Editor's Note

Hi Everyone,

The atmosphere in Airlie Beach is certainly reaching fever pitch right now!

With the Airlie Beach Festival of Music taking over the town this weekend, musicians from around the country will be gathering to put on a show like no other.

For full details of the event check out our huge nine-page feature inside this paper for profiles on many performers and a festival map showing the location of each of the 15 venues.

Congratulations to our journalist, Bronte, who has spoken to countless musicians over the past few weeks, interviewing both legendary house-hold names and aspiring musos with the same charm and charisma.

The office has enjoyed listening to her on the phone laughing with performers and getting them excited about the weekend.

Another one of my favourite experiences in putting the paper together for you all this week was spending Sunday morning in Bowen.

Not only did we get to take our puppy swimming at Horseshoe Bay, I was also privileged to watch 25 little babies be officially welcomed into the community.

Without a maternity ward in Bowen, the local Lions Club Ladies have taken it upon themselves to formally welcome newborns.

This tradition has been going for 20 years and it was wonderful to see all these beautiful little cherubs proudly held in parent’s arms and celebrated by the broader community.

Congratulations this week also goes to the newly graduated Master Reef Guides – seven local tourism staff recently received the accreditation - their new skills will now give so much depth and meaning to the overall visitor experience.

The diversity of our local community always amazes me each week and I think it is in putting this newspaper together that we witness first-hand how much is happening!

From babies to music festivals to reef guides – the Whitsundays truly is a vibrant and exciting place to live with a large sense of community at its heart.

Quote of the Week: “Be like a pineapple: Stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet on the inside” (Author unknown)