August is Rural Road Safety Month, a timely reminder to take extra care on our roads. Almost two in every three road deaths occur on rural roads, where long distances, isolation and tough conditions increase the risks. Every trip matters, whether it’s to work, school, or visiting loved ones. By slowing down, staying alert and driving with care, we can all help prevent tragedy and keep our community safe.

Find out more at the Australian Road Safety Foundation’s website: www.arsf.com.au/rural-road-safety-month

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Photo credit: Andrea Francolini.

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Sails once again filled the Whitsundays horizon as Airlie Beach Race Week returned for its 38th running, bringing crews from across Australia and beyond together for six days of racing around the islands.

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The week got underway on Friday for race day one with a spectacle in Pioneer Bay, as boats from across the divisions lined up along two start lines before setting off on the Double Cones race in 12 to 18-knot winds.

From aboard the spectator boat, the crowd behind Race Week was just as clear, with people of all ages coming together to cheer on their teams. Families had travelled from the Gold Coast, New Zealand, France and further afield, with generations sharing the experience. There was even one very young supporter, with a baby aboard to support their dad for their first Race Week.  

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Among the early winners was Team Hollywood, which took out IRC Division 1, while Road Runner claimed Division 2 and Don’t Panic! started its week with a win in Trailable & Sports Boat Division 1.

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The breeze picked up on Saturday for race day two, with winds pushing beyond 20 knots and crews sent south through the Whitsunday Passage.  

Team Hollywood backed up its opening victory with another win in IRC Rating Division 1, while Smooth Criminal took out Performance Racing. Across the multihulls, Ullman Sails claimed Division 0, Oceans Tribute topped Division 1 and G’Nome came home first in Division 3.

Sunday changed up the pace with a lighter 10 to 15-knot sea breeze, and with the added sunshine, made for very pleasant sailing around the islands. Local boats Reignition and Corrobboree were among the day’s winners, while Don’t Panic! made it three from three heading into Monday’s lay day.

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There has been plenty happening off the water too, with the Whitsunday Sailing Club packed throughout the opening days as sailors join locals and visitors on land for live music, food, drinks and the daily award presentations.

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Ash Smith, The Fox and the Two Fires tribute show having all taken to the stage, while Monday’s Lay Day gave everyone a little more time to enjoy Airlie Beach.

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Monday’s Lay Day gave crews a day off from racing, with some sailors and visitors stepping aboard a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 455 at a more leisure pace on the water. The afternoon continued at Elementa Whitsundays, where the 74 Islands Distillery Changing Courses Lunch was a perfect opportunity to kick-back during an off day.  

Crews returned from Lay Day on Tuesday rested and ready, with some of the closest racing of the week unfolding through the Molles Passage. Hooligan edged Ullman Sails by just 14 seconds in Multihull Division 0, while local G’Nome took out Multihull Division 2 to move one point ahead of Intrigue overall.

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Tuesday also carried a special moment of remembrance for prominent Australian yachtsman Gordon Ketelbey, who passed away on July 31. Competitors were asked to wear black on the water, while the crew of My Way laid flowers into the sea in honour of their friend and fellow sailor.

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Racing will continue through Wednesday and Thursday, rounding out six days on the water and bringing another Airlie Beach Race Week to a close, with crews wrapping up the 38th edition of the beloved Whitsundays regatta.  

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See more photos here: Photo Credit: Vampp Photography www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/social-pics/good-times-on-and-off-the-water

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Stacey and Steve Cresswell. Photos supplied: Stonka Fishing Challenge.  

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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 6^th-9^th at Cape Gloucester while raising funds for the Leukemia Foundation.  

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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.  

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“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.  

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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“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."  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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“We highly encourage you to come out, even if you’re not fishing in the challenge,” Steven said.  

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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.  

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“This year’s prizes are off tap,” Steven said.  

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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.  

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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 StonkaMagazine and an entry into the lucky door draw.

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Photo source: Nigel Dalton MP (Facebook)

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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.  

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Organised by Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton, the event raised $541 for The Pyjama Foundation, helping support children living in foster care.  

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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.  

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Saturday 8^th 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 9^th 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

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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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.”

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As for the future, Khloe is taking a moment to appreciate how far she has come before putting pen to paper once more.

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And she’s just getting started.

“The sequel's coming.”

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khloeann.com.au

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Photo source: Shutterstock

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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What: SplashFest Mackay 2026
When: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10am–8pm
Where: Ram Chandra Park, Slade Point
Cost: Free community event

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The Great Barrier Reef Festival marked 25 Years with a bang last weekend, transforming Airlie Beach into one big party as fireworks popped overhead.  

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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.  

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Read more here: https://www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/article/the-25th-great-barrier-reef-festival-sparks-joy-across-airlie

By Glenda Brown, President, Creative Connections Whitsundays  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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We look forward to welcoming you back for an even bigger Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition in 2027.  

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Beauty Beneath the Surface Wins Best in Show  

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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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Next Generation Artists Shine at Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.    

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Community Chooses 2026 People's Choice Award Winner  

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

Celebrating local creativity, connection, and community  

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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  

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Creative Connections Whitsunday

Glenda Brown

President

info@creativeconnectionwhitsunday.com  

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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  

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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.

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Kelsey Creek Telephone Exchange Donated to the museum. The old 100-line switchboard had been operated for many years by Marie and Phil Fraser.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Whitsunday Gardens Club president - Dorothy Herlihy and Vice President Ray Goodwin. Patron - Ron McDowall.

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Wanderers Hawaiian. Audience participation was invited in the Hawaiian dancing at Whitsunday Paradise.

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Mardi Gras Help. Townsville Radio 4TO has made big plans for covering Airlie Fun Race weekend on Sept. 20th/21st.

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Palm Grove School Number 2 in 1926 when it opened.  

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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.  

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Tusk will have audiences like this by the end. Photo supplied: Penni Jones.

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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.  

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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.  

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“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.”

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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.

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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.

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"You have to commit all in."

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  

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“We don’t just play Fleetwood Mac songs, we recreate magic, emotion and energy.”

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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.

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"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.

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Where: Airlie Beach Hotel  

When: Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August

What: TUSK – Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show

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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.

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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.

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"In a small town, everyone knows everyone, and secrets don't stay secret for long. That closeness creates instant stakes.

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"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."

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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.

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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.

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"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."

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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.

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What: Whitsundays Writers Festival
When: Sunday, 13 September 2026
Where: Whitsunday Marine Club, 7 Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale

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Tickets and the full program are available through the festival website.

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August

7^th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach  

7^th Bowen Business Networking Event, 7:30am-8:30am, Le Sorelle Coffee House, Bowen  

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

7^th Room on the Broom, 1pm-2pm, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, Proserpine  

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

8^th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach  

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

8^th Australian Eagles, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

9^th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach  

9^th Light and Laughter for Lucy Family Fun Day Charity Event, 9:30am-12pm, Jungle Zoo, 2623 Shute Harbour Road, Mandalay  

9^th Australian Eagles, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

9^th A Taste of Ireland, 4pm-6pm, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, Proserpine  

10^th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach  

10^th Layday Lunch, 1pm-4pm, 74 Islands Distillery, 24 Mount Whitsunday Drive, Airlie Beach  

11^th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach  

11^th Stranded in the Whitsundays Performance, ALL DAY, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, Hayman Island  

12^th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach  

13^th Whitsundays Festival of Sailing Airlie Beach Race Week, ALL DAY, Alive Beach  

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

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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

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