ON THIS DAY February 13th 1986.

Improvements at St. Caths. 
Students now have a covered play area to give shade and weather protection. A new school bus has also been purchased and the school has also entered the computer age with $6000 spent on computers, keyboards and printers. 
$1,888,000 for Bruce Highway. 
This was the total cost of upgrading the Highway between Bowen and Proserpine announced by local member Geoff Muntz including reconstruction from Myrtle Creek to past North Gregory. 
Pindar Variety Suffers. 
A violent windstorm destroyed 1000 tonnes of Pindar variety cane but this proved the value of other varieties that showed little or no damage under the same conditions.
Bridge. 
There was extremely good attendance for Monday’s 7 table competition which resulted in a win for Gail and Harry Walsh with Kath Kelly and Sybil McDowall in 2nd place. 
Island Camping Encouraged. 
18 beachfront camping sites in the Whitsundays have been opened from Gloucester down to Repulse Bay for both regular tour operators and private sailors. The sites have been zoned in the north down to Grimston Point, then between Hook and Henning, and South from Shaw to South Repulse.
Lions Donate To Hospital.
Secretary Wally Hinschen presented the money which will be used for the purchase of a defibrillator. 
Videos of ‘Nasties’ Upset Tourism Trade. 
Queensland Surf Lifesaving Association’s plans to show videos of sharks and stingers on incoming international flights to warn visitors of the dangers has been criticised by Tourism operators who fear they would frighten of tourists. 
Airlie Bloods A.F.L.
Pre Season. 20 people attended the meeting where Doug Murray was appointed as coach for the third season. Entering A and B Grade teams in the Mackay Competition was discussed. 
Stock Horse Society AGM. 
Whitsunday Branch elected Reg Gillen as president with Rose Gough and Jenny Searle as secretary and treasurer. 
Cannonballs. 
Proserpine Historical Society was investigating the origin 4 and a half cannonballs each weighing 36 pounds found on Long Island long ago. Several ships that had been wrecked in the area dating from the 19th century were listed as possible sources. 
Solar Power. 
Much interest was being shown in the display of solar equipment set up by Whitsunday Solar Services in Bowen. Rain and cloudy skies did not interfere with a bore pump which pumped water with power from 2 solar panels.