The Whitsunday Electorate is set to receive $351,970.65 in funding from the Gambling
Community Benefit Fund, with 14 community groups successful in their application for funding
to help purchase new equipment for their organisation.

More than 2000 applications were received across the State, which was the largest
number in the program’s 31-year history.

Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm MP, said the grants give recognition to
grassroots organisations that are at the heart of our community.

“Whether it’s a new grandstand at Whitsunday Equestrian Group, a new bus for
Proserpine Rugby League Football Club or a solar system at Seaforth Boating Club, these
grants will enable these organisations to provide better services that benefit the whole
region,” Ms Camm said.

The Dingo Beach Progress Association received $33,064 to purchase a digital sign and
point of sale equipment for use at the markets.

“A digital sign for Dingo Beach is such an important asset for our community,” Sue
Jamieson from Dingo Beach Progress Association said.

"Not everybody has Facebook and so the sign will be there to keep residents informed as
to what is happening in the area.

"It will be beneficial for the Rural Fire Brigade and SES and vital during bad weather
events. The digital sign is the first step of many great things to happen in Dingo Beach and
we are so grateful to the Crisafulli Government for helping to get this grant through."

Other local clubs that benefited from the funding included My Gym Club Proserpine, which received $35,000 for a new shed; Proserpine Junior Cricket Association, which was allocated $34,600 for an amenities upgrade and a new buggy; and the Proserpine Kennel Club, which received over $7,000 for gazebos and a fridge.

Additionally, Proserpine Rugby League received a new $35,000 bus, the Whitsunday Bald Eagles will have a new $35,000 trailer, and Proserpine RSL will receive a $35,000 exhaust system.

Round 124, the next round of grants under the fund, will offer grants of up to $100,000.
Applications open for Round 124 on 9th June and close 18th July.
Visit https://www.justice.qld.gov.au/initiatives/community-grants to apply.

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Excitement is building in Bowen, with the town abuzz with news of the imminent rocket launch that could take place any time from Thursday, 15th May.

Gilmour Space Technologies announced a launch window starting ‘no earlier than’ Thursday between 7.30am and 5.30pm, but have reiterated that this could change at any time.

From launch, the flight path will take eight minutes before the rocket passes through the edge of Earth’s atmosphere and officially reaches orbit.

"This will be the first attempt of an Australian rocket to reach orbit from Australian soil," said Adam Gilmour, co-founder and CEO of Gilmour Space.

"Safety is always the top priority. We'll only launch when we're ready, and when conditions are appropriate.”

He added that it’s important to understand that delays or 'scrubs' are a normal part of rocket launches.

These can last anywhere from hours to days, or even weeks, and are often caused by weather conditions, technical issues, or other factors.

Reaching orbit is a highly complex engineering challenge, and every successful rocket company has faced setbacks in their early attempts—SpaceX, for one, did it on their fourth attempt.

"It's almost unheard of for a private rocket company to launch successfully to orbit the first time,” he shared.

“Whether we make it off the pad, reach max Q, or get all the way to space, what's important is that every second of flight will deliver valuable data that will improve our rocket's reliability and performance for future launches."

Gilmour added that, regardless of the outcome on the maiden voyage, this is still a huge moment for Australia.

“Only six countries in the world are launching regularly to space using their own technology, and Australia could soon be one of them," he expressed.

"I want to thank our incredible team at Gilmour Space for all their hard work and dedication in getting to this critical first flight. Whatever happens next, know that you've already made history—we now build rockets in Australia. And this is only the beginning."

Eris is a three-stage rocket powered by a hybrid rocket engine. It is about the same height as a 7-storey building and, at lift-off, weighs 34 tonnes – equal to about 17 average-sized cars.

It is the first-ever Australian-made rocket to launch into space, and once operational, it will deliver payloads into low-orbit space.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox has been an avid supporter of the project since advocating for support when he was Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor.

“A lot hinges on many factors, including the weather, and as this is the first of its kind in Australia, expectations are being managed,” he shared.
“No matter the final result, the data gathered from this inaugural test flight will be invaluable – the only way forward is up!”

Mayor Ry Collins said he was excited to see the Whitsunday region in the spotlight.

“History is about to be made in Australia, and the Whitsundays is front and centre!”

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy, added that the town had certainly been buzzing about the launch.

“Everyone has been talking about it – locals and visitors – ever since the date was announced,” she said.

“We certainly have had a lot of visitors asking questions. People have travelled from near and far hoping to get a glimpse of this historical moment.

“It really is a milestone for Bowen, for the entire Whitsundays region, and for Australia.”

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox with the Gilmour Brothers at the Gilmour Spaceport in Bowen. Photo supplied

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A sea of placards gathered at the steps of the Proserpine Courthouse last week, with local protestors conducting a demonstration to express their frustration that a Mining Lease Application had been granted for Dittmer Gold Mine without impact assessments being addressed.

Shortly afterward, the Whitsunday Conservation Council released a statement outlining the desperate need for better environmental safety measures.

“It is unacceptable that an application to have an EA approval granted in 2010 extended to cover the proposed mining project MLA 100351 for an additional fifteen years without requiring new impact assessments addressing threats to water quality, flora and fauna, including endangered and threatened species, and environmental nuisance issues for the residents of the small village of Dittmer,” said the statement.

“The site is situated in the Proserpine Catchment area. The water from this area provides drinking water for Dittmer residents, drains to the Proserpine Dam which provides drinking water to residents of Whitsunday and irrigation for agriculture, and finally drains to the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

“The site is also identified as within a Statewide Biodiversity Corridor, habitat for the Endangered Proserpine Rock Wallaby, Northern Quoll, and Greater Glider, along with endangered and vulnerable plant species, Koala habitat, MSES wildlife habitat, MSES regulated vegetation (essential habitat), and the Proserpine State Forest.”

Dittmer Mine is located approximately 20 kilometres west of Proserpine and was first discovered in 1934, producing over 54,000 oz of gold by the time it closed in 1951.

Four years ago, Ballymore Resources started to explore the area once again, with initial works revealing a number of high-grade shoots, and the opportunity to mine for gold in the area has resurfaced.

Further drilling and exploration commenced in 2024, but extraction is yet to take place.

Ballymore Resources states that they are “committed to doing what we can to limit our environmental impact. This includes removing leftover material from the project’s previous operations, using already established tracks, and minimising our surface footprint through underground operations.”

“If extraction does take place in the future, we will use the available best-practice extraction methods and work with the local community and government organisations to ensure we meet all our environmental and legislative obligations,” the company stated.

The spokesperson added that they will work with the local community and government organisations to ensure they meet all environmental and legislative obligations.

“We take our responsibility to the environment surrounding the mine site very seriously and are committed to having minimal environmental impact in the area.
“We have complied with all state legislation throughout the application process.”

In addition, a significant residual impact assessment was completed by an independent third party and submitted to the Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation as part of the MLA process.

“We have also conducted several hydrogeological and surface water studies and submitted them as part of the lease application,” they said.

“These studies form the basis of our environmental management plan, which includes ongoing monitoring and assessment of the environmental values of the site.”

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Concerned community members protest what they believe are inadequate environmental impact assessments at the Dittmer Gold Mine. Photo supplied.

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“You’re not old, you’re fantastic!”

These were the words of my young son during the week of his eighth birthday when I mentioned my ever-increasing age.

I think he was probably buttering me up ahead of his ‘Party Royale’ Fortnite-themed birthday bash this Friday, but it still felt nice to be called fantastic!

Anyway, this week is big not just because of my son’s birthday, but also due to a certain imminent rocket launch in Bowen.

After years of preparation, the launch window has finally arrived and the whole region is buzzing with excitement!

Although thrilled with the news, we all had a good laugh at the office when we heard the expected launch date – you see, we go to print on Wednesday, and the paper is distributed on Friday.

This means Gilmour very selfishly picked the one day when our paper is in limbo!

If we write about the rocket launch happening on Thursday and it doesn't, we would be wrong; but if we don’t mention it, we’ll miss some of the biggest news the Whitsundays has seen in years – maybe ever!

How exciting that our region is playing a part in making history!

To think, this all started thanks to Bowen’s fortunate geography – the perfect latitude, its remote location, and just the right proximity to what’s needed. All the stars aligned (literally!) to make the Whitsundays part of Australia’s first space adventure.

School kids are chatting about it in classrooms and playgrounds, tourists are flocking to our region, spending money just to get a glimpse of the launch, and Bowen is about to go down in history as the site of Australia’s first rocket launch.

Whether or not the rocket successfully soars eight minutes into the sky on Thursday and reaches orbit, this is still a momentous occasion for all of us!

Good luck to the incredibly talented team at Gilmour, and thanks for bringing space travel to the Whitsundays.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go” (T.S. Eliot)

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Well known for his community-minded attitude, local Ironman hero Mick Kimpton once again proved his deep-rooted kindness when he helped Whitsunday Life journalist Daniel Heggie earlier this week.

Eager to participate in the Airlie Beach Triathlon this year, Daniel had begun training with a friend but realised one thing stood in his way – he didn’t have a bike.

Having known Mick through his role as President of the Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival, Daniel approached him to ask if he knew where he could purchase or hire a bike.

“I asked him where I could go to hire a bike a week or two before the triathlon, so I could get used to a fast bike,” explained Daniel.

“I was blown away by his generosity. Instead of suggesting a bike hire place, he offered to arrange a club bike with my name on it.”

“And instead of hiring a bike for a week or two, I can have the club bike for a month before the triathlon, including the race. This will give me a chance to get comfortable and familiar with outdoor training.”

“I’m so grateful for Mick’s generosity and support. His offer made a huge difference to my preparation and showed just how welcoming and supportive this triathlon community really is.”

The Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival takes place on the 16th and 17th of August this year, with activities for everyone to enjoy – including special children’s events and different categories that allow all members of the community to participate.

Sign up now, and you might even see Daniel on the track!

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Yes, there is evidence that Great Barrier Reef green zones, or no-take zones, are effective in protecting and increasing fish populations, especially coral trout. These zones help replenish fish stocks and benefit the overall health of the reef ecosystem.

Prior to the Reef rezoning of 2004, protected areas on the Reef covered less than 5%. But after an intense two-year planning period and more than 30,000 public submissions, protected areas were increased to more than 33% in 2004.

There was a lot of conjecture at the time as to whether it was the right thing to do and there were some seriously opposing views.

But the science is undeniably clear; green zones really do work.

Here's why they work:

Increased Fish Numbers and Size:
Research shows that green zones have led to significant increases in coral trout numbers and average size. Bigger fish can produce more offspring, contributing to the replenishment of fish stocks.

Spill-over Effect:
Fish, like coral trout and snapper, spawn and reproduce within green zones, and their larvae travel to surrounding fished areas, benefiting those areas as well.

Improved Ecosystem Health:
Increased fish populations, particularly predators like coral trout, can help control the populations of other species, like crown-of-thorn starfish, which are a threat to coral reefs. Corals found in green zones tend to be healthier, showing less disease, than fished zones.

Benefits for Fisheries:
The increase in fish populations in green zones can also lead to increased yields and sustainability for fisheries in surrounding areas.

Long-term Protection:
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has been using zoning as a key management tool since the 1980s, with the 2004 rezoning significantly expanding protection and further improving results.

Of course, for green zones to be effective, adhering to the rules (compliance) is extremely important. Compliance data and research shows that commercial fishing compliance is very good. Unfortunately, recreational fishing compliance needs to improve.

Overall, this is a win, win, win situation. Green zones on the Great Barrier Reef are a successful strategy for protecting fish populations, supporting healthy ecosystems, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of both the reef and the industries that depend on it.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Conservation Council

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Coral Trouts spawn and reproduce within the green zones. Photo supplied

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Humpbacks in the southern hemisphere commonly have a white or grey underside which can extend onto their sides. The top of the pectoral fin is generally black on top and white underneath.

Humpbacks in the northern hemisphere are predominantly black, but have varying degrees of white on the throat, belly, pectoral fins, and flukes.
The top of their pectorals tend to be white.

Just like their body pigmentation, southern hemisphere humpback whales have large areas of white on their tail flukes.

The Australian East Coast population often have completely or mostly white on their tail flukes.

The darker tail flukes with less white are more common in northern hemisphere.

The black and white patterns on humpback whale flukes are unique to each whale, so individuals can be identified by photos of underside of the flukes.  Photos can be uploaded to the HappyWhale data base.  Since the 1970s scientists have used this as a tool, visually matching each whale in catalogs of thousands of individuals, to track individuals in migrations across oceans and to monitor populations. At present over 120,000 individuals have been identified.

Anyone can contribute to citizen science by taking a photo of a whale fluke and submitting it to Happywhale.com

Images and data are shared with scientific organizations engaged in photo ID studies. Happywhale will attempt to identify any individuals in your photos now using artificial intelligence-based automated image recognition.

Happywhale will notify you of what they find, either finding a match, or if they do not find a match, they will determine your whale to be new to science, add an ID, and look for your whale in all future sightings.

Contributed by Kellie Leonard, Master Reef Guide/Whales of the Whitsundays.

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Hi everyone,

Welcome to this week’s edition of Ruth2Reef!

I hope you enjoy reading about the latest environmental happenings.

If you have any stories you’d like to see featured in Ruth2Reef, feel free to email them to me at ruth@lifepublishinggroup.com

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Happy reading!
Ruth

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W B (Bill) Morgan came to the district in 1902. Initially he worked for farmers, Peter Nielsen and John Renwick, with a spell on cattle stations out west. In 1905, Bill Morgan started cane growing at Cannon Valley with brother, Norman. In 1910/11, along with cousins, P and G Morris, they established a larger farm at Conway/Preston.

The Morgan brothers’ house was impressive. When Annie Ware and Jim Stanley were to be married in 1911, a kitchen tea was held there.  A toast proposed to Bill as the evening’s host, referred to his “good citizenship” and noted how he “always took a leading part in anything that was for the good of the district.”

In 1912, as representative of the Ratepayers’ Union, Bill was elected as a shire councillor, holding that position until defeated in 1914. He also served on council in the mid 1930s, however was unsuccessful at his attempts to enter politics having been defeated in the 1936 Bowen by - election.

Bill Morgan was a delegate to the Mackay Convention which founded the United Canegrowers Association in Queensland (1914), helping draft its constitution and later representing Proserpine at several state conferences.  Bill also served twenty years as Branch Representative of the Farmer’s Executive on the Bowen Harbour Board. He was also one of the first directors of Proserpine Co-operative Dairying Co after its formation in 1922.  In 1926, he campaigned for the installation of a telephone system to the rural districts and by 1927 this was completed.

Bill was the driving force behind the building of the first district public hall at Preston in 1911.  Records show that, in May 1911, “Preston public hall trustees held a dance at Messrs Morgan Bros new residence at Cannon Valley to raise funds for the building.”  On the social side, together with other Conway people, he conducted the Conway Racing Club for five years and was also involved in the Preston Cricket Club.

In 1930, Bill gave up cane growing and relinquished most of his public positions to go in for cattle breeding.  He conducted a small butchering business until 1942 when, due to the shortage of cattle, war rationing and sickness, he was forced to close. Past locals recalled that Bill Morgan’s butcher shop at Rifle Range Road was a pretty rough establishment but did have a REGISTERED sign outside the shop.  The meat for sale was just chops and cuts as Bill used to shoot bush cattle and slaughter them. He also made a lot of items from green hide. When Bill closed his butchering business, he retired to his Grimstone Point property.

Old timers related many humorous tales about Bill such as the occasion when someone was eating roast meat bought from old Bill and bit on a shotgun pellet!  Then there was the time at Preston’s Fancy Dress Cricket Social when he dressed up as the Charles Dickens’ character, Bill Sykes, the burglar. Donning a black mask and armed with a sock half full of sand, he had to be carefully watched by all in attendance. One lady declared she had lost her watch and chain. Said items were still missing as the local aper went to press the following week! Could “Sykes” have been the culprit?

W B Morgan also turned his talents to writing and was the author of a supplement published in the “Proserpine Guardian” (December 1947) as part of the celebration of Proserpine’s Jubilee. Featuring a detailed account of 75 years of settlement and the valuable contributions of our district’s pioneers, it must have taken him countless hours to research and compile.

We are indebted to WB (Bill) Morgan for this comprehensive history and the absorbing detail about our early pioneers.

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

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W B Morgan was involved in Preston Cricket Club. Photo supplied

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This week's Pet of the Week is two-year-old Arab x Greyhound with a heart as big as his paws. This loveable long-termer was rescued from death row at the Burdekin pound and is now looking for his second chance at happiness.

Currently being fostered in Brandy Creek, Timmy is a playful, affectionate companion who adores running, zoomies, and hanging out with his foster brothers. He’s fantastic with kids of all ages, submissive with other dogs, and even good with cats.

Timmy would thrive in a home with 6ft fences, daily walks, and ideally another canine companion or someone who is home often. While he hasn’t been tested with chickens, his gentle nature shines through in every interaction.

Adoption fee is $400, and this sweet boy is more than worth it. If you're looking to add a loyal friend to your family, Timmy could be your perfect match.

Rehoming fee: $400
Age: 2 years
Sex: Male
Breed: Arab x Greyhound
Other dogs: Yes
Fences: 6ft

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Excitement is building for the Whitsunday Game Fish Club’s upcoming Queenfish and Trevally Rally, which has received a major boost with Tackle World Airlie Beach coming on board as the naming rights sponsor.

New store owners Dan and Beth Hockley have thrown their support behind the event in a big way, generously donating a $650 rod and reel combo as a major prize. They’ll also be delivering a special presentation during the event briefing, sharing expert tips on lure fishing for queenfish and trevally. In addition, they’ll be offering exclusive discounts on the latest gear—perfect for those hoping to land a winner.

The rally briefing and registration will be held Friday, 16 May from 6pm at the Marine Club on Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale, upstairs in the new training room. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The rally is open to all current members of any Game Fish Club and will be fished according to GFAA rules using open line class—conditions that promise to deliver some thrilling catches.

Fishing officially begins anytime after Friday night’s briefing, and all competitors must return to the club by 5pm on Saturday, 17 May for the trophy presentation and a few good stories shared among mates.

Entry fees are just $25 for adults and $10 for juniors under 16, making this a great-value weekend with fantastic prizes up for grabs and plenty of camaraderie.

With expert advice, top-quality gear, and the chance to hook some impressive fish, this year’s rally promises to be one not to miss.

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The Whitsundays Tourism Awards, presented by Bishopp, are getting a fresh new format in 2025 - making it easier for more local tourism businesses to be recognised.

For the first time, there’s no written submission required. Instead, awards will be based on results from Queensland’s Best of Queensland program, which evaluates businesses on customer reviews, online presence, accreditation and more.

To be eligible, businesses must be members of Tourism Whitsundays for the 2025/26 financial year and hold Best of Queensland status. Once that’s confirmed, Tourism Whitsundays will be in touch in July to finalise entries and nominate award categories.

Winners will be chosen based on their Best of Queensland score, with Gold, Silver and Bronze going to the top-rated operators in each category.

The move brings the regional awards in line with the Queensland Tourism Awards and removes the need for time-consuming submissions, allowing more operators to get involved and focus on delivering exceptional visitor experiences.

This streamlined approach is designed to highlight the best in the region’s tourism and prepare local operators for potential state and national recognition.

Details on the awards night, including date, venue and ticket sales, will be announced soon.

Contributed by Tourism Whitsundays

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The 2024 Whitsunday Tourism Awards. Photo credit: R Jean Photography

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The Whitsundays are proudly represented across all categories in the 2025 Queensland Top Tourism Town Awards, with three local towns named as finalists, showcasing the region’s unique appeal from the sparkling coastline to its charming country heart.

Public voting opened at 10am on Saturday 10th May and closes on Friday, May 17, giving locals, Queenslanders, and visitors the chance to support their favourite Whitsundays destinations via the QTIC Top Tourism Town Awards website.

The finalists are:
• Bowen: Top Tourism Town (population over 5,000)
• Airlie Beach: Top Small Tourism Town (population 1,500 – 5,000)
• Collinsville: Top Tiny Tourism Town (population under 1,500)

Airlie Beach enters the competition as the reigning 2024 Top Small Tourism Town, having proudly secured the title for a third time last year. Bowen also scored bronze in their category last year.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Brisbane on Monday, June 16, with state champions progressing to the national Top Tourism Town Awards later in the year.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tim Booth says the nominations are a powerful vote of confidence in the region’s tourism offering.

“With Airlie Beach defending its crown and both Bowen and Collinsville also in the mix, we have an exciting opportunity to shine a light on the diversity and depth of what The Whitsundays offers,” he said.

“Being a finalist in all three categories is a remarkable achievement and a celebration of the people and places that make this region so special.”

Mayor Ry Collins said he’s proud to see Airlie Beach, Bowen and Collinsville in the running across different categories in this year’s Queensland Top Tourism Town Awards.

“It’s great to see our towns being recognised for what they each bring to the tourism experience,” Mayor Collins said.

“From reef access and adventure in Airlie Beach, to Bowen’s long, sandy beaches and Collinsville’s warm country vibe - each town has something unique to offer visitors.

“I encourage everyone to get behind the Whitsundays, cast your votes and help showcase what makes the Whitsundays such a special place to visit.”

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Airlie Beach won Top Small Tourism Town for the past three years in a row

Scan this QR code to vote for the Whitsundays in the awards.

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The Proserpine Rock Wallaby Festival was a huge success last weekend, and Creative Connections Whitsunday said they were thrilled with the turn out at the event.

Secretary of Creative Connections Whitsunday Glenda Brown praised the idea of the festival and said it is thanks to previous president Leigh Skead.

“She wanted to create an art festival that was based in Proserpine for a couple of reasons. To showcase the artists and to bring visitors and to create more activity in Proserpine,” said Glenda.

“She also wanted to encompass the conservation effort into it. They chose to name the festival after the Proserpine Rock Wallaby because it's unique to the region and it's endangered.

“The Wallaby became the hero of the festival, a lot of artwork was created to reflect the Wallaby, there are 3D statues, 2D cutouts and even a giant gold Wallaby that was in the exhibition, which was created by Fauna Rescue Whitsunday.”

The 2025 Proserpine Rock Wallaby Festival featured an art exhibition, a Rock Wallaby lantern, treasure hunt, handmade markets, workshops, live music, dance performances, a plein air art challenge, and a Mother’s Day morning tea. The art exhibition and treasure hunt winner were also announced.

Debbie Stephens won the People's Choice award at the Proserpine Rock Wallaby Festival Art Exhibition for her exquisite piece ‘A Mother's Love’.

The winners of the Wallaby Hunt were:
• Harmony Hepburn - Winner of the Crocodile Safari
• Vivian Youngsmith - won the Cruise Whitsundays trip
• Liliana Hepburn won the Bredls voucher

Mayor Ry Collins opened the festival and he praised the festival's support of the unique celebration of arts, culture and community in the Whitsundays.

“A huge congratulations to Creative Connections Whitsunday for their vision and effort in bringing the festival to life,” he said.

“I, like many of you would have seen the creative little wallaby cutouts placed strategically around the region created from a fantastic collaboration between the Proserpine Men’s Shed and our local school kids painting them with flair – it’s inspiring to see the whole community come together through art.”

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hero - Creative Connections Whitsundays - Lucy Robinson-Tillett, Alinda Forrester, Lynette Edwards, Leigh Stead, and President Glenda Brown.

Ready Set Dance Group
Avril, Carmen, Sue, and Rebecca
Natalie Lock, Gary Brown, Kerry Aspland, and Di Forster
Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins opening the 2025 Proserpine Rock Wallaby Festival. Photo sourced: Facebook

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Last week, I had the privilege of joining members of our community at the candle lighting ceremony in Airlie Beach - a moving tribute to those who have lost their lives to domestic and family violence. It is always a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a real person and a grieving family and community.

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, and this year’s theme - Take positive action today to build a safer Queensland - calls on each of us to be part of the solution. Domestic and family violence does not discriminate. Its impacts reach far beyond the home, touching schools, workplaces and communities.

It’s a sad reality that this issue remains widespread. That’s why we must continue to shine a light on it – not just in May, but all year round. Ongoing awareness helps drive change, strengthens laws and supports those experiencing violence to find safety and hope.
Each of us has a role to play. By speaking up when we see harmful behaviour and being someone others can trust, we help create a safer future for everyone.

While this month serves as a powerful reminder of the serious work still to be done, it's also important to acknowledge the positive initiatives taking place across our region.

Last weekend, our community came together at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre for the inaugural Rock Wallaby Festival. I had the pleasure of attending the opening night, and it was pleasing to see such a strong turnout supporting this new local event.
The festival was a fantastic showcase of local talent and creativity, featuring an art exhibition, a wallaby treasure hunt, family-friendly activities, handmade markets and a special Mother’s Day morning tea. It was a great opportunity for residents and visitors to engage with our town's vibrant arts scene and community spirit.

A personal highlight for me was seeing our local businesses, artists and volunteers come together to bring this vision to life.

Thank you to all the organisers, sponsors, community groups and volunteers who made this event possible. We look forward to seeing the Rock Wallaby Festival grow even bigger and better in years to come.

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