Mount Isa needs a local paper
I know that peoples reading habits are changing and many people have taken to social media.
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That's fine but each to their own.
I despair when I note that more and more people are leaving their local newspaper and getting their news from other sources.
In many cases this has seen the closure of newspapers serving the provisional cities and small towns.
I have had my differences over many years with different editorial policies of the North West Star and I know that my political opponents have had the same problem so in a way I suppose in reality that proves that the Star has been doing Its job.
To those people who don't purchase the Star on a regular basis I ask you to try to Imagine life without a local paper. The Local paper in part of the fabric of any community but more so small ones such as ours.
Weddings, death notices, funerals, birthdays, job vacancies - they are all taken for granted in a provincial paper.
Let's imagine no sports results or discussions about the various teams in the different codes. Let's imagine no reports on court cases and trials. Lets imagine no reports on what the local Council is doing and just as important no opportunity to voice an opinion in favour or against our civic leaders, and imagine trying to arrange fundraising events and activities without the help and assistance of the Star.
To me the local paper is an avenue to install confidence in the local community, to let the population know of future developments in the area and use the opportunity to lobby governments for help and assistance.
From personal experience the first thing that every ministerial staffer does each day is to read the "clips" from every, repeat every newspaper in Australia on issues concerning their portfolio and then in their early morning meeting with their Minister any issues concerning the Minister is discussed. Let me assure readers that to lose the opportunity of getting that kind of information into every Ministers office would be a disaster for communities such as ours.
Despite any criticism we may have of our local paper I believe that it is vital that our community has a "mouthpiece" to promote this community and its people. We cant sit back allow our paper to be lost. Lets have a debate and discussion as to how we can assist in keeping our Star alive and shining.
I recall as Mayor of this City I bestowed the "freedom of the city" to the Star.
It was a gesture of appreciation.
Today we need more than a gesture to keep our Star shining for many years to come.
Let the debate and real action commence now.
Tony McGrady
Former Mayor of Mount isa, Member of Parliament for Mount Isa.
State Government Minister and Speaker of the Queensland Parliament.
Happy Valley Kindy gives back
Happy Valley Kindergarten provides an important service of its own but last week they said they had the pleasure of giving back to the community of Mount Isa it serves.
In the lead up to Easter the kindy provided sweet treats to four deserving local recipients who are providing crucial services in these difficult COVID-19 pandemic times.
The Happy Valley Kindy delivered chocolate hampers to Mount Isa Hospital Emergency Department, Mount Isa Hospital Cancer Care Unit, Mount Isa Ambulance Service and I-MED Radiology.
The Kindy said they gave special thanks for the service these four groups provide to our Mount Isa community.
There was also drawings from the kindy kids expressing their thanks.