Welcome to PES Adrian Harris!

Adrian Harris was born in Mackay, Australia in 1979. From an early age he found a sense of belonging to the visual arts and art making which he has enjoyed exploring to this day.

Adrian has had many influences throughout his life. During his schooling he moved from the family farm to live in Japan for a year on student exchange. Upon returning to Australia, Adrian took a year to refine his interests within an Arts degree studying Japanese, Sociology, Psychology and Teaching. Inspired by Japanese design and the provocative work of photographer Oliviero Toscani, Adrian completed a Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) at the University of Newcastle in 2002. During his study in design, he discovered arts therapy and felt compelled to combine his interests in psychology and the arts. In 2006 Adrian completed a masters degree in Creative Arts Therapy at RMIT University, Melbourne.

Adrian has had experience working privately and as member of a therapeutic team in a variety of settings. These include:

• Royal Children's Hospital (working with adolescent sex offenders through the Adolescent Forensic Health Service)
• Yooralla (working with people who experience physical and/or intellectual disabilities)
• Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre (working with young offenders, one-to-one and in groups)
• The City of Maribyrnong (working with people who experience intellectual disabilities)
• The Positive Living Centre (working one-to-one with HIV+ clients)
• The City of Port Phillip (working with people who experience mental illness)
• The City of Yarra (working with young people with intellectual disabilities)
• Jewish Care (working with autistic adults with challenging behaviour)
• The Brotherhood of St Lawrence (preparing breakfast for young people of Fitzroy's public housing estates)
• The University of Victoria (working with social work students to overcome study related stress).
• The University of Newcastle (working with same-sex attracted students).

Adrian joins PES as our new Employment Consultant and will be involved in the new Pioneer Employment Service Transition Support Program starting in April this year.

Valerie Cummins and Adrian Harris.

Welcome to PES Valerie Cummins!

Valerie Cummins has joined PES as our new Case Manager.

Valerie has had over 10 years experience working in Community Organisations in Mackay including the Mackay Aboriginal Legal Service as a Field Officer and Administration Manager with the North Queensland Land Council. Prior to this Valerie worked for the Federal Government delivering training and employment programs to indigenous people who lived in rural and remote communities throughout North and North West Queensland.

Valerie is looking forward to working with Pioneer Employment Service.

The History of Mackay's Drive In Theatres - By Steven Pritchard

The Grove Drive In Theatre at Andergrove Road, Andergrove (Site currently occupied by the Andergrove Tavern) was officially opened on January 12 1960 by then Chairman of the Pioneer Shire council Kenneth White. The Grove Drive In was privately owned by the Gillham Family. The first movies to be shown at The Grove were: No Business Like Show Business and Call North 777.

The Drive In continued to be owned by the Gillham Family until November 15 1972 when it was purchased by Birch Carroll and Coyle. Movies shown on Takeover Day were: John Wayne and The Cowboys and The Cool Ones. On September 11 1974 a new projection booth, office, toilets, Cafe, kitchen and storeroom building was officially opened by then Member for Mackay Edmund Casey. Movies shown at the Grove on the official opening day of the new facilities were McQ and the Mackintosh Man.

Birch Carroll and Coyle then opened another Drive In Theatre. The Westline at Horse and Jockey Road, Racecourse was officially opened by then Member for Mirani Thomas Newberry on November 22 1978. Movies shown on the opening day of the Westline were: Hooper and One On One.

The Grove Drive In Theatre closed on October 4 1986 with the final movies being: Short Circuit and the Never Ending Story. 10 years later the Westline Drive In Theatre at Racecourse closed on April 7 1995. The final movies at the Westline being: Power Rangers, Dunston Checks In, Jumunji and Dracula's Dead and Loving It.