A New Zealand man, who became unwell whilst snorkelling, was airlifted to safety from Hardy Reef last week and taken to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition.

The 59-year-old man had been swimming at the popular tourist destination which is located 80km north-east of Airlie Beach.

At about 1pm on Thursday, June 30, the man reportedly became unwell after returning to the vessel and alerted the crew who made the 000 call.

The crew were instructed to transfer the ill man by tender to Reefworld for further medical assistance.

RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter was then despatched with a doctor and Critical Care Paramedic on board.

It flew direct to a floating pontoon at Hardy Reef, not far from Reefworld.

The chopper hovered overhead as the medical team, including a paramedic and rescue crewman, were winched down onto the pontoon and then transferred to Reefworld by boat to assess the patient.

The helicopter continued to orbit Hardy Reef as the medical team worked to stabilise and relocate the patient to the floating pontoon by boat in order to prepare for a winch.

Within 20 minutes of arrival at scene, the paramedic and patient were winched up into the helicopter in an ARV (Air Rescue Vest) off the pontoon, followed after by the rescue crewman.

The patient was flown to Mackay Base Hospital arriving just before 4pm in a stable condition.

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By Amanda Wright

Construction at Seaforth Esplanade is progressing smoothly, with an anticipated opening in September, weather permitting. The 5.77-hectare reserve is being transformed into a vibrant recreational asset to cater to the needs of residents and visitors.

Sharing project update photos, Mackay Regional Council reported that progress includes the completion of shade structures, installation of new barbecues and furniture, and the shaping of the waterplay area. Amenities construction is well underway, with only the interior fit-out and decorative screen fitting remaining. The senior playground equipment is in place, while the junior playground is awaiting equipment installation before softfall is installed. Landscaping is currently underway, further enhancing the natural beauty of the area.

The Seaforth Esplanade project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government's Works for Queensland Program in collaboration with Mackay Regional Council. The reserve, known for its ocean views and open spaces, is a beloved destination for residents, campers, and weekend market visitors.

This transformation aims to create a vibrant recreational space that caters to the diverse needs of the community. The project's progress indicates a successful endeavour that will provide residents and visitors with a refreshed and enjoyable environment.

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Photo credit: Mackay Regional Council

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In the last two months, 12 businesses in Cannonvale have been robbed in a crime wave that is uncharacteristic for this usually quiet and peaceful Whitsunday suburb.

The latest in this series of community break-ins took place at Ride Whitsunday, located on Shute Harbour Road, two kilometres from the Paluma Road-Abell Road intersection in Cannonvale, on Sunday, July 2.

The alleged perpetrators smashed their way through the front entrance, breaking through the glass door allegedly using a brick or a rock, which was possibly taken from the garden bed outside the business.

Over $16,000 worth of equipment was stolen from the premise, including smith cycling eyewear, cash, personal items and two bikes.

A spokesperson from the business said they were devastated by the break-in.

“We have good (CCTV) footage of them, but they’re fully clothed with no skin showing,” he explained.

The morning after the robbery, the staff were not able to leave the building, as the locks had been destroyed.

“We can’t lock up,” the team member explained.

“We’ll be trying to clean up and organise and then try and track down the bikes.”

One of the stolen bikes is an Ascent Pulse 29 in Jet Black, and the other is a Turbo Kenevo SL Comp, a $10,499 e-bike that is currently not operational and cannot be used until turned on at another dealership.

Tasty Chinese, located on Shute Harbour Road, just metres from the Whitsunday Police Station, was another victim early last week, with only minor damage caused and a big clean-up for staff.

“We didn’t lose anything, just a mess,” said a Tasty Chinese team member.

These two incidents are the latest in a string of robberies that include nine business break-ins in the Carlo Drive industrial estate at the start of June and two separate additional break-ins at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, just weeks apart.

Whitsunday Police arrested a 29-year-old Cannonvale woman as part of Operation Mackay Irving, on June 10, and she was later charged with 32 offences, relating to break-ins and attempted break-ins at businesses and other properties.

However, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre was subject to another break in last week, resulting in damage to exterior doors and office locks.

The crime wave does not seem to be limited to businesses however, with some Cannonvale residents taking to social media to vent frustrations and keep other residents informed of seemingly ill-intentioned trespassers on their property in the early hours of the morning.

One such post shared a clear image of a man walking onto private property at 3.33am and prompted others to share similar footage, potentially of the same individual visiting their home earlier in the week.

This post has been inundated with other residents sharing similar experiences.

“My car got broken into last night in Deloraine area – apartments! Keep an eye out,” said one post.

“I have had two break-ins and two small things stolen from my house in Cannonvale over the last couple of months. It’s horrible knowing that while you sleep, people are peering into your house. The police are trying to find some serial thief. At least they are patrolling, trying to catch the people,” shared another.

Police urge residents to remain vigilant and keep a record of any details, including descriptions of people and vehicles, times, and locations, in order to provide an accurate report for police.

Image captured on a home security system of a trespasser at a Cannonvale home

Ride Whitsunday is one of many businesses targeted in recent crime wave

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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

Fuel prices still linger over the $2 mark, a fact you can’t help but grimly note each time you visit the bowser. So why hasn’t ethanol taken off? We have the feedstock, and the push is on in the world for fuels to be sourced from renewable feedstocks like sugarcane.

E10 is a blend of unleaded petrol and up to 10% ethanol, and is the more popularly used ethanol blend in the Australian market. E85 is suitable only for purpose-built vehicles. Bioethanol is made from molasses and has a multitude of uses across printing, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and, of course, fuel.

While it was put about – largely by the fossil fuel industry – that there could be damage to vehicles resulting from its use. I can say from my personal experience, that I used E10 in my ute and happily drove another 100,000km before selling it on. Worked well.

Ethanol is mandated for use in NSW and Queensland only. The Queensland mandate, enshrined in the Liquid Fuel Supply Act 1984 requires that 4% of the total volume of regular unleaded petrol sales and ethanol-blended fuel sales by liable fuel retailers must be biobased. That has been in place since 2017 and moved from 3% to 4% in 2018.

What we need to see nationwide is State and Federal Government mandating of bio-based fuels. It would build industry, build fuel security, and ease pressure on Australian household finances.

We recently had a tour group from the Brazilian sugar industry visit CANEGROWERS Mackay, and they were astonished to hear that bioethanol fuel in Australia received only light support from government. In Brazil, there is stronger control over domestic fuel prices, with the government subsidising ethanol production, and varying the ratio of sugar and ethanol production based on global markets. Use is high, cost is low – the equivalent of $1AUD per litre.

India is also increasing ethanol production. By 2025, it will have ramped up to 6Mt of sugar diverted to ethanol.

It’s a global shift for sugar-producing nations, and we don’t want to be behind the eight-ball and playing catch-up.

Australia could be strong in this space, too, as we work towards increasing tonnes of sugar produced per hectare and recognise the potential of the established sugarcane footprint in meeting a world hungry for renewable resources to produce its foods, fibres, and fuels.

Wilmar Plane Creek Bioethanol Distillery has been producing since 1927 – that’s almost 100 years. Surely, its moment is truly here. It is the state’s only bioethanol plant, producing 60 Megalitres every year- that’s enough to cheaply power 400,000 cars on E10 for four years.

That amount of bioethanol has the potential to offset 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions- the same as taking 15,000 cars off the road. And that’s just from one distillery.

There have been some strong announcements from the Queensland Government in recent times around developing the sustainable aviation fuel sector, but it would be good for all to see expansion of domestic bioethanol fuel production and consumption. The new bioethanol-fuelled buses are a great start, but it would be good to see more vehicles on the road - of all types - powered thus.

Beyond taking control of our own fuel security, there are multiple opportunities in the biofuel space, and people knocking at the door to connect with our capabilities in sustainable sugar production, a stable economy, and outstanding engineering and research capabilities.

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Every year, Wilmar’s Sarina Distillery produces 60 megalitres of ethanol derived from cane, enough to run 400,000 cars on E10 for four years.  Picture: Wilmar

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Rural Aid supports the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) and its call for better funding for the bush in the wake of new research showing rural Australians are missing out on $6.5 billion annually in healthcare access.

The NRHA-commissioned research reveals that each person in rural Australia is missing out on nearly $850 a year of healthcare access, equating to a total annual rural health spending deficit of $6.5 billion.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said living and working in the bush was challenging at the best of times and too often people in rural communities were forced to sacrifice access to basic services.

“The NRHA, through its research, has quantified the gap. Now we call on government to act swiftly to close the gap,” Mr Warlters said.

Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen said the report looked at health spending from a patient’s perspective, reflecting the alarming day-to-day realities for rural Australians unable to access equitable care.

“Over 7 million people, who make up nearly a third of Australia’s population, experience a greater burden from illness and early death, in part due to inadequate funding for their healthcare. This is despite the significant contribution they make to Australia’s economy,” she said.

Resources and rural industries alone generate around 80 per cent of Australia’s exports, excluding the extra contribution of rural-based services and manufacturing. The value of agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports is $76 billion, while commodities exports are worth $497 billion – a collective value to the nation of over $500 billion, courtesy of rural Australia.

“Rural communities need government to be more flexible and introduce block or genuine support funding to provide multidisciplinary care for patients. These communities know how to collaborate – they do it every day – but costs of access and delivery are higher, so the delivery of healthcare will be different and broader. It does not fit into the model available to urban people,” Ms Tegen said.

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New regulations for a Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa came into place on July 1 and Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP, says he is concerned how it will impact the agricultural sector.

Currently 80 per cent of the harvest labour force in horticulture consist of WHM visa holders and there are more than 137,000 backpackers in Australia on this visa who are providing valuable labour across multiple sectors, including hospitality, tourism, and agriculture.

As of July 1, the cost of the WHM visa increased from $130 to $640, making it the highest visa fee of its kind in the world.

The Government is also considering reducing the WHM visa to one-year and removing any regional work requirements.

Mr. Willcox said towns like Bowen, Ayr, and Home Hill rely on backpackers following the harvest trail to work in essential industries and support small businesses by spending their money locally.

“To ensure my region can feed the nation, backpackers are essential in getting our crops picked,” he said.

“By making the Working Holiday Maker visa almost five times more expensive it will discourage backpackers from coming to Australia, which means fewer workers helping out in agriculture and hospitality jobs and fewer visitors supporting our tourism businesses.

“If Labor reduce the backpacker visa to just one year and remove the regional work requirements it will devastate our local economy as well as other regional economies around the country.

“We love backpackers in Dawson and the Coalition supports our successful Working Holiday Maker program.”  

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Andrew Willcox is concerned changes to the Working Holiday Visa will impact the agricultural workforce. Photo supplied

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It was a historic Queensland Government budget with a record surplus of more than $12 billion delivered last month, but the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) says there needs to be a balance or the state will lose out in the long run.

It says that imposing the world’s highest coal royalty tax will have long-term consequences of lost jobs and lost investments, especially in regional communities.

“There has to be a balance between what the Queensland Government takes from the resources sector and what it leaves to encourage companies to continue to invest the capital required to get large-scale, multi-decade projects off the ground,” QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said.

“The reason Queenslanders are benefiting today from the resources sector is because of investment decisions made years, if not decades, ago by resources companies which saw Queensland as a safe and secure place in which to invest,” he said.

“That long-held perception of Queensland has now changed, for the worse.”

Mr Macfarlane said that a $2 billion investment in Central Queensland that would have created more than 2000 jobs has been cancelled, and a number of companies have indicated they are reconsidering their investment plans.

"A pipeline of more than $100 billion in a range of projects, including the minerals needed for lower emissions energy and technologies, could also be at risk because of the uncertainty that now exists for companies weighing up whether to invest in Queensland,” he added.

“Over $18 billion in royalty taxes paid by the Queensland resources sector has enabled the State Government to deliver a budget that provides cost-of-living relief to Queenslanders.

“But if the Government wants the resources sector to be able continue to provide that support into the future, it needs policies that encourage investment to maintain a stable pipeline of projects in the years and decades to come."

The QRC is also calling on the State Government to provide full details on its funding commitments to regional Queensland communities that are the backbone of our resources sector.

“Such a big economic impact on resources companies will have consequences and they’ll be hardest felt in regional communities that rely on the jobs and local spending that the sector provides,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Many regional resources towns that help generate the billions of dollars of extra revenue now pouring into Government coffers are still waiting to see exactly how that money will benefit their regions,” Mr Macfarlane said.

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QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane

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Almost 100 students from Capella and Clermont state high schools recently participated in two workshops that showcased the intersection of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) with real-world resources and energy sector applications.

The workshops were delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), with QMEA Director Katrina-Lee Jones saying over the course of two days, students worked under the guidance of experienced representatives from Glencore Coal as they completed engaging activities that explored programming, physics, and geology.  

“During ‘Mining for Code’, about 60 Year 7 students dove into the fundamentals of software engineering as they programmed miniature computers called ‘Arduinos’ to display a series of flashing lights that replicate safety features on hard hats,” Ms Jones said.

“In addition to bolstering their technology skills, this activity introduced the students to the integration of IT innovation with everyday industry requirements like health and safety.

“It was a fantastic way for them to discover the many exciting career opportunities on offer in the resources and energy sector, especially in the digital space.”  

Glencore Coal's Human Resources Manager Anthony Exelby said building on the momentum of the first workshop, the QMEA’s ‘STEM Half Day’ then immersed Clermont’s Year 8 students in two geology-based challenges that further fuelled their passion for STEM studies.

“Using a gamification model, students followed clues and tests that identified the characteristics of various rock samples, allowing them to work in teams to determine which attributes matched the rocks they were being quizzed on,” Mr Exelby said.  

Clermont State High School Principal Leigh Dyer said these hands-on workshops cleverly showcased the practical applications of STEM while helping students explore the array of rewarding career opportunities available.

“The integration of gamification in modern education has proven to be highly valuable as it fosters active participation, boosts engagement, and cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” Mrs Dyer said.

“By incorporating gaming elements into educational activities, students are motivated to explore and learn in an interactive and immersive manner, enhancing their retention and application of knowledge.”

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Students from Clermont State High School participated in QMEA's ‘STEM Half Day’. Photos supplied

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BHP has backed away from allegedly insisting striking Operations Services workers be locked out of their accommodation camp in Central Queensland while taking protected industrial action earlier this week.  

Last week, the Mining and Energy Union provided notice on behalf of Operations Services Production members of a four-hour stoppage, on Tuesday July 4, at Goonyella Riverside mine near Moranbah.

The Mining and Energy Union allege that on Saturday, workers on the relevant crew were told by a supervisor that those participating in the action must leave the mine site and would be denied access to their accommodation at Eureka Camp.

The Mining and Energy Union insisted that BHP drop the directive as denying access to camp to employees engaged in protected industrial action was a contravention of general protections under the Fair Work Act.

On Monday July 3, the MEU said that BHP Operations Services confirmed it would rescind the directive denying workers access to camp.

MEU Senior Vice President Mitch Hughes said BHP’s heavy-handed approach showed that on-going industrial action by employees of the in-house labour provider was hitting a nerve.

“OS workers have been ramping up their campaign with a range of actions as they seek to improve their conditions,” he said.

“It’s already making a difference, but there’s a long way to go until Operations Services employees have the comprehensive enterprise agreement they deserve.”

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Goonyella Riverside mine. Photo credit: BHP

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The investigation into the cause of the light aircraft accident that killed a young couple in the Whitsundays has been discontinued.

22-year-old Rhiley Kuhrt and his pregnant 24-year-old wife, Maree, left Natal Downs Station for a private flight to the Lakeside Airpark, south of the Whitsundays, in a Piper Cherokee single-engine light aircraft on April 2.

Their aircraft crashed during an adverse weather event on steep terrain at the Clarke Ranges near Proserpine, with no survivors.

A report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) was published on Tuesday.

It stated that the “aircraft departed in good weather for visual flight, but flew into poor conditions, including low cloud around the Clarke Ranges”.

The report also revealed that Mr Kuhrt did not hold an aeroplane pilot’s licence (either a Recreational Pilot Licence or Private Pilot Licence) required to conduct the flight.

Upon this basis, the ATSB said the investigation has been discontinued.

The ATSB reminds the public about the importance of completing the correct training to ensure full safety measures are taken with an understanding of how navigate adverse weather conditions.

“This accident highlights the importance of following the standards for the operation and maintenance of aircraft to ensure the safety of flight,” said ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

“It further demonstrates that weather continues to remain one of the most significant causes of accidents in general aviation.”

Caption: 22-year-old Rhiley Kuhrt and his pregnant 24-year-old wife, Maree, died in a light aircraft accident near Proserpine in April. Photo supplied

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Across the Whitsundays, Australian Defence Force (ADF) operation Talisman Sabre 2023 will take to the air, performing a series of tactical flying activities.

From July 21 to August 4, residents should be aware of increased flight traffic, particularly military helicopters, including heavy lift with slung loads, and unmanned aerial drones which will be completing low-level tactical flying operations.

This will result is wake turbulence and loud noises and may spook animals.

The Proserpine Aerodrome and Lindeman Island are also expected to have military personnel participate in parachuting exercises between July 21 and July 30, in the cover of darkness.

The Bloomsbury Lakeside Airpark aerodrome will be restricted from civilian use, with the airspace stretching above Bloomsbury to Midge Point being used for tactical flying operations, for select times between July 25 to July 28.

Individuals with aircrafts have been advised to have their radar transponders active across the region, with either their non-discrete code or the code provided to them by an air traffic controller.

Civilian aircrafts are instructed to promptly provide identification when radio requested.

Talisman Sabre 2023 is a part of an ADF tactical operation used for training of military personnel, in logistics activities, amphibious landings, land and ground force manoeuvres, air combat and maritime operations.

The township of Bowen hosts a large part of the personnel; however, the training operation includes activities and movements across the region.

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Australian Defence Force training exercise Talisman Sabre taking full use of Whitsunday region. Photo supplied

Missed Options Rate Renewal Can Be Costly

To be honest, when purchasing insurance, we often overlook some of the most costly factors, usually because we never really expect to “use it”.

The most frequent statement I hear is, “Oh I didn’t include that in my renewal”.

“That” could be any or all of these;

~ a hire vehicle

~ an unlimited kilometre option

~ a reduced excess

~ a windscreen replacement

~ a choice of repairer

At the time of purchase these items appear to be unnecessary, however often not enough information is derived before making the decision.

Let me explain – what if your vehicle is involved in an accident and it is not drivable?

Based on current wait times and availability of parts it could be months before the vehicle can be back on the road, with all safety features intact and operational.

Can you afford to have down time for an extended period? For a minimal cost upfront?

Canstar advises that there are 66 Vehicle insurance providers in Australia.

Each of these companies have a variety of policies, and numerous choice options.

Your decision to include or exclude these options can be costly.

My advice is to write a diary note a month prior to when your insurance is due.

Make note of the products and options available and consider what each means to you and your family or employees.  

If this is a work vehicle, consider options that include like-for-like hire so that you can continue your work uninterrupted.

Have your questions noted and ready to ask, sometimes we get flustered and forget to ask.

So, tick them off as you go, it is fine to tell the insurance representative that you are making an inquiry and you want them to take it slow if you are feeling rushed.

You do not have to make the decision in the first call.  Take the reference number for the call.  

Request an email address and you can respond in writing with your well-considered response!

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This week friends, family and the broader Airlie Beach community are remembering a spirited champion of the region, who tirelessly worked for the greater good, most notably in his over 40 years’ service to the Rotary Club and as one of the first Cruise Ship Ambassadors.

John Wilson Powell sadly passed away late last month, and almost a hundred people attended his funeral at the VMR in Cannonvale on Monday where his rich and fulfilling life was celebrated by all.

He was remembered as a remarkable husband to his wife Gill and an amazing father, grandfather, and friend.

Born in Melbourne in 1941 John lived half his life in Victoria, joining the bank straight out of school before finding his niche in selling curtains and soft furnishings. He married Jo when he was 23 and they had three children: Mandy, Simon, and Melissa.

John's ambitious spirit and deep interest in the local community were evident from an early age. He founded the Viewbank Progress Association, tirelessly working alongside the Local Government to ensure that essential infrastructure, such as kindergartens, maternal health centres, and schools, were established for the betterment of the area.

In 1974, he ran for and won a seat in the City of Heidelberg's Local Government, his tenure as a city councillor was marked by unwavering dedication to the betterment of Heidelberg, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of its residents.

In 1977, while still in his thirties, John ran for Mayor and was successful in his bid. He went on to spend many happy years wholeheartedly engaged in the responsibilities his role entailed, embracing every event and opportunity to connect with the community.

In 1985, John married his second wife Dot and together with Dot’s children, they joined the Victorian migration north and decided to create a new life in Airlie Beach.

Here, John purchased Airlie Soft Furnishings which he worked successfully until he retired.

He also owned The Men’s Den and Le Mignon CAFÉ as well as other businesses.

In 2000 John met his third wife Gill and as he used to say: “he saved the best for last”.

John knew she was the one after their first dance at the Bastille Ball at Panache and the couple were married in 2004, inseparable for the last 19 years.

Always engaged and vocal within the community John's impact in Airlie Beach extended far beyond his business endeavours.

He earned the affectionate nickname Mr Microphone, always eager to be at the forefront of making a difference.

He assumed prestigious roles such as President of the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce, Councillor for the Shire of Whitsunday, and Area Captain for the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census.

Additionally, he took on responsibilities as Conference Chairman and Coordinator of District 9550 for Rotary Conferences.

In recent years, John volunteered at Vinnies and whenever a cruise ship docked in town, John would don his blue and white shirt to be there to greet the passengers. He proudly became the first person to welcome and greet passengers from around the world.

One of the most memorable moments in John's life was witnessing his children's marriages: Mandy to Steve, Simon to Dorris, and Melissa to Simon.

From these unions, his beloved grandchildren Ally, Mikayla, Josh, Harry, and Charlotte were born.

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The Townsville 500 races through Townsville this weekend, and a couple of north Queenslanders are living the ultimate V8 Supercar experience thanks to Porters Mitre 10.

Mark “Frosty” Winterbottom’s supercar was on display at Porters Mitre 10 Mackay last week, with DeWalt challenging people of all ages to the pit-stop challenge.

The quickest to change a tyre on the day to instantly won double passes to the Townsville 500, and there were plenty of other prizes, giveaways, demonstrations, fun and games on the day.

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Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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For the fourth year, the Whitsunday Police force have hosted their Coffee with a Cop at the Whitsunday Plaza, on Wednesday July 5.

With a smaller scale event compared to last years, members of the community were offered complimentary coffee and could have a chat with a local cop, asking all their pressing questions to the boys in blue.

“We use this time to remind the community that we are people too, we’re not scary,” explained Sergeant Billy Li.

“We’re here to help the community, and we want to be present as much as we can.”

Police officers on site included Sargent Billy Li and Sergeant Nathan Blaine and various general duties officers who were eager to answer any and all questions and engage with the community.

The officers were grilled on the recent crime spree, general policing issues, and shift routines, as well as thanked for their service.

Whitsunday PCYC also made an appearance, with Braking the Cycle Coordinator Declan Coull and Get Set For Work Coordinator Scott Lynch ready to share their programs to Whitsunday youth.

In particular, the Get Set For Work program is a new initiative for the PCYC, aiding youth aged between 15 and 19 to gain qualifications, skills and support to find employment, and it is set to begin on Monday, July 10.

Plans for the 2024 iteration of Coffee With A Cop are already underway.

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The boys in blue set up shop in Whitsunday Plaza, to engage with local community. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

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