Yet The New 32-Kilometre Hiking Trail Sparks Debate

By Ruth Puddefoot

Discover the real Whitsundays Island on a brand new long-distance hiking trail
Stretching 32 km along the southern end of Whitsunday Island, the brand-new Ngaro Track offers spectacular vistas, ever-changing scenery, and a connection between two iconic destinations: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. Visitors can explore the island’s remote interior and even camp overnight at bespoke campsites.

Offering both guided and self-guided tours, the government describes the track as providing a “range of first-class ecotourism experiences.” Hikers can climb the towering Whitsunday Craig, one of the island’s highest peaks, and meander through mangroves in the upper reaches of Hill Inlet. Along the way, they encounter the island’s rich plant and animal communities, as well as abundant marine life in the crystal-clear waters of the Whitsunday Sea. The track also traverses Ngaro Country, acknowledging the enduring connection of the Ngaro people to Land, Sea, and Sky as integral elements of their identity and culture.

The State Government, promoting a new era of ecotourism in Queensland, is anticipating the track’s official opening after the completion of construction. Officials claim that “the Ngaro Track will welcome low impact, guided commercial tours and self-sufficient walkers to experience the natural and cultural wonders of the Whitsundays like never before.”
Environment and Tourism Minister for Science and Innovation Minister Powell highlighted the track’s potential for tourism growth:

“Queensland is the home of the holiday, and opening up immersive experiences in some of Queensland’s most jaw-dropping destinations is what makes our state so memorable,” he said.

“Move over, Tasmania – Queensland is setting a new benchmark for ecotourism with our Destination 2045 plan.”

Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm welcomed the addition to local tourism offerings:

“This is exactly what visitors and locals want to see in this beautiful part of the world,” she said.

“The ability to be immersed in nature, and be guided through such an important cultural destination,
will be unique for everyone who does the Ngaro Track.”

Mayor Ry Collins also praised the project:

“The Whitsundays have always been the heart of Queensland’s nature-based tourism, and projects like the Ngaro Track help strengthen that reputation while celebrating the cultural and environmental values that make this region so unique.

“This initiative is being delivered entirely by the Queensland Government, and we understand it has been carefully designed to balance access and protection while ensuring the natural beauty of Whitsunday Island remains front and centre.

“You only have to look at the famous Overland Track through the Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania to see that sustainable tourism experiences like this are vital for regional economies, local jobs, and growing respect for Country.

“The more people who get to experience our environment in the right way, the more they value its protection.”

Tourism operators have also expressed excitement. Iconic Whitsundays co-owner and former Tourism Whitsundays Board Member Nicole Graham said:

“The National Parks do a fantastic job.

“People want these walks all around the world. So why shouldn’t we have them?

“We're in the Whitsundays, and we've got these unique islands, and it's such a fantastic opportunity to have this walk and have it an overnight.

“I've done overnight hikes, and I think they're a fantastic way to really enjoy the ecotourism and build that ecotourism in our region.”

However, environmental activists have raised concerns. The Whitsundays Conservation Council, the region’s peak ecological body and volunteer group, says conservation—the cardinal principle of a national park—is being sidelined.

Council President Tony Fontes stated:

“The State environmental agenda appears to have been taken over by tourism and business interests.

“WCC and our members have consistently voiced only the strongest opposition to private, commercial exclusive operations on public lands and that includes National Parks.

“There has been little to no community consultation regarding this project. To date, there is little information and no details on many aspects that raise concerns in this proposal.

“What we do know is that the trail will be exclusive to one commercial operator (World Expeditions). They will set the price for all walkers and it will not be cheap. This track has been built by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service with our taxpayer dollars. This is not ecotourism, it is eco-exploitation.”

Michael Buggy, World Expeditions (WEX) Director of Australasian Operating Companies Michael Buggy said WEX was delighted to play a role in bringing the Ngaro Track to the public.

“We can’t wait to welcome walkers on the Ngaro Track, Queensland’s newest multi-day hiking adventure and a truly special journey through one of Australia’s most iconic landscapes.”

With its combination of natural beauty, cultural significance, and adventure tourism, the Ngaro Track is poised to become a landmark attraction for the Whitsundays. But as the excitement builds, the debate over access, commercialisation, and conservation continues, highlighting the delicate balance between tourism development and environmental stewardship.

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The Ngaro Track - World Expeditions. Photo credit: Matt Horspool.

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By Daniel Heggie

Residents of the Whitsundays may have spotted a newer, cleaner, sleeker looking ambulance rolling through town during the last few weeks, as the Whitsunday Ambulance Station gains a brand new Ambulance.

Acting Officer in Charge of the station Erin Maree Saltmarsh said that the fellow officers have been loving it, and despite it being at the station for four weeks, this week was the first time she had time to properly take a look at it, due to constantly being used on jobs.

The Whitsunday Ambulance Station now have five ambulances that service the growing population in the region.

"We're trying to plan for the growth in population and the increase in our workload here with QAS (Queensland Ambulance Service) in the Whitsundays," said Erin.

"By getting new vehicles that we know we can rely on, helps us to be able to get to the patients and those within the community quicker, and it's guaranteed we're going to get there, because there's nothing worse than if you have a vehicle breakdown and we're delayed.

"Having good equipment and the staff to be able to deal with the growth in the population is really important."

The new Ambulance is a Mercedes Sprinter 419 VS30 Van and is equipped with new technology. It contains an MDT, which allows operators to be dispatched through a screen, without using radios. It also has a Satelite Push to Talk device and a satelite phone too.

Amanda Camm MP Member for Whitsunday said that this new ambulance represents more than just a need for newer technology in the region.

"This represents an investment that recognises the continued growth and the importance of renewal of infrastructure and assets that we need for our frontline health services," she said.

"We know across particularly our Cannonvale area, our community continues to grow, and we need to continue to invest to keep up with that growth and deliver good outcomes."

With a growing population Ms Camm MP also said the region needs to look to the future, and she will be advocating and going to the Health Minister with talks to see further investment into the Whitsunday Ambulance Station.

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The new ambulance at the Whitsunday Ambulance Station with staff and Amanda Camm MP. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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The Bowen Mural at Front Beach and beside the Little Mango the Information Centre is complete.

Artist Glen Gillard said he has completed the 'book ends' of a mural piece which includes old drawings of buildings on Herbert Street in Bowen.

The latest artworks depict the School of Arts and the Town Hall both once prominent landmarks along Herbert Street.

Glen explained that The School of Arts was badly damaged in the 1958 cyclone and later demolished, while the Town Hall, built in 1890, was destroyed by fire in 1912.

It took Glen around six weeks to complete both pieces. Fans of Glen’s work will be pleased to know his trademark and much loved green tree frogs have returned, with around six hidden throughout the mural.

Gillard, who has painted around eight murals in Bowen, praised the town’s Mural Society which began in 1988.

Backed by the Bowen Mural Society, Glen conducted extensive research through local archives and the State Library to ensure each historic detail was accurate.

The Bowen Mural Society are also eager to hear from anybody that would be interested in joining the committee, to ensure that this Bowen tradition lives on.

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The completed mural in Bowen. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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Whitsunday residents now have another way to fly directly from the region to Cairns — and the new connection is already proving a hit with travellers on both sides of the reef. A new direct flight between Cairns and Hamilton Island has officially taken off, reconnecting two of Queensland’s most iconic Great Barrier Reef destinations for the first time since the pandemic and opening the door for more Cairns visitors to explore the Whitsundays.

The inaugural East Air service departed Cairns Airport at 9am on Monday, touching down just over an hour later on Hamilton Island after a celebratory farewell. East Air Managing Director Alan Milne said the service had exceeded expectations, with strong forward bookings and near-full flights.

“The service is designed to better serve travellers, both domestic and international. We have created a seamless corridor between two Great Barrier Reef gateways, which means visitors don’t have to choose between one or the other,” Mr Milne said.

“It is particularly attractive for international tourists who may not often visit regional Queensland."

Mr Milne said additional Sunday flights would begin in February, catering to weekend travellers.

“Residents in Tropical North Queensland and the Whitsundays are excited to have another convenient holiday option. Sales are strong and building, and we’re thrilled with how quickly the flights are returning to their previous passenger loads,” he said.

Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker added the new route would further boost regional tourism, while Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling said he was “thrilled to welcome back direct flights between Hamilton Island and Cairns.”

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The businesses operating from Cumberland House in Cannonvale have combined fronts and united in the spirit of Christmas and gift-giving, to support the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre's annual Toy Drive.

Cumberland House contains three local businesses, Whitsunday Law, Accountancy Plus and Queensland Sotheby's International Realty.

What started as a casual conversation between businesses has quickly turned into a full-scale festive effort, with the team setting up a giving tree in their foyer to collect gifts for children aged from newborn to 17 years.

The initiative came together in record time after a chat between Lynn from Sotheby’s and Kellee from Whitsunday Law.

Following the chat Cumberland House as a whole sparked the idea to take part in the Neighbourhood Centre’s annual Christmas Toy Drive.

“The email went around on Thursday last week, and by Monday we had the tree, the tags, and the decorations up. Everyone just jumped in, it really was a team effort," said Sheri Flynn from Whitsunday Law, and real advocate and drive for this project.

The tree, now proudly standing in the Cumberland House foyer, invites the community to get involved by donating unwrapped gifts. Tags on the tree are marked with age ranges, allowing donors to match presents to the appropriate group.

“If someone buys a gift for, say, a 10-year-old girl, they can simply grab a tag from the tree, attach it to their present, and place it on the donation table,” explained Sheri.

“And if we run out of tags, people can pop into any of our offices and we’ll print more.”

Donations can be dropped off at Cumberland House between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, until November 27. After that, the gifts will be delivered to the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre in time for their Pop-Up Shop, held on December 11 and 12.

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Head to Cumberland House now to donate gifts for Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre's annual toy drive. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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The Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre has launched its 2025 Community Toy Drive, celebrating nine years of spreading Christmas cheer through its Free Christmas Pop-Up Shop. The initiative ensures every local child has a gift under the tree, with 62 families and 230 children supported last year.

Businesses and community groups are invited to join by setting up a Giving Tree in their workplace or running staff-led collections. Donated new, unwrapped toys must be delivered to the Centre by Wednesday, December 10, to stock the Pop-Up Shop on December 11–12.

Families in the 4799, 4800, and 4802 postcodes can register via Facebook to receive tokens to exchange for gifts, helping restore dignity and choice.

The Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre also asks donors to remember teens when choosing presents.

For details or to register as a partner, contact the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre or visit their Facebook page.

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Tourism in Bowen was in the spotlight at the Bowen Uniting Church Friendship Club meeting last week.
Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy was the guest speaker, invited to explain the role of the Local Tourism Organisation.

Leanne was invited by Anne Steen, who helps with the club’s activities and is also a volunteer at the visitor information booth at Bowen’s Front Beach.

Leanne highlighted the record number of visitors at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre and gave members an update of other highlights of the year.

“We welcomed more than 56,000 visitors in the past financial years and have already welcomed more than 24,000 since July 1 this year,” she said.

“In the past three months, we have averaged almost 270 visitors every day.”

Of those visitors, about 56% were from Queensland, about 30 per cent were from other parts of Queensland and 14 per cent were from overseas.

The Big Mango was named the “Best Big Thing” in Queensland in May and was named the Top Tourism Town in Queensland for 2025.

Leanne said these awards attracted media coverage for Bowen which had contributed to the extra visitors.

She also mentioned the popularity of the collector’s coin featuring the Big Mango.

“We sold the first 500 coins in 43 minutes and a lot of those people who turned up early on the day were local residents,” she said.

“It was great to see so many local faces that day.”

The Uniting Church Friendship Club meets monthly in Bowen. After the meeting, Leanne said she enjoyed sharing the good news with members of the community.

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Manager of Bowen Tourism Business, Leanne Abernethy with Anne Steen of the Bowen Uniting Church Friendship Club. Photo supplied

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Cannon Valley’s Eloise Chegwidden has done her hometown and school proud, achieving remarkable success at the School Sport Australia National Swimming Championships in Ballarat, Victoria.

The 10-year-old St Catherine’s Catholic College student, who trains with the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club, earned her spot on the Queensland Representative School Sports team after medaling in two events at the State Championships held in Brisbane earlier this year.

Representing Queensland on the national stage, Eloise competed in the 100m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke, and as part of the 4x50m medley relay team. She achieved three personal best times across her events and made the final in the 50m breaststroke, finishing 5th overall in Australia — an incredible accomplishment for such a young swimmer.

Eloise’s 5th-place finish also made her the highest-placed Queensland competitor in the 10 Years Girls 50m breaststroke event, a testament to her hard work and determination in the pool.

Eloise is now looking forward to building on her success, with her sights set on the Queensland Country Championships in Rockhampton, as well as the Queensland Sprint Championships and Queensland School Sport State Championships in Brisbane early next year.

Eloise’s success in Ballarat marks another exciting milestone in what promises to be a bright future for the young athlete. Her achievements continue to highlight the depth of young swimming talent emerging from the Whitsundays region.

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Eloise Chegwidden attended the School Sport Australia National Swimming Championships in Ballarat. Photo supplied

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The recent adoption of the Bowen Foreshore Masterplan marks a major milestone not only for Council, but for me personally as Mayor. From the day I was elected, one of my top priorities was to deliver a clear and connected vision for Bowen’s waterfront — a plan that unites the foreshore, boat harbour, jetty, township, and surrounding parklands into a single, cohesive destination for locals and visitors alike.

To now see that vision formally adopted by Council is incredibly rewarding. Bowen’s foreshore is one of the most beautiful and recognisable stretches of coastline in North Queensland, yet for too long its potential has been limited by fragmented planning and aging infrastructure.

This Masterplan changes that. It provides the long-term blueprint we need to protect Bowen’s natural charm while unlocking new opportunities for tourism, recreation, and marine industry investment.

At its heart, the plan celebrates Bowen’s character of a relaxed coastal lifestyle, the connection to the sea, and the pride our community has in its heritage. But it also looks forward, setting out how we can enhance access, improve amenities, and strengthen the link between the jetty, harbour and town centre as part of a vibrant, accessible waterfront precinct.

With the new Bowen Jetty to be constructed in coming years, the timing couldn’t be better. The Masterplan ensures that every project we deliver, from park upgrades to harbour improvements, contributes to a unified and world-class foreshore experience.

Council has now turned its attention to implementation, developing a five-year delivery plan that aligns with future capital renewals and funding opportunities. We’re also actively engaging with State and Federal governments to explore partnerships that can help accelerate this transformation and unlock the full economic potential of Bowen Harbour.

For me, this is about delivering on a promise and ensuring the projects we champion today will shape a thriving, sustainable waterfront for generations to come. The Bowen Foreshore Masterplan is more than a document; it’s the foundation for Bowen’s next chapter, and I’m proud to see it moving from vision to reality.

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Whitsunday Regional Council is rolling out a Parks Regional Asset Renewal Program from November 2025 to April 2026. This program will upgrade more than 75 park assets across 23 parks in the Whitsunday Region!

From playgrounds and BBQs to shelters and exercise stations, we’re making sure our parks stay safe, welcoming and fun for everyone.

For more information on our regional parks renewal package, visit Council’s online engagement portal, at yoursay.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au .

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St Catherine’s Catholic College came together Friday, 24 October, to celebrate another big year of achievement at the school’s annual Awards Ceremony.

Despite the scorching heatwave, families, staff and community members came together to cheer on students from Years 3 to 12 being recognised for their efforts across academic, cultural, community and sporting pursuits.

The ceremony featured plenty of highlights, including two fantastic performances from the College’s concert band, and wrapped up with a morning tea for guests to mingle and celebrate together.

Principal Katherine Nelson said it was a special way to reflect on what has been an extraordinary centenary year for the College.

“In our 100th year, it has been a joy to reflect on all that our students have achieved - from Readers Cup and Maths competitions to the College Musical, Eisteddfods, community events, and sporting carnivals,” Mrs Nelson said.

“Our Awards Ceremony is always a highlight on the calendar, and it’s made even more special by the support of our local community and the generosity of our sponsors. We’re so grateful for the partnerships that help make these celebrations possible.”

Special awards were presented to senior students recognising their efforts and contributions throughout their schooling years. With external assessments now underway, several Year 12s have already received early entry offers and are looking forward to the next chapter of their journey beyond school.

Mrs Nelson said she was proud of all students recognised at the morning’s ceremony.

“These students have achieved something to be proud of this year, ” she said.

“It’s been a marvellous way to celebrate their hard work and finish off our centenary year on such a high note.”

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Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Proserpine Mill crushed out early last Saturday morning, bringing an end to a successful season.

It was the second of Wilmar’s eight sugar factories to finish the 2025 season.
Proserpine Mill Manager Operations Cory O’Shea said the last bin went through the tippler
at 6.30am Saturday (1 November).

“In total, we processed 1.48M tonnes of cane for the year to make about 205,000 tonnes of
raw sugar.

“The crop dropped off towards the back end of the season due to the warm, dry weather, but sugar content was above budget. We ended up with a provisional season CCS of 14.4 units.”

Mr O’Shea paid tribute to all Proserpine Mill employees, as well as growers and harvesting contractors, for their hard work in getting the crop off.

“I’m particularly proud of the job our people did this year – both in the factory and our cane supply team. It was a tremendous effort on all fronts,” he said.

“We had good factory performance, which contributed to the earlier finish. We also had a much better run of weather in 2025 than we’ve had in recent years, so we didn’t lose as much time to rain.

“An early finish puts us in a good position to finish the washdown and start our maintenance program before Christmas. This will take some pressure off, in terms of delivering our capital and maintenance program. It’ll also set the industry up for a better crop next year.”

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Proserpine Mill Manager Operations Cory O’Shea and Operations Superintendent Jamie Bell saw the last bins go through the tippler for the 2025 season. Photo supplied

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Landholders Urged to Stay Alert

Biosecurity Queensland is urging landholders across the region to be on the lookout for locust activity, following the detection of late-stage nymphs in the Proserpine area.

The department is currently working closely with local landholders to identify the number and species of locusts present and to assist with control measures aimed at reducing the risk of a wider outbreak.

“Controlling locusts during the nymph stage is crucial,” a Biosecurity Queensland spokesperson said. “By breaking the lifecycle early, we can prevent large-scale infestations that could threaten crops and pasture across the region.”

There are four main species of locusts to watch for in Queensland — the Australian plague locust, migratory locust, spur-throated locust and yellow-winged locust. Landholders are encouraged to regularly inspect their properties for signs of these insects and report any sightings immediately.

Sightings can be reported by calling Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23, completing an online report, or emailing locustreports@dpi.qld.gov.au.

Under Queensland’s General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO), controlling locusts is primarily the responsibility of landholders. Nymphs can be effectively managed with approved insecticides before they develop into flying adults.

If infestations become too large for landholders to manage alone, the Department of Primary Industries will coordinate aerial spraying in partnership with the Australian Plague Locust Commission. This will be carried out responsibly, with buffer zones maintained around waterways and sensitive areas.

For more information on identifying and controlling locusts, visit the Biosecurity Queensland website or www.dpi.qld.gov.au.

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To Elevate The Naturally Iconic Experience

Tourism Whitsundays has officially launched its new destination website, marking the next phase in its digital evolution and delivering an elevated, more intuitive experience for travellers planning their Whitsundays escape.

The launch follows a period of strong online performance in the lead-up to the website’s redevelopment, with the rebranded platform earlier this year recording significant growth in visitation for the year ending June 2025. Compared to the same period the year prior, new users increased by 48%, with overall page views rising by 31%, a reflection of growing awareness and interest in The Whitsundays as one of Australia’s most desirable holiday destinations.

This upgrade comes as Tourism Whitsundays transitions from WordPress to ROAM, a next-generation destination marketing platform purpose-built for Australian tourism organisations. The move is designed to future-proof operator data by leveraging the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) as a single source of truth, ensuring accurate, connected and up-to-date information for visitors.

The new platform enhances mobile performance, speeds up load times, and delivers an engaging, map-led experience with itineraries, food and drink guides and walking trails that make trip planning effortless.

Phase one introduces enhanced accessibility via UserWay, helping the site meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards with improved navigation, screen reader support and contrast controls. Phase two, launching in 2026, will add ROAM Concierge an AI-powered trip planner offering personalised itineraries and tailored content for visitors.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tim Booth said the new website represents a major step forward in Tourism Whitsundays’ mission to showcase The Whitsundays as the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

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The new home page for Tourism Whitsundays website. Image supplied

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From Awards to Advocacy: What’s Next for Local Business

Congratulations to all Whitsunday Business Awards 2025 nominees! The quality of submissions was breathtaking. We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the Awards Ceremony on Friday 21 November at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre. The event has sold out and promises to be a fantastic evening celebrating and recognising business excellence across our region.

We’re also pleased to see Whitsunday Regional Council confirm the reopening of the Proserpine RV Rest Stop. Our thanks go to the Chamber’s Proserpine Sub-Committee and local businesses for their valuable input into our advocacy report which identified ways to boost visitor stopovers and strengthen the local economy.

The Chamber Board has also made a submission to Council’s Airlie Beach Ferris Wheel consultation, supporting land-based attractions that align with strong economic, social, and safety outcomes. Our submission calls for a Five Point Framework for Future Attractions to help guide sustainable development in Airlie Beach.

Last month’s Whitsundays Job Fair 2025 was another success, connecting more than 25 employers with 80 job seekers – many of whom secured immediate interviews. Events like this show the real impact of collaboration on local workforce outcomes.

We would also like to recognise the efforts of the Airlie beach Music Festival organising committee and volunteers – another resounding success with the entire region buzzing with excitement.

Recently the Board met for its annual Strategic Planning Day, setting priorities and exploring new horizons for the Chamber to 2030. We look forward to sharing these plans with our members and the broader Whitsunday business community.

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