Preparations for ANZAC Day at the Bloomsbury Soldiers Memorial Hall are now one step closer thanks to a generous gesture from Councillor Alison Jones and her husband Rick.

Rick recently gave his Sunday morning to repaint the hall’s flagpoles in preparation for the traditional celebrations held at the hall using paint donated by PI Technical Services.

The timely display of community spirit has been appreciated by all in the Bloomsbury region.

The Bloomsbury Soldiers Memorial Hall posted on Facebook, “we are so appreciative of Councillor Alison Jones and her husband Rick, who very kindly spent a recent Sunday repainting our flag poles in readiness for Anzac Day 2022.”

The Bloomsbury Soldiers Memorial Hall will host a dawn service on ANZAC Day from 5:30am.

In another terrific example of councillors contributing to the community, Councillor Laurence Bonaventura recently paid a visit to Calen News and General Store to pick up supplies for a very important job.

Laurence went out to Yalboroo, 50 minutes north of Mackay, to mow the bus stop, picking up supplies from the general store on his way.

The well-equipped store was able to provide everything Laurence needed, including safety wear, to get the job done and was happy to contribute to the project.

Rick Jones, husband of Councillor Alison Jones, recently spent a Sunday morning painting the flagpoles at the Bloomsbury Soldiers Memorial Hall ready for ANZAC Day

Councillor Laurence Bonaventura got everything he needed from Calen News and General Store before mowing the Yalboroo bus stop. Photos: supplied

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With more than 20 years in the aviation industry, a former pilot has taken over the controls of our region’s helicopter rescue service.

RACQ CQ Rescue has announced the appointment of Tim Healee as the not-for-profit service’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

With a wealth of experience in the aviation industry combined with a passion for charity work, Tim will take the reins of the Mackay-based rescue helicopter operation from Ian Rowan on April 26.

Tim, who was previously based on the Gold Coast and in North Queensland, is a former pilot who has more than 20-year experience in both senior management and the aviation industry.

He has worked in helicopter training centre management, aeromedical operations and most recently, as the CEO of a regional airline based in Far North Queensland. He has also been closely involved with charities across Queensland, helping to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth and marginalised communities.

Mr Healee said he was looking forward to leading a world-class organisation which was held in such high esteem by the community and by its supporters and further building upon the five-year stewardship of Mr Rowan who is retiring.

“I fully understand and have first-hand experience of the important role aviation plays in regional Queensland, but more specifically, how vital access to critical aeromedical care and retrieval is due to the sheer size and remote nature of this region,” Mr Healee said.

“I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Ian Rowan over the last five years and congratulate him on delivering some great projects for the organisation. I also take this opportunity to wish him all the best for his future in his retirement.”

RACQ CQ Rescue Board Chairman Chris Wright said Mr Healee had extensive experience and knowledge in aviation and business management and would help ensure the Mackay-based rescue helicopter service continued its high standard of professionalism and providing the best aeromedical emergency service to the Mackay, Whitsunday and Bowen Basin communities.

“Tim’s vast range of skills will ensure RACQ CQ Rescue’s mission to deliver the most cost-effective, reliable, safe and clinically excellent patient rescue and transfer service will continue to be achieved,” Mr Wright said.

“On behalf of the Board, we welcome Tim to the role and look forward to working with him to navigate RACQ CQ Rescue to even greater heights.”

Mr Healee will commence work at the Mackay Airport hangar and operations centre on Tuesday, April 26.

RACQ CQ Rescue’s new CEO Tim Healee. Image supplied

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What a beautiful day it was for golf last week, which attracted 25 participants for Proserpine Veteran’s Golf April Monthly Medal.  

The ladies’ winner on the day was Mandy Patterson (73 nett), second Lyn Muller (74), and the men’s winner with a fantastic score of 63 nett was John Oates, second was Peter Fox (72 c/b).

Nearest the pins for the ladies all went to Lyn (9th, 13th and 16th) while the men went to Neil Crawthorne (13th) and Peter Fox (16th).  

There were three chip ins on the day: Ken Granger, Neil Cawthorne and Nick Apruzzese.  

Least putts on the day for the men was Peter Fox with 27 and for the ladies Lyn Muller, Mandy Patterson and Elspeth Scotford all had 31.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

Mandy Pattersonn and John Oates

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This week 73 people ran, jogged and walked the 5km waterfront course for Airlie Beach parkrun, with the rain holding off for most participants but came in a downpour for some.

Twenty first timers came out in force and seven participants recorded new personal bests: Doug, Trent, Nyrie, Roger, Carly, Irene and Lynne.

Astonishingly, Sylvie Martin and Margaret Coote completed their 200th parkrun.

The event was made possible by 17 wonderful volunteers: Nick Beecroft, Bob Barford (Run Director), Timothy McQuoid-Mason (Photographer), Kara Olver, Lesley Barford, Robyn Corrigan, Andrea Farley, Rebecca Hadley, Nathalie Blomme, Craig Boxer, Wendy McCall, Susanne Willmott, Ronald McCall, Laura Oates, Aiden, Lynne Oates and Geoff Newby-Butt.

It’s Easter weekend next week. We need a photographer, if you are available to take photos, or for any other volunteer role please send a message to airliebeach@parkrun.com.

Every Saturday Airlie Beach parkrun meets at 6:50am for a briefing at area D, Coral Sea Marina (adjacent to the top carpark). Parking is free in the lower carpark till 9:30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard.

There are no winners at parkrun and nobody comes last – the Tail walkers do. Regular participation is rewarded rather than performance, with ‘parkrun milestone shirts’ available to people to recognise their achievements in coming along.

The full results and a complete event history can be found at https://www.parkrun.com.au/airliebeach/results/latestresults/

Further photos and details about registering can be found on the Airlie Beach parkrun Facebook page.

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun.

Kids were out and about for the 5km, enjoying their school holidays with some fitness

Andrea welcoming the first timers

The team of terrific volunteers

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Fitness fanatics of the Whitsundays came to the end of their eight-week fitness challenges at the Base 51 Functional Fitness gym in Cannonvale this month.

The gruelling signature challenge was led by Head Trainer John Russolillo who said that the program “hits you from all angles.”

Splitting into two teams - Black Ops led by John and Sand Dogs led by fitness trainer Monique Pattison - the 40 challenge competitors set their personalised goals and smashed through them.

Based on their metrics and fitness, the coaches created 8-week programs that included everything from nutrition to strength training.

On Mondays and Wednesdays for eight weeks, they built their bases of strength, fitness, mobility, one rep max for squats and deadlifts, completed their first chin-ups or push-ups and more.

And come the end, whoever gained the most muscle and lost the highest body fat percentage was the winner.

John said that, although the physical side of things were important, plaudits needed to be given to the nutritional side.

“It’s the nutrition that helps massively and I have to shout out Manuela Modai - she does so much for the challenge and deserves a ton of recognition,” he said.

“I also want to thank Simon and Linda Lee, the owners of the gym because without them, none of it would be possible.”

Winners were announced at Anchor Bar in early April, with John’s team Black Ops claiming the top three competitors, as well as the overall winner Brian Wells, a 60-year-old paramedic and “an absolute legend.”.

Brian gained 4.8kg of lean muscle mass and lost about 2.5 per cent body fat.

“He’s made a lot of progress and he knows he can make more – he’s leaned out, but he was an ex-sprinter and a surfer, he just keeps going and getting accolades!” John said.

Mel Chapman came in second, having completed the challenge alongside personal training – her regular Monday and Wednesday, a Tuesday work out and a PT session on Thursdays. By the end, she achieved a personal best deadlift of 110kg.

Tracey Garett was the third-place finisher, also achieving excellent goals.

“She’s a great weightlifter who did a personal best deadlift at 115 kilograms, gained 1.5 kilograms of muscle and lost 1.5 per cent body fat,” John said.

John believes that the results speak for themselves, and that small group personal training is the future of gyms.

“It blends both worlds together seamlessly,” he said.

The next Base 51 Functional Fitness eight-week challenge will kick off in May.

John Russolilo, Monique Pattison, Brian Wells, Mel Chapman, and Manuela Modai celebrating the end of the eight-week challenge

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The new $1.2 million Collinsville Waterpark was officially opened to the public earlier this week and local children were excited to explore the free community facility.

With two thrilling water slides, a tipping bucket, water jets and shaded paddling area, the Collinsville Waterpark will offer a welcome and fun reprieve for families and tourists alike.

The equipment and the shade sails replicate the bright colours of Whitsunday Regional Council, whilst animal images and footprints tip toe over the anti-slip splash pad.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said the new waterpark was a great addition to the already existing Lion’s Park Precinct.

“One of the best features about this waterpark is that it is truly accessible to everyone,” said Mayor Willcox.

“The new fencing we have installed around that park also offers a safe haven for play, separating users from the road corridor.”

The new waterpark is the result of a Whitsunday Regional Council led Collinsville and Scottville community consultation in 2020 where over 100 submissions revealed that almost 50 per cent of people considered a new waterpark as their top priority.

“We listened to your feedback and today we are proud to officially open our $1.2million waterpark in Collinsville,” Mayor Willcox said.

The waterpark was constructed with funding from the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

Mayor Andrew Willcox officially opens $1.2 million Collinsville Waterpark

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Over three years Helping Hands Animal Rescue Bowen Incorporated helped close to 700 animals find their forever homes before permanently closing its doors last month

Helping Hands Animal Rescue Bowen Vice President Natalie McPhee said “life got in the way”, and the organisation slowly lost its lifeblood, the volunteers.

At its heights the organisation was a collection of 20 people, with its core committee of eight slowly whittling down to four and leaving them with little choice but to close.

“I had many people say they would volunteer, but the last meeting we had 15 people say they could help, but only one turned up,” Ms McPhee said.

“People want to work with animals, they don’t want to do the administrative side; they want to help, but they just want to do the fun stuff, not turning sausages and doing paperwork.”

Ms McPhee said that Helping Hands was almost a full-time job for many of its volunteers.

“Some mornings, by the time you do your family stuff, your work stuff, your rescue stuff, you’d be going to bed at 3.00am and getting up at 6.00am.”

“Those are the sacrifices you make.”

Members of the community expressed their sadness to see the organisation go, and Ms McPhee said the Facebook Page is still receiving messages asking for animals or asking for help with animals.

“It is really sad, even the Vets in town said it’s very sad to see it close, because it’s a service we need,” Ms McPhee said.

“Without us, it will put more pressure on organisations like Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue.”

Helping Hands is redirecting any animal rescue or fostering enquiries to Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue and Animal Rescue Whitsunday.

Helping Hands Animal Rescue Bowen Incorporated was forced to close in March due to a lack of volunteers

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Children at a local caravan park were excited to get some one-on-one interaction with our local emergency services last week when three police officers hosted a meet and greet session with holidaymakers.

Over 50 children flocked around the police car and were free to sit in the driver’s seat, wear a police hat, try on a bullet proof vest, and ask a barrage of questions to the accommodating officers.

Constable Jessica Leech said she was thrilled that so many children took the opportunity to engage with them and that she was able to pass on important information in a relaxed and friendly environment.

“It’s been really well received; all the kids have jumped in the car and put on the hats and had a really good time,” she said.

“We’ve spoken to them about who they call in an emergency and about safe bike riding.

“The aim is to create awareness in relation to what police do out on the streets but also for public safety – to encourage children to know who to call when there is an emergency.

“We are also here to create awareness and education around different issues that are relevant at the moment in regards to child offences.”

Handing out information packs to parents on cyber safety was an important initiative on the day.

“Children are very quick to learn, and they all love devices!” said Constable Leech.

“Kids absorb everything – they are like little sponges.”

Most of the children were holidaymakers from the eastern seaboard and some from rural communities to the west who had travelled to the coast for the Easter Holidays.

Topical questions on the afternoon revolved around what it takes to be a police officer and how many bad guys they had caught lately.

“The Whitsundays is a really good community with a low crime rate,” said Constable Leech.

“But, yes, we have caught a few bad guys!”Sergeant Nigel Dalton, Constable Kaitlyn Cousins, siblings Louie, Archie and Darci Kane and Constable Jessica Leech

Reef Thackray sitting in the police car and talking to Constable Jessica Leech

Sergeant Nigel Dalton fitting a young boy with a bullet proof vest

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After a two-year sabbatical, the Colorbond Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival is back in action hosting avid athletes in a weekend of sporting fun this ANZAC Day weekend.

This will be the 21st festival of its type, with up to 200 competitors expected to participate in a range of events over the two-day schedule.

The Junior Triathlon will kick-off on the Saturday with those who are over 12 years old competing in an exciting 350 metre swim at the Airlie Lagoon, followed by a 2-kilometre bike ride and a 1-kilometre run. The 6–12-year-olds can compete in a shorter course.

Saturday will also see an Ocean Swim take place, the perfect warm-up for many of the competitors.

An event for the whole community, the festival’s central hub at the carpark to the left of the Airlie Beach Lagoon, will be transformed into a festive arena on Saturday evening with an array of food vans, lively music and the fireworks are expected to kick-off at 8pm.

The main events take place on the Sunday with a Sprint, Enticer and Olympic distance Triathlon starting from 6am.

The community are invited to watch the excitement, either at the start or the end of the races or as competitors make the quick change from their ocean swims to mounting their bikes.

With 150 athletes registered so far, there is still time to sign-up if you would like to get involved in the challenge.

For more information and the festival event guide please go to airliebeachtriathlon.com.

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A local community champion and inspiring mentor to many people navigating the often scary and unknown world of cancer treatment has passed away after a long and brave battle with the disease.

Karen Filby passed away at Proserpine Hospital on Saturday at 58-years-old.

First diagnosed with cancer in 2018, Karen had 15 tumours between both lungs and it had spread to her lymph nodes, spine, hips and left leg.

At this time, she was given just three months to live with no treatment options available in Australia.

Refusing to give up, she embarked on a mission to explore integrative medicine, connecting with a local reputable naturopath who referred her to a progressive clinic in Thailand.

Spending nine weeks in treatment in Thailand, Karen’s scans showed incredible results, the lung tumours had reduced from 15 to five and only one lymph node was now affected.

By November 2020 scans showed that miraculously Karen’s cancer was no longer active.

Deciding to use her experience to inspire and assist others Karen shared her story in Core Life Magazine and studied to become a counsellor specialising in oncology offering free consultations for many people living with cancer.

Tragically, a month after she received the ‘all clear’ Karen’s partner, who had been by her side throughout her treatment, passed away suddenly.

This took its toll on Karen physically and mentally and a few months later a scan showed the cancer had returned.

Despite her depleting heath, she continued to help others while she fought bravely until the end.

Karen is survived by her three siblings – Judy, Brian and Robert Filby - nine nieces and nephews, as well as countless friends who will all miss her dearly.

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An exciting milestone has been reached at the Cannon Valley Reservoir with the first brand-new water tank full and ready to service our community, ensuring improved water security for our region.

The process took seven days and began last Friday, from 8am until 1pm each day, finishing up this afternoon.

The week-long fill period meant that the water needs of the community were still met without putting any extra stress on our water sources, or completely depleting our water storage infrastructure during the fill period.

To achieve this, Council isolated certain sections of the water network so they did not over pressurise the system (which could lead to bursts) and to minimise any risk of non-potable water entering the potable water network.

Council also monitored and flushed the network at strategic locations to minimise any potential effects on water aesthetics during the fill period.

Each of the two new water tanks holds 12.5 megalitres of water and will double the potable water supply to Airlie Beach and Cannonvale, providing greater resilience during severe weather events by giving us far greater water capacity.

The $7.5 million project is co-funded by the Whitsunday Regional Council and Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

The previous water tank in Airlie Beach was damaged in 2017 Cyclone Debbie and when the other two are fully operational it will be possible to make the necessary repairs.

The two water tanks at the Cannon Valley Reservoir

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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.

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Community members are encouraged to celebrate local heroes in a new initiative from Happy Rocks Bowen who are asking everyone to paint a rock and present it to someone they admire.

‘Thank Your Local Hero’ is a chance for you to acknowledge and say thank you to the people in your lives who have helped you or come to your rescue, and made your life better, because that’s what a hero does,” said founder of Happy Rocks Nicole Rowan.

If you would like to participate, simply select your rock and paint it with a picture or a pattern that represents your feeling for your hero and present it to them while telling the recipient the reason they are so special to you.

Make sure you take a photo of the two of you together and post it on the Happy Rocks Bowen Facebook page along with a maximum of 75 words about why they are your hero.

The organisers will then choose some winners so your hero has the chance to win a range of prizes kindly donated by local businesses.

Sergeant Michelle O’Regan from Bowen PCYC presented Gemma Duncan with a rock last week saying that the initiative had reminded her that rocks last longer than the flowers she had intended to deliver.

“She is a hero because she is a warrior fighting for her own health,” said Michelle’s Facebook post.

“She is openly sharing her story and journey to remind others to be aware and check their own health.

“Gemma Duncan you are a beautiful soul and a quiet achiever - full of grace, resilience, determination, strength and positivity.”

The ‘Thank Your Local Hero’ competition is running throughout April so make sure you get involved and support this wonderful initiative.

Nicole has some spare outline rocks for anyone who would like to use a template to make it easy to colour - simply reach out through their Facebook page.

Image: Sergeant Michelle O’Regan from Bowen PCYC presenting Gemma Duncan with a rock last week

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A Hervey Bay man who disappeared in a tinny with his dog on Thursday last week remains missing despite an extensive search by the emergency services.

Lee Eastham, who is 36 years old, was last seen launching from the Pioneer Bay boat ramp at around 4.30pm on Thursday, April 7 and was reported missing when he failed to return on Saturday afternoon.

The RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter conducted a widespread search of the area between Conway Point and Dingo Beach for about three hours for the missing man and his three-metre boat, but nothing had yet been found.

It is understood that he was based at a local campground and had made friends with neighbours who had looked after his dog for two nights prior to the disappearance.

Their Facebook post described Lee as a “lovely bloke” and the dog “so pleasant to mind”.

“We only knew him a few days and raised the alarm when he hadn't returned the following morning. We are praying they're both found safe and well,” read the post.

It is now understood that Lee’s family are staying at the campground and have connected with the concerned neighbours who are helping with investigations.

Many in the community have also come forward to assist where they can, one individual reported that she had seen a broken down vessel from her own yacht in the bay.

She was about to offer assistance when the motor came to life and he sped off.

Another local was filming a wedding at Whitsunday Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) when he saw a tinny matching that description.

He has now handed the video footage over to police who are encouraging anyone else with information to come forward.

The registration of the tinny is ZV7160.

Information in this story is up to date as of 2pm Tuesday, April 12.

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In late January this year a juvenile green sea turtle was brought from North Bowen to the Eco Barge Clean Seas Incorporated (EBCS) facility with wounds sustained from a shark attack.

Last week, that turtle – affectionately named Eminem – was released back into the Coral Sea from Cannonvale Beach, having recovered from his injuries thanks to the team of 14 dedicated turtle carer volunteers.

Named by EBCS Founding Chair Libby Edge’s daughter, Eminem was graced with the nickname when Ms Edge and her daughter drove to Bowen to save him, all the while singing along with the famous Detroit rapper the car radio.

With a cohort of kids in tow, the Eco Barge volunteers saw the successful release of the turtle Slim Shady on Thursday, who is just one of the over 221 sick or injured turtles to have received care at the charity’s Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre.

Ms Edge said it was a very special day which would not have been achieved without the volunteers and BSTAR, a Marine Animal Stranding Response group in Bowen.

“We safely rescued this turtle from Bowen and brought it down here to the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre, and this is a bit of a celebration for our turtle volunteers today for helping fully recover Eminem,” Ms Edge said.

“He has a rear missing flipper and a few injuries, but he has healed himself quite quickly - it’s amazing, and it’s because of this team.”

Eminem was rehabilitated over 78 days, with donations to EBCS going directly towards his recovery. As well as funds from sales Ballistic Brewery’s Reef Pale Ale and Lager, with ten cents from every can donated to Eco Barge.

All turtles are listed endangered, with the green sea turtle amongst those.

Ms Edge said that Eminem was released because he had returned to full physical fitness, which included “eating Eco Barge out of house and home.”

“He’s now going to head over to near Pigeon Island, have a feast of seagrass and then, highly likely, swim back to Bowen,” she said.

Renee Carroll was one of the volunteers who nursed Eminem back to health, alongside her daughter Cleo Mazonka.

“That was the first release I’ve been a part of and it was emotional – there are tears, but happy tears,” she said.

“You love them, you care for them – I feel extremely happy and emotional.”

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