A marine biology expert is being recognised for her efforts in inspiring the next generation of scientists through an award-winning university-port partnership.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) Senior Environmental Advisor Nicola Stokes has been designing targeted programs for marine science students at James Cook University (JCU), which allow them to gain real-world experience in the port industry while relating their studies to environmental aspects at ports.

“My role is to design a targeted program for each student where they can be involved in the many diverse operations and environmental aspects at ports and relate their studies to real world experiences,” Ms Nicola Stokes said.

“Students are mentored by a range of environmental management and planning experts at NQBP while undergoing their marine science studies.

“They gain practical skills beyond the classroom which can help shape their career direction.”

Ms Stokes said helping future marine scientists is one of her most rewarding roles.

"I enjoy interacting with younger generations and sharing my knowledge and passion for learning,” she said.

“It is very fulfilling to see marine science students taking an interest in the diversity and interconnectedness of port environments and see their eyes open to the opportunities available.”

Ms Stokes shares her passion for the maritime industry with students and urges them to consider working in the industry.

“The maritime industry offers opportunities that people often overlook, with many different paths taking you around the world,” she said.

“As women progress from their tertiary education into their maritime careers it is important to create an empowering space for them.”

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North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) Senior Environmental Advisor Nicola Stokes

Ms Stokes with student Jordan Wells. Photos supplied

Mackay Regional Council is bringing The Push, an organisation famous for fostering youth-led events, to the Mackay region to provide an exciting opportunity to young people.

The Push is an Australian youth music organisation and registered charity based in Melbourne.

For more than three decades, they have supported millions of young people to access contemporary music programs and events.

And now, thanks to an exciting council Youth Development initiative, they are headed to Mackay to impart their event planning wisdom to young people in a workshop series called Firecracker.

Mayor Greg Williamson said Firecracker would be a series of youth focused event workshops that would upskill young people with an interest in running events in our region.

He said The Push would partner with council’s Youth Development team and the MECC to deliver the workshops.

“Young people will be coming together with like minded peers and will learn the skills to run their own event in the Mackay region,” Mayor Williamson said.

“The workshops will cover everything from concept development and brainstorming to logistics, budgets, venue bookings and marketing,” he said.

“This really is a tremendous free opportunity which has very real future benefits for our region.

“Council’s Youth Development team has recently undertaken a project called YOL1000 where they had conversations with 1000 young people about their experience of growing up and living in the Mackay region.

“350 of those young people said if they could change something in our region, it would be to have more entertainment options.

“This program will give our youth the tools to run events that will provide more youth-targeted entertainment.

“The program also offers seed funding, so young people can come along with their ideas and, hopefully by the end of the workshop series, they can bring some actual events to fruition.”

The Push CEO, Kate Duncan said the team was excited to be coming to Mackay and looked forward to working with a host of passionate young people.

“We’re so pleased to be heading to Mackay to deliver workshops that provide young people with the skills, confidence and networks needed to stage all-ages events in their local community,” Ms Duncan said.

“Participation in programs like this not only gives young people important opportunities to build their connections to community, but also has a direct influence on the creativity and culture of a region, ensuring it reflects the unique needs of young people,” she said.

The workshops with be held in the Jubilee Community Centre on the last three Wednesdays in March:

● March 15, 4pm to 6pm

● March 22, 4pm to 6pm

● March 29, 4pm to 6pm

Participants must sign up for all three workshops to be eligible. To apply, email elisa.crooks@mackay.qld.gov.au or text 0457 245 069.

Workshops are free and snacks will be provided.

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Council is bringing The Push, an organisation famous for fostering youth-led events in Victoria, to our region to foster the next generation of event planners in an exciting workshop series called Firecracker

An exciting new art tourism project involving about 150 artists has received Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) backing.

The 2023 Mackay Art Studio Trail is a pilot project for Artists Connect Inc that is set to launch in late June for the Mackay Festival of Arts.

According to RADF Committee chair Cr Fran Mann, up to 150 participating artists will open their studios and galleries to visitors by appointment and some will offer art workshops in their studios.

“A central location will also be established as a hub for participating artists to initiate residencies, rolling exhibitions, drop-in public conversations, workshops and community and business collaborations,” Cr Mann said.

“The committee were very supportive of the project and were happy to approve $12,628 to help Artists Connect Inc deliver this exciting initiative,” she said.

Cr Mann said another exciting project to receive funding this round ($5594) was the Waste and Weeds program, co-designed by Deadly Weavers and ATSICHS Mackay.

“As part of this program, Deadly Weavers will be facilitating six, weekly mixed media workshops covering weaving, eco-dyeing, mark making and sculpture.

“A really exciting element is that participants will be utilising materials and plant matter which would normally be destined for landfill,” she said.

“Participants, who will include First Nations men and Elders, will be given a small budget to purchase materials from the Paget Tip Shop and they will also use collected green waste.

“At the end of the program, a four-week exhibition of works produced during the workshops will be held in Jubilee Community Centre throughout NAIDOC celebrations in July 2023.”

Also receiving funding to the value of $12,610 was the Eungella Arts and Crafts Fayre which is returning after a very successful inaugural event in 2021.

This event is a celebration of ancient and traditional arts and crafts.

The day will include traditional dancing, musical instruments and songs, art and craft workshops, various stalls, a Viking village, lantern parade, demonstrations, children's activities and natural healing.

All up, 13 projects were supported to a total value of $85,659.

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From left, Shelly Coakley (Wetlands Walkabout) with Deadly Weavers Auntie Frances Johnson, Auntie Jenny Binsiar, Merrileen Towler, Mellisa Taggart, Felicity Chapman, Kathy Cave and Kimberly-anne Egan

Last year I attended a coastal leaders forum that brought together leaders from 41 councils.  This was an opportunity for our coastal leaders to gather, share ideas and find ways to work together to improve the liveability of our communities impacted by coastal erosion now and into the future.

The Insurance Council of Australia commented at the forum, $150m is given out each day in Australia for insurance claims.  Government has invested heavily in a solution to the insurance crisis with a re-insurance scheme, which at the outset looks promising to assist many families in Australia who suffer high insurance costs to protect their homes.

As of July 1, 2022, the re-insurance pool was accepted in parliament and passed. This pool is designed to support insurance companies, the pricing is available in a report found at arpc.gov.au.

At the forum, I was interested to hear that a nature-based solution like a 30m wide stand of mangroves will reduce wave height and therefore reduce erosion.  Sea walls are costing $8000 per lineal meter, and nature-based solutions are $1000-$2000 per lineal meter (these figures have not been ground truthed with current labour and material shortages).

Our government pays 3 per cent funding for pre-disaster measures and supplies 98 per cent of funding for post-events. Natural hazards will continue to happen, and we can’t dwell on the past.  We need to be risk intelligent and risk aware.  Tomorrow won’t look like today and we need to gather more information to make informed decisions.

The State Government needs to make changes in legislation for Local Government regarding planning schemes, LUP, and flood plain models. Buyback and retreat must be part of ongoing conversations.  

My takeaways for our region:

● Coastal hazard adaptation is very real, and our council will be able to better inform our community once the coastal hazard adaptation study (CHAS) is complete.  As part of the CHAS we must always remember our coastline is not just for the people that live on the coast, it's our entire community that uses it for recreation and we must be concerned about the loss of community amenity and community trauma coastal erosion causes.

● The three levels of government need to work together.

● Implementation of CHAS in our region can’t come soon enough and must include nature-based solutions.

Cr Alison Jones

Mackay Regional Council

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Sure, it had been quite funny while it lasted over my indulgent summer break but my impression of the Michelin Man had , well, worn thin. It was time to put a stop to the whole routine.

I needed a companion in my stepped-up health and fitness campaign and my tough little border collie/kelpie/something else dog Millie has been an eager participant, although somewhat of a show off if I am going to be honest.

A key part of the campaign is a morning run along Far Beach in East Mackay. We drive from our home in West Mackay and, as we approach the beach along Bridge Road we see those locals enjoying their morning exercise, many heading for a beach walk.

As we pull up in the old Toyota (can’t get a new car if a wet and sandy dog is in the passenger seat) you can see the self-satisfied looks on those East Mackay people, amused at this out-of-suburber having to drive from who-knows-where to get to God’s Country by the beach.

Yeah, well I came from West Mackay my friend. And when you want to go to the Botanic Gardens for a relaxing stroll or a walk with the dog because you’re sick of the sand blowing in your face, you might just see me there.

The point is that we all love our own habitats for different reasons. I do love living a couple of minutes walk from the Botanic Gardens … I’ve spent many hours walking, running, riding through the gardens and it has been a terrific part of our family experience of Mackay.

I also love the convenience of West Mackay, the easy access to schools, shops, community facilities, the CBD, the airport etc.

But those people in East Mackay love their beach and so they should.  East Mackay is also a super-convenient, easy place to live. There’s a lot to like.

Of course, we all choose our suburbs for a reason. People in Glenella, Rural View, parts of Ooralea, Beaconsfield and Andergrove like the modern housing that’s available.

Mt Pleasant people love the convenience and quality of their suburb. Bucasia and Shoal Point … more beaches and relaxed lifestyle.

The thing is that whatever draws us to the suburb we choose, it ends up being the community, the neighbourbood and the sense of belonging that makes it home.

Many people at the moment are choosing to downsize or upgrade and that could mean selling up and making the move. It’s a bit daunting but a change is exciting and new experiences await.

It’s a good time to find out about the market so give me or one of the other Gardian agents a call to find out what’s happening and where your property sits in the market.

It could be the start of a big new chapter.

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Delta Goodrem has been enjoying the glorious North Queensland weather while in the Whitsundays filming the romantic feature film Love Is In The Air.

The film is produced by Brisbane-based company Jaggi Entertainment and supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland, starring Ms Goodrem as Dana Randall, a seaplane pilot flying in the tropics who finds herself falling for the man sent to sink her business, played by Joshua Sasse.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to be shooting here in the Whitsundays,” Ms Goodrem said.

“We’ve been made to feel so welcome by the local community.

“I’m enjoying being back on set, portraying a go-getter like Dana and I’m looking forward to sharing the film with audiences.”

Love is in the Air is the latest production to take place in the Whitsundays and Screen Queensland CEO Courtney Gibson said the film will be completely made in Queensland, with the support of the Screen Finance program, Regional Incentive and Post, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Incentive.

“We are proud to provide end-to-end support for this latest production by Jaggi Entertainment — a Logie and AACTA-nominated company, whose Queensland creations have been hits for industry leaders such as Disney and Hallmark, and topped global Netflix charts,” said Ms Gibson.

“From the first day on set to the last day in the editing suite, Love is in the Air will generate approximately $2.25 million for the state economy and 70 jobs for Queensland cast and crew.”

Ms Gibson highlighted a recent string of productions filmed in the state’s northern regions, including Stan Original series Black Snow and Universal Pictures’ Ticket to Paradise, both filmed in and around the Whitsundays.

“Screen Queensland’s Regional Incentive was created to ensure the benefits of screen production reach communities right across the state, particularly for businesses operating in accommodation, catering, transport, tourism and more,” she said.

Joining the cast of Love is in the Air is Roy Billing (Underbelly, Jack Irish) and comedian Steph Tisdell (Total Control, Class of ‘07), with the film directed by Adrian Powers (Forbidden Ground, A Royal in Paradise).

With the crystal-clear waters and lush landscapes of the Whitsunday Islands the setting, production for Love is in the Air is based in Airlie Beach.

Far North Queensland Screen Champion and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt MP said the push for regional filming in the state’s northern regions is being backed by significant investment from the Queensland Government in programs and facilities.

Love is in the Air is written by Adrian Powers, Caera Bradshaw and Katharine E. McPhee and directed by Adrian Powers.

Producers are Steve Jaggi, Kelly Son Hing and Kylie Pascoe with Executive Producers Lee Matthews, Janine Pearce, Michael Gray and Jip Panosot.

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L-R Roy Billing, Steph Tisdell, Director Adrian Powers, Delta Goodrem and Joshua Sasse on the set of Love Is In The Air. Image supplied.

A 23-year-old Newcastle woman, who is walking from Australia’s most southern point to its most northern tip, is passing through the Whitsundays this week as part of her mammoth 5,000-kilometre trek.

Bailey Seamer departed from South Point in Wilsons Promontory National Park in May last year and is aiming to reach her destination at the top of Cape York Peninsula in July.

The total trip will take around 15 months with Bailey walking roughly 30 kilometres a day, which takes between six and seven hours.

She is in no rush to get to her destination and says that her priority is connecting with communities and advocating for mental health along the way.

Bailey was 14 when she was diagnosed with depression and 19 when she was told she had Bi-Polar.

For a long time, she didn’t know how it would be possible to lead a normal life, hold down a job or maintain relationships.

She spent a lot of time in the mental health ward of a hospital and for days she could not get out of bed.

Then, she “woke up one day and thought – that’s it!” – she left the hospital and walked the full 30 kilometres back to her family home.

This was the first of many steps for Bailey who uses walking as a form of medicine for the mind.

“I was looking for a healthy outlet and I thought – I am really good at walking!” she explains.

Eventually, a love of walking prompted her to embark on this challenging trek that has tested her mettle, endurance and grit.

Bailey has been using her savings from working as a Covid tester at the mines for a year to self-fund her trip and is also sponsored by her dad’s small business.

Over the past nine months, she has also raised $45,000 for the Black Dog Institute which helps make positive change in mental health research, education and innovation.

When she first started, Bailey walked solo, spending seven months sleeping on sofas, camping in backyards and in the occasional free hotel room.

When heat and access to water became bigger issues her partner, Sean, joined her and has been driving a support vehicle ever since.

“When I first started, I found it really hard to accept help from others,” she said.

“But it’s been amazing seeing the generosity of people along the way.”

During her journey Bailey has stopped to engage with communities, connecting with schools, community groups and individuals to help to inspire better mental health.

“When I was sick in hospital, I made a promise to myself that I would become the person I needed,” she said.

By talking with people who are living through their own challenges with mental health, she hopes to show them how it is possible to live a fulfilling life with Bi-Polar.

While in the Whitsundays, Bailey is open to talking with any individuals in the community.

She is here until Saturday and contactable on her Facebook page ‘Wandering Minds’ if you want to catch up with her.

To donate, go to wandering-minds.org.

If this article has brought up anything for you or triggered any challenging emotions, then remember you are not alone.

Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14

Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network 4945 2858

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Bailey Seamer, who is walking 5,000 kilometres for mental health, standing with her partner Sean Fox in Airlie Beach. Photo supplied

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Hi Everyone,

On Sunday I took the family along to Clean Up Australia Day down at Coral Sea Marina and it was wonderful to see how many people participated this year.

Parents with strollers, families with brimmed hats and sunnies, couples enjoying a morning walk, individuals who wanted to be part of the movement.

To think that thousands of other people right across the country were all doing the same thing made me feel warm inside and proud to live in a great nation where people contribute, and take responsibility for cleaning up their own backyard.

On Sunday no one was saying – “that’s not my litter, why should I clean it up?”

Everyone was saying: “This country is beautiful, let’s do our bit to make sure it stays that way!”

We decided to venture off to Cannonvale Beach and on the way, we saw some dedicated adults scouring the sides of Shute Harbour Road with their big hessian sacks in-hand.

They were doing a fabulous job.

As we had children with us, we opted for the safety of parks and beaches.

We trawled along in the hot sun and the younger two children were distracted, ambling along and making small, very occasional attempts to pick up litter.

The 10-year-old, however, was on a mission to save the planet!

She jubilantly cried out whenever she spotted a bit of colourful plastic or bottle top and left no stone unturned.

It was wonderful to see her enjoying time with her dad who loved following her around with the hessian sack ready to fill.

In the end, we had a good collection, but I have to say it was not as much as I thought we would collect.

The reason for this is that our parklands and beaches are just too clean!

And this pristine backyard is thanks to everyone putting litter in bins and of course Parks and Gardens for cleaning up so well.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash” (Bill Nye)

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What was a routine call out for VMR Whitsundays was nothing of the sort for a local 10-year-old.

The local Volunteer organisation provided a medical evacuation from Nara Inlet in late January after a young boy was injured when a fishhook became deeply embedded in his hand – an experience that was undoubtedly traumatic.

But the young fisherman was set at ease by the local Crew and let them know how much he appreciated their assistance by sending them a thank you card weeks later.

“As a 10-year-old boy I felt so safe onboard VMR and the crew who went above and beyond,” the youngster wrote.

“Thank you for coming to my rescue for what felt like the scariest time of mum and dad’s life. I appreciate all of the crew, the skipper, and all involved braving that massive swell those huge waves and poor visibility.

“I will never forget that crazy afternoon fishing for a red snapper but instead I hooked myself. I was so happy to see those lights on the VMR rescue boat.

“The smiles from the crew gave me reassurance it’ll be okay.”

VMR representatives said receiving the letter at a local barbecue gave them a great deal of satisfaction and emphasised that they were “there for you when you need us.”

“It was so nice for our Crew to know he had recovered well,” a VMR spokesperson said.

“It made the trip in squally, rainy and generally unpleasant conditions on that particular evening worthwhile.”

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A 10-year-old's thankyou card to VMR Whitsundays for helping him when a fishhook became embedded in his hand

RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter airlifted a man stung on the face by an Irukandji jellyfish in Whitsunday waters in one of seven missions across last weekend for the region’s dedicated air rescue service.

The 41-year-old New South Wales man was stung on the face by the venomous jellyfish while swimming at Hamilton Island on March 3.

The RACQ CQ Rescue onboard medical team were tasked by Queensland Health with retrieving anti-venom for the patient from Mackay Base Hospital at about 9.45 AM on Friday before flying 90 kilometres north to Hamilton Island airport.

The patient, who was holidaying in the Whitsundays, was in “considerable pain” and suffering symptoms of the potentially deadly Irukandji syndrome when the helicopter crew arrived.

He was quickly transferred to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious condition.

In a further Whitsunday mission, the first on Sunday night, the helicopter rescue crew were tasked by Queensland Health with the transfer of a seriously ill patient from Proserpine to Mackay Base Hospital with a respiratory condition.

In nearby Ayr, an elderly man was airlifted after falling from a roof at 11.45 AM Monday.

The 73-year-old Ayr man was flown to Townsville University Hospital with suspected broken bones and serious internal injuries and is now in a serious but stable condition.

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The RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter landed at Hamilton Island airport to airlift a marine sting victim to Mackay Base Hospital

Scarlett Foti, the Proserpine Lions Club Youth of the Year 2023, continued her winning ways at the ‘Zone Final’ of the organisation’s annual program in Home Hill last weekend.

The Proserpine State High School student was awarded the Zone Youth of the Year at Home Hill Lions Club on Saturday, March 4, as Lions Club members from Whitsunday, Proserpine, Collinsville, and Bowen watched on.

The annual Lions Australia Program invites 16- to 17-year-old students to test their public speaking and interview skills in front of a crowd and panel of judges.

Contestants representing each of the Zone’s Lions Clubs were asked two impromptu questions and were given two minutes to respond. The first: Assuming Aliens exist, how would you explain earth and humans to a visitor? The other: If you could invite any guest speaker living or dead, who would it be and why?

After answering these questions, the students were then allowed to give a pre-prepared speech with a time limit of five minutes.

Proserpine Lions Club member Horace Lowbridge said all contestants were excellent and “are a credit to their schools.”

Ms Foti will now represent the Proserpine Lions Club in the District Final in Townsville on Saturday, March 18 of this year.

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Lions Club Youth of the Year 2023 Winners across the district zones: Teagan Rodriguez, Whitsunday; Hannah Moore, Bowen; Zone YOTY winner and Public Speaking Award winner Scarlett Foti, Proserpine; Rilee Mackie, Collinsville; and Martina Bojack, Home Hill

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High tides and wild weather are a fact of life in the Whitsundays and these natural phenomena often cause marine debris to wash up on our shores.

With Airlie Beach considered the gateway to the Whitsundays and many tourists’ first impression of our region, some locals believe that the ‘beach’ in Airlie Beach could do with a clean-up.

“Why can’t we have a machine that cleans the beach every morning, just like they have in the Gold Coast,” said one local who asked to stay anonymous.

While the Whitsundays is known for its sparkling turquoise ocean and picturesque bays, it is the main-land beaches that often suffer the brunt of tidal surges that deposit debris on the sand.

Director of Infrastructure Services for Whitsunday Regional Council (WRC), Adam Hagy, said that local beaches are cleaned on average six to eight times a year.

“The Parks and Gardens teams conduct beach clearing at Airlie Beach, Boathaven Beach, Shingley Beach and Cannonvale Beach, and the multiple beaches in Bowen on an as-required basis,” he explained.

“Parks and Gardens monitor the condition of all the beaches in our region, especially after storms or the wet season and when the northerly winds blow and bring in the debris of leaf matter and driftwood.”

WRC strategically plan beach clean-ups to be most effective and to coincide with when they are needed most, such as following high and king tides.

“Parks and Gardens wait until the tides are low then conduct the cleaning works,” said Mr Hagy.

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A local family is celebrating this week following a life-changing lotto win that will enable them to buy their first home.

The mum, who has chosen to remain anonymous, said that initially she’d thought they’d won $16,000 and was astounded when she discovered it was so much more.

“I didn’t realise how much it was at first and was jumping around thinking it was $16,000,” she laughed.

“When it dawned on me that it was more than $120,000, I was speechless.

“I called my husband and he was shaking! He didn’t even believe me at first!

“This will change our lives, it’s absolutely amazing.”

The winning woman said that she had been manifesting their win.

“Everything revolves around the number 6 in our lives, it’s our lucky number,” she said.

“I told my family last week that I was going to try Super 66 and to put into the world thoughts about winning so we might be able to buy our first home.

“Lo and behold, it seemed to work and we’re going to be able to find our family home after all!”

The family’s winning numbers in the Super 66 draw were 9, 9, 3, 6, 9 and 8.

The ticket was purchased online.

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A Whitsundays school has restructured classes and lost teachers due to a lack of student enrolments that it believes are connected to families moving away from the area because they can no longer find somewhere to live.

“We have not had the numbers of children enrolled that was anticipated,” said a statement from the school.

“Unfortunately, many of our families have not had anywhere to live and have had to move, one of the sad realities we are finding in the post pandemic world.”

As a result, an agreement was reached with some of the teachers to either relocate entirely or transfer to other schools within the region.

A spokesperson from the Department of Education said that staffing allocations are based on enrolments, and as enrolments fluctuate the state-wide teacher transfer system places teachers where they are most needed while ensuring class sizes remain at the right level.

“The Department undertakes comprehensive workforce planning to ensure there is a sustainable supply of teachers to meet the demands of state schools across Queensland,” said the spokesperson.

“This process does not affect the employment status of teachers under permanent contracts.

“School leaders also have autonomy and access to additional funding to invest in workforce as required.”

It is understood that all staffing changes at the local school were forged on an amicable agreement between the school and the teachers involved.

The Principal said they hoped the restructure did not cause too much disruption to the school community and thanked the multitude of staff who made it possible.

“I want to reiterate that it has only happened due to necessity,” they said.

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Whitsunday Regional Council has taken the first steps towards the construction of a $200,000 Airlie Place of Refuge.

Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services Adam Hagy said that Council is seeking a contribution of 50 per cent of the funding for the project through the Disaster Ready Fund Round 1.

“This funding will allow us to pursue concept designs and feasibility studies,” Mr Hagy said.

“It is envisaged that the end product of this project would be located on Waterson Way, but that is yet to be determined through a feasibility study and further community consultation as the project develops.”

The project will encompass project planning to deliver a place of refuge in Airlie Beach, eventually providing a place for residents in Cannonvale, Jubilee Pocket, Airlie Beach, Mandalay, and Shute Harbour to evacuate to in the event of a severe weather incursion.

During these initial stages, the project will include original project scoping with community consultation through concept and detailed design and cost estimation.

Mr Hagy said the project is two-fold, with a chase for it to serve both the area as an emergency shelter and also as a car parking facility.

"Whilst it is a place of refuge, we're also considering a report in March 2022 that identified by 2036 Council would need an additional 486 car parks in Airlie Beach CBD," Mr Hagy said.

“That is due to population growth and tourism influx.”

Currently, in the event of a major weather event, whether that be fire, flood, or storm– such as Cyclone Debbie in 2017 – residents were only able to utilise a place of refuge in Proserpine and Bowen.

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The initial steps for the construction of an Airlie Beach Place of Refuge have begun as Whitsunday Regional Council seeks funding

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