Motorbike enthusiasts from around the Whitsundays are using their two-wheeled friends to raise awareness for suicide prevention, depression and mental health by joining together to show allegiance and start the conversation.

Proserpine Main Street will roar to life on the morning of Sunday, March 20, when motorbiking mates begin the Black Dog Ride ‘1 Dayer’ event which is due to set-off from MC Classics at 8.30am.

Prior to this, a breakfast van will be on-site from 6.30am, ensuring all riders are well-nourished before they depart.

The Black Dog Ride has been going nationwide since 2009 and is currently celebrating its 10th year in Mackay. This year, however, will mark the first year a Whitsunday fraction has formed its own group.

Mark Martell and Brett Lamont were approached to organise the event and they say there has been great feedback so far.

“We have 25 signed-up so far and there will probably be a lot more on the day,” said Mark.

“Bikes are a good conversation starter – everyone starts off by commenting on each other’s bike and that generates conversations around mental health and suicide prevention.”

The motorbike convoy will leave from Proserpine and travel to Kuttabul where it will meet with around 200 riders from Mackay. They will then join together and ride to their final destination which is the Pinnacle Hotel.

The Airlie Beach Hotel are major sponsors of the event and have donated $600 in cash and a range of vouchers which will be used as raffle prizes to raise more money for causes such as Head Space in Proserpine.

Wayne Fairbrother from the Airlie Beach Hotel presented Mark Martell with the donation at MC Classics last week.

“The owner of The Pub always likes to support these guys – it is such a worthy cause,” said Wayne.

Whether you own a motorbike or would simply like to come and watch this fantastic fleet’s engines roar to life, everyone is welcome at MC Classics, Proserpine Main Street on Sunday, March 20.

Wayne Fairbrother from the Airlie Beach Hotel, Black Dog event organiser Mark Martell and owner of MC Classics Michael Garraway

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Proserpine’s Main Street is set to come alive with festivity and celebration in two weeks’ time when Whitsunday Regional Council launch a street party event to coincide with the opening of the Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC).

The Health and Wellbeing Family Fun Day will feature live music, market stalls, street food, a petting zoo and free amusement rides.

Locals will also be able to take a tour of the brand-new PEC, enjoying a sneak-peek inside facilities which boasts a multi-purpose auditorium and stage, street foyer, art installation and manicured gardens.

The official opening of the PEC will be conducted by Mayor Andrew Wilcox on Tuesday 22nd March.

The Health and Wellbeing Family Fun Day free community event takes place from 2pm to 6pm on Sunday 27th March and everyone is welcome.

Official Dedication Of Cenotaph

The community are invited to come and watch the official dedication of the Proserpine Cenotaph on Tuesday 22nd March at 10am.

The event will be hosted by Whitsunday Regional Council and the Proserpine RSL, at will take place shortly before the official opening of the Proserpine Entertainment Centre.

The dedication will be officiated by pastors from different denominations and the Last Post will be played before a minute’s silence and the laying of a wreath.

With SE Queensland facing an unprecedented and ongoing severe weather onslaught, our thoughts are with those who have literally lost everything. It is hard to imagine more complete devastation than the extreme floods faced by thousands of families and just as many small businesses. At a time when we were all hoping to settle into a new normality and get on with things, many now face yet another massive hurdle to overcome.

If you would like to assist those affected by flooding – visit any of the following www.givit.org.au , www.redcross.org.au , www.salvationarmy.org.au , www.qldvinnies.org.au and www.lifeline.org.au

It is a timely reminder that businesses in the Whitsundays are still in cyclone season and vulnerable should the worst happen. Now is a great time to review your disaster management plan. Sandra Black, Whitsunday Regional Council's Disaster Management Coordinator presented strategies to mitigate loss during disasters at the Chamber's last networking meeting. Go to Council website for more information.

Whilst you’re there, you can also visit the Climate Innovation Hub. Olivia Brodhurst lives and breathes climate change and has many useful tips for businesses to help reduce their impact.

With COVID pushed off the front page by natural disasters, the removal of mask mandates has been welcomed by many businesses, retailers in particular. One more step towards easing burdens on the way that businesses are having to operate.

The date for the Chamber's next networking event has been moved slightly and is now scheduled for the evening of Thursday 21st April. Keep an eye out for further details as we are negotiating to bring a speaker of note to the region.

Alan Milostic, President of Whitsunday Coast Chamber

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Daydream Island Resort and Living Reef announced the appointment of a new general manager for its famous resort island last week.

Industry expert Brenden van Blerk has taken the helm as general manager of the island, bringing a wealth of expertise from a storied 25-year long career.

Born in San Francisco, Brenden started in hospitality with a job at McDonalds when he was 14 and has now both operated hotels and led global hospitality brands across the United States and Australia.

He lived in The States until he was about nine months old and then moved to Australia with his mum who is both American and Portuguese and his dad who is South African and Dutch.

A mixture of cultures and nationalities, Mr van Blerk says he considers himself mainly Australian having lived here most of his life.

He currently splits his time between working on Daydream Island Resort and Living Reef as the new GM and heading back down to Sydney to visit his wife and two kids, as well as catching up with the Daydream Island head office.

With two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Brenden has held key leadership roles in many organisations including some of the world best known hotel and resort brands.

This will be the first island he’s managed, but with his work on cruise ships, he’s not daunted by the difference, saying that they’re a bit like “moving islands.”

In his new role he will oversee the resort's operations as well as developing a distinct identity, which for him is the most exciting part of this new adventure.

“The core focus for us and the things I look forward to is, being a hospitality fanatic, it’s about genuine hospitality for me,” he said.

“It’s a craft and an artform to get hospitality right, the smallest nuances to the biggest parts.”

“All the way from eye contact to the complex curations of absorbing the experience, so for me, being able to weave a complex emotive hospitality experience is what we’re looking to craft - that’s our North star.”

Brenden said that Daydream Island has just scratched the surface of its potential and he is excited to help the island realise its true potential as a first-class tourist offering.

Brenden van Blerk is the new General Manager at Daydream Island Resort and Living Reef

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Several ongoing music programs are inspiring Whitsunday youth to pick up a guitar, learn the therapeutic qualities of playing music and feel the empowerment that comes mastering a new instrument.

Thanks to the Music Evolution Project (MEP), their innovative funding streams and the kindness of many local businesses, there are currently three courses running in the region.

The six-week Fast Track Minds Guitar Workshop for youth 11 years old and up, is taking place in both Proserpine and Bowen, teaching 24 students an intensive course that will see them perform on stage in less than a month.

“They will go from never having picked up a guitar to playing in a concert within just six weeks,” said Founder and President of MEP Lisa Stanley.

The musicians will all perform live on-stage at a special event at the Whitsunday PCYC on Saturday 9th April.

To make this happen, Whitsunday Regional Council and Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine funded the purchase of 22 guitars, Big W Cannonvale kindly supplied 70 t-shirts and Shirtfront Solution printed logos on them for free. In addition, Whitsunday Computers and Stationary provided complementary printing services.

This year, MEP are also hosting a free one-year program for five- to 10-year-olds.

“We are helping to create the Alpha generation of musicians,” said Ms Stanley.

“It’s amazing to see tiny little kids with great big monstrous guitars in their hands!”

MEP also run a free Youth Mentoring Program where Ms Stanley mentors four different bands once a week at her own house.

This is a voluntary non-funded program, and the youth are scheduled to perform later this month.

Lastly, the Smart Pathways Program is also in action this year, a fully subsidised mentorship which guides one lucky person through tuition, lessons, travel expenses, accommodation and exam fees, into the life of their dreams – whether that be a career in music or a place at university.

“It all comes back to mental health,” said Ms Stanley.

“There are very little resources for youth and mental health and having experienced depression for over half of my life, I am passionate about the benefits of music on the brain.

“The self-confidence, the self-esteem, the self-worth – you have to see it to believe it!”

The MEP Fast Track Minds Guitar Workshop, with special guest Mayor Andrew Willcox

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The team at PCYC Whitsundays Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) are celebrating this week having been awarded Best Childcare Facility in the Whitsundays and overall eighth out of the 41 facilities in Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac region.

Located at PCYC in Jubilee Pocket and Cannonvale, the OSCH looks after between 200 and 300 children each week.

The competition was held by the Courier Mail and the winners were decided by using information from parent reviews and The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority.

Centre Coordinator, Adam Curtis, said it was incredible to win, especially going up against private schools and many other excellent childcare services.

“To be placed that high among them was a really good feeling,” he said.

“The most rewarding and wholesome thing about it was that the parents recognised what we do.”

Mr Curtis believes it is the close connection and personal touch his team establishes with all the children that saw them recognised for the prestigious award.

“I think it comes down to how ingrained we are in the community – we are close with all our families,” he said,

“It’s a lot more than just babysitting – we also provide an educational program.”

From teaching ball-skills and craftwork through to instilling positive character traits such as respect, kindness and general wellbeing.

Youth Club Manager of PCYC Whitsunday, Sergeant Billi Li, said he was thrilled to hear the news.

“I am very proud of the team – we always try and be the best we can and provide the best service to the community,” he said.

Mr Curtis said he would like to thank all the families that gave positive reviews.

“It’s really humbling – I am so proud of my team,” he said

Sergeant Billi Li, Cat Woodcock, Adam Curtis and Kirsty Gowland

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For the second time in two years, 17-year-old Mac Rogers has taken home the Lions Youth of the Year Award for our region and will be heading to the Q2 District Finals in Townsvillw later this month.

Proserpine State High School Captain, Mac is a dedicated and passionate student who excels at public speaking, the key skill that saw him win at the regional competition which was held at Castle Motor Lodge in Bowen last Saturday.

Challengers from Whitsunday, Bowen and Collinsville Lions also vied for the title, with Bowen local Isabelle Reinke winning the public speaking award while Mac took overall winner.

All contestants had to give two impromptu speeches, one prepared speech and enter a panel discussion.

Mac says that by participating in these challenges, he has gained invaluable public speaking and self-confidence skills.

“It’s been a really good opportunity to develop my public-speaking skills and I have met lots of interesting people, both Lions and students,” he said.

“I would absolutely encourage anyone to enter, every experience makes a huge difference.”

Principal Don McDermid said the Lion’s Youth of the Year is a great program and a fantastic opportunity for students.

“It is a wonderful achievement for Mac to win the Club and Zone competitions for a second year and we wish him all the very best for the District competition in Townsville,” he said.

Mac was mentored by Proserpine State High School teacher Erin Jarred.

He will now compete against six other students who come from as far afield as Cairns, west of Townsville and Mackay.

The Q2 District Finals takes place at the Townsville RSL Saturday 19th March.

Head judge Sian, public speaking winner Isabella Reinke, Youth of the Year Mac Rogers, Gloria Demartini

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Over one hundred delegates, speakers and attendees participated in the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) National and Queensland Conference held at Coral Sea Marina Resort last week.

This was the first time the national conference had been held in the Whitsundays and the third time the statewide contingent had visited our local region.

The opening address was made by Mayor Andrew Willcox on Wednesday morning and attendees then enjoyed a presentation on cyber security followed by a workshop on public speaking.

After this, highlights included a passionate talk about local government from Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm and a presentation on Nanotechnology by Coral Sea Marina’s owner Paul Darrouzet.

Other hard-hitting subjects included a Zoom presentation on Defamation, a lesson about how the Gold Coast approaches homelessness and a workshop on the ‘Banish Bias’.

Several panel discussions also took place covering issues such as managing social media .

Councillor Jan Clifford was instrumental in bringing the event to the Whitsundays and said that, after two years or false starts, she was delighted to provide an event which not only informed attendees but also tackled important subjects.

“We tried to keep it all relevant and interesting – we didn’t want it to be all fluffy,” said Councillor Clifford.

“We wanted it to be meaningful and dynamic so that’s what we did!”

A host of notable speakers facilitated the event, from award-winning journalists to ex-mayors and a mum of four teenagers – it was a wide and varied demographic of people who shared the central bond of a passion for the inner workings of local government.

The event began on Tuesday 1st March with welcome drinks and the following two days were spent with back to back workshops and talks.

A celebratory Gala Dinner took place on the Wednesday evening which was well-attended and very successful.

It is hoped that hosting an event of this calibre will attract more similar functions to the Whitsundays.

Pierina Dalle Cort, Councillor Jan Clifford, Daphne McDonald and Sue Bloom. Back row: Karen Murray, Jo McNally, Kim Skubris and Nikki Te Kawano

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Avid local swimmers will be thrilled to hear that the Airlie Beach Lagoon opening hours will soon be extended when new lights are installed, providing a safe and pleasurable night swimming experience for all.

New lights had been installed after 2017 Cyclone Debbie destroyed the previous lighting, but an update in government legislation stated that they were no longer bright enough to legally allow night swimming at the lagoon.

This was a point of frustration at a Council meeting several months ago, when it was discovered that upgrading them would incur an additional $500,000 bill – proving to be a very costly exercise for ratepayers.

For over a year, swimming at the lagoon has been restricted to daylight hours, but it is anticipated that the new lighting will be installed and operational by the beginning of April.

At this time, the Lagoon swimming hours will return to 5:30am to 9pm during the warmer months and 5:30am to 7:00pm from June to August.

Due to reduced daylight hours for the next few weeks and until the new lighting is installed, the Lagoon swimming hours will be restricted to 6am to 6:30pm to ensure the safety of our community and visitors.

The Airlie Beach Lagoon

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Some of Bowen’s major landmarks are getting a spruce-up to enhance the usability of the town and provide a better aesthetic for visitors and tourists alike.

You may have noticed a new timber decking at the Bowen Front Beach Skatepark, where Council have replaced the old timber with a new recycled decking material which looks like timber.

Existing sections of flooring timber were also replaced with concrete to create a better skating surface.

Council is thrilled with the result, saying that the new recycled plastic decking is longer-lasting and easier to maintain, reducing costs over time.

The original timber was installed in 2010 during the major redevelopment of the Bowen Foreshore.

Meanwhile, one of Bowen’s most beautiful nature spots is about to receive some new bridges.

The existing pedestrian bridges at Mullers Lagoon in Bowen are being replaced with a composite fibre material which is lightweight, environmentally friendly and long lasting.

The project is funded by the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland program.

Works began last week and are due to be finished in April, weather permitting.

Until completion, this section of the walking path will be closed.

Mullers Lagoon

The new timber decking at the skatepark

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Concerned residents once again took to the streets to protest the Port of Airlie development which Whitsunday Regional Council approved for a 47-metre high-rise hotel, breaking the previous legal height limit to pave way for the new building.

Late last year, plans for an architecturally inspiring, ambient green high-rise with conference centre, bowling alley and cinema was approved but has now likely been cast aside with permission granted for developers to sell onto a third party who can change the plans without needing any further public consultation.

This has angered many residents, most significantly Save Our Foreshore who are disappointed that the low-rise green lagoon-type holiday resort approved in 2010 did not go ahead as planned either.

In their opinion, the new high-rise structure is contradictory to the “village atmosphere” that people often cite as the reason they choose to visit Airlie Beach.

“This is, without a doubt, one the biggest risks to these values and our low-rise town character this region has ever faced,” said community group Save Our Foreshore’s president Suzette Pelt.

“Because of Council’s approval, we are now forced down a legal appeal path. Never before has this community had to take Council to court for their failure to listen to the community and uphold the town plan and building heights.”

Over 2000 submissions objecting to the high-rise have been submitted and legal proceedings are now underway.

Save Our Foreshore is currently fundraising and appealing for anyone in the community to help with the financial costs of the legal battle.

The peaceful protest at Port of Airlie earlier this week

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Queens Beach Tourist Village has been awarded Best Grey Nomad Large Caravan Park at the 2022 Grey Nomads Awards, taking home gold at last week’s nationwide event.

Held remotely via video link, the team crowded round to watch as the winner was announced and park owner, Peter Greer, said they all got a little bit tearful when they discovered they had won.

“We didn’t expect it, but it’s fantastic news and goes to show what the team does,” said Mr Greer.

“Everyone is still on a high – the whole township of Bowen is happy – this award is part of them too.”

Almost 90 per cent of Queens Beach Tourist Village’s customers are Grey Nomads, with many choosing to stay for long periods between April and September.

Mr Greer says that it was a mixture of excellent customer service and park facilities that saw them take home gold.

“All gardens are manicured, each site is hedged for privacy, there are three amenities’ blocks, a camp kitchen and two large swimming-pools on-site,” he said.

This is the second time the caravan park has won the award, taking home gold in 2019.

Peter and his wife Jennie have been the owners for four years and own another park in Inverell, which was also shortlisted for Best Smallest Caravan Park at the Grey Nomad Awards this year.

Sales and Marketing Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy, congratulated Queens Beach Tourism Village on winning the award.

“We were so pleased to hear the news,” she said.

“Bowen relies heavily on the drive market and it is accommodation providers such as Queens Beach Tourist Village that ensure people have a great tourism experience and come back time and time again, year after year, to enjoy the welcoming hospitality, the natural beauty of Bowen and the great facilities at parks like this.”

Queens Beach Tourist Village owner, Peter Greer, with his team

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Gilmour Space Technologies gathered with the traditional owners last Saturday to celebrate an exciting milestone in the construction of the Gold Coast Based company’s Bowen Orbital Space Port at Abbot Point State Development Area.

Welcoming The Juru Traditional Owners of Bowen nearby the proposed site, Gilmour celebrated that they were one step closer to launching rockets into space, with the Whitsunday Regional Council approving early works for the Orbital Spaceport.

Spaceport Welcomed To Country

In a smoking ceremony, an aboriginal protocol much like a welcome to country, elders and representatives of the Juru people officially welcomed Gilmour Space to country.

“We are grateful to the Juru traditional owners for their Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony to mark this occasion, ushering in a new space beginning for Queensland and Australia,” James Gilmour, head of launch operations at Gilmour Space said.

Trevor Prior, Juru Elder and board director of the Kyburra Munda Yalga Aboriginal Corporation, which last year signed a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement with Gilmour Space, officiated the ceremony.

“With this ceremony, our people have welcomed Gilmour Space to build their spaceport on Juru country,” Mr Prior said.

The approval from Whitsunday Regional Council means that Gilmour can begin early construction works on the launch site ahead of their first Eris rocket launch later this year.

The event was attended by business leaders as well as representatives from federal, state and local governments, including Member for Dawson George Christensen MP.

“This is important for the nation - having sovereign launch capability is a strategic need, and we want to see that develop through projects like this,” Mr Christensen said.

Bowen Chamber of Commerce President Bruce Hedditch said that the project was not only fantastic for Bowen but for the region.

“The beauty of this area is that it’s isolated, it won’t cause a problem for any residents, but it will provide jobs and tourism for the region,” Mr Hedditch said.

In the United States, rocket launches at Cape Canaveral regularly see attendances of over 150,000 spectators.

“If we can even get 10 per cent of that, the hotels in Bowen will be full, and even in Airlie Beach,” Mr Hedditch said.

The company is seeking further approvals to complete the project.

Ms Peta Ross Lynn, chairperson of the Kyburra Munda Yalga Aboriginal Corporation, Juru Elder Trevor Prior, Adam Gilmour, Juru Elder Boori Monty Prior, James Gilmour, and Member for Dawson George Christensen

The Juru People alongside Gilmour Space employees at the future site of the Bowen Orbital Space Port

Juru Traditional Owners performed a smoking ceremony

Adam Gilmour alongside the smoking ceremony

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Moranbah Mum, Catherine Rogers, has turned her childhood dream into a full-fledged career, all while balancing a life as a mum, wife, fitness trainer, and student.

Stepping out of her comfort zone in 2017 Catherine enrolled in a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences, and this year finished the degree she was originally afraid to begin.

“I put off studying out of fear of failure and a belief that I was not good enough to attend university,” she said.

“Luckily, I proved myself wrong.”

Catherine was awarded the Kelly Nettle Memorial Prize in her second year for the highest GPA in her Exercise and Sports Sciences cohort, and finished top of her class in her final year, 2021.

A passion for sport and exercise, even playing tennis at a national level during her teenage years, Catherine has an engrained “passion for health and fitness” from a very young age.

“I always knew that it would be a big part of my life,” Catherine said.

“I have worked in the fitness industry for the past 14 years, however, I always wanted to learn more and to progress in my career.”

Having received a CQUniCares BHP Community Scholarship, Catherine had the freedom to focus on her studies, all while balancing the many hats of a mum, wife, student, and fitness trainer.

“Particularly at a time when our growing family put additional pressure on the budget, my scholarship assisted with many university expenses,” Catherine said.

“It also pushed me further to receive top marks by developing good study skills and being organised, which is particularly important when you have a young family.”

Catherine described the experience as the best decision she has ever made and advocated for other mothers to consider future study.

Her children were one and two years old when she started her university journey and was so glad to have had the opportunity to further her passion and career.

She’s continuing her journey as a student, having been inspired to enrol in postgraduate study.

“I am currently working as a fitness instructor and personal trainer at two of the local gyms in Moranbah and enrolled in my Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology,” she said.

“I am excited to continue to develop my knowledge and skills, which will allow me to practice as an allied health professional and contribute to a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

“I want to make a difference and my career will allow me to positively impact the health and well-being of many people in my community.”

A Moranbah mum has smashed her Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences course at CQUniversity

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The Isaac region has raised its voice and made noise in support of strong, inspirational and empowering women of all ages.

The Inspiring Women in Isaac awards has received a record-breaking 81 nominations for 71 women.

Seven communities across the Isaac will mark Queensland Women’s Week this March by celebrating the powerhouse females who enrich and strengthen their communities.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said Inspiring Women in Isaac ceremonies will be held in Clermont, Dysart, Glenden, Greenhill, Middlemount, Moranbah and Nebo.

“Thank you, Isaac, for nominating; 81 is a great number and we are absolutely delighted at our region wanting to recognise the inspiring, empowering and energising women who make a difference to their communities every day,” Mayor Baker said.

“Nominees are local female role models and leaders, as well as being mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives and daughters.

“There’s so many men and women that surround our brilliant nominees, so I please encourage you all to support them at these events. Like each of our nominees in our communities, each event is unique.

“You can listen to an inspirational guest speaker at Dysart, be treated to delicious dinner at Middlemount, hear real stories through an interview panel at Moranbah, dance under the stars in Clermont, join in an art workshop at the Coast, take home a lucky door prize at Nebo or test your trivia knowledge in Glenden.

“You won’t want to miss this and more at these free events over two weeks, starting March 11.

The Inspiring Women in Isaac awards are held in conjunction with Queensland Women's Week which is an expansion of International Women’s Day, held annually on 8 March, providing a week-long, State-wide celebration of the achievements of Queensland women and girls.

Keep Making Noise is the 2022 Queensland Women’s Week theme and it calls on women and girls to continue to tell their stories to build momentum as we all strive for change. The theme also encourages to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women and girls while recognising that there is still more to be done to achieve gender equality.

The Inspiring Women in Isaac awards will be announced at local events between 11 and 25 March 2022.

Visit https://speakup.isaac.qld.gov.au/inspiring-women-in-isaac-awards or by calling 1300 ISAACS (1300 47 22 27) for more information on the event details in seven of the Isaac region’s selected communities.

2021 Clermont Inspiring Woman in Isaac winner, Dr Tessia Salmond. Image supplied: Isaac Regional Council

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