Residents of the Whitsunday Region can enjoy a discount on dog and cat registrations if they register early! Renewal notices have been issued, and the discount period for pet registrations runs until 31 July. Registering your pet is a responsible step that greatly enhances the chances of your pet being returned if they get lost. Keep in mind that properties are typically allowed up to two dogs or two cats unless a special permit is obtained. Take advantage of the discounted rates during this period to ensure your pets are safely registered!

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Last week Deputy Mayor Michelle Wright, Director of Corporate Service Jason Bradshaw and I attended the 2024 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) in Canberra.
 
This assembly brought together leaders from councils across Australia, providing an invaluable opportunity to explore innovative solutions to the challenges we face as local governments.
 
As well as attending the National Assembly I also stepped up our advocacy efforts by pre-arranging face to face meetings with Catherine King MP (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), Speaker of the House Milton Dick, Senator Nita Green (Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef), Senator Anthony Chisholm (Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development) and Senator Susan McDonald (Shadow Minister Resources and Northern Australia. In addition, I managed to secure meetings with senior advisors to Senator Don Farrell (Minister for Trade and Tourism).
 
Following the recent tragic bus and caravan head-on collision at Gumlu the hot topic was disaster resilience and the urgent safety upgrades required on three major routes in our region.
 
Floodproofing Hamilton Plains and Goorganga Plains to allow connectivity to our airport and Airlie Beach and Proserpine’s only hospital has been on the drawing board and promised funding for years, but still our Whitsunday community remain disconnected during Cyclone and flood season.
 
I was also advocating for assistance to seal the remaining 68km of the Bowen Developmental Road between Collinsville and Belyando Crossing which is a major freight route and key connection road for mine workers.
 
The multiple meetings allowed me to engage face to face on a range of challenges facing our Whitsunday region which is the fastest growing local government area in North Queensland.
 
With latest figures showing that 50 per cent of tourists visiting the Great barrier Reef come via our Whitsundays it is important that our infrastructure upgrades keep pace with our growth.
 
Added to our population boom, we have recorded 10 per cent annual growth for passenger numbers transiting through Whitsunday Coast Airport and 30 per cent annual growth in passengers visiting by cruise ships.
 
I am passionate about engaging with federal and state representatives to advocate for the needs of our region.
 
The 2024 National General Assembly of Local Government reaffirmed the vital role that local governments play in shaping the future of our communities and the importance of strong partnerships between local, state, and federal governments to drive positive change and secure the necessary resources for our residents.

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Mayor Ry Collins and Deputy Mayor Michelle Wright standing with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo supplied

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As we move into the next financial year, Tourism Whitsundays has been working on a full marketing activations and membership opportunities calendar.
Through collaboration with industry, we have compiled several strategic national campaigns and targeted ‘moments’ focusing on specific tourism industry segments.
From dining and nightlife to weddings to youth and adventure, our campaign calendar aims to highlight the region's diversity and inspire travellers to visit us all year round.
This marketing activity is supported by a jam-packed calendar of trade events, both domestically and internationally focused and regular industry events.
Throughout the past week and over the next two weeks, we have been running six industry round tables to providing additional information on the activity and encouraging ideas and feedback from industry.
If you are interested in becoming a member of Tourism Whitsundays or would like to attend one of our round table events, please email reception@tourismwhitsundays.com.au for more information.
As always, we look forward to continuing to work closely with our incredible operators within the Whitsundays Tourism Industry to inspire travellers from all walks of life, from Australia and all over the world, to visit our beautiful home.
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Contributed with thanks to Laura Knipe, Marketing Manager, Tourism Whitsundays

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Talk about the winter blues - I think I now know how they feel in England!
Well maybe not as cold, not as wet and not as house-bound but this continual rain has admittedly got the better of me and my vegie patch at times this season.

So, if you have struggled with powdery mildew, late flower set or motivation to be in the veggie patch, know you are not the only one. The upside is very little watering required and root veggies like carrots are bound to be long, straight and plentiful this season (as long as the soil is free draining).

Right, it’s July, so no excuses, get seeding because this is the last month of being able to do so, with a lot of vegetables, until next year! So, get stuck in (even in the rain) and do not put it off for another day (message to self).  

Planting now means vegies for the rest of the year. Miss this time slot and your options diminish rapidly.

July is the last month to seed veggies such as: Broad beans, Spinach, Sliverbeet, Kale and Beetroot.

Here is what diggers suggest from month to month and you’ll see what I am talking about:

I think that most people who grow their own vegetables are concerned or at least motivated by good health and flavourful, chemical free veggies to feed yourself and possible family or friends (sharing is good).  When you grow your own, you know exactly what your food has been exposed to, you have to feed it from conception and chemicals are banned!

For a long and healthy life, seven servings of fruit and vegies every single day is without a doubt a necessity.  What’s your count?  Food diary time.

So what vegies top the list of high in antioxidants that you can plant in July (or miss out this year)?   Let’s talk Beetroot, Spinach and Red Peppers – chillis and/or capsicums.

BEETROOT (Last chance)

It’s easy to grow, and is very happy in full sun but can tolerate part shade. These guys like water, if they grow through dry conditions they can be tough and stringy. So it’s a good season this year for beetroot.

Beetroot take 3-4 months to mature. If you are going to freeze your enormous crop of beetroots, then pick them while they are young 5-7cm in width, cook until tender in the oven at 180 for about 1.5hrs, peel, top and tail and then freeze and they’ll last up to six months.

Beetroots are truly enjoyed pickled and a great way to preserve for 6 months.
Or make beetroot chutney!

Editor would not allow me enough words to include this recipe but email me, I’ll send it to you norinajane@whitpro.com.au

SPINACH (Last chance)

Spinach likes moist soil but avoid watering the leaves where possible. Although known to enjoy cooler climates, certain varieties do well here too! However, winter is the only season to start growing spinach in the Whitsundays.

Planting in a part shade area can benefit this veggie. You can harvest leaves in their infant form as early as eight weeks after planting.

Although best eaten immediately (google spinach recipes, you’ll be very busy in the kitchen), you can also freeze spinach. Just make sure you blanch the leave first. It’s a simple process. Drop them in boiling water for 1 minute and then drain and drop into chilled water for one minute. Drain well. I put mine in a tea towel and make sure excess water is removed.  Put in airtight container and freeze for up to six months.

CAPSICUMS /CHILLIS  (You have more time, but stop procrastinating!)

The longer on the bush, the sweeter and/or hotter these must-have additions to your patch or garden pots will be! Three – four months will see the beginning of production and boy do these guys give and give.

Leave until capsicums are red is my advice. They are so much sweeter and add so much colour to any dish. Chillis however, that’s up to your tolerance! Red means hotter and their second season will see you inundated with chillis so try making chilli oil.

Heat three cups of your chosen oil, add 3 – 10 chillies (do you like your friends or not?), a cinnamon stick, black pepper and whatever herbs you want to try. Cover for at least two days. Strain the oil and bottle. I have an extensive range of olive oils for cooking, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes to simple meals.

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After six wonderful years of delicious Asian dishes, the community-loved Cool La La is closing its doors for the last time on Monday 15th July.
Owner of Cool La La and Village Cafe, Abbi Gatdula, has decided to close the restaurant due to wanting to focus more on Village Cafe. Abbi also mentioned that she and her partner will be semi-moving back to the Philippines, however, emphasises to her regular customers not to worry as you will still see her “face in Village Cafe regularly.”
Abbi stated that she has mixed emotions about having to close the restaurant:
“I have mixed emotions, obviously we have had the restaurant for six years and we have had a really good time, but we are going to focus on Village Cafe.”
Some highlights for Cool La La and Abbi have been moving into the bigger space that they currently have:
“Through Covid, all our customers actually supported us, which is why we were able to move to that big space for growth.”
As Abbi and her team’s focus moves towards Village Cafe, she announced that the cafe will be open for dinner very soon rather than just breakfast and lunch.
Abbi continues that her valued Cool La La customers can expect to see some of their favourite dishes from the restaurant appear on Village Cafe’s menu:
“As I was telling some of my customers, we can offer some of the food at Village Cafe.”
After a fantastic six years, Abbi wants to thank everyone who has supported them on their journey:
“Having that place for six years was not easy, but we have been able to make it because of our customer’s support.”
Abbi encourages her customers come and join them at the restaurant for their favourite dishes this weekend before they close.
“Hopefully it is not the end of it,” Abbi added.
“It may come back with the support of the community, and we would love for it to come back.”
Head down to Cool La La before Monday 15th to support Cool La La for the last time.

Owner of Cool La La and Village Cafe, Abbi Gatdula, sad to be closing the restaurants doors.

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Bowen Tourism and Business is holding a networking event next week and all members are invited to come along, connect with others and enjoy a lively evening.

The event is free to all members of Bowen Tourism and Business and is being held just before National Mango Day.

The event will be held at Bird’s Fish Bar next Thursday, July 18 from 5.30pm.

It is National Mango Day each year on July 22.

It is hoped the members of Bowen Tourism and Business will take the opportunity to come along and meet other business owners and hear about what the organisation is achieving.

Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business, Jenn Honnery said it had been some time since the organisation had held a networking event and the committee believed the timing was just right.

“We have just finished the financial year so we can update our members on key achievements and visitor numbers,” she said.

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the team of staff and volunteers were really looking forward to the event.

“This is a great chance to bring the business community together,” she said.

If members would like to attend, they should email info@tourismbowen.com.au by Monday or give the Bowen Visitor Information Centre a call on 47864222.

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July 12 1924 was a momentous day for women in the Proserpine district. That day marked the official opening of a maternity ward situated on hospital grounds. It was adjacent to the General Hospital that had been built in 1911. And it was a timely event too, because the first child born in the ward arrived the very next day.

Prior to this, childbirth was in the hands of midwives, mostly untrained but well experienced. They were quite amazing for they had large families of their own so not only coped with their own family commitments, but also other mothers and families. After a birth, they often stayed with the families to help out and were sometimes paid in pumpkins or other produce.  

Mrs Sophia “Granny” Jurgens would stay with a family for up to nine days after the birth, doing cooking and washing as well, and for this she received the princely sum of two guineas ($4.20). Mrs Ellen “Granny” Atkinson who had thirteen children of her own attended mothers who lived in her area of Up River and Foxdale. Mrs Setter was another well-known midwife. In 1912, she was in charge of the maternity section of the nursing home run by Dr Anderson on the top floor of 80 Main Street and later she moved to Chapman Street.  

The first hospital maternity ward was built as an extension at the original hospital situated on the river bank opposite the Junior Sporting Complex. Mark and Ethel Ruge bought Rogan’s farm and home adjacent to the Proserpine District Hospital at Waterson in 1920. The Ruge residence became an unofficial convalescent home. Mothers-to-be from outlying areas stayed there while waiting for the baby’s arrival as these were the days of bad roads, poor communication, and long wet seasons.
In early 1935, it was decided to shift the hospital from its original site and locate it on the end of Herbert Street. It was moved piece by piece using a large wagon and twelve horses, the job being undertaken by Bill Fraser and sons, Jim and Phil. Sid Martin sat atop the load to lift street lights to safety as they journeyed through the town. The maternity ward was placed at the back of the hospital and later became the wardsman’s residence. It was 1936 before the move was completed.                                                                
A new hospital was designed in that same year to supplement the buildings brought from the original site. It was completed by 1940 and consisted of a maternity ward, nurses’ quarters, a male ward and an outpatients’ department.
With additional buildings over the decades, the new hospital and maternity ward served the community well until 1998 when a modern building replaced part of the original and the maternity ward was moved to another part of the hospital.
For many years, routine in the maternity ward was quite strict. The baby was taken away to the nursery and brought out only to be fed, thus allowing the mother a few days of complete rest. Feeding times were strictly three or four hourly depending on the baby’s birth weight. After four or five days, Mum and bub could go home as long as the baby was feeding properly. How times have changed.
Throughout the one hundred years since the maternity wing was first added to the original hospital, there are many interesting stories about the wards and the dedicated nurses known as “Middy” or “Mid” (as in “midwifery”) who helped deliver babies and provided wonderful care for both mothers and their newborns. But these are stories for another time.

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum
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Maternity section in Herbert Street - completed 1940
Maternity ward at right hand end of original hospital building

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Active recovery at EvoPrime is a game-changer, pushing beyond traditional methods. Many settle for mediocre and isolated injury recovery strategies, but EvoPrime believes stopping the pain isn’t enough. True recovery means saying YES to life without the fear of re-injury, living freely, and performing optimally.
Take the journey of one of EvoPrime’s clients, a passionate sailor who rolled her ankle during a boat delivery in February. Returning home, she noticed significant swelling in her knee. Initial swelling is a crucial part of the body’s healing process, but it’s essential to help flush dead and damaged cells from the area through the lymphatic system manually. Without this assistance, damaged cells can build up, slowing or halting the healing process.
The client began by icing—new studies prove that icing is beneficial only in the first 24 hours—resting and using compression on her knee for about two weeks. Diagnosed with an MCL tear, she received weekly osteopathic treatment for five weeks, aided by a care plan that subsidised the sessions. Alongside these treatments, she started working with EvoPrime to ensure proper muscle activation through the foot, glutes, and core, avoiding extra pressure on the knee. Most compensations that occur after an injury can create long-term issues throughout the body, not protect the affected area.
EvoPrime’s approach included creating space for bones and joints to move freely, enhancing mobility, and ensuring proper alignment. The goal was to strengthen the knee and relearn how to move properly. This dual approach was crucial in addressing the injury from multiple angles, ensuring the whole body worked together efficiently.
As the end of March approached, the client was determined to participate in the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. EvoPrime tailored a training regimen focused on mobility, alignment, and building strength for optimal function. To prevent further injury during the race, the knee was strapped and supported with a brace. Additionally, the introduction of toe spacers provided more stability and significantly reduced twinging pains.
By the end of May, the client had fully recovered and continued to train with EvoPrime, now setting her sights on the Gold Coast to Mackay race scheduled for August 1st. EvoPrime’s approach highlights the importance of an integrated recovery plan, combining professional treatments with a tailored fitness regimen.

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The unmarked graves of 16 soldiers will receive the recognition they deserve, when their newly made gravestones are unveiled at a special Graveside Dedication Service taking place on Saturday 27th July at Proserpine Old Cemetery.
In the many years before, the 11 soldiers from WW1 and the five from WW2, have gone without any form of headstone, with one soldier in particular, Joseph Leary, having laid there for 102 years. This has meant that the families and the community have not been able to commemorate their lives and service.
Up until recently, temporary white crosses were constructed by dedicated volunteers, to mark the resting places of the soldiers.
Organiser of the event Lyn Burke, mentioned how, before the crosses, very sadly, there was “nothing to remember that they existed.”
The day's events will consist of a welcome address by Jason Rateri, a Welcome To Country by the niece of one of the Indigenous soldiers, Robert Petersen, a speech by special guest Colonel Boniface Aruma, some prayers, a minute of silence and a national anthem sung by around 30 individuals from Mommas and Poppas.
Alongside some other proceedings, the day will close with the unveiling of the headstones and a light lunch provided at Proserpine R.S.L.
Many members of the community have got involved with the momentous event, including the Whitsunday Old Iron Restorers Car Club who paid out over $5,000.00 for the plaques and formwork for the headstones. Additionally, members of the club came and assisted in putting up over 400 flags in the Proserpine Old Cemetery a week before ANZAC day in 2023.

The Whitsunday Old Iron Restorers Car Club, decided to provide money to the cause, having noticed the timber white crosses that had been erected for the soldiers whilst helping out before ANZAC day. Having felt that something more needed to be done for the soldiers, funds raised from their car show went towards the headstone project.

Alongside the Whitsunday Old Iron Restorers Car Club, many other Proserpine community groups have assisted by crocheting poppies, sewing plaque covers and making reefs.

Concrete for the headstones was also supplied by Concrete Product Australia and Proserpine Tilt Trays is carting them to the cemetery.
Lyn added how some of the soldier's family would be in attendance, despite the majority of the men not having anybody:
“Seems to be the case for these guys, they came back and didn’t have anybody.”

Lyn encourages everyone to come on down and celebrate the lives of the soldiers who were for a long time forgotten about.

She also mentioned, how she would love if students and younger generations would come along, as they are the future of projects like this.

When asked why it is important for people to go and support the soldiers on the day, Lyn said the day is:

“To remember them in the future, so they are not lost and forgotten."

"We want them remembered. This will make them visible to their community."

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What: Graveside Dedication Service
When: 27th July 2024, 10:30AM
Where: Proserpine Old Cemetery

Edwin Packett, Served in the Boer War & WW1
George Usher Served at Gallipoli and the Western Front in WW1 and Served Proserpine During WW2, with the Volunteer Defence Force

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All Weekend Activities
   • Window Dressing Competition by Mackay & Whitsunday Life Newspaper
   • Carnival Rides
   • Whitsunday Foodservice Eat Street
   • Immerse Art Installation
   • Art Exhibition at Whitsunday Sailing Club
   • Junior Art Exhibition at Brigitte Peel Art Studio
Thursday 1st August
   • 6:00pm Reef Trivia at Coral Sea Marina Resort
Friday 2nd August  
   • 8:00am Reef Experience with Cruise Whitsundays
   • 5:30pm Camira Twilight & Fireworks Cruise
   • 5:30pm Whitsunday Foodservice Night Markets & Eat Street
   • 6:00pm Coral Sea Marina Lantern Parade
   • 6:00pm Beats on the Beach featuring DJ Charly Templar & Conrad Sewell
   • 6:00pm Taste of Treason cocktail party at Sailing Club Point
   • 6:30pm Welcome to Country and traditional song & dance
   • 6:50pm Finding Dory Movie Screening
   • 8:30pm Sebel Whitsundays Fireworks
Saturday 3rd August  
   • 10:00am Main Street Fun!
   • 10:00am ENZED Whitsundays Revvin’ the Reef & Pin-up Comp
   • 3:00pm Wilmar Sugar Wearable Arts Parade
   • 4:00pm Coral Coast Fire Magic Mile
   • 5:00pm Rotary Street Parade
   • 6:00pm Airlie Events Beats on the Beach featuring Matty Rogers Band & Perry Street Park
Sunday 4th August
   • 10:00am Whitsunday Escape Recyclable Regatta
   • 10:00am Ark Energy Family Fun Day
   • 2:00pm Chill in the Park live entertainment featuring Matty Rogers

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Whitsundays Writers Festival has just announced the longlist for its inaugural Best Unpublished Manuscript Award which has been launched in honour of the original Festival Founder, Gloria Burley.

Returning for the first time since 2017, the much-anticipated 2024 Whitsundays Writers Festival is bringing it with a host of new events offering an exciting opportunity for writers, poets, and book cover designers across Australia.

In a bold initiative, the Festival launched earlier this year the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, offering substantial cash prizes to recognise and honour outstanding contributions to the literary and design landscape.

The Heart Awards’ mission is to spotlight the diverse talents within the Australian creative community while also paying homage to the captivating Heart Reef—a natural wonder found in the Whitsundays region.

Festival President Karen Jacobsen expressed enthusiasm for the awards program, “Beyond assembling some of Australia’s celebrated authors in Airlie Beach, our Festival will also celebrate and champion homegrown writing and design talent. The Heart Awards epitomise our commitment to nurturing creativity and honouring the legacy of festival founder Gloria Burley.”

Gloria was the driving force in the establishment of the Whitsunday Writers Festival, which ran 2010-17. She penned two books titled A Rolling Stone Gathers No Husbands, chronicled many of her travels, with Gloria visiting more than 100 different countries during her life, and Blood & Guts that sums up her exploits as a nurse in regional Australia. Gloria passed away from cancer in 2018.  

The award for Best Unpublished Manuscript is named in Gloria’s honour, offering $2,500 for first prize and $1,000 for the runner up for the best original and unpublished creative fiction works. The award sought submissions from around Australia of 12,000 words of completed unpublished stories.

The following submissions have been selected:

   • Compass: Losing Him, Jessica Ellen Pryor (NSW) drama/romance.
   • Condemnation to Beasts, Noah Bennett (Vic), crime/thriller, romance.
   • Constant Companions, Tara East (Qld), drama.
   • Island Wolf, Rachel Armstrong (Qld), fantasy/sci-fi, romance.
   • Italian by Default, Margaret Walker (NSW), drama.
   • Rescue Remedy, Jane Carrick (NSW), crime/thriller.
   • Rose and Graham, Lesley Boland (Qld), drama.
   • Starts with C, Garry R McDougall (NSW), crime/thriller, historical.
   • Strange Affliction, Greg Woodland (NSW), horror, romance.
   • The Christmas Cult, Catherine Owen (NSW), comedy-drama.  
   • The Longest August, J.C. Burke (NSW), crime/thriller.  
   • The Murder Tree, Greg Woodland (NSW), crime/thriller.
   • The Paris Artists, Kellie Cox (Qld), romance.
   • UnCommon Thread, Meg Dunley (Vic), historical.  

The judging panel has diligently reviewed blind submissions (all author information removed) against five selection criteria of originality and creativity, plot and storytelling, character development, setting and atmosphere, dialogue and voice, and emotional impact.

The longlist submissions are currently under further consideration. From the longlist, a final shortlist will be selected from which winners will emerge and be announced on Saturday 7 September 2024.

For Festival program highlights and confirmed speaker line-up visit our website: www.whitsundayswriters.com

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The Whitsundays Writers Festival Best Unpublished Manuscript Award honours the legacy of festival founder Gloria Burley. Photo supplied

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A group of local students have made a big difference in the lives of hundreds of young Fijian children who this week received specially created school packs containing books, pens and other educational resources they would not normally have access to.

Year 12 student and School Captain Hazel Farrell visited Fiji in person and hand-delivered the packages which had been compiled by her school friends at St Catherine’s Catholic College and partnering school, St Mary’s Catholic School in Bowen through the Catherine McAuley Society.

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The group of St Catherine’s Catholic College students compiled school packs to give to Fijian students. Photo supplied

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Fijian Smiles!
School Children Receive Educational Packs

Hand-delivering the lovingly created school packs to hundreds of Fijian school children was a big moment for Whitsunday local, Hazel Farrell, who had been working with her school friends on a sustainability project that was set to provide a meaningful impact to the whole community.

Visiting the remote Fijian school during one of her regular trips having been visiting the region since she was a young child, Hazel had the honour of delivering these school packs on behalf of her fellow students who she had been working on the project with. Part of a Catherine McAuley Society initiative, the students had elected to compile the handy school packs as part of the sustainability project lead by Elenore Balldock and initiated by much-loved teacher Ms Shantae Ryle.

The intention of the packs was to provide young Fijian school children with resources their families would not usually be able to afford. This in-turn would ease the financial stresses of living within the communities and enable people to lead more sustainable lives. Without needing to follow such practices as over-fishing the reef just so they could afford ‘luxuries’ such as school books.

Over 140 primary school age children were the lucky recipients of the lovingly compiled school packs and Hazel said the response she received when handing them over made her heart melt.

“It was absolutely unreal!” she expressed.  

“They were so excited and couldn’t wait to see what was in the bags! They all wanted to hold my hand and we spent time reading some of the books with them, it was a truly magical experience and one I will remember my whole life.”

The project began back in Proserpine and Bowen with a team of dedicated students selling the little packs to school friends from $5 - $15. Each student was then encouraged to write a little note to go inside their pack to connect with a fellow Fijian school student who would then receive, not only the pack, but also a new pen pal. Hazel and her friends raised over $1000 for the project and purchased excess luggage to transport the precious parcels to Fiji.

Located in the Yasawa Island Group off the Western coast off Viti Levu in Fiji, The Naviti District School is on Naviti Island, and the children come from four surrounding island villages – Muaria, Kese, Marou and Malevu – often travelling up to one and a half hours to get to school each day. They have a very basic standard of living with frequent power outages and are often at the mercy to weather systems such as cyclones, flooding and drought. Families rely heavily on the reef which can often become over-fished, and they have to manage sewerage in the communities to prevent harmful run-off reaching the reef systems.

For the past 20 years, Airlie Beach based company Reef Safari Diving, has been
been working in the Yasawa area in association with two tourist resorts; Barefoot Kuata and Barefoot Manta. The businesses have a strong commitment to reef conservation and community welfare, always looking for opportunities to help and give back.

Rob MacFarlane is the Head Marine Biologist at Reef Safari and has resided in Fiji for the past seven years. During this time, he has been collaborating regularly with the local school, each week he offers free swimming lessons to the students, teaches them about coral planting and orchestrates beach clean-ups. These initiatives offer the school children practical skills and education about conserving their precious natural environment for generations to come.

Rob delivered the school packs with Hazel and said he was blown-away by the incredible efforts the Whitsunday students had gone to.

“What Hazel and the rest of the students have done is absolutely amazing!” he said.

“It was a huge effort, and it was incredibly exciting to see how well it was received. We look forward to this being part of a much bigger partnership and want to continue on this trajectory.”

Hazel is also eager to continue this connection and looks forward to bringing more supplies back to the communities again in September. She encourages anyone in the community to get involved by donating items or money to assist with the project. All donations will go directly to benefit the Fijian communities in the form of stationary, exercise books and ‘readers’. The Whitsunday students are also currently raising money for a microscope and slides.

If you would like to get involved please email Julia Farrell from Reef Safari on info@reefsafari.com

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Hazel Farrell delivering the school packs to the young children in Fiji
Happy faces
The ‘school bus’ – a small boat that transports the children up to an hour and a half to school each day
Hazel said handing out the packs was a magical experience

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Three women have died and several other people are in a serious condition following a devastating head-on collision between a Greyhound Bus and a four-wheel drive vehicle towing a caravan.
At approximately 11am on Sunday, a Greyhound bus carrying 33 passengers collided with a four-wheel drive that was towing a caravan, on the Bruce Highway, eight kilometres north of Gumlu.
Three women have been confirmed dead at the scene, including 56-year-old Grandma who is believed to have been travelling to Townsville with her daughter and four grandchildren.
On Tuesday Townsville Hospital and Health Service confirmed that  four men remained in hospital. The two severely injured males, aged 23 and 22 were airlifted to hospital and remain in critical condition. The two other males, aged 27 and 51 are both stable. Three other passengers were discharged on Sunday.
An RACQ CQ Rescue spokesperson stated, “the first patient was flown from the accident at Gumlu to Ayr Hospital. The second was flown from the scene directly to Townsville hospital in a critical condition.”
A spokesperson from Queensland Police Services stated, that there is currently no speculation surrounding the incident, and no blame being attributed to date. Multiple crews from Townsville and Mackay as well as local officers attended the scene alongside QAS ambulance, RACQ CQ rescue services and Queensland Fire and Rescue Services.
Graeme Paine, Queensland Police Superintendent, mentioned that the bus was travelling north and the car was traveling south, with all fatalities and injuries occurring among the passengers on the bus.
Superintendent Paine, described the crash as “very, very confronting.”

“A very significant impact, and very significant consequences,” he added.

The Bruce Highway re-opened that evening around midnight, after being closed for 13 hours, from 11am Sunday when the crash took place.
The vehicles, crashed near the Queensland Rail’s North Coast rail line between Bobawaba and Gumlu, with the bus partially on the tracks, impacting the rail corridor. Queensland Rail has confirmed that the rail line reopened on Monday.

“Queensland Rail crews arrived onsite this morning and completed necessary repair works, including sleeper replacements and track realignment.”

Six fire trucks attended the scene and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, confirmed that whilst there was no fire present at the scene, there were, “several entrapments,” with individuals having to be rescued from the bus.

From 1 January 2023 to 31 May 2024, there have been 287 road fatalities in Queensland alone and in Australia totally, 1,301 fatalities. The Queensland Police Service urges individuals to remember the Fatal Five driving rules when on the roads: speeding, drink driving, failing to wear seatbelts and driving while tired or distracted. All of the Fatal Five driving rules are major contributors to lives lost on our roads and are all avoidable.

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Hi Everyone,
 
It’s great to be back after a week holidaying in Mission Beach!
 
We had a fabulous time despite the rain and really enjoyed bringing our giant Border Collie, Finn, along for his first family holiday.
 
Spending a concentrated amount of time with the kids opened my eyes to a few things – firstly – the incredible amount of energy they have and their desire to keep going non-stop all day – how do they do it?
 
I am definitely at the stage in my life where real joy is found in watching them play, rather than participating - although I do get involved as much as possible with their endless games of ‘pop-up tiggy’.
 
The second thing I realised is – jeeze – kids grow up fast! Blink and you will miss it – literally!
 
Watching them all walk along bush tracks, race along beaches and jump into the (freezing cold) swimming pool was very special and a reminder of how quickly they are growing – now aged 12, 9 and seven.
 
I look forward to savouring more of these precious family moments before they all become grumpy teenagers and only want lifts to see friends rather than spend time with us!
 
Anyway, it’s great to be back in the office this week as we embark on a full-scale double deadline for Core Life Magazine.
 
Once again, the team, here in the office, in Mackay and the Burdekin are doing an absolutely incredible job of juggling a million things at once and pushing forward with all their might to reach the finish line.
 
By the time you read this on Friday, we will hopefully have gone to print with Core Life Magazine and quite possibly be enjoying a well-earned drink!
 
Rach
 
Quote of the Week: “Be water my friend” (Bruce Lee).

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Happy faces and big smiles were the order of the day for a group of Endeavour Foundation clients who were invited to a fantastic day on the water with Red Cat Adventures.
 
The lucky individuals enjoyed a range of activities catered specifically for their skill levels and abilities, with all the crew onboard dedicating themselves to the comfort and enjoyment of their guests.  
 
Support Carer Ricki Conn said that everyone had a special time and created memories they will cherish forever.
 
“The staff went above and beyond any expectations I had,” she expressed.
 
“Everybody felt included and had many opportunities to try new things. The real highlight was when they got to jump on the back of a jet ski with one of the guides.”
 
With key enhancements like a wheelchair-friendly vessel, accessible information, a dedicated accessibility webpage, marked accessible tours, and trained staff, Red Cat Adventures is ensuring that everyone can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands without barriers.
 
Inclusivity at its finest!

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The group from Endeavour Foundation had an incredible time out on the water. Photo credit: Marianna Photography

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