Koalas are now on the move looking for love or a new home, with veterinarians and wildlife carers urging all Queenslanders to be extra vigilant and help keep koalas safe this breeding season.

Koalas will be spending more time on the ground as they try to find a mate or establish new territory, and young koalas leave their mothers to find a home of their own.

During this time, koalas are more prone to dog attacks and car strikes and a range of other natural and human-related threats as they move through backyards and on busy roads.

These threats are compounded this year by the ongoing El Niño weather event, which is causing koalas to travel further to find water.

The hot and dry weather also decreases liveable koala habitat, meaning more koalas are congregating in smaller areas which increases the risk of the potentially deadly koala bacterial disease Chlamydia pecorum.

While vets are doing their best to rehabilitate injured koalas, Queenslanders can help avoid these tragic accidents from happening by taking some simple steps this koala breeding season.

This includes:

• Driving carefully, especially between dusk and dawn when koalas are most active, and whenever you see a koala warning or advisory signs

• Keeping your dog inside or contained at night

• Training your dog in wildlife avoidance

• Creating koala-friendly fencing and swimming pools to give koalas an escape route

• Reporting all sick or injured koalas to RSPCA Animal Emergency 1300 ANIMAL hotline by calling 1300 264 625.

Queenslanders can also report all wild koala sightings to DES via the free QWildlife Koala Sighting app, which recently took home the Community Impact award at the 2023 Geospatial Excellence Awards.

Since the app launched in June, it has been downloaded more than 23,000 times, resulting in a 3,700 per cent increase in reported koala sightings, and a 31 per cent increase in the past month.

Environment Minister Leanne Linard said, “Love might be in the air for koalas right now, but during breeding season they actually spend more time on the ground, which is where they are most vulnerable.

“With dog attacks and car strikes posing such a significant threat to this iconic species over the next few months, it is more important than ever for us all to do our part to keep koalas safe from cars and dogs, and to support the hardworking staff across the wildlife hospital network,” she said.

“Earlier this year, we launched the now award-winning Koala QWildlife app, which allows members of the public to act as citizen scientists by reporting koala sightings and providing accurate location and population data.

“With koalas now out looking for love, I encourage all Queenslanders to download this free app and report all koala sightings – hopefully in pairs!”

DES Southern Wildlife and Koala Operations Director Geoff Lundie-Jenkins said that koala breeding season is the busiest time of year for vets and wildlife carers.

“Some of the koalas that are brought in cannot be saved, and others require round-the-clock, intensive care and long periods of rehabilitation to allow them to be released back to the wild,” he said.

“With koalas facing additional challenges this summer as a result of the dry conditions, it is even more crucial for people to drive carefully, especially at night, and prevent dog attacks both in your yard and out on walks.

“The best thing the community can do to help us is prevent koalas from suffering these types of traumas and allow them to safely travel to find a mate or new territory.”

Construction for the new Moranbah Hospital is officially underway, representing a significant milestone for the coalfields community. The Queensland Government, through its progressive coal royalty tiers, is funding this pivotal project. Originally scheduled for completion in early 2025, the construction has been expedited, with the new hospital expected to be operational by the last quarter of 2024.

This state-of-the-art facility aims to transform healthcare in Moranbah. The upgraded infrastructure will feature an expanded emergency department, increased capacity for critical services, and a dedicated helipad to enhance emergency response capabilities.

The new hospital will also include a modern imaging department equipped with a CT scanner, ensuring residents have access to cutting-edge diagnostic facilities. The new hospital will integrate various healthcare services, bringing together allied health, child health, antenatal and postnatal care, and mental health support, all conveniently located under one roof.

Additional features will include an ambulatory care area, a rehabilitation gym for patients recovering from injury and illness, and an enhanced outpatient department.

Two deeply valued elements of the existing hospital will be retained.

The prize-winning rose garden will be relocated and a new family room will continue providing a comforting space for patients and their loved ones.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said that the Government’s progressive coal royalty tiers ensures coal mining communities, like Moranbah, benefit from the coal that they extract.  

“Coal is Queensland’s largest export, worth $66 billion a year, and it is only fair that regional Queensland communities get their fair share of this resource,” Treasurer Dick said.

“The new facility in Moranbah will provide access to a truly modern hospital that includes an increased emergency department, a CT scanner in an expanded imaging department, a simulation room for more clinical training, a new helipad and improved ambulance access.”

Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman said that this project will increase the emergency department’s capacity, expand imaging services, with the addition of a CT scanner and improve ambulance access.

“When I met staff at Moranbah Hospital, during my first weeks as Health Minister, it was clear just how much they love caring for their community and I am pleased they will be able to continue their amazing day-to-day work with new state-of-the-art facilities and technology,” Minister Fentiman said.

“Technology upgrades will also allow our health care workers to liaise with other hospitals and health services across the state to help deliver the best care possible.”

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said it is wonderful to see work is underway on the new Moranbah Hospital after the council and community advocated for better health services in the region.  

“The Moranbah Hospital upgrade will enable the facility to cater for the region well into the future and acting as a regional hub for neighbouring towns,” Mayor Baker said.

“The redevelopment will support residents, workers and the heavy industries that operate across the Isaac region with a fit for purpose facility.

“I’m delighted to hear the hospital is being fast-tracked.”

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Construction is underway for the new Moranbah Hospital, set to provide state-of-the-art medical facilities, increased emergency spaces, and comprehensive health services to the Isaac community by late 2024. Photo credit: Treasurer Cameron Dick

Walkerston Track is set to be closed permanently, with Mackay & District BMX Club releasing a statement to members to give an important update.

The reasoning behind the decision was cited as ‘ongoing maintenance requirements, volunteer fatigue and increasing financial input required’ to keep running both the Walkerston and Mackay facilities.

With a considerable cost factor involved with the improvements and maintenance of the Walkerston Track, after careful consideration, the decision was made to close the facility indefinitely.

This decision was not made lightly, as the closure will ultimately impact loyal members and the supporting community. A disappointing set of circumstances for those who supported the Walkerston Track, with memories and friendships created over the years.

MAD BMX president Brett Wilson said the start hill on the Walkerston Track has become a safety issue, but ultimately the closure of the track was purely a financial decision and not the outcome anyone wanted.

The Walkerston BMX Club had previously merged into Mackay & District BMX Club, with a lease from Council allowing operation of the Walkerston Track at a cost of the Club.

Mackay Regional Council Community Services Director Janine McKay commented that her team is ‘currently exploring all available options to keep the track open to the public’ and hope to have a clearer understanding in the near future.

With a commitment to the Walkerston community and ratepayers, the Mackay Regional Council are working to ensure the best possible outcome for all parties involved, however have received negative backlash on social media regarding the closure of the Walkerston Track.

Only a mere six years has passed since the Walkerston Track was impacted by flooding during the events of Cyclone Debbie, which caused significant damage and very costly repairs.

Feasibility studies are currently being undertaken, requiring volunteers to support in assistance with consulting to create a plan for the future of the Mackay & District BMX Club.

The Mackay & District BMX Club’s current focus is a plan to build a new track at a new facility, in a discussion with Mackay Regional Council to explore the possibility of potential sites to do so.

Mackay & District BMX Club express their gratitude for the support and patronage over the years at the Walkerston Track and remind the community that the Mackay Track is still in full operation with Club nights to continue as normal.

The community are still permitted to use the Walkerston Track for the time being, however, it will no longer be maintained by Mackay & District BMX Club.

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Club members can utilise the Mackay Track which is still in full operation

A disappointing result for the Walkerston BMX Track

Photo Credit: Mackay & District BMX Club

Walkerston Rotary’s affiliated group Days for Girls Mackay Team celebrated its 6th Anniversary last Saturday, 4 November, with a lovely Morning Tea attended by most of the Days for Girls volunteers.

Days for Girls Mackay consists of a team of dedicated volunteers who produce washable reusable sanitary packs for women in developing countries, where many have no means of managing their menstrual periods.

These kits allow young girls to attend school and women to go about their daily lives. The kits empower, and are a great stigma eraser, for women who would otherwise be isolated while menstruating.

Days for Girls' aim is to afford all women the dignity, health and opportunity they deserve.

Days for Girls Mackay has been able to supply sanitary kits to countries such as The Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Cambodia, Nepal, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

It is estimated that the team, by way of the kits the volunteers have produced and supplied, have allowed girls in developing countries 838,927 extra school days over its six years of operation.

Contributed by Bente McDonald.

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Day for Girls 6th Anniversary celebration at Mystic Alchemy Coffee Shop

Cathy Davis cutting the cake at Day for Girls event

Photos supplied

Although the Mackay region usually has a substantial wet season during Summer, in the coming months your garden might benefit from a bit of preparation.

With weather forecasts predicting a drier and hotter run over the season than we are usually accustomed to, you may find it beneficial to get ahead and change up your gardening routine before the warmer climate arrives.

Find some helpful tips in this guide to help your garden battle against dry weather conditions.

Roses are very forgiving plants, tolerating harsh dry times as well as the rainy periods that will eventually return.

Herb plants coupled with ornamentals can create a unique and useful garden. Drought conditions do not negatively affect most herbs, these plants are usually killed by over-watering.

Many (but not all) Australian natives are well adapted to dry conditions. Drought-tolerant plants are not tolerant to waterlogging. So ironically, good drainage is important to consider when planting in a drought.

Mulching is essential for water retention and insulating your garden bed.

Try to water your garden between 5am and 10am when sunlight is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cooler. Less water is lost to evaporation and wind during this time.

Irrigation at night can lead to fungus growth as leaves can remain wet overnight. By irrigating in the morning, leaves have a chance to dry out during the day.

You can do your own further investigation on drought-resistant gardening by using books, local gardening associations and plant nurseries.

We, who have lived in the Scrubby area for years sometimes wonder what happened to the young people who grew up here, and then leave to further their education elsewhere.

A couple of young ladies who fit into that category would definitely be Walkerston twins Zodie and Marita Bolic.

As soon as they could read, the Bolic twins read profusely - any books, indeed all books they could get their hands on; they just couldn’t get enough reading material!

The local librarian tried her best to keep the supply of new titles coming as the girls would read something like ten junior fiction books a week – That is each! And, also have their homework done and join in other extracurricular activities!

During her latter high school years Marita was selected to attend a Rotary National Youth Science Forum in Canberra where she learnt a lot about medical studies. She is now a fourth-year medical student at James Cook University in Cairns, having spent her first three years at the Townsville campus.

Marita has recently been involved in medical research in emergency medicine in Canberra. Prior to that she received a scholarship for a six-week rural placement in Mount Isa’s Northwest Hospital and Health Service, where she headed earlier this year. She is now looking forward to the last two-and-a-half years of studying, and whatever else may happen along the way - towards her degree.

Zodie was off to Melbourne University, firstly studying Arts - Politics & History, but switching to Batchelor of Fine Arts – Dance, at the end of 2020. Being one of 21 lucky ones out of about 1000 applicants that year.

She gained a first place for her subject ‘Knowing Dance’ in 2022 and was consequently invited to speak on ABC Radio National - A great thrill for her!

As Zodie approaches the end of her degree she has been awarded a scholarship to undertake a diploma of Governance through the Institute of Community Directors of Australia and is currently sitting on the Board of Melbourne University’s Student union, and also a member of the Victorian Youth Congress.

The Bolic girls have certainly packed a lot of opportunities and experiences - reading, dancing, learning and studies - into a relatively short period of time. All of this extending right back to their early years of never being able to borrow enough library books to satisfy their hunger for reading and learning.

Quite an impressive package of achievements for a couple of nearly twenty-two-year-old young women from the quiet little township of Walkerston!

Contributed by Bente McDonald

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Zodie and Marita Bolic

Photo supplied

Nestled in Mackay's city centre, Wild Arrow Boutique offers a stunning storefront on Wood Street, focused on providing high-quality clothing for all occasions.

‘Life isn’t perfect, but your outfit can be’, this quote encompasses Wild Arrow Boutique, with a wide range of products including clothing, shoes, jewellery, accessories, bags and candles.

Wild Arrow Boutique has clothing sizes ranging from XS to XL and 6 to 16, as well as some one-size-fits-all pieces. People often associate the boutique with elite label products that are high-end but still affordable.

The storefront is on a mission to provide clothing that can be worn everywhere, from lunch with the girls, to a special event or a night out on the town – the possibilities are endless!

With comfort in mind, their goal is to supply garments that tick all the boxes. Pieces range in colour, patterns and textures, with an emphasis on providing lightweight and breathable fabrics for the warmer tropical climate.

Wild Arrow Boutique Owner Tania Vogele is passionate about cultivating long-term relationships with her clients and achieving customer satisfaction with every purchase, altering her collection to suit the everchanging trends and styles that are currently in-season.

In the midst of bustling store hours, Tania receives the support of her mother and daughter, fostering a familial atmosphere within the storefront.

Experience a positive ambiance, a diverse selection, and top-notch brands – a perfect combination you can’t resist.

Discover Wild Arrow Boutique at Shop 6 on 43 Wood Street, Mackay, or visit wildarrowboutique.au for additional details.

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Wild Arrow Boutique Owner Tania Vogele

A glamourous range for every occasion

Add a sparkle to your wardrobe with Wild Arrow Boutique

Photo Credit: Sinead Porter

Wood Chook Gallery is a business operated by volunteers with a commitment to establishing a customer-focused space, showcasing a rotating range of products crafted by local artisans.

The storefront is located in the city centre of Mackay, however over the past thirty years it has done the rounds, residing in various locations before settling on Victoria Street.

The business is unique as it is a one-of-a-kind establishment in Mackay, purchasing selected handmade products on consignment from the local community, with proceeds funding rent and electricity.

Over a dozen creators currently have stock residing on the shelves at the Wood Chook Gallery, with the business constantly rotating their merchandise to create variety and diversity of their product range.

Head of Wood Chook Gallery, Therese Townley keeps the stock fresh and the storefront inviting, with a strong support of local makers.  

With Christmas just around the corner, you can stock up on essential home and giftware items from tea towels, washers and soap sets to baby gifts, scarves, rugs, hankies, tea cozies as well as various artworks and crocheted items.

You can also purchase Mackay-themed souvenirs to send to loved ones overseas, and personalised giftware with name embroidery.  

Wood Chook Gallery are competitive with these items, as they are open six days a week, compared to market stalls that usually only operate weekends.

Take a gander at Wood Chook Gallery on 106 Victoria Street, open 9am to 2:30pm weekdays, and Saturdays 9am to 1pm or find them on Facebook for more information.

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Volunteer Francis Camilleri with a beautiful array of stylish tea towels

Giftware as far as the eye can see!

A handcrafted selection of crocheted items

Photo Credit: Sinead Porter

Mackay City Centre is a growing hub of opportunity for locals to explore a range of goods and services. Experience a relaxed atmosphere amongst a blend of architectural styles including unique Art Deco heritage buildings.

The recently revitalised city centre is seamlessly linked with the central business district, allowing busy commuters, tourists and local families to intermingle in the heart of our beautiful city.

The city centre boasts a unique art scene, including walls of magnificent artistry on Fifth Lane, designed by talented local creators. You can also indulge in a range of accommodation, restaurants and a wide variety of assorted apparel and boutique stores to get your fix of retail therapy.

In this feature you can further your explorations of the superb businesses operating within Mackay’s vibrant city centre and familiarise yourself with the friendly faces who work tirelessly to provide a superior shopping experience for all!

Prepare your land with Mackay Forestry Mulching Services

Mackay Forestry Mulching Services offer specialist eco-friendly land management strategies, including vegetation mulching and flail mowing, slashing, high-quality stump grinding, general earthworks, site-levelling as well as posthole and trenching services.

Mackay Forestry Mulching Solutions provide cost effective and environmentally friendly forestry mulching services, leaving behind a natural mulch layer that provides soil enrichment, erosion control, and moisture retention.

Their forestry mulching process is low impact and can be used to clear rural land for multiple purposes, including farming, fire hazard reduction, flood preparation and flora and fauna protection across Mackay.

Completing a waterway clearing or firebreak on your land can be vital to prepare for natural disasters, such as flooding and bushfire events.

Mackay Forestry Mulching Solutions have you covered, with a selective process to precisely remove vegetation such as lantana and invasive regrowth, whilst avoiding taking down high-value trees and native vegetation.

Reducing erosion will positively reduce the impact of flooding, by allowing rainwater to penetrate the ground rather than creating a high run-off effect. Destruction of your topsoil will cost you more in the long-run by having to regenerate the ground.

With vegetation control, mistakes can often be made - High chemical usage which reduces soil nutrition and increases environmental risk, excessive bulldozing removes topsoil increasing erosion and over burning.

All three control methods can have negative effects such as run-off into creek beds and waterways, killing wildlife and removing nutrients from the soil.

With Mackay Forestry Mulching Solutions, the main aim is to reduce vegetation quickly, cost effectively and with methods that can deliver effective clearing.

The business implements specialised industrial machinery with a high output-to-weight ratio, to avoid compaction whilst still delivering high-powered mulching.

Providing site services such as site levelling, posthole digging and trenching and experience in road cutting, dam building and fencing gives a more complete package.

Accessing properties with ease, this business has a competitive edge of efficiency and allowing future land management to be much smoother for their clients.

Contact Mackay Forestry Mulching Solutions at mackayforestry.com.au or call 1800 819 008.

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Digging a hole

Trenching

Photos supplied

Following on from the informational video created by the State Emergency Services Mackay Regional Unit, we discover why it is vital to pay attention to external home maintenance in the lead-up to storm season.

To start with, check on the status of your insurance policy, whether it is up-to-date and what it covers. If your policy doesn’t adequately cover your home, contents and car, you could be liable to pay out-of-pocket for damages.

On top of that, if your gutters and downpipes haven’t been regularly maintained, you could be unknowingly voiding your home insurance.

A good clean out of your gutters and downpipes is pretty much a non-negotiable part of storm preparation. If your gutters are full of debris, water can’t drain away from your residence.

This can cause a host of problems, such as water flowing into wall cavities and roofs, leading to serious complications like electrical short circuits and power outages.

If you have storm water sumps or drains around your home, it is critical to make sure these are cleaned out to ensure that they can drain water effectively.

Trim tree branches and remove any weak or dead branches from trees around your property, as they can fall onto your home or become airborne during strong winds.

It is important to check the condition of your roof. Look out for loose tiles, eaves or screws that need repairing.

Once these problems are resolved, there will be a limit on the amount of damages that can potentially occur during rough winds or intense storms.

OPINION PIECE

There’s always some debate about how long you must have lived in Mackay before you can call yourself a local. I can trace my family back to my great-great-grandfather, George Hardwick, who arrived in the Pioneer Valley in the mid-1860s. Generations of my family have lived here, with me being fifth generation, and my children and grandchildren also born and raised here.

My mother and her brother attended Mackay West State School, as did myself and my siblings, and then my four children. It’s a great school that has produced many outstanding community members who have gone on to do great things.

Mackay West State School will celebrate their centenary in 2024. The school, originally known as South Ward State School, opened in 1924 at the Bridge Road campus. The campus later became known as West Mackay Infants School, and the Pinder Street site as West Mackay Primary School with grades three to seven. In 1994 there was an amalgamation of West Mackay Infants School and West Mackay Primary School to become Mackay West State School.

The Centenary Committee, of which I’m the Treasurer, meets monthly and are coordinating events, memorabilia and displays for the community. We are inviting local families and businesspeople to sponsor a page in the centenary book or sponsor an event during the centenary celebrations, being held from May 24 to 26, 2024.

The weekend celebrations will begin on Friday, May 24, 2024, where past and present staff, students and family members will gather under the trees of the junior campus. A static display will be set up at the senior campus, giving attendees an opportunity to walk down memory lane and reminisce. A Meet and Mingle will be hosted at Harrup Park that night. Tickets will be available for purchase early in the New Year.

On Saturday, May 25, the school grounds at Pinder Street will come alive with our annual Mayfair. This traditional fair has been bringing the West Mackay Community together for over 50 years.

On Sunday, May 26, we will be welcoming families to have a picnic at the Pinder Street campus and have a look through the static display.

A centenary book is being produced by a dedicated team of past students and teachers. Local historian Lyall Ford is collating information to include an accurate history of the school and its community.

For more information, please email mackaywest_centenary2024@outlook.com or check out our Facebook page – I went to Mackay West SS 1924-.

Councillor Belinda Hassan

Mackay Regional Council

For long time local, Phil Geddes, navigating the Airlie Beach pathways hasn’t always been an easy task.

A wheelchair user, Phil broached the Airlie Beach Festival of Music last weekend, to get involved with the fantastic scene.

“And the people were awesome. It was quite surprising,” Phil said.

Having moved to the area over 20 years ago, Phil found that general attitudes about his wheelchair were fairly negative.

“People used to say ‘get out of the way’ and weren’t very receptive to me or the wheelchair at all,” he reflected.

“But going into town on the weekend, I was quite surprised. It was awesome. People were very aware and receptive and encouraging. They are conscious of the difficulty and challenges of the wheelchair and were very helpful.

“I had so much anxiety and was so nervous, but looking back, I am just like ‘wow, that was awesome’.”

For Phil, it was very reassuring that the mentality has changed, and that people were eager to help him out and help him experience the music festival.

“But this isn’t about me, it’s about the people out in town. The appreciation and respect for everyone who was considerate and understanding to me, that’s what it’s all about. The respect for the people that are struggling.

“I just want to thank everyone.

“I just wanted to see what I could see from my wheelchair.”

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Phil was pleasantly surprised last weekend. Photo: Shutterstock

Hi Everyone,

This week I would like to talk about cancer.

It can often be a subject that people shy away from, perhaps for fear that it can be caught, or if we talk about it, we are somehow inviting it in.

It is also a topic whispered about in quiet corners, sad eyes sharing news of a dear friend with a recent diagnosis. Sorrow for the other person, but relief that it is not you.

Well, just over four years ago, it was me.

In August 2017 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Bowel Cancer and, fortunately, after an operation and six months of chemotherapy, I survived.

But cancer does not stop there, even after it has left your body, it is something you live with for the rest of your life.

Last week I had my annual PET scan and, as usual, the weeks leading up to it were an anxious haze where imagined symptoms kept popping into my head.

Luckily, on Tuesday this week my oncologist called to say I had been given the ‘all clear’.

Relief washed over me, and tears swelled in my eyes, it wasn’t me this time – phew.

And while I felt relief, I also felt survivor’s guilt wash over me.

I knew a woman the same age as me who received exactly the same diagnosis as me four years ago who is no longer with us today.

I know a local lady in her thirties who is just beginning her cancer journey, enduring chemo and the uncertainty of whether it will work, and my heart bleeds for her.

I also remember young Cody Gibbs who should have been celebrating his birthday this week.

All these stories are the reality of cancer, and it breaks my heart to see people going through such trauma and tragedy.

And while cancer still scares me every day, I think we all need to talk about it with hope in our hearts – for there are many more survivors these days than there have ever been before.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible” (Christopher Reeve)

Red Cat Adventures, Whitsunday Jetski Tours, and Wildcat Mackay join SeaLink

It’s the beginning of a new era and an exciting fresh start for one of region’s biggest tourism players with Red Cat Adventures selling to SeaLink, the largest marine transport operator in Australia.

Asher and Julie Telford started Red Cat Adventures in 2015 and experienced massive growth, employing 75 crew, expanding to five custom-built vessels and 22 jet skis by the time they sold this week.

The couple had been approached by big companies before, but Julie said it was only now that it felt like “the right time to sell” and that SeaLink’s people and environment focussed values were “the right fit” for their business.

SeaLink launched its Whitsunday-based marine transport and tour company in 2021 and, while their business portfolio now includes Red Cat Adventures, each of the businesses will carry on as usual.

The Whitsundays overall tourism offering just got stronger and significantly bigger with SeaLink’s acquisition of Red Cat Adventures, Whitsunday Jetski Tours, and Wildcat Mackay.

And while the new look business will operate the same as before, it will undoubtedly have more clout in the market, becoming arguably one of the biggest tour companies in the region.

Previous owners of Red Cat Adventures, Asher and Julie Telford say that it will be ‘business as usual’ for consumers, agents, and staff, with all brands continuing to offer their much-loved national-award-winning experiences.

The Telfords will also remain at the helm of the business.

“Red Cat Adventures has been part of our family and supported by the Whitsunday community and tourism industry for almost a decade that has been the most rewarding years of our lives,” said Julie Telford.

“We knew when the time was right, we could only move to this next chapter with people we can trust and whose values align to ours, to build on Red Cat’s bold brands, iconic experiences and impeccable customer service levels we’ve worked so hard to create.”

Asher Telford, shared his personal ties to SeaLink, saying, "I have a close connection to SeaLink, having been born on Kangaroo Island.”

“I travelled on the SeaLink ferry many times growing up, and before starting Red Cat Adventures I did my Master IV in Adelaide with some of the SeaLink crew; I love that we are joining the SeaLink family with our shared vision of providing award-winning brilliant experiences to visitors from around the world.”

Over the years, Red Cat Adventures has garnered a string of accolades, including a triple National Gold rating.

In 2022, they were awarded Gold for Australia's best Adventure Tourism Business. They also secured gold at the 2018 and 2019 National Awards for Australia's Best Major Tour and Transport Operator.

Donna Gauci, CEO of SeaLink Marine & Tourism, enthusiastically welcomed this significant partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome the Red Cat Adventures team into the SeaLink family”.

"Our companies are committed to showcasing the best the Whitsundays has to offer and providing brilliant unforgettable experiences for our guests. This collaboration denotes a significant milestone for both organisations," she said.

Asher Telford co-owner of Red Cat Adventures, Rob Mitchell General Manager of SeaLink and Julie Telford co-owner of Red Cat Adventures. Photo supplied

Crew from four of Australia’s top marine tourism companies are joining together. Photo credit: Rachael Smith