St Mary’s Catholic School in Bowen is hosting its Family Fun Day this weekend and the whole community are invited to come along to what is expected to be an entertaining day out. There will be free wildlife encounters with Wildlife Whitsundays, and a variety of carnival rides for all ages including a chair-o-plane, inflatable obstacle course, climbing wall, super slide, mini-Jeeps and a Disney-themed jumping castle. Several local organisations will also be present on the day, providing differe
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Whitsunday Dirt Riders are once again excited to be hosting Round 2 of JR's Tropical North QLD MX series this coming weekend 25th & 26th May. With over of 180 riders expected from Rockhampton all the way to Cairns and out to Charter Towers participating, we are set to enjoy some spectacular racing from the best Motocross riders in the north. Gates open to spectators Saturday and Sunday from 8am. Gate entry $10 per car. WHAT: Tropical QLD MX Series WHERE: Drays Park in Gunyarra WHEN: 25-26
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Young athletes from the Next Stars Sports Academy have experienced outstanding success at recent cross country races held in our region. At the North Queensland Cross Country Championships held in Cannonvale on 28 April, Penelope Shields secured an impressive 2nd place finish in the 2km girls U11 race, followed closely in 3rd by Willow Kenny. Also finishing 3rd was River Shields in the 1km boys U9-10 race. The U7-8 races were full of Next Stars with Archie Oberg (1st), Nate Millard (3rd) a
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Two inspiring local athletes have just returned from competing oversees triumphant, having both finished in first place in their respective categories, which enables them to now progress to the Ironman World Championship Events later in the year. President of the Whitsunday Triathlon Club Michael Kimpton competed in his 4th full Ironman in Port Elizabeth, South Africa last month and prior to his departure he said: "I hope to swim faster than the sharks, cycle faster than the tigers and outrun
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The first of two AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds were played on Saturday which celebrates, recognises and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, peoples and their cultures. Whitsunday Sea Eagles travelled to Harrup Park and Sarina this round to put on a mighty display against Mackay City Hawks in Seniors and Under 17s whilst Under 12s romped it home against Sarina Demons. In one of the most special rounds of the year Sea Eagles Senior Men scraped it home 48– 37 in a tight match
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The days are starting to cool which is producing some fabulous bowls both in the pennant competition and in social bowls. On Wednesday Social Bowls Arthur Griffith, Dale Haack and Mike Harrison defeated Bruce Uhe, Dale Haack and Barry Zillmann 27 – 10. Alen Sanderson and Peter Lawton defeated John Anderson and Philip Brown 22 - 19. In Sunday Social Bowls Alen Sanderson, Mary Hedgelong and Heather Brown defeated Arthur Griffith, John Anderson and Philip Brown 23 - 19. On Saturday both division
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Tuesday social bowls winners were Lyn Danvers, Ron Hyde, Mark Drummond and Geoff Danvers who defeated Sue Shearing, Greg, Keith Armstrong and Greg Colquhoun. Merle Elphinstone, Isobel Wheeler, Marg Wilson and Penny Warren defeated Robyn Stitt, Deb Retchless, Lorraine Knight and Maureen Hyde. The jackpot didn’t go off. The Crooked Kitty final was won by Penny Warren who defeated Robyn Stitt. A Singles semifinal Fely Duncan defeated Denise Wallace. The final of the A singles was played Sunday m
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On Saturday a single stableford competition was played and was sponsored by Sportspower Bowen, thanks to Marg and Andrew for their support. Ladies' Winner was Linda Scells 40 points, Runner up on a countback was Pauline Martin 39 points, and 3rd Place was Linda Vincent with 39 points. Men's winner on a countback was Jack McEniery 39 points, Runner up Danny Borgh had 39 points, and 3rd Place Mike Strickett 38 points. Shoutout to John Lawson who had a Hole in One on Number 7. Pin shots to
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Aaron Prosser edged out Brendan Spann with a nett 70 in Tuesday's competition, with Tina Badenhorst on nett 71 and Rehab Hull on 74 leading the ladies. Pins went to Aaron Prosser, Brendan Spann and John Bissell. Wednesday's PDLAW monthly medal went to Lyn Muller on 73 nett ahead of Tiina Randmae on 77 nett. Two pins went to Tina Badenhorst and the other to Pauline Redpath. Chris Brett won Thursday's stableford competition with 38 points; one more than Jason Bourke in the A division, while To
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This week’s 9-hole stableford saw Michael Bond in first place with 21 points, second place with 20 points c/b was James Mathews and third place with 20 points was Justyn Durbin. Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Peter Bitz take the win with 23 points, second with 20 points was Glenn Rees and third place with 19 points c/b was Gary Goddard. This Sunday 26th May will be the monthly medal tee off at 8.30am -9.30am.
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Excitement Builds as Finals are about to start! The twelve rounds of WTA’s Season have been completed and final positions decided in all 4 Divisions. Teams positioned 1, 2, 3 and 4 will contest the Final Series. Next week 1 v 2 will see the winner go straight to the Grand Final Friday 7 June. Round Twelve Results: Mixed A In the Crear 6 d Vipers 3 Raiders A 7 d G.E.T. Touch 3 Mixed B Flametree Flames 7 d Raiders B 6 Ray White d Full Boar (forfeit) Whitmonday Eagles 12 d Stingers 3 Mixed C
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Entries for Whitsunday Sailing Club’s (WSC) Ocean Dynamics and Mount Gay Airlie Beach Race Week 2024 continue to flow in and competition is set to ignite in the Trailable Yachts and Sports Boat class, while new support sponsors sign up for the popular Queensland regatta. Akin to the other classes taking part in the 36th running of Airlie Beach Race Week, numbers are growing in the Trailable and Sports Boats, which has attracted new blood. Expresso Martini is making her ABRW debut, but her
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Hard-fought matches under perfect skies resulted in medals for some of the 30 Whitsunday picklers who competed in the Qld Pickleball Tour series of events in Townsville last weekend. This relatively new sport in Australia, which is a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis, has grown so quickly in the past few years. It now has 4,000 registered players in Queensland alone and many more social players. Bowen, Cannonvale and Mackay all contributed strong teams that didn’t exist a fe
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Sailing conditions on Pioneer Bay are now at their premium, as seen at last Wednesday’s twilight race conducted by Whitsunday Sailing Club. A fleet of 18 boat carrying a total of 133 crew sailed in a 12 – 15 knot south easterly breeze as they competed for bragging rights at the aprez-sail event back at the club. In the first race of the day, Smooth Criminal (Leo Rodriguez) timed the run to the starting line to perfection, initially leading the fleet away, but Black Jack (Blair Mitchell) soon too
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On Sunday, 25 swimmers travelled to Mackay to compete at the Pioneer Swim Carnival while two Cannons competed in the first Townsville open water swim for the season. The Cannons swam very well on Sunday despite the very chilly conditions in Mackay. The pool water was warmer than the air temperature. The Cannonvale Cannons would like to thank Coach Ken Crittenden and his Apprentice Coach, Tiana Bell. A big thank you to Kristin Pisaniello and Theresa Manning for officiating. 7 years and Under:
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May 18 Mini Roller Disco, PCYC from 10am 18 Ross Wilson & the Peaceniks at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre from 7.30pm 21 Sailability, Whitsunday Sailing Club, from 9am 25 Mini Roller Disco, PCYC from 10am 25 CQ Rescue Charity Golf Day, Proserpine Golf Club, from 9am 25 St Mary’s Bowen Family Fun Day, Location TBA, from 2pm 26 Jazz Event, Colonial Palms, from 3pm 31 Reconciliation Week – Bowen Twilight Markets, Hansen Park, Horseshoe Bay Road from 4pm 31 National Reconciliation Week Twiligh
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Mackay's social calendar sparkled with generosity and community spirit as the Mackay Mayor's Charity Ball unfolded at the MECC last Saturday evening. The event, a cornerstone of philanthropy in the region, saw more than 400 guests gather in support of two vital local charities: Grapevine Group, dedicated to suicide prevention across the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions, and the Australian Street Aid Project (ASAP). This year’s Ball was all about celebrating Iconic Mackay – its features, his
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While the budget brings welcome relief in the form of minor boosts and tax cuts, does it fall short of addressing the fundamental issue of the widening wage gap in Australia? While households may receive modest sums weekly due to the tax cuts, the stark reality remains: the cost of living continues to soar, outpacing any marginal increase in disposable income. Not to mention, as ordinary Australians struggle to make ends meet, major banks continue to rake in billions in profit, much of which is
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As the nation eagerly awaited Treasurer Jim Chalmers' budget address on Tuesday evening, anticipation mounted over the proposed measures to alleviate the economic strain gripping Australian households. The Federal Budget unveiled a multifaceted approach aimed at easing the burden of cost-of-living pressures while steering the country towards financial stability and prosperity. At the heart of the budgetary agenda was meant to be a resolute commitment to provide "responsible relief" to Australian
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Across Australia on May 10, individuals along with schools and businesses alike participated in Dolly’s Dream to honour the late Dolly Everett, a young girl who sadly took her own life due to ongoing bullying. Inspired by the tragic loss of their daughter, Dolly's parents initiated anti-bullying measures, aiming to empower and educate communities on kindness and bullying prevention which has since sparked a nationwide movement against bullying. Mackay locals, students, teachers and businesses
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They are the heart and soul of the healthcare system and last Friday Mackay Hospital and Health Service recognised the care, commitment and compassion delivered by nurses across the region. International Nurses Day is celebrated on May 12 each year on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. The annual Mackay HHS International Nurses Day Awards acknowledged nurses for their vital roles in our communities and dedication to achieving health outcomes for patients. There were more than
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Krystal DeMaid, a determined 23-year-old Wheelchair Basketball player has been recognised for her talent, by being selected to play for the Comets Women’s National League Team. Despite having a background in netball, Krystal decided to take up basketball in 2022 and instantly fell in love with the sport. She then began to take it to the next level and joined the Mackay Machines last year in 2023. With the guidance of her coach, she embraced the challenges and pushed herself to achieve greater
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The announcement by former Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker that she is running as the Labor candidate for Burdekin is both disappointing and damning for the Queensland mining industry, Energy Resources Queensland (ERQ) said in a statement last week. “Last week’s hurried announcement highlights what we have said all along – Anne Baker needed a headline to leverage herself into State Parliament and that is why she concocted the save Glenden announcement,” ERQ spokesperson Paul Turner said
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Mackay Regional Council has approved a $7500 Community Grant to help fund a program aimed at reducing incidents of road crashes involving Indigenous youth. Clontarf's Mackay L-2-P Driving Program aims to help more than 40 disadvantaged young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males who face barriers in obtaining driver education and a licence. The grant was one of 15 Community Grants and 16 Small Equipment Grants approved to the value of $175,353. Mayor Greg Williamson said council was please
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Last Friday, students and teachers from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School joined in the nationwide event of National Walk Safely to School Day. This initiative, celebrated in primary schools across Australia, aims to promote a healthier, more active lifestyle among children by integrating walking into their daily routines. Principal of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Deb Mallet said it was a fabulous turnout. For the third time, St Joseph’s students, staff, parents and friends participa
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