Bowen was proudly represented this week at the Queensland Information Centre’s Association (QICA) conference with Leanne Abernethy, Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, and Visitors Services Coordinator, Glenn Womal in attendance.
An annual event held in a different location each year, the QICA conference provides attendees with a valuable platform to network and exchange knowledge with one another. Introduced in 2005, the conference allows attendees to exchange ideas, meet representatives from centres in other regions, and listen to success stories and presentations to further improve and elevate tourism opportunities across Queensland.
The 2024 event saw Leanne, Glenn, and approximately 100 other representatives from numerous accredited Visitor Information Centres across the state travel to Kingaroy, with Leanne sharing how beneficial the experience is for the entire region.
“We always come back with ideas on how to improve our centre and it is fantastic to expand our own networks and encourage people from other regions to visit Bowen, and the rest of the Whitsundays,” Leanne explained.

Manager for Bowen Tourism and Business Leanne Abernethy with Visitors Services Coordinator, Glenn Womal at Wondai Heritage Museum. Photo supplied

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It’s been an action-packed first few weeks for me as CEO of TW, and I’ve loved every moment of diving into our local tourism scene. From meeting passionate operators to exploring our stunning destinations, I’m more excited than ever about what the future holds for this incredible region.
One of my first steps was hosting a roundtable with key tourism members, where we brainstormed ideas for our major marketing campaign to help raise the profile of The Whitsundays. It was a great chance to hear directly from our partners and get their ideas on what’s working and where we can make an impact.
I also had the privilege of attending some fantastic local events. The Airlie Beach Festival of Music was buzzing with energy, and I was especially impressed by the incredible contribution of the Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors. Over the last 20 years, they have welcomed more than 1.1 million cruise passengers, with these visitors contributing $57 million to the local economy in 2022/23.
I couldn’t miss out on visiting some of The Whitsundays most iconic spots, from Whitehaven Beach to Hamilton Island and Hayman Island – we really are in a stunning part of the world! Bowen was also a highlight (yes, I saw the Big Mango!)—a truly welcoming place with a vibrant tourism community. I’m looking forward to strengthening the partnership with Bowen and Collinsville as we grow the region together.
One project I’m particularly excited about is the Whitsunday Skyway—a game-changer for land-based tourism and a fantastic new way to showcase the region’s natural beauty.
Our tourism operators were also recognised at the Queensland Tourism Awards, with the region bringing home 16 awards—a true testament to the hard work and dedication that makes us world-class.
It’s been a whirlwind start, and I’m excited for what’s ahead!
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Contributed by Tim Booth, CEO, Tourism Whitsundays

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(Centre) Tim Booth, CEO, Tourism Whitsundays visits the Big Mango. Left Bowen Tourism and Business Manager Leanne Abernethy, right Glenn Womal Bowen Tourism and Business Visitors Services Coordinator. Photo supplied

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Last week the team spent a day with Judy from Shiift, who specialise in leadership, culture and performance training. In our session we were learning about strengths via the Clifton Strengths model. In a shift from the usual way, we discuss strengths – a sandwich for what could be improved – the whole session focussed on our top five strengths.
To get to the top five, we all took a lengthy quiz. This quiz was puzzling, so many questions were asked and then asked again in a different way. After plugging through the 100 questions – it was only about 20 mins – we were emailed a report.
The report was spookily accurate in what our top 5 talents are and knew things about us that we didn’t think possible. Spending the day with Judy helped us to understand our own and each other’s talents and how we could turn them into our top 5 strengths.
Walking out of the session we knew a much smarter way of working that allowed each person to utilise their strengths every day. We also understood ourselves better and had a much clearer understanding of why we love and excel at some tasks and procrastinate on others.
For all those interested, we’re a team of mostly strategic thinkers and executers – not surprising now we look at it!

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Contributed by Cait Fleming, Industry Development & Trade Manager, Tourism Whitsundays
Tourism Whitsundays Visit Shift

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Hi Everyone,

A huge congratulations to all the local operators who attended the Queensland Tourism Awards over the weekend. An incredible 16 state awards were brought home to the region by Whitsunday businesses, illustrating the impressive standard of service we have within our local tourism industry.

As many of you may remember, we were honoured to receive the award for Best Free Newspaper in Queensland at the Queensland Country Press Awards in May this year, and being acknowledged at state level certainly gives you a buzz!

You can read all about the fantastic local award-winning operators in our special feature from pages 17 to 23 – thank you to everyone who chose to participate, we feel honoured to share your story with the community.

In other news, a big shout out the owners of this publication – Bec and Paul Douthwaite – who hosted an ‘Epic Three Day End Of Year Party’ for the whole team over the weekend.

From a top-secret venue which had the most stunning views we’d ever seen, through to the scuba diving adventure with Cruise Whitsundays, the lively Karaoke session and the hilarious Horny Elephant game – every aspect was perfect in every way. Thank you on behalf of all the team.

As part of the event, we were also lucky enough to have Judy Porter from Shiift facilitate a workshop for us.

While we connect every day on the printed page - producing four weekly newspapers and two bi-monthly publications together - sadly we do not physically connect as much as we’d like.

Certainly not in a relaxed, playful setting.

As a result, a workshop with Judy was the breath of fresh air we all needed to relax and unwind.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “He who is brave is free” (Seneca)

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A pair of young entrepreneurs have received much praise across the Whitsunday community after giving their piggy banks a boost with a delicious driveway initiative! Reef (12) and Jett (10) Brookes set out to make a few extra dollars by selling mangos for a cracker price, of only 50c each!

Over the past couple of weekends, the pair have embarked on a pocket money mission, picking mangos from the creek beside their house, and setting up their spectacular stall, fully equipped with mum, Mel, and dad, Josh, cooking up a free sausage sizzle storm for each loyal customer, all made possible with the encouragement of a kind stranger.

A couple of weekends ago, a young man came across the Brookes family and shared his appreciation for their initiative, how lovely it was to see the boys doing what they’re doing, and his gratitude towards Mel and Josh for raising the boys with such values.

“He stopped, gave them a heartfelt speech, and gave them $50!” explained Mel.

“It was very sweet, and this inspired Reef and Jett to pick more mangos and give more away, and they were out the front most of the weekend, had a fair few donations and so many amazing conversations with our neighborhood, praising them for having a go!”

Once the pair reached what Mel described as a “ridiculous amount for two little boys”, they asked their parents if they could go and buy sausages and bread with the money, they had made to then give away to whoever wanted one the next day.

“They’ve even had a few friends from the neighborhood over on the weekend to help out, and of course, split the money,” added Mel.

“On Sunday we attempted to make green mango chutney with the mangos, and it wasn’t too bad at all!”

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50c mangos and a free sausage sizzle, what could be better than that!
Brookes brothers Reef and Jett have been praised for their entrepreneurial efforts and kindness.

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A game-changing $5 million investment into the Whitsunday Skyway, was announced by the state government this week, invigorating an exciting new momentum to this legacy eco-tourism project.
The Whitsunday Skyway will be a ground-breaking new tourism activity located on the edge of Airlie Beach, nestled within the stunning Conway National Park. This innovative attraction will feature a cable car, breathtaking scenic viewpoints, food and beverage offerings, and a variety of activities and programs for visitors to enjoy.
The Skyway’s cable car base station will be just a short stroll from Airlie Beach, transporting guests to a summit in the Conway Ranges. From this vantage point, they will be treated to panoramic 360-degree views of the Coral Sea and the Whitsunday Islands. This experience offers a unique opportunity to provide easy access to one of the region's most spectacular sights, previously unavailable to the public.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell joined Whitsunday Skyway project proponent Elizabeth Hackett from Australian Adventure Tourism Group for a sneak preview of the new attraction destined for Airlie Beach.
Standing at the site of the proposed midway station, Minister Powell said visitors would be awestruck by the views.
“This attraction is exactly the sort of showcase we need to give tourists and locals alike a real understanding of the incredible natural beauty of the Whitsundays,” said Mr Powell.
“We know visitors are looking for these unique experiences, and I’m confident this will be a world class facility.
“The Crisafulli Government is pleased to commit $5 million to the project and will work with Ms Hackett to make sure the approval process is as efficient as possible.
“We know the right environmental protections need to be in place, because the major drawcard is the nature at its finest here in the Whitsundays.
“We also need to make sure that operators are getting their projects assessed in a timely way,” said Mr Powell.
Australian Adventure Tourism Group Chair, Elizabeth Hackett, welcomed the Government’s commitment.
“We are thrilled with this support for our venture,” said Ms Hackett.
“We want to get cracking with this amazing project so that locals win in the construction phase with jobs, and then visitors win with the completion of the Skyway with access to the best views in the world.”
The $100 million project is undergoing approvals at State and Federal levels before construction can commence.

Australian Adventure Tourism Group Chair, Elizabeth Hackett speaking at the funding announcement this week. To her right, Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell. Photo supplied

An artist’s impression of the Whitsunday Skyway. Supplied

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The Waste in the Whitsundays event, held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, was a huge success, attracting a fantastic crowd of tourism businesses and students from across the region. This free event focused on educating the community about the latest innovations in waste management, with expert guest speakers sharing invaluable insights on sustainability and waste reduction practices to produce a wonderful day full of learning and inspiration for all attendees.

A standout moment of the event was the Sustainable Sculpture Competition Awards Presentation, part of National Recycling Week. Local children showcased their creativity with sculptures made from recycled materials, impressing the judges and the community. The awards ceremony included a special People’s Choice voting segment, allowing attendees to vote for their favourite sculptures.

Congratulations to the winners of the Sustainable Sculpture Competition:
   • Category A (Early Years, 0-5): Winner – Proserpine Public Kindergarten; Highly Commended – C&K Proserpine Community Kindergarten and Bowen Goodstart Early Learning.

   • Category B (Prep – Yr 2): Winner – St Catherine’s Catholic College Yr 2; Highly Commended – Prep & Yr 5.

   • Category C (Years 3-6): Winner – Queens Beach State School Yr 4; Highly Commended – Queens Beach State School Yr 4/5 and St Catherine’s Catholic College Yr 5.

People’s Choice Winners:
   • Category A: C&K Proserpine Community Kindergarten.

   • Category B: St Catherine’s Catholic College Prep & Yr 5.

   • Category C: Queens Beach State School Yr 4/5

The Whitsunday Regional Council extended a warm thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the event a memorable success!

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Since 2005, local services in the Whitsundays have partnered with the Whitsunday Neighborhood Centre to nominate families and individuals in need of extra support during the holiday season. The Adopt a Family initiative then creates an anonymous list of these nominees for the community to adopt.
Adopting a family simply means donating a gift card—of any value—to help brighten their Christmas. It's not about hosting individuals but offering a thoughtful contribution to those in need.
It could range from a reef trip to a $50 voucher for Woolworths, no donation is too big or small.
While the old ‘Adopt a Family’ process consisted of creating hampers, Executive Officer at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, Rebecca Woods, mentioned how gift vouchers became the preferred option:
“For a lot of people, when they're in these circumstances, they have very little control their situations, so to actually have some control over their Christmas and how they want to celebrate can be extremely empowering for them.
“It is also very hard for someone to buy a hamper of gifts for a person or family who they don’t know very well.”
Rebecca shared that all donations are needed by December 10th to allow the nominated families ample time to prepare for Christmas, helping to ease some of the stress associated with the holiday season.
Given the ongoing cost-of-living challenges, receiving a donated gift can be especially meaningful for families in need, particularly during the financially demanding Christmas period.
"We have such a generous community," Rebecca said.
"Everyone really rallies together at Christmas to support those who are struggling."
If you’d like to help, make Christmas a little brighter for a local family, visit the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre's Facebook page for more information on how to adopt a family this holiday season.

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Adopt a family this Christmas!

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Mackay Hospital Foundation is on the look-out for Whitsunday residents wanting to volunteer their time as drivers for the Whitsunday Patient Transfer vehicle.

The service has been operational since early 2023 and has been an incredible support for Whitsunday region patients who need to travel to Mackay for appointments and treatment. Currently operating three days each week – Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, five wonderful volunteers have been driving the transfer service on these days since its inception and with an increase in volunteers, this vital service has the potential to increase to 5 days per week.

With the capability of transporting eight patients on each trip, the bus departs Cannonvale on the three dedicated days, with collection points at Proserpine and BP Bloomsbury. The patient transfer service is available to patients who have appointments booked through the public health system and require transport to Mackay to meet their medical commitments.

Volunteer Support Officer Jackie Meldrum said, “If you live in the Whitsunday region, with a current ‘C’ Class Drivers Licence, and you’re willing to donate your time, I’d love to hear from you”.

Whether we have one patient or a full vehicle of eight patients, the service has been incredibly valuable for people in the Whitsundays.

The Whitsunday Patient Transfer service is an initiative of Mackay Hospital Foundation, and if this is something that interests you, please contact Jackie Meldrum on 4885 7590 (work), 0487 760 029 (mobile) or email Jacqueline.Meldrum@health.qld.gov.au.

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The Patient Transfer Service

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We are developing a new Corporate Plan 2025–2030, our primary strategic document that sets the high-level direction, focus areas, and key projects for the next five years. The draft plan can be viewed on our Online Engagement Portal, Yoursay Whitsunday, where you can provide your feedback to shape our future across the plan’s five themes: Our Economy, Community, Environment, Infrastructure, and Our Council.
Consultation closes 18 December – don’t miss your chance to have your say!

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Originally founded as a nursery over 30 years ago, Garden Shack Whitsundays has grown into a leading garden centre, inspired by the vision of local entrepreneur, Robert Brodhurst of Narellan Pools Whitsundays and Down to Earth Whitsundays, to be able to offer a one stop shop for all your landscaping needs to bring backyard dreams to life!
Garden Shack Whitsundays is an independent business that offers various plants and products for every gardening need. In addition to their extensive selection, they provide consultations at your home to arrange the ideal plant package tailored to your space.
The knowledgeable staff at Garden Shack can assist you in choosing the perfect plants for your garden, whether it's a sun-soaked spot or a shaded retreat. With expert advice, they will help bring your garden vision to life.
Garden Shack offer a wide variety of plants, including, but not limited to tropical species, native plants, and groundcovers, all carefully selected locally to suit the unique landscape of the Whitsundays. With many homes in the region built on sloping blocks, Garden Shack specialises in plants that thrive on retaining walls, providing options that cascade and trail down.
If you're in the market for larger plants but are concerned about getting them home, Garden Shack offers a convenient home delivery service.
“We have trucks that can handle bulk deliveries, and we also provide a courtesy trailer for transporting plants and bulk yard supplies,” explained Garden Shack’s all-rounder Kat Williams.
Kat shared that their best-seller is the Dypsis cabadae, a striking blue cane palm.
Garden Shack is expanding its range to become your one-stop shop for all landscaping needs, with new offerings including a bulk supply yard, with soils, mulch, rocks and more, garden furniture, sculptures, and pavers.
In addition to gardening essentials, the shop now also covers all your pool needs, with The Pool Shop Whitsundays located right under the same roof! Also, there is even a kids nature playground and kids' veggie garden to play in while the parents explore the nursery  
For everything garden and pool, visit the Garden Shack Whitsundays today!

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Manager Maree Mullet with All-Rounders Kat Williams and Kate Harbison

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Mates helping mates is Our Whitsunday Way so last week I launched the annual Mayor’s Festive Food Appeal to assist families in need across the Whitsundays this festive season.
 
In a year marked by challenges, the appeal offers our community an opportunity to come together in the spirit of giving, ensuring no one in our region goes without a special meal this Christmas.
 
Christmas is a time for family, generosity, and compassion and the Festive Food Appeal is our way of making sure that everyone, regardless of circumstance, has the chance to celebrate and enjoy a meal together.
 
How to Get Involved in the Festive Food Appeal:
 
Donate Food – The Council encourages residents to drop off non-perishable food items from the Christmas food box shopping list at any Customer Service Centre or Library across the Whitsundays. Visit the shopping list at WRC Festive Food Appeal for suggested items.
 
Donate Money – Those who wish to contribute but have limited time can make a meaningful impact by purchasing a Festive Food Box online through the Council website.
 
Spread the Word – Help the Whitsundays community by sharing news of the Festive Food Appeal with family, friends, and neighbours. Together, we can ensure no family is left behind this holiday season.
 
All donations are needed by Monday, 9 December to give Council’s Christmas Elves time to pack and prepare the boxes for distribution.
 
I thank everyone in advance for your generous donations which embody the true spirit of our Whitsunday community. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbours, ensuring that no one is left behind this Christmas.
 
Thank you for your support and kindness.

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Employers and employees need to start planning how their businesses will operate during the end-of-year holiday season.

Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry member and employee relations expert, Mark Lipkin from Airlie Group, suggests the following to prepare:

   • Determine any shut down or changed hours now and plan your roster. Ensure you consult as early as practically feasible with your workforce on the roster ahead of time.
   • Understand the rules and processes relating to employees who continue to work during shut down or directing employees to take reasonable annual leave.
   • Get across penalty rates and requirements for working on public holidays, and entitlements if public holidays fall during shut down or requested annual leave.

Also, there are new rules about casual employment. These include changes to how casual work is defined, new pathways to permanent employment, and employee and employer responsibilities.

Mark recommends these strategies for Christmas casuals:

   • Ensure your offer of employment is consistent with the new definition of casual employee and issue the new Casual Employment Information Statement in addition to the Fair Work Information Statement.
   • Review all existing casual employees to ensure the current employment is consistent or inconsistent with the legislation, in particular review how your engagement of existing casuals looks from a "practical" perspective and ask the question whether an alternative form of employment (permanent, part- or fixed term) could work equally well.

Airlie Group is offering Chamber members a free of charge initial consultation on employee and industrial relations matters, resulting in structured general advice. Contact Mark today to learn more on mark@airliegroup.com.au

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Employee Relations Expert, Mark Lipkin from Airlie Group. Photo supplied

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Virtual Reality (VR) is set to enhance road safety in the Whitsundays through a new police initiative aimed at educating individuals about the dangers of irresponsible driving.
The VR initiative was created by Senior Constables Jaime Brooks and Tamara Cook to better engage senior students in road safety education, after struggling to maintain their interest.
Determined to find a solution, Tamara explored new ways to engage students. Inspired by virtual reality, she spent two and a half years researching how to incorporate it into their teaching.
Sergeant Stephen Smith, presenting the product at PCYC, noted that young drivers' attitudes toward road safety only change dramatically after experiencing road trauma themselves or losing someone to it.
Tamara and Jaime created the initiative to use 360 technologies to simulate a scenario where young people make poor driving decisions in social settings, showing a range of outcomes, including unpleasant and tragic ones.
Sergeant Stephen Smith, states that since using the headsets they have seen a dramatic change in attitudes:
"Everything we've observed so far influences their attitudes, expressions, body language, and the way they engage with us in the classroom."
“Suddenly they are invested in the rest of the class.
“There's no other police district in Queensland that has these.”
“To our knowledge, there's also no other police district in Australia who uses them.”
There are currently 10 headsets available in the Whitsundays, with plans to acquire 20 more soon.
While the initiative targets young people, Sergeant Stephen Smith notes it’s not limited to them, as discussions with older generations have also been successful.
“It's easy to convince people here that road safety matters, but we're working towards making that mindset constant,” added Sergeant Smith.

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Sergeant Stephen Smith with the new VR headsets. Photo Credit: Ruth Puddefoot.
Individuals testing out the headsets. Photo supplied.

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The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, with statistics showing over 70% of Gen Z aspiring to be entrepreneurs or at least pursuing a side hustle. While this drive towards self-made success is inspiring, it’s important to appreciate and understand the reality of what it takes to run a business. 

Our Regional Business Owners:
   • Wake Up Every Day Ready to Lead: They rise each morning determined to put their best foot forward, striving to do better, even amidst the constructive feedback, critiques from customers, and the occasional inner voice of doubt. Yet, they keep going.
   • Innovate Under Pressure: Creativity thrives when the mind is free, but the demands of financial stability often make it hard to break new ground. Despite the challenges, business owners continue to search for new opportunities and niches to serve their community.
   • Ride the Financial Rollercoaster: The peaks and valleys of revenue are part of the journey, but business owners persevere. They pay employees, cover bills, support community needs and pay themselves last, shouldering the stresses and risks for the team.
   • Juggle Work and Rest: Scheduling a rare weekend off can be a triumph. Faced with unexpected absences, staff shortages, or last-minute crises, they continue to step in, showing unmatched commitment to their businesses and those they employ.
   • Deliver Great Service with Pride: From the smallest details to the grandest offerings, they strive to do their best daily. Faced with the occasional less-than-stellar reviews, they take feedback as fuel for improvement.
   • Balance Compliance with Passion: Navigating regulations, compliance, and paperwork often overshadows the passion that started it all. Yet, they find ways to reignite their purpose, reconnecting with what drives them.
   • Build and Nurture Their Teams: They invest wholeheartedly in growing and nurturing skilled, talented teams. While the market may shift and competitors may lure talent away, they keep turning up, and keep building.
 

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