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Bowen is recognised as the Mural Capital of Australia and with almost 30 murals adorning the walls around the town, it is no wonder. Bowen was once destined to be the capital of North Queensland and this incredible history is reflected in the new mural of Herbert Street which depicts imagery of the town in the 1930’s. The murals show the old wide streets of Herbert Street, the very first Supreme Court north of Rockhampton, and the old Commonwealth Bank. Painting the murals is highly acclaime
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More than 50 business-minded individuals attended the inaugural Whitsunday Business Conference which took place in Cannonvale last week. An initiative of the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the event was a melting pot of inspiration and activity, with a diverse range of guest speakers, panel discussions and interactive sessions where all attendees were encouraged to participate and contribute. Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP opened the event with an inspiring speech and, foll
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The Queensland Small Business Commissioner (QSBC), Dominique Lamb, visited the Whitsundays last week to engage with the local business community and budding entrepreneurs, providing valuable insights and support tailored to the unique challenges faced by small businesses in the area. Council’s Economic Development Team hosted an event for the Commissioner to showcase the extensive support available through the QSBC to help businesses succeed. This includes financial advice, upskilling and train
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Whitsunday Regional Council promotes responsible pet ownership to enhance community safety and enjoyment. Always keep dogs leashed in public spaces such as parks, reserves, and foreshores, except in designated 'off lead' areas. This practice not only ensures everyone's safety but also allows all community members to enjoy these spaces worry-free. For those times when your dog can roam freely, check the Council’s website for detailed maps of approved off-leash areas where your pet can safely expl
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Celebrated local artist, Karen Jacobsen, has been nominated for an Australian Independent Record Award in recognition of her Misogyny Opus masterpiece. The Mackay-born artist, known widely as the ‘Voice of Siri’, moved back from America with her family several years ago, electing to make the Whitsundays her home. Since then, Karen has been cultivating a career in Australia, becoming a popular personality and talented artist both locally and nationally. The acclaimed pop orchestral work, Mis
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It’s that time of year again when those who are looking to build wealth are reviewing strategies to minimise their taxation expenses prior to the 30 June deadline. Whether you own a successful business, are on a good salary or have had a once-off taxable transaction such as selling an asset and triggering a capital gain, there are a variety of legitimate, legal strategies to help minimise your tax bill or boost your refund. Tax minimisation is all about creating tax deductible expenses to offset
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“Who do I think I am talking and advising about leadership? Wait til someone realises I’m not the expert in this field . . . Wait till someone discovers my past epic failures.” This is the little voice in my head I’ve come to fear and now finally befriend after many years. This voice follows me around most days and is either so small I can hardly hear it, or booming through my ears loud enough for me to think everyone around me can hear it. Imposter Syndrome is feelings of self-doubt and nega
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This week is National Volunteer Week, and Tourism Whitsundays is celebrating the incredible Whitsunday Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors. Since 2004, their tropical shirts and warm smiles have become synonymous with arriving in Airlie Beach. These passionate volunteers are the first to greet cruise ship passengers, offering a wealth of local knowledge and ensuring a smooth start to their Whitsunday adventure. These volunteers have already welcomed over 44 cruise ships and nearly 77,000 pass
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Fuel your sense of wonder and excitement at Coral Sea Marina, where every visit promises unforgettable experiences. Nestled in the wondrous Whitsundays, Coral Sea Marina is the heart of adventure and relaxation for travellers seeking an extraordinary winter escape. Renowned as the region's premier tourism hub, this marina is a treasure trove of experiences, promising endless adventures and unforgettable memories. As the temperatures drop elsewhere, Coral Sea Marina emerges as a vibrant tropical
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Observed on 18 May every year, International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) International Day for Women in Maritime celebrates and recognises women in maritime, with this year's theme "Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety". As a multi award-winning, high standard marine operator, Ocean Rafting has been showcasing the Whitsundays for 27 years, always with women at the helm, so to speak, in some shape or form. International Day for Women in Maritime celebrates women in the i
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It’s time to celebrate sunsets, sea views and decadent dining with two of the best local Whitsundays’ restaurants both marking five years in business this year. The iconic Italian inspired eatery, Sorrento's, and the enchanting Garden Bar, both located at Coral Sea Marina, and both owned by the same family, are popular with locals and tourists alike. In April, Sorrento Restaurant and Bar reached its five-year milestone and it was time for owners, husband and wife Iyas and Mandy, and sister Penn
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For just over a decade, Airlie Boat Hire has been giving its customers the freedom to explore the Whitsundays independently by becoming the captain of one of the vessels they have for hire. Their exceptional personalised service, selection of quality vessels and the convenient extras, such as their range of water activities and eskies, make Airlie Boat Hire an easy, exciting and affordable way to get out on the water. Airlie Boat Hire sits securely at the heart of Coral Sea Marina surrounded b
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On International Nurses Day hospitals and nurses were awarded for their hard work and contribution to the world of nursing, with Bowen Hospital recognised amongst the winners. James Cook University (JCU) awarded Bowen Hospital for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning for Nursing and Midwifery. Students from JCU said they experienced great opportunities, were treated respectfully, encouraged to be involved and felt supported by the registered nurses (RN) at the hospital, whilst completi
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Experience the thrill of a Red Cat Adventures, an award-winning tour orbiting the Whitsunday Islands in a single day. Explore iconic destinations like Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet lookout as well as snorkeling spots on the Great Barrier Reef. Departing from Airlie Beach, this all-inclusive package welcomes families, couples and groups seeking unforgettable adventures. Meet Reece Fearnside, a seasoned skipper with Red Cat Adventures, who has spent the last 18 months orchestrating memorable marit
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The Whitsundays was on show at the Townsville Expo last weekend. Three team members from Bowen Tourism and Business and a representative from Tourism Whitsundays all attended the expo, along with several Whitsunday operators. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said all expos and trade shows were a great way to showcase what we have to offer in the region. “We spoke to thousands of people who were interested in visiting our piece of paradise,” she said. “Growing the drive
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The winners of North Queensland Bulk Port’s (NQBP) ‘Design your Dream Jetty’ art competition were announced last week. There were close to 100 entries in the competition, with the youth of Bowen submitting their designs in a special art competition which invited them to highlight ideas for a future jetty. There were three categories - Lower Primary, Upper Primary and High School, and each category had two winners, the Winner and the Encouragement Award. Piper from Bowen State Primary School w
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One of the country’s up and coming Opera stars, Marcus Corowa, is a Bowen boy who spent most of his childhood in the region and is now hitting the big stage and performing in Queensland’s biggest opera productions. But how did he get there? Marcus grew up around music, going to the local church with his family and playing a lot of instruments. With this passion for music at a young age, Marcus decided he wanted a career in singing and song writing. To make this dream come true he moved to S
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Calling all Aussie rock fans to The Pub at The Airlie Beach Hotel! Midnight Oil and Cold Chisel tribute acts are hitting the stage and bringing with them, the iconic songs everyone loves. You’ll hear hits like Khe Sanh, When the War is Over, Cheap Wine, Flame Trees, You Got Nothing I Want and Choir Girl from Cold Chisel. And from Midnight Oil you’ll be belting out the hits of Power and the Passion, US Forces, Dreamworld, King of the Mountain, Forgotten Years, Beds are Burning, Blue Sky Mine a
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Māori man Josiah has always loved music. Music is a big part in the Māori culture and growing up around that, Josiah developed an interest at an early age. Despite having his first gig at 16, Josiah never imagined music would be his full-time career, but fast forward to today, and it is. It’s been seven years since Josiah became a full-time musician and he has never looked back. He has been hitting stages around Airlie Beach and displaying his talent. Josiah said he primarily plays reggae,
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Gizelle Lee, a beautiful young Whitsunday resident is about to head to Paris Fashion Week, having been selected by a Sunshine Coast Based modelling agency to represent their brand. Gizelle is just 16 years old, and, for over a year, she has been pursuing a career in modelling. Following her first modelling experience with Belle Le Chic, Gizelle was selected to be their signature model at the widely known fashion week. Belle Le Chic also included a picture from the shoot on a billboard in Time
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When it comes to transport today, we are fortunate to have considerable choice in our means of travelling from point A to point B but not so in the early 20th century. In the 1920s, there were initially only two cars in Proserpine – one belonging to Mr A J (Jack) Setter and one to Mr Laurie Fox. It is said that lots of school children paid 6 pence to have a ride in Mr Fox’s car. Mr Setter had the first car in 1913 – a Studebaker and later two others including an Overlander. He established a li
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Whitsunday Regional Council is showing support for the local arts scene by sponsoring the main prize at the upcoming Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition. They have contributed $3000 to the prize pool, affirming their commitment to fostering local artistic talent. Mayor Collins expressed Council’s dedication to promoting a thriving arts culture in the Whitsunday region. “It’s important we support opportunities for artists to showcase their creations and connect with local audiences,” h
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James Reyne from Australian Crawl is coming to town! With him he brings his amazing band and they’ll be performing all of the classic Australian Crawl hits, that’ll have you belting out the lyrics. From Reckless to The Boys Light up, Hammerhead and Fall of Rome – there are too many iconic tunes to list here – you’ll have to go and see the performance instead! James and his band have been performing this tour since January of this year and so far, every show has been sold out and has rocked ou
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The North Queensland Battle Of The Young Bands and Young Whitsundays Got Talent are two very special events which invite our region’s youth to showcase their musical abilities, giving them an opportunity to play live in front of big crowds. If you’re in a local band or a solo musician this is your chance! First-up is North Queensland Battle Of The Young Bands competition and the winner receives $1000 in prize money and a gig at Northerlies Beach Bar and Grill. Open for young people of all ag
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St Catherine's Catholic College celebrated its annual Under Eights Day last Friday, bringing together over 200 students from kindergarten to Year 2, students from St Mary's Catholic School travelled from Bowen to also enjoy the day’s fun activities.
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