Image: L-R: Karen May, Chelsea Trusz, Zali Hooper, Charmaine Matsen

The future looks even brighter now for two local Sarina students as Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank announced Zali Hooper and Chelsea Trusz as the recipients of the Sarina State High School (SSHS) Senior Schooling Scholarship.

Community Bank Sarina Board Deputy Chair Maree Franettovich said the purpose of this community investment was to “provide new opportunities to students that will allow them to focus on their strengths”.

“Supporting the next generation and giving them opportunities is what fosters great leaders in our community,” said Ms Franettovich.

“Scholarships are an investment in people, as people are an investment in the future of our communities.

“While there were many worthy applicants, we are very pleased to have named Zali Hooper and Chelsea Trusz as the 2023 SSHS Senior Schooling Scholarship recipients.”

Scholarship recipient Zali Hooper said she is “very grateful” to have received the scholarship, which will be a great “financial help” throughout the next two years.

“The scholarship money will assist in paying for my Certificate lll in Health Support and also go towards a school educational trip to New Zealand,” said Ms Hooper.

Scholarship recipient Chelsea Trusz said she couldn’t thank Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank “enough for this scholarship, which will be going towards educational trips for Marine Science, along with class textbooks.”

Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank and Sarina State High School have been partnering since 2017 to bring the scholarship program to senior students.

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Image: 1: Woollam Constructions site manager Tony Paull, director of nursing Pauline Maude, nurse unit manager Tammi O'Shea

Image 2: Construction is well underway at Sarina’s new hospital. Photos supplied: MHHS

FAST FACTS

• Construction on the $31.5m Sarina Hospital commenced in February 2022

• It will be located on a flat site in Brewer’s Road and feature an improved layout with capacity for 19 beds

• The new hospital will provide enhanced facilities and is expected to be completed mid to late 2023

Sarina residents may have noticed changes to the skyline along Brewer’s Road as work on the new $31.5 million Sarina Hospital picks up pace.

Executive Director Public Health and Rural Services Terry Johnson said that despite some earlier delays due to weather, the project was progressing well.

“We are all very excited about the construction of our new purpose-built hospital which will equip the Sarina community with a modern facility providing greater capacity and better facilities for all patients, as well as enhanced services including allied health and rehabilitation, all on a more accessible flat site,” Ms Johnson said.

“We can now see initial civil works have been completed, and building frames and walls are going up.

“We expect to see the site transforming weekly now as we progress towards completion.”

The hospital’s director of nursing Pauline Maude and nurse unit manager Tammi O’Shea toured the construction site recently to look at progress.

“It’s a hive of activity on site and it was really exciting to see how much progress is being made on the construction of our new hospital,” Ms Maude said.

“The frame of the main hospital building is up, and block construction is well underway for the office, kitchen and engineering blocks.

“Additional drainage systems have also been installed.”

The new Sarina Hospital will have capacity for 19 beds. An improved design will also increase bed occupancy enabling more people to receive care in their own community.

Other features include larger consultation rooms in emergency and outpatients, and a purpose-built rehabilitation facility including a larger gym space.

The new hospital is expected to be completed in mid to late 2023.

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Image: Sarina-born and bred student Sarah Hamblin has just completed her first year of the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship program

Applications are now open for scholarships available to those passionate about the future of Australian rural industries and Sarina-born and bred student Sarah Hamblin can’t recommend the program highly enough.

Sarah grew up on a wagyu cattle property 30 minutes west of Sarina and attended Sarina State High School.

“I was home every night on the property and I loved it,” Sarah said.

“I got to be home with the horses and the cows and all that fun stuff.”

When Sarah finished high school, she opted to take a gap year, working as a station hand on a cattle property.

“I guess I always knew I had a passion for ag growing up on a property…but I didn’t really know how many opportunities there were in the industry, so I just took a gap year,” she said.

“I absolutely loved it; I learnt so much in that year and I think that’s when I realised I really did want a career in ag.”

Sarah undertook a dual degree at the University of Queensland in Gatton, studying Bachelors of AgriBusiness and Animal Science, with the long-term hope to work on a property.

“I just want to keep expanding my knowledge in different areas,” she said.

“It’s such a diverse industry, especially now with growing food demands, technology, there’s just so many cool avenues you can go down.

“I’d definitely love to travel, and I think with ag we’re very lucky that there’s a lot of opportunity to do that.”

As Sarah was entering the final two years of her degree, she was made aware of the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship, an initiative providing eligible university students with a $10,000 bursary over two years.

The program provides students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills, expand their networks, attend an annual four-day professional development workshop and complete two weeks of industry work placements per year.

The Horizon Scholarship Program is open to students studying agriculture-related or STEM degrees with major studies and/or subject selections that align to agriculture.

“Our cohorts are no longer made up solely of ag students from traditional farming backgrounds,” said AgriFutures Australia Managing Director John Harvey

“We now have scholars studying engineering, law, business and communications.

“We have scholars from the inner city in the same room as students from cattle stations in central Queensland, and this diversity in backgrounds and thinking is beginning to elevate the conversations beyond anything we’ve seen before.”

Sarah has just completed her third year of study and her first in the program and said it has grown her networks, given her countless more opportunities in the industry and developed her skills personally and professionally.

“I think the program, in that way, is unlike anything I’ve ever done before,” she said.

“I would just encourage anyone to go out and apply for all of these sorts of things and take every opportunity that comes your way because your network is the biggest thing.

“No matter what your interest is, whether you come from an ag background or not, there’s a role in ag that needs all of those different areas.”

For more information and to apply, visit www.agrifutures.com.au/horizon.

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Arts And Crafts Centre Turns It On For Mackay Visitors

Christmas shopping was mixed in with a lunch day trip when a group from Helloworld Mackay visited the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre last week.

The group, led by Cathy Craig, Kaye Lewis and Susan Clarke, were on a Christmas day trip including a tour and morning tea at the Sugar Shed, a stop at the Arts and Craft Centre, followed by lunch at The Palms Restaurant at Sarina Beach.

The talented local crafters at the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre have put together a wonderful display of their Christmas creations which are going at cheap prices, so the group had plenty to look at.

The Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre is a bustling hive of colour and creativity leading up to Christmas. As well as unique ornaments and decorations, there are a myriad of gift ideas, from hand-made wooden toys to last a lifetime to fashion accessories and art, jewellery and household items.

Check out the standing Santa’s and colourful stockings, the quirky reindeer or the gorgeous wreaths.

The Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre is located at the Field of Dreams.

____________________________________________________

Cathy

Helloworld guides Cathy Craig, Kaye Lewis and Susan Clarke at theSarina Arts and Crafts Centre. Photos: Rhonda Payne

Volunteers

Volunteers Helen Stewart and Lilian Brown serving a customer at theSarina Arts and Crafts Centre

Visitors

Visitors from the Helloworld day trip look over the displays at theSarina Arts and Crafts Centre

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MACKAY OPTOMETRISTS AIM TO COLLECT ENOUGH PRE-LOVED SPECS TO MEASURE FROM MACKAY TO BUCASIA BEACH AND BACK

Image: Canelands Specsavers hope to receive 200,000 donated pairs of glasses to donate to those in need

75% of Mackay households have at least one pair of optical or sunglasses that they no longer use Optometrists are asking households to donate their pre-loved glasses to those in need

Specsavers are asking the people of Mackay to donate their pre-loved glasses to help communities in need, after new research has found that on average, 75% of Australian households have at least one pair of optical glasses or sunglasses lying around at home that they no longer use. This equates to a whopping 36 million pairs of unused optical glasses or sunglasses across the country that could be used by those in need.

As we head into the Christmas period, it’s the perfect time to help Specsavers Mackay Canelands reach their goal of collecting 200,00 pairs of glasses. To put that into perspective, if the glasses were placed end to end, they could stretch from Mackay to Bucasia Beach and back.

Local Mackay Canelands Specsavers retail partner, Monica Green says that this time of year is a fantastic time to think about donating glasses.

“We see a huge influx of people wanting to use their health insurance benefits to purchase a new pair of glasses. We’d love to see more people donating their old specs in store so they can benefit people in need.”

In partnership with Lions Recycle for Sight, Specsavers is now into their fourth year of the recycling program, which sees quality glasses and sunglasses being delivered to people in need overseas. In 2018, Lions Recycle for Sight sent 334,860 pairs of refurbished spectacles to 20 destinations overseas.

The World Health Organisation has found that 1 billion people worldwide are living with vision impairment because they do not get the care they need for conditions like short and far sightedness, glaucoma, and cataracts.

“We’ve loved being able to directly work with the community in helping them to recycle their older pairs of glasses. It’s such a great feeling – being able to tangibly see the impact that you’re making”, says Monica.

To head in store to donate any of your own pre-loved glasses, visit Specsavers Mackay Canelands at Shop GD2068-70,Caneland Central S/C Cnr Victoria St &, Mangrove Rd, Mackay, or visit https://www.specsavers.com.au/stores for more information.

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A new healthy vegetable snack, drawing on innovation from Australia’s national science agency CSIRO together with start-up Nutri V, will see food waste reduced and support farmers to be more sustainable.

The product, Nutri V Goodie snacks contains broccoli, pumpkin and cauliflower, which can’t be sold and would otherwise have gone to waste, often as landfill or animal feed.

Raquel Said, CEO of Nutri V, explained that the company was born from a farming business with a passion for innovation and sustainability.

“Part of growing veggies can involve ending up with tonnes that don’t meet specification or there’s an oversupply and there’s stalks and leaves, yet it’s all still perfectly nutritious,” Ms Said explained.  

“We wanted to create a business to upcycle that waste into a sustainable yet delicious solution, which is what we’ve done with the Nutri V vegetable powders, a star ingredient in Nutri V Goodie snacks,” she said.

“We see this as vegetables reimagined, no fork required, and we think it’s the future of helping Australians top up their veggie consumption while supporting farmers to reduce waste.”

The Nutri V Goodies have two serves of vegetables in every pack and are a convenient option for people to increase their intake.

They have a higher vegetable content and health star rating than many other snack foods on the market.

CSIRO’s director of Agriculture and Food Dr Michael Robertson said vegetable-rich food innovation such as Nutri V helps farmers add real value to their businesses, while supporting sustainability in the agrifood sector.

“With CSIRO’s unique expertise and our world-class food research facilities, we can support the creation of healthy concept products and in the case of Nutri V, developing an innovative scaled process to take it to market,” Dr Robertson said.

“This partnership with a business at the forefront of agricultural production is a terrific example of how research can work with industry for the benefit of Australia.”

CSIRO and Nutri V are also working together on a suite of veggie-based innovations using other CSIRO technologies.

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Image: Mackay Public Health environmental health team leader Andrew Jones

Do you know Campylobacteriosis from Cryptosporidiosis or Salmonellosis from Yersiniosis?

These gastrointestinal diseases can make you seriously unwell and are the most commonly reported foodborne illnesses across the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions.

Mackay Public Health environmental health team leader Andrew Jones said Food Safety Week last month presented a reminder of safe food practices at home and the importance of reporting and testing to confirm a foodborne illness.

“Queenslanders celebrate with food. With the festive season upon us, this is an ideal time for people to brush up on food safety to avoid getting sick,” Mr Jones said.

“This year’s theme ‘Food safety – raw and risky’ warns about the risks of eating raw or minimally cooked foods, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs and veggies, which can increase your chance of getting food poisoning and possibly a parasite infection.

“A number of bugs can cause food poisoning, however, the two most common foodborne illnesses are Campylobacter and Salmonella. Both of these can be caused by people either eating food raw or not adequately cooking food,” he said.

“Year to date, there have been 286 reported cases of Campylobacter and 165 for Salmonellosis across our health service. Across Australia, food poisoning accounts for an estimated 4 million cases, almost 48,000 hospitalisations and sadly 38 deaths*.”

Knowing how to prepare, cook and handle food properly ensures that food does not become contaminated, and makes sure that harmful organisms are killed, or that their growth is slowed or stopped.

“Keep yourself and your family safe by cooking food thoroughly using a digital food thermometer to check the internal temperature on the thickest part of the meat.” he said.

“Contamination can occur when food is handled or processed by people with unclean hands, is processed with equipment that isn’t clean, or is cross contaminated by other food.

“Hygiene is important. Thoroughly wash your hands with warm soapy water before handling food and then again at each change of food group.

“Swap all used utensils and cutting boards when you change food groups and always wash everything with hot soapy water when you have finished.”

Mr Jones said foodborne illnesses vary in severity with people usually experiencing diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps or a fever.

“Most people recover within a few days with rest and fluids but food poisoning can make you seriously ill, and can be fatal in some cases.

“Early intervention helps to identify potential outbreaks and laboratory analysis helps identify the source of infection or contamination which may help prevent further cases of illness.

“If you suspect you have suffered food poisoning, seek medical attention and request a pathology sample to be collected, especially if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea.

“The Queensland Health Food Pantry website is a great resource providing information on food hygiene tips, advice about what to do if you suspect food poisoning and how to report a food safety issue.”

General food safety tips:

• thaw food in the refrigerator or microwave

• uncooked meats should be kept covered and separated from cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods to avoid cross contamination

• do not re‐freeze food once it has been thawed

• make sure all food used is fresh and within the use‐by date

• cook all meat, chicken and eggs thoroughly

• make sure hot foods are hot (above 60°C)

• make sure cold foods are cold (below 5°C)

• cool left-over food in small containers in the fridge. Food should be cooled from 60°C to 21°C within 2 hours and from 21°C to 5°C within a further 4 hours

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LIVING ON A RAZOR’S EDGE

Panic Attack! This is a terrible feeling of sudden and intense anxiety. These attacks can also have physical symptoms, including shaking, feeling disorientated, nausea, rapid, irregular heartbeats, dry mouth, breathlessness, sweating and dizziness.

Whilst a panic attack can feel as though something terrible will happen to you, they are not dangerous, but can be very frightening.

The exact cause of panic disorder is not fully understood but it's thought to be linked to a combination of things, including a traumatic or very stressful life experience. The subconscious mind then becomes more sensitive to events which are not actually going to be stressful.

Panic is designed to be a response reserved purely for situations that require immediate life-saving action. It is the rush of adrenaline designed to get us moving. But, for most of us, situations where we actually need to panic are very rare.

So, the problem occurs when a person panics for no (or insufficient) reason.

It’s basically the subconscious mind telling us something that isn’t actually true – an illogical thought.

The good news is, hypnosis can enable you to stop the subconscious from creating a panic response for no reason. It is a matter of contacting your subconscious and letting it know that this panic response is not a good strategy – in fact it is causing you even more distress and pain. Once the subconscious is made aware of this then we can ask it to change to a new, more beneficial strategy for your greater happiness.

The subconscious learns these unhelpful responses through events that have happened through your life. And, as these behaviours are learnt, so too can you learn new, more helpful behaviours. And you can do this safely through hypnotherapy.

Next time, I’ll talk about hypnotherapy for pain. Until then, remember: You CAN change!

David Lornie is owner and principal hypnotherapist at Frontier Hypnotherapy in Mackay. Dave is also the only qualified Australian practitioner of the Control System. He can be contacted on 0401 223 780 or help@frontierhypnotheray.com.au. W: www.frontierhypnotherapy.com.au

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Frustrated residents have slammed the faulty design which saw the Ted Cunningham Bridge approach collapse over the weekend.

The bridge itself remains intact but several metres of the approach road has been washed away.

The $4.6 million new bridge was designed to replace the old piece of infrastructure and is five metres higher than its predecessor which runs adjacent.

Just days before its collapse residents who frequent the nearby Bowen River Hotel held a Christmas Party and unofficial opening of the bridge at the site.

Shortly afterwards, up to 1.7 metres of floodwaters submerged the area and locals are now saying that they knew the approach to the bridge had structural issues.

“It didn’t surprise any of us,” said Clare Ringland, owner of the Bowen River Hotel.

“We told them it would happen – the bridge itself is fine – it’s the approach that has washed away.”

Ms Ringland said that they had warned workers that the materials they were using to construct the approach was not suitable.

“They were using rock and dirt from the paddock,” she explains.

“Everyone spoke to them and told them it wouldn’t work – you need a cement causeway or to extend the length of the bridge.”

“Locals know the river and where it runs the hardest – this isn’t a natural disaster, it’s a man-made one at the end of the day.

“Mother nature might have taken it out, but man should have made sure it stayed there”

Councillor Michelle Wright attended the scene in person on Sunday and said that the safety of residents was a top priority.

“We never wanted this to happen, and this isn’t good enough, people need to be connected” she said.

“Our first priority is to create access for families, people’s safety is paramount.”

She also said that the bridge “could never have been built to be completely flood proof” but aimed to “build resilience”.

“It’s a higher bridge which means that as the flood water drops, people can get back to normal quicker,” she said.

When asked whether she believed the issue to be a planning or engineering fault, Cr Wright declined to comment.

Council is now working on the old bridge to remove bollards placed there to prevent people from crossing and also repair damage from the recent flood.

Workers were on-site for three hours on Monday to assess damage and it is hoped that a passage will be opened by the time this newspaper hits the stands.

“Council will work to clear the deck of the old bridge from debris once access is gained and install an approach to the old bridge using a gravel stockpile which has been ordered to be placed on-site,” said a statement released by Whitsunday Regional Council earlier this week.

“It is likely that the old bridge will have a reduced load limit once re-opened.”

The approaches to the new bridge require “substantial re-work” and the “abutment will need to be reinstated” – there is no clear indication of how long this will take.

In the meantime, Ms Ringland says she is concerned about how residents will make hospital appointments, herself having surgery booked in two weeks’ time.

She has also had to cancel several accommodation bookings and is losing thousands of dollars as result of the incident.
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Several metres of the approach have been washed away

The Ted Cunningham Bridge before the flood. Photo credit: Crissy Colman

The flooding measured up to 1.7 metres

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Happy Holidays, Constant Readers.

I’ve lived here for two years (almost) and people keep saying to me: “Boy, have you experienced a summer here yet?”

To which I was invariably answering: “Yeah, I have. But, you know, it gets hot down in Adelaide.” But I think I was lying – a dry 45 degrees in the south, blistering as it may be, is nothing compared with a Whitsunday weather system. The air up here is genuinely thick, and I’m almost certain it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

It’s like you’re miserably swimming in it.

And it’s only come to a head in this past week (as I write this on Tuesday) with a heat wave destined for Cannonvale.

For a majority of the year (although it sort of streams past when you’re in it) the weather is peachy in paradise. Those winter months are positively beautiful.

Everything flows on from one thing to the next, and you forget about those horrid moments months back where you were glued to your chair at home, sitting there in your jocks sweating like you’ve just run a marathon in Dubai.

The winds of winter move every part of you when you’re by the ocean’s edge at dawn. Lilac light paints the early morning, waves smooth the silver, pockmarked sands. You feel easy and free.

Then you come back to summer. The weather’s either close-to-rain or raining. Your air conditioner has a smoker’s cough. But it’s the price you pay for paradise in those middle months.

Like life, you stick with the bad for the good, and the good for the bad. Difficult times make the easy times better; challenge is the spice of life, like variety.

Stick with the hard weather, Whitsundays. All storms – and humidity - pass and make the sun even brighter when it comes from behind the cloud.

Declan

Quote Of The Week:

“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” ― Leonard Cohen

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Santa’s helpers are never the only volunteers working up to Christmas each year.

We have members of our communities working hard to prepare for the things that go along with the holiday season.

Right up until Christmas eve, volunteers will be busy wrapping presents at both Caneland and Mt Pleasant shopping centres. With the gold coin donations going to RACQ CQ Rescue and the Mackay Hospital Foundation, so don’t forget to support these groups in their efforts to put back into our communities.

With less than three weeks to go there are other charities out there that need our support over the holiday season. A quick google search of “donate in Mackay over Christmas” will give plenty of options, including Vinnies Christmas Appeal, Anglicare Low-Cost Food Assistance, The Mackay Women’s Centre Christmas Hamper Drive with Star FM, The Salvation Army Toy and Hamper drive with Triple M.

It seems that most charities are asking for food hampers this year due to the rise in the cost of living. For those of us who can provide a couple of extra non-perishable food items in the trolley, this would be a big help.

And once Santa has been and returned to the North Pole, our emergency volunteers will be working and waiting.

It’s predicted that it is going to rain, a lot, and our SES volunteers having spent the year training will respond when we call on them.

But we can help these volunteers by taking the time before the rain to prepare our homes.

In my 20 years with the SES, most leaking roofs are preventable with cracked tiles, rusty tin and gutters full of leaves being the major culprits.

Half a day’s work can save thousands of dollars in repairs and insurance claims. Spend the time doing a quick inspection and if you have elderly or otherwise unable neighbours, do the holiday thing and offer to have a look for them as well.

And when we are at the beach over summer our Surf Life Savers will be at our patrolled beaches to watch over us. We need to help them by swimming between the flags and being patient while they do the stinger drags for us.

We have volunteers all over our communities helping us and others.

To them and everyone, stay safe, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!

Cr Justin Englert

Mackay Regional Council

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It’s Christmas time!

In two weeks’ time we will all be clocking off from the computer, pushing the chair under the desk, and walking out of the office in readiness for the arrival of the fat guy called Santa Claus through the flyscreen. How he does it is beyond me, but who am I to ask?

You know what else is happening? Heaps of Christmas parties.

Today I’ll be down on Wood St with my mates from YIRS toasting a great 2022. Then tomorrow I’ll be helping out in a panic room trying to get out before we all kill each other. Wish me luck.

This weekend is also a great time to celebrate birthdays. I’m sure there are a lot of birthday candles being blown out around Mackay and the Whitsundays and one of them is actually pretty special.

There’s a bloke that a lot of people know who is partying like it's 1999 and he doesn’t want anyone to know. That’s why I’m telling you here and I’m hoping that you’ll keep it to yourself and don’t tell anyone. Pretty please?

His name is Paul Rutland. Know him? Seen him out and about around Mackay over the last 30 years? There’s a lot of people who will say yes, so if that’s you, please wish him all the best for his special milestone day.

The reason I’m telling you this is because he does so much for this community and he needs to be congratulated for it.

Only recently he spent a considerable amount of time with me in our Jingle Jail at Porters. He did this without any questions. Paul also volunteers his time and efforts for the McGrath Foundation each year for local basketball. He’s coached top level ladies soccer a number of years ago and has the exclusive trophies to prove it.

He rides bikes for charity, feeds thousands through his restaurant The Creperie, maintains countless cars at his garage in Paget, and he also is known to run up the Eungella range just for fun back in the day. How he got back down, well I’ll let you ask him so he can tell you the actual answer. It’s quite a story, let me tell you.

Paul Rutland is one fella that never shouts from the rooftops of what he does. He travels under the radar and that’s what he likes. I respect that. But this weekend, if you see him, wish him all the best and a happy birthday.

Have fun,

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

Image: Happy birthday, Paul!

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When James came into the Cold Rock Ice Creamery in Airlie Beach, he decided he wanted to make his own milkshake.

Living with a disability, he didn’t fully understand that when you go out for a milkshake, it is normally made for you.

His carer was about to take him back home so he could make one there – but then something magical happened.

One of the team at Cold Rock, Shane Greenfield, heard the conversation and decided he would see if he could help.

Chatting with his teammate, Tammy Smith, the pair decided that they would help James make his own milkshake.

Bringing the blender and ingredients out to a lower table that was accessible to his wheelchair, James was able to help put the ice-cream, milk and flavouring in and then press the button.

“We didn’t even think twice about it,” said Tammy.

“He wanted to make a milkshake and so we thought about how we could make it happen.

“What I love about my job is putting smiles on people’s faces – everybody deserves that – and to walk out happier than they walked in.”

James was thrilled with his chocolate milkshake and the experience made his day.

“You could see a big grin on his face,” said Tammy.

“It was such a simple thing to do, and it didn’t cost a thing but it made someone’s day – you can’t get much better than that!”

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James making a milkshake at the Cold Rock Ice Creamery in Airlie Beach

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“A momentous occasion” for Whitsunday Coast Airport as the first Bonza aircraft touched down at the local facility on Wednesday as part of the airline’s preparation process for full-fledged operations.

‘Shazza’, one of two purple and white planes operated by the budget airline, landed in the region as part of a test run, travelling from the Sunshine Coast to the Whitsundays and back.

Landing at approximately 9:05am on Wednesday, the Bonza piloted flight acted as a training opportunity, allowing the plane’s crew to familiarise themselves with the local airport’s operations ahead of the official first flight which is now expected to take place sometime next year.

The budget airline is still awaiting its CASA approvals - which will allow its planes to operate commercially.

This first test landing on Wednesday signifies a progression towards those full-fledged operations.

Carly Povey, Chief Commercial Officer at Bonza, said the day allowed her “team of legends” the pleasure of flying into Whitsunday Coast Airport from the company’s home base at Sunshine Coast Airport.

“The flight is part of our internal preparation process as we prepare for wheels up. We thank Whitsunday Coast Airport for their support today,” she said.

Craig Turner, Chief Operating Officer Aviation and Tourism, said he was excited to see the iconic purple plane on the tarmac.

“We’re pleased to say the arrival and departure went smoothly and we’re another step closer to opening a new market for the region and connecting the Whitsundays with three new destinations,” Mr Turner said.

The airline plans to operate flights from Whitsunday to the Sunshine Coast three times per week, Whitsunday to Newcastle twice a week, and Whitsunday Toowoomba twice a week.

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Almost 50 per cent of division 2 residents failed to vote for the Division 2 Councillor Seat on election day last Saturday.

Only 2,426 people voted out of the 4,155 residents who were registered to vote, with just 1606 attending the polling station at Whitsunday Shopping Centre in person.

The people that did not vote will now receive a $143.75 fine, after an increase came into place in July this year.

This is the third time Division 2 residents have had to vote since May this year.

The Federal Election took place in May and was followed by a local government vote for a new mayor when previous Mayor Andrew Willcox vacated his seat when he successfully became the Federal Member for Dawson.

Then, when Al Grundy shocked everyone by resigning last month, a third election was needed to fill the Division 2 Councillor seat.

We are now almost a week after voting and the election remains too close to call, with the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) saying postal votes must be counted and can be received up to December 13.

At this stage, Clay Bauman is in the lead with 36.29 per cent of the votes, followed by Andy Camm on 27.04, Chris Harvey on 21.24 and Dan Popovich on 15.33 per cent.

In the coming days, Mr Popovich’s second votes will be distributed according to the ‘optional preferential voting system’ and allocated to the other candidates.

To be declared the winner, a candidate requires 50 per cent plus 1 of the total formal votes counted.  

“While the leading candidate is currently ahead on first preference votes, this can, and often does, change when preferences are distributed,” Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said.

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