A beautiful native bird, the Curlew, loves to linger around public places with their eerie, wailing calls at night easy to discern. Despite their loud shrieks, these birds can be quite meek and especially at this time of year when the local curlews are out and about and taking care of their little ones. To protect their babies from danger the parents will put on a big, defensive feather display but often times this will not be enough to defend from your cars. Due to nesting in built-up areas it,
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On Saturday, November 23, Bowen Meals on Wheels marked a significant milestone, half a century of dedicated service to the community at a special celebration held at McKenna Hall. The event was attended by clients, staff, volunteers, and guests, all coming together to commemorate 50 years of nourishing those in need. The celebration was made possible by funding generously provided by Hand, Heart, Pocket, the charitable donations arm of the Masonic Lodge Queensland. Bowen Meals on Wheels began i
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Originally from South Africa, Kerry’s journey has taken her across the globe. After spending a decade in the UK and four years in Ireland, she made the move to Australia, and since June of last year, has been calling the Whitsundays home. While this is Kerry’s first role in sales, her natural people skills were evident long before she joined the team. Inspired by her brother, who runs his own recruitment business, Kerry was encouraged to explore sales as a career. When she saw the position with
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Airlie Beach Pool services is currently the highest rated pool service in the Whitsunday area and they want to offer their exceptional skills and services to you. Jesse, the owner has been working in the local industry for 15 years and started his own business two years ago and they've been going strong since. As a family run business, Airlie Beach Pool Services focuses on customer service and satisfaction which is why they are rated so highly as you can see in reviews like this one from Loise N
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The team at Bowen Tourism and Business is looking forward to continuing to promote the town and the greater Whitsundays region in 2025. The team of staff and dedicated volunteers welcomed more than 50,000 at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre in 2024 – another record year. Behind the scenes, the team promotes the region in various ways through mainstream and social media channels. For the past three years, the Manager of the organisation, Leanne Abernethy has been the Whitsundays correspond
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Happy New Year to the Whitsundays business community! Seeing in a new year is a great time to think about what your business resolution might look like. Business resolutions are commitments businesses make to improve their strategy, operations, or processes. Like personal New Year’s resolutions business resolutions can help prioritise goals or activities that may have got swept aside in 2024 or provide some inspiration or renewed interest in improving some aspect of your business. A wise bu
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Contributed By Mayor Ry Collins Opinion Piece The Whitsundays is known for its 74 wonderful islands but during the Christmas period our whole region was an island with our national highway cut to the south at Goorganga Plains and further to the north of Bowen. Which is why this week’s announcement by PM Anthony Albanese that the Bruce Highway will get a $7.2 billion investment in upgrades and repairs is so exciting for our Whitsunday community. Even better is that the Federal Government have
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On Saturday, 18th January, music lovers and rock enthusiasts of the Whitsunday region will be treated to an electrifying performance by Soul Chisel, as they bring "The Very Best of Chisel/Barnes" to the Airlie Beach Hotel stage. This exciting tribute show will take audiences on a musical journey through the unforgettable Soul Years, Jimmy Barnes' iconic solo career, and, of course, the legendary Cold Chisel classics that have shaped Australian rock. The talented Steve Callanan, known for his pow
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The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers(7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Zed Charles (4pm–8pm) Saturday 11 January The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Rewind 80’s MIXTAPE (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Julius Dator (4pm–8pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Live Music (from 1pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Chill DJ Session (2pm–6pm) Sunday 12 January The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Boys of Summer (2pm–5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Paul Fergus Morris (6:30pm–9:30pm) Gr
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Are you and your friends looking for a morning of music? All the great British classics can be heard this March at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre for one show only in their Morning Melodies special featuring Craig Martin. The Great British Songbook is a sit-down music show starring UK singer Craig Martin, a contemporary swing and pop singer at his 5th stop on his 2025 Australian tour. Craig learned to sing and play guitar in his early teens and not much later he was playing in the same club
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Meet Lentil, an incredibly affectionate dog who’s already won the hearts of her foster family. Known for her gentle nature, Lentil has quickly bonded with her new home and has learned to trust her humans. Despite her young age, she has taken on a nurturing role with the other dogs, often "mothering" them with care and kindness. Lentil is the definition of selflessness; she gives all of herself and asks for little in return. Her greatest joy is cuddling up with her family, especially jumping onto
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January 11 Outriggers, Shingley Beach, from 8am 12 Blessing of the Fleet, Bowen, from 11:30am 12 Bowen Community Sunday Market, Hansen Park, from 8am 19 Bowen Community Sunday Market, Hansen Park, from 8am 24 Citizenship Ceremony, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 9:30am 26 Bowen Community Sunday Market, Hansen Park, from 8am 26 Australia Day Our Whitsunday Way, Airlie Beach Foreshore, from 4pm
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For a packed day of sails and sunshine, pop on down to North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club in Bowen (NQCYC) where you will find boats abound. On the 12th of January the Yacht Club will host a Blessing of the Fleet ceremony and all watercrafts are invited to participate. The NQCYC doesn't discriminate with the event’s motto: ‘If it floats, it's a boat’ so get out there on the water, dress up your boats and hoist your flags because it's time for some anointed fun in the sun! Providing live, music
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Tourism Whitsundays is excited to be part of the launch of the Queensland Welcomes You initiative, with its suite of online welcome programs for each of Queensland’s tourism regions. The Whitsundays Welcomes You Program has been developed to inspire everyone involved in welcoming guests to become proud hosts and deliver exceptional experiences so that our guests become passionate advocates for our region. What you’ll learn The Whitsunday Welcomes You program includes online training programs,
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This week, the Tourism Whitsundays team enjoyed a memorable one-day getaway on Hamilton Island, staying at the luxurious Reef View Hotel. With its stunning location and panoramic views, it was the perfect spot for a quick but rejuvenating island escape. Our evening began with an exquisitely high-quality dining experience at The Beach Club. We dined just steps from the shore, enjoying delicious food while watching the sunset over the sparkling waters—a perfect start to our stay. The atmosphere wa
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The Whitsundays is known for its gorgeous waters that encourage many sailors to visit and sail year in and year out. One such sailor who has lived in Airlie Beach his whole life is Leo Rodriguez. Leo recently took part in the Sydney to Hobart Race, with his crew of 14 and they placed 3rd in their division and 9th overall. Having competed in the Sydney to Hobart Race six times, Leo is one of the most experienced crew members and was chosen to help man the boat along with the core team because of
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On Saturday at 8am the Whitsunday branch of the Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association is hosting a 4week beginner ‘Come & Try’ challenge. Anyone who is an aspiring paddler of any level or a current member is invited to join them at the Shingley Beach for the challenge and Members Sign-On Day. The event is open to everyone 14 and above who is wanting to try out their racing skills and have a friendly competition or just to try out something new. Whatever your level is, this is your chance
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At the end of 2024, the Cannonvale Cannons hosted a fantastic Christmas Club Night and wished the State Team all the best at Qld LC Championships. At the start of Christmas Club Night, Giselle Burton presented Tyler Bennett with an Upgrade Certificate and Harry Chegwidden with the Coaches’ Award. Congratulations to Harry Chegwidden and Jax Clayworth for setting new Club Records. Harry set a record for 7 years 25m Backstroke in a time of 23.01sec. Jax Clayworth aged 11 years set a new 200m Bu
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On the 4th of January the Whitsunday’s Volunteer Marine Rescue was tasked to respond to an EPIRB activation out near Round Head. Communication attempts were not possible as the vessel had no radio or mobile and the responders headed out for the rescue fearing the worst. Around 9:30pm the team of VMR1 headed out to the coordinates that placed the distressed boat close to the shore. Its location was exposed to the 17 knot easterlies and some pushy waves, so the crew wondered if it was just going t
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When Charlene Saez touched down in Australia in 2019, she never imagined her working holiday would stretch beyond a year. However, a pandemic and a career opportunity would lead the French woman on a new path, one that ultimately shaped her career in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) at Richglen. “I came to Australia five years ago with my partner, intending to stay for just one year,” Charlene said. “Our plan was to explore the country, work a bit, and see what adventures we could find.
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Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls visited Mackay Base Hospital the week before Christmas to confirm that the previously announced multi-storey car park project will proceed, now with the addition of a rooftop helipad. The car park will provide 550 new parking spaces, improving community access to healthcare, but will introduce paid parking for the first time. Rates are yet to be determined, and the project is part of the Queensland Government’s state-wide Hospital Carparking Program, wit
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As we welcome 2025, there’s a collective sense of excitement, anticipation, and perhaps even a little bit of uncertainty about what this new year will bring. The turning of a calendar page symbolises the possibility of a fresh start, a chance to reset, reimagine, and pursue our goals with renewed energy. However, as the philosopher Lao Tzu reminds us, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” While the promise of a new year is motivating, it is the actions we take that ultimately
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During the bustling Christmas season, one act of kindness turned a near disaster into a heart-warming story of gratitude. A local shopper at Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre was plunged into panic after losing his iPhone, which contained all his cards and holiday cash. With Christmas just days away, the thought of cancelling everything and losing precious family moments was overwhelming. Thanks to Jade, a security guard at the centre, his compassion and quick thinking turned things around for the lo
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Police are investigating after a Mackay man lost his life in a tragic road accident on the Bruce Highway near Kuttabul on the 28th of December. Emergency services were called to the scene around 2:35 pm following a three-vehicle collision involving a northbound Toyota Hilux, a southbound Chevrolet Silverado towing a caravan, and a southbound Toyota Kluger. Initial investigations suggest the Hilux came into contact with the Silverado before colliding with the Kluger. The driver of the Kluger, a 7
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The Mackay region celebrated a heartwarming Christmas with the arrival of two beautiful babies at Mackay Base Hospital on December 25, spreading festive joy to their proud families. Little Harrison ("Harry") Timms was the first to make his debut, arriving at 4:52 am. Weighing a healthy 8lb 8oz (4.01kg), Harry is the first child for Moranbah couple Jaime and Ben Timms. The delighted parents are overjoyed with their Christmas miracle, who was warmly welcomed by the hospital’s midwifery team, inclu
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