Avid sailors are gathering for the 36th Airlie Beach Race Week, which is set to once again be one of the largest main land sailing regattas in the country.

This year the event boasts a range of activities, from competitive racing right through to art exhibitions, workshops, kids pirate parties and of course the evening festivities down at the Festival Village.

A festive atmosphere for all to enjoy, you don’t have to be a sailor to get involved – the whole community is invited along to join in on the fun!

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Some of the organisers: Amanda Black Event Manager, Robin Ross General Manager of Whitsunday Sailing Cub, Terry Archer Whitsunday Sailing Club President, Heather Sutton Whitsunday Sailing Club Board Director and Volunteer, Steve Watson Interim CEO and Glenda Brown from Creative Connections.

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Throughout her life Demi has always sailed but for the last two years she has been really getting into it and has fallen in love with the sport.

“My favourite thing about it is just being out on the water and getting to share that experience,” she shared.

“The experience out there is very special. I love the teamwork that goes on out on the boats. It’s a very nice environment, I feel like I’m always being lifted, it’s a very positive place to be.”

Demi competed in Race Week for the first time last year and her and her team came second overall in their division.

Hoping to improve on last year Demi is aboard the MC 38 called Blackjack.

Preparations for Airlie Beach Race Week have been underway for some time and for the last few weeks Demi has been training on the headsail.

“On the headsail we basically pull on the sheets and release, releasing and culling on sheets and trimming to the wind, and making sure that the sails at the right angle for the course that we’re traveling on,” explained Demi.

Demi loves Race Week, she said seeing all 150 boats on the start line and watching all the sails go off into the distance is very special.

“I'm honestly just very excited for this opportunity,” she expressed.

“Because we're new to this boat this year. Very rare for the guys. They're very knowledgeable sailors and they've taught us so much and taken us under their wing.

“It's very exciting to test myself out on their new boat. challenge myself with the conditions. Just put my best foot forward and have a great time

Also, on Demi’s boat this year and alongside her working the headsail is Jasmine Gerlofsma.

Like Demi, Jasmine loves Race Week and is excited to get out on the water.

“I just love like the feeling of going so fast, I just love the feeling of turning the engine off and listening to the water. It’s a pretty incredible!” said Jasmine.

“I also love meeting all the different people from the different boats because so many people come up for Airlie Beach Race Week, it's crazy!
“We all have a catch up at the end of the day at the Whitsunday Sailing Club down at the grass area. We listen to music, eat good food and catch up. It's really awesome hearing about everyone's experience from earlier that day.”

Like Demi, Jasmine has sailed for a while, but Jasmine has also lived on a sailing boat.

Jasmine lived on two boats during her childhood, one a 41-foot boat and the other a 46 foot boat, both reasonably small for her and her family to live on, tight but they made it work.

Whilst living on the boat Jasmine was home schooled or boat schooled, and she really enjoyed learning at her own pace and learning other things too.

“We learned Maths and English but we learned more about outdoor activities, like fishing and all the information for when we go snorkelling, boat terminology and everything about sailing.”

Demi Vardanega and Jasmine Gerlofsma, Photos supplied

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In the spirit of Airlie Beach Race Week, a local group called Creative Connections is hosting some onshore activities for all to enjoy, along with a themed art exhibition in the event’s honour.

Exhibition Co-ordinator, Glenda Brown, is excited for this year’s involvement in Airlie Beach Race Week and is looking forward to the week ahead.

"Creative Connections is thrilled to be participating in this year's Airlie Beach Race Week, where we will host an exciting art exhibition and a series of art workshops,” she said.

“There will be guided tours of the exhibition to explore the diverse artworks after the hands-on workshops, promising a unique and memorable experience for all attendees."

The exhibition will showcase 112 artworks from 52 artists across two function rooms at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

The exhibition is open at throughout the week but for people that want to travel in groups or want to gain more knowledge, a tour is available as well.

WHAT: Art Exhibition Guided Tour
WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club
WHEN: Friday 9 August 3pm – 3.30pm, Saturday 10 August 12.15pm – 12.45pm, Sunday 11 August 12.15pm – 12.45pm & Monday 12 August 12.15pm – 12.45pm

Textile Workshop - Felting
The Textile Workshop is a very popular workshop where participants will be guided by textile artists using wool fibres in vibrant Whitsunday colours.
This workshop is suitable for all ages from age 10+, and no experience is needed.

WHAT: Felting Textile Workshop
WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club
WHEN: Monday 12 August 9am – 12pm

Quirky Creativity - Watercolours
Get in touch with your inner child by using watercolours and ink to create a wonderful piece of Airlie Beach Race Week themed art. Led by local award-winning artist Jacqui Henderson, no artistic skills are required, Jacqui will guide you and help you create your own gorgeous, colourful piece.

WHAT: Watercolours Workshop
WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club
WHEN: Saturday 10 August 9am – 12pm & Sunday 11 August 9am – 12pm

Soft Pastels with Jahla
Like the other workshops, this one is accepting of first-time artists. Instructed by Jahla Thompson each participant can choose between several beaches to recreate a beautiful beach scene.

WHAT: Pastel Seascape Workshop
WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club
WHEN: Saturday 10 August, 2pm – 5pm

Paint N Sip
Mel Stone is bringing her popular Paint N Sip workshops to Airlie Beach Race Week. Her Paint N Sip workshops consistently sell out in Bowen and Collinsville. During Sunday’s session participants will create a beautiful painting of the Whitsundays Heart Reef on Sunday and on Monday participants will create a picture of a sailboat.

WHAT: Paint and Sip
WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club
WHEN: Saturday 10 August 2pm – 5pm & Sunday 11 August 2pm – 5pm

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Heather Sutton of Whitsunday Sailing Club is a big part of the local sailing community, not just during Airlie Beach Race Week, but throughout the year too.

For Race Week, however, Heather is responsible for recruiting volunteers and ensuring there are always enough people in the right places to enable the smooth sailing of the event.

This year, Heather managed to gather around 50 volunteers.

Some volunteers are sailors or ex-sailors, some are partners or family members of participants in Race Week.

Heather has helped the Whitsunday Sailing Club for 10 years and reminisces on her time as the Club’s Commodore. She thoroughly enjoyed the responsibility it entailed.

Heather loves sailing and has sailed since she was 12 years old. Her favourite sail was to Vanuatu in 2017, where she helped transport supplies to help villages recover from a recent cyclone.

“The community gave us four and a half ton of aid. So we visited 20 islands and gave aid to about 25 villages,” she said.

“The trip to Vanuatu was very satisfying, a real achievement. The way we helped the villages, especially with water. Water was one of the biggest things.

“I had a water maker, specially fitted to the boat so that we could stand off and make water. And they would bring all their plastic containers out and we would fill them up for five hours a day.”

Heather Sutton, Photo credit: R Jean Photography

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The sailing community from around the country is flocking to the Whitsundays this week with the 36th Airlie Beach Race Week setting sail today.

With over 150 yachts across multiple divisions registered for the event, it is expected that over 1000 skippers and crew will be attending the regatta which promises to be just as much fun onshore as it is out on the water.

Famed for its vibrant social scene and competitive camaraderie, Airlie Beach Race Week is an event the whole town can’t help but get caught up in.

Hosted by the Whitsunday Sailing Club, everyone is invited to watch the race commence on Friday morning and see the exciting moment all the yachts jostle for position before they set course.

That evening, Whitsunday Regional Council will host a pirate party at the Friday evening movies at the Foreshore, with entertainers and face painting.

This is an opportunity for families to join in on the festivities with a pirate party, movies and face painting.

The social life spreads right along the coast however, with the Festival Village on the Whitsunday Sailing Club lawns a focal point to the activities each afternoon from 2.00pm and into the evening.

Here you will find live music, food trucks, dancing and merriment.

This centre-stage location will also host the nightly awards ceremony where everyone can follow along and see who is winning each category following the race that day.

The spirit of sailing and the camaraderie of the competition are just some of the delights the week offers.

Another highlight this year, which adds a unique cultural element to the event, is the Creative Connections Art Exhibition and the Art Workshops.

Festival attendees are invited to browse the exhibition and can also enjoy learning different techniques at the workshops hosted by talented artists which can be booked now on the Creative Connections website.

For those looking for a leisurely afternoon of indulgence, another highlight is the Shoreside Long Lunch, canapes followed by a three-course extravaganza that promises to delight the senses.

The event concludes next Thursday when the whole town is invited along to witness the final award ceremony and celebrate the winners in each category.

There will also be a fireworks display for all to enjoy.

Whether you are sailor, a spectator or someone who simply loves an invigorating community event – the Airlie Beach Race Week is a sparkling jewel in the Whitsundays crown and a dynamic sporting event that is admired across the country.

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As Race Officer I’m in charge of what goes on out on the water. We've put together a team of proficient people to run the races. We have resourced all the required equipment as needed to run the races.

And then what we do is we sit down every morning, and we have a bit of a look at the weather, then we plan what race or what course they will do for that day.

At about 10 o'clock, we'll send them off on their journey around the islands. We place a finishing line and then we wait for them to come back.

To ensure safety we’ve got safety boats and fast response boats that follow the fleet around the islands in case there's any requirement for that.  

After that we just hope that the breeze does the right thing. We get some nice, eight to fifteen knots everyday with some sun and that everyone will enjoy themselves.

We try to run good fair races and make sure that we select a course that suits the breeze and tides. We don't want them punching into a current because if a current turns then they have to turn back into the current and that’s not a lot of fun. So, we try to even it out so everyone can have a good sail with the current and tide in their favour.

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Airlie Beach Race Week Race Officer Kevin Wilson, Photo Credit: R Jean Photography

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The Shoreside Long Lunch at Airlie Beach Race Week is an exclusive culinary event that offers a delightful food experience amidst the stunning beauty of the Whitsundays.

This ticketed event with limited seats, is a must-attend for those seeking a special and intimate dining experience.

With a dress attire of 'Sea Shades', attendees are encouraged to don their best blues, greens and aquamarines to fill the lunch with ocean colours.

Guests are treated to a sumptuous lunch, featuring a thoughtfully curated menu that showcases the best of local ingredients. The experience begins with an assortment of delectable canapés, an alternate drop entrée and main courses, followed by a delectable petit four dessert. 

Each dish is paired with wines chosen to complement the flavours and enhance the overall dining experience. The careful selection of wines ensures that each course is perfectly balanced, allowing guests to savour every bite and sip.

Airlie Beach Race Week Event Manager Amanda Black and Whitsunday Sailing Club Interim CEO Steve Watson say the menu is Modern Australian with some seafood, because who doesn't want to eat seafood by the sea. There's a nice variety to suit everyone.

There will also be amazing lucky door prizes to be won at the Shoreside Long Lunch with prizes from Ocean Dynamics, Airlie Beach Festival of Music, Infuse Me Whitsundays, and Mount Gay Rum.

Set against the backdrop of breathtaking views, the Shoreside Long Lunch is not just a meal but a celebration of food, wine, and the stunning scenery of Airlie Beach. Tickets can be easily purchased by scanning the QR code below, ensuring a seamless and convenient booking process.

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WHAT: Shoreside Long Lunch
When: Monday 12th August, 2pm onwards
Where: Whitsunday Sailing Club
QR code Caption: Shoreside Long Lunch QR Code

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A special movie night double feature will be taking place at the Airlie Beach Foreshore on Friday 9 August.

Sit back, relax and enjoy not one but two family favourite movies.

In the thrilling pirate-themed double feature start with ‘Tinkerbell and the Pirate Fairy’.

Watch Tinkerbell and her friends embark on an epic adventure to find their friend Zarina, who has been captured by Blue Pixie Dust.

On this quest Tinkerbell and friends come face-to-face with a band of pirates led by cabin boy, James, who will soon become known as Captain Hook.

Stick around and enjoy the Robin Williams classic ‘Hook’. In ‘Hook’ an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland to collect his children after old enemy Captain Hook kidnaps them.

Peter Pan reunites with Tinkerbell and the lost boys to fight against his old enemy and to collect his children.

Don’t miss both of these swash-buckling adventures, kicking off the Airlie Beach Race Week in style.

Dress up as your favourite pirate, and head down to the foreshore early for activities.

Free face painting, pirate tattoos and pictures with Airlie Beach’s resident pirate are available from 5pm – 6pm.

Savoury delicious treats from food trucks are also available onsite.

Please note: In the event of bad weather, the movie screening will be cancelled. This event is strictly no smoking and alcohol-free.

WHAT: Airlie Beach Movie Night – ‘Tinkerbell and the Pirate Fairy’ and ‘Hook’
WHERE: Airlie Beach Foreshore
WHEN: Friday 9 August at 5pm

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Originally drawn to Airlie Beach for the warmer weather and the Race Week, Rob moved here three years ago and loves participating in the Airlie Beach Race Week.

Rob has taken part in over five Race Weeks and this year is his first with this current team.

Despite having never won a Race Week before, Rob believes that all his vigorous and constant training could make it a possibility this year.

Rob and his team will be in the sport boat division and in an old boat called Magic 25.

“It’s an old design, a 1997 Design, but we've updated it and modified it. So, let’s see what we can do with an old boat and how far we can go,” said Rob.

“It's a four-man boat and you hang out the side of the boat on a wire.

“It's a planing boat, so it'll jump up and go quick downwind but it's a bit like a yacht upwind. And it can fit 25 people on it, so it's one of the smaller boats up here.”

Also a sail maker, Rob has designed and made all of his sails and has been doing that for 33 years and still enjoys it.

Rob’s team has people of all ages, Rob himself is 47 and youngest on the boat is Jesse who is just 17.

“It’s definitely good to have someone like Jesse, because the front end of the boat is a bit more physical and he does a good job,” said Rob.

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Rob and his team on the water, Photo supplied

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Thursday 8 August
11:00am to 4:00pm Registration & Hit Network Onsite Live Broadcast at Whitsunday Sailing Club
2:00pm to late Lounge on the Lawn – Live Music and Festival Village. Ent: DJ & Kieran McCarthy
6:00pm to 8:00pm Owners & Skippers Welcome Event

Friday 9 August Sailing Day 1
2:00pm to late Live Music and Festival Village Ent: DJ & Wave Raiders
3:00pm to 3:30pm GBR Festival Art Exhibition Guided Tour
5:00pm to late Friday Night Movies in the Park – Pirate theme with live entertainers and face painting.

Saturday 10 August Sailing Day 2
9:00am  to 12:00pm GBR Festival Art Exhibition Creative Classes with Creative Connections Watercolour
12:15pm to 12:45pm GBR Festival Art Exhibition Guided Tour
2:00pm to late Live Music and Festival Village Ent: DJ & All Stars feat. Emma Pask

Sunday 11 August Sailing Day 3
0900am to 12:00pm GBR Festival Art Exhibition Creative Class with Creative Connections – Watercolour
12:15pm to 12:45pm GBR Festival Art Exhibition Guided Tour
2:00pm to 5:00pm GBR Festival Art Exhibition Creative Class with Creative Connections – Sip & Paint
2:00pm to late Live Music and Festival Village. Ent: DJ & VIVA Band

Monday 12 August Lay Day, Shoreside Long Lunch & Festival Village
09:00am to 12:00pm GBR Festival Art Exhibition Creative Class with Creative Connections - Felting
10:30am to 4:30pm Ocean Dynamics Whitehaven Beach Tour – Ticketed Event
12:00pm to 3:00pm Shoreside Long Lunch – Ticketed Event
12:15pm to 12:45pm GBR Festival Art Exhibition Guided Tour
2:00pm to 5:00pm GBR Festival Art Exhibition Creative Class with Creative Connections – Paint & Sip
2:00pm to late Live Music and Festival Village. Ent: DJ & The Collective Band

Tuesday 13 August Sailing Day 4
2:00pm to late Live Music and Festival Village. Ent: DJ & Chris Booroff

Wednesday 14 August Sailing Day 5
2:00pm - late Lounge on the Lawn. Ent: DJ & Tim Griffin Duo)

Thursday 15 August Sailing Day 6 & Regatta Presentation
2:00pm to late Live Music and Festival Village. Ent: DJ & The Lyrical
7:00pm to late Series Presentation event on main stage
8:00pm Fireworks

Daily
11:00am to late Whitsunday Sailing Club Restaurant & Bar – open all day, Lunch and Dinner
3:30pm to 9:30pm Port of Airlie/Whitsunday Sailing Club transfers by Heart of Reef Shuttles
6:30pm to 7:00pm Results, Presentations & Daily Recap on the main stage (every day aside from Monday)

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“As President of the Whitsunday Sailing Club, I am very excited to be the Airlie Beach Race Week regatta chairman,” said President of the Whitsunday Sailing Club Terry Archer.

“To be involved in the town’s largest annual event, and see the benefits the regatta brings, not just to the club but the greater region is a point of great pride.

“The work our team has done to engage with the community, whether competitors, or our fantastic volunteers and sponsors. Without these groups there is no regatta, and we are thankful to them all. I can't wait to get on that day one start line.”

The day one start line involves 150 boats, all ready to get going and kick start the amazing week of sailing, it’s a sight to see.

Terry himself is participating in the race, he will be in the racing multi hull division in his boat called the G’nome.

Terry jokes that the boat is a fully genetically modified Granger garden gnome.

Terry added that the boat also has some history too.

“When I took it, it was a bit of a wreck and we genetically modified it and got it back in the water,” said Terry.

“That process took about two years, and this will be our eighth time we have entered that boat in the Regatta.”

Terry loves being out on the water but also loves the social aspect of the Airlie Beach Race Week where everyone can gather at the Whitsunday Sailing Club to catch-up with friends.

Terry Archer, Photo Credit: R Jean Photography

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September brings the much-anticipated return of the Whitsundays Writers Festival. The festival offers an exciting opportunity for writers, poets, and book cover designers across Australia.
The three-day event will feature a dynamic blend of genres, ranging from crime and memoir to romance and screenwriting, complemented by interactive workshops, panel discussions, and engaging author talks.
In a daring and exciting move, the festival launched the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards earlier this year. These prestigious awards feature substantial cash prizes and are dedicated to recognising and celebrating exceptional achievements in both the literary and design fields. By highlighting outstanding contributions, the awards aim to raise the profile of talented individuals and innovative work, fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts and encouraging further creativity and excellence in the industry.
The Heart Awards’ mission is to spotlight the diverse talents within the Australian creative community while also paying homage to the captivating Heart Reef— one of the natural wonders found in the Whitsundays region.
Festival President, Karen Jacobsen, expressed her enthusiasm for the awards program:
“Poetry is one of the most accessible forms of expression in the arts. Through the Heart Awards, we have been thrilled to provide seasoned poets through to budding wordsmiths the opportunity to celebrate verse and voice in our Poetry Prize.”
The Heart Award Poetry Prize offers a showstopping first prize of $1,000 and $500 for the runner up. The award sought submissions from around Australia of up to 50-lines of unpublished poems.
The longlisted submissions for the 2024 Poetry Prize are as follows:
   • Beyond the Masts, Andrew Leggett (Qld)
   • Just Another Masterpiece: after Richard Diebenkorn, Bonney Bombach (Qld)
   • Pirates of the Andaman, Paris Rosemont (NSW)
   • Senseless, Hellier Mason (Qld)
   • Theatre Conjectures, David Atkinson (NSW)
   • Verandah, David Atkinson (NSW)
The judging panel have diligently reviewed blind submissions for the Poetry prize against the five selection criteria which are: originality, poetic technique, language and style, thematic depth, and overall impact.
The longlist submissions are currently under further consideration. From the longlist, the panel will then choose a final shortlist and winners will be announced on Saturday 7 September 2024 at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
Poetry enthusiasts at the festival can also showcase their lyrical prowess at a special ‘karaoke style’ event that is taking place on Friday 6 September. At this event attendees can step up to the mic and share their verses in an intimate and supportive atmosphere.
"We are delighted to provide a platform for poets to share their work and connect with fellow lovers of language," Festival President, Karen Jacobsen stated.
"The Heart Awards’ Poetry Prize and our Friday poetry event embody the spirit of creativity and community that defines the Whitsundays Writers Festival."
The festival is supported by the Whitsunday Sailing Club which is hosting this year’s event.
For festival program and tickets visit the festivals website here: www.whitsundayswriters.com  
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What: Whitsundays Writers Festival
When: Friday 6 – Sunday 8
Where: Airlie Beach

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Whitsundays Writers Festival Poetry Prize Longlist Announced

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Rehoming fee: FREE to a good home
Age: Few months old
Sex: Male
Breed: Pure Bred Vorwerk & Barnevelder
Indoors/Outdoors: Outdoors

Animal Rescue Whitsunday, have two pure-bred roosters ready for adoption!
Claus, a charming Vorwerk Rooster, and Dieter, a striking Barnevelder Rooster, are searching for their forever homes. Their previous owners, who raised them from chicks, unfortunately had to part with them due to living in a suburban area.
Both Roosters are a few months old and would love to set up coop with some chook ladies that they can be bred with.
Roosters can be a fantastic addition to your family, but it's important to do your research before bringing one home. These distinguished fellows have special needs compared to your typical chicken, so make sure you're prepared for their unique requirements.

To welcome Claus or Dieter to your flock, please contact Animal Rescue Whitsundays:

PH: 0403 397 808
Email: xtrabeefalo@gmail.com
Website: https://www.beefaloaustralia.com

Claus, Vorwerk Rooster
Dieter, Barnevelder Rooster

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Many readers would be surprised to know that the Great Barrier Reef Festival has a history dating back over 60 years?

With this year’s Great Barrier Reef Festival now completed, it is interesting to read about the very first such festival which was held to showcase the area and its lifestyle. While the current Barrier Reef Festival is held on the mainland, these early festivals were centred on the islands of the Whitsundays as well as others further afield. Hayman Island, Happy Bay, Lindeman Island, South Molle, Palm Bay and Heron Island were the first islands involved.  Daydream Island and Brampton Island were also participated at some stage. On the 1962 programme, MV “Esmeralda” was listed along with the islands.
The official opening of the festival was marked by the unveiling of a plaque on a cairn at Cid Harbour in remembrance of Captain James Cook naming the Whitsunday Passage. The Minister for Labour, Industry and Tourism often performed the closing ceremony such was its considered importance.

There was much frivolity and fun at these annual events with such activities as sailing races, tug-o’-war, a treasure hunt, an oyster eating competition, ladies throwing oars, men throwing 36lb cannon balls from the sunken Spanish Galleon, a skiing exhibition and race, and a cruiser race. There were also cocktail parties and a fancy dress.
For many, the highlight of the festival was the keenly anticipated judging of the Miss Coral Queen. Each island had its own Coral Queen judging with the finalist announced on the last day which usually took place on a Sunday allowing day guests from the mainland to attend. Along with other great prizes such as a tour to New Zealand on one occasion, the winner was presented with a beautiful crown, set with coral, and made by Mrs Leen Wallace of Coral Art, Dent Island. The first Coral Queen (1958) was from Lindeman.

The festival continued into the 1970s with Proserpine joining in fun in 1963, holding a Carnival Day and Mardi Gras in conjunction with the Great Barrier Reef Festival. The Main Street was ablaze with colour, bunting, coloured lights, decorated shop windows, leis, Muu-muus and beach shirts. Businesses, schools and clubs participated and organised floats for the procession.

Proserpine decided to base its carnival on sporting and interest activities with the golf, bowls, cricket, tennis, rifle, and camera clubs participating. The Pony Club held a gymkhana. There was also an orchid display and boxing matches. Aquatic sports were held at Shingley Beach with Queensland Skiff Champion, Mick Walton, attempting to break his 1960 record in “Mischief”. There was also a Mobile Mock Court, Mardi Gras with clowns, barbecue and musical entertainment and the event culminated with the presentation of Miss Esmeralda Carnival Queen at a ball at the Grand Theatre. The Proserpine Carnival was such an outstanding success that organisers decided that it would be held annually.

(Note: The beautiful Coral Crown, donated by Mrs Thora Nicolson of Lindeman Island, is on display at the Proserpine Museum.)

Story and photos courtesy of Proserpine Historical Society Museum.

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Behind the delighted smiles on children’s faces, the colourful creations that parade the main street, the fireworks and the fairground rides, is an army of dedicated volunteers who make the Great Barrier Reef Festival (GBRF) possible each year.

Many of these volunteers contribute vast amounts of free labour, do much of the heavy lifting and drive the event from within – their efforts often unseen by festivalgoers.

And while the organisers and volunteers were congratulated on the success of the 2024 GBRF which took place over the weekend, a social media post claiming the festival would not continue next year spread like wildfire through the community on Sunday evening.

Despite the post being nothing but a rumour, the Festival committee has since stated that it unearthed a private struggle and has opened up the conversation about the continued feasibility of the event.

Festival Chairwoman, Margie Murphy, stepped forward on Monday afternoon to confirm that although she doesn’t know who started the rumour, she did appreciate the subject needed to be raised.

“I don't know the person who posted on social media that this would be the last Reef Festival, and that statement definitely didn't come from either myself as festival chairwoman or, to my knowledge, from any of my core committee,” she explained.

“That being said, there's at least one point every year where we find ourselves saying: "never again", as I think anyone who's ever organised an event will understand!

“To most people the Reef Festival is a fun weekend but, to us, it's a year-round un-paid job. It takes a massive amount of (mostly) woman-hours to put an event like this together, and these days there are fewer of us than ever to carry that load.”

Margie commented that, before the current organisational structure took over 15 years ago, the festival was operated by a paid organiser.

Since this has changed, Margie and other local individuals and businesses are contributing their free time, and resources to the point where it costs their businesses money in order to run the festival each year.

This has been compounded by the fact the Festival lost its Queensland government funding for marketing because it had reached the maximum number of years it is allowed to attain this type of funding.

The core festival committee is down to four people who, on top of the festival marketing and social media, do the event planning, permits, contracts, grant applications and reporting, sponsorship agreements, website development, graphics, ordering, entertainment bookings, accounting, fundraising and so much more, all unpaid, while doing their regular jobs.

While the committee appreciates all the contributions, they wanted people to understand how sponsorships do not always equate to cash.

“Even though we're doing our bit for free and receive many in-kind contributions to offset costs, it still takes a lot of money to run a community event” explained Margie.

“It's important for people to realise, that these 'funding streams' don't necessarily equate to cash, or cover many of our costs, even when they do.”

“Our Council contributions are a good example of this. This year Whitsunday Regional Council gave us mostly "in-kind" support - things like putting up our banners, organising extra rubbish collection, and helping with the traffic management we must have in place when we close the main street.

“These are all important things that have a cost associated with them, and that Council is perfectly placed to help with.

“The Council also gave us $5000, but when you consider that doesn't even cover the public liability for the event which is $6000, it puts what we're up against into perspective.

Margie reinforces the fact that she is very grateful for the sponsors, Council departments and local businesses that got behind the event this year, she simply wants to let people know they are struggling, especially as the festival continues to grow.

“So, on that note, will there be a Great Barrier Reef Festival next year?” asks Margie.

“There's no doubt a few things need to change going forward, and there are some conversations we very much need to have, both internally and with our working partners, but for the sake of the community, and everything we've built up over 24 years, I very much hope so.”

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