Monthly Markets

Marian Markets
Held the 3rd Sunday of each month, 8am–12pm, at Holy Rosary Church. Enjoy local stalls, food and a welcoming community atmosphere.

Pinnacle Markets
Held the 3rd Sunday monthly, 9am–1pm, at Pinnacle Family Hotel, featuring local stalls and businesses. Stallholders:4958 5207. Markets run through September.

Eungella Community Markets
Held the 2nd Sunday monthly, 9am–1pm, at Eungella Memorial Hall, 5 North St. Enjoy local stalls and a family-friendly, undercover, air-conditioned venue.

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Upcoming Events

Friday 28^th August

Cuppa Between Chapters

9am-10am

Enjoy a relaxed morning of good company, conversation and reading at Cuppa Between Chapters. Settle in with a warm drink, meet others from the community or simply enjoy some quiet time with your current read. Come along for a friendly start to the day — everyone is welcome.

Mirani Library, 16 Victoria St, Mirani.

Saturday 29^th August

Homebush Trivia & Bingo Night  

5pm–11pm

Round up your friends, family or workmates for a fun-filled 18+ night of trivia, bingo, raffles and great prizes at Homebush State School. Tickets are $30 per person and include six rounds of trivia and bingo games, with a complimentary cold platter for each table. All funds raised will support students and school resources.  
Homebush State School, 1181 Homebush Road, Homebush.

Wednesday 2^nd September

Paint with Kate Kennedy

11am–12pm

Unleash your creativity at Walkerston Library with local artist Kate Kennedy, who will guide participants through a vibrant acrylic painting workshop inspired by local scenes. Learn new techniques, experiment with colour and create your own bold artwork in a relaxed, social setting. Bookings are limited, so get in quick!

Walkerston Library, 8 Creek St, Walkerston.

Friday 4^th September

Stand Up Comedy In Farleigh – James O’Connell 

7.30pm–8.45pm

Brisbane comedian James O’Connell brings 16 years of stand-up experience to Farleigh for a night of laughs, sharing stories from his time on Farmer Wants a Wife, sperm donation adventures and plenty more. The 18+ show runs for around an hour — perfect for a Friday night laugh.

22 Chidlow St, Farleigh.

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Comedian Daniel Connell will bring his award-winning observational comedy show Prairie Dog to Mackay’s Metropolitan Hotel on September 3rd, promising plenty of laughs and relatable takes on everyday life. Photo supplied

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If you’ve ever wondered who has the time to wash their bedsheets every fortnight, comedian Daniel Connell has some thoughts – and he’s bringing them, along with plenty of other everyday observations, to Mackay.

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Daniel was the recipient of the 2025 Piece of Wood Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and will bring his latest show to Mackay’s Metropolitan Hotel on Thursday 3^rd September.

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His brand of comedy is built around the little things that get under our skin, from questionable advice and family life to the strange quirks of everyday living.

“I talk a lot about people going on TV and saying they’re an expert on something when they don’t actually know what the hell they’re talking about,” he said.

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One such ‘expert’ recommended washing bedsheets every fortnight.

“I just thought this guy’s an idiot. Nobody’s got time to do that.”

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Daniel’s observational humour and ability to find comedy in the mundane have made the show a hit, with around 70 performances under his belt this year.

“I think it’s stuff that everyone of all ages can relate to and get a laugh out of.”

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You almost wouldn’t believe this renowned larrikin started out nervous. But before Daniel Connell was winning comedy awards and touring the country, he was a young comedian who was anything but comfortable in front of a crowd.  

“I was always quite nervous when it came to public speaking, but I had a try at an open mic competition in Canberra in 2009,” he said.

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“I was kind of hooked after that. It was really fun.”

His love of making people laugh actually stretches back to childhood, when he would retell jokes and funny stories to family and school friends.

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“I just loved that feeling of the reaction of people laughing. I think that really planted the seed early of what I wanted to do.”

After moving to Melbourne in 2010, Daniel pursued comedy seriously, eventually becoming one of Australia’s respected stand-up comedians.

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He has previously visited Mackay as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival Roadshow in 2016 or 2017, but this will be his first full-length show in the city.

Daniel said one of his favourite parts of touring regional Australia was getting to know each town before stepping on stage. He might chat to locals, visit a few shops or pick up the local newspaper, with those observations sometimes making their way into his show.

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Having grown up in a small country town in New South Wales, Daniel said he particularly enjoyed regional audiences.

“Queensland crowds are pretty awesome… they’re always up for a good laugh,” he said.

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A rugby league fan, he is also looking forward to performing in what he considers rugby league heartland.  

Mackay audiences can expect relatable observations, plenty of laughs and perhaps a fresh perspective on how often they really need to clean the oven!

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Catch Daniel Connell at the Metropolitan Hotel on Thursday 3^rd September!

Tickets available via: danielconnell.com.au

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Mackay’s littlest residents are set to receive a big welcome when G’day Little Queenslanders returns to Queens Park on Saturday 5th September.

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Running from 9am to 12pm, this free, family-friendly event will bring together babies, toddlers and their families for a morning of entertainment, activities, connection and community celebration.

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Designed for families with children aged 0–2 years, the outdoor event offers plenty to keep little ones smiling, including live children’s entertainment featuring the Bluey Live Interactive Experience, along with a range of family-friendly activities and spaces to relax and connect.

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Parents, carers and grandparents will also have the opportunity to explore information stalls showcasing local health and family services, helping families discover valuable resources and support available throughout the region. Food and beverage trucks will also be on hand, making it easy to settle in and enjoy a morning at the park.

Adding a special touch to the celebrations, families can register to receive a personalised certificate officially welcoming their Little Queenslander to the community. Early birds are also in for a treat, with the first 200 little Queenslanders to arrive receiving a free kids bucket hat.

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Whether you’re navigating life with a newborn, chasing after an energetic toddler or supporting a growing family as a grandparent or carer, G’day Little Queenslanders offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the early years while connecting with the wider Mackay community.

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Head along to Queens Park, Goldsmith Street, East Mackay, and join in the fun.

For more information and to register for a personalised certificate, visit the Queensland Government’s Little Queenslanders website. 

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G’day Little Queenslanders is proudly presented by the Queensland Government.

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WHAT: 2026 G’day Little Queenslanders, Mackay

WHEN: Saturday 5^th September 2026, 9am-12pm

WHERE: Queens Park, Goldsmith Street, East Mackay

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Mackay will come alive with music this weekend as 135 talented young musicians from more than 20 schools converge at Mackay North State High School for the State Honours Ensemble Program.

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Running from Friday to Sunday, the intensive program will give regional students the opportunity to work with highly regarded specialist conductors and musicians without having to travel away from the region for the same level of specialist tuition.

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Delivered by the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, the weekend will see students rehearse across three ensembles; band, strings and vocal, under visiting specialists Sharelle Guest, Mark Sullivan and Dr Anthony Young.

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A Grand Finale Concert will be held on Sunday 30^th August in Mackay North State High School’s Assembly Hall. The event is free for the public to attend, with a gold coin donation appreciated.

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The State Honours Ensemble Program has been running since 2001 and has involved more than 45,000 students from more than 2,000 schools.

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WHAT: State Honours Ensemble Program

WHEN: Sunday 30^th August, 11am

WHERE: Mackay North State High School’s Assembly Hall

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Photo sourced: Shutterstock

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A little preparation now can set the garden up for plenty of fresh produce and colour in the months ahead.

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Photo credit: Cherrie Hughes

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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.

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“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.”  

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Collaboration remained at the heart of the weekend, with performers regularly stepping into one another’s sets and turning individual appearances into something shared.

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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.

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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.

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Away from the stage, the gathering showcased its versatility with the Aussie Olympics, featuring thong throwing and esky races bringing plenty of friendly competition.  

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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.  

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“We found different ways for people to interact and feel like they're part of it, which was pretty good,” Bronwyn said.

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See more photos here: www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/social-pics/three-days-of-magic-at-lake-proserpine

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Cassy and Ana Photo credit: Zach Houtenville

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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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See more photos here: www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/social-pics/soundzgood-turns-up-the-volume-in-bowen

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum Society.  

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By Richard Evans, President, Whitsundays Writers Festival  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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?  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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Bring up to two of your pre-loved books to the Whitsundays Writers Festival Book Swap.

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What: Stories by the Sea  
When: Sunday 13^th September,  3pm-4:30pm
Where: Whitsunday Marine Club, 7 Altmann Avenue
Tickets: FREE community event  

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Get In Touch

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Whitsundays Writers Festival  
Richard Evans  
Festival Director and President  
hello@whitsundayswriters.com  

Creative Connections Whitsunday  
Glenda Brown  
President  
info@creativeconnectionwhitsunday.com  

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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  

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New Faces, New Perspectives: August at Community Gallery

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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.

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A New Generation Behind the Camera

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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.

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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.

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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.

More Than Paintings on the Wall

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.

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Make an Afternoon of It

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.  

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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 14^th September.

Come in, take your time and see what catches your eye.

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Community Gallery
192 Main Street, Proserpine
Monday–Friday: 9am–4pm
Saturday: 9am–1pm

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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.

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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.  

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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”.

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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.  

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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.  

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Obituary  

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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  

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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.  

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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.  

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Fireman Farewelled. Long serving fireman Bob Johnstone’s retirement was farewelled. He had been an auxilliary member since October 1956.  

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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 13^th 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 10^th Annual Fun Race.  

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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.  

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Source: Proserpine Guardian August 28^th 1986. Contributed with thanks by the Proserpine Museum  

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The man then revealed he was a member of Herbs, and the writer of the song Josiah had just performed.

Josiah was star-struck.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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Where to catch Josiah:

Every Tuesday at Paradiso, 6:15pm – 9pm

Every Wednesday at Boaty’s, 5pm – 8pm

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Song Recommendation For This Week:

Love Me - Fia

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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A Day of Stories, Writers and Ideas at the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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Tickets for the main festival program are available now, with limited places remaining. Stories by the Sea is free to attend.  

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What: Whitsundays Writers Festival  
When: Sunday 13th September, 10:30am-4:30pm
Where: Whitsunday Marine Club, Cannonvale  
Tickets: Session only tickets from $10  
whitsundayswriters.com/events/2026-tickets  

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Stories by the Sea: Come Along for the Festival Finale  

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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 13^th September.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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Bring a friend, bring the family – and bring a book to swap.  

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.  

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“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.

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“They would have heard them for sure, and they’ll have a blast,” he said.

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What? The Filthy Animals  

When? Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th September

Where? Airlie Beach Hotel  

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28^th 74 Islands Cocktail Club, 4pm-10pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach  

28^th SICYC Rendezvous 2026, Cap Gloucester Resort

29^th Cocktail Playground, 12pm-4:30pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach  

29^th SICYC Rendezvous 2026, Cap Gloucester Resort

29^th Dusty Springfield Show featuring Wendy Stapleton, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

30^th SICYC Rendezvous 2026, Cap Gloucester Resort

30^th Swinging Sixties featuring Wendy Stapleton, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

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SEPTEMBER  

3^rd FREE Salsa & Bachata Social, 7:30pm-9pm, Hog’s Breath Café, Airlie Beach  

4^th Don River Dash, ALL DAY, Don River, Bowen  

4^th Bowen Business Networking Event, 7:30am-8:30am, TBA, Bowen  

4^th Proserpine Community Centre FREE Community Lunch, 11am-12:30pm, 36 Gardenia Street, Proserpine  

4^th 74 Islands Cocktail Club, 4pm-10pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach  

5^th Don River Dash, ALL DAY, Don River, Bowen  

5^th Cocktail Playground, 12pm-4:30pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach  

5^th The Filthy Animals Classic Rock Rangers Father’s Day Special, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

6^th Don River Dash, ALL DAY, Don River, Bowen  

6^th Whitsunday Counselling and Support Inc. Colour Run, 9am-12pm, Club Whitsunday, Airlie Beach  

6^th The Filthy Animals Classic Rock Rangers, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

6^th Bobby Alu’s Keep It Tropical North QLD, 3pm, Whitsunday Sailing Club, Airlie Beach  

8^th Sailability Whitsundays.  

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