Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Local tourism operators are expressing concern toward troubling times ahead, with the federal government’s new visa restrictions set to shrink the backpacker workforce that drives seasonal operations. The Federal Government’s proposed cuts to Working Holiday Visas have raised concerns across two of the Whitsundays’ biggest industries. Bowen farmers warned that fewer backpackers could leave crops unpicked, and now tourism leaders in Airlie Beach have added that the same cuts could leave local businesses scrambling to find workers that aren’t there. At Airlie Beach’s Heart of the Great Barrier Reef sign, Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tim Booth and Whitsunday Mayor Ry Collins spoke about what the proposed changes could mean for a region that relies heavily on tourism. “We can't have Airlie Beach named Australia's top tourism town in the small category and then have the knees cut out from us by federal policy,” Tim said. The proposed changes form part of the Federal Government’s effort to reduce migration, a topic that has been of hot debate by all three parties that Mayor Ry Collins believes the working holiday visas should be separated from. “Obviously the federal government is really coming in with broad brushstrokes to try and address the publicly perceived issue around net overseas migration (NOM),” said Mayor Collins. “Some of the dialogue I heard last week in Canberra was actually taking that working holiday maker class completely out of the NOM calculation. “I think that's a fair and reasonable way that they can make the numbers look as good as they want but it won't affect the actual number of workers that are here to support our industries.” The new restrictions look to cut the second-year extension on Working Holiday Visas from 57,000 to 45,000 slots, and 3rd year extension from 31,000 to just 5,000. According to Tourism Whitsundays, the Whitsundays hosts about 3,500 backpacker workers at any given time of the year. “I think for regions like the Whitsunday’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average by 0.9%, so at a 3.5% unemployment rate, we just don't have the workforce there that can pick up these roles that the working holidaymaker delivers for our communities,” Tim said. According to figures released by Tourism Whitsundays, in the year ending March 2026, domestic visitors spent $959.1 million in the region and international visitors spent a further $271.8 million. This spending was made possible by the abundance of workers delivering those experiences. “[Working holidaymakers] do a terrific job already in delivering world-class experiences, particularly here in the Whitsundays,” said Mayor Collins. “We do see working holidaymakers really take up that mantle, particularly in areas like customer service roles, hospitality roles, housekeeping roles... “What we're asking for is that we can stay strong as an entire tourism industry.” Having just returned from Canberra, the pair said raising regional and statewide voices is crucial to persuading the Federal Government to reconsider how the proposed restrictions would apply. “And then at a federal level, obviously through our federal member Andrew Wilcox, but we've also engaged with the members of the Labor Party around that as well. “But unfortunately it's starting to feel like a number of issues that we're campaigning on…along with things like disaster recovery funding arrangements which was one we linked into last week.” Photo caption: Whitsunday Mayor Ry Collins and CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Tim Booth. Photo credit: Zach Houtenville
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In this world of AI and other technological advancements, you don’t want to be the person who wanders around the office like a big old clumsy Tyrannosaurus Rex bumping into all the youngsters and stepping on their laptops and other devices. It’s one of the challenges of our times; getting the balance right in business in a world that is increasingly controlled by AI, robotics and a rapidly changing IT environment. I remember, some years ago now, when older family members had refused to embrace computer technology and mobile phones etc. They were really left behind and felt excluded in a world that had moved ahead without them. I’ve got a 19-year-old son who doesn’t have to think about it. Current and evolving technology is part of his life and, like others in his age group, he is completely at ease with something that is just part of his make-up and comprehension of the world around him. The trap you can fall into is letting the kids do all the IT stuff for you. My son set up our old TV with all the streaming services etc, which was the easy option for me, but I find it’s important to get involved and do it yourself otherwise everything will move ahead and you won’t be able to do things for yourself. But I am still stuck in some of the old ways. If I am ordering a takeaway meal I still ring the restaurant and go and pick it up. The old T-Rex wanders into the Thai or Indian joint and picks up his plastic bag of goodies, pays, and drives home. There aren’t many of us left. Uber Eats baby. Everyone has embraced it. My wife and daughter were having dinner together in Brisbane recently and my daughter noticed that her stockings or tights had “run” or a ladder in them. My wife suggested she jump in the car and drive to a nearby supermarket and get another pair. But my daughter ordered a new pair to be delivered to the restaurant by Uber. They were there in a jiffy and the night continued without the pesky interruption of having to leave the restaurant to buy them. It’s a great example of the modern world making things easier and how many of us need to ensure we are adjusting and understanding how things can now be done. There is another side to the coin, however. People have told me that I should get AI to write my columns. They say I could give it some examples of columns I have written and give it an idea for a new column and tell it to knock out 600 words on my chosen topic in my style of writing. It’s something I would never do. Apart from the fact that it would somehow seem like I was cheating, it would also not be authentic. I feel that however boring or pedestrian my stories and comments are, at least they are mine. They have come from my noggin, my experiences. It is my take on the world, not something that has been cobbled together by artificial intelligence. It’s similar in the world of real estate and, I’m sure, business generally. You need to embrace the technology, use it when it creates a better service, a superior experience for buyers and a better result for sellers. But there is still a place for picking up the phone and calling buyers, following up from open homes, doing the hard work that needs to be done as an agent. In a world of AI, robotics and Uber Everything the human element, the person-to-person connection still needs to happen to deliver good service and create the best result for clients.
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Maisy is a beautiful little soul who seems to understand that the very best place in the world is right beside someone she loves. She is affectionate, gentle, social and wonderfully trusting. She loves curling up on a welcoming lap, snuggling into your arms and settling close enough to make you feel as though you have always belonged together. Maisy is generous with her purrs, her cuddles and her sweet little air biscuits. She even places her paw in your hand as if to say, “I choose you.” But this gorgeous girl is not only a champion snuggler. Maisy is playful, curious and full of kitten joy. She loves exploring her toys, chasing anything that moves and turning ordinary moments into entertainment. She will happily amuse herself, but everything is even more fun when her favourite person joins in. She has that perfect combination of affection and personality, soft and loving when it is time to cuddle, and playful and bright when it is time for fun. Maisy will bring warmth to your home, companionship to your days and a little paw to hold whenever you need it. If you are looking for a kitten who will play with you, curl up with you and love being part of your life, Maisy may be the girl you have been waiting for. Maisy has been desexed, microchipped, received her first vaccination, been wormed and is litter trained. She is ready to begin her beautiful new life as a much-loved indoor companion. To arrange a meet and greet with Maisy, please call Ros on 0403 814 318.
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Tarren McAuley, Web Director and Co-Owner I remember when those AI posters started popping up – the first one looked kinda different. By the end of the week, when I’d seen 30 of them, I was much less enamoured + actively scrolled past anything that had that telltale paint smear style font. It’s not that the quality had gotten any worse between me seeing that first one + when I was sick of them by the 30th. But it was no longer novel or original. I think AI is especially susceptible to this because as soon as someone discovers a winning formula, everyone else jumps on the bandwagon, but because everyone is getting similar outputs, it gets old – quick. I think brands can fall into a similar trap. Humans are always looking for inspiration + when seeking it out, where better to look than the other players in your field. If you’re a tech company, you’re going to look at Samsung, Apple + the like. But when that happens too much, you get a feedback loop of samey-ness. For me, this is best exemplified by airline logos. Look at Qantas + Virgin, probably the two biggest brands in Australia. Both use a red plane-like icon, w/ their logo in big letters next to it. Bit cherry picked but even the other big players’ logos are similar - Emirates uses mainly red + shakes it up by having a slightly more exotic font. Jetstar ditches the red for orange + has their icon at the end but it has similar visual markers. This isn’t unique to logos, like w/ the poster example earlier – it could be your social tiles, your website or even your company email sig. Whatever it is, if you wake up one day + notice that the other businesses around you are looking a bit too similar, that should be your sign to start looking at a rebrand to shake off the rust + re-establish your unique identity. You know, until the cycle repeats again!
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Scott AKA Dr Morrissey – hard at work. Photo supplied
Residents of the Greater Whitsunday Region are no stranger to the burden of box jellyfish. They have no brain; they pose a deadly threat and have been nearly impossible to detect in the water – at least until now.
Growing up in Bowen, Dr Scott Morrissey’s passion for marine life was fostered by the town’s beautiful beaches and the opportunities they provided for underwater exploration.
“I spent as much time as I possibly could underwater. I wanted to learn as much as I could about what I was seeing,” Scott said.
With a robust education courtesy of Bowen State High School, Scott was able to foster his passion for marine life.
“Chemistry is okay but it’s like cooking to me. Physics was too much math. Biology was what I really enjoyed. It’s about building an understanding of how everything works together and why things are happening in the environment. It’s great learning biology because you can go outside and apply what you’ve learnt immediately. It definitely resonated with me.”
Scott’s classic North Queensland grievances towards the threat of box jellyfish influenced a unique study path that eventually led him to producing groundbreaking research.
“Box jellyfish are a huge pain in the backside, especially in summertime when you want to snorkel. The more I looked into jellyfish, the more I realised we actually know very little about them considering the threat they pose. So thought it would be a pretty coolplace to start asking questions.”
Following his undergrad studies at James Cook University in Townsville, Scott pursued further studies through a PhD leading to monumental research breakthroughs in the realm of jellyfish.
“Jellyfish are basically invisible in the water. We know very little about what causes them to appear, when they’re going to appear and how many of them will be there. I wanted to try and create a new way to be able to detect them.”
Scott applied general characteristics of biology to investigate the phenomena further.
“When animals move through an environment, they leave behind their DNA in the form of things like skin, snot or blood. It’s like how forensic scientists scan for DNA at a crime scene. Our method is quite similar. We take two litres of water and filter it down, leaving us with a soup of DNA that’s been left behind by all animals in the area. We search through that and look to see if there is any jellyfish DNA and we use that as a means of detection.”
This research will aid in risk management and monitoring safety around beaches.
“The more we understand about them and what they’re doing – the better equipped we are to assess and manage risk. With normal species there is so much information related to population figures and movement that we don’t have with jellyfish. If we’re able to fill in that gap of knowledge, then we will have a complete understanding so that we can actually forecast likelihood of jellyfish in the area with greater accuracy.”
The research is will also have broader application on both national and international levels.
“We’ve been working with another group in Western Australia. They also have really nasty Irukandji jellyfish that love to sting tourists. We’ve been able to apply the technology to that species and it’s starting to be picked up internationally. There’s work being done in Thailand. The hope is we can continue the research and start looking at things such as are box jellyfish moving South.”
Scott shows no signs of slowing down as he continues to consolidate his work.
“I would love to be able to conduct our lab work on site to reduce delays. If we can test the water straight away, then we can get an answer on site in three hours as opposed to the three to four days it would take in a lab. I would love to get the process down to an hour or even 45 minutes. It would be great to even develop some sort of user-friendly tool that anyone could use.”
Scott expressed gratitude to the support he’d received for his work.
“I need to say thanks to Lions Australia, they fund 99% if this research.”
The Bowen and greater Whitsunday community look upon Dr Morrissey with pride and keenly anticipate the amazing work he will no doubt continue to do.
ANZAC Day is one of the most important days on our calendar as a time for us, as a community, to pause, reflect and come together.
Across the Whitsundays, services will be held in towns and communities from Bowen to Proserpine, Airlie Beach to Collinsville, and in our smaller rural areas. These gatherings are a chance for all of us to stand side by side and honour those who have served our nation and those who never returned.
As Mayor, I have the privilege of representing our community at these services, but ANZAC Day belongs to everyone.
It belongs to the families who have carried the legacy of service through generations. It belongs to the veterans who continue to serve our community in different ways. And it belongs to every resident who takes a moment to remember the sacrifices that have shaped the freedoms we enjoy today.
Here in the Whitsundays, service and sacrifice are not distant concepts, they are part of our local story. From Gallipoli to the Western Front, from the Pacific to more recent conflicts, generations of Australians have answered the call to serve including men and women from right here in our region.
This year, we also recognise the theme “Women in Service” acknowledging the vital role women have played, and continue to play, in defending our nation and supporting our communities.
Among them are people like Commander Natasha Burney, who has ties to the Whitsunday community and served in Afghanistan — a reminder that the ANZAC spirit lives on in people from communities just like ours.
Their stories remind us that the ANZAC spirit is not something distant, it is part of who we are as a community.
ANZAC Day is also about connection.
Standing shoulder to shoulder at a dawn service. Watching the march. Sharing a quiet moment with family, friends and neighbours.
These traditions matter.
They ensure that the service and sacrifice of past and present servicemen and women is never forgotten and that future generations understand the cost of the freedoms we often take for granted.
Bring your family. Bring your children. Help pass on the meaning of this day to the next generation.
Because remembrance is not just about looking back, it’s about ensuring those stories and values continue into the future.
This ANZAC Day, let’s stand together as a community, united in respect and gratitude.
Lest we forget.
Whitsunday Chamber President Allan Milostic Photo supplied
Last week, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented the region’s business community at a roundtable with the Queensland Minister for Small and Family Business, Steve Minnikin, alongside the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Queensland Cross-Border Commissioner, peak state and national industry bodies, and regional Chambers of Commerce.
The roundtable provided an important opportunity for knowledge exchange, bringing forward real-world examples and discussing targeted, practical interventions to address both the short- and long-term impacts of the current fuel situation. The Chamber’s focus was clear: ensuring a strong regional perspective was part of the conversation.
Being at the table means more than representation, it’s about shaping outcomes. By engaging directly with decision-makers, the Chamber ensures local priorities are heard, understood, and acted upon for the benefit of the entire Whitsundays community.
Chamber President Allan Milostic said it was critical the region remains at the forefront of discussions.
“These conversations are where real advocacy begins. Being part of these discussions ensures the concerns of our region are not only heard but can be elevated at both state and federal levels where decisions are made,” he said.
Data from Business Chamber Queensland highlights the scale of the issue, with 95% of Queensland businesses reporting impacts, and more than 70% experiencing major or severe challenges.
Allan said the situation is rapidly escalating for regional communities.
“We are hearing from businesses experiencing supply chain challenges more significant than those during COVID lockdowns. Flights into the region are being reduced, impacting both tourism and freight. At the same time, consumer confidence is being reported lower than during COVID, affecting discretionary spending and travel commitments, with a noticeable shift toward online purchasing,” he said.
“The high cost of living and high cost of doing business existed before the fuel crisis, they are now being amplified.”
Locally, the impacts are being felt across all sectors, with flow-on effects for businesses, workers, and the broader community.
The Chamber is encouraging practical, community-led responses:
The Chamber is also reinforcing key advocacy priorities, including:
Have Your Say
To strengthen its advocacy, the Chamber is calling on regional businesses to share their experiences.
Businesses are invited to complete a short survey to help inform ongoing advocacy efforts and ensure the real impacts of the fuel crisis are clearly communicated to all levels of government.
Contributed with thanks to the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry
A historical landmark, this monument will soon celebrate it’s centenary year. Photo source: Facebook
On ANZAC Day 2026, the Bowen Cenotaph (War Memorial) will commemorate 100 years since it was unveiled. The Cenotaph rises from Herbert Street, with its sandstone digger standing sentinel over a memorial, erected by the people of Bowen a century ago to remember those who died in World War One.
The memorial was unveiled on 25 April 1926 by Mr Forgan Smith M.L.A.
Additional names were added at a later date to remember those killed in World War Two and the Vietnam War. According to ANZAC Square, the plaque lists the names of 53 WWI soliders, 28 WWII soldiers and 4 Vietnam War soldiers. It was built by A.L Petrie & Sons.
The memorial has been restored and the original marble plaques have been replaced by black granite plaques. It originally featured a clock tower, however the clocks were damaged in a cyclone in 1958 and have not been replaced.
The front inscription states:
Erected by the citizens of Bowen,
In honour of those who fell in the Great War 1914-1919.
Their name liveth for evermore. We shall remember them.
On ANZAC Day there will be a Dawn Service at 5.45am at the Cenotaph and a march at 9am from the RSL to the Cenotaph for service.
Regina the turtle has been rescued and treated following boat strike & ‘float’ disorder. Photo source: Facebook
Last week, local conservation group Eco Barge took a turtle named Regina into their care following months long surveys from dedicated Hayman Island staff. Regina caught a free ride on the ferry and came into the care of the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre.
Regina is currently suffering from float, a disorder in which turtles are unable to submerge properly and become stuck floating at the surface of the water. She is also recovering from a partially healed but visible boat-strike injury to her shell. Regina is the largest turtle in Eco Barge’s care and carries great wisdom from her 50 years of living.
“A massive thank you to all the helping hands from Hayman Island Staff that went to great lengths to rescue Regina and bring her into care,” the team shared.
“We’ll give Regina some rest and refuelling in our centre and hope to have her swimming back around the beautiful Hayman Island in no time.”
Here’s to a speedy recovery for this wonderful animal.
Val and Michael Kimpton, Elizabeth Hackett Photo supplied
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) is the peak body for Queensland’s tourism sector, acting as the ‘Voice of Tourism’. It advocates for tourism, hospitality, and event operators, focusing on policy development, research and business mentoring to ensure long term sustainability is achieved.
QTIC celebrated 25 years of advocacy on the 14th April supporting the Tourism Industry. This milestone was marked by a sell-out luncheon at the Emporium Hotel South Bank, Brisbane. This special networking Event celebrated the people, partnerships and dedication that have helped shape the Queensland tourism and events industry.
There were many inspiring speeches by our tourism leaders including the Hon Andrew Powell MP. The Q & A segment chaired by their CEO, Tash Wheeler and formerly CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, was one of the highlights.
The Whitsundays were well represented by our CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Tim Booth, Tourism Whitsunday Board members Elizabeth Hackett, Daniel Gschwind and Tom Young together with members Michael and Val Kimpton representing the award winning Airlie Beach Triathlon in the Whitsundays.
Contributed with thanks to Michael Kimpton
The wreckage at Rose Bay is to be cleared by an out-of-town contractor this week after months of local volunteer action.
The announcement of a government-funded removal of boat debris strewn across the Whitsundays by Ex-tropical Cyclone Koji caused controversy last week, with locals calling for transparency as to why local towing companies were not consulted by Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) to take away the vessels.
When out-of-town corporation Clayton’s Towing announced they had been engaged to remove the vessel 7 Wonders from where it had been decaying on Bowen’s Rose Bay, locals sparked into conversation, asking the question: Why was a local business not called upon to take care of the refuse?
Darren Foster from Whitsunday Moorings & Marine Construction explained his frustration.
“During the last cyclones, the locals got a lot of work.” He said.
“Debbie, Louie, you know, all the big ones, the locals worked together. We got the job done. And it's just very unusual that, for whatever reason, there was no consultation with any of the local providers at all.”
“Generally, there's two ways that tenders go out. One, they go out for public tender, and it's just listed on a public tender site. When the tenders go out, we put in a price, and depending on whether or not we're competitive, we get it. In this case though, it appears that itwent out to a very closed group of tenders.
“There are local companies perfectly capable of undertaking the lifting and removal of those wrecks. After an event like [Ex-tropical Cyclone Koji], we all suffer financially because of the loss of tourists in the area. And when there's less tourists in the area, our clients have got less money to pay us, so we suffer as well.
“MDive, the company that have secured a lot of the work, are a Gladstone based company, who are looking to establish themselves here in the Whitsunday. We don’t hold any problem with that. However, a fair playing field would be a nice place to start.”
David suggested this wasn’t the first time local companies had lost out on work within the region.
“I personally assisted local senior parks rangers to develop the terms of reference to allow the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Authority to release the maintenance of the Whitsundays Public Moorings to private companies for tender.
“Not once in 16 years has a local company won that tender. Despite the fact that the local tender was cheaper and had very high experience in moorings repairs and maintenance.”
David Edge from David Edge Marine Contracting added to the conversation, calling on the government to explain the salvage decision.
“Overlooking local operators has happened in the past with MSQ, [for example] a vessel lodged in the mud at Cannonvale a few years ago, where MSQ gave the job to a Townsville company to salvage at a cost of $1.7 million with no tender issues, which we were more than qualified to perform,” he alleged.
“Before the state became involved, we quoted the vessel’s owner $90,000 to float the vessel.”
At the time of print we are waiting for a comment from MSQ.
Abandoned and left to rust. Residents say this vehicle is just one example of ongoing dumping issues at Adelaide Point Boat Ramp. Photo credit: Kari Ravizza
A growing pattern of holiday dumping has left residents at their wits’ end after yet another abandoned vehicle was left at Adelaide Point Boat Ramp, just south of Bowen town centre.
Over the long Easter weekend, residents woke to find that instead of chocolate eggs, someone had dumped an abandoned, rusted fibreglass boat at the ramp, stripped of parts and filled with old, worn-out tyres.
"I was very disappointed to discover somebody had dumped a boat and old tyres at the creek landing during the night - this is vandalism,” expressed Adelaide Terrace resident, Lyndy McCathie.
An eyesore to say the least, the vessel joins another abandoned vehicle dumped over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, which, despite being reported to authorities, remains at the boat ramp.
Jamie Volker, who has lived on Adelaide Terrace for several years, said he’s frustrated by the ongoing issue and believes installing an additional skip bin could help curb the amount of rubbish being left along the road, noting that some people travel from Bowen and Airlie Beach to dump waste instead of taking it to the tip.
“Very little action has been taken and we’re frustrated and annoyed,” said Mr Volker.
“I’ve personally cleaned up rubbish that has been dumped at the end of Adelaide Point Road as well as the boat ramp several times and all this illegal dumping makes our little community look bad.”
Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential environmental impact, with dumping materials such as tyres and fiberglass posing risks to local waterways and marine life.
Whitsunday Regional Council confirmed they’re aware of the abandoned vehicle, and Council’s Local Laws Officers conducted two official inspections on both Friday, 10 April and Monday 13 April. A request has since been made for a towing contractor to remove the vehicle to Whitsunday Regional Council’s impound yard.
“Once a vehicle or vessel is deemed abandoned, Council coordinates removal to the impound facility where it remains until they are either reclaimed by the owner or disposed of in accordance with Council’s Abandoned Vehicle Auction process,” said a Whitsunday Regional Council spokesperson.
“At this stage, aside from the vehicle, there is no evidence of unlawful dumping occurring in the area. Council encourages the community to report any suspected illegal dumping as soon as possible so action can be taken promptly.”
Residents are urging those responsible to be held accountable and are calling for stronger action to prevent further dumping at the popular local spot.
Image from Pexels
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has given approval for another set of traffic lights in Cannonvale, 500 metres from where the last set was installed on Shute Harbour Road near Whitsunday Plaza. Councillor Clay Bauman took to Facebook this week, reigniting the traffic light vs roundabout debate.
“We all know traffic volumes have increased as our region continues to grow. The question now is whether the solutions being delivered are the right ones for long term safety, flow and liveability.”
A Council spokesperson stated that ultimately this is a TMR decision although the topic will come before Council for debate and a vote in the coming weeks.
A simple act of kindness has highlighted the quiet generosity that exists within the local community, after a Jubilee Pocket woman was helped home by a stranger when she needed it most.
Jacqueline Brooks found herself stranded at the Friendly Grocer in Jubilee Pocket with a flat phone and no way to organise transport. It was then that a kind-hearted woman stepped in, offering her a lift home without hesitation.
Despite the stressful situation, Jacqueline said the woman’s willingness to help ensured she made it home safely.
“I haven’t been able to retrieve her contact information. If you are this beautiful woman, I would just like to say thank you so much,” she said.
The thoughtful gesture has left a lasting impression, serving as a reminder of the strength of community spirit in the region.
Though the woman remains anonymous, her actions speak volumes, offering help not for recognition, but simply out of kindness.
Mayor Williamson, Carmel Baretta, and Leo Baretta.
Hundreds of community members gathered in Mackay’s city centre on Saturday for the official unveiling of three life-sized bronze statues honouring Maltese pioneers who helped shape the region’s history.
The statues of Emmanuel Camilleri, Sam Bezzina and John Vassallo now stand proudly on the corner of Wood and Victoria streets – a location long known locally as “Maltese Corner”, where migrant businessmen would regularly gather to talk, support one another and build their futures in Mackay.
The project, delivered by the Maltese Corner Fundraising Group Inc, recreates a historic photograph capturing the men meeting at the site, symbolising the spirit of collaboration that helped generations of migrants establish themselves in the region.
On Friday, 17th April, a day prior to the official unveiling, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the statues recognise the enduring contribution of Maltese migrants to the region’s identity and economy.
“Tomorrow we are unveiling three magnificent statues here on the corner of Victoria and Wood Streets,” he said ahead of the event.
“This particular corner was where the Maltese guys sat around, just like a little piazza in Malta. They sat here waiting for the banks to open – probably waiting for the pub to open as well – while their wives went shopping and they did their business.”
Mayor Williamson said the tribute reflected Mackay’s long-standing connection with Maltese settlement.
“Mackay is recognised as the heart of Maltese settlement in Australia,” he said.
“The Maltese have done a fantastic job in our community for decades and decades, and this is a tribute to those who helped build our sugar industry and our region.”
The project has been largely community-funded, with the Maltese Association raising more than $250,000 towards the statues, supported by about $45,000 in council grants.
For Carmel Baretta, president of the Maltese Corner Fundraising Group, the unveiling marks a rather emotional sentiment.
“In 2001, a friend and I published a book on the Maltese pioneers of Mackay,” Ms Baretta said.
“While we were working on that book, I was aware of Maltese Corner and asked a photographer to quietly capture a photograph of the men meeting here because they gathered regularly.”
That image later became the inspiration for the statues.
Ms Baretta said the corner held significant historical meaning for the community.
“The greatest significance is that these people helped others become established,” she said.
“And it wasn’t only Maltese helping Maltese,” Ms Baretta said.
“Some Italians were involved, some returned soldiers were helped, and some local people from Mackay as well.”
The initiative also honours the legacy of the Mosta Building Society, established in 1966 as a result of the cooperative financial support that began on the corner.
The statues themselves were created by local sculptor Kay Payton, chosen after extensive research into bronze works across North Queensland.
“We decided Kay Payton was the ideal person, primarily because she was local and because she is so gifted,” Ms Baretta said.
“She was just absolutely fantastic to work with.”
With the statues now permanently installed, organisers hope the site will encourage residents and visitors alike to pause, reflect and learn more about the community stories that helped build Mackay.
With ANZAC Day approaching, locals gathered at Proserpine Cemetery on Saturday 18th April to pay tribute to the nearly 400 service men and women laid to rest there; a local tradition organised by Lyn Burke which is now in its eleventh year.
The event saw flags placed beside the graves of veterans, including Boer War veterans, Gallipoli survivors, Rats of Tobruk, Prisoners of War, Commandos & many more.
Aquarium Coral Photo supplied
Flying under the radar is a little-known fishery that operates within one of the world’s most iconic ecosystems: coral harvesting.
Many Australians would be surprised to learn that the Great Barrier Reef supports the country’s largest coral fishery. Each year, up to 190 tonnes of coral are removed from the Reef, much of it destined for the domestic and international aquarium trade. Among these are some of the Reef’s most unique and visually striking species—highly prized, yet ecologically vital.
The Great Barrier Reef is often celebrated for its beauty and biodiversity, but it is also an ecosystem under immense stress. Climate change has driven increasingly frequent and severe mass bleaching events, while cyclones and flooding have compounded the damage. Together, these disturbances have contributed to some of the most significant declines in coral cover ever recorded.
Against this backdrop, the harvesting of live coral raises difficult questions. Many of the same species targeted by the Queensland Coral Fishery are those already vulnerable to bleaching and mortality. Removing healthy corals from the ecosystem can reduce the Reef’s natural capacity to recover from disturbances, potentially undermining broader conservation and restoration efforts.
This creates an apparent contradiction. Governments have invested heavily in protecting and restoring the Reef, funding initiatives aimed at improving water quality, supporting coral regrowth, and enhancing resilience. Yet, at the same time, a regulated industry continues to extract coral from the wild.
To be clear, the fishery does not operate without oversight. Strict quotas, spatial zoning, and licensing conditions are in place to manage harvesting. Exceeding quotas or collecting coral from protected “green zones” can result in significant penalties.
Enforcement, however, remains an ongoing challenge. In 2016, the first prosecution for illegal coral harvesting since the 2003 rezoning plan occurred in Gladstone, where divers were caught collecting coral in a no-take zone. Since then, there have been more than 20 prosecutions linked to illegal coral collection within the marine park, many involving commercial operators.
Such incidents raise concerns about the industry’s “social licence”—the level of public trust and acceptance it holds. Increasingly, reef tourism operators, scientists, and environmental groups are calling for tighter restrictions, with some advocating for a complete ban on wild coral harvesting.
Despite this, the fishery continues. In 2024, it received federal approval to operate for another three years. Authorities have indicated that a revised ecological risk assessment and updated harvest strategy will be completed by 2026, potentially shaping the industry’s future.
That future may lie beyond the Reef itself. Aquaculture—growing coral in controlled tank environments—has long been promoted as a sustainable alternative. It offers the potential to supply the aquarium trade without removing corals from the wild, easing pressure on an already stressed ecosystem.
As the Great Barrier Reef faces an uncertain future, so does coral harvesting. For many, the answer is clear: the Reef’s corals are far more valuable alive, thriving in their natural habitat, than they are as commodities.
Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Conservation Council
Whales of the Whitsundays team celebrating when the Whitsundays was formally recognised as a Whale Heritage Site. Photo supplied
There are a lot of things that make the Whitsundays special. Beautiful islands, the great barrier reef, a wonderful community. But in addition to all of that – this region has special ecological features that the rest of the country can look upon with envy. Every year, the Whitsundays serves as a breeding ground and cohabitation spot for one of planet earths most magnificent creatures: the whale.
A few years ago, a huge effort was put forward by the Whitsunday Conservation Council and Whale of the Whitsundays to make the area a Whale Heritage Area – resulting in a resounding success.
This was particularly special because the Whitsundays was the first whale heritage site located in a UNESCO world heritage area and now features a special whale protection area zone.
“It’s a major birthing zone for humpbacks. A lot of locals don’t realise how many humpbacks visit the area, let alone how significant the East coast population is,” said Kellie Leonard, Master Reef Guide and Whale of the Whitsundays member.
Every year humpback whales migrate from the Antarctic to the warm water of the Great Barrier Reef – this is due to take place in just a few weeks.
In 2009, researchers discovered that whales gave birth right here in the Whitsundays. The Whitsundays is proven to be a perfect location for breeding thanks to deep troughs close to shallow reef, where whales can give birth and then move their calves to shallow water. In shallow water there is less chance of predator attack from below and the mother can support the calf near the surface so it can breathe.
The establishment of thriving breeding ground is incredible for a species that were almost wiped out decades ago due to mass illegal whale culling.
“They recovered amazingly from the whaling in the 60s. Their comeback is quite a remarkable story,” shared Ms Leonard.
Another fascinating and beautiful aspect of whales and whale research, is whale’s songs.
The local organisations in collaboration with Queensland University has carried out significant research into one of nature’s most interesting phenomena.
“We have been recoding humpback whale songs in the Whitsundays during the past two whale seasons. The songs are submitted to the University of Queensland, specifically the Centre for Marine Science,” added Ms Leonard.
With the help of the director – Professor Michael Noad and PhD student Genevieve Williams, the research has provided incredible findings.
“The songs of these whales are one of the most complex acoustic displays of any animal known. Social sounds are made by all whales; however only male humpback whales sing songs.”
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The songs even have a structure.
“There are seven individual populations of humpback whales in the southern hemisphere. The Australian East Coast humpback whales are a single population. Amazingly, all males in one population sing the same song.”
Humpbacks can be located based on the content of their song. They listen to each other’s song and incorporate each other’s evolutions as part of their social learning.
Songs are recorded through a hydrophone – an underwater microphone connected to an amplifier and recording device. Humpback whales can be recorded from 5 to 10 kilometres away.
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Kellie has personally recorded whale song off the coast of Hamilton Island and posted it to Facebook.
“Often, I’m in the water with a hydrophone. I can’t see them, but I know they’re there.”
Whale research and sighting may seem reserved for experts, however, Whale of the Whitsundays are actively urging the broader community to get involved.
“There is an app called Eye of the Reef. All you need to do is upload photos and videos of sightings you have.”
Whale of the Whitsundays will be hosting an information night on the 19th May at the Whitsunday Sailing Club at 6.30pm.
WHAT: Whitsunday Whale Heritage Area Information Night
WHEN: 19th May, 6.30pm
WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club
Troy Liesch is a Property Specialist with the Taylors Team, bringing many years of experience in the sale of rural and residential property across Central Queensland and the Whitsundays region.
With a strong background in both lifestyle and acreage markets, Troy offers a grounded, practical approach to real estate, supported by extensive local knowledge and a deep understanding of what drives successful property outcomes in regional Queensland. His experience allows him to confidently guide clients through every stage of the selling process, from appraisal through to settlement.
Now part of the Taylors Team, Troy continues to build on his reputation for professionalism, reliability, and commitment to achieving the best possible results for his clients.
Outside of real estate, Troy is firmly rooted in the Whitsundays community, where he lives with his wife and their three children. Family life plays a central role for him, and he enjoys spending his time supporting his children’s sporting activities, attending dance events, and socialising with friends and neighbours throughout the region.
For enquiries or property advice, Troy can be contacted on 0428 646 599 or via email at troy@tpsre.com.au.
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