My Town heads to Walkerston to hear what matters most to residents
With ‘earthquake’ like tremors and tales of community spirit, we are so excited to head back to Walkerston for My Town uncover more untold stories of the resilient town.
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The Walkerston community has been heralded as both a resilient and caring bunch nestled halfway between Mackay and Marian.
We were able to hear a first-hand account of community spirit when neighbours rallied to fund a new iPad for the O’Shea’s pub owners young son after thieves targeted the hotel for the fourth time in as many years.
But there are still so many stories we want to uncover, like getting to the bottom of the ‘house shaking’ tremor experienced by Walkerston residents in May.
Reporter Lillian Watkins, joined by Mackay Councillors Laurence Bonaventura and Russell Seymour, will be at Social Fresh and Local cafe along Creek Street from 10.30am to noon on Tuesday.
Lillian is excited to meet residents, recognise unsung community heroes, uncover the quirky tales, celebrate businesses and explore issues you would like attention brought to.
My Town, an initiative of the Daily Mercury and Mackay Regional Council, is about discovering more about our region and the people in the towns that foster deep pride for their residents.
It is your chance to tell us what you think is important.
And we want to hear from you.
Email Lillian on lillian.watkins@news.com.au or phone 4957 0314 to share your story.
And if you can’t make it to the cafe on Tuesday morning but still want to get in touch, drop Lillian an email.
The My Town initiative has a reporter visiting a different town or area twice a month, and since its relaunch after Covid-19 lockdown, has visited, Seaforth, Midge Point, Eungella, Habana, Sarina, Marian, Finch Hatton, Eton, Kuttabul and Eimeo.
If you have a location in mind where we should meet, email us at mackay@news.com.au.
From Cr Laurence Bonaventura
I am honoured to attend the last event as part of this campaign in Walkerston.
I attended the first My Town in Habana in September 2020 with the Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson and it was great to see more than 30 people come along and share their stories with us.
I would like to encourage Walkerston residents to join Cr Russell Seymour and I with Lillian Watkins from Daily Mercury to shine a light on the positive local stories happening in their community that need more attention.
Council has plenty of projects planned for Walkerston, so there is much to be excited about in this community.
There are a number of road improvements that have been taking place including a $1.8m shoulder widening project along Creek Street and Lorne Road, which has just been completed and will improve safety for motorists.
We have also replaced two aged culverts on McColl Street and are currently replacing three additional culverts on Pugsley Street, including two at the intersection of Pugsley Street and Kellys Road.
Families can look forward to upgrades at Alsatia Park, which will include the renewal of the playground and repairs to the skate park, as well as the installation of a new fitness station at Allan Cameron Rotary Park.
I look forward to catching up with residents on Tuesday, August 17, from 10.30am to noon at Social Fresh and Local cafe, next to Woolworths Walkerston, to discuss all the great things happening in this resilient community.
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