The camp provided an excellent service to the people of our City and the surrounding area not forgetting the many visitors who patronised the facility.

This was something which most people were proud of and certainly a tribute to those members of the Lions Club and the other service Clubs and individuals who helped to develop this magnificent facility.

For a number of reasons the Camp closed down and was left standing idle for some time.

After the 2012 Council elections when I was elected Mayor of the City I was determined to re-open this facility which we did.

I gathered around me a group of Mount Isa people and formed a Committee. We sought and received support from some local business people as well as receiving support from some of the other Service Clubs in the City.

We employed the services of a couple who acted as caretakers allowing them to live in one of the family units free of charge in exchange for them cleaning the surrounds of the Camp and the rooms and facilities clean and tidy.

We were then open for business and Sue Wicks the then Manager of the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce acted as a booking agent from the Chambers premises at the corner of West and Marion Streets.

Various groups including Y.P.A spent the weekends out at the Camp and we had plans to renovate the camp receiving promised support from Mount Isa Mines and other prominent Business people, individuals and Clubs.

Come 2016, I did not seek re-election as Mayor of the City.

Cr. Joyce McCullough was elected Mayor and one of her first decisions was to close down the Lions Youth Camp again.

I hope that this facility can be opened again but It must be for the whole community, it must be run by people who understand how a business is run and it must have a committee and management structure which will guarantee its success.

We cant allow it to close down again.

I'm sure that there will be many local citizens businesses and others who would be happy to help establish this facility, myself included.

Tony McGrady

Mount Isa

The number of Australians living with dementia is close to half a million - a number that is set to double in the next 25 years - with an estimated 1.6 million involved in their care.

In Western Queensland there are an estimated 3,120 people living with dementia, which is expected to increase to 4,939 by 2058.

For this year's Dementia Action Week, 21-27 September, the theme is Dementia. A little support makes a lot of difference.

Findings from a survey conducted by Dementia Australia reveal just how big an issue discrimination is for people living with dementia, and is calling on our communities to make change.

A little bit of knowledge can make a lot of difference to understanding what people can do to support someone with dementia.

During the week, Dementia Australia will share one tip a day showing simple, yet effective, ways to support people living with dementia.

To find out how you can make a difference to the lives of all Australians impacted by dementia please visit dementia.org.au/dementia-action-week

Maree McCabe

CEO Dementia Australia

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