Bowen In National Spotlight At Queensland Day All The Best Campaign

Bowen came home with two prizes from the Queensland Day “All the Best” awards in Brisbane last week.

The awards were decided purely by public vote with the Big Mango being named the best “Big Thing” and Birds Fish bar coming home with the prize of “Best Fish and Chips”.

There were 15 categories including best beach, best pub, best burger, best meat pie, best beer and best landmark.

Bowen was the only regional town to win two awards and was well represented at the awards ceremony where Premier David Crisafulli announced the winners on Friday.

Bowen Wins Two Awards
In All The Best Program

The All the Best awards ceremony was broadcast across national television and radio with Olympic Hurdler Sally Pearson interviewing some of the winners on Sunrise on Channel 7.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said our Whitsunday community has always known Bowen is home to some of Queensland’s best and now the rest of the state knows it too!

“The Big Mango taking out ‘Best Big Thing’ and Birds Fish Bar winning ‘Best Fish and Chips’ is a huge win for our region and a well-deserved recognition of two true local icons,” he said.

“It doesn’t get much more Queensland than a giant mango and great fish and chips. These wins are a credit to the people behind both – the team at Birds and the Bowen Tourism and Business team that’s made the Big Mango a must-stop photo op.”

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said to have two awards from Bowen out of 15 categories was a magnificent achievement.

“Obviously, we were thrilled to have the iconic Big Mango win, but we also congratulate Birds Fish Bar for taking out the award for the best fish and chips,” said Leanne.

“The Big Mango’s win was a huge surprise because we knew we had been sitting at Number 2 on the leaderboard, behind the Big Pineapple, in the days leading up to the close of voting.

“We want to thank everyone who voted for the Big Mango, especially in those final couple of days.”

Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business, Jenn Honnery, said Bowen mangoes were superb, and that it was only fitting that our Big Mango won this award.

She paid tribute to the Bowen Tourism and Business team, a dedicated staff and volunteer group that continually promotes Bowen and the region.

The Big Mango was established in May 2002 and is a replica of the “Kensington Pride” variety of mango.

It is 10 metres high and is a favourite selfie spot for travellers.

The Bowen Visitor Information Centre next door attracts more than 52,000 visitors a year which equates to an average of more than 1,000 a week.

The Birds Fish Bar Manager and Director Chloe Bauer said the team at Birds are still buzzing with excitement with the news.

“Everyone's so excited, and we're so incredibly grateful for everyone who voted for us and supports us,” said Chloe.

“It's unreal and not only were we so excited for us at the fish bar, but for what this means to Bowen and the greater Whitsundays.”

Chloe believes their point of difference that won them the award is the authentic boat to plate experience that is available at Birds Fish Bar.

“My family are fishermen also. So, we catch our own seafood and what we don't catch, we can source directly off the boats at our back door,” she said.

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front page - Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business Leanne Abernethy, Birds Fish Bar Manager and Director Chloe Bauer, Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business Jenn Honnery, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, and Sean Macdonald from Birds Fish Bar at the All the Best on Queensland Day. Photo supplied

Queensland Best Big Thing - The Big Mango in Bowen
Sean Macdonald from Birds Fish Bar, Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business Leanne Abernethy, Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business Jenn Honnery, and Birds Fish Bar Manager and Director Chloe Bauer.

Photos supplied

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