Hearts are breaking across the region as community members hear of the loss of 12-year-old Stirling Edwards-Bland who tragically passed away in a road accident on Sunday evening.

The young boy was travelling home from the NQ Games swimming meet in Townsville with his twin brother, Austin, and their mum Tracy.

It was about 6.40pm when the accident occurred, just 20 kilometres north of Proserpine and 30 kilometres from their home in Cannonvale.

It is understood that the family’s Toyota RAV4 was driving south along the Bruce Highway when a Nissan Patrol, which had been travelling north, veered over to the southbound lane causing the collision.

Stirling died at the scene and Austin was transferred by ambulance to Proserpine Hospital and then airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital with a serious pelvic fracture.

Tracy remained at Proserpine Hospital and was released on Tuesday.

Austin is still at Mackay Base hospital and surrounded by family who are all supporting each other throughout this terrible time.

The driver of the Nissan, a 45-year-old male, was the sole passenger of the vehicle and is believed to be in a stable condition.

Police are still waiting for toxicology results and Forensic Crash Unit investigations into the circumstances of the crash are continuing.

Stirling was a year 7 student at Proserpine State High School and the entire school community are devastated by the news.

As a small, interconnected community, the grief is widespread as many people knew the family either from school or various sporting clubs.

Both boys had been members of the Cannonvale Cannons swimming club.

“Our thoughts go out to our swimming family involved in a tragic traffic accident,” said a Facebook post from the club earlier this week.

“We have been advised to give the family time to process what has happened and respect the wishes of the family.

“We extend our thoughts and love to the family in this difficult time”

It is also understood that the family is involved with the Whitsunday Athletics Club where both boys have competed, and Tracy is one of the coaches.

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP took the time to reach out to the school and swimming community earlier this week and expressed her sympathies online.

“With a heavy heart our community’s thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and students who are suffering with the tragic loss of their son, brother, mate and peer in the car accident at the Gregory River just north of Proserpine 24 hours ago,” read Ms Camm’s Facebook post.

“At this time there are no words - as a community we are here for each other.

“Our local school communities and many sporting clubs are all in grief. Today I’ve reached out to our School & Swimming community who are doing all they can to support our kids and families.”

If you know someone who is not coping or you would like to talk to a professional counselling service please reach out to one of these services:

Lifeline—phone 13 11 14 for free counselling and support (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Lifeline also provides information about other grief counselling services.

The Compassionate Friends, Queensland - peer support for parents, siblings and grandparents after the death of a child. Call 1300 064 068 to speak with someone else who has experienced child loss and understands.

Parentline—phone 1300 301 300 for counselling and support for parents (8am–10pm, 7 days a week).

Kids Help Line—if you are aged 5–25, call 1800 551 800 for free counselling (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

‍

Our local member, Amanda Camm MP, took Opposition Leader for Queensland, David Crisafulli, on a tour of the Whitsundays earlier this week.

The pair connected with tourism industry representatives at key areas including Shute Harbour and Coral Sea Marina, meeting with stakeholders along the way to discuss issues and listen to what was needed in the community.

Fighting For Local Causes

During his visit to the region, State Opposition Leader David Crisafulli took the time to meet with Chief Operating Officer of Tourism Whitsundays Rick Hamilton, view the problematic boat ramp at Shute Harbour and attend the Community Health Campus in Cannonvale.

The purpose of his tour, hosted by Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, was to connect with industry representatives and gain a broader understanding of issues that are important in our region so that he can lobby for them in parliament.

One issue that Ms Camm prioritised was the boat ramp at Shute Harbour which she believes is poorly constructed, dangerous and unfit for use by local boat owners.

Despite consistent lobbying, the Member for Whitsunday says she is waiting to receive an adequate response from the Minister and the Department of Transport and Main Roads on how they are going to fix the facility.

“This is an example of infrastructure not well planned with poor design and lack of community consultation,” said Ms Camm.

“Residents have been waiting for these upgrades and improvements to the Shute Harbour boat ramp, to ensure safe access, parking and launch facilities.  

“I am urging Minister Bailey to come and visit the Shute Harbour Boat Ramp facility, to work with Whitsunday Regional Council and the community to deliver the necessary improvements.”

Another important issue Ms Camm raised was community access to adequate health care facilities.

With many Whitsunday residents seeking treatment at the Mackay Hospital and Health Service, Mr Crisafulli has become concerned about issues such as ambulance ramping and waiting times at the emergency department.

In addition, there are 1,534 people currently waiting for elective surgery and 8,000 waiting for specialist outpatient appointments.

It is hoped that Mr Crisafulli’s visit to the Whitsundays will flag these issues and help create some action.‍

Opposition Leader of Queensland David Crisafulli with Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP visiting the Shute Harbour boat ramp last week

‍

‍

On the evening of Thursday, April 22, 1943, residents of Wilson Beach saw a plane with its landing lights on passing south along the lower reach of the Proserpine River and soon became aware it had landed somewhere along New Beach.

On this fateful day, two Kittyhawk aircraft were hopping their way along the coast, refuelling where they could, enroute to New Guinea from Bankstown, New South Wales. It was a routine trip - the Kittyhawks, which arrived in crates from America, were assembled then test-flown to be finally delivered to New Guinea or other war-zones. Usually there were two or more planes flying together – on this occasion, the pilots were Flight Sergeant John (Jack) Bowen McGrath and Sergeant Archie Gordon Boyd.

McGrath and Boyd had planned to land at Rockhampton but overshot the town and while then intending to make Mackay, they became lost. As the evening closed in, the pilots ran into heavy cloud and became separated. McGrath, low on fuel, decided to make a landing on New Beach to the south of the Proserpine River mouth. He had intended to land on the beach itself but misjudged his approach. Instead, he hit the water, 'pancaking' several times and losing his propeller and oil and glycol coolers in the process until finally coming to rest at such a speed the plane's back was broken and its engine was catapulted from its mountings about twenty metres in front of the fuselage. McGrath was very fortunate to escape with only minor injuries - ‘a couple of black eyes’, from having hit his head on the plane’s gun-sight which fortunately was covered with sponge rubber. Tragically, Boyd was never heard of again.

Meanwhile, locals, George Baxter, Dan Wilson, Henry Allan and Jack Allan, took to a dinghy and rowed across to the scene. They found McGrath, taking him back to George Baxter’s home, arriving at about 4 am on April 23. McGrath stayed with the Baxters until the following Monday when he was taken to the Proserpine Police Station where he was met by Air Force officers from Townsville.

During his stay with the Baxters, McGrath returned to the scene with an RAAF recovery team which had arrived from Townsville by truck. They travelled daily from what was then the Proserpine Hotel to the crash site where they had to work in the water, the wreck fully covered at high tide. Using the 11.8 metre launch “Gleam”, then owned by Bert Clarke, they retrieved the motor, propeller, guns, ammunition etc and, with the aid of a makeshift raft of 44-gallon drums, towed the salvage up the Proserpine River to a point approximately where the launching ramp opposite Flying Fox Island is located today. There they loaded it onto their truck and took it to Townsville. The fuselage of the Kittyhawk, its back broken, was left to disintegrate where it had landed, though many a souvenir was taken from it by locals.

Flight Sergeant McGrath later became a member of 76 Kittyhawk Squadron, flying in operations in the New Guinea war zone among the Trobriand Islands, New Britain and the Admiralty Islands. He survived the war and died aged 82 in Sydney in June 1999.

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum and Ray Blackwood’s “The Whitsunday Islands – An Historical Dictionary.”

The wreckage of the kittyhawk on New Beach

Locals holding part of the wreckage

The fuselage

A kittyhawk plane

‍

Mothers are nurturing, kind, beautiful, and always there for us which is why it is so important to make them feel special.

Mother’s Day is the chance to tell the most important lady in your life what she means to you.

There are special ways to say thank you: a card, a kiss, a hug voucher or promises to clean your room, but one thing has always been a class above the rest.

What says, “I love you, mum” more than a bouquet of flowers?

Karen Hill is the Whitsunday local expert in floristry. A 30-year industry veteran who not only offers the highest quality fresh flowers but has a list of credentials that will drop your jaw.

A New Zealander by birth, Karen trained to become a florist from a young age, perfecting her craft over a lifetime.

She knows flowers better than anyone.

One of her greatest achievements was not only meeting the Queen of England, but also making a display of flowers for her – and now she’s here in the Whitsundays to make flowers for your mum.

Local to the Whitsundays for nine years, Karen and her business Karen Hill Floral Design are offering more than 38 different arrangements: from seasonal jute bags, half dozen roses, to designer hampers and premium designs.

This Mother’s Day, Karen is offering a $75 dollar special for orders of seasonal flowers by May 6.

“We can’t wait to look after your mums and nannas; because nannas are mums too,” Karen laughed.

“We’re recognising all the mums out there, including myself. It’s a damn hard job.”

Karen said this Mother’s Day means a lot to her and her team, as they’re still going strong even in a Covid world.

“We’re proud that we’re still here and able to look after the community and we will always do that,” Karen said.

“So pop in and treat yourself and your mum this special day.”

Head to Karen Hill Floral Designs at Shop 11/157-159 Shute Harbour Road, Cannonvale to book your bouquet for Mother’s Day, or by calling 0497 804 684.

Renowned local florist Karen Hill with her daughter

Image: RJean Photography

‍

‍

Having shut its doors in January this year due to challenges with staff shortages as a result of COVID-19, the Whitsunday Sailing Club has officially re-opened to the public and is now operating five days a week.

This iconic Airlie Beach landmark, which hosts community events such as Airlie Beach Festival of Music and Airlie Beach Race Week, will soon house the $2.5 million Whitsunday Maritime Training Centre which us currently under construction and due to be complete at the end of the year.

For many locals, however, the sailing club is a lively location for relaxed lunches and evening meals with stunning views across the Coral Sea from their expansive veranda.

The venue has been severely missed by regulars and General Manager Robin Ross said he is thrilled to be back open after a few very quiet months.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the community back in the coming weeks,” he said.

“Everyone is invited to come along, and you no longer need to be a member or sign-in at the door – everyone is welcome!”

A soft opening over the Easter Weekend allowed new staff members to gain experience and settle into their roles.

With everything running smoothly, everyone is encouraged to come down.

The sailing club is open from Wednesday through to Sunday from 11am to 9pm (10pm on Friday and Saturday).

Stanley Street in Collinsville is receiving a revamp courtesy of $1 million from the Building Better Regions funding with the Commonwealth Government and secured by Whitsunday Regional Council.

The works are a component of the overall concept plan for Collinsville’s entire Town Centre, known as the Choose Collinsville project, which plans to refurbish Sonoma Street, Conway Street, Main Street and Anzac Park, starting with Stanley Street.

Whitsunday Council on Monday entered a consultation period for the projects initial phase, allowing members of the region to have their say from April 11 to 29.

On Monday, Council officers were at Lions Park to hear Collinsville residents’ feedback in person.

The works will commence in July 2022 and include new signage, furniture, pavement markings, wayfinding signage, and shade trees/landscaping.

Council have stated that the furnishing style and townscape improvements will be consistent with recent town beautification and main street projects, such as those in Airlie Beach, Bowen, and Proserpine.

Additional components of the Choose Collinsville project – those along Sonoma Street, Conway Street, and Main Street – will require further funding and Council said will be “completed in a future stage of the project.”

Those future works will include town entry statements, as well as creation of “a green oasis” around the town through the landscaping and planting of avenue and shade trees.

Residents can view the concept plan and participate online via Your Say Whitsunday, email or in person at one of council’s Customer Service Centres or public displays.

‍

How are you enjoying this perfect seed raising weather?

Seeds have been loving the rain and are popping out of the ground in force.

The rain means there is no need to water – great rewards for little effort at present.

It looks like we will be discussing thinning out in a few weeks’ time with a high rate of seeds germinating – this is a great problem to have but also be aware when spreading your seeds, that each one of these little seeds will become a vegetable or plant that will need space.

My father-in-law just shakes his head at my close plantings each year, so I still struggle with this aspect of growing, so be aware that you maybe just making more work for yourself later.

With the cost of food on the rise, what better incentive do you need to (at the very least)

grab a pot or even a foam box and spread some herb seeds in it.  

At $3 - $5 for a bunch a parsley, basil or coriander, that you often use part of and throw the rest away when it droops, why not grow your own? Pick as you need, no wastage and nothing beats the taste of fresh herbs.

How about growing lettuce? Loose leaf lettuce are easy to grow and can be harvested over time (so pick leaves as you need them).  Within six weeks from seeding, you could be picking leaves for your salads fresh from your own pot or garden bed, confident in the knowledge that they are chemical free.

At $5 a lettuce, do yourself a financial favour and grow your own!

So, if you haven’t started planting, do it now! It’s the last long weekend for some time

so, get the gardening gloves on this weekend and spread some seeds. We have an extensive range of non genetically modified or hybrid herb and vegetable seeds to choose from at Whitpro. With the recent temperature drop it is perfect germination weather.

For those interested in growing more than herbs, May in the Whitsundays is a great month to get seeding.

Not sure what you can plant in our climate at this time of year?

Here’s a list to get you started:

Capsicum, tomatoes, chilli, beans, beetroot, carrots, radish, zucchini, kale, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, spinach, pumpkins, and melons

‍

The Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC) announced earlier this week that, due to circumstances beyond their control, they would be cancelling the upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow and The 13-Storey Treehouse performances which were due to be held next week.

Director of Community Services for the Whitsunday Regional Council, Julie Wright, apologised at the Council Ordinary meeting on Wednesday stating that they had issues with the smoke machine which needed to get fixed and then the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) inspectors were unable to sign-off on compliance.

A Council statement added that national staff shortages were to blame and matters beyond their control caused the building fire safety certificate to be delayed.

“This means that we unfortunately have no choice but to cancel performances until the relevant body can issue our certificate,” read the statement.

“The safety of our community is paramount and as such we must obey all health and safety building requirements.”

Councillor John Collins was outraged by the news.

“How can this happen?” he said.

“We are going to be the laughing stock!”

The Melbourne Film Festival was due to show on Tuesday, May 3 and the The 13-Storey Treehouse was due to be held on Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6.

Anyone who has purchased a ticket for the events will be refunded in full.

Refunds for online bookings will be processed automatically back to your credit card, there is no need to contact the Box Office.

‍

Tassal’s Proserpine prawn farm is looking to up its production with a submission of plans to expand operations at its Whitsunday farm.

The farm, the largest in the country and which only recently brought in its largest haul in its three years of operation, is looking to fill more plates with more Whitsunday prawns.

In an effort to meet the ever-increasing demand, the company is aiming to produce 5350 tonnes of their black tiger prawns annually – up from their current roughly 3000 tonnes.

The current farm comprises 325 hectares of production ponds, and Tassal’s expansion would see the construction of a further 210 hectares worth.

The stage four expansion also includes plans for 59 hectares of water treatment ponds, two new pumping stations and inlet channels.

The planned ponds would be fed by the Gregory River and would be completed in stages: the first 69 ponds over 112ha and the second comprising 57 ponds over 98ha.

“Stage 4a is planned to commence in July 2022,” Tassals referral states, with the caveat the expansion obtains Commonwealth environmental approvals.

Tassal’s proposal states the new stages are connected to the existing farm and feed from the same intake channels, making them an extension, rather than an independent entity.

The company stated they were in the “early concept planning phase for future major expansion to the east of the existing farm”.

“While some infrastructure would be shared between the existing farm and future stages (e.g. hatchery facilities), the future farming operations would be largely independent,” the referral reads.

The completion of the project would see the creation of an extra 60 jobs on the site – not including those for local contractors who would benefit from the construction work.

The expansion would see the ponds operated from the mission control centre on the Proserpine site, which also runs Tassal’s two other farms in Mission Beach, Queensland, and Yamba, New South Wales.

The farm has seen constant progression in its operating system since Tassal, Australia’s largest aquaculture company, took over the once Fortune Group owned site in September 2018.

Alongside other aquaculture north of Rockhampton, the Tassal farm will contribute to the industry which is expected to be worth $1.34b by 2030.

‍

This week I want to focus on Airlie Beach, the holiday capital of Queensland. An area of natural beauty, ample opportunity and a community of doers that just get on with the job at hand. This collaboration and fostering of working relationships are key to our region’s growth.

As we look to casting our votes in a few weeks, it is time to take measure of what the role of an elected member actually is. For me, it is very clear. You work to serve the people you represent. Your word should be backed by your actions and this is something I’m willing to be judged on.

Politics should never serve as a platform for ‘pushing’ your own agenda. When an elected official fails to listen to their constituents on key issues; they are failing to do their job.

Spending the last 12 months engaging with Whitsunday residents and tourism operators, I am very much aware of the key issues and just as importantly the key opportunities for people living in this community.

As someone who manages projects for a living, I can honestly say I am excited by proposed infrastructure developments for the Whitsundays. I recently met with local tourism operators and land-based tourist attractions were at the forefront of the agenda. Our patch needs an attraction that will ensure people stay in the area while the weather is rough offshore.

Projects such as the Sky Rail, a Reef Discovery Centre (doubling as a cyclone shelter) and Indigenous Cultural Centre are just a few that will entice people to stay in Airlie Beach for longer. There is great potential here and I will be advocating for projects like these because local vision deserves to become local reality.

The reef is central to tourism, it supports 64,000 jobs in Queensland and generates $6.4 billion in income. Whitsunday Tourism is a huge part of this and preserving national assets like the Great Barrier Reef is an important part of Labor’s plan for a Future Made in Australia.

To immediately boost conservation efforts and jobs, Labor will commit $85 million to scale up ‘shovel-ready’ work for coral to coast reef resilience and land restoration projects in reef catchments. We’ve committed to funding the Reef 2050 program through to the end of the decade, committing an extra $63 million over the forward estimates. Australia’s incredible natural environment is part of who we are as a country and is a drawcard for tourists all over the world. We need to shore up the future of these natural assets just like we do other parts of the economy.

I will end this week’s column where I started; actions speak louder than words and the leaders of both parties have shown this.

In a clear demonstration that we are taken for granted and don’t matter, Morrison hasn’t set foot in the electorate. He’s flown over the top of us twice to Cairns for announcements. Then bunny hopped down the coastline for photo ops, skipping Dawson completely.  

Albo on the other hand, drove the length of Queensland recently. Spent three consecutive days in the Dawson electorate speaking with farmers in Bowen over a beer, had a working breakfast with tourism operators at the Coral Sea Resort and met with local industry and primary producers.

Only Labor will build a better future for the Whitsundays.

Advertising Feature

‍

The entire Greater Airlie Beach area was brought to a standstill last Thursday following a once in a generation, freak accident where a semi-trailer span off the road in wet conditions, slamming into power poles which then ricocheted across the road, completely preventing any traffic from passing by for over six hours.

The incident took place at 11am on Thursday, April 21 directly opposite Whitsunday Green Golf Course and near to the Whitsunday Transit bus depot on Shute Harbour Road.

Due to electrical wires traversing the road and laying upon the vehicle, it took some time to free the driver and the road was not opened until 7pm.

At this point the build-up of traffic had reached as far back as Mount Marlow near Proserpine and in the other direction it extended as far as Whitsunday Shopping Centre in Cannonvale – a total of about 10 kilometres.

Initially only one lane was re-opened, and it took until 10.30pm that night for all accumulated traffic to pass.

Proserpine Highschool students and some primary school students who live in Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket were stranded on the other side of the incident, their buses unable to leave the Cannonvale depot and parents unable to pick them up.

During this time, kind volunteers, local schools and teachers all banded together to help students get comfortable while they endured the six-hour wait.

Pop-up sausage sizzles fed the hungry and a movie screening kept them entertained, meanwhile worried parents were appeased by regular communication from the schools, friends, and updates via social media throughout the event.

As soon as the road opened, Whitsunday Transit bus drivers were ready to leave Cannonvale and make the long trip to the respective schools before starting their drop-offs around 10pm instead of the usual 4pm.

Darren Crossley from Whitsunday Transit said he was incredibly proud of the whole Whitsunday Transit team.

“Our entire team from operations staff, office staff, workshop staff and of course our incredible driving team went above and beyond to ensure every child was transported home safely,” he said.

An incredible outpouring of thanks was also given by the community to school teachers who had stayed to look after children, as well as emergency services, Ergon Energy workers and of course the patient motorists who endured a long wait.

“We live in a region where we experience weather events, challenges with access and at times we feel the practical reality of the lack of equitable infrastructure,” said Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm.

“At times in life things just happen that are beyond our control - what is for sure is that as a community we band together.”

The scene of the accident: the jack-knifed semi-trailer in Cannonvale at 11am

Ergon Energy fixing power lines at the accident site at 10pm that evening

‍

Over 100 community members, health care professionals and local dignitaries gathered to celebrate the opening of Bowen’s first dedicated Mental Health Hub on Wednesday last week.

The new facility provides a central location for people to access a range of NDIS and government funded programs and services to improve mental wellbeing and contribute to suicide prevention.

Operated by leading not-for-profit charity, selectability, the Mental Health Hub means our regional town has the same services as an urban centre, and market research prior to its opening identified a demand for this.

“We surveyed Bowen residents before establishing the Mental Health Hub and 93 per cent of respondents believed there was a need for a purpose-built facility in the region,” said selectability Bowen Regional Coordinator, Luana Land.

“In addition, 85 per cent said they know someone who would have benefitted from our services in the past 12 months and 70 per cent said they would have benefitted personally.”

Ensuring people have access to high quality mental wellbeing and suicide prevention support in their local community was a priority for the organisation.

“Everyone has a right to access services locally and we look forward to working with residents and groups to ensure that our services are flexible and in line with the needs of the Bowen community,” said Ms Land.

“If anyone is seeking mental wellbeing or suicide prevention support, please contact the Hub or drop in to see the team. You don’t need an appointment.”

Acting Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Mike Brunker welcomed the opening of the Mental Health Hub and selectability’s commitment to improving the mental wellbeing of the region’s residents.

“Our diverse community needs access to the same mental health services available in larger regional centres. This new facility will provide locals with much needed support,” said Cr Brunker.

The Mental Health Hub is located 18 Herbert Street, Bowen.

‍

Local Councillors are concerned that a new 36-storey high-rise development could change Airlie Beach’s trademark ocean views and put extra stress on the intersection of Shingley Drive and Shute Harbour Road if plans go ahead for a 107-room luxury resort at the location.

The building plans for the Shingley Beach development request a height of 39 metres, which is 27 metres above the nominated height level and does not adhere to the Airlie Beach Town Plan development ideals.

“I am very concerned about this as we have not seen the full return of tourism yet and cannot see how we will manage that growth,” said Councillor Al Grundy.

“That intersection already requires treatment – why can’t we see applications come through that fit with the town plan instead?”

Located adjacent to Coral Sea Marina, the new complex would become a striking feature on the main road into Airlie Beach, and some concerned residents feel that the “magical moment you first see as you travel over the hill” will be changed forever.

One of these locals is Jack Stansfield who has owned a property at the neighbouring Marina Shores for the past 10 years and resided there personally for two.

“It will have a huge impact on the liveability of the area,” he said.

“My two major concerns are loss of aspect and over-shadowing of surrounding properties.”

He also believes the new development may lower the value of surrounding properties and ruin the privacy as well as create a vast amount of traffic during construction.

Council has been reviewing the development plans for the last year, considering factors such as increased traffic, capacity and height.

Whitsunday Regional Council Director Development Services Neil McGaffin said that it is not unusual for development submissions to ask for variations on nominated height levels.

“You will be able to see it,” he said.

“But it will not block out the entire view – there will still be sea vistas.”

“It will not be a complete eye sore because it has been designed so that the back of the building looks over the road and they want it to be as attractive as possible.”

Mr McGaffin did say, however, that there is nothing to stop the developers from on-selling the approved plans.

“Anybody that is in the property business wants to see it increase in value whether they keep it or sell it on is immaterial.”

A computer generated view of the new development at Shingley Beach

‍

Yuliia Kuzma spent four days travelling across war-torn Ukraine to bring her 12-year-old adopted son Maxim home to Proserpine last Thursday.

Separated by 13,000 kilometers for almost two years during the Covid pandemic and then by the outbreak of war in the Ukraine, Yuliia was finally reunited with Maxim – her biological nephew - in the city of Kremenchuk last week.

Yuliia Kuzma had been planning to bring her adopted son, Maxim, to Australia from the war-torn Ukraine since the early days of the Russian invasion.

Last week, the Proserpine mother made what she said was a “last minute decision” to travel overseas and retrieve the 12-year-old, booking tickets to Warsaw, Poland in mid-April.

From Warsaw, Ms Kuzma headed to the border with Ukraine travelling with another Ukrainian family, and she said the volunteers at the Polish border almost brought her to tears.

Giving away items such as clothes, toys, and even dog food to refuges and their pets as they crossed the border, it soon became clear to Ms Kuzma that she was about to travel into a war zone.

From here she journeyed by bus to the city of Lviv, and from Lviv, she caught a train to her destination, Kremenchuk.

She met with other men and women during the journey.

“They told me the horrible stories of what they had experienced. It’s very hard to hear and accept it, that it is happening,” Ms Kuzma said.

“To see this happening to my country - it is so sad.”

Maxim had been staying in Kremenchuk with a guardian – one of Ms Kuzma’s close friends – with the city relatively safe because of its hydroelectric station, which provides electricity for 40 per cent of the country.

It has been an asset the Ukrainian army have been eager to keep secured, although there are still “five or seven” bomb sirens each day.

The horror of war was pacified by a human moment when Ms Kuzma was reunited with Maxim.

“He rushed from the second floor to see me, there were hugs and cuddles – it was so wonderful,” Ms Kuzma said.

There was a 28-hour drive back to the Warsaw border, followed by a 24-hour flight before Maxim arrived in the heat of the Whitsundays – a change from the -2 degrees of the Ukraine-Poland border.

Ms Kuzma said there are new challenges for Maxim now, but they are good ones to have: he must grow accustomed to Australian food and learn English.

“Everything will be good, I know it, because my family is whole again” she said.

“I have to thank the people of Proserpine, because I feel I have been blessed with everything.”

Yuliia and Maxim Kuzma

‍

‍

Are you interested in a new career?

The Mackay Jobs Fair will provide people looking for work with the chance to explore current job opportunities and connect job seekers with employers and employment service providers in the region.

All employers exhibiting at the Jobs Fair have job vacancies that they are looking to fill. The Mackay Fair is an opportunity for you to meet with employers and talk to them about real and current jobs, apprenticeships and training and career options in Mackay and the surrounding region.  

Not only are there jobs on offer, but there are also services available to help you find your next job. Take part in workshops for information and advice to improve your chances of getting a job or talk to a professional for résumé assistance, interview tips and job search techniques.

If you are struggling to find work, you can speak to local employment support services who can help you develop skills and confidence to increase your ability to gain employment faster.

To find out who is exhibiting at the Mackay Jobs Fair and to find out how to make your visit a success, go to dese.gov.au/MackayJF.

This event will follow the Queensland Government’s COVID Safe Event protocol. All attendees are required to be double vaccinated for COVID-19 and must be prepared to show vaccination status upon entry.

Event details

Date: Friday 29 April 2022

Timing: 10:00 am to 2:30 pm AEST

Location: Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC), 258 Alfred Street, Mackay, QLD, 4740

‍