The leadership of the country is now in the hands of the people as polling stations across the nation open their curtains to millions of voters tomorrow. Each individual vote will contribute to deciding the next government and also the next Member for Dawson.

Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese may be the front runners for the country, but the tight race for the Dawson electorate is being contested by LNP candidate Andrew Willcox and Labor candidate Scott Morrison, with One Nation candidate Julie Hall, the UAP’s Christian Young, Ciaron Patterson of the Katter Party, Paula Creen from the Greens, and Jim Jackson of the Great Australian Party hot on their heels.

Pre-Poll Proves Popular

Pre-polling stations across the nation are greeting an unprecedented number of early voters who are all keen to skip the Saturday crowds and possible COVID exposure.

The polling station at Whitsunday PCYC was a hive of activity on Wednesday with representatives from rival parties spruiking their agendas but retaining a friendly camaraderie.

More than two million Australians voted a week out of the election and experts are predicting that up to 50 per cent of all votes will be cast before the big day.

This does, however, mean that half of the overall voting population still need to pass through the polling stations on Saturday.

Here is a list of all the places to vote locally tomorrow:

•St Catherine’s Catholic College (Primary Campus) - 96 Renwick Road, Proserpine

•Cannonvale State School – 58 Coral Esplanade, Cannonvale

•PCYC Whitsundays – 2489 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach

•Hamilton Island Resort – Resort Drive, Hamilton Island

•Bowen PCYC – Corner of Hay Street and Queens Road, Bowen

•Queen’s Beach State School – 37-39 Tracey Street, Bowen

•Collinsville State School – Devlin Street, Collinsville

Shane Newell from the LNP, Hilary Sutton from the Greens, Don Campbell from Labor, Julie Stokes from the United Australia Party and Danny Robes from One Nation at the early polling station last week.

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He came to Australia because of a charitable deed, and ever since, Kay Nyenuh has paid that generosity back to the community tenfold.

“A complete stranger (at the time) made it possible for me to be here today,” Kay said.

13 years later, Kay has established himself as a regional health and fitness leader, having recently opened his third fitness centre in Andergrove. To celebrate, he is hosting a charity fun run Ks For Kay Charity Fun Run this Saturday morning.

“Join us on Saturday May 14, 2022, at the Bluewater Quay for our annual charity fun run to help raise funds for the Mackay Hospital Foundation. Distance this year will be 5Ks for Kay with 8K and 13K options,” Kay said.

“Walkers are welcome and there will be bacon and eggs for breakfast!”

Kay encourages walkers and runners to grab a ticket online so he knows how much breakfast to prepare for, but people are welcome to show up on the day. A minimum of $10 donation is asked for to support local charities.

Kay said he is where he is today because of the support of the local community, so it is important to him to give back.

“Giving back is something that is of second nature to me,” he said.

“Though we support other local charities, we mainly fundraise for the Mackay Hospital Foundation because it is a charity that I believe benefits everyone that lives and works in our region.

“Coming from a third world country where the healthcare system is almost nonexistent, I think it’s paramount that we do everything we can to support our local hospitals.”

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Parents of Mackay will be empowered with the tools and strategies to guide their children through their formative years with two free parenting seminars hosted by Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert next week.

Positive Parenting Program, or Triple P, will run two free seminars on Wednesday, May 18, surrounding children’s mental wellbeing, decision making, and anxiety.

‘Raising Resilient Children’ will provide proven parenting strategies for parents to guide children in making good decisions in life and online.

The seminar will help parents problem solve with their children, manage screen time, and help cope with stress and positivity and will take place at the Andergrove Community Hall from 1:00pm.

Later that evening, Triple P will host a seminar packed with tips and ideas for parents to help children break free from anxiety, providing an understanding of child and teen anxiety and ways to support children in coping with anxiety.

This two-hour seminar at the Pioneer State High School Theatre starts at 6:30pm.

Both seminars are presented by Michael Herd who has worked with families as a primary school teacher, guidance counsellor, and registered psychologist for more than 30 years.

Having completed his PhD researching parenting support for families of premature babies, he has become a popular Triple P presenter and has trained Triple P practitioners around the world.

Aaliyah Talukdar, a representative from Parentline, will also be presenting at the seminars.

Parentline is a service of yourtown which provides virtual counselling to parents and carers from 365 days a year across Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Aaliyah's work as a Cyberbullying Consultant focuses on providing information and resources to caregivers about supporting young people’s online wellbeing generally, and if they're exposed to negative online experiences.

Triple P’s Raising Resilient Children Seminar is happening from 1pm-2pm on Wednesday May 18 at the Andergrove Community Hall and the Fear-Less Triple P Seminar takes place from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the Pioneer State High School Theatre the same day.

Go to www.triplep-parenting.net for more information and to book your free place.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert is hosting two free seminars next week on raising resilient children. Photo: supplied

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Construction for Mackay’s Ronald McDonald Family Room began last Friday, the next step in providing Mackay families a safe space for respite when caring for their sick children.

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) North Australia CEO Tamara South says the Family Room will play a vital role in the families of the region.

“To get here today, we have had an immeasurable amount of community and corporate supporters in helping to essentially make the Family Room happen,” Ms South said.

“Partnering with Mackay Hospital and Health Service and Mackay Hospital Foundation to deliver Ronald McDonald Family Room to help support the more than 2500 families that call upon Mackay Base Hospital each and every year.”

The two-bedroom house will be fully equipped with a kitchen, food, bathroom and laundry amenities, and volunteers for families to utilise, eliminating the need to leave their sick children while in the care of the hospital.

“It’s about providing that home-like environment steps away from a child’s bedside so there is no reason you need to leave these premises when you have a sick child,” Ms South said.

Amber Hollywood has utilised Ronald McDonald facilities in Townsville and Brisbane while caring for her 16-month-old Samuel and says she wishes Mackay had the facilities when Samuel was born.

“Samuel was in the special care nursery for the first two weeks of his life, and it was very hard, every day, having to leave him and go home when he was a newborn,” Ms Hollywood said.

“It’ll be really great for our family to have a place where we can go to recharge and refresh together, to get away from the harshness of hospital life.”

Local company Fergus Builders are leading the construction of the facility and Project Manager Adam Wright says the company is proud to be involved in the project.

“We jumped at the opportunity when we first heard about the tender,” Mr Wright said.

“It’s really special for us.”

Fergus Builders plan to fundraise for RMHC throughout construction.

Ms South hopes to have the project complete by the end of the year and the Ronald McDonald Family Room caring for families by Christmas.

L-R Fergus Builders Project Manager Adam Wright, previous RMHC North Australia guest Amber Hollywood, Local McDonalds Licensee Niki Ramsay, Mackay Hospital Foundation Chair Peter Tait, RMHC North Australia CEO Tamara South, and Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Lisa Davies-Jones. Photo: Sam Gillespie

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“Absolutely gutted”.

The death of three people on the region’s roads in a 37-hour period last weekend was indicative of a horror increase in a spate of tragic road accidents this year, RACQ CQ Rescue pilot Leigh Wilkinson said.

RACQ CQ Rescue was tasked last Friday afternoon to a fatal motorcycle accident on the Bruce Highway at St Lawrence which claimed the life of a 50-year-old man. Initial investigations by Police suggest the rider was travelling along the Bruce Highway just before 5pm when he lost control and crashed into a barrier on the side of the Heifer Creek bridge.

Less than two days later on Mother’s Day there were two more fatalities within an hour of each other in two separate incidents.  

Jacob Betts from Dysart died following a traffic crash at Racecourse in Mackay. Police reported that initial investigations indicate at approximately 5.05am a motorbike and Toyota Corolla have collided at the intersection of Horse and Jockey Road and Meadowlands Road. The 24-year-old motorcyclist died at the scene.

Shortly after, a 27-year-old man was located deceased on the roadway on Sarina Beach Road near Grasstree Road. Jordan Blanch suffered critical injuries and died at the scene. The vehicle believed to have hit Mr Blanch did not remain at the scene. Police urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has dashcam footage in the area at the time to come forward.

Prior to these tragedies, on Easter Monday, a 19-year-old woman was airlifted to Townsville after the motorcycle she was a pillion passenger on was hit by a car doing a u-turn on the Bruce Highway near Koumala. Her 60-year-old father died at the scene and the young woman later died in hospital.

RACQ CQ Rescue also transferred a 12-year-old boy to hospital in Mackay after a horror head-on smash between two cars at Gregory River a week ago. The boy’s twin brother died in the accident and their mother was taken to Proserpine hospital by ambulance.

Mr Wilkinson said all fatalities and serious injuries on the region’s roads were “enormously tragic”.

“For everyone who dies there are a huge amount more who are terribly injured,” he said.

“The reality of being in a car crash is a terrifying experience if you are seriously injured. The path to recovery is often very long and painful, sometimes taking years.  

“You are in serious pain. Your clothes will be cut off and you will be terribly frightened and traumatised. You really don’t want to be that person. There is the chance of permanent disability. People can have spinal injuries and they’ll have ongoing treatment for the rest of their lives.”

Mr Wilkinson said the rescue chopper crew were also impacted by the horror scenes they witnessed.

“Once I became a parent, going to incidents with young children became a lot harder to process,” he said.

“Memories and flashbacks, fatigue, mood swings can go on for a week while you process what you have been to. Adults can sometimes make poor choices, but children just don’t have a choice in the decisions that can ultimately change lives in a split second.”

Working in a regional area meant he and his colleagues could sometimes know the people they treated at crash scenes or their family.

“It really weighs on your mind. It definitely makes it harder if you have a personal connection,” he said.

“Please be careful on our roads. We really don’t want to meet you or your loved ones by accident.”“The reality of being in a car crash is a terrifying experience if you are seriously injured. The path to recovery is often very long and painful, sometimes taking years.”  

“For everyone who dies there are a huge amount more who are terribly injured.”

RACQ CQ Rescue pilot Leigh Wilkinson pleads for motorists to take more care. Image supplied: RACQ CQ Rescue

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After years of hard work and determination, hundreds of students graduated from their studies at the Central Queensland University (CQU) graduation ceremony last week, but one scholar stole the show.

Sherrie Price, a 29-year-old Mackay woman living with Down Syndrome, graduated with Certificates I and II in Information, Digital Media and Technology.

Sherrie says she couldn’t have done it alone, her support network brimming with pride.

“I’ve had lots of support,” she said.

Sherrie’s mother, Judie, says Sherrie’s picked up a lot of supporters throughout her three years of study, but Gerri Kissner assisted Sherrie throughout the whole process.

“Gerri’s been her support worker all the way,” Judie said.

“She’s virtually done the certificate as well.”

Sherrie’s support network came up with many creative ways to deliver course content where Gerri would learn the content herself and format it in a way best suited to Sherrie’s learning.

Discipline Lead for Vocational ICT at CQU Michael Menzies says it’s part of a process called reasonable adjustment.

“We cater for people’s individual needs,” he said.

“We can adjust the method by which the student answers or does their work so it’s within their abilities whilst still meeting the criteria.”

CQU Associate Lecturer Niveditha Dopathi says the course has developed Sherrie’s skills in more ways than one.

“During those three years, I can tell that Sherrie has improved her confidence a lot,” she said.

Judie shared her gratitude towards Gerri, Niveditha, and Michael for all their help throughout Sherrie’s study.

“Lots of communication, brainstorming, and coming up with ideas to help her,” she said.

“She’s taught me that a couple of the keys on the computer aren’t just for decoration.”

Gerri says that this is a huge achievement for Sherrie.

“It shows that people who aren’t in the mainstream can achieve anything with the right support,” she said.

Gerri is also involved in Neighbourhood Watch which Sherrie and Judie assist with, helping over 50s with computer literacy.

Sherrie also partakes in karate, tap dancing, and arts programs with Crossroad Arts, but now turns to every graduate’s favourite part: the job hunt.

L-R Gerri Kissner, CQU Associate Lecturer Niveditha Dopathi, graduate Sherrie Price, her mother Judie Price, and CQU Discipline Lead for Vocational ICT Michael Menzies

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Why not grow from seed?

Seeds are affordable - $3 will buy you a packet of seeds of your chosen vegetable or herb with enough produce to last you the entire season (and more). The only time I would start with seedlings, is if I have left it late in the season and need to get a head start. That is not now. You still have time to plant from seed.

If you are worried about the time, the effort or not knowing enough - don’t!

It’s no more effort or challenge than transplanting seedlings. With seedlings you’ll have your spacing sorted but transplant shock could also mean a few losses. Thinning out your new plants can be really challenging (if you want to keep them all) but I’d rather thin out than head back down to the nursery to buy more seedlings, wouldn’t you?

When paying somewhere between $4 - $9 for six seedlings, if you do the math, it is worth giving growing from seed a go.

Most vegetable and herb seeds will germinate within 7 – 14 days. It is very rewarding when you see the first sight of “green” popping out of the ground, knowing that this little sight of life will feed you before long - and that you did it yourself!  

Without your love and attention, it would not have got this far - you also have the knowledge that your produce is chemical free and that the abundance you collect, can be shared with family, friends or even strangers.

Alternatively, you can venture out into a new interest – preserves, jams, drying or share the love of food through meals to share which is my favourite way to share my home grown vegies and herbs.  

What you need to know about growing from seed:

The most import thing is water but that goes for seedlings as well - you must ensure that your soil remains moist - it must never dry out.  

On the flip side, moist does not mean “sodden” (I hesitated to write that after the Whitsunday May downfall), if recent rains have seen your vegie patch get off to a sad start, get seeds and throw them in your vegie garden and do a sun dance – just make sure no one is watching!

Fun fact:

Radish is one of the fastest growing vegetables taking only 3 -4 weeks to reach harvest time when growing in the right conditions

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Welcome to the first monthly update from Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network (WSPN). Each month we’ll provide insights into the projects and programs WSPN is running and supporting in our communities and the ways you can get involved as we focus on eliminating suicide in our communities and region. A huge thank you to Mackay and Whitsunday Life for their support in publishing these updates.

This month we provide a brief update on a couple of our projects, upcoming events and outline how you can support WSPN projects.

Projects and Programs

The Resilience Project (TRP) Early Years Program – We’re really excited to be providing funding of $14,456.10 to support the North Queensland Cowboys to introduce TRP Early Years Program in two early learning centres in the Whitsunday Region. This is a groundbreaking initiative for The Resilience Project, the Cowboys and WSPN for the benefit of young people and their families across our communities. Delivery of the program is expected to commence over the coming weeks.

Free Counselling Services – WSPN funds counselling services for the family of anyone in the Whitsunday Region who has taken their life or attempted to take their life. We have agreements with qualified, experienced counsellors enabling support to be provided when needed. This service has been provided several times over recent months. With the pandemic continuing to cause mental health issues WSPN is anticipating ongoing demand for this service.    

Upcoming Events

Community Suicide Intervention Training – WSPN is coordinating free suicide intervention training by CORES Queensland with a number of sessions scheduled in the coming months around the Whitsunday region. The next session will be in Cannonvale on Friday, May 27. Check the WSPN website for more details.

Bowen Breathwork Sessions – Facilitated by Megan Mattingley and Donna McLachlan the free WSPN breathwork sessions are being held at 6pm every Monday at Kevla Espresso & Health Food Bar. Check the WSPN website for more details.

Cannonvale Breathwork Sessions – We have had to temporarily stop the weekly breathwork sessions in Cannonvale. We hope to restart these sessions soon.

How you can support WSPN

We really value your financial support to ensure that WSPN programs can continue and grow. As WSPN is a Deductible Gift Recipient, your donations of $2 or more to WSPN are tax deductible. To make a donation, click the button on the home page of the WSPN website.

Paul Burke, Treasurer of WSPN

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The fifth annual B Kinder Day is fast approaching, and organisers are excited to see Whitsunday schools participating again this year, along with many local businesses and individuals.

This Wednesday, June 22, thousands of people - both within our community and around Australia - will be actively spreading kindness by writing messages of love to others, passing toys of kindness, planting sunflowers, visiting nursing homes and more.

This special day was inspired by a young local girl named Billie Kinder who tragically lost her life in a horse accident when she was 12 years old.

After her passing, Billie’s mum, Danny Mayson-Kinder found some beautiful artwork, poems and stories that her daughter had created, then compiling them into a book called “hope”.  

The feedback was incredible, and Danny discovered that Billie’s words were instigating conversations with children on deeper issues and creating a huge impact.  

It was this feedback that inspired Danny to create the flyhighbillie charity and b kinder day to spread love, kindness, and compassion around the world to reduce mental health issues, bullying and suicide.

Since inception, the annual event has been a huge success with more and more schools and businesses joining each year.

If you would like to get involved simply head to flyhighbillie.org for full details.

You can purchase a b kinder day card for $1 and send or give it to someone you care about, there are also b kinder day balloons which you can use to create a themed event space.

All proceeds from b kinder day are re-invested to fund the b kinder workbooks, a special program designed by teachers to promote kindness and mental health in schools.

Billie Kinder (right)

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United Australia Party (UAP) candidate for Dawson Christian Young was on the hustings in Proserpine and Cannonvale over the weekend as the election trail heats up.

Meeting with locals on Saturday and Sunday, the Dawson hopeful discussed the party’s election promises, especially the UAP’s hard-line approach to mandates.

“We know there are a lot of small business owners here in Airlie Beach, compared to Mackay, and the small business owners have been significantly affected by mandates,” Mr Young said.

“We hear from them that they have lost staff, lost income, so we stand for the abolishment of mandates.”

Mr Young also maintained the UAP’s promise of a 20 per cent reduction in company and income tax for businesses and individuals based 200km outside major cities.

Like other parties campaigning for the seat, Mr Young has noted the enormous diversity in Dawson, even in travelling from Proserpine to Airlie Beach.

“The feelings out there is that people are sick of the major two,” Mr Young said.

“They say they’re going to do this for the farmers and that for the farmers, but when the rubber hits the road, they don’t feel they’re getting any help, only barriers.

“It was still around the control the government was enforcing on farmers, and that’s what we’re all about: freedom, freedom, freedom.”

Tom Avery, Koii Minimulu, Karen Oni, Rochelle, Bek, Jaydon, and United Australia Party Candidate for Dawson Christian Young

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Bruce Hedditch

Bowen

The industry that needs support is Tourism. If the future Federal Government is sincere in their attempts to assist the Tourism industry, and particularly small business, they will create incentives to assist the sector to grow and unburden the shackles of red tape applied by the three tiers of government.

It needs financial support to actually allow tourism businesses to grow and expand.

The next Federal Government should consider creating a Whitsunday Special Tourism Economic Zone that will provide special support to tourism businesses in our area.

We are always told small business is the leading employer in the nation, then the time has arrived to actually support small business in Tourism.

Mike Muller

Cannonvale

I feel Tourism needs the most attention from the Government moving forward. Mining and Agriculture have for the most part had little set back from the past two years of the Covid pandemic.

Tourism has been savaged by Covid and has yet to come back to pre-Covid levels, especially when looking at the overseas market. Airlie Beach’s economy has been primarily focused on the backpacker market over the years and they are yet to return.

I feel the Government could help this by lending support to marketing and directly targeting the backpacker market to try and attract Backpackers back to Australia.

This would greatly help the Airlie Beach economy get back to pre-Covid levels of overseas visitors. This would also greatly help both the agriculture and hospitality sector with finding employees. There are acute labour shortages in both these sectors around the country.

Jamie-Lee Bishop-Kinlyside

Cannonvale

I think that, between the three, agriculture is the one that needs more love. We need to grow food more than we need to grow more cafes or better service. We shouldn’t be looking at mining either, because we should be planting trees and planting fruit and vegetables, not digging up big holes for whatever it may be that we mine now or in the future.

I think they could do with some tax-free benefits in agriculture, especially for when they’re buying new farm equipment. Farmers are the backbone, so we should incentivise their work.

Paying less tax on whatever their tax would be for the year could be one way. The things they need are grants, too. For them to be able to buy feed, grain, equipment, more land – they need government grants for those.

Tony Barbagallo

Cannonvale

It’s hard to split them because they’ve all got their importance. I was brought up in the agricultural area of the Burdekin and we spent a lot of time here [In Airlie Beach], and obviously tourism is critical. And mining, I’ve got many, many people I know who rely on mining – family members, clients, etc. So, it’s very hard to split them.

Tourism was the one that has been greatly impacted [by Covid], so it’s the one that really needs to fire up. It’s very hard for small businesses here in this region that need support so they can do that.

Things to help them get on their feet, like grants because they’ve probably gone out and borrowed as much as they can in those two years. I think, with a grant, if they were able to expand their business or market reach, that would be something that would be a direct benefit.

Karen O’Donnell

Cannonvale

Mining. I think it gives a bit more [economically] to the community. A lot of the little country towns are struggling – the mining towns – and they keep taking things away from them. We used to make all our own steel and now we get rubbish from China instead. I know [mining] isn’t really good, but they should be helping those communities.

Helping out those towns in general, even if that means transitioning out of mining, but just helping them out in some way. Really, they’re the backbone of the country.

You see all the little mining towns are struggling so much with everything being taken away from them. I think the government should be helping those places with doctors and hospitals and things like that. I know the environment gets a lot of attention, but these little country towns need help from our government.

Adam Downton

Airlie Beach

Tourism, especially after lockdown. It’s vital to get tourists back on the ground to help the local economy. I think that, from my experience staying at the Mirage recently, the place is fully booked but they’ve got fewer staff than they would normally. That’s not different anywhere around town.

The staff shortage is a big issue, I think. I know there are people around here struggling for work and it’s easy to say, ‘well, be more adaptable.’  I think people need to be incentivised to look at these different industries if they haven’t worked in one like tourism before. The pay might not be as good in tourism and I think that’s where a government can help out in things like training and cost of living.

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Local environmentalists are concerned that the new Shute Harbour Marina Resort development, which is due to go ahead this year, will cause extensive damage to the fragile ecosystem at the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Whitsunday Conservation Council spokesperson, Tony Fontes, said that the project will destroy large areas of mangrove forest and seagrass meadows which are irreplaceable.

These areas are critical fish nurseries and the primary food source for dugongs and many sea turtles.

“Shute Harbour is an environmentally sensitive area and home to healthy coral reefs as well as iconic and endangered species including the dugong and sea turtles,” he said.

“Should this project go ahead, it is one more reason to list the Reef ‘In Danger.’”

Mr Fontes believes that a major issue will be the required dredging which will cause a serious water quality problem for the local marine life, particularly the coral reefs flanking the islands of Shute Harbour.

The $350 million Shute Harbour Marina Resort has been in the planning stages for over 20 years and developers say they have received all the necessary environmental and government approvals to begin construction within a year.

The project is set to include 58 managed resort dwellings with private marina berths, a retirement resort and facilities, a 400-berth marina, 100-room hotel, and 44 room backpackers’ accommodation.

It will create almost 700 jobs – 450 in the construction phase and 250 jobs ongoing and will be the first marina in Airlie Beach for 16 years since the construction of the Port of Airlie.

The picturesque Shute Harbour

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A colonial investigation into the death of 13-year-old Bailey Pini is underway and the Magistrate is examining whether he was receiving adequate supervision at the state-run care centre in Sarina where he had been staying for the month prior to his death.

It was almost a year ago that Bailey and his 14-year-old companion stole a vehicle from the care centre and drove over 200 kilometres to Bowen.

It is believed that Bailey had no pre-existing driving experience and sadly lost control of the vehicle just a few kilometres from his grandmother’s house, where it is believed he was heading.

Bailey died at the scene and the passenger survived.

It is understood that Bailey’s behaviour had been spiralling since the death of his mother the year before after she endured a short battle with cervical cancer.

He had been sent down to the state-run care facility in Sarina where it was hoped he would receive counselling and that his behaviour would improve.

Unfortunately, he did not get that opportunity.

In order to prevent this happening again, the level of supervision at state-run care facilities will be investigated to ascertain whether the children living in these ‘share house’ environments need to receive 24 hour supervision.

Currently, a supervisor will sleep at the premises. No-one needs to be awake throughout the night.

The question is, could Bailey’s death have been avoided if a supervising adult had been awake?

There is also a concern about whether the environment at the care facility was a catalyst to unruly behaviour instead of a supportive and safe place for him to live.

Investigations are continuing.

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Voting has now commenced for the Top Tourism Town Awards and once again both Bowen and Airlie Beach have been shortlisted.

Bowen is a finalist for the Top Tourism Town category and Airlie Beach is up for the Top Small Tourism Town.

This means our region has a chance to win both awards which would be a huge achievement.

The Top Tourism Town Award winner will receive a $25,000 strategic consulting and capacity building package provided by EarthCheck and the Top Small Tourism Town Award Winner will receive a $7,500 tourism consultancy and development package provided by The Tourism Group.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton, said he was thrilled to see both towns become finalists.

“Soaked in the beautiful Queensland sun, Airlie Beach and Bowen offer vibrant towns, friendly locals and unspoilt natural surrounds. Visitors never have to look far for lush rainforests, award winning beaches, spectacular coral reefs and amazing experiences,” he said.

“I’m confident that with Airlie Beach and Bowen named as finalists in QTIC’s Top Tourism Town Awards, thousands of visitors will be encouraged to visit the region and enjoy The Whitsundays, in the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Hamilton said.

Every vote counts and the community are encouraged to help support our tourism industry by adding their own vote to the competition.

The process is simple, just head to the Tourism Whitsundays Facebook page and follow the link.

Select Airlie Beach for the Top Small Town and Bowen for the Top Town.

Then in a few words, let everyone know why you love these towns so much and enter your details.

All voters enter the draw to win a $2,000 Apollo Motorhome travel package.

Voting is now open and closes on Monday, May 23.

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A Whitsunday woman, who had been living in Mexico for the past nine years, was reported missing last week when her two-year daughter was found alone outside a church in Cancun, her mother nowhere to be found.

Tahnee Shanks, a 32-year-old Conway woman, had been travelling the world for several years until she found a home in Mexico with partner Jorge Aguirre Estudillo.

The couple separated a year ago and Tahnee had plans to return to Australia with her daughter Adelynn, but unfortunately just six weeks before they were due to depart, she went missing in suspicious circumstances.

It is understood that Tahnee had been on holiday with Jorge and their daughter, travelling from their hometown of Merida to a tourist hot spot but had somehow diverted to Cancun where their Adelynn was found alone.

The couple have been missing since May 3 and police are now investigating a burnt-out car that matches their number plates which was found in Puerto Morelos, 40 minutes south of Cancun, on the same day.

Jorge Estudillo is of interest to police; he was deported from the United States for attacking a police officer and has been subject to multiple domestic violence complaints from other women.

Tahnee’s brother, Ben Shanks, who lives in Mackay, said he has grave fears for his sister’s wellbeing because she would never want to be away from her daughter and it is uncharacteristic for her to be off social media for such a long period of time.

Just days after Tahnee’s disappearance, Ben travelled to Mexico with his mother Leanne and was immediately united with his niece.

The Australian Embassy had organised an Australian passport for Adelynn and once other official documents were confirmed, they returned to Australia where they will look after the young girl.

Family friend, Ella Stower, set up a GoFundMe page for the family to assist with travel expenses and hopefully find Tahnee.

Over $30,000 has now been donated and the family left the following message.

“The Shanks family would like to express our deepest thanks to every kind donation and please know that each one has been acknowledged and appreciated from the bottom of our hearts.”

Caption:

Tahnee Shanks and daughter Adelynn in happier times

Tahnee’s mum Leanne and brother Ben, united with ‘Addy’ in Mexico

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