In September Collinsville was inundated by a swarm of over 26,000 Flying Foxes who over-ran trees, parks and gardens, decimating on almost every surface of the town and becoming a noisy nuisance.

At the time, Whitsunday Regional Council forecast that the ‘bat plague’ would soon end when the Little Red Flying Foxes naturally migrated to their next food source.

Fortunately for Collinsville residents, this predication came true with the population now reduced to 3000 and forecast to soon reach its normal levels of between 200 and 900.

To encourage the bats to move on as quickly as possible Whitsunday Regional Council worked with local residents on a variety of measures.

These included placing six-metre high ‘Wavey Men’ near the trees (which act in a similar way to scarecrows), playing loud music at certain times of the evening and burning incinerators to deter them with smoke.

At one point there were 42 trees impacted, many of which were on private property.

There are now only a small amount left on public land.

“Thank you to everyone in the community that assisted,” said Julie Wright, Director of Community Services for Whitsunday Regional Council.

“It’s good news for all involved and hopefully the rest will move on as well soon as it will get too hot and too uncomfortable for them.”

‍

Usually ‘Teddy’ would stay at home while Sofia Catoni and her 18-month-old son go to the local shopping centre but on this particular day, he came along with them to give some extra comfort to little Frankie who had an ear infection.

The trio headed to Whitsunday Plaza, where Sofia was hoping to settle Frankie who had been grizzly and ill all morning.

Eventually the walk soothed the little guy and Sofia decided to return home, tucking Teddy under her son’s arm in the stroller.

When she arrived home, however, she looked down and suddenly realised Teddy was gone!

Panicked, Sofia knew it would be impossible to settle Frankie without his much-loved soft toy who he’d been sleeping alongside since he was four-months old.

But Teddy was more than just Frankie’s comforter, he was also Sofia’s best pal since shortly arriving to Australia from her home country of Argentina.

Their friendship began when Sofia was rushed to hospital for an emergency operation and Teddy was given to her by a dear friend.

For the past few years, Sofia had been sleeping with Teddy by her side and had now given it to her own son.

Realising Teddy was missing that day, meant Sofia was devastated.

She raced back to the shopping centre and asked everywhere, even checking under cars.

Other mums saw her plight and joined the search.

Shopping Centre staff announced it over the loud speaker and a message was posted on social media.

Eventually, after the community rallied around, a message came through Facebook that Teddy had been located.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped,” said Sofia.

“We are new to the area and haven’t made a lot of friends yet, but I really felt the love of the community that day.”

‍

Sofia, Frankie and Teddy

Shute Harbour Marine Terminal has become a welcome additional access point for a vibrant industry which regularly sees between 50 and 60 cruise ships a year bringing their passengers to Airlie Beach.

Contributing around $10 million to the local economy, Shute Harbour is now perfectly poised to help with the growth of this sector.

Chief Operating Officer of Aviation and Tourism for Whitsunday Regional Council, Craig Turner, said that the Council owned facility is focusing on attracting new cruise ship businesses.

“These cruise ship companies have never been here before, they are brand new to the region,” he said.

“There will be days when there are two to three cruise ships arriving in the Whitsundays and we are adding opportunities to the destination.”

Negotiations have been taking place for almost four years, and Mr Turner said he is thrilled to report that 20 cruise ships will be bringing passengers to Shute Harbour from now until June 2023.

“This is another step forward on our recovery from COVID,” he said.

“Every visit gives passengers a site inspection of the Whitsundays – they can touch, feel and have a little taste of what we offer which is better than a brochure and hopefully encourages them to return.”

On Wednesday passengers were greeted with live music, market stalls and food vans as they disembarked at the brand-new Shute Harbour facility.

Mayor Julie Hall attended the opening and spent time talking with representatives from the cruise ship.

“I am so excited to welcome the first ever cruise ship, Celebrity Eclipse, to the new Shute Harbour Marine Terminal,” she said.

“The safe return of cruises is an important milestone in our region’s economic recovery and the revitalization of the tourism and hospitality sectors.”

Celebrity Eclipse arrived at Shute Harbour on Wednesday bringing 2900 passengers ashore

Cruise Ship Ambassadors Brian Richardson, Whitsunday Regional Council representative Brooklyn Clarke, Cruise Ships Ambassadors Lyn Blanche Woodham and Eddie Bennett

Whitsunday resident Dan Popovich has announced his intention to run for the division two seat, joining candidate Clay Bauman, who announced his candidacy three weeks ago.

A United Kingdom expatriate, Mr Popovich has lived in Woodwark for the past 15 years and raised his family in local area.

“We live here and work here in this division and we love the place,” he said.

“I feel this is a call of duty to some degree, this area’s been so good to us, and I thought it was an appropriate time to offer my skills, service and experience to the community.”

Mr Popovich has a broad career history as a strategist for a global company, involved with many infrastructure and development projects, as well as being a qualified surveyor, civil engineer, and project manager.

While living in Hobart he was also active in the local progress association working between interest groups and the local council.

Mr Popovich says he now wishes to use all these skills to create more transparency.

“It seems like there is a big divide between the community and the Council,” he said.

“I’d like the people to have a closer relationship and to feel that the Council is there for them and not them for the Council.”

Tackling issues such as “the rash of traffic lights becoming an epidemic in the area”, Mr Popovich says that he hopes to help create a vision for the town.

“It all just seems very ad hoc - we need a strategy and we need a vision – there seems to be too many conflicting powers and influences and as a rate payer I don’t feel included in this,” he explained.

“At the moment I feel the tail wagging the dog – the Council’s got it’s fingers in so many pies and it forgets that it’s the rate payers that should be looked after fist.”

‍

Dan Popovich is running for the Whitsunday Regional Council’s division two seat

Clay Bauman announced as a division two candidate three weeks ago

Medical professionals aboard our region’s life-saving service, RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter, will now be even more prepared for every eventuality thanks to a kind donation from the Kennedy Masonic Lodge No 11 of Bowen.

A total of $15,756 was gifted to the invaluable local service and was put directly towards funding an advanced life support mannequin that will help train doctors and Critical Care Paramedics on RACQ CQ Rescue missions.

The life-size and interactive mannequin, named ‘Kennedy’, coughs, wheezes, breathes and even screams – in fact the mannequin makes an array of heart, breath and bowel sounds as well as speech and even has pulse and blood pressure simulator plus skin and veins.

Providing the trauma team with interactive training scenarios and practical experience in airway/intubation training, the life-like device also simulates cardiac related skills, circulatory skills, IV drug administration, trauma and bleeding control, first aid, cardiac defibrillation, pacing and ECG interpretation of over 100 rhythm variations.

RACQ CQ Rescue Media and Communications Manager Naomi Noy said the mannequin was helping educate and improve the competency of the chopper’s medical team by delivering “highly-effective simulation-based training”.

“As medical professionals in varied and high-pressure scenarios, the challenge to deliver continuous and consistent quality patient care requires proper training,” Ms Noy said.

“This mannequin incorporates consistent simulation scenarios into clinical training curriculums helping the doctors and paramedics on board our chopper correct any potential clinical errors.

“Ultimately, the mannequin helps ensure our helicopter medical team are better trained and have more practical experience in the variety of missions we face.”

Kennedy Masonic Lodge Master Ian Barrett said they were very pleased to assist in funding the mannequin and were thrilled it offered such benefit to the medical crew, service and in turn, the community.

“This mannequin is incredibly realistic – it’s also durable, rugged and made to withstand years of use,” he said.

“The multiple modules it features will accommodate a wide range of training needs for this team for years to come and this will greatly assist their training for the emergency situations they face every day across this region. Ultimately, it will help save lives”.

This kind donation is just latest part in the $36,000 funding support given to RACQ CQ Rescue by Kennedy Masonic Lodge over the past decade.

‍

Kennedy Mason Lodge Bowen members, from left, Adrian Tilney, Neville Jones, Ian Pott and Ian Barrett with RACQ CQ Rescue rescue crewman Chris Muffett with ‘Kennedy’ the interactive and advanced life support mannequin they funded. Please credit: RACQ CQ Rescue

This January Whitsunday Regional Council will once again be celebrating amazing Aussies in the 2023 Australia Day Awards which means now is the time to put your fellow community members forward, with nominations closing at the end of this month.

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised?

This could be a young achiever, local environmentalist, a kind volunteer, cultural ambassador or senior hero who always gives their all and goes above and beyond to contribute to the local community.

There are eight categories to choose from and Mayor Julie Hall encourages everyone to take the time to nominate a worthy recipient.

“Each year we have so many fantastic nominees that are tremendous contributors to our community. Their efforts bring us closer together and inspire us all,” she said.

“It is these nominees and many other volunteers in our community that work tirelessly without recognition and I’m sure everyone will know someone, young or old, who is an inspiration in their community.

“Let’s applaud these amazing individuals who have served their community and achieved incredible things by taking the time to nominate them for an Australia Day Award.”

Categories include:

• Citizen of the year (aged 26 years and over)

• Young Citizen of the Year (aged 16 - 25 years)

• Senior Sports Award (over 26 years of age)

• Young Sports Award (aged 16 – 25 years)

• Arts & Culture Award

• Environmental Achievement Award

• Community Event of the Year

• Volunteer of the Year Award

Nominations close Sunday, November 27 and can be made online at Your Say Whitsunday - http://yoursay.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/ .

PDF copies of the nomination can also be printed from the Your Say website or you can collect one in person from any of Council’s Customer Service Centres.

For enquiries, please call Council’s Events and Community Sponsorship Officer, Hayley Borg, on 1300 WRC QLD (972 753).

‍

Residents are advised to always wear stinger suits when swimming in the ocean from now until May as jelly fish, that predominantly favour warmer temperatures, become prevalent in our local waterways at this time of year.

Julie Wright, Director of Community Services for Whitsunday Regional Council said that each year they wait for James Cook University to “give the nod” before the region’s two stinger nets are brought out and placed at their permanent locations.

One stinger net is positioned at Cannonvale Beach and the other is placed at New Beach.

There is also a swimming enclosure, which is a permanent structure, located at Dingo Beach.

Irukandji, box jellyfish, bluebottles, and other dangerous species can be found throughout the Whitsundays and, if they come into contact with people, they can cause severe reactions.

Serious stings can cause cardiac arrest and intense pain, which makes them especially dangerous for young children, babies and the elderly.

Ms Wright said that while stinger nets prevent larger jelly fish from entering the area, the smaller Irukandji variety are the size of a thumbnail and can easily pass through.

“Stinger nets will not keep out all the problems in the ocean,” she said.

“That’s why we suggest and strongly urge stinger suits to be worn at all times.”

Swimmers are also encouraged to stay away from the perimeter of the nets as sometimes botanicals from the box jellyfish can be caught up in the net and still sting if someone brushes up against them.

Dog owners are also advised to keep their dogs from swimming at this time of year.

How to treat a jellyfish sting:

• Rinse the area with vinegar, for at least 30 seconds

• Remove tentacles from the skin with tweezers

• Once the tentacles are removed, soak the area in hot but not scalding water for 20 to 45 minutes

• If hot water is not available, apply a cold pack to help the pain

‍

The stinger net at Cannonvale Beach is now in place and open to the public

“THE PRIEST WHO STOPPED THE WAR”

Major Thomas Gard, Rat of Tobruk, is better known to the people of the Whitsundays as Father Gard, parish priest in Proserpine from 1966 until his retirement in 1988 and as a beloved coach to many young football players and cricketers in the area. But to the men of the 2/43rd Battalion, he was regarded as a legend in his own time. His award of an MBE was fitting recognition for this man renowned in military circles as “the priest who stopped the war”.

In 1933, Thomas Gard was ordained in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Townsville and served in a number of North Queensland parishes. When war was declared in 1939, he sought his bishop’s permission to serve his country by providing for the spiritual needs of troops. So began an illustrious career as army chaplain with the 2/43rd Battalion.

On March 25/26, 1942, his battalion arrived at Tobruk joining the 20th and 26th Brigades of the 9th Division. After an initial settling in period, and getting accustomed to the vermin, heat and flies, the 2/43rd and 2/28th Battalions received orders to attack five heavily fortified German field positions at 3.30am, August 3.

By dawn of that day, it was apparent that the casualties were very high. Of the 129 men committed, only 23 returned unscathed. The wounded lying in No-man’s land could be heard calling for help. An audacious plan was devised to recover the wounded and dead.

Tensely watched by thousands of eyes behind the wire on either side, a truck bearing the Red Cross flag drove slowly into No-Man’s land. On the bonnet stood Padre Thomas Gard, flanked by Sergeant Wally Tuit waving the flag and another stretcher bearer, Private Keith Pope.

The truck was halted a couple of hundred metres from the German stronghold. A German officer appeared, ordering the party back but Father Gard walked forward, offering the German a cigarette. After talking for a while, the officer ordered a path to be cleared through the minefield to allow them to reach their dead and wounded. Enemy soldiers produced cigarettes and drinks as the task of collecting the men went on; soldiers waved from both sides.

The recovery was almost thwarted by the sudden burst of artillery shots. Father Gard calmly and insistently pledged his word to the officer, explaining the Australian artillery was not responsible. A message was urgently relayed to the Australian trenches and despatched by field telephone to British Headquarters. The firing ceased. The recovery resumed – 5 wounded and 28 bodies – every man accounted for.

When the mission of mercy was over, the peace that had fallen ended – the machine guns recommenced firing.

“To drive unarmed by day across no-man’s land in a motor truck under the Red Cross flag to ‘test’ the feeling of the Nazi frontline regarding the collection of Australian dead and wounded is as hard a task as any man can set himself in war. (Padre) ‘Tommy’ Gard … carried it off successfully – and regarded it as nothing out of his line of duty.” (“The Courier Mail” January 4, 1945)

Father Gard was a man who was loved and respected by thousands from all walks of life and from all generations; a man who was humble about his wartime achievements. When asked about the strange, unplanned, unofficial truce in Tobruk, he would always brush it aside by saying, “We could not have done it without help from above…”

LEST WE FORGET

Story courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum; T.M (Marty) Doyle and “The Proserpine News 1939-1945 WW11” by Lyn Burke and Lloyd Fox.
‍

Painting of Father Gard done by a local lady, Mrs Verla Dries.

A Coastal Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (CMERC) study enlisted the help of Cannonvale State School students and Whitsunday locals last weekend with the goal of educating the community on the importance of seagrass.

The Seagrass Restoration Community Event led by a CMERC PHD student, Anna Hegarty, took place in the shallows of Cannonvale Beach on a day of low tide last Saturday, November 5.

The university invited the group of volunteers to help harvest seagrass flowers, which contain 30 seeds, for both research and for rehabilitation by helping grow new seagrass in damaged areas.

The project focuses on seagrass seed dispersal in dynamic environments - namely places which can experience severe tropical storms, such as the Whitsundays, which can damage the ecosystem.

The seeds, which are podded within seagrass flowers, or spathes, are collected for CMERC laboratories to be stored until a dispersal in the event of severe weather or in locations which could benefit from seagrass.

Ms Hegarty said seagrass is evident on every continent apart from Antarctica with the genera trend that it is decreasing worldwide.

“What we’re doing with my project is part of a bigger Whitsundays project alongside Reef Catchments and Coral Sea Marina Resort, as well as Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) who have received funding for from Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Island Initiative project,” she said

“When you head somewhere like Bunnings and buy a seed packet, you have instructions for growing conditions: light, water, time to grow. But we don’t know those things for seagrass. That’s why we need to harvest, study, and experiment with the seeds and flowers gathered through this project.”

The Seagrass harvesting event in the Whitsundays saw around 20 people – both adults and children – working in a seagrass meadow of Zostera muelleri seagrass and was as much about community education as actual seed gathering, according to Ms Hegarty.

“Coming from Ireland myself, no one in my university degree was taught what seagrass was. Ocean ecosystems focus on mangroves, coral, but people aren’t introduced to seagrass. Much of the time, people are just out there walking on it and think it’s algae or seaweed,” she said.

“That’s where the education aspect comes into it with these activities. Seagrass is extremely important as an ecosystem. It is 35 per cent more of a carbon sink than a pristine tropical rainforest.”

Limited research into seagrass has shown its importance as a water purifier for the Great Barrier Reef, a source of food for dugongs, turtles, waterfowls, and crabs, as well as a habitat.

“The seagrass meadow at Cannonvale Beach and the Pioneer Bay area is a great source for other meadows through dispersal in the currents so it’s quite important to keep it thriving,” Ms Hegarty said.

“Our goal is to get as many seeds as possible at The Whitsundays, but also to get the community involved too at the same time, which is invaluable. Understanding is how we come to appreciate.”

Over the week, CQU harvested roughly 38,000 seeds in the Whitsundays, with a total annual goal for both Gladstone and Cannonvale of one million.

Interested parties can email CMERC-Admin@cqu.edu.au to find out how you can volunteer with CMERC at their next seagrass event.

‍

CQUniversity’s Coastal Marine Ecostystem Research Centre (CMERC) PHD student Anna Hegarty at Cannonvale Beach harvesting seagrass flowers with locals for study and planting

Seagrass harvesting focuses on the flowers which contain 30 seeds

Students from Cannonvale State School, their parents, and locals helped harvest the seagrass in a meadow, which is the muddy sediment which seagrass grows within

Taking out the top prize at the TAFE Queensland 2022 Townsville Trade Excellence Awards, local Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Connor Spence, has been named the 2022 Outstanding Apprentice of the Year.

Selected from 1,400 of his peers to receive the prestigious title, Connor was also awarded the Refrigeration Apprentice of the Year title.

Currently working at HJC Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, he is completing an apprenticeship while attending block training at the TAFE Queensland Townsville Trade Training Centre.

The north region TAFE Queensland Director of Trades, Mark Patterson, said Connor was an exemplary student.

“Connor is an exceptional mentor to his class and workmates and takes advantage of every opportunity to improve his skills and industry knowledge,” he said.

“I’d like to congratulate him for taking out the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year title.”

Unable to attend the ceremony in Townsville on October 27, Connor said he was very grateful and that the announcement came as a complete shock.

“It was unreal to know that out of so many people who were nominated, I ended up winning. It was very humbling and I feel honoured,” he said.

“I started my apprenticeship straight out of high school. I didn’t know anything about the trade, I just kind of fell into it and thought I’d give it a go.

“I really enjoy the variety of jobs within my trade, there are so many different aspects to the domestic, commercial and industrial side of the industry, so there’s always something to learn.”

‍

Connor Spence, TAFE Townsville Apprentice of The Year

More than a thousand tour operators, both big and small, gathered at the Queensland Tourism Awards last Friday to celebrate a bounce-back year which saw intra-state tourism numbers rise by 21.5 per cent, totalling $12.4 billion.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) CEO Brett Fraser said this was the year that the 37th annual Queensland Tourism Awards celebrated Queenslanders supporting Queenslanders.

“In true Queenslander spirit, we are embracing the difficulties we face together by re-connecting and discovering places in our own backyard, as together we are drawn to holidays within our home state,” he said.

“Collectively, this year’s recipients are a testament to the strength and calibre of the state’s tourism operators, and I applaud this great industry and its people for the innovation and resilience they have displayed.”

A total of 78 awards, including 31 Gold, 26 Silver and 20 Bronze Awards were presented across 30 categories and the Whitsunday region walked away with nine of these prestigious accolades.

This years’ awards represented a poignant moment for the tourism industry, celebrating the resilience and tenacity of operators who had all beat the odds to not only survive but also thrive in the new post-pandemic world.

“The past two years have re-defined how people live, work and travel, and the intrastate tourism we are experiencing is directly correlated to this,” said Mr Fraser.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Queensland Tourism Awards celebrated a remarkable year.

“It has been terrific to see Queensland domestic tourism bounce back so strongly with a nation leading $19.6 billion in overnight visitor spending,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“We owe much of Queensland’s achievements to the hard work, resilience and innovation of the State’s tourism operators, some of whom are recognised by the 2022 Awards.

“Congratulations to this year’s award winners and finalists for delivering world-class visitor experiences and making Queensland a destination of choice.”

‍

Queensland Tourism Award Winners:

Tourism Retail & Hire Services

Silver: Whitsunday Coast Airport

Bronze: Shute Harbour Marine Terminal

Major Tour and Transport Operators

Silver: Ocean Rafting

Adventure Tourism

Gold: Ocean Rafting

Caravan and Holiday Parks

Gold: Big4 Adventure Whitsundays Resort

Unique Accommodation

Bronze: Cruise Whitsundays – Reefstays

Self-Contained Accommodation

Silver: Pinnacles Resort

Bronze: Mirage Whitsundays

3-3.5 Star Accommodation

Gold: Magnums Accommodation Airlie Beach

Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Whitsundays, Rick Hamilton and Elizabeth Hackett from Magnums Accommodation

Peter and Jan Claxton from Ocean Rafting

Greg McKinnon and Tanya Cran from BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort

‍

Last Friday BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort was awarded top honours at the Queensland Tourism Awards with a Gold win in the ‘Caravan and Holiday Parks ‘category.

This spectacular result progresses the team to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, due to be held in March 2023.

BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort has been owned by the McKinnon family for 29 years, with three generations of family, and the resort’s managers, attending the evening.

“We are unbelievably proud to have won gold at this level after an ever-changing few years. While there has been ups and downs, we have rolled with it as effectively as possible, with the ultimate aim, as it has always been, to always offer our guests that very special holiday where they can disengage with the everyday and really connect with family and friends,” said owner Greg McKinnon.

“The Whitsundays is a very special place and we are just grateful that holidaymakers the world over choose Queensland, and our resort, as their precious holiday destination.

“Winning this award reflects the offerings of our quality tourism product, our ongoing development and our exceptional standards of customer service.

“We are very aware of always exceeding our guest’s expectations so it is really wonderful for our family, managers and our incredible team to receive this award.

“We could not have ever achieved this without the support of our guests, many who return time and time again, so we thank them sincerely,” continued Greg.

“A huge congratulations to all the other winners and entrants, and to the Queensland Tourism Industry Council for putting on a wonderful night for the industry.”

After purchasing the run-down caravan park 29 years ago, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort has been transformed by the McKinnon family into the ultimate Whitsunday family holiday destination. This year saw a focus on enhancing accessibility for all, with the introduction of vision-impaired accessible cabins to complement the resort’s existing accessible offerings, as well as its autism sensory room, a popular and much-loved retreat for guests with children on the autism spectrum.

“We have put everything into the resort over the past 29 years and continue to grow to make it the multi-award winning and nationally recognised destination to escape to with family and friends in the Whitsundays,” added Greg.

“Our resort is all about connecting with each other by offering an environment where everyone can enjoy the many facilities and activities on offer, relax in quality accommodation and just all come together.”

BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort offers a range of accommodation, from tropical landscaped camp sites through to self-contained studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom cabins, providing options to suit every taste and budget. With over 15 onsite activities including a big, huge, mega waterslide park, lagoon style pool, mini golf, outdoor cinema, Kid’s Club, year-round activities program and much more, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort offers the ultimate holiday escape.  

‍

Three generations of the McKinnon family were present on the night. L to R Molly, Greg, Jan, Jack and Josh McKinnon

L to R, Andrea Mearns, Catherine Paterson and Tanya Cran

Cruise Whitsundays is celebrating a successful award season by launching a November special exclusive for Turtle Club members on their popular Camira Sunset Cruise.

With its exclusive all-inclusive drinks package, Camira is known as one of the best value tours in town and their new November special will really get the festive season started.

Built for comfort and speed, Camira is an 85-foot catamaran that boasts a large indoor space with seating and two outdoor netted areas where guests can sit and chat while watching the Whitsunday waters glide by.

The sunset cruises set sail at 6pm and return at 8pm, departing from Port of Airlie and tracking a scenic route around Pioneer Bay to watch as the sun sets below the horizon until the night sky emerges, a sprinkle of sparkling stars illuminating the tranquil ocean vista.

Departing every Friday and Saturday afternoon, this tour is an ideal way to begin a weekend with friends, workmates or even your partner.

The largest commercial sailing catamaran in the Whitsundays, there is lots of room for guests to enjoy a lively party or discover a quiet corner to sit back and take in the incredible scenery of Pioneer Bay and the lights of Airlie Beach.  

Cruise Whitsundays is one of the largest tour companies in the region, offering full and half-day trips to Whitehaven Beach.

They also operate Reefworld, a purpose-built pontoon located 39 nautical miles from land in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

Guests can travel out to Reefworld for a daytrip and enjoy activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, semi-submersible tours and an underwater observatory.

Reefworld contains Australia’s only underwater hotel, offering two luxury rooms with a unique underwater view like no other!

The pontoon location also offers a Reefsleep experience with glamping pods on the deck under the stars with no other light for miles around.

Guests are transported to these exciting locations on one of Cruise Whitsundays high-powered, air-conditioned catamarans. Travel in speed and comfort and choose to enjoy the sea breeze from the ocean deck or sit in the cool lounge setting.

From sunset cruises to Great Barrier Reef experiences, it is easy to see why this impressive tour company won awards both locally and state-wide this month.

Taking home Gold for Major Tourist Attraction for Reefworld at the Whitsunday Tourism Awards as well as Gold for Unique Tourism Accommodation, then backing this up with bronze for Unique Tourism Accommodation at the Queensland Tourism Awards, Cruise Whitsunday is riding high on the wave of success.

Sunset Cruise November Special:

Adult tickets $99 and children $79

Turtle Club price $69 for adults and $54 for children

‍

Cruise into sunset with Camira

Spacious deck, perfect for relaxing in comfort

Celebrated local tour company Ocean Rafting have returned from the Queensland Tourism Awards this week with a gold award for Adventure Tourism and a silver in the Major Tour and Transport Operators category.

In addition, their sister company, Ocean Safari which is based in Cape Tribulation, came home with a silver award in the Adventure Tourism category, coming second only to Ocean Rafting.

Capping off a fabulous 25 years in operation, owners Jan and Peter Claxon say they are very proud of the team and look forward to many more successful years to come.

“Both Ocean Rafting and Ocean Safari offer such unique experiences for guests, and they are constantly evolving and growing,” said Jan.

“Our staff play such a big part in all of this and absolutely love what they do and the beautiful natural playgrounds they visit every day.”

With three generations of the Claxton family working within the company, Peter said that the recognition means so much to everyone involved.

“On behalf of the Ocean Rafting and Ocean Safari teams, we must thank our supportive family and friends, which includes our staff, to the traditional custodians of the land and sea country which we are grateful to share, to our loyal agents, fellow tourism operators, industry and government partners, and especially to our incredible guests who we share the beauty of the Whitsundays with every day, we thank you,” said Peter.

“While there has been ongoing evolvements for many tourism operators, it was wonderful to see so many Queensland tourism businesses come together to celebrate what this beautiful state has to offer and we pass on our congratulations to all the other winners and finalists.”

Ocean Rafting will now head to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in March 2023.

With eight custom-built bright yellow vessels that operate day-tours around the Whitsundays, Ocean Rafting have been fine-tuning their unique offering over the years.

They are a coveted Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame member for being continuously Advanced Ecotourism Australia Certified for 20 years or longer and a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award winner in the Top one per cent of Tourism Businesses around the world and Top 10 Experiences in Australia.

They have also won a swag of awards including multiple gold wins at the Australian, Queensland and Whitsunday Tourism Awards.

The only company in the Whitsundays with four Master Reef Guides, who are recognised as the world’s leading reef guides, interpreters and story tellers, Ocean Rafting have a team comprised of Marine Biologists and Eye On the Reef trained Eco Hosts.

Despite two COVID-impacted years, the business managed to grow and evolve, introducing a seven-seater Australian-built Airvan plane to the fleet.

Flying into operations in May, the new plane adds to the pre-existing Fly Raft package offering scenic flights over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and famous Heart Reef.

This new addition creates an iconic triple-whammy providing the ultimate Whitsunday experience in just one day.

‍

Owners of Ocean Rafting, Peter and Jan Claxton with Sales Captain Nathan Fleming

Three generations of the Claxton family

The Proserpine Mill will continue crushing until January and it is looking likely that there will be a ‘stand-over’ of sugar cane still left in the fields following a disappointing season that has been marred by the mill’s unplanned maintenance issues and worker shortage.

Growers hoped for a bumper season with high sugar prices and a larger than usual harvest creating renewed positivity and the promise of recovery from several years of below average production.

Mike Porter, Manager of Canegrowers Proserpine said farmers are “frustrated” and some are becoming “annoyed” by complications that have caused massive delays over the season.

“Factory performance hasn’t been great this year and it is disappointing to be lower than normal,” he said.

“After five years of below average crop, which has largely been to do with Cyclone Debbie, growers had been looking forward to finally getting a decent crop and with the potential to make more money with better sugar prices.”

On average, the Proserpine Mill can expect to process two million tonnes in a 22-week period or around 1.5 million tonnes in about 19 weeks.

This season’s crop is larger than the last few years, at 1.78 tonnes, but it has also taken a lot longer to process.

Proserpine Operations Manager Sebastian Foti said that the extended season is mainly due to unplanned factory stops, wet weather interruptions and labour force challenges.

“We also got off to a late start as a result of COVID-related supply chain issues and skilled labour shortfalls,” he said.

Minimising delays where possible, the team utilised any wet weather stops to perform necessary maintenance, thereby reducing the need for scheduled maintenance stops.

“We are focused on processing the whole 1.78 million tonne crop and are working closely with the growing and harvesting sectors to achieve this,” he said.

Despite this, growers remain disappointed that this year will see the first ‘stand-over’ of crop since 2010.

The crop left on the fields will not contain the same sugar quality as it would have yielded in this year’s harvest and the rest of this year’s crop quality will decrease as the temperatures rise over the next month.

Unfortunately, when the hardworking industry should be celebrating with their annual cut-out party, they are instead working an extra six to eight weeks on a crop that will not yield much.

In addition, Mr Porter said the growers may experience staff shortages as workers return to their families over the Christmas period.

‍

Annual Cut Out Party

Organisers of the annual Cut Out Party are inviting the community to attend the festivities this January, celebrating the hard-working individuals from across the industry at the end of a challenging season.

All are welcome, from cane farmers to mill workers, local affiliated companies and anyone in the community who wants to support the local sugar cane industry.

The first event of its kind was introduced last year, and its huge success prompted an expanded committee to organise the second iteration.

Last year, $12,000 was raised, and this year, proceeds will go to RACQ CQ Rescue.

The Cut Out Party will be held at the Proserpine Showgrounds and attendees can expect a fun night out with live music, a slideshow from the season, charity auction, fire pit, and of course an open bar.

WHAT: Cut Out Party

WHEN: Saturday, January 14

WHERE: Proserpine Showgrounds

‍