Warning: Confrontational Salesman

Whitsunday police received reports regarding behaviour of a 50– to 60-year-old man with tanned complexion and short dark hair who frequents business and shopping centre car parks.

The heavy-set man is allegedly insistently and confrontationally approaching elderly or vulnerable shoppers and offering services to repair damaged vehicle windscreens.

Anyone with safety concerns should contact police immediately.

‍

Vessel Trespassers Charged

Two people were charged for allegedly entering a vessel moored in Airlie Beach at The Beacons on March 26 at 12.30am.

It's alleged the caretaker of a moored 30-metre-long vessel found two males in the cabin. The men decamped after being verbally challenged.

Police checked CCTV footage, conducted interviews, and patrolled the area before subsequently arresting and charging a 28 year old male Brisbane resident.

He will appear in the Proserpine Magistrates Court on April 17 for charges of trespass and unlawful entry of a vessel.

A 27-year-old Caboolture man was arrested on the same charges and an additional charge of unlawful possession of a dangerous drug (cocaine) and will appear in court on the same date

‍

With 57 homeless young people turning to youth support service YIRS in the month of February, calls are being made for more funding to be funnelled into youth services.

YIRS (Youths Information Referral Service) is a youth service for young people aged between 8 and 21 and their families, with the most commonly seen issues facing Mackay’s young people being homelessness, mental health and education.

An average of 20,000 young people present to YIRS a year, and, with only four staff, Service Manager Dee Chapman said more funding is required to provide intervention and support to our young people.

“There’s just not enough manpower,” Ms Chapman said.

“The demand is high, ongoing and increasing.

“We talk about crime in youth but, basically, their basic needs aren’t being met.

“If we put more supports in place for this youth, we’re going to see less crime.”

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm welcomed changes to breach of bail legislation that was passed in the Queensland Parliament earlier in the month criminalising breach of bail for children aged 10 to 17 years.

“Juvenile repeat offenders are causing havoc in the community and to deter these young criminals it was crucial that we reinstate the breach of bail offences,” Ms Camm said.

Ms Camm is now calling for increases to funding for youth services in regional communities to prevent children from becoming involved in criminal activity.

“This government talks about early intervention and supporting young people with complex needs, yet for my community of Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays there has been not one increase in funding in the past decade,” she said.

“My local community’s service, YIRS, is now using reserve funding and making a loss each year to support young people — young people with complex mental health issues who are known to Child Safety and the youth justice system.”

53 per cent of the young people that present to YIRS are victims of abuse, trauma or neglect, 41 per cent are under a current child protection order and 49 per cent have mental health issues.

Ms Chapman said, with more funding, these young people will have better access to the support they need.

“Young people bounce back from trauma if we intervene early enough and put those supports in place,” she said.

‍

‍

YIRS Service Manager Dee Chapman and Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm at YIRS One Stop Youth Shop Mackay. Photo supplied: Office of Amanda Camm

‍

Hi Everyone,

Let’s talk Easter Bonnets!

This week my son and I created a Minecraft Easter Bunny ‘Bonnet’ for his school parade which was held on Wednesday.

I’m sure many of you out there have also been part of the excitement of this crafty Easter tradition – paint splotches on the carpet, sticky fingers on couches, half-complete projects abandoned . . . and there you are at 9 o’clock in the evening glueing last minute accessories onto the masterpiece!

It’s a wonderful tradition, and I truly enjoyed spending time with my son, watching his eyes light up as a cardboard box was transformed into a Minecraft-inspired Easter bunny.

Squares were wonky and excess glue was making the paper creased, I found myself trying to correct his placements, make it perfect – but then I stopped myself and let go – this wasn’t a display of great parenting, this was an expression of creative joy, a project for him.

When we got to school, he was proudly wielding his bonnet, which was actually more like a mask, and I watched as his friends gathered.

Everyone was showing off their hats and other kids were keen to see what it was like inside the Minecraft Bunny.

Apparently, when he did his roll call in his classroom this morning he asked his teacher to call him Minecraft Bunny – “good morning Mrs Bunny” – he said afterwards.

As we all enjoy the Easter festivities, let’s remember that family and friends are at the heart of everything we do – quality time is the most important gift we can give anyone – so call your parents, spend time with your children, say hi to your neighbours and stop to talk to a stranger on the street.

Rach

“Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans” (John Lennon)

‍

The Sugar City's young political aspirants are being given the opportunity to run for Youth Councillor positions and become Young Mayor of Mackay in May through a Queensland-first initiative.

Through an Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) and Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) partnership, young people will be able to participate in a ‘Young Mayors’ program, vote in the region’s first Youth Council election, and get their first look at democracy in action.

Mackay Regional Council will be the first Queensland local government to pilot the program which hopes to promote electoral participation among young people.

Despite recent Federal Election results in which young voters turned out in record numbers, concerns for local- and state-level electoral enrolments remain – a recent Australian Electoral Commission study stated participation by youth was a “great concern in many democracies today”.

Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said ECQ is delighted to be supporting this initiative which “will help young people to improve their knowledge about elections and be ready to vote when they turn 18.”

“Importantly, the program will inspire young people to learn about the electoral system and how they can influence decisions that impact their community,” Mr Vidgen said.

“The Young Mayors program will support people aged 17 and under to get elected to a youth council, positioning young people as decision-makers on issues that impact their future in the Mackay region.”

Over a week in May, young people will experience an election campaign and a week of voting to elect a 12-seat Youth Council.

Elected by their peers, the Youth Council will then nominate a Young Mayor, set an agenda for their 12-month term in office and work with the Mackay Regional Council on specific issues.

FYA’s Executive Director of Civic and Cultural Engagement Molly Whelan said local governments play a huge role in the everyday lives of people in Queensland communities, and “that includes young people. But young people are often locked out of power – consulted but never in charge”.

“This program puts young people in the driver’s seat – ensuring that council policies and programs better reflect the concerns, needs, and desires of local young people,” they said.

The Young Mayors program was designed by Foundation for Young Australians and is based on successful United Kingdom models.

Other Australian councils - in Victoria, and New South Wales – will launch their iterations of the program across 2023 and 2024, with Mackay the first of a proposed number of Local Councils in Queensland to participate.

Youth Council members can be as young as 11, and more information can be found online at: https://www.fya.org.au/young-mayors-mackay/

‍

‍

A Queensland-first Young Mayors program has begun in Mackay with election canvassing to start in May for a ‘Youth Council’

Image: Supplied

‍

A local mumand her fitness coach are on a month-long challenge of 57 squats per day – acombined total of 38,874 squats - to fundraise for the National Breast CancerFoundation.

Over themonth of march, Kerry Dibbin joined forces with ‘A Fit Life by Tonya’ to raiseawareness for the current 57 Australians diagnosed daily with breast cancer,having raised $4,482 so far.

Ms Dibbin,who had decided to undertake the national fundraising effort, also recently invitedthe Proserpine Rugby League Club to join her in one day of the challenge afterbringing the idea up to her son’s Under 12 team.

“When we spoke with the Club, they were so quick to jump onboard and very supportive. It was just terrific,” Ms Dibbin said.

Proserpine Brahmans Club President Justin Folley said theentire club joined in, and that it was an obvious choice to do so with the clubhaving been touched by Breast Cancer on more than one occasion.

“We were keen to do whatever we could to support the 57Squat Challenge,” he said.

Ms Dibbin,who trains with local fitness coach Tonya Dunne in her A Fit Life by Tonyagroup, soon had her coach and her coach’s participants signed up too.

“Given my line of work as a Personal Trainer the idea of theNBCF 57 Squat Challenge resonated and I thought, now this is something I can doto support my family and friends fighting this terrible disease,” Tonya Dunnesaid.

“I want tomake a difference in the lives of those 57 Australians impacted by the disease– that's why I'm taking on the 57 Squat Challenge, to raise vital funds forworld-class breast cancer research. Everyone knows someone who has or has hadBreast Cancer.”

To learnmore and make a donation please visit https://fundraise.nbcf.org.au/fundraisers/afitlifebytonya

‍

The Proserpine Brahmans Junior Rugby League Club joined a fundraising effort by a local mum and her trainer who are squatting 57 times per day to fundraise for Breast Cancer

‍

A Whitsunday local and ex-Mayoral candidate interrupted the recent Whitsunday Regional Council Meeting to pose questions regarding misconduct findings against a senior Councillor.

During Council’s Questions from the Public Gallery in its Wednesday, March 22, meeting, Phil Batty stood to query Council on matters relating to Councillor Michael Brunker’s recent misconduct hearing.

Mr Batty had been denied the right to ask his questions in the regular forum, yet still stood during the allotted public question time to display his disagreement.

“I will stand at this stage, Mayor, and have my say,” Mr Batty said.

“You have shut me down four times and I’m going to continue speaking. You’ve let Councillor Brunker humiliate and vilify me at the last meeting and I won’t stand for it.”

Mr Batty’s comments refer to the March 8 meeting in which Councillor Brunker was fined $500 and asked to apologise after using Council assets during the Mayoral election campaign last year – the now-substantiated allegation of which was first brought to light by Mr Batty.

In his statement at that meeting, Councillor Brunker had, without referring to Mr Batty by name, alluded to the “failed mayoral candidate who has lodged this complaint”, saying he felt “embarrassed for him” – this is the “vilifying” Mr Batty alleges.

Mayor Julie Hall was quick to see Mr Batty leave the Council Meeting for his impertinence, telling him he had been refused his questions and that if he wished to pursue the matter further, to do so with State or Federal regulatory bodies.

“This matter has already been dealt with, and if you have any further issues, Mr Batty, it is an OIA [Office of the Independent Assessor] or CCC [Corruption and Crime Commission],” Mayor Hall said.

“Refer it to them.”

Mr Batty told this publication that he has reported Mayor Hall and Councillor Brunker to the OIA regarding his allegations of their breaching the Local Government Act.

Whitsunday Regional Council said the matter had already been dealt with and had no further comment.

‍

Concerned that local community groups and infrastructure investment are suffering from a series of newly imposed taxes, Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox says he is preparing to stand up and fight for “our fair share” leading up to the budget in May.

Mr Willcox asserts that our region has suffered “slashes and cuts to vital regional programs” since the Labor Government took over 10 months ago.

He warns that Dawson has been completely left behind by the new Government.

“The Mobile Blackspot Program, Building Better Regions Fund, Community Development Grants and Improving Mobile Coverage Round have all been slashed,” Mr Willcox said.

“When I was Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, programs like the Building Better Regions Fund launched us into overdrive. Investments like the $3.75 million Cannon Valley Reservoir future-proofed the region for years to come.”

He also cites the Community Development Grants, which he believes are now amongst the programs on the chopping block.

“In Dawson, the Northern Beaches Community Hub, the Home Hill State School Hall, the Burdekin Multipurpose Outdoor Stadium, and the Mackay Basketball Seating Upgrades, were all supported by the Community Development Grants,” he explains.

“Cutting these programs is a huge kick in the guts to regional Australia, and it’s slamming on the breaks for our communities.

“There are delays galore, and our community groups and organisations have been left in limbo, with no certainty for our future.”

Mr Willcox says he is standing up for regional Queensland and standing strong with his Nationals colleagues to get Dawson’s “fair share”.

“I’ve always said I’ll work with anyone to grow a stronger Dawson, but what Labor’s doing to our region needs to be called out,” he said.

“Leading up to the budget in May, I’m definitely not going to be quiet on this.”

‍

‍

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, demands a “fair share” for our region. Photo supplied

‍

Legendary Cowboys player Ray Thompson delivered a powerful message to parents and caregivers at a special event held at Genius Childcare in Cannonvale on Monday evening.

The retired sportsman, who played for the Cowboys from 2005 to 2017, is now the Cowboys Community Engagement Programs Officer and works directly with schools delivering The Resilience Project around the country.

Founded by Hugh van Cuylenberg, The Resilience Project helps people live a happy and fulfilled life by teaching them the key principals of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness.

Hugh first discovered the magical properties of happiness when he visited a poor town in India where the children had nothing but were incredibly happy.

He used his observations to inspire the Resilience Project and has since visited sporting clubs, businesses and community groups across the country teaching people how to deal with failure, stress and challenges.

The Resilience Project now has a national following and many ambassadors.

For Ray Thomson, who lost a friend to suicide in 2015, passing on this inspiring message is a way to help future generations lead happy lives and hopefully save others from reaching a point of despair.

“I feel proud and humbled to have this power and opportunity to help others,” he said on the night.

“Every single person fails; everyone experiences a traumatic event in their lives – yet 65 per cent of adults won’t seek help when they go through a tough time.”

Ray hopes that by sharing key tools to parents and caregivers at early learning centres, this will better equip children to handle challenges at a young age.

This event was funded by the Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network and is in addition to the $14,000 they provided for similar projects at other childcare centres in 2022.

If this article has triggered any challenging emotions call Lifeline on 131114.

Cowboys legend Ray Thompson and Genius Early Learning Centre Manager, Bec Shultz. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

‍

Cannonvale State School held its first Silent Art Auction on Monday night and, with almost 70 pieces of artwork up for grabs, guests were treated to an array of high-quality art produced and donated by creative students.

An entirely student-driven charity art event, Principal Angie Kelly said she was incredibly proud of the year five students who had organised the evening.

Charlotte Behnck, Harlow Ruge, Charli Scott, Evie Berry and Eleanor Turner are the group of classmates who first came up with the idea to sell their artwork.

After a few more brainstorming sessions it was decided that the funds raised would be given to charity and that a silent auction could get more students involved.

The outcome was a fantastic evening supported by teachers and family, with over $1000 raised on the night.

All funds raised were donated to the Sunrise School in Uganda and will be put towards a much-needed renovation of the dormitories.

Cannonvale State School have been supporting Sunrise School for the past seven years and first started regular donations when they discovered 300 orphans were being schooled under a tree.

Since then, our local school has hosted many charity drives which have helped Sunrise School build a school building.

They have also provided money for a generator to give them electricity, delivered food during Covid and recently paid for a toilet block that was needed in order for the Ugandan government to let the school stay open.

“The concept of giving to others is incredibly important,” said Principal Kelly.

“One of the most meaningful things we can do as a school is help facilitate this on behalf of our students.”
‍

The Silent Art Auction event organisers - Charli Scott, Evie Berry, Charlotte Behnck, Eleanor turner and Harlow Ruge. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

‍

New regulations that aim to streamline meetings and avoid time-wasting will soon be imposed in Council meetings thanks to a motion carried at the ordinary meeting last week.

The changes, which will take effect next month, were adopted following a consultation between Council CEO Scott Owen, Mayor Greg Williamson, and the elected members.

The outcome confirmed that Council will begin to hold their ordinary meetings monthly instead of fortnightly.

They will continue to meet internally every Wednesday.

Another main amendment is that any person or group wishing to attend and address Council, or provide a deputation at a local government meeting, must now make a written request to the CEO at least seven days prior.

This is in line with the length of time Council staff deliver reports and agenda items prior to any meeting.

It is hoped that this system will help Council discern whether the topic is suitable to add to the public participation agenda, or whether it is better if the applicant follows a more appropriate channel.

Mayor Williamson said that previously speakers could turn up on the day and put their names on the list to speak.

This immediate platform meant that Council could not filter subjects that were outside of their jurisdiction.

“What that means is sometimes speakers are talking about matters not related to local government that council has no involvement in,’’ Mayor Williamson said.

“This will ensure matters of public participation are local government specific and appropriate channels within Council have already been used in trying to further the matter.”

There will be a maximum of three speakers per matter and the time of three minutes per speaker, currently in place, would remain.

Under the new stricter rules, there will also be firmer regulations around late business items raised by councillors.

Scott Owen said he believed the meeting changes, developed in consultation with the elected members, were positive.

“They are in line with Council’s focus on becoming more agile and efficient,’’ he said.

“There will also be changes to the monthly reporting at the council meeting to have more of a forward-looking and strategic focus, which will assist with preparing the region for the future.”

In Brief:

• Council ordinary meetings will take place monthly instead of fortnightly

• Anyone wishing to address Council must write a letter seven days prior

• If the matter is better suited, it may be redirected internally

• There will be a maximum of three speakers at a meeting

• An individual will have three minutes to speak

• There will also be stricter rules around late business items raised by Councillors

‍

An over 50s estate comprised of 402 demountable dwellings in Mt Gordon was approved by Whitsunday Regional Council last week at an Ordinary Council Meeting.

Developers Grumpy Capital Pty. Ltd. were successful in their application to build the home park on Lodge Road, Mount Gordon - a site south of Bowen and along the Bruce Highway.

The master-planned development will home 402 “relocatable dwellings” sites – a mix of three- and two-bedroom single-story demountable homes with outdoor alfresco living areas and open spaces, kitchens, laundry toilets, shower amenities, and double garages.

Whitsunday Regional Council Director Planning and Development Neil McGaffin said this development was part estate part caravan park: “It’s a mixture between the two and is something very exciting.”

“This is a ‘relocatable home park,’” Mr McGaffin said.

“The construction methods are concrete slabs on the ground but are built so that, if it is needed, they can be relocated. This is normally what you would see in a caravan park, but the dwellings are there a lot longer than a park. It will resemble a residential estate in respect to fences and private areas.”

Aside from homes, the Mt Gordon estate will have a sales office, residents workshop, RV washdown facility, community gardens including a mango orchard, a dog park and 2.3-kilometres of walking trails.

Whitsunday Mayor Julie Hall said she wished that residents of the Whitsundays were privy to private Council documents which illustrate the homes as “They don’t look like normal relocatable homes, they’re actually quite beautiful.”

Grumpy Capital documents state the project will be completed over seven stages with stage one comprising the supply of reticulated water, sewerage and road infrastructure.

The company – trading under Tactica Planning and Development - estimate a potential for more than 1000 residents to live at the site.

Discussions are ongoing with Transport and Main Roads regarding the implementation of public transport for the estate, which will be over seven kilometres from the nearest shopping centre.

‍

A master-planned 402 relocatable home estate  for over 50s will be built south of Bowen after receiving Whitsunday Regional Council approval

With April just around the corner, that’s the third quarter of Financial year 2023 done and dusted.

How have you performed? Have you met your goals? Or have you just been tied up in the busy-ness of getting through the day to day life? How much personal development have you done? How much training? Workforce is changing and clearly we all need to work smarter, more efficiently and be more inclusive of your team. Take some time to reflect over the mini breaks coming up in April.

Speaking of school holidays and the multitude of public holidays in April, whilst disruptive for a lot of businesses, it is a boom period for tourism. A great time of year for many local businesses coming out of a traditionally quiet time.

A period of change for Chambers across Queensland with the rebranding of CCIQ. It is not just a name change, although the new name Business Chamber Queensland is certainly indicative of the focus and sole purpose of the organisation – it’s about putting business first at all times. New CEO Heidi Cooper is committed to supporting the state’s networks of chambers.

More change for your local Chamber as we embark on an unprecedented period of reinvigoration and expansion. Before we welcome the new recruits, a huge thank you to outgoing Secretary Kerrie Southee – tirelessly working in the background organising events, filtering correspondence and keeping the wheels turning. Thanks Kerrie.

The chamber is looking to vastly improve its engagement with members and decided to expand the role of secretary to include an active member liaison role. We were extremely lucky to have several quality applicants and even luckier to retain the services of Dr Julia and Richard Evans who bring a wealth of experience through their business consultancy firm and roles on other Boards. Welcome Julia and Richard.

In addition, the interview process has bolstered our committee further with a couple of strategic appointments tying into one of the announcements to be made at our next networking function, Thursday 20th April at 7am.

From Alan Milostic, Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce.

‍

At Wednesday’s Council Meeting in Bowen, I put forward a notice of motion in regards to the proposed duplication of the Proserpine River Boat Ramp at Conway.

I asked that Council authorise the CEO and the Director of Engineering to seek an update from the Department of Main Roads and Transport (DTMR), and advocate for the long-awaited proposed expansion of the Proserpine River Boat Ramp on Conway Beach Road.

On the 23rd October, 2016 there was a State Country Cabinet Meeting held in Proserpine.

A press release was put out by DTMR stating that there was going to be a duplication of the existing boat ramp on the Proserpine River. Six and a half years later - we are still waiting.

Fishing and boating are two of the most popular recreational activities in our region. One in ten people in the Whitsunday/Mackay region own a boat.

I’ve been contacted many times over the years regarding this since it was first raised by the Minister in 2016. I have asked the question many times and haven’t really received a satisfactory answer. Our residents have been waiting six and a half years for this to happen, hopefully raising this will finally help it come to fruition.

DTMR is also undertaking a planning project for future improvement to the flood immunity of the Bruce Highway at Goorganga Plains and Myrtle Creek.

The project will plan and preserve the road corridor and investigate options to flood proof the highway during our wet season.

TMR would like to know about your experience of wet weather impacts on the Bruce Highway between Goorganga Plains and Myrtle Creek and your feedback on preferred future flood immunity upgrades.

Your feedback will be considered as part of the planning process and will help TMR finalise the business case.

My concern is that like the boat ramp, the project is not currently funded for design or construction.

‍

Hi Rach,

Long time reader, first time emailer.

Firstly I wanted to say thanks for sharing your coffee chat with Julie.

Secondly & the reason for my email is that I had no idea about what happened to Luke! My heart goes out to his family & I am outraged to hear this stuff happens here in Australia let alone in our own backyard. The amount of police force used is shocking, I don't blame the mother for seeking justice, this is simply not right.

Thank you for sharing her story & supporting her. I am only 1 person but I want to sign her petition - can you please share these details or publish in next week's paper & please keep the community posted on how this progresses.

Many thanks,

Jasmin Bedford

Eimeo, Mackay.

Hi Jasmin, thank you for your email. You can access Luke’s petition by going to the family’s Facebook page ‘Justice for Luke (Luke Gilbert)’ and click the pinned link to the petition. Or you can head directly to change.org and look him up there.

‍

Letter to The Editor,

I am writing about two articles, that appeared in your paper on February 17 & February 24, 2023.

Both of these articles are NOT factual and are very misleading to the public. It was very distressing to read them.

I personally witnessed the attack on the steer, and along with a neighbour John, had to fight off 3 DOGS that were mauling a steer. In the first article posted on 17/02, the owner of the dogs claimed “three of her dogs escaped and ALLEGEDELY attacked cattle”. The truth was, all 7 of her dogs had escaped. Although, some were not directly involved in this horrendous attack, they were barking and yapping at the 3 steers. They had 1 steer on the ground, biting him and dragging him and all he could do was bellow in pain and was defenceless against 3 dogs.

I have attached a photo taken the morning after the attack by Christina’s dogs in the stables of the neighbour’s property. The 3 steers fled their property and ran through barbed wire fences in terror. The 2nd photo is a few days later after the steers were calm enough to come back to their own paddock. They were and still are, very skittish.

In the second article posted on the 24/02, the owner claimed that only 2 dogs escaped “and one of them bit a cow on the neck”! This is in vast contrast to what happened. I am aware that there were 3 witness statements provided to the council.

Contrary to the owner’s claims, this was an unprovoked attack to the steers by her dogs. I am aware that 1 dog was put down.

Since the incident at no stage has the owner of the dogs apologised for their behaviours, inquired about the health of the steer attacked or asked after my wellbeing in regard to this horrendous and vicious attack.

I hope that this letter serves to provide a more balanced view of the facts.

Angela Herschel

The author of this letter is referring to an incident where some dogs escaped a local residence and subsequently attacked a cow. She was looking after the property at the time and was first on the scene. After receiving this email, I called Angela and we had a good conversation. She was clearly traumatised and wanted to ensure that both sides of the story were understood by the community. If you wish to read the full articles you can view them here: bit.ly/3GgW8px and bit.ly/3LTjHs3

‍

While we do not always have space to publish a regular Letters to the Editor column, we will endeavour to ensure readers have the opportunity for their voice to be heard and messages to be conveyed to the community through the newspaper. Please send your letters, concerns and compliments to rachael@mackayandwhitsundaylife.com, we will publish as many as we can.

‍

Proserpine Lions Club Youth of the Year and Proserpine State High School student Scarlett Foti competed in the district final of Youth of the Year, representing the Proserpine Lions club on Saturday, March 18.  

Having won both Overall Winner and Public Speaking awards at first Club level in Proserpine, and then again at Zone level in Home Hill, Scarlett headed to the Townsville Lions Club for the district level competition.

Five accomplished teenagers from across North Queensland took part with their speaking performances ranging from “polished and persuasive to charming and humorous.”

“It made for an entertaining night for the audience, albeit a very difficult one for the judges. It was an extremely close result again this year,” Proserpine Lion’s Youth of the Year Chair Jane Betteridge said.

The Overall winner was Yaseen Al Kahlout from Malanda State High School. Yaseen also won the Community award for participation in his community.

Proserpine Lions congratulated Scarlett on her excellent performance and her response to the impromptu topics, "There is no such thing as normal" and "We know artificial intelligence is presenting fantastic possibilities, but what do you see as its downsides?" was articulate, well timed and thought-provoking.  

“Congratulations Scarlett; another great effort,” Ms Betteridge said.

“Proserpine Lions Club is proud to call you one of our own.”

Scarlett now moves on to her next project - establishing a programme to help neurodivergent children within the Proserpine community study effectively and cope with stress during high school.

Youth of the Year (YOTY) District Chair Pat Young, Townsville Ignatius Park College student Daniel Mosch, St Patricks College Mackay student Megan Connolly, St Augustines College Cairns student Darcy Oates, Proserpine State High School student Scarlett Foti, and Malanda State High student Yaseen Al Kahlout at the YOTY District Final