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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Seat Of Dawson Contenders Speak In Whitsundays

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called the election for May 21 and with the incumbent Member For Dawson George Christensen stepping down from politics, seven candidates have come forward to vie for his seat.

Two meet and greet events were held in Cannonvale and Bowen this week, giving the aspiring candidates an opportunity to connect with the community and field questions on how they would represent the electorate if successful.

First Week Of Election Fever For Dawson

In Bowen State High School’s McKenna Hall on Monday evening, 100 residents attended the Dawson Electorate Meet The Candidate event in the wake of the Prime Minister’s announcement that the Federal Election would be held on May 21.

The aspiring candidates introduced themselves and their key political points. In attendance were Labor candidate Shane Hamilton, Liberal candidate Andrew Willcox, Greens candidate Paula Creen, Independent Phil Batty, United Australia Party candidate Christian Young, Katter Party candidate Ciaron Paterson, and One Nation candidate Julie Hall.

On Tuesday, the candidates also headed to Cannonvale for the same event with a new audience.

Retiring Member for Dawson George Christensen – who was unable to attend in person – gave an opening address via pre-recorded video and said that he hoped the incoming member was “passionate about protecting your freedoms.”

“I hope they will cross the floor to go against their party, even in the face of ostracisation,” Mr Christensen said in his opening address.

Each candidate was given an opportunity to sell themselves and spruik their key party points before pre-selected questions, followed by an opportunity for locals to speak with candidates one on one in a less formal setting.

In Bowen on Monday, Labor candidate Shane Hamilton opened with key infrastructure points for Bowen.

“For me, Bowen has the potential to be an energy superhub: if you think about the deep-water port and the potential to export hydrogen, massive ability to generate wind and solar, and create green hydrogen,” Mr Hamilton said.

He also echoed the sentiments of party leader Anthony Albanese that the realm of aged care was a major one for improvement nationwide.

“We care for people, we much prefer to give them a hand-up than a push down,” he said.

Paula Creen from the Greens followed, letting Bowen know that the Green’s values coincided with her own, and that she understood the task ahead of her.

“I know it’s a tough audience in Dawson, but I have a bit of grit,” she said.

Her major point was the introduction of renewable energy: “We want 100 per cent, publicly owned renewable energy by 2030,” she said.

Liberal candidate Andrew Willcox took to the stage next, mentioning his experiences as a third-generation farmer, a successful business owner, and current Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor.

He said – if he were to be successful – the creation of jobs and infrastructure would be his main concerns, making particular note of the Liberals commitment to Urannah Dam.

“This is not an election promise, it’s locked into the budget and building Urannah Dam will create thousands of jobs during the construction, and many more in its lifetime,” he said.

The only independent in the running, Phil Batty followed Mr Willcox.

“Do I think I stand a chance to win? No,” Mr Batty said.

Mr Batty said 94 per cent of people want more influence in local development, and he was running with the goal of bringing the plight of the organisation ‘Save our Foreshore’ to a wider audience.

Christian Young from the United Australia Party spoke on the Covid vaccination mandates and that his party would move to have all workers reinstated regardless of their vaccination status – as well as highlighting the need for more specialised doctors in the regions.

Ciaron Paterson of the Katter Party said that a vote for him in a minor party was to keep the “bastards” honest – in apparent reference to the major parties.

“We have a great success in lobbying for our constituents, such as the Hells Gate Dam,” he said.

One Nation candidate Julie Hall followed, and spoke on vaccine mandates, saying that her party would first and foremost organise a Royal Commission into the handling of the pandemic.

“While some of the mandates are being removed from the 14th, this is not good enough,” she said.

The questions that followed the 10-minute speeches given by each candidate were on topics chosen by those in the electorate: climate change, mining, mandates, and the digital identity bill.

In the next few weeks, the campaign trail will heat up for each of the candidates, with the nights in Bowen and Cannonvale just a snippet of election fever.

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A plan for a permanent ice rink in Mackay has been gathering momentum like a snowball downhill after Danish ice hockey player and Mackay local Andreas Elkjaer skated the idea for the Sugar City.

Andreas, who moved to Mackay in June last year, was desperately missing the ice - a place he said “feels like home” - and decided that he would take it upon himself to get Mackay its first permanent rink.

That led Andreas to Frozen Wonderland ice rink owner Ken Jensen – a Bundaberg resident who in previous years had tried to start up rinks in Mackay, but struggled to find a suitable location. The pair started searching for a 1000 square metre space to put up the rink, and have had some promising sites already.

“I asked the question whether there was a possibility for an ice rink because I was curious, and I was putting myself out there,” Andreas said.

“Mackay, it’s not a typical winter sport city, so I was curious to how people would react.

“I knew there was interest but I was surprised by how positive people were and what a great interaction I’ve had with people.”

With simple criteria: A shed of around 1000 square metres and 20 parking spots somewhere in Mackay, Andreas took to Facebook to gauge how hot or cold locals would be on a permanent installation.

He received over a thousand responses.

“We have found two or three great options, which we’re keeping for ourselves, but there are good options out there; two or three that could meet his criteria,” he said.

Of those two or three options, Ken has already visited one site and is very positive about its potential.

“We’ve had a look at a site and we’re negotiating with the owner. We’re just looking at the bits and pieces of whether it would be feasible,” Ken said.

Ken is bringing the financial backing for the project, with his budget roughly $100,000 per year to run the rink – installing solar and insulation.

In previous years Mackay has hosted temporary rinks at the Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre and at Canelands, each time wildly popular.

Ken said that, with Councillors positivity about the idea, the rink could be up as soon as the July school holidays.

“I have everything required for the job – chillers, skates. It’s all sitting there and it’s a matter of ticking all the boxes,” he said.

“It’s a matter of waiting to secure the building and finding the staff and getting it all up and running.”

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Image: Private Arthur Alfred O’Donnell, Mrs O’Donnell and their child. Source: National Library of Australia

A former stockman who fought in World War One returned home to Clermont to find his entire family tragically washed away in Australia’s worst floods.

More than 60 people were killed, making it the worst in Australia's history in terms of loss of life in December 1916.

Private Arthur Alfred O’Donnell enlisted in the army on 17 November 1916, 41 days before the wall of water travelled the creeks and hit the historic gold and coal mining town.

The horrific news of his wife, two children and mother-in-law’s drownings did not reach Pte O’Donnell until he was discharged and returned home in 1919.

Pte O’Donnell had survived frostbite in Belgium in 1917, several wounds in action ranging from a deep gash to the face to a gunshot wound in his left shoulder in France in 1918. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said unimaginable sacrifices such as Pte O’Donnell will be among the stories remembered this Anzac Day.

“We will again proudly stand shoulder-to-shoulder from the Isaac coast to the west in Clermont, Isaac residents to honour the nation’s most sacred commemorative services,” Mayor Baker said.

“Pte O’Donnell, who was in the 26th infantry battalion, was on his way to the battlefront in Europe when his wife Winifred, his children and his mother-in-law Sarah Foster, lost their lives in the Clermont floods.

“We cannot imagine the torment this man had suffered while on the battlefield to protect our way of lives today to only come home to have lost everyone he had loved most in this world.”

Clermont Historical Centre says little is known about the rest of the former stockman’s life as he disappeared into obscurity after learning of the deaths of his family.

Mayor Baker said this Anzac Day, the Isaac region will pay tribute to the sacrifices of diggers past and present.

“We will honour the strong sense of solidarity, sentiment and pride as we come together to remember the ANZACs and all those who fought for our country,” Mayor Baker said.

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After a well-timed TV ad and a bet with his mother, Steve Haidle joined the Navy.

“The only part of the ad I remember is the submarine being in it and I said to Mum ‘I’ll be in there in a month’s time’, just jokingly,” Steve said.

“And I was, I joined up and I was on my bike down to Victoria.

“She told me ‘Do not ever come home if you get a tattoo’, so I never got a tattoo,” he laughed.

Steve was born in Wynnum in 1984.

He grew up in the Brisbane bayside suburb and got a job in the office of the livestock department with Queensland Bacon where he worked for 18 months.

At the age of 17, Steve joined the Royal Australian Navy in Brisbane City, a move that would see him serve in Vietnam.

“We Were Lucky And Unlucky”

Steve Haidle was sent to HMAS Cerberus at Western Port Bay in Victoria where he did three months of recruit school before being drafted onto HMAS Hobart in Sydney.

He had the goal of becoming a Physical Training Instructor but was instead made a quartermaster gunner in the seaman branch where he completed a test to aim Seacat missiles.

HMAS Hobart was sent to Vietnam in March 1967 with Steve on board.

He says about half of the men onboard were drafted onto another ship before its departure.

“We were sort of lucky and unlucky; lucky in the fact that we got war service, unlucky that we could’ve got killed,” he said.

The ship left Sydney with 330 men onboard.

Steve says the quarters weren’t too bad; cards and mahjong were played in the recreation area in downtime.

In his role on the ship, he would complete six-hour shifts on a lookout station above the bridge of the ship.

When it came to action stations, he would rush below deck where he would load 70kg bullets into a magazine to be automatically taken to a gun five decks above.

Steve returned from Vietnam in September 1967 and continued to serve in the Navy until 1975.

He returned to Brisbane after his departure from the Navy where he went back to work for Queensland Bacon for five years.

He made the move to Mackay in 1980 when he accepted an opportunity to manage the food and beverage section of the racecourse in Ooralea.

After 12 months in that role, which he loved, Steve worked in office equipment and bottle shops around Mackay before returning to Brisbane in 2004 and retiring in 2008.

He got married in 2009, a marriage that took him to The Philippines for six years before he and his wife came back to Mackay where he says he knows the area and the people well.

After leaving the Navy, Steve stayed active in the military community by getting involved in the Naval Association and the HMAS Hobart Association before joining RSL Mackay in 2018.

He says staying involved has been an important part of his life after the military.

“You meet new friends; you meet old friends,” he said.

“It’s somewhere you can go, and they know what you’re talking about, and you know what they’re talking about.”

As a committee member for RSL Mackay, Steve looks after purchasing, planning, and setting up merchandise and memorabilia.

He is currently working hard towards ANZAC Day, an important day to him.

“It’s a remembrance, to me.”

He is planning displays at Harrup Park and Parkside Plaza, and you will catch him selling merchandise at Parkside Plaza between Tuesday and Saturday next week.

On the day, Steve will be involved in the RSL’s activities including the dawn service, the march, selling memorabilia, raffles, and, of course, a few friendly games of two-up.

“We were sort of lucky and unlucky; lucky in the fact that we got war service, unlucky that we could’ve got killed,” he said.

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“It’s a remembrance, to me.”

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Image: A 17-year-old dirt bike rider suffered critical injuries after an accident on Sarina Beach. Images: RACQ CQ Rescue

A teenager is fighting for life in a Brisbane hospital after suffering severe injuries in a dirt bike accident on Sarina Beach last weekend.

RACQ CQ Rescue was tasked by Queensland Health to airlift the teenager who was reportedly in critical condition.

A RACQ CQ Rescue spokesperson said the 17-year-old rider lost control of the bike on the beach about 5pm on Saturday, April 9 and suffered facial and internal injuries as well as possible spinal injuries.

“The rescue helicopter landed on the beach to meet first responders and ambulance officers just 10 minutes after takeoff from Mackay,” the spokesperson reported.

“The aircraft did not shutdown as the patient was loaded into the aircraft due to the fast-incoming tide.

“The aircraft quickly relocated to an oval adjacent to the beach so the medical team on board, including a Critical Care Paramedic and doctor, could continue to work on the patient for about 50 minutes before flying the teen to Mackay Base Hospital in a critical condition.”

The severity of the injuries meant the teenager was later flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital. Their condition at time of writing was unknown.

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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.

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