It’s been 125 years since the first cohort of Proserpine State School students began lessons on a vastly different school campus to the one the township knows today.

Over a century on from those days, the local primary school will celebrate its momentous 125th anniversary this weekend with a School Fete, where it will remember its long history.

The school opened the very same year as the completed construction and first sugar season of the Proserpine Mill – an event which undoubtedly heralded the beginning of modern Proserpine.

It has seen countless students pass through its doors.

Julianne O’Brien is just one local for whom the school holds special significance; it has been a home away from home for four generations of her family.

“My mother worked as a teacher here for fifteen years before I started as a student at the Primary School in 1964,” Ms O’Brien said.

“I finished year seven here and came back as a teacher myself in 1984, working until about 2014 – I’ve been at this school a long time. While I was teaching, my son came to this school, too.

“It has changed so much, and it’s just constantly changing. I’m glad my granddaughter Lily [O’Brien] gets to experience the benefit of all that change now that she’s here in her first year of prep.”

Ms O’Brien will be just one of the ex-students taking part in the festivities for the school’s celebratory fete on Saturday, September 3. She’ll watch on as the school cuts a 125-year cake, hosts choirs, and old-fashioned games, as well as bands and food vans.

But she’s most excited about the Proserpine Historical Society display on the day: a classroom styled in the fashion of when she herself was a teacher and a student.

“I’ve got some memorabilia for that. I’ll be bringing along some of my son’s work from when he was in grade one, which I notice is still the same basic work as Lily is doing now she’s in the same grade!” Ms O’Brien said.

“Some things never change.”

The event starts at 2.30pm with an official opening ceremony and will feature school tours alongside other activities, including a firework display. The school will be producing a book which collates its 125-year history as well, which will be purchasable at the event.

Wilmar Sugar will be hosting their own display at the event to commemorate their 125th anniversary, too.

“This school has been my whole life, and my mother’s whole life. Four generations of O’Briens have been at this school; I think it speaks for itself,” Ms O’Brien said.

Lily said she wants to grow up to be a teacher, too.

Lily and Julianne O’Brien will be celebrating alongside Proserpine State School for the institutions 125th birthday this weekend

‍

Tourism operators and business owners from across the Whitsundays gathered for a Conversations with Industry event hosted by the state body last week, listening to the industry’s concerns and giving them the latest figures on the region’s impact on nationwide tourism.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) partnered with Tourism Whitsundays to welcome local businesses to the event which connected stakeholders with the latest insights into their industry.

The TEQ event at Mantra Club Croc hosted a who’s who of the Whitsundays’ tourism partners, as well as the Queensland Government’s Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport, Stirling Hinchliffe.

The annual event highlights the state body’s marketing activities and opportunities for local businesses to get involved in them. Content was also specifically tailored to the needs of the businesses in the Whitsundays.

Minister Hinchliffe said it was excellent to see a great turnout from local operators, as well as representatives from across the state and country.

“It is great to have so many people interested in the conversations here in this region,” Minister Hinchliffe said.

“These conversations with industry this year are an opportunity to explore opportunities for the industry and continue the amazing work by individuals in building back better after the pandemic.”

Minister Hinchliffe said what was seen in the region was a terrific example of “the ingenuity of Queenslanders and the industry”.

“We know there have been some stand-out successes in this region during that Covid-19 recovery process,” he said.

Data presented on the day – gathered by Tourism Research Australia for March 2022 - showed the Whitsundays had the biggest surge in the country for domestic spending over a three-year trend, increasing 22.9 per cent on average, and going up to $1.1 billion.

But that did not mean the industry wasn’t seeing the same challenges which are ubiquitous across the state, Minister Hinchliffe said.

“The pandemics ongoing shortage of tourism and hospitality staff, chefs through to cleaners and everyone in between, are testing the patience of managers and owners not just in this region,” he said.

“As well as the shortage of housing. That message from you is not falling on deaf ears.”

Minister Hinchliffe’s address was followed by talks from TEQ representatives and delegates, who each spoke on the changing landscape of the industry – with careful notice given to the need to continue capturing the domestic market whilst again bringing in international tourists.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Rick Hamilton, Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport Stirling Hinchliffe, Julie Telford, and Tourism Whitsundays staff attending the Conversations with Industry event last week

Tourism Whitsundays invited its network of tourism operators and business owners along to a Conversations with Industry event hosted by Tourism and Events Queensland last week

‍

Motorists travelling along the Bruce Highway between Bowen and Proserpine have been enduring endless traffic lights and extended delays for several months and Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said that the frustration is causing drivers to “do silly things”.

“I realise the situation is challenging but it has been going on for so long and there are so many areas sectioned off – why can’t they just make it safe?”

Transport and Main Roads (TMR) are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the highway which had been receiving $69 million of major upgrades which began in August 2021.

When WBHO Infrastructure, the South African company contracted to deliver the upgrade, went broke in February this year, roadwork crews downed tools and walked off three job sites, ceasing work along three Bruce Highway upgrade projects.

The company was delivering the $38.8 million Emu Creek to Drays Road upgrade, the $8.03 million Bowen Connection Road upgrade and the $22 million dollar works between Bowen and Ayr.

Great swaths of the highway have been playing host to kilometres of abandoned roadworks since February and, despite no crews on site, the speed restrictions and traffic control measures are still in-place.

Andrew Willcox, who travels between his hometown of Bowen to the southern end of his constituency most weeks, says that the 45 minute drive between Proserpine and Bowen often takes an hour and a half.

In addition, he has noticed some motorists make dangerous choices.

Talking to TMR on behalf of the community, Mr Willcox said he was informed they are making progress.

“But it’s been way too long!” he said.

“The standard of road is, and I quote many of you who have expressed your concerns to me, ‘a goat track and a disgrace’. This is just not good enough!

“Putting lives at risk every day, how many more accidents have to happen before TMR and the Queensland Government get the job done?”

The Roadworks between Bowen and Proserpine have been abandoned for over six months

Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox says it’s time the job was finished

‍

Australia’s newest low-cost air carrier has announced its maiden flight will be to the Whitsundays thanks to a deal struck between Whitsunday Regional Council and Bonza Airlines when the new routes were negotiated several months ago.

With take-off expected sometime in September, our region will be at the forefront of national publicity alongside this innovative and independent new airline.

Promising to bring prices down across the country by charging an estimated $50 per hour of air travel, the new fuel-efficient planes are set to offer the most competitive prices for locals too.

The new routes will open the Whitsundays up to an additional 2.5 million people who will now find it easier to visit our region.

Known as the fastest growing regional airport in the country, this new alliance is set to further expand our visitor offering.

“This is an exciting time for Australian aviation and most importantly, the Aussie travelling public who will now enjoy more choice,” said Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza.

Opening 17 destinations on 27 routes, 93 per cent of which are currently un-serviced, Bonza Airlines stands to be a big game changer in the industry.

A major part of that change is the Whitsunday Coast Airport, which will open up three flights a week to the Sunshine Coast and is scheduled to launch a further two flights per week to Newcastle and Toowoomba by the end of the year.

A brand-new American-made 737 MAX aeroplane touched down in the Sunshine Coast on August 1 and has sincet received a complete fit-out on Australian shores.

A total of eight additional aircraft will be joining the fleet over the coming months with the inaugural flight scheduled for late September.

Whitsunday Chief Operator of Aviation and Tourism said that he is looking forward to seeing our local airport in the spotlight for their launch.

“This was all part of our initial pitch,” he said.

“We are hoping that they will stay overnight on the runway so we can have a big runway party!”

Dates are yet to be officially announced but the stage is set for a new and exciting flight path for the Whitsundays.

Whitsunday Coast Airport set to host inaugural Bonza Airline Flight

‍

Tourism operators and business owners from across the Whitsundays gathered for a Conversations with Industry event hosted by the state body last week, listening to the industry’s concerns and giving them the latest figures on the region’s impact on nationwide tourism.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) partnered with Tourism Whitsundays to welcome local businesses to the event which connected stakeholders with the latest insights into their industry.

The TEQ event at Mantra Club Croc hosted a who’s who of the Whitsundays’ tourism partners, as well as the Queensland Government’s Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport, Stirling Hinchliffe.

The annual event highlights the state body’s marketing activities and opportunities for local businesses to get involved in them. Content was also specifically tailored to the needs of the businesses in the Whitsundays.

Minister Hinchliffe said it was excellent to see a great turnout from local operators, as well as representatives from across the state and country.

“It is great to have so many people interested in the conversations here in this region,” Minister Hinchliffe said.

“These conversations with industry this year are an opportunity to explore opportunities for the industry and continue the amazing work by individuals in building back better after the pandemic.”

Minister Hinchliffe said what was seen in the region was a terrific example of “the ingenuity of Queenslanders and the industry”.

“We know there have been some stand-out successes in this region during that Covid-19 recovery process,” he said.

Data presented on the day – gathered by Tourism Research Australia for March 2022 - showed the Whitsundays had the biggest surge in the country for domestic spending over a three-year trend, increasing 22.9 per cent on average, and going up to $1.1 billion.

But that did not mean the industry wasn’t seeing the same challenges which are ubiquitous across the state, Minister Hinchliffe said.

“The pandemics ongoing shortage of tourism and hospitality staff, chefs through to cleaners and everyone in between, are testing the patience of managers and owners not just in this region,” he said.

“As well as the shortage of housing. That message from you is not falling on deaf ears.”

Minister Hinchliffe’s address was followed by talks from TEQ representatives and delegates, who each spoke on the changing landscape of the industry – with careful notice given to the need to continue capturing the domestic market whilst again bringing in international tourists.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Rick Hamilton, Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport Stirling Hinchliffe, Julie Telford, and Tourism Whitsundays staff attending the Conversations with Industry event last week

Tourism Whitsundays invited its network of tourism operators and business owners along to a Conversations with Industry event hosted by Tourism and Events Queensland last week

‍

Stage one of the new skate park in Cannonvale opened last week and families flocked there in great numbers, eager to try out the facility.

Skateboards, scooters, bikes and trikes slid across the brand-new concrete with children of all ages excited to explore the twists, turns, slopes and grinds for the first time.

The newly completed stage one of the skate park complex is gentler and easier, making it ideal for little learners, as well as being designed to suit a broader range of skill levels compared to its previous iteration.

Some of the children commented that the skate park was slipperier than the last one but that they were enjoying getting to know the new course.

The teenagers said that they were looking forward to the second stage of the skate park complex because it will be more challenging as it is set to be of competition standard.

Stage two of the skatepark is a ‘bowl’ design which is ideal for intermediate to advanced level skaters and it is hoped that this standard of facility will help attract competitions to the area.

Whitsunday Region Council said they were thrilled to see the skatepark operational and that they were looking forward to completing stage two of the project by early 2022.

“The new venue is the perfect place to meet up with your friends and enjoy a new rider experience,” they said.

“Grab your scooter, your skateboard or your skates and try out the brand-new street style skating area.”

Ebony Gould, Josh Martin, Luka Nott, Riley Cowley and Sammy Mackie. Back row: Axel Sergeant, Jack Phyland and Damon Magill

The stage two competition bowl is due to be completed early 2023

‍

The newly elected Mayor of Whitsunday Regional Council, Julie Hall, was officially sworn in on Monday, taking the declaration of office at the Bowen Council Chambers in front of a small crowd.

Mayor Hall was declared in the ceremony attended by council staff, media, councillors, a few supporters, and family, and officiated by Council Chief Executive Officer Rod Ferguson.

The Mayor gave a small speech as her first act in the office, taking the opportunity to thank the region for their good faith, as well as highlighting what she hoped to achieve in her 18 month term.

The People’s Mayor Is A Reputation I Intend To Keep”

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall was sworn in on Monday, August 29, at a Declaration of Office Ceremony at the Bowen Council Chambers.

The self-proclaimed “People’s Mayor”, a life coach and businesswoman who shot into the spotlight as a One Nation candidate for the seat of Dawson at the recent Federal Election, took the opportunity to “thank all the region for sharing this special moment” with her.

“It is both a privilege and an honour to receive my Declaration of Office today and officially take the seat as the new mayor of the Whitsundays Regional Council,” Mayor Hall said.

“I step into this role knowing full well that it will be challenging and that I have a lot to learn. I also step into this role with courage, strength, and determination which is required to fulfill my role as your mayor to the highest possible standard.”

Mayor Hall, who understands the role is going to be a “big job”, especially considering she has no direct experience in local government, asked her constituents to be patient.

“I ask for your trust, and to not underestimate my abilities. I got here today against the most incredible odds, and that achievement alone should be a testament to my ability to what I can achieve when I set out to do so,” she said.

The newly elected head of Council also took the opportunity to address the change that her taking office can present for the region and its councillors.

“Change is always difficult because it asks us to step outside what we know and into the doubt and fears of the unknown,” she said.

“This is where I extend my invitation to our executive team and councillors to stand together and show the community, through your support of me, that we really do have their best interests at heart.”

Mayor Hall said she intended to “lead from the front with grace and dignity”.

“I will always be the mayor who has the best interests of council and community in mind,” she said.

In the coming weeks, Mayor Hall will head from her home in Bowen down to Brisbane where she will meet with Government Officials for full induction into the role.

She will preside over her first council meeting on September 14.

‍

Newly elected Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall and Council Chief Executive Officer Rod Ferguson

Julie Hall was sworn in as Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor at a ceremony in Bowen on Monday

Mayor Hall gave a speech thanking her constituents and promising a term of “grace and dignity”

‍

Golf Lessons With A Pro

The Pro Shop in Cannonvale are offering a special Father’s Day package which includes three, one hour game improvement sessions and four players on the 18-hole golf simulator. Normally this would cost $359 but this special is just $199 and you have 12 months to redeem.

A Classic Rusty Tin Sign

With over 2000 rusty tin signs in-stock, Proserpine’s More Than Just A Gift Shop, has a wide selection of memorabilia designs which would be perfect for any man shed. From motorbikes to trucks, gardening to golf, quirky sayings to superheroes, beer brands and dad’s favourite spirits.

‍

This Father’s Day why not get your dad a practical present that he will appreciate with every kilometre he drives along our local regional highways.

Did you know that a new set of tyres are not only a great way to improve safety on the roads, but they also improve the quality of your driving experience and can often make you feel like you are driving a new car again.

Goodyear Auto Care at William Murray Drive in Cannonvale, supply quality tyres backed with their prestigious international brand name.

This means that every tyre is durable and professionally made to maximise mileage, provide better handling and ensure safety by sticking to the road in all conditions.

The Cannonvale branch takes pride in providing excellent service and support.

Each purchase will include the fitting and balancing of the tyres, with a nominal additional fee for disposing of your old tyres.

Customers who are booking a full set of tyres are recommended to opt for a wheel alignment which will ensure longevity.

It is also advised that tyres are rotated every 10,000 kilometres and tyre pressures are maintained to get the most out of them.

A Goodyear Tyre:

• Helps stick to the road under differing conditions

• Disperses water for maximum safety

• Provides better handling and ride comfort

• Quality tyres give extended mileage and performance

Rory Staniland loves a Goodyear tyre

‍

Does your dad love getting out in the yard? Is he always in the shed tinkering with his tools? Add another gem to his collection by purchasing one of these modern, efficient, and useful machines from Whitsunday Mowers and help make maintenance jobs seem easy. What will you get for dad this Father’s Day?

Battery Chainsaw (Stihl MSA 140)

This compact yet powerful piece of equipment is quiet, efficient, and easy to use while still packing enough punch to cut 210 (100mm) logs on a single charge. The convenient battery charge means there is less time in the shed, less time dealing with fuel issues and more time on the tools. This machine is great for camping trips and ideal for chopping logs for the fire pit.

Blower Vac (Shindaiwa)

Why blow the unwanted leaves and debris around the yard when you can suck them up, mulch them and then feed them back into the garden? Returning the nutrients to nature, this clever blower comes with a vacuum bag and mulching blade which chops the debris down. A beautiful Japanese brand, it weighs just 5.8 kilograms and can blow in excess of 300 kilometres per hour which is like using the force of a handheld cyclone!

Hedge Trimmer (Bush Ranger HT251)

With a long 30-inch bar, this tool is a popular choice for commercial use giving you the professional finish you are craving in your backyard. A good, robust all-rounder this hedge trimmer is also lightweight at just 5.9 kilograms. It has impressive anti-vibration features and comes with a lengthy two-year warranty.

Brush Cutter (Stihl)

Equipped with handlebars for ease of use and maximum control, this eco speed brush cutter has an easy to start function and bump head feed. With a double shoulder harness, it is comfortable and designed for extensive use. Inclusive of a component set to adapt the blade for heavy maintenance jobs such as long Guinea Grass, this brush cutter has a metal blade that can tackle most jobs.

Sam Wotherspoon, Steve Deller, Wayne Drabsch and Luke Taylor can recommend many Father’s Day gifts at Whitsunday Mowers

‍

The Mediterranean brand of love is alive at the hilltop villa Toscana, a sun-drenched hotel with red ochre roof tiles that lives and breathes European romance – as well as its cuisine.

The Belvedere restaurant, Toscana’s new restaurant which sits atop the Airlie Beach hillside and houses one of its very best views, has become a roaring success in its few short months of operation.

Restaurateurs Tayla Clout and Nathan Parker arrived in the coastal town from their award-winning Blue Mountains restaurant with holiday plans, but when they saw the views of the Coral Sea, there was little choice but to dig in.

“We had originally come to see the rooms at Toscana, got chatting with the owner, Jo, and she said: you need to see this,” Tayla said.

“She showed us the view and we were just smitten – we knew we had to start up the restaurant here.”

The Belvedere at Toscana Resort is what the couple call a “treat of Tuscany”, with the new restaurant hosting both the feel of a Whitsunday winter and the taste of European luxury and love.

Faithfully emulating the Italian coastal experience of sipping wine on a balcony with a painted background of ocean behind, Toscana is unlike any place in the Whitsundays, and the food has the same appeal.

Chef Nathan has curated his cuisine from French and Italian inspiration, bringing his experience from years in the kitchen to create this experiential and moveable feast.

“Our food is in sync with the venue. It’s refined dining: a lot of love, a lot of heart, a lot of flavour,” Nathan said.

“The Chef’s selection tasting menu of 10 different dishes to be shared, a taste of everything, is what I will always recommend; it’s an experience.”

In her role at front of house, Tayla is the expert hand ready to complement each dish with a wine or cocktail.

Everything on the menu is made in tastebud heaven and matched by the restaurant’s ambience: a glass of Cotes de Provence, and a goose liver pate, agrodolce, house made focaccia, all while the vista backdrop turns a vibrant purple and burnt orange cascade of colour.

“It’s like nestling back above all the main strip, where you can look at all of the light and fun happening down there and spend it with someone you love,” Tayla said.

“There’s nothing like it in the entire Whitsundays.”

Restaurateurs Tayla Clout and Nathan Parker have been cooking up some of the best food Airlie Beach has experienced, matched only by the views with their new restaurant at Toscana Resort

The Belvedere Restaurant sits on the hillside above Airlie Beach, and has been an absolute hit with locals

‍

Chris Land‘s ‘Yellow Canary’ saved his life.

The Bowen local and accountant by trade credits his off-road buggy, which helps him fulfill his passion for roaring down the dirt-track of the Don River that cuts through Bowen at 140-kilmetres per hour, with giving him a new lease on life.

Given the avian moniker for its diminutive stature, Chris’s ‘Yellow Canary’ holds a special place in his heart, having joined him as part of Team Land racing shortly after a bout of major sickness, which at its worst had him 48 hours away from dying.

He recognises the Canary helped him conquer the mental battle which comes with coming so close to death.

“I had retired from speedway and flat track racing on quad bikes at the age of 52; I kept waking up in hospital. I had always raced – done it all my life – and I just thought after one too many times: nope, that’s enough,” Chris said.

“A few years after that, I caught melioidosis, a tropical disease out of the ground, and spent three months in hospital, three weeks of that in intensive care. I was supposed to be dead; none of them expected me to live through it.

“They said I had less than 48 hours to go. I was skin and bone when I came out of hospital, it had eaten away all my insides, and to get myself motivated again, a friend reached out to me.

“Dave Muir, a mate, had bought a buggy, and started racing and said, come back in with these because we have a cage around us, we won’t get hurt.

“Just to get me positive, and I started feeling like living again. That was my mental turning point, it gave me an ambition that I’ve never stopped.

“That was when I bought the Yellow Canary.”

Chris has had the buggy – a Yamaha 1000R 2016 - for six years, and it brought him to the sport which he loves “for the family feel. Everyone is so welcoming”.

But it may be the pairs last hurrah according to Chris, who, likely, is the Don River Dash‘s oldest competitor at 65 – and one of the event’s founding fathers, having been instrumental in its genesis four years ago.

He’s tried the Dash every year in the ‘Yellow Canary’ and never finished, and this may be his last chance as he plans to retire the buggy at the end of the racing season.

“Each time it’s broken down; once when we did five pirouettes in the air and landed and of course it couldn’t keep going. I’m gunning to finish it this year, and it would be great to do it in the Canary,” Chris said.

“Every time I’ve had to retire out broken, I’ve been in the lead. This one will be the last race and to finish in it as a winner on the home track, that would be something.”

Chris will be just one of the competitors from Bowen to race in this year’s Don River Dash on September 9 to 11. So, keep an eye out for him in his Yellow Canary for one last race in yellow down the home strait.

‍

Bringing a truly different type of tour to the Whitsundays, SeaLink’s ‘Big Island Day Tour’

aboard MV Nancy Wake focuses on passenger comfort, giving guests a relaxed experience where dedicated personal service makes it the most memorable day out on the water.

Heather Thatcher, sales and marketing coordinator, is an impassioned advocate for the scenic cruise around the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach.

She says that the tour is especially popular with the grey nomad market who like to go at a leisurely pace, and also the families who enjoy the space and comfort inside the air-conditioning.

“It’s all about passenger comfort – quality not quantity – the boat is able to take 280 people but we cap it at 85 so that everyone can eat lunch together at tables,” said Heather.

“The tour is created so it is not jam-packed, and all our guests seem to love that!”

Heather has lived in the Whitsundays for 29 years, working in the marine industry, predominantly as a dive instructor. She says that the SeaLink tour has brought a brand-new offering to the region and that she is incredibly proud of the product.

“I love the customer interaction, making people happy and showcasing our beautiful area,” she said.

Melissa Graham has just moved to the region with her husband and has many years’ experience working in reservations at golfing clubs and resorts across the country.

She now feels lucky to travel out to the brand-new Shute Harbour Marine Terminal every day where she works as a sales and reservation consultant for SeaLink.

“I love making it personal – you are never a number with us, and we can answer any questions you may have,” said Heather.

“We have all the comforts you could possibly want when cruising.”

SeaLink’s MV Nancy Wake can accept wheelchairs and people with mobility issues or guide-dogs. With three levels, guests can enjoy the air-conditioned comfort inside the spacious lower deck, or can venture upstairs to the shaded outside deck or the top sun deck for 360 degree aerial panoramic views.

FEATURES

• Guided tours to the Hill Inlet and South Whitehaven Beach Lookouts

• Educational and knowledgeable commentary on the history of the environment

• Room for all guests to sit comfortably at tables to eat lunch in air-conditioning

• Perfect for travellers, families and people living with mobility issues

A comfortable and relaxing voyage aboard MV Nancy Wake

Heather Thatcher and Melissa Graham from SeaLink

‍

An assessment piece from a local Bowen State High School student has highlighted the power of the written word, leading her school to open an LGBTIQA+ section of its library.

The local high school met “another milestone in its journey to inclusion” with the unveiling of the small section in its resource centre, which is dedicated to representation.

Teacher Stephen Murray, Head of the English Department at Bowen State High School, said the genesis of the idea didn’t come from faculty, but instead from an essay written by a well-read student.

“They stated in the text they’d created that they saw no representations of their identity in the books that they read, despite being a voracious reader of fiction,” Mr Murray said.

“They found no queer characters, no characters that were gender fluid and that struck a chord with me. I thought: Bowen State High School is on an inclusive journey; we want everyone to feel included.

“It struck me that it’s just not right.”

Mr Murray took the issue to his fellow staff members, and together they vetted and gathered a collection of appropriate, high-school level texts (including award-winning and excellently written novels) which promote inclusivity or tell stories centred around queer or gender fluid characters.

The eight books which form the basis of the section are now available to be signed out by students in an honour system where they may take the books home anonymously, without signing them out.

There were immediately five of the eight books borrowed in the first few days, coming back in drabs before being borrowed again in what the school said is an excellent success.

To officially unveil the section, a rainbow cake cutting was held in the resource centre, with leadership, teachers, and students enjoying the inclusive celebration.

“The student who wrote the essay which prompted this whole section is proud of what she wrote and the end result of what’s been accomplished,” Mr Murray said.

“We value every student, so it’s important for me as a teacher and for the team as a school to feel there’s a safe and supportive environment for them.”

The plan is to grow the section every year with student and staff recommendations taken into consideration.

Acting Principal of Bowen State High School, Steve Baskerville, said it was fantastic to see texts being a representation of the diversity of the students.

“That’s important for the students who identify in those diverse ways. But it’s also important for every other student as well as they make their way through the school and out into the world where they’ll engage with people from a range of different backgrounds,” he said.

Head of the English Department Stephen Murray and Acting Principal Steve Baskerville next to Bowen State High School’s new, and growing, LGBTIQA+ section of its library

‍

A group of eight people from across the country set out earlier this month to paddle their way around the Whitsundays by kayak, raising over $25 thousand in much needed funds to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef.

Coinciding with the Great Barrier Reef Festival, the inaugural Whitsundays Kayak Adventure for the Reef took off from Shute Harbour on August 4.

With a host of Queenslanders, New South Welshman and Victorians – as well as a few locals – the Great Barrier Reef Foundation organised trip saw its contingent “put their paddles where their passion is”.

The group – who each contributed to a $25 thousand fundraising campaign - included the likes of sisters celebrating a 40th birthday, a married couple from Sydney who’d taken stock of their lives and committed to giving back, and a UK expat living in Victoria whose visit was their first ever to the reef.

Bec Plant and her husband Edward Plant were two participants who took part in the five-day kayak adventure and had their own story which inspired their journey.

“October last year, my husband and I realised we were coming up on ten years married. It was a big occasion and we wanted to make it something special,” Mrs Plant said.

“What could we do instead that we could have as an adventure, but also tickled our philanthropic bone?

“We had an experience where we’d seen some of the bleaching [at the reef] in previous years, and my husband has a definite passion for the area, having grown up in Townsville.

“This opportunity for the kayak adventure came up, and with Great Barrier Reef Foundation helming it, that just ticked all the boxes.”

It certainly was an adventure, with the paddlers kayaking an average of 16km per day.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation rep and experienced kayaker Laura Dunstan led much of the Wednesday to Sunday trip, which wove a path from locations including Whitehaven Beach, around Hasselwood Island, past North Hook Island and back to Mt Jefferies.

“My role on the Whitsunday Kayak adventure was to be the representative; to pass on all of my knowledge and passion of the reef, reef creatures, and what threats there are to it,” Ms Dunstan said.

“As well, to show what the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and all its partners are doing to reduce those threats and build reef resilience.

“A big part of my role was to thank the participants for all of the funds they’ve raised and will continue to raise for the Foundation and our projects.”

Ms Dunstan, who has a background in Marine Biology, said it was an incredible experience being able to go back and “inspire people about the reef.”

The genesis of the kayak adventure began in the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s fundraising team to get people involved on a monetary level and then on an experiential level.

“To physically go out, see the reef, have that connection to country and to the reef, to see where that money was going,” Ms Dunstan said.

“To go to a reef that had experienced major catastrophic events like Cyclone Debbie, to see all the baby coral that we and other organisations had planted and are spawning, it instils hope for the reef.”

Strong connection to country was an important cornerstone of the kayak adventure – which Ms Dunstan said will become a regular, annual event for the organisation.

A welcome to country was performed by Eric Lymburner, a Traditional Owner and proud Ngaro man – which Ms Plant said was an experience unlike any other.

“To have both Eric and Laura on the trip with us, both wellsprings of knowledge on everything, it was fantastic, and I can’t thank them enough,” she said.

On the final day of the trip, Ms Dunstan and Mrs Plant said the Reef put on a show for the impassioned fundraisers.

“A beautiful sunrise with the whales coming in and playing around the kayaks in the early morning. You can’t put a price on that,” Ms Plant said.

“We were paddling out in the dark, come around the corner from Maureen’s Cove – a completely coral beach with no sand – and the colour in the sky.

“Everything was quiet and still, there was no sound, and you hear the whales breathing – big plumes out of the water. It was the best day ever. Thinking about it now, it was that moment where you think: this is connection to country, land, and sea.

“That trip gave me hope for the reef and made us want to keep fighting to save it.”

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation hopes to run the trip and fundraising arm of the Whitsundays Kayak Adventure into the future and interested parties can reach out to them via their website.

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation hosted eight travellers from across Australia with the goal of raising funds to protect and restore the reef

The group enjoyed a spectacular showing from one of the World’s Natural Wonders, including picturesque sunsets and whale shows

The participants raised a total of $25 thousand for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation leading up to five-day kayak adventure

‍