Daly Bay Illuminate 2026 brought four nights of colour, creativity and family fun to Mackay's CBD, with the giant whale projection proving a standout attraction. Photo source: Mackay Regional Council

‍

Daly Bay Illuminate 2026 brought four nights of colour, creativity and entertainment to Mackay's CBD, with visitors exploring illuminated streets, interactive installations and live performances. Among the festival's highlights was the giant whale projection, which proved a popular attraction as families and visitors stopped to admire the display and capture photos throughout the event.

Across the city centre, festival-goers took part in a range of activities, including Curious Legends' hands-on puppet workshops, where children and adults created baby stingray puppets, alongside face painting, glitter tattoos, live drumming and roaming entertainment. The Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub at Bluewater Quay hosted nightly performances by The Orangutans, AJ Minniecon and Yonnipin Corowa, Hot Hot Hot and Pluto Tango, complementing the festival's large-scale projections, First Nations storytelling, community artworks and puppetry.

‍

While many attendees praised the festival's light displays and family-friendly entertainment, some community members suggested future editions could return to Queens Park or the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, saying they preferred the layout and atmosphere of previous events. Others said additional lighting between some installations would help families move more comfortably through the CBD after dark. The feedback comes as Mackay Regional Council continues its efforts to activate the city centre through community events designed to encourage residents and visitors to experience the CBD.

‍

Australian Eagles. Photo supplied: The Australian Eagles.

‍

The Aussie Eagles will return to Airlie Beach, promising a tribute act so close to the real thing that audiences say, "if you close your eyes, you really think you're there."  

‍

The band will play two free shows at Airlie Beach Hotel on Saturday 8^th August and Sunday 9^th August, bringing a set packed with Eagles classics spanning more than 50 years.

‍

While plenty of tribute acts focus on looking like the artists they perform, band founder Shayne Brown said that's never been the goal.

“We don't want to look like them, we don't want to talk like them or dress like them, but we want to sound like them,” Shayne said.

‍

“That's all that really matters.”  

Formed about 10 years ago, Shayne formed the band as a show of respect and admiration.  

‍

‍

‍

“I first heard Take It Easy, which was their first single off their first album, in 1972,” he said.  

“I heard that and I just knew from that point that I wanted to play guitar and play those songs.

‍

“When I take songs out to put new songs in, I've got to think very hard about what songs to take out because there are just so many great ones.”  

Without the pressure of embodying the looks and personas of the arguably the biggest stadium band of all time, the Aussie Eagles craft their band purely around vocals and instrumental talent.  

‍

“It's about who’s the best person for the job,” Shayne said.  

Alongside Shayne on guitar, the band features drummer Michael Thompson, who also handles many of Don Henley's lead vocals, with more than 30 years of experience performing Eagles music. Geoff Taylor takes on many of Glenn Frey's signature songs, while Darren Griffiths anchors the rhythm section on bass and Scot Whatman rounds out the lineup on guitar.  

‍

Over the years, the band has played venues across Australia, including Melbourne’s Crown Casino, Sydney’s historic Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne, the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie and the Canberra Playhouse. Despite the long list, Brown said Airlie Beach Hotel still holds a special place for the group.  

"There's just something magical about the place," he said.

‍

‍

“We like the atmosphere because we've been there so often, we know the staff and it's like coming home to a family.”  

For anyone yet to experience the Aussie Eagles, Brown said fans can expect a faithful recreation of one of rock's most celebrated catalogues, with a focus firmly on the music.

‍

"If you love the Eagles, whether you've seen them or you haven't, it's worthwhile to listen to this band," he said.

‍

JULY

31^st Mike Tyler Stand-up Comedy Night, 7pm, Coral Sea Resort  

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

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

31^st Ed Sheeran Out Loud, 7pm-10pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

‍

AUGUST  

1^st Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition by Creative Connections Whitsunday, 9am-2pm, Whitsunday Sailing Club, Airlie Beach  

1^st Geed Up, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

1^st Great Barrier Reef Festival Fireworks, Live Music & Street Celebrations, 5pm, Airlie Beach Foreshore, Airlie Beach  

1^st Ed Sheeran Out Loud, 7pm-10pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

2^nd Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition by Creative Connections Whitsunday, 9am-2pm, Whitsunday Sailing Club, Airlie Beach  

2^nd Geed Up, 2pm-5:30pm, Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Beach  

2^nd Great Barrier Reef Festival Street Party & Parade, 3pm, Main Street, Airlie Beach  

5^th AFCM Pathways Outreach Concert, 11am-12pm, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, Proserpine  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‍

This week's winning image comes from David Johnson, whose striking capture at Gunyarra, south of Proserpine, perfectly embodies this week's theme, "Bare Trees."

‍

Standing stark against the landscape, the leafless tree is a reminder that beauty can be found even in nature's simplest forms, as well as the rural background echoing the Whitsundays country style.  

‍

A big congratulations to David and thank you to the members of the Whitsundays Amateur Photographers Facebook group for continuing to share such fantastic images from across the region.

‍

Now it's time to turn your lens towards next week's theme, "Fences." Whether it's a weathered cattle fence, a classic white picket, or something creative, we're looking forward to seeing your unique perspective.

‍

31st July

ABH: Ed Sheeran Tribute Show, 7pm-10pm

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

Sorrento: Kaedan McCarthy, 4pm-7pm

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

‍

1st August  

ABH: Geed’up, 2pm-5:30pm

ABH: Ed Sheeran Tribute Show, 7pm-10pm

Sorrento’s: Filippo, 4pm-7pm

KC’s Bar & Grill: Retro Joe , 8pm-10pm

‍

2nd August  

ABH: Geed’up, 2pm-5:30pm,  

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

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

Garden Bar: Kaedan McCarthy, 1:30pm-4:30pm

KC’s Bar & Grill: Retro Joe , 8pm-10pm

‍

3rd August  

Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm  

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

‍

4th August

Sorrentos: Will Heta, 4pm-7pm  

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

‍

5th August  

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

‍

6th August  

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

Sorrentos: Lucy Rose, 4pm-7pm  

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

‍

Museum Day brought together a social crowd.

‍

The Proserpine Historical Museum welcomed extra visitors this Saturday, with locals discovering just how much history is tucked away inside one of the town's most treasured community attractions.

‍

Held as part of the museum's free Open Day marking 25 years on Main Street, the event gave visitors the chance to explore the extensive collection while learning about the Proserpine Historical Museum Society, which has spent more than four decades preserving the district's stories.

‍

Displays highlighting local identities and inventions proved particularly popular, with visitors fascinated to learn about figures including Sidney Cotton and Billy Sing, as well as the Proserpine connection to the invention of the louvre window and the story behind the town's giant bowl.

‍

Children kept busy searching the museum for handcrafted animals hidden throughout the displays, following a special activity worksheet created around pieces made by a former volunteer. Others enjoyed sitting in the museum's original theatre seats while classic films played on screen.

‍

‍

The foyer featured a rolling presentation celebrating the 40 years of the Proserpine Historical Museum Society, alongside displays showcasing the volunteers' work and artwork by local artists.

‍

The visit was not complete without a stop for tea, coffee and homemade slices baked by volunteers using recipes from the society's Tried and True Recipe Book.

‍

By Georgia McDonald

‍

Let’s play a game of musical chairs – the hot seat edition. Each week, I will pull up a chair with one of the talented local musicians who keep the Whitsundays singing, dancing and coming back for one more.

‍

This week, I sat down with soloist Andrew Baldino, known locally as Baldi, who first began performing in the Whitsundays 16 years ago, in fast-paced 10-day trips from Adelaide that would leave him feeling like he needed a holiday from his holiday.

‍

The clock would strike 11pm, the crowd would begin to gather and Andrew would take the stage with his band to play into the early hours at Paddy's Shenanigans in Airlie Beach, before getting up the next day to do it all over again.  

‍

Over time, something changed. What started as a regular work trip became something more. The Whitsundays became more than just a pit stop to perform. Weeks spent here turned into whole winters as it became clear that Airlie Beach was somewhere Andrew could build a life around the music he loves.

Today, Andrew still has his calendar full with bookings, but in-between gigs, he enjoys morning swims and time spent with his dog, having found a balance that allows him to enjoy days in nature, as well as nights in the bars.  

‍

"I redid my relationship with the Whitsundays. I never used to completely understand when people called this place paradise," Andrew reflects. "But now I get it."

‍

After sixteen years of returning to the Whitsundays, Andrew has become a familiar face in the local music scene. He now plans his calendar months in advance, returning each winter to perform across venues throughout the region.  

‍

Andrew notes that one of things that keeps many musicians like him coming back is that unlike many parts of Australia where gigs can be confined to weekends, the Whitsundays offers musicians daily opportunities to perform.  

‍

While love for the place, and for the music, constitute major parts of the equation, Andrew has always approached music as a profession – because to make it work, you’ve got to be willing to hustle.  

Success, he says, comes from building a broad repertoire, gaining as much performance experience as possible and learning to “read the room” and understand what each audience needs before playing the first song.

‍

It’s advice that he now passes on to young musicians:

"Don't just play songs you like. Think about who's in front of you.”

‍

His advice is reflected in the songs he chooses to perform, which bring together generations. When it comes to getting a crowd going, Andrew says there a few songs he can always rely on such as The Pina Colada Song, Valerie and Walking on Sunshine.

Andrew credits much of his musical influence to one band - The Beatles.

‍

“I listened to a heap of The Beatles when I was younger. They are probably the most important to me as far as diversity and what they did, and of course, the amount of times I might refer to them in my brain.”

‍

As for what he is listening to himself, Andrew says in the last year, he discovered American country singer Don Williams.  

“He's very well known in the country scene, but I feel like he filled a massive gap in my country music knowledge. His songs are very simply beautifully crafted songs about love and life. So I'm a Don Williams fan at the moment.”

‍

You can catch Andrew this weekend:

Friday 31^st July – Magnums 3-6pm & KC’s 8pm onwards

Saturday 1^st August - Lola’s Bar 7:30PM

‍

Andrew’s Song Recommendation For The Week:

♫ Tulsa Time – Don Williams ♫

‍

Proudly brought to you by Club Whitsunday, for one spectacular afternoon, Airlie Beach Main Street will transform into a giant 25th birthday celebration by the reef. Photo source: Great Barrier Reef Festival

‍

Airlie Beach's Main Street will burst into colour, creativity and community spirit when the Club Whitsunday Street Parade returns as a highlight of this year's Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival.

‍

From 5pm on Saturday 1st August, thousands of locals and visitors are expected to line the streets as spectacular floats, dazzling costumes and energetic performances celebrate the festival's 25th anniversary with a vibrant reef-inspired birthday party.

This year's theme, 25th Birthday Celebration, invites participants to combine the magic of the Great Barrier Reef with a splash of silver to mark the festival's milestone year.

‍

Festival organisers are encouraging schools, sporting clubs, businesses and community groups to let their imaginations run wild, creating floats and costumes inspired by everything from colourful coral gardens and tropical fish to turtles, sea creatures and underwater party scenes.

Whether marching in costume, performing, or showcasing a creative float, participants will help transform Airlie Beach into a moving celebration of reef life, with plenty of surprises along the way.

‍

The annual parade has become one of the Whitsundays' most loved traditions, bringing the community together in a colourful display of local pride while celebrating the natural wonder that makes the region famous.

Those entering the parade will also compete for cash prizes and bragging rights across categories including Best Business Entry, Best Not-for-Profit Entry and Most Creative & Wacky.  

‍

For spectators, the parade promises an unforgettable evening of entertainment, with the best views available from anywhere along Main Street or from the cafés, bars and restaurants lining the route.  

‍

Whether you're taking part or simply cheering from the sidelines, this year's silver anniversary celebration is set to deliver one of the biggest and brightest street parties the Whitsundays has ever seen.

‍

What: Club Whitsunday Street Parade

When: Saturday 1st August, 5pm

Where: Main Street, Airlie Beach

‍

Children can explore the glowing reef-inspired sculptures during the Great Barrier Reef Festival's much-loved Immerse Art Installation, which transforms the Airlie Beach Foreshore into a vibrant underwater wonderland each evening. Photo source: Great Barrier Reef Festival

‍

The magic of the Great Barrier Reef will come to life in the heart of Airlie Beach when the much-loved Immerse Art Installation returns as part of this year's Great Barrier Reef Festival.

Running from 31st July to 2nd August, the free installation, sponsored by Ergon Energy, will transform the Airlie Beach Foreshore into an enchanting underwater wonderland, inviting visitors to wander beneath glowing corals, colourful marine creatures and spectacular light displays inspired by one of the world’s greatest natural treasures.

‍

‍

‍

Centred beneath Airlie Beach's iconic fig tree and stretching along the foreshore, Immerse has become one of the festival's signature attractions. What began as a single reef-inspired display has grown into an immersive experience, with themed zones including the popular Great Eight Tree and Estuary, alongside animated projections lighting up the Heart Hotel and artistic lanterns illuminating the foreshore entrance.

‍

Created by a talented team of local artists, the installation showcases stunning sculptural corals, fish, turtles and other reef life, all handcrafted from recycled plastics and marine debris. The striking works not only celebrate the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef but also highlight the importance of protecting it by giving discarded materials a second life.

Festival organisers say the artwork reflects both the creativity of the Whitsundays community and a shared commitment to caring for the environment.

‍

‍

Conceptualised by Art Director Margie Murphy the installation has been created by local and regional artists and members of the community, with pieces added annually since its inception in 2021. The core team of artists are Margaret Burgess, Anita Pender, Brigitte Peel and Liz Knight with Donna Maree Robinson creating the reef-themed animated projections.

Whether visitors are admiring the intricate sculptures by day or experiencing the colourful illuminated displays after dark, Immerse promises a unique celebration of art, community and the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. As the foreshore is transformed into a glowing marine wonderland, the installation offers the perfect opportunity for families, photographers and festivalgoers to explore, discover and experience the reef in a whole new light.

‍

What: Immerse Art Installations

When: 31st July-2nd August

Where: Airlie Beach Foreshore, Airlie Beach

Jungle Giants a few years ago at Love signs. Photo sourced: Jungle Giants Facebook.

‍

After Beach Music winds down and the festival fireworks light up the night sky on Friday 8pm, the celebrations are set to continue.

Bloom Festival will keep the party bouncing beachside, with the Reef Bar hosting a special DJ packed event in partnership with Bomba Events.

‍

The lineup includes Spanish techno DJ Jorch Jungle, who is currently touring Australia, and hard techno and bounce DJ Zuero. Adding to the experience, E.Motion will present Hypno Mandala and Buugeng Flow performances, while Inertia will showcase a mix of flow arts and movement.  

Things slow down on Sunday afternoon with the SOLLOS Sunday Session, running from 2pm to 6pm on the Airlie Beach Foreshore.

‍

Hosted by SOLLOS, the tropical Queensland agave farm that has grown Australia's first commercial Blue Weber agave, the session is a chance to relax by the water with live music and the farm's signature Australian Margarita.

Whitsunday musicians Pluto Tango and Chris Booroff will bring the afternoon's entertainment with cool acoustics.  

‍

Pluto Tango's mix of blues, folk, rock and contemporary music offers an easy soundtrack for a Sunday afternoon on the foreshore. With soulful vocals and a relaxed style, the Whitsunday act has become a popular choice at local venues and events.

With years of performing around the region, Chris Booroff has become one of the Whitsundays' best-known local musicians. His blend of blues, rock and roots, paired with warm vocals and an easy stage presence, makes him a natural fit to help round out the festival weekend.

‍

Closing out the Great Barrier Reef Festival weekend, Australian indie favourites The Jungle Giants will bring infectious anthems to Magnums Hotel for the official Sunday night after party.  

‍

Renowned for energetic live performances, the Brisbane band has built a loyal following with hits including She's a Riot, Heavy Hearted and Feel the Way I Do. Their appearance promises a memorable finish to the 25th annual festival weekend.

‍

Founder

‍

The Airlie Beach Foreshore is set to host an evening of live entertainment as Beach Music returns on Saturday 1^st August as a part of the Great Barrier Reef Festival.  

‍

Kicking off from 6pm, the $10 entry event will feature a mix of local favourites and touring acts, giving festival-goers another reason to stay in town after the parade winds its way through Main Street.

Headlining the event is rock-country band Kingswood, whose roots span Melbourne and Nashville. Founded by Fergus Linacre and Alex Laska, the pair and their “Family Band” have been making music together since they were 11 and have since toured extensively throughout Australia and overseas.  

‍

‍

“We like to go little bit wild on stage. We've been around for a while and have done a lot of different genres so there's a bit in there for everyone,” Fergus said.  

‍

Touring has become a way of life for Kingswood. After the COVID-19 lockdowns, the band even built its own tour bus to help tackle a run of 100 shows across the country.  

Airlie Beach holds a special place in their heart, with the group relishing the chance to perform in front of a Whitsunday crowd and spend time near the Great Barrier Reef.

‍

“Really it doesn't matter who's in front of us, we'll cater our set to make sure they have the best time of their life,” said Fergus.  

‍

Bringing a change of pace to the evening is Mackay band Alchemunk, whose funk-inspired sound blends tight musicianship with an infectious stage presence. Expect driving basslines, and plenty of feel-good grooves.

Kicking things off at 6pm is another Mackay based band, Founder, whose relaxed indie sound provides the perfect start to the evening. The four-piece band is known for catchy melodies, with a knack for leaving first-time listeners wanting to hear more long after the final song.  

Completing the lineup is Townsville singer-songwriter Chris Baker, a seasoned performer with nearly two decades of experience at venues and festivals across Australia.

‍

‍

Drawing inspiration from artists including the Eagles, AC/DC, Metallica and Guns N' Roses, Baker blends rock, blues, country, indie, funk and soul into a versatile performance. Over the years, he has shared the stage with Pete Murray, You Am I, Clint Boge and Phil Emmanuel, performing both as a solo artist and with his band.

Fans won't have to call it a night when Beach Music wraps up, with the Chris Baker Band keeping the festival atmosphere alive at Paddy's Shenanigans at the official after-party, giving revellers one more chance to dance well into the night.

‍

Adding a new element to this year's event, aerial performer Kara Enigma will wow audiences with two performances across the evening.

‍

‍

The Whitsunday Foodservice Eat Street will return alongside the popular Reef Bar, which will keep drinks flowing from its foreshore location. Playing on Friday night on the main stage will be local youth band Category 5, four-piece outfit that has become a familiar face on the Whitsundays live music scene.

‍

Featuring Amber Hinschen, Declan Davy, Liam O'Neill and Ava Buckley, the band has spent the past four-and-a-half years performing at festivals, community events and venues across the region, with this being there fourth time performing at the Great Barrier Reef Festival.  

“It just feels like home, we love performing for the locals here and bringing more to the music scene in Airlie,” said Amber.  

‍

The Young Whitsundays Got Talent 2024 and Fast Track Talent Quest 2025 Winners mix a playlist of indie rock, rock and pop covers to give festivalgoers a chill and up-beat drink.

‍

‍

The new permanent swimming enclosure at Dingo Beach is now open, welcoming locals and visitors back to one of the Whitsundays' favourite coastal destinations.  

‍

Rebuilt after being damaged during Cyclone Kirrily in 2024, the new enclosure was shaped by more than 600 community submissions and provides year-round protection from marine stingers.  

‍

The project also pays tribute to Dingo Beach's history, with the original enclosure built by local residents in the 1960s.

‍

Ocean Rafting Team. Photo credit: Zach Houtenville.  

‍

Ocean Rafting Hamilton Island celebrated their first birthday with an afternoon of food, drinks and entertainment alongside the people who helped make the milestone possible.

Held at The Palms, Hamilton Island, the event brought together staff, industry partners and supporters to celebrate the business's first year of operation after acquiring the location from Hamilton Island Watersports.

Guests enjoyed a plethora of great food, drinks, live entertainment, a mid-party joyride as the Ocean Rafting team thanked those who have supported the venture since its launch.

‍

‍

‍

“I think it's absolutely awesome,” Ocean Rafting CEO Cole Claxton said at the party.  

“Having everyone here mingling, our staff are all here to support us… It's a beautiful winter evening, it's really nice.”

‍

With a first year on Hamilton Island now complete, the team is looking forward to building on the success of the past 12 months while continuing to deliver the Ocean Rafting experience that has become a Whitsundays favourite over the past 28 years.

"It's our first birthday on Hammo, but we've got 28 years of experience behind us in Airlie," Cole said.

‍

‍

‍

"I really think we've shaken it up a bit and brought our own signature to Hamilton Island.  

“It's exciting to be able to do what we do from such an amazing place, and we're looking forward to seeing where it goes from here."

‍

‍

Last Saturday, the Bowen PCYC Youth Leadership Team worked together on their monthly beach cleanup, spending an hour and a half tackling the shores of Rose Bay. The group weren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty, getting into every nook and cranny to find rubbish trapped between the rocks.  

‍

Along the way, they had plenty of fun, connected to the environment, and enjoyed each other's company.

The monthly beach cleanups were put in motion by the youths themselves.

‍

“They started it,” said Community Development Officer Kymbellie Butler.

“They came up with the idea and I just made it work for them.

‍

“It helps them to create a healthier and more sustainable community while inspiring others to care for their environment, which they would love to do. That's their goal.”

The PCYC’s next cleanup will take place next month at Mellon's Lagoon, as they continue to make a difference and inspire more locals to roll up their sleeves and help keep Bowen's beautiful coastline clean for generations to come.

‍

The Who’s Who of the Whitsundays Wild West. Photo supplied: Mayor Ry Collins.  

‍

The 2026 Mayor's Charity Ball brought together faces from across the community to raise money for BMA CQ Rescue.  

‍

Held at Proserpine Entertainment Centre, this year's Whispers of the West theme celebrated the region's rural roots, with guests embracing western-inspired fashion.  

‍

Bolo ties, broad-brimmed hats and tweed jackets were paired with flowing prairie dresses, fringed garments and polished cowboy boots, in a stylish nod to country fashion.  

‍

“It looks pretty fantastic here,” Mayor Ry Collins said at the event.

“A lot of people probably forget that we are 95% rural here in the Whitsundays.  

‍

“We have a lot of rodeos every year, there's really cowboy culture and it’s really nice to celebrate that here tonight.”

While the evening was filled with fun and celebration, its lasting impact came through its purpose, raising vital funds for BMA CQ Rescue. The community-funded rescue helicopter service operates around the clock, providing lifesaving care, search and rescue missions, and emergency response across Central and North Queensland.

‍

“Of course, the underlying purpose of the night is that we help each other out,” Mayor Collins said.

‍

“Anyone who has lived here for a period of time has seen that helicopter go over and what that means is they're out trying to save someone’s life.  

‍

“It’s important work, in the central Queensland region, we see more visits from CQ Rescue then any other region.  

“That could be from saving a mine worker, a truck rolling over on a farm, a tourist in distress on the islands, they do real important work when someone' s at their worst, so it’s something really worth supporting.”

‍

Mayor Collins also acknowledged the event's sponsors and the local business community for their ongoing support, crediting them with helping make the annual fundraiser a success.  

So proud that our business community in particular, and such a wonderful range of sponsors are here to support.  

‍

A highlight of the evening was the charity auction, where some of the region's most generous supporters dug deep to bid on a range of exclusive items.  

‍

The auction featured regional artwork, a signed and framed Cowboys jersey, a private tour of the BMA CQ Rescue base, dinner with Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP at Parliament House, and many other unique prizes.

‍

Following dinner, guests were treated to a whip-cracking performance, a spectacular fireworks display and an evening of dancing, with many trying their hand at square dancing as the celebrations continued.  

‍

By night's end, the Mayor's Charity Ball had once again showcased the Whitsundays' strong community spirit, bringing people together in support of a service that saves lives across the region.  

‍

See more photos here:

Part 1: https://www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/social-pics/western-spirit-shines-at-mayors-charity-ball-part-1

Part 2: https://www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/social-pics/western-spirit-shines-at-mayors-charity-ball-part-2

‍