Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Tina Briskey From Taylors Property For Tina Briskey, real estate is more than a profession: it’s a way of sharing a place she has long called home. After arriving in the Whitsundays in 1991, following extensive travels across Australia and throughout her home state of Queensland, Tina quickly formed a deep connection to the region. What began as a move became a lifelong commitment, with the Whitsundays evolving from a destination into a cherished home. Before transitioning into real estate, Tina spent 17 years working on Hamilton Island, gaining valuable experience and building strong ties within the community. Her move into the property sector was driven by a genuine desire to help others discover the same lifestyle she had come to love. As a Property Specialist with Taylors Property Specialists, Tina brings a values-driven approach to her work. Loyalty, integrity, and honesty are at the core of everything she does, shaping a professional style that is both transparent and deeply client-focused. In an industry where trust is essential, Tina’s commitment to ethical practice and clear communication has become a defining feature of her service. Tina is passionate about helping clients not only buy and sell property, but also find their own piece of paradise in the Whitsundays. Her knowledge of the local area, combined with her authentic enthusiasm for the region’s lifestyle, allows her to guide clients with confidence and care. With a strong connection to the community and a heartfelt belief in what the Whitsundays has to offer, Tina Briskey continues to help others turn their property dreams into reality.
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Lisa relocated to the stunning Whitsundays in 2023, drawn by the promise of a more relaxed lifestyle and the opportunity to immerse herself in everything the region has to offer. With an extensive background as a paralegal and conveyancer in New South Wales, Lisa has a deep understanding of the legal and transactional aspects of property. Her passion for real estate, combined with her commitment to building genuine relationships, inspired her to transition into the industry full-time. Grateful for the warm welcome she and her family received, Lisa is passionate about sharing her knowledge, enthusiasm, and local insight to help others achieve their property goals. She takes pride in guiding clients through the process of buying or selling their most significant assets, ensuring a seamless and rewarding experience. Approachable, professional, and always willing to go the extra mile, Lisa looks forward to assisting you with your real estate journey in the Whitsundays.
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Sarah Dean from Belle Property Whitsunday Sarah Dean brings a wealth of experience and a track record of success to her role as a Sales Consultant at Belle Property Whitsundays, where she leads Team Sarah Dean. Before moving into real estate, Sarah worked in the investment sector, helping clients maximise their superannuation through high-performing boutique funds. She also founded and ran a successful marketing business that generated qualified leads for investment property sales companies nationwide, enhancing client acquisition strategies and sales growth. Sarah’s focus is on building strong, long-term relationships with her clients through trust, clear communication, and expert advice. She is passionate about staying ahead of market trends, deeply understanding local property values, and providing her clients with a distinct competitive edge. Recognised for her excellence, Sarah has received multiple Sales Awards and has consistently ranked among the top agents on realestate.com.au in the Whitsundays for both performance and 5-star reviews. She is also a proud recipient of the Price Expert Badge from Rate My Agent, a reflection of her accurate market insight and pricing expertise. What sets Sarah apart is her genuine, client-first approach and her ability to achieve record-breaking sales prices. Her strong negotiation skills and tailored selling strategies ensure optimal outcomes for every client, whether buying or selling. Now at Belle Property, Sarah thrives in an environment that values collaboration, innovation, and high standards of service. Team Sarah Dean is committed to providing a boutique experience backed by the strength of the Belle Property brand, delivering premium results with a personalised touch. Outside of real estate, Sarah is an active member of the Whitsundays community. She enjoys quality time with her son, outdoor adventures, sporting events, and charity initiatives. Whether camping, boating, or exploring the beautiful Whitsundays region, Sarah embraces life with energy and passion—values she brings to every client interaction.
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Stop the presses - one of the most loved dogs in the world is coming to Australia! Spot the dog is taking to the stage in a show designed to be enjoyed by the whole family, and adored by little ones, for whom it might be their first ever theatre experience. The upbeat show sees Eric Hill's beloved puppy come to life on stage in a show that's fun for all, with puppetry, songs, and puzzles for children from 18 months and up – promising to be enjoyed by ‘big kids’ too. Spot and his friends will be setting off on a new adventure to visit Spot's Dad on the farm and meet the farm animals. But when they arrive, all the animals are lost! And so the quest begins: Can Spot and his friends find them all? They might need a little help from their new friends in the audience... This sweet show is an amazing opportunity to introduce little ones to the arts, letting them step into a storybook world where their favourite animals have jumped off the page and stand before them. Who knows – it may inspire some future performers to take to the stage one day, too. Tickets are available now on the Proserpine Entertainment Centre website. WHAT: Spot – Live On Stage WHERE: Proserpine Entertainment Centre WHEN: Friday 1st May, 12-12.50pm, 2-2.50pm
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Cannon Valley’s Eloise Chegwidden has done her hometown and school proud, achieving remarkable success at the School Sport Australia National Swimming Championships in Ballarat, Victoria.
The 10-year-old St Catherine’s Catholic College student, who trains with the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club, earned her spot on the Queensland Representative School Sports team after medaling in two events at the State Championships held in Brisbane earlier this year.
Representing Queensland on the national stage, Eloise competed in the 100m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke, and as part of the 4x50m medley relay team. She achieved three personal best times across her events and made the final in the 50m breaststroke, finishing 5th overall in Australia — an incredible accomplishment for such a young swimmer.
Eloise’s 5th-place finish also made her the highest-placed Queensland competitor in the 10 Years Girls 50m breaststroke event, a testament to her hard work and determination in the pool.
Eloise is now looking forward to building on her success, with her sights set on the Queensland Country Championships in Rockhampton, as well as the Queensland Sprint Championships and Queensland School Sport State Championships in Brisbane early next year.
Eloise’s success in Ballarat marks another exciting milestone in what promises to be a bright future for the young athlete. Her achievements continue to highlight the depth of young swimming talent emerging from the Whitsundays region.
Eloise Chegwidden attended the School Sport Australia National Swimming Championships in Ballarat. Photo supplied
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The recent adoption of the Bowen Foreshore Masterplan marks a major milestone not only for Council, but for me personally as Mayor. From the day I was elected, one of my top priorities was to deliver a clear and connected vision for Bowen’s waterfront — a plan that unites the foreshore, boat harbour, jetty, township, and surrounding parklands into a single, cohesive destination for locals and visitors alike.
To now see that vision formally adopted by Council is incredibly rewarding. Bowen’s foreshore is one of the most beautiful and recognisable stretches of coastline in North Queensland, yet for too long its potential has been limited by fragmented planning and aging infrastructure.
This Masterplan changes that. It provides the long-term blueprint we need to protect Bowen’s natural charm while unlocking new opportunities for tourism, recreation, and marine industry investment.
At its heart, the plan celebrates Bowen’s character of a relaxed coastal lifestyle, the connection to the sea, and the pride our community has in its heritage. But it also looks forward, setting out how we can enhance access, improve amenities, and strengthen the link between the jetty, harbour and town centre as part of a vibrant, accessible waterfront precinct.
With the new Bowen Jetty to be constructed in coming years, the timing couldn’t be better. The Masterplan ensures that every project we deliver, from park upgrades to harbour improvements, contributes to a unified and world-class foreshore experience.
Council has now turned its attention to implementation, developing a five-year delivery plan that aligns with future capital renewals and funding opportunities. We’re also actively engaging with State and Federal governments to explore partnerships that can help accelerate this transformation and unlock the full economic potential of Bowen Harbour.
For me, this is about delivering on a promise and ensuring the projects we champion today will shape a thriving, sustainable waterfront for generations to come. The Bowen Foreshore Masterplan is more than a document; it’s the foundation for Bowen’s next chapter, and I’m proud to see it moving from vision to reality.
Whitsunday Regional Council is rolling out a Parks Regional Asset Renewal Program from November 2025 to April 2026. This program will upgrade more than 75 park assets across 23 parks in the Whitsunday Region!
From playgrounds and BBQs to shelters and exercise stations, we’re making sure our parks stay safe, welcoming and fun for everyone.
For more information on our regional parks renewal package, visit Council’s online engagement portal, at yoursay.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au .
St Catherine’s Catholic College came together Friday, 24 October, to celebrate another big year of achievement at the school’s annual Awards Ceremony.
Despite the scorching heatwave, families, staff and community members came together to cheer on students from Years 3 to 12 being recognised for their efforts across academic, cultural, community and sporting pursuits.
The ceremony featured plenty of highlights, including two fantastic performances from the College’s concert band, and wrapped up with a morning tea for guests to mingle and celebrate together.
Principal Katherine Nelson said it was a special way to reflect on what has been an extraordinary centenary year for the College.
“In our 100th year, it has been a joy to reflect on all that our students have achieved - from Readers Cup and Maths competitions to the College Musical, Eisteddfods, community events, and sporting carnivals,” Mrs Nelson said.
“Our Awards Ceremony is always a highlight on the calendar, and it’s made even more special by the support of our local community and the generosity of our sponsors. We’re so grateful for the partnerships that help make these celebrations possible.”
Special awards were presented to senior students recognising their efforts and contributions throughout their schooling years. With external assessments now underway, several Year 12s have already received early entry offers and are looking forward to the next chapter of their journey beyond school.
Mrs Nelson said she was proud of all students recognised at the morning’s ceremony.
“These students have achieved something to be proud of this year, ” she said.
“It’s been a marvellous way to celebrate their hard work and finish off our centenary year on such a high note.”
Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Proserpine Mill crushed out early last Saturday morning, bringing an end to a successful season.
It was the second of Wilmar’s eight sugar factories to finish the 2025 season.
Proserpine Mill Manager Operations Cory O’Shea said the last bin went through the tippler
at 6.30am Saturday (1 November).
“In total, we processed 1.48M tonnes of cane for the year to make about 205,000 tonnes of
raw sugar.
“The crop dropped off towards the back end of the season due to the warm, dry weather, but sugar content was above budget. We ended up with a provisional season CCS of 14.4 units.”
Mr O’Shea paid tribute to all Proserpine Mill employees, as well as growers and harvesting contractors, for their hard work in getting the crop off.
“I’m particularly proud of the job our people did this year – both in the factory and our cane supply team. It was a tremendous effort on all fronts,” he said.
“We had good factory performance, which contributed to the earlier finish. We also had a much better run of weather in 2025 than we’ve had in recent years, so we didn’t lose as much time to rain.
“An early finish puts us in a good position to finish the washdown and start our maintenance program before Christmas. This will take some pressure off, in terms of delivering our capital and maintenance program. It’ll also set the industry up for a better crop next year.”
Proserpine Mill Manager Operations Cory O’Shea and Operations Superintendent Jamie Bell saw the last bins go through the tippler for the 2025 season. Photo supplied
Biosecurity Queensland is urging landholders across the region to be on the lookout for locust activity, following the detection of late-stage nymphs in the Proserpine area.
The department is currently working closely with local landholders to identify the number and species of locusts present and to assist with control measures aimed at reducing the risk of a wider outbreak.
“Controlling locusts during the nymph stage is crucial,” a Biosecurity Queensland spokesperson said. “By breaking the lifecycle early, we can prevent large-scale infestations that could threaten crops and pasture across the region.”
There are four main species of locusts to watch for in Queensland — the Australian plague locust, migratory locust, spur-throated locust and yellow-winged locust. Landholders are encouraged to regularly inspect their properties for signs of these insects and report any sightings immediately.
Sightings can be reported by calling Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23, completing an online report, or emailing locustreports@dpi.qld.gov.au.
Under Queensland’s General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO), controlling locusts is primarily the responsibility of landholders. Nymphs can be effectively managed with approved insecticides before they develop into flying adults.
If infestations become too large for landholders to manage alone, the Department of Primary Industries will coordinate aerial spraying in partnership with the Australian Plague Locust Commission. This will be carried out responsibly, with buffer zones maintained around waterways and sensitive areas.
For more information on identifying and controlling locusts, visit the Biosecurity Queensland website or www.dpi.qld.gov.au.
Tourism Whitsundays has officially launched its new destination website, marking the next phase in its digital evolution and delivering an elevated, more intuitive experience for travellers planning their Whitsundays escape.
The launch follows a period of strong online performance in the lead-up to the website’s redevelopment, with the rebranded platform earlier this year recording significant growth in visitation for the year ending June 2025. Compared to the same period the year prior, new users increased by 48%, with overall page views rising by 31%, a reflection of growing awareness and interest in The Whitsundays as one of Australia’s most desirable holiday destinations.
This upgrade comes as Tourism Whitsundays transitions from WordPress to ROAM, a next-generation destination marketing platform purpose-built for Australian tourism organisations. The move is designed to future-proof operator data by leveraging the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) as a single source of truth, ensuring accurate, connected and up-to-date information for visitors.
The new platform enhances mobile performance, speeds up load times, and delivers an engaging, map-led experience with itineraries, food and drink guides and walking trails that make trip planning effortless.
Phase one introduces enhanced accessibility via UserWay, helping the site meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards with improved navigation, screen reader support and contrast controls. Phase two, launching in 2026, will add ROAM Concierge an AI-powered trip planner offering personalised itineraries and tailored content for visitors.
Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tim Booth said the new website represents a major step forward in Tourism Whitsundays’ mission to showcase The Whitsundays as the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
The new home page for Tourism Whitsundays website. Image supplied
From Awards to Advocacy: What’s Next for Local Business
Congratulations to all Whitsunday Business Awards 2025 nominees! The quality of submissions was breathtaking. We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the Awards Ceremony on Friday 21 November at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre. The event has sold out and promises to be a fantastic evening celebrating and recognising business excellence across our region.
We’re also pleased to see Whitsunday Regional Council confirm the reopening of the Proserpine RV Rest Stop. Our thanks go to the Chamber’s Proserpine Sub-Committee and local businesses for their valuable input into our advocacy report which identified ways to boost visitor stopovers and strengthen the local economy.
The Chamber Board has also made a submission to Council’s Airlie Beach Ferris Wheel consultation, supporting land-based attractions that align with strong economic, social, and safety outcomes. Our submission calls for a Five Point Framework for Future Attractions to help guide sustainable development in Airlie Beach.
Last month’s Whitsundays Job Fair 2025 was another success, connecting more than 25 employers with 80 job seekers – many of whom secured immediate interviews. Events like this show the real impact of collaboration on local workforce outcomes.
We would also like to recognise the efforts of the Airlie beach Music Festival organising committee and volunteers – another resounding success with the entire region buzzing with excitement.
Recently the Board met for its annual Strategic Planning Day, setting priorities and exploring new horizons for the Chamber to 2030. We look forward to sharing these plans with our members and the broader Whitsunday business community.
Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a relaxed evening by the water as the Airlie Beach Foreshore transforms into the open-air cinema on Friday, 21 November 2025.
The free community movie night will kick off at 6pm, featuring two much-loved films Rango followed by Drop Dead Fred.
Rango follows the Chameleon who has lived as a sheltered family pet experiences an identity crisis after landing in the frontier town of Dirt, where he becomes the new sheriff. What begins as an act soon turns real as a series of wild adventures push Rango to become a true hero.
Drop Dead Fred is about a lonely and unhappy young woman named Elizabeth (Phoebe Cates) whose life is in shambles after discovering her husband's infidelity. Her childhood imaginary friend, Fred (Rik Mayall), magically reappears to help her.
Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or chair and settle in for a night of family-friendly entertainment. A selection of delicious food trucks will be on-site, and attendees are reminded that this is an alcohol-free event.
The evening is proudly presented by the Whitsunday Regional Council, offering locals the perfect way to unwind and connect under the stars.
For more information, contact the council on 1300 927 753 or email info@wrc.qld.gov.au.
Note: In the event of bad weather, the screening may be cancelled.
Friday 14 November
Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm - 10pm)
Grand View Hotel: Double Header (from 8pm)
Horseshoe Bay Cafe: Matty Black (5.30pm - 8.30pm)
Sorrento: Kaedan McCarthy (4pm - 7pm)
KC's: Shaun Diver (from 8pm)
Saturday 15 November
Airlie Beach Hotel: Pink Gaga (2pm - 5.30pm)
Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm - 10pm)
Grand View Hotel: DJ Night (from 8pm)
Horseshoe Bay Cafe: Matty Black (5.30pm - 8.30pm)
Coral Sea Pavillion: DJ Session (2-6pm)
Sorrento: Ash Smith (4pm - 7pm)
KC's: Retro Joe (from 8pm)
Sunday 16 November
Airlie Beach Hotel: Pink Gaga (2pm - 5.30pm)
Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (6.30pm - 9.30pm)
Grand View Hotel: Jackson Dunn (4pm - 8pm)
Coral Sea Pavilion: Kieran McCarthy (2pm - 6pm)
Horseshoe Bay Cafe: Zed Charles (1pm - 4pm)
Sorrento: Noah Davis (4pm - 7pm)
KC's: Chris Booroff (from 8pm)
Monday 17 November
Sorrento: Will Heta (4pm - 7pm)
KC's: Paul Fergus (from 8pm)
Tuesday 18 November
Sorrento: Will Heta (4pm - 7pm)
KC's: Josiah (from 8pm)
Wednesday 19 November
Sorrento: Will Heta (4pm - 7pm)
KC's: Sam McCann (from 8pm)
Thursday 20 November
Sorrento: Lucy Rose (4pm - 7pm)
KC's: Scotty Wilson (from 8pm)
After her world was suddenly turned upside down, Boomer, a gentle seven-year-old girl, is ready to find the love and stability she’s been missing.
Once surrendered to the pound, Boomer’s future was uncertain — but thanks to the kindness of rescuers, she’s now safe in foster care and beginning to rediscover her spark. At first, she was understandably subdued, unsure of her new surroundings. But with a little time, patience, and affection, her loving personality has begun to shine through.
Boomer has proven to be a calm, affectionate companion who finds comfort simply in being near those she trusts. She loves nothing more than curling up beside her humans or relaxing quietly on her bed, knowing she’s finally safe.
Her foster carers describe her as gentle-natured and easygoing, with a heart full of love to give. Boomer also gets along well with other dogs and would make a wonderful addition to a peaceful home where she can spend her days surrounded by care and kindness.
After all she’s been through, Boomer deserves a forever family who will cherish her and give her the happy ending she’s waited so patiently for.
If you’d like to meet Boomer or learn more about adopting her, please reach out to the rescue team today via email bcpri.adoptions@gmail.com.
On Friday 7 November the Bowen Community Centre thanked businesses and community members for their support throughout the year.
The 2025 Bowen Community Centre Community Champions were:
Abbot Point Operations
Aurizon
Bowen Community Sunday Markets
Bowen Industrial Hire
ECM Project Engineering
Grace Christian Fellowship
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Horseshoe Bay Social Club
James Barry (In Memorium)
Lowcock Builders
Zonta Club of Bowen
Mayor Ry Collins
Peries IGA Bowen
Woolworths Bowen
Prices Plus
Coral Cove Apartments
Hillery Group
Woolworths Bowen, Prices Plus, Coral Cove Apartments, and Hillery Group were absent, but recognised as Community Champions.
Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
Hi Everyone,
This week marks National Recycling Week. While it’s great to have a dedicated week to raise awareness, it’s important to remember that recycling should be a year-round practice. To support this, I’ve included a brief guide outlining what can and cannot be recycled.
Happy Reading!
Ruth
By Ruth Puddefoot
As National Recycling Week rolls around, Whitsunday residents are being encouraged to take a closer look at what’s going into their yellow-lid recycling bins. By knowing what belongs, and what doesn’t, we can all play a part in reducing landfill waste and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable region.
The Do’s of Recycling
You can confidently place the following items in your recycling bin:
Glass bottles and jars
Paper and cardboard
Hard plastic containers
Steel containers
Aluminium
The Don’ts of Recycling
Some items, however, don’t belong in the recycling system and should be disposed of through other means:
Soft plastics such as cling wrap or plastic bags
Bagged recyclables
Food scraps or garden waste
Clothes and textiles
Rigid plastics like toys or buckets
Batteries and other hazardous waste
Other types of glass such as mirrors, windows or drinking glasses
E-waste including phones, chargers and cables
By Ruth Puddefoot
"Whales of the Whitsundays" (WoW) is a community-led initiative that promotes the monitoring, conservation, and cultural connection to the whales in the Whitsundays region. Through citizen science, educational programs, and events like the "Welcome Whale" event, WoW has contributed to the Whitsundays being officially designated as the world's first Whale Heritage Site within a World Heritage Area, recognising its importance for migrating humpback whales.
Now, their conservation efforts are making a splash in style. Whales of the Whitsundays has partnered with the iconic Budgy Smugglers to release a limited-edition collection that is available for two weeks only! 10% of the proceeds goes directly to Whitsunday Marine Conservation, supporting local initatives to protect whales and raise awareness abut marine preservation
Order by Thursday, 20 November to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas.
The range includes:
Bucket Hats
Men’s & Boys’ Smugglers
Women’s One-Piece Swimsuits
Women’s Two-Piece Swimsuits
Girls’ One-Piece Swimsuits
Dive into conservation in style:https://budgysmuggler.com.au/collections/whales-of-whitsundays
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