1. Avoid single use plastics A simple way to start living more sustainably is by cutting out single-use plastics. Each year in Australia, it is estimated that 3.5 million metric tons of plastic is produced, with half being used only once before ending up in landfills or the ocean, where it never decomposes. Swap single-use items for reusable alternatives, like water bottles, to make a difference. 2. Recycle Recycle items like cans, paper, and plastics according to local guidelines. Upcy
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Hi Everyone, Welcome to Ruth 2 Reef! As a passionate environmentalist and with a background in environmental journalism, I truly admire the efforts the local community makes to preserve the natural beauty of the Whitsundays. From small local groups to large corporations, many people here go above and beyond to protect the environment. With this in mind, I thought it would be a great opportunity to combine my love for protecting the environment with the fantastic stories from the Whitsundays and
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Master Reef Guides aim to become the world’s top reef experts and interpreters, showcasing the marvels of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. As ambassadors of the reef, they share the latest scientific knowledge and management practices while educating visitors on how they can help protect this incredible ecosystem. Jessica Funnell is one of the 146 Master Reef Guides across the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and she is based right here in the Whitsundays. With 15 years of experience i
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Did you know seagrass has been around since the time of dinosaurs? Four groups of flowering plants (angiosperms) colonised the oceans, these became known as seagrass, and they are the only flowering plants that can live underwater. Seagrass, found in near-shore waters globally, is vital to marine life. Known as the "lungs of the sea," it produces 10 litres of oxygen per square metre daily. It feeds dugongs and green turtles, provides habitat for fish and prawns, and helps keep water clean by abs
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Sharks are often unfairly cast as the villains of the sea, but their role in marine ecosystems is both complex and crucial. As apex predators, they play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of our oceans. Here are a few key facts about why sharks are considered “ecosystem engineers,” essential to the health of our reefs and climate, particularly in the Great Barrier Reef: • Sharks regulate reef ecosystems by controlling predator and prey populations. Without them, biodiversity
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The Great Barrier Reef spans over an area of 344,000 sq km and is comprised of over 3000 individual reefs. It can be seen from outer space. It is an Australian icon. It is a world icon. The Reef supports a very productive tourism and fishing industry that keeps that keeps regions like the Whitsundays economy in the black. Unfortunately, the reef faces a very uncertain future. For those who live and work in the Whitsunday region, the Reef has always been there and will always be there. It is too
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The Whales of the Whitsundays (WoW) is a group of committed individuals who are concerned about the health and future of cetaceans in the region. The program started in 2023 following discussions at the Whitsunday Local Marine Advisory Committee about the simultaneous increase in whale and boat numbers and threats from climate change. In 2024, The Whales of the Whitsundays achieved some remarkable milestones. While preparations are underway for their 2024 Annual Report, the organisation has sha
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Guests at Camp Island Lodge had the incredible opportunity to experience a two-day dive expedition to the outer reef provided by Ocean Dynamics. Qualified instructors conducted scuba training in the Lodge pool, ensuring guests were ready by the afternoon to explore the magnificent fringe reefs of Silver Shoal around Camp Island. The area is abundant with plate coral, staghorn coral, and vibrant marine life around the bommies, making it an exciting dive location. This served as a warm-up for an
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We’re gearing up for an exciting week in The Whitsundays as we welcome the Hon. Andrew Powell MP, Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation. As part of his visit, we’re hosting an important conversation about the future of tourism in Queensland—and we’d love for you to be part of it. On Tuesday, 11 February, we’re bringing together industry operators, community voices, and key stakeholders for the Destination 2045 Regional Consultation Workshop in Airlie Be
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Apprentice / Traineeship Completion Presentation 2025 – Proserpine Holly Smith – Rates Trainee – Proserpine Office Holly has been working towards her certification as part of the Rates team in Proserpine. A quick and eager learner, Holly consistently takes on new tasks with enthusiasm and provides support wherever needed. Her ability to pick up new skills quickly has impressed the entire team. Holly is polite, honest, and hardworking, requiring minimal supervision while remaining diligent in s
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No, it is not an aircraft landing strip. Nor is it a porch, stoop or verandah attached to a house. The Landing at Glen Isla was the place to which most of Proserpine’s goods were transported by boat from Mackay in the days before the railway opened in 1910. Proserpine River was the lifeline of our community before this railway became a reality. Roads to Mackay and Bowen were just bush tracks. The wharf at The Landing was constructed circa 1884 when the Crystal Brook Sugar Mill was planned. Co
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The giant mud crab (Scylla serrata) is the most well-known and economically significant species in Australia. It's found along the northern and eastern coasts, from Queensland to Western Australia, particularly in mangrove-lined estuaries in our coastal regions. They are fast growing, reaching up to 25cm and are harvestable at 15cm through methods such as trapping. A male crab is called a ‘Buck’ and a female ‘Jenny’. Jennies are illegal to catch and must be thrown back into the water as they are
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In the back-to-school fever the lunchboxes are calling for healthy and fun ideas to fill them. Today tuna is in the spotlight for an affordable lunchbox filler as they are often sold in multi-can deals and come in lots of flavour options. Yes, you can just eat it straight out of the tin but below are two ideas that incorporate tuna, elevating your kids' lunches to a new level of health. Fritters are a favourite for adults and children alike. Crispy, golden, baked or fried, fritters are an easy t
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Friday 7 February The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Tim Griffin (4pm–8pm) Saturday 8 February The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Dirty Deeds – AC/DC Tribute (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Lucy Rose (4pm-8pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Chill DJ Session (2pm–6pm) Sunday 9 February The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Dirty Deeds – AC/DC Tribute (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Paul Fergus Morris (6:30pm–9:30pm) Grand
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Josh Notting, the rockabilly crowd-pleaser from Mackay is making his way up to Airlie Beach to play at KC’s Bar & Grill. He’s a talented man who's a master in many instruments and a soothing songbird too, and he’s bringing all that artistic talent to the centre-stage at KC’s. Playing guitar since the age of ten, he’s gone on to play the drums, bass guitar, piano and even a little saxophone here and there. He’s a multi-instrumentalist who some call a one-man band, bringing all his talent to perfo
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Airlie Beach Hotel is bringing the heat for your Valentines Day weekend Have you booked your special spot for Valentines Day? The Airlie Beach Hotel is putting on a free show that is guaranteed to make your Valentines Day date night as smooth as melted chocolate. Returning to Airlie is the crowd favourite SEX & CHOCOLATE with their triple treat of classic temptations romance, charisma, and of course sex. Smoothing out this soulful band’s all-star lineup of multi-award winning and X Factor 2011 f
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Named after the goddess of love, Venus will ensure she brings this energy into your home, with her need for lots of attention and cuddles. 12-month-old Venus was rescued from death row and is now looking for a place to call home. Sweet little Venus sleeps peacefully throughout the night but loves a chat in the day if you meow to her, but is otherwise content and quiet. She has a gentle nature, loving kisses and belly rubs and just wants to spend quality time with her humans. Do you think yo
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February 7 Seniors Computer Program, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 9am-2:30pm Bookings Required 7 Pram Pushers, Bowen Neighbourhood Centre, 9am-10:30am 7 Alcoholics Anonymous, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 6pm-7:30pm 8 Park Run, Meeting Area D, Coral Sea Marina, starting at 7am 8 Airlie Beach Market, Airlie Beach, starting at 8am 9 Bowen Community Sunday Market, Hansen Park, from 8am 10 Boardgames Club, Proserpine Library, from 1pm 12 Cooking Classes 6week program, Cooinda Family Centre,
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The Bruce Highway is no stranger to headlines, often making news for its much-needed upgrades. But this week, it’s in the spotlight for a very different reason. While not typically known as a prime fishing destination in the Whitsundays, the highway unexpectedly became a hotspot for local angler Kent Rasmussen. Amid the recent floods, Kent saw an opportunity he couldn’t resist, making light of the situation as he cast his line. Although the highway is prone to flooding during the wet season, Ken
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Bowen Polocrosse Club is celebrating its 36th year and is always excited to welcome new players of all ages. Whether you’re a first-time rider, an experienced equestrian, or someone returning to the sport, they’re here to help you have a great time on the field at their Fun Day on March 1st. Polocrosse – the thrilling Aussie sport that combines the best of polo, lacrosse, and netball. Played on horseback by both men and women, this outdoor team sport is a fast-paced, action-packed adventure that
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Ryan Donnelly, a fourth-generation wood chopper, is carving his name into the annals of Australia's wood chopping history. As a proud representative of Queensland’s Under 21’s team at the prestigious Royal Sydney Show in 2025, Ryan's 2024 season has been nothing short of a triumph in the competitive world of wood chopping. Starting at the Biloela Callide Valley in May, Ryan's journey took him to events across Queensland, from Pioneer Valley to Mackay, and all the way up to Cairns. The Donnelly
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The Volunteer Marine Rescue have a good working relationship with the Queensland Ambulance Service, in that there's always paramedics on board for medivacs in cases where a rescue requires medical attention. The other service agency the VMR team work with is the Queensland Police Service in providing rapid response transport for officers. This ranges from emergency dashes to intervene in domestic violence, extracting intoxicated and possibly violent party goers, to also investigating reported st
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Whilst we all yearn for the overhead cover to be completed on our bowls green, we lament on the damage done caused by firstly the heat associated with North Queensland weather and now the cyclonic conditions have saturated the carpet and no play was possible this week and with fingers crossed we are all praying that the system dissipates as soon as possible and all stay safe. With no games to report on, the club wants to acknowledge the fantastic assistance and proof that anything is possible,
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Cannonvale Cannons swimmer Jacob Bell has made a memorable departure from the club, setting an astonishing 12 club records in the 18 & Over category at the recent carnival. As he prepares to leave for university, his achievements serve as a fitting farewell to over 12 years of dedication to the Cannons. Jacob’s leadership and commitment to training have set a high standard for younger swimmers. His disciplined approach and passion for open-water swimming have been an inspiration to his teammate
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The weather has caused significant disruption to upcoming and scheduled fixtures, so there will be an update to the fixture calendar once the weather clears up and normal play can resume. On Tuesday 28th, the competition was a Single Stableford event. In the men's competition, Bailey Hayward emerged as the winner with 37 points, edging out Pascal Neunreuther on a countback. Pascal, who finished as runner-up, played a solid round as well. In the ladies' competition, Pam Harrison claimed victory w
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