Youngsters, and the young at heart, who love to get lost in the literary wonder of Roald Dahl’s storytelling won’t want to miss a magical theatrical experience coming to the MECC in August.

Inspired by the World’s No.1 Storyteller, Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers is a mischievous and inventive theatrical experience for families. It’s the latest show in the MECC’s DBCT’s Kids’ Theatre Season.

This show is an unforgettable interactive and immersive theatrical experience. Especially made for ages 6 and up, involving games and imaginative play, while exploring Roald Dahlʼs extraordinary stories, including The BFG and The Twits along the way.

The two cast members are Madi Savage and Josh Burton. Madi Savage is an actor and writer based in Melbourne. Madi is one-third of the comedy trio Big Big Big, the team behind scripted podcast series The Candyman (Australian Podcast Awards, NPR, CBC Radio One, ABC), and Catching Jack (MICF, Adelaide Fringe).

Josh Burton is an actor, writer, comedian and singer with over a decade of professional performance experience. He has played a recurring character on Neighbours and had supporting roles on Australian films including Holding the Man and Son of a Gun.

This production is the only interactive show licensed by the Roald Dahl literary estate to tour. So come, grab your tickets, and get swept up in a story-telling experience that is sure to be unforgettable!

What: Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers

When: Wednesday 3 August 2022, 6.00pm Thursday 4 August 2022, 9.30am & 12.30pm Where: MECC Auditorium

Tickets: www.themecc.com.au

Inspired by the World’s No.1 Storyteller, Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers is a mischievous and inventive theatrical experience for families

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More than 30 food vendors have registered to cater for what is shaping up to be a massive Wisely Wine and Food Day.

Combine that with three huge bars, a mass of market stalls, children’s amusements and a packed stage line up and Queens Park is set to go off this Saturday (July 16).  

Mayor Greg Williamson said Wisely Wine and Food Day would be the biggest day of the Mackay social calendar.

“Wisely Wine and Food Day has cemented itself as a free event with an amazing atmosphere that appeals to a huge variety of people,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Some people like to get up and dance, others just sprawl on a blanket and soak up the music,” he said.

“Some people simply want a pizza and a cold beer and others are excited to sample international wine and cheese pairings.

“It doesn’t matter what your idea of a great day is, there’s something to suit everyone – including children’s amusements, markets and tremendous music.”    

Acting manager MECC and events Jemma Carey said the biggest changes this year were the VIP experiences and increased food and beverage options to cater for the great crowds.

“The Oasis, which is catered by the MECC and has a private bar, has been hugely popular and has sold out, but we still have some spots left for both the Plattered Up Wine and Cheese Masterclasses and the Paint and Sip sessions,” Ms Carey said.

“The Masterclasses are a really nice way to make your Wisely Wine and Food experience a little more gourmet,” she said.

“There’s New Zealand and Barossa wines paired with Tasmanian Brie, Italian Parmagiano Reggiano and French Mimolette – plus assorted gourmet accompaniments.

“The Paint and Sip sessions by Bottletops and Brushes are also a really fun idea, especially if you like the idea of relaxing with live music in the shade of a gazebo, with a glass of wine in one hand and a paintbrush in the other.”

Festivals and Events coordinator Sarah Porter said it was awesome to have 30 food vendors booked in for the day.

“It should give people plenty of options and help to keep wait times down,” Ms Porter said.

“Festival goers are also welcome to bring a picnic – we understand that when you have children it can be a lot easier to have food on hand.

“Just please no BYO alcohol – the festival is fenced and fully licensed.”

Ms Porter said ATMs would be available at the event and most vendors would also offer EFTPOS, including the bars.

Of course, the biggest drawcard for the Wisely Wine and Food Day is the amazing music line-up of national and local acts across two stages.  This year’s line-up includes:

Main stage:

10.30am            Simon Briley Music

11.30am            Leyon Milner & Zoe Mills Duo

12.30pm            G-Force

13.30pm            The Stone Apes

14.30pm            The Base Coats

15.30pm            Red Tie Band

16.30pm            Choirboys

Grassroots stage:

11.15am            Jonte Tupea

12.15pm            Noah Davis Music

13.15pm            Matt Tandy

14.15pm            Weathered

15.15pm            Nortica Band

16.15pm            EGOISM

Dance stage:

11.20                Claddagh School of Irish Dance

12.20                 Dance Express

13.20                 Revolution Cheer & Dance

14.20                 FAME Talent School

15.20                 Sugar City Rock n Rollers

Tickets are also still available to the following VIP experiences:

Bottle Tops and Brushes Session Times:

Session One - 11am to 12pm

Session Two - 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Session Three - 2pm to 3pm

Session Four - 3.30pm to 4.30pm

Plattered Up Wine & Cheese Masterclass Session Times:

● 11.30am to 12.15am

● 12.30pm to 1.15pm

● 1.30pm to 2.15pm

● 2.30pm to 3.15pm

Food vendors include:

● Mr Whipsunday

● Aus & Asian

● Bigbite Foodtruck

● Bistro Bites

● Eat Street No.8

● Just India

● Mr SKIPPY

● Plattered Up

● Dumpling Hut Mackay

● Marshall's Catering

● Mount Jukes Family Farm

● Crave Coffee Co

● Annie's Kitchen

● Bohemian Elyse

● Fudge-Tastic by Michelle

● Lexi Floss (Bounce Now Pty Ltd)

● Let'z Waffle

● Ma's Pizza Kitchen

● MAD Cow Coffee

● Mr Whippy Vans Australia

● R Donald

● Twisted Tatas

● Industry specific management Group pty ltd

● Masala Indian cuisine

● Shorefresh Seafoods

● Sprinkles & Love Cake Emporium

● Ziffy's

● Woodfire 600

● SPICY'N'SAUCY

● Fat Jim’s

For more information, including a full list of frequently asked questions, head to themecc.com.au/festivals

Wisely Wine & Food Day map

Main Stage headliners Choirboys (pictured) will hit the stage at 4.30pm

Let’z Waffle are one of 30 food vendors

Take a picnic blanket and enjoy the live music

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The Pub is set to witness an all-day rock fest of epic proportions as four bands bring the ultimate tribute to the ‘90s era to everyone’s favourite local.

The Airlie Beach Hotel is hosting California Kings, Kings For A Day, STP Oz, and Rear View Mirror in their enormous Ultimate ‘90s Tribute Festival on July 30.

The music Can’t Stop in this six-hour reproduction of four of the eras best bands: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and Faith No More.

First up is Rear View Mirror performing as Pearl Jam, capturing the American rock band’s Even Flow and Black tunes at 12.30pm, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon with some heavy bass and crashing drums.

They’re followed by STP OZ, who recreate Stone Temple Pilots to their Core, chanting out anthems like Plush and Interstate Love Song at 1.45pm.

Then there’s Kings For A Day at 3.00pm, shouting out the fast-paced and electric hard-rock anthems of Easy, Epic, and Ashes to Ashes.

Last but not least is California Kings, who’ll bring a little bit of Californication to the Airlie Beach Hotel with their perfect encapsulation of the Red Hot Chili Peppers at 4:15pm

In an enormous day at The Pub, these four tribute bands will create an atmosphere of pulsing rhythm, reproducing the sound of each timeless hit with pinpoint accuracy – it’ll be like stepping back into the rock and roll of the ‘90s.

This unmissable day of entertainment, alongside some of the region’s best food, will have the Airlie Beach foreshore pumping, sending shockwaves of rock out across the waves.

As the gloaming rolls in over Airlie Beach, the California Kings will send the night off in style, keeping the drums pumping right up to 6.00pm.

Then, backing it all up on Sunday, all four bands will unite as one: The Smashed Crabs, the ultimate cover band force along the Queensland coast. They’ve channelled the rock and roll spirit of Foo Fighters, INXS, MUSE, Metallica, The Killers, Linkin Park and more.

Don’t miss both performances at the Airlie Beach Hotel in two weeks’ time.

WHAT: The Ultimate ‘90s Tribute Festival

WHEN: Saturday, July 30 to Sunday July 31

WHERE: Airlie Beach Hotel

Four bands will rock and roll across the Airlie Beach Hotel’s Bar-top stage in a festival of ‘90s classics July 30

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The Great Barrier Reef Festival’s Comedy Gala is set to launch the festival calendar as Airlie Beach closes in on its August Festival Fever.

What more could you want than a few drinks and a night of side-splitting laughter with two of Australia’s great comedians, sourced especially for the Gala?

Comics Rory Lowe and Cam Knight will feature alongside one another in the Reef Festival’s launching off point on August 4 from 6.30pm to 9.15pm.

Cam Knight, a stand-up comedian and actor, as well as a co-host of many-a-show for Radio and television, is headlining this year’s outing at the Reef Gateway Hotel.

Performing sell out shows across Australia, Cam’s received five-star reviews and award nominations, featured on the televised Montreal Just for Laughs Festival Stand Up Series at the Sydney Opera House, and hosted the televised Sydney Comedy Festival Gala.

He was also a guest star on ABC’s Tonightly, Skit Box, Soul Mates, Comedy Up Late and How Not To Behave, the second series of The Other Guy on Stan and the upcoming series of Drunk History on Network 10, as well as host of Foxtel’s ‘Stand up Australia’.

Lapping Australia with huge theatre shows, comedy clubs and fringe festivals, corporate comedy, Cam has performed at music festivals such as Splendour in the Grass and Rotto Fest and even for the troops in the UAE in 2019.

He’s a raucous laugh, and is only matched by the Aussie comedy sensation, Rory Lowe, an internationally touring comedian whose storytelling ability and quick wit has sold out numerous festival runs and solo theatre shows.

Buckets of laughs are heading to the Whitsundays next month, so don’t miss out!

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It’s mid-July and boats are already arriving for the 34th annual Airlie Beach Race Week which is due to take place from August 11 – 18.

With 152 boats already registered and an anticipated 2000 crew attending, the event is set to be the biggest in history with competitors arriving from as far afield as Tasmania, West Australia, Victoria and even one team from the ACT.

Race Director, Ross Chisholm said that the event is shaping up nicely.

“It’s been a challenging year to find berthing, but we are really pleased to be able to put on a regatta of this size!” he said.

“This is a huge boost for Airlie Beach, and it is going to be a huge injection into our economy.”

Many of the boats arriving now compete in the same circuit which kicks-off with the Sydney to Gold Coast Race followed by Brisbane to Hamilton Island and then over to Airlie Beach.

Airlie Beach Race Week is the biggest regatta on the Queensland mainland coast and will host 14 divisions – from catamarans to grand prix racers, cruiser racers and also the trailable yacht Queensland State Championships.

There are 50 different courses taking sailors around the Whitsunday Islands, with vessels travelling on average 25 miles per day.

Races depart at 10am and return late afternoon to pave way for the lively social evening at the Festival Village which is located on the front lawn of the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

Each evening food vans and live entertainment will create a party atmosphere at the Festival Village and the whole community is invited to come down.

During the event, a spectator boat will also be ferrying guests out to watch the race from the water so everyone can enjoy the action.

WHAT: Airlie Beach Race Week

WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club

WHEN: August 11 – 18‍

Wet and wild action on the water

Fun and festivity on land

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Whitsundays Arts Festival has released its jam-packed full art workshop program for the weeklong annual celebration.

Running from September 17 to 25, the regular festival calendar is once again brimming with workshops, some exploring the festival’s theme of “Memories” and others “just for fun.”

The festival’s artists-in-residence are set to take participants through a series of free and ticketed workshops.

Each is designed to be enjoyed, packed with opportunities to learn, develop skills, network with your community of fellow artists, and collaborate on large art installations while you create an art piece to take home.

The professional series of workshops will be held from 17-24 September in the workshop space at Kipara Tropical Rainforest Retreat, and on 24-25 September at the festival site in Fairy Tree Park on the Airlie Beach foreshore.

Workshop coordinator and Townsville artist and art teacher Sandy Guy said the program had “a great variety of workshops this year.”

“Due to the popularity of previous year’s workshops and increasing demand we will be expanding to a full week of fun and creative opportunities for the whole community of the Whitsundays,” Sandy said.

Artists-in-residence Michael Pope and Aaron Ashley will be hosting Urban Sketching workshops at the festival site on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September.

These morning workshops will take participants through “en plein air” sketching, exploring how to select a scene and then quickly capture the essence using shapes as reference and adding details and tone.

At the Kipara Tropical Rainforest Retreat in the week leading up to the festival festivities, last year’s art exhibition winner, Lisa Ashcroft, will take you on an exploration of new ways of working with watercolours and acrylics.

Or tap into your inner street artist and explore street art techniques with Townsville artist and art teacher Sandra Guy.

One of the most popular workshops last year was Creating Children’s Books with publisher, illustrator, and children’s books author Sofia Fortunato, which will be back this year.

And for a first-ever Sip & Paint workshop with Amanda Sadler who will lead participants through Frida Khalo-esque painting techniques, all while sipping on your favourite drinks.

As well as those professional series program, there are free workshops assisting visiting artists to produce exciting art installations that will be transforming the festival site into an outdoor art spectacular on Saturday 24 September.

These include stingrays made from rope and recycled materials with Marion Gaemers and Lynnette Griffiths, and painted memory boards with Amanda Sadler.

The 2022 art workshop program is promising to be an exciting and interactive addition to the Whitsundays Arts Festival, built on the vision of bringing art to everyone, and the opportunity to immerse yourself in creativity.

Whether it be weaving, painting, stitching, storytelling and illustration, or sketching, the festival wants to help you explore your artistic potential this year with some of Queensland’s finest artists.

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There’s nothing like a fete for bringing the community together.

The Cannonvale State School Community Fete is happening on Sunday, July 31 from 10am to 2pm and will be a fantastic day out for the whole family.

Cannonvale State School P&C President Sabrina Mitchell and her team have worked tirelessly for months to deliver an action-packed day of entertainment.

“The fete has something for everyone,” said Sabrina.

The fete will feature a plant stall, a second-hand stall, a full day of entertainment, plenty of great food options, a mega raffle and, of course, the fete stalls, featuring everyone’s favourite: ‘Dunk a Teacher’.

“The fete’s not just for the kids; it’s for the whole community and everyone’s welcome,” said Sabrina.

There’ll also be 10 rides at the fete, including a rollercoaster, dodgem cars and a teacup ride.

Unlimited ride wristbands are available for $30 presale and $35 on the day.

All funds raised by the fete will go back into the school, with this year’s focus being new playgrounds.

“Our school has grown substantially over the last couple of years, so our playgrounds don’t cut the quantity of children,” said Sabrina.

“Every single cent raised at the fete or at any P&C event goes back directly to the children and is spent directly on the children.

“Anything that the P&C do for the school is pretty special and anything the community gives or donates towards any P&C event all goes back to the kids in one way or another.”

Sabrina says community involvement is the best part about organising a fete.

“The community really gets behind it,” she said.

“It’s not just the parents of Cannonvale State School, it’s all of the community.”

For more information on how you can contribute to the fete, call Sabrina on 0401 959 572.

To access presale wristbands, scan the QR below.

WHAT: Cannonvale State School Community Fete

WHEN: Sunday, July 31 from 10.00AM to 2.00PM

WHERE: Cannonvale State School

TICKETS: A free community event

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Australian Film Premiere Of Crawdads In Bowen

The Bowen Summergarden Cinema will once again feature an Australian film premiere at its theatre institution, but this time thanks to a local community organisation rather than a Hollywood production.

Bowen Zonta Club will be running their own premiere of Where the Crawdads Sing on Thursday next week, a film-adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name.

It will coincide with the Australian release of the film, making it one of only two cinemas in the country playing it.

Zonta Club Member and organiser of the event, Kerry Moloney said Zonta run a film premiere each year, but with this special event the studio were allowing the local cinema to run it as an actual national debut showing.

“We try to do a movie premiere every year and try to choose movies that are in demand – popular movies – but ones that have a female orientation,” Ms Moloney said.

“When Ben De Luca [Owner of Summergarden] approached us with this movie, he actually said the premiere of the first showing Australia is happening in Sydney on the 21.

“That is special for us, we feel very honoured that we in Bowen – such a small town – are going to be showing it for the first time.”

The female-led film corresponds well with the global organisations message of empowering women – both financially, educationally, and through representation.

“A lot of people are reading the novel, and so that’s where we thought it’d be perfect, as well as being produced by women, including Reese Witherspoon.

The event on July 21 will also feature raffles and lucky door prizes, with all proceeds going direct to future Zonta Club projects.

The $25 dollar ticket includes a light supper and complimentary glass of champagne, with tickers purchasable at Hickmott’s Supanews in Bowen, or online through phoning Veronica at 0428 648 540.

What: Bowen Zonta Premiere of Where The Crawdads Sing

When: July 21

Where: Bowen Summergarden Cinema

Tickets: $25 dollars

Drama and mystery film Where The Crawdads Sing, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, is premiering at Bowen Summergarden Cinema next week – a national debut for the film

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July marks the beginning of the Passport to Airlie music competition which regular sees 300 competitors from across the country vie for their chance to win an opportunity to sing on the main stage at the Airlie Beach Festival of Music.

For the next four months, talented and emerging singer-songwriters will be competing in a series of heats that take place in Darwin, Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Melbourne and just down the road in Mackay.

Open to a mixture of genres and styles, the competition is unique in the fact three quarters of each participant’s act needs to be original music, as well as its aim to provide opportunities of support and industry experiences to developing artists.

Each region will have three heats and a final before deciding which artist will be announced as the winner. This artist will then perform on the main stage at the Passport Showcase which will be held on the Thursday night of the festival.

Sarah McLeod and Bill Chambers will be the industry judges and the winners will be placed on the bill, including much of the main event promotion and merchandise alongside the amazing headline acts plus they will also be awarded a $1000 performance fee from the festival.

They will also be invited to come back to Airlie the following year and perform on the main stage.

Last year's Passport saw the incredible Mardi Wilson be announced as the winner.

"It felt really good to take the win and has boosted me to go forward and keep doing what I’m doing,” she said.

Her advice from this year's entrants is "Just go for it. Be your authentic self – you never know what could happen – just get out there and give it a go – I never expected to take out the win and now here I am."

Last years’ Passport to Airlie winner Mardi Wilson

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An opportunity to meet six candidates in the race for the Whitsundays’ next mayor is happening next Thursday, hosted by Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce (WCCC).

The Local Chamber, an apolitical community organisation, will be hosting the Meet Your WRC Mayoral Candidates on Thursday, July 14 starting 6.30pm at the VMR in Cannonvale.

It’s inviting not just its members but all residents of the greater Whitsunday region to attend this event at no cost.

Each of the six current candidates will be in attendance – Michael Brunker, Jan Clifford, Al Grundy, Peter J Hood, Julie Hall, and Phil Batty.

The community organisation focused on improving the region for its members and community at large is hoping the event will provide an opportunity for businesses and individuals to speak with the potential mayors.

Chamber members have been invited to submit in advance, to the chamber secretary, any general questions they would like the candidates to address on the evening.

The organisation with no affiliation with Whitsunday Regional Council wanted to express that, in each 12-month cycle on rotation, a WRC counsellor is invited to attend all committee meetings throughout the year with a goal of two-way communication between the organisations.

Every attendee at this event will receive a bonus ticket to attend Chamber’s next networking event in August – an annual fee of $99 is usually required to attend one of the six meetings.

Who gets your vote in the next Mayoral election for the Whitsundays may be decided when you meet the candidates at VMR next Thursday

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Delia Owens’s novel Where The Crawdads Sing was a revelation upon release in 2018. Her debut capitalised on a long-standing tradition of American literary greats. Like Harper Lee in To Kill A Mockingbird and Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn before her, it entwines a deep-South story of Americana with bigotry. But, like those novels before it, Crawdads is of its time. It submerges its 1969, period-piece story in a murder mystery – a genre well-travelled in contemporary literature – but it does so exquisitely and elevates what could be a tired story in the hands of a lesser writer into a beautiful one. In fact, it has become one of the best-selling books of all time.

Now – rightfully so – it’s receiving a screen adaptation thanks to the workings of Reese Witherspoon, who’s producing the film.

Raised in the marshes of North Carolina, Catherine “Kya” Clarke – played, with gentle at one moment and then exquisite furore in the next, by Daisy-Edgar Jones - is endlessly resourceful. Abandoned by her parents and older siblings in the early 1950s, Kya learns to survive on her own. She is taught to read and write by her friend Tate Walker (Taylor John Smith) and falls for him but is left behind once again when he goes to college.

Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson) is a quarterback who draws Kya into a tryst with promises of marriage that never materialise. After Kya ends their relationship, Chase attacks her and she narrowly escapes. Then, while she is away, Chase is found dead and Kya is engulfed in a murder trial, with the evidence against her seeming insurmountable

Like it’s novel, this film adaptation is haunting and ethereal, and tells us more about ourselves through a thought-provoking, wise, and deeply moving story.

Where The Crawdads Sing is opening at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema on July 22.

Daisy Edgar Jones and Taylor John Smith in Where The Crawdads Sing

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What’s your karaoke song? Because the Airlie Beach Hotel’s bar manager Matthew Rowley’s pick is Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, which he’ll be singing loud and proud for his own inaugural birthday bash at The Pub on July 27.

The very first Rowley’s Birthday Karaoke Bash is inviting the entirety of the Whitsundays along to one of the coastal town’s favourite locals for the biggest, baddest karaoke event Airlie has ever seen.

For Rowley’s 39th birthday, the pub will be hosting its sing-along from 6.30pm till 9.30pm, with no need to book, just rock up and rock on!

It’s an open invitation to bring some friends and wish Rowley a happy birthday in the best way possible – by singing him a serenade, although Rowley said he wouldn’t mind “a few presents”.

“That’d be nice for a welcome change to get some presents from everyone, but I just want everyone to come down and get involved,” he said.

“It’s a Wednesday night, yeeha! Don’t be shy, we’re all bad singers, come join the rest of us!”

Although this is the official kick-off for his Karaoke Bash, last year there was an impromptu session held at the local pub which capitalised on Rowley’s “love for a sing and dance while on the booze”.

“Last year I got asked because they all know what I’m like when I get a few drinks in me! I’ve had regulars asking me about karaoke from the last time for about a year now!”

“Everyone in town is going to know who I am after this one, I guarantee it.”

It’s going to be a classic karaoke setup, but with the added bonus that songbirds get to belt out their favourite tunes from on top of the Airlie Beach Hotel’s stage, looking down at their crowds of adoring fans while they croon to Summer Nights.

Or maybe Love Song by Sara Bareilles, I Want You Back by Jackson Five – Someone Like You from Adele, maybe? Rowley said there’s plenty of locals at the Hotel who have let him in on their choices already. They’ve had a year to prepare after all.

“Everyone’s going to get involved, and I can tell you it’s going to go later than 9.30 with everyone singing and dancing and carrying on,” he said.

“You all just better prepare for my 40th next year, it’ll be even bigger!”

Rowley’s Birthday Karaoke Bash will start from 6.30pm till 9.30pm on Wednesday, July 27 – get out and wish him a happy 39th!

What: Rowley’s Birthday Karaoke Bash

When: July 27 at 6:30pm

Where: The Airlie Beach Hotel

Matthew Rowley is a four-year veteran of the ABH with two years as a bouncer and two as a bar manager – but he also has a special talent for karaoke

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The Whitsunday region is in safe hands with its next generation of leaders handpicked in a state-wide police program which hopes to develop these young trailblazer’s skills.

Proserpine State High School students Rachel Hutchinson, Ruby Hearn, and Hayden Hearn were selected by PCYC Branch Manager and Police Sergeant Billy Li for the State Youth Leadership Program (SYLP).

Part of the local PCYC branch’s Youth Group, the students were chosen to participate in the program designed to prepare young people for more active roles in not just their PCYC, but as active leaders for their entire community.

The program, which is run at no cost to the participants, is a five-day, four-night camp held during the school holidays and led by PCYC Bornhoffen which acts as an experiential education framework – helping young leaders flourish and build confidence through “adventure-based learning”.

It has been running from 2003, and its experience is valued at over $1,200 per participant, but money can’t buy a place – it is by invitation only and is one of the “most unique and exclusive programs in Australia” of its type.

SYLP is broken up into three separate trips to Bornhoffen, each more limited in capacity than the last; SYLP One is open to almost 60 teenagers, while SYLP two and three halve that number.

Sergeant Billy Li’s students experienced SYLP One and Two, with Hayden Hearn experiencing the former and Rachel Hutchinson and Ruby Hearn the latter.

Sergeant Billy Li said he chose his three local candidates because the program would be of benefit to them and guide them in becoming new leaders.

“I believe they were ready to go on the program and that’s why I chose them; I think they will be able to take a lot of the lessons into their daily lives,” Sergeant Li said.

The experiences the students had throughout both SYLP One and Two included activities like slacklining, creeking, high ropes and more.

Hayden Hearn said that SYLP was about stepping up and taking the lead, while Rachel Hutchinson said it helped her with time management, and Ruby Hearn added it was about trust.

“I think I’m going to be able to take a lot of what SYLP showed me and put it into my daily life,” Hayden said.

Each Proserpine student said they were extremely happy to have been a part of the prestigious program and hoped it would help them with careers post-school.

“I’m really hoping to join the air force cadets,” Hayden said.

Young leaders Hayden Hearn, Ruby Hearn, and Rachel Hutchinson with Police Sergeant Billy Li

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REV YOUR ENGINE

Wet And Wild Horsepower Heroes

Horsepower Heroes Day

For the past 11 years, riders in the Mackay and Whitsundays have been getting on their bike to give back to two local charities that do so much for the people in the community.

The BMA River to Reef Ride Festival is an annual charity bike ride that brings friends and families together raising monies for RACQ CQ Rescue and Mackay Sporting Wheelies & Disabled Association.

“BMA River 2 Reef ride started as just a little idea back in 2011 to give the Mackay region an opportunity to give back to charities that do so much for our community,” says Director Evan Corry.

“It’s also a way of uniting businesses, friends and family in a healthy, engaging way.”

The event is a Festival held over two exciting days, kicking off with the Golding Kids Colour Ride on September 3.

“Cycling is not just about adults, learning the skills to ride starts with our kids,” says Evan

“If we can engage our kids early, teach them how to look after their bikes and how to ride safely we are in turn making their bodies stronger and giving them life-long skills.”

BMA’s Linda Martin said, “BMA employs so many people in the region, we have a lot of team members who are keen cyclists who have young families.

“Being the naming rights sponsor for this important event enables our BMA staff to feel connected to their community that is both physically and mentally rewarding.”

Since its inception, River 2 Reef Ride has attracted so many local businesses as sponsors.

“The cycling community in Mackay is larger than the general person realizes,” Evan said.

“We have never struggled to find sponsors for River 2 Reef Ride, businesses want to be involved because of the non-competitive team nature of the event.”

On the second day of the festival, registrants choose one of three cycling distances: a 30km Queensland Country Bank, the Health 60km City Fitness and the 100km Corry Cycles Gran Fondo rides.

This year the ride will start and finish at Mackay Botanic Gardens.  The entire Mackay community is invited to join in or spectate.  

Registrations for this year’s BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival are now open, visit river2reefride.com.au

Mayor Greg Williamson, Linda Martin (BMA) and River 2 Reef Director Evan Corry launch the 2022 River 2 Reef Festival

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