Daydream Island and Living Reef took centre stage this week, with Whitsunday Coast Airport announcing a partnership with budget airline Bonza, to launch a range of exciting holiday packages.

These new opportunities will benefit both tourists and locals who will be able to book a range of experiences that include air-travel, accommodation, and experiences all in one booking.

Tourists will be able to book their dream holidays in the Whitsundays and locals will be able to travel to the 21 different destinations in Australia where packages are also available.

Daydream Island served as the official launch location this Tuesday morning, with guests invited to browse the different holiday packages.

Craig Turner, Director of Commercial Businesses for the Whitsunday Regional Council, was instrumental in aligning the partnership and is excited for the influx of visitors expected through the region.

“Strategically, this is great for us and the region,” he explained.

“It’s not just about the airport, it’s about the tourism operators, the islands, the accommodations, and experiences.”

According to Mr Turner, bookings have already started rolling in for Daydream Island through the Holiday Packages, particularly for December and January.

“This is so easy for consumers to book and organise,” he said.

Daydream Island General Manager Marcus Taylor says he is excited for the partnership and the opportunity to unite with local operators through a range of positive experiences for visitors and locals alike.

“A big focus for us is locals, we understand that not only do locals support us, but they also work with us, and we want to work with them,” he said.

“It’s from tour operators, to retailers, to suppliers - if Daydream is busy then the Whitsundays is busy, and that’s a win for everyone.”

Bonza Holiday Packages operate in all 21 destinations Bonza currently services, with Whitsunday locals able to secure holidays in Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast.

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Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall, Director of Commercial Businesses for the Whitsunday Regional Council Craig Turner, Bonza Chief Commercial Officer Carly Povey, Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, Daydream Island and Living Reef General Manager Marcus Taylor, and Bonza’s Blanca Arcayos. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

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Collinsville Queensland Country Women’s Association (CWA) celebrated the grand opening of their brand-new hall last weekend, Saturday 23.

With a fantastic variety of stalls making up their garden market, the women of the Collinsville branch were eager to show off the new faciality, which will become a community asset for years to come.

“The celebrations included congratulatory speeches, ribbon and cake cutting and planting of fruit trees,” said a representative from Collinsville CWA.

“There was also the QCWA sconversation morning tea and markets set up in the carpark showcasing some of the incredible talents of Collinsville craft ladies.

“A great day was enjoyed by all.”

Attended by Michelle Landry, Federal Member for Capricornia, Dale Last, Member for Burdekin, and Whitsunday Regional Council, Mayor Julie Hall, the Grand Opening was a welcome celebration for Collinsville.

Ms Landry said the Collinsville QCWA Hall redevelopment is a project that will be a highlight of her career.

“When the women of the Collinsville QCWA contacted me for help to refurbish their hall in 2019, it was a no-brainer to fight for the funding needed for upgrades,” she said.

“The Country Women’s Association is the backbone of regional, rural, and remote Australia and their halls are the epicentre for the community.

“Collinsville’s new hall will host not just QCWA events, but also allow a space for community events, workshops, dances and even yoga.

“What an honour it was to share in the joy of the women and Collinsville community to open this wonderful new piece of infrastructure, which I am sure will be enjoyed by many for decades to come,” Ms Landry said.  

Funded by a combination of state and federal government, a contribution by Glencore, the entire project cost $425,000.

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Federal Member of Capricornia Michelle Landry, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall, and Member for Burdekin Dale Last attended the Collinsville Country Women’s (CWA) Association Grand Opening

Collinsville CWA celebrated the official grand opening with a cake cutting ceremony

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker also attended the festivities. Photos supplied

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The Zonta Club of Bowen is excited to welcome applications for their annual Tertiary Bursary, worth $1,500.

The eligibility criteria includes; being a female student currently studying a tertiary course in second year or subsequent years, you must be undertaking fulltime or parttime study and attend a school in the Bowen district.

The 2022 Tertiary Bursary recipient was Elysha Harm, who is currently studying her Bachelor of Education, specialising in Primary Teaching, at James Cook University, with the bursary going towards her future students.  

Application documents are available from Lynette Klukas on 0400 600 224 or lynette.klukad@bigpond.com.

Applications are due by midnight Tuesday October 31 2023, and email through to bowenzonta@yahoo.com.au.

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2022 Zonta Club of Bowen Tertiary Bursary recipient, Elysha Harm. Photo supplied

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At Scottville Community Catch-Up

The flying fox epidemic was a big topic of discussion at the most recent Whitsunday Regional Council Community Catch-Up in Scottville.

Mayor Julie Hall said there was much discussion about the flying foxes that are nesting near houses in Collinsville causing issues for the residents.

“There has been a recent increase in flying foxes within Collinsville and Council have tried multiple roost deterrent activities focused on colonies within Carpet Street and Stanley Street,” she said.

“These include operation of mobile smokers at private properties in coordination with residents between 6am and 8am, trialing the use of tree irrigation systems and consistent noise and lights, however all attempts have failed to “move on” the flying foxes.

“Flying Foxes are a native Australian mammal protected under State Government legislation, but they cause major problems for residents when a large roost is established in a built-up area.

“At the Local Government National Conference in Canberra earlier this year I was successful in moving a motion at the National General Assembly calling on the Australian Government to develop with State Governments a damage mitigation permit process.

“We’re hopeful that the Federal and State Governments can outline a suitable process so Councils can act to relocate colonies they that are impacting our residents,” Mayor Hall said.

Other topics included bushfire resilience, roadwork and footpath upgrade work and disaster resilience and storm season preparation, with over 20 Scottville residents attending the event.

Council also asked for feedback regarding the placement of street seating in the Collinsville Main Street Upgrade.

The next Community Catch-up will be held at Shute Harbour on October 4.

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Theft

Police have charged a 25-year-old employee of a licensed premise with theft, following a short investigation, after receiving a complaint of theft from a licensed premise in Airlie Beach.

The employee has been charged with stealing as a clinical servant and will appear before Proserpine Magistrates Court at a later date.

Drug Offences

On September 22, at 8.15pm, police intercepted a 27-year-old Cannonvale man who was acting suspiciously.

Once detained, Police located a black bumbag, which Police allege contained cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, as well as morphine, Oxycontin nitrazepam, and other prescription medication he did not have authority to possess.

He has been charged with 15 drug offences, including supplying dangerous drugs and obstructing Police.

On September 23, at 3am, Police arrested a 24-year-old Cannonvale man in the Safe Night Precinct for public nuisance offences, due to his behaviour.  

Police allege that they discovered white powder believed to be cocaine, in his possession.

He has been charged with public nuisance offences, as well possession of dangerous drugs.

House Fire

In the early hours of Tuesday morning Queensland Ambulance Services attended a house fire on Hamilton Island. A woman in her 40s was assessed for minor smoke inhalation following the incident which took place on Coral Sea Avenue at 5.45am.

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Local mascot, George the Monkey, has gone missing from the main street of Airlie Beach and staff believe he has been stolen and hidden somewhere.

On Friday evening, George was not put safely away inside the office like he would normally be, and opportunists have taken advantage of the mishap and allegedly stolen him.

“The last known spot George was seen was on someone’s Instagram post at 2am,” said Fergus Dunk from Sailing Whitsundays.

“We haven’t gone to the police yet because we are hoping someone will come forward and do the right thing,” he said.

“And there is a reward if they do!”

George has been the company mascot for 15-20 years and the subject of many tourist photos.

“I always joke there are more photos of George than there are of Whitehaven Beach!” said Fergus.

“We often see kids race over to see George and they are always pleased to see he is still here – people just love him!”

“He’s a character in the business and we just want to see him to come back.

“If you know anything, please let us know.”

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Local mascot, George the Monkey, was last seen at 2am with this man. Photo supplied

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The New South Wales and the Queensland State of Origin Shields stopped off in Bowen earlier this week, as part of their regional State of Origin Regional Tour.

Encouraging and sharing the love of rugby league, the shields were brought to Bowen by former Queensland Maroons Shane Webcke, Josh Hannay, and Brent Tate.

Stopping off for a quick break at the Big Mango, the Shields started their tour in Toowoomba on September 20, hitting Mackay on September 23, before stopping over in Townsville.

Bowen Tourism and Business Manager Leanne Abernethy said that thousands of people, of any age and culture, stop at the Big Mango every year.

“To date, we estimate 1.5 million people have taken a photo with our Big Mango, and now we can say 1.5 million people and two shields!”

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Stage 2 of the Airlie Beach Boardwalk upgrade, from the VMR Boat Ramp to Shingley Drive, is well underway, with demolition works completed early last week, and the new materials ready to be laid.

The construction of the new boardwalk, using composite fibre materials, began on Monday September 25.

The eco-friendly material will extend the boardwalk’s life cycle and reduce maintenance costs.

The new boardwalk will also be wider by one metre, allowing better ease of travel for users and reducing conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and scooters.

Expected to be re-opened in early December, pedestrians are welcome to use the detour, behind Mirage Whitsundays, via Altmann Avenue and Shingley Drive in the meantime.  

Once completed, the hardwood timber from the old Boardwalk will be retained for future projects, with the existing footings used to ground the new Boardwalk.

Stage 1 of the Airlie Beach Boardwalk Upgrade, between Sorrento’s on the southern end of the Coral Sea Marina and the Coral Sea Resort, was officially reopened in June, earlier this year.

Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 were supported by the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Grant, with the tender for works awarded to Plants Whitsunday.

Stage 3 of the Upgrade, along Broadwater Avenue, will be completed at a later date, when the Whitsunday Regional Council is able to secure grant funding.

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The scaffolding is now in place and ready for Plants Whitsunday to erect the new Boardwalk. Photo supplied

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Tourism Whitsundays is excited to announce its new Board of Directors for the 2023/24 term, at the TW Annual General Meeting held yesterday.

The AGM served as the catalyst for change for TW, welcoming four new members onto the Board of Directors, joining the existing directors of Julie Telford, Crystal Lacey, Jenn Honnery, Matt Boileau, Tom Young, and Daniel Gschwind.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton said an Annual General Meeting is the time to reflect on the successes of the previous year.

“The Whitsundays has delivered records in visitor spend, length of stay and interstate visitation, this is an incredible achievement.”

Mr Hamilton added, “We’re looking forward to seeing increased international visitation in the coming year as a result of these collaborative marketing campaigns and the increased airline capacity and lower fare prices.”

Tourism Whitsundays Chair, Julie Telford is excited for the incoming board members and the year ahead.

“The 2023/24 Tourism Whitsundays board brings together well-known industry leaders and people with a personal investment in the tourism industry. Their experience in the local industry is invaluable as the organisation works toward the 2032 tourism plan.”

“I want to thank outgoing Board Members; Trevor Rees, Arpad Romandy, Greg McKinnon, and Craig Turner for their contribution to the Board over the last 12 months. Their knowledge and insights have helped navigate our industry through an extraordinary year of recovery,” Mrs Telford said.

Visit mackayandwhitsundaylife.com to discover which four local faces have joined Board of Directors.

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The Whitsundays has received a glowing report card from the National and International Visitor Survey (NVS and IVS), cementing the region as a popular destination for holidaymakers.

Over the year, prior to June 30 2023, The Whitsundays had 765,000 domestic visitors choosing to come into the region, an increase of 11.7 per cent from the last three years, and each spending on average 5.5 nights in the area.

While international visitor numbers are down, The Whitsundays welcomed 68,000 international visitors, spending an avenge of 8.6 nights, an increase of 1.7 nights when compared to the same period in 2019.

These visitors saw $1.3 billion in Overnight Visitor Expenditure (OVE), which is an increase of 29.3 per cent over the last three years, and a 51 per cent increase on pre-pandemic Overnight Visitor Expenditure.

The Survey also reflects the $1,724 individual spend per person, which is a 19 per cent increase over the last three years.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Rick Hamilton expressed his excitement about these remarkable achievements, stating, "These results, while not record-breaking this time, underscore The Whitsundays' status as an unmatched holiday destination.

“As the economy tightens, we are seeing a slight decrease in expenditure, directly related to holiday spend in region. However, the length of stay and visitor numbers remain strong.

“We are immensely proud of our region's world-class tour operators, accommodations, and businesses that contribute to delivering outstanding experiences for all visitors, regardless of their budget," Mr Hamilton said.

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Record numbers have been checking into The Whitsundays, for the year up to June 30 2023. Photo supplied

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With Bowen Rocket Launch Site

Excitement is building ahead of the much-anticipated launch of Gilmour Space Technologies’ rocket ship, with the inaugural flight expected to depart from its base in Bowen before the end of the year.

If the launch is successful, Australian company Gilmour Space, could be the first to send a hybrid-rocket into space, and currently the race is on to see which global entity can get there first.

Hybrid rockets use a mixture of solid fuel and liquid oxidiser, and despite being commonly used at universities, they are renowned to be difficult to scale up.

“It’s new rocket tech and it’s hard to scale but we’ve managed to do it,” said Michelle Gilmour, Director Marketing and Communications for Gilmour Space Technologies.

“We chose the hybrid model because it is safer and cheaper to develop – we’re very close to getting the rocket on the pad which is the first step to success.”

Gilmour Space have built two rockets and are aiming to send two shipments to low-earth orbit in 2024.

Their plans are to increase this to between three to four in 2025 and up to 10 rockets in the years after.

Each payload will be transporting a satellite anywhere between 500 kilometres and 2000 kilometres into space.

They could contain communication, observation, fire detection, water management satellites, to name a few.

Mayor Julie Hall said the venture will contribute over $4 million into our local economy and create ongoing contracts for up to 20 local businesses.

"I am so excited that our region will get to be part of such a fundamental and life changing experience,” she said.

"We are expecting to see over 80 Space Tech officials and anywhere between 5,000 to 10,000 visitors arrive in Bowen for the official launch of the first information rocket.”

Whitsunday Mayor Julie Hall and Isaac Mayor Anne Baker take a tour of Gilmour Space Technologies’ base in Bowen. Photo supplied

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There’s plenty of activity around town with school holidays filling accommodation places around the region creating a real buzz throughout both Airlie and Proserpine.

Airlie Main Street - Chamber met with Council CEO Warren Bunker last week regarding maintenance, restoration works, and traffic management in Airle Beach.

Our region welcomes around 900,000 visitors annually and there are plans to increase cruise ship visitation to over 100 annually. To ensure a world-class experience for both residents and visitors, Council is current seeking community input on upgrades to pedestrian safety, traffic flow, and parking within Airlie Beach precinct.

The Main Street of Airlie Beach has the potential to rival other renowned destinations, such as Hastings Street in Noosa. The needs of visitors and traders need to take precedence over through traffic. The Main Street should be considered as an access to the recreational facilities and business offerings provided in Airlie Beach and not as a through road.

We are strongly advocating increased precinct ambience and better presentation of street facades, better parking, and pedestrian safety by installation of pedestrian crossings, increased signage directing large vehicles and through traffic into Waterson Way, and better way finding signage in Airlie.

Vision for the Whitsundays – The research phase of our Vision for the Whitsundays project is open, and we invite you to have your say on our economic future. You can participate by providing a formal submission, completing a quick online survey, or participating in an engaging focus group. The Chamber team recently spent a morning with student leaders from the Prosperine State High School. Other focus groups happening in the coming weeks focus on Sustainability & Resilience, Future Workforce, Economic Growth, and Innovation. See our website for more details.

Chamber on Tap – Our recent event showed the Chamber’s commitment to economic growth in the region. An insightful evening was had by over forty attendees with topics covering a wide range of topics including mentoring for growth, business wellness coaching and more.

AGM – Our Annual General Meeting and Chamber Connect meeting is scheduled for 7:30am-9am Thursday 19 October at Whitsunday Green Golf Club and everyone is welcome. At the AGM, two major resolutions are being presented for consideration – a new name for the Chamber and Constitution that will set the foundation for a contemporary and inclusive organisation. Following the AGM will be a presentation by the CEO of Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays Rob Cocco providing. Registrations are now open, visit our website to book your spot.

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NQ Sportstar Awards To Honour Athletes And Achievements

The Mackay region is getting ready to celebrate the rising sports stars of North Queensland.

Nominations closed on September 1 for local sporting stars to be nominated for the MM Electrical NQ Sportstar Awards and the list of nominees was revealed last week at a media launch at Mackay ARC.

Mackay Regional Council councillor, Laurence Bonaventura, who is also North Queensland Sports Foundation director, attended the launch and said this year was the 40th anniversary since the foundation was established and the 32nd annual awards ceremony.

“The MM Electrical North Queensland Sportstar Awards are the longest running dedicated sporting awards in Queensland and council is proud to be hosting this special celebration of the foundation at the awards this year,” Cr Bonaventura said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our local sporting heroes to be recognised in their hometown at the awards and we’re excited with the sporting talent who have been nominated to represent the sugar city,” he said.

RISING NQ SPORTS STARS TO BE CELEBRATED AT AWARDS EVENT

North Queensland Sports Foundation CEO Stephen Farrell said he was thrilled to be in Mackay for the media launch and looked forward to the main event.

“The inaugural NQ Sportstar Awards took place in 1990 and recognises the remarkable accomplishments of our regional athletes from across Northern and Northwestern Queensland,” Mr Farrell said.

“Many of Australia’s best athletes originated from regional Queensland and the NQ Sportstar Awards showcases their hard work and determination on their path to reach the elite level,” he said.

“The Awards also acknowledges the valuable efforts of the individuals behind the scenes who make these achievements possible through volunteering.

“The NQ Hall of Fame inductee for 2023 will also be announced on the night of the event and added to the list that includes Cathy Freeman, Pat Rafter and Lawrie Lawrence.”

This year’s nominees from across North Queensland are of a high calibre, with at least 19 of the nominees having attended a world championship event.

This year, the awards will be held on Saturday, November 4, at the MECC. The special guest keynote speaker is Olympic champion swimmer Brooke Hansen OAM.

Tickets to the annual awards event are on sale now at themecc.com.au.

List of Mackay region nominees for the MM Electrical NQ Sportstar Awards:

> NQ Sportstar of the Year (Award sponsor - Consolidated Engineering Plastics Products)

● Jade Bounden

● Janee Emms

● TJ Straw

> NQ Junior Sportstar of the Year (Award sponsor - Anything Environmental)

● James Allen

● Monique Bobongie

● Jacob Cockayne

● Kaiden Neilsen

● Shaylah Pershouse

● Toby Rule

● Dylan Secher

> NQ Masters Sportstar of the Year (Award sponsor – City Fitness)

● Therese Clancy

● Justin Rule

● Hamish Wright

> NQ Sportstar Junior Sport Team of the Year (Award sponsor – Struddys)

● Brothers Bulldogs Mackay

> NQ Sportstar Senior Sport Team of the Year

● Mackay Fire, Women's Social Basketball

● Mackay Rowing Club - Sculling mix quad double

> NQ Sportstar Athlete with Disability (Award sponsor – DGH Engineering)

● Izabella Wills

> NQ Service to Sport (Award sponsor - Struddys)

● Susan Davies

● James Grech

● Joel Khalu

● Peter and June Thiele

> NQ Sport Volunteer of the Year

● Jack Baldwin

● Darryl Barker

● Kimberley Doyle

● Phil Dreghorn

● Anthony Porter

● Michelle Tickle

● Joyce Wallace

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Getting ready to run towards the MM Electrical NQ Sportstar Awards being hosted in Mackay in November are, L-R: Cr Pauline Townsend, Cr Justin Englert, Cr Belinda Hassan, Cr Alison Jones, Cr Laurence Bonaventura, Toby Rule, Ben Ross, James Galea. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

Cr Justin Englert, Cr Laurence Bonaventura, Cr Fran Mann, Ben Ross, Cr Belinda Hassan, NQSF CEO Stephen Farrell, Cr Pauline Townsend, James Galea, Cr Alison Jones, and Toby Rule at the MM Electrical NQ Sportstar Awards media launch. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

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A Woolworths bakery worker in Ooralea has gone above and beyond this week, committing an act that earnt her some ‘brownie points’ on a local community forum.

Racheal Van Damme took to the Mackay Noticeboard Facebook page to commend a mystery staff member on her thoughtful actions.

Racheal states, “To the beautiful lady who works at Ooralea, who asked if I needed help while I was looking at cakes for my daughter’s birthday.

“[She] took the cake to the counter along with the flowers and chocolates we already had in our hands and then gifted them to us! You are amazingly kind and a beautiful soul.”

Locals in the comment section quickly began the search, naming Patty Ungerer as the selfless employee, who put everyone in positive spirits after reading Racheal’s post.

Others responded in delight, with comments such as, “A beautifully kind and thoughtfully selfless lady.”

“That is awesome, I hope Woolworths congratulates her. Great PR for them.”

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Gifted presents from local Woolworths employee. Photo credit: Racheal Van Damme

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