Up to eight patients without their own transport need to travel from their homes in the Whitsundays to Mackay Base Hospital each day and a brand new mini-bus will allow them to travel with ease – it just needs a reliable driver.

Are you retired or can you spare some time to volunteer?

By simply holding a regular driver’s licence, you can sign-up to offer your services for as little time or as often as you want.

The new LDV mini bus has been purchased with funds provided by Whitsunday Regional Council with plans to operate the service on a daily basis commencing in January.

All fuel, maintenance, insurance and registration costs for the vehicle are covered by Mackay Hospital Foundation and generously supported with funds from Macrossan and Amiet Charitable Foundation.

There will be three central pick-up locations in Cannonvale, Proserpine and Bloomsbury commencing early morning with departure from Mackay Base Hospital by 3.30pm each day, making the final drop-off point at Cannonvale around 5.30pm daily.

All patients will be fit to travel and be able to board and exit the vehicle without assistance.

While in Mackay, drivers will have an area in the hospital to sit, relax and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, or they are free to visit family and friends or carry out errands while waiting for patients.

If you’re willing to donate some time for a good cause, have a current drivers’ licence, live in the Whitsundays, and are interested in being a Patient Transport driver, Mackay Hsopital Foundation would love to hear from you.

For all enquiries, please contact Brenda McFadzen at Mackay Hospital Foundation on 4885 5924 or 4885 5915. Email Brenda.McFadzen@health.qld.gov.au.

To find out more information about Mackay Hospital Foundation, visit

https://www.mackayhospitalfoundation.com.au/

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The new LDV mini-bus has been purchased with funds provided by Whitsunday Regional Council

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Andy Camm

As a real estate agent, do you think people will consider your role as Councillor to be a conflict of interest?

That is my biggest concern that I am an agent, and the public will see that as being a problem. At Council meetings, if something is brought up about development, I have to leave the room, and I like that policy because then there is no conflict. I can still give my opinion, but I’ve got to leave the room when they make decisions about planning.

Also, no-one can take any donation from a developer, it’s the number one thing on the ‘no-no’ list and I was happy when I read that because I have had a property person come to me and say they wanted to back me and I told them they couldn’t. That’s just how it is.

Your cousin Amanda Camm is the current state member for Whitsunday, do you think this gives you an edge over the other candidates?

I’ve always had an interest in politics, last year when Andrew Willcox ran for Dawson, it was thrown at me to put my name in for Mayor and I said no – that’s a full-time role and I can’t do it. But Amanda has always said – at least have a go at local government – she’s always been an advocate for that. Amanda has done a lot with local government before she went to state, so I will absolutely lean on her for advice.

Can you confirm where you live? If not in Cannonvale, how do you expect to serve the people in that zone?

I live in Conway at the moment, but you don’t have to be living in your seat to run, you only have to be living in the Whitsunday region. Having said that, I do believe the candidate should live in the area they are representing. In fact, I’ve got a block of land under contract at Whitsunday Lakes which is in Division 2. In addition, since 1998 my wife and I have owned six properties in Cannonvale. My postal address is Proserpine at the moment though.

We have recently published articles about local councillors working full time in another industry while receiving 70K p/year to work as a Councillor part-time. Given people in our community are working 40 + hours per week on a minimum wage, where do you sit on this?

Really good question. I’ve already spoken to the other Councillors to find out what sort of hours they are doing and it ranges anywhere from 10 to 30 a week. I am lucky because real estate is a very flexible job, if I was to become the new Councillor for Division 2, I’ve just got to be better with time management and I’ve got to work more hours. If I need to work seven days a week I will. I don’t want people to think this is a part time role, because it is not going to be.

As Tourism is one of our largest industries, what knowledge do you have of our local reef, its current condition and what is being done to help it?

It is critical that the natural beauty of the Whitsundays is managed properly. As the town has grown there doesn’t seem to be much management and planning. I would like to see us get people out of this district to see how other towns have been managed – Noosa is a good example.

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Chris Harvey

As Tourism is one of our largest industries, what experience of that sector do you have? What knowledge do you have of our local the reef, its current condition and what is being done to help it?

Tourism is the main industry in both Division 2 and 1, I’d be keen to learn more about it for sure and where I can help. I have volunteered before with the Great Barrier Reef Festival and other events down here. I’ve also run on Whitehaven Beach with a Hamilton Island event. If we can get more people in to see the beauty of the reef, the islands, and the location then I’m all for it. It brings in extra money and extra jobs.

Can you confirm where you live? If not in Cannonvale, how do you expect to serve the people of Cannonvale and understand the issues in that zone?

I live in Proserpine, but I’ve always had a tie to Airlie Beach, my family is fourth generation from the area. My mum had shops in town when I was growing up and this is just an extension of Proserpine to me. It’s just another township that I’ve come to three or four times a week, running along the boardwalk, things like that.

Working in the trades industry, how does any experience you have relate to the business of politics? How do you think you will manage to have a voice in the local government?

With all the volunteering organisations I am part of, I feel like I’ve got a good basis of ground support where I can hear problems and ideas from the community. I am not just isolated to one organisation. I am part of the SES, Ambulance Committee, and others. There are so many good resources here in the electorate that I’ve got great ties with.

We have recently published articles about local councillors working full time in another industry while receiving 70K p/year to work as a Councillor part-time. Given people in our community are working 40 + hours per week on a minimum wage, where do you sit with this?

Financially, where I sit right now, I need to keep working. I’ve always worked two jobs; I am an auxiliary firefighter too. Being a Councillor would enable me to free up more time away from my full-time job to attend meetings and see people in the community. Instead of a seven-day roster, I’ll do a three day roster a fortnight so I get more hours in the day to be a Councillor. I would love to do it full-time but financially at the moment I can’t.

You mentioned in your last Q&A that you would like to see more footpaths and electric car charging points? Given the rental/living crisis our entire region is facing, do you think focusing on this issue is as important?

It kind of goes hand in hand, there’s a lot of people who can’t afford things like fuel in their car to travel. If you give them another means of travelling that doesn’t cost them anything, like riding a pushbike on a footpath. That’s one way they could save a lot of money to afford to live a good lifestyle. This makes the environment cleaner and it makes people healthier and live longer.
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Clay Bauman

Where do you live, and do you believe it’s important for a Councillor to live within their electorate?

I live at Eshelby Drive in Cannonvale and Division 2 starts at the roundabout at the end of Eshelby Drive. So I am in Division 1. It is still a boundary but I live in Cannonvale, I am right there every day and I would have to live with the consequences of the decisions I make.

As Tourism is one of our largest industries, what knowledge do you have of our local reef, its current condition and what is being done to help it?

When I first came here, I did a lot of work on the Maxi Ragamuffin – when we went into Mackerel Bay for the first time, I started picking up rubbish. Then by the end of it, all the guests were picking up rubbish too. We took about 14 large bags of rubbish off! That was the sentiment of the tourists who used to come here.

In the 2017 Economic Development Plan we were promised a report on how many people can live in the area, and we need the same to happen out there too. We need to know when we are going to reach full development and then start planning from there back.

We need to spread the load, have other spots to take the tourists to. You cannot overload what’s out there and think you’ll be able to keep the quality up.

We have recently published articles about local councillors working full time in another industry while receiving 70K p/year to work as a Councillor part-time. Given people in our community are working 40 + hours per week on a minimum wage, where do you sit on this?

I already put at least 30 hours a week commitment into volunteering for the community and I already go to Council meetings regularly in my own time. It is very much a commitment that I already have that, if elected, I would be building upon. I do freelance video work, but I’ve always been lifestyle balanced. I also manage private sailing boats to get away from the computer, but I’ve already started to thin those out and delegate some away. As a freelancer I can choose to take on what I want to and being a Councillor would become my primary gig.

For many years you have been fighting against Council on causes that often dominate Council meetings. How do you think you can change your mindset so you can work effectively as a team member with the rest of the Councillors and Mayor so as not to get bogged down in the detail?

I’ve always gone in there with the intention to improve the quality of the information that is being given to the Councillors to make their decisions. I’ve always been in accordance with the local government act working for them to try and improve themselves.

I will go in and confront them when I think a recommendation has been made that I find hard to agree with. I’ve stood by my guns, but I’ve always been polite and respectful no matter how long I’ve been drawn out trying to get responses from Council. I’ve always accepted it’s just patience and commitment, it’s not about getting angry and demanding a response.

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Dan Popovich

You are the only candidate that lives in the Division 2 electorate, how important do you think it is to be living within your electorate?

I think it is very important and very relevant standing as a Councillor that you are from the very Division that you intend to represent. I think it shows you have commitment and ‘skin in the game’. That doesn’t mean to say that candidates that don’t live in the Division do not have some value and worth, but I do absolutely think being a resident within the Division itself is very important.

We have recently published articles about local councillors working full time in another industry while receiving 70K p/year to work as a Councillor part-time. Given people in our community are working 40 + hours per week on a minimum wage, where do you sit with this?

I am going to be allocating half my time to my day job and half my time during the week to the Councillor role. If face-to-face meetings are required we will have a couple of days a week where they can be facilitated and if there are other things over the weekend I will be available for those also.

When Julie Hall was voted in as Mayor, you donated to her campaign. How did that unfold and was that influential in your decision to run for Councillor?

I contributed to Julie Hall’s campaign because we thought she would be a fresh face within the shire. I don’t feel there is any conflict of interest in that. The fact that we supported Julie and her campaign is just part of the process and we are pleased that she got elected.

I think it shows there is a change in our community, maybe a bit of a changing of the guard, and if that’s the case then I am a similar sort of person to bring some change in the community and represent the new views as well.

Given that you donated to Julie’s election campaign, what can you say to those who may think you would be a yes-man to anything she votes for in council meetings?

I will absolutely be my own man and I am there on behalf of the rate payers in my Division. Ethics and professionalism is what I do in my daily job and it’s the sort of thing that would carry through to my role as Councillor.

During COVID you were vocal about not getting vaccinated, to the point where you turned away clients who had been vaccinated. Can you please explain?

I was not anti-vax, I am pro-choice. It’s important that we have bodily autonomy and that’s something that is enshrined in international law and Federal law that we cannot be coerced or blackmailed, even in times of national emergency, to undergo a medical procedure that we do not consent to.

The issue about treating people who have been vaccinated is a clinical decision based on State and federal health information and guidance which indicates that there is a risk, albeit a rare risk, that vaccinations can cause micro-clots in the body and therefore manual therapy could dislodge a micro-clot and have some consequence that we wouldn’t like to be responsible for.

It was a very hard decision to make because we had been treating many people for years, but we felt it was best practice and best interest for the patient and the practitioner.

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Over 180,000 hectares across multiple grazing properties near Collinsville will soon be transformed into a Green Energy Hub, utilising the power of the sun and wind to create up to 3,000 megawatts of clean energy, while still utilising the land for pasture and complementing its pre-existing purpose.

One of the largest projects of its kind in Queensland, the Collinsville Green Energy Hub is an initiative of major renewable energy company Ark Energy.

Playing a significant role in the Queensland Government’s goal of sourcing 50 per cent of the state’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2030 and the Australian Government’s Climate Change Bill 2022 to reach net zero by 2050, this project hopes to be a game-changer for local industry.

Set to generate $1 billion in local and regional expenditure, the Green Energy Hub will create 350 jobs during construction and 15 to 30 jobs for operation thereafter.

Having recently been toll-gated to the next stage of the feasibility study, referred to as the final development stage, Collinsville locals can expect to see a range of significant studies take place in the coming months.

These include civil and electrical design, installation of meteorological masts, deployment of additional mobile wind monitoring units, ecological surveys, initiation of planning and environmental approvals, and plans for grid connection.

This follows early feasibility studies including landholder engagement, Autumn ecology surveys, wind resource monitoring, and conceptual civil and electrical design.

Ark Energy is engaging with a broad cross section of stakeholders as part of detailed stakeholder and community engagement plans, and the proposal will be subject to a rigorous assessment process under both the Queensland Government and Australian Government.

There will also be a permanent information centre for the project at 47 Railway Road in Collinsville which will provide convenient access to a local point of contact and extended members of the project team.

This Saturday, Ark Energy will be hosting a community connection event at the information centre and everyone is invited to come down and find out more about the Green Energy Hub.

This is an opportunity to ask questions, learn about how you can get involved and see how we can all work together to maximise the benefits of this project.

There will be a breakfast cart sausage sizzle plus an impressive LEGO wind turbine set to be won.

Project updates will also be issued regularly and there will be plenty of opportunities to provide input through local information sessions.

The Ark Energy team can also be contacted directly at any time by phone on 1800 731 296 or email to info@collinsvillehub.com.au.

Fast Facts:

• Set to generate $1 billion in local and regional expenditure

• 350 jobs during construction and 15-30 jobs for operation

• Target investment decision: 2025

• Target completion: 2030

• Capacity of up to 3,000 Megawatts produced

• Result in a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 3,000,000 t CO2-e / yr.

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WHAT: Collinsville Green Energy Hub Community Event

WHEN: Saturday, November 26 from 8.30am and to 12pm

WHERE: 45 47 Railway Road Collinsville

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You might have spotted a new tourism experience coasting around Airlie Beach, the sun glittering off their vibrant chrome finish.

Local business ‘Scoot In Style’ launched this week, renting out its vespas armada of 30 chrome scooters from various Airlie Beach locations, their stylish colouring hoping to capitalise on the town’s party and paradise atmospheres.

Owner of Scoot In Style Mohammad ‘Mosey’ Nahas said the business plan was born when Whitsunday locals would ask him where he got his own chrome, turquoise scooter. The answer: The professional car wrapper had fixed it up himself. And that was when the idea hatched in the owner of ProPaintworks Airlie Beach’s mind.

“Everywhere I went on my scooter, there would be a person asking. I’d be driving down the middle of Airlie Beach and someone would shout out: Where’d you get that scooter from!” Mosey said.

“And I thought about it. When you go to Thailand or Bali, you have to get a scooter. In Airlie Beach, I thought, there’s all boat tours, everything on the water, but nothing here on the mainland. That’s where the idea came from.”

The custom, unique scooters were soon coined Scoot In Style, and Mosey fitted them with a chrome finish, white, crocodile skin seats, and whitewall tires. The target audience: anyone on a party of any variety, whether it be bucks, wedding, or birthday.

But Mosey said the major demographic Scoot In Style’s appealed to was tourists.

“Driving down Airlie Beach esplanade on coloured bikes, each with unique names like our Arabian Copper wrapped scooter nicknamed Chewbacca, or a silver bad boy with the title of Silver Surfer, there’s nothing like it,” Mosey said.

“We wanted something funny, fun, cool, and that makes you smile.

“There’s nothing like it in Airlie Beach. These 50cc, 60-kilometre-per-hour scooters that you can take around to Shute Harbour, get photos with, and just enjoy yourself. Anyone can drive them.

“You ride these scooters, people look at you; they point at you. And when you’re in a gang with others on their pink, green, white, silver, you’re having an absolute blast. You can’t help but smile and people are smiling at you when you ride past them.”

Mosey, who moved to the region alongside his partner, has lived and worked in Airlie Beach for eight years. And the car-wrapper by trade is celebrating the anniversary in his own style.

“We’re going to be everywhere in Airlie Beach – people have been calling me up like crazy already, asking where they can get them,” he said.

“We’re already thinking about where they can go next. Maybe Yeppoon or the Gold Coast; places that are a bit like Airlie Beach where you don’t need to be anywhere else.

“The bikes are perfect for that. Everything you need is at your fingertips and that’s it, you’re set once you’ve put that helmet on.”

Scoot In Style vespas are rentable from various locations across Airlie beach.

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Mohammad ‘Mosey’ Nahas has launched his new tourism business this week, sending his fleet of rentable chrome scooters out on Airlie Beach

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Jingle bells, a gum that swells, could ruin your Christmas break!

Ensure your holiday plans don’t get sidelined by sickness this Christmas.

The human immune system is the thing that keeps us free from infection. Scientists, Doctors and Dentists are always trying to get a better understanding of it. What do we find? It is a very, very complicated place. Often, they find the links behind the most unlikely of events.

Did you know that effective brushing can reduce pneumonia, a leading cause of death in hospitals, by up to 50 per cent!

New studies show that the more furry your teeth feel, the more likely you are to be susceptible to viruses like Covid. One common bacteria causing gums to swell and bleed, P. Gingivalis, has also been found to leave the mouth open to virus attack.

Bleeding gums are a sign that the balance of health is failing. A check-up and clean can get you back on track.

Get your dentist and hygienist to fix holes and check your cleaning technique is keeping the bugs to a minimum.

Make use of your benefits from health funds, before they run out, to get your mouth fighting fit.

Giving yourself the best chance of being healthy this Christmas starts now and we at Airlie Smile Care wish all the community a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Contributed by Dr Cormac Farrell and the Team at Airlie Smile Care.

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Don’t let your holiday plans be ruined by tooth ache, be proactive and ensure your teeth are good to go this Christmas!

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Are you willing to have your mind changed?

If only we listened with the intent to just listen. Unfortunately, we have been hard-wired with the intent to reply – which doesn’t make us that effective at listening at all.

Neuroscience tells us we speak at an average of 125 words per minute, listen at 400 words per minute and think at 900 words per minute.

If so, how do we master the art of quietening our mind to truly listen to someone?

True listening starts with the willingness to have our mind changed – not to be ‘right’ or perceived as the smartest in the room.

When we open up our mindset and invite others’ opinions, perceptions and experiences we are truly creating a learning environment for us and those around us, whilst simultaneously demonstrating empathy and respect.

Surely the world would benefit from more learning environments and less opinion-based environments.

So, let’s all demonstrate empathy, respect and promote learning environments by learning the art of really listening.

Contributed with thanks to Judy Porter from Shiift

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Four Year 12 graduates from the Whitsundays were announced as the recipients of a series of local Zonta Club scholarships which will help them pursue tertiary schooling across the country.

St Catherine’s College Proserpine graduates Ella Crossley, Sienna Sobott, and Annabel Danvers were awarded with $1,000 Zonta scholarships each, while Maddison Scott Fitzgerald was awarded the Laura Morrison Scholarship.

The Laura Morrison Memorial Bequest Scholarship of $2,000 commemorates the gift's late namesake, Laura Morrison, a previous treasurer of the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays who passed away suddenly in 2020.

Remembered for her generosity, love of the Zonta Club, and desire to support the education of women, Mrs Morrison’s legacy lives on as part of the scholarship package, which has been awarded annually since her death.

President of the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays, Dianne Truman said this year’s process to determine what is normally a singular scholarship expanded into four separate grants.

“Maddison was a class above the rest in representing the values of the Zonta Club and what we were looking for in a Laura Morrison scholarship recipient,” Ms Truman said.

“But each was so worthy on their own right that we simply could not overlook them. We had the funding, and so now we have four very talented, beautiful young women receiving our support.”

Each graduate will be utilising their funds to study tertiary education in either Sydney or Melbourne.

Maddison Fitzgerald, who is also a founding member of the St Cath’s Z Club, said the feeling of receiving the Laura Morrison Scholarship was a “massive relief.”

“It’s such a weight off my shoulders. Two grand is a lot of money and this will cover a large amount the expenses for my study,” she said.

Maddison will be studying Forensic Psychology with the funds.

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Zonta members, Award Winners Annabel Danvers, Ella Crossley, Bridget Patullo, Maddison Scott Fitzgerald, Sienna Sobott, and Year 12 Teacher at St Catherine’s College Shantae Ryle

What does it mean to own a pool?

To some it can mean a place to cool off; somewhere to relax throughout the day. It can be a place for exercise. For family.

To Sue Martin, having a pool has been an entire life aspiration. For her, water was “peace, calm, and tranquillity.” And a place for her husband David Dalzell and son Cam to cool off after a long day.

David and Sue purchased the business from Tony and Tracey Bazzo, then known as ‘Bowen Pools and Pumps’, and have rebranded it to Bowen Pools and More – a business offering opportunity to help others maintain what, in North Queensland, is an oft-prized possession.

David and Sue have a strong community passion. A community thrives and grows when a community works together and plays together. Where they can they use local trades and suppliers.  And that rings true in their products: The pool salt they use comes from Bowen. If an item or skill can’t be sourced locally, then they look for Australian made and owned.

“As a previous swimming teacher, I’ve always had an affinity for the water. With Bowen Pools and More, I’ve been able to work on something I’m passionate about,” Sue said.

“We have anything anyone could need relating to a pool or spa if it’s not in stock we can get it in. We do repairs, maintenance, water testing, pumps, and cleaners. We do it all.”

For Sue and her husband, the business is also an opportunity to capitalise on Sue’s other passions, which is where the ‘and More’ comes in.

“It’s a lot of my passions mixed into one business. I’ve taught musical instruments over the years, and that’s part of the business, I also have bra fittings and wardrobe curations as part of the business!” Sue said.

“People can take out of the ‘More’ whatever they would like: If it’s spas, water filtration systems, bras, music, it doesn’t matter. The More is that someone will walk in the door and ask if we stock something, and if there’s enough interest, we will.”

Bowen Pools and More is a new, family-owned business open now at 14 Herbert Street, Bowen.

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Owners of Bowen Pools and More, Sue Martin David Dalzell and Son Cam outside their family’s new store front on Herbert Street

One of Bowen’s biggest employers has launched a new community support program, providing funding to not-for-profit organisations and community groups through purchases of small assets to “make a big difference.”

Bowen Rail Company (BRC) commenced the first round of its Community Partnership Program in November, making “positive financial contributions” to communities where the company’s employees live and work.

Each year, the Program intends on offering two rounds of funding for community groups and not-for-profit initiatives, projects, and programs with a maximum of $2,000 per applicant granted per round.

The program’s inaugural grant went to Bowen State High School, assisting them in sending 27 budding engineers, mathematicians, and roboticists to Brisbane to compete in the F1 In Schools Challenge.

Students acted as car manufacturers as part of a team-based state-level competition, designing and building cars from balsa wood in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) school program.

Bowen Rail Company’s Community Partnership Program was integral in helping the students build their car and make the trip to race it in Brisbane, according to the local school as well as the company itself.

BRC General Manager Brendan Lane said the students’ experience was an example of the community outcomes the business wanted to deliver.

“This is something the BRC team has been wanting to do for a while, and now that we’ve moved into operations, we’re really excited to be able to give back to our community in a new way,” Mr Lane said.

“The program is purposefully designed to help with the purchase of the small assets that can make a big contribution to what makes Bowen such a great place to live and work in.

“Tangible things like a new oven for the P&C tuckshop, kickboards for swimming training, or new football jerseys to help players get on the field and make new friends are what we’re looking to support.”

Mr Lane said the Company - which planted its tracks in the Far North town in late 2020 and forms part of the Carmichael Mine resource chain – will run the program annually, awarding it on a bi-annual basis in May and November with applications for the first round open now.

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Bowen Rail Company (BRC) launched their new Community Partnership Program with the inaugural grant heading to Bowen State High School to support the school’s F1 In Schools Challenge

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A local Whitsunday professional dance school is taking its students to the stage for a classic Christmas performance next weekend.

Adore Dance will perform ‘The Nutcracker’ at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema on Saturday, December 3, telling the story of one girl's journey to a magical land on Christmas Eve.

Following Clara, a girl gifted with a Nutcracker doll by her Uncle Drosselmyer, a magical toy maker, the Nutcracker “brings Christmas to life”.

When Clara falls asleep that evening, she awakes to a new world, one filled with the sounds of battle as the Mouse Queen fights against the Nutcracker Prince for control of the kingdom.

Clara and her new toy, The Nutcracker, then visit the land of the snowflakes, flowers, and sweets where Clara can't believe her eyes.

Soon, the tale comes to a climactic finale, and it is time for everyone to bid Clara and the Nutcracker Prince farewell. The tale of adventure is one of ballet’s most famous and impressive performances, and the Whitsunday-based studio is up for the task.

Bowen Summergarden Cinema owner Ben De Luca said the performance is a perfect way to ring in the Whitsunday’s Christmas season.

WHAT: The Nutcracker

WHEN: 7.00pm to 9.00pm on Saturday, December 3

WHERE: Bowen Summergarden Cinema

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Adore Dance will perform ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema next week

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If there’s one Australian Christmas tradition that grew out of Australia’s climate, it’s the food. We once slaved in the kitchen cooking thick, European meals a generation or two back, turning our kitchens into saunas

But since the nineties, we’ve turned al fresco: Fresh, local ingredients, straight from the sea. We have a blue border as a skirting line down all our coastlines - the Pacific, Southern, and Indian Oceans, the Timor, Tasman, and Coral Seas – and that means we have a penchant for one thing: “Throwin’ a prawn on the barbie”.

In Bowen there’s plenty of fresh fish, crustaceans, and oysters coming in from the boats, especially at one of the town’s longest-running food establishments and an institution of seafood, Bird’s Fish Bar.

Owner Chloe Bauer said Christmas was a special time of year for the store, which also functions as Bowen Fisherman’s Seafood Company, bringing in fresh-caught produce from the Great Barrier Reef.

“Every year, we have lots of fresh, local fish coming in for Christmas; great packs and deals that include the Australian staples,” Chloe said.

“Because of this climate, it’s always nice to have cold prawns with a salad. Things that are forever popular. We have so many people over the years who come and buy a whole fish for a centrepiece, cook it all together around the barbecue. That’s what Christmas is about!”

Bird’s Fish Bar has a range of local, wild-caught fish available all the way until Christmas Eve, with specials available including the chance to go into the draw to win five-kilograms of Bowen prawns.

“For me, our Christmas is always fresh prawns, prawn cocktails, bugs on the barbie with sand crabs, and a whole baked fish,” Chloe said.

“A bit of lemon, lime, chilli – it’s so special.”

Aside from the food, Bird’s is also available as a Christmas party venue – whether it be for work, family, or friends, don’t miss your chance to enjoy one of Bowen’s most special spots. Give them a ring!

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Owner of Bowen Fisherman’s Seafood Company and Birds Fish Bar Chloe Bauer with some of their fresh, local-caught range of Christmas delights

As temperatures in the Whitsundays rise, reaching their often uncomfortably high levels, pets are likely to struggle with the heat as much as people do – if not more, according to local experts.

Greater Whitsunday Vet Services veterinarian Doctor Jason Mansfield warns of the impactful North Queensland heat’s effect on all pets, even one that might seem to revel in the heat.

“Even for snakes or lizards, this time of year can be extremely challenging for them. Which is certainly saying something, considering their cold-blooded nature,” Dr Mansfield said.

“But in particular, we need to be mindful the most of our furry, warm-blooded friends who have trouble self-regulating heat like humans do.”

In the Whitsundays’ far northern extremity, there is a high chance that your pet can experience, at its worst, heatstroke, which, according to scientific reports conducted in the United States, sees over 50 per cent of dogs taken to the vet with severe heatstroke die.

“That’s why it’s so important to follow some basic rules and thought processes during the summer months in the Whitsundays,” Dr Mansfield said.

The basic rules Dr Mansfield highlighted were for dogs and cats.

“With your dogs, if they’re being left outside during the day, you need shaded areas. Some people tie their dogs up during the day, and I do not recommend that at all – it can cause stress, which exacerbates the symptoms of the heat,” Mr Mansfield said.

“We are wanting to not overstress any animal as that will have issues with overheating them. We need them to have plenty of water and in some cases even electrolyte solutions, which can be purchased explicitly for dogs. You then need to keep that water out of the sun.

“The general rule of thumb is: If you’re hot, your animal is very likely hot, too. Think of the lollipop lady. She’s out in the weather all day with shade provided by her clothing, extra water, electrolytes. We can’t give animals clothing, so we need to remedy that in other ways.”

Although it may seem minor, heat-stress and heat-related illness is almost the opposite, according to Mr Mansfield. It is an important consideration for any pet owner, particularly as part of their duty of care to another living creature.

“There are a great number of ways pets can overheat – The obvious being the weather, but it’s also coming into the silly season and they may get a bit of Christmas ham, which can cause inflammation which can then cause vomiting, diarrhea, causing dehydration, which exacerbates heat issues. Sometimes it’s the things we don’t think about,” Dr Mansfield said.

“The best thing we can do is get them out of the heat. Shelter, water, and reduce stress if your pet is anxious.

Dr Mansfield said Greater Whitsunday Vet Services was available for heat-related illnesses in any domestic animal, and had many more tips for keeping your pets safe in the hottest part of the year.

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Greater Whitsunday Vet Services veterinarian Doctor Jason Mansfield said this time of year was the time to be most vigilant regarding our animals overheating as a pet owner

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The stories of the wildlife and the incredible diversity of species and habitats are just some of the reasons that the Great Barrier Reef is so inspirational to visitors.  

At approximately 350,000 km2 in size and stretching 2,300 km along the Queensland coast, the Great Barrier Reef is the only living ecosystem on Earth that can be seen from Outer Space.

Comprised of 2900 coral reefs and 1050 Islands and coral cays, the Great Barrier Reef is home to all of this:

• One third of the world's Coral species

• 6 of the worlds 7 species of marine Turtles including; Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Flatback, Olive -Ridley, and Leatherback

• One of the world's most important dugong populations

• Giant clams that are more than 120 years old

• More than 1500 species of fish

• More than 3000 species of molluscs (shells)

• 630 species of echinoderm (starfish and sea urchins)

• 14 breeding species of sea snakes

• 215 species of birds, including 22 species of seabirds and 32 species of shorebirds

• 30 species of whales and dolphins

• 133 species of sharks and rays

• And it is bigger than the country of Italy!
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Over the next three months you have the chance to see:

• Turtle's nesting and hatching

• Fish spawning

• Jellyfish, sea squirts, salps and siphonophores which fill the water column and are fed upon by fish and turtles

• Whale sharks (which are the world’s biggest fish!)

The Great Barrier Reef is one of earth's greatest Natural wonders, and we are privileged to have it right on our doorstep.

Each and every living thing on it, has its own tale to tell, and I encourage you to choose one thing, each time you’re on the reef, and find out its story.

By doing so it will not only educate but you will appreciate, how truly amazing it is.

So don't forget to tell people how special it is and how proud we are to call it home.

Contributed by Brent Chatterton.

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Students from across the region took to Bowen in early November to learn about the latest technology in one of the Whitsundays’ major industries.

Bowen Gumlu Growers Association’s (BGGA) Innovation Field Day held at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) research station in Bowen was a “huge success” according to organisers.

Attracting over 150 producers, industry stakeholders, students, and agricultural businesses from across North Queensland, the event was both an opportunity for locals to learn about one of the region’s economic drivers, as well as businesses to see the improvements in ‘Agtech’.

BGGA Chief Executive Officer Ry Collins highlighted the attendance of over 60 students from Bowen, Home Hill, and Proserpine High schools who saw first-hand what kinds of Agtech are emerging in the industry.

“The field day was a great opportunity for industry and our community to come together, share information and learn about new technologies and advancements in the horticulture sector,” Mr Collins said.

The event hosted a comprehensive program of speakers, displays and demonstrations, including the autonomous Robotti and GUSS units that demonstrated robotic weeding, seeding, spraying, and slashing as well as automated packing from LYRO robotics.

Mr Collins said it was a key business priority for BGGA to collaborate with industry and provide growers with information and access to the latest agtech products and services that helped them improve on-farm efficiency, reduce input costs and remain profitable.

“It is vital that we continue to pursue new ways to meet and adapt to challenges, be more productive and sustainable and ensure our industry is able to continue to be prosperous into the future,” he said.

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Bowen Gumlu Growers Association hosted industry stakeholders, locals, and school students at an open day highlighting new agricultural and horticultural technology

Recycling is not just about the environment, it is also about repurposing a valuable resource, selling it onto markets and then circulating back into the economy.

Every year we make roughly $500,000 from recycling in our region, but general waste that goes directly into landfill costs us around $8 million.

Councils are working very hard to flip that statistic by educating people on the way we view our recyclable materials.

When we stop looking at items as objects and start looking at them as materials, this completely changes how we interact with our recycling bins.

Glass, metal and plastics are just some examples of materials we use every day that are worth money and can be on-sold to companies that will repurpose them into valuable products.

Did you know that glass can be used as an alternative to gravel when making bitumen?

Every week, all the yellow bins from across the Whitsundays are emptied and transported down to the Mackay Material Recovery Facility for processing.

Receiving roughly 60,000 tonnes of recyclable materials each week, the team of 10 dedicated staff work long hours to process all the items, repurposing as many as possible.

A high level of contaminates, roughly 17 per cent of what arrives at the station, will be transferred onto landfill and the rest will be directed into holding bins where it is stockpiled until its market value increases and it can be sold for profit.

Materials are moved across a slow-moving hopper, under a trundle wheel and over a conveyor where they are manually pre-sorted.

They then run past a magnet and through a green machine computer with Artificial Intelligence which takes photo of every object dictating where each item goes.

Glass is then used by Mackay Council for house levelling and roads, steel is sold to business Raw Metal Corp., who operate nearby, and plastic is sent to Brisbane where it is on-sold to China.

But what happens to it after this?

An important part of the recycling process is that the product it becomes is then bought and used by everyone – from big business to Councils and households right across Australia.

“It’s the recycle cycle,” said Alyssa Zammit from Mackay Regional Council.

“We need to be buying back what we sell - it’s all well and good that our plastics get recycled but we need to then be making a conscious decision to buy something that is a recycled product to create a circular economy.”

Mackay Regional Council work with a company called Replas who make items such as bollards, seats and park benches for the region.

Plastic Forest and Close the Loop are also excellent companies to buy recycled items from.

On a smaller scale, we can all make sure we look at what we purchase at the supermarket.

Mackay Regional Council offer free tours of the recycling plant which are open to everyone, from individuals to school groups.

The tours are informative and fun, with bookings available through Council.

Recycling Tips

• Wash out all containers first

• Never recycle batteries, they are highly flammable

• Recycle lose items – anything in a bag will go to landfill

• Do not recycle shredded paper

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60,000 tonnes of recycling passes through the Mackay Material Recovery Facility each week

Once sorted, items are stockpiled until market value goes up and it can be sold for a profit