On August 21, local resident Danielle Blackie tragically lost her life in a house fire in Sugar Loaf.

Circumstances were not considered suspicious, and Danielle is remembered by friends that knew her best:

“At first glance Danielle Blackie was tough and feisty. She was a strong woman, a trauma survivor, and she could do anything and everything. Danielle was a diamond who sparkled at its best when surrounded by her tribe.

“Contrary to her sometimes rugged and brash exterior, she was a gentle soul, who brimmed with kindness, love, generosity and compassion.

“She loved music and the arts and was a creative designer and seamstress. Danielle was a devotee of Shakespeare and would recite lengthy passages from memory whilst acting out the scene. 

“She had a magnificently wicked sense of humour, combined with a down to earth and no-nonsense attitude.

“My favourite memory of Danielle is of watching West Side Story overlooking Sydney Harbour. She was holding a glass of wine, whilst perched on the edge of her seat, completely engrossed in the story.

“Without warning, a gunshot (from the Opera) rang out. Terrified, she screamed and yelled “f#@k” and the full wine glass flew over her shoulder showering the patrons behind. The ensuing kerfuffle stopped the performance momentarily! What a good laugh!”

“Vale dear Danielle, you were seen, appreciated and loved by those whom you touched. The world is a richer place thanks to you.”

Written by Jo Phillips

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Danielle at Mt Kosciusko “Mack-tacking” (her word for cross country skiing). Photo supplied

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Over 30 field staff from Wet Tropics Management Authority, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Biosecurity QLD, Marine Parks and Whitsunday Regional Council have completed a 3-day detailed Yellow Crazy Ant survey from 2 – 5 September at infestation areas within Conway National Park.

The aim of the detailed survey is to accurately map the infestation areas in Shute Harbour so a revised and cost-effective baiting Program can be implemented.

During recent years Council has noticed that the infestation and the number of Yellow Crazy Ants have declined due to the baiting Program.

Whitsunday Regional Council Natural Resources Manager Scott Hardy said,
“Multi-agency activities such as this don’t happen often, but it’s representative of how important it is to manage this highly invasive pest that has the potential to have significant impacts on biodiversity, tourism, agriculture and our lifestyle if left unchecked.”

“In large numbers, they can disrupt entire ecosystems with their veracious appetites and ability to create 'super colonies' across large areas, leaving heavily infested areas without animals, insects or native ants,” Mr Hardy said.

The Whitsunday Yellow Crazy Ant Treatment program has cost over $375,000 since 2019, with baiting completed at Shute Harbour, Mandalay, Funnel Bay and Woodwark.

Mr Hardy said, “Initial results from the survey indicate that our baiting program was very successful with only a few ants found in a small area of Shute Harbour, however, given small nests can quickly expand into super colonies, it’s important we stay vigilant and do our best to eradicate.”

Eradication cannot be confirmed until up to 5 years of detailed surveys confirm no Yellow Crazy Ants in the area, which is a testament to how a few ants evading detection can quickly multiply.

Mayor Ry Collins said, “Whilst we are experiencing success managing existing outbreaks, we want the construction industry and community to remain vigilant around new builds and existing infected areas to identify Yellow Crazy Ants and contact Council immediately if suspected.”

“We thank the many staff from all agencies that have helped us on the journey to date and hope to continue to receive funding support to manage this pest into the future, protecting our lifestyle, biodiversity and industries,” Mayor Collins said.

Further information on Yellow Crazy Ants can be found on Whitsunday Regional Council website. Baiting is not considered hazardous to people and animals.

How to spot a Yellow Crazy Ant:
   • Yellow to brownish ant with body about 5mm long.
   • Abdomen is dark brown, sometimes striped.
   • Legs and antennae are very long.
   • Body is long and slender.
   • Walking style is erratic.

Impacts:
   • Sprays formic acid, which may cause burning and irritate skin and eyes of animals and potentially humans.
   • Destroys or disrupts natural species, including native birds, animals and plants.
   • Can affect horticulture industries.

The Yellow Crazy Ant is a category 3 restricted tramp ant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. If you see any report the incident to the local Council.

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Over 30 field staff from a variety organisations completed a 3-day detailed Yellow Crazy Ant survey. Photos supplied

Yellow Crazy Ants can be very destructive to local wildlife

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Barefoot Medicine first opened its doors in September 2023 and have since dedicated themselves to community healthcare, celebrating their one-year anniversary this month.
To mark this significant milestone, patients, doctors, and staff came together for a cake-cutting ceremony which Owners Shane Howden, Margaret Kurzok, Tanya De Vries and Director of the board, Alex Kennedy also attended.
The relaxing nature of Barefoot Medicine is what sets it apart from the rest, the waiting room feels more like a living room and conversation hub, where patients can chat whilst waiting for their appointment.
While you can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the waiting area, the serene ambiance takes a backseat once you enter the consultation room, where professionalism takes centre stage.
The practice has two resident GPs who concentrate on general health care and two registered nurse practitioners. Barefoot Medicine also has a chiropractor on site 3 ½ days a week.
Shane Howden, one of the three owners of Barefoot Medicine, shared insights into their inaugural year and how exciting the journey has been.
“We've been on a journey, a great journey, with challenges at times and we've still got challenges as far as getting more medical recruitment to the Whitsunday region,” he explained.
While the atmosphere in Barefoot Medicine is unmatched, the regional location makes it a struggle to attract practitioners, highlighting a regional issue.
Howden went on to say “Our fantastic current GP’s and practitioners are a blessing to our business”
The nature of having various practitioners on site is to facilitate their aim to be a ‘one-stop shop’.
“We want to be a one-stop shop, so if you need to see a skin specialist or a chiropractor, we can refer you in house and everything's transparent, so all the data that we have, the practitioners will have access to, so it won't be a repetition of telling each doctor your history,” Shane added.
“In our second year, we'll be making rooms available for specialists, so people don't have to travel to Mackay or Townsville to see someone.”
Barefoot Medicine has been thrilled to see the success in their first year, including the loyal patients who continue to see Dr Andrew and Dr El.
“We knew Andrew was going to be good, and we knew he had a good following, but we're overwhelmed, we just had that many people coming in and so many comments on the street, in the town, as well as people talking about our services” Shane explained.
Happy 1 year Barefoot, and if you are a doctor, practitioner or specialist and fancy getting your toes in The Whitsunday sands, Barefoot Medicine would love to hear from you!

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Director of the board, Alex Kennedy and Owners, Tanya De Vries, Shane Howden and Margaret Kurzok
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One year anniversary cake cutting

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Lake Proserpine is quickly becoming the mainland jewel in the crown for drawing visitors to the wonderful Whitsundays with Council’s staged masterplan upgrades capitalising on the famed site’s natural splendour.
 
Council has now started hosting events at Lake Proserpine and one of the most popular has been our Kids Fishing Day which returns on Saturday, October 5 on the King’s Birthday Long weekend.
 
Lake Proserpine has become renowned as an angler's paradise, boasting the highest number of barramundis over one metre in length than any other impoundment in Australia.
 
At the Kids Fishing Day, local fishing clinic operator Mudskippa will be on-site with fishing education and activity stations, offering expert tips and tricks. There will be a casting competition and the children get the opportunity to participate in a special release of barramundi fingerlings, thanks to Coral Coast Barramundi, with a marine biologist on-site to answer questions. A variety of stallholders, food vendors, a jumping castle, and plenty of giveaways for the kids will be available on the day!
 
Council and Lake Proserpine will also launch a new competition - the Barra Cash Dash! Anglers have the chance to win big by catching the tagged Golden Barra, with a $20,000 prize up for grabs, or one of the two Platinum Barras for a chance to win $7,500 each. The Barra Cash Dash is designed to lure fishing enthusiasts to play, stay, and enjoy all that Lake Proserpine has to offer.
 
In social terms, the transformation of Lake Proseprine has been amazing since Council delivered the first stages of the Masterplan with the addition of camping sites, upgraded recreational facilities, overflow parking areas, pontoons for enhanced access between the water and landslide areas, an enhanced arrival and information facility, upgraded boat ramps and accessibility to rationalised water-based recreation areas.
 
These improvements have seen the area become a major tourism experience for travellers and locals alike, and it is certainly becoming a source of incredible pride for Proserpine locals.
 
Mark and Ilze are our amazing onsite managers at Lake Proseprine and their passion for promoting the stunning campgrounds and location in our own background saw them host their 20,000th booking in July this year.
 
In their words, “Walking around the busy campground and speaking to the many happy campers, we feel privileged and humbled to have the opportunity to showcase what camping in the Aussie bush looks like.”
 
These increased numbers have a great flow on effect to the businesses, not only in Proserpine, but the wider Whitsundays Region. Everything at Lake Proserpine is a great addition to the wonderful Whitsunday Region.
 
“It’s a land-based destination, which is totally different to the beaches and islands, and caters for a completely different kind of holiday maker.”

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The Bowen Community Garden Working Bee is scheduled for this weekend Saturday 14 September from 7am at Bowen Community Garden.

The Working Bee, organised by Stella Life, is aimed to build the Bowen Community Garden into a lush space for all to enjoy.

Stella Community is excited to share the progress of the Bowen Community Garden, a groundbreaking project for this community aimed at creating an inclusive and vibrant green space for all to gather, learn, and connect with nature.  

The Stella Community are starting to celebrate the early successes of the garden and are excited to invite the community to the second Working Bee, a pivotal moment in the garden’s development.

Stella Community CEO Faileen James said “The progress we’ve made so far is a testament to the community’s enthusiasm and support.”

“We are thrilled to see the garden taking shape and look forward to seeing everyone at our second working bee to help further this wonderful project.”

Director Bruce Button added that the initial steps are just the beginning.

“We’re excited to engage even more with the community at our upcoming working bee and continue building on the progress we’ve made,” said Bruce.

Join the fun on 14 September to help shape the future of the Bowen Community Garden and be a part of creating a space that will benefit our entire community.

What: Working Bee
Where: 65 Williams Street, Bowen
When: Saturday 14 September, 7am – 10am

Faileen and volunteers from the first Working Bee
Garden beds

Photos supplied

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The Zonta Club of Bowen successfully hosted a STEM Workshops for Girls event on August 17th.
These workshops, which focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, featured engaging activities specifically designed for girls in grades 5 to 7.
“It was wonderful to see the 37 girls who attended so attentive, engaged and participating in the activities,” Cath Morgan said.
Facilitator Keziah Furnell from STEM Sisterhood (Townsville) along with her assistants ran a series of hands-on workshops, including Engineering where the girls worked in a team to design and build catapults.
They also enjoyed a Sports Science workshop where they learnt how to make a bionic hand, heart and lung.
Why these workshops? The organisers aim to empower girls by instilling confidence in their ability to succeed and build successful careers in STEM fields. This initiative is especially important given the current underrepresentation of women in STEM careers.
Positive feedback was received regarding the excellent organisation of the day, the girls' enthusiasm for participating in the activities, and questions about when the workshops will be held again.
Keziah posted on Facebook, highlighting how amazing the Bowen group was and expressing excitement about returning to Bowen to engage even more girls in STEM.
The Zonta Club expects to be able to hold more exciting workshops in 2025!
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Zonta providing STEM workshops for young girls in grades 5-7

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Yellow Crazy Ants are a highly invasive species in the Whitsundays. In large numbers, they can disrupt entire ecosystems with their veracious appetites and ability to create 'super colonies' across large areas, leaving heavily infested areas without animals, insects or native ants. Whitsunday Regional Council is tackling this issue through an ongoing baiting program, with treatments completed at Shute Harbour, Mandalay, Funnel Bay, and Woodwark. The baiting process is safe and not considered hazardous to people or animals. For more information, visit the Whitsunday Regional Council website.

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Daisy, a 4-year-old beautiful American Bulldog/Mastiff Cross is looking for her fur-ever home.
The gentle Daisy is vaccinated and pup-to-date with her Heartworm injections. She is not desexed, however, her current owners would be willing to have her desexed if required.
Daisy is a fantastic companion due to her loving nature and is great with children, people in general and other dogs.
If you think you could give Daisy the loving home she very much deserves, please contact Brooke: 0490 530 151 (private rehoming).

Age: 4 years old
Sex: Female
Breed: American Bulldog/Mastiff Cross
Kid friendly: Yes
Other dogs: Yes

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A century ago, people did not have the broad range of home entertainment available to us today. Prior to 1924, there was no radio or television and gramophones and records were quite expensive.

The first mention of a wireless set being used for home entertainment purposes in Proserpine was recorded in the local newspaper on September 20 1924. “The wireless was installed at the residence of Mr Robert Shepherd in Chapman Street.” Mr Robert Shepherd, Chairman of the district at the time, was obviously an early enthusiast having a set installed only weeks after its inception.
 
From August 1 1923 until July 31 1924, official radio broadcasting in Australia had required a listener to pay a licence fee to a chosen broadcaster and to a radio manufacturer to build/provide a set locked to that station only. The high cost of the licence and specially built/modified receivers proved daunting as examination of official records proves. A check of licences issued for that 1923-1924 period shows a total of only 1206 sold in Australia and only 23 of these were in Queensland. However, as soon as the sealed set restricted licences were abolished the sale of open licences skyrocketed to 31000 in Australia within four months.
 
The “Proserpine Guardian” September 20 1924 described the radio as a five-valve receiver of “up-to- date” design and went into great detail about the aerial system installed and the stations available for tuning.
 
“In order to receive the signals, two masts of Oregon pine, each fifty feet high and fixed into two hardwood blocks in the ground were needed. The arch had a spread of one hundred feet and had two wires of twisted copper with one of them connecting to the machine. The set was then ready to receive and on Saturday night at eight o’clock Mr Shepherd could tune in to Broadcasters LTD or Farmers’ LTD of Sydney. The Queensland Government intends to start almost immediately a broadcasting station in Brisbane. Both stations broadcast each evening from 8pm until 10pm. On any evening, without leaving their own homes, owners were able to listen to concerts being held in the principal cities of Australia. Mr Shepherd was also able to pick up signals from San Francisco and New Zealand.” (PG September 20 1924)

In June 1925 the following advertisement appeared in the “Guardian”

WIRELESS AGENCY    
Applications are invited for Sole Agencies for Radio Set Manufacture for Country Towns.
Successful applicants are ensured of every assistance and a handsome return.
Quality of sets is unsurpassed and price competitive.  
Either private individuals or business houses will be considered.
Apply by letter
Strand Radio Company, Strand Building, Queen Street, Brisbane.

Local shops began to advertise a range of radios, gramophones and records with prices within the reach of most people. The majority of the sets ran on batteries which had to be recharged regularly so it became worthwhile for Messrs Briggs and Mazlin to complete the installation of their up-to-date battery charging plant ready for service. With this, it was possible to charge a battery in one day or overnight. Fees were reasonable with special rates for country people so more and more families were enjoying this scientific magic.

It was the first time people could receive up-to-date news and listen to music and other forms of entertainment in their own home - a wonderful thing for isolated country people.

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

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Robert Shepherd was the first person in Proserpine to have a wireless radio installed at his address in Chapman Street

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This week
Season to date
Cane crushed
87,239
632,083
Average bin weight
9.62
9.59
CCS
13.96
13.81
Cane variety performance for region
Variety
%
CCS
Variety
%
CCS
Q208
26.7
14.35
SRA9
6.4
13.93
Q253
16.7
13.89
KQ228
3.8
13.63
Q240
16.2
13.86
SRA13
2.2
13.98
Q183
9.2
13.78
SRA21
2.1
12.75
Comments
Proserpine Mill processed just over 87,000 tonnes for the week. This was above budget and the highest weekly throughput for the year.
Average weekly CCS came in below budget at 13.96 units.
The highest CCS was 16.71 units from a rake of ratoon Q208 from the Lethebrook productivity district.
A scheduled maintenance stop is planned for Tuesday, September 17.
With school holidays about to commence across Queensland, we urge parents and guardians to remind their children about the dangers of playing on or near the cane rail network.
A reminder that our cane trains operate 24/7. Remember to use your train brain and always give way to cane trains. A fully loaded cane train can take up to one kilometre to stop.
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Peter Luke
Cane Supply Manager
Proserpine Region

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World Suicide Prevention Day is on the 10 September every year and earlier this week the Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network (WSPN) held a memorial service in Proserpine and Bowen.

Almost 20 people came along to the event in Proserpine and WSPN President Matt Stokes said it was wonderful to connect.

“Today is an opportunity for people to come but it can be difficult, especially if it is still raw in their life,” said Matt.

“People have to work through a grieving process to then reach a point where they're happy to talk and be in an open environment like this.”

WSPN hosted several other events for World Suicide Prevention Day, including a memorial service in Bowen on Sunday 8 September, and were pleased to announce that attendees are now creating their own bereavement group.

“They all have so many of the same emotions and feelings, so being able to feel like they're not isolated in their thoughts is a big thing,” said Matt.

“If we can be the catalyst for those groups to form then that's really good.”

WSPN say every day for them is world suicide prevention day, but the actual date is highly important and their year revolves around it.

“What we want to do is to raise awareness of the help that's out there, so the people that really need it are not lost but have a clear go to,” said Matt.

“Instead of feeling like they are hopeless, and they don't know what to do or who to turn to.”

WSPN understand working with other organisations can achieve more traction and on the morning of 10 September they were also present in Bowen where they joined forces with Real Mates Talk hosting a World Suicide Prevention Day Barbecue Breakfast.

“There is a real change in the Whitsundays at the moment, and it’s that there is great collaboration amongst amazing providers. There are so many people that care,” said Matt.

There 65,000 suicide attempts per year in Australia and more than nine people per day pass away due to suicide in Australia.

Matt said suicide prevention is an extremely difficult thing to measure in terms of success of preventing, but likes to believe that every suicide is preventable, but how?

“What we can do is look out for each other, talk to each other, be kind to each other, teach our children how to be kind, and they are just the fundamentals,” said Matt.

If this article has been a trigger for you, remember help is available. Call Lifeline on 131114 or scan the QR code to see how WSPN can help you.

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WSPN President Matt Stokes, Renee Martin, Gill Graham, WSPN Rob Murphy, WSPN Mel Turner, WSPN Di Fleetwood, Proserpine Lions - Sharon Little & Joe Little and Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

WSPN volunteers and others at the World Suicide Prevention Day in Bowen on Sunday with a special service held at Queens Beach. Photo sourced: Facebook

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The team is back in The Whitsundays after a trip to Brisbane for Experience Queensland—Southeast Asia and India. Organised by Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and held at the new Star in Brisbane, it was a fantastic chance to connect with and learn from key trade partners from India, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. The event brought 45 decision-makers together, allowing us to share and educate them on our region and key product. As part of the program, key buyers visited The Whitsundays to experience our region firsthand. 

While we were there, our team attended a strategic update from TEQ, joined by Cruise Whitsundays and Ocean Rafting. Senior industry leaders talked about the achievements, challenges, and opportunities in Queensland's tourism and events sector, with a special focus on the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Key updates were heard from TEQ’s Chair, Grant Hunt A.M., Tourism Minister Michael Healy and TEQ CEO Patricia O'Callaghan.  

Looking forward, we’re planning for Tourism Australia’s G’Day Australia in Perth next month which is a combined training workshop, networking and familiarisation attended by 300 retail outlets, key wholesalers and tour operators from Tourism Australia’s key markets.  

Contributed by Cait Fleming, Industry Development & Trade Manager, Tourism Whitsundays  

Photos supplied

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Jade and Crystal from Tourism Whitsundays enjoyed a spectacular day trip with Iconic Whitsunday Adventures aboard their sleek vessel, Viper. It was Crystal's first encounter with the Whitsundays' iconic sights, and there was a real excitement to share the beauty of these incredible destinations. 
  
One of the tour’s standout features is its ability to visit three of the Whitsundays’ most iconic spots—Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach, and the Outer Great Barrier Reef—in a single day. The adventure begins with a thrilling high-speed ride on the Viper. This luxury vessel isn’t just the fastest; it’s designed to minimize travel time while maximizing comfort, so passengers can spend more time enjoying the sights. 
  
The first stop is Hill Inlet, where the crew expertly time the visit to catch the most spectacular tides. Next, Jade and Crystal cruised to Whitehaven Beach, where they relaxed on the soft sands and cooled off in the clear waters. Lunch onboard was a gourmet treat, perfect for refuelling before snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef. The highlight was hearing the hauntingly beautiful sounds of whales underwater. 
  
A huge shoutout to the exceptional crew from Iconic Whitsunday Adventures for making the day feel so relaxed and unrushed. With plenty of time to savour each destination, this tour is a first-class experience for both first timers and seasoned travellers.
  
 
 
Contributed by Jade Yvonne, Business Development Executive, Tourism Whitsundays

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Photo supplied  
 
 

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Tossing and turning at night? While an occasional sleepless night isn't catastrophic, problems can start when it becomes a regular occurrence.
Around half of the Australian population suffers from sleep problems. Here are some tips on securing a better night sleep:

   1. And breathe...
Stress can significantly impact your sleep quality, therefore it is essential to create a calming environment before bed.
Get rid of any light and turn off your phone and any screens an hour before sleep and engage in relaxing activities such as reading a book or taking a warm bath instead.

   2. Sleep routine
Having a sleep routine, not only helps children and babies to drift off, but adults too. Schedule your bedtime and put in place some relaxing rituals.
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   3.  Try not to look at the clock
Checking the clock anxiously can actually disrupt your sleep. Try to avoid looking at it—hide it if needed—to reduce worry and improve rest.
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   4. Keep fit, get active and avoid unhealthy foods
Eating healthy foods before bed and exercising throughout the day is vital to improving sleep quality. Swap the evening wine for a glass of water.

   5. Avoid having lots of liquids before bed!
A drink before bed can be relaxing, but too much liquid might cause nighttime bathroom trips and disrupt your sleep. To rest better, limit your evening fluid intake.
If sleep problems persist, consult a specialist like Restore Sleep in the Whitsundays for expert help and support.
restoresleep.com.au

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Are you interested in exploring the diverse roles available in the Navy, Army and Air Force? Or are you considering a career in the Australian Defence Force (ADF)?

Next Wednesday in front of the Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC) and next Thursday at Whitsunday PCYC, the ADF are hosting a Mobile ADF Careers Centre (MACC) where you can chat with current serving members about job roles, further study opportunities, or flexible part-time commitment.

This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you have about ADF careers and opportunities.

The MACC is a mobile ADF Careers Centre, extending defence career opportunities to regional and remote areas of Australia. Visiting the MACC provides a chance to learn how the Navy, Army or Air Force can offer more than just a job.

Current serving members who understand the Defence application process will be on board to answer any questions your job seekers and students may have.

Learn more about the roles on offer by visiting the ADF Careers website.

What: Mobile ADF Careers Centre - Proserpine
When: 10:00 - 4:00pm, Wednesday 18th & Thursday 19th September
Where: Main Street, in front of Proserpine Entertainment Centre

What: Mobile ADF Careers Centre – Airlie Beach
When: 5:00 - 6:30pm, Wednesday 18th September
Where: Whitsunday PCYC

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