Boomerang Bags and Craft Shop is a beloved community hub dedicated to uniting people through creativity. The shop offers a wide array of craft supplies and is adorned with charming homemade creations, from handcrafted seat covers to delightful crochet turtles. Each corner of the store reflects the spirit of local artisans, making it a vibrant space where creativity and community come together.
Founder Tina Everett, decided to start up the group after sadly losing her mum. The group started as an outlet for Tina to go out and meet new members of the community after feeling lonesome in the transient town of Airlie Beach. What started as a small group, soon transpired into a shop after the Whitsunday Shopping centre kindly offered one of their spaces to Tina for no rent.
Tina explained how the shop has been amazing for her:
“I've come out of my shell, and I've made a whole lot of great friends.”
According to Tina, people can often find coming to the shop intimidating to start with but end up loving the experience as “craft gives people their own little bubble.”
The shop is open Thursdays and Fridays for adult craft groups and Tina encourages anyone who loves craft to come along. Most of the craft supplies in the shop are community donations and anything that can't be used in the shop gets donated to schools, daycare centres and nursing homes.
“Bring your craft, if you haven't got craft supplies, we have many supplies here.”
“It's just gold coin donation which helps pay for tea, coffee and biscuits.”
Alongside her adult craft days, Tina also provides help to the boomerang bags initiative, which creates reusable fabric bags out of donated materials. The ladies at the Women’s prison in Townsville are provided with the fabric which they turn into bags for Tina to share around the community. This is a great program providing these ladies with so much more than just sewing skills.
If you are a keen crafter looking to make new friends, head into Boomerang Bags and Craft Shop Thursday or Friday at 9am-2pm.

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Lumos Café is named upon the Harry Potter spell to summon light. And that is the purpose of Lumos Café - Owner Sarah Chen wants to bring a lightness to people who come in, and she wants them to leave with a big smile on their face.

To set this café apart from others, Lumos Café has a strong focus on customer service, and you’ll feel that from your first breath inside. “We care,” is how Sarah describes Lumos Café. With customers being 80-90% local, staff love remembering the order of returning customers, making them feel at home and often creating friendships.

Lumos Café has brought customer service to the next level by introducing table service. They also welcome take-away customers with the same love, and remember their orders, likes and dislikes, creating a cherished family-feel in the Cannonvale café.

“We create a vibe for people, when you come in you are not a customer to us. You are a family. So, if you come in today and you disappear for a week. When you come in the next time we will ask, how are you? Are you okay?” expressed Sarah.

It’s not just customers that feel like a family at Lumos Café.

By seeing herself as a worker first and boss second, Sarah has managed to create a family feel between her co-workers too. Staff talk to Sarah more openly which in turn develops that relationship to the next level.

Lumos Café is Sarah’s first business but having worked in the industry for more than a decade, she understands how to inspire staff and she believes that by being themselves, they can do their best work.  

At the Whitsunday Shopping Centre Sarah feels a warm support from each loyal customer and from the surrounding businesses. She shared that when they can, they buy each other’s goods, support each other, and share information.

Top Tip!

What’s your favourite order? Become a regular at Lumos and the friendly team will often remember it for you!

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Meet Waylon
Co-Manager And Butcher At MBW On The Barbie

After eight years at Master Butchers Whitsunday and MBW On The Barbie, Waylon has certainly found his groove, carving out not just meat but also a satisfying career and lifestyle.

When he made the switch from a large supermarket's meat department, he was ready for a real challenge, and Master Butchers Whitsunday delivered—helping him improve his skills as a third-year apprentice and eventually complete his trade in 2017.

“They taught me how to properly bone beef, pigs, lambs, and process bacon, hams—all that stuff. There's a big difference in what you learn here,” said Waylon.

His passion for the craft goes beyond the basics. For Waylon, there’s something rewarding about preparing a whole animal into chops, roasts, or steaks.

“It’s really satisfying when someone wants a specific size roast or steak, and I cut it bang on.”

While the satisfaction of mastering his trade is a big part of the job, Waylon finds just as much joy in the interactions he has with his customers.

“I love this small community, it's nice and quiet, which makes it a great place to raise a family,” Waylon said.

“Plus, it's the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Where else would you want to live?”

But Waylon’s talents don’t stop at butchering. Since picking up the alto saxophone in grade five, music has been a major part of his life. Today, he plays in two local bands—the Whitsunday Big Band and Proserpine Citizens Band—where he gets to experiment with different genres and just enjoy making music.

When he’s not behind the butcher's block or playing his sax, you’ll likely find Waylon camping with his wife and two-year-old daughter, soaking up the serenity of the Whitsundays.

Describe your personality in three words
Reliable, funny, kind

Meet Tracie
Sales Assistant With On The Barbie

Tracie’s career switch came in the most unexpected way— quite literally with opportunity knocking.

After leaving her role at a discount retailer, it didn’t take long for her to find herself back in the workforce, thanks to a serendipitous visit from Karen, one of the owners of all four MBW businesses.

On her first day of unemployment, Karen appeared on Tracie’s doorstep, offering her a job on the spot. It was an opportunity that took Tracie by surprise but it felt like a perfect fit.

Her love for creating relationships with people in the community kept her passionate about customer service, so the transition to MBW On The Barbie allowed her to continue doing what she loves while picking up a few new skills.

“I’m learning how to make different delicacies,” Tracie shared.

“I’d never made a chicken Kiev before working here.”

The hands-on training has been a highlight for her, especially with Nicky by her side.

“Nicky shows me how to improve. She's an awesome trainer,” said Tracie.

Beyond the skills, it’s the camaraderie that Tracie enjoys most.

“They laugh at all my dad jokes,” she said with a grin.

One of her go-to jokes is, “What do pirates say on their 80th birthday? AYE Mmm-atey!”

Originally from Bondi, Tracie came to the Whitsundays nearly 30 years ago after falling in love with the area while on holiday.

“It reminded me of Bondi when they looked after their locals,” Tracie said with a laugh.

“They don't look after locals anymore in Bondi, it’s all yuppie now.”

But in the Whitsundays, Tracie found a place that still holds onto that tight-knit community feel.

“The community here is awesome; everyone steps up to help each other. It’s brilliant,” she said.

Describe your personality in three words:
Upbeat, reliable and hardworking

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Meet Nicky
Co-Manager At MBW On The Barbie

MBW On The Barbie has been serving up top-quality cuts and mouth-watering meals for a decade now, and at the heart of it all is Nicky, who has been with the business since day one.

Originally working in supermarkets and a bakery, Nicky felt the need for a change. Knowing the owners before joining, she saw an opportunity to carve out a new path in the butchery business. That decision led her to become an essential part of the MBW team.

Nicky spends most of her time behind the front counter, but her role stretches beyond customer service.

“I do pretty much everything except cut meat,” Nicky shared.

“I make all the products, I serve on the counter, and I also slice ham and bacon.”

Having been with MBW On The Barbie from the beginning, Nicky has had a front-row seat to the company’s growth. She’s seen it expand from one bustling store to four, saying it’s great to see the business thriving across the region.

When she’s not busy at MBW On The Barbie, Nicky is hard at work on another passion—renovating her home.

“They call me Bobette the Builder,” Nicky laughed.

“I renovate my home and build stuff at home. I’m a bit of an arty-farty type person.

“I have plants and enjoy making the house look nice.”

Her home, complete with a pool and a cozy spot for beers, is her haven. It’s where she spends time with her “crazy black Great Dane” named Jonesy, whom she affectionately refers to as her child now that her four children are grown and spreading their wings on their own adventures.

Describe your personality in three words
Hardworking, reliable, kind

Meet Lockie
Apprentice Butcher With MBW On The Barbie

From a young age, Lockie knew his calling.

Following in the footsteps of his uncle, he set his sights on becoming a butcher. Now, at just two-and-a-half years into his apprenticeship with MBW On The Barbie, Lockie is proving that his passion runs as deep as his skillset.

Lockie’s natural talent and keen interest in the craft have allowed him to thrive in his apprenticeship. He’s particularly proud of the progress he’s made, saying that his training at MBW On The Barbie pushed him ahead of schedule, picking up second-year skills during his first year on the job.

For Lockie, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as breaking down an animal and preparing it into different cuts that leave customers excited to take home a perfectly prepped steak or roast.

“The best part is seeing their faces when they get a good steak,” he shared.

His favourite task? Making sausages. While it might seem simple to the untrained eye, the art of crafting the perfect snag requires precision, speed, and a lot of practice.

“I’m getting pretty quick with them now,” Lockie said with a smile.

“I like making the thick ones, those take a bit more focus. They’re easy to overfill, and if you add just a bit too much pressure, they can burst, and they are a pain to clean when they explode all over the wall.”

Whether it’s mastering the art of sausage-making or breaking down a cut to perfection, he’s a butcher who takes pride in every step of the process.

Outside the shop, Lockie unwinds with his mates, spending his weekends fishing, pigging, or simply chilling out.

Describe your personality in three words
Easy-going, quick-learner, honest

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What began as a service to the community and a desire to ensure a local shopping centre still had a butcher shop, has become a labour of love for a humble team of passionate staff members who have transformed a closing Butchery into a thriving business over the past 10 years.

One of the longest running businesses at Whitsunday Shopping Centre, MBW On The Barbie, is the brainchild of entrepreneurial meat-specialists, Karen Rix and Don Cameron. Ten years ago, when the couple heard the lease was not to be renewed by the existing tenant butcher and decided to step-in to ensure the continuation of this valuable service.

“We thought – every shopping centre deserves a local butcher!” expressed Karen.

“And the community welcomed us with open arms, everyone was excited to see that we’d continue at the convenient location, and we have had fantastic support ever since.”

Led by the demand for growth, Karen and Don were humbled by the support which encouraged them to expand from the Master Butchers Whitsundays store, which had been operating on Stewart Drive in Cannonvale for five years at the time, to the new premise at Whitsunday Shopping Centre. Determined to differentiate the new store from its big brother, the pair decided to specialise in quality barbeque products while also offering the same meat staples available at the other location.

Inspired by the outdoors lifestyle of the Whitsundays, the ‘On The Barbie’ branding was an instant success, with customers loving the delicious range of barbeque meats and helpful advice from the knowledgeable staff.

“We trained all the staff on adapting oven cooking times to suit hooded barbeques and found that people loved being able to cook their favourite meals outside, they simply needed to know how to do it!”

With a pre-existing reputation for quality meat products from the Stewart Drive Store, replicated seamlessly at On The Barbie, the new store quickly gained popularity and its convenient location made it popular, especially with locals living within walking distance.

Graduating from little sister to team-mate and business equal, MBW On The Barbie has risen in the ranks, rising to become a significant game-player in the local retail sector. This status was reinforced when MBW On The Barbie entered into the Australian Meat Industry Council Awards and came home with a gold award for the Best Sausage in QLD for their classic beef sausage.

Proud to be supplying delicious, high-quality meat for the Whitsunday community, MBW On The Barbie constantly innovates to ensure customers have the best flavours whether they are cooking up a storm in the kitchen or sizzling steaks outdoors on the barbie.

One of the ways they keep ahead of the pack is by offering a range of complementary products such as their marinades and rubs. These tasty additions ensure that nobody gets tired of the same old tastes, in fact they can keep trying different combinations.

In addition, Master Butchers has taken this one step further by opening a ‘Chef’s Kitchen’ at their Stewart Drive location. This new innovation supplies MBW On The Barbie with delicious accompaniments to complete the barbeque experience. Crunchy salads made with the freshest local products are put together by a talented chef who loves pairing the best recipes with the most succulent meats.

For those looking for a breakfast barbeque, MBW On The Barbie also supply their own bacon and local eggs.

Standing strong through the tests of times, MBW On The Barbie has weathered several storms including the shopping centre fire of 2016 and Cyclone Debbie in 2017. On both occasions, their priority was serving the local community and helping those that needed it most. It is this community spirit that has seen them become the highly-embraced, much-loved local business it is today.

As MBW On The Barbie celebrates its 10 year milestone, Karen hopes other local businesses will feel inspired by their resilience and witness first-hand how a small business can succeed in supplying quality produce to the local community.

Must Try Item

The Bonnie & Clyde – moisture infused pork rack which is stuffed with caramelised onion and Gouda cheese with a pistachio crust. Close the hood on the barbeque on a medium heat and it will be ready in about 35 minutes.

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The 2024 state elections are heating up with the formal announcement of all candidates who are in for the running. After four years of a Labour-run state led by Premier Steven Miles, the political landscape is wide open as the election approaches on October 26, 2024.
All eight regional candidates are preparing their election campaigns in the lead up to the big day. Each candidate is working hard to connect with North Queenslanders, hoping to secure their votes and represent the region’s interests.
This election cycle features a mix of old and new faces, adding a dynamic element to the 2024 race.

Missing: Peter Atchison from the Family First Party candidate for Whitsunday and Amanda Nickson from the Family First Party candidate for Burdekin. No images could be found at this time.

Who’s Got Your Vote?

With the looming state elections, it's important to identify your voting district and familiarise yourself with the local candidates running for office.
In the Whitsundays region, voters can choose from four candidates: Amanda Camm MP (LNP), Bauke Hovinga (Labor), Julie Hall (One Nation), and Peter Atchison (FFP). If you reside in Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, or Proserpine, these are the individuals on your ballot.
For the Burdekin region, the candidates are Dale Last (LNP), Anne Baker (Labor), Andrew Elborne (One Nation), and Amanda Nickson (FFP). Residents of Bowen and Collinsville will have the opportunity to vote for these candidates.
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Whitsunday Candidates
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Amanda Camm (LNP)
Amanda Camm, current Member for Whitsundays, is well-known in the region. She has spent the last four years in opposition after claiming her first term in October 2020. Before entering Queensland Parliament, Amanda served as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Mackay.
A long-term Whitsundays resident, she is running for election with a clear focus on driving positive community change, improving the economy, and connecting community members.
During her term, Amanda claims she has contributed to the region’s growth and prosperity through her diverse experience in government, economic and social development, tourism, mining services, and primary production.
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Bauke Hovinga (Labor)
Bauke Hovinga, a doctor in Mackay is up for election for the Labor party. Bauke understands first hand the importance of access to healthcare. Hearing of the Miles Labor Governments ambitious plan to deliver healthcare to the local community, made him hold his hand up high as a Labor candidate.
Bauke loves living in the Whitsunday region and believes maintaining community connections is vital to see the community thrive. He also advocates for upholding cost of living relief alongside encouraging social and affordable housing.
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Julie Hall (One Nation)
Former Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council and a candidate against Amanda Camm in the last state election, Julie Hall is committed to ensuring that Whitsunday residents have a strong voice in the governmental decisions impacting their lives and community.
Julie is passionate about protecting the natural environment and Great Barrier Reef but advocates for a balanced and realistic approach. Julie also stresses the need to address local issues, including, roads, housing, youth crime, and state government cost shifting to local government, which pressures ratepayers.

Burdekin Candidates
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Dale Last
Born and raised in regional Queensland and with a background in the sugar and cattle industries, Dale Last has a big love for regional areas.
After over 30 years as a Police Officer, Dale was elected to the Townsville City Council in 2008 where he also served as Deputy Mayor.
He is now the current Member for Burdekin.
Dale is focused on delivering for the Burdekin electorate and regional Queensland, he claims his first-hand experience in law enforcement and emergency management will help him tackle community issues.

Anne Baker
Having called Burdekin home for 38 years, Anne Baker is a dedicated community champion with a deep understanding of the area and its residents' needs.
With 17 years of passionate service in local government—12 of which she spent as Mayor for the Isaac region—Anne is eager to once again advocate for local working families, businesses, agriculture, mining, construction, and regional communities.
Anne is also family focused in her ideologies, having her own family and knowing the challenges and rewards of raising a family in regional Queensland.

Andrew Elborne
Andrew Elborne, was born in Brisbane and raised in a Catholic home and attended a Catholic school until grade 10 when he left to pursue a trade as an electrician.
Andrew has worked on various significant projects, including Parliament House in Canberra, Ergon and Energex supply authority work, and at the Tarong Power Station.  
Andrew states that he is determined to bring real-world experience and simple, transparent solutions to the table, aiming to simplify legislation and make it more accessible. He is committed to improving infrastructure, supporting trades, and enhancing community services in Burdekin.

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Hi Everyone,

Have you ever shared a moment with others and felt an almost palpable energy radiate?

I experienced this feeling twice this week, on two very different occasions.

The first was when I was at my Saturday morning Body Combat class; we were about two-thirds of the way through and I was doing my two-hundredth knee kick when the moment struck me.

The music was punchy, the stamina was waning and all of a sudden, I felt this almost euphoric energy wash over, one that I felt sure was shared with all the other panting people in the room.

An invigorated enlightenment.

The second time I experienced this was when I attended a Sunday morning service at the local Baptist Church with my mum who is visiting from the UK for three months.

Despite living what I consider ‘a life of Christian values’, I have to confess I only go to church when it is to accompany my lovely mum.

My favourite part is always at the beginning when the little church band belts out the hymns.

Listening to the angelic voice of the singer, watching the congregation begin to sway to the rhythmic sounds - in that moment I felt the whole room connect.

I watched as hands rose to ‘praise the Lord’ and the energy of the room lifted up in shared appreciation.

Both occasions, despite being very different, showed a similar experience, a collective energy that makes us all feel more alive.

I think this connection is the lifeblood of being human and it’s small communities like ours where we get to feel it most.

Where and when have you felt this in your own life?

Was it when you were playing a game of footy, dancing at a festival or perhaps watching a beautiful sunset with strangers on a beach?

Rach

Quote of the Week: “The older I get, the less I know” (Swami Chetanananda)

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Police have charged a 29-year-old Bowen man following a fatal hit-and-run traffic crash that happened in Bowen in July.
Emergency crews were called to the intersection of Bootooloo Road and Wheelers Lane on Thursday, July 25, after a cyclist was located on the roadway by a passing motorist at 4.42am.
The male cyclist, a 69-year-old Bowen man, was declared deceased at the scene.
The cyclist was struck by a vehicle, which had failed to remain at the scene.
Following extensive investigations, the driver has now been charged.
Police will allege the 29-year-old Bowen man was the driver of the vehicle that struck the cyclist.
He has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm and left the scene of incident without obtaining help.
He is due to appear before Bowen Magistrates Court on October 1.

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For the past 20 years Zonta Club of the Whitsundays have offered a substantial annual scholarship to one lucky student from one of the local high-schools.

This year the generous scholarship has been named the PJ Halter scholarship in memory of the club’s beloved and very hardworking member who sadly passed in 2022.

The scholarship embodies the club's commitment to supporting women who, due to various life circumstances, may not have had the chance for further education earlier in their lives.
The PJ Halter Scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance and educational opportunities to women in the community, empowering them to pursue their academic and professional goals.
The scholarship will be provided to a deserving student who, because of limited financial means or distance, would otherwise struggle to access the course of their choice.
In addition to the PJ Halter Scholarship, Zonta is introducing the Senior Bursary which is designed to support women who may have missed educational opportunities earlier in life. Zonta Whitsundays has established this scholarship to empower a woman in our community with the chance for further education and personal growth.
Alongside the scholarships, Zonta is also providing bursaries to Proserpine State High School, St Catherine’s Catholic College, and Cannonvale State Primary School. These bursaries are chosen by the school and presented at graduation evening each year.

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Zonta Club of the Whitsundays offer students a scholarship each year. Photo source: Facebook

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The tragic death toll in our region has sadly risen again this week following a road accident on Sunday evening that claimed the life of a 22-year-old woman.

On Sunday 15 September at 5pm a 61-year-old Bowen man was travelling in a silver Rodeo North on the Bruce Highway, and in the initial police investigation, it appears to have veered onto the wrong side of the road.

The silver Rodeo collided head on with a black BMW, driven by a 22-year-old female who tragically lost her life as a result to the traffic crash.

The 61-year-old male is in critical condition at Mackay Based Hospital.

It is believed the female was traveling from Townsville to her residence in Mackay, and the male was returning to Bowen from the Nebo area.

The Queensland Police forensic crash unit conducted an investigation on-scene but now need to conduct follow up investigations before a conclusion is drawn.

Whilst the initial investigation took place, the Bruce Highway was closed and emergency services put a diversion in place with assistance from the Whitsunday Regional Council.

So far this year there have been 13 fatalities on the road in the Mackay and Whitsunday region, resulting in 17 people losing their lives.

Inspector Glenn Cameron said, “It is tragic circumstances and that’s why we are imploring with every member of the public, drive to the conditions, drive to your own conditions, be safe on the road we want to see people get to their destination safely.”

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By Paul Gellatly

The election of the 2024-25 committee for Bowen Chamber of Commerce was backed by presentations highlighting the importance of the Abbot Point coal and industry facility to the town.

An audience of around 40 people attended the chamber's September 11 meeting at the Larrikin Hotel to hear the results of the election of office bearers, for which vacancies closed on September 2.

Although he jested that he thought his existing term would be his last, popular Larrikin Hotel publican and chamber chairman Bruce Hedditch was re-elected to the role he has held continuously since 2014.

"You can't be doing it forever," Mr Hedditch said. "I think it's getting near the time when I should be handing it on.

"But I think I've done my job, giving to the community of Bowen."

Mr Hedditch said the major impact for the future of Bowen rested with Abbot Point and that the chamber must understand the opportunities for this port and the benefits that will accrue for Bowen.

Under Mr Hedditch’s leadership, the chamber has made a significant contribution to the township of Bowen and the community that live and work in it. Although the Chamber of Commerce dates back to the 1920s, it was under Mr Hedditch that it was renamed Bowen Chamber of Commerce Inc. in 2017.

Two vice presidents were elected to serve with Mr Hedditch. They are Alan Bryson, from Harbourside Homestay, and Tony Bale, a Bowen consultant who has led the charge for the redevelopment of Bowen's jetty.

Joanne Shepherd, a Bowen Rail employee and daughter of a former chairman of Regional Development Australia, was elected for the first time as secretary, while Grace Graewe, another first-timer who works at the town's Commonwealth Bank, was elected treasurer.

Mr Hedditch hailed the depth of talent in the new committee, which he said represented "a good cross section of the community", hitting a new record with seven appointed.

They are Mark Steen, a long-time member of the chamber; Lukas Adams from Whitsunday Web, Alexander Pyke, a physiotherapist from Bowen Physio; Matt Bowkett from Engage Marine, Claire Mitchell Must, from Arabon Seafoods; John Barnes; and Doug Eldred from Whole Hog BBQ.

The results were announced at the meeting by Steve Darwen, chairman for election of the board.

Following the announcement of the new committee, three speakers gave addresses on the topic 'Abbot Point - The Most Northerly Deepwater Coal Port of Australia and the Future Opportunities'.

Brendan Lane, general manager of Bowen Rail Company, spoke of the growth of the rail company's operations from its start-up staff of seven, to its present complement of more than 200 employees, 170 of whom are based in Bowen.

Rob Cocco, CEO of Regional Development Australia, said that Abbot Point and Bowen were an ideal location for development.

Alan Brown, general manager port operations at Abbot Point, spoke of the facility as "a driving force for Bowen", having shipped nearly 35 million tonnes of coal in 2023-24 in 360 shipments, to 20 countries.

Mr Hedditch said that with 14,000ha of state government land being available around the Abbot Point area, there was a wealth of potential for development of new industries that would benefit Bowen and the wider region.

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New committee member Mark Steen, secretary Joanne Shepherd and re-elected chairman Bruce Hedditch. Photo credit: Paul Gellatly

Chairman for election of the board, Steve Darwen (right) with Abbot Point port operations GM  Alan Brown

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A local girl from Proserpine, Matilda Braney, sparkled at Australia’s Royalty pageant (ARP) National Finals that were held in Melbourne earlier this month.

Not only has Matilda, obtained numerous beauty titles for her appearance in the ARP, she also has done incredible work in the local community to raise funds for Starlight Children's Foundation.

Matilda, alongside her aunty, raised funds for the foundation by selling chocolate in the mines. All proceeds from their sales went directly to the foundation.

Brooke Lee, Leader of the Etiquette and Runway workshop in Melbourne at the Australia’s Royalty Pageant National Finals stated that it was such a “Joy meeting all the finalists, and witnessing their confidence on stage,” which she commented was “nothing short of inspiring.”

“Every one of them should be incredibly proud,” Brooke added.

Matilda was awarded the titles, Miss Junior of Australia (2nd runner up), Australia’s Popularity Choice, Charity Queen for the Starlight Children’s Make a Wish Foundation and Best in Social Media.

Matilda enthused that she was proud of her achievements at the pageant especially considering it was her first ever pageant:

“I really enjoyed getting to know everyone, because there were so many different people there.”

“It was really great to hear everyone's unique stories, and everyone was really supportive.”

Fellow Whitsunday resident, Madison Richardson from Bowen also participated in Australia’s Royalty pageant (ARP) National Finals.

She was awarded Miss of Australia 1st Runner Up, My Sparkly Life Runner Up, Australia’s Print Model Runner Up, Australia’s Best Dress/Style and Australia’s Popularity Runner Up.

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Matilda proud to have received her brand-new titles
The Girls celebrating their achievements at ARP
A lovely supportive atmosphere from the girls at ARP

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It was announced this week that award-winning viral sensation, Jude York will be joining 7-time ARIA award winner Wendy Matthews at the upcoming Whitsundays Songwriters Festival which is due to take place next month.

Jude’s song ‘Monaco’ is climbing the international charts with a staggering million streams in its first week and Whitsundays Songwriters Festival organisers say they are thrilled to welcome him to the line-up.

“Jude’s clarity of his artistic direction will serve as an inspiration to local songwriters attending our workshop and having witnessed his Queensland Music Awards performance live earlier this year, we know Whitsundays audiences are in for a magical experience when he takes the stage at our Concert and Conversation event,” said festival co-founders Karen Jacobsen and Francesca de Valence.

Jude will join the professional faculty as part of the Emerging Songwriter Workshop on Saturday, October 12, mentoring aspiring songwriters to develop their works.

He will also perform alongside other outstanding artists in a Concert & Conversation event at Whitsunday Sailing Club that evening.

Growing up rurally with an opera-singer mother and jingle-writer father, it seemed inevitable Jude York would create his own musical world.

In 2022, Jude debuted with a unique cult-favourite performance in Australia’s national round for Eurovision, before releasing viral hits, ‘Mr Porcelain’ and ‘Cashew.’

With breathtaking vulnerability, Jude quickly garnered a fanbase of like-minded misfits, a community solidified by seeing him live on tour throughout Europe supporting Dean Lewis and later on his own headline tour of Australia.

The Songwriter Festival is in its third year and provides a brilliant opportunity for local songwriters to learn from professionals.

Limited places are available for this one-day workshop and for more information and to apply for the workshop, head to whitsundaysartsfestival.org

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WHAT: Whitsundays Songwriters Festival
WHEN: 10-15 October
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Award-winning viral sensation, Jude York will be joining the Whitsundays Songwriters Festival this year. Photo supplied

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In 2024, if your business isn’t on social media yet, you’re potentially missing out on connecting with a lot of possible customers. With almost 80% of Australians active on social media, it’s a great way to quickly and easily connect with your audience and show off what you’re offering.  

It might feel a bit daunting to get started, but don’t worry—here are some great free tools to help you get started, or to help you elevate what you’re currently doing: 

   • Instagram and Facebook: Must-haves for getting your business seen and interacting with customers.  
   • TikTok: A fun platform for sharing short, creative videos that can boost your visibility.  
   • Canva: Perfect for making eye-catching graphics and posts without needing a design degree.  
   • Later: Helps you schedule your posts, so you don’t have to stress about timing.  
   • CapCut: Simple video editor for creating engaging videos to share. 

Also, keep an eye on your tagged photos on Instagram. Your customers might be posting some amazing content of your business or our beautiful region—these can be great to share on your own page. 

Social media is a game-changer in the Tourism Industry, it allows you to easily share what your business offers through images, video and short pieces of text, keeping your target audience eager to learn more.

If you need more help or have questions, feel free to reach out to Zana at rosanagh.gallivan@tourismwhitsundays.com.au.  

Contributed by Rosanagh Gallivan, Public Relations & Social Media Executive, Tourism Whitsundays  

Photo supplied

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For this weeks adventure, Jade and Paige explored one of the local Whitsunday land-based wonders by joining Whitsunday Segway Tours for an unforgettable tour.

Expertly guided safely and thoroughly by host, Zak, the mood transitioned quickly from slightly nervous too eager as they stepped on the Segway and adjusted to synchronize with the hi-tech machine. Jade said she was surprised at how quickly she became comfortably at ease with the Segway.

Once the journey began, the 9-kilometre round trip was an absolute feast for the senses. Gliding past towering trees, wildlife and crystal-clear streams, Jade described how she was amazed by how effortlessly the Segway allowed her to take in the vibrant surroundings. 

With an obvious passion and commitment to guide, Zac expertly lead Jade and Paige through the Whitsunday Great Walk, sharing fascinating insights about the local flora and fauna and enriching the ride with his local knowledge and stories.

The halfway moment was nestled amongst the stream at Impulse Creek. Right in the forest's heart, the creek's calm waters provided a perfect spot for a refreshing morning tea, and homemade baked goods replenished energy perfectly. Sitting by the water, Jade felt a sense of peace in the tranquillity and beauty of the local rainforest. 

Jade described how this tour is more than just a ride—it's a chance to connect with nature and learn about its wonders. She highly recommends it for an unforgettable land-based Whitsunday adventure.

Contributed by Jade Yvonne, Business Development Executive, Tourism Whitsundays

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Jade and Paige enjoying their adventure, Photo supplied

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The inaugural Whitsunday Jobs Fair will be held next month and organisers are looking forward to bringing together job seekers and businesses from across the Whitsundays.

Hosted at the Proserpine State High School, this event will bridge the gap between employers and prospective employees, offering a unique platform for recruitment, networking, and career development.

With the job market evolving rapidly, the Whitsunday Jobs Fair offers job seekers a valuable opportunity to explore a wide range of career possibilities and connect directly with employers and service providers ready to hire.

Whether you are a school leaver, new, or returning to, the job market, seasoned professional, or someone looking to switch careers, the Jobs Fair promises something for everyone.

Employers – book your spot today!
For employers with genuine job opportunities, please contact Scott McPherson on mobile 0438 860 931 and EBB@idealplacements.com.au to secure your spot today.

Can’t make it but will have jobs available? Contact Scott for more information on how you can promote your vacancies at the event.

The inaugural Whitsunday Job Fair is being hosted by the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry, IDEAL Placements, Link and Launch, and the Proserpine State High School.

Event highlights:

   • Meet Whitsunday employers: A number of employers from diverse industries will be present, offering positions ranging from entry-level to specialist roles.
   • On-site interviews: Some employers might conduct on-the-spot interviews, so come prepared with your resume, positive job ready attitude, and dressed to impress!
   • Networking opportunities: Engage with local business leaders, human resource professionals, and recruiters to expand your understanding of current job roles and build your network.

What: Whitsundays Jobs Fair
When:  1:00pm-3:30pm Monday 14 October 2024
Where: Proserpine State High School
Admission: Free for all job seekers and employers

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