SICK LEAVE OR SWEET DEAL?
There’s been a bit of a stir over Mayor Jos Mitchell’s extended leave and, in particular, the fact that the Mayor remains on full pay while away from the job. Councillor Shane Rendalls has gone public with an open letter asking some fairly pointed questions. When is the Mayor coming back? Is a return actually planned? And, is it reasonable for ratepayers to continue footing the bill while the Mayor is unable to perform the role?
Now, before the pitchforks come out, nobody is suggesting that a person shouldn’t take time off when they’re genuinely unwell. Of course they should. Health comes first. But here’s where the conversation gets interesting. For most ordinary workers, paid sick leave is limited. Once that runs out, you may have annual leave, accrued leave or eventually, leave without pay. You generally don’t get to simply remain on your full salary indefinitely because your job happens to be an important one.
So, is the mayoral gig different? And if it is, should residents be told exactly why?
After all, $4,500 plus a week is a rather substantial amount of ratepayer money. At 31 weeks, that’s a figure well into six figures. The question isn’t necessarily “Should the Mayor be allowed to be sick?” That’s an easy one. The more interesting question is “What do we as residents think is fair?”
Should an elected official receive their full salary during an extended absence? Should there be a clearly defined limit? Should the rules be different for mayors and councillors? Or is this simply the price we pay for having elected representatives, even when they’re temporarily unable to work? And perhaps most importantly, would the average ratepayer consider the arrangement fair if it were their own workplace?
I’m asking readers. Where do you stand? Fair enough? A reasonable entitlement? Or something that deserves a much closer look? Have your say; I’d love to hear what you think. Email cindy@silentriotcollective.com.au.
A WORD ABOUT ALL THOSE ADS
You may have noticed there are a few more advertisements tucked into the magazine these days. There’s a good reason for that; local businesses are getting behind us in a bigger way than ever, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
As the magazine has grown, so has everything that goes along with it. More pages, more printing, more deliveries, more people involved, and considerably more effort and cost to get each copy from our hands into your letterbox. Our advertisers help make that possible. And, even better, we’re hearing some wonderful stories from local businesses who’ve picked up new customers simply because someone spotted them in these pages. That’s exactly the sort of thing we wanted the magazine to do.
Because really, the advertisements aren’t just there to fill space. They’re a handy little guide to the people, businesses and talents right here across the islands. There are so many fabulous local operators around that you can easily go years without knowing someone exists; right up until the moment you desperately need the very thing they happen to be brilliant at.
So, think of the ads as a local directory, with the added bonus that every one of them helps keep the magazine going. And behind the scenes, there are now more delivery people, a few more motorbikes, and a surprising amount of fuel and effort involved in the great operation of getting magazines into your hands. It all adds up, but the goal remains the same - keep the magazine free, keep it local, and keep delivering it to your letterbox for years to come.
I REALLY WISH I DIDN’T HAVE TO WRITE ABOUT THIS TOPIC.
Dog baiting. I’m hearing increasing concerns about dogs being deliberately baited, and if there is one thing I know about islanders, it’s that they are protective of their animals. So let’s be very clear about something. If someone is deliberately putting poison or bait down with the intention of harming someone’s dog, you are not invisible. More and more islanders are installing cameras around their homes and properties. There are people paying attention. There are ways to report suspicious behaviour, and there are proper channels for evidence to be investigated.
And if you think nobody will find out who you are, think again. I know from personal experience that when something matters to me, I don’t simply shrug my shoulders and walk away. If I came home one day and found my dog desperately sick, only to discover someone had deliberately baited him, I honestly don’t know how I would cope. Our dogs aren’t “just dogs”, they are family. They sleep in our homes, greet us at the door, follow us around and trust us completely. And deliberately poisoning an animal that has no idea what is happening? That is a despicable act.
So, to whoever is responsible, STOP. Because cameras are going up, people are talking, information can be reported and evidence can be collected. And if you are identified, you can expect the matter to be dealt with through the proper authorities.
To all the dog owners on the island, there is another side to this conversation too. Please be mindful about where your dogs are, particularly if they are allowed to roam or spend time outside unattended. Keep an eye on them, check your yards and take any unusual behaviour or suspicious substances seriously. And if you have evidence, CCTV footage, information, or genuinely believe you know something about deliberate baiting, please report it to Queensland Police. Let them investigate it properly.
NOBODY TOLD THE COMMUNITY THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO GIVE UP
When the funding doesn’t arrive, the rain starts falling and the odds are stacked against you, the response on the islands is simply; “Bugger it, we’ll do it ourselves.” And that, in a nutshell, is the story of the Fusion Festival, pulled together by Ros Stiles and the team at Bimsara.
Despite not receiving funding from Council, they forged ahead last month, fuelled by an extraordinary cocktail of community spirit, volunteers, performers, sponsors and people who have far too much energy and goodwill for their own good. And what a result! Fusion wasn’t just another festival, it was a collision of cultures, nationalities, traditional dance, colourful costumes and music. There were people from all walks of life coming together to celebrate what makes a multicultural community so much fun.
And then there was the food. I’m still thinking about the lamb curry. Honestly, I think it may have been the best lamb curry I’ve ever eaten, and I am prepared to start arguments over that statement. Even the drizzle that arrived in the morning couldn’t dampen the mood. Umbrellas went up, spirits stayed high and the show went on.
So a very big thank you to Ros and the Bimsara team, Simon Gordon, Clint Ling, Melissa Granato, John Jass, the volunteers, performers and everyone else who rolled up their sleeves to make the day happen. And, of course, to the sponsors and supporters who helped make Fusion possible: Island Life Property Sales & Rentals, Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal, SeaLink, Canaipa Lions, Macleay Lions, Island Ride, Property Centre, Kev the Chef, Henry Pike MP, Russell Island Post Office, Urban Island Removals and LiveLife Pharmacy.
If there’s one thing Fusion Festival proved, it’s that you can take away the funding, but you can’t take away the community. Here’s to Fusion returning in 2027!
HOT GOSSIP FROM THE FAIRWAY
Word around the island is that $5 could have you walking away with $15,000 cash, and that’s the kind of rumour I’m happy to spread. The Macleay Island Golf Club is shaking the money tree, with a $30,000 cash prize pool up for grabs; all in the name of raising funds for those much needed club renovations.
The prize money has been generously donated by the Bayside Community Bank & Bendigo Bank. And before you say “yeah, but nobody from around here ever wins,” last year’s $15,000 first prize lucky winner came from Lamb Island. Just sayin’.
The team will be out and about at markets, popping up around the place and generally making it difficult to avoid them. Tickets are also available at the club, so head on down, grab a raffle ticket, and enjoy a meal from Chef It Dining. Five bucks. Thirty grand in the pot. I’m not saying you should start checking the couch cushions, but I’m also not saying you shouldn’t.
