Marie Murray’s love for Mackay is apparent through her commitment and her service to the community.

Ms Murray was acknowledged on Thursday of last week with a morning tea at the Northern Beaches Community Hall.

The celebration marks her 35 years of service in managing the hall, a service which came to an end this year.

Ms Murray has been involved in the hall since it was first built, with her name listed on minutes from the first meetings held by the hall committee dating back to 1987.

She is known in the community for always going above and beyond, acting as a conduit and advocate for community groups and not-for-profits that use the hall.

Ms Murray was also a councillor, serving five terms between 1985 to 2000 in both the Pioneer Shire and the Mackay City Councils.

An active and passionate member of the community, Ms Murray has been a Queen's Baton bearer, received the Pride of the Region Award and is a well-respected marriage celebrant.  

Ms Murray was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Council by Mayor Greg Williamson and spoken of fondly by councillors and members of the public throughout the morning tea.

‍

Government and industry leaders congregated in Mackay last week for the eighth annual Developing Northern Australia Conference.

The conference provides a regular opportunity for northern Australians to come together to reidentify and refine priorities, discuss ideas and form networks.

With the 2022 theme being ‘A Lead on Inclusive Development for the 21st Century’, guest speakers, presenters and exhibitors shared their views on the future of northern Australia.

Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Senator Susan McDonald says the conference is an opportunity to positively discriminate the region.

“We’ve got some of the greatest thought leaders in the land,” she said.

“We’ve got the Minister for Northern Australia, the Shadow Minister for Northern Australia and other government officials who are ensuring that we can continue to prioritise these important issues.”

Ms McDonald says the Townsville region spent over $500 million on professional services outside the region last financial year.

“Until we start ensuring that the graphic designers, accountants, solicitors, consultants are all based in our regions, they own a house, they pay the lawn mowing fee, their kids go to school here, until we do that, we’re not demanding that the rest of the country pays the same attention,” she said.

“Positive discrimination for the north.

“Investing in the north ourselves, but also the government, in critical infrastructure and ensuring the momentum that was achieved under the last government is maintained under this one.”

1.3 million people call northern Australia home, and the conference aims to give the representatives of the region a louder voice.

“It is fantastic that we’ve got so many industries, so many government departments are coming here to make sure northern Australia remains the most important portfolio in this government but also understanding the possibility for the north and what we can deliver for Australia as a whole,” said Ms McDonald.

“I want to use this few days as an opportunity to talk to the new Minister, to demonstrate how important it is for those of us who live here, who drive on the roads, who understand the limited internet connectivity, who want to see more childcare services, who want to see greater investment in roads and rail.”

Ms McDonald says the resources sector was also under the spotlight.

“In northern Australia, we have not just the traditional minerals, not just the coal that’s powered the nation, but also the critical minerals that fund the new economy, but also the rare earths,” she said.

“At the moment, the largest rare earths mine is in China.

“Australia needs to secure its own future, particularly with critical mineral fertilisers like potash and phosphate.”

Ms McDonald called on the new resources minister to put potash and phosphate on our critical minerals list to ensure Australia has its own fertiliser supply chains.

“At the moment, it’s mostly rare earths and battery technology minerals, but we need to also concentrate on the most important thing we do for humans which is grow food and for that we need to secure Australia’s supply, stop importing from other countries and ensure that Australia continues to feed itself as well as our near neighbours.”

‍

Survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence will have a safer place to access support, after the State Government announced a major funding boost to service providers and court facilities across the Mackay and Whitsunday region.

Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman visited Mackay last week to reveal local domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) services would receive an extra $900,000, as part of a $22.5 million boost for services across the state over the next three years.

These recommendations were part of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, headed by the Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC. The Taskforce was established in March 2021 to examine coercive control, and review both the need for a specific offence of ‘domestic violence’ and the experience of women across the criminal justice system.

It was also announced that the Mackay Courthouse will undergo a $3 million transformation which will include a new secure safe room and other refurbishments to make the justice system process less harrowing for victims of abuse.

The Attorney-General said the current facilities at the Mackay Courthouse aren’t tailored to making women feel safe, and that the upgrades will help to encourage more victims to come forward.

“We need secure, safe spaces for multiple women and their children. It needs to be a relaxing space where they can access services, and there needs to be separate entrances for victims entering the court so they don’t have to come face-to-face with their alleged perpetrator,” Minister Fentiman said.

Survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence will often live a life of unimaginable pain, both physically and mentally, before seeking help. It takes immense courage to step away and report the crime, with victims experiencing a plethora of emotion; from sadness and depression to anger and embarrassment.

But for the men and women who have suffered at the hands of another, the battle doesn’t end there. Facing their perpetrator during their first interaction with the justice system is a terrifying reality for some, and can be especially confronting when a victim is made to navigate past the accused in a waiting area or is asked to discuss sensitive and emotional information in a courthouse hallway.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said that the greater Mackay region will receive $900,000 to go to DFSV support services.

“It is so important that dedicated support workers receive the tools they need to help victims better manage their trauma,” the Attorney-General said.

“We have seen an increased demand for services driven by a number of factors, including national attention on women’s safety, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Total funding to sexual, domestic and family violence services in the Mackay and Whitsunday region is now more than $5 million for the 2022-23 financial year.

Councillor Belinda Hassan is on the Mackay Women’s Services board and spoke on behalf of the Mackay Women Services, which incorporates the Domestic Violence Resource Service, the Mackay Women’s Centre and the Mackay Sexual Assault Service.

“We’ve always had a greater demand for services than we’ve been able to keep up with, our waitlist is awfully long, this additional funding will allow us to help more people in the community,” Cr Hassan said.

“The funding will allow us to retain the great staff we have and employ one more counsellor to help with child and adolescent counselling, women’s counselling services and sexual assault counselling.”

“We know this funding will make a real difference to vulnerable Queenslanders most at risk,” Minister Fentiman added.

The Attorney-General said the $3 million for the Mackay Courthouse would be used to make domestic violence survivors feel safer.

“The room at the Mackay Courthouse is currently a very small room where victims can wait to go to court, but it is nothing like what we actually need,” Minister Fentiman said.

“It will also mean interview rooms.

“At the moment, duty lawyers or court support staff have to have conversations with victim survivors in the hallway which is not good enough.

“We want our courthouses to have the facilities women deserve and they deserve to have these conversations privately.”

Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert welcomed the additional boost for frontline services.

“It is crucial that we invest in our domestic violence and sexual services to ensure women and victims of violence can access support when they need it most,” Ms Gilbert said.

“To be able to make this space a comfortable and safe space for women and children is a great outcome for our community.”

(L-R) Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman and Councillor Belinda Hassan at the Mackay Courthouse to announce funding towards better services and facilities for domestic, family and sexual abuse victims. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

Funding was announced from the State Government for DFSV services as well as an upgrade to Mackay Courthouse. (L-R) Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman and Councillor Belinda Hassan. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

‍

The Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival kicks off its 18th year today after launching at Whitsunday Anglican School last night.

Presenters at the festival, including authors, artists, storytellers, screenwriters, slam poets, musicians and scientists, as well as students, sponsors and organisers gathered to officially launch the festival.

Over the next two days, more than 5000 students from the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions and 500 students from 21 schools in rural and remote regions thanks to the Winchester Foundation will be immersed in all things literature.

“The great part of why I love this festival is that it provides an opportunity for regional and rural students to experience a world-class literature festival that they normally wouldn’t get a chance to outside major capital cities,” said Whitsunday Anglican School Principal Andrew Wheaton.

“The students walk away tremendously invigorated and excited with a love of literature.

“You start to see students walking with piles of books and they literally can’t wait to turn the physical page of a book and get immersed in the wonderful world of what literature can provide and that’s incredibly powerful in an age which is so dominated by social media and technology.”

Mr Wheaton says the festival has come together thanks to incredible preparation from Festival Manager Tracey Gurdler and Coordinator Liz Russel.

Ms Gurdler says seeing the authors arrive and interact with students and stakeholders makes it all worthwhile.

“Liz and I have been working hard to deliver a festival to excite and encourage the students of Mackay into the world of literature and with this stellar line-up of presenters before us, I feel we have certainly delivered on that,” she said.

“To see children immerse themselves in the joy of literature, reading and writing is incredibly meaningful.

“For me, this is what the festival is truly about.”

Two presenters at the festival include Sydney-based writer and kidlit podcast host Nat Amoore and Queensland author, illustrator and ‘Story Doctor’ Dr Cameron Stelzer.

Ms Amoore says as well as writing and illustrating, festivals are a big part of the job.

“Getting in front of the kids, they’re your audience, they’re your readers so you want to go out and see them,” she said.

“It’s as much about interacting with your audience and getting face-to-face time with the kids that are reading your books as well as keeping them inspired and excited about reading so there’s another generation of writers but also a generation that wants to read.”

“It’s where you get your ideas from as well,” added Dr Stelzer.

“If you’re sitting in a room not interacting, you don’t get the feel of what’s going to work and what the kids want to see.”

After a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country led by local Yuwi people, the festival was declared open by Principal Wheaton.

An insightful Writer’s Panel followed featuring presenters Melina Marchetta, Jack Heath, Cath Moore and Oliver Phommavanh, hosted by Nat Amoore.

The festival kicks off today with presentations, workshops, competitions and book signings.

Key highlights of the program include the Litchat Educators’ Event presented by Tomorrow, When the War Began author John Marsden tonight and the Flor-Hanly Literary Dinner featuring keynote speaker Dr Richard Harris tomorrow night.

For more information on the festival, the program and the presenters, visit www.whitsundayvoices.com.au.

Nat Amoore and Dr Cameron Stelzer are among the many talented writers presenting at this year’s Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival

Last night’s launch concluded with an insightful Writer’s Panel featuring Melina Marchetta, Jack Heath, Cath Moore and Oliver Phommavanh, hosted by Nat Amoore

‍

Ten of the region’s emergency services will connect with the community at the end of this month in an annual event celebrating its second year.

Organised by Whitsunday Police, the Emergency Services Field Day is a free entry, annual event inviting locals to have a chat with the personnel that protect them.

From 8am until midday on Saturday July 30, over seven divisions of the Queensland Police will attend, including Queensland Police Highway Patrol, Dog Squad, the local PCYC, General Duties Officers, Crime Prevention Unit, Recruiting, and Water Police.

Other emergency services meeting with the community on the day will be the likes of Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue, Rural Fire Service, Australian Defence Force, Marine Safety Queensland, Volunteer Marine Rescue, Claytons Towing, Whitsunday Council Disaster Management, SES and Central Queensland Rescue.

Whitsunday Police Station Constable Jessica Leech said the event presents an opportunity for the community to see what emergency services have to offer them.

It’s a great place for us to interact with the community, as well as for them to see and learn what we do for them,” Constable Leach said.

“And for anyone wanting a career in any of those areas they can talk to firies, ambos, police and get to know what the jobs are about.

“It offers a multitude of opportunities and it also, for little kids, lets them get a photo with the firies!”

Ms Leech, who is organising the event, said the field day will host a program of events for its morning runtime along with its regular group of food stalls.

“There’ll be a series of demonstrations, with the really exciting ones like the QPS Pipes and Drums, a marching band with bagpipes and percussion instruments - they’re fantastic,” she said.

“We’ll have walk on viewings of the Volunteer Marine Rescue Boat down at the Marina, and a demolition car from Claytons Towing which will be cut open with the jaws of life.”

Constable Leach said the program, which is new this year, came into place because people were eager to see what those services were really like.

“You don’t really get to those sorts of things ever,” she said.

“We’re very excited to show the community what we’re all about.”

WHAT: Emergency Services Field Day

WHERE: Coral Sea Marina Lawns

WHEN: July 30

The Defence Force will feature at this year’s “bigger and better” Emergency Services Field Day

This year there will be live demonstrations by services like Claytons Towing, who will be cutting a car open

‍

Local tourism operator Ocean Rafting has once again been recognised as one of the top 10 per cent of tours and attractions worldwide, as well as breaking into the top one per cent.

The local company was awarded as one of Tripadvisor’s '2022 Travelers' Choice' winners, recognising them for receiving consistent five-star reviews, as well as “maintaining a high-level of customer experience.”

Not content with making it just into the top 10 per cent, Ocean Rafting were awarded with as one of the “Best of the Best” tourism operators in the Tripadvisor award – counting them as one of the top one per cent of tours on the planet.

Ocean Rafting owner Jan Claxton said it was a testament to their mantra that “you’re only as good as your last day out there on tour”.

“I always say to my tour guides to treat every day as if it’s the only day someone experiences the Whitsundays,” she said.

“I always tell the team: this is your award, we’re the ones in the background making the tours go ahead, but at the end of the day the people who are most impressive are the guides giving people such a great experience.”

In a tough few years for the tourism industry, Ms Claxton said it the most wonderful part of it is the fact the awards are voted on by people that came on tour with them.

“As soon as the school holidays are over, we’ll head to Northerlies for a few drinks,” she said.

“I think the thing is, we’ve been around for 25 years this year, and we’re making sure we’re always improving and never be complacent.

“I have to say thank you to my team and to all of you guests who made it possible.”

25-year veteran of Whitsunday tourism, Ocean Rafting have cracked the top one per cent of tours in the world on Tripadvisor

‍

A group of naturists will be experiencing utter liberation this week as they nude up onboard a cruise across the Whitsundays.

In a two-day trip led by contemporary naturist group Get Naked Australia (GNA), 32 soon-to-be nudists from across the country will strip off and sail the Coral Sea in a first time ever for the organisation.

Started in 2016, Get Naked Australia has grown exponentially into one of the country’s biggest naturist groups, running events to offer a fun way to “take the plunge and experience naturism for the first time.”

Get Naked Australia’s Queensland Coordinator Rikki Yeowart is leading the group in their debut Whitsunday outing.

“We ran our first Gold Coast cruise earlier this year – a majority of our events have been in Sydney, our base of operations – and this is our first time in the Whitsundays,” Ms Yeowart said.

“It will also be our first ever multi-day cruise, so we’ve got people coming from across the country. On the boat we’ve got things like a six-metre inflatable water slide, a bar, paddleboarding, board games and card games. Even the option to do naked scuba diving!”

The trip will leave on Friday afternoon aboard a True Blue Sailing Vessel, before returning on Sunday in a two night, one full day and one-half day experience.

“It is weather dependent [whether we’ll be naked the whole time]; because, if it’s cold we won’t do it out of spite,” Ms Yeowart laughed.

“But if the suns out we’ll be naked as much as within reason.”

Ms Yeowart said that the freeing nature of naturism helped her overcome her own body image struggles.

“For me, it was a body image struggle that naturism helped me with. With a lot of women, getting naked in front of a group of other women is a terrifying thought. A lot of us are brought up to feel shame with our body.

“I was on a journey to find acceptance in my own body, and nude yoga helped me transform my relationship with myself.”

The GNA demographic is quite young and hip according to Ms Yeowart, with everyone being extremely welcoming. They also make sure that there is always a balance of genders.

“It’s the community aspect of it - it’s a tight knit group of positive people wanting to go on adventures,” she said.

“Meeting people in your natural state, it’s so liberating.”

Get Naked Australia will host a multi-day nudie cruise this weekend

‍

Bowen’s famous mango sorbets, available for sale at the Big Mango Visitor Information Centre on the Bruce Highway south of Bowen, are again proving more popular than ever.

More than 40,000 tourists and locals visit the Information Centre and the information booth at Bowen’s Front Beach each year – and almost half of those bought a mango sorbet in the past 12 months.

Bowen Tourism and Business Manager, Leanne Abernethy, said a total of 18,500 sorbets were sold in the past financial year – smashing the previous year’s record of 17,000 sorbets.

“We know how popular they are but these figures are staggering,” she said.

“We sell them all year round and this is the closest thing you will get to a fresh Bowen mango when it is not mango season.”

Bowen is the birthplace of the famous Kensington Pride mangoes, also known as the Bowen Special, and the sorbets are 100 per cent natural – simply pureed and frozen.

They are produced by long-term Bowen resident, Patrick Martin, who sources the Kensington Pride mangoes locally and they are sold by Bowen Tourism and Business as well as by Patrick at the Airlie Beach markets on Saturdays.

Mr Martin said he was very excited that another record had been broken and it was because “Bowen mangoes are the best mangoes in the world”.

“It is a pleasure to continue to supply the Big Mango with the sorbets – as I have been doing for the past 11 years,” he said.

“When Bowen Tourism and Business sold 17,00 sorbets last year, I thought that was the best numbers we would ever get as the international borders had been closed due to Covid and we had more domestic visitors travelling around Queensland.

“But the state and international borders are open and we have smashed the sorbet sales record again.”

Sorbet connoisseur Patrick Martin and Bowen Tourism and Business Manager, Leanne Abernathy are happy that almost 18,500 sorbets have been bought over the last year

‍

The sperm whale found stranded in a remote bay in the Whitsundays two weeks ago has been buried by decision of Queensland Parks and Wildlife.

The 18m male whale had originally been stranded alive in Sinclair Bay, Cape Gloucester, on Wednesday, June 15 but unfortunately passed away overnight, before washing up on a beach directly in front of private residences.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers relocated the carcass over the next week, estimated to weigh around 50 tonnes, to a more suitable burial location close to the initial stranding site.

Rather than removing the carcass from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the decision was made to bury it for environmental, cultural, safety, and logistical reasons.

Wildlife officers said this significant feat wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the local landowners, Whitsunday Regional Council and a local earth-moving contractor.

Reef Joint Field Management Program Senior Conservation Officer Natalie Sands said this incident was a rare occurrence in Whitsundays.

“Sperm whales usually inhabit deeper offshore waters,” she said.

“We do sometimes see sperm whales in Queensland waters including the Great Barrier Reef, but for one to live strand on the inshore coast is unusual.”

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Rangers first were alerted to the whale while it was stranded alive in Sinclair Bay

‍

The Whitsundays is gearing up for the comfiest day of the year when they’ll don their PJs and create change for National Pyjama Day next week.

The day all about wearing your favourite pair of jammies to help The Pyjama Foundation raise much-needed awareness and funds for children in foster care is fast approaching on July 22.

Supporters from across the region are getting ready to rock their PJs at work, school and everywhere in between, including Proserpine Hospital staff.

Proserpine Hospital Executive Support Officer Christine Neilson said that this was the fifth year the hospital would be taking part in the charity event.

“The hospital had started participating in Pyjama Day from request of our intern group five years ago,” Ms Neilson said.

“We usually have quite a large group participating each year. It’s a bit of fun for the staff, because who doesn’t like to wear comfy PJS to work!

Ms Neilson said, aside from the fun side of the event, it was important to raise funds and awareness for the cause.

“The foundation provides educational resources and learning skills for those children; it’s a great cause,” she said.

“It’s a great way to start the conversation about the important work that the Pyjama Foundation do and you get to wear comfy clothes to work for the day!”

National Pyjama Day is vital to the success of the Pyjama Foundation’s Love of Learning Program which is offered to children in foster care - Australia's lowest performing educational group.

Businesses and individuals can register or find out more about National Pyjama Day at nationalpyjamaday.com, as well as donate to Proserpine Hospital’s page at https://bit.ly/3Rk7dK6

Proserpine Hospital are gearing up for their fifth year of raising funds on National Pyjama Day

‍

The Whitsundays’ first major resort development in over a decade has piqued plenty of interest with a deluge of eager buyers getting their names down for a slice of luxury living.

The stage one release of the $350 million Shute Harbour Marina Resort has generated more than $21.5 million in sales contracts issued and over 600 enquiries following the project’s market launch eight weeks earlier.

Established business owners, sea-change seekers, retirees, and avid boaties have led the charge on the 58 land and berth packages up for grabs.

A South Australian-based consortium is behind the project, with local agents Taylors Property Group helming the sales portion of the project. Principal of Taylors Property Group, Rob Taylor said the immediate market response has been incredible.

“We knew we had something special on our hands here, but we have been simply inundated with genuine interest – it’s been a whirlwind,” Mr Taylor said.

“A large portion of these purchasers are boating enthusiasts who recognise the rarity in such a premier berth location, or those from southern states who have been enticed by the lifestyle offering presented by the resort.”

The most significant transaction to date is the $2.55 million sale of a land and 35m berth package.

Once complete, the Shute Harbour Marina Resort will encompass a world-class 395-berth marina, 58 freehold land allotments, a 100-plus room resort hotel, including function and meeting rooms, bars, restaurants, swimming pool and undercover parking, and 100 managed apartments with resort club facilities.

Development of the first stage of Shute Harbour Marina Resort, which will include the marina and the stage-one release of land and marina berths, is expected to take two years to complete with construction targeted to commence in 12 months.

The Shute Harbour Marina Resort will include 58 managed resort dwellings with private marina berths, a retirement resort

‍

The Electoral Commission Queensland have called an election date of August 13 for our next Whitsunday Mayor. And all the newspaper articles, social media posts and general community activity is reflecting the fact that Mayoral Electioneering is in full swing.

The Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) was planning to host a "Meet the WRC Mayoral Candidates" event on Thursday, July 14 at 6:30pm at the VMR in Cannonvale, however, in response to concerns raised and to err on the side of caution, The Chamber had decided to postpone the event until the election had actually been called – which, will now be held on Monday, July 25.

This free community event will be open to all Chamber members and residents of the greater Whitsunday region. Each of the six (current) candidates will be in attendance and there will be a strict set of rules and guidelines by which candidates and guests must abide. Respect must be maintained at all times – this is about making the right decision for our entire region.

The Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce is an apolitical business organisation focused on improving the region for its members and community at large. The Chamber has a particular focus on advocacy for local businesses and their employees and the long term growth and viability of the region.

The Chamber is completely independent of the Whitsunday Regional Council, although on a 12-month cycle on rotation, a WRC counsellor from Division 1 and Division 2 is invited to attend all committee meetings throughout the year with the aim of maintaining and improving two way communication between each organisation. In the interests of transparency, the current council representative on the Chamber is Jan Clifford.

Chamber members are invited to submit in advance, to the chamber secretary, any general questions they would like the candidates to address on the evening. This can be done via email admin@whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au or via the link emailed out to members, or shared on our Facebook page

Annual membership for the chamber is $99. This entitles the individual/business to direct lines of communication to a multitude of authorities on matters of interest to local community (advocacy). In addition, we hold 6 networking events throughout the year, a great opportunity to promote your goods or services. These events also have a topical guest speaker or organisation.

Every attendee at this event will receive a bonus ticket to attend our next networking event in August.

See you at the VMR

Written by Alan Millostic

‍

A star-studded film shot in the Whitsundays and helmed by the likes of George Clooney and Julia Roberts released its trailer last week.

Shouts from locals of “I know where that is!” sang out with the release of Universal Pictures debut trailer for Ticket to Paradise.

Filmed across Queensland last year, the romantic comedy was talk of the town during its November to January film shoot on islands including Hamilton Island.

It’s not the first time the Whitsundays has had a starring role in a Hollywood flick – the 2008 film ‘Fools Gold’, featuring Mathew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, and ‘Australia’, famously shot in Bowen with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, were both Whitsunday cinema darlings.

But it may be the most expensive and with the biggest stars, which put the region in the spotlight during filming and hopefully again on release.

The Ticket to Paradise stars were spotted filming on locations including Haslewood Island, luxury Qualia Resort, and tourist hotspot Catseye Beach, as well as Long Island and Cid Harbour – each of which acted as Bali stand-ins during the shoot.

Clooney and Roberts play opposite each other as a divorced couple teaming up to stop their daughter making the same “mistake” they made 25 years ago.

The film is set for release on September 15, and no one is more excited than Tourism Whitsundays, who had a helping role in location scouting for the film.

“It is fantastic to once again see The Whitsundays shine on the big screen,” CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Rick Hamilton said.

“Having a major Hollywood film with A-list stars such as George Clooney and Julia Roberts will put The Whitsundays in the global spotlight as a destination for future films.”

Mr Hamilton said the movie is “hitting the screens worldwide at the perfect time”.

“[It’s] reminding our overseas visitors of our world-class destination and award-winning experiences,” he said.

“It will also help to remind Aussie’s of the beauty they have on their doorstep; they don’t need to travel abroad – the perfect tropical break is right here!”

Tourism Whitsundays worked closely with Working Title Films and operators over the past two years, finding the perfect locations to help secure this film for The Whitsundays.

“Thank you to everyone in The Whitsundays who was involved in bringing Ticket to Paradise to the screen,” Mr Hamilton said.

Director Ol Parker, Julia Roberts, and George Clooney filming Ticket to Paradise on Hamilton Island

‍

Annie Seaton has penned almost 65 novels in her chosen genre, with four taking place in the pristine beauty of the Whitsundays, and the author made a return visit to one of her favourite settings last week.

Stopping by at Whitsunday libraries across the region, Ms Seaton spoke to locals about her newest novels: Outback Roads – The Nanny, Outback Sky – The Pilot, Larapinta, and Osprey Reef – a novel set here in the Whitsundays.

She spent seven weeks in the Whitsundays – a place she’s visited for the past 11 years - travelling from their New South Wales home up the coast in a camper with her husband, which the pair have made a habit of in their retirement.

Annie writes on the road – another habit – and said she’s always had a dream of writing “ever since I was four years old.”

Annie writes romantic-suspense novels and took the opportunity to speak at Cannonvale, Proserpine, Collinsville, and Bowen libraries to fans and aspiring writers of the region.

“I talked about the research and how I did that locally, especially for Whitsunday Dawn, which focuses on Airlie Beach and the Cannonvalley in the 1940s,” she said.

“I also want to write another big one set at Bowen called Bowen River, which will be a murder-mystery. So, that will be my big focus next year.”

‍

The new Bowen Community Centre building is getting close to completion, with contractors now at the fitting out stage.

The new centre on 34-38 Gregory Street – which will be the future base of operations for Bowen Neighbourhood Centre - is now seeking donations from locals.

The non-for-profit said donations will be used to fit out the building’s features, including new technology, furnishings, and other resources necessary to ensure full function and responsivity for the needs of our community.

Along with new facilities, the new centre will home a Cooinda Family Centre, as well as a Tuckerbox Food Shop, a Bowen Community Op Shop – just like its current locale on Williams Street.

Coordinator Bowen Neighbourhood Centre Stephanie Cora said it would be a “one-stop shop” for providing the community with everything needed to enjoy both its already existing services and activities, as well as new ones.

“The new building will continue to provide support to those members of our community experiencing hardship such as homelessness, family violence, and food insecurity,” Ms Cora said.

“At Christmas time alone, more than one hundred and sixty families and individuals, including our elderly, receive gift hampers funded through the Bowen Community Op Shop.”

Other services to be offered at the new centre will include no interest loans for essential items including fridges, heaters and car parts and assisting our clients to access the range of resources and services available through other support agencies.

Chairperson of the Bowen Community Council Inc., Christine Coventry said having a new purpose-built Neighbourhood Centre in Bowen is going to “open up so many extra opportunities for our community.”

“We thank the Dept of Communities for their foresight in recognizing the need in Bowen, and we thank community members who have already donated,” Ms Coventry said.

“To have all the existing activities like Cooinda Family Centre, the Bowen Community Op shop, The Tuckerbox Food Bank, plus so much more, all on one site, will be such a benefit to the whole community.”

All donations made to support the new Bowen Community Centre are tax-deductible and receipts will be issued for all donations received.

If you would like to financially support the fit-out of the new Bowen Community Centre you can donate here: www.gofundme.com/f/the-bowen-community-centre

The new Bowen Neighbourhood Centre is closing in on completion, with fitting out stage now taking place

A markup of what the Centre will look like upon completion

‍