Pictured: Twenty-eight of the 31 graduating Year 12 students line up for the Formal photo.
GRADUATES BEGIN THEIR LIFE’S JOURNEY
Mount Morgan State High School’s Year 12 Students’ journey into the “real world” began on Friday, 15 November with a relieved but emotional farewell and a reference to Lego pieces. Acting Principal, James Lye’s address was read in
absentia due to James attending the graduation of his child.
“Although you are at the end of your educational journey with Mount Morgan High you are really about to begin the real journey of your life. You will hear a range of different advice, things you would have heard before and you will hear things over and over again,” he said.
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Mr Lye advised the students to find their joy and the things that made them feel joyful.
“It might be as simple as walking through a puddle of water after rain. When you find your joy, you should find your passion. If ever in doubt, “you do you”.”
Mr Lye presented each graduand with a small gift bag with a Lego piece.
“Please do not take it personally what mini figure you receive – it is completely random and represents you, ready to start your journey.
“Just like Lego you must start somewhere. You will have a figure. After building that first piece you then must continue building the next bit. The difference here is that with Lego you get instructions.
“You won’t have instructions; you will simply have the skills and knowledge parted to your by the adults in your life. How you build your future is up to you,” he said.
He said Lego sets could change based solely on the creator.
“It is based on your goals and imagination that will create the Lego master pieces you want,” he said.
Following speeches, the presentation of gifts and portfolios, captains Kasia Davies and Mystique Lemire cut the cake and led their Year 12 cohort through the guard of honour formed by their cohorts and teachers, ringing the school bell and signifying the end of their Mount Morgan High School journey.
On Friday evening 28 of the students donned their finest apparel and attended the Senior Formal.
Final duties as School Captains, Kasia Davies and Mystique Lemire cut the cake and lead the Year 12 students through the Guard of Honour Seniors
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS DISCLAIMER
Senior Formal photos
Dominique Lydiard and Chantelle Berry.
Grace Schulz and Darcy Cant
Above: Serenity Anderson and Max Pickering.
Pictured: Codie Zimmerlie
Pictured: Daniel Dans and Lara Best.
Pictured: Mystique Lemire and Alex Faulkner
Pictured: Charlotte Hopes
Pictured: Douglass Best and Shelby Garrett.
“BINGO AT BOULDY”
MONDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2024
Doors open 9.30 am
Call starts 10 am @ Bouldercombe Recreation Hall
Aura Photographs
Capture the Colours of your Aura! Join us at Lorna’s Black Cat Studio for a unique experience.
AURA PHOTOGRAPHS will be offering Aura Photos and an immersive Aura Workshop
8 December 2024
Aura Photos: $60 Aura Workshop: $60 Photo and Workshop: $100. PHONE 0477 938 341 FOR BOOKINGS
The Academic, Sporting and Cultural achievements of the Mount Morgan State High School Students were honoured at the annual awards night held at the Mount Morgan School of Arts on Wednesday, 13 November. The Tomky’s Memorial Prize for Dux of the School for 2024 was Alex Faulkner (pictured above with Acting Principal, Mr James Lye.
The major awards for 2024 were awarded to Stewart’s Towing Service Netballer of the Year - La’zariah Leisha, the 2024 Laurie Crawford Footballer of the Year - Noah Kielly, Sportsperson of the Year - Lilly Passmore, Year Seven Maureen Stone Encouragement Award - Jayde Randall, Year Eight Member for Mirani Encouragement AwardCai Griffiths, Year Nine Stephen Kearney Memorial Award - Frankie Kenny and Year 10 Member for Mirani Encouragement Award - Monifer Steger.
The Rotary bursaries and Top Students Awards for Years 7-10 were won : Year 7 - Aurora Leighton, Year 8 - Beccy Ireland, Year 9 - Victoria Connolly and Year 10 - Matilda Kenny.
Other Awards: Victoria connolly·- Most Outstanding Junior English Student and Most Outstanding Junior Arts Student, Aurora Leighton·- Most Outstanding Junior Maths Student, Shaylah Harriss·- Most Outstanding Junior Technology Student, CQU Academic Writers Award and Associate VicePresident Rockhampton Award - Kasia Davis, Quiet Achiever Award - Charlotte Hopes. The School Service Award was presented to - Zachary Dobson while the Community Service Award was presented to Alexander Toner.
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Above: Tracey Stock (nee Kearney) with the Stephen Kearney Memorial Award winner - Frankie Kenny and below Year 10 Member for Mirani Encouragement Award Winner, Monifer Steger
The Long Tan Leadership Awards were presented to `Zachary Dobson (Yr 10) and Thomas Tull (Yr 12), Rotary Club Top Vocational Education Studies Award was won by Ailsa Williams while the MRAEL Group Vocational Educational and Training Award was won by Sharaya Roberts. Trainee of the Year Award was presented to Serenity Anderson; the Barker Family Bursary was awarded to Taizier Lahiff and the Gladstone Ports Corporation Bursary was won by Kasia Davis.
Stewarts Towing and Service Station Netballer of the Year - La’zariah Leisha with Melvene Stewart and Laurie Crawford Footballer of the Year Noah Kielly with Kevin Crawford.
Year Seven Maureen Stone Encouragement Award Winner - Jayde Randall with presenters Jill Meikle and Carolyn Uhr.
Rotary Club of Mount Morgan Bursary Winners with Rotarian, Rosemary Izzard.
Above: Sportsperson of the Year - Lilly Passmore.
Above: Long Tan Award Winners - Thomas Tull and Zachary Dobson and below Community Service Award Winner - Alex Toner.
RAINBOW CAFE MOUNT MORGAN
PIPING IN THE FUTURE
Just on 11 months away from expected completion of the Mount Morgan Water Pipeline, experienced Civil Engineering and Infrastructure company Haslin Construction Pty Ltd is literally “piping in” Mount Morgan’s future.
The pipeline, has been heralded as a “game changer” for the town.
Haslin broke ground in January 2024 and have continued at a pace that will ensure their completion is reached as planned by September 2025.
Haslin was founded back in 1991 by two partners, one with the surname Hastings and another with the first name Colin (Colin Woods, today the Managing Director). The “Has” and the “Lin” making a perfect and simple combination - Haslin.
Since foundation 33 years ago, the company has been delivering complex infrastructure projects - about 300 projects worth a cumulative $2 Billion for government clients.
Today’s Haslin is run by Colin Woods (Co-Founder and Managing Director) and Gladys Woods (General Manager – Corporate Governance / GAICD / CCF Board Member). John Hastings left the business upon his retirement.
Haslin began its life as a smaller operator, a brain-trust of intelligent engineers delivering on small contracts for local councils with projects such as carparks, pavement works, landscaping, and building works.
Over the decades, Haslin developed with innovative, cost-effective solutions and a collaborative outlook. “The results of which have helped us expand across New South Wales and now into Queensland,” said Haslin’s General Manager Gladys Woods.
“We specialise in innovative Civil Contracting, and under that umbrella Haslin’s capabilities are multi-disciplinary, with specialised teams delivering Transport, Water and Wastewater, Energy and Public Domain projects across the two states,” she said.
Some of the recent projects Haslin has constructed include the
North Rockhampton Wastewater Treatment Plant ($60M), Eurobodalla Southern Storage Dam ($115M), Train Station Upgrades package for Sydney Metro ($130M), Western Sydney Airport Substation ($17M), the Alligator Creek Bridge Upgrade in Rockhampton ($12M), 7x Train Station upgrades for the NSW Government’s Transport Access Program ($100M), urban renewal of Sub Base Platypus ($17M), the Newell Highway 6.4km Realignment ($26M), the Bowraville Dam ($36M) and of course, the Mount Morgan Pipeline.
While employee numbers vary as the company moves from project to project, Haslin has approximately 100 employees. While Haslin’s head office is in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, the company also has offices in Sydney City, Canberra and Brisbane. Haslin usually has around ten projects running simultaneously.
To date, Haslin’s highest value single project is the $115M Eurobodalla Southern Storage Dam, a 3000 Megalitre Off-River Storage Dam that will ensure water security in the Eurobodalla Shire for generations to come.
In three decades of operation, Haslin has won numerous awards, from organisations such as the Master Builders Association, Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia and NSW and Queensland branches of the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF).
In recent years, Haslin’s people and projects have won a long line of CCF Awards, the most recent example being Kate Pollock’s win at the 2024 CCF QLD Awards for WHS Champion of the Year Award.
In its 33-year history, Haslin has delivered some 300 projects for government clients, across regional and metropolitan NSW. In
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Above: Pipe installation on Johnson’s Road, Gracemere.
the last few years however, Haslin has expanded into Queensland, delivering projects in Rockhampton, Cardwell and Mount Morgan.
Despite their superlative project delivery record the company still must maintain its competitiveness
“We submitted a competitive tender in response to Rockhampton Regional Council’s Public tendering process for the Mount Morgan project.” said the Managing Director Colin Woods.
“It went through the standard competitive tendering process and we believe we were awarded the contract for two reasons - Haslin’s long track record of delivering similarly complex water infrastructure projects, and by providing the best value-for-money tender submission,” Mr Woods said.
The project is a collaboration between the Principal (Rockhampton Regional Council), the Contractor (Haslin Constructions) and its Designers and SubContractors to achieve a great outcome for the community. Haslin’s team has carried out a long line of similar projects on behalf of Sydney Water and Local Councils in NSW. Pipelines, Dams, Reservoirs, Water Treatment Plants, Wastewater Treatment Plants.
Encountering existing services and hard rock underground has been a challenge on this project. The Mount Morgan township was founded in 1882, meaning unknown services (eg. underground electricity/water infrastructure not marked on modern maps), have on occasion been encountered, as well as hard rock material, as the pipeline made its way through streets of the town. This has necessitated either slight re-routing of the pipeline, or safe relocation of services / breaking up of the harder rock material with machinery.
Others include the technical challenges associated with the Dee River and Burnett Highway Crossings, all of which are progressing well in line with the timeline and in partnership with Rockhampton Regional Council.
All projects have their high points, and the Mount Morgan pipeline has been no different. Some of the high points:
• Finalising the Design and commencing construction of the three pump stations and road widening through the Razorback.
• Pouring the bases to the two new water storage reservoirs at Lucas St, Gracemere;
• Completing earthworks in the Razorback Road upgrade works; and
• Completion of over 22 Kms (over 75%) out of total 28 KMs of pipeline construction. Where possible Haslin proudly prioritises the engagement of local labour and local suppliers when working regionally.
“The vast majority of the core Haslin team and the wider project workforce have been engaged
from the local area, including from Mount Morgan, Gracemere, Kabra, Marmor, Rockhampton, Emu Park, Yeppoon and Gladstone,” said Darren Taylor, Haslin’s Queensland Construction Manager. As well as local labour, 75 percent of the 42 businesses engaged to work on the project thus far, approximately 75% are from the local area. Haslin has engaged local contractors from Rockhampton based businesses for earthmoving, quarry materials, structural steel, labour hire, plant and equipment, and site facilities.
A reliable water supply has always been a dream for generations of residents and with Haslin behind the project it certainly appears to be a dream that is coming to fruition.
Above: Pipe installation on Johnson’s Road, Gracemere.
Above: Pipe installation on Moonmera Road.
Above: Under construction, Lucas Street Pump Station.
NAIF OFFICERS VISIT HISTORIC MINE SITE
On 5 November 2024 Heritage Minerals hosted the Indigenous Outcomes Team from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
The visit by NAIF officers Darren Chong and Ben Getz (Pictured right) allowed discussion on Heritage Minerals’ Indigenous Engagement Strategy as well as the Cultural Heritage and Investigation and Management Agreement. Heritage Minerals’ Commercial Director, Peter Mellor briefed NAIF on the Mount Morgan Mine Project’s very ambitious targets for Indigenous employment during operations (18%) as well as the company’s existing undertakings to maximise local procurement opportunities, including with Indigenous-owned businesses.
The visiting NAIF staff members were able to meet with some Heritage Minerals Indigenous workers on site and to call on some local Indigenous elders including Lyn Blucher.
Heritage Minerals briefed NAIF on the work of its standing Jobs and Skills Committee which meets approximately quarterly and which includes representation from the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism.
DEE RIVER OLDIES
Bookings have now closed for our Christmas Lunch. For those members who have put their names on the list our Christmas Lunch it is on Friday 29 November, 2024. Entry is from 11.30 am at the Grand Hotel, Mount Morgan.
There will be a hot lunch served with chicken, ham and vegetables and plum pudding and custard. Members will buy their own drinks. Let us know of any dietary requirements.
It is a chance to catch up, enjoy a drink and have a meal to bring on Christmas.
The first prize raffle on the day will be a $50 grocery hamper plus half a leg ham and the second and third prizes will each be a $25 grocery hamper.
There will be other prizes to win on the day plus lucky door prizes.
We thank our members for their support, donations and all the help that they have given to our group through the years.
It is what makes our group and is really appreciated. Check out 'Save the Date' on the back page of the Argus for upcoming meetings and our January 2025 Morning Tea.
Stay happy and healthy.
Submitted by The Steering Committee
Carol Glover 4938 1995
Colleen Constable 0427 161 131
One of the focuses of the Jobs and Skills Committee, which is convened by Advance Rockhampton, is to maximise the recruitment of local workers, including Indigenous workers, who have a long history of involvement with the mine
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
The sacrifice of the many thousands of men and women in the armed forces was commemorated in a service on Remembrance Day on Monday, 11 November 2024.
The Service, conducted by the Mount Morgan RSL Sub-Branch included the reading of the Ode by Donald Deakin-Bell (pictured above), the reading of a prayer by Pastor Justin Morgan the laying of wreaths by members of the public and playing the traditional Last Post and Reveille.
Originally called Armistice Day, 11 November commemorated the signing of the Armistice between Germany and the Allies that ended World War One. Following World War Two, the Australian Government followed the United Kingdom in calling the day Remembrance Day expanding the remembrance to both World Wars.
Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated.
Paddington in Peru Colouring Competition
Fancy a trip to Event Cinemas to see a great movie? Paddington in Peru will be released in cinemas on 1 January 2025, and you could be lucky enough to win a double pass to see this charming film in the summer holidays. Pick up an entry form from any Rockhampton Regional Libraries and colour, paint or collage the picture of Paddington with all his essential supplies as he heads off to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy in Peru. The colouring competition closes at 5:00pm on Wednesday 11 December.
Remember, you’ve got to be in it, to win it! If you haven’t been introduced to this lovable little bear, look no further than Kanopy to get your fix of great Paddington movies. Both Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017) are available to stream FREE with your library card and PIN, with both titles also available for loan in a DVD format. You can also read Paddington and Paddington 2 on eBooks via BorrowBox, plus other books written by Michael Bond featuring the trouble-prone but endearing marmalade-loving bear.
Get Reading!
Libby has a plethora of great digital magazines with a festive flavour to get you cooking, making and crafting … just in time for Christmas! Take your pick from Handmade Christmas, Christmas crafts, Christmas desserts and Dream Christmas, or there’s also Your crochet Christmas, Home Beautiful Christmas idea or PEOPLE Christmas at the palace! If you are looking
LIBRARY NEWS
for summer fun, then Summer favourites, Summer grilling, Instant pot summer or Prima Summer food may be more your cup of tea.
If you are not sure how to access this terrific online content, drop into your local library and chat to staff –we are more than happy to help you.
The Mount Morgan Library is located next to the Mount Morgan School of Arts and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am – 1:00pm; 2:00pm – 5:00pm. The Mount Morgan Library opens every alternate Saturday with the Gracemere Library, with the Mount Morgan Library open from 9:00am12noon on Saturday 23 November, 07 December and 21 December. The first Saturday in 2025 will be Saturday 04 January.
The Mount Morgan Library will close at 5:00pm on Monday, 23 December 2024 and re-open at 9:00am on Friday, 3 January 2025. The Southside, Northside and Gracemere Libraries will close at 3:00pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and re-open at 9:00am on Thursday o2 January 2025.. The After Hours Chutes at the Southside, Northside and Gracemere libraries will remain locked during this shut-down period, however no library items will be due over this period and there are no overdue fines on items returned late.
Contact the Mount Morgan Library on 4936 8169 during opening hours, or Library Administration on 4936 8043.
MOUNT MORGAN RSL SUB Branch Inc
Business meetings held 10 am Last Saturday of the month. 1 Cornes Street, Mount Morgan.
TRASH AND TREASURE
Trash and Treasure, 21 Gordon Street. Every Friday from 8.30 am to 12 noon. Every first Saturday of the month from 8.30 am to 12 noon. Bags of clothing $5. Any donations please leave at 21 Gordon Street during opening hours
MOUNT MORGAN QCWA BRANCH
Meets every third Wednesday at the Green Shed Thompson Ave 9.30 am meet for 10 am start.
MOUNT MORGAN CITIZEN’S CLUB INC
Meets on the last Sunday of each month at 10.30 am. Soldiers’ Rooms, 18 Morgan Street, PhoneJohn Tuxworth 0429 055 165
Have something you need printed? or laminated?
Come down and see the friendly people at MMPAD. Contact us on 4938 2312 for prices or for further information visit us at the Railway Museum.
ROTARY CLUB OF MOUNT MORGAN
1st & 3rd Thursdays of the monthGrand Hotel - 6 pm for 6.30 pm. Visitors Welcome! E: mount.morgan@rotary9560.org
Mount Morgan Railway Museum and Explore Centre
Do you have an interest in local history? Or perhaps would like to be involved in town promotions? Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc would like to warmly welcome all interested individuals to become a part of the team! Workforce Australia and Centrelink Mutual Obligations also available. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Eve-lyn at MMPAD on 4938 2312 or email mmpad@mountmorgan.org.au.
SAVE THE DATE! CLASSIFIEDS
NOV 27: Heritage Minerals Community Information Session to be held at the Soldiers Hall, Morgan St, Mount Morgan. 5pm – 6.30pm with light refreshments afterwards.
NOV 29: Dee River Oldies Group - Christmas Lunch at the Grand Hotel, Mount Morgan. Entry from 11.30am. Cost to members is $15 being $10 for lunch and $5 for the raffle. Let us know any dietary requirements. The bookings for lunch have now closed.
DEC 8: Country Music Afternoon - 12 noon to 4 pm. Adults $10, Children $3, Raffle and Lucky Door. Supper provided.
DEC 10: Dee River Oldies Group - Monthly Meeting starting at 2 pm to be held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan. (Behind the Anglican Church). This is being held a week earlier than usual.
DEC 14: Baree Markets from 8 am until 12 noon. Baree School of Arts, Creek Street, Baree.
DEC 18: Buy Local Promotion finishes.
DEC 20: Mount Morgan Twilight Christmas Concert. Mount Morgan Railway Station. Gates open 4.30 pm, concert starts at 5.30 pm. More details to come.
JAN 15: Dee River Oldies Group - January Morning Tea to welcome in the New Year. It starts at 10 am to be held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan. (Behind the Anglican Church). New and existing members welcome. Must be aged over 50 years old. Cost is $5. Raffle and lucky door prizes.
WELFARE BOWLS CLUB
Night bowls are back on at the Welfare Bowls Club. The bowls will be held Tuesday evenings. Please phone Phil on 0432 283 627 to put your name in by 5.30 pm for a 6 pm start. All welcome to attend. Welfare Bowls Club, 28 Thompson Avenue.
MOUNT MORGAN AGRICULTURAL SHOW SOCIETY INC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SUNDAY, 1 December 2024 AT 9.30 AM
MOUNT MORGAN SHOWGROUNDS EVERYONE WELCOME.
For further information
Contact Noel on 0418 729 122
WANTED
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS FOR MEALS ON WHEELS
PHONE 07 4938 1935
PAINTER: Semi-retired. W. Cruickshank Phone 0488 104 774 or 0488 105 257.
LIGHT ON THE HILL CHURCH
EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT Green Shed from 7 pm. Phone 0412 502 937
For Sale: 10 x 6 foot heavy duty tandem trailer. $5000.00. Phone 0417 073 285.
For Sale: Wood chipper Ravenger 1750 - $900 and 2800W generator - $300. Phone 0438 882 590
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
WURA GROUP ABORIGINAL CORPORATION (WGAC)
Past and present members of the WGAC are invited to attend the 2024 Annual General Meeting.
When: 24 November 2024
Where: 59 Morgan Street, Mount Morgan or via MSTeams
Time: Registration and 2025 Membership Fees accepted from 8.30 am. Meeting to start at 9 am.
Please register your interest or request to join via MSTeams by emailing wuragroup@gmail.com.
Letters to Santa
Santa and his reindeers are getting ready for Christmas. It’s time for children to sit down and write to him.
Please address your letters to:
Santa North Pole PO Box 9999
MOUNT MORGAN QLD 4714
From 1 December Santa’s Mail Box will be at the Mount Morgan Post Office. Post your letters to Santa before 16 December.
Put your name and address on the back of your letters and get a reply from Santa.
MOUNT MORGAN QCWA BRANCH
Meets every third Wednesday at the Green Shed Thompson Ave 9.30 am meet for 10 am start.
NEXT EDITION
WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2024
All inclusions required by: Tuesday, 26 November 2024 by 4 p.m. Ph: 4938 2312
Email: mmpad@mountmorgan.org.au
If you don’t receive your Argus, please contact us.