Issue #

23

Mackay Contract Bridge Club

January 16, 2025

Playing Bridge keeps you young! Joy Robinson and Joyce Deguara have been playing Bridge for seventy plus years between them. They played for the first time together after all this time as they have both had other partners over the years. Joy is 99 and Joyce 93. Who says Bridge is for oldies? These two are still spring chickens. Our beginners’ lessons commence Wednesday 12 February at 6.30pm. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played cards before, everyone is welcome! Weekly Results Monday 6 Jan

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On The Greens At Goosies

January 16, 2025

Opening Day 2025 President Alan Dillon’s Opening Day was a huge success, with over 60 men’s bowlers participating in the event. The big winners on the day were Vic Gaudion and Col Crocker, taking out the top prize money, while Alan Leyshon and Peter Madden picked up the runners-up prize. Meanwhile, John Fry and Joe Crocker were lucky enough to have their cards pulled for the lucky door prize. Friday Winners: Chris Woo and Terry Clark continue their great form, showing that their dedication to

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North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club January – The 2025 MRC Australia Day Awards

January 16, 2025

The North Mackay Sinkers Masters Swimming Club has been nominated for the Mackay Regional Council Australia Day awards. The club has been nominated in the community group award and is proud to be included in the 17 groups nominated in this section that are providing services to residents in the Mackay Regional Council area. This section recognises an organisation, group or sporting association for its outstanding contribution and dedication towards improving, promoting and/or protecting the live

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Skip Moody, Daydream Island And The MV “Jane”

January 15, 2025

In the Proserpine Guardian, June 30 1972, it was reported that a visiting Sydney journalist had observed that “far too many details of the bygone days have faded in the mists of memories of the oldtimers … and many of these (oldtimers) have faded into the mists of mortality.” In an effort to preserve the narratives of people from the past who helped shape the future, today the story of yet another of the Whitsundays’ colourful characters is shared – Phillip “Skip” Moody, who held the lease on

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Priority Sections For Bruce Highway Funding

January 15, 2025

In a recent meeting between Senator Nita Green and Mayor Ry Collins, discussions centred on two new $30 million projects in Cannonvale and the allocation of $7.2 billion in funding for the Bruce Highway. One key issue raised was the prioritisation of sections along the Bruce Highway, especially given that the Whitsundays region has been identified as the most hazardous area in the recent Bruce Highway safety survey. This funding represents the single largest investment in the highway’s history,

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Ruth’s Round-Up

January 15, 2025

Hi Everyone, Rach is away for the next two weeks, so I will be taking over editorial duties until her return. The weather has been crazy recently, and as a Brit, I'm no stranger to the rain, but the tropical storms are still something I am getting used to. That said, there is something incredibly calming about sitting indoors, listening to the rain, and watching the lightning. It's a simple pleasure that helps me slow down, stay in the present moment and make time for my housemates. At the same

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STELLAR BUS DRIVER SAVES SCRUFFY BEAR

January 15, 2025

Lost but not forgotten, a little boy’s treasured bear was accidentally left on the bus. The scruffy but much-loved bear named Teddy spent the day on the shuttle going back and forth between Proserpine and Shute Harbour when little Liam accidentally left him behind after riding the bus with his family. Tony Snape, an outstanding member of the Whitsundays community was the driver that day and noticed the lost bear. Tony returned the bear to the Jubilee Tavern where the family could pick Teddy u

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NO-BALL! THIEF'S OBSTRUCTION OF JUNIOR CLUB’S FIELDS

January 15, 2025

The Proserpine Junior Cricket Club was thrown a hard ball late in December, an attacking shot that resulted in the loss of the club’s groundskeeping equipment. The thief delt a heavy blow to the community and the club is shaken but club members are trying to move forward. On the 23rd of December, an eyewitness reported that they saw a person driving the club's ride-on mower across the greens with a brush cutter on their lap. This was at 2:30pm, so at the time, they thought it was one of the gr

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Nature Strip Residents Express Concerns To Council Officials

January 15, 2025

Amid growing concerns, a group of residents came together on Wednesday, 8th January, to confront the council over the recent clearing of land around their properties. The residents say that the work was carried out without sufficient consultation, sparking frustration and a call for greater transparency in the decision-making process. Residents claimed that site inspections and a meeting with Council planners offered no reassurance. They said they were severely impacted by runoff, noise, dust

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BUSINESS AND BREAKFAST FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC MINDS

January 15, 2025

The Bowen Collinsville Enterprises are hosting a breakfast forum for all who are interested in the region's economic priorities. Three guest speakers will come from all levels of business backgrounds to help attendees get informed and learn about certain points of local business economics. The communities in Bowen and Collinsville have achieved mutually beneficial outcomes by working together with large-scale companies and investors to improve the region. This forum will follow a select few pr

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Did you know?

January 15, 2025

This year, Council will be hosting Australia Day with a special event at the Airlie Beach Foreshore. Join us from 4pm as we celebrate Australia Day Our Whitsunday Way, with live music, food stalls and family fun. The event will also include the prestigious Australia Day Awards Ceremony and conclude with a spectacular fireworks display at 8pm.

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A Minute With The Mayor Ry Collins Collaborating for a Stronger Whitsunday Region

January 15, 2025

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of hosting Federal Senator for Queensland and Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Nita Green to tour our region and witness firsthand some of the transformative projects underway in the Whitsundays. Senator Green is a tremendous advocate for North Queensland, and visits like this highlight the importance of collaboration between local government and other tiers of government to ensure our region gets its fair share of funding and support. During her

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Back-to-School Essentials Tips for a Smooth Transition

January 15, 2025

Heading back to school is an exciting milestone, but it can also bring its share of stress. To help your child start the year off on the right foot, here are some essential items and tips to ease the back-to-school jitters: 1. Invest in a High-Quality Backpack A good backpack is a must-have for students who carry a variety of items, from lunch boxes and water bottles to books and stationery. Look for a comfortable, durable rucksack with adjustable straps and multiple compartments to help organis

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FLORALS FOR YOUR GARDEN’S SEASONAL TRANSITION

January 15, 2025

As the seasons transition from summer to autumn and you have no idea what to plant, here’s a helpful planting guide with some growers that do well in both seasons. The Whitsundays is located in the Wet & Dry Tropical zones of north Queensland and the plants below can handle the weather and the heat. Starting small with some ground cover, the native coleus is great for damp soil, sun or part shade and naturally thrives in eucalypt forests and rainforests. They are hardy, tough little plans that c

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STORM SAFETY PREVENTS TOPPLING TREES

January 15, 2025

While we are in the thick of storm season, it's important to prepare your trees for the weather to prevent incidents that could put you or your property at risk. Here’s some helpful advice on how to prepare your trees and keep them safe during storms. Assessing your trees is the best place to start. Consulting an arborist can be done if you are not familiar with your trees or if you need a professional, second opinion. All trees are different, and not every protective method is applicable to eve

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BONZA MATE SPECIAL 26th JANUARY EVENT! Get Reckless With An Afternoon Of Australian Rock

January 15, 2025

What better way to spend your Sunday than with six hours of classic Australian Rock at the Airlie Beach Hotel? For a raging afternoon of double-headers The Pub is putting on a show that will excite all Aussie Rock music enthusiasts. Start your afternoon off with a full three hours of surf rock tunes with Reckless, the Australian Crawl tribute band taking to the stage to deliver their signature back-to-back hits. Reckless, will perform the best songs from Australian Crawl’s iconic history, such a

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Celebrate Australia Day in True Whitsundays Style

January 15, 2025

Embrace the spirit of Australia Day with the Whitsunday Regional Council’s exciting festivities at Airlie Beach Foreshore. From 4:00 PM, come together for a day filled with live music, delicious food stalls, and a wide range of activities for all ages. The little ones will have a blast with games, activities, and more, while the prestigious Australia Day Awards will shine a light on the exceptional individuals who make the Whitsunday community thrive. Australia Day Award Categories and nomin

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Gig guide January 17

January 15, 2025

Friday 17 January The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers 7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Tim Griffin (4pm–8pm) Saturday 18 January The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Soul Chisel (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: DJ Night (4pm–8pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Chill DJ Session (2pm–6pm) Sunday 19 January The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Noisy Neighbours (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Sam McCann (6:30pm–9:30pm) Grand View Hotel: Dave Johan (4pm–8pm) Cora

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What’s On January 17

January 15, 2025

January 18 Park Run, Meeting Area D, Coral Sea Marina, starting at 7am 19 Bowen Community Sunday Market, Hansen Park, from 8am 21 Watercolour Art, Cannonvale Library, 10am, Bookings Required 21 Stained Glass Mandalas, Proserpine Library, 2pm, Bookings Required 21 Summer Storytime, Proserpine Library, 10am 21 Fridge Magnet Canvas, Bowen Library, 10am, Bookings Required 21 Design Your Own Coasters, Bowen Library, 2pm 21 Boardgame Tote Bags, Collinsville Library, 10am 22 6 & Under Storytime – Cozy

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Meet Purrfect Pascal

January 15, 2025

Meet Pascal, who is still looking for his furever home! Pascal is the zaniest feline teenager around! He's got swag and isn't afraid to show it. This self-assured adolescent kitty is still learning the ropes of being a social butterfly, so be prepared for some playful mischief. While still having some growing up to do, Pascal vacillates between caution and hyperactivity. If you have a feisty feline friend with comparable energy for him to play with, that'd be purrfect and would greatly enhance

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ARE YOUR KIDS HUNGRY FOR FUN?

January 15, 2025

Cannonvale Library is having an exciting morning of themed reading and musical activities on the 6th of February. At the library, your children will have the opportunity to participate in stories, rhymes and songs all designed to engage youngsters. The event is themed around Eric Carle’s internationally acclaimed, and family favourite book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Your children will be captivated by the colourful images and funny words as they follow one little hungry caterpillar on its jo

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Accessible Tourism in The Whitsundays

January 15, 2025

To ensure everyone can enjoy their holidays in 2025, we’ve created a guide highlighting some of the accessible experiences available in the Whitsundays. Home to some of the world’s most iconic natural wonders, the Whitsundays ensures everyone can enjoy these bucket-list experiences safely, comfortably, and stress-free. Daydream Island Great for: Travellers with Visual Impairments | Wheelchair Users A sensory haven, Daydream Island offers tactile experiences like feeding rays at the Living Reef.

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Out and About with Tourism Whitsundays 

January 15, 2025

I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Cannonvale State School earlier this year, where I was immersed in an incredibly insightful, educational, and inspiring experience with Wildlife Whitsundays. Tenielle, our local Wildlife Ranger, brought an abundance of show-worthy energy to a captivating and interactive session for the kids at school. The children were treated to an up-close encounter with various fascinating wildlife, and Teneille's passion for education was truly inspiring. As the regi

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Exciting Action At The Airlie Beach Bowls Club Despite Setbacks

January 15, 2025

Due to heavy rain and ongoing delays in the installation of the new hard-cover roof, there was no news from the club last week. However, we're eagerly awaiting its arrival and are currently in limbo. This week, Tuesday morning’s Ladies Bowls saw four exciting pairs games. The standout performers were Tony Whitehorn and Sue Walker, who emerged as the dominant winners of the day. On Wednesday afternoon, 18 bowlers participated in the Jackpot Bowls. The winning team, featuring skipper John Fielding

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Cannonvale Cannons Dive Into The New Year

January 15, 2025

The Cannonvale Cannons Swim Club made an energetic return to weekly club nights this week. Congratulations to Evie Doherty, Zane Clayworth, Roxy Groom, and Asher Springbett for delivering great performances and achieving notable personal best times during the evening’s races. A sincere thank you goes out to the dedicated swimmers who devoted their time over the weekend to sell tickets for the club’s annual mega community raffle at Whitsunday Plaza. Their efforts were rewarded with vouchers gener

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