Image: Rhythm and the Reef has adopted a community model to get the community involved. Photo supplied

The landscape of the events industry has changed drastically since the pandemic brought social gatherings to a screaming halt.

Slowly but surely, the industry is finding its feet but is having to adapt to post-pandemic changes, finding new ways to thrive.

Rhythm and the Reef returns to Mackay tomorrow and Event Director James Slade has enlisted the help of the local community, hoping for a win-win for all involved.

“A lot of these big businesses are starting to take a keen interest in getting involved with us, especially the local grassroots music and arts festivals,” he said.

“There’s a benefit to the community model because it gets all of the Mackay region involved.”

As more and more events rise from the ashes of an event-less pandemic, consumers are finding themselves spoilt for choice, meaning events are competing against more than ever before.

Equally, cost-of-living pressures are seeing festivals and experiences drop down the priority list for consumers.

Mr Slade says the community model helps events navigate these concerns.

“(Businesses) partner up with the event and provide different parts of it, whether it’s the green arts segment of Rhythm or part of the production or putting up a second stage,” he said.

“They all sort of chip in in different ways.

“It doesn’t necessarily always mean money; it just means we’re trying to add so that the community can be thoroughly involved.”

As well as big business, local retail, tourism and hospitality businesses are also given the chance to get involved with food vendors, market stalls and auxiliary events supporting Rhythm and the Reef.

“These businesses also see that it’s important that the community creates a culture of excitement and, by doing so, it encourages young people to move to the area,” Mr Slade said.

“We’ve got all these jobs available, but we have all these young people moving away so it’s about trying to encourage these people to stay in the northern regions.

“There is a lot of good things happening in the region.

“Even though we’re in these hard times, people are still showing support for these events.”

Now in its second year, Rhythm and the Reef aims to perfect the foundations that were built in its inaugural year by bringing on businesses and supporters like FMS Group, Daly Bay, Ambassador Hotel, MQ Licensed Events, NQ Productions, Mackay Regional Council and Mackay Isaac Tourism.

The event will feature installation art pieces, sustainable sculptures, a live visual artist, a bigger line-up of headline and local artists as well as local food and market vendors.

“It’s this huge collaboration of everything now so it’s a big step up and it’s in a great location,” Mr Slade said.

WHAT: Rhythm and the Reef 2022

WHERE: Bluewater Quay

WHEN: Saturday, September 24 from 1:00pm

TICKETS: Oztix

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Friday 23 September

Souths Junior Cricket Come & Try Day

Friday, 4:00pm

Souths Cricket Club is holding a come and try day for boys and girls aged 6 - 11 on Friday 23rd September from 4:00pm till 6:00pm at Abbott Park. There'll be heaps of fun cricket activities throughout the afternoon followed by a sausage sizzle. Members of the committee will also be on hand to answer any questions along with taking registrations for the upcoming season. For more info contact Brad at southscricketmackay@gmail.com or 0407 592 988.

Abbott Park

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and Live music.

Wake House Australia

Ninja Hub Teen Shed Event

Friday, 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Ninja Hub Mackay is teaming up with Teen Shed Mackay by creating a session just for our Teens. All teens are welcome to join in the two-hour session learning the skills and having fun on the Ninja course. With their friends or making new ones. This event is for all teens aged between 12 and 16 years of age. Includes two hours fun, pizza and drink. Please wear shoes and bring a water bottle. Bookings are required as spots are limited. Head to The Ninja Hub webpage, look for the Teen Shed event and book from there.

The Ninja Hub

Saturday 24 September

Rhythm & The Reef 2022

Saturday, 1:00pm to 9:00pm

Rhythm is back to spice up your 2022 spring season with a bigger line-up, better bar, more shade, and a fresh waterfront location. Featuring Running Touch, Touch Sensitive, ShockOne, Godlands, Jack Botts, Ivan Ooze, Moss, Felipe Baldomir and more. Artworks by David Day, Louis Gervais, Mathew Currie and Muddy Grimes. Proudly partnered with FMS Group, Rumble on the Reef, Daly Bay, The Ambassador Hotel, Moss On Wood and Mackay Regional Council.

Bluewater Quay

Mackay Twilight Market

Saturday, 4:00pm to 9:00pm

Come browse the many local small business market stalls then have a seat, listen to local musicians all while enjoying the yummy food Mackay food trucks have to offer. Not just another market, it’s a great night out. Market stalls, mini eat street, jumping castles (free) and face painting.

Mackay Showgrounds

Sunday 25 September

Sunday Live Music – Jax Morton

Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Music every Sunday from 2pm - 5pm. Head down to the Seabreeze Hotel this Sunday for some fresh tunes, delicious food, and ice-cold brews.

Seabreeze Hotel

Monday 26 September

Meditation and Sound Experience

Monday, 6:30pm

Sound and Meditation. Go into a deeper experience, powerful and beautiful.

$20 cash only for the session. Please wear loose comfortable clothes allowing for light movement. A yoga mat or something to lay on, pillow blankets or anything to make you comfortable and warm. This is an indoor event. Please select the going button on the Facebook event to confirm your booking.

Eimeo Surf Life Saving Supporters Club

Tuesday 27 September

Musical Bingo at the Seabreeze Hotel

Every Tuesday, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

There’s only one thing better than bingo, and that’s Musical Bingo. Every Tuesday, join Seabreeze in the bar from 7pm where you can show off your musical knowledge in Musical Bingo. Prizes will be on offer for winners each and every week so make sure you’re on the ball as they drop the beats. Oh, and entry is free! Registration opens from 6pm, with all the action kicking off from 7pm. So, music buff or not, make sure you clear your schedule each Tuesday evening for Musical Bingo at the Seabreeze Hotel.

Seabreeze Hotel

Wednesday 28 September

Mackay Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday, 6:30am to 10:30am

The market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce direct from the farmer.

Bluewater Quay

Sugar City Rock and Roll Mackay Club Wednesday Night Lessons

Every Wednesday, 7:00pm

Why not come along and learn to rock ‘n’ roll in a friendly and fun atmosphere with the Sugar City Rock ‘n’ Rollers Mackay Club? Previous experience is not required. Everyone learns at their own pace and, even better, the first lesson is free on your way to learning the four step style of rock ‘n’ roll. $5 for members and $8 for non-members after that. The club caters for social activities for club members with regular dances with live bands in attendance and away trips. For further enquiries call 0408 983 911.

58 Macalister St, Mackay

Thursday 29 September

FMS Rumble on the Reef ~ WAKE COMP 2022

Thursday to Saturday

Rumble on the Reef Wakeboarding will take place in Mackay at Wake House Australia from 28 September to 01 October 2022. Lots of action on the lake and live music every night at the Lakeside Cafe & Sunset Bar. All welcome to attend. This is a free event at the end of the September school holidays. See some of Australia's best pro wakeboarders battle it out for a share in over $10,000 cash, with equal prize money for pro women and men. Spectators can make a day of it with action on the lake, crowd giveaways daily and live music into the evening. BYO picnic rugs and tents.

Wake House Australia

Leadership Unplugged with Mandy Johnson

Thursday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

In this thought-provoking masterclass, leaders take time out to assess their own performance and look at strategies to improve their results. The session uses corporate anecdotes, fun activities and videos, and evidence-based research to change the way participants view their own leadership, and also arms them with techniques that they can immediately apply to transform their own success. Meet Mandy Johnson, best-selling author with ‘in-the-trenches’ experience as a start-up founder and ex-director of global travel retailer Flight Centre’s UK operation, opening a store a month. She has worked with a wide range of companies including Virgin Australia, Teys Beef, the Australian Stockbroker's Association, Dairy Australia, Ray White Commercial, the Queensland State Library, Michael Hill Jewellery, and 99Bikes to name just a few. A great afternoon for business owners, their managers and anyone who is displaying potential to step up within the business. Tickets via Eventbrite.

Ocean International

ARTIST’S TALK with artist in residence D. Harding

Thursday, 5:30pm

A descendant of the Bidjara, Ghungalu and Garingbal communities of Central Queensland, D Harding works in a wide variety of media to explore the visual and social languages of their communities as cultural continuum. During their residency at Artspace Mackay, Harding created a site-specific artwork, drawing from the ways of knowing—passed on through their matrilineal family Elders of the Kemp family here in Mackay—and from their learnings in formal art training, including international art histories and techniques from books, art school and travels. Harding is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at Queensland College of Art, Griffith University.

Artspace Mackay

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One of Mackay’s favourite family friendly ocean-front bar and bistros is giving its lucky customers the opportunity to win a tinny valued at $11,000.

The Seabreeze Hotel, located in the quiet residential area of Lamberts Beach, is now offering anyone who spends more than $20 at their drive-thru bottle-shop free entry into the prize draw.

So, grab your mates and head on down to Seabreeze bottle-shop before your backyard BBQ or footy match and make sure you fill in an entry form for your chance to win.

Purchase a 30 pack of either XXXX Gold, XXXX Dry or Hahn 3.5 and Byron Bay cartons to receive bonus entries.

If you’ve been dreaming of owning a boat, now’s your chance to win this impressive XXXX Quintrex 400 Trigger Boat.

This nippy and versatile Trigger makes boating easy and boasts a great amount of space for fishing.

The live draw will be on Sunday, October 2 from 5pm at the Seabreeze Hotel and will be followed by the NRL Grand Final on the big screen.

Offering delicious meals, tasty beverages, comfortable accommodation, live entertainment, a games room and kids’ playground, there is something for everyone at the Seabreeze Hotel.

Enjoy a relaxed and welcoming environment at a favourite destination for locals, visitors, families and pets alike.

Seabreeze also cater for functions and events, with a range of private function spaces to suit all types from small intimate dinners to large celebratory gatherings.

For more information about participating in the tinny competition head to ttps://seabreezemackay.com.au/drive-thru-and-win/. Terms and conditions apply.

Image: For your chance to win this $11,000 tinny, enter the competition at the Seabreeze Hotel Drive-Thru Bottle Shop today!

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Mackay’s music scene is one that’s growing at a rapid rate led by bands such as the prolific and dedicated Nortica.

“It’s been really good recently just with everyone kicking back into action,” said Nortica lead singer and rhythm guitarist Tate Obst.

“There’s been heaps of gigs and heaps of youngsters, as well, playing music,”

“For a while there, there wasn’t much going on.

“There’s always been a really good metal scene in town, which is cool, but you’re starting to see some other bands popping out.

Nortica have become a Mackay staple, headlining their own shows and becoming the go-to support for touring bands making their way to the region.

With Tate up the front, Tate’s brother Jasper on drums and backup vocals, Connor McKinney-Moss on lead guitar and Jarell Corowa on Bass Guitar, the boys are starting to live their music dreams.

The band releases their sophomore single ‘Means Well’ today, with plenty more to come, Tate says.

“We’re really excited for that one because this first EP is a real shift in our sound, being a three-piece band, then a four-piece band, this is all old stuff now,” he said.

“We’re sort of playing different music now, so it’ll be really cool to see what’s coming even after this stuff.”

Brothers Tate and Jasper started playing music at an early age, with Tate receiving a violin and Jasper a drum kit for their birthdays.

Tate picked up the guitar in grade 10 and started to play gigs around town with good mate Connor, with Wakehouse Australia always being willing to give them a gig.

Tate, Jasper, Connor and Jarell ultimately formed to become Nortica in August last year when the boys entered Passport to Airlie and have been kicking goals ever since.

With influences including alternative, surf rock, funk, grunge and metal, Tate says writing music as a band almost always starts as a jam.

“We all start freestyling and playing music and if we like something that we’re playing we generally record it on voice memos,” he said.

“We just revisit it and keep things that we like.”

Not only is there plenty more new music coming, but the boys also have some massive gigs booked including Rhythm and the Reef tomorrow, the Rumble on the Reef Wake Comp the week after and some support slots for some of Australia’s biggest bands.

Tate says they’re most excited to be supporting Hockey Dad at the Seabreeze Hotel next month.

“It’s insane,” he said.

“I remember getting on the phone to the boys, I got the email, and I lost my crap calling Jasper.

“I can’t really explain how excited we are.”

In a tightknit community like Mackay, with a burgeoning music scene, Tate says there is a real community aspect that has helped them get to where they are today.

The band received a grant from the Regional Arts Development Fund to assist in recording their EP earlier this year.

“There’s a lot of cool stuff available through the Council that we’re lucky enough to utilise and be able to do the stuff that we want to do, especially with recording because it costs some serious coin,” Tate said.

On top of the grant, Tate says Nortica have collaborated with people, venues and businesses throughout the community including Kadence Group, Red Lotus Company and Gina’s Flags.

“There’s a lot of people in town that can help out and stick out a hand for you when you’d do the same for them,” he said.

“It’s really cool.

“The networking that goes on in this town, it’s crazy that there isn’t a bigger scene.”

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In the last few generations, we have become radically sedentary.

Jobs keep us stuck at a desk all day long, machines do our heavy lifting, and phones and other gadgets mean we can do almost anything, all without moving.

We’ve disconnected from our bodies to the extent that, often, we only notice them when they go wrong. We’re detaching from a pivotal process and doing more of the things that are harmful for our brains.

Sit at work, come home and sit, go to bed late, wake up, drive to work – seated – and sit again. Eat, sleep, sit, repeat. It’s easy. But the connection between your brain and your body is a “two-way street.” Working your legs can work your grey matter; if you’re feeling down, it might behove you to move.

There are numerous mental health benefits related to movement, and that’s not even just exercise. We all know, intellectually, that exercise is good for us, and it’s time to turn intellectual into action. The truth is that whatever your lifestyle: there is always an opportunity to move.

When we do move our body, energy flows through it, our bodily systems are activated, which makes us function well, and our brain generates various happy hormones (transmitters) that make us feel good.

Just like food nourishes the body and brain, so does movement! And, intellectually, we can list the benefits:

• Improved circulation

• Improved metabolism

• Improved clarity

• Improved mood

• Improved resilience

But what we really need to do is get going. It’s about putting one foot in front of the other, over and over, until it becomes habit. Endeavour to take a morning or afternoon walk, cycle to work, hop up from your desk and go for a little cruise around the office. Getting started is the hardest part.

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The purest form of uninhibited movement is dance - free flowing, expressive and dynamic. Learning to move your body to the music is an artform and a sport.

Emma Whybird, Director of Edge Dance Studio Whitsunday, understands the devotion and passion it takes to transform dance into performance and imparts this knowledge to her young students every day.

From two-year-old ‘Little Gems’ to 18-year-olds considering a professional career, Edge Dance can teach any level and any style – from jazz to tap, hip hop to acro, modern and musical theatre.

Celebrating their first year in business, the dance students will be holding their inaugural concerts this November and have been practising all year to fine tune their routines.

“It’s been an amazing year. We have children who have been dancing for many years and those who have never stepped foot on a dance floor,” said Emma.

“For me, it’s all about building confidence. I love watching how the younger students look up to the older students. We have a great family atmosphere here.”  

Edge Dance operate two studios, one in Proserpine and the other in Bowen.

Proserpine dance classes are held at the old St Catherine’s School building in a newly refurbished dance studio from Monday to Thursday every week.

Bowen classes take place Monday and Tuesday.

Edge Dance offer ‘Little Gems’ casual classes for 2–3-year-olds in Proserpine which are open for enrolments all year round.

Expressions of Interest are now being taken for anyone interested in joining in 2023.  Free trial classes will be taking place this November.

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Watch out for a group of meddling kids and their dog coming to the coastal town of Airlie Beach this weekend.

As part of a full afternoon of free festivities for the Get Active Family Fun Day, the Airlie Beach Foreshore outdoor cinema screen will show Scooby-Doo: The Movie from 6.00pm.

Pack a picnic blanket and head down to the Sound Stage to watch this original live-action iteration of Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Fred, and Daphne.

The Mystery Inc. gang have been apart for two years after a dispute sees them call it quits, but individual invitations to Spooky Island are about to have them crashing back together.

Not knowing the others have also been invited, they show up to discover an amusement park that’s not all it seems. Young visitors are turning into creatures of the night and the gang can’t solve this mystery without help from each other.

A movie for both the kids and the parents, Scooby-Doo will have you laughing along and rooting for your favourite mystery solving gang.

Roll on down to the Airlie Beach Foreshore, grab dinner or a snack from the food stalls, and relax with family, friends, or both.

Pop down a little early for Get Active Family Fun Day starting 2.00pm (Read more on page 18).

What: Scooby Doo The Movie

Where: The Outdoor Cinema Screen at Airlie Beach Foreshore

When: 6.00pm on Sunday, September 18

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The gang are coming to Airlie Beach on the big screen as part of Get Active Family Fun Day

It’s been a longstanding convention that DC Comic’s animated outings are top-tier, whilst their offering of live-action films leave a little (often a lot) to be desired – not for wont of trying, and likely a position DC would rather flip. But, nonetheless, DC have cultivated a reputation for excellent toon features.

In this tale of (Super)man’s best friend, that’s no different.

DC League Of Super-Pets capitalises on the inherent humour evident in superhero worlds. And, with that humour, it delivers fun, fast-paced action in a counterbalancing act that caters to both adults and children alike. Helped by a star-studded voice-cast of Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, Kevin Heart, Kate McKinnon, and even John Krasinski and Keanu Reeves, Super-Pets can’t help but soar.

Krypto the Super-Dog (Johnson) and Superman (Kraskinski) lead the early stages of the film as an inseparable duo of best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. But Superman and the rest of the Justice League (Reeves is perfectly cast as a sour Batman, and Jermaine Clement of Flight Of The Concords fame is a hilarious Aquaman) are kidnapped.

Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack- Ace the hound (Hart), PB the potbellied pig (Vanessa Bayer), Merton the turtle (Natasha Lyonne), and Chip the squirrel (Diego Luna)- to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the superheroes.

Super-Pets makes for lightweight viewing, but where it excels is its action scenes and likeable jokes. There’s few that don’t land, and all of that is underscored with touching themes worthy of mention: friendship, teamwork, and finding one’s self-confidence.

Directors Jared Stern and Sam J. Levine manage to get this film flying high for an animated feature aimed at the whole family. It sits nicely in the middle of the dog lover and DC Comics fan Venn diagram.

DC League of Super-Pets opens at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema on Saturday, September 17.

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There’s talent galore on show in DC League Of Super-Pets - Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Heart, and Keanu Reeves to name a few

On any given Sunday – in fact, on any day of the week – sports biggest matchups grace the giant screen at the local’s favourite local, The Pub.

Football of every code: Aussie Rules, Rugby league, soccer. Combat sports: UFC, MMA, Boxing. It’s an offer of the full sporting scope, from table tennis to horse racing, gymnastics to darts and golf – there’s nothing you can’t watch at The Airlie Beach Hotel’s Sports Bar.

And, at this time of year, the Australian sporting world is working its way to a crescendo.

Yesterday’s showing of the Bledisloe Cup was a taste of the finals football set to be played over the coming weeks: The NRL Semi-Final tonight between Eels and Raiders, and the AFL Preliminary Finals showing at the same time between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions.

Saturday is no different: a late afternoon Preliminary Final between Sydney Swans and Magpies before the Grand Final on Saturday, September 24. And later on in the night the Sharks will take on the Rabbitohs, the winner heading to the showpiece at Accor Stadium in Sydney, the October 2 NRL Grand Final.

It’s the season end for Australia’s biggest competitions, and that time of year we all feel sportingly spoilt.

With a freshly poured Stein of beer in hand, in amongst the pack of fans at The Pub’s Sports Bar, there’s no better atmosphere to experience finals footy. Surround sound, 24 screens, and an electrifying air.

Airlie Beach Hotel Sports Bar manager, Matthew Rowley – affectionately known by patrons as just Rowley - knows the feeling of the sports bar in full swing better than anyone.

“If it’s hopscotch, we don’t care; if we can find a channel we’ll get it on the TV,” Rowley said.

“The atmosphere in here is incredible when there’s sport going. Everyone gets behind it and the games so far have all been close, which has made it awesome. If everyone’s going off and having a good time, you can’t help but get invested, even if you don’t know the sport.”

Rowley said with the finals kicking into gear already, the atmosphere would be at fever pitch.

“There’s no comparison to being at the pub with a few beers. You can sit at home and watch it on a very small TV, and it’s no fun whatsoever. You come here, we’ll get you happy and you’ll love it,” he said.

“There’s always something new behind the bar, whether on tap or a new spirit, you can come here and have a good time with good people. We’ll always accommodate for whatever the sport.”

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Airlie Beach Hotel’s Sports Bar manager Mathew Rowley said the atmosphere during big games was “unmatched”

When The Pub’s Sports Bar is in full swing, there’s few venues in town that can match its gameday vibe

It’s the third session of school holidays starting this weekend, and parents across the region are eager to keep the kids active throughout their two-week break.

From the lagoon to the playground, there’s plenty to do across the region – especially with Whitsunday Regional Council’s Get Active Family Fun Day to kick the holidays into gear.

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Hit The Swimming-pool

No school holidays are complete without taking a dip in the nearest watering hole. Make your way to the Airlie Beach Lagoon, Proserpine swimming pool and water park or, if you’re in Bowen head to the public swimming-pool or the waterpark at Front Beach.

Pack your swimmers, your hat and your reef safe sunscreen and relax; you're on holidays after all. These locations are all free to enter and a perfect place to park your picnic blanket and cool off.

Pop under the shade sails and enjoy your afternoon while the kids tire themselves out.

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Take A Hike

There are plenty of scenic walks around, and although it might not be the kid’s favourite idea, they’ll make their own fun of it. It gets them out of the house, off their screens, and into the beautiful experience of the outdoors.

Head into the Conway Ranges – whether that be the 27-kilometre-long Great Whitsunday Walk, or Honeyeater, the renowned Airlie Beach walk. Alternatively, explore the more kid-friendly Mother Beddock walk in Bowen or the Airlie Creek Trail which are a lot shorter and can be completed within an hour.

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Head To The Beach

Whether you’re in Airlie Beach, Proserpine, or Bowen, there’s beaches aplenty to choose from. Head to Dingo Beach and catch some rays, travel to Horseshoe Bay and grab lunch after a swim, or shoot to Boathaven Beach, take a ball, and have a kick with the kids. And if you can get there on your own boat, make a day of it on Whitehaven – one of Australia’s best.

Once you’ve tired from all the beach and water activities (how could you in the beautiful Whitsundays!), there’s no better place than the local libraries for activities aside from the familiar favourites.

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The whole community is invited to head outside, come together, connect and get active this Sunday at the Airlie Beach Foreshore for the inaugural Get Active Family Fun Day.

With a program of free events starting at 2pm and rounding off with a screening of Scooby Doo on the outdoor cinema, the event promises to be both action-packed and relaxing for local families.

From Boogie Bounce to Vibe Yoga, kite-making to arts and crafts, meditation to fire twirling, there are many activities to do, see and watch.

Jump high on the bouncy castle, choo choo on the train rides, become a wild animal with some face-painting or make a new inflatable friend with Mr Poppas Balloons.

This event also gives you an opportunity to meet local sporting groups such as the Running Club, basketball group, cricket and more.

Other informative stalls include R U OK? and Headspace.

While you are there, grab a feed from the variety of food stalls – support Fauna Rescue by grabbing a snag from their charity BBQ or for the more sweet tastes, enjoy some fairy floss, ice-cream or fudge.

There is plenty to see and do, but most importantly there are plenty of friends to meet and a community of people looking to connect.

The Get Active Family Fun Day is an initiative funded by the Queensland Government, Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Package under Queensland's Economic Recovery Strategy.

WHAT: Get Active Fun Day

WHERE: Airlie Beach Foreshore

WHEN: Sunday, September 18

TIME: 2pm – 7.30pm

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In two weeks’ time the third annual Whitsundays Arts Festival will be invigorating our region with a flash of colourful culture as we celebrate our creative community and inspiring environment.

Everyone is invited to experience fun, interactive, and vibrant arts events over the two-week long festival.

From arts workshops to multicultural performances, the popular hand-made markets, impressive art installations and live original music shows, there will be entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

This year, for the first time the festival has spread its wings further afield, screening two movies at the new Proserpine Entertainment Centre, in partnership with Film and Arts Mackay and the Whitsunday Regional Council.

In addition, the inaugural Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and Residency will invite six of Queensland’s finest musicians to mentor emerging artists who will then perform at The Belvedere, Toscana Village Resort.

Saturday, September 24

The opening ceremony will take place on the Airlie Beach Foreshore, officially opened by Mayor Julie Hall.

Uncle Harry Bowen, owner of the main strip’s only First Nation’s art gallery will also play his original music.

This is followed by storytelling through song by the Namarca Corowa band, playing original reggae, blue and funk style music.

The ceremony culminates when the art installation Scarewood, which won the People’s Choice Award at the 2021 Townsville Ephemera, comes alive through projections and recordings.

Sunday, September 25

Come on down to the Airlie Beach foreshore for the ever-popular Handmade Art Markets with over 50 stalls. Meet the makers and peruse artisanal homewares, handmade gifts, treats, and try your hand at some of their crafts.

The full day of festivities also includes mandala-making on the beach, Aboriginal art exhibitions and storytelling, African drumming, Torres Strait Island dancers, ukulele workshops and performances, Fijian performers, and a dance performance by Tchundal Malar Aboriginal Dance Troupe with fire demonstrations and didgeridoo performances.

There’s also a dedicated marquee for the kids to join artists Sofia Fortunato and Lisa Ashcroft for free art workshops.

For more information about the workshops leading up to the festival from September 17 and other event details head to whitsundaysartsfestival.org

WHAT: Whitsunday Arts Festival

WHEN: 17 – 30 September

WHERE: Airlie Beach and Proserpine

Fun and frivolity at the 2021 Whitsundays Arts Festival

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Announcing a special VIP experience for one lucky winner, the Airlie Beach Festival of Music (ABFoM) is giving one lucky ticket holder the rockstar experience at this years’ 10th annual festival.

Anyone who purchases a three-day pass before 5pm on Monday, October 3, or already has a ticket, will be placed in the draw to win a prize that will transform your festival weekend from spectacular to jaw-droppingly amazing!

The winner will get to meet the Superjesus frontwoman, Sarah McLeod, receive a signed 2022 festival T-shirt, have themselves and their ‘plus one’ upgraded to VIP’s, and win a trip for two on the SeaLink Big Island Day Tour, taking in the Whitsunday islands and including a stop at world-famous Whitehaven Beach.

Festival founder, Gavin Butlin, said this was the “ultimate package”, worth as much in the memories it would create than its actual financial value.

“This by itself is a way to experience the festival like a rockstar,” he said.

“But to also have the chance to visit the globally iconic Whitsunday islands and walk away with memorabilia signed by one of Australia’s top performers is the cherry on top.”

Three-day passes cost $300 and include access to the Grand Final of the national talent search ‘Passport to Airlie’ on Thursday, November 3, and official festival After Party on Monday, November 7 – both headlined by Sarah McLeod.

Top acts include The Animals, Eskimo Joe, Ben Lee, Jon Stevens, Rogue Traders, Rick Price, Masters of Pop, Dallas Frasca and Mi-Sex.

WHAT: Airlie Beach Festival of Music

WHEN: November 4-6.

WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club

Meet Sarah McLeod and see the Whitsundays for free with your lucky ticket!

One of the world’s most thriving women’s groups that actively helps and stands up for the rights of other women is currently looking for new members for its Airlie Beach contingent.

A fun and empowering community organisation, Zonta has over 31,000 members worldwide, spread over 65 countries.

The driving force behind many social change initiatives for women, this group of spunky ladies do their small part for a big organisation that makes huge differences in the everyday lives of locals here in the Whitsundays.

From supporting girls at secondary college with scholarships and bursaries to working to protect women through Whitsunday Counselling and Support, they raise money and give it directly to important causes.

Meeting on the third Thursday of every month at the VMR in Cannonvale, the Zontarians share lively conversation and a group dinner while planning events and opportunities to help the women in our community.

These include Bunnings BBQ’s, Christmas gift wrapping and annual functions such as annual International Women’s Day breakfast and Derby Day lunch.

More broadly, they also help to bring about change and promote human rights and freedoms both locally and internationally with specific projects such as global initiatives working to close the gender gap in education, saying no to violence against women and providing birthing kits to assist safe birthing in some countries.

If you would like to be part of this powerful and important conversation by joining forces with other women and becoming a member of your local Zonta Club – reach out to them now!

WHAT: Zonta Club of the Whitsundays

WHEN: 6pm – 9pm every second Thursday

WHERE: The VMR, 7 Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale

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Join the Zonta Group of the Whitsundays

Promising big crowds, excellent vibes and world-class skating, FMS Group Rumble on the Reef is just around the corner bringing some of skateboarding’s best talent to the region.

Last year’s Rumble on the Reef Skateboarding Champion, Tommy Fynn, is making his way to the competition for the third time and is excited to bring his energy to the people of Mackay.

“I feel like the people in Mackay are super supportive of skateboarding and that happening up there brings everybody out to watch,” he said.

“It’s always good energy, good vibe.”

Growing up in South Africa and New Zealand, Tommy started skateboarding when he was 12 years old, borrowing his cousin’s board until his parents bought him his own.

Tommy continued to skate and has gone on to kick goal after goal, currently skating on the Plan B Skateboards team, competing in competitions all over the world and vying for a spot on the Olympic team.

“I’m pretty close already, they had an Olympic qualifying event for Paris two months ago in Italy,” he said.

“I was up there in the top 25 in the world, so I’m planning on going to Paris.”

He said he never expected skateboarding to grow to an Olympic-level sport, but it only means good things for the industry.

“More kids are going to get into it and skating’s going to get more structure from a high-performance level, which is great for skateboarders in general,” he said.

“You get fitter, you have more support, there’s more opportunities to make money and a solid career that you can live off.”

The Brisbane-based skateboarder is involved firsthand in developing the next generation in preparation for Brisbane 2032.

“I do a bit of coaching as well, coaching our next generation, and seeing these 12- to 16-year-old kids doing crazy, crazy tricks at such a young age, it’s awesome,” he said.

“I kind of give everything I’ve learnt and share my expertise where I can and help these kids with their careers heading towards the Olympics, it just feels cool to be a part of that.

Not only do regional competitions like Rumble on the Reef bring world-class skaters like Tommy, Dennis Durant, Canada’s Matt Berger and Aidan Campbell from the US to smaller centres, they also shine a light on the talent in the region.

“It’s a way of finding and nurturing talent,” Tommy said.

“These kids skate against each other, they skate against other skateboarders from around the country who might be better than them so they can push themselves.

“I love how they do Rumble and these national events because it means all these skaters from all over the country can compete and get inspired and go harder.”

Rumble on the Reef is happening from September 20-24 at the Sugar Bowl Skatepark.

“That skatepark is actually up there as one of the best skateparks, so it makes the event super fun,” Tommy said.

“Going up there and competing is always fun because you get good obstacles, you get a good skate park and you can progress there.”

WHAT: FMS Group Rumble Skateboarding Championships 2022

WHERE: Sugar Bowl Skatepark Mackay

WHEN: September 20-24, 2022

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Last year’s Rumble on the Reef Skateboarding Champion, Tommy Fynn, is making his way back to Mackay and hopes to inspire the next generation of skateboarders. Photos supplied: Rumble on the Reef