More than 130 men and women filled the Mackay Turf Club on Saturday March 5 for the inaugural JSP Women's Awards. It was a celebration of women throughout the greater Whitsunday region with a diversity of women recognised for their community contributions.

Organiser and JSP Founder Fallon Drewett said stories of the finalists and the winners inspired and captivated those who attended.

"This event was a way of sharing women's stories and giving many women the moment they deserve to feel empowered and loved," Mrs Drewett said.

"It really showcased how many incredible women live in our community and how determined, strong, kind and valuable they are.

"The event was a way to make women visible for their achievements, adversity, struggles and hope.”

Ms Drewett said the winner of each of the six categories were remarkable role models.

"If I could give an award to all the 129 women nominated I would.

“Women's stories and voices matter.

"However, we had to narrow it down to five finalists and from there our judging panel had the tough job of finding a winner.

"I 'd like to thank all our sponsors including Daly Bay for jumping on board as our major sponsor," Mrs Drewett said.

The evening was MC’d by the ABC’s Tegan Philpott and Minds Aligned Co-Founder Rowena Hardy was the guest speaker.

Attendees were kept entertained by live band, The Feels.

WINNERS

Mother of all Mothers - Jenny Binsiar

Jenny Binsiar is one of our region’s Indigenous elders and is a Mother, Nan and Great Grandma. But Jenny has also been a mother figure and role model for many of our region's most vulnerable young people.

Jenny is part of the Binga Birry Justice Group.  This group of volunteers visit the inmates of the Townsville and Rockhampton Correctional Centre’s on a monthly basis.  Jenny is also involved in Youth Justice and attends Court sessions for Youth and has worked as a Community Development Worker at the Mackay Women's Centre.

Modern Muse - Jules Thompson

Jules Thompson uses her voice for the greater good of women.

Jules is the face of domestic violence prevention and protection in Mackay. As a survivor herself, Jules knows all too well the heartache, struggles, violence and fear that many women in our region go through on a daily basis.

Jules created the Mackay-based charity and advocacy group Broken Ballerina that voluntarily accompanies women through the court process.

Health and Wellbeing Warrior - Kayleigh Brewster

Health and Wellbeing isn’t always found in a gym.

It can be found in Chance’s Op Shop and Cafe or the incredible work of Australian Street Aid Project Founder Kayleigh Brewster.

Kayleigh took a natural desire to help and has given respect to homelessness and is changing the perceptions of how society sees those who find themselves living on the street and in hard times.

Kayleigh dedicates so much of her time and energy into helping people who need it the most.

The Trailblazer- Melissa Johnson

Melissa has worked her way through various roles in mining and BHP. Melissa is currently the General Manager of Hay Point Coal Terminal.

Mel leads by example, is a woman in a very male-dominated industry. A Chartered Engineer by trade, Mel has worked with BHP for over 10 years in various leadership positions in Projects, Engineering, Major Shutdowns and Maintenance and has held her current position of General Manager, BMA’s Hay Point Coal Terminal since 2018. Mel’s deep sense of care for people’s safety and wellbeing along with her proven capability as a senior operational leader makes her the ideal nominee for this award.

Resilient Rebel- Vicki Blackburn

Vicki Blackburn has been through some of the most trying and devastating circumstances that, for many, we could never fathom. Vicki has been through the worst thing any parent could have to overcome. She has become a fierce advocate for safety. And nine years after her daughter Shandee was murdered, she is still fighting for justice.

Vicki’s story is well known. Shandee was murdered in February 2013 and her killer remains free nine years later. Vicki has sat through an investigation, trial, inquest and now a podcast and her reserve for justice is unwavering. She has used her pain to fight for better community safety and has pushed to have the inquest into her daughter’s death reopened. This year the case has been reopened based on findings in a recent podcast.

Magic Maker - Cody-Maree Allsop-Collins

Cody is at the forefront of women empowerment in the art form of Burlesque. She has built a beautiful community at her studio Burlesque by Bailey to help women from all walks of life love themselves in dance.

Cody supports women to love themselves and explore the art form of burlesque while empowering and inspiring in her own performances.

She is a performer, an artist, a teacher, a mum, a businesswoman which she does all with such class and poise. Cody empowers women of all shapes and sizes to love themselves and their bodies. She sees beauty in every single woman and creates a safe space for many women to express themselves and their creativity.

JSP Founder Fallon Drewett (centre) with four of the six winners from the inaugural JSP Women’s Awards. Photos: Marty Strecker

More than 130 people celebrated women from the greater Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions at the inaugural JSP Women’s Awards

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Residents of Slade Point are failing to stay up to speed in business with local residents saying they have been left with second rate phone and internet reception.

Locals in the northern beach suburb of Mackay have been calling for improvements in their area for around a decade. Despite being told the Mackay region is a priority, nothing has been done to date.

Labor Candidate for Dawson, Shane Hamilton, said that residents have reported that they have to leave the house to use their mobile phone or pay hundreds of dollars for an extra antenna.

“Residents are telling me their dodgy broadband means they can’t work from home properly and their kids can’t always do their school work, and in some cases, they can’t even make a simple phone call,” said Mr Hamilton.  

“This has been going on for years. This isn’t good enough for the residents of Slade Point.”

Slade Point resident and Councillor Alison Jones said that for over a decade, local residents have struggled to get reliable coverage despite many requests to the federal member to help fix the connection issues.

Mr Hamilton said he has written to the Communications Minister, alerting him to the situation facing Slade Point locals and calling on the federal government to fix it.

“I want to thank Councillor Alison Jones for standing up for this issue and I look forward to working her and the Slade point community to ensure they get the decent internet they deserve.”

Labor Candidate for Dawson, Shane Hamilton and Mackay Regional Council Councillor Alison Jones

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The Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm MP, has secured an inquiry into island resort management across the state, with a particular concern for Keswick Island.

The MP says she travelled to Keswick Island, located 34 kilometres north-east of Mackay, last year to hear the issues affecting residents first-hand.

“This inquiry was long overdue to assess issues regarding leasing and ownership models, governance and regulation responsibilities, development approvals, public interest and rights,” Ms Camm said.

“I have been a strong advocate for this since being elected and the Queensland Labor Government has finally agreed to a review.    

“Across the Whitsunday electorate we have many islands including Brampton and Lindeman Island.

“In the past they have been significant tourism destinations.  

“I encourage local Councils and island communities across the Whitsundays to have their say and make a submission to the committee.” Ms Camm said.  

President of the Keswick Island Progress Association, Craig Gilbert, welcomed the decision.  

Mr Gilbert said that, apart from basic infrastructure, none of the development proposed in the master plan for the island has happened.

“For an island that, over 20 years ago, had this amazing master plan of all this stuff, nothing’s happened,” he said.

“It’s an inquiry into why the lessor, which is the Queensland State Government, has not held these head lessees accountable for not doing what the head lease states which is to develop the island.”

Mr Gilbert says that life on the island over the last 12 months has been peaceful thanks to new management of the head lessee China Bloom, but it’s time to hold them accountable.

“Right now, it’s very comfortable, we’re all very comfortable, we get on with the management as far as just us living here, but access is still an issue,” he said.

“There’s no sign of their intention to develop.”

Mr Gilbert said that approximately 79 people visited Keswick Island over the Christmas and New Year period, every single one of them being friends or family of the Island’s residents.

He said that apart from the recently launched Wild Cat, there is little-to-no infrastructure for tourism on the island without access to the airstrip and a more functional permanent jetty.

“Tourism doesn’t exist here.”

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP visited Keswick Island last year to hear the concerns of Keswick Island Progress Association President Craig Gilbert and other residents of the island. Photos supplied: Office of Amanda Camm MP

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Red Cat Adventures Director Asher Telford and Bowen Gumlu Growers Association General Manager Ry Collins have been appointed as directors to the Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) Board, offering industry diversity to a strong business group.

Mr Telford and Mr Collins joins GW3 Chair Mr Tony Caruso and six other directors on the board to guide the strategic outcomes for the Greater Whitsunday economic development organisation.

GW3 Chair Mr Tony Caruso said Mr Telford and Mr Collins, were strong candidates to fill the positions on the board, and said it was important that the board remains fresh and dynamic to offer a broad range of industry experience and skills expertise.

“Asher, a professional Mariner by trade, found a passion in building and delivering quality marine tourism experiences and for the past eleven years has been building Red Cat Adventures to become a nationally award-winning company,” Mr Caruso said.

“Asher is one of our region’s change champions, who uses the latest technology to build one-of-a-kind boats that provide equally as impressive tourism experiences.

“Ry is the General Manager of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association and is a well-known and strategic industry leader who champions the valuable horticulture sector across our region,” Mr Caruso added.

“Ry has had a diverse career across a number of different industries in the private and public sectors including agriculture and construction and we are excited to have those skills on the GW3 board.”

Mr Caruso said in the past 12 months the GW3 board has undertaken a comprehensive rewrite of its strategy and developed a clear and concise plan well understood and supported by our key stakeholders.

“Key elements of our strategy will focus on making agriculture and aquaculture cornerstone sectors of our regional economy and rebuilding our tourism sector following several tough years.

“Ry and Asher will help guide GW3 to achieve this with their industry knowledge and passion,” Mr Caruso said.

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Mater is paving the way for Australian health organisations to reduce their environmental footprint by embedding renewable energy into its power contracts at its hospital campuses across Queensland.

The purchase of 15 gigawatt hours of clean energy is estimated to prevent 12,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from being released in Queensland.

The cuts, certified by the Clean Energy Regulator, will apply to Mater’s hospitals in Bundaberg, Mackay, Redland, Rockhampton, South Brisbane, Springfield, and Townsville.

Mater Environmental Sustainability Project Officer, Ngaire McGaw, said Mater would continue to purchase 20 per cent renewable energy for the next two years under a contract with CS Energy.

Ms McGaw said the initiative was the most outstanding environmental sustainability achievement she had witnessed in her 20-year career.

“We aim to achieve 50 per cent renewable energy by 2025,” Ms McGaw said.

“This initiative sets us on our way and enables Mater to reduce its environmental footprint far more than we would achieve through solar panels or waste reduction.”

Ms McGaw said the hospitals had high electricity demands and the contract with CS Energy provided an innovative solution to cutting emissions without impacting service delivery.

“There is often a lot of focus on the improvements being made through installing solar panels at hospitals, but this typically reduces the overall environmental footprint by just one or two per cent at hospitals,” she said.

“What has been achieved across Mater with this initiative is a carbon reduction of 16 percentage points at its major sites, which is a significant result compared to our peers.”

Mater Chief Executive Officer, Dr Peter Steer, said environmental sustainability played an important role in the health of the community.

“Increasing impacts on the environment pose public health risks such as weather events like heatwaves and bushfires, and disease burdens including those from zoonotic diseases as we have seen with the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“Some of the patients most at risk from climate-related incidents are the most vulnerable in our community, including babies and the elderly.

“Investing in reducing our environmental footprint is an investment in the health of our patients and community.”

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Police continue to search for missing 53-year-old Koumala woman Helen Barnett after her disappearance near her property on Turnors Paddock Road last month.

Investigators have reiterated an appeal for information around the circumstances of Helen’s disappearance, establishing she was last seen about 300 metres from her home at approximately 4.20pm, on Sunday, February 13.

The location is about 11 kilometres from the Bruce Highway.

Investigators have also revealed that Helen was last seen wearing a black and white top, shorts, orthopaedic thongs with dark canvas straps, a shoulder brace and a knee brace.

Her hair was also in a ponytail.

Multiple agencies, including SES, Rural Fire Service, and the RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter, have assisted police in the search efforts within the past few weeks.

Police request that anyone who has information regarding seeing Helen Barnett on Turnors Paddock Road on that day or any other information that may lead to her location is asked to contact police.

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It’s been a whole week now since masks came off. I don’t know about you, but I still have them in my bag and car. I still walk to the shops looking for mine before I enter and then have that moment of realisation that life is going back to normal again, or what everyone is calling it the ‘new normal’.

When I walk around it feels nice to smile at other people and not have those awkward conversations where you’re constantly saying ‘huh?’.

But how bittersweet that as we’re removing our masks and celebrating life going back to how it used to be, there’s people in Ukraine and Russia suffering in a pointless battle and our neighbours in South East QLD and Northern NSW who have lost their homes and all their belongings.

I am warmed by how many people are donating their time, skills and money to help people here and abroad. Even when it’s such a tough time for every individual, especially over the last three years. I love the heart and spirit of giving that we have here in Australia so it’s uplifting to know that we’re a part of all the tough times together.

Scotty and Kaley are back with the brekkie show Monday to Friday from 5am and now we have some new additions - Galey, Emily Jade and Christo from 4pm, Will and Woody from 5pm and the Kyle and Jackie-o Hour of Power from 7pm. Also you can now register to win $1000 with Instagrand Workday at www.Star1019.com.au

Kaley

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One of Mackay’s largest retirement homes is set to almost double in size, with construction starting on a new four-level wing at Kerrisdale Gardens.

The expansion comes with a $15 million price tag, providing the retirement facility with 7 spacious apartments, 3 villas and an additional 40 residential aged care beds.

Kerrisdale Gardens is part of Good Shepherd Lodge, which has been in the Mackay community since 1974. Its vision is to enable its residents to live in an environment where they feel at home.

CEO Greg Skelton said that fostering a sense of belonging enables people to live a healthier life and encourages the local community to come into Kerrisdale to utilise the services available.

“We have a lovely café where we welcome mothers with young children to come in to use the play area. We have a chemist and a physio and those services are available to anyone,” Mr Skelton said.

“We are a part of the growing community at Kerrisdale and with no shortage of land on site this won’t be the last expansion.”

With an ageing population Mr Skelton said that demand for aged care will continue to grow.

“Mackay is one of the areas with the greatest need for residential aged care beds, it’s a high priority to provide this service,” he said.

“It shouldn’t just be a place to live, it’s a lifestyle. Our long-term goal is that of an integrated aged care facility that blends with the local community.”

Woollam Constructions was awarded the tender which is thought to inject more than $9 million into the local economy while creating between 150 – 200 local jobs.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson added that up to 200 jobs would be created in the construction alone, with another 50 permanent jobs being attributed to the expansion.

“All of that contributes to the regional economy immensely,” he said.

The project is due for practical completion in December with the first residents expected to move in within a year, in January 2023.

New inclusions for the aged care facility and community include a chapel and a men’s shed. There will also be additional car parking spaces built in to meet the rising number of visitors.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson and the Bishop of North Queensland The Right Reverend Dr Keith Joseph turn the sod at the site of Kerrisdale Gardens’ aged care facility expansion

Chairman Damian Carroll, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson, the Bishop of North Queensland The Right Reverend Dr Keith Joseph, Woollams Constructions Managing Director Craig Percival, Good Shepherd Lodge CEO Greg Skelton get construction underway at Kerrisdale Gardens. Photos: Amanda Wright

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Despite widespread advances in growing awareness and action around gender violence, its prevalence remains alarming. A universal scourge, there is a perception that the problem is ‘too big’ to fix.

A local woman is using her entrepreneurial network to bring domestic violence out of the shadows, with an inaugural event aiming to shine a light on the growing epidemic.

SHADES OF WOMEN is a first for Mackay, a gala celebration to champion women and the strength they bring to our community, but it is also an opportunity to bring about awareness and raise much needed funds for domestic violence.

Event Founder Jo Sainsbury said she was horrified when local incidences of domestic violence were brought to her attention. By supporting this event, you are helping a woman and her children to safety.

Breaking glass ceilings has never been a problem for Jo Sainsbury.

She knew that if she wanted to make it in a man’s world, she would have to surpass stereotypes to break gender bias. She founded Kickass Women to empower others to pursue careers in non-traditional roles, saying that women should feel as confident in work boots as they do in heels.

But it will be a different shoe Jo will be slipping on in May, as she joins other women from around Queensland to participate in Dancing CEOs, where brave business leaders will swap the boardroom for the ballroom in an effort to end domestic violence.

Jo was introduced to this event through her involvement with the Women’s Network Australia and said it really opened her eyes to the scourge of domestic violence.

“The figures were alarming, there’s no other word for it,” Jo said.

“It’s frightening to see the number of domestic violence cases brought before the court in Mackay every week, and there is a rising number of women and children living in cars because they have had to flee a dangerous situation.

“We know domestic violence is out there, but we tend to have our blinkers on. It pulled on my heartstrings and I knew immediately this is a cause I want to advocate for.”

Dancing CEOs supports Women’s Legal Service Queensland, who provide free legal and welfare help to Queensland women and their children at risk from domestic and family violence.

Despite providing over 38,000 services to Queensland women, currently 30% of calls cannot be answered due to resource limitations.

“There is no way to know when these women will have the courage or the opportunity to call again.”

It was a chance article read by Jo that ignited the idea for Shades of Women.

“It was a beautiful editorial talking about how different shades represent different women, how different we all are and that innumerous shades of colours reflect our unique diversity.

“Without giving away too much for the evening, we play on the colour concept of W.O.M.E.N with W being White, O is Orange, M Magenta, and so on.

“Given the event is to raise funds to support women in DV, the shades also represent the various stages of pain, the healing from dark purple to green and yellow of bruising as well as the shades of trauma that aren’t as visible and can project in different ways,” Jo added.

In addition to the event, Jo has created Escape Boxes, which will be donated to Mackay Women’s Services.

“When a woman flees, she sometimes has a small window of opportunity to escape,” Jo said.

“These boxes have been designed to support a woman through that first week of being on their own, to help get them back on their feet.

“Wonderful local businesses have donated items or sponsored boxes, which contain essentials like a cell phone and sim card, fuel and grocery voucher, sanitary items and more.”

Money raised from SHADES OF WOMEN will be donated to Women’s Legal Services Queensland.

Tickets can be purchased online - visit the Kickass Women Facebook Page (Event Page) to purchase.

Event location: Magpies Sporting Club Mackay | Saturday, 19 March 2022 from 6:00 PM

Jo Sainsbury has built a career from breaking gender bias as a train driver and entrepreneur

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Come one, come all creative souls of Proserpine - the growers, the bakers, the potters and jam makers are all being invited to not only put up a stall at the Proserpine Farmers’ Market, but to come and peruse the fine wares.

Local food producers have been eagerly awaiting the first farmers’ market of the season, which will commence on Saturday March 19, starting at 8:00am until 12:00pm.

The markets are becoming familiar favourite for locals and will continue next weekend at their regular spot on 17 Chapman Street, Proserpine.

Now in their second year, organiser June Miller and her husband Steve Miller are ecstatic for their first market outing for 2022.

“We’re really excited, all the ladies of Proserpine have been baking chutneys and jams and biscuits. We have local produce from down in Bloomsbury like honeys, and it’s going to be such a fun little morning and it’s just a great little vibe – it’s so friendly,” Mr Miller said.

Mr Miller said that the idea of the market was that homemade, home baked, and home grown products were readily available for Proserpine locals.

“With Proserpine so malleable with its good soil, my wife said we should start it up, and it’s been fantastic to get that real community feel,” he said.

The markets are held right in the centre of town and are “perfect for people doing their daily walking circuits” so drop in and say hello.

The markets will be held on the first and third Saturday of each month throughout 2022.

The Proserpine Farmer’s Market is returning in a week’s time

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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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