Two men in their twenties are lucky to be alive after the vehicle they were travelling in rolled over on Mount Danger Road in Bowen over the weekend.

The incident took place on Friday, December 9 at approximately 7pm.

A Queensland Ambulance report stated that the two patients were transported to Bowen hospital for treatment.

One man was in a stable condition with a minor head injury and the second man had a significant head injury.

The second patient was transported to Bowen Hospital in a serious condition and then airlifted by the RACQ CQ Helicopter to Townsville University Hospital.

Queensland Police Service also attended the scene and the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

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With federal and state government focusing resources on assisting with urgent social housing needs and developers prioritising financial return on high yielding projects, local experts believe mid to low range affordable housing is “falling through the cracks”.

This was one of the key findings of the Greater Whitsunday Housing Project roundtable meeting that took place in Mackay earlier this month.

Stakeholders from across the region gathered to share issues, collaborate on solutions, and contribute information for a housing summit which is due to take place in 2023.

The results of the roundtable meeting found that availability of affordable housing was the biggest issue, followed by a mismatch in what consumers wanted and the stock available and then its affordability.

Joanne Moynihan from Whitsunday Housing attended the meeting and said the issue arises when people earn too much to qualify for social housing but too little to afford the inflated rental prices.

Councillor Jan Clifford said this issue is exasperated because there is less than a 0.5 per cent rental availability in the Greater Airlie Beach Area and this often creates a bidding war on properties which drives the prices up.

“It’s endemic right across the region,” said Cr Clifford.

“People can’t find anything, and if they can, they can’t afford it.”

Medium to low-income earners are struggling the most.

“Your rent is not meant to be more than one third of your income otherwise it puts too much stress on your household,” explained Cr Clifford.

“How are people meant to afford $600 to $700 a week in rent when that’s all they earn?”

Tonia Wilson from Greater Whitsunday Communities said one of the key outcomes of the meeting was the need to find an incentive for developers to invest in affordable housing.

In the United Kingdom, the government enforces a law which says any development needs to comprise 40 per cent affordable housing.

“An element of affordable housing in a commercial development helps reduce risk for developers,” said Ms Wilson.

“Affordable housing can be potentially subsidised by the government making it a more reliable investment for developers.

“This can create a sweet spot where social and economic factors come together.”

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Key Points

• Low- and medium-income households earn too much to qualify for social housing but too little to afford rental rate rises

• There is less than 0.5 per cent rental availability in the Greater Airlie Beach Area

• Bidding wars are driving the prices of rental accommodation up

• There are no incentives for developers to invest in affordable housing

• The UK has a law that states 40 per cent of any development must comprise affordable housing

• Experts believe this creates a ‘sweet spot’ where developers and the community benefit

• A housing summit in 2023 will discuss how this, and many other ideas, could be applied locally

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The Greater Whitsunday Housing Roundtable took place in Mackay on December 6

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Bowen Hospital’s $7 million Renal Unit and Medical Imaging expansion officially opened last weekend after 20 months of construction.

The major project saw the addition of a new, comprehensive hospital wing which now houses a range of services including a CT scanner - ending the need for Bowen patients to travel to Proserpine or further for important medical scans.

The multi-million-dollar upgrade also included an expansion to the hospital’s renal dialysis unit, with both the unit and the expansion named in honour of Cyril Isbell – a member of a prominent Collinsville grazing family who had business interests in Bowen including a butcher shop and hotel.

The new unit will provide additional dialysis services to support more patients and meet the future needs of Bowen and the surrounding areas.

The combined new equipment is expected to benefit 800 patients annually.

Special guests at the official opening included Graham Isbell and family members to represent the Cyril Isbell estate which contributed $1 million towards the project – with a further $7 million provided by the previous Federal and the Mackay Hospital and Health Board’s retained earnings.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Interim Chief Executive Paula Foley said this was a “significant milestone for local public health services and a wonderful day for the Bowen community.”

“On behalf of the Mackay HHS, I wish to express our gratitude to the Isbell family and to the federal and state governments for their contributions that made this expansion possible,” Ms Foley said.

“It is a milestone for local public health services and a wonderful day for the Bowen community.”

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said it was excellent to see the previous Federal Government’s investment of $5 million come to fruition with this “this vital bit of equipment”.

“It will save lives and save a lot of downtime for nurses and staff. For many patients, this will also mean they don’t have to travel to Townsville or Mackay,” Mr Willcox said.

State Member For Burdekin Dale Last said that “every now and again, you have a win, and this is one of those occasions”.

“[I’ve] been fighting for so long to have this facility open here in Bowen,” Mr Last said.

“This community no longer have to travel through to Proserpine or Mackay or up the road to Townsville and have these scans. It’s adjacent to the emergency department as well, meaning those people who come into this hospital can get first class treatment.

“Fantastic outcome for this community and a real community effort. Big tick for everyone concerned today.”

The need for a CT scanner was raised in years past by countless locals, including Bowen Chamber of Commerce President Bruce Hedditch – and a member of the Bowen Hospital Community Reference Group - who had repeatedly asked Mr Willcox’s Federal predecessor, George Christensen.

Mr Christensen, before retiring from politics, was integral in securing the funding for the new hospital wing.

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Bowen Hospital’s new Renal Unit and Medical Imaging expansion officially opened on Sunday, December 11. Pictured are Bowen Hospital staff and dignitaries with Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox alongside the hospital’s new CT scanner

Family members of the late Cyril Isbell, whose estate donated $1 million towards the $7 million expansion

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A new Chief Executive Officer, who formerly specialised in environmental sustainability, growth management and capital works programs, has been announced by the Whitsunday Regional Council this week.

Warren Bunker will take over from Rod Ferguson when he begins his retirement early next year.

With 30 years’ experience in private practice, Mr Bunker previously held a Group Executive Liveability and Natural Assets position at Sunshine Coast Regional Council, which is one of the largest local governments in Australia.

He was responsible for implementing the new Maroochydore CBD and overseeing streetscaping programs for the historic towns.

Council received a total of 66 high quality applicants for the role and Mayor Julie Hall said she is thrilled that such an experienced and well-respected individual will be joining the team.

“Warren’s knowledge combined with a demonstrated track-record in the business of local government placed him as the ideal candidate to lead our region forward,” she said.

“We wanted someone with strong leadership, management, and advocacy skills to lead the organisation and Warren passionately believes in empowering teams and staff to achieve common goals.

“Importantly, we have a shared desire to build on our community engagement and strengthen our partnerships with our varied stakeholders.

“Along with my team of Councillors, I look forward to working with Warren to deliver open and transparent local government for the Whitsunday Region and most importantly deliver positive results for our community.”

Mr Bunker said he was delighted to accept the role.

“I am excited by the opportunity to lead the Whitsunday Regional Council and assist the region to continue to prosper and optimise it’s potential,” he said.

“As well as highlight its unique character, outstanding beauty and economic drivers.”

Mayor Hall paid tribute to outgoing CEO Rod Ferguson and acknowledged his outstanding work in leading the organisation since May 2020.

“We are grateful to Rod for his leadership and commitment to the organisation over the past few years, particularly during the challenging circumstances we faced during the COVID-10 pandemic,” she said.

“We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

A new business leader will soon take the helm at Whitsunday Regional Council offices

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A colourful sign depicting the different flora and fauna that can be seen in the local area has been damaged by upwards of 30 strikes made by a sharp metal object that eventually led to the offender piercing and ripping the Council-owned metal road sign.

Located at Dalrymple Point in Bowen, the nature sign was placed at a photographic spot with views across the bay and out towards the lighthouse.

Residents and tourists frequent the area for walks, spearfishing and sight-seeing.

One of these people was a local of 30 years, Kenneth Wilkinson, who discovered the damaged sign earlier this month.

“I was disgusted!” he said.

“It’s such a lovely sign and it gives an insight into what to see in the area.”

Mr Wilkinson noticed some writing in “texta” on the damaged sign which read: “People have a place too” which he interprets as the offender perhaps angered by the community putting more significance on wildlife than on people.

“It looked like uncontrollable rage to me,” said Mr Wilkinson.

“I counted at least 30 dents on the sign, and it looked like someone must have done it with an axe or a very sharp metal object.”

Reporting it to the police and then to Whitsunday Regional Council, Mr Wilkinson says that everyone in the community must be vigilant and ensure they report damage so that it can be stamped out.

“Bowen has a zero-tolerance policy for vandalism, and I think the people of Bowen deserve to know what’s happened,” he added.

The nature sign was struck over 30 times by a sharp object

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Bowen’s iconic Big Mango has received a fresh lick of paint to ensure it looks ripe and delicious for Christmas and the festive season.

The 10-metre mango was built in 2002 at a cost of $90,000 and has become a tourist attraction for countless visitors ever since.

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy says plans were already underway for a 21st birthday celebration in May next year and that, with Bowen’s mango season now in full swing, it seemed an appropriate time to spruce up the attraction.

“It has been a few years since the Big Mango was painted and we really wanted it to look great for the tourists stopping by for a selfie over the festive season,” she said.

The Visitor information centre next to the Big Mango attracts more than 40,000 visitors a year and there are thousands more who stop at this iconic attraction without going into the centre, including after hours.

“The repainting has been a big job as the colours needed to be blended and obviously a cherry picker was required to reach the top.

“There was also a lot of preparation prior to painting as it needed to be sanded back and some repairs needed to be carried out first.”

Leanne thanked Martin of Gwada Murals for his dedication to ensuring it looked great.

Contributed with thanks to Leanne Abernethy.

Bowen’s Big Mango received some love last week when it was repainted by Gwada Murals

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For the past 15 weeks a group of work mates have been collecting a variety of Christmas themed food items to create 25 gift bundles for local families ‘doing it tough’ this year.

The Development Services Team at Whitsunday Regional Council independently initiated the campaign which saw staff from across different sections of the business come together to contribute varied items.

Aiming to accumulate a wide selection of food items that could be used to create a range of dishes over the festive period, the colourful Christmas bags contained everything from cake mix to jelly crystals, potatoes to pasta sauce, candy canes and chips.

This is the second year in a row that the team have organised this activity, and the 25 bags of delicious goods will be heading straight for the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre where they will be given to families or individuals in need.

“We have even more bags than last year which is great,” said coordinator Tamara Dansie.

“It’s so nice to give back as individuals and make a difference in someone’s life.”

Tamara Noble from Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre said that they were thrilled to receive such a kind donation.

“Over the next two weeks the food bags will be handed out to those who present to us requiring some assistance and support for Christmas,” she said.

“We are extremely appreciative of the donation received, the 25 bags were generously filled with such a great variety of non-perishable food items, which is perfect for Christmas.”
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Chelsea Lambert and Tamara Dansie with the 25 bags of food donated to Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre

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A busy couple of weeks to launch us well into December. The Division 2 election has been held and with the result too close to call, it is going down to the wire. It looks so close, that recounts are expected to be requested.

With the Fair Work Legislation Amendment now having passed debate in both houses, it is now only waiting Royal assent and will take effect according to the implementation schedule.

There is a myriad of changes that businesses need to be aware of and ensure employment contracts, policies and procedures are in place to comply. Some changes are great, others quite onerous, especially for small business.

There have been changes in the following areas – Gender Pay Equality, Flexible Work Arrangements, Pay Secrecy, Fixed Term Contracts, Enterprise Agreements, Anti-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and the introduction of paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave. Most businesses with up to date and reasonable processes will have no trouble complying with most of these changes., however the following areas will need some attention.

Flexible work arrangements, although reasonable business grounds for refusal still exist, a big change is that employees can now raise a dispute with the fair work commission so be prepared with evidence!

Pay secrecy is a contentious change and is no longer allowed to be written into contracts – effective immediate, pay secrecy clauses are no longer in effect and are prohibited from June 2023.

Fixed Term Agreements will be limited to less than two years for same role with such contractors’ having the rights of a full-time employee. Anti-discrimination has been extended but is in line with Queensland legislation already in place.

Employees will have an entitlement to 10 days paid Family and Domestic Violence leave as a National Employment Standard. Interestingly, for privacy reasons, it cannot be recorded as FDV Leave.

Sound like we all have some IR changes to attend to so the Chamber’s first networking event in February will focus on just that. In the meantime, Merry Christmas everyone – enjoy a well-earned festive season!

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Our local golf club is expanding its services following the start of a successful training period of a new golf coach who says he is excited to help increase the range of golfing opportunities available at the Proserpine Golf Course.

The completion of two-thirds of Nathan Sothmann’s traineeship under the guidance of a PGA Professional, Roger Vandenberg, brings new prospects to the members of Bowen Golf Club – and especially those wanting to try their hand at the sport.

Nathan is a family man with a wife named Michelle, and two sons, Henry who is three, and Patrick who was born in November this year.

He said his main aim was a career in coaching golf and that he has always had a passion for sport – with his current handicap a nifty 1.9.

When the opportunity arose to coach at Proserpine, Nathan was fortunately on three months maternity leave from his previous job after his son was born.

“I am very thankful to Roger for giving me an opportunity to fulfill this passion,” said Nathan.

“It is now up to me to prove I can do it and make him and my family proud.”

Roger Vandenberg said Nathan is very passionate about his game, gets along well with the members, and does very well with the juniors.

“We all look forward to seeing him do well in his traineeship,” said Roger.

Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis.
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Photo. PGA Professional Roger Vandenberg, right, with Nathan Sothmann. Photo provided.

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One of Bowen’s largest independently owned companies has been named as a finalist in the Telstra Best of Business Awards, beating over 20,000 other applicants to become among the top 250 in the state.

The Owners of Hillery Group, brothers Luke and Liam Hillery, as well as their team of 120 dedicated staff, are celebrating this week as the news arrived announcing them as finalists in the Indigenous Excellence category.

With indigenous ancestry stretching back to the Kalkadoon Tribe and incredible stories of survival that date back through their father’s line to 1885, Hillery Group have always been proud of, and deeply connected to their indigenous roots.

“My father was always passionate about giving everyone in the community the same opportunities,” said Hillery Group CEO Luke Hillery.

“We grew up with the understanding that no-one is better than anyone else, and to always give equal opportunities – this has really been instilled in Liam and myself – not just for indigenous people, but all young kids.

“Growing up here, there was not much opportunity – and now we are very privileged to provide that opportunity for kids whether that be through traineeships or management roles.”

In previous times, skilled labour would leave Bowen to seek employment in big cities, and Luke Hillery says he is proud to now offer prospects closer to home where staff can be home with their families every night.

The business has grown immensely from humble beginnings back in the 1980’s when Luke and Liam’s parents first began with just one truck for hire.

The group now operates five quarries, have multiple sand leases and own over 200 assets which include trucks, excavators, loaders and graders.

There are two offices in Bowen and Hillery Group are proud of their extremely diverse portfolio which allows them to keep their work commitments local.

From rock walls at the harbour to rural road projects, the rail provision yard and local rail network, Hillery Group are at the forefront of countless local projects.

Their dedication to community and their connection to their indigenous heritage are at the foundation of all operations and are the qualities they have now been recognised for at the Telstra Business Awards which are due to take place 2023.
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Luke Hillery

Liam Hillery

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Celebrating over 75 years in the area, this third-generation family business has seen significant change in 2022 since joining the Stratco Group 12 months ago.

Parnell’s unique local experience is now backed by one of the largest producers and marketers of quality building products in Australia.

With both companies successfully supplying high quality products for over 70 years, the local community have been assured that Parnell’s and Stratco understand what it takes to ensure quality and standards continue to grow to new levels.

Over the course of the first year, major improvements and technological advancements have been made to the already thriving business.

General Manager Anthony Wensley has worked tirelessly to improve facilities which now include a state-of-the-art blanker/slitter machine for flashings, new customer parking and pick-up bays, traffic management plans, new factory lights and more.

For Parnell’s regular customers, they have been able to experience the journey of continuous improvement in the last six to 12 months, with many commenting positively about the new changes.

Parnell’s has also transitioned to using BlueScope Steel which has allowed them to meet the demands of customers and builders who use nothing but the most reputable steel brand in the business.

The 16-strong team specialises in the manufacture of metal products such as roofing and rainwater goods, shed kits, purlins, and battens.

Over the past year they have also expanded their product range to include Cooldek (Insulated Panel), Cyclonic Good Neighbour Fencing, patio kits and more.

An exclusively manufacturing service, Parnell’s can also recommend local builders who are qualified to install all their products safely and efficiently.

“I think what sets us apart from other suppliers the most is that Parnell’s is like a little family,” said Sales Manager Ben Storer.

“We are passionate about what we do, and we are constantly striving to improve the Parnell’s customer experience, whether it be a one-off or a regular customer, we are always searching for ways to take our quality and service to the next level.

“We are also passionate about supporting the local industry and local businesses – in the last 12 months we have worked to engage in community activities, and we have sponsored a number of local events.”

Renowned for their exceptional standards of roofing, Parnell’s Corrugated and Trimdeck roofing is manufactured in the Proserpine workshop and is rolled to the customer’s specific requirements.

Built to be robust enough to withstand the dramatic North Queensland weather, but also stylish and easy to install, their range of products are both strong and versatile.

Also specialising in kit-sheds, Parnell’s can manufacture almost any type of shed – from man cave to large rural structures – and everything in between.

These come with optional accessories such as roll-a-doors, skylights and ventilators which are all supplied to suit your exact needs.

All their commercial sheds, industrial buildings and workshops meet Australian building standards and are built strong with high quality materials, sourced locally, to last the test of time.

Kits for carports of all sizes, colours and shapes can also be purchased – Parnell’s pride themselves with a colour range vast enough to match with your existing home’s palette so you can rest assured your carport will belong.

If you are looking for metal manufacturing that is quality, durable and versatile, make sure you call in and get a quote from Parnell’s today.

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The Parnell’s team are ready to assist with any of your metal fabrication needs. Photo supplied

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Airlie Beach’s only Par 3 Golf Course and Club is rapidly expanding with construction works now well underway.

Works at Whitsunday Green Golf Club are steaming ahead including a new, larger Clubhouse and corporate facility followed by plans for an over 50’s Lifestyle Village, new residential subdivision, a motel and expanded golf all progressing steadily behind the scenes.

The Whitsunday Green Team is ready to take their offering to the next level and deliver community facilities that fully represent the concept of ‘Club Living’ where lifestyle is priority.

Currently, works underway will soon be followed by the installation of a recreational pool, expansive decking, kiosk, outdoor gym, and new amenities building.

These new Club facilities will be available for members and special events providing a well-rounded lifestyle offering for the Whitsunday Green community.  

“A place to play, relax and live a carefree, healthy lifestyle in the tropical Whitsundays,” according to Club and Community Manager, Kate Cross.

Ms Cross said the Club will continue to grow its strong focus on members activities with support from the local business community.

“We have built a really strong community here who love the lifestyle – it’s all about good healthy fun, a laugh and getting together over golf and a cold drink,” Ms Cross said.

“It’s nice to watch the community grow and we are really excited to take things to the next level in 2023 and beyond.”

Sanctuary Living, the developer behind the project with over 30 years of experience in delivering master planned leisure communities and with successful projects dotted around Australia, has a vision to build the largest community in the region.

A place to live, play, relax, and even retire, in paradise – a community hub where lifestyle and amenity is paramount. The success of the Whitsunday Green Club and membership program to date is a key representation of Sanctuary Living’s commitment to realising this vision.

The Club is well loved by both members and visitors alike and is currently preparing a busy social and golf calendar for 2023.

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Airlie Beach’s much-loved Whitsunday Green Golf Club is expanding its offering to include an over 50’s Lifestyle Village and much, much more. Photo supplied

Construction has already commenced for the new club house and corporate facility

Local Farmers Use ‘Precision Agriculture’ To Save Money And The Reef

Across the Whitsunday and Mackay regions, local sugarcane growers are getting on board with water quality programs that utilise Precision Agriculture to improve their farm productivity and water quality.

Precision Agriculture uses advanced technologies to better inform farm management decisions. This allows variations within a crop to be identified and managed accordingly rather than treating the crop as a consistent unit.  

Precision Agriculture can lead to more effective application of inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and irrigation water which reduces both cost to the farmer and environmental impact.

The Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program (MWWQP) is one of ten water quality regional programs funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation that work together with local organisations and landholders to deliver on-ground projects.

Farmacist’s project Point of Difference (P.O.D), focuses on educating a broader population of growers in the Precision Agriculture approach to nutrient applications on sugarcane farms.

Growers are supported to utilise a range of technologies to provide detailed spatial data of their land, including GPS satellite mapping, Electromagnetic Mapping, satellite yield mapping and elevation data. This allows growers to get a more precise understanding of variables such as soil condition and constraints on their property, which is central to managing crop yields, and nutrient and chemical applications.

Working with experienced agronomists, growers then develop a fertilising program specific to their property. The use of variable rate applicators allows farmers to tailor the amount of fertiliser applied based on intra paddock variability such as soil types which can require different fertiliser rates.  

Growers are also eligible for major grants, which so far in the project have been utilised to build variable rate applicators, upgrade GPS technology, and fund various hydraulic conversions of fertiliser boxes allowing variable rates to be applied.

Utilising Precision Agriculture has multiple potential benefits for both the farmer and the Great Barrier Reef. Reducing inputs and increasing uptake efficiency, means less runoff and improved water quality.

Agronomist, Zoe Eager, from Farmacist has been encouraged by local uptake.

“All my interactions with growers have shown that they recognise the benefits of integrating Precision Agriculture practices and want to adopt these practices on their farm.”

“My favourite feedback I get from growers is ‘why didn’t I do this sooner?’’

For more information on any of the projects involved in the MWWQP or Farmacist’s Project P.O.D please visit reefcatchments.com.au.

The MWWQP and Famacist Project P.O.D is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef foundation.

Contributed with thanks to Reef Catchments.

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Growers are eligible for major grants which can fund machinery conversions

New technology promotes ‘Precision Agriculture’

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Last week a Bowen kindergarten group was recognised for their efforts in raising awareness for important environmental issues such as preventing boat strikes on turtles, ensuring litter does not wash down drains and eradicating ghost nets from oceans.

The 2022 cohort of Kidz at the Beach were the recipients of a Community Service Award at the annual Bowen Rotary Awards, where they were each named as Reef Guardian Super Heroes and presented with individual Rotary Environment Certificates.

For over a decade Kidz at the Beach have been known as a Reef Guardian School.

This started when Owen Derrick, a then parent and high school teacher, approached kindy teacher Anna Woodhouse asking if they could start educating young children about the environment because he believed that by high school many life habits had already been established.

What started as a small idea has become known as the Starfish legacy, with every year group tasked with a different environmental crusade.

“Over the years we have empowered many children and had many families curse us for having to have short showers and grandparents having to stop on the side of the road to pick up paper to save the turtles,” said Ms Woodhouse.

“But each year it has been a different journey because each group of children embrace a different risk element to solve.

“From how can they save the turtles, tell all the fishermen in the world about going slow to avoid boat strikes on turtles and how can they tell the school and everyone that rubbish goes down the drain to the Great Barrier Reef.

“It’s easy for four-year-old’s as they are fearless and see the world as theirs to save”

Since its inception in 2011, The Starfish Reef Guardians have been involved with many projects – they’ve had signs placed at the local landmarks, taken measurements on beaches and brought messages of ‘stop littering, it hurts my heart’ to the mayor.

This year they spread the message about the dangers of ghost nets by sending a magic ghost net Jelly fish creation across the country to other kindies to spark conversations with other children their age.

The artwork travelled to Townsville, Brisbane, Toowoomba and New South Wales and they are hoping next year they will send it internationally.

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Reef Guardian Superheroes 2022 with Educators, Rotarians and Owen Derrick. Photo supplied

Anna Woodhouse (Kindy Teacher) with Rotarians Mark Steen and Jennine Turner who presented the Rotary Community Service Award

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Here in the tropics, we are privileged to have a variety of fruit that makes us the envy of southerners. Passion fruit and dragon fruit (on my favourite list) can be grown in small gardens. Lychee trees which are fruiting their hearts out at the moment, can be grown in a normal house block, along with lemons, grapefruit, avocados and limes.  

Mango season is also upon us but remember these trees can grow very big and they are the most common fruit trees that our Arborists are called in to prune back heavily.

Also the coconut palm which, when planted where the family play, can result in a serious knock on the head!

Finger limes are a very popular Australian Native and very sought after.  

I am growing three varieties for the first time now – I’ll let you know how I go if you’re still reading this article in three years!

This issue, though, let’s talk bananas.

Who doesn’t like a banana smoothie for breakfast or banana cake shared with a friend?

Bananas are a quick snack for the kids, can be frozen for use at a later date, cut up and put in a fruit salad or put on top of your favourite breakfast cereal. They can even be dehydrated as a healthy sweet snack.

You’ll need space to grow bananas - they are a very fast-growing plant (technically not a tree), reaching up to 16ft within nine months!  

This also means they are hungry plants, so feeding and mulching are essential.

There is, however, a price to pay for quick growth and after they fruit, banana plant die.  

But don’t despair, they do leave behind pups (known as suckers) which will be your never-ending cycle of banana plant growth.

Side note, if you want to grow a banana plant getting these pups from a friend’s tree is the best way to get started as they will need to remove some of those pups anyway.

While your pup is a pup, it will not require a lot of water but when you have big leaves stretching to the sky, water becomes more critical as they lose water through evaporation from their rather large and impressive foliage (so keep the soil wet but never sodden).

Also, don’t plant them near a fence and be aware that they are prone to wind damage and they will fall over in a cyclone, so not too close to structures either.

Your bananas will all ripen at once and you will have more bananas than you can possibly eat yourself.  So, as well as sharing your bounty, you can dehydrate them, freeze them to add to smoothies, bake cakes, banana bread or make banana ice cream!

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Did you know:  

If you are using bananas to bake with, they are best over ripened, brown or even black!  So don’t throw your gross looking bananas out, make banana bread!

You can eat banana flowers too - cut them finely and add them to your salad.

Banana plants are the world’s largest herb!

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Norina’s Recipe

Best Ever Banana Nut Smoothies

You will need:

¼ cup Macadamia Nuts

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 large frozen banana

1 cup of coconut milk

1 tablespoon Honey

Directions:

Put all ingredients and blend until smooth

Food fact:  Macadamias are an excellent source of minerals such as magnesium, zinc and calcium

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Banana plants can grow up to 16 foot in nine months

Try Norina’s delicious banana nut smoothie

Finger Limes grow well in the Whitsunday climate

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