Melissa H North

The effect illegally dumped waste has on our City, environment and society

Illegal dumping of garbage is fast becoming a major issue in Mount Isa after the State Government imposed Waste Levy was introduced at the beginning of July, and despite Mount Isa City Council pouring enormous resources into managing the waste at the upgraded Waste Management facility, it hasn’t deterred some people from finding their own…

Mulga transforms wall into a work of art

The Mount Isa Family Fun Park entrance has been transformed into a creative burst of colour by Sydney based ‘artrepreneur’, Mulga. The once drab wall now represents the regions flora and fauna in a vibrant and uplifting testament to sustaining community spirit. Larger than life orange, green, red and blue crocodiles, birds, kangaroos, emus and…

Bring the Buzz Back

One thousand Australian Jelly Bush trees arrived at the Mount Isa airport this week in a united effort by the Council, community groups and local businesses to help save all bees. Beekeeper Bluey the Bee Man said he is gravely concerned about the near non-existent bee population in Mount Isa. “As a way to bring…

Mysterious microbes with a cool name may hold the key to mitigating Climate Change

According to scientific research microbes live deep inside earth’s crust in a labyrinth of tunnels and shafts making one of the biggest biomes on the planet. Despite extreme heat, darkness, limited nutrition and intense pressure, scientists estimate the Earth’s subsurface is teeming with more than 40 billion tonnes of micro-organisms. This treasure trove of life…

Young People in Queensland Outraged as the State Government agrees to Adani’s Coal Mine

Young people across Queensland who care about their future are outraged that the State Government approved Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine. The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) want to stop the mine going ahead, and hold Australian leaders accountable. AYCC Campaign Director Olivia Hill said Adani want to drain billions of litres of Queensland’s water which…

Drum Roll Please!

I’m pleased to announce I have partnered with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation to fundraise on their behalf. ILF are a national book industry charity which aims to reduce the disadvantage experienced by children in remote Indigenous communities across Australia by lifting literacy levels and instilling a lifelong love of reading. ILF gift new culturally appropriate…

Celebrating Women in 2019

Over the weekend many people, woman and men, celebrated International Women’s Day. It’s held to recognise how far women have come towards gender equality We’ve come a long way since 1911 when women couldn’t vote, faced employment restrictions and workplace conditions. Now in 2019 we’re running corporations, leading countries and have rights our grandmothers could…

Twenty 18 – That’s a wrap

Twenty 18 is in its final hours with a plethora of people no doubt reflecting on how the past year treated them. For me it was a year of firsts, love and growth. A year of learning, writing and although there were ups and downs, I wouldn’t change it. The down times, there weren’t many,…

A surprise announcement

Okay all you Steampunk and Fantasy book lovers out there. I’d like to announce my latest novel, called Mors Fumi, has been sent to my editor and I’ll be looking for THREE beta readers very soon. Beta readers get to read the novel before it’s published, give their expansive opinion and help shape the final…

Childhood Christmas conspiracies leave an impression

We’ve all wondered at one time or other how Santa Claus could possibly deliver a present to every child in the world in one night. Or what it is that gives reindeer the ability to fly? How does Santa really know if we’ve been naughty or nice all year? The mystery and magic of childhood…