Whitsundays to party this Australia Day!

There’s plenty of places to celebrate Australia Day in the Whitsundays.

Grab a copy of the Whitsunday Coast Guardian and plan your public holiday now!

This Australia Day, the Whitsundays is putting on a real party at a myriad of locations around the region.

Dingo Beach is throwing a few parties, one at the new community centre from 10am to 3pm which will boast a bar, billy tea, pies and peas, dingo trap throwing, lamingtons and much more, the Whitsunday Sailing Club is putting on a great afternoon with old fashioned cricket, sailing and live music which kicks off at 11am.

Fausts Supa IGA has some top specials with all things Aussie reduced for the national party, Centro’s open pretty much all day and the Whitsunday Regional Council’s official awards ceremony kicks off at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre from 12.30pm.

More details? Grab a copy of the Guardian newspaper now.

LNP supports Whitsunday doctor's call for help

There are certain services you just can’t live without. One of them is health.

A Whitsunday doctor - who sees up to 60 patients each day - says the answer to the severe shortage of GPs in regional areas lies in the hands of the federal government.

Principal GP at the 121 Medical Centre in Cannonvale, Dr Yehia
El-Baky, says it’s no longer "humanly possible" to continue working at the rate he and his colleague have been for the past number of years.

"I am not asking for a new doctor, just a replacement after one of my doctors left," says Dr El-Baky who admits he is considering closing his popular practise two days a week because of mounting pressure.

Dr El-Baky says the answer to the doctor shortage right across the nation lies with the federal government’s refusal to relax certain laws that allow overseas practitioners to work in Australia.

"We can’t get Australian doctors … even with the $40,000 incentive to live in regional areas, for some reason they just don’t want to come here. But overseas, there are fully qualified doctors working in service stations, shop fronts, waiting for the okay to come to Australia and practise," he said.

"The government tells us we have about 23,000 people in this region who will need to see a GP, but this is not the actual population. We have 600,000 visitors to the region each year and about 10 per cent of those will need to see a doctor during their visit," he said.

This plight led Dr El-Baky to seek help from the member for Dawson George Christensen who will take a petition to the government outlining the unsustainable situation in the Whitsundays.

"The petition outlines the number of GPs that are overworked, in some instances attending to patients for up to 12 hours a day, and the pressure being placed on the tax-payer funded health system," Mr Christensen said.

The principal petitioner will be Jason Costigan, the LNP candidate for Whitsunday.

"Losing a doctor is of grave concern to many people in regional communities and the Airlie Beach area is no different. I think the good doctor has raised a valid point in saying tourist numbers should also be taken into account, not just the resident population," Mr Costigan said.

"If we keep losing doctors, it can only put more pressure on Proserpine Hospital, hardly an ideal situation."

The petition will be available in a number of surgeries around the Whitsundays.

Boom time for Whitsunday Coast Airport

Virgin Australia has announced 10 extra flights for the Whitsunday Coast Airport which is sure to impress the city-bound traveller.

 Five early in the morning from Proserpine to Brisbane and five returning each weekday afternoon will be added to the flight schedule bringing the number of flights to 24 every week.

Mayor Mike Brunker hinted at the exciting announcement during his cocktail party at the airport on Saturday night, but couldn’t elaborate on the details.

Whitsunday Coast Airport’s business and marketing manager Scott Waters said it was a real shot in the arm for tourism and mining.

“We are currently working with two private companies for the lease of the land at the airport which have an aviation scope but in the broader sense include mining,” Mr Waters said.

“What this means for the region is jobs and diversification utilising the airport to achieve that.”

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said she was proud of the final product that is the redeveloped Whitsunday Coast Airport terminal.

“It’s a fresh, modern welcome mat to our region that allows visitors and locals to travel more comfortably and more efficiently.”

“This significant investment sends a signal to the airlines that we are a serious player in the tourism sector.”

“This region bats well above its weight and I expect to get the details of new flight commitments from Virgin Australia very soon.”

Overdue library book returns to Whitsundays a quarter of a centure late!

A long-lost book, borrowed almost a quarter of a century ago, has made it home.

On Friday morning, staff at the Proserpine Library received a parcel in the mail which ultimately brought the past – back to the present.

Attached to the book, ironically entitled ‘100 Magic Miles of the Great Barrier Reef - The Whitsunday Islands’, was a note which read: ‘Hi, I borrowed this book I think around 1988 and forgot to return it because I moved to Victoria, sorry for taking so long to return the book, it’s a good read’ - with no name signed.

Robyn Batman of the Proserpine Library said with no barcode or records dating that far back, the note can never be identified.

“We have absolutely no idea who wrote it. It’s a mystery,” Ms Batman said.

Staff member Nadine Donadelli who was the lucky person to open the mystery package said she was surprised the anonymous person took the time to return the
book.

“I can’t believe it’s come back . . . people wouldn’t usually send it after such a long time,” Ms Donadelli said, “and people would treasure this book.”

The long lost piece of the Whitsundays has been put back into the library’s collection for others in the community to read once again.

The staff however have kept the note.

“We just laughed when we saw it. I told the others (staff) they have to read this!” Ms Donadelli said.

Heroic rescue of stricken Whitsunday ship

The owner of the 30-metre charter yacht Anaconda III, holed in poor conditions on Monday, heaped praise on his crew and the captains and crews of ships that came to the assistance of the distressed tourist ship.

“You can imagine the relief of all involved now that it is all over except the paperwork,” shipowner Mark Cranson exclusively told The Whitsunday Coast Guardian on Tuesday morning.

“The quick response to the situation meant the passengers were safely back on land mid-afternoon and the ship was tied up in port and secured Monday night at about 9pm.”

“It is with much gratitude to all who assisted so quickly. It is a credit to our industry to have such dedicated and trained crews who can make a good call and follow it through.” Mr Cranson said.

“I can’t list all the help we received as I am flat out right now, however I would like to quickly thank them all through the pages of The Whitsunday Coast Guardian. They are a credit to our marine community,” Mr Cranson added.

The drama began after dawn when Anaconda III struck a coral bommie at Bait Reef about 18 nautical miles northeast of Hayman Island. The ship struggled in the poor weather conditions and called for assistance when about three nautical miles from Hayman.

Hayman Island marine manager Ken Bryant sent Hayman Island’s Sun Aura who helped stabilise Anaconda III with VMR, Water Police and Maritime Safety Queensland while Hay Point VTS monitored the situation.

Airlie Beach based tourist ship Atlantic Clipper arrived on the scene with a self-propelled high capacity pump, took the passengers safely back to the mainland reporting only that the passengers were calm, and had not suffered in any way.

Proving that a smart fix is a good fix, local concreter Randel Murray grabbed some bags of rapid set concrete from the hardware shop, jumped in his boat went out on the job and did a quick pour to seal the hole.  So next time you have a problem consider a bag of rapid set concrete; and your mates.               

Greens candidate calls for Whitsunday debate

Glossy brochures and million dollar campaigns don’t tell the real story about a person.

In a bid to give voters in the Whitsundays a candid opportunity to meet the three Js vying for the seat of Whitsunday - Jan, Jason and Jonathon (in alphabetical order) - the Greens candidate Jonathon Dykyj is challenging his two opponents to a debate once the election is called.

Mr Dykyj says there’s a lot of misinformation about the Greens, and the two major political parties, and feels a debate is the most democratic style of exposure.

“It’s grass roots democracy. It's free and accessible and doesn’t depend on glossy brochures and multimillion dollar campaigns. People can come along to one of two debates held once the election is called and hear the promises from the horses' mouths,” he said.

Late Monday evening, the 28-year-old Greens candidate wrote to the local member Jan Jarratt and the LNP candidate Jason Costigan calling for in-principle support.

“These types of forums in the Whitsundays are quite popular so I imagine we will get quite a crowd. There are no dates set yet but I would hope that once the election is called we can set a date down for the first week then the third week, but we’ll organise that between the three of us. Obviously things will change if there are more candidates,” he said.

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt has thrown her support behind the idea.

“I’ve always enjoyed participating in local debates in the past and believe they’re a valuable forum," Ms Jarratt said.

“We’ve already seen Campbell Newman go head to head with Premier Bligh, revealing the LNP has no policies, no plans and no intention of explaining to the people of Queensland how they will turn their rhetoric into reality.”

“I’d be very interested to see the LNP Candidate for Whitsunday stand in front of this community and outline which infrastructure projects his party would axe.”

LNP candidate Jason Costigan said he welcomed the debate.

 “I have no problem in debating anyone, whether it’s Labor’s Jan Jarratt, the Greens candidate or Humpty Dumpty.

“If we can make it happen, within our schedules and involving all players, great. I think debate, especially as we lead into an election, is very healthy. It’s democracy at work.”

“Having said that, the Greens are nothing but a sideshow.

“Everyone knows they’re in bed with Labor in Canberra, giving us the mess we’ve got there. A vote for the minor parties is just a wasted vote. At the end of the day, if you want to remove the Labor Government, you’ve got to vote LNP.”

Whitsunday kid captures giant toad

If the government was paying per kilo for every toad captured, this kid wouldn't be bothering his old man for pocket money these holidays.

Twelve-year-old Wilson Norman was in Jubilee Pocket with his brother when they spotted this gigantic cane toad on the road.

"We had to stop, we couldn't believe it and we just had to show Dad. So we chucked it in the back of the ute and brought it home," Wilson said of his find.

Next stop was the Whitsunday Coast Guardian where the oversized pest was brought in for show and tell.

"This would easy be the biggest one I have seen. I don't normally pick them up but I had to show Dad this one," said Wilson who says he will dispose of the toad humanely.

A website dedicated to the protection of native wildlife says one female cane toad can lay up to 20,000 to 50,000 eggs in one spawning which can occur more than once a year.

In 1935, 101 cane toads were released into the wild. Within six months they had multiplied to over 60,000, the website says.

Sucrogen's vision splendid for Proserpine mill

The 2012 crushing is going to be one of the best in the industry for many years.

This bright forecast comes from the Executive General Manager of Sucrogen Cane Products Craig Doyle who is this week reiterating his company’s pledge to boost cane supply to the Proserpine Mill to over 2 million tonnes within three years.

"The weather is good, the price is good and the crops around Proserpine are looking fantastic," says Mr Doyle who confirms the four massive parcels of land pulled from auction at the eleventh hour before Christmas are most certainly on Sucrogen’s wish list.

"We are still discussing the finer details of the contract so I cannot say too much now. But all going well we hope to have secured the properties within two months. Sucrogen remains committed to finding ways of working with growers to boost productivity at the mill. So whether we get farmers in the area to lease the ground or whether Sucrogen manages them, we’re not certain. It’s still really early days," he said.

The 400 hectares of potential cane land at Gibson Creek – a block of land purchased by the mill some five years ago – is also at the centre of Sucrogen’s vision.

"The board had a plan to increase the yield from what they grew last season which was about 17,000 to 50,000 on this block. This was their vision! There just wasn’t the money there to back it up. But Sucrogen sees no reason why we can’t continue this plan."

Mr Doyle says while the relationship between grower and miller was never smooth sailing, he was hoping for a top future with great working relationships.

"We are nothing without the growers, and the growers would be stuck without a good, working mill. I can’t work miracles and I can’t promise it will be 100 percent complete before the beginning of the crush but I will do my absolute best to get the mill up to scratch and make sure the bins are on the line when it comes time to cut."

Whitsundays croc back in the spotlight

Whitsunday cattle and cane farmer John Casey was getting pretty snappy with government officials.

After spending well over $5000 on modifications to an enclosure, and another five or ten grand on legal fees, John Casey has finally been given the official okay to keep his pet croc Charlie.

"I have received the permit to keep her here. It’s a special recreational wildlife licence which will have to be renewed after five years," Mr Casey said.

The farmer on the O’Connell River inherited Charlie or Charlene as she was known back then in his father’s will.

But changes to regulations brought out by the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) meant when the licence came up for renewal, questions were asked.

"Well it is a croc but we have had her more than 48 years so we know what we are doing. I remember when we were kids she’d ride with us in the station wagon and she’d be sitting on dad’s lap just like a dog with her head out the window catching the breeze. But she wasn’t that big back then," Mr Casey said.

The new regulations included Mr Casey having to enlist a vet who was willing to treat Charlie should a health issue arise, and a qualified croc handler for back up.

Mr Casey’s father Alf reared Charlie from when she first came out of the egg almost five decades ago.

"She’s still much the same . . . sure she is bigger but she definitely knows us as opposed to other people who might come in for a look. She watches me when I come in to mow the lawn or whatever and sometimes I will give her a scratch under the chin," he said.

And what of special habits and traits?

"She answers to her name and she definitely knows me. She sits at the gate when ever I am around and when she sneezes it scares the hell out of you! It’s like a truck blowing a tyre on the highway!"

If he was looking down from heaven, Mr Casey says his dad Alf wouldn’t have had it any other way.

"I know it’s a fair bit of money to spend on getting things sorted out, but dad would have done the same."

Whitsunday Raiders hold their ground for another year of union



Peter Chengody and Bruce Spannagle on field.



Lack of players may have forced the Raiders to withdraw from the Mackay competition in 2011, but for club president Bruce Spannagle, the Proserpine/Whitsunday Raiders Rugby Union will be around for a long time yet.

"It (the club) will stay alive no matter what and we will keep the annual 7s competition going no matter what," Mr Spannagle said.

Dwindling player numbers in all sports have hit the Whitsundays hard, but with a great draw this year, Mr Spannagle, who has been involved with Airlie Beach rugby union for 16 years, is hoping for a strong group of players to sign on.a

"Union has always had a strong following but people have just dissipated. The whole area has lost players (but) I'm hoping to put together a cool group of senior players of about 12 or 13. Even if it's a different team each week, as long we keep playing."

In a positive move, the Whitsunday Raiders are currently recruiting players from overseas with two English players on the cards for the team as well as the prospect of hiring a captain/coach for the side.

Mr Spannagle said in an effort to help the struggling team, Mackay has also offered a fair draw for the Whitsunday Raiders this season.

Sign on day will be on Saturday, January 14 from 3pm at the sportspark and all interested are encouraged to sign up for the Whitsunday Raiders.

"Come on down. No matter how much experience or your fitness level, it's a great opportunity to train, hang out with the boys and make friends."

Whitsundays travel show airs this Sunday

An eight-year-old will bring the Whitsundays into your living rooms this weekend in a special half hour broadcast on Southern Cross Ten.

Part of a five part series which showcases a family travelling with kids on a 8000km trip around Queensland, Ozzie Holiday will air at 1.30pm this Sunday.

The Whitsunday segment was shot over four days in October, says Steve Horrocks from Airtraxf, and in the segment on Long Island Jack Horrocks (the 8-year-old presenter) feeds the birds, goes kayaking, enters the belly flop competition and generally tries out the facilities.

"On Daydream he spends time with Living Reef manager Brett Jeffries meeting the stingrays Pancake and Pikelet.

"He also picks up and holds Bruce, a sicklefin lemon shark who gives him a whack on the cheek. From here he tries (for the first time) parasailing with his mother. In between this Jack tests the various pools and gives the island a firm thumbs up."

Married on Christmas Day in the Whitsundays

A romantic wedding ceremony with close family and friends on one of the holiest days of the year couldn’t have been more perfect, say a local couple who tied the knot on Christmas Day at Dingo Beach.

Stacey and Belinda Hinschen say they chose Christmas Day to get married as it was a time when all family was already together.

"At first it was supposed to be a surprise," says Belinda. "But when I sent the invitations out for a Christmas party some people said they couldn’t come! So we had to tell them."

The wedding ceremony was simple yet romantic and held on the beach and included their 16-month old daughter Matilda.

"I have never seen the tide so high, I couldn’t believe it. There was hardly room to stand on the sand! But our celebrant Kieran McCarthy chose a beautiful spot under the ponsiana trees which was truly lovely," Belinda said.

The 30+ guests were then treated to a traditional Aussie Christmas dinner turned out by resident pub chef Darcy Osborne at the Dingo Beach Hotel which sadly the Hinschen’s will no longer be managing.

"It’s time for a change. We’ve been there 12 months and had a fantastic time and met a lot of great people. We’ll be there for another week or so."

"Darcy was great for coming in and giving us a hand. He didn’t have to so that was good. Also we’ve got to say thanks to Camo Marshall. He’s great," Stacey said.

Carpenters on ancient pilgrimage travel through the Whitsundays

They say the Bruce Highway is a thing of the past . . . dated, full of potholes, unable to cope with the traffic of the 21st century and pretty much on its last legs.

However, in the last 24 hours of the year 2011, Whitsunday motorists witnessed a new historical record for the ageing artery.

Three men on an ancient pilgrimage, wearing costumes from the medieval era, were hitching a ride up north in search of some hands-on work.

Robert Lettner, Dominik Grubinger and Rene Jacobs are journeymen from Eastern Europe, who are skilled in the art of carpentry, are following in the footsteps of their ancestors who have been embarking on similar journeys for some 1000 years.

The journeymen years, which have some similarities to Australian students deferring for a year before commencing university studies, refer to the tradition of setting out on travel for several years. However the journeymen travel after completing their apprenticeship.

The roots of the journeymen tradition date back to pre-medieval times and entice young craftsmen without worldly experience to go out on their own for exactly three years and one day and travel through European towns to find work as proof of their dedication to their chosen field.

These dedicated craftsmen who are two--and-a-half years into their journey after crossing four continents, almost ten countries, a myriad of counties and countless towns and cities, say their seven-day stint in the Whitsundays has been both the most exciting
and frightening of their amazing adventure.

"We were caught in that big storm that capsized boats, I have never been so frightened in my whole life," said Robert.

The main aim of the three men’s travels is to find work and while they are hoping to make Cairns by early in the new year, they would welcome any carpentry work along the way.

The journeymen can be contacted via email on rene.jacobs83@gmx.de.

New year miracle for Whitsunday couple

Meet Zanthia Janice Anne Fulton - the first baby born in the Whitsundays in 2012.

The new year’s miracle arrived on Monday evening at the Proserpine Hospital, weighing seven pounds, 11 ounces, and new parents Bec and Scott are more than overwhelmed with their bundle of joy.

"We can’t stop smiling and shaking. It’s the best feeling ever," they said.

The Cannonvale family said 2012 is going to be a new and exciting year for them and they look forward to raising Zanthia in the Whitsundays. Being their first baby, Bec and Scott wanted it all to be a surprise, opting not to find out whether it was a boy or a girl.

Bec also said ‘Zanthia’ was a name that has always been at the back of her mind, and seeing her new baby girl for the first time, she knew the name was a perfect fit.

"It has a ring to it," she said.

Bec also said she didn’t expect Zanthia to be the first baby born in the Whitsundays for 2012.

"She was due on the 27th of December. When we came into hospital we were making jokes about being the first baby born of the year. She is a new year’s miracle."

Overall, Bec and Scott agreed nothing compares to parenthood.

"It’s unreal. We are proud as punch. Thank you to the hospital, midwives and doctors."

"She was born in paradise."