Issue #

23

An Update From Tourism Whisundays CEO Tim Booth

January 24, 2025

I hope you all had a wonderful Summer Holidays so far! It’s great to be back, and 2025 is already shaping up to be a big one for the Whitsundays. To kick off the year on a high, Whitehaven Beach has claimed the title of Lonely Planet’s Best Beach for 2025. With its white sand and turquoise swirls, it’s easy to see why this slice of paradise remains a global icon. Next month, our team is heading to Sydney for International Media Marketplace, connecting with top media and influencers to keep the W

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Palm Bay Resort A Hidden Gem

January 23, 2025

Palm Bay Resort is a hidden gem that promises an unforgettable tropical island escape. Nestled in a breathtaking, secluded setting, this intimate resort offers 23 villas and bungalows, ensuring a truly exclusive experience. For locals, a special rate starts at $200 per night, or you can enjoy a day visit for only $25 to access all the resort’s top-tier facilities. Small boats are able to pull up at the Southern end of the beach free of charge and enjoy lunch at the resort restaurant. Reservatio

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Introducing New Chamber Board Member: Emily Harvey Of Filby’s Motors

January 23, 2025

The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry is excited to introduce one of their new Board members – Emily Harvey of Filby’s Motors. “We are always grateful to our members who step up and volunteer their time and expertise in shaping our strategy and being great ambassadors for the Whitsundays business community” said Chamber President Allan Milostic. Emily Harvey is the Marketing, Branding and Customer Experience manager for Filby’s Motors – Bowen and Proserpine. “My primary focus is o

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Did you know?

January 23, 2025

Whitsunday Regional Council manage 10 flood cameras across the region to allow the community to better prepare during wet season. The flood cameras monitor various local roads and causeways which are subject to flooding. Images of each area are updated every 15 minutes to enable community members to keep up to date with any localised flooding, and to make informed and safe decisions when travelling. Residents can view the flood cameras online via Council’s Disaster Dashboard and website. R

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A Minute With The Mayor Ry Collins

January 23, 2025

Local roads are the lifeblood of our community. They connect us to our workplaces, schools, and essential services, and they support the industries that drive our local economy, from tourism to agriculture. Here in the Whitsundays, with our fast-growing population and increasing visitor numbers, it’s more important than ever that we invest in maintaining and improving our road network. To kick-off 2025, Council last week announced the launch of our $7.8 million road re-seal program, aimed at

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TICKLED PINK, THE COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER FOR A CURE

January 23, 2025

On Sunday the community came together to show overwhelming support at the Metropole Hotel for Tickled Pink for a Cure, an event to raise funds and provide support for anyone with cancer. With a raffle, games, live music, and prizes for the best pink outfit and decorated bra, it was a wonderfully warm feeling to see so many people come together to support the cause. Breast cancer does not discriminate, it can strike anyone at any time, women, men and children. The treatment process can be dauntin

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BOWEN’S ABOUT TO GET ARTSY, ARE YOU READY?

January 23, 2025

The Bowen Art Society has announced its annual art show is returning! For all the artists and creatives amongst you it’s time to get crafting, painting, drawing, or whatever your medium, the Art Show wants to see it. The theme has been made public as Australiana, nice and broad but also thematic. Australiana covers anything pertaining to Australian culture, society, geography and ecology, especially if it is endemic to Australia or has reached iconic status. Hopefully that sparks some ideas to

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THESE PESTS ARE NO MYNA THING

January 23, 2025

The Indian Myna was brought to the region, like cane toads, to eat the bugs on our crops. However, their incredible adaptability has allowed them to become one of the biggest invasive, and aggressive pests. The Whitsunday Indian Myna Action Group is out there trying to cull these birds before they kill all of our native birds and completely take over. Indian Mynas are prolific breeders, 12-16 eggs per season, in a colony that can contain hundreds of birds, this is a huge problem. They kill nativ

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Visitor Numbers Surge At Bowen Information Centre

January 23, 2025

The team at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre welcomed more than 32,000 visitors in the six months ending December 31, an increase of more than 8 per cent from the same period last year. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the team had welcomed more visitors in every month so far in this financial year than for the same months last year. January has also started off well with 3088 visitors being welcomed in the first two weeks of January. “That’s a big increase on

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DRIVER REVIVER PROVING POPULAR WITH HIGHWAY DRIVERS AT BOWEN

January 23, 2025

Drivers on the Bruce Highway are taking advantage of the Driver Reviver Station located at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre, next to the Big Mango on the Bruce Highway, just 5km south. The centre has been providing free coffee to drivers for a long time but officially became a “Driver Reviver” location last year, with signs installed on the highway last April. Since then, the service has become increasingly popular. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy, said the organisati

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Do We Have Blast Off? Gilmour Prepares For Launch Of Eris TestFlight1

January 23, 2025

Gilmour Space Technologies is preparing for the launch of Eris TestFlight1, Australia’s first sovereign-made rocket. The team is currently working closely with CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) and Airservices Australia to finalise airspace management protocols for the historic launch. Once these arrangements are complete, Gilmour Space will announce a 'No Earlier Than' (NET) launch date, in compliance with the statutory notification period required for other airspace users. Founded by two

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Corporate Plan 2025-2030 In A Snapshot

January 23, 2025

The council have recently brought out a new draft corporate plan, the plan details five different themes which are: Economy, Community, Environment, Council and Infrastructure. Economy Starting with the economy, the plan explains how Council are aiming for growth with the future needs of the community, business and industry in mind, and are reaching for three main outcomes: • Diverse economic opportunities where traditional industries and futuristic vision meet • Committed to identifying and d

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Get Rockin’ Reckless at The Pub! Sub Heading: Reckless – the official Australian Crawl tribute band bring the heat to Airlie Beach Hotel

January 23, 2025

Reckless the Australian Crawl tribute show are back in town for another banger of a weekend this February 1st. Performing to their favourite audience in their second home at The Pub, Reckless is gearing up for a show that's not to be missed. All the band members have come together to pay homage to one of Australia’s most iconic bands: Australian Crawl! Officially endorsed by Australian Crawl themselves , Reckless will take you back in time to April of 1980, when the band was catapulted into the

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Gig guide 24 January

January 23, 2025

Colonial Palms – Jazz Sessions 3pm (fortnightly) Friday 24 January The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Scat Duo 7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Lucy Rose (4pm–8pm) Saturday 25 January The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Soul Chisel (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Graham Rix (4pm–8pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Chill DJ Session (2pm–6pm) Sunday 26 January The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Chisel vs Aussie Crawl (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Sam McCann

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WOODWARK BAY What’s In A Name?

January 23, 2025

Woodwark Bay was named in 1886 by Lieutenant GE Richards, RN in HMS “Paluma”. The bay is named after George Smith Woodwark (1841-1898), a wealthy timber merchant, prominent public figure from the Grimston/King’s Lynn area in Norfolk, England. Present-day descendants of that family have a letter (a copy of which is held by the Museum) written to an uncle in 1923 by one of Woodwark’s six sons stating that a bay in Australia was named after his father. It is quite unusual for the time to have such

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Pet of the week Meet Evan

January 23, 2025

Evan was rescued from the Burdekin pound, where she narrowly escaped death row! Now, she's a lively bundle of joy who’s always on the move, only slowing down for a well-earned nap. Affectionate and loving, Evan enjoys being close to her pawrents and lounging on the couch, soaking up all the attention. With a playful personality and boundless energy, she’s not only quick on her feet but also an exceptionally fast runner. Evan’s social butterfly nature makes her great with other dogs, always eager

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What's on January 24

January 23, 2025

January 24 Citizenship Ceremony, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 9:30am 25 Park Run, Meeting Area D, Coral Sea Marina, starting at 7am 25 Airlie Beach Market, Airlie Beach, starting at 8am 25 Jack Jones supported by Trent Bell, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, 8pm 26 Bowen Community Sunday Market, Hansen Park, from 8am 26 Australia Day Our Whitsunday Way, Airlie Beach Foreshore, from 4pm 26 Australia Day the Aussie way at KC's Bar and Grill, 12pm until late 27 Boardgames Club, Proserpine

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A Timeline Of Club Whitsunday

January 23, 2025

After initially lobbying the council in 1982, Whitsunday Sportspark Inc. was established in 1988, and the first field was reclaimed from an old tidal dump site and laid down in 1991. Local residents, led by David Moore and John Bell, recognized the need for sporting fields in the growing town. In the 1990s, the top oval was established, and the first three netball courts were constructed. At its peak, the park hosted over 12 different sports, including Rugby Union, AFL, Football, Netball, Touch

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Club Whitsunday A Community Club

January 23, 2025

Club Whitsunday is Airlie Beach’s first true community club, designed to offer a modern, dynamic space for everyone to enjoy. Unlike traditional sports clubs, it serves as a vibrant hub for the entire community, featuring a full range of amenities including a stylish bar, a contemporary bistro, exciting wagering options, and a spacious gaming floor. Open seven days a week, Club Whitsunday provides an elevated hospitality experience that caters to both locals and visitors alike. The all-new club

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Craig Spence

January 23, 2025

Craig Spence and his wife ran L.E.W (QLD) PTY LTD for 28 years at the Blue Bay Industrial Estate, providing electrical wholesale and lighting services to contractors, builders, developers, and retailers. After selling the business, Craig transitioned to a new role as director of Whitsunday Sportspark (now Club Whitsunday), a position he has held for the past 10 years. Craig’s connection to the sportspark began in 1996 when L.E.W supplied lighting for the top oval. Over the years, he has been dee

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President Justin Butler Two Decades of Dedication to Club Whitsunday

January 23, 2025

Justin Butler has been a cornerstone of Club Whitsunday for over 20 years, serving as Director and Committee Member, and for the past 15 years, as Chairman/President. His involvement began when he volunteered to represent the Touch Football Club on the Whitsunday Sports Park Committee, a role that sparked a 20-year journey of dedication and development. What started with basic grounds maintenance evolved into a vision to transform the facility. Justin’s early focus on improving playing surfaces

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Tim Langford

January 23, 2025

Tim Langford has been a Director at Club Whitsunday for the past six months. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he previously owned Paddy’s Shenanigans in Airlie Beach, a popular local venue. A passionate supporter of local sports, Tim played for the Whitsunday United Football Club's divisional men's team for three years. When he saw the club's venue sitting unused, he decided to step in and help get it up and running. Tim played a pivotal role in bringing the vision for Cl

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Australia Day At Club Whitsunday

January 23, 2025

Club Whitsunday loves Australia Day and views it as a day to celebrate the nation's unique culture and bring all Australians together. As a natural meeting place for the community, the club aims to offer something for everyone over the long weekend. Visitors are invited to drop by for a drink, a meal, or a punt with friends at any time over the weekend. There will be live music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, along with mini sporting games on the fields under lights for both kids and adults to

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Future Precinct

January 23, 2025

Club Whitsunday is Queensland's first true grassroots, greenfield community club to be developed and opened in over 25 years. Chairman of Club Whitsunday, Justin Butler, highlights that while numerous new clubs have opened during this time, the vast majority have been large, established clubs with significant financial resources and staff, expanding into second or third venues, rather than being true grassroots, ground-up projects. Chairman Justin Butler emphasized, “Airlie Beach should be proud

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Precinct Structure

January 23, 2025

Each sporting code at the Sportspark is an incorporated body run by a volunteer committee. Local sports, from Touch Footy with Monday night competitions and annual carnivals to Football with multiple men’s and women’s teams playing weekly, are all run by volunteers. These volunteers coach, manage, and develop players, dedicating countless hours to their sports. Participation is surging post-COVID and as the population grows. The sporting fields and courts are on land leased from the council,

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