Ryan Wilkinson is back in the Venue Manager role at Jubilee Tavern and has been for two months, and he brings a lot of experience.

Originally a personal trainer, hospitality was a side job for Ryan, but with promotions coming his way Ryan decided to stick to hospitality which he found he was enjoying more.

“I love the people that you meet and work alongside, and also the freedom, the hours are a little bit flexible,” said Ryan.

As venue manager, Ryan’s role is primarily people management, recruiting, POS systems, point of sale and stock.

Ryan is not new to the area and has worked at the Jubilee Tavern before, so he knows it inside and out.

He worked at the venue in 2021 before moving to Brisbane and the Gold Coast but has returned because of the job.

The atmosphere at Jubilee Tavern also drew Ryan back.

“It's a venue that offers so much diversity, it's got your old school locals pub, and a completely transient hospitality restaurant where you'll get all different people from all over the country and all over the world coming in,” said Ryan.

“There's always something happening, the variety of people that will be in this venue at one stage can be quite fast, from your local guy in the public bar to some international family.

“It's quite exciting, it’s sort of like a walk between two different worlds.”

Ryan Wilkinson, Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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The Proserpine Museum’s 28th Annual Book Bonanza returns in two weeks and is expected to be bigger than ever. The bonanza started in 1996 at St Catherine’s Hall as a fundraiser for the new museum, which opened in 2001. Due to the popularity of the event, and the increase in pre-loved books being donated, the venue was upgraded to the museum's foyer and its longevity extended to over a week.
The generosity of the local public has led to the availability of a diverse range of books and magazines for all ages up for grabs at the book sale. Museum volunteers organise the sorting and pricing in the year leading up to the sale.
The book sale does not just sell books, however, CDs and DVDs, games, puzzles (inclusive of brand-new jigsaw puzzles), bric-a-brac and plants are on sale. All the items are in good condition and reasonably priced. The sale even includes a selection of raffles to participate in.
Shoppers who haven’t seen the museum before will be invited to look around the historical site for $6 for adults and $3 for school-age children or below. All money raised at the event will go towards the future upkeep and extension of the Museum.
Customers are encouraged to bring their own bags and boxes to collect some fantastic reading for the year ahead. For any enquiries around the event please contact: +61 049 453 969, or email phms2@bigpond.com

What: Prosperine Book Bonanza
Where: 198 Main Street, Prosperine
When: 9am to 4pm Saturday 29th June until Saturday July 6th closing at 12 midday.

Array of Books Available at Book Bonanza. Photo supplied

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Entries are now open for the Love Letter to Queensland community writing competition.

The competition is calling individuals to share their heartfelt stories and express their love for the magnificent state.

The state is known for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant communities and unique culture, and the competition wants to hear your individual experiences, memories and connections to Queensland, in the form of a love letter.

How you construct your love letter is up to you. Whether through larrikin humour, ironic observations, fond treasured memories, or understated admiration and gratitude, all forms of written expression are welcomed.

Entry requirements are as follows:

Write: Compose an entry of up to 300 words expressing your love for Queensland.

Submit: Send your entries via the competitions online form either as text or as an image.

Win: The competition awards a generous shopping voucher and a chance to be featured in an edited collection of Love Letters to Queensland. Prizes will be presented for Adult, Under 18 Years and Under 12 Years categories.

The event is taking place for the first time in 2024 as part of the Whitsundays Writers Festival and is supported by James Cook University’s Roderick Centre for Australian Literature. The centre continues the work of passionate North Queenslander’s Professor Colin Roderick CBE and Margaret Roderick.

Everyone, old or young, is encouraged to participate. Love knows no age and neither does the community writing competition.

Dr Victoria Kuttainen, Director of the Roderick Centre adds to this notion, expressing how “Great writers and writing can emerge anywhere. Queensland and regional Australia are as culturally inspiring and imaginatively fertile as Paris.”

Also supporting Love Letter to Queensland is the Whitsunday Regional Council through their Community Assistance Grant program.

Express your love. Share your story. Celebrate Queensland.
For more details, visit: https://www.whitsundayswriters.com/love-letter-to-queensland/

What: Love Letter for Queensland’s Community Writing Competition
When: Competition submission deadline: 11:59pm, Wednesday 31st  July 2024
Winner announcement: Love Letter to Queensland event 6:30pm-9:00pm Thursday 5th  September at Coral Sea Resort

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This is the third year in a row that Airlie Beach has been awarded Gold in the Top Small Tourism Town category, with a population between 1,500 and 5,000.

The town will now enter the Hall of Fame and will go into contention for the Best Small Tourist Town in Australia at the national awards held later this year.

Over 16,000 people voted in the awards and Queensland’s top holiday destinations were announced from a shortlist of 16 finalists.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor, Ry Collins said he was excited that Airlie Beach had now entered the Hall of Fame after their hat-trick of wins.
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“Tourism is one of the three key pillars for our regional economy, and winning gold for three consecutive years is just a reward for the resilience and passion of our tourist operators and the leadership shown of Tourism Whitsundays (TW),” he said.
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“This is a great outcome not only for our resort town of Airlie Beach but also for Bowen winning bronze and also for Collinsville who made the finals for the Top Tiny Tourism Town, highlighting the diverse range of visitors’ experiences our Whitsunday region offers.
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“Council is proud to be the major funding supporter for TW and looks forward to partnering with them to continue promoting our Whitsunday region as one of Australia’s top tourism destinations.”
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Tourism Whitsundays CEO said the award was a huge moment for Airlie Beach.
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“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire community. We are so proud to be recognised as a top tourism destination, not just for our stunning scenery and vibrant town centre, but also for the action-packed activities that make Airlie Beach so unforgettable” he said.
 
“This award reinforces our commitment to providing our visitors with an exceptional experience and the added success of Bowen and Collinsville helps showcase The Whitsundays region as a must-visit destination with something on offer for everyone.”

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy was thrilled that Bowen came home with a bronze award and that Collinsville made the finals.

“Bowen really is the hidden gem at the top of the Whitsundays,” she said.

“To be recognised as the third best Top Tourism Town in Queensland was awesome, and we thank everyone who voted for Bowen as well as everyone who was involved in putting the submission together.

“We were also very excited that Collinsville made the finals this year.

“The team at Bowen Tourism and Business nominated Collinsville in the Tiny Towns category for the first time so we were very pleased to make it to the finals stage.”

Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business, Jenn Honnery said to have three Whitsundays towns in the finals was a magnificent achievement.

“It was great to see the Whitsundays represented across all three categories, showcasing the diversity of experiences on offer in our region,” she said.

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Leanne Abernethy Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Nathan Fleming from Ocean Rafting, Rick Hamilton CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Ry Collins Mayor of Whitsunday Regional Council and Elizabeth Hackett at the awards last week. Photo supplied.

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Hi Everyone,

For those of you who follow this column regularly you will know that I have a healthy fear of public speaking – one that I will once again embrace tomorrow as an invited panellist at a Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry Event.

I am writing this on Wednesday and, by the time you are reading this, my very public contribution on the subject of ‘Get Free Media for Your Business’ will be complete.

For those of you who missed my moment in the spotlight, here is a snapshot of what I said:

When I was 25 years old, I had a café business near Byron Bay and I wrote to the local newspaper, The Echo, and told them excitedly about my new business.

I was saddened when I heard nothing back, but instead was approached by a sales rep looking to sell me an ad.

At the time I didn’t grasp that I was asking another business to give me a free product, much like if they asked me to shout them lunch at the café.

I couldn’t always give away free lunches could I?

Of course, now I understand this implicitly working for a free newspaper – while we would love to give every business a free shout out, we simply cannot – it wouldn’t be fair to our advertisers, or to ourselves!

There are, however, a few ways we can open the gates a little.

You can do something charitable – we love stories about kindness and will publish your do-goodings where possible.

You can sponsor an event or hold a community gathering – if you have a marketing budget we would appreciate you giving us a slice, but if not we will still get behind you in some way where space allows. If you book an ad, however, we can really maximise your exposure.

Lastly, you could become a member of Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry or Tourism Whitsundays – each member receives one free editorial in the paper.

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Rach

Quote of the Week: “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it enough” (Albert Einstein)

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Doing good in the community can be as subtle as creating a piece of art which brings a smile to someone’s face and adds a unique flavour to an already beautiful landscape.

Head down to Cannonvale Beach when you get a chance and see if you can spot the heart made out of rocks which sits resplendently upon the flat section of the beach and is exposed at low tide.

As the water climbs the beach at high tide the rocks are submerged and when it recedes again, they are exposed once more.

It appears that the artist, whoever they are, deliberately chose the heaviest rocks they could find to create the giant heart shape that would be durable and resistant to the movements of nature.

Around 20 large rocks have been used in the creation of this majestic piece of art and each weighty piece would have been carried to its new location, placed sturdily on the sand where the intention was for it to remain.

Children play amongst the stones, dogs race around it and people stop to take a look at its calm but strong presence on the beach.

So far, no-one has touched it, fingers crossed it will remain for some time.

Who is the artist? Could they be a young backpacker travelling around Australia and creating a Rock Of Hearts at every beach they can?

If you know them, let us know!

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The Queensland Government 2024/2025 State Budget was released on Tuesday afternoon and it features several allocations that target the cost-of-living crisis with measures that will directly affect the back pocket.

From discounted car registration to cheaper public transport, this pre-election budget is aimed at creating real change, although several measures are conveniently due to expire just after the State Government election which is due to take place in November this year.

A total of $11.2b in reductions to Queenslanders have been outlined in this week’s budget announcement, which is 31% greater than last year.

Additionally, the Government said, “the Budget also sets out a $107.262 billion 4-year capital program to provide health and education services for Queenslanders where they live, transport to get home faster, and to transform our energy system on the path to net zero.”

Budget Breakdown

   • 20 per cent reduction in the registration fee and traffic improvement fee components of motor vehicle registration for all light vehicles for 12 months.

   • Lowering public transport fares to a flat fare of 50 cents across the state’s public transport network for 6 months from 5 August 2024.

   • Increasing the value of FairPlay vouchers from $150 to $200 and number of vouchers available from 50,000 to up to 200,000 at an additional cost of $33.5 million.

   • Providing $15 million for the School and Community Food Relief Program. This initiative will assist children to access food relief from appropriate sources, ranging from subsidised lunches, breakfasts or tuckshop items.

   • Substantial additional support to a wider range of Queenslanders purchasing their first home by increasing eligibility thresholds for first home concession, and first homevacant land concession. It will increase the threshold for first home buyer stamp duty concessions by $200,000 to properties valued under $700,000.

The Budget also continues to deliver the following:

   • Record health funding with growth of 10.6 per cent in 2024–25 to support a range of essential health initiatives.

   • $1.28 billion over 5 years for community safety measures across 5 key pillars of supporting victims, delivering for our frontline, detaining offenders, intervening when people offend, and preventing crime before it occurs.

   • Over $1.274 billion continuing investment in school and early education facilities that consider population growth and shifts, changes in educational needs, and addressing high priority needs for student and staff health and safety.

   • $502 million to deliver the Putting Queensland Kids First Plan supporting children from their earliest years of life and directs resources, services and supports to give every Queensland child and family the best possible opportunities for a great life.

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A drone company dedicated to supplying regional and remote communities with cargo deliveries of up to 55 kilograms is set to trial the devices across the Whitsundays in July and August this year.

The long-range Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) are able to fly up to four hours without recharging - aiming to link regional areas like never before.

The trial has been made possible by a $5.3 million Australian Government grant designated for the exploration of alternative transport systems.

RevAero is the company behind the invention and a spokesperson said they are looking forward to demonstrating how the distribution of goods and services can be achieved at scale.

With these clever devices they hope to be able to bridge the gap created by Australia's vast distances and enhance connectivity for regional communities.

“We aim to provide reliable cargo delivery into remote or infrastructure-limited areas,” said the RevAero spokesperson.

“Our service bridges the gap between established long-mile logistics and remote or regional endpoints that are disadvantaged by inadequate or absent infrastructure.

“This capability is also suitable for urgent response scenarios such as Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Recovery (HADR).”

The upcoming trials in the Whitsunday islands will feature flights around Shute Harbour, Proserpine, Daydream Island, and Hayman Island.

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The drones can carry up to 55kg and travel up to four hours non-stop. Photo supplied

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The Proserpine Entertainment Centre buzzed with excitement and pride as 57 new Australian citizens were welcomed in a heartwarming Citizenship Ceremony held on Tuesday 11 June.

The event marked a significant milestone for the conferees hailing from eight different countries, symbolising the rich diversity and multicultural spirit of the community.

Conferees from Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Philippines, New Zealand, Taiwan, France and China took the pledge of commitment to Australia, embracing their new identity with joy and gratitude.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, family members and friends who gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion.

The event featured inspiring speeches, cultural performances and the official swearing-in ceremony.

The Mayor of Whitsundays, Ry Collins, delivered a heartfelt address, emphasising the importance of unity, diversity and the shared values that bind the community together.

The Citizenship Ceremony included a rousing rendition of the Australian national anthem, followed by a reception where attendees mingled, shared stories and enjoyed refreshments.

For more photographs check out our website mackayandwhitsundaylife.com.

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Daniel Heggie and Lucy Seddon-Brown, Stories In Light Imagery.

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The Bowen River Rodeo saw 3000 people attend over the weekend and the entire event was a huge hit.

The rodeo had 200 competitors and the camp drafting had 220!

Friday night live music entertained rodeo lovers too.

There were lots of activities for the younger kids to enjoy, including the Flag Race, Bounce Pony, Barrell Race, Snakes & Ladders and more.

Bowen River Committee Secretary, Sally Fry said “The Bowen River is now 136 years old and I think that’s quite special.”

“Bowen River Rodeo associated with Buck Off Melanoma and proceeds from the raffle and Calcutta is split between Buck Off Melanoma and CQ Rescue Helicopter.

“Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, without them we wouldn’t be able to hold this wonderful event.

“And thank you to our hard-working committee and volunteers who work so hard over the weekend to make our event such a success.”

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Mayor Ry Collins and his family at the Bowen River Rodeo
The rodeo was a huge success over the weekend
Photos supplied

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Much-loved local Councillor Jan Clifford was awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day this year and last month she attended a special ceremony to collect her medal at Parliament House in Brisbane.

A Whitsunday Regional Councillor since 2008, Ms Clifford is now serving her 5th term and was uncontested at the recent Local Government Elections.

When asked what she believes were the reasons for her nomination and subsequent recognition, Ms Clifford said “you’ve got to go above and beyond”.

“I think it’s a lot to do with the things I do for rural women and all the community efforts I’ve put in over the years,” she shared.

It is well known that Ms Clifford volunteered graciously throughout the Cyclone Debbie recovery period and has been giving up her own Christmas Day to assist at community events for those in need.

Since 1995, Ms Clifford has been an advocate for the Whitsundays region, working within the tourism sector for many of those years.

She started attending Council meetings in 2000, becoming interested in the process and then going for election.

Flash forward to this year and Ms Clifford said it was an absolute honour to receive her OAM.

“It was absolutely awesome!” she said.

“It was like you’d been dreaming about something and all of a sudden it happened!”

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Councillor Jan Clifford received her OAM at Parliament House in Brisbane on May 16. Photo supplied

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Local businesswoman, Katelyn Aslett, was awarded Queensland Emerging Philanthropist of the Year at the Queensland Philanthropy Awards which were held in Brisbane last Friday night.

The founder of a charity organisation called My Giving Plate, Ms Aslett uses her skills in event management to facilitate dinner parties, both large and small, with all proceeds going towards worthwhile charities.

Over the past year, My Giving Plate has raised almost $180,000 and since its inception four years ago it has raised over $600,000.

The idea for the charity began when Ms Aslett felt a calling to help those effected by the floods in Townsville, a place she had previously resided and where she still had friends.

With a desperate desire to help raise money to help her friends, Ms Aslett held a dinner party where she accepted donations.

Its subsequent success inspired her to spread the concept far and wide by creating a platform that funnelled the money raised through a more streamlined system.

This is when she created the My Giving Plate platform which has now hosted more than 50 dinner parties.

The process is simple and can be adapted to dinner parties of any size, from a gathering of 10 friends to a large-scale event for hundreds of people.

The idea is that, by skipping the cost of venue hire and hospitality staff and holding an event in your own home or backyard, you can absorb the food costs as well and so much more money can be raised and then given to the charity of your choice.

Ms Aslett guides each person through the process and can help with any questions along the way.

An entrepreneur at heart, Ms Aslett had her own art and design label for over 20 years.

“If your business is going well, you’ve got the ability to give back,” she explained.

“It’s amazing to be amongst so many incredible people doing so much good, and I couldn’t do half of it if I didn’t have such an amazing team.”

“It was an honour to accept this award and I love that it has lifted the profile of what we’re doing so that more people will now want to get involved – we can make a lot more happen and I would love to raise half a million dollars a year, which I think is possible!”

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Katelyn Aslettt with her mother and husband at the Queensland Philanthropy Awards in Brisbane last Friday night. Photo supplied

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The Bowen Community Centre proudly celebrated National Volunteer Week by honouring 20 of its dedicated volunteers.
This special event highlighted the vital importance of volunteers to the centre and the broader community.
During the celebration, volunteers were recognised for their selfless service and the significant impact they have on the lives of those who need it most.
Their efforts help the Centre to expand its reach and enhance the quality of services provided, from support programs to community events and educational workshops.
"We are immensely grateful for the dedication and hard work of our volunteers," said Stephanie Cora the Executive Officer of the Bowen Community Centre.
"Their contributions are invaluable, and they truly embody the spirit of community and compassion.
“Without them, our mission to support and uplift the most vulnerable members of our community would not be possible."
The event was a heartfelt tribute to the volunteers who give their time, skills, and energy to make a difference.
It also served as a reminder of the power of volunteerism and the positive change it can bring to society.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Bowen Community Centre, and their contributions enable the centre to provide a wide range of free services to their most vulnerable members.
Without the volunteers unwavering commitment and generosity, the Bowen Community Centre would not be able to function or offer the support that so many in our community rely on.

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Volunteer Dee Jastremski and Executive Officer from the Bowen Community Centre Stephanie Cora
Photo supplied

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Welcome to this month’s Member Spotlight organised by Whitsunday Chamber Of Commerce And Industry.

This month’s article showcases our diverse businesses community.

AWB First Aid First owner-operators, Andrew and Wendy Barker, are passionate for first aid.

AWB First Aid First has been supplying the Whitsundays with professional first aid training, first aid kits and supplies, and volunteering first aid services at local events since October 2009.

They are motivated to train the community as a way of making our community safe.

In recent years they have seen the need for everyone to be capable of delivering lifesaving first aid – from workplaces, schools, community groups, public events, and even in our homes and families.

While a critical skill, they have seen their clients and the community struggle with taking the time to learn first aid.

They urge the community to ensure all our first aid skills are up-to-date.

As proud local business owners, their advice to other businesses is to:

   • Connect in with a business coach so you can stay focused on goals and what’s important.
   • Continually work at building a good, reliable network of other businesses and professionals around you.
   • Know your numbers and regularly review income, costs, and your financial position.

As Chamber members they enjoy seeing what is happening in the Whitsundays through the Chamber’s communications and events, getting support when needed, and meeting other local businesses through networking.

Visit their website to learn more about upcoming courses and services: https://www.awbfirstaid.com.au/

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AWB First Aid First owner-operators, Andrew and Wendy Barker. Photo supplied

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After six weeks of hard work, artist Glen Gillard is thrilled to have finished the latest of Bowen’s murals and is extremely happy with it.

“It is probably the longest that I have ever spent on a mural,” said Glen.

“I am glad to see the end of it, and I’m happy and think the results are pretty good.

“Everybody's saying how wonderful it is and magnificent, but most of the comments I get is that it’s beautiful and that's what I'm really happy about.”

Glen joked that his favourite part to paint was the end, adding his signature at the end.

Secretary of the Mural Society Heather Skinner, President Josie Tons and Treasurer Marcia Land are over the moon with it and describe it as “Fan-bloody-tastic!”

This mural is of Herbert Street and the Mural Society have plans to extend it, adding additional buildings from Herbert Street on the blank spaces next to the newly finished mural.

This mural would not be possible without Bowen Hire, supplying scaffolding and the Mural Society express a huge thank you to them.

Glen would also like to add that he loves green tree frogs, and he likes to add them into his murals – see if you can spot one!

“This mural here has three Green Tree Frogs which people have to find before they go home,” Glen laughed.

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Glen Gillard in front of his finished mural
Treasurer Marcia Land, Secretary Heather Skinner, President Josie Tons and Artist Glen Gillard

Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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