Burdekin Shire Council is delighted by the strong interest shown following the release of land in Stage 1 of the Ayr Industrial Precinct. Nutrien Harcourt McCathies have received numerous enquiries since the release with negotiations underway for a number of lots. Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said the Ayr Industrial Precinct presents an exciting opportunity for businesses looking to establish or expand their operations in North Queensland. “The strong response to the Stage 1 l
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To ensure your dog and others around them are safe, it is important to keep your pet under effective control. Effective control means holding your dog by a leash that is no longer than 2 metres when you are in a public place such as parks, foreshores or residential areas. It is also essential that you are physically able to control your dog. When you are at home, please ensure that your dog has adequate fencing and is not aggressive towards people or other animals through the fence, including
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Thank you for trusting me to be your representative for another three years. As the reelected Member for Dawson, I will repay your faith by continuing to work hard and fight for our region’s fair share. Saturday night was bittersweet. I celebrated our local team’s increased vote with family and supporters, while also mourning the missed opportunity for the Coalition to form government. Labor has made many promises in retaining government, and I intend to hold them to account for our region. I’
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This month we meet, Drew and Lara Kell-Colliver of Whitsundays Property Buyers – the region’s first and only exclusive buyers agency. Established in May 2024, they offer three core services – a comprehensive buying service from search to settlement: an exclusive access to pre-market and off-market properties; negotiation only service for buyers who want expert guidance to secure the best price, terms, and inclusions; and auction representation providing a clear, confident strategy on auction da
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On April 28, 2025, Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Whitsunday was called into action to assist a broken-down vessel just north of Hayman Island. A quiet afternoon of rest before scheduled meetings was suddenly interrupted by the activation. Ray, the 24/7 emergency phone holder, tasked the crew with the rescue operation, which turned out to be five nautical miles north of the shipping channel. As Ray gathered a crew, the team made their way to Coral Sea Marina. Upon arrival, the crew quickly asse
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Hi Everyone, What are your thoughts on the new dinosaur-themed putt-putt course currently being proposed for Airlie Beach's main street? Do you think the artists' impressions show a potential eyesore, or could this become the all-weather tourist attraction we’ve been asking for? Would a reef theme be a better fit or is it time to embrace a novel concept like a dinosaur attraction - is the reef best explored out on the water or perhaps in the council proposed Marine Discovery Centre? From loca
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Bowen’s polocrosse talent was on show in Roma over the weekend as Shannon and Adam Burns represented the region at the Roma Polocrosse Club Carnival, joining more than 30 teams for a packed schedule of fierce but friendly competition. The Sarina-based duo joined forces with players from Emerald and Tara to form a composite side cheekily dubbed the “Rest of the World” team. Their teammates included Emerald’s Sam Parnell and Brian Wells, as well as Tara locals Wayne Doyle and Russell Stevens. Wi
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A field of 29 clay target shooters converged on Port Denison Gun Club on Sunday, April 27, for the club’s monthly competition — with competitors travelling from across the region to take part in the popular shoot. Visiting marksmen and women hailed from Clermont, Dysart, Mackay/Sarina, Burdekin, Townsville and Silkwood, joining local members for a full program of events held in ideal conditions. In Event 1: 25 Target Double Barrel, AA Grade honours went to T. Coco with a flawless 25/25. A. Lor
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The Whitsunday Game Fish Club’s highly anticipated Queenfish and Trevally Rally is set to hit the water on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May, with all current Game Fish Club members invited to take part in the action-packed weekend of sportfishing. The event will be fished under club rules with an open line class, and anglers will be targeting five eligible species: Queenfish, Giant Trevally, Golden Trevally, Big Eye Trevally, and Gold Spot Trevally. While most competitors are expected to favour s
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The highly anticipated return of the Whitsundays Writers Festival September 12-14, 2025 marks an exciting opportunity for writers of all ages across Australia. The festival announces the launch of the 2025 Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, offering substantial prizes to recognise and honour outstanding contributions to the literary landscape. The Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards’ mission is to spotlight the diverse talents within the Australian creative community while also paying homage to
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The Whitsunday Regional Council is calling on federal support to help bring a world-class Marine Discovery Centre to life, spotlighting the Whitsundays’ critical role as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Despite welcoming around 50% of all Reef visitors, the region currently lacks a dedicated reef education centre - something Council says needs to change urgently. With a funding ask of $4.5 million, Council’s vision for the Whitsunday Marine Discovery Centre includes interactive virtual exp
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Local author and humanitarian Sandy Clark will launch her powerful new memoir, Anyone Can Become a Princess, at Eastwoods in Airlie Beach on June 24. The event, running from 6pm to 9pm, forms part of the “Africa Calls” charity cocktail party supporting Dignity Zambia - Clark’s long-running charitable initiative. Published by international house Austin Macauley Publishers (London, Cambridge, New York, Sharjah), Anyone Can Become a Princess tells the remarkable true story of Sandy’s unexpected ro
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After relocating from Sydney, Mark Edgar and Anna Panton identified a gap in the local market and established Whitsunday European Prestige. They found no nearby services for European cars, and since they had run European Prestige successfully in Sydney for many years, they decided to bring their concept to their new location in 2016. Whitsunday European Prestige specializes exclusively in European car brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Fiat, Peugeot, and Bentley. While the wor
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Get ready to dust off your flared jeans and platform shoes, The Yachtski Brothers are cruising into Airlie Beach for a weekend of retro grooves and outrageous fun as part of the Airlie Beach Hotel’s 57th birthday celebrations. Making their Queensland debut, the band is known for their high-energy performances, vintage fashion, and a stage show that’s as much theatre as it is music. Drummer and Manager Tom Coppolas said the group is thrilled to be bringing their unique act north. Tom said The Y
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A spur-of-the-moment decision saw 20-year-old Mac Rogers change the trajectory of his life when he came across an ad for the YouFor2032 Olympic Testing Sessions and decided to give it a try. After tests that included the beep test, sprints, pull-ups, and detailed physical measurements such as height, wingspan, and body composition, the combined data revealed that Mac had the potential to excel in as many as five sports. He was told he could succeed in beach volleyball, pole vault, boxing, cano
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At the Metropole Hotel Proserpine, they believe in more than just great service, they believe in the community. At the driving force behind the retail and corporate liquor sales division is Bruce Spannagle. With over 20 years of experience in the liquor industry, Bruce brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and a genuine passion for helping local businesses and customers alike. Whether you're a café, restaurant, event organiser, or small business, Bruce and the Metropole team are there to ma
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Proserpine State High School student Allegra Bradley has returned to Australia after her life-changing Anzac Tour of Europe walking in the footsteps of our Anzacs. The trip was made possible because Allegra was named one of the eight Premier’s Anzac Prize recipients from across Queensland for 2025. As part of the application process, Allegra had to submit a video research project about a local service person. “I met with local historians and ex-service men who were very kind to share with me
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Television presenter Greg Grainger has been in Bowen and Collinsville filming for an episode of “Travel Oz”. The show is expected to be aired on Channel 7TWO at 8.30am on Saturday, May 17. It will also be aired on international TV. The crew were hosted by Bowen Tourism and Business with co-sponsors – Rose Bay Beach Caravan Park, the Collinsville Community Association, Meraki Whitsundays, and the North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said
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Proserpine Golf Club celebrated its centenary in style with a three-day golf festival over the weekend. Friday kicked off with a 9-hole competition followed by sunset canapés, with ticket options including golf and gift packs or an evening of gourmet treats. Saturday upped the ante with an 18-hole showdown and a celebration dinner, offering a three-course feast and great company. The festivities wrapped up on Sunday with a 3-Ball Ambrose event, where teams were invited to tee off in a friendl
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Bowen State High School is set to bring the house down with its production of ‘School of Rock’, a high-energy musical based on the 2003 Paramount film. The story follows wannabe rock star Dewey Finn, who poses as a substitute teacher and secretly transforms his straight-A students into a rock band in time for the Battle of the Bands. Featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Julian Fellowes, ‘School of Rock’ has enjoyed global success and now the Bowen stude
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What a week at ATE25! Tourism Whitsundays was proud to represent our region on the global stage in Brisbane. Alongside 10 passionate operators, we formed Team Whitsundays, showcasing the very best of our destination to the world. Across four busy days, we held 84 appointments with international buyers from over 30 countries. Each meeting was an opportunity to highlight the unique experiences and natural beauty that make The Whitsundays so special. Beyond the tradeshow floor, the famil program
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The weather this past week has certainly been a mixed bag, but there’s been a lot of you making the best of it and catching great fish despite it. One thing’s for sure – the drop in humidity has been welcomed by all! Dam The dam has been producing some good barramundi over the past week, particularly in the bays and creeks in the southern part. There have also been some cracking sooty’s coming over the side as a bycatch. The water temperature is starting to drop, which means it’s a great time
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This past week I had the privilege of joining fellow Mayors Greg Williamson (Mackay) and Kelly Vea Vea (Isaac) in Brisbane, as part of a united Greater Whitsunday delegation led by GW3. Over two days, we proudly showcased the strength and opportunity of our region to key state decision-makers – culminating in the Greater Possibilities Showcase at Queensland Parliament House, attended by more than 90 ministers, Director-Generals and invited guests. The flavours of our region made the journey wi
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Social bowls enthusiasts made the most of mixed weather conditions last week, with several solid performances on the green and the long-anticipated return of Barefoot Bowls. On Wednesday, ten players took part in social games, with Trevor Parsons and Philip Brown claiming a convincing 28–11 win over Alen Sanderson and Barry Zillmann. Meanwhile, the trio of Aurora, Bruce Uhe, and Heather Brown secured a 24–15 victory over Arthur Griffith, John Anderson, and Sandy Daffara. Friday night saw the s
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With Easter and Anzac Day behind us, members of the Airlie Beach Bowls Club paused to reflect on the sacrifices of our service men and women. We are reminded how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country—especially here in our own slice of paradise. Tuesday morning saw continued action in the Ladies Singles and Pairs competitions, with only one social game played, meaning no prizes were awarded for the day. On Wednesday, Ted Cullen and Noel Crosbie dominated the green, w
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