Legendary Lynne a champion for kids
RESEARCH from Monash University has shown the cost of smoking to Australia’s economy will be $ 388 billion over the course of the current population’s working lives.
The research said about 2.5 million Australians aged between 20 and 69 smoked.
“Assuming follow- up of this population until the age of 70 years, more than 3.1 million years of life would be lost to smoking, as well as 6 million quality- adjusted life years and 2.5 million productivityadjusted life years,” the research found.
“Assuming ( conservatively) that each productivity- adjusted life year in Australia is equivalent to $ 157,000, the economic impact of lost productivity would amount to $ 388 billion.”
The study said productivity gains might be achieved from further tobacco control policies. TWO intersections in Mount Isa have been upgraded to improve driver and pedestrian safety.
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the safety of all road users was the State Government’s No. 1 priority.
“The intersections along the Barkly Highway with West and Miles streets, as well as the intersection with Milne Bay and May Downs roads, are just the start of safety works to be undertaken this year,” he said.
“Preliminary works were completed at the intersection of West and Miles streets to pave the way for a larger scope of work, which is expected to start this month.
“Works at the intersection of Milne Bay and May Downs roads are completed and included installation of traffic signals and pedestrian push buttons.”
Mr Bailey said the works aimed to improve the safety of roads at high- risk crash sites. IT’S been 20 years since chairwoman Lynne Derry became involved with the Challenge Games.
Driven by her passion, she has helped nurture the sporting event which has been running for 25 years, supporting and encouraging Far North children with disabilities to participate and get active.
“A lot of our children don’t actually get involved with the sport and they go to the club, they’re probably ball boy or the Ms Derry said.
“We’re trying to get these kids to play whatever sport it might be.
“I’ve had parents come up to me and say their son is 12 and he’s never been in a race before.”
Ms Derry said the competitions helped instil confidence into the children who often have never been active members of teams.
“The kids feel very excited, I think they see kids similar to themselves and also realise they can do it,” she said. might but the scorer,”
“They also make from other areas.
“You see kids with all kind of disabilities in the one race – you can have a child with a physical impairment, a hearing impairment and an intellectual impairment friends and they’ll same race.”
The games will attract 1000 competitors from across North Queensland and will run from August 1- 2.
The event will be made up of two components – fun races and games, and ‘ paratrials’ where kids who show promise will be timed professionally before potentially being sent through for state championships.
A number of organisations will provide volunteers on the day including the North Queensland Cowboys, Mates4Mates and the 3rd Brigade’s 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. all run in the
“The army come every year and they’re in their uniform which is really cool, and the kids love it, and love them coming,” Ms Derry said.
This year, Townsville para- athletes Lindsey Hendy and Brianna Coop will be at the games offering advice to any upcoming talent.
Ms Derry said she felt the Townsville community was very accepting of children with disabilities.
“We are extremely lucky we have support from the community, and the council’s always very supportive,” she said.