The new Airlie Beach Seagrass Nursery project is happening soon with its official opening this Saturday 17 August.

The launch of the new Airlie Beach Seagrass Nursery project will take lace at Coral Sea Marina.
 
The test nursery has been with us for over two years and following its success CQ University has secured grant funding for an upscaled nursery project.
 
The day will start at 11am with a Welcome to Country, an introduction and project overview, and photo opportunities.

At 11.45 time is allocated for a look over the nursery, afterwards everyone will move to Cannonvale Beach for a light lunch and after that, flower collecting.

Everyone in the community is invited to come along and get involved.

What to bring
   • Casual and comfortable clothes for the launch event
   • Sun smart clothes for flower collecting
   • Sun screen
   • Water
   • Fun, caring, kind attitude

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Fines for not controlling your dog in public places have increased to $806. This includes having your dog off-leash in designated on-leash areas, or if the dog is in an off-leash area, you must be able to control the dog using voice commands. For everyone's safety, let's make sure our furry friends are always well-behaved in public spaces!

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Last week CEO Warren Bunker, Councillor Clay Bauman and I attended the two-day 2024 Coastal Leaders Forum in Townsville.
 
This annual forum was a vital gathering of elected members, chief executives, and senior officers from across Queensland to showcase coastal council initiatives.
 
The well-attended forum explored current and emerging issues, identified coastal council-specific advocacy priorities and gave us the opportunity to engage with key State and Federal Government representatives and industry partners, on a range of matters impacting coastal communities.
 
Economic growth and diversification were major topics, particularly how we can leverage our natural assets to create new opportunities to boost tourism, support local businesses, and attract investment to our region.
 
The Shadow Minister for Environment and Science Sam O’Connor spoke openly of the LNP’s plans to improve access to National Parks, revitalise island tourism and fast track the approvals process for new projects such as the Whitsunday Skyway project.
 
This is encouraging news as the Skyway initiative, being driven by visionary tourism operator Elizabeth Hackett, is a project that will transform our region, offering both locals and visitors a unique way to experience the stunning natural beauty of the Whitsundays.
 
In Elizabeth’s words “Whitsunday Skyway will expand on, and complement current Whitsunday Tourism operations, offering greatly needed land-based infrastructure and activities for current and future tourism groups, regional residents, school groups, coach tours and other market segments.”
 
The Project is based around a 1km cable car ride to a summit 430m above sea level, in the Conway National Park, overlooking Airlie Beach and planning has progressed significantly and is now in the Detailed Assessment stage of an Exclusive Transaction Process with the Queensland State Government.
 
The all-weather cable car will move along at a height of 430m and offer a unique 360° vantage point to the Whitsunday Islands, Whitsundays mainland and the Coral Sea, with bistro, café and viewing facilities at the top.
 
There are also plans for a cultural interpretive centre, tropical rainforest activities and experiences, a network of mountain biking trails, a luge track facility, and a junior ropes course.
 
It is estimated that there are a further 12 months of the planning and development approval stage and then an estimated construction timeframe of 24 months so the next term of Government and support offered to the project will be key to it actually becoming a reality.
 
The economic impact is estimated to be around $40 million of new tourism spending, per year, with current analysis showing that more than 250,000 people are expected to visit the Skyway every year.
 
The total project development cost on completion is expected to be about $86m. 

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Mayor Ry with Shadow Minister for Environment and Science Sam O’Connor and other Queensland Mayors at the Coastal Leaders Fortum in Townsville. Photo supplied

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Recently, Jade from Tourism Whitsundays had the pleasure of experiencing SeaLink Whitsundays’ Big Island Day Tour. Aboard their new vessel, Reef Quest, Jade went on the five star boat trip to Whitehaven Beach, and said it was a truly exceptional experience!

The vessel's luxury is instantly apparent; it has a sleek modern design, air-conditioned interiors, and plush seating, the boat provides a stylish environment, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination. 

On the journey to Whitehaven Beach, guests are treated to guided talks about the Whitsundays. These informative sessions, led by experts, offer fascinating insights into the region's natural history, marine life, and environmental significance. The talks are engaging and educational, adding a rich layer to your understanding of this spectacular location. 

Upon arriving at Whitehaven Beach, Jade had an ample time to relax and enjoy its beauty. Additionally, the tour included two guided walks to both Hill Inlet and the Southern Whitehaven lookout, during which local guides shared intriguing details about the island's unique flora and fauna. This combination of luxury, exploration, and education created a truly memorable experience. 

SeaLink Whitsundays has masterfully blended comfort with adventure, offering a tour that stands out for its elegance and depth of experience. It's an exceptional way to explore The Whitsundays in style and gain a deeper appreciation of its natural wonders. 

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Jade Yvonne, Business Development Executive, Tourism Whitsundays  

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Tourism Whitsundays partners with national media to highlight the best experiences our region has to offer. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Dilvin Yasa from 9Honey, the lifestyle arm of nine.com.au, known for uncovering and sharing top local gems.

Dilvin's visit focused on showcasing the fantastic family-friendly land-based experiences and accommodation options available in The Whitsundays. 

During her stay, Dilvin spent a long weekend at the Big4 Adventure Resort, which provides the perfect mix of relaxation and fun for families. She also spent a day at the Whitsunday Crocodile Safari, ideal for those seeking adventurous encounters with local wildlife.

Dilvin explored the region’s hidden treasures with Driftwood Tours, including spots like Cape Gloucester and Dingo Beach. 

Tourism Whitsundays actively seeks local operators who are interested in promoting the region’s top experiences and accommodations.

If you are excited about contributing to the promotion of the Whitsundays’ unique offerings and showcasing its beauty to a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to Rosanagh at pr@tourismwhitsundays.com.au for further information.  
 
Contributed by Rosanagh Gallivan, Public Relations & Social Media Executive, Tourism Whitsundays  

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Dilvin Yasa had a great trip to the Whitsundays, Photo supplied

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Bowen Community Centre is thrilled to announce this year’s ‘Buy A Pie To Keep Them Dry’ event was a tremendous success, raising over $3,000 to support homeless in the community.

The funds raised will be used to provide essential items such as tents, swags, and backpacks to those in need.
 
This year’s event took a different turn from the last, where the Community Centre hosted ‘Hamburgers for the Homeless’, which was warmly received by the Bowen community. 

During this event, the staff and volunteers distributed informative flyers to the community to raise awareness about these pressing concerns.
 
In addition to ‘Buy A Pie To Keep Them Dry’, Bowen Community Centre also launched ‘Pie It Forward’, which allowed them to distribute over 120 pies to those in need.

Stephanie Cora from Bowen Neighbourhood Centre said that making pies is a costly endeavour, but very worthwhile.

“This initiative has been crucial in providing support to our community,” she explained.
 
“A special thanks goes to Andrew, the Manager of Bowen Woolworths, for generously supplying all the ingredients for our delicious pies and hot apple pies.”
 
Kelly McDonald from Hillery Group, one of the major supporters, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is a great community program, and we are thrilled to be a part of it.”

“Some of our crew has already devoured the pies, and in fact, we have very few left! They asked to give a big shout-out to the pie-makers!”
 
None of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of Bowen Neighbourhood Centre’s Xena Yasso, who spent her birthday cooking up this magnificent storm.
 
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this event a success,” said Ms Cora.

“Together, we are making a significant difference in the lives of our homeless community.”

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Xena Yasso Chef extraordinaire made the 400 meat pies and 160 apple pies for the day

Lauren Miller from the Community Centre with the huge donation of all supplies for the pie drive

Kelly McDonald, Laila Ives, Georgia Wagg from Hillery Group with Volunteers Karenne Williams and Shaniece Cora from the Bowen Community Centre

Nathan Shepherd, Patrick Sanderson from Aurizon

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Creative’s Connections latest Art Exhibition opened last Thursday night to coincide with the start of Airlie Beach Race Week.  

Over 200 guests attended the opening night, enjoying an array of beautiful paintings and sculptures responding to the theme “Sails and Stories”.  

The exhibition finished up yesterday concluding with the announcement of the Tassals People’s Choice Award.  The winning artist will receive a $500 prize. 
 

Pammie Harrison, Lynette Edwards, Vhari Kelly, Leigh Skead, Grace McDonald and Nadia Brucia-Neale

Merewyn Wright

Lousie Mahony and David Dias

Claudia Gray and Susie Bowen

Grace McDonald, Nadia Brucia-Neale and Gemma Louise Pap

Geoff Hards, Diahann Logan, John Denuyl, Trudy Hastings, Corrie Denuyl and Jean Sloane

Jacqui Henderson and Gemma Louise Pap

Gisi Harrington and John Mol

Mayor Ry Collins and Carol Collins

Gemma Louise Pap

Photo credit: Merewyn Wright

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Individuals wore their best blues, greens and aquamarines to enjoy the Airlie Beach Race Week Shoreside Long Table Lunch on Monday.
Guests tucked into a gourmet lunch featuring a delightful array of exquisite canapés, followed by a meticulously curated menu that showcased an abundance of fresh and local ingredients. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared to highlight the region's rich flavours and culinary traditions, creating a memorable dining experience that perfectly complemented the elegant atmosphere of the event.
There were many incredible Lucky Door Prizes to be won from Ocean Dynamics, Airlie Beach Festival of Music, Infuse Me Whitsundays, and Mount Gay Rum, including an adorable and exclusive Whitsunday Edition of Monopoly, that replaces all the original places with Whitsunday towns.
The event offered attendees the chance to immerse themselves in the breath-taking views of Airlie Beach Foreshore, savouring exquisite food and wine as a perfect rest day to a lively Race Week.

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Did you know that this year’s Airlie Beach Race Week Festival Village was powered entirely by the sun?

Airlie Beach Race Week’s Festival Village was fuelled entirely by Mobile Power Trailers’ solar panels.

Founder of Mobile Power Trailers Adam Janczyk said people were excited to see the power trailers driving the Festival Village ever since they announced the new innovation.

“Last time when we were here, we announced that we would go off-grid and sustainable, everyone was very excited about it!” explained Adam.

“I took it a step further when I came up here, I said no generators.

“I will run it all off the solar and the batteries and it’s been fantastic.”

Even on a cloudy day the batteries charged up and Adam was ready for a night filled with music, lights and activities.

Adam initially started Mobile Power Trailers through his other business called Pure Nation Solar. In total bringing 75 kilowatts worth of battery and 30 kilowatts worth of solar.

They started powering tiny homes with a device that could supply the house with power, whilst being up to 50 metres away from the home itself.

As the power trailers generated a life of their own, Adam spilt the two companies and now Mobile Power Trailers are powering big events.

Renewable and sustainable power is important to Adam, he has three children of his own and questions what world he is leaving behind for them. Adam, knowing he could make a difference, took the leap and has not looked back.

Although supplying renewable and sustainable power solutions is important to Adam, his passion lies with being able to provide if a disaster occurred.

“Imagine if a cyclone came through and we had these in the yard?” stated Adam.

“Mobile Power Trailers can give you Wi Fi and telecommunication. You can send that message to your mum and let her know you are safe.

“SAS helicopters fly blind but with power if you are in necessary need, you can send a text message and say, this is where I am. Come and get me.”

To prove that these trailers are capable of aiding people during natural disasters Adam has to prove their worth first. Next year Adam has plans to take the entire Whitsunday Sailing Club off-grid and run entirely off his Mobile Power Trailers.

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Founder of Mobile Power Trailers Adam Janczyk had the Airlie Beach Race Week Festival Village running entirely off-grid thanks to his innovative mobile solar panels. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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Two weeks ago, Andrew Willcox dropped in to congratulate Libby Edge and her team at Eco Barge CleanSeas on receiving a much-needed $4000 volunteer grant to upgrade their outdated computer equipment.
Libby requested the grant back in November last year after seeing the volunteer grant opportunity on Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox’s newsletter, and received it in May this year which Libby described as a “great turn around!”
Before receiving the grant Libby and her team were using really old computers, which are vital to the running of their organisation:
“We do a lot of reporting and send out a lot of emails to our volunteers, everyone knows we need a computer to run, we were running off computers that were so old and weren't keeping up with the speed that we needed at all,” Libby explained.
The grant, which has gone to two new computers, has really streamlined the admin side of Eco Barge:
“This grant was perfect, it is so helpful, it's all about the nuts and bolts in running the organisation and you can't do it with a slow computer, but now we have brand new computers!” Libby enthused.
Libby herself uses the computers for grant writing and policy procedures, and without the admin side of Eco Barge they “can't run.”
“We reply to hundreds of emails a week and the new computers just make it that bit faster!”
Upon visiting Eco Barge, Andrew Willcox MP, stated, “It’s important we keep continuing to support organisations such as Eco Barge in the Whitsundays and I know they have big plans in the making and I look forward to continuing to work with them.”
The Eco Barge team really appreciated, Andrew Willcox’s attendance and for helping get the team the grant:
“I really want to thank Andrew and his team; it really is a daily thank you when we come into the office and it is so streamlined,” Libby emphasised.
She continued that visit to the centre, like the one Andrew Willcox MP did are important:
“It's very important for people to come into the centre and see what we do, once you come and see the marine debris, and the sheer volume that we have, it's an eye-opener, this is direct action and you can see it in action and see the plastic.”
Organisations like Eco Barge, rely on the generosity from the public and volunteers:
“If anyone donates to eco barge anything small or large is greatly appreciated, it all helps us go out there and do what we do best which is remove marine debris and protect our beautiful sea turtles.”
Libby and her team are always looking for more people to join Eco Barge: “if there are volunteers that are specialists in admin or data collection, I'm all ears and you can volunteer via our website.”
Eco Barge, now have the equipment to continue keeping their ocean clean and “raising awareness on how each individual can play their part on how to protect our ocean.”

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Founder of Eco Barge Libby Edge and Federal Member for Andrew Willcox MP

Founder of Eco Barge Libby Edge and Andrew Willcox MP, with collected marine debris

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Book Week is an exciting and magical celebration, that captivates the imaginations of children across Australia.

This year’s Book Week has an enchanting theme ‘Reading is Magic’ and it is encouraging children to read in a fun way.

‘Reading is Magic’ will be at taking place in all Whitsunday Regional Council libraries and there will be themed story times and activities for children to enjoy throughout Book Week.

Families can go in and there are lots of play stations set up, songs are also sung.

Acting team leader of Proserpine, Bowen and Collinsville Libraries Alicia Mulcahy loves reading herself and thinks it is important for children to start reading too.

“I love reading, it transports me into a new world, allowing me to have incredible adventures and meet fascinating characters. I love to read books about different cultures to learn new perspectives,” Alicia said.

“It’s important to foster a love of reading early to encourage lifelong learning!

“In school, you read to learn, and that can be a little bit boring, but reading is a lifelong skill, so if you're reading fantastic stories you learn to have a love for it.”

Alongside Book Week an annual Book of the Year Award is announced.

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA), established in 1945, hosts an annual Book of the Year Award, created to promote high-quality literature for young Australians.

There are different judging panels, and they award a book of the year.

Libraries receive a short list of books, so they can stock all of the books that are on the list, and then the CBCA award Book of the Year.

In the lead-up to the CBCA's Book of the Year Awards, children celebrate the joy of reading by dressing up as their favourite literary characters in Book Week.

During this special week stories come to life and young readers are inspired to explore the wanders of books and the limitless possibilities they hold.

Come and be a part of the enchanting Book Week celebrations at your local library! Dress up as your favourite characters and dive into the magical world of reading and start your reading journey.

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Come to Book Week and fall in love with reading, Stock Image

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Alongside the Olympic athletes, students from Bowen State High School have been excelling on the track for the past few weeks.

Bowen State High School celebrated 30 years of inclusive athletics at The Challenge Games on Wednesday 24th July.

The Challenge Games are an annual event held at the Townsville Sports Reserve, which allows students of all ages with disabilities to participate in a range of athletic and novelty activities.

Bowen State High School students represent their school with pride and enthusiasm alongside a contingent of other schools across the North Queensland Region.

Head of Diversity Craig Ninnes understands the difficulty that students with disabilities face and praises The Challenge Games inclusivity.  

“Navigating the social landscape of high school can be difficult for students with disability,” Craig Ninnes said.

“The Challenge Games allows students with disability the opportunity to connect with each other through the common theme of athletics. The friendships and self-confidence they build will allow them to improve their own wellbeing, engagement and success in learning.”

The focus of the day was fun, and friendship and students were able to socialise with local primary schools, compete against other high schools, and forge stronger relationships with their own peers.

Events for the day included shotput, long jump, rugby league, vortex throwing, fling-o-majig, 200m and sitting volleyball.

Bowen State High School Students also hit the field in their Interhouse Athletics Carnival, which was held over two days on the 1st and 2nd August.

This year’s carnival saw the highest attendance and participation it has seen in many years.

Students competed in traditional track and field events, as well as age group challenges. Highlights of the carnival included the Mascot Race and the staff verse Year 12 students’ tug-of-war.

Principal of Bowen State High School Rob Harris said these sporting events are important to students as they focus on Olympic values that they want to replicate.

“The focus is to emulate the Olympic values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship,” said Principal Harris.

“When we see students achieving results because of their hard work and training, along with students cheering on their peers and interacting positively with staff to assist with events, it highlights those extra-curricular activities are important for student and staff wellbeing.

“Congratulations to all students on their performances, especially our age champions and we wish those students who have qualified for the North Queensland Trials in Townsville later this month all the best.”

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A dedicated careers’ program has launched for students at Bowen State High School with a focus on know and grow local.

Career Academy Grow Local Connection comprises a five-session program for students to explore local career opportunities of which a key feature is the inclusion of local employer guest panels to dig deeper into just what’s on offer locally, and students hear first-hand about the range of job options and opportunities.

Bowen State High School Principal, Rob Harris has welcomed the collaboration with Career Academy to provide students, not only with personal development but also with ‘a real world’ perspective and what potential employers are looking for which is important for students looking to gain their first job out of school and start their careers.

Mr Harris said Career Academy will equip participating students across year levels, 10, 11 and 12 with greater knowledge to make first career choices and a better understanding of what employers want.

Career Academy Program Director, Maree Franettovich said the Program is focussed on personal skills development for students in a career context to build greater confidence to seek out information, plan and make decisions, and engage in the types of activities required of them to make things happen in relation to their careers.

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Pamela Greet, Jake Collins, Susan Brown, Emily Moore, Rob Harris and Maree Franettovich

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If there is one place that knows about Lawn Mowers, it's Whitsunday Mowers, the company dates back to 25 years ago, and was bought by Wayne and Sharron Drabsch in 2018.
Wayne, a seasoned business owner, brings extensive experience to the lawn mower industry. With over 40 years as a mechanic and a passion for lawn mowers dating back to when he was 13—when he would take community mowers home to study and tinker with them —Wayne combines deep technical knowledge with a lifelong enthusiasm for the field.
Business owner Wayne explained how the business went from a “little backyard business and developed into something where we service the whole area now, and not just Proserpine.”
Whitsunday Mowers only sells top quality products:
“We do not sell any cheap product at all; it's got to be value for the customer for us to put our hands on it.”
On their second-hand products the company gives a 3-month warranty to ensure the quality and longevity of their products.
Despite enjoying a strong start during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wayne acknowledges that the gardening market is highly competitive. However, given the company's rapid expansion, it’s clear they are thriving.
Whitsunday mowers has some new and exciting items coming online, including an all-terrain type mower called the ALTOZ TRX354. This machine is a commercial grade zero turn mower with tracks on the rear instead of wheels and has puncture proof front tyres. It is very stable on slopes and smooth over rough ground, it is also very good on wet soggy areas where normal mowers would get bogged.
“We are constantly looking for new products to offer the customer a better experience,” explained Wayne.
Whitsunday Mowers remains committed to supporting the community through generous donations. Recently, they backed the fishing tournament in Hideaway Bay and contributed to the Soldier's Hall in Bloomsbury.

Come support them too and take a look at their amazing new products, you can even demo an item on your own property with one of the Whitsunday Mowers staff.
www.whitsundaymowers.com.au

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Get your hands on the all new ALTOZ TRX354!

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Feeling lower than low, after discovering that someone I knew and trusted had been stealing from us for some time, I went to my vegie patch with a very heavy heart.

I discovered three things:

Firstly, Bandicoots had returned. They had destroyed two of my newly planted garden beds.
Totally unsavable. Secondly, when picking what I thought were beautiful red ripe heritage tomatoes, on closer inspection, they turned out to be eaten by caterpillars. I had not recovered the crop after the wind had blown the netting off.
Third and not really vegetable related, my pet turtle of seven years who I had let out of his tank to bask in the morning sun, had escaped from his outdoor enclosure and had run away.

CRAP! (Not a negative word in the plant growing world!)

So, what do you do to keep bandicoots and insects out of your vegie patch? It’s really simple. Net your crop with 25% shade cloth. Weight the edges down with anything you have – rocks, tent pegs or even branches that have fallen from trees.

It’s a win, win:
Firstly, you have given your crop shade from the harsh midday Whitsundays sun
Secondly, you have reduced loss of soil moisture in our (so called) dry season
Thirdly, you keep out bandicoots and insects!

There are MANY and I mean MANY options for holding your shade cloth in place.  From irrigation pipe (cut into lengths, bent into semicircles and pushed into the soil), to 25mm hardwood stakes, to bamboo bent over like you would irrigation pipe or simply use branches from trees.

A very simple but effective way to hold your shade cloth to the structure is to use clothes pegs. They work a treat.

I had let my guard down and I was paying the price.
I had let creatures into my crops by not being vigilant.
And in not being vigilant in life, I had also let someone take what was important to me.

In the garden I see the problem and I solve it! I found a way to protect what is precious to me. I don’t get angry with the insects – pointless they wouldn’t really care if I yell at them.  I just keep them at bay.

So, I stopped sulking and got into action in my garden and in my life.
Re-seeded, secured shade cloth and removed insect effected veggies and added them to the compost bin.

And guess what, three days after my turtle escaped, I stepped out of my front door to be greeted by a very hungry and dehydrated turtle. True story! Who said reptiles don’t love their owners?!

Protect your patch and reap the rewards!

IT’S THE LAST MONTH OF WINTER
While you may be sowing seeds in preparation for your spring crops, it’s also a time when you are reaping the rewards of seeds sown in the beginning of the season. So, with lots of growth it is an important time to be liquid fertilising your crops. Grab your seasol today and give your vegie patch an all important boost

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