Misogyny doesn’t always involve men. Boom – drop the mike! Misogyny is defined as a dislike of, contempt for, or prejudice against women.
 
It involves anything from unsolicited comments, favouring men at the expense of women, aggressive or intimidating behaviour, gender pay gap, ignoring or speaking over women, stealing (or rejecting) ideas from women, and limiting opportunities based on gender.
 
However, misogyny has wider reaching ramifications than the effect on the female employee. When women are excluded from upper management roles - and in some cases, industries and entire workplaces - it has a knock-on effect on customers, clients and stakeholders, as well as investors, suppliers and vendors. Male-dominated workplaces can appear less innovative and reluctant to, or incapable of, adapting. This can impact capacity to attract a greater range of good workers – especially Gen Z & Millennials. Then you’re stuck with an aging workforce about to retire taking all your IP and operational knowledge with them!
 
None of us want to admit our workplace may have traces of misogyny but let’s be real - it’s Australia - the home of sarcasm, sexist colloquialisms, and ‘take a spoonful of cement and harden up!’ banter. We’re proud of ‘keeping it real’ and the fact that “everyone can take a joke”. So what can we do about it? Call it out, don’t validate comments by laughing, be clear on workplace boundaries, report, create safe spaces.
 
Create better workplaces, be better employers.

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The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aspirations Program (ATSIAP) is an initiative for high-achieving secondary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Queensland state schools.
Bowen State High School’s Junior team consisting of Year 7 students Havana Power, Billie Grice, Sefton Power and Year 8 student Eli Prior travelled to Brisbane from the 25th to 28th November to take part in the state finals at the University of Queensland.
After two days of competition which included formal presentations, cultural knowledge trivia, improvisation drama activities and persuasive speaking they were successful in taking out 3rd place out of 21 schools.  
As part of the program, the students were also required to propose a project to the school administration team.
The students chose a sustainability project in the form of introducing a composting program in the school. The project would involve numerous staff and students to compost food waste from the tuckshop, Hospitality classes and Agriculture classes.
The program builds upon students' critical and creative thinking skills by providing opportunities to investigate solutions for real-world challenges. ATSIAP aims to raise students' expectations of themselves as learners and enhance post-school aspirations to include tertiary pathways.
Principal Mr Robert Harris was very proud of the students. “Havana, Billie, Sefton and Eli have worked really hard together and they should be very proud of how they have represented themselves and our school community.  
ATSIAP is a fun, yet challenging, program which allows student to enhance critical and creative thinking skills. It also encourages student to focus on their school attendance, academic engagement and to foster their tertiary aspirations.
A special thank you to Ms Pauline Neill, Mrs Raylene Van Veen and Mr Greg Prior for supporting the team throughout the challenge. I look forward to our student representing our school in the 2025 ASTIAP challenge.

Bowen State High School Highlights For December:

   • 100% QCE/QCIA attainment for our Year 12 students. 9 years in a row!

   • Junior ATSIAP team place 3rd out of 21 schools at the state finals.

   • Year 7 and 8 students graduate from Reading and Numeracy program.

   • Sixteen Year 6 students awarded a 2025 Scholarship.

   • Bowen High becomes a B Kinder school to spread kindness in 2025.

   • Year 10-12 students recognised at the Annual Senior Industry Awards.

   • 85% of Year 7-9 students achieve an A-C across all core subjects in Semester 2.

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Junior ATSIAP team Eli, Sefton, Havana and Billie, with staff Greg Prior and Raylene Van Veen who placed 3rd at the state finals.

Students proud of their achievements

A great month for Bowen State High School

The team at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre have been very busy this week with the Queensland school holidays now underway.

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said there was a significant increase in visitor numbers as soon as the school holidays started.

“We had been averaging about 115 visitors per day for December, but we had 155 people come to the centre on Monday alone and that was at the start of the holidays,” shared Leanne.

“The rest of the week has continued to be busy - most of the visitors have been from Queensland and we have also noticed a lot of locals calling in to grab a copy of the 2025 Bowen calendar.”

The 13-month calendars are on sale at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre for just $20 each and feature the talented photography of both local photographer Jack Collins and renowned photographer Mark Fitz.

“This is the third year that we have produced the calendar, and it is always very popular,” added Leanne.

“The calendar for 2025 features beaches, the lighthouse, mango trees and other landmarks.”

The centre is open seven days a week – 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and then 10am-3pm on the weekends and will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day

Contributed with thanks to Leanne Abernethy.

Bowen Tourism and Business team members Cindy Tonks and Glenn Womal with the 2025 Bowen calendar

Eris TestFlight1, the highly anticipated inaugural launch of Australia's first sovereign-made rocket, has officially received its launch permit approval and is now slated for liftoff from Gilmour Spaceport in Bowen.
While the precise launch date is still to be confirmed, the mission is expected to take place in mid-January, marking a historic milestone for the Australian space industry and Bowen.
This launch will not only be the first orbital attempt of an Australian-made rocket, but it also represents the first orbital launch from Australian soil in over half a century.
Developed and manufactured by Gilmour Space, Eris is the country's first rocket designed and built to carry satellites into space, a significant step in establishing Australia’s capabilities in the global space sector.
Eris TestFlight1 will be the maiden flight of the Eris Block 1 rocket, which utilises Gilmour Space’s proprietary hybrid rocket technology, a groundbreaking innovation that combines the simplicity of liquid propellant with the power of solid fuel.
For the local Whitsunday community, the Eris TestFlight1 launch is an exhilarating development that is sure to put Bowen firmly on the map as a key destination in space exploration history.
Bowen’s spaceport is Australia’s first licensed commercial orbital launch facility and offers access to Low Earth Orbits (LEO) with inclinations ranging from 20 to 65 degrees. This unique capability makes it an ideal site for launching various satellite missions.
The Gilmour Spaceport, located within the Abbot Point State Development Area, is a private facility that operates under the guidance of Gilmour Space.
The spaceport has received the support and blessing of the Juru traditional owners of the Bowen region, who have warmly welcomed the opportunity to ‘bridge Country to Sky.’
As Australia looks to cement its place in the global space economy, Bowen's role in this mission stands as a symbol of innovation, collaboration, and a new era for the nation's space exploration efforts.
With projects like Eris TestFlight1, Bowen is not only contributing to cutting-edge aerospace technology but also positioning itself at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry.

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Eris TestFlight1 gets ready to launch

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Roger a beautiful Huntaway cross Shepherd, is looking to find the rest of his pack.
Roger is heartworm positive but his treatment is fully covered by Bowen and Collinsville Rescue.
Due to this, he needs a calm space to recover and a loving family to call his own.
Although he's smaller than a Kelpie, he's just as smart and clever as one, he is also extremely active so needs to go to a home where he can get lots of stimulation. Therefore, he would be perfect for a hobby farm or an exercise-loving family.
Roger loves relaxing with his people and is good with other dogs if introduced slowly!
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Rehoming fee: $400
Age: 2 years
Sex: Male
Breed: Huntaway X Shepherd
Other dogs: Yes but slow introduction

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Approaching their busiest time of the year, Whitsunday Mowers are more than ready to provide the region with a celebrated selection of high-quality equipment to cater to any, and every customer’s needs.
Wayne Drabsch of Whitsunday Mowers has been busily preparing a range of new products and lines over the past few weeks including Walker and Altoz mowers, whilst maintaining the business’ reputation as the largest Stihl dealership in the area.
With in-store demonstrations having been held periodically over the past six weeks, Wayne, and the rest of his team at Whitsunday Mowers are more than equipped with the knowledge and experience necessary to navigate the ins and out of each of their new machines.
“We’ve had the Walkers for about six weeks now,” shared Wayne.
“They’re a ride on mower mainly designed around catching grass and they’re a very compact machine, and they’re the ultimate for clean cutting - we’ve run a few demos with them to get our heads around the machine itself - that’s a big thing, and they’ve proven to be very popular with people looking at ride-ons,” Wayne added.
In order to ensure each customer’s needs are fulfilled in a timely manner, Whitsunday Mowers have extended their workshop hours throughout this busy period to run the rush ahead of the Christmas and New Year break, right up until Christmas Eve.
Looking ahead, Wayne and his team have exciting plans for the new year, with Friday marking a wonderful business milestone.
“We plan to keep growing the way we have been since we bought the business, and on the 20th of December we would have had the business for six years, and in that time, we have more than doubled the business from what it was when we bought it,” Wayne shared.
With their doors closed between the 24th of December until Monday the 6th of January, Whitsunday Mowers wishes their valued customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Reef Cool are excited to introduce our dedicated team who are here to support you with all your air conditioning and commercial refrigeration needs. As a locally operated business, they pride themselves on being an integral part of this community.
Will Cameron – Branch Manager
Will relocated to the area from country NSW, bringing with him a wealth of Industry experience. Will’s leadership and commitment to excellence make him the perfect fit to lead the team. Will has settled into life in the Whitsunday region, quickly becoming a familiar face around town.
Seth – Technician
Seth is a born and bred local who completed his apprenticeship with Reef Cool. A skilled Tradesman, he is passionate about building strong relationships within the community and is eager to help meet the needs of both residential and commercial clients.
Jack – Technician
Jack has spent the last few years working from Hamilton Island and has recently moved to the mainland and is also living locally. Jack is an exceptional Tradesman who delivers top-notch service with expertise and care for every job.
Owen – Apprentice
Owen is Reef Cool’s enthusiastic new apprentice who has recently left school and is ready to excel in his chosen career.
Chris and Renae – Business Owners
As proud regionally based business owners, Chris and Renae are deeply committed to supporting local communities.
For over 20 years they have provided exceptional service and high-quality solutions for their regional clients. Being a family-owned business means that they understand and value every customer and are always ready to go above and beyond to meet their needs.
Reef Cool continue to be your local Daikin Specialist Dealer. Whether it is a new installation, regular maintenance, or repairs, they have you covered with the reliability and efficiency Daikin is known for.
In addition to their air conditioning expertise, Reef Cool also offer commercial refrigeration, scheduled preventative maintenance services, and comprehensive after-hours breakdown services. This ensures that their clients have the support they need to keep their cooling assets running smoothly.
Thank you for supporting your local team at Reef Cool!

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Friday 20 December
The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: ABBA (2pm–5:30pm)
The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers(7pm–10pm)
Grand View Hotel: Rebelquinn (4pm–8pm)

Saturday 21 December
The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: ABBA (2pm–5:30pm)
The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm)
Grand View Hotel: Dj Night (4pm–8pm)
Coral Sea Pavilion: Live Music (from 1pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Chill DJ Session (2pm–6pm)

Sunday 22 December
The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: ABBA (2pm–5:30pm)
The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Sam McCann (6:30pm–9:30pm)
Grand View Hotel: Paul Berger (4pm–8pm)
Coral Sea Pavilion: Chill Acoustic Session (2pm-6pm)

Thursday 26 December
The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Paul Fergus Morris (6.30pm–9.30pm)

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Proserpine Museum’s photographic archives contain many delightful old photos of picnics held in the district in the past; picnics that provided families with the opportunity to rest and relax; to meet up with friends and acquaintances and to celebrate special occasions.
The Mill Picnic at Gracemere.
In our files we found several lovely old photos of families preparing to board the cane trucks for the journey to Gracemere Creek/Lake past the Kelsey Creek turnoff. People donned their best outfits – men in suits and hats and ladies in lovely dresses, hats and wearing high heels no less! They flocked to the sugar mill yard and made themselves comfortable for a ride on trucks drawn by a locomotive which took them to their destination.  Ironically, when cars became more plentiful and one would naturally assume that the popularity would grow with the ease of travel, the mill picnics were no more.
Picnics at Cannonvale Beach
In these early days with no bitumen on the road, the journey to the popular Boxing Day picnic at Cannonvale (then called Cannon Valley) was long and dusty. The dust hung in the air and covered the trees, but this did not deter eager locals and hundreds of people made their way there annually.
Another popular spot “out in the bush” of Cannon Valley at this time was a water spot used by schooners of old. It consisted of a fresh water spring below the tide mark, located a little north of the old stone jetty at the seaward end of “Cannon Valley” Beach and is clearly marked today on the boardwalk.
Picnicking on the river banks
The Proserpine River, along with such places as the O’Connell and Andromache Rivers, were frequented by many families on weekends. And sometimes it was just groups of women and children who ventured there for an afternoon tea and the chance to escape the tedium of their daily chores. The accompanying photo of a picnic on the river bank in 1917 is a classic example. No bathers or other “scanty” clothing at these gatherings! And clearly no concern about crocodiles.
School Picnics
And then there were the greatly anticipated school picnics!
The “Proserpine Guardian” (22 December 1934) contained this story about a typical school picnic.
“The Strathdickie School held its annual picnic in the school grounds on December 15th. The kiddies had a wonderful time, the public turning up in great style. The day was a record both in attendance and from a financial point, the weather being ideal. The ladies and the committee got ready early and worked hard giving the children ‘the day of their lives’. The committee kept the sports going merrily, egg and spoon races, skipping, high jumping and vaulting. The little ones racing on stilts was something to watch. The ladies were kept busy - sandwiches, cakes, fruit, soft drinks and lollies all day until the kiddies cried, ‘Enough!’ The presentation of books followed.
Skip [Elwyn] Parker, at the Cannonvale School from 1932 to 1942, remembered the preparations well. “The whole district stopped for the school picnics. The day before, we all brought scrubbing brushes and soap and spent the whole day scrubbing desks, stools, and the floors. They were occasions to be enjoyed by school children, parents and their grandparents.”
Such was the strength of the tradition of break up picnics that, in 1919, the Cannonvale School picnic went ahead even though the school was closed because there was no teacher.  
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Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

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A large group of community-minded people gathered at a special end-of-year BBQ breakfast last Friday morning where two local businesses presented generous cheques from recent fundraising activities.

The event was organised by Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network (WSPN) and Real Mates Talk, two local non-profit organisations which actively raise awareness and education for mental health in our community.

Kindly hosted by Shirtfront Solutions and Enzed Whitsundays, the BBQ was held in the shared carpark on-site and the BBQ meats were donated by Master Butchers Whitsundays.

During the breakfast Whitsunday Bald Eagles presented a cheque for $5000 which were the proceeds of the 2024 MC Classics Mega Raffle, with many of the Baldies out and about selling tickets throughout the year.

In addition, Whitsunday Property Buyers presented a cheque for $500 which was greatly appreciated.

All money donated will be used to fund suicide awareness initiatives in the community.

These include free counselling for families impacted by suicide, free weekly Breathing Classes open to anyone in the community and various other courses/training sessions in the community.

The regular Friday BBQs are also a place for the community to gather together, connect and ‘check-in’ with each other about their mental wellbeing.

In 2025 these BBQ Breakfasts will continue one Friday per month beginning on Friday 21st February.

If you are concerned about your mental wellbeing or the wellbeing of someone you know, help is out there.

Locally, you can reach out to WSPN or Real Mates Talk via their Facebook pages.

You can also call the 24/7 Support Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 anytime.

Or Lifeline Australia on 131114.

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Whitsunday Bald Eagles presented a cheque for $5000 to help with suicide prevention in our community

Whitsunday Property Buyers presented a cheque for $500

Dylan Blackwood and Jack Loft
Brad Dean and Dan Graham
Ken Sharpe and Mark Stokes
Kev Fancke and Barb Hill
Whitsunday Property Buyers Drew Colliver and Lara Kell-Colliver with their baby Hames

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Queensland Premier David Crisafulli visited Mackay last week to address the growing issue of crime in the region. During his visit, the Premier stopped by Corry Cycles, a local business that has suffered repeated break-ins throughout the year. Highlighting the challenges faced by small business owners, he acknowledged the toll that ongoing crime has taken on their operations.

Premier Crisafulli reaffirmed his commitment to tackling youth crime, stating, "I made the promise before the election that we would put youth crime front and centre, and I’m honouring that promise.

“I wanted to come back to Mackay as early as possible after the tabling of those laws to let the city know that we are serious about driving change."

He emphasised the importance of addressing youth crime while also acknowledging the difficulties small businesses face.

"A small business owner who’s been broken into a couple of dozen times…that shouldn’t be the case," said the Premier.

"No one’s suggesting that you won’t have crime, but we have to turn the tide on it.

“It just can’t be more victims every single year."

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli met with Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton, Member for Mirani Glen Kelly and business owner Evan Corry at Corry Cycles in Mackay last week to discuss youth crime. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’
Premier Talks Youth Justice Reform

The LNP state government introduced the Making Queensland Safer Bill into parliament earlier this month and the legislation has been considered by a parliamentary committee for a week before its fast-tracked and discussed this week.
The law changes include the LNP's "adult crime, adult time" policy, which would apply adult sentences to juveniles who commit certain serious offences, which includes dangerous use of a motor vehicle and burglary.

Premier Crisafulli stressed that stronger laws would send a clear message that there are consequences for criminal behaviour. However, he also highlighted the need for early intervention to prevent a lifetime of crime.

"It’s equally important to intervene early and try to turn people away from a lifetime of crime."

The Premier’s visit highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by businesses like Corry Cycles, which has experienced multiple break-ins in recent years. Evan Corry, co-owner of the business alongside his brother, Ryan, recounted a recent incident in which a thief stole a bike in broad daylight while staff were unloading a truck with Christmas stock.

“It’s disappointing and quite scary,” said Corry, who noted that his shop had been broken into nearly ten times this year alone, prompting him to invest tens of thousands of dollars in security upgrades.

Corry shared his frustration, and said, "You just shake your head.

“These people don’t even care anymore.

“They’re not afraid of the consequences."

Despite spending significant amounts on security, including metal bars and Crimsafe for windows, he continues to face the reality of frequent break-ins.

"To be honest, I got sick of sweeping up glass at 2am after break-ins…but now, it seems we also need to stand watch while unloading trucks, which is really disappointing," he added.

Member for Mirani Glen Kelly MP echoed these concerns, calling for action across both urban and rural areas.

"Crime just doesn’t only happen in the cities.

“Crime happens everywhere.

“When you go to bed at night, you want to sleep in peace…you don’t want to go to bed at night with one eye open."

Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton MP also emphasised the importance of early intervention in tackling youth crime.

Premier Crisafulli also noted the need for better support for youth leaving detention.

"Stronger laws send a consequence that there is a repercussion for doing something wrong…but it’s equally important to intervene early and try to turn people away from a lifetime of crime."

He highlighted that more than half of those leaving youth detention currently lack access to a 72-hour plan.

"We are going to ensure every single person has a 12-month plan, with six months of intensive support, to stop the repeat cycle," the Premier said.

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Queensland Premier David Crisafulli met with Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton, Member for Mirani Glen Kelly and business owner Evan Corry from Corry Cycles.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli

Evan Corry, co-owner of Corry Cycles. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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Ever had one of those moments where you can see a disaster brewing, like something is about to go horribly wrong, but you’re powerless to stop it? That was me last week, watching my rogue shopping trolley at ALDI gain momentum on a car park slope that rivals the skate park around the corner—or at least, that’s how it felt at the time. Consider this a friendly PSA: the gradient at ALDI is not to be underestimated, and neither is a runaway trolley.
Picture this: I reach into my car to straighten another shopping bag that had fallen over, but when I turn to unload my trolley, it’s gone. I’m in jandals (thongs), wearing a dress, dealing with post-chemo numb feet and hands. I see my trolley that’s accelerating away from me on an angle like it’s in some kind of trolley Grand Prix. I immediately thought, “There’s no way I’ll make it in time.” But instinct took over, and despite looking like a spooked hippo who had just been fired upon by poachers (my sincerest apologies to any onlookers), I launched into a sprint. Considering I don’t remember the last time I actually ran any distance, this was already a surprise.
I thundered across that car park and with mere millimetres left, I put everything I had into a final lunge, arm outstretched as far as it would go…and stopped that trolley just 10 centimetres from a parked car.
Lesson learned: you never really know what you’re capable of until you’re forced to test your limits—whether it’s saving a car from an untimely dent or surprising yourself in other ways. Yes, I may have pulled a glute in the process, but I also proved to myself that even when you think you’ve hit your limits, there’s always a little more gas in the tank.
So, here’s my challenge to you for 2025: pick something you think you can’t do—or haven’t done yet—and give it a crack. For me, it’s composting. I’ve no idea where to begin, but I hear the council runs workshops, so that’s my starting point. It doesn’t have to be monumental; it just has to be meaningful. Whether it’s mastering sourdough, learning a language, or finally tackling that DIY project, push yourself a little further. Who knows? You might even save a trolley—or a car—along the way.
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Amanda

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Star 101.9 Mackay’s Christmas Auction, hosted by Rach and Jake, was a resounding success, raising an incredible $4,225 to support local families in need this Christmas season. The live charity auction, held on November 29, featured a range of exciting items, including two Broncos NQ membership packs, a 55-inch TV from Betta Mackay, a three-night stay at the Mirage Whitsundays, a thrilling ride in the new Stinger Police Car, and a scenic flight over the Whitsundays, all generously donated by local businesses.

The community rallied together to make a difference, with all proceeds going directly to Mackay Women's Services. The funds will support their Christmas Hamper drive, providing families in need with gift cards to select gifts and essentials for the holiday season.

A representative from Star 101.9 Mackay expressed their gratitude, saying, “A massive thank you to everyone who bid on the items for Rach and Jake’s Christmas Auction!

“Together, we raised an incredible $4,225, with all proceeds going to Mackay Women's Services.”

Mackay Women's Services also shared their excitement, saying, "Wow, what a whirlwind of a morning…this generous amount will go straight into our Christmas Hamper drive, where we'll transform it into gift cards so families can pick out the perfect gifts or essentials, they need this Christmas season.”

Both Mackay Women's Services and Star 101.9 Mackay extended a special thank you to the businesses who made this possible: Brisbane Broncos, Betta Mackay, Mirage Whitsundays, Queensland Police Service, and Sailing Whitsundays.

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Recent NAPLAN results highlight Whitsunday Anglican School’s commitment to an exceptional education for students, after ranking as the top secondary regional School in Queensland.

Whitsunday Anglican School was featured in the top 25 NAPLAN rankings attaining 10th for Year 9 and 24th for Year 5. Principal Mr Andrew Wheaton said he believed that the school’s phenomenal outcomes were driven by Whitsunday’s exceptional teachers, who are committed to academic growth for every student, which is strongly grounded in evidence-based research and practice.

"We are truly dedicated to fostering academic growth through a focus on personalised learning that is realised through effort and continuous improvement—ensuring that every student has opportunities to make progress and reach their potential.

"Although we take pride in these results, the true heroes are our exceptional educators, who work tirelessly every day with our students—not only to achieve high levels of literacy and numeracy but also to apply these skills in critical and creative ways."

Mr Wheaton said the school invests in specialist teachers who are experts in their disciplinary field; and works diligently to develop partnerships with leading educational institutions to inform evidence-based decision-making.

Critical to this success is a strong culture of learning in the classroom.

“We have partnered with The University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education to research innovative learning environments that impact the way our teachers teach and develop deep learning.

“We’re also conscious that strong academic outcomes are balanced with a focus on the student’s emotional intelligence, and we proudly partner with Swinburne University to implement an evidence-based Emotional Intelligence (EI) programme for our students.

“Balance through cocurricular pursuits in the Arts, music and sport is also critical for ensuring that our students perform at their best.

“As a school we view NAPLAN holistically and do not see it as a sole indicator of performance by any means.

“However, it is a strong measure of the exceptional work being done in our classrooms to progress our students’ literacy and numeracy at Whitsunday Anglican School.”

Mr Wheaton added, “Our approach to learning is multifaceted where creativity and innovation were also fundamental to the school’s progress.

“Central to the School’s approach is an understanding that critical skills required for future success include creativity, curiosity, and innovation.

“We invite our students to develop a new way of thinking that is engaging, multifaceted and inclusive, with diversity of thought and global-mindedness.

“Critical thinking and problem-based learning is a real focus area, and we have captured this in the build of our new award-winning STEAM Centre, opened in late 2023.

“The STEAM Centre has been a tremendous vehicle to inspire our students with critical skills for the future and it is designed to link in with the region’s industry strengths in STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Design, and Mathematics.

“From its inception, the school had the vision to design a cutting-edge, research driven educational building that will inspire innovative teaching and learning into the future,” Mr Wheaton said.

“At Whitsunday we are confident that our regional students receive world class educational
opportunities, and these NAPLAN results are further evidence of this.”

To determine how each school performed in 2024, the scores for all five test subjects for the student cohort (Yr 5 or Yr 9) were combined and the average found. Special schools, schools with fewer than 20 students enrolled, and schools that did not report any results for NAPLAN subjects were excluded from the analysis.

The figures were independently compiled from the Federal Government's MySchool website. Data was not collected for Western Australia.

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Whitsunday Anglican School topped NAPLAN rankings as the leading regional school in Queensland, driven by exceptional teachers, personalised learning, and a strong academic culture. Photo credit: Whitsunday Anglican School

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