Celebrated At 20th Baby Welcoming Ceremony

Bouncing babies, proudly held by excited parents, were officially welcomed to the Bowen community on Sunday at a special ceremony hosted by the local Lions Ladies. The festivities took place at Hensen Park where each family was invited onto the stage and presented with a certificate, gift, and small tree by Mayor Julie Hall.

The event, which began 20 years ago, has become an annual tradition ever since the Bowen Hospital Maternity Ward closed

“We feel that welcoming the babies into the community is important as most of them are not born in their hometown anymore,” said Bev Dyne from Bowen Lions.

“It is lovely to see families coming back again with each new sibling.”

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25 beautiful Bowen babies were officially welcomed into the community on Sunday. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Hi Everyone,

The atmosphere in Airlie Beach is certainly reaching fever pitch right now!

With the Airlie Beach Festival of Music taking over the town this weekend, musicians from around the country will be gathering to put on a show like no other.

For full details of the event check out our huge nine-page feature inside this paper for profiles on many performers and a festival map showing the location of each of the 15 venues.

Congratulations to our journalist, Bronte, who has spoken to countless musicians over the past few weeks, interviewing both legendary house-hold names and aspiring musos with the same charm and charisma.

The office has enjoyed listening to her on the phone laughing with performers and getting them excited about the weekend.

Another one of my favourite experiences in putting the paper together for you all this week was spending Sunday morning in Bowen.

Not only did we get to take our puppy swimming at Horseshoe Bay, I was also privileged to watch 25 little babies be officially welcomed into the community.

Without a maternity ward in Bowen, the local Lions Club Ladies have taken it upon themselves to formally welcome newborns.

This tradition has been going for 20 years and it was wonderful to see all these beautiful little cherubs proudly held in parent’s arms and celebrated by the broader community.

Congratulations this week also goes to the newly graduated Master Reef Guides – seven local tourism staff recently received the accreditation - their new skills will now give so much depth and meaning to the overall visitor experience.

The diversity of our local community always amazes me each week and I think it is in putting this newspaper together that we witness first-hand how much is happening!

From babies to music festivals to reef guides – the Whitsundays truly is a vibrant and exciting place to live with a large sense of community at its heart.

Quote of the Week: “Be like a pineapple: Stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet on the inside” (Author unknown)

When you’re travelling down Faust Street in Proserpine, be sure to keep your eye out for the bright orange fridge, that adorns the front garden on one of the properties.

The orange fridge, hidden by hedges and leaves, is particularly special because it is a big ‘little free library’ created by Gabby Sinclair.

Setting up the fridge six months ago, Gabby used it give away books she had stashed around her home.

“Being related to my father, I have inherited a slight hoarding problem! I had most of the books from when I was little and from my kids,” Gabby explained.

Instead of sending the books to the op shop or the garbage bin, she decided to create a little free library.

“I thought about an old fridge. I put a post on Facebook, asking for a broken fridge, and received plenty of messages. We picked one up and decided to paint it bright orange,” she said.

“We wanted to make it stand out on the street. Silly me also sprayed the door seals, so now it’s a bit sticky, sorry guys!”

Initially unsure if the fridge was being used, she checked on it last week.

“I saw so many new books gracing the shelves. This just made me so happy.”

From what started as a simple idea to share old books has developed to a local legend.

“Many a night I’ve heard people at the fridge, possibly on a late-night stroll home from the pub, going through it,” Gabby laughed.

“I just thought it was a nice idea to share with anyone interested in reading.”

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The orange fridge on Faust Street in Proserpine, be sure to check it out! Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

It has been a whirlwind of a year for 24 Whitsunday youth, who are now on the cusp of finishing their year-long specially tailored Coxswain course, offered through Red Cat Adventures, Queensland Government’s Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) program, Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre (WMTC) and Whitsunday Sailing Club.

About to undertake their final examinations of the course, the cohort of 25 Airlie Beach and Proserpine youth are eager to receive their qualifications and get out on the water, with some already accepting positions with Red Cat Adventures.

It was last year that Asher Telford of Red Cat Adventures realised the lack of local youth maritime training and decided to help.

“Coming out of COVID, we were very short staffed across the industry, and because of COVID a lot of our local kids went into tourism, the mines, and other unaffected industries,” he explained.

“So, I wanted to put together a training for kids. These kids know the area, have often grown up around boats and the water. And for me, it has been a very emotionally rewarding experience.”

Terrance Smith from Whitsunday Sailing Club believes that this experience is amazing for students.

“This opportunity is amazing, especially when these kids will leave school with well-paying jobs. And it’s not just tourism, but oil and gas, marine parks, super yachts.”

Year 11 Proserpine State High School student, Jasmine Gerlofsma was excited to take part in the program.

“I feel really privileged to be a part pf this opportunity. It’s very awesome that it’s being offered through school. I’ve always wanted to work on boats and just having your Coxswains opens so many doors.”

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The youth Coxswains trainees, completing the inaugural cohort with Red Cat Adventures, Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre and Whitsunday Sailing Club. Photo Credit: Bronte Hodge

This Saturday November 11 we mark 105 years since the Armistice of the First World War. We remember those who served, those who sacrificed their lives, and those who helped in the war effort.

Airlie Beach:

Held at the Cannonvale Cenotaph on Coral Esplanade with the service starting at 10.40am.

Proserpine:

Held at the Proserpine Cenotaph on Main Street, with the service beginning at 10am.

Bowen:

Held at Bowen RSL Subbranch, on Williams Street, with the service beginning at 10.45am.

One lucky Airlie Beach resident has won big at the Melbourne Cup races.

Holed up in the Airlie Beach Hotel, Zach Murray, a manager of a hospitality venue in town, tested his luck and placed a bet on horse, Without a Fight.

A little while later he received the shock of his life when he came home with a win of $8,000.

“A pretty decent win,” is how Zach described it, having just booked himself and his partner and family a cruise ship holiday.

“We’re cruising to Vanuatu, so we’re planning on having a lot of fun and spending up big.”

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Zach Murray has unexpectedly won at Melbourne Cup races. Photo supplied

Bowen Wounding

Police are investigating an alleged wounding incident in Bowen on Saturday night, November 4.

Initial investigations indicate around 8:30pm, a disturbance occurred between a group of people near the intersection of Herbert Street and George Street.

During the altercation, an 18-year-old Bowen man sustained four puncture wounds to his back.

Emergency services arrived a short time later, with the man being airlifted to Townsville University Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

A 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, both from Bowen, have been charged with grievous bodily harm and will appear in Bowen Childrens Court.

E-Scooter Incident, Cannonvale

A male in his 30s with an arm injury was transported stable to Woorabinda Hospital following an e-scooter incident on Eshelby Drive, in Cannonvale, at 8.38pm, on Friday November 3.

The local housing crisis has just been granted a small reprieve following the announcement by the State Government this week that $660,000 has been allocated to Whitsunday Housing Company.

The financial support will contribute to mobile and outreach services, including emergency housing and assisting people with tenancy issues.

“While we deliver more social homes in places like Cannonvale, we’re establishing a dedicated homelessness service in the Whitsundays to give people immediate support,” said Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon.

“Previously, people in the community who needed help had to link in with services based Mackay – no longer will they have to do that.

“Whitsunday Housing Company already does a great job in the community, and this additional funding will expand on the work they and the Department of Housing do to help locals in need.”

Member of Whitsundays, Amanda Camm welcomes the assistance, saying there had been a sharp increase in the number of people across the region requiring emergency housing and crisis support due to increases in cost of living and housing market pressures.

“This announcement really is a win for all our local organisations including the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, Proserpine Community Centre, Whitsunday Counselling and Support, who are on the front-line day in day out and have been seeing an increase in the number of people each day requiring crisis support and having nowhere in the Whitsunday area to refer them to,” Ms Camm said.

Joanna Moynihan, Chief Operating Officer of Whitsunday Housing Company is very excited for the support.

“This is funding that our region was lacking. The earlier allotment of $4.4 million was largely utilised by the Mackay organisation. It’s a long way to travel to Mackay to access these services, so it’s great to be able to have them available here.”

By early December, residents of Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, the Islands and Proserpine can expect to access this support.

Bowen State High School has welcomed their four new student captains, who are each confident and dedicated students prepared and eager to take on the responsibility of Student Leadership in their final year of high school education.

Jack Homewood’s motivation for taking on the role as School Captain is to refresh the school spirit and encourage more peer participation and community spirit.

“I’ve always looked up to the leaders in the past, and I thought it’d be awesome to become a captain. I want to try and bring back the school spirit, like bring back lunchtime sports and bring back community events.”

For Ryland Gaffney, he always knew that student leadership was something he wished to pursue.

“I’ve always done leadership stuff, like sports captain in Primary school, and I was a Year 10 Student Leader, and this year, in Year 11, I was Kennedy Vice Captain. This was also a great opportunity to give back to the school. But my sister went through this year, and I wanted to one-up her, so that was that!”

Alyssa Hardy believes that being a student leader, you are able to make real change.

“When you’re a leader, people actually listen to you, and I want to make a difference, and get more kids involved in school and with what’s going on at school.”

Skye Kennedy’s motivation stems from her belief and passion in the school.

“We want to make a difference, build the school and the students, bring back a good school spirit, where kids want to come to school.”

Bowen State High School Principal Robert Harris is excited with the drive of these students.

“Our 2024 student leadership team bring a diverse range of skills, leadership qualities and interests to achieve great things at Bowen High in 2024. Their collective enthusiasm, willingness to be involved in community events and support for their peers makes them great role models for our school and local community.”

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Jack Homewood, Alyssa Hardy, Skye Kennedy, and Ryland Gaffney. Photo supplied

The $2 million Aquaculture Centre for Excellence at Whitsunday TAFE has been officially opened.

The facility is state-of-the-art and is set to offer a variety of certificate qualifications to support the aquaculture industry, including fish farming, hatchery, and pond management.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner attended the official opening and said: “It was fantastic to be on site to officially open the TAFE Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Airlie Beach.”

“This is such an exciting opportunity for young people to launch their careers in aquaculture or for other students to change their careers completely. This state-of-the-art centre will keep us on track to meet our growing workforce needs and will see the industry continue to make a significant and positive contribution to regional development,” Mr Furner MP said.

“I look forward to seeing the region continue to grow thanks to exciting and emerging industries such as aquaculture.”

The Centre has already begun training, with students enrolling in Aquaculture Essentials Program, Aquatic Technologies Skill Set and Certificate II in Aquaculture.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the high-quality facilities at the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence are matched with high-quality training and TAFE Queensland will offer a variety of skill sets and qualifications.

“The Good people. Good jobs. Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 aims to create a skilled workforce ready to seize today’s jobs and embrace new opportunities.

“The Aquaculture Centre of Excellence at Whitsunday is doing just that for this exciting and fast-growing industry.”

“The Aquaculture Centre of Excellence is great news for students and a highly skilled workforce is great news for local employers and for our region,” said Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert MP.

“This upgrade is the latest investment in TAFE facilities across the region, and includes the $3.4 million Agriculture Centre of Excellence, a $200,000 collaborative learning centre at the Bowen TAFE campus and a $250,000 collaborative learning centre here at Whitsunday.”

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The official opening of the new Aquaculture Centre for Excellence at Whitsunday TAFE set an exciting precedent for students. Photo supplied

A staggering $12,507 has been raised for Whitsunday Housing Company’s (WHCL) Tiny Homes Project, through the BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort’s annual Camp and sCare charity event.

Seeing over 1,000 children and their families visit the event, and take part in the free entertainment, including park water slides, animal feeding and Halloween themed movies.

WHCL’s Tiny Homes Project Fundraising Coordinator, Sandy Clark, expressed her gratitude to the community for their support.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported the Tiny Homes Project and construction of four tiny homes for homeless women in the Whitsundays through BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort’s Camp and sCare charity event,” she said.

“Over $12,000 is such a generous donation, which comes at a very important time for us, having nearly reached our overall $700,000 target, ultimately bringing us closer to commencing our build and helping vulnerable women in our local community.”

Tanya Cran, Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort’s Marketing Manager is proud of the monies raised.

“We always have great support, not only from the local residents and visitors who attend this event, but from our local friends and partners,” Tanya said.

“We must also make a special mention and pass on a big thanks to Woolworths Cannonvale who donated the sausages and bread, BIG W Cannonvale for 1,000 glow sticks and to local operators and businesses, including Ocean Rafting, Cruise Whitsundays, Fishi Fresh Island Seafood and Intuitive Massage, who all supplied raffle prizes.”

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Halloween scares, raising funds to combat homelessness in the region. Photo supplied

Membership – This year the Chamber has substantially revamped its membership model in response to extensive feedback and a desire to better tailor packages to meet individual business needs. The Chamber is far stronger this year than at any other time of recent – we have merged with Proserpine Chamber, we have a new name, a new board, new constitution, new strategic plan and are powering ahead on several fronts.

Whether you are in Tourism, Retail, Services, or trade – if you are in business – you should be a member. The more members, the stronger we are and the better we can represent local businesses. Visit our website to view membership options and renew or join.

Advocacy – Gus Walsgott presented for The Chamber at the Queensland Government's Mackay Isaac Whitsundays Regional Forum welcome dinner on Sunday evening. With key Queensland Cabinet ministers and departmental advisors in attendance as well as local dignitaries, it was an opportunity to highlight the ten-point advocacy plan based on regional business priorities. As acknowledged by Julieanne Gilbert MP, Chambers of Commerce play an important role as a resource and source of expertise across all levels of government. We look forward to working closely with the Regional Forum over the next 2-year cycle to ensure that business concerns are heard.

Vision for the Whitsundays – The focus group phase of our Vision for the Whitsundays project has come to an end. It has been a great exercise engaging the business community in crafting a view of our economic future. The conversations have been rich and diverse, drawing on the perspectives of our young people and community elders, explored possibilities on sustainability and resilience, arts and culture, innovation, and technology to identify drivers of economic growth unique to our region. We will be sharing some preliminary findings by the end of the year. There is still time to have your say by providing a formal submission or completing a quick online survey which must close 1 December.

Next Events – We will be hosting our final Pop-Up Chamber for 2023 from 7:30am Wednesday 29 November in Proserpine in conjunction with Fresh Fields News and Hummingbird Refrigeration. Come on down and meet the Chamber team, other business owners, and grab a coffee to start your day. Additionally, we have joined forces with Tourism Whitsundays for the ultimate end of year celebration for the Whitsundays business community, from 6:00pm Thursday 30 November 2023 at the Reef Gateway Hotel, Cannonvale.

The Whitsundays is now richer in its tourism offering thanks to the hard work and dedication of seven representatives from the industry who have recently achieved their Master Reef Guide status.

A big moment for both the individuals and the high standard tourism operators they work for, this Master Reef Guide cohort represents the fifth year of the initiative which sees tourism professionals reach exceptional standards in both knowledge and product delivery.

“This is the seventh cohort and to celebrate our fifth year we decided to go back to where it all began, Lady Elliot Island,” said Master Reef Guide Project Manager, Crystal Lacey.

“Master Reef Guides enhance the education and storytelling for guest experience throughout the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

“The course also provides a platform for not only the Master Reef Guides but the operators to have access to world leading scientists and experts in their field.”

There were 42 applicants for this round and 21 lucky individuals were selected.

There are now 123 Master Reef Guides in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and 35 mentors who share information and knowledge with the guides.

The five-day course on Lady Elliot Island included a strong in-water component and also a collaboration with Professor Sean Ulm who ensured there is a very strong Indigenous Culture knowledgebase within the Master Reef Guide Training.

Staff from the following local businesses were successful in becoming Master Reef Guides: Ocean Rafting, Red Cat Adventures, Explore Group, Summertime, Providence Sailing and Cruise Whitsundays all completed course.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

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Heath Robertson from Ocean Rafting, Grant Lewis from Providence Sailing, Benny Howard from Ocean Rafting/Ocean Safari, Ka Lai Long (Carlos) from Cruise Whitsundays (Reef Safari), Nathalie Hartman from Denison Star Pty Ltd T/A Explore Group, Scotty Bowen from Red Cat Adventures and Brad Shultz from Summertime Whitsundays. Photo supplied.

The Proserpine Sugar Mill saw an influx of retired and former employees last week, with the annual Mill Reunion organised and hosted at the Mill Social Club.

Seeing over 30 former employees gather at the club, the luncheon acts as a reconnection for many of the attendees, a celebration of years’ past, an excuse to come together and share stories.

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Ron Read and his loyal helpers

Sugar Mill ladies came too

Ron Read with the 25-anniversary cake

Mill staff came to the reunion to tell the retirees about recent progress

Some of the older retirees

Younger former employees came too

Mates catching up for a chat at the bar. Photo credit: Pam Pole

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month

We will remember them …

On August 18 this year, the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, the nation paused to formally recall and salute the service of the men and women in this campaign.  

Over eleven years in Vietnam, whether volunteers or conscripted, our service personnel “performed magnificently”. In that time, 523 Australians lost their lives and more than 3000 were wounded or injured to some degree, more than 60 000 Australians served there, and an unknown number were to some degree traumatised by their service in Vietnam. Only about 35,000 now remain and, apart from a very few from earlier conflicts, Vietnam veterans are now the doyens of our veterans’ community, venerable and respected. (Sir Peter Cosgrove “The Sunday Mail” August 13, 2023)

So, on this Remembrance Day, it is fitting to acknowledge those from our district who fought in this conflict and to thank them for their service. Young men from Proserpine who served in Vietnam were Peter Roberts, Ian Lade, Barry Parnell, Jeffrey Korn, Les Stevenson and Kevin Bluck.

On May 29, 1965, Peter Roberts, a 20-year-old private in the 1st Battalion 1RAR which comprised of regular soldiers, was on HMAS “Sydney” as it left for Vietnam. He had been in the army for only 19 months. Upon arrival, 1RAR became part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (American). Peter served in Vietnam from May 27 1965 until June 1 1966 before returning home. After 18 months service in Malaysia as Corporal in 8RAR, he returned to Vietnam as a section commander. When a good mate was killed, Peter was promoted to sergeant which he acknowledges was an added weight to bear. On his second tour of duty, Sergeant Peter Roberts served from November 18 1969 until November 12 1970. Peter was the founding member of the RSL Sub Branch of Airlie Beach and is currently President of Legacy in Proserpine and has worked tirelessly for the organisation for many years.

Private Les Stevenson (1st Australian Reinforcement Unit) enlisted on September 29 1965, choosing not to wait to see if his name would be among those called up. Following enlistment, he completed 3 months training at Kapooka before being posted to the newly formed 7th Battalion RAR based at Puckapunyal. He was deployed on February 5 1967 to the Reinforcement Unit (1ARU) at Nui Dat for special service. On completion of his tour of duty, Les returned to Australia and was discharged on September 28 1967.

A National Service call-up saw friends, Jeff Korn, Ian Lade and Barry Parnell complete basic training at Singleton. Jeff and Ian were transported to Townsville’s 6th Battalion – Ian to Alpha Company and Jeff to Delta Company, the same company that fought the Battle of Long Tan 3 years earlier. Sapper Barry Parnell joined the Royal Australian Engineers in the 1st Field Squadron at a different base. He was the first of the 3 friends to be deployed and served in Vietnam from December 2 1968 to December 10 1969.

In May 1969, Lance Corporal Jeff Korn and Private Ian Lade were shipped to Vietnam on HMAS “Sydney”, a voyage which made the 6th Battalion the first to leave Townsville since WW2. Being that it was also the 13th trip to South Vietnam with troops for HMAS “Sydney”, rumours abounded aboard the “Sydney” that it would sink on that trip. Thankfully it didn’t. Jeff and Ian both served in Vietnam until April 2 1970.

As a soldier in Delta Company 6RAR, Jeff Korn was part of the Long Tan dedication held in 1969 in Vietnam when a cross was erected at the battle site. Upon his return to Australia, he was heavily involved in the RSL and mastermind of the replica of the Long Tan Memorial Cross erected on Bribie Island. The Long Tan Memorial Cross is now the most widely recognised object of Australia’s Vietnam War heritage. On Ian Lade’s return to Proserpine, he held the positions of secretary and treasurer of the RSL Sub Branch for over 30 years and more than 20 years consecutive service as the RSL Club President.

Private Kevin Bluck served in the 3rd Battalion RAR from February 15 1971 until October 13 1971. Maurice Beasley, a Bowenite, was called up at the same time as Jeff, Ian and Barry. He had been working as a sugar chemist at the Proserpine Sugar Mill at that time and travelled with them to Singleton for training. (Temp) Corporal Maurice Beasley was a section commander 8 RAR and served in Vietnam from November 17 1969 to October 1 1970.  

We thank them for their service.

Lest we forget.

(Story courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum. Photo of Long Tan Memorial Cross sourced from Bribie Island Vietnam Veterans’ Association Facebook page).