Whitsunday Life

Friday February 24

WEEKLY PROPERTY GUIDE INSIDE

FEATURE PROPERTY

38 Main St, Proserpine

Commercial Property - First Time Offered For Sale

read on page 35

Ladies' Lunch Raises Money For Breast Cancer Nurses

The Bowen Cricket Pink Stumps Ladies’ Day event hosted over 350 women at the Bowen Sporting Complex last Saturday in its annual fundraiser for the McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

The event is one of Bowen’s largest social outings of the year, as well as one of the country’s most successful Pink Stumps Day fundraisers – it has tallied close to $50,000 since beginning in 2015 and was the fifth largest McGrath Fundraiser nationwide last year.

The current tally for this year’s event - prior to sponsorship funding’s addition- is $6,500, with the final number to be calculated in coming weeks.

WHITSUNDAY TRANSIT CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY

Read on pages 28 & 29

SPECIAL 5-PAGE FEATURE INSIDE

read on pages 19-23

NEW COUNCIL CEO STARTS THIS WEEK

Warren Bunker Brings 28 Years Experience

read on page 3

FOOTY OF FESTIVAL ATTRACTS 1,500 PEOPLE Whitsunday Sportspark Hosts Huge Event

read on page 32

PROSERPINE LIONS YOUTH OF THE YEAR Scarlett Foti Was Crowned Overall Winner

read on page 11

Image: Declan Durrant

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ON DECK

With Declan

Hello, Constant Readers.

“Out of my country and myself I go,” that was to be my quote of the week. Yet, I want it here, where I can see and hold it, rather than down there at the bottom of the page –reading it here is an easy, urging wind.

When one travels, one steps out of their bounds. Not in the mere physical sense, but in the psychological and the social as well. We become someone else – we are no longer confined by the expectancies of others and our own, as we are our harshest critics.

To explain it best is a matter of opposites. By looking at the return we see the feeling of travel reversed; there is a major adjustment to coming home. Like squeezing into an ill-fitting suit – we have expanded, another multitude has been added to the already capacious self. Readjusting back into life’s regularities is difficult because we don’t fit our old accoutrements – these things leave no room for the changed traveller.

A Little Country Kindness

It is like arriving home to parents; you are no longer the independent adult, you become the you that they see – their child. You fill the tiny shoes given to you at the door. In your profession, you separate and become another you. With certain friends. Why I say all of this is that I believe the travelling self is the truest, the most authentic. I want to remind those of us in the Whitsundays of the greatest joy: movement and change. To step out of your country and yourself –that may have been the reason many of us came here in the first place. It is a holiday locale, after all. In a word, do not be comfortable in your shoes for too long; step out of them and see the open road. I will meet you there.

Declan

“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” –

Robert Louis Stevenson

Alost youth receiving assistance from the Proserpine Community Centre was helped home last week thanks to a good-natured local business.

The young man had arrived at the Centre seeking aid after moving to the Whitsundays to live with a friend before becoming homeless. Having lived alone in his car for some time, he wished to return interstate to live with his mother –the problem being his vehicle had been deemed unsafe to make the trip and he had no funds to repair it.

Community Centre staff said they contacted a local auto-care business, Cane Country Tyres. “Not knowing much about car safety, we called them for advice,”

the staff spokesperson said. “After explaining the boy’s situation to Shane, he said, 'Leave it with me. We will see what we can do to help him.'"

Even after advising Shane that the young man would be unable to pay, the Cane Country Tyres owner made the car safe and declined compensation, despite Proserpine Community Centre’s willingness to cover the bill through fundraising. "It's okay. He seemed like a decent enough kid who had just made a few mistakes along the way, like we all did when we were young," Shane said.

Proserpine Community Centre extended their appreciation to Shane and his team, and said: "Sometimes good people do kind things!"

Studies have found, sitting by the ocean promotes improved happiness, general wellbeing & even brain function

A local business helped a young man return home last week by bringing his car up to standard and refusing compensation

New CEO Takes Reigns At Council

Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Whitsunday Regional Council, Warren Bunker, will officially start his new role on Monday, replacing Rod Ferguson who is moving into retirement.

Bunker has been in local government for the past 28 years, beginning his career in the planning department as the first Strategic Planner to be employed by Caloundra Council.

He then worked his way up through the ranks, becoming the Director of Governance and Strategy, before taking on the role of Director of Regional Strategy and Planning for the newly amalgamated Sunshine Coast Council.

His most recent position was Group Executive of Liveability and Natural Assets, and Bunker says he looks forward to bringing his experience working with both tourism and agriculture to his role as CEO.

“I’ve got a high level of understanding of local government, what the rules are and how to use them to the best,” he said.

Eager to watch, listen and learn, Bunker says that he is eager to observe, understand and “ask silly questions” when he first takes on the role.

He explains that a CEO’s role has three central pillars – to assist the Mayor and

Councillors by helping them make good decisions and providing the necessary information.

Secondly, running the business of Council and its operations.

“This means more than just rates, rubbish and roads,” he said.

“There are over 70 different services we look after from the libraries through to the swimming pools.”

Lastly, Bunker will ensure good governance by working with the community.

“I have a big belief in talking with the community,” he explains.

“I am more likely to be listening and observing.”

Bunker is also looking forward to making good partnerships with neighbouring Councils in order to create better funding opportunities for the broader region.

RACE WEEK OPEN TO ENTRIES

The 35th Airlie Beach Race Week is now open to entries, and yachties from across the region, state and country have already started to sign up for what is expected to be another fantastic regatta.

This year’s event is due to take place from August 10 to 17 and organisers are encouraging avid sailors to get in quick because local berthing options are limited.

ers.

“With that said, we are very much looking forward to hosting visiting and local boats at Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing once again,” Chisholm ended.

No stranger to the Whitsundays, he spent many school holidays here as a child, visiting almost every year while his dad worked as an accountant for some of the island resorts.

Moving to the Whitsundays from the Sunshine Coast with his wife, Bunker leaves behind his two adult daughters who are in their twenties and says he is looking forward to “testing out Bonza” for regular family visits.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, such as cruising being back in full swing post-Covid, berthing options are limited,” Event Chairman Ross Chisholm warned.

“This does not apply to those boats that can be stored out of the water, such as off-the-beach boats, trailable yachts, sports boats and oth-

Airlie Beach Race Week 2023 is open to Rating Passage, ORC Passage, One-Design classes, Performance Racing, Performance Cruising, Non-Spinnaker, Trailable Yachts & Sports Boat PHS and CBH classes, Multihull Racing, Multihull Passage, Off Beach Multihull, WETA 4.4 Trimaran and Off the Beach classes.

WHAT: Airlie Beach Race Week

WHEN: 10-17 August

WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club

ENTRIES: abrw.com. au

Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Whitsunday Regional Council, Warren Bunker. Photo supplied

Serious Assault, Bowen

Local police are appealing for information from the public relating to an alleged serious assault in Bowen on the corner of Herbert and Powell Street. It is alleged a man was approached by two men and a woman when a physical altercation occurred at approximately 8.30pm on February 7, resulting in the man being transported to the Bowen Hospital.

The man was treated for injuries sustained in the alleged altercation.

Senior Constable Ross Petersen said local police would like to “speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and observed the incident taking place or who may have dashcam footage.”

Those with information can contact Bowen Police on 4720 4555 or contact Policelink on 131 444 and quote this reference number: QP2300226258.

Tourist Airlifted Following

Snake Bite

Atourist was airlifted to hospital from Hamilton Island following a suspected snake bite over the weekend.

This was just one of the nine missions that RACQ CQ Rescue flew over the Mackay and Whitsunday regions within a 48-hour period.

A second local incident included an elderly Collinsville resident who was airlifted at 10am Saturday following a cardiac arrest.

This represents a busy start to the year for RACQ CQ Rescue, backing up 2022 where they completed 638 missions, the second busiest year on record for the Mackay rescue helicopter service.

Compromise Reached On Seized Dogs

Acompromise was reached between a local dog owner and Whitsunday Regional Council this week, following an incident where two dogs were seized, classified as dangerous and given a destruction order.

Local animal rescue operator, Christina Della Valle, was on holiday over Christmas when a friend left the gate open and two of her rescue dogs escaped her property. The dogs ventured onto a neighbouring paddock and one of them bit a cow on the neck.

When Council was unable to complete a compliance inspection earlier this month, a search warrant was enforced and Seizure Notice issued.

Christina, who owns Animal Rescue Whitsundays, was distraught by events which she says were out of control and also uncharacteristic of her two muchloved dogs.

Director of Community Services, Julie Wright agreed to sit down with Christina following a request for review notice.

“It was a good meeting and Julie really did her best to help,” said Christina. During the meeting it was decided that

Max, the likely culprit in the offence, would be put to sleep, but Snoopy, Christina’s ‘emotional support dog’, would be allowed home.

“I am of course devastated about Max,” said Christina.

“But I knew it was going to be tough, I knew a compromise would have to be made.

“It’s just a shame that dogs don’t get a second chance like a human would if they don’t re-offend.”

Max was brought to Christina two years ago when he was found wandering around Proserpine. He was 15 kilograms underweight and had been aban doned by his owners that may have been training him to be a pig dog.

Snoopy was brought to Christina a year ago, he had been abandoned at a cara van park in Conway and left alone, tied to a chain for two days before anyone found him.

On Wednesday morning Max was taken to a local vet

and gently put to sleep.

Snoopy was returned home to Christina the same morning.

In order to keep Snoopy Christina must abide by strict rules for keeping a declared menacing dog.

These include extra signage and an extra $400 a year in fees.

Could You Be Our Next Youth Parliament Member?

The Whitsundays is currently looking for its next Youth Parliament Representative and despite the incredible opportunities it involves, there has been a shortage of applicants this year, something that could mean the role goes to someone living outside the area.

Member for Whitsunday

Amanda Camm MP says that they have extended the nomination period and encourage local aspiring politicians and change-makers to step forward and make themselves known.

Youth Parliament allows individuals to be a voice for young people in their community and develop personal skills in leadership, public speaking and debating.

There is also a lot of fun to be had and it opens up networking opportunities.

Throughout the year the representative will learn about the process of government and the running of Parliament.

They will then choose a

portfolio they are passionate about and work in teams to create a bill to propose policy reform for Queensland, which they can then debate in the Youth Parliament.

During this time, they will have access to Amanda Camm as their mentor and can represent her at events.

“It is a terrific opportunity that will not only impact the Youth Member’s personal development but also have a real impact for Queensland,” said Ms Camm.

“The bills that are passed at Youth Parliament can end up being debated in the real Queensland Parliament to possibly be passed as new legislation.

“Imagine seeing policy change in Queensland knowing it all started from a bill that you worked on at Youth Parliament!”

Nominations close at midnight tonight, Friday, February 24 and anyone interested is encouraged to apply.

Zonta Club of Bowen oversaw the installation of a ‘Red Bench’ which aims to raise awareness of domestic violence at the new Bowen Neighbourhood Centre earlier this year.

The local not-forprofit organisation donated the seating as part of the Red Bench Project, a program launched in 2019 by The Red Rose Foundation.

Over 300 Red Benches are dotted across Australia as part of the campaign’s aim to “raise awareness and provide an opportunity for this important issue to remain visible.”

The group unveiled the donation as part of its end-of-2022 celebrations before its installation this year.

The Bowen Neighbourhood Centre Red Bench is emblazoned with the Project’s message of “Change the Ending: Let’s Stop Domestic Violence”.

Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre

Coordinator Stephanie Cora said the bench’s prominent public location is part

Clean Up Day Next Weekend

Save the date in your diary and put a few free hours to good use by participating in Clean Up Australia Day next weekend.

Hosted by Coral Sea Marina, this annual event is an opportunity to contribute to your local community by collecting litter on land or at sea.

Simply bring your family and friends down to Coral Sea Marina, meeting point D, next Sunday and you will be provided with a collection bag and gloves.

“Clean Up Australia Day is a fantastic opportunity for the local community to band together and collectively work towards protecting our beautiful backyard,” said Joscelyn O’Keefe, Head of Marketing and Business Development.

“Through partnering with not-for-profit organisation, Tangaroa Blue, we can ensure that every piece of litter that is removed not only protects the environment but also provides valuable information and evidence in which we can all push for change.”

Clean Up Australia Day is just one of many Coral Sea Academy events scheduled for 2023 in which members of the community are invited to assist in local environmental initiatives.

All upcoming events are listed here: coralseaacademy.com

WHAT: Clean Up Australia Day

WHEN: Sunday, March 5 from 8.30am –10.30am

WHERE: Coral Sea Marina, Meeting Point D

of that battle of putting an end to domestic violence through awareness.

“It is more than just a place to sit; it can be a place to have a conversation about how we as a community can change,” Ms Cora said.

“We cannot thank Zonta Bowen enough for their donation of the Red Bench and thank you to Michael Dekkert for installing the chair and painting it.”

Zonta Club Bowen also donated funds to the Bowen Community Council and Neighbourhood Centre’s Emergency Crisis Housing Fund which assists with temporary accommodation for persons leaving violent situations, and toiletry bags for the Centre’s clients in need.

$160,000 Cantamessa Bridge Upgrade Approved

Local farmers will soon have a safe access bridge thanks to $160,000 of funding that will upgrade the Cantamessa Road Bridge that was badly damaged during 2017 Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

The bridge is a primary access point for farmers transporting heavy equipment and machinery during wet season and Councillor Gary Simpson, who is also a cane farmer, said he is pleased to see the upgrade finally underway.

“Some people think it is only a little bridge for a few farmers,” said Cr Simpson.

“But it has been an access point for over 50 years, and it helps to keep slow-moving tractors off the roads.

“It’s a big thing for these farmers and I am thankful it is finally happening.”

Local farmer Russell Biggs said that there is simply too much traffic to safely navi-

gate Shute Harbour Road and, without the bridge, he has to take a back road which takes a lot longer.

“It’s all about safety,” he said.

“We have to transport many oversized vehicles so the less we have to be on the highway the better.

“The Cantamessa Road Bridge is a convenient way to get all our equipment off the road, so these upgrades are a big win for us.”

The bridge also acts as a second access point on the rare occasion that there is an accident on Strathdickie Road.

The Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund (QRRRF) have provided $144,000 of funding for the upgrades and the Whitsunday Regional Council have contributed the remaining $16,000.

Brendan Nothard, Steven Cantamessa, Michael Cantamessa, Glen Clarke, Russell Biggs and Councillor Gary Simpson. Photo supplied

Zonta Club of Bowen installed a Red Bench in front of the Bowen Neighbourhood Centre to raise awareness of domestic violence

Proserpine Lions Youth Of The Year

Six local students competed in the annual Youth of the Year competition held by Proserpine Lions Club Inc. on Wednesday last week.

Proserpine State High School students

Scarlett Foti, Makaela Stefani, and Hurley Diessel, St. Catherine’s Catholic College students Tristan Sainsbury, Cai Scott-Fitzgerald, and Kai Telford represented themselves and their schools in the three-stage contest.

The 16- to 17-year-old contestants face first an interview, then a panel of three judges, speaking to two impromptu questions and delivering a five-minute speech on a topic of their choice.

The Lions Australia Program is a yearly competition hosted at the various club branches across the country, inviting students to test their public speaking and interview skills.

In front of a crowd of Proserpine Lions Club members, parents, and local enthusiasts, Scarlett Foti was crowned the Overall winner as well as the Public Speaking winner for the night,

Ms Foti impressed with her speech “Imagination, No More” – A brief overview of how technology has affected imagination in children, quoting from both her own experiences in babysitting and from the

great thinkers.

“Let me ask you to pause for a moment, what do you think life means? Life can be defined in so many ways,” Ms Foti said in her powerfully orated speech.

“It can be described by the classification of living things in year seven to the philosophical works of Plato… life is the ability to dream.”

Ms Foti also won the previous year’s Public Speaking award and is now expected to represent the Proserpine Lions club at the next youth of the year tier in Home Hill in March.

Proserpine Lions Youth of the Year Coordinator Jane Betteridge said she was extremely proud of each student.

“I don’t think there are many adults who would stand up and be able to give the speeches these six students did tonight,” Ms Betteridge said.

“The opportunities that it presents to them, in improving their public speaking skills, in meeting like-minded people, is invaluable.”

Previous Lions Club Youth of the Year alumni and winners have gone on to become Rhodes Scholars and even Prime Ministers.

The aged care facility at the Collinsville Multi-Purpose Health Service (MPHS) is receiving an upgrade, with six rooms soon to be equipped with en suite bathroom facilities.

The renovation, which is due to be finished in March, is the latest project Ben Lawrence, Director of Nursing (DON) at MPHS, has overseen in his two years in the position.

“This is a great development for our residents,” he said.

“The work is progressing really well and should be on track to be finished by the end of March.”

Ben did not always want to be a nurse, in fact, he had aspirations to be a social worker but a friend of his mum’s guided him into nursing and he has never looked back.

Originally from Maryborough, Ben completed his degree at JCU in Townsville and went on to do his grad year on the Fraser Coast.

In 2009 he moved north.

“I was nurse unit manager in Bowen, before working as the DON in Hughenden for five years and then Charters Towers for a year,” he said.

Get to know the Hillery Group

NAME: Dylan Little JOB ROLE: Project Supervisor

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK AT HILLERY GROUP?

As a Project Supervisor, I have the opportunity to work across a vast number of projects such as minor to major civil construction, rail construction and domestic and commercial works. The company is focussed on staff welfare and has many programs available for professional development, career planning, employee assistance programs and internal training programs. Hillery Group invests in the local community, and I’m proud to have completed sponsored projects for the local schools and kindergartens which is very rewarding. Best of all is I get to do all of this whilst making great friends. The camaraderie is second to none.

Two years ago, he took on the DON role in Collinsville.

“Working rural is my passion and it’s a privilege to work in the communities I have,” Ben said.

“The days are challenging, and every day is different, but I love my job and what I do.”

Ben Lawrence, Director of Nursing at Collinsville Multi-Purpose Health Service. Photo supplied

Proserpine Lions Club Youth of the Year and Public Speaking award winner and Proserpine State High School Student Scarlett Foti with Proserpine Lions President Joe Little

Proserpine Lions Club Youth of the Year competitors from Proserpine state High School and St. Catherine’s Catholic College

Nine Years Of Sustainable Support

Make Your Fertiliser Count

Developing and delivering optimal nutrient management plans, can be complex and challenging for both farmers and agricultural service providers.

In 2019 LiquaForce developed LAND HUB in consultation with agronomists, and growers across Queensland’s sugarcane and horticultural industries to close the knowledge gap required for sustainable farm management.

The Local Area Nutrient Datahub (LAND) is designed to improve the information capacity of growers, enhancing decision making processes around nutrient application and other farming practices, leading to productivity improvements on-farm, and water quality outcomes off-farm.

Cruise Whitsundays and Eco Barge Clean Seas have announced the continuation of their partnership which works in collaboration to maintain the pristine nature of the marine environment in the Whitsundays.

This is the ninth year that the two entities have worked together, and Libby Edge from Eco Barge Clean Seas says she is thrilled the vital support is continuing.

“Our team, and the turtles we care for, can’t thank Cruise Whitsundays enough for continuing this partnership,” she said.

“Through this support, we can continue to care for sick and injured turtles and keep our marine park clear of debris.”

Eco Barge Clean Seas, a not‐for‐profit organisation, established in 2009 in Airlie Beach was founded to protect the precious marine life and environment across the Whitsunday region. With a clear mission for the Whitsundays, Eco Barge Clean Seas carries out programs including removal of marine debris, reduction of land‐based

litter, recycling and transformation of ocean plastics, and providing care for sick and injured marine turtles at their Turtle Rescue Centre.

Since its inception, Eco Barge Clean Seas has removed a whopping 243,252kgs of rubbish from the Whitsundays waterways.

Cruise Whitsundays Sales and Marketing Manager, Renee Branton‐Brown is proud to support such an important local initiative.

“Libby and her amazing team at Eco Barge Clean Seas are so passionate and dedicated to keeping the Whitsundays pristine, this ethos aligns perfectly with Cruise Whitsundays’ commitment to ensuring we do all we can to protect the incredible environment in which we operate,” she said.

“Cruise Whitsundays takes its role as reef custodian very seriously, and our partnership with Eco Barge Clean Seas is a crucial part of our environmental commitment.”

If you would like to know more or register as a volunteer for Eco Barge, please visit their website www.ecobargecleanseas.org.au

It also provides secure, private, digital storage of all their farm, soil, and production data year on year. This simplifies long-term monitoring of crop and financial performance over time, providing a far greater understanding of underlying agronomic issues and solutions suitable for their farms.

According to the independent consultant managing the project, Sara Bennett – “The quality and accessibility of the connected data in LAND delivers farmers the ‘information capacity’ for widespread practice change, which will result in substantial water quality outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef.”

In the Mackay Whitsunday region, Colin and Lenore Bourke own two sugarcane farms: one in Karloo just east of the Bruce Highway and the other in undulating country at Carmila West.

Karloo soils are typically sand or loam overlaying a sodic clay subsoil and cropping is all rain fed.

At Carmila West, soils are a mix of loam and a sand or loam overlaying sodic clay. This country can be subject to surface runoff with seasonal rainfall making crop nutrient loss a concern.

To improve their farming practice with nutrient management, Colin and Lenore shifted from surface application of liquid Dunder (Mill by-product) blends to sub-surface stool-split application.

“Fertiliser that leaves my paddock is money lost, it does not grow my crop, and it is not good for the environment or for water quality” says Colin.

In Carmila West the paddocks have short rows and tight corners, which make it difficult for contract fertiliser applicators to operate economically. As a result, Colin decided to do his own fertiliser appli-

cation with his own equipment. The shift from surface to sub-surface stool-split application required an innovative design.

With input from a local machinery manufacturer, together with experienced agronomist Don McNichol, Colin has developed a tractor-mounted 3-row stool-split liquid fertiliser applicator, suited to small paddocks.

The unit uses two 1000 L liquid fertiliser pods mounted side by side on the tool bar for machine stability and to ensure even weight distribution for correct coulter depth control in the crop row. The unit is powered by a PTO driven liquid fertiliser - ready Viton diaphragm pump and fitted with rate-control valves for calibration of flow rate matched to tractor speed.

Colin says that as well as being able to do his own fertiliser application, the liquid product allows him flexibility compared with granular fertiliser. During wet weather interruptions, the fertiliser can be stored in the on-farm storage tank until application can resume.

Their next step is to fit GPS rate control and machine guidance for the applicator. EM soil surveys and drone imagery mapping informs farmers of differences in soil type and in crop biomass. These accurate insights combine with GPS rate control machinery to deliver zonal management of farm and crop inputs.

If you would like to see what programs and assistance could be available to you, please contact Reef Catchments or visit their website www.reefcatchments.com.au

Cruise Whitsundays Sales and Marketing Manager, Renee Branton‐Brown and Eco Barge Clean Seas founder Libby Edge. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

Sugar Cane Farmer Colin Bourke. Photo supplied

Councillor Column

With Gary Simpson, Councillor for Division 5

Hello everyone,

The beginning of the year is just flying by and I’m excited to share some Division 5 news with our community. Just call me ‘Good News Gary’ because we have just received some important funding from the Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund (QRRRF) to upgrade the Cantamessa Road Bridge in Strathdickie.

The bridge was badly damaged in the 2017 Cyclone Debbie event, but up until now, it has never been eligible for flood damage funding.

This bridge is an essential lifeline to our community. Not only do local farmers rely on it to safely transport heavy equipment and machinery during crushing season, but it also serves as a detour option should Strathdickie Road be closed.

I am grateful for the support of my fellow Councillors that we have finally managed to obtain grant funding of $144,000 from the QRRRF. That grant along with the $16,000 contribution from Council ensures a safe passage for all.

In other news, I am proud to say that the first Community Catch-up will be happening at the Dingo Beach Community Centre on Wednesday, March 1, from 9am – 11am.

This will be a great opportunity for Councillors and our senior Council staff to catch-up with local residents face to face and to listen to your needs and aspirations for the future.

Burnt Out At Work?

Struggling to sleep after a long day? Having difficulty getting up for work in the morning?

• Feeling apathetic, being less productive, becoming snowed under and missing a sense of satisfaction.

I am also excited that investigations are underway for the Dingo Beach – Hydeaway Bay walking track, and I am advocating strongly to deliver a positive outcome for residents.

The application is currently waiting for sign-off by the powers that be in Brisbane, so fingers crossed we will have some good news soon.

It will be wonderful to see these two individual communities brought together in this way. I for one, cannot wait to explore the track with my family.

I can’t wait to catch up with those of you that can make it on March 1. I am so proud to live in our region and will do everything I can to make sure our residents are too.

Cheers

Cr Gary

Feeling like there’s no point to your work? Snapping at people around you? It could be burnout. There’s a certain amount of work-related stress in our lives, but burnout is different. It’s a more serious type of chronic stress. It leaves you physically and mentally exhausted (brain-fog), and can cause you to catastrophise and question everything you do.

DID YOU KNOW?

62 per cent of Australians say they have been affected by burnout in the workplace.

RECOGNISING BURNOUT:

• Struggling to get to work, feeling drained, lacking energy and focus, not sleeping well and becoming sick.

• Not enjoying your work anymore, being critical and cranky with the people around you, feeling pessimistic.

• A mismatch between you and your job overall withdrawal, isolating yourself.

COMMON CAUSES:

• Poor work-life balance

• Feeling constantly overwhelmed by your workload

• Lack of support or feedback

• Mental health challenges

• Not taking leave / breaks when you need to

• Expectations to work longer hours

• Inability to say ‘no’

• Socially toxic workplace

• Lack of control of workplace environment

HOW TO STEP BACK INTO YOUR POWER:

• Identify the source: Work out where your stress is actually coming from – is

Engaging and consulting with local residents to find out what they want and need from us is a top priority at Whitsunday Regional Council.

One way we are facilitating this is through a series of Community Catch-ups, which will take place across the region over the next few months. These catch-ups will help us to better connect with our smaller communities, build relationships, share information and gather feedback on local issues. Upcoming catch-ups are planned for Gloucester, Gumlu / Cape Upstart, Collinsville, Conway, Scottville, Shute Harbour and Mt Coolon.

Stay tuned for upcoming consultation to inform our Community Engagement Strategy, that will seek to understand consultation needs, interests and priorities for enhancing our consultation practices with residents in the Whitsunday region into the future.

Visit our Online Engagement Portal, Your Say Whitsunday, for more information on upcoming Community Catch-ups and share your ideas for discussion topics relevant to your community - https://bit.ly/Communitycatch-ups

Have a great week!

YOUR LOCAL SCRAP METAL RECYCLERS IN THE

it a task or person? Identify one thing you can do this week to address the pressure. Start small first, then see if you can work up to bigger actions.

• Stop working harder to overcompensate: Step back and identify the easiest things you can do which will have the biggest impacts – work smarter.

• Step back into your values: Ensure what you do, aligns with what you believe in.

• Seek help: Holding it in can worsen the effects of burnout. Identify a trusted supervisor or friend and speak to them about what you’re experiencing. Sometimes simply talking about your feelings can offer relief.

• Set boundaries: Burnout can be overwhelming, so as you’re getting back on track set boundaries and commit to saying ‘no’.

• Find joy in everyday things you do: It might be helping a colleague, a good coffee in the sun, a podcast on a walk, planting sunflowers in your garden, or a regular catch up with a friend.

• Turn off: Put down the tech and limit your exposure wherever possible, screens can drain huge amounts of your time and energy.

• Ask for feedback: Tell your manager you thrive with positive feedback.

• Take care of your health: Sleeping, eating, and exercising well are important for mental and physical wellbeing. In times of stress, it can be harder to keep these healthy habits but not tending to your health can compound the original stress and hold you back from recovering.

Contributed with thanks to Judy Porter from SHIIFT

Ask A Financial Planner

Interest rates have destroyed my budget

Home loan interest rates have risen from around 1.5% to 6% in less than a year. This has increased monthly home loan repayments by 60%. On a modest $500,000, 25 year home loan the repayments have gone from $2,000 per month to over $3,200. Lots of people and especially those in capital cities owe way more than $500,000.

Home loan repayments are taking more and more of the average working person’s income and it’s not going to get better anytime soon. This is not interest rates going from average to high, this is interest rates going from ultra-low back to average.

At Eclipse, we have never seen this level of enquiry about budgeting advice. Where we might have had one enquiry on this topic every couple of months, we’re now getting several enquiries every week.

Meet The Superior Re-Surfacing Specialists

Maintaining your home in the harsh Whitsunday climate can be a challenge. Do you have cracks in your concrete? Has your paintwork faded? Is mould a problem? Could your home do with a touch-up?

If so, it’s time to enlist the skills of Jonathan and Kathryn Pourau, who operate Superior House Painting Specialists and Superior Concrete Resurfacing.

Jonathan has over 25 years of experience in the industry, 13 years living in the Whitsundays.

He has completed Advanced Training with Dulux, Master Painters and Master Builders, waterproofing and rendering completes his skill set.

Kathryn is the Business Administration Manager and has 20 years of experience working in health and safety for construction.

Using only the best quality Dulux Acrylic Render, they can ensure cracks are given a long-lasting water-proof seal and weath-

er-enduring finish.

The most important part of any job, however, is following the three fundamental steps of preparation, application and finish.

“Our systems are designed to deliver a great result and finish that will last for years,” said Jonathan.

“Preparation is crucial. Shortcuts are a waste of time and money and will lead to failures such as cracking, fading or discolouration, peeling and flaking or mould.

Initial steps include carrying out repair work such as cut and fill as applicable.

“Acid etching and pressure cleaning creates greater adhesion for external surfaces. Further surface preparation includes priming, undercoating and sealing.

“Engage a licensed and qualified tradesperson. Get value for your money. Dulux, Master Painters or Master Builders will recommend a competent and trained applicator to you, free of charge.”

Unfortunately we can’t help most of the people phoning up. You see the majority of them think that we can wave some magic wand and suddenly make their income more than their spending. They aren’t prepared to do the hard work in analyzing their historical spending patterns and then the harder work in actually changing those spending habits. They think a Financial Planner can provide a quick fix to one of the toughest challenges in the finance, just as tough as the challenge to lose weight is personally.

The first step is in working out your real, historical spending patterns. It’s about going back through your bank and credit card statements over at least two months and actually categorizing each and every

transaction. I did this whilst I had COVid over Christmas on my own family spending and it took me around 28 hours over a week.

At Eclipse, we used to offer packages where we would do the work in analyzing and categorizing previous spending. When someone else does the work, it doesn’t mean anything. If you haven’t taken the time to work through the transactions one by one, the result doesn’t resonate. The bottom line is, just like getting fitter and losing weight, you can’t contract out the hard work, you need to do it yourself. We have some handy spreadsheets that help categorize and record your spending but just like losing weight, budgeting is hard work and only you can do it.

If you’d like an obligation free review of your financial situation, call us for an appointment today.

Managing Director of Eclipse Financial Services Justin Butler who is happy to answer any financial questions you have in his monthly column

Jonathan and Kathryn Pourau, operate Superior House Painting Specialists and Superior Concrete Resurfacing.

Photo credit: Rachael Smith

more than just Fish & Chips

One of Australia’s biggest breakfast shows spent a day on the shores of the Whitsundays’ far north to promote the region last week through its daily weather broadcast.

The TODAY Show’s weather presenter Tim Davies introduced national audiences to Bowen and its variety of experiences on Thursday.

The top of the Whitsundays went all out in its television spotlight, having Mr Davies drop in at some iconic spots including Rose Bay and The Big Mango, and some lesser-known locales.

The TODAY Show journalist stopped by Stackelroth Farms for a beekeeping lesson courtesy of Bowen Police Sergeant Michelle O’Regan, local business Smile Kitesurf took Mr Davies out on the water to showcase their tours and kitesurfing adventures, and Bowen State School kids and Principal Christien Payne came along later, as well as their school mascot – Kindawri.

And he wasn’t the only mascot, Bowen Tourism and Business’ Kenny the Kensing-

ton Pride Mango made a guest appearance alongside Manager Leanne Abernathy and Committee Chair Jenn Honnery at The Big Mango Visitor Information Centre.

Ms Abernathy and Ms Honory put the spotlight on Bowen’s most famous commodity, decking Tim out with some mango socks, a hat, and a fishing shirt – which he gladly put on for the segment.

“It was a little blowy as Bowen is famous for on the day that the TODAY Show came, but the community turnout just made such a fantastic atmosphere for Tim and the crew,” Ms Honnery said.

“We could show them how much we love Bowen and the feedback so far is it was a fantastic snapshot of what people can expect when they come here to visit.”

TODAY Show was already visiting the Whitsundays as part of a Wonders of the Whitsundays campaign to showcase the region, which Bowen Tourism and Business contributed financially to see the region have its own “morning on air”. Mr Davies said it was another opportuni-

TODAY show weather presenter Tim stopped in Bowen for a full day of activities to broadcast the Whitsundays’ far north across the country in its daily weather segment last week

ty in his career to show off operators and spend another occasion at the Big Mango.

“Everyone knows the Big Mango, I’ve been there many times and I looked up on my phone all the different occasions I’ve been there and all the haircuts and all the different people I’ve been there with,” Mr Davies said.

“It’s one of those landmarks that is very recognisable. Bowen is such a massive producer of tomatoes, capsicums, and that honey, and if we can highlight that to the

nation, even if they’re passing through, it’s a pin drop in their brain. If from memory they can say, ‘I think you can go and do this in Bowen’, that’s job done for us.

“That is so important to have in an Australian breakfast program, that’s the real DNA of our segment. I love the Whitsundays – it’s my happy place.”

The TODAY Show weather report featuring Bowen aired on Thursday, February 17.

The TODAY Show were hosted by Bowen Tourism and Business as well as local companies

Kenny the Kensington fishing alongside some Bowen locals and Mr Davies

‘Tis The Season To Be Cuttin’ And Bikin’

As the Whitsundays slowly moves into its cooler months, locals are getting ready to start growing, especially in the horticultural hub of Bowen.

Scott Raisbeck at Bowen Small Motors and Cycles said he was expecting major interest in his store’s products during what is the “biggest season of the year for all things garden equipment”.

“Next season of growing, that’s going to be big for outdoor power equipment, blowers, snippers, mowers, and everything we’ve got,” Scott said.

“What we always see around this time of year is a massive increase in the demand for these products, and rightfully so; it’s all about growing and gardening at this time of year.”

But Bowen Small Motors and Cycles doesn’t just cover the entire stock rangeincluding Hustler, Stihl, Hansa, Bushranger, Honda, and more – it also repairs all outdoor power equipment, a demand which has seen Scott hire some new staff.

Entry Signs Spruced-Up

“With more staff now, we’re able to deal with the oncoming demand,” he said.

“It’s obvious how a few extra hands around the place can help you with turnaround time with repairs and keep the customers happy, as well as us ticking along.”

Scott said that, despite the cooling down, residents needed to be wary of cyclone season’s capacity to rear its ugly head in March.

“Staying on top of your generators in case we get a cyclone coming through in that part of the year– which still occurs,” he said.

“Those generators might need some looking into and certainly might need replacing.”

And despite the gloom of potential weather events, the Bowen Small Motors and Cycles owner was eager to remember that cooler weather is the perfect time to get out on your bike – another service that the all-in-one shop stop was more than happy to oblige with.

Bowen’s entry statement signs were refurbished last week after being in disrepair for just over a year, allowing them to showcase the region’s far north once again to prospective tourists.

The “invaluable” signs are dotted along the Bruce Highway outside of Bowen in various locations including next door to the Bowen Visitor Information Centre and were re-skinned by Whitsunday Regional Council last week.

The entry signs had been graffitied in late 2021 and an attempted removal process of the graffiti had damaged the skin, leaving them white and blistered.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall said the signs’ purpose was to encourage people to come into the town off the highway, which is why they are perfectly

positioned to showcase the township of Bowen.

“They entice people to call in and visit what is a beautiful part of the Whitsundays and my home,” Mayor Hall said.

“It makes the entry into Bowen look a lot nicer now that those faded signs have been re-done and it doubles as being great for our tourism for drivers coming down or up the highway.”

Mayor Hall said the new replacements highlighted why locals have a sense of pride in what Bowen has to offer and that the council “is more than happy to be keeping the residents happy!”

The Bowen Entry Signs were renewed as part of the Parks and Gardens Assets Renewal Program for 2023.

Bowen Small Motors’ Stephen Firth testing out one of the business’ mowers ahead of the cooler Whitsunday weather

New Bowen entry statement signs were installed last week, courtesy of Whitsunday Regional Council

Whitsunday Transit has been a proud member of the local Whitsunday and Proserpine Community for the past 25 years. With the help of our dedicated staff and the support of our local families, we have reached this important milestone.

As a company, we are committed to providing our community with safe, reliable, and environmentally-friendly transportation options. We are excited to announce the recent addition of two new high-tech low-emission vehicles that are capable of running on bio-fuel, which will enable us to continue serving our community for the next 25 years and beyond.

We would like to express our gratitude to the Whitsundays for their unwavering support and look forward to continuing to serve our community for many years to come.

Hope to see you on board soon.

PROUDLY CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY FOR 25 YEARS

Whitsunday Transit 25 Years Connecting The Community

Celebrating a quarter-century milestone this week, multi-generational family business Whitsunday Transit, is an intrinsic part of the community –operating dozens of public bus runs, ferrying 2000 children to school each day and carrying 80,000 passengers to and from Whitsunday Coast Airport every year.

With a fleet of 47 buses, operated by a team of 60 dedicated staff across two busy depots, the company has progressed from humble beginnings thanks to the vision of its founder, Colin Crossley who established Whitsunday Transit in 1998.

Already a reputable name in Australia’s bus industry, Colin had been keeping an eye on The Whitsundays, scoping out potential runs on annual family holidays from Sydney to Bowen.

Eventually, the stars aligned and after selling his southern businesses he was able to purchase first Sampson’s, then Daley’s, and finally Butterworth’s bus services, encom-

passing Cannonvale, Proserpine and Kelsey Creek, and combining them all into ‘Whitsunday Transit’.

Colin started with 17 buses and, eager to hit the ground running, he quickly showed his ambition to provide a first-class service by completely overhauling the timetable.

Before long, Whitsunday Transit had the highest frequency passenger service outside a capital city, with an efficient timetable that included a late-night run to ensure patrons could get home from popular watering holes. Within three years, Colin was joined in these endeavours by his son Darren, who relocated to The Whitsundays from Sydney in 2001. Then, three years ago the Whitsunday Transit legacy continued onto the next generation with Darren’s son Jackson following in his forefathers' footsteps and joining the team.

HUGE RANGE of School Shoes

34 Years servicing locals

Shoe Specialist

For all your needs in dress, casual, work, sports, deck shoes, thongs & sport sandals

Whitsunday Transit employ a team of 60 staff across their two depots. Photo credit: Sharon Smallwood

Investing in the future: one of the new $500,000 buses to join the fleet.

Photo: Riptide Creative

A Pioneering Fleet

Marking their 25-year milestone by welcoming two new $500,000 buses to the fleet, Whitsunday Transit are proud to be delivering modern, low-emission, bio-fuel-capable buses for the comfort of the community and the welfare of the environment.

The buses are made in Queensland and their high-tech capabilities are the equivalent of city buses, a first for our regional area. Always endeavouring to lead the way in transport options, this is not the first time that Whitsunday Transit has modernised its fleet. Back in the 90s, they introduced some ultra-low-floor, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, which were the most advanced on the market at the time.

The decision saw them win ‘Bus of the Year’ at Australia’s premier bus and coach industry event in 1998, earning the company the accolade of providing the highest accessibility level of any operator in Queensland.

Whitsunday Transit attracted state-wide attention once again when the Queensland Government recognised their investments and commitment by awarding them with the only commercial contract for passen-

ger services in a population of less than 7,500 people.

The contract paved the way for the company to continue servicing the region’s flights, rail connections, school children and local commuters and was testament to Whitsunday Transit’s dedication to service in meeting every single flight to arrive at Whitsunday Coast Airport since 1998, even when it was not profitable to do so.

“When Ansett dropped out it was costing me over $100,000 a year to support the airport and it was the same with the rail service –if the train came in at 3am there was a bus there to meet it even if there was no one on it,” said Colin.

“I believe in doing things properly or not at all, and cutting costs isn’t always the way to the future.”

Whitsunday Transit continues to invest in many aspects of the community it serves, supporting events such as the New Year’s Eve Fireworks, sporting groups and local charities.

They believe in providing the best service and take their integral role within the community as an honour, privilege and responsibility.

A Proud Family Legacy

It’s a proud moment when you see your family business pass through the generations, and that is something Whitsunday Transit is now experiencing with Darren Crossley taking the helm.

Initially, when Darren asked his dad Colin for a job in the family business 22 years ago, he was told the answer was no.

Undeterred, he not only completed an apprenticeship as a heavy vehicle mechanic but went on to make a name for himself in the bus industry independently.

Eventually, Darren managed to persuade Colin to give him a job but was told that he would need to “start again from the bottom up, sweeping floors and driving buses until Dad wanted to step down”.

Proving himself, year after year, there came a day when Darren told his father: “there can’t be two bosses”.

“I hadn’t even finished the sentence before the wheels were spinning in the carpark and Dad leapt into semi-retirement,” he recalls.

Raising his own son within the comfortable folds of the family business, Darren has been pleased to see, Jackson, take an interest in working and progressing within Whitsunday Transit.

Spending many school holidays doing work experience at the depot, Jackson went on to complete his apprenticeship as a heavy vehicle mechanic at the tender age of 19.

He is now in the process of obtaining his Driver’s Authority and says he has clear aspirations to continue forging the family path, hoping one day he’ll have the same conversation his dad and grandad had.

Only this time the wheels spinning in the carpark will be Darren’s.

and grandson Jackson. Photo credit: Sharon Smallwood

“Enjoy The Ride”

With a “face that everyone knows”, kind-hearted and charismatic Whitsunday Transit bus driver, Peter Kaden, says he’s the luckiest man alive and can’t believe he gets paid for driving around our beautiful region.

Part of the team since the beginning, Peter has been working for Whitsunday Transit for the past 23 years, watching both the town he services, and the thriving local bus business grow during that time.

From new buses regularly joining the fleet to the introduction of modern computer systems, a lot has changed in his time, but the one thing that has remained the same is Whitsunday Transit’s focus on community and providing a family atmosphere for all their staff.

Peter is a carer for his wife who has Multiple Sclerosis, and during the day he looks after her needs before heading out to do the night shift.

“They have always been very supportive of me and my wife,” said Peter.

“They are the sort of business that cares for their staff –and I always like to be treated the way I treat others – so we are both the same in that way.”

Growing up in the outback, Peter lived on stations with his family. His dad put up a lot of boundary lines on big properties so they would often move, throughout areas spanning South Australia, West Australia and the Northern Territory.

“I remember a town of 400 people would seem like a city to us back then!” he laughs.

Pursuing a variety of careers, Peter has been everything from a shipwright to a boiler maker, but says his true love is people.

“I love the people! I love interacting with people!” he said.

“And this is a great place to live and work, it’s just magical – it’s hard to believe I get paid for what I do!”

Renowned for his eclectic music collection, Peter takes any request and plays almost any song on his bus . . . as long as it’s Country!

“One day a young girl came up to me and asked if I could play Johnny Cash – I couldn’t even believe she knew who he was!” he said.

A good Samaritan at heart, Peter has also come to the rescue of his passengers several times over the years.

From ensuring girls get home safely after dark to the one time when he and his wife provided a stranded backpacker with a place to stay for the night.

“I dropped her off at Whitsunday Plaza when it was pouring with rain,” he recalls.

“When I came back on the next run round, she was still there, and she was crying.”

Peter asked if she was ok, and the young girl explained she had received a message saying her accommodation had been cancelled and she couldn’t find anywhere elsewhere to stay.

Thinking on his feet, Peter called four Irish backpackers that he knew, hoping that they might have a place for her to sleep the night.

When they were unable to look after her, he volunteered the spare room at his house for the night.

Every passenger is important to Peter and each bus trip is more than just a job - it is a service to the community.

You can catch Peter running the bus route from Whitsunday Plaza to Shute Harbour on a weekend afternoon, and from Whitsunday Plaza to Airlie Beach town centre most evenings.

The “face that everyone knows”, Peter Kaden, bus driver with Whitsunday Transit for 25 years. Photo credit: Sharon Smallwood

Girl Under The Bonnet

At just 19 years old, Lara Hadlow, is a third-year heavy vehicle diesel mechanic apprentice at Whitsunday Transit, working on everything from engine refits to servicing and basic maintenance of the 47 buses in the fleet.

Embarking on the apprenticeship straight after school, Lara has grown up in the area and previously attended St Catherine’s Catholic College where she was the School Sports Captain in her final year.

Delivering Precious Cargo

There is nothing more precious than the safe delivery of children to our local schools, and that is a responsibility that Whitsunday Transit takes very seriously when they transport over 2000 children each day to schools across the region.

Safely navigating 26 different runs, the local roads are often full of efficiently moving, perfectly scheduled buses transporting excited children to and from school twice a day.

Nathan Ryan is one of the everyday heroes who drives children to St Catherine’s Catholic College in Proserpine.

A truck driver by trade, Nathan decided to become a bus driver when he moved back to the area last year.

A born and bred local, Nathan moved to Brisbane when he was 30 and has just returned with his wife and three of his four children. His oldest child opted to stay in Brisbane for work.

With three children at local schools, Nathan understands the importance of ensuring every child gets home safely and has a pleasurable experience on the bus. Part crowd control, part disciplinarian

and full-time driver, Nathan says his role is lively, entertaining and much more interesting than driving trucks.

The staff at St Catherine’s Catholic College appreciate all the bus drivers and value the service immensely.

St Catherine’s Catholic College Principal, Luke Thomson, said that without Whitsunday Transit, the world would be a very different place for thousands of school children and families around The Whitsundays.

“In a region like ours the team at Whitsunday Transit not only removes the tyranny of distance and makes education more accessible, but they do it with care,” Mr Thomson said.

“They understand what it is to be a local because they are locals themselves –they’re entrenched in the community and as a result, they support many community organisations including ours.

“They also work flexibly where and when they have to – whenever there’s a traffic or weather event their staff go above and beyond to get our children home, bending over backwards to minimise the effects on the community.”

Considering a degree in Engineering, Lara decided instead that she wanted to pursue a career that she loved and, growing up on a farm, she was often underneath the bonnet of a tractor fixing an engine with her dad.

“I’ve always loved working with vehicles and machinery,” she said.

Lara is the only female in the team of eight heavy vehicle mechanics, but she says that doesn’t worry her.

“It’s not too bad being the only girl,” she said.

“They are all really good blokes and very supportive.”

Lara’s passion for vehicles is not restricted to working on engines, it also extends to driving, racing and competing with go-karts and cars.

She is a member of the Whitsunday Motor Sports Club and has won a North Queensland Championship as well as some local Club Championships.

“You don’t get to see many girls doing what I do, but I think it would be good to see more get involved – it is really fun!” she said.

19 year old Lara Hadlow is a third year apprentice heavy vehicle diesel mechanic at Whitsunday Transit

Whitsunday Transit bus driver, Nathan Ryan, with some St Catherine’s Catholic College students. Photo credit: Declan Durrant

Friday 24th Feb

• The Pub: Acoustic Sessions, Andy Mammers (7-10pm)

• Paradiso: Nick DeGregario (7-10pm)

• Grandview Hotel, Bowen: Rebelquin (from 8pm)

• KC’s: Aaron Saxon (8pm-late)

• Hotel Metropole: Live Entertainment (8pm-late)

Saturday 25th Feb

• The Pub: Songs of Jack Johnson (25.30pm)

• The Pub: Acoustic Sessions, Andy Mammers (7-10pm)

• Paradiso: Tasman (7-10pm)

• KC’s: Shaun Diver (8pm-late)

• Hotel Metropole: Live Entertainment (8pm-late)

Sunday 26th Feb

• Paradiso: Aaron Saxon (1-4pm)

• The Pub: Boys of Summer (2-5.30pm)

• The Pub: Acoustic Sessions, Lloyd Saunders (7-10pm)

• KC’s: Aaron Saxon (8pm-late)

Monday 27th Feb

• KC’s: Sam McCann (8pm-late)

Tuesday 28th Feb

• KC’s: Erin Reus (8pm-late)

Wednesday 1st Mar

• KC’s: live music (8pm-late)

Thursday 2nd Mar

• Paradiso: Aaron Saxon (6.30-9.30pm)

• The Pub: Acoustic Sessions, Chris Booroff (6.30-10pm)

• KC’s: Erin Reus (8pm-late)

The Banshees of Inisherin

Coastline cliffs with a wine-dark sea below, long fields of warn-green, windswept grass, desolate and marked only by some lonesome cottage and a grey, etherised sky. Quaint people and quaint villages, cut off from the main and the problems of life.

This storybook ideal of early 20th century Ireland, Martin McDonagh’s newest film The Banshees of Inisherin tells us, is a lie.

On the remote island of Inisherin, Pádraic Súlleabháin (Colin Farrell) is devastated when his buddy, Colm Doherty (Brendan Gleeson), suddenly ends their lifelong friendship. It echoes what’s happening on the mainland, where Ireland is not doing so well – it is raging in Civil War, and those drumbeat sounds of distant cannons and brother fighting brother can be heard from across the sea in little Inisherin.

That is the simplest layer of McDonagh’s film, an allegorically dense work that balances tragedy and comedy only as a playwright could; it is outrageously funny in its pure absurdity, yet desperately plaintive. That humour derives from McDonagh’s stylistic choices as a director and his abilities as a writer, and those sadder

WHAT'S ON

February

24 Tastes of the Top Shelf Dinner at Whisper Restaurant (ticketed event) March

1 Kinder Gym at Bowen PCYC (Mon & Wed)

1 Cape Gloucester Community CatchUp at Dingo Beach Comm Centre

4 Race Day at Ben Bolt Park, Bowen

4 Disney Sing-Along: Encanto at PEC Cinema

6 Kinder Gym at Bowen PCYC (Mon &

MOVIES: ALL SCREENINGS ARE IN 2D UNLESS SPECIFIED. EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF 7.1 SURROUND SOUND ON SELECTED MOVIES.

notes present sides to a truer story of a place trying to leave the shadow of colonialism – but one that might miss the point with its simpler caricatures of Irish people.

In James Joyce’s Ulysses, Stephen Dedalus remarks of a damaged mirror: “It is a symbol of Irish art. The cracked lookingglass of a servant.” For Irishman, their art was often doomed to one reading: a reflection of the outside reader – a non-Irish person - only worse because they believe Irish art to be broken in nature because they believe the Irish are broken in nature.

A century on from Ulysses, we still point at the warn-green grass, the simple, peas-

ant Irishman drunkard, and we laugh. Dublin isn’t a cosmopolitan city, no – we don’t see the real Ireland; we diminish Ireland.

Despite the diminishment, The Banshees of Inisherin is an immensely enjoyable film. It alights on dreadful, tragic feelings, whilst composing an Irish Civil War story with humour and pathos which brings its audience into a contemplative mood – “do I understand Ireland better? Perhaps. Do I want to know more? Certainly.”

The Banshees of Inisherin is showing this weekend at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema

Review by Declan Durrant

Wed)

7 Sailability Whitsundays from 9am at Whitsunday Sailing Club

8 Bowen Zonta Club’s International Women’s Day at the Grand View Hotel from 5pm

10 Conversations with Spirits (Chantal Miranda) at PEC

11 Ocean Film Festival: World Tour showing at PEC

12 Disney Sing-Along: Moana showing at PEC Cinema

12-20 Antman & The Wasp showing at PEC Cinema

12-20 Magic Mike’s Last Dance showing at PEC Cinema

16 Zonta meeting every 3rd Thursday 6-9pm at VMR

18 Aussie Pub Komedy Tour at Original North Australian (ticketed event)

18 Disney Sing-Along: The Lion King showing at PEC Cinema

19 Lior & Domini: Animal In Hiding performing at PEC

Action/Adventure/Comedy Super-Hero partners Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Janet van Dyne and Hank Pym, and Scott’s daughter Cassie Lang, the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible.

“ANT-MAN & THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA” (M) 125 mins

Stars: Paul Rudd, vangeline Lilly, Kathryn Newton

“MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE” (MA) 152 mins

Comedy/Drama After a long hiatus, “Magic” Mike takes to the stage again following a business deal that went bust, leaving him broke. For what he hopes will be one last hurrah, Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite who lures him with an offer he can’t refuse... and an agenda all her own. With everything on the line, will he be able to pull it off? Stars: Channing Tatum, Salma Hayek Pinault, Caitlin Gerard

“THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN” (MA) 114 mins

Comedy/Drama

Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. Stars: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon

“A MAN CALLED OTTO” (PG) 126 mins

Comedy/Drama

Otto is a grump who’s given up on life following the loss of his wife and wants to end it all. When a young family moves in nearby, he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol, leading to a friendship that will turn his world around. tars: Tom Hanks, Rachel Keller, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo

The Banshees of Inisherin is an exceptional piece of cinema, but does it diminish the Irish?

Gimme, gimme, gimme that synth and soprano coming to The Airlie Beach Hotel in mid-March – I can hear the distant drums and bugle sounds closing in on the Bar-Top Stage.

SOS - A Tribute to the Songs of ABBA arrives in the Whitsundays, bringing Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha, and Freda back to town and ‘As Good As New’ in a perfect recreation of the iconic ‘70s band.

The Airlie Beach Hotel has become a perfect sojourn for this group of super-fans of the Swedish super-group, who for years has been leading a double life: by day, they’re mild-mannered Australian musicians, but by night, they’re crazy ABBA fans.

The Melbourne-based band came together

to obsessively re-create the sound, music, and look of the Swedish pop sensation they loved so dearly. Now, they walk out on stage, leaving behind their everyday lives and transforming into rock stars at The Australian ABBA Tribute Show.

Armed to the teeth with fantastic costumes, incredible vocal talents, animated ABBA dance moves, and Swedish accents, the SOS Tribute to ABBA show is back and better than ever.

Sam Bennet, who fills the shoes and takes up the pick as SOS’s Bjorn, said that audiences in the Whitsundays had given them a huge reception when they were last at The Pub in August and were hoping for even better this time out.

“We’re so excited to be back; it was so in-

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing For A Day At The Pub

“You win, it’s your show now. So what’s it gonna be?” – The Airlie Beach Hotel has handed over the reins, they’ve turned it ‘Upside Down’ and given their patrons what they’ve been asking for: A day of beachy, Hawaiian rock in a Jack Johnson-themed double event.

A cobbled-together band comprising members of California Kings and the Smashed Crabs Gold Coast – both Australian tribute show royalty – are coming ‘From Here To Now To You’ at The Pub this weekend on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, they’ll drop in with some tunes from Jack Johnson – ‘Better Together,’ ‘Banana Pancakes’, ‘Upside Down’, and more classics – then some iconic, reggae-flavored tunes. And they’re being joined by local legend Aaron Saxon who’ll be putting the beach in Airlie Beach.

The Centre-Dining Stage will be dressed up in Island Theme, alongside the whole venue, and pubgoers can don their Hawaiian shirts and shorts and party Whitsunday style – they’ll even get a free lei on arrival (a traditional Hawaiian flower necklace).

Once they’ve gone ‘On And On’ and worked their way through Johnson’s catalogue of acoustic works, the day will conclude with hits from artists like Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, and 10cc.

Then on Sunday, the collaborative band will return as Boys of Summer – a fresh, surfy Sunday Session Beach Party playing all the favourite summer festival songs from artists like Ben Harper, Xavier Rudd, Donovan Frankenreiter, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, John Butler Trio, and more.

It’s ‘Times Like These’ at The Pub that we’re all ‘Sitting, Waiting Wishing’ for – so drop in tomorrow and Sunday for this free show.

WHAT: The Songs of Jack Johnson Plus Reggae Flavoured Classics, and Boys of Summer

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, February 25 and 26, from 2.00pm to 5.30pm

WHERE: Airlie Beach Hotel

credible and amazing last time,” Sam said.

“We’re excited to be giving people that feeling of seeing ABBA live because you can tell how much it means to people – there’s always a song in the set where there’s a twinkle in their eye that they’re remembering a moment in their life.

“Whether that be heartbreak or love, it’s a real honor to perform that music.”

Sam said the group doesn’t just perform to emulate the records, they match the energy that audiences saw when ABBA played at Wembley or the Sydney Mine Music Bowl.

“We match that energy and the arrangements we use are often based on those live performances rather than the records,” Sam said.

“The one thing we try and do is give the audience an experience of what ABBA was in the 70s and 80s.”

Patrons at The Airlie Beach Hotel are in for two free shows (that’s right! For absolutely no Money, Money, Money): one on Saturday, March 11, and (Mama Mia, here we go again) another on Sunday, March 12, when SOS take the Bar Top stage again. Put On Your White Sombrero for their afternoon shows from 2.00pm to 5.30pm!

WHAT: SOS – The Australian ABBA Tribute Show

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, March 11 and 12, from 2.00pm to 5.30pm both days WHERE: The Airlie Beach Hotel

Women’s Day Luncheon At Coral Sea Marina Resort

Attendees are asked to “expect the unexpected” at this year’s International Women’s Day lunch hosted by the Zonta Club of the Whitsundays and held at Coral Sea Marina Resort.

The theme of the day is ‘Cracking the Code’ and the dress style is ‘Rainbow’.

All women are invited to be colourful and creative with their outfit choices, the more vibrant and dazzling the better for your chance to win a prize for best dressed.

“Zonta has the reputation of holding fabulous events and we are hoping this will be as good if not better than our past performances,” said Marlene Reiffel from Zonta.

“Coral Sea Marina Resort, as you know, is a fabulous venue.”

This year’s guest speaker is Dr Kerry Reid-Searl AM who is an engaging presenter and Emeritus Professor.

As always, there will be a range of opportunities to win prizes and donate money – from the lucky door prize to rolling raf-

fles, a major auction and the popular silent auction.

Melinda Butcher from Taylors Property Specialists is the auctioneer on the day and she will provide a lively commentary on all the action.

Zonta would like to thank all the local businesses for their kind donations. Another highlight of the day is a delightful dining experience with a two-course meal included in the ticket price, as well as a glass of champagne on arrival. There will also be live entertainment and the room will be decorated in the over-arching rainbow theme.

WHAT: Zonta Club of the Whitsundays, International Women’s Day

WHERE: Coral Sea Marina Resort

WHEN: Saturday, March 4 from 10am TICKETS: $89 from whitsundaytickets. com.au

The Airlie Beach Hotel is bringing back one of its most popular shows, SOS – The Australian ABBA Tribute Show in late March

Make sure to “bring your Chiquititas” for the show at The Pub!

They

faithfully recreate not just the sound, but the look and theatrics of the Swedish super-group

The Airlie Beach Hotel has heard your requests and is hosting a beachy Jack Johnson-themed double event this weekend

St Cath’s Celebrates Leaders, Scholarships And Service

Last Friday was a celebration of many roles and accolades within the St Catherine’s Catholic College community.

Year 12s were inducted into their leadership roles and the school also celebrated their Year 11 and 12 QATSIF (The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation) scholarship recipients.

During the event, the combined 50 years of service of Mr and Mrs McIntosh to Catholic Education, was recognised.

Principal Luke Thomson said the theme of the event this year was “Do good today and better tomorrow”.

“In line with our Ignatian College value of excellence we encourage our students to always do better and take opportunities presented to them,” he said.

Flora was the daughter of Danish migrant, James Christian Nielson, who settled in Proserpine in 1896 after working and travelling far and wide in Australia for seventeen years. He took up Springsure Farm, seventy-nine acres of light forest land in Glen Isla, becoming one of the most successful farmers in the district growing sugar cane and tobacco. (In 1921, James sold the farm to H M Clarke).

Flora was one of seven children – three sons and four daughters. When she was about five or six years old, a tragic accident occurred. Her brothers were cutting off bits of fencing wire with a tomahawk, putting the wire on a log as they hit it. Flora was holding one end as the chop was made and a bit of wire flew up into the little girl’s eye. There were no doctors in town at this time so they quickly got a horse into a springcart and set off for Bowen – a trip that would take many valuable hours. Taking such a long time to reach Bowen, an infection had already set in to the damaged eye and then spread to the other eye. Doctors tried to save the sight but it was too late.

To provide his daughter with an opportu-

nity to acquire an education despite her disability, James enrolled her at the blind school in Brisbane. Flora made the journey to Brisbane by boat and it was there that she learnt braille.

In 1913, Flora was part of a band, unique in North Queensland, which was comprised mostly of members of the Nielson family. Charlie was the original conductor, Jim the E flat base; Edith the euphonium; Percy the tenor horn; Violet the second cornet – and Flora the first cornet. Flora memorised all her music from braille. Other band members were Eileen and Mick McCormack and Wally Greenwood. Percy, one of the sons, was tragically drowned during floods in 1921.

Flora’s musical talent was quite amazing. One old timer of the past recalled the silent movie era and how Flora would play music for the films. Her brother would sit beside her and explain what was on the screen and Flora would play suitable background music. What a talent.

In a letter to the “Proserpine Guardian” in February 1973, Mrs Olive Clarke (nee McCormack) wrote of this amazing blind lady who accomplished what even many sighted people would struggle to manage

– “Flora was a wonderful person. She did beautiful fancywork; darned socks and made her own frocks. My brother, Joe, and I would often go across to our neighbours, the Nielsons. She really could make that piano talk.”

While it is not certain when Flora died, it was believed to have been in the early 1980s and she was most likely in her seventies.

Thanks to the foresight of her father, James, who was determined that Flora would achieve an education despite her blindness and who arranged for her to make what was, in the very early twentieth century, a long and arduous journey to Brisbane, Flora was able to live a full and productive life upon her return

home. Her musical talent brought great joy to her community.

A remarkable lady indeed.

(Postscript: Flora’s surname has often been incorrectly spelt as “Nielsen” even in the local paper and also on Council’s cemetery register, however, the family headstone records the surname of her father, Charles, and brother, Percy, as “Nielson”. This Nielson is not to be confused with the Nielsen family of pioneers Peter and Christian who migrated from Copenhagen, Denmark.)

Story Proserpine Historical Museum. Photo sourced from “Don’t spare the horses” by Beris Broderick.

Primary and Secondary House Leaders: Back: Kai Telford (Frayne House), Kendall Croucher-Greentree (McAuley House), Toby Neil (Ignatius House), Jacob Dewis (Xavier House). Front: Sienna Stagg and Hamish Peel (Frayne House), Austin Kelly and Kaydance Croucher (McAuley House), Heidi Hiscox and Oliver Linneweber (Ignatius House), Reilly Gordon and Jamar Tabua (absent) (Xavier House).

College Leaders: Teagan Rodriquez and Loujana van Dalen

Yr 11 QATSIF recipients: Tia Browning, Brooklyn Power, Jack Kimlin.

Secondary Teacher Mrs Sue McIntosh and Deputy Principal Secondary Mr Phil McIntosh. Photos supplied

Flora Nielson seated third from left and holding her cornet

The Busy Bee Catches The Honey

The lovingly curated garden of retired local PJ Tell is a hive of activity with chickens strutting in the pens, a veggie patch boasting passion fruit and turmeric, and at its heart, a thriving bee house where gallons of delicious honey is produced each year.

Originally from Switzerland, PJ grew up on a farm and first started beekeeping at 16 years old. Once he left home a few years later, however, he did not pursue the hobby again until almost six years ago when he was looking for “something to do” in retirement.

It was just after Cyclone Debbie in 2017 when he decided to construct a bee house and trial some innovative processes which have since generated a successful and lucrative side hustle.

Bringing the bee house up off the ground prevents dampness and instead of individual houses, PJ has encased them within one wooden shed where seven bee houses reside.

Traditionally there are three levels to each bee house – the bottom where the queen bee lives and lays eggs, the second floor where brood, propolis (a resin-like material made by bees) and wax reside, then a third floor full of honey.

Due to the hive’s popularity, however, PJ

has had to install a fourth level which holds additional honey.

Every two months he checks the hive and, if the honey is capped with wax, he removes the frames, cracks open the amber nectar with a spiked roller and places it in a centrifugal machine which extracts the honey.

PJ can expect to retrieve between 12 and 20 kilograms of honey per hive every two months, up to 80 kilograms per hive each year –that’s 560 kilograms in total every year!

Known as the local ‘Bee Rescuer’, PJ’s services are often sought to extract bees from houses, and his special vacuum removes them safely every time.

He then implants the bees into his second beekeeping project - his bee trailer - which contains 16 beehives.

Art Lives In Memories

Whitsunday local and self-professed ‘Covid-story’, Mary Ann Santin, represents just one of the many cultural additions to the community which has seen our local arts industry continue to flourish in recent years.

Originally from Adelaide, Mary Ann has been a full-time working artist since 2010, with many of her pieces adorning walls, galleries and exhibitions across the world. Practising in paint and object, Mary Ann is a multi-disciplinary artist who enjoys creating sculptures, drawings and paintings with the forever-running theme of ‘Memories’.

Drawing from her own experiences of loss, widowhood and her ten years writing for the Alzheimer’s Association, she reflects on themes of impermanence.

“My material is constantly changing but

my themes always surround ideas of loss; life has value precisely because it is transient and impermanent,” she explains.

“Something beneath the surface, messing with that temporal space between being and nothingness.”

Mary Ann loves to use natural objects for her art.

Her work features carved wood, beaten copper, cast cement and recycled orchard netting.

Recently she created artwork for the Royal Adelaide Hospital as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival using a series of repurposed x-rays built into paintings.

She has also experimented with cutting encyclopedias into organic shapes and loves stacking pebbles on beaches.

A lot of her art encourages interaction

He hopes to soon sell the trailer to an orchard that will find it a useful mobile pollination device.

PJ’s Honey is unique to Woodwark and has a rich flavour due to the wide range of seasonal native flowers in the region. Try some for yourself by calling PJ on 0400 661 143.

Twentieth century soldiers were they

Mothers and fathers sent far away

To die in the trenches and fields where they lay

So their children would always be free

Slouch hat and rifles they fought for their lives

Fought for their freedom, fought with their pride

When the dust had all settled and the smoke blown aside

They buried the fallen, saluted and cried

Then home to Australia, a land full of dreams

They put down their rifles and rolled up their sleeves

They married their darlings and planted their seed

Because their children would always be free

The world kept on turning, the babies grew old

or introspection from the public and her pieces can be found everywhere from airport terminals to forests.

Most notably, she transformed an old tree, that had been burnt in the 2015 Adelaide fires, into seat size wooden blocks and placed them around a live ash tree near the site.

Since moving to the Whitsundays Mary Ann has been highly involved with local arts projects and curated the Arts Show at last year’s Whitsunday Arts Festival. She lives in Hyeaway Bay with her partner, Mal, and the couple have just opened ARI (Artist Run Initiative) Whitsundays, an accommodation space for artists to work and become inspired.

Mary Ann offers mentoring and teaching as an option for artists as well.

Became men and women, work hard they were told

The banks loaned them money, but the smiles all turned cold

For the mortgage kept rising, and their freedom was sold

Twenty first century slaves are we

Mothers and fathers, no longer free

Our children are dying from hammer and speed

While the taxman and bankers grow fat on their greed!

Written by Peter Utber

PJ Tell produces 560 kilos of honey from his beehives in Woodwark. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

Artist Mary Ann Santin in front of laser cut copper works. Photo supplied

Raiders Ready For 2023

RUGBY UNION

On Wednesday, February 15, the Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders Rugby Union held its annual general meeting at the Whitsunday Sportspark clubhouse.

The 2023 committee was formed and discussions around this year’s plans were held, with Steve Ward taking the reigns as president, Leanne Hoffman and Maddy Spruce as Senior and Junior Secretary, and Hanny

Spence as Treasurer.

Trent Elson retired as President, joining Andre and Karla Houston, who announced they would be stepping down as well after a momentous five years on the executive committee -- they have taken the mighty Raiders from strength to strength and are commended for steering the club to several minor premierships and an unmatched history of more wins than any other regional club.

New President, Steve Ward, was also quick to praise Andre with his passion for coaching not only for the Raiders as well as leading the way to take the boys to representative teams.

“This season will give Andre the time to dedicate his wisdom and experience into taking our team to the next level with his coaching skills,” Mr Ward said.

The remainder of the committee was formed by general committee members

Davina Briskey, Jasmin Reynolds, Toni Ward, Sharron Pratt, Craig Spence..

“We’re also proud to announce our womens representative, Shakaya Costello, and our Men’s representative, Shakane Costello,” Mr Ward said.

The 2023 coaches for Senior Mens will be Andre Houston, Craig Spence, and Steve Ward, while proudly heading up the club’s Senior Womens will be Nathan Sainsbury and Maddy Spruce.

The Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders Rugby Union 2023 Coaching Staff, Andre Houston, Nathan Sainsbury, Craig Spence, and Steve Ward

Raiders executive committee members for 2023 Maddy Spruce, Leanne Hoffman, Hanny Spence, and Steve Ward

Airlie Beach Bowls Report

BOWLS

The ladies played round one of the fours championships on Tuesday at Airlie Beach Bowls Club this week.

Winning teams were Carol Crosbie, Elaine Hadlow, Margo Stanley substituting for Ladda Purdie and Betty Nicolle, and Karen Jensen, Lu Rogan, Betty Whitehorn and Lyn Skeen.

Airlie Beach Parkrun

COMMUNITY

This week Airlie Beach parkrun celebrated inclusivity with a Pride themed event with 78 motivated people running, jogging, and walking the five-kilometre waterfront course, of whom five were visitors.

The cooler conditions enabled 10 participants to record new Personal Bests, well done to Ella, Warren, Hudson, Isla, Addison, Cheryl, Alihra, Lilly, Ben and, Heidi. James, Matteson, Elizabeth, Artiqua, Aaron, Joanna, Jessica, Emma, Mellissa, Matilda and Christine completed their first parkrun.

The event was made possible by 17 amazing volunteers: Peter, Nick, Kara, Maree, Nathalie, Christopher H (Race Director), Natasha, Susanne, Ronald, Laura, Louise, Ken, Jarrod, Lynne, Dennis, Anne, and Margaret.

Every Saturday Airlie Beach parkrun meets at 6.50am for a briefing at area D, Coral Sea Marina (adjacent to the top car-

park). Parking is free in the lower carpark till 9.30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard. Post parkrun coffee and chat is held at Bohemian Raw Cafe.

The best-kept secret about parkrun is that it’s not about running - it’s about bringing people together in public parks and open spaces across the world to have some fun in a friendly, social, and supportive environment.

You can walk or run the five-kilometre course - pushing a pram or with one dog on a short lead if you want to – or lend a helping hand as a volunteer in a wide range of super-easy roles, or simply spectate and socialise on the sidelines.

There are no winners at parkrun and nobody comes last – only the Tail walkers do. Regular participation is rewarded rather than performance, with ‘parkrun milestone shirts’ available to people to recognise their achievements in coming along.

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun

Whitsunday Social Golf Report

GOLF

The Ladies were in fine form at Whitsunday Social Golf’s FourBall-Best-Ball stableford held on Sunday, February 19.

Multiple Birdies were scored by Pauline Redpath and Tiina Randmae alongside the field of 28 players.

Winners of the day were the team of Darren Reynolds and Mark McDougall, next in the rundown were Anna Winterbourn and Ron Jamieson - again with lady scoring the highest points - Pauline Redpath and Mark OÇallahgan, and Tiina Randmae and Joanne Moynihan.

Nearest the pins went to Jason Whitney,

Don Camelleri, Darren Reynolds, Pauline Redpath, Tiina Randmae, and Joanne Moynihan.

Longest Drives were earned by George Meharry, Brendon Meharry, Tiina Randmae, and Pam Casey.

Ther NAGA went to Andrew Albergo and Tina Cook and the meat raffle was won by George Meharry.

Next Sunday the club will hold a single stableford.

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan

Bev Taylor defeated Juanita Matterson in a B singles game.

The social games winner on Tuesday was Maureen Barnard, Henny Tattam, and Russ Jackson who defeated Pam Collins, John Brown, and Tony Whitehorn. Men’s singles have started and results are in: Bob Spees, showing exceptional form, winning against Neil Moore.

John Trembath came from behind to defeat Rick Galea in a nail-biting game, 25-24, and Nik Fernbach defeated Russ Jackson in another very close game 25-22.

One game that didn’t go ahead as scheduled was Bill Gordon versus Noel Crosbie; Bill has damaged both legs in an accident and will not be playing bowls for a while. All members wish Bill a speedy recovery.

Wednesday social day this week all the games played were pairs. Nik Fernbach and Henny Tattam won the day with the largest winning margin. One of the very close games was won by John Askew and David Meiklejohn against Col Morris and Mario DeMartini. Members were delighted to have good friend Graeme Herd visit from Atherton.

The school children’s competition is continuing. It starts at 4.30 each Thursday afternoon. Coaches are Margo Stanley and Mark Mawson. Margo can be contacted on 0412 469 989 or contact the club phone: (07) 4946 7656.

Sunday afternoon social bowls had Nik Fernbach continue his winning streak, skipping the team that won the day.

Contributed with thanks to Betty Whitehorn

Bowen Bowls Club

BOWLS

Results of competition games played this week at Bowen Bowls Club: In singles, Steve Roome defeated Peter Thomson, while Ian Best beat Brett Lampard, and Daryl Tuttle won against Lloyd White.

In pairs, Peter Bruce and Daryl Tuttle defeated Joan Edwards and Shane Hornbuckle, while Tiarna Rogers and Mark Rogers won against Doc Fordham and Lou Fordham.

Wednesday Social Bowls winners were Peter Thomson, Ron Gould, and Steve Roome, beating Peter Wilson, Herb Dal-

ton, and Brett Lampard. Joining them at the winner’s table was Jan Randall, Gavin Charles, and Allen Williams, who won against Fely Duncan, Paula Welsted, and Jill Brabon.

Contributed with thanks to Ron Gould

Wangaratta Bowls

BOWLS

On Tuesday at Wangaratta Bowls Club, two triples were played with results heading Merle Elphinstone, Teresa Willshire, and Mark Drummond’s way.

They defeated Lindy Suann, Deb Retchless, and Kevin Jewel, while the game between Stumpy Adams, Isobel Wheeler, and Penny Warren ended with a win against Roger Mumby, Bron Tolcher, and Irene Laird.

Sunday’s winners were Sue Shearing and Barry Beel against Kent Moriarty and Kennedy Whitton. Irene Laird, Penny warren, and Greg Colquhoun defeated Deb Beel, Linda Scells, and Sugar Brunker, and the final winners were Bill Myers, Kevin Jewel, and Geoff Danvers.

Sunday’s games will begin at 10.00am with names required in by 9.30am.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

Airlie Beach parkruns’ group of volunteers last weekend

Bowen Bowls Club’s Sunday Scroungers winners Mark Rogers, Jane Gilbert, and Ron Gould

Sunday winners at Wangaratta Bowls Club Barry Beel and Sue Shearing

Airlie Beach Bowls Club Coach Margo Stanley alongside school children’s competition stars Mayson, Alistair, Demika, Katarna, and Zaiden

Proserpine Bowls News

BOWLS

Proserpine Bowls Club’s Wednesday games featured five brave souls: Warren Wilson at double second with Bruce Uhe and Philip Brown against the team of Alen Sanderson, Warren, and Heather Brown, which ended 23-14.

On Sunday, fourteen players played in hard fought triples matches: Josh Wilson, Gavin Noonan, and Heather Brown came from behind in the last end, scoring three shots

Bowen Golf News

GOLF

The Wednesday competition at Bowen Golf Club was a single stroke event for the February midweek monthly medals.

Ladies’ winner was Kim Bennion, 69 nett, followed by countback runner-up Grace Nott, 70 nett. Men’s winner was Brett Carlyon, 62 nett, and runner-up Bruce Moriarty, 66 nett.

Saturday’s competition was a stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club, with Ladies’ winner Robyn Newell, 37 points, and runner up Trish Sellen, 36.

Pin shots to Rhiannon Nott, Meg Garrod, Sarnie Eisemann, and Julie Mawson.

Men’s winner on a countback was Paul Burgis with 40 points, and runner up John

Proserpine Golf Report

to secure a 15-14 win against Ken Watts, Kendall Watts, and Philip Brown.

In a game of Three bowl pairs, Jim Quod and Barry Zillmann defeated Mary Hedgelong and Warren Wilson, 22-16.

In a game of traditional pairs, John Anderson and Bruce Uhe defeated Alen Sanderson and Peter Lawton, 16-12.

Reminder that nominations are open for all club competitions and will be closing at the end of this month.

GOLF

The Tuesday Competition at Proserpine Golf Club was won by Mason Kuchel, who lost a stroke because of his nice round of 41 points in the Club’s Tuesday Stableford, edging out Trish McNeill on 37, and Karl Kirkwood close behind on 36.

NTP’s were won by Brad Fleet and Mason Kuchel

At the Wednesday Competition, Pauline Redpath and Lyn Muller were the winning pair in the random draw on Wednesday’s 4BBB multiplier with 68 points, closely followed by Heather Luvis and Noelene Spurway on 67, and Anna Winterbourn and Trish McNeill on 57 in joint third.

NTP’s went to: Trish McNeill x 2 and Pauline Redpath x 2

On Thursday, 51 players watched as Nathan Holohan won Division One with 38 points, with Paul Gray and Michael Ward on 37 and 36, respectively.

tidy 73 nett, beating Toni Clauss on a countback. Pauline Redpath in third with 75 nett.

NTP’s were won by Mandy Patterson, Di Chard, and Trish McNeill.

Some great scores in the men’s competition, with Patrick Camm winning A Grade with a brilliant 66 nett, with Lew Tuck shooting the same score however coming second on a countback. Larry Muller completed the podium for A Grade with 69 nett.

B Grade was won by Theunis Venter, again winning by a countback from Lance Lloyd both on 69 nett, George Meharry coming in with 70 nett for third.

Marcus Heathcote shot a very nice 67 nett to win the RGH C Grade Monthly Medal ahead of Dean Kercher and Sam Marschke both on 69 nett.

NTP’s were won by Ken Granger, and Warren Deighton claimed an NTP twice.

Turner, also 40.

Pin shots to Grant Poole with an OBP, Kevin Cross, Bruce Moriarty, and Kurt Gaudry. David Martin also had an IBP and Dylan Bartlett made an eagle on number five, earning himself an Eagle Glass. Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

Proserpine Veterans Golf

GOLF

There was another great rollup for the Proserpine Veteran Golf’s Monthly Medal last weekend with some new faces on the course.

The Valentine’s Day event ended in perfect fashion: Men’s and Ladies winners were the couple of Gary and Elspeth Scotford. Gary had a fantastic score of 66, followed by John Wallace, 69, and Gerald Lovell, 71. Elspeth also had a great score of 70, followed by Lyn Muller on 75, and Leanne Alexander with 76.

Pin shots for the men went to Len Booroff

on the second hole, and Warren Deighton and Colin Hounsell on the 16th. In the ladies, it was Lyn Muller on second, Leanne Alexander and Kathryn Borer on 13th, and Elspeth and Rehab Hull on 16th.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

James Devery won the Division Two competition with 37 points, followed by Ken Lovett, 35, and Ash Morley-Hart in third on 33.

NTP’s: Brad Fleet, James Devery, Paul Gray and Steven Johnston.

The Saturday Competition acted as a catchup round for the delayed February Monthly Medal, with 93 players attending to contest the crown.

Heather Luvis led the ladies with a very

Sunday Competition was won by Darren Reynolds and Mark McDougal – a 4BBB competition which they topped with 44 points, narrowly defeating Anna Winterbourn and Ron Jamieson on 43, who in turn narrowly defeated Mark Cranston and Paul Gray on a countback.

NTP’s: Don Camerson, Michael Cradd, Darren Reynolds, Scott Coleman, Tiina Randmae, and Joanne Moynihan.

Contributed with thanks to the Proserpine Golf Club Pro Shop

On The Whitsunday Green

GOLF

This week’s 9-hole weekly stableford competition at Whitsunday Green Golf Club was won by Chris Bartlett on 22 points countback, and second place was Andrew Gomez with a 22 point win, third to Elise Hodgson, 19.

The Club’s Friday 9-hole prawn run was won by Jay Angel on 21 points, second place was Glenn Rees with a 20 win, and third to Ron Thynne with 19.

Sundays 4 Ball better ball comp was a great

turn out; taking the win were Tyson Flavel and Wayne Singleton on a 39.5 nett, second place was Scotty Hayes Williams and Mark Belke on 40 nett, coming in third were Jack Hayes and Cory Belke with 41.5 nett.

Nearest the pin were Wayne Singleton and Tyson Flavel.

This Sunday, February 28, will be the Club’s 18-hole Monthly Medal tee off at 10.00am. Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Green Golf Club

Dylan Bartlett with his Eagle Glass claimed at the Bowen Golf course on the number five hole

Proserpine Veteran Golfers Elspeth and Gary Scotford

“An Incredible Success”: Cutters V Cowboys Game A Hit In Airlie

Cannons’ Distance Club Night

SWIMMING

The Cannonvale Cannons took up the challenge of swimming longer distances and swam extremely well on the club’s Wednesday Distance Club Night.

Congratulations to Holly Perrin for setting a new 200-metre Backstroke record and to Ehsan Helou for setting a new 50-metre Breaststroke record.

Stevie Lee hit the “jackpot” and was presented the Swim Star Award, the Chocolate Award, and an Upgrade Certificate. Declan Dichiera, Harry Crisp, and Millie Groom achieved upgrades as well.

Charlie Doherty swam an exceptional 1500-metre Freestyle, while Jacob Bell, Don Algie, Nelson Malady, and Tora Delac swam 800-metre Freestyles – congratulations to all.

The 400-metre races were impressive: Tora Delac and Millie Groom swam super times in their 400-metre IM.

RUGBY LEAGUE

The Whitsunday Sportspark’s ‘Festival of Football’ was a decisive success for the local venue, which hosted three games of high-tier football last Saturday in front of crowds of over 1500.

Three games, the first between the Mackay Cutters Women and the North Queensland Cowboys Academy Squad followed by the Mackay Cutters Colts against the Whitsunday Brahmans, and finally the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns facing the Cutters A-Grade, clashed on the field with Cutters taking the glory in a cleansweep, three games to none.

The Cutters women walloped the Cowboys women 44 to 8 in the least close fixture of the day before the Colts won against the Brahmans 16-4.

In the main event, the Cowboys Young Guns put up a fight before being felled by Cutters 24-16 – a game that was extremely tight at times with some free-flowing, exceptional footy.

Whitsunday Sportspark spokesperson

Justin Butler said it was an incredibly successful day for both the Cutters on the field and for the Whitsunday Sportspark volunteers off it.

“The last big game of similar vein held here back in 2013 hosted a crowd of roughly 800 people, and we were expecting around 1000 – we smashed those numbers with an estimated 1500,” Mr Butler said.

“And the footy was good – it was in perfect conditions, not too hot, a little overcast. You could tell there was a huge appetite for it and the feedback from the Cutters was, how big can we make events here? How many more people can we get in?

“It’s paved the way for the Sportspark to host significant events in the future. That’s a significant event for any sport, not just league. We might end up with a Brisbane Roar for soccer or whatever it may be.”

The event was made possible by an enormous roundup of volunteers from across the Sportsparks five codes.

Well done to the 400-metre Freestyle swimmers Sophie Fletcher, Thomas Ganter, Millie Groom, Mason Harland, Tiana Bell, Lily Maher, Matilda Nicholes, Jy Parkinson, and Holly Perrin.

Declan Dichiera, Roxy Groom, Anisa

Whitsunday Sailing Club Report

SAILING

Twilight Race: Whitsunday Sailing Club hosted a fleet of 15 yachts with 62 crew on board for a Wednesday featuring a light south easterly breeze with flat seas -- idyllic sailing conditions.

First away was Division Two, with Wide Load (Shannan Hart) timing their run to the starting line to perfection to take the Doyle Sails sponsored best start prize. Once on course, the fleet soon established a normal racing pattern with Smooth Criminal (Iyas Shaheen) and QMS Ponyo (John Galloway) battling at the front. The other front runner, Bobby’s Girl (Mark

Beale), made a slow start, but soon worked through the fleet into third place on the water.

These three boats established a four-minute lead over Reignition (Charles Wallis), Wide Load and Twister (Kevin Fogarty). Although QMS Ponyo crossed the finish 26 seconds ahead of Smooth Criminal, the corrected time results were reversed, with Smooth Criminals 32 seconds in front, and Bobby’s Girl in third.

Lighthorse (Dianne Forster) led the fleet away in Division Three, but Wobbly Boot (Craig Piccinelli) soon took control at the front, developing a five-minute lead.

A close battle between Rossgo (Greg Hammon) and Masquerade (Tom Vujasinovic) prevailed for most of the race, only for Masquerade to drop back toward the end.

Light conditions did not suit Aquatarius, dropping them back into a mid-fleet position while even the use of a spinnaker did not help Shiraz (John Cable).

Ultimately Norbert G (Ghigo Casalini), with a new mainsail sponsored by Portland Road, took the corrected win by five minutes over Rossgo and Lighthorse. Races continue every Wednesday from 4:30pm, with limited crewing positions available. Those wishing to participate as

Helou, Harris Delac, Lily Maher, Matilda Nicholes, Celeste Orenshaw, Roxy Groom, Andie Reynolds, Levi Smith, and Addie Sanders all swam outstanding times in their 200-metre IM.

Jax Clayworth swam a cracking 200-metre Freestyle in 2.57.58.

Young Cannons who performed well included: Eloise Chegwidden in her 100-metre Freestyle and Backstroke.

Japser Korosec swimming two 20 second personal bests in his 100-metre Backstroke and 100-metre Breaststroke. Jasper’s brother, Lucas swam an excellent 50-metre Butterfly in 1.08.00, achieving a 30.31 second personal best.

Indi Harland, Owen Maher, Trace Quick, Zane Clayworth, Evie Doherty, Miller Eaves, Connor Lee, Stevie Lee, Isaac Pisaniello, and Isabella Pisaniello all swam extremely well in their Freestyle events.

Congratulations to all the swimmers who participated on Wednesday night and thanks to all volunteers and parents who assist running Club Nights.

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

crew need to be at the club by 2:30 pm (limited spots available).

Contributed with thanks to Ross Chisholm

The Mackay Cutters and North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns collided in a massive ‘Festival of Football’ at Whitsunday Sportspark on Saturday, February 18

The Sportspark saw crowds of roughly 1500 people turn up for the high-quality rugby league, the likes of which haven’t been seen for a decade in Airlie Beach

The Cutters claimed the win across each of the three games

The tightest affair was between the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns and the Mackay Cutters, which ended 24-16

The boats Norbert G and Smooth Criminal in the Whitsunday Sailing Club Twilight Race last week

Declan Dichiera with his Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club Upgrade Certificates

Stevie Lee with her Club Night Chocolate Award

ACROss

1 Wash thoroughly (7)

4 Silvery-white metal used in jewellery (8)

7 Amateur (8)

10 Gross flattery (9)

12 Former Ellice Islands in the Pacific Ocean (6)

14 Variety of cheese (8)

16 Drummers drumming were received on the –day of Christmas (7)

17 Punch (8)

18 Dusk (8)

19 Trickster (9)

24 Respiratory opening, particularly in insects (8)

25 Evades (6)

26 Rude (8)

27 Leaves (7)

28 Titanic sinker (7)

31 Iconic Princess Bride line said by Vizzini (13)

33 Unending (8)

37 Car part (5)

38 Relating to gospel (11)

39 Mediterranean oilproducing tree (5)

40 Longing, pining (8)

43 Refurbishment (13)

47 Venetian boat (7)

50 Whim (7)

52 Tongue (8)

53 Forks (6)

55 Hallucination (8)

56 Limit (9)

60 Hard grains of wheat used in puddings (8)

61 Better (8)

62 Vest (7)

64 Japanese dish of marinated and grilled meat (8)

65 Press boss (6)

66 Victoria’s capital (9)

67 Sky blue (8)

68 Newspaper’s printed title (8)

69 Plain (7)

DOWN

1 In a state of disorder (7)

2 Dodge (5)

3 Descriptive nickname (7)

4 A flightless bird (7)

5 Appetiser course (9)

6 Facial hair (9)

7 For the sake of argument (14)

8 Roadblock (9)

9 Discounted (a price) (7)

11 Horrible (5)

13 Cinnabar pigment (9)

15 Serial part (7)

20 Religious song (4)

21 Novice (6)

22 Hands on hips with elbows outwards (6)

23 Crown (4)

27 Flamboyant burst of publicity (7)

29 Beer maker (6)

30 Rule (6)

(7) 34 Inactivity (6)

Looked in an unpleasant or lascivious way (6) 36 Non-specific statement (14) 41 Program of business (6) 42 Disposition (6) 44 Apposite (9) 45 Wingless insect (4) 46 Leer (4) 48 Capital of Kenya (7) 49 Stubborn (9) 50 Vast amphitheatre in Rome (9) 51 Apartment building doorkeeper (9) 54 Go before (7)

56

659781342

436897125

No. 133 814976253

521364798

978215436

783452961 397528614

142639587 265143879

2 514 8 9 97 3 2402

19 78 6 5 2 395 7

Whitpro’s first garden maintenance job was in November 2006. We now service over 200 regular customers!

Whitpro’s expert gardeners can provide seasonal garden maintenance schedules; from standard gardening services such as lawn mowing and maintenance, weeding, hedging and pruning; to large-scale garden rejuvenation including landscaping and irrigation.

124 Paluma Rd, Woodwark | whitpro.com.au | 0412 137 337 Servicing The Community

Excellent Commercial Opportunity – First Time Offered For Sale (Net Return Approx $104,000 p/a)

Located in the main commercial hub of Proserpine, this solid investment opportunity is being offered for sale for the first time. Due to their age, the sellers have decided it’s now time to finally divest from what has been an excellent investment over decades.

Apart from occupying a prime position at the busy end of Main St, this commercial Shopping Arcade enjoys a very large carpark at the rear of the premise to ensure its valuable customers can easily visit the commercial tenancies.

Proserpine has a revitalized commercial precinct with new council offices & entertainment centre. Both are located a short stroll away.

• Solid income of $132,000 gross return and net return of approx. $104,000 p/a

• The Arcade offers Multiple tenancies (7 tenants) with established leases in place

• Growing Region with 1.6% population growth (one of QLD’s highest growth areas)

• Current Whitsunday Shire has a population of 37,000 expected to grow to 50,000 by 2036 according to Council data

• More national companies and larger businesses relocating to the area or expanding due to the region’s growth

FOR SALE: EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: Ends 5.00pm 31 March 2023

38 Main Street, Proserpine

CONTACT: Rob Taylor 0428 466 124 rob@taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au

CONTACT: Alex Swan 0432 328 196 alex@taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au

Moved To NSW After 30 Years

This property has been a treasured rainforest haven in a private and whisper-quiet location for over 30 years, but now this seller has made the move to be closer to family.

• Versatile rumpus room converted from a carport many years ago

• A mango orchard with 60 trees and over 10 exotic varieties

A circular driveway that passes through a carport

• Additional double lock-up garage providing no shortage of space

• Bushland w/ bird life, lush plantations, & raised fishponds/gardens

• Modifications to the landscaping will make room for a further shed

FOR SALE: $649,000

72 Bennett Road, Strathdickie

CONTACT: Brad Sobott 0411 236 507 brad@taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au

OPEN HOME: Saturday 9:30am-10:15am

Huge Potential: 90 Acres With Current Subdivision Approval

Ever dreamt of having your own 90 acres of land and being able to have the freedom to do whatever you want?

Imagine waking up to the peace and quiet, overlooking the surroundings of the bush with the mountain ranges as your backdrop.

This Rustic Queenslander itself needs a bit of a makeover, however, it is completely liveable. With 3 bedrooms, 1 main bath, an open-plan kitchen/dining area, and a corner study room, all overlooking the quiet serenity of your very own bushland.

Offering plenty of room with a 4-bay open-fronted shed plus 3 bay fully enclosed shed, you’ll struggle to fill all the space. The enclosed shed also offers a fully self-contained granny flat which includes a separate bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and air-conditioned living room; perfect to rent out, or for your friends/family.

Have you been looking at investing in cattle and haven’t had the chance yet to find that acreage property? Well, this private setting on 90 acres is ideal being already fenced off for your furry animals (sheep/cattle/horses, etc). It also provides 2x freshwater dams, a small creek, 1x bore, and plenty of rainwater tanks.

There is a bonus with this property… with a subdivision of 4x lots already council approved, you have the choice to purchase this as 1x whole property or in parts which would be the following options: An Expression of Interest will end on 17/03/2023. With many options to do on your very own 90 acres, this is one of a kind!

• Lot 1) House/Dam/shed on 2.78 hectares

Lot 2 on 2.37 hectares

Lot 3 on 3.76 hectares includes Dam & Yard

• Lot 4 on 28.33 hectares

Key features:

2 Dams, 1x bore, 4x rainwater tanks 4-bay open-fronted shed

• 3-bay fully enclosed shed

• Self-contained granny flat

Private setting on 90 acres

Ideal for Horses or cattle

• Extensive usable land

FOR SALE: Expression Of Interest

227 Sugarloaf Road, Sugarloaf

CONTACT: Rob Taylor 0428 466 124 rob@taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au

Located in the main commercial hub of Proserpine, this solid investment opportunity is being offered for sale for the first time. Due to their age, the sellers have decided it’s now time to finally divest from what has been an excellent investment over decades.

Apart from occupying a prime position at the busy end of Main St, this commercial Shopping Arcade enjoys a very large carpark at the rear of the premise to ensure its valuable customers can easily visit the commercial tenancies.

Proserpine has a revitalized commercial precinct with new council offices & entertainment centre. Both are located a short stroll away.

• Solid income of $132,000 gross return and net return of approx. $104,000 p/a The Arcade offers Multiple tenancies (7 tenants) with established leases in place

• Growing Region with 1.6% population growth (one of QLD’s highest growth areas) Current Whitsunday Shire has a population of 37,000 expected to grow to 50,000 by 2036 according to Council data

• More national companies and larger businesses relocating to the area or expanding due to the region’s growth

FOR SALE: Expression Of Interest

38 Main Street, Proserpine

CONTACT: Rob Taylor 0428 466 124 rob@taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au

Alex Swan 0432 328 196 alex@taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au

potential buyers perceive properties advertised in print as having a higher value

12.00 WorldWatch. 2.00 Bowls. Ultimate Bowls 2022. Event 1. Semi-finals.

3.00 Figure Skating. Four Continents Championships.

4.35 Secret Scotland.

The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. 6.30 News. 7.35 The World’s Most Beautiful Landscapes.

8.30 Portillo In The Pyrenees. 9.30 Inside Windsor Castle. 10.25 Great Escapes With Morgan Freeman. 11.15 UFOs. 2.35 UFOs. 3.15 The Back Side Of

2.00

6.00

4.30

Saving. Australian Interstate Championships. Highlights. 5.00

Journeys UK. 5.30 The Abyss: The Rise And Fall Of The Nazis. 6.30 News. 7.30 Ancient Egypt By Train. 8.30 Tutankhamen.

9.40 Acropolis: The Ancient Builders.

10.40 Castles: Secrets, Mysteries And Legends. 11.40 24 Hours In Emergency. 1.30 Why We Hate.

3.10 The Source. 4.00 Mastermind Aust. 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.15 Late Programs.

8.30

9.30

February 24 - March 2

8.55 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

9.40 Long Lost Family. (PG,

10.30

11.25 Greg Davies: The Back Of My Mum’s Head. (MA15+, R)

7.30pm Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)

8.30 Silent Witness. (M, R)

9.30 Banana. (MA15+)

9.55 Cucumber. (MA15+)

10.45 Killing Eve. (MA15+, R)

11.30 Black Mirror. (M, R)

12.35am Movie: A Fantastic Woman. (2017) (M, R) Daniela

Vega, Francisco Reyes, Luis Gnecco.

7.30pm Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)

8.00 QI. (M, R)

8.30 Penn & Teller: Fool Us. (PG, R)

9.10 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

9.40 The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. (PG, R)

10.15 Gruen. (M, R)

10.50 Shaun Micallef’s MAD AS HELL. (M, R)

6.00pm American Pickers. (PG, R)

7.00 Pawn Stars. (PG, R)

7.30 Movie: I, Robot. (2004) (M, R) Will Smith, Alan Tudyk.

9.50 Movie: The 6th Day. (2000) (M, R) Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sarah Wynter.

12.25 Movie: Logan’s Run. (1976) (PG, R)

5.30pm Murder, She Wrote. (PG, R)

6.30 Antiques Roadshow.

5.30pm Escape To The Country. (R) 6.30 Bargain Hunt. (R) 7.30 Doc Martin. (PG, R) 8.30 Inspector Morse. (M, R)

Gold Digger. (M, R)

Doc Martin. (PG, R)

ICU. (PG, R) 1.30 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

5.25pm Movie: Superman Returns. (2006) (PG, R)

8.30 Movie: Man Of Steel. (2013) (M, R) Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe.

11.20 Movie: The Omega Man. (1971) (M, R)

1.30 Blokesworld. (PG, R)

2.00 The Car Club. (PG, R)

6.00pm American Pickers. (PG, R) 7.00 Pawn Stars. (PG, R)

7.30 American Pickers.

8.30 Movie: Ransom.

(1996) (MA15+, R)

11.00 Movie: The Cold Light Of Day. (2012) (M, R) 1.00 Counting Cars.

R) 2.00 American Pickers.

R)

3.50pm Movie: Khartoum. (1966) (G, R)

6.30 Bondi Vet. (PG, R)

7.30 David Attenborough’s Life In Colour. (PG, R) 8.30

5.30pm Murder, She Wrote. (PG, R)

6.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

7.30 Death In Paradise. (M, R)

8.40 Agatha Christie’s Partners In Crime. (M, R)

9.55 Coroner. (M)

10.55

(M) 10.50 Robert Kirkman’s Secret History Of Comics. (PG, R)

5.30pm Escape To The Country. (R)

6.30 Bargain Hunt. (R)

7.30 Heartbeat. (PG, R)

8.45 Foyle’s War. (M, R)

10.55 Frankie Drake Mysteries. (M, R)

11.55 Cities Of The Underworld. (PG, R)

12.55 ICU. (PG, R)

1.30 Better Homes And Gardens. (R)

6.00pm American Pickers. (PG, R)

7.00 Pawn Stars. (PG, R)

7.30 Highway Patrol. (PG, R)

8.30 Highway Cops. (PG, R)

9.30 Motorway Patrol.

(PG, R)

10.30 Surveillance Oz.

(PG, R)

11.30 Crash Investigation Unit. (PG, R)

5.30pm Murder, She Wrote. (PG, R)

6.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

7.30 As Time Goes By. (R)

8.50 Midsomer Murders. (M, R)

10.50 One Deadly Mistake: The Ties that Bind. (MA15+)

11.50 House. (M,

Dusk Till Dawn. (1996)

Gardens. ABC TV PLUS 7TWO 7MATE 9GEM 10 BOLD 10 PEACH SBS VICELAND FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

American Pickers. (PG, R)

Pawn Stars. (PG,

Midnight

6.30 Bargain Hunt. (R) 7.30 Father Brown. (M, R) 8.30 Murdoch Mysteries. (M) 9.30 Kavanagh QC. (M, R) 11.15 Murdoch Mysteries. 6.00pm Friends. (PG, R) 6.30 Friends. (PG, R) 8.00 The Big Bang Theory. (PG, R) 9.30 Seinfeld. (PG, R) 11.00 Frasier. (PG, R) 12.00 Home Shopping. (R) 12.30 Infomercials. (PG, R) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 1.30 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG, R)

R) 12.15 Father Brown. (M, R) 5.45pm The Joy Of Painting With Bob Ross. (R) 6.15 Forged In Fire. (PG, R) 7.05 Jeopardy! (PG, R) 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. (M) 8.30 The Curse Of Oak Island. (PG) 10.10 Overlooked. 10.35 My 3D Printed Ghost Gun.

5.30pm Escape To The Country. (R) 5.30pm JAG. (PG, R) 6.30 Scorpion. (PG, R) 7.30 Bull. (M, R) 8.30 NCIS. (M, R) 9.30 NCIS: New Orleans. (M, R) 10.30 SEAL Team. (M, R) 11.30 48 Hours. (M, R) 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 1.00 Infomercials. (PG, R) 1.30 Home Shopping. (R) 2.00 Star Trek: The Next Generation. (PG, R)