April is the cruellest month to depart the Whitsundays.

The stifling air is finally running off - the rain, rain has gone away - and I decide to move to the country’s opposite end? The kookaburras on the fence line are laughing at me for that.

I have been a writer for Mackay and Whitsunday Life newspaper for two years, and in two weeks, I will write my last word for this masthead. This is my final editor’s note. I have made the decision to leave the region and the publication behind. Onwards to greener pastures, as they say.

Let us do away with any pretence: I am a sentimental man. I will miss Pioneer Bay, levelled out on the horizon, blue and tinged with green. I walked the bicentennial boardwalk on Easter Weekend and watched rainbow lorikeets chirruping to each other – I miss the sound already. I imagine I will cry when I drive up Shute Harbour Road through to Proserpine for the last time. The sugarcane will wave me goodbye in the wind.

And that’s simply the place; I will miss the people more. Writing for them, and for all of you, has been an honour. You know how incredible you are. And that alights on something else: I will miss my friends. But “friends come in and out of your life like busboys at a restaurant,” don’t they? We will see each other again.

So, to the Mackay and Whitsunday Life team, to my friends: thank you all for making the Whitsundays my home. This new chapter in Tasmania will be an exciting one, and I will not forget you.

To you, I say thank you, Constant Readers.

Goodbye, for the last time.

Declan

Quote of the Week:

“Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance. They make the latitudes and longitudes.” – Henry David Thoreau

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It’s not every day that you hop off the bus and are greeted with a woman, a stranger at that, handing you a single gorgeous red rose, telling you ‘Have a nice day!’ and waving you off.

Well, that’s exactly what happened to Jan Smith, just prior to Easter, when she got off the bus in Cannonvale one afternoon.

The bus stop sits just opposite Karen Hill Florist, a local florist that prides itself on having the most exquisite floral arrangements in Airlie Beach.

When Jan and another woman alighted the bus, they were greeted with a Karen Hill Florist employee, giving them a red rose, and wishing them well.

“She just dashes out of the flower shop and says, ‘Don’t move! Stop!’... we both didn’t move. You do what you’re told, you know!” said Jan.

“And she came out holding these two absolutely beautiful single roses.

“The strange thing was that I had just been wishing that I had enough money to get a bunch of flowers for the dining room table!”

Jan is no stranger to the Whitsunday area, living between Airlie Beach and England, often spending months with her daughter in the region, participating in local events and community functions, including the Airlie Beach Book Club and the Whitsunday Writers’ Festival.

“I have never gone into that shop, never bought flowers from there. But now I will, and I will talk about her generosity,” Jan added.

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Lindeman Island has sold for $10 million to a Singaporean family leaving previous owners White Horse – a Chinese cable television operator – with a $2m loss on investment and $10 million shy of their original asking price.

The once site of a Club Med resort has lain dormant for over a decade as the Chinese group sought to develop a luxury resort on the 136-hectare island with plans never eventuating.

White Horse had originally paid for Lindeman at a price of $12m and had been willing to take the loss when Queensland property developer Shaun Juniper approached the business to purchase the asset.

Mr Juniper unexpectedly withdrew his business’ offer before the Singaporean family swooped on the island, reportedly buying it “weeks ago”.

The Chinese company’s divestment from Lindeman arose due to struggles with Queensland State Government approvals, despite having completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) component to redeveloping the island - that EIS was for a $583-million-dollar masterplan to redevelop the abandoned site.

The Singaporean family have reportedly begun initial enquiries into redeveloping the existing Club Med Resort.

Lindeman, still in a development limbo, remains one of the Whitsunday Archipelago’s owned islands awaiting development, like Long Island, which was recently purchased by Oscars Hotels, as well as the Meridian Australia purchased Hook Island, and South Molle Island – an island owned by China Capital Investment Group.

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Lindeman island has sold for $10 million to a Singaporean family at a $2m loss for its previous Chinese owners

Over 30,000 passengers disembarked from cruise ships last month, each of them visiting a diverse range of restaurants and shops, and taking part in tours and excursions on offer in our beautiful region.

This year, 65 cruise ships are scheduled to sail into Whitsundays waters and there are 43 now remaining.

This welcome boost for tourism is a game changer for our local economy.

Local operator, Julie Telford from Red Cat Adventures, said that Airlie Beach is buzzing on cruise ship days.

“It’s a really different vibe – the streets are so busy, and the town is pumping!” she said.

“The cruise ships play a big part in getting us back off the ground after COVID and all the passengers spend money on souvenirs, food, drink and having fun.

“They always come into our main street shop and ask for recommendations, and they are great for filling up last minute seats if they are not already pre-booked.”

A central part of the cruise ship experience is the welcome they receive when they disembark.

Since 2004, the Cruise Ship Ambassadors wearing their tropical shirts and big smiles have been greeting each passenger, offering maps and advice on where to go.

This friendly welcome has heightened the passenger experience and made the Airlie port a favourite among visiting cruisers.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO, Rick Hamilton, says he is hugely appreciative of the work that the Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors are doing to welcome cruise ship passengers.

“The welcome passengers are receiving from our Ambassadors is another reason for them to get off the ship and explore The Whitsundays,” he said.

“Our volunteers are from all industries but have one thing in common, a love of people and customer service, this is something that isn’t trainable, and we’re fortunate to have so many people who all love helping people enjoy their holidays.”

There are 35 Cruise Ship Ambassadors who meet every ship as it arrives, and they are always looking for extra volunteers to participate on a rotating roster.

Ideal for a retired individual who is looking for a worthwhile activity to fill some free time, becoming a Cruise Ship Ambassador is a great way to make new friends and meet new people while spruiking our stunning region.

“Every time we meet a cruise ship we’re greeting people and welcoming them, many for the first time, to The Whitsundays,” said Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors Coordinator, Lyn Blanche.

“A friendly welcome and help to get the most out of their time on shore go a long way when you’re visiting somewhere for the first time.”

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The friendly Cruise Ship Ambassadors greet passengers as they disembark. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Holidaymakers, industry workers and visiting family members have all combined to create record-breaking numbers for Whitsunday Coast Airport over the Easter holidays.

Craig Tuner, Chief Operating Officer for Aviation and Tourism for the Whitsunday Regional Council said that up to 3000 passengers transited through the airport per day.

“When you think our best was 2,200 last April, this is a significant uplift,” he said.

“We are on-track this year to do over 500,000 passengers!”

Next Friday, the last of the three direct Bonza routes opens to the Whitsundays as we welcome Toowoomba alongside Sunshine Coast and Newcastle lines.

This new addition means that the airport will now receive up to 11 flights a day compared to a maximum of six just a few months ago.

“We are expecting to see some really amazing numbers,” said Mr Turner.

It is now more cost effective and efficient for people living in Newcastle and Toowoomba to travel direct from their closest airport.

This means that miners and industry workers will now transit through to Collinsville and the Bowen Basin.

Craig said that he is also anticipating savvy holidaymakers will book direct through Bonza and transit to the surrounding island resorts.

“It is far cheaper to fly direct than to go to Sydney so we are expecting a real mix of VFR (visiting friends and family), holidaymakers and also industries,” he said.

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A departmental traffic crash took place earlier this week when a police vehicle was responding to a priority incident in Mackay.

The incident occurred at the intersection of George Street and Milton Street when the police vehicle collided with a four-wheel drive.

Two police officers, one male constable and one female constable, were treated at the scene before being transported to the Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition.

The driver of the four-wheel drive, a 30-year-old woman, was also treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

Investigations are ongoing.

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Residents are advised to check their land valuation notices and consider if they should lodge an objection against their new valuations before the six-week window elapses.

Anyone wishing to submit an objection must do so before the closing date of 16 May.

Total land valuations across the Mackay local government area have increased in by 16 per cent but it is the rural residents that have seen the greatest impact.

On average Mackay has seen rural residential land values increase by 32.4 per cent and primary production land values increase by 59.6 per cent with many cattle property valuations increasing by over 200 per cent.

Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm MP says that it is vital to check your notice so you can speak up if your valuation is inaccurate.

“New valuations have been undertaken in the Mackay Local Government area and these should reflect the property market on 1st October 2022, the date of the valuation,” said Ms Camm.

“The new valuations will take effect from 30th June 2023 for Local Government ratings, State land tax and land rental purposes.”

Your valuation may not correctly reflect current market valuations if they fit into any of the four categories.

• Sales evidence supports a different value, for example, comparable property sales don’t reflect your valuation.

• Physical characteristics or constraints on the use of the land support a different value.

• Other issues which may affect the valuation.

• Deduction for site improvements (DSI) - For land valued using site value only.

Valuation objections can be submitted online or on a Notice of Objection Form which is available from the Department of Natural Resources, Level 1, 44 Nelson Street Mackay.

Objections must be lodged by 16th May 2023.  Further information is available via https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/valuation/objections or by phoning                   1300 664 217.

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Full access to Eungella Range on Mackay–Eungella Road has been restored with extensive work clearing landslip debris and rectifying damage done during January’s flooding and heavy rainfall.

The road was closed temporarily on January 16 after more than 600mm of rainfall was recorded within a single, 48-hour period at Mount Charlton, and more than 1000mm within seven days at Finch Hatton.

Emergency works to remove large rocks and debris allowed the road to be safely reopened under restricted access within just eight days and has since completely been cleared.

State Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said clean-up crews removed almost 7500 cubic metres of debris, rock and loose material, with about 220 cubic metres of sprayed concrete used to stabilise key areas.

"Reconnecting communities as quickly and safely as possible was our driving focus when delivering these repairs and I thank everyone for their patience,” the Member said.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt echoed the sentiment.

“The Albanese Government is very pleased to assist the Palaszczuk Government with these roadworks and repairs to further the recovery of communities in Mackay and Eungella Range to help cut down travel times for road users safely.”

Landscaping and geotechnical investigations will continue once the road is fully reopened to identify sections requiring further restoration.

These works will be carried out over the next 12 months and will require traffic management at times.

The road repairs and emergency works are jointly funded by the Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

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Eungella Road has been fully restored after extensive work to remove debris during January’s major rainfall event

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A local bank branch has joined the “Smile Month” effort to fundraise for Clown Doctors – a national program which provides highly trained, professional “medical clowns” to help lift the spirits of sick kids by through laughter and joy.

Cannonvale Commonwealth Bank is supporting the Clown Doctors program which makes more than 230,000 visits each year to children in 22 hospitals across Australia.

The local team join branches across the country in April as they rally together to raise much needed funds via a variety of fundraising events.

In 2022, 67 Clown Doctors across Australia delivered doses of fun and laughter to over 230,000 kids, families and hospital staff.

Commonwealth Bank Branch Manager Lisa McAliece said the cause was one her branch was always more than happy to support.

Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at CommBank, said the Clown Doctors is something the bank’s staff are very passionate about.

“We’re thrilled to be gifting smiles of all shapes and sizes again in 2023 as we continue our 20-plus-year history of supporting the Clown Doctors and the work they do to help sick kids,” he said.

“Our fundraising for The Humour Foundation is something we love doing as a team and we encourage our communities to get behind the incredible work the Clown Doctors do for kids in need.”

In-branch donations are available until Friday 28 April, with all fundraising efforts up to the value of $100,000 to be matched by the CommBank Staff Foundation, meaning the impact of the community’s generosity will be doubled.

Donations to the Clown Doctors can be made at any Commonwealth Bank branch throughout April or online, at: smilemonth.raisely.com

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Commonwealth Bank Cannonvale staff members Jaimee Egan, Lisa McAliece, and Lauren Ward

Sarina crafter Val Pearce is expanding her skills after a lifetime of crafting.

Val is a member of the Sarina Fibre Arts Group, whose members offer their crafts for sale at the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre.

“I think it was about 1998 that I joined them,” Val said.

“They were meeting at Sarina High School then, but they now meet in the Craft Cottage, across from the Sarina Men’s Shed.

“We have about 18 to 20 at each meeting and we always learn off each other.”

Val said she learnt to knit from her mother when she was a child in Victoria.

“In Victoria in mid-winter it was cold and there was no TV so what I learnt to knit was wearable things, mum used to knit all our jumpers and socks,” she said.

She widened her interests to include dyeing of cotton fabrics, applique of fabric on fabric, and all aspects of hand sewing including handbags and quilts and is learning more from the crafters at the Fibre Arts Group.

“It’s a great group to be a part of,” Val said.

“They have enormous knowledge to pass on and it’s very therapeutic.

“It’s great to be in that group and gain knowledge in a wide range of crafts.”

A Japanese embroidery style called Sashiko is popular with the group.

“It is different from other forms and is a very ancient craft, so it’s good to learn those skills,” Val said.

“We’ve been learning old skills such as candlewicking, an early American form of embroidery, along with Hardanger (Norwegian) and Jacobean (English) styles.

“We also do felting, eco dyeing and make handbags and quilts.”

Val has an aromatic family link for sale at the Arts and Crafts Centre – sweet-smelling embroidered lavender sachets stuffed with cuttings from her sister in Victoria.

Her bags and other items are also popular.

The Arts and Crafts Centre is open 9-1 Monday to Saturday, at the Sarina Field of Dreams Parkland.

Contributed by Charlie Payne

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Crafter Val Pearce with a tote bag made in the Japanese Sashiko style at the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre. Photo credit: Charlie Payne

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Single-use plastics will soon be removed from Whitsunday businesses thanks to a state government scheme that has already been rolled out to 600 regional businesses and it is heading here next.

So far, the free program has helped cafes and restaurants in regional Queensland eliminate more than 8.2 million pieces of single-use plastics.

Currently, single-use plastics account for more than 75 per cent of rubbish removed from Australian beaches.

The government-funded Plastic Free Project is coordinated by the Boomerang Alliance Campaign and Manager Toby Hutcheon says that over the past few years, the project has established good relationships with regional businesses.

“We provide helpful advice on packaging and show them how they can eliminate problem plastics from use,” he explains.

“There will be a focus on reusable food ware and BYO coffee cups.

“Hotels and cafes can play a big part in helping Queenslanders make the switch away from disposable packaging.”

Fast Facts:

• Half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once

• At least 8 million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean each year

• Turtles have a 20% chance of dying if they ingest just one piece of plastic

• More than 85% of contamination in the Great Barrier Reef is from microfibres

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Single-use plastics account for more than 75 per cent of rubbish removed from Australian beaches.

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Queenslanders with an interest in sustainable management of the state’s fisheries are urged to submit an application to join a fishery working group.

Fisheries Queensland Executive Director Dallas D’Silva said nominations are open for membership of 14 fishery working groups, which are integral to delivering world-class, sustainable fisheries.

“This is an exciting opportunity to be part of sustainable fisheries management,” Mr D’Silva said.

“Fishery working groups provide important operational advice on the management of specific fisheries and serve as an effective communication and consultative forum between fishing stakeholders and the Queensland Government.

“We are seeking a range of people to join the fishery working groups, including commercial and recreational fishers, charter operators, seafood marketers and processors, conservation representatives and First Nations peoples.”

Mr D’Silva said the working groups have been very effective in developing harvest strategies and their operational knowledge and advice has been invaluable.

“Under the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy, working group membership is renewed every two years,” he said.

“We have also reviewed the fishery working groups guideline and released it for public consultation.”

Applications to join the fishery working groups are due by May 21, 2023, and consultation on the working groups guideline also closes May 21, 2023.

To nominate for the working groups and provide feedback on the guidelines, visit https://daf.engagementhub.com.au/.

Follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook (@FisheriesQueensland), Instagram (@FisheriesQld) and Twitter (@DAFQld).

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Men are afraid of vulnerability. “There is an idea that it is a kind of weakness,” Cannonvale local Bob Eden said. “Men think that others will use it against them; use it to get a foot up on one another. That’s not the case.”

Mr Eden - whose first novel, ‘The Gift of Depression, My Little Scrap Book’, is part memoir, part treatise on mental illness – recently accomplished a 15-year ambition of starting a local wellbeing group in the Whitsundays.

Mr Eden, alongside Real Mates Talk’s Suicide Prevention Worker for the Whitsundays Adam Richards, has run two sessions of the Cannonvale Wellbeing Group.

With the backing of popular men’s health campaign Real Mates Talk and the backing of Mr Richards, Mr Eden has facilitated the event to a growing number of supporters.

“We have to do things in this area, because there’s a great need in this area for a support group of this type,” Mr Eden said.

“I’ve been trying to get this going for more than two decades and, using the banner and message of Real Mates Talk, it’s an opportunity to continue my mission, which is to eradicate suicide.”

Across the Whitsundays, Isaac, and Mackay, where Real Mates Talk began, the need for a men’s mental health campaign was obvious. Real Mates Talk reports around three quarters of people who die by suicide across the region are men.

That fact is reflected in the national average, too: The Australian Bureau of Statistics states that 72 per cent of deaths by suicide are male, despite the population share being higher for females.

Mr Eden said that comes from institutionalised ideas of “personal weakness”.

“It’s in the name: Let’s get mates to talk real,” Mr Eden said.

“It’s a male thing and a Queensland thing where you ask how they’re going and they say, ‘it’s all good! I’m good, mate’. They’re lying because they’re scared of the stigma of mental health.”

Medical literature agrees: Men resoundingly hold more stigmatising attitudes towards those with depression, anxiety, and who die by suicide.

Genuine mental health concerns are seen, mistakenly, as a “discrediting mark”, according to a American Journal of Men’s Health piece, ‘Men’s Experiences of Mental Illness Stigma Across the Lifespan: A Scoping Review’.

Men enduring mental health concerns can feel burdened by a form of stereotyping, prejudice, and inevitably a “self-stigma” – where those suffering turn the publicly endorsed stigmatising against themselves.

It is the antiquated adages: ‘Men Should Be Men’ and ‘Men Don’t Cry’.

Mr Eden, whose personal struggles with “The Black Dog” have led him on a crusade against depression, said small, community events like the Real Mates Talk Cannonvale Wellbeing Group were steps to challenging and destroying that stigma.

“Men can overcome the programmed belief that is shameful to be vulnerable,” he said.

“That’s what this is all about.”

The Cannonvale Wellbeing Group meets every Wednesday at the Cannonvale Skate Park gazebo from 10.00am to 11.30am.

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Real Mates Talk ambassador and author Bob Eden with AJ Shoesmith, and Daniel Campbell at last week’s Cannonvale Wellbeing Group meeting

By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

Sugar Terminals Limited’s decision to remove Queensland Sugar Limited and become owner/operator of the state’s bulk sugar terminals has generated a stir right across the industry. But it is an issue that has potential flow-on effects to the regional community and economy.

It is for the two entities to stop the blame game and come up with a resolution in the best interests of the industry and the regional communities they support. Right now, the Queensland sugar industry is renowned internationally for efficient, reliable and cost-effective bulk handling of our commodity and protecting this is a no-brainer.

Sugar is a staple in our regional economy, and our capacity to reliably deliver to our export customers - the outstanding performance at bulk sugar terminals like Mackay’s - is a crucial point of difference in the world market. We can grow all the sugar in the world, but if we can’t get it out reliably, then it is all for nothing. Our customers will shy away and look elsewhere.

The flow-on from that would reach out to businesses across the region, from retail and hospitality to transport and engineering and direct sugar industry services.

Having bulk storage capability means that when sugar prices are low, we can hold onto some of our product and wait for stronger prices. It brings a better return for growers and millers that share an economic interest in the product and in turn puts more money into our community, strengthening our economy.

Concern has been expressed across the supply chain that the move – planned for end of the current contract in 2026 – will remove an important balance that the industry implemented to avoid having the state’s bulk sugar terminals placed in the hands of a private enterprise whose main objective is to appease their shareholders, who demand a strong return. This problem is compounded as a growing number of those shareholders are no longer active in the industry- a requirement to be a shareholder. This means STL is operating outside of its constitution. Further, these inactive shareholders are preventing newer growers from having access to a shareholding in these industry assets. It is absolutely critical that control of the terminals stay equitably within industry hands.

On the miller-class side, Wilmar holds the majority of miller-class shares. Wilmar, of course holds several operational arms in Australia, chiefly milling and marketing. This gives Wilmar a strong board presence. Wilmar is a competitor with QSL in the marketing space.

In 2000, when the government stepped back from direct management of the BSTs, ending the Queensland Sugar Corporation, QSL was established as a NOT-FOR-PROFIT entity, to continue the other responsibilities of QSC: marketing all export sugar produced in Queensland and managing all bulk sugar terminals. De-regulation has allowed other marketers into the industry, but QSL remains strong in that space and an effective terminal operator. That not-for-profit status allows it to cost-effectively continue BST operations as a service to industry.

At CANEGROWERS Mackay, and at CANEGROWERS state Policy Council, we have met with both STL and QSL board and management. We have heard the point of view of both sides, and have spoken firmly for the interests of growers in this debate. We are still yet to see a firm business case for how in-sourcing will make the ports more cost-efficient, and would suggest the extensive outlay in purchasing terminal assets, and the increased tax liabilities moving from a not-for-profit to a for-profit operator are both large financial hurdles to straddle. It has been reassuring to hear that terminal staff would retain employment. However. We also see that a for-profit entity is likely - by the nature of the beast, to charge what the market can bear. As growers, we need the security of having access to ports at a reasonable rate.

Mackay is home to the oldest of the six bulk sugar terminals, operational from 1957. Two-thirds of that was paid for by the Mackay Harbour Board, and through special dues on cargo. In fact, the whole harbour construction cost borne by Mackay Harbour Board was to a large extent funded by Special Dues paid by the sugar industry. Prior to 1957, 5.5million tonnes of raw sugar had been shipped from Mackay in bagged form.

It’s an industry asset. For the sake of the industry, and for regional economies, it is imperative that QSL and STL resolve this dispute with minimal disruption to the industry.

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Mackay Bulk Sugar Terminal - the exit point to export markets for the region’s sugar product - is a critical part of the regional economy.  Photo credit: Kirili Lamb

The Mackay Harbour Story (HA Moore), and Sugar in Mackay (Mackay Printing and Publishing) tell the story of our sugar port’s development

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Sarina’s Jordan Patullo (Ruddell) said she cannot thank her local Australian Army Cadets Program enough for her career in the trades sector and her recent receiving of a scholarship opportunity.

The member of 131 Army Cadet Unit Sarina is undertaking an apprenticeship in engineering (fabrication trade) and said the skills she has learnt while in the Cadets were “exactly what employers are looking for – discipline, respect, courage, teamwork, initiative, and time management”.

“Cadets has helped me be able to manage myself and others around me in the workshop, built my confidence to speak to people I've never met before, along with speaking confidently in front of a crowd,” Jordan said.

“When I finish my apprenticeship, I would like to become a trainer and mix my experience in the cadets with my career to help guide others in learning to do welding and fabrication.”

The national youth development program shares the character and values of the Australian Army and is a partnership between the Australian Army and the community.

“I’ve enjoyed nothing more than training the junior cadets and watching them grow into strong and amazing young leaders, as it gives me a sense of achievement as I realise that I do make a difference by being the younger cadets’ role model,” Jordan said.

Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank Board Chair Karen May said when deciding on the 2022 Apprenticeship Scholarship recipients, “Jordan stood out – her involvement in the Army Cadets program showed commitment and initiative and the importance of community”.

“Jordan is a role model to many young students who are in the cadets program but also young women wanting to start a trade,” Ms May said.

“The 2022 CQUniversity recipients all came from a wide range of industries, showcasing the opportunities for the youth in our region, including for women in the trade sector.”

Community Bank Sarina offers multiple scholarship opportunities for high school students, as well as apprenticeship and undergraduate degree students studying through CQUniversity.

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