We need to get together in the hope of securing the scuttling of HMAS Tobruk off Shag Rock or somewhere similar to allow access via kayak.

Mackay tourism is also trying to get here!

Here is the press statement:

EX-HMA SHIPS TOBRUK AND SYDNEY to be offered AS DIVE WRECKS

8 April 2016

Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Marise Payne today announced that the decommissioned vessels, ex-HMA Ships Tobruk and Sydney, will be offered to the States and Territories for the creation of dive wrecks.
After decades of invaluable service in the Royal Australian Navy, Tobruk and Sydney were decommissioned in July 2015 and November 2015 respectively.
Tobruk was used extensively during regional peacekeeping and humanitarian operations as well as border protection in Northern Australia.
Sydney was deployed to the Persian Gulf on five occasions in support of operations during the Gulf War, War in Afghanistan and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Closer to home, Sydney was involved to support Australia’s response to regional uprisings and humanitarian operations.
“There are significant challenges with preparing ex-Navy vessels for dive wrecks to assure the safety of recreational divers, however I appreciate the tourism and economic benefits that the creation of a dive wreck can have to local communities,” Minister Payne said.
The decommissioned vessels will be demilitarised by the Department of Defence. The preparation and funding of the vessels for use as a dive wreck will be the responsibility of the State or Territory that agrees to the terms and conditions of the offer. The States and Territories will be responsible for ensuring the dive wreck meets the necessary work, health and safety legislation to assure the safety of those diving on the wrecks.
Defence will schedule inspection days in June 2016 to allow State and Territory government representatives and their industry partners to attend briefings and inspect the vessels. Defence will use this opportunity to provide information about work, health and safety issues, as well as hazardous materials content of the vessels.

We are running our fishing trip this Sunday 7 September and we do have 5 vacancies available to those "Fishers" out there that are interested in fishing the beaches off North Stradbroke Island for whiting, bream and dart. Simply email or ring anytime.

Hi Dave!

Thank YOU! As I posted on my facebook.. 

"Such an awesome fantastic beautiful incredible breath-taking unbelievable magical surreal sunny once-in-a-lifetime day on Straddie!

I am so glad I signed up for the day tour by Kingfisher Tour. So lucky to be able to experience this day. Driving down the endless beach on a 4WD, trying out adrenaline-filled sand surfing, dipping my feet in the Brown Lake full of healing saps from trees that contain tea tree oil, having a private BBQ lunch on the beach as I watch the waves come rolling in and keeping a look-out for whales....

I want to remember this moment, this moment of being away from the fast-paced city life, this moment feeling so peaceful and grateful."

Thank you! Straddie was the highlight of our trip, and your tour was certainly the highlight of the hightlight :)

Take care! Some friends may be contacting you about tours soon :)

By the way, here are some free apps that let you take panorama even though your iphone's camera function doesn't have it :) hope it works!

Jackie Jac.

Watch out for our latest newsletter coming out soon.

But in the meantime:

Hi Dave thank you very much for taking our family on your for the day. They had a brilliant time and said they'll recommend the tour to everyone they know is coming to visit. They haven't stopped talking about it, my husbands jealous he doesn't like having to work when he knows someone coming over to the island.

Kind regards

Sue

This is only part of our 2 day tour of Straddie. We went sand boarding as well and explored the Straddie Desert.
So please watch myself "Barefoot" Dave and Dean today at 5.30pm on Channel 7 for Queensland Weekender.
Remember you can book all our tours via our web site at www.straddiekingfishertours.com.au
Hope to see you all soon on this Island Paradise.

After the Amity Point shopping complex fire (see photos above) I will endeavour to keep you up to date with the process of the rebuild. I will post photos on my blog in our web site daily or weekly depending what is happening.
Please feel free to give me any feedback.

The birds washed up on North Stradbroke Island appear to be short-tailed shearwater or ‘mutton birds’.
Short-tailed shearwater or ‘mutton birds’ are on their annual 10,000 kilometre non-stop migration from northern Russia to rookeries in Victoria and South Australia.
Bad weather on this long and exhausting journey can take its toll on the birds.
The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection has received reports of the birds being found on Queensland beaches –some completely exhausted and many have died.
Over the next few months, dead or exhausted birds may be found along the Queensland coast.Anyone who finds a dead bird on the beaches is advised, as a precaution, not to handle the bird.
This is not the first time this has occurred. Thousands of short-tailed shearwater birds were found dead around Moreton Bay in 2011 and Fraser Island in 2006.
Tests at that time confirmed that they died from exhaustion and starvation as a consequence of the migration. Exhausted and starved birds are also known to wash up on the beaches of Japan, the Aleutian Islands and North America.
This is part of nature asmore than a million migratory birds travel enormous distances to and from Australia each year, often feeding and roosting alongside resident species on our coast, coral cays and islands.