Our local golf club is expanding its services following the start of a successful training period of a new golf coach who says he is excited to help increase the range of golfing opportunities available at the Proserpine Golf Course.

The completion of two-thirds of Nathan Sothmann’s traineeship under the guidance of a PGA Professional, Roger Vandenberg, brings new prospects to the members of Bowen Golf Club – and especially those wanting to try their hand at the sport.

Nathan is a family man with a wife named Michelle, and two sons, Henry who is three, and Patrick who was born in November this year.

He said his main aim was a career in coaching golf and that he has always had a passion for sport – with his current handicap a nifty 1.9.

When the opportunity arose to coach at Proserpine, Nathan was fortunately on three months maternity leave from his previous job after his son was born.

“I am very thankful to Roger for giving me an opportunity to fulfill this passion,” said Nathan.

“It is now up to me to prove I can do it and make him and my family proud.”

Roger Vandenberg said Nathan is very passionate about his game, gets along well with the members, and does very well with the juniors.

“We all look forward to seeing him do well in his traineeship,” said Roger.

Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis.
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Photo. PGA Professional Roger Vandenberg, right, with Nathan Sothmann. Photo provided.

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One of Bowen’s largest independently owned companies has been named as a finalist in the Telstra Best of Business Awards, beating over 20,000 other applicants to become among the top 250 in the state.

The Owners of Hillery Group, brothers Luke and Liam Hillery, as well as their team of 120 dedicated staff, are celebrating this week as the news arrived announcing them as finalists in the Indigenous Excellence category.

With indigenous ancestry stretching back to the Kalkadoon Tribe and incredible stories of survival that date back through their father’s line to 1885, Hillery Group have always been proud of, and deeply connected to their indigenous roots.

“My father was always passionate about giving everyone in the community the same opportunities,” said Hillery Group CEO Luke Hillery.

“We grew up with the understanding that no-one is better than anyone else, and to always give equal opportunities – this has really been instilled in Liam and myself – not just for indigenous people, but all young kids.

“Growing up here, there was not much opportunity – and now we are very privileged to provide that opportunity for kids whether that be through traineeships or management roles.”

In previous times, skilled labour would leave Bowen to seek employment in big cities, and Luke Hillery says he is proud to now offer prospects closer to home where staff can be home with their families every night.

The business has grown immensely from humble beginnings back in the 1980’s when Luke and Liam’s parents first began with just one truck for hire.

The group now operates five quarries, have multiple sand leases and own over 200 assets which include trucks, excavators, loaders and graders.

There are two offices in Bowen and Hillery Group are proud of their extremely diverse portfolio which allows them to keep their work commitments local.

From rock walls at the harbour to rural road projects, the rail provision yard and local rail network, Hillery Group are at the forefront of countless local projects.

Their dedication to community and their connection to their indigenous heritage are at the foundation of all operations and are the qualities they have now been recognised for at the Telstra Business Awards which are due to take place 2023.
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Luke Hillery

Liam Hillery

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Celebrating over 75 years in the area, this third-generation family business has seen significant change in 2022 since joining the Stratco Group 12 months ago.

Parnell’s unique local experience is now backed by one of the largest producers and marketers of quality building products in Australia.

With both companies successfully supplying high quality products for over 70 years, the local community have been assured that Parnell’s and Stratco understand what it takes to ensure quality and standards continue to grow to new levels.

Over the course of the first year, major improvements and technological advancements have been made to the already thriving business.

General Manager Anthony Wensley has worked tirelessly to improve facilities which now include a state-of-the-art blanker/slitter machine for flashings, new customer parking and pick-up bays, traffic management plans, new factory lights and more.

For Parnell’s regular customers, they have been able to experience the journey of continuous improvement in the last six to 12 months, with many commenting positively about the new changes.

Parnell’s has also transitioned to using BlueScope Steel which has allowed them to meet the demands of customers and builders who use nothing but the most reputable steel brand in the business.

The 16-strong team specialises in the manufacture of metal products such as roofing and rainwater goods, shed kits, purlins, and battens.

Over the past year they have also expanded their product range to include Cooldek (Insulated Panel), Cyclonic Good Neighbour Fencing, patio kits and more.

An exclusively manufacturing service, Parnell’s can also recommend local builders who are qualified to install all their products safely and efficiently.

“I think what sets us apart from other suppliers the most is that Parnell’s is like a little family,” said Sales Manager Ben Storer.

“We are passionate about what we do, and we are constantly striving to improve the Parnell’s customer experience, whether it be a one-off or a regular customer, we are always searching for ways to take our quality and service to the next level.

“We are also passionate about supporting the local industry and local businesses – in the last 12 months we have worked to engage in community activities, and we have sponsored a number of local events.”

Renowned for their exceptional standards of roofing, Parnell’s Corrugated and Trimdeck roofing is manufactured in the Proserpine workshop and is rolled to the customer’s specific requirements.

Built to be robust enough to withstand the dramatic North Queensland weather, but also stylish and easy to install, their range of products are both strong and versatile.

Also specialising in kit-sheds, Parnell’s can manufacture almost any type of shed – from man cave to large rural structures – and everything in between.

These come with optional accessories such as roll-a-doors, skylights and ventilators which are all supplied to suit your exact needs.

All their commercial sheds, industrial buildings and workshops meet Australian building standards and are built strong with high quality materials, sourced locally, to last the test of time.

Kits for carports of all sizes, colours and shapes can also be purchased – Parnell’s pride themselves with a colour range vast enough to match with your existing home’s palette so you can rest assured your carport will belong.

If you are looking for metal manufacturing that is quality, durable and versatile, make sure you call in and get a quote from Parnell’s today.

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The Parnell’s team are ready to assist with any of your metal fabrication needs. Photo supplied

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Airlie Beach’s only Par 3 Golf Course and Club is rapidly expanding with construction works now well underway.

Works at Whitsunday Green Golf Club are steaming ahead including a new, larger Clubhouse and corporate facility followed by plans for an over 50’s Lifestyle Village, new residential subdivision, a motel and expanded golf all progressing steadily behind the scenes.

The Whitsunday Green Team is ready to take their offering to the next level and deliver community facilities that fully represent the concept of ‘Club Living’ where lifestyle is priority.

Currently, works underway will soon be followed by the installation of a recreational pool, expansive decking, kiosk, outdoor gym, and new amenities building.

These new Club facilities will be available for members and special events providing a well-rounded lifestyle offering for the Whitsunday Green community.  

“A place to play, relax and live a carefree, healthy lifestyle in the tropical Whitsundays,” according to Club and Community Manager, Kate Cross.

Ms Cross said the Club will continue to grow its strong focus on members activities with support from the local business community.

“We have built a really strong community here who love the lifestyle – it’s all about good healthy fun, a laugh and getting together over golf and a cold drink,” Ms Cross said.

“It’s nice to watch the community grow and we are really excited to take things to the next level in 2023 and beyond.”

Sanctuary Living, the developer behind the project with over 30 years of experience in delivering master planned leisure communities and with successful projects dotted around Australia, has a vision to build the largest community in the region.

A place to live, play, relax, and even retire, in paradise – a community hub where lifestyle and amenity is paramount. The success of the Whitsunday Green Club and membership program to date is a key representation of Sanctuary Living’s commitment to realising this vision.

The Club is well loved by both members and visitors alike and is currently preparing a busy social and golf calendar for 2023.

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Airlie Beach’s much-loved Whitsunday Green Golf Club is expanding its offering to include an over 50’s Lifestyle Village and much, much more. Photo supplied

Construction has already commenced for the new club house and corporate facility

Local Farmers Use ‘Precision Agriculture’ To Save Money And The Reef

Across the Whitsunday and Mackay regions, local sugarcane growers are getting on board with water quality programs that utilise Precision Agriculture to improve their farm productivity and water quality.

Precision Agriculture uses advanced technologies to better inform farm management decisions. This allows variations within a crop to be identified and managed accordingly rather than treating the crop as a consistent unit.  

Precision Agriculture can lead to more effective application of inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and irrigation water which reduces both cost to the farmer and environmental impact.

The Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program (MWWQP) is one of ten water quality regional programs funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation that work together with local organisations and landholders to deliver on-ground projects.

Farmacist’s project Point of Difference (P.O.D), focuses on educating a broader population of growers in the Precision Agriculture approach to nutrient applications on sugarcane farms.

Growers are supported to utilise a range of technologies to provide detailed spatial data of their land, including GPS satellite mapping, Electromagnetic Mapping, satellite yield mapping and elevation data. This allows growers to get a more precise understanding of variables such as soil condition and constraints on their property, which is central to managing crop yields, and nutrient and chemical applications.

Working with experienced agronomists, growers then develop a fertilising program specific to their property. The use of variable rate applicators allows farmers to tailor the amount of fertiliser applied based on intra paddock variability such as soil types which can require different fertiliser rates.  

Growers are also eligible for major grants, which so far in the project have been utilised to build variable rate applicators, upgrade GPS technology, and fund various hydraulic conversions of fertiliser boxes allowing variable rates to be applied.

Utilising Precision Agriculture has multiple potential benefits for both the farmer and the Great Barrier Reef. Reducing inputs and increasing uptake efficiency, means less runoff and improved water quality.

Agronomist, Zoe Eager, from Farmacist has been encouraged by local uptake.

“All my interactions with growers have shown that they recognise the benefits of integrating Precision Agriculture practices and want to adopt these practices on their farm.”

“My favourite feedback I get from growers is ‘why didn’t I do this sooner?’’

For more information on any of the projects involved in the MWWQP or Farmacist’s Project P.O.D please visit reefcatchments.com.au.

The MWWQP and Famacist Project P.O.D is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef foundation.

Contributed with thanks to Reef Catchments.

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Growers are eligible for major grants which can fund machinery conversions

New technology promotes ‘Precision Agriculture’

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Last week a Bowen kindergarten group was recognised for their efforts in raising awareness for important environmental issues such as preventing boat strikes on turtles, ensuring litter does not wash down drains and eradicating ghost nets from oceans.

The 2022 cohort of Kidz at the Beach were the recipients of a Community Service Award at the annual Bowen Rotary Awards, where they were each named as Reef Guardian Super Heroes and presented with individual Rotary Environment Certificates.

For over a decade Kidz at the Beach have been known as a Reef Guardian School.

This started when Owen Derrick, a then parent and high school teacher, approached kindy teacher Anna Woodhouse asking if they could start educating young children about the environment because he believed that by high school many life habits had already been established.

What started as a small idea has become known as the Starfish legacy, with every year group tasked with a different environmental crusade.

“Over the years we have empowered many children and had many families curse us for having to have short showers and grandparents having to stop on the side of the road to pick up paper to save the turtles,” said Ms Woodhouse.

“But each year it has been a different journey because each group of children embrace a different risk element to solve.

“From how can they save the turtles, tell all the fishermen in the world about going slow to avoid boat strikes on turtles and how can they tell the school and everyone that rubbish goes down the drain to the Great Barrier Reef.

“It’s easy for four-year-old’s as they are fearless and see the world as theirs to save”

Since its inception in 2011, The Starfish Reef Guardians have been involved with many projects – they’ve had signs placed at the local landmarks, taken measurements on beaches and brought messages of ‘stop littering, it hurts my heart’ to the mayor.

This year they spread the message about the dangers of ghost nets by sending a magic ghost net Jelly fish creation across the country to other kindies to spark conversations with other children their age.

The artwork travelled to Townsville, Brisbane, Toowoomba and New South Wales and they are hoping next year they will send it internationally.

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Reef Guardian Superheroes 2022 with Educators, Rotarians and Owen Derrick. Photo supplied

Anna Woodhouse (Kindy Teacher) with Rotarians Mark Steen and Jennine Turner who presented the Rotary Community Service Award

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Here in the tropics, we are privileged to have a variety of fruit that makes us the envy of southerners. Passion fruit and dragon fruit (on my favourite list) can be grown in small gardens. Lychee trees which are fruiting their hearts out at the moment, can be grown in a normal house block, along with lemons, grapefruit, avocados and limes.  

Mango season is also upon us but remember these trees can grow very big and they are the most common fruit trees that our Arborists are called in to prune back heavily.

Also the coconut palm which, when planted where the family play, can result in a serious knock on the head!

Finger limes are a very popular Australian Native and very sought after.  

I am growing three varieties for the first time now – I’ll let you know how I go if you’re still reading this article in three years!

This issue, though, let’s talk bananas.

Who doesn’t like a banana smoothie for breakfast or banana cake shared with a friend?

Bananas are a quick snack for the kids, can be frozen for use at a later date, cut up and put in a fruit salad or put on top of your favourite breakfast cereal. They can even be dehydrated as a healthy sweet snack.

You’ll need space to grow bananas - they are a very fast-growing plant (technically not a tree), reaching up to 16ft within nine months!  

This also means they are hungry plants, so feeding and mulching are essential.

There is, however, a price to pay for quick growth and after they fruit, banana plant die.  

But don’t despair, they do leave behind pups (known as suckers) which will be your never-ending cycle of banana plant growth.

Side note, if you want to grow a banana plant getting these pups from a friend’s tree is the best way to get started as they will need to remove some of those pups anyway.

While your pup is a pup, it will not require a lot of water but when you have big leaves stretching to the sky, water becomes more critical as they lose water through evaporation from their rather large and impressive foliage (so keep the soil wet but never sodden).

Also, don’t plant them near a fence and be aware that they are prone to wind damage and they will fall over in a cyclone, so not too close to structures either.

Your bananas will all ripen at once and you will have more bananas than you can possibly eat yourself.  So, as well as sharing your bounty, you can dehydrate them, freeze them to add to smoothies, bake cakes, banana bread or make banana ice cream!

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Did you know:  

If you are using bananas to bake with, they are best over ripened, brown or even black!  So don’t throw your gross looking bananas out, make banana bread!

You can eat banana flowers too - cut them finely and add them to your salad.

Banana plants are the world’s largest herb!

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Norina’s Recipe

Best Ever Banana Nut Smoothies

You will need:

¼ cup Macadamia Nuts

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 large frozen banana

1 cup of coconut milk

1 tablespoon Honey

Directions:

Put all ingredients and blend until smooth

Food fact:  Macadamias are an excellent source of minerals such as magnesium, zinc and calcium

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Banana plants can grow up to 16 foot in nine months

Try Norina’s delicious banana nut smoothie

Finger Limes grow well in the Whitsunday climate

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The best thing about golf is this: You can always improve your game.

It’s you and the club, the wind, the green, and the open air. And at Christmas, the weeks roll out ahead of you – there’s free time to work on the gamut of golf’s disciplines: your drive, your putt, anything and everything.

But sometimes you need a little assistance, sometimes some new gear, and sometimes maybe a helping hand.

Cannonvale’s The Pro Shop Owner and Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Member Andy Farrow said he’s here to help you in your endeavours to become your best golfer.

“Our mission is to provide you, the golfer, with guidance, advice and services through coaching, playing golf, club fitting, equipment and even events,” Andy said.

“We will help you enjoy the game for life.”

A PGA Member for 30 years, Andy’s golf knowledge, expertise, training, and cumulative experience ensure he’s always giving the best, qualified advice.

Flanked by his fully stocked Pro-Shop - with everything any golfer could need for their next game – Andy’s here for the novice, the pub golfer, and the pro. He has everything and anything they could need, with a range of Christmas specials over this holiday season.

As well, The Pro Shop has special trick up its sleeve: It’s fitted out with a FlightScope Golf Simulator, a state-of-the-art training supplement which provides the lifelike experience of being out on the course while in the Pro Shop’s cool air conditioning.

“Flightsope technology captures your data from every swing, making it much easier to work out what you are good at and what you need to do to get better faster,” Andy said.

“It even lets you play the course they’ve always dreamed of like Augusta, St Andrews, Pebble Beach, or the Royal Melbourne all from right here in Airlie Beach.”

If you’re shopping for dad – the golfer who may seem like he has everything – there’s no better spot to drop in than the Pro Shop. It’s a hole in one.

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Pro Shop Owner and Professional Golfers Association Member Andy Farrow is here to help the Christmas golfer achieve their goals

Bowen’s Christmas Street Party was an overwhelming success earlier this month with over 1,000 people filling the town and local shops with festive cheer.

Santa entertained the crowd and live music created a party atmosphere while dozens of market stalls lined the streets inviting passers-by to try their hand at a game or purchase a product.

The local cricket team hosted a ‘ham wheel’, selectability sold fairy floss to excited children, and the Country Women’s Association completely sold out of roast beef roles.

All proceeds from the market stalls go straight back to the community groups that were hosting them and can be used for member activities.

Many local shops were open late into the night and attendees were encouraged to support local business.

“We’ve had such a great response around the shops,” said Coral’s City 2 Country owner Wendy Bickoff.

“Many people said it was the best night in a long time in trade and that they would love to see us do something like this throughout the year as it was wonderful to have something to do on a Friday night.”

The event was part of a broader Bowen Locals for Locals initiative where people who purchase an item from one of the 23 participating stores receive free entry into a series of prize draws which total $5000.

Each Friday there is a draw and so far, two individuals have won $1000 worth of shop local vouchers over two consecutive weeks.

The next $1000 vouchers will be drawn this evening and the final grand prize of $2000 in vouchers will be drawn on December 23.

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Santa entertained the crowds and handed out candy canes to kids at Bowen’s Christmas Street Party. Photos provided

The holiday season in Australia is inseparable with warm weather, especially in North Queensland – and where better to beat the heat and cool down during Christmas than the pool?

But pools can be temperamental things that (most pool owners would know) are far from simple. You might be confused why your pool is all of a sudden the colour of a Christmas tree – or it might even be sprouting one!

Or why it burns your eyes when you take a dip, your filter is clogged, or perhaps you want it to be more energy efficient, or is pH level giving you trouble? – it can all be very overwhelming.

At Proserpine local business Think Water Whitsunday, owner Noel Gardner is urging locals to make sure their pools are in prime fighting condition well before boxing day arrives.

“About two weeks before Christmas is the time of year when it’s so busy that people might be just getting around to checking their pools ahead of the family coming over,” Noel said.

“That’s when they might be realising there’s a problem – whether it be salination, their pumps, or that their pool cleaner’s broken – that’s where we come in.”

If it’s repairs you need, they have it covered with technicians, if it’s a new pump that’ll do the trick, they’ve got those in spades. Noel said that Think Water are “here to get you out of trouble.”

“The pool section of the store has grown in the past year – it’s now a major part of what we do here,” Noel said.

“We have proper, approved water treatment testing gear, 50 per cent off deals on generic pumps until they’re sold out, chlorinators, cleaners. Our pool area is still growing, and our knowledge is growing too.”

Think Water are “not a shop that will get it in for you, because we have it already” – the latest testing gear, the expertise and the advice.

“All the things you could ever need are here in Proserpine,” Noel said.

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Think Water Whitsunday owner Noel Gardner in festive gear alongside some of his store’s Christmas discounted pool pumps

On December 16, 1922, 100 years ago to this day, the Proserpine public were treated to the opening of the Eldorado Theatre. Described by the “Proserpine Guardian” as a “picture palace”, it was to provide enjoyment for residents for over six decades before closing its doors on December 8, 1984.  The last movie shown was “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”.

Where it all began…

In 1902, Mrs Agnes O’Toole built Alexandra Hall in Main Street, Proserpine, next to the Palace Hotel, with seating for 300 to 400 people. She sold the building to her son-in-law, Mr H Deicke, in 1904. The Alexandra Hall was a venue for balls, concerts, live theatre, meetings, roller skating, church and school functions and in 1911, a picture theatre with the silent movies was introduced. Mr Albert John (Jack) Setter was managing the picture theatre at this time.

The lease for the picture theatre passed through a few hands such as the Flaherty brothers who named it the Eldorado Pictures. In May 1919, Mr Joseph (Joey) Johns bought the Eldorado picture plant from Mr Setter, his father-in-law, and he took over the lease of the Alexandra Hall. Joey planned to show pictures twice a week but the influenza epidemic meant he had to screen pictures in the open-air Tivoli skating rink in Chapman Street.  

In 1922, Joey Johns decided to build his own theatre on the corner of Main and Chapman Street, moving the plant from Alexandra Hall. Mr Johns again showed confidence in Proserpine’s future when, in July 1930, talkie pictures were introduced. Advertisements invited people to “not only see but hear musical comedy – “Fox Follies of 1929”. Admission was 3/3d for adults and 1/6d for children. It was a packed house!

In 1935, Joey Johns sold the theatre to his sister, Olive, and husband, Mr Bill Ironside. In 1957, further renovations were undertaken with an upstairs dress circle and a supper room seating 200. Between 1935 and 1957, the Ironsides also leased the Grand Theatre. Movies were shown at both theatres - when the main movie was being shown at one theatre, the supporting movie was at the other. At interval, an employee would swap the movies.

In 1957, the Deicke family once more took on the running of their own business, the Grand Theatre, however, in 1968, the doors were closed on the picture shows due to lack of attendance.

In 1958, the Ironsides rebuilt the Eldorado, building around the original structure. There was a larger screen, a cry room for babies, new cafeteria, two shops and an ultra-modern flat over the shops. The theatre, with a capacity of 800, was built at a cost of £300,000.

The Eldorado Theatre served many purposes. There were three different movie programmes – one shown Friday, Saturday and Monday; serials on Tuesday night (B Grade) and another programme on Wednesday and Thursday nights. It was also used as a venue for local and travelling shows; special occasions such St Patrick’s Day and Anzac Day and even the Annual Farmers’ meetings.

If you would like a little taste of what this iconic theatre offered patrons, take a peep into the Proserpine Historical Museum and check out this popular display with the old Eldorado movie projectors, some old canvas seats, the maroon velvet and gold satin curtains, lights, old movie posters and other artefacts from the theatre. You can make yourself comfortable in the chairs, watch one of the many films/videos available and soak up the atmosphere of a theatre of old.  

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

The original Eldorado Theatre

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Airlie Beach local Noah Robertson continued his rise to fame with a winning performance amongst the country’s best busking talent in the finals of the 10th annual Australian National Busking Championships in Cooma, New South Wales.

Dozens of musicians competed in the major event for the honour of being crowned the nation’s finest busker, with 12-year-old Noah putting on the show of a lifetime to win the 13 years and under primary category.

The singer songwriter is already a seasoned performer and took to the stage with guitar in hand to show off skills that have impressed the likes of some of the country’s premier country musicians, including Sarah McCleod.

“Have you got ears; can you see what’s going on in here? This kid is 12, can you actually believe it?” McCleod said of Robertson.

The St Catherine’s Catholic College student is setting himself up as a serial winner, previously claiming top spots in local competitions like Whitsundays Got Talent, this year’s Noosa Sounds Busking Competition, as well as winning a Young Stars award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Amongst the judging panel was country music legend James Blundell and Oz Balydon of Gympie Music Muster where Noah performed as an artist earlier in the year.

Noah said he was “so grateful and excited to have won the Australian National Busking Championships.”

“There is so much talent out there on the streets,” Noah said.

“I have to give a big thank you to my parents for their love and support every day and taking me to Cooma to compete.”

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Noah Robertson (left) – the 12-year-old Airlie Beach rising star – has added another accolade to his trophy cabinet at the Australian National Busking Championship

Whitsunday Life newspaper is endeavouring to give a voice to the region’s writers in this new, recurring poetry section which will publish original works of up to 40 lines.

In this first edition of Whitsunday Poetry, Whitsunday Life journalist Declan Durrant shares one of his own poems to “get the ball rolling”.
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All the fun of the faire; A sprinkle here and a sprinkle there, all the fun of the faire;

The carousel spins on

blue screens of neon light;

Ringing bells and singing twinkles

Tune out, staining mind;

Golden trinkets down thin vessels with

Frivolous disregard

Up and down, jacks, queens dance

It spins and spins and I daren’t look away;

Dry eyes and serpentine glances;

Time is not, place is far;

Dusk to dawn, the falling of the star

Passes.

Decrepit to my right, to the other

Few teeth and less sense;

It’s all for the fun of the faire, ay? All the fun of the faire.

The clinking of well-earned treasure

As it plinks down drains;

I do not care, nor do I dismay; I’ll get it back

Another day.

It’s all for the fun of the faire, ay? All for the fun of the faire.
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About the poet: Declan Durrant is a journalist of two years working at Whitsunday Life Newspaper who has published poetry, short stories, and cultural analysis at various online publications. His poem today comes from observations attained during university whilst working in a gaming room in Adelaide.

Readers’ poetry can be emailed to declan@mackayandwhitsundaylifenewspaper.com. Submissions should be in the body of the email, not as attachments.

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A small group of passionate writers gathered for an informal meeting last week and the subject of conversation was centred around reinstating the Whitsunday Writer’s Festival.

First established in 2010 and taking place annually until 2017, the Whitsunday Writers Festival was a popular event for lovers of reading, writing books, and words.

Over the years, the festival attracted a host of guest speakers which included one of Australia’s most prolific non-fiction authors Peter FitzSimons, Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s wife Blanche d'Alpuget, famous sailor Jessica Watson, and winner of Hamilton Island’s Best Job in the World, Ben Southall.

A mixture of writing workshops, talks and interactive sessions, the Writers Festival was an intimate affair where attendees would spend time with authors, dining together and enjoying spirited conversation.

Known also for its lively social activities, the event opened with a cocktail party and a highlight of the weekend was Saturday evening’s Gala Dinner which featured fresh local seafood and an entertaining panel discussion with a selection of the weekend’s guest speakers.

The event wrapped-up on Sunday afternoon with a long table lunch.

Over the years the festival was held at Daydream Island, the VMR, and Coral Sea Marina – the sea views and relaxed atmosphere attracting attendees from far and wide.

Sadly coming to an end when festival founder and much-loved leader Gloria Burley passed away in 2018, it has taken several years for like-minded individuals to pick up the baton.

“Gloria Burley was an incredible woman and an inspiring leader,” said Whitsunday Writers Festival committee member, Rachael Smith.

“Her passion and dedication to the festival knew no bounds  - she was the driving force behind the event - and although she is dearly missed by all that knew her, I am sure she would be thrilled to hear that the festival she loved is now continuing with new faces carrying on all her good work.”

When Cultural Ambassador of the Whitsundays and ‘voice of Siri’, Karen Jacobsen brought a group of avid writers together last week, she introduced Australian author Richard Evans who moved to the region with his wife Julia last year.

Richard spoke about their intention to re-launch the festival in 2024 and plans are now underway to form a small committee and host of volunteers.

Any local authors or interested people are invited to contact this newspaper directly to connect with the committee.

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Back row: Tom Hudak, Jess Begun and Richard Evans. Front row: Melinda Hutchings, Karen Jacobsen and Sofi Fortunato

The Whitsunday Writers Festival committee and volunteers in 2016. At the centre, festival founder Gloria Burley.

Vandals Ruin Popular Play Area For Christmas

A climbing unit and hammock swing located in Iluka Park playground in East Mackay will be temporarily closed while council waits for replacement equipment to arrive.

Mayor Greg Williamson said vandals had recently targeted the play equipment, which was due for renewal.

“The team had modified the climbing unit to allow it to remain in service until the replacement equipment could be installed, however for reasons that totally baffle us, vandals have attacked the equipment with an angle grinder,” he said.

“Regrettably, crews now have no option but to remove the climbing unit and swing.

“This destructive behaviour is unacceptable, and it means that this play equipment is now out of action for the Christmas school holidays.

“The climbing unit has been cordoned off for public safety and is being removed.

“The good news is that most of the other play equipment in the park was not touched and remains available for use.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said this was not the first time that play equipment in the region had been vandalised.

“Residents will remember the damage caused to the playgrounds at Montgomery Street Park and Schaefer Street Park in the past,” he said.

“It is disappointing that ratepayers’ money must go towards repairing vandalised play equipment at our region’s playgrounds.”

If anyone has any information regarding the vandalism in Iluka Park, or at any of our other parks or playgrounds across the region, please contact council on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

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