My name is Bronte, and I am the new cadet journalist with the Mackay and Whitsunday Life newspaper.

I’ve relocated from the regional city of Armidale, in New South Wales.

When I left Armidale, the temperatures were as low as two degrees, with some people starting their fires, so the weather here has been a massive change!

In 2021, I graduated from the University of Southern Queensland, completing my Bachelor of Arts – English Literature and Critical and Creative Writing.

I chose this path of study because I love reading and writing, with the ultimate goal to get into journalism, media, and publications.

I lived in Toowoomba while I was studying, which I loved, but COVID caused my campus to close, and I headed back to Armidale.

From there, I worked in advertising and marketing for 2 years, but I was ready for the big change, and when the Whitsundays came knocking, how could I say no?

I am eager to get to know Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays, hitting the beach and taking part in all the exciting adventures that are on offer here.

I’ve never even visited the Whitsundays before, so any recommendations on something to do would be much appreciated!

In my free time, I enjoy going on walks and hikes, and exploring my surroundings, shopping at local markets and boutiques, as well as reading and hanging out with friends.

I am excited to get settled and stuck into life in the Whitsundays and learn all that I can from the Whitsunday and Mackay Life team!

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Hello everyone!

I hope a wonderful Easter period was had by all and that everyone enjoyed being out and about in our beautiful region.

The Easter holidays concluded with the last of the Get Active community events which was held on the Bowen Foreshore. It was great to so many faces, new and old, getting involved with all the wonderful free events and enjoying the perfect Whitsunday lifestyle that Bowen has to offer.

In other good news, the Bowen and Proserpine pool heaters have now been installed. The heaters keep the water at a perfect swimming temperature of 28 degrees, so even on those chilly winter mornings residents will have a free and warm facility to use.  

The Whitsunday region is one of the only places you can still use public swimming pools for free, and I’m proud that we continue to support this in our region.

On a separate note, Anzac Day falls on Tuesday next week. The 25th April is the day where all Australians and New Zealanders unite to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect their nation.

We remember their courage, their bravery and their commitment to their country. We also pay tribute to the many families and loved ones who were sadly left behind.

The theme for Anzac Day this year is “That’s the Anzac Spirit: We Will Remember” - and I for one vouch to do so. I vouch to remember the men and women who fought on the battlefield and in their homes during the conflicts of Gallipoli, the Western Front, in the Pacific, in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. I hope you will take the time to pause for a moment and remember with me.

Anzac ceremonies will be held across the region on Tuesday, with a Dawn Service and Main Service in each location.

These services are organised and led by our local RSL branches. Thank you to all of the volunteers that donate so much of their time in order to make sure these services duly honour the fallen.

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A year on and it’s time to clear, sort, and record the plastic pollution caught in the 15 litter traps that have been placed in the waters as part of the Whitsunday Gross Pollutant Trap project.

An initiative between the Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership (HR2RP) and the Coral Sea Academy, the project involves the catching, sorting, and recording details of litter and pollution gathered in the 15 traps, detailing each piece into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database, for ongoing research and to aid reduction programs.

Since early 2022, when the traps were first placed, over 8,000 pieces of litter have been collected, and volunteers are urged to step forward for the next community litter audit, next Saturday, 29 April

“The information we gather from the community litter audits will help inform plans to reduce litter in the first place, so it’s a great way to get involved and keep our region’s waterways healthy,” HR2RP Community Engagement Officer, Rebekah Smith said.

This two-year project, set to complete in early 2024, will inform pollution reduction programs, as well as keep local beaches clean.

Edutourism has seen a rise in popularity, with pollution, conservation, and education becoming more prevalent in tourist experiences.

“The purpose of the Coral Sea Academy is to provide the opportunity for events such as these to engage with guests on themes that are relevant to the Whitsundays,” said Joscelyn O’Keefe, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Coral Sea Marina.

“These community litter audits are certainly a great way in which any individual can help towards this goal.”

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The next community audit needs your help. Photo supplied

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One lucky Central Queensland lady is celebrating this week having received a phone call to inform her she is the winner of the Visitor Information Centre Passport Competition and will now receive $2,100 worth of vouchers to spend in the region.

Competition winner Carry Lee completed her passport in December 2022, while travelling from Townsville home to Rockhampton.

“We stopped at the Bowen Information Centre to try a mango sorbet, and the person at the counter explained the passport competition to us and encouraged us to complete the stops on our way home,” she explains.

“Receiving the call on Thursday brightened my day, and I’m looking forward to visiting the Sarina Sugar Shed, as well as some of the highlights in The Whitsundays and Mackay.”

The Passport Competition was launched for the second year running in October last year, inviting passing tourists to visit the three local information centres in order to get three ‘stamps’ on their ‘passports’ to receive entry into the competition.

Tourism Whitsundays, Bowen Tourism and Business, and Mackay Isaac Tourism all partnered to host the event which teamed the information centres in Bowen, Proserpine, and Mackay together, encouraging tourists to visit all three locations and their surrounds.

Hundreds of entries were received and CEO of Tourism Whitsunday, Rick Hamilton, was thrilled with the response.

“The visitor information centre is often the first impression visitors to each region have,” he said.

“We all strive for this to be the best impression it can be. For hundreds of travellers, it was an impression worth having three times!”

Carry Lee will receive $700 to spend on merchandise, accommodation, or tours at each of the three information centres.

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Councillor Jan Clifford enters the Visitor Information Centre Passport Competition. Photo supplied

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Whitsunday Regional Council has devised a flying fox management plan with short and long-term strategies in hopes that concerted action could lessen the adverse impact of the protected species in Collinsville.

The population of Little Red and Black Flying Fox has caused major community discontent over the last two years in the Whitsundays northernmost township, with the species numbers fluctuating as high as 26,000 in September of 2022.

Collinsville residents’ prayers may have been answered after two years of complaints about the smell, defecations, and noise of fruit bats roosting in Pelican Park and across town, with Council’s new strategy.

Council’s Coordinator of Natural Resource Management, Scott Hardy, presented the ‘Pelican Park Flying Fox Roost Management Plan’ to Council at the ordinary meeting on Wednesday, April 12.

“The purpose of the Management Plan is to communicate Councils intensions to the State Government and to the community on how it plans to manage the Flying Fox issue in Collinsville,” Mr Hardy said.

The strategy, which incorporates community consultation feedback from June 2022, identifies short (the next two years) and long term (over two years) strategies, which include triggers and intervention methods.

Population triggers for the two species of flying fox take place when there are “more than 15 Black Flying Fox or more than 15 Little Red Flying Fox for more than seven days in the trees during the day,” whereupon Council contractors will employ the use of smoke and noise to deter the fox from settling.

Mr Hardy said that these short-term methods had been trialled before over the two years of Collinsville’s infestation with the protected species.

“They have been successful in some instances but have often forced them out of one part of town into another,” Mr Hardy said.

“That’s something we are going to be mindful of with this management plan. Because, in the end, the main, long-term goal is to move the flying fox out of Collinsville entirely – to achieve that is going to be potentially costly and have a long-term management strategy.”

Council will keep nearby residents aware of flying fox intervention activities into the future.

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Whitsunday Regional Council are continuing efforts to address the Collinsville flying fox problem

Did you notice the influx of dragonflies! More than I have seen in a long time in the Whitsundays.

“A lot of dragonfly mean the Wet has ended” (June Djiagween, First Nations Person)

With the wet season coming to an end and the April temperatures finally dropping under 30 degrees, it is a very exciting time for the Kitchen Garden!

April, May, June and July are the months in the Whitsundays to sow from seed for so many vegetables, herbs and beneficial flowers Including (but not restricted to):

Basil, Beetroot, Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Chilli, Chives, Coriander, Corn, Cosmos, Cucumber, Eggplant, Fennel, Kale, Leek, Lettuce, Marigold, Nasturtiums, Parsley, Peas, Pumpkin, Radish, Rockmelon, Silverbeet, Squash, Sunflowers, Swede, Tomatoes and Zucchini.

Planting from seed is cost effective, simplifies the process and is incredibly rewarding.

A packet of seeds cost between $3-$5. In each packet you’ll have more seeds than you will need to produce enough of that vegetable for the season.

In the Whitsundays, sowing directly into your garden beds will give you great results,

you just need to follow a few very simple rules and if nothing pops up after 20 days, simply sow something else in that bed.

Seeds hold all the nutrients they require to germinate, so your part at this stage is to sow to the correct depth and to keep your soil moist, its very important that you water every morning and do not let your soil dry out while your seeds are encouraged to germinate.

This is where seed raising mix is, in my opinion, essential for optimal success.

Seed raising mix holds moisture and has the perfect structure to allow the new growth to push through to the surface. I spread a layer of seed raising mix directly on the garden soil, spread my seeds on top and then cover them with more seed raising mix. This will increase your success with germination rates, tenfold.

Remember, do not bury your seeds. It takes a lot of energy for those new leaves to push through to the surface. The general rule is sow to twice the depth of the seeds diameter.

Then, water EVERY morning without fail.  

Seed raising mix is a wonderful medium for seed germination, but it is not much use after that. It is nutrient deficient, so you don’t need to lay it on your garden beds thickly.  

One more thing, protect your beds with a shade cloth.  

A shade cloth will prevent birds from getting to your seeds, will reduce the intensity of the suns rays (I use 25 per cent) which in turn will help with moisture retention and will keep insects and pests/pets  (like bandicoots and dogs) off your patch.

Follow these simple rules and you will be rewarded with little green glimpses covering your soil within 7 – 21 days.

If you don’t have space for a vegie patch, then growing food in pots is a real option.

So, sow some seeds today! Remember to water every morning without fail and reap the rewards over the coming months

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH

BLT POTATO SKINS & HERBS FROM THE GARDEN

Prepare the potatoes ahead of time and freeze them, ready to pull out at any time for a quick and easy share plate that even the kids will enjoy.

Ingredients

Potatoes

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

Butter

Cooked diced Bacon

Grated Cheese of your choice

Sour Cream

Tomatoes

Lettuce

Chives, Parsley, herbs of your choice

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Heat oven to 210 degrees Celsius, wipe over potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

Bake in the oven for 60 minutes. Cool till you can handle them and cut in half length ways.

Spoon out a majority of the flesh (set that aside and use it for potato mash with dinner) and freeze till you are ready to use.

Place skins on tray, fill with mixed cheese and bacon and place in the oven at 200 degrees for 5-10 minutes until cheese has melted. Now top with all remaining ingredients and more!  Quick, easy and a favourite with all.

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“A lot of dragonfly mean the Wet has ended” (June Djiagween, First Nations Person)

Growing from seed is very rewarding

Make sure you use a shade cloth

A delicious snack for the whole family!

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Coral formations make great homes for a huge variety of different animals. From the fish, which hide in their shadows, to the borers which carve their homes out of the substance of their hosts – the ocean is one great relationship between species.

The Christmas tree worm is one such borer which settles on a piece of coral, perhaps where a polyp has been damaged and is unable to sting it and immediately secretes a small chalky tube.

The coral grows up around the tube through which the worm feeds, secretes, and breeds. It simply must construct its tube at the same rate as Coral growth to prevent it being sealed up and can reach lengths of 50 to 60 millimetres.

A sharp spike at the entrance of the Christmas tree worm deters fish from nipping at the feathery gills/feeding filters but the worm can contract rapidly into its tube sealing the entrance with a chalky plate.

Christmas tree worms are common in the massive porites coral boulders. The reasons for the variations in their colours are not known.

A variety of boring organisms such as worms, sponges, bivalves, algae and even particular hermit crabs make their homes in Coral.

In one study a 2.5-kilogram block of coral was found to be honeycombed with more than 100 species of polychaete worms!

What relationship will you discover when you visit the Reef?

See the Reef, Love the Reef, Protect the Reef.

Contributed with thanks to Brett Chatterton

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What marvellous relationships we see in the coral reefs of the world? Such as the Christmas Tree Worm, named for its appearance

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A veteran of both Gallipoli and the Middle East campaign in World War I, Charles Robert Gibson Dougherty (Charlie) enlisted at Goondiwindi on December 31 1914. He was stationed at Enoggera Camp in Brisbane before being assigned to the 11th  Light Horse Regiment on March 24 1915. This would have been well suited to Charlie as he was an excellent horseman. Born at McKinlay (Northwest Qld) in 1895, he grew up with a rural background. He later worked as a shearer, fencer and drover/stockman and was only 19 when he volunteered for war service.

Private Dougherty boarded HMAT “Borda” at Brisbane on June 2 1915, the ship picking up other troops around Australia before going across to Suez. They went to Cairo and on to Abydos where the 11th Light Horse base camp was established. At this time, the disastrous landing at Gallipoli had already occurred and no sooner had the 11th Light Horse Regiment arrived in Egypt than they were sent to reinforce the 8th Light Horse at Gallipoli.

In his diary, Charlie recorded that they left Gallipoli on December 19 1915 and sailed for Lemnos then Alexandria arriving Christmas Day. We had a sort of Christmas dinner on board ship, landed about 5pm and entrained for Cairo straight away … we marched through Cairo for Maadi … did a lot of shooting and foot drill but we were looking forward to our own regiment to reform … left Maadi on 22/2/16 and arrived at Alimaza which is our old camp … Charlie was again taken in the 11th Light Horse.

Charlie’s war records show he was ranked Lance Corporal on July 12 1916, then Corporal on September 25 1917. His name is listed in the pages of “History of 11th Light Horse Regiment” which describes the April 1917 Gaza attack. On the first day of this attack, April 19, Charlie had his horse shot from underneath him but escaped unhurt apart from a wounded arm. Charlie took part in the charge at Sheria on November 7 1917 and the pursuit of the retreating Turkish troops from Gaza the following day. May 1918 saw Charlie involved in the El Salt raid and then defending the crossing points over the Jordan River.

On May 7 1918, Charlie was promoted to Temporary Sergeant. Two months later, the 11th LHR repulsed the heavy Turkish and German attacks on the Jordan River. On July 31 1918, he was promoted to Sergeant and the next day the 11th LHR began training with swords. On September 25 1918, they performed a cavalry charge at Semakh on the Palestine Coast and finished the battle on foot into the town using rifles and bayonets.

At war’s end, while waiting to embark for Australia the 11th LHR were required to quell the Egyptian revolt of May 1919.  When the war finally ended, Charlie embarked at Port Said on HT “Caledonia” to spend two months leave in the UK. He left there July 5 on the “Port Melbourne” to return home and was discharged on September 22 1919.

On his return, Charlie bought land at Bloomsbury where he grazed cattle and horses and in 1924 married (Alice) Maud Considine and they had four children. After Maud and their infant daughter, Eva, died tragically in 1943, he stayed on his property “Glencoe” until 1967 when a horse-riding accident affected his balance and he retired to Proserpine, in time, becoming Patron of the RSL.  Charlie Dougherty died on August 7 1990 and was given a military burial in Proserpine Cemetery.

LEST WE FORGET

Story courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum and “Proserpine Answered the Call” by Lyn Burke and Lloyd Fox; photo courtesy Proserpine Museum.

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In true Whitsunday style, one local couple recently married in the heart of our iconic islands, spending their wedding day aboard Cruise Whitsundays’ Camira and saying their nuptials on a remote beach location.

Kayla and Simon Hodge planned a relaxed wedding day, and their dreams came true when their guest list of 70 family and friends were able to share their special occasion aboard a yacht where privacy and intimacy abounds.

The couple met at a small pub in Tasmania seven years ago and Kayla, who was born in the Sunshine Coast and had been living in Airlie Beach since 2010, soon convinced Simon to follow his heart to the Sunshine State to be with her.

It was 18 months ago that he proposed to the backdrop of the swirling sands, atop the lookout above the iconic Whitehaven Beach.

At that moment, Kayla knew she wanted her wedding day to be as magical as her proposal, so the couple decided that Whitehaven Beach would be their ideal wedding location.

Unfortunately, on their wedding day the winds were too strong, and vessels were unable to travel to the outside of Whitsunday Island in order to get to Whitehaven Beach.

Instead, Chance Bay on the inside of Whitsunday Island was selected.

“We arranged for everyone to get ready on the beach and I got ready with my bridal party on the boat,” said Kayla.

“Then we got the tender straight onto the beach and it was straight from the tender to the aisle – it was just perfect!”

After the ceremony, the party returned to Camira and enjoyed a relaxing sail while the speeches and afternoon tea took place.

“Then the first dance happened by accident,” reflects Kayla.

“After the speeches the music came on and he grabbed me, and we just danced!”

Photography was by Summer Rain and after the shoot Kayla said she was so hot that she made the decision to jump into the sea with her wedding dress on.

“It was so hot, and it felt so good to get in the water – it was beautiful,” she said.

The newly married couple are thrilled with their wedding day, where they made memories they will cherish forever.

“We love Camira, it is such a relaxed day, everything was included, and it was so wonderful to share it with our friends and family,” said Kayla.

“The crew made it so special, they went above and beyond, and we are already looking forward to coming back to celebrate with them again.”

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A stunning sky creates the perfect backdrop for the first dance aboard Camira. Photo credit: Summer Rain Photography

The bride a groom take a refreshing dip in Whitsunday waters

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This week at Airlie Beach parkrun 109 wonderful people ran, jogged, and walked the five-kilometre waterfront course, of whom 38 were first timers and 16 recorded new Personal Bests.

The event was made possible thanks to Chris H and his team of 18 fantastic volunteers: Nick, Kara, Matthew, Natasha, Erin, Wendy, Ronald, Shane, Jarrod, Lynne, Joanne, Diane, Lilly, Ava, Addison, Margaret, and Austin.

A special congratulations was made for Wendy, who reached the milestone of volunteering for 25 weeks.

Every Saturday Airlie Beach parkrun meets at 6:50am for a briefing at area D, Coral Sea Marina (adjacent to the top carpark).

Parking is free in the lowest carpark till 9:30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard. Post parkrun coffee and chat is held at My Rainbow Bakery & Cafe.

The best-kept secret about parkrun is that it’s not about running - it’s about bringing people together in public parks and open spaces across the world to have some fun in a friendly, social and supportive environment. You can walk or run the 5k course (pushing a pram or with one dog on a short lead if you want to!), lend a helping hand as a volunteer in a wide range of super-easy roles, or simply spectate and socialise on the sidelines.

There are no winners at parkrun and nobody comes last – the Tail walkers do. Regular participation is rewarded rather than performance, with ‘parkrun milestone shirts’ available to people to recognise their achievements in coming along.

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun

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109 Airlie Beach park runners off were off to a good start at the weekly event in fine conditions

Airlie Beach parkrun volunteer Margaret supporting one of the event’s “parkwalkers”

Part of the volunteer team for Airlie Beach parkrun’s 360th event

RACQ CQ Rescue is continuing to search for a missing boatie after earlier winching a 43-year-old Brisbane man out of the ocean about 170km offshore.

The Mackay-based rescue helicopter was first tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) about 9.30pm yesterday to an EPIRB activation at Creal Reef, about 150km north-east of Mackay.

The helicopter crew flew to the scene and quickly honed in on a distress beacon signal on the reef and upon not getting a visual, expanded their search of the area utilizing the aircraft spotlight and Night Vision Goggles.

After several orbits of the area, a man was spotted clinging to the hull of an overturned boat. Unfortunately, due to serious fuel and operational constraints, the helicopter was unable to winch the man last night but AMSA search co-ordinators dispatched Volunteer Marine Rescue to retrieve him.

Today, with reports two men were still missing, the Mackay-based helicopter resumed a search of the area and located a naked man floating near the reef. He was spotted by the RACQ CQ Rescue pilot within five minutes of the search recommencing.

A rescue crewman was winched down into the water to secure the naked man into a strop before winching him back up into the helicopter. He was suffering exposure, dehydration and hypothermia after being in the water since about 8.30pm last night. He was in an altered state of consciousness and was suffering serious cuts to his body from the reef. He was flown to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

It was confirmed he was the same man located by the chopper crew the previous night on the hull of the overturned boat during a search. The man told the rescue helicopter crew a wave had hit the boat, a seven-metre Goodwin Longboard, about 8.30pm and that there were actually three people on board including himself and two brothers both Grasstree Beach.

All three had clung to the hull of the boat after it sank until the two brothers tied themselves to a blue esky to assist with floatation. They somehow become separated during the night. The rescued man told crews he saw the helicopter circling overhead and then flying away last night.

Crews said the man was incredibly fortunate to have survived the night and that they believed the shallow reef protected him from drifting too far away from the search scene.

Earlier this morning, Volunteer Marine Rescue retrieved another man from the water near the search area and Townsville helicopter Rescue 500 winched him from the VMR boat and transported him to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious condition. He is believed to be one of the brothers from Grasstree Beach.

RACQ CQ Rescue has now recommenced the search for the third man still missing.

Contributed by RACQ CQ Rescue.

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RACQ CQ Rescue is continuing to search for a missing boatie after earlier winching a 43-year-old Brisbane man out of the ocean about 170km offshore.

The Mackay-based rescue helicopter was first tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) about 9.30pm yesterday to an EPIRB activation at Creal Reef, about 150km north-east of Mackay.

The helicopter crew flew to the scene and quickly honed in on a distress beacon signal on the reef and upon not getting a visual, expanded their search of the area utilizing the aircraft spotlight and Night Vision Goggles.

After several orbits of the area, a man was spotted clinging to the hull of an overturned boat. Unfortunately, due to serious fuel and operational constraints, the helicopter was unable to winch the man last night but AMSA search co-ordinators dispatched Volunteer Marine Rescue to retrieve him.

Today, with reports two men were still missing, the Mackay-based helicopter resumed a search of the area and located a naked man floating near the reef. He was spotted by the RACQ CQ Rescue pilot within five minutes of the search recommencing.

A rescue crewman was winched down into the water to secure the naked man into a strop before winching him back up into the helicopter. He was suffering exposure, dehydration and hypothermia after being in the water since about 8.30pm last night. He was in an altered state of consciousness and was suffering serious cuts to his body from the reef. He was flown to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

It was confirmed he was the same man located by the chopper crew the previous night on the hull of the overturned boat during a search. The man told the rescue helicopter crew a wave had hit the boat, a seven-metre Goodwin Longboard, about 8.30pm and that there were actually three people on board including himself and two brothers both Grasstree Beach.

All three had clung to the hull of the boat after it sank until the two brothers tied themselves to a blue esky to assist with floatation. They somehow become separated during the night. The rescued man told crews he saw the helicopter circling overhead and then flying away last night.

Crews said the man was incredibly fortunate to have survived the night and that they believed the shallow reef protected him from drifting too far away from the search scene.

Earlier this morning, Volunteer Marine Rescue retrieved another man from the water near the search area and Townsville helicopter Rescue 500 winched him from the VMR boat and transported him to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious condition. He is believed to be one of the brothers from Grasstree Beach.

RACQ CQ Rescue has now recommenced the search for the third man still missing.

Contributed by RACQ CQ Rescue.

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Since Last Year’s Bombshell Allegations?

In December last year, the Mackay community reacted in both shock and support upon hearing allegations of neglect at a North Mackay aged care rental village.

A family member of a current resident who would like to remain anonymous alleges that, when Westminster Lodge’s meal service ceased in September, the village’s 38 residents were left to fend for themselves with only a microwave, mini fridge, toaster and kettle in each room.

He also states that access to the common kitchen, dining and recreational spaces were restricted by management, leaving little opportunity for residents to socialise, and that many of the Lodge’s facilities and amenities were in need of upgrade and replacement.

The family member now alleges that nothing has changed since last year, and he is concerned for the residents’ mental health and wellbeing.

“They can’t get into the dining room which is preventing them from having social interaction,” he said.

“The space where they used to have their meals together was good.

“They would eat together, talk and socialise.

“They’re not getting that social contact now, so I’m worried about the mental state of the residents.”

A group of impassioned volunteers assisted the residents around Christmas last year, taking donations from the community and providing meals and gifts, but the concerned relative said that, understandably, the people are unable to help long term.

“The volunteers that were there, were doing meals mainly through the money donated,” he said.

“As soon as school went back and everyone was back working, it stopped, so all those meals stopped, simply because the money ran out.”

It is understood that meals to all residents were previously supplied by Westminster Lodge Management, but that also came to a halt last year.

The resident, who has lived there since 2020, is currently getting Meals on Wheels, as are most residents, but he will leave the premises during the day.

“He meets other people at a café, and he’ll sit over there the whole day and then go back just before 5pm,” his relative said.

“He’s not getting a conversation with the other residents at Westminster Lodge.

“It’s not a very happy place.”

The residents are calling for a new manager, claiming that the current manager has moved out of the management quarters and is running the business from Brisbane.

“They’ve said to me that the solution is for body corporate to put in a new manager who is there, who’s got the finger on the pulse, who can get the kitchen up and running,” the family member said.

The manager (Helen Lu) refuted this claim, saying she has been in Brisbane recently due to a family illness, but insisted that she could run the business from wherever she wants.

“I can legally run the business from anywhere I like, but I’m still in Mackay,” she said.

“I can choose to live there, I can choose not to live there, it’s none of their business.

“When my family matter’s finished, I’m back.”

Ms Lu said that, while meals are no longer being served and the locks to the common area have been changed, the area is open from 8am to 6pm seven days a week.

The concerned resident, however, said that the manager has allowed only one small group to use the space for bingo but no one else, causing tension amongst other tenants.

“Residents are bickering amongst each other; they’re not getting that mental stimulation of talking and chatting with each other over a meal,” he said.

Management of Westminster Lodge is listed for sale through a local real estate agent, with the listing claiming: “A business opportunity in conjunction with the purchase of the apartment offers the incoming manager a secure income and tax deductable accommodation. Ideal for a single operator or working couple/partnership this Retirement Village Management Rights with Catering Income adds up to a great Return on Investment.”

Ms Lu said she is struggling to sell the place following the allegations.

“People are scared, and they don’t want to buy,” she said.

“They think the tenants are horrible; the tenants are lovely, they’re family.  

“There’s nothing wrong there; everything’s normal.

“Just a couple of people complaining.”

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Westminster Lodge was surrounded by controversy last year as claims were made that catering services had ceased and access to common areas were restricted

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Hi readers

This week’s paper is an absolute mixed bag. The first few pages are the result of some pretty heavy conversations I had in the last week or so.

Firstly, on page four you’ll read about Rhiley and Maree Kuhrt, the young couple who were devastatingly killed in a plane crash earlier in the month. I sincerely thank Beccarah and Steven, Rhiley’s sister and brother-in-law, for taking the time to share their stories and memories with me at what must be an unimaginably emotional time.

Speaking of the unimaginable, I also spoke to Ken Higgins of the Mackay RSL Sub Branch this week, a conversation that revolved heavily around his conscription into the Australian Army during the Vietnam conflict at the innocent age of 20. He made the point that, at the time, 20-year-olds weren’t even allowed to vote for their government. The whole situation is truly unfathomable to me and has highlighted how important the reflections of ANZAC Day and the upcoming Vietnam War commemorations will be this year.

Flick a little further and you’ll see plenty of smiling faces on page 19 – I went along to an Easter egg hunt at the Wake House on the weekend and the vibes were high. It’s been a long time since I’ve been that excited about Easter, so it was fun to experience the holiday vicariously through the eyes of sugar-fuelled kids again.

There’s plenty more in this week’s edition so I hope you enjoy the read!

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The Mackay and Whitsunday Life family is growing as Mackay Editor Amanda and her husband Hamish welcomed their first child, Brydon Michael Wright, into the world on Friday, March 31.

After a long fertility journey, Amanda and Hamish are elated to be parents and have been soaking up the blissful days of watching Brydon grow day by day.

Amanda says her biggest lesson learnt as a first-time mum is that practise makes progress.

“Forget perfection,” she said. “That’s practically unattainable when mixed with the overwhelming feelings, emotions and hormones that flood the body after birth.”

Meanwhile, Hamish’s greatest lesson learned so far is to burp the baby before playing with him.

“Who knew milk could be launched so far by someone so little?” Amanda laughed.

Amanda says her greatest challenge so far has been breastfeeding and the concept of the ‘latch’.

“This means A LOT of my day is spent pumping milk for bottle feeding,” she said. “I am thankful I have a good supply though, so he’s still getting all the benefit of the milk from the source, just not directly just yet. But this is where the practice makes progress comes into play, I feel we’re getting closer every day.”

The name Brydon comes from ancestry on Amanda’s mother’s side, a family which was one of the founders of the small town in which she grew up, called Renwick in the Marlborough region of New Zealand.

In Renwick, there is a Brydon Street that Amanda had to walk along every day to get to school growing up, and she now looks forward to the day they can take Brydon to visit.

His middle name, Michael, is also Hamish and Hamish’s Dad’s middle names, with the tradition being held strongly.

“We think he’s pretty darn amazing and are already proud as punch,” said Amanda.

“I’m sure it won’t be long before he’s following Dad around the velodrome on a little bicycle of his own and joining Mum at the athletics park.”

Name: Brydon Michael Wright

Born: 31 March at 11:44am at Mackay Base Hospital

Weight: 3,750g

Parents: Hamish and Amanda Wright

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Hamish and Amanda proudly welcome their firstborn Brydon into the world

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