Last week the Supreme Court heard how Gavin Parnell had known Jay Brogden for approximately 12 months when he was forced to murder his friend on a fishing boat by a drug dealer they had both been working for.

It has been almost 15 years since Mr Brogden’s disappearance and his body has never been found, nor has anyone been convicted.

But that all changed when revelatory details were exposed last week detailing how Mr Parnell, who has long been suspected of the 21-year-old’s murder and was arrested in September 2019, stood in front of the supreme court and admitted he fired the shot that killed his friend.

Mr Parnell told the jury that the deadly encounter began when he ‘vouched’ for his mate during a conflict with an Airlie Beach ‘drug kingpin’ who had accused Mr Brogden of stealing a large amount of methamphetamine.

The pair were then invited out on a fishing trip with the kingpin, in what Mr Parnell believed was an innocent trip out to sea.

This soon turned violent, however, when the drug boss started yelling at Jay, accusing him once again of stealing the drugs.

At this point, Mr Parnell allegedly felt a gun push into his back and a sawn-off shotgun, which was held together with duct tape, thrust into his hand.

He was then told to shoot Mr Brogden.

In court, Mr Parnell described the scene – a petrified Mr Brogden breaking down in tears and Mr Parnell shaking with fear and urinating himself.

Amidst the yelling, the shotgun fired, hitting Mr Brogden in the back right side of his head.

Mr Parnell broke down in court when he told the jury how he was forced to push Mr Brogden’s body off the boat and then vomited in the courtroom when he described cleaning up the blood.

After this, court was briefly adjourned, returning sometime later for the cross examination.

At this point, crown prosecutor Nathan Crane asserted that Mr Parnell had known the true purpose of the boat trip was to discuss the missing drugs and that he had been told they needed to take Mr Brogden somewhere quiet.

During the proceedings the court heard from 30 witnesses, including Mr Brogden’s family.

After all evidence was heard the jury, which consisted of eight women and four men, began deliberating into the evening.

It took them six hours to conclude that Mr Parnell was guilty, and he was given a life sentence, less the 960 days he had already served since his arrest.

Mr Brogden’s family were present at the time and were relieved to finally receive some closure as the week-long court proceedings marked the end of a 15 year wait to see a murderer brought to justice.

21-year-old Jay Brogden disappeared from Airlie Beach in 2007

Gavin Parnell was convicted of murdering Jay Brogden

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Local school children and visitors to the Proserpine Dam are expected to benefit from additional facilities thanks to a two-part promise from LNP Candidate for Dawson Andrew Willcox, who announced targeted funding for two key community projects last week.

Proserpine State School will receive $50,000 to contribute towards an additional playground for year three to six students who share one facility. Currently, some grades only receive access to the playground for an hour a week.

“The kids at Proserpine State School have had to be on a roster for outdoor play because there simply isn’t enough play space and equipment to cater for them,” said Mr Willcox.

“The P&C have worked hard to raise the funds they need so their kids get to play outside every day, not just a couple of times a week.

“They have done a terrific job and put together about $45,000. Their aim is to buy and install new playground equipment with a soft-fall surface and ultimately also put up a shade sail.

“This funding will help them do just that.”

In addition, Mr Willcox has pledged $1 million for stage 2 of the Lake Proserpine Recreation Facility, a project he was passionate about when he was Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor.

“One of the commitments I made to the Proserpine community before becoming mayor was to activate Lake Proserpine, to better utilise this great natural asset in the region,” Mr Willcox said.

Stage One of activating the campground saw the addition of new public toilets and showers, bush camping sites, fire pits, updated picnic facilities and fishing pontoons.

“This $1 million commitment will fund Stage Two of the Lake Proserpine Recreation Facility – Camping Area Expansion, which will see the establishment of 10 cabins, powered caravan sites and a camp kitchen in the southern area camping ground,” he said.

“This will provide more accommodation capacity right at Lake Proserpine to make it easier for people to stay in the area and try their hand at catching that barra.”

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Drink Driver Smashes Into Bollards

A 24-year-old Jubilee Pocket woman has had her licence suspended following an incident where the vehicle she was driving crashed head-on into the protective bollards outside Night Owl convenience store in Airlie Beach at 1.45am last Sunday.

Police laid charges immediately and the woman will face Proserpine Magistrates Court on May 23.

The woman was breathalysed at the scene and returned a breath test reading 0.237 per cent BAC, four times above the legal limit.

She has now been charged with high range drink driving offences.

Sergeant Jessica Leech said that drink driving has direct consequences on you and those around you.

“Please arrange alternative plans for transportation if you are planning to drink and make sure you and other road users get home safely,” she said.

The car ploughed into bollards near Night Owl

Stolen Motorcycle Strathdickie

A Honda CRF250 motorcycle was stolen from a Gregory Cannonvale Road, Strathdickie address on Sunday last week and Police are urgently seeking information.

It is understood the vehicle was stolen between 8pm on Sunday, May 8 and 5.30am Monday, May 9.

The motorcycle has a Queensland registration 072TJ.

If you have any information in relation to the location of the vehicles or the offence itself, please contact Policelink.

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Whitsunday motorists were battling heavy rain and potholes last week during the unseasonal deluge which saw 47.2 millimetres fall in Proserpine in a 24 hour period.

As usual, Hamilton Plains was a source of frustration with un-seen potholes causing flat tyres in multiple vehicles, resulting in a hazardous situation when they pulled over to conduct repairs.

One local resident, Rachel Bott, said that she was driving home in the dark when a pothole appeared from nowhere.

“It was very dark, and I didn’t see it,” she said.

“I wasn’t going fast; I literally didn't see it until I fell in it - there were at least four of us who had wrecked tyres at the same time.”

Some emergency vehicles pulled over to check on everyone’s welfare and when a paramedic came by she informed Ms Bott that she had passed the sight four times that day and the pothole had been there each time.

This created some frustration for Ms Bott who believes that Council should have sent someone out to fix the potholes earlier, before it got dark.

“The paramedic already knew it was there, so she was able to avoid it in the dark – the rest of us had no idea it was there,” said Ms Bott.

“It was a very dangerous situation, and I didn’t want to even attempt to change my tyre without someone watching out for me – I could have got run over!

“I will be contacting TMR, Hamilton Plains is such a disgrace.”

A Whitsunday Regional Council spokesperson said that while TMR are ultimately responsible for most local roads, including Hamilton Plains, it is Council that repair the potholes after a heavy rain event.

“Council roads crews from our depots at Proserpine, Bowen and Collinsville were working in the rain to repair multiple potholes across over 1200 kilometres of roads including Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Bowen, Collinsville, Mt Julian, Lethebrook and Dingo Beach,” said the spokesperson.

“Council crews are out and about during the rainfall event to undertake urgent repairs, but it is TMR is responsible for the standard of Hamilton Plains road.”

Caption:

Council road workers fixing the potholes

The pothole that gave Ms Bott a flat tyre

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The region’s farmers have suffered after unseasonably heavy rainfall last week destroyed some 30 per cent of their yields, potentially costing the local industry $50 million dollars.

The growing belt that runs from Bowen up through the Burdekin saw varying degrees of more than 200 millimetres of rainfall.

President of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Ry Collins said that amount of rain has two major repercussions:

“We’ve had little rivers open in farms; a lot of the topsoil has eroded away. Those little rivers and crevices, they’ll have to be releveled and do civil works to those properties,” Mr Collins said.

“More importantly, the crop not far off being harvested doesn’t take that much water well.”

With typical production season beginning planting in February, March, and April, the bulk of crop in Bowen was to start harvesting this week.

Of that crop, tomatoes, melons, and corn are the likeliest to have been affected by the downpour.

“It’s too early to say how much will be lost. They’re only getting out assessing it today. But I would say on average 30 per cent of their crop will be no good,” Mr Collins said.

The Whitsunday region annually produces around $450 million dollars in agricultural revenue.

Mr Collins said the region wasn’t alone in suffering: Queensland wide the unseasonable weather brought 200 millimetres to places like Bundaberg, which is a key fruit and vegetable region.

“Coming into this season with the floods, we knew there’d be a shortage of fruit and veg, meaning the prices will be higher. This only adds to that,” he said.

“Less product on the market means higher prices.”

Bowen Gumlu Growers Association have reached out to Agriculture Queensland to articulate the impacts.

A Department of Agriculture and Fisheries survey has been sent to local growers to build the picture for state government on what’s happened and what potential support can flow through.

Mr Collin’s said there’s little to be done other than to “get the shovel and tractor and get going.”

“At the end of the day, it is weather, and there’s not much we can do about it. The time of year it’s come, we don’t normally get that at our busy period,” Mr Collins said.

“There’s some financial pain attached to that, but the growers will get going again

Fields flooded heavily during this week’s downpour, which President Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Ry Collins said may be the worst since Cyclone Debbie (Pictured here)

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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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