The team at Coles in Cannonvale launched their fresh new look at a special ribbon cutting event on Wednesday morning with their bright red branded truck setting a vibrant backdrop to the festivities.

For the past two months, the store has been receiving a complete refurbishment, as well as the addition of several new concepts which are set to increase the customer experience.

The new bakery will see flatbread made fresh and ‘flipped’ in-store and a brand-new baked artisan sourdough adding to the extensive range.

Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy the delicious dessert treats from the patisserie range and the mouth-watering frozen dessert bar, including mochi, mini gelatos and macarons which have already become extremely popular.

There is also a big cheese section for entertainers and new deli meat case.

Coles Cannonvale Store Manager Andrew McIntosh has worked at Coles for almost 12 years and said he was excited to provide an enhanced shopping experience and 30 additional local jobs to the community.

“The store has transformed immensely from what it used to look like,” he said.

“Coles is proud to be continuing to invest in the Cannonvale community and we have started recruiting to further grow our already strong team of around 100 team members, some who have been with us since we opened our doors in 2006.”

Local shoppers will have also noticed that new shelves and fridges have been added, and while many items have been moved to different locations, Andrew assures us that they have been laid out to align with our shopping habits.

Coles is also launching home delivery for time-poor customers and the convenient and complementary shopping service Click&Collect will expand.

Additional car parks will be added as well as new shades covering the collection area, just in time for summer.

The new store also champions sustainability, partnering with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and SecondBite to donate unsold edible food to disadvantaged Australians.

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The Coles team celebrate the new-look Cannonvale Store on Wednesday

Whitsunday audiences were greeted with a wonderful surprise when they tuned into their televisions this week to see a local tourism operator in the spotlight alongside Hollywood star Zac Efron.

Journey Beyond’s Cruise Whitsundays announced their participation in the newly released season of Netflix series ‘Down to Earth with Zac Efron’, which became available on the streaming platform late last week.

For its second season, Efron headed Down Under alongside wellness expert Darin Olien to travel Australia, learn about sustainable living practices, and experience Australia’s culture and beauty.

When natural splendour is being sought in the Antipodes, it’s unsurprising that Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefworld would feature heavily in the Great Barrier Reef episode of the series.

Focusing on the environmental factors facing coral reefs within the world’s largest reef system and the restoration techniques being used to try and restore and sustain the natural wonder, the episode ended with Efron and Olien spending a night at the Cruise Whitsundays Reefworld.

The Reefworld facility is Cruise Whitsundays award-winning, permanently moored pontoon found 39 nautical miles from the coast of Airlie Beach at Hardy Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef. It is most famed for its ‘Reefsleep’ for overnight guests, as well as receiving a recent gold win as Major Tour Attraction and Gold for Unique Accommodation at the Whitsundays Tourism Awards.

Cruise Whitsundays Sales and Marketing Manager, Renee Branton-Brown said the episode gave a “perfect balance of reporting tough environmental facts, while also providing great insight as to what is being done to mitigate those challenges and gives hope for future generations.”

“Cruise Whitsundays is incredibly proud to be involved with this production,” Ms Branton-Brown said.

“This episode highlights how lucky we are to live and work on the Great Barrier Reef, and why it’s so important we do what we can to protect it.”

Ms Branton-Brown said that Zac, who has been diving globally for over 15 years, was in awe of the beautiful patch of nature at Hardy Reef, which elicited genuine excitement and enthusiasm.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton thinks this is a fantastic coupe for the region at such an important time for international markets

“What an incredible opportunity for Cruise Whitsundays to be featured on a global platform like this. Now more than ever it’s crucial for The Whitsundays to be front of mind for international holiday makers,” Mr Hamilton said.

And, as if the recent accolades and the global exposure weren’t enough to convince travellers to book a night at Reefworld, Efron gave a stunning endorsement of the site for good measure.

“I will relive this moment in my head forever and ever. It’s truly one of the coolest experiences of my life,” Efron said.

“I’ve never seen coral that alive and thriving and so many different colours.”

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Zac Efron spent a night at Cruise Whitsundays’ Reefworld as part of his series ‘Down to Earth with Zac Efron’

Reefworld has been raking in the successes in recent weeks, both with international recognition on the Netflix series and as a double Gold winner at the Whitsundays Tourism Awards

The husband of a woman who died in a golf buggy crash on Hamilton Island has been charged in relation to the fatal incident which occurred in June this year.

Police allege Robbie Morgan – a 30-year-old New South Wales man - was driving without "due care and attention" during the crash which claimed the life of his 29-year-old wife Marina Hanna

Days after their marriage, whilst honeymooning on the famed resort island, the couple’s holiday ended in tragedy.

Following an “extensive investigation,” Mr Morgan is now being charged with dangerous driving which resulted in his new wife’s death.

The allegations also state the 30-year-old man was using a mobile phone whilst driving and that neither he nor his wife were wearing seatbelts.

Mr Morgan will appear in Proserpine Magistrates Court on December 5.

The incident had made national news when, on June 20 at approximately 4.30pm, police were called to a traffic crash involving a registered golf buggy on Hamilton Island’s Whitsunday Boulevard.

According to police, the buggy rolled during an attempted U-turn.

Mrs Hanna, the passenger, suffered critical injuries and died at the scene, despite attempts by an off-duty firefighter, doctor, and dentist to save her life. Mr Morgan was not physically injured.

In days after the crash, Mr Morgan took to Facebook, writing: “My heart is broken and my world shattered with the tragic loss of the most beautiful girl in the world.. my angel.. my saint.. my wife Marina Hanna.”

“I will love you forever and ever and EVER!”

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Marina Hanna and Robbie Morgan at their engagement party in 2019

Image: Facebook

An amazing month for businesses in the Whitsunday region – with no sign of the doom and gloom being discussed across all media. Harder times will come but currently, business in the Whitsundays is booming.

The Music Festival last weekend was a massive boost to visitation to the region with literally thousands flocking to the party. Airlie Beach was certainly alive and jumping to the beat of multiple bands in multiple venues. What a buzz! Congratulations to Butto and his team of tireless workers and volunteers. With accommodation full and eleven cruise ships scheduled for November, the tourism sector and associated hospitality and retail will enjoy a solid end to 2022.

Similarly, all businesses in the region are ramping up with the end of year rush and thrown into the mix is the Whitsunday Regional Council Division 2 Councillor by-election. Again, this election will be done using an optional preferential voting system, meaning you can number one, some or all of the ballot boxes in order of your preference. Again, the Chamber encourages everyone to number every box to give us the most preferred candidate, not just the one that get the most first votes. The Chamber is looking into options for a small meet-the-candidates forum and wishes all the candidates good luck.

Labor’s divisive Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 was passed by the lower house recently with the government now looking to pass the bill by December 1. The bill is aimed at closing the gender pay gap, expanding multi-employer bargaining and bringing in flexible rostering rights - workplace reforms established at the recent Jobs and Skills Summit.

These industrial relations reforms will accelerate wage growth and if passed, the legislation will significantly affect every small business in Australia both financially and in terms of increased compliance and bureaucracy. It is hard to imagine how the thousands of small business people will suddenly be able to comply with the complexities of meeting industrialised wages and enterprise bargaining agreements given they are stretched to the limit already.

Business advocates have asked for an amendment to the bill excluding employers with 50 employees or less. Hopefully common sense will prevail

The Chamber Christmas Party will be held on Thursday 1 December, 6pm at the Gin Bar, Mirage Whisper Bay. If possible, we will incorporate a meet the candidates evening subject to availability and will advise should that be the case.

Contributed with thanks to Allan Milostic from Whitsunday Coast Chamber

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One of the country’s most famous island resorts is now working with local youth, offering a range of job opportunities to school students between the age of 15 and 18 years old.

Hamilton Island is increasingly becoming a valued source of employment to many people residing on the mainland in the Greater Airlie Beach Area as it is a short and scenic ferry ride away from home.

Making this regular commute across the turquoise waters, are local teenagers Foxx LaMonica, Zavier Goswell and Lukas Allen-Fancke.

The three young men are all 15 years old and have worked in the food and beverage department at Sails Restaurant for the past two months.

“Working on Hamilton Island gives us something unmatched anywhere else,” said Zavier.

“It provides a learning experience and real-world skills that you can’t find anywhere else.”

Foxx agreed saying they had a “great environment to work in”.

“I love working in paradise and working with an amazing team,” he said.

“It teaches great life skills that we can take everywhere and, unlike other venues, Hamilton Island teaches professionalism.”

Lukas says he enjoys the calm ferry ride to work, the island’s natural beauty and meeting people from all over the world.

“Everyone is nice, kind and welcoming,” he said.

“It’s a fun place to work and I have learnt way more than I thought.”

With a variety of job roles on offer, including the island’s IGA, a porter at the hotel and food and beverage staff, Hamilton Island is a great way to gain experience in a number of areas and build towards a future career, or at the very least a solid resume.

CEO of Hamilton Island Peter Brulisauer was involved in setting up a similar ‘Junior Recruitment Program’ in his previous role at Perisher Resort. He said that as well as providing junior staff with ‘real life’ skills the young workforce  brings a fresh breath of air to the workforce.

“The teens have brought their youthful energy to the team, are diligent and hardworking and have fast become valued members of the team,” he said.

“It is a great opportunity to employ these young members of the community and nurture our homegrown talent and help set them up for their future success.”

Each new member of staff begins their tenure with a full day orientation led by the People and Culture team before entering a four-week outlet specific orientation related to their job area.

Each week of the four focuses on a specific skill as part of their job each week.

In addition to the training, students can engage with Robert Oatley College, which is a great resource that provides the Hamilton Island community with the opportunity to train or cross train in a number of areas.

For example, students can complete a Barista or Premium Wine course or get a forklift license for a role in logistics or even an exemption 38 or Coxswain qualification for Sea Service.

“The students have quickly become members of the close-knit staff community on Hamilton Island,” said Mr Brulisauer.

“And we look forward to welcoming more students to the island community as we move closer to the festive season.”

The opportunities are endless at Hamilton Island and first-job seekers who have a can-do attitude and willingness to learn are encouraged to apply.

Applicants simply need to be between 15 and 18, have a Queensland or National Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate and in some cases a driver’s licence.

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Hamilton Island is a tourist hot-spot and an ideal location for your first job

15-year-old staff members, Lukas Allen-Fancke, Zavier Goswell and Foxx LaMonica

Local action group Save Our Foreshore (SOF) will be facing over $150,000 in legal costs when they head to the Planning and Environment court hearing in March 2023.

The procedural hearing on November 9 allowed the team to inch forward in their goal of fighting against the Whitsunday Regional Council approved development plan which will see a 47.7 metre high-rise resort built on flat land at Port of Airlie.

SOF have been campaigning since 2006 to keep the “small village feel” of Airlie Beach and this latest battle has seen them accrue over 2000 signatures on a petition against high-rise development.

SOF President Suzette Pelt said the legal fight was a “long and daunting community process”.

“We’ve always been able to work through it, but never before has a Council so blatantly gone against the community, the town plan and their own policies by failing to properly acknowledge over 2000 submissions objecting to the proposal.”

Suzette says that in one case, the Planning and Environment court overturned a decision where the judge was found to have made an error in law with regard to the community’s expectations on building heights and she hopes they will do the same in this case.

“To maintain the famous character of Airlie Beach with its low-rise, village atmosphere, we will continue fundraising to meet the $150,000 target,” she said.

“In the New Year, keep a lookout for an online art auction where local artists are donating works to help fund the community versus a private receiver’s court appeal to fight for Airlie.”

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Protestors say no to high-rises in Airlie Beach

As is the case with many rural towns, Proserpine has its fair share of strong women who have contributed significantly to their district. One such remarkable character was Bridget Ryan, affectionately known as Granny Ryan.

In response to the enticement of free land, newly married James and Bridget Ryan, aged only 16 and 18 respectively, decided to leave Ireland for Australia. James was a coach builder and Bridget was a school teacher – an achievement of no small means in an era where few were educated. Bridget described the perils of their long voyage at sea on the Zamora”: “It wasn’t just the battle of the waves, but one’s very survival in crowded, unhygienic conditions.”  

Arriving in Brisbane, they found that the streets were not “paved in gold” and work in James’s trade could not be found, so they travelled to Sydney. Bridget took work as a housemaid for a pastoralist in the Blue Mountains and James worked as a station hand. When that work ceased, they travelled to Brisbane. James worked for a number of years in his own trade as a coach builder but there was no real continuity of work. In 1894, they were forced to take their family of six by boat to Bowen. Here the last link of the northern railway was being completed and James found work there.  

In 1904, with a large family of nine to care for, the Ryans moved by wagon to try their luck farming in Proserpine’s Preston district. This proved a disastrous step. James was unaccustomed to farm life and land had to be cleared and cultivated with none of the modern implements and methods of today. Life became a struggle. But like most women of her era, Bridget was tough, resilient and resourceful.

According to the stories Bridget told her family, there would have been no recycling problem. Clothes were handed down; sugar bags were made into “woggas” covered with patches of clothing; flour bags were used for aprons, tea towels and bandages; home remedies catered for illnesses.  Nothing was wasted - curtains made from rolled and pasted jam labels or newspapers were hung in doorways. Kerosene lanterns provided lighting. (Bridget remained terrified of electricity until the day she died).

The family battled for many years and when four of the eldest sons enlisted in World War 1, Bridget decided that they’d had enough of “that Godforsaken hole” and, virtually facing starvation on tea, flour and sugar rations from the police station, they moved to town.  Bridget received a special military award for her four sons who fortunately all returned home from the war.

In Proserpine, James obtained employment as a blacksmith at the Sugar Mill and a home was built where Ampol Service Station now stands, the site known as “Granny Ryan’s Corner” until her death at the age of 95.

Life in town was much easier and more enjoyable. Bridget often spoke of the excitement at election times when they and their neighbours decked out their horses, dogs and cats with ribbons of their political choice and also at the St. Patrick’s Day processions when Bridget marched carrying a green umbrella. These days were greatly anticipated; a relief from the hardship of life. Granny Ryan joined women such as Mrs Jupp and Mrs Maltby in raising funds from bazaars, fetes and the annual ball and serving hot meals in the streets.

Bridget Ryan remained fiercely independent until her death. She read without glasses; recited her catechism and said poetry in public – and throughout her life always retained a yearning for “dear old Ireland.”

Bridget had twelve children, two of whom died in infancy.

Story courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum and photo courtesy of Bridget’s granddaughter, Colleen Byrnes (nee Ryan)

Local students pulled on their hardhats and steel-capped boots for two days of work experience at a Collinsville Mine Site on Wednesday, November 2.

The grade 10 and 11 Collinsville State High School students took to the mines for a tour, as well as a trades-focused workshop courtesy of Glencore Coal.

Coordinated by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), roughly 20 students went behind the scenes at the site, exploring firsthand the mine’s varied local career opportunities on offer.

QMEA Director, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said the students rotated through hands-on trade activities under the guidance of Glencore Coal representatives, getting a feel for what skills are needed to pursue a “rewarding trade-based career in the resources sector.”

“This unique two-day experience strategically incorporates the most valuable aspects of work experience and life experience, helping the students bolster their professional and manual skills in a real-world context,” Ms Jones said.

“Integrating a school excursion with a skills-based workshop allows these bright young men and women to see how the activities they’re learning translate to in-demand, highly-paid jobs in a local industry.”

Human Resources Manager at Glencore Coal, Anthony Exelby said the two-day experience connected students with some of the company's most knowledgeable tradespeople, who can also provide personal insights into the extent of career pathways available.

“Each year, Glencore Coal brings on a new cohort of recruits for its four-year apprenticeship program, and we heavily rely on the talent pipeline that comes from local high schools to fill roles like electricians, mechanics, and boilermakers,” Mr Exelby said.  

“We want these students to experience some of the cutting-edge technology and innovative practices we have at our sites, helping us make our operations safer and more efficient.”

Collinsville State High School Principal, Mrs Anna Reeves said students greatly benefitted from learning new skills under the guidance of experienced industry professionals.

“Not only did the site tour and workshop show our students the different types of exciting career possibilities in their hometown, but it helped them make new professional networking connections,” Mrs Reeves said.

“The activities were also an excellent opportunity for them to apply their life skills like teamwork, problem solving, and critical thinking.”

QMEA, as Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and schools training initiative, said they seek to “broaden student and teacher knowledge of career opportunities in resources.”

The academy encourages a talent pipeline of employees into vocational and professional careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with 90 schools and is a partnership between the Queensland Resources Council and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.

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Students at Collinsville State High School headed to the mines to participate in work experience thanks to Glencore Coal

The Grade 10 and 11 students took part in a trades-focused workshop, as well as enjoying a tour of the Collinsville Mine Site

Images: Supplied QLD Minerals and Energy Academy

After Almost two decades in the making, Shute Harbour Marina Resort is forecasting a start of construction for the middle of next year, with plans to be fully operational by 2025.

Offering 395 private berths and 24 waterfront land and berth packages, the development is forecast to provide a ‘safe haven’ for boat owners.

In the past two years Queensland has experienced a doubling of boat registrations which is touted as potentially leading to a shortage of marina berths.

This is coupled with insurance companies requiring owners to seek permanent berths for their vessels, especially in cyclone prone areas like the Whitsundays.

These factors, combined with the natural beauty of the area, led to Adelaide developers choosing Shute Harbour to become a unique and modern marina, the first one built in the region for over 10 years.

Shute Harbour Managing Director, Sam Wade, said that over 450 jobs will be provided in the two-and-a-half-year construction phase and a further 250 in operation thereafter.

Taylors Property Specialists are working with developers to sell the lucrative berth and land packages, with Principal Rob Taylor saying they have received over 3000 enquiries and half are already sold.

To celebrate the successful project and connect with the community, Shute Harbour Marina Resort hosted a special event last week which included a talk by well-known researcher Peter Bell from Aurelius.

He presented his report findings and outlined the need for a marina of this calibre in the Whitsundays.

“Over half (57 per cent) of marinas in Queensland had a waiting list for boat storage spaces during their peak seasons,” said the report.

There are 10,678 wet berths in Queensland, with 61 per cent of these located in the state’s south-east.

North of Bundaberg there are 4,117 marina berths, and just 49 are for sale, leaving just 1.2 per cent of the supply available.

Attending the special event, held at the Volunteer Marine Rescue Centre in Cannonvale, were a mix of marine operators, professionals and local councillors.

After the presentation, a panel took questions with the central theme being the environment – where the dredge spoil would be taken and whether water quality would be affected.

Mr Wade reassured the community that water quality measures would be taken and that the dredge spoil would be removed from the area.

Shute Harbour Marina Resort is owned by a 100 per cent Australian consortium and has a small group of shareholders making decisions.

The development will cost $350 million and will be one of the biggest residential-resort projects for North Queensland in more than a decade.

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Shute Harbour Marina Resort Developer Sam Wade, researcher Peter Bell and Rob Taylor from Taylors Property Specialists

Over 30 people attended the special event held in Cannonvale last week

The new yacht share syndicate which has been creating conversations across the Whitsunday region, is hosting an open viewing event at the end of the month and everyone is invited to come down to Sorrento’s at Coral Sea Marina.

A unique concept in luxury boat ownership, Yacht Share Marina offers a syndicate of eight investors the opportunity to own shares in a vessel and spend up to six weeks a year sailing around the Whitsundays and the east coast.

The Bali 4.4, named Aleka, is the first of its kind in Australia and boasts 85 square metres of useable space on the main deck.

Known for its luxury, style and comfort the catamaran has an entire side dedicated to the master suite, where the owners can relax in comfort and privacy while their guests enjoy the other ‘wing’.

The galley and saloon areas are akin to a sumptuous lounge setting with all the modern fixtures and fittings you would expect from a vessel of this calibre.

All eight syndicate options for Aleka are already sold but a new Bali 4.4 is due to be delivered to the region next May.

In the meantime, anyone interested in taking a look is invited down to Sorrento on Wednesday, November 30 from 5pm until 7pm.

There will be drinks and nibbles served and an opportunity to find out more about the opportunity.

Anyone interested in touring the vessel, which will be berthed a short walk away, will need to make a booking to receive a time slot.

WHAT: Yacht Share Boat Viewing

WHERE: Sorrento, Coral Sea Marina

WHEN: Wednesday, November 30 from 5pm until 7pm

VIEWINGS: Call Trevor on 0412 296 656

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The Bali 4.4 is the only one of its kind in Australia

A group of Whitsunday students travelled to Brisbane to compete in a state-level STEM contest that saw their school raise $20,000 in sponsorship for a region-new program.

Bowen State High School Year 8 and 9 students travelled to the Queensland capital for the F1 in School’s State Finals from October 30 to November 3.

In their first time entering the competition, the local school saw several of its F1 Academy Classes – who participated throughout the year in a program which saw them design and race their own miniaturised Formula 1 race cars – qualify for state level at the F1 in School’s Regional Finals in mid-June in Mackay.

Teachers Katie Broomfield, Ben Davies, and Kayne Fayolle travelled with the students to Brisbane for the program which Mr Fayolle said the program “not only gets students working in teams, it also provides them with industry applicable skills, most notably through the use of industry-level computer programs.”

“They use Computer Assisted Design and a CNC Router Machines where anything they’ve designed in the program can be automatically cut, milled or anything like that,” he said.

“In this instance, they were creating cars, collating the data, testing it, and making a better design for competition.”

The F1 competition involves teams designing their own F1 car model with consideration given to Newton’s Laws of Motion, Aerodynamics, weight, friction, and other key principles of physics.

For the program’s success astounding success in its first year, Bowen State High School’s Senior School Head of Teaching, Tim Close, said they needed to thank both minor and major sponsors who helped them raise $20,000 dollars towards the F1 classes.

Mr Close said the students at the event made an outstanding effort and represented the school in perfect fashion, especially as it was their first year in the program.

“There are some schools who have been a part of it for 20 years, from the inception, and we were up there competing with them in our first year,” Mr Close said.

“We had a strong performance and the positives are that we can hopefully go again next year and send them through to nationals.”

The competition took place at Queensland University of Technology at the Gardens Point Campus with 27 students competing across the program’s distinct Development and Cadet in their self-named teams: Nitrous, Fast Finishers, C-TA, Rapido, KG Racing, Wescon, and Apollo Racing.

Mr Close said the school was extremely proud of the students and of the teaching team as part of a “massive, whole school effort.”

“The commitment by the actual classroom teachers with six-months of pedagogy and other staff members who have stepped in, as well as the students is exemplary,” he said.

“We are very excited to improve these programs in the future and produce the quality of the cars and the quality of their presentation in years to come.”

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Bowen State High School Student’s headed to Brisbane for the State Finals of the F1 in School’s in early November

The school hosted a sponsorship night for its major sponsors and minor sponsors who raised $20,000 dollars towards the program’s implementation

The way we dispose of our waste is changing - methods are improving and technology is enabling us to streamline processes - there are countless options to recycle almost anything from car tyres to batteries and mobile phones.

The Whitsunday Regional Council is at the forefront of this change and Manager of Waste Services, David De Jager, said they are currently developing a new Waste Management Strategy which will be rolled out in the coming months.

In the past year, 27 per cent of all waste received as landfill has been diverted, but David said that the biggest problem in regional areas like the Whitsundays is finding a company to purchase and then re-purpose the waste.

“We have no local markets,” he said.

“We have to find markets, and this often means transporting waste off-site which starts to stack up financially.”

Most importantly, though, David said it all starts with us. By adopting sustainable practices in our own households, we can contribute a small part of the bigger picture.

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WHERE DOES MY RECYCLING GO?

While some in the community believe that all recycling gets put back into landfill, this is a myth – local recycling is sent directly to Mackay for processing.

“It heads straight to the Material Recycling Facility in Mackay where it is sorted,” said David De Jager.

“A company called Re-Group sort it, remove all contamination, find markets for it and then it is turned into new products.”

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YELLOW BINS

While many households have yellow recycle bins, most apartment complexes do not. These locations often do not have the space for an additional bin on the premises, but Council are hoping to address this as part of the new strategy.

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SATELLITE TRANSFER STATIONS

There are 15 Satellite Transfer Stations in the Whitsundays and Council is working to transfer as many as possible into kerbside waste pick-up. So far this year, they have managed to close two stations by expanding areas serviced by garbage trucks.

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FOGO

No, this is not an acronym for ‘Fear Of Going Out’, it actually means Food Organics Garden Organics – these waste products represent 42 per cent of what we put in our household rubbish and they are the next big focus in our national waste management plan.

We are all encouraged to use our food waste as fertiliser in our veggie patches or in worm farms. If you don’t have these, then find a friend who does and donate your scraps to them.

One day there will be a third kerbside collection bin for FOGO, in fact, Townsville Council are already trialling one.

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BIGGEST PROBLEMS

• Solar panels that were installed 10 years ago are largely ending their working life and we do not have a local market for them yet, they are currently taken to Townsville

• Soft plastics – Coles shut down there REDcycle program last week. This had been a donation point for ‘anything you can scrunch’, so there is nowhere to dispose of this waste anymore

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RECYCLING RULES

• Follow the instructions on the label, if it has three arrows pointing towards each other in a triangle then it is recyclable

• Never use a plastic bag to recycle – remove contents and place them ‘nude’ into bin or tip

• Only recycle paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass jars and bottles, plastic containers, milk and juice cartons

• Rinse well before placing in recycle bin

Recycle your mobile phone here:

• Your local library

• Your local tip

• Your local phone shop

• Your local Council offices

Recycle old batteries here:

• Your local Bunnings

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Every location has its negatives, and in the beautiful Whitsundays, those come in the form of storm season running from November to April each year.

Tropical cyclones are a fact of life in the region when the gorgeous beaches and sunny skies turn dark and cloudy, and now is the month for residents to begin natural disaster preparedness according to Whitsunday Regional Council’s Disaster Management Coordinator, Sandra Black

“Now is as good a time as any; a time before we all start breaking for Christmas,” Ms Black said.

“The last things we want to be doing once our family arrives and we take on a holiday mode is pack up a house. It’s time to look over these things this month before we relax within that Christmas break.”

Ms Black said, for every household, the best place to start is with the basic of ensuring your gutters are cleaned, because storm season doesn’t always mean tropical cyclones, it can also mean inclement, severe rain and wind.

“Things like making sure before the season that your outside area is cleared of items that could become projectiles are great first steps,” Ms Black said.

“And in terms of purchases or items, generators, and batteries as well as an emergency kit are integral. Emergency kits include things like non-perishable foods for four to six days, first aid kits, batteries for radios – items you’ll find when you’re going camping.”

As well, the importance of familiarising yourself with storm season information is key. More information is always available at Council’s ‘Cyclone Sunday’ events, which will be hosted in Airlie Beach on November 27 at the Airlie Beach Foreshore and at Bowen Markets on November 20.

“The Whitsundays is very transient, so many people in the area who are not used to this weather and have never been in a cyclone before,” Ms Black said.

“These events are pivotal to getting the information out there about how warning systems work, how we can look after our households, our families.”

Ms Black said templates of Emergency Plans were available within Council’s Whitsunday Disaster Dashboard, as well as its customer service desks.

“The plans are good to complete with your family; get the kids involved and let them be part of it,” she said.

“I find at home, if I was ever getting ready, I would get my daughter to look after the animals with water, food. It gives them a job to do when you might be concentrating on other stuff. Let the whole family including kids be involved with little jobs.”

More information is available at both the Council website as well as the two community events on November 20 and 27.

WHAT: Cyclone Sunday (preparedness event)

BOWEN: Bowen Market, November 20

AIRLIE: Airlie Beach Markets, November 27

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Having a substantial first aid kit for the Whitsundays’ cyclone season – which occurs annually off the Queensland coast from November through to April – is paramount, according to local experts.

It’s as pivotal as wearing a seatbelt.

In a year where the likelihood of any tropical cyclone is above average, the month before a predicted four weather events occur in Australia’s Eastern region is a time of preparation.

Qualified First Aid Trainer and owner of AWB First Aid First, Andrew Barker, said first aid kit maintenance was key at this time of year, and that the first step for any individual, business, or household in the Whitsundays, was in accessing their own needs.

“Whether it’s a whole family or a personal kit, they need to be appropriate for the risk level of where they’re living,” Mr Barker said.

“If they’re living in town, the risk level is different to living somewhere like Strathdickie which might be cut off in a storm event. What is needed is to have a first aid kit that is going to both give you the ability to perform basic first aid, but also more serious stuff in a situation where emergency services may not be able to get to you for up to 24 hours, such as during Cyclone Debbie.”

Mr Barker said most people buy their kits off the shelves, and in most cases, these kits are substantial and can cover all bases, but using them is another matter.

“It’s like buying a car and not having a license,” Mr Barker said.

“People may not know how to use them, and of course, we run first aid courses and we say to anyone: if you’re going to buy a kit, you need to know how it is used.

“What I advise for everyone when they buy a kit is to take it home, put it on the kitchen table and unpack it. Put it all on the table and have a look at it and understand it. Each kit comes with a list of its contents, which is used for restocking. As well, kits have an expected life expectancy of three to five years and need to be restocked or replaced.

“If there’s ever any confusion, you can come in and see us and we’re more than happy to discuss it with you.”

AWB First Aid First supplies the Whitsundays with professional first aid training, first aid kits and more.

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Wendy Barker from AWB First Aid First with some of the business’ first aid kits, suitable for the tropical storm season in the Whitsundays

A proactive collaboration between local sugarcane growers and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation is starting to reap benefits, making a big difference in how we farm our land and protect the Reef.

Funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, a large-scale $200 million water quality program is enabling projects to improve the quality of water entering the Reef, with $22.2 million being invested to support projects in the Whitsunday and Mackay region.

Mid-way through its four-year project period, the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program has engaged with multiple growers, investing in initiatives across 40 per cent of sugarcane land in the Pioneer and Plane Basins.

With farmers spending a significant amount of money on inputs to grow their crop, many have been eager to hear how precision ‘smart farming’ can reduce costs while leveraging increased profitability.

Program Manager for the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program, Chris Dench, said that the interests of the farmers are at the forefront of the project.

“Improving on-farm productivity and profitability is key, while increased water quality is an outcome of this improvement,” he said.

“Everyone wants a healthy Reef – a lot of growers spend time out on the Reef, it’s close to everyone’s hearts – but you have to maintain a profitable business as well.”

Through a series of funding streams that provide agronomic advice and equipment that assists with adopting environmentally sustainable practices, many farmers have jumped at the opportunity to trial initiatives.

Adopting practices such as planting soy or mung beans can allow growers to reduce the amount of synthetic Nitrogen being applied, which can result in big cost savings. Equally, identifying and addressing soil constraints such as pH can reduce the cost to the grower and the amount of fertiliser required.

Other growers involved in the program have focused their attention on better application of pesticides. Through the fabrication of a high clearance spray tractor and GPS rate controller, one grower has reduced pesticide usage by 15 per cent.  

These are just two examples of what is currently underway within the nine different project areas of the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program.

“It’s been incredible to see the willingness of growers to get involved, give things a go and trial innovations,” said Chris.

“Farmers take their stewardship of the land seriously and we enjoy working with them for the benefit of everyone.”

The Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and is locally managed by Central Resource Services and coordinated by Reef Catchments.

If you are a grower in the Pioneer, Plane Creek, Proserpine or O’Connell catchments and would like to find out about opportunities to be involved, please visit www.reefcatchments.com.au

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This high rise boom sprayer was fabricated and enabled one grower to reduce pesticide usage by 15 per cent. Photo supplied by Reef Catchments.