing cross-park (east-west) link

• drainage and landscaping improvements, including the reshaping and replanting of the unsightly open swale drain to naturalise the water course.

This project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program in association with Mackay Regional Council.

The total cost of stage one is $5.9 million, with the State Government contributing $2 million towards the project.

Lara and Mike Russell with their sons Arlo and Flynn enjoy a stroll through Woodlands District Park

Kym Kruse and Katrina Dent (Reef Catchments CEO)

Radio Legend’s Lung Warning

It’s been over one year since Paul “Cam po” Campion lost his mother to Chron ic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

These days, Paul can be heard across the southeast Queensland airwaves on Ips wich-based radio station River949, but he grew up in Armstrong Beach, near Sarina, and says his north Queensland childhood was wonderful.

“I’ve got many fond memories of growing up in Sarina,” he said.

“It was a wonderful time through the 80s, a lot of fun for kids.”

When Paul left Sarina State High School in 1987, he got a job at Mackay radio station 4MK, embarking on a career in radio that would take him to Sydney and Brisbane.

He has also become an advocate for COPD after watching his mother struggle with it for 20 years.

Paul says his mum was a heavy smoker from her teens until she quit at age 45 when she was diagnosed with emphysema, a type of COPD.

“There’s no real cure, it just keeps deterio

rating,” said Paul.

“Your lung filaments die and it’s very slow.

“Your lungs just continually deteriorate as the years go by.”

COPD affects around one in 13 Australians over the age of 40 and is the number one cause of avoidable hospitalisations in Aus tralia.

The lung condition worsens over time and leads to increasing breathing difficulty, disability and premature death, usually af fecting people aged over 45 but often going unnoticed or undiagnosed for a long time.

Paul said COPD heavily affected his moth er’s quality of life.

“As years went by, she couldn’t really leave the house because she was on the oxygen tank,” he said.

“It was very difficult to watch when we all came home for Christmas, all the kids were there, she could talk and everything but there was no getting up and enjoying life.

“Watching my mum, over the years, deteriorate and lose her quality of life, I think it’s enough for any one to tell people to look af ter your lungs, look after your breathing, because once they’re gone, you’re stuffed.”

World COPD Day was held on November 16 and saw Lung Foundation Australia launch its blueprint calling on the state and federal governments to take ur gent action to improve COPD care and out comes.

“We urgently need to create pathways for lifelong prevention of COPD, earlier di agnosis, and improved awareness and treatment of this condition,” said Lung Foundation Australia Board Member and Respiratory Expert Professor Christine Jen kins AM.

“Much can be done to address these inade quacies of care delivery, and this Blueprint describes the innovations and changes in

100 YEARS YOUNG

Paul “Campo” Campion

service delivery that could accelerate this.”

There are many ways to avoid COPD and Paul said not smoking and early detection is key.

“Anyone who’s sucking foreign substances into their lungs, there’s going to be issues later in life,” he said.

“If you’re starting to get short of breath, struggling to run or be active, starting to cough, you might want to check it out sooner rather than later.

“With early detection, you can have quality of life, but my mum was too far gone.”

Mt P JPs Welcome New Member

Mackay resident Gladys Smart turned 100 years old on Novem ber 6, 2022, celebrating her mile stone at her daughter Beryl and son-in-law John Ahern’s home in Mackay alongside 105 family and friends.

Son Bob and his wife Jan and their fami ly travelled from Bowen and many other family members travelled from as far as Melbourne, Brisbane, Yeppoon, Blackwater and Calliope.

Gladys’ grandson Dean also sent his special greetings from Casey Station, Antarctica, where he lives and works.

A wonderful afternoon was enjoyed by all featuring a puppet show, pinatas and lots of

delicious food.

Gladys’ family has grown from her twins, Bob and Beryl, to now include 7 grandchil dren, 18 great grandchildren and 23 great, great grandchildren.

Gladys has received special congratulations from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk, Governor of Queensland Jeanette Young and Pro fessor Graeme Nimmo, Governor Gener al David Hurley and wife Linda, Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and still awaits her letter from His Majesty King Charles. Congratulations, Gladys!

They’re there when you often need them most, through births, deaths, marriages and even buying your first home.

JPs in the Community are local volunteers, trained Queenslanders who can witness and certify your routine legal documents. For example, wills, affidavits, statutory declarations and enduring documents. The Mt Pleasant branch of JPs in the

Community welcomed a new member last week with a social lunch at Goosies Sport and Recreation Club.

Volunteer JP Ted Mullan said the group would be taking a break over Christmas.

“Following a busy year witnessing all man ner of documents for clients, the team will enjoy a well-earned break from 26th De cember to 2nd January,” Mr Mullan said.

Gladys Smart turned 100 early last month

105 family and friends gathered to help Gladys celebrate

Gladys’ grandson Dean couldn’t attend but sent his well wishes from Antarctica

L-R: Mandy Treloar, Jan Lindbergs, Mike Oakley, Gus Chetcuti, Russel McLean, Donna Seymour (new mem ber), Morris Walburn, Ted Mullan, Gary Sorensen. Members who could not attend: Anne Jennings and Angie Kidd. Photo supplied

PROPERTY POINT

That’s a common question from people considering putting their property on the market.

The truth is that in Mackay there is probably not a bad time to sell and I find that pretty much any time of the year is a good time.

The only issue around this time of year is that ev erything closes down over the Christmas-New Year period.

The way the dates fall this year, Saturday the 17th of December will be the last open house day for most agents. While solicitors, banks and brokers will mostly keep operating the following week, things will wind up on Friday the 23rd of December.

In terms of access to solicitors, building and pest inspectors, banks etc, it will be very difficult to get anything done between the 23rd of Decem ber and the 3rd of January.

There will be some people who will list their properties for sale between now and Christmas and history tells us that there can be some good results at this time of year.

For other people, the period between now and Christmas will be about getting ready to sell in the New Year.

A terrific approach can be to get listing docu ments signed, photos done and write-up com pleted before the holidays so that sellers are ready to go in early January.

That early January period can be good because

the intrusion and delays over the holiday period are behind us and it is all systems go.

Buyers are motivated at that time of year … not many people want to go looking at properties in mid-January unless they are serious about buy ing.

A lot of those buyers are looking at that time of year because they want to have a property under contract before the end of January so they can make plans around where they will be living in the year ahead.

They know where the kids will be going to school and they have got certainty around access to work, shops and community/sporting activities.

For me, the idea is that I start getting things ready over the next couple of weeks for proper ties I will be putting on the market and selling in January.

If photos, write-ups, documentation etc. are done when I go on my Christmas break I know that I can come back in early January, hit the button and be ready to go.

It’s an exciting time in January because every one’s had a break and we’re full of energy and ready to embrace the market and the world in a new year.

This is my last column for the year. Have a Mer ry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Looking forward to a continuation of Mackay positivity in 2023.

Farewell For Now

As everyone is winding down for Christmas, I’m officially signing off for the year and heading onto maternity leave. It’s such a bittersweet time, as I will certainly miss being on air and work ing with the awesome crew at Star 101.9, however I’m also very excited to welcome my boy into the world and take a little time to focus on just family.

Christmas will certainly be looking a little different in my house this year, we will be swapping the booze for a baby bottle!

I do want to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and New Year pe riod. Good luck to everyone tackling Mount P and Canelands these next

few weeks and enjoy this time with family and friends.

However, don’t get too comfortable without me, I’ll be back from mat leave singing (terribly) on your drive to work/school before you know it!

Also don’t forget if you are looking for something to do this weekend, Carols in the Gardens is on at the Bo tanic Gardens Amphitheatre this Sat urday night. It’s a great family night out and the perfect way to get into the Chrissy spirit.

I promise not to sing a cover of Mari ah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas is You’ on the night.

Merry Christmas everyone, Rach

HAVE YOU GOT THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT?

It’s December and Christmas is only three weeks away. My year has flown by and as I write this I wonder where 2022 has gone.

Mackay has had a good year; we have opened our new state-of-the-art Ani mal Management Centre; we are also well advanced with works on the Sea forth Esplanade project and the River side Link upgrade in the PDA. Prepara tion works are also happening with the Northern Beaches Community Hub and the mountain bike tracks in the Pioneer Valley.

I would like to thank all our staff and contractors for their dedication to their work at council, especially the Parks and Gardens crews for putting in the hard yards to get on top of our grass issues early in the year.

And while it’s great to reflect on what we have achieved this year, now is the time to find our Christmas spirit. Now is the time to consider family, friends and those less fortunate than ourselves as we prepare for Christmas.

We all know the story of Mary and Jo seph struggling to find somewhere to stay in Bethlehem. Unfortunately, this same scenario is happening in our region every day as more people come to Mack ay for work and cannot find accommo dation. If you know someone in that po sition, think about inviting them to your place for Christmas lunch so they don’t have to eat theirs on a park bench.

Spare a thought for our cane farmers and all those who rely on them for survival, as they will have to work through the Christmas period this year in an attempt

to harvest the crop.

So, where will you find your Christmas Spirit? For me, it will be found in spend ing time with family and friends and watching the faces on the little ones as they open presents. It will be found in saying thank you to Vinnie’s volunteers and hundreds like them in other groups as they celebrate this year’s achievements at Christmas gatherings.

And you are all invited to find your Christmas spirit with me at Habana Car ols Under the Stars on December 17 at 7pm. We will be celebrating our 30th car ols by sharing the true Christmas spirit of giving without expecting something in return at our totally free family event.

Please stay safe.

Cr Laurence Bonaventura

Mackay Regional Council

EVENTGUIDE

FRIDAY 2 DECEMBER

Christmas Wrapping

9:00am to 4:00pm daily

SCOPE ladies and volunteers will be Christmas Wrapping at Home Co between Thrifties and Spotlight starting November 26 until Christmas Eve daily 9am to 4pm. Gold coin plus extra for over-sized gifts. All proceeds go to local charities including Samaritan House, Chances Op Shop (Australian Street Aid Project) and Mackay Animal Rescue Society.

Home Co between Thrifties and Spotlight Morning Melodies 2022 presents Darren Coggan Home for Christmas

Friday, 11:00am

Season’s greetings music lovers, time to “Deck the shed with bits of wattle” and join award winning performer, Darren Coggan, as he celebrates the joy of being Home For Christmas, through a collection of songs and stories that embrace the festive spirit of Christmas in Australia.

MECC

City Heart Christmas

Friday, 4:00pm

The City Heart will come alive on December 2 with Christmas celebrations. Fifth Lane will brighten the city with markets, live music, face painting, roving performers and a Sensory Circus workshop. Enjoy late night shopping, art exhibitions and Santa will be in town. Great fun for all the family.

Mackay City Heart

Guided Bird Tour

Friday, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Join birdwatchers Desley and Jenny as they go for a walk around our 1.4km track to discover what birds are about in the late afternoon/early evening. They have over 100 species recorded so far. Bring your own insect repellent and long clothes. Meet and greet from 4.30pm with walk starting at 5pm. $5 donation.

Wetland Walkabout

Exhibition Opening - Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT

Friday, 6:00pm

Mackay Regional Council and Artspace Mackay invite you to the official opening of Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT.

Artspace Mackay

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.

Wake House Australia

Northlane + Windwaker & Arcade Stories

Friday, 7:00pm

Australian heavy trailblazers Northlane are taking their #1 album, Obsidian, on tour

through regional Australia in November and December. The regional tour is set to cap off a stellar 2022 for Northlane. Earlier this year, the band released their acclaimed new album, Obsidian, which topped the ARIA Chart and has been streamed over 22 million times and climbing on Spotify. This fusion of metal and electronic music lent itself to some of the most mind-blowingly spectacular shows Australian venues have seen in recent times.

Seabreeze Hotel

SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER

Mackay Art Society Christmas Market

Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm

Support local artisans at the Christmas Market featuring timber gifts, cards, botanical art, jewellery, pottery, plants, Christmas gifts, bags, bric-a-brac and beautiful paintings.

2 Snow Wright Court, Beaconsfield

Exhibition Floor Talk - Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT

Saturday, 10:30am

Join Simon Wright, QAGOMA’s Assistant Director of Learning and Public Engagement on a guided walking tour of Three Decades of APT. This exhibition profiles key moments from the gallery’s flagship exhibition series looking to contemporary art in the Asia Pacific Region. Works of art commissioned or collected from APT1 (1993) through to APT9 (2018-19, display APT’s embrace of contemporary art in all its forms— from the ceremonial to the conceptual, and the deeply personal to the resolutely social. This event will be Auslan interpreted & amplified for patrons with hearing difficulties.

Artspace Mackay

Carols in the Gardens

Saturday, 5:30pm to 8:30pm

This year, Carols in the Gardens will take place at a brand-new location, the Meadowlands Amphitheatre at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens. The event will feature many talented local performers who will ring out festive cheer with Carols and Christmas songs you know and love. This Christmas celebration wouldn’t be complete without Kids Adventureland thanks to McDonalds, Mini Eat Street featuring food vendors from the Twilight Markets thanks to RDO Equipment, Walz Group VIP Area.

Meadowlands Amphitheatre

Christmas Actually Saturday, 7:00pm

Are you planning your work Christmas party? Or a festive night out with friends?

The MECC presents Christmas Actually hits from iconic holiday classic Love Actually. The silly season is quickly approaching, and the MECC presents the ultimate end of year experience to get everyone into the Christmas spirit! Kicking off the night with

the festive event of the year, from the creators of Rumour Has It and Lady Beatle comes Christmas Actually: the world’s most-loved movie soundtrack live on stage. The fun doesn’t finish after the show, the bar remains open as the festive cheer continues with a live band performing everyone’s favourites! MECC

SANTA’S BREAKFAST

Saturday, 8.30am Santa’s helpers have been hard at work to bring you something nice this year. Join us in welcoming Santa as he touches down at Mount Pleasant Centre for a special breakfast event. Get up close with Santa and friends, enjoy special guests, a festive performance from Dance Express Mackay, and face painting thanks to Let’s Just Face It Entertainment. All children receive a special gift from Santa.

Tickets $10 per child, with proceeds going to the Mackay Hospital Foundation.

Bookings essential. To secure your spot, head to: https://mountpleasantcentre.com.au/ whats-on/ Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre

SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER

Sarina Country Music Associations Christmas Breakup Sunday, 1:00pm Bistro opens at 11.30am. Could you phone or text Betty 0434911712 as soon as possible if you will be attending to let the Club know for catering purposes. You do not need to be a Club Member to attend. Music will be supplied by our resident band and club members. All other enquiries phone President Earl Burchardt on 049563330. Admission is free for this function. We welcome you to join us for our last Country Music afternoon for 2022.

Sarina Sporting and Services Club

Sunday Live Music – Ruby Sue 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 6 DECEMBER

Morning Melodies

Tuesday, 11:00am to 1:00pm

Enjoy a morning of fun, food and entertainment with Morning Melodies at the Leagues Club with Anette Worthington performing live once a month. Souths Leagues Club Mackay

WEDNESDAY 7 DECEMBER

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

Christmas Comedy Tour

Wednesday, 7:30pm

Get stuck into the Christmas spirits with four of QLD's favourite stand-up comics this December. Anna Brennan has performed at well over 100 stand-up shows, including a sold out ‘Queerly Beloved’ performance at Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Her comedy is observational, relatable and a little bit gross. Fresh from doing sold out shows at Sydney and Melbourne Fringe Festivals, Chris Southcote is cleverly camp and tantalizingly twisted.

Hosted by ex-Mackay local Reid Willoughby whose comedy is sharp, edgy and sweary.

Headliner Georgina Humphries hails from a dairy farm in Far North QLD and moved to Brisbane to pursue her quirky and lighthearted style of comedy. Her first solo show, ‘Get Clucked’ sold out. Only suitable for 18+ audiences (and barely suitable for them).

Ambassador Hotel

Christmas Storytime With Mrs Claus

December 7, 8 and 9, 9.30am

Straight from the North Pole, Mrs Claus is set to share some of the most cherished classic Christmas stories with little ones these holidays. Located on the Food Court stage, you’ll make beautiful memories together as a family. Mrs Claus will also be available until 12.30pm to jump into any Santa photos. Bookings not required.

Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre

THURSDAY 8 DECEMBER

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

Darren Coggan

Guided Bird Tour Northlane

Carols in the Gardens

Christmas Actually

Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT

Banksia Scout Awarded Australian Scout Medallion

Asia Pacific Triennial Brings 30 Years Of Contemporary Art To Mackay

Banksia Scout Liam Broad bent was recently pre sented with the Austra lian Scout Medallion at a Special Ceremony to celebrate the event.

Liam joined Banksia Scout Group as a Cub Scout in 2016 and advanced to the Scout sec tion in 2018.

Despite the challenges over the last couple of years with Coro navirus, Liam managed to com plete the activities required for him to achieve this significant award.

Some of these are as follows: for his journey, Liam completed a 32km hike through Eungel la visiting both Crediton and the Diggings before finishing at Sky Window, the elective Target Badge completed was Emergen cies and his proficiency badges were Abseiling, Animal Keeper, Caving, Entertainer, Fire Aware ness, and Information Technol ogy.

He has been an important part of the Unit Council and com pleted his activities at a high standard.

Liam chose District Commis sioner Katrina Hoare to present

him with his Australian Scout Medallion and his father Colin Broadbent to present him with his ASM Badge.

Region Commissioner Mr Dou gal McWhinney was present to witness the presentation of this significant award.

Liam said the best activity he attended whilst in Scouts was Capture the Flag, where you get to stay up all night to do the challenges to achieve the goal, and most of all have fun whilst doing it.

He said the thing that has made him a better person by being in Scouting is, he enjoys help ing the younger members, the Joey Scouts and Cub Scouts, as it makes him feel like he has accomplished something by en couraging them on their scout ing journey.

In the future Liam would like to gain paddling, archery and ab seiling qualifications as he con tinues in his scouting journey.

BRAVO to Liam and congratu lations on receiving this signifi cant award and may you achieve all you set out to do in scouting.

Contributed by Joanne Hamilton

APair of sculptural bulls made from brand ed corn beef tins, mythological paintings from the early 1990s and a witty mov ing-image work by Tracey Moffat are just part of a collection of high-profile artworks coming to Artspace Mackay this week.

The works are part of the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art’s (QAGOMA) touring exhibition “Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three De cades of APT”, which will open in the Main Gallery, Artspace Mackay on December 2.

It will run until February 5, 2023.

QAGOMA director Chris Saines said Asia Pacif ic Contemporary: Three Decades of APT featured works of art commissioned or collected from APT1 (1993) through to APT9 (2018-19).

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to tour this exciting exhibition profiling key moments from the Gallery’s flagship exhibition series, which has con tributed so much to our audience’s engagement with and understanding of contemporary art and culture in the region,” Mr Saines said.

“This diverse travelling exhibition highlights inter nationally significant works by leading artists dating from the 1980s to the present day,” he said.

Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT includes works by Heri Dono (Indonesia), Lee Wen (Singapore), Tracey Moffatt (Australia/United States), Lorraine Connelly-Northey (Waradgerie people, Australia) and Michel Tuffery (Aotearoa New Zealand).

Reuben Keehan, curator, Contemporary Asian Art,

QAGOMA, said the exhibition included works in a diversity of media including painting, sculpture, works on paper, video and performance.

“It reflects APT’s embrace of contemporary art in all its forms, ranging from the ceremonial to the con ceptual, and the deeply personal to the resolutely social,” Mr Keehan said.

“These vibrant and innovative works encompass di verse customary practices and cultural encounters, and illustrate extraordinary social change over al most thirty years.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said also opening in Artspace Mackay on December 2 was an exhibition by local illustrator Ryan Vella.

“Ryan has been creating graphic style illustrations for more than two decades and gained national rec ognition in 2004 when he illustrated John Birming ham’s ‘He Died with a Felafel in his Hand’,” Mayor Williamson said.

“It’s tremendous to see a local artist gaining a fol lowing nationally, and it’s sensational to be able to showcase his works with an exhibition in his home town,” he said.

Drawing on recent work, this exhibition, Under ground Spandex, showcases Vella’s intricate line drawings of comic characters in graphic, narrative scenes.

Also opening at Artspace Mackay is Focus on the Collection: Formed and Niloufar Lovegrove: Too Little, Too Much.

Head to artspacemackay.com.au for more informa tion.

Tomoko Kashiki I am a rock 2012, synthetic polymer paint, masking tape on linen on plywood. The Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Collection of Con temporary Asian Art. (Photograph: Natasha Harth, QAGOMA) Joanne Hamilton SL, Scout Liam Broadbent and DC Katrina Hoare

MORE LEGENDS COMING

TO MACKAY’S LAWN IN 2023

After a sold-out inaugural event earlier this year, Legends On The Lawn will return in 2023 with an iconic all-Australian line-up.

Featuring Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning, Missy Higgins, Mark Seymour, Vika & Linda and Ian Moss & Troy Cassar-Daley, the one-day festival is back in May and is guaranteed to sell out.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said af ter the success of the 2022 Legends On The Lawn it was fantastic to see such huge names stepping out for the 2023 event.

“Legends On The Lawn will return again in May,” he said.

“With Australian music icons Paul Kel ly, Bernard Fanning, Missy Higgins and Mark Seymour, as well as crowd favourites Vika & Linda and Troy Cassar-Daley, it’s certain to again be an epic live music event that will benefit our community and our economy.

“Legends On The Lawn is shaping up to be a major drawcard for our region, attracting visitors who will also have the opportunity to experience all of the natural attractions on offer, including platypus spotting, sun rise on the beach with kangaroos and ex ploring our pristine beaches and tropical rainforests.”

Great Barrier Reef Arena General Manag er Adrian Young agreed.

“We’re extremely excited to be involved in one of the best line-ups ever assembled in North Queensland,” he said.

“This year’s event was outstanding and we expect 2023 to be even better.

“We can’t wait.”

Paul Kelly has been writing music and touring for over forty years.

Along the way he has released over 40 al bums and collaborated with many other artists.

Paul’s live shows in recent years reveal a performer and band at the peak of their powers.

For the Legends On The Lawn, he will be playing a generous selection from his ev er-green, ever-selling greatest hits record Songs From The South, as well as delving into a range of songs from his vast cata logue.

Similarly, Bernard Fanning has accumu lated one of the most celebrated song books on the Australian rock spectrum.

The former Powderfinger frontman has collectively released 11 studio albums pro ducing songs that have become ingrained in the Queensland psyche.

It’s fair to say Bernard Fanning has firmly cemented his position as one of Australia’s finest singer-songwriters and lyricists.

With over 20 years of touring, expect a

rock show with swagger, entertaining ban ter, crowd interaction and a display of pure musical talent by a member of Australian rock royalty and his band who are the per fect accompaniment to his wide-ranging set list of heartfelt country - folk tinged charm and classic rock grooves.

Missy Higgins is one of our most beloved singer/songwriters and her acclaimed stu dio albums have sold more than two mil lion copies.

Classic songs like Scar, The Special Two, Steer, Everyone’s Waiting and Futon Couch, plus her unforgettable live shows, have made Missy an authentic household name.

The stories Missy shares through song writing come to life on stage as enjoyed by the thousands of fans who attend her concerts.

Read our interview with Missy on the next page.

Mark Seymour formed Hunters and Col lectors in 1980 with a bunch of Uni friends.

The band became famous for its rhythmic power and very quickly became touted as the ‘next big thing’.

Mark Seymour is one of our finest song writers, capturing our stories of love, loss, human courage and achievement.

Vika & Linda’s effortless harmonies and journey through rock, country, gospel,

reggae, R&B, soul and blues, while always paying tribute to their rich Tongan heri tage, has earned the respect and admira tion of their greatest fans – the renowned Australian artists they’ve performed and recorded with, and whose work their voic es have enhanced.

Paul Kelly says, “Their voices combined sound salty-sweet and have that elusive twinned quality you only get when siblings sing together ... They make the air beat in sync.”

Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley, two powerhouse artists, joined forces in 2022 for one of the year's most successful tours.

A truly remarkable partnership, with sim plicity proving to be a powerful vessel to tell a story and share a song, will delight audiences at Legends On The Lawn.

The 2023 Legends On The Lawn is guaran teed to sell-out – grab your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets for Legends on the Lawn go on sale at 9am QLD time on Thursday 1st Decem ber through Ticketmaster.

WHAT: Legends On The Lawn 2023

WHERE: Harrup Park

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 2023

TICKETS: On sale now via Ticketmaster

Paul Kelly headlines Legends On The Lawn 2023

Vika and Linda return for their second Legends On The Lawn

Bernard Fanning head lines an impressive Leg ends of the Lawn lineup

THE SOUND OF MISSY HIGGINS

Missy Higgins is one of Austra lia’s most beloved singer-song writers. Classic songs like Scar, The Special Two, Steer, Everyone’s Waiting and Futon Couch, plus her unforgettable live shows, have made Missy an authentic household name. Earlier in 2022, Missy re leased mini-album Total Control, picking up themes of exploitation and female em powerment that run through the TV series of the same name and which also dominat ed real world headlines last year as a string of abuse allegations emerged from Parlia ment House. Mackay Life Journalist Sam Gillespie had a chat with Missy before she brings her songs and her stories to Mackay for Legends on the Lawn in May.

Missy, going back to the start, how did the song ‘All for Believing’ come about and how do you think it winning triple j Un earthed affected your career trajectory?

‘All For Believing’ was pretty much one of the first songs I ever wrote, I was 15 or 16 in year 10. I wrote it about my boyfriend I had when I was in year 10, he was kind of my first love. It was a very tumultuous affair. I wrote it for a school music assignment and, as usual, I just didn’t do my homework, so I did it at the last minute. I went into a room with a piano at recess on the day that it was due, and I wrote that song and it just kind of came out … I recorded it and then a couple of years later, when I was in year 12, my sis ter sent the cassette of the recording to tri

ple j, and it won Unearthed. I didn’t even know what Un earthed was at the time but it was a really big deal and it ended up getting my song on the radio and I got a record deal out of that; it was really how the whole thing started, I have my sister really to thank for sending the cassette in in the first place, because I’m not sure how I would’ve got my start without that.

What was 15-year-old Missy Higgins’ song writing process compared to that of current day Missy Higgins?

I guess back then, I didn’t have much go ing on so I could spend a lot of time in my bedroom pouring my heart out. My process was like keeping a diary and when you’re a teenager you feel like you’re going through so many huge waves of emotion and life altering experiences because you’re feeling lots of things for the first time and experi encing things for the first time … Now I’ve really got to make an effort to carve out the time because I’ve got kids now and that’s a full-time job so I’ve just got to figure out how to make the time for myself to write songs, so it couldn’t be more different, ac tually.

I read that music was your escape from the pressures of high school, was music

FIFTH LANE AWARDED AS A JOLLY GREAT PLACE

Agreat place is one that attracts, inspires and motivates people – a place that people are proud of.

And the Mackay region has even more reason to be proud of Fifth Lane, which has won the Great Place category at the 2022 Awards for Planning Excellence.

Mayor Greg Williamson said while Fifth Lane was initially supported by council grants, the collaboration between council, property owners and businesses (includ ing local artists) enabled the project to be

a success.

“Fifth Lane is more than a capital project or a piece of public art; it has provided a managed event space that continues to de liver ongoing community benefit,” Mayor Williamson said.

“It has come a long way from an unused laneway space in 2018 to what we look at and enjoy today,” he said

“It is now a lively and attractive event space that complements adjoining com mercial uses.”

always the plan at that stage?

Yes and no. I knew how much I loved mu sic, and I knew how much I always wanted to do music … I just wanted to perform, even if it meant just singing other people’s songs. I knew it was definitely music for me, I just didn’t realise that my name would be on the front of the album.

Flash forward 20 years and you’re on this huge tour before coming to Mackay for Legends on the Lawn, how excited are you for these shows?

I’m so excited. It’s just such an amazing group of people on this tour, most of which I know and love from over the years. It’s just so great to have such a big run of shows, I think it’s 26 or 27 shows with the same group of people so after a while you just be come a bit of a family … Just to have these regular, consistent shows after a couple of

years of the pandemic ruining live music for us and for everyone else, it’s a real relief and I think all of us are even more grateful than we ever have been to be doing what we do and to be able to play live shows. And what can we expect from your Leg ends on the Lawn set?

I released an album earlier this year called ‘Total Control’, it’s a real feminist power house album so we’re going to be playing a lot of songs from that album but we mix in a lot of old stuff too so there’ll be quite a few from the first album and a mixture of the subsequent albums and there’s always a few surprises in there too, we’re trying to work up a cover song at the moment, so it should be a lot of fun.

For the full interview go to mackayandwhitsundaylife.com.

The Queensland Awards for Planning Ex cellence program recognises individuals, teams and community groups for their in novation, leadership, excellence and com mitment to good planning.

Mayor Williamson said, next week, Fifth Lane would be jam-packed with family fun, including Christmas markets, face painting and live music as part of the Mackay City and Waterfront’s City Heart Christmas event.

“City Heart Christmas is a chance for the

local community to eat, drink, shop and embrace the festive season while enjoying late-night trading, roving performers and much more,” he said.

“There’s even a special surprise for the kids, with Santa stopping by.”

To stay up to date on City Heart Christmas and more exciting events planned for the City Centre, follow the Mackay City and Waterfront Facebook page.

City Heart Christmas Friday, December 2, from 4pm to 7pm.

Mackay City and Waterfront acting project manager Stacey Mills accepted the Great Place Award on behalf of Mackay Regional Council at the 2022 Awards for Planning Excellence. Photo supplied

Fifth Lane will come alive tonight for the City Heart Christmas event from 4pm to 7pm

Photo credit: Emma Goodland

Holy Spirit College Winners Awarded At Speech Night

Holy Spirit College welcomed many special guests on Tuesday, November 15 as students were awarded for their efforts throughout the year at the College’s Speech Night and Pre sentation of Awards.

Students’ successes were celebrated and they were encouraged to continue to share their gifts and talents with the College and their local community.

The Graduation Dux is the highest aca demic honour that one can achieve at the time of Speech Night and is awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall Internal Assessment Results for the com bination of their best 5 subjects that would qualify for the award of an ATAR.

Confirmed Internal Assessment results are available to the College at the time of Graduation for determination of the awarding of the Graduation Dux.

SCHOOL DUX’S

• Graduation Dux – Jack Thatcher

• Year 11 Dux – Kaede Smyth

• Year 10 Dux – Demi Dennis and Lily Paul

• Year 9 Dux – Rory Franklin

• Year 8 Dux – Brayden Manttan

• Year 7 Dux – Sienna McEvoy

OTHER MAJOR AWARD WINNERS OF THE NIGHT INCLUDED:

• Marist Sisters’ Award (Year 12) – Jack Thatcher

• Don Brown Memorial Bursary (Year 12) – Hamish Donnollan

• Mary Moore Memorial Award (Year 10) – Mia Cundell

• Gifts of the Holy Spirit in memory of Bobette Hazell – Natalie Doyle

• Excellence in Studentship Award (Year 12) in memory of Mark Camilleri –Mitchell Penfold

• Vocational Education & Training Award (Year 12) in memory of Mark Cowley – Annica Gibbs

• The James Cook University Rising Star Scholarship – Rorie McKinnon

• Ampol Best All Rounder Award (Year 12) – Patrick Mattes

• Macrossan & Amiet Charitable Foundation Award (Year 11) – Jorja Jurczyluk

• Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton Aspire to Teach (Year 11) –Courtney Brooke

• Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton Award (Year 10) – Nicholas Doyle

• Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton Scholarship for an Indigenous Student (Year 9) –

• Lincoln Heffington

• Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award (Years 10 and 12) – Eleena Joe and Emma White

• Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Awards(Years 10 and 12) – Hannah Benjamin and Harrison Turner

• The Dawson Medal for Outstanding Community Service – Rory Franklin

CULTURAL AND SPORTING AWARD WINNERS:

The following awardees were initially presented their awards at the Celebration of the Arts and Celebration of Sports Awards Evenings held recently.

• Excellence in The Arts – Kira Atherton

• Most Promising Junior Arts Student – Rory Franklin and Liam Hyde

• Junior Sportswoman of the Year – Kiara Johnson and Elizabeth Lee

• Junior Sportsman of the Year – Lucas Haack

• Senior Sportswoman of the Year – Taynah McMurtrie and Preetika Vella

• Senior Sportsman of the Year – Cameron Wonnocott

Graduation Dux and Marist Sisters' Award - Jack Thatcher

10 Dux – Demi Dennis and Lily Paul

Holy Spirit College, a Catho lic co-educational college for Years 7 to 12 in Mackay, cel ebrated their Year 12 Graduation on Friday, November 18.

The day commenced with a special

Graduation Mass with Parish Priest Fr Stephen Hanly, presiding.

The HSC Community then welcomed all Year 12 Graduates onto the stage as they were applauded by their families, fellow students and College staff.

It was an extraordinary day to com memorate the end of thirteen years of schooling and the College wishes their graduates all the best for their bright and promising futures.

Holy Spirit College Farewells Year 12s Summer Mullets

In a true display of ‘school’s out for sum mer’ energy, four students and four staff members from Whitsunday Anglican School had their hair shaped into a mullet on the last day of school, all for a good cause.

Year 11 students Noah Faa, Charlie Jackson, Carter Marsh and Ryan Chatteris all decided to get mullets for Mullets For Mental Health, a cause raising funds and awareness for mental health research, and challenged the staff to get involved.

“I’m a bit of a barber myself and I was having a bit of banter with (Deputy Principal Jamie Novosel) saying, ‘You should let me give you a mullet,’” said Noah.

“Two terms later, at the end of the year, we’ve created a fundraiser, and unfortunately I’m not giving him a mullet, but at least he’s get ting one.”

With the help of Amy and Tiffany from Mold ielox Barber Shop, who donated their time and expertise, the four students, as well as Principal Andrew Wheaton, Deputy Princi pal Jamie Novosel and teachers Alex Kertesz and Alex Barker all started a party at the back, business at the front in front of a vocal crowd.

The boys raised over $7,000, surpassing their goal of $5,000, for a cause close to Noah’s heart.

“It’s something quite close to me and I know it’s probably something that’s skimmed over a

lot and it’s something that’s very prominent, more than we can see,” he said.

Principal Andrew Wheaton said the occasion was a perfect opportunity to highlight mental health in a school setting.

“The ability to be able to talk about this and for our boys and girls to express their emo tions is an issue we feel very strongly about and it’s great to see that our young men are taking up the baton in this very special cause,” he said.

One in five Australians experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year and roughly 60% of these people won’t seek help.

“Mental health is one thing that we’re very well attuned to for our young people who are moving through the pressures of their school ing,” said Mr Wheaton.

The previous week, Senior Mathematics Teacher Mrs Helle Smith shaved her head to raise funds for cancer with the help of her out going year 12 maths students.

Ms Smith raised close to $4,000 and said she hoped her fundraising will help many families that are affected by cancer.

Mrs Smith also believes in being a positive role model for her young students and to always be community minded, help wherever you can.

Visit the Whitsunday Anglican School’s Face book page to donate to the causes.

Photos supplied

L-R Carter Marsh, Ryan Chatteris, Mr Alex Kertesz, Mr Andrew Wheaton, Mr Jamie Novosel, Mr Alex Barker, Noah Faa and Charlie Jackson

Mrs Helle Smith. Photos supplied

Students and teachers lined up to participate in Mullets for Mental Health

Eisteddfod Honours For Mercy College Students

Mercy College students achieved a wave of success across all plat forms at this year’s 75th Annual Mackay Eisteddfod.

The performing arts students claimed multiple ribbons in the Dance, Music, Speech and Drama categories – earning high praise from experienced judges as well as Mercy/St Patrick’s College Prin cipal Janelle Agius, who is the widely re spected President of the Mackay Eistedd fod Association.

Talented 15-year-old dancer and vocalist Sophie Reilly received the Mackay Dis count Drug Store $200 Bursary for the Most Promising Performer 18 Years & Un der in the Eisteddfod’s Vocal Section.

Sophie capped a memorable Eisteddfod by also winning the 14 Years Girls Vocal Solo as well as the 13- & 14-Years Song and Dance Solo categories.

She was the winner of Miss GTB Enter tainment at this year’s Get the Beat Com petition in Mackay; attended the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge and was a fi nalist in the Musical Theatre Scholarships.

At the annual Queensland Asia-Pacif ic Grand Internationals National Cheer and Dance Competition held recently in Brisbane, Sophie was part of the Mercy/St Patrick’s College team that were crowned National champions in the Junior Lyrical category and also brought home the High est Points Scoring for a School trophy.

Year 10 dancer KAYLI VORMISTER picked up the 13-14yrs Lucy Bishop En couragement Award after impressive per formances in jazz, tap, lyrical, contempo rary and duo.

She featured in ten solos, finished runner up in Jazz and Duo and a Highly Com mended in lyrical.

Kayli has performed at local Eisteddfods since 2013 when aged six and is a prom ising student of Demi Reck at Dance Av enue.

EVA BISHOP won Most Outstanding Jazz Solo in 11yrs and under plus the Jazz Modern Aggregate for 11-12yrs.

She competed in 14 solos in jazz, tap, bal let, contemporary, lyrical and Champi onship Jazz and won the Ballet and Jazz solos, Waltz Tap, Speed Tap, Dance Impro visations and Demi Character.

Year 7 student Eva has honed her skills at the Leisa Payne School of Dance in Mack ay since the age of 4.

Siblings ZOE WARDROP, 14 and LILY WARDROP, 15 turned in classic per formances and brought home a swag of awards in Contemporary, jazz, ballet, Na tional and Championship.

Zoe won the Jazz Modern Aggregate Award as well as Contemporary and Jazz sections and impressed in the Teams events.

Lily won the Mary Haughton Memorial Trophy for 15yrs-18yrs Impromptu Story Telling and achieved top two placings in Lyrical, Drama, Characterisation, Mime, Shakespeare,Verse, Verse by Australian and Prose Reading.

She also received the Venebles Trudgion Encouragement Award.

MACKENZIE WOTHERSPOON im pressed in solo Dance – tap, jazz, ballet,

lyrical

4

She also gained second place in speed tap and five thirds in Waltz tap, Classic Tap, Ballet solo, tap solo and jazz.

MYAH ROKIC won the Joyce Caldwell Memorial Perpetual Trophy with top per formances in the 12-14ys Piano and Forte. Talented Irish Dancer AVA PEARL con tinued her superb achievements at com petition level with brilliant displays at this year’s Eisteddfod. Ava – who has danced since she was aged

Despite having to learn all new dances this year and considering she had a six-month restyling ban from competition, Ava has risen to the challenge.

Her team have been super proud of her re silience and placings this year with superb results at the NQ Premierships, IDA Feis and Eisteddfod.

ADYSON BAYLISS shone in the Piano category – finishing second in the 13yrs Modern and third in the 14yrs Modern.

By Chris Karas

Since COVID-19 swept the world, youth ambassador tours to Mackay’s sister city Matsuura have been put on hold, but that’s about to change.

Mackay Regional Council is currently seeking applications from students in years 10, 11 and 12 (in 2023) to travel to Japan on June 23, 2023, returning on July 8, 2023.

The estimated cost of the trip is $3500 (plus spending money), and council will subsidise $1000 for each youth ambassador, directly to the travel agent.

Mayor Greg Williamsons said this was a tremendous opportunity for young people, especially those learning Japa nese or with an interest in Japan.

“Being welcomed into the home of a Japanese family and having the chance to learn from, and be guided by, citi zens of our sister city Matsuura is an opportunity of a lifetime,” Mayor Wil liamson said.

“Add to that an exciting itinerary that includes a bullet train trip, a visit to

It has been four years

From Mackay To Matsuura Teen Shed Needs Your Bags

Tokyo Disneyland and daily sightsee ing activities, and this will be a trip at tendees will remember for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Youth ambassador applications must be submitted to mackaysistercities@ mackay.qld.gov.au by Sunday, Febru ary 12, 2023.

Council is also seeking chaperones for the tour, whose costs will be covered by council.

Chaperones must be at least 20 years old, fluent in Japanese and English

and have a first aid certificate.

Chaperone applications must be sub mitted to mackaysistercities@mack ay.qld.gov.au by Sunday, January 15, 2023.

Students and chaperones need to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as per travel requirements, and attend monthly/fortnightly cultural infor mation sessions, which start in March 2023 prior to departure.

All applications are available online at mackay.qld.gov.au/matsuura

Teen Shed Mackay are holding a school holidays activity making mats for the home less out of rubbish bags and need your help!

The teens require a lot more bags to make lots of these mats for this great cause.

If you have newly bought rolls of plastic bags, used shopping bags, large black bags, Coles/Woolworths

bags, or large coloured rub bish bags, why not contrib ute?

Teen Shed Mackay will be at the Laneway Markets at City Heart Fridays tonight where you will be able to drop off your bags.

If you can't make it to the markets, message Teen Shed Mackay on Facebook to organise an alternative.

Mercy College Eisteddfod winners Lily Wardrop, Zoe Wardrop and Kayli Vormister with St Patrick’s/Mercy College principal and Mackay Eisteddfod Association President Janelle Agius

and won the Modern Champion ship and collected four top places in jazz solo, lyrical solo, tap and ballet improvi sation.

– has joined a new dance school and is currently performing with International Dance Affair.

since Mackay last sent a delegation of youth ambassadors to Matsuura (pictured)

North Queensland Bulk Ports Celebrates Year Of Achievements

Around 60 port industry and com munity stakeholders came to gether to celebrate their collective achievements at North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) Stakeholder Function on Tuesday night.

This year the Port of Mackay celebrated a record-breaking 3.6 million tonnes for FY22 and NQBP delivered nearly $12 mil lion in trade supporting infrastructure in

vestments and maintenance works.

NQBP thanks all stakeholders for their support and acknowledges the commit ment of NQBP’s people, port partners, customers, and port communities.

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

North Queensland Bulk Ports Board Directors Lynn Smart, Tony Mooney, Monica McKendry, Chair Jane McTaggart and Andrea Ranson

Regional Harbour Master Captain Jason Britton with Renae Harmsworth from DBCT, Tim Ffrost from Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure and Caroline Roche from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Evan Milne and Aaron Wood from Smit Lamnalco Towage with NQBP’s Luke Sorensen (centre)

NQBP Board Chair Jane McTaggart, Mondiale VGL’s Jens Grovermann, BMA’s Crispian Mallise and NQBP Board Director Lynn Smart

Vassallo Construction’s Marcus Fossey and Victor Vassallo with NQBP’s Petra Graham (centre)

NQBP’s Emilie Power and Amanda Blines with Mackay Marina Run event coordinator Chrissy Evangelou

NQBP’s Tim Lewis and Hossein Saadai with Danny Wisely from Wisely Group

Tim Magoffin representing the Resource Industry Network and Mackay Marina Run with NQBP Board Director Tony Mooney

NQBP’s Ash Sinha and Darren Brownsey with Les Rodgers from DBCTAuriga’s Jaison Sebastian, with Petra Graham from NQBP, Damian Muscat of Crane Logistics and Chris Bugeja from Wisely Group

NQBP CEO Nicolas Fertin shared the port community’s collective achievements at NQBP’s Stakeholder Function on Tuesday night

Mackay Regional Council Cr Pauline Townsend, NQBP Board Director Monica McKendry, NQBP Community Reference Group Member Alison Jones, NQBP Board Director Lynn Smart, NQBP Board Chair Jane McTaggart, Yuwi Aboriginal Corporation representative Patricia Corrie and Cr Laurence Bonaventura

Crossroad Arts Opens New Exhibit

Crossroad Arts has again thrown open their doors to the community with their walls adorned by the art of a number of talented local artists.

Artists including Emma Pattermore, Cyn thia Gregg, Hahn Izard, Sue Nami, Bonnie Keam, Jewels Ibby, and Carly Lange are displaying their works at the Street View Gallery which opened on November 21 and will welcome visitors through to De cember 12.

The exhibit is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9am - 5pm at 55 Wood

Street, Mackay.

The Street View Gallery addresses a gap in the Mackay artist community for emerg ing artists and those living with disability to exhibit their work.

Artists with mental health conditions, neurodivergence and those who identify as First Nations or LGBTIQA+ were also encouraged to apply to the three exhibi tions across the year.

Artist Emma Patterson describes what an opportunity like the Street View Gallery

means to her as an emerging artist.

“I would say the main thing I have been wanting is to be more involved in the art community and having the experience of exhibiting,” Emma said.

“I have never exhibited my recent work before.”

If people are unable to attend the gallery during business hours, they can enjoy the works projected on the Crossroad Arts Window Gallery each weekday evening.

The front windows of 55 Wood Street

come alive at night with projections of the artists’ works from 5pm for the duration of the exhibit.

A special free event will be held to coin cide with the City Heart Fridays event pro gram tonight with the exhibit open 4:307:30pm with wine and nibbles.

WHAT: Street View Gallery City Heart Fridays Event

WHERE: 55 Wood Street, Mackay

WHEN: Friday, December 2 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm

“Confidence Is Your Best Accessory”

Miss and Mr Diamond is more than just a beauty pageant.

It’s a program for men and wom en across the world from different walks of life, celebrating inclusivity and diversity and giving contestants the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for any charity of their choice.

Emersen Lamb came across the program last December, entered and, almost 12 months later, was crowned Miss Junior Teen Diamond International 2022.

“Looking back, I’m so glad I did,” Emersen said.

“Miss Diamond has changed my life and opened my eyes to a whole new world.

“I want to empower girls around the world to take action and chase their dreams.

“Confidence is your best accessory.”

Emersen travelled to Brisbane for the Miss Diamond finals held from November 18 to 20, participating in a boot camp, boat

party, picnic in the park, photoshoot, gala dinner and the big night on Sun day night where she was crowned Miss Junior Teen Diamond Interna tional.

She was also awarded five other awards including Miss Diamond Social Media Queen, Pageant Planet People’s Choice Award Winner, Miss Diamond Runway Queen, Miss Di amond Congeniality and Miss Diamond Charity Queen.

While Emersen’s campaign was a fruit ful one, she says the experience and the friendships she made were the ultimate incentive.

“I made so many new friendships that I will forever hold close to my heart,” she said.

“It was just one big family, it felt like you’d known everyone forever because every one’s just so nice there.

“My experience at Miss Diamond is unfor gettable, it has changed my life.”

Throughout Emersen’s campaign, she ad vocated for her chosen charity Broken Ballerina Inc., raising $2,000 for the char ity that assists and supports victims of do mestic violence.

“Broken Ballerina is an amazing charity,” said Emersen.

“They give back to people who are going through hard times in their life.

“I’ve met Jules (Thompson, Founder) and I’ve seen how many amazing things she

does.

“She goes and supports them in court, she gives them money to buy groceries, she helps out the families, and I’m so happy that I chose to advocate for this charity.”

Emersen will hold the title of Miss Junior Teen Diamond International for the next 12 months before returning next year to crown the new winner.

“While in my reign, I will continuously ad vocate for my charity,” she said.

“It’s pretty much doing the same thing as you were as a finalist but now, I’m a title holder so it’s a bit more special.”

Artist Emma Pattemore showing exhibition visitors her work. Photo Credit: Crossroad Arts

Artist Sue Nami with their work. Photo Credit: Crossroad Arts

Emersen Lamb’s evening wear for the Miss Diamond Finals in Brisbane

Emersen won Miss Junior Teen Diamond International 2022 and five other awards. Photos supplied

Cynthia Gregg and Exhibition Visitors. Photo Credit: Alison Richardson

Mural To Encourage Uni Students To Dream Big

Bidyiri Woorwaya means “to dream big” in the YUWI language.

It’s fitting that this is the name given to the cultural gardens and yarning circle at CQUniversity's Mackay Ooralea Campus.

To dream big is also set to be the theme of a wall mural at the site thanks to $8000 in funding approved in the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) round one of grants.

RADF Committee chair Cr Fran Mann said the grant would be used to source and employ a local Indigenous artist to com plete the mural, who was also ideally a Traditional Owner.

“The committee was very supportive of the theme of the mural and hoped it would in spire students, staff and the community ‘to dream big’ and achieve their dreams,” Cr Mann said.

“The committee was also very pleased to see the collaboration with YUWI to ensure this site complimented and respected the culture of our region,” she said.

The applicant, Mellisa Taggart, CQUniver sity’s Indigenous student wellbeing project officer, said research showed that estab lishing culturally appropriate spaces and

places to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students had wide ranging benefits.

She said it helped them to feel welcome and encouraged them to participate in ter tiary education and achieve positive out comes.

“Our vision is to develop cultural safe spaces at each campus to welcome, engage, support and promote the social and emo tional wellbeing of Indigenous students and staff,” Ms Taggart said.

Also receiving funding to the tune of $3211 was a project by Shelley Engwirda that looks at how the "ordinary", everyday experiences of women are recorded so that their contributions to society can be rec ognised, valued and not forgotten.

Also funded in this RADF round were:

• Nature Clay and the Things Inbetween by Fiona Flohr - $4320 to allow two interregional artists to investigate and explore ideas for new artworks to be ex hibited in June 2023

• Georgina Baira EP Debut - $5500 for the recording of a five track EP, with

release and management to stream ing services, artist development and a launch event in Mackay

• Mackay Art Society 2023 Workshop Program - $5900 to deliver Artist De velopment Workshops across a variety of mediums to both society members and artists from the local community.

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

Minister for the Arts Lee anne Enoch said as part of this successful, longterm collaboration, the Queensland Government will provide $2.13 million for RADF 2022–2023 to a total of 59 local councils, who will contribute a co-investment amount of over $1.9 million

“Established in 1991, RADF is a long-standing success story between the Queensland Government

and regional councils, enabling local art ists and arts workers to tell their rich and unique stories, boosting regional employ ment opportunities and other positive economic outcomes,” Minister Enoch said.

“For 31 years RADF has provided a legacy of creating new art and cultural experienc es for Queensland audiences and commu nities, and a platform for professional de velopment and growth across the regional arts sector,” she said.

Leisa Payne School of Dance presents The Power of Dance

Leisa Payne School of Dance features the cream of Mackay dance talent in a non-stop variety of Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and Cabaret.

Be entertained by performers ranging from 2 years to pre professional.

For only one show, these spectacular dancers and routines are sure to entertain everyone!

Saturday 3 December, 2pm

MECC

Local Dancers Gear Up For That’s Entertainment 2022

St Patrick’s and Mercy College

Mackay students feature prom inently in Centre Stage Dance Company’s upcoming That's Enter tainment 2022 Concert next Monday December 5 and Tuesday December 6 at the Mackay Entertainment & Con vention Centre (MECC) starting at 6pm.

Eight seniors, who have developed their dancing at Centre Stage under the tutelage of experienced dance teacher Cassie Craig since they were 2-3 years of age, will be graduating this

year.

These include current St Patrick’s Col lege Girls Captain Sophie Novosel and students Lucy Crust, Amber Roscher and Ella Newman.

That’s Entertainment 2022 includes young dancers from 2-18 years of age with first half of the concert showcas ing a pantomime based on a family favourite, Peter Pan.

Come fly through Neverland and meet the Lost Boys, Mermaids, Indians, Pi rates and many more characters as Pe

ter shows Wendy what it's like to never grow up!

Second half features a smorgasbord of dance routines in Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Boys Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet, Cabaret and Showgirl.

This show is for all ages and is only group routines with no solos.

Tickets $48 adults, $35 concession or $24.50 children under 12. Enquiries (07) 4961 9777.

By Chris Karas

Mercy College student Alyssa Battaia and St Patrick’s graduating dancer Lucy Crust will perform in the Centre Stage Dance Concert on December 5-6 at Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre

The Bidyiri Woorwaya cultural precinct at CQUniversity Mackay will include an Indigenous mural thanks to the latest round of RADF grant funding

Inaugural Suncorp Spirit Cup

Queensland Firebirds v Sunshine Coast Lightning

Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Firebirds Bring The Heat

NETBALL

The Queensland Firebirds finally took to the court at Mackay Multis port Stadium last Saturday, taking on the Sunshine Coast Lightning for the inaugural Suncorp Spirit Cup.

It’s been almost a year since the Firebirds announced their intentions of visiting the sugar city and Mackay netball fans were hungry, turning out in force to cheer their team home.

The match started in a physical, end-toend fashion, with both shooters rarely missing.

The first of five ten-minute periods fin

ished with the Firebirds down 13-14.

The second period played out in a similar affair, finishing with the Lightning on 24 to the Firebirds’ 22.

It wasn’t until the third period that the Firebirds took the lead for the first time, starting the period with four quick goals.

The Lightning finished the period with a Super Shot on the buzzer, bringing the Firebirds’ lead back to 38-32.

The Firebirds started to find their groove in the fourth period, stretching their lead out to 47-38.

CUTTERS COMPLETE THE PUZZLE WITH NEW WOMEN’S TEAM

RUGBY LEAGUE

The Mackay Cutters have announced their sixth team in the statewide Queensland Cup competitions with the inclusion of the Mackay Cutters BMD Premiership team.

The announcement comes following the North Queensland Cowboys entry into the NRLW and provides a direct pathway to the game’s top league, with players from the North Queensland Gold Stars (Towns ville) and Northern Pride (Cairns) systems to be involved in the Cutters squad.

“We’re really excited and proud to have the team represented out of Mackay and it’s going to be great for our pathway here for women’s footy,” said Cutters CEO Mitch Cook.

“To include a senior women’s team is the

future of our game and in Mackay, we pro duce so much talent in the male and fe male game.”

It is hoped that the BMD Premiership sea son will transition into the NRLW season, allowing players to be eligible for both competitions.

“It provides a direct pathway for our local girls to progress from junior rugby league to the NRLW competition within our own region,” said Cutters Head of Football Kim Williams.

“It is an extremely exciting time for wom en’s rugby league in Mackay, and we look forward to working closely with the North Queensland Cowboys as they prepare for their first season in the NRLW competi tion.”

The Lightning started the fifth period strongly, but the Firebirds refused to re lent, cranking up the heat to finish the game 56-46 victors.

It was Firebirds Coach Bec Bulley’s first game in the role, saying she found the Mackay crowd “incredible”.

“I was a little bit nervous before the game, but I’m so stoked with the win and how everyone played,” she said.

“I think these opportunities would mean so much to these country people.

“I hope everyone enjoyed it because we certainly enjoyed playing in front of the

local crowd.”

The Firebirds hosted a Night With The Firebirds dinner the previous night and coaching clinics the morning of the match with Firebirds defender Remi Kamo de scribing her time in Mackay as “wonder ful”.

“How good’s Mackay?” she exclaimed.

“It was wonderful getting to see so many different young athletes at the clinic, catching up with Mackay Netball Associ ation and seeing what they’re all about, it was really hot but it was worth it for all the smiling faces.”

“We’ve got a really good squad so we just want to build off that … we should go re ally well, we should be very competitive,” he said.

“We’re a genuine pathway to the Cowboys … and that’s our job, to get them ready for that.”

Former North Queensland Gold Stars Emma Manzelmann and Jasmine Peters both made their NRLW debuts earlier this year for the Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans respectively and are excited

to play in front of their home crowd

“Playing for your hometown means more,” said Ms Manzelmann.

“Showing the younger generation what pathway there is to follow from U13s right through and with the Cowboys coming in next year, there’s literally the whole path way right up to NRLW.”

“I’m really excited to see what will happen next year,” added Ms Peters.

“I started my journey with football in Mackay so to bring it back to local is just amazing.

“I’m just hoping to guide (teammates) and show them what it takes at this level … and make the next step to NRLW.”

The Queensland Firebirds defeated the Sunshine Coast Lightning to claim the inaugural Suncorp Spirit Cup in Mackay. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Jasmine Peters, Marco Peters and Emma Manzelmann. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

New BMD Premiership Cutters Coach Marco Peters has long been a coach, men tor and advocate in the women’s game and with training already underway, he said he has high hopes for the Cutters’ inaugural season.

with the Cutters next season.

PBR Season Wraps Up In Townsville

PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals

The season finale of the Professional Bull Rid ers (PBR) Australia came down to the wire in the Championship Round with Singleton’s Cody Heffernan claiming both the PBR Mon ster Energy Tour Grand Fi nals event title and the 2022 PBR Australia National title.

Starting the event 72.5 points behind reigning champion Aaron Kleier of Clermont, Heffernan dominated night two covering all three of his bulls in front of a sold-out crowd at the Townsville En tertainment and Convention Centre.

The 33-year-old put on a bull riding masterclass that kept the entire arena on their feet and asserted his dominance on the sport’s biggest night.

The Townsville crowd were on the edge of their seats after Kleier posted a 90-point ride on Mystery.

The 2021 YETI Bull of the Year was tamed by Heffernan, garnering him 92 points, the highest score of the event.

Heffernan then earned the highest score of the night with 92, launching him into first place on the event lead erboard.

The Townsville Entertain ment and Convention Cen tre held its collective breath when finding out whether Kleier, the 24-year-old from Clermont, would claim a fifth consecutive national title or if Heffernan would earn his second golden buckle.

Ultimately just 2.5 points separated the two riders, with Heffernan reigning supreme and taking home the title and the $68,500 pay-day.

“I can’t really remember it, I was just hanging on,” Heffer nan said of his ride on Cattle King Boogers Beach.

“I knew I had to ride him and do anything after Aaron rode that bull (Mystery).

“I just knew I had to ride him if I wanted to have a shot at winning it.”

In the bull pen, Bloomsbury’s Dittmann Bucking Bulls

capped off a dominant year, taking home the YETI Grand Finals Bulls Team, Contrac tor of the Year and Roid Rage taking out the YETI Finals High Point Bull of the Event as well as Bucking Bull of the Year.

“He’s been an outstanding bull,” team owner Jason Ditt mann said of Roid Rage.

“He’s become pretty special to us.

“I can’t ask any more of that bull, we love him.

“The whole team’s been good all year.

“I can’t ask any more of the bulls and even my team here, my family, everyone who helps out, I can’t ask for more.

“Everyone gives 100 percent, I’m so happy.”

Koumala’s Qynn Andersen was also crowned Rookie Rider of the Year, finishing fourth on the national stand ings on 645 points.

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Townsville

1. Cody Heffernan, 0-0-86.5-87.5-92-266.00-160 Points.

2. Lachlan Richardson, 84-84.25-85.75-0-0-254.00-116 Points.

3. Aaron Kleier, 82-0-0-0-90-172.00-85 Points.

4. Jake Curr, 80.75-86-0-0-0-166.75-67 Points.

5. Brock Radford, 0-87.5-0-0-0-87.50-60 Points.

6. Qynn Andersen, 0-87-0-0-0-87.00-45 Points.

7. Lachlan Slade, 0-86-0-0-86.00-29 Points.

8. Kurt Shephard, 0-0-0-85-0-85.00-22.5 Points.

8. Nick Tetz, 85-0-0-0-0-85.00-27.5 Points.

10. Michael Smith, 0-0-83.5-0-83.50-12 Points.

11. Clint Glass, 0-0-0-83-83.00-10 Points.

12. Braith Nock, 0-0-82.75-0-0-82.75-8 Points.

13. Kelsey Pavlou, 0-0-82-0-0-82.00-6 Points.

Cody Heffernen and PBR Australia General Manager Glen Young

Cody Heffernan on board ‘Cattle King Boogers Beach’ for 92pts

Aaron Kleier and ‘Russian Roulette’ for 82pts in the first go-round

Jason Dittmann of Dittmann Bucking Bulls and his sons. Photos supplied

Entertainment and Convention Centre – Townsville, Queensland Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Round 4-Round 5-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

St Pat’s Sporting Reps Some Of The Best In The State

Six of Mackay’s sporting best – that aptly sums up the St Patrick’s College Queensland Honour Roll for 2022.

Tokyo Olympic Games swimming triallist Tom Henderson heads an impressive list of St Patrick’s students that left their mark in the sporting arena this year with out standing performances at national level.

Backstroke sensation Henderson was joined by Mackay Meteorettes basketball forward Charli Bliss, State hockey aces Haiden Mellifont and Kaleb Mayfield, Queensland Schoolgirls cricket all-round er Meghan McCartney and softball young gun James Allen.

bloomer in the sport of swimming.

He showed promise in rugby league and Surf Lifesaving before taking his swim ming seriously at the age of 12.

Last season at the age of 16 the exciting backstroke prospect participated in the Tokyo Olympic trials in Adelaide, gain ing valuable experience and competing against his swimming idol Mitch Larkin, one of the current Australian Olympic golden boys.

If Tom continues his rapid development in the pool then the sky’s the limit for the Mackay schoolboy who is now well on the radar for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

and making an impact in the Mackay Basketball Association.

nior and senior grade mens ranks and has just linked with the Valley Cricket Club in the Brisbane Womens Premier League first grade competition.

Meghan, a stylish top order bat and pro lific pace bowler, skippered the Maroons schoolgirls in the annual interstate chal lenge fixtures with NSW and racked up some big scores and took a bulk of wickets during the drawn series earlier this year on the Sunshine Coast.

The Capricornia representative captain piloted St Patrick’s/Mercy College to a Queensland State Twenty20 Schools Chal lenge championship title last October and is freely tipped to earn selection in the Queensland Country womens team for the upcoming National Country Cricket Championships to be staged in Canberra during January.

A

17-year-old HENDERSON – a product of the Mackay Swimming Academy – repre sented Queensland with distinction at the 2022 National Swimming Championships and Australian Age Swimming Champi onships in Adelaide and National Short Course Swimming titles in Sydney.

At this year’s National Schools Swimming Championships in Brisbane, Tom collect ed bronze medals in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke events and was part of the crack Queensland Open relay teams that won gold and broke two Australian records.

Tom also clinched gold in the 17yrs Boys 200m backstroke at the Australian Age Championships.

Under the tutelage of legendary coach Pat Wright – who has trained Olympi ans including Linda Mackenzie, Justin James, Nick Ffrost and Geoff Huegill – the emerging Henderson is somewhat of a late

NBL1 competition.

A local product, Bliss has represented the Meteorettes since the age of 12 and was also named in this year’s Queensland North State Under 18 team and the Bas ketball Queensland 2022/23 Under 18 State Performance Program (SPP).

The SPP is Basketball Queensland’s second tier high-performance program for play ers aged under 16 and under 18, which has seen identified athletes go on to represent Queensland and Australia, play in both the NBL and WNBL and secure college scholarships in the United States.

To prepare herself for elite basketball, the fast-developing Charli participated in a six-week intensive training program be fore returning to her club side Renegades

James

Ma

As a reward for his polished displays, young Allen was named the Most Valuable Player of the championships.

DYNAMIC hockey duo Haiden Mellifont and Kaleb Mayfield are firmly established in the current Hockey Queensland Under 18 State squad for 2022-23.

The 16-year-old Capricornia schoolboy reps hail from the strong Mackay Hockey Association and turned in consistent dis plays at an elite level this season.

Young gun Haiden was named in the Queensland Representative School Sport 19yrs Hockey Merit Team and claimed the Best & Fairest trophy for his superb per formances in this year’s Mackay Hockey A2 Mens competition.

Mellifont and Mayfield impressed keen judges with classy displays for Queensland Gold at the Hockey Australia Under 18 Championships in Cairns earlier this year.

The 17-year-old Brothers Cricket Club product continues to shine in both the ju

By Chris Karas

CHARLI BLISS is touted as one of the best basketball forward prospects in Queensland and showed her credentials at the National Under 18 Championships in Ballarat earlier this year and with Mackay Meteorettes in the

JAMES ALLEN has made every post a winner in the sport of softball this season. The outstanding catcher was co-captain of the Queensland Under 16 representative team that finished runners up to NSW during this year’s National Softball Junior Championships staged in Blacktown, Syd ney.

powerful batter,

caught superbly and hit several home runs to help the

roons down the Blues in three entertaining tussles throughout the tournament – only to watch his Queensland team stumble at the final hurdle for the Arthur Allsopp Shield.

QUEENSLAND Schoolgirls representa tive cricket captain Meghan McCartney is a young all-rounder in a big hurry.

Mackay Hosts Indoor Hockey’s Best

HOCKEY

hock ey players in Mackay, with the sug ar city hosting the 2022 U13 Indoor State Championships Boys from November 18 to 20 and Girls from November 25-27.

The tournaments were hosted by Mack ay Indoor Hockey Committee at Pioneer State High School and saw over 200 peo ple come to Mackay each weekend.

“Both tournaments were really success ful,” said indoor Hockey Mackay’s Shelley Fisher.

“It’s great to have those young kids com ing through to support and encourage that generation of future indoor hockey play ers.”

The first weekend saw the Mackay Boys finish their pool stage in third with one win, one loss and a draw.

“They were actually pretty unlucky, they missed a chance for the final in a penalty shootout,” said Ms Fisher.

The Boys came up against Brisbane 2 in the third-place playoff, defeating the vis itors 5-2 to claim third in the tournament

Dylan

behind Rockhampton in first place and Toowoomba in second.

Mackay’s Hunter Herrington and Aston Paganoni finished the tournament with six goals each with Hunter named Player of the Tournament.

It was the Girls’ turn the next weekend, with the hosts finishing fifth after five tough losses throughout the tournament.

Maggie Collins starred, scoring two goals over the weekend.

Toowoomba claimed first in the state in the Girls followed by Maryborough and Cairns.

“All the kids, they had a great time, it’s competitive, but they all have fun which at that age is probably what’s most important for us,” said Ms Fisher.

Ms Fisher said the tournament couldn’t go ahead without the work of the Mackay In door Hockey Committee.

“It’s all volunteer based, it’s a massive amount of work for both those weekends but it’s great for the town, it’s great for in door hockey and we love hosting it,” she said.

Mackay BMX rider Dylan Secher has fin ished 8th in the country in the 11-year boys at the Auscycling BMX National Championships held in Launceston last week.

Dylan competed against 44 of the best 11-year boys from all over Australia.

He placed 2nd in his first moto and then went on to win his following 2 motos, to progress to the quarter finals, which he also won convincingly.

From there he progressed to the semi-finals, also placing first.

This earned his spot in the finals, where he placed 8th.

The Mackay and District BMX Club member is fair ly new to the sport and has only been competing for 2 years.

Dylan’s brother Beau also competed at the Nation al Championships along with Mackay riders Liam Wilson, Travis Chilton, Aidan Parish, Bailey Smith, Tyler Smith, Connor Parish, Brodie Wilson and Brock de Silva.

Contributed by Michelle Tickle

Dylan Secher finished 8th in the country in the 11-year boys at the Auscycling BMX National Championships

Photo credit: BVM Visuals

A

Queensland Country Rep Jumpers For Star Trio

On The Greens At Goosies

BOWLS

Last Saturday was the annual Men’s Presidents Day. A big field of 48 players including past president and past patron Barry O’Neil took part in a most enjoyable afternoon. Prizes were pre sented by President Eric, with first prize going to Greg McLean and Vern Mietzel. A triples team of visitor Geoff Davis with Doug Dungavell and Ray McCarthy came second. Several raffles were drawn, and a great day was had by all members.

Monday mixed pairs draw was won by Doug Dungavell and Peter Miller. Second draw winners were Eric Galletly and Peter Cowling and the third draw was won by Greg McLean and Dave Evans.

Wednesday ladies’ winners were Lurline Ford and Cheryle Corbett, with Sue Ros coe, Doris Dodds and Lois Deguara in sec ond place.

Thursday mixed pairs first draw was taken out by Helen Goldston, and Lyn Tennant. Second draw winners were Anne Bailey and Barry Mount. Greens vouchers were won by Mick Walsh, Graeme Hawke and Shane Trannore. The kitty toucher jack pots.

Friday mixed pairs best card winners were Lois Deguara and Isla Comelli who took home $75 each. Lucky draw winners were Debbie Mackenzie and Jean Zamparutti with Wayne Mietzel and Andrew Coates next. The kitty toucher was not won. Contributed by Tony Allsop.

RUGBY LEAGUE

Boom St Patrick’s College Mackay rugby league colts Xavier Kerrisk, Jaxon Purdue and Kai Simon were officially recognised in 2022 by earning Queensland Country Under 17 represen tative jumpers.

The talented trio – who enjoyed tre mendous success at schoolboy and Ju nior League level this season – produced strong performances to help Country top ple Queensland City 38-20 in the annual Under 17s challenge at Redcliffe’s Moreton Daily Stadium.

It was a fine achievement by the St Patrick’s students and North Queensland Cowboys scholarship recipients who captured the imagination of senior rugby league offi cials with their skill and durability during a hectic sporting calendar.

Wily hooker Kerrisk scored one of Coun try’s six tries and dynamic centre Simon bagged a personal tally of 14 points after potting seven goals.

The representative honours capped a big fortnight for the dynamic Simon and Ker risk, who had earlier captained the Wan derers club to an Under 17s premiership win over Purdue’s Norths Devils in the Mackay & District Junior League compe tition.

All three were key players for the St Pat rick’s College first grade team that reached

both the Confraternity Shield and Aaron Payne Cup Schoolboy Grand Finals during a momentous 2022 campaign.

Emerging number nine Kerrisk and skil ful half back Purdue will attend a special camp in Townsville during December as part of the Cowboys Young Bucks squad.

Other promising St Patrick’s rugby league colts invited include top forwards Liam Doherty, Matthew Watts, gun centre Kai Simon (Under 21 Young Guns) and lock forward Kayne Smith and classy utility back Will Shears (Young Bucks).

Simon is pictured back row second from right in this Queensland Country Under 17 representative team photo with Kerrisk and Purdue (seated second and far right).

The Cowboys will set up an Indentified Players Capricornia Academy to develop the skills and prepare emerging talent for the rigours of NRL football.

Identified St Patrick’s players will receive specialised league tuition during clinics from Cowboys’ full time coaching staff at the Mackay school grounds throughout the year.

The Cowboys would help develop these players’ core skills, game sense, techniques and physical ability to compete at a higher level.

By Chris Karas

Queensland Country Under 17 squad

President Eric Galletly mans the box on Saturday

President Eric Galletly is backed by many players on Presidents Day last Saturday

Christmas Festivities For Pioneer Swim Club SWIMMING

The Festive Season has been wel comed with a bang by Pioneer Swim Club.

The past week has seen our final Club Night for 2022 where our annual Christ mas Party was enjoyed by all swimmers as well as our Club travelling to Bowen for the last carnival for 2022 and more Christ mas fun.

The last Club Night for 2022 was held Thursday, November 24.

All swimmers received a gift from the club and many swimmers acknowledged for results achieved at recent meets and those travelling to Queensland Championships in December.

Fun then transpired with the parents’ race (with a side of heckling), parents versus kids relays and an inflatable relay.

The Bowen Carnival holds a special status for our club – although a small meet, it is one that our club does not like to miss.

Over 40 swimmers travelled to enjoy not only a weekend full of swimming, sun, beach and exceptional results but also more Christmas festivities.

Coach Igor took on the role of Santa hand ing out gifts to each of the children and a Christmas feast then followed.

The Club will now break for a few weeks, but will be back in the New Year, Club Nights recommencing on 5 January.

Pioneer Swimming Club wishes all its members and their families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday.

Contributed by Tahnie Malagueno

Thursday Evening 24 November 2022

Weekly Results

Monday saw the playing of a B4 Red Points event. Winners Janelle Conroy & Terrence Sheedy, followed by Helen Van Den Broek & Jan Harris. Sunday was the final Novice monthly Sunday for 2022, winners Faith Hutchinson & Griffin Bancroft, followed by Geoff Cowan & Sandy Patterson.

Monday 21 November 22 – 7 Table One Winner B4 – Red Points

1st Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy

2nd Helen Van Den Broek / Jan Harris

3rd Monica Darley / Nancy Martin

4th Ian Cruickshank / Maria Cruickshank

5th Robert (Bob) Ellis / Noel Bugeia

6th Margaret Lane / Barbara Tait

Tuesday

1st Terrence Sheedy / Helen Van Den Broek

2nd Eric Goodchild / Noel Bugeia

3rd Faye Wright / Marilin Robins

4th Diane Morgan / Sandy Patterson

1st

4th Joy Brunette / Don Poole

Friday

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