Image: Mackay Public Health environmental health team leader Andrew Jones

Do you know Campylobacteriosis from Cryptosporidiosis or Salmonellosis from Yersiniosis?

These gastrointestinal diseases can make you seriously unwell and are the most commonly reported foodborne illnesses across the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions.

Mackay Public Health environmental health team leader Andrew Jones said Food Safety Week last month presented a reminder of safe food practices at home and the importance of reporting and testing to confirm a foodborne illness.

“Queenslanders celebrate with food. With the festive season upon us, this is an ideal time for people to brush up on food safety to avoid getting sick,” Mr Jones said.

“This year’s theme ‘Food safety – raw and risky’ warns about the risks of eating raw or minimally cooked foods, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs and veggies, which can increase your chance of getting food poisoning and possibly a parasite infection.

“A number of bugs can cause food poisoning, however, the two most common foodborne illnesses are Campylobacter and Salmonella. Both of these can be caused by people either eating food raw or not adequately cooking food,” he said.

“Year to date, there have been 286 reported cases of Campylobacter and 165 for Salmonellosis across our health service. Across Australia, food poisoning accounts for an estimated 4 million cases, almost 48,000 hospitalisations and sadly 38 deaths*.”

Knowing how to prepare, cook and handle food properly ensures that food does not become contaminated, and makes sure that harmful organisms are killed, or that their growth is slowed or stopped.

“Keep yourself and your family safe by cooking food thoroughly using a digital food thermometer to check the internal temperature on the thickest part of the meat.” he said.

“Contamination can occur when food is handled or processed by people with unclean hands, is processed with equipment that isn’t clean, or is cross contaminated by other food.

“Hygiene is important. Thoroughly wash your hands with warm soapy water before handling food and then again at each change of food group.

“Swap all used utensils and cutting boards when you change food groups and always wash everything with hot soapy water when you have finished.”

Mr Jones said foodborne illnesses vary in severity with people usually experiencing diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps or a fever.

“Most people recover within a few days with rest and fluids but food poisoning can make you seriously ill, and can be fatal in some cases.

“Early intervention helps to identify potential outbreaks and laboratory analysis helps identify the source of infection or contamination which may help prevent further cases of illness.

“If you suspect you have suffered food poisoning, seek medical attention and request a pathology sample to be collected, especially if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea.

“The Queensland Health Food Pantry website is a great resource providing information on food hygiene tips, advice about what to do if you suspect food poisoning and how to report a food safety issue.”

General food safety tips:

• thaw food in the refrigerator or microwave

• uncooked meats should be kept covered and separated from cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods to avoid cross contamination

• do not re‐freeze food once it has been thawed

• make sure all food used is fresh and within the use‐by date

• cook all meat, chicken and eggs thoroughly

• make sure hot foods are hot (above 60°C)

• make sure cold foods are cold (below 5°C)

• cool left-over food in small containers in the fridge. Food should be cooled from 60°C to 21°C within 2 hours and from 21°C to 5°C within a further 4 hours

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LIVING ON A RAZOR’S EDGE

Panic Attack! This is a terrible feeling of sudden and intense anxiety. These attacks can also have physical symptoms, including shaking, feeling disorientated, nausea, rapid, irregular heartbeats, dry mouth, breathlessness, sweating and dizziness.

Whilst a panic attack can feel as though something terrible will happen to you, they are not dangerous, but can be very frightening.

The exact cause of panic disorder is not fully understood but it's thought to be linked to a combination of things, including a traumatic or very stressful life experience. The subconscious mind then becomes more sensitive to events which are not actually going to be stressful.

Panic is designed to be a response reserved purely for situations that require immediate life-saving action. It is the rush of adrenaline designed to get us moving. But, for most of us, situations where we actually need to panic are very rare.

So, the problem occurs when a person panics for no (or insufficient) reason.

It’s basically the subconscious mind telling us something that isn’t actually true – an illogical thought.

The good news is, hypnosis can enable you to stop the subconscious from creating a panic response for no reason. It is a matter of contacting your subconscious and letting it know that this panic response is not a good strategy – in fact it is causing you even more distress and pain. Once the subconscious is made aware of this then we can ask it to change to a new, more beneficial strategy for your greater happiness.

The subconscious learns these unhelpful responses through events that have happened through your life. And, as these behaviours are learnt, so too can you learn new, more helpful behaviours. And you can do this safely through hypnotherapy.

Next time, I’ll talk about hypnotherapy for pain. Until then, remember: You CAN change!

David Lornie is owner and principal hypnotherapist at Frontier Hypnotherapy in Mackay. Dave is also the only qualified Australian practitioner of the Control System. He can be contacted on 0401 223 780 or help@frontierhypnotheray.com.au. W: www.frontierhypnotherapy.com.au

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Frustrated residents have slammed the faulty design which saw the Ted Cunningham Bridge approach collapse over the weekend.

The bridge itself remains intact but several metres of the approach road has been washed away.

The $4.6 million new bridge was designed to replace the old piece of infrastructure and is five metres higher than its predecessor which runs adjacent.

Just days before its collapse residents who frequent the nearby Bowen River Hotel held a Christmas Party and unofficial opening of the bridge at the site.

Shortly afterwards, up to 1.7 metres of floodwaters submerged the area and locals are now saying that they knew the approach to the bridge had structural issues.

“It didn’t surprise any of us,” said Clare Ringland, owner of the Bowen River Hotel.

“We told them it would happen – the bridge itself is fine – it’s the approach that has washed away.”

Ms Ringland said that they had warned workers that the materials they were using to construct the approach was not suitable.

“They were using rock and dirt from the paddock,” she explains.

“Everyone spoke to them and told them it wouldn’t work – you need a cement causeway or to extend the length of the bridge.”

“Locals know the river and where it runs the hardest – this isn’t a natural disaster, it’s a man-made one at the end of the day.

“Mother nature might have taken it out, but man should have made sure it stayed there”

Councillor Michelle Wright attended the scene in person on Sunday and said that the safety of residents was a top priority.

“We never wanted this to happen, and this isn’t good enough, people need to be connected” she said.

“Our first priority is to create access for families, people’s safety is paramount.”

She also said that the bridge “could never have been built to be completely flood proof” but aimed to “build resilience”.

“It’s a higher bridge which means that as the flood water drops, people can get back to normal quicker,” she said.

When asked whether she believed the issue to be a planning or engineering fault, Cr Wright declined to comment.

Council is now working on the old bridge to remove bollards placed there to prevent people from crossing and also repair damage from the recent flood.

Workers were on-site for three hours on Monday to assess damage and it is hoped that a passage will be opened by the time this newspaper hits the stands.

“Council will work to clear the deck of the old bridge from debris once access is gained and install an approach to the old bridge using a gravel stockpile which has been ordered to be placed on-site,” said a statement released by Whitsunday Regional Council earlier this week.

“It is likely that the old bridge will have a reduced load limit once re-opened.”

The approaches to the new bridge require “substantial re-work” and the “abutment will need to be reinstated” – there is no clear indication of how long this will take.

In the meantime, Ms Ringland says she is concerned about how residents will make hospital appointments, herself having surgery booked in two weeks’ time.

She has also had to cancel several accommodation bookings and is losing thousands of dollars as result of the incident.
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Several metres of the approach have been washed away

The Ted Cunningham Bridge before the flood. Photo credit: Crissy Colman

The flooding measured up to 1.7 metres

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Happy Holidays, Constant Readers.

I’ve lived here for two years (almost) and people keep saying to me: “Boy, have you experienced a summer here yet?”

To which I was invariably answering: “Yeah, I have. But, you know, it gets hot down in Adelaide.” But I think I was lying – a dry 45 degrees in the south, blistering as it may be, is nothing compared with a Whitsunday weather system. The air up here is genuinely thick, and I’m almost certain it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

It’s like you’re miserably swimming in it.

And it’s only come to a head in this past week (as I write this on Tuesday) with a heat wave destined for Cannonvale.

For a majority of the year (although it sort of streams past when you’re in it) the weather is peachy in paradise. Those winter months are positively beautiful.

Everything flows on from one thing to the next, and you forget about those horrid moments months back where you were glued to your chair at home, sitting there in your jocks sweating like you’ve just run a marathon in Dubai.

The winds of winter move every part of you when you’re by the ocean’s edge at dawn. Lilac light paints the early morning, waves smooth the silver, pockmarked sands. You feel easy and free.

Then you come back to summer. The weather’s either close-to-rain or raining. Your air conditioner has a smoker’s cough. But it’s the price you pay for paradise in those middle months.

Like life, you stick with the bad for the good, and the good for the bad. Difficult times make the easy times better; challenge is the spice of life, like variety.

Stick with the hard weather, Whitsundays. All storms – and humidity - pass and make the sun even brighter when it comes from behind the cloud.

Declan

Quote Of The Week:

“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” ― Leonard Cohen

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Santa’s helpers are never the only volunteers working up to Christmas each year.

We have members of our communities working hard to prepare for the things that go along with the holiday season.

Right up until Christmas eve, volunteers will be busy wrapping presents at both Caneland and Mt Pleasant shopping centres. With the gold coin donations going to RACQ CQ Rescue and the Mackay Hospital Foundation, so don’t forget to support these groups in their efforts to put back into our communities.

With less than three weeks to go there are other charities out there that need our support over the holiday season. A quick google search of “donate in Mackay over Christmas” will give plenty of options, including Vinnies Christmas Appeal, Anglicare Low-Cost Food Assistance, The Mackay Women’s Centre Christmas Hamper Drive with Star FM, The Salvation Army Toy and Hamper drive with Triple M.

It seems that most charities are asking for food hampers this year due to the rise in the cost of living. For those of us who can provide a couple of extra non-perishable food items in the trolley, this would be a big help.

And once Santa has been and returned to the North Pole, our emergency volunteers will be working and waiting.

It’s predicted that it is going to rain, a lot, and our SES volunteers having spent the year training will respond when we call on them.

But we can help these volunteers by taking the time before the rain to prepare our homes.

In my 20 years with the SES, most leaking roofs are preventable with cracked tiles, rusty tin and gutters full of leaves being the major culprits.

Half a day’s work can save thousands of dollars in repairs and insurance claims. Spend the time doing a quick inspection and if you have elderly or otherwise unable neighbours, do the holiday thing and offer to have a look for them as well.

And when we are at the beach over summer our Surf Life Savers will be at our patrolled beaches to watch over us. We need to help them by swimming between the flags and being patient while they do the stinger drags for us.

We have volunteers all over our communities helping us and others.

To them and everyone, stay safe, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!

Cr Justin Englert

Mackay Regional Council

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It’s Christmas time!

In two weeks’ time we will all be clocking off from the computer, pushing the chair under the desk, and walking out of the office in readiness for the arrival of the fat guy called Santa Claus through the flyscreen. How he does it is beyond me, but who am I to ask?

You know what else is happening? Heaps of Christmas parties.

Today I’ll be down on Wood St with my mates from YIRS toasting a great 2022. Then tomorrow I’ll be helping out in a panic room trying to get out before we all kill each other. Wish me luck.

This weekend is also a great time to celebrate birthdays. I’m sure there are a lot of birthday candles being blown out around Mackay and the Whitsundays and one of them is actually pretty special.

There’s a bloke that a lot of people know who is partying like it's 1999 and he doesn’t want anyone to know. That’s why I’m telling you here and I’m hoping that you’ll keep it to yourself and don’t tell anyone. Pretty please?

His name is Paul Rutland. Know him? Seen him out and about around Mackay over the last 30 years? There’s a lot of people who will say yes, so if that’s you, please wish him all the best for his special milestone day.

The reason I’m telling you this is because he does so much for this community and he needs to be congratulated for it.

Only recently he spent a considerable amount of time with me in our Jingle Jail at Porters. He did this without any questions. Paul also volunteers his time and efforts for the McGrath Foundation each year for local basketball. He’s coached top level ladies soccer a number of years ago and has the exclusive trophies to prove it.

He rides bikes for charity, feeds thousands through his restaurant The Creperie, maintains countless cars at his garage in Paget, and he also is known to run up the Eungella range just for fun back in the day. How he got back down, well I’ll let you ask him so he can tell you the actual answer. It’s quite a story, let me tell you.

Paul Rutland is one fella that never shouts from the rooftops of what he does. He travels under the radar and that’s what he likes. I respect that. But this weekend, if you see him, wish him all the best and a happy birthday.

Have fun,

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

Image: Happy birthday, Paul!

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When James came into the Cold Rock Ice Creamery in Airlie Beach, he decided he wanted to make his own milkshake.

Living with a disability, he didn’t fully understand that when you go out for a milkshake, it is normally made for you.

His carer was about to take him back home so he could make one there – but then something magical happened.

One of the team at Cold Rock, Shane Greenfield, heard the conversation and decided he would see if he could help.

Chatting with his teammate, Tammy Smith, the pair decided that they would help James make his own milkshake.

Bringing the blender and ingredients out to a lower table that was accessible to his wheelchair, James was able to help put the ice-cream, milk and flavouring in and then press the button.

“We didn’t even think twice about it,” said Tammy.

“He wanted to make a milkshake and so we thought about how we could make it happen.

“What I love about my job is putting smiles on people’s faces – everybody deserves that – and to walk out happier than they walked in.”

James was thrilled with his chocolate milkshake and the experience made his day.

“You could see a big grin on his face,” said Tammy.

“It was such a simple thing to do, and it didn’t cost a thing but it made someone’s day – you can’t get much better than that!”

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James making a milkshake at the Cold Rock Ice Creamery in Airlie Beach

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“A momentous occasion” for Whitsunday Coast Airport as the first Bonza aircraft touched down at the local facility on Wednesday as part of the airline’s preparation process for full-fledged operations.

‘Shazza’, one of two purple and white planes operated by the budget airline, landed in the region as part of a test run, travelling from the Sunshine Coast to the Whitsundays and back.

Landing at approximately 9:05am on Wednesday, the Bonza piloted flight acted as a training opportunity, allowing the plane’s crew to familiarise themselves with the local airport’s operations ahead of the official first flight which is now expected to take place sometime next year.

The budget airline is still awaiting its CASA approvals - which will allow its planes to operate commercially.

This first test landing on Wednesday signifies a progression towards those full-fledged operations.

Carly Povey, Chief Commercial Officer at Bonza, said the day allowed her “team of legends” the pleasure of flying into Whitsunday Coast Airport from the company’s home base at Sunshine Coast Airport.

“The flight is part of our internal preparation process as we prepare for wheels up. We thank Whitsunday Coast Airport for their support today,” she said.

Craig Turner, Chief Operating Officer Aviation and Tourism, said he was excited to see the iconic purple plane on the tarmac.

“We’re pleased to say the arrival and departure went smoothly and we’re another step closer to opening a new market for the region and connecting the Whitsundays with three new destinations,” Mr Turner said.

The airline plans to operate flights from Whitsunday to the Sunshine Coast three times per week, Whitsunday to Newcastle twice a week, and Whitsunday Toowoomba twice a week.

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Almost 50 per cent of division 2 residents failed to vote for the Division 2 Councillor Seat on election day last Saturday.

Only 2,426 people voted out of the 4,155 residents who were registered to vote, with just 1606 attending the polling station at Whitsunday Shopping Centre in person.

The people that did not vote will now receive a $143.75 fine, after an increase came into place in July this year.

This is the third time Division 2 residents have had to vote since May this year.

The Federal Election took place in May and was followed by a local government vote for a new mayor when previous Mayor Andrew Willcox vacated his seat when he successfully became the Federal Member for Dawson.

Then, when Al Grundy shocked everyone by resigning last month, a third election was needed to fill the Division 2 Councillor seat.

We are now almost a week after voting and the election remains too close to call, with the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) saying postal votes must be counted and can be received up to December 13.

At this stage, Clay Bauman is in the lead with 36.29 per cent of the votes, followed by Andy Camm on 27.04, Chris Harvey on 21.24 and Dan Popovich on 15.33 per cent.

In the coming days, Mr Popovich’s second votes will be distributed according to the ‘optional preferential voting system’ and allocated to the other candidates.

To be declared the winner, a candidate requires 50 per cent plus 1 of the total formal votes counted.  

“While the leading candidate is currently ahead on first preference votes, this can, and often does, change when preferences are distributed,” Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said.

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The husband of a woman who died in a golf buggy crash on Hamilton Island has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the fatal incident which occurred in June this year.

Robbie Morgan was charged by police with driving without "due care and attention" during the crash which claimed the life of his 29-year-old wife, Marina Hanna, whilst the pair honeymooned on Hamilton Island.

Mr Morgan – a 30-year-old New South Wales man - did not appear in person at the first mention of the case in Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday.

Instead, Mr Morgan appeared via telephone where he pleaded not guilty to the police allegations which followed an “extensive investigation”.

The case will recommence in the New Year with the court ordering a brief of evidence for the alleged reckless driving charge, due January 23, while the remaining three charges have been adjourned for mention on February 6.

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Rising “safety concerns” have led one of the region’s largest commercial marinas to introduce “Pedestrian Only” zones.

From mid-December, all Coral Sea Marina Resort waterfront pathways, pontoons, and marina villages will require all personal mobility device users to dismount and walk through the denoted areas, or to take an alternate route – including cyclists.

Citing the “exponential” increase in electric personal mobility devices, such as e-scooters and e-skateboards, as the deciding factor for the decision, Coral Sea Marina Resort has partnered with Whitsunday Regional Council to demarcate its Pedestrian Only Zones.

CEO of Coral Sea Marina, Kate Purdie, said the new zones throughout the precinct are an “added safety measure for the benefit of everyone sharing the site.”

“The waterfront pathways are utilised by vessel owners, passengers, and business operators with loaded trolleys every day, in addition to visitors passing through on foot including people with prams and young children, and those walking dogs,” Ms Purdie said.

“We have recently seen an increase in the number of bikes, e-scooters and electric skateboards on these pathways, many traveling at high speed and with little regard for the safety of others.

“To ensure these pathways remain safe, we need to keep all traffic at a walking pace.”

Ms Purdie said an alternate route through The Gardens remains available for those who wish to pass through the south marina to reach their final destination, whilst, in the north marina, there is no alternate route available, “so everyone must dismount and walk through the village.”

Directional signage will be installed throughout the precinct making it “very clear” to all users where the Pedestrian Only Zones are located.

Maps have also been designed and distributed throughout Airlie Beach already.

The decision aligns with new laws regarding mobility devices which went into effect across Queensland on 1 November to “ensure the safety of riders and pedestrians alike”.

The Marina has built additional bike and scooter parking facilities within its premise so visitors “have a dedicated place to lock up their wheeled devices whilst enjoying” the Marina’s offering.

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Labor Quashes LNP Backed $2.9 Billion Urannah Dam Project

In contention since the Labor government came into power earlier this year, funding for the Urannah Dam project was cancelled last week amid claims that the apparent threat of runoff would impact the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

In addition, Labor estimated that only 75 cents from every dollar spent on the project would be returned and that the dam would predominantly be used to facilitate the coal mining industry.

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, has been advocating for the construction of Urannah Dam for many years and says that it would have provided much more than water for mining.

“Urannah Dam was the only dam that has been through Infrastructure Australia and has private equity partners ready to go,” he said.

“Urannah Dam ticks all the boxes, provides water for agriculture, tourism, mining, and urban use as well as pumped hydro which will put clean, green electricity directly into the north south grid.

“The UNESCO report is a political convenience for the Federal Labor Government who were never in support of the Urannah project and the many benefits it proposed to the community in central and north Queensland.”

First proposed in the 1960’s, there have been over 25 feasibility studies into the dam, but conflicting viewpoints have always halted the project.

Both Andrew Willcox and Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry are now calling on the government to reinstate funding so the crucial water security plan can be delivered.

“The Urannah Dam site is 270 kilometres from the closest reef, and the dam wall will trap sediment and improve water quality in the downstream catchment,” said Ms Landry.

“Mitigation measures in line with Reef 2050 and Burdekin Water Quality Improvement Plan have been applied in the Urannah project.

“A great deal of effort and adhering to environmental assessment and consideration has gone into the planning of the Urannah Dam to ensure that it ticks all the boxes.”

Rumours have abounded this week that private investment may revitalise hopes that the project will still go ahead with an announcement that Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) have acquired the Bowen Renewable Energy Hub.

Matthew Stuchbery from CIP, however, confirmed they are not investing in the Urannah Dam.

“We have bought pumped hydro, wind, and solar projects off Bowen River Utilities,” he said.

“But there is no connection between these projects and the dam going forward.”

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, Senator Matt Canavan and Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry at the Urannah Dam site: Photo: Contributed

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Some local students recently had the honour of hearing their carefully curated speeches read out by politicians as part of this years’ Raise Our Voice Australia Campaign.

“Politicians speak on behalf of us, this time their speaking directly for us,” said a Raise Our Voice spokesperson.

Dedicated to giving young people under the age of 21 a voice in Parliament, the program invites participants to answer the question: What should Australia’s new parliament accomplish?

A speech written by Year 6 student Georgia Granich from Queens Beach State School in Bowen was selected by Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and read in parliament on November 21.

Georgia asked for our regional highways to be improved and ideally expanded to two lanes so that they are safer to overtake slower vehicles like caravans.

“It’s just like an overtaking lane right up the highway,” read her speech.

“I think this issue is important and needs to be addressed urgently.”

Mr Willcox thanked Georgia for her outstanding contribution.

“I am truly inspired and encouraged by our next generation of leaders,” he said.

“I was proud to be able to deliver Georgia’s speech about road safety - with strong advocates like this, we have a lot to be hopeful for when it comes to our future.”

Year six student from Cannonvale State School, Abby Maher, had her speech read out by Queensland Senator Larissa Waters.

Abby chose the subject of affordable housing.

“In the Whitsundays it is estimated that children make up almost half of the area’s homeless community,” read her speech.

“This issue really concerns me, and we need to find a solution.”

Abby offered ideas such as building cheaper houses that more people can afford, temporary housing for getting people off the streets and a government housing plan for cheaper housing.

She said that it was a great honour to see her speech selected.

“Homelessness is a big problem, not only here but right across Australia,” said Abby.

“I feel happy that my speech was chosen, and that the government are trying to do something about it.”

Abby’s mum, Lisa, said they were very proud.

“She was very passionate about this,” explained Lisa.

“She spent time at home working on it and it’s something very important to her.”

Over 80 politicians read speeches as part of Youth Voice in Parliament Week which took place from November 21 to 24.
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Abby Maher, year six student at Cannonvale State School, had her speech about affordable housing read out in parliament

Senator Larissa Waters picked Abby’s speech to read aloud

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After 16 years running one of our leading local agencies, the owners of Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Real Estate, Terry and Cathy McMullen, have decided to pass the baton onto their protégé, Dannielle Rennie, who looks forward to continuing the same standard of service and professionalism.

Respected for their integrity and openness, Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Real Estate are known for their trusted, personal and honest approach that sees them work alongside clients to create an enjoyable experience for all involved.

In their combined career both Terry and Cathy have sold upwards of 2,500 properties, it is this wisdom, experience and knowledge they are now passing onto Dannielle.

Terry will work alongside Dannielle for the next 12 months in a support role until he joins Cathy in a well-deserved retirement.

“It was our baby,” explained Terry and Cathy.

“But it’s grown up now and it’s time for it to fly the coup.”

New-owner, Dannielle, is originally from England but spent a lot of time in South Africa before moving to Australia where she worked as a skipper for the Coastguards on the Gold Coast for many years.

A change of career and lifestyle prompted her to move to the Whitsundays and a dream to work in real estate saw a chance meeting with Terry and Cathy turn into realising that dream when the timing for both parties was right.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to both of them,” said Dannielle.

“Being part of this organisation strengthens our commitment to our clients and ensures the high moral and ethical standards are cemented into our fabric.

“Airlie Beach And Whitsunday Real Estate has a great understanding of today’s evolving market, it is more important than ever, that you can trust and expect accurate information and trusted feedback, ensuring that our relationship continues so you will make the best decisions for you and your family.”

Dannielle has completed her full real estate license and has ensured that the agency has retained the membership of the REIQ (Real Estate Institute of Queensland).

“Terry is a great mentor and Cathy is so helpful and a wonderful teacher,” said Dannielle.

“I feel very privileged to learn from the best and look forward to continuing that same level of service into the future.”

“We will endeavour to go above and beyond to assist you and reach your most desirable outcome.

“We will welcome the opportunity to become your most trusted advisors with the support of expanded industry knowledge.

If you are planning to buy or sell in this ever-evolving market, please do not hesitate to contact us.”

Dannielle Rennie buys Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Real Estate from Terry and Cathy McMullen. Photo: Rachael Smith

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After a two-year hiatus, the Community Christmas Day Party is returning and everyone is invited to come together to enjoy some free and inclusive festive cheer.

The first event was held in 2019 and came about when Councillor Jan Clifford purchased a turkey that was too large to fit in her freezer or oven.

When she asked Di Fraser from the Salvation Army if she could give it away to someone in need, they decided instead to invite everyone doing it tough to join them for Christmas Lunch.

“Don’t be sad and alone,” said Jan.

“Come down and join us, you might make some friends!”

In 2019, almost 50 people came to the event which was held at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club.

This year it will take place at the Whitsunday PCYC and anyone from anywhere across the region is invited to come along.

There will be lucky door prizes, a present for each child and of course a delicious Christmas Lunch.

Kind sponsors include at Hotel Group, Live Life Pharmacy, Zonta and Whisper Bar.

This year Jan is organising the event alongside Paula Hovey from Young Whitsundays Got Talent.

Attendees are required to book in advance for catering purposes and can reserve their spot at Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, Proserpine Community Centre or Whitsunday Housing Company.

You can also text Jan directly on 0412 721 969 or send a private Facebook message.

“If you say you are going to turn up, please make sure you come,” said Jan.
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Anyone doing it tough this year can get a free Christmas Lunch at Whitsunday PCYC

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