Amanda Camm flies the flag for high profile corporation

Amanda Camm has been announced as the new Deputy CEO of the Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDC).

The former aspiring politician contested the state electorate of Whitsunday for Katter’s Australian Party earlier this year; managing 22.3 per cent of the primary vote and achieving the largest positive swing of the four candidates, despite announcing her candidacy less than five weeks from the election date.

While her new job may be substantially different from that of a state parliamentarian, Ms Camm told the Whitsunday Coast Guardian that she was pleased at the prospect of serving the community, albeit in a different role.

"I’m very excited to be taking on this position," Ms Camm said.

"It’s a role focused on external relationships," she said. "I enjoy a very strong rapport with all of the region’s elected representatives, and a large part of the role will be liaising with the recently elected mayors and councils across the region, and I’m looking forward to doing that.

"REDC focuses on development, both of key industries within the region, and the region’s development, generally," Ms Camm said.

"I will be responsible for maintaining relationships with the government, briefing government representatives when they’re in the region, and building strategic partnerships with various stakeholders," she said.

REDC CEO Narelle Pearse has welcomed Ms Camm’s appointment, believing that her extensive experience in a variety of industries and her passion for the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac community made her the ideal candidate.

"Amanda has many years’ experience working in the agriculture, travel and retail, mining and not-for-profit industries, and this will assist her immensely in the role," Ms Pearse said.

While critics may contend that her new role may serve as a springboard for another political tilt, Ms Camm ruled herself out as a potential candidate in the next federal election, due by September, 2013.

"I have no federal aspirations," she said. "My partner and I have a young family with five children, and traversing the Dawson electorate and campaigning would require an enormous commitment."

Ms Camm confirmed that she would be resigning her membership of Katter’s Australian Party, but said she would always consider maverick MP Bob Katter a friend.

"I am committed to my role as Deputy CEO of REDC, and I will no longer be active within the party," she said. "But Bob Katter will always remain a dear friend."

While she may be leaving the world of politics behind her for the time being, Ms Camm promised that she would bring the same level of passion and energy to this role as she did to the state election campaign.

"This part of the world means so much to me, and I think it must show," she said.

Whitsunday locals chance to sail with Jessica Watson

If you are a keen sailor and under the age of 18, you could win the chance to have a private sailing lesson with Jessica Watson at this year’s Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week.

Jessica will be available to meet the public from 3pm on Monday, August 13 and then she will take the lucky winner for a sailing lesson from 4pm.

It’s easy to enter. All you have to do is drop your entry into the Whitsunday Sailing Club or email it to sailing@whitsundaysailingclub.com.au.

Please mark your entry " win a sailing lesson with Jessica Watson" and include your name, date of birth, phone number and contact details. The winning entry will be drawn by Jessica Watson at the Opening Night of Telcoinabox Airlie Beach Race Week on Thursday, August 9. The private session will be held at 4pm on Monday 13 August.

Jessica will also be available to meet the public from 3pm on Monday 13 August at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

Commodore Rob Davis says, This is a fantastic chance for enthusiastic young sailors to meet this young sailing identity and ask her some keen questions and hear first-hand about her experience of sailing solo around the world."

Whitsunday beauty crowned Face of State of Origin

The eldest daughter of a worldclass body sculptor is putting her face into the male-dominated field of rugby league.

Kirra Longmuir was recently chosen to represent Queensland in the national finals of the Face of Origin competition and though she was up against 16 finalists from all over Australia, the stunning contestant went on to win the national ‘Face of Origin’.

Kirra will be on all advertising and promotions for the next State of Origin.

Kirra is visiting Proserpine this weekend to celebrate her 26th birthday on Saturday with her family at the Prince of Wales hotel.

Kirra will be taking her younger sister, Kirsten, back to Brisbane to help her run her hairdressing salon in Cleveland.

Magicial backdrop for aspiring writers in Whitsundays

Aspiring writers from the Whitsundays were treated to a world-class event last weekend at Coral Sea Resort.

Amidst a backdrop that would inspire avid writers, the Whitsunday Writers Festival attracted high profile guests, authors and publishers to its two-day event.

Festival organiser Gloria Burley said the writers were hugely appreciative of the magical backdrop of the Coral Sea Resort a location made possible thanks to their two major sponsors the Whitsunday Regional Council and the resort itself.

"I remember coming to a function here some years ago and I was in this room here but the curtains were drawn ... I pulled back the curtains and couldn’t believe the view. It is such a beautiful place and we are truly so thankful to the resort for their sponsorship of this festival," Ms Burley said.

Sarah L’Estrange who is a producer on Books and Arts Daily on the ABC National Radio was so inspired by the event, it will feature on her show today (Wednesday) between 10 and 11am.

"I have been doing vox pops with the guests and finding out why they are all here … I want to recreate the colour and atmosphere of the event for our listeners because there aren’t a lot of events like this in regional areas of Queensland," Ms L’Estrange said.

Other high profile guests included popular science author Professor Chris Turney, award winning screenwriter Cory Taylor, former chairman and managing director of the ABC David Hill and author and books editor Chris Flynn.

Whitsunday community throws support behind local Paralympian

Staff members at Whitsunday Regional Council are rallying behind one of their own as he heads to London to represent Australia as a cyclist in the Paralympics.

Council has arranged for 25 posters to be put up across the region, with locals able to leave messages of support for David Nicholas, who has worked with council since 2009, and is scheduled to depart for London on August 7.

Having already made a name for himself in Australian cycling circles following road race victories in 2009, 2010 and 2011, David won his first international medal in the road time trial at the 2011 Road World Championships, before becoming a world champion in 2012 after winning the 3km individual pursuit at the UCI Track World Championships, held in Los Angeles.

Council Deputy CEO Jon Gibbons described David as a valued employee who enjoyed the support of his colleagues.

"David started off as a trainee, and he’s now an IT support officer," Mr Gibbons said.

"He’s quite an incredible young man," he said. "He hasn’t let anything get in front of his goals."

"He’s achieved so much in such a short period of time.

"Everyone at council is very supportive and hoping for the best," Mr Gibbons said. "He definitely deserves it."

Long-time local Alan Dufty, who won medals at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Paralympic Games, had only one piece of advice for David as he became the first person to leave a message for him at Fausts IGA yesterday.

"Treat it just like any other race," he said. "It takes the nerves away."

The posters will be located in most major shopping centres, all the libraries and council offices.

Whitsunday Regional Council's road block to advertisement

A Whitsunday engineer, who designs electrical systems for mines, has hit out at council’s decision to reject his application to place a custom-built sign on private property fronting the Bruce Highway.

In a move local business owner Scott Bennett is calling "hypocritical" the Whitsunday Regional Council refused his application at their Wednesday meeting last week to place an "undefined advertisement" on Collingvale Station.

"It’s hypocritical, that’s what it is and I am going to fight it. On the very same day they approved Whitsunday Caravan and Camping’s sign – now I have absolutely no problem with them – it’s a great sign and they’re good business people and good on them – but they deny me mine … why?" Mr Bennett said.

Mr Bennett is an electrical engineer and his business is to build million-dollar plus electrical systems mainly for the mining industry. He reckons his best scope to get his message out is to target the traffic on the Bruce Highway.

"A few months ago I approached Malvin Deicke and asked him whether I could put a trailer on his property. He said no worries, we all know each other pretty well around here, and so I made the sign up. Honestly, it’s a solid steel structure so if council is worried about it going anywhere in a cyclone, then it’s just not going to happen. If that goes, there won’t be a house left standing in Proserpine," he said.

Furious with council’s decision, Mr Bennett told the Guardian how he had tried to "do the right thing."

"I had a call from some bloke at council who basically told me to move it or he will fine me. I said righto I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes and so I towed it way back up the paddock until it was sorted out. He sent me the form for an advertising licence and I filled it out and sent it away, thinking everything would be great," he said.

However at last Wednesday’s council meeting, even with Cr John Collins on his side, the majority couldn’t see it Mr Bennett’s way.

"The guy has a big red sign and it draws attention and that is what the ad is about. If Coca Cola puts a sign on the highway, are we going to tell them to change the colour of their sign because it’s red?" Cr Collins questioned.

Executive services confirmed it was a "grey area" with the actual report before council stating that; "town planning cannot regulate or control advertising devices that are on vehicles or trailers".

The fact that they actually have no jurisdiction over his sign is what has Mr Bennett most riled.

"They can vote all they want, as soon as the paddock dries out, I am taking my trailer back down there. My sign has the potential to bring millions of dollars into this region … look at the rest of the signs on the highway, KFC and such, what the hell do they promote?"

Mayor Jennifer Whitney said various criteria and public safety was taken into account before the decision was made.

"It was considered the advertisement on Collingvale Station, Bruce Highway, Gregory River, may cause reasonable distraction to vehicular traffic along the Bruce Highway with the speed limit in the area being 100km. It was further considered the advertisement does detract from the amenity and the natural features of the rural environment in which it is situated, primarily because of colour, design and sign presentation," Mayor Whitney said in a statement.

"The undefined advertisement for Whitsunday Camping and Caravan Centre however does not detract from the amenity and is consistent in colour and appearance, with buildings and natural features of the environment in which it is situated."

Proserpine projects pave way for cleaner future

An innovative, flexible project pioneered right here in Proserpine some three years ago is gaining a lot of attention lately particularly with the unseasonal weather.

Peter Sutherland, who used to work under the banner of BSES Limited, now works with Canegrowers Proserpine in a subdivision known as Sugar Services Proserpine (SSP).

While Mr Sutherland’s role won’t change a great deal from his former duties with the BSES, the time factor might.

"We’ve gone from four staff members down to one, so growers might have to be mindful of that," Mr Sutherland said.

Mr Sutherland says a big part of his role will be his continued involvement with the variety trials and clean seed plots.

The program is called the "one eye sett" and offers a much more flexible alternative to planting the traditional way.

"It’s a way to quickly propagate from a small amount of cane. It’s an eight-week head start which is vital during unseasonal weather like we are having now and it’s as disease free as we can make it," Mr Sutherland said.

First: The cane is cut from from the clean seed plots of hot water treated cane.

Second: The cane is then cut into three cm billets and put in the incubator to rapidly germinate the one eye setts.

Third: The germinating setts are dropped into 80mm pots and covered with our own specially formulated potting mix (with secret ingredients)

Fourth: The potted plants are moved to the hothouse for 2 weeks to complete the establishment phase.

The warm conditions inside allow the plants to grow rapidly even during cold winter days. And finally the plants are moved outside to harden in the sun for a few weeks prior to planting in the field with the mechanical

planter.

"In 2009 the BSES gave Proserpine 5 plants of the Q240 variety … this year we have 18,000 to plant and the growers have leapt on it. Their number one comment is; "Look it’s already coming up behind the planter", it basically minimises the risk, you don’t have to have your heart in your throat about the cane shooting, because the hard work is already done," Mr Sutherland said.

How does it work?