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Allan Milostic, President of the Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce

Abusy couple of weeks to launch us well into December. The Division 2 election has been held and with the result too close to call, it is going down to the wire. It looks so close, that recounts are expected to be requested. With the Fair Work Legislation Amendment now having passed debate in both houses, it is now only waiting Royal assent and will take effect according to the implementation schedule. There is a myriad of changes that businesses need to be aware of and ensure employment contracts, policies and procedures are in place to comply. Some changes are great, others quite onerous, especially for small business. There have been changes in the following areas – Gender Pay Equality, Flexible Work Arrangements, Pay Secrecy, Fixed Term Contracts, Enterprise Agreements, Anti-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and the introduction of paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave. Most businesses with up to date and reasonable processes will have no trouble complying with most of these changes., however the following areas will need some attention.

Flexible work arrangements, although reasonable business grounds for refusal still exist, a big change is that employees can now raise a dispute with the fair work commission so be prepared with evidence! Pay secrecy is a contentious change and is no longer allowed to be written into contracts – effective immediate, pay secrecy clauses are no longer in effect and are prohibited from June 2023. Fixed Term Agreements will be limited to less than two years for same role with such contractors’ having the rights of a full-time 73,000 tonnes o employee. Anti-discrimination has been Weekly production figures extended but is in line with Queensland legislation already in place. Wilmar Sugar Employees will have an entitlement to 10 Proserpine Mill days paid Family and Domestic Violence Week 24, ending 10 December 2022 leave as a National Employment Standard. This week Season to Interestingly, for privacy reasons, it cannot be recorded as FDV Leave. date Cane crushed 79,207 1,581,479 Average bin weight 9.32 9.63 CCS Sound like we all have some IR changes to 12.77 14.00 attend to so the Chamber’s first networking event in February will focus on just Cane variety performance for region Variet Q183 Q240 Q208 y that. In the meantime, Merry Christmas everyone – enjoy a well-earned festive season! % CCS Variety % CCS 23.49 12.34 Q242 8.55 11.13 19.87 12.20 KQ228 4.80 11.86 17.90 10.63 Q238 4.23 12.39 Q232 8.97 11.09 SP80 2.90 12.48

Weekly Production Figures Comments:

Despite some hindrances at the start of the week due to wet field conditions and some factory issues, the mill performed well in the latter half and finished the Wilmar Sugar, Proserpine Mill Week 24, ending 10 December 2022 week 10,700 tonnes above forecast. This week Season to date The average weekly CCS of 12.77 units was 0.17 units above budget. The highest CCS sample was 14.82 units from a rake of Q208 ratoon in the Lethebrook Productivity District. Growers are reminded that the 2023 farm forecast maps have been uploaded to GrowerWeb. Please update these with any changes for the 2023 crushing season. Contact the Proserpine logistics officer with any queries. Additionally, the first end of season notice to growers has been uploaded to GrowerWeb. Further updates will be made in the same area. Wilmar Sugar plans to continue crushing through Christmas this year, provided there is adequate cane supply. Logistics officers are contacting growers to gauge their interest in harvesting over this traditional holiday period. With school holidays under way, we ask parents and carers to remind children that cane trains will continue to operate into January this season. Please keep your train brain switched on. Be alert, stay off our rail network and always give way to cane trains.

Cane crushed Average bin weight 79,207 1,581,479 9.32 9.63

CCS 12.77 14.00

Cane variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS

Q183 23.49 12.34 Q242 8.55 11.13 Q240 19.87 12.20 KQ228 4.80 11.86 Q208 17.90 10.63 Q238 4.23 12.39

Q232

Comments:

Despite some hindrances at the start of the week due to wet field conditions and some factory issues, the mill performed well in the latter half and finished the week 10,700 tonnes above forecast. The average weekly CCS of 12.77 units was 0.17 units above budget. The highest CCS sample was 14.82 units from a rake of Q208 ratoon in the Lethebrook Productivity District. Growers are reminded that the 2023 farm forecast maps have been uploaded to GrowerWeb. Please update these with Jed Page Cane Supply Manager Proserpine Region any changes for the 2023 crushing season. Contact the Proserpine logistics officer with any queries.

8.97 11.09 SP80 2.90 12.48 Additionally, the first end of season notice to growers has been uploaded to GrowerWeb. Further updates will be made in the same area. Wilmar Sugar plans to continue crushing through Christmas this year, provided there is adequate cane supply. Logistics officers are contacting growers to gauge their interest in harvesting over this traditional holiday period. With school holidays under way, we ask parents and carers to remind children that cane trains will continue to operate into January this season. Please keep your train brain switched on. Be alert, stay off our rail network and always give way to cane trains.

New Coach Starts At Proserpine Golf Club

Our local golf club is expanding its services following the start of a successful training period of a new golf coach who says he is excited to help increase the range of golfing opportunities available at the Proserpine Golf Course. The completion of two-thirds of Nathan Sothmann’s traineeship under the guidance of a PGA Professional, Roger Vandenberg, brings new prospects to the members of Bowen Golf Club – and especially those wanting to try their hand at the sport. Nathan is a family man with a wife named Michelle, and two sons, Henry who is three, and Patrick who was born in November this year. He said his main aim was a career in coaching golf and that he has always had a passion for sport – with his current handicap a nifty 1.9. When the opportunity arose to coach at Proserpine, Nathan was fortunately on three months maternity leave from his previous job after his son was born. “I am very thankful to Roger for giving me

PGA Professional Roger Vandenberg, right, with Nathan Sothmann. Photo provided. an opportunity to fulfill this passion,” said Nathan. “It is now up to me to prove I can do it and make him and my family proud.” Roger Vandenberg said Nathan is very passionate about his game, gets along well with the members, and does very well with the juniors. “We all look forward to seeing him do well in his traineeship,” said Roger. Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis.

Hillery Group Named State Finalist

Luke Hillery Liam Hillery

One of Bowen’s largest independently owned companies has been named as a finalist in the Telstra Best of Business Awards, beating over 20,000 other applicants to become among the top 250 in the state. The Owners of Hillery Group, brothers Luke and Liam Hillery, as well as their team of 120 dedicated staff, are celebrating this week as the news arrived announcing them as finalists in the Indigenous Excellence category. With indigenous ancestry stretching back to the Kalkadoon Tribe and incredible stories of survival that date back through their father’s line to 1885, Hillery Group have always been proud of, and deeply connected to their indigenous roots. “My father was always passionate about giving everyone in the community the same opportunities,” said Hillery Group CEO Luke Hillery. “We grew up with the understanding that no-one is better than anyone else, and to always give equal opportunities – this has really been instilled in Liam and myself – not just for indigenous people, but all young kids. “Growing up here, there was not much opportunity – and now we are very privileged to provide that opportunity for kids whether that be through traineeships or management roles.” In previous times, skilled labour would leave Bowen to seek employment in big cities, and Luke Hillery says he is proud to now offer prospects closer to home where staff can be home with their families every night. The business has grown immensely from humble beginnings back in the 1980’s when Luke and Liam’s parents first began with just one truck for hire. The group now operates five quarries, have multiple sand leases and own over 200 assets which include trucks, excavators, loaders and graders. There are two offices in Bowen and Hillery Group are proud of their extremely diverse portfolio which allows them to keep their work commitments local. From rock walls at the harbour to rural road projects, the rail provision yard and local rail network, Hillery Group are at the forefront of countless local projects. Their dedication to community and their connection to their indigenous heritage are at the foundation of all operations and are the qualities they have now been recognised for at the Telstra Business Awards which are due to take place 2023.

Whitsunday Green Club Is Growing!

Airlie Beach’s much-loved Whitsunday Green Golf Club is expanding its offering to include an over 50’s Lifestyle Village and much, much more. Photo supplied

Construction has already commenced for the new club house and corporate facility

Airlie Beach’s only Par 3 Golf Course and Club is rapidly expanding with construction works now well underway. Works at Whitsunday Green Golf Club are steaming ahead including a new, larger Clubhouse and corporate facility followed by plans for an over 50’s Lifestyle Village, new residential subdivision, a motel and expanded golf all progressing steadily behind the scenes. The Whitsunday Green Team is ready to take their offering to the next level and deliver community facilities that fully represent the concept of ‘Club Living’ where lifestyle is priority. Currently, works underway will soon be followed by the installation of a recreational pool, expansive decking, kiosk, outdoor gym, and new amenities building. These new Club facilities will be available for members and special events providing a well-rounded lifestyle offering for the Whitsunday Green community. “A place to play, relax and live a carefree, healthy lifestyle in the tropical Whitsundays,” according to Club and Community Manager, Kate Cross. Ms Cross said the Club will continue to grow its strong focus on members activities with support from the local business community. “We have built a really strong community here who love the lifestyle – it’s all about good healthy fun, a laugh and getting together over golf and a cold drink,” Ms Cross said. “It’s nice to watch the community grow and we are really excited to take things to the next level in 2023 and beyond.” Sanctuary Living, the developer behind the project with over 30 years of experience in delivering master planned leisure communities and with successful projects dotted around Australia, has a vision to build the largest community in the region. A place to live, play, relax, and even retire, in paradise – a community hub where lifestyle and amenity is paramount. The success of the Whitsunday Green Club and membership program to date is a key representation of Sanctuary Living’s commitment to realising this vision. The Club is well loved by both members and visitors alike and is currently preparing a busy social and golf calendar for 2023.