Liz Crowley Addresses the Mens Club Dinner

The Mackay Mens Dinner Club met on Monday 26^th October, Guest Speaker Anne Crowley gave a very interesting talk about the new OzCare Aged Care Facility at West Mackay.

Tom Ryan, Anne Crowley, Margaret Ryan and Bernice Wright

Anne is a Mackay local and highly qualified for the position of Facility Manager. She went to local schools and then trained and became a Registered Nurse with 31 years in the Mackay Hospital and Health Service. Anne worked as a Midwife and then onto various positions in mental health and family health. Anne also has a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Mental Health Nursing.

At every October dinner ladies are invited and a good crowd listened to Anne talk about various aspects of the facility including what OzCare is all about. 'To live the gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy, and by working to shape a more just and compassionate society'. The purpose at the facility is to improve the clients quality of life through the delivery of personalised health and human services in the spirit of the St Vincent De Paul Society.

Anne commenced in the role in March 2020, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic which has had such severe implications for the aged care sector. Anne spoke about the staffing and plans for the future. The activity plan for residents was quite interesting, something for everyone to become involved, the kitchen and café menu was explained and very inviting.

Moving into an Aged Care Facility can be a difficult decision, Anne explained the options and procedures in depth and costs in a way which was easily understood.

Jean Bugeja, Angie Camilleri, and Vic Camilleri

Our elderly members and ladies were blessed and thankful with the presence of Anne Crowley, she was such a good speaker and gave up her time to explain what we all want to know for the future.

Graham Featherstone

CentacareCQ is Moving

Some exciting news! Our CentacareCQ & Family Relationship Centre teams in Mackay are relocating to new offices.

We have outgrown our current office space in Milton Street. This office will be closed from Friday 20th November. From Tuesday 24th November all services will be conducted from our newly renovated office at 58 Sydney Street, in the heart of Mackay’s CBD.

Our new location features many improvements, all tailored to enhance our service delivery capabilities. It has been custom designed to make your experience of attending consultations much more comfortable, with the creation of nine private consultation rooms and a large group meeting room.

We look forward to assisting you in and from our new home at 58 Sydney Street on Tuesday 24th November.

Tamara McKenzie

Announcement of Foundation Principal – Catherine McAuley College

The Foundation Principal of Mackay’s new Catholic secondary school, Catherine McAuley College, has been announced.

Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton Leesa Jeffcoat AM said Mr James (Jim) Ford, current Principal of Mercy College, Mackay, will lead the new college taking up his role at the beginning of the 2021 school year.

“On behalf of Bishop Michael McCarthy – Bishop of Rockhampton, I am delighted to advise the Catholic School Community in Mackay of Jim’s appointment as Foundation Principal in this next exciting milestone in the formation and development of Catherine McAuley College,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

“Jim is a highly respected educator and leader who has forged strong links with colleagues, the Parish and the wider Mackay community. He brings to the role a depth of experience in leadership and a commitment to creating a contemporary learning environment founded on Gospel values and the principles of life-long learning for all,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

“There will be extensive preparation and planning prior to welcoming students and families to the college in 2022 and Jim will work closely with Catholic Education and the College Steering Committee over the next 12 months to ensure all is in readiness,” Miss Jeffcoat said.

Miss Jeffcoat said there had been strong enrolment enquiry for Catherine McAuley College for its commencement year in 2022 and well beyond.

“This is an exciting new chapter for Catholic Education, and we are delighted to respond to the needs of parents and families in the Mackay and wider community,” Miss Jeffcoat said.