https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/acting-prime-minister-visits-fire-ravaged-region/3591529/
AS WILD fires continued to threaten the region, Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack touched down in Mackay today to attend a briefing with emergency and crisis teams for an update on the situation. Meeting at the Mackay Local Disaster Coordination Centre, the situation was discussed with a host of crisis management authorities with reports that, while fires continued to rage, fighters were gaining more control of the natural disaster. Mr McCormack said 527,000 hectares of land had been destroyed throughout Queensland, and he praised the outstanding efforts of firefighters and volunteers battling the flames in the fire-tarnished regions.
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https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/young-mums-car-stolen-from-home-twice-in-four-days/3611817/
AS CHRISTMAS Eve dawned on Danielle Nielsen and her young family, it became apparent that this festive season would be filled with little joy. Instead of eagerly preparing to surprise her three young children, Ms Nielsen was in regular contact with Mackay police after her car was stolen from her West Mackay home. "On Christmas Eve my partner went outside at 2am and the car was gone. We knew it was there at 12 o'clock before we went to bed, so in those two hours it had been stolen," Ms Nielsen said. "I have a keyless entry car and there were two keys: one was in my nappy bag which must have fallen out in my car. "We've locked it but all they had to do was push the key-less entry and it registered the key inside." https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/protesters-and-adani-face-off-over-water/3650286/
NOT long ago, central Queensland grazier Simon Gedda would have considered himself a climate sceptic. However, standing alongside more than 70 Defend Our Water campaigners, he said he had seen first hand "the severity of climate change”. Protesters gathered at Mackay District Senior Citizens Club yesterday inopposition to the Adani Carmichael mine project, and expressed their concerns water resources in the region would be tarnished should the project proceed. Their claims the mine would impact water resources and take "billions of litres” of groundwater were strongly refuted by Adani. Rockhampton, Townsville and interstate protesters gathered to launch the Defend Our Water campaign in Mackay. For Mr Gredda, it was the rain from Cyclone Debbie that made the impact of climate change on the region hit home. www.dailymercury.com.au/news/teen-3d-printing-his-way-into-a-recycled-future/3650290/
IN SPITE of his tender age, a rising Mackay entrepreneur is gearing up to revolutionise the construction landscape. At just 15, Thomas Stolberg has made a name for himself, having been nominated as a semi-finalist for the Regional Achiever awards. After buying his first 3D printer, he began visualising the way in which products and recycled material could be used to create an array of constructions, such as playgroundsart sculptures and marine products. "A big part of my business is enabling other people to promote and further develop their business by giving them these tools," Thomas said. "Although it might sound counter-intuitive to my business, it's all about being innovative and being in front of the curve...that's how I distinguish myself from anyone with a 3D printer. "It's bringing the small scale of 3D printing to tackle the big issue of recycling." AMID the staggering flames that confronted Crediton and Dalyrmple Heights, the plethora of everyday heroes was on show.
Not a community keen to sing their own praises, accolades are reserved for their friends, family and neighbours who threw themselves into the blaze to repel the unprecedented scenes. However a common theme shared is their adoration for Joanne Freegard. Second officer in charge for the Dalyrmple Heights Fire Brigade, Ms Freegard’s children were evacuated as she guided the crews to battle the various infernos gripping the region. From start to finish, she worked unpaid and without sleep when she could be forgiven for having her thoughts elsewhere. As tough as nails, she’s never seen anything of this degree. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/mackay-doctor-fights-for-children-on-nauru/3594442/
AS A doctor and new mother, Dr Elizabeth Weissman's passion for children's health and rights is evident to behold. The 28-year-old Anaesthetics Registrar at Mackay Base Hospital has been an active advocate for children in detention on Nauru Island; playing a role in the campaign of doctors around the nation to have all children removed from the controversial detention centre and resettled in Australia. Dr Weissman said what is impacting these children is the indefinite future they have been presented with, contributing to deficiencies in their psychological health. "If you have a violent criminal, they go to jail and they know how long they're going to be there,” Dr Weissman said. "The kids on Nauru are sent there without any knowledge of when they get out and it's that that's killing them off. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/doctors-mov-ing-efforts/3593889/
FOR the past eleven years Dr Sanjeev Bandi has dedicated his upper lip in support of the Movember Foundation and men's health. His passion for the cause has been inspiring to behold, and the efforts of the Mackay urologist have set the standard in Australia; accumulating $335,321 since 2008 with the support of his dedicated patients. Off his own lip, Dr Bandi raised $57,551 this year to become Australia's most lucrative contributor for a fourth consecutive year, and sixth worldwide. Dr Bandi alluded to the prevalence of men's health in Mackay, and praised the astounding devotion of the region. "I deal with men's health all the time, it's what I do for a living (and) Mackay has the highest rate of youth suicide in the country - 8.9 times the national average,” Dr Bandi said. "People don't support something four weeks before Christmas when things are tight... (but) people can see that what I've done has changed so many people's live. For me that says a lot about the town. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/sarina-sergeant-rallies-support-for-sister-with-ra/3592940/
ARMSTRONG Beach has long held a special place in Nicole Wagner's heart. For her and her brother, Sarina Police Sergeant Michael Jones, it's a retreat from the madness of everyday life where time ceases to make an impact. Growing up in Sarina where their mother still resides Mrs Wagner and her brother, Sarina Police Sergeant Michael Jones, have shared in the joys of the secluded area. When his tenacious sister was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer known as multiple myeloma, Sgt. Jones took to their personal refuge to call on his friends and family to help raise the $18,000 required to fund her ongoing treatment. "Everyone raves about their siblings and about having the best mum, the best dad, the best sister... but you have no idea; meet this one, and it couldn't be more unfair what's happened," Sgt. Jones said. "You have no idea what this kid does, it does your head in what she does for people." https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/long-walk-to-diabetes-awareness/3575943
PAULENE Barham was just seven years old when her life took a dramatic change in course. Fatigued, lethargic and completely drained, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after she collapsed in a heap and could not be woken. The emotional challenge since has been daunting for the 59-year-old at times, but her determination to guide others through their own battles has been a catalyst for raising awareness in Mackay. Ms Barham's most significant effort came during her 100km Great Ocean Road walk last month, raising more than $3500 for the five-day hike. She said that ensuring she adhered to a healthy lifestyle was crucial to preventing symptoms from worsening. It also allows those with the condition to seamlessly live their lives unencumbered. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/the-chainsaw-whisperer-creating-a-buzz/3559264/
WOMEN in Mackay are beginning to forge a reputation as powerhouses of the manual labour industry, courtesy of a tireless work ethic and their passionate mentor. Affectionately known as the Chainsaw Whisperer, Rod Millar has conducted chainsaw training programs for 12 years, and is calling on more local women to follow in the footsteps of his most recent prodigies. For the first time in what has been a colourful career, Mr Millar instructed a class dominated by a female presence, and on Thursday he praised the efforts of the women who participated at a demonstration at the botanical gardens. "They were just amazing," Mr Millar said. "Their work capability was as good as anyone I have ever trained and it really should be noted." |
AuthorA selection of my general news content. My main round was health, however I frequently covered weather, crime, politics and general human interest. Archives
January 2020
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