The Rotary Club of Walkerston has, just a couple of weeks ago, welcomed its first exchange student since the world pandemic put a stop to any sort of international travel. For about three years there were no exchange students moving around the world.

It is indeed a delight for Walkerston Rotary Club members to welcome Alice Macciocu from Sassari on the Italian Island of Sardinia, the largest island in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

Alice will be hosted by the club for a year. Attending a local high school and living with ordinary Australian families, experiencing the Australian way of life.

This can sometimes be a bit of a culture shock, but it is also very rewarding to experience this country’s many diverse cultures, as well as the natural beauty of the flora and fauna, of this region in particular – but also the many contrasting areas and regions of Australia.

Alice says that she already feels quite at home with her wonderful host family, even though she has only been here two weeks. She is looking forward to many exciting Australian adventures.

The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is a Rotary International Exchange Program for students in secondary school. It inspires young leaders to serve as catalysts for peace and social justice in their local communities and throughout the world, long after their exchange ends.

This program is possible because of the dedication, leadership, and passion of the many thousands of volunteers – both Rotary members and non-members - who make this unique program so successful.

Contributed by Walkerston Rotary Club

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Exchange student Alice Macciocu (front and centre) with members from the Walkerston Rotary Club

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Earlier this year, laws were passed to bring Queensland into line with New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT by limiting rent increases to once per year to assist in stabilising rents.

However, reports have emerged of some landlords and agents ending leases with tenants in order to increase rents more frequently than once per year.

A discussion paper has been released to ensure annual rent increase frequency limits are effective. The discussion paper considers a proposal to ensure the intent of the laws are not circumvented, and that renters aren’t unfairly penalised by behaviour aimed at avoiding limits to rent increases. One suggestion is whether rent increases should be attached to the property rather than the tenancy agreement to avoid the unfair end to lease agreements.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said she wants to ensure that the original intent of the law is respected.

“Queensland’s private rental market is a vitally important part of our overall housing mix, and I want to see that market thrive,” she said.

“That will happen when all players in the market act fairly and within the letter and spirit of the law.”

Also on the horizon, minimum housing standards will come into effect for new tenancies from 1 September 2023, and for all tenancies from 1 September 2024.

These standards include being weatherproof and structurally sound, being free from vermin and mould, being in good repair not likely to cause injury, having adequate locks and window coverings, providing a cooktop, adequate plumbing including drinking water and laundry fittings among other requirements.

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Light up the barbeque and fill your buckets, Porters Mitre 10 is keen to help you raise funds for your organisation. From sausage sizzles to car washes, your not-for-profit can raise funds and have some fun at Mackay Porters Mitre 10. To help your fundraiser run smoothly, they also provide the water, hose, and detergent for car washes, as well as a barbeque, gas, tables, and marquees for sausage sizzles.

What’s more, for a limited time Porters Mitre 10 is also donating $100 meat vouchers to organisations that host a sausage sizzle at their Mackay store so you can lower expenses and raise more funds. Weekend Fundraising Opportunities are exclusive to community groups, charities, and not-for-profit organisations.

Unsure how many sausages you’ll need, or what forms to fill out before the big day? Porters Mitre 10 are here to help! On their website you’ll find an extensive guide on how to successfully prepare and run your fundraising event, as well as social media promotion and COVID-19 safety measures. Whether it’s your first time or tenth time organising a fundraiser, Porters Mitre 10 makes it easy!

It’s no secret that Porters Mitre 10 is a part of the local community. Supporting various clubs such as Mackay Cutters, Pioneer Swim and Galaxy Netball, it’s second nature to the 140-year-old local business. Weekend fundraising is yet another way Porters Mitre 10 supports the community and local organisations.

To receive a $100 meat voucher to help your fundraising efforts, book your next sausage sizzle fundraiser online at www.porterscando.com.au/porters-in-the-community.

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My dog, Millie, is a three-year-old black and white border collie/kelpie/something else cross, that looks a bit like the dog in the recent New Yorker magazine cartoon we’ve put in this column, though she has shorter fur.

When she was about six months old, my wife and kids took her to visit some neighbours, who had recently acquired two fluffy little miniature poodle puppies.

Millie is a friendly dog so they left her with the two little poodles in the backyard while they went inside the neighbours’ house for a catch-up.

After a few minutes they heard a bit of puppy-yapping so they returned to the backyard to see that Millie had rounded up the poodles and had herded them into a corner.

She hadn’t hurt them but she did have them tucked safely in the corner and she was making sure they weren’t going anywhere. Job done.

When I recently saw the excellent New Yorker magazine cartoon we’ve featured here, it made me smile because it accurately sums up what a collie/kelpie type of dog is bred to do.

It is also an excellent play on words, with “herd” and “heard” being pronounced the same way, meaning different things but being equally applicable in the sheep’s response.

Of course, it also reminded me of Millie and her antics with the fluffy little “lambs” she came across at the neighbours’ place.

And it also made me think of real estate and the relationship between seller and agent. Who has the control and how much should the agent have?

It is important that the agent takes the lead and certainly controls the things that have to be looked after to ensure a successful sale … making sure the marketing is good, the write-up is enticing, the engagement with buyers creates the competition that we need to ensure the best possible price.

The agent is the seller’s ears in the market place and should be in control of the sale, meaning he or she is across everything, aware of who the buyers are and giving the seller feedback from buyers.

But, unlike the dog in the cartoon, the agent is not in charge, and is not the controlling force in the relationship between seller and agent. The best results occur when the seller and the agent understand each other and work well to get the best result.

However, the seller is the boss and always in charge. Millie is just not right for real estate sales.

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OPINION PIECE

The Mackay region is quickly becoming a premier fishing destination, offering 365 days a year fishing. Reef Catchments, as part of their “Turning Rubble to Reef in the Mackay Whitsundays” project, seeks to facilitate the expansion of coral reef habitat into otherwise bare areas of the marine environment. This will be achieved through the deployment of 30 Habitat Reef modules in the coastal waters off Mackay in the second half of this year.  

Installation of the Habitat Reef modules will have a positive flow-on benefit for recreational fishing. Habitat reefs are like natural reefs and will attract and provide fish habitat. The purpose-built Habitat Reef modules are structurally complex, providing habitat for fish, particularly during their vulnerable juvenile life stages. These modules are in addition to the ones in the Pioneer River which, after only six months, have shown through underwater footage that they are a huge success.  

The key design feature is a cave hollow at the bottom and a second, separated chamber above for small-bodied and juvenile fish species. By providing refuge from predation, this increases juvenile survival rates and boosts fish populations.  The outside surface of the Habitat Reef modules has been roughened to provide improved settlement areas for encrusting marine organisms such as coral polyps and oysters, expediting the growth of the structures.

The reef modules will be deployed across two sites easily accessible to anglers with small vessels. Species anglers can expect to encounter at the Habitat Reef sites include coral trout, grass emperor, striped bass, jewfish, golden snapper, small bait species such as hardyheads and herring, as well as mackerel and tuna.

They will be strategically positioned to transform areas of the marine environment into vertically complex reef ecosystems and will support the long-term sustainability of local fish stocks in the Mackay region. Our region is unique in that you can catch a fish within one hour in any direction, no matter what the time of year or weather conditions, and we need to make sure we have recreational fishing opportunities now and into the future.

Cr Alison Jones

Mackay Regional Council

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By Rachael Smith

The Whitsunday region could soon have two multi-million dollar on-land eco-tourism developments underway if the new Twin Creeks Eco Park, located at the end of Rifle Range Road in Cannon Valley, is approved by Council. This new development will join the ground-breaking Whitsunday Skyway Project which is seven years away from completion.

Mayor Julie Hall donned her work boots this week to take a four-wheel drive tour of the newly proposed Twin Creeks Eco Park located on the Hidden Valley rural development site in Cannon Valley.

The guided tour showed the Mayor, Council CEO Warren Bunker, Deputy Mayor Gary Simpson and Councillor Clay Bauman the extent of the 1000-acre site, a large proportion of which is set to become a vast on-land tourism offering.

This will include a large caravan park that offers 400 sites which will be a mixture of campers, caravans, safaris tents, eco-cabins, and villas.

There will also be a central restaurant and microbrewery, adventure playground with rope swing course, dozens of bush walking tracks and, most importantly an extensive mountain bike trail.

Developers are hoping that mountain-biking will become a huge all-season tourism drawcard.

“Queenstown in New Zealand actually makes more money from mountain biking than they do skiing,” said Ashley Rees, Director of the Hidden Valley Development.

“Mountain biking is a real driver of demand in the area and with the upcoming 2032 Olympics it would be awesome to think we could be part of that somehow.”

The developers are planning to set-up a network of trails that will offer a range of grades and levels, perfect for training mountain-bikers both prior to and during the Olympics.

Throughout the construction phase, 31 local people will be employed and during the operational phase there will be 128 local jobs per year.

Following Tuesday afternoon’s on-site tour, developers met with Whitsunday Regional Council formally on Wednesday to gauge the interest in amending the existing master plan approvals to accommodate this broader range of tourism and community activities.

If this project goes ahead, Twin Creeks Eco Park will be the second major development of this kind in the area, with development plans for Whitsunday Skyway already progressing.

Whitsunday Regional Council CEO, Warren Bunker, said that although some people may see the two applications as a conflict or competition, he sees them as ‘complementary’, creating a larger overall on-land eco-tourism offering for the Whitsundays.

Whitsunday Skyway will be located 430 metres above Airlie Beach, in the Conway National Park.

A one-kilometre cable car ride will take visitors from town to the summit where there will be a restaurant and large viewing area.

There will also be a series of world-class mountain bike trails and luge cart tracks to descend in style.

Both Skway and Twin Creeks are aiming to offer an immersive cultural experience that will partner with local Indigenous representatives and include educational and adventure activities for school groups.

With a large percentage of Whitsunday tourism focused on coastal or on-water activities, these two developments are set to both diversify and maximise our overall tourism offering.

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Jackson Gray, Councillor Clay Bauman, Brett Evans, Mayor Julie Hall, Corey Brown, Ashley Rees, Whitsunday Regional Council CEO Warren Bunker and Deputy Mayor Gary Simpson at the site of the proposed Twin Creeks Eco Park. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

Mayor Julie Hall receives an on-site briefing from the team at Twin Peaks Eco Park. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Korean Han-Ho H2 Consortium has partnered with the Queensland Government and Ark Energy to move forward with their proposed mega-project.

The proposed mega-project will see 1.8 million tonnes of green ammonia, a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, produced per year in the Whitsundays and exported to Korea.

The project will also see the expansion of the proposed Ark Energy Collinsville Green Energy Hub from an output of 3,000 megawatts to 4.5 gigawatts.

The proposal will be supported by the Queensland Government’s investment of $8.5 million into the Abbot Point Activation Initiative, a project that will encompass solar, wind, water desalination and an electrolyser to produce 20 tonnes of hydrogen daily.

Both the Collinsville Green Energy Hub and the Abbot Point Activation Initiative will create thousands of job opportunities for residents, with Queensland’s energy exports estimated to support up to 10,000 jobs and $33 billion in economic activity by 2040.

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Hi Everyone,

Wow - what a week! I feel like I have truly experienced the depth and diversity of our wonderful region over the past seven days, and it reminds me not only how lucky I am to have such a cool job, but also how lucky we all are to live in this incredible region.

On Friday night I drove down from my home in Cannonvale to the bright city lights of Mackay to attend the Whitsunday Voices Youth Festival Literary Dinner with my partner and our friends.

The keynote speaker was political commentator and comedian, Annabel Crabb, who regaled the audience with how she progressed from country girl to one of the most respected journalists in Australia.

She also shared a deeply personal story about how her older brother had recently and tragically died by suicide.

When she was a young journo, Annabel was not allowed to report on any deaths of this kind, and it was very moving to see her stand up now as an important public figure and speak so openly about it.

Hopefully her message will encourage us all to speak about suicide and more broadly mental health, rather than hide it away.

Continuing on with my theme of incredible Whitsunday experiences, on Monday afternoon myself and two of the team were lucky to be invited on a ‘joyride’ aboard Viper Whitsundays.

This new highspeed vessel can take passengers to the outer Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven all in one day.

It’s amazing to think tourists can now get to the outer reef in less than an hour!

This incredible experience was backed-up on Tuesday afternoon by a four-wheel drive adventure tour of the proposed Twin Creeks Eco Park site.

It was great to meet the enthusiastic developers and I had a great time bobbing along through muddy puddles and creek beds on the four-wheel drive buggy alongside Mayor Julie and other council representatives.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter” (Bernard Baruch)

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The evening had been perfectly planned, meticulously organised, and beautifully decorated.

The crowds were eager, sweeping past the bar to collect the complimentary drink before settling at a table for an evening of fun and laughter.

The Tiny Homes Project’s newest fundraising event was another massive hit with locals and visitors alike.

It was the day afterwards when Sandy Clark, Fundraising Coordinator for Tiny Homes Project, was tallying the results of the night, when she received a phone call from their accountant.

Confused, Sandy rang the bank.

Astoundingly, $10,000 had been deposited by an anonymous donator into the Tiny Homes Project account.

“But all the bank could tell us is that the person wished to remain anonymous, had attended the event, and that they were someone who loved what we’re trying to do and believed in the cause,” explained Sandy.

Sandy said the donation came the day after the event and pushed the entire proceeds up from $32,000 to $42,000.

This helps the Tiny Homes Project inch even closer to the day they can begin construction of their four tiny homes in Proserpine, hopefully by the end of the year.

“We’re exploring every option possible,” said Sandy.

Tiny Homes Project has been named as an organisation to receive fundraising efforts from the 2023 Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor’s Ball, a Play for Purpose raffle, the Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort Camp and sCare weekend, and the Whisper Restaurant and Bar Plate of Hope.

“We are so thrilled with the effort,” Sandy said.

For those wishing to donate to the effort, scan the QR code here.

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RESIDENTS RISE UP AGAINST YOUTH CRIME

By Rachael Smith

A group of concerned community members living in Cannonvale have banded together to share information and fight back against a recent spate of vehicle break-ins.

What is believed to be one young boy, aged around 12-years-old, has been plaguing unlocked vehicles and stealing money.

One resident reported $800 went missing, but other thefts have been mostly loose change, the perpetrator choosing to leave behind keys, wallets, IDs and other expensive or personal items.

Local resident, Michael Stodd, set up a Facebook group called Neighbourhood Crime Watch, for people who have been robbed.

“Unfortunately, we have all left our cars unlocked and there are a lot of Airbnbs around with always new people coming and going so there are a lot of unlocked cars at the moment,” he said.

“There's always going to be someone to steal from so it will continue until this person is caught.”

Mr Stodd explained that the group of residents are all “keeping an eye out” by monitoring security cameras, driving around at specific times the thief is known to operate and sharing information.

Another resident, who has asked to stay anonymous, said he is setting up an action group to combat the issue and that within the first 12 hours of announcing, over 30 individuals contacted him.

Over the weekend dozens of residents took to Facebook to share their experiences with others.

“Yes, the glove boxes were raided two nights ago on Iluka Street,” said one post.

“Yes, both cars in our driveway the night before on Wambiri Street,” said another.

One resident decided to walk around and see how much of the area was impacted – “I've walked everywhere this morning and there are around 20 cars broken into last night in this area and some people are still finding their cars gone through.”

Residents are advised to keep their vehicles locked and to remove all money and possessions.

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A map of the area being targeted by the thief

Security camera footage of the alleged perpetrator in action in the area

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DESPITE $3.5BN FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT

By Rachael Smith

The last bulk billing doctor’s surgery in the Whitsundays changed its practices in May and will now only offer free medical services to certain patients, such as concession card holders.

This means that a high percentage of Whitsunday locals will need to pay around $75 for a standard appointment, with around $40 paid back into their bank account as a government rebate.

This means each trip to the GP costs, on average, $40.

The doctor’s surgery receives around $40 from the patient and $40 Medicare levy from the government.

Comparatively, when a doctor’s surgery bulk bills they receive just $40 from the government to fund all operations, from doctors and staff salaries to leasing the premises and purchasing equipment.

The Medicare rebate has been frozen since 2014 and with rising costs, this nominal figure has not been enough to keep the business viable.

Local Pharmacist, Allan Milostic, from Live Life Pharmacy said that he can understand the reasons we no longer have bulk billing surgeries in the Whitsundays.

“Medicare simply haven’t kept up with the increase in costs,” he explained.

“Over the last four years it has become financially unviable.

“I believe healthcare needs to be affordable to everyone and the government needs to ensure that this happens.”

Retired doctor, Peter Beaumont, who has been practicing for over 50 years, five of which were spent practicing in the Whitsunday area, said that he has seen a lot of change over the years and that this trend is not a recent one.

“It started a long time ago, it has not happened suddenly,” he said.

“I think the pandemic made doctors question whether it was all worth it.

“Doctors have been doing charity work for the government for years.”

“There are not enough GPs, especially in rural areas like this. In rural areas, they need to work really hard and with lots of responsibilities.

“Even the government incentive of $30,000 to relocate didn’t attract more doctors to the region – if you go to an area with a shortage, you work twice as hard.”

Dr Beaumont says that “private practice is a private business” and creating a better system is up to the medical industry and the government.

“It’s a shame that private health insurance can’t pay doctor consults,” he said.

“But I think that is perhaps because it would undermine Medicare.”

Dr Beaumont said he believes that, in many cases, it is now up to the ‘private’ patients to pay for the patients that are bulk billed.

“If you go to the supermarket, they don’t offer a discount – food is as important as health care.”

A small reprieve on the issue came with the 2023 budget announcement of a $3.5 billion incentive to bulk bill, effectively tripling the fee doctors receive from the government.

This incentive, however, is only available for children, pensioners and concession card holders and therefore leaves a high proportion of the population paying for their GP visits.

In the United Kingdom, 10 per cent of each person’s tax goes to the National Health Service (NHS), compared to just two per cent towards the Medicare levy here in Australia.

Perhaps an increased percentage of tax would be a better option for Australia.

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Remembering a man “who would do anything for anyone”, the family and friends of Gavin Hussey, who tragically passed away in a road accident near Proserpine two weeks ago, celebrated his life at his funeral in Townsville yesterday.

Survived by his soul mate and life partner, Sam Kissier and her two children, Jacinta (22) and Jasper (15), who he loved like his own, Gavin’s passing has left a big and irreplaceable hole in the lives of his loved ones.

“He was a flirter and a true gentleman,” said Sam who had been in a loving eight-year relationship with Gavin.

“There was nothing bad about him, he was such a genuine guy – likeable, sociable – and that laugh! It was very loud!”

“Gavin had been planning to ask me to marry him and I wish that he knew that I would have said yes 100 times – I just want to be hugging him and kissing him – I love him so much and hope I get to see him again one day.”

Gavin was originally from Townsville but had been living in the Whitsundays for over 15 years, many of which he had spent working as a contract truck driver for Whitpro’s postal deliveries.

He is also survived by his parents, Judith and Ronald, his brother Brenden, sister Annika and niece Madison.

His lasting legacies will always be the way he made everyone feel good about themselves, the unique bond he had with each of Sam’s children and the way he made Sam feel special at all the important times like her birthday and Mother’s Day.

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Gavin Hussey and his partner Sam Kissier in happier times. Photo supplied

The couple with Sam’s children. Photo supplied

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The Whitsundays Songwriter Festival has announced Emmy Winner and three-time Grammy nominated American artist Toni Childs to their line-up.

Now in its second year, the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival provides an opportunity for local singer-songwriters to learn from seasoned professionals in an intensive one-day workshop.

Toni Childs is a globally acclaimed singer-songwriter, who is infamous for her powerful vocals, independent spirit, and intimate storytelling.

Her discography includes massive hits ‘Don’t Walk Away’, ‘Stop Your Fussin’, and ‘Many Rivers to Cross’.

Festival co-founders Karen Jacobsen and Francesca de Valence said, “We were blown away when Toni said yes to joining us for the festival. We are both in awe of her talent, success, and career.

“To bring an artist of this international standing and reputation to the festival is a massive coup for local songwriters and the region.”

While in Airlie Beach, Toni will also join the professional faculty of the Emerging Songwriter Workshop, to mentor songwriters with their own music.

She will perform alongside other artists in a Concert and Conversation event at Paradiso Restaurant, culminating the festival with a fantastic display of musical art and powerful vocals.

Whitsundays Arts Festival president, Jess Begun, is also delighted to welcome Toni Childs to the Whitsundays.

“Last year’s songwriter line-up was outstanding, and this year is shaping up to be even more remarkable.

“The success of Karen and Francesca’s concept of a professional song writing residency and one day workshop for local songwriters to learn from artists of such talent and accomplishment is exceptional.”

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Singer and personality Toni Childs is coming to the Whitsundays to coach aspiring singer-songwriters. Photo supplied

Spectators and locals of Airlie Beach are being spoilt for choice, with a fully-fledged program of the Airlie Beach Race Week encompassing all things sailing, salt and sweet vibes.

The lawns of the Whitsunday Sailing Club will be alive each evening, with live music almost every night, showcasing the very best of local and visiting talent, including G-Force, Kieran McCarthy, and Mason Rock Bank.

The Whitsunday Sailing Club lawns, dubbed the Festival Village for the week, will also host a variety of food trucks and cocktail bars for a sailing seaside eat-street, as well as the 20 Degrees South Bar and Restaurant open for bookings for those preferring a sit-down meal.

For those wishing for a front seat to the thrilling action, there are a series of speciality spectator boats.

Each tour is about three hours long, and includes a perfect view of the race, in close and comfortable quarters.

Speak to the team at the Whitsunday Sailing Club for more information regarding the spectator boat.

On Sunday, attendees and locals are welcome to attend the special Long Table Lunch.

Held on the sea view balcony of the Sailing Club, overlooking the Coral Sea, the lunch will host a South American themed five-course degustation menu.

On the final night of the Race Week, be sure to get to Festival Village for the closing ceremony and fantastic firework display, on Thursday August 17.

WHAT: Airlie Beach Race Week

WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club

WHEN: Thursday 10 August – Thursday 17 August

PRICE: All evening entertainment is free

TICKETS: Long Lunch/Spectator Boat tickets: abrw.com.au

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The daylight action of the Airlie Beach Race Week gives way to music, food, and laughter on the lawns of the Whitsunday Sailing Club. Photo supplied

Over the weekend, the Whitsundays region welcomed 10 Starlight Children’s Foundation children from across Australia, for a jampacked weekend full of fun, laughter, and non-stop entertainment.

The Starlight Children’s Foundation marked their 13,000th Starlight Wish, banding together with Virgin Australia to create ‘Happiness Island’ on Hamilton Island.

Starlight endeavour to provide a sick child with the chance of happiness, of something fun to look forward to and to create wonderful memories with their loved ones.

The 13,000th wish recipient was 15-year-old Lara from Canberra, who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma.

This was her first wish, and she wished for a relaxing family holiday at Hamilton Island.

Lara was joined with nine other children, between nine-years-old and 21-years-old, and their families.

“At Starlight we recognise being sick shouldn't mean missing out on the happiness of childhood,” said Starlight CEO Louise Baxter.

“Happiness is one of the strongest determinants to how we perform in education, employment, and long-term healthy life behaviours.

“For 35 years, Starlight has been granting children their life-changing Starlight Wish.

“These adventures create lasting memories and provide a sense of hope when it is needed most,” she said.

While on Happiness Island, the children had a sunny beach barbeque, a chance to head to Whitehaven beach, a bowling and pizza night, and a fantastic fireworks show.

For the remainder of 2023, Starlight will complete over 700 wishes, with 12 set to travel to Hamilton Island.

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The team from Starlight, their 10 special guests and their families landing on ‘Happiness Island’. Photo supplied