Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Now is a great time for Whitsunday gardeners to get busy, with the weather moving towards the warmer, wetter growing season, offering plenty of opportunities to get new crops established. For those keen to grow their own vegetables, now is a good time to start planting wet season favourites. Tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum, chilli, eggplant, beans, pumpkin, zucchini and sweet corn are all options for tropical gardens as conditions warm up. Radishes and other quick-growing crops can also be added to the patch, giving gardeners something to harvest while longer-growing plants get established. Herbs are another easy addition, particularly for gardeners working with smaller spaces. Basil, coriander, chives and parsley can be grown in garden beds or containers, while pots are also handy for tomatoes and chillies. If you're looking to add colour, August is also a good time to introduce plants suited to Queensland's warm conditions. Marigolds and nasturtiums can provide colour while also making useful additions to productive gardens. Before planting, take a little time to prepare the garden. Remove weeds, refresh tired potting mix and add compost or other organic matter to garden beds. Mulch can also help protect the soil and retain moisture as temperatures begin to climb. It is also worth checking irrigation and watering systems before the weather gets hotter. Newly planted crops will need consistent moisture while they establish, particularly as growth begins to accelerate. A little preparation now can set the garden up for plenty of fresh produce and colour in the months ahead.
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Live music, creative workshops and lakeside fun turned Lake Proserpine into one big backyard for three days, as the Flametree Gathering returned for its fourth year. Between Friday night’s opening performances and Sunday’s sunset finale, the gathering kept its easy-going spirit in swing, drawing the crowd into the experience. “It was an amazing success,” said event organiser Bronwyn Garland. “We would have had over 400 people here including artists and volunteers, and the music was just absolutely sensational.” Collaboration remained at the heart of the weekend, with performers regularly stepping into one another’s sets and turning individual appearances into something shared. Artists including David Flower, Matty Rogers, Paul Greene, Lecia Louise, Chris Matthews, Jesse Morris and Sky Eater joined forces across the festival, bringing different shades of folk, blues, rock, roots and reggae together on stage. For organisers, these unplanned musical crossovers are what give the gathering its distinctive character. “It’s this explosion on the stage where everyone gets up and they want to play along, it’s pretty awesome,” Bronwyn said. Away from the stage, the gathering showcased its versatility with the Aussie Olympics, featuring thong throwing and esky races bringing plenty of friendly competition. The four-legged gatherers also had their moment in the returning dog parade, while parasol painting, lantern-making, yoga and family activities ensured there was something happening across the festival grounds. “We found different ways for people to interact and feel like they're part of it, which was pretty good,” Bronwyn said. Photo captions: Flametree organisers - Bronwyn Garland and David Flower. Photo credit: McLean Photography. Photo’s 1-14: All photo credit: Cherrie Hughes.
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Bowen Sporting Complex buzzed with beats on Saturday 22nd August as SoundzGood 2.0 put on an afternoon of live music, DJs and festival vibes. The lineup offered something for every taste, with Rossco, Jacob Biermann, Pluto Tango, DJ Henasi, Nina Sinclair and Flaw Clinic serving up indie, R&B, house and electronic sounds, alongside plenty of throwback favourites that had the crowd singing along. Between sets, festivalgoers grabbed a bite from the food vendors, posed for photos in the booth and enjoyed a clever variety of drinks while chilling with friends and family. Organised by SoundzGood Whitsundays, the festival gave the Bowen community the chance to have a relaxed afternoon of live music, dancing and time spent with friends in their own backyard.
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Although visitors have been coming to the Whitsundays since the 1920s, early tourism was mainly limited to day trips and settled islands. Shute Harbour’s opening in 1961 improved access, and by the 1970s tourism was reshaping the district. Airlie Beach evolved from a cluster of cane farmers’ weekender cottages into the main gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, and a resort destination in its own right. Local identity, Harry Muller, was among the first to recognise the area’s potential, opening the Airlie Beach Hotel in 1968. Though very different today, it began simply and informally, with early patrons even bringing their own chairs. To provide entertainment, Harry hired a local band featuring Noel Durnsford, Ross Howard, Richie Leo, Lui Raiteri and Hec Phillipson. The idea was an instant success, helping establish the live entertainment that has become a trademark of Airlie Beach. Stories from long-time regulars describe the casual, welcoming spirit that came to epitomise the hotel. That atmosphere is captured in a large-framed photograph on the hotel wall taken in 1982 by the late Rennie Ellis, one of Australia’s most celebrated photographers. It typifies the relaxed, laconic lifestyle of patrons. Former local, Syd Anderson, remembered it as “a great little place on the water”; a place where people were hired, fired and paid, and where there was always someone needing a job done and someone looking for work. Over the years, the hotel attracted many memorable personalities. Among them was the iconic figure, Iris Campbell, its first barmaid, instantly recognisable by the hibiscus she wore in her hair. Another colourful chapter belonged to RAG, short for Ruff as Guts, a social club known for regular fundraising events such as sausage sizzles at touch football. The group became the town’s second-highest fundraiser after the Lions Club and still reunites every five years, with its next fifty year milestone due in 2029. The hotel’s story has also been shaped by cyclones, sales and expansions. In 1970, Cyclone Ada severely damaged the building, blowing off the top section of roof. After repairs, Harry Muller sold the lease to Bill Weston. In 1982, the hotel was sold to the O’Neills. During their thirty-seven years of ownership, they progressively expanded the site, buying surrounding houses. The first stage in the hotel’s evolution into a premier social hub began in 1997 with the construction of a separate building on Shute Harbour Road for Mangrove Jack’s Café/Bar. In 2000, a new hotel building was built on the esplanade, featuring 60 rooms, Capers Restaurant and a row of shops. After Cyclone Debbie caused severe damage in 2017, the hotel closed for two years. In 2019, O’Neills sold to ABH Hotel Pty Ltd who undertook a complete overhaul and expansion as part of a major redevelopment of the hotel’s food and beverage offering. Mangrove Jacks officially closed and the former Capers section on the esplanade reopened as “The Pub”, bringing the venues together in a modern, open-plan facility. Thirty-four new hotel rooms and suites were added. The grand reopening party attracted 600 people. What began as a modest pub serving a small village of cane farmers became closely tied to the growth of Airlie Beach. Today, “The Pub” is a modern venue with state-of-the-art bars, a restaurant, kitchen, alfresco dining area, gaming lounge, pool deck and upgraded facilities. Today, the Airlie Beach Hotel, aka “The Pub”, remains a focal point for the town: a popular gathering place where new stories continue to be made with each generation of locals and visitors. Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum Society.
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By Richard Evans, President, Whitsundays Writers Festival
Somewhere in the Whitsundays, at this very moment, a book is lying face-down on a bedside table, a bookmark frozen at page 67 and an owner quietly pretending they will return to it soon.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Most readers have an unfinished-book collection of some kind: a physical TBR (to be read) pile, an e-reader library of "currently reading" titles that haven’t moved in months, or simply a mental list of books they meant to get back to.
We often begin books with the best intentions: a holiday purchase, a book-club choice, a gift, an acclaimed novel, or a title everyone insists we "should" read.
Somewhere along the way, we start believing that finishing is compulsory because the book was expensive, or recommended by a friend, or won a prize. But reading is not a moral test, and life is too short, and the shelves too full, to treat every unfinished novel as a personal failing.
The truth is simpler and kinder: reading tastes are personal, and timing changes everything. A book loved by thousands may still not work for one individual, and a book that feels impenetrable at 25 may speak powerfully at 55.
There’s also a difference between challenging writing that rewards persistence and a book that is simply not connecting. Learning to tell the two apart is its own kind of reading skill.
Here in the Whitsundays, there’s an added layer to all this. We imagine a reading life of lounging on a boat, beneath a palm tree, or on a quiet veranda, but real life is busier: work, family, visitors, weekend sport, weather, travel, boating and the general pull of living outdoors.
Even in a region built around leisure, uninterrupted time can be surprisingly hard to find. Even paradise has laundry, errands and early starts.
So here is a gentle rule: give a book a fair chance, but allow yourself to stop when reading becomes obligation rather than interest.
Ask yourself: am I curious to know what happens next? Do I want to return to this book? Is it challenging me in a worthwhile way, or merely draining my attention? Could I try it again another time?
If the answer isn’t encouraging, consider a different format, an audiobook, large-print edition or e-book. Or reach for something shorter: a memoir, short stories, poetry, or an old favourite.
Libraries are perfect for this kind of guilt-free experimentation. Borrow, sample, return, and try something else.
So let the unfinished novel rest without reproach.
The real loss is not leaving one book at page 67. It is deciding, because of that one book, that reading is no longer for you.
If you have an unfinished book, or several, sitting quietly at home, the Whitsundays Writers Festival’s Stories by the Sea free community offers the perfect guilt-free solution.
Bring up to two of your pre-loved books to the Whitsundays Writers Festival Book Swap.
What: Stories by the Sea
When: Sunday 13th September, 3pm-4:30pm
Where: Whitsunday Marine Club, 7 Altmann Avenue
Tickets: FREE community event
Whitsundays Writers Festival
Richard Evans
Festival Director and President
hello@whitsundayswriters.com
Creative Connections Whitsunday
Glenda Brown
President
info@creativeconnectionwhitsunday.com
If you would like to submit a poem, creative writing piece, profile suggestion, event information, or share your creative story, please contact hello@whitsundayswriters.com
Fresh work has arrived at Creative Connections Whitsunday Community Gallery, bringing new artists, new ideas and plenty to discover on the walls and shelves this month.
Running to 14 September, the latest collection brings together watercolour, acrylic, mixed media, oils and photography. Some works capture the landscapes and wildlife of our region, while others explore colour, texture, people and the everyday subjects that catch an artist’s eye.
Perhaps most interestingly, the collection brings artists at very different stages of their creative lives together under one roof.
Experienced artists who have spent decades developing their practice hang alongside emerging artists finding their own style and, in some cases, exhibiting publicly for the first time. That mix is part of what makes a community gallery interesting. You never quite know what you’ll find, or whose work might stop you for a closer look.
Joining the Gallery this month is our youngest exhibitor to date, twelve-year-old Oliver Seddon-Brown.
Already developing a keen interest in landscape and wildlife photography, Oliver has an impressive eye for the moments that are easy to miss. Wildlife photography, in particular, requires patience. The subject rarely sits where you want it, the light changes quickly, and nature has little interest in waiting for the photographer to get organised.
Clearly, Oliver has learned to wait for the right moment.
Adding another dimension to the story, Oliver is exhibiting alongside his mother, Lucy Seddon-Brown, an accomplished local photographer whose latest collection is also new to the Gallery this month.
Presented on acrylic, Lucy’s photographs have a depth and clarity that gives the images an almost luminous quality. Displayed alongside Oliver’s work, they also tell a quieter story about creativity being shared between generations, while each photographer develops a perspective distinctly their own.
Handcrafted jewellery, ceramics, prints and other small works offer another way to discover the creativity of Whitsundays artists and makers. Many are one-off or limited pieces, making the Gallery worth revisiting even if you have been through the doors before.
Importantly, purchasing from the Gallery directly supports the artists who created the work, while helping our volunteer-run community gallery continue to provide a place for local artists to exhibit.
And you don’t need to be looking for something to buy.
Sometimes it’s simply enjoyable to wander through, see what people in your own community are creating and find the piece that makes you stop for a second look.
Conveniently located beside the Proserpine Museum, the Community Gallery makes an easy addition to a day in Proserpine.
Spend some time exploring the Gallery, wander next door to discover more of the district’s history at the Museum, then head into Main Street for coffee or lunch.
For visitors travelling through the Whitsundays, it’s also an opportunity to see a side of the region that goes beyond beaches and islands.
The August collection runs until 14th September.
Come in, take your time and see what catches your eye.
Theme: Something Green.
When I think of something green, I picture freshly cut grass, towering trees and the leaves gently falling from their branches.
But this week’s winner, Shannon Faletti, decided to look a little closer, focusing her lens on a grasshopper sitting peacefully on a bromeliad leaf.
The grasshopper provides the perfect pop of green against the contrasting leaf, allowing the tiny visitor to command the frame. Shannon’s photo proves that sometimes, the smallest subjects can make the biggest impression.
Congratulations Shannon, your little grasshopper has leapt into the top spot!
For next week’s Photo of the Week, we’re chasing shadows, with the theme “Silhouettes”.
Help For Sugar. State and Federal Governments combined support to stabilise the price of Australian sugar after collapse of World prices. This was welcomed with the expectancy that 10% of sugar mills will close in the next 3 years.
Multi-Million Dollar Mainland Resort Planned. The proposed resort will occupy 1,300 hectares with frontage to Pioneer, Woodwark, and Double Bays and could become the biggest development in the South Pacific employing a thousand people. The first step is construction of an eight kilometre extension of Paluma Road.
Obituary
Linda Young nee Deicke died in hospital aged 78. Her family left farming in Strathdickie to operate Young’s Cordial Factory in Mill Street which moved to Chapman Street in 1962.
Bernard Elsey died aged 81. Elsey owned Daydream Island and developed the resort for 13 years until 1981, but his greatest claim to fame at the Gold Coast was his idea of bikini clad meter maids
Labour Candidate Launched. ALP Candidate Peter Jardine asserted “The protection of the environment will be the biggest local issue in Whitsunday.”
Accommodation Up. Room night sales for Queensland hotels and motels for the March quarter 1986 were 13.4 % above those for the March quarter 1985. Aust. Bureau of Statistics.
Nursing Home Activities. New Activities Officer Judith Madill organised bingo, Hoy and musical entertainment and was calling on people and clubs in the community to help run handicraft and musical sessions.
Flower Show World Theme. Uniting Church flower Show committee have chosen the 1986 theme to be ‘Around The World’ with countries and their flags and food depicted in floral arrangements. The Baton Twirlers and the High school Choir will be among live entertainment.
Fireman Farewelled. Long serving fireman Bob Johnstone’s retirement was farewelled. He had been an auxilliary member since October 1956.
Pony Club’s Gymkhana. Visitors from Collinville, Bowen, Black River, Mackay and Cannon Valley took part in the march past of 60 riders. Judges for the day were Helen Gillen and Jenny Rassmussen.
Whitsunday Windsurfing. Pearce Mitchell’s recent 13th place in the New Guinea Windsurfing Titles is part of a planned three country circuit including Airlie Beach and Fiji. The Whitsunday Village have planned a week of windsurfing as a build up to the 10th Annual Fun Race.
Mature Trees Removed from Designated Fauna Reserve. Proserpine Branch of the Wildlife Preservation Society believe this to be illegal and urged Council to take prompt action against those responsible.
Source: Proserpine Guardian August 28th 1986. Contributed with thanks by the Proserpine Museum
BY GEORGIA MCDONALD
This week, I sat down with another local favourite, Josiah Samuel, to chat about his journey to the Whitsundays, his place in Airlie Beach’s music scene and what keeps him picking up the guitar after all these years.
When Josiah first decided to move to Australia, the Whitsundays wasn’t on the itinerary. After building a life in Nelson, New Zealand where he worked as a teacher and played music on the side, a friend convinced Josiah to move to Melbourne and give the Australian music scene a go.
He booked his flight, arrived in Melbourne and lasted four days.
With a friend already living in the Whitsundays, Josiah decided to leave the city and head north where things were more his pace, arriving in 2016.
His first job was washing dishes at the ‘Down Under Bar’, now known as Boaty’s and Nomads. It wasn’t long until people caught on that he was a musician. Then came a course-altering offer from the venue’s General Manager.
One gig soon turned into five years of Sundays at the old Shed Bar, where Josiah became a familiar face. Now, he’s a regular fixture in venues across Airlie Beach.
Josiah’s relationship with music started long before he arrived in the Whitsundays. Josiah first picked up a guitar at six, getting his own at 14, and says most of what he knows came from being around others rather than formal lessons. Growing up in New Zealand, he spent time with Māori and Islander friends, including a group at school who would gather in the music room, grab guitars and jam together. For Josiah, music was something learned through community - by listening, watching and joining in.
That instinctive approach has stayed with him. Ideas often pop into his head and he'll grab a guitar and record them before they disappear. In fact, he keeps a guitar in every room of his house for these moments of inspiration.
His early sets were heavily influenced by reggae and Islander music, but as he picked up more gigs, he realised he needed to broaden his style to keep gigs coming in. His connection to Māori and Islander music, however, has remained, leading to some memorable moments.
One came recently while performing at the Royal Queensland Show in Brisbane. After Josiah finished his set with “E Papa”, an Islander song he'd been playing for years, a man approached him and asked where he was from.
The man then revealed he was a member of Herbs, and the writer of the song Josiah had just performed.
Josiah was star-struck.
It’s a far cry from his early days performing in the Whitsundays, when Josiah would wear black sunglasses on stage because he found looking out at the crowd intimidating.
That same sense of community now extends beyond Josiah’s own performances. As one of the founders of Whitsunday Entertainment, he helps connect local musicians, DJs and entertainers with weddings, events and corporate functions - creating the kind of opportunities that helped shape his own journey.
For Josiah, tmusic has ultimately taught him the importance of authenticity.
“If you play music in a way that you really feel, other people can really feel it too.”
Where to catch Josiah:
Every Tuesday at Paradiso, 6:15pm – 9pm
Every Wednesday at Boaty’s, 5pm – 8pm
Song Recommendation For This Week:
Love Me - Fia
A child who sees an adult reading learns something important: that books are not merely homework. They are company, adventure, knowledge, laughter, and sometimes the beginning of a story of one’s own.
So when did you last see a dad reading on the couch, a grandfather sharing a favourite story, or a sports coach talking about a book at training? For many Whitsunday families, it’s a fair question.
Reading for pleasure does more than fill spare time. It builds vocabulary, imagination, empathy and the confidence to think deeply. Skills that follow children through school and into life. The numbers show why these matters. More than two-thirds of Australians aged 15 and over read for pleasure, so there is a strong culture to build on locally. Yet nationally, one in three children is not reading proficiently, roughly eight children in every class of 24.
The gap is particularly noticeable among boys and young men. This isn’t because boys are naturally less interested in stories, it’s more about opportunity, choice, and role models. Young Australian men aged 15 to 24 are currently the least likely group to read recreationally. When boys don’t see the men in their lives – fathers, uncles, grandfathers, cousins, sport coaches, teachers – reading and talking about books, it’s easy for reading to quietly slip off the list of things "people like me" do. Letting boys choose their own books, whether that’s sport biographies, graphic novels, history or science fiction, matters too: most children say the books they enjoy most are the ones they picked themselves.
Of course, screens are part of modern life, and they’re not the enemy.
Audiobooks, e-books, graphic novels, and online reading communities like BookTok can all be genuine pathways into stories. The real question isn’t screens versus books. It’s whether children have regular, unhurried time to read something they actually enjoy, alongside adults who model that same joy.
This is exactly the conversation the Whitsundays Writers Festival wants to start.
Two festival panels - Is There a Book in You? and Where Do You Get Your Story Ideas From? - explore how reading and writing are connected: reading opens the door to ideas, and writing gives those ideas a voice. Families are warmly invited to attend, ask questions, and discover local and regional authors who might just become a child’s next favourite.
The next generation of Whitsunday readers, and perhaps writers, may begin with something wonderfully simple: an adult, a child, a good book, and time to share it.
This September, the Festival invites the whole community, especially the blokes, to pick up a book and be seen doing it.
The 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival is set to celebrate local voices, regional stories and the readers who bring them to life, with a packed program at the Whitsunday Marine Club, Cannonvale on Sunday 13th September.
The day opens at 11.00am with a welcome from Festival President Richard Evans, followed by Is There a Book in You? — a practical and inspiring panel exploring what it really takes to move from an idea to a published book. Authors A. L. Tippett, Greg Bourke, and Rachael Smith will share their experiences, insights and advice for writers wondering how to turn their stories into books.
At 12.45pm, the spotlight turns to the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, with the announcement of winners and runners-up across the Short Story Open Age and Under 18 divisions and Poetry Prize. The ceremony will include interviews and live readings from selected works.
The awards will be followed by the From the Heart Keynote, delivered by internationally recognised, multi-award-winning romance author Rachel Armstrong.
The afternoon continues at 2.00pm with Where Do You Get Your Story Ideas From? a lively discussion with writers Krissy Regan, Gary Wood and Veronica Lando about the unexpected, everyday and extraordinary places where stories begin.
The festival then opens out into Stories by the Sea, a free community celebration from 3pm to 4.30pm, with more than 20 regional authors, book stalls, readings, music, art, children’s activities and a community book swap.
Tickets for the main festival program are available now, with limited places remaining. Stories by the Sea is free to attend.
The Whitsundays Writers Festival is inviting the community to finish the festival with an afternoon of books, authors, art and music at Stories by the Sea on Sunday 13th September.
From 3pm to 4.30pm at the Whitsunday Marine Club, Cannonvale, this free community event brings more than 20 regional authors together with readers for an afternoon celebration.
Meet the authors, browse their books and pick up a signed copy, or bring up to two pre-loved books along for the Book Swap. Feeling adventurous? Try a Blind Date with a Book and discover your next read without judging it by its cover.
There’s plenty happening beyond the books, with live music, author readings, children’s storytime and activities, plus local writing groups and book clubs to discover.
Art lovers can also catch the Creative Connections Whitsunday Plein Air Art Challenge, with artists creating work throughout the day before the People’s Choice Award and silent auction at 4pm.
Add a gold coin BBQ, coffee vans, cash bar, and refreshments, and it’s an easy way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Everyone is welcome and there’s no ticket required.
Bring a friend, bring the family – and bring a book to swap.
Some of Australian rock’s biggest names will join forces at the Airlie Beach Hotel this Father’s Day weekend as supergroup The Filthy Animals bring the classics Dad grew up with back to the stage.
The group first came together when COVID border restrictions prevented drummer Kerry Jacobson from joining his interstate bandmates, prompting him to team up with other Queensland-based musicians facing the same situation.
What began as a bit of fun soon developed into The Filthy Animals, a rotating supergroup featuring Australian rock names including Dave Gleeson, Angry Anderson, Rose Carleo and Mark Furze, with the lineup changing depending on where they perform and who is available.
“It’s become a national pool of great Australian musicians from well-known bands who come together to form a real top-shelf cover band,” said the super group’s Band Manager.
“We try to keep three or four musicians who perform regularly within each rotation of lineups, so there’s always chemistry and people who work well together.”
Coming to the Airlie Beach Hotel on Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th September, six of the group’s standout musicians will unite for a weekend packed with Australian rock talent.
Dragon’s Kerry Jacobson, who played with the band throughout its iconic hitmaking years and has since performed with Mondo Rock, Ian Moss, The Black Sorrows, Renée Geyer and Russell Morris, will be behind the drums.
Leading the vocals will be Skenie, frontman of ’90s hitmakers The Poor, who achieved a number one song and has shared stages with AC/DC, Van Halen, KISS, Bon Jovi and Alice in Chains.
Skenie will be joined by fellow The Poor member Daniel Cox on guitar, alongside Pete Robinson, best known for more than 20 years with Electric Mary and his work with Russell Morris and The Screaming Jets.
On bass will be Bobby Poulton, who joined Grammy Award-winning rock band Wolfmother in 2018 and has shared the stage with members of KISS, Guns N’ Roses, Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake.
Completing the six-piece lineup on keys will be Glenn Muirhead, who has performed with Eurogliders.
Together, they bring decades of touring and recording experience to a lineup built to deliver the rock classics audiences know and love.
“It’s awesome because everyone’s a professional, so it’s really easy,” Skenie said.
“We just go over a couple of things at soundcheck, like the endings and which guitarist is doing what.
“We don’t even really rehearse because everybody knows their parts.”
With Sunday’s show falling on Father’s Day, Skenie said it was the perfect chance to bring Dad along and enjoy the rock classics he grew up listening to.
“They would have heard them for sure, and they’ll have a blast,” he said.
28th 74 Islands Cocktail Club, 4pm-10pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach
28th SICYC Rendezvous 2026, Cap Gloucester Resort
29th Cocktail Playground, 12pm-4:30pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach
29th SICYC Rendezvous 2026, Cap Gloucester Resort
29th Dusty Springfield Show featuring Wendy Stapleton, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach
30th SICYC Rendezvous 2026, Cap Gloucester Resort
30th Swinging Sixties featuring Wendy Stapleton, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach
SEPTEMBER
3rd FREE Salsa & Bachata Social, 7:30pm-9pm, Hog’s Breath Café, Airlie Beach
4th Don River Dash, ALL DAY, Don River, Bowen
4th Bowen Business Networking Event, 7:30am-8:30am, TBA, Bowen
4th Proserpine Community Centre FREE Community Lunch, 11am-12:30pm, 36 Gardenia Street, Proserpine
4th 74 Islands Cocktail Club, 4pm-10pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach
5th Don River Dash, ALL DAY, Don River, Bowen
5th Cocktail Playground, 12pm-4:30pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach
5th The Filthy Animals Classic Rock Rangers Father’s Day Special, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach
6th Don River Dash, ALL DAY, Don River, Bowen
6th Whitsunday Counselling and Support Inc. Colour Run, 9am-12pm, Club Whitsunday, Airlie Beach
6th The Filthy Animals Classic Rock Rangers, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach
6th Bobby Alu’s Keep It Tropical North QLD, 3pm, Whitsunday Sailing Club, Airlie Beach
8th Sailability Whitsundays.
28th August
ABH: Andy Mammers, 7pm-10pm
Sorrento: Kaedan McCarthy, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Andrew Baldino, 8pm-10pm
Grand View Hotel Bowen: DJ night, 8pm onwards
29nd August
ABH: Wendy Stapleton: Dusty Springfield, 2pm-5:30pm
ABH: Andy Mammers, 7pm-10pm
Sorrento’s: Andrew Baldino, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Jason Bull, 8pm-10pm
Grand View Hotel Bowen: Zed Charles band, 8pm onwards
30th August
ABH: Wendy Stapleton: Swinging Sixties, 2pm-5:30pm,
ABH: Paul Fergus Morris, 6:30-9:30pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Jason Bull, 8pm-10pm
Grand View Hotel Bowen: Ronny Broker, 1pm-5pm
31st August
Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Graham Rix, 8pm-10pm
1st September
Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Velvet Divan, 8pm-10pm
2nd September
Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm [Text Wrapping Break]KC’s Bar & Grill: Velvet Divan, 8pm-10pm
3rd September
ABH: Aaron Saxon, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Sorrentos: Lucy Rose, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Velvet Divan, 8pm-10pm
Mayor Collins with the winners from the awards presentation. Photo source: Mayor Ry Collins.
Flagstaff Hill’s beauty just reached new heights as the Bowen Art Society opened its biggest annual exhibition yet, bringing artists and art lovers together for a colourful celebration of local creativity.
Featuring more than 200 artworks from artists across the Whitsundays and Burdekin, the Bowen Art Society Annual Exhibition and Competition officially opened on Friday night before continuing over the following days.
“With more than 200 pieces of artwork on display, there’s some incredible talent to see,” Mayor Ry Collins said.
“We live in a pretty spectacular part of the world, so there’s certainly no shortage of inspiration, but it takes real talent to turn that inspiration into something worth hanging on a wall!”
The exhibition splashed an impressive mix of work from emerging, developing, experienced and junior artists, with each piece offering a bit of the artist's style, subject and perspective.
From scenes inspired by the region’s landscapes and coastal beauty to realistic animal portraits and imaginative creations, the collection echoed the recent Great Barrier Reef Art Exhibition, once again showing the wealth of diverse artistic talent found across the region.
The opening night also featured live music from Bowen artist Samantha Roberts and award presentations guest judged by International landscape and portrait artist Maxine Thompson, while the crowd most importantly gave the artists their moment in the spotlight.
“Great to see so many people come out to support our local arts community, and Council is proud to provide the spectacular Flagstaff Hill venue for the exhibition,” said Mayor Collins.
Bowen Tourism and Business team member Cindy Tonks and volunteer Steve “Fish” Fisher with Sue from O’Shannessy Coaches
The team at Bowen Tourism and Business continue to welcome thousands of visitors to the region and they recently also provided tour guides for visiting bus travellers.
Last month, about 40 visitors from across Australia were given a guided taste of Bowen, with two busloads of tourists stopping at the Big Mango before touring some of the town’s most popular attractions.
The guided commentary service is one of the many ways Bowen Tourism and Business helps visitors make the most of their time in Bowen, with the benefit of local knowledge.
Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy, said that during winter each year, the Local Tourism Organisation usually receives several enquiries from coach companies looking for local guides.
“We are always happy to help,” she said.
"Our wonderful volunteers are always keen to be involved, and they are the perfect guides because they have such a wealth of local knowledge, and they love sharing their passion for Bowen.
Each bus ride route isn’t set in stone either, with several tour scripts allowing guides to tailor the experience to suit each group’s interests.
"We obviously provide visitors with information about our beautiful beaches, local history and the attractions that make Bowen such a wonderful place to visit," she said.
"However, many groups are also interested in learning more about our industries, particularly farming.
"People are often fascinated by the history of mango farming in our region, and they're also surprised to hear about our significant winter crops including tomatoes, corn and eggplant."
Contributed with thanks to Leanne Abernethy.
Photos supplied by Proserpine State High School.
Proserpine State High School’s Grade 10 agriculture students have traded their textbooks for the cane patch, planting a new sugar crop they will care for over the next year.
With help from Canegrowers Proserpine representatives Luke Valmadre and Jess Harrison, the students got their hands dirty preparing and planting the cane, which they will care for and monitor before its sweetness is put to the test next year in the Sweetest Cane Competition.
“It’s about exposing students to what we do in the agricultural sector and giving them an understanding of what happens on the sugar cane farms surrounding their schools,” said Canegrowers Proserpine’s Brendan Northard.
“It helps bridge the gap between the towns and the farms around them, while hopefully sparking an interest in the industry.”
The Sweetest Cane Competition invites schools from across the district to plant and manage their own sugar cane crops on school grounds, with students involved throughout the growing process.
When the cane is ready, its sugar content is tested to determine which school has produced the sweetest crop, giving students a practical look at how local growers are rewarded for the quality of their cane.
“It’s a great opportunity for the students to learn about what’s actually in their own backyard and make that real-life connection from the raw product through to the finished product,” Proserpine State High School Ag Assistant Gayle Watts said.
“They also learn that the industry is not just about plants and animals, but the many different jobs associated with agriculture.”
Over the coming year, several agriculture classes will share responsibility for the crop, with each group taking on a different stage of the growing process.
Students will move from preparing and planting the cane to fertilising and monitoring its growth before harvesting, juicing and testing it for sugar content ahead of the competition.
“We’ve got the teachers, a mentor farmer who grows cane commercially, an agronomist and Canegrowers staff all involved,” Mr Northard said.
“It gives the students a bigger picture of what happens across the industry, rather than only teaching them how to grow the cane.”
While different students will be involved along the way, each class will be able to check on the crop’s progress and take ownership of the work completed by those before them.
“It means plenty of new faces come through and get involved, so the program gives a lot of students an awareness of the industry,” Ms Watts said.
“They can look back on the work completed by earlier classes, check how the cane is growing and take some ownership of the crop themselves.”
A new 1.2km walking track is taking shape between Dingo Beach and Hydeaway Bay. The new walking track will connect the Dingo Beach Foreshore at Olive Street with the Hydeaway Bay Foreshore Carpark, making it easier to enjoy the coastline while taking in scenic bay views.
Construction is now underway and expected to be completed in September 2026, weather permitting.
Grant Denyer. Photo supplied
Australian television personality and motorsport enthusiast Grant Denyer will trade the racetrack for the riverbed this September when he takes on the Don River Dash in Bowen, getting back behind the wheel of an off-road buggy after a long break.
The event, held from 4th–6th September 2026, will see Denyer join hundreds of competitors from across Australia as motorcycles, cars, buggies and trophy trucks battle it out across six 50-kilometre loops for the coveted King and Queen of the River titles.
“I’m always looking for new challenges in motorsport, and the Don River Dash is unlike anything I’ve done before,” Denyer said.
“Racing through a dry riverbed where you can choose your own racing line, surrounded by passionate competitors and fans, sounds like an incredible experience.
“The reverse-grid format is something I can’t wait to sink my teeth into. You never quite know where you’ll end up in the mix, and that’s what makes it so exciting.
“I’m really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of an off-road buggy, seeing what it can do and testing myself against some of the best off-road racers in Australia.”
With the freedom to choose his own line through the riverbed and the challenge of the Don River Dash’s unique reverse-grid format, Denyer is eager to experience one of Australia’s most distinctive motorsport events firsthand.
Burdekin Offroaders Inc. President Michael Marson said having Denyer attend the event was a perfect fit.
“Grant has a genuine passion for motorsport and understands what makes racing exciting—the competition, the machinery and the people behind it,” Mr Marson said.
“The Don River Dash is about stepping outside your comfort zone and experiencing something different. Whether you’re a professional racer, a weekend warrior or someone watching from the sidelines, there’s nothing else quite like it.”
Now in its eighth year, the Don River Dash has become one of Australia’s most unique off-road racing events, attracting competitors and spectators from across the country to Bowen, at the gateway to the Whitsundays.
With world-class racing, live entertainment, great food and the country hospitality Bowen is known for, the Don River Dash has become a favourite on the local calendar. This year, having a familiar face like Denyer’s behind the wheel will make the community’s much-loved event even more special.
“Grant is a well-known TV personality and the publicity that will be generated by this announcement is very positive for our region,” said Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy.
“The Don River Dash attracts competitors, support crews and spectators from all over Australia. They come for the event, but they also get to experience what our beautiful region has to offer.
“Grant Denyer’s involvement in the Dash this year will lift the profile of the event and of the region.”
There's no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than with live music, great company and the beach as your backdrop. This September, Dunes Harbour Beach is inviting locals and visitors to come together for Tunes in the Dunes, a free community event designed to bring people together in a relaxed coastal setting.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Dunes Harbour Beach, Tunes in the Dunes offers the perfect excuse to step away from the busy pace of everyday life and reconnect with friends, family and neighbours. Whether you're spreading out a picnic blanket on the grass, enjoying a quiet drink as the afternoon unfolds, or simply taking in the stunning ocean views, the event promises a relaxed atmosphere where everyone is welcome.
Providing the soundtrack to the afternoon is talented local musician Michael Scriha from Mellow Tone Music, whose laid-back acoustic style perfectly complements the natural beauty of the coastline.
Events like Tunes in the Dunes are more than just live music performances - they're an opportunity to strengthen community connections and celebrate the lifestyle that makes our coastal region such a wonderful place to live. It's a chance to meet new people, catch up with familiar faces and enjoy quality time outdoors in one of Mackay’s most beautiful locations.
Whether you're a resident, regular guest or someone discovering Tunes in the Dunes for the first time, this wonderful event offers something for everyone.
Tunes in the Dunes will be held on Saturday, 5 September 2026, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm at Dunes Harbour Beach, Sol Drive, adjacent to the Community Square.
While attendance is free, the event is ticketed, so guests are encouraged to register early to secure their place.
Proudly brought to you by the URBEX team, Tunes in the Dunes continues to be one of the region's favourite events, and organisers look forward to welcoming everyone for another memorable afternoon.
Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
Mackay’s community spirit was on full display as the 11th annual M&P Services – Key Solutions Group Charity Golf Day brought a sold-out field together at Mackay Golf Course on Friday 14th August.
Players, sponsors and supporters turned out in force for a day of friendly competition, fundraising and connection, with the popular event once again proving its place on Mackay’s community calendar.
With more than $75,000 raised last year in 2025, the event has become an important fundraiser for local charities, supported by businesses and community members coming together for causes close to home.
Stay tuned for next week’s edition to find out how much this year’s amazing charity golf day raised!
See all photos here:
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