Community News 1

Whitsundays A New Home To World-First Coral Nurture Program

nomically important reefs through use of the unique Coralclip technology – a Queensland invention. “[The clips are] a game-changer for coral restoration at this local level because it offers a fast and cost-effective solution to out-planting corals at larger scales,” she said.

The first Coral Nurture Program has achieved outstanding results in north Queensland with over 75,000 corals planted to date. Ms Marsden said the program hopes to create a legacy through tourism operators and the local community. University of Technology Sydney lead researcher Professor David Suggett and Coralclip inventor, Wavelength tourism operator John Edmondson, travelled to the Whitsundays to train local tourism operators in the Program’s technique. “We worked with three Whitsunday tourism operators – Red Cat Adventures, Kiana Sail and Dive, and Ocean Rafting – to showcase how our innovative approach works and provide the skills to take the lead in rebuilding coral reefs at the sites they frequently visit,” Professor Suggett said. “The beauty of the Coral Nurture Program is that it’s community-led and science-backed.”

Tourism operators will act as stewards on the front line, working to grow and plant the corals and then check back in regularly on their health, according to Professor Suggett, with those results being independently and scientifically validated for their positive impact. Tourism operators will head back to the coral nurseries in November to check and report on progress.

Local Mum Honoured On Teachers Day

Ayoung woman who left the workforce to have children and feared it may have been too late to return, is being congratulated by TAFE Queensland for her inspiring work teaching young people in Bowen how to find employment. As part of World Teachers Day, which was celebrated in Queensland last Friday, Bowen local Elizabeth Watson shared her story of success.

“It wasn’t until I had my children that I realised I wanted to make a change, challenge myself and pursue a teaching career,” she said.

“I was worried about how I would balance work, study, and raising a family. The balancing act wasn’t always easy, but I realised how much I wanted to support students to achieve their goals.” With experience as an adult learner, Elizabeth is able to impart first-hand knowledge onto those she is assisting at the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program in Bowen. Using both cultural and practical education to inform and inspire her students, she is able to create a real difference in the town.

“Every Wednesday we discuss different topics such as preparing cover letters and resumes, attire, body language, practice interview questions, watch videos, have guest speakers and work through worksheets,” Elizabeth explained. By giving her students the right tools, she has found they have the confidence to pursue a career they love. Recently a mature age student who speaks English as a second language found employment. “I encouraged and assisted her in applying for jobs,” said Elizabeth. “A few weeks later, this student sent me an email letting me know how happy she was in her new job. “I felt so honoured to be part of her journey to such personal success.”

TAFE Teacher Elizabeth Watson

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