Technology running amok, creation turning against its creator, and TikTok dancing – there’s nothing new in M3gan to surprise audiences. Perhaps that is its great strength. In this world of comfort-watching, Gerard Johnstone’s film is a perfect child of the times. What you see is what you get: expect a murderous android to murder and it will murder, oh boy, will it murder.

Not to disparage M3gan in any way, no: It’s Chucky reborn for a new generation, an uncanny valley version of Frankenstein’s monster. A robotics engineer at a toy company builds a life-like doll that begins to take on a life of its own – I’ve read this one before, or, better yet, I’ve seen this one before.

The difference, though, is instead of a creepy dolly being played for straight horror, M3gan is a dark comedy and a successful one at that. It’s absurdly cheeky, it knows what it’s doing at every step. The cynic would chalk much of its clueing into trends up as a sort of advertising ploy – and undoubtedly there is a degree of correctness to that sentiment. What we see in M3gan is a film that capitalises on a new audience for horror with an old affection. Johnstone’s film is the ridiculous, funny horror of films like Freddy Vs Jason mashed with a TikTok twist.

Give the kids a four-foot-tall Barbie seemingly possessed by Satan, and they’ll eat it up. The cynic says: “This is why the film is rated a shy PG in America (though it’s stamped with a mature in our more sensitive country).” But the pessimist misses the point.

M3gan is exquisitely fun - by design - and its writer, James Wan, knows how to craft a creepy moment or two, so the horror is horrific, the humour humorous. For what it is, it is what it is. Temper your expectations for anything transcendental, and arrive to M3gan with this in mind: a manic murder toy of the moment who will have you laughing from between your fingers

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One hundred years ago, the tourism potential of the Whitsundays was “not even a twinkle in the first developer’s eye.” Those beautiful islands were just 74 secrets kept by several families who had taken out residential or grazing leases. The idea of spending a holiday on Hamilton or Hayman was yet to crystallise. Only one family lived near Cannon Valley Beach as it was then known. By the 1920s, the dirt road from Proserpine still took two very bumpy hours to navigate, although the beach was becoming a popular picnic destination.

However, after World War One, scientific interest began to be attracted north and, in 1922, The Great Barrier Reef Committee was founded as part of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia. One of its early expeditions called in on Lindeman Island for a day. Four years later, another visited the islands near Mackay. Enjoying this trip was a young New South Wales schoolteacher called Edwin Montague Embury. Embury was inspired to organise his own expeditions to the Whitsundays on a much larger scale and these excursions formed the foundation of tourism in this area.

“A qualified teacher, Monty’s delight in life was to pass a learning experience on to others – perhaps it was the qualified teacher in him! He undertook in his own time the organisation of expeditions to coral reef areas for the enlightenment and enjoyment of others. He was a meticulous organiser with the drive, energy and ability to draw around himself an enthusiastic band of technical advisers and helpers.” (Ray Blackwood)

The first trip at Christmas 1928 was planned to sail from Bowen to headquarters on Lindeman but met with problems which could have proved disastrous to lesser men. With his brother, Arch, he met in advance the skippers of the five boats he had planned to use, including Boyd Lee, Bruce Jamieson and the Hallam brothers but the Bowen Harbour Master noted that none were licensed or fitted out as passenger ships. Monty was threatened with imprisonment if he went ahead as planned and yet, somehow, he had to transport 116 guests to Lindeman in a couple of days.

Realising that there was no harbour master at Cannon Valley, he contacted a pub in Proserpine, moved extra stretchers and mattresses to every corner of it and telegrammed the main party from NSW to get off the train early at Proserpine. As there were no buses, he hired trucks to take the party to Cannon Valley Beach where dinghies would take people to waiting boats. Consequently, luggage had to be carried through knee deep mud.

Tents supplemented the facilities built by the Nicolsons at Lindeman and days were spent on boat trips to the reef and islands with expert commentary, swimming and fishing, while in the evenings a mixture of lectures, concerts, dances and fancy-dress events were organised. Leading scientists such as Mel Ward of the Australian Museum and Frank McNeill were persuaded to share their passions and, in return, were allowed to take back rare specimens of fish, coral, insects, seaweed, birds and the like to the Australian Museum. A new species of game fish was discovered and was fittingly named Turrum Emburyi.    

Hundreds of photographs were taken. Arch Embury even developed a primitive and dangerous technique for filming underwater. Using a camera mounted behind glass, Arch would lean over the side of the boat with his head underwater to take the shot while Monty held his body weight with a strap.

To be continued…

Story and photo courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum and “The Whitsunday Islands – An Historical Dictionary” by Ray Blackwood.  

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Caption: Monty Embury

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Over 40 avid orchid enthusiasts attended a celebratory afternoon to mark 60 years of the Proserpine Orchid and Foliage Society on Saturday.

The event saw visitors attend from across the region, including representatives from the Bowen Orchid and Foliage Society, Bowen Garden Club and Whitsunday Garden Club.

President of the Tropical Queensland Orchid Council (TQOC), Dennis Farlow, attended with his wife Ros.

Dennis is also President of the Mackay and District Orchid Society.

Everyone was also very pleased to see Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall attend and during her speech she presented the Proserpine Orchid Society with a framed notice of appreciation from Council on its sixtieth anniversary.

“A sixty-year anniversary for a community group is an amazing achievement,” Mayor Julie Hall said.

“That’s older than me! To get to that age is simply amazing and to see so many people here today is absolutely wonderful. It’s societies and communities like this that make our community as a whole.

“On behalf of Whitsunday Regional Council: congratulations.”

After Mayor Julie’s speech the celebratory cake was cut, and a slideshow depicted the 60 year history of the Orchid Society was presented.

The Proserpine and Orchid Society meet on the fourth Saturday of the month at 1.30pm at the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) Hall in Proserpine.

Each year the club hold a Fields Day where orchid societies from across the region are invited to join the group, explore local gardens and enjoy a sausage sizzle.

The next one will take place on July 23 this year at the Proserpine Tennis Club venue.

The Orchid Society also hold an annual Christmas party on the second Saturday in December, in a combined event with the Bowen Garden Club, the Whitsunday Garden Club and the Bowen Orchid and Foliage Society members.

All new members are welcome, and the Society looks forward to celebrating another 60 years.

Organisers would like to thank everyone who helped organise their 60th celebrations and those who brought a plate of food on the day.

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Proserpine Orchid and Foliage Society Patron Mrs Margaret Ruge cutting the cake with Mayor Julie Hall

Everyone enjoyed the Proserpine Orchid and Foliage Society’s 60th birthday celebrations

Mayor Julie Hall with Proserpine Orchid and Foliage Society Treasurer Eileen Cameron and President Mervyn Fuller

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Good Deed Feed

A lost youth receiving assistance from the Proserpine Community Centre was helped home last week thanks to a good-natured local business.

The young man had arrived at the Centre seeking aid after moving to the Whitsundays to live with a friend before becoming homeless.

Having lived alone in his car for some time, he wished to return interstate to live with his mother – the problem being his vehicle had been deemed unsafe to make the trip and he had no funds to repair it.

Community Centre staff said they contacted a local auto-care business, Cane Country Tyres.

“Not knowing much about car safety, we called them for advice,” the staff spokesperson said.

“After explaining the boy’s situation to Shane, he said, 'Leave it with me. We will see what we can do to help him.'"

Even after advising Shane that the young man would be unable to pay, the Cane Country Tyres owner made the car safe and declined compensation, despite Proserpine Community Centre’s willingness to cover the bill through fundraising.

"It's okay. He seemed like a decent enough kid who had just made a few mistakes along the way, like we all did when we were young," Shane said.

Proserpine Community Centre extended their appreciation to Shane and his team, and said: "Sometimes good people do kind things!"

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A local business helped a young man return home last week by bringing his car up to standard and refusing compensation

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Hello, Constant Readers.

“Out of my country and myself I go,” that was to be my quote of the week. Yet, I want it here, where I can see and hold it, rather than down there at the bottom of the page – reading it here is an easy, urging wind.

When one travels, one steps out of their bounds. Not in the mere physical sense, but in the psychological and the social as well. We become someone else – we are no longer confined by the expectancies of others and our own, as we are our harshest critics.

To explain it best is a matter of opposites. By looking at the return we see the feeling of travel reversed; there is a major adjustment to coming home. Like squeezing into an ill-fitting suit – we have expanded, another multitude has been added to the already capacious self. Readjusting back into life’s regularities is difficult because we don't fit our old accoutrements – these things leave no room for the changed traveller.

It is like arriving home to parents; you are no longer the independent adult, you become the you that they see – their child. You fill the tiny shoes given to you at the door. In your profession, you separate and become another you. With certain friends.

Why I say all of this is that I believe the travelling self is the truest, the most authentic.

I want to remind those of us in the Whitsundays of the greatest joy: movement and change. To step out of your country and yourself – that may have been the reason many of us came here in the first place. It is a holiday locale, after all.

In a word, do not be comfortable in your shoes for too long; step out of them and see the open road. I will meet you there.

Quote of the Week:

“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

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The Whitsundays is currently looking for its next Youth Parliament Representative and despite the incredible opportunities it involves, there has been a shortage of applicants this year, something that could mean the role goes to someone living outside the area.

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP says that they have extended the nomination period and encourage local aspiring politicians and change-makers to step forward and make themselves known.

Youth Parliament allows individuals to be a voice for young people in their community and develop personal skills in leadership, public speaking and debating.

There is also a lot of fun to be had and it opens up networking opportunities.  

Throughout the year the representative will learn about the process of government and the running of Parliament.

They will then choose a portfolio they are passionate about and work in teams to create a bill to propose policy reform for Queensland, which they can then debate in the Youth Parliament.

During this time, they will have access to Amanda Camm as their mentor and can represent her at events.

“It is a terrific opportunity that will not only impact the Youth Member’s personal development but also have a real impact for Queensland,” said Ms Camm.

“The bills that are passed at Youth Parliament can end up being debated in the real Queensland Parliament to possibly be passed as new legislation.  

“Imagine seeing policy change in Queensland knowing it all started from a bill that you worked on at Youth Parliament!”

Nominations close at midnight tonight, Friday, February 24 and anyone interested is encouraged to apply.

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Previous Whitsunday Youth Member, Sebastian Padget, with Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm at Parliament house. Photo supplied

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Local animal rescue operator, Christina Della Valle, was on holiday over Christmas when a friend left the gate open and two of her rescue dogs escaped her property. The dogs ventured onto a neighbouring paddock and one of them bit a cow on the neck.

When Council was unable to complete a compliance inspection earlier this month, a search warrant was enforced and Seizure Notice issued.

Christina, who owns Animal Rescue Whitsundays, was distraught by events which she says were out of control and also uncharacteristic of her two much-loved dogs.

Director of Community Services, Julie Wright agreed to sit down with Christina following a request for review notice.

“It was a good meeting and Julie really did her best to help,” said Christina.

During the meeting it was decided that Max, the likely culprit in the offence, would be put to sleep, but Snoopy, Christina’s ‘emotional support dog’, would be allowed home.

“I am of course devastated about Max,” said Christina.

“But I knew it was going to be tough, I knew a compromise would have to be made.

“It’s just a shame that dogs don’t get a second chance like a human would if they don’t re-offend.”

Max was brought to Christina two years ago when he was found wandering around Proserpine. He was 15 kilograms underweight and had been abandoned by his owners that may have been training him to be a pig dog.

Snoopy was brought to Christina a year ago, he had been abandoned at a caravan park in Conway and left alone, tied to a chain for two days before anyone found him.

On Wednesday morning Max was taken to a local vet and gently put to sleep.

Snoopy was returned home to Christina the same morning.

In order to keep Snoopy Christina must abide by strict rules for keeping a declared menacing dog.

These include extra signage and an extra $400 a year in fees.

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Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Whitsunday Regional Council, Warren Bunker, will officially start his new role on Monday, replacing Rod Ferguson who is moving into retirement.

Bunker has been in local government for the past 28 years, beginning his career in the planning department as the first Strategic Planner to be employed by Caloundra Council.

He then worked his way up through the ranks, becoming the Director of Governance and Strategy, before taking on the role of Director of Regional Strategy and Planning for the newly amalgamated Sunshine Coast Council.

His most recent position was Group Executive of Liveability and Natural Assets, and Bunker says he looks forward to bringing his experience working with both tourism and agriculture to his role as CEO.

“I’ve got a high level of understanding of local government, what the rules are and how to use them to the best,” he said.

Eager to watch, listen and learn, Bunker says that he is eager to observe, understand and “ask silly questions” when he first takes on the role.

He explains that a CEO’s role has three central pillars – to assist the Mayor and Councillors by helping them make good decisions and providing the necessary information.

Secondly, running the business of Council and its operations.

“This means more than just rates, rubbish and roads,” he said.

“There are over 70 different services we look after from the libraries through to the swimming pools.”

Lastly, Bunker will ensure good governance by working with the community.

“I have a big belief in talking with the community,” he explains.

“I am more likely to be listening and observing.”

Bunker is also looking forward to making good partnerships with neighbouring Councils in order to create better funding opportunities for the broader region.

No stranger to the Whitsundays, he spent many school holidays here as a child, visiting almost every year while his dad worked as an accountant for some of the island resorts.

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Local police are appealing for information from the public relating to an alleged serious assault in Bowen on the corner of Herbert and Powell Street.

It is alleged a man was approached by two men and a woman when a physical altercation occurred at approximately 8.30pm on February 7, resulting in the man being transported to the Bowen Hospital.

The man was treated for injuries sustained in the alleged altercation.

Senior Constable Ross Petersen said local police would like to “speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and observed the incident taking place or who may have dashcam footage.”

Those with information can contact Bowen Police on 4720 4555 or contact Policelink on 131 444 and quote this reference number: QP2300226258.

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Zonta Club of Bowen oversaw the installation of a 'Red Bench' which aims to raise awareness of domestic violence at the new Bowen Neighbourhood Centre earlier this year.

The local not-for-profit organisation donated the seating as part of the Red Bench Project, a program launched in 2019 by The Red Rose Foundation.

Over 300 Red Benches are dotted across Australia as part of the campaign's aim to “raise awareness and provide an opportunity for this important issue to remain visible.”

The group unveiled the donation as part of its end-of-2022 celebrations before its installation this year.

The Bowen Neighbourhood Centre Red Bench is emblazoned with the Project’s message of “Change the Ending: Let’s Stop Domestic Violence”.

Bowen Neighbourhood Centre Coordinator Stephanie Cora said the bench’s prominent public location is part of that battle of putting an end to domestic violence through awareness.

“It is more than just a place to sit; it can be a place to have a conversation about how we as a community can change,” Ms Cora said.

“We cannot thank Zonta Bowen enough for their donation of the Red Bench and thank you to Michael Dekkert for installing the chair and painting it.”

Zonta Club Bowen also donated funds to the Bowen Community Council and Neighbourhood Centre’s Emergency Crisis Housing Fund which assists with temporary accommodation for persons leaving violent situations, and toiletry bags for the Centre’s clients in need.

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Zonta Club of Bowen installed a Red Bench in front of the Bowen Neighbourhood Centre to raise awareness of domestic violence

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Local farmers will soon have a safe access bridge thanks to $160,000 of funding that will upgrade the Cantamessa Road Bridge that was badly damaged during 2017 Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

The bridge is a primary access point for farmers transporting heavy equipment and machinery during wet season and Councillor Gary Simpson, who is also a cane farmer, said he is pleased to see the upgrade finally underway.

“Some people think it is only a little bridge for a few farmers,” said Cr Simpson.

“But it has been an access point for over 50 years, and it helps to keep slow-moving tractors off the roads.

“It’s a big thing for these farmers and I am thankful it is finally happening.”

Local farmer Russell Biggs said that there is simply too much traffic to safely navigate Shute Harbour Road and, without the bridge, he has to take a back road which takes a lot longer.

“It’s all about safety,” he said.

“We have to transport many oversized vehicles so the less we have to be on the highway the better.

“The Cantamessa Road Bridge is a convenient way to get all our equipment off the road, so these upgrades are a big win for us.”

The bridge also acts as a second access point on the rare occasion that there is an accident on Strathdickie Road.

The Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund (QRRRF) have provided $144,000 of funding for the upgrades and the Whitsunday Regional Council have contributed the remaining $16,000.

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Brendan Nothard, Steven Cantamessa, Michael Cantamessa, Glen Clarke, Russell Biggs and Councillor Gary Simpson. Photo supplied

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Six local students competed in the annual Youth of the Year competition held by Proserpine Lions Club Inc. on Wednesday last week.

Proserpine State High School students Scarlett Foti, Makaela Stefani, and Hurley Diessel, St. Catherine’s Catholic College students Tristan Sainsbury, Cai Scott-Fitzgerald, and Kai Telford represented themselves and their schools in the three-stage contest.

The 16- to 17-year-old contestants face first an interview, then a panel of three judges, speaking to two impromptu questions and delivering a five-minute speech on a topic of their choice.

The Lions Australia Program is a yearly competition hosted at the various club branches across the country, inviting students to test their public speaking and interview skills.

In front of a crowd of Proserpine Lions Club members, parents, and local enthusiasts, Scarlett Foti was crowned the Overall winner as well as the Public Speaking winner for the night,

Ms Foti impressed with her speech “Imagination, No More” – A brief overview of how technology has affected imagination in children, quoting from both her own experiences in babysitting and from the great thinkers.

“Let me ask you to pause for a moment, what do you think life means? Life can be defined in so many ways,” Ms Foti said in her powerfully orated speech.

“It can be described by the classification of living things in year seven to the philosophical works of Plato… life is the ability to dream.”

Ms Foti also won the previous year’s Public Speaking award and is now expected to represent the Proserpine Lions club at the next youth of the year tier in Home Hill in March.

Proserpine Lions Youth of the Year Coordinator Jane Betteridge said she was extremely proud of each student.

“I don’t think there are many adults who would stand up and be able to give the speeches these six students did tonight,” Ms Betteridge said.

“The opportunities that it presents to them, in improving their public speaking skills, in meeting like-minded people, is invaluable.”

Previous Lions Club Youth of the Year alumni and winners have gone on to become Rhodes Scholars and even Prime Ministers.

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Proserpine Lions Club Youth of the Year and Public Speaking award winner and Proserpine State High School Student Scarlett Foti with Proserpine Lions President Joe Little

Proserpine Lions Club Youth of the Year competitors from Proserpine state High School and St. Catherine’s Catholic College

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The aged care facility at the Collinsville Multi-Purpose Health Service (MPHS) is receiving an upgrade, with six rooms soon to be equipped with en suite bathroom facilities.

The renovation, which is due to be finished in March, is the latest project Ben Lawrence, Director of Nursing (DON) at MPHS, has overseen in his two years in the position.

“This is a great development for our residents,” he said.

“The work is progressing really well and should be on track to be finished by the end of March.”

Ben did not always want to be a nurse, in fact, he had aspirations to be a social worker but a friend of his mum’s guided him into nursing and he has never looked back.

Originally from Maryborough, Ben completed his degree at JCU in Townsville and went on to do his grad year on the Fraser Coast.

In 2009 he moved north.

“I was nurse unit manager in Bowen, before working as the DON in Hughenden for five years and then Charters Towers for a year,” he said.

Two years ago, he took on the DON role in Collinsville.

“Working rural is my passion and it’s a privilege to work in the communities I have,” Ben said.

“The days are challenging, and every day is different, but I love my job and what I do.”

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Ben Lawrence, Director of Nursing at Collinsville Multi-Purpose Health Service. Photo supplied

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Developing and delivering optimal nutrient management plans, can be complex and challenging for both farmers and agricultural service providers.

In 2019 LiquaForce developed LAND HUB in consultation with agronomists, and growers across Queensland’s sugarcane and horticultural industries to close the knowledge gap required for sustainable farm management.

The Local Area Nutrient Datahub (LAND) is designed to improve the information capacity of growers, enhancing decision making processes around nutrient application and other farming practices, leading to productivity improvements on-farm, and water quality outcomes off-farm.

It also provides secure, private, digital storage of all their farm, soil, and production data year on year. This simplifies long-term monitoring of crop and financial performance over time, providing a far greater understanding of underlying agronomic issues and solutions suitable for their farms.

According to the independent consultant managing the project, Sara Bennett – “The quality and accessibility of the connected data in LAND delivers farmers the ‘information capacity’ for widespread practice change, which will result in substantial water quality outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef.”

In the Mackay Whitsunday region, Colin and Lenore Bourke own two sugarcane farms: one in Karloo just east of the Bruce Highway and the other in undulating country at Carmila West.

Karloo soils are typically sand or loam overlaying a sodic clay subsoil and cropping is all rain fed.

At Carmila West, soils are a mix of loam and a sand or loam overlaying sodic clay. This country can be subject to surface runoff with seasonal rainfall making crop nutrient loss a concern.

To improve their farming practice with nutrient management, Colin and Lenore shifted from surface application of liquid Dunder (Mill by-product) blends to sub-surface stool-split application.

“Fertiliser that leaves my paddock is money lost, it does not grow my crop, and it is not good for the environment or for water quality” says Colin.

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Cruise Whitsundays and Eco Barge Clean Seas have announced the continuation of their partnership which works in collaboration to maintain the pristine nature of the marine environment in the Whitsundays.

This is the ninth year that the two entities have worked together, and Libby Edge from Eco Barge Clean Seas says she is thrilled the vital support is continuing.

“Our team, and the turtles we care for, can’t thank Cruise Whitsundays enough for continuing this partnership,” she said.

“Through this support, we can continue to care for sick and injured turtles and keep our marine park clear of debris.”

Eco Barge Clean Seas, a not‐for‐profit organisation, established in 2009 in Airlie Beach was founded to protect the precious marine life and environment across the Whitsunday region.

With a clear mission for the Whitsundays, Eco Barge Clean Seas carries out programs including removal of marine debris, reduction of land‐based litter, recycling and transformation of ocean plastics, and providing care for sick and injured marine turtles at their Turtle Rescue Centre.

Since its inception, Eco Barge Clean Seas has removed a whopping 243,252kgs of rubbish from the Whitsundays waterways.

Cruise Whitsundays Sales and Marketing Manager, Renee Branton‐Brown is proud to support such an important local initiative.

“Libby and her amazing team at Eco Barge Clean Seas are so passionate and dedicated to keeping the Whitsundays pristine, this ethos aligns perfectly with Cruise Whitsundays’ commitment to ensuring we do all we can to protect the incredible environment in which we operate,” she said.

“Cruise Whitsundays takes its role as reef custodian very seriously, and our partnership with Eco Barge Clean Seas is a crucial part of our environmental commitment.”

If you would like to know more or register as a volunteer for Eco Barge, please visit their website www.ecobargecleanseas.org.au

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Cruise Whitsundays Sales and Marketing Manager, Renee Branton‐Brown and Eco Barge Clean Seas founder Libby Edge. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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