Home to 80 per cent of on-water tourism in the Whitsundays and most awarded marina in Australia, Coral Sea Marina Resort is a beacon of light and the glimmering jewel of first impressions as visitors drive over the hill to Airlie Beach.

Over the past 10 years it has steadily been transformed from a run-down and dated port to now being known as the ‘Monaco of the South Pacific’ for visiting superyachts, having been crowned with a slew of superyacht awards in recent years.

This transformation has been the vision of one man who inspires a dedicated workforce to aim for the best and achieve only the highest of standards.

Avid boating enthusiast Paul Darrouzet had been visiting Airlie Beach for 26 years prior to purchasing the marina.

During that time, he noticed the deterioration of the physical infrastructure and service standard within Abell Point Marina.

When the marina went into receivership, he saw an opportunity to create not only a world-class marina but also an inspiring destination that global visitors would flock towards.

Within the first eighteen months of ownership, Paul invested in a complete visual overhaul – pouring 21,000 square meters of concrete, creating 305 car parks, and building a new arrival and departure plaza.

Buildings were demolished, new ones erected, the marina was dredged to allow access for larger vessels and the entire precinct underwent significant beautification.

Paul managed to create a bustling marina village feel and a hive of boating activity – the new standard of facility was quickly reflected in the quality of visitor, attracting a more discerning guest, while reinvigorating a sense of pride in current tenants.

The overall feel and vibe of the marina was transformed, but Paul did not wish to stop there.

Over the years he tackled the arduous task of addressing the muddy parkland which lay adjacent to the marina.

It had become an eyesore to passing motorists, reducing the stunning first impression of the marina that he was trying to create.

A labour of love, it took Paul and his team several years to revive the area which has now become a manicured grassland and garden space which has hosted several large-scale events.

Determined to create a smooth flow within the precinct and the ultimate destination offering for his guests, Paul made the astute business decision to purchase the adjacent Coral Sea Resort.

He invested substantially in completely renovating the dated accommodation facility, creating a flagship and a new benchmark in the local accommodation offering which continues to this day.

At the same time, he renamed the entire precinct to Coral Sea Marina Resort, a complete lifestyle destination where guests can stay, play, and explore.

With arguably the best views on the Australian coast, the lovingly developed marina precinct now has two marina villages, a dedicated superyacht arm, a 26-metre floating customer lounge, a relaxing on-shore lounge area, a luxury resort, and a diverse range of tourism and hospitality experiences.

This multi-million-dollar investment has not only transformed the marina, it has also raised the bar for tourism across the Whitsunday region.

“A rising tide lifts all boats” John F Kennedy

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The Marina Family

Attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to its vibrant precinct, Coral Sea Marina is a magnet for quality tourism and home to dozens of family-owned businesses that operate successfully and independently under its safe-haven.

The two marina villages offer a range of tourism and hospitality experiences and services, with many tenants and operators arguably the best in the business, boasting both Queensland and Australian Tourism Award winners amongst them.

Whether it be a relaxing poolside getaway, overnight sailing adventures, bareboat charters, scenic flights from the private helipads, jetboats or jetskis - Coral Sea Marina Resort acts as the gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef.

A camaraderie, loyalty and family feeling exist between everyone in the marina, each business complimenting the other and offering a service that directly supports the cohesion and overall success of the marina network.

Under the supportive guidance of the marina, this united community of family-owned businesses have proved to resiliently overcome challenges over the years, both in the immediate aftermath of the 2017 Cyclone Debbie and in the ongoing Covid-19 recovery.

In 2023 they are embarking on a new era of success, one where international tourism is kicking back into gear, the cruise ships are once again a common sight on the horizon and domestic tourism is fully engaged with visiting the region.

It is an exciting time to be operating at Coral Sea Marina.

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With a desire to provide guests and visitors with a deeper, more meaningful experience of boating and the environment, Coral Sea Marina has launched a dedicated Eco Tourism pillar to their tourism offering.

The Coral Sea Academy aims to transform the ways people think and behave about the environment and encompasses the four key pillars of sustainability, better boating, wellness and culture.

By introducing a range of special events, workshops and experiences, the Coral Sea Academy takes people on a journey that inspires them to be part of something bigger, to be changed and to make change happen.

Coral Sea Marina does not just preach sustainable behaviour; they also live and breathe environmentally conscious practices.

They are an accredited Clean Marina Level III/ Fish Friendly marina and in 2018, it became the first marina resort in Australia to have all its food and beverage outlets become plastic straw free as part of The Last Straw Campaign.

The marina has also pledged to become free of single-use plastics by 2025.

By partnering with CQ University and Reef Catchments the marina has developed a test site for seagrass nurseries.

They are also working on the Healthy Heart Reef Project, with the Whitsunday Climate Change Innovation Hub, to decarbonise the Whitsundays tourism sector and achieve a sustainable destination accreditation for the Whitsunday region.

In addition, they are an ecoBiz Star Partner for their commitment to waste management.
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The Coral Sea Academy teaches about boat safety

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For Animal Conservation

When Rose-Marie Dusting née Ecenarro was growing up in the western Queensland town of Richmond, she would frequently run into the bush to play, explore and build cubby houses.

One March night in 1968, when a nine-year-old Rose-Marie had run away in tears after getting in trouble at home, she experienced a surreal encounter that set her on a course of animal conservation.

“This little bilby came up, a baby bilby, it was limping, and it came up and snuggled into me underneath my arm,” Rose-Marie recounted.

“I couldn’t believe it because they’re wild animals.

“I picked him up and looked at him, kissed him on his long snout and I said, ‘You look like a bunny rabbit, so I’m going to call you Billy the Aussie Easter Bilby.’”

The encounter inspired Rose-Marie to write about Billy the Aussie Easter Bilby, and his best friend Bob the Kangaroo, for a school essay for which she received an A+.

“The teacher who taught me, I had the same teacher for seven years, she kept the story because she thought, ‘That girl is going to be a famous author one day,’” she said.

Rose-Marie moved to Mackay years later as a 12-year-old before moving to Adelaide to pursue nursing.

It was in 1979 while living in Adelaide that she self-published Billy the Aussie Easter Bilby, a book that would cement the bilby as Australia’s alternative to the Easter bunny worldwide while crowning Rose-Marie as the “bilby lady”.

“I was told nobody knows what a bilby is and since then, I’ve been educating the public about the bilby,” Rose-Marie said.

“I’ve had so many people come up and say to me, ‘We grew up with Billy Bilby and we want to teach our kids the same thing.’”

Rose-Marie’s characters have become mascots for animal conservation.

Her name and characters were used for the Save the Bilby Fund, and she is continuing to work with Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park and Taronga Zoo, while chocolate Easter bilbies can be found lining the supermarket aisles.

“That says to me that the bilby hasn’t died and it’s coming back,” Rose-Marie said.

Now in her 80s, Rose-Marie is rewriting the original Billy the Aussie Easter Bilby, due for release next easter, and has been working on a swag of other characters to bring attention to Australia’s growing list of endangered and extinct species.

“I just love animals, especially Australian species,” she said.

“They’re so unique and we’re so blessed to have them.

“We need to take action now.”

She’s hoping Paddles the Playful Platypus will deliver that message while putting Mackay on the map.

“What I want for Mackay is to use Paddles the Playful Platypus, it would put Mackay on the world market,” she said.

“He’s a good friend of Billy Bilby’s so it’d be a perfect platform for Mackay.

“I want to use my God-given talent and gift to save endangered species and to write books for children, not just about our wildlife, but about kindness and bullying.”

Rose-Marie has been hard at work over the last few years, creating hundreds of books and characters, and she is looking for local illustrators to get involved.

“I’m looking for a couple of illustrators and I’d like to give the people of Mackay a chance to be able to illustrate the new books,” she said.

Anyone interested is asked to contact Rose-Marie at radusting@outlook.com.

With the support of her husband Anthony, her two children Chloe and Samuel and her three grandchildren Levi, Gatlin and Henry, Rose-Marie Dusting’s mission is far from over.

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Rose-Marie Dusting (middle) holding Billy the Aussie Easter Bilby at Australia Walkabout Wildlife Park, New South Wales. Photo supplied

Billy The Aussie Easter Bilby became a much-loved children’s book character

The ‘bilby lady’ encourages everyone to celebrate the endangered bilbies instead of bunnies at Easter

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At the forefront of community events and charity drives, Coral Sea Marina is both generous and instrumental in assisting a variety of local causes that actively help in meaningful ways.

They are major sponsors of Whitsunday Voluntary Marine Rescue, funding vessels that are called out on multiple missions per week and have saved countless lives over the years.

Coral Sea Marina Resort is also a sponsor of multiple local sports clubs and Sailability Whitsunday, which helps people living with a disability get out on the water and enjoy recreational boating.

The marina also enjoys coordinating and contributing towards fundraising projects, they organise the yearly Big Aussie BBQ and are supporters of the Shag Islet Cruising Yacht Club’s (SICYC) annual rendezvous, both of which raise much-needed funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Through the Coral Sea Academy, they also partner with boating professionals, environmental organisations and not-for-profit groups to encourage better boating practices and the preservation of the marine environment.

In addition, they are passionate about bringing community events to the region.

From the Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and the Great Barrier Reef Festival, many events are supported by the generosity of the marina.

Committed to creating a community-focused recreation hub in which guests can feel part of the Whitsunday community and enjoy the many groups, Coral Sea Marina Resort is dedicated to ensuring there are regular activities and events on offer throughout the region.

The Big Aussie BBQ is an annual community event raising money for charity

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With big dreams and solid ambitions, over the past 10 years, Paul Darrouzet and his team have transformed a small regional marina into a global flagship and key player in the luxury yachting world.

In a dedicated effort, Coral Sea Marina has managed to attract some of the largest yachts in the South Pacific, including 75-metre Lady E and 73-metre, Dragonfly.

Spending upwards of $25,000 a day on provisions and services, the superyachts make a big impact on the local economy.

During their stay, they also use the marina as their home port from which to explore the Whitsundays and every experience travels far and wide among the yachting community as word travels across the world to reinforce the reputation of the marina and broader region.

Known for providing a seamless professional service, superyacht captains and crew from around the world now hold the marina in high regard.

“The aim throughout the development process has been to create the Monaco of the South Pacific for superyachts,” said Paul Darrouzet.

The marina’s dedication to the industry was formally recognised last year when it officially became the Best Superyacht Marina in the international ACREW Superyacht Business Awards, after two years consecutively of being Runner-Up.

The role the organisation plays in the Australian superyacht industry has also been recognised in recent years with the marina being awarded Superyacht Industry Service Provider of the Year in both 2017 and 2021.

In addition, Paul Darrouzet, was recognised in 2017 as Australian Superyacht Industry Champion for his commitment to the growth of the industry in Australia.

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An Award Winning Marina Precinct

5 Gold Anchor Platinum Global Marina Accreditation

ACREW Superyacht Business Awards - Best Superyacht Marina 2022

Australian Marina of the Year 2017/18, 2019/20 and Hall of Fame 2021

Superyacht Industry Service Provider of the Year 2017, 2021

ACREW Superyacht Business Awards - Best Superyacht Marina (Runner-Up) 2021

ACREW Superyacht Business Awards - Best Australasian Marina (Runner-Up) 2020

Superyacht Industry Champion 2017 - Paul Darrouzet

2021 Australasian HM Awards for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence - Upscale Hotel Category (Highly Commended)

MIA Best Community Engagement by a Marina 2019/20

MIA Innovation by a Marina 2017/18

Major Tourism Attraction (Gold) - Queensland Tourism Awards 2017

Major Tourism Attraction (Finalist) - Australian Tourism Awards 2017

Major Tourism Attraction (Gold) - Whitsunday Tourism Awards 2016, 2017, 2018, Hall of Fame 2019

Best of Queensland Experiences 2018, 2019, 2021

TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2020

ecoBiz Star Rated Partner 2021

Clean Marina Level III / Fish Friendly Marina

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Amy Nichols, Guest Services Manager

For 12 years, Amy Nichols has been the parallel smile for Coral Sea Marina guests - when they beam, she beams; the happiness of the customers is her own.

In her role as Guest Services Manager, Amy is the gentle hand of the Marina, the welcoming gesture for its guests, guiding them back on boats or by foot “like old friends.” In the more than a decade she’s been with Coral Sea Marina, she’s seen its community grow and been a key part in cultivating its culture of exceptional service.

Like almost all those who call the Whitsundays home, Amy found herself here by chance, moving from Canada in her backpacking days of yore – the early 2000s. She arrived with experience in the service and hospitality industry, and – as is the same old story - soon fell in love with the region, but not just the place, the people: Amy met her husband in the Whitsundays’ land of sun-bleached sand.

“We started our amazing journey together nearly 18 years ago,” Amy said.

“Now, we’ve built our own home just outside of town and have two young beautiful children. I have a whole family unit here: my brother and sister-in-law moved here from Canada so we could be closer to each other. This is my home.”

In her almost two decades of time in Airlie Beach, she has seen it change – and nowhere has that change been more dramatic than at Coral Sea Marina.

“The services and facilities we offer have changed and since Paul [Darrouzet] arrived it has changed completely,” Amy said.

“He made it an entirely different experience to what staying at any normal marina would be, and as the Guest Services Manager, it has been rewarding to have assisted him in achieving this. Because of that, the Marina is a lot busier than it was when I started and the demand we have seen for berthing – even since Covid – is incredible. It is keeping the guest services team on their toes!”

The personal highlights of Amy’s career are almost daily – they’re the interactions with guests: “When loyal guest returns each year for their annual cruising holiday and they come into the marina office and greet the team like old friends, that’s special,” she said.

“Seeing the smile on a guest’s face or even hearing a smile over the phone by providing a level of service that exceeds expectations is not only rewarding but heart-warming.”

Coral Sea Marina, busy and bustling, is in great part the way it is because of Amy’s work. Of her tireless efforts, of her ability to welcome guests, of her love for her job.

“The marina feels – to me -like its own community,” Amy said.

“All its commercial operators and tenants, the cafes, the restaurants, day tourists, locals, and sailors – there’s something here for everyone. I think the Marina plays a big role in this community, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

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For Artspace Birthday Project

Artspace Mackay has enlisted the assistance of Crossroad Arts to help celebrate its 20th birthday in a big and bright way.

Crossroad Arts, along with local artists Donna Maree Robinson and Kate Brunner, facilitated a series of workshops teaching participants the skill of stop motion animation.

The animations will then be compiled into one piece of work to be projected onto the façade of Artspace Mackay, celebrating the gallery’s 20th birthday and Mackay Festival of Arts.

“We came up with a partnership to allow those members of our community that don’t always get opportunities like this to partner and give them some skills in creating their own digital animation films,” said Artspace Director Tracey Heathwood.

Students from Sarina State High School, Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School and Crossroad Arts participated in weekly digital animation workshops throughout the month of March to create the work, titled ‘Time of Our Lives’.

“The theme of ‘time of our lives’ means what happens in our lives, what we did, things we’ve faced or things we’ve gone through,” said Kutta Mulla student Echo Hankin.

“Me and Elena put flowers because, in my culture, we have to dance with flowers in our hair.”

“I loved working on the animations and learning how to use the app and it was fun meeting all the new people,” agreed fellow student Theresa Malayta.

Crossroad Arts Director and CEO Alison Richardson said students have taken their own drawings and collage creations and used an application to create animations.

“It’s been very hands-on, very practical and the app that we’ve been using is very user-friendly,” she said.

“They’ve been looking forward to seeing what a largescale projection of themselves and their work will look like.”

Contemporary visual artist Donna Maree Robinson, who has had her work displayed Iceland, New York, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Kingaroy and Mackay will take the students’ work and edit it into a cohesive piece before projecting it onto the Artspace building.

“It’s always amazing to see what people create,” Ms Robinson said.

“I think it reflects a lot about their personalities or their experiences in life.

“Once they get the skills, they roll with it, and you can see some of the really beautiful aspects of people’s creative minds and abilities and talents.”

Time of Our Lives will be projected onto Artspace Mackay for all to see every night from Monday, July 3 to Friday, July 9.

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Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School students Echo Hankin and Elena Murray Larrance

Crossroad Arts Director and CEO Alison Richardson leading the digital animation workshop. Photos supplied: Mackay Regional Council

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Jacqui Henderson, Guest Services Agent

If there is a throughline for each of Coral Sea Marina’s longest-serving staff, it is their devotion to the ocean; their affinity for the big blue.

Jacqui Henderson is no different: her career in the Marine Industry began in 1991 in her home country of New Zealand, where she operated a power boat and trailer yacht business. And ever since, it’s been one long love affair with the sea.

Traveling to Australia from New Zealand in the early 2000s, Jacqui and her husband were on a mission to manoeuvre the country, planning to circumnavigate it with their own trailer yacht, having sold their business back in their homeland. Having heard that Airlie Beach was a sailing destination – that familiar story - they made it their first stop, intending to be here for no more than six months. That was 22 years ago: “We never left”.

“When we decided to stay in Airlie, I first worked on the overnight Skippered Charter Yachts for a couple of years,” Jacqui said.

“Then land-based working for a Bare Boat Charter Company - which was seasonal – and in the off season I joined my husband who was looking after a private 48’ Bavaria yacht and sailed the vessel to Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne where we did corporate day trips for the owners then returned to Airlie.”

After years in the marine industry, Jacqui felt she needed a change, and sought a position working for a local Landscape Architectural firm. “Only, I came to the realisation that I needed to be close to the Ocean,” Jacqui said. “I then applied for a position at what was Abell Point Marina [now Coral Sea Marina] and have been here ever since.”

It was Jacqui’s passion for excellent customer service – as well as her expert sailing experience – that lent her the perfect credentials for her perfect position at the Marina; one she’s held for 12 years. And it’s changed markedly since her arrival: the Marina was soon to be invested in heavily after she began. It became one of Airlie Beach’s most iconic sailing ports and recognised as a world-class destination – something the little town she arrived in 22 years ago could never have imagined.

“When Paul [Darrouzet] purchased the Marina in 2013, he had a vision,” Jacqui said.

“And he has been able to achieve it. I am very proud to be part of this team, and the recognition of continually taking out world standard awards, that’s just the icing on the cake.”

When she’s not working weekends at the Marina in her role, her weekdays are spent in the arts of peaceful solitude, connection with nature and self: yoga, art, paddle boarding, kayaking. In fact, once a month, Jacqui teaches an Art Class at the Ocean Club at Coral Sea Marina, bringing all her passions together.

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Year 10 students from St Patrick’s College Mackay recently spent a productive week exploring their career goals and interests through Work Experience.  

With the guidance of the College’s Careers & VET Head of Department Cherie Hess and Teacher Assistant Vikki McGrath, some 249 students secured placements in an array of occupations with the diversity of the locations demonstrating the variety of students’ career interests.

Placements were found locally and in the wider community with some students travelling as far as Brisbane, Sarina, Hay Point, Eton, Mirani, Leap, Dumbleton and Seaforth and were processed by the local KP Placement Agency.

“Work experience is a valuable opportunity for Year 10 students to gain insight into the world of work and understand the expectations of the workplace,” said Mrs Hess.  

“It gives students an opportunity to explore connections between their school studies and career pathways, while also assisting them to become more aware of the realities of the workplace and to develop skills, knowledge, and experience that will benefit them in their future careers” she added.

The St Patrick’s students spent time experiencing workplaces including trades, tugboat operators, daycare centres, outdoor activity camps, hair salons, law firm, optometrist, pharmacies, fitness centres, allied health, real estate agents, vets, dance teachers, diesel fitters, builders and many more varied forms of employment.  

As a result of seeking Work Experience places, four students – Billy Cruden (HPHFM); Elliott Hamilton (Mac’s Engineering) and Zed Stickland (Ryan Scott Building) have been offered school-based apprenticeships while Rebekah Papavasiliou was offered a part-time administrative position at the Mackay electorate office of Dawson MP Andrew Wilcox.          

One female student will be completing her Work Experience in Week 10 from March 28-30 at the Army Aviation Familiarisation program with Defence at the Swartz Barracks in south-east Queensland.                                                                                              

Fifty students completed their Construction White Card.

“Each student was contacted by a staff member in person to speak to both the employer and student to ascertain how the student was coping in the world of work, “ said Mrs McGrath.

“Students also completed a log book as a way of reflecting on their Work Experience and employers completed an assessment of the student” she added.

The College received positive feedback from employers who commended the students on their work ethic, punctuality and people skills with many bosses keen to obtain their services on a permanent basis.

“We would like to thank each employer for the valuable contribution to students’ career planning and research provided through work experience,” said St Patrick’s College Principal Janelle Agius.

“Our Year 10 students are to be commended for their initiative to seek out Work Experience in these challenging times and the Careers Team hopes they have enjoyed and benefited from their week,” Mrs Agius added.

By Chris Karas

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St Patrick’s College Year 10 student Gabrielle Roberts (left) completed work experience at the Peak Family Chiropractic in West Mackay

St Patrick’s College Year 10 student Billy Cruden (left) with Heath Paton Hair For Men (HPHFM) barber shop owner Heath Paton. Photos supplied

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Gemma Mee, Finance Administrator

Picture it: plate glass water around mountainous islands, like impressionistic green dollops of paint on plates of golden sand, surrounded by blue swirls. When anyone ventures on the seas, the tranquillity of it calls imagination to stretch its legs, and no one knows that better than Gemma Mee.

Born in Brisbane and growing up in the Redlands, Gemma would soon fall in love with the sailing lifestyle after her family moved to the Whitsunday region in 1981. She had little choice: her family lived and worked in a yacht on the water, her first real job was with Yachting World – a bareboating company at Shute Harbour – and every few years she would sail south to Mooloolaba and work for Tourism Queensland at Alexandra Headland. Love for the ocean was the perfect response.

If any of Coral Sea Marina’s staff has an expertise in the ocean, it’s Gemma. From ’92 to ’96, she circumnavigated the globe on her family’s 35-foot yacht, and on her return, she found her appreciation for her “own back yard.”

“After all that - believe it or not - one of my passions now is sailing around the Whitsundays when we can,” Gemma said.

Working at Coral Sea Marina was a job brought to her on the tides; it was meant for her. So, when Coral Sea reached out 12 years ago, Gemma dived in, head first.

“What I love about it most is how busy and diverse every day is -- there are no ‘groundhog’ days at Coral Sea Marina,” Gemma said.

“I have experienced huge changes here over the past decade. I believe our most significant milestone at the Marina was when Paul purchased it in 2013. He had the vision and was prepared to finance the upgrading of the marina, and although it has been a busy time, it has also been very satisfying and rewarding to see the changes.”

Although her role as Finance Administrator doesn’t see her out on the water too much professionally, Gemma still heads for the seas with her husband on wooden vessels.

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Hidden amongst the trees at Ooralea’s Muller Park, miniature trains weave along miniature tracks, welcoming passengers young and old to ride.

Simon Hamelink grew up near the park where the Mackay Society of Model Engineers have been operating for between 30 and 40 years.

“It was only around the corner from where I lived with mum and dad,” Mr Hamelink said.

“As I moved out of home, I had two kids who became interested as well.”

The Mackay Society of Model Engineers is inviting the public to an open run this Sunday, April 2 from 10:00am to 2:00pm, as well as the following Wednesdays during school holidays.

Mr Hamelink said it’s the perfect opportunity to become familiar with the electric, petrol and steam locomotives used and owned by the club.

Picnics are welcome and a gold coin donation and closed in shoes are required to ride on the trains.

“My interest is around seeing the kids’ faces light up as we ride around,” Mr Hamelink said.

“I enjoy interacting with them, getting them to come over and toot the horn and just getting them involved.”

The club also cater to private functions on Saturdays, costing $90 for a two-hour session including a private train and a driver for up to 50 people.

Mr Hamelink said the club is looking for more people to get involved to ensure its future.

The club holds weekly Monday working bees and you can find the Mackay Society of Model Engineers on Facebook for more information.

WHAT: Miniature Trains Public Run Day

WHEN: Sunday, April 2, Wednesday, April 5 and Wednesday, April 12 from 10:00am to 2:00pm

WHERE: Muller Park, Ooralea

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Kids and kids at heart are welcome to MullerPark on Sunday for a miniature trains public run. Photo supplied

Trent Ridout-Allen, Asset And Operations Manager

Paradise – what’s not to love? Trent Ridout-Allen knows that best.

For 10 years, he’s been in dreamland, taking on the role of Coral Sea Marina’s Operations and Asset Manager, maintaining and looking after one of the world’s best marinas – living in “the place where anyone would choose to take their holiday” too. How could you say no?

Growing up in Canberra, Trent was land-locked, but was destined for marina work. As soon as he could, he was Gold Coast-bound. There, he worked at Sanctuary Cove Marina and would soon have his first taste of Airlie Beach in 2008 working at Abel Point Marina– and it’s safe to say it stuck in his mind.

After that year, he headed back south to Horizon Shores Marina, a few hundred kilometres below Brisbane. The appeal of Airlie Beach, however, was too much to bear and he headed back to the Whitsundays for a role at Abel Point Marina, one month prior to Paul Darrouzet’s takeover.

“I knew that I need to come back here and when there was an opportunity, I took it,” Trent said.

“Since then, Coral Sea Marina has become a hub for the region and a place that everyone here should be proud to show their closest friends and family. Taking pride in where I work and, every day, learning more about the marina is what I enjoy -- there are never two days alike.”

Over his decade at Coral Sea Marina, Trent certainly has a lot to be proud of, overseeing beautification and changes galore, with one of his proudest achievements the opening of ‘The Gardens’, turning what was once a dredge-settling pond into an iconic spot for the region.

“It’s now the wow moment as everyone drives over the hill,” Trent said.

“When people can first see the ocean framed by a beautiful greenspace and the superyachts. That is one of my crowning achievements.”

When he’s not contributing to the Marina’s ever-improving assets and landscapes, maintaining and growing them, Trent enjoys Airlie Beach in the best possible way. Like he says: “Boating and fishing are the reason for living in this region.”

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Young people who are interested in pursuing a career in the automotive industry are invited to come along to the MTA Queensland Auto Career Evening which is due to be held at McCarthy Panel Works on Wednesday evening.

With the introduction of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles in recent years, there are a lot of changes happening within this exciting industry.

The Expo is an opportunity for people to connect with employers, learn more about the different careers available and vocational pathways that can lead to the next step in securing an apprenticeship.

On the night, The Snap-On Pantech Truck will be attending which will showcase the latest scanning equipment, there will also be Nissan and Tesla vehicles on-site and attendees will see the latest calibration machines.

There are over 40 trades and roles within the sector and Andrea McCarthy, who sits on the board of the Motor Traders Association of Queensland, says she is passionate about helping young people realise their potential.

“I have first-hand experience of how tight the labour market is at the moment,” she said.

“I want to help give people more opportunity to talk to employers so they have a direct link to the industry – this is bigger than McCarthy Panel Works, this is for the industry as a whole.”

The Expo has a capacity of 100 people and 70 people have already registered so, if you are interested in attending, scan the QR code to reserve your space.

WHAT: MTA Queensland Auto Career Evening

WHERE: McCarthy Panel Works, 2 O’Loughlin Street, North Mackay

WHEN: Wednesday, April 5 – 4.30pm – 7pm

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The Queensland State Government will install new environmentally friendly public moorings across the Whitsundays to protect The Great Barrier Reef.

Thirty public moorings will be installed by Townsville-based company Pacific Marine Group to reduce harmful anchoring in the Great Barrier Reef and improve access to the World Heritage Listed site.

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Meaghan Scanlon said the Reef’s status as Queensland’s most iconic natural asset requires investment designed to protect it, “while also supporting a sustainable reef-based tourism industry.”

“There are now 309 public moorings and 289 reef protection markers throughout the Great Barrier Reef that can be used by recreational boaties and reef-based tourism operators,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Investing in eco-friendly moorings is not just good for the environment, but also good for the local economy as it attracts eco-conscious tourists who are willing to pay for sustainable tourism experiences.”

Ms Scanlon said the moorings help reduce the impact of boat anchors on coral reefs, seagrass beds and other sensitive marine habitats, which in turn supports the long-term health and resilience of these important ecosystems.

More of the environmentally friendly vessel moorings will be located at key points on the Reef to provide safe and sustainable access to some of the Whitsundays’ most popular snorkelling and anchorage sites.

Pacific Marine Group has been awarded the contract to carry out the installation works which are expected to take place in May this year.

Steven Jones, Business Development Manager at Pacific Marine Group, said the company had installed over 400 of its Environmentally Friendly Moorings all along the Great Barrier Reef, with many now up to 30 years old and performing as well as the day they were installed.

"This project will use all North Queensland local supplied labour and materials, with the planning, procurement and fabrication phase employing around 15 people, and the site installation phase also employing around 15 people between the marine crew, diving crew and Management crew,” Mr Jones said.

“Our unique Environmentally Friendly Mooring system continues to provide positive environmental outcomes by providing an alternative to vessels dropping anchors in sensitive marine environments.”

More information about public moorings in the Whitsundays and across the Great Barrier Reef, including maps, GPS positions and vessel size classes is available at https://bit.ly/3JQJpdX

The public mooring project is part of the Government’s $3.9 million Reef Trails project to reduce anchor damage on coral reefs and improve public access to the Great Barrier Reef.

The moorings will be managed and maintained through the Reef Joint Field Management Program, which is funded by the Queensland and Australian governments to deliver crucial on-ground actions to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

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The Queensland Government plans to install thirty environmentally friendly public moorings in the Whitsundays in May

One month until I’ll be in Brisbane for Magic Round. One month until Dad comes up to say hello to the grandkids. It will be three months until I head down south with my daughter to see Lizzo, and 5 months until I have to run a silly amount of k’s for the Sydney Marathon.

This year is turning into one of the best and busiest on record. I’m excited for it to all happen.

But I can’t stop thinking about Easter next week, because it will be a chance to see my kids, have some days off and relax, and eat a fair bit of chocolate.

It’ll be a pretty busy time around the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays regions too, because everyone will be getting out and about to explore the area. From camping at Eungella, to grabbing a cabin at Broken River or Cape Hillsborough, or even pitching a tent at Seaforth, we surely have it all.

If I may make a suggestion, flick the radio on 4MK, and I’ll give you plenty of chances to win some school Easter Holidays stuff in the breakfast show, then you can get in the car with the family and just drive and stop somewhere that looks interesting.

You know the feeling when you drive up the road, and you go past something that you’ve never noticed before? Like the sheep heading to Seaforth? Perhaps the hay bale art sculptures out near Sarina? What about the colourful signs along the road heading off to Habana?

So many gems in our backyard. We just need to find them.

If you’re unsure of where to go, go and see our wonderful volunteers at the tourism info centres. There’s the Field of Dreams in Sarina, the Bluewater Lagoon on River St. We’ve also got places to see at Bowen, Clermont, Airlie, Proserpine and more. Call in and see what you can do.

Here’s a few must dos over the next two weeks. Wakeboarding at Beaconsfield, Forest Flying at Finch Hatton, Beach Walks at sunrise at Bucasia, Feed the ducks at the Gooseponds, Walk the rainforest trail at the Botanic Gardens, and also grab a coffee at the Proserpine Bakery.

There’s so many hidden beauties in our area, we just need to flick the TV remote off, jump off the lounge, get in the car and drive. Plus have fun.

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

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