Billy Joel And Elton John On Stage

The entertainment never stops at the Airlie Beach Hotel, with one of the biggest races in Australia becoming a local extravaganza.

And with three legendary superstars joining the crew, what a way to spend Melbourne Cup Race Day!

“And we are ready,” said Anthony Mara, AKA Billy Joel.

Having been perfecting his own Billy Joel for over eight years now, Anthony is more than ready to take on Airlie Beach.

But which came first? The likeness or the music?

“Well, I’ve been in cover bands for over 30 years,” Anthony explained.

“I’ve always had the comments that I look like Billy Joel, over my journey. And then, a few years ago, a venue in Adelaide had their main act cancel on them one night, and I pulled the idea of a tribute to them.

“And they loved it, and it just went from there!

“I never planned for things to go this way, but I’m not complaining. I’ve got the beard, we have similar styles and I’ve been a fan of Billy Joel since I was a teenager.”

Joining him on stage is Greg Andrew, AKA Elton John.

The pair have come off the back of a national tour, celebrating the 25 years since Billy and Elton toured Australia together.

“For me,” Anthony started, “I love performing with Greg because I get such a great appreciation of Elton John’s music, and I know Greg gets such a great appreciation for Billy Joel.”

According to Anthony, the show will be “hit after hit after hit”.

“We duet with each other, Greg performs some of Billy’s songs, and I perform some of Elton’s songs, it’s just such a great event of some of the best music,” Anthony said.

The entertainment will be up close and personal, which is something that Anthony loves.

“We mainly perform in theatre halls and concert centres, so we love having a venue like Airlie Beach Hotel, where we’re so close to the action and can really interact with the crowd,” Anthony said.

WHAT: Melbourne Cup Tropicana

WHERE: The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel

WHEN: Tuesday November 7, from 10am

TICKETS: whitsundaytickets.com.au

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Billy Joel and Elton John on stage together for a massive day at Airlie Beach Hotel

Anthony Mara, AKA Billy Joel, is ready to rock Airlie Beach

Greg Andrew, AKA Elton John, will bring his all to the stage

Performing alongside each other, there is no better way to spend Melbourne Cup Day. Photos supplied

This was the first year Tasman Holiday Parks Airlie Beach entered the Whitsunday Tourism Awards, which made the recognition extra special for the local team of hardworking individuals.

The holiday park was awarded bronze in the Caravan and Holiday Parks category, an honour that the operators say is largely due to their incredible team.

“We’re very happy to be recognised – our entire team work tirelessly on the ground to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests,” said Lynn and Stephen Clough, Park Managers at Tasman Holiday Parks – Airlie Beach.

Adopting the prestigious Tasman Holiday Parks brand has enabled the park to reach new heights in recent years, with the addition of facilities that guests have been enjoying.

“What makes us unique is our diverse accommodation options,” said Lynn and Stephen.

“From glamping tents, our brand-new tiny homes, villas, caravan sites and camping sites.”

The extensive accommodation offerings allow for maximum flexibility so that each option becomes a comfortable home away from home for all guests, whether that be families, couples, or groups of friends.

The park also offers an array of free in-park activities and a wonderful pool and play precinct for families.

A place where visitors can relax and unwind, meet other like-minded people, and watch their children discover simple-nature-based play – Tasman Holiday Park Airlie Beach is a holiday community founded on fun and adventure.

Just a short three-minute drive to Airlie Beach town centre, the park is also conveniently located close to all services including local marinas for tours out to the Whitsunday Islands.

Whether guests want to venture out on day trips, head to town for a meal or relax within the park grounds, everything is at their fingertips.

Most importantly, however, the experience is made even more special by the on-site staff who oversee everything from the maintenance of the grounds to warm welcome when guests first arrive.

“We would like to thank the entire team,” said Lynn and Stephen.

“From our wonderful reception team, housekeeping and our grounds team. We wouldn’t be here today without our wonderful team on the ground.

“Tourism in the Whitsundays is super exciting – it is such a wonderful part of the world, and we still can’t believe that the Great Barrier Reef is in our backyard. We’re incredibly grateful to be in this part of the world.”

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The friendly team at Tasman Holiday Parks – Airlie Beach. Photo supplied

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Get your best black and white outfits ready, because the coveted Zonta Club of the Whitsundays annual Derby Day is back, and ready to make sure your Melbourne Cup weekend is perfect.

And thanks to local businesses, there are bigger and better prizes on offer at the event this year.

Don’t miss the luxury holiday package to Hamilton Island, or a night’s stay on Daydream Island, in one of the pristine ocean view rooms.

“We have about $20,000 in just prizes alone!” explained Pam Harrison, a member of the local Whitsunday Zonta Club.

“From Port Douglas holidays to a dinner at Fish D’vine, beauty prize packs, and great sheet sets, there are so many opportunities to win.”

Pam has been instrumental is gathering and organising the vast number of prizes and fundraising efforts for the day.

“I’m pretty good at it, and I just know a lot of people. I’ve been fundraising for years, and our Zonta Derby Day is one of our major fundraising days of the year,” she explained.

“We usually are able to raise about $20,000 from the event, and we put it towards our women and girls’ scholarships and other advocacy projects that we do in the region.”

Now, using a quote from the Zonta ladies:

“Move your bloomin’ arse and get your ticket today!”

WHAT: Zonta Club of Whitsundays Derby Day

WHERE: La Tabella

WHEN: Saturday, November 4, from 11.30am

TICKETS: whitsundaytickets.com.au

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Wear your best black and white outfit, for a great day of fun! Photo supplied

Airlie Beach Festival of Music is keeping us cool with some of the best music and artists coming to the region for four days of unstoppable, legendary music, so how will you party?

Are you the causal listener? Purchasing tickets only for the days you wish, with options to purchase individual Friday, Saturday, and Sunday tickets, between $120 and $130 in price each.

And don’t forget the mind-blowing Passport To Airlie finals, taking place on Thursday afternoon on the main stage, from a cost of just $10 entry.

Or what about the exclusive Monday Afterparty at Northerlies, for a modest $20 entry.

Why stop the party on a Sunday, keep it going from 1pm Monday at Northerlies, bask in the sunshine and beast the Monday blues. With a lineup including Bourbon Street, Matty rogers, Lucy Gallant, and Wave Raiders, this event perfectly ends the mammoth weekend of legendary music.

For the festival-lover, however, the three-day pass is a must! This ticket includes access to all three days of music, into each and every single venue, into the unforgettable Passport to Airlie finals, and the Northerlies Afterparty, this pass may as well be a full five day unlimited ticket, for the small price of $300.

Now, perfect for the avid fans, the VIP Package is for you. With unlimited access to every single venue across the festival, the afterparty, Passport to Airlie, you also have access to the exclusive VIP area in the Main Stage Tent.

With exclusive bathrooms, tables, chairs, and daily six-hour food and drinks package with some of the best beer, cidre, wine and spirits, this package looks after you all weekend long.

Now, how are you partying this Airlie Beach Festival of Music?

WHAT: Airlie Beach Festival of Music

WHERE: Venues across Airlie Beach, and the Main Stage at Whitsunday Sailing Club

WHEN: Thursday November 9 to Sunday November 12

TICKETS: airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au

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Are you ready for the party of the season? Photo supplied

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Don’t miss the event of the year, with PCYC Whitsundays hosting a spook-tacular Halloween disco this Saturday.

Perfect for all ages, this will be fun for the whole family!

Under 8s dance floor from 5pm to 6pm

Over 8s from 6.30pm to 8pm

And dinner is covered, with the PCYC selling yummy hot chips with gravy and drinks from the club.

Now, get your best scary Halloween costume ready, with your best dancing pants, and head to PCYC for a night your children won’t forget!

WHAT: PCYC Whitsundays’ Halloween Disco

WHERE: PCYC Whitsunday

WHEN: Saturday October 28, from 5pm

TICKETS: $5 entry, and includes a bottle of water, available from the door on the night or call 4948 1144 for more information

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Get your best Christmas outfit ready, and begin the jingles, we’re having a rocking Christmas this November!

Tiny Homes Project are gearing up for their next iteration of fundraising events, leading us into one of the best Christmas celebrations around.

Legend Peter Tilbrook, a massive 60s and 70s musician, and lead vocalist of Masters Apprentice, is ready to rock the afternoon away, bringing his timeless classics and fantastic sounds all the way from Adelaide.

Brad Soboot will host the auction, with some massive prizes on offer, and the silent auction will be returning.

“Thanks to the sponsorship support of the Whitsunday Sailing Club, our last fundraising event for the Tiny Homes Project should be a winner,” said Sandy Clark, Fundraising Coordinator and Associate Board Member of not-for-profit Whitsunday Housing Company.      

“We are almost ready to start the build of four tiny homes for homeless women 55-plus in the Whitsundays under the guidance of volunteer Mark Thompson.

“It’s been a full-on year and a great effort from our local community banding together at so many important levels to make this possible.

“We continue fundraising for this pilot study as we move forward to develop a sustainable model for ongoing years as low budget rentals for this age group will continue to be an issue Australia wide”.

WHAT: Rock’n Roll Christmas Luncheon

WHERE: Whitsunday Sailing Club

WHEN: Saturday November 18, from 12pm

TICKETS: $110 per person, through Airlie Events https://bit.ly/Rock_Luncheon

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Peter Tillbrook, ex Masters Apprentice will make a special appearance at the final Tiny Home Project Fundraiser of the year. Photo supplied

SPECIAL AWARDS

Year 7 21st Century Learner Award Ellie-Rose Davies

Year 8 Encouragement Award Dihansa Wijethunga

Year 9 School Citizenship Award Matthew Mendoza

Year 10 St Vincent de Paul Scholarship Arwen Edwards-Bland

Foxx LaMonica

Year 10 ADF Future Innovators Award Macy Werner

Year 10 Clint Greenhill Spirit Award Mia Vloedmans

Year 11 Agnes Pini Award Reid Ogden

Year 11 Emerging Potential Bursary Ebony Crighton

Year 11 James Cook University Shield Hurley Diessel

Year 12 Cindy Seawright Award Tristan Porter

Year 12 Whitsunday ZONTA Club Bursary Scarlett Foti

Year 12 School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Iaden Frederiksen

Year 12 ADF Future Innovators Award Sam Rogers

Year 12 JCU Rising Star Scholarship Scarlett Foti

SPECIAL SPORTING AWARDS

Sportsboy Award Oliver Dibben

Sportsgirl Award Jaylynn Matheson-Hone

Sportsman Award Jacob Bell

Sportswoman Award Matilda Dennison

Sportsperson of the Year Lillian Kelly

CULTURAL & YOUTH ACTIVITIES SPECIAL AWARDS

Junior Secondary Instrumental Music Award Josephine Watson

Instrumental Music Award Ethan Smith

Public Speaking Award Sam Rogers

Cultural Award Jahla Thompson

LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Junior Secondary Leadership Teamwork Award Ellie Parker

Year 10 ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award Abbie Green

QATSIF Young Indigenous Leader Award Isabella Allan

Year 11 Leadership Teamwork Award Reid Ogden

Year 12 ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award Riley Stuchbree

Citizenship Award Sam Rogers

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Hamilton Island Extraordinary Achievement Award Giselle Tronc

Dawson Medal Riley Stuchbree

Junior Secondary All Rounder Award Danni Muller

Peter Maywald Quiet Achiever Award Georgia Butler

Ampol Best All Rounder Abbie O’Sheehy

Top Scholar – JCU Shield Sam Rogers

Student of the Year Sam Rogers

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Photo credit: Bronte Hodge and supplied

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2023 Special Award Recipients

Primary Commendable Academic Progress Award - Charlee Morris

Secondary Commendable Academic Progress Award - Violette Matthews

Agnes Pini English Award - Cai Scott-Fitzgerald

JCU Academic Encouragement Awards - Sonny Telford & Poppy Thomas

Vocational Education and Training Achievement Award - Hannah Daley

Hamilton Island Extraordinary Achievement Award - Jy Parkinson

Performing Arts Award - Teagan Rodriguez

Primary Sportsperson of the Year - Breeze Mee

Secondary Sportsman of the Year - Jy Parkinson

Secondary Sportswoman of the Year - Isabella Pisaniello

Australian Olympic Change Maker Award - Alistair Adams

Champion House - Ignatius

Lois Oliver Spirit & Service Awards

Year 5 - James Davies

Year 6 - Lucy Harriott

Year 7 - Isabella Pisaniello

Year 8 - Anisa Helou

Year 9 - Brianna Ninnes

Year 10 - Poppy Thomas

Year 11 - Eleanor Baldock

St Catherine's Primary All Rounder Award - Charlee Morris

St Catherine's Secondary All Rounder Award - Teagan Rodriguez

Whitsunday Zonta Club Bursary - Elizabeth Gill

The Spirit Of Catholic Education Award - Aimee Mitchell

The Dawson Medal - Kendall Croucher

Strength in Faith Award - Kai Telford

House Spirit Cup - Frayne

Deus Caritas Est Award - Kai Telfor

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KUCOM THEATRE REVIEW BY MIKI PONTING-BOYD

You don't need to travel all the way to Sydney for world-class theatre, because you'll find it right here in Mackay with Kucom's latest production "Things I know To Be True", by Andrew Bovell.

Set in the home of your "typical" Aussie family, this masterpiece delves deep into the complexities of family dynamics, exploring love, loss, betrayal, morals and the dilemma of "how to share personal struggles with others when those others are the cause".

I wasn’t expecting to be taken on such a rollercoaster of emotions. Stunning and powerful, this show hits you in all of the feels.

I'll be honest, the risk with a suburban family drama is that it has the potential to fall into the realm of offensively stereotypical, (been there, seen that). Fortunately, Kucom's production, under the direction of the talented Victor Scott, is refreshingly cliche-free, presenting a beautifully modern depiction of a family that we can all relate to, in one way or another.

This is Victor's second time directing Andrew Bovell's work, and his experience is evident, with sophisticated staging, epic direction and a perfectly chosen cast.

Every actor was perfection, bringing raw, honest and engaging performances with empathy for each other that was seriously next-level. Their genuine reactions to events in the storyline were extraordinary, and I was engrossed with every developing minute.

Special mention to the accompanying soundtrack, curated by Victor, which adds a texture and layers to the production - so many goosebumps!

At the risk of giving away the ending, the gut-wrenching finale stayed with me for a long time, so this is my recommendation that you wear extra-strength waterproof mascara.

In conclusion, you absolutely must go see this extraordinary show - 19 to 28 October at Kucom Theatre.

Chef's kiss to the cast and crew. More, more more!!!

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Friday 20 October

Guided Walks in the Gardens

10am – 11:15am

A guided walk in the Gardens. These walks last about an hour and are conducted at a leisurely pace.

While bookings are preferred, individuals can phone the gardens at 07 4952 7300 or email botanic@mackay.qld.gov.au to reserve their spot.

Every Friday until the end of October. | Free entry.

Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

Friday Night Live Music

Every Friday from 5pm

Join us on Friday’s from 5pm for live music from our local favourites, good food and great company. | Free entry.

Boomerang Hotel

Anette Worthington (Live)

From 6:30pm

Don’t miss out on an evening filled with awesome music and non-stop dancing. See you there! | Free entry.

Seabreeze Hotel

Ron & Deb Duo (Live)

6:30pm – 10:30pm

Come along for a great night of live music at The Burb. | Free entry.

Souths Suburban Bowls Club

Paint & Sip

Every Friday at 5:30pm

The After Work Quickie event teaches you the skills to paint on canvas, while having a few cheeky drinks. BYO.

Book tickets at bottletopsandbrushes.com/shop

Studios 104 Victoria Street

Saturday 21 October

Mackay Showground Markets

6am – 10am

Local Produce, Natural products, Seafood, Plants and much more.

Weekly event, held every Saturday. | Free entry.

Mackay Showgrounds

Falun Gong Classes

Every Saturday from 10am

Falun Gong offers you relaxation, meditation, inner peace and health through movement.

You’re invited to come along and experience a session in the beautiful surroundings of the Botanic Gardens.

Live Music Saturdays

Every Saturday from 2pm – 5pm

Enjoy good tunes and great vibes every Saturday from 2pm. | Free entry.

The Kooyong Hotel

The World Goes 'Round

2pm & 7:30pm

The World Goes 'Round is a stunning revue of the songbook from the multi-Tony award-winning team, Kander and Ebb.

From Cabaret to Chicago, the nonstop hit-parade features unforgettable gems, including "Mr. Cellophane," "Maybe This Time," "Cabaret" and "New York, New York." | Tickets online.

Central Queensland Conservatorium Of Music

Lucid Wings (Live)

6:30pm – 9:30pm

Lucid Wings Duo will be gracing the stage for a live music performance that you won’t want to miss. | Free entry.

Seabreeze Hotel

Global Grooves 2023

3pm – 8pm

Travel the world in a single afternoon and celebrate our vibrant cultural communities that together make up our proud Mackay region.

Featuring an array of performances from multicultural artists, local community groups, and a range of talented musicians.

Get your groove on or take part in the many activities and workshops on show throughout the event. | All ages event - Free entry.

Queens Park

Sunday 22 October

Come and Try Lawn Bowls

10am – 11:30am

Enjoy a fun session learning to play. Bowls provided or bring your own. Wear comfortable clothing, flat soled footwear, socks or barefoot. Families, workplaces and individuals welcome. | Free entry.

Mackay City Bowls Club

Country to the Coast

From 12pm

Saddle up and join Mackay’s most exciting country event! Live music from Jessica Cash (12pm - 3pm) and Tyla Rodrigues (3pm – 6pm), ride the mechanical bull and visit the petting zoo!

Akubras & Boots are more than welcome! Show off your country style and strut your stuff. | Free entry.

Seabreeze Hotel

Sunday Bingo

Every Sunday from 7pm

Come along and you could win! | Free entry.

South Leagues Club

St. Joseph’s Christmas Fair

12pm – 4pm

Show rides, jumping castles, face painting and glitter tattoos, kids craft activities, games with fantastic prizes. Meat tray wheel, hot food stalls, dessert bar, live music and bar. | Free entry.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, North Mackay

Monday 23 October

Toddler Time

9:30am – 10am

The session features nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs. It's never too early to talk, read and tell stories with your child. Bookings are essential - one ticket required per attendee. | Tickets online.

Gordon White Library  

Tuesday 24 October

Retire Happy Mackay

5:30pm – 6:45am

This session is designed to give you the tools to start building a better retirement now. This casual and easy-to-understand seminar includes a guide on how to retire, including how much you need in retirement and what to consider when retiring, the latest legislation updates, as well as Centrelink benefits you may be entitled to. | Tickets are complimentary for BUSSQ members and their spouse, partner, or friend.

Souths Leagues Club

Baby Bounce

9:30am – 10am

Baby Bounce promotes language development in babies from birth to walking.

The session features nursery rhymes, finger plays and songs. It’s never too early to talk, read and tell stories with your child. Please bring a small blanket for your child.

Bookings are essential - one ticket required per attendee. | Tickets online.

Sarina Library

Wednesday 25 October

Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase | Mackay

From 7:30pm

The Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase Tour will be tearing up the freeways of Australia. Boasting a line-up of festival favourites and some of the freshest emerging talents, this jam-packed night of pure entertainment is bringing the best of the fest direct to you!

Expertly curated and lovingly presented, the Showcase will feature some of the Festival’s hottest acts live on stage for an incredible two hours of hard-hitting laughter. | Tickets online.

Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre

Teen Shed Mackay Teen Circle

Every Wednesday, 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Teen Circle is a place for all teens in the community to come together. It's a safe space for them to connect, heal and learn from each other. This gathering will be held every Wednesday, all teenagers are welcome to attend. It is a free event, but attendees are asked to register for numbers.

Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School

Mackay Farmers’ Market

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

Shop fresh, shop local. The Farmers’ market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce. Enjoy a morning beside the Pioneer River and buy 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. $5 for members and $8 for non-members after that. For further enquiries call 0408 983 911.

58 Macalister St, Mackay

Thursday 26 October

Mackay Riverside Market

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

Come and meet your local growers, bakers and makers, chill on the lawn listening to some beautiful tunes and grab some delicious dinner and dessert.

Bluewater Quay

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Annette Worthington

Lucid Wings

Country to the Coast

Sydney Comedy Festival

Global Grooves 2023

St. Joseph’s Christmas Fair

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Each Friday in October, Mackay Regional Council’s Economic Development team hosts a ‘lunch and learn’ event, Yarning Together, as part of celebrating Indigenous Business Month.

The weekly event was created as a platform for the business community to come together in a casual setting, to promote and showcase Indigenous businesses by ‘having a yarn’ and spreading awareness of their prominence in the Mackay region.

Mackay Regional Council Director of Planning, Growth and Sustainability, Aletta Nugent, said the first event on 6th October was a great success for all in attendance, with others dropping by to find out more about the event.

“The main goal of these events is to assist local Indigenous businesses to gain more visibility and access to potential customers and partners,” Ms Nugent said.

“The business representative is given a platform to showcase their products and services. This involves yarning and storytelling about their products or services and distributing promotional materials,” she said.

Ms Nugent said there was also an emphasis on fostering collaboration and partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses and organisations.

“This provides real opportunities for attendees to network with Indigenous business owners, potential partners, investors, and customers and build future relationships,” she said.

Yarning Together events are open to everyone, with the best way to get involved being to attend the event as a participant.

By attending, you can show your support for Indigenous businesses and learn more about their products and services.

You can join the final two Yarning Together events on Fridays from 11:30am to 1:30pm in the City Centre, outside 77 Victoria Street.

For further information on Indigenous Business Month, visit indigenousbusinessmonth.com.au

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Attendees celebrate Indigenous Business Month at Yarning Together event - Photo supplied

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Mackay Central’s Class Of ‘72 Reunion

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Mackay Central State School is gearing up to commemorate the reunion of the Class of 1972, scheduled for 21st October.

The organising committee for the event have been busy planning celebrations, with reconnections and recollections set to make this an extraordinary time for past students of the graduating class.

The event will begin with an escorted tour through the school on Saturday morning, followed by an afternoon gathering at 2pm in the Metropolitan Hotel.

It will be a day of reminiscent good times, with two former teachers as special guests, a walk down memory lane with a host of photos, and ‘telegrams’ from those who are unable to join.

Mackay Central State School is calling out to those who they may have missed in contacting past students, with it not being an easy task to locate everyone.  

If you see yourself, a friend or relative in these images, be sure to reach out to Mackay Central as they would love to catch up with everyone available to attend.

Any classmates who would like to stay on for dinner or know anyone pictured that would like to attend, please contact the ‘1972 Mackay Central Graduating Class Reunion’ page on Facebook.

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Class 7A

Class 7B

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Treat your senses to a world tour this weekend at the Mackay region’s largest celebration of multiculturalism.

Global Grooves will transform Queens Park into a global village this Saturday, October 21, from 3pm to 8pm.

The festival will feature fascinating cultural workshops, mesmerising dance performances and global music, markets, and a smorgasbord of international cuisines.

There will be Maltese and Italian baked goods, lechon (Filipino rotisserie pig), curries, dumplings, German sausages, Dutch poffertjes, Greek kebabs, Chinese and Malaysian specialties and so much more.

Deputy Mayor Karen May said council had recently celebrated swearing in people from 100 different nations at our region’s citizenship ceremonies.

“To be able to say that the Mackay region is made up of cultures and customs from 100 different nationalities is amazing,” Cr May said.

“And, while we won’t have all of those cultures on display at Global Grooves, we will have at least 20 – whether that’s through their cuisine, traditional dress, dance, workshops or market stalls,” she said.

Festivals and Events Coordinator Sarah Porter said Global Grooves was a free community event and this year the workshops on offer would allow residents to immerse themselves in cultural practices and dance.

“There will be workshops on traditional Māori tattooing and dancing, Papua New Guinean coconut weaving, Cuban dancing and rhythm circle drumming,” Ms Porter said.

This is a fantastic opportunity for festival goers to learn skills from cultural experts who are generously sharing their traditions with the community,” she said.

Filipino community leader Vivien Hanrahan said Global Grooves presented a unique opportunity.

“Mackay has many passionate multicultural communities, and they all have their festivities during the year to celebrate and showcase their cultures, but Global Grooves is special because it brings them all together and gives people a taste of a variety of cultures,” Ms Hanrahan said.

Please note, Global Grooves is an alcohol-free event. For a full list of market stalls and food vendors, visit the Mackay Festivals Facebook page at facebook.com/mackayfestivals.

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Excitement has reached fever pitch ahead of the Whitsunday Tourism Awards which will be taking place at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC) this evening.

Over 300 tourism operators are presently donning their sparkling cocktail dress, tightening their ties, buffing their shoes and styling their hair ahead of what is expected to be a vibrant evening of celebration.

Taking on a new format this year, the Whitsunday Tourism Awards will commence with a formal cocktail stand-up setting in the outdoor grounds of the PEC.  

A ten-course stand-up meal will be served to guests, and everyone will have a chance to connect with conversation and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere, feeling the exhilaration of what is to come.

Soon, guests will be beckoned into the auditorium, taking a seat in the theatre for the formal part of the evening where the award winners are announced.

Time to celebrate personal achievements and the achievements of peers, the awards will be a highlight of the evening and quickly followed by more merriment as guests are welcomed to the after party.

Outside to the beautifully decorated grounds, guests will enjoy the soft tropical breeze and a starry night sky while listening to The Collective Party Band and chatting with friends.

With a reputation for being at the heart of any good party, tourism operators will undoubtedly pack the dancefloor, busting some classic moves and enjoying time to relax.

Present on the evening will be Andrew Willcox MP, Federal Member for Dawson, The Honourable Michael Healy MP, Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Member for Cairns, Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall, Councillors Gary Simpson, Jan Clifford and Clay Bauman.

WHAT: Whitsunday Tourism Awards

WHERE: Proserpine Entertainment Centre

WHEN: Friday, October 20

TOP TIP:

Try a PEC on the Cheek cocktail!

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With CEO Of Tourism Whitsundays, Rick Hamilton

A shining light in the annual event calendar, the Whitsunday Tourism Awards are a time for everyone in the tourism industry to connect, celebrate and recognise the dedication of all local businesses.

When Rick Hamilton became the CEO of Tourism Whitsundays two years ago, one of his first goals was to reinstate the annual awards that had been halted due to Covid.

“Everyone was struggling at the time,” he recalls.

“So, when the borders re-opened the first thing we wanted to do was re-introduce the Tourism Awards.

“They bring the community together and there are so many operators that are so busy in their working lives that sometimes they don’t really get a chance to celebrate as a community.

“The Tourism Awards offers them that opportunity.”

And while the Whitsunday Tourism Awards are a regional celebration, they also offer winners an avenue to grow, expand and been seen on a national playing field.

“Winning an award opens so many doors for people – not only from an awareness perspective but also when you get to the state and national level, it not only opens you up to a national audience and of course government funding,” explains Rick.

“When you’re looking at how you’re going to grow and expand your business – there are always government funds available – with an award you can get the attention of a lot of people in Brisbane.”

Rick says that the Tourism Awards are a “crowning moment of the year” and that he looks forward to celebrating with the broader industry.

“The winners go to state and national level, they help us carry the flag and we are very proud of that.”

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