Tony Abbott visits the Whitsundays

 The leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott made a brief stop in the Whitsundays this week, whilst promoting his anti carbon tax campaign. Mr Abbott took time out from his busy schedule to become an eco-warrior for an afternoon, joining Eco Barge Services director Libby Edge and her trusty band of volunteers in a clean-up mission to South Molle.

 “For me, it was really stunning to see just how much rubbish there was on beaches that to the naked eye at first glance look pretty pristine. It’s really important that we encourage people like Libby,” Mr Abbott said.

 “I think that the Government has neglected direct action on the environment ever since the current government started talking about emissions trading schemes and carbon taxes. Real action to help the environment has been lacking,” he said.

 Mr Abbott told the Guardian that as well as opposing the carbon tax the coalition had plenty of “positive environmental policies”.

 “One of the policies that I’m particularly committed to is the Green Army which is about deploying 15,000 people into environmental hotspots like this to provide the hands-on, practical environmental assistance that appropriate land care for Australia really needs. The Green Army would certainly be available to supplement the work of Libby Edge and her volunteers cleaning up this part of our coastline,” he said.

 Ms Edge, whose Eco Barge program relies on funding, said it was wonderful to take Tony Abbott on a trip and show him first-hand what marine debris is.

 “If Tony can come onboard and support us in protecting our island (which is Australia), from dumping our rubbish into the ocean, protecting our islands and our marine life, that would be a wonderful solution,” she said.

 Yesterday, Mr Abbott also took the opportunity to meet representatives from Tourism Whitsundays and industry leaders, who were keen to ensure the coalition had an understanding of tourism in the region and the challenges currently faced.

 Tourism Whitsunday Chief Executive Officer Peter O’Reilly said discussions included a number of the region’s crucial infrastructure projects, including the Whitsunday Coast Airport, Airlie Beach’s main street and broader issues such as the shortcomings of the Bruce Highway.

 “We were able to point out that the Whitsundays is the most tourism dependent region in Queensland, with Queensland’s greatest concentration of tourism workers. It is great to have recognition from the highest level of alternative government in this country,” Mr O’Reilly said. 

 Executive Secretary for the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association (WCBIA) Deb Lewis, who attended the meeting, said Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen had taken issues away to address immediately.

 “Tony Abbott was very mindful of our situation, but at the end of the day the proof’s in the pudding,” Ms Lewis said.

 “All politicians can talk rhetoric but it should be about getting results.”

A message from the Proserpine Mill

 Proserpine Sugar Mill’s Acting CEO Ian McBean has this message for growers:

 “There is no guarantee that Mackay Sugar can or will make an offer for Proserpine, let alone a superior offer to the one from Sucrogen. For Mackay Sugar to encourage Proserpine members to vote “no” to the Sucrogen offer in the absence of another offer is irresponsible. Mackay Sugar is asking Proserpine members to sacrifice the real offer that would return approximately $25 million to members for nothing in return,” Mr McBean said.

 “What Mackay Sugar has done is outline a concept that would still result in our members losing control of their Mill for less up front cash and which would take more time and money to deliver, which the Mill cannot afford,” he said.

 Mr McBean wants growers to appreciate there are significant hurdles to be overcome before what Mackay Sugar has outlined could be even be implemented. These would include 75 per cent of Proserpine Mill members agreeing to convert their Cooperative to a public unlisted company; at least 75 per cent of Mackay Sugar shareholders agreeing to sell 25 per cent of their company to the French commodities trader, Louis Dreyfus; additional approvals that may be required from Mackay Sugar shareholders to issue shares to Proserpine growers; and Mackay Sugar being able to secure the necessary finance.

 “This will all take considerable time and passes all of the risk, which is significant, to the Proserpine growers,” Mr McBean said.

 “Mackay Sugar is asking Proserpine members to put everything at risk and vote “no‟ to the Sucrogen offer but cannot provide a firm alternative that is superior to the offer on the table.”

 Mr McBean said the Proserpine Mill was required to reduce existing debt by $35 million by 31 October 2011.

 “The Proserpine Board has run an orderly process to repay debt and secure the future of the Mill by the end of October. Mackay Sugar cannot commit to provide a superior offer to meet that timeframe,” Mr McBean said.

 Mr McBean pointed out that Mackay Sugar had been given the same opportunity as other prospective investors and that claims they had been “locked out” of discussions were untrue.

 “Mackay Sugar were given the same opportunity as Sucrogen and seven other potential investors but chose to opt out – we can only assume because they thought Tully Sugar was a better option,” he said.

Mackay Sugar mulls over meeting with Proserpine cane growers

 Chairman of the Mackay Sugar board Andrew Cappello came here last week, to gauge the appetite of Proserpine growers for a potential merger with Mackay. Now, after Thursday’s meeting Mr Cappello says he has a fair idea of what growers want.

 “We have a lot of contacts with the grass-roots growers and we did what they requested, which was to come up and provide the framework to what our model would look like. Yes, it’s difficult for them at this stage to compare this with the offer from Sucrogen, but this is what our business model would be and that’s what they have to decide on,” Mr Cappello said.

 “The clear message we got was they want some sort of guarantee that we could sure up their financial position if they voted the Sucrogen offer down. We would like to guarantee them 100 percent but it’s still early days. As we move closer to the voting date I’m sure we will be able to provide them with more certainty."

 Mr Cappello denied claims that Tully took precedence over Proserpine by those who believe Mackay Sugar has come forward with too little too late.

 “Tully came on the scene earlier than Proserpine but it was always our intention to involve the three mills in one larger milling company,” he said.

 Mr Cappello maintained that at this stage there would be no cash offer comparable to the $115million Sucrogen bid, saying, “Our offer is about the merger”.

 “Our interest in Proserpine is always about involving the growers. It’s a much more stable business model, where your suppliers are the owners."

 Mr Cappello said if nothing else, the visit by the board had served to dispel any misinformation and give growers something else to think about.

 “I think there’s a reasonably good acceptance of our model. The growers can see there’s a lot of upsides for them in our offer, eg the cane payment formula and also in the furfural earn out – as the furfural plant proves itself they will be able to acquire more value. However there are still some growers who want to compare eggs with eggs,” he said.

2011 Whitsunday 'Run for a Cure'

 On Sunday July 24 more than 113 Whitsunday residents gave up their morning to ‘run for a cure’.

 Event organiser and Cancer Council Queensland (CCQ) volunteer Wendy Downes said it was great to see so many members of the community making a healthy start to the day and contributing to CCQ fundraising activities.

 “While you are walking or running, please take a moment to count your blessings that you are alive and well and able to do what you are doing this morning. Spare a thought for those who are not here because of that dreaded disease, cancer – and remember that whatever you do in life should be enjoyed to the full,” she told the crowd.

 Runners competed over 2.5, 5 and 10km courses following the Bicentennial Walkway, with awards for the winning male and female in each distance.

 Tri-athlete Luke “Hercules” Henry took out the 10km run in a time of just 37 minutes and 16 seconds, which Ms Downes described as “absolutely awesome”.

 At the other end of the race were ‘Team Irish’ consisting of Irish nationals Aoife Maher and Susan O’Dwyer, who came in last but said his was a great achievement considering, “six weeks ago we could barely run to the pub!”

 Running in memory of his mother was Josh Cotey. “My mum survived six-months of cancer before she passed away. If she can do that I can do this,” he said.

 Emcee John Powell said Sunday’s event was extremely well organised thanks to to the efforts of Wendy Downes, all the volunteers, “and all the people who turned up”.

 The 2011 Whitsunday ‘run for a cure’ raised $1,700 for CCQ. The largest school team, with six runners, was Proserpine High.

Quota says Whitsunday Coffee is Gold

 The Quota International of Whitsunday club, held a social function at Whitsunday Gold Coffee (WGC) last Saturday, in what Quota Whitsunday president Kerrie McCallum-Coles says will be a series of events supporting local businesses.

 “The club is supporting new businesses in the region by coming along and holding social functions,” Ms McCallum-Coles said, adding that WGC had also supported Quota by helping out at a recent conference.

 Ms McCallum Coles said particularly in times like these, shopping locally and supporting local businesses was incredibly important.

 “I think organisations like ours can help to promote local businesses like this. WGC is a particularly good one for our tourism too. One day hopefully everyone in the Whitsundays will be using WGC in their restaurants and cafes.”

 Sales and marketing manager for WGC Ali Simpson said she was pleased to host Quota Whitsunday with the coffee farm proving the ideal function centre.

 “There’s plenty of room for adults as well as children. It’s nice to have that alcohol free zone where everyone can come together as a club and include children,” Ms Simpson said.

 Ms Simpson said WGC had also put in a bid for the Whitsunday region’s farmers’ market location.

 “We’re centrally located between all of the interested centres,” she said.

 Quotarians and their families enjoyed a coffee plantation tour and afternoon tea, which Ms McCallum Coles described as “Very informative”.

 “I’d definitely recommend it as a visitor experience,” she said.

Yachting Queensland holds training camp at Whitsunday Sailing Club

 Around 14 junior sailors participated in a training camp held by Yachting Queensland’s Ben Callard at the Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC) last weekend. Ben, who travelled to the Whitsundays from Brisbane, is a training officer with Yachting Queensland and an ex-sabot sailor from Yeppoon.

 “I grew up sailing sabots in Yeppoon, but I’ve been coming to the Whitsundays for a few years now, doing coaching camps with the junior kids and working with people like Klaus and Eva Lorenz,” Ben said.

 “The aim of these camps is to add another level of coaching to the training already provided by the club and also to see if there’s any up-and-coming athletes. The level of sailing at WSC is quite high,” he said.

 Ben described the weekend’s training as “focussed on skill development and racing”.

 “It’s about improving tacking and gybing, how they position themselves in the boat – their basic skills – and for racing we look at starting, mark roundings and boat-on-boat tactics.

 “They all come away from the camp either learning new skills or polishing up on the skills they’re trying to perfect,” he said.

 Young sailors Klaus Lorenz and Ollie Annear said Ben’s visit was invaluable for assisting them with the transition from Optimists to 420’s.

 “He’s been helping us with technique – it’s been great to have him here to give us a progress check,” Klaus said.

 For Ben, the highlight of the weekend was “seeing all the kids together training”.

 “It’s gone really well. We’ve had pretty good numbers and I’m happy with the level of skill and development I’ve seen,” he said.

 Gaynor Turnbull was one of a number of parents who travelled from Mackay to participate in the camp.

 “We’ve really enjoyed it. All the parents love these camps and the kids really love them too – they learn heaps. They’re all leading up to their training camps at the end of the year so weekends like this are really helpful. The Yachting Queensland training is excellent,” she said.

 For more information visit www.qldyachting.org.au or to find out more about the sport of sailing at WSC contact Jeremy Cooper on 0487 891 367.

Australia Party forms in the Whitsundays

The sun setting over Pioneer Bay on Monday night provided the ultimate backdrop for the very first gathering of Australia’s newest political party in the Whitsundays.

Katter’s Australian Party’s is not even eight weeks old - its birth barely registered - and people are showing interest from both major political camps keen to follow the bright new star.

Campaign director Luke Shaw is in the Whitsundays this week hoping to establish a level of support before seeking the ultimate jewel to represent the party and strive for the seat of Whitsunday.

“Queenslanders have had no leadership from either side of the spectrum. They’ve been let down by Labor who are constantly selling off state assets and they’ve had no decent opposition in years ... and if you have a weak opposition, you will have a weak party.

“Queenslanders have a right to feel disillusioned,” Mr Shaw said.

Some 20 people showed up at the initial interest-seeking meeting on Monday night at the VMR hall in Cannonvale where Mr Shaw explained the core values and principles of the party, their policies on free trade and how abhorred they were to see the continued selling off of the nation's assets - and their view on carbon tax.

“Axe the tax – it’s as simple as that. It doesn’t achieve anything.”

Elaborating on the core values and principles of the party, Mr Shaw said Katter’s Australian Party would stop the sale of Abbot Point coal terminal, stop the Labor Party and LNP selling off Queensland state owned power stations and ensure vital services 
such as water, electricity, health services and road networks were affordable and at a reasonable standard for all.

“I don’t want to take a personal swipe at the member for Whitsunday but she is the tourism minister and what is she doing for tourism?

“It's so sad to see all the shops empty or for sale in the main streets here! What is going on? Who is helping the people of the Whitsundays?”

Mr Shaw said within three to four weeks’ time, the Australian Party would have credible quality candidates ready to campaign for the seat of Whitsunday.

“We want to hear from people whose ideas resonate with that of the Australian Party’s.

“People who want to put Australia’s interest first especially in respect to ownership of agricultural land, people who are passionate about tourism in the Whitsundays and those who 
will vote in the interest of their electorate, consistent with their conscience.”

LNP candidate for the seat of Whitsunday Jason Costigan, who was in Brisbane on Sunday to hear the leader Campbell Newman's address to the party faithful at the LNP's state conference, said the only way to get rid of this tired, out-of-touch and wasteful Labor government and make Queensland a can do state gain was to vote LNP.”

“Minor parties and independents can't deliver.

“If you want proof, just have a look at that circus going on in Canberra,” Mr Costigan said.

The Guardian was not able to reach current member for Whitsunday and tourism minister Jan Jarratt for her comment.

Tourism Shadow Minister to visit Airlie Beach

Tourism in the Whitsundays is entering its darkest hour since the pilots’ strike of the late 80s and the region needs a committed member under a new government to fight for its rights.

Shadow Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Jann Stuckey, who will be in the Whitsundays next Thursday, had this message for tourism, small business operators and anyone she said who was passionate about the region.

“I want to meet as many people I can during the time I am in the Whitsundays, although it certainly won’t be my only visit. Everyone is invited to a business breakfast at the Grub Café on Friday morning following the dinner at Shingley Beach on Thursday.”

Appalled by the news the information centre on the southern side of Proserpine had shut its doors, Ms Stuckey said it could only be described as a kick in the guts by Mike Brunker and his council and if she was the local member here, she would be demanding answers.

“Why is the local member so quiet on these issues? Traders have every reason to ask why she isn’t advocating for more funding for these vital services.

“The Whitsundays is about to enter its darkest hour and you need all the help available from a government that is willing to stand up for its people.”

Ms Stuckey said along with her commitment to help tourism operators through their darkest hour, she would also be bringing a small business questionnaire recently launched by the LNP which aimed to cut red tape on lengthy government practices.

“The feedback we are getting from small business is that they are spending an unacceptable amount of time that is often unnecessary on red tape issues. There is a strong commitment from the LNP to cut this nuisance right out of the process.”

Ms Stuckey will be joined by LNP candidate for the seat of Whitsunday Jason Costigan.

Tourism Queensland brings business building workshops to Whitsundays

 Tourism Queensland is the driving force behind a recent series of business building workshops aimed at helping local operators with access to domestic and international markets and the use of technology to generate new business leads.

 Forums held in Airlie Beach have included tourism marketing (July 11), web optimisation (July 13), profitable online marketing (July 13) and most recently, the ‘deciphering the cruise market’ workshop (July 19).

 Local businesswoman Stacy Harvey said she attended the “packaging and building” workshop, which she found helpful from the perspective of teaming up with other attractions and activities to benefit from joint marketing.

 “We need all the help we can get right now to get an edge over other destinations. These forums are highly educational in terms of providing tools for business operators that they might not have been using in the past, such as social media,” Ms Harvey said.

 Whitsunday regional TQ director Racheal Klitscher said TQ was very happy with the local business’ response.

 “Our latest session (the cruise ship forum) was particularly well attended, with over 30 people turning up,” Ms Klitscher said.

 “All the forecasts indicate that cruising is going to continue to grow over the next ten years. It’s a very positive outlook, so it’s great to see there’s an interest locally in this growing market,” she said.

 Ms Klitscher said this latest forum resulted in some valuable feedback about the Whitsundays as a cruise destination.

 “We rate competitively compared to other South Pacific destinations. In fact we’re probably top of the list. That comes down to the warm welcome and the personalised experiences the cruise guests are given here and this is in part due to the volunteer ambassador program. This program is unique – we’re not aware of any other destination in Australia that offers this type of welcome,” she said.

 TQ forums still to come include a grants workshop (July 26) and a ‘Q Talks’ online forum on August 4. For more information about ongoing industry education opportunities contact Racheal Klitscher at racheal.klitscher@tq.com.au 

Whitsunday Coast Guardian reaches readers against all odds

 Last week’s Whitsunday Coast Guardian reached the newsstands against all odds after flames engulfed the delivery truck turning 3,000 copies to nothing but smouldering ash.

 North Queensland News (NQN) Group Production Manager Peter Bull was the first to receive the bad news with a 1am wakeup call notifying him of the roadside disaster near Giru.

 “Luckily the driver was fine; the air brakes apparently had locked on and the heat exploded the hydraulic oil lines. The truck (was) a write-off and so were all the goods – our precious newspapers!” Mr Bull said.

 Mr Bull and his stalwart crew at the Townsville Bulletin’s printing press decided to reprint on the spot, finishing the job at 3.30am.

 “The truck drove out at 3.45 am. In fact, the truck driver was the same driver who was earlier driving the burnt out wreck. He really stood out with his soot-stained high visibility shirt and the not so sweet fragrance of burnt ash! This guy deserves a medal,” Mr Bull said.

 NQN General Manager Michael Wilkins said it was no small task to re-plate the press and start again.

 “This sort of commitment does not just happen. It is the result of years of dedication by many people who take immense pride in what they do and are determined to serve our readers each day.

 “I want to thank Shane Brodie (press), Stacey Anderson (publishing) and their crews for their efforts – plus of course the QN driver. It’s a wonderful testament to them and to NQN,” Mr Wilkins said.

Whitsunday Writers' Festival could be the last

 This weekend’s Whitsunday Writers Festival on Daydream Island may be the last. Local author and event organiser Gloria Burley says the Whitsunday Writers Festival grant application has been slashed by 40 per cent, putting future festivals in jeopardy. 

 “The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) has been the only source of funding for this event. Unfortunately Whitsunday Regional Council has been slow to see the benefits of funding an event, which attracts interest from interstate,” Ms Burley said. 

 Ms Burley said authors and publishers love the idea of a Writers Festival on a tropical island “where it is possible to snorkel at the end of the conference”. 

 “We have no problem getting writers to come and speak. In fact they are very eager to be a part of this prestigious literary event.

 “Basically for this to continue in the future, we need a sponsor to come on board,” she said.

 This year’s Writers Festival (July 22 to 24) will feature Sam de Brito (author of No Tattoos Before You’re Thirty and the blog All Men Are Liars) and author Susan Wyndham, whose experiences with maverick neurosurgeon Charlie Teo, are chronicled in her book Life In His Hands.

 Other guest speakers will include Malcolm Knox (who recently featured on the SBS investigation of the Norma Khouri hoax), Victoria Cosford (journalist with the Byron Bay Echo and author of Amore and Amoretti), and Joanna Savill, who will talk about her passion for food and turning it into an art form. 

 The ferry to Daydream Island leaves Abel Point Marina at 8.00am returning at 5.30 pm. A cost of $120 includes morning and afternoon tea and lunch. Tickets are available from Proserpine and Cannonvale libraries.

 “Make the most of this final Writers Festival and let’s go out with a bang,” Ms Burley said.

 For more information see wowfestival.blogspot.com or call Gloria Burley on 0422026793.

Beefalo - Made in the Whitsundays

A beef producer in the Whitsundays who proudly boasts the Made in the Whitsundays logo believes the branding has done wonders for her business.

Beefalo Australia’s Christina Della Valle has been singing the praises of the local initiative after it secured even more interest in her already popular trade.

She said Beefalo Australia, which bred a cross between Ameircan Bison and cattle, was about growing tender, tasty meat in a healthy natural environment.

“Factories produce cars, fridges, tools, but farm animals should not be put in the same category," Ms Della Valle said.

“We don’t produce meat like a factory product, but raise animals in a sustainable, humane and natural way.

“The aim is to produce a high quality, healthy meat, but at the same time catering to the needs of our animals.                                                                                             “Our cattle are born and bred in the Whitsundays, grow up in small herds and graze on fresh pasture. At no stage in their lives do they get pumped up with grain or treated with any kind of hormones.

“As they have lots of human contact they are quiet and content. The result is a beautiful, lean, tender red meat with low cholesterol, high protein and Omega 3."        

Alongside their popular cattle range, Beefalo Australia also breeds free range Berkshire pigs which she said “lived like real pigs”.

“They graze in paddocks, wallow in pools, dig and forage.

“Apart from grass they get seasonal vegetables, fruit, grain and soy, but no fish- or meatmeal.

“Each piglet grows up with a content mum in a natural environment."

Beefalo’s Berkshire pork is tender, juicy and tasty. With a vegetarian diet, no additives or treatment of any kind, the pork is a natural, healthy product and tastes like pork used to taste way back.

“Our Beefalo and Berkshire pigs are our livelihood, but we never compromise on their quality of life for the sake of our bottom line. They have a right to live a decent cattle and pig life.                                   

“We are a part of the “made in the Whitsundays” movement, as we believe to sell a branded local product. People know what they buy and where it comes from.

“And selling the meat locally reduces the carbon footprint."

Quota Whitsunday Wedding Expo a success

Brides, bouquets and all things beautiful were on show at the Quota International of Whitsunday annual Whitsunday Wedding Expo held at the Reef Gateway on Sunday.

A promising number of locals turned out to the fundraising expo to take in the 26 exhibitors, live music and wedding fashion show finale featuring everything plus more for the bride-to-be.

Organiser Margaret Roberts said the expo was a one-stop shop experience for those organising a wedding with each year’s event attracting great crowds and exhibitors.

"There's a wonderful range of exhibitors," Ms Roberts said.

Festivities included welcoming music by violinist Gemma Latter and Corinne Hendrikse-Vinci "wowing the crowds" with her performance.

Many of the Quota ladies themselves also took part in the fashion parade, modelling various mother-of-the-bride outfits before the wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses were paraded on the catwalk.

Each year the Whitsunday Wedding Expo raises money for local charities, however this year's charity has yet to be decided.

"It's one of our bigger events which generates a great amount of money," Ms Roberts said.

"We are thrilled with the support."

Quota Care Bears

 Eighty-year-old Dorothy Wilkes makes many people smile. Dorothy, from Mt Julian, is the talent behind the ‘Quota care bears’, donated to children at Proserpine Hospital.

 Dorothy’s daughter and Quota service committee member Anne Lowbridge says the care bear project was originally established as a service to the community over 20 years ago.

 “Before Mum came on board the club took turns knitting, stuffing, sewing up and wrapping the bears, but eventually Quota had so many projects and fundraisers we were getting short of time to do bears,” Ms Lowbridge said.

 Enter Dorothy, whose previous experience includes knitting baby clothing and ladieswear for firms in Australia and the UK.

 “I’ve always been a knitter and I love doing the bears. I try to make them all a bit different,” she said.

 Each bear takes about eight hours to make and is gift-wrapped with a get-well message. The children keep their bears and Dorothy says their feedback has been very positive.

 “It really makes it worthwhile.”

 President of Quota International of Whitsunday Kerrie McCallum Coles said Dorothy’s care bears are “wonderful”.

 “You’re never to old (or too young) to volunteer and help out,” she said.

 In recognition of her efforts Dorothy has been ‘adopted’ by Quota and attends many of the service organisation’s events.

 “Not everybody my age gets to be an adopted Quota grandmother, but more people could get involved. Age is no barrier,” Dorothy said.

 Donations of new wool and stuffing for care bears would be appreciated. For more information contact Anne Lowbridge on 4945 1884.

Jessica Watson in the Whitsundays

 When Whitsunday sailor Eva Lorenz won the Jessica Watson trophy for being “first girl” little did she know she would meet her heroine in Airlie Beach. Twelve-year-old Eva was presented the trophy at the Optimist State Championships in Mooloolaba on June 5.

 “I think it’s great to have won this trophy as I think Jessica is a great inspiration for girls,” Eva said.

 Jessica Watson, who was in the Whitsundays to promote the season of sailing and Ben Southall’s ‘best expedition in the world’, said it was great to meet Eva and see the trophy for herself.

 “It was a shame I couldn’t be there but I seem to spend more time in other parts of the country than I do in my home town,” Jessica said.

 “I’m very jealous of you getting to sail in the Whitsundays all the time,” she told Eva when they met at Capers on Monday night.

 Like Eva, Jessica once sailed Optimists. “But only briefly and I never did very well because I moved onto bigger boats,” she said.

 Jessica, who modestly maintains she’s “nothing special” and “not actually as exciting as they all make out”, had this message for her fans:

 “I came from being scared of the water – it wasn’t me at all. I was the last person you’d expect to become an adventurer. But when it comes down to it, it’s really quite simple. Take the big goal, break it down to little parts and it’s actually quite achievable”.

 Jessica signed Eva’s Whitsunday Sailing Club shirt and wished her luck for her upcoming competition in Singapore, where Eva is one of just two girls representing Australia in the International Optimist Asian Regional Championship Regatta from July 23 to 29.

 Eva’s father Jeremy Cooper said he was very proud of his daughter and hoped this would encourage other girls to become involved in the sport.

 “Girls can do anything in sailing,” Mr Cooper said.

Port of Airlie celebrates opening of Boathaven Beach

 Whitsunday residents have a new beach. Port of Airlie’s manmade, all-tide, stinger-netted swimming beach was officially opened to the public last weekend with a formal ceremony on Friday July 8 marking the event.

 Member for Whitsunday and Tourism Minister Jan Jarratt was on hand with Mayor Mike Brunker and Meridien Managing Director Russell McCart to cut the red ribbon and declare the beach a public domain.

 Ms Jarratt said she was delighted to open the Whitsunday’s newest tourist attraction, which would undoubtedly prove popular with visitors and locals alike.

 “I think it is also a symbol of our hope for the future. The completion of phase one at Port of Airlie is cause for celebration,” Ms Jarratt said.

 Mayor Mike Brunker said this was a massive investment in the local economy by Meridien and a huge boost to business confidence.

 “The Whitsunday Regional Council is delighted to see a first class beach being created here in the heart of the Whitsundays.

 “As one of the country’s leading property developers, Meridien has demonstrated confidence and a strong commitment in Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays Region by investing here and creating this unique location. This is despite the economic climate the country continues to face following the Global Financial Crisis,” he said.

 In a broadcast interview, Meridien’s Russell McCart described the beach-opening as a “milestone event”.

 “We think it’ll play its part… in reinvigorating this part of the world,” he said (of the Port of Airlie project as a whole).

 Local resident Mary Bicanic was one of the first to visit the beach last weekend.

 “It’s fabulous. It’s going to be a nice place to take the kids,” she said.