This week, the Whitsunday Healthy Heart (WHH) project continued its good work with a new online workshop that inspired attendees to reduce the carbon footprint of their businesses.

Participants were taught how to implement sustainability principles into their
business, manage risks and get recognised for their efforts through innovative marketing tips.

The WHH Project is part of the Reef Islands Initiative, the largest reef habitat rehabilitation project of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

One of the key project activities is to assist the tourism sector to identify and measure their greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting activities within their operations.

Since 2021, 29 tourism businesses have completed measuring their GHG emissions and received their baseline GHG emissions footprint.

Climate Change Resilience Officer at Whitsunday Regional Council, Lee Hawkins said, “It is crucial that operators measure their business’s footprint.”

“What is measured can be managed. It allows targeted reductions in emissions and helps identify the source of emissions in each business operation,” she said.

At the end of March 2024, a total of 30,216 tonnes of CO2-e (carbon dioxide equivalents) emissions had been measured by tourism businesses, including Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions (waste only).

Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG from sources such as fuel combustion, in ships, cars and gas appliances.

Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions such as those associated with the purchase of electricity.

The project provides an opportunity for engaged partners within the local tourism sector to set higher and more ambitious targets for climate change mitigation, therefore
improving the health of our reef and leading the region in achieving a zero net emissions target by 2050.

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Great Barrier Reef. Photo supplied

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The notoriously treacherous stretch of road which floods quickly whenever there is significant rainfall, is now open to a community petition which is set to appeal for works to urgently commence after another lengthy wet season.

Hamilton Plains is the main arterial road which connects the townships of Airlie Beach and Proserpine, cutting the entire population of the Greater Airlie Beach off from both the local hospital and airport whenever it floods, which is several times a year.

In 2019 a total of $21 million, jointly funded by the Federal and State Government, was allocated to establish flood immunity For Hamilton Plains.

Transport and Main Roads approved the design phase of the project in June last year, with plans to raise the road levels and increase culvert capacity to enable flood waters to drain away more easily and quickly.

Despite the plans and funding in-place, there has been no movement on the upgrades, a hold-up that infuriates local Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP.

“We’ve had another wet season whereby the residents of the Whitsundays have once again felt the impacts of Hamilton Plains flooding, delaying emergency services, families, students and tourists from their daily activities,” Ms Camm stated.

“Every day that passes with the delay of this project delivers nothing but inconvenience, economic loss and puts our community at risk.

“I am calling on the Whitsunday community to send the Government a message because regional roads matter and deserve to be a priority.”

Ms Camm asks residents to sign a petition to show their support for upgrades and express their main concerns.

Residents are encouraged to visit nodelays.com.au to complete a short online form.

Alternatively, Ms Camm is now holding mobile offices across the electorate so the community can have their say on Hamilton Plains and other issues important to them.

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Mobile Offices

Lumos Café
Friday April 12
11am -12pm

Centro (Whit Plaza)
Saturday April 13
9am – 1pm

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP is calling for upgrades to begin on Hamilton Plains flood immunity. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Curtains are about to open for the much-anticipated Proserpine State High School ‘rock opera’, ‘Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’.
 
The big event includes four shows from April 18-20 at the school’s impressive Performing Arts Centre, with catering of delicious food and chilled beverages at all shows.
 
This entirely student-run production is led by the school’s Seagrass Theatre and Music Company, which is comprised of students from Year 7-12 who do everything from performing on stage to behind-the-scenes directing, producing, designing, technical and playing the music. 
 
This year’s production also comprises a 26-piece orchestra who are sure to ignite audiences with their performances of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice classic songs such as “Any Dream Will Do” and “Song of the King”. 
 
Student Producer and Head of Promotions, Allegra Bradley, said the entire cast and crew are excited to share their hard work with audiences.
 
“We’re less than two weeks away and you can feel the excitement is building amongst us all to perform,” Allegra said.
 
“It’s going to be humorous - colourful, bright, and light-hearted.”
 
With preparations beginning in October last year, the cast and orchestra have been diligent with rehearsals and honing their staging, sound, lighting and scenography skills. 
 
Following a hugely successful production of last year’s musical, ‘Sweet Charity’, which was sold-out every night, Allegra is hoping this years’ response will be the same as it is a show audiences will really enjoy.

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WHAT: Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
WHERE: Proserpine State High School Performing Arts Centre
WHEN: 18, 19, 20 April from 7:30pm & 20 April at 1:00pm
TICKETS: Adults $30, Concession $24

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The LNP has offered in-principle support for a range of projects crucial to Bowen ahead of the state election later this year.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie was in town earlier this month to outline the party’s stance on several projects at the Bowen Chamber of Commerce's monthly meeting.

Issues included Bowen Hospital, the jetty, harbour redevelopment, Whitsunday Shores estate, Abbott Point industrial estate and the Bowen Water Scheme project from Home Hill to Bowen.

These were all flagged by the LNP for action and given the party's in-principle support should it be returned to office at this year's state election.

Mr Bleijie said the party would focus on the town's housing crisis, crime, the cost of living, interest rates, grocery costs, fuel, and the costs of doing business.

"Absolutely, we support the jetty upgrade, and we will put pressure on the Government to get the $50 million promised" for that upgrade, though Mr Bleijie said it was still unclear whether that money was truly available.

He also backed a planned marina upgrade for the town, which he said was being delayed by Transport and Main Roads department, denying the town a facility "which will do us proud".

Mr Bleijie said the LNP was supportive of the proposed Home Hill to Bowen water scheme, a project he said could open up another 55,000ha of land to agriculture.

"We absolutely support it; water is life. It is an absolute necessity." However, he said the LNP had not seen the business case for the project.

Mr Bleijiie said the Whitsunday Paradise estate development, in court action going back to 2022, also needed certainty. He said the project was crucial to retaining people in the area and he claimed that a number of teachers had refused jobs in the town because of the lack of suitable accommodation.

He added that services for the planned estate were a subject of dispute and could be blamed on lack of communication between the State Government and councils leading to cost blowouts, and he said the question of a new funding agreement for local government "needs to be addressed".

During the Chamber of Commerce meeting, Mr Bleijiie was asked a question about the state LNP's  "revolving door" of leaders in recent years, to which he answered he would be proud to go to this year's poll with David Crisafulli as leader after the LNP's gains in the by-elections.

Mr Bleijie said voters were angered by a State Government that he said was no longer listening to them. "Being a leader is listening, and we are listening," he said.

"It is an election I believe will be the most important in the history of the state.

"The mood is changing in Queensland," he said. "We need 13 seats to win."

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State LNP Opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie (right) with (from left) Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor-elect Ry Collins, Bowen Chamber of Commerce chairman Bruce Hedditch, and state member for Burdekin, Dale Last.

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On Tuesday evening around 15 people attended a lively and informative ‘Insurance Explained’ event at The Reef Gateway Hotel in Cannonvale.

Attendees had the chance to listen to and interact with three industry experts from a range of fields - the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, Insurance Council Australia, and the Office of Queensland Small Business Commissioner.

Senior Ombudsman, Chris Liamos from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority gave people an understanding of what the Australian Financial Complaints Authority do, what type of complaints they deal with and how they go about resolving them.

General Manager, Regulatory and Consumer Policy of Insurance Council Australia, Alexandra Hordern, said “Insurance is often a critical precondition to doing business.”

“It is important that all business owners understand the risks facing their business and how to mitigate those to the best of their ability.

“It is also important to have good relationships with insurance brokers and insurers, so that business owners are able to clearly articulate their needs and risk management practices.”

Peter Maddock, Director Assistance for Office of Queensland Small Business Commissioner said that many small businesses rely on insurance claims to be finalised.

“We’re about helping small businesses gain access after disasters,” Peter added.

Peter also offered practical tips to people in attendance about this, he said he understands how to help others from his prior experience.

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Guest speakers Chris Liamos, Alexandra Hordern and Peter Maddock.  Photo credit Daniel Heggie

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The latest Get Set For Work Program drew to a close last month with five out of the nine participants graduating from the 10 week program.

Program Coordinator Scott Lynch said, although this is not the highest number of graduates to date, he is proud of each individual and positive about all their futures.

He added the three that did not graduate left the program early due to personal reasons or they found a job.

Standout graduate was a young man that secured a butcher’s apprenticeship and Scott said “Anytime somebody gets an apprenticeship that’s a huge outcome.”

The next intake, starting on April 15, will be the sixth intake since the program started in November 2022.

There are 12 participants already registered in the next intake.

The Get Set For Work program is dedicated to helping children aged between 15 and 19 who are no longer enrolled in school.

The program aims to nurture their attributes and keeps them accountable to positive long-term goals away from the confinements of school.

“Across the 10 weeks, we put them through a list of comprehensive training, and get them much more employable,” said Scott.

“We help participants build resumes, cover letters, we help them obtain industry entry level certifications, so things like construction white cards and responsible service of alcohol.”

The program operates through the Whitsunday PCYC, and Branch Manager, Billy Li, said he is proud of the program’s diversity.

“Our program exposes them to different kinds of industries, we get hospitality, they go to Cruise Whitsunday, we take them to the islands, the prawn farm or barramundi farm,” said Billy.

The program also helps the disengaged children stay on the right path.

“We have a quite a high chance of them just going down the wrong path as well, you know, by them actually, seeking employment they can redirect their focus on doing something that is very constructive,” he added.

Scott Lynch runs the program alongside Youth Worker, Declan Coull, and they welcome volunteers that enjoy working with young people.

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Get Set To Work Graduates with Declan Coull, Scott Lynch and Billy Li
Photo supplied

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The Whitsunday Regional Council is hosting a Come N Try event in Bowen next weekend and the whole community is invited to come along and have some fun.

The Come N Try event is designed to bring people together, improve overall physical fitness and inspire positive mental health by providing a fun and easy way to try out a new activity with others!

The event encourages all ages to get outdoors and try new activities while having social interactions and exercise.

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy, said this would be a great event for families, both visitors and locals alike.

“We appreciate Whitsunday Regional Council hosting events like this in Bowen,” Leanne said.
 
“The program includes a diverse range of activities and all should be lots of fun.”

Test your skills on the giant obstacle course that’s filled with challenges and obstacles for the ultimate adrenaline rush, and then cool down on the Slip N Slide which is perfect for the warm Autumn days.

Or relax on the scenic train ride around the Bowen Foreshore.

There will also be wildlife encounters, arts and crafts activities, a wellbeing workshop, sports workshop and a chill zone, perfect for lawn games, music and a reading corner.

“We encourage people to travel to Bowen for this event, take the opportunity to spend the rest of the day checking out our many other attractions including our beaches, lookouts, historic jetty, bushwalks, Summergarden Cinema, and of course, the Big Mango,” Leanne added.

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WHAT: Come N Try Bowen
WHERE: Bowen Foreshore - Santa Barbara Parade
WHEN: Sunday 21 April, 10am-1pm

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Why Do We Need Sleep?

Sleep is essential and many important bodily functions occur during sleep, including memory consolidation, hormone regulation, information processing, removal of brain waste and maintenance of immune function.

Aside from the obvious of being tired and cranky if you don’t get enough, it can also increase the risk of numerous health conditions.

Most common being, cardiovascular disease, stroke, Atrial Fibrillation (AF), metabolic disorders such as diabetes and mental health issues.

What’s The Solution?

Restore Sleep Clinic in Cannonvale provides a service for people suffering from poor or disordered sleep.

The most common sleep disorders are insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea, and less common includes parasomnias, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome.

Nathan Harriott is a Registered Psychologist and he and the team at Restore Sleep Clinic in Cannonvale specialise in diagnosing and treating patients with sleeping issues.

The Sleep Physician and Dentist in the team can also assess, diagnose and offer treatment to people with respiratory and dental issues that have a bi-directional relationship with disordered sleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a respiratory sleeping disorder.

Nathan explains it as “The airway closes over, the brain’s supply of oxygen is reduced through reduced oxygen levels in blood, the brain detects this and wakes you up to breathe and restore oxygen levels. This is not like normal breathing though, the person typically gasps for air and this is frequently reported by partners of people with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.”

If your airway is obstructed more than five times an hour you are diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

The conditions severity is determined in three categories.

Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is when the airway closes 5-15 times an hour, moderate 15-30 and severe 30 and above.

“If severe it can affect a person’s ability to work, especially if they are in a high-risk occupation or workplace such as a driver, truck drivers, machine operator or miners,” Nathan said.

It can cause significant disruption to both your sleep and your daily life, but with the right care, the symptoms can be dramatically reduced.

How Do We Fix It?

Two types of treatments are available for patients suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

The Mandibular Advancement Splint is good for people suffering with mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and it is a good option for dental issues.

Nathan describes it as being like a top and bottom mouthguard device that pushes the lower jaw forward to open up the airway.

It can also be adjusted, so it can gradually be moved forward as the person using it gets used to it.

The other treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), which is a small machine that comes with a nose mask and blows a gentle stream of air to keep the airway open.

CPAP is a good treatment for patients suffering from moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

“We do our best to provide a lot of support to people when they first start using one of these devices so they can get the most out of their treatment,” explained Nathan.

“With two treatment options though, we do have the choice if one treatment isn’t tolerated very well.”

Make An Appointment

Nathan jokes that it is mainly partners that refer their loved ones to the clinic after hearing them snore constantly and experiencing disrupted sleep as a result.

He urges that if you hear your partner snoring unusually, not breathing through the night, making bizarre sounds whilst sleeping or struggling for breath, then to encourage them to make an appointment with Restore Sleep Clinic.

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In June the Whitsundays East Coast Roadshow will hold events for travel agents and wholesalers in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Industry Development and Trade Manager for Tourism Whitsundays, Cait Fleming, said she is excited to participate.

“With an expected 100 agents and wholesalers attending in each location, this is a great opportunity for Whitsundays accommodation and experience businesses to grow their profile within the travel industry,” she explained.

For the opportunity to join the Roadshow get in touch with Cait at cait.fleming@tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Cait’s role at Tourism Whitsundays is multi-faceted and includes Industry Development.

She is dedicated to ensuring the region continues to build the industry in a sustainable way, so The Whitsundays remains a popular tourism destination many years into the future.

“We have a wealth of marine based experiences and natural assets, that's easy to see, however what isn't as easy to spot is the incredible diversity of land-based experience potential there is in this region,” said Cait.

“My goal is to bring this potential into the light and help any business (starting out or established) who wants to develop a new product or experience on their journey.”

If you are nodding along to this and want to chat, give Cait a call on 0409 038 480.  

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Industry Development and Trade Manager for Tourism Whitsundays, Cait Fleming. Image supplied

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Ideal Placements first opened its doors in 1995 and is dedicated to helping young people, people with disabilities, and people in career transition into long term employment through support and training.

Over the years, Ideal Placements has become innovative at helping their participants find the right roles while facing regional transport availability, homelessness and housing, cost of living, and having a different focus and attitude towards work and study.

They find that many of these barriers need to be addressed first before you can focus on anything else.

One trend they are seeing is school leavers choosing work over study.

Ideal Placements has been spending time working with young people to complete micro credentials, so they get the knowledge and training they need to get them into work.

Another specific program Ideal Placement runs is their 5-week Career Transition Assistance Program for unemployed people aged 45+ years that not only refreshes job ready skills but also reveals the many opportunities out there that they may not have considered or thought they were not capable of.

Ideal Placement’s top tips for businesses of all sizes is to give young people, people with a disability, and those restarting their career a go.

Everyone must start somewhere, and they could be the next leader or long-term employee in your business.

Ideal Placements is located in Cannonvale, Proserpine and Bowen.  

This article series is written in partnership with the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry, showcasing the diverse members of the business community.

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Arabella Jordan from Ideal Placements believes everyone deserves to work and contribute to society. Photo supplied

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Expect netballs, sports skirts and fun at the next Proserpine Community Market

On Sunday 28 April the Proserpine Community Market will be supporting the
Whitsunday Netball Club.

Market Coordinator, Tarnia Patton, said she is very excited for the first market of the year.

“It’s always exciting getting everyone’s applications in and seeing the amazing talent that is in our community,” Tarnia said.

“The proceeds of a large raffle are going to the netball club, most of the stall holders provide something to the raffle as a way of advertising for them, and raising funds for the chosen community group.”

Everyone is encouraged to come along, as there is a lot to do for the entire family.

“We will have Mr Poppins balloons there making free balloons for the kids, face painting and glitter tattoos, and hopefully some netball related activities to have fun with as well,” explained Tarnia.

There are currently still some stalls available and Tarnia would love them to be filled by
some creative kids.

“We encourage all who have a creative talent to look into having a stall. Especially
school kids!”

“It’s great way to earn some pocket money, even if it’s combining their creations into
one small stall.”

“We support all at our markets!”

This year, the Proserpine Community Markets have changed location.

The new location is at the Cyclone Shelter at the Proserpine State School and Tarnia is excited to say that the new location is almost all indoors.

WHAT: Proserpine Community Markets
WHERE: Proserpine State School
WHEN: Sunday 28 April

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Helen Matheson

“No, I don’t think so, it’s just things are slow moving here. There are enough services here for me, I’m happy with what’s here as it is.”

Neil Dobbin

“It is quite possible seeing everything that’s going on already, it probably will start moving back towards here. They can’t build forever down there, so it probably will in the future. Because more and more people are moving from down south and all around the place buying up and that type of thing and you can't really stop it because it’s all bloody progress or whatever you want to call it.”

Danni Hanns

“I think so yes, because property prices in the rest of the Whitsundays are a lot. So, I think people are coming more towards Proserpine, because housing is a little bit more affordable. And I do know a lot of people, their kids go to school here and everything just seems to be in Proserpine. And so, they’re moving into Proserpine to be closer to the school and to me, I think it’s okay. I don’t know what long term locals would say about it but yeah, I think it’s a good thing.”

Jim Ward

“We've come here, we're from Victoria and we came here a couple of years ago. And it was sort of very quiet and especially when in the COVID time and I reckon it might come on. It’s so close to the Whitsundays you know, so many places you can get to. It’s better than Bowen, in my opinion anyway and a bigger population here only helps.”

Anna Winterborn

“I've seen a few boom and bust areas I'd never say anything about any area being the next boom area because you just don't know what's around the corner. People come up here to live, it doesn't have the facilities that you have when you live in the city or if you live down south. We love it, we like it like this, but people come up here expecting something else and it's not that. This place is still going pretty good, but it would be lovely to see uplift or lift for the whole area for everybody.”

Kim Hilan

“No most of its moved to the beach. All the development has happened at Cannonvale and Airlie Beach. You’ve seen the loss of businesses in Proserpine unless we've got an industry to bring it back. But I remember it being a busy hub with a lot more businesses here.

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With recent murmurings of a “makeover”on Lindeman Island, it is timely to recall some of those pioneers who, in challenging times, forged a life for themselves in the Whitsundays.

By the late 1890s, some semblance of permanent white settlement of the Whitsunday Islands had emerged with those who persisted struggling with something of a hand to mouth existence based on sheep and cattle grazing. One of the most notable of those, but little remembered today, was Abraham Adderton who, with his wife Sarah, were the first settlers on Lindeman Island from 1897 to 1918 - twenty-one years of what must have been a very lonely existence.

Abraham Adderton, aged only 16 years, had migrated from England to Maryborough, Queensland in July 1873. There he took to the sea on timber boats operating out of Maryborough, becoming a Master Mariner and part-owner of the “Mary Peverley”.  In 1888, he married Sarah Alton in Maryborough.

It seems the Addertons initially must have considered settling at Long Island because Sarah Adderton was granted an Occupation Licence over that island in April 1895. However, they did nothing with Long Island and in 1916 Sarah Adderton gave notice that she did not intend to pay the rent for 1917.

At Home Beach, the site of where the Lindeman Island resort was once a flourishing enterprise, the Addertons built a weather-board and iron-roofed dwelling towards the western end. This had living quarters on one side and dining quarters on the other, separated by a central boat shed from which a slipway ran to the water’s edge. Their boat, “Ayesha”, was a converted ship’s lifeboat powered only by sail and, judging by photos of the time, was about seven metres in length. Their main water supply came from a permanent spring which still flows into the sea just to the east of Home Beach.

The Addertons grazed sheep and goats on the island, the “Mackay Mercury” of 19 July 1913 reported that they had 800 goats and 1500 sheep in that year. Their wool clip was baled and picked up by the supply vessels which called regularly at the island - the bales ferried out either in their own boat or ship’s boats.

In 1918, Adderton sold the licence to Lindeman Island to Tom Matthews-Frederick who moved to the island with his wife, Lydia Gray. Tom Matthews-Frederick and his brother, Alex, had managed Proserpine Station until 1917 for their father, Alexander, who had bought it in 1889. Abraham sold his boat to boating identity, Tom Daly. The Addertons departed the scene by leaving from Mackay in the SS “Cooma” on 18 May 1918.  It is not clear where they went after leaving the island but eventually Abraham Adderton moved to Sydney where he died on 29 May 1935 and was buried in the Northern Suburbs cemetery.

Mount Oldfield (sometimes wrongly called Mount Olden), the highest point on Lindeman Island, commemorates the Addertons’ time on the island, that being the maiden name of Abraham’s mother, Eleanor Cecilia Oldfield.  Reports of the time indicate that Abraham delighted in taking visitors to that summit to see the magnificent views and it is evident he originated the name.

The Addertons were a determined couple who amply demonstrated that an existence could be maintained on an island in the Whitsundays and so it would be a pity if their name faded into oblivion.

Story and photos courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum and “The Whitsunday Islands – An Historical History” by Ray Blackwood.
 
 

Abraham Adderton and his boat Ayesha
The original Adderton residence and woolshed built in 1898

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At least it does in the Whitsundays! Especially if you are a seed.

Seeds want to germinate. They are just waiting patiently for the right soil temperature and moisture content. And with temperatures sneaking under 30 degrees in the Whitsundays, the soil temperature is now perfect to grow almost any vegetable suitable to the tropics. All you need to do is make sure they do NOT dry out. So, if it doesn’t rain, then you need to water.

This is a “morning” ritual. When I say morning, I mean before 9am every day.
Every hour after 9am, the soil is drying out and your freshly planted seeds are deciding whether or not it is worth the energy to burst through their hard cases and venture into life!

If they asses the environment as too dry, they are not germinating! If they germinate and then dry out, they will wilt and give back to the soil, rather than produce for you!
What I mean is…… they will die!

I choose to direct seed, rather than put seeds in trays/pots and transplant once true leaves appear (second set on leaves). This does mean extra care to keep the soil moist.  

How do I achieve this?  

I plant into seed raising mix and my successful germination rate is very high.

With tiny seeds, such as lettuce, carrot, tomatoes, herbs etc I spread them over the prepared garden soil and sprinkle a thin layer of seed raising mix over the top. With larger seeds like pumpkins, cucumbers, beans etc I put a layer three times the depth of the seed on top of my garden mix, then push the seed into that.

Seed raising mix lacks plant food, but your seeds have all the energy they need within their cases to break through the soil and grow their first set of leaves.  

After that, they need food from their environment. Before that they need MOISTURE. And seed raising mix holds moisture which is what every seed needs to begin its journey into producing an abundance of food for you!  

So, take care of these precious new beginnings. Seed raising mix is affordable and can be purchased in small bags. I highly recommend it and its available at Whitpro now.

At the beginning of every growing season, I plant snow pea seeds. If they germinate, I know I am ready to go! Well, one week ago I got started and I was very excited to see that a week in, I have some very well-developed little plants reaching for the sky!

Let’s hope this is a good sign for a strong growing season for 2024!

Have you ever come home with more seeds than you have gardens prepped for?

That’s me every season!  I should know better (I know) but I get excited about all the options available to me and at $3.50 a packet of 20 plus potential plants, it is hard to hold back!  

My solution this year is in tree guards!  Now that’s not the norm I know but I am very excited about my new discovery.

For $35, these specific tree guards make a ready-made garden bed. Raised from the ground, 30cm high, they are perfect vegie growing depth, an instant barrier from other competition plants (including lawns) and are neat and tidy.

They can also be placed anywhere in full sun with the ability to remove without fuss, after the growing season ends.

These clever contraptions are light weight, super easy to construct and I love them! Come and see me at Whitpro if you want to give them a go.  

Grab some seeds to get started while you are here. We have the tree guards, come vegie beds, on display and for sale.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Your vegie seeds can take anywhere between five and 28 days (most 7-14) to germinate depending on the variety and the conditions. So, don’t give up on your watering ritual, some seeds take their time to show their appreciation.

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The Whitsundays Writers Festival continues to add to its list of highly acclaimed authors who are ready to discuss some of the most current topics at the event which is due to take place in September this year.
Famed Queensland author Nick Earls and award-winning historian and author Professor Joy Damousi AM are the new additions to the line-up announced earlier this week.
They join the list of nine speakers, including Shankari Chandran, Garry Disher, Sally Hepworth, Christos Tsiolkas, Anne Buist, Graeme Simsion, Karina Kilmore, Melissa Ashley, and Jack Roney who have already been announced for this year’s program.  
Joy Damousi is one of Australia’s most distinguished historians and is the Australian Catholic University’s Dean of Arts.
Festival President Karen Jacobsen expresses her excitement.
"This Festival will be a thrilling event for readers, writers, and thinkers. We’re excited for Joy’s participation, particularly in a conversation on artificial intelligence (AI) and creative writing – to learn more about the impact of Open AI and to debate if the writer and storytelling will ever be replaced by AI.”
Furthermore, the Festival is proud to announce prolific Queensland author Nick Earls.
Nick Earls is the author of 28 books for adults, teenagers, and children including bestselling novels such as Zigzag Street, Bachelor Kisses and Perfect Skin. His writing has won awards in Australia, the UK, and US. Five of his novels have been adapted for theatre and two, 48 Shades of Brown and Perfect Skin, have become feature films. His most recent works are the novel Empires and the novella series Wisdom Tree.
“Nick is a Queensland author with an important body of work from his decades long career, and we cannot wait to feature his writing in this year’s program,” said Karen.
“We eagerly await his insights gained from his own author journey and PhD research into 21st century novella writing and publishing.
"Joy and Nick’s contribution will add a rich dimension to our Festival program, as we elevate the role of the arts and creative expression.
“Attendees will love this engaging programming about how we come to see and understand ourselves and the world around us," Karen remarked. 
Details about the Festival’s local author line up and ticketing will be released late April.
To subscribe for updates and special offers, please visit: whitsundayswriters.com
The Whitsundays Writers Festival is a premier literary event dedicated to fostering creativity, dialogue, and appreciation for the written word. Bringing together acclaimed authors, aspiring writers, and avid readers, the Festival celebrates the diverse tapestry of storytelling while showcasing the natural beauty of the Whitsundays region.
The Festival, spanning three days from Friday, September 6, to Sunday, September 8, 2024, will also feature the prestigious Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards. The Heart Awards provide well-deserved recognition and financial rewards to talented writers for best unpublished manuscript, short story, poetry, and book design.

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WHAT: Whitsunday Writers Festival
WHEN: 6-8 September
SUBSCRIBE: whitsundayswriters.com

Award-winning historian and author Professor Joy Damousi. Photo supplied
Famed Queensland author Nick Earls. Photo supplied

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