Community News 1

PROPERTY POINT

In my previous life working as a journalist, the days that had an impact and resonated most were those when there had been a tragedy when emotions were raw and real. I covered Melbourne’s Queen Street massacre, when a deranged Frank Vitkovic entered the post office and shot and killed nine people. Another day I sat in the lounge room of a father whose young police officer son had been executed as he sat in a police car with another constable while they were parked in an inner suburban street. There is only pain and devastation and even though you have a job to do you can’t help but deeply feel the anguish of the people you speak to in those situations. You connect at a human level. I went into real estate about 11 years ago and it is certainly a different gig … but the connection with humanity is, in many ways, equally as strong. When you are selling someone’s house it is a big deal, an important responsibility. Naturally you make sure you have a strategy to get the best price and hope that the seller takes your advice in terms of preparing the property. But the truth is that selling real estate is only partly about houses, bricks and mortar. It’s mainly about people. Part of it is being able to connect with buyers and smooth the way to them buying a property. One of the highlights of selling real estate is sharing the excitement of someone who has bought a property they love. But often there is more to it, the effort and sacrifice to get to the point of being able to buy has sometimes been monumental and the result has been life-changing. You get to feel that. And working for sellers often takes things to another level. They have trusted you to give advice, market the property, deal with buyers, get the best price. The decision to sell often comes with significant emotional factors. There’s the emotion of having raised a family in the property. Maybe it was the house owned by someone’s late parents, a place where the seller grew up. Perhaps there are health or financial reasons for selling, something that has been forced on the vendor. Some years ago, during an economic downturn, I sat in the lounge room of a burly, hard-working bloke who was thinking about selling because he was worried about losing his job, losing his house and letting down his wife and kids. He was not a touchy-feely-sensitive sort of bloke but he was in tears, telling me how worried he was about losing everything and the impact that would have on his family. Even though I was just a real estate agent, the feelings were raw, the connection was real and I knew we were talking about a lot more than me selling a parcel of land with a house on it. When selling real estate you are connecting with people, helping them get the best result and getting an understanding of what matters to them. We sold the big burly bloke’s house, he put the money away for a few years, made sure his job was secure when the economy picked up and he bought another house a few years later. Job done and connection made.

SIX WEEKS!

You know what?

In exactly six weeks’ time, we will all be logging out of our computers, pushing the chair under the desk, and leaving work because Xmas will be just about here. Yes, in six weeks’ time it will be Friday the 23rd of December and that means Christmas parties and all the fun starts. Thing is you now have six weeks to get yourself ready for what is about to happen. Families coming to stay? Presents to buy? Food to feed the troops? Holiday travel plans to purchase and so much more. Even if you have little kids, this could be just the best time to organise books and stuff for 2023. Don’t leave it until the last minute.

If you’re going to book holidays for Xmas, do it now. Get that perfect camping spot sorted at Seaforth or even at Broken River, so it’s one less thing to do come December. Go shopping now and get those Xmas gifts all done so you’re not mucking around with everyone else at Canelands in the coming weeks. I’m one of these people that likes to get stuff done beforehand so that when the time comes, I can sit back and relax. I’ve got my list sorted. I’ve been out with my kids and grabbed the right Xmas decorations to use this year, so I know that’s all done in the Kidd household of South Mackay. One other thing you may have missed is the bottle-o. You know that place that many people like to go shopping at and come home with trolleys of Xmas cheer? Well between now and Xmas Eve, these places will become a place to avoid. Cars, trolley’s and people everywhere, all rushing to get those last available cases and bottles in readiness for your visitors at your place. If there’s one thing to take from this, it is get it done now. Not next week, now. You can thank me later.

Oh, and a huge thanks to Amanda and all the legends who came to Porters last Saturday for our Jingle Jail. We raised a lot of money for Real Mates Talk and for that I thank you. Your generosity will save many lives.

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

David Fisher

Gardian Real Estate Sales Agent 0408 672 703

David@gardian.com.au

WHEN VISIONS BECOME REALITY

Trudy Crowley had a vision. That vision was “no woman walking the journey of ovarian cancer would walk alone”. Hence, the Trudy Crowley Foundation was established in 2016 to support and alleviate the suffering of those both directly and indirectly impacted by ovarian cancer. By connecting people with the right information, support services and resources available during this difficult time, the Foundation ensures that no woman, child, partner, parent or friend feels alone. The Foundation has achieved much since Trudy’s passing in 2018. On the February 24 this year, the Trudy Crowley Community Cancer Support Centre was opened in her memory. The Centre offers unique support services for cancer patients and their families, which include: • a dedicated, part-time, fully qualified palliative care nurse • a dedicated, volunteer, fully qualified palliative care nurse • counsellor, Bec Snell, who provides invaluable support and counselling to patients and their family • a dedicated vehicle to drive patients to doctors or treatment appointments at the

Icon Centre or Base Hospital • a private and dedicated wig room, where patients have access to wigs, colourful scarves or turbans • a safe and supportive environment where patients and their families are welcome to come together for a cuppa and enjoy the comfort and moral support with others walking the same journey • currently have around 20 patients within our support group who meet regularly at

our Centre • eight dedicated volunteers who offer their time to attend and man our Centre weekly • seven dedicated, volunteer board directors. All services available from our Centre are free to anyone walking the journey of cancer. We welcome men and women to utilize our Centre and our services, and it is open to patients from the private or public health sector. It’s important to us that this facility is available for everyone who is affected by cancer. I am immensely proud to be chairperson of this wonderful Foundation that commenced from Trudy’s vision, and I

Cr Pauline Townsend Mackay Regional Council

know Trudy would share our pride at our achievements. All funds raised from events and donations stay here in Mackay and the Whitsunday regions.