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With North Mackay Bowls Club The long awaited final of the Mixed Fours was played at the club on Friday Afternoon 7th Nov 2025. What promised to be a very intense and well played out final met all expectations. The team ofDave McKendry, Carmel Bell, Ken Rix and Pam Spencer came out flying with a determined game plan, to win and they certainly carried that throughout the entire game. A massive congratulations go to them as this years Mixed Fours winners. Runners up Chris Banney, Les McDermott,
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Women's Social Smash is Here! Swing Into Summer with the new social cricket competition that’s all about fun, friends, and fitness! Never played? No worries! This is a stress-free, soft-ball game for women of all ages and abilities where everyone gets a go and no one's out! It’s a perfect opportunity to get a workplace team together for a bit of fun, while looking after staff moral and wellbeing. The Details: Starts: Monday, 17th November 2025, 4 weeks only Game Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
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Mackay Table Tennis Fixture Results - 28th October 2025 Evening Fixtures Division 1: Eagles (Emma Widdup, Josh Brown) def Barra (Barry Patterson, Andrea Nicholson, Lee Brake) 6-5 with Emma and Josh making a awesome come back from 2 sets down to win 11-8 in 5th Set over Andrea and Graham D. Fish (Steve Whiting, Trent Day, Graeme Walker) def Jaguar (Anne Sheridan, Geoff Cowan, Neil Brown) 8-3. Graeme W and Geoff had a tough battle with the leads changing all the time with Graeme winning in the
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At Mackay Contract Bridge Club As the Bridge year gets closer to the end of the year, the Mackay Bridge Club gets very busy. Melbourne Cup Day saw Fifty-Eight players celebrate the “Race that Stops the Nation” with great Bridge, Sweeps, Fashions on the Field and a magnificent Lunch. Great fun was had by all. The weekend was the third week of the Presidents Trophy, with players playing with a different partner each week to be eligible for the Trophy. Forty-Six players vied for the Presidents Tro
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Bowen’s Youngest Residents Celebrated At Annual Baby Welcoming Ceremony Under clear spring skies, Bowen families gathered at Hansen Park for a heartwarming celebration — the 2025 Baby Welcoming Ceremony. This cherished tradition, now more than 20 years strong, brought together 30 proud families to honour their newest arrivals, from tiny newborns to curious near-one-year-olds. Mayor Ry Collins praised the “spectacular spring morning” and the incredible sense of community on display, commending t
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Hi Everyone, Many of you will know that my love for the environment inspired me to create Ruth2Reef, a column dedicated to showcasing ways we can protect it. That’s why, when I came to write this week’s article about the Ngaro Track on page four, I found myself at something of a crossroad. The new trail is an incredible addition, a 32 km hike across awe-inspiring Whitsunday Island, all while promoting what it claims to be, which is 'ecotourism.' I love hiking and I am always keen to discover n
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Last Wednesday, November 5th was another big day for MRQ Whitsunday who came to the aid of a stranded boatie at Little Black Reef. The 5.5-metre cabin cruiser, with two people on board, had broken down early in the morning when the call came through to Bill, the team’s 24/7 communications officer. Without hesitation, the crew rallied, with skipper and volunteers heading to Coral Sea Marina to prepare the rescue vessel. Nat was first on scene to begin prep work, while Rodney and the skipper dep
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Around 50 people attended the Remembrance Day Service in Cannonvale this Tuesday 11 November. The service opened with a welcome from the President of Airlie Beach RSL Club Dianne Trueman, followed by a short address and prayer led by Father Andy Wilson. Father Wilson reflected on the anniversary of the end of World War I, honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those wounded in battle, and those who continue to bear the emotional scars of war. Attendees joined together in the Prayer o
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Yet The New 32-Kilometre Hiking Trail Sparks Debate By Ruth Puddefoot Discover the real Whitsundays Island on a brand new long-distance hiking trail Stretching 32 km along the southern end of Whitsunday Island, the brand-new Ngaro Track offers spectacular vistas, ever-changing scenery, and a connection between two iconic destinations: Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. Visitors can explore the island’s remote interior and even camp overnight at bespoke campsites. Offering both guided and self-gui
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By Daniel Heggie Residents of the Whitsundays may have spotted a newer, cleaner, sleeker looking ambulance rolling through town during the last few weeks, as the Whitsunday Ambulance Station gains a brand new Ambulance. Acting Officer in Charge of the station Erin Maree Saltmarsh said that the fellow officers have been loving it, and despite it being at the station for four weeks, this week was the first time she had time to properly take a look at it, due to constantly being used on jobs.
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The Bowen Mural at Front Beach and beside the Little Mango the Information Centre is complete. Artist Glen Gillard said he has completed the 'book ends' of a mural piece which includes old drawings of buildings on Herbert Street in Bowen. The latest artworks depict the School of Arts and the Town Hall both once prominent landmarks along Herbert Street. Glen explained that The School of Arts was badly damaged in the 1958 cyclone and later demolished, while the Town Hall, built in 1890, was des
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Whitsunday residents now have another way to fly directly from the region to Cairns — and the new connection is already proving a hit with travellers on both sides of the reef. A new direct flight between Cairns and Hamilton Island has officially taken off, reconnecting two of Queensland’s most iconic Great Barrier Reef destinations for the first time since the pandemic and opening the door for more Cairns visitors to explore the Whitsundays. The inaugural East Air service departed Cairns Airpo
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The businesses operating from Cumberland House in Cannonvale have combined fronts and united in the spirit of Christmas and gift-giving, to support the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre's annual Toy Drive. Cumberland House contains three local businesses, Whitsunday Law, Accountancy Plus and Queensland Sotheby's International Realty. What started as a casual conversation between businesses has quickly turned into a full-scale festive effort, with the team setting up a giving tree in their foyer
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The Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre has launched its 2025 Community Toy Drive, celebrating nine years of spreading Christmas cheer through its Free Christmas Pop-Up Shop. The initiative ensures every local child has a gift under the tree, with 62 families and 230 children supported last year. Businesses and community groups are invited to join by setting up a Giving Tree in their workplace or running staff-led collections. Donated new, unwrapped toys must be delivered to the Centre by Wednesday
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Tourism in Bowen was in the spotlight at the Bowen Uniting Church Friendship Club meeting last week. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy was the guest speaker, invited to explain the role of the Local Tourism Organisation. Leanne was invited by Anne Steen, who helps with the club’s activities and is also a volunteer at the visitor information booth at Bowen’s Front Beach. Leanne highlighted the record number of visitors at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre and gave membe
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Cannon Valley’s Eloise Chegwidden has done her hometown and school proud, achieving remarkable success at the School Sport Australia National Swimming Championships in Ballarat, Victoria. The 10-year-old St Catherine’s Catholic College student, who trains with the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club, earned her spot on the Queensland Representative School Sports team after medaling in two events at the State Championships held in Brisbane earlier this year. Representing Queensland on the national
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The recent adoption of the Bowen Foreshore Masterplan marks a major milestone not only for Council, but for me personally as Mayor. From the day I was elected, one of my top priorities was to deliver a clear and connected vision for Bowen’s waterfront — a plan that unites the foreshore, boat harbour, jetty, township, and surrounding parklands into a single, cohesive destination for locals and visitors alike. To now see that vision formally adopted by Council is incredibly rewarding. Bowen’s for
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Whitsunday Regional Council is rolling out a Parks Regional Asset Renewal Program from November 2025 to April 2026. This program will upgrade more than 75 park assets across 23 parks in the Whitsunday Region! From playgrounds and BBQs to shelters and exercise stations, we’re making sure our parks stay safe, welcoming and fun for everyone. For more information on our regional parks renewal package, visit Council’s online engagement portal, at yoursay.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au .
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St Catherine’s Catholic College came together Friday, 24 October, to celebrate another big year of achievement at the school’s annual Awards Ceremony. Despite the scorching heatwave, families, staff and community members came together to cheer on students from Years 3 to 12 being recognised for their efforts across academic, cultural, community and sporting pursuits. The ceremony featured plenty of highlights, including two fantastic performances from the College’s concert band, and wrapped up
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Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Proserpine Mill crushed out early last Saturday morning, bringing an end to a successful season. It was the second of Wilmar’s eight sugar factories to finish the 2025 season. Proserpine Mill Manager Operations Cory O’Shea said the last bin went through the tippler at 6.30am Saturday (1 November). “In total, we processed 1.48M tonnes of cane for the year to make about 205,000 tonnes of raw sugar. “The crop dropped off towards the back end of the season due to the
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Landholders Urged to Stay Alert Biosecurity Queensland is urging landholders across the region to be on the lookout for locust activity, following the detection of late-stage nymphs in the Proserpine area. The department is currently working closely with local landholders to identify the number and species of locusts present and to assist with control measures aimed at reducing the risk of a wider outbreak. “Controlling locusts during the nymph stage is crucial,” a Biosecurity Queensland spoke
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To Elevate The Naturally Iconic Experience
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From Awards to Advocacy: What’s Next for Local Business Congratulations to all Whitsunday Business Awards 2025 nominees! The quality of submissions was breathtaking. We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the Awards Ceremony on Friday 21 November at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre. The event has sold out and promises to be a fantastic evening celebrating and recognising business excellence across our region. We’re also pleased to see Whitsunday Regional Council confirm the reo
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Call For Stall Holders And Food Vendors Get ready for a night of festive cheer and community spirit - the Proserpine Twilight Christmas Fair is returning to Main Street on Friday, 12 December 2025, from 5.00pm to 8.00pm. Local market stall holders and food vendors are being asked to take part in what promises to be a magical evening celebrating everything we love about our community - local creativity, good food, and Christmas joy. It's the perfect way to kick off the Christmas Spirit and with
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Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a relaxed evening by the water as the Airlie Beach Foreshore transforms into the open-air cinema on Friday, 21 November 2025. The free community movie night will kick off at 6pm, featuring two much-loved films Rango followed by Drop Dead Fred. Rango follows the Chameleon who has lived as a sheltered family pet experiences an identity crisis after landing in the frontier town of Dirt, where he becomes the new sheriff. What begins as an act soon turns
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