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Anglers are being encouraged to gear up their tackle boxes, with this year's prize-filled Stonka Fishing Challenge set to deliver four days of fishing and festivities between August 6th-9th at Cape Gloucester while raising funds for the Leukemia Foundation. Entering its fourth year, the challenge has grown from around 600 registrations in its inaugural event to more than 1,300 this year in an effort to raise money for the Leukemia Foundation. “Without the support from the community and our sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to get all this done,” said Steve Cresswell, Stonka Fishing Challenge Inc. Co-Founder and Committee Member, and Owner of The Bah Bait & Tackle. Steven and his wife Stacey started this event as a way to give back. It all started in 2019, when Stacey had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, having found a football-sized tumor in her chest. Transferred to hospital in Townsville, she was suddenly facing an uncertain future, with a newborn baby, a three-year-old child, a mortgage and the family business in Moranbah weighing heavily on their shoulders. Doctors warned the family that the outlook was not promising. Amid the uncertainty, the Leukemia Foundation approached Steven and offered him accommodation directly across the road from the hospital. Although hesitant at first, he soon realised just how invaluable the support would be. The family would then call the apartment home for the next five months as they navigated one of the most challenging periods of their lives. “Having that support was massive in getting us through such a rough time,” Steven said. “I honestly don't know how we would have managed without it." In an effort to give back to the Leukaemia Foundation, the Stonka Fishing Challenge was born. The event has continued to grow each year, raising nearly $50,000 in 2025 alone. Since its inception, those fundraising efforts have helped fund a range of practical improvements for families staying at Leukaemia House, including air fryers, washing machines, and a new security system. The committee has also donated patient care hampers, delivered comfort packages in person, and even hosted a Christmas party for families undergoing treatment. Beyond supporting Leukaemia House, the committee has also helped families facing cancer, including organising a special day on the water and a two-night stay at Cape Gloucester Resort for a young boy fighting the disease. Four Days of Fishing, Family Fun and Big Prizes Competitors will battle it out across a range of reef, pelagic and estuary categories, targeting species including coral trout, red emperor, barramundi and Spanish mackerel. The competition also features spearfishing, mud crab and crayfish divisions, alongside the coveted King and Queen of the Cape titles and a $10,000 reward for anyone lucky enough to catch the event's tagged coral trout. The weekend kicks off on Thursday 6th, with registrations, raffles and a chance for competitors to catch up before things get underway. Friday and Saturday feature live weigh-ins, children's activities, product demonstrations, mud crab races and auctions, the Battle of the Bays tug-of-war, raffles and live entertainment, with Saturday night also featuring a fireworks display. “We highly encourage you to come out, even if you’re not fishing in the challenge,” Steven said. The challenge wraps up on Sunday with the final weigh-ins and presentations, where competitors will discover who takes home the event's impressive prize pool. While supporting a worthy cause remains the heart of the event, competitors also have plenty to fish for, with one of the challenge's biggest prize pools yet on offer. “This year’s prizes are off tap,” Steven said. The lucky door prizes include a fully rigged 4.2-metre Quintrex Renegade powered by a 50hp Yamaha four-stroke for one senior entrant, while one junior competitor will take home a Quintrex 310 Dart with a Yamaha 6hp four-stroke. Major competition winners will also take home a range of prizes, including fishing charters, coolers, spearfishing gear and boating accessories. All registered competitors will receive a participant pack containing a limited-edition 2026 Stonka shirt, the new Stonka Magazine and an entry into the lucky door draw. Photo 1- Stacey and Steve Cresswell. Photos supplied: Stonka Fishing Challenge. Photo 2- The tug war challenge. Photo 3- Big catches to beat this year. Photo 4- The kids love the crayfish mascot.
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Members of the North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club joined the community at Memorial Pool for a special Pyjama Morning fundraiser supporting National Pyjama Day. Organised by Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton, the event raised $541 for The Pyjama Foundation, helping support children living in foster care. Participants enjoyed a morning of community connection, with attendees donning their favourite sleepwear, sharing free soup and pies, and celebrating with a best-dressed pyjama prize. Photo source: Nigel Dalton MP (Facebook)
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Saturday 8th August Community Clothes Swap 9am Refresh your wardrobe while helping the planet at the Community Clothes Swap. Bring along quality pre-loved clothing and accessories on coat hangers and discover new-to-you treasures in a relaxed, social shopping experience with no price tags attached. It’s a great way to reduce waste, save money and connect Gordon White Library, 54 Phillip St, Mount Pleasant Dance Into A Magical Story Time Experience 9.30am Little ones and their grown-ups are invited to giggle, wiggle and imagine big at Queensland Ballet Story Time. Designed for children aged two to five years, this joyful interactive session brings stories to life through music, movement and imagination while supporting early literacy skills. Children are encouraged to dress up in their favourite costumes, from tutus to superhero capes, and join in the fun. Presented by Mackay Regional Council Libraries, the session will be held at Dudley Denny City Library on Saturday, August 8, from 9.30am to 10.15am. Dudley Denny City Library SplashFest 10am-8pm Celebrate Mackay’s coastline, community and whale season at SplashFest Mackay, a free family-friendly festival returning to Ram Chandra Park, Slade Point. Enjoy a day packed with live music, local performers, markets, delicious food, kids’ activities, roaming entertainment and stunning seaside views. Whether you’re relaxing by the water, supporting local creators or enjoying the evening festivities, SplashFest is the perfect way to connect with friends, family and the wider community. Join the fun on Saturday, August 8, from 10am to 8pm. Ram Chandra Park, Slade Point Sunday 9th August Eungella Community Markets 9am Take a scenic trip to the mountains and enjoy the Eungella Community Markets, a family-friendly country market featuring a wonderful mix of local produce, handmade creations and community spirit. Browse stalls filled with fresh food, homemade treats, artisan goods, jewellery, preserves, honey, books, vintage treasures and more. With undercover, accessible facilities, picnic areas and plenty of local charm, it’s the perfect Sunday outing for the whole family. Eungella Memorial Hall
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Star Sign: Sagittarius Fave Movie: All the classics, including Pride and Prejudice. I also liked the new take on Emma. Fave Colour: Champagne and rose gold Fave Holiday destination: Tasmania, Vanuatu and Fiji – anything to do with a beach or forest Fave Music: Instrumental and classical Fave Quote: “The world only exists in your eyes. You can make it as big or as small as you want.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald Tell Us Something most people don't know about you? I enjoy ironing, collecting stationery and colouring with gel pens Some people discover writing. Others seem destined to stumble into it with an armful of notebooks, a cup of tea and an ever-growing collection of stationery. Mackay author Khloe Ann belongs firmly in the second category. A proud Mackay local, Khloe Ann spent years working at Mackay Base Hospital before life unexpectedly turned a new page. What followed was an adventure into writing, publishing, editing and mentoring that continues to unfold. “Writing, publishing and editing are a whole new world I never thought I'd end up in, but now I’m here, and I’m really enjoying it,” she said. Following the release of her debut novel, Proskynima, Khloe Ann has become just as passionate about championing the work of other writers as she is about creating her own stories. “I'm really enjoying reading people's work. It's really fun just to sit in someone else's position and try and understand why they wrote it and get to know the author through the writing.” Warm, thoughtful and wonderfully down-to-earth, Khloe Ann hopes to see more support for local authors throughout the region, encouraging businesses and readers alike to embrace the thriving literary community right on their doorstep. Beyond the pages of her book, Khloe Ann is a mother, an enthusiastic gardener, a lover of classical music and a woman whose faith shapes her outlook on life. “When challenges come up, I know that they're there for a reason ... I just have to trust in the Lord and learn from it all.” As for the future, Khloe is taking a moment to appreciate how far she has come before putting pen to paper once more. And she’s just getting started. “The sequel's coming.” khloeann.com.au
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Photo source: Shutterstock
The Slade Point foreshore will come alive this weekend as SplashFest Mackay returns for a free community celebration featuring live entertainment, local markets, food, family activities and a celebration of the region’s coastline.
Hosted by the Slade Point Progress Association Inc., the event will bring together locals and visitors at Ram Chandra Park on Saturday, August 8, from 10am to 8pm.
Held during Mackay’s whale season and turtle nesting season, SplashFest will showcase the natural environment alongside the creativity and community spirit of the region.
Attendees can enjoy live music, community performances, local market stalls, handmade goods, food vendors, kids activities, interactive experiences and roaming entertainment throughout the day.
The event aims to provide an opportunity for families, friends and community members to gather by the water, support local performers and businesses, and celebrate the unique coastal lifestyle that makes Slade Point special.
With activities and entertainment planned from morning through to evening, organisers are encouraging the community to bring a picnic rug, invite friends and family, and enjoy a day of connection, culture and coastal celebration.
The Great Barrier Reef Festival marked 25 Years with a bang last weekend, transforming Airlie Beach into one big party as fireworks popped overhead.
Parades, markets, fun-days and concerts brought families, tourists, businesses and locals out in force to celebrate and advocate for the reef, whilst sea life-inspired art once again appeared in the fig trees across the foreshore.
By Glenda Brown, President, Creative Connections Whitsundays
As the final artworks are packed away following another successful Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition, I'm reminded that the true value of events like these extends far beyond the gallery walls.
This year, artists competed for a prize pool valued at more than $9,200 in cash and in-kind awards, in addition to artwork sales throughout the exhibition.
The Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition has grown into the Whitsundays' leading curated art competition. It provides artists with the opportunity to exhibit alongside their peers, receive professional recognition, connect with new audiences and, importantly, earn income from their creative practice.
When people invest in original art, they're not simply purchasing something beautiful for their home or workplace. They're investing in the talent, skill and vision of the artist behind it. They're supporting local enterprise, encouraging creativity and helping build a more vibrant and connected community.
The Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition continues to grow each year because of the artists who enter, the volunteers who generously give their time, the sponsors who believe in the value of the arts, and the hundreds of visitors who come through the doors to experience the exhibition.
On behalf of Creative Connections Whitsundays, thank you to everyone who exhibited, volunteered, visited, voted, purchased artwork or raffle tickets, or simply encouraged an artist along the way.
We look forward to welcoming you back for an even bigger Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition in 2027.
Michelle Brayshaw has been awarded the 2026 Whitsunday Regional Council Best in Show Award at the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition for her striking photographic work, Beauty is skin deep.
The exhibition's highest honour carries a $3,000 acquisitive prize, with the winning artwork becoming part of the Whitsunday Regional Council Art Collection.
Responding to this year's exhibition theme, Beyond Beauty, Brayshaw's work invites viewers to look beyond what first meets the eye. The photograph captures a male and female Chameleon Parrotfish (Scarus chameleon) swimming together across the Great Barrier Reef as they undergo one of nature's most remarkable transformations.
Using specialised skin cells controlled by nerve and hormonal signals, these fish can change colour in a matter of seconds. While the vibrant male fades to a striking blue over a white belly, the seemingly subdued female reveals intricate patterns and vivid colourhidden beneath her exterior.
Rather than presenting this fleeting transformation as a video, Brayshaw layered multiple still photographs to create a single image that freezes the moment in time. The result allows viewers to pause and appreciate a phenomenon that would otherwise pass in an instant.
The work beautifully embodies the exhibition's theme by revealing that beauty is not simply what we first perceive, but what is discovered through closer observation and deeper understanding.
The Best in Show Award recognises the outstanding artistic achievement represented in Beauty is skin deep and celebrates both the extraordinary biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef and the power of photography to reveal the hidden wonders of the natural world.
The future of the Whitsundays' creative community is in good hands, with three talented Year 12 students from St Catherine's Catholic College recognised at the 2026 Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition.
This year, Creative Connections Whitsundays introduced the Next Generation Artist Award to encourage and celebrate emerging artists aged 16 to 18. The new award reflects the exhibition's commitment to nurturing young creative talent and providing opportunities for the next generation of artists to exhibit alongside established practitioners.
Six young artists were selected as finalists, with three of those representing St Catherine's Catholic College.
The inaugural Next Generation Artist Award was presented to Lola Hornstra for her compelling mixed media installation, Everything Has Changed.
Sponsored by R&K Kenyon, together with a $100 cash prize generously donated by Cr Jan Clifford OAM, the award recognises outstanding artistic achievement by an emerging artist.
Lola's work explored themes of memory, place and personal experience through a combination of painted seascapes, suspended textile prints and driftwood. The moving translucent fabric reflected the fragility of memory, while repeated figures and familiar landscapes symbolised continuity, change and emotional connection across time. Her thoughtful interpretation of this year's exhibition theme, Beyond Beauty, impressed both the judge and exhibition organisers.
Also recognised as finalists were Taylah Jade for Silent Stories and Evie Flynn for Bleached Bones. Demonstrating the exceptional standard of work produced by these young artists, both Lola and Evie also had additional artworks selected as finalists for the exhibition.
Creative Connections Whitsundays congratulates Lola, Taylah and Evie on this outstanding achievement. Their selection among 85 finalist artworks highlights not only their creativity and technical skill, but also the strength of emerging artistic talent within the Whitsundays.
Creative Connections Whitsundays is delighted to announce Lenny Pennell as the winner of the 2026 Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine People's Choice Award, receiving the $1,000 prize for Beauty in Creation.
Unlike the major exhibition awards, which are judged by invited arts professionals, the People's Choice Award is decided entirely by the community.
Every visitor to the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition has the opportunity to vote for the artwork that resonates most strongly with them, making this one of the exhibition's most treasured honours.
Proudly sponsored by Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine since 2024, the People's Choice Award recognises not only artistic excellence, but also the powerful connection between artists and the people who experience their work.
Whitsundays Writers Festival
Richard Evans
Festival Director and President
hello@whitsundayswriters.com
Tickets are selling fast for the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival, 13 September! Secure your spot now at whitsundayswriters.com/2026-programme-speakers
Creative Connections Whitsunday
Glenda Brown
President
info@creativeconnectionwhitsunday.com
Get in touch!
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
Proserpine Guardian editor Bernie Lewis. ‘Idyllic or Idle’. This question for Airlie Beach was posed in the Courier Mail. Stats quoted were that on July 25th 1,441 dole cheques were issued from a town with a 1981 population of only 1705 people. Apparently the population had doubled in the following 5 years. The last police count came up with about 4500 residents.
Kelsey Creek Telephone Exchange Donated to the museum. The old 100-line switchboard had been operated for many years by Marie and Phil Fraser.
Annual Proserpine Kindergarten ‘Bride of the Year’ was held at the Cultural Hall. Awards were as follows:
Bride of the Year - Suzanne Spruce
Debutante of the Year - Jenny Carrington
Flower Girl of the year - Michelle Watson.
Pentathlon For Under 16s. This will be staged by Bowen Athletics Club. Each athlete from Under Seven to Under Sixteen will receive points for performances in five events.
Burnups Grand Opening Sale; in the revitalised Eldorado Theatre will herald a new era in furniture and floorcovering shopping in Proserpine, having successfully operated in Bowen for over 36 years.
Piano Recital At Cultural Hall. An audience of music lovers enjoyed a recital by celebrated pianist Stephen Savage consisting of works from Beethoven and Berg. Berg’s two legends were based on St. Francis of Assisi preaching to the birds and walking on the water. He conducted a music workshop at Cannonvale School on the following day.
Busy Year For Nursing Home. Although 1985/6 saw the completion, furnishing and opening of the home, the committee was still very busy conducting various fundraising activities.
Mackerel Rally. Whitsunday Game Fish Club held a successful ‘mackerel rally’ with seven local teams competing. The heaviest mackerel weighing 21.3 kg was caught by Mal Draper.
Day Dream Island. Stage two of the resort has begun. This stage will be 18 water-front apartments. A good response showed interest and a club was formed with $1 million.
Whitsunday Gardens Club president - Dorothy Herlihy and Vice President Ray Goodwin. Patron - Ron McDowall.
Wanderers Hawaiian. Audience participation was invited in the Hawaiian dancing at Whitsunday Paradise.
Mardi Gras Help. Townsville Radio 4TO has made big plans for covering Airlie Fun Race weekend on Sept. 20th/21st.
Palm Grove School Number 2 in 1926 when it opened.
This year marks 100 years since Palm Grove School (Number Two) was opened at the location of 100 metres past the Cedar Creek turnoff. It was the second school in the area, commencing classes on January 27, 1926. The first school had operated between 1916 and 1918 until attendance numbers forced its closure.
The first Palm Grove School, long known as Palm Groves, stood at what was described as “a dead end” of the settlement. Mountains and creeks made the journey much longer than maps suggested, and after its closure Conway parents spent years unsuccessfully seeking its reopening. Many children faced a six- to eight-mile trip to Bona Vista and so many did not attend. In March 1923, the building was moved to Windermere in the Cannon Valley area.
On July 25, 1924, the Department of Education approved a new school. Long-term teacher Alan Crocker, who taught at Palm Grove 2 until March 7, 1949, questioned the chosen site: a ten-acre paddock on a rocky lower slope, poorly suited to a playground. He noted that “those children who rode horses to school could have walked home and back several times in the time it took to catch them.”
When the school opened, there were ten students which included two sets of twins. The following week, four more students enrolled. One student, Percy Monaghan, who was a student at the first school, was fifteen by this stage but remained at the school until May 1926 to keep the attendance numbers up. When one student left later that year, another started at age four and a half years to ensure the school remained open. Imagine this happening today!
The first teacher was Mr Fred Clowes who taught at the school until the latter part of 1928. This man with two artificial legs, camped in a storage room underneath the school. In Neville Smith’s book, students recalled how it would take Mr Clowes “about one hour to climb the great slab of rock to the boys’ toilet”. Alan Crocker commented that he could not understand the Education Department allowing such a transfer to take place – and rightly so! Can you envision what the unions would make of this today? Mr Clowes is pictured top right in the photograph.
As in most early district schools, children wore uniforms only for athletics and usually came barefoot. They played rounders, marbles, cricket, and Dogs and Wallabies, a chase game that sent the “wallabies” racing through long grass ahead of the “dogs”. It was remarkable no child was bitten by a snake. Although the school had some interschool sporting success, preparation was inadequate as most of the training took place on the hard gravel road in front of the school - far from ideal.
The end of year picnic was the social event of the year – but not just for the children. Everyone in the district, whether parent or not, went along and enjoyed the occasion. Following an afternoon of games, the festivities continued on into the night with music and dancing – until the stroke of midnight.
Palm Grove School Number 2 closed in December 1951. Just as the pupils had done when the first school closed at the end of World War One, the remaining children enrolled at Bona Vista which had reopened only the year before. Mr E (Ted) Curtain, who had been the last teacher at Palm Grove Two went on the teach at Bona Vista. The wheel had turned full circle.
Story and photos sourced from “Enlightened Horizons: The History of Education in the Proserpine District” by Neville Smith.
Tusk will have audiences like this by the end. Photo supplied: Penni Jones.
Fleetwood Mac's legacy of soaring harmonies, heartfelt lyrics and timeless songs will take centre stage when TUSK brings the band's greatest hits to local audiences.
Stevie Nicks fans won't have to rely on Dreams alone. Leading the show is Penni Jones, whose portrayal of the rock icon captures both the vocals and free-spirited stage presence that made Nicks a household name.
“I’ve spent years studying her voice, her phrasing, the way she moves, her mannerisms and the emotion she brings to every lyric,” Penni said.
“My goal is to honour what makes her so special while still bringing my own personality to the performance.”
Music has always been part of Penni Jones' life. From singing into what she called her toy "mickle phone" as a toddler to joining bands at 18, she knew performing was what she was born to do.
After spending the 1990s in Melbourne cover bands and touring as a backing vocalist for The Go Show concerts, Jones built a career in the tribute music scene before founding TUSK eleven years ago.
Although she had long been compared to Stevie Nicks, Jones said she waited until she had the experience to do the role justice.
"Fleetwood Mac is a band you can't get away with doing half-hearted," she said.
"You have to commit all in."
Backing Penni Jones is a seasoned lineup of performers, each bringing their own experience to Fleetwood Mac's iconic sound.
James Towers steps into the role of Lindsey Buckingham, while veteran bassist Grant Canterbury keeps the rhythm moving with his energetic stage presence.
Renowned vocalist Dalys Timpanaro takes on the role of Christine McVie, with Martin Grech, formerly of Australian rock band The Androids, behind the drum kit.
From Dreams and Go Your Own Way to Little Lies, Gypsy, Landslide, Rhiannon, Edge of Seventeen and Don't Stop, audiences can expect more than two hours of singalong favourites celebrating over 50 years of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks' music.
“It's super high energy and much like a big celebration,” said Penni Jones.
“We don’t just play Fleetwood Mac songs, we recreate magic, emotion and energy.”
Jones said audiences can expect more than a night of Fleetwood Mac hits, with the show designed to get people out of their seats and singing along from start to finish.
"We’re also doing a 3rd set of dance classics, so make sure you do your stretches and warm up before you arrive," she said.
Why do so many memorable Australian novels begin in a small country town, an isolated beach community or somewhere beyond the city limits?
Award-winning Townsville author Rachel Armstrong believes place is never just a backdrop—it's a character in its own right, shaping the people within a story and the challenges they face. She'll explore that idea as the 2026 From the Heart keynote speaker at this year's Whitsundays Writers Festival.
Rachel believes regional Australia offers unforgettable settings, authentic communities and stories shaped by resilience, connection and a strong sense of place.
"The rural and remote Australian landscape is both beautiful and unique in the conflict it offers for storytelling," she said.
"In a small town, everyone knows everyone, and secrets don't stay secret for long. That closeness creates instant stakes.
"Remoteness raises the cost of everything — help is further away, choices are harder to walk back, and characters are pushed to rely on themselves and each other.
"Most of Australia is regional. When we set stories there, we're not writing about the margins—we're writing about the majority experience of this country, and that deserves to be at the centre of our literature, not the edge of it."
Having spent many childhood holidays in the Whitsundays, Armstrong chose the region as the setting for her debut novel, making her keynote appearance a homecoming.
Festival Director Richard Evans said regional stories have never been more important.
"Australia's literary landscape shouldn't be defined solely by our capital cities," he said.
"Some of our most distinctive voices come from regional communities. They tell stories grounded in real places, real people and lived experience — stories that reflect the diversity of Australian life and help shape our national identity."
Alongside Rachel Armstrong's keynote, the festival will also feature panel discussions, the presentation of the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, and Stories by the Sea — a free community celebration bringing together more than 20 regional authors, live music, book sales and swaps, children's activities, art demonstrations and a community barbecue.
Tickets and the full program are available through the festival website.
August
7th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach
7th Bowen Business Networking Event, 7:30am-8:30am, Le Sorelle Coffee House, Bowen
7th Proserpine Community Centre FREE Community Lunch, 11am-12:30pm, 36 Gardenia Street, Proserpine
7th Room on the Broom, 1pm-2pm, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, Proserpine
7th 74 Islands Cocktail Club, 4pm-10pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach
8th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach
8th Cocktail Playground, 12pm-4:30pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach
8th Australian Eagles, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach
9th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach
9th Light and Laughter for Lucy Family Fun Day Charity Event, 9:30am-12pm, Jungle Zoo, 2623 Shute Harbour Road, Mandalay
9th Australian Eagles, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach
9th A Taste of Ireland, 4pm-6pm, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, Proserpine
10th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach
10th Layday Lunch, 1pm-4pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach
11th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach
11th Stranded in the Whitsundays Performance, ALL DAY, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, Hayman Island
12th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach
13th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach
13th FREE Salsa & Bachata Social, 7:30pm-9pm, Hog’s Breath Café, Airlie Beach
7th August
ABH: Andy Mammers, 7pm-10pm
Sorrento: Andrew Baldino, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Bear Brewer, 8pm-10pm
Grand View Hotel Bowen: DJ Night, 8pm onwards
8th August
ABH: The Australian Eagles, 2pm-5:30pm
ABH: Andy Mammers, 7pm-10pm
Sorrento’s: Kaedan McCarthy, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Jason Bull, 8pm-10pm
Grand View Hotel Bowen: B Doubles, 8pm onwards
9th August
ABH: The Australian Eagles, 2pm-5:30pm,
ABH: Paul Fergus Morris, 6:30-9:30pm
Sorrento’s: Ash Smith, 4pm-7pm.
KC’s Bar & Grill: Jason Bull , 8pm-10pm
Colonial Palms Motor Inn: Nick Di Gregorio (Guitar/Voice), Elliot Blackler (Bass), Tim McClelland (Drums), 1pm-4pm
Grand View Hotel Bowen: Zed Charles, 1pm-5pm
10th August
Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Graham Rix, 8pm-10pm
11th August
Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Sam McCann, 8pm-10pm
12th August
Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Sam McCann, 8pm-10pm
13th August
ABH: Aaron Saxon, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Sorrentos: Lucy Rose, 4pm-7pm
KC’s Bar & Grill: Retro Joe, 8pm-10pm
By Georgia McDonald
Last week I caught up with one of the Whitsundays’ established musicians. This week, the spotlight turns to a newer face who is winning over the local community one gig at a time. In the musical hot seat this week is Filippo Cantele.
Born and raised in Piedmont, Italy, Filippo never imagined the singing lessons he began as a 13-year-old boy would one day lead to him pursuing music in the Whitsundays. He arrived in Airlie Beach with one goal: complete his 88 days of regional to extend his visa. Here, he found a community that embraced his sound and a place he fell in love with.
Filippo is no stranger to the stage. Before arriving in Airlie Beach, he busked on the Gold Coast and even took part in The Voice Italy in 2019. Yet his musical journey is still evolving, having only taught himself guitar within the past year.
Filippo admits that his biggest challenge entering the Whitsundays music scene was a lack of confidence. That changed when local musician Josiah Samuel invited him to join him on stage during a gig at Paradiso.
“At the beginning, I was a little bit shy,” Filippo recalls.
“But then Josiah said to me, ‘Jump on stage with me, do half my gig with me and see how it goes.’ He was my biggest reason I got back up onto the stage.”
Whilst Josiah gave him that first step, Filippo credits his friends and housemates for keeping him going, saying they followed him to every gig and supported him every step of the way.
For Filippo, those moments on stage have become some of his favourite memories of living in the Whitsundays.
“I am living the best period of my life right now,” he says. “Every time I drive over the hill into Airlie Beach and I see the ocean, the colour of it when the sun is reflecting on the water. That’s it for me.”
Filippo also credits the local community for making his experience so special.
“Music is very big in this town, people have heard a lot of musicians. So if someone comes back or gives me a compliment about it, that means a lot.”
For Filippo, music has always been about more than the performance itself; it is about creating a connection with the audience. When describing his sound, Filippo simply says: “Emotional. Deep.”
For him, music is about creating a feeling and giving something back to the people listening.
He recalled a moment from his busking days when a listener became emotional after hearing him perform Tennessee Whiskey.
“She started crying. She came to me and hugged me and said, ‘Please keep going,’” Filippo remembers.
The moment reflects exactly what Filippo hopes to achieve through music. He remembers first listening to Chris Stapleton’s Tiny Desk performance of When The Stars Come Out and being moved by the raw emotion behind it. This is an experience he hopes to recreate for his own audience.
“If I can give something to people and let them feel their own way of emotion, that’s my main goal,” Filippo says.
“If someone comes to one of my gigs and feels something about themselves, or their lives, I am singing for them. For me, that’s the only reason I sing.”
You can catch Filippo the next coming week at:
Mulligans - Sunday 9th August 4PM – 7PM
The Pontoon Platform, Great Barrier Reef – Tuesday 11th August & Wednesday 12th August
Filippo’s Song Recommendation For The Week:
When The Stars Come Out – Chris Stapleton (Tiny Desk Performance)
Coral Sea Pavilion at Coral Sea Resort has been recognised among OpenTable's Top 25 Hotel Restaurants in Australia for 2026, cementing its place as one of Queensland's premier dining destinations. Photo source: Coral Sea Resort
A waterfront dining experience overlooking the Coral Sea has earned national recognition, with Airlie Beach's Coral Sea Pavilion named one of OpenTable's Top 25 Hotel Restaurants in Australia for 2026.
The Coral Sea Resort restaurant is one of just five Queensland venues to make the prestigious list, standing alongside acclaimed dining destinations in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sanctuary Cove.
Compiled from more than 190,000 verified diner reviews and hospitality metrics collected over the past year, the annual list celebrates Australia's highest-rated hotel restaurants, recognising exceptional food, service and overall dining experiences.
The accolade comes as new OpenTable research reveals Australians are increasingly choosing hotels for what's on the menu rather than simply where they sleep. Nearly one-third of Australians have booked a hotel stay specifically because of its restaurant, while almost every respondent surveyed said they had dined at a hotel restaurant without staying overnight.
Perched on the waterfront at Coral Sea Resort, Coral Sea Pavilion has become a favourite among both visitors and locals, pairing panoramic Whitsunday views with a menu showcasing fresh local seafood, premium Australian produce and modern coastal cuisine.
The recognition reflects a broader shift in Australia's dining culture, with hotel restaurants evolving into sought-after culinary destinations in their own right.
OpenTable Australia General Manager Drew Bowering said the days of hotel restaurants being seen as a convenient option for weary travellers were well and truly over.
"Hotel restaurants across Australia have officially shed their reputation as solely a convenience option for tired travellers," Mr Bowering said.
"Australians are proving you don't need a room key to enjoy world-class hospitality."
Research released alongside the awards also found half of Australians have enjoyed a staycation in their own city or region, while 42 per cent have chosen travel destinations based primarily on the local food scene.
Located just a short stroll from Airlie Beach's main street, Coral Sea Resort has long been recognised for its absolute waterfront setting, luxury accommodation and iconic oceanfront pool.
The latest accolade places its restaurant firmly among Australia's best, adding another reason for locals and visitors alike to experience one of the Whitsundays' standout dining destinations.
Garden Bar Airlie Beach Chocolate Lava Cake.
Some desserts simply end a meal. Others become a highlight of it. The Chocolate Lava Cake at The Garden Bar is firmly in the latter category.
Served warm to the table, this house-made dessert's delicate sponge gives way to a rich molten chocolate centre with the first touch of a spoon. It's deeply chocolatey and undeniably decadent, yet beautifully balanced - sweet enough to satisfy without overwhelming the palate.
It's the kind of dessert that invites you to slow down.
Perhaps you order one all to yourself, settling back with an espresso as the afternoon fades into evening. Or perhaps it's the final course of a romantic dinner, shared across the table with someone special as the sun sets over Coral Sea Marina.
However you choose to enjoy it, every element is designed to be savoured - from the rich aroma of warm chocolate to the contrast in texture of the delicate sponge and velvety molten centre.
For those who appreciate a classic pairing, the Chocolate Lava Cake is equally at home beside a freshly brewed espresso or a glass of full-bodied red wine. The bold flavours beautifully complement the richness of the chocolate, creating a finish that's both comforting and sophisticated.
At The Garden Bar, the setting is already unforgettable - waterfront views, tropical gardens and relaxed Whitsundays hospitality. The Chocolate Lava Cake simply provides the perfect excuse to stay a little longer.
Because sometimes the final course becomes the one you remember most.
Nominations are now open for the 2027 Australia Day Awards! Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to make the Whitsunday Region a better place? From volunteers and community champions to sporting, arts, cultural and environmental achievers, the awards celebrate those making a positive difference in our community. Submit your nomination by visiting whitsundayrc.smartygrants.com.au by 4pm, Wednesday 30 September 2026, and help recognise our local heroes.
The Flametree Gathering will run from August 21st-23rd at Lake Proserpine. Photo supplied: Bronwyn Garland.
More than just a weekend of live music, the Flametree Gathering will bring together musicians, artists, and families for three days of creativity and connection.
Starting on Friday, August 21, at 5pm with a night of music, the festival vibe will roll into two full days of music, workshops and family activities across the weekend. Saturday's program starts at 8am with a yoga session by the lake and continues through to 11pm, while Sunday's festivities run from 8am until the sunset finale.
Founded in 2023 by travelling musician David Flower and Bronwyn Garland, this year's event marks the gathering's fourth edition and its second at Lake Proserpine. Alongside bringing people together through music, the gathering has also raised more than $10,000for the Eco Barge Clean Seas Turtle Rehabilitation Centre over the past three years.
After years of performing original music across Australia, David wanted to create an event that reflected the welcoming atmosphere of his own shows, where audiences are encouraged to feel part of the experience rather than simply spectators.
Headlining the gathering is Marty Rogers, joined by acclaimed singer-songwriter Paul Green, blues artist Lecia Louise, award-winning Western Australian musician Chris Matthews, reggae performer Jesse Morris and crowd favourites Sky Eater, with a lineup spanning folk, blues, rock, roots and reggae.
"All the artists will get up and play in each other's sets and jam together, so it really feels very inclusive,” said Event Organiser Bronwyn Garland.
True to its name, the Flametree Gathering is about far more than what's happening on stage.
Beyond the music, gatherers can take part in parasol painting and lantern-making workshops, join in an Aussie Olympics featuring thong-throwing and esky races, cheer on the returning dog parade, or unwind with camping, kayaking and sunset views across Lake Proserpine.
"It's very much like you're in somebody's backyard," Bronwyn said.
“It's called a gathering because what we aim to do is create that community feeling.”
The program will close with one final collaborative performance as the sun sets over Lake Proserpine.
Photo Credit: Lucy Seddon-Brown from Stories in Light Imagery.
Airlie Beach came alive over the weekend as the Great Barrier Reef Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary with one of its biggest and most colourful programs to date.
Three days packed with entertainment, markets, music and family activities helped draw the crowds back after wet weather saw attendance dip in 2025.
"We went back to our prior year numbers, maybe even increased a bit," said Great Barrier Reef Festival President, Heather Batrick.
Friday night alone attracted an estimated 6,000 people to the Airlie Beach Foreshore, where the milestone fireworks display gave way to a packed Bloom Festival after-party that kept the celebrations going late into the night.
Saturday was packed with activity from start to finish, with the Hog's Breath Revvin’ the Reef Car Show kicking off the day before the Club Whitsundays Street Parade filled Main Street, with the live music then driving the festivities well into the night.
"The street parade was amazing, I think we've had the biggest crowd that we've seen there," Heather said.
"It was quite emotional for us as a committee, with St Catherine's doing the Stevie Wonder Happy Birthday with an adapted version for the festival."
Sunday offered something for everyone, with the Tasman Holiday Parks Family Fun Day giving families the chance to unwind or jump into a range of games and activities.
The Recyclable Regatta brought out the competitive spirit as homemade vessels took to the water, while Bait to Plate with Kevin Collins gave festival-goers the opportunity to enjoy fresh local seafood paired with fine drinks.
The weekend wrapped up on a relaxed note with the SOLLOS Sunday Session, where Australian Margaritas, live music and a headline performance from The Jungle Giants brought the 25th Great Barrier Reef Festival to a fitting close.
“We'd like to say a big thanks to our corporate sponsors this year, which really enabled us to keep the festival running,” Heather said.
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