What is your role at Tourism Whitsundays? As the Digital and Marketing Coordinator, I am responsible for our website and social media platforms. This role involves a significant amount of behind-the-scenes work, through which I have greatly expanded my knowledge in website development over the past year. What is your ideal weekend in The Whitsundays? My ideal weekend in The Whitsundays is full of relaxation. Starting with a walk along the boardwalk, enjoying the morning sun. Pulling into o
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Embracing New Year's resolutions is a tradition that goes hand in hand with the turn of the calendar. While some may argue that resolutions are often abandoned quickly, setting goals for the new year can have numerous benefits that extend beyond the initial burst of motivation. Firstly, New Year's resolutions provide a valuable opportunity for self-reflection. As the year draws to a close, individuals naturally engage in introspection, evaluating their achievements, challenges, and personal grow
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With ushering in 2024, Skin Esteem proudly declares "Relaxation" as the premier New Year's Resolution. The dedicated team at Skin Esteem is poised and prepared to administer unparalleled soul-soothing treatments for their esteemed clientele. Jo, the proprietor and head Therapist at Skin Esteem, elucidates their philosophy, saying, "At Skin Esteem, our focus lies in delivering results and promoting relaxation. In a world already laden with stress, Skin Esteem is an oasis where you can relish a fe
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As we approach the beginning of the 2024 school year, it is a great opportunity to put in place healthy and productive routines to get the best out of the year. Here's a comprehensive guide to ensure a successful start to the academic year. 1. Sleep Matters: One of the most crucial aspects of a successful school routine is ensuring an adequate amount of sleep. Aim for consistent bedtimes and wake-up times to regulate your body's internal clock. Create a calming bedtime routine to signal to your
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No need for Australia Day plans, with the Airlie Beach Hotel booking one of the best parties to celebrate this long weekend. From 12pm From midday, get the party started with the Aussie Rock Chicks, featuring none other than Tara Graham and the Captain Thunderbolt Band. New to the scene, this band bring big beats and even better energy, with all the attitude of the Aussie rock legends that they embody. Featuring the very best of the Aussie rock, all the legends will be covered, from Sia’s ‘C
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KC’s Bar and Grill are back with their great line-up of entertainment for Australia Day celebrations. Crab Races return, with Smally, The crab man Bob and Thomo, taking his hand at the microphone and ready to get the big bucks for these crabby creatures. And the excitement doesn’t stop there, with KC’s Bar and Grill pledging 50 per cent of the winnings from the crab races to be donated to our local Tiny Homes Project. This project fundraises tirelessly to construct tiny homes for homeless women
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Whitsunday Regional Council has been awarded funding to host six fitness programs across the region for free. As part of the North Queensland Sports Foundation, Move It NQ is aimed to support healthier and active lifestyles. The six programs are: 1. Next Starts Sports Academy, hosting Ninja Squad out of Cannonvale. 2. Survivor Physiology, hosting a range of classes including body weight, boxercise, core, and cardio training out of Bowen. 3. Mindful Moves, with a zen and mediation sessions in
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Whitsunday Regional Council have undertaken works to reseal and repaint lines on the Whitsunday Sportspark netball courts, just in time for the impending season. The courts, in the Whitsunday Sportspark, see consistent use, particularly during the winter netball season. Significant rainfall events during 2022 and 2023 caused the courts to fall into disrepair and hindered players. In conjunction with the reseal, Council also completed minor drainage works, to improvement water movement, so as
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Whitsunday Touch Football is excited to announce the start of the 2024 Season. The Season gets underway on Monday 22 January with a “Come and Try” night. There will be the opportunity for experienced players to ease back into the new season and for novices to try a new sport. Monday’s format is “Fast Four” promoting Footy is for fun, come as a team or on your own and we will find you a team. Games are of 10 minutes duration with teams of four players competing on half the normal fie
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Although the threat of rain prevailed during the day, by the time that the fleet of 14 yachts lined up for the start of the weekly Whitsunday Sailing Club twilight race, a 10 knot south easterly breeze complemented the cloudy, but dry skies. The fleet bunched up as they approached the starting line for the first start, with firstly Smooth Criminal (Leo Rodriguez) and then Matchless (Terry Stevens) bailing out to avoid other boats. This left just Bobby’s Girl (Mark Beale) as the sole premature st
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On Saturday, 16 Cannonvale Cannons travelled to Ayr to compete at the Burdekin Sprint LC Meet. Coaches, Mark Erickson and Rylee Erickson were very proud of the Cannons and their top efforts at the first carnival for 2024. Congratulations to Harris Delac, aged 10 years won the 8 – 10-year-old boys Dash for Cash event. Harris was very excited to receive $100 for winning the Dash for Cash. Congratulations to Celeste Orenshaw, Tyler Bennett, Tora Delac and Jacob Bell who were also selected for t
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Sunday Social Bowls: P.Delic, W.Coles, Brett Lampard d B.Neal, R.Rodda, Steve Roome. Keith Kirk, Gavin Charles d Sue Fox, Lee Welsted. Ross Scanlon, Jane Gilbert, Wayne Crowhurst d P.Morrison, Ray Muir, S.Fuller. Ryan’s Seafood held their Christmas party in January at the BBC. Wednesday Social: A.Melic, Peter Bruce, Mark Drummond d Jake Melic, Ray Muir, Steve Roome. Scroungers: Jane Gilbert, Tracey Roach, Gavin Charles, Mary Ellen Pratten. Jane Gilbert was the winner. Contributed with than
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We are going through our monsoonal weather so because our bowls green can't be covered we have to say our prayers so we can play but obviously we have heathens in our club because there was no play on Wednesday, I will have to help them find the way and the truth because today the sun shone all day and we had a strong field today for the winner’s prize which was super close. Two winning teams won by eleven points with Warren Mills who has been back to his scintillating form with outstanding per
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Winners for Tuesday social bowls were Stumpy Adams, Irene Laird, and Penny Warren defeated Lindy Suann, Deb Retchless, and Lyn Danvers. Robyn Stitt and Greg Colquhoun defeated Bron Tolcher and Geoff Danvers. The jackpot didn’t go off. On Sunday, although a little wet players dodged the showers for a nice cool afternoon of bowls. Winners were Toni Bowen, Robyn Stitt, and Kennedy Whitton defeated Teresa Willshire, Deb Retchless, and Barry Beel. Linda Scells and Allan Rolfe defeated Graeme Read
Read morePaul Gray won the Tuesday monthly medal with a nett 65. Michael Cragg was runner up, with pin shots going to Scott Mason, Elspeth Scotford, and two to Ben Smith. Jalen Jarvis had 40 stableford points to win Thursday's B division ahead of Mark Thompson on 39. Ryan Wilkes had 36 points to take out the A division from Craig McLean on 35. Pins went to John Roser and Jack Paroz. Friday's Met run winner was Jack Pirlo with 21 points, from Chris Pirlo on 20. The pins went to Michael Jarvis and Aar
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Last minute changes to the competition format in order to accommodate the Jan MM reduced the field somewhat for the normal MM numbers with only 14 players competing. Conditions were hot and steamy, as were the players, but the front 9 (played twice) was in remarkably good condition, in spite of the recent rain. Presentation was at the Reef Gateway Hotel as usual, and it was good to see all the players turn up. The prizes for the winners and placegetters, (ie. the balls) will be distributed ne
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This week’s 9-hole stableford competition saw Cooper Lane in first place with 22 pts, second place with 21 pts c/b was John Shannon and third place with 21 pts c/b was Alan Clinch. Fridays 9-hole stableford saw John Shannon in first place with 24 pts, second place with 22 pts was Michael Pettiford and third place with 21 pts c/b was Peter Bitz. Sundays 2P Ambrose 18-hole competition saw Robert Lodders and Glenn Rees take first place with a 46.25 NETT, second with a 47.75 NETT was Michael Bond a
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Well, that break didn’t last long enough and being back at work doesn’t really feel any different from when we left. 2023 in real estate was what I would describe as a very consistent market of low stock numbers in both houses for sale and for rent. Whilst we understand this hasn’t helped some buyers and tenants, the majority of regional centres across Australia have seen the same trend regardless of rate hikes and potential for more this year. We saw continued numbers of people move to Mackay
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As we step into 2024, the echoes of the challenges faced in 2023 continue to resonate. The past year brought forth an array of hardships, marked by the relentless surge in the cost of living that burdened households across the board. Despite these struggles, resilience prevailed. Many local businesses, having weathered the storm of the pandemic, found their footing once more, demonstrating the tenacity and adaptability of our community. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into variou
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For a marketing nerd like me, delving into a new year of tools and techniques is so freaking exciting. One of the best things about my industry, is that there is always something new and interesting to learn! But for most business owners, I totally understand how the continual changes in marketing make it feel more like a never-ending-grind, instead of a fun playground (so many toys!). For 2024, there are just three things I think you need to focus on for your marketing. I know that makes it so
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To say that 2023 was a difficult year for businesses is an understatement. The world faced some significant challenges including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding the geo-political environment in the Asia-Pacific. For any commodity sector this instability means a lack of confidence within the market. Add to that widespread labour shortages, wildly fluctuating costs and unforeseen government interventions meant that business confidence understandably f
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Excitement and nerves. Two words I would use to describe the feeling of shutting the door on my life in Darwin, jumping in the front seat of my 4WD and taking off on a 5-day drive across the country to start my life in Mackay. The aircon was blasting as I left Darwin city, driving through Berrimah and Palmeston and onto the Stuart Highway. Driving through the genuine outback and discovering the life that exists far beyond the street lights and pubs of the cities and towns is a wonderfully eye
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Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fantastic and safe festive season and you all enjoyed a well-earned break. 2023 was a big year for Australia, and to say it was tough on everyone would be an understatement. While the Albanese Labor Government was distracted by their divisive and costly Voice Referendum and the Prime Minister enjoyed what felt like more time overseas than time spent in Australia, the people of Dawson were hit with enormous cost-of-living pressures. The Coalition and I fou
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By Amanda Wright In a heartfelt bid to combat domestic violence and offer respite to those impacted, Broken Ballerina Inc. is teeing up its first Charity Golf Day on August 2nd, 2024. This event will serve as a vital fundraiser aiding victims of domestic violence in the wider Mackay community. The organisation, founded by Jules and Pete Thompson, aims to provide solace, resources, and support to those navigating the harrowing aftermath of domestic violence. With an absence of government funding,
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