Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A single-vehicle bus crash has sadly claimed the life of one passenger at Gumlu, north of Bowen overnight. According to initial police investigations, at approximately 4pm on Thursday 14th May, a bus with 29 people on board was travelling south along the Bruce Highway from Cairns to Airlie Beach, when it left the roadway and rolled onto its side. Several other passengers were injured and transported to Townsville, Ayr, and Bowen Hospitals. The bus driver, a 70-year-old Mackay man, was transported to Bowen Hospital with minor injuries. As of Friday morning, three patients are confirmed to be in a life-threatening condition with one assessed on the scene and two airlifted to Townsville University Hospital. Multiple people were injured and transported to Ayr Hospital before being airlifted to Townsville University Hospital by Royal Flying Doctor’s Service. There are eight stable patients in Townsville whilst one remains in a stable condition at Ayr. The Bruce Highway has reopened at Gumlu. This tragic accident comes less than two years after a fatal bus crash on the same stretch of the Bruce Highway, which claimed the lives of three women in on June 3rd, 2024. On this occasion, a Greyhound bus with 33 people on board was travelling north along the Bruce Highway, also near Gumlu, when it crossed over to the wrong side of the road and into oncoming traffic. The bus struck a Land Cruiser station wagon travelling in the opposite direction. A 56 year old Townsville woman and two German women aged 21 and 33 passed away as a result of the incident. The 52-year-old bus driver from North Ward was charged with five counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm, but was subsequently found not guilty. Anyone with relevant dash cam vision of incident last night is urged to contact police. Investigations are continuing
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So, what’s going on with the property market? The thing about the property market is that it doesn’t stand alone in its own little world untouched by the drama going on around it. And there is a fair bit of drama at the moment. Let’s get all the dramas to form a conga line and point them out one at a time. First there’s inflation, an annoying factor that adds to the cost of living and affects people’s ability to buy real estate. Right behind inflation, and I mean very close, is its brother in arms/partner in crime/long-time bedfellow, interest rates. Interest rates have been particularly pesky lately as the Reserve Bank pushes them up in an attempt to bring inflation down. The idea is to make housing less affordable so you can make housing more affordable. Then there’s a war in the Middle East. War is very good for business if you are a weapons producer and part of the military-industrial complex but it’s not very good for everyone else. It certainly isn’t good for confidence and housing markets are pretty big on the old confidence factor. So, not good. This particular war has the additional benefit of taking place in the Persian Gulf, where a fair portion of the world’s oil is transported from Middle East oil producers to the rest of the world. The war has created a traffic jam in the Strait of Hormuz, which is restricting the supply of oil, meaning that in a world of demand and supply the price of fuel at the petrol bowser has gone up significantly. Which means our old friends inflation and interest rates give us another wave from the conga line and remind us of another impact on the property market. The conga line of dramas was joined this week by the Federal Budget and its changes to negative gearing, up until now a key driver in property investment and the supply of rental properties. Nothing changes for people who had negatively geared properties up until Budget night. My Pommy colleague Andy Collins, the Sales Manager at Gardian real estate, pointed out after the Budget that there was no way the changes would include investors’ existing properties because too many politicians own investment properties and the pollies wouldn’t do anything to hurt themselves. It’s up to you whether you think Andy is a sniping little Pommy whinger or an astute judge of human nature. Or can he be both? What Andy correctly pointed out is that from now on investors will be looking for properties that provide such good rental returns that they are positively geared, removing the need for negative gearing. That’s where Mackay’s strong rental returns come into it. Investors from southern markets have been active in the Mackay market because of those rental returns. When they can get returns like $750 a week on properties they have bought for $650,000, those southern investors realise Mackay offers better opportunities than the high-priced, low-rent options in their own cities. Andy was suggesting that it is possible that the budget changes will spur even more investment activity in Mackay because the removal of negative gearing makes investments in other markets unviable. I will delve further into the status of the Mackay market in upcoming columns but there are a few initial points to make. There is no doubt that, like every other market, the conga line of dramas has had an impact and given buyers pause for thought. But we are still seeing strong buyer activity and properties selling. As always, the buoyancy of our coal market and the jobs and business it provides will continue to be a driver of our economy and a key factor in the property market. Will the budget changes create an additional spur to our market and bring more investors in or is that conga line going to have a bigger impact? Stay tuned over the coming months.
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With more than three decades of experience and deep roots in the land, Royce Dunn brings unmatched insight to rural property across the Mackay region. Joining Blacks Real Estate in 1991, Royce is a licensed real estate agent and auctioneer, who has spent the past 25 years as Director leading the agency’s rural department. Over that time, he has built a strong reputation for his knowledge across all areas of property sales and marketing, from farmhouses and grazing land to residential subdivisions. Coming from a rural background and operating his own small farm, Royce understands the realities of life on the land, and the expectations that come with it. That lived experience allows him to connect with clients on a practical level, offering advice that is grounded, honest and tailored to the needs of farming families. Known for his straightforward approach and strong work ethic, Royce is committed to delivering results, working closely with clients to navigate the complexities of rural property transactions and achieve the best possible outcome.
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From wildlife caring, to country kitchens or supporting people with disability – a world of volunteering opportunities awaits at this year’s Volunteer Expo! This year’s event is set to be one of the biggest on record, with 55 community, support and other organisations have registered. The Volunteer Expo is being held at the Mackay Showgrounds on Sunday, May 17 from 9am until midday. Deputy Mayor Karen May said volunteering is at the heart of sustainable and supportive communities. “There are so many benefits to volunteering – from the people and organisations being supported, to those who so generously donate their time and skills. It increases community and individual wellbeing and drives positive change in the community,” Deputy Mayor May said. “What’s great about events like our Volunteers Expo is it gives people a one-stop shop to see what’s out there – and it could be something you’d never thought of,” she said. “Feedback from previous years shows how valuable this expo is to our community groups, with one organisation signing up more than a dozen volunteers on the day.” Data from Volunteering Queensland shows that for every $1 invested in volunteering, there’s a $4.70 return to the community. More than 110,000 jobs were created in 2024 through spending on volunteering – with the sector worth more than $117-billion to the state economy. Cr May said volunteering gives people to build on their passions while learning new skills and meeting new people. “It also opens up opportunities beyond the organisation a person volunteers with – it can help build new professional relationships and create new connections,” she said. “Data from Volunteering Queensland shows the overwhelming majority of people (64 percent) volunteer because they want to help others and the Volunteers Expo has dozens of options for people to help others. Entry to the Mackay Volunteer Expo is free. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook
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Photo credit: Rachael Smith
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This week the award-winning Airlie Beach Festival of Music announced that proceeds of any fundraising during the popular four-day event will go straight to vital local charity RACQ CQ Rescue.
Every year the Airlie Beach Festival of Music choose a charity to donate to, last year was the Tiny Homes Project and this year it will be our local rescue chopper.
Festival Founder Gavin (Butto) Butlin said, “If you're going to support a charity, it's got to be the CQ Rescue - everyone knows someone who has needed the rescue helicopter, they do such a great job in the region.”
RACQ CQ Rescue spokesperson, Tegan Philpott, said they are ecstatic to hear that the Airlie Beach Festival of Music is donating to the charity this year.
She said that the combination of donations will all help fund future rescue missions for this invaluable local service.
It costs RACQ CQ Rescue $11,500 an hour to fly and they perform rescues regularly to the Whitsundays.
Tegan shared that in the first quarter of this year 35 per cent of their rescues had been to the Whitsundays.
“The likes of Bowen saw us in the skies 19 times, we went to Proserpine 27 times, we were also involved in a search and rescue at Woodwark for those young children who were missing for some time,” said Tegan.
“We’ve also been to the Islands nine times, and out to Collinsville 16 times.”
Funds are raised during the Airlie Beach Festival of Music weekend through charitable initiatives such as the selling of raffle tickets, and also the highlight giveaway – a guitar signed by the festival’s headlining act.
Butto said the signed guitar sold for $6000 last year and with this year’s main act being the UK band ‘Sweet’, he expects a lot of interest.
Organisers of the Airlie Beach Festival of Music with a representative of RACQ CQ Rescue. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
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From rubbish on the beach to stunning works of art, there are many waterway-themed submissions being collected by the Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership for their upcoming Submerged in Our Region exhibition.
Bringing together the environment, science and the arts, the exhibition will launch on 25 July as part of the Mackay Festival of Arts.
Healthy Rivers to Reef Executive Officer, Jaime Newborn, said she was excited to see the diversity of exhibits being received as part of their community art competition.
"We have entries from school groups who are really making that connection between art and STEM, which is fantastic to see,” Mrs Newborn said.
“We also have paintings, sculptures, underwater audio recordings, and film.
“Entries remain open until June 7, so we encourage anyone with an interest to contact us – whether you are entering as an individual, or a school or community group, there are categories for all ages and a $1,000 art bursary up for grabs.”
She said a waterway theme could reflect a wide variety of views and ideas.
“In the Mackay, Whitsunday, and Isaac region, we love our waterways. Whether you fish on the weekend, jog on the beach, or rely on our rivers and Reef to earn an income, waterways play a big part in our lives and our region’s liveability.”
One entry has homed in on the key issue of sustainability.
Environmental scientist and artist, Kerri Woodcock, has created a series of works using plastic marine debris and 'recycled rubbish' collected from local beaches, islands and coastlines.
“These works are as meaningful as they are beautiful – many thanks to our Partner, Eco Barge Clean Seas, for loaning them to our exhibition,” Mrs Newborn said.
Libby Edge, founder of Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc, is delighted to see these artworks travel for such a great cause.
“Kerri’s pieces are real eye-openers about marine debris,” Libby said.
“Having Kerri’s artwork displayed for our team of volunteers has been a true gift. Each piece, crafted from plastic trash found during Kerri’s beach walks, powerfully highlights the local and global impact of plastic pollution on our marine environment.”
Visit www.healthyriverstoreef.org.au for more or follow on Facebook.
Photo: Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership team members Rebekah Smith and Cinzia Cattaneo, with artworks by Kerri Woodcock (foreground) and Art of Thongs by David Day. Photo supplied
Close to 150 uniformed soldiers of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (3CER) will be involved in a parade along the main street of Airlie Beach next Saturday and the whole community is invited to come and watch the spectacle.
The Freedom of Entry Parade will begin at Broadwater Avenue Carpark and continue along the Airlie Beach main street.
The 3CER were bestowed Freedom To The City in November 2017 to acknowledge their invaluable assistance following Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
As part of the event, Mayor Ry Collins will conduct a Mayoral address to 3CER and community members.
There will also be a vehicle display and a performance from the RAR band.
In addition, the Airlie Beach Saturday markets will still be on, with the variety of stalls there is something for everyone.
This event is being supported by the Whitsunday Regional Council, road and carpark closure information can be found on their website.
WHAT: Freedom of Entry Parade
WHERE: Airlie Beach
WHEN: Saturday 12th May
HOW: Free to the community
The Whitsunday region currently has five known infestations of Yellow Crazy Ants and effective measures are being taken by Council to keep these pesty protein-loving pests under control.
Known to swarm en-masse, these orange-coloured ants are slightly smaller than the common green ant, but a lot more formidable.
Scott Hardy, Manager Natural Resource Management and Climate for Whitsunday Regional Council said Yellow Crazy Ants are known to have eaten anything that moves – from other ants to frogs, lizards and potentially even us.
“We’re on the menu!” said Scott jokingly.
The five infestations are located in Hamilton Island, Woodwark, Mandalay, Funnel Bay and Shute Harbour, covering a total of 58 hectares.
The first site was discovered in 2019 at Shute Harbour, but with dedicated eradication efforts, 80 per cent of the ant population has been eliminated.
Last month, Council used drones to drop baits across all areas, this new method promising to tackle previously unreachable nests.
It is believed the Yellow Crazy Ants are arriving in our region in large trucks transporting building supplies.
They are likely coming from Townsville where there is an infestation that stretches over 2000 hectares.
Council have put out the following advice to local residents:
1: If you are constructing a new home, ask your builder whether they’ve had the building materials checked for Yellow Crazy Ants.
2: If you are getting your property sprayed by a pest contractor, make sure they inspect for the presence of Yellow Crazy Ants.
3: If you see an unusual orange ant, slightly smaller than a green ant, please report to Council to get it identified.
Pau Roig
You know when I actually think it just depends on the tide, because when it’s high tide the rocks and these areas are not that visible so, as you see it now, I think it looks nice. But when the tide is low, you can see some rocks on the bottom so it's not as pleasant to see. I think that it's looking good as it is now.
Mark Sznicer
Isn't that other beach? (Boathaven Beach) That’s imported, isn't it? Well, it depends on what tide it is, doesn't it? I mean, I've been here 12 months now and low tide looks not nice. But high tide, it’s picturesque isn’t it. I don't think we should change it. No.
Irene Alferez
Well, I think that should be like that, natural things are always better I think in my experience. So, I will keep it like that. Keep it the same yeah.
Rodney Firmer
Leave it the same, don’t touch it. Because it is what it is if you want to see really pure white sand go out to the reef. That's where it is. There's plenty of spots in Australia to see white sand if you want to go and see white sand. This is what Airlie Beach is. I'm only a tourist but I guess if I come in and see white sand I’ll go that's nice. But if this is the natural sand, leave it.
Ciaran Griffin
Left as it is I suppose, surfed away. Let it naturally be. Looks perfect the way it is to me. I haven't seen it with the tide out just the way it is now. Generally, with those things the way it is, is actually generally best. So, yeah, that'd be my take on it.
Jo Driver
I’m not really one to sit on the beach anyway. But I mean, how much of the sand are they thinking of bringing? Like a whole lot? Nah leave it. Leave it as it is. It is what it is. And the added expense I don't think it’s necessary, so I think it's perfectly fine as it is.
Tori McFaul
I'm actually not from here. I'm just traveling. So I haven't seen it at low tide. But I can see just looking at it, that the sand does seem like there's just a lot of like rubble in it. I feel like if it has to do with comfort and it benefits and it doesn't deteriorate the environment, then I don't see any harm in doing so.
A man in his thirties, who fell more than 20 metres from a meteorological mast at Proserpine Wind Farm on Thursday has sadly succumbed to his injuries.
It is understood the accident involved a contractor who attended the work site and investigations are still ongoing as to the cause of the accident.
A spokesperson from Proserpine Wind Farm said they are shocked and saddened by the death.
“Staff remain on site working with authorities and supporting family and colleagues,” said the spokesperson.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the contractor’s family at this very difficult time.
“The safety and wellbeing of employees, contractors, and the broader community is always the project’s primary concern.
“All operations have been suspended until we can ensure ongoing safety on site.”
Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine now welcomes sponsorship applications for the 2024-25 financial year from Whitsunday not-for-profit community organisations.
“At Bendigo Bank, our customers and the Whitsundays community always win. Our success is based on our profit-with-a-purpose model which sees around 50% of the profits generated by our independently owned and operated Community Bank branch invested back into the community” said Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine Chairman Mark Henry.
The Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine opened in June 2012 with the support of local shareholders who saw the value of the Community Bank model and raised $800,000 locally to establish a branch in the Whitsundays.
Over the past eight years Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine has invested just over $201,500 into local schools, social programs, sporting groups, arts and culture events, conservation initiatives, and community prizes.
Already this year, the Branch has sponsored the Great Barrier Reef Festival and art exhibition, Proserpine Scouts, Whitsunday AFL, Whitsunday United Football Club, Whitsunday Outrigger Regatta just to name a few!
Most weekends Whitsunday locals will also see the Branch’s Community Trailer out and about at sporting and community events.
The Branch’s fully equipped BBQ trailer is available to local sporting and community groups for events. The Community Trailer includes a BBQ with gas bottles, cooking utensils, four marquees, tables, chairs, signage, and a portable PA system.
The sponsorship application process is highly competitive and strict terms and conditions apply.
Applications are usually notified within 2-6 weeks of submitting.
“Our ability to invest in the local community is due to our Branch team for delivering consistently high-quality customer service, our shareholders for backing the Whitsundays community, and all the passionate local Directors past and present for their hard work and dedication,” said Mark.
For sponsorship application forms and Community Trailer booking forms, please visit the Branch’s Facebook (@communitybankcannonvaleproserpine) or email the Branch’s Board Secretariat on secretary@whitsundaycel.com.au
Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine sponsors countless community events and everyone is welcome to apply. Photo supplied
The fully equipped BBQ trailer is available to local sporting and community groups. Photo supplied
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Marking my first Anzac Day as Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor was a memorable one starting with a poignant Dawn service in Bowen, where I had the honour of laying a wreath with other dignitaries and members of the community.
The spirit of community and remembrance carried on to Airlie Beach, where I saluted the march down Main Street and together with Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Councillors Jan Clifford and Clay Bauman, we laid a wreath at Remembrance Rock.
The day continued with the Proserpine march where I spoke at the cenotaph service about the sacrifices of our service people, including two local heroes, Private William Joseph Fry and Warrant officer Charles Faust from Proserpine, who lost their lives in their duty.
It was inspiring to witness such a great turnout from our community, service people, and especially our youth, who we entrust to carry forward the ANZAC legacy. It was a day of reflection, pride, and community spirit.
At the April Ordinary Meeting in Proserpine last week, Councillors approved a donation to the Bowen Probus Club for bus hire to transport their members to the five morning melodies sessions at the PEC in 2024.
“The Proserpine Entertainment Centre is Our Whitsunday’s regional facility to showcase the performing arts and world-class entertainment for residents and visitors so it is important that Council endeavours to ensure our community can access the facility.
“The Bowen Probus Club is a not-for-profit community group that has an average membership age of 84 so it is vitally important that we connect with our elderly residents to improve their liveability,” Mayor Ry said.
“Many of our elderly face mobility challenges so this donation ensures the Bowen Probus Members can utilise a wheelchair friendly bus so they can enjoy the popular Morning Melodies shows at the PEC.”
Deputy Mayor and Division 4 Councillor Michelle Wright was all smiles after all Councillors voted to approve $20,000 in-kind sponsorship for the 2024 Don River Dash on September 6-8.
“The Don River Dash is a unique event which boasts motorbikes and buggies racing in the rugged terrain of the dry riverbed of the Don River providing a weekend of high-speed action.
“Council have been proud to support the event since it started in 2019 as it grows to become one of the premier offroad racing events in the country attracting world class drivers and riders.
“The Bowen Offroaders club should be congratulated for organising the event and they were rewarded for their efforts when the 2022 Don River Dash won the 2022 Motorcycling Queensland Event of the Year,” Cr Wright said.
Whitsunday Regional Council is currently expanding the Kelsey Creek landfill with a new cell that will increase our capacity by up to five years.
While we work on this important project, some temporary changes to our waste services are necessary and as a result heavier commercial and industrial waste will be redirected to the Bowen landfill.
We will continue to accept all recyclable materials at the Kelsey Creek facility. By embracing practices of reduce, reuse, and recycle, we can all help extend the life of our landfill, keeping our community clean and sustainable for the future.
New signs have been installed on the Bruce Highway, north and south of the Big Mango, announcing that the Bowen Visitor Information Centre next to the Big Mango is now a Driver Reviver location.
The friendly staff and volunteers at the Visitor Information Centre are thrilled to be able to offer travellers a free tea or coffee and welcome the official title of a Driver Reviver location.
Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the team at the information centre had provided free tea and coffee in the past, but it was good to be officially recognised as a Driver Reviver location.
“Providing this free service is all about safety on our roads,” she said.
“We encourage people to take a break, especially when travelling long distances.”
Before the Visitor Information Centre became a Driver Reviver location, an alternative was previously located at the Mount Gordon Rest Area, across the road from the Big Mango.
The Bowen Visitor Information Centre welcomes more than 45,000 visitors per year, so changing the location to the more frequently visited attraction is more suitable.
Driver Reviver is a national program that has been operating since 1989.
The program is run by volunteers that give up their time to promote road safety and help reduce the road toll.
The aim of Driver Reviver is to provide opportunities for local communities to contribute to addressing fatigue related road trauma.
New signs have been erected on the Bruce Highway, north and south of the Big Mango.
Bowen Tourism and Business volunteer Steve Fisher enjoys welcoming visitors to Bowen and providing free tea and coffee to travellers.
Photos supplied
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This was the question posed at an invigorating event held by the inspirational people and culture specialists at Shiift last week.
Part of their Thriive series, which invites women of all ages and professions to gather to share information, support and stories, the event was another insightful exploration into our lives.
Interestingly, statistics show that it is people who serve others who are leading the most meaningful lives, the act of selfless service proving most rewarding.
On the night, the group of women were asked what local jobs/roles might be the most meaningful and a lively debate ensued.
It was widely acknowledged that tourism and hospitality roles are meaningful, as well as the agriculture industry with farmers experiencing the humble yet fulfilling role of providing people with fresh food.
In addition, the emergency services roles were flagged, especially in our disaster prone region.
The conversational topic did, however, lead participants to consider that people can find meaning in almost any position as long as they are engaged, care about their role and work in a positive culture.
The group also discovered there are four key foundations of meaning.
A sense of belonging lies at the core, the feeling of being understood, recognised and affirmed.
A feeling of purpose and creating long-term goals that reflect our values and serve the greater good, also infuse activities with more meaning.
Our purpose is our unique contribution to the world – what is yours?
Ask yourself – “how can I be the best part of someone else’s day?” (Ben Crowe)
Storytelling was another key component with the group asked how they choose to narrate their own story.
Finally, the idea of transcendence was explored, with participants asked if they had ever felt a connection to something deeper.
Overall, a deeply meaningful experience was had by all.
WHAT: Thriive
WHEN: Next event Thursday 23rd May
WHERE: Suite 1, 15 Carlo Drive
MEMBERSHIP: Call 07 4858 1363
Alita De Brincat, Judy Porter and Kylie Forgione. Photo credit: Rachael Smith
Tourism Whitsundays are currently preparing their marketing strategy for the upcoming winter.
Marketing Manager Laura Knipe gives us an overview of what is up and coming, inviting visitors from the southern states to escape their cool winters.
As winter slowly begins to envelop the southern states and our friends from down south start planning their great escape from the cold, this means travel planning all over Australia is in full swing.
Simultaneously, the Tourism Whitsundays marketing team has ramped up efforts to bring our beautiful region to the forefront of the minds of these sun-seeking Aussies.
We are currently in the second burst of our national campaign and have two more campaigns on the horizon.
To encourage Aussies to sail The Whitsundays this winter (arguably the most beautiful time of year), we are flipping the concept of ‘Winter Blues’ on its head, inviting them to experience our iconic shades of blue.
In addition, as Whitsundays locals, we all know and love bareboating, but for many Australians, this is a foreign concept.
This led us to launching a bareboating awareness campaign, to introduce Australians to the magic of exploring on your own private boat.
All this planning for winter has me looking forward to another beautiful season in The Whitsundays.
Do me a favour and pop ‘Book a tour and get out on the water’ on your to-do list this winter – you won’t regret it.
Contributed with thanks to Laura Knipe (Marketing Manager)
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