Rachael Murray, Founder of Mind Psyence

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For psychologist Rachael Murray, creating change is not necessarily about having a clear path ahead. Sometimes, it means believing strongly enough in what could exist to build that path yourself.

As founder and director of Mind Psyence (Psychology and Research) in Slade Point, Rachael provides psychology services to older adolescents and adults across Mackay and the Whitsundays.

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Behind her everyday clinical work sits a bigger vision: ensuring regional communities are not left waiting for advances in mental health care to reach them.

Rachael's drive is deeply personal.  

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At 16, she lost her only sister in a devastating car accident. That loss changed the trajectory of Rachael’s life forever and was followed by 25 years of complex grief.

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“Losing my sister and grieving over decades, sharpened my natural instinct to help into something more purposeful; setting me on a personal path exploring grief, growth, and healing in a much broader sense.”

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Today, my experience sits alongside qualifications in behavioural studies, psychological science and neuroscience, as well as further training in psychedelic-assisted therapies and integration.

The vision for Mind Psyence began taking shape almost five years ago as Rachael became increasingly interested in research into medicine-assisted therapies and their potential application for specific conditions.

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Central to that vision was a familiar regional challenge: access.

Rachael had seen people waiting far too long for basic mental health support, while emerging treatment options were becoming available in metropolitan areas, they remained difficult to access from regional Queensland.

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“I wanted to build a practice that didn't just deliver good care today, but helped bring innovative, evidence-based treatment options, like medicine-assisted therapies for conditions such as PTSD and treatment-resistant depression, to a region that needs it, and that's so often left behind.”

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Building towards that goal has not been easy.

Rachael has largely funded this work through her own clinical income while learning grant writing, research governance, and partnership building. This year brought a significant setback when a funding application for a proposed five-year clinical trial into medicine-assisted therapy for PTSD was unsuccessful.

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“I've learnt that leadership in this space means being willing to go first — building partnerships, credibility and infrastructure without a roadmap, because no one else was doing this for our region in terms of medicine-assisted therapy.”

Despite the scale of her ambitions, Rachael says the most rewarding part remains helping people through their everyday challenges.

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Looking ahead, she hopes Mind Psyence can grow from a solo practice into a multidisciplinary clinic bringing psychologists, psychiatrists, allied health professionals and researchers together. She also hopes Mackay and the Whitsundays will eventually have locally accessible, evidence-based medicine-assisted therapy programs and contribute to research in the field.

Later this year, Rachael plans to travel to Canberra to work as a therapist on an Australian National University psychedelic-assisted therapy trial, while exploring opportunities for Mind Psyence to potentially become a Mackay trial site.

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For Rachael, change begins with refusing to accept that regional communities should simply go without.

"It's refusing to accept 'that's just how it is' for the people in our community, and having both the patience and the determination to keep finding a way forward — steadily, with care, and for as long as possible."

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mindpsyence.com.au

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Dr Maged Aziz – Advanced Vascular

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Adaptability, patience and perseverance are embedded in the very fabric of who Dr Maged Aziz is. These are principles that have carried him through more than three decades in medicine, two surgical specialties and three countries, and now underpin the success of Advanced Vascular.

But beneath the qualifications, years of training and technical expertise is a desire to keep learning, keep improving and, ultimately, make a difference in the lives of the people who place their trust in him.

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Dr Aziz was born and raised in Egypt before making the move to New Zealand, where he met his beloved wife and business partner, Debbie. The pair eventually packed up and made their way to Australia with their three children, now dedicating their time to servicing regional communities across Queensland and beyond.  

After completing his Fellowship in General Surgery, Dr Aziz could have considered his training complete. Instead, he chose to undertake further specialist training and earning a second fellowship in Vascular Surgery.

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It was a demanding path, one that expanded not only his surgical knowledge, but his understanding of what it means to care for a patient.

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At Advanced Vascular, Dr Aziz offers comprehensive assessment and treatment for varicose veins, leading with advanced non-surgical treatment options while drawing on his surgical expertise when required.

He is an all-in-one specialist who is able to assess, investigate and guide patients through their treatment, rather than simply referring them from one place to another.

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His experience across General and Vascular Surgery, combined with his ability to perform his own ultrasound assessments, allows for a more streamlined approach from initial assessment through to treatment planning.

“We tailor our services to what our patients need, not to what I can or can’t do,” he explained.

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As a family-run practice, Advanced Vascular understands that life does not always fit neatly into traditional appointment times. With telehealth consultations and in-person appointments available across Queensland, including Mackay and Maryborough, the practice is built around making specialist care more accessible to everyday people and their families.

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And perhaps one of the clearest reflections of Dr Aziz’s approach to medicine is knowing when not to intervene.

Rather than recommending treatment for the sake of it, he believes patients deserve clarity, and an honest understanding of what is happening, what their options are and whether treatment is genuinely necessary.

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“I tell patients what they need, what they don’t need, and what their options are.”

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“We provide flexibility, and a one-stop-shop for our patients. We don’t wait for them to come to us – we actually go to them.”

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Advanced Vascular is ultimately about seeing the difference the right care can make – it’s confidence of someone who can walk without discomfort again, the relief of finally understanding a health concern, or simply getting back to the small, everyday freedoms that can so easily be taken for granted.  

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“We see the real change in people’s lives – and that’s why we do it,” Dr Aziz said.

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More than establishing a specialist practice, Mr and Mrs Aziz have created a service with heart – one that continues to evolve, continues to learn and, above all, continues to put people first.

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advancedvascular.com.au

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After three decades in real estate and seven years building TAYLORS Property Specialists on strong relationships, personal service and a desire to do things differently, Rob Taylor is ready to pass the reins to a new owner as it begins its next chapter.

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Stepping forward as the new owner is Beau-Lea Miller, a real estate professional with more than 25 years of experience and a clear commitment to preserving and developing the business Rob created, supporting its people and cementing its place within the Whitsundays.

Despite being a driven, forward-thinking leader, Beau has no plans to rewrite the formula that has made TAYLORS so successful.  

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Only to build upon it.  

“I’m here to strengthen what Rob has built by supporting the team so they can be the very best they can be for the community they serve,” Beau said.

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“I’m really blessed that Rob is giving me the opportunity to continue that legacy for him.”  

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Beginning her real estate career at just 17, Beau gained experience in every corner of the industry, from property management and residential sales to agency ownership, business development, technology and team leadership.  

She later established and led her own independent Brisbane agency, Beautique Realty, before taking on a state operations role with Elders Real Estate across Queensland and the Northern Territory.  

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The role saw her oversee around 12,500 properties across six offices, and while she valued the experience and work ethic it demanded, she longed to regain the personal connection of working within a close-knit, local agency.  

“It was important to me to get back into a business where I could be innovative, lead change and make a difference for its people,” Beau said.  

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In her new role at TAYLORS, one of Beau’s key initiatives is bringing together the old and the new.  

The agency is built on strong values that have underpinned its success for many years, but with new systems and technology now at its disposal, she hopes to strike the right balance between innovation and genuine human connection.

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“There’s a younger generation of agents coming through, and I really want to make sure their supported,” she said.

“It’s about building on those old-fashioned ways of doing things and bringing them into the new digital world.  

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“Technology is here, but how do we make sure we keep the human element in those transactions?”

Intertwined with that vision is a renewed focus on property management, the area in which Beau began her career and one she describes as the core of a strong real estate business.

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Her goal is to strengthen TAYLORS’ rental division, ensuring the team has the knowledge and support they need to help clients protect their investments, while building wealth for the future.

Luckily for Beau she has inherited an established, driven team, who she praises for their unwavering work ethic amidst all the changes.

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“They all have that fire in them,” Beau said.

“I’ve seen the team really step up over the past few weeks, get on board, ask questions and bring forward their own ideas.”  

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While some areas are set to evolve under Beau’s leadership, the team and its culture are what she is most determined to protect.

Systems may be upgraded and services expanded, but the culture she has found at TAYLOS is something she does not want to change.

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“They call each other a family, but I think they’re an elite sports team in the truest sense,” she said.

“Everybody supports everybody else to do their best. If one person is down, the others step forward and support them.

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“I haven’t seen many businesses that operate like that, and that legacy belongs to Rob. He created that here.”

The final thing Beau values about TAYLORS is its place within the community.  

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A strong local connection cannot be created overnight, but fortunately, TAYLORS are already established for Beau.  

Her task now is to nurture those relationships by continuing to support schools, sporting teams, local events and community initiatives.

“Real estate agents can make a massive impact on a community because of the number of people they meet and the connections they have,” she said.

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“I want to make sure that whatever impact we make here genuinely makes a difference.  

“It’s not having an impact for marketing but having an impact that makes a difference.”

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As the Whitsundays develop and the property market evolves with it, Beau believes TAYLORS will move confidently into its next chapter without losing the values that earned the community’s trust.

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Rob may have laid the foundations, but Beau is ready to ensure what he built continues to strengthen for many years to come.

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With Jason King from Regional Queensland Investigations

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Jason King is changing the way investigations are approached in regional Australia, bringing decades of law enforcement, legal and investigative experience to communities that have traditionally had to look to the capital cities for specialist expertise, advocating to those who feel voiceless and pushing for higher industry standards across the board.

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In 2022, Jason moved from Melbourne to Mackay. Observing unmet demand for his services he rebranded his company two years later, turning J&D Online Investigations to Regional Queensland Investigations with an ambitious vision: to provide regional communities with the same calibre of investigative expertise available in Australia's major cities.

While Mackay is home, it is far from the centre of his operation. His work takes him throughout regional Queensland - from Cairns, Atherton and Toowoomba to Western Queensland - as well as into the Northern Territory.

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“Regional communities deserve the same quality of service as the cities,” Jason said. “They shouldn’t have to settle for less.”

Jason's career has included service with Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police, along with extensive experience in private investigations, law enforcement and the legal sector. He holds degrees in law and computer science and has worked across areas including counter-terrorism, cybercrime, child exploitation, fraud, sports integrity and major investigations.

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His experience has also included reviewing historical investigations and working on cold cases, where the combination of investigative knowledge and legal understanding can provide a different perspective on evidence that may have been overlooked decades earlier.

Day to day, workplace investigations have become a significant part of Regional Queensland Investigations' work, particularly where disputes, allegations of misconduct, internal conflict or competing factions have created difficult situations for management.

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Jason's point of difference is an independent perspective, held with integrity.

“When I go in, I don’t know Peter from Paul,” he said. “My role is to look at the evidence and make recommendations based on what I find. No conflict of interest.”

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It is a seemingly simple principle, but one that can become complicated in regional organisations where professional and personal relationships often overlap.

The work has taken Jason into investigations involving alleged fraud, workplace disputes, WorkCover matters, local government and community organisations.  

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All the while, as Queensland Chapter President of the Australian Institute of Professional Investigators, Jason pushes to regulate and keep the cowboys out of Private Investigation.

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Private investigators do not have police powers, he reminds us. They cannot simply force someone to provide information, access someone's phone because a client demands it, or break the law in pursuit of evidence. If they do? The evidence may no longer stand up in court.  

“The public think that we can do anything, and we can break the law to do it,” Jason said. “We can’t break the law.”

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That is also why he is outspoken about licensing within the private investigation industry.  

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Jason’s influence is now extending into the future, as the business grows and he mentors the next generation of investigators - though still keeps his eye across all cases passing through the business. Always looking to expand his impact, he’s also Director of new Cairns-based Regional Queensland Security Services (RQSS), and even lectures Law at CQ University on the side.  

Jason’s background in cybercrime and child exploitation has also left him passionate about education, particularly when it comes to protecting young people online. He believes parents, rather than children alone, need to be equipped to understand how online grooming and exploitation occur, in order to truly make change.

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Regional Queensland Investigations demonstrates that the biggest change-maker is not always the one in the big city, on the podium, or in front of the TV camera. Though Jason has lived this life, his reputation and acclaim has been a result of his work - not the motivation for it.

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Instead, he measures his success on impact; on cases solved, victims helped, perpetrators held accountable, and communities no longer left behind.

rqinv.com.au

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CARE THAT FEELS LIKE FAMILY

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When care moves beyond a transactional service and becomes a deeply personal relationship, the impact can be felt across an entire community.

That belief has been at the heart of Nurse Next Door Mackay since George Blackie and Sarah Ryan launched the franchise in 2023.

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After years working in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) sector, the pair recognised a gap for a local provider led by values and a commitment to people.

“We treat people how we would like to be treated,” Sarah says.

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What sets Sarah and George apart is their ability to look beyond the care plan and see the whole person behind the care. They take time to understand each individual’s story, preferences, experiences and what matters most to them, creating support that is personal and compassionate.

“We genuinely have the intention of Making Lives Better for everyone we cross paths with.”

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That philosophy is reflected in the relationships they build. One example is a client referred to as Bob, who had moved through several Mackay providers, with none lasting longer than nine months. With Nurse Next Door, he found stability and was supported for more than 18 months. Over that time, the team became a trusted presence. When Bob passed away, George and Sarah were by his side.

“We were repeatedly told how Nurse Next Door was the best provider Bob had experienced, and we are grateful to have made his final years positive,” Sarah reflects.

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“The most rewarding part is making a difference for those who are extremely vulnerable and hesitant to trust.”

While clinical safety, staff capability and training remain fundamental, Sarah believes exceptional care must include warmth and connection.

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“Complex community care is serious work, but there should always be room for laughter,” she says.

“Quality care is built on a foundation of safety and happiness.”

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That combination of clinical excellence and empathy has supported growth. In its first year, Nurse Next Door Mackay delivered 15,267 hours of care. By 2026, that figure had grown to 143,943 hours.

Behind every hour is a person, and Sarah and George are quick to recognise the team members who make that care possible.

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“We could not do what we do without the incredible people who choose Nurse Next Door and show up every day with the purpose of making someone else’s life better. Their commitment, compassion and dedication are what make the difference.”

Their impact has been recognised nationally. Within three-and-a-half years of opening, Nurse Next Door Mackay was named Best Single Unit Franchise in Australia.

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For Sarah and George, being changemakers means challenging traditional models of care and continually asking how the experience can be improved.

“Being a changemaker means staying adaptable, remaining curious and recognising that there is always something new to learn,” Sarah says.

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That mindset is what makes them genuine disruptors in the market.

Rather than treating care as a checklist of tasks, they are helping redefine what quality home care can look like: more personal, more responsive and more connected to the individual.

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Their approach centres on understanding the person behind the care plan and supporting their independence, dignity and quality of life.

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It is a philosophy that challenges convention, raises expectations and demonstrates what is possible when care is built around people first.

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Some people adapt to change. Others question it, shape it and become part of what comes next.

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For Dr Hany Aziz, founder and principal dentist of Oral Health & Beyond Collective, being a changemaker has never been about being different for the sake of it. It is about having the courage to ask a simple but powerful question:

“Can we do better?”

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Across more than 25 years in dentistry, that question has helped shape Dr Hany’s approach to his profession, his patients and the future of healthcare in regional Queensland.

Curious by nature and never entirely comfortable with the idea of “this is how it has always been done,” Dr Hany has built his career around looking beyond the obvious — exploring the connections between the mouth, breathing, oral function, development and a person’s broader wellbeing.

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“I’ve always been someone who doesn’t fit neatly into a box,” Dr Hany said.

“I’m progressive in my thinking. I believe we should keep learning, keep questioning and remain open to a better way forward.”

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Change Begins With Curiosity

More than 15 years ago, an interest in clear aligners sparked something much bigger.

What began with an exploration of tooth alignment developed into questions about why teeth and jaws develop the way they do. That curiosity opened the door to a broader consideration of muscles, oral function, jaw development and breathing patterns.

For Dr Hany, it changed the conversation from simply asking “What are we treating?” to “Why is this happening in the first place?”

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That shift in thinking became central to his philosophy.

“Prevention is better than cure,” he said. “When we recognise concerns earlier, we have an opportunity to understand what is happening and consider what may support that person’s development and long-term health.”

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Looking Beyond the Teeth

The opening of the Mackay clinic in 2016 represented more than business growth. It created a place where Dr Hany could continue developing a broader approach to dental care — supporting patients through different stages of life, from infancy through childhood and into adulthood.

Today, Oral Health & Beyond Collective is guided by connection, care, professionalism, proactivity and commitment.

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But for Dr Hany, one principle remains fundamental: listening.

“One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of listening,” he said. “People tell you far more than their symptoms. When you take the time to understand their story, you begin to see a much bigger picture.”

A patient may arrive concerned about grinding their teeth, discomfort, alignment, feeding, oral function or breathing. The symptom may be what starts the conversation — but Dr Hany believes it should not necessarily be where the conversation ends.

“Sometimes what we see first is only one piece of the puzzle,” he explained. “My role is to ask questions, investigate and try to understand what may be contributing to it.”

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Progress Requires Courage

Being a changemaker also means being prepared to explore ideas before they become commonplace.

Dr Hany has been at the forefront of incorporating laser technology into his approach to dentistry since 2013. His early adoption of laser treatment reflects a philosophy that has followed him throughout his career — to keep exploring, keep learning and embrace technology where it can broaden the possibilities of patient care.

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For Dr Hany, being a changemaker means not waiting for innovation to become conventional. It means being willing to explore what comes next.

Over the years, Dr Hany has continued to introduce new approaches, services and technologies into his practices while expanding his knowledge beyond conventional dentistry.

That philosophy is reflected today across Oral Health & Beyond Collective, with areas of focus including airway-focused dentistry, oral dysfunction, clear aligners, children’s oral development and hospital-based dental care.

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The Collective has also embraced emerging technology, including the introduction of NovoTHOR photobiomodulation technology through NovoGen.

Technology is a tool. Knowledge gives it purpose. Listening gives it direction. People give it meaning.

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The Moments That Change Us

Every changemaker has a moment that reminds them why challenging convention matters.

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For Dr Hany, one of those moments came more than a decade ago when a three-and-a-half-year-old boy was brought to the practice after his family had spent years searching for answers.

The child could not speak and relied on liquid nutrition.

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The experience and the changes Dr Hany observed following care had a profound impact on him, creating a connection that has continued well beyond the clinic. More than a decade later, Dr Hany maintains a lifelong relationship with the patient and his family — a bond that remains a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

“Seeing the changes in that little boy made me realise how important it was to keep asking questions,” Dr Hany recalled. “It reinforced for me that sometimes we need to look beyond what is immediately in front of us.”

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It became more than a memorable patient encounter. It became a defining moment.

A reminder that behind every appointment is a person. Behind every symptom is a story. And sometimes, behind one unanswered question is an opportunity to change the direction of a life.

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A Changemaker of Our Times

Our world is changing rapidly.

Technology is transforming healthcare. Patients are becoming better informed. Different health disciplines are increasingly recognising the value of collaboration, while our understanding of the connections within the human body continues to evolve.

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Dr Hany believes healthcare professionals have a responsibility to evolve with it.

Not to abandon what has worked — but to remain brave enough to question what could work better.

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For him, the future of dentistry is not simply about treating teeth. It is about connection.

Connecting oral health with function. Connecting breathing with development. Connecting professionals with one another. Connecting technology with human care. And, above all, connecting with the person sitting in the chair.

That is where meaningful change begins.

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“Being a changemaker isn’t about believing you have all the answers,” Dr Hany said. “It’s about remaining curious enough to keep searching for them.”

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After more than 25 years, his motivation remains remarkably simple:

Keep learning. Keep listening. Keep questioning. And never become so comfortable with convention that you stop imagining what could be possible.

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What does being a changemaker mean to you?

“Being a changemaker means having the courage to remain curious. It means continuing to learn, listening to the people around you and being prepared to challenge conventional thinking when there may be a better way forward.

Change doesn’t always begin with a grand idea. Sometimes it begins with one person, one conversation and one question that nobody thought to ask.

For me, being a changemaker is about leaving something better than you found it — and inspiring others to believe they can do the same.”

CHALLENGE CONVENTION. INSPIRE POSSIBILITY. CREATE MEANINGFUL CHANGE.

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Oral Health & Beyond Collective

Oral Health & Beyond Collective brings together KIDS, DentalCareXtra, Snoring Laser Care and NovoGen under one shared philosophy — looking beyond individual services to consider the connections between oral health, breathing, function and overall wellbeing.

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Together, they represent the Collective’s vision:

“Connecting Whole-Body Wellbeing Through Oral Health & Airway Function.”

oralhealthandbeyond.com.au

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A day on the green has once again delivered a major result for the Mackay community, with the 11th Annual M&P Services – Key Solutions Group Charity Golf Day raising an impressive $75,152, surpassing last year’s total of $75,000!

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The event has grown from humble beginnings into one of Mackay’s leading charity golf days, bringing together local businesses, sponsors and the community to raise vital funds for local charities.

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Mayor Greg Williamson praised M&P Services Managing Director Max Lamb Jr  and his team for the event’s continued success. 

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“This is the 11th annual charity golf day, and we’ve got to say to Max and his team, what a great job,” Mayor Williamson said.

“The first round, 11 years ago, raised $6,000. Last year, it raised $75,000, and already more than $425,000 has gone to Mackay charities throughout the years. 

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“This is Mackay’s leading charity golf day, and getting from $6,000 in that first year to where it is today is an outstanding achievement.”

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For Max Lamb Jr, the day was about more than golf, with the event providing an opportunity to give back to the community that M&P Services has supported through its operations across Mackay and the greater region for 40 years.   

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With now more than $425,000 raised over the past decade, this is one community tradition that’s well and truly on par. 

A strong focus of the event has been keeping funds local, with money raised going directly to the supported charities and organisations. 

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“Every dollar we raise goes straight to the bank accounts of these local charities,” Max Jr said. 

“It doesn’t go through head offices in Brisbane, Sydney or anywhere else. It’s directly supporting local charities, which is why we love what we do.” 

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Max Jr also extended a major thank you to the many supporters, businesses, organisations, sponsors, volunteers and participants who have helped make the Charity Golf Day possible year after year, with their support again playing a vital role in the success of the 2026 event. 

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“To everybody who has supported this event, we thank you very much!”

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For 40 years, M&P Services has been part of the fabric of Mackay and the greater region, and giving back to the community has remained central to that legacy. The annual Charity Golf Day has grown into one of the company’s most meaningful ways of turning community spirit into tangible support, bringing together local businesses, organisations and individuals to make a difference. 

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The following Charities and Organisations have been supported by this years golf day:

• Chances House

• Trudey Crowley Foundation

• BMA CQ Rescue

• Kidney Support Network

• Mackay Community Visitors Association

• Mackay Cutters

• My Hospital Foundation

• Mackay Netball Association

• Ronald McDonald House Charities

• Mackay Surf Life Saving Club 

• Wildlife Rehabilitation Queensland

• Project Pink

• CASA Mackay

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The team at M&P Services extend a massive thanks to the following Major Sponsors:

• Key Solutions Group

• SCIG – Southern Cross Industrial Group

• Penske Australia & New Zealand

• Steelforce Mackay

• Blacksmith Jacks

• RIMEX Australia 

• GB Industries 

• Jaws Buckets & Attachments

• MM Electrical – Mackay

• QCCS Pty Ltd

• Triple M Mackay & The Whitsundays 

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With Quest Townsville On Eyre

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A new chapter is unfolding at Quest Townsville on Eyre, where a significant refurbishment has delivered a fresh guest experience while creating an unexpected opportunity to give back to the community beyond its doors.

The transformation follows a change in ownership in October 2024, when Ben O’Sullivan, Alison Rayner and Gary Bass took over the Townsville property.  

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From the outset, the trio shared a vision to invest in the apartment hotel, elevate the experience for guests and create contemporary spaces suited to the needs of those travelling to the city. The resulting refurbishment has touched guest rooms throughout the property, introducing new bedding and luxury mattresses, blackout curtains and custom-designed furniture.

Every decision was made with comfort and functionality in mind, breathing new life into the accommodation while maintaining the sense of home that is central to the apartment hotel experience. It is a philosophy that aligns closely with the wider Quest brand, which has grown to more than 160 metropolitan, regional and suburban locations across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, with properties operated by local owners under its franchise model.  

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Yet some of the most meaningful work involved in the Townsville refurbishment happened away from the newly finished rooms.  

Replacing furniture and furnishings across a property of this scale created a question: what should happen to everything being removed? Rather than simply sending usable pieces to landfill, the team began looking throughout Townsville for people and organisations that could give them a second life.

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What followed was a considerable community effort, with furniture and furnishings distributed among local charities, organisations, businesses and individuals in need. The initiative simultaneously reduced unnecessary waste and transformed a practical part of the refurbishment process into an opportunity to support the community.

That drive to give back extends well beyond the renovation.

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Quest Townsville on Eyre has continued to build connections with organisations and initiatives including Hotels for Trees, Foodbank Queensland, the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Appeal and Wounded Heroes Australia. Its relationship with Wounded Heroes Australia has also found its way directly into the guest experience.

The property now stocks the organisation’s award-winning coffee, allowing visitors to support an important cause through something as simple as their morning cup. Revenue generated through the coffee supports Wounded Heroes Australia’s crisis services for veterans and their families across Townsville and the surrounding region; creating another avenue for the hotel and its guests to contribute to the community.

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At Quest, investment ripples outwards; from keeping useful furnishings out of landfill to supporting local charities and initiatives, the business model is built on an ambition to create moments that matter for guests, clients and the community alike.

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questapartments.com.au

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Hayward Hydraulics’ evolution was founded on something Rob didn’t need to be taught.

Care.

And he makes sure his staff do, too.

“I didn't come from a real wealthy family, so we were brought up to work; you work, you do the job right, you get paid,” he said.

“So if I'm not happy with something, I'll ask my workers: ‘would you pay for that?’”

When the mining industry began to boom in Queensland, Rob admits he had a difficult time retaining workers. To compete, he was forced into paying top-dollar for what he called “good quality workers,” causing financial tension.

When asked if compromising staff quality for cost was ever an option, with the conviction of a true-blue purist, he said:

“No.”

“I've always maintained that a business is only as good as your employees. You can be the best boss in the world, but if you've got workers that people don't like, they don't come through the door,” he said.

“My current staff are up there with the best that I've had. I just try to make sure they’re happy to come to work every day.”

With quality and care as its engine, Hayward Hydraulics became known not just for technical know-how, but for doing things the right way.

As its stature in the industry continued to grow, so did the scope of its customer base. Calls started coming in from as far north as Tully, all the way to Mackay and Western Queensland, all saying the same thing:

“We heard you were the guy to talk to about this problem.”

Family and community at its heart

For the last 10 years especially, the business has made a point of supporting local organisations and sports clubs, most notably the Burdekin Roosters Rugby League Club.

Rob described it as a duty to a community that has given so much to him and the company.

“The community has been so important to it all. I’ve got some customers that have been with me from day one, and with some, I’m onto the third generation of the same family,” he said.

“The’ve given a lot to me. They've helped me grow and supported me, so it's about time I supported them back.”

Beneath it all, though, he points to his family as the driving force.

“I remember those early days when we were setting up the new workshop, building benches and all that, my two brothers-in-law and my father came out and gave me a hand,” he said.

“But my biggest support is my wife. Especially in the early days when I wasn't home, and she solely looked after the kids and everything.

“It got to the stage where I was working seven days a week, 12 hour days, and my wife would bring the kids on a Saturday and Sunday, and we'd sit on the shop floor and have lunch.

“She's been with me through the lows and the highs, and that I thank her for.”

Now, thirty years later, it’s his family pulling him out of the industry. Driven by the desire to make up for lost time with his wife and kids, Rob has loosened his grip on business operations, working four days a week with plans to eventually let his brainchild find its own footing.

As for right now, he’s not yet ready to call time on a chapter that was, perhaps, never meant to last this many pages.

“I still love what I do,” he said.

“The early days come with sacrifices, but when I look back now, it was all worth it.

“I remember when it all first started, looking on the ATO website and coming across that statistic that most businesses fail within five years.

“When I read it, I said to myself, 'well, I'm gonna make sure I’m not that statistic.’”

And that, he did.

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Hayward Hydraulics Celebrates 30 Years

BY JACOB CASHA

Not every business starts with a blueprint.

For some, it begins as a calling… in more ways than one.

Burdekin local Robert Hayward had been in the hydraulics industry since he was 18. A diligent worker who loved his job, he quickly built a reputation locally as one of the best in the business.

But despite a mutual affinity with the industry that had formed over years, he stepped away in the early 1990s to help his father-in-law maintain a cane property in Clare.

Until he received a call.

Then another… and another.

Rob quickly realised that, despite his brief hiatus, his reputation in hydraulics had not faded.

With that, he was pulled back into the game, this time with nothing but a $2,000 ute, a toolbox, and work up to his neck.

And the only way to keep himself from drowning in it was, ironically, to go in deeper.

“As the Burdekin is, if you do a very good job, word travels quickly between the community. One farmer talked to another, he talked to another, he talked to another…

“Until I sat down with my wife one day and said, ‘I think we can make a business out of this.’”

His ute would eventually make way for a permanent space—a small sub-shed at Larry Hudson Engineering in the Ayr Industrial Estate that would serve as his headquarters for the following four years.

He tackled the first year solo, before demand forced him to put an apprentice on in the second year, and a qualified tradesman in the third.

By the end of the fourth, Rob’s work had outgrown its humble base, moving down the road into a new purpose-built shed that would become the home of Hayward Hydraulics.

That shed would officially open in 1996, spurring a 30-year legacy sustained by three defining pillars.

Growing with the industry

“I had no idea how to use computers,” Rob said with a smirk.

Admittedly, he hadn’t realised he signed himself up for a three-decade, three-fold evolution between an entire industry, his own business, and himself. What he did know was that he was ready to learn, and eager to grow.

It started with the basics. For Rob, that meant wrapping his head around modern computers, attending TAFE courses on emerging welding techniques, and becoming a leader.

“I went from being a very good tradesman to having to be an employer,” he said.

“You have to be a people's person, you have to treat people the right way, treat your workers the right way. That part I never even thought of until we started getting into it.”

Rob treated this evolution as a marathon rather than a sprint, dedicating the business's first decade cementing its reputation as a local leader. After striking up deals with major companies, including Queensland Rail and Wilmar Sugar in the mid-2000s, he decided to take the leap into the mining industry in the early 2010s as a safety net for the unpredictable sugar industry.

With that growth, Hayward Hydraulics’ shed would undergo its third structural expansion to accommodate its continuously increasing popularity and modernised technology.

He built a habit of gleaning ideas from various online hydraulic magazines, and then building on them to not only keep up with the industry, but to will it into the future himself.

“I eventually built a reputation for thinking outside of the square. If somebody's been doing something for 20 years, I'll look at a better way of doing it,” he said.

Albeit, he admits he and the business are still evolving today.

“I've seen harvesters and planters go from chain and sprocket to hydraulic motors, to hydraulic motors being linked to satellite GPS,” he said.

“The industry has changed in leaps and bounds, and you have to keep finding ways to move with it.”

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Reshaping Remote Power Solutions

Makinex Renewables is setting an ambitious target, saving 100 million litres of diesel in five years. 

In an industry long reliant on traditional diesel generators, the Australian-made and owned company is helping reshape how remote and off-grid operations power their sites.

Focused on Hybrid Power Systems, Battery Energy Storage Systems and deployable solar arrays, Makinex Renewables is working with customers to lower fuel costs, reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency, while maintaining the dependable power their operations require.

“The 100 million litre target gives us a clear and measurable objective to work towards while highlighting the impact renewable energy solutions can have across industries that traditionally rely on diesel power,” the company said.  

“It’s a goal that keeps us focused on developing practical solutions that deliver real-world results for our customers.”

Designed for businesses operating in remote environments, Makinex Renewables’ modular systems can be deployed as standalone units, integrated together, or incorporated into existing site power setups.

The company’s solutions are already delivering measurable results in mining. Following a trial installation, a mine site adopted Makinex Renewables’ Hybrid Power System and additional solar arrays, reducing generator runtime from 24 hours a day to approximately six to seven hours. Since the HPS45 was deployed in February, the site has cut generator fuel use by 125 litres a day, delivering annual diesel savings of around $91,000 and projected savings of $640,000 over the site’s seven-year life.

Brad Cliff, Director of Generator Services Australia, said the project highlighted the benefits of continuing to challenge traditional ways of thinking and finding better solutions to longstanding industry challenges.

To learn more about Makinex Renewables’ solutions, visit the team at the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition in July.

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QME 2026 Returns!

For more than 30 years, the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) has stood at the centre of Australia’s resources conversation, firmly anchored in Mackay’s identity as a powerhouse of mining innovation. In 2026, the event returns to the Mackay Showgrounds, bringing together industry leaders, suppliers and decision-makers for three days of connection, collaboration and cutting-edge capability.

Recognised as Queensland’s largest mining and engineering event, QME showcases more than 300 leading suppliers and attracts thousands of visitors from across the sector. In 2024 alone, the exhibition welcomed more than 5,000 attendees, underscoring its reputation as a key meeting point for mining professionals seeking the latest technology, equipment and services driving the industry forward.

Far more than a traditional trade show, QME offers a dynamic platform where ideas and innovation intersect. Exhibitors gain unrivalled access to a targeted audience of industry professionals, while visitors are given a front-row seat to the products and solutions shaping the future of mining in Queensland and beyond.

Complementing the bustling exhibition floor is the free-to-attend Leadership Series, a program designed to explore the challenges and opportunities currently facing the sector. Featuring expert speakers and industry insights, the series delivers practical value across a wide range of mining functions, from operations to strategy.

Set to run from 21–23 July 2026, QME will take place daily from 9am to 5pm at the Mackay Showgrounds, Mackay, QLD 4740.

As the industry continues to evolve, QME remains a vital hub of progress and partnership—where global capability meets regional strength. Whether you’re a long-time industry professional or simply curious about the future of mining, this is an event not to be missed.

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Inside Queensland’s Mining Future

The Leaders Shaping The Industry Ahead

Across the three days of the Queensland Mining and Engineering Expo, a wide cross-section of leaders from government, industry, research, engineering and community sectors will share insights shaping the future of the resources sector.

Senior government and policy representatives include Mayor Greg Williamson, Queensland Minister Dale Last, Senator Susan McDonald, Bryson Head MP, Darren Moor (Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development), James Purtill (Queensland Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner), Neil MacDonald and Stephen Land (NAIF), and Ken Singer (Resources Safety and Health Queensland).

Industry leadership features Andre Desbiens (MacKellar Group), Mark Scott (Hastings Deering | Sime), Dan Iliffe (Whitehaven Coal), Sven Thiele (BMA), Justin Doherty (BMA Caval Ridge), Anthony Gabb (Macmahon), John Wimmer (Stanmore Resources), Danny Ullmer (BMA CQ Rescue), Chris Caine (Hastings Deering), and Mick Bryan (Hastings Deering), covering operations, equipment and workforce capability across major mining regions.

Technical and engineering expertise is represented by Schaeffler, Emerson, Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia, CSIRO, TUNRA Bulk Solids and Vayeron, including speakers Ben Kang, Jon Weidenbaum, Sean Ryan, Wayne Stasinowsky, Daniel Grasser and Yusuf Badat.

Academic and research voices include Professor Sue Harrison, Professor Rick Valenta and Professor Mohsen Yahyaei (University of Queensland), alongside Dr Ali Nezhad, Dr Steph Byrom, Dr Helen Degeling, Dr Neville Plint and Dr Benjamin Carey, focusing on sustainability, innovation and resource science.

Broader sector and community contributors include Janette Hewson (Queensland Resources Council), Jyi Lawton (AEMEE), Taryn Hughes (TAFE Queensland), Trent Bazley (MATES in Mining), Lina Gillespie (PowerSkillsAi) and Melissa Green (Mackay Community Foundation), highlighting workforce, skills and regional development.

Together, the program delivers a comprehensive cross-sector view of the mining and engineering landscape in Queensland.

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As the CEO of Geiger Solutions, Brad Geiger has helped shape one of Mackay’s most respected trade businesses, delivering roofing and plumbing services across the region and beyond. But behind the business is a man whose approach is refreshingly straightforward: work hard, do the job properly, look after your people and never lose your sense of humour along the way.

So far, that formula has served him well.

On paper, Brad runs a fast-growing operation with a broad footprint across Mackay, Emerald, Clermont, Moranbah and the Bowen Basin. Geiger Solutions offers everything from roof maintenance and re-roofing to emergency plumbing, all backed by a team of licensed specialists under the one banner.

In person, though, Brad doesn’t present like a man trying to sell a polished corporate line. He’s quick to laugh, generous with praise for his team and family, and strongly committed to doing things the right way.

Ask him what a good day on the tools looks like and the answer comes without hesitation: “Early coffee before the sun comes up, blue skies, no rain…”

It’s a simple picture, but it says a lot. Brad is someone who still genuinely loves the work he does.

Brad originally founded the business in 2014 after his grandfather retired. He moved to Germany in 2016 before returning to Mackay in 2024 to restart Geiger Solutions with renewed momentum.

“My grandfather Roy Geiger took me under his wing at age 15 and made me his apprentice,” Brad says.

What began with a focus on roofing has grown into a respected roofing and plumbing business built around quality work, done by qualified people.

That drive is something Brad is fiercely protective of.

When asked about the most common issue the team gets called to fix, he doesn’t sugar-coat the answer.

“Leaking roofs, usually due to unqualified people having done maintenance on them,” he says.

“Unfortunately, this is one of the main reasons, besides the obvious damage from the elements, that metal roofs need to be replaced these days. It’s important to always make sure someone competent is keeping your largest asset dry.”

The benchmarks he sets for himself and his business are non-negotiable: “No leaks, customer satisfaction, reliability and strong business relationships.”

“If you really care about what you are doing and hold yourself to account, that’s quality,” he says.

“It doesn’t just stop on the tools, it flows into your relationship with your customers and the greater community.”

That broader view of business seems to sit at the heart of how Brad operates. For him, it’s part of the fabric of the region. It’s why Geiger Solutions invests in local communities, sponsors sporting teams, buys local where possible and maintains a strong presence in the towns it services.

It’s also why team culture matters so much.

“The team is everything,” Brad says.

One person who has played a major role in the company’s recent growth is Brad’s brother, Chris Geiger, who returned to the family business as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Brad says Chris does "all the heavy lifting" behind the scenes, and his return to the business has been a game changer.

Whether it’s long days, difficult jobs or the kind of weather that Queensland tradies know all too well, he says morale always comes down to what you built before the pressure hit.

“It’s the team environment you create in the good times that will carry it through the hard times,” he says.

“The team here are really in tune with keeping morale up and keeping each other motivated… we look out for each other.”

That family-style culture extends from the office to the worksite, and from the worksite right back to Brad’s own front door.

And there’s one person he credits above all.

“My wife Christine… she is amazing. She has been the wind in my sails for so many years.”

For all the toughness and trade talk, he’s a family man first, the kind who knows exactly who’s been in his corner through the years and isn’t shy about saying it.

That loyalty, it seems, runs in every direction.

One of the jobs he’s most proud of was the recent transformation of an old Queenslander and adjoining two-storey building into one large home under a single roof in Goldsmith Street.

“It was a great challenge and a rewarding end product,” he says.

“We have fought the weather all year but especially with this project. It was a massive team effort for great customers I might add. Very patient, very honest. It makes all the difference.”

“Shaking their hand with smiles on our faces when we are done. It is the feeling of accomplishment that we have done a great job with great results and knowing that our client will surely recommend us to friends. Nothing better!”

That pride in a finished product probably explains why roofing remains his favourite part of the business.

“There is nothing better than standing back and looking at a brand new Colorbond roof glistening in the sun after hosing it down on completion! It just looks amazing every time!”

And away from work, Brad’s version of winding down is a little more luxurious than you might expect.

“I hit the sauna and magnesium bath at Fitness Cartel, it’s my happy place!” he says.

Even his advice to others in the trade comes with wit and a story behind it.

“While it’s raining porridge, hold out your spoon!”

Driven, grounded, community-minded and quietly ambitious, he’s a man who has built a business on standards, and a reputation on character.

Strong coffee. Straight talk. No leaks.

That’s Brad Geiger!

What’s always in your pocket that you couldn’t do without?
My Buck knife! I must use it 20 times a day for different things. I feel naked without it on my belt.

Coffee or an energy drink to get you started on site?
COFFEEEEEEEEEEEE- STRONG!

geigersolutions.au

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The story of CANEGROWERS on the Herbert is unique. CANEGROWERS, or as it was first known Queensland Cane Growers Association (QCGA), came about when the Queensland Government legislated for commodity associations with compulsory membership and farmer levies. Yet even before the imposition of compulsory association there was a highly organized association advocating strongly for sugar farmers on the Herbert, the Herbert River Farmers’ League (HRFL)

The Herbert River CANEGROWERS stands on the shoulders of a group of small farmers whose aspirations to grow sugar cane were ridiculed by the planters. Nevertheless, six men, only two of whom were English speakers, took on the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR) in 1882 as the Herbert River Farmers’ Association (HRFA), and achieved in 1884 what seemed impossible, a contract to supply cane to CSR. It was the first association in north Queensland to solely represent small sugar growers’ interests rather than those of larger planters and was the voice of the small farmers until the formation of the Herbert River Farmers’ League (HRFL) in 1896.

When the Herbert River district branch executive of the QCGA was formed in February 1926, followed by the Herbert River Cane Growers Association (HRCGA) in February 1932 it inherited branch associations, structure and roles already established by the HRFL. It operated out of the HRFL’s building until the Farmers’ Building opened in 1934. Moreover, the first executive positions of the HRCGA were held by HRFL members who contributed their valuable organizational experience.

This strong associative urge dating from 1882 has defined the strength and determination of CANEGROWERS on the Herbert as it has steered the local industry with a united voice through the many challenges that have beset the industry in the last 100 years.

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Since 1926 Canegrowers Herbert River has long been the cornerstone of support for sugarcane farmers in the Herbert River district. Their unwavering commitment to advocating for and assisting their members has made them an essential partner in navigating the challenges of modern farming. Offering a range of services, from advocacy and policy influence to essential services such as payroll, Canegrowers Herbert River ensures that local growers have the resources they need to thrive.

One of the most significant contributions Canegrowers Herbert River provides is its robust advocacy for growers' interests. Sugarcane farming faces numerous pressures, fluctuating market prices, environmental regulations, and the ever-changing climate. Canegrowers Herbert River plays an active role in representing its members at local, state, and federal levels. Through strong advocacy, they ensure that growers' voices are heard on critical issues.

Their work with various government bodies helps shape policies that protect the interests of cane farmers, ensuring the sustainability of the industry in the Herbert River region. This kind of representation is invaluable to growers who might not have the time or resources to engage in these important discussions directly.

The organisation is deeply engaged with local issues, working closely with farmers to understand their specific challenges and helping to find practical solutions. Whether it's dealing with infrastructure concerns, road safety, transport, Canegrowers Herbert River plays a vital role in addressing these issues and working toward positive outcomes. By collaborating with local councils, government bodies, and industry partners, they ensure that farmers’ concerns are heard and resolved in ways that benefit both growers and the wider community.

Every season alone Canegrowers Herbert River assists members with transport issues including permitting and regulation, providing guidance with BMP, compliance audits, permit and notification requirements, drainage, CCS and cut to crush discrepancies, siding issues, cane supply contract matters and many more pertinent issues.

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After a century of ardent advocacy, CANEGROWERS remains one of the strongest voices for growers in the Burdekin and beyond. Yet despite the many hard-fought victories of its illustrious past, the organisation now finds itself confronting a new era of challenges, making its current work more critical than ever.

The headwinds are already gathering. With global sugar prices softening and input costs rising, growers in the region are entering an increasingly uncertain market. In some cases, the squeeze is already being felt on the ground.

But despite the seemingly gloomy picture of the current sugar market, CBL Director Owen Menkens says there are answers for growers, and that they may be closer than we think.

“The big buzzword at the moment, obviously, is ethanol,” Menkens says.

"Along with ethanol, there’s sustainable aviation fuels, both of which are very exciting… But if the biofuels industry is going to happen in Australia, it has to happen now.”

Menkens has led a years-long push for biofuel mandates across the country in hopes of opening a reliable revenue stream for Australian growers beyond traditional sugar crystal.

Up to now, those calls have fallen on deaf ears. However, CBL Manager Greg Watson anticipates real steps forward over the next decade, if not sooner.

“There have been many false dawns with different uses for our sugar cane, and a lot of people have come into the district promising all of these wonderful products which just haven't gotten anywhere,” said Watson.

“But from what we've seen the last couple of years, the momentum is building, and the pace of that momentum is just increasing considerably. We can see the bio economy providing a tremendous growth transition path to take industry to the next level within the next five to 10 years.”

Menkens stressed that, in the meantime and beyond, farmers would need to embrace the rapid technological advances reshaping the industry in order to help navigate current and future markets.

“We have to stay ahead of technology," said Menkens.

"The margins are getting smaller, so you just have to be able to do it cheaper and better.”

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