As of this morning, the Cannonvale Skatepark is officially reopened to the public, and the timing is perfectly coordinated with the community gearing up for the inaugural Cannonvale Classic!

The skate park upgrades initially began with consultation with local skaters in 2021, as the previous skatepark was deemed unfit for more skilled skaters, too steep gradients on the quarter pipes and poor drainage throughout.

Stage 1 of the works created a street style park for beginners and intermediate skaters in August 2022.

The more recent Stage 2 of the project, saw the construction of a more complex bowl, creating a greater challenge for intermediate and advanced skaters.

The style of the new skate bowl means the park is now competition level, allowing the park to host a range of events and competitions.

The skatepark was officially opened at a ceremony this morning, much to joy of avid skaters, ready to perfect and practice their skills on the new facilities.

The first event to be held at the new park is the inaugural Cannonvale Classic, hosted by Mackay’s Grind Shine Skateboard Shop, beginning with a free learn to skateboard workshop, followed by a best tricks competition, bowl jam, and a team demo and free skate sessions.

The Classic will also host a range of prizes and giveaways, live music, and a food truck on site to take care of all attendees.

WHAT: Inaugural Cannonvale Classic

WHERE: Cannonvale Skatepark, 23 Coral Esplanade

WHEN: Saturday, December 16, from 3pm

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The inaugural Cannonvale Classic this weekend! Photos supplied

The new competition bowl unveiled at Cannonvale Skatepark

The entrepreneurial spirit runs deep with 13-year-old Zac Courtie, the savvy young businessman who is behind Zac’s Airlie Carwash.

What started out as a small neighbourhood job washing his mums’ and neighbour’s cars for pocket money, has since snowballed into a full-blown business operation which has seen Zac’s services in high demand over the Christmas period.

And Zac’s mum, Kylie Thomson, could not be prouder.

“What I love most is the feedback we get, of how much of a lovely young man he is,” she explained.

Coming into the school holidays, Zac is almost completely booked, often working more than five days a week, and ensuring the very best for his clients.

His love for cars fuels his business.

“I really like cars,” Zac said.

“I want to wash a super expensive car one day.”

And what’s his dream car?

Of course a Lamborghini Huracan. “No particular colour, just a Lamborghini Huracan,” Zac said.

“It’s awesome to see him get out there,” Kylie explained.

“He has this wish list as long as you can imagine, and this is a great way for him to get his own money.”

The first item Zac is hoping to tick off the wish list is a new phone, with him making sure he gets the best deal possible.

“He is just so wise behind his years, and I’m so proud him,” said his mum.

Zac offers two levels of car wash service, the Basic package and the Zac Attack Package.

“The Zac Attack is most popular!” Zac explains.

This option has him completely washing the exterior of the car, including wheels, and vacuuming the interior, followed by a complete interior clean, windscreen washer fluid top up, and even a nice surprise to make sure the car smells great.

To book in with Zac, visit his Facebook page, Zac – Zac’s Airlie Carwash.

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Entrepreneurial local legend, 13-year-old Zac Courtie with his mum Kylie Thomson. Photo credit: Rachael Smith and Bronte Hodge

When you head out to do your Christmas shopping this festive season, consider shopping local, keep your dollars within our community, and ensure small business keep flourishing.

That’s the ethos behind Local 4 Locals in Bowen, an initiative that’s been thriving within the community for years and continues to grow momentum.

And for this special season, Locals 4 Locals Bowen is rewarding those shopping local.

Once you make a purchase at one of the 33 participating local small businesses, you’ll be given a ticket, to write your name and number down on.

It will then be dropped into the box and your name could be drawn on one of three Friday night draws.

“We had our first draw last Friday,” explained Wendy Bickhoff, owner and operator of Coral’s City to Country. “Which was worth about $1000 in vouchers.”

The second draw is due to take place this evening and the last draw will be next Friday where an impressive $1500 in vouchers and a food hamper will be up for grabs.

Wendy is excited to see shoppers choosing to spend their money with local small business.  

“We want people to come and look at local business,” she explained.

Locals 4 Locals also hosted a Street Party and Markets, which saw close to 1000 people shopping in Bowen main street earlier this month.

“Hillary Group donated the lollies that Santa gave out, and Whitsunday Regional Council donated street closure permits and lighting, along with SES.”

So, this Christmas, consider shopping local in one of the 33 participating Bowen small businesses and help give back to the Bowen community.

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Santa visits Coral’s City To Country, Bowen Pools and More, and BurnupsFurniture as part of the Locals For Locals initiative. Photos supplied

Ensuring the smooth and safe operation of our record-breaking Whitsunday Coast Airport is a key role for newly appointed Airport Operations Manager Andrew Elliott.

Having worked continuously in Aviation since starting his career as an apprentice Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at ASTA Aircraft Services in 1989, Andrew now has over 34 years’ experience in aviation and has worked for every major airline in Australia and some internationally.

He is a Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and a specialist on the Boeing 747, Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft and jet engines.

Andrew moved through various leadership roles in Aviation, moving from engineering to a commercial role as Business Improvement Manager and lead for Jetstar’s Aviation Fuel reduction program. This project delivered $42 million of savings to the Qantas group over the five years of the initiative.

He crossed the division from airlines to airports when he accepted a role at Avalon Airport in 2018 as Head of Operations to lead the launch of Australia’s newest International Airport.

Andrew was front and centre during the Covid pandemic and airport international travel shutdowns pivoting the Avalon Airport operation to aircraft parking and defence force operations then relaunched the airport operations including food and beverage from a “cold start” post Covid era.

He was directly managing Airport Security Screening, Aviation Safety, Airline Business Development, Airport Commercial, Customer Service and Food and Beverage when he was recruited to the WCA as Airport .

Andrew said being part of a top airport team, reporting to Director of Commercial Business Craig Turner, and guiding future growth at one of Australia’s fastest growing airports was key in attracting him to the WCA role.

“Whitsunday Coast Airport has been a Regulated Air Cargo Agent since April this year which is rare for an airport to hold such an authority.

“The airport team are working on increasing volumes of local produce, pets, and sensitive cargo through Whitsunday Coast Airport through our airline partners,” Andrew said.

“I have a passion for regional aviation and find the sense of responsibility, dynamic nature of airport operations and the challenges that present very engaging.

Andrew said he was looking forward to a unique Christmas Day this year and his family are travelling to India to attend a friend’s wedding and the celebrations end on New Years Eve with a sit-down dinner for 7000 people.

Our Whitsunday Disaster Dashboard now includes a Cyclone Track Map.

This interactive map has been developed by the BOM and shows weather events in local time to our region.

Furthermore, the app offers weather projections for a 5-day forecast, rather than the typical 3-day forecast offered by the BOM.

Official BOM forecast advice and information can be accessed directly by clicking on the spinning cyclone icon in times of cyclonic weather alerts.

For more information or to test the tracker app out for yourself, head to disaster.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au

Whitsunday Regional Council is gearing up the festivities with the annual Christmas Light Competition.

Decorate your home, business and streets with Christmas lights, and you could win the ‘best residence or shopfront’ or the newest category, ‘best street’, and go into the running to win a special street sign proclaiming your street as the most festive street in the Whitsundays.

And don’t forget to add your Christmas light display to the Whitsunday Regional Council Christmas Lights Trail map, sharing your wonderful creation with locals and visitors alike.

Now, what are the prizes?

Best Residence or shop front – a family package for the Sealink Whitehaven Beach Big Island Day Tour, and one night stay in a Glamping tent at Lake Proserpine.

Best Street – a special custom-made street sign to be erected by Council.  

Winners will be officially announced by Council on December 18.

Have you cast your votes yet?

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Check out the Christmas Light Trail Map by visiting Your Say Whitsundays on the Council website.

Vote Now For Your Favourite Christmas Light Display

Voting ClosesDecember 17

This week over 60 presents have been donated to families in need, making sure more children can experience the joy of opening a gift this Christmas.

A partnership between the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach and Ray White Real Estate, these 60 children’s gifts have been hand-selected, wrapped and delivered to families across the region, just in time for Christmas.

“We’ve been doing this for years,” explained Sue Griffiths, Operations Manager of Ray White.

“As soon as the Christmas period starts, we start campaigning for staff and local businesses to get involved.”

Merewyn Wright is the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach Secretary and is proud of this achievement.

“We want to bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to children and young people in the area,” she said.

“It’s the chance for people who may not normally be able to have something for their children, the ability to give them a nice gift to enjoy Christmas.”

“It’s a wonderful thing,” explained Jan Clifford, Whitsunday Regional Council Councillor and President of the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach.

“I commend the array of gifts that this partnership has been able to accomplish.

“It makes me so happy to be a part of this community.”

Merewyn Wright, Secretary of Rotary Club of AirlieBeach, Clare Nixson of Ray White, Councillor Jan Clifford, and Shantelle Selmanof Ray White. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

Christmas in 1896 – Proserpine Notes - “Mackay Standard” January 13, 1897

“Christmas passed off quietly but very pleasantly with us here, as is usual among all small communities. The usual custom of shopping on Christmas Eve was not forgotten and it was surprising the amount and variety of goods Mr Jupp and Mr Campbell, our two storekeepers, were able to display … Mr Jupp, on his recent visit south, had not forgotten that there were a large number of children … and brought with him plenty of toys, whistles etc … the rattle and screeches of the different instruments and the merry laughter of the little folks reminded one of being back in a large city …

Extracts from Memory of a Bush Kid’s Christmas (c1914) by Mary Hallam (1909 - 1996).

“We didn’t hang out stockings, nor did we have a tree. We just put our hats on the big rough timber table and into these our gifts were put. That special gift for each one; a lucky stocking and lollies and nuts and crackers – which gave the greatest joy of all … The stocking held lots of small things, each one a surprise and the fireworks were super special. Sparklers, Bengal matches that burned red or green when struck, rockets, jumping jacks and packets of little crackers ...

(After breakfast) we were sent off to the creek to get greenery to decorate the house ... We came home laden with palm leaves, ferns and a plant called ‘centipede vine’. It bore fruit like tiny pineapples, green when green and red when ripe – just the right colours for Christmas. We loved this decorating. We made the corrugated iron walls look a verdant rainforest.

(Then) it was time for dinner. We were called in and washed and dressed in white. I wore a white muslin frock; the boys wore their white coats. Mum wore a large white starched apron over her dress and Dad wore a white shirt.

The table was set with a big white cloth and hand-made paper flowers. Dad sat at the head of the table to do the carving … The pudding with money in it was great fun …

The afternoon was spent quietly with our toys. After tea when it was dark came the time for the fireworks … We wrote our names in the air with sparklers, watched rockets rise high into the sky and explode and let off little crackers with shrieks of delight.”

Christmas in Proserpine prior to World War Two – Reflections by Zena Price

“… the street would be decorated with palms and the shops open until 9 pm. Crowds gathered in Main Street while the town band played. … Santa Claus made his way through the street … Church services at midnight were well attended and afterwards the bandsmen crowded on a lorry or two … and drove around the back streets playing carols … (Later) the revellers would move off to the railway station and played ‘Silent Night’ to the passengers on the mail train that passed through Proserpine about 3am.

On Christmas Day visitors came and went. Even though it was the height of summer, Christmas dinner was traditional, such as grandparents enjoyed in the “old country” – chook or roast beef, baked vegetables and the Christmas pudding boiled in an unbleached calico cloth weeks before. … (with) threepences and, if lucky, even a sixpence. And charms! Silver charms!  (And) brandy poured over the pudding and lit up.

Story and photo courtesy of Proserpine Historical Museum.

William Baron Biggs and son William Biggs pictured wearing Christmas bon bon hats and sharing a tallie at Ernestholme on Christmas Day in the early 1930s. Photo supplied

The Young Widows Support Group are hosting their next catch up and widows of the region are welcome to attend and bond with individuals who understand.

Organised by Ashlea Langston and Lisa Cherie, the pair have established the Youth Widowed Catch Up in order to promote healing and help each other.

The term ‘widow’ covers a broad understanding, and everyone is warmly welcome to attend the catch ups, no matter gender, relationship status.

“Age is no barrier either,” Ashlea explains.

“Your age or background doesn't define your journey, and we're here to support you every step of the way.”

First Light Widowed Association was established in 2016, with three young widows coming together over social media and connecting through common grief and sharing their experiences. Since then, the association has grown, travelled across Australia, and supports thousands of widows through shared connection.

“Let's come together, share stories, and build a supportive community. We can't wait to meet you all and embark on this journey of healing and connection,” Ashlea said.

The upcoming Catch Up is informal, non-structured events where every guests is welcome, safe and supported.

WHAT: Young Widowed Catch Up

WHERE: Airlie Beach

WHEN: Sunday December 17, 12pm to 4pm

Young Widowed Catch Up is a supportive environment to connect with people with similar experiences. Image: Shutterstock

The draw of the year is finally here!

Airlie Beach Hotel are gearing up to draw one of the two 2023 Toyota Corollas next week in a competition more exciting than anything else.

TO ENTER Just spend $25 in The Pub, The Bar, or any ABH Liquor & Tobacco merchants bottle shop and be in our gaming room Wednesday & Thursday between 3pm & 7pm and Friday & Saturday between 4pm & 8pm with your members card inserted correctly for your chance to WIN. Prize draws every 20 minutes.

Entries have been tallied and with massive prizes on offer, it is no wonder that the Airlie Beach Hotel is cheering with the first of two Toyota Corolla Ascent Sports Hatch in Glacier White going to a lucky local winner.

What a prize to call yours just in time for Christmas!

How to claim your prize?

Winner must be at the draw on the night to claim the prize.

Once announced, the winner has two minutes to meet with Airlie Beach Hotel staff and claim their winning, or the car will be redrawn for a new winner.

The fun doesn’t stop there, with the second car being drawn on June 29 2024, with the chance to win doubling.

WHAT: Airlie Beach Hotel Car and Prize Draw

WHERE: Airlie Beach Hotel

WHEN: Saturday, December 23 at 9pm

The Proserpine Community Markets are done and dusted for 2023, with all attendees stocking up for their Christmas celebrations and for the summer break.

With Santa making a special pitstop during the event, the entire family was well entertained, and everyone came home with a special treat or two.

“It was such a wonderful event,” said Tarnia Patton, Proserpine Community Market Coordinator.

“Our Christmas market is always a great market, but I say that this one was our best market yet.”

With close to 90 different stall holders on offer for shoppers, it was safe to say that Christmas shopping was sorted.

“I had quite a few people come up to me and say that they’d saved all their Christmas shopping for the markets, which is what we hoped for.

“The point of the markets is to keep money local, and for small business, and not to those big companies where the money does not stay in our communities.”

Activities on offer included plenty of children’s entertainment, including Wildlife Whitsundays, face painting, and balloon animals.

“And we are excited to announce that our next markets, in April, we will be trialling a new location, which will be completely indoors. I’m excited to offer better security from the weather for our stall holders,” Tarnia explained.

Fun and merriment had at Proserpine Christmas Markets. Photos supplied

A Celebration At Mackay Birth Centre

Birthed from a legacy of nurturing care, families, midwives, and supporters gathered at Mackay Base Hospital for an afternoon soirée celebrating the stork's long-time landing pad, the Mackay Birth Centre.

Amidst memories and baby giggles, they embraced the past while eagerly anticipating the swag of changes ahead in the centre's evolution.

Chief executive Susan Gannon, leading the celebrations, praised the midwives and families for making the centre a cherished part of the community. But with change gestating for next year, plans are underway to ensure its legacy continues beyond its 'due date'!

Marking Memories Before Swaddling Into A New Era

About 50 people enjoyed a relaxing afternoon in the grounds of Mackay Base Hospital on Saturday to celebrate the legacy of the Mackay Birth Centre and prepare for the next chapter in its development.

The event was hosted by the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) in conjunction with the Friends of the Mackay Birth Centre, and attendees enjoyed afternoon tea and the sharing of memories, as well as face-painting and lawn games.

Mackay HHS chief executive Susan Gannon thanked birth centre midwives and families for their attendance.

“More than 3500 babies have been ushered into the world by our Mackay Birth Centre midwives over the past 29 years and this legacy of providing the women of our region with a safe and nurturing birthing option will continue,” Ms Gannon said.

“I want to congratulate the Friends of the Mackay Birth Centre for their passion and resilience as we work through the process together.”

The current Mackay Birth Centre facility, which has been through three earlier stages of development, will be removed to make way for the development of an additional wing of the hospital. Birth Centre clients will continue to receive care with their midwives in a dedicated space within the Women’s Health Unit, until a new birth centre is constructed off site from the Mackay Base Hospital.

Work on the $250 million expansion will commence early next year.

The Friends of the Mackay Birth Centre will create a book of birth centre experiences and memories ahead of the 30th anniversary of the service next year. Anyone interested in participating is asked to contact The Friends via email to friendsmackaybirthcentre@gmail.com

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Attending the Mackay Birth Centre Celebration event last Saturday are, back from left, midwife Marion Fazakerley, Friends of Mackay Birth Centre representatives Nakia Watters and girls and Hayley Wilson, former midwives Rosie Refalo and Robyn Husband, Friends Annemaree Nolan and Karla Ball, midwife Donna Towers. Front from left are midwives Sarah Baker, Jaclyn Comin and Makenzie Falzon and former midwife Sue McPherson. Photo supplied: MHHS

MHH Board Deputy Chair Kerry Maley and MHHS CE Susan Gannon

Midwife Jaclyn Comin with birth centre bub Kian Shenfield

Sally and David Wood with daughters Phoebe and Imogen – born at the birth centre in 2003 and 2005

Community members gathered at Mackay Base Hospital to honour the Mackay Birth Centre's legacy and share cherished memories during a fun celebration

Balancing Child Safety And Freedom In Library Resources

The Mackay Regional Council finds itself at the centre of a heated debate concerning the delicate balance between providing unfettered access to educational resources in libraries and safeguarding children from potentially explicit or inappropriate content.

The recent assertions by the "Worldwide Rally For Freedom Mackay" group, led by Tine McDonald, underscore a growing concern about the presence of what they term as pornographic literature within local libraries. This contentious issue pits the imperative to protect young library users from accessing sensitive material against the principles of information access and freedom, emphasising the need for a delicate equilibrium between these vital aspects.

Key spokesperson Tine McDonald expressed her concerns at a Mackay Regional Council ordinary meeting, standing up in the public gallery saying, "Today I draw attention to the fact that it appears not one member of council is prepared to take on the fight for our children." McDonald further highlighted the lack of concern displayed by the council towards explicit content in libraries, even detailing explicit excerpts from books, leading to a pause in the live feed.

“Not one of you can say you are unaware of the pornographic literature available to our children in the Mackay Regional Libraries, because we have sat here displaying the images, enlarged and in full colour, and each of you have received emails regarding this issue, but you didn’t seem to think these graphics offensive at all,” she said.

Highlighting the Commonwealth Classification Act of 1995, McDonald emphasised the responsibility of publishers, including those making material available to the public, to have potentially offensive content classified. McDonald accused the council of subjecting children to explicit material, a notion she equated with child grooming, stressing the need for zero tolerance towards such exposure.

McDonald questioned, “I know that many of you have children and grandchildren which leads me to wonder about your level of concern. These are your flesh and blood and I can’t believe you are not concerned that they are being exposed to this filth?”

She accused councillors of putting their pay packets before the welfare of local children.

“You get one shot at raising your precious children, don’t waste it for a pay packet. There is life outside of council,” she added.

“It takes a village to raise a child and, in my opinion, this village is doing a damnable job.”

Responding to these issues, Community and Client Services director Janine McKay said the Worldwide Rally for Freedom Mackay group had raised concerns about certain publications in Mackay Libraries and council, including CEO Scott Owen, had responded to them on multiple occasions.

She said council took its obligations to provide library users and staff with a safe environment, free from exposure to unlawful material or unacceptable threats, extremely seriously.

“All items at council’s Libraries are made available in line with recommended age range ratings, and we work diligently to ensure that items made available are compliant with all advice guidelines.

“Council does not have any publications available that contravene Classification Review Board advice.”

Ms McKay said as a condition of Libraries membership, any children under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when joining the library.

She said parents or guardians were responsible for items borrowed by those junior members.

“We acknowledge that not all publications will be suitable for, or accepted by, all library members. However, accessing them is a personal choice.

“It is important that libraries provide an unbiased source of knowledge, information, and ideas through a comprehensive and balanced collection.

“Library collections must be as diverse as the community they serve.”

In their response, the council reiterated their dedication to maintaining balanced and diverse library collections, promoting access to knowledge, information, and ideas while underscoring the personal responsibility involved in accessing library resources.

This exchange has spotlighted the balancing act between the right to access information and the responsibility to protect young library users from potentially sensitive or explicit content.

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Tine McDonald holding literature available from local libraries saying the “pornographic” material should not be able to be accessed by children

Hannah Farrar took to Mackay Crime Watch Facebook page on 28th November, but instead of reporting a crime, she reported a heartwarming act of kindness.

A young P-plater driving a Toyota single-cab cruiser hopped out of his vehicle in the pouring rain. The man ran over to an elderly gentleman on a mobility scooter, who was waiting to cross the road at Sydney Street Markets.

The man provided him with an umbrella to shield him, as he was being soaked by the rain.

Hannah commented, “Just to see the kindness that young man showed was a great way to start the day.

“It’s great to see our young people going out of their way to help others, it’s the nice side of our community that we often don’t see or don’t hear much about.

“To that young man, well done for thinking of others and going to their aid, as I could see you went out of your way to try to assist. You should be proud.”

Many locals on the forum also commended the young man’s efforts, sharing their own stories of positivity they themselves have witnessed in the Mackay community.

This goes to show that kindness is alive and well in our beloved region, and that simple gestures can make someone’s day.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Glitter, twinkling lights, and the aroma of Nan’s secret recipe Christmas cake fills the air. But let's get real; sometimes, the festive season isn't all sleigh bells and mistletoe.

Life's unpredictability can throw us a curveball or two.

The festive season is often painted with a brush of joy, but behind the glittering facade, the realities of life's financial strains echo loudly. I've found myself, much like many others, in the tightening grip of these challenges. The cost-of-living crisis is an ever-present weight on the shoulders of many, sometimes forcing unexpected creativity just to get through to the next pay day. A lot of us can relate to the ‘mum hustle’ to make things happen.

Scrolling through local community boards on social media, I see a symphony of pleas. Parents reaching out, struggling to provide food for the table, let alone Christmas presents.

In one way or another I believe we are all starting to feel the pinch as the cost of everything continues to climb around us. It’s like a new kind of ‘me too’ movement, one where we admit we have been finding things hard. There’s no shame in admitting that. You’re certainly not alone.

In an effort to help those who may be struggling this Christmas, on page 10, our team has curated a guide for those seeking support. From places to enjoy Christmas lunch, to being able to put presents under the tree and fill the pantry with staples, there are many organisations extending a helping hand.

For those in a position to donate to those in need, the organisations listed on this page could sure use your help, offering hope during this trying time. Christmas, beyond its material trappings, embodies the resilient spirit that unites us all, reminding us of the enduring power of community, especially in the face of adversity.

Amanda