Rate Rise Up 16.3%. The rise brought in at the Councillors budget meeting was ‘probably’ a record although discount for prompt payment would bring the rise down to 12%.  

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Policeman Jailed. A former local policeman was jailed for dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol while off duty. He drove a police vehicle on the wrong side of the Shute Harbour Road causing a collision and serious injury.  

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Obituary: Alan Albert Penhallurick a member of a well known long term local family in the Conway and Preston Districts died at home on Thurday. His funeral conducted by Boyd Matthews took place at St. James Uniting Church.  

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Road To Collinsville. Proserpine Chamber of Commerce are petitioning for a direct road link from Proserpine to Collinsville via the road to the dam. Roads Minister Hinze opposed the move due to cost.  

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Trees in Main Street. The Shire Council are considering tree planting at the footpath edge to beautify the town of Proserpine.  

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Teacher Unit For $110,466. State government has commissioned a local builder to construct a twin dwelling four bedroom unit to house local teachers at the corner of Lurline Drive and Eddie Street.  

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Burnups Furniture Shop Opening competition winner was Norma Linthwaite of Kelsey Creek.  

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Enticing Cocktails at Le Rendevous. Banana Rarma, Snow On The Reef, Screaming Susie are some of the enticing cocktails available at Le Rendevous Restaurant in Airlie Beach.  

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Daydream Development. The new waterfront units are being developed in a South Pacific theme, featuring a large swimming pool with walkways across and a bar in the middle.  

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Contributed with thanks by Proserpine Museum. Sourced from the Proserpine Guardian 1986 Aug.14th, editor Bernie Lewis.

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BY GEORGIA MCDONALD

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Welcome back to the musical hot seat. This week I sat down with local favourite Aaron “Azza” Saxon, who first found his way to the Whitsundays at the beginning of the millennium, when Charlie’s Round the Bend was the place to be. More than two decades later, Aaron is still doing what he loves – playing and creating music.

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Music has always been a part of Aaron’s life. His parents had a huge vinyl collection, and Aaron grew up listening to their records, discovering rhythm and blues, jazz and other genres from a young age. His grandmother was a piano player, and her brother was a drummer in a band in Auckland, New Zealand.  

It was around the age of 15 that Aaron first got into playing guitar. Before long, he knew he wanted to turn music into a career.

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At the time, guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Ian Moss from Cold Chisel, and the Brewster brothers from The Angels caught his attention and began to inspire Aaron’s own sound.

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The next step? Become employable.

“I knew that I should be practising many different genres in order to be employable,” Aaron says.

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What started with rock soon expanded into jazz and blues, before his time living in New Zealand brought a strong reggae influence.  

Following his first stint in the Whitsundays, Aaron returned to New Zealand for ten years before deciding to come back to Australia. He reached out to a number of connections, but it was familiar local face and old friend Trevor Green who came through first, with “Here’s 20 gigs. Just get over here.”

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That’s when the Whitsundays became Aaron’s home. But being a working musician is about much more than just showing up for a few hours on stage.  

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“You’ve got to put in a lot of work just to be able to get to be a performing musician and get paid for it,” Aaron says.  

“It takes preparation, and time practising your craft to get to that point.”

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Aaron’s advice to anyone starting out is not to get caught up in reaching a finish line and to enjoy the process.

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“You can kind of get weighed down if you think you want to learn everything, or that there’s a finishing point. You’re going to get to that point, and you’re going to know everything about music. It’s never ever going to be like that.”

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Aaron’s own career is still evolving, from his Airlie Beach gigs and regular performances with the 25-piece Melbourne Ska Orchestra and calypso reggae group Bustamento.  

He is also part of The Cosmics, a three-piece funk group that recently recorded a 12-song album, releasing a new single each month.

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Closer to home, Aaron helps keep the local music scene moving through the Sunday Musicians’ Jam at Paradiso. What started with just an acoustic guitar and a microphone has grown into a regular gathering, with five or six musicians now often sharing the stage.

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“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Aaron laughs. “We just literally make things up on the spot.”

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Where to catch Azza this week: 

Thursday 13th August, Airlie Beach Hotel 6:30PM-9:30PM  

Friday 14th August & Saturday 15^th August, Paradiso 6PM-9PM

Sunday 16th August, Paradiso Musicians’ Jam from 4PM-9PM

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Aaron’s Song Recommendation For This Week: 

Ladybug – The Cosmics

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The Whitsundays Writers Festival has revealed the latest results from the 2026 Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, with national fields now narrowed across the Short Story and Poetry competitions.

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From 94 short story entries submitted by writers across Australia, 20 Open Age stories have been selected for the longlist, while six young writers have progressed to the Under 18 shortlist.

The Poetry Prize has also reached its final stage, with 10 poems selected from 74 entries following a 28-poem longlist.

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Together, the results demonstrate the growing national reach of the Heart Awards, with entries spanning Australia and showcasing a remarkable diversity of genres, voices, styles and perspectives.

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The short story field explored themes including family, grief, identity, belonging, mental health, rural life, class, artificial intelligence and moral ambiguity. Judges were also impressed by experimentation with form, including diaries, letters, records, courtroom documents, second-person narration and nonlinear structures.

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The poetry shortlist similarly reflects the breadth of contemporary Australian poetry, encompassing intimate personal work, observations of place and memory, humour, nature and relationships, alongside more experimental approaches to form and voice.

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“To attract fields of this quality from across Australia is a significant milestone for a regional literary festival,” said Festival Director Richard Evans.

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“The Heart Awards are creating a space for Australian writers to be discovered and celebrated, while bringing new stories and new voices into the Whitsundays.”

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Explore the Heart Awards finalists

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Short Story – Open Age Longlist
Twenty stories have progressed to the next stage of judging.

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Short Story – Under 18 Shortlist
Six emerging young writers are now in contention for the Under 18 awards.

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Poetry Prize – Shortlist
Ten poems remain in contention for the $1,000 first prize and $500 runner-up prize.

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Winners announced at the festival

The winners and runners-up across the Poetry Prize and Short Story Award Open Age and Under 18 divisions will be announced at the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards ceremony at 12:45pm on Sunday 13 September at the Whitsunday Marine Club, Cannonvale.

The ceremony will include interviews with winning writers and short readings from selected works.

The Awards form part of the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival, a full day celebrating Australian writing, regional voices and readers. The program features multi-award-winning author Rachel Armstrong as the From the Heart keynote, author panels and Stories by the Sea — a free community celebration featuring more than 20 regional authors, book swaps, live music, children's activities and a community BBQ.

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What: Whitsundays Writers Festival
When: Sunday 13th September  
Where: Whitsunday Marine Club, Cannonvale

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

15^th Ben Bolt Cup, 11am, Bowen Turf Club, Flemington Road, Bowen  

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

15^th Tusk Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

15^th Tiffany Grace Ripples in Time Tour, 6pm-9pm, Lola’s Bar, Airlie Beach  

16^th Hamilton Island Race Week Around the Islands Race, ALL DAY, Hamilton Island  

16^th Tusk Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

17^th Hamilton Island Race Week Around the Islands Race, ALL DAY, Hamilton Island  

18^th Hamilton Island Race Week Nautilus Marine Insurance Classic Long & Medium Race, Winward/Leeward Race, & Around the Islands Race, ALL DAY, Hamilton Island  

19^th Hamilton Island Race Week Lay Day Shore Side Activities, ALL DAY, Hamilton Island  

20^th Hamilton Island Race Week Prix d’Elegance Parade, Short Race, & Around the Islands Race, ALL DAY, Hamilton Island  

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

21^st Hamilton Island Race Week Short Race, Winward/Leeward Race, & Around the Islands Race, ALL DAY, Hamilton Island  

21^st – 23^rd Flametree Gathering, Lake Proserpine, 66 Station Road, Lake Proserpine  

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

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14th August

ABH: Andy Mammers , 7pm-10pm

Sorrento: Kaedan McCarthy, 4pm-7pm

KC’s Bar & Grill: Retro Joe, 8pm-10pm

Grand View Hotel Bowen: DJ night, 8pm onwards

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15th August  

ABH: Tusk – The Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show, 2pm-5:30pm

ABH: Andy Mammers , 7pm-10pm

Sorrento’s: Filippo, 4pm-7pm

KC’s Bar & Grill: Andrew Baldino, 8pm-10pm

Grand View Hotel Bowen: Zed Charles Band, 8pm onwards

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16th August  

ABH: Tusk – The Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show , 2pm-5:30pm,  

ABH: Paul Fergus Morris, 6:30-9:30pm  

Sorrento’s: Kieran McCarthy, 4pm-7pm.  

KC’s Bar & Grill:  Louisa Taylor, 8pm-10pm

Grand View Hotel Bowen: Nite Johnston, 1pm-5pm

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17th August  

Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm  

KC’s Bar & Grill: Paul Fergus Morris, 8pm-10pm

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18th August  

Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm  

KC’s Bar & Grill: Paul Fergus Morris, 8pm-10pm  

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19th August  

Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm [Text Wrapping Break]KC’s Bar & Grill: Bear Brewer, 8pm-10pm

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20th August

ABH: Aaron Saxon, 6:30pm-9:30pm

Sorrentos: Lucy Rose, 4pm-7pm  

KC’s Bar & Grill: Bear Brewer, 8pm-10pm

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A special bond between a young boy and his calf Frank has earned Alison Rayner this week’s Photo of the Week.

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Captured on Alison’s father’s property near Bowen, the heartwarming image was entered under the theme ‘Life on the Farm’.

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The bond kids share with their animal friends is something to cherish, and that’s exactly what Alison captured here. With Frank close by his side, the photograph captures the friendship that can grow between children and the animals they are raised around.

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Congratulations to Alison on this week’s winning shot. For those looking to take the crown next week, the new Photo of the Week theme is ‘A Happy Place’.

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Photos contributed with thanks by Whitsunday Amateur Photographers on Facebook

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

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

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Photo credit: Andrea Francolini.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Anglers are being encouraged to gear up their tackle boxes, with this year's prize-filled Stonka Fishing Challenge set to deliver four days of fishing and festivities between August 6^th-9^th at Cape Gloucester while raising funds for the Leukemia Foundation.  

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Entering its fourth year, the challenge has grown from around 600 registrations in its inaugural event to more than 1,300 this year in an effort to raise money for the Leukemia Foundation.  

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“Without the support from the community and our sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to get all this done,” said Steve Cresswell, Stonka Fishing Challenge Inc. Co-Founder and Committee Member, and Owner of The Bah Bait & Tackle.  

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Steven and his wife Stacey started this event as a way to give back. It all started in 2019, when Stacey had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, having found a football-sized tumor in her chest.  

Transferred to hospital in Townsville, she was suddenly facing an uncertain future, with a newborn baby, a three-year-old child, a mortgage and the family business in Moranbah weighing heavily on their shoulders.  

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Doctors warned the family that the outlook was not promising. Amid the uncertainty, the Leukemia Foundation approached Steven and offered him accommodation directly across the road from the hospital. Although hesitant at first, he soon realised just how invaluable the support would be.

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The family would then call the apartment home for the next five months as they navigated one of the most challenging periods of their lives.

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“Having that support was massive in getting us through such a rough time,” Steven said.  

“I honestly don't know how we would have managed without it."  

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In an effort to give back to the Leukaemia Foundation, the Stonka Fishing Challenge was born. The event has continued to grow each year, raising nearly $50,000 in 2025 alone.  

Since its inception, those fundraising efforts have helped fund a range of practical improvements for families staying at Leukaemia House, including air fryers, washing machines, and a new security system. The committee has also donated patient care hampers, delivered comfort packages in person, and even hosted a Christmas party for families undergoing treatment.  

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Beyond supporting Leukaemia House, the committee has also helped families facing cancer, including organising a special day on the water and a two-night stay at Cape Gloucester Resort for a young boy fighting the disease.  

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Four Days of Fishing, Family Fun and Big Prizes

Competitors will battle it out across a range of reef, pelagic and estuary categories, targeting species including coral trout, red emperor, barramundi and Spanish mackerel.  

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The competition also features spearfishing, mud crab and crayfish divisions, alongside the coveted King and Queen of the Cape titles and a $10,000 reward for anyone lucky enough to catch the event's tagged coral trout.  

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The weekend kicks off on Thursday 6th, with registrations, raffles and a chance for competitors to catch up before things get underway.

Friday and Saturday feature live weigh-ins, children's activities, product demonstrations, mud crab races and auctions, the Battle of the Bays tug-of-war, raffles and live entertainment, with Saturday night also featuring a fireworks display.  

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

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The challenge wraps up on Sunday with the final weigh-ins and presentations, where competitors will discover who takes home the event's impressive prize pool.

While supporting a worthy cause remains the heart of the event, competitors also have plenty to fish for, with one of the challenge's biggest prize pools yet on offer.  

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

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The lucky door prizes include a fully rigged 4.2-metre Quintrex Renegade powered by a 50hp Yamaha four-stroke for one senior entrant, while one junior competitor will take home a Quintrex 310 Dart with a Yamaha 6hp four-stroke.  

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Major competition winners will also take home a range of prizes, including fishing charters, coolers, spearfishing gear and boating accessories. All registered competitors will receive a participant pack containing a limited-edition 2026 Stonka shirt, the new StonkaMagazine and an entry into the lucky door draw.

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Photo source: Nigel Dalton MP (Facebook)

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Members of the North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club joined the community at Memorial Pool for a special Pyjama Morning fundraiser supporting National Pyjama Day.  

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

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Participants enjoyed a morning of community connection, with attendees donning their favourite sleepwear, sharing free soup and pies, and celebrating with a best-dressed pyjama prize.  

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Saturday 8^th August

Community Clothes Swap

9am

Refresh your wardrobe while helping the planet at the Community Clothes Swap. Bring along quality pre-loved clothing and accessories on coat hangers and discover new-to-you treasures in a relaxed, social shopping experience with no price tags attached. It’s a great way to reduce waste, save money and connect

Gordon White Library, 54 Phillip St, Mount Pleasant

Dance Into A Magical Story Time Experience

9.30am

Little ones and their grown-ups are invited to giggle, wiggle and imagine big at Queensland Ballet Story Time. Designed for children aged two to five years, this joyful interactive session brings stories to life through music, movement and imagination while supporting early literacy skills. Children are encouraged to dress up in their favourite costumes, from tutus to superhero capes, and join in the fun. Presented by Mackay Regional Council Libraries, the session will be held at Dudley Denny City Library on Saturday, August 8, from 9.30am to 10.15am.

Dudley Denny City Library

SplashFest

10am-8pm

Celebrate Mackay’s coastline, community and whale season at SplashFest Mackay, a free family-friendly festival returning to Ram Chandra Park, Slade Point. Enjoy a day packed with live music, local performers, markets, delicious food, kids’ activities, roaming entertainment and stunning seaside views. Whether you’re relaxing by the water, supporting local creators or enjoying the evening festivities, SplashFest is the perfect way to connect with friends, family and the wider community. Join the fun on Saturday, August 8, from 10am to 8pm.

Ram Chandra Park, Slade Point  

Sunday 9^th August

Eungella Community Markets

9am

Take a scenic trip to the mountains and enjoy the Eungella Community Markets, a family-friendly country market featuring a wonderful mix of local produce, handmade creations and community spirit. Browse stalls filled with fresh food, homemade treats, artisan goods, jewellery, preserves, honey, books, vintage treasures and more. With undercover, accessible facilities, picnic areas and plenty of local charm, it’s the perfect Sunday outing for the whole family.  

Eungella Memorial Hall  

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Star Sign: Sagittarius  

Fave Movie: All the classics, including Pride and Prejudice. I also liked the new take on Emma.

Fave Colour: Champagne and rose gold

Fave Holiday destination: Tasmania, Vanuatu and Fiji – anything to do with a beach or forest

Fave Music: Instrumental and classical

Fave Quote: “The world only exists in your eyes. You can make it as big or as small as you want.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Tell Us Something most people don't know about you? I enjoy ironing, collecting stationery and colouring with gel pens

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Some people discover writing. Others seem destined to stumble into it with an armful of notebooks, a cup of tea and an ever-growing collection of stationery. Mackay author Khloe Ann belongs firmly in the second category.

A proud Mackay local, Khloe Ann spent years working at Mackay Base Hospital before life unexpectedly turned a new page. What followed was an adventure into writing, publishing, editing and mentoring that continues to unfold.

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“Writing, publishing and editing are a whole new world I never thought I'd end up in, but now I’m here, and I’m really enjoying it,” she said.

Following the release of her debut novel, Proskynima, Khloe Ann has become just as passionate about championing the work of other writers as she is about creating her own stories.

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“I'm really enjoying reading people's work. It's really fun just to sit in someone else's position and try and understand why they wrote it and get to know the author through the writing.”

Warm, thoughtful and wonderfully down-to-earth, Khloe Ann hopes to see more support for local authors throughout the region, encouraging businesses and readers alike to embrace the thriving literary community right on their doorstep.

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Beyond the pages of her book, Khloe Ann is a mother, an enthusiastic gardener, a lover of classical music and a woman whose faith shapes her outlook on life.

“When challenges come up, I know that they're there for a reason ... I just have to trust in the Lord and learn from it all.”

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

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And she’s just getting started.

“The sequel's coming.”

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khloeann.com.au

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Photo source: Shutterstock

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The Slade Point foreshore will come alive this weekend as SplashFest Mackay returns for a free community celebration featuring live entertainment, local markets, food, family activities and a celebration of the region’s coastline.

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Hosted by the Slade Point Progress Association Inc., the event will bring together locals and visitors at Ram Chandra Park on Saturday, August 8, from 10am to 8pm.

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Held during Mackay’s whale season and turtle nesting season, SplashFest will showcase the natural environment alongside the creativity and community spirit of the region.

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Attendees can enjoy live music, community performances, local market stalls, handmade goods, food vendors, kids activities, interactive experiences and roaming entertainment throughout the day.

The event aims to provide an opportunity for families, friends and community members to gather by the water, support local performers and businesses, and celebrate the unique coastal lifestyle that makes Slade Point special.

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With activities and entertainment planned from morning through to evening, organisers are encouraging the community to bring a picnic rug, invite friends and family, and enjoy a day of connection, culture and coastal celebration.

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

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

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Parades, markets, fun-days and concerts brought families, tourists, businesses and locals out in force to celebrate and advocate for the reef, whilst sea life-inspired art once again appeared in the fig trees across the foreshore.  

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

By Glenda Brown, President, Creative Connections Whitsundays  

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As the final artworks are packed away following another successful Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition, I'm reminded that the true value of events like these extends far beyond the gallery walls.  

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This year, artists competed for a prize pool valued at more than $9,200 in cash and in-kind awards, in addition to artwork sales throughout the exhibition.  

The Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition has grown into the Whitsundays' leading curated art competition. It provides artists with the opportunity to exhibit alongside their peers, receive professional recognition, connect with new audiences and, importantly, earn income from their creative practice.  

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When people invest in original art, they're not simply purchasing something beautiful for their home or workplace. They're investing in the talent, skill and vision of the artist behind it. They're supporting local enterprise, encouraging creativity and helping build a more vibrant and connected community.  

The Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition continues to grow each year because of the artists who enter, the volunteers who generously give their time, the sponsors who believe in the value of the arts, and the hundreds of visitors who come through the doors to experience the exhibition.  

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On behalf of Creative Connections Whitsundays, thank you to everyone who exhibited, volunteered, visited, voted, purchased artwork or raffle tickets, or simply encouraged an artist along the way.  

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

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Beauty Beneath the Surface Wins Best in Show  

Michelle Brayshaw has been awarded the 2026 Whitsunday Regional Council Best in Show Award at the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition for her striking photographic work, Beauty is skin deep.  

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The exhibition's highest honour carries a $3,000 acquisitive prize, with the winning artwork becoming part of the Whitsunday Regional Council Art Collection.  

Responding to this year's exhibition theme, Beyond Beauty, Brayshaw's work invites viewers to look beyond what first meets the eye. The photograph captures a male and female Chameleon Parrotfish (Scarus chameleon) swimming together across the Great Barrier Reef as they undergo one of nature's most remarkable transformations.  

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Using specialised skin cells controlled by nerve and hormonal signals, these fish can change colour in a matter of seconds. While the vibrant male fades to a striking blue over a white belly, the seemingly subdued female reveals intricate patterns and vivid colourhidden beneath her exterior.  

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Rather than presenting this fleeting transformation as a video, Brayshaw layered multiple still photographs to create a single image that freezes the moment in time. The result allows viewers to pause and appreciate a phenomenon that would otherwise pass in an instant.  

The work beautifully embodies the exhibition's theme by revealing that beauty is not simply what we first perceive, but what is discovered through closer observation and deeper understanding.  

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The Best in Show Award recognises the outstanding artistic achievement represented in Beauty is skin deep and celebrates both the extraordinary biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef and the power of photography to reveal the hidden wonders of the natural world.  

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Next Generation Artists Shine at Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition  

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The future of the Whitsundays' creative community is in good hands, with three talented Year 12 students from St Catherine's Catholic College recognised at the 2026 Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition.  

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This year, Creative Connections Whitsundays introduced the Next Generation Artist Award to encourage and celebrate emerging artists aged 16 to 18. The new award reflects the exhibition's commitment to nurturing young creative talent and providing opportunities for the next generation of artists to exhibit alongside established practitioners.  

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Six young artists were selected as finalists, with three of those representing St Catherine's Catholic College.  

The inaugural Next Generation Artist Award was presented to Lola Hornstra for her compelling mixed media installation, Everything Has Changed.

Sponsored by R&K Kenyon, together with a $100 cash prize generously donated by Cr Jan Clifford OAM, the award recognises outstanding artistic achievement by an emerging artist.  

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Lola's work explored themes of memory, place and personal experience through a combination of painted seascapes, suspended textile prints and driftwood. The moving translucent fabric reflected the fragility of memory, while repeated figures and familiar landscapes symbolised continuity, change and emotional connection across time. Her thoughtful interpretation of this year's exhibition theme, Beyond Beauty, impressed both the judge and exhibition organisers.  

Also recognised as finalists were Taylah Jade for Silent Stories and Evie Flynn for Bleached Bones. Demonstrating the exceptional standard of work produced by these young artists, both Lola and Evie also had additional artworks selected as finalists for the exhibition.  

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Creative Connections Whitsundays congratulates Lola, Taylah and Evie on this outstanding achievement. Their selection among 85 finalist artworks highlights not only their creativity and technical skill, but also the strength of emerging artistic talent within the Whitsundays.    

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Community Chooses 2026 People's Choice Award Winner  

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Creative Connections Whitsundays is delighted to announce Lenny Pennell as the winner of the 2026 Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine People's Choice Award, receiving the $1,000 prize for Beauty in Creation.  

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Unlike the major exhibition awards, which are judged by invited arts professionals, the People's Choice Award is decided entirely by the community.  

Every visitor to the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition has the opportunity to vote for the artwork that resonates most strongly with them, making this one of the exhibition's most treasured honours.  

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Proudly sponsored by Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine since 2024, the People's Choice Award recognises not only artistic excellence, but also the powerful connection between artists and the people who experience their work.  

Celebrating local creativity, connection, and community  

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Whitsundays Writers Festival

Richard Evans

Festival Director and President

hello@whitsundayswriters.com  

Tickets are selling fast for the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival, 13 September! Secure your spot now at whitsundayswriters.com/2026-programme-speakers  

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Creative Connections Whitsunday

Glenda Brown

President

info@creativeconnectionwhitsunday.com  

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Get in touch!

If you would like to submit a poem, creative writing piece, profile suggestion, event information, or share your creative story, please contact hello@whitsundayswriters.com  

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