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BEST FREE NEWSPAPER IN QLD! State Awards Validate Your Local Paper

The team at Mackay and Whitsunday Life Newspaper are beyond thrilled to announce the news they have just taken out three top gongs at the annual Queensland Country Press Awards which were held in the Sunshine Coast over the weekend. The accolades include Best One-off Commercial Feature, Best Locally Produced Advertising Campaign and the most significant award of the night, Best Free Newspaper.

Biggest Cook Islands Morning Tea

Proserpine Community Centre hosted their Biggest Morning Tea event last Friday. The theme for the event was ‘Come to the Cook Islands’ and bright colours and traditional Cook Island ‘ei katu or flower crowns were all in sight. Every guest was greeted with a handmade flower crown, the room was filled with them, and Tivaevae quilts adorned the walls, coconuts and flowers decorated the tables, all items bringing together a vibrant tropical theme. During the morning, there was of course morning t

No Crisis Accommodation In Bowen

Stories of a family with a newborn baby living in a tent in Bowen have compelled Member for Burdekin Dale Last to call for urgent assistance to the current housing crisis that is sweeping the nation. Mr Last is asking for the issue to be addressed immediately, demanding a response to a recent Question on Notice from the Housing Minister which, he believes, proved the people of Bowen had been left with broken promises in their hour of need. “We have waited for this response from the Minister i

National GP Shortage Blamed For Bowen Surgery Closure

The latest victim of severe staff shortages in the medical industry is the Bowen Herbert Street Family Medical Centre which announced this week that it will close its doors at the end of June. Over 200 GP clinics in Australia have closed down in the past year, many of them citing the same reason – they simply cannot get enough GPs. Bowen Herbert Street Family Medical Centre is operated by the Girudala Community Cooperative Society, which is a non-for-profit organisation which predominantly ove

Reconciliation Week Across The Region

Local events to mark Reconciliation Week took place across the Whitsundays this week, beginning with a special ceremony hosted by Whitsunday Regional Council and held in Proserpine on Monday. Mayor Ry Collins was in attendance and said he was honoured to participate in the ceremony held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, which marked the beginning of National Reconciliation Week. "The ceremony was a poignant reminder of our shared history and the importance of reconciliation," he said.

Doco On The Dock Coral Sea Marina Launches Documentary-Style Series

As part of World Boating Day, Coral Sea Marina are launching their own documentary series which will showcase the Whitsundays and display why it is the ultimate cruising destination. There will be three episodes and they’ll all be relevant to anyone interested in boating in the Whitsundays. The first episode, “Your Whitsunday Home Port”, explores the top-notch facilities and services offered at Coral Sea Marina, as well as delving into what’s on offer in Airlie Beach and the surrounds. Epi

Leading The Way: The First Social Enterprise Conference

Two forward-thinking local individuals and leaders in their field have brought their industry together by creating the inaugural Social Enterprise Conference which took place in the Whitsundays last week. Inviting 120 Neighbourhood and Community Centres from across Queensland to the conference, Bec Woods of Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre and Steph Cora from Bowen Neighbourhood centre Cora led the inspiring two-day event. Beginning with a day in Cannonvale, participants were involved with a se

New Health Facility Well Under Way In Proserpine

Work on a refurbished community mental health facility at 32 Chapman Street in Proserpine is progressing well with contractors now busy on the internal fit-out of the Greater Whitsundays Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs service. Currently operating out of the Proserpine Hospital, this service will now re-locate and have its own space on Chapman Street, creating a hub for assistance within the community. Meanwhile, the vacated space at Proserpine Hospital will now make way for a new Renal

New Bike Track In Collinsville Is Complete

The much-anticipated new Collinsville Pump Track in Darcy Munro Park is complete and open for public use. This welcome community activity will see the youth of Collinsville enjoy outdoor recreation at this purpose built facility. Pump tracks are similar to BMX tracks and the new track provides opportunity for enthusiasts of any age to use the track at their leisure and hone their skills. It’s a great place to create new friends that share a similar passion for bike riding. The circuit is d

Under 8’s Day Delight At Proserpine State School

Councillor Jan Clifford and Principal Leanne Riley Abel Mickyle Kahu Yolanda Hansen Michael Bonanno Peter Lock Corbin and Jacinta Jacob, Tyde, Max, Chelsea and Rose Pippa Serenity, Hudson and Malakai

Cruisin’ Car Club Show and Shine at the Coral Sea Marina

At The Shirtfront Of Business Branding ShirtFront Solutions Celebrates 15 Years

Emblazoned on the colourful team shirts proudly worn by our local sporting teams, fashioned for striking work uniforms across multiple business sectors and adorning our adorable children as they head to school each day, you will have seen countless ShirtFront Solutions’ creations over the years, each of them playing a central part in the fabric our community. At the beating heart of business branding, every aspect of ShirtFront Solutions’ diverse services and product range is conducted from th

A Rewarding Role With Accounts Manager Jaime Deakes

With 25 years in the field and 15 years of experience as the accounts manager, Jaime Deakes finds working at ShirtFront Solutions very rewarding. Specialising in organisation with a profound talent and passion for making people laugh, Jaime is loved by her work-colleagues and customers alike. Having been with the company since its inception, Jaime now dedicates one day per week to completing payroll, managing accounts, assisting with quotes and tackling any additional tasks that arise. Origin

Quality Control With Workshop Manager Darren (Yogi) Smith

“It’s interesting and no two days are the same”, according to Darren (Yogi) Smith, the warehouse manager at ShirtFront and the person who organises everything behind the scenes of the store to ensure a smooth running in all aspects of production. Yogi had known Kev before ShirtFront was established and the two make a formidable team, both through innovation and fast-paced efficiency. From managing the warehouse to receiving stock, unpacking all the orders and ensuring that everything is runni

The New Generation Junior Staff Member Fletcher Shumski

The youngest member of the team, Fletcher is a calm and confident achiever who is soaking up all the knowledge in his first ever job. Electing to pursue an interest in everything from screen printing to digital transfers, this young man is learning a broad spectrum of skills. At just 14 years of age, Fletcher spends some weekends and weekdays after school helping out this family business and learning skills from the ground up. “I peel back the transfers so they’re ready to print, I’ve also tri

Embroidery Expertise With Embroiderer Jennifer Horsford

Bringing with her over 60 years of sewing experience, Jenny started learning how to sew at a very young age from her mother who was a skilled tailoress. She can remember sitting under her mother’s feet for hours as a child, watching her sew and absorbing knowledge which she still uses to this day. For many years, sewing was a much-loved hobby for Jenny, and one that led her to receive significant acclaim. An international prize winner, Jenny’s talent for quilt making has seen her receive world-

Custom Made Creations With Office Manager Michelle Baker

The friendly face that greets you as you walk into the Cannonvale storefront, Michelle is the Office Manager at Shirtfront Solutions. Adept at answering all your questions, Michelle can guide you through their product range and the different methods of branding your clothing or piece of merchandise. From uniforms for school children to a wide selection of workwear which includes high-vis, health care, corporate and more – Shirtfront Solutions have you covered. “We take a lot of custom-made ord

How Do I Find Good Staff These Days?

This month’s Ask An Expert with Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry asks: How do I find good staff these days. Two Chamber members responded. Rachael Anderton of ExecuHub believes finding good staff needs a strategic approach. “First, clearly define the role and desired qualities. Next, post targeted job ads on relevant platforms and social media channels, customised to the specific skills you require. Consider whether your ideal candidate is more likely to search on LinkedIn, Seek, o

A Minute With The Mayor

On Monday I had the honour of attending and speaking at the first of many National Reconciliation Week events across the region. The Proserpine Entertainment Centre played host to a Flag Raising Ceremony, Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony followed by a short film by Yooribaya Cultural Experiences on the cinema screen. During this week, let us all take the time to educate ourselves, to listen, and to engage in meaningful conversations about reconciliation. Whitsunday Regional Council remain

Did You Know?

Whitsunday Regional Council offers a range of Community Assistance Grants to support local volunteer-based organisations, including sport and recreation clubs, facility managers, and other community groups. These grants recognise the vital role these groups play in our community and provide targeted financial support. Additionally, there’s special funding for Junior Elite Athletes under 18, who represent North Queensland, Queensland, or Australia in official events. This support helps cover part

Out & About With Jade From Tourism Whitsundays 

In our ‘Out And About’ segment with Tourism Whitsundays, we showcase the team and share how connected they are with local tourism. In this feature Jade Richardson, from Tourism Whitsundays invites you along with her as she takes trips around our beautiful region and shares her experiences with you. In Tourism Whitsundays Out and About segment this week, Jade enjoyed visiting Oh Deere Farm Stay in Calen. This farm offers camping and experience-based activities focused on the Cane industry. V

The Airlie Beach Hotel Offers Sex And Chocolate!

The Brisbane based band, Sex and Chocolate, are coming back to Airlie Beach. Offering something new every time they visit, this highly-acclaimed band promises this time will be no different as they perform two separate sets from the bar-top stage at this popular venue. The first set will include their well-known and much-loved Motown work and the second set will include well known pop songs and overall great vibes! Both sets will of course feature the groups fine-tuned choreography. Sex and

Indulge In Wuisan Chandra’s New Menu At Whisper Restaurant And Gin Bar

Full name : Wuisan Chandra Position : Executive chef Every fine restaurant deserved a refined chef at the helm, someone to guide the way, inspire the menu and select dishes that will transform a delicious meal into an experience you will remember. Indonesian Chef, Wuisan Chandra, understands this first hand, having started his own culinary journey in 2006 in Australia. He worked in Sydney for a few different restaurants over a period of four years. But home was calling for Wuisan and he de

This Queensland Day Celebrate The Whitsunday Way

At the Proserpine Entertainment Centre enjoy the fun activities whilst honouring what Queensland has to offer. Enjoy a range of activities, including. Live music, free craft workshops, exciting games, delicious food vans, creative face painting, thrilling wildlife encounters and heaps more. There's so much more in store for you to discover and enjoy. This spectacular event is brought to you by the Whitsunday Regional Council and proudly sponsored by the Queensland Government. Don't miss out

Cheers To 20 Years Class Of 2004 Reunion

Calling graduates of 2004 at Proserpine State High School and loved ones, it’s almost time for the 20-year reunion. On Saturday 22 June at 2pm catch up with old classmates and enjoy the great setting at Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill. Sit back, mingle with old friends, and enjoy the live music plus an all-day menu at the Beach Bar. Whether you graduated Proserpine State High School in 2004 or left a little bit earlier – you are welcome, partners and kids are welcome too. It will be a great c