weekenderSaturday 19 December 2020

Merry & Bright ’s celebration a AgPro software ready for global success at the rollout Botanic Gardens New buzz at Beemart Bundaberg

Be SharkSmart at beaches

Aleena in the mix for Rugby World Cup contents

Engineering student learns 3 on the job

Cover story Merry & Bright 4 photos

What’s on in the Bundaberg 6 Region The Beach Dresser brings arty vibe 7 to Bargara Bundaberg’s AgPro software ready 8 for global rollout New buzz at Beemart 9 Bundaberg Be SharkSmart at Bundaberg 10 Region beaches Tribe Tropical Photo of the week launches turtle Photo by @morgan.everett 11inspired swimmers Moore Park Beach garden grows 12 Christmas spirit Flynn overcomes tragedy to chase 14 childhood dream Debut single Butterfly inspired 16 by special memories’ Aleena in the mix for Rugby 17 World Cup NEWS

CQUniversity engineering student Daniel O’Driscoll discusses plans for a new footpath and footbridge along Bargara Road with Civil Designer Jamie Schokman. Engineering student learns on the job Maria McMahon

When university student Daniel “Council also supports the successful applicants O’Driscoll first came to Council, he was in gaining RPEQ (Registered Professional Engineer of ) status which means the recipient of a BRC engineering I will be able to sign off on other engineers’ scholarship. designs and plant.” For Daniel this was an excellent opportunity to Head of Undergraduate Engineering for help towards his university fees and gain practical CQUniversity Dr Benjamin Taylor said this experience during his 12-week placement. partnership with Council has brought many Now heading into his fourth year, Daniel is back benefits. for a six-month placement, learning more within “Our students who have completed a placement the area of design and civil works. within local government often mention how “At the moment I’m getting a wide variety of valuable such an experience was to help them projects to work on including verge sealing, bus comprehend the breadth of challenges faced by stop and footpath upgrades, traffic management civil engineers,” he said. plans and upgrades for stormwater infrastructure “The Council scholarships have also allowed us such as culverts. to secure students of a high calibre straight out “The foundations I gained in Council’s Autocad of school. design process in my first-year placement is “In the past we had talented students from helping me this time around.” regional areas heading on to metropolitan Born and bred in Bundaberg meant that Daniel centres to gain undergraduate qualifications. was keen to enrol in university locally and the Co- “This was despite CQUni being ranked as a op partnership Council has with CQUniversity is national leader for employment outcomes and something he’s extremely grateful for. starting salaries in engineering. “I wanted to stay in Bundaberg because my “It then becomes increasingly difficult to recruit family is here, so the scholarship program has high quality engineers back to the regional areas, been very good for me. which we must do to ensure our communities “After I graduate in 2022, I’d like to gain as much prosper. experience as possible in the industry and am “Also, in the field of engineering, it’s important interested in applying for Council’s graduate to understand the local context such as land use program that offers placement of two years in and development opportunities and students design, two years in civil works and one year in from the regions understand this.” contract supervision. 3 COMMUNITY

On 12 and 13 December, as part of Council’s 12 Days of Christmas celebrations, the Botanic Gardens was transformed into a magical wonderland of lights and entertainment.

4 (top left) Leon, Charlotte, Janelle and Annika Watson. (top right) Jessie and Victor Newham. (bottom right) Mitch, Emily and Angie Yarrow. Enjoying the lights at Merry and Bright.

5 E AUSTRALIA DAY FREE RAT WITH LEB TH ENTRY! CE E

Railway Picnic AT NIELSON PARK, BARGARA

TUESDAY 26 JANUARY 1PM - 5PM

Sink your teeth into some good old-fashioned Aussie fun!

Presented by In partnership with

19 Dec SUNDAYMy First Kids Activity26 JANUARY Trail 1PM- Let’s TO Find 6PM Shapes | NEILSON PARK Kids Activity Trail - Would youBARGARA like to meet the Brazilian Silk Floss tree? Discover the King Fern? qld.australiaday.org.auLearn australiadayqueensland about brush turkeys? australiadayqld #australiadayqld #greataustralianbites Presented by In partnership with 22 Dec Steam and Diesel Train Rides - Enjoy a steam or diesel train ride around the Bundaberg Botanic DPC7075 Gardens.

DPC7075 Australia Day 2020 GAB – Posters v6.indd 1 4/12/19 2:18 pm  

24 Oct - & 7 Feb Digital Be the interactives 7 Dec - 24 Jan first to know 31 Oct - 31 Jan

whatsonbundaberg.com.au Artists from the region 13 Nov - 10 Jan 6 7 BUSINESS The Beach Dresser brings arty vibe to Bargara

Craig Ross

Bundaberg fashion designer and artist Julie Appo is living proof that it’s never too late to pursue a dream. Julie has come out of retirement to open her own boutique women’s fashion store, The Beach Julie Appo is delighted with the reception her new store, The Beach Dresser, Dresser, at Bargara and has big plans for the has received in Bargara. little outlet’s future. Julie said she had already sought professional The proud Gooreng Gooreng woman is also advice on how to implement a trainee program working with neighbouring outlet owner, Jassy for young Indigenous workers and looked Watson of Earth Circle Studios and Gallery forward to being able to offer such opportunities Café, to create an artistic hub for Bargara with to the community. plans to host special themed events throughout 2021 and beyond. Many of Julie’s designs are inspired by rock imagery, an interest which stretches “A lot of people who come here are in the art back to her days in designer college. movement in Bundaberg so it’s a nice, creative hub for people to catch up and have a coffee,” she said. Many of Julie’s designs “Every three months or so we’ll come up with a theme and do something different. are inspired by Burnett “It’s nice to support each other because we’re River rock imagery . . . both creative, and both artists, so it’s nice to bounce ideas off each other.” Julie’s art degree thesis explored the Burnett Julie said her idea for the store came after River rock imagery, ancient rock engravings noticing the vacant shopfront as a regular nearby the river that have since been submerged customer at Earth Circle. following the altering of the river’s course and “I thought I’ll follow one of my dreams and open flow began in the 1960s. a little store here and see how it goes, and it’s “For my honours, I decided to research what been going very well,” she said. happened there and where some (examples) “Ever since I was very young, I’ve been interested could be,” she said. in sewing and fashion and I’ve always been “There are some lying around, and I’ve got artistic as well. photos of that.” “I think what really got me started in fashion was Julie said her involvement in Native Title that my mum had a love for fashion and sewing, negotiations, as a Gooreng Gooreng elder, had so that sort of started me.” also influenced her work, combining with the Julie said her Indigenous heritage not only Burnett River rock imagery to inform her work. influenced her designs, it also encouraged her to Julie said she had sought out Australian use her store to create opportunities for young companies to print her designs wherever Indigenous residents. possible and was keen to showcase the work of “I’m just following one of my little dreams, but local artists at The Beach Dresser to help them one of the reasons I started this was because establish a market for their products. there’s not many young Indigenous people in Following the success of its initial opening, Julie fashion or in the retail industry itself. and Jassy are hosting a Christmas event this “I thought things would’ve changed by now, but Saturday from 10am to 1pm. I said ‘well, I’ll do this’ and see if I can be a role The Beach Dresser is located at 5 Whalley model, I suppose, to encourage them to train for Street, Bargara, and its regular trading hours or enter the retail business.” are from 9am to 2pm, Wednesday to Saturday. 7 BUSINESS rates, or provide a suite of production related alerts to users, just making farming more and more efficient. “AgPro account holders will be able to monitor the performance of some of the treatments that they would have applied to their farms through the use of live trend lines, mapping and comparison reports.” AgPro is a SaaS platform that provides digital tools and data process flow for growers and graziers, agronomists, rural retailers, laboratories and IoT companies to aid and automate the provision of agronomic inputs.

AgPro is a SaaS platform that provides digital tools and data process flow . . . to aid and automate the provision of agronomic inputs. Jack Milbank is taking AgTech solutions to the world with data management system AgPro. It does this through a process that either connects analytical data, sensors, controllers and nutrients to deliver exactly what a plant needs in response to real-time conditions, or Bundaberg’s provides tools that support the decision making process. AgPro “The global roll out, currently underway, involves lots of work behind the scenes such as translation to other languages and units of software measure,” Jack said. “I wish America would just go metric!,” he joked. ready for “Fluid ounces per gallon is not a unit of measure many agronomists in Australia are familiar with, but AgPro will enable Agronomists across the global rollout world to choose the units they prefer to work in making consistent decision making far easier.” Megan Dean The effort to rewrite the software to suit various countries was certainly worth it with the platform expected to be rolled out across about 38,000 AgPro, an innovative software platform farms in Japan, Australia, and USA. that originated in Bundaberg, is helping “2021 will see the addition of an office and farmers and agronomists across laboratory in Johannesburg to service Southern Africa with an anchor client in the rapidly the world track data and improve growing medicinal cannabis industry, one of productivity. the largest projects in the world, a 20 hectare The software is now owned and operated by project across four sites in three countries - Lexi Tech Singapore for its global roll-out. AgPro will be the platform on which the project operates.” CEO of Lexi Tech, Jack Milbank, said a number of versions of the platform were already widely Discussions are already underway in Chile, used in Australia, the USA, and Japan. through the assistance of Austrade’s Santiago office, to establish Lexi Tech’s South American “The subscription model, which incorporates base in the region. a host of impressive tools and features for farm data management, has been under rapid A livestock module has also recently been added development since March this year in preparation which is being demonstrated to Queensland’s for launch in 2021,” Jack said, most comprehensive bovine reproduction centre for refinement in preparation for roll out “With the integration of sensors and data and adoption in the extensive North Australian, from partners . . . into a common platform, American and Argentinian Beef industries. AgPro is going to enhance the ability to refine autonomous tasks on farms, such as irrigation Lexi Tech will join the Bundaberg Agtech or choice of foliar nutrition applications and Hub from January as a base for its Australian 8 operations. BUSINESS

The team at Beemart Enterprises are excited to introduce new products with the same friendly service. New buzz at Beemart Bundaberg

Craig Ross

Beemart Enterprises has a new owner “The new owners are very respectful of the reputation we have built, and it was indeed part and new products, but their friendly of the reason they decided to purchase the service remains unchanged. business, retaining our reputation and improving That’s the message from Beemart administration it remains central to our operations,” he said. manager Kodi Beeston as the roll-out of He said Beemart was encouraged to see many new retail and wholesale products continues of its customers’ businesses, including cafes following the acquisition of the business by and restaurants, returning to regular operations -based company JE Tipper in July. following this year’s COVID-19 disruptions. Kodi said the changes aimed to provide “We are starting to get back the busy normality customers with a “one-stop shop” experience that we are used to as most of our customers when they visited Beemart. have reopened and are getting back into their “We understand the customers want more routines,” he said. convenience in the increasingly time-poor lives “Coming into the festive season, we are expecting that we lead, but also appreciate and expect a a few big weeks of orders and business to make local approach,” Kodi said. up for lost time. “We feel that with our recent changes, and “Bundy businesses have done it tough this year the changes we will make in the future, we are and we hope Bundy gets out there and supports providing what customers want and need in them more than ever this holiday season and, their fresh produce shopping experience.” more importantly, post-COVID.” Among the changes happening at Beemart are Kodi said Beemart would continue to adapt the new retail products including pizzas, organic business to meet the needs and desires of its foods and sauces, a variety of meats, deli and customers. cheese items and fresh local flowers. “We are also investing resources into finding Kodi said that gives Beemart greater marketing more environmentally sound options for our capabilities to benefit local growers. customers as this is something we share the Kodi said the changes would not come at community’s concerns about,” he said. the expense of the reputation that Beemart “Look out for new and improved packaging Enterprises has built over more than 60 years of options in the New Year as well as an extended service to the public. grocery rang in our retails store.” 9 LIFESTYLE

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has launched a campaign calling on residents and visitors to be SharkSmart. Be SharkSmart at Bundaberg Region beaches

Craig Ross

Bundaberg Region residents and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays until the end of visitors to the area are being urged February. to be SharkSmart at the beach this The same hours will operate daily over the Christmas-New Year period at Kellys Beach and summer. Nielson Park to cater for increased patronage Do your part. Be SharkSmart is a Department over the festive season. of Agriculture and Fisheries campaign calling So far this year, 53 sharks have been caught on on Queenslanders to take note of six key drumlines in Bundaberg waters, following 59 SharkSmart behaviours when out swimming, captured last year. surfing, diving, snorkelling, fishing or boating. Drumlines are located at Oak, Nielson Park, Research has found that although 73 per cent Bargara and Kellys beaches. of Queensland residents considered it their own responsibility to stay safe in the water, only 60 Agriculture and Fisheries are using the per cent knew how to behave in order to reduce acronym SHARKS to promote Do Your Part. the chances of interacting with sharks. Be SharkSmart and the measures residents can Julie Davis, Lifesaving Services Coordinator for take to reduce the risk of negative encounters Queensland Surf Life Saving Wide Bay Capricorn with sharks: Branch, said most visitors to Bundaberg beaches Swim between the flags at patrolled do the right thing and swim between the flags. beaches and check signage “It comes back to people being responsible and Have a buddy and look out for each other swimming at patrolled beaches between the Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk flags where we continually monitor the water,” R educe risk, avoid schools of bait fish Julie said. or diving birds “It’s important that people swim between the eep fish waste and food scraps out of the red and yellow flags where our beaches will be K water where people swim under guard for the next 6-7 weeks. “We are spoilt for choice about which beach to Swim in clear water and away from fishers. go to.” For more information about Fisheries Julie said lifeguard and lifesaving services at Queensland’s Do your part. Be SharkSmart 10patrolled beaches had been extended to 8am to campaign visit daf.qld.gov.au/sharksmart BUSINESS Tribe Tropical launches turtle inspired swimmers

Megan Dean

Bargara-based swimwear label Tribe Tropical is set to launch a new pattern inspired by loggerhead turtle Bargara-based swimwear label Tribe Tropical has launched a new design inspired by turtles at Mon Repos. hatchlings that will raise funds for the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. Designer Emily Gradon said the swimsuits would Free local pick-up is available. take Bundaberg Region imagery to the rest of the world. Tribe Tropical turtle inspired swimsuits: “I really did want to do something that was Lady Elliot Swimsuit (girls ages 1-8) inspired by the region,” Emily said. Bargara Board Shorts (ages 1-10) “I’m really proud of where we live, I think we live Mon Repos Rash Tops (ages 1-10) in a magical part of the world. Mon Repos Swim hats “I designed the suits and print myself and see it as a gift to the people of Bundaberg, who have Lady Elliot Swim hats been so supportive of my brand since I launched two years ago.” The design features turtle hatchlings and coral, and Emily said the ocean-inspired imagery was a new look for her. After creating the new Tribe Tropical design she contacted the Mon Repos Turtle Centre to see if it was possible to have the swimmers stocked there. “I’ve been in touch with their head ranger,” Emily “Sometimes, you have said. to swallow your pride “She’s very keen to place an order this week so I’m hoping they’ll be there very soon.” a little bit.” Passionate about raising awareness for the endangered loggerhead turtles, Emily said 10 per cent of all website sales would be donated to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. Locally the swimsuits are also stocked at the Windmill and Pharmacy Central in Bargara. Emily said she had stockists all over Australia and was hoping to expand across the globe soon. “I do ship internationally all over the world. “This year alone I’ve sent items to places like Bargara mum Emily Gradon won a prestigious Good Design Award accolade in Qatar, Switzerland, Canada and Malaysia. recognition for the outstanding design and innovation of children’s sun safe swimwear. “I’m hoping to get some stockists internationally, Her daughters Anelise and Lilia love their mum’s design too. that’s my plan for in the New Year is to start really working on that.” All swimwear is UPF50+ and The designs are set to go live on the Tribe the brand’s focus is on keeping Tropical website later this week with the ‘the tribe’ safe in the sun. swimsuits arriving just in time for Christmas. 11 LIFESTYLE

Elisabeth Bell in her Moore Park Beach garden. Moore Park Beach garden grows Christmas spirit

Trish Mears

Elisabeth and Ian Bell spend a lot of It was a very different story when they first time in their garden, but never more so moved in seven years ago, though one thing than in the lead up to Christmas. hasn’t changed. The palm trees were the first things that In early December their garden at 106 Sylvan Elisabeth and Ian saw when they moved onto Drive at Moore Park Beach is transformed the three quarters of an acre block. “I spent the first three months pulling weeds out by hand,” Elisabeth said. In early December The couple had a vision of replicating the garden they had in Eumundi in the Sunshine Coast their garden is hinterland, but the sandy soil and dry conditions transformed into a made them re-think the way they do things. “My husband Ian has become an expert at Christmas wonderland. mulching and little by little we have built up the soil and tolerance to the dry conditions,” Elisabeth said. into a Christmas wonderland, complete with “Coming from Austria, we like the colourful lights through the magnificent palm trees and plants of the tropics, which can be difficult to gardens, a nativity scene and Carols playing. grow. 12 “We love bromeliads for their incredible flowers. Every one is different and has different needs. “It’s challenging but satisfying to understand them and what will grow. “We love hibiscus too but in the current heat they are in survival mode.” After working in the garden all year, the workload has stepped up recently in preparation for their Christmas Lights display. It is certainly a labour of love for both Elisabeth Sweet potato and Ian. gingerbread “By creating the Christmas story we can celebrate with the community,” Elisabeth said. man (and “Some people aren’t aware than Christmas is more than the silly season. unicorn) cookies “It’s lovely to hear people’s comments that they find peace and the true spirit of Christmas when Ingredients they walk through our garden lit up with lights 1 cup pureed sweet potato and see the nativity scene.” 3 cups flour Elisabeth and Ian’s garden at 106 Sylvan Drive, 4 teaspoons ground ginger Moore Park Beach will be open from 6.30pm 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon til 9pm every night until Boxing Day, weather 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg permitting. 1 teaspoon ground clove 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup sugar 1/3 cup molasses 1 egg Method 1. Prick each sweet potato serveral times, wrap individually in alfoil and bake at 205oC until cooked. Allow to cool. 2. Peel the potatoes and puree using a food processor. Run the puree through a cheesecloth to remove any extra bits, you should have 1 cup. 3. Cook the sweet potato puree down by half in a frying pan on a medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. This will remove excess water from the puree. If you do not do this, your cookies will be cake-like and limp. 4. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the sweet potato puree, molasses and the egg. 5. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl. Add gradually to the electric mixer ingredients on low until a dough forms. 6. Place dough on floured plastic wrap and wrap well; chill until firm, about an hours. 7. On floured baking paper, roll dough to 4mm thick. Freeze dough on paper for about 20 mins. 8. Cut to desired shape and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180oC until firm and edges just begin to darken. Approx. 8 mins. Let cool on tray. 9. Decorate cookies with icing. Jerry James Stone 13 SPORT “Even if it’s just one game, it means a lot. Not many fathers and sons get to play footy together, so it will be good.” Flynn will count on Mick, aged 47, to stay injury free after the latter’s comeback seasons in 2006 and 2017, following his initial retirement in 2000, both ended with season-ending injuries. If the pair’s on-field combination proves as effective as their ability to work together off the field, their opponents face a tough time stopping them. Flynn’s sister Emerson and mother Leisa were tragically killed in a car accident, in which Flynn was also a passenger, a little over two years ago in South Kolan and he and Mick have been there for each other since.

If the pair’s on-field combination proves as effective as their ability to work together off Flynn Purkis is looking forward to lining up with his dad Mick for Wests Panthers in the 2021 Bundaberg Rugby League season. the field, their opponents face a tough Flynn overcomes time stopping them. “We’re still looking after each other, making sure tragedy to chase we’re all good and just chugging along,” Flynn said. childhood dream “We’re just living life to the fullest. You can’t just talk about the sad times, you’ve got to talk about the good times as well, because (Emerson and Craig Ross Leisa) come up in conversation all the time.” Flynn said his sister and mother were a constant source of inspiration for him as he chases success Flynn Purkis may soon realise his on the rugby league field and his approaching Year 12 studies at Shalom College. childhood dream of playing rugby “A lot of the things that I want to do well in are league alongside his dad after driven by them,” he said. “If I want to do well in overcoming tragedy, losing his mum school, in an exam or an assignment, I think ‘how and sister in a car crash. would they react?’. Regardless of how he fares on the field, next “Especially Mum, because she was big on season is shaping up to be a memorable one for education, and so’s Dad. And on the footy field, the Wests Panthers player. I dedicate every game to them.” Flynn and his father Mick plan to line up alongside Flynn admitted his approach to schoolwork had each other in the Panthers’ reserve grade outfit changed as his view of the world outside the for the 2021 Bundaberg Rugby League season rugby league field matures. and it will mark a career highlight for both if they “When I was younger, I was like ‘footy, footy, are able to achieve the feat. footy’ and schoolwork came later,” he said. Flynn, who has made himself available for “Now I do what I need to do at training and then selection in all three senior grades for the come home and study. School’s been a lot better Panthers next season, said playing alongside since I’ve started balancing (priorities) out a bit.” Mick would realise a childhood dream. Flynn will start a school-based cabinet-making “I always wanted to play footy with him, ever apprenticeship in 2021 and realises he will need since I was a little kid watching old tapes of him to devote much of his time to that and his other playing in the old days,” the 17-year-old prop schoolwork, but has not ruled out the possibility forward said of his father. of finding a start in the world of professional rugby league. 14 “I was hell-bent on (becoming professional) a couple of years ago but then I realised, as I got older, that footy shouldn’t be the priority,” he said. “I started looking at other pathways. But if something pops up, I will take the opportunity with both hands.” Whatever he achieves in life, Flynn knows that rugby league will be a large part of it and he is grateful for the support he and his father received from the rugby league community in the aftermath of his family heartbreak. “They helped out a lot when everything happened,” Flynn said. “Just the way they got around us and showed their support, which is amazing.

Flynn and Mick Purkis fondly remember Emerson and Leisa after they were tragically killed in a car accident.

“Wests is a very family-oriented club. They’re not the richest or the biggest but they’re definitely family-oriented and so are Shalom. “It was good to have all that support when everything did happen.” In addition to lining up alongside Mick in reserve grade in 2021, another major goal for Flynn is Delivering free the helping steer the Panthers’ under-18 outfit to successive BRL premierships. good news The Panthers took last year’s title with a gripping 22-18 grand final win over Maryborough’s online to the Wallaroos in Maryborough, and the front-rower believes Wests have the necessary talent to repeat the success in 2021. Bundaberg “Most of (this year’s) team is either too old for the 18s this year or have moved elsewhere, but Region. the 16s Grizzlies side won the grand final this year as well, so we’ve got a lot of grand final experience coming through,” he said. Download the “A lot of big game experience and a lot of representative players, and they’re all talented. Bundaberg Now app. “Even the kids that haven’t made rep, they’re very talented in their positions, so we’re looking very good for the 18s next year. “Hopefully, we can go back to back and get two grand finals in two seasons for the 18s.” 15 ARTS Butterfly shares some of Chelsea’s favourite memories of her grandad. “It’s sort of more things that we did together. “We used to go out and do the weather out at the Bundaberg Aero Club, so I reference the weather.” While COVID presented many challenges, it also gave Chelsea the chance to return home to work on the song closer to where those memories were made. “Since I was home I actually decided to create a bit of a recording studio in my grandad’s old surgery. “That was kind of special.” The x-ray room of the Bundaberg west surgery is now a sound-proofed recording room. Chelsea said it was Bundaberg’s first veterinary surgery opened in about 1958, helping to inspire her during the creative process. Butterfly, written and produced by Bundaberg singer songwriter Chelsea Stutchbury, will be released on January 11. Chelsea is pictured at the Sydney Conservatorium of “Being in the surgery made me think about him Music in a dress designed by Tarese Klemens. Photo: Easton Chang more.” While at the moment she is focussed on her studies and graduating from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, in future Chelsea said she may look to offer singing lessons or record Debut single local artists from the space. In another special tribute, the cover art for Butterfly Butterfly is a picture of Chelsea, drawn by her grandad. “I still have it and its coffee stained and inspired by everything.” The song will be released on Spotify, Apple Music, special YouTube and all other streaming platforms from January 11, 2021. The date was selected for its significance, being memories the anniversary of her grandad’s passing. Chelsea said securing an RADF grant had helped Megan Dean to make producing Butterfly possible. “Thank you to the Bundaberg Regional Council for supporting regional arts,” Chelsea said. “It’s really important and I’m very thankful for Local singer songwriter Chelsea the great job that they do. Stutchbury is set to release her debut “It definitely helped support my music.” single Butterfly, dedicated to her The live debut of the song Butterfly will be grandfather who was Bundaberg’s performed at the Capricorn Caves, north of first veterinary surgeon, on streaming Rockhampton, at a special Butterfly in a Cave platforms in January. event as part of an upcoming film festival. “I attended the 2017 Capricorn Film Festival The song was developed through a recent round where my sister won an award for her of Bundaberg Regional Council’s Regional Arts environmental short film, and was impressed Development Fund (RADF). with the quality of the event, and the support She wrote Butterfly in March as a tribute to her and recognition it gives to creatives,” Chelsea grandfather Graham Stutchbury who she lost in said. 2014. “I love reverberant spaces and experimenting “I always I had a very close relationship with with how my vocals can sound within them, so him,” Chelsea said the acoustics of inside the Caves is something I am very much looking forward to performing “I always felt like he was this butterfly watching in.” over me - like a guardian angel sort of vibe. RADF is a partnership between the Queensland “Every time I see a butterfly, I like to imagine it’s Government and Bundaberg Regional Council his ghost watching over me.” that invests in quality arts and cultural 16 experiences throughout the region. SPORT Aleena in the mix for Rugby World Cup

Vince Habermann

Bundaberg’s Aleena Greenhalgh is in the mix for the Australian team for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Aleena was part of the broader Buildcorp Wallaroos squad which connected for the first time in 2020 with a six-day national camp recently at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Head coach Dwayne Nestor named 15 Test debutantes, including 28-year-old Aleena, in the squad as Australia continues its preparation for Aleena Greenhalgh from Bundaberg is in line to represent Australia at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. the world titles. Aleena, who completed Year 12 at Shalom College in 2009, was always an ultra-talented Aleena said the final squad won’t get named all-rounder, learnt the game of rugby while “until probably August next year” and she studying in England, playing for Bristol Bears will continue to train hard and strive to keep in 2019, before moving back to Australia and improving her game to achieve what would be representing Bond University at the AON Uni her ultimate goal in the sport. Sevens. “We have a few tests scheduled prior and the Super W season, but it’s all pretty surreal,” she This year, she made said. “I didn’t even think I would make the Queensland her Queensland Reds Reds squad this year but I ended up debuting and then getting invited into Wallaroos’ camp Super Women’s on minimal minutes. debut. This year, she made her Queensland Reds Super There’s a lot of training Women’s debut, covering positions in both the second row and back row, bringing valuable and rugby between versatility to the squad. Last week, the Wallaroos’ journey at the now and then tournament was confirmed, which will see (final selection) Australia take on the tournament hosts as well as Wales and the final qualifier winner in the with many talented battle of Pool A. Aleena, whose parents Shelley and Adrian, are and hardworking girls Sharon cane farmers and whose sister Laura is all vying for a spot. a Bundaberg physiotherapist and grandparents also live here, said the camp was “great”. “Expectedly I was a little daunted going in, but the “There’s a lot of training and rugby between now girls and coaches provided a great, welcoming and then (final selection) with many talented environment with everyone supporting and and hardworking girls all vying for a spot. encouraging each other,” she said. “Obviously, it would be a huge honour but I’m “The training was tough, I’ve never worked just going to focus on training and the learnings harder or been pushed more in my life, but I I took away from camp.” learnt a lot very quickly.” 17