With the economy at a low , due to the domino effect of the GFC, followed by the unprecedented natural disasters , many local businesses are feeling the waves of gloom, which is also unprecedented for our community.
Talks with many professional people in the area of small business profitabilty, has confirmed that the Mackay economy has taken a hit, right across the board.The hit may well be transient, but never the less, many of us may need to put survival plans into place.
It is important to pass on the message of buying locally, getting work performed locally, and at least giving the local people a chance.
Access to the Internet has also made competitiveness a much greater issue. The local people, who are the bread and butter of ALL local business, deserve to be the first choice in any matter, when competitive alternatives are sought. The light at the end of the tunnel looks bright for our community, but many have to find a way to survive the next 8 or so months.
Keep local business strong, shop locally!
Shopping on the Internet has been discussed at length over the past few
months, and unless business takes hold of the technology, they may find
themselves left behind. People can still be encouraged to shop locally, by
embracing the new technology, as long as the local population is encouraged to do so.
The national economic climate is seeing out of town companies targeting out
local area, by undercutting, by wooing clients with their high profiles, and by establishing network connections , to benefit their own bottom lines. Clients can be faced with the promise of ease and less time spent, rationalizing that 'time means money', however, many local people are not given the chance to provide competitive prices. The opportunities are missed because they are not given in the first place. The fly by nighters come in and do the work, and disappear, providing no future benefit to the community. The local businesses starve and disappear, and therefore yet an other avenue of revenue is halted, to support our local businesses. By dealing out of town, the new or established companies striving to establish a successful business, and thinking that they are cutting their costs, are thereby cutting their own throat.
The further irony is that, given the chance, local business can usually equal if not better any pricing given by out of town suppliers. The bottom line is usually realized after the event, when all the costs are added up. Honesty and integrity is at the forefront of most local business, as they have the most to lose.
Please remember this, the next time you want to buy, want to get a quote, want to get a service. Always give the locals the first chance, because,
ultimately, it is the flow on money from these people who will make or break your business.If you are in business, encourage this practise to your peers and to your associates, and to your customers.
MACKAY..MINING CAPITAL OF THE NORTH...SUGAR CANE HUB... A CITY OF SUN AND SAND...SUNDAY TRADING ..BAD ROADS..LET'S SPEAK OUT Join the SHOP LOCALLY and KEEP THE MONEY IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY campaign. Mackay has always prospered...let's ensure it stays that way!
Tuesday
Saturday
Mackay, the making of a mini Newcastle.
Col Meng, what are you doing old boy??
Roads are so boring, we all know !! But you used to sell tyres? Surely the conditions of our roads make you squirm just a little?
Just returned from a month down south,due to the floods. after driving from Byron Bay to Mackay, through flood devastated areas. The Bruce highway was fine with major potholes filled, have seen it worse many times in the past. Obviously in the areas hardest hit, the majority of people were overwhelmed by the carnage, however, there was no major evidence of it left on the major highway. In our opinion,the media, however, played up the destruction in certain areas, for extra drama, and extra funding.
Sadly, that will mean that Mackay will not see any new money in the short period, because we are simply not that important.
People in the Tropical North do it tough all year round, and in fact, we do it so tough that the majority of politicians simply forget about the funding we need to recover and rebuild from the weather torments this part of the country has to offer, on a yearly basis, and not as a "once in a 100, or once in 200 year' event.
We are not in any way taking anything away from the flood disaster and the people who were affected, but it does appear clear that north of the all important "south west' and Brisbane, we are a forgotten lot.
Driving along highways built for sports cars, with not a pothole in sight, on new motorways which link smaller communities then Sarina and Haypoint, in a maze of new road systems which have replaced the perfectly good old roads ( which are often better then the miserable excuses of roads we hobble over in and around Mackay) almost makes one shed a tear.
WHY DON'T WE GET FUNDING FOR OUR ROADS??? Whose fault is it?? Council, for not pushing enough, Julia, Anna and the Labour party for not knowing we exist?
Driving into Mackay, it appears that we were part of the major flood devastation!Hopefully the odd tourist who still has their neck in place after negotiating our inner streets, will leave with that thought in mind, because it would be an embarrassment for them to think that this is normal
life for our citizens.
And while we are on the subject of embarrassment, has anyone driven into the city gates in full daylight lately, after a lengthy holiday? It's hard to believe that this city once was hardly regarded in the tidy towns contests . It is a shambles, a disgrace and a mess. And those comments come from locals who have lived here for over 30 years, so don't tell us to move, because this is OUR city. The traffic islands are overgrown with half a metre high weeds, mostly dead,footpaths look unkempt, the first impression is that of a small Newcastle in the making.
Absolutely disgusting.
There is no excuse, no "bad weather" lamenting, no " we have no money in the council coffers', or " we have no staff" empty comments, which makes this acceptable. It is council's responsibility to maintain, and present their city at its best.
We urge Council members, to get off your ass, and lose your gut, stop doing lunches and stop holding "meetings". Get a plan together to fix this mess up. We have had enough. This is NOT a dirty dejected mining town! Or rather, it is, but it should not be!
People who live in supposed upmarket areas, and who pay triple the rates that others do, don't have it any better either. Have a look at Admiral drive in Dolphin heads,or the entry to the Marina precinct. An absolute disgrace.
Is there a shortage in the council workers camp? Has the skill level of the council lawn mowing fraternity dropped beyond point zero, or is just sheer apathy? Even when the work is allocated, it seldom is performed to a standard. Where are the supervisors who will check on whoever has just performed their allocated area , to see if the footpaths have been mowed, that the weeds have been removed that the dead spindly grass alongside the road edges has been whipper snipped? Boring, boring, yeah we know, but bloody hell, it makes a difference.
When we pulled one of the council workers up, to get some answers we were told that the workers had no say. Council allocates areas for them to attend to,on a 3 month rotation system, spanning from here to Calen, shared between 2 or 3 operators, with limited equipment? We enquired why the council was not mowing the banks on the side of the road, and apparently,one of the two pieces of mower equipment in captivity, was broken and the council was waiting for parts to come from Brisbane!
You have got to be joking! This is not Dysart, this is a city with over 100000 people!
We were jokingly told that the reason that Andergove usually looks so pristine is that is is the closest neighbourhood to the equipment yard!!
Perhaps we should all go on a drive by and check out the conditions of the roads, and the state of the footpaths and embankments in the areas where the council members live? You may see us driving in the estate behind the Mater hospital tomorrow, with a post hole digger and a farm plough, just to make Col's street a little bit more "Mackay'.
Sadly this "first impression" of Mackay is a lasting one, and unless these issues are addressed , our label will fast become 'the hellhole of the earth", instead of " the tropical paradise" it once was when we had a
decent council. A council with a clear vison for the future, one with a knowledge of the importance of visual appeal, one with a knowledge of the importance of first impression, of creating beauty along side a nurturing and growing economy.We may have the mining dollar, but we sure have lost the visual appeal Col!
Roads are so boring, we all know !! But you used to sell tyres? Surely the conditions of our roads make you squirm just a little?
Just returned from a month down south,due to the floods. after driving from Byron Bay to Mackay, through flood devastated areas. The Bruce highway was fine with major potholes filled, have seen it worse many times in the past. Obviously in the areas hardest hit, the majority of people were overwhelmed by the carnage, however, there was no major evidence of it left on the major highway. In our opinion,the media, however, played up the destruction in certain areas, for extra drama, and extra funding.
Sadly, that will mean that Mackay will not see any new money in the short period, because we are simply not that important.
People in the Tropical North do it tough all year round, and in fact, we do it so tough that the majority of politicians simply forget about the funding we need to recover and rebuild from the weather torments this part of the country has to offer, on a yearly basis, and not as a "once in a 100, or once in 200 year' event.
We are not in any way taking anything away from the flood disaster and the people who were affected, but it does appear clear that north of the all important "south west' and Brisbane, we are a forgotten lot.
Driving along highways built for sports cars, with not a pothole in sight, on new motorways which link smaller communities then Sarina and Haypoint, in a maze of new road systems which have replaced the perfectly good old roads ( which are often better then the miserable excuses of roads we hobble over in and around Mackay) almost makes one shed a tear.
WHY DON'T WE GET FUNDING FOR OUR ROADS??? Whose fault is it?? Council, for not pushing enough, Julia, Anna and the Labour party for not knowing we exist?
Driving into Mackay, it appears that we were part of the major flood devastation!Hopefully the odd tourist who still has their neck in place after negotiating our inner streets, will leave with that thought in mind, because it would be an embarrassment for them to think that this is normal
life for our citizens.
And while we are on the subject of embarrassment, has anyone driven into the city gates in full daylight lately, after a lengthy holiday? It's hard to believe that this city once was hardly regarded in the tidy towns contests . It is a shambles, a disgrace and a mess. And those comments come from locals who have lived here for over 30 years, so don't tell us to move, because this is OUR city. The traffic islands are overgrown with half a metre high weeds, mostly dead,footpaths look unkempt, the first impression is that of a small Newcastle in the making.
Absolutely disgusting.
There is no excuse, no "bad weather" lamenting, no " we have no money in the council coffers', or " we have no staff" empty comments, which makes this acceptable. It is council's responsibility to maintain, and present their city at its best.
We urge Council members, to get off your ass, and lose your gut, stop doing lunches and stop holding "meetings". Get a plan together to fix this mess up. We have had enough. This is NOT a dirty dejected mining town! Or rather, it is, but it should not be!
People who live in supposed upmarket areas, and who pay triple the rates that others do, don't have it any better either. Have a look at Admiral drive in Dolphin heads,or the entry to the Marina precinct. An absolute disgrace.
Is there a shortage in the council workers camp? Has the skill level of the council lawn mowing fraternity dropped beyond point zero, or is just sheer apathy? Even when the work is allocated, it seldom is performed to a standard. Where are the supervisors who will check on whoever has just performed their allocated area , to see if the footpaths have been mowed, that the weeds have been removed that the dead spindly grass alongside the road edges has been whipper snipped? Boring, boring, yeah we know, but bloody hell, it makes a difference.
When we pulled one of the council workers up, to get some answers we were told that the workers had no say. Council allocates areas for them to attend to,on a 3 month rotation system, spanning from here to Calen, shared between 2 or 3 operators, with limited equipment? We enquired why the council was not mowing the banks on the side of the road, and apparently,one of the two pieces of mower equipment in captivity, was broken and the council was waiting for parts to come from Brisbane!
You have got to be joking! This is not Dysart, this is a city with over 100000 people!
We were jokingly told that the reason that Andergove usually looks so pristine is that is is the closest neighbourhood to the equipment yard!!
Perhaps we should all go on a drive by and check out the conditions of the roads, and the state of the footpaths and embankments in the areas where the council members live? You may see us driving in the estate behind the Mater hospital tomorrow, with a post hole digger and a farm plough, just to make Col's street a little bit more "Mackay'.
Sadly this "first impression" of Mackay is a lasting one, and unless these issues are addressed , our label will fast become 'the hellhole of the earth", instead of " the tropical paradise" it once was when we had a
decent council. A council with a clear vison for the future, one with a knowledge of the importance of visual appeal, one with a knowledge of the importance of first impression, of creating beauty along side a nurturing and growing economy.We may have the mining dollar, but we sure have lost the visual appeal Col!
Thursday
No need to be bored, there's plenty to do.
Saturday 07/08/2010
07:30 - 12:30 Showground Markets Mackay Showgrounds
Mackay
Sunday 08/08/2010
08:00 - 12:00 Seaforth Markets Palm Ave - Seaforth
Seaforth
Sunday 08/08/2010
08:30 - 12:30 City Centre Markets Victoria St - City Centre
Mackay
DiscoverIT computer class
Free computer and technology classes for library members. All types of classes. Contact the Library for class schedule and bookings.
When: 2nd Feb 2010 at 10am
Every week on Tuesday, until 30th Nov 2010
Where: Mackay City Library, Gordon Street, Mackay
More information contact: Mackay Regional Council 4961 9387
Twilight Markets
This family community event includes markets, entertainment, mini Show n Shine, food, Surf Life Saving Queensland awareness and more. Markets include palmistry & card reading, bikers oriented gear, greeting cards, jewellery, wall hangings, handcrafted leatherwork, wind chimes, clothing and more. Market sites and Show n Shine entrant spots are still available. Sponsored by BMD Constructions & Urbex.
When: 6th Aug 2010 at 5pm - 6th Aug 2010 at 9pm
Where: Mackay Surf Club - East Point Drive, Mackay Harbour
More information contact: Shelly - 0402 506 976
Women on Wheels - basic car maintenance workshop for women
Women on Wheels is a free evening designed to teach women basic car maintenance. Open to the public, the evening is hosted by North Jacklin. A perfect event for women of all ages - bring your questions for our trade qualified mechanic to answer and have a go at changing at tyre yourself!
When: 9th Aug 2010 at 5:30pm - at 9:59am
Where: 49 Gordon Street
More information contact: Felicity on 49632200 or visit www.northjacklin.com.au for more details.
Lifeline Bookfest
Annual Bookfest. All sorts of books and children's book special 10 for $1. Comics, Craft, Cooking, War Biography,Fantasy and much more.
When: 12th Aug 2010 at 9am - 15th Aug 2010 at 4pm
Where: Paxtons River Street
More information contact: Lyn Lewis 4944 2315 or 0417 794 447
Mystic Fair
Featuring some of Australia's most genuine & caring readers, Don't miss Medium @ Midday with International Clairvoyant Medium Moira Brodie! Readings with International Clairvoyant Julie Haines! Dynamic Aura Photo's Tea & coffee cup readings! Tarot Readings! Amazing spirit Artist! Reiki, Massage, Crystals & New Age products! free midday demonstrations! affordable evening workshops!
When: 13th Aug 2010 at 9am - 23rd Aug 2010 at 7pm
Where: 10 River Street Mackay
More information contact: Julie Haines 0428859964
Partie D'Artiste
A celebration of the wonderful work of our talented local artists, featuring Art Is In Regional Art Awards. A total of 21 awards presented across seven categories. Ticket price includes decadent drink and selection of finger food. Visit www.mackaytix.com.au for further information and to purchase tickets
When: 21st Aug 2010 at 6pm - 21st Aug 2010 at 6pm
Where: MECC foyer
More information contact: Fiona Bishop - 4961 9554
LANDCARE DAY IN THE GARDENS
'Kids....Make A Difference... In your Backyard' A family friendly day showcasing different ways we can conserve, protect & enhance our environment. Fun interesting activities including weaving cubbies, sustainable fishing game & the water drop game!
When: 29th Aug 2010 at 9am - 29th Aug 2010 at 2pm
Where: Tropical Sun Lawn > Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
07:30 - 12:30 Showground Markets Mackay Showgrounds
Mackay
Sunday 08/08/2010
08:00 - 12:00 Seaforth Markets Palm Ave - Seaforth
Seaforth
Sunday 08/08/2010
08:30 - 12:30 City Centre Markets Victoria St - City Centre
Mackay
DiscoverIT computer class
Free computer and technology classes for library members. All types of classes. Contact the Library for class schedule and bookings.
When: 2nd Feb 2010 at 10am
Every week on Tuesday, until 30th Nov 2010
Where: Mackay City Library, Gordon Street, Mackay
More information contact: Mackay Regional Council 4961 9387
Twilight Markets
This family community event includes markets, entertainment, mini Show n Shine, food, Surf Life Saving Queensland awareness and more. Markets include palmistry & card reading, bikers oriented gear, greeting cards, jewellery, wall hangings, handcrafted leatherwork, wind chimes, clothing and more. Market sites and Show n Shine entrant spots are still available. Sponsored by BMD Constructions & Urbex.
When: 6th Aug 2010 at 5pm - 6th Aug 2010 at 9pm
Where: Mackay Surf Club - East Point Drive, Mackay Harbour
More information contact: Shelly - 0402 506 976
Women on Wheels - basic car maintenance workshop for women
Women on Wheels is a free evening designed to teach women basic car maintenance. Open to the public, the evening is hosted by North Jacklin. A perfect event for women of all ages - bring your questions for our trade qualified mechanic to answer and have a go at changing at tyre yourself!
When: 9th Aug 2010 at 5:30pm - at 9:59am
Where: 49 Gordon Street
More information contact: Felicity on 49632200 or visit www.northjacklin.com.au for more details.
Lifeline Bookfest
Annual Bookfest. All sorts of books and children's book special 10 for $1. Comics, Craft, Cooking, War Biography,Fantasy and much more.
When: 12th Aug 2010 at 9am - 15th Aug 2010 at 4pm
Where: Paxtons River Street
More information contact: Lyn Lewis 4944 2315 or 0417 794 447
Mystic Fair
Featuring some of Australia's most genuine & caring readers, Don't miss Medium @ Midday with International Clairvoyant Medium Moira Brodie! Readings with International Clairvoyant Julie Haines! Dynamic Aura Photo's Tea & coffee cup readings! Tarot Readings! Amazing spirit Artist! Reiki, Massage, Crystals & New Age products! free midday demonstrations! affordable evening workshops!
When: 13th Aug 2010 at 9am - 23rd Aug 2010 at 7pm
Where: 10 River Street Mackay
More information contact: Julie Haines 0428859964
Partie D'Artiste
A celebration of the wonderful work of our talented local artists, featuring Art Is In Regional Art Awards. A total of 21 awards presented across seven categories. Ticket price includes decadent drink and selection of finger food. Visit www.mackaytix.com.au for further information and to purchase tickets
When: 21st Aug 2010 at 6pm - 21st Aug 2010 at 6pm
Where: MECC foyer
More information contact: Fiona Bishop - 4961 9554
LANDCARE DAY IN THE GARDENS
'Kids....Make A Difference... In your Backyard' A family friendly day showcasing different ways we can conserve, protect & enhance our environment. Fun interesting activities including weaving cubbies, sustainable fishing game & the water drop game!
When: 29th Aug 2010 at 9am - 29th Aug 2010 at 2pm
Where: Tropical Sun Lawn > Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Wednesday
Mackay city heart
Plans to revitalize the Mackay city heart have once again been embraced by Mackay regional councillor Dave Perkins . It seems that every few years new members of the internal development bureau get inspired to do something to the centre of the city in the hope of bringing customers back to the many businesses who have suffered financially over the years due to the lack of parking, the lack of a sustainable transport shuttle from Canelands to the heart, and the lacklustre approach the small businesses in the heart take to entice people to shop with them. It may be time to engage in a little more control so that the Heart traders can compete with the big boys in the shopping centre. The standard of the majority of shops in the Heart is sadly substandard for 2010, and the mum and dad business approach needs to be reassessed. Mackay people have become used to the shopping experience offered by the retailers in the centres, who pay big bucks to get their shoppers to firstly get drawn to the space due to convenience, secondly are enticed to enter the pristine environments, and thirdly are easily persuaded to buy, because they feel emotionally rewarded. The City Centre boasts lacklustre facades, uncontrolled advertising and colour, window displays which are reminiscent of the small country towns with a one street shopping precinct, and generally looks faded and somewhat dirty and forlorn.
The only time there was any real change was when Greg Williamson took it upon himself to add some spice by placing art and items of interest in our city streets. This took place many many years ago, and was met with disdain and disapproval at the time, but his ideas were the only ideas that have added to the Centre with consideration for aesthetics.
Since then we have seen an attempt at 'tourist quality' with a purple and green mismatching colour scheme applied to benches and shade umbrellas. It seems that council was under the impression that any colour is good colour, and obviously no one with any design experience was consulted . As it is, the colours are very much outdated, and do not add to the tropical atmosphere so desperately needed.
Style never goes out of fashion, and stylish considerations should always be the focus. People have grown up, have travelled a lot more then in the 80's, and know what appeals to their senses. Painting a building a gaudy orange, with purple and green accessories may look great in Cannes, but even then, the French would have picked a different orange. Good taste and style does not come naturally to everyone, and therefore it is up to a council to provide tight guidelines as to what can and cant be done. Just like in the shopping centres.
The river front areas towards the boatramp has had millions of dollars spent on an architects lifetime design dream, but it has pulled up way short of what it could have been. During the week, the area is an empty,cold and unused space, despite the attempt to give it class by the million dollar public "Art works', that noone ever looks at. mackay boats many incredibly talented people, and there may have been a lot more significance if the works were from our own local artists. That aside, the space is not friendly. Perhaps council should find a way to utilise this space to the benefit of the community, who , after all, have paid dearly for it. Where are the trees?
Why aren't the weekend markets held there, in council funded structures especially for this purpose? (stall hire, pretty umbrellas, the Brisbane markets are a fine example.) Make it appealing and people will come. Goodness knows we could do with a trendy vintage market, or an art market or something similar, live buskers and music. At least the Centre would be alive. Perhaps it will take private enterprise to put the ideas forward to council? I am willing to help.
The only time there was any real change was when Greg Williamson took it upon himself to add some spice by placing art and items of interest in our city streets. This took place many many years ago, and was met with disdain and disapproval at the time, but his ideas were the only ideas that have added to the Centre with consideration for aesthetics.
Since then we have seen an attempt at 'tourist quality' with a purple and green mismatching colour scheme applied to benches and shade umbrellas. It seems that council was under the impression that any colour is good colour, and obviously no one with any design experience was consulted . As it is, the colours are very much outdated, and do not add to the tropical atmosphere so desperately needed.
Style never goes out of fashion, and stylish considerations should always be the focus. People have grown up, have travelled a lot more then in the 80's, and know what appeals to their senses. Painting a building a gaudy orange, with purple and green accessories may look great in Cannes, but even then, the French would have picked a different orange. Good taste and style does not come naturally to everyone, and therefore it is up to a council to provide tight guidelines as to what can and cant be done. Just like in the shopping centres.
The river front areas towards the boatramp has had millions of dollars spent on an architects lifetime design dream, but it has pulled up way short of what it could have been. During the week, the area is an empty,cold and unused space, despite the attempt to give it class by the million dollar public "Art works', that noone ever looks at. mackay boats many incredibly talented people, and there may have been a lot more significance if the works were from our own local artists. That aside, the space is not friendly. Perhaps council should find a way to utilise this space to the benefit of the community, who , after all, have paid dearly for it. Where are the trees?
Why aren't the weekend markets held there, in council funded structures especially for this purpose? (stall hire, pretty umbrellas, the Brisbane markets are a fine example.) Make it appealing and people will come. Goodness knows we could do with a trendy vintage market, or an art market or something similar, live buskers and music. At least the Centre would be alive. Perhaps it will take private enterprise to put the ideas forward to council? I am willing to help.
Mackay Babies and Kids Market
We were just blown away by the entrepreneurial spirit of the owner of the Mackay Babies and Kids market . Wow. How many more of these future success stories are out there?? We will certainly be recommending her on our private pages to all our friends.Networking is the name of the game.All you young mums out there-Check them out on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/babiesandkidsmarket or go to www.supportawahp.com
Small start ups like this realy need Mackay's support.
www.facebook.com/babiesandkidsmarket or go to www.supportawahp.com
Small start ups like this realy need Mackay's support.
Election time! Gillard, K Rudd and Abbott- my view
Well, a lot has happened since my last post.
Gillard has ousted Krudd and has bandaided the mining issue for the time being.She is riding the wave of the new, and even I was impressed with the strength she portrays. Women unite! A scoop for the sisterhood.As the weeks have marched on, the euphoria has slowly been weaned, and I am afraid that now I am starting to see her for what she realy is. A power hungry redhead, basking in the glory of the ultimate job, including a full image change from the brassy lesbianite look to a sophisticated botox injected front page leading lady. She certainly is better to look at now then Abbott with his protruding ears. But underneath the botox, we must remember that she still is the same Julia who sat in with Krudd and Swan and made all those BAD decisions which saw Krudd being eliminated by his own party! They must have known how bad all the policies were, and used him as a scapegoat to change the sentiment . What a coup to wow the public with a historical event lead by ....a WOMAN.
Clever little union factions. Blind the punters and then call an election whilst they are still in the fascination stage. Blind them so much that all the Krudd misery has been forgotten for just enough time to get them back in.Gillard is brilliant. She loves the limelight. Abbott should have pinned back his ears. Are we all realy as stupid as they think?
Through the brilliant economic management of the Liberals over 11 years, the most successful government since Menzies,Austrlia's coffers were overflowing. It was easy for Krudd and Gillard to spend it. If the enormous surplus had not been there the ' leading the country through a recession' story that Labour is hanging onto, would have been totally different.
Had labour spent the big bucks they did, without the coffers being full, our deficit could have been as bad as the USA's. Hello China, which state do you want to own to resettle all those people you dont want?
Krudd was no hero. He just spent the money all us taxpayers put there in the past 11 years.Easy come, easy go.
The truth of the matter though is that an other 3 years of this Labour government will drain this country, like it has historically done in the past. Labour spends big.It is like a perpetual shout at the bar, to keep the 'mates' happy.Put in labour and inevitably the interest rates rise, the cost of living goes up, small business has a thousand new laws and regulations to sift through, the unions get to play God, and taxes go up, just in different areas.
What the average punter does not realize is that whatever they receive as freebies,whatever 'new lifestyle incentives" to bribe the masses to vote, are given out, have to be paid back! Nothing is free. For example, a wage increase, fought for by tooth and nail by the unions, costs the employers, who just have to employ less people, increase their costs, and oncharge it to the consumers, which is usually the unknowing punters who voted and embraced the so called "wage increase' in the first place.
Free handouts bleed the coffers.The coffers have to be replenished somehow.There is only so much to go around in the world economy.The more the counrty's deficit, the more an other country owns you.
So How do they get the money back as quickly as possible? By increasing the taxes on costs of everyday goods, by slugging the small business owners with heavier taxes, by increasing interest rates, land rates, and anything else they can raise the required revenue from, by cutting costs in vital areas. The punters whinge and moan that their beer cost has gone up, that their ciggies cost a fortune, that mum cant feed the kids because the supermarkets have doubled the cost of bread and sausages.They cant afford to pay the rent, because the bad landlords, those greedy mongrels, have put up their rent. Little do they realize that the landlords, the poor blighters, cant afford the interest rates from the banks, or the body corp fees, rates and water charges that a badly managed economy hands out.Without these 'greedy mongrels' most of the strugglers would have absolutely nowhere to live, because your government certainly isnt that silly to take on the huge risks associated with investing in property to rent out to high risk tenants.Yet, under Labour, the landlords always fear that their risks are going to get even higher. Yet the moaning and the whinging continues.
A Labour government is never supportive of small business, yet small business is the major employer of the average Australian. Go figure that one out.
A Labour government purports to give power to the people, however due to their policies being cemented in a socialist environment, the real power is given to the Union leaders, and their factions. Ultimate power always corrupts. How hypocritical is it when "share one and share all" policies are pushed onto a democratic capitalist westen society, under the guise of ' we work for the average hard working Australian'.
I am an average hard working Australian, being in a small business for 25 years I have worked harder then most average hard working Australians, but whenever a Labour government is in power,the work is even harder .
If you have a dream to one day own your own business, to own property, to buy your first house, to get out of the boondocks and grab what ever opportunity heads your way, you don't vote labour. Labour wants to keep you there, like a faithfull sheep just eating the grass in order to shear the wool over and over again, lining their leaders clothes to keep them warm whilst you freeze without a coat. Mao kept his people dressed in grey to keep them subdued for that very same reason.
Don't be donkeys with blinkers on! If you have a dream for your life,filled with opportunity you need a government who is right behind you.
Every person is a capitalist in their heart. Why otherwise do you work?
You work because you want.
Some blinkered people are idealogical, and pretend that they are opposed to materialism.Commendable if they live by example, foolish if they only lable themselves this way to be different.
Some blinkered people are just young and radical and want to belong. Youth is reknowned for this, hence University students around the world brimming with hormones, think that their radical actions will bring change.They are unashamedly drawn to the left as a vocalization of their angst.
Some blinkered people are just victims of their own making, constantly blaming others for the path they have been 'forced' to take. Blacktown in Sydney's west is a prime example of Julia Gillards 2nd day election campaign, aimed at the majority of residents there. A labour government is not going to get you guys out of there, I am sorry to tell you.Only hard work, good choices and good logic will do that.
We need a government who fully supports small business,as the driving force behind the economy, who allows fair choices, who believes that people have to work hard with minimal handouts, that people have to work hard to achieve their goals, to make a change to the health system which Australia is lacking in, in many areas, to recognize and support mental health, which is going to be a major concern in the not so distant future due the lifestyles of our youth,to keep interest rates down so that the dream of owwning your own home is not out of reach.
We dont need the media to keep fuelling the long dead 'work choices" issue for the sake of ratings and political media drama. As a small business owner, Workchoices was realy never such a big issue. The media has made it that way.
Last but not least, will Gillards ammendments to the mining tax ensure that we who are going to buffer the coffins will see the money kept in our region, to help us with the infrastructure we so desperately need?
I dont think so.
Do some homework, don't just listen to the media hype,think about what you want in life, and then make a decision in who you will vote for.
Gillard has ousted Krudd and has bandaided the mining issue for the time being.She is riding the wave of the new, and even I was impressed with the strength she portrays. Women unite! A scoop for the sisterhood.As the weeks have marched on, the euphoria has slowly been weaned, and I am afraid that now I am starting to see her for what she realy is. A power hungry redhead, basking in the glory of the ultimate job, including a full image change from the brassy lesbianite look to a sophisticated botox injected front page leading lady. She certainly is better to look at now then Abbott with his protruding ears. But underneath the botox, we must remember that she still is the same Julia who sat in with Krudd and Swan and made all those BAD decisions which saw Krudd being eliminated by his own party! They must have known how bad all the policies were, and used him as a scapegoat to change the sentiment . What a coup to wow the public with a historical event lead by ....a WOMAN.
Clever little union factions. Blind the punters and then call an election whilst they are still in the fascination stage. Blind them so much that all the Krudd misery has been forgotten for just enough time to get them back in.Gillard is brilliant. She loves the limelight. Abbott should have pinned back his ears. Are we all realy as stupid as they think?
Through the brilliant economic management of the Liberals over 11 years, the most successful government since Menzies,Austrlia's coffers were overflowing. It was easy for Krudd and Gillard to spend it. If the enormous surplus had not been there the ' leading the country through a recession' story that Labour is hanging onto, would have been totally different.
Had labour spent the big bucks they did, without the coffers being full, our deficit could have been as bad as the USA's. Hello China, which state do you want to own to resettle all those people you dont want?
Krudd was no hero. He just spent the money all us taxpayers put there in the past 11 years.Easy come, easy go.
The truth of the matter though is that an other 3 years of this Labour government will drain this country, like it has historically done in the past. Labour spends big.It is like a perpetual shout at the bar, to keep the 'mates' happy.Put in labour and inevitably the interest rates rise, the cost of living goes up, small business has a thousand new laws and regulations to sift through, the unions get to play God, and taxes go up, just in different areas.
What the average punter does not realize is that whatever they receive as freebies,whatever 'new lifestyle incentives" to bribe the masses to vote, are given out, have to be paid back! Nothing is free. For example, a wage increase, fought for by tooth and nail by the unions, costs the employers, who just have to employ less people, increase their costs, and oncharge it to the consumers, which is usually the unknowing punters who voted and embraced the so called "wage increase' in the first place.
Free handouts bleed the coffers.The coffers have to be replenished somehow.There is only so much to go around in the world economy.The more the counrty's deficit, the more an other country owns you.
So How do they get the money back as quickly as possible? By increasing the taxes on costs of everyday goods, by slugging the small business owners with heavier taxes, by increasing interest rates, land rates, and anything else they can raise the required revenue from, by cutting costs in vital areas. The punters whinge and moan that their beer cost has gone up, that their ciggies cost a fortune, that mum cant feed the kids because the supermarkets have doubled the cost of bread and sausages.They cant afford to pay the rent, because the bad landlords, those greedy mongrels, have put up their rent. Little do they realize that the landlords, the poor blighters, cant afford the interest rates from the banks, or the body corp fees, rates and water charges that a badly managed economy hands out.Without these 'greedy mongrels' most of the strugglers would have absolutely nowhere to live, because your government certainly isnt that silly to take on the huge risks associated with investing in property to rent out to high risk tenants.Yet, under Labour, the landlords always fear that their risks are going to get even higher. Yet the moaning and the whinging continues.
A Labour government is never supportive of small business, yet small business is the major employer of the average Australian. Go figure that one out.
A Labour government purports to give power to the people, however due to their policies being cemented in a socialist environment, the real power is given to the Union leaders, and their factions. Ultimate power always corrupts. How hypocritical is it when "share one and share all" policies are pushed onto a democratic capitalist westen society, under the guise of ' we work for the average hard working Australian'.
I am an average hard working Australian, being in a small business for 25 years I have worked harder then most average hard working Australians, but whenever a Labour government is in power,the work is even harder .
If you have a dream to one day own your own business, to own property, to buy your first house, to get out of the boondocks and grab what ever opportunity heads your way, you don't vote labour. Labour wants to keep you there, like a faithfull sheep just eating the grass in order to shear the wool over and over again, lining their leaders clothes to keep them warm whilst you freeze without a coat. Mao kept his people dressed in grey to keep them subdued for that very same reason.
Don't be donkeys with blinkers on! If you have a dream for your life,filled with opportunity you need a government who is right behind you.
Every person is a capitalist in their heart. Why otherwise do you work?
You work because you want.
Some blinkered people are idealogical, and pretend that they are opposed to materialism.Commendable if they live by example, foolish if they only lable themselves this way to be different.
Some blinkered people are just young and radical and want to belong. Youth is reknowned for this, hence University students around the world brimming with hormones, think that their radical actions will bring change.They are unashamedly drawn to the left as a vocalization of their angst.
Some blinkered people are just victims of their own making, constantly blaming others for the path they have been 'forced' to take. Blacktown in Sydney's west is a prime example of Julia Gillards 2nd day election campaign, aimed at the majority of residents there. A labour government is not going to get you guys out of there, I am sorry to tell you.Only hard work, good choices and good logic will do that.
We need a government who fully supports small business,as the driving force behind the economy, who allows fair choices, who believes that people have to work hard with minimal handouts, that people have to work hard to achieve their goals, to make a change to the health system which Australia is lacking in, in many areas, to recognize and support mental health, which is going to be a major concern in the not so distant future due the lifestyles of our youth,to keep interest rates down so that the dream of owwning your own home is not out of reach.
We dont need the media to keep fuelling the long dead 'work choices" issue for the sake of ratings and political media drama. As a small business owner, Workchoices was realy never such a big issue. The media has made it that way.
Last but not least, will Gillards ammendments to the mining tax ensure that we who are going to buffer the coffins will see the money kept in our region, to help us with the infrastructure we so desperately need?
I dont think so.
Do some homework, don't just listen to the media hype,think about what you want in life, and then make a decision in who you will vote for.
SUPER PROFITS TAX AND US
Oh oh, Ruddy has been at it again.Getting the country ahead of surplus in 3 years? Don't you love the way that K-Rudd can keep bleating about how great the country is doing due to his well managed spending.Do they, the Labour party, suffer from severe memory block? They came to power when our country had gained enormous wealth due to 11 years of superbly managed funds.Business was booming. The mining sector, and our region flourished. If Kruddy had not thrown the surplus around in the form of his now famous $900.00 bonus, of which the majority ended up in pokie machines and vomit on the footpaths, we would not be in the mess that we are in now. And now , with the plan to slug the big boys of mining with a new tax, it apears he realy has bitten the hand that has fed him.It may be a sustainable arguement if, and only if, the regions where all the money is to come from, will benefit, but even that is not the case, with Mayor Meng quite forlorn with the forecast that his plea for more funding for roads for our community has been totally over looked.Rape and pillage Kruddy! Maybe you had better spend all the dollars in south east qld and the rest of Australia, because you may just have stuffed up our economy and boom 2!
Thursday
Tuesday
ALL THINGS GOOD COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT
And waiting we have done. Patiently. Has the gloom finally lifted from Mackay? The local media has been trying to persuade us to feel a high level of optimism for the past few months, but in reality, the lack of funding from the banks was playing havoc with their consciousness raising exercise. Shouting "boom 2" was starting to be taken with a grain of salt, and the general forecast was that the wait would be at least 3 to 4 months. BUT...there appears to be a breeze of confidence blowing our way. In a matter of a couple of weeks, ';for sale signs" are disappearing in front of properties, high end properties appear to be moving, and the vacancy rates are starting to crumble. A property which was difficult to rent out 1 month ago, suddenly has 3 or 4 prospective tenants lining up and fighting to get the lease!!! Ahh, the sound of those frustrated tenants is like a joyfull cry form a Mackay City Parrot , to a landlords ears. Something is in the air. You can feel it.Optimism!!! Yahoooooo.
SWINE FLU DANGER-- HYPE OR REAL?
The recent media alert to take advantage of the free Swine flu vacinations has been taken to heart by the Mackay community. Suddenly there is now a shortage of the vaccine, and doctors are advising patients that new stock will not be available until mid May. The government warning bells have thus been heard. Swine flu is still a dangerous reality.
Or is it?
Trawling through the internet, the arguements for and against having the vaccine are widely debated. In comparison to the normal winter flu death statistics, the worldwide mortality rate from this flu has been lower then initially estimated. Governments, however, had stockpiled the vaccine, in case of an epidemic, but the vaccines have an expiry date. Is the reason for the widespread hype due to this overstocking? Children are encourged to have 2 needles instead of one. Why? I have been told that the combination needle people are receiving is a combination of a flu vaccine against the Perth flu, the Brisbane flu and the Swine flu, and that no live culture is present. It is fully synthetic, in other words, chemical. There have been numerous cases of people suffering neurological damage from the Swine flu vaccine. When i asked my Gp if he had succombed to the needle, I was told 'no, I will only have it if I am going to travel" yet I was urged to fill my prescription . I am not going anywhere!
The jury is still out, and I am still needleless.
How many readers have had the needle and why? We would all like to know.
Or is it?
Trawling through the internet, the arguements for and against having the vaccine are widely debated. In comparison to the normal winter flu death statistics, the worldwide mortality rate from this flu has been lower then initially estimated. Governments, however, had stockpiled the vaccine, in case of an epidemic, but the vaccines have an expiry date. Is the reason for the widespread hype due to this overstocking? Children are encourged to have 2 needles instead of one. Why? I have been told that the combination needle people are receiving is a combination of a flu vaccine against the Perth flu, the Brisbane flu and the Swine flu, and that no live culture is present. It is fully synthetic, in other words, chemical. There have been numerous cases of people suffering neurological damage from the Swine flu vaccine. When i asked my Gp if he had succombed to the needle, I was told 'no, I will only have it if I am going to travel" yet I was urged to fill my prescription . I am not going anywhere!
The jury is still out, and I am still needleless.
How many readers have had the needle and why? We would all like to know.
CYBER HACKERS
Four Corners aired a fantastic program last night on the ABC. I must admit that the whole Rio Tinto saga playing out in China has held little interest for me. The snippets of information on the news were hardly grabbing stuff. Trust Four Corners to do an in depth story to try to get to the bottom of the issue. The jailing of Stern Hu has caused quite a stir and exposed a Hollywood blockbuster movie plot of bribery, cyber hacking, corruption, involving governments, google, and the big boys of the mining industry.Iron ore,aparantly, is gold.
If that is so, coal must be like silver. Iwonder if the local boys who have shot to international riches, based on huge contracts with the Asian super power have taken heed, and ensured that their servers aren't compromised in any way.I realy don't think that Norton would be a valid anti hacking tool to ensure that any sensitive documents about trades and deals, would suffice.
I guess you just never know who is watching, especially when there are huge profits to be made.
If that is so, coal must be like silver. Iwonder if the local boys who have shot to international riches, based on huge contracts with the Asian super power have taken heed, and ensured that their servers aren't compromised in any way.I realy don't think that Norton would be a valid anti hacking tool to ensure that any sensitive documents about trades and deals, would suffice.
I guess you just never know who is watching, especially when there are huge profits to be made.
Monday
POLLS, POLLS,.......WHAT POLLS??
And the polls tell us that 2/3 of Queenslanders are in favour of daylight saving. Yeah?
2/3 of which Queenslanders? 2/3 of 500 who replied?
How many people from Mackay and the rest of North Queensland had a say?
How many businesses from Mackay and the region were interviewed about the impact this stupidity would have on their businesses?
I cannot recall adding my vote to a poll asking me whether or not I liked the idea.
Did you?
I cannot recall even being asked.
How can these results be published by the media, based on an averaging derived from a hand full of people, probably from South East Queensland ,who have too much time on their hands , have access to the internet, or sit in front of of pay tv and know how to puch the red button to vote?
I HAVE NOT BEEN ASKED. Were you?
Get vocal people.
The pollies don't realy care about North Queensland. They just like to collect our taxes.
They need to hear us shout out loud!!!
2/3 of which Queenslanders? 2/3 of 500 who replied?
How many people from Mackay and the rest of North Queensland had a say?
How many businesses from Mackay and the region were interviewed about the impact this stupidity would have on their businesses?
I cannot recall adding my vote to a poll asking me whether or not I liked the idea.
Did you?
I cannot recall even being asked.
How can these results be published by the media, based on an averaging derived from a hand full of people, probably from South East Queensland ,who have too much time on their hands , have access to the internet, or sit in front of of pay tv and know how to puch the red button to vote?
I HAVE NOT BEEN ASKED. Were you?
Get vocal people.
The pollies don't realy care about North Queensland. They just like to collect our taxes.
They need to hear us shout out loud!!!
HOLY GOSS!.......
" The bigger they are, they harder they fall"
Went to an "open house" at an apartment block at the weekend and spotted a cool little ' pad" that would suit me just fine. Yes sirree, I thought. The penthouse is going for a 'fire sale' price, which, at just over a cool $2mill, is not unreasonable. Smack bang in the middle of town, fantastic views, Meyer just at the front door in the near future. I dug out the mortgage calculator and tapped in the relevant numbers, but the darned thing froze after the 5th zero.
Seems one of our own, who has fallen from grace last year, also quite liked the idea, but funding the dream has become a major problem.
Going bust does that to people I guess.
Loathe him or love him, you have to give him props for at least having a go.
We all just hope that any other possible apartments in Brisbane and elsewhere have also been put up for sale , so that all the poor buggers who didn't get paid, will see a few dollars rolling in.
It never ceases to amaze me though, how the majority of high flyers always manage to come back after they have served their 'time" of 3 years, and manage to do a repeat run without any great repercussions. Some do the replay in Mackay,over and over again, leaving a path of devastation and ruined lives in their wake, but still they manage to regain their status very quickly.
Are people's memory realy that poor? Do we, as a Northern tropical species suffer from a strange type of sun induced ALTZHEIMERS?
Just good blokes who made mistakes? Hmmm, still makes me wonder how they sleep at night.
Probably quite well in the luxury pads hidden deep in the trust accounts, well away from the scratchy fingernails of the creditors. Not saying that this particular fallen hero has done that, but it makes you wonder about it all.
I could do with a penthouse.
Went to an "open house" at an apartment block at the weekend and spotted a cool little ' pad" that would suit me just fine. Yes sirree, I thought. The penthouse is going for a 'fire sale' price, which, at just over a cool $2mill, is not unreasonable. Smack bang in the middle of town, fantastic views, Meyer just at the front door in the near future. I dug out the mortgage calculator and tapped in the relevant numbers, but the darned thing froze after the 5th zero.
Seems one of our own, who has fallen from grace last year, also quite liked the idea, but funding the dream has become a major problem.
Going bust does that to people I guess.
Loathe him or love him, you have to give him props for at least having a go.
We all just hope that any other possible apartments in Brisbane and elsewhere have also been put up for sale , so that all the poor buggers who didn't get paid, will see a few dollars rolling in.
It never ceases to amaze me though, how the majority of high flyers always manage to come back after they have served their 'time" of 3 years, and manage to do a repeat run without any great repercussions. Some do the replay in Mackay,over and over again, leaving a path of devastation and ruined lives in their wake, but still they manage to regain their status very quickly.
Are people's memory realy that poor? Do we, as a Northern tropical species suffer from a strange type of sun induced ALTZHEIMERS?
Just good blokes who made mistakes? Hmmm, still makes me wonder how they sleep at night.
Probably quite well in the luxury pads hidden deep in the trust accounts, well away from the scratchy fingernails of the creditors. Not saying that this particular fallen hero has done that, but it makes you wonder about it all.
I could do with a penthouse.
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