💓Dementia Awareness grants | Google’s AI agent | 2024 Mackay Man of the Year | NASA’s first off-planet crash | Dorothy’s $28M ruby slippers and more!
Today's newsletter is 1,011 words words, a 4.5-minute read.
Welcome to Mackay Minute Thursday!
It’s December 12, and, just 13 days until Christmas🎄
In today's email
One Big Thing: New officers to strengthen Mackay Police force
Dementia Australia grants: Foster community awareness in Mackay
Google unveils AI Agent: What you need to know
Trending: Council’s top five songs.
Around The Web (Snippets): Top complained about ad of 2024, Mackay students receive bursaries, a creepy billboard, Queensland Patriots team announced and more!
Upcoming Events
Mackay Weather - Weekend Forecast
The Weekly Dream Gig
This week - Nobul is hiring Truck, Dozer, Excavator, and Multi-Skilled Operators for permanent roles in the Bowen Basin. Enjoy a $125K–$170K salary + super, 7/7 roster, free BIBO, and perks like meals, PPE, and career growth opportunities.
Got 2+ years of open-cut mining experience and a valid driver’s licence? Apply now and dig into your next big career move! 🚜✨
Need to advertise a job? Contact us here👇
Live National Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: New officers to strengthen Mackay Police force
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) celebrated a record-breaking year in 2024, inducting over 940 new officers—a 129% increase compared to 2023.
This recruitment milestone strengthens public safety across Queensland, with four new constables set to bolster police presence in the Mackay region.
With more than 2,200 applicants in the pipeline, the QPS is poised for another record-breaking year in 2025, reflecting a national trend of rising interest in policing careers.
![🎅 Epic deals + FREE SHIPPING on heaps of items. Shop for Christmas! [Ad]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Kx4M!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa451508c-a78e-479f-9940-7ef652657482_676x602.jpeg "🎅 Epic deals + FREE SHIPPING on heaps of items. Shop for Christmas! [Ad]")
2. Protect your generosity from fake charities this Giving Season
Dementia Australia has granted over $320,000 to 11 community groups, including Mackay’s Ethnic Broadcasting Association of Queensland Ltd, which received $30,000 to boost dementia awareness in CALD communities.
These initiatives address the higher prevalence of dementia among First Nations people and CALD Australians, providing tailored education and support.
Mackay’s program will launch in early 2025 to equip the community with resources and knowledge.
Read the full article below 👇
3. Google unveils Project Mariner, AI agents, and you need to know
What’s Happening
Google has unveiled Project Mariner, its first-ever prototype AI agent designed to navigate the web like a human.
Made by Google’s DeepMind division (which claims to 'Build AI responsibly to benefit humanity’), the project is a massive step in the evolution of AI that we’ve all seen rush onto the scene in the last few years.
Why It Matters
An AI agent will be able to take control of your browser, move your cursor, click buttons and fill out forms just like a human would.
Built with Gemini 2.0, this particular research prototype essentially automates browser tasks, from creating shopping carts to finding flights while keeping users informed and in control.
Basically, this innovation marks the start of a new pivotal shift in user interaction with the internet.
Zooming In On AI Agents
An AI agent is a system capable of perceiving its environment, making decisions, and taking actions to achieve specific goals, often autonomously.
They are pivotal because they can automate multiple complex tasks, enhance efficiency, and provide personalised solutions, allowing humans to focus on creativity, innovation, and problem-solving while handling repetitive or data-intensive activities.
By the Numbers
Only 743 days: Since the first release of ChatGPT back on November 30 2022
90.5% successful performance in autonomous browser interaction tests
Zooming Out
While Mariner can’t yet finalise purchases or multitask in the background, its ability to adapt to complex instructions and offer real-time feedback signals major potential for growth in digital usability.
What The People Say
Google Labs Director Jaclyn Konzelmann calls it a “fundamentally new UX paradigm shift.”
Meanwhile, DeepMind CTO Koray Kavukcuoglu stresses the importance of a “step-by-step approach” for safety.
DeepMind’s Mission says, “As we develop these new technologies, we recognise the responsibility it entails and aim to prioritise safety and security in all our efforts.”
What To Look For Next
If your job involves repetitive or data-heavy tasks, maybe some up-skill options over the summer..
In the meantime, something like the below turning up in the workplace (We asked ChatGPT, based on what it knows, to draw what it feels an AI agent might look like )
🧐That's weird: 2025 is near, and maybe you’re thinking ‘new career’.
Well, you could be up for some serious robot versus human-competition.
Here’s a bit of a creepy billboard ad wanting you to hire AI over humans.
5. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Mackay students: receive bursaries to fuel creative dreams.
Researchers uncover Chinese: Spyware used to target Android devices.
Rod Francisco was named: The 2024 Mackay Man of the Year.
Eight Mackay businesses have been given: a helping hand to breathe new life into their building facades.
Dorothy’s Wizard of Oz Ruby slippers sold at auction for A record-breaking $28,000,000.00
2024/25 Queensland Patriots team announced: For upcoming open men nationals 4-9th March 2025 at Hawker ACT.
AI data centres could trigger roughly 600,000: Asthma-symptom cases a year by 2030.
A little boy found a strange stone on the beach in England, which turned out to be: A Neanderthal’s hand axe
Mackay Airport: flying high for the festive season.
First Ever Aircraft Accident Investigation On Another: Planet Carried Out By NASA
6. Upcoming Events
🎄Christmas Lights Ride: December 15, Let's light up the night and celebrate with a merry, festive and social ride! Add tinsel, baubles, stars and lights! Mandatory bike (and rider) dress-up) with helmet!
🏖️Eimeo Beach Shades of Sound: December 16, Join us for a Sunset Sound Meditation by the Sea. Bring a camp chair or yoga mat to lie on the beach- hosted by MindSpace Learning.
🎈Hive Inflatables Fun Days - Mackay - December 17-18, Hive Inflatables are running sessions again which are all about fun active play on our inflatable playground. To get into the Christmas spirit they will have a lucky door prize at each session.
🖌️Calligraphy Workshop with The Neighbourhood Hub: December 19, Come learn the wonderful calligraphy art with our local generational Mackay Chinese family, Lyla and Mark Shew.
🐟Ceramic Fish Workshop: December 20, Paint, construct and add your personal touch to these elements that will be featuring in the Placemaking Mky's Chinatown urban beautification project for the old petrol station in Nelson Street.