Issue #

Ill Traveller Winched Off Whitsunday Island By Chopper

In a three-hour mission, RACQ CQ Rescue winched a person with a serious medical condition off a remote beach on Whitsunday Island last Thursday. The 31-year-old was travelling on a 13-metre catamaran in Hook Passage just after lunch when they began suffering seizures and required immediate medical evacuation.

SOUTH MOLLE The BAUER Family (1937 – 1971)

Over the years since the first lease taken out by D C Gorton in 1883, South Molle Island has witnessed many owners come and go. But the Bauer’s tenure was by far the longest and one of the most successful.

How Much Do We Need To Retire?

This is a question we get asked all the time. Statistic – ‘For a couple aged 65 today there is a 50% chance that one person will still be alive at age 95. Source ABS.

Hospital Staff Train Their Trauma Response

Clinicians across the region enhanced their emergency trauma skills with the latest round of Rural Emergency and Trauma Simulation Training last week.

Proserpine Hospitals Four Decade Veteran

Advanced Practice Enrolled Nurse Debbie Phillipson first walked through the front doors of Proserpine Hospital 40 years ago and she hasn’t looked back. She was only 21 and on a trip around Queensland with a friend, having just finished training at St Vincent’s Hospital in Toowoomba. That friend stayed on in Mackay at the Base hospital, while Debbie travelled north to Proserpine.

Election Called

A by-election to vote in a new Mayor for Whitsunday Regional Council will be held on 13 August 2022 according to Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ).

An Interview With The Last Bush Poet

Campbell Irvine’s face underneath his iconic, well-worn hat, framed by thick grey beard and hair, is of “Never-give-in, of bright heat and of help-your-mate,” as Henry Lawson would have said.

Council Plan To Address Whitsunday Housing Crisis

The Whitsunday housing crisis is set to be tackled by local council who have come up with sweeping reforms to ease the issue crippling the region.

Come Join In

A group of Proserpine State High School Students didn’t think twice about letting Lochie Tucker join in on their pick-up basketball game at the Cannonvale courts.

Editor's Note - On Deck with Declan

Hi, Constant Readers. We can all feel a bit stressed sometimes. But, within those times, there’s an opportunity for great personal growth. I’ve certainly felt a bit under the pump lately – as is to be expected running a newspaper – but I already know I’ve learnt so much.

Let’s Make Some Noise!

The Airlie Beach Festival of Music’s tenth anniversary just got noisier with the announcement that Jon Stevens, Masters of Pop, Loonaloop, and more are joining the line-up.

A New Guide To Bowen And Collinsville

The more than 41,500 people visiting the Big Mango Visitor Information Centre and the information booth at Bowen’s front Beach in the past financial year can pick up a copy of the new Bowen and Collinsville Visitor Guide.

A New Acting Mayor

A special council meeting was held on Wednesday this week to appoint a deputy mayor of the Whitsundays, with previous deputy, Mike Brunker, stepping down. Councillor Brunker is one of six candidates campaigning for the role of mayor, and as such saw it fit to step down so there was no conflict of interest, perceived or real.

“Everything In His Stride”: The Cody Gibbs Effect

Cody Gibbs passed away in early July after 11-months of treatment for a cancer which had manifested as three tumours on his brain and spine. The 15-year-old Airlie Beach boy had originally been diagnosed with Pineoblastoma in 2018 – an aggressive, rare form of the disease in the pineal gland in the brain’s centre.

Road Runners Succeed In Airlie

The Tassal Group Airlie Beach Marathon Festival drew several members of the Mackay Road Runners to beautiful Airlie Beach last weekend with some very successful results.

Bobongie Shines As Sapphires Claim Fifth At FIBA U17 World Cup

Local basketball star Monique Bobongie shone as she took to the court representing Australia at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Europe.

On The Greens At Goosies

Monday winners were Pat Elgey and Tony Willesy. Losers draw winners, Narelle Schmidtke and Laura Howland. Lucky draws, Barry Lee and Rob Milburn.

Cutters Squander Early Lead At Home

The Cutters hosted the Ipswich Jets at BB Print Stadium on Saturday night in a battle that pitted 10th on the Hosplus Cup ladder against 13th. Both teams felt their way through the start of the first half with the Cutters the first to strike with Brendan Finnegan setting up Jake Riley in the 14th minute.

Recognition For Mackay Rugby League Ambassador

A chance meeting with rugby league Test great Steve Rogers nearly three decades ago proved a pivotal moment in the sporting career of Mercy College Mackay staff member Matthew Paul.

More Big Bash For Mackay

Mackay will host the opening rounds of the Weber Women’s Big Bash League for the first time with last week’s announcement of the WBBL fixture list for the 2022-23 season.

Harper To Don Maroons Jumper At National Championships

To capture a state title in your chosen sport is a fine feat – but to claim back-to-back trophies is a tremendous accomplishment to be proud of. Celebrating that big achievement is Mercy College Mackay student Harper Shields who recently earned his spurs with the Queensland Under 12 representative touch football team.

North Queensland Crowned Best In The North

Precision, power and performance were on display when the Women’s Northern Challenge took over the Mackay City Bowls Club last week. The tournament saw three action-packed days of women’s lawn bowls between four highly competitive teams from three North Queensland Districts.

AFLW Clubs Debut Pride Round Guernsey

The Eastern Swans women’s team held their first pride round against Bakers Creek Tigers at Etwell Park Oval in Bakers Creek on Saturday. Both teams unveiled their clubs’ first pride guernseys at training the week before after successfully applying for the Toyota Gear Grants.

Wisely Wine & Food Day

League Legends Support Craig Menkins

Wests Tigers have announced a huge line-up of footy greats for the Craig Menkins Sportsman's Dinner in August.