Mayor 'Moscow' Brunker under investigation by CMC

Update 8.25am Monday 24 August 2009
ABC News - Murray Cornish

Mayor expects to be cleared over CMC probe
The Whitsunday Mayor Mike Brunker says the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) is being abused for political gain.
Full story at ABC News


Original Story
Sourced from News Ltd - Daryl Passmore : Full story.

Our local Mayor is being investigated by the CMC after complaints were made to the Police, and the QLD Minister for Local Government.

The investigation by the Crime and Misconduct Commission follows complaints made against Cr Mike Brunker by several people about:
Travel Expenses and Allowances,
Staff Appointments,
Links to Developers.

CMC Officers have requested Whitsunday Regional Council to hand over files as part of the inquiry.

Desley Boyle, State Minister for Local Government, confirmed to the Sunday Mail that the Department of Infrastructure and Planning had referred the matter to the CMC, and declined to comment any further.

A spokesman for the Australian Federal Police confirmed that they too had also received a complaint, but have decided that the matter is outside of their jurisdiction.

Documents obtained by The Sunday Mail show that Cr Brunker lobbied the State Government on behalf of a developer, Tony Price, who is a long-time friend and supporter of Cr Brunker. Mr Price is a director of Lagoon Gardens, which is developing a large subdivision at Proserpine.

Cr Brunker has declared an interest and left all council meetings where issues related to the firm have been discussed. But he lobbied to have some of the company's land rezoned in the regional planning scheme. Zoning on both properties was not changed by the Government.

Cr Brunker told the Sunday Mail that the complaints came from "serial pests" and "rumour-mongers". "I'm certainly welcoming the CMC to come in and clear it up once and for all," Cr Brunker said.

Whitsundays Online
Sourced from News LTD - Daryl Passmore : Full story.

Editors Note : Cr Brunker is very closely associated with 'Enterprise Whitsundays', and Tourism Whitsundays - one of Tourism Whitsundays Managers is still yet to stand trial for an alleged $200,000 + Fraud committed last year.

Sugar prices reach 28 year high

Whitsundays Online

The weakest monsoon in seven years in India (27% below average) has seen Sugar prices rise to their highest level since 1981, and likely to stay high in the months ahead.

Sugar cane production in India has fallen, as farmers over the years shifted to better-paying food crops. Production in the year ending in September is estimated to drop 40 percent to 14.8 million tons.

Sugar is currently trading at $555 a tonne (US$0.22/pound) with supplies from the world's largest grower Brazil, expected to remain under pressure as a lot of the gound is too wet to harvest and mill because of heavy rainfall in parts of the country.

The high prices for sugar are expected to continue through 2009 and early 2010.

Sourced from The Daily Star - Sohol Parvez
The Wall Street Journal - By Debiprasad Nayak and Arpan Mukherjee
Voice of America - Heda Bayron

AbdelKarim Serhani - The Fake Arab Prince - Tourism Scammer

UPDATED FRI 28 AUG 2009
Is Serhani really heading for NZ? - Click here


Original Story
NZ media reports Serhani in New Zealand


UPDATE Wednesday 26 August 2009
Cairns Post - Thomas Chamberlain : Full story

Accused conman loves life on the run

FALSE Arab prince and alleged conman Abdelkarim Serhani, who fled Australia while on bail over a $42,000 fraud at Hamilton Island, is back living the high life at resorts overseas. - full story
Editors note : We also received a tip off Saturday (22 Aug) that Serhani was in Papua New Guinea, however we did not report it as we were unable to confirm it.
The French Department of Foreign Affairs is now also following this story, so Serhani will have great difficulty trying to obtain a French passport again.

Whitsundays Online

Thanks to our informants in Indonesia, Australia and Thailand, we have been advised that the Fake Arab Prince, Abdelkarim Serhani, is still in Indonesia, in the vicinity of Bali.

In the past couple of days he has attempted to get a new passport form the French Consulate in Bali, and the French embassy in Jakarta. Indonesian Police feel that they do not have to take an interest in this matter as it is an immigration issue, not a justice issue.

Interpol have requested the arrest of Mr Serhani via any of the International Police organizations that are affiliated with Interpol, via a warrant from the Queensland Police (Australia).

Serhani attempted to convince this editior (via email, under an alias, almost a week ago) to say that he was a hero after saving a child from being hit by a train: "Mohammed was walking along a railway line in Jeddah, Saudia Arabia, and that the story was published by Al Jazeera TV."

We did not run this story as the Australian Representative for Al Jazeera did not confirm the story, and the email, while with a Belgium email address, originated from Indonesia.

In the same correspondence, the source said that in the past month, Serhani had been to the Middle East and South Africa . . . we believe this to be also false.

If Interpol would like our assistance is helping track down Mr Serhani, then please contact us. Thank you to all our informants for sending in updates, and also to Mr Serhani for his fake "Hero Telegram'.

As you can tell, we are reporting on a very, very disturbed person.

Fake Prince Scammer makes video confession

This story is old and has been UPDATED - click here for the latest story published 7.00am Friday 28 Aug 2009

Whitsundays Online

Abdelkarim Serhani, the 'Fake Arab Prince', who allegedly conned Hamilton Island out of $42,000 of goods and services, has posted a video demanding the release of his alleged 'partner in crime', Japanese woman, Kimiko Miyazomo.

Serhani, a 26 year old French national, who fled Australia (without his passport) before his hearing at the Proserpine Magistrates' Court, (background), has offerred to do a "swap for Kimiko". He claims in the video that he will return to Australia and hand himself in, if Police here in Australia drop all charges against her.

As Whitsundays Online reported exclusively last month, Serhani fled Australia on a boat to a coastal village near Denpasar, where he then evaded Indonesian Customs. Before leaving the boat, he stole about $2,500 and an iPhone from the boat's captain.

Indonesian Police (with an Australian Federal Police rep.), 'staked out' Serhani's hotel in Bali just over a week ago, but he was again able to 'slip through the net'.

Interpol have been notified by Australian police about an arrest warrant for Serhani who has not appeared in court over the charges.

Some content sourced from Cairns.com.au, - Thomas Chamberlain

Shenanigans at Shute?

Updated 1100 Tuesday 25 August 2009
Sourced entirely from ABC News - Melissa Maddison - full story

Lobby group urges (Shute Harbour) Marina lease probe

Suzette Pelt from Save Our Foreshore says since the former lease expired in 1999, there have been extensions granted but without the proper consultation and scrutiny.

She says the current lease was due to expire yesterday, but understands an extension has already been granted.

Ms Pelt says the Premier needs to take a tough stand against what may be seen as unethical dealings.

A spokesman for the developer says a new lease has not been granted.

Updated 0700 Monday 10 Aug 2009

Whitsundays Online
Partially sourced fromThe Sunday Mail, Daryl Passmore - full story
Image - Laurie Mills lmills@dodo.com.au

Jeff Smith, the central Queensland regional services director for the Department of Natural Resources, was granted leave without pay to work for property development company Port Binnli in 2003.

This same state government official, who signed an approval to transfer 45ha of state land to Shute Harbour Marina Development in 1998, is now the Chief Executive of Port Binnli, which owns half of the Shute Harbour Marina Development.

One month before Mr Smith left the Department of Natural Resources in August 2003, the 45 hectare Shute Harbour lease was renewed for another seven years – and backdated to 1999. Mr Smith told the Sunday Mail yesterday that he did not recall being involved in the lease renewal.

Patricia Julien, from the Mackay Conservation Group said, "A Most Appropriate Use Study' for the best long-term use of this land, as required under the 1994 Lands Act, has never been completed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources."

Port Binnli joined the Shute Harbour project in March 2006.

Save Our Foreshore
Mackay Conservation Group
Port Binnli
Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Editors Note : Why is Mayor 'Moscow' Brunker so keen to have heavy industry in the Whitsundays, near Bowen? Is it because a Labor collegue's wife owns the land where the development is supposed to go? Chalco appears to have baulked on a Alumina refinery, and Gladstone has scored the liquid gas plant - what's next? Steel smelters?

Ben bashing - No. Exposing concerns - Yes.

There has been a lot of discussion around the world about the 'Best Job in the World' winner Ben Southall, and his lack of updates to his blog over his first month on his Telstra Next G internet and phone services.

We had been told by Tourism Queensland and Tourism Whitsundays that the main part of Ben's job will be to write a blog about his experiences in Queensland and Hamilton Island. Of course, you need a reliable internet connection to write a blog, and a reliable phone/internet connection to Twitter.

We had been assured in May this year by another Director of Tourism Whitsundays, John Nayler, in a testimonial that Ben would be getting the best and fastest wireless internet access Telstra had to offer on Telstra's marketing website at www.nowwearetalking.com.au/news/next-g-brings-breaking-news-of-hamilton-islands-caretaker-258 . The claims and the rest of the contents that were on this page were removed yesterday by Telstra.

However, within one month of starting his job as 'Island Caretaker', Ben was getting 'paid out' by the World's media for only updating his blog once every three days with headlines including:
How do you blow the 'Best Job in the World?' - Examiner
Blast for Ben Southall as his best job falls short - News Ltd
'Best Job in World' Winner Blowing It? - Fox News Chicago

Eventually, Tourism Queensland came out to defend Ben and blamed the 'poor phone or internet service' for Ben's lack of updating. Director/Chairperson of Tourism Whitsundays, Lyn Greggson, said in her regular column for the local paper last week; "And being locals, we all know there's not great internet reception out at Whitehaven Beach . . ."

Then last Saturday, Ben reveals in his Twitter that Telstra had finally fixed up his connection at home and the lack of blogs in his first month were due to his home on Hamilton Island being in a 'Telstra Black Spot'.

Unfortunately, after Telstra fixed Ben's connection, his neighbours internet speeds dropped to 100kbps/40kbps on the Telstra Next G Wireless internet connection - about 200 times slower than what Telstra Next G claims.

Poor Ben. He copped all that flak from the media, bloggers and tweeters around the world, because of bad planning and poor Telstra services. Why did our Tourism organizations let Ben 'take the fall' when it was Telstra's poor coverage "halfway up the Queensland coast and back"?

Maybe because one of Tourism Whitsundays directors, John Nayler, is in a marketing agreement with Telstra.

What a shame that a huge company like Telstra is happy to let Ben be criticized and harassed by the media and hundreds of thousands of people around the world, than 'fess up' that their coverage and services in the Whitsundays are poor.

Tourism QLD and Tourism Whitsundays should also accept the blame for poor planning. If Ben's main job is to Blog and Twitter, then he needs phone and internet services. If Ben's home was not in a Telstra Black Spot, he would have written more blogs. Whose job was it to ensure Ben had these essential services, or did our Tourism organizations just believe the hype?

Last week, Tourism Whitsundays Chairperson, Lyn Greggson, said: "The World's 'Board of Directors' has once again been on Ben Southall's case this week, with their latest criticism being not enough blogging." Ms Greggson however fails to tell us that Ben uses Telstra, or that Ben's house on Hamilton Island was in a Telstra Wireless Internet Black Spot.

Criticising the World's media and bloggers with an issue resulting from inefficient planning and a sponsors shortcomings, is not a good publicity move - what a great way of getting 'offside' with the media and putting $300 million of publicity in jeopardy.

The main priority of the 'Best Job in the World' campaign is for our tourism organizations to promote Ben and Queensland, not individuals, and not hidden agendas.

Disclaimer ; The editor is a part owner in a satellite communications company

Conflict of interest at Tourism Whitsundays / Telstra?

Whitsundays Online

In the past week, Director and Chairperson of Tourism Whitsundays, Lyn Greggson, (picture left) has claimed that the Telstra phone and internet services around the Whitsundays are poor and are the reason that the 'World's Best Job' winner was only sending blogs once every 3 days.

Yesterday, Ben Southall advised that his home on Hamilton Island was in a 'black spot', however Telstra had been there in the last day or 2 to fix it. (It looks like the work Telstra did for Ben has now severely affected his neighbours Telstra wireless connections - dropped to 100kbps/40kbps).

Queensland Tourism has also 'chipped in' to the debate saying that Telstra Wireless services around the Whitsundays had "poor mobile phone or internet access".



So why is another Director of Tourism Whitsundays, John Nayler, in a TV ad for Telstra, telling us almost the complete opposite to what Tourism Queensland and Tourism Whitsundays are claiming? Who is misleading us?

Was blaming Telstra a convenient excuse, or are the Telstra wireless services really that poor? I expect it is the latter. If that is the case, then doesn't the above ad and testimonial seem a bit ironic, and probably misleading?

Is this another case of a 'conflict of interest' within Tourism Whitsundays, or just another example of using excuses to make up for poor planning?

Surely Tourism Queensland and Tourism Whitsundays would have made sure that internet access was available from Ben's home before he moved in - blogging on the internet was supposed to be the most important part of his job . . . who advised/checked on behalf of TQ and TW that Ben's home had access to the Telstra wireless signal, or did they just believe the TV ad?


Map

Editors Note: Actually, Ben will probably get a better signal from the Optus tower on One Tree Hill (about 300m from Ben's home), or on Mt Rooper (Shute Harbour).
Disclaimer : The editor has a part interest in a satellite communications company.

Attention Hamilton Island Residents

Whitsundays Online

Update 10.00pm 1 Aug 2009 : A person in the vicinity of Ben's home who is on Telstra 3G has reported that they are getting 100kbps/40kbps - double the old dial up speeds and about 2/5 of the slowest ADSL service you can get. The speed test was done through Telstra's own speed test service.

Update 15:19 1 Aug 2009
Ben Southall just 'tweeted' the world to advise he was in a black spot, but Telstra have just rectified it.

The Chairperson of Tourism Whitsundays has 'kicked off the debate' that the Telstra 3G services on and around the Whitsundays are poor.

Telstra has been blamed by Tourism Whitsundays and Tourism Queensland, because of its "not great reception", and "poor mobile phone or internet access" for the lack of daily blog posts by Ben Southall, the winner of 'The World's Best Job'.

Ben's access to the internet is via Telstra Wireless 3G.

Telstra now provides only 3G wireless internet access on Hamilton Island as the ADSL service was pulled out around 2 years ago. Telstra have boasted about the super fast speeds and reliability you are getting over there (see the TV ad below starring another Director of Tourism Whitsundays).



Is this TV ad true? Are you getting super fast services, speeds and reliability?

Please send your comments (anonymous comments allowed) to us as we would like to hear your stories, especially as Race Week is coming up, with over 100 boats and a thousand people, with probably half of them on Telstra 3G Wireless.

History of Communications on Hamilton Island :
Communications on Hamilton Island has had a cheqeured history. When telecommunications were deregulated in Australia back in the 1990's, Telstra said it would have to have a monopoly of services on the island, otherwise the island's users (and/or the island) would have to pay more for service calls. (Gt Keppel, Lindeman and Hayman were some of the islands that remained with Telstra).

This encouraged HIE (Hamilton Island Enterprises) to look around for a telco to provide services on the island, and in 1998 they picked Nomad Telecommunications - they went bust in 2000.

Sirius Communications took over Nomad's duties and assets, and ran the telco services. In that time, Sirius installed ADSL services for the businesses and residents - they lost the contract in 2006.

In 2006, NEC took over the telco contract, and boasted in its press release that "Hamilton Island, in the Queensland Whitsundays, will undergo a dramatic technology overhaul following the announcement of a multi-million dollar deal that will see ICT solutions giant NEC transform the Island into the most technologically advanced resort in the country. The 10 year deal will see NEC provide Hamilton Island with a full suite of state-of-the-art telecommunications services and technologies with facilities like broadband, VoIP and Video on Demand, being a first ever for the popular holiday and conference destination - adding another dimension to the Whitsundays overwhelming appeal." In just 2 years, NEC were NBO'd*. (NEC was commonly known on the island as 'Never Ever Connected').

Telstra returned to Hamilton Island in 2008 - installed 3G wireless, and then decommissioned the ADSL service.

*NBO - Next Boat Out - a term used on the islands that you have to leave the island, if it was your intention to or not.

10.00pm 1 Aug 2009 A person in the vicinity of Ben's home has reported that they are getting 100kbps/40kbps on Telstra 3G wireless - double the old dial up speeds.

Disclaimer : The Editor has an interest in a satellite communications company. In 2002, for the NASA AstroBiology Conference, we installed a 11Mb wireless network around 90% of developed Hamilton Island, which made it the first island in the world where you could walk around with a laptop and be connected to the internet - this was 7 years ago. Due to concessionaire conflicts, we had to pull out our system in 2004.

Tourism Whitsundays blames Telstra for lack of Blogs - Another Fake Job application uncovered?

Whitsundays Online

Update 15:19 1 Aug 2009
Ben Southall just 'tweeted' the world to advise he was in a black spot, but Telstra have just rectified it.

Telstra has been blamed by Tourism Whitsundays and Tourism Queensland, because of its "not great reception", and "poor mobile phone or internet access for the lack of daily blog posts" by Ben Southall, the winner of 'The World's Best Job'.

Ben recently took up residence on Hamilton Island on 1 July as winner of "The Best Job in the World', and up to a week ago he had only written 7 blogs. Media organizations had 'a bit of a go' at the lack of blogs from Ben with headlines from around the world including:
'Paradise job Ben Southall writes just 7 posts on blog' - Scottish Daily Record
'Isle Ben is a lazy blogger' - The Sun
'Best Job in World Winner Criticized over Tropical Island Blog' - Bloomberg

Ben uses Telstra Wireless for his internet access.

However, Director and Chairperson of Tourism Whitsundays, Lyn Greggson, has come out in Ben's defence (and rightly so) to say that Ben's blogging of only once every 3 days because: ". . . we all know there's not great reception out at Whitehaven Beach, so he can't very well be blogging from every single place he visits."

But hang on, isn't this TV advertisement below by yet another Director of Tourism Whitsundays, telling us that Telstra 3G wireless internet works everywhere in the Whitsundays?




So, one director for Tourism Whitsundays does a TV ad and says he can do all his business on the boat around the islands at tremendous internet speeds and reliability, but another Director (Chairperson) of Tourism Whitsundays says that the Telstra 3G coverage is poor . . . who can you believe?


Blaming other people and organizations for you own actions (or lack of) is a bit primitive. If you knew beforehand that there is bad reception for Telstra Wireless where Ben was going, then why didn't you organize alternatives? It's sort of like not planning for the monsoon, and then blaming the rain when it arrives.


Now, while researching for this story, we came across the same Director of Tourism Whitsundays in a video application for the Best Job in the World back in January. Is this another 'fake application' uncovered? There was disbelief when the QLD Govt found out the Ad agency involved in the 'promotion did a fake video application - now we find out a Director of Tourism Whitsundays has also made a video application.





Editors Note : The schedule Ben has been on has been pretty hectic and tight - the Tourism organizations have spent the past month introducing (promoting?) him to the rest of QLD. I know my patience would have been spent within 1 week doing Ben's gig. Hey Ben . . . if you need a break . . .
Disclaimer : The editor has in interest in a satellite communications company .

Abdelkarim Serhani, the Fake Prince, now in Bali

Whitsundays Online - exclusive

1.10pm Friday 31 July 2009 - We have confirmation / verification that Abdelkarim Serhani is in Indonesia.

3.30pm Wednesday 29 July 2009 - from an anonymous tip : Abdelkarim Serhani is in Bali, up to his old and usual tricks.

Now we can add Fighter Jets and Pirates to Ferrari's and Palaces. Oh, and a new persona - son of the Aide to the French Defence Minister.

It seems 'The Fake Arab Prince' has entered Indonesia without a passport by catching a boat from Darwin, and then hopping off in Indonesia, at a coastal town near Denpassar.

The boat, (unknown details) was on a scheduled trip to Thailand via Indonesia, left Darwin about 3-4 days ago. On its trip across the Timor Sea, the boat was chased by pirates. The Australian captain made a phone call on a satellite phone to an authority (unknown who) in Australia.

The officer advised the captain that the nearest patrol boat was 30-40 miles away, however, 15 minutes later, an Indonesian fighter jet flew over the boats and scattered the pirates. The boat with Abdelkarim Serhani on board then berthed near Denpassar. An extended visa was obtained from Indonesian Customs so that the boats sail could be repaired.

Abdelkarim Serhani gained access on to the boat in Darwin by saying he was the son of a French Diplomat, who was the Aide to the French Defence Minister. The captain and crew were charmed by this gentleman to take him onboard. When the Indonesian fighter jet flew over the boat, Abdelkarim Serhani claimed responsibility for it, which gave the crew more confidence that his stories were credible.

He has apparently been in Indonesia for about 24-48 hours. He is supposed to provide His Worship at Proserpine Magistrates' Court with documents to prove that he is unable to attend the court by midday today (1 hour 45 mins to go).

Editors Note:
* This story was contributed by several people who wish to remain anonymous. Unlike the respectable newspapers, we have run this story without verification, however we believe the reports and contributors are credible.
* While it is cool to be the first to report a great story, you can look like a fool (eg. Richard Wilkins) for putting up the wrong exclusive (eg; Jeff Goldblum) without verification. This is probably why that after 5 days, that we are still the only outlet in the World reporting that Abdelkarim Serhani left Australia a week ago and is in Indonesia. (we have now had 3 differant sources confrim Abdelkarim Serhani has left Australia).
* Cairns.com.au and QLD News Ltd will have more indepth reports and stories.

Abdelkarim Serhani - The Fake Arab Prince

This story is old and has been UPDATED
Click here for the latest story published 0700am Friday 28 August 2009

Many NZ media outlets (and now Australian, and as of 10am Friday London time) are reporting today that 'The Fake Arab Prince', Abdelkarim Serhani, is in New Zealand, however we have been lead to to believe he is still in Indonesia. Full Story here.

This story is old and has been UPDATED
Click here for the latest story published 0700am Friday 28 August 2009


Whitsundays Online
Update 29 July 2009 here

The stage was set . . . lights, camera, action . . . all for Abdelkarim Serhani at the Proserpine Magistrates' Court on Monday morning, 27 July 2009.

Charged with defrauding Hamilton Island of $42,000 worth of goods and services, another business in Airlie Beach for $3,000, and to top it off, he gets arrested for drink driving.

Abdelkarim Serhani was to appear at the Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday 27 July 2009 to answer to these charges . . . Channel 7 did the run up from Mackay with a camera crew and reporter, and there were several other people milling around the Court House, all waiting presumably for someone who usually likes being the centre of attention.

However, myself and many others did not get to see Mr Abdelkarim Serhani - he is apparently in Melbourne . . . . Mr Abdelkarim Serhani advised His Worship that he has come down with a sudden bout of 'broken legs'. His Worship has allowed Mr Abdelkarim Serhani until midday Wednesday, 29 July 2009, to provide factual documents.

In the meantime, Tourism and Service providers around the World need to be on the alert for people like this. Some say it is a victimless crime - it isn't.

We are all proud when someone we admire, or of public stature, or of royalty, takes an interest in ourselves, our region, our talents and/or our products and services. Sometimes our heart and good nature takes over from the brain, and we make a mistake.

It is not something you want to tell your mates, (and probably your competitors) that you got swindled buy this gentleman. It understandably can be embarrassing. However, we need to teach others the lesson we have been taught, and so that future tourism operators will be more aware and street savvy to people like Abdelkarim Serhani.

A friendly local journo working for one of Australia's largest media organizations has requested personal stories from people who have had contact with Abdelkarim Serhani. He wishes to take a 'big picture' look at this man's travels and escapades - to see how he did it - how did he convince staff to let him in to a 6 star unit for over 2 weeks - how did he convince people to loan him Ferrari's.

If we can get a 'big picture' of Abdelkarim Serhani and his methods, then this will help us, our future staff, and our local businesses be more aware of people like this in the future.

Anonymity assured - contact me and I will forward whatever you wish on to the investigative journalist.

Top image - the faces of Abdelkarim Serhani
Bottom image - No show for Abdelkarim Serhani at Proserpine Magistrates' Court
Editors Note: I have begun enquiries with American Express to see if this gentleman actually has a Black Amex Card, or if he possible has a stolen one, or a counterfeit card.

From Paradise to Alcatraz without leaving 'The Rock'

Whitsundays Online from Hamilton Island today

What a day to be on Hamilton Island . . . . beautiful weather and a great trip over on the ferry, but it's not all smooth sailing on 'The Rock', as Hamilton Island is known by the locals. (The term 'The Rock' was also given to the infamous and now disused prison, Alcatraz, on an island in San Francisco Bay, USA).

Hours after the Courier Mail paid out 'World's Best Job' winner Ben Southall (the Ginger Whinger) for only posting 7 blogs (that's $3,000 a blog), The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Hamilton Island Yacht Club construction workers have complained to the Builders Labourers Federation about the living conditions on Hamilton Island, referring them to 'as bad as Alcatraz'

The construction workers are housed at 'Palm Valley'
(at the end of the runway - satellite image/map), where five to six men are being "crammed in four-person apartments divided by thin walls" the SMH reported.

Other complaints raised by the construction workers about their accommodation was of possum poo and large numbers of mosquitoes.

Mr Lund (BLF) told the SMH that the workers have also staged stop work meetings and have withdrawn their labour from the job due to safety concerns.

There has also been claims of discrimination on the island, and claims that the construction workers were treated as nobodies.

Whitsunday Regional Council issued the certificate (approval) for Palm Valley in 2001, then by private contractors in 2005 and 2006.

According to the BLF, the supplied accommodation is too small and is in breach of the National Building and Construction Industry Award.


Top image - Front page of News Ltd's website today
Video : Today Tonight - 4 December 2003 "Class Wars on Hamilton Island"
Full story "Blast for Ben Southall as his best job falls short" - Courier Mail, John Wright
Full story "Best job' island workers liken housing to Alcatraz" - Sydney Morning Herald - Traveller
Map / Satellite image of Palm Valley - Google Maps
Tourism Trends - Has the Worlds Best Job campaign been successful for the rest of the Whitsundays?
Editors Note - Race Weeks starts in a month and the Yacht Club is still under construction.
* Tourism QLD said that it was poor internet and phone links that stopped Southall blogging . . . does that mean that Tourism QLD says Telstra's services on Hamilton and other Whitsundays Islands are poor? If $300 million dollars in advertising is at stake, do you think they could have at least got him a satellite phone?**
*Rusty sold his Take Away business to Hamilton Island a couple of years after this story. It is now called Popeye's.
* We did not get paid $3,000 to write this blog.

** Disclaimer - the editor has an interest in a business in the Whitsundays which provides satellite internet and phone services.

French conman rips off the Whitsundays

Sourced from cairns.com.au
Thomas Chamberlain
Update 27 July 2009 here
Update 29 July 2009 here

A 26 year old French national who has been studying in Sydney, has left a trail of debts and convictions during his visit to the Whitsundays.

Now believed to be in hiding in Cairns with other French backpackers, Abdelkarim Serhani conned $42,000 worth of goods and services over 16 days during his stay on Hamilton Island, and a $3,000 fraud in Airlie Beach. To top off his adventures in our region, Serhani was also caught drink driving.

Serhani has been labelled "The False Prince", and has conned his way all around the world, persuading people with his charm and acting, to obtain the use of palaces and limos, so he could wine and dine women he was attracted too.

A quick search on Google shows up 920 entries for Serhani, and over a dozen photos.

Those wishing to catch up with this gentleman will be interested to know that he is due to appear in the Proserpine Magistrates' Court on Monday, 27 July, 9am

Map - location of Proserpine Magistrates' Court
French news article from Daily Motion translated into English
Video interview with Serhani

Editors Note: Since we ran this story, we have seen a a lot of people being directed to this website after searching for 'Abdelkarim Serhani'. Please note Mr Serhani has to appear at the court at the mentioned date.

Whitsundays now fully OnLine in RealTime

Whitsundays Online

Thank you to the locals, ex-pats, and far-away dreamers for their suggestions on topics, content, sources, feeds and formats to provide a comprehensive and current 'snapshot' of the Whitsundays.

After much consideration, we thought the Whitsundays could be presented in RealTime in 2 formats (this may change in the future):

Traditional - WebPage : www.whitsundaysonline.net
New - Short Message: twitter.com/QLDWhitsundays

Messages transmitted to our 2 RealTime Portals (and updated in realtime) include:
News - Local View and Comment;
News - All World Media articles about the Whitsundays;
News - Police Alerts, Reports and Updates in Central QLD;
Weather - Alerts when winds become strong, and very strong in Mackay;
Map - Coming Events and current incidents;
WebCams - 6 WebCams and their status;
Live TV - The Whitsundays without the marketing hype (our 6th year);
Flight Arrivals - Status of commercial flights to Hamilton Island and Proserpine;
Rail - Queensland Rail service disruptions;
Coach - Greyhound service disruptions;
Tsunami - Tsunami Alerts and Earthquakes in the Pacific region;
Flood - Flood warnings and levels for all rivers between Mackay and Townsville.

If you know of any other sources, feeds or content that would be suitable to add in to the RealTime service, then please contact the editor.

The Twitter service is like the old telex/new SMS services, but uses the internet to broadcast 'tweets' of information to you, with a link to the actual website with more comprehensive information about the alert you clicked.

Why are we the most informative?

Unlike the good websites our local newspapers, tourism and service operators have produced (some by our talented local designers), they tend to present only their (or parent company's) content, or the opinions of a select few, or maybe even be creative with some reporting due to their association and/or links with other organizations and groups.

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UFO probably meteor

Sourced from ABC Online, Melissa Maddison

A meteor is probably responsible for the strange coloured lights that appeared over the Whitsundays yesterday morning.

Witnesses from as far as Moranbah reported seeing coloured lights moving across the sky on a flat angle at sunrise yesterday. (Unfortunately, our WeatherCam was on backup and was not recording the sky at this time).

Journalist and astronomy specialist Jonathan Nally says it is not uncommon for meteors to be spotted at that time of day.

"From any particular location you might see a couple of these a year, maybe more, but you're not going to get them every day and every month," he said.

Full story at ABC Online (Melissa Madison)
Image taken by this editor 10 years ago of a meteor leaving a corkscrew trail through the Southern Cross - taken the same day ANZAC and international troops shipped for East Timor.

Wanted - Courier bags theft in Proserpine

Whitsundays Online

Police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist in relation to the theft of several satchel-style courier bags from a vehicle in Proserpine on June 23.

About 4.40pm a man has broken into a white Toyota Hilux utility which was parked next to the ANZ ATM on Main Street - map

The offender has taken several satchels which contained bank-related documents.

The offender then left with the courier bags in easterly* direction along Main Street.

The offender is described as being Caucasian in appearance, approximately 175cm tall with a proportionate build.

Anyone with information which may help identify the man shown is asked to contact Senior Constable Russell Lewis at Proserpine Station on 4945 9666 or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Sourced from QLD Police Media Unit
Map of incident
Click images to enlarge

*Editors note: According to the CCTV image, the offender is heading in a westerly direction, towards the Police Station. The vehicle the bags were stolen from can be seen in the background of the bottom image.

Big White Fella due to visit next week

Whitsundays Online

Updated 4.20pm Wed 26 Aug 2009
ABC News Online - Sarah Collerton - Full Story and Image

Whale of a time as Migaloo, orca spotted

Migaloo, the famous all-white whale, has been sighted off Queensland's north coast, just off Airlie Beach.

Fantasea cruises' vessel Wonder saw the famous humpback between Hardy Reef and Shute Harbour in the Whitsundays.

They stopped for 30 minutes to watch Migaloo, who is on his annual migration north to breed in warmer waters, play in the water.

Full Story and Image


Original Story

Migaloo is heading up the Queensland coast and is expected in the Whitsundays next week.

The all-white humpback was sighted off Moreton Bay this week, heading north on the migration route. Migaloo (White Fella) hasn't been seen in the Whitsundays since 2007.

Migaloo is a humpback whale who lives predominantly off the Australian east coast. What is so special about Migaloo is that he is thought to be the only albino humpback whale in the world.

Humpbacks were once hunted to the point of extinction. Since measures have been put in place to protect the species, the worldwide population has bounced back. There are now an estimated 80,000 whales in the wild. Whale watching is a very popular tourist pastime along the QLD coast between May and October.

Special legislation for Migaloo prohibits vessels from going closer than 500m and aircraft can not approach under 2000 feet.

Migaloo was name by indigenous Elders around Hervey Bay.
Image sourced from the Qld Environmental Protection Agency.
Sourced from Orato (LP Currell) and Daily Mercury (Bruce Mckean).

Into the Red and Blue

Aero Whitsundays

Cannon Valley locals Gisi and Paul Harrington departed WAVE yesterday for a 'Journey of a Second Lifetime', sent off by fellow members of the Airlie Beach Aero Club (Map).

Gisi and Paul took off from WAVE yesterday for Broome in Western Australia in their single engine AMT200 XIMANGO (pictured left) to arrive in time to compete in the Annual Outback Air Race.

While Paul will be doing most of the flying, Gisi will be working hard behind her cameras, recording the trip with what's expected to be spectacular images from their perfect aerial platform.

The Outback Air Race is a major fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and in its past six events has raised more than $850,000 - organizers hope to top the $1 million mark this year.

The event is not about speed but accuracy of navigation and precise timing of arrival. It is a distance of 2,052 kilometres over six days, with stops at Emma Gorge, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Sweers Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cooktown and Undara.

The Harrington team will have the advantage of flying almost the same route in reverse - from Airlie Beach to the starting point at Broome and then back to Airlie Beach. They will be supported by friends from Norway, Wenche and Alex Kverneland.

With the short time available for fundraising, team members have personally contributed a considerable sum of money and will be also seeking donations to assist the RFDS in providing its valuable service to country and outback communities.

Businesses can also donate and have their name emblazoned on the aircraft as there is considerable publicity attached to the event. All funds exceeding $2 are tax deductible.Businesses can also donate and have their name emblazoned on the aircraft as there is considerable publicity attached to the event. All funds exceeding $2 are tax deductible.

Annual Outback Air Race WebSite has a contact service to take your credit card donations.
Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) WebSite
Map
Sourced from the Wagin Argus (Glenys Ball) and Whitsunday Times (James Tolmie).

RBT blitz on Hamilton Island

Whitsundays Online
Sourced from News Ltd - Greg Stolz

Random Breath Testing arrived on Hamilton Island last weekend with a blitz by QLD Police on Golf Buggy Drink Driving.

The operation concentrated on the Hamilton Island Outrigger Cup, which attracted more than 1000 paddlers and supporters, all in party mode.

Many drivers were shocked to be pulled over for breath tests to and from the harbour-side restaurants and taverns1.

Golf buggies are the main form of transport on Hamilton Island, with thoroughfares linking the harbour, holiday accommodation and residential areas classed as public roads2.

Senior Constable John Bentley from Whitsunday Police said"A golf buggy is a vehicle and you can't get behind the wheel if you've had too much to drink. There have been some serious accidents on Hamilton Island involving golf buggies and it's important police maintain a presence to deter illegal behaviour3."

A valid driver's licence is required to hire a golf buggy on Hamilton Island. If you are stopped in one for drink driving, you face losing your regular motor vehicle licence, as well as earning a steep fine.

A HI buggy licence is also required those living and working on Hamilton Island. If they receive too many demerit points, their buggy licences can be revoked4.

While detecting a high number of golf buggy drivers had been drinking, none were over the legal driving limit.

Top Image : No, it's not real - the photo was staged.
Bottom image: Original Hamilton Island buggy number plates that were replaced by QLD 'C' plates in 2003/4.

Editors Note : The editor lived on Hamilton Island from 2001 to 2005.
1 There are no Police permanently stationed on Hamilton Island.
2 The roads on Hamilton Island became public in 2003 with all buggies requiring registration through the QLD Dept of Transport.
3 Between 2001 and 2005, there were several deaths on Hamilton Island involving golf buggies.
4 Prior to breath testing on Hamilton Island, in an attempt to stop drink driving, private buggies were not allowed to be driven between 1am and 5am.