This month’s Member Spotlight from Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry showcases our diverse businesses community. After 22 years in the finance industry, Fiona Erquiaga established Smooth Sailing Finance Consulting in 2020. As a finance and mortgage broker, she assists clients to achieve their goals by offering strategic, tailored and competitive options for first and new homes, investments, business and equipment purchases, and self-managed super funds. Having worked with the big ba
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It was a positive step forward for our region when Councillors unanimously voted to establish an Economic Development Advisory Group (EDAG) at last week’s monthly Council meeting in Bowen. As a first term Mayor I am committed to building a prosperous future for our region and the new Advisory Group will bring together Council, community leaders, and business representatives to ensure our economic plans are aligned with the needs and opportunities of the Whitsundays. The EDAG will act as a fo
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Tourism Whitsundays has welcomed a fresh face with creative energy to its team. New Marketing Coordinator, Emma Bailes brings a passion for brand building and says she will be acting as both the brand guardian and the creative go-to for the organisation. In this role, Emma will be focused on creating campaigns that highlight the natural beauty and unforgettable experiences that make the Whitsundays such a unique destination. Emma is looking forward to collaborating with local businesses and c
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Returning for the fourth time to Airlie Beach is Louie Lee Feltrin, a legendary performer who is bringing us the high energy Robbie Williams Experience. Louie has been performing as Robbie Williams for almost 20 years and still loves it. He loves getting up on stage and giving people what they want from an authentic Robbie Williams tribute show. “We don't take it too seriously; we tend to make it a lot of fun,” said Louie. “We know it's all pretend, so we enjoy that aspect of it, and we give
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Friday 4 October The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Oompah Loompah *special event* (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: Rene Le Feuvre (from 8pm) Saturday 5 October The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Oompah Loompah(2pm– 5:30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Mad Mariachi (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: DJ Night (from 8pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Live Music (from 1pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Chill DJ Session (2pm – 6pm) Sunday 6 October The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Mad Mariachi (2pm – 5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel:
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The Proserpine Whitsunday Uniting Church invites the community to join in celebrating its Grand Opening, set to take place from October 10-13, 2024. The four-day event will feature a series of special services and community activities. The Grand Opening festivities will kick off on Thursday, October 10, with a Civic Celebration Service at 7:00pm. This service will include the participation of dignitaries, builders, consultants, and architects who played a significant role in the construction o
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The Whitsundays Arts Festival is thrilled to reveal the final addition to this year's Whitsundays Songwriter Festival. Airlie Beach will be graced with the presence of Mark Sholtez, the first Australian artist to be signed to Verve Records in New York. Joining him is 7 time ARIA award winner Wendy Matthews, Queensland Music Award winner Jude York and America’s Got Talent and The Voice Australia’s sensation Johnny Manuel who were announced last month. Mark will take part in the Whitsundays Son
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October 5 Mini Roller Disco, PCYC Whitsunday, from 10am 5 Adopt-A-Dog-Day, Pets Domain Bowen, from 10am 5 Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 7.30pm 10 Adult Roller Skating Class, PCYC Whitsunday, from 6pm 10-13 Proserpine Whitsunday Uniting Church Grand Opening 10-15 The Songwriters Festival 11 Junior Cricket Come & Try Afternoon, Proserpine Junior Cricket Grounds from 4pm 11 Airlie Beach Movie Night – Super Mario Bros & Sister Act, Airlie Beach Fores
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Young anglers get ready for Kids Fishing Day at Lake Proserpine, which is back for its second year. Promised to be a perfect opportunity for kids to learn fishing tips and tricks, participants can enjoy exciting workshops and try their hand at the Barra Cash Dash. Last year 250 youngsters turned up to the day, and they expect numbers to be even higher this year with 42 pre-bookings already made by families in the community. The day starts at 9am, and the organisers have 20 fishing rod sets to g
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Get ready to cast your line and reel in the prize of a lifetime with the Barra Cash Dash! The all-new community event is set to be fin-tastic. The initiative is to help drive more tourism to the region, as well as get budding anglers off the couch and onto the lure. Craig Turner, Director of Commercial Business at the Whitsunday Regional Council, shared exciting news about the fishing competition. Participants have the chance to win incredible cash prizes, including a staggering $20,000 for cat
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Bowen Tourism and Business (BTB) is calling for nominations for the committee. The committee of Bowen Tourism and Business sets the strategic direction of the organisation with the operational matters being carried out by a small team of staff. The organisation currently has 18 active volunteers. The current chair of BTB is Jenn Honnery, who is encouraging members to join the committee to help set the future strategic direction of the organisation. “A strong committee always has a diverse ra
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At Coral Sea Pavilion, the seafood platter is more than a meal – it’s an experience that celebrates the freshest local bounty from Australia’s pristine waters, all while enjoying extraordinary views of the Coral Sea. The seafood platter is carefully curated and features a selection of seafood delicacies that highlight the region’s rich marine offerings. Start with the famous Coffin Bay oysters, known for their briny sweetness, paired perfectly with a tangy shallot vinegar and a squeeze of fres
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Feeling hungry at lunch and looking for a healthy and locally sourced poke bowl? Lokahi at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre has you covered! Inspired to explore healthy alternatives beyond traditional salads and vegetables, owner Erina Miyake discovered the vibrant world of poke bowls. Originally from Hawaii, poke bowls blend Asian and Western flavours, offering a delicious and nutritious alternative. Erina is excited to share this culinary gem with the Whitsunday community, hoping locals will
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This week, Jade had the pleasure of visiting Hayley and Paul at Airlie Health Hub. If you're in the Cannonvale area, be sure to pop in to say hi, enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and a raw treat while you browse their fantastic selection of groceries, cleaning, and health supplies. You will not be disappointed! Currently in the heart of growing season Airlie Health Hub sources fresh produce directly from local Whitsunday growers. Every Monday, Paul heads out to the farm to select the best fruit
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Eco Barge has excitedly announced their selection as one of six successful applicants for a grant under the Queensland Circular Economy (Industry-Research) program. This initiative is supported by the Resources Centre of Excellence and the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. The Circular Economy program aims to drive industry-led research and innovation to transition from the traditional take-make-waste model to a sustainable circular economy. This approach focuses on designing
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The Whitsunday Automotive and Restoration Club celebrated its 40th Anniversary in September. 50 members of the club plus guests attended and reminisced about the early years of the club. There was also a display of memorabilia, old photos and newsletters for everyone to enjoy. The highlight of the anniversary celebration was that members of the club showcased their cars and were eager to chat about the history of them, they also marked the occasion with each member of the club receiving a
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The Whitsunday Dirt Riders are gearing up to host one of the most thrilling events of the year—the JR's Motorcycle and Suspension Specialists Australian Senior Dirt Track Championships! This high-octane event is happening this weekend, October 5th and 6th, at Drays Park, Gunyarra, just off the road to Whitsunday Coast Airport. Over 100 riders, including competitors from as far south as Victoria, will be battling it out across five championship classes, with additional junior and veteran suppo
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The Whitsunday Game Fish Club's Billfish and Tuna Rally, held last Sunday, saw junior anglers taking centre stage and proving their prowess on the water, much to the surprise of their seasoned competitors. In perfect conditions, ten teams took to the seas, but it was the young guns who outshined the veterans. Junior angler Jasmin Smith, fishing aboard her dad’s boat Lay Low, made headlines by tagging and releasing a Sailfish on an 8kg line, earning her the top-scoring Billfish of the day. Not t
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On Sunday, 22nd September, the Port Denison Gun Club held its monthly shoot, attracting twenty-six competitors. Shooters from Mackay/Sarina, the Burdekin, Townsville, Charters Towers, and even as far as Cressy, Tasmania, joined local members for a day filled with competitive spirit. Event 1: 25T DB Sweepstakes AA: B Gall, M Zabala, T Coco & A Zarb 25/25 A: J Cerqui & K Zarb 25/25, J Campbell & G Maltby 24/25 B: D Stitt 24/25, J Kinninmonth 23/25, M Simpson 21/25 C: B Bonanno & A Furini 24/25
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The Cannonvale Cannons invite new swimmers and their families to experience club swimming by attending their weekly Club Nights. Held every Wednesday from 5 p.m., these evenings allow swimmers to participate in various events, starting from 12 metres. The club prides itself on being family-friendly, fostering fun, fitness, and friendship. Club Coaches Mark Erickson and Ken Crittenden extend their congratulations to all swimmers who maintained their fitness over the school holidays. It was also g
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With just one week left of competitive bowls, the club is gearing up for the final event—the Men’s Fours Competition—next weekend before closing for roof installation. The recent games have been as heated as the weather, with thrilling action across all competitions. The week kicked off on Tuesday, 24th September, with 18 players competing in afternoon bowls. The standout team, led by the talented skipper Joan McGrath, claimed victory with the highest margin. Joan’s team, including the relentle
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It’s been a busy couple of weeks at the club, with plenty of action on the greens. In a closely contested Triples match, Robyn, Rosco, and Tiarna defeated Andy, Crowe, and Mitch. The Social Games saw a range of impressive performances: • Sunday 15/9: Marion, Ray, and Daryl triumphed over Ron, Frank, and Wendy. Ian, Jane, and Rob secured a win against Sue, Lindsay, and Steve. • Wednesday 18/9: Ray and Kevin edged out Tracey and Wendy. Ian, P. Madon, and Steve overcame MaryEllen, Gordo, a
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It’s been a week of fantastic weather and exciting games at the club. Wednesday saw the arrival of two new visitors to bowls, bringing a fresh energy to the greens. In a dominant match, Ray Ihle, Arthur Griffith, Bruce Uhe, and Garry Alexander triumphed over Beth Ihle, Alen Sanderson, Philip Brown, and Heather Brown with a commanding 30-5 victory. Sunday's social bowls also provided great entertainment. Arthur Griffith, Philip Brown, and Sandy Daffara claimed a 25-15 win against Alen Sanderson,
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The weather was favourable this week with mild winds, no rain, and plenty of players taking to the course for a series of exciting events. Tuesday/Wednesday (24-25/9/24): Golf NQ Seniors Open The club was proud to host the Golf NQ Seniors Open, welcoming over 65 players each day. Pioneer Valley, Sarina, Rowes Bay, Bundaberg, El Arish, Dysart, and Mackay Golf Club sent strong contingents, with Mackay fielding over 20 players. Proserpine Golf Club (PGC) was well represented with 30+ competitors.
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The final round of the Whitsunday Concrete Constructions 3 Ball Ambrose Championship took place last Sunday, with eight teams competing on a beautifully sunny day, despite an early morning fog. The event, generously sponsored by Ritchie Atkins, was a fitting end to the three-round championship. After a great day on the course, players gathered at Proserpine Golf Club for a BBQ and presentation, with thanks to Master Butchers Whitsunday for providing delicious food. A big shout-out to Ritchie At
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