Digital Marketing and Design Manager from Polley’s Realty‍

With a head for business and a heart for animals, Misty Bland balances the demands of her dynamic career by spending time on her property caring for her cattle dogs, ducks and chickens.

A registered cattle dog breeder, Misty also runs a herd of Droughtmaster cattle who all have names, and she finds that she is often as busy at home on the farm as she is at work.

Loving being around people almost as much as she loves being around animals, Misty has enjoyed an expansive career that has spanned many different industries, all of which have a common thread – caring for people and their happiness.

From beauty therapy and remedial massage to managing the public relations and events portfolio for a dairy company down south.

Most recently, Misty is heading up the digital marketing and design aspect of Polley’s Realty whilst studying for a postgraduate in Digital Communications with QUT.

Originally from South Africa, Misty immigrated to Australia with her family in 2009. She met her husband, Rob, when they were Year 12 dance partners and the couple have now been together for 24 years. They have two adult children, Edward and Kimberly.

One of Misty’s most cherished life moments is falling in love with the idyllic Whitsundays and the spectacular locals, who have adopted them as their family.  

But life has not always been clear sailing, in fact, Misty has written a book about her life and the rare cancer journey they've faced, which she hopes to one-day self-publish.  

She founded a cancer charity in 2015 and had the support of several Australian celebrities in producing a vintage inspired calendar. She is also the Australian Ambassador for the Chordoma Foundation based in America.

These days, you can find Misty spending her weekends on the farm where she is renovating her home, gardening, cooking and spending time with the family.

Describe your personality in three words:

Caring, determined and innovative

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Director of Polleys Realty‍

Falling in love with the Whitsundays on her wedding day, Nicole married the love of her life at Coral Sea Resort and the couple honey-mooned at Hydeaway Bay.

It was here that they spotted the house of their dreams, and they made an offer, securing the property as their home the very next day.

Nicole has been working in the real estate industry since she was 15 years old and quickly rose through the ranks, from front desk to director.

At the age of 20 she was honoured to give a speech at a national real estate conference.

It was in 2018 that Nicole opened the doors to her own real estate agency in Brisbane and she now employs six staff.

When her family relocated to the Whitsundays two years ago, she expanded her agency, opening a second location, with an office in Airlie Beach opening its doors last year.

Nicole has two sons with her husband of 18 years and the family has two dogs, a mini dachshund called Porshe and Heidi, a multi pom.

When she is not selling houses around the region, Nicole can be found enjoying the outdoors, fishing and swimming or with her kids on the footy field watching them play.

Since moving to the Whitsundays, Nicole has mastered a new and unique approach to local realty which has proved both successful and popular with clients at all stages of life.

Her central office is located above the NAB bank, on the main street in Airlie Beach and has a modern, boutique feel where customers can relax, unwind and feel both spoilt and inspired.

Dedicated to putting her clients first and matching people with the lifestyle of their dreams, Nicole is a living example of how to create a successful Whitsunday life.

Describe your personality in three words:

Bubbly, headstrong and driven

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Owner of Women’s Well Co.

With a mission to give all women the opportunity to exercise in a safe and supportive environment, Tegan opened the doors to Women’s Well Co. almost two years ago and in a short time the business has grown to employ six instructors.

The studio, located in Proserpine, offers a range of fitness activities such as Pilates, Barre, Yoga and Boxing and is a family-friendly facility where children of all ages are welcome.

“What makes us stand out is our sense of supportive community and that we are women empowering other women of all ages to be the best version of themselves,” said Tegan.

“Our youngest member is six years old and our most experienced is 87 years old!”

Originally from a small country town called Condamine in Southwest Queensland, Tegan brought “another Faust back to Proserpine” when she married a local and they decided to settle in the Whitsundays three and a half years ago.

The couple now have three daughters and they live on a little property with cattle, horses, chooks, dogs and a cat.

Tegan has been in the fitness industry for 20 years and studied a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science.

She also has a Diploma in Remedial Massage Therapy and an array of Fitness, Pilates and Barre courses.

Before becoming a mother, she competed as a Professional Figure competitor and won several state and national titles including The Natural Olympia in the USA and a particular highlight was winning the World Title in Greece.

“I have trained my body to extreme levels, but nothing has challenged me more than juggling three daughters with big personalities, a business and a husband who works away!”

Describe your personality in three words:

Driven, Caring and Daggy

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Owner, Manager and Audiometrist at Whitsunday Hearing

Opening up a whole new world of freedom and confidence for her clients, Sarah uses her skills as an Audiometrist to evaluate hearing and then prescribe the best solution for the individual. Often, this can transform lives.

Originally from Geelong in Victoria, Sarah spent some time travelling after school and enjoyed 12 months living in the UK.

After returning to Australia and exploring a few career options, she decided to start her training as an Audiometrist in Geelong and qualified in 2005.

She then moved to Brisbane in 2006 and gained invaluable experience working for several hearing organisations and in 2014 she took a leap of faith, opening the doors to her own hearing business in Brisbane.

It was almost five years ago that Sarah made the move to the Whitsundays with her family when she bought Whitsunday Hearing.

In July 2021 she opened a new purpose-built clinic at the 121 Business Centre in Cannonvale.

Sarah has one adult child and two grandchildren, plus twin teenage boys with her husband Stephen.

She also has a five-year-old Labradoodle named Blaze.

In her spare time, she loves the outdoors, especially running or walking.

With two young boys in high school, the family’s weekends are often full of children’s sport and trips to Mackay.

In her own time, Sarah likes to pick up a good book to read.

Some of her greatest achievements in life include being the first paid employee for parkrun in Australia, the birth of her three children and of course meeting her husband and moving to sunny Queensland.

“Certainly, my biggest personal challenge is running my hearing business and the family at the same time, as well as looking after myself. It’s challenging but rewarding!” she said.

Describe your personality in three words:

Happy, determined, and friendly

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Office Manager/Co-Owner at Lightning Comms Pty Ltd.

The great challenge of Sarah Watson’s life has been building her business from the ground up – but it has also been one of its greatest rewards.

The co-owner of Lightning Comms Whitsundays endeavoured on a varied career path before settling down and starting her own business in the region. She took what was at the time a road less travelled for women, completing her Automotive Engineering certifications in her homeland of New Zealand.

“When I left school, I successfully finished my studies and work experience intending on a career as a mechanic,” Sarah said.

“It was difficult to obtain an apprenticeship in what was a male-dominated industry -- that was a real character-building experience. It was then I decided to move away from it.”

She met her husband in Australia, and Sarah soon went into hospitality, spending two years in the industry in the United Kingdom running a successful cafe in London. When the pair moved back to Australia, it was to the Gold Coast, where Sarah managed holiday resorts before moving to the Whitsundays.

“Once here, I worked for a local five-star Resort on the front reservations desk full time,” Sarah said.

“That all became part-time once we started our family, and then the business which I’ve been working in for the last few years. We specialize in Information and Communications Technology and Security - it is our expertise and is such a great, evolving industry.”

Sarah’s role is “all things behind the scenes,” including invoicing, marketing, quoting, scheduling, parts ordering, and more.

Alongside starting the business, Sarah said starting her family is one of the best things that ever happened to her, with the couple now raising their three kids: Ruby, Xavier, and Willow.

Describe your personality in three words

Focused, loyal, compassionate

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Owner of Protect and Sanitise

Bringing a shine to any grime, Jess discovered an unexpected passion for cleaning when she and her husband, Mike, bought Protect and Sanitise nine years ago.

From carpet and upholstery to tile, grout and air conditioner cleaning, their business offers a multitude of services to households and businesses in Airlie Beach, Proserpine Bowen and Hamilton Island.

Jess has a Diploma in Tourism and Business and spent many years working in the sector, but a growing demand within their own business saw her slowly transition over.

Two years ago, she committed full-time and loves being the friendly person who answers the phones and responds to the emails at Protect and Sanitise.

Three days a week, she also takes a van out herself to help the team cleaning carpets and couches.

Always a hands-on business owner, Jess gets immense satisfaction out of her work and loves the rewarding results of cleaning, aiming always to exceed customer expectations.

With an Australian mother and a New Zealander father, Jess spent her childhood living across both countries.

She was born in New Zealand and went to primary school in Charters Towers before moving back to New Zealand for high school, where she met Mike at 17.

The couple decided to move to Australia and travelled Queensland for several years, fruit picking.

When they stopped in Airlie Beach 17 years ago, they both loved the area so much that they decided to stay.

They now gave two sons, aged 11 and nine, and the family spend the weekends watching the boys play cricket.

Jess is the Treasurer of the Proserpine Junior Cricket Association and Mike is the Vice-President.  

In her downtime, Jess enjoys camping, gardening, reading and taking her dog Milo to Conway Beach.

Describe your personality in three words

Positive, hard-working and caring

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Owner & Manager at Scamper Island Camping and Water Bikes Whitsundays

It's no wonder Sarah Vickery is at the helm of one of the region's most unique tourism businesses – she grew up in the industry, after all.

The owner of Scamper Island Camping and Water Bikes Whitsundays was always bound for boats, growing up in Hervey Bay to whale-watching parents who started one of the original Australian tours.

“Growing up in the tourism and marine industries, I have always been working on the water,” Sarah said.

“When I first started, my parents would pay me in five-cent pieces; I think I would make about $2 for a whole day’s work! But I didn’t care, I loved the work.

“That job was amazing - to be this 21-year-old, female skipper coming out of the wheelhouse of my vessel, asking the crew to untie, and seeing the faces of the passengers. Yes, this young girl is in charge of this boat.”

Sarah earned the full complement of accreditations working for her parents before moving to the Whitsundays at 21 to expand her knowledge in a new marine environment. By that time, she was a qualified skipper already and began working as a deckhand for Ocean Rafting – a career that lasted eight and half years, and led her to become a Master Reef Guide.

“The best thing that happened was meeting my husband, Tim, at Ocean Rafting where we were both skippers,” Sarah said.

When Sarah became pregnant, she and Tim thought it was time to buy their own business. They purchased Scamper in November of 2019, running the business almost entirely themselves up until the middle of 2022, and have now started a new venture, opening water bike tours from both Shingley Beach and Shute Harbour.

Sarah has seen her business, and her life flourish in the Whitsundays.

Describe your personality in three words

Quiet, caring, fun

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Last week, the 2023 leaders of Whitsunday Christian College’s secondary and primary schools were officially welcomed to the role.

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm attended the event and said she was privileged to hear from some of the inspiring young leaders.

“Congratulations to all the senior leaders of Whitsunday Christian College who I know will all

‘Excel with Truth and Grace’ this year,” she said.

“Thank you to college Captain Lauchlan Whincop for his inspiring address - it was a privilege to speak to you all about living your values daily.”

Whitsunday Christian College Principal said she was very proud of all her students.

“I look forward to seeing our elected student leaders make a difference in the life of the College for 2023, raising student voice and leading in character and servanthood,” she said.

“Example is leadership.”

This Year’s Leaders

Secondary

• Lachlan Whincop – College Captain

• Misaki Palmer and Rowan Kangru – College Vice Captains

• Maribel Gudes and Andrew Fallon-Johnston – Secondary Lions House Captains

• Zoe Shepherd-Smith and Paige Whincop – Secondary Eagles House Captains

Primary

• Tyson Fenning and Pollyanna Bartlett – Primary School Captains

• Nelson Malady and Maddison Singlewood – Primary Vice Captains

• Kaia Kelly and Noah Porter - Primary Lions House Captains

• Indie-Rose Martin and Taylor Fairhall - Primary Eagles House Captains

Student Representative Council

Chace Walton

Liam Keyte

Brooklyn Forbes

Ryan Clark

Jens Fairhall

Sophie Purdon

Alexandra Kangru

Lachlan Riley

Charlotte Adams

Maddy Krieger

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Whitsunday Christian College Secondary Leaders

Whitsunday Christian College Primary Leaders. Photos supplied

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A new date has been announced for the second annual Cut Out Party which is due to be held on Saturday 18 March.

The event has been postponed twice, once because the crushing season was extended last year and secondly because of bad weather at the beginning of this year.

It is hoped that the third time will be a charm with this popular sugar industry celebration.

The event is an opportunity to celebrate the local sugar community, from the farmers to the mill workers and everyone in between.

“This year we are also acknowledging the other partners that contribute to this industry,” said organiser Elaine Riley.

“From the local tyre companies to the fuel and fertiliser companies, the providers of machinery and equipment and those who carry out the mechanical repairs and also those that are top-end suppliers to the milling enterprise.

“The diversity from within the community is both enormous and encompassing.”

Tickets are now on sale and include nibblies, a BBQ dinner, sweets, all drinks and a complimentary stubby holder.

On the night there will be prize giveaways and a charity auction.

There will also be live music and entertainment on the night and free party bags for all the kids.

In 2021, the inaugural event raised $12,000 for the Black Dog Institute and it is hoped that this year’s beneficiary, RACQ CQ Rescue, will receive a similar donation.

WHAT: Cut Out Party

WHEN: Saturday, March 18

WHERE: Proserpine Showgrounds

TICKETS: $75 per head, $15 children 7-17, 6 and under are free

BUY: Whitsundaytickets.com.au

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Each Whitsunday town will host a ‘Get Active Family Fun Day’ after the success of the inaugural event of its kind in Airlie Beach last September.

Whitsunday Regional Council will facilitate Get Active Family Fun Days across the region in March and April with the vision of promoting mental and physical health and well-being.

Each event will include entertainment, workshops, fitness activities, games, food, and information stalls from local organisations that support mental and physical health.

The program of free events starts in Collinsville on March 11 before heading to Proserpine, Airlie Beach, and Bowen -- a guide to each event can be found at the bottom of this article.

On the cards will be free activities at each which include a giant obstacle course, slip ‘n’ slide, and more, while The Airlie Beach event will be rounded off with a Family Movie from 6.00pm on the outdoor cinema screen.

Council is seeking expressions of interest from local health, fitness, well-being, entertainment and food vendors to participate in each Family Fun Day.

Event Time Location

Get Active Collinsville Saturday 11 March 2023 - 9am - 12pm Collinsville Lions Park

34 Conway Street, Collinsville

Get Active Proserpine Sunday 26 March 2023 - 9am - 12pm Halpannel Park

Hansen Drive, Proserpine

Get Active Airlie Beach Sunday 2 April 2023 - 3pm - 6pm

(movie to follow event) Airlie Beach Foreshore,

Coconut Grove, Airlie Beach

Get Active Bowen Saturday 15 April 2023 - 10am - 1pm Bowen Foreshore,

Santa Barbara Parade, Bowen

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Last week Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) and a number of growers and producers from across the Greater Whitsundays attended the Agrifutures Evoke Ag conference in Adelaide as part of a broader Queensland delegation led by the recently appointed Queensland Chief Entrepreneur Julia Spicer.

The event focused on discussion and learning toward the latest and greatest in Agricultural innovation and technology with significant presence by domestic and international vendors, investors and policymakers.  

Demonstrated was a range of Agtech across areas including but not limited to soil monitoring, irrigation, waste management, yield monitoring, supply chain traceability, farm data management, connectivity, AI and automation.

It was not only quite eye opening to see some of the technology coming down the line but reassuring to hear that our region is at the heart of these advancements, with many of our producers already seen as leaders in innovation and practice.

A significant theme of the event was around improving sustainability of our agricultural industries which has never been more evident within the national conversation around decarbonisation, clean energy and focus on reducing other environmental impacts of our key industries.

Part of our agenda and, I’d suggest one equally as important, was highlighting the role technology can play in making our farming businesses themselves more sustainable ensuring they can remain efficient and profitable, not just now but also ten years from now.

The current inflationary environment has been challenging for all in our communities, including farmers, who have seen two to three fold increases in costs of key farm inputs such as seed and fertiliser and continuing increases to transport costs making farming, and by extension food supply a business sector facing increased risk and volatility.

With a number of industry leaders in attendance and there to listen to the discussion including Federal Agricultural minister Murray Watt, BGGA has and will continue to promote the challenges and opportunities for new technology in our region highlighting the need for improved connectivity and progressing government investment into the development of the Agtech Ecosystem in North Queensland.

To this end, we’ll achieve what I’m sure we all want in furthering the mutually beneficial outcomes needed by both our farming communities and the environment.

Contributed with thanks to Ry Collins, President of BBGA
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Qld Delegation to Evoke Ag 2023 including BGGA, QLD Chief Entrepreneur Julia Spicer and representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Trade Investment QLD, Advance Queensland and QLD Agtech businesses. Photo supplied

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Discovering what type of litter is polluting our marine environment is an important part of the process of analysing our waste habits and learning how to change them.

Instead of collecting litter in the form of marine debris swept up onto the beach, The Coral Sea Academy has been working with Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership (HR2RP) to create an innovative plan to collect litter before it gets into the ocean.

Just over a year ago 15 litter traps were installed in Airlie Beach, Proserpine and Cannonvale as part of the Whitsunday Gross Pollutant Trap Project.

Since then, more than 8000 pieces of litter have been collected, sorted, and details entered into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database.

This valuable data is then used to assist with ongoing research and used to help guide source reduction programs.

Organisers are now calling out for volunteers to complete the final few audits.

“Many hands really do make light work, so we encouraged anyone who has a couple of hours to spare to come down and give it a go,” said HR2RP Community Engagement Officer Rebekah Smith.

“The information we gather from the community litter audits will help inform plans to reduce litter in the first place so it’s a great way to get involved and keep our region’s waterways healthy.”

This is just one of the EduTourism events offered through the Coral Sea Academy platform at Coral Sea Marina and Joscelyn O’Keefe, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Coral Sea Marina said that this project is a great way to help the local environment.

“The purpose of the Coral Sea Academy is to provide the opportunity for events such as these to engage with guests on themes that are relevant to the Whitsundays, such as protecting the natural assets that surround us,” she said.

“These community litter audits are certainly a great way in which any individual can help towards this goal.”

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Volunteer a few hours of your time to sort litter and provide valuable information

Sort litter with a stunning view of the marine environment you are helping to protect

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For Jessica Volker, a Bowen local and ex-dentistry student, becoming an organic farmer in the Lower Don was not in the script.

Yet the now treasurer of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, agronomic scientist, and consultant is in her third season of owning and operating her farm: Bio Lower Don Organics.

"I did not think my husband and I were going to be farmers – I never thought that would happen but it is seriously the best thing we have ever done,” Mrs Volker said.

Mrs Volker, although growing up in the horticultural hotspot of Bowen, had no experience in the agricultural world. Instead, her expertise was as a young dental assistant in town – eventually moving to the Gold Coast to study the profession.

“The thing I loved about dentistry was helping someone who was coming to see you – to get someone out of a jam, in a sense,” she said.

“When I started studying, I had to do a lot of science subjects, which ended up being agricultural. That was when it clicked that I loved agriculture and made the switch to agronomy.

“Now I’m helping farmers out of a jam in a way. I'm the go-to when you have a problem. It's like what I liked about dentistry but very different; only it still a people-person sort of job where you’re solving a problem.”

Mrs Volker moved back to Bowen to work in agricultural consultancy before starting her farm with her husband, Luke. The pair knew they “had to do something different” to stand out in Bowen.

“That’s why we decided to go certified organic,” she said.

“What we love about farming is the lifestyle it has given us. It’s a back-to-basics job. It’s lovely being out there planting and picking, it’s cliché to say but it’s very wholesome and special.”

With eggplant, tomato, chilli, mangos, and more, Mrs Volker and her family have found their passion in the Lower Don.

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Bowen-born Jessica Volker became an agronomic scientist and local farmer after a switch from studying dentistry

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What started as a hobby when the region was struck by a severe thunderstorm has become a ten-year foray into the media landscape for a group of local meteorological enthusiasts.

Liam Leonard and his L&K Mackay Severe Weather Facebook page team celebrated their 10th birthday last week and cast their eyes back on the day when they decided to take weather warnings into their own hands.

“Ten years ago, we were lashed with a severe thunderstorm in the region,” Mr Leonard said.

“There was no Severe Thunderstorm warning from the Bureau of Meteorology. It came from nowhere.”

By the afternoon of that day, Mackay’s commercial radio stations had stopped broadcasting and no local information leaving no information to be passed by traditional channels.

“I thought, ‘Bugger it, I'm going to create a local, up-to-date, weather information page and do a much better job than our friends at BoM,’” Mr Leonard said.

As more severe weather events came and went, the followers and likes grew, and ten years on the page has gathered more than 25,000 followers and is home to four self-taught meteorological hobbyists who have managed a 99 per cent accuracy for major events.

Local businesses have jumped on board, providing key sponsorships to avoid a paid subscription service – including a partnership as the Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper exclusive severe weather information source.

And the page continues to expand, covering the Whitsundays, Marian, and providing daily forecasts during the wet season with hopes to eventually become a full-time operation.

“We are still going strong, still giving the best, local, timely, accurate information with no scaremongering,” Mr Leonard said.

“The praise we receive gives us the incentive to keep doing something for the community, to help them out. I think people love that we’re here, we’re local – we go through the extreme weather with them. Pre-, during, and post-storm, we're here.”

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The L&K Mackay Severe Weather Facebook page celebrated 10 years of being there for the entire region this month

Image: Marty Strecker Photography

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Collinsville will transform into a ‘sea of pink’ for its first International Women’s Day Fun Run next month with local teams already raising $3600 to help Mater Foundation fight breast cancer.

More than 60 people will take part in the virtual iteration of the run, many from Glencore Coal’s Collinsville Open Cut operation, including organiser Alice Randell.

Ms Randell has encouraged her colleagues and other members of the community to take part and was inspired to start the virtual fun run in Collinsville by a Brisbane-based friend who had registered to take part in the 20,000-strong Brisbane fun run on March 12.

“And last year, I started my fitness journey after putting on a few kilos. When I saw Anna had registered, I thought, yes, I am doing this!” Mrs Randell said.

The International Women’s Day Fun Run supports women with breast cancer and raises vital funds for breast cancer research and services at Mater hospitals across Queensland.

Others who want to join the event need to simply complete a five-kilometre virtual fun run in their communities from March 6-12.

Across Queensland, almost 3000 participants have already signed up to take part in the virtual event, with teams running in Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Mackay, the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, and the Redlands.

Ms Randell is calling on other residents to join or copy her 'Collinsville Sea of Pink' team.

“I want others in small rural towns to join the fight against breast cancer,” she said.

“It’s important to get people moving and be active – and we all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer.”

She said the event was a great way to celebrate International Women’s Day while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

"Embracing a healthy lifestyle isn't always easy and I'm hoping that this event can show people that it can be done and that it can be fun too," she said.

“It can be hard to be focused on health and fitness in a small community, particularly when we don’t have the same state-of-the-art facilities that are available in metropolitan areas,” Ms Randell said.

Mater Foundation Chief Executive Officer Andrew Thomas said the fun run had been a much-loved event for more than 30 years and had been expanded to allow Queenslanders to participate wherever they live in the state.

Last year’s fun run was cancelled due to the 2022 Brisbane floods, but fund-raisers and virtual runners still managed to raise an incredible $1.75 million.

Participation in the previous 2021 fun run was capped at 13,500 and has now been increased in response to public demand.

“The response from the community this year has been overwhelming,” Mr Thomas said.

“We’re delighted that 20,000 Queenslanders will be joining the sea of pink in Brisbane this year and that so far another 3100 will be running in their own virtual events.

“If you live in other parts of Queensland, you can still be part of this fantastic celebration. Register with us and walk or run in your own community – every dollar you raise will help women fighting breast cancer.”

This year, Mr Thomas said the event organisers aim to raise more than $1.75m to provide personalised support services and state-of-the-art equipment to better diagnose and treat patients, as well as investing in life-saving breast cancer research at Mater.

“Please join us and show women with breast cancer that we’re right beside them during their most difficult time,” he said.

To learn more, visit: fundraise.mater.org.au/event/funrun-2023/virtual-how-it-works

WHAT: Virtual International Women’s Day Fun Run

WHERE: Anywhere in your neighbourhood (that’s safe!)

WHEN: March 6 to 12

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Collinsville Local Alice Randell is joining the Virtual International Women's Day Fun Run in early March

Mrs Randell and her ‘Sea of Pink’ team – which comprises community members from Collinsville and other employees from Glencore Coal’s Collinsville Open Cut operation

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