Council had refused Messrs Brell’s application for permission to manufacture concrete products at their works in Strathdickie Road, following objection by neighbours due to noise pollution. Brells had appealed and legal advice was sure that the appeal would be successful. Some councillors declined to follow the legal advice.

Tragedy At Warwick

Kelsey Creek couple Eric Albert Lee and his wife Jane Maria were driving to a wedding when their car collided with a semi-trailer. Both received multiple injuries from which they died. Their funeral took place at St. James’s Church.

Superstars In Town

Super Iron Man Grant Kenny and swimming star Lisa Curry have enjoyed a charter yacht holiday around the Whitsunday Islands. They are engaged to be married.

Folk Singing Awards for Phyllis Radley

Top local Country and Western singer Phyllis gained awards over Easter at Mt Coolon and Woodstock. She also participated in a charitable concert at Ayr, last Sunday.

Councillor Promotes Tree Planting

Cr. Botto wants properly drained traffic islands to be constructed to allow planting of trees and shrubs, in line with current policies to beautify the entrances to towns.

Bus Stops Promote Safety

The designation of bus stops on the Shute Harbour Road will remove danger for school children and the travelling public. Currently, hazards are created when random stops are made to collect school children.

Proserpine Visitor in Orbit

Astronaut Rhea Seddon, who stayed in the Whitsundays as a special guest at a general meeting of the Australian Women’s Pilot Association, was launched into orbit on board the US Space Shuttle ‘Discovery’ this week.

Doug Sells His Shop

After six years, Doug Murray sold his successful auto parts shop at Airlie Beach. He and his wife Rhonda will stay in the area. He will continue to play Aussie Rules for the Airlie Bloods.

Air Whitsunday Turns 12

Just twelve years ago, the successful Air Whitsunday was founded by Kevin Bowe and his wife Sue at Happy Bay Resort. Their pilots need to handle passenger transfers from flying boats, conduct glass bottom boat trips and instruct snorkelling.

Wilson Get Together

More than 100 relatives of Mrs. Myrtle Wilson came together for barbecues –  35 grandchildren and 48 great grandchildren attended.

Blind Pianist at Cultural Hall

Jeff Usher, son of Cannon Valley ex residents Iris and Bill, played in a touring band last week. Jeff owes his ability to his chief learning tools, a record player and cassette.

Inter Town Cricket

Proserpine beat West Townsville thanks to a hard hitting 94 from Fred Quod.

Junior League

Proserpine won four of seven matches against Bowen. The Under Nines were led to victory by experienced pair Patrick Toomey and Paul Bowman.

Nine ladies, 15 juniors and 10 ‘small fry’ anglers had a fun weekend (April 11-13) catching 75 fish from 18 different species.

Most fish were caught within 15 minutes from the boat ramp, and most were released with just a couple kept for dinner.

With so many close results it was hard to pick the winners.

Joint champions for the ladies were Tara D’Ambrosio and Sara Doolan, with runner-up Kristy Hoksbergen.

Champion junior female was Kirra Martin, closely followed by runners-up Jasmin Smith and Tia Galton.

Dual champion junior males were Reid Bitcon and Tanic Wallace, runners-up were Kurt Martin and Harry Best.

Small-fry champion males went to Angus Doolan and Tama Tenants, just pipping Benson Smith.

Champion small-fry female was Naomi Rutland, with a very impressive 74cm Permit caught at Cannonvale Beach.

Naomi said she needed a little help from Dad! Runner-up small-fry female was Imogen Doolan.

The fun family fishing weekend was put together by the Whitsunday Game Fish Club with help from the Game Fishing Association of Australia, The Stella Property Group, Tackle World Cannonvale, Anaconda, and Oceanic Tales.

Everyone was truly rewarded with beaming smiles all round and promises to be bigger and better next year.  

Contributed by Ashley Moore from the Whitsunday Game Fish Club.

IT’S ELECTION time 2025, and the political parties are in full campaign mode, promising the world to anyone who will vote for them.

With all the political noise, it can be difficult to really hear what the politicians are really saying…or not saying.

Join us for an evening of polite political discourse, on Thursday, April 17, at the Reef Gateway Hotel, Cannonvale (in the conference room).

We will cut through the campaign slogans and three-word sound bites and help you understand what the candidates and their parties are really offering Australians.

The state of the environment is high on the evening’s agenda.

It is a well-known fact that a healthy economy and a healthy environment are intrinsically linked.

A thriving economy relies on a stable and resilient environment, and environmental degradation can lead to significant economic costs.

The Green’s candidate Paula Creen will be present at the free forum – which is open to everyone – to answer questions.

The other candidates have, unfortunately, turned down our invitation.

So, we have sent each candidate a list of questions requesting their feedback on several important issues.

These include the cost of living, climate change, the environment, the Great Barrier Reef, honest government and more.

This candidate feedback will be presented at the forum, which will be relaxed and informative.

This should lead to some robust discussion, as well as provide attendees with important information to guide their vote on election day.

It will be an entertaining and informative evening for everyone.

Hope to see you there and bring your friends!

Contributed by WCC Secretary Faye Chapman.

Perfect weather and good tides provided excellent conditions for water skiers at Shingley Beach, a long-time mecca for skiers.

Five Year Development Strategy for Proserpine

This was adopted by the Chamber of Commerce. Proposals for a Main Street Mall, a Tourist Information Centre, and a Regional Development Corporation were reported on.

Deputy Chairman

Cr. Dick Dray retained the position of Deputy Shire Chairman at yesterday’s statutory meeting.

Tourist Information Centre

The proposal on the Five-Year Plan was that a Tourist Information Centre should be on the highway, clearly signposted with off-street parking, and shade trees for a possible picnic area.

Conway Beach Fatality

A Sydney man was killed when the beach buggy he was a passenger in, overturned causing severe internal injuries.

Resorts Sold For $19m

Local tourism identity Bob Porter sold the Whitsunday Terraces and the Whitsunday Village for $19 million to Queensland Merchant Holdings.

Reef Inspires Author

It took Sydney author Allan Baillie just three days on the Barrier Reef to inspire him to write another story. The setting of the whole Whitsunday area inspired him for his new book: A children’s adventure story set on nearby Border Island.

Helen Raiteri Represents the Whitsundays

21-year-old Helen is Proserpine Shire’s Miss Australia Quest and is determined to raise as much money as possible for crippled children. Whitsunday Tourism Association will help her to organise fundraising activities.

Diving

A week of diving action will get underway later this month under the name of Whitsunday Downunder ‘85. Co-ordinator Geoff Morris wants the scuba festival to publicise the wonderfully diverse diving conditions that exist in this area.

Primary School Holds Easter Hat Parade

Teachers also took part in the parade at which the Easter bunny was also to be found.

Whitsunday Soccer

A team was sent to Moranbah for the annual Utah Cup. Their best effort was a win against the eventual cup winners Biloela Valleys 3-1.

While it’s been great weather for ducks, the team has been focused on rolling out training for our region’s growers, predominantly through the SmartAg program.

Accreditation in compliance, forklift operation and chemical handling have been well received, while many businesses took advantage of HR training ahead of the C14 determination this month.

Effective from April 1, 2025, the C14 [Carbon-14] determination introduces new definitions and minimum pay rates for entry-level classifications, under the Horticulture Award 2020.

BGGA staff have also delivered two timely topic sessions, in the Bowen and Burdekin regions, ensuring industry are up to speed with carbon in the agriculture economy, financial management and soil health.

Delivering these initiatives would not be possible without the team collaborating with other industry bodies and thinking creatively about funding opportunities that specifically target regional communities and the agriculture sector.

Since 2000, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) has sought to connect regional and remote communities to funding opportunities, to encourage resilience, vibrancy and growth.

In every town across the Whitsunday region, community organisations have benefitted from FRRR funding over the years.

As a not-for-profit organisation, BGGA recognises the importance of funding opportunities that understand the unique needs of regional communities and the sectors that employ locals and fuel local economies.

In 2025, the FRRR is inviting expressions of interest from qualified individuals, across remote, rural and regional Australia, to join one of three Program Advisory Bodies.

Guiding the FRRR Board, these candidates should possess relevant, lived experience within regional Australia, combined with an understanding of mental health and community wellbeing, or climate and energy transitions.

Detailed role descriptions and Expression of Interest forms can be found on the FRRR website Home | Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal | FRRR.

This is a great opportunity to ensure funding, advocacy activities and policy papers are delivered where they are needed most.

Contributed by BGGA CEO Jenn Honnery.

Recently, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) acknowledged the federal government’s pre-election budget.

Whilst the investment in infrastructure, cost of living, and tax relief is welcome, the budget ultimately signals a future of debt and deficit and falls short in delivering targeted support for small businesses.

The budget aims to ‘shape a more affordable Australia’ but what does that look like, what are the knock-on effects for our region’s economy?

The Whitsunday business community looks forward to raising these questions, and more, at our ‘Meet the Federal Election Candidates’ event, scheduled for 6pm on Tuesday, April 15.

For non-Chamber members, Mackay and Whitsunday Life will live stream aspects of the event via their Facebook page.

We have asked the Whitsunday business community to share their number one priority for this year’s federal election. The major issues include:

• Improve Whitsunday road infrastructure and the Bruce Highway.
• Business insurance accessibility and affordability for North Queensland.
• Critical public transportation issues, which are impacting people’s ability to gain employment in our region.
• How to ensure a vibrant rural sector so the region’s businesses are also vibrant.
• Government spending and waste.
• More financial support for events and festivals that economically contribute to the region.
• Freedom of speech.
• Continuing the flow of visitors to the region during flooding events and wet season.
• Support for regional not-for-profits, such as the Proserpine Agriculture and Industry Association, who utilise the Proserpine Showgrounds for annual shows.

Specifically, the Chamber is keen to hear from all the candidates on what their economic vision for the Whitsundays entails, and the community initiatives they will support, and if they are willing and able to advocate for local issues contrary to their party’s policy position. 

We look forward to sharing highlights from our event to help everyone make their vote count!

Contributed by the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The new rescheduled date is this weekend, April 11 to 13, 2025.  

This relaxed weekend is a chance for ladies and kids to enjoy Australia’s most popular sport…fishing.

Rules are simple, fish anywhere, use a rod and reel and Dads and boyfriends to act as crew!

Entry is free to all current WGFC members and new members are welcome to participate by joining the club at the briefing on Friday, April 11, at 6pm, at the Marine Club, Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale. 

Membership fees are $35 per Junior (under 16 y.o.) and $70 per adult.  All will be explained at the briefing.

All Juniors nominated for the ‘Sweeties and Squires’ will receive a new Shimano Rod and Reel and a backpack with goodies. 

All lady participants will receive a bottle of bubbles.

Fishing can start at your leisure, any time after the briefing. 

All we need is a photo taken of the fish caught, showing the length, whether released or kept for dinner.

All competitors need to be at the Marine Club at 12pm, on Sunday, April 13, for the presentation of some great prizes and to enjoy some delicious food.

Prizes will be awarded in three categories:

Ladies, Junior Male and Female (11 y.o. to 16 y.o.) and Small Fry Male and Female (5 y.o. to 11 y.o.). 

This will be decided on merit, not necessarily the biggest fish, so everyone is in with a chance.

This will be a family, fun weekend and we hope to see a good roll-up at the briefing and registration night, on Friday, April 11, at 6pm.

Contributed by Ashley Moore – Life Member WGFC.

Having purchased Soviet made electronic equipment, the Mill hosted a visit from two Russians from their trade ministry. Russia is considering increasing the importation of Australian sugar.

New Shire Chairman

Cr. Peter Faust recorded a comfortable victory in the election with Cr Vera McClennan just 222 votes behind and Mr. Sergeant well back in third place. All three candidates expressed wishes that the council would work well for people in all parts of the shire.

Open Air Disco in Main Street

Night shopping will be enlivened with music this Thursday. Main Street will be barricaded at the Mill Street and Chapman Street intersections for the occasion.

High Rainfall in March

587mm of rain fell this year, in March, the highest figures since 1974. Only 39mm was recorded in March last year.

Uniting Church Bazaar

This year, the church decided to replace their usual Baby Show with a daylong bazaar. Wife of the minister, Mrs. Boyd Matthews, commented that although this was profitable it lacked the social atmosphere of the baby show.

Young Queenslanders Tourism Association (YQTA)

Geoff Muntz, State Minister for Youth, commended the local branch of the YQTA when they met up at the High School on their genuine concern for the community.

Spalla Place Opens

Airlie’s latest shopping complex opened, situated in the heart of Airlie. It contains seven businesses.

Central Queensland Rugby League

The squad visited Proserpine with coach Bill Nosworthy and completed a tough aerobic session at Proserpine Gymnasium under instructor Janet Erricker.

Junior Cricket Break-up

President Mark Bennett presented awards to Bruce Hobson, Jason Colbourne, Bradley Watson and Peter Bates.

Fancy Dress Ball

Organised by ‘Nurse of the Year’ Debbie Williams in aid of the Queensland Cancer Fund. Uninhibited merriment spilled out into the town as people danced the night away.

Cricket

Seamer Bill Woods 5/14 proved too difficult for Magpies batters who collapsed to 38 all

out in the season’s final against Centrals.

Karate Locals Leave For NZ

Wayne Hinschen and Rod Gillmeier have been selected for Australia in the Trans-Tasman Cup. They leave for N.Z. today.

Sport

Soccer – Proserpine 1, West Mackay 3; Rugby Union – Proserpine 4, Club Mackay 4.

Nestled in a lush, protected area of Mount Jukes, just north of Mackay, the facility is committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing a wide range of wildlife including koalas, possums, wallabies and birds, among others.

Featuring a treatment room, an isolation room, and a spacious main enclosure designed to replicate the animals’ natural environment, the facility strives to give Australia’s wildlife the best opportunity for recovery and survival.

The facility was made possible through grants and sponsorships from local businesses.

It will officially open this Saturday, April 5, 2025, at a media event attended by local television and radio stations.

The ceremony will include an unveiling by Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson, who will plant a koala tree (donated by Mackay Regional Council) to commemorate the occasion.

FRW members, friends, local MPs, veterinarians, project sponsors and the public are all invited to attend this special event.

With climate change, increasing traffic on the roads, and urban expansion putting increasing pressure on our ecosystems, FRW is dedicated to ensuring that every rescued animal receives the care it needs before returning to the wild.

Thank you to our sponsors: Queensland Government (GCBF grant), Green Energy Technologies, Smart Group Foundation (grant), Ergon/Energex Community Fund (grant), Mackay Regional Council, Aldi, BB Print, Bunnings, Zenviron, Blue River Landscape Supplies, Marian Lawns, Dog Gone Fencing, Endurance Sheds and Harvey Norman.

Contributed by Fauna Rescue Whitsundays.

Indeed, one of the title favourites emerged sixty years ago. The fellow himself became one of his own loudest advocates.

Cassius Clay’s constant message to fans was ‘I am the greatest’ and he took this belief with him into the Wembley boxing ring to take on cockney London greengrocer Henry Cooper.

As well as being a deft hand with lettuce and tomato, Henry was blessed with a wonderful left hook, which Cassius had to keep a watchful eye out for, if he wanted to remain the greatest.

Glimpses of the greengrocer’s deadly weapon were evident in the first three rounds but it was not until round four that it exploded….

There was more evidence of sporting greatness emerging in the early 60s including one much nearer to home.

Sub four-minute miles had caught the imagination of the public following those epic clashes between Landy and Bannister.

The epic performances of these two runners were put into perspective by a new kid on the block.

In 1958, on a grass track in Dublin, Aussie Herb Elliot absolutely smashed the previous mile record by 2.7 seconds, with a new record of 3 minutes 54.5 seconds.

He followed this with Olympic Gold for the 1960 1500 metres, 20 metres in front in a time that would have won seven out of the next nine Olympics.

In his senior running career, Elliot was unbeaten in all his 1500 metre races. This feat undoubtedly qualified him as one of the all-time sporting greats.

….well how about round four and Cassius Clay’s chin at Wembley, in 1963?

With two seconds to go, our Henry followed a left jab with his renowned left hook, which had travelled but six inches before landing on Cassius’s chin and down he went.

The end-of-round bell interrupted the count and gave Cassius Clay’s corner some breathing space to work on their future champ, who then went on a merciless attack of Cooper’s dodgy cut eye.

History shows us that Cassius became World Champ, changed his name to Mohammed Ali, had some memorable victories, such as the ‘Thriller in Manilla’, walked out of the Michael Parkinson Show, and so on.

Yes, he probably was one of the Greatest.

Flannelled Fool.