Luck of the draw puts Jarratt in top spot

The order in which the names will appear on the ballot form in the March 24 state election for the Whitsundays has been drawn.

Current member Jan Jarratt from the ALP will have pole position, LNP's Jason Costigan’s name will appear second, third will be Greens' Jonathon Dykyj and fourth Australia Party’s Amanda Camm.

"This is my fifth election and only the second time I have been in the top spot," said MP Jan Jarratt after her little "Go Jan" when her name was drawn out first.

Jason Costigan comically evaded answering whether he was happy with second spot. "Well, this is not the Bowen Cup, it’s much more cordial. If you are talking about superstition or favourite numbers well, you are asking someone who is born on the 13th. Do I wish I had 12 other candidates ahead of me?" he smiled.

Greens candidate Jonathon Dykyj said despite any fortune telling that goes on around the order, he was out campaigning so that voters know about him and the Greens' policies so they can put a number one next to his name.

"Voters in all 89 seats will have this opportunity as the Greens for the second election in a row will field a candidate in every seat. We also have the highest percentage of females as candidates than any other party!"

Australia Party's Amanda Camm said she didn’t mind where she was on the ballot paper as long as people knew who she was - and what she stood for.

This is the second term in a row Ms Jarratt has had the top spot. "I’ve been on every position on the paper, I don’t think it makes too much of a difference," she said.

Following the official close of rolls on Saturday afternoon, 2,746,844 Queenslanders are eligible to vote at the upcoming State election, with an average of 30,863 electors for each electorate. There are 108,000 more female electors on the roll than male.

Electoral Commissioner David Kerslake today advised that over 70,000 electors, mainly 18 year olds, will be voting for the first time. 55 per cent of electors are aged below 50, with a total of 1350 aged 100 and above.

Katter talks footy, ethanol and polls in Whitsundays

The first thing Bob Katter did when he came into Proserpine on Sunday was to visit his former on-field footy mate Laurie Goldman at the Metropole Hotel.

Late into Proserpine due to weather delaying his flight into Mackay, the outspoken leader of Australia’s newest party told his welcoming committee he’d "just go and say g’day to an old mate".

Goldman was behind the bar when Katter spotted him.

"This man …" Katter said slipping in behind the bar and turning to the audience of blokes on the other side, "is the toughest bugger I’ve ever seen on a football field," he said taking his hat off to the publican.

After a rock star reception in Gympie early last week, where the media likened Katter’s visit to that of Justin Bieber, after scores of bingo ladies waved and cheered at the man in the hat from across the street, Proserpine was somewhat quiet on a drizzly Sunday morning.

"Nobody knew much about me when I was an Independent. Now suddenly once we formed the party, I suppose it’s almost like people can buy shares in our policies. I don’t like using the word vision but it’s almost like we all have the same vision, the same hope for Australia," Mr Katter said on route to the Proserpine RSL in Chapman Street for his public meeting with candidate for the seat of Whitsunday Amanda Camm. Early polls tipped the Australia Party at 0.2 per cent, they soon moved up to eight and now Katter says they’re tracking a little higher than 14 per cent. Some 40 people gathered at the RSL upstairs to greet Katter applauding him as he climbed the stairs.

"I have asked scores and scores of meetings, blokes in pubs in drinking circles and people in the street and I ask them … "what is the difference between the ALP and the LNP?" nobody can tell me. If the two major parties are the North Pole … then Katter’s Australian Party is the South – that’s how far apart our thinking is. ALP and LNP believe in free markets, we believe in cutting Woollies and Coles back to under 20 per cent of the market. Currently having 88 per cent of the market where in America they have 23 per cent and they are squealing. Cutting the major supermarkets right back will give farmers a fair go," he said.

Mr Katter talked passionately about the travesty that was the de-regulation of the dairy, tobacco and sugar industry which he says brought farming communities to their knees.

"This is why my rage and hatred for the LNP runs so deep. I represented the biggest dairy industry in the region. This was back when I was part of the National Party. Now I saw this happen to sugar and tobacco and then they wanted to deregulate the dairy industry," the crowd was enthralled. "If you deregulate milk, we will be murdered. I argued. There are only two people to sell milk to in this nation. No one listened. The day after it was deregulated milk went from 59 cents a litre to 42 cents a litre, I then left and became an Independent. I was so disgusted," he said.

Katter has mega plans for the state and big plans for the Whitsundays including ethanol and electricity made from bagasse at the mills.

"Mining is unpredictable but there is about $5000 million the state can use from royalties. If we use it in the region it is raised then there will be money to do the things we want to do, like build an ethanol plant in the Whitsundays …Every other country has gone to biofuels, America, Brazil even China is making headways into it. Our party will immediately go to ethanol and we are committed to giving $200m plus to each sugar mill to burn the bagasse and make our own electricity. I hate to say this but obviously we would be giving the money to Mackay first because its mill is still Australian owned," he did add.

"The other parties can say what they like about our ethanol plan because believe me there is no one on this planet who can outdo me when it comes to knowledge on ethanol," he said.

Mr Katter spoke for over an hour in Proserpine before making his way to the beach to talk to the boaties about their ramp heartache at the VMR. "There may only be a few people here today, but every town, every village, every suburb and every city there are meetings being held and there is a huge army out there that wants this country back … back from the big businesses that own and fund the campaigns of the two major parties," he said.

Whitsunday mum's plea for a safer Bruce Highway

A notorious stretch of the Bruce Highway some 20 km south of Proserpine closed on Monday morning bringing back dreadful memories for a young Proserpine mother of the day her partner was nearly swept from her life.

Bridget Middleton’s partner Scott Boldiston was travelling to work before dawn one morning in January 2011 when he was swept off the Goorganga flood plain.

"The flood indicators weren’t working, and my husband didn’t see the flooded road until he was in it. He wasn’t doing anything wrong. He was in the old ute, he wasn’t speeding and he had a trailer on the back. Coming up to the flood plain he had to dip his lights because a truck was coming the other way," Ms Middleton said.

The mother of three said a phone call came through from her husband before dawn but bad reception meant she couldn’t hear what he was trying to say.

"I knew he wouldn’t wake me up at that time of the morning … so I knew something was wrong."

A few hours later Mr Boldiston came back to the family home.

"He was soaking and freezing when he told me the story. As soon as he hit the water he wound down a window before the power cut out. He’s not the best swimmer so luckily he found a tree to climb up in where he basically sat until he could flag someone down for help. He could have died – the current was so fast and quick."

Ms Middleton followed the near tragedy up with a letter to the Main Roads Department.

"That was a year ago and nothing has happened. What will it take … someone dying?"

A spokesperson from the Department of Main Roads says in early 2011 (the time of Mr Boldiston’s accident), the flashing lights did not activate due to a software error which was immediately rectified by the company which designed and installed the system.

"The department has continued to regularly test the system and the flashing lights have not malfunctioned since this occurrence," the spokesperson said.

"Motorists are advised to drive with caution as wet weather continues across the Mackay/Whitsunday region and not to attempt to cross flooded roads. The message is simple. If it’s flooded – forget it," she said.

The department put up permanent flood warning signs on the Bruce Highway at the approaches to Goorganga Plains in 2010.

"The signs read "Road subject to flooding - indicators show depth", and drivers can see from the indicators the maximum depth of floodwaters across the road.

"The flashing lights are in place as an added warning signal for drivers."

Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace says the Bligh Government has a clear vision for the state’s longest road

"Upgrades of bridges and approaches at Goorganga Plains have been identified as priorities in our plan.

"Funding is fundamentally a Federal responsibility but the Bligh Government is making contributions because we know how important the Bruce Highway is to Queensland.

"Over the next four years, the State and Federal government are spending more than $120 million on the Bruce Highway in the Mackay/Whitsunday region.

Works are already under way to build four overtaking lanes between Mackay and Proserpine, with work to begin on another four mid-year. A further four will be constructed between Mackay and Bowen over the next two years. All up, 16 lanes will be built between St Lawrence and Bowen, including four being constructed between Sarina
and Mackay.

Whitsunday feast honours women's fight for equality

A special breakfast which pays tribute to a group of passionate women who fought for equality for their sisterhood some 100 years ago will take place at the Coral Sea Resort on Sunday March 11.

The Zonta Club of the Whitsundays invites you to join with them in celebrating women in general and hearing about the struggles and achievements of two down-to-earth local women, Serena Drummond and Maria Conroy, at the their International Women’s Day Brunch in just over two weeks time.

Zonta Club’s Kerry Kenyon says by thoroughly enjoying yourself eating a scrumptious brunch prepared by Coral Sea Resort chefs, drinking champagne to the accompaniment of musician Peter Bek, you will be contributing towards the improvement of the lives of local women through the Whitsunday Women’s Crisis and Counselling Service.

"Many of us know Serena Sanders-Drummond, our own Proserpine "Pearl Girl". Not so many of us know the story behind the woman and her business. In her own words Serena has "done everything, from being a biologist to a pearl diver." Although women weren’t allowed on the pearling boats because they went out overnight, Serena managed to stow away and came back ten days later. After that the men used to joke about it saying, "Women who work here aren’t allowed on the fishing boats – oh, except Serena!" No doubt she’ll have more salty tales to tell of the difficulties of a woman creating a business in a man’s world," Ms Kenyon said.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated across the world in early March paying tribute to the economic, political and social achievements of women. So how did it all begin?

One hundred years ago our grandmothers couldn’t have a say in who governed them and found it difficult to live independent self-supporting lives as few had a career and income of their own. It was in 1910, at the second Conference of Working Women held in Copenhagen, that the idea of holding an International Women’s Day was put forward and received unanimous agreement from over one hundred women representing 17 countries. The following year the first IWD was held with meetings and protests across Europe with the largest street demonstration attracting 30,000 women!

Now, it has become an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

Why does Zonta hold an IWD Brunch each year? For 90 years Zonta has been working to advance the status of women through an international fellowship of business and professional women who share a common commitment to promoting and protecting women’s rights. This involves supporting Zonta programs which help expand women’s access to skills training and income generating activities that lead to economic independence. It means helping women overcome gender barriers to careers, access to affordable health care and addressing the unique health issues of women, helping young women develop leadership skills and to follow their unique paths in life.

The brunch starts at 9am with complimentary bubbles on arrival. Tickets are $39 and are available from Colour Me Crazy, Century 21 Real Estate Airlie Beach and Rockmans at Centro.

State program opens world of opportunity to Whitsunday youth

Jason Pap couldn't stand the water - but a rare opportunity created by the state government has opened up a whole new world for the young Whitsunday man.

"How many people get an opportunity like this," said the 21-year-old who now spends his days deep sea diving along the great barrier reef picking up starfish detrimental to its eco system.

Jason and 19 of his reef ranger mates are now fully qualified dive instructors which Tourism Minister and local member Jan Jarratt says are vital for the tourism industry.

"I asked myself whether it was worth it ... but I know now that it is. I never really liked the water but now I am in it every day," Jason said.

The group has just completed the state government's Skilling Queenslanders for Work program and thanks to a grant given to the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) to support its Crown of Thorns combat program, the graduates can also help control starfish infestations.

AMPTO program manager Steve Moon said he has seen a complete turnaround in all 20 young participants.

"They all have diverse backgrounds (and) they would usually not have had this opportunity," Mr Moon said.

"The program has succeeded all expectations."

Participants, dressed in their navy blue AMPTO uniforms, received their certificates in front of trainers, teachers, Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt and tourism operators on Friday.

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said the program is a great investment in the young participants lives.

"Everyone knows it’s worthwhile. Congratulations to the participants, I’m so proud," she said.

"Whether this is the job of your dreams or a stepping stone, we’ve made an investment which is more than just money."

Twelve of the graduates have already received employment, including overseas work and also in the local tourism industry.

Throughout the employment program, participants undertook intensive training, placement and also developed important life skills.

They will also continue mentoring and follow-up support in the next six months.

Whitsunday teen dreaming of Miss Popularity

This young lady’s popularity is about to soar.

As the first entrant from Proserpine to enter the Lions International Miss Popularity competition, Naomi Turley’s ambition should be small, however the passionate teen is hoping to host a large family day out - just one of many fundraising ideas in the works.

But she needs the Whitsunday community’s help.

The prestigious competition she has entered involves full-on fundraising during the next nine months to be named Miss Popularity in the multi-district competition.

Eighteen-year-old Naomi said after seeing members of the Proserpine Lions Club volunteer their time, she wanted to help out.

"There should be more people out there like that," Naomi said.

When asked by the Proserpine Lions to become an entrant, Naomi was more than pleased to help the cause.

"It’s for charity and to help people out, I couldn’t say ‘no’ to that."

"It’s about raising and promoting fundraisers and bringing families in the community closer.

"It’s not about winning or losing.. it’s being able to help out."

Proserpine Lions secretary Damien Mott has some great fundraising ideas for the competition however needed a determined entrant to kick things off.

Naomi’s first fundraising event will be held this Sunday at IGA in Proserpine.

"Naomi has now come onboard, the sausage sizzle is an introduction for her, as an entrant, to the town," Mr Mott said.

Money raised will go towards the Medical Research Foundation of Lions International which is funded by Lions and a percentage will go towards a charity of Naomi’s choice.

With entrants last year raising $87,000 in total, Mr Mott is hoping to raise around $20,000 this year.

"That would be good for our little town," he said.

The Miss Popularity competition concludes in November.

Katter's Australia Party candidate for Whitsunday holding onto the pride of Australia

This girl has her sights set on success. Not for herself - but for the people of regional Queensland.

Meet Amanda Camm … an ambitious 32-year-old mother of three who wholeheartedly believes Katter’s Australian Party is the only party who will give a voice to the people in regional Queensland.

"On April 18 I will be 33, winning the seat would be a great birthday present, wouldn’t it?" joked the passionate girl who went to Kindergarten in Proserpine and speaks fondly of her grandma who religiously puts the Guardian aside for her every single week.

The day the government went into caretaker mode, Ms Camm from the northern beaches in Mackay announced she would be throwing her hat in the ring for the marginal seat of Whitsunday – along with Greens candidate Jonathon Dykyj, LNP’s Jason Costigan and high profile minister and sitting member Labor's Jan Jarratt.

"I’ve heard some people say that I have left my run too late. But I haven’t. As a woman we’re in a constant juggling act with careers, families, relationships … men just seem to do it, women evaluate. So here I am. I have no doubt that the time is right."

Ten days ago Katter’s girl for the Whitsundays met her illustrious leader at a party conference in Brisbane. She says what a lot of people don’t know about the man in the big hat is that he is a champion of women.

"Bob’s a man of his conviction. He’s getting something right as he’s been in public office for 40 years and he’s been very supportive of my candidacy," she said.

Ms Camm has spent the majority of her life in the Whitsunday, Mackay and Mirani districts and has connections with the agriculture, sugar, tourism and mining industries and has been involved in skills development, work force retention and next generation attraction as Chair of the Mackay Whitsunday agribusiness formation strategy.

Once elected, Ms Camm says she will work energetically for the Whitsunday electorate fighting passionately for reinvigoration of the sugar industry by mandating ethanol which she says will put more money in farmers’ pockets, establishing local health boards for local hospitals, supporting small business by lifting the payroll tax threshold and halting the sale of state assets.

"Over the next four and a half weeks I will be focusing on Katter’s Australian Party politics, my values for running and when I knock on people’s doors, walk into businesses and meet people in the street, people can judge me on face value."

Whitsunday Calling music festival sings out for sponsorship

A two-day concert dedicated to showcasing Australia’s legendary rock artists from the 80s needs sponsorship from the town’s corporate high rollers to get the September show off the ground.

The event is Whitsunday Calling and artists Jimmy Barnes, the Little River Band, and the Church are poised to sign on the dotted line for the September gig.

Event organiser John "Scratch" Gray says all he needed was community support.

"I have the acts, we just need the community to step up now and come on board as sponsors so we can get the ball rolling," Scratch said.

Whitsunday Calling which is expected to attract some 6000 people will be held on the council’s sports park land on Shute Harbour Road.

Mr Grey, a former Airlie Beach resident of more than 20 years, said the idea for the festival arose after he returned to Australia last year and noticed tourism in the Whitsundays was declining.

He said he wanted to do something to draw visitors back to the region.

He said Airlie Beach also provided an ideal spot for music lovers to travel from throughout the North, including from Mackay and Townsville.

Tourism Minister and Whitsunday MP Jan Jarratt, Whitsunday Mayor Mike Brunker and Whitsunday Regional Council CEO John Finlay have thrown their support behind the exciting event meeting at the entrance to the site last Friday to talk about the upgrade of the road.

"Council has come on board to support this festival by fixing up access to the site ... but cash is king so we need corporate sponsorship," Mayor Brunker said.

Ms Jarratt said the festival would be a major boost for the region’s struggling tourism market.

"2011 has been a very challenging year for tourism so if the organisers can get the Whitsunday Calling event off the ground for 2012, it will be a wonderful opportunity for community spirit to shine," she said.

"Let’s close the door on 2011," she said, adding "this event is what everyone dreams about. A beautiful rural spot in the magical Whitsundays, where families can come and camp for the night and listen to some really good, popular bands," she said.

Ms Jarratt said she was raising the idea of sponsorship with the new-in-town Sucrogen.

MP Jan Jarratt challenges Qld Health to reveal all

Whitsunday MP Jan Jarratt has responded to community calls for an explanation as to why Queensland Health’s credentialing committee decided to limit the scope of Dr Paul Joice’s practice in treating acute care and obstetrics patients.

Ms Jarratt challenged Queensland Health to make the details of the committee’s ruling public, saying this matter had become an issue of public interest following extensive local media coverage.

“I believe locals deserve to know the truth, the whole truth, so that there is no longer a question mark hanging over this issue,” Ms Jarratt said.

“I have received many calls from concerned locals wanting to know why Queensland Health made its decision to limit the scope of Dr Joice’s medical practice.

“I wrote to the Director General of Queensland Health asking that Dr Joice be afforded all avenues of natural justice and I have been assured that there is now nothing stopping Dr Joice from treating his patients in hospital.

“However, to be frank, the advice I received provides no clarity as to how or why this decision was made in the first place and it concerns me that neither Queensland Health or Dr Joice have been willing to make these details public.”

Ms Jarratt said she knows Dr Joice personally and has the upmost respect for his dedication as a local medical professional.

“Dr Joice came to me with concerns regarding the credentialing process and I pursued this matter on his behalf – as I would for any constituent,” Ms Jarratt said.

“Dr Joice is entitled to request a review of the Queensland Health credentialing committee’s decision. Equally, I believe this community is entitled to know why this decision was made.

“Where public health and safety are concerned my priority is for truth and accuracy so that locals can make an informed decision for themselves.

“If Queensland Health is unable to make this information publicly available due to issues of privacy, then I hope Dr Joice will grant the organisation permission to release the details of its decision.

Dr Paul Joice who wants to wholeheartedly thank his patients and community members for standing by him and his wife, said he was pleased that Ms Jarratt recognised the gravity of the situation.

“I am pleased she has seen what impact this has had not only on my family and my patients but the whole community. I am grateful that she has gone out of her way to ensure there is some fairness in the whole situation.

“However I will not be giving Queensland Health permission to release details.

Mackay Health Service District Chief Executive Officer Kerry McGovern said the health service was aware of MsJarratt’s request to make public the material the credentialing committee relied upon to make its decision to limit Dr Joice’s Scope of Practice.

“Due to the confidential nature of this information, Dr Joice’s consent is required before this can happen.

“The District has written to Dr Joice seeking his permission to release, to the media, minutes from the committee meetings and other documents the committee considered, which may include information about reported clinical incidents or near misses.

“Once the District receives written permission from Dr Joice, these documents will be released," Mr McGovern said.

Queensland Health Minister Geoff Wilson said like pilots who are required to maintain flight hours, doctors who want the right to deliver babies in public hospitals needed to demonstrate they continued to maintain their skills.

“It is a matter of public safety,” Mr Wilson said.

“I am advised that Dr Joice failed to satisfy the local credentialing Committee made up of 10 of his clinically trained peers. Their decision was independently reviewed and confirmed by the Director of Rural Health. 

“The Committee has provided written reasons to Dr Joice, and explained to him the standard process for getting the decision reviewed.  He has not taken up that offer. 

“The Committee stands ready, willing and able to consider any paperwork Dr Joice wishes to provide.

“I am further advised the Mackay Health Service District is able to release the minutes of the credentialing committee along with notes of any complaints, clinical incidents, and near misses recorded in relation to Dr Joice if Dr Joice provides his written authority for that to happen. 

“But the best course of action would be for Dr Joice to follow the process that every other doctor in Queensland is required to follow:  if he has concerns, he should file the paperwork for a review by his peers.”

Whitsunday doctor fights for unsupervised visits to hospital

Queensland Health is refusing to back down on a decision to deny a Proserpine doctor unsupervised access to his patients in the Proserpine Hospital.

Dr Paul Joice who has been practising in Proserpine for more than 33 years was banned from treating acute patients in the government-run institution after a credentialing committee found the doctor’s application for credentialing failed to satisfy the “independent clinical experts” on the committee.

Committee chairman Dr Max Mansoor said while the onus was now on Dr Joice to demonstrate he was able to safely practise in the fields of obstetrics and acute care, “the department would not be taking a backward step on the safety of patients just because an individual wishes to run a misleading, unfounded media campaign”.

Dr Paul Joice, who treats 200 patients from his Main St surgery every week, said he was tired of being harassed and was considering making the heart-breaking decision of shutting the practice down.

“These are intimidatory, stand over tactics by an authority - that cannot get is own act together – under the guise of protecting the public. God help us, someone should protect the public from Queensland Health,” said Dr Joice yesterday.

Dr Joice said under no circumstance would he be taking up the offer from the health department to treat his hospital patients “under supervision”.

“I trained half these doctors. It’s a character assassination and as I have said last week and I will say again I want an independent assessment of what has happened here,” he said.

“They have offered me no explanation as to why they consider me incompetent and I take offence to the association between myself and Dr Patel,” he said.

Dr Joice said at the end of the day, he was beginning to feel he no longer had an option.

“Yes I am considering walking away. I can get a job in a place like Port Headland … where I can work without being harassed. A place they actually appreciate doctors, because this is a denigration of my character on some pretext where I am not even party to the reasons,” he said.

The story on last week’s front page drew a massive response from readers with countless texts to the editor – some appearing on the opinion pages.

One such letter was from long time patient Dell Linneweber who met the doctor when he first arrived in town 33 years ago.

“Dr Joice delivered my baby Lloyd in 1979 just after he had come here,” Ms Linneweber said.

“I had a daughter with heart complaints, he assisted with her throughout her whole life. For 33 years I have put my faith in Dr Joice and I am not about to second guess that now!.”

Ms Linneweber’s granddaughter Connie was born on January 24 one of the last days the doctor was allowed into the hospital unsupervised.

“Now Dr Joice was allowed to go up and see her on the Friday but all hell would have broken loose if my daughter-in-law Rhea hadn’t have had him as a doctor. It’s a personal sort of thing,” she said.

“Now I know Dr Joice isn’t everybody’s cup of tea but if you like him – the choice should be yours.”

But the doctor from the Mackay committee maintains that a second opinion was also sought from the director of rural and remote health which upheld the findings.

“However, the committee has invited Dr Joice to provide further information and has indicated it will reconsider his application on February 14. It will be open to Dr Joice to provide the required information to the Committee and satisfy the experts on the Committee that it is safe to allow him to practise unsupervised,” Dr Mansoor said.

Skydiver crashes plane at Airlie

Drivers on the Shute Harbour Road were held up on Monday afternoon after a skydiver plane crash landed on the road.

It is believed the Cessna 182 plane had engine troubles or possibly ran out of fuel before the 43-year-old Townsville pilot attempted an emergency landing at 3.45pm at the Whitsunday Airport, Flametree.

During the descent, the plane clipped trees and came to rest nose down on the road.

The pilot was not injured however the plane had significant damage to the left wing and front wheel.

A dog called ‘Crasher’ was also onboard and by the time police left the scene, it had not been found.

The incident has been referred to the Civil Aircraft Safety Authority.

Show Whitsunday to host special meeting

Going to the show back in 1939 was a real highlight on the social calendar.

Eric Hinschen quite candidly admits he wouldn’t have stepped onto the grounds with a seam out of place – so important was the annual show day.

Ailsa Reinke says there were only two days a year when she would get a new (well modified) outfit and those were Christmas and of course, show day.

"You just didn’t go getting new clothes every day of the year … one year I remember my blouse was modified from my debutante ball gown," said Ms Reinke, who was sorting through photos at the museum on Monday.

These special memories along with a myriad of other keepsakes including newspaper clippings, photographs, ribbons and awards are being collected in the lead up to Show Whitsunday which celebrates its centenary this June.

The stockpiling of ideas and memorabilia begins this coming Tuesday afternoon, Valentine’s Day, at the Grand Central in Proserpine at a specially called meeting from 5.30pm.

Show secretary Sue Quantock invites everyone who is passionate about preserving the history of the show and those hopeful for its future survival to the informal meeting to share their ideas.

"We’ve got a couple of ideas on celebrating the centenary but what we need is more hands on help, to collate stuff, set up, basically anyone who can help us out," Ms Quantock said.

"There’s talk of a commemorative recipe book … that’s just one idea that is being thrown around.

"The woodchop is doing a big historical display about events in the region and that is always hugely popular," she said, adding the committee was running out of time as the show would be held on June 22 and 23.

"We want to make it something to remember, I really hope a lot of people show up to this meeting. I’d love to hear everyone’s ideas."

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 14 from 5.30pm at the grand Central with the option of staying on for dinner.

Queensland Health Minister denies any involvement in Whitsunday doctor's hospital ban

The man at the head of the health department has weighed into the debate between Proserpine doctor Paul Joice and the credentialing committee.

Dr Paul Joice, a GP in the community for more than 33 years, has effectively been banned from treating acute patients within the Proserpine Hospital on the grounds his credentialing is not up to date.

Claims in today’s Whitsunday Coast Guardian by LNP candidate Jason Costigan that the ban is politically motivated have been met with disbelief by the Queensland Health Minister Geoff Wilson.

“I don't know Dr Joice or any role he may have had as a failed political candidate.  I don't believe I have ever met him, and I have no idea what politics he may have.  That is of no interest to me. 

I also play no role whatsoever in any credentialing decision.  I played no role in the decisions relating to Dr Joice,” Minister Wilson said.

“Dr Joice ought to be aware by now of the independent processes by which every clinician in our hospitals has to establish their credentials to an independent expert panel of clinicians.  If he doesn't understand that after several meetings with his local credentialing committee, it beggars belief. 

I'm now advised Dr Joice's credentialing was reviewed by the appropriate expert panel and a decision made on safety grounds.  I'm also advised he has a right to have that decision reviewed.  He has been advised of that.  If he believes he has a case to be heard, he should utilise the proper review process,” he said.

Battle for Whitsunday begins

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt wants to protect our lifestyle, LNP’s Jason Costigan wants a better Bruce Highway and Greens’ Jonathon Dykyj wants
a container deposit scheme - similar to that in South Australia - where people are paid for their recycling efforts.

These are just a few, in a long line of pledges from the three contenders for the marginal seat of Whitsunday which will be battled out over a nine-week campaign.

The state election was called last Wednesday for March 24, with the Premier Anna Bligh announcing local government elections would be pushed back until April 28 – a change the Greens' candidate admits isn’t an ideal situation.

"On the bright side, candidates have more time to campaign," said Mr Dykyj who launched his campaign on the weekend with a near-200km bike ride from Mackay to the Whitsundays.

Mr Costigan however, isn’t so forgiving.

"The date has been forced on the community by a desperate Labor Government with one objective...staying in power," Mr Costigan said.

"They’ve known all along about the March 31 council elections across Queensland and now they have shown a complete disregard for local government by changing the date to suit themselves.

"In the Whitsundays, it means we have to cop Jan Jarratt’s fellow Laborite, Mike Brunker, for at least another month," he said.

Ms Jarratt says it’s admirable of the premier to put the interests of Queensland ahead of her re-election prospects by setting the election after March 16 – once the floods commission inquiry has completed its investigations.

"Changing the date of the local government elections allows sufficient and reasonable time for councillors to campaign independently of a state election. As the Premier said at the time, "What’s at stake here is the truth. The truth about the cause of our floods and that matters to those flood victims but it also goes to the heart of the future safety of our city and our region and its people."

Regardless of the dates, the Whitsundays will be seeing the three candidates out and about a fair bit over the next two months, with the LNP candidate saying "nothing changes".

"Except we’ll have some mates from the LNP coming through town from time to time," Mr Costigan said.

"Hey, I’m the same bloke who grew up down the road in Mackay, the same bloke who has a daughter attending school here in the Whitsundays, the same bloke who loves his rugby league and the same bloke who’s fiercely passionate about this region and North Queensland in general.

"That’s why I’m running for office, because I love this community and want us to get a better deal after 20 years of Labor. That’s right, 20 years. I said at my pre-selection last February, we’ll fight Labor in the canefields and on the beaches and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing."

Mr Dykyj says he will be on leave from his normal employment from February 19 when the government goes into caretaker mode.

"I will be staying positive, open, accountable and accessible. I’ll be knocking on as many doors as possible and; get factual information out there so people can make an informed choice, giving them no reason not to vote 1 Greens," Mr Dykyj said.

Current member and tourism minister Jan Jarratt says it will be business as usual until the caretaker period comes into effect from February 19.

"I’ll be continuing to work hard as the Whitsunday MP and also in my Ministerial duties for Queensland," Ms Jarratt said.

"People can expect to see me in the community finalising arrangements on local projects which are close to my heart. I want to make sure the LNP can’t short change the Whitsundays. On becoming LNP Leader Campbell Newman declared all previous LNP policies to be "null and void" and it troubles me to think that he is likely to see the Whitsundays as an area where savings can be made."

LNP’s Jason Costigan sees it quite differently.

"I want to see a better Bruce Highway, not a neglected one under Labor’s Jan Jarratt. I want to see more overtaking lanes, something they’ve forgotten about until recently. Seriously, why hasn’t she delivered something in this regard in her 11 years in office? People shouldn’t be fooled by media stunts to cover up a politician’s lack of action," the LNP candidate said.

And Mr Dykyj, who has "in principal support" from his two adversaries for a number of debates in the next few months, says he will be concentrating on the electorate as a whole.

"I think that there are a lot of people from all kinds of backgrounds that are over the sameness of the old parties and will warm to the positive, healthy and long term vision that the Greens promote," Mr Dykyj said.

"Especially with the amount of rubbish on the sides of the roads, the Greens want to introduce a deposit scheme - like the one in South Australia - which will reduce waste into the reef, create jobs and recover precious resources," he said.

Cruise ship strikes fishing boat near Daydream Island

Three men escaped injury on Australia Day after diving into the water moments before being struck by a ferry near Daydream Island.

Cruise Whitsundays’ executive director Chris Jacobs said the unfortunate incident occurred just after 1pm last Thursday.

“One of the Cruise Whitsundays’ ferries hit a dinghy at anchor off the Northern end of Daydream Island. The dinghy was occupied by three men fishing who fortunately saw the impending collision and dived into the water before impact,” Mr Jacobs said.

The men were recovered from the water by Daydream water sports staff  who were close by at the time of the incident.

The men appeared to be unharmed though obviously shaken. The dinghy whilst badly damaged did not sink and was towed back to Shute Harbour.

“As soon as he heard of the incident the company CEO Peter Duncan went out to Daydream to meet with the men and assist where he could.

“The skipper who has worked for the company from the day it started some seven years ago was badly shaken.

“He, the management and owners of the business are all just glad that the men in the dinghy seem to have escaped serious injury and we are obviously deeply concerned that the incident happened.

“Our CEO has already assured the owner of the vessel and the others involved that the cost of the damage to the dinghy and any other equipment will be covered by Cruise Whitsundays.

Whitsunday Koala colony needs your help

If your home is among the gum trees, then listen up.

A native Australian marsupial colony which lives on one of the Whitsunday’s islands is  desperately seeking help from local landowners after last year’s cyclone devastated their only food source.

Wildlife Hamilton Island has 11 koalas, two of which are far too young to venture out of the pouch, and for the better part of 30 years, the wildlife park has been self-sustainable, easily growing enough of the eucalypt variety to feed the small colony.

But when Cyclone Yasi hit almost one year ago to the day, followed by the deluge of the wet season, some of the best trees on the island were killed.

A koala and gumleaf expert will be on the mainland for the next week or so hoping to hear from locals who might have the right type of tree in their back yard.

Park manager Bronwyn Clemenston, who's been working with native Australian animals for over 12 years, said they desperately needed help to sustain their cuddly little family.

“First cyclone Ului hit, and although it was tough for a while … it was a blessing because the new regrowth was perfect for our koalas. But then Yasi came and the stress along with the years of drought prior to Ului then the massive wet we received last year has set a fungus through mainly the Eucalyptus species on the island and killed some of our best cutting trees,” she said.

Ms Clemenston says while koalas may seem like fussy eaters – only eating a certain type of gum – the park was looking for anyone who knows or might even think they have the right species of gum on their property.

“There are actually over 60 varieties they will eat throughout Australia, and where ever they are found along the coastal region to each region they will have up to 7 species they can eat. For our region they browse on (and I say browse, not eat) because they are very particular about what leaves they will eat preferring the young fresh shoots to the older drier leaves,” she said.

“We have hired an ex-employee who left to further motherhood and she harvests leaves for us twice a week which the local council and some private residents have been kind enough to help with on vacant blocks, but we desperately need some more areas to help sustain our cuddly little family.”

If you can help, or if you want further information call Rebecca Barwell on 0439404900 or email her at
bec.duncan@bigpond.com.