Bob Eden is on a mission to eradicate suicide.

The Whitsunday-based fitter-turner turned folk singer and author is set to release his first book ‘The Gift of Depression, My Little Scrap Book’ with one mission in mind: sharing his story to save even just one life.

“Every 40 seconds, someone dies because of depression, and they do not have to. I am living proof of that,” Bob said.

“I believe that by sharing our stories, we can help to heal each other.”

Born in England, Bob had a turbulent childhood with an absent father and a violent mother. It left him with untrue lessons about his life which led him to an eventual battle with depression and anxiety.

“In 1984, three o’clock in the morning, I had my first panic attack. I went to the doctor and was put into the western medical model and I was in that for 20 years. Different antidepressants, psychiatrists, psychologists,” Bob said.

“That was my dance with depression. I could not understand it; but I do now”

Far from England and having lived in the Whitsundays for almost two decades, Bob is ready to lay out the lessons of his life in written word, sharing them with the people who need them most.

His scrap book is the story of a life that vastly changed direction. From a fitter-turner to a “depression recovery specialist and men’s wellbeing advocate”, managing ships and sailing to authoring books and managing festivals, like Wintermoon – Bob Eden has done it all and come out the other side with the scars to show for it.

“It took 20 years for me to realise that I could not think my way out, I had to listen to my body, and I did,” Bob said.

“I am master and commander of my life and I take full responsibility for this life that I create. Every event that happens in my life holds a lesson for me, I just must find and learnt it.

“My book just tells my story of my journey from trauma and despair to contentment, it describes the tools I found and used to completely recover from depression.”

Bob will launch The Gift Of Depression, My Little Scrap Book at Cannonvale Library in an event emceed by Councillor Jan Clifford on November 28 at 10am.

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A host of talented artist were celebrated as part of the Whitsundays Arts Festival, with their work on public exhibition during the festivities and several of them picked to win lucrative art awards for their contribution.

The major prize was won by Justin Telfer from Mullumbimby in New South Wales, for his work ‘Nullabor Crossing.’

Justin was awarded the $5,000 major prize, and his work will be acquired into the Whitsundays Regional Council Art Collection.

Winner of the Local Artist Award went to Cannonvale resident Jacqui Henderson for her piece ‘Summer Holiday’.

She received $1000 in prize money.

Other categories included Young Artist Award which was won by Cameron Letta (Leonay) for ‘Red Gum’ and the 3D Sculpture Award was won by Bowen resident Barry Smith for ‘Security’.

The 2D Works on Paper Award went to Tanya Coventry from Bowen for ‘February’ and the R&K Kenyon Award went to Java Small for ‘Meerkat’.

Only its second year, the Whitsundays Art Prize is a vibrant visual arts award, incorporating painting and sculpture and this year, the exhibition included 70 works from 63 Australian artists.

The event was held at the Elbow Room at Coral Sea Marina Resort from 23-30 September with the winners announced on the opening night.

Exhibition Coordinator Glenda Brown said she was honoured to be bringing art to the heart of Airlie Beach.

“Supporting these incredible artists and showcasing works from around Australia in our beautiful region, the Whitsundays Arts Festival exists to highlight art and arts practice,” she said.

The prize winners were selected by guest judge Tracy Cooper-Lavery, Director, Gallery and Visual Arts at HOTA Home of the Arts Gold Coast.

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Friday 30 September

Friday SUN.sets

Every Friday Evening From 6pm

Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.

Wake House Australia

Ronny Croker Live at the Seabreeze Hotel

Friday, 7:00pm to 10:00pm

Cap off your work week at the Seabreeze Hotel. Dance the night away with Ronny Croker performing from 7pm - 10pm.

Seabreeze Hotel

Bone-a-fide

Friday, 7:00pm

Presented by the Bachelor of Music course at CQUniversity, this concert will feature the extraordinary trombone playing of Jeremy Borthwick alongside CQCM students and staff, performing works from New Orleans to Newcastle, from Buble to Borthwick. Tickets available at the door or at cqcm.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales

Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music

Saturday 1 October

Drawing Workshop

Saturday, 9:00am to 3:00pm

A Drawing Workshop for beginners and intermediate, ages 13 and up. Teaching all you need to know to draw in graphite pencil in a pleasant and friendly environment.

Artist Collective Caneland

Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars

Saturday, 10:00am

Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars and Palmyra Dragway are pleased to announce “Nitro Showdown”, featuring four flame-throwing nitro burning funny cars at the iconic Queensland facility. With a full field of support classes including super comp through to junior dragster, this will be an event not to miss.

Palmyra Drag Racing Club

MM Electrical Mackay Derby Day 2022

Saturday, 11:00am

MM Electrical Derby Day is one of the biggest race day events on the Mackay Turf Club calendar, attracting race goers from far and wide.

Mackay Turf Club

Oktoberfest in the Garden Bar

Saturday, 1:00pm to 9:00pm

Grab your dirndl and get ready for an afternoon celebrating some German traditions including a live Oompah band all the way into the night. There are three competitions including keg tossing, stein holding and best dressed on the day. Soak up the beer with giant pretzels and smoked meat available. This is an event you won’t want to miss out on.

Harrup Park

Sunday 2 October

The Butterfly Effect

Sunday, 2:00pm

With both new songs and old favourites guaranteed to grace the setlist for The Butterfly Effect’s impending album shows, as well as the quartet’s established history for swiftly selling out their tours, definitely don’t delay grabbing tickets to witness the exhilarating next chapter for one of Australia’s most exciting and beloved bands. And as to what fans can ultimately expect from the IV tour? Kurt concludes, “These shows will be a refined energetic hard rock band playing a swag of ripper new tunes with an energy and force not witnessed on Australian shores since ACDC”.

Seabreeze Hotel

Tuesday 4 October

Presentation Mastery Class

Tuesday, 5:30pm to 8:00pm

Mackay Toastmasters is inviting you to join for their inaugural masterclass – Presentation Mastery. Join for this masterclass to improve your public speaking and presentation skills.

Jubilee Community Centre

Real Mates Talk

Every Tuesday in October, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Build connections and have some real conversations about Real Mates Talk.

Glenella Community Hall

Wednesday 5 October

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 members with regular dances and live bands in attendance and away trips. For further enquiries call 0408 983 911.

58 Macalister St, Mackay

Thursday 6 October

Mackay Tenancy Skills Course

Thursday and Friday, 9:30am to 2:30pm

Whether you are looking to move out of home for the first time or already renting, this free tenancy skills course is for you. Learn what every tenant needs to know to get approved for a rental property and sail through a trouble-free tenancy.

Jubilee Community Centre

Mackay Riverside Market

Every Thursday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Fresh produce, artisan goods, food vans, music, every Thursday afternoon 3pm-7pm at Bluewater Quay.

Bluewater Quay

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Gardening enthusiasts, flower-lovers and anyone who enjoys marvelling at natural beauty are invited down to the Ken Burgess Orchid House which will be transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour over the weekend.

A central part of the Mackay Orchid Extravaganza, the annual event will see hundreds of orchids on display at Queens Park from 8.00am to 4.00pm this Saturday.

In addition to the beautiful displays, attendees will also have the opportunity to get involved with one of the orchid workshops or demonstrations and, for those looking for a souvenir, there will be stalls selling plants.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the event would offer something for everyone, from novice gardeners right through to orchid enthusiasts.

“Orchid experts will be available on the day to provide helpful tips and tricks for growing orchids in our climate and share their personal experiences,” he said.

“If you’ve ever wanted to incorporate orchids into your garden, the Orchid Extravaganza is the perfect opportunity to discover what is available and to find out what would best suit your garden and lifestyle.

“For those who don’t have a green thumb, the extravaganza is still an excellent opportunity to admire the exquisite orchids on display, which will include both exotic and Australian native species.”

Entry is free and food stalls will also be available for those who want to grab refreshments.

This event is proudly supported by Mackay Regional Council, Mackay and District Orchid Society and Pioneer River Orchid and Plant Association.

WHAT: Mackay Orchid Extravaganza

WHERE: Ken Burgess Orchid House

WHEN: Saturday, October 1

ADMISSION: Free

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Image: Hockey Dad promise a set filled with old songs they’ve never played live before, plus some new songs, for their Mackay show

When Windang’s favourite sons Hockey Dad had to cancel Mackay from a rescheduled tour earlier this year, fans were left disappointed and having to travel to Airlie to catch them play. Being as down-to-earth and true-to-their-word as they are, the boys have made it up to the sugar city, with a show at the Seabreeze Hotel next Friday. Sam had a chat with Billy Fleming and Zach Stephenson before they make their way up the coast.

Sam: How did you guys become mates back in the day and then start Hockey Dad?

Billy: I was out the front playing footy with my dad and Zach lived a few doors down so he would see us playing out the front and we were just like, ‘You wanna hang out?’ Since then, we went to school together from kindergarten to year 12 and, yeah, just kept going. The band thing didn’t really happen until I’d just got into high school so year 7, Zach would’ve been year 9 I guess but, yeah, before then, we were just hanging out as kids do just riding pushies, surfing, skating, all the good stuff. Then, literally, the music just took over.

Sam: Were you playing music separately before Hockey Dad started?

Billy: Yeah, Zach, definitely, you were doing guitar lessons for a good while.

Zach: Yeah, I was doing guitar lessons from primary school then we kind of started a high school band, Billy and I and a few other mates, that went on for a few years, we played in that band and learnt how to be in a band and play songs and that finished up towards the end of high school for both of us and Hockey Dad was birthed out of the ashes of that, I suppose.

Sam: Unearthed High was a big step for you guys. What’s your take on what Unearthed and triple j does for the up-and-comers of the scene?

Billy: Unearthed is a really cool platform. The whole premise behind it is sick. Just put up a song and hope for the best. The Unearthed High thing was just because I was still in high school, we were like, ‘We may as well do it.’ We knew we were going to be a band, we kind of had Dan, our manager, looking after us already. It was good but he was just like, ‘You might as well throw it up and see what happens.’ We were going to be touring anyway so it was a good moment for us to just jump into that scene and the reception was really good and yeah, it was definitely a good stepping stone.

Zach: I think it’s a good little entry point for any young people who want to come in. It gives you some experience and you meet fresh people who are important in the scene and you meet radio personalities and you kind of get your foot in the door and get a little bit of exposure and get your name out there. It’s great for that and really good for kids in high school to get a taste of what the music industry’s like and what it’s like to be putting songs out and working in the industry, so it’s a great program.

Sam: Does your approach to playing live change when you’re playing in a small room compared to playing a big festival?

Billy: It’s still always so good doing the smaller regional shows. I feel like that’s where the life is, it’s where all the strongest fans are. Regional touring is the best. You can’t really beat it. Obviously, it’s good playing bigger headline shows in major cities, but we love regionals, it’s the funnest thing. I feel like that’s the core of Australian music. You’ve got your little, dingy venue 20 minutes down the road and if your favourite band comes through, you’re like, ‘Hell yeah, I’m going there for sure.’ Especially for a regional town, it’s kind of like word of mouth, it makes it more special and the vibe is way better, in a way, than a larger scale thing.

Sam: We got ‘T’s to Cross’ earlier in the year, is that leading into a fourth album?

Billy: Yeah! Pretty much. We’ve got to finish mixing it and all that and figure out when to put it out, but, yeah, we’ve got some songs in the bank. We kind of put ‘T’s to Cross’ out because we were like, ‘We’ve got to get something out, it’s been a few years.’ We were hanging onto it for a little while and trying to get a plan happening, but we were like, ‘Let’s just get a song out.’ The reception’s been sweet. We haven’t played it in Australia yet so Mackay’s going to be the first one.

Zach: Yeah, we got a bunch of new songs we’re going to play that we’ve just recorded so we’ll play a few on these new shows coming up and we’ve also got a bunch of old songs that we’ve never really played. We tried to refresh the whole setlist for these shows now that we’re back from the States. It’s kind of exciting, playing all new old songs again. It should be an exciting set.

WHAT: Hockey Dad supported by Nortica

WHERE: Seabreeze Hotel

WHEN: Friday, October 7 from 8pm

TICKETS: Oztix

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The Mackay region's first coffee competition is happening this weekend and will involve a massive afternoon of family fun.

The Grounded Festival makes its debut in Sarina tomorrow with a day of markets, live music, good food and, of course, good coffee.

The team at Third Ground Coffee House initially conceptualised the idea at the start of the year when a staff member’s family were affected by floods in the Lismore area, inspiring them to donate to local the SES.

“We were like, ‘What if we just do a fundraiser and donate it to them, because they’re local and they do so much for our community,’” said Third Ground Coffee House’s Skye Bailey.

“Then we were like, ‘What kind of festival could we get happening? Well, we’re good at coffee,’ and there’s so many other great cafes in the region.”

Some of the region’s most popular cafes, including Primal and Ninth Lane Grind, have since jumped on board.

Visitors can expect a relaxed vibe similar to Eat Street with different coffee and food vans, market stalls, live independent music and plenty of family fun.

The festival will feature Battle of the Beans, a competition pitting the region’s best cafes and baristas against each other in a variety of challenges including latte art, identifying different milks from their smell, coffee composition and a good old-fashioned egg and spoon race with coffees instead.

“We’re really trying to bring a fancy element to it but also have a lot of fun,” said Skye.

“I’m so excited to see most of our team get behind it and see how well they do.

“We’re hoping for some healthy competition and to get everybody else’s passion sparking too.”

The guest coffee tasting judges include Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson, redhotblue’s Jody Euler and Channel 7’s Rebekah Jensen.

“It’s just going to be good family fun; a nice, relaxed weekend session with a very entertaining competition,” said Skye.

“We really want to bring a little bit more of a coffee culture because we have so many people passionate about coffee.”

Third Ground Coffee House has been operating for seven years with Skye and her siblings managing it for the last five.

“I’ve been a barista for about eight years and went to the Gold Coast for a year and did some heavy barista training so that’s what started the passion for me,” she said.

“I’d done it on and off and was like, ‘Alright, let’s do this for real.’”

The festival will double as a farewell to the café’s Central Street location before they move to Broad Street later in the year.

WHAT: The Grounded Festival

WHERE: Third Ground Coffee House Backyard, 28 Central Street, Sarina

WHEN: Saturday, October 1 from 4:00pm

TICKETS: Eventbrite

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Local Urban Fantasy author, A. L. Tippett, officially launched her third book on Sunday, September 18 at the Badila Art Gallery in Pinnacle.

‘A Dragon’s Soul’ is the highly anticipated conclusion to her debut trilogy, ‘The MINATH Chronicles’.

‘The MINATH Chronicles’ is a tale of magical realism and contemporary fantasy with all manner of mythical creatures.

Book one, ‘A Dragon’s Mind’, was released in 2020 followed by book two, ‘A Dragon’s Body’, in 2021.

Attendees enjoyed free coffee from Whistlestop Coffee Cart, free cupcakes and an impressive book cake from Sam’s Cakes and Crafts.

Ms Tippett began writing her first fantasy novel when she was twelve but abandoned it after deciding that being an author wasn’t a “real” job and therefore not worth pursuing.

After completing her secondary schooling at Mirani State High School, her parents encouraged her to experience the real world before committing to a university degree.

After working in hospitality, she landed a job as an insurance broker, where she worked for seven years before leaving to start a family.

She and her husband live on a farm near Eungella and have now welcomed two children into their lives.

Tippett feels very fortunate to be able to stay at home and care for them whilst her husband works away.

“It’s challenging finding the time to write with two kids but, as they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way,” she said.

‘The MINATH Chronicles’ trilogy is available to purchase from altippett.com.

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The Sugar Bowl was a hive of activity last week as Rumble on the Reef took over the skate park for a week of world-class skating.

After a massive action-packed series of events, the Championships all came down to the Bowl Finals on Friday night and the Street finals Saturday, with incredibly talented skaters of all ages showing what they’re made of

There was something for everyone at Rhythm and the Reef on Saturday, with the diverse line-up filling the dancefloor no matter who was on stage. The day kicked off with local indie rockers Nortica, Uruguay native Felipe Baldomir and soulful surf folk courtesy of Jack Botts, setting the vibe of the afternoon perfectly.

Rapper Ivan Ooze then started the party as the sun dipped behind the clouds, before Touch Sensitive, Running Touch, Godlands, Shockone and Moss all filled the dance floor into the night with a selection of house, rap, drum and bass, and everything in between.

The new location on the riverfront at Bluewater Quay provided a convenient, central venue for punters and perfectly utilised what the Mackay CBD has to offer. Only in its second year, it’s exciting to think of how Rhythm and The Reef will grow in the future.

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Click here to view the Gallery

It might not break the rom-com mould, but the Whitsunday-filmed Ticket To Paradise is a charming flick with one major drawcard: Julia Roberts and George Clooney.

It’s hard sometimes for reviewers to remember that not every film needs be a Citizen Cane. Movies can be fun. And that’s certainly what audiences are in for when they watch Ol Parker’s fourth directorial outing.

The star-studded film shot across Queensland last year brings Clooney and Roberts back together again. This time, they pair up as a divorced couple travelling to Bali, attempting to stop their daughter (Kaitlyn Dever) from making the same “mistake” they made 25 years before.

That mistake being rushing into a marriage which, unceremoniously, ended down the line.

And certainly, from reading the premise, I think we all know where this is going. But like I said, that’s not the appeal, it’s the Academy Award Winning actors that make this movie. Clooney and Roberts have always had an exceptional chemistry – a real life friendship never hurts that – and Ticket To Paradise is no different.

The world they inhabit in the film is one of the old-style romantic comedies. There’s an earnest nostalgia to it that reminds us of late ‘90s or early ‘00s darlings of the genre like 10 Things I Hate About You, or – most especially – 50 First Dates.

Most of the movie magic from Ticket To Paradise is born from our own sense that we miss films just like it. When do we get to see genuine movie stars – and bless me, there are very of those left – together on screen? And certainly, when do you see a movie like this in theatres anymore? The streaming age has relegated the rom-com and its cheesiness to the back-pages.

Shot in real locations – including The Whitsundays itself – and brimming with absolute, unadulterated fun; chemistry and star power have certainly made me buy a Ticket To Paradise. Will you?

Ticket To Paradise is showing now at the Bowen Summergarden Cinema.

Director Ol Parker, Julia Roberts, and George Clooney filmed parts of the absolute treat that is Ticket to Paradise on Hamilton Island

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Review By Declan Durrant

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1992 is remembered for the following events:

• Bill Clinton was elected as the 42nd US President;

• The 25th Olympic Games opened in Barcelona; and

• The Cold War was officially declared to be over.

While it may not be as widely known, a very important event also took place in Mackay on Monday, 6 July 1992. The Zonta Club of Mackay was Chartered with 22 Charter Members. The Area Newsletter described the event:

… A very stylish affair with pre-dinner champagne cocktails and canapés, and a clever dramatic presentation of the history of Zonta devised and performed by 2 members. The club is keen to start raising funds in imaginative ways and to make its mark on the community.

We can hardly believe that it has been 30 years since Zonta began supporting the Mackay community. Incredibly, two of our original Charter members, Vassie Comino and Judy Spannagle, are still members of our club in 2022.

To mark this very special occasion, we are thrilled to invite you to our birthday celebration dinner! The ticket price of $75 includes a drink on arrival, a buffet dinner and of course, delicious birthday cake.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, 1 October

• Time: From 6:00pm

• Location: Ocean International, Mackay

Tickets are currently on sale via Mackay Tickets. For further information, please visit our Facebook page.

We also have the following events coming up in the month of October, and would love for you to be involved.

Zonta Monthly Dinner Meeting

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, 18 October (Third Tuesday of each month)

• Time: From 5:30pm

• Location: Ocean International, Mackay

We welcome guests at our meetings – if you are interested in attending, please contact us as soon as possible for catering purposes.

Reclaim the Night March

Each year, the Mackay Reclaim the Night March takes place on the last Friday in October. This is Sexual Violence Awareness Month, which poses a reminder to every Queenslander that we all have a role to play in ending sexual violence.

Reclaim the Night marches began in the 1970s, focusing on a woman’s right to walk at night, without fear of violence or harm. Today, we march as a show of resistance, strength and unity, because we believe everyone has the right to feel safe and to BE safe.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, 28 October

• Time: 5:30pm start

• Location: Bluewater Quay, Mackay

Zonta, along with several other organisations, supports this event each year. Further updates will be shared closer to the event via our Facebook page.

For further information about any of these events, please send a message via Facebook or email zontamackay@gmail.com. I look forward to sharing more about Zonta and our events with you!

Karlee Box

Zonta Club Board Member

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Coral Sea Marina’s second annual Big Aussie BBQ raised $4400 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) this year.

Over the month of September, the local marina has been gathering funds and raising awareness for research into the cancer which threatens the lives of one in five Australian men.

For their biggest fundraising effort of the month, the marina lawns transformed into a backyard barbie, where locals could grab a snag and a drink and listen to some live music in the name of a good cause.

Head of Marketing at Coral Sea Marina, Joscelyn O’Keefe said it’s been excellent to give “people an informal setting where they can start the conversation” about prostate cancer.

“Thank you to all the local businesses and community who came out to support us,” she said.

The Marina has now raised over $10,000 dollars for cancer research.

You can continue to donate to Coral Sea Marina until the end of September at their fundraising page here: https://www.bigaussiebarbie.com.au/.../CoralSeaMarina.../bab

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One of the most popular and best-selling Australian musical artists of all time will be honoured with the highest form of flattery in two unique tribute shows coming to the Airlie Beach Hotel in October.

Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of his famed Soul Deep album, the ‘Soul Chisel’ Ultimate Jimmy Barnes tribute band will bring one of the most faithful encapsulations of Jimmy’s solo career to The Pub, creating two afternoons to remember.

The Working Class Man is the heart and soul of Aussie rock music – he conjures up the sound of ear-splitting volume, the tune of soul standards given a unique voice and reading – and Soul Chisel bring all that magic of Barnsey with them in their recreation coming to the coastal town of Airlie Beach.

In the first of two shows, Soul Chisel will celebrate the legacy of Barnesy on Saturday afternoon in an unforgettable performance that focuses on his fifth album. They will get the Good Times flowing.

Through the lens of Soul Deep – a collection of soul covers and duets with John Farnham – Soul Chisel encapsulate what makes Barnesy the very best there is.

Through a Rock N’ Rolling tour of Jimmy’s soul covers and onto his biggest Cold Chisel hits, Soul Chisel create an electric atmosphere.

That atmosphere is thanks to their ability to not only recreate the sound but also the look of Barnesy, with front man Steve Callanan a scarily close look alike with one of Australia’s biggest selling artists.

Callanan leads the show and has the vocal power to match his almost uncanny resemblance to Barnesy. He’s even made appearances on The Voice Australia, where he performed in front of the likes of Delta Goodrum and Guy Sebastian and had them convinced by his vocals!

On Sunday, they’ll back up their performance with a unique blend of two songs in a row from The best of Barnes and Chisel, as well as your favourite Aussie bands and much, much more.

Don’t miss Soul Chisel when they bring (Simply) The Best Cold Chisel tribute show to the local’s favourite local for two afternoons of Barnesy at The Airlie Beach Hotel.

What: Soul Chisel Tribute Show

When: 2.00pm to 5.30pm on Saturday, October 8, and Sunday, October 9

Where: The Airlie Beach Hotel

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Students in Cannonvale took to the streets on foot, bike and scooter last week in the first of what is hoped to be many ‘Walk Or Ride To School Day’.

A student-led initiative, the event came about when Miss Hanson’s grade 4 class were discussing how to reduce their carbon footprint.

While many thought about small projects, this particular cohort felt inspired to create an event the whole school could enjoy.

Writing a note to the principal to ask permission, making a speech in assembly, and then putting posters on walls were all ways the class took the lead in promoting the event.

Their efforts were rewarded when over 70 students participated.

Lollipop lady, Lesley, said that she noticed a massive increase in the amount of foot traffic that day and was pleased to see people enjoying the outdoors.

A grade 1 student said that he walked for the first time today and that his parents had parked the car at Coral Sea Marina, walking along the bicentennial boardwalk to school.

Health teacher Erin Moore said that she was thrilled to see so many eager participants.

“It was really rewarding to see so many kids taking it so seriously,” she said.

“We hope the event will get bigger each time and maybe after today more people will be encouraged to walk to school.”

Image: Principal Kelly with some of the students that walked to school last Thursday

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Film and Arts Mackay are teaming up with Whitsunday Arts Festival this September to bring two exciting films to the big screen at the brand-new Proserpine Entertainment Centre over the weekend of September 24 and 25.

In back-to-back days, Whitsunday Arts Festival will be showing back-to-back screenings of two hand-picked films: Celeste and Parallel Mothers.

Filmed entirely at Paronella Park, Celeste is the first of the double featurette, with the story of a once-celebrated opera diva who prepares for her final performance. You can catch the temptress’ final show when it screens on Saturday, September 24 at 7.30pm.

Special guest for Celeste’s screening will be Paronella Park Marketing Manager Bridget Evans. She’ll share anecdotes from when Paronella turned into a film set!

Then, on Sunday, September 25, viewers will be taken to the other side of the world with Parallel Mothers, the story of two single women who form a strong bond with one another as they both confront motherhood.

Helmed by the renowned Spanish Director, Pedro Almodovar, Parellel Mothers has his trademark finesse in a story of motherhood and hope.

The award-winning director draws again on his favourite subject of Motherhood to create a story that elegantly balances drama and comedy, moving through the tale of two unlikely friends from vastly different walks of life.

One is surefooted and complex, the other emotionally raw and energised. Together they create a film bent by hardship and pierced by tragedy, which eventually winds itself into something beautiful: hope.

What: Two films: Celeste and Parallel Mothers

When: 7.30pm on Saturday, September 24, and 1.30pm on Sunday, September 25

Where: Proserpine Entertainment Centre

Tickets: https://www.proserpineentertainmentcentre.com.au/

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Hundreds of students came to school dressed as their favourite character from a story book last Wednesday, marking the final ‘Book Week’ celebration across all schools in the Whitsunday region.

School assembly was a colourful display of creations, dozens of superheros, a group of Oompa Loompas, a masterfully home-made bright yellow digger, Where’s Wally and of course many princesses were all in attendance.

As is tradition, the ‘Book Week’ parade saw the teachers, followed by every year group, strut their stuff down the centre aisle, exhibiting their dance moves and outfits to the beat.

Image: Principal Angie Kelly (centre) with students and staff dressed up for Book Week

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