When Cindy made the big relocation from the Central Coast of New South Wales to the beautiful beachside town of Bowen, she was pleasantly welcomed into town by friendly and accommodating locals.

“That’s the first thing that my husband and I noticed,” Cindy explained.

“We were walking down the main street and everyone was waving and saying hello to us! It was just so lovely.”

Now a member of the Bowen Tourism and Business team, at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre and beside the beloved Big Mango, Cindy’s new role is Sales and Administration Assistant, which sees her directly communicating with visitors as they check into the Big Mango.

Often recommending the best experiences for visitors, Cindy also assists Bowen Tourism and Business in promoting Bowen to wider audiences, through marketing and promotion, helping visitors book both local accommodation and experiences, and supporting the Manager and Bowen Tourism and Business members.

“I am still learning, but the team have been amazing, and I am so grateful to be here,” Cindy explained.

“We have felt right at home in Bowen, and we want to thank every single person for having us in this gorgeous little town.”

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said Cindy was a fantastic addition to the team.

“Cindy is only new to Bowen but loves the town and the region and has already learnt so much about our many  attractions.

“Her past experience in administration and her previous travel experiences,  coupled with her passion for tourism, have made her the perfect fit for the role.”

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Despite some interesting reporting and forecasting, the Whitsundays is still open for business and has not been blown away or drowned in a rain bomb!

In late December we prepared for Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Last week, our focus turned to figuring out and preparing for what eventually became Tropical Cycle Kirrily. The Whitsundays fared well on both occasions, considering what might have been.

Both events reinforced the need and importance of staying vigilant, being well-informed, and calmly prepared for emergencies. We have posted details of free resources available to businesses on our website.

In times of natural disasters and emergencies, business insurance becomes an essential service and often a complex one.

Businesses need affordable and attainable insurance to operate freely, borrow money, employ staff, and comply with their statutory obligations.

To this end, the Chamber has lent its support to a 2024-25 Federal Budget Submission developed by the Townsville Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with a number of Northern Queensland Chambers. The submission offers four recommendations that aims to create parity in the insurance market for Northern Australia. We look forward to sharing the submission in full in due course.

As come to the end of January the Chamber looks forward getting stuck into 2024!

A wise business partner passed on some thoughts I would like to share when considering business aspirations for the new year.

Are you counting the minutes you work ….. or the impact of those minutes? Are your business metrics reflecting and measuring genuine progress…or just numbers to make you feel good? Is your business success measured in the steps you take or the destinations those steps take you.

We all often count the wrong things. Long hours don’t always mean productivity. Having lots of meetings is not as effective or productive as fewer well-structured meetings. Counting short-term gains can sacrifice the seeds of future growth - sustainable success is a marathon, not a sprint. Counting and slavishly following KPIs can lead to tunnel vision and neglect of qualitative factors like…Customer experience, employee well-being, and the bigger picture.

Quality over quantity. Work smarter not harder. Good advice for us all.

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What is your role at Tourism Whitsundays?

I manage the Whitsundays Visitor Information Centre located at the Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation in Proserpine. My focus is to assist travellers to our beautiful region and connect them with the local operators. I am also the go-to person for the fabulous Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors. 

What is your ideal weekend in The Whitsundays?

My ideal weekend is to jump on one of my friends' boats and cruise between the islands while trying to spot dolphins and whales during the winter. Then making a stop on one of the islands for a wander, swim, and snorkel. We are so fortunate here to have that much natural beauty all around us. 

How long have you been in the Whitsundays? 

I have lived here 11 years. I came to Australia six months before that on a Working Holiday Visa and fell in love with the region during my road trip along the East Coast of Queensland. I have never looked back.    

What's the one thing about The Whitsundays you think everyone should know? 

If you have not yet experienced it, I suggest taking a scenic flight over the islands and the Great Barrier Reef. I will never forget the first time I saw the magnitude and beauty of the world's largest coral reef system; it took my breath away.  

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After 25 years in office, Councillor and Former Mayor Michael Brunker is hanging up his hat and retiring from positions in local government.

With a career spanning advocating for massive industrial proposals to vouching for the little man at regular Council Ordinary Meetings, Brunker’s influence and hard work have left an indelible mark on the Whitsundays region.

Brunker started his adult career following in his father’s footsteps, working as a diesel fitter with the Collinsville mine.

Then, in 1994, he made the leap into local politics, running for Councillor for Collinsville, in an effort to oppose the plan to close the Collinsville Council Depot.

Having won the election and successfully combatted the depot closure, Brunker decided to progress his local government career further and campaigned for the role of Mayor of the Bowen Shire Council in 1997.

Having secured his first term as Mayor, he lead the Bowen Shire Council as it amalgamated with other local governments, to form the now Whitsunday Regional Council, and continued to be Mayor for over 15 years.

Brunker unfortunately lost his first and only Local Government election in 2012, running for a second term as Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, however he returned to his seat as Bowen Divisional Councillor in the 2016 Local Government elections.

He has continued to hold this seat for two terms, until his political retirement in 2024.

A highlight of his career has been advocating for the 16,000 hectares at Abbot Point which was deemed a State Development Area in 2008, allowing the Port of Abbot Point to be established as a large-scale industrial development, which now has an export capacity of 50-million tonnes of coal per year.

Mike’s Local Government career is a testament to a local standing up for locals, of strong advocacy and dedication to his community.

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The Little Diggers Day Care Centre in Collinsville is now comfortably able to continue its services while awaiting government accreditation thanks to $10,000 worth of funding given by the Whitsunday Regional Council to help with operational costs.

The only day care centre in Collinsville is currently waiting for the government tick to be able to process the childcare subsidies that will offer parents on average between 50 and 85 percent off their childcare fees.

At the moment, parents are having to pay around $70 per day for the service which, committee member and Collinsville State School Principal, Matt Gee, says is often preventing them from re-entering the workforce.

In addition, the fees are also not currently able to cover the full operational costs of the not-for-profit business.

Established in 2019, Little Diggers is the passion-project of four dedicated committee members and parents who came together to ask a simple question – why is there no daycare in Collinsville?

The only small family daycare centre, that took four children in total, closed that year when the educator moved away and meant there was no-where in town for babies and toddlers to receive childcare so their parents could work.

“I was struggling to get staff members - when they found out there was no daycare,” said Mr Gee.

“Mining companies said they were also having the same problem; it was a real issue for us.”

This prompted Mr Gee and the rest of the committee to identify a disused pre-school at the Collinsville State School site as a potential location for the daycare and they subsequently received government permission to use the facility.

A combination of State Government, Whitsunday Regional Council, Glencore and QCoal funding and assistance soon saw the abandoned building transformed into the new daycare and Little Diggers was born.

During the entire process the small local committee were the driving force behind every aspect, and it is their dedication that guided the whole project forward.

“It was very exciting to see it come to fruition as it took four years to get it up off the ground!” said Mr Gee.

“If someone had told us in the beginning how challenging it was, I am not sure we would have done it, but I am very glad we did!”

The doors to Little Diggers opened just over a year ago and the daycare is now extremely close to receiving government subsidies.

When this happens it will be a game changer for the centre that currently employs six staff and has 19 children registered.

“We’ve got people on the wait list who can’t afford it at the moment,” shared Mr Gee.

“When the rebate comes in, we will be able to employ more staff, open 10 hours a day and take up to 27 children.”

Councillor Michelle Wright has been a strong supporter of Little Diggers, and says she is glad Council could help ensure its continued operation.

“It is a fantastic facility and, as a not for profit, they’re moving leaps and bounds ahead for Collinsville,” she said.

“It’s wonderful to have this service, well done to everyone involved.”

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The graduating class of 2023 at Little Diggers in Collinsville. Photo supplied

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As students get into the motion of the new school year, the importance of mental health cannot be overstated. The back-to-school season brings not only the excitement of learning but also potential stressors that can impact a student's wellbeing. It's crucial to prioritise mental health, foster resilience in the face of challenges.

Here are some essential tips for students navigating the academic landscape:

1. Acknowledge and Normalise Feelings: It's okay to feel a mix of emotions when heading back to school – excitement, nervousness, or even a touch of anxiety. Acknowledge these feelings as normal reactions to change. Sharing your emotions with friends, family, or a trusted adult can help alleviate the burden.

2. Establish Healthy Routines: A well-balanced routine plays a key role in maintaining mental health. Ensure you get adequate sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in regular physical activity. Establishing these habits can contribute significantly to overall well-being and resilience.

3. Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Schoolwork can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when faced with a pile of assignments. Break down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This approach not only makes the workload seem less daunting but also provides a sense of accomplishment with each completed task.

6. Prioritize Self-Care: Amidst academic pressures, it's essential to prioritize self-care. Take time for activities you enjoy, hobbies that bring you joy, and moments of relaxation. Balancing work and leisure contributes to a positive mindset and resilience.

7. Know When to Seek Professional Help: If stress or mental health concerns become overwhelming, seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness. School counsellors, therapists, or mental health professionals can provide valuable support and guidance tailored to individual needs.

Building resilience is an ongoing process that involves self-awareness, healthy habits, and a supportive environment. By prioritising mental health and implementing these tips, students can navigate the challenges of the school year with greater strength and resilience, fostering a positive and successful academic journey.

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Top Tips For Self Care

• Be Kind To Yourself
• Establish a Positive Routine
• Connect with Friends
• Make a Vision Board

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This Valentine’s Day, experience the difference of the Jubilee Tavern, keeping the kids entertained and the adults indulged, with a menu that caters to every tastebud.

Enjoy the salt and pepper calamari, dig into a succulent sirloin steak, or fall in love with the tasty chicken parmy, the team behind Jubilee Tavern have excitedly ventured out of common grounds, with dish variety that continues to excite.

In fact, Area Chef Kevin Eldridge own favourite is the unique Mexican parmy, a twist on the Aussie parmy that delivers your favourite classic in a packed flavour profile.

Now celebrating over three years on the menu, this dish has become a Tavern staple, and cannot be removed from the menu without upset.

“With spiced beef mince, mozzarella, jalapenos, sour cream, guacamole, salsa and salad, it’s beautiful,” explained Kevin.

“We did try to take it off the menu three years ago, but we faced all this backlash from customers who absolutely loved it, so we couldn’t get rid of it!”

With a jampacked specials menu that rotates on a weekly basis, the Jubilee Tavern is your one-stop-shop for a good time.

“We have our weekly special of 2 for $35 pizzas on Tuesday, our Monday to Friday lunch deals, which includes the chicken schnitzel, beef rissoles, carbonara, and fish of the day,” explained Kevin.

“We also have all day dining on Saturday and Sunday, and of course, Kid’s eat free on Sunday, from 12pm to 2.30pm.”

However, the Jubilee Tavern does not stop there, this much-loved establishment is excited to host another romantic date night for guests this Valentine’s Day.

“On our Valentine’s Day Special menu are beautiful fresh oysters, with a lovely salmon and mushroom risotto,” explained Kevin. “A romantic menu for the romantic day.”

With children sure to be busy exploring the kids’ zone, parents are treated to a Valentine’s Day sure to be perfect.

“Don’t miss having one of our decadent desserts as well this Valentine’s Day!” said Kevin.

“Our desserts are all house made and beautiful, perfect to indulge this Valentine’s Day. We have a light cheesecake with ice cream, or the favourite sticky date pudding, or try the special cake of the day and share between the two of you.”

And not to mention the special Valentine’s Day surprise they have prepared, just for the loved-up couples set to call into the Tavern, it will be a very special evening.

“We’re calling it our Surprise and Delight so let us know you’re coming for Valentine’s Day, and we’ll make your night extra special!”

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Kevin Eldridge and his team at Jubilee Tavern. Photo: Bronte Hodge

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This Valentine’s Day, let romance and love wash over you with this special evening catered by the dedicated team at Whisper Restaurant and Gin Bar.

This bespoke and intimate evening, set to the beautiful backdrop of the pristine Whisper Bay and Coral Sea, speaks to love and romance.

When you and your loved one arrive, take a sip from a chilled glass of bubbles, relax at your table and indulge in the sumptuous five course menu, carefully curated by Whisper Restaurant Head Chef Troy Fuller.

“We begin with a platter of freshly shucked oysters with ponzu dressing, a Japanese citrus dressing which tastes of lemon, with sweet and sour nods,” Troy explained.

“Our second course is a selection of zucchini, both charred and pickled, with lemon labneh, dill oil and tempura zucchini, which is a light course that eases our couples into the third course.

“Our third course is a seared kingfish, on a bed of pearl cous cous, gin-soaked raisins, toasted pine nuts, and citrus gel,” Troy explained.

“Fourth is the main course, with Riverina eye fillet, a fricassee of wild mushrooms, shitake and black garlic puree, on a bed of spring onion and potato gratin.”

Troy and his team are sending this romance-laden evening off with a delectable fifth and final course.

“This dessert is special; one we’ve created ourselves.

“We call it a Tirimi-Tart, a chocolate tart shell, filled with coffee crème pat, vanilla mascarpone, and chocolate tuille, and served with fresh and pureed strawberries. Rich and decadent, we are excited to finish this evening out with a bang!”

To reserve your Valentine’s Day, visit whisperginbar.com

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Reserve your beautiful blooms early this Valentine’s Day, with this local family business, Karen Hill Floral Design, which will be fully stocked and ready to supply everyone with bespoke and custom floral arrangements and bouquets.

With Karen’s roses most popular, this highly-respected local florist recommends getting orders in early to ensure your loved ones receives the flowers they deserve this Valentine’s Day.

“My roses are coming from South America, they are very big and beautiful,” Karen explained.

“I find the import roses are much stronger in the stems, double the amount of petals and, a bonus for us florists, no thorns!”

However, Karen also stocks a wide variety of Australian natives.

“I highly recommend our Australian natives as well; they will be amazing. We always sell out and numbers will be limited. So, get in early for these!”

With 2024 being Karen’s 36th Valentine’s Day as a florist, she is more than ready to cater for and create the most perfect floral arrangement.

“The reason I do what I do is because I love the emotional side of the business,” she explained.

“I get to put my troubles aside and focus on making other people happy. As a third-generation florist, master florist, I'm able to come to work and make a difference on many levels for your loved ones.”

“I absolutely love what I do, the smiles and gratitude is overwhelming sometimes, that's the reason I'm here and the reason I'm your community florist first.”

Karen also has great range gifts, including candles, lotions, and diffusers, which add a little something extra to the bouquet.

“All this and much more are online at www.airliebeachflorist.com.au until sold out. And I must stress, we will sell out so get in early!”

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Karen Hill and her daughter Maddy, at her florist, getting ready for Valentine’s Day. Photo: Bronte Hodge

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Share the gift of love and romance with local, handmade gifts, at your fingertips at Whitsunday Creatives.

With over 25 small local businesses showcasing their merchandise under one roof, Whitsunday Creatives is located in the heart of Proserpine and is an easy one-stop-shop for all your Valentine’s Day shopping.

Why not construct your own romantic hamper, stuffed full of fragrant candles, silky body butters and lotions, delicate earrings and bag charms?

You could then complete the loved-up hamper with a bespoke and beautifully arranged floral bouquet, all elegantly arranged by Whitsunday Creatives owner and operator Trinity Rollison.

“We have an amazing range available in store, which is constantly being restocked with best sellers and new items, so no two days are the same!” Trinity explained.

“You can come and put together the best, most personal and perfect Valentine’s Day hamper for your beau all in one shop and ensure that your significant other has the best Valentine’s Day possible!”

And with pre-order available, Trinity can guarantee that your love-bug will receive exactly what their hearts desired.

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Mark was a late starter to triathlons tackling his first race at a Bowen Enticer distance event in 2015 when in his early 50’s and was instantly hooked by the multi-sport concept.

After his first event eight years ago, Mark embraced the challenge of triathlon quickly and went from being unable to swim a lap of the pool in 2015 to nowadays regularly completing multiple 4km swim sessions every week.

He has since completed 6 Half Ironmans, 10 marathons and multiple Olympic Distance and Sprint distance triathlon events and on Saturday, March 2 he will face his biggest challenge to date when Mark tackles the 2024 Ironman New Zealand in Taupo over the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run course.

He joined the Whitsunday Triathlon Club in 2015 and is currently the vice president of the club along with being Junior Development Coach which is where Mark has excels as he has a passion for coaching and encouraging junior athletes.

Mark’s long-term goal is to race and compete as long as possible and to pass on his experience and knowledge to both senior and junior athletes in a coaching role.

In every chapter of his life, Mark exemplifies what it means to have heart, stamina, and willpower. His triathlon journey is inspiring to his club members as it's a story of resilience, determination, and a mental fortitude that propels Mark forward when others might falter.

As one of his final long rides before the New Zealand IRONMAN in March, Mark completed a 170km ride in 8 hours last Saturday in the sweltering NQ heatwave conditions while most were sheltering indoors in the air-conditioning.

It is this determination which will see Mark finish his first full distance Ironman event in 2024 and hear the famous words, “Mark McConkey, You Are An Ironman”.

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Give your home a spring clean this season by booking in your annual carpet, soft furnishing, and mattress clean.

Offered through the excellent expertise of Whitsundays’ own Protect and Sanitise, the hard-working team provide carpet, soft furnishing and mattress cleaning and find it is the best way to clean, sanitise and refresh your home.

Using state of the art equipment, with specially formulated cleaning solutions, you can be rest assured your home will be pristinely clean, as if brand new again.

“We use the hot water extraction method of cleaning,” Jess Hope, owner and operator of Protect and Sanitise explained.

“Which gets deep into the carpet and soft furnishing, and flushes out all the dirt, grime and nasties which you just don’t want in your home.”

Then, using a highly powered vacuum, Protect and Sanitise extract the water, leaving the carpet, mattress, and furniture beautifully clean and perfectly sanitised, great for your family’s health.

“This is the most thorough clean you can do for your carpet and upholstery,” Jess said.

“The end of the wet season is a perfect time to book us in for your annual carpet and furniture clean, because over summer, the home’s carpet, mattresses, and soft furniture is exposed to high heat and humidity levels and tends to hold on to dirt, odours and staining a lot more than usual.

“Get us in just as winter sets in to get your home refreshed and sanitised and live in the comfort of knowing your home is perfectly cleaned.”

Five Reasons to Get Your Carpets Cleaned:

   • Removes Allergens

   • Extends Life Of The Carpet

   • Eliminates Stains

   • Improves Looks and Feel

   • Prevents Uneven Colour

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Get that new home feel with Protect and Sanitise. Photo: Shutterstock

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11 crews consisting of over 200 avid sailors, sailed into Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach last week, the impressive fleet with its colourful sails and striking features drawing much attention from excited community members.

Their arrival represents Race 6 of the around the world race, and took the fleet from Newcastle to our local waters as part of the prestigious Clipper Round The World Race.

Race 6 winners, Zhuhai, are holding their win with pride, ahead of the fifth leg, where the vessel will port in its namesake, Zhuhai in China.

Hosting events over the weekend, the Clipper Race was showcased to residents and visitors alike, with everyone welcome aboard to tour the purpose-built vessels and chat with the individuals who have signed on for the challenge.

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The team on Vessel Zhuhai takes top spot for Race 6 of the Clipper Round The World Race. Photo supplied

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International Crews Rest And Recuperate In Airlie Beach

The crews of the iconic yacht regatta, The Clipper Round The World Race, have received a warm welcome and true Whitsunday hospitality during their layover in Airlie Beach ahead of their next leg of the race.

Cruising into the Coral Sea Marina last week, the competitors of the Clipper Race were given the opportunity to rest and recuperate on land, before they began the fifth leg of the race, for the Asia-Pacific Challenge, through to Zhuhai, China.

Over the weekend the Whitsunday community received their own welcome invitation, when they were invited to explore the fleet of 11 Clipper Race yachts which opened up their quarters for the public during the layover.

During the experience guests also enjoyed the opportunity to connect with competitors who shared their individual journeys of how they came to be on the crew.

One of these is Jessica Fletcher is a 33-year-old purchasing agent from America who had been looking for a life change.

Having an interest in sailing, she stumbled across a previous competitors blog of the Clipper Race and decided to take the plunge and sign up.

“It’s just amazing. I have never done anything like this, and I have grown so much,” she said.

“This is an experience like no other.”

Ms Fletcher is completing the entire route, which will see her spent 13 months at sea and away from home.

Aboard the vessel Zhuhai, skippered by James Finney, the crew was first to complete the journey of Race 6, from Newcastle, New South Wales, to the Whitsundays, which puts them in third place overall.

However, they are keen to begin the next leg, and sail the Zhuhai into the Chinese port of Zhuhai, breaking the Clipper Curse, the dreaded trend of vessels named after ports unlikely to cross first into that particular port.

While in port at the Coral Sea Marina, crews were treated to a day’s snorkelling and sailing adventure on Wings II, courtesy of Wings Sailing Adventures.

Experiencing the best of the Whitsundays from the vantage point of the beautiful Coral Sea, the Clipper competitors were left astounded with the region.

“The stopover has been a great success, from the packed community Open Boat days to the thousands of dollars injected into the local community through accommodation and tour bookings, as well as restaurant and retail expenditure not to mention the international media coverage the race has brought to our region,” explains Joscelyn O’Keefe, Coral Sea Marina

“A lot of us joined because the Clipper Race gave us the opportunity to travel the world like never before,” explained Ms Fletcher.

“Even if you only do one, two, three or all eight legs, this is an amazing experience, one that has not only challenged me, but benefitted me in so many ways.”

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The 11 Clipper Race vessels in the Coral Sea Marina. Photo supplied

Clipper Race crews snorkelling in the Whitsundays. Photo: CSM

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Hi Everyone,

It’s great to be back!

Firstly, a huge thank you to Bronte and the rest of the team for everything they did while I was on holiday – it was wonderful to know the paper was being so well looked after.

I’ve just returned from four magical weeks in Europe – time with family in my hometown in the UK, a skiing holiday in France and also a quick trip to the Christmas markets in Prague – while I was there, I constantly felt like pinching myself and I made the most of every second!

But while every moment was amazing, I have to say . . . it was absolutely freezing!

When we left London, it was negative three degrees and I was very grateful to get on the plane knowing that Brisbane was a positively balmy 30 degrees.

When we flew back to the region, however, we were greeted with our usual humidity and as I stepped off the plane it was like walking into an oven!

Since we’ve been back, we’ve been greeted with other weather-related treats – namely the impending cyclone that is currently heading straight for our coastline as I write this note.

Here at the office, we have been tracking its progress, watching as predictors downgrade it to a category 2 and then re-instate it to category 3 – this uncertainty is very unnerving!

And while we are likely to be living on anxiety-inducing tender-hooks over the next few days I think it is important to remember that we live in a cyclone prepared region.

Our emergency services are adept at dealing with extreme weather events and our local electrical technicians will be on-call and ready to get the power back on if required.

All we can do is prepare our own households, check our neighbours are ok and hope the weather system takes it easy on us.

Wishing everyone a safe and stable few days as we greet whatever Cyclone Kirrily has in-store for us.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “The cyclone derives its power from a calm centre. So does a person.” (Norman Vincent Peale)

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The screeching of brakes could be heard across the neighbourhood on Tuesday afternoon when a red car, allegedly excessively speeding, crashed into the back of a stationary Ute on Paluma Road in Woodwark.

Residents immediately dashed out of their homes to see if they could help, one lady commenting that the bend in the road was notoriously bad and that she always worried a crash would occur at that spot.

With traffic slowing to one lane, by-standers kindly stood at the bend waving their hands to warn approaching vehicles of the incident.

One resident commented that he had seen vehicles speeding around the corner several times and he wasn’t surprised one had been involved in a collision.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) received an emergency call at 5.24pm to attend the two-vehicle crash.

Two male passengers in their 20’s were taken to Proserpine Hospital in a stable condition with neck pain.

A third patient in his 30’s who is believed to be the driver of the Ute, was also taken to Proserpine Hospital with arm and chest injuries.

Queensland Police also received an emergency call at 5.23pm and multiple crews attended.

They said a follow-up investigation will be launched, but it was considered a minor crash.

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