Did you know that a pair of yachtsmen saved the life of a fellow competitor who was knocked off his boat, falling unconscious in the water during a national competition in Manly?
Matt Visser, a seasoned yachtsman, was performing a 360-degree turn on his yacht after reaching the last mark of a national championship event in Manly last January 2023 when the wind caught his sail that caused the boom to hit his head. The boat tipped over and left him unconscious, face down in the water.
Seeing their fellow sailor knocked off his boat, Mike Middleton and Mark Dingley from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, who happened to be filming from a support boat at the time of the accident, immediately dove in and pulled Matt back to the media boat to perform CPR on him.
Mr Middleton said that Matt’s eyes were glazed, and he had no pulse, so they did CPR again until he started breathing again. After regaining consciousness, Mr Visser was immediately taken to intensive care.
After recovering from the experience, the 57-year-old was thankful that his rescuers were trained in CPR. He said that it took 14 minutes to have him resuscitated.
Mr Visser fell in love with sailing at the tender age of five and was trained by his father who was an Olympics veteran. He said it was not the first time that he encountered bad weather whilst sailing with no one who is proficient in CPR nearby. Luckily, he wasn’t knocked out in any of those instances.
He underscored the importance of having at least three individuals on a course who are well-trained to perform CPR in case of an emergency. He said he plans to learn CPR once he is fully recovered.
A company that started in the study of a house in Manly four decades ago and now employs over 1,700 people has committed to give back by allocating $100,000 in grants and scholarships to local organisations through its Community Assistance Program.
When Mick and Denise Power started BMD on the back of some relatively low value civil engineering tenders in 1979, they could not have imagined that it would become the billion-dollar monolith it has turned into.
Now the organisation is giving back by opening grants and one-off sponsorships for community groups, sporting clubs, schools, social enterprises, not-for-profit organisations and Public Benevolent Institutions through its 2023 Community Assistance Program.
Initially established to help local communities recover post-COVID-19, the assistance program was able to support 36 grassroots and groups across the country and BDM provided cumulative assistance of $160,000 to several initiatives hatched in South East Queensland.
The 2023 program will continue BMD’s commitment to boosting and strengthening local communities.
Funding of $5,000 per beneficiary will be provided in two application periods from 10 January to 31 March 2023 for the first batch and 10 June to 31 August 2023 for the second batch of beneficiaries.
“BMD is renowned for its relationship-based and collaborative approach to business, which means putting our people, partners and importantly, the community, first,” BMD CEO Scott Power said.
“We’re proud to be able to give back to local communities in south-east Queensland through funding events, activities or projects that enhance sports and recreation, arts and culture, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, health and wellbeing, the environment, education and community.
“It is these key areas that help to build social capacity and community resilience, and we look forward to supporting incredible initiatives that promote these areas in 2023 — contributing to our annual investment of more than $1 million in community partners across Australia.”
The Manly Creative Market returns with more great finds from local makers every Sunday beginning mid-January 2023 at the Little Bayside Park. Here are some great finds.
It’s back to school time again and if you’re looking for pencil cases, padded laptop cases and backpacks, Himalayan Connection gets you covered! This business supports local artisans, Fair Trade Organisations and Women’s Project Groups which work to empower local women by providing skills and employment and in turn a better way of life.
Pet Accessories
Photo credit: Handmade Pet Accessories
One of the best things about Manly creative Market is that it’s a dog-friendly market. You can bring along your fur baby with you, as long as it’s on a lead. There, you will find some stalls dedicated to dogs, including Handmade Pet Accessories, a store that specialises in harnesses, dog coats, leads, and collars.
Stylish sleep shorts
Photo credit: Jimmy Jammys/Facebook
If you’re a man or thinking of buying something for the man in your life, you may want to check out Jimmy Jammys, which is the place to go for stylish yet comfortable sleep shorts.
Crystals
Photo credit: Delia Spry – Clairvoyant/Facebook
Fans of crystals and jewelry should check out Delia Spry – Clairvoyant. As the name suggests, the stall also offers clairvoyant readings. Other items you can find here include Australian incense, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
Children’s clothes
Photo credit: Charlie ‘n’ Rose/Facebook
Charlie ‘n’ Rose is a business with focus on babies, toddlers & children’s wear. You can find many options here, from everyday clothes to dresses that can be used for special occasions. You can find them at the market this Sunday, until 2:00 p.m.
Don’t forget to follow Manly Creative Market on Facebook to stay updated about the stalls joining this January and further details about upcoming events.
Do you want to introduce your kids to fishing? Let them join Fish Wise, a fun and engaging three-hour program that will take place in Lota in January 2023.
This free event, to be facilitated by 2 Bent Rods, will teach the basics of fishing, such as learning to tie a fishing knot, gather bait, cast a rod and probably even land a fish. All fishing equipment and bait needed for the session will be provided.
2 Bent Rods, founded by husband and wife duo Samantha and Jeremy Beckmann in December 2004, is an award-winning fishing school based in Victoria Point. Besides running their own fishing lessons, they work with Councils to teach the basics of fishing to young ones.
Photo credit: 2 Bent Rods/Facebook
One of their popular programs, the Kids Classes, involve teaching kids bait gathering and introducing them to using a yabby pump. Most of the kids who enroll in the program learn everything quickly and others even return to complete a more advanced program at 2 Bent Rods.
Fish Wise is one of the programs of Brisbane City Council, under the Active & Healthy Lifestyle and Chillout Program and is recommended for people ages 10-17 years. Chillout was created by the Council to help young people beat the school holiday boredom, make new friends and develop new skills by taking part in free or low-cost activities.
Meeting point for this event will be at the gazebo near the waterfront. Visit Council’s website for more details. Please note that bookings are essential.
Benefits of Fishing for Kids
Photo credit: cottonbro studio/Pexels
Fishing is usually seen as an activity for adults, but children can benefit from this hobby, too. It helps improve their dexterity and coordination and even have better concentration and focus.
Besides these personal benefits, fishing can teach kids a deeper appreciation of the environment and knowledge of wildlife.
Thirty minutes away via boat ride from Manly’s bayside lies the infamous former high-security colonial prison. Queensland’s first penal settlement, St Helena Island, was considered Brisbane’s version of Alcatraz where escape is almost impossible.
Much like the notorious Alcatraz, St Helena was meant to be an escape-proof prison for the worst of offenders from 1867 to 1932. Although today, little is left of the prisoner-built original structures – approximately 7 per cent remains – the stone ruins offer a glimpse into the former prison’s dark past and 19th-century prison life.
During the prison island’s early years, several construction works were undertaken using building materials quarried from the island and bricks made from clay sourced onsite. Some of the structures built include two cell blocks, a kitchen, a bakehouse, a hospital, underground tanks, and the Superintendent’s house.
Then a lime kiln and a sugar mill were also added and soon after workshops were built where prisoners engaged in bootmaking, tailoring, candle making, and bookbinding, among others, whilst the trustees kept themselves busy with animal husbandry and agriculture.
Prisoners making boots on St Helena Island | Photo Credit: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Also known as ‘Noogoon’ by local Australian Aboriginals, St Helena Island flourished as a prison during its lifetime which at one point was considered the world’s best prison of its kind. Despite the limited area of just 166 hectares, the prison has been well-managed, self-sufficient and profitable primarily due to its established enterprises.
Its Ayrshire dairy cattle, at the time, won awards at the RNA show whilst the olive groves produce award-winning oil at shows in Italy. The residence of the Superintendent of the prison is known to have had expansive gardens surrounding it, and for many years have been considered among the state’s best gardens.
Prisoners making boots on St Helena Island | See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
However, prison life wasn’t as ideal with stories of constant floggings, torturous isolation in solitary confinement and mistreatment particularly for the Aboriginal prisoners, earning St Helena Island the reputation as “Queensland’s inferno”.
Despite being a secure prison, there have been several attempts to escape the iron rule at the penal establishment. Most of the about 50 men who attempted escape were recaptured, some drowned whilst others were caught years later.
There is one particular prisoner, though, that was never recaptured: a notorious gunman by the name of Charles Leslie who, with help of accomplices, escaped the prison island in 1924 using a motorboat.
By the 1920s, the island prison began showing signs of deterioration. And during its final years, many of the prisoners were moved to the Boggo Road Gaol and buildings were demolished, with the work also done by the prisoners themselves. The prison ceased operation in 1932.
In October 1979, St Helena Island was established as a national park, becoming Queensland’s first historic national park although the idea was originally put forward as early as 1910 by the then Mayor of Brisbane.
Onto “better and bigger things.” Wayne Weekes has been appointed Wynnum Manly Seagulls CEO. He will take over from Hanan Laban who recently stepped down to assume a new role with the Dolphins NRL.
Weekes joins the Seagulls, based at Kougari Oval in Manly West, bringing his extensive experience in rugby league as a player, coach, manager and administrator. He worked with the Brisbane Broncos as Coaching Director/Operations Manager in the Western Corridor as a member of the Brisbane Broncos Game Development Department and also oversaw West Arana Hills RLFC which is a core feeder club for the Broncos.
Wayne joined the Panthers in 2016 as the coaching director as a partnership with the Brisbane Broncos, His efforts around the club to develop a culture and mold young players were second to none,” West Arana Hills Rugby League Football Club’s social media post reads.
“Wayne’s work in establishing our development programs and coaching education at the club are just 2 of his many achievements during his tenure.
“Wayne will be missed at the club and there some big shoes to fill moving forward.”
Weekes likewise held key administration and development roles with the Newcastle Knights, National Rugby League, Queensland Rugby League, NSW Rugby League, and NSW Country Rugby League.
“Rugby league has been my life and I have been fortunate enough to admire Wynnum-Manly from outside the walls for many years,” Weekes said.
“It is a great club, steeped in tradition. Many times, I have been with clubs or teams in the away dressing shed and usually on the losing end of the scoreline.
“I have always admired the passion of the fan and sponsor base and the culture of the playing group. When the opportunity arose to help lead the Seagulls into the next chapter, I was very keen to get involved and be part of it.”
As for his immediate plans for the club, that would be to land in the top four next year and said he is looking forward to the new and young players and everyone else involved in the club as they move forward building on their previous successes.
Peta Prestidge, fourth from left with the MHV Chamber of Commerce team (Photo credit: Manly Harbour Village/Facebook)
Peta Prestidge was appointed as president of Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce when David Farley retired after 35 years. The Chamber of Commerce oversees Manly Harbour Village and ensures it stays as a world-class leisure precinct, just like how Mr Farley envisioned it more than three decades ago.
“I love Manly and the bayside area, and have immersed myself in the local community, leading to my appointment as President of the precinct’s Chamber of Commerce in late 2021,” Ms Prestidge shared.
Before she took over the role, Ms Prestidge served as the general manager of The Consortium Group since 2016. The company is behind The Arsonist and Tide on the Jetty, two of the most popular restaurants in Manly.
As the current president of Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce, Ms Prestidge hopes new and existing members would get more involved, believing that working together for the bigger picture is the key to success.
Nikki Kay
Photo credit: ManlyBoathouse/Facebook
Nikki Kay and her husband transformed Wilson’s Boathouse into Manly Boathouse, now one of the leading seafood restaurants in the bayside.
The Kays gave the space a brand new look with their relaxed outdoor area where guests can walk in and try their bar snack menu, and a patio featuring a fish and chippery, gelato bar, and licensed bar.
The husband and wife duo successfully owned many retail businesses since 1991, which include bulk butcher shops, seafood markets, and seafood restaurants.
They were the original owners of Reef Seafood + Sushi, which was sold in 2018, before they opened a second venue, ReefGasworks in the Gasworks Precinct in Newstead, with the help of their son Ryan.
Joan Pease
Photo credit: Joan Pease MP/Facebook
When Joan Pease became a representative of the bayside community, Ms Pease helped deliver 24-hour health services back to Wynnum following the establishment of the Wynnum Manly Health Centre.
Ms Pease’s other local achievements include:
Helping young people into work by restoring funding for the successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work program
Upgrading local schools with funding for new facilities at Wynnum West, Darling Point and Brisbane Bayside plus a teacher aide in all prep classes
Cleaning up Wynnum Creek and the removal of derelict, polluting boats
Ms Pease is the patron of the Wynnum Manly Historical Association, the Wynnum Manly Yacht Club, the Bayside Woodturners and Woodcrafters Club and the Bayside Eastern District Orchid Society.
Ciara Metcalfe
Photo credit: Cricket Ireland/Facebook
Ciara Metcalfeis an Irish former cricketer who was a right-arm leg break bowler. She is considered as one of the personalities who made cricket more popular among women on the bayside.
It started when she played and served as coach for the Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club in the lower divisions.
Cricket grew so popular because of Metcalfe’s help, which even led to the merger of Redlands and Wynnum to come up with a first grade team. Since then, the sport keeps reaching new heights in the bayside.
Merle Dippel
Aunty Merle (second from left), with Winnam Chairperson Becky Thomson, Director Jacqui Carter, and Joan Pease MP (Photo credit: Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation/Facebook)
Merle Dippel was one of the three original founding members of Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation, along with Cheryl Jacob and Becky Thomson.
From a $100 donation, Winnam has grown to one of the leading organisations providing affordable housing to the local community. Since starting their valuable work, Winnam has built up more than $17 million in assets.
Also known as ‘Aunty Merle,’ Ms Dippel was a founder of the Mariners and is a well-known Quandamooka Community Elder from North Stradbroke Island. She currently resides in Wynnum and was a long-term board member of Winnam.
Olympian Mara Stransky of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly has been named Female Sailor of the Year at the Australian Sailing Awards honouring the sports and its community.
Mara proved deserving of the award following her recent achievements at the ILCA 6 Women’s World Championships in Oman, where she finished sixth place, the Allianz World Cup in Holland, where she was fourth, and for her astounding winning finish at the Kiel Week.
The Manly sailor, who ranks as the third-best female sailor in the world, bested Nina Curtis from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and Zoe Thomson from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club for the highest honour.
Meanwhile, Tom Slingsby was named the Male Sailor of the Year whilst Chris Symonds was chosen as the Para Sailor of the Year.
The Australian Sailing Awards returned to an entire face-to-face ceremony since 2019. Below is the full list of winners:
Male Sailor of the Year Tom Slingsby OAM – Gosford Sailing Club (NSW)
Female Sailor of the Year Mara Stransky – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron & Queensland Laser Association (QLD)
Youth Sailor of the Year Evie Saunders – Manly Yacht Club (NSW)
Para Sailor of the Year Chris Symonds – Wynyard Yacht Club, Australian Hansa Class Association Inc & Sailability Tasmania (TAS)
Offshore Sailor of the Year Lisa Blair – Manly Yacht Club & Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (NSW)
Coach of the Year Ben Durham – Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (WA)
Club of the Year Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NSW)
Volunteer of the Year Peter Kinsman – Rye Yacht Club (VIC)
Instructor of the Year Holly Hunt – Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (WA)
Official of the Year Andre Blasse – Black Rock Yacht Club/Australian OK Dinghy Association (VIC)
Sport Promotion Award Nick Bez – Windsurfer Class Association of Australia (VIC)
Sport Professional Award Michael Robinson – Keppel Bay Sailing Club (QLD)
SheSails Award Mooloolaba Women’s Keelboat Regatta – Mooloolaba Yacht Club (QLD)
Sustainability Award Marine Environment Committee – Fremantle Sailing Club (WA)
President’s Award Sean Hogan (VIC)
About the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly
Meanwhile, the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is one of Queensland’s oldest and most prestigious sailing and cruising clubs. Since 1885, the organisation has supported sailing by training potential sailors on all levels.
The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron was Australia’s first sailing club to offer women membership in 1975, per past Commodore Bill Kirby.
“I well remember the late P/C John Hattrick meeting with P/C David Bowly and myself early in 1975 and telling us it simply wasn’t acceptable for the Squadron not to welcome Ladies into our midst and for them not to be able to take part in all facets of Club life. David was Vice Commodore at the time and I was the Rear.
“P/C John’s proposals were enthusiastically approved at a Special General Meeting of the Members and as they say, ‘The rest is history.'”
Soon after, the Ladies’ Committee raised money for the Snack Bar and held sailing classes for kids during scholl holidays. They also established the ArtArama, an arts and crafts festival that was popular in Manly for many years.
Pre-filled sandbags are available to residents and businesses as the Brisbane prepares for what could be a wet summer this year. The Rapid Relief Team is helping Council reach its target of filling 150,000 sandbags, with more than 10,000 already stored at its Lota depot.
In early November, Plymouth Brethren Christian Church’s charitable arm Rapid Relief Team filled nearly 14,000 sandbags using its Rapid Sandbagger. The sandbags are stored at the council depot in Lota and will be supplied free to residents who need them when the expected rains come.
Photo credit: supplied Photo credit: supplied
This is the first time the initiative is being implemented so residents have been able to stock up on sandbags ahead of expected rain events. Back in the February deluge, 177,000 sandbags were distributed.
“What’s encouraging about this is that the Brisbane City Council are being proactive now in case of a future flood event in SE QLD and that way will take pressure off the likes of RRT and Council when an event unfolds,” said RRT director Lester Sharples.
“During the February Floods in 2022 we produced a lot more bags in a short timeframe.
“Last week we had approximately 75 volunteers in total supporting the sandbagging operation. Sandbagging has stopped currently as the Brisbane City Council now has over 150,000 back in storage ready to deploy at short notice.
“Efforts like this bring the community together, working with local Council being proactive is great for the community and should give some assurance that Brisbane is in a ‘Get Ready’ proactive initiative. These events are a great day out for our volunteers, it’s in our nature to get in and support the community in times where it’s needed – our volunteers are driven by Christian values of care and compassion.”
Photo credit: supplied Photo credit: supplied
The sandbags have been delivered to the local Council/SES depots where they can be picked up in case a large rain event happens across Brisbane in the near future.
The pre-filled sandbags are available for residents and businesses 27/7 from September 2022 to March next year, and also when severe weather is predicted such as higher than normal high tides and heavy rainfall events.
Construction of much sought-after eight luxury residences in Manly with views out to Moreton Bay, collectively known as The Wellington Collection is now underway.
Photo credit: Urbex Living / thewellingtoncollection.com.au
The Wellington Collection comprises six luxurious apartment units and two townhouses across two buildings at 7 Wellington Street in Manly overlooking the marina with 270-degree views out to Moreton Bay and North Stradbroke Island. Construction of the Urbex Living project is now underway and it is estimated to cost $22 million to build.
Designed by Ellivo, the spacious residences are designed to offer a relaxed living environment with generous floor plans and large balconies, an arrangement of screens, walls and balustrades creating a perfect balance of natural light, ventilation and stunning views. The edges are rounded off to offer a wider northeastern bay view. Whilst natural, texture material palette is used to well integrate the homes into the coastal region whilst blending in with the character of the existing residential neighbourhood.
The Wellington Collection apartments | Photo credit: Urbex Living / thewellingtoncollection.com.au The Wellington Collection apartments | Photo credit: Urbex Living / thewellingtoncollection.com.au The Wellington Collection apartments | Photo credit: Urbex Living / thewellingtoncollection.com.au
“The Wellington Collection has been designed to take in the site’s expansive bay views; making the most of the relaxed bayside lifestyle. By working with the natural slope of the site, each residence has been designed to open up to the desirable Northern orientation and Moreton Bay views, allowing for an ideal living environment with an abundance of natural light and cross-ventilation. Conceived as a series of individual homes – made up of a mix of apartments and townhomes – each residence has a strong identity, with landscaped arrival courtyards that offer a layered entry experience.”
Urbex Living
The Wellington Collection townhomes | Photo credit: Urbex Living / thewellingtoncollection.com.au The Wellington_Collection townhomes | Photo credit: Urbex Living / thewellingtoncollection.com.au The Wellington Collection townhomes | Photo credit: Urbex Living / thewellingtoncollection.com.au
The 3-bedroom apartment has two bathrooms, a powder room and a landscaped arrival courtyard, a fully-appointed kitchen with a butler’s pantry and state-of-the-art appliances. Amenity includes an outdoor pool, and outdoor and indoor entertaining spaces.
The townhomes feature engineered timber floorings, pure wool carpets in the bedroom, fully-tiled bathrooms and ensuites, a wine fridge, a butler’s pantry, boiling and chilled water on tap, electric vehicle charging points, a private outdoor lounge deck, a plunge pool and lush, and tropical gardens.
The Wellington Collection is expected to be completed in late 2023 with 40 per cent already sold off the plan, or just three apartments and two townhomes remaining for sale. Prices start from $2 million to $3.37 million.
“Recent home sales are now exceeding the $5m price tag and many others firmly sitting above the $2M range, Manly has very quickly become a frontrunner in the Brisbane property market. The suburb has presented a compounded growth rate of 40.5% in houses and 27.0% in units based on the past five years of sales,” Mr Covacich said.
You can find this development on Wellington Street, cornered by Arnold Street and Oceana Terrace.
