🛟 Lifeguards demand fair pay | Zoetis and Beyond Blue team up for mental health | Brisbane 2032 Games feedback opens | World's rarest whale dissected and more!
Today's newsletter is 1,068 words words, a 5-minute read.
Welcome back to Thursday, it’s December 19, and the chaos of the season is in full swing🏌️♂️🎄
A quick note from the Mackay Minute
As Christmas draws near and 2024 winds down, we wanted to take a moment to thank you for being part of the Mackay Minute’s journey and growth.
Whether you’ve been with us since we started or joined along the way, we’re so grateful for your readership, engagement and support.
As many thousands of you open our email each week, we hope you continue to enjoy a quick weekly newsletter dose of something a little different that keeps you updated.
To give the team a chance to enjoy some well-earned rest with family and friends, next week’s edition will be a scaled-back version of our standard newsletter.
However, we’ll be back in the first week of January, ready to dive into what promises to be a year twice as big as this one turned out to be (which was way bigger than we imagined).
Take it easy and enjoy the season.
In today's email
One Big Thing: Zoetis and Beyond Blue team up for rural mental health support
Lifeguards demand fair pay: Queensland beaches face disruptions
Wrap up the year with: A lifesaving gift
Trending: Amazing photo taken at the Eton Sunflower farm
Around The Web (Snippets): Feedback on Brisbane 2032 games infrastructure is now open to the public, the world’s rarest whale dissected, an epic last-minute gift idea and more!
Upcoming Events
Mackay Weather - Weekend Forecast
The Weekly Dream Gig
This week - eHealth Queensland is hiring Unified Communications Technicians for its Digital Partnership Teams across Queensland.
This talent pool offers flexible full-time roles until December 2024, with a fortnightly salary of $4516.20–$4837.70. Enjoy benefits like flexible working arrangements, career development, and a diverse work culture.
Need to advertise a job? Contact us here👇
Live National Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Zoetis and Beyond Blue team up for rural mental health support
Zoetis, a leading animal health business, has successfully raised $100,000 for Beyond Blue to support mental health initiatives in rural and regional Australia.
Zoetis works closely with rural communities, including farmers, agricultural stores, and veterinarians.
The funds raised by Zoetis will directly support Beyond Blue’s services, ensuring people in regional areas have access to vital mental health care.
Read the full article below 👇
![🎅 Epic deals + FREE SHIPPING on heaps of items. Shop for Christmas! [Ad]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$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. Lifeguards demand fair pay, Queensland beaches face disruptions
Professional lifeguards employed by Surf Lifesaving Queensland (SLSQ) are preparing for industrial action after overwhelmingly rejecting the organisation’s latest pay offer for the second time in two months.
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU), representing the lifeguards, has initiated the process for protected industrial action as part of a campaign for fair wages and better conditions.
The AWU has indicated that industrial action is imminent unless SLSQ returns to the table with a better offer.
While the union has assured the public that any action will prioritise safety, the risk of summer disruptions looms large.
Read the full article below 👇
3. Wrap up the year with a lifesaving gift
What’s Happening?
The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has launched its annual Christmas Blood Blitz, with an urgent call for 150 blood and plasma donors from Mackay between December 18 and January 2.
This initiative aims to ensure that lifesaving supplies are available for patients during the busy holiday period.
Local Impact
Mackay locals are being called on to make a lifesaving difference by booking a donation at the Lifeblood donor centre.
Lifeblood centres will remain open throughout the holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, offering flexible opportunities to give back. “The most meaningful item you can put on your Christmas ‘to do’ list today is to lock in a blood or plasma donation and keep it,” Belinda added.
What To Look For Next?
Mackay residents can book their donations by calling 13 14 95, Book your appointment here, call 13 14 95, or use the DonateBlood app.
Donor centres will remain open, making it easier than ever to contribute to this lifesaving effort.
Read the full article below 👇
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
The Games Independent Authority invites: Feedback on Brisbane 2032 infrastructure through its 100-Day Review portal
Earth's Magnetic North Pole Officially Has: A New Position (hopefully not messing up Christmas deliveries..)
Council working to activate an: “Arts Hub” as part of new strategy
The biggest wave pools in the southern hemisphere are: About to be built in Brazil
The world’s rarest whale just dissected and: This is what they found
Stan Camm Park: Upgrade works set for the New Year
A new Anthropic study shows that AI really doesn’t: Want to be forced to change its views
An epic last-minute gift idea is a: Free $20 gift card when you buy any other gift card worth $100+ at Boss Outdoor
6. Upcoming Events
🎤 ⭐️ Karaoke Under The Stars: December 21 from 7 pm onwards; start tuning up your vocals & getting your song lists ready for the event at Hay Point Hotel Motel
🌊 ✨ Anzjuli Sound Community Gathering: December 22 from 8:45 am onwards; a beautiful day of connection, healing, and togetherness at Eimeo Beach
🎄 🏖 Christmas Carols at the Beach: December 21 from 5:30 pm onwards; raffle, Santa, food and drinks and more at Sarina Beach
🐟 🪴 Ceramic Fish Workshop: December 20, Paint, construct and add your personal touch to these elements that will be featured in the Placemaking Mky's Chinatown urban beautification project for the old petrol station in Nelson Street