Artspace Mackay is proud to present three new solo exhibitions by a trio of exciting First Nations female contemporary artists.

All three artists – Jemima Wyman, Mandy Quadrio and Kate Harding – have strong links to the Mackay region and their exhibitions have been curated inhouse by the Artspace Mackay team.
Jemima Wyman grew up in Mackay and now lives and works in Los Angeles, Mandy Quadrio spent 15 years living in Mackay and is now a Brisbane resident and Kate Harding is a Sarina local.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the exhibitions were the culmination of about two years of work for Artspace Mackay Acting Director Lauren Turton and her team.

“Lauren has worked closely with the artists to celebrate their works and help them to tell their stories,” Mayor Williamson said.

“We are incredibly excited to have these three artists opening in our regional gallery at the same time, because their works are very different, but they complement each other in fascinating ways,” he said.

Ms Turton said that each artist paid homage to their heritage and influences through their art, but they did so with exciting contemporary mediums.

“Kate Harding has spent more than 40 years mastering her textile-based practice, and for the past decade she has been creating story quilts deeply connected to her cultural heritage,” Ms Turton said.

“Harding’s first solo institutional exhibition ‘Bidjara’ presents a new series of work that respond and reflect on her ongoing connection to culture and Country,” she said.

Included in this exhibition is a newly commissioned artwork titled Gutha Gubba 2024 – the first work by Harding to enter the Mackay Regional Council Art Collection.

Ms Turton said ‘Mandy Quadrio: Croattee kanne menyenner / tales of 60,000 years’ saw the artist creating tactile, sculptural forms to proclaim, empower and celebrate her long-time Indigenous maternal lineage from Lutriwita (Tasmania).

“Quadrio has worked with commercially sourced kangaroo tails and hides to create the fourteen wall-based sculptures inspired by her long-held connection to the lands of the Palawa people,” she said.

Ms Turton said Jemima Wyman’s exhibition in the Main Gallery, ‘Crisis Patterns’, focused on protest movements around the world.

“She is particularly interested in the way protesters use protective body coverings including masks, paint, smoke and textile collectively, like a make-shift billboard to communicate their message,” she said.

“Starting as hand-cut collages, each photograph is drawn from Wyman’s self-titled MAS archive; a collection of digital images from protest movements around the world, that she has been compiling since 2008.

“Often including hundreds of image references, each artwork meticulously documents the protest event, date and location in its full artwork title; ensuring these beautiful and intriguing compilations are also real-time snapshots of complex social-historical events happening around the globe.”

All three exhibitions will officially open on Friday, October 18, and will run until Sunday, December 15.

Jemima Wyman and Mandy Quadrio will be presenting free artists’ talks from 10.30am, Saturday October 19.

Head to artspacemackay.com.au for more details.

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Portrait of Jemima Wyman. Photo credit: James Nash

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Mackay Christian College is providing a unique hands-on learning experience for its students through a program where they build formula cars as part of their engineering traineeship.

This initiative is run in collaboration with Career Employment Australia (CEA), and students not only get the chance to work on an exciting project but also earn a Certificate II in Engineering Pathways, which contributes valuable points towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

The program began under the guidance of Greg Franken and was initially called “Formula Student”, but over time, it evolved into what it is today, with a strong focus on building cars and automotive skills.

Students at Mackay Christian College are supplied with all the materials needed to construct their cars. Through the program, they learn essential skills, such as reading engineering drawings, fabricating components and assembling the car itself.

Once the cars are built, the ultimate test begins when they take their cars to Lakeside Park, where the students get to race them in a challenge that’s more about endurance and less about speed.

The event consists of a test day where teachers drive the cars to ensure they are safe, followed by a race day where students get to take the wheel. This year, one of Mackay Christian College’s cars completed 101 laps in six hours, and was believed to have travelled almost 80km which was a remarkable achievement for the students and trainers involved.

Around 27 cars from various schools participated this year, though all the other schools were from South East Queensland. Mackay Christian College stands out as one of the few schools in regional Queensland running this program, thanks to its experienced trainers on board, trade training centre and support from local businesses.

Director of Mackay Christian College Trade Training Centre, Mr Warren Tysoe said the idea of this program is, “To help the students make an informed decision about where they might want to work in the future.”

For the students, the program provides a pathway to future careers, allowing them to explore different industries, from automotive engineering to trades like carpentry and electrical work.

“We have a number of students that have managed to get themselves an apprenticeship at the end of year 12, purely through their work experience programs which is really great,” Mr Tysoe added.

Mackay Christian College students raced their formula cars at Lakeside Park, completing an impressive 101 laps over six hours and covering nearly 80 kilometres in a challenging endurance event. Photos supplied

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My mate Greg Smith and I sat next to Anthony Albanese on a flight to Mackay about five or six years ago, soon after he was elected leader of the Federal Labor Party and leader of the Opposition.
Smithy and I were coming back from a real estate conference and had been upgraded to business class.
Albo had been on a “listening tour” of Queensland to try to find out why the ALP can’t win a Federal seat north of the Sunshine Coast.
Smithy and I were already in our seats when the future prime minister appeared and started making his way towards the last free business class seat on the flight, next to us.
Now Smithy and I are pretty keen followers of politics and were both aware of Albo’s “listening tour” so we quickly realised it was moving to Mackay. We couldn’t think of a better place for him to start than with us.
If Albo thought he was going to have a peaceful flight to Mackay and recharge before listening to Mackay people, he was wrong.
“Sit down Albo and we can get started on your Mackay listening tour.”
He seemed like a pretty good bloke but I had the distinct feeling that he wasn’t really listening.
Albo is by nature a socialist and Smithy and I are more from the free-market capitalism school of thought that has little time for identity politics and the religious-like fervor whipped up by the climate change “catastrophe”.
Anyway, Albo is now the Prime Minister and his life is not quite as private as it once was. So we find out, for example, that he has just bought a $4.3 million water-front property on the Central Coast of NSW.
I say good luck to him and it’s great to see the free market creating such an opportunity for him. Not good timing politically but that’s his call.
But the real estate news wasn’t all good for Albo in the past week or so. He had planned to auction a Sydney investment property but withdrew it a few days before the auction date due to lack of interest.
The Sydney market has suddenly gone quiet and prices are falling, albeit from a very high point. The effect of higher interest rates, higher inflation and high prices has had an impact.
I saw some figures the other day showing that in the past three months the median price in North Manly has fallen by 7.6 per cent, Bondi by 7.10 per cent and Coogee by 5.40 per cent, among other falls across Sydney.
Prices have also fallen in Melbourne, although a state government land tax is playing a role in the price falls in that state.
It is interesting that in Mackay we have seen no change in the intense interest in real estate from investors who live in those southern states.
I get calls every day from investors and buyers’ agents wanting to find something in Mackay.
They see our rental yields of around 5 per cent, median price around the $550,000 mark, rental vacancies of under 1 per cent and high average incomes and feel Mackay is a great opportunity.
It seems to me that all those factors, including the fact you can still buy a house for under $500,000, differentiate us from those more-expensive southern cities.
When you live in Sydney or Melbourne and see prices falling on very expensive properties with poor rental yields, there is a good chance you will be interested in investing in a city with a buoyant market of much cheaper properties, better rental yields  and very low vacancy rates.
If I see Albo on another listening tour I’ll tell him all about that … and a few other things.

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As you may have heard recently my co-host Jake gave me the ultimate stitch-up and signed me up for Australian idol as a joke. I have to preface this whole story by saying, no I cannot sing, no I do not think I can sing. Do I still sing in the studio at work? Yes.
To get me back for always singing badly, Jake signed me up for Australian Idol, and after a bit of organising, the next thing I knew we were off to Sydney for a live audition.
Now although I’m so grateful for a free trip to Sydney and a very awesome once-in-a-lifetime experience, that didn’t take away the fact I felt like vomiting the entire time I was there. It was very cool to see all the behind-the-scenes aspects of what goes into the making of a tv show.
Chatting with producers who have worked with some big Aussies celebs and seeing all the behind-the-scenes filming was great. But, again, the nerves were next level. After lots of waiting around it was my turn to head down the tunnel to the studio and stand in front of the judges.
There I was, in front of Amy Shark, Marcia Hines and Kyle Sandilands, people I have seen on TV since I was young and when I was in front of them I didn’t know what to do with my hands! The nerves were next level, but luckily they were lovely and we all had a laugh at my terrible rendition of ‘Let It Go’ from the Frozen Movie. One of Kyle Sandilands comments was “You’ve made a very recognisable song, unrecognisable, it was that bad.” We all had laugh and the absolute relief I felt as I walked out those doors was amazing!
After the audition, we waited around until the production break and headed to Kyle’s dressing room. As we waited, we found time ticking away and could see the showrunners getting concerned as we still were meant to chat with him. As break time was almost over, around the corner he came, face timing his son and chatting with his wife as he waved us over and we introduced ourselves. And wow, he was so easy-going and funny, I forgot I was talking to someone who was so famous, he had such a relaxed manner and was lovely!
Never once making us feel rushed he took the time to chat with us, however, we had well and truly overstayed our welcome and had producers knocking on the door as they had more filming to do. So after a big day of nerves finally at 7:30pm after meeting one of my career idol’s it was time for a Savvy B, or 2 or 3.
And now, this weekend it’s Jake’s payback (cue evil laugh.) I’ve signed him up to perform with the Sydney Hot Shots this Saturday night at the Seabreeze Hotel!
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Rach

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What do Kate Purdie from the Coral Sea Marina, Candice Crossley from Whitsunday Transit, Alice Harriott from Whitsunday Family Dental, and Julie Telford from SeaLink Marine and Tourism all have in common?
Apart from being some of the Whitsundays’ best-known women, these four females are about to make to history as the region’s inaugural team of ‘Dancing CEOs’.
Officially announced as ‘Team Whitsundays’ at a Southeast Queensland launch last week, this dynamic quartet joins the well-established, Brisbane-based fundraising initiative, through which CEO’s and business leaders compete in a dance contest to support Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ).

The Dancing CEOs: Kate Purdie, Julie Telford, Candice Crossley and Alice Harriott. Photo supplied

Local CEOs Put Region On Fundraising Map

Adding their names to an impressive list of philanthropists and company heads who have already swapped the boardroom for the ballroom over the program’s 10 years to date, ‘Team Whitsundays’ will now embark on a schedule of events aimed at gathering donations and raising awareness of this core cause in the lead-up to the May 2025 gala showdown at Brisbane City Hall – alongside the likes of television stars Liz Cantor and Lee Carseldine, and Olympic gold medal-winning runner, Sally Pearson, OAM.
Over the next eight months, the ladies’ efforts will be mentored by fellow Whitsundays local, ‘Queensland Gives’ Emerging Philanthropist of the Year and WLSQ Ambassador, Katelyn Collins (nee Aslett).
Herself a seasoned Dancing CEOs participant, with three contests danced as part of Brisbane and ‘All Stars’ teams, it was Ms Collins’ dream to bring WLSQ’s flagship fundraiser to the Whitsundays and to create ‘Team Whitsundays’.
“In the 2022-23 Financial Year, the Statewide Helpline answered over 16,000 calls from women seeking WLSQ’s free legal and support services, but sadly the following year that number of calls had already increased by 28 per cent, demonstrating how vital it is that we increase the capacity to respond,” Ms Collins explained.
“These funds raised by Team Whitsundays and all of the 2025 Dancing CEOs will help provide essential services, including the Financial Abuse Prevention Program, advice clinics, and community legal education sessions, all aimed at addressing the diverse legal, financial, welfare, and safety needs of women affected by domestic and family violence."
Speaking for both herself and her fellow team-mates, Coral Sea Marina CEO, Kate Purdie, said the group would now be calling on local businesses, community members and friends, to come together in support of WLSQ.
“The fight against domestic violence requires a united effort, and your involvement can make a significant difference,” she said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to give back and connect our networks for a truly important cause, providing crucial assistance to those in our community who need it most.”
Sealink Whitsundays Business Development Manager, Julie Telford, echoed these sentiments saying every donation, no matter how small, had the potential to create a ripple effect of positive change.
“Whether it’s financial support, prizes for auctions, or simply by spreading the word, the value of your contributions cannot be underestimated,” she said.
“It is together, as a community, that we have the power to transform lives and create a safer environment for those affected by domestic violence; so please, join us and let’s stand together to support and uplift those who need it most.”
To kick off their fundraising endeavours, ‘Team Whitsundays’ is asking the community to ‘save the date’ for one, or all three of their upcoming local events:
SAVE THE DATE
WHAT: Christmas Cocktails for a Cause
WHEN: Friday 6th December  
WHAT: Fundraising Gala
WHEN: Saturday 15th March
WHAT: Walk for Domestic Violence
WHEN: Sunday 30th March

Other ways to make a difference include:

   • Donate Directly: Your generosity can change lives. Visit dancingceos.com.
   • Contribute Prizes, Donations or Giveaways: If you’d like to make a meaningful impact by donating items for auctions or raffles, please reach out to Team Whitsundays at teamwhitsundays@gmail.com.
   • Follow Team Whitsundays on Social Media: To stay updated and support our Whitsunday Dancing CEOs, follow, like, share and engage with the Team Whitsundays Facebook Page.

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The Dancing CEOs: Alice Harriott, Julie Telford, Candice Crossley and Kate Purdie with mentor Katelyn Collins. Photo supplied

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Hi Everyone,

Behind the scenes for the past few months we have been working on a secret project, one that I guess will not be secret for that much longer!

I am pleased to announce that we will soon be launching another new newspaper!

As I’m sure many of you are aware, we opened Burdekin Life Newspaper last September and it has since become a fantastic success, delivering valued community news to Home Hill, Ayr and surrounding communities.

Burdekin Life was initiated by a community member and representative of the Burdekin Economic Committee, Neil Williams, who had seen Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper and wanted us to bring something similar to his community.

He called us one day saying that the Burdekin no longer had a weekly newspaper and people were feeling disconnected, no longer informed on community news, no longer having a central voice, or a platform where everyone could connect.

In May this year we received another similar phone call, this time it was from Ramon Jayo, the Mayor of the Hinchinbrook.

He detailed a similar story, stating that some of his constituents had seen Burdekin Life Newspaper and brought it back to the region to show him, asking if they could have the same.

Ramon invited us to the region to see if a newspaper was viable and when we arrived, we were once again greeted by a vibrant, warm and loving regional community who were thrilled to hear what we were planning.

Obviously, a lot of work goes into starting up a free newspaper and thanks to the local business community – our Founding Advertising Partners – we are moving forward with our plans to launch Hinchinbrook Life Newspaper on November 26.

This exciting expansion would not have been possible without this community, the community where it all started just over four years ago - thank you to all our local advertisers who keep this newspaper going and give us all a connection that we are now able to help facilitate in other regional communities.

Rach

“A newspaper is one of the tent poles of the community and that’s not going to be replaced by websites or blogs” (Michael Connelly)

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Two local boys, who requested to stay anonymous decided to take action and replace the old, damaged basketball nets at the Cannonvale basketball court, which were becoming unusable.
The old basketball nets were damaged and in need of replacing, and being a much-loved asset for the community, with some locals even using the courts daily.
The new nets that the boys bought and installed costed around $100 each but are invaluable to the community.
“Playing Basketball without a net is like playing soccer with football cones as a goal, it's just not fun,” one of the young men explained.
“But a lot of young athletes and tourists play basketball.”
“The nets were in really bad condition, and we wanted a better facility as we play there two days a week.”
Small acts of generosity, such as contributing $100 for new nets, can significantly enhance the experience for all community members and ensure that everyone in the Whitsundays can continue to enjoy these amenities.
At the heart of the community, the Cannonvale Beach basketball courts and skatepark are a thriving family-friendly destination for all to enjoy.
It’s wonderful to see a much-loved community asset looked after by the people, and the investment of these two young men shows how we can all contribute towards improving the areas we frequent.

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Two boys bought two $100 nets and installed them for the community to enjoy

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The Proserpine Whitsunday Uniting Church had an amazing four day opening event spanning Thursday 10 October – Sunday 13 October.

On Thursday the Church opened with a Civic Service, followed by a Dedication Service on Friday night. On Saturday morning there was a community day with a barbecue and lots of mingling, and Sunday concluded the four-day opening with the usual Sunday service.

Reverand Suzy Sitton enjoyed the four-day opening but says the best part of it was seeing people feel the presence of God.

“I saw so many people having a real sense of the presence of God and the number of people who have spoken about the peace that they felt,” she said.

“That to me, made me realise that the work that we are doing is not just for the community or for the church, it is a way of enabling people to connect with God.”

Construction of the new Church began in March 2024 but with rain delays actually meant it started it May 2024, and it is a wonderful structure.

The entire planning process had begun in 2022.

Rev Suzy Sitton says she is “ecstatically happy” with how the building has turned out.

Much of the funding for Proserpine Whitsunday Uniting Church was donated by people living in the Whitsunday community but also wider communities nation-wide.

“We've had people all across the nation who have contributed because they've had a link with our congregation, or with Proserpine, or they've had a link as part of the church,” said Rev Suzy Sitton.

“It's those sorts of stories where somebody says, ‘look, I went to Sunday school there, I was baptized there, I was married there’.

“All of these stories of connection have been floating around since we started the project, and now, we're hearing more and more of those stories today.”

Rev Suzy Sitton said she feels very humbled that people from across the country are contributing.

“I like seeing the impact that a message of hope can have,” she said.

“This church is only in a small corner of Australia, but it can connect people and it can provide hope for the future in the work that it will do as it provides services to the community.”

Much of the funding for the church came through the brick by brick campaign, where people could purchase a brick for $100, or whatever they could contribute.

Rev Suzy Sitton said every donation was vital and expresses a huge thank you to anyone that contributed.

Now the church is open Rev Suzy Sitton is looking forward to the people worshipping in the church and also upcoming activities that the church may host.

Proserpine Whitsunday Uniting Church also offer Care and Support and a Court Support program.

Rev Suzy Sitton said that the two support opportunities are titled under a banner called the Community Heart Project.

“That's what our church signifies. It is a heart for the community, and we hope that the church on the corner will be a place where people feel they are loved and cared for.”

Reverend Scott Ballment, Ross Hughes, Reverend Suzy Sitton, Tina Hamilton, and Frans Badenhorst outside the new church. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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The inaugural Whitsunday Jobs Fair was held at Proserpine State High School on Monday and was a huge success with around 80 people attending to connect with potential employers.

Organiser Scott McPherson from IDEAL Placements said the event is all about finding the right person for the right business.

He understands that businesses find it hard to find employees but the Whitsunday Jobs Fair was a great opportunity for people to meet employers face to face and get employed on the day.

“If we can keep doing this at a local level and target our local people looking for work. I think that's going to be a great thing,” he shared.

“People come here with a resume and are going to get work, and that's what we really want to target.”

At the Job Fair, there were 21 local businesses that attended in person, plus 10 businesses that advertised on a jobs board because they could not attend but were still given the opportunity to promote themselves.

Jess Dray, Julia Evans, Bernadette Porter, Shelley Simpson, and Scott McPherson
The team from Whitsunday Regional Council
Queensland Police Service open to new recruits!
Cruise Whitsundays offered a range of positions
Wilmar Sugar invited workers to the mill
Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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The LNP will deliver a significant upgrade to the clubhouse at the Airlie Beach Bowls
club if they win government this month.

The LNP candidate for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm, said the $100,000 investment would help the club to install solar panels to help with power bills, and include improvements to the clubhouse ceiling to keep the well-used community facility looking its best.

“It is great to be able to support Airlie Beach Bowls Club, a community organisation
that relies on the hard work of an aging volunteer base,” Ms Camm said.

"The clubhouse is a meeting point not just for the bowling community but the whole
community, so upgrades to the facility will be widely felt.

John Brown, Chairman of Airlie Beach Bowls Club welcomed the funding boost.

“These funds will allow us to get started on the upgrades straight away,” said Mr
Brown.

“Otherwise, we have to wait until we are successful in a grant application or wait the
many years it would take us as a club to raise these funds.

“Besides being a necessity for the club from a safety point, the upgrades will also be
a morale boost to the club and the community.”

The project will include upgrading the ceiling and installing new solar panels to help
reduce the overall operating costs of the club.

“This cost-of-living crisis is not only hurting families in our community but also our not
for profit organisations. Making the clubhouse more energy efficient will help reduce
the club’s increasing electricity costs”, Ms Camm stated.

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John Brown, Margo Stanley, Amanda Camm MP, and John Askew, Photo credit: Ruth Puddefoot

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 It has been a busy three months at Bowen’s Big Mango with visitor numbers exceeding last year.

In the first quarter of this financial year, a total of 19,555 people were welcomed at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre next to the Big Mango – representing an 8.3% increase on the same period last year.

Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business, Jenn Honnery said these numbers were particularly impressive as last year was a record for Bowen Tourism and Business.

“Despite concerns about the cost of living and the increase in interest rates in the past 12 months, the team at our Visitor Information Centre continues to welcome record numbers,” she said.

“The team of staff and volunteers encourage every visitor at the centre to take the detour just 5km off the highway to visit Bowen and check out our beautiful beaches, bushwalks, lookouts, mural and other attractions.

“Almost 60% of our centre’s visitors so far in this financial year have visited Bowen for the day or stayed at least one night. This is a testament to the great job our team do in encouraging that trip into town.

“We have invested heavily in destination marketing in the past 12 months, and we are now seeing the results, providing an economic boost for the region.”

Interim Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Whitsundays, Aimee Cameron said Bowen was vital for the drive market in our region. 

“We’re thrilled to see visitor numbers continuing to grow.  The team at Bowen Tourism and Business play a crucial role in attracting visitors to Airlie Beach, Proserpine and west to Collinsville, which brings economic benefits to the entire region,” she said.

"The Whitsundays has welcomed record numbers in the latest International and National Visitor Survey, which not only showcases the natural beauty and diverse experiences our region offers, but also reflects the hard work of local businesses and tourism operators dedicated to providing unforgettable experiences."  

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said she was proud of the team’s efforts in welcoming so many visitors and continuing to promote Bowen and the greater Whitsundays region.

“We have analysed our data from the past five years and are pleased to see the numbers have well and truly exceeded pre-covid visitation,” she said.
“We averaged 212 people per day in the past three months, compared to just 123 in the same period five years ago.

“The number of international visitors is now slightly higher than our pre-covid statistics. The big increase has been in domestic visitors, both from Queensland and interstate.”

Bowen Tourism and Business Visitor Services Co-ordinator, Glenn Womal (right) with the Mackinley family from Western Australia - Terry, Sabrina, Oliver and Annabelle.
They are on their way around Australia and stayed for two nights in Bowen where they loved the beaches and the kids learnt to snorkel off Horseshoe Bay.

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Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) is pleased to announce the securing of funds through the Regional Economics Future Fund for the Bowen Food Futures Precinct.
The $2.1 million project is one of three announced for the Greater Whitsunday region focused on economic development, jobs and a renewable future.
The Bowen Food Futures Precinct project will be delivered in two stages, beginning with a detailed business case and feasibility study, which will then inform the construction of a pilot plant.
The pilot plant will offer the opportunity to investigate and deploy technologies for the development of food products and provide a working facility for growers, entrepreneurs and food innovators to test their ideas.
BGGA CEO, Jenn Honnery, said a significant amount of research into product development had been carried out by the organisation over the past three years, indicating the opportunities present in value-added products generated from reject fruit and vegetables in the region’s horticulture sector.
“BGGA is excited to lead the way forward in utilising produce that would traditionally be considered waste, and to offer growers the opportunity to diversify and value add for greater economic outcomes.”
Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, Ry Collins, has thrown his full support behind the project.
“We know our region’s fresh produce sector is world class. The industry is not only a significant contributor to our Whitsunday economy but is important in providing safe and healthy food to dinner tables around the country.”
“Food processing and value adding is the next big opportunity for our region’s growers, this project builds on years of research to take the next step in diversifying the sector and realise new opportunities for our food products in the future”.
President of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Carl Walker, said the region’s growers welcome this innovative project that brings Bowen up to speed with many other food producing regions.
“We all know our growers have been doing it tough with increased costs of production and challenging market prices. The Bowen Food Futures Precinct will provide an avenue for those growers looking to differentiate and expand their businesses and offer a real solution to gaining a return on produce that would normally be thrown away”.

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CEO of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Jenn Honnery at a recent event. Photo sourced: Facebook

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By Paul Gellatly

While modern-day policing is no longer about feet on the beat or the constant presence of patrol cars, there are still ways to enhance the effectiveness of the thin blue line, a senior Bowen police officer says.

Sergeant Craig Shepherd told Bowen Chamber of Commerce's October meeting that while there was community angst about the perception of out-of-control crime in the regional town, he said the good news was that "we are ahead of other centres", with the bulk of their work being in rural offences and "general hooning around town".

While modern-day policing was down to the number of police officers and resources available on the day, it was still possible to achieve acceptable responses to most non-urgent complaints by using the online Policelink service and he recommended its use so police could prioritise their workdays.

With a police area that extends to Gumlu in the north, Collinsville in the west and Proserpine in the south, it was no longer possible to call for an immediate police response to the majority of non-urgent calls.

Sgt Shepherd said while the police role had changed in the digital era, he warned that social media had blown some aspects of crime perception out of all proportion. He advised people to "just come and ask us" if they had any uncertainty about this.

He said there needed to be an understanding that there had been changes in policy, procedures and the law in general that affected policing. For instance, he said police no longer arrested people for public drunkenness unless they were committing offences while drunk.

Sgt Shepherd said there also needed to be an understanding that around urban centres such as Bowen, a large proportion of offending was done behind closed doors with domestic violence.

The perception of youth crime and attacks was also challenged by police data that showed a majority of offences was committed by people over the age of 40 (a recent ABC news report stated that Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed the Queensland youth crime rate had halved during the past 14 years).

Even Bowen's licensed premises were relatively safe places, Sgt Shepherd said, because "we tend to get an eclectic mix of people at pubs".

"People are fearful of going out when in fact the danger is at home," he said.

There were also evidence rules that needed to be considered by people making complaints to police and while some people were not prepared to substantiate their complaints, which was "understandable" in regional centres where everybody knew each other, "policing is a partnership with the community".

"We need the people who have had offences committed against them to work with us," Sgt Shepherd said. "I can't just arrest somebody without the evidence."

Sgt Shepherd assured the meeting that police were dedicated to the rule of law in Bowen.

"We (police) want to see everyone safe in Bowen, because we all live here," he said.

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Chamber chairman Bruce Hedditch with (left) NQBP's Tim Lewis, and Bowen Police's Sgt Craig Shepherd. Photo credit: Paul Gellatly

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At last week’s Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry event held at Whitsunday Green in Cannonvale, two major topics took centre stage. The Chamber launched its State Election Statement, urging immediate government action on key issues such as infrastructure, insurance, and influence.

In conjunction with Queensland Mental Health Week, the event also featured a session on ‘Mental Health Check-Up for Your Business’.

Guest speakers Kristy Wilson from the Queensland Government Small Business Wellness Coaching program and Gus Walsgott from North Queensland Small Business Financial Counselling Service discussed the strong connection between business operations and mental health.

Kristy Wilson emphasised that many business owners face relationship stress, particularly among couples working together, as well as fatigue and anxiety caused by financial and staffing challenges.

The Queensland Government’s wellness coaches offer free, one-on-one support to help small businesses address these mental health concerns.

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Trish Jandt from Whitsunday Life Newspaper and Gus Walsgott
Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce President Allan Milostic and Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce Liaison Julia Evans
Megan Taylor and Fiona Erquiaga
Councillor Clay Bauman and Kristy Wilson
Deb Friend and Trish Jandt

Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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Whitsunday Regional Council is offering free training for construction professionals to help protect our marine environments! Learn about Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) through workshops on October 15-16 and a course on October 21, 2024, at the Reef Gateway. These sessions will teach you how to reduce pollutant, sediment, and nutrient run-off that can harm seagrass, coral growth, and marine life. Interested in joining? Contact Council to register your interest today!

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