With the rain finally behind us and warm weather settling in, spirits were high at Airlie Beach Bowls Club this past week. Members are eagerly awaiting news on the completion date for the new cover, with fingers crossed for a favourable update soon. Tuesday saw the opening rounds of the Ladies A Grade Singles get underway. Only one social game was played, with Mark Mawson stepping in for Joan McGrath to join Mel Fennell at lead and Sue Dakin at second. The team combined superbly, with Fennell d
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Proserpine Veteran golfers kicked off their 2025 interclub campaign in style, travelling to Home Hill for the first event of the season. A big thank you goes to the Home Hill volunteers who worked hard to get the course into playable condition following recent weather challenges. It was an early start for the 24 Proserpine players who made the trip, with a special thanks to Ken Granger for driving the bus and ensuring everyone arrived safely and on time. A total field of 67 players turned out f
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What a stellar weekend it was last weekend for fishing – total glass out! Unfortunately, the weather won’t be the same this weekend, as howling winds are predicated to be here for the next few days. It’s a good reminder to make the most of every good weather window. Dam There’s been a few good barramundi caught in the dam this past week by anglers who have been trolling deep diving hard body lures. Shallow ones should still be proving successful as well though. If you’re heading to the dam, d
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May 3 How Do You Library? Community Expo, Cannonvale Library, 8:45am-11:45am 4 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am **5 Labour Day ** 6 Tech Help, Cannonvale Library, 2:00pm-3:45pm 8 Proserpine Rock Wallaby Festival 8th – 11th | Exhibition Opening Night 6:30pm 9 Mamma Mia, The Movie Screen at Airlie Beach Foreshore in Coconut Grove, 6:00pm 10 Art in the Park, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 9:00am - varied class start times. Bookings required for class participation, $2
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Friday 2nd May The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Saturday 3rd May The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Beach Boys Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: DJ Night (from 8pm) Coral Sea Pavillion: (Live Music & DJ Session 1pm – 6pm) Sunday 4th May The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Beach Boys Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Paul Fergus Morris (6.30pm – 9.30pm) Coral Sea Pavillion
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The Whitsunday Sea Eagles Senior Women and Junior sides made the journey inland over the weekend, taking on Moranbah in Anzac Round matches played in excellent conditions. The youngest Sea Eagles, the Under 13s, set the tone with a strong performance. In a closely contested match, it was the Sea Eagles who pulled away in the final term, applying the pressure to seal a 39–16 victory. The Under 15s faced a tough task after Moranbah jumped out to an early lead. However, the Sea Eagles fought back
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After a spectacular debut at the Airlie Beach Hotel last year, The Australian Shania Twain Show is making its much-anticipated return and just in time for Mother's Day. The powerhouse behind the show, Ally Friendship, said she can’t wait to bring the fun back to the Whitsundays, promising a night full of singing, dancing, crowd participation, and a few special surprises. "We are absolutely excited to be coming back," Ally said. “We had so much fun last time and, because this one is a Mother's
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Since opening their doors in 2009, Andrew and Wendy Barker have been at the forefront of first aid training and supplies in the Whitsundays, dedicating their work to equipping the community with life-saving skills. Their business, specialising exclusively in first aid courses and supplies, offers everything from basic CPR and first aid to advanced resuscitation and occupational first aid. They tailor their courses to suit a wide range of industries including mining, construction, education, an
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TAFE Queensland’s cookery and hospitality courses at the Whitsundays campus are proving to be a recipe for success, attracting a diverse range of students from around the world, each bringing their own passion for food and customer service to the classroom. Students in both study areas praise the design of the courses, describing them as a well-balanced blend of theory and practical experience. Students typically spend about two and a half days a week in the kitchen, along with time in the com
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In the early hours of Thursday morning (May 1) Whitsunday local Fran Hurndall set off on an incredible journey from Cottesloe Beach (Western Australia) to Sydney. She will run 3,800 kilometres east to raise awareness and funds for domestic and family violence support in Australia. Fran is aiming to do the run in a record time of just 34 days, running 110km per day, for 12-14 hours a day. Fran will burn an average of 8,000 calories a day and tread through more than 10 pairs of shoes as she make
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On Monday 21st April, 10 of our swimmers & their families assisted with placing Australian Flags on the graves of fallen men & women at the Proserpine cemetery in preparation for ANZAC Day. This experience was both humbling & moving for all involved. With over 400 flags placed, it was a big community effort & rewarding to give back to the community that supports us. On ANZAC Day, six dedicated swimmers & their families came together to proudly march at the Proserpine ANZAC Day march. Ti & Sava
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Perfect autumn weather set the stage for an exciting week of lawn bowls, with championship matches, social games and impressive finishes keeping players and spectators thoroughly entertained. In Club Championship Singles action on Wednesday afternoon, Bryan Davy claimed a strong 25–10 victory over Ken Watts. On Saturday morning, Todd Leys edged out David Ling 25–20 in a tightly contested B Singles match. The club extends thanks to those who marked these games. Social bowls on Wednesday afterno
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The Outrigger Whitsunday Regatta returns to Lagoon Beach on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May, with a full weekend of exciting ocean and sprint races ahead. The event opens with the VA-A Moana Hoe marathon from Shute Harbour to Airlie Beach, sponsored by the Whitsunday Sailing Club, featuring 16 OC6 canoes and 17 small craft. Local paddlers James Middleton, Charlie Preen, Bernie Mackie and Paul Tobias will join two athletes from Port Douglas for the Outrigger Whitsunday crew. Strong local hopes in t
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Tomorrow is Election Day. It’s your turn to have your say. So far this year a record number of Australians have voted early, as of Monday this week 17.9% of the enrolling population had voted, by either postal vote or at pre-polling locations. Election Day is tomorrow and all voting locations are open from 8am – 6pm. Voting Locations across the region: • PCYC Whitsundays, 2489 Shute Harbour Rd, Airlie Beach • Bowen PCYC, Cnr Hay St & Queens Rd, Bowen • Queens Beach State School, 37-39 Trac
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Friday 2nd May Football Whitsunday United 6pm – Div 2 Men vs Sarina Saints 8pm – Div 1 Men vs Magpies Saturday 3rd May AFL Whitsunday Sea Eagles 9:15am - U’13’s vs Moranbah 10:40am – U’15’s vs Moranbah 12:15pm – U’17’s vs Moranbah 1:50pm – Senior Women vs Moranbah 3:20pm – Senior Men vs Hawks Rugby Union Raiders – BYE Monday 5th May Whitsunday Touch
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Bluey Fans Rejoice! Bluey’s Home Exhibit Now Open Until 2026! In a major win for Bluey fans, the Crisafulli Government has confirmed that the beloved Bluey’s Home exhibit will be extending its stay in Brisbane until 2026, thanks to overwhelming visitor demand. The immersive experience, inspired by the hit TV show Bluey, has reached an incredible milestone, attracting 200,000 visitors since opening in November last year. Bluey’s World, was recently recognised by TIME Magazine on its World’s Gr
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As Australians pause to honour the sacrifices of our servicemen and women this ANZAC Day, the Mackay RSL Sub Branch is celebrating a new beginning of its own. After years of searching, the organisation has found a permanent base at Illawong Beach, a site that promises to become much more than just a meeting place for veterans. It will be a community wellness hub; a space where healing, support and camaraderie go hand in hand. RSL Mackay Sub Branch President Ken Higgins OAM says the new facilit
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Each ANZAC Day offers a chance to pause — whether that’s at the crack of dawn in silence at a service, or under the marquee at Harrup Park sharing a yarn and a laugh with mates over a game of 2-up. However you mark it, this is a day to reflect on the extraordinary sacrifices made by ordinary Australians and New Zealanders, and to remember the stories that have shaped our families, our region, and our identity. For many of us, those stories are closer than we realise. I’ve walked the poppy-lined
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Two Mackay police officers are being praised after helping deliver a baby girl on the side of the road during a routine patrol. Constable Kaitlin Carrell and Constable Nathan Wessling were conducting patrols when they noticed a vehicle abruptly stopped on the roadside. Upon approaching the car, they discovered a woman in active labour. Without hesitation, the officers leapt into action. “The officers jumped in and helped deliver a healthy baby girl,” A representative from Queensland Police Se
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A new youth basketball program in Mackay will provide over 130 young Australian South Sea Islanders with the opportunity to develop their skills and strengthen community ties, thanks to funding from the Queensland Government’s Strengthening Multicultural Queensland (SMQ) program. The Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association (PCYC) Mackay will receive over $46,000 as part of a broader $1.9 million investment in 26 multicultural community-led projects across the state. The two-year p
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_By Hannah McNamara _ In the heart of Mackay’s Jubilee Park, where monuments to sacrifice already stand in solemn silence, a new voice is being called into the chorus of remembrance. It is the voice of a generation whose service began after the dust of Vietnam had settled, but who stood no less bravely in East Timor, the Middle East, and countless unnamed operations across the globe. These are the quiet soldiers of recent decades, who returned home to Mackay with no grand monument and no ston
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This ANZAC Day, the Finch Hatton RSL Sub Branch is inviting the public to a weekend of connection, remembrance, and community spirit in the beautiful Pioneer Valley. From Friday, 25 April to Sunday, 27 April, locals and visitors alike can enjoy free camping, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities—all centred around honouring our veterans and bringing people together. Tammy Sprott, President of the Finch Hatton RSL Sub Branch, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the eve
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As the official election campaign begins, Australians can expect a flurry of promises, policies and political rallies. While most attention will focus on the House of Representatives, where government is formed, the Senate plays an equally crucial role. Often overlooked during campaigns, the Senate is a powerful chamber where no party currently holds a majority. Labor holds 25 seats, the Coalition 30, with the rest shared by the Greens (11), One Nation (2), Jacqui Lambie Network (1), United Aust
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OPINION PIECE This Anzac Day, I will pause to remember my father, a Vietnam veteran. From a young age, he instilled in me the importance of respecting those who served. That sense of respect grew into a broader appreciation for all people, regardless of their background or identity. My father served in the Royal Australian Navy from 1961 to 1974, rising to the rank of Petty Officer Marine Technical Propulsion. Throughout his service, he was posted to several ships, including HMAS Sydney, HMAS
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The ANZAC spirit is alive and well across our region, with attendance at dawn services, marches, and other commemorative events surging in recent years. This ANZAC Day is expected to see even greater numbers, as our community once again comes together to honour those who have served. Long before I became the Federal Member for Dawson, and my time as Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, my family and I have always made it a priority to honour the sacrifices of our brave servicemen and wome
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