Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm has stepped down from her role as Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, in an effort to prioritise her health and wellbeing. The announcement comes a fortnight after Ms Camm returned from six weeks of medical leave following major surgery, with the Whitsunday MP recognising she needed more time to recover. “This has been a considered and deeply personal decision,” Ms Camm said. “Having returned from six weeks of medical leave following major surgery I have come to recognise that my recovery still has some way to go and I need to prioritise my health and wellbeing.” “I sincerely thank the Premier for the opportunity to serve in his Government and for his support of my decision.” Ms Camm added in a presser outside of Parliament house in Brisbane, that the pressures of ministerial work had contributed to her decision to step down. This follows months of intense scrutiny over conditions for children in care and domestic violence prevention funding cuts had reinforced the importance of personal safety, especially in light of the recent attack on Victorian MP Helen Haines. “Public scrutiny and accountability are essential to democracy and to our institutions,” she said. “Harassment, threats, bullying and personal vilification are not and for the past year this has been my experience.” But during her time in the role, Ms Camm oversaw reforms to strengthen child protection, support foster and kinship carers and improve responses to domestic and family violence. Central to her child safety work was the Government’s response to the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry, which delivered 52 recommendations for improving the system. “The landmark Child Safety Commission of Inquiry was the turning point for the Child Safety system,” Ms Camm said. “There is much more work to be done, while early positive signs show we have stabilised numbers in the Residential Care system for the first time.” Her work in domestic and family violence included introducing laws for electronic monitoring of perpetrators to strengthen accountability, alongside her reporting a doubling of calls answered by DVConnect to help more people access support when they needed it. “After sitting with victims of domestic and family violence over many years through opposition and then in the ministry, I’m proud to have been part of delivering change that can help save lives,” Ms Camm said. In a statement following her decision, Premier David Crisafulli praised her work across both portfolios, describing the child safety inquiry’s reform roadmap as her greatest legacy and highlighting improved access to the domestic violence helpline. “I thank Amanda for her service to Queensland firstly as a Shadow Minister and then as a Minister,” Mr Crisafulli said. “Amanda took on an enormous task with a Child Safety system in crisis and a state in need of domestic violence reform. “With her dedication, passion and commitment, she has put Queensland on the road to repair both. “I speak on behalf of the Government, the LNP and all Queenslanders in wishing her the best in her recovery.” Ms Camm will continue serving as the Member for Whitsunday, reaffirming her commitment to the local community. “I remain committed to the people of Whitsunday as their Member of Parliament, and to supporting the Premier and the Government in delivering a fresh start for Queensland,” she said.
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By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay A firmly enforced bioethanol mandate, backed by increased local sugarcane production, is essential to strengthening Queensland’s industry resilience, regional jobs, and Australia’s long‑term fuel security. Our region holds enormous potential: not only for producing sugar, but for renewable fuel, energy diversification, and national economic security. Queensland’s sugarcane industry has always been a cornerstone of regional prosperity, but today it stands at a crossroads. Global markets are volatile and input costs are rising, and at the same time, Australia faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions, strengthen domestic fuel supplies, and build more resilient regional economies. A properly enforced bioethanol mandate is one of the most effective tools we have to meet these challenges head on. Queensland already has a mandate in place, but compliance remains inconsistent. When fuel retailers fail to meet their obligations, growers, mills, and regional communities lose out on opportunities that should rightfully be flowing into our local economy. Bioethanol is not a theoretical solution: it is a proven, practical, and immediate pathway to cleaner fuel and stronger regional industries and economies. Countries like Brazil and the United States have shown that bioethanol can reduce emissions, stabilise fuel markets, and create thousands of rural jobs. In these countries, and across the world, bioethanol forms a substantially higher portion of retail fuel sales than this country has embraced. Queensland has the same potential, but only if the mandate is taken seriously and enforced with the consistency it deserves. For Mackay, the benefits are clear. Our region is one of Australia’s most productive sugarcane hubs, with the land, infrastructure, climate, and expertise to support a thriving biofuels sector. Increased demand for bioethanol directly translates into increased demand for sugarcane. That means more cane in the ground, more certainty for growers, and more throughput for our mills, and we all know that milling is a volume game. This in turn supports jobs from the paddock to the processing line. But the opportunity extends far beyond economics. A stronger bioethanol industry enhances national fuel security, reducing Australia’s reliance on imported fuels. At a time when global supply chains are increasingly unstable, producing more of our own fuel is not just smart policy, it is essential. Every litre of bioethanol produced in Queensland is a litre of fuel Australia does not have to import. To seize this opportunity, we must also focus on increasing local sugarcane production. The industry cannot diversify, innovate, or expand into new markets without a reliable and growing supply of cane. More cane means more flexibility for mills, more investment in advanced manufacturing, and greater capacity to produce not only sugar and ethanol, but also bioplastics, green electricity, and other high value products. Growers are ready to meet this challenge. With the right policy settings from all levels of government, including a robust and enforced bioethanol mandate, we can plant more cane, improve productivity, and strengthen the long‑term viability of our region. But growers cannot do it alone. We need government to ensure the mandate is upheld, fuel retailers to meet their obligations, and industry partners to continue investing in innovation and infrastructure. Mackay has the land, the people, and the expertise to lead Queensland’s next era of renewable energy and agricultural diversification. What we need now is the policy certainty that comes from a mandate that is not only written into law but actively enforced. A stronger bioethanol mandate is not just good for growers it is good for Queensland, good for regional jobs, and good for Australia’s fuel future. The time to act is now. Bioethanol can use sugarcane by-products including molasses, bagasse, mill mud as well as plant material. Image: AdobeStock
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Marketing strategy boils down to answering four questions: What does your business want? > The goal. Who can help you achieve your goal? > The audience. What do you need to tell your audience so that they can help you achieve your goal? > The message. Where do you need to put your message so that your audience sees it? > The delivery. But how do you actually go about answering those Q’s? Like anything, the broad strokes are more complicated in practice but it’s a good framework to come back to when you’re planning your next marketing activity. Start by drilling down + identifying a measurable goal that you can work towards. Vague + lofty goals are okay, but without a clear way to track your progress, achieving them will be pretty tough. For example, tracking how many enquiries you get + the quote conversion rate can be useful info to have as a baseline. That way, if you do a targeted campaign to attract more work, you can see if it meaningfully pushed the needle in the right direction! Next, really empathise with who can help you achieve those goals. Try to build up a target customer in your head. How old are they? What do they want from your business? What are they interested in? The more specific you are, the easier it’ll be to craft messaging that will actually appeal to that person. Once you’ve defined your goal + who can help you achieve it, you’ve got to tell them how to help you do it. Your messaging should be the key information that your audience needs to know about your business. This is where you focus on not only what your customers want to know about you, but how your business is different to all the others out there. Your messaging should change based on the people you’re targeting. Lastly, the delivery. Where does your target market frequent? Do they use socials? Are they constantly listening to the radio? Do they frequent the pub on a Friday arvo? Once you know where they go, you can start figuring out how to get your message there. While socials are a great option, they’re not the only one. Billboards, coasters, or a flyer that sits on a wall somewhere are all effective options. But if that all sounds like too much effort, you can always reach out + talk to us. We’ll help you figure it out 😉 Taren McAuley
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With chiropractic care as the largest natural health profession in the world, Experience Healing is the leading choice in treating and maintaining physical health for people of all ages.
Experience Healing Chiropractic Centre has provided the Mackay region with the best chiropractic care for over eight years and counting.
Experience Healing believes in correcting the pillars of physical health, movement, strength, posture and balance. When these pillars are improved, pain is reduced and optimal physical health is restored.
Aiming to reduce the physical stress from everyday life, Experience Healing will allow you to thrive by alleviating pain, identifying where it stems from and treating the root cause.
Experience Healing offers relief through a range of services, including sports injury management, fascial cupping, laser therapy and chiropractic adjustments. They also stock a range of natural medicines by Metagenics to optimise your health to its full potential.
Experience Healing is dedicated to providing the quickest path to recovery by ensuring the root cause of your pain is found and addressed.
If you are in pain or feel like your body isn't functioning as well as it could be, listen to the signs and get in touch with Experience Healing, it will be the first step to feeling your absolute best.
Get on the road to recovery with Experience Healing by calling 0749 524 400.
Experience Healing Chiropractic Centre provide the best natural remedies in Mackay.
Photo supplied
Bell's Palsy often manifests as sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, leading to drooping features, difficulty in speech, and eye-related problems.
Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice, has gained recognition for its effectiveness in addressing the symptoms of Bell's Palsy.
Bell's Palsy is a neurological condition that can strike without warning, causing temporary facial paralysis and a host of associated discomforts. It is something the team at Art of Acupuncture sees quite commonly.
It is often caused by inflammation of the seventh cranial nerve resulting in temporary paralysis. Bell's Palsy is a challenging and frustrating condition, but there is hope for those affected. One promising avenue for relief is acupuncture.
Acupuncture, a holistic approach rooted in centuries of tradition, offers a ray of hope for patients seeking to regain control of their facial muscles and ultimately their lives. When combined with conventional medical treatments, acupuncture can be a valuable ally in the battle against Bell's Palsy.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points along the body's meridians. These needles stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms and improve blood flow, which can aid in the recovery process for Bell's Palsy patients.
Moreover, acupuncture is believed to reduce inflammation, boost immune function, and promote overall relaxation, contributing to the patient's overall well-being during their recovery journey.
It is crucial for those diagnosed with Bell's Palsy to consider acupuncture as a complementary therapy, in consultation with their healthcare provider, to increase their chances of a speedier and more complete recovery.
Many individuals have reported significant improvements in their Bell's Palsy symptoms, including enhanced facial muscle control and a reduction in pain.
If you or anyone you know would like to know more about how the Art of Acupuncture clinic can help, please give them a call on 0421 185 041.
Bob Wong
Bell's Palsy, also commonly known as facial paralysis
Photo supplied
I was talking to a young female friend recently and she told me she had left her car in a 30-minute parking zone and that time-period had already lapsed. But she was having fun and didn’t feel like bothering with the car so she was going to “risk it for the biscuit”.
I might have been hiding under a rock but I hadn’t heard the term before. I liked it and it is one of those terms where you can work out what it means.
That’s not the case with a lot of the terms Millennials and some Gen-Xers use where, thanks partly to texting and social media, a whole new language of acronyms and abbreviations has emerged and if you’re not in the know you don’t have a clue what people are talking about.
IMO (in my opinion), trying to understand the new language can be a CWOT (complete waste of time) and leaves me SMH (shaking my head) FWIW (for what it’s worth).
People who don’t understand this modern communication might experience FOMO (even I know that one) but others who couldn’t be bothered with any of it could experience JOMO (joy of missing out).
My 16-year-old son referred to something I said the other day as a “flex”. Someone tried to explain what that means but I still don’t really get it. I do find there is a bit of strategy of KPC (keeping parents clueless), which is quite nasty of the little brats.
When words and terminology are unclear there is a breakdown in communication. That might be okay by today’s kids but the industry I work in relies on clear, concise communication.
Good communication is vital whether you are dealing with a seller, appraising their house, suggesting a marketing and sales strategy, giving feedback from an open house or talking to a buyer about the features of a property, explaining price expectations, or negotiating a deal.
It might come as a shock to some young people but sometimes a text won’t cut it. You actually need to pick up the phone and talk to someone because what you are saying might lead to questions, the need for clarification. There might be a level of nuance or emphasis in the words that make the meaning clearer, more concise in a way that a text can’t achieve.
Of course texting and emailing have their place and there are times when you don’t need to bother someone with a phone call.
But the important moments, when it’s decision time, when an agent needs to earn their money, that’s when the texting needs to stop and it’s time to talk. And the words need to be clear, convey a meaning that the buyer or seller understands.
Take this sentence: “I didn’t say you should kill him”. The meaning of the sentence changes completely depending on which word you emphasise.
I didn’t say you should kill him … I didn’t say you should kill him … I didn’t say you should kill him … I didn’t say you should kill him … I didn’t say you should kill him … I didn’t say you should kill him … I didn’t say you should kill him.
Clear communication is vital in my business because, while it’s not life and death, we are talking about people’s most important assetts and we can’t just risk it for the biscuit.
Christmas is a magical time for families, filled with joy and cherished moments. Yet, for busy mumpreneurs juggling the demands of business and family life, it can also be a period of financial stress. Balancing the costs of gifts, decorations, and special meals while running a business can seem overwhelming. Fear not, fellow mumpreneurs! Here are five money-saving strategies to help you enjoy a memorable Christmas without draining your budget.
1. Strategic budgeting: Start by creating a clear and practical budget. Factor in all your expenses, from gifts and decorations to meals and entertainment. A budget will be your guiding light, ensuring you don't overspend during the festive season, leaving you with financial peace of mind in the New Year.
2. Embrace the DIY spirit: As a mumpreneur, you’re likely to have a creative streak. Consider crafting homemade gifts for your loved ones. Handmade presents carry a personal touch, and they can also save you a significant amount of money. Some of my personal favourites include homemade candles and baked goods, sauces and spice rubs & personalised crafts.
3. Simplify gift-giving: Suggest a Secret Santa or gift exchange within your family or friend circle. Each participant draws a name and buys a gift for one person, lightening your gift-giving load while still fostering the holiday spirit.
4. Experiences over material items: Consider gifting experiences rather than traditional presents. Tickets to a show, a spa day to unwind, or cooking classes to enhance culinary skills can be more memorable than material gifts. Plus, they often come at a lower cost.
5. Collaborative gatherings: Hosting festive gatherings can be time-consuming and expensive. Instead, opt for a potluck-style event where every guest contributes a dish (or beverage!). This not only lightens your load but also adds variety to the feast.
For us busy mumpreneurs, this festive season is about striking a balance between family, business, and personal well-being. By embracing these tips and focusing on the true spirit of the holidays - spending time with loved ones - you can celebrate a meaningful and budget-friendly Christmas that leaves you with more joy and fewer financial worries.
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I am a single mum, in my 40s, with two primary school-aged kids.
I was approached to run for public office when they were only toddlers. I named all the reasons under the sun why I didn’t belong as a councillor.
But I do.
My experience, not only as a mother with a young family, but an individual with layers of knowledge from the health and resources sectors, brought a unique perspective to the council chamber. My influence has directly resulted in outcomes that may have been unseen; missed opportunities for my community.
I am a firm believer that “many different flowers maketh a bouquet”. Going are the days of only older, white men making the decisions for all. People want to look to their leaders and see themselves around the table. When there is depth and diversity among our leaders, the whole community benefits from their collective decision making.
Intergenerational depth is important and I’m not suggesting our older, white men no longer belong. We need their wisdom, as much as we need the insights and experiences of people with a disability, people from a non-English speaking background, an Indigenous voice and a range of generational perspectives.
Our region may be an anomaly in terms of female representation (two thirds of our mayors are female; two thirds of our councils have more than 50 per cent female representation; two thirds of our state members are female, and half of our federal members are female). But maintaining the pipeline is always challenging.
Women for Election is a national, non-partisan organisation on a mission to increase the number of women running for public office in Australia. They are travelling around the country to deliver training designed to inspire and equip more women to run for public office.
The Mackay workshop will be held on November 14 and more information can be found here: wfe.org.au/equip-power-edition-mackay
In my opinion, a great councillor is curious, has the ability to see the bigger picture and has exceptional communication skills. You do not need an economic or legal background, or years running your own business. Councillors are guided by experts, and by the voice of their community. Like any role, you learn on the job, growing with every new experience.
If I have inspired you to contemplate running for office in the 2024 elections, reach out for a chat if you’d like to know more about my experience in local government.
Councillor Michelle Green
Mackay Regional Council
We love Friday’s. They are one of the better days that end in Y. But do you know why Friday is such a good day?
Have a look around you. Do you see something that makes you smile? A photo on the wall? Kids play stuff all over the front yard? Grass that hasn’t been cut in a few weeks? Maybe a washing basket on the laundry floor that’s overflowing? That’s the stuff we love. It’s real life, and without all that stuff, where would we be?
The last few weeks have reminded me to be thankful for what we have in front of us. Not next door. Not on the phone screen you’ve just been scrolling through. No, your life.
The kids might be yelling at each other, and let me tell you, if they are teenagers, and they are talking to each other by screaming, that’s not such a bad thing. The house might look like a pig pen, but it’s home. I reckon we should all appreciate what we have and feel lucky for just that.
That said, if you have some free time, grab the family, jump in the car and get outside. How’s this for a few great things to do this weekend.
Paxton’s have got their markets on tonight. River Street will come alive as always so bring the family down and get some Xmas shopping done. Palmyra Dragway is doing a big weekend of racing with guaranteed smoke and revving noises coming from the cane fields.
Northview State School has a movie night on tonight, and Vic Park has their annual Xmas Fair tomorrow next to Queens Park. I can’t wait to see who will win the 3000 hams and even check out how many sweat beads I can see from Santa’s hat. Just saying.
Seriously there are so many things to keep you occupied over the next few days.
One last one for you if you’ve never done it before. Take a walk up to the top of The Leap. I took my son up there last week and he loved it. Having a 22-year-old say that is music to my ears. You can also take a stroll up to the Wheel of Fire at Finch Hatton for a swim. Councillor Michelle Green did it last week and loved it too. Good for the body and soul I reckon.
Remember, whatever you do, be kind and 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!
Bouncing babies, proudly held by excited parents, were officially welcomed to the Bowen community on Sunday at a special ceremony hosted by the local Lions Ladies. The festivities took place at Hensen Park where each family was invited onto the stage and presented with a certificate, gift, and small tree by Mayor Julie Hall.
The event, which began 20 years ago, has become an annual tradition ever since the Bowen Hospital Maternity Ward closed
“We feel that welcoming the babies into the community is important as most of them are not born in their hometown anymore,” said Bev Dyne from Bowen Lions.
“It is lovely to see families coming back again with each new sibling.”
25 beautiful Bowen babies were officially welcomed into the community on Sunday. Photo credit: Rachael Smith
Hi Everyone,
The atmosphere in Airlie Beach is certainly reaching fever pitch right now!
With the Airlie Beach Festival of Music taking over the town this weekend, musicians from around the country will be gathering to put on a show like no other.
For full details of the event check out our huge nine-page feature inside this paper for profiles on many performers and a festival map showing the location of each of the 15 venues.
Congratulations to our journalist, Bronte, who has spoken to countless musicians over the past few weeks, interviewing both legendary house-hold names and aspiring musos with the same charm and charisma.
The office has enjoyed listening to her on the phone laughing with performers and getting them excited about the weekend.
Another one of my favourite experiences in putting the paper together for you all this week was spending Sunday morning in Bowen.
Not only did we get to take our puppy swimming at Horseshoe Bay, I was also privileged to watch 25 little babies be officially welcomed into the community.
Without a maternity ward in Bowen, the local Lions Club Ladies have taken it upon themselves to formally welcome newborns.
This tradition has been going for 20 years and it was wonderful to see all these beautiful little cherubs proudly held in parent’s arms and celebrated by the broader community.
Congratulations this week also goes to the newly graduated Master Reef Guides – seven local tourism staff recently received the accreditation - their new skills will now give so much depth and meaning to the overall visitor experience.
The diversity of our local community always amazes me each week and I think it is in putting this newspaper together that we witness first-hand how much is happening!
From babies to music festivals to reef guides – the Whitsundays truly is a vibrant and exciting place to live with a large sense of community at its heart.
Quote of the Week: “Be like a pineapple: Stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet on the inside” (Author unknown)
When you’re travelling down Faust Street in Proserpine, be sure to keep your eye out for the bright orange fridge, that adorns the front garden on one of the properties.
The orange fridge, hidden by hedges and leaves, is particularly special because it is a big ‘little free library’ created by Gabby Sinclair.
Setting up the fridge six months ago, Gabby used it give away books she had stashed around her home.
“Being related to my father, I have inherited a slight hoarding problem! I had most of the books from when I was little and from my kids,” Gabby explained.
Instead of sending the books to the op shop or the garbage bin, she decided to create a little free library.
“I thought about an old fridge. I put a post on Facebook, asking for a broken fridge, and received plenty of messages. We picked one up and decided to paint it bright orange,” she said.
“We wanted to make it stand out on the street. Silly me also sprayed the door seals, so now it’s a bit sticky, sorry guys!”
Initially unsure if the fridge was being used, she checked on it last week.
“I saw so many new books gracing the shelves. This just made me so happy.”
From what started as a simple idea to share old books has developed to a local legend.
“Many a night I’ve heard people at the fridge, possibly on a late-night stroll home from the pub, going through it,” Gabby laughed.
“I just thought it was a nice idea to share with anyone interested in reading.”
The orange fridge on Faust Street in Proserpine, be sure to check it out! Photo credit: Bronte Hodge
It has been a whirlwind of a year for 24 Whitsunday youth, who are now on the cusp of finishing their year-long specially tailored Coxswain course, offered through Red Cat Adventures, Queensland Government’s Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) program, Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre (WMTC) and Whitsunday Sailing Club.
About to undertake their final examinations of the course, the cohort of 25 Airlie Beach and Proserpine youth are eager to receive their qualifications and get out on the water, with some already accepting positions with Red Cat Adventures.
It was last year that Asher Telford of Red Cat Adventures realised the lack of local youth maritime training and decided to help.
“Coming out of COVID, we were very short staffed across the industry, and because of COVID a lot of our local kids went into tourism, the mines, and other unaffected industries,” he explained.
“So, I wanted to put together a training for kids. These kids know the area, have often grown up around boats and the water. And for me, it has been a very emotionally rewarding experience.”
Terrance Smith from Whitsunday Sailing Club believes that this experience is amazing for students.
“This opportunity is amazing, especially when these kids will leave school with well-paying jobs. And it’s not just tourism, but oil and gas, marine parks, super yachts.”
Year 11 Proserpine State High School student, Jasmine Gerlofsma was excited to take part in the program.
“I feel really privileged to be a part pf this opportunity. It’s very awesome that it’s being offered through school. I’ve always wanted to work on boats and just having your Coxswains opens so many doors.”
The youth Coxswains trainees, completing the inaugural cohort with Red Cat Adventures, Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre and Whitsunday Sailing Club. Photo Credit: Bronte Hodge
This Saturday November 11 we mark 105 years since the Armistice of the First World War. We remember those who served, those who sacrificed their lives, and those who helped in the war effort.
Airlie Beach:
Held at the Cannonvale Cenotaph on Coral Esplanade with the service starting at 10.40am.
Proserpine:
Held at the Proserpine Cenotaph on Main Street, with the service beginning at 10am.
Bowen:
Held at Bowen RSL Subbranch, on Williams Street, with the service beginning at 10.45am.
One lucky Airlie Beach resident has won big at the Melbourne Cup races.
Holed up in the Airlie Beach Hotel, Zach Murray, a manager of a hospitality venue in town, tested his luck and placed a bet on horse, Without a Fight.
A little while later he received the shock of his life when he came home with a win of $8,000.
“A pretty decent win,” is how Zach described it, having just booked himself and his partner and family a cruise ship holiday.
“We’re cruising to Vanuatu, so we’re planning on having a lot of fun and spending up big.”
Zach Murray has unexpectedly won at Melbourne Cup races. Photo supplied
Bowen Wounding
Police are investigating an alleged wounding incident in Bowen on Saturday night, November 4.
Initial investigations indicate around 8:30pm, a disturbance occurred between a group of people near the intersection of Herbert Street and George Street.
During the altercation, an 18-year-old Bowen man sustained four puncture wounds to his back.
Emergency services arrived a short time later, with the man being airlifted to Townsville University Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
A 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, both from Bowen, have been charged with grievous bodily harm and will appear in Bowen Childrens Court.
E-Scooter Incident, Cannonvale
A male in his 30s with an arm injury was transported stable to Woorabinda Hospital following an e-scooter incident on Eshelby Drive, in Cannonvale, at 8.38pm, on Friday November 3.
The local housing crisis has just been granted a small reprieve following the announcement by the State Government this week that $660,000 has been allocated to Whitsunday Housing Company.
The financial support will contribute to mobile and outreach services, including emergency housing and assisting people with tenancy issues.
“While we deliver more social homes in places like Cannonvale, we’re establishing a dedicated homelessness service in the Whitsundays to give people immediate support,” said Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon.
“Previously, people in the community who needed help had to link in with services based Mackay – no longer will they have to do that.
“Whitsunday Housing Company already does a great job in the community, and this additional funding will expand on the work they and the Department of Housing do to help locals in need.”
Member of Whitsundays, Amanda Camm welcomes the assistance, saying there had been a sharp increase in the number of people across the region requiring emergency housing and crisis support due to increases in cost of living and housing market pressures.
“This announcement really is a win for all our local organisations including the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, Proserpine Community Centre, Whitsunday Counselling and Support, who are on the front-line day in day out and have been seeing an increase in the number of people each day requiring crisis support and having nowhere in the Whitsunday area to refer them to,” Ms Camm said.
Joanna Moynihan, Chief Operating Officer of Whitsunday Housing Company is very excited for the support.
“This is funding that our region was lacking. The earlier allotment of $4.4 million was largely utilised by the Mackay organisation. It’s a long way to travel to Mackay to access these services, so it’s great to be able to have them available here.”
By early December, residents of Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, the Islands and Proserpine can expect to access this support.
Bowen State High School has welcomed their four new student captains, who are each confident and dedicated students prepared and eager to take on the responsibility of Student Leadership in their final year of high school education.
Jack Homewood’s motivation for taking on the role as School Captain is to refresh the school spirit and encourage more peer participation and community spirit.
“I’ve always looked up to the leaders in the past, and I thought it’d be awesome to become a captain. I want to try and bring back the school spirit, like bring back lunchtime sports and bring back community events.”
For Ryland Gaffney, he always knew that student leadership was something he wished to pursue.
“I’ve always done leadership stuff, like sports captain in Primary school, and I was a Year 10 Student Leader, and this year, in Year 11, I was Kennedy Vice Captain. This was also a great opportunity to give back to the school. But my sister went through this year, and I wanted to one-up her, so that was that!”
Alyssa Hardy believes that being a student leader, you are able to make real change.
“When you’re a leader, people actually listen to you, and I want to make a difference, and get more kids involved in school and with what’s going on at school.”
Skye Kennedy’s motivation stems from her belief and passion in the school.
“We want to make a difference, build the school and the students, bring back a good school spirit, where kids want to come to school.”
Bowen State High School Principal Robert Harris is excited with the drive of these students.
“Our 2024 student leadership team bring a diverse range of skills, leadership qualities and interests to achieve great things at Bowen High in 2024. Their collective enthusiasm, willingness to be involved in community events and support for their peers makes them great role models for our school and local community.”
Jack Homewood, Alyssa Hardy, Skye Kennedy, and Ryland Gaffney. Photo supplied
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