Whitsunday Life

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Whitsunday waters were once again dotted with lively white sails over the weekend when the Sail Airlie Regatta took place on a perfect Easter weekend. 64 boats, 80 competitors and 40 volunteers took part.

Competitors arrived from as far afield as Bris-

TOURISM IS BOOMING!

bane, Southport, Rockhampton, Townsville and Tinaroo to enjoy three days of sailing events.

The North Queensland Laser Championships were a main attraction, alongside competitions for the Multihull Fleet, open Skiffs, Sabots, Optimists and the Green Fleet who were first-time

A record-breaking 3000 passengers transit through Whitsunday Coast Airport daily over the school holidays and it is expected that 500,000 will fly in total this year.

participants and aged between seven and 10.

“A north westerly breeze meant the water was a bit rough,” said off-beach Commodore for the Whitsunday Sailing Club, Heather Sutton.

“Some of the kids were surfing the waves on the way back in!”

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Young sailors took charge of their vessels and enjoyed a weekend out on the water. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

AN EASTER GIFT

ON N DECK

With Declan

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April is the cruellest month to depart the Whitsundays.

The stifling air is finally running off - the rain, rain has gone away - and I decide to move to the country’s opposite end? The kookaburras on the fence line are laughing at me for that.

I have been a writer for Mackay and Whitsunday Life newspaper for two years, and in two weeks, I will write my last word for this masthead. This is my final editor’s note. I have made the decision to leave the region and the publication behind. Onwards to greener pastures, as they say.

Let us do away with any pretence: I am a sentimental man. I will miss Pioneer Bay, levelled out on the horizon, blue and tinged with green. I walked the bicentennial boardwalk on Easter Weekend and watched rainbow lorikeets chirruping to each other – I miss the sound already. I imagine I will cry when I drive up Shute Harbour Road through to Proserpine for the last time.

ROOF TOP

The sugarcane will wave me goodbye in the wind. And that’s simply the place; I will miss the people more. Writing for them, and for all of you, has been an honour. You know how incredible you are. And that alights on something else: I will miss my friends. But “friends come in and out of your life like busboys at a restaurant,” don’t they? We will see each other again.

So, to the Mackay and Whitsunday Life team, to my friends: thank you all for making the Whitsundays my home. This new chapter in Tasmania will be an exciting one, and I will not forget you.

To you, I say thank you, Constant Readers. Goodbye, for the last time.

Declan

Quote of the Week:

“Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance. They make the latitudes and longitudes.”

– Henry David Thoreau

It’s not every day that you hop off the bus and are greeted with a woman, a stranger at that, handing you a single gorgeous red rose, telling you ‘Have a nice day!’ and waving you off.

Well, that’s exactly what happened to Jan Smith, just prior to Easter, when she got off the bus in Cannonvale one afternoon.

The bus stop sits just opposite Karen Hill Florist, a local florist that prides itself on having the most exquisite floral arrangements in Airlie Beach.

When Jan and another woman alighted the bus, they were greeted with a Karen Hill Florist employee, giving them a red rose, and wishing them well.

“She just dashes out of the flower shop and says, ‘Don’t move! Stop!’... we both didn’t move.

You do what you’re told, you know!” said Jan. “And she came out holding these two absolutely beautiful single roses.

“The strange thing was that I had just been wishing that I had enough money to get a bunch of flowers for the dining room table!”

Jan is no stranger to the Whitsunday area, living between Airlie Beach and England, often spending months with her daughter in the region, participating in local events and community functions, including the Airlie Beach Book Club and the Whitsunday Writers’ Festival.

“I have never gone into that shop, never bought flowers from there. But now I will, and I will talk about her generosity,” Jan added.

Elevated to capture the Whitsunday breeze, you can celebrate with incredible food, your own private bar whilst enjoying the chic, spacious interior Paradiso Roof Top Bar is the perfect place in Airlie Beach to celebrate a special Birthday, Wedding, Corporate lunch/dinner or a Christmas Party. We can arrange unique food & beverage packages to enjoy in our amazing space overlooking the stunning Airlie Main Beach. We cater for sole use parties up to 70 people, so get in touch to book your next special event: gm@paradisowhitsundays.com.au

287 SHUTE HARBOUR RD, AIRLIE BEACH

Medical Bus Heads North

Good news for Bowen and Collinsville residents who need to attend medical appointments with plans now underway to provide a bus service that will transport patients north to Townsville.

Mayor Julie Hall said this service would be invaluable for families who needed to travel long distances for medical care.

“Our Economic Development team are working to explore potential funding opportunities for a community minibus for Bowen, Collinsville, and surrounds to transport patients to Townsville for regular medical appointments,” she said.

“Council will work with our Federal and State government representatives, community, and not-for-profit groups to explore options and advocate for ongoing funding, to ensure the service is viable and operates to meet our residents’ needs.”

Mayor Hall said, at the Pink Stumps Day held in Bowen in February, she was saddened to discover that people with cancer are missing out on vital treatment because

Lindeman Sells Half-Price

they can’t get to their hospital appointments.

She said that Council has already contributed $50,000 to the Mackay Hospital Foundation towards providing a community medical bus service to transport patients from Proserpine and Airlie Beach to Mackay Hospital and the Icon Cancer Centre for medical appointments.

“However, there is currently no such service for residents in the northern end of the Whitsundays,” she explained.

“Ensuring access to this service for regional communities is so important, but it will be no quick fix as there are multiple funding, legal and operational logistics to be negotiated.”

Lindeman Island has sold for $10 million to a Singaporean family leaving previous owners White Horse – a Chinese cable television operator – with a $2m loss on investment and $10 million shy of their original asking price.

The once site of a Club Med resort has lain dormant for over a decade as the Chinese group sought to develop a luxury resort on the 136-hectare island with plans never eventuating.

White Horse had originally paid for Lindeman at a price of $12m and had been willing to take the loss when Queensland property developer Shaun Juniper approached the business to purchase the asset.

Mr Juniper unexpectedly withdrew his business’ offer before the Singaporean family swooped on the island, reportedly

buying it “weeks ago”.

The Chinese company’s divestment from Lindeman arose due to struggles with Queensland State Government approvals, despite having completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) component to redeveloping the island - that EIS was for a $583-million-dollar masterplan to redevelop the abandoned site.

The Singaporean family have reportedly begun initial enquiries into redeveloping the existing Club Med Resort.

Lindeman, still in a development limbo, remains one of the Whitsunday Archipelago’s owned islands awaiting development, like Long Island, which was recently purchased by Oscars Hotels, as well as the Meridian Australia purchased Hook Island, and South Molle Island – an island owned by China Capital Investment Group.

It is hoped that the new bus will provide a similar service to the Mackay Hospital Foundation bus. Photo supplied

Cruise Ships Inject $20 Million Into Local Economy

New Record For Local Airport

Holidaymakers, industry workers and visiting family members have all combined to create record-breaking numbers for Whitsunday Coast Airport over the Easter holidays.

Craig Tuner, Chief Operating Officer for Aviation and Tourism for the Whitsunday Regional Council said that up to 3000 passengers transited through the airport per day.

“When you think our best was 2,200 last April, this is a significant uplift,” he said. “We are on-track this year to do over 500,000 passengers!”

Over 30,000 passengers disembarked from cruise ships last month, each of them visiting a diverse range of restaurants and shops, and taking part in tours and excursions on offer in our beautiful region.

This year, 65 cruise ships are scheduled to sail into Whitsundays waters and there are 43 now remaining.

This welcome boost for tourism is a game changer for our local economy.

Local operator, Julie Telford from Red Cat Adventures, said that Airlie Beach is buzzing on cruise ship days.

“It’s a really different vibe – the streets are so busy, and the town is pumping!” she said.

“The cruise ships play a big part in getting us back off the ground after COVID and all the passengers spend money on souvenirs, food, drink and having fun.

“They always come into our main street shop and ask for recommendations, and

they are great for filling up last minute seats if they are not already pre-booked.”

A central part of the cruise ship experience is the welcome they receive when they disembark.

Since 2004, the Cruise Ship Ambassadors wearing their tropical shirts and big smiles have been greeting each passenger, offering maps and advice on where to go.

This friendly welcome has heightened the passenger experience and made the Airlie port a favourite among visiting cruisers.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO, Rick Hamilton, says he is hugely appreciative of the work that the Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors are doing to welcome cruise ship passengers.

“The welcome passengers are receiving from our Ambassadors is another reason for them to get off the ship and explore The Whitsundays,” he said.

“Our volunteers are from all industries but have one thing in common, a love of

people and customer service, this is something that isn’t trainable, and we’re fortunate to have so many people who all love helping people enjoy their holidays.”

There are 35 Cruise Ship Ambassadors who meet every ship as it arrives, and they are always looking for extra volunteers to participate on a rotating roster.

Ideal for a retired individual who is looking for a worthwhile activity to fill some free time, becoming a Cruise Ship Ambassador is a great way to make new friends and meet new people while spruiking our stunning region.

“Every time we meet a cruise ship we’re greeting people and welcoming them, many for the first time, to The Whitsundays,” said Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors Coordinator, Lyn Blanche.

“A friendly welcome and help to get the most out of their time on shore go a long way when you’re visiting somewhere for the first time.”

Next Friday, the last of the three direct Bonza routes opens to the Whitsundays as we welcome Toowoomba alongside Sunshine Coast and Newcastle lines.

This new addition means that the airport will now receive up to 11 flights a day compared to a maximum of six just a few months ago.

“We are expecting to see some really amazing numbers,” said Mr Turner.

It is now more cost effective and efficient for people living in Newcastle and Toowoomba to travel direct from their closest airport.

This means that miners and industry workers will now transit through to Collinsville and the Bowen Basin.

Craig said that he is also anticipating savvy holidaymakers will book direct through Bonza and transit to the surrounding island resorts.

“It is far cheaper to fly direct than to go Sydney so we are expecting a real mix of VFR (visiting friends and family), holidaymakers and also industries,” he said.

Arborists

Did you know?

Whitpro’s chipper can chip an 18-inch, 20-metre-tall eucalypt tree in six minutes! Our spider reaches 21 metres high and 12 metres out to reach the tallest of trees in the most difficult areas. It’s also used by plumbers and painters for its reach.

Whitpro are the local professionals when it comes to safe and efficient tree pruning and removal. Services include removal, stump removal, de-nutting, pruning and tree relocation.

The friendly Cruise Ship Ambassadors greet passengers as they disembark.

Photo credit: Rachael Smith

Commbank Clowns Around For Fundraising Month

Plastics Get The Punt

Single-use plastics will soon be removed from Whitsunday businesses thanks to a state government scheme that has already been rolled out to 600 regional businesses and it is heading here next.

So far, the free program has helped cafes and restaurants in regional Queensland eliminate more than 8.2 million pieces of single-use plastics.

Currently, single-use plastics account for more than 75 per cent of rubbish removed from Australian beaches.

The government-funded Plastic Free Project is coordinated by the Boomerang Alliance Campaign and Manager Toby Hutcheon says that over the past few years, the project has established good relationships with regional businesses.

“We provide helpful advice on packaging and show them how they can eliminate

problem plastics from use,” he explains.

“There will be a focus on reusable food ware and BYO coffee cups.

“Hotels and cafes can play a big part in helping Queenslanders make the switch away from disposable packaging.”

Fast Facts:

• Half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once

• At least 8 million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean each year

• Turtles have a 20% chance of dying if they ingest just one piece of plastic

• More than 85% of contamination in the Great Barrier Reef is from microfibres

Alocal bank branch has joined the “Smile Month” effort to fundraise for Clown Doctors – a national program which provides highly trained, professional “medical clowns” to help lift the spirits of sick kids by through laughter and joy.

Cannonvale Commonwealth Bank is supporting the Clown Doctors program which makes more than 230,000 visits each year to children in 22 hospitals across Australia.

The local team join branches across the country in April as they rally together to raise much needed funds via a variety of fundraising events.

In 2022, 67 Clown Doctors across Australia delivered doses of fun and laughter to over 230,000 kids, families and hospital staff.

Commonwealth Bank Branch Manager Lisa McAliece said the cause was one her branch was always more than happy to support.

Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at CommBank, said the Clown Doctors is something the bank’s staff are very passionate about.

“We’re thrilled to be gifting smiles of all shapes and sizes again in 2023 as we continue our 20-plus-year history of supporting the Clown Doctors and the work they do to help sick kids,” he said.

“Our fundraising for The Humour Foundation is something we love doing as a team and we encourage our communities to get behind the incredible work the Clown Doctors do for kids in need.”

In-branch donations are available until Friday 28 April, with all fundraising efforts up to the value of $100,000 to be matched by the CommBank Staff Foundation, meaning the impact of the community’s generosity will be doubled.

Donations to the Clown Doctors can be made at any Commonwealth Bank branch throughout April or online, at: smilemonth.raisely.com

Commonwealth Bank Cannonvale staff members Jaimee Egan, Lisa McAliece, and Lauren Ward

Single-use plastics account for more than 75 per cent of rubbish removed from Australian beaches.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY FRIENDLY GROCER SUPERMARKET JUBILEE POCKET.

NO HIGHRISE FOR AIRLIE BEACH FORESHORE

THANK YOU WHITSUNDAY COMMUNITY!

THANK YOU WHITSUNDAY COMMUNITY!

$100,000

STOP THE FORESHORE HIGHRISE IN DONATIONS & MORE NEEDED

STOP THE FORESHORE HIGHRISE IN DONATIONS & MORE NEEDED $100,000

$100,000

THE FIGHT HAS JUST BEGUN!

Donate to the GoFundMe

Scan QR code to donate or visit:gofundme.com/stop-airlie-high-rise

SAVE OUR FORESHORE INC thanks the Whitsunday community, and our visitors, who chipped in to reach this milestone to fund the court case against Council and a development in receivership. Friday night’s fabulous art auction raised $10,000, thanks to the generosity of the Whitsunday art community and generous supporters:

SAVE OUR FORESHORE INC thanks the Whitsunday community, and our visitors, who chipped in to reach this milestone to fund the court case against Council and a development in receivership. Friday night’s fabulous art auction raised $10,000, thanks to the generosity of the Whitsunday art community and generous supporters:

ARTISTS: Shane Batham, Jennifer Beaumont, Carol Bell, Bonney Bombach, Yvonne Chaloner, Lisa Christofersen, Butterfly Effect Nursery, Elaine’s Pottery, Wendy Erickson, Linda Forrester, Kate Harbison, Sandra Hardy, Joan Hunter, Peter Jennings, Liz Knight, Heather Marshall, Carolyn Shannon, Adriaan Vanderlugt, Denise Vanderlugt, Carla Whelan,

SAVE OUR FORESHORE INC thanks the Whitsunday community, and our visitors, who chipped in to reach this milestone to fund the court case against Council and a development in receivership. Friday night’s fabulous art auction raised $10,000, thanks to the generosity of the Whitsunday art community and generous supporters:

DONORS:

SPONSORS:

AUCTIONEER: Dennis Mundle. ORGANISERS: 3 Little Birds Espresso & Art Hub, Pascale Whyte, Dennis Mundle, Jo Pillefeant. ALSO: Artwork purchasers, SOF Working Group.

ARTISTS: Shane Batham, Jennifer Beaumont, Carol Bell, Bonney Bombach, Yvonne Chaloner, Lisa Christofersen, Butterfly Effect Nursery, Elaine’s Pottery, Wendy Erickson, Linda Forrester, Kate Harbison, Sandra Hardy, Joan Hunter, Peter Jennings, Liz Knight, Heather Marshall, Carolyn Shannon, Adriaan Vanderlugt, Denise Vanderlugt, Carla Whelan, Pascale Whyte. DONORS: FISHI Whitsunday, Rob Kenyon, Joanne Norbury, Pammie Harrison, Butterfly Effect Nursery, Sheena Gillman, Lynda Baxter, Eric Oliver, Murray Spence, Heather Marshall. SPONSORS: Whistling Moose Graphics, Kapow Interactive, Internet Whitsunday, Tropical Designs, Airlie Sail & Shade Solutions, Coral Sea Marina Resort, Paul Darrouzet.

ARTISTS: Shane Batham, Jennifer Beaumont, Carol Bell, Bonney Bombach, Yvonne Chaloner, Lisa Christofersen, Butterfly Effect Nursery, Elaine’s Pottery, Wendy Erickson, Linda Forrester, Kate Harbison, Sandra Hardy, Joan Hunter, Peter Jennings, Liz Knight, Heather Marshall, Carolyn Shannon, Adriaan Vanderlugt, Denise Vanderlugt, Carla Whelan, Pascale Whyte. DONORS: FISHI Whitsunday, Rob Kenyon, Joanne Norbury, Pammie Harrison, Butterfly Effect Nursery, Sheena Gillman, Lynda Baxter, Eric Oliver, Murray Spence, Heather Marshall. SPONSORS: Whistling Moose Graphics, Kapow Interactive, Internet Whitsunday, Tropical Designs, Airlie Sail & Shade Solutions, Coral Sea Marina Resort, Paul Darrouzet.

AUCTIONEER: Dennis Mundle. ORGANISERS: 3 Little Birds Espresso & Art Hub, Pascale Whyte, Dennis Mundle, Jo Pillefeant. ALSO: Artwork purchasers, SOF Working Group.

AUCTIONEER: Dennis Mundle. ORGANISERS: 3 Little Birds Espresso & Art Hub, Pascale Whyte, Dennis Mundle, Jo Pillefeant. ALSO: Artwork purchasers, SOF Working Group.

WHAT

Don’t let Council incompetence and developer greed RUIN OUR TOWN!

IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

On behalf of the community (2245 objection submissions lodged), SOF Inc contends that Council should not have given this development preliminary approval in the first place.

WHAT

Save Our Foreshore Inc needs community funds to continue their legal appeal to protect the Airlie Beach public foreshores, the character and amenity of our town. Save Our Foreshores Inc is 100% volunteer-run and 100% of all donations goes into the fighting fund.

Sydney based Balmain Corporation – Meridien (Receivers and Managers) at Port of Airlie and the Council are throwing everything at the community to try and run us out of money.

On behalf of the community (2245 objection submissions lodged), SOF Inc contends that Council should not have given this development preliminary approval in the first place. Sydney based Balmain Corporation – Meridien (Receivers and Managers) at Port of Airlie and the Council are throwing everything at the community to try and run us out of money.

Maintaining our unique low-rise resort village atmosphere is vital to the famous Airlie Beach brand, its why people live, work and invest here.

On behalf of the community (2245 objection submissions lodged), SOF Inc contends that Council should not have given this development preliminary approval in the first place. Sydney based Balmain Corporation – Meridien (Receivers and Managers) at Port of Airlie and the Council are throwing everything at the community to try and run us out of money.

Maintaining our unique low-rise resort village atmosphere is vital to the famous Airlie Beach brand, its why people live, work and invest here.

Maintaining our unique low-rise resort village atmosphere is vital to the famous Airlie Beach brand, its why people live, work and invest here.

$250,000–$350,000

AuthorisedbySaveOurForeshoreInc,AirlieBeach,QLD4802

of ratepayers’ money to be spent by WRC to fight against its own community.

to fight

THE FIGHT HAS JUST BEGUN!

THE FIGHT HAS JUST BEGUN!

Together we can fight this. Invest in Airlie Beach. Help SAVE OUR FORESHORE. Donate to the Go Fund Me legal fighting fund. Every $ counts!

money to be spent

fund. Every $ counts!

its own community.

Donate to the GoFundMe legal fighting fund. Scan QR code to donate or visit: gofundme.com/stop-airlie-high-rise

Donate to the GoFundMe legal fighting fund. Scan QR code to donate or visit: gofundme.com/stop-airlie-high-rise

SAVE OUR FORESHORE www.saveourforeshore.com.au

Pascale Whyte.

FISHI Whitsunday, Rob Kenyon, Joanne Norbury, Pammie Harrison, Butterfly Effect Nursery, Sheena Gillman, Lynda Baxter, Eric Oliver, Murray Spence, Heather Marshall.

Whistling Moose Graphics, Kapow Interactive, Internet Whitsunday, Tropical Designs, Airlie Sail & Shade Solutions, Coral Sea Marina Resort, Paul Darrouzet.

“It’s Not Shameful To Be Vulnerable”

Men’s Health Group Launches In Cannonvale

Men are afraid of vulnerability.

“There is an idea that it is a kind of weakness,” Cannonvale local Bob Eden said. “Men think that others will use it against them; use it to get a foot up on one another. That’s not the case.”

Mr Eden - whose first novel, ‘The Gift of Depression, My Little Scrap Book’, is part memoir, part treatise on mental illness –recently accomplished a 15-year ambition of starting a local wellbeing group in the Whitsundays.

Mr Eden, alongside Real Mates Talk’s Suicide Prevention Worker for the Whitsundays Adam Richards, has run two sessions of the Cannonvale Wellbeing Group. With the backing of popular men’s health campaign Real Mates Talk and the backing of Mr Richards, Mr Eden has facilitated the event to a growing number of supporters.

“We have to do things in this area, because there’s a great need in this area for a support group of this type,” Mr Eden said. “I’ve been trying to get this going for more than two decades and, using the banner and message of Real Mates Talk, it’s an opportunity to continue my mission, which is to eradicate suicide.”

Across the Whitsundays, Isaac, and Mack-

ay, where Real Mates Talk began, the need for a men’s mental health campaign was obvious. Real Mates Talk reports around three quarters of people who die by suicide across the region are men.

That fact is reflected in the national average, too: The Australian Bureau of Statistics states that 72 per cent of deaths by suicide are male, despite the population share being higher for females.

Mr Eden said that comes from institutionalised ideas of “personal weakness”.

“It’s in the name: Let’s get mates to talk real,” Mr Eden said.

“It’s a male thing and a Queensland thing where you ask how they’re going and they say, ‘it’s all good! I’m good, mate’. They’re lying because they’re scared of the stigma of mental health.”

Medical literature agrees: Men resoundingly hold more stigmatising attitudes towards those with depression, anxiety, and who die by suicide.

Genuine mental health concerns are seen, mistakenly, as a “discrediting mark”, according to a American Journal of Men’s Health piece, ‘Men’s Experiences of Mental Illness Stigma Across the Lifespan: A Scoping Review’.

Men enduring mental health concerns can feel burdened by a form of stereotyping, prejudice, and inevitably a “self-stigma” – where those suffering turn the publicly endorsed stigmatising against themselves.

It is the antiquated adages: ‘Men Should Be Men’ and ‘Men Don’t Cry’.

Mr Eden, whose personal struggles with “The Black Dog” have led him on a crusade against depression, said small, community events like the Real Mates Talk

Cannonvale Wellbeing Group were steps to challenging and destroying that stigma. “Men can overcome the programmed belief that is shameful to be vulnerable,” he said.

“That’s what this is all about.”

The Cannonvale Wellbeing Group meets every Wednesday at the Cannonvale Skate Park gazebo from 10.00am to 11.30am.

Real Mates Talk ambassador and author Bob Eden with AJ Shoesmith, and Daniel Campbell at last week’s Cannonvale Wellbeing Group meeting

COUNCILLOR COLUMN with Councillor Gary Simpson

Hello everyone,

Thanks to those of you who have been joining us at the Community catch-ups across the region. The turnout in Cape Gloucester was great and it provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with residents to discuss current and future plans. We appreciate the time you have taken out of your busy schedules to meet with myself, my fellow Councillors and the Community Engagement and project teams.

Easter holidays are in full swing and it’s amazing to see so many of you out and about enjoying everything our beautiful region has to offer. Across Division 5 we saw lots of people heading to the beaches of Hydeaway Bay and Dingo Beach to relax, unwind and enjoy our beautiful coastline.

Across in Division 3, Lake Proserpine is offering free camping to all children at the lakeside campgrounds throughout the month of April! What a spectacular opportunity to get out and about and enjoy our own backyard. If you haven’t visited Lake Proserpine yet, be sure to put it on your Whitsunday bucket list.

The Proserpine RV park is also back open and ready to welcome travellers arriving in our region to enjoy our Whitsunday winter. There is also a new RV park in Collinsville which has been very busy hosting many new faces to the area.

Meet One Of Airlie’s Auxiliary Thomas Torzsok

It is not a uniquely Australian character trait to lend a hand, but Aussies do it better than most.

When things turn sour, the ‘lucky country’ shows its compassion the best way it knows how; getting stuck in.

jobs, still living the life they want, while giving back and serving their community.”

Whitsunday Regional Council encompasses over 537 hectares of open spaces – that’s the equivalent to around 700 NRL football fields!

These areas are maintained by the 38 outdoor team members of our Parks and Gardens team who work together to keep our region clean and tidy for us all to enjoy.

As well as looking after these green spaces, our Parks and Gardens team maintain over 120 parks, 130 barbeques, 305 picnic settings and 250 playground and exercise equipment embellishments across the region. Our team pride themselves on working

Back in Division 5 there’s good news for lovers of walking and hiking, as the sealing of Forestry Road edges near completion. This road meanders up to the beginning of the Great Whitsunday Walk in Brandy Creek.

The road was almost washed away in the floods of 2019. However, thanks to funding from the State Government, we have renewed nearly 50 storm water crossings along the track and will be extending the existing seal in the next couple of months to mitigate such events in the future. The Forestry Road project was made possible thanks to $500k of funding from the Transport and Tourism Connections scheme and $250k of funding from the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme.

As well as upgrading the road, we are also installing a much-needed amenities block in the car park which services multiple visitors and locals year-round. This is expected to occur early in the new financial year thanks to funding from Works for Queensland, Round 4.

Cheers

Cr Gary

Firefighters embody Australia’s ethos of helping in times of crisis. Through secondary employment, Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) auxiliary firefighters balance full-time work with fighting fires and saving lives.

At the Airlie Beach Fire Station, there are roughly 15 of the casual, station-based firefighters who respond to emergency situations when the demand arises. One of them is Thomas Torzsok.

Mr Torzsok said being an auxiliary firefighter might seem superhuman to some, but to him it is simply serving his community.

“In Airlie Beach we have mineworkers, real estate agents, physiotherapists, and electricians balancing their lives alongside saving others with the FRS,” Mr Torzsok said.

“People working these normal, everyday

Chamber Chat

Ihope you are all enjoying the holiday spirit and some well earnt down time, or, as is the case for many – enjoying the holiday boom!.

Mr Torzsok, like others at the station, wears “many hats”. In addition to his auxiliary role, he works full-time at tourism business Ocean Rafting, plays football, and runs his own business on the side.

“If you saw me ten minutes before I put on the uniform, in my boardshorts, a t-shirt, and thongs, you would never know,” he said.

“Being able to switch and turn into a firefighter is the best feeling in the world. I have not had a feeling like I have had inside a fire truck when you are gearing up to go somewhere.”

The paid position requires permission to attend emergencies from a full-time employer and requires two weeks of basic training and testing, then two to three nights a week being on-call alongside regular weekly trainings.

Mr Torzsok said he was swayed to join the FRS when meeting some of Airlie Beach’s firefighters and watching them

Allan Milostic, President of the Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce

hard to make sure you can enjoy the Whitsunday lifestyle we all know and love.

The team also work tirelessly at our regional cemeteries to make sure goodbyes to loved ones happen as smoothly as possible.

With the entire state bursting with visitors, increased flights and access to the Whitsundays has paid dividends with nearly 100 per cent occupancy rates across the Whitsundays for the Easter break and 85 per cent for the school holidays – and for once, these are genuine reflections of capacity – not a percentage of reduced capacity due to staff shortages. The international influx of short-term holiday visa workers has filled many unskilled labour gaps taking pressure off owners and existing workforce.

A great result for the region and for once, the Easter weather has stayed away with perfect weather for everyone to enjoy.

Housing continues to make headlines across the state with an increasing number of people and families resorting to living in their cars whilst trying to find accommodation they can afford. It is happening here. It is a disgrace. And whilst state governments are finally turning summits and

talks into action with new social housing projects in completion or underway – the alarm bells have been ringing for years with little done to prevent the crisis. Some local councils have adopted laws to address the short-term letting issues with some success. Noosa now has a short-term letting approval process annually with properties to comply with town plan, other regulations and results in a change in ratings category. Approval notice is to be displayed at the front of a property with 24/7 complaints number. The process seems to be working with some properties reverting to long term rentals helping families and workers remain in the region.

The Chambers’ next event is a casual networking breakfast on Thursday, April 20, 7am at Whitsunday Green. With a couple of major announcements and introductions to be made, we invite all chamber members to attend. 2023 will be a pivotal year – we plan to tackle it proactively. See you all soon.

From Alan Milostic, Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce.

Auxiliary Firefighters

in training.

“That is something I would recommend to everyone; there is no pressure watching a training session,” he said.

“I knew instantly that was what I wanted to do, and I would never have known if I had not come to watch.”

Mr Torzsok said the appeal of being an auxiliary is obvious; helping others is its own “reward”. The additional benefits of camaraderie, working alongside a team in mentally and physically challenging conditions, contributing during bushfire emergencies and flood events, were secondary.

“It makes me proud to be an auxiliary firefighter,” he said. If you are interested in a career change and want to learn more about auxiliary firefighters, head here: https://www.qfes.qld.gov. au/careers-and-volunteering/ fire-rescue-and-operations/ aux-firefighter

Anything Environmental Opens New Cannonvale Depot

Recycling just got a whole lot easier thanks to Anything Environmental who have just opened a new depot in Cannonvale.

This means Whitsunday residents can access recycling services in Proserpine and Cannonvale as of April 17.

Anything Environmental have been operating in the Mackay and Whitsunday region for the past five years and during that time they have processed an impressive 20 million containers.

They work with local businesses, festivals, events and community groups to provide simple solutions to recycling bottles and cans.

On a smaller scale, they provide the community with recycling depots where they can deposit their personal recyclable waste.

The new premises in Cannonvale is fully air-conditioned so you can meet the friendly team and deposit your recycling in cool comfort.

Each eligible container receives a 10-cent refund which can be paid in cash or placed into your membership number which goes into your bank account.

Anything Environmental also offer the drop n go system this means you have the flexibility to take your bagged recycling

and place them in the drop n go bins at Cannonvale or Proserpine. Label it with your member ship number and refund will go straight into your bank account once processed.

Anything Environmental are a family operated business that is dedicated to creating simple, effective solutions to the safe and efficient processing of recycling. They also offer a commercial collection service and free bins for your Non for profit events.

Be proactive about preserving our beautiful environmental, collect your containers, save the planet, and make some money while you’re doing it!

Workers Pick Paradise As Attraction Campaign Launches

North Queensland’s Pick Paradise workforce attraction campaign has re-launched for the 2023 growing season, encouraging workers to experience what the Whitsunday region has to offer.

Following a successful “social media blitz” in 2022, this year’s campaign is focusing on the connection and friendship found as workers travel and support local growers.

Combined with destination imagery, the campaign hopes to inspire both domestic and international workers to book a ticket to the region, promising adventure, beauty, and the perfect work and holiday balance.

An audience of 391,000 was reached by the Pick Paradise campaign in 2022, generating strong interest from workers both domestically and globally – a target this year’s campaign hopes to match.

Metrics from the first phase, combined with worker and grower sentiment, means Pick Paradise 2023 will tighten its spread, though, focusing on target markets who are ready to travel to the Whitsundays and North Queensland for work in the horticulture, agriculture and aquaculture sectors.

Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Chief Executive Officer, Ry Collins, said the

launch of Pick Paradise 2023 was timed to entice workers to the region when growers need them most.

“Highlighting the beauty of the region and the diversity of roles on offer was a great success in 2022,” Mr Collins said.

“In 2023 we once again aim to support our industry through this platform and look forward to the vibrancy and economic benefits that an engaged workforce brings to the region.”

Pick Paradise campaign hopes to capitalise on its website and free jobs board – a successful component of the previous attraction term. Close to 10,000 users visited the site in 2022, with the platform offering growers a large audience to share position vacancies and potential workers valuable information about the region and what is involved in farm work.

Colette Williams, Agriculture Workforce Officer, said the Pick Paradise website is an important tool for both growers and working holiday makers.

“The website has become a one-stop-shop for potential workers,” she said, “they can find all of the important information on travel, accommodation, leisure activities and work, and then easily apply for the jobs on offer.”

“The diversity of positions available across

the region really means there is something for everyone considering a working holiday in North Queensland”.

As the growing season commences for 2023, local producers are encouraged to visit the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association website for more information on how to post jobs to the Pick Paradise website. In addition, growers and workers can use the hashtag #pickparadise when posting to social media to spread the word on the campaign.

Pick Paradise is a joint initiative between the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association and the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network with funding from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) is funded by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and supports Queensland agribusinesses to attract, train and retain workers. QAWN is a free service available to Queensland agribusinesses regardless of commodity or organisation membership.

The successful Pick Paradise agricultural worker campaign is relaunching for 2023 with hopes to bring more seasonal workers to the region

Whitsundays Is Most Affordable Region In Queensland

The Whitsundays has been named the most affordable place to live in Queensland, followed closely by Mackay, in a study completed by PRD’s Chief Economist Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo.

“Both local government areas tick the boxes for having a much lower median house price than Brisbane Metro, strong investment indicators, a lot of future projects, and looks like not much supply planned,” she explains.

“Slower price growth is now evident; this makes house prices more affordable and creates opportunities for owner-occupiers and investors.”

This news gives prospective home buyers more confidence in the market and also encourages future growth of our region.

The median house price in the Whitsundays is $440,000 and over the last 10 years there has been a 10 per cent growth.

Meanwhile, Mackay’s median house price is $435,000 and their growth has been 0.5

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

Key To Minimising Costs And Improving Water Quality

per cent over the past 10 years.

The rental yield in the Whitsundays is 5.3 per cent and the vacancy rate is just 0.2 per cent.

The top 10 most affordable local government areas all had median house prices that were $600,000 and under, approximately 30 per cent lower than Melbourne’s and more than half of Sydney’s median house price in December 2022.

Home loan affordability has been at the lower end of the scale since its peak in 2001, with December 2022 figures showing more declines.

In the past 12 months, Australia’s home loan affordability declined to 22.4 index points with Queensland (QLD) recorded at 24.5 index points, proving it to be the friendliest state for buyers.

This is the highest home loan affordability among the four states within this report and is above the Australian average.

Sugar Prices Surge To New Highs

The last month has seen a surge in the number 11 sugar futures contract with new highs recorded for all contracts on the board.

This has catapulted the balance of the 2022 crop to a high of $775/t for growers who are still to finalise target pricing for last season.

A major beneficiary of the higher prices has been the Wilmar Production Risk Pool. As at the end of March, the forecast pool valuation was $709/t actual ($685/t IPS).

This is a great result for growers who have chosen to use this marketing option for some or all of their crop.

For the upcoming 2023 season, prices are also making new highs, along with 2024 and 2025 seasons. At the time of writing the highest target price filled for 2023 was $690/t, $600/t for 2024 and $550/t for 2025.

We are getting a lot of enquiries from our growers what is driving the price. Obviously, the physical market remains tight with northern hemisphere crops cutting out a bit quicker than hoped and Brazil yet to fully come online.

Our forecasts have 22/23 season with a global supply and demand deficit of over

2 million tonnes of sugar.

For 23/24 season we are currently projecting the trade flows to remain tight even with a massive Brazilian crop factored in. The recent rise in the oil price and the decision by the Brazilian government to raise the tax rate on gasoline will underpin concerns for sugar supply from the world’s largest exporter.

A weaker AUD has also helped nudge prices higher.

Nevertheless, there is a market saying that high prices cure high prices. Growers need to assess where their current costs of production are, and whether the forward prices on offer make sense to provide certainty of income for their business.

Our marketing consultants are currently busy with growers finalising their pricing for 2023 season. The deadline for nomination is April 28. There is a lot of fresh enquiry for our GMPRS product following excellent grower results this year.

For any queries, please contact your Proserpine Grower Marketing Consultant Shirley Norris on 0437 803 019. Plane Creek growers can contact Angus McKerrow on 0419 238 536.

Contributed with thanks to Wilmar Sugar.

Growers can now maximise profits and reduce inputs through improved nutrient management planning thanks to Mackay Area Productivity Services (MAPS), as part of the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program (MWWQP).

Nutrient management plans developed for specific farms allow growers to better understand their soils and growing conditions.

By having this detailed knowledge, growers in conjunction with agronomic assistance from MAPS, can more effectively plan what, when and how to apply nutrients to their blocks to maximise yields, and reduce inputs and runoff entering local waterways.

Nutrient management starts from the ground up with soil testing and interpretation of those results by agronomists.

Growers can access this detailed soil analysis with MAPS via funding from the MWWQP.

One grower who has taken advantage of the funding available is Albert De Boni, a generational cane grower from Devereaux Creek.

“Our soil tests are what govern how much nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous and sulphur that we put on,” he explains.

“We could be up for within excess of $250,000 this year just for fertiliser alone.”

The soil analysis determined that the pH

of Albert’s farm was lower than ideal to maximise nutrient uptake from applied fertilisers.

As a result, with support and financial assistance from the MWWQP, Albert and MAPS worked together to design and construct a liquid lime spreader that could accurately apply lime to the rows. This increased the pH, allowing less nitrogen fertiliser to be applied, and optimising the cane’s ability to use that nitrogen. This project reduced the amount of overall nitrogen applied, thereby lowering costs, and moved away from blanket spreading of powdered lime, meaning smaller amounts of lime could be applied more accurately.

“The less you apply, the less chance you have of it getting into our river systems,” said Albert.

“Therefore, projects such as this one are reducing costs and improving environmental outcomes.”

“MAPS has been very, very helpful. If we can get funding to do a project, it sort of encourages us to have a go,” said Albert. 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

The MAPS Projects are funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Cane farmer, Albert De Boni, uses liquid lime spreader to save money and the environment. Photo supplied

Local Supermarket Donates Worth Of Food For Change

Cruise Ships A Major Museum Boon

Proserpine Museum is experiencing its own miniature “Renaissance period” thanks to the return of cruise ships bringing in museumgoers by the busload.

The local institution has welcomed an influx of travellers over the past six months similar to pre-Cyclone Debbie levels.

Proserpine Museum volunteer Gloria Cowan said the cruise ships – which began returning in June 2022 – are providing the non-for-profit with its second-largest injection of funding, just behind the annual Book Bonanza.

“As the museum is run entirely by volunteers, all funding goes towards maintenance – which is usually covered by the Bonanza,” Ms Cowan said.

“With the number of people coming from across the world thanks to these cruises, we will be able to afford more than just

upkeep.”

Passengers from the United States and Europe have dropped by en masse at the Proserpine Museum, coming fresh from the cruise ships in numbers as high as 320 people per day.

“They will often arrive in the morning buses with as many as 50 people as part of these tours out to Proserpine,” Ms Cowan said.

“Then 15 more buses will come throughout the day and they are always extremely interested in the history of Proserpine and our museum – most have no prior knowledge of the sugar industry or of our town at all.

“It has been excellent for the museum and for the volunteers. The majority of the time, they’re walking out of the door wishing they had more time to explore!”

Alocal supermarket has donated over $20 thousand worth of food to the Proserpine St Vincent de Paul’s and the Whitsunday Foodbank in the past six months.

Peries IGA Proserpine has been quietly passing on the goods to the local nonfor-profits since November 2022 in a partnership through ‘Food For Change’. A national charity, Food For Change partners with IGA across the country, growing and “rescuing” nutritious food to support Food Relief Organisations who feed hungry Australians. Rescuing being the act of sending food which would normally be thrown away by stores - though it is still entirely safe and edibleto welfare organisations.

Peries IGA Proserpine Manager Keiryn Stacpoole said, through Food For Change, the local supermarket had donated $20,825 to the two local organisations.

“It’s a commitment on our end to one, not have any landfill, and two, to help people who need it,” he said.

“Not everyone can afford things and to have $20 thousand in food that hasn’t gone into the rubbish and is feeding those who are less fortunate, that’s a wonderful feeling.”

Proserpine St Vincent de Paul’s volunteer Elsie Magee said IGA had reached out to her directly to donate the food which is now a major contributor to Vinnies’ welfare operations.

“We’re so grateful that something like this is happening in Proserpine,” she said.

“That is a considerable amount of money that is now helping to support the community who need it, and I cannot thank IGA enough, as well as all those who make Vinnies what it is.”

St Vincent de Paul’s Proserpine had previously been accepting supplies for welfare from Townsville, with non-perishables and perishables being shipped down as part of regular activities – Ms Magee said that was almost no longer the case.

“I’ve told them that we don’t need so much to be sent down here now, and it can stay up there to help people in

Proserpine Museum volunteers Gloria Cowan, Peter Harling, Ros Gardel, and Julianne O’Brien. Photo credit: Declan Durrant

Donates $20 Thousand

Headspace Wants Your Help

Townsville,” she said.

“What IGA gives us is more than enough. It’s been excellent to have that backing, and the service itself [welfare] is becoming more popular over time. With the cost-of-living crisis, it’s necessary.”

Whitsunday Foodbank – which moved

into a new location on Proserpine’s Main Street earlier this year – expressed how ecstatic they were to be receiving the ongoing donations alongside their regular Foodbank Queensland supply.

“We have such an amazing community,” a Whitsunday Foodbank Proserpine spokesperson said.

Headspace Whitsundays is recruiting young people passionate about mental health and well-being to join its Youth Reference Group (YRG) and have their say in the community.

The confidential health service centre plans to give local youth the opportunity to input on headspace’s strategic direction through being a “voice of young people” in the Whitsundays.

Headspace, a national Youth Mental Health Foundation-run organisation, provides early intervention mental health services to young Australians each year, helping thousands of young people access services like counselling in 140 communities across Australia.

The volunteer role in the Youth Reference Group is for 14–25-year-olds and involves getting to influence the direction of headspace within the Whitsundays, meeting and working with other young, passionate mental health advocates, and developing personal and professional skills.

The Whitsunday centre provides free, confidential health services with a key focus on mental health, alcohol and other drugs, education and employment support and physical and sexual health.

As YRG members, local young people provide crucial information to headspaces across the country, keeping the sites relevant to the 12–25-year-olds it services.

YRG members will be involved in regular meetings with the centres and help make decisions on things such as community engagement, communications and health promotion.

Across the country, there is also the opportunity to act as a National YRG member, where participants can be a spokespeople for the organisation and lead local projects.

Training will be provided and for more information or to apply, contact headspace Whitsundays at 07 4842 6760 or Whitsundayheadspace@nwrh.com.au

Headspace Whitsundays is recruiting for its Youth Reference Group

Proserpine St Vincent de Paul’s volunteer Elsie Magee and Peries IGA Proserpine Manager Keiryn Stacpoole

Drought Master

A Swaggies breakfast / A smoke and look around

Your hat slouches / Over your weather-beaten brow

You’ve worked hard for this / Bearing up / Under a thousand scorching suns.

You never came undone / Or did you? / It still journeys through you

Your dreaming / Buried beneath / The leathered lines

Of your face / Deep listening / You hear it coming

You close your eyes / The storm coming / Worry lines forming

Third eye open / You stand your ground / On edge

Of breath-taking stillness / You breathe in / You stand in

The eye / Then comes the howling / Shearing / Screaming

Chaotic / Spin of the wind!

Birds / Caught in your hair / Hold tightly / As you circle the earth

Detaching / Unearthing / Air-birthing

Lightning strikes / Fear in your eyes / The bushfire

Raging / You, mad bull / Turning / In the ring

You, thundering / Resisting / The pull / To leave

Then it breaks! / The sky breaks! / Your dusty tears flowing

You fall to the ground / You, knee deep in joy! / You, hold yourself still

You kiss the sky /Lodestone to Mother Earth / You won’t leave her

Cracked crease / Etched deep / In your memory / Drought Master

By Helen Waratah Cohen

Readers’ poetry can be emailed to declan@mackayandwhitsundaylife.com Submissions should be in the body of the email, not as attachments.

‘Pantser’ Releases First Novel

Creating a whole new world for “characters that write themselves” is local author Nigel Gleeson, who has just released his first novel ‘Awakening’.

Following the tale of a young girl called Ariana, the book is in the high fantasy genre and follows her journey as she is kidnapped by a group of priestesses who have been exposed to magic so potent that it has possessed them.

Ariana escapes when she is nine years old, and her journey continues.

A self-proclaimed ‘Pantser’, Nigel chooses to let his words flow and his characters create themselves and dictate the storyline.

Writers are traditionally either ‘plotters’ or ‘pantsers’ which is short for flying by the seat of your pants!

In Nigel’s case, he thoroughly plans and depicts a firm vision of the reality he is creating, then allows the story to wander within that world without pre-planning where it will lead.

The Dutch Connection

Our Pioneers from The Netherlands (Holland)

There was only sporadic immigration to Australia from the Netherlands (Holland) before World War 2 as the Dutch had their own colonies and close ties with South Africa. However, after the war the situation was different. The Netherlands was overpopulated and much land was lost through floods and salinity. Dutch colonists were expelled from the East Indies. As a result, the number of migrants increased dramatically. Many looked to Queensland because of its climate and being highly skilled in tropical agriculture, they were easily absorbed into the local population.

One Dutch family with descendants still living in the district is the Spoor Family. Patriarch of the family, Rommert Spoor, had a factory in Holland making and exporting wooden casks. He had five sons and a daughter. When the business went broke, the sons went their different ways. The eldest, Pieter, took his two sons to Australia when his wife died, leaving Holland in 1911 and settling in Mundubbera. He sent for his brother, Atze who, with his family of four, arrived in Australia in 1912. Atze had worked on trains in Hol-

land and took a job in Cloncurry. They had two more children – Jim and Wietske. Jim was a carpenter and he built quite a few houses in Proserpine.

The second eldest son, Dirk, whose first wife had also died, migrated to Australia and also settled in Mundubbera. He went in for cattle and reputedly sold some to Faust station. He also visited the Proserpine Show with some of his cattle, Illawarras.

Tietstke, the only Spoor daughter of Rommert, married Koos van Noort. They settled in Australia pre-1920, firstly in Brisbane where Koos, a very skilled tailor, made a suit for the Prince of Wales. The Van Noorts never had any children and later came to Proserpine to live. Here Koos worked for Mr Tom Byers.

In 1924, on a trip back to Holland, they persuaded more members of the Spoor family to migrate. When Fred Spoor heard they were returning for a visit, he sold up their hardware store and with his wife, Sara, and three daughters, Wietske, Elizabeth and Mary, he headed off too. When they came to Proserpine, Peter and Bob

“A lot of the work that goes into writing these sorts of books is not seen by the readers,” explains Nigel.

“You have to create a whole culture, a history, even the weather!”

Originally from the gorge country of Northern New South Wales, Nigel is a generational farmer whose culture is founded in Irish convict ancestry.

He uses the remote wilderness of his childhood to inspire his fictional world.

A move to Tasmania with his seven children saw new doors open for him when he wandered into a Gothic Medieval giftshop.

There he met a man who invited him to join The Order of the Dragan’s Realm, a medieval club where he learnt to fight full metal combat with swords.

Again, this inspires the theme of his novel today.

It took Nigel 12 years to write his first novel, much of this has been achieved in the past few years since he moved to the Whitsundays with his daughter.

The first book is part of a trilogy and Nigel is already working on the second book entitled, ‘Scar’, with ‘Other World’ completing the series.

were already farming in the area. Fred grew cane for a while and started a sawmill for tomato cases. He was a good cabinet maker and very good at French polishing, making many a beautiful chess table for locals.

Later, Fred bought a lorry and used to take a crowd to the beach on sports days. Weekly, they carted groceries for farmers – Baumgartens, Cowans, Valmadres, Thorogoods, Sinclairs and Gaspers. They also carted groceries for Happy Valley miners.

Mary married Wal Spencer and Wietske married John Holcombe. Elizabeth married their cousin, Bob Spoor, and they had three girls and one boy, Piet, who continued farming in the area.

Bertus Mazijk also migrated from Holland and eventually married one of the

Spoor daughters, Christine.

Descendants of both the Spoor and Mazijk families still reside in the district with one of Piet’s sons, Dale Spoor, still farming in the Kelsey Creek area. Just one member of Rommert Spoor’s family remained in Holland.

Story courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum and “Memories” by Mary Spencer (nee Spoor); photo courtesy Spoor family.

Author Nigel Gleeson introduces his first book, Awakening. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

Why Do My Ears Feel Blocked?

Ears can feel blocked for a number of reasons. If you have a cold or sinus issues, your Eustachian Tube, the part of the ear that allows your ears to equalise, can become clogged with mucus. This hampers your ability to easily equalise the pressure in your ears – giving you the sensation of blocked ears. In most instances, this will resolve itself over the course of a few days or weeks.

Sometimes an ear infection in the middle ear can cause your ears to feel blocked. This occurs when bacteria enter the middle ear space and the Eustachian Tube gets blocked. You may experience pain in the ear, and a temperature. Children may also display changes in behaviour and babies may rub their ears. Again, some infections may clear on their own, whilst others will require pain killers and/or antibiotics.

Wax is one of the most common reasons a person’s ears feel blocked. Earwax is not inherently bad but becomes a problem when it causes blockages or impaction. This can result in trouble hearing, pain, dizziness, ringing in the ear. Once the wax is removed, these symptoms will often disappear.

On very rare occasions, a blocked ear may be a symptom of an acoustic neuroma or cholesteatoma.

In any case, blocked ears should not be ignored and should be checked by your GP or hearing specialist.

Whitsunday Hearing’s Cannonvale clinic is open five days week, with regular visiting sites at Proserpine, Bowen, Home Hill & Ayr. Call 4946 4906.

Is There One Secret To Life?

There are so many handy ‘tips for living’ lists out there. You may have come across some of them, maybe even tried to follow their guidance.

Have you noticed, though, that most - if not all - of these lists are different to each other?

They provide different guidance, by different individuals, from different generations and backgrounds, expressing their own different beliefs, perceptions, experiences, opinions, conclusions, and insights about life.

Who is to say any of these lists are ideal or even suitable to your own individual needs, life-fulfilment, and personality? Do you have the time or the inclination to try and test any such list?

What if there exists an ultimate list of ‘tips for living’? One guiding truth which is independent of anyone’s generation, background, beliefs, perceptions, experiences, opinions, conclusions, and insights?

One generic set of everlasting principles that can be trusted with utter surety by anyone, that can be applied by any individual in their own personal life, towards their own unique happiness and value-fulfilment?

Such a list does exist. It is based on giving new meaning to our choices and actions in life – meaning that is drawn from absolute truth. The first principle is this list is the one which all others rely upon.

So much so, that if you truly follow and live that first principle with meaning of absolute truth, all of the other principles in the list are automatically fulfilled, and therefore automatically so are you.

That principle is this: Trust and acceptance of yourself.

What does all of this mean in Absolute Truth? Stay tuned.

Contributed by Joab Russo.

For many, fitness is a word that instantly creates a feeling of “No thanks, too hard, I don’t look like those gym people, etc.” It’s sometimes as simple as this that people don’t actually regularly exercise.

After a while, if health problems begin, then the thought of being ‘fit’ just becomes a thought it’ll never happen.

The interesting thing is that when we are actively involved in fitness, or any exercise including sport, all you really want for those people is to understand that fitness is literally different for everyone.

For me, fitness has always been about challenging myself, and ensuring I have a sharp mind, and have the ability to do a diverse range of physical tasks like mountain biking, gardening, or any rigorous work.

Fitness has also evolved over the years to really include the many mental health benefits and not just the physical. It’s always been known to us ‘fitness

type people’ as we regularly have the endorphin rush from exercise, as many of us embark on some kind of physical activity every day.

In summary, I want to set the notion that:

• Fitness is different for everyone

• Fitness isn’t just about the physical

• Most people that you see that take their physical health seriously, also want you to take care of their physical and mental state too.

Group fitness can be heaps of fun as you end up exercising together, similar to playing a sport.

So, if you aren’t familiar with exercising, but you’d like to give it a go, visit practically any fitness facility and try a group class.

I’m sure you’ll love it, and your physical and mental health will thank you both in the short term and long term.

Sonny Ivanovic

GIG GUIDE

Friday 14th April

• The Pub: Acoustic Sessions, Ed Sheeran Tribute (7-10pm)

• Paradiso: Loui Battour (7-10pm)

• KC’s: Aaron Saxon (8pm-late)

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

• Grandview Hotel, Bowen: Tammy Moxan (from 8pm)

Saturday 15th April

• The Pub: Neil Diamond Tribute (25.30pm)

• The Pub: Acoustic Sessions, Joe Boshell (7-10pm)

• Paradiso: Simon Briley (7-10pm)

• KC’s: Jason Bull (8pm-late)

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

Sunday 16th April

• Paradiso: Aaron Saxon (1-4pm)

• The Pub: Neil Diamond Tribute (25.30pm)

• The Pub: Acoustic Sessions, Ed Sheeran Tribute (7-10pm)

• KC’s: Aaron Saxon (8pm-late)

Monday 17th April

• KC’s: Sam McCann (8pm-late)

Tuesday 18th April

• KC’s: Tammy Moxan (8pm-late)

Wednesday 19th April

• KC’s: Jason Bull (8pm-late)

Thursday 20th April

• Paradiso: Aaron Saxon (6.30-9.30pm)

• The Pub: Acoustic Sessions, Lloyd Saunders (6.30-10pm)

• KC’s: Peta Richards (8pm-late)

• Grandview Hotel, Bowen: Jason Bull (from 8pm)

Cocaine Bear

On a pleasant day in 1985 outside Tennessee in the United States, within the confines of the Chattahoochee National Forest, a 175-pound black bear, having literally packed his stomach “to the brim” with cocaine, died.

You read correctly: The 2023 horror-comedy Cocaine Bear is based on a real event – well, loosely. Cocaine bear existed, though fleetingly. He never rampaged, as he fictitiously does in the Elizabeth Banks film. Instead, he burned bright and quickly, overdosing on $2 million worth of 40 kilograms (roughly $55 million USD) of pure, white, Columbian marching powder. What a way to go. To quote Shakespeare: “Out, out, brief candle!”

For all that, he earnt him an immortal place in Kentucky folklore -- and a prime spot in Lexington mall. Taxedermied in an eternal vigil between vending machines

WHAT'S ON

13-16 Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Amongst Thieves showing at the PEC Cinema

13-16 Argonuts showing at the PEC Cinema

14 Airlie Beach Movie Night: Shark Tale and Oddball from 6pm

15 Get Active Bowen: 10am, Bowen Foreshore

17 Speechie Talks Program, Cannonvale/ Proserpine Libraries 9.30am

17 Kinder Gym at Bowen PCYC

18 Sailability Whitsundays from 9am at Whitsunday Sailing Club

18 Fitter For Life Over 50’s at Bowen PCYC

19 Kinder Gym at Bowen PCYC

and mechanical rocking horses. Locals dance between the nicknames of ‘Pablo Eskobear’ or ‘Cokey the Bear’.

Now, his legacy has transcended to the big screen. This time, he’s 500-pounds, this time, he doesn’t die when he consumes an ‘80s Stephen King’s helping worth of cocaine, he goes on a drug-fuelled riot. Much like predecessors of its kind (Snakes on A Plane comes most clearly to mind), the film is an excuse for gory ultraviolence, but unlike the 2006 film it shares a high concept with, Cocaine Bear is here for the laughs.

The bear stumbles across a cartel’s lost packages of cocaine and goes manic --

it’s pure B-Movie (bear movie, perhaps?) schlock, and it’s outrageously fun for it. Head to the cinema expecting a massive animal on cocaine and you’ll leave with expectations met. It fulfills its title promise with aplomb.

Cocaine Bear (MA15+) will begin screening at The Bowen Summergarden Cinema on April 22. Review by Declan Durrant.

Want to be included in our weekly event guide? Email rachael@ mackayandwhitsundaylife.com to find out more.

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

20 Fitter For Life Over 50’s at Bowen PCYC

24 Kennedy Masonic Lodge public meeting to recognise Anzacs

24 Speechie Talks Program, Cannonvale/ Proserpine Libraries 9.30am

24 Kinder Gym at Bowen PCYC

26 Kinder Gym at Bowen PCYC

27 Fitter For Life Over 50’s at Bowen PCYC

28 How To Spot A Scam, 9.30am at Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre

28-29 St Cath’s Beauty & The Beast performance at the PEC

BOWEN SUMMERGARDEN CINEMAS

May

1 Speechie Talks Program, Cannonvale/Proserpine Libraries 9.30am

2-3 Mr Stink production at PEC

8 Speechie Talks Program, Cannonvale/ Proserpine Libraries 9.30am

11 Lady Sings the Maroons performance at the PEC

12 Airlie Beach Movie Night: Babe and The Sapphires from 6pm

15 Speechie Talks Program, Cannonvale/ Proserpine Libraries 9.30am

20 On by Circa performance at the PEC

21 Multicultural Festival at Whitsunday PCYC 10am – 2pm

22 Speechie Talks Program, Cannonvale/ Proserpine Libraries 9.30am

“EMPIRE OF LIGHT” (MA) 115mins Drama/Romance A drama about the power of human connection during turbulent times, set in an English coastal town in the early 1980’s.

Stars: Olivia Colman, Michael Ward, Colin Firth

“DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES (M) 135mins Action/Comedy A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers embark on an epic quest to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. Stars: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page

“THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE” (PG) 100mins Comedy/Adventure The story of The Super Mario Bros. on their journey through the Mushroom Kingdom.

Stars: Chris Pratt(voice), Anya Taylor-Joy(voice), Charlie Day(voice)

“MY FAIRY TROUBLEMAKER (G) 80mins Adventure/Comedy A cheeky fairy named Violetta gets lost into the human world. To go back to the fairy world, she meets and teams up with a 12-year-old girl named Maxie and discovers her true destiny. Stars: Justin Daniels Anene, Alex Avenell (voice), Stephan Benson (voice)

“65” (M) 93mins Action/Adventure An astronaut crash lands on a mysterious planet only to discover he’s not alone.

Stars: Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, Chloe Coleman

“AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER” (M) 192mins Action/Adventure/Fantasy Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na’vi race to protect their planet. Stars: Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver

“JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4” (MA) 169mins Action/Adventure John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes. Stars: Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård

6.45pm

Director Elizabeth Banks’ film Cocaine Bear is majestically absurd and how couldn’t it be?

One of Australia’s funniest comedians is coming to The Pub for a gut-busting session of incisive and derisive, cynical, and sardonic comedy at the beginning of next month.

Lawrence Mooney – renowned Aussie stand-up comic, radio broadcaster, and television host – will perform at The Airlie Beach Hotel in a once-in-a-lifetime show on Wednesday, May 3.

The seasoned stage performer has regularly toured the country to packed houses, been nominated for The Barry Award at The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and won Best Show at The Sydney Comedy Festival, as well as being named as Best National Act at the Perth Comedy Festival and Best Comedy Act at the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Called the funniest comedian in Australia by New Idea, Mooney is a familiar voice to Queensland audiences, having taken Triple M Brisbane’s breakfast radio show to number one and winning an Australian Commercial Radio Award (ACRA) for Best Entertainment Presenter in a metro market.

And he’s no stranger to television: Mooney is well known for hosting Dirty Laundry Live that ran for three seasons on ABC, as well as his work on ‘Agony Uncles,’ ‘Agony of Life’ and ‘Modern Manners.’

To have him bringing the laughs at the Airlie Beach Hotel – when his touring circuit usually sees him fill up major theatres – is an extraordinary boon for the Whitsundays.

He’s been a regular on ‘The Back Page,’ and

Open Air Cinema For Families

Bring your friends and family to the Airlie Beach Foreshore for the upcoming outdoor cinema screening, this Friday, April 14, from 6pm. Showcasing a double feature, this evening will be fun for the whole family, with various food vans offering delicious meals and treats throughout the evening, to keep families well fed.

The first film is ‘Shark Tale’, which follows the story of a bluestreak cleaner wrasse, Oscar, as he struggles to become ‘top of the reef’ and becomes tan gled in messy gangster business.

This is followed by ‘Oddball’, an Australian film about a chicken farmer who trains his dog, Oddball, to protect a penguin sanctuary from foxes, saving the small town in the process.

From 4pm, the Foreshore will also have various pre-event activities on offer, for families to enjoy prior to the screening.

The Whitsunday Lions Cruise Ship Markets are also being held on the Airlie Beach

Foreshore on Friday, April 14, from 8am.

So, make a day of it at the Airlie Beach Foreshore, exploring the Cruise Ship Markets, before enjoying the sunset with free, fun, family entertainment.

Don’t forget your picnic blanket!

In the event of poor weather, the outdoor cinema will be postponed.

Please note, this is an alcohol-free event.

WHAT: Outdoor Cinema

WHERE: Airlie Beach Foreshore

WHEN: Friday, April 14, from 4pm TICKETS: Free

as a hand-picked host for the new comedy-driven footy show, Up The Guts, on Fox Sports following on from Friday Night Footy.

The regularly touring humourist will be joined on the Sports Bar Stage by Andrew Barnett, the Fox-Sports-famous comedian and presenter on Sunday Night with Matty Johns and The Back Page.

Barnett, with his relaxed, affable style which belies a razor sharp wit, has a comedic ability brimming with insightful observations and witty anecdotes – he’s an absolute crowd favourite wherever he performs.

With Mooney as the main act, he’ll be pulling material from his anti-self-help book, Embracing Your Limitations, coming fresh off the back of the Brisbane

Comedy Festival – he’s ready to transform you through laughter.

“The world is full of self-styled gurus, Svengalis, mind coaches and horrific influencers. Are you sick of the world? Are you tired of your own bulls**t?” Mooney said.

“I’m here to help you to quit, embrace your inner loser and win at life.”

The Airlie Beach Hotel will turn into a barrel of laughs courtesy of one of the country’s top comedians in May – don’t miss your chance for a festival of laughter.

WHAT: A Night of Comedy with Lawrence Mooney

WHEN: Wednesday, May 3.

WHERE: The Airlie Beach Hotel

Country’s Top Comedian Coming To Your Favourite Local Musical Festival Announces First Line-Up

Music lovers across the region will be excited to discover that the first line-up for this year’s Airlie Beach Festival of Music has been announced.

Now in its 11th year, the award-winning festival will take place at the Whitsunday Sailing Club from November 9-12.

The four-day festival extravaganza will feature some new and exciting acts but will also include some of the crowd favourites who have been invited back to perform.

The first release for 2023 sees the announcement of Ian Moss, Frenzal Rhomb, The Superjesus and the Pierce Brothers.

Ian Moss is respected as one of Australia’s most iconic musicians, delivering an unforgettable sound, he is a talented soloist on guitar with a silken voice, ringing with clarity and resonating with pure soul.

Meanwhile, Frenzal Rhomb formed in the early nineties and has gone on to bless stages everywhere over countless world tours where they performed alongside the likes of NOFX and Nickleback.

Next up, are twin brothers Jack and Patrick Pierce who are returning to the festival for a second year.

The Pierce Brothers are a high-energy duo who have captivated festival goers and headlined sold-out venues the world over,

including most recently a sold-out European and UK tour in 2022.

The Superjesus are also returning this year - one of Australia’s most respected rock outfits, this band won three ARIA Awards and released three platinum albums. Frontwoman, Sarah Mcleod, will also be the festival ambassador for the second year in a row.

Completing the first line-up announcement for 2023 are festival favourite Matty Rogers, last year’s Passport to Airlie winners Perry Street Park and Buskers by the Lake winner Tanya George.

WHAT: Airlie Beach Festival of Music

WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club

WHEN: November 9-11

TICKETS: airliebeachfestivalofmusic. com.au

Aussie comedian Lawrence Mooney is coming to The Airlie Beach Hotel on May 3 for an evening of laughs

He’ll be joined by Andrew Barnett, the famed Fox Sports stand up comic Mooney will be running through his playbook of hilarious jokes from his “anti-self-help” book

Ian Moss will be performing at the Airlie Beach Festival of Music this year. Photo supplied

A Double Delight Cannonvale Twins Come Home

After 37 days at Townsville Hospital, twins Owen and Evan have finally made it home to Cannonvale with their proud parents and excited older brother.

The boys arrived at just 32 weeks and were kept in the Special Care Nursery while they reached a healthy size.

It had been an intense pregnancy for mum Louise (Lou) Grice who was diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome early on.

This meant the babies shared unequal amounts of the placenta’s blood, restricting the growth of one baby.

To solve the issue, Lou needed to endure an operation at 18 weeks so that the blood vessels that run from one twin to the other could be separated.

Lou says the whole journey for her and

her husband Matty has been a rollercoaster - the initial news that she was carrying twins was the biggest surprise of them all.

“There are no twins in the family, so it was very much a shock for us,” Louise said.

“I told Mathew he didn’t need to be at the scan as we had already gone down this road with our first son, Cameron.

“I couldn’t believe it when they told me it was twins and when I told Mathew his jaw dropped, and his face screwed up, but I could see he was smiling.”

Lou’s membranes ruptured on February 9, and she was swiftly moved from Proserpine to Townsville where she spent a week in hospital.

A long wait ensued, and the boys were finally born 15 days later.

Lou went into labour at 11.30pm which meant that the twins were born minutes

Mr Stink Comes To The PEC

apart yet managed to cross over two dates and will forever have different birthdays.

Evan was born at 11.56pm on 24 February and Owen at 12.02am on 25 February.

Lou said being the mum of multiples was ‘surreal’.

“The first time they were both put on me, it felt like a bit of a glitch in the matrix to look at both of them at the same time,” she said.

“You’re wired to just look at one.”

Now that she has returned to earth and is happily ensconced in the baby bubble of newborn family life, Lou says that the daily routine is hectic but fulfilling.

“Matty and I are often like a highly synchronised team swapping babies to feed, nappy change and play with,” said Lou.

“Everything takes a little longer than with one newborn so we just allow a little more time when getting out and about.

“The twins are quite the attraction when we head to the shops and have been stopped many times now in the few trips we’ve made out.”

Lou and Matty would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the safe delivery of their precious twins.

“The medical team who took care of us were incredible, from our GP at 121 Medical here at home, to both the pre and postnatal teams at Townsville Hospital as well as the specialists in Brisbane,” said Lou.

“And especially the midwives and nurses after birth who provided essential care in the first few weeks of their life, we learned so much from each of them and each had a unique piece of information we have taken home with us to help the transition to home life.”

Can You Spot A Scam?

Alocal organisation is hoping to help seniors with a free information seminar as the number of scam calls, emails, and text messages continues to grow.

‘Mr Stink’ Live on Stage

Prolific children’s author and comedian, David Walliams’ masterful creation, ‘Mr Stink’, is coming to the Proserpine stage.

As part of the show’s national tour, this Australian adaption will be in the Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC) on May 2 and 3.

Mr Stink follows the tale of Chloe, one of the loneliest girls in the world, who makes unlikely friends with Mr Stink, the local tramp.

Yes, he smells, but he is the only person who has ever been nice to Chloe. And when he needs a place to stay, Chloe offers him her families garden shed.

However, Chloe must now keep Mr Stink a secret in her garden shed, while learning that some secrets have a way of leading to disaster.

“Boisterous fun…the young audience… thoroughly enjoy[ed] this quality production,” The Daily Telegraph said.

‘Mr Stink’ comes off the back of extensive renovations to the PEC, having been left damaged by Cyclone Debbie in March 2017.

Now, newly renovated, and open to the public, the PEC is quickly becoming the landmark community facility for Proserpine once again.

‘Mr Stink’ is brought to the PEC by CDP Theatre Producers, who are behind other award-winning productions including David Walliams’ ‘The Midnight Gang’ and ‘The 91-Storey Treehouse’, as well as Australian productions of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show’ and ‘The Gruffalo’.

This charming and hilarious adaption is fun for the whole family.

WHAT: ‘Mr Stink’ – Live on Stage WHEN: May 2 and 3

WHEN: Proserpine Entertainment Centre

TICKETS: proserpineentertainmentcentre.com

Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre will run its free “How To Spot A Scam” Session on Friday, April 28 from 9.30am to 12.00pm.

The information meeting will be facilitated by Gary Greenhill, a Neighbourhood Centre volunteer who runs weekly oneon-one computer literacy classes for the region’s older generations.

Mr Greenhill, who has an array of experience with technology, professionally building websites and coding, is a “certified computer whiz”, and said he had been planning to run these new internet scam spotting classes for some time.

Executive Officer Rebecca Woods said the new “How To Spot A Scam” sessions would be a ‘pilot test’ where they could gauge the response and need from the number of attendees, though she believed there certainly was one.

“What we’re hoping for is a good group of people who want to focus on things with their computers, whether it be security or

Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre will provide a free “How To Spot A Scam” information session alongside the launch of its tablet loaning system the ‘Digital Library’

otherwise,” Ms Woods said.

“It will be an opportunity for people to ask questions in a small, group environment that will be extremely informative.”

The session will also be the official launch of the Centre’s new ‘Digital Library’ where members can loan a Tablet or an iPad.

More information on the Digital Library is available by phone at (07) 4946 7850 or by email at nc@whitnc.org.au

WHAT: “How To Spot A Scam” Information Session

WHEN: Friday, April 28, from 9.30am to 12.00pm

WHERE: Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre

Lou Grice with her newborn twins, Evan and Owen

After 37 days at Townsville Hospital the twins returned home last week

Big brother Cameron holds his baby brother. Photos supplied

SAILING

RESULTS:

Sabot Class

1st Immogen Trewavis representing Mackay Sailing Club in Black Pearl

2nd Jesse Jordan representing Whitsunday Sailing Club in Bandit

3rd Alec Billett representing Mackay Sailing Club in Admiral T Tacker Class

1st Darcy Kennedy representing Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen, in Ice Berg

2nd Alexandra Tewavis representing Mackay Sailing Club in Sea Pearl

3rd Kodi Wong representing Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen, in Hire

Junior Division – Optimist Class

1st Emily Franceschin representing Kep-

pel Bay Sailing Club in Dreaming

2nd Nathaniel McCarthy representing South of Perth Yacht Club in Splash

3rd Reid Martin representing Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen, in Plan Sea

Junior 2 Division – Sabots Class

1st Alyssa Mathieu representing Townsville Sailing Club in Breezy

2nd Finlay Campbell representing Townsville Sailing Club in Seriously

3rd Bailey McKensie representing Townsville Sailing Club in It’s All G Mixed Monohulls

1st Maximillian Rott representing Hervey Bay Sailing Club in Jeanie Too, an MG 14 class

2nd Sue Smith representing Townsville in Boyz Light, a Tasar class

3rd Camille Gallais representing Whitsunday Sailing Club in Sean O, an RS Quest class

Mixed Multihulls

1st Steven Nelson representing Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Not That Way, a Nacra 4.5 Super Sloop class

2nd Joseph Finch representing Whitsunday Sailing Club in Deez Knots, an A class

3rd Jesse Frisch representing Whitsunday Sailing Club in Fibrefoam, an A class Windsurfing Division Class

1st Sam Belyea representing Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen, in SIROCCO

2nd Marc Belyea representing Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen, in Groover

3rd Paco Parigi representing Townsville Sailing Club in Windy

Mixed Laser & Aero

1st Joshua King representing Whitsunday Sailing Club in Overdrive Racing

2nd Darryl Beattie representing Tinaroo Sailing Club in Dazzler

3rd Jack Reynolds representing Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Floater Tropical Rentals Most Valuable Person MVP

Robert Deards representing Keppel Bay Sailing Club

1st Encouragement Award – Junior Fleet Jessica Sinnanmon representing Southport Yacht Club

Encouragement Award

Lucas Dickson representing Southport Yacht Club

On-water photos by Dylan and Shaylea Photography

Volunteer Of The Year For Valmadre

was recognised.

Fresh off the bounce of being crowned this season’s regional champions in several of the junior cricket divisions, the Proserpine Pitbulls were celebrating again as Club President Mark Valmadre was awarded Volunteer of the Year.

Mr Valmadre was awarded Queensland Cricket Volunteer of the Year for the Mackay-Whitsunday region, as well as the Mackay Cricket Association Volunteer of the Year in a cleansweep for the Pitbull President.

At Queensland Cricket’s celebration of a number of volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to making the game “Queensland’s favourite sport,” Mr Valmadre was awarded for his outstanding contribution.

He and twelve others were cited as the building blocks which contribute to the success of cricket in Queensland at the grassroots level across the state.

At the Queensland Cricket Awards Gala his remarkable “passion for cricket and drive for creating opportunities for kids”

Mr Valmadre, when he isn’t involved in training sessions or umpiring games, is always out and about maintaining the grounds, lining pitches, liaising with other clubs in the region, and designing programs and more possibilities for kids to get involved in our great game.

He created a junior team of 15to 20-year-olds, who play in the Proserpine Senior Cricket competition as there was historically no opportunity for kids older than 15 to play in the local region. This allowed players who normally would not have continued to play cricket to stay and or come back and participate.

There’s a common saying at the club: If you call Mark at 7pm on any night, he’ll be out at the club mowing, or fixing something, or covering pitches just in case of rain.

The change Mark has brought to the club goes beyond the increase in participation numbers. Volunteer involvement has also significantly improved, and the club environment is friendlier, livelier, and overall, a welcoming club to be a part of.

Proserpine Junior Cricket Association is extremely lucky to have him.

“We are extremely lucky as a club and community to have you a part of it,” Proserpine Junior Cricket Association Secretary Danni Green said.

“The dedication and hours of work you put in everyday is amazing. Can you imagine what we could achieve as a club if we all had just a drop of Mark’s passion?”

Mr Valmadre thanked the club-members and his fellow committee members for everyone for their kind words.

“There are many others out there that deserve recognition just as much for the work that they do, behind the scenes not just in cricket,” he said, “but in all junior sporting clubs and events.”

“With a great team of committee members and coaching staff behind us, working tirelessly, pointing me in the right direction and our awesome Pitbull players, parents and sponsors, it’s me that feels lucky.”

Underwater Rugby?

Anew sport in the Whitsundays is hoping to capitalise on Queensland’s two great loves: the swimming pool and rugby.

Columbian expatriate Nathalie Hartman has launched ‘Come and Try’ sessions in Airlie Beach for her chosen sport of underwater Rugby, a team game where the objective is to score more goals into a basket lying at the bottom of a pool.

Wearing flippers and using a ‘negatively buoyant’ ball in a completely three-dimensional sport, underwater rugby players can pass up, down, and sideways in an amalgam of sports, closest to a zero-gravity version of a full-contact European handball.

Ms Hartman, who was integral in the sports’ expansion in Australia in 2014, has run several tryout training sessions at her home in Cannonvale and at Cannonvale Swimming Pool. She hopes to bring the sport to prominence in the region.

“The closest sport is underwater hockey, though they’re still very different,” Ms Hartman said.

“It’s not like land rugby at all except for the name. The only close part is the tackling!”

The sport is played by two rotating teams of 12 - six players in the pool always, six on the surface ready to substitute – each

UNDERWATER RUGBY

member wearing a diving mask, snorkels, fins, and a water polo cap with the goal being to score into heavy metal buckets on the pool floor.

“You have eight seconds you spend at the surface, watching the game before you go and replace another player quickly,” Ms Hartman said.

“It’s a great sport. It keeps you fit, and it’s amazing fun. You can play from any age because swimming is so relaxed on your joints.”

Underwater rugby players need strong swimming ability – something Ms Hartman said is inherent for most Australians - alongside attributes like speed, strength, agility, and good teamplay.

“If you like contact sport and you like swimming, you’ll love it,” she said.

The sport is ever-growing in Australia, having made national news on several occasions for its novelty alone, but what players get in return from the sport speaks more than its strangeness.

“The best thing about this sport is that anyone can play it – male, female, young, old – it’s a community as much as it is a competition,” Ms Hartman said.

The next session of Underwater Rugby will be at Cannonvale Swimming Centre from 5.30pm on April 21. Bring a snorkel, fins, and mask.

Proserpine Cricket Association President Mark Valmadre was honoured as Mackay Cricket Association and Queensland Cricket Mackay-Whitsunday Volunteer of the Year

Nathalie Hartman is bringing underwater rugby to the Whitsundays

“If you like contact sport and you like swimming, you’ll love it!”

The sport is played between two teams of 12, each trying to score into a basket on the bottom of a swimming pool

Proserpine Bowls News

On Wednesday Proserpine Bowls Club had two games of triples played in Social Bowls.

John Anderson, Warren Wilson, and Trevor Herd defeated Nick Fernbach, Pat Bownds, and Mike Harrison, 19-11.

Alen Sanderson, Bruce Uhe, and Heather Brown defeated Jim Bownds, Philip Brown, and Tony Whitehorn, 23-19. In the Club Championship Singles game played on Wednesday afternoon, Brett Sa-

BOWLS

roglia defeated Dale Haack 25-15.

On Friday, a postponed game of Club Championship Pairs was played with Scott Kinnear and Shane Kinnear defeating Michael Kinnear and Grahame Kinnear, 2210.

On Sunday, there were six players for a game of Triples: Alen Sanderson, Bruce Uhe, and Philip Brown against Ashley Phillips, Barry Zillmann, and Heather Brown, which finished 22-19. Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

Airlie Bowls News

Airlie Beach Bowling Club celebrated a special event last Tuesday, with over seventy ladies from the district welcoming visitors from Bowen, Mackay, and Sarina. The occasion marked the 36th anniversary of ladies bowling, and it was a fabulous event with all rinks being utilised.

John Askew volunteered his time as the umpire for the event. Joan McGrath’s team emerged as the big winners of the day, with Eddy Naylan, Bertha Archer, and Marie Fredrickson, congratulating the team on a wonderful display. Sandra Argo from ABC Distillery also made an excellent donation of beautiful spirits.

On Wednesday afternoon, Merve Stewart brilliantly ran the Jackpot Bowls, which saw a huge win to Merve as skipper with Russell Jackson at lead and Eric Barnard at second overwhelming the rest of the field. Mario De Martini was awarded the presti-

BOWLS

gious Health Hub award.

Saturday morning saw the return of Scroungers, with Terry Clarke, Merve Stewart, Betty Whitehorn, Russell Jackson, and Peter Barratt emerging as first-round winners.

The final was played between Peter Barratt and Russell Jackson, with Peter winning Round 7, while Shane Spann won the B Division prize.

Sunday afternoon bowls saw Margo Stanley’s team of Dawn Dowell playing wonderful bowls at lead with Lyn Graham at second run away with the prize money. Our Chairman, Ash Warland, won the prestigious Health Hub award.

The club is also organising a mega raffle for Luke Kinnear, with details of the prizes set to be revealed next week.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

Bowen Golf News

Bowen Golf

GOLF

Wednesday’s competition was a single stroke event for the April Midweek Monthly medal sponsored by Bowen Golf Club.

Ladies’ winner was Sue Heisswolf 69 nett, runner up Julie May 71 nett, while Men’s winner was Wesley Smith 64 nett, Marcus Yasso 65 nett.

Saturday’s competition was a single stableford event with Ladies’ winner Donna Wright on 40 points, runner up Grace Nott, 39.

Pin shots to Penny Stewart, Grace Nott, Michelle Campbell, and Donna Wright. Pauline Martin had an OBP.

Men’s winner was Chris Fellows, 43 points, runner up Ian Garrod 40 points. Pin shots to Brian Martin, Ryley Malone, and Mark Robinson.

Benny Bon won the car wash voucher and also had an eagle on number five, while

Bowen Golf Club’s Easter Saturday winners

Eagles went to Matthew Yasso and Daniel Borg.

Dylan Nott had an OBP and Brett Richards had a hole in one on 12.

Sunday’s competition was a 2 person Ambrose: Winners were Chris Fitch and Ryan Watters, second place to Brendan and Grace Nott, third place Donald Williams and Gregg Aplin. Pin shot to Jeremy Britton.

This weekend’s competition is a single stableford event sponsored by the North Australian Hotel.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

On The Whitsunday Green

This past week with the cooler weather and school holidays was a great one at Whitsunday Green Golf Club.

The weekly competition winner was Jack Hayes – Williams with 23 points, this was a narrow count back win over Zac Flynn also on 23 points. Kody Ribaux was third with a hearty 22 points.

For Good Friday we hosted a 4 Ball Ambrose, the winning team consisted of Justyn Durbin, James (Jimmy) Millar, Scott Morrissey, and Guy Wilmont.

The team in second was Danny York, Dean Barnard, Josh Barnard and Deeray. Third place was Rhys Bartholomew, Tyson Flavel, Glenn Scott, and Michael Bond. Nearest the Pins were won by Glenn Scott and Justyn Durbin.

For Sundays stableford, Nathan Nikolich was first with 42 points, second was Bob Nikolich and 3rd Andrew Farrrow both with 38 points, Bob taking the second on a count back.

Nearest the Pin wins were both Nathan Nikolich, Good Job Nathan!

Another big shout out for Jack Hayes -Williams who has been selected to represent the Northern Region School team (10–12 yrs) in a 54-hole event at Palmer golf re-

Club’s Easter Sunday winners

sort in Coolum and, Mick Bond for his ‘Hole in One’ on the 7th.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Green Golf Club

GOLF

Whitsunday Green Golf Club player Joshua Barnard taking a swing

Wangaratta Bowls

Proserpine Golf Report

Louis Neethling shot a brilliant 65 nett to win the Club’s Tuesday Men’s Monthly Medal and Peta Thomas was in form with a very nice 68 nett to win the ladies Tuesday Monthly Medal.

John Grosskreutz was in 2nd place with 69 nett and Len Boofoff in 3rd with 70 nett for the men, Tiina Randmae and Di Chard claiming 2nd and 3rd for the ladies both on 75 nett. John Grosskreutz won the only NTP for the day.

Wednesday saw Noelene Spurway shoot a very impressive 63 nett to win the PD Law Monthly Medal, streets ahead of Trish McNeill and Pauline Redpath on 73 nett, winning 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Trish McNeill won both the Division 1 NTP’s.

BOWLS

Wangaratta Bowls Club member Lyn Danvers reached a significant milestone in bowls on Tuesday, being presented with her Veterans badge by President Margaret Wilson.

Across the region, Wangaratta Players represented the club at Airlie Beach Ladies President’s Day and a team of four players played in the Suburban Centenary Fours two day Carnival in Townsville.

Congratulations to Denise Wallace, Teresa Willshire, Penny Warren, and Fely Duncan in coming third place in the tournament.

With so many players away, the crowd was small on Tuesday but the enthusiasm was there with Greg Colquhoun and Kevin Jewell defeating Graeme Read and Geoff Danvers.

Bron Tolcher, Roger Mumby, and Linda Smith defeated Stumpy Adams, Sue Shearing, and Lyn Danvers.

Club Competition: Ladies A Singles Penny Warren defeated Robyn Stitt, while in the Men’s Fours final played on Sunday Morning, Lloyd White, Steve Roome, and Jason and Mitch Wright narrowly defeated Bill Myers, Greg Colquhoun, Peter Hinschen,

and Geoff Danvers.

Winners on Sunday social bowls were Merle Elphinstone, Penny Warren, and Mark Drummond, who defeated Bron Tolcher, Pat Tracey, and Kevin Jewel. Irene Laird, Denise Wallace, and Geoff Danvers defeated Debbie Retchless, Sue Shearing, and Greg Colquhoun.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

The Venue Smart Thursday Monthly Medal was hotly contested, with Matt Camm the eventual winner of Division 1 on 69 nett, Paul Joice in 2nd Place on 72 nett. Jim Cochrane was the winner of Division 2 monthly medal also with 69 nett and Rob Webb securing 2nd place in Division 2 with 70 nett. Overall 3rd place was won by Peter Elms on 71 nett.

NTP winners: John Grosskreutz, Matthew Muller, Ken Lovett and Levi Holmes.

Friday’s Easter Stableford was won by Rod Wecker on 37 points, closely followed by Shaun Tyrell and John Clark both on 36 points.

Saturday’s Easter Stableford was won by

Middlemount Golf Club’s Ewan Wilson with a very tidy 45 points, followed by Steve Hickey and Aaron Prosser on 38 points each. Heather Luvis on 29 points was too good for the ladies edging out Di Chard on 28 points.

NTP winners: Michael Cragg, Penny Wardroper, Theunis Venter and Heather Luvis.

Easter Sunday competition was won by Carl Goss on 39 points, closely followed by Clay Coles on 38 and Kason Bourke on 35 points. Anna Winterbourn won the ladies competition on 32 points ahead of Tiina Randmae and Sherri Meade on 27 points.

NTP winners: Tiina Randmae, Rod Wecker, Anna Winterbourn and Jason Bourke

Highlight of Easter Monday competition was the hole in one by Ross Meade on Hole 2, congratulations!

Scott Dwyer was the winner of the men’s stableford with a handicap reducing 42 points, followed by Brendan Spann and Darren Reynolds on 34 points. Heather Luvis and Di Chard both carded very tidy rounds of 38 points, Heather winning on a countback and Lyn Muller won 3rd place with 35 points.

NTP Winners: Ross Meade, Anna Winterbourn, Brendan Spann, Di Chard.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Course Pro Shop

Proserpine Veterans Golf

Proserpine Veteran’s Golfers arrived in great number for the April Monthly Medal – including two new members.

Weather forced the Club to play the front nine twice but the conditions didn’t seem to worry Louis Neethling, who finished with a fabulous score of 65.

Louis was followed by Billy Jesser on 69, and new member Laurie Dakin came in third on 70.

Tiina Randmae was the ladies winner on 75, followed by Heather Luvis on 77 and Helen Deighton on 80.

Pin shots went to Gerald Lovell and Frank

Maloney on two, John Roser and Colin Hounsell on five, and Lee Shaw - another new member – with Nic Apruzzese on nine.

On Thursday, May 29, players travelled to Pioneer Valley for the first round of the Croker Shield with Billy Jesser the men’s winner and Mandy Patterson the ladies. Proserpine now leads Pioneer Valley by a close margin of six points. Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan

Lyn Danvers Veteran 2023

Third Place Centenary Fours Suburban 2023

Monthly medal winners at Proserpine Veterans Golf Club Tiina Randmae and Louis Neethling

Cannonvale Cannons Prepare for Nationals

ver Easter, five Cannonvale Cannons travelled to the Gold Coast to prepare for the Australian Age Swimming Championships.

The Cannons commended Jy Parkinson, Jacob Bell, Holly Perrin, Ehsan Helou and Anisa Helou for successfully qualifying for the Australian Championships.

Jy and Jacob have competed at this level before but for Holly, Ehsan, and Anisa this is the first national meet. The swimmers are supported with coach Mark Erickson and team manager Tony Parkinson. Over the weekend, the team have collected their kits and accreditations and completed a couple of swim sessions.

This week’s programme: Monday, April 10:

Jy and Holly - 50m Backstroke

Tuesday 11th April: Ehsan - 50m Breaststroke

Wednesday 12th April: Jy - 100m Butterfly & 200m Backstroke & Anisa - 50m Butterfly

Thursday 14th April: Jy - 100m Backstroke & 200m Freestyle

Friday, 15th April : Jacob - 400m IM &

SWIMMING

Airlie’s Easter weekend Parkrun

Despite humid conditions last week, 107 inspirational people ran, jogged and walked the 5km waterfront course.

Participants that completed their first ever parkrun included Chloe, Steven, Jason, Julie, Samantha, Sean, and Jennifer.

Visitors to Airlie Beach parkrun included Christopher, Angus, Tom, Aiden, Luke, Tim, Harrison, Cheryl, Christine, Henry, Cameron, Samantha, Matthew, Tracey, Jarrod, and Michelle.

Personal Bests were achieved by Kendell, Timothy, Tanya, Anne, Stephanie, Leigh, Tony, Grant, and Elizabeth. Thanks for coming and safe travels.

Sarah completed her 25th parkrun and Nathalie completed her 50th volunteer. The event was made possible thanks to RD Maree and her team of 20 wonderful volunteers: Jet, Nick, Michelle, Kara, Wendy, Maree, Kirsty, Nathalie, Chris, Wade, Christopher, Erin, Susanne, Carys, Seren, Ashley, Jarrod, Lynne, Joanne, and Diane. There were many Easter treats with thanks to Shane, Maree, Kara and Bara.

Airlie Beach parkrun started on 5th December 2015. Since then 4,714 participants have completed 24,452 parkruns covering a total distance of 122,260 km, including 2,813 new Personal Bests. A total of 395 individuals have volunteered 3,592 times.

Every Saturday Airlie Beach parkrun meets at 6:50am for a briefing at area D,

Coral Sea Marina (adjacent to the top carpark). Parking is free in the lowest carpark till 9:30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard. Post parkrun coffee and chat is held at My Rainbow Bakery & 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 5k course (pushing a pram or with one dog on a short lead if you want to!), 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 – 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.

wish

Meanwhile, coach Ken Crittenden is ensuring the swimmers back at home in Cannonvale are keeping up their fitness over the school

Just before Easter, there were some swim

A big thank you to Tiana Bell, Jacob Bell, Ruby Watson, and Jarrod Keys for their assistance with the fun activities on Thursday. School holiday swim training will continue next week.

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun

Tony, Jy, Jacob, Holly, and Mark at Australian Age Swimming Championships

Some of Airlie Beach parkrun’s fantastic volunteers decked out in Easter gear

Cannonvale Cannons Swimming with Easter bunny ears

Acreage Lifestyle In The Sought-After Windemere Drive

Escape to 94 Windermere Drive, an exquisite 5-acre property offering a serene and secluded lifestyle without sacrificing convenience. Nestled in the highly coveted Windermere Drive, this contemporary home features an expansive floorplan with an open living and kitchen area, designed to provide the ultimate acreage living experience you’ve been dreaming of.

With four generously sized bedrooms, two of which boast their own ensuite, a separate main bathroom, a cosy media room, and a rumpus room, this property is an ideal sanctuary for raising a family and entertaining guests. The high ceilings and large windows allow natural light to pour in, while the scenic lake view creates a stunning rural ambiance that invites relaxation.

The outdoor entertainment area is the perfect

setting for hosting gatherings and enjoying the great outdoors. Keep cool during the summer months with the ducted air conditioning system, and enjoy sustainable living with the 5kw solar system, 75,000ltr rainwater tanks, and a bore.

The property also includes a spacious shed with a 3.1m high clearance roller door and an additional lean-to, providing ample space for all your belongings. With plenty of room for a pool or potential subdivision (S.T.C.A), this property is a rare gem that offers endless possibilities.

Located only 12 minutes away from Airlie Beach and Proserpine, this home is a great opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds. Don’t miss out on this unique property that combines quality, value, and exclusivity in a tightly held position.

94 Windemere Drive, Strathdickie

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

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

Resort Living Only Minutes Into Town

This immaculate, recently fully refurbished four-bedroom, twobathroom family home is the perfect mix of modern and spacious living. You’ll be taken away by the sheer size of this great propertywith 1762 sqm of flat usable land backing on the Whitsunday National Park. Offering rainforest views and an extremely private outlook. The location is simply perfect – so close to town yet tucked away in a serene tropical rainforest with a landscaped view.

Key Features:

• Tropical landscaped garden backing onto Whitsunday National Park

• 9x4.5m

Acreage Lifestyle In The Sought-After Windemere Drive

PRICE: $1,029,000 67 Parkwood Terrace, Cannonvale

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

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

AUCTION: Tuesday 18th April At 6pm TAYLORS Office 98 Shute Harbour Rd C’Vale 94 Windemere Drive, Strathdickie

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

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

BED BATH CAR 433

ACROss

1 Slipped by (7)

5 Sired, spawned (8)

9 Dilemma (8)

13 Source of town water supply (9)

14 Alfresco meal (6)

16 Rough (8)

17 NZ reptile (7)

18 The world of higher learning (8)

19 Without order or sense (8)

20 One-hundredth anniversary (9)

25 Introductory lesson (8)

26 Slip-on shoe (6)

27 Brothers (8)

28 Missive (7)

30 Touching line (7)

33 Top of the class (13)

37 Citizen of Belgrade or thereabouts (8)

41 Arabian spirit (5)

42 Climate change is an – threat (11)

43 Frequently (5)

44 Most clever (8)

47 Disheartened due to failed expectations (13)

50 Siren of the Rhine (7)

53 Current Royal House (7)

56 Roomy (8)

57 Order (someone) to be present (6)

59 Sacrifice (8)

60 Spacecraft in orbit (9)

65 Largest town in Carmarthenshire, Wales (8)

66 Tongue (8)

67 Ousting (7)

68 French philosopher, Jean-Jacques – (8)

69 Tooth-related (6)

72 Psychiatrist (9)

73 Colonise in another place (8)

74 Common gas (8)

75 Shreds (7)

DOWN

1 Capricious (7)

2 Forbear (7)

3 Exterior (7)

4 Model, 3D display (7)

5 Grant (7)

6 Japanese sash (3)

7 A can (3)

8 Small stone fruit (9)

9 Four-sided shapes (14)

10 Hormone produced by excitement (9)

11 Displace (bone) (9)

12 Rotate (7)

14 Babble (7)

15 Fashions (7)

21 EU currency (4)

22 Skin artistry (6)

23 Usual (6)

24 Noisome (4)

29 Detectives (7)

31 Southeast Asian spice (6)

32 Poisons (6)

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

6.00 WorldWatch. 12.00

2.00 Mastermind Aust. 3.00 NITV News: Nula. 3.30

Italians. 3.45 The Cook Up.

4.15 Elizabeth. 5.05 Jeopardy!

5.30 Letters And Numbers. 6.00

Aust. 6.30 News. 7.35 Wrecks That Changed

Crash Investigations: Fatal Climb. (PG, R)

11.50 Cleaning Up. (M, R)

12.50 Doc Martin. (PG, R)

2.00 Bargain Hunt. (PG, R)

8.30 Movie: RED. (2010) (M, R) 10.50 Movie: Last Man Standing. (1996) (M, R) 1.05 Blokesworld. (PG, R)

6.00pm American Pickers. (PG)

7.00 Pawn Stars. (PG)

7.30 Storage Wars. (PG)

8.00 Storage Wars: New York. (PG)

8.30 Movie: Black Hawk Down. (2001) (MA15+, R) Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana.

11.25 Movie: Enter The Dragon. (1973) (M, R)

2.00 American

4.30pm Movie: The Thousand Plane Raid. (1969) (PG, R) 6.30 M*A*S*H. (PG, R) 8.30 Movie: Battle Of Britain. (1969) (PG, R) Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer.

11.15 Major Crimes. (M, R)

12.10 Inside The Midlands Prison. (M)

Dr Quinn, Medicine

5.30pm JAG. (PG, R)

7.30pm Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)

8.00 QI. (M, R)

8.30 Penn & Teller: Fool

Us.

9.15 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

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

10.15 Gruen. (PG, R)

10.50 Shaun Micallef’s

MAD AS HELL. (M, R)

11.25 Doctor Who. (PG, R)

5.30pm Escape To The Country. (R)

6.30 Bargain Hunt. (PG, R)

7.30 Father Brown. (M, R)

8.30 Murdoch Mysteries. (M)

9.30 Kavanagh QC. (PG, R)

11.15 Murdoch Mysteries. (M, R)

12.15 Father Brown. (M, R)

1.30 RSPCA Animal Rescue. (R)

6.00pm American Pickers. (PG, R)

7.00 Pawn Stars. (PG, R)

7.30 Air Crash Investigations. (PG, R)

8.30 Close Encounters Down Under. (PG)

9.30 Motor MythBusters.

(PG)

10.30 Carnage. (PG, R)

11.30 Building Giants. (PG, R)

12.30 Hellfire Heroes. (M, R)

5.30pm Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman. (PG, R)

6.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

7.30 RBT. (PG, R)

8.30 Paramedics. (M, R)

9.30 Embarrassing Bodies.

10.30 Silent Witness. (MA15+, R)

11.40 Rosewood. (M, R)

12.35 One Star To Five Star. (R)

5.30pm JAG. (PG, R)

6.30 Scorpion.

The Joy Of Painting With Bob Ross. (R)

6.15 Forged In Fire. (PG, R)

7.10 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Fleche-Wallonne Women’s Race.

8.35 Jeopardy! (R)

9.00 Cycling. UCI World Tour. Fleche-Wallonne Men’s Race.

1.00 Lost Boys Of Taranaki. (MA15+, R)

1.30 Letterkenny. (M, R)