Sunday, August 23, 2015

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY…AND THE AWESOMELY BEAUTIFUL AND UNFORGETTABLE...





 Before I post Chapter 14 in my on-going saga - "Music to My Ears...Purrrfect...Or...To All the Cats I've Loved Before...And Still...." I need to preface it with this post....

During our lifetime we experience memorable moments that surpass others; exceptional episodes; distinctly unique; occurrences that stand tall far beyond the mundane and banal. Some may even be minute in the overall structure of things, but cherished events they remain; chapters forever embedded in our psyche; imprinted in our memories; treasured evermore in our heart. Idylls which exceed the ordinary, as do some who starred in the exceptional vignettes. 

Even if we didn’t recognise or appreciate their value when we were caught up in the moment/s, in retrospect they’re remarkably unparalleled. 

Fortunately, I recognised at the time that my stint on Hinchinbrook Island was extraordinary.

Friday 15th August my heart shattered upon hearing the news fire had destroyed what remained of the island’s resort.

Police set up a crime scene to investigate.  To me it appears it probably was a “Jewish stock-take”!  From what I've read over the past few days the resort was in the process of being transferred to a new buyer. 

The fire burned for a number of days, destroying precious bushland as well as the buildings.

Regrettably, in February 2011, the buildings and their contents had already been victims of Cyclone Yasi’s indiscriminate fury.  Deplorable, unfathomable vandals with time on their hands and no brains in their heads had also left their mark by destroying fixtures and fittings in the main building that housed the resort’s restaurant.  

Man has little power over Nature, but the nature of man too often leaves much to be desired.

Through the almost 30 years since my island days a number of my staff and I have remained friends. Included in the circle are a couple of ex-guests from those halcyon days and nights. The friendships are as precious as gold. We care about each other. We’re in regular contact via social media, phone and in person.  Other than our ages, little has changed over the ages. They were special to me during our shared time on our tropical island in the sun; they still are. The bond is unbreakable.

Living and working in a world of our own, we created our fun. My staff was an inventive, ingenious crew; much merriment (and mischief) was had!

The “work” never really felt like work; it was more a pleasure than a chore.

Shortly after setting foot on the island the holidaymakers willingly succumbed to the island mood.  Enthusiastic recipients and participants, our guests enjoyed the fruits of our buoyant, happy attitude. The “real” world seemed a million miles away – for them and for us.

As soon as news of the fire hit the air-waves my friends and I contacted each other. It was a race to our phones and computers. They, like me, were devastated over the latest turn of events. 

I’m saddened greatly,  not only because of the fire, but from everything else that has occurred at the resort over the past number of years.

In 2010 the island resort was in the hands of developer Keith Williams’ son, Ben.

In the late 1990s, Williams Snr., who passed away October 2011, developed Port Hinchinbrook on the mainland, south of Cardwell.  In the wake of the GFC, Williams Corporation went broke.

Ben Williams closed down the island resort at Cape Richards in 2010. It was left defenseless against Nature and the destructive nature of humans.

A friend said to me as we discussed the latest jinx that befell the resort; “It costs less to remove ash than tonnes of timber. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. It’ll be nice to see new buildings that blend in with the environment. Perhaps Cape Richards can be open for business again allowing people to enjoy the island once more.”

 Ashes to ashes; rainforest to rainforest resort…

Perhaps Cape Richards should be allowed to revert to its natural state…let the forest reign…and humans leave it alone….

As members of a fortunate few we’ll always be grateful for our island sojourn. 

In 1986 and 1987 we experienced the resort at its best.  It wasn’t flash like the new Whitsunday island resorts, or as fancy as Dunk, Bedarra or Orpheus Islands, but Cape Richards Resort had heart; and it had soul. 

No man, vandals, cyclones, fires or whatever else, come what may, will destroy the precious memories my friends and I share; memories and friendships cherished to this day. 

There’s a lengthy, page-turning trilogy waiting to be written about our Cape Richards adventures, with more than fifty shades of everything!   

(I may have already started writing it....)!!!

Every thing I write about my time on the Hinchinbrook Island is a tribute to "Her".  "She" is one hell of an island...majestic, awesome, magnificent. diverse and stunningly beautiful....

31 comments:

  1. I like the idea of Cape Richards reverting to nature... Perhaps eco-tourism? Green, and non-invasive...
    And love that your memories foundations are so strong.

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    1. Hi EC...when I was living there it was very non-invasive. Very natural...untouched in so many ways.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  2. What horrible news about the fire! You've written about your time there so often and so poignantly that I almost feel as though I "know" the place. Such a loss, but thank goodness you have your lovely memories.

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    1. Hi there Serena...Yes...it was horrible news...and I'm not ashamed nor am I embarrassed to admit I shed a few tears over the news. So sad...

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  3. So sad but your memories are so vivid I feel like I've been there, stuff a book is made of for sure.

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    1. Hi Linda....Hopefully my memories of that time in my life will never fade; hopefully they'll forever remain as vivid as they still are today. :)

      Thanks for popping in. :)

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  4. It's sad to read of so much that has befallen the resort, like you said, the nature of man leaves a lot to be desired. If it could be left to revert to forest, that would be a wonderful thing. After all, there's plenty of other resorts in the surrounding areas. Probably too much to hope for though. Someone will see its beauty and want to make money from it.

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    1. Hi River...it depends on who takes it over, of course.

      I'm not bragging by any means or form, but when we were there...we took care of the area surrounding the resort. It was a very low-key...not at all intrusive or invasive...resort. We cared about the environment in which we were fortunate enough to be a part of. We valued what we were part of. Not many people get that sort of opportunity...I'm very glad I did have the chance.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  5. I have never ever seen a cyclone like that. I am sorry it destroyed the island.

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    1. Hi Sandy...thankfully, the final indignity to hit the resort. the fire, has stopped burning now. The worry was that the fire would get out of control, and if it had, acres and acres of the island's vegetation would've been destroyed, far more than what already have.

      The island is a tough old bird...she'll stand forever...I can't say similar about the man-made buildings, though.

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  6. We are reminded sooften that nothing is permanent.

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    1. G'day Arleen....so true; and it's the reason why we should learn to cherish what we have; or remember to cherish what we have.

      Thanks for popping in. :)

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  7. Though this is a low point, I can imagine a brand new resort rising like a phoenix from those tragic ashes.
    In my life I have often thumbed through quotation dictionaries. Capturing pearls of wisdom in just a few words is a talent that few people have but I think that this sentence from you belongs in such a dictionary Lee:- "Man has little power over Nature, but the nature of man too often leaves much to be desired." Brilliantly put!

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    1. Hi Yorkie,

      I'm six of one and half a dozen of the other regarding a new resort being construction...half of me hopes the 22 acres where the resort was returns to its natural state.

      The other half of me doesn't want some fancy-dancy resort being built there...just a simple, unadorned resort without all the gold-leaf taps and marble. I doubt that will happen...people today want all the bells and whistles believing that's what will make them happy!!

      Thank you for your generous words, Yorkie...I appreciate them. And thanks for coming by. :)

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  8. Please do write a book about your beloved island. You will bring it back to life!

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    1. Hi Kay....If I collated all that I've written about it here on my blog over the years, I probably already have a book! :)

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  9. All things change, memories abide.

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    1. Memories do, Adullamite...and thankfully they do.

      Thanks for popping in. :)

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  10. A part of the world I am yet to visit - but it seems wonderful, even if some people seem intent on wrecking things that are there.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Jakarta (for this week!)

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    1. Get yourself back home here, Stewart!!! You'll be needing some ointment soon for those itchy feet of yours!!

      Thanks for coming by. :)

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  11. For someone who has notifications happening when someone posts something new, I never seem to get a notification to say you gave posted something new. I heard this morning that this is suspected arson. I can only wonder if it is the old owners or the new owners. I hope I he insurance companies to honour any insurance claim and the arsonists are caught.

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    1. Don't honour any insurance claim.

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    2. Hiya Carol. I don't get notifications when someone has posted...I've never set that setting...perhaps I should...but usually I try to keep a close eye on what's going on about the place! :)

      Yes...I and others I've spoken to about it suspected arson right from the beginning. Ted, who used to be my head maintenance guy at the resort...he lives in Silkwood...was talking to the helicopter pilot who first noticed the blaze and the pilot told him that he'd noticed footprints on the the beach...Orchid Beach...leading up to the main building and back again. Someone has definitely torched it. Cheaper than having to clear away all what was left of the buildings, I guess.

      A very careless, wanton act....if fire took hold of that island, all hell would break loose. The firefighters as it was had no access to water to put it out.

      Thanks for coming by, Carol. :)

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  12. Fires are nasty. Anyone who sets one on purpose deserves to be paraded around for eternity wearing nothing but jello.

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    1. I wholeheartedly agree with you, RK!

      Thanks for coming by. Take good care. :)

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  13. I'm reading the news articles on the Hinchinbrook fire. Came across an article not related to the fire about a hiker who had to be taken to the hospital after having problems with his hike. Apparently the island is a trekkers' paradise, though not for the faint of heart. It'll still be that, I imagine, after the fire. Wondering if you often walked the islands' trails.

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    1. Hi Dave...I didn't have much spare time to walk the island's trails. I was busy managing the resort...I usually was in the office before 6 am and rarely did I get back to my little abode and bed until midnight, and more often after midnight. While I was on the island...I never had a day off.

      It's a rugged island...and some hikers think they're infallible and take risks they shouldn't take.

      It's good to see you...thanks for coming by. :)

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  14. Yes, I heard the news at the time and thought of you.

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    1. Hi there Cosmo...yes, it's another devastating blow to the doomed resort...

      Thanks for popping in. I hope all is well with you. :)

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  15. Wow, it looks like a magical place. I recently experienced my first fire and it was frightening, it can spread so quickly.

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  16. The island is a magical place KB...quite awesome, in fact. Fire is frightening and those who deliberately light them should have the stiffest of penalties put upon them.

    Thanks for coming by. :)

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