A new online portal has been launched by the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Hub aiming to bridge the geographical divide and create connections between producers and agribusiness across the region.

The Greater Whitsunday Agtech Hub is hosted by Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and is a collaboration between key regional stakeholders to grow the value of agriculture in the region using agtech.

Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Ms Julia Spicer OAM launched the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Hub portal at EHS Manufacturing on Thursday, June 29 as part of her mission to build a culture of innovation across regional Queensland.

GW3 Chief Executive Officer Kylie Porter said the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Hub portal is an online platform to support producers and businesses better understand agtech solutions and connect them with service providers and investors.

Ms Porter said the portal will encourage and support adoption of agtech and improved practices that will deliver real benefit to producers and supply chain partners.

“The portal is a platform that will ensure Greater Whitsunday growers and producers have the knowledge to progress their businesses in the face of change across technology and skills,” she said.

“Importantly, the portal will also promote knowledge sharing with agribusiness and producers so that we create a community of best practice.

“Agtech is becoming increasingly important within the agriculture sector and this portal is an important step in building upon our already successful agriculture industry. GW3 is incredibly proud to be involved in the launch of this portal.”

Ms Porter said along with regional case studies and news updates from across the agriculture sector, the portal will showcase innovation and product releases, provide key information and education around agtech and ultimately, drive positive change for the sector.

The Greater Whitsunday AgTech Hub portal will also offer a local agtech suppliers directory, show examples of agtech in action, provide resources and source funding and serve as a platform to get involved in the agtech community.

“It will also increase accessibility to agtech and associated digital support by inclusion of an agtech supplier directory of those businesses servicing the Greater Whitsunday region,” Ms Porter said.

“Becoming a part of the new Greater Whitsunday AgTech Hub online community means being a part of a sustainable and productive agriculture industry.”

You can visit the Greater Whitsunday AgTech Hub portal at greaterwhitsundayagtechhub.com.au.

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Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Ms Julia Spicer OAM

Agtech on display at the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Innovation Day last year. Photos supplied

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Visitors to Comfort Resort Blue Pacific are welcomed to their slice of Blacks Beach paradise with a window into what their stay will entail.

“You drive in and you can see all the way down the drive to the Coral Sea,” said Director Cath uit den Bogaard.

“It puts a lovely calming notion on a person when they arrive.”

The absolute beachfront location and stunning Coral Sea views are just the beginning, with the resort’s attentive and personal service, comfortable accommodation and high standards of housekeeping winning it Choice Hotels Asia-Pac's highly anticipated Comfort 2022 Hotel of the Year Award.

The award celebrates the top-performing hotels across Choice Hotels Asia-Pac's growing network, based on exceeding excellent customer service and amazing guest experiences across each of Choice Hotels Asia-Pac's five brand categories.

“It’s a recognition of the work we put in with the keeping of our standards, housekeeping, likelihood to recommend and the way we run the property,” said Cath.

“It’s an enormous tick for us to show that, over the years, we’ve been doing the right thing.

“Especially over the period of Covid, we were able to maintain and recognise the way the industry had to pivot, so the consumer always knew that our 10/10 ratings were there for a very good reason.”

Winners of the Hotel of the Year award were selected from six Gold Award winning Comfort Hotels for 2022, each of which were awarded for providing excellent customer service and achieving the highest LTR (likelihood to recommend) scores from their guests.

Owner Operators Cath and Nick uit den Bogaard have managed the property since 2000 and through highs and lows, have always upheld their high standards, serving visitors from Mackay and beyond with absolute customer care.

“The Mackay community has been very kind to us over the years,” Cath said.

“It’s been a very rewarding time here and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

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Choice Hotels Asia-Pac General Manager Trent Fraser and Comfort Resort Blue Pacific Director Cath uit den Bogaard. Photo supplied

Owner Operators Cath and Nick uit den Bogaard. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Council's Vibrant NAIDOC Week Activities

Mackay Regional Council is celebrating NAIDOC Week (July 2 to July 9) and the 2023 theme “For Our Elders” with a series of exciting events, exhibitions and programs.

Council’s annual NAIDOC Flag Raising morning tea activities will be on Monday, July 3, from 10am to noon in the Civic Precinct and will include guest speakers, a didgeridoo accompaniment and cultural performances.

A local cultural weaver, Nitari, will also be sharing her cultural weaving story during morning tea.

Mayor Greg Williamson said it was tremendous to have the Tchundal Malar Dance Group and the Torres Strait Island Dancers at the morning tea to perform.

“These dance groups really do put on an amazing display of traditional dance that sets the scene for the flag raising,” Mayor Williamson said.

“One of the best things about these groups is the way senior members pass down their traditional dances to the next generations – it’s heart-warming to see new young dancers each year getting involved and preserving their culture,” he said.

“In fact, this year, at the ceremony, there will be a focus on acknowledging our local Indigenous elders, past and present.

“We have so many amazing elders in our region that do so much to make our community a better place, especially when it comes to working with young people and acting as role models and teachers.”

Artspace Mackay is also celebrating NAIDOC Week with special opening hours from 10am to 1pm on the Monday to align with the flag raising.

Mayor Williamson encouraged those coming to the flag raising to also visit Artspace Mackay and check out Dylan Mooney’s amazing wall artwork.

“Dylan, who is a local Yuwi, Australian South Sea Islander and Torres Strait Islander man, has created an amazing work that covers the foyer wall in Artspace and is inspired by rising sea levels and the impact on island communities,” he said.

Mackay Regional Council Libraries will also have NAIDOC art exhibitions on show inspired by the “For Our Elders” theme.

Local artists, who are also community elders, will have their works showcased at Dudley Denny City Library and Gordon White Library from Saturday, July 1, until Monday, July 31, during open hours.

Local artists Anita Wano-Sumner, Charlie Wicking, Ed Rigby and Peter Ah Mat will have their works featured.

During NAIDOC Week, Libraries will also be featuring the “Hi, I’m Eddie podcast”, which follows the story of Eddie Mabo; two film screenings, Utopia and Black and White; and a leaf painting craft activity.

To book your space or to find out more about at any of these programs, head to mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries/whats_on or call the Libraries on 4961 9387.

Council’s Arts Development team are also offering a very special opportunity to join renowned contemporary dancer Patrick Thaiday in a one-and-a-half-hour workshop on Thursday, July 6, from 10am to 12.30pm under the fig tree near the Jubilee Community Centre.

The workshop will include learning about Patrick’s cultural background, sharing of language and artifacts, learning some traditional drumming techniques and a contemporary Indigenous dance tutorial. This workshop only has limited spaces available and will fill up fast. It is open to participants from all cultural backgrounds.

For more information or to book a place, please contact council’s Arts Development officer Lara Russell at lara.russell@mackay.qld.gov.au

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The Tchundal Malar Dance Troupe (pictured) will be performing at council’s NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, July 3

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School holidays are halfway over, and I can only imagine it’s about the time that you start wanting to pull your hair out!

There are heaps of activities and events around the region right now to keep the kids busy. Why not visit the 2023 Mackay Motor Show at the Showgrounds this weekend? There’ll be heaps of cool cars, new and old, to check out.

Something I’m loving at the moment is heading to the Lamberts Lookout to watch the dolphins play, they have been putting on a great show lately. I hear there have been a few whale sightings too, it’s that time of the year when more are on the way.

It's kind of funny because I feel like not having kids myself, on school holidays it's still fun to check out some of the kids' activities that happen around the region. Last school holidays I found myself at Caneland’s and stopped to watch the magician entertaining the children. I'm still trying to decide whether it's because I was curious or I have just never grown up.

Whatever it is that’s keeping you busy these school holidays, if it’s cost you an ugly bill, Star 101.9 wants to help you out by paying it!

Scotty and Rach with Kaley’s Plastic Surgery is in its last week so let us give a little “nip tuck” to the ugly bills in your life. Register at star1019.com.au.

Kaley

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It’s not how things start that matters, it’s how they finish. Which takes me back to the Austral Hotel on a Friday evening a couple of weeks ago.

I was there with workmates having some farewell drinks for a long-term colleague. I had a few beers and, although it wasn’t many, it was probably one or two beers too many for me to be able to drive. So I left the car in the hotel car park and got my wife to pick me up.

I live in West Mackay near the Botanic Gardens and the next morning I decided to run into town with the dog, drive home and be ready and energized for my open homes that day. Anyway, my first open house was at Blacks Beach at 9am that day so the dog and I set off about 7.10am for what is a 20-minute run.

The car was reverse parked and when we got there and I started the car and tried to drive out of the parking spot, the car wouldn’t move. I tried again, revving the engine a bit more but it wouldn’t budge.

When I got out and checked it out, I could see from the undercarriage that when I had reversed into the spot, the muffler had slid over the concrete block that is designed to stop your wheels going any further, but it was stuck on a big bolt in the concrete block and wouldn’t move forward.

The exhaust pipe was higher and okay but the muffler itself had got stuck on a big metal bolt that sticks out the top of the concrete block and holds it in place. When I tried to move forward the bolt pulled the muffler down and the car would not move.

It was 7.40am, 100 minutes before my first open house. There was no one around, I don’t run with a phone and the dog was getting nervous. I muttered something to myself along the lines of: This is jolly disappointing! Darn it!

I tried removing everything out of my boot to lighten the load and put my open house directional signs in front of the rear wheel to elevate the back to get it above the bolt but that didn’t work … It's 7.50am and the dog and I are both stressed.

I decided to jack the rear of the car up well above the damn metal bolt in the concrete block and drive the car forward a few inches to set it free. And it worked! The jack rolled forward a bit and was left facing forward on a 45-degree angle but the job was done.

I quickly threw everything back in the boot, jumped in the car, gave the dog a pat and drove out. It was 8am. I was home by 8.10am, ready to leave at 8.25am and pulled up at the open house at 8.55am, later than I’d like but not bad in the circumstances.

I had three great open homes that day; the house in Blacks Beach sold, another one in Mt Pleasant sold and I got a good offer on another one … good results for the sellers.

No matter what, keep smiling, persevere and believe.

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OPINION PIECE

In a week of budget announcements, it’s disappointing for me personally that the only level of government focused on tourism in this part of Queensland is Mackay Regional Council.

Council has invested significantly into tourism for the last eight years and this week approved a further $4.9 million as part of the 2023-2024 budget to complete stage one of the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails. This will be the anchor project for the expansion of a more diversified tourism economy.

Tourism is on every list of economic things to focus on but is always at the bottom of those lists, because it doesn’t pay out what the big industry players pay out. Tourism is the opportunity for the smaller, further out communities to participate and grow their own self-sufficient local economies.

It’s what they need to attract better infrastructure and services from local government, state government and the private sector. It’s how they build liveability, a sense of place and pride of place and gain social outcomes.

The wallabies on the beach experience at Cape Hillsborough now attracts more than 100 people per day, double that on school holidays, with 27% of those visitors being international. Wallabies is the first big attraction to put the region back on the map; Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails will be the second, so we need to be ready for third, fourth and fifth.

Big industry and agriculture’s contribution is so massively important, but you could argue that the benefits are largely centralised. Council has been investing in agriculture and mining services for decades and these industries have made us the regional productivity capital of Queensland. But not everyone benefits, and, to some extent, some may be left behind.

Council’s continued investment in tourism, visitor information centres and fishing, recreational vehicle (RV) and mountain biking visitation, spreads the investment across all communities, so everyone can have access to a tourism opportunity.

Tourism in the Mackay region is about to mature. I personally believe that we should be looking at investment options that will keep up with the expansion and not allow ourselves to get overwhelmed or have to play catch up.

Tourism is not on the bottom of my list – it’s closer to the top, and I believe we should be looking at how the task gets completed with a big green tick next to it.

Cr Justin Englert

Mackay Regional Council

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Hi all!

While Rachael has gone on her big snow holiday this week, I’ve been tasked with the Editor’s Note.

Next week marks three months of my time at Mackay and Whitsunday Life. And I have learnt an awful lot.

I wasn’t used to writing for 8 hours a day, let alone proofing and interviewing people. All things I love now, but it took a second to get into the groove of things.

As well as that, next week marks three months of me living here, in the Whitsundays. I’d never visited up here before I signed on for the job, taking on the 19-hour drive from Armidale NSW (my home) to Cannonvale, with all my stuff crammed into my little two-door Hyundai.

Since then, I have tried to get out and about, making the most of the place. Making connections and forming friendships, that’s what makes you feel at home, so that’s what I did.

I’ve joined a netball team and play there every week with a group of like-minded girls.

I signed up for Bumble. Okay, now stay with me, on Bumble, you can change between the dating and the BBF categories, so I swiped my way through a few friendships. It’s always a bit awkward meeting and texting until you can eventually get coffee together, but it works.

I’ve met tourism managers, hospital staff, landscapers, medical professionals, and don’t forget the mechanic and his wife I happened across at the bar after they fixed my car, who just happen to be my neighbours.

My housemate, who was once just a stranger who let me into her home, is now a cherished friend, who I often go to and confide with.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed by how big Airlie Beach seems to be, but then I think about everyone I have met, they all know each other. At work, I’ll talk about my friend-date, and Chrissy pipes up, says she knows them, or I’ll head to a high tea with Taylor, our graphic designer, for a nice afternoon.

This move was a good one, that’s for sure.

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Since receiving Bunny, a soft cuddly rabbit plush, for Easter earlier this year, Poppy and Bunny have been inseparable.

8-month-old Poppy takes Bunny everywhere with her.

“She just started wanting to cuddle it when she sleeps, playing with the ears, now she can’t fall asleep without it,” said mum Madi Moore.

Usually leaving Bunny at home on family outings, Bunny unexpectedly came with Poppy to Show Whitsunday on the weekend.

However, on the trek back to the car after a day of fun at the show, Madi and her husband realised that Bunny was missing, and soon tore through the pram and nappy bag.

“We don’t normally bring Bunny with us for this reason,” explained Madi.

“We did retrace our steps and asked a few of the show bag stands, but no one had it.”

Convinced that Bunny was definitely unable to be found, the family stopped in at Cherrie Baby, where they had purchased the first Bunny.

“But of course, the new one didn’t look or smell the same, so our bub wasn’t overly happy with it. That’s when I would try my luck by posting on Facebook.”

Within two hours of posting, Bunny was found and given to organisers of the show.

“Apparently everyone knew about the baby who lost her bunny.”

The next day, Madi was able to stop by the showgrounds and collect the newly found Bunny, much to the delight of Poppy, who eagerly awaited the cuddly toys return.

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Bunny is a treasured member of the family, inseparable from baby Poppy

Just short of six weeks later, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre has been the victim of another break-and-enter incident earlier this week.

Six weeks ago, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre was one victim in a string of business break ins around the Cannonvale and Cannonvalley area.

A figure of $900 was stolen from petty cash tins, and three buildings were broken into, including the childcare centre, the main reception, and the op shop donation room.

A garden shed was also forcibly entered.

As of June, a 29-year-old Cannonvale woman has been charged with 32 offences relating to alleged break-ins and alleged attempted break-ins at businesses and other properties in the region.

She was arrested as part of Operation Mackay Irving, a police taskforce established to patrol the Cannonvale area, on June 10.

The woman faced Proserpine Magistrates Court on June 12.

Rebecca Woods, the Executive Officer of the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, is saddened by the recent break in.

“We work for the community, and this has the implication that no one is untouchable.”

Following the first break-in, the team at Centre reinforced entry ways and better secured themselves against further attempts.

This recent break-in, occurring at 3.12am on the morning of June 25, the perpetrator gained entry only to the main building and left empty handed.

“They ruffled through everything and broke the lock on the main door, and the doors to several offices,” Mrs Woods explained.

“However, we had reinforced security on the property, to prevent people from getting to anything.

“It is heartbreaking for this to happen again; we’re here to support people and provide assistance to the community.”

“The previous break-in resulted in a woman being charged, so we were under the impression that those allegedly responsible had faced the consequences.”

Mrs Woods wishes to thank the community for their support.

“The community is more outraged than we are; this impacts the entire community, but we thank them for their support.”

The alleged perpetrator of the latest break-in has been captured on security vision, wearing black track pants with large white text on the left leg, a black jumper with white text and grey-white logo on the left breast.

They are also wearing a distinctive Smirnoff Seltzer branded pink and white waist bag, and a green face mask.

Mrs Woods urges anyone with any information to contact the Queensland Police Service.

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Six weeks later, a second break in has occurred at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, with the perpetrator captioned on security vision. Images supplied

In the recent Whitsunday Regional Council ordinary meeting, a motion to delegate authority of short-term accommodation applications, residing in low, low-medium, and rural residential zones from council to the Chief Executive Officer was refused.

According to Councillor Clay Bauman, who proposed this notice of motion, this is a necessary, temporary interim measure, until a local law can be put into effect that would address short-term accommodation.

“We are in a transitional stage,” he explained in the meeting.

“We are currently between guidelines that differ from our planning scheme.”

Since the council started taking upon short-term accommodation change of use applications, over 200 applications have been received, with 15 currently under assignment as well.

“We did jump the gun years ago,” Councillor Michelle Wright said.

“We are underway with the local law coming into effect. I will support this when the local law comes into effect.”

Mayor Julie Hall said, “The extra cost and the extra resources that this will put on council, we would be better to use that for the planning scheme.”

The motion was defeated, meaning applications for change of use short-term accommodation applications will continue to be reviewed by council.

One such short-term accommodation application, for a property in Jubilee Pocket, was later refused in the meeting, based on the property’s elevation and outlook on neighbouring properties.

“With short-term accommodation, people come through at odd hours. Regularly, people do as you expect on holiday,” said Councillor Bauman.

“That's what I don’t like to see, from my back door, and that’s not what permanent residents want to see from their backdoor.”

Councillor Jan Clifford, who was in favour of the motion, said, “I will always stick up for residents, ratepayers, and their comforts.”

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Schools, businesses, and community groups shone bright with kindness on b kinder day which was held across the region, state, and country last Thursday, June 22.

An important day, which is close to many local’s hearts, b kinder day celebrates the legacy of Billie Kinder who tragically lost her life in a horse-riding accident when she was 12 years old.

Although she had moved away from the region prior to her passing, the family retained strong ties with local residents, many of whom hold events across the region each b kinder day.

“There are thousands and thousands of people talking about kindness because of Billie on this day every year,” said Billie’s mum and founder of b kinder Day, Danny Mason-Kinder.

“It’s a bittersweet moment, but remarkable.”

Every school in the Whitsundays participated in b kinder Day this year, with thousands of hand-written cards of kindness sent to others both locally and globally.

Mel Turner is the local driving force behind b kinder Day and says that this year was very special once again.

Her team at Bowen Subway gave a free kindness card and a cookie to every customer who walked through the door last Thursday.

She also sent 500 free cookies over to Queens Beach State School as part of their Big Day Out.

Afterwards, Mel headed over to Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday where a special charity dinner was held in honour of b kinder Day.

Also participating this year were PRD Whitsundays, who dressed up in colourful outfits and P&D Industrial.

Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network donated b kinder workbooks to Cannonvale State School and Whitsunday Lions donated b kinder cards.

This is the sixth annual b kinder Day and each year it continues to expand.

In 2023, over 200 school participated and there was national news coverage of the event.

When asked what she would like to see happen in our local area, Danny said that she would love all schools to become b kinder schools.

This is where the student leadership team actively promotes kindness in their school by offering other students a safe space to talk, engaging with other schools and helping promote kindness in the community.

“There is so much evidence that peer to peer learning has a bigger impact,” said Danny.

“We’d love to see this culture of kindness adopted at as many schools as possible.”

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Mel Turner and her team at Bowen Subway donated 500 cookies to a local school

BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday held a charity dinner for b kinder Day

PRD Whitsunday dressed up for day

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While thousands flocked to the Proserpine Showgrounds for the 110th Show Whitsunday last weekend, the prize poultry also flew into their new home with the grand opening of the new Poultry Pavilion held at 10am on Friday morning.

A $100,000 grant from the Queensland Government Community Gambling Benefit Fund enabled the Proserpine Agriculture Show Association to construct a new multi-purpose pavilion which now boasts concrete floors, insulation and waterproofing.

“The poultry exhibit will have much improved accommodations,” said President of the Proserpine Show Association, Donna Rogers.

“It replaces one previously with dirt floors requiring sawdust laid every year and rusted corrugated walls that often fell prey to those keen to steal a champion fowl or two!

“The new building will be available for hire by the general public and community groups and is ideally located adjacent to the dog ring making the possibilities for event usage immeasurable.”

Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm MP, attended the opening and said that the Proserpine Show Association was one of ten not-for-profit organisations in the Whitsunday electorate to receive funding under GCBF ‘Super’ Round 113.

“The Proserpine Show Association has taken the disappointment they felt from the damage sustained from Cyclone Debbie and turned it into a positive situation that will have long term economic advantages,” Ms Camm said.

“I’m pleased to see the association’s goals and long-term vision can rise from adversity through the support of the GCBF grant.”

Ms Camm said the GCBF ‘super’ round provided grants of up to $100,000 to Queensland not-for-profit community groups to enhance their capacity to provide services, leisure activities and economic opportunities for their local communities.

She said the next round of GCBF would be a ‘standard’ round, offering grants of up to $35,000 to each not-for-profit group and would open late July/early August.

“If any organisation thinks that they may benefit from a GCBF grant, or would like further information, they should contact my office on 4845 3100”, Ms Camm stated.

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Amanda Camm MP, Member for Whitsunday, along with Proserpine Show Committee members from left to right: Sue Quantock, Donna Rogers, Wayne Quantock, and Helen Wright. Photo supplied

The new Poultry Pavilion in action during Show Whitsunday. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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The whole school community enjoyed learning more about NAIDOC Day last week thanks to a full day program which saw children participate in activities hosted by two visiting indigenous educators and performers.

NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week takes place from 2-9 July, but Cannonvale State School opted to mark the occasion on the last day of their school term instead.

The day celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is commemorated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians all over the country and overseas.

School teacher, Jo Morgan who has spent 20 years working with indigenous people in the Northern Territory , organised Cannonvale State School’s NAIDOC day which was fun, exciting and educational for all involved.

Respected songman and artist from the Thuppi Warra clan and a Traditional Owner from Ngaro and Gia People of the Whitsundays, Harold Bowen was one of two educators on the day.

Harold has achieved many things in his time, a long-standing director on the board of Indigenous Art Centre Alliance (IACA) his painting Yirrumbul painting won the established artist art award at the Laura Dance Festival 2021.

The second person was Adrian Thomas, a South Sea Island, Polynesian, Chinese and Irish man who has spent the last 10 years working with Indigenous Young People, five of those being in Community.

Adrian has recorded music with some of the best Indigenous artists in Australia, he has supported Missy Higgins and Dan Sultan, has music that is played throughout Australia Radio and has also toured Internationally.

On the day, the entire student body was split into groups of 150 children across all year levels to resemble an indigenous family configuration.

The groups then rotated across different activities which included stories, song, dance and music, for a truly immersive experience.

They made dancing belts, which is a traditional belt worn in a ceremony in Arnhem Land.

They also participated in a yarning circle, where they used something similar to a talking stick, to take it in turns to speak on a topical subject – making sure that everyone was heard and respected.

“Kids can often be poor at listening and disrespectful to each other,” said Ms Morgan.

“So, the yarning circle is the perfect tool for helping them and the kids love the fact that this is something that the Indigenous people have brought into our realm now.”

Yarning circle topics included: “let’s yarn about the older people in your life, who are they and why are they important to you”.

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Harold Bowen, Adrian Thomas, Leo Jiggins Cannonvale State School’s Indigenous Leader and Principal Angie Kelly.

School teacher, Jo Morgan, organised NAIDOC Day at Cannonvale State

School students introduced the Indigenous representatives

Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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High Speed Incident, Lethebrook

A 23-year-old male resident of North Ward (Townsville) was stopped by police for an alleged high-speed incident at about 8:00am on June 24 on the Bruce Highway at Lethebrook (Proserpine).

It's alleged that officers stopped a Toyota Corolla hatchback after its speed was checked as being 144 kilometres an hour in a 100 kilometre an hour speed zone.

It's further alleged that the driver indicated fatigue as a reason for the relevant speed.

An on the spot fine of $1,653 was issued resulting in the loss of 8 demerit points and a driver’s licence suspension for a period of 6 months.

Stealing, Bowen

Between 3:00pm on June 26 and 10:00am on June 27, someone has stolen forks for a bobcat from a construction site on the Bruce Highway near Don Street in Bowen.

A tipper has been used to transport the stolen item from the site.

Anyone who might have information about the matter is encouraged to contact police as soon as possible.

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As the whales migrate north, so do the cruising yachties and as the horizon fills with proud white masts, the boating season ramps up with the Coral Sea Academy’s free Better Boating Training events.

Open to everyone, from the experienced to the new boat owners, these interactive and educational sessions are an ideal way to learn more about your craft and network with other likeminded people.

This year, the Coral Sea Academy welcomes back partners, Mainstay Sailing and Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsundays, who will, over the coming months from July through to September, provide the perfect opportunity to encourage better boating practices and increase confidence on the water through a series of informal, fun, and engaging sessions.

From boating basics such as radio or tender operation, through to an introduction on navigation, these sessions allow people to increase their boating knowledge, learn additional skills, gain confidence and network with like-minded crew.

The Better Boating series will take place throughout the winter cruising season and kicks off with the return of a crowd favourite “Ropes and Rum” on Tuesday July 4, from 5.30pm at Coral Sea Marina’s The Lookout Lounge, hosted by Mainstay Sailing.

Learn the ropes (literally) and enjoy a practical evening of ropework, knots and splicing.

Next on the calendar the following fortnight (Tuesday July 18) will be Safety at Sea, hosted by the Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsundays.

This event will include great tips and advice, plus an exciting practical demonstration with a working life raft, thanks to Whitsunday Ocean Services.

New to the calendar this year, and to finish up the series in September, will be a brand-new topic on Basic Boat Maintenance.

As the typical cruising season comes to an end, this free information event on Tuesday September 19, will give you the best insights, maintenance schedules and contacts of local suppliers and services to ensure that your pride and joy remains spick-and-span ready for the next on-water adventure.

WHAT: Ropes and Rum

WHEN: Tuesday, July 4 from 5.30pm

WHAT: Safety at Sea

WHEN: Tuesday, July 18

WHAT: Basic Boat Maintenance

WHEN: Tuesday, September 19

WHERE: All events are held at Coral Sea Marina’s Lookout Lounge

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