Residents and locals are reminded that they have until the end of March to go in the draw to win $2100 worth of holiday vouchers to be spent in the Whitsundays and Mackay regions.

To participate in the Passport Competition, simply call in at all three Visitor Information Centres - Bowen, Proserpine, Sarina – and ask for a “passport” which you will need to get stamped at each of the centres.

Then place the stamped passport with your name and contact details in the box at one of the visitor information centres and you could be the lucky winner.

All three Visitor Information Centres have something unique to offer.

Explore the interactive information table display at the award-winning Mackay Region Visitor Information Centre at Sarina.

Enjoy the richness of the coffee that is being served at the Whitsundays Visitor Information Centre located next door to Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation.

Try a delicious mango sorbet at the famous Big Mango, located at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre.

The Passport competition is an initiative of Tourism Whitsundays, in partnership with Mackay Isaac Tourism and Bowen Tourism and Business.

The staff and volunteers at each of the three centres look forward to welcoming you and telling you all about what our regions have to offer.

Contributed with thanks to Leanne Abernethy from Bowen Business and Tourism.

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Image: Sales consultant at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre, Melissa Beuzeville (right) gave a passport to Natalie Hansen from Shell Cove in NSW when she visited the Big Mango with her dog Molly. Photo supplied

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The Boathouse Apartments on the Port of Airlie is now under new management. Lea and Ross Andrews, from Victoria say that their family are thrilled to be managing the popular coastal-inspired holiday apartments.

Lea, who is an ex-school principal, and Ross, a registered builder by trade, decided to make a career and territory change to the sunny Whitsundays after pondering the idea for many years.

Having taken over the property from Mantra in June 2022, Ross and Lea manage the 32 holiday apartments at The Boathouse Apartments, which are now proudly independent, family-owned, and operated.

“We are really hands-on people and are dedicated to ensuring every guest experience is the best that it can possibly be,” said Lea.

For the past few months, they have been steadily renovating the rooms together with brand-new beds, a new key system, free WIFI, and updated air-conditioning.

They are also working with a local interior designer to infuse a streamlined coastal theme across all rooms, with signature photography showcasing the local area.

“We are so close to the water, but you don’t need to walk up the hill to see it as all of our apartments have water facing balconies,” said Lea.

“The Boathouse Apartments is in an ideal location that is a few minutes’ walk from Airlie Beach town centre and the ferry terminal, almost everything you need is on our doorstep.”

Port of Airlie also boasts two cafes, two restaurants, a small selection of boutique shops, and a day spa.

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Image: Ross and Lea look forward to welcoming you and your family soon. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Do you have scraps of metal left over from jobs? How about old electronic goods and metal household items cluttering up the garage? Or are you embarking on a new project and need off-cuts and inspiration to get you started?

Whether you are looking to sell, buy or simply ensure your metal is recycled and reused – Whitsunday Recyclers in Proserpine is the place to go for all local residents, tradies, and business owners in the Whitsunday Region.

You can either request a free scrap metal bin to be dropped off and picked up at your business premises or you can simply come down to the yard at 19 Anzac Road, Proserpine, and talk to the friendly team.

The site is a treasure trove of metal goodies, and anyone is welcome to explore, search for items and make an offer.

Whitsunday Recyclers is a family-run business that was purchased by brother and sister team, Luke Purvis and Clare James, in December last year.

These long-term Proserpine locals are passionate about redirecting scrap metal from landfill and they have spent the last two months clearing the old cluttered yard so that customers will now experience an orderly and revived site with friendly and personal service.

“We are dedicated to diverting waste and providing an opportunity for everyone to recycle metal products so they don’t end up in landfill,” said Luke.

“We are helping to create change and are proud to provide the local community with a good local trader here in the Whitsundays.”

Brass, copper, aluminium, and any other type of metal can be processed through the site.

The products are then sold to larger companies, where they are further processed and re-manufactured into reusable materials.

At the Proserpine site, Luke, Clare and the team can receive a wide range of metal goods -from washing machines to air-conditioning units, electronic motors to old drainage piping – they will give you a fair price for every item and then process them down into raw metals before on-selling.

“You can find everything, and anything here – stainless steel benchtops, aluminium off-cuts, or even mesh for your chook pens!” said Clare

Simply browse the on-site shop or ask the friendly team for some advice, they will be sure to greet you with a smile and help you with anything you need.

How can Whitsunday Recyclers help you?

• Free bins for trades and businesses – regular drop-off and pick-up of scrap metal

• Bring in your old metal household items and receive a fair price in exchange

• Complete a home project by shopping for scrap metal at their on-site store

• Free bins for farmers so they can complete post crush shed clean-outs

Image: Bring in your scrap metal or shop for parts with Luke and Clare, the new owners of Whitsunday Recyclers in Proserpine. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Celebrating its first year in business on a high note, SeaLink Whitsundays has just announced that they have received 100 per cent five-star customer reviews on TripAdvisor and Google Business Listings over the past 12 months.

The company’s Big Island Day Tour has proven popular with tourists who are looking to explore the islands in comfort on a vessel that is spacious and deliberately booked at less than capacity so that guests can enjoy a leisurely day without the crowds.

"What makes our cruise different is our passenger numbers are capped for maximum comfort with space to roam around each of the three levels to get the best vantage point,” said General Manager for SeaLink Whitsundays, Mr Rob Mitchell.

“Our vessel is also airconditioned for extra comfort and guests enjoy a premium lunch, morning and afternoon tea on board as part of the package.”

SeaLink has also recently added a half-day tour experience, Purely Whitehaven, with the choice of a morning or afternoon departure where guests get to spend more time enjoying Whitehaven Beach.

Mr Mitchell says that the team are thrilled to achieve the perfect customer experience scorecard from passengers and that it is a testament to the premium service provided by the entire SeaLink Whitsundays team.

“It is always great to read such positive feedback from our guests,” he said.

“The positive comments and ratings further fuel our drive and passion to continue delivering and growing our brilliant customer service and experience offerings.”

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Image: SeaLink Whitsundays receives 100 per cent five-star customer reviews

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The recent sale of Council owned ‘green space’ has caused concern among a local environmental organisation that believes our small patches of grassland should be protected from development for the benefit of the community.

Tony Fontes, from the Whitsunday Conservation Council, said that he was shocked to see so many pieces of natural land sold to developers without public consultation.  

“Is our Council so out of step with the importance of urban green space that selling our urban parks to developers is on the cards? Unbelievably, the answer is yes,” he said.

“It seems that the Council is so focused on development at all costs, they have forgotten the community.”

Mr Fontes points out that green spaces make urban environments more liveable by regulating temperatures, reducing runoff, increasing biodiversity, and decreasing flood risks.

He also states that parkland stimulates social cohesion and supports physical fitness and activities.

A Council spokesperson said that Whitsunday Regional Council also values green spaces within the community and currently has an urban green space network composed of over 129 hectares of recreation parks, 370 hectares of sporting facilities, and 278 hectares of nature reserves.

The spokesperson confirmed, however, that several vacant lots zoned residential and commercial had been identified for sale in November.

“These sites do not have a role in the greenspace network to help meet desired standards of service or the lifestyle and environmental needs of our community,” said the spokesperson.

“The identified blocks don’t have a role due to their small size, location in proximity to more suitable parkland, lack of biodiversity, and lack of recreational infrastructure.

“No existing parklands currently utilised by the community are part of the sale.”

Council states that it would prefer to spend money on further invigorating or increasing the services of recreational assets in larger regional and district parks, as studies have shown they have a greater attraction value that encourages people to get outdoors.

With these factors in mind, Council decided to shed surplus land assets that don’t have a role in promoting lifestyle or environmental benefits in the greenspace network.

They believe this will allow for more funds to re-investment in parks that will benefit the community further.

The land parcels that Council is selling, include:

o 2 Sinclair Street, Bowen

o 82-92 Santa Barbara Parade, Bowen

o 9D Dalrymple Street, Bowen

o 27-29 Queens Street, Bowen

o 31-33 Queens Street, Bowen

o Lot 5 King Street, Bowen

o 1 Industrial Road, Collinsville

o 42 Carlo Drive, Cannonvale

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Image: Council state that the sale of small green areas will increase investment in larger parkland

Image: Council state that the sale of small green areas will increase investment in larger parkland

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Bringing together three years of careful research, two years of dedicated writing and a lifetime of curiosity, local author Joab Russo, is proud to present his book Absolute Truth to audiences across the world.

Originally from Israel, Joab moved to Australia in 2006 with his young family in order to escape the political unrest and fear of terrorism in his home country.

As an Information Technology Specialist, he was granted a Skilled Migration Visa and was able to enjoy a successful career using his expertise in the field.

A calling to help others and a desire to explore the meaning of existence, however, led Joab on a path of discovery that culminated in the completion of his first book, Absolute Truth, in 2018.

“Finding issues and solving them is a passion of mine and I really wanted to do that on a personal level as well - I really wanted to do that with people - to connect with people and to help them,” he said.

“This book is a culmination of insights and understanding of spiritual and existential information that I have discovered and tested and verified throughout the years.”

Joab researched his book for three years and spent a further two years writing it to ensure it displayed the information efficiently and with quality in mind.

“I believe it provides the most undistorted, accurate and correct existential information available,” he explained.

“It is independent of any bias, any thought, any perception, any emotion, any belief – it is absolutely correct and accurate information about who, when, why and how you are at any present moment – it explains how only you choose and create your own reality.”

The book is divided into three sections and uncovers the mechanics of existence through theory, questioning mass beliefs and then applying the ideas to your own life.

Joab has sold over 1000 copies so far and he is currently working on translating the text into 12 different languages.

He is also writing a fictional fantasy novel which uses the information he collected and the insights he imparted in his first book to present the evidence in a different way through a story.

You can purchase Absolute Truth online in English, Italian and French.

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Image: Joab Russo, Whitsunday local and author of Absolute Truth

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When Shakespeare asked the question, “What’s in a name?” (“Romeo and Juliet’) he was referring to the idea that names themselves are a convention to distinguish things or people, but themselves do not have any worth or meaning. But pioneering families of Proserpine, after whom the vast majority of early streets are named, might just beg to differ.

But while, most of the older street names in our district have a strong connection to the early movers and shakers in the area, the origin of name “Main Street” is a somewhat different story.

The first settlers in the Proserpine district were graziers. Soon the area now known as Proserpine town was encircled by cattle stations. Inside the circle of cattle properties was rich agricultural land through which the river flowed. Dense scrub covered the land between the river and what is now known as Faust Street, with giant blue gums and Moreton Bay ash extending all the way to Glen Isla and Breadalbane. The township developed rapidly after the establishment of the sugar mill, the opening of the railway between Bowen and Proserpine in 1910 and the completion of the Mackay/Proserpine rail link in 1923.

When it came time to map the town, for surveyors F Walker (a master of bushcraft who had traversed a great part of Qld in his capacity as first commander of native police and was friendly with the aboriginal people who respected and trusted him), J Chapman, W Crompton, O’Connell and others, it was a marathon job. They camped out in all kinds of weather, walked through long grass, swamps, gullies scrub, uphill and down. The first land selected and surveyed was Portion 193 which comprised all land between the river and Main Street and extended from Faust’s corner (where the Reject Shop is now located) to Glen Isla.

Main Street was the centre of the business area. By 1901, there were three hotels, a butcher, baker, two blacksmiths, a post and telegraph office, police station, one church and an assembly hall for entertainment purposes. In wet weather, the constant traffic of horse and sulky and horse and bullock teams with huge loads turned the street into a quagmire. In 1908, it was felt that the street needed to be improved to make it more weather proof and that it was also time for a name for the thoroughfare because Main Street was considered too vague. For the time being, however, the name remained.

It wasn’t until 1922 that the idea for a name for Main Street was once again raised at the suggestion of the manager of the Australian Bank of Commerce, Mr Spencer Briggs. Not all agreed but Robert Shepherd, Chairman of the Proserpine Shire Council, donated one guinea for a competition among the school children to submit a name for the street and head teacher, Mr Walke, arranged the competition.

At a council meeting in May 1922, however, the council decided not change the name of Main Street but Mr Shepherd still wished to honour his offer of a guinea to the competition’s winner.

And so, the story goes … One child, who was apparently confused as to what the competition was all about, got no further than writing “Main Street” at the top of her sheet of paper when the entries were collected by the teacher. Needless to say, this young pupil was very surprised to be the winner of the competition and to receive the one guinea!

“What’s in a name?”

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

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Image: Main Street in the early days

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More than 100 experts and leaders within the environmental management space converged in Cairns for the annual Reef Synthesis workshop to discuss the ongoing protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

Covering an immense area, over 1.3 times the size of New Zealand, ensuring the health and protection of the Reef is no small task and requires engagement and input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, research organisations, natural resource management bodies, traditional owners, landholders and peak industry bodies.  

The Reef Synthesis provided stakeholders with the opportunity to present findings, create partnerships and learn from each other to ensure best management of the Reef.

Held over three days in November  last year, the workshop’s focus was ‘Connecting people, programs and landscapes’ and covered a range of topics such as enabling environments for improving practice, understanding Traditional Owner priorities and creating a vision for success, accountability and legacy. A number of representatives from the Whitsunday and Mackay region attended, including Bernie Cockayne, Program Manager for Reef Catchments in Mackay -

‘The workshop was a great opportunity to learn about work being conducted across the Reef. What I found most interesting was the work that many of our farmers, Traditional Owners and community organisations are doing to improve our Reef’s health. This included Jason Bradford, a farmer between Mackay and Sarina, who we’ve been working with to improve the health of wetlands on his property and the water quality entering the Reef. It was fantastic to see his hard work being acknowledged by receiving the Reef Conservation Champion Award’.

With such a prized and valued asset for Australia and the world, bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders is essential to learn from each other and build partnerships for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

One of seven natural wonders of the world, the World Heritage Listed area of the Great Barrier Reef covers a staggering 348,000kms2 starting from north of Bundaberg in the south to the tip of Cape York in the north, a distance of approximately 2,300kms. The world heritage area includes 980 islands, 3000 coral reefs and extends from depths of over 2,000m to the intertidal zone and seagrass meadows found along the coastline, including our own Whitsunday Coast.

For more information on the work being undertaken locally to manage the Reef, please visit Reef Catchments www.reefcatchments.com.au

Contributed with thanks to Chris Dench.

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Image: The reef synthesis workshop. Photo supplied

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Again, that day sneaks up on us.

What to do this year? Picnic in the park? Candlelit dinner for two? A bed of red rose petals spilling across the floor? No – no, not all that again. That’s a lot of picking up roses later.

If you’re bereft of ideas for Valentine’s Day – oh, that sweet, sweet, sneaky day – you’re lucky you live in a picture-perfect paradise; a postcard place, brimming with choices for the romantic.

Take your lover for a dip in turquoise waters that sparkle like diamonds, perhaps? Walk by a tropical forest while swaying lines of palm trees are a rhythmic serenade of your love song.

There are few places that can rival the Whitsundays in romantic regard. So, on Valentine's Day in the Whitsundays, sing your own symphony of love in a dream destination.

These are some of the best things to do on Valentine's Day in the Whitsundays:

1. Whitehaven Beach: One of the best beaches in the world is the perfect place for couples to relax, swim and soak up the sun. Pack a picnic and take it beachside for the day.

2. Enjoy a spa day: For couples seeking a more relaxed pace, head to the spa to unwind and rejuvenate. The Whitsundays offers a range of luxurious spa experiences, ensuring that you leave feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.

3. Take a sunset sail: What could be more romantic than watching the sun dip below the horizon, creating a mesmerizing and unforgettable backdrop for your romantic evening.

Whether you prefer adventure or relaxation, the Whitsundays has something for all your romantic tastes – and you don’t have to look very far to find it.

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Sourced from an ancient inland ocean that is estimated to be 100 million years old, each individually cut and collected opal is completely unique and it is their swirling sparkles and transient shades of turquoise that make them so special.

Over 95 per cent of the world’s opals are from Australia and we are lucky enough to have one of the most prestigious suppliers based right here in Airlie Beach.

Having uncovered a $1.2 million treasure trove of opals on a hunt that was documented in a reality TV series on the Discovery Channel, owner of Opal Earth Sofia Andreou, looks forward to welcoming you to her local store.

For the past 62 years, the Andeou family has been a prominent name in the opal industry and each custom-made, award-winning ready-made piece of jewelry is hand-crafted by experts that the family has a long-standing relationship with.

Shop Manager, Joseph King, said that an opal is one of the most magical gems to give a loved one for any special occasion, especially Valentine’s Day.

“Of all the stones in all the world, the only thing more beautiful than the opal is the ladies that wear it,” he said.

“While a diamond might be a girl’s best, an opal is a lady’s best friend.”

Every customer at Opal Earth will be welcomed into the store and treated to personal service that can assist everyone from an opal connoisseur to a novice looking for something special.

From necklaces to pendants, earrings to rings, bracelets, and almost anything your heart desires - whatever your taste, passion, or persuasion, you can find it at Opal Earth.

How to pick the perfect piece:

• Find out what style she likes – you can choose between a light or a dark gem and each piece holds every colour of the rainbow

• Would she prefer a gold or silver setting, perhaps check other pieces of jewellery she owns

• If purchasing a ring, quietly find out your loved one’s ring size, you can bring another ring in if you like

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Images:

1: Opal Earth owner Sofia Andreou models one of the unique opal necklaces

2: Airlie Beach Store Manager, Joseph King, looks forward to greeting you

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A Clermont cattle grazier who shot to national TV stardom for building community bonds, a Nebo barrel racer champion and a rainbow gala event that is leading social change were among the major Australia Day winners in the Isaac region.

Layney Deguara has been named the 2023 Young Citizen of the Year for her passion and dedication to her sport, local club and her community. She accepted her award at a ceremony held in Nebo.

WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY MATTERS

CREAM OF THE ISAAC CROP CELEBRATED ON AUSTRALIA DAY

Frank Finger accepted the 2023 Isaac Region Australia Day Citizen of the Year award from Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker at Clermont Showgrounds during local Australia Day celebrations.

The national award winner of the ABC TV’s Muster Dog series has a persistent determination to the agricultural and tourism industry, love for his muster dogs and for sharing his stories with residents at MontCler.

Moranbah Rainbow Collective’s inaugural Rainbow Gala won the 2023 Community Event of the Year for breaking barriers and creating an inclusive, and socially aware safe space.

2023 Corporate Contribution of the Year is Dysart News and Post for demonstrating a strong commitment to their continuous support of local groups, sporting clubs and events.

Former Isaac Regional Councillor and long-time Dysart resident Nick Wheeler accepted the 2023 Spirit of Isaac Award for 44 years of countless achievements and contributions to his community.

Mayor Baker said recognising the outstanding work of Isaac residents is important as Council held eight ceremonial events announcing 51 award winners.

“Congratulations to Frank, Layney, the Moranbah Rainbow Collective, Dysart News and Post and Nick Wheeler, you are the cream of Isaac’s crop today,” Mayor Baker said.

“What we do everyday matters and today’s awards recognise the great things you do.

“Thank you to all our nominees and everyone who attended these events over the past 24 hours.

“We also welcomed 11 new Australian citizens as well and thank you for being persistent in your journey.

“Isaac is a region that celebrates our diversity with good intentions and we reflect on the past with acknowledgement.

“On behalf of myself, Councillors and Council staff, I would like to thank our 2023 Australia Day Ambassadors Lakeisha Patterson OAM and Kevin Hughes BM for being part of our celebrations.”

“A very special thank you to our Council team and community for their efforts in making these events happen.”

The 2023 Australia Day Awards is an Isaac Regional Council event assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.

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Image: 2023 Isaac Region Young Citizen of the Year Layney Deguara with DeputyMayor Kelly Vea Vea and Cr Viv Coleman

Image: 2023 Isaac Region Australia Day Citizen of the Year FrankFinger

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Two Mackay locals have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM); one for his service in the Australian army and the other for his contribution to the local lychee industry.

Ronald Bassan OAM signed up for the army at age 17, serving from 1954 to 1975 in both Malaysia (known then as Malaya) and Vietnam.

He received a long list of awards and recognition for his military service, including the Australian Defence Medal, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal, and Vietnamese Medal 1962.

Mr Bassan is a proud return serviceman; a member of 'A' Field Battery Association, Royal Australian Artillery since 1997 and serving as president and secretary throughout his tenure, as well as the RSL Farleigh and Northern Beaches Sub Branch.

He followed his passions for orchid growing and stamp collecting upon returning to Mackay, participating in community groups including the Australian Native Orchid Society Mackay Group, Mackay and District Orchid Society and the Mackay and District Philatelic Society.

Mr Bassan was awarded the OAM “for service to the community through a range of organisations.”

Laurence Dixon revolutionised the lychee industry.

He has owned Rainbow Orchard in Sarina since 1978, recently making headlines when he introduced Australia’s first seedless lychee variety in 2020.

He is constantly experimenting with and creating various new cultivars, increasing the export opportunities of Australia’s lychees.

Mr Dixon co-founded the Australian Lychee Growers Association in 1986, serving as president for five years and becoming a life member in 2018.

He was also awarded the Queensland Government Export award in 2002.

Mr Dixon was awarded the OAM “for service to horticulture.”

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Image: Laurence Dixon was awarded an Australia Day OAM for his contribution to the lychee industry

Image: Ronald Bassan on military duties in Malaysia. Photo credit: A Battery Association Inc.

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Two minutes of kindness is a little thing to pay for joy, for respect, or for admiration and appreciation. Tiny actions add up to a greater whole and something as simple as helping can mean more than its weight in two Pepsi boxes.

In Sarina, that was the case for one woman on a regular shopping trip.

Maxx, a young man working at Sarina’s local IGA, likely thought little of helping a woman to her car, carrying some heavy boxes of Pepsi for her.

Two boxes of Pepsi, two minutes of kindness -- nothing out of his day, really. Yet, to Astrid, the lifting of boxes into the trolley and into the car were a reflection of what makes her community so great.

“Maxx was very courteous when I approached him for help and I wanted to acknowledge his kind support to me as a customer,” Astrid said.

“To the young men and women working at IGA, we appreciate the hard work you all do. Be proud of yourself for the service you give to our local community.”

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Image: A simple act of kindness, like loading someone’s shopping for them, can mean so much

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Life is a precious gift that we often take for granted.

We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, work, and responsibilities and fail to appreciate the simple things that make life worth living.

We often assume that we will have tomorrow and forget to live in the moment and make the most of every day. But life can be unpredictable and fragile, and it is important to remember to cherish and make the most of every opportunity we have to be happy.

On page 4, we share the story of Sarina mother, Amy Coyne, who had a brush with death after contracting a rare and dangerous nematode disorder. She was 10 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with having a rare parasite found on wild meat which causes polymyositis, a form of muscle weakness.

This condition is so rare she was only the 11th person in the world to receive the diagnosis and the first pregnant woman ever.

It’s progressive, debilitating and has been known to be fatal in some cases.

You can read her powerful story over the page.

If Amy’s story can teach us anything, it’s to appreciate every bit of time we have and not to take our health for granted.

It is all too easy to get caught up in worries about the future or regrets about the past, but when we focus on the present, we can fully experience and appreciate the beauty and wonder of life.

Amanda

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A happy and healthy six-months-old Sarina boy and his mother are survivors of a rare and dangerous nematode disorder causing polymyositis possibly linked to central and North Queensland and Tasmania.

Amy Coyne, husband Kane and six-months-old Vincent are all smiles after their brush with the disorder, which doctors cannot rule out recurring.

Amy was in the 10th week of her pregnancy when she was diagnosed with Haycocknema perplexum, a parasite found in wild meats like possum and kangaroo causing polymyositis in humans.

She was the first pregnant woman ever to be diagnosed with the disorder, and just the 11th person in the world.

‘’Somehow you contract this parasite, and the human body starts attacking itself trying to eradicate the foreign body from the muscles,” Amy said.

“It’s progressive, debilitating and has been known to be fatal in some cases.

“There is a common denominator of all cases recorded; we (those affected) have all spent a chunk of time in far North Queensland and Central Queensland and one in Tasmania I believe.’’

Amy said she downplayed the seriousness of what she’d been diagnosed with to most, apart from husband Kane who could see her deteriorating more each day.

“I’ve always been very in tune with my body and noticed a decline some three years ago,” she said.

“I wasn’t able to do certain things fitness wise, such as get on my toes, lift my head off the ground from a supine position, the way I walked was affected, I couldn’t jump, to name a few.

“This led to lifestyle setbacks such as not being able to open a twist top water bottle, dysphasia (not being able to swallow properly), my speech began to slur and slow; to name a few.

“My muscles atrophied severely and I dropped a good 8-10 kilos, I was so weak I could barely make it up a flight of stairs, let alone carry a load of washing back up with me.”

Amy said she saw many health specialists over the years trying to figure out what was wrong with her body such as chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, GPs and sports doctors.

“In the end I was eventually referred to a neurologist, who, by my luck, had seen someone years before with similar symptoms. I went through a series of tests and ultimately a biopsy to confirm I had contracted the muscle disorder. I was diagnosed at 10 weeks gestation with my little man.

“I held off taking the treatment as the microbiologist specialist I was seeing wouldn’t guarantee me that the drug treatment wouldn’t affect my baby, as they obviously don’t test drugs on pregnant women. But the obstetric specialist could guarantee that my disorder wouldn’t affect him at all in the womb.”

Amy added that she got to a stage where if she went to the grocery shop, she would feel fatigued to the point she would sleep for hours to recover.

“My body wasn’t functioning the further into my pregnancy I got. If I don’t function, how can I give my son any chance at life?

“The team of doctors behind me, and Kane and I decided, in the second trimester I’d start my treatment.

“I was monitored by blood tests monthly by the disease team for me and fortnightly appointments with the obstetric team for my baby, and by my own observations physically.

“The treatment is simple. Basically it’s a deworming drug but the diagnosis is the hard part. I’m told it is often misdiagnosed as an autoimmune disease or not diagnosed at all.

Now off treatment, Amy gave birth to a healthy little boy and is still being monitored by blood tests.

“There is no guarantee the treatment eradicates the disorder,” she said.

“Being so rare there is no “rehab” plan so I decided to see a very knowledgeable local sports therapist and physiotherapist and am organising to see a speech therapist.

“At the age of 30 I have begun learning how to walk again and am finding strength and balance back in the little things most take for granted.”

By Charlie Payne

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Image: Kane and Amy Coyle and six-months-old Vincent are all smiles after Amy overcame a rare parasite disorder which is possibly linked to North Queensland. Photo: Charlie Payne

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