Are you due for a breast scan? If so, the Queensland Government are making it easy for you to get one free and conveniently at their mobile screening van which is visiting the region soon.

If you are between the age of 50 and 74 it is important for you to get a regular breast scan.

If you are under 50 and have a history of cancer in your family, then it is important to have a breast scan at an earlier age.

Breast cancer is the second largest cause of cancer death in Australian women after lung cancer. It also is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in Australian women.

Cancer Council Australia recommends that eligible women participate in the BreastScreen Australia program by having a free mammogram every two years, provided they are aware of the benefits and the risks.

Even though it is scary, early detection gives the best chance of survival.

Breast screening saves lives. It is one of the most effective ways to detect early signs of breast cancer, meaning treatment outcomes are much better.

Often, if caught in the early stages, the scale of treatment is reduced and less invasive.

Please note, this service is for screening only so if you have a lump or concern about a change to your breast, it is advisable to go to your doctor as soon as possible.

To make an appointment phone 13 20 50.

Dates For The Whitsundays

Collinsville Hospital
3 April – 12 April

Centrepoint Shopping Centre Carpark, Bowen
15 April – 13 June
15 July – 8 August

Proserpine Hospital
28 May – 28 June

Whitsunday Plaza Shopping Centre, Cannonvale
1 July – 23 August

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Two local nurses who also run a local flower business organised the first of what they hope to be a series of fundraising charity events last weekend.

Held at Whisper Gin Bar and Restaurant, the lively afternoon attracted around 60 attendees who all enjoyed some delicious mimosas and plentiful canapes served overlooking the beautiful Coral Sea.

Christie Ditchburn and Rosie Butterworth are the two local nurses who organised the event, electing to raise money for a cause close to their heart.

“We chose to give all the money raised to the Breast Cancer Foundation, which goes directly into supporting further research,” explained Christie.

“Breast cancer has touched a few people in our lives and working in the professions we do, we thought this was a worthy cause for our first event.”

Deciding to make the fundraiser both informative and impactful, the ladies invited cancer survivor Jo McGregor to come along and share her story.

Melinda Butcher from Taylors Property Specialists emceed the event and conducted a candid Q&A with Jo who gave the audience an insight into how she felt throughout her cancer journey, what her family went through and how others helped along the way.

During the event there was also a silent auction and a live auction hosted once again by Mel Butcher.

On offer to the astute buyer were items such as a Day at the Cabana at Coral Sea Resort, a night’s accommodation at Freedom Shores and a scenic helicopter ride with Helibiz.

There was also a raffle with a ‘ReefSleep for two’ kindly donated by Cruise Whitsundays.

An incredible $8000 was raised and donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

The two ladies would like to thank the following sponsors: Coral Sea Resort, Cruise Whitsundays, Boutique Beauty, The belvedere at Toscana, Principle Movements,
Helibiz, Hanger Cafe and bar, The Birdhouse Whitsundays, Glo Aesthetics, Whitsunday Green, Whistunday Gift Hamper, Livelife Pharmacy Cannonvale, Infuze Me, Whisper Gin Bar and Chalk Art Magic.

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It was a lively afternoon of fundraising with stunning Coral Sea views at Whisper Gin Bar and Restaurant

Stunning flowers by Espresso and Bloom, the florist owned by the two event organisers
Melinda Butcher from Taylors Property Specialists facilitated the auction. Photos supplied

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After two successful Big Cigarette Butt Hunts in Cairns, thanks to funding from Queensland Gives, No More Butts is now expanding the events to four new locations including right here in the Whitsundays.

No More Butts is taking action against cigarette butts, the single biggest contributor to litter in Australia and around the world, holding its first event in 2022 where more than a dozen volunteers picked up 4,500 butts in just under an hour.

In 2023, 20 volunteers from several different organisations and businesses joined forces to comb the streets of Cairns and, after one hour, had collected a total of 10,350 butts.

The success of this event saw two further events held in December 2023 in partnership with the Sea Shepherd Marine Debris Campaign, Rye, Victoria and Surfers Paradise played host to the groups, who picked up more than 14,000 butts.

“Partnering with councils, businesses, local rangers and other like-minded groups is having a great impact,” said No More Butts Executive Director Mr Shannon Mead.

“Although our ultimate goal is to ban plastic cigarette filters, for now, we need to spend a lot of effort on education and prevention, as well as picking up these toxic nasty plastic parcels.”

Jumping into the “butt mobile” in April, No More Butts founder Mr Mead will travel from Innisfail to Mackay to participate in the four events across two weekends.

Identifying hot spots, based on previous visits and community feedback, Mr Mead is optimistic that others may join him in the hunt for as many butts as possible.

Although some essentials will be on hand, participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves, suncream, a hat and a water bottle.

WHAT: Big Cigarette Butt Hunt
WHEN: Saturday, April 13 from 8:15am
WHERE: Carpark next to Airlie Beach Lagoon
MORE INFORMATION: https://bit.ly/nqldbh24 or scan the QR code below

20 volunteers picked up 10,350 butts in one hour in Cairns. Photo: stock image

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A long-serving and highly dedicated nurse who spent her career working at Proserpine Hospital is being remembered by the broader healthcare community this week, the ground-breaking ideas she implemented over the years celebrated by all that knew her.

Lola, the beloved wife of Mel and mother of Marcus, Michelle and Meagan, passed away unexpectedly in January aged 74.

Lola was passionate about delivering excellent healthcare to the community and it was her lifelong dream to become a nurse.

Initially undertaking cadet nursing before starting her nursing training in the late 1960s, Lola’s long career at Proserpine hospital began in 1983 as the nurse in charge of the operating theatre.

This was the beginning of a long relationship with healthcare and the local community.

Committed to supporting funding streams which assisted in providing services such as afterhours doctors, additional administration staff and the hospital consumer bus, Lola was well-known for advocating for what she believed the community needed.

Proserpine Hospital Director of Nursing (DON) Nicola Young said Lola worked tirelessly throughout the years as a Clinical Nurse in the operating theatre, sometimes seven days a week and was often on call 24 hours a day.

“In the years gone by there was only about four weeks a year when she wasn’t on call., Explained Nicola.

“Whenever theatre was happening or required, including emergency surgeries such as caesarean sections and appendectomies, as well as planned operations, Lola was there.

“If it wasn’t for Lola there is no way we would have had a theatre when the hospital was rebuilt 25 years ago.

“She pushed incredibly hard for the hospital to have that operating theatre open and available to the community even after hours.”

Nicola said Lola was very passionate about healthcare in our community.

“She always said that just because we were small didn’t mean we could provide any less of a service or that we couldn’t provide the best service here for our community in Proserpine.”

She had a proven record for implementing advanced care initiatives, sometimes even before recommendations had been made to do so, such as enrolled nurses have sterilising certificates and the benefit of skin-to-skin contact for caesarean mothers.
“So, when places like Royal Brisbane were just starting to think about it, Lola had already implemented these initiatives in Proserpine. She really was before her time.”

Health was not the only area of interest for Lola, she loved travelling within Australia and internationally and attended many international theatre conferences.

Despite retiring 14 years ago, her work continued as a member and president of Proserpine and District Hospital Auxiliary, working to raise funds and provide a link between rural health and the community.

She also served as a Mackay Health Community Council member from 2008 to 2011 and was a Consumer Advisory Partner in Mackay and part of the Consumer Reference Group in Proserpine.

Lola was a representative on a number of statewide consumer committees including Brisbane and Cairns with a particular focus on theatres and children’s services and was the recipient of a prestigious award from the Perioperative Nurses of Queensland.

She and her husband Mel were lifelong members of the Whitsunday Swimming Club and helped form the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club, of which she was also a life member.

Lola was honoured with an Australia Day award in 2011 for her contributions to the community as a sports administrator.

The Mackay Hospital and Health Service sends their condolences to the Mudie family on the passing of this incredible community advocate.

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Lola Muddie was a nurse at Proserpine Hospital who dedicated her career to creating the best opportunities and standards for our regional hospital. Photo supplied

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The original founder of the Whitsundays Writers Festival will be honoured at the newly revitalised event this September with an award given in her name.

Gloria Burley was the driving force behind the local writers festival for many years, until she sadly passed away in 2018.

The festival has since been on pause until a newly reinvigorated committee took the reins once again, re-launching the event later this year.

Remembered for her vivacious personality and passionate festival prowess, Gloria’s charm and charisma will live on through the award.

Gloria was known as seasoned traveller, bright, witty, funny and a fine writer. 

She establishment the Whitsunday Writers Festival in 2010 and penned two books titled A Rolling Stone Gathers No Husbands – chronicling many of her travels to more than 100 different countries during her life – and Blood & Guts.

Her passion for writing will now live on with the Gloria Burley Award for Best Unpublished Manuscript.

This is part of the broader festival’s Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, which offers substantial cash prizes to recognise and honour outstanding contributions of writers and creatives. 

The Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards’ mission is to spotlight the diverse talents within the Australian creative community while also paying homage to the captivating Whitsunday’s Heart Reef.

Festival President Karen Jacobsen expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating “Beyond assembling some of Australia’s celebrated authors in Airlie Beach, our Festival aims to celebrate and champion homegrown writing and design talent”. 

“The Heart Awards epitomise our commitment to nurturing creativity and honouring the legacy of festival founder Gloria Burley.” Karen said. 

Award Submissions:

Prize money: First Prize $2,500, and Runner-Up $1,000
Submissions: Original and unpublished works of fiction written in English. Submit the first three chapters or the first 10,000 – 12,000 words of a completed manuscript and other details.
Deadline: Submissions close Tuesday 30 April 2024.
Submission fee: AUD$70 plus GST
Visit the Festival’s website (www.whitsundayswriters.com) for full terms and conditions, and details of the other Heart Award categories – Short Story (adult and under 18 divisions), Poetry Prize, and Best Published Book Cover Design.

Gloria Burley was the original founder of the Whitsundays Writers Festival back in 2010. Photo supplied

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Photo credit: Whitsunday Christian College and St Catherine’s Catholic College

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Luke Sheppard, Senior Business Relationship Manager for North Central Queensland and Cairns is now available to discuss a range of business banking services at Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine.
Branch Manager Amanda Anderson said: “We are excited to be able to offer Luke’s Business Banking expertise at our Branch, in addition to all our other face-to-face full banking services from 9:30am-4pm Monday to Friday”.
“Luke is now available to help our wonderful Whitsundays business community with banking services such as business lending (over $500K), business property purchases and construction, equipment finance, overdrafts, investments and refinancing” she said.  
Personalised Local Service
While many other financial institutions increasingly require their business customers to conduct their business online or through a call centre with no specific manager or point of contact, Luke enjoys meeting our customers face-to-face at the Cannonvale-Proserpine Branch.
He travels to Cannonvale and Airlie Beach on a very regular basis to work with and discuss the specific needs of existing Bendigo Bank customers and with new-to-bank customers wishing to take advantage of Bendigo’s acclaimed personal service difference.
Huge Opportunities
Luke Sheppard said: “I see huge opportunities for the Whitsundays business community and the region more broadly. The Whitsundays is such a fantastic place with enormous potential”.
“I’ve been involved in banking for almost 30 years, having started as a Batch Clerk – a junior to a teller – and progressing to my current role as Senior Business Relationship Manager for North Central Queensland and Cairns”.
“What I enjoy most about Bendigo Community Banking is that it’s based on a 'profit-with-purpose' model, which means our profits are returned directly to the community that has generated them.
Community Banking Makes A Difference
“For our customers, their banking is making a real difference. Every day our customers help change lives, and save lives, simply by banking with us - so it’s important that we have local people and businesses doing their banking with us so we can keep on doing what we love doing. You may not think who you bank with matters, but it does,” said Luke.
Amanda said “As Australia’s most trusted bank, we’re big on products, big on service and big on local banking. You need a bank to provide the products and services you need - and we need your banking to help us make a difference - so please get in touch with our friendly local staff if we can help you with any of your residential, business lending or any other banking requirements.”
Luke Sheppard is based in Mackay and married with a son who is obsessed with rugby league, boxing, dirt bikes and fishing. You can make an appointment to see Luke by calling 07 4948 3599 or emailing cannonvale&proserpinemailbox@bendigoadelaide.com.au

Luke Sheppard, Senior Business Relationship Manager for North Central Queensland and Cairns. Photo supplied

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The new Bowen and Collinsville Visitor Guide for 2024/25 is now available.

This is the second time this guide has been produced by Bowen Tourism and Business.

The 60-page full colour guide includes everything tourists may want to know including where to stay, where to eat and what to do.

It features articles about the Big Mango, the Bowen Jetty and the beautiful beaches and lookouts.

It has a comprehensive section about Collinsville and also information on things to do Airlie Beach.

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the guide was not just for visitors but also for local residents as it included a community directory as well as a comprehensive directory of all members of Bowen Tourism and Business.

“This year, we increased the print run to 60,000 copies, hoping that it will last us until the end of next year,” she said.

“The guide is very popular and is distributed to the 100 Visitor Information Centres in Queensland as well as many in NSW. 

“It is also handed out to visitors at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre and is available at many businesses throughout Bowen and Collinsville as well as some accommodation and tour providers in Airlie Beach.

“The team at Bowen Tourism and Business will be busy in coming weeks distributing the guide but if anyone wants copies, they are welcome to drop into the Bowen Visitor Information Centre next to the Big Mango.”

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Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy and Visitor Services Co-ordinator Glenn Womal with the new Bowen and Collinsville Visitor Guide. Photo supplied

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The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced a revised program for the 2024 Whitsunday Business Conference.  

The Chamber has seized the opportunity to host a shorter event on Thursday 16 May 2024 to coincide with a visit from the Queensland Small Business Commissioner to our region.

The full Whitsunday Business Conference program will now be held in 2025.

The reschedule allows time to create a bigger and better program with a business expo and more opportunities for the business community to get involved.  

The Thursday 16 May program will be held 1:00pm-4:30pm at Mantra Club Croc, Cannonvale. 

It will preview what to expect from the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference. 

Attendees will be part of a number of timely and provocative conversations on the following topics with other local business owners on:

   • What are your business pain points? 
   • What are the pressing issues facing small business in our region?

You can also learn how to supercharge your people power with tips on:

   • How to deal with changing staff attitudes and work ethic
   • Young employees through to an ageing workforce
   • Finding stability with transient workers and staff turnover
   • Diversity and inclusion in small business
   • Stories and strategies on re-inventing your business
   • Rejecting challenges and overcoming limitations
   • How to lead your team to exceed expectations

Have your say on the 2024 Conference to shape the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference.
 
The program will be followed by a meet and greet event 5pm-7pm hosted by the Whitsunday Regional Council with the Queensland Small Business Commissioner to better understand her role and discuss challenges and opportunities facing small business in our region. 

WHAT: Whitsunday Business Conference 
WHEN: 1:00pm-4:30pm Conference
5pm-7pm Queensland Small Business Commissioner event
WHERE: Mantra Club Croc, Cannonvale  
REGISTRATION: Free for Chamber members, $25 for non-members via the Chamber’s website (www.whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au) for details 

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Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE, CLICK HERE

https://take.quiz-maker.com/poll5149571xbCc94a53-155

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Winner will be chosen and announced on 1st of May

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Last week, Laura Knipe Marketing Manager, Tourism Whitsundays attended Tourism and Events Queensland’s, ‘Queensland is Calling’ Greater China Roadshow in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

She was joined by Hamilton Island and 22 other outstanding Queensland operators.

The event consisted of 70 meetings with wholesalers and product managers from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong and training sessions with over 170 travel agents.

She also attended four networking events with wholesalers, key Chinese media personnel and airline representatives. 
  
Last year, 62,000 Chinese travellers came to the beautiful state of Queensland, and growth is predicted to accelerate with Chinese visitation expected to deliver $2.9 billion to the Queensland economy by 2032.

The roadshow was a very important part of ensuring The Whitsundays’ involvement in this economic growth.

While many of the delegates were familiar with The Whitsundays, many were not aware of the great diversity of accommodation and experience offerings available, whether for groups or individual travellers. 
  
While China is far from being The Whitsundays’ largest international market, the market’s significant travel intent around the Chinese New Year period in February is a welcome avenue for filling a quiet period in the region.

We look forward to welcoming more travellers during this period, and all year round. 
 

Tourism Whitsundays Marketing Manager, Laura Knipe with the Hamilton Island team, Joyce Shen and Daizaburo Hayashia. Photo supplied The ‘Queensland is Calling’ Greater China Roadshow in Shanghai and Guangzhou. Photo supplied

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Originally from South Africa, Cobus Klopper enjoyed an illustrious career working alongside some of the world’s most renowned chefs before deciding to bring his extensive skills and experience to the helm of Coral Sea Resort’s kitchen.

The first of his family to venture overseas, Cobus initially moved to New Zealand when he was 30 and spent 20 years working at some of the most prestigious restaurants in the country, before moving to Australia two years ago.

In 2005 Cobus became the Head Chef at Peter Gordon’s restaurant in the SkyCity Grand Hotel, he then joined forces with Michelin starred chef, Josh Emett, as Group Executive Chef across a range of restaurants.

During this time, he had the privilege of working with some of the world’s best chefs, including Guy Grossi and Frank Camora, even hosting a three-course dinner for 1000 people with Gordon Ramsay and his team in London.

From authentic Italian to steak houses and Japanese restaurants, Cobus is highly skilled at working with a range of cuisines, a talent he is now bringing to the menu at Coral Sea Resort.

Having started his new role just a few weeks ago, Cobus is planning some exciting additions to the menu, infusing much of the fresh local produce we have here in the region.

“I am busy developing a menu that stars all the wonderful seafood we have here in Airlie,” he shared.

“I’m thinking of introducing dishes such as steamed Coral Trout with shiitake, leeks, edamame, snow peas and tom yum broth. Fresh, fragrant, light and delicious!”

Cobus moved to the region with his lovely wife Mira, and the couple are enjoying the sea-change, especially now they’ve moved from Brisbane to the Whitsundays.

Their two adult children, Kiara who is studying Law and Finance, and their son, Wesley, who has a business degree but works as a software engineer, remain in New Zealand, but hope to visit often.

In his own time, Cobus likes to work with Bonsai trees and enjoys gardening, fishing, and snorkelling. He also likes cooking at home, especially on charcoal and wood.

What’s Your Taste?

Favourite food? Anything with chili or cooked on charcoal
Favourite food to make for someone else? Durban-style curry

Last thing you ate out? Yum cha in Auckland with two ex-colleagues

Most extraordinary food item you’ve ever eaten? There are too many. Most recently, probably mangosteen – I had it for the first time in Bali last year. It was amazing but couldn’t afford it at $79 per kg when I came back to Australia.

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Cobus Klopper, Head Chef at Coral Sea Resort. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of Airlie Beach just took a light and refreshing turn thanks to the newly released lunch time menu at La Tabella.

Renowned for its house-made pasta, rich and vibrant flavours, quality local produce and perfectly paired wines, La Tabella is a divine destination for dinner and a truly magical location for a leisurely lunch.

The new menu has been specifically curated to suit lighter meal options and includes classic Italian and Greek salads, a succulent Fillet Steak Ciabatta, a Foccacia Panino and a Veal Scallopini.

This is complemented with a full list of freshly made pasta dishes. Try the creamy basil pesto, cherry tomato, toasted pine nuts and parmesan pasta, the Gnocchi Gorgonzola or perhaps the Mushroom Truffle Linguini.

For special occasions, or for moments of pure indulgence, order the exquisite Seafood Platter for Two and watch the afternoon glide by with mouthfuls of delicious local seafood, brought alive in the region it was caught.

For the more casual affair, share a pizza! The La Tabella pizza menu has something for everyone, from the classic Carne right through to the Prawn and Salami.

Whether you are a group of friends or a family, pizza is a quick and easy lunch time solution and at La Tabella you know it will be quality, authentic Italian style, easy and at your fingertips.

Known for its casual, yet charming atmosphere, La Tabella is perfect for any guest, whether you be a couple looking for an intimate meal, a group of friends enjoying a social afternoon or a family eager to sit, relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Located just across the road from the beach, on the Esplanade and in the heart of the town, La Tabella offers many seating options, from their al fresco on-street dining, an inside cool retreat restaurant and a secluded air-conditioned wine cellar dining experience.

Make sure you come and try their new lunch menu today!

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Check out the delicious new lunch time menu at La Tabella. Photos supplied

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A Mackay-based author has brought her worlds of magic and fantasy to the Whitsundays with her new book, Mother Trucking Monsters.
A. L. Tippett visited the region over the Easter weekend to promote the new urban fantasy novel which is partly based in Bowen and features the Big Mango.
The book follows a solo mum in a magical world that isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The central character wants what every single mum wants: to provide a happy home for her daughter and, if possible, avoid having her heart broken ever again.
Unfortunately, the bills keep piling up, and financially, she’s at breaking point.
Just when she thinks things can’t get any worse, a random bird starts talking in her mind, before she falls victim to a griffin attack.
Luckily, an aloof and attractive sphinx swoops in and saves the day - this time - but she never wants to feel that helpless ever again.
It turns out that the sphinx in question is an insurance assessor, apparently earning a truckload of money and looking for an assistant.
Of course, being an assessor in Australia would be a huge challenge.
The spiders and snakes already want to kill her, throw in dragons and it'll be a miracle if she survives her first case.
“This book is fresh, funny, cozy and brilliant,” said one review from Heather G Harris, the bestselling author of the Other Realm series.
Born in New Zealand and now based in Mackay, A. L. Tippett started writing when she fell pregnant with her first child.
She has now released four adult urban fantasy novels, and one children's picture book (under a separate pen name) over four years.
Filled with heart, mystery, action and humour, Mother Trucking Monsters is available now on Amazon.

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