Loved and respected by all that meet her, Dr Deborah Simmons has been a Rural Generalist at Proserpine Hospital for the past seven years and received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day for her service to rural communities.

This is a huge achievement for any individual and even more so for Dr Simmons who, by the age of just 15, had lost both her parents and was taken in by another family.

At this early age, she had to leave school to pursue full-time employment, working as a barmaid and checkout chick.

She became manager of a coffee shop soon after and it was then that she began to wonder whether this was as far as life would take her.

At 20, Dr Simmons decided to go back to school to become a nurse and studied the equivalent of year 11 and 12.

She quickly realised that her academic results not only qualified her for nursing but would enable her to study a degree in medicine.

Completing her doctorate, she took a fellowship and became an anaesthetist for liver transplants and dedicated her life to the fast-paced world of large-scale hospital life.  

Then, 10 years ago, when her husband thought she could be burning out, the couple decided to move to the Whitsundays and shortly afterwards Dr Simmons took on some work as a locum at the Proserpine Hospital.

Falling in love with the rural environment where everyone works together across multiple platforms, she asked if there was a position as an anaesthetist but unfortunately there were none.

This, however, prompted Dr Simmons to follow a new career path as a Rural Generalist, a field where she now thrives.

“It’s the best step I’ve ever made,” she said.

“I never felt quite fulfilled [as an anaesthetist] and now that I am a rural generalist I feel incredibly fulfilled – I can help everyone who comes in.”

Dr Simmons has since excelled in the field, writing a course for the Australian College for Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) which is now used around the nation, as well as being awarded an ACRRM Distinguished Service Award in 2020.

On a local level, she has been a pivotal presence in many trauma events at the Proserpine Hospital, taking on triage responsibilities as the team leader in the bus crash on Shute Harbour Road in 2016, which claimed one life and saw nine people admitted into the hospital.

When speaking of her OAM, Dr Simmons remarked that she was humbled and said that she did not feel any more deserving than any other rural generalist.

Caption: Dr Deborah Simmons

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The $7.5 million reservoirs that will provide our region with increased water security and provision for the future growth of the area are due to become operational from April.

The concrete on the two Cannon Valley reservoirs was poured in December and it is expected the first will become active in April with the second due to follow at the end of May.

Capital Works Project Manager for Whitsunday Regional Council, Malcom Broidy, said that this will mean we are not so vulnerable during disaster season.

“If we had a major cyclone and lost that one reservoir it would become extremely difficult to maintain water supply to the community,” he said.

“The immediate impact of the additional reservoirs is that we have more security for our region.”

The current reservoir in Cannon Valley was damaged in the 2017 Cyclone Debbie and once the others are operational it will allow maintenance crew to repair the structure.

Over the next few weeks, the wall panels to the two new reservoirs will be set into place.

Using a post-transition system, 4x12 metre panels will be cast, concrete will be poured into the curved slabs which will then be stitched together to form the wall.

After this, the roof will be put into place.

The project is jointly funded by the government and Whitsunday Regional Council and delivered by LEED Engineering and Construction pty ltd.

An aerial photo of the Cannon Valley Reservoir

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Every member of the Collinsville, Bowen and Proserpine hospital team received an Australia Day Mayoral Award to acknowledge their dedicated service throughout the unprecedented challenges of the COVID pandemic.

Mayor Andrew Willcox took the time to recognise healthcare workers for ensuring the community had access to excellent health care while working in difficult circumstances, commending staff for their dedication that has ensured services continued in extreme circumstances.

Nurse Unit Manager Lisa Milne and Medical Superintendent Dr Shaun Grimes accepted the award on behalf of the hospital staff, congratulating everyone for their efforts.

“What an amazing family of superheroes you all are. Day after day you show up smiling and committed to serve our community,” Dr Grimes said.

“Thank you to you all, for the roles each of you has played in getting us through these last two years and will continue to play in the coming years.”

He also acknowledged how deeply he appreciated receiving a thank you from the Mayor, and passed the sentiment onto the rest of the team.

“A thank you given freely and with sincerity means so much – it’s free to give but its value should never be underestimated - share your thanks and your masked smile,” he said.

“Every day we are thankful to each and every one of you for your commitment to service and for your commitment to each other as one health service family.

“One day soon we will again be able to share a barbecue lunch and celebrate with each other!”

“What an amazing family of superheroes you all are. Day after day you show up smiling and committed to serve our community,” – Shaun Grimes

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Boasting record numbers of flights over the school holiday period and now shipping live seafood directly to the Sydney Markets, our regional airport is punching well above its weight and quickly becoming known as one of the busiest regional airports in Australia.

During the month of December 37,000 people passed through Whitsunday Coast Airport and, at its busiest, 10 flights a day were landing on the tarmac, an impressive 70 flights a week.

Chief Operating Officer Aviation and Tourism, Craig Turner, said that the load capacity of each flight has been around 75 per cent and that he expects this high demand to continue over the coming months.

“In February there are normally 20 flights arriving per week, but we are expecting 50 flights per week throughout the month,” he said.

“March and the lead into Easter indicates that the next six months will also be really strong which will be great for our region.”

In addition to the domestic travellers arriving at the airport, Mr Turner said that following a newspaper article published last year, he had several producers call him directly and ask about the live exports.

“The article written in Whitsunday Life Newspaper last year generated huge interest and I had several calls from interested producers wanting to understand more about it,” he said.

“We are hoping to send more produce from the Whitsundays soon – this means mud crabs caught here in the Whitsundays at 10am can be on a flight by 1pm and out to the Sydney Markets by 5pm –they are fresher for the customer and our producers can command a better price.”

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The Whitsundays could soon see the implementation of many conservation projects that will improve water quality and overall reef health thanks to $1 billion worth of funding for Great Barrier Reef which was announced by the federal government last week.

The funding is part of the Reef 2050 Plan and will be rolled out steadily over a nine-year period.

The announcement is extremely timely as the government are submitting a report to UNESCO this week, detailing how they will protect the Great Barrier Reef and avoid it being placed on the ‘In Danger’ list.

At the end of last year, UNESCO gave the government one last chance to avoid this categorisation and it is expected they will be sending out scientists to sit down with marine parks people in the next few months to make their decision.

Many people have called the government funding a ‘golden band-aid’ that does not address the real problem of global warming and, Tony Fontes, reef spokesperson for the Whitsunday Conservation Council agrees.

“No-one is going to say this is a bad thing – it is a very good thing!” he said.

“We have significant water quality issues here in the Whitsundays and crown of thorns is an issue, so it certainly ticks many of the boxes – but all the money in the world would not mitigate the impacts of global warming on the reef.”

Mr Fontes went on to explain that global warming is currently at 1.2 degrees and if it gets to 1.5 degrees it would be at the higher end of what the reef can tolerate.

“We have the next 10 years to do something about this and we are wasting it,” he said.

On a positive note, he recognises that the funding will definitely see the implementation of vital projects to help Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups like Reef Catchments and Land Care initiate projects that will improve the health of the reef.

“Funding will support scientists, farmers and traditional owners, backing in very latest marine science while building resilience and reducing threats from pollution in our oceans and predators such as the Crown of Thorns starfish,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“We are backing the health of the reef and the economic future of tourism operators, hospitality providers and Queensland communities that are at the heart of the reef economy.”

Diver attaching live coral fragments to Reef - just one of many projects that may get further funding. Photo by Tony Fontes

Coral bleaching

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Southerners on a sea change are moving to the Whitsundays in droves, buying up houses and, as a result, rentals are either scarce or the prices are skyrocketing, leaving many Airlie Beach locals struggling to find suitable accommodation.

Three of Emma De-Lisle’s six years in Airlie Beach were spent in the same rental apartment in Cannonvale until six months ago when the property sold.

She looked for housing for almost five months, finding either that the choices were well out of her budget, or that the homes were “almost derelict.”

The housing situation in the Whitsundays had Emma looking at the prospect of sleeping in her car with her two daughters aged 18 months and four years.

Emma received the notice to leave on the December 23 and was given eight weeks to vacate.

“I had applied for, I don’t know how many properties and most of them were run down and they still wanted $420 a week,” Emma said.

“Even then, I wasn’t getting any responses from agents or anyone.”

Emma said she thinks that out of towners were coming and offering well over and above, or paying six months in advance, which she said she’s not in the position to do.

“I was just being priced right out,” she said.

In desperation, she took to Facebook in a last-ditch effort to find a place for her and her two daughters and the community soon took charge.

“I posted and Ben and Shannon reached out and said they might be able to help me out,” Emma said.

The couple offered Emma and her daughters suitable accommodation and she is due to move in this month.

“I can’t thank the community enough – that’s just what the community up here is all about – I had so many people come out and offer me things after that post.”

Airlie Beach has lost a significant number of its rental properties to purchases, creating a tight rental market.

Natalie Stuchbree, Senior Property Manager of Taylors Property Specialists said that many people in the area have been struggling to find rentals and that with the price of properties going up over the last two years, especially over the last 12 months, it has been a challenging time for many residents.

“Usually, what we would see is the number of rental properties increase, but they’re maintaining somewhat of a status quo,” she said.

Loved and respected by all that meet her, Dr Deborah Simmons has been a Rural Generalist at Proserpine Hospital for the past seven years and received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day for her service to rural communities.

This is a huge achievement for any individual and even more so for Dr Simmons who, by the age of just 15, had lost both her parents and was taken in by another family.

At this early age, she had to leave school to pursue full-time employment, working as a barmaid and checkout chick.

She became manager of a coffee shop soon after and it was then that she began to wonder whether this was as far as life would take her.

At 20, Dr Simmons decided to go back to school to become a nurse and studied the equivalent of year 11 and 12.

She quickly realised that her academic results not only qualified her for nursing but would enable her to study a degree in medicine.

Completing her doctorate, she took a fellowship and became an anaesthetist for liver transplants and dedicated her life to the fast-paced world of large-scale hospital life.  

Then, 10 years ago, when her husband thought she could be burning out, the couple decided to move to the Whitsundays and shortly afterwards Dr Simmons took on some work as a locum at the Proserpine Hospital.

Falling in love with the rural environment where everyone works together across multiple platforms, she asked if there was a position as an anaesthetist but unfortunately there were none.

This, however, prompted Dr Simmons to follow a new career path as a Rural Generalist, a field where she now thrives.

“It’s the best step I’ve ever made,” she said.

“I never felt quite fulfilled [as an anaesthetist] and now that I am a rural generalist I feel incredibly fulfilled – I can help everyone who comes in.”

Dr Simmons has since excelled in the field, writing a course for the Australian College for Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) which is now used around the nation, as well as being awarded an ACRRM Distinguished Service Award in 2020.

On a local level, she has been a pivotal presence in many trauma events at the Proserpine Hospital, taking on triage responsibilities as the team leader in the bus crash on Shute Harbour Road in 2016, which claimed one life and saw nine people admitted into the hospital.

When speaking of her OAM, Dr Simmons remarked that she was humbled and said that she did not feel any more deserving than any other rural generalist.

Dr Deborah Simmons

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Despite ongoing protest by the Residents Traffic Action Group (RTA) it is looking likely that Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will be moving forward with installing traffic signals at intersections along Shute Harbour Road upon the completion of the $31.6 million duplication project.

The location in question is on Shute Harbour Road in Cannonvale where, between the intersection at Paluma Road and Tropic Road there will soon be four lanes, allowing for increased traffic flow.

At this time, TMR have plans to install traffic lights at William Murray Drive and MacArthur Drive intersections.

Since 2006, the RTA have been campaigning for roundabouts instead of traffic lights on the roads entering Airlie Beach, with view that roundabouts are more in-keeping with our ‘village’ feel.

“This approach to the Whitsundays is what our visitors see first,” said Faye Chapman, President of the RTA.

“It is part of the Whitsundays that we have fought so hard to keep and there has been absolutely no community consultation from TMR – the first we heard of their plans was just by chance.”

In response to this, TMR state that that they have “consulted with impacted stakeholders Whitsunday Regional Council and TransLink in assessing the intersection options during the design phase of the project” and that the decision was made with safety in mind.

“Traffic signals at intersections allow for safe pedestrian crossings while promoting traffic flow,” said a TMR spokesperson.

“Safety is our number one priority when carrying out works on all of our roads.”

Ms Chapman asserts that roundabouts were in the plan from 2019 and TMR concur, saying that during the design phase they were considered but ultimately traffic lights were deemed the best option.

A traffic modelling study was undertaken by TMR identified that coordinated, signalised intersections would reduce overall travel time for road users on this section of road, particularly at William Murray Drive and Paluma Drive.

Most disappointed with the lack of community consultation and querying the modelling used to ascertain traffic counts, Ms Chapman took the issue to an independent company, Pekol Traffic and Transport, who saw 14 separate issues with the current plan.

Following this review, Ms Chapman has taken the matter to the state government and received a message last Friday confirming that the Queensland Ombudsman has decided to investigate the complaint about lack of community consultation.

There is now a small window where community consultation may provide a clearer representation of what local residents need.

2006 Residents Traffic Action peaceful protest at Shute Harbour and Paluma Road intersection which is now signalised

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St James’ Uniting was the first church ever built in Proserpine, and in December, after over 100 years of standing proud on the corner of Herbert and Main Street, it was demolished.

The once local heritage site was de-registered in April last year and, having received immense structural damage during Cyclone Debbie, a full investigation deemed the structure unsafe.

The Proserpine Uniting Church Committee came to the decision to rebuild the church on the same sight and in mid-December, Proserpine said goodbye to one of its oldest buildings.

In a candlelight service, the Uniting Church congregation held a moving ceremony, recalling all the wonderful events that had happened over their 86-year tenancy at the church.

The Church Committee now have a building planning group who are working on designs and how to develop the space.

“Initially, we’re going to do some garden beautification until we have surveyors, architects and all of that,” Reverend Suzy Sitton.

“It won’t just be a church building, it will be something multi-purpose, and a space that provides a sense of well-being, peace, and an area that people can ask questions.

Reverend Sitton said that the building will be “signed, sealed, delivered” by November 2023.

“We’ve still got work ahead of us with the initial stages, but we’re underway now,” she said.

The church has reached out to its worshipers in Proserpine for over a year, seeking the opinion of the community in what they would like the space of worship to be like.

“It’s not going to be a quick project because we’re engaging with community to find exactly the needs for our community,” Reverend Sitton said.

“We had a lot of conversation leading up to Christmas, and people from the community were able to engage and talk to us about that.”

Quoting Ecclesiastes 3:1 in the Bible – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under Heaven” - Proserpine worshippers now welcome in their new season of beginning.

Services are currently held at the old hall behind where the church stood and will continue to be held there until the new building is finished.

Proserpine Uniting Church held a goodbye candlelit ceremony before the demolition of the old church building in December

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Windermere School (1922 – 1942) – The school that travelled to the children!

On March 21 this year, it will be 100 years since Windermere School opened with Miss Fanny Hancock as teacher and fourteen pupils – Eva, Robert and Edward Barr; Agnes and James Fraser; Margaret and Nell Holmes; Thelma, Cyril and Harold Lee; Florence and Herbert Lee; Frederick and James Pepper.

The school commenced in the Cannon Valley Hall where it operated for twelve months until the closed school at Palm Grove in the Conway district was transported and re-erected on land donated by Mr H. W. Holmes.  Fittingly, it took its name, Windermere, from the name of Mr Holmes’s farm. The school and the Cannon Valley Hall were situated on either side of what is now known as Robinson’s Road.

The first teacher, Miss Hancock (1922 – 1924), made a lasting impression. During her first year of teaching which was in the Cannon Valley Hall, things were fairly hectic on weekends when dances were to be held. Dances were significant fund raisers for communities – as well as important socially. Everyone available had to work to move all the school gear out for the dance and then set it up in time for Monday morning’s school.

Times were challenging – Miss Hancock taught seven different grades in her little bush school with few aids other than a blackboard, slates and slate pencils.

Recollections from past students paint a picture of a wonderful school environment. When the Palm Grove school was re-erected, gardening began in earnest and through the combined efforts of both girls and boys, a lovely flower garden was established. Friday afternoon was devoted first to sewing (both boys and girls participating) and then it was into the garden to beautify the surroundings.

Many of the children rode horses to school as there was plenty of room in the new school grounds for their horses to graze. Pupils took part with enthusiasm in concerts, plays and maypole dancing.

In its twenty years as a school, there were only five different teachers – Miss Fanny Hancock, Miss Morris, Miss Connie Hopkins, Miss Flegabein and Mr Pearce. As was the case in the early days, all these teachers boarded locally.

On June 25, 1942 the Department of Public Instruction informed the secretary of the school committee that it was necessary to close the school as from June 30. The school had not met the department’s requirement of an average attendance of at least nine pupils. Petitions in 1944 to have the school re-opened were unsuccessful.

The Windermere School building remained unused for several years and in 1945 a decision was made to remove and re-erect the building at Proserpine State School (then situated behind the Entertainment Centre) to be used as a classroom for the students attending the High School Top and as extra classrooms for the primary school until students transitioned to the new building in Sterry Street. It was subsequently used as the Proserpine Kindergarten until 2013.

After many years, the land was handed back to the Holmes family.      

Story and photo courtesy of Proserpine Museum and “Enlightened Horizons” by Neville Smith.

Fanny Hancock and horse called Old Girl circa 1922

Windermere class in the late 1930s

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A Year 12 graduate from Whitsunday Christian College was announced the lucky recipient of the Laura Morrison Memorial Bequest Scholarship at an intimate ceremony hosted by the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays on Sunday.

Madison Braddock, 18, is heading to James Cook University in Townsville to study Occupational Therapy on the February 6 this year.

Last year, Maddison’s mum encouraged her to apply for the $2000 scholarship to assist with the financial costs involved with pursuing the next stage in her studies.

The scholarship is provided by the late Laura Morrison, who was treasurer of the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays for eight years and passed-away suddenly in 2020.

Remembered for her generosity, love of the Zonta Club, and desire to support the education of women, Ms Morrison’s legacy lives on as part of this three-year scholarship package.

Maddison used the kind donation to purchase a new laptop computer which she says she will use every day to assist with her studies and assignments.

Always excelling academically, Maddison loves helping people and works long hours at the Airlie Beach Hotel to help fund her studies.

These are just some of the credentials that made her application successful.

“Her application was an absolute winner,” said Secretary of the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays, Janice Lake.

“Her academic achievements and community involvements demonstrate the Zonta ideals of women’s rights and education for women.”

The Laura Morrison Memorial Bequest Scholarship will run for three years with $2000 going to a worthy community member each year and it is hoped that the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays will be able to fund future years.

The presentation was held with morning tea at the Rainbow Bakery at Shingley Beach, with Maddison’s parents looking on proudly as she accepted the bequest.

“Thank you so much for your support and I hope to see you all again soon,” said Maddison.

The Zonta Club of the Whitsundays with Maddison Braddock and her parents

President of the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays, Dianne Truman presents Maddison with the bequest

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Junior Sports Award

Abby Plate

A passionate equestrian, Abby excels in barrel racing and has a team of 12 horses which are all home bread and trained by herself and her father, Robert.

In 2021, Abby travelled and competed with four of her horses in over 15 different events and still finds the time to encourage her younger peers, always willing to share her knowledge with others.

Abby Plate with one of her horses

Arts and Culture Award

Collinsville Youth Centre’s Gwada Murals Project

Local youth assisted Martin from Gwada Murals to create some beautiful artwork for the community to enjoy.

The project created a bright space for the youth of the Collinsville and Scottville community, expressing the many reasons they love to live in the Whitsunday Region.

The Gwada Mural

Collinsville Community Association’s Volunteer of the Year Award

Nathan Reinke

Known for his dedication and passion, Nathan is one of Collinsville’s most hard-working volunteers with his ideas, input and enthusiasm proving instrumental in may events.

From the CSHS Bacon Busters event, the Weetalaba Campdraft Clinic, local youth group and playing one of the scariest roles in the CYC Haunted House of Horrors – Nathan is a local legend.

Nathan Reinke

Community Event of the Year  

CSHS P&C Bacon Busters Event

For the past seven years a passionate group of staff, parents and students have been running this popular community event which is a fun family day out for everyone to enjoy.

All proceeds are reinvested back into the high school and gate entry donations are given to a worthy charity each year.

Noah Brand with Councillor Michelle wright at the 2021 Bacon Buster Event

Young Citizen of the Year

Sarah Wilson

While continuing with full-time study, Sarah manages to find the time to inspire and teach younger children through her tireless work at her mum’s dance school.

She takes pride in establishing a fun and safe environment for her students to learn and teaches the children in tolerance, discipline and friendship.

Sarah Wilson

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Arts and Cultural Award

Jessica Begun from Whitsunday Arts Festival

Jessica, along with Cathy Knezivic and Tom Casey, founded the Whitsundays Arts Festival due to host its third annual event in September this year.

The festival brings together local artists and broadens our cultural, engaging with the younger generations through partnering with schools, which Jessica, and by extension her team, have been honour for.

Tom Casey, Cathy Knezivic and Jess Begun

Environmental Achievement Award

John Gaskell

Described as the real life “Aquaman” by his peers, John is currently the Program Manager for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Whitsunday Reef Island Initiative – focusing his time on reef rehabilitation.

He previously developed the Daydream Island Coral Restoration Facility and Living Reef Underwater Observatory and has an immense passion for studying, photographing, and protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

John Gaskell

Senior Sports Award

Marteaka Hoffman

Marteaka is not only a valuable netball player at the Whitsunday Netball Club, but she has been a valuable volunteer for the past 10 years.

From coaching to mentoring the younger players, travelling to carnivals, umpire development and writing grant submissions, Marteaka is a dedicated sports woman, as well as a dedicated member of the club community.

Young Sports Award

Jy Parkinson

Excelling both in the water and on the field, Jy enjoys swimming, cross country, and football.

He has been awarded Sportsman of the Year at Saint Catherine’s Catholic College in Proserpine for the past three years, and this year winning Gold for backstroke at the Qld Schools Swimming State Championships followed by Bronze at a National Level.

Jy shows maturity beyond his years and has demonstrated great leadership amongst his peers, always encouraging them to do their best and leading by example.

Jy Parkinson

Community Event of the Year

Proserpine State High School’s “We Will Rock You” musical production

This professional standard school musical was received with acclaim from across the region and demonstrated the love and passion of all involved.

There were over 60 students, 20 staff and more than 20 community members participating, and many young people had the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the industry and perform in the sold-out shows.

The cast of “We Will Rock You”

Volunteer of the Year Award

Wally Hinschen

An active and valued member in a range of emergency services, Wally spent 15 and a half years with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services before his retirement on his 65th birthday.

He continues to volunteer for the SES, VMR and the Cannonvalley Rural Fire Brigade giving him a combined total of over 30 years’ experience attending rescues, fires, land and water searches, boat rescues.

Young Citizen of the Year:  

Declan Coull

Racing in the Formula 3 series in Australia, Declan has been behind the wheel since he was nine years old.

Given the “Future Star Award” in the Senior Karts and “Local Sporting Champion” by the Australian Institute of Sport, Declan is also a “racing for road safety” ambassador with Safe Drive Training (SDT) mentoring young drivers about responsible vehicle usage and is also a Defensive Driving Instructor.

Declan Coull with Mayor Andrew Willcox

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The Arts and Cultural Award goes to:

Nicole Rowan

Nicole started the Happy Rocks craze in Bowen as a fun activity she could do with her children, but it soon grew to a community of 1300 people who regularly paint, hide and hunt for rocks.

Great promoters for Bowen, the rocks have travelled all over the world left in places for people to find and encouraging them to visit Bowen.

Nicole Rowan with her son Archie

The Senior Sports Award

Sylvie Thureau-Martin

Sylvie is a 71-year-old active member of the Whitsunday Running Club who is a keen competitor and someone you can rely on to volunteer at community events.

Her greatest recent achievement was setting a new Queensland Women’s Masters record where she ran a time of 55.02 on the world certified 10km course at the Airlie Beach Marathon Festival.

Sylvie Thureau-Martin

The Young Sports Award goes to:

Shaniah Power

Shaniah started playing for the Proserpine Brahmans in 2019 and then played for the Townsville Western Lions where she represented Queensland Country at the Women’s National Championships.

In 2020 and 2021 Shaniah was selected to play for the Indigenous All Stars, the North Queensland Gold Stars and was selected to play for the Gold Coast Titans.

Shaniah Power

Volunteer of the Year Award

Arthur and Robyn Burrell

This inspiring couple have been volunteering in the Bowen community for over 45 years.

Arthur is a member of the Bowen RSL and helped establish the Bowen Men’s Shed.

Robyn has been fundraising for the Cancer Council for the past five years and is currently supporting the Cancer Council’s Shitbox Rally

Together they have volunteered for the Delta Rural Fire Brigade for 15 years and both donate time for the Bowen PCYC’s mentor driving program – Braking the Cycle.

Arthur (Tek) and Robyn Burrell

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Whitsunday Regional Council marked Australia Day by honouring the region’s high achievers in ceremonies in Collinsville, Bowen and Proserpine, as well as welcoming in those who took the pledge to become our newest Australian citizens.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said it was a great honour to be part of such a special day.

“I am fortunate in my role to be involved with many different facets of our community and I can proudly say our Whitsunday residents truly represent the Australian values,” Mayor Willcox said.

“The winners and the nominees of the Awards come from all walks of life and have excelled in different areas but the one common theme I see amongst them is that they are genuine community minded people.”

Citizen of the Year - Airlie, Proserpine and Surrounds

Helen Mathewson

They say the more you put into a community, the more you get out of it, and this applies in abundance to Helen.

Regularly volunteering at the Anglican Op Shop, maintaining the church gardens and a dedicated member of the ESA and the church council – Helen is a much-loved volunteer, friend and committee member.

A pensioner herself, Helen takes the time to help others – driving people to appointments and regularly hosting morning teas at the pensioner units.

Citizen of the Year - Bowen

Tracey Bazzo

Tracey is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating fresh water and sea turtles in Bowen, regularly spending many hours rescuing and caring for sick or injured turtles to see them fit enough to be returned to the ocean.

While running her own business, Tracey manages to find time to help others and during Cyclone Debbie she assisted the Queensland Police Service by offering use of her business premises as a storage unit for their rescue equipment.

Citizen of the Year – Collinsville

Janet Lobegeier

A vibrant, kind and loving lady, Janet Lobegeier, is the driving force behind numerous community events and is always willing to offer her time and assistance in any way she can.

Most notably, each year Janice raises much needed funds for the RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter and was an inspiration to many were affected by the 2020 bushfires, raising thousands of dollars to assist.

She is a member of the Collinsville Lions Club, is on the Collinsville Rodeo committee, Bowen River Rodeo, and assists with programs for the Collinsville Youth Coalition.

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