weekenderSaturday 12 December 2020

Paradise Lane Lights a labour of love

Pearl shines at Kobi claims spot 100th birthday in celebrations life saving team

Phytocap technology trial to ‘most generous transform landfill town in Australia’ contents

Mayor and RSL call for new 3 HMAS Bundaberg

Cover story Paradise Lane 4 a labour of love

What’s on in the Bundaberg 6 Region Phytocap technology trial to 7 transform landfill Small school charm highlight 8 of Kaye’s career Photo of the week Teaching a Photo by @this_orchard_life passion for retiring 9 principal Pearl shines at 100th birthday 10 celebrations Family gathers for 75th wedding 11anniversary A tale of two much-loved 12 gardens Bundaberg ‘most generous 14 town in Australia’

Kobi claims spot in Queensland 16 life-saving team Warren Zunker retires after 55 years 17 of farming NEWS

The second HMAS Bundaberg, which was destroyed by fire in 2014. Photo: RAN Mayor and RSL call for new HMAS Bundaberg Michael Gorey

build tradition and foster a sense of esprit de The Bundaberg RSL Sub-branch corps among ship’s companies. “The first HMAS Bundaberg launched on has endorsed a call by Mayor Jack 1 December 1941 and saw active service in the Dempsey for a new HMAS Bundaberg Second World War,” he said. to be commissioned in the Royal “On 28 October 1945 she arrived at the Port Australian Navy. of Bundaberg where she was given an official reception by our grateful citizens.” Mayor Dempsey wrote last month to Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Chief of Navy, Vice Bundaberg paid off at on 26 March Admiral Michael Noonan. 1946, having steamed 112,199 miles since commissioning. The Government has committed to building nine new Hunter-class frigates as part of an “The second HMAS Bundaberg was $89 billion naval shipbuilding plan, however the commissioned on 3 March 2007, continuing the first three frigates have already been named. tradition of having a vessel bearing our city’s name,” Mayor Dempsey said. “Unfortunately, she was destroyed by fire on 11 The first HMAS August 2014. “Bundaberg Regional Council and the Bundaberg launched Bundaberg RSL Sub-Branch request that a on 1 December 1941 and new HMAS Bundaberg be commissioned at the earliest opportunity.” saw active service in the RSL sub-branch president Graham Crowden said it’s important for veterans of the two Second World War HMAS Bundaberg vessels to have the tradition continue. The ships will begin entering service in the late “It’s very much a point of pride, especially 2020s, replacing the eight Anzac Class frigates, for those who served on the previous HMAS which have been in service since 1996. Bundabergs,” he said. Mayor Dempsey said the Navy has a practice of “I’m very supportive of the Mayor wanting to reusing names in later generations of ships to have a new ship named Bundaberg.” 3 COMMUNITY

Cameron Kapernick with the original lights used in his very first Christmas lights display 25 years ago. Paradise Lane Christmas Lights a labour of love

Megan Dean

The Paradise Lane Christmas Lights have proudly hung on to every newspaper display features 50 Christmas trees and clipping that mentioned his efforts. 10,000 lights and is a labour of love for For his first display, Cameron received an encouragement award. That year he crafted Cameron Kapernick who started the many decorations from cardboard. tradition 25 years ago. As the years progressed so too did the quality Cameron was just eight years old when he of his display until, at age 16, he took out his first coordinated his first display at the Branyan property, still owned by his mum and dad, Rhonda and David. Cameron was just eight Back then the display featured just three sets of lights and four Christmas trees. years old when he But the collection has grown alongside the coordinated his now 33-year-old Cameron’s love for all things Christmas. first display. “It’s just been one of those things that has always been part of our Christmas there,” Cameron said. Christmas lights competition and made it to the “I’ve been obsessed with lights for a long time. front page of the paper. “I don’t know it’s always been part of my DNA Although he no longer resides in the region, I guess. Cameron returns as often as he can to decorate “I think it’s just been something that has lived in his family home which “is just made for Christmas me forever.” lights”. Each year young Cameron would enter the local “They kindly let me take it over for four weeks 4 Christmas lights competition and his parents of the year.” The obsession was first sparked by regular “I have mostly white lights, because mum Christmas visits to Bob and Cheryl Pearce’s doesn’t like the others to be honest,” he said Rosedale Road display. with a laugh. “Their Christmas lights are famous,” Cameron In addition to decking the exterior of the house said. in lighting, every window of the house tells a “I was a kid and I used to run around their lights different Christmas story. telling them where their lights were blown and “It’s all on the house and there is six window what was new. displays that all set a scene.” “And I’d ask them about things that they’d Walking around the Paradise Lane home you forgotten about. can witness a snow scene, Santa’s fireplace, a “I just try to do as good as them.” , the elves workshop, Lane and a scene among carollers Cameron’s collection of Christmas lights and and snowmen. decorations has grown over more than two decades. Building up such a substantial stash of Christmas lights and decorations requires quite a bit of space, and Cameron said it was lucky he had access to storage. “I sort of just hang on to it and I always say ‘one day I’ll use it’. “I’ve still got half a shed of stuff that hasn’t gone up. “It’s a bit of a hoard to be honest.” This year he travelled from Brisbane where he works in media and events to put together the Paradise Lane Christmas Markets display. Putting together the impressive array of lights and decorations took 20 to 30 hours, which Cameron said is “not real long” compared to previous years. “Because I don’t live there, I’ve got to drive home and smash out a heap. “I stayed up until 1 am the night before last just to turn it on but there’s a few more things still to go up. “I was completely and totally exhausted from this week and I was actually down back in Brisbane at work and I saw all the activity on the Facebook page and I saw everyone’s comments Top: 16-year-old Cameron’s winning lights display on the front page of the NewsMail and I no longer felt exhausted,” Cameron said. Above: Early hand crafted decorations “It felt like my job was worth it. “Nothing was bought overnight, it’s all just years “It feels good that people can enjoy it.” and years and years,” he said. The Paradise Lane Christmas Lights, which are “I’m quite a bargain shopper. part of Bundaberg Regional Council’s 12 Days of “Most of it is second hand and everything is LED Christmas, officially launched last Saturday. so it’s all energy efficient. The lights display is a COVID safe event and “Ex-shopping centre displays, ex-Myer, Facebook Cameron said putting it together this year was Marketplace. You name it I’ve bought it. even more special after the challenges of 2020. “There are lots of people that have stopped “We just wanted to give something for Bundy to doing lights and sold them to me and follow look forward to,” he said. the Facebook page so they can see their “We just want to give them something nice to decorations.” enjoy because it has been an awful year.” No matter their origins, Cameron said each piece held a special place in his Paradise Lane Christmas Lights display. The Paradise Lane “I can tell a story about every decoration, every Christmas Lights string of lights that I’ve bought and where it are open to the public came from. until 25 December “I stick to a certain style of Christmas and it’s from 6.30pm to more of a traditional feel. 9.30pm each night, “There was a comment that it looks like a movie weather permitting. and that’s the feel I go for. 5  

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12 Dec Carols in the City Christmas on Bauble St SOLD OUT Kids Activity Trail Avoidable Perils

Merry and Bright SOLD OUT

2020 Hall 13 Dec Car Boot Market sale

14 Dec Bears of Colour and Kindness Online Poetry and Tea

15 Dec Steam and Diesel Train Rides

16 Childers Community Christmas Dec Luncheon

Bundaberg Dance Academy 17 Dec Concert

18 Dec Chess Online! Be the Moncrieff Cinema Society 2020 Outdoor Movie Night - Bundaberg first to know “Arthur Christmas” - SOLD OUT A Boy Called Sailboat whatsonbundaberg.com.au Steam and Diesel Train Rides 6 7 NEWS Assisting with the phytocap trial at the Qunaba Waste Management facility: Landfill operations coordinator Kerry Dalton with leading hand Robbie Beck (centre) and landfill attendant Vince Watson.

Phytocap technology trial to transform landfill Maria McMahon

The trial of sustainable capping to environmentally sustainable operations,” she technology at the Qunaba Waste said. Environmental technical officer for Waste and Management Facility is on track to Recycling Victoria McKay managed the on-site transform the landfill landscapes of phytocap trial development and construction. our region. “Equipment installed in the 400 sq m trial plot monitors the long-term trends in water Known as a phytocap, this pioneering movement throughout the soil profile,” Victoria technology uses scientific modelling to select a said. combination of native plants and soils which act as an efficient bio-pump system. “This can be used to calculate the efficiency of the vegetation in returning the soil moisture This controls the amount of rainfall that’s able back to the atmosphere. to access the compacted waste, reducing the “The planting trial area was designed to monitor percolation of water and protecting our local growth, survivability, competition by introduced groundwater supply. species, and habitat regeneration for local Since hearing about the environmental benefits wildlife.” of phytocapping and its long-term success For Victoria, her involvement in this project has overseas, Bundaberg Regional Council landfill been a rewarding experience. operations coordinator Kerry Dalton has been “This is a really exciting and collaborative project working through the regulatory steps to gain to be involved in,” she said. approval for its use in Bundaberg. “Ecology experts from Council’s Parks and “Current capping options can be expensive to Natural Areas department were invaluable in construct and maintain and can show signs of selecting and raising the native plant species failing in our subtropical climate after just a few to support the bio-pump action that drives the years,” Kerry said. science. “Clays shrink and swell depending on the “We were also able to partner with Masters’ temperature and rainfall, causing large cracks student Joanne Huth from Griffith University to that let water in and gas out. undertake the modelling research for our soils “Liner movement, as a landfill subsides, can also selection and measurement design.” result in expensive repairs.” The next stage is developing a larger scale Kerry said due to the location of the trial, visitors phytocap pilot program based on the results heading to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre will see from this trial. Consolidated results from the two the trial develop. trials will then be used to make an application to the Department of Environment and Science, “We’re hoping this will give the community allowing Council to adopt phytocapping as an pride and confidence in Council’s commitment option long-term. 7 PEOPLE

Principal Kaye Beston with the tree she has donated to the school upon her retirement Small school charm highlight of Kaye’s career Megan Dean

Kaye Beston has been principal at St the opportunities that big schools have. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School for 15 “But I’ve found that not to be the case.” years but as the school year comes to During her 15 years of leadership the school and its resources grew to include modern an end so too does her more than 40 equipment and devices, the region’s first year career in education. Catholic kindergarten and a large school hall. Kaye moved to the to take Despite these many physical markers of up the position in 2006 and was immediately success, Kaye said her greatest achievement struck by the welcoming and inviting nature of was measured by the relationships formed. the small school. “It’s still the people, you know, in spite of, all the It was a contrast to the much larger Brisbane great stuff that’s happened, school she had transferred from going from a “You could have a magnificent building and all student base of 600 to just 70. the resources that you want. “When I first came here, the APRE [Assistant “But if you don’t have the people that are with Principal Religious Education] gathered all the you and working with you, it sort of wouldn’t be children under the covered area,” Kaye said. the same.” “I was just watching and eventually he said to Kaye’s retirement brings more than 40 years of me, ‘so are you going to say something?’. experience in teaching and education to a close. “And I said ‘when they all get here’ and he said She was married to husband Bernard at 21 and ‘they are all here!’.” spent a couple of years teaching in state schools But the size of the school quickly became one of before having children. Kaye’s favourite features. When her kids were young she spent time as “It’s really something that we value. a teacher aide before spending 40 years in “You could see all the children every day. Catholic education. “Even with professional development and For Kaye retirement brings with it the irresistible looking at improvement, we could do things lure of a lack of rigid structure and planning. more easily. The only plans she has made is to spend more “Being small, sometimes people are worried time with her family, including her two children 8 that you might not have all the facilities or all and four grandchildren. PEOPLE Teaching a passion for retiring principal

Megan Dean

The bell has rung for the last time on Madonna Davitt’s teaching career after she inspired students from three different Bundaberg schools over almost four decades. Madonna has retired after 15 years as principal of St Marys Catholic Primary School. Her Bundaberg teaching career began in Principal Madonna Davitt is retiring after 12 years at the helm of St Marys Catholic 1982 with roles at St Marys, St Josephs and St Primary School. Patricks before she took on the principalship of St Josephs for 12 years until 2005. Becoming a principal was also a career highlight While her teaching career officially began prior for Madonna that she said was unexpected. to that in Mackay, Bundaberg has always been Under her guidance St Marys grew in enrolment, “home”. adapted to emerging technologies and added Positive childhood experiences set Madonna on new buildings and resources. her career path. But one of her greatest legacies is found in the “I had some very good experiences as a child character of the school and the people within. with some very good teachers who I really did “When I first walked up the path on my first admire and respect, and that was a drawcard for day at St Marys I had so many people say to me me,” Madonna said. ‘hello’, ‘welcome to St Marys’, ‘we wish you the “Because they made a difference to me and just best’. the fact that maybe I could make a difference to any child that I taught, that was an attractive prospect.” However she won’t be In her first year of teaching she was thrown into severing ties with the a year one class which was at first daunting but ultimately proved one of the highlights of her school entirely. career. “When I got those kids at the beginning of the “And that struck me as special and unique to year, they couldn’t read, they couldn’t write. this particular school, so that’s something that I “By the end of the year, to see that they could wanted to build on and I believe we have.” pick up a book and read it and they could put a The 63-year-old is looking forward to retirement pencil in their hand and put something on paper and leisure time for more frivolous reading time that was coherent, made sense, was logical. then her busy schedule has allowed during her “That gave me a real buzz. principalship. “But probably the biggest buzz that I ever got However she won’t be severing ties with the was from just the relationship that I had with the school entirely. kids. Madonna said she was looking to keep up the “That was probably the most important thing.” tradition set by her mentor Denis Donovan, And the feeling was mutual. the principal who established the school on its “I’ve had ex-students come in and enrol their current site. children into the school, and I’ve actually had “He was the man, the principal, I wanted to one enrol their grandchild. emulate.” “When they say things like - ‘well, I knew you Every year after retirement Denis returned for were here and I wanted my child to be here the end of year liturgy. because you were here’ - that’s very special and While Denis sadly passed away earlier this year, that’s quite humbling and it makes you realise this is a tradition Madonna said she is honoured that maybe I did have a positive effect on them.” to uphold in his memory. 9 PEOPLE

Pearl Jensen celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends at Across the Waves on Sunday. Pearl shines at 100th birthday celebrations

Craig Ross

Interstate travel restrictions were lifted Ralph said his mother had lived in Bundaberg for just in time for Bundaberg resident the past 15-16 years, moving here from Mission Pearl Jensen to be surrounded by Beach to Argyle Gardens retirement village. family for her 100th birthday on Before Mission Beach, where Ralph and his wife Alice also lived before following Pearl to Sunday. Pearl’s granddaughters Narelle and Melanie travelled to Bundaberg from Victoria to join “We’ve had a wonderful their family for a celebratory lunch at Across the Waves. weekend with my two Pearl’s son Ralph, father of Narelle, Melanie daughters here. They and son Kyle, said his mother, who resides at Bundaberg Riverlea Aged Care Facility, had were pretty lucky to get thoroughly enjoyed the event. here so quickly.” “Mum does have dementia, but she is healthy,” he said. “I don’t think she’s had a sick day in her life – she’s amazing. Bundaberg, Pearl had lived in Victoria and was “She was quite lucid yesterday; I was surprised married to her husband Ralph Snr for more than how good she was. 50 years. “We’ve had a wonderful weekend with my two Pearl received congratulatory letters including daughters here. They were pretty lucky to get from Mayor Jack Dempsey, Prime Minister here so quickly.” Scott Morrison, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Governor-General David Hurley and Governor 10 Paul de Jersey. PEOPLE Family gathers for 75th wedding anniversary

Craig Ross

Seventy-five years of marriage is a rare milestone but the key to achieving it is apparently a simple Bundaberg couple Leslie and Stella Sempf will celebrate 75 years of matrimony matter of give and take. Bundaberg couple Leslie and Stella Sempf will celebrate 75 years of matrimony with a special family gathering at the couple’s Avenell Heights “We had cows, pigs, potatoes, onions – home on Saturday. everything you could think of to make money. We sowed wheat.” Married on December 12, 1945, Leslie, 97, and Stella, 96, have three children, 13 grandchildren, Given the timing of their wedding, shortly after 32 great-grandchildren and two great-great- the end of World War II, establishing their first grandchildren and more than 40 members of the home on the farm was difficult for Leslie and family are expected to join in the celebrations. Stella but they managed with the help of friends and family and Stella remains grateful for the Originally hailing from Moffatdale, near Murgon, help received. the couple have lived in Bundaberg for almost 50 years and Stella said she was excited at the “You could hardly buy a knife or a fork or prospect of having so many family members anything,” she said. “But all the relatives gave us gathered in the one place. something they didn’t use – a jug, a frypan or a saucepan, because you couldn’t buy it. “Yeah, I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “All “I know what they gave us, I still remember. the little shrimps and all the bigger ones – all We appreciated it.” standing around me waiting for a coin,” she added with a laugh. “It will be lovely to see them all. It will probably be the last time – I don’t think I could last too may more years.” Although with three of her aunts having reached “Sometimes, you have 100 years of age in the past, Stella’s genes may to swallow your pride indicate that there are more family gatherings ahead for her yet. a little bit.” Stella said there was nothing secret to the couple’s longevity. “It’s just give and take,” she said. “Sometimes, you have to swallow your pride a little bit. Stella said a love of tennis, church and family connections had brought the pair together and “Sometimes you get a bit niggly, but you turn that she and Leslie had lived happily together around, then come back, and it’s gone. since. “We’ve never, ever had a quarrel.” “It’s been just the same as every day, the years The couple have come a long way together, just went,” she said. having married and moved on to their Moffatdale “We love Bundaberg. We don’t go anywhere farm where they did not even have a vehicle for else (these days).” the first six months. Stella said the couple were delighted to receive “(Leslie’s parents) used to take us to town once a a letter of congratulations from Mayor Jack month to pay the bills and then bring us home,” Dempsey recognising their achievement. Stella recalled. “I couldn’t believe it, it’s a lovely letter,” Stella “Then we got a car, it was actually a big army said. “I’ve never got one before – I was surprised truck. really.” 11 LIFESTYLE

There’s a Balinese influence at the garden of Cynthia Hoogstraten and her husband Dave. A tale of two much-loved gardens

Trish Mears

Cynthia Hoogstraten and her husband “Our favourite spot is sitting on the deck Dave are blessed with two gardens – overlooking the clusters of bromeliads and heliconia, as well as the fruit-bearing mango one in Bundaberg and the other at the tree and carambola. beach, both sanctuaries holding special “The small pond boasts a flowering water lily memories. each day and once a year the magnificent irises “My parents influenced my desire to create my bloom. gardens over the years which has provided me with a sanctuary to come home to,” Cynthia said. My parents influenced “With a little Balinese influence and points my desire to create my of interest throughout, my current garden developed over 23 years. gardens over the years “Together with my ever-supportive husband, Dave, who does the hard labour, we feel blessed to be surrounded by plants that delight our senses - colourful bougainvillea, desert roses “As soon as we pour fresh water into the and snake plants always give us joy. birdbath, the rainbow lorikeets come out to play, chatter and dip into the fresh water. “Water features, including ponds and birdbaths, attract the frogs, parrots, magpies, and swamp “I feel I am ‘in tune’ with my plants and prefer that they are low maintenance. 12birds. “I have noticed over the years; the conditions have changed to a dryer and warmer climate and I have seen some losses. Still, it is about adapting, and some plants tend to thrive, like my cycad which has flowered for the first time. “I love seeing new growth and plants that have just popped up from dispersion by birds or carried on the wind. “Many plants have been given to me by friends and with a little tender loving care, it does not take much to start a garden. “Especially this year, the garden stores are experiencing an excellent trade as people realise the benefits of connecting with the earth, growing their produce, and finding solace in nature. Cynthia and Dave recently built a new home at the beach and have relished the chance to, once again, grow a garden from the ground up. “Developing a new garden has again allowed us to be creative, and my vision was to establish a garden labyrinth. “This is both a reflective and sensory space Macadamia which allows me to de-stress and take time out from my studies. Shortbread My parents are Biscuits never far from my thoughts and their Ingredients 1 cup butter memory lives on in 1 cup castor sugar my garden. Vanilla essence 1 egg, beaten “A mixture of plants provides not only fragrance 2 cups self raising flour and colour but also a connection to my past and heritage. 1 tablespoon cornflour “The drunken parrot tree was first planted by father back in 1963 from seed picked up in the Method Brisbane Botanic Garden. “It flourished in his garden and he proudly 1. Preheat oven to moderate heat. propagated a seedling which he gave to me. 2. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla “It is a healthy specimen which attracts parrots essence. Add egg. that love the nectar from the clusters of red flowers. 3. Sift self raising flour and cornflour “Dave propagated a seedling from it, which is together and then fold into butter now growing at the entrance of my labyrinth. mixture. “My parents are never far from my thoughts and 4. Add one cup lightly baked their memory lives on in my garden.” chopped macadamia nuts 5. Place on greased tray in a moderate oven. Do not overcook. When cool, store in airtight container.

Dorothy Bunn - Cooking with the Seasons of Childers cookbook 13 COMMUNITY

Mayor Jack Dempsey invited William Wheeler and mum Lauren to help switch on the Christmas lights after learning of the story of “William the Warrior” through a GoFundMe page. Bundaberg ‘most generous town in Australia’

Megan Dean

The Bundaberg Region has been Four-year-old Olivia Sologinkin was one local crowned the most generous town in resident on the receiving end of the famed Australia by GoFundMe after residents Bundaberg Region generosity. gave the most donations per person in After years of watching young Olivia contend with severe eczema, constant pain and skin 2020. infections, her mother Jill Harrison turned to The region was up four places from last year in GoFundMe for help. GoFundMe’s annual Year of Giving Report which measures the most generous towns based on the number of donations per capita. Christmas is all about Mayor Jack Dempsey welcomed the announcement, which he said proved what giving and the everyone who lives in the region already knows. Bundaberg Region “We know we are a very caring and giving community and this latest data shows, certainly has that in statistically, that the Bundaberg Region is caring for people that are disadvantaged and bucket loads understand the importance of giving to others,” Mayor Dempsey said. Suffering from the skin condition since she was “Christmas is all about giving and the Bundaberg just four weeks old, Olivia has never experienced Region certainly has that in bucket loads a normal childhood and is unable to play outside which is exhibited by these latest figures from or attend school. GoFundMe.” The family shared her story with a target of 14 raising $60,000 which would secure Olivia having relocated to Bundaberg in 2018 to be by the beach which is her “safe space”. The generosity shown to Olivia is part of a nationwide trend which has seen community fundraiser donations double. Similarly, the local community dug deep at the start of the year with Big Al’s Fight. Al was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphoma and the campaign raised more than $21,000 so that he could continue with treatment, which he has been responding well to. GoFundMe recognises Bundaberg generosity GoFundMe Australia Regional Manager Nicola Britton said 2020 wasn’t the first time Bundaberg had been recognised for its generosity, taking out spot number five in the 2019 rankings. “It’s fantastic to see Bundaberg getting behind their local community,” Nicola said. “In Bundaberg we’re actually seeing the top six raising campaigns – the campaigns that raised the most – three of them are for medical campaigns. “It’s like a virtual show of support or act of compassion or kindness. “One thing we are seeing is the power of close- knit communities is shining through. “The top five out of 10 most generous towns this year are all regional towns. “I think Bundaberg is one of those close-knit communities.”

The top GoFundMe campaigns for Bundaberg in 2020:

Olivia Sologinkin has suffered from severe eczema her entire life. Olivia has short-lived Help Fiona regain her moments of respite thanks to constant management and having relocated to Bund- independence ($27k) aberg in 2018 to be by the beach which is her “safe space”. Olivia’s Eczema Journey ($24k) treatment at the Avène Hydrotherapy Centre in France, a world-renowned medical centre. Big Al’s Fight ($21k) Jill and the family were “blown away by the Federal backpackers generosity and love” with 242 donors raising a fire relief ($16k) total of $24,565 towards the target. “We’re incredibly grateful for the outpouring GoFundMe’s 2020 Year in Giving of generosity that has happened from the Report revealed that everyday GoFundMe campaign,” Jill said. Aussies stepped up in record “For us, the big thing was, we were super private numbers to get behind their local about our suffering. community. “We didn’t really share much about how hard it’s An impressive 1.3 million donations been all the way along. were made, a 30 per cent uptick “By going really public with this GoFundMe was compared to the previous year. daunting but the result was phenomenal.” The Bundaberg community was The campaign had raised enough money for Olivia’s first treatment in France when COVID also touched recently by the story hit. of brave William Wheeler, known as “When and if we are allowed to travel again, we William the Warrior, smashing the are going to be ready to book,” Jill said. family’s $500 fundraising target to For now, Olivia is finding short-lived moments raise $15,965. of respite thanks to constant management and 15 SPORT

Kobi Holden races into the surf with his board at the Interbranch Championships at Gold Coast last weekend. Photo courtesy: Bec Devine (Swim Surf Photography) Kobi claims spot in Queensland life saving team

Vince Habermann

Elliott Heads life saver Kobi Holden Casey picked up third spot in the U13 mixed claimed a place in the Queensland beach relay and the U13 female category, fourth in the patient tow with fins (with Kasey) and Junior Cyclones representative team cameron relay, fifth in beach flags, and seventh after a series of dazzling performances in the beach sprint. for Queensland Country recently. Max came to the fore in the U13 male division, finishing third in the 4x50m obstacle relay; fourth Following in his father Craig’s footsteps, Kobi in the 4x50m medley relay and surf, board and snared six wins, four second placings and the ironman team events, and sixth in 50m brick third placings in the pool and surf over three days carry, board rescue, and 100m patient tow with at the Surf Life Saving Queensland Interbranch fins. Championships at the Gold Coast. Kasey featured in U13 female events with second Kobi beat all comers in the under-14 male 50m placings in the 4x50m medley and 4x50m manikin carry, 100m manikin tow with fins, obstacle relays, third in surf teams and fourth line throw, 4x50m medley relay, surf race and in 50m brick carry, patient tow with fins (with cameron relay, was runner-up in the 4 x 50m Casey), the surf race, and cameron relay. obstacle relay and surf, board and ironman Xavier and Ariana made their mark on the teams events, and was third in the board race beach in U13 male and U15 female categories and all aged board relay. respectively, with Xavier notching three third Kobi also finished fourth in the board rescue placings in the beach flags, sprint and relay and and fifth in the ironman in which he led late in fourth in the cameron relay. the event before an error caused him to nose- His elder sister took out third spot as a member dive his board and swim to the beach, being of the mixed beach relay outfit, finished fourth in overtaken by four competitors in the process. the female cameron relay, fifth in female beach Casey Giles and Max O’Brien also represented flags and eighth in the sprint. Elliott Heads with distinction at the titles, while Lana was also part of the U13 mixed beach relay Bundaberg club foursome Kasey Krueger, Xavier bronze medal combination and added fourth Ulbl, Ariana Ulbl and Lana Grant also mixed it placings in the female beach sprint and cameron 16with the best. relay, and eighth in the U13 female flags. PEOPLE Warren Zunker retires after 55 years of farming

Megan Dean

From the age of 10, Warren Zunker has spent much of his time in sugarcane fields, and now the well-respected farmer is “hanging up the boots”. He’s spent about 55 years as a sugarcane farmer, starting out on his family’s Windermere Road property on the Hummock. “It was a dry farm, so dad still had to work and we used to come home and help him after Warren Zunker, 65, has been sugarcane farming since age 10 when he started helping school and do some ploughing … until dark,” out on the family farm on The Hummock. Warren said. Now 65, he was just 10-years-old when he “His attention to detail and practical, old- started helping out around the farm. fashioned base principles of getting the fundamentals right is why Warren has been a “When I could drive a tractor by myself,” Warren great asset across our business,” Peter said. clarified. “He has a wide-range set of skills and he always “They were only just small 50-60 horsepower ensures everything is held at a high standard.” tractors, just single-row stuff. Outside of farming Warren was also actively “Dad used to just set us up and we’d keep involved in the community. ploughing. Warren received his bronze medallion from Bundaberg Surf Lifesaving Club in 1971 at age 15 before going on to join the Elliott Heads Surf Now 65, he was just Lifesaving Club. More than 50 years of farming 11-12 hours each 10-years-old when he day took its toll on Warren and he said he was started helping out very much looking forward to retirement. “It’s good to definitely hang up the boots and around the farm. spend a bit of time with the grandkids.” Pending knee replacement surgery Warren said he also hopes to be able to get back into surf “Just to get out of homework probably,” he lifesaving. added with a laugh. But farming quickly became a job that he loved and when his dad retired, he took over the farm with his brothers. It’s good to definitely “Every day was different,” he said. hang up the boots and “Farming is a life where you just sort of have got no set plan, but you just do what you’ve got to spend a bit of time with do.” In about 2000 they sold the family farm and the grandkids. Warren started managing sugarcane farms for well-known identities including Allan Toft and Rob Rehbein. “I might have a bit of a break, then I might go In 2013 he took on a role with Greensill Farming back competing in a couple of years just in the Group’s sugarcane team where he worked until masters.” his retirement last week. At the conclusion of his successful career Warren Executive Director Peter Greensill said it was a said he had to thank his wife Janell “for putting pleasure to have worked with Warren. up with me for 42 years”. 17 Delivering free good news online to the Bundaberg Region.

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