As the floodwaters surrounded our communities and the main highway was cut off, both to the north and the south, much of the Whitsundays became like an island where many people were marooned and unable to return home.

Stranded without any provisions and with local accommodation quickly reaching capacity, the Disaster Management Group, operated by the Whitsunday Regional Council, jumped into action opening two local Disaster Coordination Centres.

The first site to be activated was at the Bowen PCYC on Sunday and over the course of three days 400 people used the emergency shelter, 200 of which stayed overnight.

People slept in cars in the carpark, others camped inside the centre using the blankets, linin and hot showers provided.

Proserpine Entertainment Centre was the second shelter to be opened on Monday night, welcoming over 50 people.

Mayor Julie Hall, who is also the Chair of the Disaster Management Group, said she was pleased with the overall response.

“As the Mayor, I am proud of the community who all pulled together to help people in need,” she said.

In both locations there was a staggering amount of support from local businesses and individuals who volunteered their time.

From local supermarkets delivering provisions to the pizza shop arriving with hot pizzas, individuals bringing in spare linen, homemade lasagnes and dozens of crockpots overflowing with hot food and kindness.

Stranded motorist, Troy Hankin, who had been moving from Toowoomba to Townsville with his four children, said that he had never experienced such compassion.

“I think I’ve put on a few kilos while I’ve been here!” he joked after three nights at the Bowen PCYC.

“The kids love it here so much they don’t want to leave!

“I’d like to thank all the volunteers from the bottom of our hearts – thank you for your generosity – Bowen is a great little place and we will definitely be back!”

Sergeant Michelle O’Regan from the Bowen PCYC was on the scene throughout the event and didn’t return home until 4am on the first night.

She said it was incredible to see how, what could have been a traumatic experience, turned into something truly special.

The local vets brought dog food for any stranded pets, a volunteer arrived to conduct a yoga class and Bowen Tourism invited all the children to the Big Mango to enjoy a mango sorbet.

“For a lot of the kids, instead of it being about the tragedy, it was more about the adventure!” she said.

Councillor Michelle Wright was also at the Bowen PCYC throughout the event and said she was overwhelmed to see the generosity of the local community.

“I think we’ve got six croc pots on the go out the back there!” she said on Monday evening.

“We have a really generous community and it’s times like these we realise how lucky we are for everyone to band together when needed most.”

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Troy Hankin and his four children spent three nights at the Bowen PCYC shelter

Well fed pets and their owners found comfort at the shelter

Hot pizza was delivered for all to enjoy

Children ate delicious mango sorbet thanks to Bowen Tourism

Special deliveries kept on coming

The R.U.B.Y. crew

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Following a period of community consultation, the proposed site of the new Cannonvale Fire Station has been approved and will be constructed on the vacant plot of land on the corner of McArthur Drive and Shute Harbour Road.

The new station design is pending final approval and is being modified in response to the community consultation which raised some concerns of noise and light pollution potentially affecting homeowners on the residentially zoned block.

Acting Chief Superintendent Fire and Rescue, Clint Tunnie, said that fire stations are designed to be put in an urban interface and that there will be no impact to local residents.

“It is not unusual to have Fire Stations in residential areas,” he said.

“If anything, it is a positive and there will be no negative impact on local residents.”

The Cannonvale site was selected to best serve the growing population and its location was decided by using a ‘response isotope’ that examines the ability of the Fire Station to best serve the community.

“It was assessed according to factors like being close to where most calls are coming from and our ability to get the fire trucks across town or out to the highway to help people as quickly as possible,” said Superintendent Tunnie.

It was determined that the new central location will allow local fire services to be as quick and efficient as possible.

Superintendent Tunnie said that the station is not 24 hour and will therefore only be open during the day unless there is an emergency.

“Only four staff work there all day and training is just once a week,” he said.

“The bulk of this training is done out in the community, because that’s where we learn most.”

During the community consultation phase residents had the opportunity to participate in one-on-one feedback.

As a result, there have been changes made to outdoor lighting among other modifications to the station design.

“We now have a further community engagement plan and anyone in the community is welcome to make contact,” said Superintendent Tunnie.

“We are always happy to sit down and talk to you.”

Dates for the completion of the final design or commencement of construction are yet to be confirmed.

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Airlie Beach Fire Fighters Blair Mitchell, Station Officer Rees May, Fire Fighter Andrew Neil, Station Officer Paul Pfeifer and Fire Fighter Nick Bellinger. Photo: Rachael Smith

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Supermarket shelves are bare, tourists have been unable to make domestic and connecting international flights, the hospital has been inaccessible by land and hundreds of motorists have been stranded between flood waters.

While this amount of rainfall will undoubtedly set new local records, the annual wet season in the Whitsundays is nothing new to our region.

Each year we can expect a deluge of torrential rain to fall between January and March, but while other regions may have flood mitigation infrastructure in place, the Whitsunday’s roads remain vulnerable to flooding.

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox said that this is despite studies and funding already allocated to address the frequent flooding issues in key areas like Hamilton Plains.

“I am not happy at all that nothing has been done to prevent Hamilton Plains from flooding,” he said.

“When I was mayor, I fought for funding for this and with the previous Member for Dawson George Christiansen, we got the money, had it in the Federal Budget and lots of studies have been done.

“This project really needs to get moving!”

Mr Willcox said that it is occasions like this that remind us all how vulnerable we are.

“Now we find ourselves in a situation where a major area has been cut-off – the Bruce Highway is a major highway for produce to go south and all the suppliers to come up north,” he said.

In regards to Hamilton Plains, Mr Willcox says he is extremely frustrated that nothing has been done to mitigate the floods during an extreme weather event.

“The money has already been provided!” he said.

“We just need the state government to get on and do the work – this is something that I will be pushing hard for – it’s simply not good enough.”

This week, the highway south of Proserpine near Goorganga Plains and Lethebrook was closed for five days after extensive flooding caused a B-Double truck to get stranded in flood waters.

Regional roads through Mount Julian and Strathdickie were closed from Monday until Tuesday afternoon.

Further north, roads opened from Proserpine to Bowen on Tuesday afternoon, along with access through to Townsville.

At the time of going to print on Wednesday afternoon, the Bruce Highway from Proserpine to Mackay was still closed along with the only access road to Whitsunday Coast Airport.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall said that she will ensure infrastructure is repaired as soon as possible.

“We’ve contacted the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, who also take part in our local disaster management group meetings, and they’re aware of the impacts to the infrastructure in our region,” she said.

“We’ll be seeking their assistance and I look forward to working with them during our region’s recovery.”

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Hamilton Plains has funding allocated for flood mitigation but nothing has been done

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Authorities are warning swimmers to be especially careful in the ocean during stinger season with records showing stinger instances in our region have already surpassed last years’ numbers and that we have over ten times the amount when compared to Mackay.

So far this stinger season, which runs from November through to May, local hospitals have recorded 13 Irukandji sting cases.

This is the same number that was recorded for the whole year in the 2021/22 season and we are only half way through the same period this year.

While Mackay have recorded just two Irukandji sting cases, Proserpine Hospital has seen nine cases, while Bowen Hospital has seen four.

Bowen Hospital Senior Medical Officer Dr Michael Reinke said the four Irukandji stings experienced in Bowen occurred at Gray’s Bay.

“We know it’s hot and that the best way to cool down is by going for a swim, but people need to be aware that there are stingers and jellyfish about,” Dr Reinke said.

“Protective clothing such as stinger suits and wetsuits will significantly reduce your risk of being stung.

“People should also try to swim in patrolled areas and know first aid.”

Residents are advised that it could be difficult to work out which species of jellyfish had caused a sting, so if in doubt, to treat a sting as if it was potentially serious by dousing in vinegar, carefully removing tentacles if present and rinsing with seawater, and seeking medical attention.

Symptoms of an Irukandji sting may not be immediate and can appear five to 45 minutes later.

Irukandji Sting Symptoms

• Severe backache or headache

• Shooting pains in muscles, chest and abdomen

• Nausea, anxiety and restlessness

• Vomiting and breathing difficulties

• In some cases heart damage and failure

First Aid Steps:

1. Call for help - Dial 000 for an Ambulance

2. Treat the sting - Pour vinegar onto sting, remove tentacles, rinse with seawater

3. Emergency care - Administer CPR if needed

4. Seek medical aid - Transport to hospital

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Bowen Hospital Senior Medical Officer Dr Michael Reinke

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Whitsunday Coast Airport is thrilled to announce that new airline, Bonza, is about to make its maiden voyage to Whitsunday shores following its successful partnership with the Sunshine Coast based company.

Bonza announced this week that it has been granted its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and now that they have received the final tick of approval they are making preparations for tickets to go on sale.

Whitsunday Regional Council Chief Operating Officer for Aviation and Tourism, Craig Turner said he is excited to finally be able to announce the news.

“Bonza’s first flight will be from the Sunshine Coast to the Whitsundays,” he said.

“We will put on a big welcome for them, their CEO and owners, and it will be an unbelievable showcase of our region to the rest of the world.

“Tickets are going on sale soon and we would love to see a flight land sometime in January.”

Bonza, Australia’s only independent low-cost carrier, announced that its initial route map will include 17 destinations and 27 routes – 93 per cent of which are not currently served by any other airline and 96 per cent of which currently have no low-cost carrier.

Whitsunday residents will soon be able to travel direct to the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle and Toowoomba.

Sunshine Coast flights will be coming to the Whitsundays three times a week and there will be flights to Newcastle twice a week.

Once more aircraft become operational, direct flights to Toowoomba will be introduced twice weekly.

Tim Jordan, Chief Executive Officer of Bonza said this is an historic moment for Australian aviation.

“The excitement for what we are about to deliver is palpable and the timing couldn’t be better,” he said.

“Demand for domestic travel is high and Aussies deserve for travel to be a basic right for many, not a luxury for the few. This has never been truer with today’s cost of living challenges.”

Key facts

• The inaugural Bonza flight will be landing in the Whitsundays

• The first flight is expected to arrive by the end of this month

• Bonza is Australia’s only independent low-cost carrier

• One-hour flights are expected to cost as little as $50

• Bonza will fly from the Whitsundays to Sunshine Coast, Newcastle and Toowoomba direct

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Whitsundays announced as first Bonza destination

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The long-anticipated expansion of the only entrance road to Airlie Beach was due to commence this week with preliminary works beginning the long process of transforming the two-lane access road into a four-lane dual-carriageway.

A recent spike in population growth is thought to be a likely reason works have been fast-tracked and it is believed the upgrade will improve traffic flow during peak times and increase safety for all road users both now and into the future.  

A recent survey showed 26,000 vehicles pass along Shute Harbour Road each day.

In total, there will be three separate projects amounting to $31.6 million needed to widen the road.

The first phase will begin on the section between Paluma Road to Tropic Road at a cost of $2.6 million which has been jointly funded by the Australian Government ($1.3 million) and Queensland Government ($1.3 million).

The initial works include the completion of a shared path project, a 3.5-metre-wide dedicated pathway for pedestrians and cyclists, the relocation of the Public Utility Plant and support for the future delivery of upgrades.

These works are expected to be completed by September and will pave the way for further phases which include the road-widening and also the addition of traffic lights at the intersection of William Murray Drive and MacArthur Drive.

There will also be new and improved active transport infrastructure such as on-road bike riding lanes, pedestrian crossings, new corridor lighting and upgraded bus stops.

During the construction phases Transport and Main Roads (TMR) say there will be minimal disruption.

“We will endeavour to minimise disruptions to road users and the community; however some lane restrictions and speed limit reductions will be in place throughout construction,” said a spokesperson.

“Please allow extra travel time, follow all signs and drive according to conditions.”

All works will take place from 6am to 6pm with some intermittent nightworks.

While this project has many merits which will directly benefit the community, it does include one feature that has been a point of contention with some residents who believe that the addition of traffic lights will impact on the ‘village feel’ of the scenic entrance way to Airlie Beach.

“My personal view is that roundabouts are a better solution for Airlie Beach and the main entrance to a tourist town,” said Division 2 Councillor Clay Bauman.

Mayor Julie Hall said that, despite personal views and Council’s ability to make requests, it is important to note that the state government makes the final decision.

“The decision will be made according to Transport and Main Roads’ Design Guidelines and engineering standards,” she said.

Main features:

• Four lanes instead of two

• Traffic lights at William Murray Drive and MacArthur Drive

• Improved intersections

• A 3.5-metre-wide shared pathway for pedestrians and bike riders

• On-road bike riding lanes

• Pedestrian crossings

• Upgraded bus stops

• New corridor lighting

• improved access to businesses

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With Amanda Camm MP

After two years in office, Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP has her feet firmly on the ground and endeavours to find balance between tackling the big issues while paying close attention to the smaller grass roots of community connection.

Dividing her time between attending Parliament sittings in Brisbane, where she passionately advocates for causes important to our region, Ms Camm also attends regular local events and meetings with constituents in her electorate.

Over the past year she has been able to give voice and create change to countless local causes, most notably by raising awareness for failings in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ward at Mackay Base Hospital.

“By shining a light on the substandard conditions and tragic atrocities we will now see an improvement for many,” she said.

Another example of raising the profile on local issues to create national conversation was Ms Camm’s dedication to changing the procedures around forensic lab testing.

Working alongside those affected, including Mackay local Vicki Blackburn whose daughter was murdered in 2013, the consistent advocacy has led to the acceptance of new lab evidence which could lead to the conviction of a killer.

“With the help of families who shared their tragic stories, we have brought attention to the issues and paved new ways for better forensic lab procedures,” she explained.

When planning for the year ahead, Ms Camm says that her biggest priority is to find avenues to further engage with the community and bring local issues to the attention of the state government.

“I really want to get the decision makers in the South East to understand the challenges we face here in our community,” she said.

“A lot of common sense has been lost at a state government level with decision making, policy making and what’s important”

“I am committed to bringing common sense back to the conversation”

Believing that state government decisions can often be out of touch with what matters to “everyday people”, Ms Camm firmly believes that people need tailored assistance and that the current focus often misses the most important points of an issue.

“The problems out there can be easily fixed with a little common sense!” she said.

This year, Ms Camm and her team aim to connect further at the grass roots level and will now be closing the head office in Proserpine on a Wednesday so that they can complete ‘business walkthroughs’ and be more available to visit the rural areas within the electorate.

“I want to be accessible to more people and get out into the region,” said Ms Camm.

“I think it’s important to connect at the grass roots level and connect with people who can’t necessarily get back into town so we can understand what’s important to everyone.”

What’s on your wish list this year?

1. The Kidney Renal Unit in Proserpine still hasn’t been built despite the fact it was committed and planned for. People are still driving up to Mackay, but they would not have to if this was built.

2. The Shute Harbour Boat Ramp safety concerns still need to be addressed before an accident happens. It needs to be accessible and upgraded immediately.

3. We need a real commitment to housing – the biggest challenge is the staff shortages this issue creates; we can’t get enough teachers and other major industries struggle as well. We need more housing supply and plans for future growth, but I think this will get worse before it gets better

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Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm heads down to parliament twice a month to advocate for the region. Photo supplied

Amanda Camm with Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli at the Shute Harbour boat ramp which desperately needs fixing. Photo supplied

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By Andrew Willcox MP

With Australia Day just around the corner my thoughts go to, what does it mean to be an Aussie? Sadly, in current times, there’s more concern than excitement, that stems from this question.

We have so much to be proud of in this lucky country of ours. It is the land of opportunity and certainly the best place to raise a family. We have a high standard of living and a democratic system that allows everyone a say in how our country is governed.

We should love the country we call our own and be proud of what we have achieved as a nation. But there is a plague spreading that could bring this all down.

It’s starting in our schools and universities, slowly but surely weaving its way through our workplaces and now mainstream media, and it’s encouraged by Labor. It’s called shame.

There was once a time where we flew our Australian flag proudly without a second thought, and it held centre stage with our leaders. Now, there are times it is not flown at all.  

There was a time when we sang our Australian Anthem and God Save The King or Queen in our schools and before every social event. Now, there are times both are not sung at all. This is a step-by-step depletion of our national pride - and this is wrong!

The Labor Government has now told local councils across the nation it is acceptable to opt out of citizenship ceremonies on our national day. They have made their agenda clear.

At this time of year, we should be celebrating our great nation, rather than descending in debates that create tension and unrest.

We are a proud multicultural nation – one of the most successful in the world. What kind of message does shirking our own citizenship ceremonies send to the new Aussies beginning their Australian dream?

This kind of attitude will only lead to a divided Australia with an identity crisis.

Let me tell you about the Australia and the Aussies I know and love. We are the country with the belief of giving everyone a fair go and we live in a society that knows how to have a laugh. We know how to put on a good barbie, down a beer and have your mates’ back. That’s the Australia and the Australian people I will always fight for in Parliament.

We don’t pretend our history is beyond reproach. We can’t change this. But there is more to our history than just one narrative and this is what makes us Australian.

There is nothing wrong with being proud of our country. We should be proud to stand tall and say, I Am Australian!

Caption:  Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP with Ms Sarmiento at a citizenship ceremony in the Whitsundays. Photo supplied

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Sigh, weather chaos strikes the Whitsundays Region yet again, impacting businesses, visitors and residents alike. To be fair, whilst we are not the only region affected, some of the localised flooding is so predictable it is becoming boring. Surely it is time to apply some simple fixes to Goorganga and Hamilton plains – even if the cost of raising the road is prohibitive – surely some extra culvert drains would make a huge difference in key areas. Let’s not hold our breath.

After such a cracker festive season, the deluge has certainly challenged businesses trying to restart after a break and also those trying to deal with lack of supplies and stranded visitors – but they are scenarios we have faced and dealt with many times before.

The Chamber kicked off the “networking season” with an evening event on Thursday focussing on the impacts that the recent Fair Work Legislation Amendment will have on businesses. There are major industrial relations changes that have been implemented and need to be complied with.

Joanna Minchington, CCIQ General Manager for workplace relations was invited to outline the changes and what is required to remain compliant. She was able to address any concerns and answer questions from the floor.

With significant changes in Gender Pay Equality, Flexible Work Arrangements, Pay Secrecy, Fixed Term Contracts, Enterprise Agreements, Anti-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and the introduction of paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave, it was an important event for all small businesses.

Keep an eye out for further details soon.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Coast Chamber President Allan Milostic.

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Coral Sea Marina Resort has started 2023 on a high by once again being awarded the 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accreditation.  

The Platinum level accreditation is the highest possible accolade under the Marina Industries Association’s (MIA) Global Gold Anchor Scheme and is reserved for marinas that provide exceptional guest experiences, high-quality facilities and outstanding service.

“Coral Sea Marina Resort again sets the bar for Gold Anchor marina standards, with service and facilities that continue to exceed the expectations of its tenants and guests,” said Marina Industries Association CEO Suzanne Davies.

“What’s so impressive is that the marina team continue to look at ways to better their facilities, whether it be the service they provide, the facilities or their environmental and community initiatives.”

This spectacular start to the new year comes off the back of a hugely successful 2022 when Coral Sea Marina won the prestigious ACREW Superyacht Business Award for World’s Best Superyacht Marina 2022.

After record-breaking marina occupancy levels during the winter cruising season, the year finished with a bang with Coral Sea Marina also becoming one of the first marinas in Australia to accredit under the Marina Industries Association’s newly launched Superyacht Ready Scheme.

“Superyacht visitation to the Whitsundays has grown exponentially over the last three years and our Superyacht services and facilities have likewise been enhanced to meet that demand,” said Coral Sea Marina CEO Kate Purdie.

“The addition of our new MIA Superyacht Ready accreditation gives captains and owners that extra vote of confidence that they have chosen the premier Superyacht marina in the region to accommodate their needs.”

Bookings for 2023 are stronger than ever and the marina is ready to showcase why the Whitsundays is the destination of choice for boating enthusiasts on Australia’s east coast.  

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Coral Sea Marina’s Superyacht berthing facilities

The Marina Village is also world class. Photos supplied

Council has a Community Grants Program which provides financial support for local sports, arts and non-for-profit groups in the region.

Last year, Council contributed $1.9 million in community grants. Round 2 is currently open until February 17.

To find out more go to whitsundayrc.gov.au and search the Grant Finder.

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I would like to start by wishing a very Happy New year to all our community and visitors to the region.

2022 was a year of positive change for me, as I learnt new skills and stepped into my exciting role as Mayor of Whitsunday Regional Council. I would like to thank you all for your continued support since my election.

I am excited to kick start 2023 by celebrating the inaugural Whitsunday Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremonies. The ceremonies will be held after the Australia Day, Our Whitsunday Way Family Fun Day which will take place at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre form 10am – 1pm, on January 26.

The family fun day will kick off the Australia Day celebrations with free family activities for all to enjoy, as well as live music, craft workshops and a free sausage sizzle. It will also include a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony to acknowledge Australia’s First Nations people.

This year, Councillors and I voted to combine the separate awards ceremonies across the region to create one inclusive and united regional event. Collinsville will still host their traditional Australia Day Breakfast and Award Ceremony from 7am at the Community Centre.

The Australia Day award ceremonies honour the members of our community who continue to go above and beyond to make our region a better place. I am incredibly honoured to be able to present the awards this year and to give my personal thanks to these amazing community champions.

The citizenship ceremonies offer us a chance to welcome our new residents into our beautiful region with open arms and celebrate the diversity of our wonderful community. The beauty of the Whitsunday region comes not only from our landscape and scenery, but also from the people that call this place home.

The year ahead is set to be an exciting one, with a number projects on track to help our region prosper such as the Bicentennial Board Walk upgrade, Choose Collinsville Streetscaping plan, Richmond Road floodway upgrade in Bowen and additional grey water storage at Lake Proserpine.

I wish you all a wonderful 2023 and hope to see you at the Australia Day celebrations on Thursday.

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One couple’s journey to bringing natural and organic produce to the Whitsundays while simultaneously reducing single-use plastic has come a long way since they first opened the doors of Airlie Health Hub a year ago.

During this time, Hayley and Paul Moran have challenged and transformed the daily habits of many local residents by gently educating them on the merits of new shopping methods than can easily be adopted by household.

By supplying bulk goods, their customers can buy as little or as much of any product they choose.

This gives them complete flexibility and freedom to either invest in a staple or buy the tiniest amount for a single recipe.

Every item in-store is also either natural or organic and sourced as locally as possible.  

With over 300 products in stock, you can choose from pantry staple items, dried fruits, nuts, pulses, superfoods, spices, flours, rice pastas and dairy products.

They also stock locally baked artisan sough dough bread, fresh eggs direct from local farms, a range of other pantry items and completely natural cleaning products.

“You don’t need to know a lot about organic produce to find something you will like here,” said Hayley.

“We have so many items that almost anyone could benefit from – simply come in and have a chat with us – it can be a bit overwhelming at first because it’s new – but we can explain everything and together we can find out how it suits your lifestyle.”

Saving The Environment, Protecting The Future

At Health Hub they are not only concerned with what you put into your body, they are also concerned with how it gets onto your plate.

Every time you purchase a natural or organic item from Health Hub you will also be helping the environment by using a recycled jar or bottle with which to transport your produce home.

Wicker shopping baskets are available to borrow in-store and they supply a collection of donated jars and bottles that can be used to store your purchased goodies.

Over the past year Health Hub are proud to have saved 22,573 one-litre bottles from being used thanks to their natural cleaning products and personal care range.

During this time, a total of 724 bottles of local honey has been purchased.

In addition, 4,620 kilograms of local produce has been sold without using a single piece of plastic.

Hayley and Paul have also saved thousands of jars and bottle from reaching landfill through their jar donation program which encourages anyone to drop in their used items for re-use in store.

“We believe this cycle is very important,” said Hayley.

“It protects our future and by also using organic products we can help encourage better farming practices, protecting the biodiversity of our environment.”

Here’s what we did this year:

• 22,573 one litre plastic bottles

• Sold 724 Litres of local honey

• Sold 4620 kilograms of produce without using plastic

Find Food Freedom Again

With an increasing number of people living with food intolerances, Airlie Health Hub are pleased to offer practical and affordable solutions that can give you back your food freedom.

From gluten free pasta and other alternatives designed to suit special dietary requirements, such as sialic and keto, Airlie Health Hub has a wide range of produce for you to browse.

“In a world where so many people have food intolerances, it’s wonderful to help!” said Hayley.

“We had one mum come in who said that her family can finally eat pasta again and that made my day!

“People are also welcome to come in and ask about hard to source items and we’ll do our best to get them for you.”

From special orders to bulk buys, Airlie Health Hub can help.

Healthy Food, Heathy Kids

Local families are increasingly looking to Airlie Health Hub for advice on how to reduce artificial preservatives, colours and other chemicals from their children’s diets.

With many studies now linking preservatives to behavioural issues and other health concerns in children, many parents are choosing to opt for organic, natural produce.

“It’s highly damaging putting preservatives into our bodies and a world without them would be a lot better,” said Hayley.

Preservatives have also been linked to fertility issues and skin conditions.

Airlie Health Hub can help you live a preservative free life by replacing your favourite family food items with equally delicious alternatives.

From peanut butter to confectionary and cereals, they offer organic goodness with taste satisfaction every time.

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Starting a new school term can be a nerve-racking experience that comes with many challenges like settling into a new classroom with a new teacher and classmates, adjusting to new ways of learning, timetables and recreation schedules.

Much of this can seem daunting to your children and, while you wish you could take the nerves away, it is actually better to help them build resilience – that way they know help themselves all the time, even when you’re not there.

Here are some top tips:

• Make connections - Teach your child the importance of engaging and connecting with their peers, including the skill of empathy and listening to others.

• Help your child by having them help others - Children who may feel helpless can feel empowered by helping others. Engage your child in age-appropriate volunteer work or ask for assistance yourself with tasks that they can master.

• Maintain a daily routine - Sticking to a routine can be comforting to children, especially younger children who crave structure in their lives.

• Teach self-care - This may be making more time to eat properly, exercise, and get sufficient sleep. Make sure your child has time to have fun and participate in activities they enjoy.

• Move toward goals - Teach your child to set reasonable goals and help them to move toward them one step at a time. Establishing goals will help children focus on a specific task and can help build the resilience to move forward in the face of challenges.

• Nurture a positive self-view - Help your child remember ways they have successfully handled hardships in the past and help them understand that these past challenges help build the strength to handle future challenges.

• Keep things in perspective and maintain a hopeful outlook - Even when your child is facing challenging events, help them look at the situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective.

• Look for opportunities for self-discovery - Tough times are often when children learn the most about themselves. Help your child take a look at how whatever they’re facing can teach them an important lesson.

• Accept change - Help your child see that change is part of life and new goals can replace goals that have become unattainable. It is important to examine what is going well, and to have a plan of action for what is not going well.

Written with thanks to APA.

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A young environmental crusader has been quietly contributing to the protection of our precious local ecosystems by spending her spare time cleaning up beaches and removing marine debris.

A project and a passion that started in her hometown of Warrnambool in Victoria has seen marine biologist, Emily Monacella, bring her skills to the Whitsundays where she continues her study of the type of marine debris that washes up on our shores.

Back in Warrnambool, Emily pioneered projects that created great change within her community.

Over the course of a year, she found 24,000 plastic cotton buds on a single beach in her hometown.

Distraught to see one small item cause so much impact on the environment, Emily lobbied for a change in legislation which led to the ban of single use plastic cotton buds thanks to her ‘Better Bud’ campaign.

Bringing this mindset and motivation to the Whitsundays, Emily has been on countless beach clean-ups since she moved to the area two years ago.

Thanks to her understanding partner, she is able to store the colourful array of discarded plastics in her garage and, instead of letting them return to landfill, she is creating art.

With broken bits of hard plastic, a glue gun and a wooden board she creates aesthetically pleasing designs.

Back in Warrnambool she crafted the pieces into signs that directed people to remote beaches.

Each time she completes a beach clean-up, Emily records and labels her collection and then uploads the results to the marine debris database provided by Tangaroa Blue.

She also traces their origin so she can see where the debris came from.

One of the most common items she finds are Aqua bottle caps which are a popular water bottle in Asia.

Emily is using information from the Whitsundays, studies she did in Warrnambool and also ger mother’s records from Weipa to create a map illustrating their prevalence across Australia.

“If you find any Aqua lids anywhere let me know,” she said.

“We are always looking for more data on where they’ve been found – you can send a message to me on Facebook if you like.”

“Even in the most beautiful regions in the world there is so much debris”

During the day Emily works as a Marine Biologist for Red Cat Adventures, a tour company that also has a passion for protecting the environment.

Thanks to funding from the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority, the company is able to conduct regular reef surveys that Emily conducts.

“When I lived in Thailand I became totally obsessed with coral,” said Emily.

“Then when we moved here and went for a tour with Red Cat it was just amazing!

“We met the team and the next minute I had a job!”

Since then, Emily has been involved with reef restoration projects, coral spawning studies and reef surveys.

Through Red Cat’s ReefSearch programs she heads out into the islands up to twice a week to conduct ‘Eye on the Reef’ studies.

In the coming months, she is hoping they will open the tour up to passengers who might like to contribute to the environment while enjoying a Whitsundays adventure.

“You can inspire people without meaning to inspire people”

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Help make change today:

• Only use reusable plastic bottles and shopping bags

• Look at the ingredients in the cosmetics you are buying – chemicals wash down the drains and into the sea

• Always recycle items and read labels – you can purchase items that are made out of recycled plastic

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Marine Biologist Emily Monacella conducts reef surveys for Red Cat Adventures

A skilled diver, much research takes place under water

Emily spends her spare time on beach clean-up duty

She collects discarded items and stores them in her garage

Marine debris is transformed into colourful pieces of art

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