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Australia

Retired train driver backs union calls to divert Rockhampton’s ‘dangerous’ city freight line

A man with grey short hair sits on a veranda in a wooden chair wearing a green shirt and looks at the camera.

Paul McKenna can still feel the dread in his stomach when he thinks about driving his locomotive along Rockhampton’s Denison Street.

“It’s sheer luck that there hasn’t been more people killed down that street,” he says.

For a two-kilometre stretch through the middle of Rockhampton, freight trains travel down the middle of Denison street after leaving the Rockhampton station yard.

It’s one of the only freight lines in Queensland that still runs through the middle of a city, according to the Rail Union.

Mr McKenna, a retired train driver from Yeppoon who spent 33 years in the industry, said he would encounter a near-miss almost every second time he would drive along the Denison street line.

A train travels through the center of a city, with cars driving on either side of it.
For a two-kilometre stretch through the middle of Rockhampton, freight trains travel along Denison street after leaving the Rockhampton rail station yard.(Supplied: Jacob Howard)

“People seem to pull up at the stop signs and they don’t look for trains, they look for traffic and they just take off in front of you and you pretty well haven’t got a chance to stop,” Mr McKenna said.

“You’ve got pedestrians that just walk out in front of you.

“You’d come home and you’d stay awake at night if you got close to hitting people.

“It was pretty scary… It needs to be moved.”

Earlier this year, data from the Department of Transport and Main Roads released by the RACQ revealed that the intersection of Denison and Derby St was one of the worst intersections for serious crashes in the state.

The intersection ranked fourth, with seven serious crashes and 11 people seriously injured between June 2018 and May 2021.

Calls to move rail freight line for safety

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union’s Craig Allen says the Dennison Street rail level crossing is the largest in the southern hemisphere and is unique in that it runs through the middle of a city.

The union is calling on Queensland Rail to bypass Rockhampton city, in line with the city’s ring road project.

“Members have identified the whole of Denison Street as one of the most dangerous level crossings they’ve ever encountered,” Mr Allen said.

“From our driver’s perspective, they see the horror in these people’s faces when they’re in the train and they’re about to collide with them.

A car drives beside a rail line. A stop sign and railway crossing crossing is in the center of the road.
The Denison Street rail level crossing in Rockhampton.(ABC Capricorn: Rachel McGhee)

“The freight infrastructure around Rockhampton is still 19th century… it still hasn’t been upgraded. It’s time we got rail into the 21st century and eliminated all these dangerous rail crossings.”

It’s a call Mr McKenna supports.

“Eliminate the risk… it takes its toll over the years,” he said.

“You nearly can pick which one’s going to come out in front of you. They appear to look up the road for cars, but they don’t see the train and then they take off and you can’t stop.

“If there’s an opportunity to change it, they should jump at it.”

‘No plans’ to upgrade Denison Street level crossing

Queensland Rail head of regional, Jim Benstead said he was committed to level-crossing safety through investment in education, engineering upgrades and working closely with the police on enforcement.

“While there are no current plans to upgrade the level crossing or track infrastructure through the Denison and Derby Street intersection in Rockhampton, Queensland Rail is working with council to identify any potential safety improvements,” Mr Benstead said.

“In the last financial year (2021-2022) we saw 94 near misses on the network across regional Queensland.

“Since 2017, there have been nine incidents at the Denison and Derby Street level crossing, including one traffic incident earlier this year.”

A train travels along a street in the middle of the road.
There are calls for the rail line to be diverted around Rockhampton, in line with the city’s Ring Road project, out of safety concerns.(Supplied: Jacob Howard)

Mr Benstead said all level crossings were fitted with signs and signals to warn of an approaching train and people had to take responsibility and heed the warnings.

“There is also an $18 million regional level-crossing program underway, which has so far delivered upgrades to level crossings in Portsmith, Edmonton, Chinchilla and Cardwell in North Queensland,” he said.

“Queensland Rail is asking everyone in the community to prioritize their own safety around trains.”

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Australia

Central Queensland couple warns parents to be aware of childhood stroke symptoms

Play Video. Duration: 4 minutes 29 seconds

Watching five-year-old Arlo Brigg bouncing around her central Queensland home, it’s hard to believe this little girl survived a stroke.

Four months ago, the bright, energetic child was playing with her sister one Saturday morning when her mum, Ange, noticed something wasn’t right.

“[Her sister] Banks did something to make her giggle, and that’s when I noticed a really slight drop in her face,” Ms Brigg said.

“I initially said to [my husband] Clay: ‘Do you think she’s having a stroke?'”

Trusting her instincts, she called an ambulance and the emergency doctor at Rockhampton Hospital told the family it was likely to be Bell’s palsy.

Close up for Arlo's face, brown hair, brown eyes, slight smile, slight droop in right side of her face.
Ms Brigg says doctors in Rockhampton told them Arlo had Bell’s palsy.(Supplied: Ange Brigg)

Bell’s palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis in one side of the face and is caused by inflammation or damage to nerves, according to the federal Health Direct website.

Ms Brigg, worried then-four-year-old Arlo had been misdiagnosed, pushed for scans but said that staff told her it was “very rare for children to experience a stroke.”

“[Arlo] went to say something to me and I couldn’t recognize her speech,” Ms Brigg said.

“I again said: ‘Is she having a stroke?’ And they said, ‘No, it can’t be a stroke, but we’re going to do the CT scan just to be sure’.”

Arlo’s parents said they were told the CT scan, taken about 1pm Saturday, found “no unusual signs of any sort of brain activity” and “came back as looking normal.”

Arlo, long brown hair, looking sad, holding stuffed toys, strapped onto bed with seat belt.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service flew Arlo from Rockhampton to Brisbane. (Supplied: Ange Brigg)

But the following morning at the hospital, when Mr Brigg went to dress Arlo, he found his little girl paralyzed down the right side of her body.

“The doctors came in at 8 o’clock, examined her and went back [to the CT scan from Saturday] and they saw something,” he said.

Arlo was diagnosed with an ischaemic stroke, meaning it was caused by a blood clot.

Little girl, Arlo, hooked up to cords and machines, lying in a bed, arms touching her body.
Ange and Clay Brigg say the care Arlo received in Brisbane was outstanding.(Supplied: Ange Brigg)

She spent 38 days at the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane regaining her strength and learning how to walk and talk again.

“Arlo [did] intensive-style therapy daily — one hour of speech, one hour of occupational therapy and one hour of physiotherapy a day,” Ms Brigg said.

“Some days were harder than others. The level of care that we got in Brisbane from the rehab team, the nurses, the neuro team, was just outstanding.”

Little girl, Arlo, brown hair, brown eyes, sitting in a wheelchair hugging a toy, hospital room behind.
Arlo lost all strength in the right side of her body.(Supplied: Ange Brigg)

Stroke happens in children

Lisa Murphy, acting chief executive of the Stroke Foundation, said about 600 Australian children had a stroke every year.

“Stroke can happen in children; it’s not just a thing that happens in older Australians,” Dr Murphy said.

Facial droop, one-sided paralysis, seizures, headaches, nausea and slurred speech are some of the most common symptoms.

Like Arlo, these symptoms can come and go before the person noticeably deteriorates.

“Stroke is always an emergency, so always call triple-0, don’t go to your GP, don’t go to bed and sleep it off, call an ambulance,” Dr Murphy said.

Little girl, Arlo wearing a bright outfit, smiling, holding a sign that says "Rehab Superstar".
Arlo spent 38 days at the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.(Supplied: Ange Brigg)

amazing rehabilitation

Four months on, Arlo’s rehabilitation has moved ahead in “leaps and bounds.”

“When I first met her, she couldn’t stand on [her right] leg and balance,” physiotherapist Johanna Scully said.

“Now, she’s able to stand on that leg, balance and do an activity with the other foot. So yeah, lots of big gains.”

Arlo attends therapy at All Sorts Developmental, which provides pediatric services in Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Mackay.

“It’s always tricky for those families, especially when they’ve got a kid that’s tracking quite well and then this massive medical incident occurs,” Ms Scully said.

“It is a long-term journey for her and things will change over time.”

Arlo in a pink jumper, smiling, giving her Johanna a high five.
Johanna Scully is one of Arlo’s physiotherapists in central Queensland.(ABC Capricorn: Erin Semmler)

But Ms Scully said children in rural and regional areas often missed out on the level of support readily available in cities.

The Children’s Hospital supports the provider via telehealth and sends equipment.

“It is really important [regional communities] have access to that; we just have to be creative in how we go about things,” Ms Scully said.

“These families have lives here, they can’t just pick up and move to Brisbane.”

Arlo, a silhouette, jumping on a trampoline, sun shining behind her.
Arlo’s progress in rehabilitation has astounded everyone.(ABC Capricorn: Erin Semmler)

Bounding towards a full recovery

The Briggs said Arlo’s stroke was “the biggest scare” and brought new highs and lows.

“As a family, we have to work as a team more than ever… we always keep the mindset too that Arlo was able to walk out of the hospital,” Ms Brigg said.

“Life could have been a lot worse for us and a lot different.”

Clay, Ange, Arlo and Bank all sitting together in their backyard.
Ange and Clay say Arlo’s strength and resilience has amazed them.(ABC Capricorn: Erin Semmler)

They said watching Arlo improve had helped everyone cope.

“Seeing her now running and jumping, moving her arm and picking things up with her fingers on that right-hand side is really great,” Ms Brigg said.

“Her speech and comprehension is fantastic.”

Arlo has transitioned back to kindy and is excited to start prep next year.

“We’re pretty confident that Arlo’s going to make a full recovery,” Ms Brigg said.

Young girl, Arlo, smiling, walking, wearing a pink jumper and purple backpack.
Now 5, Arlo has returned to kindy a couple of days a week.(Supplied: Ange Brigg)

A message to parents

The Briggs warned other parents to know the signs of stroke.

“Go with your gut, you know your kids better than anyone else, and stroke does happen in children, unfortunately,” Ms Brigg said.

“But also, children being so young and resilient, you can see how determined they are to get back to their normal self.”

Arlo, little girl with long brown hair, kissing her little sister Banks, little girl with bright blue eyes, blonde hair.
Arlo’s little sister Banks has helped her stay positive through her recovery.(ABC Capricorn: Erin Semmler)

Thushan Malawana, Rockhampton Hospital emergency department clinical director, said she could not comment on an individual’s treatment due to patient privacy.

“I can assure community members that Rockhampton emergency department staff are trained and resourced to diagnose and treat strokes,” she said.

“Strokes in children are extremely rare and diagnosing conditions in small children can be very challenging.

“In cases such as this, our team liaises closely with pediatric neurological specialists at the Queensland Children’s Hospital to assist with highly specialized guidance.”

Stroke survivors and their families can find support via the Stroke Line on 1800 787 653, via Our Family Stroke Journey or Little Stroke Warriors.

National Stroke Week runs from August 8 to 14.

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Australia

The 33-year-old mystery of vanished Rockhampton woman Michelle Lewis

The 33-year-old mystery of vanished Rockhampton woman Michelle Lewis

It was a typical Saturday night for best friends Kerry Bartley and Michelle Lewis, spent watching movies and making plans for the next day.

Not wanting to worry her foster mum, Michelle said good night to her friend and hopped on her most prized possession, her mountain bike, about 10pm.

The ride home was less than a kilometer and should have only taken a few minutes but Michelle never made it home.

“That was the last time I’ve seen or heard from her,” Kerry said.

Kerry stands in front of microhpons, straight face, bob length hair, glasses.
Best friend Kerry Bartley is urging anyone with information about Michelle Lewis’s disappearance to come forward.(abcnews)

Kerry was the last person to see Michelle Coral Lewis alive before she vanished in central Queensland on Saturday, January 14, 1989.

“It’s been 33 long years,” she said.

“Every year that passes becomes harder, not easier, because there are no answers.

“How does someone, and their bike, just disappear?”

It is a $500,000 question police are determined to answer, with help from the public.

Who was Michelle Lewis?

Kerry and Michelle’s bond began when they became neighbors in Rockhampton at 13 years old.

“Michelle was a creature of habit and over the weekends mostly spent the whole day at my place,” Kerry said.

A former Glenmore High School student, the “tomboy” was “very independent”, with only a handful of “close female friends”.

Close-up black and white photo of a woman smiling
Michelle Coral Lewis disappeared in Rockhampton, central Queensland, in January 1989.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

Like many 21-year-olds in Rockhampton, Michelle found joy in socializing at Flamingo’s Nightclub.

“Michelle had a rough upbringing, but she had a heart of gold and was loyal to her friends,” Kerry said.

She tried a range of jobs, including one at a local piggery and another at a panel beater shop, but struggled to land permanency.

“Michelle never had much to call her own,” Kerry said.

“She had nothing. But she would save everything to give to somebody else.”

Michelle’s traumatic childhood

Michelle was “abandoned by her mum” at just “a few weeks old”, then raised by her grandma.

Adaline Salhus, known better as Dell, stepped in to foster Michelle when her grandmother died.

She spent about four years living with Dell and her family in North Rockhampton.

But when Dell woke up at 7am on January 15, 1989, she found no trace of Michelle, or her beloved bike, and reported her missing.

The former lead investigator, retired detective Ann Gumley, said it was a case that has haunted her well beyond her 34 years of service.

“Because of the kindness shown to her by her [foster] mother Dell Salhus, Michelle would not have done anything that would have made Dell concerned,” Ms Gumley said.

Ann standing in front of microphones, short gray hair, wearing glasses.
Former lead investigator, retired detective Ann Gumley, says the case still haunts her.(abcnews)

Dell, who has since died, told police at the time that Michelle was very responsible and always phoned if she was going to be home late.

“She had such a sad life, and then to just disappear just seemed so unfair,” Ms Gumley said.

“It’s very hard to comprehend that someone can just disappear off the face of the earth and no-one knows anything about it.”

How the original investigation unfolded

Michelle was last seen on her bike leaving Kerry’s house on Stenlake Avenue, North Rockhampton, around 10:45pm, intending to ride a short distance to her home on Alexandra Street.

Ms Gumley said police launched a major investigation and completed 150 tasks, initially taking 42 statements.

“A large number of persons were located, interviewed and statements obtained.

“However, there was nothing to indicate to us as to how Michelle disappeared.”

Ms Gumley said she had done everything she could to try to find Michelle.

“We had to try and keep the ball rolling as much as we could to try to get as much information as we could,” she said

“But once that information dries up, that leaves us with nowhere to go.”

Ms Lewis’s case was reviewed in 1999 as part of the investigation into crimes committed by notorious serial killer Leonard John Fraser, who died in 2007.

But police said there was no information to suggest he was involved in Michelle’s disappearance.

Bike with white, dark red and black frame, black seat and handle bars.
Michelle Lewis was last seen alive riding this maroon and white mountain bike on Saturday, January 14 1989.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

Can you help?

Detectives are urging a man, who called police around midday on February 18, 1989, but hung up before speaking to detectives, to come forward.

Michelle is described as 155 centimetres tall, with black shoulder-length hair and brown eyes and had two tattoos on the inside of her ankles, one a cross, the other her initials, ML.

She was last seen wearing a hot pink tie-dye singlet top with the word surf across the front, a pair of multi-coloured board shorts and white Dunlop sneakers.

Pink tie dye tank top with yellow letters SURF.
Michelle Lewis was last seen alive wearing this pink tie dye singlet top that says “surf”.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

Even after 33 years, the former lead investigator said she remained committed to seeking justice for Michelle.

“Miracles do happen,” Ms Bartley said.

“If there is anyone out there who may have some information, regardless of if they feel it is insignificant, please let the investigating officers know.

“If they find Michelle’s bike, they’ll find Michelle. If they find her, they’ll find her bike.

“That’s the way I look at it because she never went anywhere without that bike.”

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Categories
Australia

Queensland police offer $500,000 reward for missing Rockhampton woman Michelle Lewis

Old, close-up photo of a smiling woman with dark, shoulder-length hair.

Police have announced a $500,000 reward for information relating to the 1989 disappearance of central Queensland woman Michelle Lewis in a bid to generate new leads.

Ms Lewis was last seen alive riding her bike in Rockhampton 33 years ago.

Senior Detective Sergeant Tara Kentwell said it was hoped the renewed appeal for information would solve the cold case.

“Despite extensive investigations at the time and since, Michelle has never been located, nor has her bike, and police now strongly suspect she was murdered around the time she disappeared,” she said.

“We believe there are people out there with information and with this significant reward announced, now is the time for those people to reconsider 33 years of silence and come forward to police.”

Bike with white, dark red and black frame, black seat and handle bars.
Michelle Lewis was last seen alive riding this bike on Stenlake Avenue on Saturday, January 14, 1989.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

Ms Lewis, then aged 21, was last seen alive riding her bike leaving a friend’s house on Stenlake Avenue, North Rockhampton, intending to ride a short distance to her home on Alexandra Street about 10.45pm on Saturday, January 14, 1989.

Former lead investigator, retired detective Ann Gumley, said the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Unit began re-examining the case in 2021.

Old black and white photo of a woman, not smiling, dark hair, Michelle Lewis.
Homicide detectives have announced a $500,000 reward for information that solves the 1989 cold case.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

Ms Gumley said she was hopeful the reward would lead to a breakthrough.

“I spent a lot of my time as a Rockhampton police officer searching for Michelle and I still remain committed to seeking justice for her,” Ms Gumley said.

“Michelle’s family and friends deserve answers, so if you know something, please come forward.”

Pink tie-dyed tank top with yellow letters that spell SURF.
Michelle Lewis was last seen alive wearing this pink shirt, riding her bike in North Rockhampton.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

The state government reward is for information that leads to the conviction of a person or people responsible for Michelle’s suspected murder.

The appeal has been made as part of National Missing Persons Week.

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Categories
Australia

Court documents allege disturbing details after mother charged with eight-year-old son’s murder in Rockhampton

Police at the scene of alleged murder in Rockhampton

A central Queensland mother has been remanded in custody after being charged with murder over the death of her eight-year-old son.

WARNING: This story contains graphic content that may disturb some readers, and references to an Aboriginal person who has died.

Police were called to a welfare check at a Berserker home during the early hours of Saturday morning where they found the body of Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz.

On Saturday afternoon his mother Louwanna Thyra Goltz, 36, was charged with one count of murder.

Her case was mentioned in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court this morning, but she did not appear in person.

In an objection to bail affidavit filed by police and obtained by the ABC, police will allege the boy died by strangulation, although prosecutors are awaiting an autopsy to confirm his cause of death.

The affidavit claims Zion was not in Ms Goltz’s care for the first seven years of his life and had only been returned to her care in the past 12 months.

The court documents allege Ms Goltz’s mental health declined in the past months, and “alarmingly” quickly in the past week.

The affidavit also states Ms Goltz was detained for a mental health assessment on Saturday where she was diagnosed with suicidal ideation, with police arresting her for her own welfare.

The mother and son lived at a Berserker address managed by the Department of Housing.

According to the court documents a witness told police Ms Goltz was “rambling incoherently” and spoke about an artist’s canvas in the early hours of the morning of Zion’s death.

Police have seized the canvas, which allegedly displays words with Christian themes relating to Satan and Jesus Christ.

Police allegedly observed her speak and apologize to voices for disrespecting them.

Ms Goltz’s case was attached to October 26.

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Categories
Australia

Queensland gardening guru Tom Wyatt hangs up his headphones after 40 years on air

Queensland gardening guru Tom Wyatt hangs up his headphones after 40 years on air

From “give it a cup of urine” to “how to sex up your pumpkins”, Tom Wyatt’s practical and sometimes cheeky advice has won him legions of fans across regional Queensland.

But after 40 years of gardening talkback on ABC Local Radio, the 75-year-old gardening guru has hung up his headphones due to health issues.

Mr Wyatt puts his success down to being curious, having a retentive memory and having “a specialized interest in what happens to gardeners when they get frustrated.”

Tom Wyatt, with headphones half on, talks into a microphone in a radio studio
People from across Queensland called in to let Mr Wyatt know the impact he’d had over 40 years.(ABC Capricorn: Rachel McGhee)

“I’m so happy this has brought so much pleasure to people and solved so many problems,” he added.

Mr Wyatt’s familiar advice has often boiled down to Condy’s Crystals, a good dressing of gypsum, blood and bone delivered by one clenched handful to the square metre, lux flakes and “don’t forget the wetting agent”.

His encyclopedic gardening knowledge and unique on-air style had loyal listeners tuning in from across the state every Friday morning at 10am.

in the beginning

The program began in 1982 after ABC staff in Rockhampton bounced around the idea of ​​a 10-minute gardening program.

Tom Wyatt’s name was tossed around as he was a horticulturalist working for the Rockhampton Council as director of parks and gardens and curator of the Rockhampton Botanical Gardens.

“He seemed the right choice,” said David Anderson, a radio presenter for the station for more than 30 years.

And they were right.

“It just blew up,” Mr Anderson said.

A group of people with Tom Wyatt in the center holding an award.
Tom’s last broadcast was an emotional one, but his family and colleagues celebrated afterwards.(ABC Capricorn: Rachel McGhee)

The program was lengthened to half an hour, and it wasn’t long before it was extended again to the full hour at the request of listeners.

The program was soon networked to Mackay, Bundaberg, Longreach and Mount Isa – more than half the state.

“Tom has such a wealth of knowledge and he’s such an interesting person to talk with – he doesn’t talk at people, but he has a conversational style,” Mr Anderson said.

“There were so many times when people would simply ring up and say, ‘Oh, I wanted to congratulate Tom on such and such an idea that he gave me because it worked,'” he said.

Mr Wyatt credits Mr Anderson with the program’s success.

“David coaxed me all the way, so I owe my debt to David Anderson for developing the program,” Mr Wyatt said.

having a laugh

It would be difficult to name all the presenters Mr Wyatt has worked with over the years, but one who stands out is Craig Zonca.

Mr Zonca, who now presents Breakfast on ABC Brisbane, took on the role as a fresh-faced 21-year-old with no clue about gardening.

But the two struck up a special rapport.

“We changed the tempo of it a bit and made people laugh,” Mr Wyatt said.

Sometimes it was the other way around.

Tom Wyatt stands at the top of stairs at ABC Capricornia, a sandstone building
Tom has walked up these stairs at ABC Capricornia almost every Friday for 40 years to host his talkback program.(Supplied: Donna Thurecht)

Pat from Mount Isa recalls phoning in about her husband’s problem pumpkins.

“Tom asked, ‘Did John propagate them with a cotton bud?’

“I forgot I was on the radio all over north Queensland and said, ‘Yes. He’s sexing the pumpkins every morning’.

“Tom and Craig Zonca couldn’t stop laughing,” Pat said.

Traveling far and wide

Family sits together in radio studio
Tom Wyatt’s family came to his last broadcast and say they are so proud of what he’s achieved. (ABC Capricorn: Rachel McGhee)

Mr Wyatt’s popularity has seen him invited to gardening clubs, expos and agricultural shows all over Queensland – and he has never said no.

Long-time listener Margaret Pegler from Trinidad Station near Quilpie opened her gardens to the public and invited Mr Wyatt four times.

“He was always very popular and if he couldn’t answer a question at the time, he would find out and get back to you,” Mrs Pegler said.

“I have helped a terrific number of people with their gardens, and I know they have helped me a lot.”

Beautifying the Beef Capital and beyond

People who have worked with Mr Wyatt describe him as a visionary.

“You can see Tom’s touches wherever you look,” said Rockhampton councillor Cherie Rutherford, who was given her first job in council by Mr Wyatt.

The chimpanzee enclosure, a jewel in the Rockhampton Zoo’s crown, is one of those.

Cassius the chimp goes to kiss Tom Wyatt's hand through the glass
Tom Wyatt and Jim Webber saved Cassius the chimpanzee from death row. (ABC Capricorn: Inga Stunzner)

Mr Wyatt and Rockhampton’s eldest at the time, Jim Webber, drove through the night to save two chimpanzees from death row, breaking a few rules along the way.

“We did a lot of things we weren’t supposed to, but it worked well,” Mr Webber said.

And in this case, it did. Cassius, who turns 51 later this year, is now the oldest chimpanzee in Australasia.

Mr Wyatt also transformed Rockhampton from a dust bowl to a green city, converting an old rubbish dump into Kershaw Gardens — 50 hectares of parkland.

“The city wouldn’t be the green area that it is today if it wasn’t for Tom,” Mr Webber said.

A man sits in a paved area with trees.
Tom Wyatt designed the Stuart Fragrant Garden, a sensory experience for people with disabilities.(ABC Capricorn: Inga Stunzner)

It wasn’t just Rockhampton that benefited from Mr Wyatt, but towns around the state, I added.

“He would go anywhere anybody wanted him to go and he was always advising people on the talkback radio.”

Although the contribution Mr Wyatt has made to regional Queensland is immeasurable, ABC Capricornia presented him with an award for his 40 years of service.

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