The Whitsunday Carols on the Beach event attracted a vibrant crowd of over 1,000 attendees this year, with clear skies adding to the festive atmosphere. Event highlights included dazzling roving angels on stilts, playful hula-hooping elves, and the long-awaited return of local kindergarten children performing for the first time in years—a heartfelt moment that quickly became a crowd favourite. There was also a wide variety of food stalls, offering a mouthwatering selection from waffles to wood-f
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A 52-year-old Cannonvale man has died following a fatal traffic crash in Andromache, Whitsunday, on November 29. Preliminary investigations suggest that a cane truck was travelling along Gunyarra Road around 1pm when it left the road and rolled over. The driver, the truck's sole occupant, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the deceased man, a resident of Cannonvale, has not been released. An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. The Forensic Crash Unit is
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Hi Everyone, It’s hard to believe that by the time you are all reading this I will have shared the stage with the Premier of Queensland David Crisafulli at the official launch event for Hinchinbrook Life Newspaper. I am writing this in bed on Wednesday morning before I join my work colleague Trish on the four drive to Ingham where the event will be held this evening. I’ve met David a few times now, in fact earlier this year he presented us with the award for Best Free Newspaper in Queensland
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Bowen State School’s Year 11 Certificate III Fitness class has been spotlighted and congratulated for their outstanding efforts and commitment to organising a wonderful fundraising event which combined both fitness and community spirit. The students took part in the push-up challenge whereby they each performed as many push-ups as possible in succession to a timed cadence. With unwavering strength and determination, the students received waves of support from local businesses, leading them to
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On Sunday 1 December, Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, visited the Bowen Delta Rural Fire Brigade to share his appreciation for their invaluable service to the community, and showcase the positive impact of the Federal Government Grants program. “It was good to catch up with our local federal member, Andrew Willcox who popped out for a chat to our members and to thank them for their service to our community,” shared the Bowen Delta Rural Fire Brigade. Through the 2023/24 Volunteer G
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Gallagher Harbisher Thomson’s beloved blue heeler puppy, Dinghy, has been missing since Sunday, November 10, and is feared to have been stolen from his owner’s fishing boat in Port Douglas in the dead of night while Gallagher was in the hospital. The 12-week-old pup has been a source of great companionship for Gallagher, and his disappearance has left his owner deeply distressed and anxious about his safety. Just days before Dinghy went missing, Gallagher and his father had an interaction with
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In November, Bowen State High School celebrated the end of the school year with their Industry Awards Ceremony. This ceremony showcases their students' commitment and passion towards Vocational Education and acknowledges the strong association their school has with local industry and employers. This year Bowen State High School’s Guest Speaker was Kurt Gaudry, an Electrical Maintainer from Aurizon and a previous student of Bowen State High School. Kurt shared his journey through his career and
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Mayor Ry Collins thought he was the one in charge – that is, until a group of sharp young minds from St Catherine's Catholic College took their seats at the boardroom table! In a lively and inspiring meeting, a group of enthusiastic students met with the mayor to share their insights on the importance of recycling and waste reduction in the Whitsundays. These bright young eco-warriors are leading the charge to teach adults in the community how to properly dispose of waste and reduce environment
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Whitsunday Regional Council invite community members to celebrate Australia Day at the Airlie Beach Foreshore on Sunday 26 January, from 5pm to 8pm! The celebrations begin with recognising community achievements in the official awards presentation at 5pm, followed by a family-friendly evening of fun, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display at 8pm. The Whitsunday Regional Council Australia Day Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and organisations
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Are you passionate about hiking and exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the Whitsundays? The Whitsunday Regional Council is currently assessing the region’s mainland walking trail network to gauge public interest and demand for upgraded or expanded trails. This feedback will help shape the future of outdoor recreation in the region. The natural beauty of the Whitsundays is one of the area's greatest assets, and Council is eager to learn whether the current walking trail offerings meet the n
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Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine is delighted to announce the appointment of Brendon Nothard to their Board. “We are excited to have Proserpine industry leader Brendon Nothard join the Board. He is a welcome inclusion, and we look forward to his contribution in 2025 and beyond” said Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine Chairman Mark Henry. Following completion of his master’s degree in early 2003, Brendon started with a career in banking finishing as an Agricultural Specialist in
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Arguably navigating people management is up there with cashflow and other demands, irrespective on the size of your business. With ever-increasing industrial relations complexity and compliance requirements, businesses face more exposure and scrutiny when comes to how they are managing their employees and contractors. With significant financial penalties for non-compliance if known or even unknown, it is critical businesses are on top of their people management obligations. To better support t
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Whitsunday Regional Council encourages homeowners and renters to be proactive in identifying concealed water leaks. Catching leaks early can save water, money, and reduce stress. Look for signs like reduced water pressure, water pooling, damp patches, or unusually green grass. To check for a leak, turn off all taps and appliances for an hour and watch for any movement on your water meter reading dials. If a leak is detected, make sure a qualified plumber completes the repair, and remember to i
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Following on from a recent article on maternity care in Proserpine, here is the story of two very special nurses from a past era who are remembered as a great nursing team in the maternity ward - Monie Ward and Minnie Oakhill, affectionately referred to as “M and M”. MINNIE OAKHILL was born Mena Deicke on October 28 1903, the eldest child of Harry and Mary Deicke. She was schooled initially in Bowen and Townsville then finished her education at All Hallows College in Brisbane, travelling there b
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At our monthly Ordinary Meeting in Bowen last week, Council made a significant decision to enhance arts and culture in the Whitsundays, officially approving a 10-year Peppercorn Lease for Creative Connections Whitsundays (CCW). This decision paves the way for Creative Connections Whitsundays to transform the old Visitor Information Centre in Proserpine into a vibrant Community Art Gallery and cultural hub for the region. I’m thrilled by the opportunity this project brings to Proserpine and t
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A group of forward-thinking women gathered for a special event last month, the "Women vs Women: Challenging vs Championing" which was hosted by Shiift as its special end of year event of the Thriive series. The evening featured delicious cheese platters, drinks, and an outstanding panel of female leaders, including Dr. Julia Evans from the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kate Purdie, CEO of Coral Sea Marina, Melita Jurgen, Owner of Vee Jay's Kalfresh, and Rachael Smith, Editor-in-C
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Rich Bates, along with his partner, has owned News Whitsundays for the past two and a half years, having taken over the business from a family who ran it for 15 years. Since then, they have expanded the team to six staff members, helping to continue and grow the legacy of the local news agency. News Whitsundays offers an expanded selection of magazines, cards, and gifts for every occasion, now featuring a wider range of stationery, Back to School and unique souvenirs that were previously unavail
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Looking for activities to get yourself in the festive spirit this December? Here are all the events you need to attend to get Christmas ready! • CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COMPETITION– enter by 15th December 2024. • BOWEN CHRISTMAS STREET PARTY – Friday 29 November, Bowen Town Centre, 5pm - 9pm • MURROONA GARDENS CHRISTMAS CAROLS – Saturday 7 December, Murroona Gardens, 6pm Library Activities: All four of our regional libraries - Bowen, Collinsville, Cannonvale, and Proserpine - invite you t
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On Saturday 30 November, Bronwyn and Matt Calder officially opened the doors to FISHI Proserpine and felt a warm welcome from the local and surrounding community as well as Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm. “The response has been fantastic!” shared Bronwyn. “There was much anticipation, and we have been overwhelmed with how supportive the community has been.” With Matt himself holding well over twenty-five years of experience in the fishing and seafood industry, the pair will soon celebrate
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Affectionately known as Dr Bill, Dr William Bowman became Proserpine’s first full-time veterinarian when he established Proserpine Vet Surgery in 1975. Over the decades, the clinic has grown into a trusted pillar of the community, now approaching its 50th year of service. Dr Bill dedicated his career to caring for the region’s animals and their owners, providing full-time veterinary care until his retirement in 2010. In the 1990s, he was joined by Dr Faye McPherson, who began locuming at the cl
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At the weekend Ride Whitsundays, a local bike shop and community hub in the Whitsundays, celebrated its third birthday. Owners Cole and Kerr Claxton, locals to the Whitsundays with backgrounds in tourism and action sports, are passionate about building a vibrant cycling and mountain biking hub for the community, where enthusiasts of all levels can connect and explore the sport. Cole Claxton expressed his excitement about reaching the three-year milestone: “We’re incredibly excited. I can’t belie
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Many people kick off the festive season by settling in to watch Love Actually—a beloved holiday tradition. But this year, why not elevate the experience with Christmas, Actually. Join the Proserpine Entertainment Centre for a sensational live performance of your favourite tunes from the iconic Love Actually soundtrack. This festive celebration is set to bring the magic of the holiday season to life with a rockstar band featuring some of Australia’s top musicians and vocalists, including Joshua R
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The Airlie Beach Hotel invites you to celebrate the holiday season with its mouthwatering Christmas Lunch buffet this Saturday, 7 December, from 12pm to 2:30pm. This festive feast promises a delicious variety of hot and cold dishes to suit every palate. The Hot Selection includes classic favourites like honey-baked ham with honey mustard sauce, roast lamb with rosemary gravy, and roast chicken pieces with gravy. Indulge in comforting sides such as broccoli and cheese macaroni, garlic and rosema
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This non-alcoholic christmas punch recipe is the perfect holiday drink. It can be made in a big batch for a christmas party or for 1. If you're hunting for an easy, delicious non-alcoholic Christmas punch, you've found it. Planning a holiday event can be busy enough without having the additional task of preparing and serving drinks, so why not whip this up in advance and your guests can serve themselves! INGREDIENTS • 2 cups Low sugar cranberry juice • 1 cup Orange juice • 1 cup Pi
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Prep Cook Serves 20m 05m 6 As Beyoncé famously says, "I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly!" And trust me, you’ll want to be. These mini-Christmas pudding jellies are made with a surprisingly delicious chocolate jelly (yes, it sounds unusual, but it works!) and are topped with a luscious white chocolate drizzle. To add the perfect festive touch, they’re decorated with chopped spearmint lolly leaves and M&M’s Minis, making them the cutest individual Christmas desserts ever! Ingredient
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