Image: Pool passes make Coral Sea Resort Hotel an attractive day-trip destination from Mackay

A day-trip destination which delivers on style, service and spectacular views; Coral Sea Resort Hotel provides a plethora of places to perch for the day, whether you seek shade under an oceanfront umbrella or the sun on the white sand beach loungers.

The iconic hotel ranks as one of the most picturesque resorts within Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays, successfully combining an enticing array of facilities, outstanding hospitality and a passionate team dedicated to delivering you a wondrous experience that exceeds expectations along with memories to treasure.

With the re-introduction of pool passes, Coral Sea Resort Hotel is now an appealing day-trip destination from Mackay.

Continuous upgrades at the hotel means the pool now has more seating options than ever, with seaside loungers and umbrellas as well as built-in 2-people lounger beds at each end of the pool. Not to mention the abundance of seating on the lawn, the beach and at the restaurant.

The restaurant, The Rocks, is located by the pool and offers an amazing location to wine, dine and relax whilst enjoying the best views. The poolside lawn area includes a tropical beach located on the water’s edge as well as an Insta-worthy swing for capturing the setting sun.

Poolside ordering has been made easy with a QR code at every poolside seat. Enjoy the convenience of cool beverages and tasty casual fare being delivered to your lounger as you relax in complete bliss.

Once you arrive, there’s nothing left for you to do other than dip, sip and relax. Of course should you choose to extend the bliss, the hotel offers a range of accommodation options, including configurations with spa baths on the balcony, for the ultimate getaway.

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Image: The Comedy Circus Stunt Show at Caneland Central. Photo source: Caneland Central Facebook page

The Comedy Circus Stunt Show at Caneland Central proved to be a hit over the school holidays, with children and parents packing in the Centre Court area near Myer to watch free entertainment.

The family friendly comedy show had people of all ages chuckling, with hilarious comedy, incredible circus stunts and entertaining tricks. The 45-minute Comedy Circus Stunt Show had spectators 'oohing' and 'aahing' at the mind-blowing contortions, impressive juggling and ludicrous comedy.

On top of the free entertainment, Caneland Central is also hosting Kids Magic Workshops.

The 30-minute Magic Workshops will run four times daily, from Mon 16th Jan – Sat 21st Jan, located in Centre Court, near Myer.

Workshop One 9.30am – 10.00am

Workshop Two 10.30am – 11.00am

Workshop Three 1.00pm – 1.30pm

Workshop Four 2.00pm – 2.30pm

Limited spots are available, so book in now to avoid disappointment!

Book your tickets via Eventbrite, visit the Caneland Central Facebook page for the link.

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Image: Visitors to the Homestead at Lotus Creek enjoy tasty milkshakes and hearty country fare. Photo credit: Photos by Nell

Nestled in the southern hinterland of the Mackay region, sits a historic homestead offering travellers and day-trippers an oasis to refuel and refresh.

The Homestead at Lotus Creek is becoming a favourite place to take a drive, see wildlife as you meander through the bush and then enjoy country hospitality and hearty tucker.

Owners, the Kemp family, are third generation graziers who have been in the area for 52 years.

Their family-operated business is positioned just a few kms down the road from The Homestead, and their ties to Lotus Creek go way back to the 70's when David can remember buying a paper bag full of lollies for just a few cents, or selling homegrown eggs for a bit of pocket money.

The old Lotus Creek Service Station which for decades was an iconic stop for fuel, milkshakes and ham-and-cheese toasties, had been lost to the community following Cyclone Debbie in 2017, leaving no stopping point for travellers on the stretch of highway between Marlborough and Sarina.

“Living remotely there's a lot you learn to live without, but we felt the community needed a connection point, a central hub to bring everyone together, and a destination for those travelling through,” the Kemps said.

When Lotus Creek Tourist Park hit the market, the prospect of bringing some life back to the place was exciting, so the Kemps embarked on a new adventure.

The Homestead at Lotus Creek is located less than two hours from Mackay via a picturesque journey through the Sarina Range.

For those wanting a real rural experience, there are powered, non-powered and caravan camping sites ready for you to switch off and slow down. If you have a well-behaved pet, you're welcome to bring them with you.

Caravanners and campers can spend their days swimming, kayaking, fishing and wildlife spotting, and their evenings catching up around a campfire.

The newly renovated Homestead has an onsite cafe/restaurant, guest laundry, and shower/toilet facilities. Based on online reviews, the food is great and the milkshakes are touted as being among the best people have ever had.

Koalas are regularly spotted in the surrounding trees, making it a great place for a family adventure.

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The fourth book in a series lovingly produced by a group of local volunteers has hit the shelves, bringing the community 30 stories of individuals and couples who have contributed meaningfully to the town of Collinsville.

From the previous mayor Sir Peter Delamothe to Sister Forrest who delivered babies at Collinsville Hospital, the spectrum of those featured is both diverse and inclusive.

A volunteer team of six people work together to bring the stories and photos to life, these are then edited and artfully placed on pages to create a book.

Jenn Honnery is responsible for designing the book and she says that the whole community is involved with the project.

Using the power of social media on the Collinsville Locals page, most of the stories were collated from comments made by people who knew the characters featured.

“Pages and pages of comments were filtered through, we got stories from eulogies, word of mouth and also lots of cups of tea and conversation,” said Jenn.

“We also have a database of 12,000 photos which we can match names against.”

Bringing together a good photo with a meaningful story was a complicated process that often took hours of volunteer time, but the outcome is impressive, and the team believe the success of the ‘Our Mates’ book could be the first in a series.

“We have an aging population here in Collinsville and unfortunately every year we lose a couple of characters,” Jenn explained.

“It’s sad to think that we could be missing some of these stories and so creating these books was a way we could capture their stories before the older generation can’t tell them anymore.

“Once we started the project, we just kept coming across more and more great stories, we already easily know of 100 more people we could include and we just want to help keep the momentum going.”

Every book produced is self-funded by the last and all proceeds go straight towards the following years’ project.

This year, they published 350 copies, and the limited editions are selling fast.

They are available from the Collinsville Connect Telecentre.

“They are a great reference for kids at the local library and they also make great presents which look nice on a coffee table,” said Jenn.

The project started four years ago when the team of volunteers released their first book entitled ‘Our Stories Unearthed’ which paid homage to 100 years of mining.

The success of this book was soon followed by ‘A Miner’s Best Friend’, the story of the much-loved Pit Ponies and last year, a book celebrating 100 years of Collinsville State School, held a precious memory to many.

With plans already in place for a sequel to ‘Our Mates’, anyone in Collinsville who has an interesting story to share is welcome to connect with the team.

Through projects like this, the valuable and unique local history of Collinsville is preserved for generations to come, keeping the spirit of the local community alive.

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Jamaine Miller, Karla Fisher, Laurie-Anne Williams, Leola Janz, Cindy Winston. Photo supplied

Each book tells an important part of Collinsville’s vibrant history, preserving it for generations to come

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What was referred to by locals as the Happy Bay wreck was a great source of interest and uncertainty for many years – a popular local theory being that it was a Spanish galleon, possibly fanned by the fact that old Spanish coins had been found in the area. Some familiar names involved in trying to identify the wreck were the Altmann family, Walter Tronson and George Sax.  

Over the years, as the resort of Happy Bay was being established, several items of wreckage had been carted up to the homestead area and could be easily found around the grounds. Some pieces had been burnt and around the fire could be found hand wrought nails of copper and the sort of iron spikes, preceding the bolts and rivets used by modern-day shipbuilders. Lumps of galley coal and pitch were retrieved from the sands. Fragments of crockery – white China pieces with a blue edging and decorative Chinese motifs – were also found.  (Many of the crew of the ‘Valetta” were Chinese). Iron fragments were also found - prominent was an iron box about 37 centimetres square, evidently the step in for a large mast.

In time, most of these wrecked items disappeared and by the time the Mountney family purchased the resort in 1949, all efforts were channelled into upgrading facilities. The wreck became just another item on the list to be checked out. This did not, of course, deter those who occasionally turned up with shovels to dig around the wreck area.

In the early 1970s, during another upgrade, the Galleon Bar was established featuring five cannon balls linked by association to the “mystery galleon of Happy Bay”. Guests were encouraged to “dance the night away with the Buccaneers.” Clearly, the wreck was not forgotten.

By 1978, John Mountney was at the helm of the resort. It was assistant manager, Ian McClintock, who set in motion a chain of events that ultimately solved the mystery of the wreck. He contacted David Hopley at James Cook University regarding “the possibility of radiocarbon dating and wood analysis of some timbers removed from a wreck at Happy Bay.”

Subsequent research by Hopley and McClintock produced a number of references to an occurrence of a wreck at Long Island. After a process of elimination and the discovery of an eyewitness report in the ‘Sydney Gazette” dated September 15, 1825 of “circumstances attending the loss of the ‘Valetta’ in a bay near Cape Gloucester”, both men were certain they had identified the wreck.

The establishment of the Department of Maritime Archaeology of the Queensland Museum in 1981 led to renewed interest in the site which ultimately resulted in the department’s expedition to Happy Bay in 1983 and a thorough examination of the remains.

On June 30 1983, a small article appeared in the “Courier Mail” –

For those who are interested in a comprehensive account of the story of the “Valetta”, this can be found in Ray Blackwood’s book, “The Whitsunday Islands – An Historical Dictionary” – an intriguing read!

Story and photos courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum, Marion Eaton (nee) Hallam and Qld Museum

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The Valetta remains at Happy Bay. Photo credit: Qld Museum

A relic from the Valetta wreck

Playing a grandfather who is the owner of an ailing Californian vineyard in his most recent movie, ‘Love By The Glass’, which was shot by an American production company in Brisbane late last year, local actor Jean-Pierre Yerma (JP), has just returned to the Whitsundays for a well-earned break.

Motivated to start a career in the performing arts when a chance encounter with a filming crew saw him offered a job, JP has been working on everything from commercials to movies since 2006 while also studying and fine-tuning his talents.

Originally from Melbourne, he moved to Sydney and then Noosa where he discovered a love of Queensland, enticing him to move to work on Hayman Island for several years.

He now owns an apartment in Airlie Beach and loves spending time here when he is not on set.

For the past decade JP has been studying his craft, becoming a student at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) in 2014 and learning from some of the best teachers in the country.

Since then, his career has taken off and last year he played the father in a movie called ‘No Harm Done’, which was shot in Sydney.

This movie tackles the complex topic of a father being told his son is gay and, coming from a footballing family where he is the coach, learning how to understand the revelation.

“I often get cast as a father or a caring person, someone who’s struggled in life, experienced trauma and tragedy but not let that get the better of him,” said JP.

“I love telling stories and spreading really good inspirational stuff - stories of hope.”

Both movies will be released this year so keep an eye out for them.

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Actor Jean-Pierre Yerma (JP) has just finished filming ‘Love By The Glass’

In the movie he had to grow a beard to become a 70-year-old grandfather

With just over a week of school holidays remaining, there is still time to participate in one of the family fun activities at a local library near you.

Whitsunday Regional Council Libraries have been hosting regular events throughout the holidays and they are all available for free.

Providing our youngest community members with interactive, entertaining and educational activities, these events offer a wide variety of distractions, perfect to fill the lazy summer days.

From computer coding to crime scene science labs, mosaic craft to canvas art and chess club, there are plenty of ways to keep you little family members active and engaged.

Here is a timetable so you can discover an activity near you:

Bowen

Tuesday 17 January

10am - QAGOMA: Superpowered On Tour Drop-In Session

2pm – Crime Scene Science Lab – bookings essentials (12+)

Thursday 19 January

10am - Introduction to Coding – booking essential (3–5-year-olds)

2pm – SRC ‘I Spy Activity Game’ drop-in session (6+)

Cannonvale

Tuesday 17 January

10am – Mosaic Craft – bookings essential (8+)

Wednesday 18 January

10am - SRC ‘Australia Day Storytime’ drop-in session (6+)

3pm – Chess Club drop-in session (6+)

Thursday 19 January

10am – SRC ‘Canvas Art’ bookings essential (7+)

3pm – Maker Space drop-in session (6+)

Saturday 21 January

9am – Mini Makers drop-in session (5 years and under)

Proserpine

Tuesday 17 January

10am - Introduction to Coding – booking essential (3–5-year-olds)

Thursday 19 January

10am – SRD ‘Build Your Own 3D Town’ bookings essential (all ages)

Collinsville

Tuesday 17 January

10am – Summer Craft bookings essential (3+)

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Finding the right school shoe is the foundation to every child’s development throughout the year - here are some tips to pick the right shoe for you and your family:

Choose age-appropriate fastenings: Look at whether they want Velcro or laces, it could be more practical to opt for Velcro if they are younger as this will save you more time in the morning.

Bring socks: When buying a new pair of shoes make sure you try them on with the same socks your child would usually be wearing to school.

Do the wiggle test: There needs to be enough room to wiggle your toes at the end, about 1cm is the perfect amount of growing room. If there is any more room, then the sole will flex in the wrong place and will not last as long.

Watch out for width: Most people think it is just the length of the shoe that matters but it is important that the width is comfortable too.

Be relaxed: Children pick up on attitudes around them, if you are stressed and frantic, they will be too. Try to be relaxed and calm, leave plenty of time to choose the right shoe, don’t rush.

Ask a specialist: Always check with a fitting specialist as your child may say that they fit well on them, but they could have lots of extra room at the back without them realising. The friendly team at Shoe Biz are always ready to help, simply call into their Proserpine or Airlie Beach stores today.

“Come in and see us, sit down in the relaxed atmosphere and get them fitted properly.”

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While some children seem to have a better social life than you do, there are other unique and special little people who feel shy and hesitant in social settings, characteristics that may make it harder for them to find friends. While it is important to support your child’s individual nature, it is also vital to help them get accustomed to a variety of social situations that are necessary when navigating everyday life.

Here are some tips to help you help them:

Validate their feelings: It is very common to feel anxious or nervous when entering a new social setting, such as a classroom, so instead of telling them there is nothing to worry about, try validating their feelings instead. Let them know it is ok to feel nervous, explain that everyone does and reassure them that they will be ok. The nervous feeling will start to leave when they relax and begin to understand their new setting.

Practice basic conversations: If your child is especially shy then you can help them learn ‘social scripts’ which are everyday conversations they can practice with you. The more you practice gentle conversation with your child, keeping eye contact and showing them how to respond to different moods, then the better equipped they will be when navigating social situations by themselves.

Initiate playdates: This is where your child can practice building social skills in the safety and comfort of their own home. Before the play date show your child how to be a gracious host and get them to greet their guest nicely. Also, pre-plan some activities with your child that are of their choosing and let them take the lead in showing their friend how to play. During the playdate take a step back and let the time naturally unfold. Afterwards, review how the playdate went, giving specific labelled praise and positive feedback.

Don’t put your own expectations on your children: If you have a more extroverted personality you might like to have a busy social life, but if your child is introverted they might prefer a slower social schedule. Discover what their social limits and degrees of comfort are and work towards giving them that. Some children might prefer reading or drawing by themselves, but they also need to spend a little time with others so they have an opportunity to make friends. For some children, however, just one or two good friends is enough for them.

Article written using information from the Child Mind Institute.

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Thinking of new and exciting items to fill your children’s lunch boxes can be an exhausting process that often results in them eating sandwiches most days of the week.

If you are searching for new ideas, try this quick and easy recipe that is practical, delicious and makes your lunch box creations look exciting!

Ham And Cheese Puffs

Ingredients:

1 x sheet of puff pastry

125g shredded ham

125g grated cheese

1 x large egg

Method

Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (160 degrees fan force)

Lay the puff pastry sheet on the counter, sprinkle ham and cheese evenly across the surface leaving a 2cm gap along the top.

Very gently gather from the bottom and begin rolling upwards towards the top edge of pastry to create a firm ‘roll’.

Whisk the egg with a dash of water, brush along surface of the pastry.

Slice approximately 2cm wide, creating rings, then place on a lightly greased baking tray.

Bake for 12 – 15 minutes or until they start looking and smelling delicious.

They can be frozen for up to three months and can also be placed frozen into the lunchboxes in the morning to defrost by lunchtime.

Alternative filling options:

Vegemite and cheese

Salami and pizza sauce

Or for the adults – brie, bacon and cranberry

Top Tip

This recipe is also fun to make with your kids so get the family together and let them be involved in creating their own lunchboxes!

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• Fingernails grow four times faster than your toenails

• It is impossible to lick your own elbow

• You cannot talk and inhale or exhale at the same time – try it!

• Your heart is about the same size as your fist

• All babies are born with blue eyes

• It would take only one hour to drive to space

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Mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being and can have a significant impact on daily life.

Here are five tips to help improve your mental health:

• Exercise regularly: Physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as improve overall mood. Even just a short walk or jog can help clear your head and boost your mood.

• Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet is important for maintaining good physical and mental health. Eating nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, can provide the energy and nourishment your body and mind need to function well.

• Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining good mental health. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night and establish a regular sleep schedule to help regulate your body's natural rhythm.

• Practice stress management techniques: Stress is a natural part of life, but chronic stress can take a toll on your mental health. Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga to help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

• Seek professional help: If you are struggling with your mental health, it may be helpful to seek professional help. A therapist or counsellor can work with you to develop strategies for managing your symptoms and improving your overall well-being.

It's worth noting that some of the steps may be harder for some people due to various reasons, whether it be financial, time, or accessibility. But even small steps towards these tips can make a big difference.

Remember to be kind to yourself and know that it's okay to ask for help. With time, patience, and effort, you can take control of your mental health and improve your overall well-being.

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Do you have frizzy, uncontrollable hair? Thinning hair that is easy to break? Or Greasy hair that falls flat and lifeless? Whatever your haircare woe, let Monat’s vegan, plant-based, humidity combatting ingredients rejuvenate your scalp and transform your look.

Following its huge success in America, the US brand launched in Australia in November 2021 and local businesswoman, Sammy Walsh, is now bringing these revolutionary products to the Whitsundays.

“I used to get teased about my big frizzy hair,” she said.

“Over the years I’ve spent so much money trying so many products and spent a lot of time straightening it, but the products wouldn't hold, and the results wouldn’t last.”

When she first heard of Monat, Sammy was sceptical, but she tried the sample packs and was astounded by the results.

“I got results straight away and it’s been amazing ever since,” she said passionately.

“Finding something that holds, lasts, and gives definition whilst nourishing the scalp and hair inside and out, has truly been life-changing for me.”

“Not only my confidence and self-esteem in general but being able to wear my hair out without feeling self-conscious was amazing.”

With a mission to help other local women feel as confident with their hair, Sammy is now introducing the full range of Monat products to the Whitsundays.

“I am very much an empath and I love helping people,” she said.

“Our hair can be so important and being comfortable with your hair makes you feel good – it changes lives!

“For people who don’t have as much hair as they would like – or people who have a receding hairline or are post-partum – these products can help thicken your hair and there has been amazing results!”

Sammy can offer you a free consult, a quick online questionnaire followed by a more in-depth conversation, to discover which hair product will suit you best.

After this, she can drop off some samples or a ‘borrow basket’ so you can experience the difference yourself.

She will then set you up with an account and send you a link with your shopping cart so you can confirm payment and receive the products direct.

Monat also do a range of skincare products which include moisturisers, cleansers, a Vitamin C serum, an overnight target treatment, a berry scrub and a cold charcoal clay mask.

“It’s so nice to have a range of great products from the same brand,” said Sammy.

“They last usually last around six months too!”

Sammy Walsh says Monat beauty products have been “life-changing”

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For many years people have reported feelings of ‘losing track of time’ or being so engrossed in what they are doing that they simply do not notice what is happening around them.

This may seem like a pointless and unproductive state to be in, but many experts are starting to recognise the merits of this state, so much so, that it now has a name – ‘flow’.

When we are completely absorbed in a task, our pre-frontal cortex activity is reduced meaning that we are more open to creative ideas coming our way, a sense of complete calm will transcend and afterwards we will experience an untold amount of satisfaction.

A feeling of complete fulfillment.

Increasingly, the feeling of ‘flow’ is being sought after by many craving to wind down and detach from a busy mind.

Here’s how you can achieve a state of flow:

• Everyone’s ‘flow’ activity is different, some might like to play sport or exercise, others might like to create art – whatever activity you choose, it must be something that you are good enough at to do with ease but also challenging enough so that it captures your complete attention.

• Another way to find your flow is to eliminate distractions and focus on the task at hand. This means setting aside time to work on the task undisturbed, turning off your phone and other distractions, and finding a quiet and comfortable space to work.

• Flow also loves creating clear and specific goals for the task at hand and to make progress toward these goals. When you are working towards a goal, you can feel a sense of accomplishment and progress, which can help keep you motivated and engaged in the task.

Find your flow today and see how it can transform your life.

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Detectives from the Mackay Child Protection Investigation Unit are investigating the sudden death of a two-year-old girl in North Mackay.

Police said the child was taken to Mackay Base Hospital on December 29, around 8pm, where she was pronounced deceased upon arrival.

Detective Acting Inspector Chris Eaton said police were called and under direction of the coroner and are now conducting investigations into the child’s death.

The circumstances leading up to the child’s death have remained a focus of the investigation with DAI Eaton confirming the child had been unwell in the days leading up to her death. He said under direction from the coroner, police would look into any care the child had also received in the days leading up to her death.

DAI Eaton said the family had been through a very traumatic event and any sudden death that occurs with a child will be investigated by police. He wouldn’t comment on whether the family had prior association with the police or other services.

The North Mackay home where the child lived was declared a crime scene to enable police to conduct their investigation.

Police said an autopsy will be conducted to establish the cause of death.

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