Blackwater is just under 200kms west of Rockhampton and 800kms north west of Brisbane. If you need your tyres fixed in Blackwater, there's only one place to go to – Blackwater Tyre Centre, owned and run by Jodie and Pete McKee.
It's not just cars and trucks they look after – Blackwater is in mining country, with six open cut and one underground mine nearby – so they look after quite a few mining vehicles as well. And it's pretty busy at this time of year, with seven fitters working hard to keep all their customers mobile.
Jodie and Pete set up the business in 2008 and have supported Special Children's Christmas Parties from the start.
“I think we had someone call us on the phone and tell us about the annual party for special children, and we knew it was something we really wanted to support.” says Jodie.
“Everyone at Blackwater Tyre Centre is very family orientated and so for us the party is close to our hearts – we know there are a lot of children out there with special needs in our region and around Australia and we know how tough that can be on the families. And we want to be able to support these families so they can have some fun at Christmas time.”
Even though the Central Queensland party (held in Rockhampton) had to be cancelled last year due to COVID, all the children who would have come along were able to come in and pick up their Christmas presents, and a 'virtual party' was held online so they got to see their favourite entertainers, and of course Santa!
When they can, the team at Blackwater Tyres like to get along to the parties and soak up the atmosphere.
“The parties are really special! Every child deserves joy at Christmas time, especially those who have faced so many challenges in the first few chapters of their lives” says team member Carisha Jooste.
We think so too!