Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
OPINION PIECE from the office of Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox There is no question that immigration into Australia is out of control. The government’s numbers are too high, and standards are too low. A sustainable migration program must consider our capacity to provide housing, healthcare, infrastructure and the essential services everyone relies on, and Australians must come first. But Labor’s decision to target Working Holiday Makers Visa holders is not the answer. These people filling vital gaps in our workforce are not the cause of Australia’s housing crisis. In many cases, they are living in accommodation provided by the very businesses that employ them. The National Farmers’ Federation has made the point that Working Holiday Makers generally stay in hostels, caravan parks or purpose-built on-farm accommodation. Resorts usually have on-site staff quarters. They are not the source of Australia’s housing shortage. So why is Labor making it harder for them to come here, when these workers fill genuine jobs that regional Australia holds? Working Holiday Makers fill approximately one in seven farm jobs nationally and are particularly important during peak agricultural periods, which for Dawson, it is right now! Farmers rely on these workers to plant, pick, pack and harvest the produce that ends up on Australian supermarket shelves. Having run one of Australia’s largest tomato farms, at times Working Holiday Makers made up more than 50 per cent of my workforce. Without them, much of our crop simply would not have been picked in time and rotted in the paddock. Some may say, why not employ the Australians who don’t have a job and are on “the dole”? Can I say, this does not work. Most farmers will employ Aussies over travelling backpackers, but many either don’t want to do the work or don’t turn up after the first day. Who picks the fruit or veggies then? Farmers are already warning that visa delays are leaving them without workers. The NFF says approvals that once took days are now facing processing times of up to three months, and this time frame can be the difference between harvesting a crop or losing it. That should concern every Australian already feeling the pressure at the supermarket checkout. The same problem is playing out in tourism. Across Dawson, Working Holiday Makers are an important part of the workforce supporting tourism and hospitality, particularly in the Whitsundays. They help fill shifts, work in hotels and restaurants, support tour operators and keep businesses running through their busiest periods. They also contribute to the local economy. They spend money on food, fuel, attractions and tours, supporting the small businesses that depend on a strong visitor economy. That is why tourism and business leaders across North Queensland are raising the alarm. They understand what happens when a regional business cannot get enough staff: opening hours are reduced, and services are cut, creating a downward spiral. We do need to reduce migration to sustainable levels. We need stronger integrity measures, and we need to crack down on rorts. But responsible migration policy means understanding which parts of the system are creating pressure and which parts are helping Australia function. Working Holiday Makers are not the problem. They are part of the workforce solution for regional. Australia. People have had a gutful of watching their standard of living go backwards. Groceries, fuel, housing and everyday expenses are already putting enormous pressure on families. The last thing Australians need is another reckless policy that makes it harder to produce food, harder to run regional businesses and harder for tourism operators to find the workers they need.
Read the full storySomeone sold a house in Sydney last week for $9 million less than they bought it for four or five years ago. The sellers had bought the property in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $29 million and sold it for $20 million in a sale forced by their bank. I imagine the sellers are a little disappointed by the government’s decisions on negative gearing and capital gains tax and feeling pretty hurt by the increased interest rates. Australia’s interest rates are on the rise and are now sitting at levels not seen since 2011. Increased cost of living is hurting people around the country and interest rates are playing into that. But the impact of interest rates is not felt evenly around the country. The far-higher property prices mean people in the major cities suffer much more than regional areas with the rates increase. That is certainly not to say people in Mackay are unaffected by the cost of living; it’s just that the impact of interest rates increase on a $400,000 mortgage is much less than the impact on a $1m mortgage. There are other Mackay-specific factors that are in play when discussing the current housing market. The big factor is the role of coal in our economy. Most of the coal extracted and exported from our region is coking coal, which is used to make steel. The price of coking coal is around $280 a tonne, which is about 50 per cent up. Good activity in the coal market translates to good news for the Mackay economy, as it is an economic engine that other cities and regions just don’t have. Good activity in Bowen Basin flows throughout the Mackay economy; Paget workshops, transport, suppliers and related businesses all benefit. But so do other, non-mining-related businesses as they benefit from the general confidence and spending that goes on. The strong mining activity also means mines need to keep their staff levels up and that means more people moving to Mackay. Of course, Mackay is much more than a coal mining town but if the coal sector is going well those other areas definitely benefit. It is a confidence boost for Mackay people looking to get into the housing market and those wanting to upgrade or downsize. It also means continuing strong demand from people wanting to rent a property and it will be interesting to see what sort of activity that creates from investors. Investors have walked away from the big-city markets because they can no longer use negative gearing on established properties that do not have a sufficient yield to be positively geared. Negative gearing has never been a big thing in Mackay because our prices are lower and rental returns continue to be strong so many investors have a positively geared property. Around the country everyone is nervous about the state of play and the probability of more interest rate rises. But strong coal prices and an economy that is performing well mean Mackay might just be presenting an opportunity for buyers and sellers that doesn’t exist in other parts. I remember when national confidence was flying high and Mackay prices were going up significantly that many buyers were saying “I wish we had bought a while ago when the market wasn’t so hot”. I’m not armed with a crystal ball so I’m not here to tell you what is going to happen but I suspect there is a very good buying window right now for those looking for an opportunity.
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A local Mackay and Sarina based model has created a dress out of newspapers, including Mackay Life, for her upcoming pageant, representing her region and hometown on the runway as she vies for Miss Diamond International in Brisbane. Zoe Place will be competing this weekend in the three-day event, beginning this Friday 2nd October and ending on Sunday 4th October. The young model spent around a month creating her eco-fashion outfit, using old newspapers as the main material and transforming them into a bodice, skirt and flowers. Red elements were also incorporated into the design to give the dress a bold and glamorous pageant feel. Zoe said, “The entire concept was really about taking something that would normally be thrown away and turning it into something beautiful and meaningful.” Her eco-fashion creation will form part of a busy weekend in Brisbane, with the Miss Diamond International event including photo shoots, interviews, an eco-fashion show and the final pageant. Zoe has been preparing for the event by practising her strut and walking, preparing for interviews and getting comfortable in the different outfits she will wear throughout the weekend. Alongside her love of modelling, pageantry has also provided Zoe with a platform to raise awareness about causes close to her heart, including mental health, while fundraising for Beyond Blue. “Pageantry has given me more of a platform to combine my love for modelling with something that is really important to me.” “When I first started, I was more nervous about putting myself out there and worried about what others would think about me – but I’ve changed a lot through my journey in pageantry.” “Pageantry has also taught me that it’s not about how you look on stage. It’s about the person you are when you step off it.” “Every woman has their own unique journey and that journey is something we should all be really proud of.” “To me, it represents confidence, empowerment, kindness, and using your voice to make a difference.” Zoe said she was looking forward to meeting the other contestants, making new connections and creating memories. “I’m definitely looking forward to meeting all the new contestants and making new connections and creating memories that I will carry with me for a lifetime.” While Zoe hopes to eventually move to the city, her sights are set even further afield, with a dream of one day walking in New York Fashion Week. Mackay and Sarina local Zoe Place has created an eco-fashion dress from recycled newspapers, including Mackay Life, ahead of her Miss Diamond International pageant in Brisbane. Photos supplied
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Trends, reels and the endless cycle of always wanting more has quietly bombarded the minds of countless social media users of all ages, but one former Mackay local has made it her mission to help others understand the effects of social media and find practical ways to break free from online addiction. Alexis Zahner is in Mackay over the next week to teach upcoming generations about social media and the effects it can have on the mind, particularly on identity, self-discovery, as well as the marketing strategies that get viewers hooked and influence their decisions. It is something Alexis knows first-hand can be a useful tool, but also a great disruption to authenticity and the world as we see and experience it. Alexis will hold a free meet and greet and book launch today, Friday 2nd October, at 5.30pm at the Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club, where she will give a talk and answer questions relating to her debut book, Real: Reconnecting to Yourself in a World of Likes and Lies. A former Mackay girl, Alexis spent the past 15 years working across business psychology, marketing and media, with her interest in social media influence beginning during her university studies at James Cook University in Townsville. Her own experience as a social media user, travel blogger and influencer eventually led her to question how much of her identity, decisions and values were being shaped by what she saw online. “The tipping point came for me about 3 years ago when I had this feeling that I couldn't separate influence from my own personal decision making,” she said. “I couldn't separate my own likes, dislikes, values, relationships from what I was being exposed to and being influenced by online.” “I found that I needed to take some time away from social media to recalibrate what was important to me and sort of reconnect and come back to myself.” Alexis said she understood the feeling of questioning who you are outside of social media. “I know what it feels like to live a life under the influence of social media and have that existential crisis of thinking to yourself, who am I? What do I like? What's the kind of life I want to live? and struggling to separate myself from influence.” Alexis is particularly passionate about reaching teenagers, who she says are in an important stage of identity development, and will share this message with Mackay high school students during her upcoming school talks. “Teenagers are really easily influenced by social media. So it's a really important age where we start educating them – not just on the mental health repercussions of things like social media and how it shortens their attention span, but how it actually influences who they become.” “If you're asking yourself these questions, it's not your fault. Social media is actually geared to create this impact on you.” Alexis encourages people of all ages to “start expanding beyond what you see on the platform.” “Dare to indulge in the things that you've always been curious about or things you used to love,” she said. “Don't be afraid to put the phone down to let yourself be curious and have fun.” What: Alexis Zahner's 'Real' Book launch When: 5.30pm Friday 2nd October 2026 Where: Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club Former Mackay local and author Alexis Zahner is returning home to share her experiences with social media and her debut book, Real. Photo supplied
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Proserpine State High School Year 12 student, Wiremu Tairaki, reflects on what it means to learn, grow and pursue opportunity in the Whitsundays.
Growing up in the Whitsundays builds a unique kind of grit. There are genuine disadvantages to being a regional student, and I do not think we should pretend otherwise. We do not have the same endless maze of electives, university programs or specialised opportunities sitting on our doorstep. Sometimes that does limit our choices. But the real story of regional students is not that we are somehow unaffected by those limits. It is what we do with the pathways we are given.
In our community, our educational landscape is materially different. We do not have a university campus on every corner or one hundred niche subjects on the school timetable; I have seen that first-hand in Year 12. When I wanted to push myself further in Law and Business, I could not simply walk into the Walter Harrison Law Library after school. Instead, I pursued Mooting and Business competitions through school and took the external opportunities I could access.
The opportunities our local schools and businesses do provide are targeted, practical and deeply valued. Whether we are engaging in Marine Science, securing a local trade certificate or utilising online learning, we learn to commit fully. This kind of education teaches us resourcefulness.
On paper, it can feel as though we have drawn the short straw - and sometimes, in terms of choice, we have. But that environment can also foster an unmatched drive. When choices are streamlined, we do not become passive, we become hungry. I have learned that being a regional student means setting a goal, valuing the expertise of local educators and making the most of opportunities when they appear, because there may not be ten identical alternatives waiting behind them.
Geography changes the nature of our opportunities, but it does not determine our potential. Regional students can be disadvantaged by distance without being defined by it. Future excellence is not decided by whether our timetable offers Advanced German or Digital Forensics and Cyber Security. It is decided by the grit and focus we bring to the opportunities we do have. We do not need equal access to prove equal ability.
Bowen State High School pupils spelling out T-O-M for Tournament of Minds. Photo supplied: Bowen State High School
Contributed with thanks to Bowen State High School.
Bowen State High School is celebrating the efforts of the students who competed in the Tournament of Minds (TOM) State Finals held at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane over the weekend.
Tournament of Minds is an international problem-solving program that challenges students to work collaboratively in teams to solve demanding, open-ended challenges.
The competition encourages creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and communication across disciplines including Language, Literature, STEM, Social Sciences and The Arts. Students are required to think on their feet, respond to spontaneous challenges, and present innovative solutions, making TOM a valuable learning experience both inside and outside the classroom.
This year, three teams from Bowen State High School represented the school at the State Finals.
“Congratulations to all students involved on their commitment, teamwork and excellent efforts in reaching this level of competition,” said Bowen State High School Principal Robert Harris.
A special congratulations goes to Bowen State High School’s winning Language Literature team, consisting of Isaiah Howell, Sienna Davies, Frankie Brown, Justin Davidson and Hayley Hickey.
Their success at the State Finals means the team has now qualified for the International Finals in Darwin in October — an outstanding achievement for both the students and the school community.
Year 10 student Isaiah Howell reflected positively on his Tournament of Minds experience.
“Thinking creatively and including different team members’ ideas and perspectives not only creates a bond between team members but also helps us think on the spot and adapt to different situations. This has been helpful when I am learning new subjects,” Isaiah said.
Fellow team member Hayley Hickey said the experience had helped her develop important personal and academic skills.
“It has helped improve my teamwork and resilience when dealing with challenges. TOM provides an opportunity for students to interact with peers, strengthen relationships and connect with other like-minded students across the state and the world,” Hayley said.
Hayley also said the upcoming International Finals would be a valuable opportunity for learning and growth.
“The International Finals will provide us with an amazing opportunity to learn from students from around the world and how they think and consider topics in different ways based on their culture and values,” she said.
Bowen State High School would also like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the local businesses that generously sponsored the students’ attendance at the State Finals.
Community support will again play an important role as the team prepares to travel to Darwin for the International Finals. If you are interested in sponsoring the team, please contact Bowen State High School on 4786 9888.
Fr Emannuel Anroe and St Catherine’s Principal, Samantha Hinton. Photo supplied: St Catherine’s Catholic College
Long-time Local Appointed Principal At St Catherine’s
A new chapter has begun at St Catherine’s Catholic College, with long-time educator and Whitsundays local Samantha Hinton officially appointed as the school’s new principal.
Following her recent stint as acting principal, she was appointed in an official announcement with the school’s new catholic priest, Fr Emmanuel Anroe.
“I didn’t think I’d take on the principal role, but here I am,” Mrs Hinton said.
“I’m looking forward to what happens next and continuing to grow this really great community we have here at St Catherine’s.
“Being a Catholic school adds an extra layer to our community, and I want to build on what we already do here as a faith-filled community.”
Mrs Hinton’s connection with St Catherine’s spans about 20 years, beginning when it was still a primary campus on Marathon Street and continuing as the college expanded.
Over the past 15 years, she has held several leadership positions, including Deputy Principal of Primary and Assistant Principal of Learning and Teaching across Prep to Year 10, along with many others.
“I believe I’ve built trust within our community and in what we do at St Catherine’s,” Mrs Hinton said.
“An important part of education is being connected with families and the wider community.
“Having been here for so long, I hope I’ve developed the trust needed to engage everyone in what we want to achieve.”
Before settling in the Whitsundays, Mrs Hinton’s career took her to schools in Brisbane, Sydney and London, giving her a broader perspective that she can now draw on in leading the college.
Mrs Hinton hopes to draw on that perspective as she supports the college’s continued growth, with a focus on consistent teaching practices, strong expectations and closer connections with families.
“I want to support that growth by making sure we have consistent practices across the school for behaviour and learning, along with high expectations,” she said.
“I want that consistency so we can continue to grow for our families, while improving what we do and maintaining those high expectations.”
She now hopes to guide St Catherine’s through its next stage of development as the college and wider Whitsunday community continue to expand.
“I’d certainly love to see more buildings as we grow and continue to beautify our spaces as we welcome more students,” she said.
“I want to make sure that as we grow physically, we also continue improving what we do and maintaining high expectations.
“We’re such a growing community, and St Catherine’s has been growing alongside it.”
A New Community Heart Taking Shape in Collinsville
There’s something exciting taking shape in Collinsville, and if you’ve been past the site of our new Community Hub lately, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Construction is now approaching the halfway mark and we’re starting to get a real sense of what this $16 million facility will become for the Collinsville and Scottville communities.
The wall and ceiling framing is complete, new footpaths are in, polished concrete has been finished through the library and mezzanine areas, and work is continuing on essential services.
Over the coming weeks we’ll see more visible progress, including work on the timber stage and gabion rock walls, along with plastering, tiling, external cladding, window glazing and installation of the rooftop solar system.
But while watching a major construction project come together is exciting, for me the most important part is what will happen inside those walls once the doors open.
The new Hub will bring the Collinsville Library, Council Customer Service Centre, computer services, gym and Community Hall together under one roof.
It means one modern, welcoming and accessible place where people can borrow a book, access Council services, use a computer, exercise, attend an event, catch up with friends or simply spend some time.
Importantly, it’s an investment in the future of Collinsville and Scottville and another example of making sure our smaller communities continue to receive quality facilities and services.
At $16 million, it’s a significant project for our region and one we simply couldn’t deliver without the support of the Queensland Government, which is contributing $14.6 million.
I want to acknowledge the Crisafulli Government for that support and also thank everyone involved in bringing the Hub to life, from our Council team and contractors through to the local community who have helped shape the project.
There’s still plenty of work ahead but reaching almost 50 per cent completion is a great milestone.
I’m looking forward to watching the final pieces come together and, more importantly, seeing this fantastic new community space full of people and activity.
That’s when a building really becomes a community hub and I reckon Collinsville is going to have one it can be very proud of.
Allan Milostic. Photo supplied: Julia Evans
If you charge customers a fee for paying by card, there’s an important change coming on 1st October 2026.
The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry is reminding local businesses that from 1st October, businesses will no longer be able to add a separate surcharge when customers pay by eftpos, Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
In simple terms: if you currently add 1% or 2% to a customer’s bill when they pay by card, that will need to stop.
The change applies to debit, credit, and prepaid cards.
So, what should businesses do?
First, talk to your payment provider. If you use an EFTPOS machine, online checkout, booking system, accounting software, or payment links, check what changes you need to make. Your provider may update your system automatically, but it’s worth checking.
Next, look at your pricing. Businesses will still have costs associated with accepting card payments. You may need to consider whether your overall prices need to change to account for those costs.
If you do change your prices, make sure customers can clearly see what they are paying and that your pricing complies with Australian Consumer Law.
It’s also a good time to check your menus, websites, invoices, quotes, signs, and booking systems. If they mention a card surcharge, those references may need to be removed or updated.
And don’t forget your staff. Make sure everyone knows what is changing so they can answer customer questions.
The Chamber is also reminding businesses that not every surcharge is disappearing.
The new rules are specifically about card payment surcharges. Other charges, such as clearly advertised weekend or public holiday surcharges, can still apply where permitted. However, businesses should make sure these charges are not simply a card surcharge under another name.
Until 30th September, the existing card surcharge rules continue to apply.
“Our message to local businesses is simple – don’t leave it until 1st October,” said Chamber President, Allan Milostic.
“Check with your payment provider, review your pricing and make sure your business is ready.”
For more information, visit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) websites.
Leanne Aberthery with the Kent Family. Photo supplied: Bowen Tourism and Business
Three descendants of one of Bowen’s pioneering families returned to the region last week, retracing their family history across all corners of the town.
Last week, siblings Colin, Cameron and Dianne Kent returned to Bowen for a small family reunion and to reconnect with their family history.
The trio are great-great-grandchildren of G.F. Sandrock and grandchildren of prominent Bowen farmer George Kent. During their visit, they visited all the big sites in Bowen, from the Big mango, to the museum and their family’s original property, Woodlands.
“It was a really nice trip down memory lane,” said Colin.
“The accommodation we stayed at on the harbour felt so surreal, especially since that’s where our grandfather was the harbour master.”
George Frederick ‘G.F.’ Sandrock is credited with bringing mango seeds from India to Bowen in 1871, helping establish what would eventually become one of Australia’s best-known varieties, the Kensington Pride or ‘Bowen Special’.
He was also appointed the town’s Customs Officer and Sub-Collector of Customs during the 1860s before later serving as Harbourmaster and Police Magistrate.
One of his homesteads and orchards, Woodlands, on the outskirts of Bowen, where he helped cultivate a wide variety of produce still intertwined into the community.
“While Sandrock grew various crops at Woodlands, the orchard’s lasting place in Australian horticultural history comes from its role as the birthplace of the Kensington Pride mango,” Colin said.
“He had his fingers in just about everything in Bowen.”
During the late 19th century, Bowen was an important trading port and shipping hub for the British–Indian horse trade. Ships returning from India often carried exotic plants, fruit and spices, and Mr Sandrock asked their captains to bring him different mango seeds and other tropical varieties.
He planted the seeds at Woodlands, where it is believed his experimental orchard contained about 40 types of mango trees. Each was reportedly identified by an engraved copper plaque bearing its botanical name.
At the time, growing tropical fruit in Queensland involved considerable trial and error. Mr Sandrock observed how each variety responded to the local soil and climate, noting differences in yield, flavour and the texture of the fruit.
Colin said these experiments helped lay the foundations for North Queensland’s commercial mango industry.
“His early plantings produced the direct lineage of the Kensington Pride, which remains one of Australia’s most widely grown and recognised mango varieties today,” he said.
His grandson, George Kent, continued the family’s legacy as one of Bowen’s early tomato growers, eventually earning the nickname the “Tomato King”.
He was looking for a crop that would offer a quick return following the 1903 cyclone and started growing them on Woodlands property.
He later helped turn tomato growing into a major commercial industry for Bowen during the early 20th century, distributing the region’s produce across Australia and as far as New Zealand.
Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said it was a pleasure to meet the three descendants of these early pioneers.
“It was very interesting to learn more about the history,” she said.
Emergency services day set to showcase your local heroes. Photo credit: Zach Houtenville
From police dogs and fire trucks to rescue boats, the emergency services that keep the Whitsundays safe will come together on Saturday 10th October for a free, family-friendly community field day.
Organised by Whitsunday Police Station, the field day will feature Queensland Police, Ambulance and Fire services, Volunteer Marine Rescue, Whitsunday Water Police and Whitsunday Regional Council’s disaster management.
“All the frontline emergency services will come together and do a bit of a show and tell,” said PCYC Whitsunday Sergeant Billy Li.
“The purpose of the event is to show the community a different light of emergency services available.
“It’s really an all-ages event and will be a fun day for everyone.”
Visitors will have plenty to see and do throughout the day. Each service will run its own live demonstrations, giving visitors a closer look at the skills and equipment crews use when responding to emergencies.
“All the frontline emergency services will come together for a bit of show and tell, with each agency displaying what it has to offer,” Sergeant Billy said.
“The community will be able to ask questions of emergency personnel and learn more about each service.”
During previous events, the VMR showed the community how to sandbag and let off flares, QFS conducted a swift water marine rescue, while Queensland Ambulance Service taught vital first aid skills, such as wrapping snake bites.
The program may even include some friendly rivalry between crews, with games and a possible tug-of-war giving the community a chance to pick a side and cheer them on, and join in on the action.
Younger visitors can climb aboard rescue boats, explore emergency vehicles and watch police dogs in action, while speaking directly with local personnel about their equipment and roles.
Beyond the safety lessons, the games and friendly agency challenges, this outing will allow families to see the more relaxed side of our first responders.
MRQ Whitsundays Anniversary party. Photo supplied: Marine Rescue Queensland
On 9th September 2025, the volunteers of VMR Whitsunday began a new chapter in more than 60 years of saving lives at sea, becoming the 18th unit to join Marine Rescue Queensland.
Now, MRQ Whitsunday is celebrating its first anniversary with the statewide service while honouring the generations of volunteers who have helped keep boaties safe across the region’s waters.
“Today is a chance to celebrate everything the unit has achieved in its first year with MRQ, while recognising the many years of volunteer service and local knowledge that came before it,” said a representative of Marine Rescue Queensland.
The volunteers’ efforts stretch back more than six decades to 1964.
It began when a casual meeting at the Metropole hotel in Proserpine led to 6 forward thinkers realising there was a need for sea rescue services in the region.
The organisation was formally established as Proserpine Sea Rescue in 1967 before becoming Whitsunday Air Sea Rescue later that year. It operated alongside the local Coast Guard flotilla from 1977 until the two groups merged in 1991, eventually becoming VMR Whitsunday.
As the service grew, so did its capabilities. The first dedicated rescue vessel, a Dale Sealord, was purchased in 1987, replacing the long-standing reliance on volunteers’ private boats.
After years of meetings at venues around Proserpine, the organisation later found a permanent home with the opening of the Whitsunday Marine Club in 1994.
Today, under the new name of MRQ Whitsunday, the service has more than 80 active crew members and operates with modern rescue vessels, advanced radios, mobile communications and tracking technology, providing emergency marine support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Federal member of Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP. All photos supplied: Andrew Willcox MP
Goorganga Plains is set to receive a much-needed upgrade to its section of the Bruce Highway, with construction now underway on new overtaking lanes aimed at improving safety and reducing driver frustration.
The project is a major milestone in the federal and state governments’ ongoing investment in the Bruce Highway, with new northbound and southbound overtaking lanes to provide motorists with safer opportunities to pass slower-moving vehicles.
The works will also include roadside safety improvements and upgrades to the Gunyarra Road intersection, including improved lighting and pavement treatments.
Member for the Whitsundays, Amanda Camm MP, revealed the upgrades, while also acknowledging how this can open the door for more necessary improvements to come.
“Anyone who regularly drives this section of the Bruce Highway understands how important these upgrades are for safety and reliability," Ms Camm said.
Ms Camm also praised the planning for new flood resilience roads which is currently underway, with a current proposal to raise about 10.6 kilometres of the highway between Thompson Creek and Lethebrook, looking to improve drainage and new bridge upgrades.
"Locals have endured the impacts of flooding in this region, so it is fantastic to also see planning underway to deliver infrastructure improvements to improve flood resilience where it is needed most.”
However Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP, said the long-awaited and asked for project needs get beyond the design stage.
“I welcome these overtaking lanes, I welcome the extra work, but I do ask that the flood mitigation on that Goorganga section of the road be expedited,” Mr Willcox said.
During his time as Whitsunday Regional Council mayor, Mr Willcox called for the flood-prone section to be upgraded, lobbying the former Coalition government and securing $10 million for a business case into the proposed works.
“That came through and, of course, showed how important it is,” Mr Willcox said.
“The next step was the design phase, but that now needs to be completed, and then it needs to be built.
“I’m sick and tired of seeing money head down to the southeast corner while people in my electorate and across the north miss out.”
Recognising the cost of the project, Mr Willcox suggested the entire upgrade could be master-planned and delivered in stages if sufficient funding was not immediately available.
“I want to see it done as soon as possible, and I understand it’s going to be expensive,” he said.
“If there’s not enough money to get it all done in one hit, let’s master-plan the whole project and deliver it section by section, so we ultimately achieve the final result.”
Catman caught on camera at the Pitch and Wicket. Photo credit: Sharon Hinton
Currently walking his way around Australia, social media icon Catman found himself passing through the Whitsundays this week, where he attracted more than a few wandering eyes.
Kentaro Jin, otherwise known as Catman, has walked about 6,500 kilometres from Carnarvon in Western Australia to Sydney over the past two and a half years, becoming known for his distinctive Catman character and the friendships he has formed in communities across the country.
While the journey began without a clear purpose, the encouragement Ken received during the difficult stretch between Carnarvon and Perth, where Children chanted “Go, my hero,” and gave him handmade drawings, inspired him to imbue his with a deeper meaning.
Ken decided to use his growing profile to support children battling serious illnesses, turning his long walk into a fundraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Holding the victory trophy in front of Parliament house. Photo supplied: Heather Mollins
Following six years of nomination, Airlie Beach has taken the gold for Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town, a national accolade that will further cement the Whitsunday region as a must-visit for tourists travelling down under.
The win was put down to the town’s combination of natural beauty, tourism infrastructure and top experiences.
Airlie Beach has reached the top, claiming Gold as Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town for 2026 after six years of nominations and a determined push to bring the national title home to the Whitsundays.
Announced at Parliament House in Canberra, the win is a national accolade and a celebration of all the community members who help deliver the Airlie Beach experience.
“Tourism is in the Whitsundays’ DNA, and this recognition belongs to the thousands of people who make our region such a memorable destination,” said Mayor Ry Collins.
“Awards like this celebrate what we have achieved, but they also give us a platform to keep advocating for what regional tourism communities need to succeed in the future.”
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox MP praised the efforts of the region achieving this status the obstacles of the last 6 years.
“Tourism can be a tough business, and over the past few years, with the ups and downs of covid, cyclones and the many other barriers that can be met along the way, the tourism industry always gives 100%,” said Mr Willcox.
“Airlie Beach might be small but it’s certainly mighty when it comes to providing an amazing experience of vistors from all over the world.”
This victory comes as one of two for Queensland, with Stanthorpe also claiming the top tourism town spot with a population over 5,000.
“This is an incredibly proud result for Queensland and a well-deserved national recognition for Stanthorpe and Airlie Beach,” said Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s (QTIC) CEO, Natassia Wheeler.
“Stanthorpe and Airlie Beach are very different destinations, but that diversity is exactly what makes Queensland’s tourism offering so special.
“From our regional food and wine experiences to our world-famous coastal destinations, Queensland has extraordinary experiences right across the state.
“Each of them has helped showcase the quality, character and diversity of Queensland tourism to the rest of the country.”
Mackay’s popular North Wall Beach was the scene of a sombre discovery on Tuesday, sparking shock among locals as police were seen patrolling the area on a buggy to access the beach. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
A 31-year-old woman, identified as Payge Leembruggen, was found deceased near Mackay Harbour North Wall shortly after 8am on Tuesday 15th September, with police seen throughout the day investigating amongst the sand dunes to the far left of the recently renovated section of the beach.
Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch detectives had appealed for public assistance as investigations continued into the circumstances and cause of her death.
However, an update from the Queensland Police Service emerged shortly after 1pm on Friday, September 18, confirming the death of the Mount Jukes woman is now being treated as non-suspicious.
On the morning of the incident, emergency services were called just after 8am after a member of the public located Payge. Police later confirmed the man who discovered her was exercising with his two dogs and regularly uses the area.
Mackay police were seen throughout the day patrolling the area and accessing the beach via a buggy, with multiple officers present among the sand dunes.
On Wednesday 16th September, Detective Senior Sergeant Emma Novosel confirmed investigations were continuing, with police yet to establish how Payge died, whether she died at the location or whether her body had been moved there.
There was also no confirmed time of death at the time of the update.
Police also commenced a search of the surrounding bushland with assistance from the State Emergency Service, looking for any items of interest that could assist detectives in determining what happened to Payge and how she came to be at the location.
At the time of the update, police said no evidence or items of interest had been located outside of the discovery of Payge’s body.
Payge was last seen at a hair salon on Celeber Drive in Andergrove at approximately 8.55am on Thursday 11th September.
She was described as Caucasian, approximately 178cm tall, with brown hair, and was last seen wearing a white top, bright red trousers and a red bow in her hair.
Police appealed for anyone who may have seen or had contact with Payge between September 11th and September 15th, or anyone who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.
Detective Senior Sergeant Novosel said, “If anyone has seen her or anyone’s had contact with Paige between the 11th of September and yesterday, the 15th of September, we’d encourage them to contact us,”
The discovery has prompted concern among some local residents online, with questions circulating on social media about the circumstances surrounding the death and some community members expressing concern about walking alone in the area. Police confirmed North Wall Beach remained safe for public use while investigations continued.
Taylor Lifestyle Connections’ Out Of The Shadows walking group. Photo credit: Zach Houtenville
This World Suicide Prevention Day saw the Whitsunday community deliver their advocacy through a variety of avenues, from a nine-kilometre walk and sausage sizzle to a simple conversation.
The 10th of September marks a day of remembrance for those who have been lost to suicide, while the day’s other moniker, ‘R U OK?’ gears the community to helping those who are still here.
“It’s about conversations, connections, helping, looking out for each other,” said Matt Stokes, President of the Whitsundays Suicide Prevention Network.
“People do get to that point where someone’s questioning - but if we can prevent them from getting anywhere near that, that’s what our job is.
“We have a great community that cares for one another and simple things like kindness go a long way.”
The community’s willingness to support others was clear throughout the day, such as in Proserpine, where the Mental Health Disaster Recovery Team hosted a free sausage sizzle.
“It’s a reminder to check in with the people around us, not just today, but any day,” said Electorate for the Whitsundays, Amanda Camm MP, on Facebook.
“A genuine conversation and a listening ear can make a big difference.”
Others made sure to get fitness involved, like Taylor’s Lifestyle Connections whose Out of the Shadows 9 kilometre walk between Cannonvale Beach and Shingley Beach represented the nine Australians who die by suicide each day.
“Events like this are incredibly important,” said Josie Middleton from Taylor’s Lifestyle connections.
“Being such a small community, we don’t have a ton of resources comparatively.
“It’s great to have this sort of awareness of what's available, and to let people know they're not alone.”
WSPN also made an appearance at Bowen State High School, where they held a mindfulness markets initiative, where they collected messages of hope from the students, creating a space in the school for kids to read in times of distress.
“We’re trying to get kids at an early age, we wanna teach them about resilience because the world is hard,” said Matt.
“Teaching them how to be able to get past a problem and see the positive in things.
Beyond the events held on the day, support remains available across the Whitsundays throughout the year.
Sometimes that support can begin with simply opening up to a trusted friend, family member, colleague or counsellor. For those worried about someone else, asking how they are going, taking the time to listen and checking in again can help keep the conversation going.
“It’s amazing, just sharing your burdens with one person, how it seems to be a bit lighter,” said Matt.
“You don’t have to say much, just, ‘hey, where you at?’”
The WSPN helps connect people with counselling and crisis-support services across Airlie Beach, Proserpine, Bowen and Collinsville through its online Service Finder.
But if you or someone you know needs immediate help, call Triple Zero (000). For 24-hour crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.
Most body corporate committee members didn’t sign up to become property experts.
They’re volunteers. They have jobs, families and their own responsibilities, yet they find themselves helping make decisions that affect their neighbours, their community and often millions of dollars’ worth of property. These are the types of issues the team at BCS Strata Mackay works through every day with body corporate committees across the region.
After more than 15 years in the strata industry, BCS Strata Mackay strata manager Rachel Blaxland says the challenges may vary from building to building, but the same issues come across her desk time and again.
Insurance costs are high on the list. Rising premiums continue to put pressure on committee budgets, leaving owners questioning why costs keep increasing. Rachel says helping owners understand where those costs come from is often just as important as finding ways to manage them.
Maintenance planning is another common challenge.
‘Too often, maintenance is addressed after an issue arises rather than through a planned, preventative approach,’ Rachel said.
She believes too many communities are forced into reactive maintenance when earlier planning could have saved both money and stress.
Then there’s contractor management. Committees are regularly asked to choose between repairs, upgrades and replacement works, often with competing advice and quotes on the table.
‘Sometimes a repair quote looks attractive because it’s cheaper, but it’s important to understand whether it’s actually the best long-term solution,’ she said.
Budget pressure continues to be a balancing act. Committees are trying to keep levies affordable while also ensuring enough money is being set aside for future works. Putting off difficult decisions might provide short-term relief, but it can create bigger financial challenges later.
The fifth issue is one Rachel believes can make or break a community: communication.
Owners are more likely to support decisions when they understand what’s happening and why.
‘Even if we’re still working through the details, it’s better to let people know something is coming,’ she said. ’Keeping owners informed helps everyone make better decisions.’
While none of these challenges are new, Rachel says the most successful committees she works with through BCS Strata Mackay share one thing in common. They don’t wait for problems to become crises.
‘Most problems don’t appear overnight. Usually, there are early warning signs that can be addressed before they become expensive.’
For Mackay’s volunteer committee members, that may be the best advice of all. The earlier an issue is tackled, the easier it is for everyone to sleep at night.
For whatever sins I have committed in this or a previous life, I find myself a Sydney Swans fan.
Many people will have noticed that their performance on the field this year has attracted far less attention than the alleged performance of a handful of players off the field, specifically at the Pullman Hotel in East Melbourne in the early hours of a recent Monday morning.
Five players from the club have been banned for the remainder of the year because of alleged activities involving alcohol, drugs and female entertainers in a room at the hotel. Three of the banned players are among the top five players at the club and up there with the best AFL players in the country.
I make no suggestion of guilt or innocence of any player but simply point out that the club felt their behaviour was sufficiently poor to ban them for the remainder of the year. There is also a police investigation going on regarding an allegation of sexual assault in the hotel room and, again, I make no suggestion of guilt or innocence on the part of anyone as that is a matter for the police to investigate.
Putting aside the legal details of the matter, the banning of the five players, particularly Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, left a massive hole in the side as they approached the finals.
There was pretty much a consensus in media and football circles that the club was finished for the year and had no chance of progressing through the finals because of the loss of three such important players and due to the psychological and emotional impact that the incident and its aftermath must have had on the rest of the team.
Swans fans, understandably, are devastated by the allegations and many have walked away from the club.
Others, while appalled at the allegations, feel that it is not the fault of the players that remain and they have continued to support the club.
The team won their next game against lowly North Melbourne and then it was the qualifying final last week against reigning premiers the Brisbane Lions.
No one gave them a chance because three of their best players were out and the spirit of the club surely had been broken.
The Swans then came out and executed a desperate, passionate, clinical, disciplined thrashing of the Lions. Players not known for leadership assumed leadership roles. Formerly fringe players asserted themselves and dominated their opponents. Players who I thought were past it returned to the team and played key roles that stifled the Lions talent.
After the game, excited champion small forward Tom Papley said he was not surprised by the victory because the team’s ethos and success did not revolve around talent, it was about process.
What he meant was that the success of the team didn’t require superstars, it was all about systems and processes and everyone in the team understanding the responsibilities of their role. Discipline, focus and doing the hard work that gets results. Not talent, focusing on the work that gets results.
There is a lesson from this for real estate agents dealing with a changing market. It’s about the work, not profile and status.
Sellers need to know that the agent is digging in, making the follow-up phone calls after inspections and open homes. Working with other agents in their agency to identify potential buyers. Contacting them, working with them, ensuring they are aware of the attributes of a particular property. Getting the flyers out. Re-working the write-up if necessary. Working for sellers and giving their property every chance of attracting the buyer who wants their property the most.
Obviously an agent hast to have the skills to do the job but when the going gets tough, it’s about discipline and focus and doing everything you can to get the best result. Go Swans!
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