Perfection and pasta go hand in hand. As least, that’s what we believe when we pay a visit to La Tabella Italian. With an extensive menu encompassing all things Italian, the range and variety of pasta dishes is where the magic lies. Made fresh daily, with all local produce and hand made ingredients, each and every strand, ball and parcel of pasta is lovingly hand shaped, moulded, and stretched. And, according to new owner Brittany Panapa, there is no secret except perfect consistency. “We ha
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The boys from Sex and Chocolate are back and ready to work their magic in Airlie Beach over next weekend, at the Airlie Beach Hotel. With their intimate Motown II Millennia show, the Sex and Chocolate boys are ready to give Airlie Beach a show not to be missed. With smooth tunes and unforgettable dance moves, Sex and Chocolate draw inspiration from classic Motown, R&B, and soul, with hits from Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Spinners, Earth Wind and Fire, Prince, Bruno Mars, Outkast, and Bil
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Airlie Beach parkrun is celebrating a milestone and everyone is invited! Airlie Beach parkrun is completing their 400th community Park Run, and the theme is Pirate. The first Airlie Beach parkrun began on December 5, 2015, and has seen over 5,700 people attend the weekly run, completing close to 30,000 park runs, and over 140,000 kilometres. With an average of 70 runners each and every week, this park run has been completed in rain, sun, and the barmy summer warmth. Airlie Beach parkrun statis
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One of the world’s biggest sailing challenges, The Clipper Race is steering into the Whitsundays, as part of the Asia-Pacific leg of the 40,000 nautical mile race. As of date of print, the Clipper Race has been sailing for 48 days, with each vessel a mammoth 70-foot ocean racing yacht. Having kicked off in September, the crews have braved wild weather, harsh winds, and glorious sunshine. Championed by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first individual to sail solo, uninterrupted around the world,
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Are you considering a career shift in 2024? Wanting to diversify your skillset and expand your qualifications? Here are the trades set to boom in 2024! Green Energy Turning away from environmentally unsustainable practices, the clean energy sector will see unprecedented increase, with skilled workers flocking to be active in eco-friendly practices and become more sustainable. Such positions in green energy set to see an increase in demand are solar panel installers, wind turbine technicians a
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As the temperatures rise and summer approaches, industries and trade sectors must adapt to the seasonal changes to maintain optimal productivity and employee well-being. Implementing best summer practices is crucial for businesses to thrive in the warmer months. 1. Flexible Scheduling: Consider introducing flexible work hours or remote work options. This not only helps employees beat the summer heat but also promotes a healthier work-life balance, leading to increased job satisfaction and produc
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We had our last Wednesday jackpot bowls with John Brown again taking the prestigious Health Hub award, he may as well apply for a job there. The jackpot never went off, but Shane Spann did with some extremely accurate bowls and within form David Meiklejohn wielding his stick which would make Nik so proud and Gary Smith back for a short spell before back to his yacht and sailing Europe, they proved to be the best team over a strong field and convincingly won 31-10 in an outstanding victory. Frid
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John Roser edged out Blake Alty with 35 points to win the last Tuesday competition for 2023 while Barry Mortimer and Larry Muller had the pin shots. Wednesday's winner was Aaron Prosser from Diane Chard; both on 32 points. Tiina Randmae and Diane Chard took out the pins. Four under par was just enough for Rob Stanley to take out the Thursday competition from B division leaders James Devery and Adam Brewster on 41 points. Kelvin Stephens was runner up in the A division. Chatz Norna, Stuart Ni
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This weekly 9-hole stableford competition saw Andrew Gomez in first place with 20 pts, second with 19 pts was Dom Lipski and third place with 17 pts was Nathan Nikolich with 17 pts. Sunday’s 18-hole stableford was a warm one but didn’t stop Scott Hayes – Williams for taking first place with 40 pts, second place with 38 pts was Adam Singleton and third place with 35 pts was Brad Low. Also, this week we had a new course record, Tyson Flavel smashed it with 7 under par including a hole in one and
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Youth netballers looking to test and develop your skills, get ready for one of the best netball development squads around. Run and organised by North Queensland Netball Academy, netballers of Bowen are able to sign up for the Talent Development Squads, which consist of six-weeks of tailor-made strength, conditioning and technique coaching. There are two distinct squads. The 11 to 13 Development Squad, and the 13 Plus Development Squad, with specialty coaching and resources for the different ag
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Earlier in December, the Mackay Showgrounds hosted more than 1,200 children and family members to join the 30th anniversary of The Special Children’s Christmas Party. This festive occasion catered to children facing disabilities, complex needs, and social disadvantages, providing a day filled with enchantment. Featuring performances by talented artists like Keely Johnson, Dance Like an Animal, Sensory Circus Tribe, and the Mackay Choral Society, the event embraced the spirit of the holiday seaso
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For the past few weeks families from around the region have been stopping by the festively decorated cane-mulch train in Stathdickie to get their annual Christmas pics. Last week, some lucky children were fortunate enough to get the ‘real’ Santa experience when our much-loved local Santa swung by for a special visit to let us know he was well-prepared for the coming days. “I am absolutely ready for the big day – Mrs Claus has been working up a storm with the elves in the workshop,” he said. “
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Hi Everyone, Merry Christmas to you all! Thank you for reading this newspaper for yet another year, we’ve really enjoyed delivering your free weekly news and are already looking forward to another great year in 2024! Thank you also to everyone in our amazing team, from the journos to the sales team, the graphic designers to admin queens – each and every one of you do an amazing job and give 100 per cent every day. As I write this, I am about to head out the door on holiday for a month – we a
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A Whitsunday Regional Council Spokesperson has confirmed that budget supermarket chain Aldi has lodged a development application to Council. Only in early stages of Council’s and State Government’s assessments, the supermarket giant has proposed construction on the vacant block of land, 7-11 Central Avenue, backing onto Shute Harbour Road in Cannonvale. The proposed Aldi store, according to the Development Application, will be 1,778 square metres and have 106 car spaces. The Development Applic
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Discussions and manner of Councillor Mike Brunker at the most recent Whitsunday Regional Council Ordinary Meeting dissolved, with unprofessional behaviour and disrespectful tone. The Ordinary Meeting began with a voluntary apology from Cr Brunker, a recommendation for mediation from the Office of Independent Assessor, of two complaints received regarding Cr Brunker’s manner. The complaint was in relation to an email Cr Brunker received from a resident in his division, regarding Hansen Park in
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In May 2024, get ready for an event like no other, with the inaugural Whitsunday Business Conference ready to bring small business together and promote the region’s businesses for a day of education, inspiration, celebration, and connection, hosted by the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “We are excited to bring the first annual business conference to the Whitsundays which will tick all the boxes – high quality and targeted education, inspiration and actionable takeaways, and engage
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Tourism operators across the Great Barrier Reef have welcomed new Queensland emission reduction targets, taking active steps towards addressing the climate impacts on the Reef. Earlier this week, the Queensland Government announced a new greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, of cutting emissions by 75 per cent, by 2035, which is a drastic increase of the previous 30 per cent by 2030 target. Reef tourism operators are excited with this goal, which is in line to limit global warming to 1.5 d
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The Proserpine Community Centre has stepped up this Christmas. Rather than assisting other organisations with their own Christmas Day luncheon, Ingrid Ruck and her team at Proserpine Community Centre has decided to host their own, welcoming anyone and everyone across the region. “This is for anyone who will be alone on Christmas, from anywhere in the Whitsundays,” Ingrid Ruck, Coordinator of the Proserpine Community Centre, explained. Taking place at the Proserpine Community Centre on Gardenia
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In today’s age, your mobile phone is your life. It contacts beloved photos of friends and family, important passwords, and your internet banking. It connects you to loved ones, allows ease of buying and selling, and keeps you safe in times of emergency. However, for many people, a phone is a means of control and cohesion. Formed in 2020, DV Safe Phone is an organisation that is actively working to equip victims of domestic and family violence with a safe phone, to help them connect to services
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The Whitsundays is open for business! That’s the marketing call out as yet again we scramble to minimise the economic damage caused by emotive reporting of recent weather events. While Tropical Cyclone Jasper might have caused concern in the early days, it was quickly evident that it would track north and have little impact on the Whitsundays. It did serve as a timely reminder to us all, of the importance of staying vigilant and being prepared for emergencies. We hope that the region’s businesse
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Ideal Placements' $101,100 Pledge To Disadvantaged Youth In a heartfelt initiative to foster social change, Ideal Placements has announced a significant donation of $101,100 to the Youth Information Referral Service (YIRS). This substantial contribution is poised to uplift disengaged and disadvantaged youth by facilitating access to critical education. Specifically directed towards 20 students in years 8, 9 and 10, the funding represents a beacon of hope, breaking down educational barriers and
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Ausgroup and Mackay Police Spread Cheer With Donations In a heart-warming display of compassion, Ausgroup Industrial Services has extended a helping hand to Broken Ballerina this festive season. Recognising the challenges faced by those suffering domestic and family violence, Ausgroup has generously donated Christmas hampers to bring joy and comfort to those in need. This gesture reflects a commitment to community well-being and exemplifies the spirit of giving. Even in challenging times, act
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Cannonvale's skateboarding scene just got a major boost with the completion of Stage 2 in the Skate Park upgrade project. The new addition, an exciting and challenging bowl, caters specifically to intermediate and advanced skaters, complementing the street style park introduced in Stage 1, which is perfect for beginners and those at the intermediate level. Local skaters were overjoyed as the upgraded park officially opened its doors to the public last week. The addition of the new bowl transform
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With Christmas Day only a few sleeps away, I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared their cherished Christmas traditions for my little one's first festive season. After diving deep into the treasure trove of your awesome Christmas ideas, I've cooked up a festive cocktail of traditions. We're kicking things off with a sugary storm with the lolly run in Sarina. Sweetness and cheer? Count us in! He’s too little for lollies so we’ll pass them on to another nearby family, after
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After an extensive period of construction, the Mackay Marina proudly unveiled the completed breakwater nib wall, marking a pivotal moment as the breakwater reopens to the public. This long-anticipated milestone ensures enhanced safety measures for vessels within the marina, improving secure moorings in all weather conditions. The unveiling drew distinguished figures including Port Binnli Directors Malcolm Hall-Brown, Peter Hooke, and Neil Morris, alongside Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willco
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