Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
This week I’ve opted for a well-known poem from the public domain – ‘I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud’ by William Wordsworth. I studied Wordsworth in school, and his poetry has always stuck with me. It focuses on connection between humanity and nature, citing nature as a means of profound spiritual nourishment. In a busy modern world, we can often stray from this idea and lose a sense of who we are. It’s easy to get into the habit of thinking that life is some big challenge that needs to be conquered – as if everything we do is leading to some big grand revelation. But I don’t really believe that’s true. If anything, I feel like life is just really a series of random moments stitched together, and often the meaning or narrative only becomes clear retrospectively. I think great change does not come through grand events, but rather small occurrences and interactions. We as individuals are a product of every person we’ve ever known, every action we’ve performed – every emotion we’ve felt. Amidst the busyness of modern life, it is important to not lose sight of the fact that we are only one species on a vast ever-evolving planet. Sometimes the great answer is not the career highlight or the attaining of a goal. It is merely existing as one with everything else.
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The photo of the week winner is Lara Saunders for her photo of the moonlight in Hydeaway Bay. Next week’s theme is comfort. Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Amateur Photographers
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Councillors Vote For a Rise In Expenses. Following heated discussion $150 per day expenses was agreed upon to cover travelling and accommodation costs when attending local authority conferences etc. These costs could be quite considerable. Angry Motorist. A parking fine was paid in one cent and four cent stamps by an irate motorist who considered himself hard done by. Catholic Debutante Ball A Success. 20 debutantes were presented before a capacity crowd which danced its way past midnight. Shute Harbour Jetty Fees Reviewed. Council decided on the appointment of a Jetty Discussion Group to oversee use of jetty, boat ramp and maintenance berth by various craft. Construction of the new ticket office would be completed. Obituary Mary Elizabeth Crossley who died aged 91was an old local identity of Conway and Proserpine survived by four children. Raymond Clifford Warren, an old local resident died aged 54 following a long illness. Doreen May West a member of another old local family died aged 73. 1986 Australian Rodeo Championships. The Proserpine venue for this prestigious event was in good condition and over 600 nominations were expected. Some of the Cowboys entered had already competed all over the World, for example Calgary, Denver, and El Paso Texas. Activities will commence with a Mardis Gras down the Main Street, Miss Rodeo Whitsunday and Australian Whip Cracking Championships. Cane Harvesting. One million tonnes is being predicted this year. Bicentennial Project. Volunteers are being encouraged to clear a two metre walkway from Cannon Valley Baths to Shingley Beach. Journalist/ Photographer Kieran Lewis has left the Guardian for a new job in the Queensland Government. Tug-o-War for Ladies. Whitsunday Lions are planning a ladies tug-o-war competition for their Fun Day in June. Baton Twirlers, bands and singing groups have also been urged to participate. Mothers’s Day Function. Womens’s Section of the National Party held a successful Mothers’ Day at the Cultural Hall. Gladys Wesche received warm applause for ‘The mother with most children’ with eleven and no fewer than thirty four grandchildren. Town Of Whitsunday. State member Geoff Muntz proposed a new town of Whitsunday through the WTA and the Proserpine Shire Council, incorporating Cannonvale, Shute Harbour and Airlie Beach. High School. Year 11 Camp took place at Cape Hillsborough. Congratulations to Les Humphries and Bradley Watson chosen for the N.Q.Squash team with Juanita Lewis chosen as reserve. Cannonvale School Fete was a successful money raising community event enjoyed by many. Whitsunday Boxing Club. A crowd of 250 enjoyed the night with local wins from Martin Turner, Martin Goldsbury, Shortie McGoldrick and Greg Meade. ARL. Airlie Bloods beat Trend United at Proserpine Showgrounds to move into the top four. ABC TV Channel 4 Fri. 8.00pm The Two Ronnies. St.Catherine’s School Cent Sale. Funds raised would go towards the school’s two computers, recently installed. Baton Twirlers.Whitsunday Roulette Baton Twirlers performed at the flea market at the Cultural Hall on Saturday. Rugby Union. Raiders beat Mackay Keas despite missing half back Peter Chengody who was playing for North Queensland. Local matches took place in a variety of other sports including tennis, squash, soccer, squash, bowls, league, netball, basketball,golf, motor cycling and darts
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Jupp, Faust, Waite, Dobbins and Setter are some familiar early pioneering names of Proserpine; people with drive, dreams and enthusiasm for what they were doing. Many men and women have followed in the footsteps of these early pioneers; people with similar ideals who have contributed to our lives and improved the lifestyle of our community. One such man is Bill Worthington. Born on June 15, 1915 at Castlemaine, Victoria, he came to Proserpine in 1925 with his parents, William and Catherine. After finishing school at 14, he became an apprentice carpenter. While employed by Dave Mackay, he worked on building jobs in Brisbane and New South Wales. Upon finishing his trade, he joined the circus and made his way home to Proserpine. In his teens, Bill was a talented boxer and cyclist and in his 20s, he was heavily involved in the local theatre. At sixteen, Bill moved to his own dairy and cattle property of 22.5 acres located at Strathdickie. At the age of twenty, he built his house there with Ollie Britten. This clearly demonstrated the incredible drive that Bill possessed, and he quickly channelled this towards enriching the lifestyle of this community. Bill became a member of the local militia and when war broke out in 1939, he enlisted. Because of his militia experience, he helped train others at Redbank Plains, Brisbane, before being sent to the Middle East in 1940 as part of backup troops to those on the front line. With the Japanese advance in south-east Asia in 1941- 42, Bill was amongst troops brought back to Australia and sent to New Guinea where he served in Milne Bay and Shaggy Ridge until 1943 and in Borneo in 1944. When the war was over and Bill returned to civilian life, he took up French polishing and spray painting in his brother's business and then with Mr R Ruge. While overseas, he had asked his family to sell his farm. Bill joined the RSL and was a foundation member of the Ex-Servicemen’s Club. He became a Life Member and served as president of both organisations. For almost forty years, Bill served the RSL of Australia and he assisted particularly with the funerals of ex-servicemen. On a lighter side, Bill and his sons were responsible for the first ever toad race which was held at an RSL barbecue at Pattemore’s Caravan Park, Airlie Beach in the 1960s. Bill held several positions on numerous organisations - President of the Proserpine Amateur Swimming Club; Vice President of the Whitehaven Aged Care Committee and President of the Proserpine Meals on Wheels Committee. He also served on P&C Committees of both primary and secondary schools and was adopted by the Cannonvale State School as their WW2 veteran. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts Committee and Proserpine Citizens’ Band Committee. Furthermore, Bill was a Foundation Member of the Proserpine Historical Museum, serving as both President and Treasurer of the ‘Save the Loco’ Committee. He used his carpentry skills to build the museum's ‘Out House’ display, as well as stools and benches for public use. He also contributed to the museum’s fundraising efforts by constructing dolls’ houses etc to be raffled. On Australia Day, 1992, Bill Worthington was fittingly awarded the Shire Community Award for his contribution to his community. Bill and his wife, Peg, lived all their married life in Proserpine where they raised four children - Peter, Bruce, Neil and Janet. We were indeed fortunate to have Bill Worthington as part of our community. Story and photo sourced from Proserpine Historical Museum Archives. Lance Corporal William Worthington QX11731
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Want to do something for yourself and something for the community? Then why not join With One Voice Choir in Mackay and surrounds.
Performing out in the Mackay community, the choir is aimed at providing pleasure and enjoyment, working with local disability groups, singing at retirement homes and respite centres, as well as preparing and performing its own concerts.
Choir Director Jennifer Bee said that the most common obstacle to people joining the choir is their false belief that they cannot sing.
“Fundamental to the With One Voice Choir is our strong conviction that every person can sing!” Jennifer said.
“We provide acceptance, encouragement and support for those people who lack confidence and help them find their voice.”
“One of the most satisfying parts of our weekly rehearsals is how people feel welcome knowing that we are all there to do the best we can, as part of a group, which loves to sing and wants to support our community.
The next concert is planned for the day before Mother’s Day, Saturday May 7th at the Sporting Wheelies Hall in Bridge Road East Mackay.
“The High Tea and concert will be an opportunity for families to celebrate with Mothers and Grandmothers,” Jennifer said.
Jennifer Bee also pointed to research that has now found the act of singing aloud is beneficial to our health.
“Study after study has found that singing relieves anxiety and contributes to the quality of life.”
“No matter what age you are or what your abilities are, singing offers opportunities to learn, grow and express who you are.”
With One Voice Mackay meets and rehearses every Thursday evening at 6.30 pm at the CQU University City Campus Building 2 Theatre 90-92 Sydney Street Mackay.
Potential new members are very welcome, so feel free to come along and give the Choir a try without obligation.
Enquires phone Greg at 0401 692 254 or Frank at 0427 530 774.
With One Voice Mackay is an excellent way to socialise and also to sing with a group of likeminded – and like-voiced - people
The favourite creative collective known affectionately as the Briefs Boys are back at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre this April, and this time they have a hills hoist in tow and are ready to air their Dirty Laundry.
The tight-knit group of representatives from the Briefs Factory, an Australian creative collective who produce and present evocative, physical performances, are returning to the Sugar City with their circus, drag, dance, burlesque, music, comedy inspired show ready to go.
With the ever-changing world around them, Briefs Factory have been dedicated to developing and touring their brand of award winning, genre defying, political party punk around the world, and are touching down in Mackay for a second time.
Led by Fez Faanana (AKA Shivanana) – director and co-founder of Briefs Factory - this brand-new party cabaret pegs a line-up of classic Briefs boys along with some new boys and toys in the basket.
These festival favourites promise a load of physicality, comedy, and showmanship, and none of it clean – so “turn your cycle to hot as you watch these boys tumble dry.”
After 10 years of selling out festivals worldwide and visiting Mackay back in 2020, the boys are ready to hit the MECC stage on the 2nd of April with more glitter stains and ballsy attitude than ever!
Get your tickets to the ultimate ladies’ night out at themecc.com.au for an 18+ event.
Meet the Brief Boys at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre this April
A notable selection of key Clermont characters will have their prolific lives showcased in a new exhibition in the Isaac region.
Clermont Historical Centre presents Faces of the Peak Downs which showcases a collection of stories from the first European settlers in the area to women paving their way in the saddle manufacturing industry.
Since Ludwig Leichhardt first traversed this area in 1845, the Clermont district or at the time, Peak Downs, has been home to an array of characters that contributed to its development.
The exhibition highlights identities like Jeremiah Rolfe who was the first European to settle in the Clermont area, establishing sheep runs and working the land, Oscar de Satge who named Wolfang Peak and established Wolfang Station, and Rose Harris who is regarded as Australia’s first female saddler.
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said this year is worth visiting the centre especially as it took out silver in the best tourist attraction category at the 2021 Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards.
“This great local experience, run by locals working at Council and incredible volunteers, would not happen without their absolute dedication behind the scenes,” Mayor Baker said.
“Tourism is one of our most valuable industries in the Isaac region. It is worth more than $180 million a year and it directly employs 1000 people.”
This is a chance to explore, discover and jump back in time to learn the stories of the region’s harsh colonial era.
Faces of the Peak Downs exhibition will run to 17 December 2022.
Last year’s Back on Track exhibition which paid homage to country racing being an essential part of the social fabric of the Isaac region continues to be featured.
Clermont Historical Centre is located on Gregory Highway and is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 9am to 3pm.
Admission prices are $6 for adults, $4 for pensioners, $3 children under 12 years and $15 per family with two or more children.
Jeremiah Rolfe and family circa 1876
Bowen artists get your pastels and paint brushes set, on the last Tuesday of every month local artist Mel Stone has been hosting Paint And Sip sessions at The Grandview Hotel.
The next tipsy painting gathering is set for March 29, and it’s your opportunity for a no judgement artistic journey helped by some red or white wine.
If you’ve been out of the loop, Paint and Sip is a relaxing, fun way to step into painting, where a resident artist takes participants step-by-step through painting a picture, portrait or otherwise.
With an easel, paint brush and a creative juice -preferably wine, although it can be coffee, tea, or beer – you can enjoy a no-pressure painting experience, with no painting experience required.
Last Month’s session was a grand success at the Grandview, with the wannabe artists showing their teacher their very best interpretation of shuttered blue window with plants below.
New and novice artists alike can find out more by contacting the Grand View Hotel.
25 seats are available for the sessions, which run $45 per person, and they’re a guaranteed blast – you might even discover a new talent.
Bookings are essential, so call the Grand View Hotel on (07) 4786 4022 to secure a seat for the next go around.
The Airlie Beach foreshore will fill with the sounds of chaotic battle next Saturday, but not between knights or Vikings, instead the long-standing feud between Jerry Mouse and Tom Cat will take to the screen.
The Tom & Jerry Movie will be playing for free at the Airlie Beach Foreshore screen on Saturday, March 19 at 6:30pm.
The Tom and Jerry movie pits the famous fighting pair against each other in another instalment of their continuing feud, this time in Manhattan.
Jerry, running from his long-time rival after an incident in Central Park, takes refuge in the Royal Gate Hotel, with Tom in hot pursuit
Tom soon finds himself hired to drive him away before the day of a big wedding arrives in this family fun film.
The 2021 released slapstick comedy is filled with familiar faces like Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, and even Ken Jeong – so there’s some fun for the parents, too!
Whitsunday Regional Council are inviting local parents and their kids along to this relaxed family night, so bring the picnic rugs, chairs and food and enjoy a night of entertainment under the stars.
Airlie Beach Foreshore Outdoor Cinema has been a hit with locals since its instalment and the upcoming screening is looking to continue the trend – make sure you’re arriving early to find yourself the best spot to snuggle up for the night with the family!
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