It started raining really hard last Sunday and got worse Monday and all my husband was doing was standing at the window looking sad….

I did think… if got any heavier, I’d have to let him in!

Yes, the monsoon season is upon us. The plants have all perked up and are growing upward. Gardeners have gained a little extra time in their day with watering not really necessary - but there is still plenty to do.

So, what am I growing now?

Well lettuce is not a tropical weather plant, but the open leafed varieties can still be grown even this time of year but not in the vegie patch. This is where my Vegepod is amazing.

I keep my Vegepod in the carport, in a semi shaded position with only two-to-three hours of morning sunlight. The cover keeps the grasshoppers at bay and offers protection from the harsh summer sun. I have more lettuce, basil and parsley growing in them today than the family can eat!

Have you ever tried growing micro greens?  

To be honest until now I have not given them a lot of energy but you have to give the Indoor Kitchen Pod a go. They are easy to use even “fool proof”, great for the kids to watch things grow and you don’t need to go out into the weather to snip off what’s needed for dinner, it’s right there on the kitchen bench!  

The Indoor Kitchen Pod has self-watering wicking beds, LED growing lights and a built in water gauge. We have them for sale at Whitpro and you can check them out on the Vegepods website.  

Between the wet days there is still plenty to do in the garden in preparation for Autumn.

Weeds are about to explode after all this rain, so keep on top of them. My best advice is mulch, mulch and add a little more mulch. Not only are you feeding your soil, you are protecting it from exposed, wet earth which is a weed’s playground.

Start preparing your soil for planting in March, if you don’t have one, start a worm farm.  Worm castings grow great vegetables when mixed into your soil and if you are still throwing your kitchen scraps in the bin, what are you thinking!  There are worms that need feeding and a local tip that does not want your scraps.
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WORM FARM TIPS:

There are a few important things to know about worm farms:

1. We live in a warm climate, and you can bake worms, so make sure they are in a shady position. Soil temperatures over 26 degrees may see loss of worm life.

2. Worms, just like all plants and people - need water. Worms in a dry worm farm will die. So, keep your worm farm moist but not wet. Worms are not fish, they can drown.

3. Be careful not to over feed your worms. You only need to feed them once or twice a week. Only add more food once the last batch has been consumed.

Top Tip: Blend, chop finely or shred your scraps before giving them to your worms.

Recipe

5 SHADES OF GREEN

Salad:

• 1 Granny Smith apple, chopped

• 1 avocado, chopped

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 continental cucumber, chopped

• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios

• 1/4 cup chopped raisins

• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (or your favourite cheese)

• 2 tablespoons chopped chives

1. Toss the apple and avocado in the lemon juice so they don't oxidize.

2. Mix everything together
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Chive dressing:

• 1 small clove garlic

• 2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar

• 1 teaspoon crème fraîche

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon chopped chives

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• Salt & lots of pepper

1. Blend everything aside from the olive oil in a blender

2. Then with the blender still on, through the top, slowly pour in the olive oil.

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Create delicious leafy greens in any weather with a Vegepod

A simple yet sumptuous green salad

Max Grosskreutz (1906 – 1994) - A Legend in the History of the Speedway Machine

From a very early age, Maximillian (Max) Grosskreutz had a yearning to become a speedway rider. Max was born at Foxdale in 1906, the youngest of eleven children of William Grosskreutz, a German who had emigrated to Australia as a child in 1873 and eventually purchased a sugar cane farm in Proserpine in 1897.  

When not helping in the cane fields, Max would be off riding his motor cycle, much to the annoyance of the neighbours. But that did not faze him. Nor did a serious accident when he rode into a barbed wire fence. He began his motor-cycle career on a makeshift grass track at the showgrounds in Bowen, riding his Indian Scout road bike to win his first race with the prize money of £10.

In 1928, Max moved to Brisbane where, as a 22 year old, he won the Australian Title at Davies Park (becoming the first official Australian Champion). Thus began a meteoric rise to fame and he became the greatest idol the Brisbane speedway-going public had ever had, known to fans as “The Northern Flash”.

In 1929, he was signed up to ride in England. For ten years, Max raced for several British clubs regularly returning for the Australian season. In 1930, Max rode in the first official Test against England and then made forty-one consecutive appearances against England, over seven years. In 1935, he finished third in the Star Riders’ Championship – the forerunner to the Speedway World Championship. In 1936, he won both NSW and Australian Championships.

When war broke out in 1939, Max and his family secured a passage on the last ship to leave England, settling in Sydney. But once hostilities ceased, Max returned to racing on Friday nights at the Sydney Sports Ground. In 1946, he was again NSW Champion. This success persuaded him to return to the UK for the 1947 season, again proving a great drawcard. In 1948, he broke three track records in a week, however after a serious crash on August 2, at the age of 42, he decided to call it a day.  

The “pudding basin” helmets, heavy black belted armour and bulky cumbersome machines made the speedway circuit no place for the faint-hearted. But Max was not of the faint-hearted – he rode with an injured neck, jaw, cracked ribs and even a chipped skull. Twice he was reported dead! Max once said, “You haven’t got to be mad to be a speedway rider, but it helps.”

Max Grosskreutz was not just a successful speedway rider; he was also a pioneer in the sport. In 1934, when he inspired an Australian Test victory over England, Max had ridden a machine of his own design built from pieces discarded by fellow riders - the prototype of the now famous Grosskreutz frames.

Max was offered substantial amounts of money for his secret. In an interview in 1992, he recalled – “It was easy because the bike was much lighter. My engine was put back in the centre. They were all forward, that was their problem. They didn’t wake up for a long time. They started to catch up when I sold my bike to Bluey Wilkinson.” In 1936, when Wilkinson won all of the world final races mounted on one of Max’s frames, orders poured in and so it was that the Grosskreutz frame generated the standard design of frames to follow.

Proserpine salutes your memory, Max Grosskreutz, a world-beating sporting hero from our small town.

Story courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum and photos from “Speedway Past Australia”

Max Grosskreutz, a world-beating sporting hero from our small town

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The popular fundraising events which are dedicating to raising money to build affordable housing for homeless women over 55, are back this year and the first gathering will bring a taste of Bali to Airlie Beach.

Organisers are excited to try something new for the new year and, instead of the usually formal gala dinners, they have decided to host a relaxed cocktail party with a Balinese dress theme.

“This is going to be a casual evening which lends itself to comedy and fun,” said organiser Sandy Clarke.

“It will be more like a party - there will be dancing and a tropical theme so it will be very visual.”

Taking place poolside at Waters Edge Resort in Airlie Beach, guests can enjoy a free cocktail on arrival, just in-time for sunset.

There will then be time to mingle before local comedian Brad Elliot introduces a fun-filled evening of light jokes and of course the charity auction with many exciting items up for grabs.

These include a glamorous photography package worth $750.

There are also many prizes to be won, including best dressed ‘Bali themed’ male and female plus vouchers from local tours and restaurants who have kindly sponsored the event.

A highlight of the evening is the delicious Indonesian cuisine which will be served on large platters by roaming waiters.

There will also be a decadent grazing table for all to enjoy.

Throughout the evening there will be a floorshow by Viva Acoustics who will be sure to get the dancefloor moving.

This will be the third event of its kind and organiser Sandy Clarke said she is thrilled to see the support from the local community.

“The project has come a long way since its launch in October,” she said.

“We are very excited to announce the previous fundraiser was a sold-out event raising $16,250 and a further $10,000 from corporate and private cash donations.

“To top it off Whitsunday Regional Council donated the land on which to build the initial four Tiny Homes and the Whitsunday Housing Company COO Joanne Moynihan has also announced a major donation.”

Sandy is aiming to raise a total of $400,000 through events, sponsorships and a series of grants that she will be applying for this year.

Women over 55 are statistically the most common demographic to face homelessness and with the recent rental crisis in the Whitsundays, there is a waiting list of eligible individuals desperate for assistance.

This team of kind volunteers are dedicated to helping these local women and would like to invite you to show your support by attending their next event.

Tickets are $100 per head and selling fast.

Sandy would like to thank La Tabella, KC’s Bar and Grill, Airlie Beach Festival of Music, Waters Edge Resort, Sealink, Mirage, Australia Post Cannonvale, Penfolds Wines, Woodcutters Cottage and Kelly Koolstra-Aplin for their support.

WHAT: Bali Hai Fundraiser Cocktail Party

WHERE: Waters Edge Resort

WHEN: Saturday, February 4

TIME: 5pm – 9pm

TICKETS: https://bit.ly/Bali_Hai

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Waters Edge will host the Bali Hai fundraiser cocktail party

Viva Acoustics will play some classic tunes and get the dancefloor moving

Well respected Mackay community member and educator, Seini Willet, acted for the first time in her life when she took the role of one of the central characters in Black Snow.

Playing Isabel’s mother, the South Sea Islander woman who turned 50 this year said she was humbled by the experience.

“I always say to my students that when there is an opportunity to - give it a go - and so I thought it was time I followed my own advice!” she said.

“And I loved the whole thing! From behind the scenes to seeing what it actually takes to run a production – it was amazing!

“I loved the script and how they weaved the South Sea Islander history into the storyline.

This was the main reason I wanted to be part of it, to show our history because there are so many people who don’t know much about it.”

Seini recounts how, even though it was her first time on-set, all the crew made her feel welcome and accepted.

They had an acting coach that helped them all connect and showed them how to draw from real life experiences.

“Everything you see on the screen is real - real tears, real emotions,” she said.

“The emotions are real because we were so connected, we became like a family.”

The producers went to great efforts to portray a true reflection of culture and characters, using accurate music, language and words.

“It was all done so respectfully, and I feel honoured to be able to share our culture and have our rituals on-set,” said Seini.

“It was all done in a safe environment, all in a collaboration and in a beautiful setting – I feel so honoured to have been part of it.”

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For three months last year, the usually quiet town of Proserpine was bustling with excitement as film crews descended and countless hours were spent shooting scenes across town, many of them featuring local faces who were lucky to be selected.

From the Sugar Mill to the local pub, the cane fields to the old Hospital, many local landmarks were transformed into the set of this enthralling crime series based in the fictional North Queensland town of Ashford.

The series is steeped in South Sea Islander history and tells the story of a 17-year-old girl, played by Talijah Blackman-Corowa, who is about to graduate high school when her life is tragically cut short.

It is 25 years later when a time capsule is unveiled and releases a startling revelation which prompts Detective Cormack, played by Travis Fimmel, to investigate her murder and find answers to long forgotten secrets.

Local Extras Shine In National TV Series

Over 150 local ‘extras’ were involved in filming the TV series Black Snow with many commenting that the whole production team were friendly, respectful and welcoming.

“They held a community BBQ to introduce themselves,” said ‘extra’ Bess Nolan.

“Everyone was really down to earth, friendly, helpful and normal.

“It was lovely to see so much bustle in town and it brought a whole lot of people into the town which was good.”

Bess featured in several scenes over a period of five days and said it was a really fun experience that she would love to do again.

Nine-year-old Proserpine State School student Meela Thornton played Rob Carlton’s on-screen granddaughter and filmed for one day, which happened to be her birthday.

“I had to yell out ‘poppy!’ as we were running down a driveway,” said Meela.

“I really loved everyone on set, especially the grandfather.”

Aspiring actor, Brian McDermott was the man who lifted the top off the time capsule and he said that he loved being on a real set for the first time.

“It was great to get that experience and see how it all works,” said Brian.

For other ‘extras’, it was an opportunity to tick off a bucket list item and try a new experience.

“I’ve done a lot of things in my life, I’m an old bloke and I’ve had a lot of fun,” said retired press photographer Bob Feeney.

“But this was one thing that I hadn’t done, so I thought - why not give it a go?!”

Mark Fornasiero featured in two scenes and agreed with Bob.

“It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do, something on the bucket list!” he said.

All the extras agreed that there were long days and a lot of standing around, but that it didn’t matter because watching ‘behind the scenes’ was fascinating.

“I worked out that I did 22 hours over two days and I think I’m on screen for between five and eight seconds all up!” said Bob.

“Out of those two days filming, there was only about four minutes of screen time – so it’s a lot of money, a lot of repetition but I thought the whole thing was fascinating to be part of.”

Christina Unterwurzacher said she loved how the directors aimed to convey real life emotions.

“They filmed us hearing the contents of the letter for the first time ‘live’ so they got everyone’s real reactions to it,” she said.

“It was really interesting hearing the big reveal on day one.”

For many, however, it was the cultural undertones and the representation of the South Sea Islander community that was closest to their heart.

Adeline Poid brought members of the South Sea Islander community together when she was tasked with recruiting her family and friends.

“I really wanted to be involved because of my own heritage, I have direct family from Tanna, my uncle is still a chief over there,” she said.

“The South Sea Islander Heritage is very real in this area, and it was really interesting to learn about that through a lot of local elders who helped make the series as authentic as possible.”

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Front and centre – local faces appear in STAN mini-series

Nine-year-old Proserpine State School student Meela Thornton filming on-set

Proserpine’s cane fields were a major feature of the crime thriller

The old Hospital became the set of the high school in the Black Snow series where the time capsule was unveiled

Hi Everyone,

I spent a lot of time in Proserpine this week and was reminded once again what a friendly town it is – cars stop in the middle of the street to let you pass, strangers pause for a chat and everyone is smiling as they pass by.

I always leave Proserpine feeling invigorated by the charm and friendly nature of the town and its people – it must be a lovely place to live!

My main reason for visiting was that Black Snow, the Australian TV series that was filmed in Proserpine, had just been released on STAN and the cast of local ‘extras’ were finally allowed to talk to the press.

The day before my visit, I put a social media post up requesting for anyone who was in the series to get in touch with me, and I was overwhelmed by the response.

It seemed that not only had a lot of locals been involved, but also everyone had enjoyed such a positive experience that they couldn’t wait to talk about it!

With very short notice, a group of eight ‘extras’ were able to meet me at a local café, telling me about their individual experiences.

For many of them, our meeting also became a chance to reconnect and reminisce.

Later that day I also received a call from Seini Willett, a South Sea Islander woman who played the mother of Isabel in the series.

She told me how respectful the producers had been about her culture and community, detailing how much it meant to see this side of history brought to the fore on a film set.  

Uniting the experiences of the ‘extras’ who loved being part of all the action on-set with Seini’s heartfelt account of her experience was very fulfilling and I hope you enjoy reading the feature story on pages 3, 12 and 13.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “In times of crisis the wise build bridges and the foolish build barriers” Black Panther

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More reliable electricity is on its way to the Whitsundays following the announcement on Wednesday that a key component needed for the expansion of the Cannonvale substation is due to arrive on-site this week.

As the population in the Greater Airlie Beach Area booms, Ergon Energy have recognised a need to accommodate for the increased demand and a spokesperson said the “investment will increase the network’s capacity and improve the security of the electricity supply for 8,000 homes and businesses”.

“To cater for the projected growth in electricity demand, we need to create additional capacity and flexibility in the network to ensure a reliable power supply now and into the future,” said the spokesperson.

This week a large modular building left Brisbane, embarking on the long journey to the Cannonvale substation site on Shute Harbour Road.

Upon arrival, Ergon provided traffic control measures to ensure everyone's safety while they unloaded and installed the critical piece of equipment.

From Monday, work will start on a key communications link between the substations at Proserpine, Proserpine Mill and Cannonvale, including excavation along Faust and Dodd Streets.

When the installation of a new telecommunications pole, conduit and cables in Proserpine is complete, it will enable remote operation of the Cannonvale substation.

The overall project will refurbish and expand the Cannonvale substation and duplicate key sections of the 66,000-volt underground cable network between the Cannonvale substation and Shute Harbour, providing greater network resilience.

The existing Cannonvale substation control building will remain, and an additional modular building will be built on the site towards the TAFE.

The new substation building is designed to minimise any impact on the visual amenity of the area.

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Kind-hearted teacher and active community member, Karen Collins, passed away on Boxing Day after a brave battle with cancer.

Known also as Miss McKenzie, Karen spent most of her career teaching at local schools and will be remembered fondly by many of her students.

It was in the 1980’s that Karen left her home-city of Melbourne, following a desire to travel around Australia and finding herself falling in love with the beauty of the Whitsunday region.

Deciding to make the area her home, she taught at primary level at Hamilton Island, Cannonvale State School and St Catherine’s Catholic College in Proserpine, shaping many young lives and instilling a love of learning.

Karen was renowned for her kind, caring and generous nature and her love of teaching.

Many will remember her colourful classrooms that were a sight to behold.

Also a high-profile member of the hospitality industry, Karen was an extremely sociable person and well-known member of the wider Whitsunday community.

She was married to local restauranteur, Kevin Collins, for 18 years.

Karen also loved her sport and will be remembered as an avid netball player, competing and winning at World Masters Games level.

She was also involved with numerous fundraising activities both as a member of Cannonvale School staff and as a member of Zonta.

Karen will be missed by many, including family, friends, colleagues and her past pupils who were always dear to her heart.

She is survived by her five siblings.

No memorial service was requested but the family ask everyone who knew her to spend a moment remembering the very best of times and shared memories of this remarkable lady.

Memorial story written in conjunction with Karen’s family and close friends.

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Karen Collins (Miss McKenzie) passed away on Boxing Day

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A whirlwind of ribbon cutting, committee meetings, stakeholder sessions and getting to know the intricacies of Council operations has greeted Mayor Julie Hall during her first four months in office.

Despite the intensity, pressure and fast-paced grind of her position, Mayor Julie assures us that she has loved every second and relished every challenge.

“I promised the rate payers that I would work 100 per cent and give it my all and I can honestly say that I have,” said Mayor Julie.

“It’s been a lot to take in, but I’ve been getting great feedback and I’m really wrapped with how everything has been moving forward - it feels like I have been here a lot longer than four months!”

Mayor Julie was sworn in on August 29, 2022, and since then, the business woman, who has no formal local government experience, has become an accepted and respected leader.

During her election campaign she was determined to increase transparency within Council and also improve the connection with the community, two key issues that she says she has been constantly working towards.

From holding briefings in the smaller regional areas to introducing a new community engagement plan and offering open, educational insights into where rates are spent, Mayor Julie is determined to keep her promises.

She is also using her business background to better understand Council assets and recognise where money can be made, where costs can be reduced, and where more efficient operations can be established.

“I really want to combine our traditional values with progressive thinking to make sure we are moving forward with economic development,” she explains.

“I want to make sure Council continues to maximise our business assets, we’ve got some really good infrastructure such as the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, airport and caravan parks - we need to make sure they are all working at their best.”

One of the biggest surprises for Mayor Julie so far has been the cost of maintaining local roads, many of which are in poor condition.

“The amount of regional infrastructure that we’ve got to maintain for the amount of rate payers we have is incredible – this has been a real eye-opener for me,” she said.

“Infrastructure is not ‘sexy’ but we have a lot of aging infrastructure in our region, it needs attention and that costs a lot of money so I want to make funding for this a big focus this year.”

Overall though, Mayor Julie is excited to be part of a “year of stability” and with the recent appointment of the new CEO, she is confident the final piece of the puzzle has been found.

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2023 Wish List:

1: Improved community engagement – firstly find out what that looks like from the local community through consultation and then deliver

2: Really look at where Council can help with the housing crisis and making sure we are doing everything we can towards supporting State Government in solutions

3:  Regional roads, we’ve got a lot of unsealed roads that are in poor condition, I will be focused on advocating for more funding to resurface unsealed roads

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Mayor Julie Hall at the Whitsunday Regional Council Offices in Proserpine

This Australia Day everyone is invited pull out their cameras and smart phones to try their hand at some amateur photography and enter into a competition with a prize pool of $58,000.

The Australia Day Photography Competition hopes to encourage participation and highlight the many ways Australians take part in our national celebrations.

Photos must be taken on the day, Thursday January 26, and invites participants to tell their Australia Day story through the eye of their camera.

Three finalists from each state and territory will receive $2000 in prize money and the overall national winner will receive $10,000.

What does Australia mean to you? From the backyard cricket match to the community gathering, the big Aussie brekky or the traditional Australia Day swim – capture your moments and turn them into a history shared by our nation this Australia Day.

Competition entries can depict reflection on the past, present and future, respect for each other’s stories, contributions and hopes, or be a celebration of being Australian and part of an ancient, multicultural nation that values each citizen.

Find out how to enter here: australiaday.org.au

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This Australia Day, for the first time, all official regional events will take place at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, bringing the region together for the Australia Day Family Fun Day.

The event will take place from 10am to 1pm and will feature live music and performances, free family fun activities, a jumping castle, face painting, food trucks and more.

There will also be the Australia Day Awards and a Citizenship Ceremony which have been brought together this year as “one inclusive and united regional event”.

“Hosting one regional event allows us to duly honour high achievers and community members that are dedicated to making the Whitsundays a better place,” said a Whitsunday Regional Council spokesperson.

“The location for this event will be rotated between our townships each year allowing us to share the Australian Day celebrations across the whole region.”

If you would like to celebrate Australia Day with the community and enjoy some free family friendly activities, then make sure you head down to the Proserpine Entertainment Centre next Thursday.

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The eighth annual Whitsunday Sports Expo is due to take place next month and the whole community is invited to come and find out about the variety of clubs, groups, teams and individual pursuits we have available in our region.

Dedicated to helping families understand more about the level of commitment, transport requirements, schedule and cost of participating in both sporting and recreational clubs, this event brings all the information into one convenient location.

It’s never been easier to decide which hobby will best suit your family this year, simply attend the Sports Expo and browse over 35 different stalls that provide interactive experiences, information and registration opportunities by local clubs.

Try your hand at tennis, jump on the back of a stationary trail bike, explore a sailing boat, hit a golf ball and meet the team captains of some of Australia’s favourite sports.

This year for the first time, the Bridge Club is also participating, opening the way for a broader range of additional recreational pursuits.

The event will be held at Whitsunday Sportspark on Saturday, February 4 and Sportspark President Justin Butler said that it’s time to get up and active.

“Sporting activities get people off the couch, off the social media and interacting with each other,” he said.

“And this Expo gives parents the opportunity to find out more about the sports we have available in this area.

“We are currently open to additional stall holders and happy for any interested group to approach us.”

WHAT: Whitsunday Sports Expo

WHERE: Whitsunday Sports Park

WHEN: Saturday, February 4 from 9am – 1pm

A wide range of sporting groups will be giving out information at the upcoming Whitsunday Sports Expo

Whitsunday tourism businesses now all have access to a program which will allow them to start tracking and reducing their carbon emissions thanks to a government funding stream and a rise in the amount of eco-conscious travellers visiting our region.

The Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project, which is an initiative of the Whitsunday Regional Council, has recruited 37 ambitious businesses partners from the tourism sector so far and aims to connect with many more following the announcement of further funding.

The four-year project began in 2021 and has been attracting partners from the marine tourism sector, island resorts and marinas ever since.

Lee Hawkins, Climate Change Resilience Officer said the project could not have come at a better time for the local tourism industry.

“The rise of environmentally conscious travellers is rewarding tourism businesses that are making an effort to reduce their carbon footprint,” she said.

“More visitors are looking for eco-tourism options that have a low, or even non-existent environmental impact.”

Any interested businesses are invited to connect with Ms Hawkins and the team to find out how they can get involved.

“All tourism related businesses are invited to join the project and access the free online carbon calculator to measure their operational carbon footprint,” she said.

“The online portal is easy to use and assists businesses to measure impacts, reduce environmental impacts and foster quadruple bottom line reporting.”

The emissions snapshot identifies the emissions from a business and recommends options to reduce them.

So far, a total of 33,195 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions have been measured by Whitsunday tourism businesses to date, with most emissions originating from fuel use in motor vessels and purchased electricity.

This project is made possible by the Queensland Government’s Eco-Certified Tourism Destination Program which is a key initiative under the Towards Tourism 2032 strategy to assist Queensland Local Governments and Regional Tourism Organisations to attain destination-level certification.

For more information or to register interest in joining the Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project, email info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au

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Every day local tour operators are out on the reef and, while their main job is to show visitors our beautiful ecosystems, these days they are also tasked with a bigger calling.

They play an important role in monitoring the reef by creating data which provides valuable information that documents the welfare of our precious marine environment.

Cruise Whitsundays along with a number of other local operators are working closely with the Great Barrier Marine Park to conduct regular assessment and stewardship at specific sites within the Whitsunday Marine Park. Cruise Whitsundays specifically has been tasked with keeping a watchful eye over Hardy Reef, which is the location of Reefworld the Cruise Whitsundays permanently moored pontoon located 39 nautical miles from the mainland in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

As part of their dedication to ensuring the health of the reef, Cruise Whitsundays in collaboration with their dive operator Reef Safari Diving, has a trained team of marine biologists and divers conducting weekly tourism surveys as well as quarterly Reef Health Impact Surveys (RHIS).

This information is constantly sent back to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Association (GBRMPA) and used to compile data on the health of the reef. It can then be used as an early warning system of potential negative impacts on the reef.

Among other things the surveys count coral cover, watch for coral predators such as Crown of Thorns star fish and the Drupella (which is a tiny snail that eats the reef) and also for signs of coral bleaching.

“We report anything unusual and if, for example, there was a large outbreak of Crown of Thorns, then previously GBRMPA would send a specialist team to remove them. However, now our trained staff will be able to remove any predators on the spot and keep numbers under control and our reef healthy.” said Julia Farrell Reef Safari’s Master Reef Guide.

In addition to skilled professionals, there is also opportunity for Citizen Scientists to get involved in initiatives that protect and monitor the reef.

Anyone who has a favourite fishing spot or regularly heads out to the reef is asked to come forward and complete sightings through the “Eye on Reef” app created by The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. You can log marine life you see as well unusual activity.

Individuals do not need to be skilled for this type of data collection as its main purpose is to watch for change and degradation.

A recent report by AIMS (The Australian Institute of Marine Science) stated that the upper and middle Great Barrier Reef actually has more coral cover than when they first started taking records in 1986.

While much media can paint a “doom and gloom” story, it is important to look at the facts and it is statistics like this that inspires Julia to work with the reef.

“I always tell my staff that even if we can change just one per cent then we are making a difference,” she said.

“Martin Luther King didn’t say ‘I have a nightmare’ – he said, ‘I have a dream!’”

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Underwater monitoring proves invaluable in recording vital information for the health of the reef

Cruise Whitsundays conduct monitoring from their pontoon located on Hardy Reef, 39 nautical miles out to sea

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If you could change anything about Proserpine, what would it be and why?

Riley Rule, aged 21

I grew up in Prossie but recently moved to Bundaberg because I couldn’t get an apprenticeship here, so I guess if I could change anything it would be having more employment opportunities for young people here.

Other than that, I think Prossie has it all! I love going out to the dam, fishing, crabbing and four-wheel-driving – I hope one day I can come back to the area.

It’s hard to find a rental though and on an apprentice wage I would have to live with like five other people to be able to afford it! Luckily, I could live with my mum and dad though!

Patti Catling, aged 70

I was born in Prossie but moved away and only came back here a year ago. We grew up here when there were two cinemas in town and I miss that, although it is great to hear the entertainment centre has started showing movies again.

I can remember the days before the cyclone when they did lots of stuff there.

I would love to see an Aldi Supermarket here but other than that, I think it’s got everything we need for people at our stage of life – it’s got a real sense of community – people are ‘real’ here, it’s a real town with real people and I like that.

Richard Davidson and daughter, Mia, aged four

I’d like to see more activities for kids in the area, something to keep them entertained over the holidays and weekends like bowling or go karts.

We only moved here a month ago, on Christmas Eve in fact, but so far the town looks good, it feels safe and happy.

The people are nice and so far it is a good change from the Mornington Peninsula, which is where we moved from.

We bought a house here and heard good things about St Catherine’s School so are feeling pretty good about the area overall.

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