Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Six months after its release, the Government’s Energy Roadmap is beginning to deliver on its promise of more affordable, reliable and sustainable power across Queensland. The plan aims to put downward pressure on electricity prices while strengthening the state’s energy system through continued investment in coal, gas, renewables and storage. It also focuses on unlocking new supply, including exploring gas potential in the Taroom Trough and progressing key infrastructure projects. Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki said the roadmap was already achieving results. “The Roadmap is our plan to deliver new supply in the right places, at the right time, while keeping the lights on and putting downward pressure on prices,” Treasurer Janetzki said. “Power prices in Queensland are set to drop by about 10 per cent next financial year, in contrast with prices soaring under Labor by 19.9 per cent in a single year after the former Government failed to properly maintain power plants.” Since mid-2025, more than a gigawatt of new storage and renewable energy has become operational, with further developments underway. Market interest has also surged, with more than 50 parties engaging in proposals for new gas-fired generation projects. “There’s been overwhelming market interest with more than 50 parties engaged and over 10 gigawatts (GW) of prospective gas-fired generation identified across 17 projects, highlighting Queensland is open for business for new energy investment,” he said. The roadmap also includes initiatives such as the Investor Gateway and North West Energy Fund, designed to attract private investment and support long-term energy security across the state.
Read the full story
Mackay Base Hospital has become one of three sites across Australia recruiting patients for a clinical trial investigating a potential new drug treatment aimed at improving recovery time following concussion. The clinical trial will assess the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication designed to treat concussion and potentially support faster recovery for those affected. Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Senior Staff Specialist (Emergency) and Principal Investigator Dr Sunday Sofola-Orukotan said concussion was a very common condition which could happen to anyone, anywhere, but was more frequently associated with contact sports such as football. “It’s very common with sporting activities and the rate of presentations of head injuries increases during the rugby season,” Dr Sofola-Orukotan said. Trial sub-investigator and Mackay HHS senior medical officer (emergency) Dr Olurotimi Akinola said concussion presentations in the ED could also be the result of falls and trips. “We see it very often in elderly patients,” Dr Akinola said. “That’s why a study like this is important because it gives us the opportunity to investigate whether a new treatment may improve a patient’s recovery outcomes.” “Generally, most patients with concussion recovered within a few days, but some experienced persistent symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and concentration and memory issues,” he said. “We see people with post-concussive syndrome who have had ongoing symptoms for months and it's affecting their livelihood and day-to-day activities,” Dr Akinola said. There are currently no approved pharmaceutical treatments for concussion available in Australia with recovery focused on rest and symptom relief. This clinical trial would investigate the safety and efficacy of a new drug in the treatment of mild traumatic brain injury and trial participants would receive either the investigational drug or placebo alongside standard care. During his training in Nigeria, Dr Sofola-Orukotan had been involved in another clinical trial and collected data for a study into reducing bleeding in traumatic brain injuries. “This study is very similar to what I’ve done before so I see it as an opportunity to bring this type of research to the Mackay region to benefit our patients,” he said. Anyone interested in learning more about the clinical trial can contact the Clinical Trials Unit on 4951 7561 or email mackay-clinical-trials@health.qld.gov.au Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) trial sub-investigator and senior medical officer (emergency) Dr Olurotimi Akinola, clinical trials nurse Alta Neethling and senior staff specialist (emergency) and principal investigator Dr Sunday Sofola-Orukotan. Photo supplied
Read the full story
A caesarean birth can be planned, unexpected, calm, chaotic, welcomed, or deeply emotional. For many women, it is all of those things at once. Yet while there is often plenty of discussion about the birth itself, far less attention is given to what comes next… recovery. April is C-Section Awareness Month, a timely reminder that caesarean birth is not the “easy option,” nor is recovery something women should simply be expected to push through in silence. A caesarean is major abdominal surgery, performed at the same time a woman becomes a mother or welcomes another child into her family. In the days and weeks afterwards, women are often navigating pain, fatigue, sleep deprivation, feeding demands, changing hormones, and the enormous responsibility of caring for a newborn, all while healing from surgery. Many mums are surprised by how vulnerable they feel. Tasks that once seemed simple, like getting out of bed, laughing, coughing, lifting the baby capsule, or walking through the supermarket, can suddenly feel challenging. Yet because caring for a baby doesn’t pause for recovery, many women push on long before their body feels ready. What often goes unspoken is that healing continues well beyond the first six weeks. While the skin may appear healed relatively quickly, deeper layers of tissue continue to recover for months. The abdominal wall, scar tissue, core muscles, breathing patterns, posture, and pelvic floor can all be affected. Some women notice numbness around the scar, tightness, pulling sensations, back pain, weakness, bladder symptoms, or discomfort when returning to exercise. Others simply feel disconnected from their body, particularly their scar, and unsure where to begin. Scar care is another area many women are never taught about. Once the wound is fully healed and your medical team has cleared you, gentle scar massage can help improve mobility, reduce sensitivity, soften tightness, and support comfort as the tissues recover. Silicone therapy is also widely regarded as a gold-standard treatment for scar management, helping optimise scar healing and appearance. Early guidance can make a significant difference, particularly if the scar feels raised, tethered, numb, sensitive, or uncomfortable. These experiences are common, but they are not something women need to “just put up with.” One of the biggest myths around caesarean recovery is that if the baby is healthy and the scar looks fine, everything must be okay. But recovery is about far more than appearance. It is about how a woman feels in her body, how she moves, how she functions, and how confidently she returns to daily life. This is where support can make a meaningful difference. Pelvic health physiotherapy can help women recover strength, confidence, and comfort after a caesarean birth. That may include gentle core rehabilitation, scar mobility work, breathing retraining, guidance for safe return to exercise, lifting strategies, and addressing pelvic floor symptoms such as leaking, heaviness, or pain. Just as importantly, it can provide reassurance. Many women feel relief simply hearing that what they are experiencing is valid, understandable, and treatable. As a women’s health physiotherapist, I often meet mothers months or even years after their caesarean who say, “I thought this was just how it would be now.” But it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve had a caesarean birth, recently or years ago, and something still doesn’t feel quite right, a check-in with a qualified health professional can be a helpful next step. Your body has been through something significant, and it deserves care. This C-Section Awareness Month, let’s broaden the conversation. A caesarean birth is still birth. Recovery still matters. And mothers deserve more than being told to bounce back. Because healing well isn’t a luxury after birth — it should be the expectation. Text Box 2, Textbox Women's Health Physio Mackay admin@whphysiomackay.com.au 0476 616 324
Read the full story
A duck walks into a newsagency, approaches the counter and asks the newsagent: “Do you have any corn?” The newsagent says: No, we don’t have corn. There’s a grain store a few doors up the street and they sell corn.” The duck says “okay, thanks” and waddles out. The next day the duck walks into the newsagency, approaches the counter and asks the newsagent: “Do you have any corn?” The newsagent says: “No, as I said yesterday, we don’t sell corn but the grain shop up the road sells it.” The ducks says “okay, thanks” and leaves the shop. The next day the duck waddles into the newsagency and approaches the newsagent and says: “Do you have any corn?” The newsagent is now sick of it. Exasperated, he says: “Look, mate we don’t sell corn! We are a newsagency! We sell cards and newspapers and lotto tickets. We don’t bloody well sell corn! If you want corn, you go to the grain store up the street and get your corn there.” The next day the duck walks into the newsagency. The newsagent sees him and thinks to himself, “right, if this friggin’ duck asks for corn again, I am gonna go off”. The duck waddles up to him and says: “Have you got any corn?” The newsagent is furious and has had enough. Now he’s shouting: “LISTEN MATE. WE DON’T SELL CORN! I’M SICK OF THIS. IF YOU COME INTO MY SHOP AGAIN AND ASK FOR CORN I AM GONNA GRAB YOUR HEAD AND NAIL YOUR STUPID DUCK BILL TO THIS COUNTER! The ducks says, “okay, thanks” and leaves. The next day the duck walks into the newsagency, goes up to the counter and says to the newsagent: “Have you got any nails?” The newsagent shouts in frustration: “No I don’t have any nails!!” The duck says: “Okay, do you have any corn?” Now that is one very annoying duck. In life, I try not to be as annoying as that duck. But there are some annoying things I do that I can’t eradicate. One of them is consistently turning up to photo shoots for a property I am listing. I use the same photographer for every listing and she is very good and knows what is required. Yet I turn up. Not on a two-bedroom unit I do for most houses because, even though I know the photographer is very good, I still need to tell her about the importance of certain features. I need to stress how important the shed is, how vital it is that we show how wide the side access is for buyers needing access for a boat or a caravan. Even if there isn’t a shed, I have to say something. “Listen I know there’s no shed but there is really good side access and look at all the space in the yard to put a shed. If you take a photo from over in that corner of the yard I reckon people will be able to see the side access and also the space that’s available for the shed in one picture.” It must be very annoying for a highly professional photographer who has done it thousands of times. It’s the same inside the house. I say things like: “If you take a photo from this angle in the family room, people will be able to see the lounge, dining and part of the kitchen and get a feel for the space.” Annoying. I know most agents consider attending the photo shoots a waste of time and maybe they’re right. For me, we only get one chance at a first impression and that’s the photos so let’s make sure they’re right. Even though the poor photographer has to turn up to a property and see that stupid duck waiting.
Read the full story
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
%20(1).JPG)
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
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2026 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
