With hot and dry weather conditions headed our way, a total fire ban has been established in the Mackay region. Queensland have been recently inundated with rural bushfires, with another occurring on our doorstep.

Sharon Black, a landowner on Rutlands Road in Kuttabul, has had over ninety percent of her property burnt by what she said started as a small backyard fire four properties away.

With a permit for Hazard and Debris Removal the week before the incident, Ms Black completed a successful burn of a few acres around her hill to protect her house pad.

This was the last burn she permitted, noticing the changing weather conditions.

In short, the days leading up to the catastrophe, the weather was not in favour of any small fires to be left unattended.

On 24th October at 11am, Ms Black received calls from her neighbours urging her to secure her horses as there was a bushfire heading towards her property.

It is speculated that the fire started from an unattended rubbish burn off, which jumped to the surrounding bushland. Ms Black said that eight properties were compromised as a result of the incident.

Now with fallen trees across fence lines and no food for their horses or assistance to feed them, the situation is still ongoing with small fires happening up to five days after the initial incident.

Ms Black is fed up with what she described as “complacent neighbours who have not prepared themselves for rural bushfire season,” in turn allowing destruction across the street to wipe out vegetation on her land.

She stated that neighbours have repeatedly ignored fire safety warnings and disregarded preventative measures to safeguard properties, leading to an unnecessary bushfire.

The Rural Fire Service stated that although rural fire preparation is vital, homeowners are not legally obligated to adhere to precautions.

This fact has left the community weary that another bushfire could be imminent.  

“It led to our direct neighbour being without a shed.

“It blew up the day after as they left their property unattended and the fire crept to it igniting what we have been told was old ammunition.” Ms Black stated.

Sharon is trying to start a build in accordance with all new building codes due to her house site location, yet existing properties in neighbouring areas are not regulated. Concerns have been raised that carelessness could impact their properties' livelihood directly for a second time.

“It’s up to the home owner to maintain their property, making sure it still complies or their insurance is compromised.

“However, older homes in such locations are not aware of new changes and therefore are not only at higher risk of insurance claims, but increase the risk of neighbours losing their livelihood through no fault of their own,” She said.

Ms Black and her partner have worked hard to install fire breaks and commit to burn-offs in segments of their property block to avoid and reduce danger, as well as aid rural fire staff in conditions like Tuesday’s event.

Through follow-up monitoring, the pair saved two vehicles that were only metres from being burnt out due to an outbreak on the following Wednesday.

“Should the same action had been done, next door would not have had their shed explode,” she said.

“Insurance companies should not have to pay for people’s ignorance, this is why our prices are so high.

“To be such forward planning, prevention-minded people, it feels in vain if our neighbours are the opposite.

“I’m very angry that our neighbours along Yakapari-Seaforth Rd ignored such advice.” She stated.

Ms Black would like to see people who are prepared for these disasters be rewarded with cheaper insurance premiums.

Residents are always encouraged to follow fire safety protocols in the lead up to bushfire season, you can find more information to stay alert and prepared at www.qfes.qld.gov.au or www.mackay.qld.gov.au

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The Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub was switched live last week, with a focus on stimulating and supporting our local agricultural industry sector now, and into the future.

The virtual portal is intended for agricultural technology developers and users to access learning products to advance agricultural technology skills.

The Hub is jointly funded by the Australian Government (under the Regional Recovery Partnerships), Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW).

The Hub is delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government under the VET Emerging Industries initiative, TAFE Queensland, and CQUniversity Australia – offering over micro-credentials, accredited skillsets and a nationally recognised Certificate II qualification in autonomous agriculture equipment use.

RDA GW CEO Robert Cocco said that the Hub is a “local portal to connect people with agricultural skills, knowledge and information from across Australia, based on regional needs”.

"This project has showcased the benefits of when you enhance people’s ability to utilise technology in the workplace,” Mr Cocco said.

“Instead of fearing technology, the skills learned highlight how technology and its use can not only increase workplace productivity but at the same time make work more interesting, enjoyable, and rewarding."

Executive Director Education and Training, for TAFE Queensland (South West region) Tom Rowe said that the Hub “gives us an opportunity to work with industry and employers to deliver a range of flexible skilling solutions to ensure employment outcomes for aquaculture and agriculture jobs of the future”.

To further supplement agricultural technology skill advancement, TAFE Queensland have also created enhanced learning environments where students can effectively learn remotely, while using technology to participate in a simulated learning space for better engagement and retention.

For more information, visit the Aquaculture and Agriculture Tech Skills Hub at https://tafeqld.edu.au/agtech-skills-hub.

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Robert Cocco, RDA GW Chief Executive Officer

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Emergency response capabilities were put to the test as eight highly-skilled mines rescue teams proved their mettle in a national competition at Moranbah North Mine last month.

Anglo American teams from Grosvenor and Moranbah North mines won first and second place respectively at the 59th annual Australian Underground Coal Mines Rescue competition after a gruelling day. South 32’s Dendrobium Blue from Wollongong NSW came in third.

The day’s format included underground and surface simulation exercises to demonstrate knowledge and the use of equipment in realistic scenarios, including exercises to test hazard awareness, underground search and rescue, first aid and firefighting. The simulated real-life scenarios included longwall rock falls, grinder and crush injuries, drift fires and even snake bites.

Queensland Mines Rescue Service, General Manager, Ray Smith, said the competition provided an opportunity for teams to respond to simulations of real-life emergency situations and demonstrate agility and teamwork.

“The annual competitions challenge the proficiency of brigade members’ emergency response and recovery techniques,” he said.

“They get confidence and understand their limitations, especially around firefighting and patient care.

“That heightened awareness definitely gives them something else they take back to their coal mine; confident they can deal with any sort of situation.

“We want to see every coal mine worker go back home safely, so events like these allow the brigades to test and hone their skills in preparation for the unfortunate circumstance where they may be called upon.

“With their skills, experience and teamwork they will, at the end of the competition, be a much better team.”

Moranbah North Mine General Manager Paul Green said these competitions provided an invaluable opportunity to enhance skills and training.

“It's about having a very capable skill set of people with the readiness to deploy and save lives,” he said.

“It's important for us to have these skills in the industry as safety is paramount.

“This becomes vitally important when we provide our services to other mines when we need to help them out from time to time.”

Mr Green said the friendly rivalry between the sister mines added a unique dimension to this national competition for him but commended all teams on their grit in physically and mentally demanding state competitions to get there.

Grosvenor team captain Boyd Buschmann said he thought the state competition at Carborough Downs was the toughest competition his team had encountered but Moranbah North had put on a challenging event too.

“Carborough Downs was very technical and probably pushed us to places we hadn't been before. Today was more physical but the team soldiered on and persevered,” he said.

Thanking all competitors, volunteers and families at a dinner after the event, Moranbah North Mine captain Scott Ryan said there would not be a competition without families supporting each of the teams through their training.

Competing for Queensland were Anglo American’s mines near Moranbah, Grosvenor mine and Moranbah North mine, as well as BMA-owned Broadmeadow mine and Kestrel mine – all in the Bowen Basin. Teams from Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Southern and Western Mines Rescue represented NSW.

The Grosvenor and Moranbah North teams are expected to be invited to an international competition in Colombia in 2024.

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Moranbah North Mines Rescue captain Scott Ryan and Grosvenor Mines Rescue captain Boyd Buschmann

Anglo American's Grosvenor mines rescue team won the 2023 Australian Underground Coal Mines Rescue competition

Anglo American's Moranbah North mines rescue team came runner-up

Mines rescue teams in action for the 2023 Australian Underground Coal Mines Rescue comp

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OPINION PIECE

At the time of writing, it’s Halloween and it’s a hot day, so any choccy’s are going to melt fast.

Anyway, there are more Halloween Houses around than ever, decorations on the trees and letter boxes out the front of houses; I think it looks great.

At schools, there’ll be excited kids everywhere who are going out trick or treating. They’ll eat too many lollies and when Mum and Dad tell them later to go to bed, they’ll be on such a sugar high they won’t fall asleep until December.

Aside from where Halloween came from, the background going back a long time as a Celtic festival, the line you hear a lot from people is that: ‘It’s just something from America, we’re too Americanised’.

I’ll be honest, I just don’t get that statement.

To a degree, you’re right if you’re saying that in reference to pumpkins and the like which we see on US TV.

But here’s my problem with it, don’t be picky and choosy with your “It’s too American”, especially some people that I’ve met who HATE Halloween with a passion … but they love bourbon and coke!

You can’t sit inside your home being all grumpy about the kids in the street trick or treating, while you’re watching your favourite series streamed on Netflix, having a coke or hoovering down some fast food. ‘Cos, Halloween is all too American.

A week or so ago while doing the 7 News Street Talk segment, 100 per cent truthful, a lady told me she was against Halloween because it was too American – and she was drinking a can of Coke.

Now I will say this, if you don’t like trick or treaters because you’re a shift worker, your front light is off and they’re still knocking, then I’m on your side. You deserve sleep.

Scotty

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OPINION PIECE

I wrote a column last week about now being a great time to sell and since reading that, people have asked me what time frames are best for sellers who can’t be on the market right now but do want to sell soon.

As a seller, it is important to be conscious of what is in a buyer’s head to ensure you are maximizing any leverage you might have.

If you are on the market now you have the opportunity to go under contract and, with a 35-day settlement period, hand over the keys before Christmas. Happy days for buyers who want to be in a house before Christmas.

But great opportunities are still there for sellers to get leverage from other important buyer considerations.

Sellers who list their property in the next three or four weeks have the opportunity to get their property under contract before Christmas and to settle in the new year.

Plenty of buyers are happy to get a property under contract between now and Christmas but not move in until late January.

But what is the situation for sellers who aren’t ready to go on the market before Christmas?

Well, one ship has sailed but a new one is pulling in. That one is full of all the buyers who will be desperate to buy in January. They will want to get through the Christmas/New Year madness and get serious in January.

Many of those January buyers will want to have something under contract before Australia Day, before the school year starts and before the working year really gets underway. It can be a great time to sell real estate.

I think that if you plan to sell in January you should, ideally,  be ready to go for an open house on Saturday the 13th of January.

I tell my sellers that there are two options. The first is to get your property ready in December so I can arrange the listing documents and photos and do the write-up before the Christmas break so that everything is ready to go in the second week of January. When I am back at work I hit the button and we are on the market.

Alternatively, the cleaning up, decluttering, maintenance work etc can be done through December and over the Christmas/New Year period and I can arrange for photos early in the New Year. We can still be on the market and ready for an open house on the 13th of January.

The important thing is to work out what needs to be done to prepare the property, have a strategy for doing it and have a clear time-line in place so you can maximise the opportunity in the New Year.

If you are interested in exploring the options, give me a call and we can have a chat about what might work best for you.

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OPINION PIECE

Thirty years ago, I had a young officer in the Airforce who was both loved and respected by all of us under his command.

He rode his motorbike with us “enlisted” airmen on the weekends. He called us by our nicknames, and we called him by his. But on base he called us by our last names, and we called him “Sir”.

If we did something unsafe or were late for work more than once, he would give us a fair dinkum warning or we would be charged. We didn’t want to let him down because we knew that he would never let us down.

He once told me that leadership was hard but simple – all you must do is “empower your people and recognise their efforts”.

Fifteen years later, I was struggling with my own leadership journey as the newly appointed State Emergency Service (SES) Local Controller. I didn’t feel supported in my role or like anyone was there to help us.

I asked respected local leader Major Frank Marchetti for advice about the leadership void we were working in.

He said, “Well, if nobody is doing anything, somebody must do something. In the absence of leadership, take the lead.”

This advice got me into so much trouble, but it got so much done for our volunteers and our communities.

Over a decade ago, I appointed Jo-Ann Clout as Mackay SES Group Leader. Leadership is hard, but I never expected the load that Jo-Ann would have to carry for so long.

No plan goes to plan, but Jo-Ann’s tenure as Group Leader was certainly not standard – cyclones, floods, fires and changes in leadership. In 2018 Jo-Ann stood down temporarily and we immediately asked her to stand back up and “hold the fort”.

We were having coffee one day a couple of years ago, I think I was attempting to apologise for throwing her under such a large bus. She responded by saying “Well, as you said, in the absence of leadership, take the lead.”

At times this approach got Jo-Ann into the same trouble it did me, but she got so much done for our volunteers and communities. Jo-Ann carried a heavy load, she empowered her volunteers, recognised their efforts and led when no one else could.

Jo-Ann is stepping down and new Group Leader Warren will do great. He knows what great leadership is, because he follows a great example of it.

Cr Justin Englert

Mackay Regional Council

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Jo-Ann Clout, former Mackay SES Group Leader

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Melbourne Cup falls on Tuesday, 7th November. With a range of events planned around the city, you can enjoy a delicious meal, live music and entertainment all while supporting your favourite local establishments.

All venues are offering a chance to watch the Melbourne Cup 2023 on the big screen, some with on-site TAB facilities.

Don’t miss out on a day of sheer elegance and excitement – with the race that stops the nation!

Souths Leagues Club

From 10am.

The Milton Room Luncheon - $15 per person

In the Club – FREE entry

Book tickets at trybooking.com

Harrup Park

From 11am.

With two options, the Reef Room - Hosted by Kaley Baker from Star FM which includes a two-hour beer and wine package, as well as assorted canapes, fork dishes and sweets

$150 per person

Or the Garden Bar, with finger food, fashion on the floor and the largest viewing screen in Mackay

$20 per person

Tickets at eventbrite.com.au

Mackay Northern Beaches Bowls Club

From 11am

Buffet, live music and entertainment

$95 per person

Tickets at eventbrite.com.au

Seabreeze Hotel

From 11am

$49 Meal Package available, indulge in a 2-course meal specially crafted for the occasion

Bookings are essential, contact (07) 4955 1644

The Metropolitan Hotel

From 11am

Table bookings essential, visit the themetmackay.com.au to book in

Boomerang Hotel

From 11:30am

Two-course lunch, live music and entertainment

$60 per person

Tickets available at sevenrooms.com

The Dispensary

From 12pm

Restaurant & Dining Room - $150 per person – Two-course banquet lunch and two hours of bottomless mimosa’s and bellini’s

Dispensary Bar - $65 per person - Street food lunch, cocktail style event

Tickets online

Sails Sports Bar

From 12pm

On-site TAB, food and drinks, prizes and sweeps

$55.00 per person

Call (07) 4955 5788 to book

Hibiki Bar and Karaoke

From 1pm

$80 per person

Two hours of bottomless canapés, cocktails, wine and schooners

Tickets online

Visit eventsonthehorizon.com for a detailed summary of events and information.

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Bush Heli Services

Bush Heli Services took home the silver for the ‘Tour and Transport Operators’ category in the Mackay Isaac Regional Tourism Awards for 2023.

Bush Heli Services was established in Clermont back in 2011 by Jamie and Mardi Bush. With Jamie as the sole pilot operator, the main aim for the duo has been to provide quality aerial work services in the safest, most efficient manner to the agricultural, mining and charter-flight industries.

The business started by offering an aerial livestock mustering service, over the years expanding to offer charter flights and transfers, fire and flooding support services, photography and videography, aerial water bombing, powerline inspections and everything else in between.

Now, Bush Heli Services have a team of eight staff and are continuously growing, purchasing larger helicopters which are more suitable for a wider scope of services.

They have taken a daring leap into the tourism industry, now offering scenic flights and picnic packages to intimate and secluded spots around the Isaac Region.  

Commenting on their recent silver award win, Co-owner and Operator of Bush Heli Services Mardi Bush stated, “It was definitely exciting, as we have put so much into promoting the tourism side of the business for the last twelve months.

“I feel it gives everyone that bit of extra drive to do even more coming into the 2024 season.

“It’s a great feeling to be recognized for all the hard work that the whole business and staff has put in over the last 12 months to get Bush Heli to this point.”

Bush Heli Services are proud to offer unique tours and experiences, giving both locals and holiday makers the ability to recognise the true beauty of the Isaac Region in a way no one has been able to observe before.

These packages include scenic birds-eye view helicopter flights over unique parts of the region, with flight times ranging from ten minutes up to an hour depending on the package.

Important highlights of the tours can include the Historic Township of Clermont, Lord's Table Mountain, Wolfang Peak, Mount Donald and Clermont's Open Cut Mine.

Bush Heli Services are proud to have secured the option to land on top of Lord’s Table Mountain, where you can stop to enjoy a private picnic and take in the beautiful landscape.

This milestone has taken two years with the issue of obtaining permits and now the tour is finally in action.

In the past year, this opportunity had come to light as well as launching a private setting for waterfront viewings of the Theresa Creek Dam, which is only accessible by helicopter. Bush Heli Services also offer unique packages for graduations, proposals, weddings, the list goes on.

To get in touch with Bush Heli Services for a helicopter tour or to access their wide range of services to various industries, go to bushheli.com

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Owners of Bush Heli Services, Mardi and Jamie Bush with daughter Harriet

Enjoy a private picnic at Lord’s Table Mountain

Access a range of helicopter tours in the Isaac Region

Mardi and Jamie accepting the silver award in the Tour and Transport Operators category at the Mackay Isaac Regional Tourism Awards

Photos supplied

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For Grieving Bus Crash Couple In The Whitsundays

The Hunter Valley couple whose wedding day turned to tragedy when 10 of their wedding guests were killed in a devastating bus crash have just returned from a quiet, belated honeymoon in the Whitsundays, thanks to a kind community member and several local businesses.

Maddy and Mitchell Gaffney spent the last six months grieving the loss of their loved ones, attending funerals and processing everything that happened on that fateful day. Wishing to help ease the pain, a local lady took it upon herself to arrange a spectacular honeymoon in the Whitsundays, and many kind businesses stepped forward to offer their services for free.

When local lady, Maz McDougall, heard about the bus tragedy which killed 10 wedding guests in June this year, her heart broke for the couple.

By chance, she was connected with another lady called Tina Kerr who used to live in the Whitsundays and now resided in the couple’s hometown.

The two of them began talking and it was soon decided that a honeymoon in the Whitsundays later in the year would offer the couple a small reprieve from their grief and a way to start healing from the tragedy.

Maz, who is well-known in the area for her charity work and selfless acts of kindness, took it upon herself to approach local businesses and ask them if they would like to be involved.

“The response was just incredible!” she said.

“Not a dollar got passed over this, not one cent – and I just want to thank everyone in the community.

“We sure are part of a wonderful community!”

Maddy and Mitchell were picked up from the airport in style thanks to Whitsunday Hot Rods and were then taken to Palm Bay Resort on Long Island where they spent two days relaxing.

Afterwards, they headed back to the mainland thanks to Whitsunday Island Transfers for a further two nights at Coral Sea Resort.

During their stay they also enjoyed a daytrip on Camira thanks to Cruise Whitsundays.

One evening, Maddy received a pampering experience by Lauriely Taylor Make-up and Mandy Hall from Airlie Hair Retreat before heading out for a meal at Fish D’vine where they enjoyed a Seafood Tower and “the best Mojito in my entire life!”

A special thanks also goes to Dave from Depicting Dreamscapes for his fantastic photos, Balloon Emporium for the decorations and Tiny and Mark from Mackay Cabs for the free transfers.

“Every single person, whether they knew our story or not, were so lovely,” said Maddy.

“Maz is the most amazing human being, she is so kind and generous, and we can’t thank her enough.”

Maddy said that the last few months have been the hardest time of their lives and that the belated honeymoon was a chance to re-set.

“It was just what we needed – a bit of a re-set – so we could spend some time together,” she said.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who gifted us accommodation, food, transport, tours and experiences – it’s been a trip that we will never forget.”

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Maddy and Mitchell say their belated honeymoon was a chance to re-set and reconnect. Photo credit: Depicting Dreamscapes

Hi all!

Rach has given me the absolute pleasure of writing this week’s Editor’s Note, so here we are.

This week has been a bit of a whirlwind, so I thought I’d share it with you.

We have undertaken one of two Airlie Beach Festival of Music features and we’re making sure you have the best time at one of the best festivals in the region, and what better way than to hear straight from the artists’ mouths.

That’s right, little ol’ me got the chance to interview some of the biggest names in Australian music this week – I’ve had conversations with Ross Wilson, Dragon, and even Ian Moss – and you can read about them all in the pages of this week’s paper.

It was absolutely amazing talking to these timeless Aussie legends that have some incredible hits you instantly recognise when they’re played on the radio or at the pub.

Timeless, classic, and fantastic.

And while I was a bit start stuck talking to them, I did find it hilarious when I was talking to a Year 11 student at my soccer game this week, who just gave me blank looks until I named a bunch of the artist’s greatest hits.

It really proves the power of music, of how you don’t need to know the artists name to be moved by their music.

Next on my books, for the second ABFoM feature, is Gleezus, the youth rock band who come from Bowen, and hopefully King Stingray, Frenzal Rhomb, and Tanya George.

I love that the Music Festival generates this incredible vibe around life music, you can’t help but get around it, so you’ll see me front row, bopping to the beats and having a grand ol’ time.

How are you spending Airlie Beach Festival of Music?

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The invaluable Whitsunday Lions have celebrated another great period of success, helping and supporting local community groups and organisations, with a social barbeque and a game of social bowls, at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club.

With the barbeque dinner donated and cooked by Cruise Whitsundays, the evening was well enjoyed with the Whitsunday Lions extending the invitation to the Proserpine Lions and Bowen Lions.

Maurice Kite, a member of the Whitsunday Lions, explained that the social night is important to the group.

“Every now and again, we put on a social night, just to get away from the stress and everything,” he explained.

“It’s a great chance for us to unwind, and inviting the other Lions Clubs is important to us, to share and come together.

“This is also the first time Cruise Whitsundays has come on board. We are deeply appreciative of this. We usually charge each member for dinner, but it’s fantastic to be able to get together on the house.”

Robbie Miles, Food and Beverage Manager for Cruise Whitsundays was behind the barbeque on the night.

"We believe that it is important to support local community groups because they play a vital role in keeping our communities thriving. They provide important services and programs that benefit everyone, it was a privilege for Cruise Whitsundays to host the Whitsunday Lions Club.”

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Proserpine and Whitsunday Lions Clubs join for an evening of social bowls and conversation, with Cruise Whitsundays ensuring a good dinner barbeque. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

A stray grassfire shut down the Bruce Highway near Gregory River, between Bowen and Proserpine last Saturday afternoon, leaving the region splintered for hours.

With Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) battling the blaze from midday on Saturday, all lanes on the Bruce Highway were closed until 9pm that evening.

According to a QFES spokeswoman, a total of five Queensland Fire and Emergency Services teams and 10 rural QRES teams attended the scene.

“The fire was fast moving, and police have determined that the fire was non-suspicious in cause,” the QFES spokeswoman said.

On Friday, October 27, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services conducted standard fire breaks, to help protect homes and properties. Later that day, police were notified of the grassfire on the Bruce Highway in the area, which was quickly brought under control.

At the time, this fire was deemed non-suspicious, and it is believed to have re-flared the flowing day, becoming the massive grassfire that closed the Bruce Highway Saturday.

There is currently a region wide fire ban, issued by QFES, with residents under instruction to not light any open fires, and that all Permits to Light Fires have been suspended, until Tuesday, 7 November, 11.59pm.

In the case of a bush fire, residents should revise their Bushfire Survival Plan, their Evacuation Kit, and prepare their property, by reducing vegetation around dwellings, clear gutters, remove flammable items away from the home, and ensure adequate space for fire trucks to access properties, in case of an emergency.

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A young Whitsunday local who sadly lost his battle with brain cancer last year has been remembered as part of a national initiative through Coles Supermarket to raise money for Hummingbird House.

Cody Gibbs spent his last days at Hummingbird House, a palliative care support service which helps create memorable moments for families, allowing them to make the most of their time together.

Cody was once again at the forefront of minds as the community donated to the fundraising stall at Coles in Cannonvale which held regular sausage sizzles over the course of October.

More than $2,500 was raised at the events and all proceeds were given to Hummingbird House.

Coles Cannonvale Store Manager Tracey Thorn said the team were incredibly proud to have raised so much money for Hummingbird House this year.  

“It’s a cause that strongly resonates with our team and community and I can’t thank our customers enough for getting behind this year’s appeal,” she said.

Hummingbird House General Manager Ellen Whittaker said her team were very grateful to Coles staff and customers for their incredible support of this year’s appeal.

“We have been thrilled to see the effort Coles staff put in to raise funds,” she said.

“The selflessness of Coles and the community has made a difference and so on behalf of these children and families and our dedicated staff at Hummingbird House I say ‘thank you’.”

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Jason Benson from Coles Cannonvale, Tracey Thorn, Manager of Coles Cannonvale and local volunteer Maz McDougall. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Across Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Proserpine, there are now 16 more trained suicide prevention experts.

Undertaking the free training at Proserpine Community Centre, facilitated by Ross Romeo from Community Response to Eliminating Suicide (CORES), 16 community members are prepared and ready to intervene when they encounter an individual they believe to be suicidal.

“This is a community focussed, non-clinical training,” explained Ross.

Since 2017, over 100 local community members have completed the training, with five locals taking the next step and completing facilitator training, becoming Suicide Prevention training facilitators for the region.

“We are extremely appreciative and thankful for the volunteers who stepped up to become facilitators. They are the backbone of our training,” Ross explained.

Ingrid Ruck is now trained and is now qualified to teach others suicide prevention.

“But we like to think of ourselves as intervention friends,” she said.

The three local facilitators are Ellen Farquhar, Kate Mitchell, and Gill Graham.

“Our plan is to offer more regular suicide training chances for community members,” explained Kate.

“We are able to facilitate the training more often.”

Last Friday’s training was made possible by a generous donation from the Prince of Whales Hotel.

“They donated the money, with the plan that it was used for suicide prevention training, and we thank them for that,” Ingrid said.

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Ellen Farquhar, Kate Mitchell, Ross Romeo, and Ingrid Ruck. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

The highly anticipated upgrades to the Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Whitsundays have started, with scaffolding erected around the property.

“We’ve been working on this for four years, and it’s all coming to fruition,” VMW Whitsundays President, Mal Priday said.

“We are expanding the operation, giving us room to train, hold meetings, and grow as a community asset.

“We are tripling in size, and upgrading our radios, giving us better access and communication for emergencies.

“This is also expanding a great community asset, as the building is also a very popular venue for community organisations.”

The entire project includes replacing the old roof, a sizeable extension to the floorplan, and brand-new facilities.

“This is a great asset to us and an even better asset to the wider Whitsunday community.”

This expansion will see a purpose-built room constructed for Search and Rescue operations and training, volunteer training, and a general-purpose meeting space for volunteers.

Between now and the expected completion of the works by mid-March 2024, the VMR organisation  will still be fully functional, holding practical boat training and their monthly meetings at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club.

“We will still be fully functional, 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year,” Mal said.

With the work expected to conclude early next year, Mal expects that the VMR won’t be holding their grand re-opening until June 2024, in line with VMR Whitsunday’s 60th year anniversary celebrations and the new partnership with the Queensland Coast Guard, which aligns better funding and better support.

The works are being undertaken by Ben Doolin Builders, with other contractors being outsourced to take part in the project.

“Davies Cranes even donated their work for free for us, which is amazing,” said Mal.

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Renovations are underway for the VMR Whitsundays headquarters. Photo supplied