Mackay Life

Aplan

to build the world’s largest pumped hydro scheme in the Pioneer Valley has been met with steadfast opposition by the residents it threatens to oust from their homes.

The Pioneer-Burdekin project will affect around 50 homes in the areas surrounding Netherdale, west of Mackay, according to the announcement made by Queensland Premier Annastacia Pa

laszczuk last week.

Residents gathered in Eungella on Monday to share their dismay at the plans with Member for Mirani Stephen Andrew saying he, along with the mayor and other councillors, were not privy to the plan before it was announced.

“We need to tell everyone how we feel, be honest and open about it, let the government have an un

derstanding of what we think and what this could do to our properties,” Mr Andrew said.

“There are alternatives, we should look at alter natives, but we don’t have to destroy people to do this.”

Read the full story from the residents

Read the full story from the Premier’s announcement

Pumped Hydro announcement. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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SIT DOWN WITH SAM

One thing that surprised me when I moved to Mackay was the music scene, and this weekend’s bevy of live music is a perfect example of how happening this town is.

Over the next week, we’ve got Hockey Dad, Alex Lloyd, Slowly Slowly, The Stone Apes, and The Grogans all coming to town.

On top of that, local lads Nortica, whom we met a couple of weeks ago, are on support duties for three of those gigs, and the more big names that come through town, the more local legends are going to be inspired to pick up a guitar and start their own band right here in Mackay.

Since starting at the newspaper, I’ve been given the chance to in terview icons of the industry in cluding Ian Moss, Mark Gable of Choirboys and, by far my high light, Shane Howard of Goanna – a very inspiring person.

I’ve also been given the invalu able opportunity to chat with musicians I grew up loving like Connor from Bugs, Scout from Egoism and Zach and Billy from Hockey Dad.

One question I always like to ask is what is it like to play in the regions compared to the capital cities?

The answer is always a different version of the same sentiment: the regions are hungry for live music.

Living in a capital city, music fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to seeing bands on the weekend (coincidentally like us in Mackay are this weekend).

Big gigs are less frequent in our slice of paradise, meaning we cherish them so much more.

Mackay is hungry for live music.

I’ve tried to keep my fingers on the pulse of the local scene, both with bands coming through town and the local up-and-com ers.

One way I’ve done this is by starting a radio show on local community station 4CRM.

On my show, The Prekend, I try to shine a light on as much inde pendent music from right here in Mackay and around the world.

If that sounds like something you’d enjoy listening to, tune in to 107.5FM on Thursdays from 8:00pm, and if you’ve got music you think fits the bill, feel free to get in touch!

As always, check the event guide in Mackay Life every week to stay in the loop of everything happening in town.

Coffee With A Smile

supplied: Syd

Markets

Support worker Savan nah Milligan has taken one of her clients to Ja maica Blue at Sydney Street Markets a couple of times and each time they have been met with a rapturous reception.

Savannah provides mental health support for clients by assisting them in the com munity.

“With my client, specifically with Jamaica Blue, she just loves how kind they are,” said Savannah.

“They’re the first ones to say hello.

“Especially with my client, she can be a bit daunting and some people do stare, but the guys at Jamaica Blue, especially the lady, I don’t know her name but my cli ent calls her Boss Lady, she always comes out, gives her a hug, chats with her, knows her order.

“Those who have mental health issues and disabilities

in general, that kind of stuff means the world to them.”

As well as providing friendly, incredible service, the team at Jamaica Blue has “paid it forward” by giving Savan nah’s client a piece of raisin toast with her order.

“They don’t have to do that, but they do.

“It’s just really kind and it makes my job even nicer to see that there are people out there who are kind and who get it.

“Not many people do get it.” Savannah says this isn’t an isolated case.

“I just watched how they en gaged with everybody else.

“I think it’s just a general thing that all the staff there are just kind and I just love that, I think there needs to be more of that.

“They’re doing such a great job and people like that are really valued in the commu nity.”

Residents Push Back Against Hydro Plans

In

the eyes of Dalrymple Heights resident Douglas Cannon, the Pio neer-Burdekin mega project isn’t going to happen.

Mr Cannon has lived in Mackay from the age of nine, moving his family to the Pio neer Valley two years ago.

He also relocated his beekeeping busi ness to the valley where he runs a queen breeding program using local genetics to safeguard bees from future varroa mite outbreaks.

“We’re supporting the local bees and that brings us to where we are now potentially faced with losing it all,” he said.

This realisation struck Mr Cannon when Queensland Premier Annastacia Pa laszczuk announced plans for the world’s largest pumped hydro scheme to be built in the Pioneer Valley.

According to these plans, upon construc tion, Mr Cannon’s property would be completely submerged in ‘Reservoir B’.

“When the rest of the world found out, we found out with it and we were all scram bling to find out what’s actually happen ing, how we’re going to be affected by it,” he said.

“It all blindsided us; the traditional owners haven’t been consulted; the landowners haven’t been consulted.”

The plans will see the project affect around 50 homes and properties in the region,

with Minister for Energy, Re newables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni saying “around 20 per cent of those landowners” have already been contacted to estab lish meetings.

Mr Cannon said this claim is laughable.

“We’d like to know who these 20 per cent are, because everyone I’ve spoken to had no idea about it, even the mayor didn’t have an idea,” he said.

The area in question is also home to a wide variety of wildlife including platypus, birdlife, frogs and crayfish, many of which are endangered.

“If this is their idea of green energy, then it shouldn’t be at the stake of national parks, the environment and the people,” Mr Can non said.

“This area’s far too precious to be put un der that sort of pressure.”

Leila Verban, a resident of Netherdale, concurs that other green energy alterna tives should be considered.

“It’s not that we are anti-renewable energy, it’s not like that at all,” Ms Verban said.

“It’s that there’s a lot more things at stake here, environmentally speaking, as well as the trauma that’s happening to the land owners.

“We would like to support more research being done into other options that have less of a fallout for a whole region.”

Ms Verban and her family have owned their Netherdale property for over five years and are a part of Land for Wildlife, a voluntary program encouraging and as sisting private landholders to provide hab itat for wildlife on their property.

“We’ve been replanting and bringing it back to being a part of the ecosystem that’s here,” she said.

Ms Verban heard news of the govern ment’s announcement when a friend mes saged her following the announcement.

“(I was) totally shocked, but it didn’t sink in until I spoke to the two reps getting around who gave us a brochure and said, ‘Your property will be under water,’” she said.

One of these representatives was an engi

neer who explained the benefits of hydro and how it works to Ms Verban before explaining that compensation will be pro vided to those whose properties are to be affected.

Ms Verban has since started a Facebook page titled ‘NO Hydro Save Netherdale/ Eungella/Mt Dalrymple’.

“Just over the weekend, we’ve got over 2,000 followers on the page,” Ms Verban said.

“People are really angry and really against it.”

“The point is the awareness isn’t there, they didn’t consult us before releasing it, it was a massive shock to our system and the community just doesn’t agree.”

“I want to be a part of the pushback for this.

“In our minds, the dam’s not happening.”

Dalrymple Heights resident Douglas Cannon says the Pioneer Valley hydro is an “outrageous idea”

Netherdale resident Leila Verban started a Facebook page against the government’s plans. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

MEET THE TEAM!

Gardian Property Management specialise in providing support and assistance to homeowners and tenants across all areas of property management, ensuring properties are both well maintained and providing a quality return.

Assisting with finding a property to rent and call home.

Managing your property assets

Maintaining your property with qualified Tradesmen

Providing you up to date policy information

Wendy has been a property Manager since 1997. With a no-nonsense approach to handling disputes, she ensures misunderstandings between all parties are infrequent and are quickly resolved if they do occur. Wendy has vast experience, local knowledge and understanding of the Act and relevant legislation which will ensure your investment is managed in a professional manner.

Hayley - Property Manager Caitlin -Property Manager Assistant

Wendy has recently joined the Gardian Property Management team. She began her career in the property management industry in 2017 and has brought a wealth of knowledge to the team at Gardian Property Management. Wendy is looking forward to getting to know the property owners and tenants and is eager to build good relationships with her management portfolio.

Jodie has been in property management for over 7 years. She joined Gardian in March this year from Mackay Rentals as a property manager assistant and has teamed up with Wendy. She is a Mackay local and enjoys photography and spending time at the beach with her son. She enjoys her work and takes every opportunity to explore and develop her skill set while gaining valuable insight into the Property Management Industry.

as a property management in July this year. Hard work, commitment and honesty are the key elements Billa has to offer and he is looking forward to giving clients a professional and honest service. He loves to spend time with his young family on the weekends.

Wendy has been in the real estate industry for 14 years, starting as a receptionist in Gladstone, moved to Mackay and started as a Property Manager, and has continued with this for 12 years. Wendy's role is in administration and support with Gardian.

Janenne & Emily - Reception

Hayley hails from NSW but lived in Perth before coming to Mackay 13 years ago. She started her career in Real Estate in 2007 in the beautiful coastal town of Terrigal NSW and made the gradual progression to Property Management for its fast paced and exciting environment.

Sonya began her journey in Property Management in 2014 and at the commencement of 2016 took on her new role as Property Manager. Sonya is passionate about her role and strives to always give her Owners and Tenants the support they really need.

Janenne has been in property management since 2010 where she started with Mackay Rentals as a receptionist then moved on to be a property managers assistant. Janenne offers the first greeting on behalf of the company and makes our clients an important priority. Emily has recently joined the Gardian Property Management team as receptionist after working in the hospitality industry for the last 5 years. She is looking forward to building strong business relationships with our clients.

Caitlin started in the Real Estate industry in 2013 as a receptionist and worked her way into Property Management Assistant. Caitlin loves to spend time with her husband and two children exploring and creating memories.

Wendy - Property Manager Jodie - Property Manager Assistant

She has a keen interest in all aspects of property management and continues to build her knowledge with the help of her senior peers. Sonya believes that in her position as Property Manager she is building her portfolio as honesty serves as the best policy.

Emilee has worked in the Real Estate Industry for two years and is extremely eager to work alongside such a professional company with integrity.

Emilee enjoys talking to a wide range of people and the fast past industry that Real Estate provides. Emilee enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and enjoying what life has to offer.

Billa began his journey in the real estate industry when he join Gardian

Business Development Manager at Gardian Real Estate, Melissa’s key role is ensuring that new and existing landlords are provided with an exceptionally high level of service. Backed with the experience and knowledge of a very dedicated property management team, Melissa aims to take the stress out of the landlord/ tenant relationship. Melissa believes that effective, honest and consistent communication is integral to upholding Gardian’s commitment to their clients particularly when it comes to managing an important asset such as their investment property.

Rochelle’s is Gardian's Leasing Consultant. Rochelle is responsible for all aspects of leasing properties from the application to the inspection through to tenanting the property. Rochelle sees matching the right applicant to the right property as the key factor of successful property management.

Renae has been a part Gardian Group for 12 months and enjoys the fast paced environment that Property Management offers. She believes that communication is the key aspect of the Landlord/ Tenant relationship and sees her role as an effective conduit between the two parties. She is really looking forward to working with her clients and being a part of the dynamic team environment that Gardian provides.

Wendy Chatto - Property Manager

Sonya - Property Manager Emilee & Billa Property Manager Assistants

Leasing

Wendy - Trust Account Manager

Rochelle, Melissa & Renae Leasing Team

MACKAY BASE UROLOGIST: SETS RECORD STRAIGHT

Written by Rachael Smith

ZERO CONSULTATION, FUNDING CUTS AND LOST MINING JOBS WILLCOX FIGHTS FOR LOCAL RIGHTS

Afrustrated

Federal Member for Dawson has this week vented his disbelief about the lack of consul tation he has received by state government in the discussions about the newly an nounced pumped hydro project.

“So where does that leave job security for mine workers, their families and every small business owner in our coal mining towns?”

Mackay

Base Hospital’s busiest surgeon, Dr Daryl Stephens, conducts over 100 operations a month and sees 120 patients in clinic every week.

When he was suddenly suspended from duty three weeks ago, the national media got hold of the story and dug deeply into his professional career, looking for addi tional ways to discredit him and add fur ther injury to his story.

They painted a story of incompetence - but while those that didn’t know him judged a mis-represented version of events, built upon speculation rather than fact, it was his own patients that gave him the strength to fight back.

Able to continue practicing at the Mack ay Mater Hospital while he served a fourweek suspension at the Mackay Base, Dr Stephens was visited by 27 of his Mater pa tients on the first day after the story broke around the country.

All of them took his side without question.

“My first three patients were in tears when they saw me, I got three hugs and all were supportive, there was not one single can cellation,” he said.

“When I finished at 4.30pm, I was in tears. I’ve had nothing but support. I’m a very private person but the outpouring and the support has been a bit overwhelming.”

In the profession of saving lives, there are a multitude of checks and systems to ensure every procedural element is adhered to, with no exceptions.

The media storm that ensued last week reported that Dr Stephens had ‘blown his nose’ in the operating theatre which was the reason he was subsequently suspend ed.

Dr Stephens says he has since been able to remember the incident.

“My registrar was operating on the patient and I was leaning over the top helping him,” he explained.

Dr Stephens remembers leaning over with his head close to the drapes and believes it was a person behind him who made the complaint.

“I don’t remember doing anything like wiping my nose, but I may have moved and given that impression.”

A kind-hearted man who likes to believe the best in others, Dr Stephens says he does not blame them for reporting him.

“The [person] is a delight and I’ve got no criticism of them,” he said,

“I think that they didn’t understand how under that situation things can escalate, they are an absolute sweety and an abso lute professional.”

Continued on page 13

With the $483 million Urannah Dam Project already budgeted by the previous government, Andrew Willcox MP, does not understand why this viable solution has been ousted and replaced with a new plan that will see 50 homes relocated if construction goes ahead at the proposed site in the Pioneer Valley.

He is annoyed that neither he nor the Fed eral Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry MP had been consulted about plans directly related to the regions they serve.

“To come out and make an announcement with zero consultation with the local Fed eral MPs and then immediately call for federal funding, makes me wonder if this is a serious announcement or is it just for show?” he said.

“Without any community or stakeholder consultation the state government have announced a $62 billion energy plan - but it's full of holes and generates more ques tions than electricity.”

Mr Willcox also asks for answers about how skilled coal miners and their families will survive if the industry they have been part of throughout their lives becomes re placed with renewable alternatives.

“The Premier has guaranteed jobs for workers at coal fired power stations but there is no mention of guarantees for coal miners,” said Mr Willcox.

Labelled as detached from the ground lev el, informed decision-making, the state government has now been called upon to keep their commitments to regional Queensland.

On a national level, while attending Par liament House, Mr Willcox spoke pas sionately about funding cuts to regional and remote areas, calling them “not only offensive, but dead-set wrong”.

One of the key projects that could now be off the table is the Urannah Dam proj ect which has been almost 20 years in the planning.

“This is a nation building project which will open up 20,000 hectares of agricul ture, create jobs, mining water and tour ism opportunities,” said Mr Willcox.

While in Canberra he also took the op portunity to speak about the Whitsunday Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) facili ty which had been due to have $420,000 worth of upgrades this year, before fund ing cuts put a halt to plans.

Mr Willcox implores the Federal govern ment to look after regional and rural Aus tralia, respecting the contribution our re gion makes to the country.

“They want to eat our tucker, they want our royalties, they want the GDP* from our mining and yet they don’t want to give us any services,” he said.

*Gross Domestic Product

Andrew WILLCOX

Federal Member for Dawson MP Andrew Willcox asks for more consultation on funding matters

THREE DEATHS, 81 CASES AND 171 WOMEN

A Damning Report About Mackay Base Hospital Obstetrics And Gynaecology Unit

Queensland

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath spoke in Mackay last week to deliver details of a damning re port into the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) obstetrics and gynaecology unit.

Minister D’Ath released the findings of the investigation and the HHS’s response to the recommendations, acknowledging the 171 women who came forward to tell their deeply personal and traumatic experienc es.

“To each and every one of these women, whether they were part of the investiga tion or the consumer case management pathway, I want to say thank you for your bravery and courage,” Minister D’Ath said.

“The report is damning in its identification of failings at multiple levels within Mackay HHS and, particularly, the Mackay Base Hospital.

“The investigation team found multiple examples of substandard clinical care, poor clinical incident monitoring, poor management of safety and quality, compli cations and clinical deterioration and poor

Mackay Regional Council New CEO Appointed

Afterfour years of holding senior executive roles with Brisbane City Council (BCC), Scott Owen has been appointed as Mackay Regional Council’s new CEO.

As the BCC Executive for City Stan dards, Mr Owen was responsible for a 2000-strong workforce along with a com bined budget expenditure of $900M.

His focus has been on delivering outcomes for the cultural transformations with staff and driving value for money for Brisbane residents through the effective delivery of council operations.

Throughout his career at BCC, Mr Owen has held several senior executive roles running businesses like fleet solutions and public space operations, which is one of the largest and most diverse branches.

“My personal goals in local government are built around simplifying operations and removing red tape to deliver the rate payer and the community with a great council experience,” Mr Owen said.

“I’m no stranger to Central and North Queensland having worked at Townsville City Council and with a commercial hire business in Gladstone before that.

“I

human resource management.”

A total of 81 women were interviewed by the investigation team, with other cas es considered by the team in reaching its findings.

“The report notes that many of these women have sustained lifelong physical and mental harm,” Ms D’Ath said.

“Sadly, I can also confirm that three cases have been identified through the clinical review process where inadequate care con tributed to the loss of a child.

“The bottom line is that the investigation team heard that the women who came forward described being ignored, disre spected, neglected, left in pain and were discharged back to their GP with incom plete resolution of their problems and not adequately followed up by Mackay Base Hospital.”

Four clinicians involved in the investiga tion have been referred to the office of the health ombudsman and are no longer em ployed by Queensland Health with a fifth individual referred to in the report also submitting their resignation.

Ms D’Ath has issued a show cause notice to the Mackay HHS Board following the re lease of the report.

The show cause notice asks HHS board members to state how they can effectively dis charge their duties and obli gations and whether any or all of the board members should be dismissed.

The board members had until today (Oc tober 7) to respond.

Ms D’Ath has also appointed Dr Robert Herkes as a special clinical advisor to the HHS board to oversee clinical governance improvements.

Ms D’Ath said the investigation report contains 122 recommendations, with 47 already implemented and with the remain der supported either in full or in principle.

“The recommendations will be imple mented within 12 months, to ensure ac tions are taken as a matter of urgency,” she said.

“I will be expecting monthly updates on the progress of these recommendations.”

Those personally affected gathered out side the hospital as the Health Minister delivered her findings, frustrated that they weren’t permitted to attend.

“It’s disrespectful to what every woman has been through and that we’re standing out side here while all the answers are being given inside and we’re not going to know until it’s reported on later but that’s what we’ve dealt with the whole way through this process,” Melissa Ferrier, a representa tive of the victims, said.

“These answers are for us.

“This is our lives that have been affected, it’s our lives that are continuing to be af fected by what’s happened and what these recommendations are going to be.”

Minister D’Ath met with representatives from consumer advocates, individuals and family representatives as well as attending a forum hosted by Mackay HHS interim Chief Executive Paula Foley, allowing af fected women the opportunity to hear and be heard.

Calls are being made for the Health Minis ter to hand in her job over the poor man agement of the situation.

10 years in the British Armed

Forces as making me the person I am to day, and two operational tours in the Af ghanistan conflict for grounding my desire to make life better for people where I can.”

Mr Owen holds a postgraduate diploma in strategic leadership as well as multiple leadership and business administration qualifications.

“I’m excited to be back in North Queensland and am looking forward to embedding myself into the Mackay com munity,” he said.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said Mr Owen was selected from a long list of well-credentialled ap plicants after a rigorous selection process.

“His appointment as our new CEO was formally endorsed by council this week and he will officially commence in the role on November 30,” Mr Williamson said.

“On behalf of council, I’d like to sincerely thank acting CEO Angela Hays who has been at the helm since March.

“Thanks to her strong leadership, coun cil’s day-to-day service delivery and stra tegic decisions have been able to continue without falter, placing the organisation in a strong position for our new CEO.”

Commercial and Farm clean-ups

CA$H for

Incoming council CEO Scott Owen has held senior executive roles with Brisbane City Council, the largest council in Australia, for four years. Photo supplied: Mackay Regional Council

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath spoke in Mackay last week

Foundation Welcomes Two New Staff

Twonew faces have joined the Mackay Hospital Foundation’s team, and the pair are both diving straight into their roles with four of their biggest events due to be held in the next two months.

The foundation is a non-for-profit organ isation that is set-up to raise money to fund equipment and projects which have not been included within the Queensland Health budget.

The fundraising arm for the broader Mackay Hospital and Health Service, the foundation plays an integral part in pro viding facilities for the best possible health results for residents across the region.

Kristi Algate has taken on the role of Gen eral Manager, bringing with her five years working in care management.

The new GM said it was a pleasure meet ing some of the people working within various units at Mackay Base Hospital and that she is looking forward to visiting the rural hospitals.

“It’s also been wonderful to meet with a number of our corporate supporters, but it may take a little longer to get around to personally meet with all of our major do nors and sponsors,” she said.

Brenda McFadzen is the other new face on the team at Mackay Hospital Foundation, taking on the role of Community Engage

ment Officer.

Instrumental in organising major events including galas, charity golf days and a host of other fundraising activities for var ious charities, Brenda will no doubt thrive in her new workplace.

Brenda says she is looking forward to events on the calendar such as the Cinema

Under the Stars by Harvey Norman Bed ding and the Christmas Gift Wrapping at Mt P and Myer.

GIVE TODAY

Make A Difference Tomorrow

The

second annual Giving Day is coming up next week and there are plenty of ways the community can participate.

This innovative fundraising day is organ ised by the Mackay Hospital Foundation and proceeds from the day go towards ex tra facilities that improve the comfort and overall experience for patients and their families.

“Giving Day is an opportunity to donate to Mackay Hospital Foundation and make a difference to the lives of so many,” said Mackay Hospital Foundation General Manager Kristi Algate.

While vital equipment is provided to the eight hospitals that the foundation rep resents, extra funding is often required for the creature comforts many of us take for granted.

When you have visited your local hospi tal, it is likely you were sitting on a chair, watching a television or underneath a warm blanket that was funded by one of Mackay Hospital Foundation’s fundraising projects.

Last year’s face of the Giving Day campaign

was 6-year-old Kacey Sanfilippo who was diagnosed with high-risk B cell acute lym phoblastic leukaemia as a 2-year-old and went on to endure two and a half years of cancer treatment.

This year, 7-year-old Kacey is returning as a Giving Day Ambassador and will be

Upward Trend In Business Travel

TheMackay Isaac region has seen an increase in visitation num bers for business travel accord ing to the Tourism Research Australia National Visitor Survey (NVS) 2022 results released last week.

The Mackay Isaac Region saw 679,000 business travellers visit the region.

These figures represent a three-year trend growth of 3.6 per cent for busi ness visitation purposes, which is a 65 per cent increase since 2019, a new re cord for the Mackay Isaac region.

Mackay Isaac Tourism Interim Chief Executive Officer Tash Wheeler de tailed the considerable growth of busi ness travel as something that the com munity and region should be proud of.

“To see a steady upwards trend in busi ness travel is incredible for the region,” Ms Wheeler said.

“Business tourism has marked a sig nificant growth in the travel industry, paving the way and enhancing the eco nomic results in our local economy.”

With several major events, conferences and projects due for completion over the next few years, the Mackay Isaac Region’s tourism economy is looking to have a positive tourism boost in the upcoming years ahead.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said he is confident that the 2022/2023 year will see tourism contin ue to grow as a key economic pillar for Mackay Isaac Region’s economy.

“We’re working to build and develop new tourism experiences that will be come a major drawcard for both locals and visitors,” Mr Williamson said.

“We know that the tourism sector leads to strong economic outcomes and through our own Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program we are encouraging businesses to host their events here in our region.”

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said the report of increases in business tourism came as no surprise following the lifting of restrictions on domestic and international flights.

"The Isaac region is one of the most transient places for business in Austra lia due to our major resource, renew ables and agricultural industries," Ms Baker said.

“This record-breaking trend echoes what we see on the ground with in creased investment despite the head winds like rising energy prices, inflation and other factors impacting consumers’ wallets and their decision to travel.”

New General Manager Kristi Algate and Community Engagement Officer Brenda McFadzen

Cancer survivors 10- year-old Cade Duncan and 7-year-old Kacey Sanfilippo

joined by 10- year-old Cade Duncan.

Cade was your typical healthy four-yearold boy, and over a couple of weeks sud denly became very tired, pale and disinter ested in physical activity.

When a rash appeared, Cade was rushed to

py given intravenously, orally and into his spine under anaesthetic.

Cade’s treatment continued at Mackay Base Hospital and Brisbane Children’s Hospital for almost four years.

It was during his time of treatment when Cade and the Duncan family’s friendship with Kacey and her family blossomed.

Giving Day kicks off with the Corporate Breakfast which last year attracted over 60 business sponsors who kindly donated to the cause.

From 8am, a host of telemarketers also hit the phones, using the foundation’s data base to call local residents.

If you receive a call, make sure you dig deep and donate.

The third fundraising arm comes from the tireless efforts of hospital staff who receive donations from friends and family.

Each year, there is a good-natured compe tition between hospital wards to see which ward can generate the most – good luck to everyone this year!

If you would like to donate to the cause, please go to charidy.com/mhf

RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR PORT OF MACKAY

Animpressive 3.6 million tonnes of product passed through the Port of Mackay last year which illus trates that, despite supply chain challenges and the ongoing impacts, systems and ef ficiency have led to our local port hitting a new record.

With 145.1 million tonnes of throughput, North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) CEO Nicolas Fertin said he was pleased to see the port not only employ a local work force but also move sustainably into the future alongside the environment.

“Our people continued to work safely and tirelessly to keep trade flowing through out the pandemic in support of our port partners and our regional communities,” he said.

“With three major ports operating along side the Great Barrier Reef, we also contin ued to keep environmental stewardship at the forefront of our business.”

Always reinvesting in the facility, NQBP have built a new tug berth facility at the Port of Mackay and have upgraded the Hay Point Administration Building, the works supporting more than 220 jobs during the period.

Mr Fertin said NQBP is also backing the State Government in its renewables and hydrogen policies.

“Our east coast ports are prime locations to support sustainable trades of the future including hydrogen, renewables and bio fuels,” he said.

the Emergency Department at the Mackay Base Hospital.

After finding his white blood cell count was dangerously low, Cade was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). He was treated with chemothera

WHAT: Mackay Hospital FoundationGiving Day

WHERE: Mackay Base Hospital Court yard

WHEN: Thursday October 13, 8am – 8pm

“In the last 12 months, NQBP joined a consortium of Queensland and global businesses to explore the production and export of hydrogen through the Ports of Hay Point as well as responded to increas ing interests in Abbot Point and Mackay.”

A full house at the Port of Mackay

North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) CEO Nicolas Fertin and Tim Lewis at the Tug Berth Facility

WORLD’S BIGGEST PUMPED HYDRO

DIVIDES COMMUNITY

Queensland

Premier Annastacia Pa laszczuk was in Mackay last week to reveal further details pertain ing to her announcement of a $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

The plan includes the biggest pumped hy dro scheme in the world to be built in the Pioneer Valley.

“This pumped hydro is going to be na tion-building and it’s happening right here in Mackay,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“It is going to set this city up for the future.”

“It’s going to mean jobs; it’s going to mean more industries attracted to this region.”

The project is said to have the poten tial to deliver up to 5GW for 24 hours or 120GWh, which is 617 times larger than South Australia’s Hornsdale battery and 20 times larger than Wivenhoe.

The construction of the project will take place in two stages near the small commu nity of Netherdale.

“The majority of the land is either existing cattle grazing land, or it is sugar cane farm ing land,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This project is going to be right on the doorstep for Mackay and the region.

“There will be no inundation of any nation al parks, as well.”

Plans will see the project affect around 50 homes and properties around Netherdale as well as the existing Mackay Eungella Road.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hy drogen Mick de Brenni said it’s important for the government to work closely with landowners.

“We’ve already established meetings with

around 20 per cent of those landowners,” he said.

“This is a process that we take seriously, of course, and we want to be respectful of those landowners.

“We’ve researched around 1,000 sites across the state and this one stacks up as simply the best pumped hydroelectric opportunity any where in Queensland, in fact, it represents one of the best opportunities in the world.”

“Of course, we’ll work through all of those appropriate environmental approvals, start ing from today.

“There’ll be a range of other approvals that we’ll need to work through, but they are consistent with all other projects.

“Most importantly, this project delivers us a significant economic opportunity for north Queensland.”

Mr de Brenni hopes the project to be in full construction by 2025 and the first stage completed by 2032.

The announcement has been met with some opposition, with Federal Members for Capricornia and Dawson Michelle Landry and Andrew Willcox claiming they weren’t included in any discussion or consultation.

“To come out and make an announcement with zero consultation with the local Feder al MPs and then immediately call for feder al funding, makes me wonder if this is a se rious announcement or is it just for show?” Mr Willcox said.

Ms Landry said the announcement has left her with more questions than answers.

“The Premier has guaranteed jobs for work ers at coal fired power stations but there is no mention of guarantees for coal miners,” she said.

“So where does that leave job security for mine workers, their families and every small business owner in our coal mining towns.”

Local conservation groups have also raised concerns over the plan, with Mackay Con servation Group Coordinator Peter McCal lum concerned about a lack of detail.

“We’re very supportive of renewable energy but we also want to see the most economic and energy efficient forms of renewable energy installed in Queensland,” - Mr McCallum said.

“We’re not sure that pumped hydro is the best option into the future, and it could lead to Queensland tax payers and energy users paying more for electricity than they need to in decades to come.

“There’s no detail available to members of the public.

“We’ve known that this project was being considered for several years and you’d think that, by now, there could’ve been more de tailed information released about the pro posal.

“At this stage, we don’t have that detail.”

HOW DOES HYDRO WORK?

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert welcomed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to Mackay, visiting Steel Central in Paget. Photo supplied: Julieanne Gilbert

Palaszczuk announced plans for the biggest pumped hydro scheme in the world to be built in the Pioneer Valley last week. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Transforming Queensland energy

Queensland Hydro will drive delivery of world-class pumped hydro assets to provide the long duration storage and energy reliability needed to power Queensland’s clean energy future. A publicly-owned entity established by the Queensland Government, Queensland Hydro will deliver the long duration hydro assets that will be the

cornerstone for the transformation of the state’s energy system.

Pumped hydro will store energy when the wind blows and the sun shines and make it available when we need it. It will play a vital role in supporting affordable, reliable, clean energy for all Queenslanders.

Community Drop-in Sessions

The Pioneer-Burdekin site has been identified for a long duration pumped hydro energy storage facility. We are keen to connect with the local community about the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project.

Come along to our Community Drop-in Sessions between 3-7pm on:

6 October

Finch Hatton RSL, Anzac Parade, Finch Hatton

11 October

Broken River Mountain Resort, Eungella Dam Road, Eungella

12 October

Split Spaces, Building 4, Level 2, 92 Sydney Street, Mackay

Get in touch

1800 875 099

pioneer-burdekin@qldhydro.com.au qldhydro.com.au

WITH HONOUR THEY SERVED

National Police Remembrance Day brought together police from across the region last week as well as family members, special guests and members of the public to honour those of ficers who have been killed in the line of duty.

Police also remembered and honoured staff members, retired police and officers who have died off-duty last Thursday, Sep tember 29.

The day began with a march from Brisbane Street to St Patrick’s Church where the ser vice was held.

Superintendent Graeme Paine welcomed guests to the service.

“It’s really important, the support we have from our community for our police, it’s something that’s really critical and today is

one of those days which is a solemn and reflective day for all police and all of their families,” Supt. Paine said.

Supt. Paine also shared a statement on be half of Queensland Police Service Com missioner Katarina Carroll.

“Today is a day of reflection and we stand together and reflect in honour of them and their loved ones and acknowledge the unimaginable loss they have suffered,” Ms Carroll’s statement read.

“All police officers take considerable risks every day to keep our communities safe and this honourable commitment is something that deserves to be recognised, hence the importance of this day for us as a police service.”

The service was attended by special guests including Queensland Premier Annastacia

Palaszczuk, Member for Mackay Julieanne

Gilbert and Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson.

“It was a pleasure to have the premier there, obviously, and she thought it was an excellent service as well,” Mr Williamson said.

“It’s important for the morale of the police force to know that the community is be hind them.

“As with every workforce, but more partic ularly in the police who do an incredible job, the last thing you want to have happen is for a police officer to go to work and not come home.

“Unfortunately, that does happen, and we’ve recognised, as a community, the po lice that we’ve lost in our community and in general across Queensland and across

Australia.

“That recognition is just for the communi ty to say that the police force is trusted and respected and we really are appreciative of what police officers do in keeping us safe.”

Ms Gilbert said the service was an oppor tunity to reflect and honour serving police officers that have lost their lives in the line of duty and give support to the family and friends of these officers.

“It gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own personal contact with serving of ficers and the appreciation I have of their day-to-day effort in keeping our commu nity safe, at times at great risk to their own safety,” she said.

A candlelight vigil was also held the night before to remember fallen officers.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk laid a wreath at the National Police Remembrance Day service last week. Photo supplied

A march was led through the streets of Mackay before the service. Photo supplied Officers stood together to remember their fallen colleagues. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Continued from page 5

Digging deep into his history, media agen cies discovered that Dr Stephens had been involved with another case in Perth where he had failed to give pathology results to one of his cancer patients.

An accurate account of this is that the pa thology results were sent to the hospital but not to the rooms.

He had booked the patient for review after three months and the pathology report ar rived within two.

Dr Stephens saw the patient two weeks later.

“I was the only urologist in a hospital as busy as Mackay,” explained Dr Stephens.

“I had no registrar, no resident and we were swamped.

“There was a very small growth on the pa tient and I wanted to keep my eyes on it.

“Of the five ways of looking after it, I ticked three, but I didn’t do two so there

were omissions on my part no doubt about that – but at the end of the day there was no harm to the patient.”

This case dates back to 2013, but the tri bunal did not take place until 2018, two years after he started working at Mackay Base Hospital.

For the first 12 months Dr Stephens vol unteered for all his cases to be reviewed by two colleagues and during this period there were no concerns raised.

His new employers were aware of the tri bunal, the outcome of which saw a mark placed on his record for five years.

This is due to lapse in January 2023.

Since this incident, Dr Stephens has prac ticed at Mackay Base and developed a strong, trustworthy reputation with all his

patients.

A humble man at heart, Dr Stephens grew up “dirt poor”, living at Broadmeadows in Melbourne, a few streets away from infa mous gangland figure, Carl Williams.

His father died when he was young and by secondary school, Stephens already knew he wanted to be a doctor.

“I never felt I was disadvantaged, I was working three jobs and I loved it!” he said.

“I just scraped into medicine, and I see sur gery as a calling - if you want to do what’s good, you have this amazing capacity, and if you keep on doing good then that’s abso lutely fantastic.”

Now, almost 45 years later, Dr Stephens has two adult children and a career he is immensely proud of.

“I’m proud of my surgical record. Patient’s welfare is absolutely number one for me and I love working at the Base,” he said.

“It is one of the most wonderful places I’ve ever worked – in surgery I work in theatre, clinics and the ward, and it’s just wonder ful.

“The nursing staff, the medical staff and my fellow surgeons are totally devoted, it’s a pleasure to work there.

“The standard of surgical care at the hos pital is far beyond any other hospital I’ve worked at before.”

Dr Stephens has almost finished his fourweek suspension and will be reinstated to full duties next week.

“The standard of surgical care at the Base is far beyond any other hospital I’ve worked at before”

Dr Stephens will return to work at Mackay Base Hospital next week

A Coffee Celebration

Theinaugural Grounded Festival wrapped up last Saturday with the organisers at Third Ground Coffee House elated with the event.

“I think it went really, really well,” said or ganiser Skye Bailey.

“It’s the first time pretty much any of us have done anything like this.

“Our whole team was just so proud of how much the community got behind it and how much they really wanted to be in volved.”

The event saw over 300 people walk through the gate next to Third Ground

Coffee House in Sarina with all funds raised being donated to local SES. The highlight of the day came with Battle of the Beans, with both individuals and teams being judged to find the region’s best barista.

Competition was extremely even, with Madison Dargusch and Jahmayne Hicks tying for first place followed closely by April Leakena and Rusty Blazkovic.

Primal Coffee Roasters won the team com petition over Third Ground Coffee House, but all would agree that coffee and com munity were the real winners on the day.

L-R Skye Bailey with winners April Leakena, Jahmayne Hicks and Madison Dargusch

Primal Coffee Roasters and Third Ground Coffee House went head-to-head in a fun but friendly Battle of the Beans. Photo cred it: Sam Gillespie

Judges Rebekah Jensen, Greg Williamson and Jody Euler

GET MOVING WITH YOUR BUB

Thelessons we learn as kids are the ones that stick with us for the rest of our lives. And one of the best things we can impart on our bubs is the importance of exercise.

There are a few ways to make sure the kids are getting out and about in their young days and getting into the habit of moving –regardless of their age.

If they’re a teenager, they might moan, if they’re a bub, they might cry, but they’ll thank you later for it. And it might just get you fit too while you spend the days outside.

WHERE TO START:

• Whenever possible, indulge your child’s interest in physical activity – kick the ball with them when they ask.

Show your child how to perform basic

sporting skills – like kicking the ball. Research suggests that children whose basic skills are poor tend to avoid sports, so start them kicking early.

Take them to the playground and help them to use the equipment. Have a go yourself – slides and swings are fun!

• Make sure that family outings are (sometimes) physically active.

• Take your kids for regular walks around the neighbourhood. Babies and young children can be pushed along in prams – once they get older, encourage them to walk part of the way.

• But, for our number one tip, try out different sports in age-appropriate classes. Not only is it good for the body, but it’s also good for the soul. Get your kid hanging out with other kids in a team environment!

RUGBYTOTS LEARN A LOT!

Do

you want your kids to learn some invaluable skills for both life and sport? If so, take them to Rugbytots, a non-code associated play program for 2–7-year-olds that teaches the basics of rugby.

Whether you are a league or union fan, the coaches at Rugbytots can show your children ball skills like catching, kicking and passing right through to life skills such as teamwork, listening to instruction and taking turns.

A friendly and fun atmosphere, this unique rugby program is dedicated to little ones and not only lets them share in the sport you love, but also helps to create strong, confident and resilient children.

Rugbytots first started in the UK in 2006 when a rugby-playing dad couldn’t find a preschool rugby class for his three young boys.

Almost 20 years later and over 80,000 children in 20 different countries participate in Rugbytots and we are lucky enough to have one of them here in Mackay.

When Krystal Berrigan brought her children to Rugbytots several years ago as a parent, she loved it so much that she soon progressed into the role of a Coach and, almost 7 years ago she took over the reins, running the business ever since.

“Rugbytots is wonderful for your child’s development skills such as hand-eye coordination, social development, balance and agility,” she said.

“It’s a fun environment that gets kids out and active, away from the screens!”

“They love the structure of the sessions and, with their parents close-by, they can find their independence with the comfort of having a parent with them.”

Suitable for both boys and girls, these weekly classes are available, year-round, right across the Mackay Region.

Monday classes are in Marian, Friday in Ooralea and Saturday in Beaconsfield.

Reach out to Krystal to find out more details about how your child can enjoy learning about rugby and gain more confidence for life along the way.

Thereis no denying that the kitchen is the heart of the home – and to keep it pumping and healthy, you need to be giving it some tender loving care.

And tender loving care is just what the team at Porters Mitre 10 are great at! De signing or updating your home’s heart is a lot easier when you have Porters Mitre 10 and Principal Kitchens on your side.

Designed for contemporary living and du rability, Principal Kitchens products are

backed with a 10-year warranty on cabi nets and a lifetime warranty on hardware – ensuring your home’s heart is always beating at its best.

ALL IN THE DETAILS

Your new kitchen will come with Italian soft close hinges as standard – perfect for kids who like to swing open the cupboard doors. All hardware, including hinges, soft close runners, screws and cabinet feet, come with your new Principal Kitchen, meaning there are no additional purchases

required. All cabinets are Australian made, ensuring high quality and long-lasting wear.

DIY

If you’re handy on the tools, you can build and install your new kitchen – yourself! Delivered in flatpacks, your new kitch en can easily be assembled by dowel and screw method for a stronger build. Or if you aren’t so savvy on the tools, the team at Porters Mitre 10 can refer you to a local trade professional to assist in the installa tion.

ONE STOP SHOP

The best part? Your entire kitchen, in cluding cabinets, handles, tapware, sinks, storage solutions and lighting, can all be ordered from one place – Porters Mitre 10! With three kitchen displays and a laun dry display already setup for you to walk through, organise a meeting with trained and experienced designers to order your new Principal Kitchen. If you want to start designing your dream kitchen early, use the 3D online planner to then bring to your consultation for the experts to final ise.

Contact the team at Porters Mitre 10 to help bring life back into your kitchen 07 4967 3386.

Mackay A Top Five Rooftop Solar Suburb

Mackay

has placed fifth on a list comparing which postcodes in Queensland have the most res idential rooftop solar in a survey released by the Queensland Government.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said more people in Mackay are choosing solar.

“Mackay’s 4740 postcode has the fifth most residential rooftop solar in Queensland with over 11,600 homes,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Together, Queensland’s homes account for over 3.5 GW capacity, that’s more gen eration capacity than Queensland’s two largest power stations combined (Glad stone 1,680MW, Stanwell 1,460MW).

“I congratulate everyone who has in stalled solar on their rooftop, espe cially those in Mackay, you’re part of Queensland’s biggest power station.

“Solar is helping to bring down power prices.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Pa laszczuk said over 722,000 homes throughout the state have solar.

“I want to thank every Queenslander who has helped lower electricity prices and our carbon footprint by installing so lar panels on their home – your home is powering the state,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said a new solar system is connected every 11 minutes in Queensland.

“Queensland not only leads the nation but also the world in rooftop solar,” he said.

“While rooftop solar supplied 8.9 per cent of Queensland’s total energy needs last financial year, in the middle of the day it can represent more than 40 per cent of generation.”

Overall Queensland continues to be the nation leader in rooftop solar, outstrip ping the other states with almost 88,000 more installations than its nearest rival, New South Wales.

Simple yet sophisticated

The heart of the home

CAR

is covered

insurance

help

So, how do you know if you have the right cover for your vehicle? Read below to see what factors come into consideration, so you can be confident in your decision.

• EXCESS – Check the standard excess amount payable especially at renewal. Make sure the amount of excess does not increase to keep the cost the same. Chang es should be highlighted. Also, it is im portant to check the age excess for young drivers, consider if you can accept a high er amount of excess if you have more than one accident a year?

• KILOMETRES –Pay as you go insur ance can be great however the costs are enormous if you go over the km’s regis tered and then have an accident. So, it is best to check regularly perhaps leave a

reminder in the car or calendar to check your odometer every three months.

• HIRE CAR - Different options are avail able upon request. Consider for a small cost up front, compared to if your vehicle is not road worthy, and immediately off the road following an accident. In some locations parts may be unavailable, or the repairer unable to commence for weeks. Some policies have an unlimited hire car option which can be of great benefit if you do not have access to another vehicle. Es pecially as parts shortages continue

• WINDSCREEN INCLUSION – Newer model vehicles have lots of high-end technology to help keep you and your family safe. The cost of windscreens now range between $120 to upward of $3000 with ad ditional costs for calibrating radar units, rain sensors and codes. Once this option is removed from your policy it is difficult to get back. So defiantly worth including.

New Animal Management Centre

OPENS ITS DOORS

The new Mackay Animal Management Centre was officially opened last week with the help of Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson.

Mr Williamson said the new fa cility would ensure council con tinues to meet the needs of the community into the future.

“The new facility is three times the size of the existing Animal Management Centre and the upgrades have brought the facil ity into line with current animal management standards,” he said. The facility upgrades include 42 dog enclosures, increased from 18, and 22 cat condos, increased from nine cat cages.

“This is a great result for the community, as it means we will be less likely to reach capacity and can provide the best possible care for abandoned animals,” Mr Williamson said.

“The new dog enclosures have also been designed with im proved health and safety fea tures, allowing staff to clean one side of the enclosure at a time so they don’t need to be in the en closure with a dog.

“We have also introduced larger cages for cats called cat condos, background music for the ani mals, a hydrobath, and improved security measures such as CCTV cameras throughout the facility.”

Julieanne Gilbert MP said the State Government was proud to support important community projects like this.

“The new Mackay Animal Man agement Centre will be a place that residents can not only adopt a new pet, but also be reunited with their furry loved ones,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Should your pet go missing, you can be rest assured that it will be provided with the best possible care until you can collect it.”

Mayor Greg Williamson and Local Laws staff cut the ribbon to officially open the new Mackay Animal Management Centre. Photo supplied: Mackay Regional Council

“IT’S ALLOWED MORANBAH TO HAVE A VOICE”

AFL QUEENSLAND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO MORANBAH JUNIOR

Moranbah Bulldogs AFC junior Abbey Rankin was awarded the 2022 Troy Clarke Scholarship in September. Photo provided: AFL Queensland

In

the Bowen Basin, the people of Mo ranbah and Dysart - two communities central to BHP’s Queensland mining operations – are having their voices be heard by a multi-billion-dollar company.

Home to the new Smart Transformation Advisory Council (STAC), a communi ty-led forum that brings together BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) with commu nity representatives, these two towns are helping the major company navigate the opportunities and impacts of what they call the “fourth industrial revolution”.

Moranbah State School Principal, Antho ny Edwards said the forum is providing an avenue for the whole community to impact the direction of Moranbah’s future.

“I think the big thing that Smart Transfor mation has achieved is bringing commu nity members to the table and to the con versation,” he said.

Since it began in 2019, the Smart Trans formation Advisory Council has delivered several important outcomes for Dysart and Moranbah.

It saw the introduction of the Digital Con nectivity Project, which is enhancing dig ital connectivity to both towns in a jointly funded by BHP and Telstra effort.

It initiated a new skills and training proj ect, where an innovative new Careers Navigator role was established as part of the Queensland Future Skills Partnership.

And it’s seen the establishment of the Isaac Childcare Leadership Alliance to help im prove access to childcare - underpinned by a $1m commitment from BHP over two years.

Moranbah Discount Tyres & Mechanical Owner and Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) Director, Carolyn Fritz said the va riety of voices helps to distil the core com munity needs.

“It’s very important to bring those voices all together and understand the real and basic requirements that the community and business owners alike, need and val ue,” she said.

“It’s amazing BHP are willing to listen to that.”

COAL INDUSTRY REMAINS UP IN ARMS ABOUT TAXES

In

the wake of Queensland Govern ment state coal royalty tax increases in the June State Budget, there was uproar from mining giants.

But now an independent body represent ing the commercial resources sector is jumping onboard the criticism train: The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) are calling on the Palaszczuk Government to review the decision.

QRC have queried the state government over their choice to increase the tax to what are the highest rates in the world –all with no consultation to industry.

“Earlier this year, and almost overnight, the State Government increased Queensland’s top coal royalty tax rate from 15 percent to 40 percent,” QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said.

“This is an outrageous impost on our in dustry, which was done with no consulta tion or consideration of the damage this will do to regional communities, which rely so heavily on the employment and business opportunities that come from the resources sector.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her ministers have been stalwart on the de cision, though, even with it receiving staunch opposition upon announcement and in the months since.

“I believe that Queenslanders are on our side,” she said.

“Queenslanders will see that some of these companies are making billions of dollars, coal’s being exported overseas and we can reinvest that money for Queenslanders into hospitals and schools and regional Queensland.”

Moranbah

Bulldogs AFC junior Abbey Rankin was awarded the 2022 Troy Clarke Scholarship by AFL Queensland last month, named after the late Brisbane Bears player and AFL Queensland Development Manager Troy Clarke.

The scholarship is designed to support a young person from regional Queensland who displays the core values Troy, a South Cairns junior, embodied during his foot ball journey including dedication, passion and respect.

The scholarship will specifically look to focus and improve Abbey’s football, edu cation and personal development.

The scholarship was presented at Gold Coast’s Bond University on September 22 ahead of the Under 16 Girls Champion ships where Abbey represented the Gold Coast SUNS Academy Team who defeated the Brisbane Lions 45-7.

AFL Queensland say they selected Abbey for this prestigious scholarship due to her genuine commitment to pursuing her football ambitions.

Growing up in Moranbah, Abbey started playing Aussie Rules for the Moranbah Bulldogs only four years ago before being selected in the Gold Coast SUNS Acade my.

During this time, she has travelled to pur sue playing football at the highest level available.

Abbey and her family have now moved to

Mackay where she plays for the Mackay City Hawks, this year’s 2022 AFL Mackay Premiers.

Head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires congratulated Abbey on receiving this scholarship.

“Abbey is a worthy recipient of our Troy Clarke Scholarship,” she said.

“Her dedication to chasing her football pursuits through travel to training and seeking additional opportunities to im prove her game, is demonstrative of her passion.

“We look forward to watching Abbey’s de velopment as a footballer and person.”

The 16-year-old said she was honoured to receive this scholarship.

“It’s such an honour to receive this schol arship,” Abbey said.

“It has encouraged and inspired me to push even harder towards my goals.

“I know from personal experience that re gional kids feel like they are always over looked and forgotten about.

“This scholarship has done the opposite and inspired me to train and play harder.

“My ultimate dream is to play in the AFLW and be a role model for other re gional kids.”

Abbey is the second player from the region to receive the Troy Clarke Scholarship, with Alana Gee from Mackay receiving the scholarship in 2019 before being drafted to the SUNS AFLW team earlier this year.

SUPPLYING

In a collaborative council, Moranbah and Dysart are being given a direct line to one of Australia’s biggest resource industry giants

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane has been a vocal detractor for the state governments new royalty tax on coal

EVENTGUIDE

FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER

Morning Melodies 2022 presents 1954: Ella, Etta & Eartha by Western-Dyer Productions

Friday, 11:00am

Swinging jazz, powerful soul and cheeky kitsch featuring Melissa Western and her band. It's the year 1954. Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James and Eartha Kitt are all at the dizzy heights of their careers. With swinging jazz, powerful soul and cheeky kitsch these three women broke new ground for all who followed in their footsteps.

Melissa Western and her band pay tribute to this magnificent era in music and inspiring trio of pioneering singers. 50s style abounds.

MECC

Public Art Walk

Friday, 4:30pm

Hosted by Artspace Mackay Director Tracey Heathwood, the free city art walk for all ages begins at Artspace Mackay and takes you through the city centre. Along the way, participants will learn about Mackay’s iconic public art installations, and the local, and internationally-acclaimed artists who created them. Whether you’re an artist, art lover, local or visitor to our lovely riverside city, you’ll find this late afternoon public art walk a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Bring friends, family members, or come by yourself - wear a hat, comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water, and arrive promptly to Artspace Mackay as the group will depart on time.

Artspace Mackay

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.

Wake House Australia Film & Arts Mackay Film Night: Murina Friday, 7:30pm

Winner of the Caméra d’Or for Best First Feature Film at Cannes in 2021, MURINA is a psychological drama and a coming-of-age tale of a young woman’s struggle for independence.

Cook Lecture Theatre

Hockey Dad

Friday, 7:30pm

With touring stalled for much of 2020 and 2021, Zach and Billy alongside live bass player

Steve Bourke have been writing and recording new music for album four, while keeping engaged in alternate ways. When Windang’s favourite sons had to cancel Mackay from a rescheduled tour earlier this year, fans were left disappointed and having to travel to Airlie to catch them play. Being as down-to-earth and true-to-their-word as they are, the boys have made it up to the sugar city and are ready to get back on the stage and deliver new music in 2022.

Seabreeze Hotel

Alex Lloyd Friday, 8:00pm

This October, Alex Lloyd returns to the stage with his "Live And Amazing" Australian tour and will be hitting the Metropolitan Hotel, Mackay. The multi-platinum ARIA awardwinning musician will bring all his hits to the stage for one incredible night of music, singing and nostalgia. Performing his classic songs like Amazing, Black the Sun, Lucky Star, Green, Coming Home & Never Meant To Fail together with some much loved and wellknown covers, Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen), Better Be Home Soon (Crowded House).

These amazing tunes will come to life through a tapestry of soulful singing, masterful playing and clever arrangements. Join for a very special show, up-close and personal with Alex Lloyd!

The Metropolitan Hotel

Standup Comedy - Mackay - Amy Hetherington & Kel Balnaves

Friday, 8:00pm

Get ready Mackay. Empire has a huge night of stand-up comedy coming your way. A couple of award-winning comedians. A jam-packed show full of side-splitting stand-up, relatable stories and funny jokes. Book early to avoid missing out.

Empire Alternacade

SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER

Oktoberfest at Red Dog Brewery Saturday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Be a part of the inaugural Oktoberfest at Red Dog Brewery. Enjoy locally brewed Germaninspired beers, feast by Weaners on Wheels, Branded Red Dog half stein, 4x German beer fills, fun games and prizes.

Red Dog Brewery

The Stone Apes

Cuban Dance Class & Social Night Saturday, 2:00pm

Cuban Salsa Dance workshops and Party with Australia's pioneer of Cuban Salsa Christina Monneron (Afrekete Australia). Workshop 1: 2-3.30pm – Cuban Salsa Fundamentals. Workshop 2: 3.45-5.15pm - Rueda (Cuban Circle Salsa - Progressive/ Wheel). Each workshop is $30 or $50 for both, pre purchased by Friday 7th October. It will cost extra if purchased at the door. PLUS Party Night from 7.30pm - $20. $70 for both workshops & party.

Palace Hotel Slowly Slowly Saturday, 8:00pm

Slowly Slowly are hitting the road again throughout August, September and October, visiting parts of Australia they’ve dearly missed and also making their long-awaited debut in others. Playing a slew of songs from their back catalogue and forthcoming release they will be shaking off the cobwebs from the last few years of silence.

Seabreeze Hotel

The Stone Apes Return Saturday, 9:00pm

After a big Empire welcome the first time, Rockhampton’s The Stone Apes and Mackay’s Nortica return with Red Veridian in tow. Strap in Mackay and make it another night to remember!

Empire Alternacade

SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER

Mackay Annual Gem Show Sunday, 9:00am to 3:00pm

Mackay Annual Gem Show hosted by Mackay Gem Club, where you will find the club and many other market stall holders showcasing all things crystal, gem and lapidary related products. Join for a great day out. 3 Leisure Court, South Mackay.

Mackay Gem and Craft Society Inc Sunday Live Music 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.

WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER

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

ARTIST’S TALK - Meet ‘Creative Inquiry’ featured artist Sophie Munns Wednesday, 5:30pm

Sophie Munns melds art and seed science in her Brisbane-based art practice. Her work features as an Art as Lens case study in the Queensland senior secondary visual art resource, Creative Enquiry. Join Artspace Mackay as Sophie makes the case for the wonder and power of curiosity as a learning tool to navigate a changing world. The artist describes a technique she calls ‘bio-cultural mapping’ – offering teachers and students an integrated method for exploring themes of biodiversity and climate change. Sophie uses rare and common seeds as a lens for viewing various aspects of the world including the constant regeneration of life.

Artspace Mackay

THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER

WBBL at The Great Barrier Reef Arena - Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers

Thursday, 6:00pm to 10:00pm

WBBL IS COMING TO MACKAY. Take the family out to see the Women’s Big Bash League make its return to The Great Barrier Reef Arena this October! Six Professional Games of Big Bash Cricket played across a huge 4 days. Mini Eat Street, Kids Activities & Fireworks!

The Great Barrier Reef Arena

The Grogans

Thursday, 7:00pm

Genre-expanding outfit The Grogans are a trio of best mates from Melbourne who explore nuanced manoeuvres in surf, punk, blues, garage, psych, rockabilly and reggae. With the announce of their forthcoming album Which Way Is Out, The Grogans have dropped the fourth single No Thanks (I’m Going Surfing).

This playful track, both lyrically and sonically, showcases the bands plethora of song-writing capabilities yet again, differing from influences displayed in the previous three singles – all wrapped up in a 3-minute anthem.

Seabreeze Hotel

Morning Melodies Public Art Walk

Murina

WBBL at The Great Barrier Reef Arena

LOCAL ARTIST AND ICON RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Dave

Conway says he is here for a reason.

Dave has been nominated for Blind Australian of the Year in recognition of his work throughout the Mackay com munity and the disability sector.

“It feels amazing to be nominated,” Dave said with the widest of grins.

“To get a phone call about that, that some one had nominated me, I was just on cloud nine million.

“I was just floating.”

Dave’s story is one of action, of risk, but not one of regret.

At the beginning of his final year of an environmental sciences degree, Dave was rock climbing at Mount French, west of Brisbane.

“I loved it as a hobby,” he said.

“I was actually training to compete in the Extreme Games in 2004 but at the start of the year, the 19th of February 2004, life stepped in and redirected where I was go ing.”

Dave fell 20 metres while lead climbing when his top anchor came loose in a crack in the rock, sustaining substantial dam age to his back, pituitary gland and optic nerves.

He spent 17 days in a coma and when he awoke, he was surrounded by his family.

“When I woke up from my coma, I couldn’t talk because I had a breathing tube in and I was totally blind, but I felt so safe and so loved so I just went with what happened to me,” Dave said.

Thus began a long road to recovery and rehabilitation – Dave ultimately spent the next 15 months in hospital in Brisbane.

With little to no memory of the accident, Dave’s family took him downstairs one day for a chat.

“Mum and dad and my brother and my sister, we’re a very close family, so they told me everything I went through, what they

think happened in the fall, and I almost died three times in intensive care, so I knew that I was here for a reason,” he said.

“I’ve got to grab life with both hands and just run with it.”

Dave said one of the best conversations came when his family all accepted his ac cident because he was doing something he loved.

“Looking back at all my actions, I’m glad I can speak very highly of my accident,” he said.

“Through having a sport accident, I count myself lucky because I can talk about what I went through with no regrets.”

Dave started creating art in the spinal unit in 2004 and, after moving back to Mackay in 2005, he continued to create charcoal drawings.

“I’m lucky I got to move home with my family because it gave me time to really find myself,” he said.

While he still creates charcoal drawings, Dave prefers more colourful, high flow paintings and sells his colourful paintings through his business Art from the Blind Side.

“The art I do these days is the bright co lours because they inspire me because I can see them better and just to see how colours interact with each other,” he said.

Dave says art provides therapy and a wel come distraction from the chronic pain of his spinal injury.

“The art really helps with keeping myself distracted from the pain as well as giving me a hobby, giving me an interest and also giving me a small business,” he said.

“It’s also great therapy for my eyes.

“As my ophthalmologist has said, when using the muscles in my eyes, somehow, that’s repairing things.”

Along with his artwork, Dave is kept ex tremely busy with his work in the com munity and the disability sector; work that has been recognised by his nomination for

Blind Australian of the Year.

He works as a disability advocate, an access consultant, a state-wide convenor assisting people who self-manage their NDIS plans.

He’s worked alongside Mackay Region al Council, Mackay Hospital, IDEAL Placements, Mackay Advocacy, Sporting Wheelies and Queenslanders with Disabil ity Network.

He’s a frequent host and speaker at forums and schools, he’s published a book and has

even delivered a TED Talk.

“All the work I do, I really enjoy it,” he said.

“It’s been really self-satisfying but also, I’ve been really proud to be nominated as Blind Australian of the Year.

“All this work I do makes sense.

“People are paying attention, it’s pretty cool.”

The Blind Australian of the Year Award is announced later this month.

Mega Cent Sale Raises Funds

cent sale has raised vital funds for two community organ isations with the third, jointly held event conducted by the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre and Variety, the children’s charity with Arts and Crafts Centre man ager Jenny Costello saying it was one of the best,

Amega

“We’re very grateful for the support of all those people at the sale, and for those who helped us in organising it. It was thrilling to see the big roll-up at Bob Wood Hall!” she said.

“We had more than 200 prizes as well as raffles and major prizes, so I think the peo ple got value at the sale.”

Jenny Costello, Marg Hinrichs and many other members of the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre spent months collecting

prizes for the sale.

Variety’s Greg and Sandi Power, who helped run the sale, said funds would also go towards helping children through the Variety charity.

The two recently took part in the Variety Bash rally through Queensland’s outback and helped raise more than $2 million.

During the Bash they distributed 200 Where’s Wally beanies to children along the route, which were made by and do nated by members of the Sarina Fibre Arts Group.

“The kids loved them. There are heaps of Where’s Wally characters getting around out there now!” they said.

Contributed with thanks Charlie Payne

Artist Dave Conway has recently completed his 1,000th painting. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie Dave sells his art through his business Art from the Blind Side. Photo supplied

Debby Collins, Thelma Bromley and Helen Kirkwood got together for the Mega Cent Sale at Sarina. The trio are ex-domestic science teachers at Sarina State School. Photo: Owen Bromley

Bravehearts

PROPERTY POINT

What will the construction of the world’s biggest pumped hydro scheme 70 kilometres west of Mackay mean for our region and the real estate sector?

In short: a lot.

The proposed dam and hydro scheme in the Pioneer Valley is expected to provide half of Queensland’s energy needs at its planned completion date in over a decade.

This project, which will dwarf the Snowy Hydro Scheme, will employ many thou sands of people and, if it goes ahead, will be a major driver of our economy.

The announcement was very short on de tail and we really need a lot more informa tion than we had at the time of me writing this column for us to speak confidently about what it will mean.

As always with projects of this magnitude, there will be people who suffer and, in this case, residents in parts of the Pioneer Val ley will be forced to sell their properties to accommodate the dam. We need to be conscious of what that means for those people and those residents will need sup port and consideration.

There are certainly questions to be asked about locations effected and what it will mean for services, transportation and the impact on communities.

Those details will emerge in the months and years ahead but the opportunity a project of this size provides for Mackay cannot be underestimated.

The project will employ thousands of peo ple and will offer enormous opportunities for local companies that, until now, have

largely been servicing the mining sector.

This will mean apprenticeships for local kids and career paths for Mackay people who will benefit from the certainty of long-term employment.

We should also expect the project to cre ate an influx of workers to Mackay to help meet the demand for the skills that are re quired for such an enormous engineering project.

Of course, the Premier said the dam and hydro scheme is part of the Government’s effort to phase out coal, so it will be wel comed by the climate change cheerleaders.

But what we know is that she is talking about thermal coal, used in coal-fired power plants, not metallurgical coal.

The vast majority of the coal we dig out and export is metallurgical or coking coal, used to make steel, and there are no plans to phase that out.

So, we could have one of the biggest in frastructure projects in the country being built on our doorstep while we continue to export the best metallurgical coal in the world.

That would be great for businesses, jobs and our economy. The influx of people to Mackay will also be terrific for the real estate sector as it will add to demand for housing and give confidence to those who have bought in Mackay.

With such a long-term project many peo ple who move to Mackay will want to buy properties rather than rent. But if this all goes ahead, our lack of rental properties will become a big issue for the local and state governments.

Canyou believe that in one month it’ll be Christmas Day! Amazing right!

It’s a time of reflection on what’s im portant to you, spending time with family, helping the community and of course Santa. But before we get there, we have to have our ducks in a row.

Isaac Tourism’s Tas Webber, Paul Rutland from the Creperie Restaurant, Col Meng from Rotary, Adrian Westcott from Mack ay Hockey, plus a mystery detective from Mackay Police!

MACKAY ISAAC IS THE PLACE TO BE

How much will we raise? Who knows? How much fun will we have? Heaps!

apprenticeship

Tonight,

if you’re anywhere near the MECC, you will be hearing a lot of cheering and fun.

One easy way is to volunteer your time. I do it and I love it. I volunteer at the PCYC, Blood Bank, YIRS, Mackay Tourism, Zonta, Meals on Wheels, Mackay Basketball, plus many others.

No, the kids at Central State School ar en’t having a school disco. All the noise and fun will be a part of the Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards.

Actually, tomorrow at Canelands we’ll be helping a great group of people at Brave hearts with 4MK’s Jingle Jail. We’ll have a makeshift jail in the centre and over the course of the day we’ll have Mackay’s movers and shakers in the “jail cell” with me rattling the donation bins so that they can be “bailed out”.

from. Seaforth is beautiful. So is Platypus Beach, Bucasia, Sarina and Far Beach too. Don’t forget to ask the locals about when the tide is in especially at Town Beach. If you go at the wrong time, you could be walking quite a while before you hit water. Just saying.

This annual gala night will have hundreds of legends all glammed up as we celebrate what we have in our beautiful Mackay Isaac region.

If you’re wondering who Bravehearts are, well put it this way. They help kids. Plain and simple. Kids around our region and more. Bravehearts want to make Australia the saf est place in the world to raise a child. You’d think that’d be easy right? Well not exactly because of a variety of factors, but we can all do our small bit, and Saturday 27th tomor row is when we can all help.

Pleasant many the prestigious “I’ve past before two Her gained the-art tutelage the skills cial

Councilspends money each year to improve the liveability of the region through its events and conference attraction programs. Bringing sporting events and conferences to our region provides bed nights for our hotels and increased spending in our eateries and retail shops. But as important, it exposes visitors to our region in the hope that it will encourage them to come back for a holiday or even better, decide to move here for the lifestyle. The Mackay region can support thousands more residents without the need to drastically upgrade its infrastructure.

The more people that live here, the more the rates burden is shared across the re gion, leading to lower rates rises. Over the

last six years council has worked hard to make the rates burden fairer. In 2016 we had the highest rates in Queensland in our category. Now we are down at eighth spot and moving further down. Rates rises over the same period have been below 1.5 per cent on average.

To help with that we need to take advan tage of the other ways to improve and di versify our economy and liveability. I sit on the board of Mackay Isaac Tourism as Mackay Regional Council’s representative to ensure that the money council invests into tourism gets the best return it can for the residents. The national visitor survey results are now in, showing that 679,000 business travellers came through the re gion over the last 12 months – that’s a 3.6

I’ll have our Mayor Greg Williamson com ing down, Derek Davis from Ezy Group, Steve Eden from City Fitness, Mackay

From the coffee houses around Mackay, to the sporting facilities in the Northern Beaches, to the walking mountain trails in Clermont, to the beach visits at Bucasia and also the ever popular restaurants and bars in the whole region. They will all be part of this great night.

When you think of it, we have a lot to be thankful for living in our Mackay Isaac re gion.

We have some of the best nature experi ences in the world right here. From rain forests to clear river streams, to platypus having a swim at Eungella, to sipping rum at the only council owned rum distillers in the world. Yes! We have it lucky and tonight they will all be thanked for pro moting this region to the world at our gala night of nights.

If you’re doing your shopping or catching up with mates for a coffee at Canelands look for me and a whole bunch of beautiful souls in our jail and come and say gudday. It could change your life, and really, it will save the lives of kids all over Mackay and the Whit sundays.

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!

Before I go and head off and get my suit ready for the party tonight, I’d person ally like to thank each and every one of our volunteers who go out of their way to promote where we live. We are all ambas sadors. We are all advertisers. We are the people who make or break our region.

“Now turning to travel baking Felicity To win Award, tude, ments

According all these “While

A Legacy Of Saving Lives Udderly Great Coffee And

We have the beaches at our back doorsteps. We have beautiful mountains to climb like Mt Blackwood, The Leap and Wolfgang Peak just to name a few. They are all bril liant. If you haven’t climbed them yet, go and see one of our volunteers at our visitor information centres around town. What about the beaches? So many to pick

Cowbells called the newest member of the herd to the Mackay Farm er’s Market for the launch of MAD Cow Coffee’s full-fledged coffee cart, ‘Dai sy’, part of the udderly good coffee crew’s third birthday celebrations.

Let’s shout it to the rooftops and tell Aus tralia and the rest of the world. Come to the Mackay Isaac Region and have a hol iday. Better still, move here. You won’t re gret it.

who have a story of their own.

I’ll see you all tonight! Good luck every one!

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!

Owners Sonya and Barry Scoble unveiled the newest member of their bovine fami ly with complimentary cupcakes adorned with the MAD Cow logo last week.

Tourism, rates and our regional economy

“We’ve managed to connect in some really positive ways in the community over the three years,” Sonya said.

“We’ve become a recognised source of help for people, and if someone doesn’t know where to go, they can come and see me and I’ll make them a coffee and we can sit and talk it out together and we let them know

per cent increase on the previous year and a 65 per cent increase since 2019, making it a new record for the Mackay Isaac Re gion.

It has been a three-year campaign to destigmatise Mixed Anxiety and Depres sion - the MAD in MAD COW - for Son ya and Barry, who started the business as a tribute to their son Aiden after he sadly died by suicide.

Sonya says that, even though she’s not a professional counsellor herself, she knows the role that just listening and lending an

The MAD Daisy.

With MAD Cow, Barry and Sonya have created a legacy for Aiden by continuing to tell his story over coffee and raising aware ness for the issue of suicide in regional ar eas, as well as providing an ear for those

We are on the precipice of tourism mak ing a full comeback to our region just by taking better advantage of what we already have. Council has been helping business es in the Valley understand the wants and needs of the up to 30,000 mountain bikers visiting to the region at the completion of the world class mountain bike park linking Finch Hatton and Eungella.

As part of the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area Riverside Revitalisa tion Project, council is building a pontoon in the Pioneer River to create new op

“We know of 39 suicides we have directly prevented, and a number of stories where we’ve allowed people to open up to their

Daisy’s launch also celebrated MAD Cow’s upcoming ‘Project Engage’, which Sonya

Cr Justin Englert Mackay Regional Council

portunities for commercial tourism right from the CBD. We have operators already heading out there regularly, go and have a look! We can build tourism back up and past what it used to be if we all believe that we’re all in the business of selling tourism.

says local key part Daisy Me, Mackay, Partners, Association

set last

of Rumble on the

up at

competitors

all over the country

all ages

the lake

Photo

Sam Gillespie

WRIGHT COMES CLOSE TO WORLD CHAMP STATUS

At

Velo Sports Centre, Los Angeles, a Mackay cyclist came within touch ing distance of a world champion ship win.

Mackay athlete Hamish Wright competed in three events across the 2022 Masters Track Cycling World Championships, bringing home a double of top three ribbons.

It’s Wright’s best World Championship out ing, having beaten his previous effort in Los Angeles in 2017 where he cracked a thirdplace finish for his best performance.

This time in the US, he started slow: a sev enth-place finish in the 750-metre time tri al, before cracking the sound barrier and shooting up to the podium in the team sprint and the singles sprint.

Competing in the Men's 45-49 category, Wright is a sprint specialist.

He had a poor qualifying time in his first sprint, though, which saw him seeded ninth, meaning to progress to the quarter finals, he had to ride a sudden death race against the 3rd fastest qualifier which was a rider from the Czech Republic.

Hamish won convincingly which put him into the quarter finals.

Progressing to the quarter finals, he faced an American, and they were both very close ly matched. Hamish won in two of the best of three sets, but both were photo finishes: 0.007 and 0.004 of a second.

There is a technique called “throwing of the

bike”, which is something sprinters practice to push their bikes out as they cross the line, similar to how runners lunge when they cross.

It was the throw that won Hamish those rac es to progress to the semi-finals.

In the semis, he faced a rider from France who was the fastest qualifier. Wright won the first, the Frenchman won the second, so it went to a deciding third race where Wright caused an upset.

It's unheard of for the ninth-place qualifier to knock out the top seed.

The gold medal race came and it was against another American - the second fastest seed. They had close races but ultimately, Hamish came in second best.

Although he was disappointed to come so close, Wright managed to achieve his major goal of continuing to improve, even with a demanding training, life, and work balanc ing act.

“Trying to commit enough time to train at the level I need to, to be competitive at a world level, is challenging, overlaying that with a demanding work schedule,” Wright said of his finish

Hamish works for Holcim Concrete as an Area Operations Manager which involves long hours any time of the day or night de pending on the contracts they are supplying at the time.

"Having an understanding boss in Towns ville and working for a supportive busi ness like Holcim makes it possible for me

to chase my aspirations on the bike while building a rewarding career,” he said.

For Wright, the most important was the ca maraderie of racing and competition that he’d found along the way – although a few medals did make it all the better.

"I've made friends across Australia and the World competing at various events. These events are serious when we're on the track, there's no love lost, especially during sprint ing when you're elbow-to-elbow with some one travelling more than 60 km/hr head ing towards the finish line; but afterwards there's time for a beer and a chat. You be come mates,” he said.

He finished third place in the team sprint, and second in the singles sprint.

It is his first World Champs winning two medals.

TOUCH FOOTBALL TALENT AT QUEENSLAND ALL SCHOOLS CARNIVAL

QueenslandUnder 12 sensation Harper Shields will spearhead a strong Mercy/St Patrick’s Col lege contingent at this week’s 40th annual Gold Coast Titans Queensland All Schools Touch Football Championships at Run away Bay.

The gifted Shields will join the likes of St Patrick’s whiz kids Jaxon Purdue and Ethan Van Kerkwyk at the prestigious Carnival that is billed as the world’s largest touch football tournament.

Spring-heeled Harper is a player to watch in the Under 13 Boys category when he leads Mercy College during the coveted Carnival from Wednesday, October 5 to Sunday, October 9 at the world class Gold Coast Performance Centre.

Mercy/St Patrick’s College will also field an Under 15s Boys, Under 15s Girls and an Under 18 Mixed team in the major schools sporting event.

Shields captained Capricornia to back-toback State Under 12 championship titles at the Queensland Schoolboys Touch Foot ball Carnival in Brisbane earlier this year.

The elusive middle player – who was named

the 2021 Mackay Sports Person of the Year – was rewarded for his classy performanc es with selection in the Queensland Under 12 representative team.

Harper demonstrated his leadership skills, attacking prowess and vision on the field to help the well drilled Capricornia side post ten wins from 11 matches in the pre liminary rounds before toppling Metro politan East 7-5 in the Grand Final at the Whites Hill venue.

At the end of the Gold Coast All Schools Carnival, the versatile Year 7 athlete will line up for his beloved Maroons at the Na tional Schoolboys Touch Football Cham pionships to be staged in the NSW town of Wagga Wagga during November.

Joining Shields in a powerful Mercy Col lege Under 13s outfit are rising colts Ma son Muscat and Darcy Cabassi – fresh from their rugby league heroics with the premiership-winning Magpies in the Mackay and District Junior League com petition.

The talented trio also guided Mercy Col lege to an inaugural Mackay All Schools

Fast Four Mixed Touch Football Under 13s title back in July along with outstand ing female athletes Vitea Parter, Mia Da

vidson and Jade Williams. Purdue, a skilful rugby league half, repre sented Queensland Country U/17s in their recent 38-20 victory over Queensland City at Redcliffe and formed a dynamic pairing with ace five eighth Van Kerkwyk in the St Patrick’s College First XIII that reached the Grand Final of both the Confraternity Shield and Aaron Payne Cup competitions this season.

The duo along with sharp runner Made line Doring also helped St Patrick’s secure the Opens trophy at this year’s Mackay All Schools Fast Four Mixed Touch Football Challenge.

All three are key players at the Titans All Schools Carnival in the Open Mixed divi sion.

The Gold Coast Titans Queensland All Schools Touch Football Championships event is run by Queensland Touch Football and attracts over 450 teams, representing various schools both nationally and inter nationally, on the big sporting stage. It is a seeded round robin-based compe tition where teams are placed in Pools of 6-8 teams depending on the size of the di vision, which provides school teams with a minimum of seven games.

Across the five-day tournament, more than 6,000 students will take to the field playing over 1,700 games across 23 fields, attracting between 6,000 and 10,000 spec tators.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

Harper Shields who played in the Queensland All Schools Touch Football Championships

Mackay athlete Hamish Wright made a barn-storming late run in the 2022 Masters Track Cycling World Championships to finish second in the sprint

The local cyclist also finished third with his Australian group of racers in the team sprint

His closest race saw photo finishes as he competed against a French athlete

Hamish Wright (top) eyes his American opponent Stephen McLaughry in the gold medal race of the sprint

MACKAY METEORS SELECTED FOR QUEENSLAND HUDSON CROWNED BROTHERS’

Mackay

basketball young guns Cooper Currie, Treyce Ciantar and Usai Bickey are three ded icated and naturally gifted hoopers who have made a huge impact on the boards this season at all levels to push their claims for higher honours in the sport.

All three are rising stars with the Mackay Meteors and were recently selected in the Emerging Under 15s Queensland squad to compete at the 2023 National Under 16 Basketball Championships in Melbourne.

They were part of an elite group of eleven Meteors and Meteorettes players and three coaches that participated at this year’s Basketball Queensland Under 14 Future Development Program All State Camp in Brisbane.

Following the camp, officials named Cur rie, Ciantar and Bickey in the Emerging Under 15 Queensland squad as a just re ward for their standout performances throughout 2022.

The talented trio were joined by promising juniors Jarek Taylor and Marcus Millburn and top girl hoopers Isabel Smith, Maggie Thorburn, Talia Jensen, Lily Mapp, Skye Vaughan and Eden Catip at the All State Camp with leading Mackay basketball coaches Renae Currie, Liam Cochrane and Aleisha Catip also in attendance.

Currie, an outstanding point guard, and boom power forward Ciantar are only 13 years of age and both products of the Souths Club in the Mackay Junior Basket ball Association.

Bickey, a skilful shooting guard, hails from the Magpies junior basketball system. Earlier this year they were part of a crop of Mercy College students and Mete ors and Meteorettes players that brought home their respective Under 14 North Queensland Age Championship trophies after clinching the Tri Carnival series against Cairns and Townsville.

The trio were joined by Souths point guard Winton Martin and small forward Landon Naylor and Renegades shooting guard Sam Osborne as well as emerging girl hoopers Talia Jenson, Lily Mapp and Cleo Ape.

Promising point guard Jenson and skilful forwards Mapp and Ape were instrumen

tal in the team’s success with top perfor mances against Cairns and Townsville in the Girls division.

Following their North Queensland region al success, the super six represented Mack ay at the Queensland State Junior Boys Basketball Championships in Brisbane.

There is no rest for Cooper, Treyce and Usai who will now focus on spearheading the Mercy College Year 10 boys basketball team at next week’s Champion Basketball School of Queensland Junior Secondary Championships on the Gold Coast.

The gifted 13-year-olds will take on play ers three years their senior in the annual competition to determine the best Junior Basketball school in the State.

This year’s tournament will be staged from Thursday, October 13 to Sunday, October 16 at both the Coomera and Runaway Bay Indoor Sports Centres.

Basketball Queensland in conjunction with Queensland School Sport stages the event which attracts a great deal of interest from secondary schools across the State each year with over 120 boys and girls teams competing across several open-age divisions.

The winning team from each boys and girls Open Championship Division gains automatic entry into Basketball Australia’s National Schools Championships held an nually in December.

In 2020 Basketball Queensland introduced two further events - the CBSQ Junior Sec ondary and CBSQ Primary aimed at pro viding opportunities for schools to partic ipate in the younger age groups.

This year’s Junior Secondary category will be split into two competitions (Junior Sec ondary and Sophomore).

Mercy College will field powerful Boys and Girls squads that feature: Girls: Mackenzie Brown, Hannah Jenson, Ruby Crouch, Jes sica Harris, Mia Young (Year 10); Olivia Smyth, Amelia Crouch, Jaimie McPhee, Mikayla Green (Year 9).

Boys: Arthur Bandalan, Jack Hall (Year 10); Archie Howell, Braithen Vickers (Year 9); Treyce Ciantar, Usai Bickey, Lincoln Grisan-Hodges, Matthew Romal (Year 8) and Cooper Currie (Year 7).

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

ROOKIE OF YEAR

helped the Leprechauns finish fourth on the ladder and cement a finals berth.

Versatile

colt Hudson Camilleri has handled the step up in class in the Mackay and District Rugby League senior competitions in 2022.

The 19-year-old Brothers utility proved a mainstay for the Leprechauns with whole hearted displays and capped a memorable season when named as the recipient of the Mackay District’s Rookie of the Year Award.

Camilleri turned in strong performances at centre and in the second row for the club’s Under 20 and A Grade teams during a hec tic campaign that yielded premiership suc cess.

The Wanderers junior product helped Brothers capture the Mackay and District Under 20 trophy after a thrilling 25-24 Grand Final victory over the Magpies club – making an impact at centre with his sharp running and no-nonsense defence.

Camilleri alternated his appearances be tween the Under 20 and A Grade ranks and caught the eye of Junior League officials with his high work rate, speed and skill in both competitions.

Hudson was a regular in the second row during the A Grade preliminary rounds and

Souths eliminated the Thomas Heg gie-coached Brothers 36-20 in the first week of the finals but received great value from Camilleri with powerhouse efforts as a starting back rower or interchange forward during the season.

A highlight for Hudson was starring in Brothers’ 36-18 triumph over eventual pre miers Wests Tigers in a round 7 A Grade fixture at Leprechaun Park.

Disappointment soon turned to jubilation when the capable Camilleri helped guide the third-ranked Brothers to a deserved Under 20s title at the Mackay and District Junior League Fields last month.

He showed his class as the Leprechauns top pled the Magpies 24-14 and Wests Tigers (22-16) during the finals series before scor ing a vital try in a re-match with the Mag pies in the trophy decider.

The Brothers’ Class of 2022 demonstrated their courage and skill to edge out the gutsy Magpies in a Grand Final classic with Ca milleri leading from the front with another lion-hearted performance.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas

A proud Hudson Camilleri displays his Mackay and District Rugby League Rookie of the Year Award trophy

A jubilant Hudson Camilleri (right) celebrates Brothers’ Under 20 premiership victory with team mate Ryan McCowan.

On The Green at Goosies

BOWLS

Themixed pairs championship was decided last Saturday. Both finalists had beaten formidable opponents to reach the final, but in the end Marie Bragg and Kees Struik won over Lorraine Silman and John Kennell.

Presentation Night has been changed to Friday 21st October due to catering ar rangements. Tickets are now available from reception. Cost is $30 per person, which includes a two-course dinner and drinks. Tickets are limited, so book early.

Social Results

Monday mixed pairs was won by Chris sy Hall and Maurie Pearson, with Doris Dodds and Lidia McCarthy in second spot. Lucky draws went to Bob Masso and Greg McLean.

Wednesday ladies’ day winners were Chree Reseck, Shirley Bartolo and Lois Deguara. Sue Hazledine, Marie Bragg and Coral Francis filled second place.

Thursday mixed pairs game resulted in a win for Hilary Jones-Rowan and husband Ian with Margaret Fogg and B. Edwards in second place. Wayne Mietzel and Tony Allsop won the draw. Wayne Trannore won the kitty toucher.

Friday mixed pairs winners were Neil and Maureen Blucher, with a very good score.

Lucky Draw winners were Doug Giddings and Kees Struik, while visitors, R and D McCloy, won the second draw.

Saturday men’s day was taken out by Alan Cooney and Ron Bowers with Ray McCa rthy and Andrew Coates running second. Contributed by Tony Allsop.

LOCAL STARS

IN PM’S XIII THUMPING

RUGBY LEAGUE

WhenLibby Sur ha was selected as a reserve in the Australian PM’s XIII Women's rugby league team, she wasn’t expecting to play in what was to become a thumping win over the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister’s XIII Wom en.

She found out she was going to play the Thursday before the game.

“I actually thought I was just on the bench,” Libby said.

The 18-year-old played 43 minutes of the game alongside heroes Tallisha Harden and Stephanie Hancock, finishing with three runs for 20 metres and two tackle breaks.

“Walking out onto the field was the best moment of my life,” she said.

“Just the culture around the stadium, it was unreal.”

“Plus the legends of the game, I played with.”

“They just really encouraged me to just step up and not be limited just because they have more experience than me.

“They just treated me like I was like them even though I haven’t played in the NRLW yet or anything like that.”

The Australian Prime Minister’s XIII Women defeated the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister’s XIII Women 64-6 in the game that took place at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, September 25.

“To win by that much, it was crazy,” said Libby.

“An experience I will never forget.”

Originally a hockey player, footy was al

ways in Libby’s family.

“I’ve always been around footy but when I was 12 years old, just starting high school, there was an article about schoolgirls rugby league, and I tried it and started making teams,”

While the opportunities for women were seldom when Libby first started playing rugby league, she tried out for and made mul tiple representative teams around central and north

Libby played her first senior season this year for Carltons Devils, with the team making it to the grand final.

“Unfortunately, we lost but it was such a good season surrounded by great girls,” Libby said.

Over the last 12 months, Libby has also represented the Mackay Cutters, Queensland Sapphires and the Australian Women’s Indigenous Academy, the latter being where she was selected for the Prime Minister’s XIII.

Libby said this season has been her best, amplified by the fact that it was her first season back from an ACL reconstruction.

“This year was a huge comeback for me,” she said.

“I tell you what, I’m ticking boxes, that’s for sure.”

Libby has been selected for the U19 Can berra Raiders and hopes to move to Can berra at the end of the year, a step she says she hopes will lead her to an NRLW con tract, ideally in north Queensland.

“Cowboys is definitely the dream,” she said.

Mixed Pairs champions Marie Bragg and Kees Struik

Mixed Pairs Runners up Lorraine Silman and John Kennell

Libby Surha says running onto Suncorp Stadium was the best moment of her life. Photos supplied

Road Runners

RUNNING

WEEKLY BRIDGE RESULTS

Monday

1st

2nd

4th

Tuesday

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Wednesday

1st

2nd

3rd Alan

4th

Thursday

1st

2nd

3rd

Friday

1st

1st

BRIDGE

The

much anticipated finale for the Mackay Road Runners formal sea son closure peaked with the running of the Benita Willis 10 kilometre Handicap Trophy.

Mackay Road Runners proudly acknowledge four-time Olympian, first time new mum and all round champion athlete and person, Benita Willis as an iconic treasure from the Mackay region.

Benita Willis is, without doubt, Australia’s greatest female distance runner - a threetime National Champion in the 5,000m, Willis currently holds six national records from distances ranging from the 3,000m to the marathon. We congratulate Benita on her successes and thank her for her support in being involved with the Mackay running fraternity. Benita’s best and most challenging event was the recent birth of her beautiful baby girl, Poppy who will no doubt be a very active little girl.

The 2022 Benita Willis Handicap Champion went to Martin Lambert who is a very strong supporter of athletes in the community. His On The Run coaching clinics assist many runners to strive and reach their own per sonal goals.

The handicap start event saw runners choos ing between 5 kilometres and 10 kilometres, however, the first runner across the line in the 10 kilometre race was the winner, male or female. Martin ran very well with a huge gap ahead over second placed Carol Dawes and Sandy Strong (3rd).

Runners are to be congratulated on their very full, committed and strong season cul minating in the perfect race to end the for mal season.

Five-kilometre winner, junior Damien Rut land continued his dominance of the 5 ki lometre with a blitzing performance ahead of first female, veteran Jo Hughes who also both started on handicap.

The quality field of runners had an outstand ing morning including Paul Mackenzie,

Shane Donnollan, Joe Grech, Michael Feen aghty, Carl Pinkstone, Justin Rule, Oliver Rule, Toby Rule, Ricky Parker, Glynis Forse, Carmel Grech, Vicki Ford, Millie Bishop, David Isbister, Jan Smith, Robin Stinson, Stuart Sprott, Susan Petersen, Bec Lamont, Jeff Shaw, Tim Magoffin, John Couldrey, Patreana Fenech, Geeta Ariani, Carmel Ma hon, Brenda Windsor and Judy Zahn.

Welcome back to the ‘ghost’ who walks/runs, Jose Eisemann who made a welcome return to running on the very last run of the year, he even collected his race number for the first time this year as well. He was joined by run ning compatriots, Matt Stevens and Sandy Strong who are also noted for a minimalistic approach to club runs, leaving the club in no doubt as to them not winning the most com mitted runner award!

Many thanks to race day volunteers, Ar thur Dick, Julie Whibley, Tim Magoffin and Jaylene Harrison. Thank you to Paul Mack enzie for his generous donation to the club by paying race day fees for everyone. Paul’s a very talented and popular athlete who’s humble and supportive persona are an asset to himself and those around him. We con gratulate Paul on his massive achievements this year and wish him all the best for his next ultra marathon events coming up be fore the end of the year.

The Shawn’s Summer Social Series will con tinue as usual in the off season, commencing Sunday, October 23 at 5.30pm. Club Cap tain, Jim Ford will be issuing a program/cal endar of events which will be circulated in the coming weeks. The free informal train ing sessions will attract a gold coin donation towards post run refreshments.

The 2022 Annual Awards Evening will be held on Saturday, October 22 at The Grove from 6pm. Please RSVP your interest by Oc tober 8 to vickiford74@outlook .com.

Special guests include Club Patron Col Meng and his wife Rhonda and the Mackay Branch of the Leukaemia Foundation representa tives, Barry and Christine Comben. Contributed with thanks to Janelle Tilse.

Friday 1 October

Section A

1st Noel Bugeia / Ian Afflick

2nd Janet Hansen / Diane Stokes

3rd Terrence Sheedy / Errol Miller

4th Malcolm Allan / Adri an Lohmann

Sunday

1st

Section B

1st Lorna Shuttlewood / Doone Mitchell

2nd Christine Nice / Faye

Wright

3rd Ming Ting / David Ting

4th Helen Van Den Broek

Section C

Noel

3rd

Conroy

4th Zimmerman Richard Zimmerman / Rosemary Carleton / Richard Metcalfe / Denise O’Regan

5th Sheedy

Terrence Sheedy / Errol Miller / Noel Bugeia / Ian Afflick

Mackay Congress – Swiss Pairs

Lorna,

and

Noel and Ian Doone, Ted, Francie, Noel and Anne

Nearly fifty runners enjoyed the grand finale of the formal Mackay Road Runners Season – The Benita Willis 10km Handicap Trophy

The 2021 Benita Willis 10km Handicap Champion, Brenda Windsor (centre) looking forward to her 2022 bid for the title with (left to right) Paul Mackenzie, Peter Wright, John Couldrey, Carol Dawes, Ricky Parker and David Isbister

The 2022 Benita Willis 10km Handicap champion, Martin Lambert (centre) is presented with the Perpetual Trophy by Mackay Road Runners Club President, Tim Magoffin (left) and second placed Carol Dawes

Robin Stinson bolts from his handicap start in the 10km Benita Willis Handicap trophy

Pioneer Hosts First Long-Course Carnival Of The Season

age.

Pioneer

Swim Club hosted their an nual long course swimming car nival over the weekend at the Pio neer Swim Centre, with swimmers aged between seven and under to mature age participating.

Around 170 swimmers competed over the weekend from Mackay, Townsville, Bow en, Airlie Beach, Yeppoon and Rockhamp ton swimming clubs.

The carnival was the first long-course car nival of the season, with swimmers seeded according to their time rather than their

“If you have a qualifying time, you get slot ted into races with people who have simi lar times to you,” said Pioneer Swim Club Secretary Tahnie Malagueno.

“All the carnivals that we do throughout the season will then also assist the swim mers with heading to states.”

Pioneer Swim Club also celebrated their 45th anniversary on Sunday night which saw current coaches, swimmers and fam ilies come together with previous coach es, swimmers and life members including special guest and founding coach Judy Lockhart.

Classifieds

Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Photo

General Manager Janine presenting the Pioneer Sportsmanship

Zoe Brakels from Townsville Tourists.

STAGE

– NOW SELLING

Residential Land For Sale

Blacks Real Estate is now offering these prime residential lots for sale in one of the most convenient locations available in Mackay.

All allotments are level parcels of land and are ideal for entry level buyers, downsizers and investors alike given the price and proximity to major amenities.

Available lots range in size from 375 sq m to 715 sq m and are priced from $180,000 through to $215,000.

Furthermore potential buyers in Somerset Park can have the comfort that design guidelines are in place to ensure the integrity and visual appeal of the estate will be maintained at a premium level.

Somerset Park is located just 5 klms north of the Mackay CBD and is well known for its clean and green image , neighbourly spirit, parks and recreation, as well as its close proximity to public transport and a multitude of amenities.

Some of these amenities include a total of 9 public and private schools , both primary and secondary, childcare, sporting fields, Mackay Golf Club, 2 major shopping centres, 2 local shopping centres, and under 15 minutes drive to some of the best beaches Mackay has on offer.

Beachside 3 Level Unit Close to Town

By Negotiation

Family Home with

Love the Lifestyle and Location

Saturday

October

1A212 Richard St, Andergrove

OPEN FOR

FlagGridAddress

NORTHERN BEACHES

Saturday 8 October

$449,00010:00-10:45Blacks RE

2A2 144 Apsley Way, Andergrove $699k Negotiable11:00-11:30Explore

3D211 Bridge Rd, East Mackay

O/F $499K9:00-9:30Gardian

4D22/11 Bridge Rd, East Mackay BY NEG9:00-9:30Gardian

5B12/8 Windsor St, Glenella $435K 10:00-10:30Gardian

6B113 Romaine Ct, Glenella BY NEG10:00-10:30Gardian

102 Pyms Rd, Hampden $530,0001:30-2:30Blacks RE

224 Powells Rd, Marian Auct, 29/10, 12pm11:00-12:00Blacks RE

7B23 Graves St, North Mackay O/F $299K10:15-10:45Gardian

8C28 The Cres, North Mackay O/F $519K9:00-9:30Gardian

9B167 Daniel St, North Mackay By Negotiation10:00-10:30Explore

10B26 Holack St, North Mackay By Negotiation9:00-9:30Explore

11 D11 & 2/56 Botanical Dr, Ooralea By Negotiation9:00-9:30Explore

12D12/11 Napier St, South Mackay

$285,00011:15-12:00Blacks RE

13C21/6 Comino Ct, South Mackay O/F $299K11:15-11:45Gardian

14C253 Penn St, South Mackay

$345,00010:30-11:00Blacks RE

193 Pleystowe-Connection Rd, Balnagowan$595,00012:30-1:15Blacks

Sunday 9 October

15C24 Grant St, Mackay $415K 10:00-10:30Gardian

16C227/26 River St, Mackay $730K 11:15-11:45Gardian

17C249/26 River St, Mackay $740K 10:45-11:15Gardian

18C2301/2 Nelson St, Mackay

PriceTimeAgent

12:00-12:30Gardian

1932 Jasmine Dr, Blacks Beach O/F $440K9:00-9:30Gardian

202/10 Coogee Tce, Blacks Beach By Negotiation2:15-2:45Explore

2138A Newport Pde, Blacks Beach By Negotiation12:15-12:45Explore

Scarborough Cct, Blacks BeachBy Negotiation11:15-11:45Explore

2328 Downie Av, Bucasia By Negotiation1:15-1:45Explore

2410 Coral Ridge Dr, Eimeo O/F $799,00010:00-10:30Explore

northern B eaches

s hoal Point

Dol P hin hea Ds

Melaleuea

Mortgage

Isaac & Sharon

Isaac & Sharon Tredrea

Isaac & Sharon Tredrea

& Sharon Tredrea

Isaac&Sharon

Isaac & Sharon Tredrea

144 Apsley Way Andergrove

Coral Ridge Dr

The full package awaits you here upon Coral Ridge Drive, taking in views over both Bucasia Beach and Sunset Bay coming home will be a dream. Built to impress don’t be deceived by this home’s modest facade, upon entering you’ll soon appreciate the sheer size and space let alone the upmarket finishes throughout. Sprawling across two levels this hilltop home includes an array of both indoor and outdoor living spaces, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple car accommodation and an inground concrete pool. This home oozes plenty of storage, a/c throughout, C-Bus system and is fully alarmed.

10 Roy Ct Glenella

Sprawling across multiple levels with an elevated position 10 Roy Court in Glenella is a property with it all and an unrivalled position. Architecturally designed to suit its hillside positioning this home encourages entertaining, capturing unique views across our region you’ll be the envy among your friends and family. With an array of indoor and outdoor living spaces, three bedrooms and bathrooms, study, 12x6.6m concrete block shed and inground pool this home certainly has it all. The elevated position captures cooling breezes however, this home is air conditioned through and includes a ducted vacuum system.

A unique investment opportunity awaits within Cuttersfield Estate, this stylish unit is a rare prospect for your taking. This home is nothing short of space and features including open plan living, media room, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, single garage, patio and fully fenced backyard. The open plan living area includes the kitchen, dining and lounge spaces opening to the patio, with the media room positioned at the front of the home. All 3 bedrooms are generously sized and this home is air conditioned throughout. Relax below the covered entertaining space and there is plenty of lawn and a garden shed for storage.

Price

By Negotiation By Negotiation

1/56 Botanical Dr Ooralea

Price

67 Daniel St North Mackay

Summer is around the corner and Christmas break is calling. 67 Daniel Street will be the perfect home to spend your summers, winters, and years to come. Walking inside your eye is drawn to the outdoor area, where the incredible timber entertainers’ deck will amaze you and is viewed from the living areas. The home has a fantastic layout, perfect for family living. The pool is divine. Swim all summer long, the kids will play for years to come. Side access and room for a big shed. This home has it all. Character, practicality, beauty, and lifestyle. All at 67 Daniel Street, Mount Pleasant. Call Today!

By Negotiation

38A Newport Pde Blacks Beach

Step inside this immaculate home and see for yourself just how much is on offer. White, light, bright and inviting. Flawlessly maintained, you won’t need to do a thing or spend a dollar to move in. Step inside this home and notice the bright aura inviting you in. The neutral scheme throughout ensures a timeless finish. The perfect blank canvas to make your own. This home layout will accommodate the growing family and be the perfect home to plant your roots this Spring. An amazing home or investment opportunity, call today to book your inspection!