The grief-stricken mother of 24-year-old Luke Gilbert, who was fatally shot by police on the main street of Airlie Beach late last month, paid a visit to the site of her son’s death leaving behind a card which read ‘this is where they took you, but this isn’t where you stay’ on the back.

She also placed a toy four-wheel drive vehicle symbolising his love of camping and adventures, alongside a miniature skateboard to represent his passion for skating when he was younger.

Arriving from the UK where she resides in the city of Manchester, Nicola and her husband Darren Gilbert, say that they hope police realise that their lives also ended that night.

The couple are staying in Townsville but came down to Airlie Beach on Monday when the body of their son was released.

They will now take him back to Mandurah in Western Australia where he had been living prior to moving to Queensland a few months ago.

Nicola said that her son was loved by everyone who knew him and that he lit up the room because he was such a genuinely nice guy.

Furious with what she views as ‘excessive force’ by the police, Nicola says she hopes the officers feel guilty about what they have done.

“I hope my son is the last thing you think about before you go to sleep,” she said.

“I hope you realise you were the bigger threat that night spraying bullets into the ‘safe’ precinct endangering others.

“I hope you wish you had used one of the three other options you had, I hope you never get to use your firearm ever again and I hope more that you don’t want to.”

Luke was fatally shot by police just after midnight on October 1 when he allegedly threatened officers with a pen knife which had a blade that is believed to be between 4-5cm long.

Up to five shots were allegedly fired that night, two hitting parked cars on the street and one fatally hitting Luke.

Police performed CPR on him for some time but unfortunately Luke was pronounced dead at the scene.

An outpouring of grief came from friends and family, with many in the community wondering how the incident provoked such a strong response from police.

Two officers were present at the time of the incident, one who is believed to have 13 years’ experience in the police force and the other with three years.

Investigations are continuing into the shooting with evidence being drawn from the body cameras worn by officers and CCTV footage of the scene at the time of the incident.

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Luke Gilbert was fatally shot by police earlier this month

His parents left this vigil behind at the site of his death on the main street of Airlie Beach

A reshuffle at the top has generated movement below for local council as one councillor departs mid-term and a career politician takes up full-time work at the mines.

Both Whitsunday Regional Councillors previously vied for the top job at the recent mayoral election and, when they were unsuccessful, decided to pursue other ventures.

Mike Brunker, a previous Mayor of both Bowen Shire and Whitsunday Regional Council for a combined 15 years and a recent Federal candidate for Dawson and State candidate for the Burdekin, has now decided to wear both corporate shirts and steel cap boots, taking a job as a “coal sampler” and “helping his niece out” while also retaining his position as Division 6 Councillor.

Brunker and his wife currently own Bowen Plaza News and after six years, the couple now have the business for sale.

“My wife wants to sell, and I’ve decided to change direction a bit,” said Cr Brunker.

A Council spokesperson said it is not uncommon for Councillors to hold a second job as their role is a category 3 on the Local Government pay scale which is considered part-time with renumeration around $70,000.

Indeed, Councillor John Collins is a well-known local retailer operating Downtown Butchery in Proserpine and Deputy Mayor Gary Simpson owns a large cane farm in the area.

Brunker’s new role, however, will see him leave the region for seven days a fortnight and many are asking the question of whether this could be symbolic of his intention to leave politics, with this being his last term in office.

This announcement comes just two weeks after Al Grundy’s shock resignation following his appointment with Mackay Isaac Tourism.

With his seat vacated at the beginning of this week, the Electoral Commission of Queensland say they are still waiting to receive confirmation as to when and how the next by-election for the Division 2 seat will be run.

It is meant to take place within eight weeks of the seat being vacated.

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One confirmed and a second unconfirmed candidate for the Division Two Councillor role have stepped forward to stake their claim in the seat which Al Grundy vacated a week ago.

Mr Grundy resigned from his position mid-term which means that a by-election will be called within the coming weeks.

The Electoral Commission Queensland said they are still waiting to receive a confirmation of the date and method of voting (which may be postal) but that it is expected to happen within eight weeks.

In the meantime, candidates are beginning to come forward with long-term local resident, Clay Bauman, officially announcing he is running this week.

Known for his vocal Council meeting appearances where he holds staff members to account on various issues including the Port of Airlie development, Mr Bauman says he is now looking forward to creating change from the inside instead.

“I know it’s a big step-up to be part of it, but I have had a lot of dealings with Council,” he said.

“I’ve tried my best to do it from outside, so now I’ll have a go at doing it from the inside.”

Coming from a film and television background, working as both a Director and Producer for many years, Mr Bauman says he understands how to deal with different departments, meet budgets and other organisational practices common in big corporations like a Council.

“I also have direct experience with reading Council agendas and reports, and I’ve been attending Council meetings for years,” he said.

“I have a real grounding on what the responsibilities and powers of a Councillor are, and I will be able to put some dedication and diligence into this role so that Council can make balanced decisions, that benefit the community.

“We need a strong voice for discussion to debate all issues and get the voices of the community heard.”

One of the main topics on the agenda for Mr Bauman, if elected, will be major amendments to the Planning Scheme which he believes falls short of what was promised to the community.

He has already met personally with Mayor Julie Hall and says that he feels he could work well with the team.

The second, unconfirmed candidate, is still yet to officially come forward but it is believed he will do so within the coming weeks.

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Clay Bauman will run for the Division 2 seat

A second candidate is unconfirmed

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Our local member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm MP, is speaking up on behalf of concerned local residents who are unhappy about the location of the new Airlie Beach Fire Station.

The brand-new $7 million replacement fire and rescue station has been ear-marked for a residential area on the corner of Shute Harbour Road and Macarthur Drive in Cannonvale.

Ms Camm says that, while she is pleased to see that Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) have recognised a need for adequate emergency services to support the growing Cannonvale community, she does share the community’s concerns in regard to the proposed site.

“It’s not often that a community gets a new fire station, so we need to ensure this station is best positioned to not only support the community now but also as it grows in the future," she said.

“I have met with local residents and I share their concerns regarding noise and light impacts on residences in the area, as well as heavy traffic at that particular intersection, and the removal of quality residential land from the market during a housing crisis.

“The Queensland government needs to understand that ‘consultation’ does not mean making a decision and then informing the public after the fact.

“It’s time for community members to have their say on the location of their new fire station.”

Ms Camm is now sponsoring a petition calling on the government to engage in genuine community consultation and invites residents to sign the petition so they can have their say.

You can find the petition online at: https://bit.ly/3yPP3Ix

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie are calling on the Federal Government to maintain commitments made to the regions through the Building Better Regions Fund.

Speaking in Mackay last week, Mr Willcox said the Dawson electorate received multiple funding commitments from the Building Better Regions Fund including $50,000 to Proserpine State School, $1 million towards stage 2 of the Lake Proserpine Recreation Facility and $9 million towards Disaster Resilience and flood protection.

He said the $420,000 committed to Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Whitsunday is also at risk.

“That goes towards the upgrade of their clubhouse or actual facility where they do a lot of their rescues from,” Mr Willcox said.

“They’ve had a 50 per cent increase in their callouts in the last few years and now they’re required to do medivacs and all those sorts of things and they’re all volunteers, they even pay for their own shirts.”

“We need to provide them with facilities to help service the community and keep people safe.”

“These projects cannot happen for your average council.

“We need federal government support and that’s why the Building Better Regions Fund is so important.

“We will be watching what happens in this budget to make sure that we get our fair share because the people of Dawson deserve it.”

Ms McKenzie said key projects facing an uncertain future include a swathe of community and major infrastructure projects that will underpin the future economy of the Dawson electorate.

“We are very concerned about the Government’s silence on regional funding in the lead-up to the Budget,” Ms McKenzie said.

“I’ve had mayors right around the country express concern to me that the Building Better Regions Fund will come under attack.

“It’s up to the Labor Party to keep those commitments, to keep backing the regions, because we believe we deliver a lot for this country so we’re asking they do not remove one dollar from the programs that underpin our economic and our social future.”

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie in the Mackay last week. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

A group of dedicated community members who fight for the protection of Airlie Beach’s small town, low-rise, village atmosphere is heading to court today in order to challenge the Whitsunday Regional Council decision to approve a 46.7 metre high-rise building at Port of Airlie.

Similar height buildings already exist in Airlie Beach but they hug the hillside and are therefore less dominant than the striking structure that will sit on flat public parkland at Port of Airlie.

Community group Save Our Foreshore (SOF) have been at the forefront of challenging such developments for many years and have successfully fought developers on two occasions.

They have now raised a staggering $22,000 to pay for a barrister and legal costs in taking the matter to the courts today.

In addition, they have a petition which holds over 2000 signatures from residents who do not wish to see the development go ahead.

SOF President Suzette Pelt said that with developers reconfiguring the site into 10 lots, she is concerned that the recent approval of a high-rise will pave the way for a “Mini Manhattan” separating adjacent Airlie apartments, homes and shops from the Beach.

“Foreshore high-rises just don’t belong in Airlie Beach,” she said.

“Losing public parkland to make it happen is just not on either - what happened to the original Queensland Government approval of a maximum of three to five storeys in an integrated resort development over the whole site?”

“Traditionally town plans support maintaining the character of a place, and for Airlie Beach that is its low-rise, village atmosphere brand.”

Ms Pelt said a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the cause.

“We’ve reached this critical point thanks to the amazing financial support of the Whitsunday community, businesses and visitors who were shocked and disgusted with council’s decision,” she said.

“We believe we have a very strong case. Based on the opinion of our expert witness and barrister who will argue not just on planning issues, but on social and community grounds as well.”  

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Save Our Foreshore have been protesting about the Port of Airlie high-rises for some time, but today they head to court

Closing in on almost a century of community involvement in Proserpine, the local Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) branch are cleaning house to fundraise for their future.

Set to celebrate 100 years in July next year, the local branch will hold their first ever garage sale next week to raise money towards upgrading their QCWA Hall on Main Street.

The Proserpine branch’s current building – constructed in 1935 - needs its entry access ramp and stairs replaced, and a garage sale was plotted to help fundraise for the cause.

Proserpine QCWA member Kerri Southee said the building has served the community in many ways since its establishment.

“It is used for many varied events and community organisations even today. From Yoga to Orchid Society Meetings and the QCWA ladies themselves meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 9am,” Ms Southee said.

“We need the community support to keep this historic institution alive and well and continuing to serve the community of the Whitsundays.”

QCWA are an active community of women who, together, improve the lives of people living in regional, rural, and remote Queensland. They are always looking for members.

The garage sale will begin at 8.00am on Saturday, October 29, at the QCWA Hall on 4 Faust Street, Proserpine. Donations will also be accepted with the hall opening the day before from 1.00pm to 4.00pm.

The Whitsunday Coast Chamber AGM held last week was a tick and flick affair with financials presented and accepted by attendees and current committee members retaining their positions and looking forward to the coming 12 months. The Chamber would welcome new committee members so if would like to become involved in the advocacy for business issues in the Whitsunday region, please get in touch.

This week the Chamber hosted its free information seminar to brief employers on the benefits of a Designated Area Migration Agreement in the region. It allows businesses to attract more full time workers across a broader range of skills, and age groups and because it allows full time residency at the end of the visa, it makes regional communities stronger – with more permanent workers in the area. To be successful, a DAMA needs the employers to get behind the process. If you missed the sessions, please contact the chamber for more information.

The Chamber, alongside other groups and business people, met with the new Mayor, Julie Hall to begin a working relationship with her. Concerns shared included a lack of master planning for growth in the region, and the way that representation of residents in different Divisions is applied. Specific issues businesses have with some council processes were also discussed and we look forward to a progressive relationship.

October is Indigenous Business (IBM) month, a time to shine a light on the economic contributions of Indigenous businesses, people and organisations. It is also an opportunity to showcase the power of the Indigenous business sector and its commitment to an inclusive and sustainable future. If you are an Indigenous business owner and would like to promote your business, contact the chamber via our website.

By Allan Milostic from Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce.

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Local tourism operators met visiting travel agents from all over Australia this week for a face-to-face chat to promote the region at the 2022 Whitsunday Tourism Exchange, the first of its kind in over three years.

On Tuesday, attendees engaged in a speed-dating style conversation where each local operator had just eight minutes to spruik the merits of their tour, service or experience to the 31 trade delegates that represented companies from across Australia.

A mixture of travel associates, inbound and online travel agents enjoyed the reconnaissance mission, connecting with tourism providers to discover the best recommendations for their clients.

A total of 36 local hotels, tour operators, transport services and affiliated businesses joined the conference, using their eight minutes to win good rapport and secure potential bookings.

The event took place at Club Wyndham and was followed by a networking event at Shute Harbour Marine Terminal.

Afterwards, a portion of the buyers stayed on in the Whitsundays for a post event famil, spending one night in Airlie Beach, enjoying a tour to Whitehaven Beach and concluding with a night on one of the islands.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO, Rick Hamilton said the event was an excellent opportunity for local tourism businesses.

“The goal of this event is to make sure every person looking for a holiday has access to The Whitsundays through their chosen booking channel,” he said.

“By bringing the top buyers into the region we’re making sure they know the product available and are seeing The Whitsundays at the same time.”

Tourism Whitsunday Trade Manager, Suzy Bohan said that travel agents are always on the lookout for a great holiday destination for their clients.

“The Whitsundays Tourism Exchange is one of the best ways we’ve found to influence travel itineraries issued nationally and internationally,” she said.

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A staggering 385,000 women die annually during childbirth, many from preventable infections.

The Zonta Club of the Whitsundays Inc. and students from two Proserpine high schools put together 600 birthing kits at the beginning of October to be sent overseas and combat that harrowing statistic.

The Zonta Birthing Kit project – which began in 1995 - involves clubs arranging a birthing kit assembly day, putting together simple, clean birthing kits and sending them to birthing assistants in developing countries.

Proserpine State High School have been participating in the project alongside the local Zonta club for over a decade, and on October 13, volunteered 30 of their year 10 students to contribute in the altruistic activity for the first time.

Early Childhood Teacher Cathy Muller said her year 10 students had recently completed the curriculum’s sexual education component – including birthing – and the birthing kit project had resonated with many of the young girls in her cohort.

“They think about giving birth in the future and they have the luxury of a hospital, while these ladies who receive the packages have nothing,” Ms Muller said.

“We forget about that.”

Whitsunday Zonta Club President Dianne Trueman said, alongside St Catherine’s College Proserpine, the support from the State High School was exceptional.

“Proserpine school do a great job with us, alongside St. Cath’s who have a Z Club. It’s always fantastic and all these kids gain something from it,” she said.

Both school’s complete 200 kits each, with the Zonta Club completing the remainder to reach 600.

The kits cost $5 each and consist of a sheet of plastic, gauze, string, a blade, soap, and gloves.

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Zonta Club members and students and staff at Proserpine State High School helped to put together 600 birthing kits for Zimbabwean women

A Whitsundays non-for-profit is distributing tasty treats next week as part of its annual, full-day of child safety education and awareness.

On Day For Daniel on Friday, October 28, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre will raise funds for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation through a “Cupcake Drive”, selling scrumptious treats.

The Cupcake Drive is just one of the activities on the centre’s itinerary for the day, including child protection lessons and educational activities run throughout Friday at the centre's Scallywags Childcare premises next door.

The annual event is Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day and honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe, a thirteen-year-old boy who was tragically abducted and murdered on the way to his local shopping centre where he planned to buy Christmas presents for his family.

The red t-shirt he wore on the day he went missing has become a symbol of child safety awareness and every year, thousands of people dress in red to commemorate his life and better our world.

Although purchasing closed yesterday for the cupcakes, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre executive officer Bec Woods said the message of Day For Daniel was just as important as the sweet treats.

“Each year we do something for Day For Daniel to promote child protection principles and educational resources; it’s a very worthy and important cause,” Ms Woods said.

“Getting the word out through school letters and social media has been an integral part of this fundraising process.”

The cakes will be baked fresh by Proserpine business, Buttercup Lane, and collected at two sites: The Neighbourhood Centre and the business itself. They hope to raise $500 dollars for the foundation this year.

You can donate to Day For Daniel here: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/get-involved/donate/

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Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre are spreading the message of Day for Daniel through delicious fundraisers and education programs

Tickets are selling fast for the third annual Zonta Club of the Whitsundays Derby Day which is due to be held at La Tabella in Airlie Beach next Saturday.

The perfect excuse to get dressed in your finest race day outfit, this event is a wonderful opportunity to have a fun and extravagant experience while raising money for many local causes which actively help women and girls in the community.

The Derby Day Luncheon commences at midday with a glass of chilled Prosecco presented upon arrival.

A three-course lunch will then follow, exhibiting some of the finest cuisine the highly-regarded Italian restaurant has to offer.

The main race of the day will be televised and guests can take part in the sweeps.

There will also be raffles, three big auctions and a silent auction.

Top prizes include three luxury holidays.

The dress code is ‘black and white’ with best dressed and best hat for both male and females judged on the day.

All money raised will go straight towards Zonta Club of the Whitsundays’ projects which include giving scholarships and bursaries to local students, supporting the Women’s Refuge and engaging with global campaigns.

Derby Day represents the start of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and is a thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old’s with a total prize pool of $2 million.

WHAT: Zonta Club of the Whitsundays Derby Day

WHERE: La Tabella, Airlie Beach

WHEN: Saturday, October 29 from 12pm

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The signature black and white dress code gives attendees a classic and refined elegance

Part 2 of our story …

McCormack’s Dairy: (From a brief family history written by Dorothy McCormack/Graw)

As Mick and Aimee McCormack thought cane did not provide a viable living, they decided to go into dairying.  In 1925, they installed milking machines. In the 1930s, helped by children, Joe and Dorothy, they were milking 300 cows and, on top of supplying milk to the town, were, at times, sending more than a ton of cream to the Mackay creamery.  

Dorothy moved cattle from one paddock to another before and after school, helped with the dipping of the milkers and was always on hand to help if the machines broke down. When many of the workers went off to war, it became impossible to keep the dairy going. It was leased out to different families for a few years but was eventually sold to the Muller Family.

Nicol’s Dairy: (Registration No. 11629)

Alec Nicol purchased a dairy which he moved to “Willowbrook”, the family farm on the western outskirts of Proserpine. Registration of the dairy was granted on August 13, 1936.  Sons, Clive, James and Neville looked after the dairy before and after school. They also kept pigs and it was James’s job to look after them.

O’Hara’s Dairy: (Registration No 914)

O'Hara's dairy was situated just across the river in the vicinity of the Airlie Beach turn off. Mr and Mrs Jack O’Hara milked about forty cows as well as working a small cane farm. All milking was done by hand, starting around 3am. When Jim O'Hara and his twin brothers, Ray and Vic, were about 11 and 12 respectively, their parents went to live on Dent Island. Their step brother, Harvey Hewitt, managed the farm and dairy and the three boys all had to help out. When Ray and Vic left school, Jim was left with most of the chores.  

This extract from Jim’s memories of dairying, recorded many years ago, captures the tough life on a dairy.

“I had to get up at 2.30am and saddle up the horse to bring the cows home from a sixty-acre paddock in all weather. I would ride around the paddock calling the cows and they would head for the gate. Once it was opened, they headed for the dairy. We milked till about 5am, using carbide lights. I then yoked up the horse to the milk cart to deliver milk around the town. I sold two twelve-gallon cans and one four-gallon can but sometimes I had to get milk from Hewson's, McKenzie's or McKay's so that we had enough for our deliveries. The price was threepence a pint and sixpence a quart. When the delivery was finished, I would have to find out how much milk the ABC Cafe needed that morning, deliver it and check on the order for the evening.

During the day, the cows roamed down by the river.  After school they had to be rounded up and the cows without calves had to be milked.  More milk was then delivered to the ABC Cafe. The rest was separated, some made into butter and the surplus cream sent to the Mackay factory. By the time everything was cleaned, cane tops collected in a dray and put through the chaff cutter, it was usually 9pm before the horses were fed.”

“I will never forget my days on the dairy. There was never any time for pleasure and, at that time, 1 wouldn't have wished dairy life on my worst enemy.”

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

Dairy Farming was a demanding life

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In a Vintage Toyota Cressida 1991 Grande known as Christopher, Arpad Romandy and Ben Matters have so far raised over $35,000 for Cancer Council Australia.

The two Hayman Island residents took off on Friday, October 14, for the Mackay to Darwin spring Shitbox Rally passing through iconic Queensland towns as part of the Cancer Council fundraising event.

Representing the Whitsundays as the “Hayman Island Team”, Arpad and Ben have been crossing the country alongside 225 others, each of them in cars worth no more than $1500.

They’re set to arrive in Darwin today to end their journey, riding high in their Toyota Cressida 1991 Grande which has been decked out in a Whitsundays themed paintjob to take a piece of the region with them, and painted by local artists.

Already, they’ve driven from Mackay to Charters Towers, on to Chillagoe, Normanton, Hell’s Gate Roadhouse, Borroloola, and Mataranka – their final stop before the Darwin finish and the end of what is a more than 3300-kilometre journey.

The annual Cancer Council event has a goal of raising $2 million amongst its combined teams, and Arpad and Ben are leading as the second highest fundraisers, with roughly $35,000 of their $50,000 goal.

Arpad, whose day job when he’s not rallying around the country is as General Manager at Hayman Island’s InterContinental Resort, said the trip had been an amazing experience.

“The locals in the outback are absolutely amazing at getting behind us and supporting us, but we support them as well,” Arpad said.

“The mechanics and the rest of the Shitbox team are amazing, too. The fundraising has been extremely meaningful. We already are wanting to do it again.”

The pair have spent much of the rally in “triage” where the vehicles are regularly fixed up by support cars and other racers – everyone pitches in.

Arpad said the seven-day rally was the “fun reward for raising vital funds for ground-breaking Cancer Research projects” and had a special place in his heart.

“We took part because cancer affects so many people so close to you. I lost my dad; I proudly dedicate this rally to him,” Arpad said.

You can donate to Arpad and Ben’s Shitbox Rally page here: https://spring2022.shitboxrally.com.au/hayman-islanders

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Two Hayman Islanders, Arpad Romandy and Ben Matters, have taken their Vintage Toyota Cressida 1991 Grande on a trip around the country in this year’s Shitbox Rally

With plenty of help from locals, they got ‘Christopher’, their car, in working order and decked it out in a Whitsunday themed paintjob

The boys set off on their seven-day journey last Friday

Tourism operators, business owners and hospitality managers in the Whitsundays are invited to make use of Australian-based corporate merchandise branding company, Star Promotions.

This flexible, modern and easy to work with Brisbane-based business can turn almost any object into a branded souvenir that will not only see your logo travel throughout Australia but also spread goodwill amongt the grateful recipients.

From key chains to sun hats, beach towels to stubby holders and sunglasses – Star Promotions can add your unique branding to a wide variety of merchandise for the perfect keepsake.

Sell branded gift wear to create lasting memories for tourists as they complete their Whitsundays tour, give holiday-goers the opportunity to take a branded memento from their favourite restaurant when they leave – the ideas are endless.

In addition, you can take your branded memorabilia to corporate events and add them to goody bags or give them away to your most valued customers.

Offering a tangible and practical product to promote your business, these merchandise options can help elevate your brand to new heights.

The process is simple – just send an email with your business logo and any other wording over to sales@starpromotions.com.au and they will send you a sample.

Once you’ve approved the product, they will create the bulk order which you will receive in under two weeks.

“It’s a good way to promote your business and get it out there to different people,” said Callan from Star Promotions.

“It’s something people can hold onto forever; it’s constant advertising and people love it!”

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Caption: Branded holiday merchandise creates lasting memories of your business