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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Fresh from performing with the international vocal supergroup The Ten Tenors, JD Smith is coming to the region later this month, bringing with him some classic renditions of the most iconic Australian songs.

Taking you on a journey through the pop, rock and country classics that have been the soundtrack to your life, JD will have you singing, dancing and cheering as you remember how much you love these iconic songs from Australia’s most iconic male performers!

From the unofficial national anthems of John Farnham's You’re The Voice, Daryl Braithwaite’s The Horses & Peter Allen’s I Still Call Australia Home; Supergroup classics by ACDC, INXS, Cold Chisel, Little River Band & The Bee Gees; the Poptastic stylings of John Paul Young, Rick Springfield & Leo Sayer through to iconic ballads from Savage Garden, Rick Price & Keith Urban - you will be stunned by the powerhouse vocal versatility and charm that JD Smith brings to these songs on stage.

WHAT: Morning Melodies – The Boys From Oz
WHEN: Friday 26th April
WHERE: The Proserpine Entertainment Centre
TICKETS: proserpineentertainmentcentre.com.au

JD Smith performs at Morning Melodies

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Celebrating the school holidays in style, the Proserpine Entertainment Centre is inviting the community to come and experience movie magic for less with $10 tickets for the month of April.

Whether you're planning a family outing during the school holidays or just looking to enjoy a movie with friends, now is the perfect time to catch the latest films without breaking the bank.

From Kung Fu Panda 4 to Godzilla x Kong, there are a wide range of family favourites showing this month.

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Are you looking at getting into golf? Or do you simply want a fun afternoon out with the girls?

If so, join Proserpine Golf Club for its lively Chip and Sip event.

To start off with, sip on a glass of bubbles to gain that liquid courage and to get the conversation flowing with your fellow golf-curious ladies.

Then enjoy a one-hour golf clinic followed by a 9-hole Ambrose with full use of the golf buggies.

Fear not, Proserpine Golf Club isn’t expecting you to become the next Tiger Woods without a bit of guidance, so their expert PGA instructors will be there to ensure you grasp the basics of chipping, putting, and swinging like a pro. No pressure, just pure fun!

You never know, this event may even start your golf journey with a hole-in-one!

All ladies are encouraged to come and try, it is guaranteed to be filled with plenty of laughs, whether that’s from sending the ball flying into the water hazard or perhaps missing the ball entirely.

It’s set to be an event filled with laughs, good vibes and an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels safe and empowered to start their golf journey.

So, get your group of girls together, dust off your golf clubs, or borrow from the club, and join the bunch of ladies ready for their afternoon of fun.

Space is limited, and reservations are essential. Book now at 07 4945 1337 or email Proshop@proserpinegolfclub.com.au.

WHAT: Chip and Sip
WHERE: Proserpine Golf Club
WHEN: Sunday 5 May, 1:00pm-3:30pm
TICKETS: $50 per person

Come along to the Proserpine Golf Club for Chip and Sip, Image supplied shutter stock

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These school holidays, not only can you get books and movies out at your library to entertain your kids, you can also take them down to the library to participate in a variety of fun activities.

If arts and craft is your child’s favourite hobby, they will have a blast painting water pistols, or they can build clay pet figures, create recycled treehouses or make lanterns at the Lalune Lantern Workshop and many more.

Session numbers are limited, and some activities require bookings. To take part in these activities and book your place contact your local library.

Bowen Library – 4761 3670
Cannonvale Library – 4846 9400
Collinsville Library – 4785 5366
Proserpine Library – 4945 0275

Cannonvale Library

   • Tuesday 9 April, 10:00am - Lalune Lantern Workshop | ages 5+
   • Wednesday 10 April, 10:00am – Super Hero Storytime | ages 6 and under
   • Thursday 11 April, 10:00am – Polymer Clay Pet Miniatures | ages 8+
   • Thursday 11 April, 2:00pm – Polymer Clay Pet Miniatures | all ages

Proserpine Library

   • Tuesday 9 April, 10:00am – Clay Pinch Pot | ages 5+
   • Tuesday 9 April, 2:00pm – Paddle Pop wall hanging | ages 5+
   • Wednesday 10 April, 10:00am – Holiday Play | ages 0-5
   • Wednesday 10 April, 2:00pm – Lalune Lantern Workshop | ages 5+
   • Thursday 11 April, 10:00am – Colourful Coasters | ages 5+
   • Thursday 11 April, 2:00pm – Pinch Pot Painting | ages 5+

Bowen Library

   • Tuesday 9 April, 9:30am – Waterpistol painting | ages 5+
   • Tuesday 9 April, 11:00am – Waterpistol painting | ages 5+
   • Tuesday 9 April, 2:00pm – Magic Rainbow Board | ages 5+
   • Thursday 11 April, 10:00am – Secret Message Bracelets | ages 7+
   • Thursday 11 April, 2:00pm – Lalune Lantern Workshop | ages 5+

Collinsville Library

   • Tuesday 9 April, 10:00am – Hot Air Balloon | ages 3+

Collinsville Community Centre

   • Friday 12 April, 10:00am – Lalune Lantern Workshop | ages 5+

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Get set for Roller Skating Fever in Airlie Beach, with the announcement of a regular Saturday Morning Mini Roller Disco at the PCYC.
 
Run by Jane Streeter of Rolldance Skate School, the Roller Disco will be a great activity for kids, adults and families, with limited skate rental available or BYO skates.
 
Jane also runs Learn to Skate classes for kids and adults and her inaugural roller skate lessons last term were a huge success.
 
Due to the popularity of first term, Jane will be offering two kid’s classes as well as two adult classes, all at the Whitsunday PCYC on their “delicious wooden floors”.

“I’m excited to be bringing skating back to the PCYC, especially for the Saturday morning mini roller disco, open to everyone, not just class members.” 
 
Jane has previously taught Latin Dance in the Whitsundays but pivoted to roller skating during the pandemic, when she was searching for a new hobby that could be done solo.

“I watched a Bruno Mars music video for his song “Skate” and discovered that it was possible to dance on wheels!” she shated.

“I was hooked immediately. Since then, I have trained intensively and gained a teaching certification in 2023. I can’t help myself from wanting to teach others – I want everyone to feel the fun and joy that I do!”
 
Classes start up again in Term 2 and the first roller disco will run 10 – 11:30am on 20th April. For more information, head to www.rolldance.com.au or @rolldanceskateschool

WHAT: Morning Mini Roller Disco
WHERE: Whitsunday PCYC
WHEN: Saturday 20th April – 10am-11.30am

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