Latest Mackay Seaport News

Christmas facelift for park characters

Originally published on 11th December 2006

Spectacles and sunglasses left behind by forgetful passengers at Mackay’s busy airport are giving people living in isolated communities the 'gift of better vision'.
Mackay seaport business development manager Greg Hinton, Mackay Port Authority director Steve Golding and Mackay Airport acting general manager Gary Riches offers Lifeline's Lyn Lewis a helping hand to carry items ‘abandoned’ at the airport.
Mackay Lifeline operations manager Lyn Lewis estimates hundreds of people have benefited from local travellers’ absent mindedness over the past eight years.

"It’s amazing to think that a pair of specs left behind at Mackay Airport could one day be worn by a tribesman in the isolated reaches of the Papua New Guinea Highlands," Mrs Lewis said.

"These people face a constant battle with eye diseases such as glaucoma and for many a pair of spectacles is a Godsend."

Mrs Lewis said Lifeline in Mackay had donated more than a thousand pairs of spectacles through a variety of programs operated by church groups and service clubs such as Rotary.

Mackay Airport Acting Terminal Services manager Colin Wilson said unclaimed items were held at the airport for three month before being donated to charity.

"It’s amazing the things people leave behind," Mr Wilson said.

"Recently we've had a pram, fishing rods, a water ski and of all things an electric drill – that’s on top of everyday items such as mobile phones, keys and of course sunglasses."

Mr Wilson said about 60 per cent of items found at the airport were eventually returned to their owners.

"If someone has lost a large portable folding cot - please give the airport a call - we have it," he said.

For more information please contact acting terminal services manager Colin Wilson on 0417 570258