Tasman Turtle Picnic Day Shire Success Scores of locals and travellers flocked to TYTO Wetlands as Tasman Turtle returned with craft, food, activities, and family fun. With a rock climbing wall, circus acts, laser tag, pony rides, and a petting zoo, there was something for everyone. Music filled the air, even getting Tasman dancing, and the park buzzed from start to finish. Faces were covered with ice cream and fairy floss, but most importantly big smiles. Deputy Mayor Mary Brown happily remark
Read the full story
Two respected members of the Hinchinbrook region have been named in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, receiving national recognition for their dedication to the community and their service over many years. Patrick Brown, Officer in Charge at the Ingham Ambulance Station, has been awarded the Ambulance Service Medal, one of the highest honours available to an Australian paramedic. With 46 years of experience, most of it in rural and regional Queensland, Mr Brown has long been regarded as a stea
Read the full story
By Victoria Velton In the quiet coastal town of Taylor’s Beach, Jayden McNeill is solving more than just colorful puzzles; he’s solved his way to global recognition. A Rubik’s Cube champion with international acclaim, McNeill’s story is one of perseverance, precision, and passion. It all started when a seven-year-old Jayden received a Rubik’s Cube for Christmas. Like many, he shelved it after failing to solve it. But years later, inspired by classmates in high school, he revisited the cube and
Read the full story
A Tool For Real-World Readiness When most people hear “LARPing” (Live Action Role-Playing), images of medieval knights and fantasy creatures might spring to mind. But for a growing community in Townsville, LARPing has evolved far beyond weekend cosplay, it’s becoming a valuable tool for real-world training and personal growth. The newly launched Townsville chapter of Swordcraft, Australia’s largest medieval battle and role-playing game, brings enthusiasts together every fortnight. What began as
Read the full storyA major sustainability-focused training initiative washed over Hinchinbrook last week, as the final session of the OceanWatch Master Fisherman Program took place in Cardwell last Tuesday the 8th of April.
Delivered by national not-for-profit environmental organisation OceanWatch Australia, the program has travelled across the state, offering a series of six one-day workshops designed to boost environmental knowledge and promote sustainable fishing practices among professional fishers.
OceanWatch spokesperson David Schubert said the training aims to equip Queensland’s inshore net fishers, particularly those operating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with tools to continue their work responsibly and ethically.
“These face-to-face training sessions are an opportunity to provide information about the latest research discoveries and practices involved in protecting the marine environment while fishing, especially safely handling interactions with what are called threatened, endangered or protected species (TEPs), such as turtles, dugong and sawfish,” shared David.
“It is also an opportunity to bring fishers together formally and exchange information and observations amongst the fishers themselves, so they benefit from each other’s practical experience on the water - these fishers are on the water virtually every working day and have enormous knowledge about the marine environment.”
Sessions were previously held in Townsville, Ayr, Mackay, Gladstone, and St Lawrence, before wrapping up in Cardwell and David believes the program is about more than just theory.
“We believe the OceanWatch Master Fisherman program can play an important role in protecting vital habitats, promoting healthy waterways and ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems, while providing top-quality seafood products to the public,” added David.
OceanWatch CEO Lowri Pryce also travelled from Sydney to attend the Cardwell session, emphasising the value of formal recognition for participating fishers.
“The fishers participating in this program are recognised by OceanWatch as our Master Fishermen,” Lowri said.
“They value our marine environment and do their utmost to keep it healthy and productive through their actions on water and this program paves a way for fishers to demonstrate ethical and responsible practice, so they can continue to bring seafood to Queensland families.”
An ongoing initiative supported by the Australian Government, the program is delivered in partnership with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and will launch a series of digital modules this August to continue strengthening the link between commercial fishing, conservation, and community trust.
To access more information, visit www.oceanwatch.org.au or view the program’s introductory video by searching OceanWatch Master Fisherman.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Life Publishing Group Ltd.
