Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. has launched its new recycling program, Project Titan, last week which hopes to recycle or repurpose over 8,000 kilograms of collected marine debris from the Whitsunday Islands through the ideas of volunteers.

The Project’s first brainstorming session was held on Thursday at the not-for-profit’s Eco HQ, in Jubilee Pocket, where the group hopes to transform its thousands of kilograms of debris collected over the past two years into reusable products in-house.

A band of volunteers made input to Project Titan – a continually evolving program which takes its namesake from a moon of Saturn - during its first “Think Tank” session and offered their various skillsets to assist.

In the roughly 14 years of Eco Barge’s operation, the not-for-profit has collected over 245,000 kilograms of marine debris and litter from the Whitsunday Islands.

The debris has either previously been sorted as per the Australian Marine Debris Initiative, then recycled or sent to landfill, or, in the past, has been repurposed through efforts both at Eco HQ in a processing machine or was bailed and shipped to recycling plants in Mackay.

Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. founder Libby Edge said those efforts had worked but were extremely difficult and inefficient with such volumes: “It would take 500 days to shred 500-kilograms,” she said.

During internal discussions the idea had formed to “crowdsource” a plan for recycling the debris, and Project Titan was born.

“We discussed what we already tried to do and how those projects weren’t efficient enough,” Ms Edge said.

“Instead of putting the onus on our already overloaded workers, with over 2000 volunteers on our books, we put the word out to them to see what skills they have and how can they help us find a solution.”

At the first meeting, Ms Edge said it was “quite amazing” what the volunteers brought to the table.

“What was discussed was making an iconic product for the Whitsundays out of this debris,” she said.

“Maybe not an art structure – which is something we’ve done before - but something people can replicate for their own home; something that links them to us and shows they directly helped us.”

Ms Edge said that, with the amount of backloaded recyclables they had on site, if they were able to monetise the refuse somehow, it could potentially fund Eco Barge into the future.

“We could make picture-frames, an art sculpture for educational purposes, plastic garden pots, chairs,” she said.

“What Project Titan is doing is bringing Eco Barge back to the volunteers and the skills they can bring. It gives them the ownership. This think tank for the first few meetings is about sieving out things until something goes clunk: what has traction? What are the pitfalls?”

The next Project Titan meeting will coincide with a new moon-phase on Friday, April 28, at 5pm.

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Whitsunday Regional Council’s expansion works for the Airlie Beach Boardwalk began this week to improve congestion and future proof the “much-loved community asset.”

The upgrades will be performed in sections, with the first portion being upgraded between Coral Sea Resort and Coral Sea Marina, taking approximately six weeks, weather permitting.

“It’s time for an upgrade,” Whitsunday Mayor Julie Hall said.

“We will be expanding the boardwalk by one metre to increase the capacity for users. We’ll also be replacing the timber with a composite fibre material to extend the life of the asset and reduce the maintenance cost on ratepayers.”

During the upgrade period, which began on April 24, the boardwalk will be closed, with detours in place. Future stages of the upgrade will be announced once grant funding becomes available.

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The Coral Sea section of the Airlie Beach Boardwalk has closed for six weeks for upgrades

The final piece of the Bonza puzzle landed on Whitsunday tarmac last week, the inaugural flight to Toowoomba representing the last link to the three destinations offered by the budget airline.

The service will operate twice weekly on Monday and Friday with flights starting from $59 per person one way.

This means passengers will be able to fly direct between the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle and now Toowoomba.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall welcomed the new Toowoomba flights and said it was the perfect synergy linking the highlands to the islands.

“This is fantastic news for the Whitsunday business and tourism sectors and opens up a massive catchment area to attract new visitors to Australia’s most popular domestic tourism destination,” she said.

“The connectivity with Wellcamp Airport at Toowoomba also opens the possibility of international freight opportunities for our region.

“And the best kicker of all is that Bonza is a budget airline which means cheaper airfares, more bums on seats and extra bodies in beds to boost the local economy of both regions.”

Carly Povey, Chief Commercial Officer at Bonza, sad she was thrilled to see the final link connected.

“Today’s new route is great news for people of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs,” she said.

“You can now enjoy a weekend in the Whitsundays with a direct flight on Friday and returning on Monday for as little as $59 per person one way.

“Savvy travellers to the Whitsundays can also bolt on a short trip to experience a different side to Queensland including inland winery and food trails.

“Locals from the Whitsundays, Mackay and surrounds should also take the opportunity to visit Toowoomba in September for the annual Carnival of Flowers - a month-long celebration of Australia’s Garden City.”

Bonza Airlines offer a host of different services including an App-only booking platform and an on-flight straight to your seat service.

“Onboard, our team of legends are delivering a game changing experience for travellers with our all Aussie menu that is delivered directly to your seat,” said Ms Povey.

“The airline trolley is definitely a thing of the past!”

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Whitsunday Regional Council Chief Operating Officer Aviation and Tourism, Craig Turner, Mayor Julie Hall, Carly Povey Chief Commercial Officer at Bonza and Dennis Wagner. Photo supplied

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After many years working autonomously for the same purpose, Proserpine Chamber of Commerce and Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce have decided to merge and form one entity which will represent the region as a whole.

By joining forces, it is hoped that ideas and innovations can flow across the business community and that collaboration will generate a new excitement among members and drive higher engagement in uniting and representing the common interests.

The move will also help lighten the load for committee members who often juggle volunteer responsibilities with running their own businesses.

President of the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce Allan Milostic expressed his excitement at a breakfast networking event held at Whitsunday Green Golf Club last Thursday morning.

“This is an opportunity that we have discussed over the years and now it is finally happening,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity to forge a much stronger and more united voice in the greater Whitsunday area and it will connect this growth corridor.

“It makes no sense to have two different chambers with limited volunteer resources, it makes much more sense to have one strong and united presence.”

In addition, the new united Chamber has employed two liaisons who will guide the direction of the organisation from within and create a solid structure that will form the framework of the group for years to come.

Dr Julia Evans and her husband Richard Evans have accepted this position and were present at the meeting.

Julia has over 20 years’ experience working within large organisations, optimising the structure, efficiency and overall running of the entity.

She will bring these skills to her new role at the Chamber.

Richard has been board member and CEO of several national and state industry associations  and a previous Federal Member of Parliament.

He gave a motivational speech at the networking breakfast which inspired members.

Allan Milostic finished by saying that the Chamber would now be open for feedback from members ahead of the next event  which will take place during Queensland Small Business Month on Tuesday, May 16.

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Kim Porter and Amanda Yuksan, Annette Neil, Allan Milostic, Megan Taylor, Julia Evans and Richard Evans. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Tickets for Whitsunday Mayor Julie Hall’s first annual Charity Ball at the revitalised Shute Harbour Marine Terminal are on sale now.

The Saturday, 22 of July event will host a three-course dinner with drinks included, fireworks, and live entertainment from the eight-piece Baker Boy Band.

All proceeds will be donated to Mayor Hall’s charities of choice: RACQ CQ Rescue and Whitsunday Housing Company.

“We’re hoping to raise as much money as we can for both these not-for-profit charities and ensure that they can continue with the wonderful service they provide to our region,” Mayor Hall said.

Tickets are available online at local tickets.

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The Mayor’s Charity Ball returns after a two-year hiatus with tickets on sale now

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A local charity’s Tiny Homes Project has partnered with Play for Purpose – a national raffle organisation - to bolster its plans of housing women over 55.

In collaboration with the special fundraising raffle site managed by The Lottery Corporation, Whitsunday Housing Company Ltd (WHCL) hope to raise the money to build four tiny homes on donated land.

Play for Purpose runs regular raffles for major causes across the country, using their platform, contributing 50 per cent of ticket price to charities of choice and using the remainder to purchase prizes such as a $15,000 travel vouchers, campervans, and more.

WHCL’s Tiny Homes Project was established in late 2022 in effort to ease the housing crisis for elderly homeless women over 55 years of age right here in the Whitsundays with the help of two local women: Fiona Donnellan and Sandy Clark.  

With the reach of the project rocketing in 2023, “the race is on to raise the money and to build the homes.”

Volunteer Sandy Clark said if people can save the link and share it with their friends, the funds can

“roll in quickly for the Tiny Homes Project.”

“This is bound to be a great opportunity and a great way of raising money for our build,” she said.

“Not only this year, but ongoing if people believe in our cause and spread the link.”  

Multiple Play for Purpose raffles will run during the year however, the current online raffle closes on June 15.

Many prizes are on offer, with tickets easy to purchase, and the first prize is a VW Crafter Campervan and gold bullion worth $250 thousand.

Tickets are $10 each and 50 per cent of the ticket price will be paid to the Tiny Homes Project at WHCL.  

Donations link: https://playforpurpose.com.au/Tiny-Homes-Project

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The Proserpine Chamber of Commerce and the Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce will be merging to become one Chamber.

We congratulate Kim Porter and Misty Bland on their appointment to the Chamber Committee and look forward to working with them. We would also like to extend our appreciation to Amanda and Greg Yuskan who will be liaising and assisting with the transition process of becoming one Chamber.

The Chamber will soon undertake a strategic review process, reviewing previous plans and establishing new ones to sharpen a regional focus on advocacy, membership services, events and networking, communications, and Chamber operations.

As part of this review, we are considering new and exclusive membership offerings, with Proserpine Chamber members initially being offered an honorary 12-month membership to the combined Chamber.

We are excited for what the future holds and the opportunities this merger presents. We look forward to working with all our members and continuing to support and represent the Whitsundays business community.

In speaking of the future, at our next special Chamber event, we will hear federal, state, and regional perspectives on the future for the Whitsundays.

Our speakers will explore the current drivers of change and how they might influence our region in the next 25-40 years, and ideas we could explore today to future-proof the next few decades.  The Chamber will also discuss its intention to develop a vision for the Whitsundays and how Chamber members and the community can play a vital role by joining the conversation.  

This event is open to all Chamber members and their guests, and the broader Whitsundays community.  

Save the date for 6pm-8pm Tuesday 16 May 2023. This event forms part of the Chamber’s program for the 2023 Queensland Small Business Month and is supported by a Regional Networker Grant administered by the Queensland Government Department of Employment, Small Business and the Training

Allan Milostic, President of the Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce

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As Mayor, I believe a key role of my job is to engage with the community to ensure that our region continues to be a vibrant and welcoming place for all.

I’m currently working with Council to investigate ways we can attract new businesses to the region to create more jobs for residents.

We also want to ensure that people have the skills and training they need to compete in today's economy.

To this end, we have been in discussions with Mackay’s Resource Centre of Excellence to explore opportunities to create a similar hub in Bowen.

A centre like this in our region would be key in facilitating education and training for our future workforce. This is no quick fix project and will take a lot of collaboration, but we need to start the ball rolling now.

Sadly, homelessness in the region has continued to rise. Here at Council, we are responding to it as best we can with the limited resources we have.

One way we are doing this is by calling on the Australian Government to extend the deadline for the operation of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).

The NRAS scheme provides incentives to property investors to build and rent out affordable housing, helping to increase the supply of rental properties and lower rental prices.

Also, Council recently voted to approve, with conditions, a new master-planned home park estate at Lodge Rd in Mount Gordon with 402 relocatable buildings which will focus providing housing to the over 50s demographic.

On another note, Whitsunday Coast Airport continues to grow and evolve with a new Freight Distribution Centre opening earlier this month.

The opening of this facility is the first step towards positioning the Whitsunday region as a player in the national and international freight industry.

Also last week I flew on the first Toowoomba to Whitsundays Bonza flight which has capped a huge month for the airport after recently smashing the weekly and daily passenger records. This new route now opens up another catchment area to the Whitsundays of up to 840,000 people.

Whilst in Toowoomba we toured the Wellcamp freight centre and discussed ways we could link our facilities to deliver international freight opportunities to the Whitsundays.

Finally, I am working with our Economic Development team to explore funding opportunities for a community minibus for Bowen, Collinsville and surrounds to transport patients to Townsville for medical appointments.

I am passionate about access and equity across the region, and we are working hard with local community groups to attempt to get this project off the ground.

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It’s that time of year again when those who are looking to build wealth are reviewing strategies to minimise their taxation expenses prior to the 30 June deadline.  Whether you own a successful business, are on a good salary or have had a once-off taxable transaction such as selling an asset and triggering a capital gain, there are a variety of legitimate, legal strategies to help minimise your tax bill or boost your refund.

Tax minimisation is all about creating tax deductible expenses to offset taxable income and therefore reduce tax payable.  If an individual is in the top personal tax bracket, they are paying 47% income tax and therefore any tax-deductible expenses are really only taking 53 cents in the dollar out of their pocket as the Government is funding the remainder.

Spending a dollar to save 47 cents tax only makes sense if the expense is part of a logical, broader investment strategy that will deliver an acceptable return to the investor on the 53 cents they have contributed.  This return may be in the form of capital growth on a portfolio of traditional passive investments such as shares and property inside or outside super, and ultimately in the form of passive income streams from these investments at a later stage of life to replace earned income.  The science is in researching and finding tax deductible expenses which have a realistic prospect of delivering the required return with an acceptable level of risk.  

Common strategies include utilising the superannuation tax structure, negative gearing programs or prepaying expenses.  Superannuation is a simple savings and investment scheme for your retirement after 60 years of age with huge tax benefits when you contribute and in retirement.  Negative gearing is borrowing to invest into shares or property, which is inherently riskier than a saving plan but suits some people.  Prepaying might be a farmer toping up their fuel or fertiliser account or prepaying interest for 12 months on your tax-deductible loans to bring the extra interest into this year.

30th June is just around the corner.  It’s time to get serious about your strategy.

For a free consultation with local people who understand the complexities of these or any other financial matter, contact Eclipse Financial Planning at Cannonvale on 49467359 today or visit www.eclipsefp.come.au

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Why is everything so hard?

Most of us have asked ourselves that at some point in time. Especially when it seems like one thing after another is going wrong and you can’t seem to get out of the funk.

When life’s circumstances become challenging, it can be easy to fall into a negative mindset and a seemingly endless cycle of ‘bad days’.

‘Reframing’ helps shift your perspective from troublesome circumstances to something you can grow from; or simply put – from the negative to the positive.

What is Reframing?

Reframing is an emotional intelligence technique, based on cognitive psychology.

It doesn’t deny that what we’re facing is challenging but allows us to view the situation from a different angle and pull out some of the positive aspects.

For example, a long commute to and from work.

Problematic: I spend a large chunk of my non-working time driving. Because of the long drive, I also feel anxious of delays causing me to be late and a disappointment to my team.

Reframed: On my journey to work, I have the opportunity to organise my thoughts for the day and time to myself to reflect and wind down on my way home. This sets me up to work efficiently and focused, and to leave any stressors at the door when I get home.

Although the facts don’t change, we can redefine a ‘problem’ as an ‘opportunity’ by reframing.

The end results? We expand our view of reality and improve resilience.

Next time you’re facing a tricky situation, ask yourself:

· How serious is this? Do I need to get this worked up over it?

· Will I even remember this in a week’s time?

· If I view the problem from a few different angles, how would I feel about it then?

· How can I handle things differently?

· Can I direct my emotional energy to more important issues?

If you can change the way you think about a problem, you can change the way it makes you feel, which, in turn, drives more positive behaviours.

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Being the hub of the town is no easy feat for the Grandview Hotel.

Since its establishment over 100 years ago, The Grandview Hotel has acted as the home away from home for many people, the watering hole for locals, and the social haven for all.

Now hosting a number of events almost everyday of the week, it is no surprise that locals continue to flock to the hotel, grab a feed and stick around for the evening entertainment.

With something for everyone, the Hotel continues to impress.

Monday night reserved for trivia, which catches everyone with tricky questions, pulling on long-forgotten facts.

Tuesday is Tadpole Tuesday, with children eating free and Triple Threat Tuesday, with gaming patrons – on the 45 machines – have a chance to win one of three $100 draws.

Wednesday is musical bingo, which always brings out the competitiveness in patrons.

Thursday is Duck Off.

Duck Off is exciting, where patrons have the chance to pick a duck from a kiddie pool, winning a prize. However, the winner can give the Hotel back the initial prize, and instead pick a second duck, hoping for the big jackpot duck, worth $1,500, and increasing $100 a week.

Friday is the Members Draw, currently worth $4,600, with Hotel members, once being drawn for the prize, have three minutes to claim the jackpot.

Increasing $100 a week, the current jackpot has been building for a while, making members eager and excited.

On Friday, the Hotel also hosts a community raffle, with different charities hosting the raffle.

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Tahliah O’Toole, Stephen Knight and Beth Angharad of the Grandview Hotel team keen for the Duck Off. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

Two 13-year-old Bowen school girls are setting a fine pace for other youngsters in the region by running a successful business that, over the past four years, has paid for holidays and set themselves up for good savings.

Katie Austin and Casey Holt first started creating handmade earrings at Katie’s birthday party when they were nine years old, and it wasn’t long before a hobby morphed into a profitable side business.

The colourful resin earrings proved so popular with friends and family that Katie and her friend Grace started a small market stall under a carport at home.

Before long they began attending the markets and holding a stall there as well, naming the business K&G Jewellery.

Unfortunately, Grace was unable to commit enough time to the business, so she graciously stepped down allowing their other friend, Casey, to become the new business partner.

The girls agreed to keep the name the same though.

Katie and Grace have now become a well-known supplier of local earrings, with Katie’s mum Victoria saying that now “every business in Bowen owns a pair of custom-made earrings!”

The girls take orders from around town and can even complete branded commissions.

And at $2 per pair, the community snaps them up!

While $2 sounds like a modest amount, however, Katie says she has saved every cent and put it to good use.

The profits from earring sales have paid for the girls to go on holiday to Daydream Island and flights down to Brisbane to watch the ballet.

“When I’m 16 I’d like to buy a pink sparkly jet ski!” said Katie.

Proud mum, Victoria said she gets emotional when she thinks about how far they have come – “people often say to me that they’ve watched the girls grow up before their eyes!” she said.

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Katie Austin and Casey Holt from K&G Jewellery. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Officer Natasha Marshall is no newcomer to youth support, traveling to Bowen PCYC from Rockhampton, to relieve holidaying Sergeant Michelle O’Regan.

However, she is not alone, bringing her nine-year-old Maremma cross Border Collie named Winston along for the ride.

“He loves it, he comes with me on the bus-run in the morning, picking up kids for school,” said Officer Marshall.

“They jump on and give him a hug and a pat. … He gets lots of pats from a lot of people every day.”

Back home in Rockhampton, Officer Marshall is a school-based police officer, in Rockhampton State High School.

“My role is a lot of education, educating around cyber safety, trying to keep kids safe on online,” she said.

In recent months, the Bowen PCYC has seen an upturn in community involvement in programs. This past week, 63 students caught the bus with Winston.

Fitter for Life, a movement group for over-40-year-olds, has seen 31 participants, with 25 children taking part in the Little N Active program.

Most impressive is the Friday skating initiative, where 150 children participated with Officer Marshall and Winston.

“I am impressed with Friday night skating. I put on my skates and get out there!” she said.

“I love the PCYC youth and community. Bringing people together, that’s what it’s all about. I’m learning a lot from Sergeant Michelle and If I ever get a position in a PCYC, she is someone I want to emulate.”

Although Winston is not a regular occurrence in the Bowen PCYC, he has welcomed the love and attention he has received from the children and other PCYC patrons. Officer Marshall looks forward to returning to the Bowen PCYC if offered the relief position again.

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Officer Natasha Marshall and Winston welcomed into Bowen PCYC. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

Working as a speech pathologist was sown into the psyche of Bowen Hospital’s Jack Innes by a mother with a passion for her profession.

Jack’s mum, a ‘speechie’ herself, was always encouraging her son to consider a career in the vocation.

“I can’t remember a day in high school that I wasn’t visiting my Mum’s workplace to help in some way.

“I’d considered it for such a long time, but I did something else – studied sports and exercise – for a while and that helped me to make up my mind that it was what I wanted to do.”

Now a speech pathologist – helping people of all ages with communication and swallowing disorders - Jack has made his mother extremely proud.

“It was very exciting for Mum when I did decide to do speech pathology; she didn’t do a very good job of containing her excitement.”

While many of his patients are children, Jack also spends a lot of time working with oncology patients.

“I’ve had a couple of wonderful experiences with oncology patients recently,” he said.

“Patients can be struggling with their swallowing because of radiation and need assistance returning to regular diet and fluids.

“I do swallow and vocal assessments, check the movements of muscles, work out what’s safe for them to eat and drink and provide swallowing strategies and exercises.”

Now in his second year based at Bowen Hospital, Jack is loving the transition from the busy southeast to the relative peace and quiet of the north.

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Bowen Hospital speech pathologist Jack Innes “Still can’t believe when going up the hill to work that I get to enjoy these views”

It is expected that a record-breaking amount of mango sorbet will be sold at the Bowen Information Centre before the end of the 2023 financial year.

In the 2021-22 financial year, the Big Mango sold 18.5 thousand mango sorbets to visitors, and it is estimated to sell 20 thousand before June 30.

“The delicious mango sorbets are a major attraction to the visitor information centre and are very famous across Australia,” said Leanne Abernethy of Bowen Tourism and Business.

The famous mango sorbet is made from 100 per cent locally grown mangos, which are puréed and frozen, by local Patrick Martin.

Patrick has been making these sorbets for 24 years, and sources all his mangos from local Bowen farms.

The Information Centre is currently averaging 50 mango sales daily, but with the increase of tourists over the holidays, they have been exceeding 100 a day.

40 thousand visitors a year are greeted by the team, made up of staff and volunteers, and an increase in tourist numbers has been noticed.

“We expect the number of sorbet sales to increase further between now and the end of the financial year, with May and June being busy with tourists for Bowen,” said Leanne.

The famous mango sorbets are made with Kensington Pride Mango, a thriving local fruit in Bowen.

Kensington Mangos are large, bright orange in colour, often with a red blush, and have a deep orange flesh that is free from fibrous strands.

The Big Mango is turning 21 in May, with a celebration plan underway for locals and visitors to enjoy the momentous occasion.

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The Big Mango turns 21 and breaks records. Photo supplied