Mackay s 2021 Citizen of the Year Mabel Quakawoot has been many things to many people - an active citizen, an educator, a mentor and volunteer. Her tireless efforts for the community were recognised at a gala dinner at the MECC on Monday night. Young Citizen of the Year went to Emmett Withers and the Lori Burgess Community Volunteer Award winner was Russell McLennan. Emmett Withers began his charity Emmett 4 Animals when he was five years old and has gone on to help thousands of stray animals across the region. Russell McLennan works tirelessly behind the scenes at Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay, having been involved with the group since 1977.
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A jetski owner had no reason to worry when he found himself stranded off Flat Top Island without power, thanks to his “meticulous” readiness.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay volunteer Daryl Howland said they received the call for help at 9.50am and were at the man’s aid within the hour.
“He was not able to give us GPS coordinates as he had complete electrical failure,” Mr Howland said.
But Mr Howland said he did have everything else, including a VMR membership, tall antenna, two anchors, a medical kit, EPIRB, flares, marine radio and a smart-coloured backpack.
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Subscriber only A Volunteer Marine Rescue crew has come to the aid of a skipper whose 36-foot (11m) sailboat began taking on water off Newry Island. Mastermyne 5 skipper Charles Linsley said VMR was towing the broken-down vessel back to safety at the Mackay Marina. They had an engine failure and couldn t get back to Mackay so they requested a tow back, Mr Linsley said. The engine failure was partly caused by taking on water. The Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay Mastermyne 5 boat towing an 11m sailboat back to the Mackay Marina from Newry Island after it began taking on water on Monday, December 28, 2020. Picture: VMR Mackay.
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Rescue crews have come to the aid of two fishers who found themselves stranded 60km from the boat ramp with nightfall creeping in.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay skipper Don Bowden said crews received the call for help from northwest of Scawfell Island on Monday afternoon.
“(The boat) had battery failure so they had no communication,” Mr Bowden said.
“It was getting on towards dark, so they set off their EPIRB with the distress locator.” The Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay crew came to the aid of two fishers who found themselves stranded off Scawfell Island on Monday, December 21. Picture: VMR Mackay Facebook