Imagine charting your own course through crystal-clear waters, relaxing on secluded beaches, and exploring the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park—all with a crew of your choice. Welcome to bareboating in The Whitsundays, an adventure that offers unparalleled freedom to experience one of Australia's most breathtaking regions. 

Bareboating involves hiring a fully equipped, self-contained boat—either a yacht or a catamaran—and operating it yourself with your friends or family as your crew. Experience the ultimate freedom as the captain of your voyage. 

A common question is whether a boating licence is required to bareboat in The Whitsundays. Unlike other parts of the world, no formal licence is needed. Charter companies offer comprehensive briefings at the start of your trip and you can contact the mainland by radio during your journey. As long as you show basic boating knowledge and a willingness to learn, you’re ready to embark on an unforgettable journey. 

Bareboating in The Whitsundays allows you to explore our 74 stunning islands free from set itineraries so you can chart your own course and set your own pace. This flexibility enables access to secluded locations, hidden coves, and lesser-known areas that larger tour groups can't reach. You can customise your adventure based on your interests—whether it’s snorkelling, hiking, or simply relaxing. 

For more information on bareboating, visit: www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/bareboating/ 
 
Contributed by Tourism Whitsundays  

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Charter your own boat with bareboating in the Whitsundays, Photo supplied

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Meet Biscuit, a joyful 12-month-old Kelpie x Foxie eager to find his forever home! He’s a smaller medium-sized pup who loves fetch and needs a yard to run in. Known as ‘Bikky’ by his foster family, he’s doing well with training—he sits patiently for dinner until given the release word “ok.”
Biscuit enjoys cuddles, is food motivated, and is learning to control his excitement. He gets along with his foster sister Rita but is cautious around other dogs, so positive exposure is key. With strong recall and energy to spare, he’d thrive in an active home with high fences.
Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue Inc also offer a desex and vaccination health care card program which ensures that every pet gets desexed and vaccinated at an incredibly discounted price – get in touch to find out more!
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If you believe you can provide Biscuit with the loving home and secure fencing he deserves, please reach out to Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue Inc: bowencollinsville@gmail.com

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Rehoming fee: $650
Age: 12 months
Sex: Male
Breed: Kelpie X Foxie
Other dogs: No but is being introduced
Cats: No
Fences: 5ft

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With Life In Motion Exercise Physiolgy Clinic

Life in Motion is set to make an exciting appearance at this year's Seniors Expo, offering visitors an inside look at how their Exercise Physiology services can greatly improve the health and well-being of older adults.

As an allied health provider, Life in Motion addresses a wide range of senior health needs, from balance and falls prevention to diabetes management, neurological rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, bone health, dementia management, and much more - all through individually tailored exercise programs.

Attendees will get the chance to learn more about the state-of-the-art equipment used in their privately owned facility, which is designed specifically to improve the quality of life and overall wellbeing of their clients. Life in Motion will be showcasing its brand new, innovative rehabilitation machine, proven to deliver outstanding results to clients living with a history of stroke or various neurological conditions.

The friendly team will be on-site to discuss their facility and services, including a High-Risk Balance and Falls Prevention program launching in 2025. With a focus on improving strength, coordination, balance, and mobility, this program offers essential support to at-risk seniors.

If you’re ready to boost your physical, mental, and social well-being, be sure to visit Life in Motion at the Expo to learn how these impactful services can enhance overall quality of life.

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Shocking statistics show that two out of every three Australians will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, and people over 55 are at the highest risk.

That’s why the first 100 visitors to the CQ Skin Cancer Centre stand at the upcoming Seniors Expo in Mackay will receive a special voucher to save $20 off their full-body skin cancer examination!

CQ Skin Cancer Centre is part of Australia’s leading network of skin cancer clinics, which has been operating for twenty years and conducts over 200,000 skin checks annually across the country.

With a dedicated team of four doctors trained in advanced skin cancer medicine, the centre provides essential services such as total body photography, mole removal and both surgical and non-surgical skin cancer treatments.

Total body photography is a cutting-edge tool designed for comprehensive skin cancer detection in high-risk patients. This technology allows for the monitoring of changes in moles over time, facilitating early diagnosis and providing peace of mind.

Unfortunately, many Queenslanders remain unaware that they live in the melanoma capital of the world. With melanoma diagnoses in Mackay 119% above the national average, it’s absolutely crucial for seniors to prioritise their skin health.

CQ Skin Cancer Centre is dedicated to educating Australians about the risks of skin cancer, working towards a vision of better outcomes for everyone and ensuring that no one suffers

from this largely preventable disease.

Visit their stand to learn more about skin cancer prevention and take advantage of their special offer on skin examinations!

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Mother Cat And Kittens Rescued From Despair

A brave mama cat and her six kittens have found refuge with Mackay Pet Rescue Inc. after a challenging start to their lives.

Last Tuesday afternoon, the mother cat, who is severely malnourished and skeletal thin, was discovered in a shed with her two-week-old kittens. The kind person who initially found the cats attempted to give away the vulnerable family to shoppers in the carpark of Petbarn in Greenfields.

Thankfully, the compassionate Petbarn staff stepped in, recognising the urgent need for extensive care. They then encouraged the finder to surrender the cats to Mackay Pet Rescue Inc.

In a quick response, a foster carer arrived at Petbarn to rescue the family, and now, they are safe and sound in a caring environment, where they have access to a soft bed and much-needed food.

The rescue organisation is dedicated to ensuring that both the mother and her kittens receive the care and nourishment they deserve. And with continued support, this fury family will have the opportunity to thrive and find their loving ‘fur-ever’ homes. As they begin their recovery, updates on their progress will be shared to the Mackay Pet Rescue Inc Facebook page.

If you'd like to support the great work being done by Mackay Pet Rescue Inc, donations are greatly appreciated.

You can contribute by visiting www.mackaypetrescueinc.com.au/support/

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It is pretty easy is to identify when and where my vague dislike of heights turned into a full-on, socially embarrassing fear and hatred of heights; on the 40th floor of a Hong Kong skyscraper when a very powerful typhoon hit what was then the British colony in the 1990s.

The thing about skyscrapers is that they are designed to sway with the wind when they are hit by typhoons, hurricanes or cyclones.

While this is a life-saving engineering feature that I celebrate, the experience of lying face-down on the floor, swaying back and forth on the 40th level of building is not as much fun as it sounds.

You’re in Hong Kong so you try to remember those Chinese proverbs that are all about bending and adjusting rather than resisting and snapping: “The green reed which bends in the wind is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in a storm.”  Crap like that doesn’t help.

Years later I surveyed the scene after a Mackay cyclone and noticed uprooted gum trees on one side of the street and a perfect row of unaffected palm trees on the other. While that was interesting, it didn’t change my fear of heights, which is now ingrained.

When I first started going out with my wife Sonia we had a trip to Cains and she arranged a trip on the skyrail up to Kuranda.

At that early point of our relationship I hadn’t broached the subject of my fear of heights and as we made our way up the mountain hanging in the air in a metal box attached to some piece of cable, I apparently transformed into a different person.

As I sat there frozen like a statue, not moving, talking or looking out, she thought there was something deeply wrong, perhaps with our relationship. She didn’t know that I was just a sook. She does now.

So do my kids, which is probably even worse.

When they were young I was with them at the Mackay Show and thought I could do the ferris wheel. I struggled through and tried, fairly unsuccessfully, to hide my phobia.

Some years later I tried it again on the one in Brisbane. That was a complete fail as the kids realised what was going on and went out of their way to make it worse by jumping around and trying to get me to stand up.

These days I don’t even try. From time to time I have to sell a unit in Mackay that is too high for my liking. I’m okay inside the unit but I won’t go out to the balcony and look over the hand rail.

“Step out to the balcony and have a look at the fantastic view,” I suggest to buyers as I plant myself in the lounge room.

I’ve sold a few and no one seems to have noticed that I never joined them on the balcony.

The problem with high-rise unit blocks is the insurance and the impact that has on the body corporate cost. It is a different story when it comes to those older unit blocks in our inner suburbs, mainly Mackay city, and East, West and South Mackay.

Those complexes don’t have anywhere near the insurance costs and body corporate fees are usually around the $3000 a year mark, which includes building insurance.

It’s a completely different market to the high-rise blocks but I feel those older, low-set units in the inner suburbs are great value, particularly for older people wanting to downsize and younger buyers wanting to break into the market.

You can still pick up a two-bedroom unit for under $300,000, which is pretty good in what is a hot real estate market.

And you usually get a courtyard … mercifully, on the ground floor.

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I’ll be doing it this weekend, because my baby brother Graham has just turned the big 50 on Tuesday this week, and he’s here in Mackay with his family to celebrate.

A few months ago, I got a call from Graham in Sydney wanting to know if I would be around in October, because they were thinking about coming up to Mackay and the Whitsundays to say hello, and to celebrate an important birthday.

I will be honest, I thought it was unexpected, as it would have only been a few weeks since I saw them last when I was down to run the Sydney Marathon. He said it was all fine because, they had not been back to Mackay for years to visit family, so it would be a terrific opportunity.

So, here we are, Friday! Graham, Karina and Sophie all flew in last night and today, and are ready to take on everything we have in store.

My boss Scott suggested that I take today and Monday off so I could spend quality time with all of them, so today we are heading up to Cape Hillsborough for the wallaby sunrise experience, then hightailing it up to Airlie and the Whitsundays for a day of fun, sand, and water. We might be jumping on a boat, or even just swimming around the lagoon. It will be a fun day. Tonight, I’ll get to showcase my BBQ skills at my place, so if you see any of us at the hospital, things haven’t exactly gone to plan.

Over the weekend we will be busy. The Pioneer Valley, Finch Hatton, Eungella, Sarina Sugar Shed, Wakeboard Park, Marina, Eimeo Pub, Harrup Park, Magpies and more are all on the list of places to visit and experience. I cannot forget the big birthday dinner feast on Saturday night at mine. All the family members will be there, so I am sure Graham will have an exciting time.

My goal is to make Graham’s quick birthday weekend the best ever, so when they jet back to the big smoke on Monday, they leave with smiles, a few extra kilos in their bellies and a warm heart after seeing the extended North Queensland family.

Oh, if you remember Graham Kidd, and you went to school with him at Central State School in the early 80s, get in touch.

On a last note, having family around you is paramount as we get older. I have certainly been reminded of that after we lost Mum, and of course Dad’s recent issues with his ticker. Any chance you get to share with family must be at the top of the list of to-dos right now.

Happy 50th birthday Graham. Love you mate.

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

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Detectives from the Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch have charged a 33-year-old man following the death of a 64-year-old man in East Mackay yesterday, October 3.

Emergency services were called to a Rae Street address around 3.40pm, following reports a 64-year-old East Mackay man was unresponsive.

The man was later declared deceased at the scene.

A 33-year-old Mackay man was taken into custody at the scene and has been charged with one count of murder.

He is due to appear before Mackay Magistrates Court today, October 4.

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Proserpine Café owner Joanne Klose has returned from a sensational trip to Uganda and she cannot wait to tell the Whitsunday community about the trip.

Joanne travelled to Uganda with 29 others with Mission Abundance to support two charities in Uganda, Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) and Bridge Christian Ministries (BCM).

Mission Abundance is helping these charities by building a new rehabilitation centre, giving over a thousand people access to free health care, and supplying clean drinking water.

Joanne also asked the Whitsunday community if they could donate bathing suits to give to Ugandan children and was thrilled by the response enabling her to make some very special in-person deliveries.

Joanne Klose in Uganda, Photo supplied

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A Journey Of Compassion And Change

Joanne Klose, owner of Little Vintage Café in Proserpine has recently returned from her trip to Uganda, and what a journey!

Joanne is a member of Mission Abundance and they support two charities in Uganda - Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM) and Bridge Christian Ministries (BCM).

Of the hundreds of members, 30 of them were able to visit Uganda and volunteer their time to make a difference in the remote communities of Kyampisi and Nateete.

Before her departure Joanne reached out to the local community and invited people to donate bathers so she could bring them over for Kyampisi children to wear.

Hoping for 50 sets of togs, the Whitsunday community more than delivered – the donations over double what she had anticipated – enabling her to take 108 bathers over to Uganda.

Joanne had previously visited the Ugandan children’s rehabilitation centre in 2023 and witnessed first-hand how they care for children who have had traumatic experiences.

As part of their rehabilitation the children swim and enjoy time in the on-site pool.

“The kids would go in the pool in groups, they would get out and have to hand their bathers over to the next group and so on,” explained Joanne.

“This inspired me to want to give them some more bathing suits so they could all go in the pool together!”

Joanne and the other volunteers also worked on the rehabilitation centre while she was there, once complete it will be the largest children’s rehabilitation centre in East Africa.

On both visits to Kyampisi, Joanne has worked on the build team but this visit, constructing the rehab centre is not all she did.

While in Uganda, she was also proud to be part of the community medical camp day.

This is the third medical camp that has been set up over the years and this year, incredibly, they were able to treat 1305 people in 11 hours.

The medical camp day is kindly funded by the 30 members that are selected to go.

The new rehab centre and medical day is all a part of the same project and since the charity organisations have started supporting them, they have built a medical clinic, church, boarding rooms and schoolrooms.

Joanne has been lucky enough to go to Uganda for two years in a row and before the charity arrived the community of Nateete were drinking sewerage water. This meant there was lots of sickness and some children sadly died.

In 2023 they supplied Nateete with clean drinking water and Joanne says seeing the Nateete community welcome them back has been unbelievable.

“When we went there in 2023 we walked down Nateete and they did not want us there, you could see it,” Joanne said.

"We had armed guards with us as we walked down, and it felt really eerie. You could tell that to them, we were just the group of white people taking photos.

“This year, just from having that clean water, they were waving at us and giving us massive hugs.

“The hugs and the love they give you, it is so heartwarming. It really is, I don't know another way to explain, it's amazing.”

You can get involved and help children in need at missionabundance.org, sponsorship of a child is $100 a month and Joanne has plans to place a child sponsorship wall in her Proserpine Café.

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Joanne Klose back at her Proserpine Café after a successful charity trip to Uganda, Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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Hi Everyone,

By the time you are reading this I will be on my honeymoon in Melbourne!

As many of you will know, I got married in August, but with family visiting from all over the country and the world, we decided to spend time with them after the wedding, electing to have our honeymoon now instead.

We have two nights in the city, followed by three nights at Hepburn Springs where we will enjoy six and a half hours of spa treatments! Indulgent? Absolutely!

A big thank you to my mum for looking after my son and my dog – both of whom are young and energetic – but a lot of fun and hopefully not too much of a handful!

Here in the region the campaign race ahead of the imminent State Election is certainly heating up and we are getting calls daily to attend a range of photo opportunities with politicians racing around trying to maximise votes.

It’s certainly an exciting time and also a time of substantial election promises where all parties pledge funding for key projects in the region, each candidate illustrating what they can do if elected.

If you have a great cause or serious issue you wish to be resolved in the community, now is an excellent time to speak out – chat to a local candidate and see if they would be willing to get behind it.

One election promise this week is that the Bowen Jetty will go ahead no matter which of the two main parties are elected at the end of the month - this is a huge win for our region!

This iconic local landmark deserves to have a vibrant future, one where it can become a hub for tourism and a recreation honeypot for the community.

I am so pleased to hear that its next stage of life, following years working with the tugboats, is now going to be spent in such a joyful way.

Well done North Queensland Bulk Ports and other community groups for driving the project forward.

Enjoy your retirement Bowen Jetty, you deserve it!

Rach

Quote of the Week “Nobody wins unless everybody wins” (Bruce Springsteen)

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Understanding that nobody should be alone for Christmas, Whitsunday local and retiree Michael Thomas recently posted on Whitsundays Noticeboard inviting fellow locals to an ‘orphans’ Christmas party.

He expected a group of people to be interested, but you can imagine his surprise when the post garnered 440 reactions and 151 comments.

“It blew way past my imagination!” laughed Michael.

“I'm still doing lunch for Christmas but it is going to be limited to 40 people in my backyard.

“If I can make 40 people happy on Christmas Day, you don't want much more than that.

“I just thought, I had put money into Christmas funds before, but this year, I thought I'd like to do it myself.

“I don't want to go to the pub for Christmas, I would like to at the end of the day go, yeah everybody enjoy themselves, that's what I want to see.”

Michael is asking for a contribution of $40 a head, but said this Christmas party is not for money, he just wants to “make it happen”.

Due to the response Michael said he is going to start monthly meets.

Naturally Michael cannot host over 400 people in his backyard, but the Facebook post has shown that there is demand for groups to meet.

“We really need to do something about this and just get some people together, just so that they can make new friends,” explained Michael.

“I think it will get people together, maybe make new friends and you never know what could happen out of it.”

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Plans for the new $68 million Bowen Jetty have been revealed.
The project will see a new jetty construction that will revitalise the asset and the precinct for the community.  
The project will see the construction of a modern jetty that has been designed in line with extensive community consultation, and that will feature a host of public amenities while honouring the rich, 150-year-old history of the structure.
Anne Baker, Labor candidate for Burdekin expressed excitement about the announcement:
“This is a fantastic announcement for North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) and our broader community and shows Labor’s commitment in delivering on, and maintaining the rich heritage of our community.”

“This project, that will see the construction of a modern jetty, will help transform the Bowen coastline for future generations to enjoy, and attract tourists to this beautiful part of Queensland.

“By investing in local infrastructure, we are investing in our local communities and with the Bowen Jetty project, we are protecting our local ecosystems.”

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish stated:
“The Miles Labor Government understands the importance of this historical asset for the Bowen community.”  
“This investment will ensure its future for many generations to come.”
NQBP CEO Brendan Webb also added:
“This has been a collaborative effort between NQBP, the Queensland Government, Whitsunday Regional Council and the Bowen community.”
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Supplied by Labor

Anne Baker, Labor Candidate for Burdekin

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The Bowen community's long-awaited dream of ensuring the future of the Bowen Jetty has come true following a prolonged bout of advocacy by Member for Burdekin Dale Last MP.
Mr Last said he was proud to have worked with Bowen’s community leaders on behalf of the community and condemned the Labor state government's delays.
“For several years the Labor state government has made promises about the future of the jetty but, frankly, had failed to deliver," Mr Last said.
Mr Last said that once the project featured in the budget the community should have had certainty but that, sadly, that wasn't the case.
"I have made it very clear that the LNP would not stand in the way of the government's budget commitment to this project," Mr Last said. "That commitment was made based on feedback from the community."
“Across recent years we have welcomed the Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads to hear from community leaders about their wishes for the Bowen foreshore precinct and as the Member for Burdekin I have consistently fought to ensure this community receives the money it was promised for works to commence on the jetty.
“Now that the government has finally honoured their promise, North Queensland Bulk Ports has the certainty to move forward. The plans for the jetty will not only honour the 150-year history of the jetty but ensure it is more accessible than ever for visitors and locals in the Bowen area.
“I look forward to working with the NQBP and the Bowen community to see this project delivered for future generations of the Bowen community and visitors to the area to enjoy.”
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Supplied by LNP

Dale Last at Bowen Boat Ramp

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By Paul Gellatly

A meeting at Bowen Neighbourhood Centre last week attempted to find solutions for the workforce accommodation crisis, which is claimed to be crippling the town and surrounding region.

Hosted by Greater Whitsunday Communities and Regional Development Australia, the meeting was attended by representatives of some of Bowen's major employers and sought to find ways to kickstart more workforce accommodation at a time when the shortage of such lodgings is harming the town's economic progress.

Among the attendees were representatives from Bowen Rail, Whitsunday Regional Council, Gilmour Space, Muroona Gardens aged care facility, Bowen Chamber of Commerce, Abbott Point coal handling facility and associated industries, homestay providers, marine services providers, police, schools and tourism operators. Other attendees who joined in via a videolink represented energy hub projects, Greater Whitsunday Communities and an accommodation provider.

Rob Cocco, CEO of Regional Development Australia (Greater Whitsundays) co-facilitated the meeting with Tonia Wilson, of Greater Whitsunday Communities, and they told the audience of about 20 that about 3000 additional workers' quarters were needed by 2031 in Mackay/Whitsunday regions.

While that was happening, the costs of building were increasing and development proposals were not leading to starts, and rental stocks were "falling through the floor", Ms Wilson said. Part of the problem, she said, was that temporary accommodation was not particularly profitable for builders.

While she urged more liaison with government, she also said many developers "didn't know" what the most pressing concerns over accommodation were.

"We need to demonstrate demand for accommodation. We need to secure commitment from employers to enter long-term agreements for their staff - preferably at a premium - for security of revenue stream to investors."

Mark Hinman, CEO of Accommodation Services Australia, said that while time to market and trades access made prefabricated accommodations an acceptable alternative, they were best suited for work-camp style settings and, because they were often temporary, there were big costs in set-up and probably later dismantling.

"We need workers to stay for three to four years," he said. "We can pick this up with timing," perhaps with a developer on-selling to another.

As well, Ms Wilson said, there was a need to reach the best mix of accommodations for single, or family, requirements.

While seasonal work and temporary postings posed their own challenges for accommodation provision, those seeking employment in essential services such as police, teachers, hospital and aged care staff had declined accepting job offers because rentals in the Bowen area were virtually non-existent and more expensive than rentals in the major cities. This was a major problem that affected their ability to recruit and retain new staff.

Often, the audience heard, employers provided temporary accommodation, after which employees were stranded with nowhere to live. "We have people living in the Burdekin because they can't find accommodation here  (in Bowen), one attendee said. "Temporary visa holders are another group that find it hard."

Access to land affected the dynamics of developer investment, but a Muroona Gardens representative said the aged care facility had plenty of spare land to build on. However, as this was in a flood area, they were required to raise the level of the land by two metres, which made such investment unfeasible.

Such investment also reached critical level when it came to provision of line infrastructure such as sewerage, water and other necessities, Mr Cocco said.

"To attract investment we need to demonstrate demand and secure commitment from employers to address accommodation for staff," Ms Wilson said.

Bowen Chamber of Commerce chairman Bruce Hedditch said engagement with the council was essential.

"We have got to confront the issues facing housing in Bowen. We need a meeting with the Mayor at the earliest possible opportunity."

Tonia Wilson and Bruce Cocco drive discussion on worker housing options for the Bowen region. Photo credit: Paul Gellatly

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Over 30 people gathered at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Proserpine last Friday for National Police Remembrance Day.

The service paid respect and recognised Australian Police Officers nationwide and international police officers.

The Remembrance Day paid tribute to officers that died both in service and out of service.

Queensland Police Proserpine Station Sergeant Mark Flynn spoke on the matter.

“The Queensland Police Service acknowledges the years of service, commitment and integrity of retired police officers,” he said.

“Their valuable contribution over many years of dedicated service has provided safety and justice for the Queensland community. We observe a time of silence to remember and honour those who have died in this past year.”

He also addressed active serving officers that had past since the last National Police Remembrance.

“The Queensland Police Service acknowledges the contribution of serving police officers who have passed away since National Police Remembrance Day 2023. In doing this we remember them and honour the service, courage and integrity with which they served,” he said.

“We observe a time of silence to remember and honour those who have died in the past year.”

Sergeant Mark Flynn said the day is important to all officers, past, present and international officers too.

“It's important to remember those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice and that's their lives, not only within Queensland, but throughout the nation and Pacific Nations countries as well,” he said.

“I have been a police officer for 26, years now, and I have been delivering police service remands so it's definitely important. It's important to all of us.”

On National Police Remembrance Day Queensland Police Service remember and honour Queensland police officers who were killed in the line of duty. Queensland Police Service also remember and honour those whose deaths did not occur as a consequence of their duty.

Senior Sergeant Craig Shepherd, Sergeant Mark Flynn, Mayor Ry Collins and Councillor John Collins
Bowen, Whitsunday, Proserpine Police Officers

Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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