The success of a business in a regional area is often intricately linked to the wellbeing of the neighbourhood it calls home.

With many banks reducing their physical presence in regional areas, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank is still committed to a focus on connection, capacity building and direct community impact, thanks to its unique community banking model.

At the recent Sarina and District Community Financial Services Limited (SDCFSL) AGM, the company reported strong financial results for Community Bank Sarina for the 22-23 financial year, including an increase in profitability and customer numbers.

Charmaine Matsen, Branch Manager of Community Bank Sarina, said whilst other banks are reporting record profits, Community Bank Sarina customers know that a percentage of their bank’s profits are injected directly into their own community.

“We are attracting customers now from further afield - some with strong connections to our community - who have discovered the benefits of banking with a community bank and want to do business with a profit for purpose enterprise. They can see the direct results of our investments around them and how it can assist communities thrive and prosper,” she said.

“Due to an increase in customers, we’ve been able to strengthen our presence in the community, as well as deliver over $300,000 of investments locally this past financial year through scholarships, community grants, sponsorships, and donations.

“Supporting the community in this way enhances the livability of our region, going beyond traditional banking norms and redefining a bank’s role in fostering community and customer prosperity.”

Board Chair Karen May said the results of this year’s AGM shows Community Bank Sarina has ramped up its ongoing commitment to support a range of community organisations – many of which are volunteer run – with a focus on connection, diversity, and inclusion.

“This unique model of banking is predicated on being commercially viable yet community spirited. We employ local people, we purchase locally where possible and this all helps further build regional prosperity and capacity,” she said.

“These strong financial results mean we can continue to deliver to our customers, the community, and our shareholders, who were also able to receive a fully franked dividend of 13c per share this past financial year, which is a record return.”

“Our customers can bank on the fact that Community Bank Sarina has invested over $3.8 million since 2005 directly in community initiatives throughout the region, and that we’re here to stay.”

To find out more Community Bank Sarina’s results and community support during the 2022/23 financial year, view their annual report at https://bit.ly/sdcfslannualreport2023.

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Standing at the mouth of the Pioneer River, Mackay City is known for its blue water estuaries and deep water artificial port, with one of the world's largest bulk-handling installations serving as the hub of Australia's sugar industry.

In 1860, an Irishman by the name of John McCrossin selected a 20-year-old Scotsman, John Mackay, to lead an expedition to seek pastoral opportunities. They eventually came across the coastal ranges, which are now known as the Pioneer Valley.

Established in 1862 and named after Captain John Mackay, the city attained municipal status in 1869, and later city status in 1918.

There was a construction boom in the early 20th Century due to a series of unrelated events which combined to transform the appearance of the city.

Factors included natural disaster events, such as fires in 1915 and 1916, which destroyed many shops in Victoria Street, as well as a devastating cyclone in 1918 which destroyed 80 per cent of the buildings in the city.

A policy of the Council at the time was to replace all timber commercial premises with masonry structures for safety reasons.

This regulation combined with a population explosion and retained economic growth from steadied sugar prices and co-operatively owned sugar mills, meant that Mackay’s streets began to be decorated with beautiful Art Deco style buildings, many of which still exist today.

The city has been historically recognised as a sugar research institute since 1953. Mackay has been known to contribute to various industries including dairy, lumber, alcohol production, and tropical fruit cultivation. More recently, the hinterland coal mining developments and the tourist industry have added to Mackay's economic structure.

Modern-day Mackay offers contemporary living, blending the tranquillity of suburban solitude and natural beauty. The city provides ever-growing career prospects, alongside the convenience of amenities, education, and sports facilities.

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The old Commonwealth Bank in Victoria Street in 1883 (colourised) vs. today

Photo credit: Have you seen the Old Mackay (Facebook page)

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Mackay Regional Council has recently partnered with Recycle Mate – a new web-based app tailored to ensure the information is relevant to our Materials Recovery Facility (MFR).

Recycle Mate is a nation-wide project led by the Australian recycling industry though strategic direction from the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR).

Both state and federal governments have invested in the app as part of the waste management strategy. Recycle Mate can either be accessed online or via a mobile app, giving users the ability to search or take a photo of the item they wish to dispose of and within seconds, find out which bin it can go into.

Recycle Mate uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify your waste and recyclables. The application has an advanced search engine with over 4000 items in their directory, as well as disposal solutions to confirm which bin to use at home, or learn if there is a better recycling option available.

To assist local residents in answering frequently asked questions about recycling practises and to help reduce the waste sent to landfill,

“Contamination is simply putting the wrong item in the wrong bin,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Common contamination items we find at the MRF range from nappies and green waste to bottle top lids and soft plastics.”

At the Materials Recovery Facility recyclables are manually sorted. Contaminants are often dirty and unsafe to sort manually, potentially causing harm and posing a serious health risk to workers.

Place items loosely in the recycling bin. Recyclables tied up in plastic bags are a safety risk as the materials cannot be easily seen for sorting. These items are left unopened by workers and are disposed of in landfill.

Give bottles and jars a quick rinse before placing them in the recycling bin. Ensure lids are taken off bottles and jars (place lids in the general waste bin).

TOP TIP

There’s no reason to harbour steel, auto parts, white goods and lead batteries that will negatively affect the environment either. Utilise Raw Metal Corp, Mackay’s metal recyclers servicing Mackay and Sarina. This business provides metal recycling services, including cash for cars and scrap metal.

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Follow this guide to appropriately dispose of your recycling and general waste

Photo credit: Mackay Regional Council

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Here are a list of ‘did you know?’ facts about Mackay, from the historical to the downright wacky and whimsical.  

• Mackay was officially founded in 1862 and named by Captain John MacKay, who explored the region. Port Mackay was declared for entry in 1863, but Mackay was not classified as a city until 1918.

• Mackay is home to Australia's longest stretch of subtropical rainforest.

• The Commonwealth Bank building was constructed in 1880 for the Australian Joint Stock Bank and is the oldest commercial building in Mackay.

• Mackay’s deepwater artificial port has one of the world's largest bulk-handling installations.

• Almost 1,300 predominantly family owned, and operated sugarcane farms supply our three local mills. Mackay Sugar, which produces around 800,000 tonnes of raw sugar and 200,000 tonnes of molasses each year.

• The Queen visited the Mackay Showgrounds in 1954, and again in 1970.

• Reports have shown snow falls in Queensland once every two to five years, it even made it as far north as Mackay in 1965!

• Mackay is home to many ‘big things’, including the Big Bulldog at Theo Hansen Park, Fred Flintstone, Snoopy, Old Mother Hubbard’s Shoe and Crocodile at Mulherin Park, and the Big Banana at Nashy’s Compleat Angler Shop.

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In All Mackay Catholic Churches This Christmas

Christmas is so much more than a day.  

Mackay Catholics can enjoy the secular traditions along with the special significance of Catholic rituals.

Christmas is a season, the season of Advent with four special Sundays leading up to Christmas Day itself.

The community warmth experienced over the four weeks is what manifests the ‘Spirit of Christmas’.

Mackay Southside Catholic Parish Council endorses a special Advent emphasis in all of their churches this year.

In achieving a community experience, they encourage more distant Catholics to rediscover the specialness of Christmas and their specialness in being there.

The Council invites parishioners to pause during Advent and come along and enjoy a light supper together at one of the weekend masses as a perfect way to communicate the importance of Christmas.

Our wish for all is that the joyful light of the season will burn as bright as it ever has and that, this Christmas, everyone will once again have the opportunity to share that joy at Mass.

Let us remember that Christmas also lives in our hearts, in the faces of our families and loved ones, in the hope and pure joy that springs from the birth of the Christ child.

Southside Catholic Church cluster includes St Patrick’s (city), St Mary’s (south), St Anne’s Sarina, St Michael’s and St Francis (west).

Contributed with thanks to Chris Karas.

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Mackay Southside Catholic Parish Council invites parishioners to communicate the importance of Christmas by coming along to enjoy a light supper together during Advent at a weekend mass.

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Graziers have been urged to keep a watchful eye on pasture dieback, which is continuing to spread across new areas of Queensland.

Principal Agronomist Stuart Buck said pasture dieback previously only affected high-yielding sown-grass pastures in regions with more than 600mm of average annual rainfall. However, it is now spreading into drier western districts of southern, central and northern Queensland.

“Graziers have reported pasture dieback south and south-west of Injune, and in the Cloncurry and Alpha districts,” Mr Buck said.

“We have also received reports of pasture dieback spreading inland from the Darling Downs and south from the Wandoan district, with new detections in the Condamine, Balonne and Border Rivers catchments.

“Graziers should be on the lookout for symptoms during the summer growing season, when pasture dieback is easier to detect.

“Initial symptoms include leaf discoloration and unthrifty growth, before the pasture dies in patches.

“The dead patches are then colonised by broadleaf weeds or legumes—both of which are unaffected by pasture dieback.”

Suspected pasture dieback should be reported through the Pasture Dieback App.

“Reporting pasture dieback through our app takes less than 5 minutes,” Mr Buck said.

“By uploading photos and describing the pasture species affected, you will help us better understand the spread of dieback.”

Pasture dieback research continues through the Queensland Pasture Resilience Program.

More information about pasture dieback (including an identification guide, the new fact sheet outlining four management options based on eight years of research and a recent webinar recording) is available at www.futurebeef.com.au

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As Summer approaches with rising temperatures, the local marine wildlife is making a splash. Shovel nose sharks have been sighted along Bucasia, Eimeo, and Shoal Point beaches. Particularly at Shoal Point Beach, reports indicate an impressive gathering of up to fifty shovel nose sharks during high tides.

Adding to the spectacle, stingrays have also been observed. Those brave enough to venture into the water are advised to exercise caution, keep a watchful eye and drag their feet along the sand to avoid accidental contact with the potentially dangerous barbed stingers along the edge of a stingray's tail.

A warning is also set in motion to be vigilant of jellyfish, with marine stinger season typically running from November through to May.  

Harbour Beach has become a nesting ground for turtles, and the Mackay and District Turtle Watch group commends locals for respecting designated 4WD tracks and avoiding the dunes to prevent disturbing precious marine creatures.

The nesting season, spanning from October to March, sees hatchlings emerging from December onwards. It's crucial to stay alert, especially during dawn or dusk, and ensure dogs are kept close and away from the dunes. As turtles favour the dark, those enjoying a nighttime beach stroll are encouraged to keep torches off and instead enjoy the moonlight.

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Turtle hatchlings are set to be on the move from December onwards

Photo credit: Mackay and District Turtle Watch

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Mackay and surrounding areas offer locals and tourists alike a chance to explore the rainforest and coastline, visit significant historical and natural wonders, as well as enjoy food and entertainment.

Read ahead to delve into just a few of many wonderful experiences that are on offer in the Mackay region.

Sarina Sugar Shed

The Sarina Sugar Shed offers fully interactive guided tours, encouraging a paddock-to-plate experience to be had by their guests. Take a historic journey into the pioneering days of the sugar cane farmers in Mackay’s region, then onto the mill and distillery area where you will learn the process of extracting juice from fresh sugar cane.

The tour finishes with tastings of liqueur products, chutneys, relishes and sauces, non-alcoholic ginger beer, and freshly-spun fairy floss.

If you are a connoisseur of ‘sugarcane champagne’, enjoy the separate distillery tour where you can sample a selection rum or rum liqueurs.

Seaforth Beach

The newly erected Seaforth Esplanade offers the Seaforth Camping Reserve, as well as a picnic area, beach swimming enclosure, junior and senior play zones and a splash pad. Seaforth is the ultimate family getaway, as well as an ideal location to launch your boat and explore the group of Newry Islands.

Visit the Seaforth Markets, a blend of community camaraderie and quality products held every Sunday morning.

Ball Bay, Haliday Bay and Cape Hillsborough are also hot spots to visit in close proximity to Seaforth. Explore the serenity, abundance of flora and fauna, and spot the wild kangaroos at dawn and dusk!

Eungella

At Cedar Gallery, you can discover the history of Eungella and enjoy a tour showcasing a collection of local artworks, all within the beautiful surrounds of Broken River.

Stop off for lunch at Eungella Chalet and enjoy the fresh air at the beautiful mountain-top pub. Adjacent to the head of the Mackay Highlands Great Walk, you can enjoy a delicious meal and a hike through the lush rainforest all in one place!

Follow the road from Eungella township towards Broken River. Access the carpark to your left to observe the jaw dropping beauty of Sky Window, located within a beginners’ walk of the entrance.

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10 Local Businesses Share Spotlight At QLD Tourism Awards

The Whitsunday region has reached wide-spread acclaim once again with 10 local operators returning home with accolades from the 38th annual Queensland Tourism Awards which were held in Cairns last weekend.

A total of seven golds, two silver, five bronze and one highly commended award were won by local businesses and CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Rick Hamilton said he is thrilled with the result.

“The awards our operators received on Friday night further highlights the outstanding contribution The Whitsundays makes to the tourism industry in Queensland,” Rick said.

“As a region, we are punching well above our weight and offering our visitors an exceptional experience when they are in our region.”

The 10 local businesses that won an award at the Queensland Tourism Awards were Cruise Whitsundays, Whitsunday Coast Airport, Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, Ocean Rafting, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Bowen Visitor Information Service, SeaLink Whitsundays, Magnums Airlie Beach, Pinnacles Airlie Beach, Mirage Whitsundays, InterContinential Hayman Island and Queens Beach Tourist Village.

The Marie Warson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual was also awarded posthumously to Whitsunday local Michael Hackett, a long-term tourism advocate for the region whose passion now lives on through the Skyway Whitsundays project.

These awards represent the culmination of another ground-breaking year for Whitsunday tourism, with record visitation rates already setting the region on a high.

As of June 2023, the region welcomed 765,000 domestic visitors which equated to an 11.7 per cent increase on average over a three-year period.

There was also a domestic spend of $1.3 billion which is a 29.3 per cent increase on average over the past three years.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Chief Executive Officer Brett Fraser said the region should be proud of its accomplishments and contributions to the Queensland tourism industry in the last 12 months.

“Following tonight's impressive wins, it is evident why the Whitsundays region has played such a monumental role in driving world-class visitor experiences in the tourism industry this year,” Mr Fraser said.

“A massive congratulations to all the category winners, and winners from the Whitsundays region. They’ve broken some records this year, which is an amazing achievement.

“The Whitsundays is an incredible destination in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and I’m sure the region is very excited to welcome many more visitors in the years to come.”

The Queensland Tourism Awards took place in Cairns and there were 31 award categories, with a total of 78 operators awarded including 31 Gold, 26 Silver and 20 Bronze.

Select category winners will gain automatic entry into the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held in the Northern Territory on Friday 15 March 2024.

Next year the Queensland Tourism Awards will be held at The Star in Brisbane.

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10 Whitsunday-based tourism operators celebrated big wins at the Queensland Tourism Awards last Friday. Photo supplied

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Rick Hamilton with Elizabeth Hackett, wife of Michael Hackett who posthumously won the Marie Warson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual. Photo supplied

Mayor Julie Hall accepted awards for Whitsunday Coast Airport and Shute Harbour Marine Terminal. Photo supplied

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Hi Everyone,

Has anyone noticed the wave of Covid that is currently causing many of us to drop like flies across the region?

It seems every second person I speak with has a recent Covid story!

In fact, I have my own to share.

When I saw the sinister two blue lines appear on my testing kit I have to say, I was a little apprehensive!

This was my first Covid experience, and I was bracing myself for a horrible week of sore throat, possible breathing issues, fevers, sweats and all the other side effects people complain about.

I immediately isolated myself and called the school to arrange to pick up my son.

This was, however, the first of many phone calls where I realised how much our response to Covid has changed since the height of the pandemic a few years ago.

The school administration lady told me there was no need to pick my son up unless he showed symptoms and she divulged that she had also had Covid a few months ago.

Later that same morning I made a work-call to a friend, and she told me she was also isolating at home, having got the dreaded Covid earlier that week, but still feeling well enough to work remotely.

A few days later I spoke to another client/friend who’d had it some weeks prior, and she thought it gave her a new armour – she was glad she’d got it before Christmas and now felt invincible!

There are two things I am glad about with this new attitude towards Covid – firstly that it is becoming normalised instead of feared, and secondly, that it is normalised because thankfully people are no longer dying from it.

We are largely vaccinated, symptoms are decreasing (it is now similar to a flu), and many of us are accepting that it is travelling across the community, but we are no longer scared.

We are free and living a slightly altered, highly sanitised life where we are respectful, cautious but also at ease.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “Fear is interest paid on debt you may not even owe” (Unknown)

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Giving his time to John was an easy task for Robert Murphy, a local tradesman, when he heard of John’s callout for some help to do some work on his property.

Living with MS and with a steep backyard to manage, John was on the hunt for a contractor to make his back garden accessible for him, but instead Rob answered his call and offered to do it for free.

“John’s had a life, helping his community and I just wanted to make sure he could enjoy his life,” Rob explained.

Once he confirmed what John needed, Rob turned to Facebook to ask for some muscle to help with the work.

Inundated with support, Rob was careful.

“It was overwhelming support, but I didn’t want to rock up to John’s with an army. It’s daunting to ask for help and I didn’t want to embarrass him,” Rob said.

So last weekend, with the capable help of Warren from Fencing Whitsundays, and Pete, a retired accountant, the trio got to work on John’s backyard, installing sleepers, building a retaining wall, constructing drainage, and beginning to backfill segments of the garden.

“John’s a good person and it really filled our cups to help him like that.”

John treated the trio to a pizza lunch, and they all finished the day off with a cold beer at the pub.

“The support from the community that we received was amazing. I couldn’t keep up with the comments of people wanting to help out,” Rob said.

“It was amazing and thank you Waz and Pete.”

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Warren, Peter and Rob, helping John enjoy his back garden. Photo supplied

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Hundreds of families and students, both past and present, attended a special farewell assembly at Cannonvale State School earlier this week, an opportunity to say goodbye and good luck to the much-loved School Principal, Angie Kelly.

For the past 11 years Ms Kelly has been the charismatic leader for the local primary school and is renowned for her lively weekly assemblies that keep both students and parents entertained.

She is also widely respected for being a hands-on Principal who is often in the classroom and works closely with both staff and children.

A star-like presence in the school, Ms Kelly in fact wanted to be follow a career in the dramatic arts when she was younger, but when she spoke with her father after finishing high-school he said:

“There is no greater stage on earth than teaching!”

And since then, Ms Kelly has definitely proven that to be true – her passion for the bi-annual school musicals a perfect example of how she lights up the stage and encourages all her students to do the same.

Ms Kelly has taught at many schools and had many adventures during the course of her teaching career so far, but it is Cannonvale State School that captured her heart for the longest time.

“I’ve spent a fifth of my life here which is the longest I’ve spent anywhere!” she commented.

Beginning her teaching practice in 1995, Ms Kelly taught at the Glass House Mountains and Thursday Island before travelling around the world with her husband just after they met.

The couple were volunteer teachers in Africa for some time and also in the Torres Straits before moving back to Australia where they started a family.

Deciding to apply for Principal positions, Ms Kelly was successful at securing a role at Marinda State School in Bowen, before moving over to Cannonvale State High School in 2012.

“There is so much I love about teaching!” she said.

“Kids are just magic, it’s an absolute privilege to help shape their minds and mould their futures – schools are such joyful places to be and I have loved every second.

“I have made so many connections with every community – there is such an outstanding staff and community here in Cannonvale and I thank them for embracing everything I’ve cooked up over the years!

“I will miss them all!”

Ms Kelly will also be remembered as a driving force behind the Principal’s Pre-School which welcomes pre-school-age children to experience and get to know the school environment prior to starting prep.

Retired teacher and a Cannonvale State School student grandmother, Jan Smith, said she has never met a principal quite like Ms Kelly.

“I have known many teachers in my life, but no-one comes close to Ms Kelly - not even close!” she said.

“Your talents, your devotion, your personality, your love for your students and your 'team’ - incomparable - you are 'amazing' as we say to our students!”

Ms Kelly will brighten another school with her amazing talents next year and is due to become school principal at Ironside State School in St Lucia, Brisbane.

She and her husband decided to move to Brisbane to be closer to their two children who are going to university nearby.

“I am not someone who says goodbye, I will always carry everyone in my heart and every memory in my mind,” she shared.

“Thank you to everyone, it’s been an emotional week, and I am so grateful to you all.”

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Cannonvale State School Principal Angie Kelly is leaving after 11 years. Photo supplied

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Proserpine Hospital is set to receive massive upgrades, totalling close to $8 million in building works.

The $8 million from the State Government will include a new renal dialysis service and four renal dialysis chairs and a refurbishment of the Acute Primary Care Clinic.

The renal dialysis upgrades are part of the government’s $27.7 million commitment to deliver 33 renal dialysis treatment spaces in regional Queensland.

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services, Shannon Fentiman said, “This is a significant project that will be greatly welcomed by renal patients currently travelling to Bowen or Mackay for weekly treatments.

“We are committed to providing care closer to home for Queenslanders and know the burden is significant for those needing to travel for dialysis treatments several times a week.

“That’s why we invested more than $27 million to deliver 33 renal dialysis treatment spaces, across Queensland for our rural, remote, and regional communities.”

The Acute Primary Care Clinic refurbishment is set to include renovations to the clinical assimilation training area, clinical assessment rooms and management office spaces.

Under construction currently is an offsite facility in Herbert Street which will host the Clinic, while main works are being completed.

The renal dialysis treatment facility is expected to be operational in early 2025, and the Acute Primary Care Clinic building is anticipated to be open in 2026.

“While the project at Proserpine Hospital is taking longer than anticipated, each step has allowed us to maintain service delivery as we work to deliver these essential upgrades,” Mrs Fentiman said.

“I look forward to residents accessing these new and enhanced services over the coming years.”

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Renal dialysis and upgrades to Acute Primary Care Clinic confirmed for Proserpine Hospital. Photo supplied

Eight children, a loving wife, extended family, and countless others across the local sporting community are mourning the loss of a much-loved, dedicated sports dad this week.

Matt Costello passed away suddenly when he was visiting family in Mt Isa, leaving his wife and children devastated, a huge gap in their lives that can only be filled in some small way by the wonderful memories that remain.

With many of Matt’s children highly skilled athletes, the family are all part of several local sporting groups including Raiders Whitsunday Rugby Union Club, Sea Eagles AFL Club and also Whitsundays Touch Footy.

Remembered as a quiet spoken gentleman with a ‘Colgate’ smile, Matt would always be on-hand to cook the BBQ at sporting social events and was an avid supporter of all his children’s sporting efforts.

“Matty was always around to lend a hand, and when he was asked to do something, it was no dramas,” said Andre Houston from the Whitsunday Rugby Union Club.

“And no matter what, he would always work very hard to go wherever he had to go and do whatever he had to do with the financials to make sure his kids could play sport.

“He was their rock and his kid’s best friends, he had a really good relationship with all of them, he was a good father and a good man and will be missed by everyone who knew him.”

“He had such love and dedication to his children and although they were all very creative, he was never arrogant, he was always very respectful.”

Matty is survived by his wife Jasmin and their eight children - Shakane, Justyce, Shakaya, Deakoda, Shanaya, Leshara, Shayden and Matayis.

A gofundme page has been set-up to help the family with ongoing financial costs if you wish to donate go to the Whitsunday Rugby Union Club Facebook Page and follow the link.

Matty will be laid to rest on 8th of December 2023 at Dajarra, QLD at 12:30pm.

A separate date for a memorial service in Airlie Beach will be advised soon.

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Matt Costello will always be remembered as a big supporter of all his children. Photo supplied

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You may not have met Jill and Geoff Wilson, but you’ve definitely felt their influence and their dedicated work.

For 20 years now, this couple have been logistical powerhouses, assisting Red Frog Schoolies efforts and making sure that young people return home safe and sound every single night of their Schoolies celebrations.

However, Geoff is very humble: “It’s not about me, it’s about the amazing young people, the Red Frogs who take the time off work, travel to Airlie Beach, and work frontline with Schoolies.”

“I’m more behind the scenes, assisting with organising, preparations, that sort of thing,” he explained.

“I look after the Red Frogs themselves.”

However, there is always more to the story.

This past Airlie Beach Schoolies saw over 1,400 school leavers celebrate in Airlie Beach, with 75 Red Frog volunteers, from across the state checking-in alongside them.

“They gave up a week of work, and signed up for the 2am walk homes, helping people who maybe indulged a little too much.

“It’s great work, holding back the hair of someone while they vomit, knowing that they are in good hands.”

Geoff described the work as impact and intercede, being a helping hand, keeping young people hydrated, doing a lot of walk homes, mediation.

“The legend of the Red Frogs is far reaching. The reputation itself earns a lot of respect with young people.”

In the 20 years Geoff and Jill have assisted the behind the scenes of Airlie Beach Schoolies, they have helped approximately 90,000 Schoolies, given out over five tonnes of Red Frogs, and secured 1,600 volunteers with accommodation, while they helped with Schoolies celebrations.

And of course, Geoff and Jill have already signed on for the 2024 Schoolies celebrations.

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Geoff and Jill Wilson being honoured for 20 years of service with Red Frogs. Photo supplied